Bismillaahir Rah’maanir Rah’eem. All praise to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved unlettered Prophet, his family, and his noble companions. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, and I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
The worldly man, always in prison and difficulty, is distinguished from the religious man. The religious man consistently prioritizes his faith, regardless of worldly gain or loss. Conversely, the worldly man prefers the material world, disregarding the preservation or forfeiture of his religious beliefs, thus failing to experience the serene tranquility. Only the fortunate slaves of Allah have the privilege of attaining true peace and contentment. They possess a skill, the secret to their liberation from sorrow. The root cause of sorrow lies in unforeseen circumstances, unveiling the reality of anguish and distress. The righteous slaves of Allah ﷻ sever this very root by abstaining from placing expectations on worldly matters. Therefore, why should there be any sorrow? Hazrat Gangohi (RA) advised, “Do not expect anything from anyone.” He then inquired of his disciples, “What are your thoughts about me?” They responded, “You are our guardian and benefactor, and we are immensely grateful for your kindness.” Hazrat Gangohi (RA) solemnly remarked, “Even in me, do not harbor any expectations; place your trust solely in Allah ﷻ.” If the concept of Tawheed permeates every fiber of a person’s being, how could they possibly have expectations from anyone?
There is divine wisdom in whatever Allah ﷻ decrees for you. It can be likened to a mother applying medicinal drops to soothe her child’s painful eyes. Initially, the child may cry out in pain and feel angry towards the mother. However, once the child gains understanding, they pray for their mother’s well-being. Similarly, the pain and difficulties that Allah ﷻ bestows upon you are ultimately for your benefit and welfare in both this world and the hereafter. These trials are essential for us to turn to Him ﷻ and seek His guidance. Without facing hardships in this world, we would not be adequately prepared for the challenges of the afterlife. If we were to pass away without experiencing these trials, our purification would occur through the fire of Hell rather than the tests of this world. It is far better for us to undergo purification here and now. I bring you glad tidings that the punishment of Hell serves as a means of purifying Muslims rather than merely punishing them. Just as a greasy lamp is cleansed by burning it, we, as the lamps of Allah, also have impurities that can be cleansed through the fire of Hell. By purifying our impurities in this world, we can avoid further purification in the hereafter. Allah ﷻ purifies Muslims by sending them trials and difficulties. So, I ask you, is this not ultimately for your own good?
Trials and difficulties have a beneficial impact on both the hereafter and the worldly life, as they serve to rectify and improve a person’s conduct and behavior. Through these trials, one develops a good nature and is protected from arrogance, the traits of Pharaoh, and devilish tendencies. The blessings embedded within trials lead to humility, submissiveness, and a realization of one’s position when Allah ﷻ admonishes through difficulties. Having upright conduct brings greater peace to an individual, whereas a person with a bad nature brings sadness to others and is perceived as a villain. Trials and tribulations unveil the reality of the world, prompting a person to recognize that it is not a realm to which the heart should be attached. This realization represents profound knowledge, and the unveiling of the world’s reality serves as a gateway to further knowledge. Without attaining this knowledge, one remains immersed in ignorance, which is a significant flaw. May Allah ﷻ grant us all the guidance and knowledge we need. Ameen.
-Sheikh Maulana Abdus Sattar (DB)
Morning Tarbiati Majlis dated 24.03.2017.
The heart opener 