The Rights Which We Owe to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

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The Month of Rabee’ul-Awwal

The month of Rabee’ul-Awwal is a month that brings many memories to the mind of a believer, as it is a month in which many important and significant events took place in Islam:

1) In this month of Rabee’ul-Awwal, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was born.

2) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made hijrah from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah.

3) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) built the first musjid of Islam – the Musjid of Quba.

4) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) performed the first jumuah with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) after the hijrah at the tribe of Banu Saalim.

5) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) passed away in this month of Rabee’ul-Awwal.

The Rights of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Upon His Ummah

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has so many rights upon his ummah that it is difficult to encompass and enumerate all in one bayaan. Nevertheless, tonight we will discuss a few important rights which we owe to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Firstly, we should understand that it is not the way of Islam and the way of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to celebrate the Meelad (birth) of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

To earmark one day or one night or one month to show importance to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is not showing justice to Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). This is the way of the kuffaar – to earmark just one day during the year to show appreciation and love to their parents (mothers’ day and fathers’ day).

Speaking about Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his beautiful qualities, following his mubaarak sunnah and teachings and spreading it to others – this was something found every day in the lives of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).

Love for Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – the Key to Entering Jannah

When Allah Ta‘ala commanded Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to perform hijrah from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah, it was very difficult for the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) as they had to sacrifice everything they possessed and travel to a different land.

For the sake of Islam, they had to leave behind their beloved hometown of Makkah Muakarramah, the Ka’bah Shareef, the well of Zamzam, their homes, families, businesses and everything else that was dear to them. However, they wholeheartedly submitted and fulfilled the command of Allah Ta‘ala.

On coming to Madinah Munawwarah, the Ansaar Sahabaah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) gave them a warm welcome, not receiving them with their hands – but rather receiving them with open hearts, showing them unparalleled love and support.

After coming to Madinah Munawwarah, the first Sahaabi to pass away from the Muhaajireen was the cousin of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Uthmaan bin Maz’oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). His demise brought great sadness to the blessed heart of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Before he was buried, his wife said, “Glad tidings of Jannah be for you!”

This incident took place before the laws of hijaab were revealed. Hearing her statement, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked her, “On what basis have you mentioned this?” She replied, “O messenger of Allah! My husband used to continuously fast in the day, and he used to perform tahajjud salaah throughout the night.”

Hearing this reply, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to her, “You should have said to him, ‘Glad tidings of Jannah be for you, as you have love for Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in your heart!” (Al-Awliyaa libni-Abid-Dunya #72, Hilyatul Awliyaa 1/106)

In other words, love for Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is among the greatest actions in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala.

Love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is among the rights that we owe to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Just as a person has parents, and it is their right that he should love them, revere them, respect them and do everything to please them – even greater than the right of the parents is the right which we owe to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

You Will be With those Whom you Love on the Day of Qiyaamah

On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was present with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) in the musjid when a Bedouin Sahaabi entered. The Bedouin performed salaah, and then came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and posed the following question:

متى الساعة

O Rasul of Allah, when will Qiyaamah take place?

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him:

وما أعددت لها

What preparations have you made for it?

The Bedouin replied:

ما أعددت لها من كثير صلاة ولا صوم ولا صدقة ولكني أحب الله ورسوله

I have not made a lot of preparations for it – I do not have a lot of nafl salaah, nafl fasts and nafl charity to my credit – but I have the love of Allah and His Rasul in my heart.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was so pleased that he mentioned:

أنت مع من أحببت

You will be (grouped and resurrected on the Day of Qiyaamah) with those whom you love. (Saheeh Bukhaari #6171)

Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says that when the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) heard this, then there was nothing that brought more joy to their hearts after Islam than Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) giving them this glad tiding – that they will be with him in the Hereafter. (Saheeh Bukhaari #3688, Sunan Tirmizi #2385)

The Perfection of Imaan Depends Upon Love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Surpassing Every Other Love

On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was with Hazrat Umar and a few other Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).

Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam):

يا رسول الله لأنت أحب إلي من كل شيء إلا من نفسي

O Nabi of Allah! I have so much of love for you in my heart that I love you more than anything and everything in this world – besides myself!

