21/08/2025
Article 1
Of the The Rabbiul Awwal Special 2025
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Discernment
*Theme for Rabbi ul Awwal Special 2025: *
Introduction
A fundamental trait of a good Muslim is the ability to discern — to distinguish between right from wrong, truth from falsehood, and to pursue that which truly matters as opposed to worldly trivialities.
"...And Allah never guides a people who cannot discriminate between right and wrong." — Al-Qur'an 3:86
The Challenge:
Although right stands out clearly from wrong (Al Quraan 2:256), seeing through deception is not easy. Furthermore, shaitaan is our avowed enemy and he is a formidable enemy. He misleads us constantly using — the people around us, our inner desires, dangling worldly goods in front of us and through deceptive outer appearances. There are thousands of religions all claiming to be the truth and around every corner there is someone trying to get us to follow his way.
So being discerning is something that we have to take very seriously. We therefore, not only need to be discerning but, more importantly, we need Allah's help and guidance to teach us discernment. This is the fool proof way.
Therefore, true discernment is not just self-attained. It is not just instinct. It is a spiritual skill requiring Divine guidance.
"O you who believe! If you take Allah as a shield, He will grant you Discrimination and rid you of evil thoughts and deeds, and will protect you. For Allah is Possessor of great bounties." — Al-Qur'an 8:29
Step 1
An important fact to note at this point is that even if we are intentionally misled by someone, we will still be held accountable for the choices we have made. We will not be excused for our actions on the argument of having being deceived by another. The onus is on us alone, to get it right.
"And those who followed (the wrong people) would say (on the Day of Judgement): "If only We had one more chance, We would clear ourselves of them (the wrong people), as they have cleared themselves of us (by not taking responsbility for those they misled)." 2:167
Why?
You see, we could only be misled to make wrong choices under certain circumstances and those circumstances are totally under our control. Our weakness and vices open up doors that people (or shaitaan) can use to misguide us.
Wealthy people are likely to be attracted to name and fame. If they are arranging a wedding, for example, others will exploit this weakness and encourage extravagance so as to make more money off of them. The Ambani wedding last year which costed $600 million to $ 1 billion is one such example.
If someone is chasing material possessions, he may be more prone to bribery and corruption.
If someone has eyes for beautiful women, they will be his weakness and have the power to exploit him.
If someone is trying to give the impression of piety, such a person has shut the door to further learning. He thinks he is “it”selfworship.
The same can be said for the educated. Such acheivements may come with over-confidence and pride and thus make us careless. We depend on our acheivements instead of depending on Allah SWT.
Now, on the other hand, if we sincerely make Allah SWT our goal and depend on Him and follow His teachings (like not having pride, not chasing worldly chattles) no one can misguide us. Simple.
"Do you know how sense perception becomes discerning? It is by seeing with the light of God...
When the Light of God is used to sense things then you will not be a slave to effect or cause." — Rumi RA
Step 2.
In seeking Allah's guidance we have to follow the Prophets AS and Saints RA. This has always been the way that Allah SWT communicates with humanity throughout time: through His Prophets such as Moosa AS or Essa AS. Reflect, is this not so?
We must not be fooled by someone telling us to follow Allah only and not any human. This amounts to following ourselves and our own interpretation of His teachings. It is wrong.
Following Allah only, entails following His chosen ones too because there is absolutely no seperation between Allah SWT and His chosen ones.
What's more: In Surah Al-Fatiha, (the opening chapter of the Holy Qur’an, which is called “The Mother Of The Book” and must be recited in every prayer cycle) we plead to Allah SWT to be guided and Allah SWT tells us that His Guidance will come through His Chosen ones and He warns us about the misleaders.
So having a Spiritual Guide and following him and being on guard against those that mislead is an important step in attaining discernment.
"The (Divine) Sun has veiled Himself in Man... Take refuge in the shadow of the Sage that you may escape the Enemy who opposes you in secret." Matnawi.
In dealing with Allah’s elect we must have utmost respect, humility and be able to overcome our desires, follow and submit.
Step 3
Avoiding haste. We must never close the doors to learning because we think we have enough knowledge. Islamic knowledge is inexhaustable. There are different levels to Islam and belief. The Holy Quraan itself, distinguishes between being Muslim and being 'momin' (believer). So a Muslim may find the teachings and ways of a Saint to be strange initially. He has to have patience and always take time to consider everything carefully in order to progress.
"When the Pir has accepted you, take heed, surrender yourself (to him): go, like Moses, under the authority of Khizr.
Bear patiently whatever is done by a Khizr who is without hypocrisy, in order that Khizr may not say, "begone, this is (our) parting."
Though he destroyed the boat, do not speak a word; though he kill a child, do not tear your hair.
God has declared that his (the Pir's) hand is as His own, since He gave out (the words) the Hand of God is above their hands." Matnawi
Step 4
We must always be studying the Holy Quraan and the traditions of the Holy Prophet SAW as well. Knowledge is also important in discernment as long as it does not lead us to having pride.
"... the Qur’an was revealed as guidance... and the Discrimination..." — Al-Qur'an 2:185
Step 5
Nurturing the Conscience. Listening to our inner voice strengthens it. Ignoring it weakens it. Stay honest with ourselves and others, and be aware of our biases.
Step 6
Reflective Learning. Islam teaches us through history that discernment grows through reflection and lessons from personal and communal experiences. We must pay attention to and learn from past mistakes so as not to make them again.
A reminder: we are living in materialistic times. Let’s not make worldly possessions our god.
O Allah, Grant us discrimination and guide us by your righteous servants to overcome all the trials of this world and save us from those that mislead so that we may grow ourselves into the enlightened beings that You created us to be. Ameen! END
Published by:
Anjuman-e-Waris-e-Mohammedi
Founder: Dr/Hakim Hazrat Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah (RA) (Hazrat Poona Wale Shah Saab RA)
Incorporating:
1. The KZN Juloos Meelad
2. The AWM Brigade
3. The Rabbiul Awwal Special
Articles written by:
Mohammed Hassan Gaffoor
Editing:
Mussadiq Ebrahim
M. Hussein Gaffoor
Inaze Fatimah Jaffar
Altamish Jaffar
Sadia Gaffoor
Artwork:
Sadia Gaffoor
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