In Ikmaalush Shiyam, p.225 it states: "However, the vision of Allah‟s Thaat with the physical eyes in the Aakhirah will be in proportion to the spirit

Answer

In Jannat there will also be classes. All will not be on the same level. It is simple to understand that a Wali who passed his entire life in Ibaadat will be on a far higher level than a scoundrel Muslim who spent his life in sin. The ranks and abodes of the Ambiya, Saaliheen and Shuhada (Martyrs) will be extremely lofty and vastly superior to the Jannat of ordinary Muslims. The greater the degree of Taqwa and Divine Proximity a person has here on earth, the more reward and benefit he

will gain in Jannat.

Rewards in Jannat, including the greatest Reward, namely the Vision of Allah Ta‟ala, will be in proportion to one‟s obedience and ibaadat here on earth. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that Jannat is a vacant field. Every person‟s land in Jannat is allocated and demarcated. The development and adornment of Jannat is in accordance and proportion to the person‟s deeds on earth. For each good deed a mansion, palace, orchard, jewels, decorations, etc. are constructed.

Everyone‟s Jannat will thus be in accordance with his good deeds here on earth. In Jannat there will not be the injustice of „equality‟ for unequals. Those who ruin and destroy their earthly lives in sin and transgression will not be on the same level as those who struggled and suffered in the Path of Allah Ta‟ala here on earth.

asked all those who were present, to leave. With much Immediately after the episode said to Maalik Bin Dinaar: grief, everyone went outside. narrated above, Hadhrat "Now leave me alone in the The door of the house closed, Raabiah (rahmatullah alayha) house with my Maalik." She

and the door of Allah‟s Mercy opened. Soon, the people who were waiting outside heard a voice from the house reciting: "O Thou Soul at rest! Return to your Rabb, wellpleased (with Him), and (He) well-pleased (with you)."

The people immediately entered the house and discovered that Raabiah‟s Rooh had departed from this transitory abode and took flight to the Mercy of her Beloved.

Despite a thirty-year craving for dates, she restrained her desire in obedience to Rasulullah‟s command of abstention from mushtabah (doubtful things). The miraculous episode of the bird did not deflect her from strict observance of the Shariah.

"Do no forget kindness among yourselves."

(Al-Baqarah, Aayat 237)

There should be no selfishness in the life of the Mu‟min. His involvement in mundane activities such as earning his livelihood, should not be his only focus. Kindness to others is an imperative factor in the life of the Muslim who understands the purpose of this fleeting earthly sojourn which will abruptly be terminated with the sudden appearance of Malakul Maut.

Business and immersion in the dunya in pursuit of luxury and comfort should not detract the Muslim from kindness to others. In the scope of kindness is to consciously search for those in need of assistance, and to aid them within one‟s means of affordability. Don‟t commit the spiritually fatal error of fobbing off the needy as do these misguided charity organizations and traders entangled with the riba banks. Don‟t dole out a pittance merely to get rid of a person whom you regard to be a „pest‟. Remember, Allah Ta‟ala has sent him to you for his need. He is the guest and messenger of Allah Ta‟ala.

When a genuine faqeer (one in need) comes to you for aid at a time when you are engrossed in your business, planning projects worth millions, do not become annoyed by the intrusion of the faqeer. Set aside for a while your project of R10 million to attend to the need of the faqeer, for Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:

"A faqeer at your doorstep is Allah‟s hadyah (gift) for the Mu‟min."

THE IMPORTANCE OF ISTIKHAARAH

Istikhaarah is made even in issues which are apparently extremely beneficial. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) sent his proposal of marriage to Hadhrat Zainab (Radhiyallahu anha), she did not immediately accept it. She said: "I shall first make Istikhaarah." From her response, the importance of Istikhaarah is quite apparent.

(Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)

Hadhrat Shaqeeq Balkhi (Rahmatullah alayh) said:

(1) The barkat of Rizq is in Salaatud Dhuha (Chaasht Namaaz).

(2) The Light of the Qabar is in Tahajjud Salaat.

(3) The answers for Munkar and Nakeer is in Tilaawat of the Qur‟aan Majeed.

(4) Crossing the Siraat (the Bridge over Jahannam) swiftly and with ease is in Fasting and Sadqah.

(5) The Shade of the Arsh is in Khalawat (solitude and seclusion).

A brief commentary

Salaatud Dhuha or Chaasht Namaaz. It consists of up to 12 raka‟ts which should be performed from about an hour after sunrise. Its time expires about one hour before Zawwaal. Even four raka‟ts are valid. For a person who is fully entangled in business/employment,

Chaasht may be performed even immediately after Ishraaq. Ishraaq begins about 15 minutes after sunrise. Regular performance of Salaatud Dhuha increases the barkat in Rizq/earnings.

The Light of the Qabar. The Qabar/Grave is an extremely dark, suffocating and tormenting abode. It is either a pit of Jahannam or a garden of Jannat. Regular performance of Tahajjud Salaat will brighten the dark grave and make it wonderfully spacious and comfortable with Noor. It will be transformed into an Orchard of Jannat.

Munkar and Nakeer are two hideously looking Angels who will enter the Qabar thunderously to interrogate the Mayyit. The one who engages in constant and abundance of Tilaawat of the Qur‟aan Majeed will have no difficulty answering the questions nor will he fear.

The Siraat is the Bridge over Jahannam over which entire mankind will have to compulsorily pass. Those destined for Jahannam will fall from this razor sharp, narrow Bridge into Jahannam. Fasting much and giving Sadqah much will ensure safecrossing. Therefore adhere to Masnoon and Nafl Fasting and always give charity within your means.

The Shade of the Arsh. Among those who will have the blessed fortune of being under the Shade of the Arsh of Allah Ta‟ala on that Day when there will be no other shade, are people who love solitude (khalwat). Unlike the merrymaking masses, the persons of khalwat are claustrophobic in company, crowds and functions. As far as possible abstain from functions.

It is necessary to understand that the benefits explained above will be for those who live according to the Sunnah. They follow the directives of the Shariah. The mere observance of the aforementioned prescription without being submissive to the Shariah will not have the desired beneficial effects. For example, a person watching cellphone filth should not be surprised if he is not a recipient of these wonderful benefits.

SULTAN NAASIRUDDIN Sultaan Naasiruddin was a profoundly pious king of the State of Delhi in India. He flourished about six centuries ago. His personal „palace‟ was a simple house of frugality. He had only one wife and no servants. The queen herself attended to the household chores of cooking, cleaning the house and washing the clothes. One day the queen requested him to arrange a maid to assist her with the housework. The Sultan explained that his income did not allow him to procure a maid. He advised her to adopt Sabr for which she would be splendidly rewarded in the Aakhirah. In fact this was also the advice which Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had given to his daughter, Hadhrat Faatimah (Radhiyallahu anha) when she had requested a maid. The Queen too was a lady

SULTAN NAASIRUDDIN

of piety. Thus she wholeheartedly accepted the advice of the Sultan. The Sultan did not receive a wage from the Baitul Maal. Despite being the king and fully in control of the Baitul Maal, he never took anything from the Baitul Maal for himself. His earnings were from writing copies of the Qur‟aan Majeed and selling them. Once when a wealthy merchant was informed that the Mushaf which was being sold was written by the Sultan, he paid a large price for it. The Sultan was displeased. He considered this as being undue advantage for himself. Henceforth he made an arrangement to have his handwritten Mushafs sold with secrecy. Despite the pomp and splendor of his court, his personal life was one of extreme simplicity and austerity. He lived the life of a Durwaish.