SOLUTION FOR CONFLICTS This booklet was written by Shaykh-e-Ṭarīqat Amīr-e- Aĥl-e-Sunnat, the founder of Dawat-e-Islami Ḥaḍ rat ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā Muḥammad Ilyās ‘Aṭṭār Qādirī Razavī ﮐin Urdu. The translation Majlis has translated this booklet into English. If you find any mistakes in the translation or composing, please inform the translation Majlis on the following address and gain Šawāb. Translation Majlis (Dawat-e-Islami) ‘Alami Madanī Markaz, Faizān-e-Madīnaĥ, Mahallaĥ Saudagran, Old Sabzī Mandī, Bāb-ul-Madīnaĥ, Karachi, Pakistan. Contact #: +92-21-34921389 to 91 [email protected]
Transcript
SOLUTION FOR
CONFLICTS
���������
This booklet was written by Shaykh-e-Ṭarīqat Amīr-e-Aĥl-e-Sunnat, the founder of Dawat-e-Islami Ḥaḍrat ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā Muḥammad Ilyās ‘Aṭṭār Qādirī Razavī
������� �� �ک�� � �� ��� ������� �� in Urdu. The translation Majlis has translated
this booklet into English. If you find any mistakes in the translation or composing, please inform the translation Majlis on the following address and gain Šawāb.
About this Booklet... or quite some time there was conflict amongst Islamic brothers of a particular European country and efforts for
reconciliation proved to be ineffective which was consequently affecting the Madanī work of Dawat-e-Islami. When Amīr-e-Aĥl-e-Sunnat ��� ������� �� �� �ک�� � �� ������� was informed of the matter, he sent a letter via a member of the International Affairs Department (Majlis-e-Baīn-ul-Aqwāmī Umūr) who travelled to that particular country from Bāb-ul-Madīnaĥ Karachi in Rajab-ul-Murajjab (1427). “‘Aṭṭār’s letter” was read out to the Islamic Brothers concerned who after hearing what it said, had tears in their eyes; they apologised to each other and signed a statement of reconciliation. This took place approximately 4 months ago and now ������� ����� � �� ����� ���� there is peace in that area. This has resulted in progress in Madanī work and Madanī Qāfilaĥs within that area.
This letter makes the reader ponder over the Hereafter and develop fear for Allāĥ ������� ����� wrath. It encourages reconciliation and peace. This revolutionary “Aṭṭār’s Letter” is being presented by Majlis-e-Maktūbāt-wa-Ta’wīżāt-e-‘Aṭṭāriyyaĥ with slight changes under the name “Solution for Conflicts” to benefit greatly the distressed community of our Madanī Master �� �!�� ��" � �� �� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(. This pamphlet “Solution for Conflicts”
F
About this booklet
V
can be read out wherever personal disputes resulted in Muslims splitting into two groups. ��)* �+� ,�� & ������� ����� those with fear in their hearts will begin to tremble with the fear of Allāĥ ������� �����, and will reconcile with each other.
This pamphlet “Solution for Conflicts” contains warnings of the harms of personal disputes in the light of Qurān and Sunnaĥ and reference to other narratives as well. It will
��)* �+� ,�� & ������� ����� pierce soft hearts and will prove to be a whip of warning to those that are hard. The solution for conflicts is in your hands. Those who want to be warned will be warned and those who don’t will not be. Every man has his own destiny.
With the leaves of flowers even the liver of diamond can be cut but an ignorant man
SSSSOLUTION FOR OLUTION FOR OLUTION FOR OLUTION FOR CCCCONFLICTSONFLICTSONFLICTSONFLICTS
Allāĥ ������� �����, in whose name we begin. Satan will try to prevent you
from reading the following letter. Do not let Satan succeed.
﷽
his Salām is from Muḥammad Ilyās ‘Aṭṭār Qādirī Raḍavī to the Nigrān, members of the Majlis-e-Mushāwarat and
responsible brothers of the international non-political religious movement Dawat-e-Islami of the Qurān and Sunnaĥ in ……….1. It is a salaam that clears hatred and spreads love; reaching you after kissing the illuminated turban of our Dear beloved Prophet �� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( and his blessed tresses and after wandering through the streets of Madīnaĥ,
بر و اهللا ة م ح ر و م حل ي ل ع م ال لس ا ه حبت ک لحمد لل# رب العلمني ع& ا الل ح ک
