THE ESSENCE OF NOBLE CHARACTER
2. It is clear from the Ahaadeeth that the essence of noble character is not to give Takleef (not to trouble, annoy, hinder and inconvenience anyone). A Hadeeth states that one should not remove the staff (stick) of a brother lest he becomes annoyed. This should not be done intentionally or in jest. Due to the annoyance caused, such jest is forbidden.
ANSWER PROMPTLY
3. To avoid giving an answer when questioned or to delay the answer causing the questioner the inconvenience of waiting is highly disrespectful.
CRITERION OF LOVE FOR ALLAH AND HIS RASOOL salallahu alayhi wasallam
4. Irrespective of the amount of love a Muslim has for his children, he will never tolerate disrespect from them regarding Allah and His Rasool. The father will not be so angered with disrespect shown to himself as he would be angered when disrespect is directed to Allah and His Rasool by his children. Why did the father become so angry if he never had natural love for Rasulullah? (The anger is proof of his natural love for Allah and His Rasool r).
THE POWER OF TAUBAH – REPENTANCE
5. Even if the whole world is covered in sin, Taubah wipes it all out. Dynamite is small in size but can destroy huge mountains.
COURAGE AND EFFORT
6. A bondsman (of Allah) should build up courage and make effort, Allah Ta’aala will ensure the persons success. When a father sees his child walking ten steps and falling, then due to mercy and compassion he assists the child and takes him into his lap. Just as the father desires the child to make an effort to walk, in the same way Allah wishes to see our effort. But sad to say, we are not prepared to move from our positions. (We are not prepared to make any effort).
7. Nothing is impossible for a person with courage. Courage is cultivated by staying in the company of a Kaamil (an experienced spiritual guide) or by communicating with him.
WAITING FOR PERFECT SERENITY IS FUTILE
8. To wait for total settling of the mind (i.e. complete devotion to Allah) is futile. This is not possible while one is caught up in this world (with its responsibilities and duties). To achieve this, even in a troubled and perplexed condition, start the connection with Allah Ta’aala. Gradually such single-minded devotion will follow. Otherwise life will come to an end (waiting) and complete devotion will not be achieved.
THE GREATER JIHAAD
9. There was no other Shaytaan that led Shaytaan (Iblees) astray. His Nafs (carnal desires) led him astray and turned him into Iblees. Overpowering the Nafs holds priority over overpowering the Kuffaar (Non-Muslims). Thus, striving against the Nafs has been referred to as ‘Jihaad-e-Akbar’ i.e. the greater Jihaad.
TRUE CONTENTMENT
10. Happiness and contentment in life is not based on wealth, but on the joy of oneself and the soul (spiritual self). Spiritual happiness is based on the relationship with the Deen and Allah Ta’aala. Thus, a person who has Deen but little material possessions has a pleasant life. On the other hand, without Deen the Dunya (material possessions) also becomes unpleasant.
If a person possessing wealth is seen to be in happiness then it is either because of the portion of Deen that he has in him or the observer has been fooled by the external condition of that person. If his internal condition is investigated, nothing but distress and unhappiness will be found. It is also possible the observer is unaware of the reality of genuine happiness. He (the observer) has taken superficial comfort to be true happiness. The secret is that true happiness and contentment is different and the means of happiness is different. (Do not misunderstand the material means and possessions to be actual happiness).
If those material things which people consider to be the means of happiness are not so, then Wallaah! In reality they are Adhaab – punishment. Allah Ta’aala says in the Qur’aan:
وَلاَ تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَ أَوْلاَدُهُمْ إِنَّمَا يُرِيْدُ اللهُ أَنْ يُّعَذِّبَهُمْ بـِهَا فِى الدُّنْيَا وَ تَزْهَقَ أَنْفُسُهُمْ هُمْ كٰفِرُوْنَ
“And do not let their wealth nor their offspring impress you. Allah’s plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and that their souls shall depart while they are disbelievers.” (Surah Taubah)
It is not necessary that a person in possession of the material means of comfort be in actual comfort. Also, it does not necessarily mean a person not in possession of these material things is not happy and contented.
It is the way of Allah to deprive a person from comfort who is neglectful towards the Deen. Neglect towards the Deen results in the destruction of worldly comfort too.
