Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَ مَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنٰکَ اِلَّا رَحۡمَۃً لِّلۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۰۷﴾
We have not sent you (O Muhammed [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]) except as a mercy for the worlds. (Surah Ambiyaa v. 107)
In this aayat, Allah Ta‘ala informs us that He sent Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as a mercy for the entire mankind. Hence, every aspect in the mubaarak life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is a mercy for the ummah until the Day of Qiyaamah.
However, the question arises “How should we draw from this mercy which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was sent with?” In another verse of the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala shows us how to draw from this mercy. Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَ اَطِیۡعُوا اللّٰہَ وَ الرَّسُوۡلَ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تُرۡحَمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۳۲﴾ۚ
Obey Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) so that you may receive mercy. (Surah Aal-e-Imraan v. 132)
It is only through one obeying Allah Ta‘ala and following the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that one will be able to acquire the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala and earn His divine pleasure.
Therefore, it is vitally important for a believer to study the mubaarak life and teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and see which actions were pleasing to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and which actions were displeasing to him. Without this, one will not be able to practise upon deen correctly.
Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was an embodiment of love, kindness and compassion and he was a mercy for the entire ummah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would never be harsh, rude or even impolite. If any person caused pain to him or oppressed him, he immediately forgave the person and never took revenge from him.
However, there were occasions when Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also became angry. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) never expressed anger for his personal self, but when the commands of Shariah were violated, then for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) became extremely angry.
Therefore, being part of the ummah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), we should learn about his life to see whether the actions we are doing are such that they will bring happiness to his blessed heart or they will cause him grief and sorrow, as it is mentioned in the hadith that every week, the a’maal (actions) of his ummah are presented before him.
Today, we will discuss a few incidents in the mubaarak life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and see how Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) conducted.
The Compassion of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
On one occasion, a Bedouin Sahaabi, who was a new-Muslim, entered the musjid of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and performed two rakaats of salaah. After completing his salaah, he made dua saying:
اَللّٰهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِيْ وَمُحَمَّدًا وَلَا تَرْحَمْ مَعَنَا أَحَدًا
O Allah! Shower Your mercy upon myself and Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and do not include anyone else with us in Your mercy!
On hearing the dua of this Bedouin, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him:
لَقَدْ تَحَجَّرْتَ وَاسِعًا
“You have restricted that which is very spacious.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #380)
In other words, you have restricted the unlimited mercy of Allah Ta‘ala to two people, whereas the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala is unlimited and all-encompassing. It can encompass the entire creation.
The Sahaabi, being a new Muslim, perhaps compared the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala to the material things of the world. The material things of the world are such that when many people are required to share some item (e.g. food), then the more the people, the less will be each person’s share.
Thereafter, the Bedouin Sahaabi came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and addressed him saying:
مَتٰى السَّاعَة
“O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! When will Qiyaamah occur?”
Since the knowledge of Qiyaamah is only known to Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied:
مَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا
What preparations have you made for Qiyaamah?” (You are asking regarding when Qiyaamah will occur, but what preparations have you made for Qiyaamah?)
The Bedouin replied, “I do not have abundant (nafl) salaah, fasting and charity. However, I have the love of Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in my heart.”
Hearing this reply, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) became extremely pleased and said to him:
فَأَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ
In that case, you will be resurrected with those whom you love (i.e. on the Day of Qiyaamah, you will be with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his Sahaabah).” (Musnad Ahmad #12762)
When the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) heard of this great virtue, they immediately enquired from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Will this virtue also be for us?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded, “Yes, you will also receive this virtue.” (Musnad Ahmad #12993)
Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the reporter of this Hadith, mentions that on hearing this reply from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) became extremely delighted and overjoyed.
Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “After the happiness of the Sahaabah over accepting Islam, I did not see them as happy over anything else as they were over receiving this virtue from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).” (Musnad Ahmad #12823)
Thereafter the Bedouin Sahaabi, went to the corner of the Musjid and began to urinate. As soon as the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) noticed what he was doing, they rushed towards him and began scolding him.
However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) immediately stopped them from shouting him and said to them, “Leave him (i.e. do not scold him), for it is possible that he is from the people of Jannah”. (Sunan Daaraqutni #478).
In other words, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) understood that he was a new Muslim, and due to not having the correct knowledge and understanding of Islam, he had conducted in this manner. Therefore, he should not be scolded and punished, but rather, with love and compassion, he should be educated.
