MAJAALIS FOR THE SAALIKEEN

BY MOULANA NAZIR DESAI

HTTP://MAJAALIS.BLOGSPOT.COM/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MOULANA NAZIER DESAI

Qualified as an Aalim from Jalalabad Darul Uloom, India. Moulana conducts talks on
Islaah in Musjids as well as Muslim Radio stations. He is also a teacher at Darul Uloom
Abu Bakr, Port Elizabeth

ABOUT THE BOOK

This book is a culmination of many Majaalis or talks by Hazrat Moulana Maseehullah Khan Saheb
Rahimahullah which flow through the discourses of The essence of these Majaalis has been
captured in this book together with the unique style of oratory that imbues Moulana Nazir
Saheb’s lectures with a captivating magic.

Table of Contents

Taqwa - Purpose of Ramadhaan

Istighfaar and Repentance

Advice of Hasan Basri

Incident of Good and Bad Ways

Love for Allah and His Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam

Aql and Intellect

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Importance of Nafs

Story of Umar radhiallahu anhu 1

Story of Zunnun Misri

Story of a Wali and a King

Story of Umar radhiallahu anhu 2

Importance of Durood Sharif

Tawaadu or Humility

Story of Sayyid Ahmad Rifai

Kibr and Pride

Advice of Luqmaan alaihis salaam

Three Stages of Kibr

Remedy for Pride

Story of an Aabid

The Mercy of Allah Ta'ala

Importance of Dua

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TAQWA – THE PURPOSE OF RAMADHAAN
First and foremost we thank RABBUL IZZAT who has blessed us, given us Taufeeq, guidance and
strength to be present in this Mubarak month of Ramadhaan. It is ALLAH’S mercy and grace that
once again he has allowed his servants to take the opportunity to reap the Barakah and blessings
of this month.
ALLAH speaks in the Quraan regarding this month:
“ALLAH has made fasting incumbent upon you just as he has made fasting incumbent upon the
people before you so that you can develop Taqwa (piety)”.
So Insha-Allah, throughout the month of Ramadhaan we will focus on Taqwa. In Arabic Taqwa
means to fear, to abstain or to be pious. We can take all three words and combine them into one
word. Taqwa, in simple terms means to utilise this particular month to remove from within
ourselves any form of bad qualities and replace them with good qualities. ALLAH says in the Holy
Quraan:
“The garments of Taqwa in the eyes of ALLAH are the best”
(Surah A’raaf)
Here ALLAH does not mean that you must buy an expensive jersey, kurta or topi, here ALLAH is
speaking of the spiritual Taqwa; that is the garment we will wear or remove, e.g. hatred, malice,
jealousy, greed etc. Now to remove those evil qualities and replace them with good qualities is
what we call Taqwa.

ISTIGHFAAR AND REPENTANCE

Amongst the requirements of this Taqwa first and foremost is Istighfaar or repentance. The
Hadeeth mentions that each and every night ALLAH descends to the first heaven. Now can we
imagine in Ramadhaan with what glory does ALLAH descend? ALLAH stretches out His Hands to
his servants asking and appealing to them saying, “Is there anyone amongst you who is in pain,
difficulty or hardship? Call upon Me! if there is any need you want to be fulfilled, these are the
moments that you turn to Me and ask of Me.”
Now look how merciful is ALLAH, he comes down to our homes and stretches His Hands forward
appealing to us. The general principal is that when we need anything we go to someone and
stretch our hands out to them. Here ALLAH is coming to our doors, knocking on our doors
opening His Hands and asking us. Indeed most unfortunate is that person who turns his back on
ALLAH. Therefore, the first thing we ask of ALLAH is Istighfaar in this month.

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ADVICE OF HASAN BASRI rahmatullahi alayhi
In the time of Hasan Basri (Rahmatullahi Alayh) people came to him with problems and
difficulties which had overtaken them, requesting him for Duas. He replied, “No, we will not make
Dua. Instead, we will read two Rakaats Salaah, for verily ALLAH says:“When you are overtaken
with any pain or difficulty then make ISTIGHFAAR unto ALLAH, remember and start counting
your sins and cry unto ALLAH to forgive you. ALLAH will open up the heavens and shower his
mercy in the form of rain that will bless the land, your crops will grow and there will be barkat in
your crops, your eating, and your money.
So the first lesson we take home in Ramadhaan is Istighfaar in abundance, whilst walking, going
to work and whilst driving continuously make Istighfaar and remember the sins we have
committed, because these are the moments in which we turn to ALLAH. And He promises to
grant us whatever we want.
We thank ALLAH again for His Grace and Mercy. We look at another example: 365 days a year we
have a certain way of life or habit, then comes Ramadhaan and immediately there is a change, this
is an indication and a sign of the verses of Quran wherein it appears that ‘When you are sincere
and adopt Taqwa then ALLAH is there to aid and assist you’.
Take the example of people who say, “I go through 60 cigarettes a day, Moulana. I cannot do
without cigarettes.” Ramadhaan comes and he does not smoke one for the entire day. How do you
think this is possible? It is ALLAH’S Mercy and Grace, this is an indication to show that ALLAH is
alongside us to aid and assist us.
We said that Taqwa is the key element to our success, and the stepping stone to Taqwa is Tauba,
repentance and ISTIGHFAAR, so this is where we start. We can define Taqwa as fear of ALLAH or
introducing good ways and habits and removing bad habits, or as piety and sincerity.

