Meeting between Hazrat Umar RA and Hazrat Abu Darda RA

Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) sought permission from Hazrat Umar (RA) to go to Syria. Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "He is not going to allow him unless he accepts governorship". He replied, "He does not want governorship". Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "In such a case, I shall not allow you to leave for Syria!". At this, Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said, "Alright, I will go but on condition that I will only teach Sunnah and lead Salat to the people there". Hazrat Umar (RA) agreed. After sometime, Hazrat Umar (RA) went on a visit to Syria. On reaching the outskirts of Syria, he stayed out of the town until it was dark. Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "O Yarfa'a! Take me to Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan (RA) and you will see that he is sitting on costly carpets in the light of a lamp surrounded by his gossiping courtiers. All these things belong to the booty of the Muslims. When you salute him, he will respond but will not allow you in unless he knows your identity". Hazrat Yarfa'a (RA) narrates, "We left and arrived at the door and said, "Assalamu Alaikum". He said, "Wa alaikum assalam". Hazrat Yarfa'a (RA) said, "May I come in?" He asked, "Who are you?" He said, "I am Yarfa'a, a man on whose arrival you will not feel happy. Look here! Ameerul Mu'mineen has arrived." Hazrat Umar (RA) asked me to stand at the gate and he himself hit his Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan (RA) with his lash between his ears. Thereafter, he rolled up all the articles, put the bundle in the middle of the room and asked the people around not to move till he came back.

Coming out, he said, "O Yarfa'a! take me to Umru bin Aas and then repeated the words uttered in connection with Yazid bin Abi Sufyan (RA). Accordingly we left for the place and reached the door of Umru bin Aas (RA). Then Hazrat Umar (RA) himself said "Assalamu Alaikum". Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "May I come in?" He asked, "Who are you?". Hazrat Yarfa'a (RA) said, "It is one whose arrival you are not supposed to enjoy. It is Ameerul Mu'mineen." Thus he opened the door and there they found the court gossipers, sitting in the light of a lamp upon costly carpets. Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "O Yarfa'a, stand at the gate and do not allow anybody to run away. Then he hit Umru bin Aas with his lash between his ears, folded the articles and put the bundle in the middle of the house. He left the place asking people not to move until he came back.

After that Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "Take me to Abu Musa (RA) and we will see their court gossipers, lamp and woolen carpet belonging to the booty of the Muslims, and after that the same incident took place as it happened in the earlier two cases. While hitting him with his lash Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “You too, O Musa!” Abu Musa (RA) said, “This is nothing in comparison to what others are doing. By Allah, I have taken from the booty as much as others have taken.” When Hazrat Umar (RA) asked about the cushion, he replied, “Local people say Imarat does not look nice without all these articles.” Hazrat Umar (RA) then made a bundle of these articles and put it in the middle instructing that nobody should leave the place until I come back.

After that, Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “Now take me to a brother of mine and you will find there neither courtiers, nor the lamp, nor the door bolted from within. He will sitting on small pebbles with his head reclining on a pillow stuffed with dry leaves. He will be covering his body with a thin blanket unable to protect him from the severe cold.” 

In short, we started and arrived at his door. Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “Assalamu Alaikum” and he was responded, “Walaikum Assalamu”. Then Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “May I come in?” He was immediately permitted. They entered into the room by pushing the door open as it was not bolted from within. Since the room was dismal dark, Hazrat Umar (RA) had to search for him with his hands. He was found in the same state as Hazrat Umar (RA) had earlier described about him. Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said, “Who are you? Are you Ameerul Mu’mineen?” Hazrat Umar (RA) replied in the affirmative. He said, “I remember we are meeting after nearly one year.” Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “May Allah take care of you. Did I not give you enough scope to earn necessary comforts for yourself? Had I not done so?” Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said, “O Umar! Do you remember that Hadith in which the Holy Prophet had said.” Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “Which Hadith are you referring to?” Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said,

“All of you should have that much belongings with you for passing your life as a riding traveller does.”
Hazrat Umar (RA) replied, “Yes, I remember very well.”
At this Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said, “O Umar! What have we done after the departure of the Holy Prophet "
The narrator states, “After that they jointly wept till morning."
_____________________
Source
English Hayatus Sahaba Vol 2 - under "Restrictions on Amirs against their high living and practice of avoiding aggrieved persons", pg 94-96

