A Dumb Shaitaan

A Dumb Shaitaan

RASULULLAH (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “He who is silent about the Haqq is a dumb shaitaan.” When the Haqq is being subverted and trampled on, it is the incumbent obligation of the Ulama to stand up in defense of the Deen. Fear for the slightest controversy, fear for cessation of smiles and fear for the source of donations drying up are usually the reasons for the silence of the Ulama even though they understand the error of the criminal elements whose ‘friendship’ they pursue at the cost of subversion of the Shariah. In this evil process the Shariah suffers and the masses are misled. It is for this reason that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) described such a silent person as a ‘dumb shaitaan.’ The function of a shaitaan is to destroy the Deen. Thus, those molvis and sheikhs who abstain from the proclamation of the Haqq are in reality “Dumb Shayateen” Hakimul Ummat Hadhrat
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (rahmatullah alayh) castigating those who abstain from Amr Bil Ma’roof, commented: “Even those who do not commit sins (at least not flagrantly) are guilty of mudaahanat (hypocrisy). Despite
seeing others committing sins, they refrain from Amr Bil Ma’roof Nahy anil munkar. Mudaahanat too is a sin. Pious people are generally afflicted with this malady except a few. Nowadays, even in pious people there is a dearth of admonition (naseehat) and speaking with clarity.” The disease of speaking with ambiguity affects almost all Ulama of this age. They may be sincere, but prior to stating the Haqq, they have to look over their shoulders to avoid offending their benefactors – those who donate the boodle for their good and laudable Deeni projects. Caught up in this lamentable malady, their gaze is deflected from Allah Azza Wa Jal Who is the Sustainer and Protector of the Deen and the Operator of all Deeni Projects. The Ulama should understand and believe with unshakeable faith that even if all the donors withhold their contributions, the Work of Islam will not terminate. Guarding, protecting, sustaining and furthering the Deen is Allah’s responsibility, not ours. Our duty is merely to echo the following Qur’aanic aayat: “And upon us is only the obligation to deliver the clear message.” For this delivery, the essential requisite is only the bounty of the tongue which Allah Ta’ala has made available to us free of charge. Thus, if there are no halaal funds coming your way honourably, then close your Madrasah – terminate your Deeni project. But never compromise the Haqq. Never sell Allah’s Deen down the drain for a miserable price. We need Allah’s pleasure, not the money and pleasure of donors who seek fatwas to soothe their nafs. The following memorable words of Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi
(rahmatullah alayh) should be adequate naseehat for us: “The Madrasah is not the maqsood (the objective/
goal). The Pleasure of Allah is the Maqsood.” By opting to be “dumb devils” with their silence when the Haqq is trampled on, the Ulama practise mudaahanat or hypocrisy to curry favour with others at the cost of incurring Allah’s Wrath.