Contact List

Whilst talking to my respected teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib, he was mentioning how he had lost his contacts list on his phone and how he was so dependant on the numbers that were stored on his phone.

To resolve this issue, and to ensure that it did not reoccur, he came out with the solution of backing his phone’s contact list on to his computer as well as his email account.

Whilst mentioning the same thing to some other students gave an amazing thought provoking comparison to the Hereafter. He said,

It is amazing as to how dependant we are on our worldly contacts list. We go through many means to ensure that it is safeguarded and backed up. Yet have we ever thought about the contacts that we will require in the Hereafter? What will happen to us on that Day if we have lost all our contacts?

This made me ponder over the many times my Shaykh and respected teachers have mentioned the need to keep pious company and to attend the Majalis (gatherings) of the ‘Ulamaa (Scholars).

In this world they are a source of guidance and in the Hereafter we will be indebted to them for their guidance. They will be our contacts in the Hereafter and Insha Allah our constant contact with them in this world we will be our safeguarding and backup of our contacts so that we are not stranded without any contacts in the Hereafter.

May Allah give us all the inclination to occupy the gatherings of the pious and to take heed of their guidance and advices. Aameen.

If we were to glance at our phone’s contact list… How many contacts would we find of pious people? If we don’t have many, how often is it that we keep in touch with such personalities?

PLEASE REFER TO ZAIN121.WORDPRESS.COM FOR ALL NEW POSTS.

The Reality of Praise

Whilst I was with my respected teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib, we began to discuss the topic of praising one another due to a letter.

Whilst on the topic my respected teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib, gave an example of people who praise one another without the sincerity that should accompany it. He said:

There was once an individual that came to the king's court to meet him. Whilst in his presence he began to praise the king by attributing many qualities to him. The king continued to listen to the individual until he had finished and then told him to come the following day for his reward.

Upon hearing this, the man was extremely pleased and returned on the following day. When the king saw him in his court once again he asked, 'what brings you here?' The person reminded the king that he was here to collect his reward for the praising the king the day before.

On hearing this, the king replied, 'you praised me yesterday to please me and in return I pleased you by telling you come and collect a reward; we have both pleased each other with the tongue'.

After narrating this incident my respected teacher highlighted a few points:

1. Praise should not be for the sake of merely pleasing another individual and therefore it should be sincere from the heart.


2. When someone praises you never get too happy. Remember that true praise is from the sincerity of the heart and not just uttered through words.

Alhumdulillah, this example, which has also been given by my Shaykh, Hadhrat Maulana Adam Sahib حفظه الله, made me think of a few points which Shaykh used to advise us with:

1. Refrain from praising people in their presence as this is forbidden by our Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم.


2. When any person praises you then do not cross the boundaries of pleasure and satisfaction, instead evaluate whether such qualities are within you and be thankful to Allah. In the same manner, when an individual criticises you then again do not cross the boundaries of disappointment and displeasure, instead evaluate if such qualities are present within you, if they are then thank the individual for bringing them to your attention and if they are not then thank Allah that He has saved you from such qualities.


3. Finally, do not confuse being thankful to being praising another. Our Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم has stated that a person who is not thankful to people is not thankful to Allah. Therefore, thank individuals and Allah by not mere words but also in action.

May Allah give us all the correct understanding of Deen and save us from the evil disease of pride and arrogance which stem from the praise and criticisms of people. Aameen.

Value of Ramadhan

Alhamdulillah, we have been fortunate once again to be present in the month of Ramadhan.

The value of Ramadhan can be truly understood by those who have a connection with Almighty Allah; and due to this connection they are able to feel the effect of their good deeds on their connection with Allah.

The month of Ramadhan is a month of economic boom. Each deed is multiplied in great quantities to give the believers benefit in every sense.

In regards to the month of Ramadhan my respected teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib, mentioned an example which gives us an implication of the value of this month:

The value of Ramadhan is like that of a thirty blank cheques; priceless. The value of this cheque is dependent on the individual who fills the cheque. If the person filling the cheque has any idea as to the value of the cheque then he will surely fill out a great amount.

In the same manner, we have been given a blank cheque which we have been told to fill in on a daily basis. Each day our actions will determine what amount the cheque is to be made of. The greater efforts we make, the greater the amount of the cheque.

In the same manner, my honourable Shaykh, Hadhrat Maulana Adam Sahib mentioned the importance of keeping our actions fruitful by not rendering them void through sinful acts.

Even the smallest of sin can deem our efforts and deeds void. The example of which Hadhrat gave of that person who cooks Biryani (an Indian dish) with great efforts. He puts in all the spices and prepares all the ingredients and mixed everything correctly. However, at the end of all his efforts he places a drop of poison in the food.

This food has now become, despite all of his efforts, useless. It is of no value and benefit to him and can in fact harm him.

We can also look at this theory along with the first example of a blank cheque where a person makes all the efforts and a large sum is entered on the cheque. However, due to his neglect he makes an error on the cheque which now needs countersigning and deems the cheque void.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance that a person takes maximum benefit of this Holy month as to be rewarded with immense generosity. Yet at the same time it is fundamental that sins are avoided so that our efforts are not destroyed.

May Allah give us all the inclination and ability to reap the benefits of this month and may He give us the strength and will power to refrain from sins. Aameen.

Make your Food Salaah

Whilst is Darul Uloom we came across a Hadith which stated along the lines that if Salaah time due and a person was hungry then he should eat first and the same for a person who needed to relieve himself from the call of nature.

The Hadith was explained in some detail whilst the conclusion was that you should not make your Salaah your food.

