The Unislamic nature of Islamic businesses

Never thought that I would be writing about this subject but I feel compelled to do so. My experience with so called ‘Islamic’ institutions has been overwhelmingly negative. It does not matter what type of business it is; schools, madrasas or Masjids. The people can be from almost any group affiliation that you can think of. The experience is the same. From here on in we shall call them 'businesses' because that’s all that most of them are. 

There is a real sense that some are misleading the public. They have large banners of the name of the institution in which you would assume that things are being run with Islamic ethics. Often this is not the case and almost all my experience has affirmed this reality. Only Ronseal does what it says on the tin!

The names of the businesses are often derived from names or terms in Arabic. But the owners of the business do not realise that because of their bad actions some people curse the institutions. Which means something religious has been cursed and that is why I advise people to be careful when they are naming their institutes.

Many places are full of partisanship that makes the bricks cringe and yet they do not see it themselves. How? Only when one looks in the mirror can they see their big nose even though everyone else can see it all the time!

Often they are run in a ruthless manner by people who would sooner curse you in the streets than help you. As long as you are giving them money and funding their bank accounts they are unconcerned. Their houses and cars get bigger but they are not bothered if they have broken promises to the public that they claim to serve.

Instead of supporting scholars they chase them out of the community. But all the while desire acclaim for their presence even though they did not bring them there in the first place.

They like people to think that they are doing good but really they are forcing every issue to their advantage. They twist the religion when it suits them to attack you and offend you. Aren’t they so good?

Especially evil is when some of them see students who are progressing faster than they are so they put a stop to classes. Or do their best to disrupt the classes as much as they can until the attendance dwindles.

The sad fact is that some of you are sending your child to a 'business' in which the head of the school is the biggest bully. Many pay wages that are illegal but because the employee has accepted the contract it becomes law. If it was not for this illegal wage structure most of these businesses would have one teacher because that’s all that they could afford. That is why many places employ ‘uncles’ who are retired because they do not need to work to earn money! Pay peanuts and you get monkeys! Do not expect your children to learn anything from a monkey!

We have charities who raise funds for projects that never get off the ground and even worse than that the money never reaches the intending source! Someone has instead brought a flashy car with your zakah money!

When you speak to them they are rude and arrogant. To the point that they will reject advice. Rejecting advice is a trait of a disbeliever.

Masjids that are only interested in doing their own activities are mere big boys clubs. Most if not all masjids are big boys clubs who say what goes on in their masjids. The masjid serves them and has nothing to do with Allah (the Exalted). So do not expect any reward from something that is not done for Allah (the Exalted).

Is there a solution?

Well the sad fact is that many of these new institutions are carrying out work that no one else is doing. Then you ask yourself is it worth the risk? I’ll let you be the judge of that. You could, of course, take what you need and leave. As for exposing such people it is not worth the effort because they are so embedded in their way of thinking that they cannot even begin to consider that they are wrong.

Even though they think nothing of going onto websites to attack you but you should not that because that’s unIslamic! They expect you to have morals yet are devoid of any themselves! They lie and cheat but expect you to tell the truth!

All these types of businesses must be accessible to public scrutiny. They must publish all records of funds that enter the businesses and what funds exit. If they are to serve the public they must be held to public analysis.  And to be held accountable to where funds are going. Some legal enforcement may be necessary but unfortunately many charities operate in a backhanded manner.

If the public question the institution they need to have prepared answers. Rather than scream, shout and blame others. Often when you squeeze something you find out what is inside it.

Here we find that there is nothing but insults because you question their methods. The people running these businesses should realise that they are under the public spotlight yet how few of them care!

There is no real solution and that is scary. At the same time there are very good new institutions being founded. So we need to support those who are free from partisanship of any type that favours relatives because if we do that then we have simply become a party to the futile pursuits of serving our egos, rather than serving Islam.

Apologies to someone who is reading this by mistake and those that this does not concern. It really annoys me that these businesses continue but what is the alternative?

Or are we asking for too much to expect a level of professionalism that we have been accustomed to in non muslim organisations? This is not asking too much we should be better, much better but the opposite is true.

How awful is it that we turned something of value into something that is cheap and worthless.

Syed/Ahl Al-Bayt/Sharif survival guide

We live in times of great turmoil in which the unlawful is readily accessible and the lawful is hard to find. We see changes taking place that are nothing but astounding. We see murder taking place everywhere.

In this mess of human nature we still find the descendant or scion of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him) among us. This is a great blessing but do we take the full benefit of this? I do not think we do. Or we claim to and love to think we do but the facts are cold and shocking. 

I have yet to find a member of the blessed household that does not suffer from harm from people. If it was warranted then no one would be complaining but most of the time it is not warranted at all. Most of the time it is due to the reactions of extreme partisanship, whether religious or otherwise. 

So this work is aimed at those members of the Ahl Al-Bayt who are struggling to find themselves in the world and are suffering abuse. So most of what is written here will only make sense to a Syed/Sharif as it is addressing them specifically.

Is it a Shia thing?

Most certainly not! This is a Sunni thing! The term Ahl Al-Bayt is used in the Quran and by the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). Throughout history they have been revered, respected and oppressed. But in the last hundred years reverence has slowly eroded and is now mere lip service.

إِنّمَا يُرِيدُ اللهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا

“Allah only desires to remove filth away from you, family of the house, and purify you completely.”(Quran: the Clans 33:33).

When this verse was revealed the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) gathered his family namely Fatimah, Ali, Hassan and Hussain (may Allah be pleased with them all) and made a supplication that these were his family. So this includes the offspring that come from them.

The Shia began as a political party in favour of the leadership of Ali Ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) and it was only after the martyrdom of Al-Hussain (may Allah show him mercy) did they break off from the Sunni tradition. Then form their own beliefs and so forth but this did not occur in a vacuum it occurred because of the oppression that the leaders of the time metered out to them.

Current circumstances

So when we hear people speak about the issue of Ahl Al-Bayt or Ahle Bait we see them use this subject to excite audiences but there is very little in the way of follow up on this subject. So that is why we are saying that love of the Ahl Al-Bayt is lip service and nothing more.

There are only few Muslims who give each other their rights, so you can forget about the Ahl Al-Bayt! When someone is arguing with a member of the family they will seek to crush him in any manner they can. Even though they are in the wrong it will not concern them at all, they want to win the argument and will do anything to achieve it.

I have also seen people who debate with Ahl Al-Bayt and when they say something that they do not like then they accuse them of not coming from the family! Is this how we treat Ahl Al-Bayt? When they agree with us then they are Ahl Al-Bayt and if they disagree then they are innovators, mushriqs or even kafirs! How we have lost our way just to win an argument.

There are many people who weep in gatherings for muharram and come out to harm the sons of Al-Hussain. Yes, this is very common, even from some teachers.

