Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Review: remembering Allah, but being told not to

IT is a damning indictment on the state of things when Shaykh Yusuf da Costa notes in his introduction to The Remembrance of Allah Almighty, a translation of Imam al-Mundhiri’s work on the subject, that dhikr has become a dying tradition due to Wahhabi acolytes in our midst condemning congregational dhikrs.

His view is more than anecdotal. For his observation is based on outreach into South Africa’s cities and towns over the last decade. This gutting of communal tradition has toxic side-effects, like the lure of drugs and gangsterism – and as in the apparent case of Verulam – homage to the Islamic State.

In this work, which has a useful commentary by Mustapha Muhammad Amarah, the reader is shown the textual proofs for the value of remembering Allah, as well of some of the more celebrated dhikrs themselves.

Imam al-Hafiz ‘Abd al-‘Alim al-Mundhiri was a 12th century master of Prophetic tradition. This makes The Remembrance of Allah Almighty a weighty contribution, now accessible in English.

It is a soothing read – and a highly recommended text for our local imams – that offers us cool waters of hope and consolation. From its first pages, we are presented various traditions on the merits of dhikr, directly from the lips of the Prophet [SAW]. Ibn Mundhiri, for example, quotes Ibn Jabir reporting that the Prophet [SAW] had once said:

“A human being does not commit a deed that could save him more from punishment than the remembrance of Allah Almighty.” It was asked (by the Companions): “Not even fighting in the way of Allah?” To which the Prophet [SAW] replied: “Not fighting in the way of Allah, even if one hits with one’s sword until it breaks up.”

After establishing the merits of dhikr, the author takes us to the tahlil, ‘la ilaha illallah’ (there is no God except Allah), a simple proclamation easy to recite, but loaded with reward and benefit. Ibn Mundhiri quotes an overwhelming amount of sources on this subject, but a Hadith concerning the Prophet Nuh [as] stands out.

According the Prophet [SAW], Nabi Nuh had told his sons to recite the tahlil, saying that its utterance (with sincerity) would have massive import, so much so that if it were to be placed on the scale of the heavens and the earth, it would outweigh them. Further traditions talk of the tahlil providing relief, and the promise of Paradise.

The author also introduces the reader to various dhikrs – all known to us – that are recommended to be recited at certain times of the day. What stands out in the text is that Ibn Mundhiri does not overload us with long works. Every brief dhikr that he recommends finds an equivalent in validated sources.

For example, the author spends some time elucidating on the merits of simply reciting ‘la hawla wala quwwata illah billah’ (there is no Power except from Allah). We are told, via tradition, that it is the door, the treasure – and in one case –one of the trees of Paradise.
“(Create) the vegetation of Paradise for its water is sweet and its soil is rich, so create many of its plants,” the Prophet [SAW] tells his Companions about the qualities of ‘la hawla wala quwwata illah billah’.

Ibn Mundhiri elucidates the merits of the istighfar, the process of humbling oneself and asking for forgiveness. Again, his treatment of the topic is accessible, understandable and clearly set out. In the commentary, we are informed that istighfar is an ointment; it stops Iblis in his tracks, it offers solace, and it removes the rust of the heart.

Ibn Mundhiri provides plenty Qur’anic evidence of the blessings of dhikr, and some of its rewarding characteristics. For instance, he quotes the verse from Surah Talaq: “For those who fear Allah, He prepares a way out, and He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine…”

This verse was revealed after one of the Companion’s sons, ‘Awf, had been captured and the Prophet [SAW] had told him to recite ‘la hawla wala quwwata illah billah’. The revelation had come after ‘Awf had been able to free himself and escape with a herd of camels.

The book concludes with a section featuring the futuwwa of numerous scholars endorsing the act of communal dhikr, as well as the performing of dhikr aloud in congregation. The proofs in support of it are overwhelming, from all schools of thought and all persuasions.

The book concludes with a section by Shaykh Gibril Haddad, which explains the permissibility of uttering the word ‘Allah’ on its own, something criticised by the reductionists as bid’ah. His final words, which conclude the translation of Ibn Mundhiri’s work, are symptomatic of exactly why The Remembrance of Allah Almighty has been presented to us:

“The time of Al-Qiyamah (the Last Days) is approaching now. Hundreds of signs have appeared and one of them is that people leave the glorification of God. And sufferings rain down upon them. Then they ask for treatment by drugs. All illnesses go away by glorifying the Lord. Through your love for the Lord you will reach health, pleasure and happiness, here and hereafter.”

The Remembrance of Allah Almighty is a welcome and timely addition to our literature of understanding Allah, and is a must for your bookshelf.

Available at Timbuktu Bookshops,Cape Town. 
Or call 27-74-859854

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