Reflections

4th waaz – 5th Moharramul Haraam, 1425 H – Dubai

One of the most distinctive features of Ashara Mubarakah is that Huzurala (TUS), Hafizul Quran, explains in great detail the meanings that are contained in the Aayats of the Quran.

The Quran-e-Majid is a book of finite words with infinite meanings. It has to be because, in one Aayat of the Quran, it says that there is nothing wet or dry but it is to be found in the Quran. In today's waaz mubarak Huzurala (TUS) explained the meaning behind Ibrahim Nabi's (AS) R'uya (a form of dream) in which he is instructed to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS). Mufassireen (those who interpret the meanings of the Quran) interpret this Aayat literally to the extent that they pinpoint the exact place of the sacrifice in Mina. Huzurala (TUS) interpreted this qissa in various ways. One moral to be derived from the sacrifice was that a Mumin must always be ready to perform khidmat whatever that khidmat might be and even if it was below his expectation. Ibrahim (AS) informed Ismail (AS) of his dream and asked Ismail's (AS) opinion on the matter. Ismail (AS) showed no hesitation in being ready for the sacrifice. He could, after all have said, "How could you do such a thing to your son?" Instead he submitted to his illustrious father in a humble and respectful manner, "O' beloved father, do as you have been instructed to."

Huzurala (TUS) spoke of the nature of this sacrifice in great detail. Ibrahim Nabi (AS) did not, ultimately, slay Ismail (AS) - a sheep was substituted in his place. The khidmat that Ismail Nabi (AS) had been ready to perform was delegated.

For us, the message being delivered was clear. One should never regard any khidmat as being beneath one's standing. To illustrate this Huzurala (TUS) spoke of instances throughout the history of Dawat where Awliya Kiram have demonstrated this value; that of showing humility.

In an Aayat of the Quran, for example, it is written, "Masih (Esa) and the angels did not have istinkaaf to be the servants of Allah,"
Syedi Khanji Pheer (AQ) from Udaipur; when he first went to the Hazrat of Syedna Ismail Badruddin (RA), was given raza mubarak to participate in sabaqs with hudud. A bad odour wafted through the room where the sabaqs were being held and it was apparent from Syedna's expression that it was disturbing him. Syedi Khanji Pheer (AQ), still a young man at this time, awoke in the middle of the night and went down into the kitchen from where the stench was coming. Those in charge of the kitchen would leave everything in a state each day, not bothering to clean up. Syedi Khanji Pheer (AQ) set about cleaning the entire area, throwing away the rubbish and washing the area down. He would then bathe and pray Nisful Layl namaaz. The odour ceased and Syedna (RA) asked what had happened, why had the odour gone? Some of the Hudud replied that the boy from Udaipur had done the cleaning. Syedna (RA) replied angrily, "Do not speak of him in that way, his status will become lofty."
In today's waaz mubarak Huzurala (TUS) spoke of the importance of sadaqah. Sadaqah should not be a question of giving away something because it is of no use. Sadaqah in its true sense is to give something that is valued. One Imam (AS) used to give sadaqah of sugar in particular. When asked why he replied because he liked sugar he gave it in sadaqah.
Rasulallah (SA) explained the virtues of sadaqah to Molana Abizar (RA). The first form of sadaqah is to free the enslaved. "What if one cannot afford to do this?" asked Abizar. "He should cook lots of food and give out the surplus" Abizar asked, "What if that is not possible?" Rasulallah (SA) replied,if he is knowledgeable he should give good advice. If that is not possible one should give physical help to the weak.

If not possible then one should help the oppressed. If not possible then one should clear obstacles from the pathways of Muslimeen - their physical roads or their means to working. If nothing else is possible one can at least avoid causing any difficulty to anyone else. A total of seven forms of sadaqah which, having learnt of them, a Mumin should incorporate them as his habit. As Syedi Abdeali Imaduddin (QS) writes in his qasida:

"Adopt good habits in your time for certainly, Every man takes from his life that which he has made his habit."

A good habit, aadat, is s'aadat (good fortune). The absence of good habits leads to shaqawat (depravity). Good habits should be developed not only in oneself but in all the people of the household. People who fail to adopt good habits, such as roza and namaaz, in childhood will be bereft of them in later life.

Huzurala (TUS) ended today's waaz mubarak by reciting the shahadat of Imam Husain (AS) from a qasida mubaraka of Syedna Idris Imaduddin (RA). In it Syedna describes the spear wounds to Imam Husain's (AS) body; they were so many that there was nowhere left for them to hit; now it was wound upon wound, wound upon wound.

Huzurala (TUS) related the zikr of the aaraabi who gave sadaqah on the night of his wedding and thus his life was doubled in length. May Rasulallah's (SA) Dai have long life; a life as long as all our lives put together.

Ameen.