Iman, Islam & Spiritual Education
“Whoever searches for a Deen other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him (i.e. His adoption of any other religion will never be acceptable to Almighty Allah). And, in the Aakhirah he (the one who chooses another religion) will be ruined”. (Al-Imran, 3: 86)
“Whoever among you turns away from his Deen
(Islam) and then dies being a Kafir, his good deeds will be ruined in
this world and the Aakhirah. Such people are the inmates of the Fire;
therein will they remain forever”.
(Al-Baqara, 2: 218)
The ruin of one’s Islam in this world is the nullification of one’s Nikah. By reneging from Islam, the renegade’s (Murtad’s) wife falls out of his Nikah. He is also deprived of inheritance. He will not inherit in the estate of any Muslim. After death there is no Janaza Salat for him. The ruin of one’s deeds in relation to the Aakhirah is the everlasting residence in hell.
If a Murtad (one who renounced Islam) returns to the fold of Islam, he will have to renew his Nikah with the woman who was previously his wife. This renewal will be with her consent and approval. If she refuses, it cannot be imposed on her and she cannot be compelled to marry him. Almighty Allah says:
“O people of Iman! Believe in Allah, His Rassool, in the Book which He has revealed to His Rassool and in the Books which were revealed before (the advent of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)). Whoever commits Kufr (i.e. disbelieves) with Allah, with His Angels, with His Books, with His Messengers and with the Day of Judgement, verily, he has gone far astray. Undoubtedly, those who were (first) Muslims then became Kafir; then again Muslims; then again Kafir (and remained so at last), have gone multiplying in Kufr. Allah will never forgive such people nor will He show them the Road (to Paradise)”. (An-Nisa, 4: 137-138)
Almighty Allah says: “Verily,
those who have rejected Our Laws, soon will We enter them into a dreadful Fire.
Therein (their condition will be such that) when their skins have become
scorched (and burnt out), We will immediately replace the skin so that they
suffer the punishment (forever). Verily, Allah is Most Powerful and The Wise.”
(An-Nisa 4: 57)
“Those who have adopted Iman (faith) have indeed practiced righteousness; soon will We enter them into such paradises under which flow rivers. They will dwell therein forever. Therein will be pure wives for them. We will enter them into a dense shade (of coolness)”. (An-Nisa 4: 58)
In these verses of the Holy Quran, some of the bounties of Paradise for the people of Islam and some of the terrors and hardships of hell are mentioned for the rejecters of Islam. Other verses and ahadith explain these in greater detail.
O Muslims! The life of this world is insignificant. If you remain steadfast on Islam irrespective of whether you have to suffer some hardship, the comforts and luxuries which you will experience and enjoy immediately after death, will obliterate the memory of any difficulty or hardship which you had undergone here on earth.
If due to some baneful motive, greed, fear or hardship you turned away from Islam - Allah forbid! - You will experience and suffer such terror and punishment immediately after death that you will forget whatever comfort and luxury you had enjoyed here on earth. You will never be able to escape that misfortune and dread which will overtake you after death.
Hence, a person with the least amount of understanding will not renounce Islam for the sake of even the kingdom of the whole world.
O Allah! Guide our brethren and straighten their
intelligence and make them use it for the propagation of Your Deen [i.e.
Islam] on earth. Ameen.
Indeed, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The acquisition of (Deeni) knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah)
This Hadith proves that it is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female, rich and poor, city dweller and villager, to seek Deeni knowledge. Acquisition of Deeni knowledge is not confined to the medium of the Arabic language. The teachings of the Deen are to be acquired through the medium of either Arabic books or non-Arabic books or by enquiring from reliable Ulama or by listening to lectures of reliable and qualified lecturers. Women who are unable to read and cannot reach any Alim [scholar/ theologian in Deen matters], should through the agency of their men-folk enquire from the Ulama about their Deeni requirements. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, addressing his companion, Abu Zar (ra):
“O Abu Zarr! If you go anywhere to learn one verse of
the Quran, it is better for you than a hundred Rakaat of (Nafil) Salat; if you
go anywhere to acquire one law of the knowledge (of Deen), it is better for you
than performing a thousand Rakaat of (Nafil) Salat, irrespective of whether you
practised on it (the knowledge) or not.” (Ibn Majah)
The immense value and significance of Deeni knowledge are manifest from this Hadith. Some people contend that knowledge without practice is futile. This view is erroneous because the Hadith states with clarity the great merit of acquiring Deeni knowledge even if one did not practice in accordance. There are three reasons for this great significance of knowledge even if one does not practise according to what has been acquired. These are:
(1) Knowledge prevents one from going astray because of the realization of the truth. This in itself is a great treasure.
(2) Knowledge of the Deen will, Insha-Allah, induce one to act in accordance with it sometime or the other. Insha-Allah, a man of knowledge will someday obtain the Tawfeeq to make good deeds (in other words, to practise according to the demands of knowledge).
(3)
Knowledge
enables one to instruct others in the truth. One in possession of Deeni
knowledge is in a position to impart that knowledge thereby disseminating the
law of Almighty Allah. This too is of great merit and of tremendous thawaab
[blessings].
