Haraam Fantasizing

Haraam Fantasizing by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)

There is no shortage of complaints when it comes to giving up sins and the struggle which ensues between individuals and their nafs, as well as Shaytaan. This battle is inevitably on-going – till our dying day. There is no other way out, except to show the courage and bravery that every Muslim does have – when it comes to Pleasing Allah Ta’ala. Yet another widespread weakness is that of Haraam fantasizing. Young and old, married and unmarried – thousands upon thousands, succumb to their runaway imagination when it comes to fantasy world and this in turn leads to even graver sin. Allah Ta’ala granted us the power of Imagination for a beautiful purpose; but most people today utilize this imagination in filthy thoughts. The following is actually drawn from my Malfoozaat. It is an extract from one of the kitaabs. It is a prescription which I have given to many who have complained of the same. Alhamdulillah, it has been a means of cure for many. May Allah Ta’ala make it a means of cure for all that have this ailment. “Haraam fantasizing is the spiritual disease of almost every person. It is abuse of the great, wonderful and amazing gift of imagination. Why did Allah Ta’ala give us this gift of imagination ? The imagination has been given to us so that it may be used to ponder over the Qur`aan Sharif, which entails stories of past nations and verses upon verses of Jannat and Jahannum and accountability. This is imagination was to be used for the purpose of taking lesson and strengthening our Imaan. It was to be used as a catalyst towards ‘Aml’ (action). The imagination was not given to us so that we may indulge our nafs in filthy thoughts. One of the main reasons why both men and women have this problem plaguing them, is due to their indulgence in lustful gazing. After having cast filthy gazes at ghair-mahareem , or watching porn movies or paging through porn magazines, or reading explicit romance novels, there is desire and craving for more. Since ‘more’ is generally not possible … since the person may be married, or the object of one’s desire is a film star or supermodel or a Miss Universe or Mr. Universe, and there is zero chance of meeting the person, the person tries to satisfy these shahawaat (desires) by fantasizing. But fantasizing is not going to satisfy desire. It will only increase desire. The person’s sickness will increase. His physical health will inevitably also suffer. When the desire to indulge in Haraam fantasizing comes into the heart, then take your imagination to the Day of Judgement; stand before Allah Ta’ala’s Seat of Judgement and begin accounting for all your actions in this world. Think of how you will account for and what you will say to Allah Ta’ala when all these filthy thoughts will be presented to you. Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur`aan Sharif : “WHEN THE SCROLLS ARE LAID OPEN.” [SURAH TAKWEER 81 :10] “THIS OUR RECORD SPEAKS ABOUT YOU WITH TRUTH : FOR WE WERE WONT TO PUT ON RECORD ALL THAT YOU DID.” [SURAH JATHIYA 45 :29] Even though Allah Ta’ala is All-Knowing and well aware of all our actions, He has established a law whereby every action and every detail of every action be recorded and thereafter presented to us on the Day of Reckoning – in favour of us or witness against us. Otherwise take your imagination for Haj : Picture yourself at the Multazam, making Tawaaf, making Sa`ee; picture yourself at the Raudha Mubarak, conveying Salaam to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), or take your imagination to your Qabr and the events which unfold in the grave after death. …Insha-Allah, this will a means of defeating nafs and Shaytaan as well as obliterating a filthy habit. If you find yourself still weak against the demands of nafs and whisperings of Shaytaan, then immediately occupy yourself in that which is ‘mubaah’ (permissible). Begin conversation with your parents, or