1 The city name of the European country has been removed.
T
Solution for Conflicts
2
Excellence of Durūd Sharīf
The Master of Madīnaĥ and the peace of our hearts ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(
�� �!�� �� �" � �� said, “If two Muslims, who love each other for the sake of Allāĥ ������� �����, meet each other, shake hands and send Durūd upon the Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(, before they depart from each other their previous sins are forgiven. (Musnad Abī Ya’lā -
Musnad Anas bin Mālik, Ḥadīš 2951, V3, P95)
Oh Allāĥ ������� �����! Grant us all the privilege of remaining active in the Madanī work of the Sunnaĥ inspired movement Dawat-e-Islami. Oh Allāĥ ������� �����! Forgive all our shortcomings and cleanse our hearts from enmity for Muslims. Oh Allāĥ ������� �����! Forgive us and the whole Ummat of our Madanī Master �� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(.
With good intentions and solely for the pleasure of Allah ������� �����
and reward for the Hereafter I am taking this opportunity to help resolve your personal conflict, by addressing the problem of severe criticism amongst brothers who despite on-going attempts of reconciliation failed to reconcile. This has consequently resulted causing harm to major Madanī activities. If you brothers hold dear to my Madanī requests, study this letter every month for at least 12 months or get all responsible brothers together and read it out to them. ��)*�F �G�� & ������� ����� you will all succeed in perfuming Islamic society as fragrant flowers of
Solution for Conflicts
3
‘Aṭṭār’s garden forever. However, if my suggestions are ignored and instead of rectifying those who are wrong according to the movement’s policies2, you expose each other’s faults without a proper reason and you continue to fight and argue amongst yourselves then you will, Allāĥ ������� ����� forbid, continue to make yourself worthy of Hell due to hatred, backbiting, spreading rumours, heartbreaking, exposing faults, suspicions and other causes of disaster. I hope this bayān, that has been compiled with the aid of the blessings of the Holy Qurān and the blessed sayings of the Rasūl-Allāĥ �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( by my sinful self, will affect your hearts and minds and result in reconciliation.
��)*�F �G�� & ������� ����� my requests will not go to waste. Allāĥ ������� ����� says in the Holy Qurān, Sūraĥ Żārīyāt, verse 55,
2 In cases of conflict, Dawat-e-Islami requires that first an attempt has to be made to rectify the responsible individual on a personal level. If this does not solve the problem, you should approach your local, divisional, city, provisional and then national Nigrān in the mentioned sequence within the boundaries of Sharī’aĥ. If the problem still remains, considering you live outside of Pakistan, you should seek assistance from the member of the International Affairs Department (Majlis-e-Bain-ul-Aqwāmī Umūr) in Pakistan who deals with your particular country. If the problem still remains, you should approach the Central Consultation Board (Markazī Majlis-e-Shūrā) in Pakistan who will make the final decision which must be accepted by every Islamic brother, unless there is a valid Islamic reason not to do so. No member of any Majlis of Dawat-e-Islami is beyond the boundaries of Sharī’aĥ; every Muslim must abide by the rules of Sharī’aĥ).
Solution for Conflicts
4
Satan Creates Arguments
Dear Islamic Brothers! Remember! The accursed Satan causes conflicts amongst Muslims, makes them fight and kill each other and prevents them from reconciliation. What often happens is that if a concerned Islamic brother intervenes and makes things better, Satan will implant suspicions and make things worse again. Warning us against the attempts of the wretched Satan, Allāĥ ������� ����� says in the 53rd verse of Sūraĥ Banī Isrāīl,
The devil only seeks to instil hatred and enmity between you.
Anger Causes Problems
Muslims should make sure that this mischief making and disastrous attempt of Satan goes to waste. Indeed, there are many dangers in the world and in the afterlife caused by personal conflicts. A person who loses his temper very quickly often causes mischief. People with short tempers should be warned
Solution for Conflicts
5
of losing control of themselves due to their ego and disobeying the commands of Allāĥ ������� ����� as it could throw him into the deep ditches of Hell. Have a look at the punishment for anger and make efforts to save yourself from the torment of Hell.
