Words of Wisdom regarding marriage

Sheikhul Hadeeth (rahmatullahi 'alayh) reminds us here of the ridiculous nature of the customs that we have attached to the islamic wedding ceremony, especially those of us from the Indian Subcontinent. This is a reminder that riya during such functions is against the Sunnah of our Beloved Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) and that going against the Sunnah is not to be taken lightly at all...

Rasulluah Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam also said: "That nikah has more blessings in it, in which least expenditure is incurred." It is a pity that we have through our customs made it the most difficult thing. No one knows how many salaahs are left unperformed because of it. Some times a greater museebat [calamity] is this: that the bride's party is sent off just at a time when salaah is to be performed, as a result of which the bride, bridegroom and the whole party miss the salaah. When that is the beginning of the union, is it any wonder that the end of it is arguments, disputes and corruption?

Ulema have written that the child that is conceived at a time of salaah (which is not performed) will tend to be disobedient to parents and troublesome to them. May Allah guide us and set us aright!

A worse museebat is that as a result of our customs, girls remain unmarried till late in life, the reason being that financial arrangements cannot be made. Even worse that this - often money has to be borrowed on interest, about which the Quran has passed a verdict that it is tantamount to a declaration of war from Allah and His Rasul Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam.

Who is there that can survive in a battle against Allah and His Rasul Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam? Often the excuse is brought that if all these things are not done, then our honour and dignity will be lost. I have seen many Elders have their marriages and the marriages of their loved ones performed according to the sunnat in utmost simplicity, without all this nonsensical rigmarole, but without any dishonour at all!!

The Wrestling Hafiz

The following story clearly demonstrates the value of repentence, and that the past is, or at least should be, forgotten once one has sincerely repented to Allah (subhaanahu wata'aalaa).

I had heard that previously Hafiz Saheb had been a wrestler. He had come to my grandfather asking for a ta'weez in order to overcome a certain opponent. It is said that grandfather really liked him, asked who he was, where he came from etc. It then became known that he was a wrestler who also had memorised the Quraan. Grandfather listened to his Quranic recitation, made him repent from wrestling and accepted his bay'at. He then offered him a salary of 2 rupees per month to teach the children. He placed him in the Neelgar Masjid to teach the children of the village. After my grandfather went away, the 'nobility' of the village considered it insulting that their children should be taught by the Neelgar people. They took their children out. When grandfather returned and heard the whole story, he was very angry and he built a madressa for Hafiz Saheb opposite the Juma Masjid in an old broken down mosque. After the death of my grandfather, he also had a close relationship with my father's eldest brother.

My late uncle (Maulana Ilyas) was also a student of his. I have seen on many occasions that whenever uncle visited Kandhla he treated Hafiz Saheb with great respect, even kissing his hand.

Hafiz Saheb had read the word for word translation of the Quraan from Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Siddeq Saheb, the Khalifa of Hazrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi. It is well known that for forty years, except for once, he never missed the salaah with the jamaat from the takbeer-oolaa [first takbeer]. He died in 1347 Hijri at the age of 90 years. The number of those that became Hafiz at hid hand were near to 400. He is buried in an orchard belonging to him on the road to Kerana.

Apology

Assalamu 'alaikum,

Sorry for the lack of posting. Du'aas are requested of all visitors for my sick grandmother. Jazaakallah khayran.