Reflections

5th waaz – 6th Moharramul Haraam, 1425 H – Dubai

The backdrop to Huzurala’s (TUS) takht mubarak has a depiction of a palm tree with the names of Panjatan Paak (AS) written into its parts. In today’s waaz, the waaz of Mohammed Rasulallah (SA), Huzurala (TUS) spoke of the tree, which this decoration illustrates.

Rasulallah (SA) has said that he is a tree and that Ali (AS), Fatema (AS), Hasan and Husain (AS) are various parts of that tree. On the backdrop we can see that the name ‘Mohammed’ is written on the trunk of the tree, above this is ‘Fatema’ and then ‘Ali’. On either side we see the names ‘Hasan’ and ‘Husain’ hanging in bunches of dates. All the names are in Kufi script.

The leaves of this tree show the historic Aayat for this year, 1425H and in Huzurala’s (TUS) bayaan we learned that the leaves of this tree are Mumineen who, by remaining attached to the tree can become the tree’s finery. Thus Rasulallah (SA) intends to show pride in his ummat amongst all the other ummats on the Day of Judgment and urges us to become such that we make him proud.

Salman al-Farisi (RA) entered into a contract to free himself from his Jewish possessor. He had to sow a number of date palms; the fruition of the palms would ensure his freedom. Rasulallah (SA) instructed him to accept the proposition.

Rasulallah (SA) himself sowed the seeds and they grew and bore fruit very quickly. One of them however did not grow; it remained stunted and bore no fruit. It came to light that it had been sown by Sani who had hoped to make a name for himself by being part of this effort. Rasulallah (SA) had it uprooted and planted a new one in its place.

Rasulallah (SA) has said, "Tooba (great joy) for the person that saw me. Tooba for the person that saw the person that saw me. Tooba for the person that saw the person that saw the person that saw me."

To see someone is a common activity, we see people all the time. But there is ‘sight’, to merely see a person whereas there is ‘insight’ to recognize someone and understand him.

Rasulallah (SA) was seen by all kinds of people even bitter opponents such as Abu Jahl. Is there Tooba (great joy) for them? No. Tooba is for those that see, recognize and understand who Rasulallah (SA) is. And the one who has truly seen Rasulallah (SA) is the Imam, so whoever truly sees the Imam has seen Rasulallah (SA). In the age of satr the Dai is the one who has truly seen the Imam and is the recipient of Tooba.

Seeing and recognizing Awliyaullah (AS) enables us to recognize the glories of Allah. People today stand in awe of the achievements of man and the progress of science such that they have forgotten who it is that created man. They have forgotten Allah - who made man from clay just like the other animals but also bestowed on him the supreme johar (faculty) of intellect.

Huzurala (TUS) recounted the remarkable tale of the artists who painted the portrait of Imam Mustansir (AS). Sent from Rome, ten artists arrived in Misr to paint the portrait of the Imam. The Roman king had a image in his halls, which he believed to be that of Ruhul Quds (The Holy Spirit). A Muslim from Misr arrived at his court and over time became a confidante of the King and his Wazir. Then, after a particular victory the king took his wazirs to pray near the image. The Muslim Wazir informed him that the image had an exact likeness to the ruler of Misr.

In order to prove this artists were sent to Misr. They were received in the Imam’s court and, even before they had explained their reason for being there, the Imam sent everyone else out of the court in order to allow them to do their portraits. “You have come to draw my portrait, have you not?”

The artists completed their portraits and left. They found that all of the portraits were different, not a single one was the same. Since they were all highly accomplished artists they felt very disturbed by this and asked for an opportunity to do the portrait again. The next day, once again, they came away with ten different portraits. Somewhat shame-facedly they asked for a third chance. This time all ten portraits were the same; now there was a total of twenty-one different portraits.

Today’s waaz was filled with nasihat; teachings to achieve a balanced, harmonious and cordial life. It included counsel on how to live as husband and wife; the wife must serve her husband well and the husband should treat her with love.

Talk of marriage naturally included encouragement to youngsters to get married. Parents were urged to persuade their children to marry and parents were urged not to stand in the way of their children’s marriages as long as their imaan was intact.

Children should listen to their parents, Huzurala (TUS) told us that those children who disobeyed their parents would in turn be disobeyed by their own children.

One should make a particular effort to use Dawat ni Zabaan, especially in the home. English, for example, is acceptable as the language of the office and workplace, but it should not be used in the home. A Mumin child should be taught to say, "Al-Salaamo alaykum", not, "Good Morning!"

Huzurala (TUS) strongly urged youngsters in particular to stay away from alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Our surroundings, associates and friend circles may lead us towards such things but we must stay away from them for they are strictly forbidden. As is interest, gambling and insurance. Nazrul Maqam (AS) is a far better alternative to insurance. Huzurala (TUS) also emphasized that the beard should not be cut or trimmed and women should wear a rida.

In the context of Taharat Huzurala (TUS) specifically mentioned the baitul khala and its twelve adaab reiterating that taharat cannot be maintained using western style seat commodes.

Today is the matam of Rasulallah (SA) and in his matam is the matam of Imam Husain (AS). As his last moments approached, Rasulallah (SA) distrubuted Hunuut that had been sent from Jannat. One was for himself, one for Ali (AS), one for Fatema (AS) and one for Molana Hasan (AS). Imam Husain (AS) was left without any, for there would be no ghusl, no kafan, no dafan for him for many days after Aashura.

During the waaz Huzurala (TUS) stated that he bestows barakaat during this night of satr. May Allah grant him long life to spread this barakaat to Mumineen for all ages to come.

Ameen.