with brothers and sisters, or phone a good, pious friend, or listen to some Qiraat or Deeni talk… Occupy yourself in that which is Halaal and mubaah; otherwise nafs will ravage your heart and destroy your peace of mind and lead you to even suicidal tendencies. Added to this, consider filthy thoughts as pigs. Just as we show aversion and absolute disgust on seeing a pig, so should we be disgusted with dirty thoughts – which fall in the same category as pigs. Both are Haraam (forbidden). Furthermore, Haraam fantasizing leads to the evil habit of self-gratification, because there is no Halaal avenue to satisfy one’s desires. This is a rather disastrous weakness amongst the youth and one should ponder over the various harms which are too many, and these harms are spiritual, physical and psychological harms. Satisfying one’s desires by masturbating is not permissible even if a person does not have the means to marry. Allah Ta’ala mentions that those who do not find the means to marry should remain chaste. “And those who do not find the means to marry, should remain chaste until Allah gives them resources by His Grace.” Remaining chaste is thus a Divine command which is compulsory to comply with – therefore we will find the Ahadith presenting prescriptions to remain chaste (lowering the gaze, fasting, etc.). As a prescription, the following harms should be read and re-read if need be, until it is understood that the harms long term are not worth the gratification that comes with the sin. Some Spiritual Harms : Taufeeq of doing good deeds is taken away. The person is deprived of Tahajjud, of Tilawat of the Qur`aan Sharief, of associating with the pious, etc. The person is deprived of knowledge and finds an aversion to people The most dangerous is that the person will not be able to remain steadfast on Deen. (Allah Ta’ala protect). Besides this, a person who satisfies his evil desires in this manner is cursed according to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Some Physical harms : The following physical harms have been recorded by highly qualified Hakims, the equivalent of specialist doctors. The bladder becomes weak and this leads to problems in respect to taharah – Wudhu/ salaah and other Ibaadah. There are many that are suffering with involuntary urinary and seminal discharges due to the indulgence in this sin, and they write mentioning the difficulties that are thereafter encountered. It also weakens the nerves. It causes some limbs like the legs to shake and shiver. It causes pain in the vertebra column, the spinal column from which semen is ejaculated. This pain creates crookedness and twisting in the back. It creates weakness in the brain and weakness of memory. It weakens the sight and reduces the normal limit of vision. It causes a person to become old before time. It decreases the natural resistence of the body. It causes harm to the four principle organs in the body : the heart, brain, liver and stomach. It weakens the fine nerves and veins of the sexual organs, resulting in impotency. Excessive loss of semen is in reality excessive loss of blood. In later years, it can be that such a person will not have the ability to father any children. It causes an excessive loss of sperm by way of nocturnal emission (wet dreams). Some Psychological Harms : It leads to agitation and irritation over trivial matters, lack of confidence, disinterest in studying and desire for isolation. Much more can be stated in respect to the harms of this sin. So contemplating the above, should give every incentive to give up the sin. No one would like to contend with any one of the above problems and yet just one evil deed and the person has invited waves of calamities upon himself. If evil desires still get the better, then Nikah is a simple solution. Where the evil desires are so difficult to suppress that the person engages in Haraam then Shariah says that it is Fardh for the person to marry. This is, of course, for those who the ability.

