We should always be eager to seek advice that will be beneficial for our souls Photo Pexels
World – In today’s fast-paced world, where we are constantly seeking guidance and inspiration, the act of seeking advice when it comes to matters of faith and personal growth is overlooked. Just as we seek advice with such enthusiasm on worldly matters, as Muslims, we should also seek advice on our lives with the same enthusiasm.
The companions of the Prophet (SAW) used to seek his advice and guidance on a daily basis despite being in his (SAW) presence constantly, explained Moulana Ridwan Bhayat, Project Help Coordinator at Jamiatul Ulama KZN. This illustrates the importance they placed on seeking advice, and if they (RA) sought advice, then we, too, are in dire need of it.
One of the most important pieces of advice that Nabi (SAW) gave is definitely one that we all need today.
It is narrated that Abu Ayyub (RA) said: “A man came to the Prophet (SAW) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me but make it concise.’ He said: ‘When you stand to pray, pray like a man bidding farewell. Do not say anything for which you will have to apologise. And give up hope for what other people have.’” (Sunan Ibn Majah 417)
The significance of salaah (prayer)
The first advice of the Hadith (saying of the Prophet (SAW)) is all about performing our salaah with such attentiveness and sincerity as it is supposed to be performed. Allah (SWT) guarantees our sustenance when we perform salaah as it should be performed. By prioritising and performing it with the proper mindset, we can unlock the blessings and provisions that come from Allah (SWT).
“Today, unfortunately, it is like going up and down, kiss the ground and back to town. We just perform salaah because it is a ritual, it is a custom but there is no feeling and desire for that salaah. A believer should be one who has that burning desire within him that when can I get my next salaah. Allah (SWT) mentions in Quraan that ‘Oh man, command your family to perform salaah and you also perform salaah’. Meaning the command is not only for your family but rather it is for each and every one of us. Allah (SWT) says ‘We do not ask you for substance’. We do not want any payment from you. ‘We will be the ones who will sustain you’. From here you understand that salaah has a direct link with sustenance. That everyone today understands the financial pressure that many people are going through but Allah (SWT) says perform your salaah the way I want you to perform your salaah and I will take the responsibility of sustaining you.”
If we want sustenance, barakah (blessings), goodness, it is found in how we perform our salaah. Nabi (SAW) taught this to his companions (SAW). Should they seek assistance, guidance or anything, the first thing they dod was turn towards salaah.
The power of words
The second advice Nabi (SAW) gave was on how to speak. Do not utter a statement that you will regret later. We should be cautious with our words, as they have the potential to hurt or uplift others. Respecting others and uplifting them should be our guiding principle, regardless of their social status or age.
“How many times people say things they don’t give it a second thought but in that statement of theirs, they have hurt someone. In that statement they have caused pain to the heart of someone. Here Nabi (SAW) is cautioning us to be careful of what you say. Always think before you speak. This tongue that Allah (SWT) has given us is a great ni’mah (favour) of Allah (SWT). The tongue is such an organ that never gets tired. That is why Allah (SWT) mentions that they always make the Zikr (glorifying words) of Allah (SWT). Recite the Quraan. In doing this, the heart will find ease, peace and contentment.”
Nabi (SAW) character was such that he was never obscene, nor did he behave in such a manner. He was never one who would hurt other people. In the same respect, Allah (SWT) will give us everything that we want.
Moulana Bhayat mentioned an incident with Abu Bakr (RA). When he used to get up in the morning, he used to take hold of the tongue and say, “Oh tongue, if you are straight then the entire body is straight, but oh tongue, if you are crooked then the entire body is going to feel the pain”.
“How many times do we see this happening when there’s an argument taking place and a person says something and thereafter, he loses himself and someone hits the other person, or someone swears at the other person and such disunity is created just by a person not controlling the use of the tongue. The tongue is such a thing that it can make a person, or it can even break a person.”
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The value of contentment
The third advice given by Nabi (SAW) is to be content with what one has. Contentment plays a vital role in our lives, especially in times of trials and tribulations. We should be grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us and to remember that this world is temporary. The materialistic allure of this world can deceive us into believing that we will live forever, but as Muslims, we are aware of our mortality.
“This quality of contentment is such an important thing for each one of us. This dunya (world) is a place of tests, trials and tribulations. It is a place that will mesmerise us at times. This dunya has lied to those people in the past, it lies to us now and it will lie to those who will come after us. What is the lie? That you will live forever and ever and ever in here. We as Muslims know that we will have to leave this world soon in a short period of time yet we give so much of time to the dunya we forget about that which is everlasting. This dunya is a prison for the believer and it is a Jannah (paradise) for the disbelievers. We should regard it as a prison.”
A person should restrict himself to doing what he needs to do but always keep in mind the Hereafter. The late Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Rahmatullah Alayh, on being asked how he got the love of Allah (SWT) gave a very unique answer. When he was leaving madressah, his ustaad (teacher) advised him to keep the dunya behind him and Allah (SWT) in front of him. In this way he would gain the dunya and Allah (SWT). However, if you keep the dunya in front of you and Allah (SWT) behind you, then his ustaad told him that he would lose both. Only by prioritising Allah (SWT) and aligning our actions with His (SWT) Will can we attain success in this world and the Hereafter.
