SPIRITUAL FOOD PART 5
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- Last Updated: Friday, 26 June 2015 16:01
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
17.YOUR WORTH
WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WORTH?
When you wish to discover your worth by Allah, then look at the occupation in which He has involved you.
The bandah who desires to know if Allah has accepted or rejected him and if he is fortunate or unfortunate, should ponder in his own condition. He should look at the activity in which Allah Ta’ala has applied him. If he is involved in noble acts which he executes for the sake of Allah’s pleasure, he should understand that he has been accepted by Allah Ta’ala. He is a man of fortune. If he is involved in disobedience and transgression, then conclude that he stands rejected by Allah Ta’ala. As such, he is most unfortunate.
18.DONT LIE
DONT LIE TO YOURSELF
Inspite of sorrow for lacking in obedience, if one makes no effort in the direction of obedience, it is a sign of being trapped in deception.
Some people grieve much because they lack in obedience and virtues. They even shed tears in profusion. Despite their grief, they do not initiate the process of ibaadat nor do they abstain from sins. Such sorrow is false and the deception of the nafs. True grief and honest regret constrain one to practise virtue and to shun evil.
19.PROFIT
CAPITAL AND PROFIT IN TRADE
Diligence in acts of Nafl ibaadat accompanied by lethargy in the fulfilment of Waajib acts is a sign of subservience to the desires of the nafs.
Some people while exhibiting considerable enthusiasm for Nafl ibaadat, e.g. wazifas, optional fasting and Nafl Salaat, are lax in the performance of Waajib duties. They are, for example, lax in paying their debts and fulfilling the rights of others. They do not attach importance to Fardh Haj or they fail to pay Zakaat of the past years or they do not seek pardon from people whom they had molested. This attitude is a deception of the nafs. In such circumstances the enthusiasm for optional acts is subservience to base desires of the nafs. The nafs loves fame which is acquired by indulgence in Nafl worship.
Of what benefit will optional acts be when one is loaded with the liability of compulsory duties? Nafl ibaadat is like the profit in trade while Waajibaat and Faraa-idh are like the capital. Thus, the compulsory acts have priority over the optional acts.
20.NOOR
NOOR ON YOUR FACE
The noor of disillusionment with this transitory abode kindled in his baatin (spiritual heart) and its glitter illumined his zaahir (physical being). He thus closed his eyes and turned away from this earthly abode. He neither made this world his homeland nor a residence. He lived on earth advancing towards Allah Ta’ala. For his advance he sought Allah’s aid and he pressed on towards Him.
Initially, when the intelligent Saalik musters up courage to abandon the world, its delights and pleasures, he experiences some strain and difficulty. However, after a few days a noor kindles in his heart on account of his disillusionment with this world. The glitter of this noor becomes manifest on his face and body. This is the sign of the acceptance of his endeavours. Therefore, this intelligent Saalik closes his eyes on this ephemeral existence. Thus, he does not regard this world as his abode or home. His heart does not derive peace on earth. Instead, he concentrates on his advance towards Allah’s Proximity. In this endeavour he seeks Allah’s aid. With Divine Aid he continues his advance towards Divine Proximity. He does not rely on his own efforts for achieving the goal.
No one can achieve salvation on the strength of his efforts and deeds. Every gain is because of Allah’s fadhl. The Saalik whose gaze is not on his mujaahadah, riyaadhat, thikr and shaghl, but is focused on Allah’s mercy and kindness, will reach his destination. This is the initial state of the Saalik.
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