Malfoozaat M.Ilyas - 1

The Discourses of Maulana llyas rah. , from Maulana Muhammad Manzoor Numani (1369 A.H. - India)

Chapter One

1 – He (Maulana Ilyas rah.) say: "The conditions of the (previous) Ummats of the Ambiyaa (Alayhimus salaam) were such that as they moved away from the times of the demisc of their Ambiyaa (prophets), the affairs of their Deen (worship etc.) were deprived of rooh (spirit) and haqeeqat (reality) and became mere 'rituals' . They fulfilled its duty only as outmoded customs. To replace this misguidance and for their reformation, another Nabi would be sent who would destroy this ritualism and acquaint them with the original essence and reality of the spirit of their Shariat (Divine Law or Scripture).

In the end, when Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was sent, those communities who were linked with some heavenly Deen were also in such conditions that even that portion of the Shariat brought by their Ambiyaa which was still with them, was nothing but a mere collection of lifeless rituals. Yet these very rituals were considered as,the original Deen. Rasulullah (Sallallahtr alayhi wasallam) destroyed these customs and taught the truth of the original Deen and its laws. Now the Ummat of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalam) has also become afflicted with this disease.

Not only in worship but even the system of religious education which should be the means of reformation for all these forms of corruption has also become a mere routine of rituals. Since the chain of Nubuwwah (prophethood) had ended, the responsibility of this effort has therefore been placed on the shoulders of the Ulama (erudite scholars) of this Ummat who are the representatives of the Ambiya.

It is their compulsory duty to give attention to the reformation of this condition of deviation and corruption. The means for this is the correction of intention because ritual creeps into practices when sincerity to do an act solely for Allah and the status of true abdeeyat (servitude) no longer remains. By correction of intentions, actions will be corrected and are then diverted to Allah instead of being customary. Reality is revived in it and every work will be done with enthusiasm of servitude to Allah and seeking Divine acceptance.

It is the special and compulsory role of the Ulama of the Ummah and others responsible for the Deen to make efforts to turn people's attention to the correction of intentions by which the seeking of Allah's pleasure and reality will be revived in actions.

2 - The Quran and Hadith has with great emphasis proclaimed that the Deen is easy i.e. it is completely simple to practise. Therefore, that which is of greatest necessity in the Deen, should be the easiest to practise. Sincerity and correction of intention which are, in fact, the soul of Deeni affairs should therefore be, without limitation, the easiest of all. Therefore 'Sulook' (spiritual journey to Allah) and 'Tariqat' (spiritual path to Allah) whose essence is sincerity should also be the easiest to follow. Remember that everything is easy if done according to its prescribed method. Using the wrong method, the easiest of work will also become difficult.

The fault with people today is that they consider the principles of Deen difficult to follow and thus have an aversion for it. Even in worldly matters, without following the appropriate method, one cannot succeed; whether it be a plane, ship. train, car, etc. all are to be utilised according to their fixed method. Even the baking of bread requires following the exact recipe and method prescribed

3 - 'The special object of Tariqat is to cultivate a natural desire towards fulfilling the commandments of Allah and a natural aversion for committing the prohibited, i.e. one finds it a joy and a pleasure to do the good while bitterness and pain is felt in doing evil. This is the object.

As for specialty prescribed methods of zikr (remembering Allah) and spiritual exercises, these are only the means of attaining the object. There are many people who consider these various methods to be the object of Tariqat whereas many of them are even bid'at (innovations).

Nevertheless, these methods are only the means and do not constitute the actual prime object. Due to variation in circumstances and requirements, it is necessary to review these methods and according to expedience, change and revise them. Nevertheless, that which is established in the Shariat (Islamic law) will for all times be valid and incumbent to practise upon.

4 - The status of the faraidh (compulsory duties) is far greater than then nawaafil (voluntary actions). It must be understood that the object of nawaafil is to assist in perfecting the faraidh and to compensate for any shortcomings therein. The ultimate object is the fulfilment of the faraidh while the nawaafil are its branches and subordinate to it. The condition of some people is such that they are unmindful of the faraidh and engage themselves limitlessly in nawaafil, giving it undue importance.

For example, you all know that " da`wat ilal-khair" (inviting towards good), "amr bil ma'roof' (enjoining of the good) and "nahi anil munkar" (forbidding the evil) are all branches of Tableegh and are among the important faraidh of Deen. Yet how many are particular about it or fulfil it, while we will not find such a shortage of those who engage themselves with full vigour and enthusiasm in the nafl (optional) Zikr, etc.

5 - Some religiously inclined people and possessors of knowledge have erred gravely on the subject of 'lstighnaa' (independence). They understand that the object of being independent means not to meet and mix with the rich and wealthy under any condition. Whereas, the aim of being independent is only that we should not go to meet them with a desire for their wealth and in order to acquire fame and fortune. The purpose of independence is not defeated by mixing with them for the sake of their reformation and Deeni objectives. In its own category, this is neccessary. At the same time, we should be alert that through our mixing with them, we do not develop in ourselves a love for wealth, name and fame.