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The noblest charity is that a Muslim acquires some knowledge (of the Deen), then imparts it to a brother Muslim.” (Ibn Majah)
This Hadith urges the impartation of Deeni
knowledge in whatever measure one has acquired. Its thawaab is greater
than all acts of charity. Subhan-Allah! How gracious is Allah! He
bestows the greater of thawaab for slight effort of the tongue. Such
huge amount of thawaab can never be attained by expending even large
sums of money in charity.
Almighty Allah says: “O believers [O those who have faith]! Save yourselves and your families from the fire.” (At-Tahrim, 66:7)
Explaining this verse, Hazrat Ali (ra) said that it means: “Teach your family acts of virtue (i.e. Deeni acts).”
It is manifest from this verse and Hadith that teaching the Deen to one’s wife and children is compulsory. Failing to discharge this obligatory duty will result in the punishment of the fire as stated in the verse.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that among the good deeds of believers, which will continue to build up (as capital) after one’s death is Deeni knowledge which was imparted to others. This applies to even a single Islamic teaching shown to another. Among such deeds is the dissemination of the Deen, for example by means of writing or purchasing books and distributing these or by assisting students pursuing Deeni knowledge. Also among the virtuous deeds, the thawaab of which will be perpetuated after one’s death are pious children. The Hadith mentions some other acts of virtue as well in this regard. (Ibn Majah and Baihaqi).
Train Your Children
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “No one has given his children anything better than adab (which in this context refers to Deeni knowledge).” (Tirmidhi, Baihaqi)
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Almighty Allah makes Paradise a surety for a man who looks after three daughters or three sisters. He imparts knowledge to them, is kind to them until such time that Almighty Allah relieves him of their responsibility (i.e. until they get married).”
Someone then enquired regarding two daughters and the
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) mentioned the same reward for caring for two
daughters. Another person enquired in regard to one daughter. The Prophet of
Allah (pbuh) said that this thawaab is for the caring of even one
daughter as well. (Mishkat)
Acquisition and teaching of Deeni knowledge
being Fardh (compulsory) and the considerable thawaab therefore
are established by these ahadith (which I have cited before you) as well as by many
other ahadith. The highest degree of such knowledge is that which qualifies one
as an Aalim of the Deen.
However, all people do not have the ability, determination and
opportunity to become Ulama. Nevertheless, Deeni knowledge is
incumbent upon all; hence a simple method of acquiring such knowledge will be
explained. This simple method enables the general public to acquire Deeni
knowledge, thereby discharging their incumbent duty and obtaining the thawaab
promised in this regard. This simple way is as follows:
Those versant with the Arabic, Urdu, English, French, Hindi, Tamil language etc., should study authentic books of the Deen in these langauges, especially in this era of Divine Manifestation where we have our own books, Jamaat books, as well as the books of the Khalifatullah of this age and the Al-Azim Tafsir’ul Quran. These books should be studied in lesson form and with Taqwa.
Being as we are, in the times of the internet and social media and especially in a dire situation where mortal viruses are causing havoc and deaths in the world, I would advice all my disciples to study these books and to take exams or quiz on them to sharpen your memory and intellect.
Whenever you do not understand, make a mark; seek clarification whenever you meet someone of knowledge. Whatever knowledge you acquire in this way, impart it to others also. All believing men should make a special effort to teach such knowledge which they have acquired to their wives and children.
Those unable to read such books should endeavour to
enlist the services of one who is versant in those languages and could help
them in understanding the essence and contents of these books. The instructor
should read and explain the books to his class. At the same time they should
refer their Deeni questions to him for explanation.
Never attend or participate in the gatherings and functions of the Kuffaar who are adamantly voicing against the pure Deen of Allah. Firstly, words of Kufr (disbelief) and dhalaal (deviation) produce darkness in the heart. Secondly, at such gatherings there is the possibility of a Muslim being provoked; his Iman (faith) may become inflamed because of Haram (illicit) acts being committed or statements of blasphemy uttered. His anger may lead to dispute and strife. On the other hand, if one is unable to voice one’s anger, one will be overtaken by depression and frustration. One’s peace of mind will be wrecked. Refrain from disputes and debates. In the majority of cases debates produce darkening of the heart, ill-feeling and frustration.
Another very harmful effect of attending such gatherings and functions and engaging in debates is doubt and confusion. A statement of falsehood or Kufr may throw the unqualified one - the one with insufficient knowledge - into great mental confusion. One may be influenced by the baatil (falsehood) being propagated and due to insufficient knowledge the doubt will linger and not be dispelled. Thus, by attending such functions or discussions [debates] one unnecessarily invites great spiritual calamity upon oneself. One attends those kinds of functions at the peril of one’s faith.
So, you should polish your heart and keep away from all kinds of doubts and confusion and do not let any obstructer in your faith obstruct your way to Allah. Keep your faith alive through prayers, trust in Allah, and through enriching your Deeni knowledge through the books of Deen, and by following the advice and instructions of the Khalifatullah of this age.
Adherence to these instructions and methods, for this will ensure Deeni and Imani good health. You will be fortified spiritually and morally; you will be saved from the diseases which attack the Deen. May Almighty Allah assist you all in this endeavour, and grant you the Tawfiq to enrich your Deeni knowledge and to propagate it to others with a sincere and true heart. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of