QILLAT-MANAAM

(Reducing sleep)
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Allah Ta’aalaa says: "Stand up during the night, but a portion (of the night); half the night or less than half the night." [Qur'aan]

The aforementioned Aayah commands standing up during the night so that the Nafs becomes accustomed to striving. In this way the ability of the Nafs (to submit to righteousness) attains strength and perfection. Standing up during the night is most efficacious for bringing the Nafs into submission. All forms of Ibaadah, be it Du’a or Qir’at, Salaah or Zikr and be it external (Zaahir) or internal (Baatin), are fulfilled in the proper manner during the night. The meaning of proper external (Zaahir) discharge of Ibaadah during the night is the proper and correct recital of the words since the time available is ample. The meaning of proper internal (Baatin) discharge of Ibaadah is that during the night one derives greater pleasure in Ibaadah. This is in fact what is meant by the tongue and the heart conforming.

During the month of Ramadhaan the Shariah has ordered the performance of Taraaweeh Salaah during the night because it envisages Taqleel-Manaam. Like Sawm (fasting) has its role in Taqleel-Ta’aam, Taraaweeh has its role in Taqleel-Manaam. Like the change of habit (i.e. in eating times) during fasting induces Mujaahidah, so too, does the change of habit in Taraaweeh. The general habit prevailing is to sleep after Ishaa. The command of Taraaweeh brings about a change in the habit of sleeping, and this changing of habit is difficult on the Nafs. This is precisely Mujaahidah.

In Taqleel-Manaam the Shariah does not stop at mere awakefulness, but instructs the observance of Ibaadah during the time of awakefulness. Allah Ta'ala praises pious servants in the Qur'aan: "In the fatter part of the night they make Istighfaar."

Elsewhere in the Qur'aan it is said: "They separate their sides from the beds calling their Rabb in fear and hope..."

In other words, they perform Salaah during the night. However the trend of the Aayah comprehends all forms of Ibaadah, hence it applies to Du’a and Zikr as well. Furthermore, beside the Deeni benefits in sleeping less, the physical health also benefits. Less sleep creates Noor (celestial light) on the face. The following is the statement of a Muhaddith in this regard:

"The face of one who performs Salaah in abundance during the night becomes beautiful during the day."

Excessive sleep is detrimental to the physical health as well. It reduces or stunts the capacity of contemplation in a person. This in turn brings . about harm in both Deeni and worldly activities. A person who is given to excessive sleeping is never able to be punctual in time.

Moderation in Qillat-Manaam
Moderation in this Mujaahidah is also desirable. Nowadays this moderation means sleeping at least six or seven hours, If sleep becomes over-bearing then one should not ward it off. In this case postpone your Wazeefah (act of lbaadah) and sleep. The Wazeefah should be completed later. If the sleep is not over-powering then one should adopt courage and remain awake. If sleep is warded off when it is really over-powering then the consequence will be harmful to the mind as well as to the body in general. Confused thoughts will arise in the mind and at times one is deceived into believing such confused thoughts to be inspiration (Ilhaam). Such a person then considers himself to be a saint. The final result is insanity. Hence, the explanation of the Hadeeth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam:

"When any of you rises in the night and finds that he is unable to recite the Qur’aan properly (due to feeling sleepy), and he does not know what he is reciting, then he should lay down."

The advice in such cases of sleepiness is to lay down and not to ward off the sleep. Some people who are extreme in their observance of Taqleel-Manaam and other aspects of Mujaahidah and do not heed the possibility of harm, should take advice from this Hadith. This Hadith is an admonishment for them. The advice given in this Hadith is two-fold.

1. At times extremism in Mujaahidah proves detrimental to the physique.
2. When the words are not recited correctly because of over-powering sleep then the necessary Thawaab will not be obtained. Thus remaining awake will serve no beneficial purpose in this case.

What a night!