6 - When any servant of Allah takes a step to do any good deed, then shaytaan (the devil) opposes him in many different ways and places obstacles in his path. When the servant succeeds in overcoming these hurdles, shaytaan makes another type of effort in order to spoil his intention by mixing it with some other object. Sometimes, he induces one to do things for show or fame and sometimes he instils other motives in his mind that destroy his sincerity. At times, the shaytaan succeeds. Hence it is necessary for those who strive in the path of Allah to be watchful over their intentions because any action done insincerely will not be accepted by Allah.

7 - Most Deeni Madaaris (Islamic educational institutes) fall into error and negligence in that every effort is being made to educate the students while no special effort is made for the actual object of education which is service to Deen and its propagation so that after completing their studies they may become involved therein. The outcome of this is that many students, after graduating, either engage themselves in 'tibb'(medicine) or enter the government university examinations in order to get a teacher's post in secular institutions. All the time, money and effort spent on their religious studies then goes to waste and they end up serving the interests, in some cases, of the enemies of Islam.

Therefore, more and more serious efforts and fikr (worry) should be made to see that the students who graduate should only get involved in the khidmat (service) of Deen and fulfil its rights. If our tillage does not bear fruit then this too is a loss but if it bears fruit and our enemies benefit from it then this is indeed a far greater loss.

8 - The evil and harm that goes with 'Molvi Fadil" examinations (M.A. PhD etc. degrees) offered by the government is not fully realised by us. These examinations are given so that the candidates may get certificates in order to find employment in English schools. The infidel government, whose policies the educational system serve, has offered these examinations with the object of equipping the Muslim student with tools of employment so that the students assist in the completion of the government's schemes.

There can be no greater injustice to religious education than the ract that those who are equipped with it, ultimately become instruments in sewing the interest of the enemies of Islam. Therefore, through these examinations, the knowledge of Deen instead of being linked with Allah and His Rasool, only goes to further the aims of the infidels and the infidel government. Thus it becomes a source of great danger.

9 - The first and foremost object of knowledge is that man should take stock of his own, life. He should realise his obligatory duties and execute them. Similarly, he should realise his shortcomings and rectify them. If, instead, he takes stock of the deeds of others and their short comings, then it is a sign of pride and deception which is very destructive.

A poet says: "Do your own work, do not look at the short-comings of others."

10 - Replying to the question raised, viz. "Why are Muslims not granted rulership and leadership in the world?" he replied: "When we do not fulfil the commandments of Allah and refrain from the forbidden in our personal lives over which we have full control and there is no obstacle or compulsion, then how is it possible that we be entrusted with the governing of this world. It is only through the decision of Allah that the believers may be granted government on the earth so that they may seek His pleasure and establish His laws in this world. Now, when we are not doing this in the sphere of our own choice (in our individual lives), how can it be expected, when tomorrow we are given the reins of government. we shall do so?"

I I - Those people who regard themselves loyal to the government and supporters of the government are in reality faithful to themselves and supporters of their own interest. Today their low desires are being fulfilled b y the government, therefore they are loyal and supporters of it. Tomorrow if their own selfish interests are fulfilled by those opposed to the government, they will become the loyal supporters of the opposition. In reality such people who worship their own desires are not even prepared to be the supporters of their own fathers.

The way to reform these people is not to condemn them or make them oppose the government. Their real disease is "worship of their own desires". Therefore even if they give up their support for the government, they will still become loyal to some other such powers to fulfil their object as long as the disease remains. The way to reform them is to make them worshippers of Allah instead of their desires and make them faithful supporters of the cause of Allah's Deen. Without this effort, their spiritual ailment cannot be treated.

12 - It is a common principle that man finds comfort and contentment when he achieves that which he strongly desires. For example, a person who intensely wishes to indulge in a luxurious life of eating tasty foods and wearing expensive clothes, will not find peace and comfort without these. However. it is evident that the person who strongly desires to sit on a mat. sleep on the ground, eat simple food and wear simple clothes would not find comfort and peace without these.

Those people who have a strong desire to follow the simple life-style of our Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would also find peace and comfort in nothing else. This is indeed a great favour of Allah that one finds comfort and contentment on the basis of simple and inexpensive means. This then becomes easy for every poor and needy person. Supposing our desires were directed towards those things which only the rich can afford, we would probably remain discontented for all our lives.

13 - You have been commanded not to hoard whatever wealth you have been given in this world, i.e do not be stingy. Spend it as much as possible, on condition that it is not spent on unnecessary things and in an inappropriate manner. it should be spent in the correct places upon the right recipients according to the limits ordained by Allah Ta'ala.

14 - One day on account of rain, the Maulana could not obtain meat. On that day a very learned man who was a close friend of Maulana was also present. Maulana was aware that he liked meat. I was also present. I noticed that the absence of meat greatly affected the Maulana. I was surprised as to why he should be concerned.

After a short pause Maulana remarked with anxiety and regret: "It is reported in the Hadith: 'Whosoever believes in Allah and the last day, let him honour his guest." It is also part of honourjng the guest to give him, if possible to prepare, what he likes. After this he said with an intense feeling: "How much more must not the guest of Allah and the guest of the Rasool (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) be honoured." By this he meant that those who come solely for the cause of Allah and His Rasool (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) have a greater right to be honoured. Their rights are greater than those of ordinary visitors.