The Influence of Television

The Influence of Television  by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)

One of the many sunnats of the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus Salaam) ßis that of Hayaa – shame and modesty : a quality which is sorely missing in the lives of the majority of Muslims today and which should otherwise be an outstanding characteristic and feature of all Muslims, whether married or un-married. Television is such an evil that if our society only understood its reality, then they would find no excuse to watch. Its spiritual harm is that it takes away the hayaa and shame of our men, women and children.  The content of most television programmes is nothing but immodesty and indecency, which invites nothing but immodesty and indecency – into our homes, into our lives and the lives of our children. However, this truth and reality seems to just pass over the understanding of even those Muslims who have some link with Deen. Many are regular with Salaah, they are seen in the Musjid, they are wearing the garb of the pious and yet they will be the ones to present flimsy and feeble excuses to view television programmes. Let us consider this situation of sin from the following view – which Alhamdulillah, has been a means of many getting rid of the television. If a person has to knock on your door and tell you : ‘I would like to use your lounge to commit adultery.’ Or a group of some friends have to request you : ‘We would like to use your home to gamble and enjoy our liquor.’ Or a group of youngsters have to tell you : ‘We have chosen your home as a venue for our partying, dancing, drug-taking and fornicating.’ Or a Christian family has to request you : ‘We would like to use your home as a venue for our church ceremony : The marriage of our daughter as well as the baptism of our grandchild. We have already obtained the consent of one of our priests.’ Or some idol-worshippers have to suggest : ‘We would like to carry out some of our religious rites in your home. We would like to bring our idols also. You are more than welcome to observe or participate in our rites. ’ Many Muslims, on hearing such requests, will get very angry; will express disgust – if not swear and curse such suggestions. However, these very same Muslims who will even resort to swearing and cursing such proposals, invite into their homes all of the above by the switch of the television, by hiring English and Hindi films and DVDs and downloading porn and other films from the Internet. There is so much of adultery, partying and other filth that we seem to just welcome into our homes – least realizing the consequences. Just to give you one example and this is but the tip of the iceberg – and it is said with the intention of removing the blindfold that most parents wear : A father of four children mentioned to me that he had got rid of his television and he thereafter explained why. He said that late one night he heard strange noises from his children’s room. On opening the door of their room, he found their television switched on. […This is our concept of modesty : parents must have their own television, to view all kinds of filthy programmes in their privacy, and children must have their own television to view all kinds of indecency in their privacy (Na-uzu Billah).] The father mentioned that there were dirty and obscene scenes of naked people on the television screen. He mentioned that it was filthy and that it shocked him; but what had him even more shaken was that his children were all undressed, engaging in the same kind of indecent acts. They were imitating the pornography they were viewing. He said himself, that until then he had not considered the harm of television. It took this kind of incident to wake him up. …This is just one example of so many. Do we wish to face something similar ? …Do we care to even know what our sons and daughters are doing in the secrecy of their rooms ? The fact that many demand that no one ‘invade’ their space and privacy to the extent of having ‘No Entry’ signs on their doors, should have parents a little more than worried…  esp. if they are viewing television and are surfing the net or have free access with cell phones. Many have written, that after watching certain films or programmes, the desire came strongly into their hearts to take drugs, drink liquor, murder their parents, indulge in homosexuality, engage in adulterous relationships, commit suicide, rape, and so much else – and many of them do so. Moreover, with sins like television and evil, lustful glancing, Allah Ta’ala removes the love between husband and wife and even ones children become disobedient. There are many husbands who entertain thoughts of and fantasize of other women when with their wives. And they will when they are watching different actresses and television presenters. Many wives are guilty of the same infidelity having seen or socialized with ghair-mahareem. Many women are so infatuated and obsessed with some soccer player or cricket player that they become dissatisfied with their husbands, and spend their time fantasizing. Had the person not viewed all those ghair-mahareem on the television screen and computer screen, and had lowered his gaze in real life situations, then he would not have desired that which he cannot have, and there would not have been dissatisfaction with his (or her) spouse. Moreover we complain : There is no barkat in our homes; there is no barkat in our wealth; there is no barkat in our time. Our children are rebellious. The husband is having an extra-marital relationship. The daughter has accepted Christianity. The son is on drugs … and the list of complaints does not end. Then who is to blame except the one who brought all of this Haraam into the home by purchasing the television and exposing the family to so much of sin. …Great ‘Ulama became Bay’at upon the hands of Maulana Hakeem Fakhrudeen (Rahmatullah ‘alaih). He mentioned that there was a time, that with the rising and setting of the sun, he saw nothing but noor in Surat. The atmosphere was one of noor. The day commenced with Salaah, Tilawat, Zikrullah… After the cinemas and television and videos flooded Surat, there was nothing but ‘zulmat’ – darkness. With the distraction of such entertainment, Ibaadah becomes a forgotten duty. One Wali of Allah Ta’ala, on visiting a home, mentioned that he perceived the sin of Zina (adultery) from the walls of that home. He was able to recognize this due to the purity of his heart. The residents of that home were not indulging in adultery but they were watching the sin on television.  When fire burns against a white wall, it blackens the wall. The Ahle-Dil, with their purified hearts, see the fire of sins which has burnt and blackened the white hearts of the Muslims. Would that we take lesson and take measures to protect ourselves and our children.

