معالم فى الطريق الى الله - للشيخ هانى حلمى

Milestones on the path to Allah SWT

A person may travel the path to Allah, Blessed and Exalted, for years, diligently seeking knowledge and attending sermons. However, when reflecting on the effects of this knowledge, he may find none! Initially active and enthusiastic, he may now experience lethargy and a sense of lost faith, overwhelmed by the distractions of the world.

To counter this stagnation, it is essential for an individual to periodically pause and hold himself accountable by asking three critical questions:

1. What have I learned about my Lord?
2. What have I learned about myself?
3. What have I learned about the path?

Anything beyond these inquiries may distract from the essential matters of spiritual growth.

The Ideal Way to Acquire Beneficial Knowledge

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim elaborates on the sought-after knowledge that fulfills one's spiritual goals, stating:

A person possesses two fundamental powers: theoretical knowledge and practical will to implement it. True happiness relies on the perfection of these two powers.

The completeness of theoretical knowledge involves:

1. Understanding his Creator and Maker, including His names and attributes.
2. Recognizing the path that leads to Him.
3. Being aware of the obstacles on that path.
4. Gaining self-awareness.
5. Identifying his faults.

Through mastering these five areas, an individual attains true knowledge, as those most knowledgeable are those who grasp these concepts and discern their significance”

[Al-Fawaid (1:19)].

If one does not understand the nature of the path leading to Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, and the challenges it presents, he will struggle to progress. When confronted with the first trial, he may falter. Thus, it is imperative to learn the five areas highlighted by Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim. If the knowledge sought does not deepen your understanding of your Lord, yourself, and the nature of the path to Allah, then it is not the beneficial knowledge one should pursue.

The practical power of an individual stems from knowledge.

Ibn Al-Qayyim continues:

"The perfection of the willful power is achieved through observing the rights of Allah over the servant and fulfilling these rights with sincerity, truthfulness, advice, kindness, and gratitude for His blessings. The servant recognizes his inadequacy in this service, knowing it falls short of what Allah deserves. Without divine assistance, completing these two powers is impossible. Allah guides the servant to the straight path meant for His chosen ones, protecting him from deviation caused by a corruption of knowledge, which leads to misguidance, or by a corruption of practice, which incurs divine anger”

[Al-Fawaid (1:19)].

• If his theoretical knowledge becomes corrupt, he may fall into misguidance.
• If his practical will becomes corrupt, he may incur anger.

The happiness of an individual cannot be realized without a harmonious balance of knowledge and action.

The Foundations of Knowing the Straight Path from Surah Al-Fatiha

Ibn Al-Qayyim asserts, "A person’s perfection and happiness are achieved through the integration of essential elements found in Surah Al-Fatiha. Consider the ayat:

{All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds (1) The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (2) Master of the Day of Judgment (3)} [Al-Fatiha: 1-3].

These verses encompass the first foundation: knowing Allah, the Exalted, and understanding His names, attributes, and actions. The foundational names mentioned in this Surah—Allah, Lord, and The Most Gracious—highlight essential qualities.

• Allah represents the attributes of divinity.
• Lord signifies His attributes of lordship.
• The Most Gracious conveys His kindness, generosity, and benevolence.

The meanings of His names revolve around these qualities.

Moreover, the verse {You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help (4)} [Al-Fatiha: 4] emphasizes understanding the path that leads to Allah, which is exclusively through sincere worship in a manner pleasing to Him and seeking His help in that worship.

The plea {Guide us to the straight path (5)} [Al-Fatiha: 5] underscores the necessity of steadfastness on the straight path, which can only be achieved through divine guidance.

Additionally, the verse {Not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray (6)} [Al-Fatiha: 6] illustrates the extremes of deviation from the straight path. It warns that one may deviate toward misguidance due to corrupt knowledge and belief or toward anger due to faulty intention and action.

Thus, the Surah begins with mercy, continues with guidance, and concludes with blessings”

[Al-Fawaid (1:19)].

The Nature of the Path to Allah, the Exalted

Foundations for understanding the path to Allah, the Exalted, are elaborated in Surah Al-Muzzammil and Surah Al-Insan. These Surahs clarify the principles and motivations necessary for embarking on the journey toward Allah, Blessed and Exalted.

Foundations of Walking Towards Allah from Surah Al-Muzzammil

The First Foundation: The Divine Method for Managing Life

Allah, the Exalted, says: {O you who wraps himself [in clothing] (1) Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little (2) Half of it or subtract from it a little (3) Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation (4) Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word (5) Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for [concentration] and more suitable for [words] (6) Indeed, for you by day is prolonged occupation (7) And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion (8)} [Al-Muzzammil: 1-8].

This Surah delineates four foundational practices for a servant’s journey toward Allah, which foster stability and steadfastness:

1. Standing in Prayer: It is insufficient to perform merely two short Rak'ahs before Fajr; one must engage in prolonged night prayers, allowing for intimate conversation with the Lord.
2. Reciting the Qur'an: Fast reading for reward accumulation is inadequate; rather, one should recite the Qur'an slowly, savoring its words and meanings. This slow recitation fosters reflection, contemplation, and deepens one's worship, ultimately preparing the heart for following Allah's straight path [Tafsir Al-Sa'di].
3. Remembering Allah, the Exalted: Daily life can lead to distractions and heedlessness. Therefore, one must fortify oneself by consistently remembering Allah to shield against worldly temptations. A guiding principle should be:
   Engage in work but do not fall into heedlessness.
4. Seclusion: Make time for solitude, dedicating moments to Allah, the Exalted. This separation from worldly distractions nurtures love for Allah and brings you closer to Him.

