Correspondence of Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahimahullah)

Letter:

As Salaamu ‘alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh

Maulana, despite having spent 5 years at madrasah, and being occupied in the service of deen, I still find myself weak with regard to nafs (the carnal self) and Shaitaan. I still fall into some sin or the other. This makes me very despondent and a feeling of darkness envelops me. I carry out some good actions and then spoil them with some bad deed. There are times when I find myself intending to do something displeasing to Allah Ta‘ala, then though I find restlessness in my heart, I give in to nafs and Shaitaan. After this, I cry in repentance, but after some time, fall into some sin again.

Reply:

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Sister in Islam

Wa ‘alaikumus Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh

1. The hadeeth states that all of the children of Hazrat Aadam (‘alaihis salaam) are sinners but the best of them are those who make taubah. “To err is human” – but every experience, good or bad, should be a means by which we draw lessons. As we go through the mill of life, we draw from our experiences and learn about the dark and dangerous zones of life, the red light areas, and the green light areas of life. But it becomes easier to escape the dark alleys of sins, when we follow someone who has a lamp or torch. Sometimes we think that the short cut is better, but the longer route is spiritually safer. However, it is only a spiritual guide who can lead us down the right path … otherwise, nafs and Shaitaan make us branch off at some stage, taking us far from Allah Ta‘ala’s pleasure. Allah Ta‘ala protect us all.

2. The fatwa (ruling) given by your heart, by means of the restlessness, was that this deed is wrong.

3. Regret, remorse and tears of repentance are dearly loved by Allah Ta‘ala. It even honours a person with higher spiritual stages, conditional to the person being sincere. So be hopeful. Allah Ta‘ala is Loving, Merciful and Forgiving. Alhamdulillah, He has given you the taufeeq (ability) of taubah, but this should not make you complacent.

4. Retrace your steps to obedience. Give up sins and continue with the fardh, waajib and sunnah. Allah Ta‘ala will grant the taufeeq (ability) to do even more when you prove yourself in the efforts that you will now make to obey Him.

5. Read the books “Combating the whisperings of Shaitaan” and “Aashiq-e-Sawdiq” (available for download from www.yunuspatel.co.za). Insha Allah, there will be benefit and improvement.

Was Salaamu ‘alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh

Yunus Patel (Maulana)