AN INCIDENT OF GOOD AND BAD WAYS

In the time of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, a lady past by his Majlis. A Sahaabi
commented that this woman is very particular with Salaatul-Layl and fasts a lot but there is a fault
and weakness in her: her tongue is very severe, very harsh, very abrupt and very rude. Rasoolullah
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam commented saying that this woman is destined for Jahannum in spite
of her Sallatul-Layl and fasting. After a few days this very same lady past by the Majlis again, this

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time she changed her lifestyle: in forms of Salaah and Ibadat she had decreased but had improved
tremendously on her tongue, she is very kind and gentle, Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
commented saying that she is now destined for Jannat. From this we learn that Taqwa is to
remove the evil qualities and replace them with good qualities.
Now the stepping stone to this Taqwa is Istighfaar and repentance. A Muslim should never ever
regard a sin to be small, no matter how trivial it seems to be. Every sin we commit is disrespect
unto RABBUL-IZZAT. If a person regards a sin to be small then his Ieman is in danger. Why?
When you regard a sin to be small then you are regarding ALLAH to be small and this is very
severe.
Look at the example our Akaabireen and Mashaaikh give with regard to sin. “Never think that a
sin is small or big; small and big sins have been categorised for a reason: if a person commits a
major sin then a law is applied to him, but every sin in the eyes of ALLAH is severe. For example,
when a drop of urine falls into a bucket of water, what happens to that water? It becomes
contaminated. Now this is an indication to show us that if just one drop of urine could
contaminate a hundred litres of water then in like manner one sin can contaminate the entire
spiritual side of a Mumin.”
This is what the Hadeeth actually teaches us: that whenever we sin no matter what sins we
commit, a little black spot forms on the heart and if repentance is not made more black spots will
appear till eventually the entire heart will be overtaken with darkness. Then it becomes extremely
difficult to make Taubah.
Another example is given of a spark which can cause a fire in the house, therefore you have to be
careful. It does not take a big flame to cause that fire. So just like we don’t need a big flame to
cause a fire in the house, in like manner we only need a spark to burn and engulf the entire heart
which is the home of our Ieman. This is how severe and dangerous a sin can be.
ALLAH explains in the Quraan about one of the unique qualities of a Mumin:
“When he commits a sin, or falters or his Nafs led him to do wrong things then immediately he
shows signs of remorse and repentance, he turns to ALLAH submitting unto him, and he
acknowledges that he has faltered seeking forgiveness from ALLAH.”
Therefore during the month of Ramadhaan there are moments that we must take advantage of,
calling out to ALLAH. “O ALLAH, throughout the year these eyes have faltered, the ears have
faltered, the mind has faltered, the tongue has faltered, O ALLAH allow me to utilise the moments
in this month, for every moment and every second is filled with Barakaat and Noor, so O ALLAH
forgive me and purify me.”

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So our first step towards this Taqwa is ISTIGHFAAR in abundance, not only should it be made in
the Musjid but wherever we go we should continuously be making ISTIGHFAAR. Remember our
forefather Nabi }dam alaihis salaatu was-salaam, when he faltered he said:
“ALLAH I acknowledge my fault, ALLAH if you don’t purify and cleanse me and that bond
between us is not restored then undoubtedly I will be destroyed.”
Here he referred to the bond and relation of ALLAH which was not restored; And how is that
bond broken? Through ma’siyat or sin.

LOVE FOR ALLAH AND ALLAH’S RASOOL

We are discussing Taqwa and the signs of Taqwa. One of the signs is Muhabbat or love. Without
love one can never progress as far as Taqwa is concerned. Let’s take worldly examples: If we love
business we will always speak about business, if we love our Ustaadh we will speak about our
Ustaadh, if we love motor cars we will speak about cars, and so forth. If we love ALLAH and
ALLAH’S Rasool then the signs and symptoms will also manifest in the life of that Mumin.
Therefore, it is mentioned in the Hadeeth:“Whoever loves something will mention it a lot.” So if
we love ALLAH and ALLAH’S Rasool then wherever we are we will speak about them.
This is the reason why we are sitting here today. We are not here for money or food. Yes! We are
creating the love of ALLAH and ALLAH’S Rasool. ALLAH says in the Holy Quraan:
“Undoubtedly ALLAH and ALLAH’S Malaaikah send Salawaat upon Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam, Oh people of Ieman! it is your duty to you send Salaat and Salaam upon Rasoolullah
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.”
Now consider this verse. ALLAH RABUL IZZAT commands the Malaaikah, Jinn and Insaan in the
Holy Quraan to perform Salaah, Haj and fast ect. However, nowhere in the Quraan does ALLAH
give an instruction which ALLAH himself follows, except in the command of Durood upon
Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. This shows the importance of Durood upon Rasoolullah
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Once Nabi Kareem Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mounted the mimbar, upon ascending each step,
he said, “Aameen.” The Sahabah said: “Oh Rasoolullah, we had never ever witnessed something of
this nature, what is the reason for you saying Aameen upon each step?”
Rasoolullah replied, “Hazrat Jibreel Alaihis Salaam came to me as I was mounting the mimbar
saying: ‘Destruction be to that person who does not send Durood upon you in a gathering when
your name is mentioned.’ So I said Aameen to that.

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On the second step he said: ‘Destruction be to that person who finds the month of Ramadhaan
and does not secure his Maghfirat and Rahmah by ALLAH.’ I said Aameen to that.
On the third step he said: ‘Destruction be to that person who finds his parents in old age and does
not secure his Jannat through them.’ I said Aameen to that.”
It is mentioned in a Hadeeth: “The closest to me on Qiyaamat will be those people who increase
Durood and Salawaat upon me.” Therefore, the day of Jumua is a very great day, this is the day we
have been instructed to increase Durood upon Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
It is mentioned in another Hadeeth: “When a person sends Salawaat upon Rasoolullah that
Salawaat is taken in a golden tray from wherever you are in the world and is presented to
Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam with your family lineage.”
Another Hadeeth states: “Whoever sends one Durood ALLAH sends ten Durood upon him.”
Now this is unique. Can we imagine that while sitting here in a gathering, we send Durood and
Salawaat, thousands of Durood will reach Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Now I always
say to my friends that why do we waste this unique opportunity when we come to the Masjid?
What is the reason, especially children, that we speak in the Masjid? Amongst the signs of
Qiyaamah is that people will talk and speak worldly matters in the Masjid.
What is preventing us from reaping that unique Barakah? Whenever we are in the house of
ALLAH take a Tasbeeh and say “Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam” this is the shortest form of Durood.
Therefore, amongst the means of reaching ALLAH via Taqwa one method is to increase Durood
upon Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam wherever we are. It is proven that when we are in
difficulty we should increase the Durood upon Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Hazrat
Umar Radhiallahu Anhu says that a person’s Duas are suspended between the heavens and earth
until he sends Durood upon Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Therefore the Sunnat
method of the Dua is to send Durood at the start and end of your Dua. So let us increase Durood
upon Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
I always give the example of King Mahmood Ghaznawi, he recited seventy thousand Durood
daily! Now this might seem impossible but the day you embark on reciting Durood, I promise you,
you will see in one day how much Durood you are able to recite. Therefore, some of the Fuqaha
and Ulema have written that the minimum requirement of the word ‘Akthar’ (an Arabic word
which means abundance) is at least three hundred Durood.
We should try this out ourselves whenever we come to the Masjid, take out our Tasbeehs and read
“Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam” you will find sometimes you will read one thousand, two thousand
Durood without even realising it. Whilst driving sometimes your eyes get attracted to something.