The Prohibition of Photography

The Prohibition of Photography  by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)

One of the greatest calamities of our times is the abuse of the camera. In this day and age, with the easy availability of cell-phones, digital cameras, camcorders, etc. everyone seems to be in possession of a tool which has created an upheaval in mischief. …How many have had their names dragged through the mud or have been black-mailed, slandered or left humiliated and disgraced due to photographs taken and then circulated? Photography is an evil which has been entirely misjudged and under-estimated. Just recently, a brother related a dream to me, requesting an interpretation. I interpreted his dream saying: ‘It seems as if movies are being viewed in the Masjid.’ Within a matter of days, the interpretation was made apparent. We had a visiting ‘Aalim give a talk in our Masjid. I was sitting on a chair, near the front, when I observed three young boys very absorbed with their cell phones. I requested a friend to go to the back of the Masjid and see what they were up to. He observed that they were viewing some film with dirty, indecent pictures.رَاجِعُوْن اِلَيْهِ اِنَّا وَ لِلّٰهِ ِاِنَّاWe give our children high-technology at the expense of hayaa (modesty), Deen and Imaan. One is to have no shame and commit sins in the presence of Allah Ta’ala, but increasing in shamelessness is when one is brazen enough to commit sins in the presence of Allah Ta’ala, whilst in the Masjid, the House of Allah Ta’ala. The same shamelessness is found en-masse in the Masjid of all Masaajid, Masjidul Haraam in Makkah Shareef. The objective of the majority visiting these days, is taking photographs and video recording, instead of engaging in Ibaadah. Complaints - and it is even our experience - of flashes and clicks of the camera, seen or heard, whilst Salaah is in progress or whilst in Tawaaf. There is a very dire need to explain that this is a grave and serious crime in the sight of Allah Ta’ala. What needs to be understood is that photography of anything animate is a clear prohibition. It is Haraam. It has been narrated from Hazrat Jabir (RA) that Rasulullah (1) forbade pictures in the house and he forbade making them. Rasulullah (1) said: “Verily, of the most grievously tormented people on the Day of Resurrection are picture-makers.”[1] There are, in fact, many other Ahaadeeth, which clearly prove this prohibition. Why did Allah Ta’ala prohibit photography? One reason is quite clear; that it was the origin of Shirk (polytheism): Going down the passage of history, we find that mankind was introduced to idol worship due to shaytaan’s efforts in leading mankind astray. So due to his whispering encouragement, people began to draw and sketch their pious predecessors, thinking that their faces and images will be a source of inspiration; an incentive to also follow in their footsteps of piety. However, it was the means by which many began to worship those pictures, and thereafter carved such idols; and idol worship came into vogue. Whilst this would have been more than sufficient for the Believer, it is no longer considered a worthy reason by Muslims who want to engage in the sin. Many say that there is no way that they would worship a photograph or even a sketch, let alone an idol . My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) explains that one reason behind the prohibition is so that Allah Ta’ala may protect the respect and dignity of His servants. Many a time, a person who was engaged in various evils is granted hidayah (guidance). Sometimes, this hidayah is such that he attains a high stage of Wilayah. The person becomes a great Wali (Friend) of Allah Ta’ala and even a Shaykh, and thousands of people throng to his gatherings. Now at such a time, if someone were to dig up pictures of his past … what embarrassment would he have to endure? From Allah Ta’ala’s side, there is forgiveness of sins, on sincere taubah, to the extent, that all evidence is ‘deleted’ and Insha-Allah, the person will not have to render an account for those sins. However, if photographs were taken, then this is evidence which the person has producedagainst himself, and which cannot always be destroyed – especially if it is in the hands of others who wish to bring disgrace to the person. My Shaykh mentioned the above reason, during an election in Pakistan, where a woman was a candidate in the election. She was blackmailed with photographs of herself in a compromising situation, so that she withdraws. Further to this reason, we find that the porn industry and filthy films are all based on pictures.Islam nips the problem in the bud by prohibiting photography. If everyone practiced upon this teaching, we would not have pornography, woman abuse and exploitation, child pornography, and the evil consequences of rape, insanity, suicide, incest, etc., much of which has shattered and devastated the marriages and homes of many Muslims. Now thinking over all these harms, we should appreciate the prohibition all the more and show that appreciation by abstaining. There is nothing but great wisdom in the prohibitions of Allah Ta’ala, with nothing but good for His servants. [1] Sahih Bukhari