The titles

Depending on the part of the Islamic world you come from the Ahl Al-Bayt may be called Syed or Sharif or Hussani or Hassani. The first two terms are famous, Syed for the Indo-pak world and Sharif for the Arab world. Also famous is the name Shah which at times is synonymous with Ahl Al-Bayt; predominately in the Indo –Pak and Indonesian regions. In the Indo-pak regions there are many people who have surnames of Hussain or Sharif and do not belong to the family. Its just there surname, so I would advise people to trace their lineage and find out where this name originates.

Many leaders historically were Shahs, Sharifs or Syeds in these regions. Although in other regions it may not be so obvious from the surname that someone is from the family. It is also worth noting some Hindu’s also have the surname shah. I have used the term the family in this work using the translation of the word Ahl.

In many cases people are unaware of the status of being Ahl Al-Bayt. This is due to many reasons some of which are the proliferation of people into areas in which they do not have much family. And of course a divorce from cultural norms which is something that any immigrant communities have become known for. Many people try to assimilate into the regions that they have moved into.

The term Sherif meaning someone who was the upholder of the law in an area especially in America. Could have come from Islam as we know that Islam was present in America before the founding fathers came there and there was a systematic removal of all Muslims by a branch of the Spanish Inquisition. And like Spain, many things could not be removed totally and this could have been one of them. So the local leader was a Sharif until this title was taken then used in another way.

Can someone become Ahl Al-Bayt?

It is not a rank that one can aspire to as it is something that they are born with. As it is lineage from the father to the children and this is called nasab which means the father is from Ahl Al-Bayt.

If the mother is Ahl Al-Bayt and the father is not then this is called sibt. The difference being that the nasab continues the lineage and sibt finishes with those children of the female of the Ahl Al-Bayt. Please note, some scholars reject sibt totally, in order not to confuse people.

So a person whose father is Ahl Al-Bayt his lineage continues but the one whose mother is only from Ahl Al-Bayt then it stops with her immediate children.

This is a birth right and cannot be attained; it can only be bestowed by Allah (the Exalted).

Dr Khalid Blankenship's has the opinion that everyone has some blood of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) in them, including many non-Muslims. There are two ways that someone is from the family of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). Both are in terms of lineage. Nasab is when the father of the child is from the family and sibt is when the mother alone is from the family.  When someone's father is Ahl Al-Bayt then that child and his offspring are from the family. When someone's mother is from family and not the father, then the immediate offspring are from the family but after that, the lineage is broken. Not to confuse the public some scholars said that sibt is not Ahl Al-Bayt because their lineage is cut from them.

This is based from the following hadith:

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

 كل سبب و نسب ينقطع يوم القيامة إلا سببي ونسبي

“Every ancestry and lineage is severed on the day of judgement except my ancestry and my lineage.” (Al-Tabarani in Al-Kabir 3/45 and Al-Daylami in Al-Firdaws 3/255.)

This is why it is important for both to maintain the blood of the family. So even though there might be trace their lineage to a female of the Ahl Al-Bayt. The lineage was cut with her immediate children. This is the dominate position and Dr Khalid's position cannot be accepted because it is an isolated opinion and against the majority. With due respect given to those who differ but the blood of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) would not be present in a disbeliever. DNA may remain but that would arab DNA and no link. 

Exception?

There is a hadith in which the master of the Messengers (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, 

 سلمان منا أهل البيت

"Salman is from us, the family of the house."
Al-Hakim and Al-Tabarani.

This is an exception and not the rule. The background of this hadith is that Salman the Persian (may Allah be pleased with him) had suggested that a trench be dug to protect Medinah against the upcoming armies of the disbelievers. The Ansar and the immigrants made statements that Salman was from them. As he had been in search of the last prophet and was taken into slavery to Medinah. So he was not from either Arabian group. Then the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Salman is from us." Even though, he had no lineage to the Ahl Al-Bayt. A freed slave belongs to those who set him free. Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) was assisted and thus able to purchase his freedom. This is an exception and not the rule. 

There is another hadith which is very weak or even fabricated that every upright believer is from the family but it is not accepted.

Marriage issues

Marrying a woman from the Ahl Al-Bayt for a non Ahl Al-Bayt male is not something that should occur because it is cutting the lineage. The non-Ahl al bayt male/female has to consider if they harm their partner then he hurts the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). This is why a person should try to avoid this as there are other ways to respect Ahl Al-Bayt.

So the responsibility of marrying into the family is as great for a male as it is for a female. As when they marry each other the lineage remains intact and pure. This should be the main consideration when anyone of the Ahl Al-Bayt marries, that it should be to maintain the lineage and increase the blessed offspring.

Regions like Yemen will not allow any Ahl Al-Bayt to marry outside the family and this has to be understood as protecting the purity of the lineage. It is not racist and no one should be offended.

What are their responsibilities?

Unlike the average Muslim who is representing Islam; Ahl Al-Bayt represent their grandfather (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) as well. This is not as easy as it sounds and many people do fall short because of a lack of knowledge and circumstances. 

Some do not practice Islam as people expect and this is our fault. So you might find someone of the Ahl Al-Bayt committing major wrong actions but know one thing that sooner or later they will repent. So if you admonish them for a sin do it as if you are admonishing your father, i.e. in the most gentle of manner. But also know sometimes people do not listen to admonishment. Even the admonishment of Ahl Al-Bayt to Ahl Al-Bayt has to be gentle or they will both loss blessings.

Imam Ghazali (may Allah show him mercy) said in Nasihat Al-Muluk/Cousel for Kings, "A descendant of Ali (may Allah ennoble his face) lived in Samarqand. One day when he was standing at the door of his house a woman passed by. The lane being empty, he seized the woman's arm and dragged her inside the house. Then he attempted to have intercourse with her. She said, "O Sayyid, first answer me one question. Then do what you please." He replied, "Speak." "If you possess me unlawfully and then I become pregnant by you and then a child comes, what do you think this child will be? A descendant of Ali or fatherless?" "A descendant of Ali," he said."Whether or not you yourself are one of Ali's descendants," she said, "the deed which you intended is something which genuine descendants of Ali would not do." (These words) abashed the descendant of Ali (may Allah ennoble his face). He let go of the woman's arm, and he vowed to Allah The Exalted that he would never treat women, whether near relatives or strangers in that way again."

Look at the wonderful example of this noble woman who reminded the Sayyid about his lineage and did it in a gentle manner. Even though he was very wrong, she did not match it with another wrong action. She instead turned the situation on its head by her gentleness. We do not see this in people today.

The religious or the practicing member of the family should be the best person in his region. Although, we are people and we fail to reach lofty heights that people expect of us. So we ask people to forgive our slackness.