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Read Durood; the Barakah and Noor of that will protect you from sin and evil. May ALLAH give
us Taufeeq and guidance to increase the Durood.

AQL AND INTELLECT

When ALLAH RABBUL IZZAT sent man to the earth, ALLAH bestowed man with two qualities.
This is an indication of how much love and mercy ALLAH has for man, ALLAH bestowed him
with Aql (intelligence) and Iemaan. The reason for this is that man will be faced with different
forms of difficulties, hardships and problems; he will be engaged in things which will not be good
for himself nor for the pleasure of ALLAH, therefore ALLAH gave him Intellect and Ieman so that
he
can utilise them to assist and aid him. Therefore, the inherent quality of the intellect is to be
obedient unto ALLAH. When ALLAH created the intellect and commanded it to come forward, it
came forward, then commanded it to go back it went back, this shows us that the inherent quality
of the intellect is to be obedient unto ALLAH. When ALLAH created Jahl (ignorance) and
commanded it to come forward it went backwards, then commanded it to sit down it stood up.
This shows us that the inherent quality of ignorance is to be disobedient unto ALLAH.
Therefore our Akaabireen and Mashaaikh taught us that when a person is disobedient to his
Ustaadh, parents or Shaikh, something is wrong with the Aql. Such a person is not normal
because the intellect of a normal person will tell him to be obedient to his parents, Ustaadh and
Sheikh. If this is so, imagine how much more obedient should we be to ALLAH RABBUL IZZAT?
In spite of our weaknesses ALLAH’S Fadhl and Mercy is so great that ALLAH does not deprive us
of anything. We look at our daily lives and we see how much sin the eyes, ears and tongue
commit, yet you find every day when we sit at the table, our food, sustenance, clothes, safety and
security are all there, in spite of our faults and weaknesses. Therefore, looking at this it is the duty
of Insaan who has Aql to drown himself in Shukr (thanksgiving) unto ALLAH and utilise this as a
turning point in his life to do good deeds.
Therefore it is said that, the Nafs is an important factor in the development of your Taqwa and
Ieman. Today the Nafs has overpowered the Rooh and the Nafs has fed the Rooh with
entertainment, lust, pleasure and desire, so we tasted the side of our Ieman that has always been
interfered with by the Nafs. In the month of Ramadhaan the Shayaateen are imprisoned but it
does not mean that you will not commit sin, the Nafs is still alive and active and between the Nafs
and Shaytaan the Nafs is more stronger. Shaytaan is the councillor of the Nafs. When the Nafs

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needs assistance then Shaytaan is there to assist it and he will tell the nafs how to do things. But
the Nafs is the king and Shaytaan is the advisor. In like manner the Rooh is the king and the
advisor of the Rooh is the Aql or intellect. For this reason you find that 24 hours out of every 24
these two armies are fighting.
I have said that we tasted the Nafsani side, the lust and pleasure, for example: we find that the
Nafs puts it into our minds to always look at wrong things and get enjoyment thereof, or to listen
and speak wrong things and get enjoyment from it, but on the other side the Rooh and Aql wants
the Taqwa of the eyes, that is to only look at good things. If it encounters wrong things it should
lower it’s gaze. The Taqwa of the ears is that when it hears something wrong it must shut down
immediately, the Taqwa of the tongue is as the Hadeeth explains; that fasting is a shield which
protects you from wrong and evil until you destroy this shield by speaking lies and backbiting.
These two examples are common, but it includes any wrong speech. So what happens? The shield
is destroyed. Thus, we cannot protect our Ieman from evil.
Never the less, we said that as long as we taste the Nafsaani side it will be difficult for us to taste
the sweetness of Ieman and obedience.
The example our Mashaaikh gives us is of a person while walking in the forest came across a
mirror and picked it up, after looking at the mirror he said to himself, “No wonder people threw
you away, you idiot. You are so ugly!” He took the mirror and threw it aside.
My Shaikh rahmatullahi alayh said that this is exactly the image of our Ieman: he was ugly but
thought that something was wrong with the mirror. In like manner, according to the way one
conducts one’s life that is how his Ieman will be effected. Like the example of a person bitten by a
snake. Whatever he eats will taste bitter to him, even the most sweetest of things. Now there is
nothing wrong with the item he had eaten however, it is his system that has been affected. In
exactly the same manner, when sin overpowers us and effects us, you will find that obedience
becomes very difficult. A simple example is that of clothes; when it is dirty we are not particular to
prevent it from becoming dirtier. This is what sin does to us. When we engage in sin without
repentance then blacks spots start accumulating on our Rooh. Eventually when we realise the
Rooh is dirty we are now not careful of further sin. Therefore, Nabi Eesa Alaihis Salaam gave
advice saying: “When man commits sin I am not amazed. Yes! When man commits sin and breaks
his relationship with ALLAH that amazes me.” That means it is a natural quality in man to
commit sin and for this reason ALLAH gave man Aql and Ieman because ALLAH knew we would
come across various temptations and we will fall prey to it but what is important is that our
relationship with ALLAH must not break. And how does it break? By us not going back to ALLAH

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and acknowledging our sins repenting and making Taubah. So the month of Ramadhaan is as the
Hadeeth explains that unfortunate indeed is that person who witnesses this month and cannot
secure his Maghfirat. Therefore the first step towards our Taqwa is to increase Istighfaar and also
to acknowledge our sins.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAFS

We find that the Mashaaikh often speak about the Nafs and it’s functions because if one does not
understand the Nafs then your spiritual life becomes extremely difficult. One can never destroy
the Nafs, but yes, one can control it, and every person’s Nafs responds differently according to the
individual. Therefore, to achieve this Taqwa it is important that we understand the Nafs. The Nafs
is the king of all evil, whatever evil we commit on the earth whether it is the evil of the eyes, ears,
tongue, heart, or mind is the result of the Nafs who is the king and Shaytaan is it’s councillor. On
the other hand the king of all good is the Rooh and the councillor to that Rooh is the Aql and
intellect. Therefore these two parties are always fighting. When the Nafs desires something,
Shaytaan is there to assist it in acheiving that which displeases ALLAH. On the other hand, you
find that the Rooh is pushing for good deeds and the Aql and intellect is there to help it along.
Therefore, the natural quality of the Aql is to be saleem, i.e. to give peace to fellow Muslims and
human beings. However, because of the influence of the outside world the Aql sometimes changes
its cause. If this Nafs was not important then the great and pious people of before would not
attach so much importance to it.

STORY OF UMAR radhiyallahu anhu

Hazrat Umar radhiyallahu anhu had a habit of going around checking on his subjects every
evening to see what they were doing. So one day while passing through a certain suburb he
overheard the people saying, “Umar is a very great person,” Now it is natural for a person to feel
elated when being praised by people. So for that split second Hazrat Umar radhiyallahu anhu felt
good to himself. He went home to fetch a leather water-bag and a bowl. He then went to the
marketplace and started giving people water to drink. Somebody saw him and said, “Oh Ameerul-
Mumineen! you are the ruler, what are you doing in the marketplace distributing water to
people?” He replied: “I am disciplining my Nafs because people praised me saying that I am a
great person; pride crept into my Nafs and I felt good to myself, so I wanted to discipline my Nafs.
I say to my nafs that ‘you are only fit for walking through the market place and feeding people,

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other than that you are worthless.’ Now if the Nafs was not important then why did he go to that
great extreme to look after the Nafs and control it? This will show us that by not having control
over the Nafs it will be extremely difficult spiritually to develop and get close to RABBUL IZZAT.

STORY OF ZUNNUN MISRI rahmatullahi alayh

Someone once came to Zunnun Misri R.A. complaining that things are very difficult. (ALLAH
mentions in the Quraan that whatever pain and hardship you experience on the Dunya is solely
and only the result of what was done by your own hands, i.e. you are the cause of it) and requested
him to make Dua. Zunnun packed his goods and left the town saying, “I take an oath on ALLAH’S
name that the difficulties which have overtaken our community is solely because of my sins.” So
he left the town went into the wilderness and engaged in Ibaadat. Look at the calibre of these
people.
One day whilst travelling, he passed a sweetmeat shop and desired to purchase some for himslef.
He then started speaking to the Nafs, saying: “My friend, you are fully aware that I am not in the
position to afford these sweetmeats...” Now just look how shrewd is this Nafs, the Nafs started
telling him, “Why don’t you buy it on account. Ask the shopkeeper for credit?” Zunnun Misri
rahmatullahi alayh said, “We have been prohibited to do so in the Ahaadeeth unless there is a dire
need.” The Nafs went a step further saying, “ You are a great Wali why don’t you tell the people in
the shop who you are and they will give it to you for free.” Zunnun Misri immediately knew that
this Nafs is using its deception. So to teach the Nafs a lesson, he went to the farming area where
the buffaloes were ploughing the land, he asked the farmer how much it would cost to plough the
land for one day, the farmer said for example, one rand, he then asked if he had to do it himself
would the farmer pay him that much, the farmer agreed. Zunnun Misri Rahmatullahi Alaih
strapped the equipment onto his back and ploughed the land for the entire day. After the hard
days work, he got his wages, now he went to the sweetmeat shop and bought some sweet meats
and told his Nafs that if you want sweetmeats again, this is how we are going to work for it,
immediately the Nafs responded by saying, “If this is the case then I don’t want sweetmeats
anymore.” Never ever did the Nafs trouble him again.
So from this we learn that if the Nafs was not important then these Auliya would not make so
much effort on it.
Coming back to Taqwa, we can define this Taqwa as Ikhlaas, sincerity, honesty, fear of ALLAH, to
abstain from wrong and to be obedient.

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Zunnun Misri immediately knew that this Nafs is up to some trick. So to teach the Nafs a lesson,
he went to the farming area where the buffaloes were ploughing the land, and asked the farmer
how much it would cost to plough the land for one day. The farmer said for example, one rand. He
then asked if he had to do it himself would the farmer pay him that much, to which the farmer
agreed. Zunnun Misri rahmatullahi alayh strapped the equipment onto his back and ploughed the
land for the entire day. After the hard days work, he got his wages and set off to the sweetmeat
shop. There he bought some sweet meats and said to his Nafs: “If you want sweetmeats in the
future, then this is how we are going to work for it. Immediately the Nafs responded by saying, “If
this is the case then I don’t want sweetmeats anymore.” Never ever did the Nafs trouble him
again.
From this we learn that if the Nafs was not important then these Auliya would not make so much
effort on it. Coming back to Taqwa, we can define this Taqwa as Ikhlaas, sincerity, honesty, fear of
ALLAH, to abstain from wrong and to be obedient.

