Those Who Follow Deen Will Succeed

Weekly speech at Tableeghi Markaz, Masjide Amina, Tolichowki, Hyderabad
Published in Muslim Murasu, March 2012

Critical questions were raised in the period of Maulana Ilyas (rah) concerning his mission and intention. “My intention is not to form a Jamaath or group. My intention is to take Ummath back to where Prophet left them before he departed”. Today we have assembled here with the same desire. We seek to uphold laws of God. Allah’s rule is same for all times. “Those who follow this religion will succeed”. Those who deviate from this will fail. All the incidents mentioned in Quran hold valuable lessons for us. They are not stories. They have guidance in them. No one likes to take names of kings and wealthy men, whom God have put to ignominy, as names for their children. Allah gave victory to some people. They will remain as archetype for success till the last day of this world. They did not possess technological power or economic or political might.
Deen is blissful life that embodies commands of Allah and teachings of Prophet. Deen should be practiced every second in our life. Each second, our success or failure is determined. Time is a sharp sickle. Either you slice it or it will slice you. Prophet has told that you will die the same way as you live, then you will be raised from death the same way and your next life will be same. Do what you have to do, lest you will be forced to do things that you should avoid. You will find yourself in such a situation.
Deen will come in life only through hard work. You have to put some efforts even to get some salt. First thing that connects Deen to a person is faith, strong belief. This was Prophet’s first call. Arab community was wallowing in abhorable depths in each facet of life. They had separate idol for each day, their prayers were filled with nakedness and they did not hesitate to bury an infant alive. Prophet’s first attention was towards Imaan. Imam Gazzali (rah) declared that growth of Ummath is tied to faith; their decline started when their faith diminished. Sahabas attained faith through severe sacrifices. Ali (rali) explained that his faith would not increase or decrease a bit even if heaven and hell are kept in front of his eyes. Imaan is two fold; believing God’s presence and believing success lies only in following Prophet. Sahabas first learned Imaan. Then they learned Quran. The result was that they were able to follow Allah’s commands as and when they came. They completely renounced liquor and usury.
Circumstances are created from actions. Actions are a result of faith. Good efforts will render faith. Prophet witnessed in Mihraj journey that actions from humans are ascending towards heaven and Allah’s judgements were racing towards earth.