PARTING ADVICE

RAMADAN: THE MEANS OF SPIRITUAL ELEVATION

BY HAZRAT DR. ISMAIL MEMON

translation

by Maulana Muneeb Tahir Uthmani edited by Maulana Dr. Mateen Khan

Our Hazrat passed away on February 3, 2023 after devoting a lifetime to reviving the Sunna and the dhikr of Allah. His parting advice was written over 35 years ago but is as relevant today as it was when first written.

Wasiyyat Nama

The Prophet s said, “Whoever left a will after death has died on the right path and Sunna, and he has died with piety and witness, and he has died forgiven” (Ibn Majah).

Then, the Prophet s emphasized this point saying, “A Muslim who has something to write in his will should not spend even two nights without having his will written down with him” (Bukhari).

Today – the 4th of Dhu al-Qa‘da 1405/ 21st of July, 1985 – this worthless person’s age has reached fifty (solar) years, as this worthless person’s birthdate, according to the elders, is 1935. In light of the aforementioned hadith, I write this parting advice:

I advise my children, family, relatives, friends, associates, and all the believers that this life is only for a few days, and death always hovers over our heads. The moments of this life are precious, its value being greater than the whole world and everything in it, as the pleasure of Allah and the eternal bounties of Jannah are purchased through it.

Each moment of this life is precious. Do not spend this great bounty of Allah in His disobedience! Do not let any selfish desire and worldly comfort or benefit overtake your time. Value each minute of this life, which is a leave granted by Allah.

Seek forgiveness and ask for repentance for any sins that have been committed, and in the future, remain ever vigilant on your self-reformation; never be careless about it.

Completely abstain from futile and vain speech, actions, and gatherings.

As the proverb goes: I was not able to save myself, but you certainly stay safe, O my Friends!

Strive to weigh each moment of your life and spend it in good. Before doing anything, think, “Is this action which I intend to do or am raising my pen to against the will and pleasure of Allah?” If it is, then sacrifice all the benefits and endure any inconveniences to stay away from it with all your might.

Make acquisition of Islamic knowledge an essential part of your life. Whoever from my children has formally obtained Islamic knowledge should never leave this [prophetic] work. He should always consider himself a student; wherever he can acquire correct knowledge, he should strive for it.

Hold daily ta‘leem (reading) at home with all the family members. This ta‘leem must take place regardless of work or any other reason and everyone, young and old, must take part in it.

Each moment of this life is precious. Do not spend this great bounty of Allah in His disobedience! Never let any selfish desire and worldly comfort or benefit overtake your time. Value each minute of this life, which is a leave granted by Allah.

Consider the company of scholars who are the guardians of the sacred knowledge [i.e., scholars of the Deoband path] and the Auliya Allah (Friends of Allah) like alchemy and a great blessing. In addition to being to being the torchbearers of knowledge, their fear of Allah and the Last Day, and their vibrant connection with Allah manifested in all their actions.

Bay‘a Bay‘a (pledge) with a Sunnah-compliant, Shari‘a-abiding wali of Allah and practicing the prescribed dhikr under his supervision is imperative for one’s self-reformation and progress. Do not think this to be a trivial matter, as this is the spirit of the whole faith. These days there is much negligence toward Tasawwuf. Take great care of dhikr and other devotional practices. All actions acquire life and spirit through its blessings, which is the way to achieving true sincerity and closeness to Allah.

Place importance on religious education and the upbringing of your children from a very young age. Place your children in the pursuit of memorizing the Quran and acquiring religious knowledge.

Protect your children from public schools and colleges like you would from lions or wolves. Sending your children to such a [liberal and irreligious] environment is like throwing them into the Hellfire with your own hands. Since a sizable portion of my life passed through this [decadent] environment, I am well aware of its condition.

Avoid mixing with [irreligious] people who are negligent of prayer, fast, the lawful and unlawful, and the Islamic way of life. If such people are relatives or old friends, then engage with them only enough to fulfill their rights.

Friendships and camaraderie should only be kept with people whose company strengthens your faith. If there is an exceeding attachment with (irreligious) people, then do make a strong effort to bring them to your path.

The Islamic commandment of ‘ordering good and forbidding evil’ is imperative for every Muslim. One of the wisdoms behind this commandment is that it builds a virtuous environment wher friendships become an aid instead of a hindrance [in progress of deen].

Children should also be protected from such unrestrained friendships from an early age.

Revealing Clothing

A great calamity that has overtaken even noble and religious households in this era is the inclination of women to unveil themselves and wear revealing clothing.

Even households that give importance to modesty and veiling have abandoned the vigilance and caution of their elders.

Both male and female non-mahram no longer adhere to Shari‘a guidelines and they intermingle freely. The repercussions of such intermixing is dangerous for the entire family.

It is essential (for women) to cover from every brother-in-law, young or old, and all other non-mahrams. Unfortunately, there is much negligence in this matter today. The Prophet a called the brother-in-law “death” (Bukhari), therefore, we can never take this matter lightly.