We need to be involved in spreading Islam and sacred knowledge. In a manner that is synonymous with the way it was spread initially and free it from all types of culturalism.

The Ahl Al-Bayt will not be like the average people, they will be different. They will not react to events like others react. They may even be seen as strange or even weird by many people. This is one of the signs that they are from the family.

The Ahl Al-Bayt are more beneficial to others than themselves. Many a time they will help others but no one will help them.

Those of the Ahl Al-Bayt have to know that people will curse, attack, defame them in a myriad of different ways. Sometimes, it will be openly and sometimes secretly because if you are not like us then you are against us. Even giving some the benefit of the doubt means you are opening yourself to attack. So be prepared to forgive those who curse you and attack you. Most of them will come up to you use a respectful title (shah saab) and hurt you in the same conversation or even in the same sentence. Most of the people who claim to respect Ahl Al-Bayt do not. It’s just a term that they like to use to 'big' themselves up. So do not believe a word of the flattery they lavish you with because if you disagree with them over any point they will attack you in the most vicious manner and this is not jest. I have seen this time and time again.

After being insulted by someone who knows you are Ahl Al-Bayt it becomes very difficult to forgive them or over look what they have done but you have to try. As many of them will not be able to fully realise the sins that they are committing until they perish. A good rule of thumb is to expect to be disrespected and you will never be disappointed.

A person of the family should not think he is better than others, even though he is in lineage, but if found wanting in action then he is like others. Yet, if he starts to practice he will make great strides that others are unable to achieve except without extreme struggle.

He should not take advantage of his lineage so he can get things that others cannot. Nor use excuses by treating people in an unjust manner. They have to act responsibly and this is not always easy because often people catch you on a bad day.

I have heard of cases in which a Syed male is cheating people by feigning the rank of a spiritual master and using it to earn wealth. This is of course wrong and this person should be admonished gently then left alone. He is cheating people by Islam which is one the worst sins that anyone could do. Unless he repents his sins will catch up with his eventually.

Know a Syeds sins catch up with him so be vigilant about them. Repent at every given opportunity and try to avoid harming anyone. Also know that a Syed may find obstacles when he tries to commit sin and the person should realise this and refrain.

A Syed should also not have a lot of wealth, if he does then he might lose at some point in his life. You, like others, will have some kind of tribulation that you will face almost continuously, so do not expect an easy life. Give charity if you are able and do not ever cheat people by selling out Islam.

There are many of the family who do not even know they are from the Family! So ask your parents and seek out as much information as possible.

What are our responsibilities? How should we treat them?

We have to love them and that is explained in the Quranic injunction:

قُل لا أَسألكم عَلَيه أَجراً إلا المَوَدّةَ في القُربَى

“Say, ‘I do not ask of you a recompense for this, except love for my kinsfolk.” (Quran: Counsel 42:23.) 

Ponder that this command is coming from Allah (the Exalted) to the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) to pronounce that his family should be respected, which a fruit of love. Only someone who loves the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) will respect the member of his family. It does not mention that we love them if they are righteous or hate them if they are unrighteous. We love them righteous or unrighteous. That is the position of Sunni Islam without any regional misinterpretation or modernisation.

If we can practice the command of Allah (the Exalted) in this issue then it fulfils many of our needs. Ponder how you would feel if someone respected your grandson? What would you feel towards that person? You would be happy with that person and a good person would feel indebted. So when you please Ahl Al-Bayt you please the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). But know that you cannot go against the sacred law in this matter.

The opposite is also true because if you upset Ahl Al-Bayt then you upset the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). Sheikh Al-Arabi Al-Darqawi was in a gathering where one of the family were insulting him but he did not say anything to him. When the Sharif realised his mistake, he apologised to him. Look at the Sheikh’s respect for Ahl Al-Bayt and how he did not react to the slander that he himself was witnessing. This would not happen now because they would attack back in such vigour that they would claim that he was not from the family. I have seen this occur, for less than this, with my own eyes.

If you find that they have taken a right from you or been unjust to you advise then and if nothing occurs then forgive them and leave the matter to Allah (the Exalted). Do not seek it especially if you fear that you may commit injustice. Having something bad in your heart against Ahl Al-Bayt is also very bad, so remove it as soon as you can. Many people attack Ahl Al-Bayt because they have a point to prove and do not realise who they are talking to until it is too late and the offense has occurred.

If you come across someone from the Ahl Al-Bayt without an ancestral tree/Shajara. Then as long he is known to be from the Ahl Al-Bayt in the area then that is sufficient. So you should still respect them if they do have one and you should never say to them ‘you are not from Ahl Al-Bayt you don’t have a tree’ which can be heard from those ‘lovers.’ I am not joking I have heard this with my own ears and this because the other person did not agree with the Ahl Al-Bayt so he said the above.  It’s strange how people want to kiss your hand but insult you to your face!

Even if you meet someone who is from Ahl Al-Bayt and they are committing sins do not let that doubt their lineage because if you observe their behavior you will eventually find them doing a right action that is extra-ordinary. I knew a Sharif child who frequently misbehaved and he was extremely difficult child to discipline. He was once playing football and another child was hurt, he stopped playing the game and went over the child to see how he was. The game had not stopped and he was on the side that was losing! This was not normal behavior and you can see this type of behavior in the family. They will show compassion to others when you thought it not possible. 

Many people use Ahl Al-Bayt for certain purposes or when it suits their needs and when it does not they discard them like a used rag. They take the benefit of their fame and throw insults at their faces. Someone once said to me, 'How can someone who insults Ahl Al-Bayt consider themselves Muslim?' This alone is sufficient proof that many people are not true Muslims because of this one fact alone.

Closing remarks

If you are Ahl Al-Bayt then try to find your lineage tree. This may be hard to find but try your best. Teach your relatives about the importance and responsibilities you have. Try to live up to the high expectations that people have of you and try to stay away from sin as best you can. Really think about your final journey and try to prepare the best works.

Practice Islam as best as you can and try to be righteous. People need to see the family of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) striving for the afterlife and not striving after money.  They also need to see good role models, unlike us.

Also know that one of the reasons that Allah (the Exalted) turns people against you is so you lose hope in them and turn to Him.

Know that the world is satans playground and you are the child he hates the most, so he is going to send unrighteous people after you, be warned. Satan hates the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) because he is a lantern of guidance and tries to get to him by trying to make the family split up. Ahl Al-Bayt have the worst family problems and this is sadly very common.

People who know Ahl Al-Bayt should try to be good to them and should be extremely vigilant over their actions towards them. If you have wronged them then they should address the wrong straight away lest you are punished or even worse that the punishment is passed onto your children. At the same time you should not allow them to cheat people over Islam, ever. This is something that you cannot stay quiet over and you should say something gently.