A Particular Door of Hell
The Beloved Prophet of Allāĥ �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “There is a door in Hell through which those angry people will enter who calm down only after committing a sin.” (Ittiḥāfussāda-til-Muttaqīn,
The way our pious predecessor’s "$����% � ��� ��S� �> �0 tolerated the Cruelty of tyrants and the mischief of disbelievers and overcame anger can be seen in the following narration: Sayyidunā Mālik Bin Dīnār �&� � � �> �0 �� �� ع� rented a place to live. There was a Jewish person living next door. The Jew hated him and so he would throw rubbish into his ���� ع� &� � � �>�0 house via his drain, but the Sheikh wouldn’t complain. One day the Jew came and (sarcastically) asked, “My drain isn’t causing any problems in it?” He ���� � �& ع� � �> �0
replied very politely, “When the rubbish falls from the drain, I sweep it up and clean the area.” The Jew asked, “Don’t you get angry despite all the trouble it causes you”? He ���� ع� &� � � �> �0 said that the Merciful Lord ������� ����� has said in Sūraĥ Ale ‘Imrān, verse 134:
And who control their anger and are forgiving towards mankind;
and the righteous are the beloved of Allah ��� �� �� �����.
When the Jew heard this he became a Muslim. (Tażkiraĥ -tul-Auliyā, Żikr of Mālik bin Dinār, P51)
Dear Islamic Brothers! Did you see what blessings politeness brings! Politeness is what caused this Jew to become a Muslim. One of the harms of anger is that it creates hatred and enmity and this sometimes leads to corruption and murder. Read about the harms of hatred and enmity and tremble with fear of Allāĥ ������� �����.
Three Types of People
Sayyidunā ibn ‘Abbās � �A �e �0�& � ���S�J�� narrates that the blessed Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “There are three people whose prayers do not rise a single hand span above their heads:
1. An Imām who people despise,
2. The woman that spends the night with her husband annoyed at her and
3. Two brothers who have fallen out with each other (without a valid reason).” (Sunan Ibn-e-Mājaĥ, V1, P516, Ḥadīš 971)
Solution for Conflicts
7
Disaster for People with Enmity
Sayyidunā Mu’āż bin Jabal ���J�� �&� � �f�0 narrates that the Rasūl-Allāĥ �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “On the 15th night of Sha’bān, Allāĥ ������� ����� looks at His people with mercy and forgives them all except the polytheists and those who hold enmity in their hearts.” (Al-Iḥsān bi-tartīb Ṣaḥīḥ ibn Ḥibbān, V7, P470, Ḥadīš 5236)
Blocking the Way for Forgiveness
Sayyidunā Abū Ĥuraīraĥ ���J�� �&� � �f�0 narrates that the beloved of Allāĥ � �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(�� �!�� � said, “Peoples actions are presented to me twice every week on Mondays and Thursdays. Every believing person is forgiven except the one who holds enmity for a fellow Muslim brother. It is said, ‘Leave these two until they have reconciled.’ (Al-Iḥsān bi-tartīb Ṣaḥīḥ ibn Ḥibbān V7, P471, Ḥadīš 5638)
Dear Islamic Brothers! Remember! For Muslims to break ties with each other due to hatred (without a proper reason) is a sin, Ḥarām and leads to Hell. Sayyidunā Abū Ĥuraīraĥ ���J�� �&� � �f�0 narrates that the beloved of Allāĥ �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( warned, “It is not permissible for any Muslim to avoid his fellow Muslim brother for more than three days. He who avoids his brother for more than three days and dies will be put into Hell.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīš 4914, V4, P363)
Solution for Conflicts
8
Excellence of Hiding Faults
Dear Islamic Brothers! Remember! Personal conflicts that are not based on Sharī’aĥ usually result in long periods of suspicion, backbiting, spreading rumours, accusations and other major sins, consequently making both parties worthy of the punishment of Hell. The sin of publicly spreading each others faults due to personal conflicts has become very common therefore a great deal of care is needed. It is very important that a Muslims faults be kept secret if anyone becomes aware of them. ������� ����� � �� ����� ���� there is great reward for concealing the faults of a Muslim. Sayyidunā ‘uqbā bin ‘Āmir ���J�� �&� � �f�0 narrates that the blessed Prophet, master of both worlds, king of the messengers, fountain of compassion and generosity �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “If someone conceals a secret fault of a person after seeing it, it is as if he has brought a girl to life who had been buried alive.” (Al-Mu’jamul Aūsaṭ, V6, P97, Ḥadīš 8133)
How should a Muslim be?
Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāĥ ibn ‘Umar � �A �e �0�& ����S�J�� narrates that the Honourable Messenger �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim; he does not oppress him and does not leave him unaccompanied. If a person attends the need of his brother, Allāĥ ������� ����� will complete his needs and if anyone removes pain from a Muslim, Allāĥ ������� ����� will remove pain from him on the day of judgement and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allāĥ ������� ����� will conceal his faults on the day of judgment.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Ḥadīš 6580, P1394)
Solution for Conflicts
9
Conceal Faults and Earn Heaven
It is narrated by Sayyidunā Abū Sa’īd Khudrī ���J�� �&� � �f�0, “A person who sees a fault in his brother and then hides it will enter Heaven.” (Kanzul-‘Ummāl, Ḥadīš 6394, V3, P103)
When a Fight gets heated
Personal conflicts usually result in a lot of backbiting. Backbiting is a major sin, Ḥarām and leads to Hell. When hatred settles in hearts and fights begin, a storm of backbiting and accusations arises and pushes everyone towards Hell. The following are two statements of our beloved Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( concerning this matter.
Punishment for Backbiting
Our Holy Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( has warned, “On the night of ascension I passed by some people who were scratching their faces and their chests with their nails which were made of copper. I asked, “Oh Jibrāīl 3�4 ��5�� ��� �� Who are these people?” He !ع� 3�4 ��5�� ��� �� replied, “They used to eat the flesh of people (by ع� backbiting) and they would humiliate them.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīš 4878, V4, P353)
Punishment for False Accusations
If someone falsely accuses a Muslim of something he did not
do, Allāĥ ������� ����� will keep him in الغة الخب رد until he compensates
for it. (Sunan Abī Dāwūd, V3, P427, Ḥadīš 3597) ( الغة الخب رد is a place in Hell where the blood and pus of its inmates will be kept).
Solution for Conflicts
10
Regarding the words “until he compensates for it”, Sayyidunā Shaykh Abdul Ḥaq Muḥaddiš Diĥlvī �� � �� ع� �>�0 � ��& �N �7�g�� said, “Until he compensates for it by repenting or after being purified by suffering its punishment.” (Ash’atul Lam’āt, V3, P290)
Cursing is taking Revenge
Remember! If you curse the man who oppresses you then you have taken revenge. The blessed Messenger ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(�� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� said, “The one who curses the oppressor has taken his revenge.” (Sunan Tirmiżī, V5, P324, Ḥadīš 3563)
The Virtue of avoiding Arguments
Muslims should avoid disputes due to their egos. If someone hurts your feelings, it is better to avoid arguing and quarrelling and to show forgiveness. The Holy Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(
said, “If a person avoids quarrelling despite being right, I will guarantee him a place in the (inner) edge of Heaven.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd, V4, P332, Ḥadīš 4800)
How Muslim should be?
Why are Muslims quarrelling amongst themselves? They are supposed to protect each other. Our Holy Prophet ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(
�� �!�� �� �" � �� said, “A (true) Muslim is one who does not hurt others with his tongue and hands and a (true) migrant (Muĥājir) is one who migrates from (avoids) anything that Allāĥ ������� ����� has forbidden.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, V1, P15, Ḥadīš 10)
Solution for Conflicts
11
In the commentary of this blessed Ḥadīš, Mufti Ahmad Yār Khān Na’īmī � � �> �0�� �� ع� &� said, “A true Muslim is one who is Muslim not only literally but Islamically as well; one who does not backbite another Muslim, swear, ridicule, or tell tales, fight or write anything against others.” He ���� � �& ع� � �>�0 also says: “A true migrant is one who not only abandons his country but abandons sins as well. Abandoning sins also falls under migration and this (migration) will continue forever.” (Mirā-tul-Manājīḥ, V1, P29)
The Holy Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “It is not permissible for a Muslim to stare aggressively at another Muslim.” (Ittiḥāfussāda-til-Muttaqīn, V7, P177)
He �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( also said, “It is not permissible for a Muslim to terrorise another Muslim.” (Kitāb-uz-Zuĥd Li ibn Mubārak,
Ḥadīš 688, P240)
Hurting Muslims
Dear Islamic Brothers! The issue of fulfilling the duties of others is a very delicate one but unfortunately today no-one cares. Never mind the public, even the prominent are seen to be neglecting this vital duty. The illness of displaying anger unnecessarily is a common problem. Even the prominent often hurt the feelings of others out of anger but do not care. Hurting the feelings of any Muslim without a valid reason is a major sin, Ḥarām and will lead to Hell. A’lā -Ḥaḍrat ���J�� �&� � �f�0 writes in Fatāwā-e-Razavīyyaĥ Sharīf (V24, P342) with reference to Ṭabarānī Sharīf that the Holy Prophet �� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( has
Solution for Conflicts
12
warned, “ ومن اذ ين ذ ذي مسلما فقد ا ا من ين فقداذي ا6 ” (If
anyone hurts a Muslim (without a proper reason) it is as if he has hurt me and he who hurts me it is as if he has hurt Allāĥ ������� �����). (Al-Mu’jamul Aūsaṭ, V2, P387, Ḥadīš 3607)
Hurting Allāĥ ������� ����� and His Messenger �� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( is an evil trait of the disbelievers. Allāĥ ������� ����� says in the 57th verse of Sūraĥ Aḥzāb,
�� ���� ��ع� �k � �l�� �Hع� � �� �S �R l �J Translation from Kanz-ul-Īmān
Indeed those who trouble Allah ��� �� �� ����� and His Noble Prophet – upon
them is Allah ��� �� �� ����� curse in the world and in the Hereafter, and
Allah ��� �� �� ����� has kept prepared a disgraceful punishment for them.
