By - Shaykh Tauqeer Chaudhary (db) Saturday, May 31, 2014
All praise is to Allah ta'ala, the Lord of all the worlds. He has bestowed many blessings upon us, and He likes that we mention His blessings. He says in the Qura’n;
وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ
“And for the blessings of your Lord, proclaim!” (93:11)
I feel so humbled by the huge blessing of Allah ta'ala, for the small little seed that was planted five years ago by my Shaykh, Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (may Allah preserve him) in the form of Nur ul Ilm Academy. The plant that he has himself nurtured, during the course of these years, finally is ready for the fruits to be picked. The first batch of Nur ul Ilm is graduating Alhamdulillah.
It is not a co-incidence that it is all happening in the spiritual season of spring, close to the month of Ramadan, when dead hearts come alive. It is the planning of Allah ta'ala. This has been a roller coaster of spiritual highs and lows, finally settling down to park. The sleeping hearts got some jerks. However, it has all been worth it. The light is finally seen at the end of that long dark tunnel of heedlessness. Some human beings are produced.
Being human is all about getting to know our creator, Allah ta'ala. This knowledge is incomplete without acting on what He wants from us. The actions will not come without His complete remembrance. The remembrance of Allah ta'ala does not settle in the heart without being in the company of the people of Allah ta'ala. This is the process that is followed in Nur ul Ilm Academy.
We must cherish these moments. Allah ta'ala wants us to thank Him for His blessings, and there can be no bigger blessing than a spiritual blessing. Allah ta'ala gave us all of these worldly blessings. We see because of Him, we talk because of Him, we hear because of Him, our hearts pump blood because of Him. We have houses, spouses, children, health and wealth because of Him. The moon, the stars, the air, the water, the oceans, the sky are all from His immense blessings. His blessings upon us are countless but Allah ta'ala says,
قُلْ مَتَاعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ
"Say, the blessings of the world are very little." (4:77)
Nevertheless, when it came to spiritual blessings, Allah ta'ala highlighted His favors upon us. He says about the Prophet (peace be upon him),
لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ
"Indeed Allah has done a (great) favor upon the believers that He has sent to them a prophet from amongst themselves.) (3:164)
When Musa (peace be upon him) was made a prophet, Allah ta'ala reminded him of this spiritual blessing that he was given.
وَلَقَدْ مَنَنَّا عَلَيْكَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَىٰ
“Indeed, We favored you yet another time.” (20:37)
This shows that a true blessing is a spiritual blessing. This is the blessing that not only helps in this life, but it also helps in the Hereafter. So, we all must thank Allah ta'ala in these moments, for this milestone that we have achieved; a few lucky individuals graduating to become the inheritors of the prophets. Truly, prophets do not leave behind any wealth in inheritance, but rather, leave spiritual knowledge. Whoever takes that, has indeed taken a worthy share.
Finally, a few words to the students who are graduating; this is only the start of a long journey. All what we have accomplished in these few years, is the realization that we are humans and above all, slaves of Allah ta'ala. We must live and die for Allah ta'ala. We have taken the first step, now is the time to start walking on this path towards Allah ta'ala. Serve the religion of Allah ta'ala, pass the tradition on, but always remember that it has only come to us through the prayers of our elders, our Shaykh.
We have to keep connected, as this chain of ‘Nisbah’ is bringing the light in our hearts. If we disconnect, the power will be cut off, and we may go back to the old times of darkness where we started. We don’t want to waste these years, and especially the favor that Allah ta'ala has showered upon all of us.
However, if we do keep connected, and dedicate ourselves to serve Allah ta'ala, the hearts will remain illuminated, the blessings will continue falling, not only in our lives but also in our homes, and in generations to come.
My special love and prayers go out for all of you. Please do not forget this sinner in your special prayers, as you all are SPECIAL!!!
Tauqeer Chaudhary
On behalf of the beautiful students of Nur ul Ilm Academy
Saturday, May 31st, 2014 | Sha’ ban 2, 1435
