Allah Ta’ala has Honoured the Right Over the Left
The Key to success is to follow the Sunnah and lifestyle of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم in all actions. Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم actions are of two types:
- lbadat (Outward forms of worship) e.g. salah , fasting, zakah, Hajj, etc.
- Adat (habits) e.g. eating, drinking, sleeping, standing, etc.
It is necessary for a Muslim to follow both of the above, since Allah has Commanded us to follow Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم without any restriction.
“Whatever the messenger gives you, accept it, and whatever he prohibits you from, abstain.” Muhammad ibn Aslam 4iik, never ate watermelons in his life, since he did not know the manner in which Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ate them.
Once, a saint erred by wearing his left sock first. He expiated this by giving away a huge amount of wheat. From the above we learn that complete success lies in following all the habits of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم since there are
countless benefits in this. To be deprived of such a great bounty due to negligence, is the height of foolishness.
The Benefits one will attain in Total Obedience:
You are aware that the heart and limbs have a special connection. The effect of all actions performed by the limbs, reach the heart. Therefore, as long as the movements of one’s limbs do not reach the level ofmoderation, the heart cannot attain complete illumination and potential, since the heart is like a mirror. A mirror can only truly reflect the light of the sun, when three factors are found:
- It is polished
- Its surface is illuminated
- Its surface is completely smooth, not warped
Similarly, when these three qualities are found in the heart it will become a reflection of Allah ‘s Tajalliyat (Special Mercies).
- a.It is polished by abstaining from lustful desires and evil character.
- b.It is illuminated by dhikrullah and the Ma`rifah (recognition) of Allah Ta`ala
- c. Its warped nature is removed by bringing the actions of the limbs into equilibrium.
The Wisdom And Benefits of Following The Sunnah
Equilibrium (Pidaal) refers to placing everything in its -proper place(… For example, of the four directions Allah Ta’ala has given Honour to the direction of the Qiblah. For this reason, all good actions, whether they be dhikr, wudu or dua., should all be done facing the Qiblah.
Those actions which are regarded as lowly, such as passing of urine and stool, sexual intercourse, etc. should be done by turning away from the Qiblah.
Thus, by establishing the honour of the Qiblah, one remains in equilibrium. Allah Ta’ala has Honoured the right hand over the left.
Therefore, keep its honour in mind at all times. For example, raise the Duran Sharif, eat food, drink, etc. with the right hand; and lowly work e.g.istinja (purification after passing urine or stool), cleaning one’s nose or placing one’s hand on an impure object should be done with the left hand.
Begin wearing your clothing and shoes from the right. Enter the masjid with the right foot, and emerge with the left foot. In short, keeping in mind the status of everything is referred to as equilibrium. By this external equilibrium, the heart becomes balanced. If you cannot understand this, then try it out.
You must have already witnessed that those who are in the habit of speaking the truth, have truthful dreams. Those who speak lies, have false dreams. The reason for this is that truthfulness causes equilibrium, steadfastness and rectitude to enter the heart; and through lies the heart becomes warped. Poets are accustomed to speaking lies and futility.
Therefore, their helm become warped. Hence, as far as possible, do not give place to lies and futile thoughts, or else equilibrium will not remain within the heart.
Medication is of two types. Some medication is such, that its effect and reaction are compatible with reason. For example, since honey is hot, it will cause harm to people of hot temperaments, and it will benefit people of a cold temperament. However, these types of medication are few. Most medication is such, that its effect and reaction are not understood through reason alone; it is a special characteristic peculiar to that medicine which causes healing. The characteristics of everything are known either through ilham (inspiration), or wahi (revelation) or experience e.g. scamnony is a laxative, and draws bile from the veins. The specialty of a magnet is that it attracts metal. The effects of these two are known through experience.
In this way, the effects of actions are of Two types:
- There is a clear relationship in some actions and their effects, e.g. fulfilling one’s bestial desires and hankering after worldly pleasures is harmful, because at the time of death one will definitely undergo sorrow, due to having to part from these pleasures. Thus, there is a dear relationship between these pleasures and their harms.
Another example is that of dhikrullah which is beneficial. By means of dhikr, ma’rifah (recognition) is attained. Due to ma’rifah, Love of Allah in created in the heart. The result of Divine Love is that one will have enthusiasm and intense desire for the everlasting pleasures. Thus, when leaving the world, there will be no sorrow. One will depart laughing and happily, desiring to meet his Beloved AllahTa`ala. Thus, the relationship between dhikrullah and its fruits and effects, is apparent.
2. There is an unknown relationship in other actions and their effects.
Regarding this second type, the characteristics of these can only be learnt via revelation (wahi) and the light of nabuwwat. Most of the injunctions of Shariah are of this type. When one finds that Rasulullah * has given preference to one permissible action over another, despite having the ability to do both, e.g. it is possible to make istinja with the right hand. Vithen Rasulullah * used the left hand instead of the right, this is a sign that he did so knowing its intrinsic characteristic. Without doubt there is a special benefit in this, the wisdom of which is beyond the understanding of most people. It is amazing that the characteristics of stones and medication as explained by the doctor Muhammad inn Zakariyya Rani, is accepted without any reservations. However, the specialties of a’flail (actions) mentioned by the most virtuous of mankind, Muhammad through the means of the illumination of nub-mmah and divine revelation, is not believed, and is regarded to be contrary to intellect. 0 Muslims! Be convinced that whatever the spiritual doctor does, there is definitely benefit therein, even though its benefit cannot be understood by you.
Man has not been created free like animals. He is the most honorable of creation. He has been commanded to follow the Divine Law. Therefore, it is appropriate that whatever you do, you should (lo it according to the Sunnah, so that the nafs is made to be obedient and ruled; and you can then imbibe the qualities of angels. Understand that servitude means humbleness. It is thus necessary for a servant that whatever action he does, he should do so with the intention of following Rasulullah and obeying his command. in doing so the effects of servitude will be apparent at all times, and one will attain the reward of being perpetually obedient. Being constrained is such a condition, that if any person has to hand over all his affairs to an animal, it will be better than that of a, person who only follows his desires.
The last-mentioned benefit will be attained by implementation of Shar’i laws, no matter how the command is established, since the actual objective is to be bound in a specific manner. This is attained by following any system and way of life. Thus even though there have been different codes of law sent to different Ambiya this special benefit was found in all. This is contrary to the other benefits, whose wisdoms and specialties are something specific, and they do not change in all the different Shariahs. If you have understood these benefits, the importance of following the Sunnah in all your actions will become evident.