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him:

لا والذي نفسي بيده حتى أكون أحب إليك من نفسك

No! I take an oath by that Being in whose hand is my life – (your imaan will not be perfect) until I am more beloved to you than even yourself!

Hearing this, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said:

فإنه الآن والله لأنت أحب إلي من نفسي

Now – by Allah – you are definitely more beloved to me than even myself!

Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not initially know that this was the requirement for the perfection of imaan, but as soon as it was brought to his attention, he immediately corrected the situation and brought the love of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in his heart to the highest degree. Upon this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him, “Now your imaan is perfect!” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6632)

In a Hadith reported by Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى أكون أحب إليه من والده وولده والناس أجمعين

None of you will be perfect in his imaan until I become more beloved to him than his parents, his children and all the people. (Saheeh Bukhaari #15)

In another narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned:

لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى أكون أحب إليه من ماله وأهله والناس أجمعين

None of you will be perfect in his imaan until I become more beloved to him than his wealth, his family, and all the people. (Sunan Nasaai #5014)

The Love of Abu Lahab for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

When we speak of love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then definitely this is among the rights which we owe to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), but is this alone sufficient for gaining acceptance by Allah Ta‘ala?

The uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Abu Lahab, also had love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at the beginning of his life. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was blessed with nubuwwah at the age of forty. For forty years, Abu Lahab and the people of Makkah Mukarramah all loved him, revered him and respected him. They gave him titles of honour such as “As-Saadiq – the Most Truthful One” and “Al-Ameen – the Most Trustworthy One”.

After Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was bestowed with nubuwwah, Allah Ta‘ala commanded him to invite his family to Islam.

وَ اَنۡذِرۡ عَشِیۡرَتَکَ  الۡاَقۡرَبِیۡنَ ﴿۲۱۴﴾ۙ

And warn your close relatives… (Surah Shu’araa v. 214)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) went onto the mountain and called out to the various clans of the Arabs by name saying “O Banu Fihr! O Banu Abdil Muttalib!”

When all the people had gathered, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to them, “If I were to inform you that the enemy is at the foot of this mountain, ready to attack you, then will you believe me?” They all said, “We will definitely believe you, as we have never found you speaking a lie!”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said to them, “I have come to inform you of the punishment of Allah Ta‘ala if you do not bring imaan in Allah Ta‘ala and believe in my nubuwwah.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #4971, Saheeh Muslim #208)

The first person to reject and oppose Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was his uncle – Abu Lahab – whereas he loved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) so much that when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was born, then on receiving the good news, he pointed towards his slave girl, Thuwaibah, and said to her, “I have freed you because of this child.” (Sharhuz Zurqaani 1/259)

The Love of Abu Taalib for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

Abu Taalib, the dear uncle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), also loved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He loved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) before he was blessed with nubuwwah and also after he was blessed with nubuwwah. Throughout his life, he stood at the side of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), supporting him in his mission of Islam and defending him from the kuffaar. However, he did not embrace Islam.

When he was passing away, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to him. The leaders of the kuffaar were already present by the side of Abu Taalib, and on seeing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) approaching, Abu Jahl quickly sat in the space next to Abu Taalib, to prevent Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from sitting there, as he feared that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will encourage Abu Taalib to embrace Islam.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed Abu Taalib saying, “O my uncle! Just say ‘Laa ilaaha lillallah’! If you do so, I will intercede for you by Allah!” Abu Jahl and the Quraish leaders said to him, “O Abu Taalib! How can you turn away from the creed and religion of your forefathers?” Abu Taalib then said, “I die on the religion of my father, Abdul Muttalib,” and saying this, he passed away. (Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 3/122-123, Saheeh Bukhaari #4675, Musnad Ahmed #3419)

The mubaarak heart of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was overcome with grief and sorrow over his uncle not embracing Islam and dying upon kufr. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) could not attend the funeral, as his uncle passed away on kufr. (Sunan Abu Dawood #3214, Musnad Ahmed #1093)

Abu Taalib loved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) so much, yet his love was of no benefit in the Hereafter as he did not bring imaan in Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Thus, we understand that love alone won’t bring success – it is love with imaan that counts in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala. When love is accompanied with imaan, then it is accepted by Allah Ta‘ala and it will cause one to be successful in this world and the next. Hence, bringing imaan upon Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is among the rights which we owe to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Following the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

The third right which we owe to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is that we follow his mubaarak sunnah in all facets of our lives. In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala says;

قُلۡ  اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰہَ فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِیۡ یُحۡبِبۡکُمُ اللّٰہُ وَ یَغۡفِرۡ لَکُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَکُمۡ ؕ

(O Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!) Say (to your ummah), “If you claim to love Allah, then follow me – Allah will love you and forgive for you your sins!” (Surah Aal-e-Imraan v. 31)

From this verse, we understand that we will not be able to gain the love of Allah Ta‘ala and complete acceptance in His court without following the mubaarak sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in all facets of our lives.

