No Rising Without Sacrifice

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

Sulaika was queen. She was attracted to Prophet Yusuf (alai) who was a slave. This news spread in the entire Egypt. She was severely ridiculed and criticized.
Surah Yusuf, 12, verse 31 – ‘falamma sami’at bi makrihinna’. She heard their malicious talks. ‘arsalat ilaihinna’. She sent them an invitation. A high-class, luxurious feast was arranged. ‘wa a’tadat lahunna muttaka’an’. Arrangement was five-star. Women who participated in the feast were from high-class, royal families.
‘wa aatat kulla waahidatin minhunna sikkeenan’. Each one of them was handed a knife. Perhaps a fruit was given as a starter. Prophet Yusuf was told to pass by them.
‘wa qaalatikruj alaihinna falammaa ra’ainahu akbarnahu wa katta’na aidiyahunna’. They lost themselves. They cut their hands. They did not even realize that the fruit had slipped and they have taken a serious injury. It was not a slight cut. It was deep incision.
When man dies in the path of Allah, Allah appears before him without veil. There won’t be pain of death. Martyr will relish and revel in the sight. When he reaches heaven, the only desire he will have will be to go back to earth and again get cut in the path of Allah. He will want to be slain again and again. There is nothing like it. Those who are in love of Allah are better than those who desire this world or the heaven.
Friday is important day in heaven. Some will get Allah’s Deedar (sight) once in a week. For some it is once in a month, for some once in a year. Some will see Him every day and for some it is every moment. Every time their face will become more glowing and more endearing.
Prophet Moosa (alai) got Allah’s Deedar. He had to always keep his eyes lower afterwards. A person will die if he sees Moosa (alai) eye to eye. Such was the power of his sight. This was the position of Moosa (alai).
Status of our Prophet (s.a.w.s) is higher than this. Surah Najm, 53, verse 9 – ‘fa kaana kaaba kawsaini aw adnaa’. They were close like two ends of a bow or even nearer. ‘fa awhaa ilaa abdihi maa awhaa’. He conveyed whatever He wanted. Three gifts were given: Salaat, verse of Aamade Rasool, good news that those who believe in Oneness of God will enter heaven.
Ayisha (rali) says: They saw Prophet Yusuf and cut their hands. They would have cut their throats had they seen our Prophet.
Shahaadat (martyrdom) is not easy to attain. One has to pray for it. Surah Fatiha says ‘siraatallazina an’amta alaihim’. Path of those on whom You have favored. Surah Nisa, 4, verse 69 gives more explanation. Allah has bestowed His favor on four kinds of people: 1. Nabi 2. Siddeeq 3. Shuhadaa 4. Saaliheen. ‘anamallahu alaihim minannabiyeena wassiddeekeena wasshuhadaayi wassaaliheen’.
Grown-ups cannot be satisfied with chocolates. Martyrs will find joy only in the sight of Allah. In the hereafter, one group will go to hell and one group will go to heaven. There will be a third group who will be adamant to get Deedar of Allah. They will be told to go to heaven which is the place for Allah’s Deedar.
Prophet Yusuf had two miracles. He was extremely beautiful and he can interpret dreams. Miracles of our Prophet cannot be counted. Ayisha (rali) says that she can find a lost needle in the light of his smile.
Prophet’s Deedar is also not an easy thing. Even if he appears, he will appear only in human form. He will appear in his original Noor on the Judgment Day. People drenched in his love say that the whole purpose of judgment day is to establish the status of Prophet in front of everyone. Everyone will know his position. We will be inquired about our life and accounted for once we enter the grave after death.
Surah Bani Israel, 17, verse 79 – ‘asaa anyab’ashaka rabbuka makaaman mahmoodaa’. Prophet will be granted the place of ‘Mahmooda’. It is the station of praise and glory.
Sulaika erred in ignorance. Later she accepted Imaan. Our love for offspring, family and parents are a training. This love won’t help us. Our love for Allah and Prophet will be always helpful. There are two opinions about Sulaika among scholars. Some say Prophet Yusuf and Sulaika did not marry. My Sheykh told they married. Prophet Sulaiman was able to hear what an ant spoke from a distance of three miles. It is not important whether that ant was red or black. The message of the Quran is important. Women were given apple in that feast. Let us not get into dispute about the fruit.
Verse 31 continues – ‘wakulna haasha lillahi maa haazaa basharan’. By Allah, this person is not a man. ‘in haazaa illa malakun kareem’. This is a great angel.
Verse 32. ‘wala inlam yaf’al maa aamuruhu layusjananna walayakoonan minas saagireen’. I will certainly imprison him and let him humiliated if he does not follow my wishes. But Prophet Yusuf guarded himself. He declined to comply to her desires and instead chose to be imprisoned.
Verse 33 – ‘qaala rabbi sijnu ahabbu ilaiyya mimmaa yadwuunanee ilaihi’. Prophet Yusuf restrained himself. In return, he got Sulaika, kingdom, joined his family and received all honor. If you desist from bad habits, you will be given good family, wealth and a honorable life in the hereafter.
Worst epidemic in this age is sinful gazing. This will bring all good deeds to naught. This is flagrant transgression of Allah’s command. Young ones and old ones indulge in this. Everyone sees TV. It will blind our hearts and blunt our vision. We prey on other’s dignity. This will invite Allah’s wrath. Things that enter through eyes, ears and tongue will pollute our hearts. We should shut doors on sins. We should protect eyes, ears, tongue and heart.
Surah Bani Israel, 17, verse 36 – ‘inna sam’a wal basara walfuwaada kullu ulaika kaana anhu mas’oolaa’. What we see, hear and feel will be questioned. Intelligence is to fear Allah.
One has to share company with murderers, thieves and rowdies in prison. It is a life without luxuries or assistance by maids. Prophet Yusuf embraced it. Great heights can’t be scaled without sacrifices. ‘fastajaaba lahu rabbuhu’. Allah accepted his prayer.