"So, Sheikh," asked Ahmed fidgeting with his topee(hat), "Why did Allah put Lailatul Baraat(15th Night of Shabaan) right here so near to Ramadaan. I mean in two weeks time we have the greatest month with all the forgiveness and good things...so why would Allah want to put this night of forgiveness so close?"
"Hmmm, have you ever helped your mother with the washing?" Sheikh enquired. "You know I don't do that sort of stuff, "Ahmed shot back without a pause "but I'm sure you've watched her do the washing" said Sheikh. "Yea, sometimes," replied Ahmed, "I try to help....sometimes, but..."
Sheikh Hamaad didn't wait for his full defence but continued, "Have you noticed how she takes out some garments with really bad stains on them? And then she gives them a bit of a pre-wash" "Yea, I've seen her do that a couple of times" Ahmed said. "Well, in the same way ...,"explained Sheikh Hamaad, "Ramadaan is a great month and it's meant to purify and elevate us all. But some of us, actually all of us, need a bit of a pre-wash. So Allah Ta'ala, in His mercy has granted this night. So we can be cleansed of our sins before Ramadaan and He uses Ramadaan to pour His mercies upon us. And for us to be drawn closer to Him."
"Wow!" exclaimed Ahmed, "Allah is really very merciful. But what about those few who will not be forgiven like the drunkard, the one who is disobedient to his parents, those who drink alcohol...and the one who wears his trousers below his ankles...and...Ay, I can't remember the others." "Yes, there are a few that Allah will not forgive. To add to your list those who harbour enmity against one another, those who sever family ties, idol worshippers and those who commit adultery and murder."
"But keep in mind Allah will forgive whoever He wants but these people have committed such crimes that will require a very special effort on their part to get forgiven." "Like the really, really stubborn stains?" Yusuf smiled, pleased at understanding the Sheikh's example. "Yes, they will have to give up their ways and make sincere Tauba, repentance to Allah before He will forgive them. They must make a firm resolution never to commit that crime again and be very remorseful of what they did in the past. And if they turn to Allah on this special night He will forgive them too."
"So what should I do on this night?" Asked Ahmed "You need to do just two things." replied Sheikh."Firstly you must make sure that you are not one of those that Allah has mentioned as stubborn stains, and if you are then you must repent and make Tauba. If you have been disobedient to your parents or cut off family ties then you must set this right first. It doesn't help you try to earn Allah's pleasure while these things still hang over your head." "And the second thing?" he asked "The second thing is to do those things that will draw Allah's attention and earn His pleasure like reading the Quran, salaah, zikr and of course, dua to beg Him for His Mercy and Favours."
A broad smile covered Ahmed's face, "I am so glad Allah Ta'ala granted us this opportunity for a pre-wash before Ramadaan. Allahu Alkbar!"

Radha-Bil-Qadha

The quality of Radha-bil-Qadha has also been cultivated within the person who has this sweetness of Imaan and is implemented under all conditions.

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) once asked Hazrat Maulana Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) : “Is there any stage higher than Ikhlaas (sincerity) ?”

Hazrat Maulana Abdul Ghani (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) replied : “Ikhlaas is a very high stage; I cannot think of anything higher than that.”

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) then said : “Higher than even Ikhlaas, is Radha-bil-Qadha - that you be satisfied with whatever Allah Ta’ala gives to you.”

This does not mean that a person can do the wrong thing and expect Allah Ta’ala to decide in his favour. We must not blame Taqdeer for our own mistakes. If a person takes a knife and slashes his throat, this is not ‘Taqdeer’. But if someone else slashed this person’s throat, then yes, this is Taqdeer.

One person gave his very young daughter in marriage to a very old man. For some wealth and property, the father pressurized his daughter and so, even though unwilling and unhappy, she was left no choice. As would be expected, plenty of problems surfaced. When the matter was brought before Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), he asked the father as to where his intelligence had disappeared for him to have arranged such an unsuitable match for his daughter. The father replied : “Taqdeer.”

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) got very angry, saying: “You made the mistake and now blame Taqdeer.”

We should not deliberately do the wrong thing and then blame Taqdeer for the end result. Using the means which are available, the correct effort should be made; thereafter accept whatever transpires.