15 - Jannah (Paradise) is the reward of rights, i.e. one must forgo ones' rights and comforts for the sake of Allah and bear difficulties in order to fulfil the rights of others (which also include the rights of Allah). The reward for this is Jannah. It is reported in the Hadith: 'Have mercy on those on earth, the One Who is in the heavens will have mercy upon you.' In the Hadith there are two well-known incidents of two women. One is about an evil woman who, after showing pity on a thirsty dog, gave it water to drink from a well. In return for this deed, Allah decreed entry into Jannat for her. The other story is about another woman who was not evil but kept a cat imprisoned without food or drink until it died after a prolonged suffering. For this she was thrown into Jahannam (Hell).

16 - In Makkah, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) carried on his effort of da'wat by going personally to each and every person. Apparently, after reaching Madinah, this did not remain the work of Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Instead Nabi (Sallahu alaihi wasallani) worked from a centre. This he did only after he had prepared a special jamaa'ah (group) consisting of those capable of efficiently giving the Makki da'wat with its prerequisites.

The requirement of this work then made it necessary for Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to remain and organise the effort from a centre and to take work from the companions. On the basis of this it was correct for Umar (Radhiallahu anhu) to remain in the centre, Madinah, after thousands of Allah's servants were prepared to go for Jihaad in order to elevate the name of Allah in the lands of Iran and Rome. It thus became necessary for Umar (Radhiallahu anhu) to remain in Madina to firmly organise the work of Da'watul Haq (Call to the Truth) and Jihaad-fee Sabilillah (struggle in the Path of Allah).

17 - It is related in the Hadith that Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) taught the following du'aa (supplication) to Abu Bakr Siddique (Radhuallahu anhu) for recital at the end of his salaat: 0 Allah! I have wronged my soul a great wrong and there is none to forgive sins except You, so forgive me solely by Your bounty and grace, i.e. not because I am worthy of it, and have mercy upon me for verily You are most forgiving, most merciful.

Just reflect for a while. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) taught this dua to Abu Bakr Siddique (Radhiallahu anhu) who is the best of the Ummah and whose salaah was so perfect that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) made him lead the salaat (during his lifetime), yet at the end of his salaat, Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) taught him to ask this du'aa wherein there is an admission of one's shortcomings and inability to fulfil the haq (right) of salaat and a request to Allah to accept one's repentance merely through His Grace and Mercy. So where are you and I?

18 - Man's stay on earth is very short even when taking into account the longest human life-span possible. His stay below the earth will be much longer compared to that on the earth. It could also be understood in this manner that our stay here is very short compared to the various stages of the life hereafter, for example, the stay in the qabr (grave) upto the first blowing of the trumpet; then the period up to the second blowing of the trumpet in a way best known to Allah Ta'ala (a period which will span over thousands of years); thereafter follows another period of thousands of years on the plain of mah'shar (the field of retribution) and finally the decree of one's abode in the aakhirah (hereafter). In short every stage after death will be thousands of years longer than the stay here on earth. Therefore it will be a gross injustice and neglect that man should make so much effort for his short stay here and not as much for his stay in the other longer stages.

19 - The real zikr (remembrance) is that in which ever condition, place or activitv a person finds himself in, he should be aware of and fulfil the relevant commandments of Allah connected therewith. I advise my friends with the same zikr putting greater emphasis on it.

20 - The tongue plays an important part in the special superiority of man. If he uses his tongue correctly in speaking good, then this will make him superior in goodness. On the other hand, if he makes his tongue an instrument of evil by speaking corrupt things and, without justification, he harms others with it, then because of his tongue, he will be singled out and distinguished for his evil. So much so, that the tongue can make a man more evil than a dog or a pig. It is related in the Hadith: 'It is only the chatter of the tongue that will throw people upside-down into the Fire.'

0 Allah! Protect us.

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Tablighi Movement was started by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas (1885-1944) in 1927, Delhi, India. This movement was a response to degeneration and degradation of the Muslims in India, which that time was under Britain colonization. Maulana had realised that the Muslims were drifting away from the basics of Islam so there was a need for a teaching vehicle aimed at the vary basics. 

His motto was 'Aye Musalmano, Musalman bano' (Oh Muslims, become Muslims- مسلمانو! مسلمان بنو). He began reforming them through six basic articles:

1) Understanding the true meaning and purpose of the first Kalimah (there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger), 2)Sholat (prayer in khusyuk and khuduk), 3) Ilm (acquiring knowledge) & Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), 4) Ikram-e-Muslim (respect for Muslim and muslim should have mercy to all creation), 5) Ikhlas-e-Niyat (faithful & correction of intention), 6) Tabligh (spreading the message of Allah) Enjoining the Good and Forbidding the Evil by sparing time in the path of Allah.

Now a day, Tabligh movement is probably the largest organised muslim movement in the world today, where million of million number of people in every corner of the world joint it from any race, class or position, as the word peace and `ummati` was one of the fundament for this work.