HOW TO GET CLOSE TO ALLAH (3)

SERMON 1

In the Name of Allah, the All-Beneficent, the All-Merciful

Salamun 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

"Praise belongs to Allah, who did not originate from anything, nor did He bring what exists into being from anything. His beginninglessness is attested to by the temporality (huduth) of things, His power by the impotence with which He has branded them, and His everlastingness (dawaam) by the annihilation (fanaa') which He has forced upon them. No place is empty of Him that He might be perceived through localization (ayniyya), no object (shabah) is like Him that He might be described by quality (kayfiyya), nor is He absent from anything that He might be known through situation (haythiyya)."

"He is distinct (mubaa'in) in attributes from all that He has originated, inaccessible to perception because of the changing essences He has created (in things), and outside of all domination (tasarruf) by changing states (halat) because of grandeur and tremendousness. Forbidden is His delimitation (tahdid) to the penetrating acumen of sagacities, His description (takyif) to the piercing profundities of thought and His representation (taswir) to the searching probes of insight."

"Because of His tremendousness places encompass Him not, because of His majesty measures guage Him not, and because of His grandeur standards judge Him not. Impossible is it for imaginations (awhaam) to fathom Him, understandings (afhaam) to comprehend Him or minds (adhhaan) to imagine Him. Powers of reason (uqul) with lofty aspiration despair of contriving to comprehend Him, oceans of knowledge run dry without alluding to Him in depth, and the subtleties of disputants fall from loftiness to pettiness in describing His power."

TAQWA- THE PURPOSE OF CREATION

Now then, dear brothers and sisters, I invite you all, as I invite myself to taqwa, for according to the fundamental sources of religion, taqwa is the ultimate purpose of human creation. The Holy Qur’an says: “O mankind! Worship your Lord, who created you and those who were before you, so that you may be God wary [la'allakum tatttaqun].” (2:21) Therefore we should struggle to attain the spirit of taqwa, so that we can achieve the fundamental purpose our creation. If we however ponder over the reality of taqwa, we come to realize that it is an attraction to perfection and repulsion from imperfection. This is because when we protect ourselves from evil and all that is detrimental to ourselves, we are in reality protecting ourselves from imperfection. [The reality of evil (sharr) is nothing but imperfection. Scholars of insight have mentioned in their works that “sharr” is a non-entity. It is the same as “not having” a perfection. Therefore a change in expression should not render us ignorant of its reality. Whether one says “I do not have any thing” or “I have nothing” there is no difference. Obviously however, to say ‘I have nothing” philosophically is wrong, but we do employ it in our common conversations.] When we observe taqwa, and refrain from imperfections and their causes, we are practically displaying our innate love for perfection. Small wonder it is that the Holy Qur’an calls taqwa as the best of garments. It says: “O Children of Adam! We have certainly sent down to you garments to cover your nakedness, and for adornment. Yet the garment of God wariness (taqwa) that is the best." That is [one] of Allah's signs, so that they may take admonition.” (7:26) Notice that two very important benefits of libaas (garment) are mentioned in this verse: (1) Protector from what we detest to show, and (2) Embellisher. In simple words, clothes hide our private parts and make us look nice and presentable. Taqwa, which is termed as “the best of garments” in the verse likewise protects a person from displaying evil traits of imperfection, and embellishes a person with traits of perfection. If we carefully reflect on this process of distancing from imperfection and nearing to perfection, we come to realize that taqwa is nothing but wayfaring to Allah.

LEVELS OF TAQWA

Taqwa, however, is of different levels. One classification of the taqwa worthy of consideration is that which is mentioned by ‘Allama Majlisi in his magnum opus Bihar al-Anwar. He says: “Taqwa are of three levels: (1) self-protection from polytheism, (2) Refraining from sins, and (3) self-protection from anything that occupies one from Allah. In order for us to attain the higher level, we must start and struggle to attain the lower levels first. We pray to Almighty Allah to enable us undertake the journey of taqwa and enjoy its fruits in this world and the Hereafter.

