Thursday, May 03, 2007

Pleasure of Allah and الهام / وحي

Another of Hadhrat's advice whilst he was teaching us Tarjumat-ul-Qur'an.

Hadhrat mentioned that once, Maulana Qasim Nanotwi رحمه الله was taking a walk during which a person asked him: "What is the difference between الهام / كشف (matters made apparent by Allah) and وحي (revelation)?" Upon hearing the question, Maulana Qasim Nanotwi رحمه الله asked him to how much distance was left to their intended destination. The person replied: "approximately five to six hundred yards". Maulana Qasim Nanotwi رحمه الله replied, "That is the answer to your question".

Meaning that whatever Allah reveals upon His slaves as الهام or كشف can sometimes be misinterpreted by the person and the information can differ. However, that which is revealed to the Prophets علهم الصلوة و السلام can never be incorrect nor can its meaning contain any ambiguity in its meaning.

From this I understood that Allah, at times, reveals hidden matters for His slaves from which they can derive benefit and benefit others. At times, these matters aid them in decision making as their goal and aim is always to please Allah and by committing themselves to Allah; they gain His pleasure and enjoy His guidance in matters which are unknown to the general people.

Therefore, the one who intends to please Allah and makes a firm intention to accomplish this and exercise all his efforts in pleasing Allah then surely Allah will help in his aim.

May Allah aid us in acquiring His pleasure and giving us the strength to make all our desires in accordance to Allah's will. Aameen.

Allah's Mercy Upon One, Spreads to Another

Whilst looking through my notes, I found some Naseehah (advices) given to us by Hadhrat whilst he was teaching us Tarjumat-ul-Qur'an.

Hadhrat mentioned that once, Maulana Qasim Nanotwi رحمه الله was sitting, and his disciples were fanning him. During which a person came to him and questioned him: "When a sinful person is buried next to a pious person does he benefit from the mercy and blessings that are revealed on the pious person?"

On hearing this question, Maualana Qasim Nanotwi رحمه الله questioned him, "Can you feel the breeze from the fanning that is being done for me?" He replied, "Yes". To this Maulana Qasim Nanotwi رحمه الله replied, "There it is, if you can experience the benefits in this world for an act which is being done for me, then surely Allah's mercy and blessings are much more vast."

For me, this statement diverted my attention towards the fact that the questioning of a person begins in the grave and that each individual will be tormented in the grave or will be rewarded for his piety.

Similarly, if the proximity and adjacency of a pious person can be of benefit even after his death, one should try and ponder over the benefit that can be derived from a pious person during his life. Through his company a man can enjoy and benefit from the mercy and blessings of Allah.

May Allah give us all the inclination to keep in the company of the pious. Aameen.