Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
(Continuing with the eight lessons which Hazrat Haatim Asamm [rahimahullah] learnt in the company of his Sheikh, Hazrat Shaqeeq Balkhi [rahimahullah])
(e) Not Harbouring Jealousy for Any Person
Hazrat Haatim (rahimahullah) said, “I have seen that people criticize others, find fault with them and insult them. The cause of all of this is jealousy, as some people are jealous over the good that others possess. Then, I read in the Holy Qur’aan that Allah Ta‘ala says:
نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَیۡنَہُمۡ مَّعِیۡشَتَہُمۡ فِی الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا وَ رَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ دَرَجٰتٍ لِّیَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُمۡ بَعۡضًا سُخۡرِیًّا ؕ
We have distributed among them their livelihood in this worldly life, and (in this distribution,) We have raised some of them above others in rank, (so) that some of them (should) take work from others. (Surah Zukhruf v. 32)
(In other words, if all men were alike and equal in rank, no one would want to do any work for others, and similarly, no one would want to take employment by anyone, and through this, there would be disorder and chaos in the affairs of the world.)
On account of this verse, I have stopped myself from jealousy and don’t concern myself with other people’s affairs. I know for certain that the distribution of livelihood is entirely in the hands of Allah Ta‘ala, and He grants as much as He pleases to whomsoever He wishes.
Therefore, I do not have enmity or hatred against anyone, and I have realised that a man’s personal effort has little to do with his being wealthy or poor. Rather, it has been decided by Allah Ta‘ala, Who is the Sovereign Lord of the worlds. Hence, I do not feel angry with anyone.
(f) Taking Shaitaan as One’s Enemy
Hazrat Haatim (rahimahullah) then said, “I have seen that in the world, every person has someone who is his opposition and who is his enemy. I pondered over this, and saw that Allah Ta‘ala says in the Holy Qur’aan:
اِنَّ الشَّیۡطٰنَ لَکُمۡ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوۡہُ عَدُوًّا ؕ
Indeed, Shaitaan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy (i.e. do not befriend him). (Surah Faatir v. 6)
Therefore, I have directed all my enmity and hatred against Shaitaan alone, and I try, to the best of my ability, to stay far away from him. Since Allah Ta‘ala has commanded us to treat Shaitaan as an enemy, I have not taken anyone as an enemy besides him.
(Fazaa’il-e-Sadaqaat [English] pg. 435-436, [Urdu] pg. 481)