Hence, from the rights of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) upon us is that we bring imaan in him, we have the greatest love for him, and we also follow his mubaarak sunnah in all facets of our lives.

Those who Refuse to Enter Jannah

In the mubaarak Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

كل أمتي يدخلون الجنة إلا من أبى

My entire ummah will enter Jannah, except those who refuse

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) asked:

يا رسول الله ومن يأبى

O Rasul of Allah! Who are the people who refuse?

 Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied:

من أطاعني دخل الجنة ومن عصاني فقد أبى

Those who are obedient to me will enter Jannah, and those who disobey me are the ones who have refused. (Saheeh Bukhaari #7280)

The Ulama explain that in this Hadith, “those who refuse” can refer to the disbelievers or the believers. As for the disbelievers, then they completely reject Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), so they will go to Jahannum forever and ever.

As for the believers, then if they brought imaan in Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and loved him, but they did not follow his teachings and his mubaarak sunnah, then on the Day of Qiyaamah, when they come before Allah Ta‘ala, if Allah Ta‘ala does not forgive them for the sins they committed, then they will be sent to Jahannum for the cleansing process. Thereafter, they will be admitted into Jannah.

Are We True in Our Claim of Love?

In this month of Rabee’ul Awwal, we claim to love Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), but we should ask ourselves are we true in our claim of love or not?

We will only be true in our claim of love if we follow the mubaarak sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in our lives. If we claim to be true lovers of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) but we disobey him and follow his enemies, then how can we be true in our claim of love? The poet explains so beautifully:

تعصي الإٰله وتظهر حبه     إن هذا والله في القياس بديع

لو كان حبك صادقا لاطعته     إن المحب لمن يحب مطيع

You claim love but you are disobeying the beloved. How strange is this!

Had you been true in your claim of love, you would have obeyed your beloved, as a lover always remains obedient to the one he loves.

Therefore, for our claim of love to be true, we should follow Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in our domestic life, social life and economic life. We should follow him in our dressing, our culture and our lifestyle. We should refrain from following the ways of the kuffaar which oppose the way of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) always followed and upheld the mubaarak sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) throughout their lives. This was the thing that earned them the love of Allah Ta‘ala and caused them to become successful in this world and the next.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Not Attending a Waleemah with Music

Once, Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was going to attend a waleemah. Attending a waleemah is also a sunnah. As he came close to the waleemah venue, he heard some music. Hearing the music, he immediately turned around and went back home.

When someone asked him as to why he did not attend the waleemah, he said, “I heard the Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala mention:

من كثر سواد قوم فهو منهم

The one who adds to the numbers of a people (involved in sin) will be counted among them (in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala). (Ithaaful Khiyarah #3297)

In other words, if you attend a function where sin is taking place, then you will be counted among those who are involved in sin in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala.

Hazrat Zaid bin Arqam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Leaving Out an Impermissible Business Deal

Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) once came to know that Hazrat Zaid bin Arqam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had conducted a business deal with a certain woman, and this business deal was not permissible as it contained some element of riba in it. Hazrat Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the woman did not know that this type of deal was not permissible.

Upon coming to know of this, Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) immediately sent a message to Hazrat Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), informing him that if he continues with this deal and does not break it, then he will lose the reward of the jihaad which he carried out with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

On receiving the message, Hazrat Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the woman immediately broke the transaction and made taubah. (Istizkaar 6/271-272)

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) lived for the sunnah and gave their lives for the sunnah. If anyone did anything against the sunnah or against the laws of Shariah, then they immediately went to them, and with a lot of concern and compassion, they brought the mistake to their attention and corrected them, and the person who was corrected would appreciate the correction and rectify his mistake.

