Shaykh Muhammad b. Yahya al-Ninowy’s words of praise for the recent publication of the translation of Imam ‘Abdullah Sirajuddin al-Husayni’s volume, Our Master Muhammad, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, The Messenger of Allah, His Sublime Character and Exalted Attributes, leaves one eager to read this glowing work, extolling the virtues and perfection of the best of creation, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam:
‘It is as though the Shaykh (ra) was looking directly at the Messenger of Allah (asws) before him as he wrote, deriving his beautiful expressions from the light of his (asws) countenance, so that by divine providence his insight was opened, and he grazed in the pastures of subtle secrets, uncovering the beauty and perfection of the Messenger’s (asws) character, imbibing the fragrance of the Prophetic Sunnah, bathing in the light of the Muhhammadan reality and its meanings, and tasting of its fruits, and then gathering all of these illuminations in a work so noble and rarefied that it would not be surprising if it were to be read to a sick person and so cure him.’
I wanted to share the following from the chapter ‘His Eloquence and Wisdom’, as an excellent preparatory lesson for the heart and soul as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Mubarak month of Ramadhan.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s counsel which encompassed wisdom and manners.
Abi Dharr RadhiAllahu anhu said: ‘I said, “O Messenger of Allah, counsel me.” He said: “I counsel you to be conscious of Allah, for it will beautify your whole affair.” (In another narration: “For it is the head of the entire affair.”)
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Recite the Qur’an, and make remembrance of Allah Ta’ala, for it is remarked of you in the heavens, and a light for you on the earth.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Be silent often, for it casts Satan out, and It aids you in your religious affairs.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Beware of much laughter, for it kills the heart, and takes the light of the face.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Speak the truth, even if it is bitter.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Do not fear to face criticism in Allah’s cause.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Let what you know about yourself prevent you from (finding fault) in others.” (note: Narrated by Imam Ahmad, Tabarani, Ibn Hibban in his Sahih and Hakim [and the wording is his] who said: ‘Its chain is rigorously authentic.’ [Al-Targhib])
The narration in Ibn Hibban’s Sahih adds, after his SallAllahu alaihi words ‘beware of much laughter’:
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Perform Jihad, for it is monasticism of my community.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Love the poor, and sit with them.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Look at those who are lower than you (note: that is in worldly affairs) and do not look at those who are higher than you, for it will be better to facilitate your not taking Allah’s blessings upon you lightly.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Speak the truth, even if it is bitter.”
I said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me more.”
He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Let that which you know about yourself prevent you from the people, (note: That is, let the faults that you know you have prevent you from speaking about others, and their deeds, for it is doubtful that you are free of defects like the defects of other people, or uglier, whether you recognize it or not. [Sharh al-Munawi] and do not take issue with what they do, (note: That is, do not be angry with them for what they do to you. [Sharh al-Munawi ‘ala al-Jami al-Saghir] it is enough of a defect that you should recognize in people that which you ignore in yourself.”
Tabarani’s narration has it: ‘”It is enough of a fault in a person that he has three attributes: he recognizes in people that which he ignores in himself, and he is ashamed of them for that which he is also guilty of, and he is ashamed of then for that which he is also guilty of, and he harms his companions.” The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then beat his hand on my (Abu Dharr’s) chest, and said: “O Abu Dharr, there is no intelligence like being prepared, and no piety like abstinence, (note: That is from that which the heart is troubled concerning its permissibility or impermissibility.) and there is no honour like good conduct.”’
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
