Itikaf City 2012: Day Four

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivered a special address to thousands of participants of 22nd Itikaf City from MQI London through video conferencing on August 13 (24th of Ramadan). Minhaj.tv relayed the proceedings around the world. A number of Indian channels also telecast the address of Shaykh-ul-Islam.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri continued his speech on the subject of intention. He said that if one forms the intention while going to Mosque that one would have an opportunity of a pious company there, then Allah Almighty creates love and tender feelings in the hearts of people there. This is an act which has many rewards and spiritual blessings not only in this world but also in the world here after.

He said that Allah Almighty would gather the people together who had love for one another on the Day of Judgment. One Hadith says that Allah Almighty is so merciful that He would not humiliate people in front of those whom they love.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that condition to love the Friends of Allah is cleanliness, piety, sincerity and love of Allah Almighty. Imam Basri says that when you think of befriending anyone, always think whether his friendship would stand you in good stead on the Day of Reckoning. There would be rat race at that time when even close relations would turn their back on one another. Parents, brothers, sisters and other relations would refuse to recognize one another. It would be pious people who would look after their friends. The Day of Judgment would be a picnic for them as they would be busy seeing their Lord and He would keep seeing them as well.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri asked people to stop being disloyal to Allah Almighty and the moment they do so, He would reward them with His intimacy. In other words, it means that one should starting acting upon commandments of Allah Almighty.

He said that the second intention should be that one was going to join the company of those who are pious and esteemed in the eyes of their Lord. According to Hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim, by loving the saints and friends of Allah, one becomes saint oneself. Allah Almighty says that those who love one another for His Sake, He makes loving them binding on Himself.

Shaykh-ul-Islam warned people to be wary of such religious scholars whose speeches would contain each and everything except love of the holy Prophet (SAW). They would hesitate to mention the Friends of Allah in their sermons. The fact, on the other hand, remains that Allah loves those who love their fellow human beings. He said that the hearts of saints are very tender, they do not get irritated at small and petty things. They always pray for welfare of the people and that is why the people love them.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri quoted an incident. Once Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi was traveling in a boat in which some people were singing and dancing. His followers got annoyed with their act and requested him to damn them. He lifted his hands and prayed to Allah Almighty that He should make them enjoy in paradise in the same manner as they are enjoying in this world.

When he reached home, his disciples asked him as to what he prayed for. ‘You prayed for paradise for them, they complained. Hearing this, he replied that he prayed for paradise because they would qualify for entry in it once they repented and changed their direction in life. It has been reported that all of the youths repented and everyone of them became a saint in his own right.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that it is way of the saint and holy people that they hate sin but not the sinner.