Talking Bad about Someone Leads to Punishment
Spreading people’s faults and shortcomings without valid reasons, especially the shortcomings of Muballighīn and Sunnī scholars can affect religious propagation very badly and can prove disastrous in both worlds. Ala-Ḥaḍrat ���� �& ع� � � �> �0 says, “If any of the Aĥl-e-Sunnaĥ (scholars) make a major mistake then it is Wājib to conceal it because, Allāĥ ������� ����� forbid, people will turn away from them (and cease to respect them) and this will obstruct the benefit that people gain from their speeches and
Solution for Conflicts
13
writings. To publicise (their mistakes) will be evil publicity (which will dishonour them) and the Holy Qurān has clearly forbidden such publicity. Allāĥ ������� ����� says in Sūraĥ Nūr, verse 19,
Especially, if they turned to the truth without delay. The Rasūl-
Allāĥ �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “ اخاه بذنب لم يمت حيت يعمله من عري ” (He who scorns his fellow Muslim brother for committing a sin will
indulge in that sin himself before he dies). (Fatāwā-e-Razavīyyaĥ, V29, P94 - Jāmi’ Tirmiżī, V4, P226, Ḥadīš 2513, Dār-ul-Fikr Beirut)
There are some people who are troublemakers; give unnecessary criticism, cause mischief and cause grief to Muslims. These people should fear Allāĥ ������� ����� because He ������� ����� says in Sūraĥ Burūj, verse 10:
One Ḥadīš states, “Mischief (Fitnaĥ) is asleep; the curse of Allāĥ ������� ����� is upon those who awaken it.”(Jami’-us- Ṣaghīr lil’ Suyūṭī, Ḥadīš 5975, P370, Dār-ul-Kutub-ul-‘Ilmiyyaĥ Beirut)
Qurānic Method of Converting Foe into Friend
Dear Islamic Brothers! Remember! Filth cannot be cleaned with filth; it must be washed with water. Therefore, if anyone mistreats you, you must make efforts to treat him kindly.
��)*�F �G�� & ������� ����� , when you see the positive outcome of your kind
behaviour, you will feel peace in your heart. واهللا الـمجيب ��� �� �� ����� ! Those who forgive wrongdoers instead of taking revenge and confront evil with good are very lucky. Encouraging this ‘facing evil with good’ behaviour, the 34th verse of Sūraĥ Ḥāmīm Al-Sajdaĥ says:
O listener! Repel the evil deed with a good one, there upon the one
between whom and you was enmity, will become like a close friend.