A STORY OF A WALI OF ALLAH AND A KING

A Wali of ALLAH was one day walking past the balcony of a palace. The king, who was seated on
the balcony saw him, a nd he shouted out: “Is it possible for me to meet you and speak to you?”
The Wali looked up and said: “You are on the balcony of the third story how is it possible for me
to come up there?” The king said, “If you decide to come up I will make arrangements for you.”
He replied. “No problem, I will come up.” So a basket was lowered to bring him up and he soon he
was sitting next to the king on the balcony. The king asked him, “How did you get so close to
ALLAH? So he replied, “When I decided to get to you, you pulled me up. The day I decided to get
close to ALLAH, I put my foot into that arena then ALLAH brought me closer and nearer to him.”
What does this mean? Are we honest and sincere in befriending and getting closer to ALLAH? If
we are honest and sincere then yes indeed, ALLAH’S aid and assistance will be with us and we will
experience that aid and assistance.
Now ten or twelve days of Ramadhaan have passed. Our minds should be functioning. Is the mind
speaking to us, what does it say? I say to myself firstly, Oh ALLAH before Ramadhaan how was
my tongue? Would I backbite, swear, slander, be harsh and rude with my tongue? Now that
Ramadhaan is here, is the mind functioning and telling me that this is not how you should be
using the tongue, this is not how you should be speaking. Is this happening to me? How are my
anger levels. When you are sick then you go to the doctor and he puts the scope on you and says,

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“Well, the temperature is high.” He feels your chest and says that you have a cough. Now we ask
ourselves, “How is that anger level in me? Am I still blowing my top when I come home especially
in the month of Ramadhaan. If the wife did not prepare the food on time is the anger level rising
or decreasing? How do I treat my wife? Is the greed and lust for Dunya still in my heart? How are
my old habits of the past? I was not in the habit of performing Salaah. I was not in the habit of
reading Quraan, am I still lazy?” So we put the thermometer on ourselves and start checking these
levels. And if there are no changes then, O ALLAH, you have promised that this Quraan does not
have an atom of doubt in it; it is a syllabus and a guide for those who want to get close to ALLAH.
ALLAH says in the Holy Quraan: “The garments of Taqwa are the best” Now what brand name is
this which ALLAH is calling the best garment? Today we know of ‘Diesels, Petrols and Nikes’;
these are brand names but O ALLAH, we did not come across this one, ‘the garments of Taqwa’!
What brand name is this O ALLAH? ALLAH says that the colour of ALLAH is the best of colours
and the garments has the brand name of ‘Taqwa’.

A STORY OF HAZRAT UMAR radhiyallahu anhu

Hazrat Umar radhiyallahu anhu made an announcement on the mimbar that as from today no
person should mix milk with water. This was because in those days after washing the udders of
the cows, the remaining water was left in the bucket and it got mixed with the milk that was being
extracted from the cow. So instead of the cow giving 1litre of milk you ended up with 2l itres, for
example. From a Shar’ee point of view this is not permissible because you are deceiving people,
hence this announcement from Ameerul Mumineen.
In the evening whilst patrolling the streets, he passed by a house where he overheard the mother
saying to her daughter, “We are poverty stricken, things are a bit difficult, so add a little water to
the milk and this
will bring in some extra profit when we sell the milk.” The young daughter said to her mom: “
Mummy! Did you not hear the announcement of Ameerul-Mumineen?” The mother said to the
daughter, “Where is Ameerul-Mumineen now, he is sitting in his palace and relaxing while we are
struggling here.” The daughter replied, “ Mummy this is not to please Ameerul-Mumineen but it
is to please ALLAH because his orders are the orders of ALLAH”.
Hazrat Umar R.A. became extremely pleased on hearing this, so the following day he summoned
this girl and her mother to his court. When they arrived, he related to them what he had
overheard last night, and praised the daughter for her honesty. He then proposed marriage to her

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on behalf of his son. This is the definition of Taqwa, that in the darkness of your room, who is
looking into the mind and heart? None other but ALLAH!

THE IMPORTANCE OF DUROOD SHARIF

It comes in the Ahadeeth that the closest to Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam on the day of
Qiyaamah will be those who read Durood in abundance. The more Durood you recite the closer
you will be to him. Hazrat Moulana Zakariyya rahmatullahi alayh states in his Kitaab that there
was a Muhaddith who wrote Ahaadeeth. In the Ahaadeeth it is mentioned that if a person writes
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, as long as that is in written form he will get the reward as if he is
reciting Durood continuously. The reward of the Muhaditheen and those who write Ahaadeeth is
the greatest as far as the Durood is concerned.
So this Muhaddith would sometimes not write down the Durood because of it taking lots of time
and space. One day he saw Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in a dream and made Salaam
to him. Nabi-e-Kareem Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam turned his face away from him, so he asked,
“Oh prophet of ALLAH what is the reason you are not greeting me?” The Holy Prophet replied,
“Because you leave out the Durood whenever you write my name.”
Therefore the Hadeeth mentions that a miser is one who does not send Durood upon me when my
name is mentioned. In the Hadeeth it comes that a person who recites one hundred Durood, one
hundred of his needs will be fulfilled. Now as I have mentioned in the past, try it out. Keep a
Tasbeeh and recite Durood. To recite one hundred in a day is extremely easy.
In another Hadeeth it comes that a person who recites one hundred Durood ALLAH writes on his
forehead that ALLAH will protect him from Nifaaq and the fire of Jahannum. Therefore, keep
your Tasbeeh with you, it is a reminder that whenever you come to the house of ALLAH recite
Durood.

TAWAADHU’ OR HUMILITY
We turn back the pages of history and learn a very great lesson. When Rasoolullah Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam marched into Makkah with ten thousand troops, it was time for Zhur Salaah and
Bilal Radhiyallahu Anhu was instructed to give the Athaan, so he stood on a little hill and called
out the Athaan. Some people of a high family lineage from the Quraish of Makkah said, “Isn’t
there anybody else to give Athaan besides this black slave? How nice that our forefathers have left

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the world so as not to witness such an unfortunate occasion in the Holy city of Makkah.” With
regards to this, the blessed verses were revealed:
“Oh people, ALLAH created you from different groups and tribes so that you can recognise each
other. Undoubtedly in the eyes of ALLAH the most honoured and noblest amongst you is the one
who has the most Taqwa.”
Now here again the unique lesson we learn, that Taqwa also teaches us humbleness; these are the
fruits and results of Taqwa. We must be able to experience this in the month of Ramadhaan.

