Summary & Main Points of talk by Shaykh Abdul Mueed (Hafizahullah) of Sukkur – Pakistan on Saturday, 19 February 2018 – After Maghrib at Windermere Musalla, Morningside, Durban,South Africa
1. In talks we will hear things we’ve heard before and we may hear something new. Listen attentively and perfect the lesson of what we may know and intend to practice if something new is learnt.
2. One moment in the company of the pious is better than 100 years of Ibadat (worship), as this companionship has the potential to reform a person for life. The one who does ibadat using his own discretion lacks direction and mentorship. He remains in a state of trial and error. The one under the supervision of a Shaykh & mentor advances and progresses rapidly.
3. To attain Yaqeen (conviction) one must associate with those who possess conviction. To lack conviction and be in doubt is not desirable for a believer. There are those that remain spiritually stagnant for years due to lack of mentorship.
4. In worldly matters we ensure that we consult the experts so our worldly gains do not suffer. This is not our approach regarding our spirituality and reformation. The only reason a person dodges a mentor is due to his self ego. His ego does not permit him to submit to the reformatory process of a mentor – he believes that he is someone important or popular, so why should he submit to another person for spiritual remedy. For worldly matters we seek expert and professional guidance but to find and reach Allah we do not have the same approach.
5. A King wanted to learn the art of alchemy (producing gold), so he sought a veteran in the jungle who could teach him. The veteran initially denied knowing the art but after the king disguised himself as a peasant and entered the service of this person, he was shown the art and having learnt it, disappeared from the old man’s company. The king returned to his throne and summoned the old man to the royal court and asked him why he initially pretended not to know the art and later showed it to him. The old man replied that the art of alchemy cannot be achieved whilst sitting on the throne. One must humble himself in service and through this humility and crushing of ego, this valuable art can be shared and acquired. If this is the case with acquisition of worldly wealth, then to reach Allah Ta’ala consider how much of humility and servitude is required.
6. Maulana Ahmed Ali Lahori (Rahimahullah) was a great scholar and commentator of the Qur’an. Many thousands use to benefit from his Tafseer lessons. On one occasion he was asked to give a summary of the Qur’anic message. Maulana advised as follows the core message of the Qur’an in 3 formulas:
# Gain the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala through sincere worship and good deeds
# Gain the pleasure of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) through his emulation & following the Sunnah
# Bring happiness to people through service to the creation
This is the crux of the Qur’anic message from a personality who mastered the meaning of the Qur’an. These simple practices can be achieved by all Muslims.
7. The definition of Ibadat (worship) is broad and includes many aspects. It includes serving parents, keeping family ties, serving the poor and needy, guiding and wishing well for others, etc.
8. Emulation of the Sunnah makes our Nabi (sallallahu alayhi was sallam) happy. We should never be apologetic or ashamed about following the Sunnah. Be loyal to our Master (sallallahu alayhi was sallam) and have the conviction that there is no other road for our salvation. We should live and die on the Sunnah.
9. Serving the creation is a means of tremendous reward and rank. A person can achieve much more through service than through one’s individual Ibadat. Be of service to and associate with relatives, the poor, lonely, elderly. If we cannot be of service, then at least do not cause harm to others. These are the summary lessons of the Noble Qur’an.
Muslims First 