Your women should avoid the company of free and immodest women, as it creates unIslamic tendencies. If relationships are to be kept with someone, try bringing them to your ways; otherwise, separate from them.

Reading Books

Every man and woman should avoid reading books whose essence is against the Shari‘a. Their effect on the heart and mind is inevitable. Ban novels, fiction, and other such books from entering your home.

Only study Islamic books by genuine and Allah-fearing scholars who can be trusted for their knowledge, virtue, and piety. Do not read a book until you have complete trust in its author.

These days, misguided people say, “Do not look at who is talking but at what he said.” Such an idea is the trick of Shaytan. This fallacy has led many pious people astray, and I have personally observed this myself.

Although the people of knowledge can read any book, they should strive to read only what is necessary because the books of corrupt people affect a person in unseen ways the same way sitting in their company does. Unless there is a valid Islamic reason, avoid their company.

Sending Reward

I humbly request my young and old associates to pray for my forgiveness whenever they think of me during my life and after my death. It would be an even greater favor if they also send me some reward through isal-e-thawab .

I request of my relatives and close friends to recite and send me the reward of Surah Yasin every day, if possible. Otherwise, at least Surah Ikhlas three times daily.

Additionally, I request those people who live in the blessed Hijaz to perform hajj, umra, and tawaf on my behalf as much as possible for which they will also receive a great reward, insha’Allah. Send the reward of as much sadaqat – e.g., clothing, food, and other necessities – as you can in private for the sake of Allah. Always avoid gatherings of ostentation and customs. Neither the dead nor those who spend on such gatherings get anything out of them.

Following the Sunna

Be devoted to the Sunna in every action. Avoid abandoning the Sunna and anything that opposes the Shari‘a. Always abstain from any bid‘a (innovation) and Jahiliyya customs. Try to learn the ways, habits, and conduct of the Prophet a and emulate them as much as you can.

Consider the company of Sunnah-adhering scholars, elders and attending to them a great blessing.

Veiling from Brother-in-law

In our family, veiling from the husband’s brother is not given much importance, as is the general situation of Muslims today.

When I was about to get married, I wished to revive this Sunna, and decided to start with my own family. I convinced my brother, Abdul Razzaq, who had by this time reached maturity, of this (while my other brother, Abdul Sattar, was still very young.) Then, after my nikah, I convinced my wife too. This way, the order of veiling from the husband’s brother was revived in our house. My relatives protested, but we did not give it any mind. After a short while, everyone was accustomed to it.

Some years later, in the blessed city of Makka, my elder brother’s wife, Sister Zubaydah, herself said, “Dr. Ismail’s wife fully covers from her brother-in-law, and so does Asiyah 1 from hers. Why should we stay behind in obedience to Allah?” Then, she herself started covering up from me. However, our youth no longer give this matter any importance. Therefore, my parting advice is that we make segregating and veiling from older and younger brothers-in-law and other non-mahram paramount.

Do not consider this impractical; such a devious thought is a ploy of the nafs and Shaytan. Allah and His Prophet a never gave any order that is impossible or im -

practical. Marriage

Do not follow the Jahiliyya customs of marriage. Instead, observe the limits of the Shari‘a in every matter and abstain from anything that opposes the Shari‘a and Sunna. The chapter of marriages in the book Aap Beeti by Hadrat Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya should be studied repeatedly and read out to the household. Give first priority to piety and virtue and not wealth, status, or beauty when searching for a suitable spouse. All other criteria should be secondary.

If I have wronged, hurt, backbit, or have otherwise harmed anyone physically, verbally, or emotionally, then forgive me for the sake of Allah. I also forgive every non-monetary right, without exception.

Expectations

I advise all my relatives and friends not to pin any hopes or expectations with anyone in this world. Distress and quarrels and the like only happen when something goes against your expectations. Without holding expectations, there will never be any distress.

On the other hand, if someone does something for us or helps us in any way, we own opinion, and every person thinks as if he receives revelation from above. The Prophet a had already informed us of this as one of the signs of Qiyamah. should consider them our benefactor. This creates love and harmony between us.

Therefore, it is my parting advice to my relatives, friends, and loved ones to be aware of this. Keep your point of view flexible and be as open-minded as possible. There is much disagreement and division in the ummah today. Try your utmost to create an atmosphere of unity, agreement, and love in the umma.

Studying al-I ‘ tidal and Takmilah al-I ‘ tidal by Hazrat Shaykh Zakariyya Kandhelawi and Hudud Ikhtilaf by Mufti Mahmood AhmadGangohi are beneficial in this regard.

I am noticing our friends and loved ones falling short in their prayers, in praying with congregation, and in arriving in time for the first takbir. I find this very hurtful. Thus, it is my parting advice that they give due importance to praying in the masjid with congregation with takbir-e-ula, regardless of how busy they are or how little free time they have. Do not take this matter lightly and do not give other things preference over this. I again stress that do not take this matter lightly and give it its due right!