Salaam Brings Greatness

Darse Quran by Maulana Muhammad Mustafa Shareef Naqshbandhi
Published in Muslim Murasu, January 2013

Surah 11, Hud, verse 69. This Surah has so far mentioned about Prophets Salih,Nooh and Hud (alai). In seventh Rukoo, messages are drawn from the lives of Prophets Ibrahim and Lut (alai). Actions that will bring God’s wrath and lead a community to ruins are explained here.
‘walakad ja’at rusuluna’. ‘Rusul’ here refers angels. ‘Rasool’ means that which is sent. It can either mean Prophets or angels. ‘ibraheema bil bushra’. Angels brought good news to Ibrahim (alai). ‘qalu salaama’. They said Salaam.
Here Allah teaches us manners. Prophet said, ‘assalaamu qablal qalaam’. Say Salaam before talking. This will increase love and affection. Recipient of Salaam will feel good about the one greeting with Salaam. Prophet said that you won’t enter heaven until you love each other. Salaam can take you to heaven. Try saying Salaam twice or thrice to a stranger. Eventually he will find himself in a position to greet you back. Prophet said that abstaining from Salaam is the worst of all miserliness. It shows haughty nature. A Sahabi used to say Salaam to everyone in the market from Asar to Magrib. This was his routine.
It is not appropriate to shout and say Salaam to someone who is far. Someone may get distracted and run into accident. Full caution is needed while on the road. Salaam shall be said after coming face to face and with respect. Don’t say Salaam from higher up in the building.
It is our style and tradition here to lift the hand while saying Salaam. Otherwise the recipient may take offense. It is not wrong to please Believers. It is an Ibadat. There is no Bidat or Kufr or Shirk in it.
One who says Salaam first will earn thirty Sawaab (goodness, rewards). The person answering will earn ten. Everyone will be desperate to earn even one Sawaab on the Judgment Day. No one can earn a single goodness there, no matter to whom they go or even if they offer earth’s mass in gold. Don’t lose thirty Sawaab. Daarul Amal. This world is the place for action. Money is credited to our account without we witnessing it. Salaam will be credited in our account for the next world. It is beyond our vision.
Salaam is one of the Beautiful Names of Allah. Teach 99 Asmaul Husna to your children. These are now being taught as rhymes in some schools. Magazines and newspapers are mostly filled with lies. Don’t waste your time in them. Don’t lose your time in mystery and spy novels. My Sheykh used to say that the author of the book we read will have an impact on us. We will be impacted by his character, habits and manners. You will be immersed in light if you read Quran.
Correct and mold your thoughts. They are the foundation for your actions. Your thoughts reflect your standard. The data you feed in computer will be its output. If you read about Auliyas, you will gravitate towards prayer and worship. The nature of mind is to keep thinking one thing or the other. If you attend Quran Dars, you will think about it even when you are alone. Hazrat Nizamudin Auliya explained Tasawwuf means to purify the mind. If you keep thinking about Prophet’s character and personality, you will be blessed with his Deedar (sight). If you have good thoughts in daytime, you will get pleasant dreams at night. Bad thoughts throughout the day can only give nightmares. Replace your worldly thoughts with spiritual thoughts. Don’t sit idle, instead indulge in God’s remembrance. You will be counted as martyr if you die in that state. Allay says – If you remember Me in solitude, I will also remember you in solitude; if you remember Me in gathering, I will remember you in the gathering of angels.
Salaam is one of Allah’s Names. It has been sent for us from the heavens. Don’t say Salaam while entering or exiting toilet. Don’t even answer to Salaam until you rinse your mouth. No other greetings can have the effect that Salaam gives. I won’t harm you. It is a promise. I pray for you. Islam can be understood by understanding Salaam.
Prophet used to say Salaam even to children. It is to teach them. It won’t reduce respect or honor. Prophet once went to a companion’s house and said Salaam thrice. There was no reply. You shouldn’t enter in that case. Don’t disturb the inmates. You should return.
Salaam is Zikr. To say first Salaam is Sunnat. Answering to Salaam is Wajib, compulsory. It is a sin not to answer. If someone asks you to convey Salaam to a third person, you should compulsorily do it. It is Amaanat. It should be delivered to the concerned person. ‘Alaika wa alaihi Salaam’ should be the answer. Many Muslims live in darkness, ignorance. They show full attention in matters of food or dress. But when it comes to religion, they are careless. If Salaam is properly conveyed, all three will get Sawaab. Allah has made many arrangements for men to find forgiveness. But people are living in ignorance.
Young ones shall first say Salaam to elders. A person who is alone shall say Salaam to Jamaat. Person going in vehicle shall first greet person walking. Don’t ignore when Salaam is said to you. Enter your houses saying Salaam. It will bring Rahmat and Barakat. Muslims don’t feel shy to use abusive language. But they are hesitant to say Salaam. Love will increase if you say Salaam to your wife. It will bring intimacy.
Duas (supplications) are protecting us. There are many enemies and conspiracies are planted against us all the time. Salaam is a Dua. It is a complete package.

Go And Meet Scholars

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas (rah) Malfuzat compiled by Maulana Muhammad Manzoor Nuhmani (rah)
Published in Muslim Murasu, January 2013

Prophet was forbidden to take Sadaqa (donation). Hadiya (gift) is allowed. Zakat (alms) is Farz, mandatory duty. Hadiya is Mustahab, recommended. In some cases, Mustahab has a more significant place and reward than Farz. Saying initial Salaam (greeting) is Sunnat. Answering Salaam is duty. But initial Salaam has a higher place. Purpose of Zakat is to purify wealth. Hadiya is targeted to please the heart. On account of benefit, Hadiya has a loftier place.
It is imperative for those who donate Zakat to find deserving hands just as a worshiper has to find pure water for ablution. Recipients of Zakat shouldn’t be greedy. Poor people should not crave for Zakat. A situation should not arise where people are looking for and waiting for Zakat.
It is duty on affluent people to help those who believe in God and patiently persevere. Surah Baqara, 2, verse 273 – ‘laa yasaloonannaasa ilhafa’. 1. They will toil in the cause of God 2. They will be patient 3. They will believe in God 4. They won’t beg.
Zakat is being dispersed inappropriately. Donators give away money to whoever coming first and feel they are done. Zakat will bring Barakat (blessing). But now we don’t see Barakat. We can understand that Zakat has not reached the right person.
1. When a Muslim pays visit to another Muslim only for the cause of Islam, seventy thousand angels will lower their wings for him. Goodness will accrue from paying visit to Aalim (scholar).
2. Aalim is bequeathed with the knowledge of Nubuwat (Prophethood). He should be appropriately honored.
3. Aalim can conduct us in good path.
4. Personal needs of Aalim should be fulfilled.
Meet scholars with these four intentions.