It is easy …

It is easy to perform Hajj every year. It is easy to perform a dozen 'Umrah within few days. It is easy to do a Khatm-e-Qur'an every day. It is easy to read a certain amount of Rak'at every day. But what is difficult and very difficult is to lower the gaze when an attractive person passes in front of you. The gaze can do a lot of damage if we do not know how to keep them under control. Do you know how many homes were broken due to that? How many hearts were broken? How many crimes have occurred due to that? And how many children have been orphaned due to that?

Similarly, it is easy to spend money in the name of Sadaqah and charity. It is easy to make a huge donation for the construction of a Masjid, Madrassah etc. but what is difficult is to fight this monster which is called Kibr. What is difficult is to eradicate the rodent of the society which is known as jealousy. It is easy to do Ibaadah in abundance but what is difficult is to get rid of and free oneself of this imprisonment called Riya.

When a person does the work of Deen but not for the sake of Allah Ta'ala, but for fame, this mentality is called Riya. Whoever does not know the greatness of Allah Ta'ala and does not know the value of the reward that Allah Ta'ala has reserved for actions performed with sincerity, falls into the trap of Riya. There is too much of enjoyment and ambiance when one is flattered. Thus, it is difficult to get rid of that. A strong person is one who manages to get rid of Riya, jealousy, arrogance and he manages to control his gaze. And this is a true Insaan. It is in this very sense that a great 'Aa'lim, Hakeem-ul-Ummat, Hazrat Maulanaa Ashraf Ali Thaanvi (Rahmatullaahi Alaiyh), said that it is very easy for a person to become what he aspires for but it is extremely difficult is to become an Insaan.

It is not sufficient to have hands and feet like an Insaan to become an Insaan. One should have the behaviour of an Insaan to become a true Insaan. The behaviour of an Insaan is that behaviour which makes him become good, humble, kind, affectionate towards his people and sincere towards his Creator. We have heard and seen people having talents in different fields which make them get titles such as Mr World, Miss World etc. But the true strong one whom we should all be proud of, is a person who fights these monsters which degrade Insaan to a level where Insaaniyat (humanity) ceases to exist.

[English version of "Li facile" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.12]