Summary of discourse by Shaykh Abdul Mueed Saheb (Hafizahullah)
Tuesday, 31 March 2020 – Khanqah Maseehiyyah, Sukkur, Pakistan
We are discussing our approach to the present conditions relating to the Coronavirus. The centres of spirituality are closed. Why is this happening? The Qur’an advises us that these conditions are a result of our evil deeds. The way to reverse the situation is through repentance. Repentance does not only eliminate the effect of our wrong doing but it also serves to re establish our broken connection with Allah Ta’ala.
Never despise anyone
Every believer enjoys a unique connection with Allah Ta’ala. Irrespective of how weak or poor this relationship maybe, it is a secret between the Master and slave. We should never look down upon a believer, never despise another person.
The man who listened to ‘Razzaq’
Shaykh Muhaddith Abdur Razzaq rahimahullah was conducting a lesson of Hadith in Masjid Nabawi Shareef. A person was sitting with his head between his legs and not paying attention to the lesson. A man close-by addressed him that the lesson of such a great scholar is being conducted and you do not find the need to participate. The man replied, that one who is listening to Razzaq directly, what need does he have to listen to Abdur Razzaq. So the person remarked, if your rank is so high that you are communicating with Razzaq directly, then can you tell me who I am? The man replied, if the foresight a believer is correct, then you are Khizr alayhis salaam. Khizr alayhis salaam then said that this is the first person I met who I did not recognise, but he recognised me. So we have ordinary people who enjoy such a close and special bond with Allah Ta’ala.
Looking down on a sinner is because of pride
Even if a person is a sinner, who is he sinning against? He is being disobedient to his Creator and Allah Ta’ala can forgive him at any time. The person who despises and looks down upon a sinner is actually the one in danger, because he despises him out of pride, thinking himself to be more pious. Allah Ta’ala does not like a proud person because pride is a quality exclusive to Allah Ta’ala.
No need to show anyone
There is no need to show anyone our Taubah. Like the example of the person in the time of Moosa alayhis salaam. Allah informed Moosa alayhis salaam that people are suffering drought because of one sinner among them. Moosa alayhis salaam made the announcement for this person to leave the congregation. This sinner sincerely repented to Allah Ta’ala from the depth of his heart and pleaded to Allah to forgive him and save him from embarrassment. No one knew this happened. The tear of regret of sincere repentance is shed in the heart, not on the face. The rain came and Allah Ta’ala informed Moosa alayhis salaam that his servant has made amends and now it is because of his sincere Taubah that the rain has been sent.
To please Allah is the easiest of actions
Every other work of the world is difficult, but to please Allah Ta’ala is very easy. It is not so easy to please one’s parents, one’s spouse and children – but to make Allah Ta’ala happy, all one has to do is be sincere, truthful and honest – a person can deceive another person in this world, but no one can deceive Allah Ta’ala because He is aware of the condition of the heart.
Conviction on forgiveness
Sinning is our trait and forgiving is the quality of Allah. Our sins are limited, Allah’s forgiveness is unlimited. Never be despondent about the mercy of Allah Ta’ala. Have full hope in Allah Ta’ala. Hope means to attempt to do good and avoid sin at all costs, in the event of sin occurring a person becomes ashamed and remorseful. Hope doesn’t mean to go about deliberately being disobedient and then say that Allah is merciful, this is a form of deception.
Each sin must be repented for separately
A person has missed Salah, he must repent for this and then make amends by performing the missed Salah. Similarly if a person missed fasts, etc. This Taubah is only complete when a person sincerely repents and then makes amends by performing those Salah or keeping the missed fasts.
Hakeemul Ummat Hadhrat Thanwi rahimahullah said “With Taubah sins are forgiven, not rights”, meaning the outstanding dues to Allah and people must still be fulfilled. These are not waived by Taubah alone. So when making Taubah ask Allah to also make the arrangements of paying back the dues.
Muslims First 