Four Actions to Acquire the Friendship of Allah pdf

Four Actions to Acquire the Friendship of Allah

FOUR ACTIONS TO ACQUIRE THE FRIENDSHIP OF ALLAH

With the blessings of practicing on these four actions, Insha-Allah, he will gain the ability of practicing on all the other commands of Deen.

This is due to the fact that generally people find these actions difficult since it is difficult on the Nafs (the inner-self).

The student who manages to answer the difficult questions in the question paper will have no problem answering the easy questions.

Hence, the one who suppresses his Nafs for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and practices on the following actions, it will become easy for him to practice on the entire Deen and he will become the Wali of Allah Ta’ala. 

THE FIRST ACTION KEEP A BEARD TO THE EXTENT OF ONE FIST IN LENGTH

The following is reported in a narration of Bukhari Shareef: 

خالفوا المشركين وواللحى وأخو الشوارب وكان بن عمر إذا حج أو اعتمر قبض على ليته 

(Bukhari; Vol. 2, pg. 875) ókoi Les no “Oppose the idolators! Lengthen the beard and shorten the moustache. When Hazrat Ibn Umar (zool.) used to go for Haj or Umrah, he would take hold of his beard in his fist.

Whatever amount of the beard was in excess of the fist, he would trim it.” In another narration of Bukhari Shareef it is narrated that Rasulullah said: 

انهوا الشوارب وأعفوا اللحى 

(Bukhari; Vol. 2, pg. 875) “Make the moustache extremely short 

and lengthen the beard.” 

It is Waajib to keep a beard to the extent of one fist. Just as it is Waajib to perform Witr Salaah and Eid Salaah on Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, similarly it is Waajib to keep a beard to the extent of one fist in length.

 All the four Imaams are unanimous in this regard. Allama Shaami ( 103) states: 

 “To trim the beard when it is shorter than one fist in length, as practiced by some people of the west and hermaphrodites, has not been permitted by anyone.” Hakeemul Ummat, Mujddidul Millat Moulana Ashraf Ali Saheb Thanwi (ww13) writes in Bahishti Zewar, “It is Haraam to shave the beard as well as to trim it to less than the length of one fist.” 

(Bahishti Zewar; Part.11, pg. 115) The word “Daarhi” (urdu word for beard) comes from the word “Daarh” (jaw).’ “The urdu has been derived from the orignal Arabic Word Lihya which comes from the Arabic Word “Lahyum” (jaw) 

Therefore, the beard should be to the extent of one fist under the chin as well as to the right and left (to the end of the jaw on either side).

 It is Waajib to grow the beard to one fist length on all three sides. Some people grow the beard to one fist under the chin but trim it to less than a fist on either sides.

This is incorrect. If any one of the three sides the beard has been shortened to lesser than one fist to even the extent of one grain of rice (a few millimetres), this action will be harram and a major sin. 

THE SECOND ACTION TO KEEP THE ANKLES EXPOSED i.e. NOT TO COVER THE ANKLES WITH  THE TROUSER, PANTS, ETC.

 It is Haraam and a major sin for males to cover their ankles with their garments. The narration of Bukhari Shareef states: 

ما تنقل بين الكعبين من الإزار في النار 

Bukhari; Vol. 2, pg. 861, “Whatever portion of the ankles is covered by any garment (such as the pants, lungi, kurta, turban, sheet, etc) will be in the fire.” 

It is clearly understood from this narration that to cover the ankles is a major sin since the warning of punishment of the fire of Jahannum is not given with regard to minor sins.

 In Bazlul Majhood, the commentary of Sunan Abu Dawood, Allama Khaleel Ahmad Saharanpuri ( 3) writes that “Izaar” in the above Hadith refers to every such garment that covers the ankles from above such as the pants, lungi, kurta, etc.

 To cover the ankles with such garments is forbidden. “Izaar” does not refer to anything that is worn from below such as socks. Hence, there is no sin in covering the ankles with socks.

Therefore, if somebody really wishes to cover his ankles, he should wear socks. The prohibition of covering the ankles with garments worn from above is applicable in two conditions only. 

• While standing (2) While walking Thus, while sitting or reclining if the ankles are covered by one’s Izaar, there is no harm. Some people are under the serious misconception that it is only necessary to expose the ankles in Salaah.

 Therefore, upon entering the Masjid they fold up their pants and expose their ankles and upon leaving, once more unfold the pants. It should be remembered well that the prohibition of covering the ankles is not restricted to Salaah.

The ankles must remain uncovered by one’s pants, kurta, etc, while standing or walking or else one would be committing a major sin. Allama Khaleel Ahmad Saharanpuri filoso) also states: 

وهذا في حق الرجال دون البناء 

“This command (of uncovering the ankles) applies to males and not to females.” (Bazlul Majhood; Vol.6 pg. 57, The Chapter on Clothing) Once a Sahaabi ( 18) said to Rasulullah lating locals): 

“My shins have dried up.” What this meant was that due to the narrowness of my shins (including my ankles) having dried up and becoming thin and unsightly,