Outcome of Good Treatment
Sayyidunā Muḥammad Na’īm-ud-Dīn Murādābādī �� � �� ع� �> �0 � ��& N���� k� tells us how to confront evil with good in “Khazāin-ul-‘Irfān”: For example, confront anger with patience, ignorance with tolerance, mistreatment with forgiveness. If someone hurts you forgive him and the outcome will be that foes will begin to like you like friends. Background: It has been said that this verse was revealed regarding Abū Sufyān. Despite his intense hostility, the blessed Prophet �� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( treated him well, he granted his daughter the honour of being his wife and this resulted in him becoming a passionate devotee (of the Blessed Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �() and willing to sacrifice his life for him. (Khazāin-ul-‘Irfān, P863, Ḍīā -ul-Qurān)
2 Madanī Examples of confronting Evil with good
(1) Public Plea for Forgiveness
On the day that Makkaĥ-tul-Mukarramaĥ was conquered, the leaders and common folk of the Quraīsh were gathered around the Ka’baĥ. These were the very same people who had been
Solution for Conflicts
16
harsh enemies of our Beloved Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( for the past 21 years. They made life difficult for our Master ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(
���� �!�� �� �" � and his Companions �G��7 �e �� �� ��S� �� They forced the Holy .ع� Prophet �� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( and his Companions �G��7 �e �� �� ��S� �� to ع� leave Makkaĥ and migrate. These were the very tyrants that travelled 300 miles to fight the believers and wage war against them. Today these same people were stood with their heads lowered waiting for the Holy Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( to decide their fate. Our Holy Prophet "$����% �&� ��' �( �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� asked, “Tell me, what you think will happen to you today?” They assumed that their deaths awaits them and replied, “You are the son of a tolerant and merciful father (and also the son of such an uncle)” three times. The Master of both worlds "$����% �&� ��' �(
�� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� said, “I will say what Yūsuf 3�4 ع� ��5�� ��� �� :said ع�
Leader of millions of Mālikis, famous ‘Āshiq-e-Rasūl Sayyidunā Imām Mālik ���J�� �&� � �f�0 issued a fatwā in 146 A. H saying, “The ‘Abbāsid ruler Abū Ja’far has forced the public to swear the
Solution for Conflicts
17
oath of allegiance to him therefore abiding by the rules of the government is not obligatory for the public. This oath is legally not valid.” As a result of this, the governor of Madīnaĥ Sharīf
ز يما ◌و ظيماتع و شرفاادهاا6 تحلر , Ja’far bin Sulaymān ordered his arrest for the following charges:
1. You have rejected the existence of the ‘Abbāsid rule.
2. You have incited the public to oppose the government and
3. You are a rebel. As a penalty, he �� �� �& ع� � � �> �0 was struck 100 times until his arms had come out of his shoulder sockets and for the rest of his life he �� �� ع� &� � � �> �0 could not lift his arms fully. In fact, he ���� ع� &� � � �>�0 wasn’t even able to straighten his mantle on his blessed body using his own hands. The narrator of this says that he was there when the Imām � �� ع� &� � � �> �0� was being struck and that each time the Imām ���� ع� &� � � �> �0 was struck, he ���� ع� &� � � �> �0 would recite:
نهم ال يع للهم اغفرلهم فا ن لمو ا (Oh Allāĥ ������� �����! Forgive these people for they do not know the truth). The fierce strikes resulted in him falling unconscious. The first thing that he ���� �& ع� � � �>�0 said as soon as he regained consciousness was, “People! Be witness. I have forgiven the people that hit me.” (Ma’din-i-Akhlāq, Part 3, P36-37)
Divine Command regarding Forgiveness
The 199th verse of Sūraĥ A’rāf talks about forgiveness:
Sayyidunā Abū Ĥuraīraĥ ���J�� �&� � �f�0 narrates that the Blessed Messenger �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “If a man possesses three qualities, he will be judged lightly by Allāĥ ������� ����� (on the day of resurrection) and Allāĥ ������� ����� will send him to Heaven (out of His mercy).” I asked, “Yā Rasūl-Allāĥ �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(! What are those qualities?” He �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( replied, “(1) Creating bonds with those who severe ties with you, (2) giving to those who deprive you and (3) forgiving those who oppress you.” (Al Mu’jamul Aūsaṭ, V1, P263, Ḥadīš 909)
Oh you Islamic brothers who passionately want to spread the message of the Sunnaĥ! After presenting narrations and stories revolving around forgiveness and briefly mentioning the sins committed as a result of personal conflicts and warnings of punishments for those sins, I will now mention, with the pure intention in my heart of creating peace, some verses and narrations about reconciliation.