You should know that the majority of 'sunni' leadership is corrupt and still oppress Ahl Al-Bayt. Even if they claim to support them with fundraisers! Thus they are not really Sunni they are nothing but Yazid in another guise. This is more common than you think. The righteous Ahl Al-Bayt in this time are like Ghurabah/the strangers. They are not helped by anyone. They will prefer a subordinate teaching in their places rather than an intelligent member of the Ahl Al-Bayt. Yet, still claim to support the Ahl Al-Bayt! I have seen this 'unislamic' nature of Islamic businesses! Shia have no right to Ahl Al-Bayt whatsoever and that is final!

I pray that Allah (the Exalted) forgives our endless shortcomings and allows us to live up to high expectations. May endless blessings, salutations, benedictions, graces be upon our master Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him).

The book Endless nobility of the Ahl Al-Bayt by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nabahani is no longer available but a new version of this book is please click here. Or email me on so you can get your copy.

Please click here for forty hadith on the Ahl Al-Bayt by Sheikh Yusuf (may Allah show him mercy). 

The Disputations

Twenty two


1. Why do only have certainty in Sunnah when a non Muslim affirms it? It should not matter whether they affirm or deny it.

2. when will you learn that people will always let you down?

3. Every desire you have is a distraction from Allah. So He does not give you when you are distracted from Him, He give you after you return.

4. Allah is turning everything against you so turn to Him.

5. ‎"The Awliya say that if a believer is punished in this world, then it is out of the love of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala because He wants to purify you in this world so you do not enter the hell fire."

Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi

6. Allah only accepts pure love.

7. Do not allow your nafs to be happy with anything other than Allah.

8. Do not allow people to distract you from Allah.

9. Sooner or later you’ll realise that you only have Allah.

10. If you want to argue with dogs you need to bark.

11. Every tribulation is an opportunity to get closer to Allah.

12. Things are being mixed up.

13. Nothing is as it should be if you oppose decree.

14. Because you are not as you should be.

15. Why do you grieve over what was not yours in the first place?

16. Why are you attracted to what Allah hates? There can never be any good in it.

17. "The tears of the wounded young girl, the exploited young woman or the bereaved mother in Syria are more painful to the merciful Prophet than what we imagine from thousands of negative and insulting films and drawings."
- al-Habib Ali al-Jifri

18. Only the sincere fear nifaq and only fools think they are free from it.

19. When your heart is clean; why should you be bothered about people say to you?

20. The best stories are about the people who overcame great obstacles in their lives.

The Disputations

Part twenty one

1. When you have certainty is present there is no problem when you have doubt everything is a problem.

2. Accuse yourself when you do not practice and speak when you do.

3. Do not look for people to help you.

4. Do not look for people to validate your feelings as most of the time they won’t understand

5. You can only move on from a tribulation once you do one thing. Accept it.

6. In a state of tribulation your heart is humble before Allah. In a state of wealth your heart is haughty before Allah. Thats one of the reasons we have tribulations so our hearts are in a good state before Allah the Exalted.

7. Does the loin think he's smart by scaring the inhabitants of the jungle? If one animal opposes him they cannot do anything but together they can kill the loin.

8. Allah give us what he knows is best for us not what we think is best for us.

9. Break any code of law and face the consequences...

10. Sidi Ahmed Az-Zurraq (may Allah show him mercy) said in Qawiad Al-Tasawwaf, "Whoever follows this path must accustom himself to trails."

11. Sometimes words that are uttered are so difficult to practice...

12. What is Pakistani politics? Its the taking of the engine from a working car and replacing it with a bucket! Then wondering why the car won't start! It was working before. Yes before you messed things up!

13. We live in an age in which are not changing we are repeating.

14. If you make sure what comes out of your mouth and what goes in is halal, then you have no problems!

15. The ending of all your desires is loss except the desire for Allah.

16. Why do people complain about satan when all he did was suggest! It was you who decided to do it! So stop blaming him and blame yourself!

17. If you have a need read Yasin!

18. Do not allow someone's evil actions to prevent you from doing good actions...

19. When Allah wants you to come to Him he causes events which take out the love and hope for anything except Him from your heart.

20. How merciful Allah is to you! When your sins pile up he sends you a tribulation to remove it and then gives you an opportunity to attain reward for your patience! So he takes your sin away and gives you chance to excel. What a generous Lord!

The Disputations

Part eighteen

1. When Allah wants you to come to Him he causes events which take out the love and hope for anything except Him from your heart.

2. Once you understand the reality of things; small details fall into place.

3. I have no desire to appease the brainwashed, okay?

4. If you rely on yourself then you’ve already failed and if you rely on Allah (the Exalted) then you have already succeeded.

5. If you do not share what you have been given it will be taken...

6. Even if you have something does not mean you own it; as it could go in a second like a bird flies from its nest.

7. Have hope in Allah and no one else.

8. Its easy to be ungrateful in plenty and grateful with little.

9. Our normality is someones luxury.

10. Assign the past to the bin and leave it there.

11. A life lost is a life without Allah.

12. What we deem insignificant now will be monumental on the day of judgement.

13. Detach your heart from the world before you leave it or its taken from you.

14. There is nothing that makes life punishment or pleasure like a spouse.

15.  You are not going to get something whilst you still have a desire for it.

16. Break any code of law and face the consequences... 

17. Sidi Ahmed Az-Zurraq (may Allah show him mercy) said in Qawiad Al-Tasawwaf, "Whoever follows this path must accustom himself to trails."

18. Sometimes words that are uttered are so difficult to practice.

19. There is a narration in which a scholar refused to help one of the Ahl Al-Bayt saying, "where is your proof that you are Ahl Al-Bayt?" That night he had a dream in which he saw the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) and the scholar kept turning to greet him but he kept turning away. The scholar then said, "Why are you not greeting me? I am one of your Umma." The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Do you have any proof for that?"

20. What is Pakistani politics? Its the taking of the engine from a working car and replacing it with a bucket! Then wondering why the car won't start! It was working before. Yes before you messed things up!

The Disputations

Part sixteen

1. Why do have to scream when we preach Islam? Does not the speaker know he has a microphone before him?

2. قال شعار لا أختار دموعا دموع تختارني the poet said, I did not tears they chose me.

3. Every era has events that uniquely define it

4. If you are never happy with your current state then you'll never be happy.

5. Be like a snowball ornament when it is shaken its beauty comes out.

6. Why are people who listen to lectures about love so full of hate???

7. We have yet to learn to lessons of Ihya Ulum Al-Deen.

8. How can we blame the youth for going astray? When we had the opportunity to teach them but failed! So those parents who kill their daughters because she is doing something that they do not like; should look no further and blame themselves.

9. Good weather means nothing unless you have someone to enjoy it with.

10. Even though you have lost one blessing you have many others to be grateful for.

11. The pen is nothing without paper and paper is nothing without the pen. Its only the combination of both these things can something beautiful come forth.

