Hadhrat Hanzhalah Radiallahu anhu fearing nifaaq (hypocrisy)
It was the habit of Nabi Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam to enquire about those who were absent from the musjid. Once, Hadhrat Hanzhalah did not come for salaah and Nabi enquired regarding him. Abu Bakr then went to his house for an enquiry. On enquiry from his household, they informed him that he was seated in the corner crying away. Abu Bakr went up to him and asked him the reason for him crying. He replied, “Hanzhalah has turned a munaafiq (hypocrite).”
Abu Bakr asked him the reason for saying this. He said, “When we are seated with Nabi then it is as if we are seeing Jannah and Jahannum, but no sooner do I come back home and get involved
with my family, these feelings no more remain.”
On hearing this, Abu Bakr said, “If this is nifaaq (hypocrisy) then I am a munaafiq as well because this is also my condition.”
Thereafter both of them came to the company of Nabi and explained the entire discussion. Nabi said, “If the condition you experience when seated by me continuously remains, then the angels would greet you in your beds and on the road. (Mishkaat with reference to Muslim, Vol 1, Pg 197)
NOTE: This Hadeeth will be a means of consolation for those saalikeen who do not find the yearning and enthusiasm to carry out ibaadat as they do when in the company of their mashaayikh.
Dua for a Hot Day
Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah Radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam is reported to have said, “When it is an extremely hot day, Allah Ta’ala turns His attention to the people of the skies and the earth.
The moment a person recites the following dua, Allah Ta'ala says to Jahannam, ‘Indeed, a servant of mine has sought refuge in me from you, now you bear testimony that I have granted him salvation from you.’” [Bayhaqi Vol.1 Pg.411]
LA ILAHA ILLALLAHU, MA ASHADDA HARRA HADHAL YAWM,
ALLAHUMA AJIRNI MIN HARRI JAHANNAM
There Is No Deity Except Allah. How Hot Is This Day!
O Allah, Protect Me From The Heat Of Jahnnam
Giving preference to zikr-e-jahri (audible zikr) over zikr-e-Sirri (silent zikr)
Someone had written to Moulana Thanwi (Rahmatullah Alayhi) I make zikr silently. I do this for two reasons: (1) I fear that if I make zikr audibly I will disturb those who are asleep. (2) People will begin to think of me as a buzurg and this will create pride within me.
Hadhrat Thanwi (Rahmatullah Alayhi) replied: Continue making zikr aloud. The solution to the first problem is that you should make zikr in a place where there isn’t anybody sleeping e.g. the Musjid. However, do not make zikr so loudly that the people of the area will be disturbed.
As far as the second problem, then ponder over the fact that when you will begin to sway your head whilst making zikr people will not think you to be a buzurg but an insane person. Your nafs has advised you that people should not think you to be a buzurg.
However, it has in fact devised a plan whereby people would begin to think of you as a buzurg. The reason for this is that when you will lower your head and engage in zikr-e-Sirri people will think that you have now reached the level of the angels. The nuktah (subtle point) in this is that it is difficult to remain punctual and constant on a devotional practice. If you will make zikr-e-jahri a few people will come to know that you wake up in the latter portion of the night to make zikr, such as the muazzin of the musjid. At times you will be overcome by sleep and laziness and perhaps miss out making zikr on that day. The muazzin will come to know that today Mr so and so did not wake up. However, if you make zikr-e-Sirri nobody will know whether you got up or not and in this way your laziness and weakness will remain
concealed.
Extracted from Malfoozaat of Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi (rahmatullah alayhi)