About Maulana Yunus Patel

» The Spiritual Tree of Maulana Yunus Patel

All praise is due to Allah Ta’ala, the Inspirer of Faith, The All Merciful and The All Beneficient. Salaat and Salaam upon the Crown of the Believers, Sayyedena Muhammade, eternally Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) is the Khalifa of two great luminaries : Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) and Hazrat Mufti Mahmood-ul-Hasan Gangohi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), and is, himself, the mentor, preceptor and spiritual guide of many, including myself. In character, Hazrat Maulana is the epitome of piety and righteousness, with a heart burning with the love of Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasoole Hazrat’s sincerity and deep-hearted desire to connect people with Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasool e, is manifest in his unrelenting efforts serving Deen and the Creation of Allah Ta’ala. Alhamdulillah, Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb’s Anwaar (spiritual radiance) and Barakaat (blessings) are spreading far and wide. Muslims, all over the world, are benefiting immensely from the talks, books, tapes and of Hazrat Maulana Malfoozaat. Due to the Fadhl (Grace) and Ihsaan (Favour) of Allah Ta’ala and Hazrat’s worthy and noble endeavours, so many have sincerely repented from sins that they were habituated to and have become pious and devoted believers and worshippers of Allah Ta’ala, as well as devout followers to the way of life of Rasulullah e; fulfilling the rights of the Creator and the creation. Hazrat Maulana’s teachings are composed of all branches of Ilm (knowledge) : Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh, Tasawwuf, Zikr and the poetry of the Ahlullah; and are such that enrich, inspire and enlighten the heart, mind and soul. The emphasis of Hazrat’s teachings is moral and spiritual reformation and purification. The central theme being the Love of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah, which is the catalyst in engendering piety. Alhamdulillah, Hazrat Maulana’s talks have been most instrumental in a considerable number of men, women and youth changing and reforming their lives in accordance to the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. Alhamdulillah, Muslims, all over the world, are also benefiting tremendously from the tape recordings of Hazrat’s programmes as well as other books of Hazrat Maulana. Many have found these a means of increasing and strengthening their Imaan (faith) and Yaqeen (conviction) in Allah Ta’ala and their love of Raslullah Hazrat Maulana, who is a heart patient,despite ailing health, his deep-hearted love to impart the knowledge of Deen inspires him to continue.  …And this is the sincerity of Hazrat Maulana : no matter what his health may be, Hazrat immerses himself in serving Deen and serving the Creation of Allah Ta’ala. Such sacrifice, devotion and sincerity, which is rarely to be found, has been most instrumental in availing and benefiting the Ummah at large. And there are numerous recipients to the sincere kindness and assistance of Hazrat Maulana, who will acknowledge the same. Since Hazrat Maulana is the epitome of sincerity, his discourses are such, that each word uttered, radiates with the noor and sincerity of his heart. May Allah Ta’ala give Hazrath Maulana Yunus Patel long life and good health and bless him with the best of this world and the best in the year-after. May all make all our efforts beneficial for the Ummah and deen beyond borders and barriers - Insha-Allah. (Ameen)

SWEETNESS OF DEATH - HAZRAT MAULANA YUNUS PATEL RA

According to one of his students, Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel RA finished Magrib salah, prayed his 2 rakat of Sunnah, and then told his students, "Let's move back a bit because people are making tawaaf." While he was walking back away from the Kabah, he felt sharp pain in his chest. His students noticed his discomfort and pain and immediately brought him a chair. Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel RA sat down on the chair, facing the Kabah, and began making Dua. He then recited the Kalimah while looking towards the Kabah, and then collapsed. Died of a heart attack. 