Thereafter, when the Bedouin had completed passing urine, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to pour water over the soiled area and clean the musjid. (Sunan Abu Dawood #380)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then advised the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and taught them how to deal with such situations. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to them:
إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُمْ مُيَسِّرِيْنَ وَلَمْ تُبْعَثُوْا مُعَسِّرِيْنَ
Allah Ta‘ala has sent you to the Ummah as a means of creating ease for people and not as a means of creating difficulty for people (i.e. you should adopt a gentle approach when correcting people who are uneducated in deen, and you should not adopt a harsh approach). (Sunan Abu Dawood #380)
Thereafter, in a loving and compassionate manner, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) advised the Bedouin Sahaabi in the following words:
إِنَّ هٰذِهِ الْمَسَاجِدَ لَا تَصْلُحُ لِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ هٰذَا الْبَوْلِ وَلَا الْقَذِرِ إِنَّمَا هِيَ لِذِكْرِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَقِرَاءَةِ الْقُرْآنِ
The Masaajid (houses of Allah Ta‘ala) have not been created for the purpose of relieving oneself or soiling it with dirt. Instead, it has been created for the remembrance of Allah Ta‘ala, to perform Salaah and to recite the Qur’aan. (Saheeh Muslim #285)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) showed the Bedouin Sahaabi such love and compassion while correcting him that he never forgot the kindness and gentleness which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had shown him on that occasion. Thus, later on during his life, when recounting this incident, he mentioned to the people:
بِأَبِيْ هُوَ وَأُمِّيْ فَلَمْ يَسُبَّ وَلَمْ يُؤَنِّبْ وَلَمْ يَضْرِبْ
May my mother and father be sacrificed for him! (i.e. for Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]. When correcting me,) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not swear me nor rebuke me nor did he hit me! (Instead, he corrected me and educated me in a most kind and loving manner). (Musnad Ahmed #10533)
From this incident, we see the mercy of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the beautiful manner in which he corrected the new Muslim. It is also reported that this Bedouin Sahaabi later on became among the learned of the Sahaabah. (Musnad Ahmed #10533)
The reason for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) adopting this gentle and soft approach with this person was that he was new in Islam and he did not know the laws and teachings of Islam.
However, it is also reported that once, a delegation came to Madinah Munawwarah. They had not yet performed their zuhr salaah, and so Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) appointed a certain person from among them as the imaam to lead them in the zuhr salaah. While they were performing the salaah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was observing them, and he saw the person who he had appointed as the imaam spitting in the direction of the qiblah.
When they completed the salaah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to the people, “This person should no longer lead you in salaah.” At the time of asr, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sent a message and appointed another person among them to lead the salaah. When the first person wished to perform the salaah, they stopped him and informed him of what Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had said.
The person became worried and then came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and asked, “O Rasul of Allah! You did not want me to perform the salaah. Has any revelation come from Allah Ta‘ala regarding myself due to which you have stopped me from leading the salaah?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then informed him of his mistake of spitting in the direction of the qiblah during salaah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him:
آذَيْتَ اللهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ
You have caused hurt to Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (by showing disrespect through spitting in the direction of the qiblah during salaah).” (Sunan Abu Dawood #481)
In some narrations, it is mentioned that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him:
آذَيْتَ اللهَ وَالْمَلَاِئَكَة
You have caused hurt to Allah Ta‘ala and the angels. (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #2011)
In this incident, we see the firm approach which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) adopted when dealing with this person who was an Aalim of deen and knowledgeable regarding the laws of Islam. The proof for this person being knowledgeable regarding the laws of Islam was that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had appointed him as the imaam to lead the salaah.
It is mentioned in the Hadith that the punishment of the Ulama will be more severe than the punishment of those who are unlearned in Deen.
Hazrat Abud Dardaa (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is reported to have said:
وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِيْ لَا يَعْلَمُ مَرَّةً وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِيْ يَعْلَمُ وَلَا يَعْمَلُ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ
May doom and destruction be once for the person who does not know (and thus does not practise upon Shariah correctly), and may doom and destruction be seven times for the person who possesses the knowledge of deen, yet he does not practise upon his knowledge. (Tareekh Dimashq 47/148)
Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) softness and gentle approach was a mercy for the ummah, and his firm and stern approach was also a mercy for the ummah in guiding them towards Allah Ta‘ala.
It is mentioned in the Hadith that on one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) returned from a journey, and upon entering the home of Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), he found that there was a curtain hanging on the door which had pictures of animate objects on it. Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) did not know that pictures of animate objects were haraam.
Upon seeing these pictures, Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) became extremely angry. He immediately went to the curtain and tore it. Realizing that she had done something wrong, Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) said, “I ask forgiveness from Allah and his Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for the wrong I have done. O Rasul of Allah! Please inform me of my mistake.”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then explained to her that pictures of animate objects are haraam in Islam and that the people who make these pictures will be severely punished in the Hereafter. (Saheeh Bukhaari #2105 & Mustakhraj Abi Awaanah #9187)
If we wish to reach Allah Ta‘ala, then we have to follow the mubaarak sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as this is the only path of success.