12. The most misleading emotion is love. How can you say you love someone and hurt them?

13. Its only by suffering do you realise the value of something.

14. Allah tested you when he gave you something of the Dunya and blessed you when he prevented you from something of the dunya.

15. Don’t say yes or no unless you know what you are saying yes or no to.

16. Expect to be disrespected and you'll never be disappointed!

17. نوم الظالمين عبادة The sleep of oppressors is worship – Syrian saying.

18. Servants whose service is for Allah, are not concerned about being seen. Servants who want to be seen are looking for positions and they service their own egos when they feed others.

19. When you lose something in this world know its loss means nothing compared to losing Allah. So keep faith in Allah and leave the world because there is always a replacement for what is lost in the world but no replacement for Allah.

20. The oppression of the oppressors always comes home...

The Disputations

Part seventeen

1. Timing is important.

2. Instead of condemning people for their sins maybe you should try praying for them...

3. Why should you be hopeful of forgiveness? Because no matter how great your sin is the forgiveness of Allah is greater.

4. The era for heroes has ended so do not try to be a hero because people will walk all over you.

5. If you insult someone that you are trying to refute they will never listen to you; even if you are right.

6. If you are in a storm now as long as you keep walking you’ll get through it.

7. The lion will be slain at the gates justifying the fallen...

Top of Form

8. Its really strange how we live in a time where the average person talks about deep scholarly issues yet does not even know the basics of his wudhu!

9. Sooner or later you'll realise that you can only rely on Allah and everyone else will let you down.

10. Its not in your interest to be involved in interest...

11. Difference of opinion is only accepted from those with knowledge...

12. Belief in the divine decree is realisation that you are powerless.

13. When they say that the doors of ijtihad are closed they are lying. As this is an orientalist argument to say that Islam is backward. Ijtihad is ongoing and has not stopped.

14. قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلام (إذا فسد أهل الشام فلا خير فيكم،) حسن صحيح: الترمذي 2192

The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessing upon him) said, “If the people of Syria are corrupt then there is no good in you. ” At-Tirmidhi.

15. Fear of the 'other' leads to injustice.

16. A man said to Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), 'Fear Allah O Umar!' One of those present said, 'Do you say this to the leader of the believers?' But Umar scolded him for these words and said, 'There is no good in you if you do not say this and no good in you if you do not hear it.'

17. Finding pleasure in anything worldly veils one from Allah (the Exalted).

18. Only when someone is pure outwardly can someone pray and only when the heart is pure can it prostrate.

19. Allah is free from need and for you to be a wali your heart should be free from anything but Allah.

20. Large amounts of wealth do not help on the day of judgement but large amounts of faith do. So why are we so bothered about gathering wealth and so avid about neglecting our faith?

Karbala: What they do not want you to know

In the month of Muharram the tragic events of Karbala are re-enacted. This is not normal for the majority of Sunni communities but this is specific for some communities of the indo-paks and the Turks. Yet none go into the detail that the paks do, as others mention it briefly, and not in the agonising detail that is vividly painted for us.

To actually understand the events that transpired takes a lot of time and a lot of study. It is a gut wrenching and heart rendering event which fills even the most sternest Muslim heart with grief. The question that the heart begs to be answered is why? Why did they kill the grandson of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him)? This is something we hope to address.

Precursor

To understand the events that occurred we must look back before we look at the event. After the murder of Ali (may Allah ennoble his face) his son Al-Hassan (may Allah be pleased with him) was given authority, caliphate.

During this time of tribulation he sensed that the same forces that had caused the death of both his predecessors might consume the fledgling Muslim community and cause civil war. So he gave up his right to the caliphate to bring peace. This was already predicted by the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “My child is a master. Allah shall reconcile two parties from a great sedition by him.” (Imam Ahmed 5/44), this occurred now. 

Al-Hassan (may Allah be pleased with him) handed over his right to the caliphate to Mu’awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him). This was something that pacified the disputing factions and meant that one side lost their rallying cry. Mu’awiyah had been keen to find the killers of his cousin Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him). The first sect of Islam, the Khawarij, were causing much sedition and tribulation.

So when Mu’awiyah passed away Al-Hussain (Al-Hassan’s brother) (may Allah be pleased with him) was keen to assert his right to the caliphate. Yazid (Mu’awiyah’s son) instead asserted his own authority which was dissimilar to the manner that the previous caliphates were declared. As others were voted for by a group of the righteous. So Imam Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) had a rightful claim. Also due to the fact that Yazid was known to be unrighteous and all previous leaders were righteous. This was something synonymous in the early period of leadership. So this fact alone means that Yazid had no valid claim to leadership.

Karbala

The residents of Kuffans kept writing to Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) to affirm his right and that they would pledge their allegiance to him. So after sending one of his cousins to oversee the situation in Kufa, he himself went with a small group and members of his family.

When news of this reached Yazid he sent Ibn Ziyad to quell this ‘revolt’ which was quelled in the most brutal manner possible. He was sent to either take the oath of leadership from Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) or to finish his 'rebellion.' What followed would fill every believer’s heart with sorrow for many years to come. Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him), his party and all the males of his offspring were martyred with the exception of Zayn Al-Abideen (may Allah be pleased with him). Zayn stayed behind in Medinah because of illness.

Now this is where the story ends for most of the ‘historians’ who re-trace these events on a yearly basis. But the story does not end here.  The date of his death is the tenth of Muharram 680.

Events that followed

Al-Mukhtar Ibn Abu Ubayd Al-Thaqafi was in prison and when news reached him. He raised an army to avenge Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him).

When he would kill one of those involved in the murder, he would send the proof to the martyrs son. The severed heads of the killers of Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) were sent to Zayn Al-Abideen (may Allah be pleased with him) and then were placed on poles. Snakes would arrive and prod the heads until eventually entering the head by the nostril. This was a fitting end to those who had committed such a heinous crime as kill a grandson of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him).

Yazid would die a few years later in 683. One of the most regrettable practices of the Ummayyad caliphs was the cursing of Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) which continued until this practice was ceased by the pious caliph Umar ibn ‘Abdul-Aziz (d.720) (may Allah be pleased with him).

You have to understand that leaders commit heinous crimes, just to remain in power and this was no different. The Ummayyads saw his claim as invalid and would continue their revenge with curses.

So all the killers who were involved were killed but was this end of the punishment that the tribe of Ummayyad?  Yazid died a horrible death but the punishment was still due. In this time much talk of rebellion was banded about and this occurred when the Abbasid Empire came into power in 750.

They enacted the final revenge upon the tribe of Ummayyad. They killed every single member of the family of the Ummayyad tribe and the only one to escape was Abdurrahman Al-Dakhil (d.788). He was known to be pious and extremely generous and he was the only person to survive the slaughter. He would flee to Al-Andulus (Spain) and make a new home there.

