Clarifying Light

Halloween seems to celebrate everything that should be kept far away from us: ghosts, witches, vampires, monsters, blood-covered costumes, devilish pumpkin carvings and the whole tradition of trick-or-treating. One cannot help but wonder what kind of inspiration lies behind such a celebration. Perhaps whoever came up with it took a few lessons from Iblīs (Satan) himself. No, thank you! We have no need to embrace satanic symbols or glorify such things. There are already more than enough devils walking among us as it is, and most of them happen to be wearing suits and ties.

Knowledge is not measured merely by how much one has memorised, but by how deeply it transforms one’s character. ʿIlm without adab is knowledge deprived of its beauty. True knowledge should cultivate humility, reverence, gentleness and good character. The more one learns, the more one should recognise the importance of proper conduct towards Allāh and His creation. Rasūl Allāh ﷺ said: “The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3559] May Allāh Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā grant us beneficial knowledge, beautiful character, sincere humility and the adab of the righteous.

A father’s strength is not merely in how he protects his daughter from the harshness of the world, but in the gentleness with which he embraces her heart within the sanctuary of his own home. Let his presence be her sakīnah, his words a source of comfort, and his mercy a shelter to which her heart can always return. Let her never grow up questioning whether she is loved or whether her tears matter. Let her father be her first experience of love, tenderness, and compassion, for she is an amānah entrusted to him by Allāh Jalla wa ʿAlā.

The seeker of truth does not measure reality by the applause of the people, nor does he mistake silence for defeat. Truth possesses its own light, even when the world refuses to acknowledge it; and falsehood remains darkness, even when it is adorned with the garments of victory.

The heart that wounds a soul will answer before Allāh. Be gentle with the one entrusted to you, for even a tear shed in silence is known to Him. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” [Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, 1162]

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Once, Sayyidunā Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān al-Jazūlī قدس سره went to a well to perform wuḍūʾ, but there was no means of drawing water from the well. He was worried, wondering what he could do. A girl standing on a high rooftop saw him and said, “O Shaykh! You are well-known for your deeds, yet you are worried about how to draw water from the well!” The girl then put her saliva into the well, and within a short while, the water began to rise so much that it overflowed from the edges of the well onto the ground. The Shaykh performed his wuḍūʾ and said to the girl, “I adjure you by Allāh to tell me: How did you attain this status?” The girl answered: “I recite ṣalāt upon the blessed Prophet ﷺ abundantly.” Upon hearing this, Sayyidunā Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān al-Jazūlī رحمه الله vowed that he would write and present a book concerning ṣalāt upon the beloved Prophet ﷺ. [Maṭāliʿ al-Masarrāt, pp. 33–34.] He subsequently wrote the famous book Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt.

In the path of taṣawwuf, one of the greatest obstacles to spiritual refinement is kibr (arrogance): the heart’s tendency to regard itself as superior to others. A person may see another afflicted by a physical condition and laugh, forgetting that his own health, strength and abilities are blessings bestowed by Allāh Taʿālā, not achievements that entitle him to look down upon His creation. Never assume that your outward well-being is proof of your spiritual superiority. A person whom society pities may possess a heart more beloved to Allāh than one whom society admires. The true rank of a servant is known to Allāh, who knows the realities of hearts and the sincerity of deeds. Do not laugh at the afflicted; show them mercy. Do not despise the weak; honour their dignity. Do not become proud of your blessings; thank the One who bestowed them. The path to Allāh Taʿālā is not walked by stepping upon the dignity of His creation, but by cultivating humility, mercy and sincerity. May He grant us the spiritual insight to see our own shortcomings before judging others.

True wisdom speaks with substance, while foolishness seeks validation through constant oaths. “Wallāhi,” “Qasam,” and the like. A person of sound intellect lets the weight of his words speak for itself; he does not need to swear repeatedly to make others believe him. Taking oaths excessively is a sign of idiocy.