SPIRITUAL FOOD PART 3
- Details
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 14 July 2015 11:38
RANDOM GOLDEN EXTRACTS FROM:
IKMAALUSH SHIYAM (PERFECION OF MORALS)
By: Shaikh Ibn Ataullah Iskandari
Translated by: Mujlisul Ulama of S.A
CLICK ON EACH TITLE TO READ ON
11.WE ARE POOR, WE NEED HIM
Your poverty is natural. The means (asbaab) of need and want which appear to you are simply to remind you of your natural state of poverty which lies hidden in you. Temporary factors cannot eliminate your natural poverty.
O Insaan! In your present existence and in your next existence after death, you will be perpetually dependent on your Khaaliq and Rabb. Therefore, remember that your faqr (poverty) and dependence are natural to your constitution. You are inseparable from this dependence for even a second.
However, here on earth, on account of the health, wealth and freewill granted to you, you have developed an independent attitude, forgetting your Creator and Sustainer. You have thus become oblivious of your natural and inherent dependency on Allah Ta’ala. It is only on account of Divine Mercy that you are reminded of your natural attribute by way of the imposition of circumstances of difficulty and trial which constrain you to turn in supplication to your Creator. These conditions of hardship imply: “O Ihsaan! Why have you forgotten your origin?”
The selected servants of Allah always keep in mind this natural attribute of man’s dependence on Allah Ta’ala. The difficulties and trials which come their way are not for reminding them of their dependence, but are for the elevation of their ranks.
All things which have deceived you into a false state of independence are temporary. Allah Ta’ala is at all times capable of snatching away these material possessions which are keeping you in deception. In fact, this often happens. When it happens, man’s original state of dependence is exposed. He should, therefore, understand that his temporary and superficial facade of independence does not eliminate his natural and inherent state of absolute dependence. Thus, employ your intelligence and remember your origin. Your welfare is in this.
12.NO DIFFICULTIES?
NO DIFFICULTIES? NO HARDSHIPS? – BEWARE, REFLECT!
Be fearful of the daily state of favour (Ihsaan) of Allah Ta’ala despite your disobedience, for this may be a respite for you.
Sometimes Allah Ta’ala does not apprehend the transgressors. Inspite of their rebellion and transgression He gives them time and continues to shower His favours on them. When they completely lose themselves in sin and reach the point of no return, He suddenly apprehends them. The granting of such respite to the transgressors is called Istidraaj which is a matter of utmost gravity.
On the other hand, some servants of Allah are immediately forewarned when they commit any misdeed. As a result, they quickly engage in Thikrullah and abandon the transgression. They banish ghaflat.
Here the Shaikh (Rahmatullah Alayh) discusses Istidraaj. He says that Allah’s ihsaan (kindness, favour) settles over you every moment while you persist audaciously in transgression. You are not even being reprimanded. Instead, your wishes are granted. This condition is fearful. You should fear this state, for perhaps it is respite allowed by Allah Ta’ala. Thereafter, He will suddenly apprehend you with His punishment. Proof for this is in the Qur’aan which warns of Allah’s punishment arriving suddenly in the wake of the respite granted to the transgressors. When their transgression exceeds the bounds, His punishment comes swiftly. The period of grace granted (the Istidraaj) should, therefore not be misunderstood. When Allah Ta’ala gives man respite, his ghaflat (negligence) increases in stages, but his hopes and desires are fulfilled. When his ghaflat has thoroughly set in, the Divine Chastisement suddenly overtakes him.
13.YOUR RIZQ
Your toiling in something, the responsibility of which Allah has assumed and your deficiency in something which He demands from you, are evidence for the light of your intelligence being extinguished.
O Saalik! Your Maula has already assumed the responsibility for your sustenance (rizq) and the means of your livelihood. Declaring this responsibility, He says:
“There is not a living creature on earth, but its rizq is the responsibility of Allah.”
Have you then no trust in His Providence? You labour and toil to acquire rizq which is the responsibility of Allah Ta’ala. On the other hand you are lax and deficient in worship and obedience which He demands of you and for which purpose He has created you. This attitude clearly proves that the noor (light) of your intelligence has been extinguished, hence you are devoid of intellect. If your intellect was functioning correctly, you would have been unconcerned regarding the issue of rizq whose responsibility has been assumed by Allah Ta’ala while at the same time you would have applied your full attention and effort towards the fulfilment of Allah’s demand of worship.
The use of the term ‘toiling’ or ‘striving’ by the Shaikh (Rahmatullah Alayh) implies that a little effort for the acquisition of rizq will not be misplaced. However, engrossment in the pursuit of rizq is improper.
14.SUMMARY OF THE NAFS
The root of every sin, ghaflat (inertia); bestial desire is pleasure with one’s nafs and the seed of every obedience; alertness and purity are displeasure with one’s nafs.
When a man is pleased with his condition, then he is in fact pleased with his nafs, whether his state be good or bad. This pleasure with the nafs is the root of every evil, negligence and lowly nafsaani desire.
When a man in pleased with his nafs, its defects and evils will be concealed from his gaze. His own evil will also appear pleasing. His heart will feel safe and satisfied with his nafs. He will then become forgetful of Allah Ta’ala. In the wake of ghaflat (forgetfulness, neglect, inertia), wasaawis (stray satanic thoughts) and lustful desires will strike him with force. Sin will then be the result.
Being displeased with the state of one’s nafs is the root of obedience, alertness and purity. When man is displeased with his nafs, he will always be alert. He will understand every trick and desire of this enemy. He will examine intelligently every demand of the nafs on the standard of the Shariah. Any demand he finds in conflict with the Shariah will be shunned.
In the initial stage, the struggle against the nafs is difficult. Sometimes the nafs will emerge victorious and sometimes it will be defeated. However, if the struggle (Mujaahadah) is maintained, the power of the nafs will gradually be neutralised and it will become content with the Shariah. It will then refrain from rebellion. Purity and obedience will become its nature. Sin and inertia will be banished.
For hard copies of the full book write to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or
P.O Box 818 De Deur, South Africa
More books available @ www.asic-sa.co.za