THE TRADITION OF 'UNWAN AL-BASRI (III)

Now let us continue with the profound masterpiece of instruction narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) on how to get close to Allah:

[‘A ninety-four year old man named ‘Unwan al-Basri narrates, saying: “I had been studying under Malik ibn Anas for a number of years. When Ja’far as-Sadiq (AS) came to Madina, I went to visit him and was interested in learning from him just as I had been learning from Malik. He said to me one day: “I am a man much sought after and am also occupied by various supplications throughout the day and the night so please do not disturb me in my state of supplication and go and learn from Malik and study under him just as you were doing before”. I became sad on hearing this and left the Imam’s presence, and said to myself, “If the Imam had perceived any good in me he would not have prevented me from studying under him and learning from him”. ..]

The Importance of a Spiritual Mentor

Last week we spoke of the importance of a suitable mentor of guidance. ‘Unwan al-Basri persists in being with Imam al-Sadiq (‘a), for he knew what it was to be in the presence of the most brilliant epitome of religion of his age and a tutor who can distinctly appreciate all the minute subtleties of what kind of instruction to give to whom, when, where and how. In order to understand the fundamental importance of a mentor for this extremely important journey to Allah, we shall try quote some important statements of some of the past great saints, who by Allah’s grace were able to cover the journey and train others to do the same.

Sayyid ‘Ali Qadhi al-Tabataba’i, the spiritual mentor of ‘Allama al-Tabataba’i, about whom the late Imam Khumayni said “He was a mountain of greatness and station of Divine Unity” is reported to have said:

1.‘The most important necessity in this path is an insightful and aware mentor, who has freed himself from mundane desires (hawa), attained Divine knowledge and is a perfect human being (insane kaamil) who besides having traversed the path to Allah (al-sayr ila Allah), has also covered the other three Divine journeys and his movement and vision in the world of creation is by the Truth [bi al-Haqq].”

2. “If one who seeks to journey to Allah were to spend half of his life time [just] for finding a mentor it is worth [the struggle]. And one who has found a mentor has [already] traversed half of the path.”

3. “If a person were to spend his entire life in order to come in the presence of a saint (one close to Allah), and meet him in the last moments of his life, he would not have wasted his life and would have found the main treasure” [http://salehin.com/]

Ayatullah Hasan 'Ali Nejabat, a contemporary of Ayatullah Qadhi is reported to have narrated an anecdote which reveals how serious the matter of guidance is: A person sent a letter to Sayyid ‘Ali Qadhi al-Tabataba’i, in which he asked him a question saying: “It is some time now that I have been busy with such and such [spiritual] exercises. After some time I experienced the state of tajarrud (immaterial state), and witnessed that I have come out from my body. In this state some angels came and surrounded me. One of them said: “His ears must be cut”; another one said: “His hands must be cut”; the next one said: “His legs must be cut”; and such statements. In short he had written the state of his experience in detail. Thereafter he asked Ayatullah Qadhi al-Tabataba’i that since he was in such a state for hours and did not have apparent consciousness what is his duty with regard to the prayers that he missed. Agha Qadhi said: “This person had performed incorrect and wrong spiritual exercises and is extremely ignorant. And that which they said to him in that state was to make him understand that he is ignorant and has made a mistake. And the query that he asked me is sufficient as a witness to his ignorance. Rather than asking me what actually was the state he had experienced, and the meaning of the speech of the angels, he asked me about missing prayer in the state of unconsciousness, which he could ask any other person. [http://salehin.com/]

This narration makes us tangibly understand the consequences of one who tries to imitate and practice what he sees others doing without seeking guidance from an able mentor who can identify his weakpoints and instruct him what to do and what not to do. Every medicine is not for everyone, and one cannot choose to consume whatever quantity of medicine he desires. It is the knowledgeable doctor who allows him to take certain medicines in specific quantites.

We shall stop here for today. I feel it would be incorrect on our part to hastily expound this radiant hadith (which undoubtedly is a masterpiece of guidance) without considering all the important discussions it entails. I feel that the esteemed readers likewise are eager to explore its vast treasures. We pray to Almighty Allah to enable us contemplate better on the hadith so that we can draw the vast treasures that it contains.

Surely the best conversation and the most penetrating advice is the Book of Allah.

Almighty Allah says:

In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful. By Time! Indeed man is in loss, except those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and enjoin one another to] follow [the truth, and enjoin one another to patience.[103:1-3]

SERMON 2

[Praise be to Allah, Who breaks everything belonging to the oppressors; puts an end to the tyrants; watches over the fugitives; brings assistance to those who cry out for help; meets and clears up the demands of the needy beseechers; supports the faithful.]

