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Spiritual
Doctors
Many are perplexed by the lack of
spirituality in their lives which becomes a hinclerance in
their aims to gain the proximity of Allah. This form of anxiety
is common amongst those who are punctual with their salah and
adhere to the other 'Faraaidh (fundamental duties) such as
'Sawm' (Fasting), 'Hajj' (The Holy Pilgrimage), etc, but are
disheartened by their apparent inabilÂity to abstain from sins
and how they continually succumb to their base desires. Another
great concern is the failure to recognize many of our advances,
which are predominant in society and have unfortunately become
accepted as the norm, as sins. Both ignorance and negligence
have contributed towards the emergence of the
latter.
The solution to this dilemma can be
deduced from the influence of Rasullullah (SAW) in terms of his
sheer existence over fourteen centuries ago, his invaluable
teaching, his social conduct and sagacious dealings with the
respected Sahaba Radiallaho Anhum.
Allah says, "Verily in the lifestyle of
the Prophet (SAW) there is a great example for you"
Rasullullah (SAW) taught us the root
cause of this problem when he said, "Behold! In the body there
lies a piece of flesh. When it is reformed, the entire body is
reformed, and when it becomes corrupt the entire body becomes
corrupt". Behold! This (piece of flesh) is the heart."
(Bukhari)
We leam from this Hadith that the heart
heavily influences our behavioural pattern and is at the centre
of our actions. This also agrees with our rationale because our
actions are often the result of our beliefs, opinions, and
desires which lie deep within us. If we make a sincere effort
to purify our souls and mould them to be submissive to the will
of Allah, it will become much easier to obey Him and safeguard
ourselves from inviting His wrath. What many of us fail to
realise is that any progress in this task demands great effort
and diligence from ourside along with the constant dua
(supplication), pleading with Allah for guidance, which we are
so accustomed to (Alhamdulillah).
Allah mentions in the Holy Quran, "And
(to) those who strive in our way we undoubtedly open our
paths".
If we leave no stone unturned in
confronting Shaytaan and the 'nafs' (the soul), striving
wholeheartedly not to fall prey to them, then Allah will, out
of His boundless mercy, open the doors of guidance for us. He
will direct us to his obedience and holding steadfast to the
Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (SAW) which is described in the
Qur'an as being the key to success:
"And he who obeys Allah and his Prophet
(SAW) has indeed achieved a great triumph"
Adopting the company of the Pious_and
the Ulama
Ok! So we have a poorly patient in need
of Spiritual doctoring. But ...
How do we diagnose its maladies?
How do we go about treating them?
Where do we search for the cure?
If we study the life of Rasullullah (SAW), we will find that
his social conduct and dealings with anyone he came into
contact with, especially the eminent Sahaba, illustrates and
clearly outlines the principles we need to assimilate and
implement in order to achieve the best results. The revolution
of Arabia and the renaissance of morals and good conduct was
the outcome of his priceless company adopted by his companions.
The examples of the Prophets (SAW) and his companions
allegorically sets the benchmark for self-rectification and
purification of the soul. It is a great shame that we do not
take lesson from this. There are still very few who regard the
company of the pious, the friends of Allah to be of any
importance.
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