Incident of an Aalim
It is mentioned that once, a great Aalim who was also a khalifah of Hazrat Shaikhul Hadith, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahimahullah), came to Shaikh Yunus Jonpuri (rahimahullah) and said to him, “Hazrat! I feel that Allah Ta‘ala is displeased with me. Please show me a way that Allah Ta‘ala will become pleased with me.”
Shaikh Yunus Jonpuri (rahimahullah) replied, “Who am I? I am the lowest servant of Allah Ta‘ala! How can I show you a way to mend your relationship with Allah Ta‘ala?” The Aalim responded, “Please show me a way! You are well versed in the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and Allah Ta‘ala has blessed you with great knowledge and taqwa.”
Shaikh Yunus Jonpuri (rahimahullah) replied, “From what I understand, if you make the one who is resting in Madinah Munawwarah happy (i.e. you make Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) happy), then Allah Ta‘ala will become happy with you.”
The person asked Shaikh Yunus (rahimahullah) to explain further how he would be able to make Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) happy. Shaikh Yunus Jonpuri (rahimahullah) explained, “You will need to do two things:
- Recite abundant Durood upon Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
- Make a concerted effort to find the different sunnats of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and practice upon them. Even if there is no need to engage in a certain sunnah action, still practice on the sunnah. For example, you do not have a need to drink water, still intentionally sit down and drink water, so that you will be practicing upon the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Insha Allah, through practicing on these two things, Allah Ta‘ala will be happy with you.
The reason for this is that Allah Ta‘ala has mentioned in the Qur’aan Majeed:
قُلۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰہَ فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِیۡ یُحۡبِبۡکُمُ اللّٰہُ وَ یَغۡفِرۡ لَکُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَکُمۡ ؕ
Say (O Muhammad [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam])! If you possess love for Allah Ta‘ala, then follow me (Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]), Allah Ta‘ala will love you and forgive your sins.”
One month later, the Aalim came again to Shaikh Yunus Jonpuri (rahimahullah) and kissed his hands saying, “Allah Ta‘ala is now pleased with me!”
Shaikh Yunus Jonpuri (rahimahullah) enquired, “How is it that you now know that Allah Ta‘ala is pleased with you, and previously, how did you know that Allah Ta‘ala was displeased with you?”
The person replied, “Previously, I would not find the motivation and enthusiasm to perform salaah, and would not find any enjoyment when making zikr. My heart would not be inclined towards zikr and my heart would remain in a state of restlessness. Now that Allah Ta‘ala is happy with me, I find the spirit and motivation pulling me towards salaah and I perceive enjoyment when making zikr. Similarly, an extremely great and happy sign which shows that Allah Ta‘ala is happy with me is that a few days ago, I had seen Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in a dream, and he said to me, “I am now pleased with you.” (Maahnaamah Ashraful Jaraa’id – June 2023 pg. 46)
In order to reach Allah Ta‘ala, we have to follow the sunnah of our beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in all facets of our lives. Together with this, we also have to love his illustrious Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) are our link to Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). It was through the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) that the Qur’aan Majeed, the Mubaarak Ahaadith and whole of Deen reached us. If we remove the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) from the equation, there will be no deen left.
Incident of a Person who Loved the Sahaabah
Ja’far As-Saa’igh (rahimahullah) narrates the following:
Among the neighbours of Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal (rahimahullah) was a man who was involved in many sins, evils and shameless deeds. One day, this man came to the gathering of Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal (rahimahullah) and greeted him with salaam. Although Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullah) replied to his salaam, he did not show him attention and receive him with warmth. Rather, he seemed uncomfortable in the presence of this man (as this man was well known to have evil ways and sinful habits).
The man immediately perceived the discomfort of Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullah) and thus said, “O Abu Abdillah (rahimahullah)! Why are you uncomfortable in my presence? On account of a dream that I saw, I have completely changed and I am no longer the person that you knew me to be.” Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullah) asked, “What dream did you see?”
The man replied, “I saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in my dream. It seemed as though he was on an elevated area while many people were seated below him. One by one, the people stood and asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to make dua for them. As they stood and made their request, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made dua for them, until only I remained.
“I also wanted to stand and ask Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to make dua for me, but I felt embarrassed and ashamed to do so on account of my evil actions and ways. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then addressed me and asked, “O so-and-so! Why do you not stand and ask me to make dua for you?” I replied, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! It is my shame and embarrassment of my evil deeds that prevents me from doing so.”
“Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded, “If it is shame and embarrassment that prevents you, then stand and ask me for dua. I will still make dua for you, as you love my Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and do not speak ill of them.” I thus stood and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made dua for me.
“When I thereafter awoke, I found that Allah Ta‘ala had instilled within me complete hatred and disgust for all the sins that I was involved in.”
When Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullah) heard this incident, he addressed us saying, “O Ja’far! O so-and-so! Tell people of this incident and do not forget it, as it is beneficial and inspiring.” (Kitaabut Tawwaabeen – Ibnu Qudaamah pg. 157-158)