Solution for Conflicts
19
Allāĥ ������� ����� will Reconcile
Sayyidunā Anas ���J�� �&� � �f�0 mentions that once he was with the Prophet �&� ��' �(�� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% . He smiled. Sayyidunā ‘Umar ���J�� �&� � �f�0 asked, “Oh Messenger of Allāĥ �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(! May my parents be sacrificed for you, why did you smile?” He replied, “Two of my followers will fall on their knees in the court of Allāĥ ������� �����. One of them will say, “Oh Allāĥ ������� �����! He has oppressed me, I want justice.” Allāĥ ������� ����� will say, “He does not have any good deed (to give you), what can he do?” The man will say, “Give him my sins.” When the Blessed Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( reached this point, he �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( began to cry and said, “That will be a grand day because every single person will want his burden to be lightened. Allāĥ ������� ����� will say to the oppressed, “Look at what is in front of you.” He will say, “Oh Allāĥ ������� �����! I see huge cities and palaces made of gold and adorned with jewels. Which Prophet or Truthful or Martyr are these for?” Allāĥ ������� ����� will say, “There are for the person who pays their price.” The man will ask, “Who can pay for these?” Allāĥ ������� ����� will say, “You can.”
The man will ask as to how this is possible and Allāĥ ������� ����� will say, “By forgiving your brother.” The man will then say, “Oh Allāĥ ������� �����! I have forgiven all that was done.” Allāĥ ������� ����� will then command, “Get up, hold your brother’s hand and both of you go into Heaven together.” Then our Holy Prophet �% �&� ��' �( "$���
�� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ������� said, “Fear Allāĥ ع� ����� and create peace amongst people because Allāĥ ������� ����� will Create peace amongst Muslims on the day of judgement.” (Al-Mustadrak, V5, P795, Ḥadīš 8758)
Solution for Conflicts
20
Dear Islamic Brothers! This Ḥadīš smells of the fragrance of the divine Sunnaĥ of reconciling between Muslims and the Prophetic Sunnaĥ of encouraging reconciliation. May Allāĥ ������� ����� make us perfume our outer and inner selves with this fragrant Sunnaĥ and help us make great efforts to create brotherhood amongst Islamic brothers and make our environment a fragranced garden of peace and harmony; in fact make it an ever scented garden of Madīnaĥ.
Our Allāĥ ������� ����� has encouraged us to adopt these blessed ways in the 10th verse of Sūraĥ Ḥujurāt,
The Muslims are brothers to each other therefore make peace
between your two brothers and fear Allah, so that you may gain
mercy.
The blessed Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( is a perfect example of the qualities mentioned in the Holy Qurān. His blessed Sunnaĥ provides for us an example of creating harmony amongst people.
To Create Harmony is Sunnaĥ
It is stated in Khazāin-ul-‘Irfān (P229) that our Holy Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( was once travelling and he came across an
Solution for Conflicts
21
Anṣār. He �� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( stopped for a while and the animal he was riding at the time urinated. Ibn ‘Ubbaī held his nose out of disgust. Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāĥ bin Rawāḥaĥ ���J�� �&� � �f�0 said, “The urine of the mount of the blessed Prophet �� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( smells better than your musk.” The Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( left that place but the argument between those two got worse and ended in both their tribes furiously quarrelling with each other and prepared to fight. The blessed Prophet �(�� �!�� �� �" ��� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' returned and reconciled the two. The following verse was revealed at that time:
Peace is better; and the heart is trapped in greed. (Sūraĥ Nisā: 128)
Imām Hassan Made Peace
The biographies of our pious Ancestors "$����% � ��� ��S� �> �0 are painted and decorated with the beautiful colour which lies in practicing
Solution for Conflicts
22
these verses of the Qurān and the traditions of our Prophet �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(. These people made great sacrifices to spread Madanī flowers of peace and harmony amongst Muslims.
A very good example of this is that of the grandson of the Holy Prophet "$����% �&� ��' �(�� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� , the honourable, the compassionate, the chief of the youth of Heaven Sayyidunā Imām Ḥasan ���J�� �&� � �f�0. Regarding Imām Ḥasan ���J�� �&� � �f�0, our Merciful Prophet "$����% �&� ��' �(
�� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ������� said, “This son of mine is a leader and Allāĥ ع� ����� will create peace through him between two groups of Muslims.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, V2, P509, Ḥadīš 3629) Imām Ḥasan ���J�� �&� � �f�0 became caliph after the martyrdom of his father, Sayyidunā ‘Ali �I �� �3 ��&
�% �� "$� �� �S�� �� �V� �� � �Q . He ���J�� �&� � �f�0 remained caliph for 6 months and 6 days but he gave up his caliphate in order to make peace between two groups of Muslims.