The Second Foundation: Reliance on Allah and Not Leaning on Causes

Allah, the Exalted, says: {Lord of the east and the west; there is no deity except Him, so take Him as Disposer of affairs (9)} [Al-Muzzammil: 9].

This verse serves as a reminder that everything in the universe, from the east to the west, is under Allah's dominion. Therefore, place your trust in the Creator of causes, avoiding dependence on the causes themselves.

During your journey, you may find your heart swaying towards worldly desires, distracted by the blessings of Allah. Remember, Allah, the Exalted, is the true Trustee; entrust your affairs to Him and do not anchor your heart to worldly causes.

The Third Foundation: Patience in Trials and Avoiding Opponents

Allah, the Exalted, says: {And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance (10)} [Al-Muzzammil: 10].

​This is a reminder for the worshipers that this world is a place of trials and temptations, and that there is no path to victory except through patience. By patience and certainty, one achieves leadership in religion. Among the things that help a servant in this is to distance oneself from the opposers and to avoid tempting and discouraging environments.

On the path to God Almighty, it is inevitable that you will be harmed, that enemies will oppose you, and that you will encounter whispers from the devils. You will find those who accuse you of failure and misguidance, and much of what deters you from the path of God. You may sometimes listen to their discouragement and be tested to purify your faith and sincerity.

So, be patient with their harm, stay away from them, and do not listen to what contaminates your heart.

Avoid the tempting worldly environment.

The fourth principle: Denial of Allah's blessings is the root of disbelief.

God Almighty said: "And leave Me with the deniers, those of luxury, and give them a little time." [Al-Muzzammil: 11]

The root of deviation and straying from the straight path is the denial of Allah's blessings upon the servant and failing to give thanks for them. He attributes the blessing to himself and forgets that it is God Almighty who has bestowed it upon him, and his reward will be painful torment; indeed, God Almighty gives respite but does not neglect.

Thankfulness is the greatest pillar of faith.
Without it, you will not establish your faith.

After reminding us in this noble Surah of the Day of Judgment and its horrors, God Almighty said:

"Indeed, this is a reminder; so whoever wills may take to his Lord a way." [Al-Muzzammil: 19]

As for Surah Al-Insan, the reminder contained therein is as follows:

First: The wisdom behind creation is to test disbelief and faith.

The Surah begins by reminding man of his origin, that he was not anything mentioned: "Has there not come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing worth mentioning? Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture that We may test him; and We made him hearing and seeing." [Al-Insan: 1, 2]

It reminds him of his origin so that he does not become arrogant and disobey and oppose his Lord.

God Almighty said: "Indeed, We have guided him to the path, be he grateful or be he ungrateful." [Al-Insan: 3] It then mentions that God Almighty has guided man, clarified for him the lawful and unlawful, and distinguished between the path of guidance and the path of misguidance. Among them are those who will be grateful and believe, and among them are those who will deny, which leads them to disbelief.

So, among the principles of guidance is the gratitude for blessings.

If you wish to continue on the path, you must give thanks.

God Almighty said: "And when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you give thanks, I will surely increase your favor; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'" [Ibrahim: 7]

Second: The characteristics of the believers who will be successful in the Gardens of Bliss.

After describing the beginning of the path and its landmarks, the Surah mentions the end of the path and the fate of both groups.

God Almighty said: "Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a blazing fire.  Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of Kafur." [Al-Insan: 4, 5]

Then it mentioned the characteristics of the believers, by which they will attain the delights of Paradise:

1. Fulfilling promises in contrast to betrayal: "They fulfill [their] vows." [Al-Insan: 7]
2. Fear in contrast to boldness: "... and they fear a Day when the evil will be widespread." [Al-Insan: 7]
3. Generosity in contrast to selfishness: "And they give food, in spite of love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive." [Al-Insan: 8]
4. Sincerity in contrast to showing off: "Indeed, we feed you only for the countenance of Allah; we wish not from you reward or gratitude." [Al-Insan: 9]

What drove them to faith and good deeds was their belief in the Hereafter and their fear of its horrors: "Indeed, we fear from our Lord a Day that is catastrophic." [Al-Insan: 10]

Thus, they obtained the reward and reached their ultimate goal: "So Allah protected them from the evil of that Day and gave them radiance and joy. (11) And He rewarded them for what they endured with a Garden and silk." [Al-Insan: 11, 12]

After the Surah described Paradise and its delights in detail, it emphasized the necessary foundations for a person's journey towards Allah, which are:

1. Establishment of prayer.
2. Recitation of the Quran.
3. Remembrance (dhikr) both night and day.
4. Patience and devotion to Allah Almighty.

God Almighty said: "Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down to you in increments. (1) So be patient for the judgment of your Lord and do not obey from among them a sinner or disbeliever. (2) And remember the name of your Lord morning and afternoon. (3) And of the night, prostrate to Him and exalt Him a long [part of the night]." [Al-Insan: 23, 26]

Then God Almighty emphasized: "Indeed, this is a reminder; so whoever wills may take to his Lord a way." [Al-Insan: 29]

And the fuel of the path is mercy.

"He admits whom He wills into His mercy, and the wrongdoers He has prepared for them a painful punishment." [Al-Insan: 31]

O Allah, guide us to the straight path.