Advice of Shaykh Yusuf Kandhlawi
Advice of Shaykh Yusuf Kandhlawi (Rahmatullah Alaihi)[1917-1974]
Allah’s help continues to come to the aid of individuals, but the fact that Allah’s help does not come to the nations (collective help) is due to the fact that the individuals of the nations do not perform righteous deeds as a whole. This means that only some individuals do. As long as a considerable amount of the people do not do so, they are not entitled to Allah’s favors and help in a collective manner. Thus, ‘Verily Allah does not change the condition of a nation until they change themselves’. (Quran 13:11).
‘This means that this is Allah’s law, that the general condition of a nation is according to the individual conditions of the people. Muslims desire to be a respected nation, but to achieve this, it is necessary that there should be a general turn towards good. The fact that some individual is a righteous person does not confer the label of righteousness to his nation’.
The question was asked, ‘What is the sign of anyone being the most diligent follower of the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) and who is the most diligent follower?’
‘There is a general consensus upon the fact wherein there is no doubt at all, that from the first day of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam)’s divine mission right up to his last breath, the work which Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) continued to do by day and night continuously was Dawa and Tabligh.
If we want to call ourselves followers of his Sunnah, we should look at our own lives and see to which extent we are following him in this work, which we all agree to, that he performed at all times. See how much of desire there is for this work, how much enthusiasm, and how much money and time are we spending upon it. There is no doubt that the greatest Sunnah is the work of Dawa and Tabligh, striving in the path of Allah Taala, and striving that Allah Ta'ala's word and commands be supreme on earth”.
‘The solution to the problem of the bad conditions wherein the Muslims find themselves today, lies in the Dawa ila llaah (calling towards Allah). Allah says, ‘Oh` Messenger!! Convey that which has been revealed to you and if you do not, you have not delivered the message. Allah will save you from the people’. (5:67).
In other words, if you deliver My message, I will become your protector and Helper. I will be your helper against your enemies and cause you to become victorious over them. Do not fear, for no one will be able to harm or prevent you from doing work.
Outwardly, it seems as if this is directed at Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) alone, but it is also addressed to those who follow in his path. He handed this responsibility over to them as is mentioned in the Hadith, ‘you are Allah’s witnesses on earth’.
The fact that Allah says in the above verse, ‘Allah will save you from the people’ is a clear indication that Dawa ilallãh, calling towards Allah is the secret solution of all the problems of Muslims since through it, Allah guarantees their protection.
‘There is no need to make Mushwara (consultation) with regard to the performing of good deeds. Shah Abdul Qadir writes regarding this point that when an intention arises in the heart of anyone to do any good deed, he should do so immediately because it is possible that within a short while that intention may change. It is possible that the mind may tell him (at the time of charity), ‘Why give one note, or what is the use of giving one note when you are unable to give a thousand?’ In all these thoughts the result may be that not a single note will be given and he will be deprived of the reward completely.
So when an idea of doing a good deed arises within one, it should be performed immediately. There is no need to make Mushwara or Istikhaarah. Mushwara and Istikhaarah only concerns those matters where the truth and benefits are not clear and obvious’.
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