The Sunnah of Purdah

Among the teachings of the sunnah is that non-mahram men and women should observe purdah among themselves and they should not speak to each other or have any contact with each other.

On one occasion, Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was seated by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked, “What is best for a woman?” All the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) remained silent and nobody answered.

Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “When I returned home, I informed Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) regarding the question which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) posed before the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), and asked her the same question, ‘What is best for a woman?’ In answer, she replied, ‘The best thing is that they do not see men and nor do men see them.’”

Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then said, “When I mentioned her answer to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he became delighted and pleased and said, ‘Faatimah is part of me.’” (Musnadul Bazzaar #526, Hilyatul Awliyaa 2/40)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Commanding the Azwaaj-e-Mutahhaarat to Adopt Purdah Before the Blind Sahaabi

One day, a blind Sahaabi by the name of Hazrat Abdullah bin Ummi Maktoom (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came to see Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). At that time, two of the Azwaaj-e-Mutahharaat – Hazrat Ummu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and Hazrat Maymoonah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) were present in the home.

When the blind Sahaabi came, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) told them to make purdah from him. They said, “O Nabi of Allah! He is blind and cannot see us!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Are the two of you (also) blind? (i.e. you can see him!)” (Sunan Abu Dawood #4112)

In today’s times, people employ a female secretary to work with them in their businesses. This is not permissible and against hayaa. This then leads to a person falling into haraam.

A man will not bring a male worker into his house to help his wife in the kitchen. If there is a male working, he will keep him out of the house to work in the garden. Yet, he does not feel that there is anything wrong if he brings a woman to work with him in his office.

The Sunnah of Purdah in the Life of Hazrat Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah)

Hazrat Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) was a very great wali and buzurg. He was a man who lived his life on the sunnah and passed away on the sunnah.

In the year 2004, a certain Aalim’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Since Moulana Haroon Saheb (rahimahullah) was close to the Aalim’s father, he wished to visit him. He asked the Aalim, “Is your father at home?” The Aalim replied, “No, my father is resting at his flat at the beachfront.” Hearing this, Moulana Haroon Saheb (rahimahullah) asked the Aalim to take him to the flat after esha that night so that he could visit the patient.

After esha, when the Aalim met Moulana Haroon Saheb (rahimahullah), then Moulana Haroon (rahimahullah) mentioned that he would be taking his family with as well, as she was close to the Aalim’s mother.

Though they could have all travelled in one car, with the men seated in the front, and Moulana Haroon’s wife in the back, Moulana Haroon (rahimahullah) said to the Aalim, “I will go in my car with my wife, and you go in your car. There is more purdah in this. You drive in front, and I will follow you.”

Thereafter, when they entered the lobby of the building, Hazrat Moulana Haroon Saheb (rahimahullah) said to the Aalim, “There are two lifts here. You go up in one lift, and I will go up with my wife in the other lift. There is more purdah in this.”

Everything that this buzurg was saying indicated that the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was alive in his life. He was living the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

The night Hazrat Moulana Haroon Saheb (rahimahullah) passed away, a certain Aalim had a dream. In the dream he saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He addressed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and asked, “O Rasul of Allah! is there any Khidmah (service) that I can do for you?”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “No, I have come to take my friend to the Hereafter.” The Aalim asked, “Who are you referring to?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) gestured and said, “Here is my friend.” When the Aalim looked, he saw that the person Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was gesturing towards was Moulana Haroon (rahimahullah).

The time when the Aalim saw this dream was the exact time when Hazrat Moulana Haroon (rahimahullah) passed away and departed from this world.

It is mentioned that when Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) passed away, a person had seen a similar dream – that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to receive him and take him to the Hereafter. (Siyar A’laamin Nubalaa12/468)

What a great honour Allah Ta‘ala had granted Hazrat Moulana Haroon Saheb (rahimahullah), and the reason is that he always honoured the sunnah!

The Sunnah of Hayaa in All Facets of a Mumin’s Life

On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was seated with Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the other Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) when he said to them:

استحيوا من الله حق الحياء

Adopt hayaa before Allah as you ought to.

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) replied:

يا رسول الله إنا نستحيي والحمد لله

O Rasul of Allah! Alhamdulillah, we do have hayaa!

