Shaykh ul Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivers a soul-stirring talk on religion & its etiquette

On the 9th night of MQI’s Itikaf, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri engaged in an inspiring talk with thousands of male and female participants of Itikaf City on the topic of "Religion and Etiquette." He said that whoever cleanses oneself from the dominance of evil and conquers the evil impulses, that person becomes successful. The one who involves oneself in sins and suppresses goodness becomes aimless and unsuccessful.

“Etiquette is defined as bringing out the inherent virtues, goodness, and beauty inside a person so that they don't remain hidden and suppressed but come out to become the actual nature. If your actions align with the commandments of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH), then they become righteous deeds. And whatever righteous deeds you do, adorn them with the utmost beauty and excellence to turn them into etiquette. Not causing discomfort in the actions of giving more than what is due or necessary to someone is the way of good conduct and good etiquette,” Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri stated while explaining the concept of etiquette.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that our entire religion is filled with etiquette, and whoever lacks etiquette, it seems as if they lack religion. Allah Almighty, His Messenger (PBUH), the Companions, the Ahlul Bayt, the religious scholars, and every creature have their etiquette. Unfortunately, our perception of religion and life has become completely devoid of etiquette, he regretted.

Dr Qadri said that Allah Almighty has taught the Ummah the etiquette of the Messenger's (PBUH) court, and He has made the etiquette of the Messenger's (PBUH) court as His own etiquette. The etiquette of the Prophet's (PBUH) court and everything related to him (PBUH) is obligatory upon us because even though he (PBUH) is hidden from worldly life, he (PBUH) is still alive. The authentic Hadith states: Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah, (peace and blessings be upon him), said: "When someone sends greetings upon me, Allah returns my soul to me, and I respond to the one who sends greetings." The Prophets would exhibit the etiquette of the divine court by attributing their sickness or weakness to themselves but attributing their recovery and success to Allah. During the encounter between Hazrat Musa (AS) and Khidr, the latter preferred the repair of the ship as an act of etiquette towards Allah, although the protection of the treasure was attributed to Allah.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that in the conversation between Hazrat Musa (AS) and the sorcerers of Pharaoh, before the contest, the sorcerers politely requested Hazrat Musa (AS) to cast his staff first or should they. Only due to this etiquette did Allah Almighty bless all the sorcerers with faith. On the Day of Judgment, Hazrat Isa (Jesus) will be asked about what he said to Christians. He will express his etiquette by saying: "O my Lord! You know better what I said." Due to the respect of the divine court, he did not even present his explanation.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that Allah Almighty has taught in Surah Al-Hujurat the etiquette of the court of the Master of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him. You are prohibited from calling, addressing, or speaking to him in the manner of common people. Some companions mistakenly called Hazrat Ali (AS) from outside the room loudly, so Allah, the Lord of Honor, reprimanded them, saying that they did not have the intellect and understanding of the respect of the Messenger's (PBUH) court. The etiquette of the Prophet's (PBUH) court is still observed in the same way as it was in his worldly life.

“Unfortunately, our religion has become devoid of etiquette today. MQI is a movement of distinction because it has given people a sense of etiquette, supported by evidence. It has revitalized the concepts of etiquette and modesty and reinforced the boundaries that ensure the safety of religion. MQI is a movement of religious etiquette. My message is of maturity in religion, belief in the existence of Allah, understanding why we believe in God, and understanding the true religion. Spread the message of the religion that is adorned with etiquette to people so that your entire lives are illuminated with etiquette until your last breath, and through it, your religion is protected,” Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri advised the people attending Itikaf.