The Ahl Al-Bayt were persecuted under the Ummayyads and the Abbassids. The change of leadership had not achieved anything.  

In context

Now, that we have taken the events in context and looked at the entire picture we see a sad event but it was not without its consequences. This is something forgotten when we arrive at the month of Muharram. Ponder these facts closely and you will see that Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) was avenged in such a manner that left little doubt to who did it.

Harming the offspring of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) has dire consequences and this was a total revenge. These points that we have explained you will not find mentioned by any of the speakers during this month. Instead you’ll find two types of speakers about this event. One that considered Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) as a rebel and another that considers him as a hero. The group that consider him a rebel have yet to understand that he was making a stand for justice and Islam. Yazid never had any rightful claim to leadership, ever. Nor was he (Yazid) a valid leader at the time. Imam Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) had more right to lead than anyone else.

Reasons of exploitation

This event caused what would become the group known as the Shia – the party of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to break off from the Sunni’s and form their own sect. At this point they were a political party and in favour of Ali ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) and his offspring. This event would lead them to more radical and extreme tendencies.

In the indo-pak communities this event is brought out each year in some misguided love towards Ahl Al-Bayt which basically translates as the shouting of old men in Masjids around the country. This is what some consider as a sign of love towards them and the Messenger (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). This is something that looks ugly and its causes some people to make takfir (declaring a disbeliever) of Yazid. The soundest position of takfir of Yazid is not to involve yourself out of caution. (See Dohw Al-Maali p,133). The reason for this is based on two things. Did Yazid gave the command to kill Hussain or to take bayah alone? This does leave some doubt and for this reason many scholars have refrained from cursing him but you will find prominent scholars who curse him. There is no doubt that Yazid was an open sinner (because he was known to drink excessively) and had no right to rule. That is putting it mildly!

Yet this event is manipulated by the speakers during this period. The massacre at Karbala is one of the most shocking tales in Islamic history and it leaves a person cold. It is almost impossible to comprehend. How could they do it? Why did they do it? Are just some of the questions that are banded about. It is not something that I would like to re-live every year as reading it once a lifetime was extremely difficult. I do think that this event should not be used in such a visceral and agonising way, by week long television shows dedicated to this subject.
 

This is exactly what made me put pen to paper because one of my friends commentated on how I had explained something to him in five minutes what he had not got in a week’s worth of television programs on this subject. That was more than a shock but perhaps to be expected. As its a sign of manipulation not respect.

Re-living trauma is not good for you and not good for children. Explain to them briefly but not in detail. Childhood trauma can lead to greater harm in the future. The Habaib - the Ahl Al-Bayt scholars of Yemen are also not comfortable with people using this issue to illicit emotions and manipulate people. This is done by none more so that the Shia and some Sunni's.

Final remarks

We find this story difficult to comprehend at times and sometimes find it difficult to think about. We would like to see this event commemorated but in a rational and normal manner like the rest of the Muslim world. We do not mean to offend people but we really need to look how we manipulate people’s emotions because this is plainly wrong. If we really want to practice love towards the Ahl al-bayt them we should honour them instead of using the murder of one of forefathers as an event that we rally around them once a year and spend the rest of the year opposing them.

Imam Al-Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) shall forever be remembered as someone who was uncompromising in his stand for justice. This stand for justice is one of the reasons why Imam Al-Hussain  (may Allah be pleased with him) is one of the masters of paradise.

Yet, how sad is that this martyrdom is manipulated in an inappropriate manner that increases grief and sadness. These are not part of the events and neither should they be. His killers were killed and they did not escape punishment nor would they. The main point of this event is that real Sunni's should support Ahl Al-Bayt and when they go against them then they join Yazid's army. There are many adherents to Yazid's army in this time. They go to Muharram gatherings weep during it and attack, slander and oppose Ahl Al-Bayt the very next day. There is no respect for Ahl Al-Bayt left because there is no respect for Muslims left. I am talking about corrupt 'sunni's' here.

The Shia have of course gone to the extreme of bodily harm during the commemoration of this event. One of my friends father once said they should not harm their shoulders and backs; they should slit their throats instead! You see that would be more effective than what they are doing or so he claimed. Even within the Shia they disagree about self harm and of course Sunni Islam totally rejects self harm in any circumstances as unlawful/haram.

We need a balanced mind and we do not go to extremes because the extremists are not just those who murder innocents they are those who see only one valid interpretation of events.

Imam Hussain and Imam Hassan (may Allah be pleased with them) never cursed or even slandered those who were responsible for their own fathers martyrdom but those who claim to follow them curse people? Its just another lie, if you love someone then follow them. Their way was truth and justice. Not excess harm towards yourself or others and certainly not cursing others.

We hope that this a balanced re-telling of the events that allows people to look at the entire event in the light of history without being boxed into one part of the story and wondering about its ending.

May Allah bless our master Muhammad, his family, his companions; an endless blessing and endless salutations.

Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nabahani (may Allah show him mercy) is one of the greatest scholars of Islam and we drew heavily from his work on Endless nobility of  Ahl Al Bayt click here to purchase a new version or email me on here.

The Disputations

Part fifteen

1. There are two things stopping someone from reaching their goal; persistence and effort.

2. Its only too late when the time has gone.

3. Partisanship does not teach it indoctrinates.

4. You are the language you speak.

5. A parent can make a child reach heights that they cannot on their own.

6. The war on terrorism main victims are innocent people with vital natural resources who are demonised so they can be slaughtered; all under the smokescreen of preventative war. The real terrorists are those who invade lands that do not belong to them, massacre the inhabitants then suck the oil out of the country like a vampire sucks blood out of his victim.

7. The morning always starts early!

8. Even if you have something does not mean you possess it.

9. Unrequited love is desire of the impossible.

10. “Its difficult to free fools from chains they revere,” Voltaire.

11. Children need parents to them the way.

12. It does not surprise me when I hear dogs bark!

13. Never desire anything more than Allah.

14. Intentions come out when actions fail.......

15. The outward of the prayer means nothing if the inward does not move...

16. All the good you receive is a blessing from Allah, so can you dare to boast about what you have when 

its not your doing!

17. One of the most hardest things that you have to do in this life is move on.

18. Once someone is labelled they lose their identity.

19. The doors are open I am ready to help you.

20. You can be happy if all you have to do is hope.

Run Fatty Run!

We live at in the fast line and are constantly in motion. So because of this when we are hungry we grab the nearest thing to eat and invariably it is unhealthy, burgers, chips, kebabs etc.

Chips are the worst because they are almost pure fat and I know they taste good but when you realise that it takes a long time for your body to process that fat they don’t look that good anymore.

