The Airport - Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)

[amaturrahmaan]

 

Bismihi Ta'ala

 

 

 

 

At the Johannesburg International Airport[1], some brothers requested that I give them somenasihah (advice) before leaving.

 

 

I mentioned the following : ‘The Airport itself presents sufficient Ibrat (lesson) for a person’sIslaah (reformation).

 

 

Boards are seen, computer screens inform, and announcements are repeatedly heard of Arrivals and  Departures . 

 

 

We should take lesson from this.

 

 

We have ‘arrived’. Our scheduled arrival to the destination of this world has come to pass. We have journeyed from Aalame-Arwah[2] to this transitory world. Our next journey is to ‘Aalame-Barzakh’[3].

 

 

In this material world, the time of departure is given for the flights that are leaving for various cities and countries. A person can make preparations for travel, accordingly. As is common experience though, flights are generally delayed.

 

 

Our departure, to the Aakhirah (Hereafter), is scheduled, but absolutely unknown to us. Moreover, this time of departure will not be delayed or cancelled.

 

 

“…At length when death approaches one of you, Our angels take his soul 

and they Never fail in  their duty.”

[surah An`aam : 6 : 61]

 

 

In a couplet that deeply impresses upon the reality of this life, my Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum), states :

 

Strange is the visa of life;

It can be cancelled at anytime.

The duration of its validity is unknown

And its extension too, impossible

 

 

Therefore, we need to be ever ready for the journey to the Hereafter.

 

Passengers are either seated in the VIP lounge or in the ordinary waiting area. Whether the person intends traveling ‘First Class’, ‘Business Class’ or ‘Economy Class’; all will depart. Each has a boarding pass in hand. It is just a matter of time before departure.

 

 

The Azaan in our right ear, and the Iqaamat in our left ear, was already given at the time of our birth. All that is left is the Janaza Salaah at the time of our death. Just as the time between the Iqaamat and Salaah is negligible – so too is the time span of our lives.

 

 

As someone has mentioned : Our life is just like the ‘dash’ between the date of birth and the date of passing away, which is inscribed on many tombstones. Though this ‘dash’ of life is so short, it is such a significant stage in our journey, that it either ‘makes’ or ‘breaks’ our Hereafter. This little dash either delivers a person to Jannat or Jahannum. So before someone mentions the date of our departure, we should convert the ‘dash’ of life to time spent securing provisions for the coming journey.

 

 

Then I mentioned that now two new boards are to be found :  

 

 Underground Parking

 

and

 

Prayer Room Upstairs

 

  

 

Our ‘parking’ too is reserved. …What then should we do ? Before ‘departure’ and before being‘parked’ under the ground, we should visit the ‘prayer room’ – meaning, that we should bring the submission and servitude found in prayer or Salaah, into our lives. Submit to the One who gave us this life because very soon will we be returning to Him.

 

 

 

 

 “…And the destination (of all) is to Allah.”

[surah Ahzaab 35 : 18]

 

In addition, this world is very much like a time-share. The occupants make full use of all facilities during the week/s or month/s – the lounge, fridge, stove, furniture, air conditioner and the luxuries of the timeshare. However, they know that they will have to move out as soon as their time expires.

 

 

Similarly, we should make use of the bounties of Allah Ta’ala in this world but we should not give our hearts to this world. …How can we give our hearts to a world which is so unfaithful?  …The home in which there is excitement and celebration of a wedding is suddenly plunged into grief, sorrow and mourning.

 

 

We should keep before us the following Hadeeth of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam):‘Verily, the world has been created for you and you have been created for the Aakhirah.’

 

 

Preparation for the Aakhirah (Hereafter) does not mean that we will be deprived of the good things of this world. Eat, drink, marry, conduct business and do all other activities according to the teachings of Shariah and Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam). This is all that is required.

 

 

“…(O my Lord) Take You my soul (at death) as one submitting to Your Will (as a Muslim), and unite me with the righteous.”

[surah Yusuf 12 : 101]

 

 

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (RA)

[1] Now known as O R TAMBO International

[2] Aalame-Arwah : The World of Souls

[3] Aalame-Barzakh : The period of life after death until the Resurrection