“Hamnah! I’ve told you a hundred times – place your dirty clothes in the washing basket! Don’t leave them lying on the floor!” mum shouted. Hearing this, Hamnah replied, “Mum! You always tell me the same thing! Dirty clothes, dirty clothes, dirty clothes! I’m tired of hearing about my dirty clothes!” Hamnah’s mother replied, “Well, the reason why I keep telling you the same thing, over and over, is because you still haven’t listened to me and done what I said!”
The above exchange, though fictitious, will certainly resonate with many parents who face the frustration of dealing with children who need to be given the same instruction multiple times before it registers and gains their attention. Nevertheless, the point is that in order to drill the basics and fundamentals into a person, until it becomes a part of their life, a lot of repetition will be required.
This is the reason why many ‘Ulama and people engaging in Deeni efforts (such as da’wah and tableegh) continue to speak on the same topics, week in and week out. Observing this, some people complain that they are tired of repeatedly hearing about imaan and salaah, and say that they want to hear interesting, modern and exotic topics.
While these types of exotic topics do have some importance and benefit, it is undeniably more pertinent to first encourage people to perform salaah, as this is a fardh obligation which is lacking in many people’s lives. One of the first questions put to a person after he will be resurrected will be in regard to his salaah. Hence, until the basics and fundamentals are not in order, there will remain an urgent need to keep on speaking about them, as it is not possible for a person to make any progress until he is firmly grounded in the basics and fundamental teachings of Islam.
Thus, when we open the Quraan Majeed, we find that Allah Ta‘ala repeats the same instruction, and the same incidents, time and again for the benefit of the Ummah. The commands to establish salaah and to adopt taqwa, and the incidents of Nabi Aadam (‘alaihis salaam) and Shaitaan, and Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) and Fir‘aun, are some of the commands and incidents which Allah Ta‘ala has repeated numerous times in His divine kitaab.
Here, a true believer will never say, “I’m tired of hearing the same story”. Rather, from the repetition he will understand the grave importance of the command or topic, and accordingly make an effort to inculcate it in his life.
When we examine the life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as well, we find that he would also mention certain points repeatedly, highlighting their emphasis and importance. One such example is mentioned in the narration of Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who says, “Seldom did Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) deliver a sermon to us without mentioning the following, ‘There is no imaan for the one who does not have (the quality of) trustworthiness, and there is no Deen for the one who does not keep to his word.’” (Musnad Ahmad #12567) In other words, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) repeated this same advice in almost every sermon which he delivered to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
In reality, if a person hears a sermon with the correct intention – of reforming his life and drawing nearer to Allah Ta‘ala, then the same point, hadeeth or incident being repeated will not irk or bore him. Every time he hears it, he will feel encouraged and motivated. In fact, if one possesses true love for Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Islam, then he will never tire of hearing the words of Deen – even if repeated – just as a lover never tires of hearing the same words and endearments of love declared by the beloved.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the intention has changed and become corrupted. When attending a Deeni program or listening to a lecture, then instead of intending to reform ourselves, we hope to be entertained with interesting facts, juicy incidents and things we have never heard before. This mindset – of seeking entertainment in the name of Deen – is most reprehensible and has been condemned in the Quraan Majeed. Allah Ta‘ala says, “Leave those who have taken their Deen as play and entertainment, and whom the worldly life has deluded.” (Surah An‘aam v70)
On one occasion, the eminent Sahaabi, Sayyiduna Salmaan Faarsi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was seated in the masjid in the city of Madaa-in. Learning of his presence, people began to flock to the masjid in droves, until approximately one thousand people had gathered around him. Seeing the large crowd, Sayyiduna Salmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) bade them to sit, after which he began to recite Surah Yusuf before them.
At this, the people began to disperse and depart, until only about one hundred people remained. Sayyiduna Salmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was angered and said, “It was flowery (and entertaining) discourses that you wanted. When I then recited the Book of Allah Ta‘ala before you (which is the main source of guidance), you went away.” (Hilyatul Awliyaa vol. 1, pg. 273)
Therefore, before sitting for any discourse, listening to any lecture, reading any literature or visiting any scholar, we must rectify our intention and ensure that the knowledge we are acquiring is from a reliable source. If we hear a message that is repeated, we must think to ourselves, “The reason why he is repeating this is because I have still failed to bring it into my life.”
Insha-Allah, if we adopt this sincere and humble attitude, Allah Ta‘ala will bless us and we will progress.