About a year and a half ago something very strange happened to me. I was sharing a takeaway with friends and during consumption of this delightfully fatty food I felt my body slow down. It was a strange sensation and it was extremely unwelcome and unexpected.

Thinking none of it a few weeks later I had the same feeling again, upon the consumption of takeaway food, but this time I had not had takeaway food for about two weeks. It was time to give up the fat!

There were a few steps that I followed to try to get myself into a better shape.

1. No more takeaway food of any type

2. Refrain from snacking

3. Eat at regular times – don’t miss breakfast.

4. Get some exercise

5. Switch to more whole foods.

Regular exercise is something that needed some effort as the other five were quite easy. So what I used was mike chang’s six pack short cuts (search youtube for six pack short cuts disclaimer nudity) because he uses a method of intense exercise. It was a great help in getting me started. So a few times a week I use some of his exercises. Some are as short as ten minutes and we are not talking about long periods of exercise I only do around twenty minutes. The important thing about exercise is sweating because that is when your body is burning fat. Also know that you have to change the exercises that you do and not stick to the same routine all the time.

Snacking is the enemy! People in the west are always snacking instead try drinking some herbal tea that also help start you up. Having meals at the wrong times might mean that you eat double the amount that you would normally so be aware of that.

Takeaway is the worst type of food for your body. It is full of fat and full of harmful things that stay in your body for a long time. Watch the video 'supersize me' and how Morgan Spurlock looked into the unhealthiness of takeaway food. He also showed a video in which all the different types of food rotted away except for the chips. They did not rot even after months! Instead of grabbing a burger grab a sandwich or even a pot noodle. Do not tell me that they taste like pants you are not cooking them correctly! Just add that water to just below the fill level and wait about seven minutes then eat away.

Eating meat all the time is not good for your digestion and consider eating cereals with plenty of fibre in them to get the bowels moving.

Do not forget that our master Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) had a perfect body without any unnecessary weight. So this should help drive you on.

Disclaimer this is only advice I am not expert in this field and you should consult experts in this field before you do anything. Everyone's body is different and whats right for you might not be right for others.

The Disputations

Part thirteen

1. Harshness is not part of the Sunnah.

2. Lying is not part of the Sunnah.

3. Backbiting is not part of the Sunnah.

4. Slander is not part of the Sunnah.

5. Pushing someone of the way is not part of the Sunnah.

6. Being judgemental is not part of Sunnah.

7. Rudeness is not part of the Sunnah.

8. Argumentation is not part of the Sunnah.

9. Sharpness is not part of the Sunnah.

10. Cheating is not part of the Sunnah.

11. Stealing is not part of Sunnah.

12. Putting someone down, for no lawful reason, is not part of the Sunnah.

13. Tale bearing is not part of the Sunnah.

14. Putting someone off Islam is not part of the Sunnah.

15. Nationalism not part of the Sunnah.

16. Partisanship is not of the Sunnah.

17. Ignorance is not part of the Sunnah.

18. Hating people is not part of the Sunnah.

19. Plagiarism is not part of the Sunnah.

20. Believing that a Muslim can only wear a certain dress is not part of the Sunnah.

Abu Jahl is in the masjid

You might be shocked by the title but let me explain what I mean. We see events occur that are not only shocking but are outrageous. One such thing is the stopping of religious activity in the Masjids across the country. This is an unfortunate phenomenon occurs too regularly in our local masjids. Someone be it a committee member or even the Imam do not like Islamic knowledge to be taught. So they block or put obstacles in the way so that Islamic knowledge cannot be taught. 

Yes, this does happen and you’ll be shocked at what happens behind closed doors. Majority of the time its because a local ‘mufti/Imam/committee member’ feels slighted that people are studying so he fabricates lies and believes them once he has told everyone. Why? Because he does not want anyone to study Islam and neither do some of the committee members. So they allow people in their communities to be bereft of any knowledge. Even though they are not teaching they do not want anyone else to. Especially not someone who teaches in the English language because all they can do is teach in Urdu. But nobody wants to listen to them and nobody cares about them.

How does this fit with Abu Jahl then? Well the answer is simple Abu Jahl was the main opposition to Islam in the Mekkan period. He stopped people praying at the Kaaba. This is vividly portrayed in the Quranic passage known as Al-Alaq/the Clot (Sura 96),

أرأيت الذي ينهى عبداً إذا صلى

“Do you not see him who prevents a servant from prayer?” (96:9-10)

Abu Jahl stopped people from reciting Quran in the vicinity of the Kaaba as well as praying. So he was stopping anything Islamic taking place in the holy sanctuary. So the spirit of Abu Jahl is alive and well in the voices and actions of those who stop religious activity in our Masjids.

Some might say that they have a reason and that reason is valid. I have only come across one such occasion and that was from someone who was actually causing problems but he was let straight into the masjid!

If we are really concerned about causing fitna then we should eject those who are displaying the behaviour of Abu Jahl. But we do not, we hold those who act like Abu Jahl in high esteem and they sit on the highest places of the masjids. Is it not any wonder that our regions are in such a mess despite the masjids present in our areas. These people do not fear Allah (the Exalted) and will arrive on the day of judgement with more sins than good actions.

أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ 

“Does he not know Allah can see him?” (Alaq 96:13).

If you are on a masjid committee then you have a big responsibility and there is a price to be paid for your failure. As you are responsible for the spread of Islamic knowledge in the masjid and this goes double for the mufti or imam. Ponder the hadith in which amongst the first of people who will be thrown into the fire is a scholar. Why? Because he was not sincere and all he wanted was for people to call him a scholar. So its your choice to either keep Islamic knowledge alive or keep the spirit of Abu Jahl alive. If what I am saying does not make sense then read the following links and ponder your situation. 

The responsibilities of the masjid:

http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/role-that-masjidsmosques-committees.html


Importance of Knowledge

http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/importance-and-search-for-knowledge.html

Repentance/Tawba

The other day I read something in the Quran that scared me. Allah (the Exalted) spelt out the meaning of false repentance and true repentance. It really made me think about the lives that we are leading.

Many of us think it is okay to live a life full of sin and delay repentance until we get old and then we will be ready to put all our desires behind us. Because by that time we shall be so old that we will not be able to commit any sins! So how can someone be sincere in their repentance when they cannot do it now! True repentance is when you can commit sins but turn away for the sake of Allah (the Exalted).

What is the point knowing that we are sinful but not doing something about it? If we were truly intelligent then we would do something and repent in an appropriate manner.

Let us ponder the Quranic passage:

إِنَّمَا ٱلتَّوْبَةُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسُّوۤءَ بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُونَ مِن قَرِيبٍ فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ يَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيماً حَكِيماً

“Repentance from Allah is for those who commit evil in ignorance then repent from it shortly; those are have (true) repentance; as Allah is all knowing and all wise.”