STORY OF SAYYID AHMED RIFAAI RAHMATULLAHI ALAYH

He is amongst the Sayyid family, the family of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, the
noblest family on the surface of the earth. When he went to the Mubarak city of Madina, in front
of the Qabr Mubarak he said, “ Peace be upon you Oh my grandfather, I come from Rifaa a place
in Egypt and I will be returning soon, what should I say to my people?”
The Mubarak hand of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam came out of the Qabr and he kissed
the Mubarak hand. Many people witnessed this event. Immediately thereafter he laid at the door
of Masjidun Nabawi and said, “Ahmed Rifaai is fit for the feet of people, so walk over me, this is
what I am worth.” What is this? Humility and modesty.
Somebody asked Sayyid Ahmed, “How did you get close to ALLAH?” He replied, “I knocked on
the door of Haj. There were thousands queuing there to use Haj to get closer to ALLAH, I knocked
at the door of Salaatul-Layl there were thousands queuing there using that door to get closer to
ALLAH. When I came to the door of humbleness and humility, it was empty so, I entered through
this door.”
This means that if we want to get close to ALLAH, or we want to change the stepping stone to
getting close to ALLAH than we must reduce ourselves to absolutely nothing. Therefore, for a
Saalik (one who wants to get close to ALLAH) the first step in his life is that he must regard
himself to be the worst of ALLAH’S creation, even worse than a swine. So if anybody insults or
swears him, what does he say? I am worse than even a swine, so what you are saying is still mild. I
am not even deserving or worthy of your insult. O ALLAH, you know what I am worth, you have
concealed my sins, if you had to expose it O ALLAH, people would not sit next to me. So this is the
fruit and result of this Taqwa.
One of the secrets taught to us by our Mashaaikh is that whenever ALLAH gives us any command
or any work to do, in order for us to experience ease in that work we have to be obedient unto

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ALLAH, then only we can experience ease. Today being the twelfth fast through the grace and
mercy of ALLAH, all of us will agree that ALLAH has made fasting incumbent upon us and
ALLAH has assisted us. As human beings it is impossible for us to fast, it is only ALLAH’S
assistance and aid. We can actually experience that aid. Therefore, the secret of any Ibadat is to be
obedient then you will find that Ibadat becomes very easy.
So we said that the garments of Taqwa are the best garments. If a person, for example, wears a
Kurta or any garment that is soiled, creased and untidy then there is no attraction to it, but when
he washes, cleans and irons that garment and applies perfume to it and then wears it, that person
looks handsome and attractive. So in a like manner the garments we have are soiled and dirty.
What causes the soil and dirt? It is the elements of hatred, malice, jealousy, greed, pride etc.
which have caused the garments to become soiled and dirty. Now when you wear that garment, in
the eyes of ALLAH they are not really attractive, so we have to remove, wash, clean and iron them.
Therefore the Zikr we make is like the perfume we apply which gives off a good fragrance, and the
cleanliness of the garments is that we must remove bad qualities and replace it with good. For
example, if I have greed in me then I replace it with Qana’at, meaning to be satisfied with what
ALLAH has given me. If I have hatred in me then I replace it with Muhabbat and love, and so
forth.

KIBR AND PRIDE

Therefore, amongst the items that are harmful and detrimental to us, the most serious one is Kibr
or pride. This is the mother of all sicknesses and the spiritual doctors have said that 99 percent of
people have contracted the disease of Kibr. To a certain extent even the Ulema and Mashaaikh
have contracted the disease of Kibr, therefore it is important that we look at this disease of Kibr.
From this disease you find that other diseases like jealousy, revenge, hatred towards people etc.
emerges. The first person to contract this disease was Iblees, when ALLAH created Hazrat Aadam
Alaihis Salaam and commanded the Malaaikah to make Sujood to him, all made Sujood besides
Iblees, because he did not realise that he had the disease of Kibr saying that he was better than
Aadam Alaihis Salaam. He argued that because Aadam Alaihis Salaam was created from sand and
he (Iblees) from fire, fire is always above whilst sand is always at the bottom. So in his small mind
he thought himself to be better than Aadam Alaihis Salaam. What was the consequences of this?
He was rejected till the day of Qiyaamah.

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We can thus see how severe is this Kibr, it can lead a person to Kufr and rebellion and it can also
earn that person the curse of ALLAH.

THE ADVICE OF LUQMAAN ALAIHIS SALAAM

If one does not consider this Kibr as important then look at the Quraanic verses where Hazrat
Luqmaan alayhis salaam gave naseehat (advice) to his son. Some of these advices pertain to the
individual and some to the entire Ummat. He said:
“Oh my son! Do not turn your face or cheek away from people with pride (when people are talking
to you).”
Such behaviour is contrary to the Quraan. If anybody speaks to you then listen to him carefully
with full attention.
“Don’t walk on the earth with pride because undoubtedly ALLAH detests those who have pride;
when you walk then walk with moderation, and make sure that the manner you speak does not
demonstrate that you are a person of pride; and lower your voice when speaking for undoubtedly
the worst of sounds is that of a donkey.”

A person pased by Hazrat Ayesha radhiyallahu anha and she enquired as to who this person is
and why is he walking as if he is sick. Somebody said that this person is a Qaari and an Aalim and
this is how they walk in order for people to recognise them. She replied reciting the above verses,
saying that who is a greater Qaari and Aalim than Hazrat Umar radhiyallahu anhu? Look at how
he walked and how this person is walking. From his body-language we can see pride. Why did the
Quraan and Hadeeth speak about our dressing, walking, speech etc.? What is the reason for this?
This is to show us that ALLAH wants us to don the garments of Taqwa.
Now when we walk we should not walk like the Yahood and Nasaara, nor should we walk so
slowly like that of a woman or a person who is sickly, for if you walk like them then are imitating
them. If a person is sick then definitely that person is excused. Otherwise, one should walk as if he
is healthy and strong. When speaking, don’t raise your voice and shout because this is a sign of
the people of Jaahiliyya and a sign of arrogance in the voice. Whenever in the company of people
the habit of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam was to focus totally on them; he listened to
them carefully although many times they said things which he did not want to hear but still gave
them a hearing. If there was some Islaah to be made then he would mention it to them.

