Managment

Mutma’innah.
The state of An-Nafs Al-Lawwamah in a person will make him/
her feel regret when sin is committed and one will realise and
repent in front of Allah Ta'ala. Then by making more effort,
focusing on purifying the soul through abstaining from all
kinds of sin that can be done by the eyes, ears, tongue and
body; etc then if Allah Almighty wills that person's Nafs will go
from being in the state of Al-Lawwamah to being in the state
of Al-Mutma’innah. It is when the Nafs reaches this state of Al-
Mutma’innah that the
glad tidings of Jannah is given. The verse below mentions An-
Nafs Al-Mutma’innah and the glad tidings of Jannah associated
with it:
“(It will be said to the pious - believers of Islamic
Monotheism:) "O (you) the one in (complete) rest and
satisfaction!". "Come back to your Lord - well pleased
(yourself) and well-pleasing (unto Him)!" "Enter you then
among My (honoured) slaves, and enter you My Paradise!"
(Surah Al-Fajar, Verses 27-30, Part 30)
In this state where the Nafs has become Al-Mutma’innah the
person is not involved in sin.
I once asked Hazrat Masih-ul-Ummah (R.A) what is this Nafs
and Hazrat (R.A) replied that these eyes, ears and tongue is
Nafs i.e. taking care they are utilised according to the Shariah.
Need For a Sheikh Kamil
In this day and age without the guidance of a Sheikh Kamil it is
very difficult. So if one journeys this life without a guide -
Sheikh Kamil - then it will be difficult for him/her to overcome
this Nafs. For this there is a great need for the right form of
both Taleem (educating) and Tarbiyah (spiritual training and
practice) that a Sheikh Kamil will dispense to the Mureed to
suit their needs to uplift him/her through the levels of
Tazkiyah (Purification).
Some Obstacles for Spiritual Progress
One of the big pitfalls and obstacles for progress in this Path of
Sulook & Tazkiyah is the desire
for excess talk. This weakness seems to be more common
amongst women. So one should create heightened awareness
before uttering anything as Aqal Saleem (Pure Mind) and Qalb
Saleem (Pure Heart) will also advise us as a rule of thumb that
one should only talk those things that merit some value for
either Deen or Dunya or talk when if kept quiet it would harm
the person's Deen or Dunya.
Some Spiritual Remedies & Way Forward
As mentioned earlier to safeguard one's Iman a person needs
to employ Taqawa in his/her life. To die with Imaan is Ghair
Ikhtiyari (Out of our control) as this is the mercy of Allah
Ta'ala. However, all the means to safeguard Iman are Ikhtiyari
(Within our control) like fulfilling the obligations of Islam like
the daily Salah, Zakah, observing Taqwa and engaging oneself
in the constant remembrance of Allah Ta'ala (Zikr-Ullah) and
various other Deeni practices.
We should value our time here. Time is a priceless asset. There
is no guarantee of life or longevity. So whatever time and
moments we do have we should make good use of by always
being in a ready state for the Hereafter; in the state of Taubah
Nasuhah (Sincere Repentance).
We should avoid being in the State of Ghaflah (negligence/
heedlessness). The Love (Muhabbat) of Allah Ta'ala requires
that we not only remember Him through our tongue but
through our heart and actions too. One should continuously
take Ihtisab (reckon and account) of one’s actions, words,
time, dealings, behaviour, etc and not spend a life without
ever thinking about our situation and what will happen to us
in the Hereafter.
When we do all this then Insha Allah Ta'ala our spiritual
progress will take place and our Imaan that will live with us
forever will get stronger and be safeguarded.
Allah give us the taufeeq to practice. (Aameen)
Remember the first version of the iPhone? It has become so
obsolete that taking out to answer a call in front of friends has
become laughable.
However, perceived obsolescence applies to more than just
iPhones; it applies to all the material items we buy. After just a
year of making use out of these items, we are suddenly awed
at the latest items in the shops that we decide to ‘change with
the times.’ This results in changing and taking out clothes,
furniture, electronics and even décor.
Our Saints, who had limited worldly pleasures but had
immense love for the hereafter states: “This Dunya (world) is
like a shadow, if you try to catch it, you will never be able to
do so. But if you turn your back towards it, it has no choice but
to follow you.” ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah
Do we wish to spend all of our lives racing to accumulate
material goods and benefits that will never bring us true
satisfaction? There is no doubt that possessing a new iPhone
has benefits and is always useful in modern day era. The
question, however is that how long is there left until we get
bored and decide that we want something better, newer, and
more expensive? We spend several hours working on a daily
basis, only to realise that a large percentage of our hard
earned money is spent on items that we do not really need.
Remember that a solution is not to avoid all material aspects
of this life and deem them as haram (prohibited)? Perhaps we
need to learn how to alter our perspective and realise the
difference between wanting something and needing
something.
Remember our main goal in this life is to serve Allah
(exalted is He), and to reach Jannah (heaven) in the real,
everlasting life. Enjoy the beauties of this world because they
are gifts from Allah but do not be led astray by them.
Issue 48 www.rabetah.org July / August 2013 17