Cheats are Not of This Ummah

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is adapted from a swuhbah from Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) on the 07^th April 2010. 

Many meetings begin without the recitation of “a’udzubillah min ash-shaythan ar-rajim”, as if we are immune to Shaythan’s venom.  Such pride allows Shaythan in.  We must recognise our weakness and seek His Protection.  Each time we recite “a'udzubillah min ash-shaythan ar-rajim”, Allah (s.w.t.) Sends Protection.  We are weak, fighting an unseen enemy.  We must always seek Refuge in Allah (s.w.t.). 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف

... إِنَّهُ ۥ يَرَٮٰكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ ۥ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَہُمۡ‌ۗ ... (٢٧) 

… for he and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them ... (Surah al-A’araf:27) 

We must also recite “Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim”, for that is our divine sword against our unseen enemy. 

Although there are places to learn Islam, they cannot give the same benefit as a swuhbah.  A swuhbah is derived from the same root word as swahabah.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) taught his swahabah in an atmosphere of love and companionship.  In such an atmosphere, there is a familiarity between hearts and it is in this setting that one is able to derive benefit and learning.  An air of officialdom is very different.  It raises some people above the rest.  In doing so, it creates barriers between hearts, and removes familiarity, which is crucial for learning to take place.  In such a setting, little learning takes place.  There is no genuine love and concern between teacher and student.  The relationship is forced.  The leader puts on an act of authority and knowledge in order to prove he has superior knowledge, and that is why he teaches.  It is an act, a fake show of piety.  It is akin to a fake diamond – it may look real, at first glance, but under closer scrutiny, it turns out to be glass.  No synthetic gem is of any real value, so no fake teachers have any real value either.  An appointment makes one put on a facade.  That is why the ego loves such appointments. 

Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi (q.s.) said, we must be our true selves when we are with people.  We must not have two faces – one for the public and one hidden from public view.  Many portray themselves in a way to draw praise and admiration.  This is in stark contrast to their real selves.  Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) said that this is haram as it is cheating.  He reminded us that Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said, “He who cheats, is not of my ummah.”  That is a stern warning from the Prophet (s.a.w.).  We must be aware of this hadits.  We must always ensure that we are on the path of Haqq.  Any deviation means we have wandered into cheating and we have drifted out of the ummah.  We must be aware and remain on the way of truth constantly.  Obedience to our egos means that we have abandoned the path of Haqq. 

It is the characteristic of Shaythan to have two faces in order to cheat people.  He tells humanity that in order to gain respect, people have to put on a public persona befitting the image of the position he is holding.  For example, a businessman will portray to his clients and potential partners that he is honest and trustworthy, but once he has won trust, he removes his mask, revealing the crook that he really is.  He is without the slightest tinge of remorse for despite his scams.  Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) said this is the worst form of cheating.  A man or woman may portray themselves as trustworthy and morally upright person, but once the trust has been gained and the marriage consummated, the mask is removed and the true colours emerge.  It is only then that one sees that the man is a wife-beater or that the woman is actually unfaithful.  This is Shaythan’s teaching. 

Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) said that it is true that we have a global crisis today.  It is not an economic crisis but a moral crisis.  Our terrible conduct is the crisis.  Humanity has been influenced by Shaythan.  Shaythan has laid his poisoned finger on all.  People are leaving forsaking the Divine Commandments and acquiring Shaythan’s personality.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) brought to us an example of the highest and best behaviour. 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡيَوۡمَ ٱلۡأَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً۬ا (٢١) 

You have, indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah. (Surah al-Ahzab:21) 

Anyone who cheats another human being, no matter his religion, has gone against the Divine, his face will turn ugly and it will become darkened, and he will have to endure Allah’s (s.w.t.) Punishment.  We must follow the Divine Commandments.  We must copy the perfect conduct of the Prophet (s.a.w.) in order to build genuine and healthy relationships, regardless of religion.  We must not cheat; not even a non-believer.  If we do not improve our adab, even if Allah (s.w.t.) were to Bestow upon us the wealth of Qarun, the crisis would not end.  People would still continue to cheat and scam one another. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Sends people to remind the ummah each time the people have strayed off the True Path.  This same advice has been echoed by every prophet that Allah (s.w.t.) has Sent.  There is no other way out of this worldly mess except to leave heedlessness and follow the conduct of the Prophet (s.a.w.).  The Prophet (s.a.w.) never spoke from his desires, he only brought wahyu.  His entire conduct is based on Divine Guidance.  Anyone who abandons the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) conduct will be rejected by Allah (s.w.t.) and His Prophet (s.a.w.). 

سُوۡرَةُ النّجْم

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ (٣) إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحۡىٌ۬ يُوحَىٰ (٤) 

Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) desire.  It is no less than Inspiration Sent Down to him: (Surah an-Najm:3-4) 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) said that honesty that will bring untold Divine Treasures.  But cheating will cause a fall into poverty and those who do so will be counted amongst the liars.  A single hadits is the answer to the entire spiritual and financial crisis.  But Shaythan whispers that we should not follow the Prophet (s.a.w.) but him.  So many emulate Shaythan – they cheat in business, in relationships, in worship, in sincerity, in every aspect of their lives.  Dishonesty, betrayal and cheating may bring a quick temporary profit; perhaps it may bring some respect from those who may admire our status and wealth.  Such respect is for their personal gain.  Eventually, all this must lead to inevitable dishonour before the Lord Almighty.  People would seek imitated honour in dunya in exchange for humiliation and Allah’s (s.w.t.) Wrath in the hereafter. 

True honour in dunya is achieved by being a true servant of Allah’s (s.w.t.).  One who serves Him sincerely, Allah (s.w.t.) will Open the hearts of others to him.  But one who lives in defiance of Allah (s.w.t.) and abandons the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) conduct, will be cursed in this life and in the life to come.  It is meaningless to strive for the respect of people by putting on a mask or by attaining worldly treasures by dishonest means.  True and everlasting honour is attained by being a devoted servant to Allah (s.w.t.) and by following the conduct of the Prophet (s.a.w.).  It is by being honest and showing our true self to all around us. 

Many have fallen into Shaythan’s trap, seeking worldly honour.  They are in everlasting regret.  Once they leave this worldly life, they also leave their worldly honour and their ill-gotten gains.  They suffer perpetual regret for having sought brief happiness in dunya.  Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) advised us before our last breath to make preparation for our death.  We shall surely leave this temporary life so we must ensure not to return to Allah (s.w.t.) as a two-faced creature.