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THREE STAGES OF KIBR
Kibr has three stages: a) Istikbaar b) Fakhoor and c) Muhtaal. These three words are mentioned
at various places in the Quraan. It is very important for us to understand these terms and see
under which category we fall, and whether we’ve made Tauba from all these stages. What is the
Tauba of Kibr? It is that we don the garments of humility and simplicity wherever we are. This
Kibr is very subtle you will not be able to detect it easily. One subtle form of Kibr is that we will
not announce it verbally or by way of our actions and deeds but the heart inside is filled with Kibr,
so in our small little heart we think the world of ourselves. this is termed as istikbaar such people
are termed mustakbireen.
The second type of Kibr is that due to some reason or the other you feel shy to verbally announce
the Kibr. However, Kibr flows from our walk, garments and appearance. The person who behaves
like this is called Muhtaal.

The third type of Kibr is that we announce the Kibr verbally wherever we go and act as if we are
superior to others. The person who does is this is termed fakhoor. These three terms are used in
the Quraan and the applications are different. We now look into our lives and see which one of
these types do we have. We make Dua to ALLAH to protect us from all forms of Kibr.
Let us look at the Hadeeth Qudsi where ALLAH speaks himself: “Kibr is my cloak and honour is
my trouser, whoever opposes me and tries to adopt my garments of pride, I shall crush him”. It is
mentioned in the Ahaadeth that the people of pride will rise like little ants (on Qiyamat Day).
People will wonder who they are. It will be said that these are the people who developed pride on
the earth. In another Hadeeth it is mentioned that a person shall not enter Jannat as long as he
has an atom’s worth of pride in his heart. Now from this we gain the importance of safeguarding
ourselves against Kibr.

A REMEDY FOR PRIDE

The Mashaaikh gave us certain ways to purify ourselves from pride which is so important. The
Kibr that sets within a person is either through wealth, family lineage or physical structure. This
gives one an opportunity to develop pride. If a person is rich then he looks at his wealth and says,
“I am worth so much”; thus automatically pride creeps in. Sometimes, because he comes from a
high family lineage, he looks down and condemns other people and thinks them to be inferior to
him. Then you find that sometimes because of certain qualities in a person he feels that he is

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better than the next person. Sometimes Taqwa, piety, lots of Ibadat etc. causes us to look down at
other people who do not have these qualities. It comes in a Hadeeth that when a person comes to
the Masjid there are two Malaaikah at the entrance who make note of who comes in and who goes
out. When someone comes into the house of ALLAH with Kibr and pride the Malaaikah say to
ALLAH, “ This person’s heart is filled with Kibr and pride, should we allow him to come in?”
ALLAH will say, “Since he came to My house, remove the Kibr from his heart and let him in.” The
Malaaikah will take out the pride from his heart. This is how the person will enter and read his
Salaah. As he is about to leave the Masjid the Malaaikah will say, “He is leaving now, should we
put back the Kibr in his heart?” ALLAH will say, “ No! Since you have removed the Kibr from him
and We have allowed him into Our
Court, keep the Kibr away from him.” Such a person is automatically purified.
This should be a reminder for us as Musallis coming in and out of the Masjid. Ya ALLAH! You are
so merciful, we come to the Masjid with pride and Kibr... (like my Sheikh rahmatullahi alayh
always said that if a person is drunk and comes to the house of ALLAH, what do we do? All of us
will tackle him, including the Imam, and throw him out by the first window. Because he is drunk
and smelling we start condemning him. He goes home, sits in the house and says, “Ya ALLAH! My
children were in the Masjid what did I do Ya ALLAH that I caused such embarrassment to
myself,” The wife asks him why he came so early from the Masjid and he tries to evade the
question, but finally tells her what happened. He sits in the room and cries and sheds tears saying,
“Ya ALLAH! What did I do to cause this embarrassment to the whole family.” When the
intoxication wears out he makes Tauba and repents.
However when we come to the Masjid with pride and Kibr you can take all the water in the ocean
but will still be unable to wash that pride away. Many of us don’t get engaged in drinking which is
an external factor, however we become drunk with internal factors like Kibr, jealousy, looking at
woman etc. Therefore, we should drown ourselves in Shukr unto ALLAH for purifying us from
Kibr and giving us the advantage of coming to the Masjid and frequenting the Masjid. Kibr will
always enter our lives (and hearts). Sometimes one does a certain act and then Iblees is there to
praise you, saying you are like this and and like that, so automatically your mind gets carried
away. So to counter this, we need an antidote. When you are sick the doctor gives you a tablet. If it
does not help, you want something stronger. The same applies to the spiritual side whenever a
situation like this crops up.
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Rahimahullah. who was a very great Aalim, says that one day
after giving a Bayaan a thought came into his mind. Now we must remember that thousands of

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people sat in his Bayaans. So the thought came to his mind that I gave a powerful Bayaan.
Immediately he knew that the Nafs is now creating a problem, so he said to the Nafs, “Yes what
you are saying is true but don’t forget that if ALLAH did not instill the contents of the Bayaan in
my mind, I would never be able to give it, if ALLAH did not allow me to speak the way I spoke, I
would never be able to do so.” So what we say, “O ALLAH, it is from your side,” In like manner, if
we are driving a beautiful car, or we have a beautiful house, we have extra money, what will we
say, “This is not something which I could earn.” If I am handsome or a Qaari, Aalim, business
person, a person of standing in society etc., this is not something that we could have achieved
Instead it is ALLAH Who has given it to us, and just as ALLAH has given us these Ni’mats,
ALLAH has the power to take it away. So we always remind ourselves. Speak to the Nafs and tell
it: “Any moment ALLAH can take this away, so what am I worth.”

STORY OF AN AABID (WORSHIPPER)

The Bani Israel were famous for their Ibadat. Among them there was an Aabid (worshipper) who
made Ibadat for years on the mountain side. One day whilst engaged in Ibadat he saw a person on
his right-hand side who had a past life of sin. This Aabid became annoyed thinking to himself that
‘I am such a great person and have been making Ibadat for so many years and this sinner is sitting
next to me.’ Many a times this happens to us; we are engaged in Ibadat and the person that does
something wrong is condemned, there is no place in society for him.
So Allah sent the Prophet of the time to tell this Aabid that I have taken away all your Ibadat and
have also taken away all the sins of the other person. So you both are on the same level; there is
now no difference between the two of you.
Can we see? This is how ALLAH can take away His favours overnight. It belongs to Him.
Therefore we should ask ALLAH to give us the guidance to become conscious and recognise
ALLAH through these various forms of favours and become conscious of whether we are doing
things for the sake of ALLAH or not.