DAHEYE KARAMAT [10 DAYS OF NOBILTY]

Dhul Qa’dah is reminiscent of the birthdays of two brilliant personalities of Islamic history: Hadhrat Ma’suma (‘a) on the first of Dhul Qa'da [173 AH] and and her only sibling Imam al-Ridha (‘a) on the 11th [148 AH] of the same month. In countries like Iran, these days are celebrated as “ten days of nobility” (daheye karamat). Both Imam al-Ridha ('a) and her infallible sister were epitomes of piety (taqwa) and nobility (karamat). Hadhrat Ma'suma ('a)'s radiant shrine today as it was in the past is the source of light and Divine grace in the Holy city of Qum, which is one of the largest centers of Islamic Education in the world. History tells us that after the demise of her noble father Imam Musa al-Kazim (‘a), Hadhrat Ma’suma (‘a) grew up under the patronage of her brother Imam al-Ridha (‘a). So pure and brilliant had she become, that Imam al-Ridha (‘a) gave her the epithet of al-Ma’suma (the Infallible). Her shrine in Qum is a practical manifestation of submission to Allah and infallibility. It is as if she constantly echoes that the path of salvation is none but utter submission and sinlessness. We pray to Almighty Allah to enable us purify ourselves with the water of seeking His forgiveness so that we may come closer to infallibility.

SYMPATHIZING WITH THE BANGLADESHIS

One of the sad events that transpired this week is the cyclone Sidr hitting the towns of Patuakhali, Barguna and Jhalakathihere in southern Bangladesh. As a result, 600 people are so far reported to have died. It is said to be a 240km per hour cyclone, that uprooted trees, destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of 650,000 villagers before weakening to a tropical storm on Friday. We sympathize and pray for the people affected. Those who are able to contribute and assist such people through legitimate channels who would spend the money for their betterment should struggle to do, for that is the kind of sadaqa that is anticipated from us today.

The problem of calamites like eathquakes and cyclones, we must remember, is not always a Divine punishment. For those whom Allah extremely loves and would like to test, calamity raises their station and makes them stronger and intensifies their spiritual makeup. For those however who constantly sinned and were unthankful of this life and even proudly promoted mischief, such incidents can be the beginning of their punishment, which would continue in the purgatory as well as the Herafter. For the innocent children who have not yet realized their maturity and are regarded as sinless, Allah (swt), out of His Mercy, can avert their future spiritual ruin, and thus transport them quicker to reside in Paradise forever. Those afflicted very well know their past, and thus can judge where they stand. We, however, as our Muslim identity requires, should be optimistic, while we painstakingly try to study the situation.

Indeed Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who have faith! Invoke blessings on him and invoke Peace upon him in a worthy manner. (33:56)

Invoking Allah's Blessings of the Ahl al-Bayt ('a)

[O Allah, send down Thy blessings on the master of your apostles, Muhammad; and send down Thy blessings on the Commander of the faithful, Ali bin Abi Talib, the masters of the successors; and send Thy blessings on the most truthful of women, the pure, Fatima, the radiant and the mistress of the women of Paradise; and send down Thy blessings on al-Hasan and al-Husayn, the two leaders of the youth of Paradise; and send down your blessings on 'Ali bin al-Husayn, the Ornament of worshippers; and send down Thy blessings on Muhammad bin 'Ali, the cleaver of knowledge; and send down Thy blessings of Ja'far bin Muhammad, the veracious, one whose word and deed are approved; and send down Thy blessings on Musa bin Ja'far, the swallower of anger, the door of the fulfillment of needs; and send down Thy blessings on 'Ali bin Musa, one whom Allah is pleased with and He is pleased with Allah; and send down Thy blessings of Muhamad bin 'Ali, the God-wary, the Benevolent; and send down Thy blessings of 'Ali bin Muhammad, the guide, and the immaculate; and send down Thy blessings on Hasan bin 'Ali, the one who has been specifically ennobled by Allah; and send down Thy blessings on the Proof, the One who would Rise.

Supplication

[O Allah indeed we eagerly seek from Thee a noble state, by which you bestow veneration to Islam and its people, and degrade hypocracy and its people, and you make us in it from the callers to your obedience, and leaders to your path, and bestow us with it the nobility of this world and the Hereafter.]