Our Twigs and Sticks – “Our Good Deeds Are Even Bad Deeds.” “Will You Ever Find A Nursery Like This, Where You Can Purchase With One Flower A Bed Of Roses?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Hazrat [Haji Imdaadullah (رحمة الله‎), the Shaikh of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (رحمة الله‎)] would say: “Our good deeds are even bad deeds.”
And why not? Have you ever heard of anyone paying for sticks and twigs the price which is paid for sugar candy? With sugar candy it [the sticks holding the sugar candy; similarly the sticks holding ice cream or the twigs holding grapes] has to be taken. But, will anyone purchase only the sticks for that price?

He—Allah Ta’ala—takes half a life—i.e. a little effort—and gives in return a thousand lives—i.e. innumerable bounties. What you cannot even conceive, He gives.”
In worldly contracts work is taken fully and one receives less than what one desires. Even if a king has to give someone lavishly, then too the desire is to receive more. There [in the Aakhirat], regardless of this deficient service [or ours] the exchange will be so great which:
مَا لََ عََيٌْْ رََأَتْ وََلَ اَُذَ نٌََُ سَََِعَتْ وََلََخَطَرََ عََلى قََ لْبِ بََشَر
“no eye has seen, no ear has heard of and nor has it crossed the heart of any human.”

“Will You Ever Find A Nursery Like This, Where You Can Purchase With One Flower A Bed Of Roses?

He [Allah Ta’ala] is such a purchaser that if the appearance [of our deeds] is in order He will purchase it. Accordingly, you will see in Qiyaamat.
The virtue expressed in the Hadeeth Shareef for Rukoo’ and Sujood is general. It is not mentioned that there should be no thought of cattle in the heart. [It should be borne in mind that ‘thought’ here refers to involuntary thought. Voluntary and intentional thought of worldly affairs certainly impairs the Namaaz and decreases the thawaab. In fact, such intentional thoughts are negative of the sanctity of Namaaz and one is liable to answer in the Court of Allah Ta’ala for despoiling the Namaaz in this despicable manner.]
Yes, I’tidaal [composure and tranquillity] is necessary. In this regard, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said to the person who did not observe I’tidaal:
صََلِِّ فََاِنَّكَ لَََْ تَُصَلَِِّ

“Read your Namaaz for you have not read Namaaz.”

He did not ask: “Was there any heart and soul to your Namaaz or not?” This is the Rahmat conferred [by Allah Ta’ala] through the medium of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Beginners have been instructed with I’tidaal, however, no imposition of the soul has been placed.

Isaa (Alaihis Salaam) would firstly make a model. Then he would blow life into it. Similarly, you should also firstly form a model [i.e. carry out the external acts of Ibaadaat]. Life will be blown into it afterwards. However, form a complete model, not an unfinished one. Otherwise, when life is put into it then too it will serve no purpose on account of being underdeveloped.

Moderation is desired in everything. Thus, there is a greater need for moderation in Namaaz, as opposed to istighraaq [engrossment to the degree of being oblivious of everything else]. Therefore, do not feel that if there is no istighraaq then the Namaaz is futile.
Orators have concocted the meaning of this poem:
“Tasbeeh on the tongue but, in the heart the thought of cattle!
Of what benefit is such a zikr?” to be that such a Namaaz is of no benefit.

Understand well that the day these inner things [concentration, sincerity, devotion, etc.] will be bought the price will be these external acts [of Ibaadaat].

Aren’t you aware that rich people even value artificial fruit, purchasing it and praising the maker for his reproduction of the original? It won’t be strange if the same happens to you there [in the Hereafter]. My friend! Just watch! It will be the same. Allah Ta’ala Himself declares:
اِنَّ اَلله اَشْتََى مَِنَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِيَْْ اََنْ فُسَهُمْ وََاَمْوََالََمُْ بَََِنَّ لَََمُُ اَلَْْنَّة
“Listen! Allah Ta’ala has purchased from Muslims their lives and their wealth in exchange for Jannat.”

Right now a subtle point has come to my mind. Allah Ta’ala says: اَنْ فُسَهُمْ وََاَمْوَالََمَُْ [their lives and their wealth]. He did not say ا عََْمَالََمَُْ
وَاَمْوَالََمَُْ [their deeds and their wealth]. It implies: No deeds? You have yourself and wealth. Give Zakaat and money is spent; read Namaaz and you have put yourself through strain. That is bought. Though your self and wealth may not be recognizable forms of Ibaadat, however, they will gain recognition [by Us] on the proviso that you engage them in a’maal [deeds]. Then, it does not matter if that amal [deed] turns out imperfect.

What Rahmat! Your horse died, but He paid you for the housing. [In other words, just as it would be a gesture of graciousness on the part of the purchaser to pay you or buy the housing, whereas the actual item—the horse—died, similarly, it is the Grace of Allah Ta’ala to reward us for our deficient actions]. This is the subtlety I have just now understood from اَنْ فُسَهُمَْ .
Be that as it may, regardless of this not being the Tafseer [of the aforementioned Aayat] my speech is not dependent on this Tafseer. This purport is present in other Nusoos [Qur’aanic or Hadeeth texts].

ي بَُدِِّلُ اَللهُ سََيَِِّئََاتِِمْ حََسَنَات
“Allah Ta’ala will convert their evil deeds to good deeds.”

What Rahmat!

Extracted from:
THE ESSENCE OF TARAAWEEH (condensed)
Hakeemul Ummat Mujaddidul Millat Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi
(Quddisa Sirruhul Azeez)

Translated and Published by:
Jamiatul Ulama Gauteng