Meaning that a hungry person who is offering Salaah would make his Salaah his food by constantly thinking of eating and awaiting the end of the Salaah so he could fulfil his need to eat. Therefore, his entire Salaah would primarily be without concentration and his attention would have been on food.

However, some after graduating, whilst in the company of my respected teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib, this Hadith was brought up and Maulana Imran Sahib gave me an explanation, whilst quoting someone, which shows another perspective and the true purpose of this Hadith.

He said:

'Do not make your Salaah food but instead make your food Salaah'

This was in response to those people who take this Hadith to avoid offering Salaah whilst they are hungry and hence giving food preference and priority.

Indeed our Salaah should not be an opportunity to think of our meal and need to eat but at the same time when we are asked to eat it should be such that our food should become Salaah...

With every morsel that we take our attention and concern should be of Salaah and therefore our food becomes Salaah.

This Hadith has been stated for those people who are extremely hungry and cannot wait any longer, or that waiting will cause distractions within their Salaah. However, whilst resolving to eat first, one should eat enough to suffice him to offer Salaah.

Therefore, in such cases one's food should become his Salaah and not vice versa.

Purifying the Heart

My teacher Maulana Imran Sahib has always been a father-like figure to me; guiding me, advising me and offering me his company whenever I required. He always made me wonder what I had done in order to deserve the company of such a down-to-earth and knowledgeable scholar.

As mentioned before, Maulana Imran Sahib has always offered his guidance to me and, despite not being my Sheikh, his guidance has always shown me the right track and aided me in times of spiritual dilemmas.

Recently, my teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib, sent me the following:

Imam ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله was once asked:

"Is it better for me to make Tasbeeh (praise Allah) or to make Istighfaar (seek forgiveness)?"

He replied:

"The dirty robe is more in need of soap than perfume"

Simple words which holds great meaning for the person who understands. It is necessary to prepare the heart before to contain the love of Allah; the heart is the house of Allah and therefore before we intend to place Him within our hearts we have to ensure that it is clean and free of the filth of sins, and this can be achieved by seeking the forgiveness of Allah from our sins.

Nur (divine light) and Dhulumaat (darkness of sins) cannot be contained within the same heart; in the same way, Allah cannot reside in that heart which contains greater love for anything and anyone but Allah. The preparation of the heart is beautify it for its true occupier, Allah.

May Allah give us all the understanding of the words of our pious 'Ulamaa and predecessors. May He give us the courage, strength and method of making preparations for His arrival within our hearts, which should be His abode alone. Aameen.

The Realistion of Allah's Presence

During the 'Alim course there were numerous occasions when my teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib, would take time out to advice us and guide us in an attempt to make us better people.

On one occasion, I can recall him stating the importance of realising that Allah is Omnipresent. He stated that when one establishes this realisation then he would automatically stop or decrease sinning and would also be extra cautious in pleasing Allah.

However, many people tend to forget or overlook the fact that Allah is aware of all that we do and then after forgetting this we also overlook the fact that His wrath is severe and the favours He has done upon as uncountable.

Therefore, my respected teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib, gave us a short supplication to make every night before sleeping. A supplication that should be recited at least three times before sleeping and during the day.

With the recitation of this supplication, Insha Allah, we will be constantly reminded of Allah's quality of Omnipresence as well as supplicating to Him to remain in our thoughts at all times.

Following is the supplication:

اَللهُ حَاضِرِيْ - اَللهُ نَاظِرِيْ - اَللهُ مَعِيْ

"Allah is present with me - Allah is watching me - Allah is with me"

May Allah Ta'ala always be on our minds throughout the day so that we can aim to please Him alone. Aameen.

Maulana Imran ibn Adam Sahib

Maulana Imran Sahib is my teacher in many subjects. He has taught me subjects which relate to the Alim course as well as subjects which relate to wordly affairs as well as general Islamic knowledge that was relevant in the outside world. His wisdom and knowledge gave me a firm understanding of practical knowledge as opposed to theoretical knowledge obtained from books.

He is the son of my Shaykh, Hadhrat Maulana Adam Sahib and has many of the qualities of his respected father. His dedication and enthusiasm was the means of the commencement of the Alim course. He dedicated his entire time to teaching in the initial years of Alim course and was the only teacher at the time. Therefore, he has taught me the majority of the first year and second year syllabus of the Alim course. He has also taught me Tarjumatul Qur'an, Riyadhus Saliheen and Sunan Nasaai.

He overlooks and the smooth running and administration of the Darul Uloom as well as the Maktab and plays an active part in many other projects. His talks are held in the Masjid on a weekly basis from which some are quoted and referred to on the 'my respected teacher' blog.

After my Shaykh, who enrolled me into Madrassah after leaving, I am most indebted to my respected teacher, Maulana Imran Sahib. From the moment I enrolled in Alim class he has supported me and advised me throughout the course. His merciful and loving nature was the reason that I was able to complete the course and his attention and moral support prevented me from leaving many a times.

From the moment I enrolled in the course till date, he has been my guide in all aspects of life and my library of knowledge. His piety and humbleness only elevate him in my eyes and he sees everyone as an equal.

His company has taught me many lessons and his friendly nature has drawn me closer to him day by day. He is my teacher who has stood by me and aided me all that I have chosen to do. His care and love opened doors for me that I could have never achieved and through his blessings and supervision I was given opportunities to lead prayers as well as give talks and lectures in places I could not imagine.

In brief, all I am today is due to his dedication, watchfulness, concern and wonderful nature.

May Allah bless him and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. May he increase him in knowledge and all aspects. I pray to Allah that he keeps me under the guidance of my respected teacher for eternity and that his shadow and blessings remain over me for eternal. Aameen.