Quran: Women 4-17

This passage clearly spells out to us the reality of repentance which is when someone does something out of ignorance, realises their mistake and repents. Now if we go back to our previous comments by reflecting on the following verse (4:18).

وَلَيْسَتِ ٱلتَّوْبَةُ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّئَاتِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَهُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ قَالَ إِنِّي تُبْتُ ٱلآنَ وَلاَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَمُوتُونَ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَاباً أَلِيماً

“Repentance is not for those who commit evil until death appears to them and say, “Now I repent!” no for those who are dying they are disbelievers and upon them we have prepared an awful punishment.”

That is as clear as it can be. You cannot repent when the soul is being taken out. Up to that moment repentance is valid but when it’s being taken out, the time for repentance has gone. So do not delay your repentance. Start now, stop reading this and repent. Turn back to Allah (the Exalted) make a solemn oath to turn away from sin. Do not procrastinate do it now. The word procrastinate is also interesting as it means putting something off until tomorrow. Who knows where you are going to be tomorrow? There is no time like the present.

A doctor once told me how a non Muslim died. Just before he died he saw the angel of death, sat up in his bed and said what the hell! He was so heavily sedated that this was not medically possible!

Repentance is not when someone does wrong actions and when death is manifest then they say I repent now! Because now I have no choice! Yet how can we think that we are going to survive until we are old and reach our death beds? Many of us are dying now because of health reasons.

Two people, my age, have had heart attacks, one has died. Were they waiting until they were old until they repented? What was the point in that then? Did he die without repentance? How many other people will die because of car accidents and so on? The reality of our situation is that we do not know when we are going to die. So why are we delaying something that would benefit us immensely? Even if you repent a million times a day you’ll find Allah (the Exalted) ready to accept it. Just view the first Quranic verse and it’s as plain as day.

The Quran passage is added to by this hadith:

روى الترمذي عن ابن عمر عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن الله يقبل توبة العبد ما لم يُغَرْغِر

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports that the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Allah accepts the repentance of his servant until the gurgle.” (At-Tirmidhi)

The gurgle is the death rattle or the time in which the soul is being pulled out. So the presence of the angel means the time for repentance is over and there is no more acceptance of repentance. This is when the soul is taken out and the door of repentance is closed forever. As are the actions that they could have done except knowledge that benefits people, charity etc.

If a person dies without repentance then the matter is up to Allah (the Exalted) whether they are forgiven or not. 

Word/definition

The first station of the spiritual path is repentance. When you take an oath of allegiance with a spiritual master you put your previous life behind you.

Imam Al-Ghazali (may Allah show him mercy) fourth section of his magnum opus Ihya Al-Ulum Al-deen/Revival of the Religious sciences with the chapter of repentance. The second passage the Imam put this so beautifully, “Repentance from sins is returning to the veiler of shortcomings and knower of the unseen.” (Ihya p.3 Vol4).

Conditions

Repentance has four conditions

1. Remorse over what occurred

2. Leave the sin immediately

3. Determination not to return to the sin

4. If it involves the right of another then it has to be fulfilled. (Risala Qushariyyah p.127) If money or a right has been taken then it needs to be returned.

The greatest sign of repentance is regret as the hadith states; the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,   

  الندم توبة 

  
"Repentance is regret.”
(Imam Ahmed and Ibn Majah).

Hopelessness and importance of moments

We live in time where tribulations are being poured upon us from every direction. So when we see people deep in sin. We should not be self-righteous and look down at them rather you should look at them with the eye of mercy because you could be in their position.

If you think that you are better than them you lose what this religion is based upon, mercy. You need the mercy of Allah as much as they do and you cannot guarantee that you’ll stay religious or even die Muslim. No one has a guarantee of this because you could slip up and be that alcoholic or drug addict lying in the gutter. If you come across a person in a dire situation then try to help them give them a chance to repent.

There was a drunk person who came to us and asked us some questions. We answered his questions and tried to help him. He is not drinking all the time now and has a job.

Maybe none of this could have happened if we had not helped them. And I could not have helped him if I thought that I was better than him. I looked at him as if I was the drunken man and he was sober. Then I asked myself the question, how would I like to be treated? He still suffers from the drink problem but now he is better than he was. This is a blessing of Allah (the Exalted) and nothing to do with me.

So do you see how important your role is? You can meet people at critical moments in their lives and this can either be a help or be a hindrance to them. And the affect of these moments can change lives forever. Not just the person who are coming into contact with but the lives of those around him. So do not make people lose hope in Allah (the Exalted) or forgiveness because it’s not up to you who gets forgiven.

Never lose hope

So never lose hope that you will never change your ways and that you cannot change your sinful path. You can change your ways and you can become that person that you hope to be. You can become the person of prophetic practice that you could never dream of.

The acceptance of repentance is down to the unbound mercy of Allah (the Exalted) and not up to the things that we think we know about someone. We are not sinless and only the Prophets are perfect and we 'normal' people are prone to trip up sooner or later but when we do, we repent and return. We do not become despondent or hopeless, we move on and continue.

It does not matter how great your sin, the forgiveness of Allah (the Exalted) is greater. Don't ever forget that, ever.

The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

  أتبع السيئة الحسنة تمحها

“Follow wrong actions with good actions, erases them.” (At-Tirmidhi).

This is also another way out for those in situations where they need to do something to relieve their guilt. Do something good!

Consider these Quranic passages:

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي يَقْبَلُ ٱلتَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَعْفُواْ عَنِ ٱلسَّيِّئَاتِ 

“He (Allah) who accepts the repentance of his slave and pardons wrong actions.” (Ashura 42:25)

أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوۤاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ يَقْبَلُ ٱلتَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ 

“Do you not know that Allah accepts the repentance of his servants?” (Repentance 9:104)

Allah (the Exalted) has given his creation the door of repentance to enter and it is one of the doors of paradise. These passages do not abrogate the first ones because that was talking specifically about death and these are talking about it generally.

There is always hope and nothing is lost until our time runs out. Make the most of the time that you have left and repent then make progress in your journey towards the afterlife.

As for the repentance of the elite, Dhu Noon Al-Misri (may Allah be pleased with him) said,

توبة العوام من الذنوب وتوبة الخواص من الغفلة

“The repentance of the average people is from sins and the repentance of the elite is from heedlessness.” So 'religious' people should not consider them free from the need of repentance we all need to repent, no matter where we are in this religion.

And if you have time then make a supplication for the author who needs to repent more than you do. Be hopeful of forgiveness and never be hopeless. There is always recourse to every problem. Seek repentance from the sins you know, the sins you do not, the open and the secret sins. 

May Allah (the Exalted) forgive and accept repentance from us all.