Dars 16 - Dars-e-Hadith by Mufti Zahid Hussain

This lecture details the rights of Allah and His servants, the nature of divine provision, and the importance of maintaining faith through religious practice. It emphasizes that while Allah grants sustenance and protection to all, including those who reject Him, believers are obligated to worship Him exclusively and avoid shirk (associating partners with Allah). The work clarifies that the "right of the servants upon Allah"—that He will not punish those who do not commit shirk—is a promise of reward for the righteous, provided they remain steadfast in their faith until death.

The text underscores that the fear of losing one's faith is a hallmark of a true believer, whereas a hypocrite remains unconcerned. To protect this faith, the work teaches that one must adhere to the Sharia, including the performance of Salah (prayer), fasting, and other obligatory acts. These practices serve as a spiritual fortification against the influence of Shaitan, especially at the time of death. The lecture also explores the etiquette of responding to the Prophet Muhammad, explaining that the term Labbayka signifies a servant’s total readiness and presence in the court of their master.

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Key topics & takeaways

Divine provision and patience

• Provision for the rejectors — Allah grants Afiyah (protection from calamities and disease) and Rizq (sustenance) even to those who reject Him and commit shirk ▸0:59
• Definition of Afiyah — This is defined as protection from Afat (calamities) and Bala (trials), including the prevention of illnesses and viruses ▸2:26
• Definition of Rizq — This encompasses all provisions, such as water, air, clothing, shelter, and weather conditions ▸2:26
• Practice of patience — Believers are encouraged to avoid seeking revenge or proving others wrong, instead practicing patience and tolerance ▸2:26

The rights of Allah and His servants

• The right of Allah — The fundamental right of Allah upon His servants is that they worship Him alone and do not partner anything with Him ▸8:43
• The right of the servants — The right of the servants upon Allah is that He will not punish those who do not commit shirk or kufr ▸8:43
• Interpretation of punishment — While some scholars interpret the absence of punishment as the absence of eternal punishment, others hold that it means Allah will not punish the believer for their sins, as He is most forgiving toward those who die with Iman ▸11:36
• The danger of reliance — The Prophet Muhammad forbade sharing the news of this "right of the servants" broadly, warning that people might become yattakilu (reliant/lazy) and neglect their religious duties ▸11:36

Protection of faith

• Fear of losing Iman — Only a true believer fears the loss of their Iman, whereas a hypocrite feels no such concern ▸14:34
• The example of the Sahaba — The Tabii Imam Ibn Abi Mulayka reported that he met numerous Sahaba (companions), and none of them claimed their faith was as secure as that of the angels; rather, they were all fearful of losing it ▸15:59
• Acts as a shield — Performing Salah, fasting, and following the Sharia builds a spiritual fort around the heart to protect Iman from being stripped away at the time of death ▸15:59
• The role of the Sheikh — A spiritual guide (Sheikh) assists in protecting a believer’s faith, whether the guide is alive or has passed away ▸17:26

Etiquette and terminology

• The passenger position — Sayyiduna Mu'adh ibn Jabal sat directly behind the Prophet Muhammad on an animal known as a Himar, separated only by the Mu'akharat Rahli (the rear part of the saddle) ▸2:26
• Significance of proximity — The detail regarding the seating arrangement is intended to emphasize that the narrator heard the Prophet’s words with absolute clarity and certainty ▸5:29
• Meaning of Labbayka — This term signifies a servant’s presence in the court of their master, implying a repeated declaration of "I am here" in response to a call ▸19:52
• Meaning of Sa'daik — This is a prayer for the elevation of the status and the continued good fortune or destiny of the one being addressed ▸21:25
• Repetition for attention — The Prophet Muhammad would often repeat his words three times to ensure he had the complete and undivided attention of his listener ▸22:41