The Qurbani of Maulana Yusuf RA

Once when Hazrathji Maulana Yusuf [rahmatullah alayh] was very young, he reared a goat in his house and that goat was such that...every member of his family absolutely loved it, it even used to sit on the cot and not on the ground and it was so much loved that everyone in the family wanted to have a part of their food set aside from their own to feed the animal - such was the love everybody in the household had for the animal. A part of every fruit, bread, sweets etc, that was in the house had to have a part of it set aside for the goat, and because of this, it was even wonderfully healthy, even Hazrathji Maulana Yusuf [rahmatullah alayh] used to love it a lot.
Then the day of Qurbani arrived and members in his household asked him to get a sacrificial animal, to which Hazrathji replied: “The sacrificial animal is in the house itself!! What’s the need of buying any other animal?!”.

The family members were shocked and replied: “No! Its like our son! We are not going to sacrifice him!”.

Hazrathji Yusuf replied: Prophet Ibrahim [peace be upon him] too reared his own son, not any others and then... sacrificed him, it was his OWN son!

The WHOLE household of Hazrathji Maulana Yusuf [rahmatullah alayh] was crying profusely when the goat was being sacrificed, seeing which Hazratji said  “ Now, THIS is REAL sacrifice!!”.
And then when its meat came into the house, nobody wanted to believe that the goat had been sacrificed, yes. Hazrathji Maulana Yusuf [rahmatullah alayh] later said: “When we cooked its meat and sat down to eat, we were all crying thinking that this was the same goat that we so lovingly reared all these years...used to feed it, nurture it for all these years”.

Do i understand ?

Allah (SWT)’s Hukum is until the day of judgement and if some Shaykh tells you that its discouraged in India in 1929 and encouraged in 1643 in Damascus it is between the Shaykh and Allah (SWT)!.

For me, Allah (SWT) has declared this matter permissible until the day of judgement.
                                                 UNBELIEVABLE!

If a Shaykh of UK saw a dream about this, does it strengthen Allah (SWT)’s Hukum? And if the Shaykh didn’t have a dream does it diminish Allah (SWT)’s Hukum? 
Lastly a person CANNOT understand this UNLESS they understand Jihad & Khilafah! 

A person living in a cosy home in London will not get it! But the 23 year old widow of a young Mujahid with 3 girls would instantly get it!

A person living in a cosy home in New York will not get it! But a 30 year Muslimah who cannot get married or is a divorcee with 3 girls would instantly get it!

A person living in a cosy home in Chicago will not get it! But a 30 year Muslim man married to his Pakistani cousin who can't speak proper English and can't engage him intellectually would instantly get it!

A person living in a cosy home in Helsinki will not get it! But a 38 year Muslim man who is still fit and healthy but his 36 year wife (with 5 children) who is unable to sexually satisfy him would instantly get it!

- Shaykh Madni and Shaykh Colonel Hardstone

Taddud is "evil" ?

In Pakistan, Dowry has become Farz. A girl cannot get married if her father doesn't give alot of dowry. Now tell me, you are a boy living in Pakistan. You have two options. If you marry this first girl, her parents will give you a furnished flat, a car, clothes, a job, cash.. Everything. You name it. The other girl, you don't get anything except some clothes and a watch. Considering the fact that the first girl is not as deeni as the second one. Honestly speaking who will you marry? The first one of course  No matter how many Fazaail you are told of a deeni girl you will never marry her. No matter what your deeni background is. This is what's happening in Pakistan

So who would marry a disabled deeni girl, when he has thousands of girls to choose from ? 

I've seen my aunts go on GIRL HUNTING for their sons. They would leave in the morning and return at night. They would have lists with them. Used to see like 5-10 girls daily. And what were the reasons to reject girls? Her nose is not right. Her face is a little fat. She is a little over weight. She's not perfect. She is a little dark. She's not very fair. She can't speak english. Her father doesn't have a respectable business. Well her mother was eww ......

Lack of practice of polygamy has ruined us and our society. If you go to Pakistan, you will find thousands of unmarried women, divorced, widows... Who will marry them?

