LESSON: “Beneficial Counsels” Lesson One Q/A
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Questions from Habib `Umar’s Internet Lessons on Tazkiyah
Lesson 1 in Imam al-Haddad’s “Beneficial Counsels”
(13th Shawwal 1432/ 11th September 2011)
Answered by Sayyidi al-Habib `Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him and benefit us by him).
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I try to read a lot of my daily invocations/awrad but sometimes I am busy and unable to read them at their appointed times. Can I make them up prior to or after their appointed time?
Yes, someone who is busy or engaged in doing something can do some of their awrad prior to or after the appointed time. If he does this, then the wird is likely to coincide with the appointed time somewhere else in the world. So if he reads his morning wird at night, then it will at least be morning somewhere in the world and so it will be on time somewhere else.
Thus, though he should base his wird on the time of the place he is in, if he is not able to, then he can do it at other times.
He should also persist in his awrad and endeavour to have presence of heart, as this is the foundation of attaining benefit. Imam al-Haddad said: “Doing regular acts of devotion/awrad without presence does not benefit (the seeker), and doing them without persistence and consistency does not have an effect (upon his heart).”
So a person should strive and persist in his wird, and if some of it is done before or after the appointed time, then this is also a sign of concern and magnification for it on behalf of the person and will lead to much benefit.
Sometimes when I am busy, I read my awrad quickly or whilst walking, and without presence. Would it be better for me to read a smaller amount with presence?
Yes, reading a small amount with presence of heart and seeking khushu` in this, is better than a lot without presence. Imam al-Haddad also said: “Rushing one’s wird removes its light.” So, one should read one’s wird with some calmness and stillness. It may be possible to sometimes read quickly and still maintain presence. However, if reading fast means you have no presence of heart, then this should be avoided.
Thus a small amount with presence is better than a lot without.
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I fear that these tazkiya/purification lessons are a proof against me as they carry great benefit and I do not act upon them as I should. For this reason I feel that I should cease attending.
You should continue to listen and attend these lessons and along with this you should have an intention to act upon them to the extent that you are able to, even if it is a little.
You considering yourself incapable and deficient is in itself a manifestation of acting upon the knowledge.
However, along with this view, we should have a resolve to act upon what we learn and fulfil some of these obligations. In addition to persisting in these lessons, reading beneficial books, and seeking beneficial knowledge – we should teach those that we can, and not refrain from this because we do not act on what we know – and at the same time we should force our nafs/lower self to practise even a little of what we learn.
The threat (mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah) of such things being considered a proof against oneself is directed to someone who is content at his leaving action and practice. It is not directed at a person who reproaches himself and takes himself to account for not acting.
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I live and work in an environment where most of the people are not Muslim. How do I maintain a pure heart in these surroundings?
Allah is the changer of hearts and at any moment He could make you a disbeliever like those who you are surrounded by. He has favoured you with showing you the truth, and you should act with concern for those you are around, as disbelievers will dwell in the hellfire for eternity.
Thus you should bear the trust of having concern for them, look for opportunities to clarify points to them, be trustworthy in your occupation and preserve your values even in those surroundings. For the difference between the one who remembers his Lord and the one who doesn’t is like the difference between the living and the dead.
You doing these things will mean your heart still has purity, and your feet are firm in the fulfilment of the covenant, and that you are worshipping the Knower of the Unseen and the Seen.
Also, do not engage in actions, sayings and customs of non-Muslims that contravene the Sacred Law.
Thus you should fulfil your obligation of having concern for them, seek opportunities to counsel them and intend to guide them with the permission of Allah.
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How does one have presence with Allah continuously?
By remembering Him abundantly and reflecting on His Magnificence in your surroundings and His awareness of you.
In addition to this, by your calling to mind the following the Prophet (peace be upon him) in your eating drinking, sleeping, clothing, walking and in all aspects of your life, in customary things, as well as acts of worship. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is our example in our dealings with Muslims, non-Muslims, in our walking in the street, in the clothing we wear, and in our interaction with those close and distant to us. He is our example in everything – and calling this to mind is a means of attaining presence with Allah, Most High.
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Is there any dhikr one can do to increase aspiration in worship and serving others (khidmah)?
Any dhikr done with sincerity and presence increases a person in aspiration, nearness and light. The Gnostics have also said that reciting the verse 100 times a day is one of the means of raising one’s resolve in aspiration and in worship:
هُوَ اللهُ الَّذي لا إِلهَ إِلا هو عَالِمُ الغَيْبِ والشَّهادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيم
(Al-Hashr 59.22)
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I have not cried for a long time, not even in du`a. What should I do?
You have to have regret for not crying from awe or yearning for Allah. This regret is the first step. If this regret is true and strong then other steps will follow, like trying to make oneself cry. This should be followed by reflecting upon the sayings of Allah and His Messenger, and the sayings of those who had fear of Allah. All of these things are causes by which Allah will return softness to the heart and return submission to Him.
May Allah Almighty grant us and you enabling grace.
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