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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