When Allah’s Remembrance Comes Before Wealth and Family
Address by Hazrat Pir Sahib (RA)
Date: 6 February 1986
Discourse No. 43
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
فَنِعۡمَ الۡمَوۡلٰی وَ نِعۡمَ النَّصِیۡرُ
رَبِِّ اشۡرَحۡ لِیۡ صَدۡرِیۡ وَیَسِّرۡ لِیۡۤ اَمۡرِیۡ وَ احۡلُلۡ عُقۡدَۃً مِّنۡ لِّسَانِیۡ یَفۡقَہُوۡاقَوۡلِیۡ
اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِ عَلٰی سَیّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍوَّعَلٰی اٰلِ سَیِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍوَّعَلٰی اَصْحَابِہٖ وَعَلٰی اَذْوَاجِہٖ اَجْمَعِیْنَ وَبَارِکْ وَسَلِمْ وَصَلِ عَلَیْہٖ
All praise is for Allah.
Countless thanks to Allah Almighty, the Master of the Kingdom, Who has once again granted us the opportunity and ability to gather here for His pleasure, in His remembrance and love.
Millions and billions of blessings and peace be upon the Leader of the Prophets, the Beloved of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH), through whose blessed grace this kindness has reached us.
The Decree of Allah Cannot Be Escaped
Respected listeners!
Once, Hazrat Sulaiman (AS) was visited by Hazrat Azra’il (AS), who sat in the gathering. Some of Hazrat Sulaiman’s companions were also sitting there. Among them was a man whom Hazrat Azra’il (AS) looked at very attentively.
The man asked Hazrat Sulaiman (AS), “Who is this gentleman who is looking at me so intently?”
Hazrat Sulaiman (AS) told him that he was Hazrat Azra’il (AS).
The man said, “Perhaps he wants to take me—that is, he wants to take my soul. Please command the wind to carry me to India.”
Hazrat Sulaiman (AS) commanded the wind, and it carried the man to India.
Hazrat Sulaiman (AS) then asked Hazrat Azra’il (AS) why he smiled.
Hazrat Azra’il (AS) replied, “In fact, Allah had commanded me to take this man’s soul in the land of India. I was amazed because this man was here. I wondered how I would take his soul there. But this man himself went there.”
Allah Almighty says:
وَمَا تَشَاۗءُوْنَ اِلَّآ اَنْ يَّشَاۗءَ اللّٰهُ رَبُّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ
Surah At-Takwir, Verse 29
Translation:“You cannot will anything unless Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, wills it.”
The Greatest Blessing Is the Remembrance of Allah
Our gathering here today is for the pleasure of Allah. Remembering Allah is itself a favor from Allah Almighty. There is no personal achievement or bravery in it on our part. Therefore, no matter how much we thank Allah for this magnificent blessing, it will never be enough.
At a time when people are occupied with protecting or acquiring wealth and property, amusing themselves with their children and families, serving their parents, or enjoying the pleasures of this world, Allah Almighty has gathered us for a deed that is most beloved to Him.
The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, once asked the Holy Prophet (PBUH), “Which deed is most beloved to Allah?”
He said that remembering Allah is among the most beloved deeds. Whether a man or a woman, the one who remembers Allah holds the greatest virtue in the sight of Allah.
The remembrance of Allah is the means through which a person’s spiritual ranks are elevated.
It is not the case that everyone who performs prayer, observes fasting, and performs righteous deeds will enter Paradise and attain success in exactly the same rank. Rather, righteous servants and successful people have different spiritual ranks, and there is a great difference between these ranks.
A blessed Hadith mentions that the difference between these ranks is so great that those in the lower ranks will see those in the higher ranks in the way people on earth see the moon and stars in the sky.
This difference depends upon the quality, abundance, and acceptance of one’s deeds.
Charity, Zakat, fasting, Hajj, and striving in the way of Allah are all virtuous deeds, but above all these is the remembrance of Allah. It is the remembrance of Allah that enables a person to reach the highest spiritual ranks when it is performed with sincerity.
Remembrance Must Come From the Heart
There is no benefit in a remembrance that is merely upon the tongue while the heart is filled with love for things other than Allah.
Allah Almighty says:
اِنَّمَآ اَمْوَالُكُمْ وَاَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۭوَاللّٰهُ عِنْدَهٗٓ اَجْرٌ عَظِيْمٌ
Surah At-Taghabun, Verse 15
Translation: “Your wealth and your children are only a trial, while with Allah is a great reward.”
This does not mean that wealth and children are punishment, sin, or calamity. Rather, it means that wealth and children are a test for you.
These are two things whose love can become dominant within a person’s heart. When there is a fear that they may suffer some loss, or when separation from them itself becomes difficult, Allah Almighty tests you to see whether you will turn toward His remembrance or sacrifice His remembrance for the sake of your children and wealth.
Allah is saying, in effect, “I am testing you. But remember that if you sacrifice your wealth and children for My sake, I have a tremendous reward for you.”
One of the lesser aspects of that reward is that Allah will increase your wealth, place blessings in it, make your children grateful and obedient to you, and grant them success. Beyond this is a reward whose full extent is known only to Allah.
But if you abandon the remembrance of Allah and remain occupied only with your wealth and children, then this very wealth can become a cause of punishment, humiliation, and destruction.
All the desires and regrets of your heart will remain behind while this wealth runs ahead of you, and you will continue running after it.
Your children may become a cause of your disgrace and pain. They may cause you suffering and humiliation from which you cannot easily escape. Or they may themselves be afflicted with religious difficulties, leaving you to suffer throughout your life as you watch their condition.
For the sake of such wealth and children—which may become worthless and harmful to you—you may end up chasing after them like a dog chasing carrion.
The World and Its Deception
A Hadith states that the world is like carrion and those who desire it are like dogs.
That carrion represents the worldly possessions, wealth, and relationships that can bring nothing but suffering when they become the sole purpose of a person’s life. And those “dogs” are those who chase after worldly things without distinguishing between what is right and what is wrong.
Look through history.
Those who sacrificed their wealth and children for the love of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) were honored by Allah in such a way that not only their own children, but even people outside their families, became obedient to them. Their children themselves could not match that level of obedience.
Allah granted such people authority and honor in His creation—an honor that remains alive and radiant until the Day of Judgment.
Do Not Abandon Allah for Worldly Gain
There were even people during the blessed era of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who would leave him during prayer and rush away because of their concern for trade and worldly matters.
Therefore, Allah Almighty says:
وَاِذَا رَاَوْا تِجَارَةً اَوْ لَهْوَۨا انْفَضُّوْٓا اِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوْكَ قَاۗىِٕمًا ۭ قُلْ مَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ ۭ وَاللّٰهُ خَيْرُ الرّٰزِقِيْن
Surah Al-Jumu’ah, Verse 11
Translation: “And when they see some trade or amusement, they rush toward it and leave you standing. Say: What is with Allah is better than amusement and trade, and Allah is the Best of Providers.”
Who provided you with sustenance in your mother’s womb? Who earned it for you there? Who provided your sustenance?
The Purpose of These Blessed Litanies
Respected members of the gathering!
These blessed litanies are recited to express gratitude to Allah Almighty, to seek His forgiveness, to become servants of Him and His beloved Prophet (PBUH), and to ask for the blessings of both religion and worldly life.
While reciting them, whatever comes in your way should be regarded as a test. Consider it a satanic obstacle and pray to Allah that He always grants us the ability to continue in His remembrance, so that our entire lives may pass in His remembrance.
Now let us begin.
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
The Awrad-e-Naziriyyah Sharif were recited, followed by supplication.
