Affording People the Opportunity to Do the Effort of Deen

Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:

Those types of deeni efforts which the general masses who are sincere and devoted to deen are able to do, and it is hoped that through them engaging in those efforts, they will progress in deen and acquire rewards from Allah Ta‘ala, then they should be given the opportunity to do those deeni efforts.

For the seniors to do all the effort themselves and not afford the general masses the opportunity to do the effort and progress, is in reality not showing these sincere people the kindness which they are worthy of being shown, rather this is dealing with them unjustly.

Furthermore, not to allow the general masses to take part in any effort of deen is not appreciating the kindness and favour of Allah Ta‘ala which is mentioned in this Hadith, that the one who guides someone to do a good deed – he himself receives the reward of the one who actually did the good deed (i.e. this is apart from the goodness he will receive from Allah Ta‘ala for him granting the person the opportunity to do the good deed).

Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) thereafter remarked, “My dear brother! For one to be able to practise upon deen correctly (and acquire the great rewards from Allah Ta‘ala), one is in need of gaining the correct understanding of deen!”

(Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 128)