Then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then explained to them:

ليس ذاك ولكن الاستحياء من الله حق الحياء أن تحفظ الرأس وما وعى والبطن وما حوى ولتذكر الموت والبلى ومن أراد الآخرة ترك زينة الدنيا فمن فعل ذلك فقد استحيا من الله حق الحياء

Hayaa is that you protect your face and all the limbs of the face, and you protect your stomach and whatever enters it. You remember death and the disintegrating of the body in the grave. The one who intends the Hereafter leaves out the glitter and glamour of the world. The one who lives his life in this way has adopted hayaa before Allah.” (Sunan Tirmizi #2458)

Protecting the face and all the limbs of the face means that one protects his face and all the limbs of the face from committing sins. He protects his eyes by not looking at haraam. He protects his ears by not listening to haraam. He protects his mouth and tongue by not speaking haraam.

Then, protecting the stomach means that his livelihood, his food intake and everything is halaal, and he fulfils his desires in a halaal way also.

Furthermore, he thinks about death and prepares for death, meaning his direction in life is the Hereafter. He does not go behind the glitter and glamour of the dunya, because the one who falls into the dunya will definitely compromise his deen.

After explaining all of this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said that the one who has all of this in his life – he has adopted hayaa before Allah Ta‘ala as it ought to be adopted.

The quality of hayaa is so important and integral in Islam that in the Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

الإيمان بضع وسبعون شعبة والحياء شعبة من الإيمان

Imaan has more than seventy branches, and hayaa (shame, modesty and respect) is a great branch of imaan. (Saheeh Muslim #35)

One should realize that Allah Ta‘ala is watching him at all times and he should protect himself from falling into sins – this is hayaa.

Unfortunately, this sunnah of hayaa is leaving the ummah. In the corporate environment, there is intermingling of the sexes, and in waleemah functions, men and women are seated together. Then there is a host of other vices such as music being played and videoing and photography taking place, yet people are quite fine with all this. Where is the hayaa?

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Prophesizing that A Time will Dawn in the Ummah When Right Will Appear Wrong and Wrong will Appear Right

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once mentioned to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum):

كيف بكم إذا فسق فتيانكم وطغى نساؤكم

What will be your condition (O Ummah!) when your youth will sin openly, and your womenfolk will transgress (the limits of the shariah)?

  The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) said:

يا رسول الله وإن ذلك لكائن

O Rasul of Allah! Will that time ever dawn?

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

نعم وأشد منه

Yes, and even worse is to come.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said:

كيف بكم إذا لم تأمروا بالمعروف وتنهوا عن المنكر

What will be your condition (O Ummah!) when you will not command with righteousness and forbid from evil?

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) said:

يا رسول الله وإن ذلك لكائن

O Rasul of Allah! Will that time ever dawn?

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

نعم وأشد منه

Yes, and even worse is to come.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said:

كيف بكم إذا رأيتم المنكر معروفا والمعروف منكرا

What will be your condition (O Ummah!) when you will regard wrong to be right, and right to be wrong? (Az-Zuhd libnil Mubaarak #1376)

The Reward for Reviving the Sunnah

Just as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) prophesized in his Mubaarak Ahaadith that before Qiyaamah, there will be a lot of fitnah and fasaad in the ummah, and the sunnah will gradually leave the lives of the Muslims, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also mentioned that the person who firmly holds onto the sunnah at that time, Allah Ta‘ala will grant him the reward of 100 martyrs. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

من تمسك بسنتي عند فساد أمتي فله أجر مائة شهيد

The one who firmly holds onto my sunnah at the time when the ummah will face fitnah, he will receive the reward of a hundred martyrs. (Targheeb #64)

The Solution in the Time of Differences of Opinion and Confusion is to Hold Onto the Mubaarak Sunnah

In one Hadith, Hazrat Irbaadh bin Saariyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says:

وعظنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم موعظة ذرفت منها العيون ووجلت منها القلوب

Once, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) gave us such advices that caused our eyes to flow with tears and our hearts to be affected.

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) addressed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said:

يا رسول الله إن هذه لموعظة مودع فماذا تعهد إلينا

O Rasul of Allah! This advice seems to be like the advice of a person who is about to depart from the world, so what advice do you give us (to hold onto after you leave the world)?

 Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

من يعش منكم فسيرى اختلافا كثيرا

Those who live from you (after my demise) will definitely see a lot of differences of opinion (among the ummah).

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said:

فعليكم بما عرفتم من سنتي وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين

Thus, (I advise you to) firmly hold onto that which you know to be my sunnah, and the sunnah of the (four) rightly-guided Khulafaa. (Sunan Ibnu Maajah #43)

The Sunnah Should not be Left Out for Any Person 

In Saheeh Bukhaari, Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that on one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to his home, accompanied by Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and another elderly Bedouin Sahaabi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

Since Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was a guest at his home, Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) quickly milked the goat and brought the milk for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) drank the milk, and at that time, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was seated in front of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), while the elderly Bedouin Sahaabi was on the right side of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was on the left side of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) knew that after drinking, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would give the milk to the Bedouin Sahaabi as he was seated on the right of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

On the other hand, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) knew of the high position which Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) held in deen, as he was the greatest from all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), so Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) wanted Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to give the milk to Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to drink first before the Bedouin Sahaabi.

Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “O Nabi of Allah! Give the milk to Abu Bakr!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) gave the milk to the Bedouin Sahaabi on the right and said:

الأيمنون الأيمنون ألا فيمنوا

Start with those who are on the right! Start with those who are on the right! Always give to the right side (as this is my sunnah).

In other words, you will not leave out the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for any person – not even for Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). From this Hadith we understand that you cannot leave out the sunnah to please any person.

At the end of the Hadith, after mentioning the incident, Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says:

فهي سنة فهي سنة فهي سنة

This is the sunnah! This is the sunnah! This is the sunnah! (Saheeh Bukhaari #2571)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Being Displeased with a Person Who Had a TV in His Home

Hazrat Haji Nakhooda (rahimahullah) was a pious person living in Madinah Munawwarah. He mentioned that he had a neighbour by the name of Ismail Arabi. The neighbour was a good-hearted person who had love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and was also looking for the haq and the sunnah.

One day, Ismail Arabi came to Haji Nakhooda (rahimahullah) and said, “I had a dream. In the dream, someone knocked on the door of my home. When I opened the door, I saw that the person at my door was Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and with him was Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

“I was so happy that I said, “O Rasul of Allah! Please – come into my home!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “I cannot come into your home.” In the dream, Ismail Arabi asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Why is it that you cannot come into my home?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “I cannot come into your home because you have a TV in your home.”

On awakening from this dream, Ismail Arabi immediately went and broke the TV, making taubah and istighfaar for getting involved in the haraam of the TV.

Youtube and Dajjaal

Recently, a student in a madrasah saw in a dream that Dajjaal is on one side, calling people, and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is on the other side, also calling people. All the Youtube and TV people were going towards Dajjaal.

This student also began to go towards Dajjaal, but then he thought, “How can I leave my Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)?” He came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), placed his head in his lap and began to weep.

When the student came to an Aalim who is knowledgeable is interpreting dreams, and asked for the interpretation, the Aalim said to him, “It seems that you are also watching Youtube!” The student said, “Yes, I was watching Youtube last night and even missed my fajr because of that.”

The Fourth Right of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Upon His Ummah – Reciting Durood Upon Him

The fourth right which we owe Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is that we should recite durood upon him. The durood that we recite will be a means of the true love of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) entering our hearts, and will become the means for Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) becoming pleased with us. Similarly, the durood will benefit us in the Hereafter.

It has been recorded in the Hadith that on the Day of Qiyaamah, a person will come to the scale of deeds and he will not have a lot of good deeds to his credit, and his evil deeds will be more than his good deeds. He will be in the state of worry and fear, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will appear before him. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will have a small piece of paper, and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will place the piece of paper on the side of the scale which has the good deeds of the person. The result of this will be that the scale of good deeds will far outweigh the evil deeds.

Seeing this, the person will exclaim, “May my mother and father be sacrificed for you, who are you? How beautiful is your appearance!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will tell him, “I am your Nabi! This small piece of paper which I have placed on your scale of deeds is the Salaat and Salaam which you used to recite upon me during your lifetime. I have come now to assist you at the time of your need.” (Sharhuz Zurqaani 12/360)

We make dua to Allah Ta‘ala to grant the ummah the tawfeeq to firmly hold onto the mubaarak sunnah in all facets of our lives.