All Paths Require Discipline

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is adapted from a swuhbah from Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.). 

There is discipline in all ways of life.  Even in the universe, in the stars, constellations, and galaxies.  And there is discipline in our lives.  Take any way of life, and we will find discipline in any thariqa’, profession or madzhab.  Hence, there is discipline in anything that comes to dunya.  But when it comes to Allah (s.w.t.), we have no discipline.  Every day the alarm clock rings and we wake up in the morning, we shower and get ready, go to work, and then at work we follow a discipline.  But when it comes to Allah (s.w.t.), we have no discipline.  

When we want to see a doctor, we make an appointment.  If the doctor knows us, we might get an appointment sometime in the next two months, and if not, perhaps they say to come in six months.  That is because they follow a discipline.  If we know the doctor, we will be treated in a special and a different way; the doctor can even come to our house.  If the patient is feeling extreme pain and needs to be seen, the hospitals may say there is no space, they cannot fit the patient here.  If you know someone who can take you to the director of the hospital, things may change.  After that, those two months drop to one hour, and suddenly there is an opening and the doctor will see us.  How does that happen?  Because someone called the doctor and said we are special; someone will come and take us.  What more someone who is in the presence of the Prophet (s.a.w.).  They will immediately take us in.  They will intercede for us.  But still, there is a discipline. 

سُوۡرَةُ النِّسَاء

...وَلَوۡ أَنَّهُمۡ إِذ ظَّلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ جَآءُوكَ فَٱسۡتَغۡفَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱسۡتَغۡفَرَ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا (٦٤) 

… If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves come unto you and asked Allah’s Forgiveness and the Messenger had asked Forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. (Surah an-Nisa’:64) 

Things are it easy when we know someone.  But we must keep the discipline.  If we know someone who can take us to the presence of the Prophet (s.a.w.), it is the way to gain access to Forgiveness.  So discipline is needed.  But unfortunately, when it comes to Allah (s.w.t.) there is no discipline.  We listen to ourselves and to our Shaythan.  Some people have discipline and some are struggling, like us.  Some already have discipline, but it varies.  We ask Allah (s.w.t.) to Write us as among those who have discipline, and to Forgive our shortcomings. 

It is Said in the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ المدَّثِّر

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلۡمُدَّثِّرُ (١) قُمۡ فَأَنذِرۡ (٢) وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرۡ (٣) وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرۡ (٤)وَٱلرُّجۡزَ فَٱهۡجُرۡ (٥) وَلَا تَمۡنُن تَسۡتَكۡثِرُ (٦) وَلِرَبِّكَ فَٱصۡبِرۡ (٧) فَإِذَا نُقِرَ فِى ٱلنَّاقُورِ (٨) فَذَٲلِكَ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ يَوۡمٌ عَسِيرٌ (٩) عَلَى ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ غَيۡرُ يَسِيرٍ۬ (١٠) 

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

O you wrapped up (in a mantle)!  Arise and deliver your warning!  And your Lord do you magnify!  And your garments keep free from stain!  And all abomination shun!  Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for yourself)!  But, for your Lord’s (Cause) be patient and constant!  Finally, when the trumpet is sounded.  That will be - that Day - a Day of Distress - Far from easy for those without faith. (Surah al-Muddatstsir:1-10) 

They say covered with a blanket.  Is Allah (s.w.t.) going to give an example of His Prophet (s.a.w.) with a blanket?  He is the one whom Allah (s.w.t.) has Covered with His Beautiful Names and Attributes, and opened ‘ulum al-awwalin wa al-akhirin, knowledges of what was and will be, and did not leave anything unexplained.  He Covered him with His Beautiful Rising Sun of Names and Attributes.  His Prophet (s.a.w.) was Ordered to show us these Beauties and warn us we will not get them if we do not have discipline.  He was Ordered to arise and warn that those who do not comply would be mahrumin, the ones Forbidden from the Divine Presence. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) is waiting for those who follow this discipline.  Allah (s.w.t.) Manifests knowledge on him.  And that is something unexpected, beyond human comprehension.  That is one of the reasons we make takbir.  As much as we are say Allahu Akbar, His Generosity Increases and it never ends.  He Covers us with this Beauty.  As much as the Prophet (s.a.w.) gives to his ummah, Allah (s.w.t.) Fills up his oceans of gifts.  We must not keep our container full; keep it empty.  It is empty for those who have discipline.  Everything must have discipline.  We are not permitted to move a stone in middle of the road with our foot; it is sunnah to pick it up with our hands, to bend down with compassion and humility and move it aside because Allah (s.w.t.) Created it with respect.  So if we are not allowed to kick a rock, how are we to treat others?  To remove harm is sunnah.  Therefore, if we follow the right path, Beauty awaits us.  Mention our Lord's Greatness.  He will Fill us and all humanity with His Generosity!  May Allah (s.w.t.) Open our minds and hearts to understand more.