Summary & Main Points of talk by Shaykh Abdul Mueed (Hafizahullah) of Sukkur, Pakistan – 10 September 2020 in Karachi.
The world has undergone a lengthy period of struggle with the Coronavirus. Some of the effects are still with us. When Corona subsided, the floods came (in Karachi, Pakistan), and a lot of damage was caused. This is an ongoing chain of events.
We are as we were!
We generally discuss issues about how the virus emerged, how it spread, its causes, and the financial crisis, etc. However, the reality is that Allah Ta’ala controls the system of the world. If we wish these conditions to change, then we need to revert to Allah Ta’ala in repentance and make amends. Sadly, despite all that has happened, people have not really been serious about change. As we were prior to the emergence of the virus, so are we today. The maladies that plagued us prior to Covid-19 prevail now also. During lockdown we did not focus on reformation, worship, good deeds as we should have.
We will ‘change’ later on
Shaytan had already misled us to believe that an opportunity will come later in life for change. As life went on, we felt now is not the time as we are preoccupied with many engagements. Then the time came when everything was brought to a standstill (Covid lockdown) and we had the time to bring about the change. Yet in terms of reforming our lives we find that our negligence increased. People squandered the time during lockdown watching films the entire night and sleeping the whole day. We have inflicted these conditions upon ourselves.
Have we prepared for death?
Dua is something that can change our heart and our lives. Let’s assess how much of dua we made for ourselves and others – people were afraid of death – death is not something we should fear in reality, since it unites us with our Creator. The greater calamity is whilst many of us were ‘fearing’, very few were making preparations for death. By death the most that happens is a person leaves the worries of this world, but in turn enters a life of bliss and ease. The reason we fear death is because we haven’t prepared for it. Had we made preparation for death, we would actually have a desire for this meeting.
Cleanliness is part of faith
Cleanliness is part of our faith. Islam teaches us that even the courtyard of your house should be clean, so how much more cleanliness should be in the house and how clean we should be. Sadly, we find our surroundings are filthy. Cleanliness is not only the work of the government. We should be proactive and also try to keep the environment we live in clean. Whilst we rebuke the government and politicians, we ourselves are not really willing to do anything about it. Why have we become so indifferent in life? How do we change this mindset? Let us acknowledge our deficiencies and weaknesses and change our attitude.
Each individual needs to reform
For society to change we do not need change of government, we need a change of hearts and individuals – if individuals are weak and negligent then collectively we will be weak. We all wish to travel and reach our destination safely yet we find people not willing to abide by the law of the land. We have become accustomed to breaking the laws – we abuse the traffic laws through negligent parking, etc. When we go to other countries we follow the law diligently. We do not behave like this elsewhere. Until we don’t learn from our mistakes, society will deteriorate and there will be no change.
Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat (rahimahullah) has mentioned that when people sit together they talk about the wrongs of others, rather we should focus on our own wrongs. By not focusing on our own faults, one thinks of others as bad and thinks himself free of wrong. Thus he is deprived of taubah.
The poison of sin
Sin works like poison in one’s body – it weakens a person’s resolve and ability to return to Allah. Allah Ta’ala gives respite but a person thinks that he is not doing anything wrong and this is the deception we are in. Social media is like a runaway horse – the whole world can be accessed through one small device. Misuse of social media has torn society apart. We have good people who perform their Salah, etc. but what they do and view on the mobile is unspeakable. The need for taubah does not occur to one who is drowned in sin and negligence. The heart becomes completely covered with darkness and devoid of sensing one’s wrongs. If we are not sensing our sins and negligence, then it means our hearts have become overwhelmed with the effect of wrong doing.
Little life left
We should make the little life we have left valuable. After seeing these dramatic conditions if we don’t change, then it is a great loss. These conditions come to awaken us. Some people have changed their lives whilst for some their negligence has increased. When a person starts changing his ways, he takes care of himself, his actions and others Deeni ibadat, it is one part. However, importantly we should also focus on our dealings, social life, living with others, give others happiness not grief, not harming others or causing inconvenience. The reason for treating others badly is because we regard ourselves better so everyone must serve me, must forgive me and acknowledge me, we are not prepared to acknowledge and forgive others, this is result of pride – so we should repair our relationships.
Are we inconveniencing others?
Hadhrat Hakeemul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahimahullah) says, “I don’t look at how much ibadat (zikr and prayers) a disciple is making, I look at whether he is inconveniencing anyone and whether his behaviour has become a means of harm and hurt to others or not.” Allah Ta’ala looks at our hearts, not our wealth and children. Today people have hope in wealth and children – however, only a purified heart will be accepted in the court of Allah Ta’ala. Our focus should be to rectify the condition of our heart.
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