Introduction
In this last chapter, I would like to remind the Muslims to follow the Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ and to make friends with those who practice Islam fully and remember Allah Ta’ala day and night. This will make them stronger in Islam. Even Rasulullah ﷺ was commanded to remain with the pious people.
Rasulullah ﷺ says:
Translation: “Shall I tell you something through which you will acquire the good of this world and the Aakhirah? Frequent the gatherings of the people of zikr and when you are alone, then keep your tongue busy with the zikr of Allah Ta’ala as much as you can.”
It is important for a person to first investigate and find out who are the true lovers of Allah Ta’ala. They are the true followers of the Sunnah. Allah Ta’ala has sent his beloved Nabi ﷺ as an example for the guidance of the Muslims.
Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan Shareef:
Translation: “O Nabi ﷺ , say: If you people (really) love Allah, then follow me so that Allah will love you, and will forgive your sins, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 31)
Whoever follows Rasulullah ﷺ sincerely, is nearer to Allah Ta’ala. Whoever does not follow him, is far away from Allah Ta’ala and cannot acquire his favours. The Ulama have written that whoever claims to be a lover of Allah Ta’ala, but does not follow the Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ is a liar. A true lover loves everything of the beloved. It is a law of love that if you love someone then you will also love his house, the walls of his house, the courtyard of his house, his garden and even his dog and donkey.
Poetic Translation: Majnoon said, “Whenever I pass by the house of Laila, I kiss every brick and every wall. Really, it is not the love of the house that I am infatuated with, but rather it is the love of the one who resides in the house.”
Another poet says:
Poetic Translation: “You pretend to be a lover of Allah Ta’ala, and yet you do not obey His commandments! I take an oath that this is indeed really strange. If , you would definitely obey Him, for a lover is always obedient to his beloved.”
Rasulullah ﷺ said: “All my followers will enter Jannah except those who have denied (not accepted) me.” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked: “Who would deny you?” Rasulullah ﷺ replied: “Those who follow me will enter Jannah, but those who disobey me have in fact denied me.” In another Hadith, Nabiﷺ has said. “None of you can be a true Muslim unless his desires are according to that which I have brought, that is the Qur-aan Shareef.” Those who claim to love Islam and the Muslims would never disobey Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ . When told that some action is against the Sunnah, they get upset. How can they be true followers of Rasulullah ﷺ ? Sa’di رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has said:
Poetic Translation: “Whoever follows a way opposite to the Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ , will never reach his destination.”
After understanding the above explanation, if any person is a lover of Allah Ta’ala, then increasing ones link and connection with him, trying to spend as much time in his khidmat and service and taking benefit from his knowledge is the means of progress in one’s Deen. This is also the command of Rasulullah ﷺ . Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Whenever you pass through the gardens of Jannah, then eat of its fruits.” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked: “What are the gardens of Jannah?” Rasulullah ﷺ answered: “The gatherings where the knowledge of Deen is taught.”
Rasulullah ﷺ also said: “Luqmaan عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ instructed his son in these words: ‘Remain with the Ulama, and pay attention to the words of the wise, as Allah Ta’ala revives the dead hearts, just as He revives the dead earth with heavy rains, and only the wise understand Deen.’”
A Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked Rasulullah ﷺ ,“Who can be a best friend to us?” He answered: “Such a person that, when you see him, you remember Allah Ta’ala, when you listen to him, your knowledge of Islam is increases and when you see his actions, you are reminded of the Aakhirah.” (Targheeb) Again, “The most devoted servants of Allah Ta’ala are such that, when you see them you remember Allah Ta’ala.” Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan Shareef:
Translation: “O those who believe! Fear Allah, and remain with the truthful (faithful) people!” (Surah Taubah - Aayah 119)
The commentators have written that by truthful it is meant the Sufis and the true lovers of Allah Ta’ala, for whoever attaches himself to them and listens to their advices, he attains very high levels of spirituality. Shaikh Akbar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has written: “You cannot get rid of your evil desires, though you may try for your whole life, unless your wishes are according to the orders of Allah Ta’ala and the Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ . When you do find a true lover of Allah Ta’ala,
submit yourself fully before him, serve him well and follow him as though you have no desire of your own. Obey him in all your matters, including those concerning your spiritual, religious and personal problems, even those concerning your employment. He may then lead you to the right path and take you closer to Allah Ta’ala.” Rasulullah ﷺ says, “When a group of people remember Allah Ta’ala in a meeting, the Malaaikah surround that gathering, Allah Ta’ala’s mercy comes down on them and Allah Ta’ala remembers them in the group of Malaaikah.” What honour can be greater for the Muslims than that of Allah Ta’ala remembering and acknowledging them. Rasulullah ﷺ says: “An angel is sent to those who remember Allah Ta’ala sincerely. He says ‘Allah Ta’ala has forgiven your past sins, and has changed your bad deeds into good ones.’” In another Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ says: “That group of Muslims who did not remember Allah Ta’ala, (did not) send salaams to His Nabi ﷺ , will be disappointed on the Day of Qiyaamah.”
عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ : “O Allah! if you see me staying away from the gatherings of Zikr and attending the gatherings of sinners, then break my feet (so that I may not be able to walk towards them).” A poet has said.
Poetic Translation: “When I do not listen to Him and see His face, it is better for me to be deaf and blind.”
Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says; “A gathering where Allah Ta’ala is remembered and glorified, shines to the people of the skies, just as the stars shine for the people of the earth.” Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ once went to a bazaar and called out to the people: “O brothers! You are sitting here whilst the ‘wealth’ of Rasulullah ﷺ is being distributed in the Masjid.” The people hurried to the Masjid. Since no ‘wealth’ was being distributed, they returned disappointed. Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ asked them, “What was being done there?” They answered: “A few people were reading the Qur-aan Shareef, and a few were busy in the zikr of Allah Ta’ala.” He said: “This is what we call the ‘wealth’ of Rasulullah ﷺ .” Imaam Ghazaali رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has mentioned many similar Ahaadith. Even Rasulullah ﷺ has been ordered by Allah Ta’ala:
Translation: “(O Rasulullah ﷺ ) Restrain (keep) yourself (in the company of) those who call upon their Rabb morning and evening, seeking His pleasure only and do not shift your attention from them with the intention of acquiring the attractions of the worldly life and do not obey them (the wealthy Kuffaar) whose hearts We have turned away from our zikr (remembrance), and who follow their desires, and whose (every) affairs entail transgressing (by not living within the laws of Allah Ta’ala).” (Surah Kahf - Aayah 28)
Rasulullah ﷺ would thank Allah Ta’ala for making such pious people from his followers that he was ordered to remain with them. In the same Aayah, Rasulullah ﷺ has been ordered to stay away from those who follow their desires and disobey Allah Ta’ala. He has been instructed time and again not to follow them. Those who blindly follow the ways of the sinners and non-Muslims should look deep into their hearts and see how far they have drifted from being true Muslims. Imitating the non-Muslims has taken them far away from the Right Path:
Poetic Translation: “O innocent villager! I fear that you won’t be able to reach the Ka’bah; because the road that you are travelling on goes to Turkey.”
Poetic Translation: I intended to advise you about Deeni matters, and I have done my duty. Now I leave you to Allah Ta’ala. The Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِم السّلَامُ ، were also ordered only to say the truth.
Translation: Please do remember me in your duas Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi, Mazahirul-Uloom, Saharanpur 29th ZulHijjah 1348 A.H.