Handing all matters to Allah Ta’ala, resigning oneself to the decisions of Allah Ta’ala and believing that there is great wisdom in His decisions, creates peace in one’s life.

Allah Ta’ala has mentioned in a Hadith-e-Qudsi : “... Some of My slaves are keen to offer special type of (optional) prayers, but I do not let them do so, for it may lead to vanity; some of them are such, who can have sound faith only when in good health, if I destine sickness for them, they are adversely affected; there are others who can maintain their faith only in sickness, if I order health for them, they may go astray. I give orders befitting the affairs of My slaves, because I know all that which is in their minds.”

Thus, to protect the Imaan of His servants, Allah Ta’ala, out of His Infinite Kindness, grants some people favourable conditions and blesses them with plenty of wealth and prosperity and keeps them happy; for if He inflicts them with poverty and difficult conditions they may commit Kufr.

To some people Allah Ta’ala gives them poverty and less material wealth, because He knows fully well that if He were to give them plenty of wealth, then instead of coming to Him, making Ibaadah and Shukr, they will expend and squander this money in Haraam avenues e.g. gambling, prostitutes, etc. So Allah Ta’ala deprives these people of wealth so that their Imaan remains intact... such is the wisdom Allah Ta’ala has in everything which He does.

Due to the deficiency in our understanding we do not accept, acknowledge and appreciate Allah Ta’ala’s benevolence, loving-kindness and favours upon us as we should. Yet Allah Ta’ala informs us in the Qur’aan Sharief :

“Many a time you dislike a thing while (in fact) it is good for you, and many a time you love a thing while it is evil for you. And Allah knows while you do not know.”
[Surah Baqarah 2 : 16]

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The Cure for Depression Tafweez


(Resigning oneself to the Decisions of Allah)

A talk delivered by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb[Rahimahullah]

The Story of the Royal Falcon

Once a king's falcon flew away from his palace and
landed in the house of an old woman of the
neighborhood. The old woman saw the falcon's long
nails and its big wings and cut them short, saying, "With which
unworthy person have you lived all this time who kept you like
an orphan.” Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullah Alaihe) says, "So is
the love of an ignorant person. For a falcon, long nails and huge
wings are its virtues and required in its hunting pursuits. These
signs of perfection in the falcon were looked upon as faults by
the old woman, due to her ignorance of what constitutes
perfection for a falcon. By cutting the nails and wings, she made
the falcon useless.
The king, in the meantime, searched for the falcon. One
day while searching, he came to the house of the old woman.
Seeing the falcon in this state, he began weeping. The falcon
saw him and said, "O king, I am very much ashamed of myself.
I repent and now make a new promise and commitment to
you".
Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullah Alaihe) now says:
"The world is like that old woman
That whoever inclines to it is just as disgraced and foolish.
He who befriends an ignorant one, will meet the same fate
As the falcon met at the hands of the ignorant old woman".
Hazrat Hakeem Ul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi
(Rahmatullah Alaihe) said, "Similarly, some ignorant ones
become claimants to being servants of Islam. Then in their
ignorance, make Islam subject to their absurd opinions and
thereby distort the true teachings of Islam. This is generally true
of those people who through their own study later become
authors of books and articles on Islam, without having studied
Deen at the hands of a scholarly teacher. When looking at the
writings of these authors, great precaution is required. There is
a Hadith in Tirmidhi that Rasulullah (Sallellaho Alaihe
Wasallam) said:
"See from whom you take your Deen and the correct
transmission chain is part of the Deen".
In other words, before acquiring Deen from anyone, first
enquire from a well-known scholar about his credibility. The
jug from which you drink water should first be inspected to see
that the water inside is clean and not contaminated.
(Extract from Ma'arif e Mathnavi)

Eighteen Wise Advices from the Lips of Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu

Hadhrat Sa'eed bin Musayyib reports that there were eighteen guidelines that
Hadhrat Umar ra. formulated for the people, every one of which is replete
with wisdom. He said,
"(1) When someone disobeys Allaah in matter that impacts on you, you can give
him no punishment worse than obeying Allaah in matters that impact on him.
(2)Always assume the best about your brother unless you learn something about
him that you absolutely cannot reconcile.
(3) Never assume the worst about any statement that a Muslim makes as long as
you are able to make a favourable interpretation.
(4) The person who exposes himself to slander must never rebuke anyone who
holds a bad opinion of him.
(5) Whoever guards his secrets will retain the choice in his hands.
(6) Ensure that you keep true friends to stay under their wings because they are a
source of beauty during times of prosperity and a means of protection during
times of hardship.
(7)Always speak the truth even though it leads to your death.
(8) Never delve into matters that do not concern you.
(9) Do not ask about matters that have not occurred because that which has
already taken place is enough to preoccupy you from that which has not.
(1 0) Never seek your needs from one who does not want to see your success.
(1 1) Never treat false oaths lightly because Allaah will then destroy you.
(12) Never keep the company of the sinners to learn from their sinful ways.
( 13) Keep away from your enemy.
(14) Beware even of your friends, except for the trustworthy one and none can be
trustworthy unless he fears Allaah.
(1 5) Be humble when in the graveyard,
(1 6) submit to Allaah's obedience and
( 1 7) seek Allaah's protection at the time of disobeying H i s commands. (18)
Consult with those who fear Allaah because Allaah says:
From Allaah's bondsmen, it is only those with knowledge (those who
recognise Him) who fear Him. {Surah Faatir, verse 28)
(Ibnu Asakir)

Attaching More Importance to Practise than to Theory

The Statements of Hadhrat Ali ra. in this regard
Hadhrat Ali ra. said, "Study and you will be known for it. Practise on your
knowledge and you will be amongst its worthy bearers because soon a time will
come when nine-tenths of the truth will be rejected and the only person who will
be saved will be one who remains anonymous and aloof from people. Such
people are the beacons of guidance and the lanterns of knowledge. They are not
hasty, do not promote immoral behaviour or immoral speech." (Ahmad)
Hadhrat Ali ra. once said, " 0 men of knowledge! Practise on your knowledge
because only that person is an Aalim whose knowledge is followed by practise
and whose practise conforms with his knowledge. There shall soon come people
whose knowtedge will not even transcend their collar-bones. Their private lives
will contradict their public lives just a s their actions will contradict their
knowledge. They will sit in groups, boasting to each other and will get angry if
anyone sitting in their group had to leave to sit with another group. The actions
of such people will not even transcend their gatherings on its way to reach
Allaah." (Ibnu Abdul Barr)

INSPIRATION

Reciting the word "ALLAH" has a very good mental effects on all humans
This is not a fictitious story...it is real and verifiable...
Vander Hoven, a psychologist from Netherlands, announced his new discovery about the effect of reading the Quraan and repeating the word ALLAH both on patients and on normal persons. The Dutch professor confirms his discovery with studies and research applied on many patients over a period of three years.
Some patients were non-Muslims, others do not speak Arabic and were trained to pronounce the word "ALLAH" clearly; the results was great, particularly on those who suffer from dejection and tension. Al Witan, a Saudi daily reported that the psychologist was quoted to say that Muslims who can read Arabic and who read Quraan regularly could protect themselves from psycological diseases.
The psychologist explained how each letter in the word "ALLAH" affects healing of psychological diseases. He pionted out in his research that pronouncing the first letter in the word "ALLAH" which is the letter (A),pronouncing the velar consonant(L) in the Arabic way, with the tongue touching slightly the upper part of the jaw producing a short pause and repeating the same pause constantly, relaxes the aspiration.
Also,pronouncing the last letter which is the letter (H) makes a contact between the lungs and the heart and in turn this contact controls the heartbeat. What is exciting in the study is that this phsycologist is a non-Muslim, but interested in Islamic science and searching for the secrets of the Holy Quraan.
Allah The Great and Glorious, says, we will show them our signs in the universe and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest.
ALLAHU AKBAR Allah is great. Allah keeps me going day and night. Without Allah, I am no one. But with Allah, I can do everything . ALLAH IS MY STRENGTH