Something better than Voluntary Prayers and
Charity
Dear Islamic Brothers! Creating peace amongst people is indeed a great Madanī task. Allāĥ ������� ����� is pleased with this more than any voluntary (nafl) prayer, fast or donation. Sayyidunā Abū Dardaĥ ���J�� �&� � �f�0 narrates that the chief of all the Prophets
��' �(�� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� said, “Shall I not tell you of an act that is better than Ṣalāĥ, fasting and charity?” The companions �G��7 �e �� �� ��S��� ع� replied, “Why not (Yā Rasūl-Allāĥ �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �().” He �� �!�� �� �" � �� ��� �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �( said, “Creating reconciliation to cause mischief destroys the religion.” (Musnad Imām Aḥmad, Ḥadīš 27578, V10, P422,
Dār-ul-Fikr Beirut)
Solution for Conflicts
23
Who is a Good Islamic brother?
Did you see? How great an act creating peace amongst Islamic brothers is. Then how good must that Islamic brother be who shows compassion to those who are younger than him, respects those who are older than him and loves those who are the same age as him and wishes good and benefit for all Islamic brothers and always tries to put a stop to evil and mischief amongst Muslims through his kind behaviour and polite attitude.
Please Honour My Requests
Dear Islamic Brothers! Please honour my requests. Please do not break my heart, end your anger and prove that you are fortunate people by putting an end to your personal conflicts. Cry and repent to Allāĥ ������� �����, forgive each other for past mistakes. Once you have forgiven each other, please read or listen to the following statement carefully and sign it for the sake of your welfare in the Hereafter and to bring joy to the heart of this sinner please send a copy to me. ������� ����� � �� ����� ���� when this letter was read out to the Islamic brothers, they ended their conflict, made peace amongst themselves and signed the following
statement.
Reconciliation!
We (22 Islamic Brothers) have read/understood the letter (by Amīr-e-Aĥl-e-Sunnat). We admit our carelessness, we have a burden of regret upon our heads and we repent to Allāĥ ������� �����. We have forgiven each other for the sake of Allāĥ ������� �����. From
Solution for Conflicts
24
now on, none of us will criticise anyone for any past mistake nor will we tease him or tell others about him. In’shaa-Allāĥ ������� ����� we will participate in Madanī tasks together. In the future, if any of us does become aware of the mistake of another, we will attempt to rectify his mistake directly without mentioning it to anyone else. If this fails, we will try to solve the problem according to the movement’s Tarkīb (policies). ����)*�F �G & ������� �����
16 Intentions
Two Madanī Flowers:
1. Without a good intention, one will not be rewarded for any act of piety.
2. The more the good intentions one makes, the more is the reward that one earns.
Dear Islamic Brothers! You have read Aṭṭār’s Letter “Solution for Conflicts.” ��)*�F �G�� & ������� ����� your hearts would definitely have been penetrated. Please, for the pleasure of Allāĥ ������� �����, make an effort to make the following 16 intentions. Our Holy
Prophet � �� ع� "$����% �&� ��' �(�� �!�� ��" � �� � said: “ من عمله المؤمن خري نية ” (The
Intention of a Muslim is better than his action). (Ṭabarānī Mu’jam Kabīr, Ḥadīš 5942, V6, P185)
1. I will be the first to approach Islamic brothers who are upset with me and
Solution for Conflicts
25
2. Relatives who are annoyed with me and make peace with them for the pleasure of Allāĥ ������� �����.
3. I will not humiliate anyone for faults that he has made in the past.
4. I will not spoil my relation with someone based on rumours.
5. I will avoid suspicions.
6. Finding faults.
7. Hurting feelings.
8. backbiting.
9. Telling tales.
10. False accusations and feeling joy when I see other people in loss.
11. I will also avoid listening to backbiting and tales about other people.
12. I will reconcile between Islamic brothers as much as possible.
13. I forgive anyone and everyone who has ever upset me for the pleasure of Allāĥ ������� �����.
14. I forgive in advance anyone who will hurt me in the future (Remember! Hurting a Muslim who has forgiven you in advance without a valid reason will still earn you the punishment for disobeying Allāĥ ������� �����).
15. I will attempt to confront evil behaviour with good behaviour in order to abide by the command of the Holy Qurān.
Solution for Conflicts
26
16. I will buy and distribute at least 12 of these pamphlets (especially to my relatives and Muslims who have fallen out with each other).
Distribute booklets published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah during weddings, times of Grief, Ijtimā’āt and other such occasions and earn reward. Make it a habit of keeping booklets in your shop to give to customers for free. Give booklets to the newspaper delivery person or to children and have them distributed in your neighbourhood. Give a new booklet each time and earn reward for inviting towards good.