THE MERCY OF ALLAH

It comes in one Hadeeth that each and every night of Ramadhaan seven hundred thousand people
upon whom Jahannum is Waajib, are freed from the fire of Jahannam. This is only an example.

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but we can imagine the multitudes of people that ALLAH forgives and frees from the fire of
Jahannam. So the duty of the servant is that we must take advantage of this. It comes in the
Hadeeth that on the day of Qiyaamat ALLAH will call one of his servants. ALLAH will show him a
list of his minor sins and ALLAH will tell him that this is what you did on such and such a day and
time. The servant will think that these are only my minor sins what about my major sins. So
immediately he petitions ALLAH and says
to ALLAH that never ever did he commit these sins and he starts denying all these sins. ALLAH
will say that this is what you committed and he will persist in his denial. ALLAH in His Infinite
Mercy will say, “I forgive you for all those sins.” Upon hearing this he suddenly changes his plea,
and he now tells ALLAH that he had forgotten about a certain sin (because ALLAH promised to
exchange all his sins for good deeds)! ALLAH will then say: “I forgive you for those sins and also
grant you rewards for it.”
So this is the opportunity we take in this month. Mmake an excuse to ask ALLAH, “O ALLAH I
needed a certain favour. You promised to give it to me O ALLAH, but I don’t see it...” This is how
we take advantage of this month.
Therefore it comes in the Hadeeth: “For each and every Muslim who fasts in this month
throughout the day, when he makes Dua, ALLAH promises that his Dua is accepted.” We have not
realised the value and meaning of being Mustajaab in the eyes of ALLAH. This means, being one
whose duas are accepted. Those Malaaikah who carry the Arsh of ALLAH are commanded by
ALLAH to leave their posts and only do one thing in this sacred month: that wherever you see my
slaves making Dua you must stand along side them and say Aameen to their Duas.
Therefore, I say to my friends: let us not be amongst the unfortunate ones who come to the Masjid
and sit and talk especially in the month of Ramadhaan. Whilst we are sitting here, we all know
what are our needs, so ask ALLAH. There is no need to pick up our hands. While sitting we can
say, ‘Ya ALLAH! I want this, I need that, this is my problem; O ALLAH I need forgiveness, etc.’
The Malaaikah will be there to say Aameen to that Dua. There is, therefore, no reason why we
cannot bring changes in our lives.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DUA

ALLAH states in the Quraan: “Whenever you call upon me, you can rest assure that I will be close
to you.” To many of us this Dua does not feature in our lives. The Ahadeeth mentions: “Dua is the
core of Ibadat.” “There is nothing more valuable in the eyes of ALLAH than the Dua of a Mumin.”

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For the simple reason that when a Mumin makes Dua to ALLAH he is expressing the quality of
Abdiyat (slavery). “ALLAH I am a slave and without your help I am worthless.” Dua is thus very
important. In another Hadeeth we are encouraged: “When you ask then only ask from ALLAH.”
It appears in a Hadeeth that a person will come before ALLAH on the day of Qiyaamah and
ALLAH will show him his Ni’mats and favours in Jannat. This person will be amazed and
astonished to see all of it, so he will tell ALLAH, “Ya ALLAH I did not do that amount of deeds to
be rewarded so much.” ALLAH will say, “I have instructed you in the Dunya to make Dua and I
promised to accept all your Duas. Can you remember those days when you were in pain and
misery and you picked up your hands as I have instructed you? However I did not help you
because I kept your rewards for the Akhirat and these are the results of your Duas.” The servant
will then say, “Ya ALLAH how nice if all my Duas in the world were not answered!”
Sometimes we make Dua for many days without getting an answer. We then become despondent.
This is a very bad attitude because when we make Dua in reality we are speaking to ALLAH and
only special servants are allowed to speak to ALLAH. Let us take a worldly example: if there is a
King in our country, how many people will get the opportunity to speak to him. And when you do
get the opportunity to speak to the King, how will you speak to him?
Here every day ALLAH is allowing us to speak to Him because it is important to speak ALLAH. By
speaking to ALLAH we are showing ALLAH that we need Him.
Once the Sahaba radhiyallahu anhum asked Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, “Is ALLAH
near or far from us because if ALLAH is near then we will speak softly and if ALLAH is far then we
will speak loudly.” Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied by reciting the Aayah: ‘And
when my servants ask you about Me, then verily I am close by;’ He also said that ALLAH is even
closer to us than our jugular vein.
Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said that we must not follow the attitude of the
Mushrikeen and Yahood The Mushrikeen had small idols for their small needs and big idols for
their big needs. Our attitude should be that even if we need salt or a shoelace, we should ask
ALLAH because it is not the salt or shoelace that is important, but it is the relationship of the
Mumin with ALLAH. So whenever we ask or whatever we want or need, we should ask ALLAH.
We have money in our pockets and we are going to the supermarket to buy the salt, so transform
that little action into Ibadat by saying, “ALLAH I need salt, you have provided the money and I
am going to purchase the salt; this is what
I need.” So going to, and coming back from that supermarket becomes Ibadat, and above all we
are speaking to RABBUL IZZAT.

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It comes in the Hadeeth that every Dua of a Mumin is accepted provided he does not make a Dua
for anything which is sinful and wrong or to break family ties. For example, making dua for a
curse to befall someone. A person is well off so we ask ALLAH to take all his wealth away. These
types of Duas are Haraam and are not accepted.
So whenever we come to the Masjid let us engage in Dua. There is no need to lift up your hands.

One of the Duas we should make is that, O ALLAH make us people whose Duas are accepted, and
make dua that ALLAH strengthens our Ieman and grants us a death with Ieman..... aameen Yaa
Rabbal Aalameen.

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