Australia: Shaykh-ul-Islam addresses second session of Al Hidayah 2024

On the second day of Al-Hidayah 2024, His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivered an insightful lecture on "Spiritual Company and Traveling Towards Allah Subhanahu wa Ta-Aala," drawn from Al-Risalah Al-Qadriyya.

His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam was accompanied by Chairman Supreme Council Dr. Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri, President Minhaj-ul-Quran International Prof. Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, President Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League International Dr. Ghazala Qadri, Mrs. Fizzah Hussain Qadri, and Shaykh Ahmad Mustafa al-Arabi al-Qadri.

His Eminence delved deep into the concept of sohbah (companionship) and its critical role in our spiritual journey towards Allah (SWT). He eloquently explained the significance of both inner and outer companionship, using profound examples and Quranic references to illustrate his points.

Dr. Qadri began by explaining the two types of sohbah: inner and outer. Outer sohbah involves the company of friends, family, and those around us, while inner sohbah pertains to the companionship within our being, encompassing our body and soul. He emphasized that the physical and spiritual aspects are in constant conflict. The body seeks worldly pleasures, while the soul yearns for divine connection. The heart becomes the battleground where this struggle unfolds, influenced by whichever force gains control. The nafs (ego) represents materialism, while the soul represents rabaniyat (divine nature).

Shaykh-ul-Islam elaborated that bodyliness and spiritual being represent two opposing aspects within a person. The physical body, created from earthly materials like clay and mud, harbors traits such as anger, desires, and greed, which can lead to moral decay if not controlled. On the other hand, the spiritual being, infused with Allah's divine spirit, seeks purity, worship, and connection with the divine. He mentioned that consuming halal food positively impacts both physical health and spiritual well-being. He noted that vegetarians tend to be more humble, while meat-eaters may be more energetic and sometimes arrogant, highlighting how consumption influences behavior and spiritual state. He urged the audience to see the signs of Allah's creation in natural elements, enhancing spiritual awareness and connection to the divine.

His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam concluded that maintaining the purity of the six doors—eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, and stomach—ensures the purification of the inner self. Keeping the company of God-conscious individuals fortifies one's spiritual journey.

Esteemed attendees and a substantial gathering of youth from across Australia graced the event with their presence.