- Shaykh Madni 

Forgiving

This is a story about a teacher who told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. The teacher suggested to her pupils that for every person they had refused to forgive in their life's experience, they were to take a potato, and write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag.

The teacher then told each of her students to carry this bag with them on their shoulders and on their backs everywhere they went for one week keeping the bag next to them at all times even beside their beds at night and by their desk throughout the school day, basically 24-hours a day.
Some of her students complained that the plastic bags were too heavy to lug around. The hassle of physically lugging these heavy plastic bags around with them made it clear to the students what their teacher was trying to convey to them about the value of friendship and forgiveness.

The students realized what a weight they were carrying spiritually. This is a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity. Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, but it clearly is for ourselves.

Remember what Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) teaches us in Surah Al-A'raf [7:199-200]: "Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant (i.e. don't punish them). If a suggestion from Satan assails your mind, seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things)."


Forgiveness is something we "give other people", but forgiveness, really, is a gift to ourselves. When we wreak vengeance on people whom we think have done us an injustice, we invariably end up bitter and resentful.

The man who didn't disobey Allah again

A man came to Ibrahim ibn Adham , may Allah be pleased with him, and said, “Abu Ishaq, I am unable to control myself. Please give me something to help me with it”

“If you accept five conditions,” said Ibrahim, “and are able to put them into practice, your disobedience will not cause you any problem.”

“Just tell me what they are, Abu Ishaq!” the man said. “The first is that when you want to disobey Allah you do not eat anything He provides.” “Then how will I get anything to eat? Everything on the earth is from Him!” “So is it right to eat His provision and disobey Him at the same time?” replied Ibrahim.

“No, it is not. What is the second condition?” “When you want to disobey him, move off His land.”

“That is even more difficult! Exclaimed the man. “In that case where will I live?”

“Is it right to eat his provision and live on His land and then to disobey Him?” asked Ibrahim. “No, it is not.”

“What is the third condition?” “When you want to disobey Him in spite of eating His provision and living on His land, find a place where He will not see you and disobey Him there.”

“What do you mean, Ibrahim? He knows everything that happens even in the most hidden places!” “So is it right to disobey Him when you eat His provision and live on His land and when you know that He can see everything you do?” “It certainly is not!” the man replied.

“Tell me the fourth condition.” “That when the Angel of Death arrives to take your soul, you say to him, ‘Give me a reprieve so that I can repent and act righteously for Allah.’”

“But he won’t listen to me!” “Then if you cannot ward off death long enough to give yourself time to repent, and you know that when it comes there will be no reprieve, how can you hope to be saved?”

“What is the fifth?” “That when the angels of the Fire come to you to take you to the Fire, you do not go with them.” “They will take me whether I like it or not!” exclaimed the man.

“So how can you hope to be saved?”
“Enough, enough, Ibrahim! I ask Allah’s forgiveness and I turn to Him!”

The man’s repentance was sincere and from that time on he was assiduous in his worship and avoided acts of disobedience until the day he died.

The two wolves

This is a story about an old man who explained to his young grandson one evening after prayers, about a battle that was going on inside himself. The grandfather said, "My child, the battle inside me is between two wolves, one of whom is so evil, full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, hypocrisy, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. 

The other is so good, full of rememberance of Allah, faith, taqwaa, joy, peace, love, compassion, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, and truthfulness." 

The grandson pondered for a minute and then asked: "Grandfather, which wolf will win the battle?"
The grandfather replied simply, "The one I feed"

The Wrestler

Junaid Baghdadi RA earned his livelihood as a professional wrestler. As was the norm, the Leader of Baghdad announced one day, "Today, Junaid Baghdadi will demonstrate his skills as a wrestler. Is there anyone to challenge him?" An elderly man shakily stood up with his neck quivering and said, "I will enter the contest with him."

Whoever was witness to this scene could not contain themselves, they burst out howling with laughter, clapping their hands. The King was bound by the law. He could not stop someone who of his own free will entered the bout. The elderly man was given the permission to enter the ring. He was about sixty-five years old. When Junaid Baghdadi entered the ring, he was dumbfounded as was the King and all the spectators of the Kingdom who were present. The single thought that occupied their minds was, "How will this old man be able to fight?"

