A group started a Qur‟aan Khatam practice via whatsapp.

Answer

Firstly, the whatsapp group is not permissible. These are generally gheebat groups and timewasters, hence they are ‗brothers of the shayaateen' according to the Qur'aan Majeed. On the assumption that this specific group is not a gheebat group, then too the method of doling out the Qur'aan Majeed smacks of riya (show/ostentation). It is frivolous and the imposition of a specific Ajza to specific persons is bid'ah.

If one of the group members does not recite his/her juz, for example, he/she will either suffer pangs of conscience or he/she will trade the lie of having recited it. If someone feels it difficult to recite the Juz, then too he/she will feel

obliged to recite in view of the undertaking given. These are haraam impositions.

Furthermore, the whatsapp stunt is not the way of organizing a Masnoon act of Isaale-Thawaab. It is not something new. It existed since the inception of Islam. The correct way is NOT to ask anyone - NOT to lobby people -NOT to solicit them for rendering acts of Isaal-e-Thawaab. Whoever wishes to recite the Qur'aan Majeed for the Isaal-e- Thawaab of anyone, he/she should do so of his/her own accord. This is not an issue to canvass. It is not a political stunt to influence others to perform acts of Isaal-e- Thawaab for one's parents or relatives.

A frivolous, gheebat medium is being used to make bid'ah impositions on people. It is the application of indirect pressure to induce others to submit to one's desire. Thus, the sincerity of the reciters is severely compromised or even negated while the organizer's sincerity is wrecked with riya.

No one, whether relatives or friends, should be canvassed for reciting the Qur'aan Majeed as Isaal-e- Thawaab for one's deceased relatives. If the persons who are indirectly pressurized to recite have true feelings for the mayyit, there would not be a need to impose on them via the gheebat medium. Ibaadat should not be advertised. This whatsapp khatam is a mock-

ery and a riya stunt.

(Faqeer in this context means a Buzrug, not a pauper).

The Mughal king Aurangzeb (Rahmatullah alayh) is well known for his piety. In fact, he was among the Auliya of Allah Ta'ala. Once he expressed the desire for meeting Hadhrat Shah Abdur Raheem Dehlawi (Rahmatullah alayh), the father of Hadhrat Shah Waliyullah (Rahmatullah alayh). Aurangzeb had requested a very close Mureed of Hadhrat Shah Abdur Raheem to invite Hadhrat to the palace. The Mureed said that Hadhrat Shah Abdur Raheem would not accede to his request because he believed that it was improper for him to visit the palaces and mansions of kings and the wealthy.

The King then requested another Shaikh who was a close associate of Hadhrat Shah Abdur Raheem to invite him to the palace. Despite the pleadings of the Shaikh, Hadhrat Shah Abdur Raheem refused to accede to the request. The Shaikh begged Hadhrat Shah Abdur Raheem to at least write a letter to the king.

Hadhrat Shah Abdur Raheem (Rahmatullah alayh) took a scrap of paper and wrote:

"Evil is the Faqeer who goes to the door of the ameer (the wealthy/king).": This is the Ijma‟ (Consensus) of the Ahlullah (the Auliya). Furthermore, Allah Ta‟ala says: „The provision of this worldly life is nothing but little.‟

From this „little‟, you have been given an infinitesimal portion. If on assumption, you want to give me something from this infinitesimal portion, it will be like an atom. Why should I have my name deleted from the Divine Record (of Auliya) for the sake of the minute amount you can offer me?

It is confirmed from the Malfoothaat of the Mashaaikh-e-Chisht that whoever has his name recorded by a king, his name will be deleted from the Record of Allah Ta‟ala."

King Aurangzeb treasured this letter with considerable honour. He placed it in his pocket. Whenever he would change garments, he would place this letter in its pocket. Sometimes he would read it, reflect and shed tears.

(Niqaat-e-Ma'rifat)

Shaikh Naqshabandi (Rahmatullah alayh), a Buzrug of high rank, was a descendent of Shaikh Ahmad Sarhindi (Mujaddid Alf-e-Thaani) - Rahmatullah alayh. Once he said to a gathering of Ahlullah (Auliya, Sufis - those of Sulook): ―The Durwaish of this class (i.e. Naqshabandiyyah) besides old worn out spiritual subtleties, are unaware of fresh spiritual subtleties (Niqaat-e-Irfaan).‖

In response, Hadhrat Waala said: ―No, it is not so. Some persons (Auliya) of this Tabqah (Class) are in possession of a wealth of such new Ma-aarif which conveys the conviction that they are not the Muqallid of anyone (in the sphere of Ma-aarif and Irfaan).‖

Shaikh Naqshabandi said: ―If this is indeed so, then do elaborate on some of these new subtleties to enlighten us.‖ Hadhrat Waala (citing a Hadith) said: ―Speak to people according to their level of intellect.‖ By this he implied that the audience was not at such a level of spirituality to comprehend lofty spiritual subtleties which have hitherto been unheard of.

Shaikh Naqshabandi said: ―The majority of this audience is of the Ahl-e-Sulook.‖ Thus, according to him, they would readily understand the spiritual realities. Hadhrat Waala said: ―With regard to some extremely subtle points of Ma'rifat, even many Ahlullah are on the level of the Awaam (laymen, masses).‖

Hadhrat Maulana Akhtar Sahib (Rahmatullah alayh) had delivered a bayaan in a Musjid in Dubai. Some employees of Sharjah TV were also present at the bayaan. After the bayaan they commented that if Hadhrat Akhtar appeared on Sharjah TV, numerous people will come close to Allah Ta'ala and even embrace Islam. The khaadim conveyed this message and request of Sharjah TV to Hadhrat Akhtar. Hadhrat responded as follows:

―Ask them that if there is a spoon fitted with diamonds worth millions of rupees, and their aunt cleans the faeces of her child with this spoon, then cleans the spoon, then presents a dish of porridge to you to eat with this spoon, would you eat it?‖

The Sharjah TV employees said: ‗No!'. Hadhrat Akhtar commented: ―How can I appear on TV on which they teach adultery, shamelessness, obscenity, eloping from home, court marriages, obscene dances, shameless dresses, theft, alcoholism and addiction. We are the followers of such Akaabir who do not watch even Hajj or any religious programs on TV.

TV is a device of sin. It will destroy our children. Our Deen is not dependent on any media.‖

(End of Hadhrat Hakeem Akhtar's comments)

GHEEBAT

Although gheebat is among the worse of the major sins, Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah alayh) said that it is permissible to make gheebat of three persons: a zaalim (cruel person/ oppressor), a faasiq (a flagrant sinner) and a bid'ati (an innovator). Gheebat in this context means to mention their evil deeds for saving others from indulging therein. They may be criticized for their acts of zulm, fisq and bid'ah.

Seeing Rasulullah in

Dreams

―He who sees Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in a dream has seen only him (not anyone else). However, the vision being in different forms is because Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is also a Mirror. A person saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in a dream smoking hookah. I said to him: ‗You have seen your own condition in the Mirror of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).'‖

(Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi) [This person used to smoke hookah].