Backbiting - Islamic School System - Dawat-e-Islami

246 Backbiting – A Cancer in our SocietyHis demeanour, excellent character, lowered gaze, politeness and courteousness inspiredme and we soon developed a friendly relationship. He would often engage in his individualefforts and try to inspire me to accept the truth. Though he left the hospital after a fewdays, I did remain in touch with him and would often pay him a visit.He had a thick book entitled Faīzān-e-Sunnat. When he would go for Chowk Dars, hewould often invite me to come along, which I would gladly accept. After listening to Darsa few times, the malice for Islam began to convert to admiration. Because of admiration,I would not hesitate any more to break bread with the Muslims and began to respect theAżān and Masjid. In the year 2004 I happened to read a booklet entitled ‘Method of Ghusl’[published by Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ, Dawat-e-Islami’s publishing house]. The contentsof the booklet were not exactly clear to me, which is why I asked the Islamic brother toelaborate. He clarified the rulings pertaining to ritual purity, but in the end, stated thatthe true ritual purity can only be achieved by accepting Islam. The words pierced myheart like an arrow and were the turning point of my life. After much deliberation, Iproclaimed the Statement of Faith and came into the fold of Islam. I was rescued fromthe obscurities of Kufr and thus my heart was enlightened by the light of faith.I began to partake in Dawat-e-Islami’s Sunnaĥ-inspiring weekly Ijtimā’. I also took anoath under the Spiritual Sufi order of Qādiriyyaĥ Razawiyyaĥ and became a disciple ofthe Great Ghauš-e-A’ẓam, Shaykh ‘Abdul Qādir Jīlānī ‏َةُ‏ االلهِ‏ تَعَالىٰ‏ ‏َلَيْه ‏.رَحمْ‏ I began to offer thedaily ritual Ṣalāĥ. However, at times satanic deceptions about Islam would cross myminds. One day I happened to read the booklet entitled ‘An Old Worshipper’ [publishedby Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ], عَزَّوَجَلَّ‏ , my mind was free of those satanic deceptions andnotions. I was fortunate to travel in a Madanī Qāfilaĥ, with the devotees of the Prophet, onthe 18 th of July 2005. I had a short temper and would often argue with my family if thefood was not according to my liking. However, with the blessings of the travel, my tempermellowed down and the behaviour changed for the better. My family was astonished atmy changes and they began to admire the religion of Islam. I grew a beard and alsocrowned myself with a turban but would take it off before I entered my home.اَل ْ حَمْدُ‏ لِلهAfter a few days, other people began to incite my family against me. As a result, thematter took a turn for the worse and my family began to be oppressive and stern whendealing with me. I was rebuked, scolded and beaten. I left my house but after a few daysmy brothers cajoled me to go back and I complied. They forced me to the barber shop so