The old man addressed Junaid with these words, "Lend me your ears." He then whispered, "I know it is not possible for me to win this bout against you, but I am a Sayyid, a descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). My children are starving at home. Are you prepared to sacrifice your name, your honour and position for the love of Allah's Prophet and lose this bout to me? If you do this I will be able to collect the prize money and thereby have the means to feed my children and myself for an entire year. I will be able to settle all my debts and above all, the master of both the worlds will be pleased with you. Are you, Oh Junaid, not willing to sacrifice your honour for the sake of the children of Rasulullah (peace be upon him)?"

Junaid Baghdadi thought to himself, "Today, I have an excellent opportunity."

In a display of fervour Junaid Baghdadi executed a couple of maneuvers, demonstrating his finesse so that the King does not suspect any conspiracy. Junaid with a great display of antics did not use his strength and allowed himself to be dropped. The elderly man mounted his chest thus entitling him to the prize.
That night, Junaid Baghdadi had a dream of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said, "Oh Junaid, you have sacrificed your honour, your nationally acclaimed fame, your name and position which was heralded throughout Baghdad in the expression of your love for my children who were starving. As of today, your name is recorded in the register of the Awliya (friends of Allah)."

Thereafter, this great wrestler learnt to defeat his nafs (innerself/desires) and became one of the most eminent Awliya of his time!

From the book "Tajalliyaat-e-Jazb" by Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb.

Pick up the rocks

Once, a group of people were travelling on rocks at night. A voice came from the sky that whosoever picks up the rocks will regret and whosoever doesn’t pick up the rocks will regret. Now, the people were confused. How can this be? Whether you pick up the rocks or not, you will regret! Anyway, some people picked up the rocks and some didn’t. In the morning when they reached their homes, they saw that the rocks turned into diamonds.


Now, those people who didn’t pick up the rocks started regretting saying, “If only we had picked up some rocks.” Those people who did pick some rocks also started regretting saying “Why didn’t we pick up more rocks?” Both sides ended up regretting. This same incident will take place with us on the Day of Judgement. Those people who spent their time in useless things will start regretting by looking at those who achieved a great position in Paradise by spending their time in the way of Allah. Now, those who did achieve a position in Paradise will start regretting by looking at those who did more than them and are higher in status. “Alas! If we had only done more to please Allah."

Feeding the Horse

Suppose you use a horse for transportation as people have done in the past. One of your friends invites you to his house and you get there by riding your horse. Now, what would happen if your friend totally ignores you and starts feeding and looking after the horse only? You will feel confused as yourself, the rider, was suppose to be the guest, not the horse that you rode on.

The above situation sounds abnormal but that is exactly what we are doing today. Allah has given us a body and a soul. The soul rides on the body to pass through this world. In other words, the body is like the horse and the soul is like the rider of the horse.

Today, we are continuously busy in feeding and looking after the body but totally ignored the well being of our souls. As a result, our souls have become so weak without the spiritual food that it is not strong enough to even push us to go to the Masjid or wake up for Fajr prayer. Thus, it is essential that we strengthen our soul with the spiritual food as shown by Islam, such as keeping the company of the pious, recitation of the Holy Quran, Rememberance of Allah and contemplating over the Greatness of Allah.

Feeding the Horse

Suppose you use a horse for transportation as people have done in the past. One of your friends invites you to his house and you get there by riding your horse. Now, what would happen if your friend totally ignores you and starts feeding and looking after the horse only? You will feel confused as yourself, the rider, was suppose to be the guest, not the horse that you rode on.

The above situation sounds abnormal but that is exactly what we are doing today. Allah has given us a body and a soul. The soul rides on the body to pass through this world. In other words, the body is like the horse and the soul is like the rider of the horse.

Today, we are continuously busy in feeding and looking after the body but totally ignored the well being of our souls. As a result, our souls have become so weak without the spiritual food that it is not strong enough to even push us to go to the Masjid or wake up for Fajr prayer. Thus, it is essential that we strengthen our soul with the spiritual food as shown by Islam, such as keeping the company of the pious, recitation of the Holy Quran, Rememberance of Allah and contemplating over the Greatness of Allah.