Quran For All

Muhammad Mustafa Shareef Naqsbandhi on 'Quran For All' at Quran Foundation, Tolichowki, Hyderabad
Published in Muslim Murasu, June 2011

In the first five verses of Baqarah Surah, the model for a moomin is presented. First verse lays down the foundation. This is the holy book in which there is no doubt. There can be doubts about other sacred books. But moomin is blessed with satisfaction and peace. This is not available for people of other religions. There is one Veda under the sky that has not undergone any amendment or change and that is Quran, the holy text. There are two huge Nihmath, blessings, from God. 1. Appearance of prophet on the earth and bestowing his Barakath and Rahmath 2. God’s book is another huge blessing. Other blessings are insignificant compared to these two Nihmath. Certainly Injeel was given by God. And so are Tawrath and Zabur. A Muslim believes God, prophets, day of judgement, Kitabs and that destinies of good and bad fortunes come from God. In a nutshell, this is the belief in Islam. First requirement while reading Quran is to have full trust in it. That is why first verse categorically declares that there is no doubt in this book.
It will give hidayath, guidance, to those who fear God. Quran is guidance to people having faith in God. In another place, Quran tells that it is guidance to all human kind. Though it has guidance for everyone, fearing God is the first requirement.
Here it is important to understand Taqwa, fearing God. Umar (rali) was once questioned about Taqwa. Consider a person walking on a narrow path lined on both sides by thorns. It is imperative to walk carefully so as not to damage his clothes or injure his body. Shaitan is distracting from all directions. One should fend off evil designs of Shaitans. This was the explanation by Umar (rali). One should progress without falling prey to vasvasa, confusion and evil thoughts. Taqwa is to escape from internet vulgarities, chatting, nudity sins that is targeting you. An English newspaper published an article about dancing to fitness. It explained that dancing will give fitness. The intention of world people indulging in materialism is that we have gone astray, you also join us and perish. Bush once told that Muslims are not dancing or drinking, that is the reason they go towards terrorism. First thing that Obama did after becoming President is that he danced with his wife before world media. This is American culture. Once a friend invited me for a dinner. He and his wife were freely welcoming and honoring guests. They did not observe gosha, pardah, restriction. This is very bad. Husband and wife can be intimate in their room. But when they come out they should obey social norms. Hyderabad is holding on to its traditional standards of decency. But if western culture spreads then discipline will plunge and disappear. Once Prophet observed zaafran on the hands of one of his companions and he inquired about his marriage. Marriages used to be casual in the days of the holy Prophet. Prophet did not regret that he was not invited for the marriage. He inquired about valima with friendly spirit. But in today’s world, marriage invitation is creating lot of friction. One should accept telephone invitation instead of compelling to be invited in person. You should have only Prophet’s exemplary life in front of your eyes. You should not be disturbed by the cheap changes that are taking place in the world. Prophet did not say that he could have been invited atleast for dua or kutba. He did not compel. Nowadays ilm, knowledge, is increasing. But hilm, tolerance, is decreasing. If you tolerate minor inconveniences, your respect and status will go up.
Day is to work and night is to sleep and take rest. This is God’s command. But now companies are working in three shifts. Prophet said not to talk after Isha. But today they have changed nights as days. Lifestyle is in complete contrast with that preached in Quran and hadees. Quran is not only to memorize, but to follow.
A successful lawyer will often go through law books. If he has laws and amendments at his finger tips he will be successful. A Muslim who does not read Quran cannot be successful in his life. Daily one should recite few verses. Only then God’s commands will stay in heart and reflect in actions. A Muslim doing zikr will not accept bribes. People coming to listen bayaan should bring pen and take down important details in a notebook. Money is not needed to bring change. Aqlaq is important. Prophet did not have money, he was a single person. He had the ability to change Uhad mountain into gold. He did not have gold mine. He preached by virtue of his tolerance, discipline and hard efforts. He did not preach with help of money. He expressed his desire to live with Misqeens and rise along with misqeens in Mahshar. He never desired for dawlath, wealth. God asked him whether he wants nubuwath along with wealth or nubuwath along with poverty. Prophet chose nubuwath with poverty. Islam did not spread with the help of money or power. Prophet did not have arms power in Mecca. The faith was spread by the Prophet’s discipline, aqlak; money did not help. Hameedullah went alone to France from Hyderabad and spread Islam there. He was expert in 15 languages. Muslims did not fulfill the role of Khaira Ummath. Sankaracharyar once told that messages in Quran are same as those in the Vedas. But Muslims did not spread it, follow it.
Man cannot discover everything from his knowledge and experience. The objective of Prophet’s coming is to teach Ibadath. The basis of all religions is God and remembrance of God. Once Russia championed atheism, but now they also accept God. God’s remembrance comes to societies after they are ruined. People come to their proper minds after suffering terrible losses. A person not born in Muslim family has to overcome huge hurdles and challenges to embrace Islam. If a baby is born in seven months, it has to be kept in incubation chamber. Laws made by God cannot be altered. All of us are in examination hall. Some are tested in poverty with lack of wealth. All of us are being tested. Take notes. Prophet told that Abushah (rali) has poor memory, so write down my sayings for his benefit. In another occasion, Prophet told to use straight hand (pen).
A sufi told that his failures reminded him more of God. So always use Insha Allah before making any promise. When prophet was asked about cave men, he suddenly told that he will reply the next day. Wahi did not come for many days. Then God told him to tell Insha Allah. Telling Mashaallah, Inshaallah is Ibadath. Whenever Prophet addressed any person, he used to mention their name and address them. When you give handshake to someone, give it properly and firmly. When two persons give handshake, both of their sins will be forgiven. Their sins will fall like leaves falling from a tree in dry season. English men are practicing giving handshakes. Prophet taught us practical things.
Leave ego. I will know some things that you might not know and you will know some things that I will be ignorant of. Allah has given different wealth to different countries. He has given human resource to one country, petroleum reserves in another country and technology to some other country. Quran emphasizes to share and live. Live mutually is God’s command. Saudi has Ka’batullah. It has petrol and pepsi sells at one riyal. But it does not have drinking water. When one drinks deccan water, his face becomes bright. Allah has given this nihmath to Hyderabad people.
People following Quran are noble people, Auliyas. Hindus, Christians and Jews should be considered as creation of God. No one should be looked down upon. To regard others as worthier than us is habit of Auliyas. Others should respect your behavior. One should not indulge in self-praise.