SPIRITUAL FOOD PART 4
- Details
- Last Updated: Friday, 26 June 2015 16:00
RANDOM GOLDEN EXTRACTS FROM:
IKMAALUSH SHIYAM (PERFECION OF MORALS)
By: Shaikh Ibn Ataullah Iskandari
Translated by: Mujlisul Ulama of S.A
CLICK ON EACH TITLE TO READ ON
15.THE CLASH PT 1
THE CLASH OF TWO MAJOR POWERS WITHIN YOU- PART 1
Just as darkness is the army of the nafs, noor is the army of the heart. When Allah Ta’ala desires to assist any of His servants, He aids them with the army of noor, and He cuts off the aid of aliens and darkness.
In the terminology of Tasawwuf, the propensity or capacity in man to incline to evil is termed the nafs. It stirs man to adopt disgraceful qualities. The qalb (heart) is the substratum (mahal) of the praiseworthy attributes.
The nafs of man is so much absorbed in self-opinion, vanity, ignorance and emotions that it remains oblivious of these evils in itself. Its engrossment in these evils precludes it from perceiving them. Its natural inclination is evil and corruption.
In the heart of the Mu’min is the Divinely Bestowed Noor of Tauheed which draws him towards lofty attributes, worship and obedience.
The meaning of zulmat (darkness) is the attributes of the nafs and noor refers to the illumination of the heart. This zulmat is the army of the nafs, while Noor is the army of the heart. The conflict between these opposites is perpetual. The nafs with its army attacks the qalb preventing it (qalb) from acting according to its demands (of virtue). Meanwhile, the heart endeavours to conquer the nafs by means of its noor. Sometimes the nafs gains the upperhand, leading to the bandah committing sin and abstention from obedience. Sometimes the noor of the qalb asserts its dominance, overwhelming the nafs.
16.THE CLASH PT 2
THE CLASH OF TWO MAJOR POWERS WITHIN YOU- PART 2
If Allah Ta’ala has decreed fortune for the servant, He aids him with an army of anwaar in his struggle against the nafs. Allah Ta’ala reveals to him the contemptibility of this world and its transitory nature. The evils of the nafs are exposed for him and darkness and all alien objects are dispelled from the heart. These foreign bodies which had taken up an abode in the heart and were being supported by the nafs, are deprived of their aid when the anwaar become dominant. Gradually, in stages, the goal is attained.
Allah forbid! If misfortune is decreed for the servant, the zulmat gains in intensity. This intensity is an incremental process resulting in the complete disappearance of the heart’s noor. The world then dominates the person.
When a struggle ensues between the nafs and the qalb, the Saalik should turn his attention to Allah Ta’ala, supplicating for His aid. He should increase his Thikr and repose his trust in Allah. Insha’Allah, the demands of the nafs will be subjugated and the heart’s noor will prevail.
17.THE SWEETNESS
YOU WILL TASTE THE SWEETNESS
The obtainal of the pleasure and sweetness of righteous deeds here on earth, is proof of one’s acceptance in the Aakhirah.
Although the reward and fruit of ibaadat are in reality obtainable in the Aakhirah, many servants of Allah acquire reward even here on earth. Such reward is in the form of the heart deriving pleasure and sweetness in acts of righteousness. This is proof of the acceptance of their deeds and the obtainal of thawaab in the Aakhirah. However, pleasure in ibaadat should not be understood to be the maqsood (goal). The pursuit of pleasure in ibaadat is negatory of ikhlaas (sincerity). Ibaadat should be rendered for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala irrespective of any pleasure or displeasure to the nafs.
The Saalik should render ibaadat in all states and circumstances. He should not feel that in the Aakhirah there is no reward for an act of ibaadat the sweetness and pleasure of which he does not experience here on earth. The worldly fruit of ibaadat is merely a sign of its acceptance. It is not the shart (condition) nor cause of acceptance. Often an act devoid of pleasure is more acceptable to Allah Ta’ala than an act from which pleasure and sweetness are acquired.
For hard copies of the full book write to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or
P.O Box 818 De Deur, South Africa
More books available @ www.asic-sa.co.za