THE

PROGRESSIVE SLIDE;

THEN & NOW

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Its a common fact; the further we progress in time from the era of Rasulullah (sallallahualaihi wasallam), the more we degenerate on a universal basis. The scary part is the speed with which we are currently deteriorating! Emphasis on the inner self Islam has always emphasised on the internal self rather than the mere appearance of an action. By offering a sacrifice during Eidul Adha no meat or blood reaches Allah; and neither are they the objectives of this obligation. Allah Taala says: Their meat nor blood reaches Allah, but it is your taqwa (piety) that does (Surah Al-Haj, verse:37) For this reason we are allowed to consume the meat ourselves. In fact according to some scholars, it is incumbent for one to partake of his own animal of sacrifice. Another example by which we can understand this philosophy of Islam is the Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallahualaihi wasallam) said: One dirham (at times) surpasses one hundred thousand dirhams. The Sahabah (radiyallahu anhum) enquired the reason to which he (sallallahualaihi wasallam) replied: One person has abundant wealth and donates a hundred thousand there from, while another man only has 2 dirhams, from which he donates 1 dirham! (Nasai, declared sahih by Imams Ibn Khuzaimah- hadith: 2443 & Ibn Hibban- hadith:3347 -rahimahumallah) In other words, sometimes when the charity of two separate people are compared, outwardly one of them may have contributed far more than the other (even a hundred times more) but the intention, sacrifice, and heart with which that one dirham was given cannot be matched by the one who donated one hundred thousand times more! The Real Thing In the light of this principle, we would understand the following: Having the Quran is not sufficient; the actual reward lies in reciting it and abiding by it. Having an Islamic ringtone or wallpaper doesnt define one as truly Islamic. The beauty and number of the Masajid do not matter as much as the numbers of those who frequent it does. The same goes to any other aspect of Deen; its the quality rather than quantity that counts; its the inner spirit with which an action is carried out that has a greater impact compared to the outer image.

A Lesson from the Recent Past Unfortunately, presently we (the Ummah at large) have attached such importance to the outer appearance that we have become oblivious of the actual essence of these acts of worship. In the years gone by, when a person would go for Haj, it would be a unique experience for the entire community. The people would accompany the prospective Haji to the outskirts of the town, or to the train station, the seaport, or airport. Emotions would be high; tears would be rolling down the cheeks of the envious onlookers. This future Haji would be given a stack of papers with various requests; requests of a sublime nature. Some would be requests for dua to be blessed with children, others may ask that Allah grant them suitable partners etc. A few would ask that their dua be made at a specific location or in a particular time in the blessed lands. This Haji would try his best to fulfil these requests and more often than not, the desired results would be achieved. Upon his return, the atmosphere would be electric, the airports or seaports would be crowded, and people would be full of anticipation to meet the returning Haji; to request his duas once more as Rasulullah (sallallahualaihi wasallam) said: O Allah! Forgive the Haji and all those on behalf of whom he seeks forgiveness. (Mustadrak Hakim, vol.1, pg.441) One Hadith states:

When you meet a (returning) Haji, then greet him and ask him to seek forgiveness on your behalf before he enters his home, for his duas are (more) accepted until then.
(Musnad Ahmad, hadith: 5371 & Majmauz zawaid, 4/16)

Meeting the Haji upon his return was the habit of the Sahabah (radiyallahuanhum) as well. (Musnad Ahmad, hadith: 6018)
This entire experience was a moving one. It affected both parties; those who performed the Haj and those who didnt. And Now Today people still go for Haj, in fact the numbers are much more as well, but the spirit of the both; the prospective Haji as well as those remaining behind are no more there. The Haji in most cases leaves and arrives un-noticed. Nowadays those who go for Haj are still handed a stack of requests; requests of a very different kind. Some of them request a particular watch, others demand a specific clothing item or gaming device. Even today the location and exact spot is mentioned in these requests, but these are the locations of shops; locations outside the actual places of worship. This is just a single example. The following table shows the extent of our slide down the slope of retrogression:

Once upon a time we had: THEN: Less wealth but more Barakah (blessing) Smaller homes with bigger hearts

At the present time, we have: AND NOW: More earnings, but its never enough Larger Homes, but smaller hearts

Less Masajid, Huffaz, Ulama etc, but more respect An abundance of them, but no respect for them Less forms of communication, but were more in touch A flood of communication tools, but are less in with each other contact More children and were able to discipline them Lesser children and equally less control over them Simple weddings with lasting joy Less knowledge, but more practice Lavish wedding ceremonies with more break ups. A flood of information but a drought in action!

Ironically, despite being aware of this free-fall we remain heedless in stopping it! May Allah Taala guide us all and may he restore the days of glory that the Ummah needs so badly. Ameen.