Allahu Akbar.

Beware, verily on the friends of Allah, there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Holy Quran - Surah Yunus, Verse 62)

10 EASY SUNNAH TO PRACTICE AND TEACH OTHERS

A list of 10 very easy sunnah to bring into your life, and teach others inshallah.

Abu Huraira RA reports that the Holy Prophet SAW  said: "He who retained the Sunnah at the time of the corruption of my ummah, for him there is reward equal to that of a hundred martyrs"

1 The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Any matter of importance which is not begun

with ‘bismillah’ [in the name of Allah], remains defective” [Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal]

Whenever we begin anything, whether eating, drinking, writing an essay or anything else, we  should begin with “bismillah”. This ensures that we maintain Allah’s blessing on the action, inshAllah.

2 Prophet saw said  whoever recites the following dua  when leaving the house, the words will serve as a protection from our enemy that is Shaytaan [Abu Dawud and Tirmidi]

Bismillah, Tawakkaltu, ‘a-lallah, wa laa hawla wa laa quwatta illah billah

(the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, there is no help and no strength except in Allah)

3 sunnah of drinking water

Pray “Bismillah” and drink with your right hand

 To sit down and drink. 

 Drink by taking three separate sips not all at once

Say “Alhamdulilah” after drinking.  

4 Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

“The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.” [Bukhari]

It is also stated in the quran

Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain their anger and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good. [Surah Ale-Imran, Verse 134]

5 sunnah method of cutting nails

6 sunnah for entering and leaving the toilet

7 Ibn Umar (R) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)  said:

'Make a regular practice of the Miswaak, for verily, it is healthy for the mouth and it is a Pleasure for the Creator " [Bukhari]

8  Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: 'By Allah! I ask Allah for forgiveness and I repent each day more than seventy times.' [Bukhari]

9 Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he passed by some children and greeted them. Then he said: “Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do the same.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

10 Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Make things easy! And do not make them complicated! Be cheerful! And do not be repulsive.” [Bukhari]

Yes, to smile it is Sunnah and  we should implement it to the fullest

40 DUROOD AND SALAAM EXPLAINED

               
                                              The purpose of Forty Durood and salaam is to establish special love and bond with our beloved Prophet (Pbuh). Forty Durood and salaam is a litany, which Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi-alaihi has compiled and from him Hazrat Shaykh Zakariya Rahmatullahi-alaihi narrates in ‘Fazaail-e-durood Shareef’’.

Hazrat writes ‘’his late eminence Hazrat Thanwi Rahmatullahi- alaihi has written in his book ‘Zadu-saeed’ forty Ahadith regarding the Durood and salaam which have also been referred in his other book ‘Nashrut-Tib’. In order to get the blessings, which he has mentioned , I am including the forty Durood and salaam written by various Mashaaikh an example of which is the book ‘Dalaa‘il-ul-Khairaat’.  At this place only those sections are given which have been mentioned in Marfu’ Ahaadith, whether Haqiqah (real) or hukmiah (imperative). Out of these, twenty-five are for Durood and fifteen for Salaam. In this way it is a collection of forty Ahadith about which the Holly Prophet (pbuh) has given a glad tiding :

‘’whosever conveys forty Ahadith, concerning any chapter of religion to my people, Allah will raise him with learned people and I will intercede for him.’’

Being an order (of Allah) there is no doubt in the Durood being a chapter of religion. Therefore, I hope double blessings for this collection of forty Ahaadith, one for preaching the Ahaadith and the other for the Durood.

Whosoever recites these Durood daily then he shall receive all those blessings that have been promised for each Durood in the Ahaadith.

We would hope that each Muslim  shall fix a time and make a habit of reading these Durood  Shareef every day.

May the Almighty Allah grant us the the Tawfeeq, the ability and the strength to gather as many good deeds as possible and to create that special bond between ourselves and our beloved  Holly Prophet (pbuh).

Shaykh Abdur Rahim