No Place for Salaat

Last Friday I had Iftar with a couple of varsity friends and three of their school friends. We went to a recently popular and expensive place in Dhaka. One thing really hurt me in that place. They have made arrangements for Iftar, so that people can break their fast after having their stomachs empty for the whole day for the sake of Islam, while we were sitting there, recitation from the Holy Quran was playing, how religious minded this all may seem. But shockingly, they have no place for Salaat (Namaaz). The Maghrib azaan went off, everyone started eating, they've stayed hungry all day to fulfill a Farz of Islam, and yet 3 rakaats of Farz Salaat was going away begging, and no one seemed to care. Me and my friend had to take an almost 10 minute walk to the mosque to perform our prayers. Really shocking to see the lack of knowledge and negligance about the Salaat within the common people. That only brings back the blame on us, those who understand, because it was our duty to make them understand, and we're not even trying.

A Remarkable Conversation

The following post is taken from Hikayat e Sahaba, part of Fazail e Amal. This conversation is one of my favorite reads of all time. It shows the steadfastness of the righteous upon the path of Allah, even in the face of imminent death, and the truthfulness even in front of the sword of the executioner.

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has said: "To utter truth in the face of a tyrant is the best Jihad."
This is a story of Jihad of that type. At that time, Hajjaj bin Yusuf, the notorious blood-shedder was in power.
Hajjaj's harshness and tyranny are well known in human history. The rulers in those days, in spite of their
shortcomings, never lagged behind in propagating the faith, yet we treat them as the worst among rulers
because of the contrast with the just and God-fearing rulers. He was the viceroy of king Abdul Malik bin
Marwan for Hijaz and Iraq. The king lived in Damascus and Hajjaj had his headquarters at Koofah. Saeed
bin Jubair had fought against Hajjaj on the side of Ibnul Ash-ath. After the defeat, Saeed (Rahmatullah alaih)
ran away and took asylum in Mecca. The Government posted a very stern person as the Governor of Mecca,
with instructions to' arrest Saeed. The Governor assembled all the people of Mecca and read before them the
order of Abdul Malik, which said:
"Any person who gives shelter to Hadhrat Saeed [Rahmatullah alaih) shall meet the same fate as Hadhrat
Saeed (Rahmatullahi alaih) himself."
He then announced to the people:
"By Allah, I must kill the person who gives shelter to Hadhrat Saeed (Rahmatullah alaih). His and his
neighbours houses shall be razed to the ground."
Hadhrat Saeed (Rahmatullahi alaih) was arrested with great difficulty and sent to Koofah. When he was
brought before Hajjaj, the following conversation took place:

Hajjaj: "What is your name?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "My name is Saeed (lit. auspicious)."
Hajjaj: "What is your father's name?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "Jubair (lit. Trimmed)."
Hajjaj: "No, you are in fact Shaqi (lit. wretched) son of Kusair (lit. a broken thing)."
Hadhrat Saeed: "My mother knew my name better than you do."
Hajjaj: "You are wretched and your mother is also wretched. "
Hadhrat Saeed: "The Knower of the hidden things is someone else"
Hajjaj:"Look! I am putting you to sword."
Hadhrat Saeed: "Then my mother was right in giving me this name. "
Hajjaj: "I shall send you to Hell."
Hadhrat Saeed: "If I knew that you had that power. I would have taken you as my god. "
Hajjaj: "What is your belief about the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "He was an apostle of Mercy and a Prophet of Allah, sent with the best Guidance for the
whole creation."
Hajjaj: "What do you say about the Khalifas?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "I am not a' warder over them. Everybody is responsible for his own actions."
Hajjaj: "Who is the most exalted of the four Khalifahs?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "The one who had been able to please Allah more than the rest. "
Hajjaj: "Which of them had been able to please Allah more than the rest?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "This is known only to Him Who knows what is hidden in the bosoms and what the hearts
conceal."
Hajjaj: "Is Ali in Paradise or in Hell?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "I can answer only after I visit the two places and meet their dwellers."
Hajjaj: "How shall I fare on the Day of Judgement?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "I am not fit to receive the knowledge of the unseen"
Hajjaj: "You do not intend to tell me the truth."
Hadhrat Saeed: "But I did not tell a lie either."
Hajjaj: "Why do you never laugh?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "I do not see anything to laugh at; and indeed why should one laugh, who is created from
dust, who has to appear on the Day of Judgement, and is always surrounded by tribulations.
Hajjaj: "But I do laugh."
Hadhrat Saeed: "Allah has created us with different temperaments. "
Hajjaj: "I am now going to kill you."
Hadhrat Saeed: "The time and mode of my death have already been decreed."
Hajjaj: "Allah has preferred me to you."
Hadhrat Saeed: "Nobody can be proud of his relation with Allah unless he knows his position; and Allah is
the only knower of the unseen."
Hajjaj: "Why should I not be proud of my relation with Allah. when I am with the Amir-ul Mominin and you
are with the rebels."
Hadhrat Saeed: "I am with the other Muslims. I myself shun mischief. but nobody can change the decree of
Allah."
Hajjaj: "What do you say about what we collect for Amir-ul-Mominin?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "I do.not know what you collect for him."
Hajjaj sent for gold, silver and dresses from the treasury and showed these to Saeed.
Hadhrat Saeed: "These are useful, provided you are able- to obtain with them the things that may provide you
peace on the Day of Consternation (Day of Judgement), when every nursing mother will forget her
nursing, and every pregnant one will be delivered of her burden, and when nothing but good will be of any
avail."
Hajjaj: "Are our collections not good?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "You have collected them, and you are the best judge."
Hajjaj: "Do you like any of these things for yourself?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "I only like the things which Allah likes."
Hajjaj: "Woe to you!"
Hadhrat Saeed: "Woe is for the person who is deprived of Paradise and is made to enter Hell."
Hajjaj: (Annoyed): "Say how should I kill you?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "As you would like to be killed."
Hajjaj: "Should I forgive you?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "Allah's forgiveness is real. Your forgiveness is of no value."
Hajjaj: (To the executioner): "Kill this man."
Hadhrat: Saeed laughed while he was being taken for execution. Hajjaj was informed of this. He called him
back.
"What made you laugh?"
Hadhrat Saeed: "Your boldness with Allah, and His clemency to you."
Hajjaj: "I am killing a person who has caused dissent among the Muslims. (To the executioner) Kill him in
front of me."
Hadhrat Saeed: "Let me say my Salaat of two rakaats."
After finishing Salaat, he faced Qiblah and recited:

"Verily, I have turned my face toward Him Who created the heavens and earth, as one by nature
upright, and I am not of the idolaters" (VI: 80).

Hajjaj: "Turn him from our Qiblah and let him face the Qiblah of the Christians, who also caused dissension
and dispute among their community."
His face was immediately turned to the other direction.
Hadhrat Saeed:

"And wither-so-ever you turn, there is Allah's countenance" (11: 115), Who is knower of the hidden
thoughts.

Hajjaj: "Make him lie on his face. We are only responsible for appearance."
Hadhrat Saeed (Rahmatullahi alaih) was made to lie on his face.
Saeed:

"Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second
time." (XX: 55).

Hajjaj: "Kill him"
Hadhrat Saeed: I call you to witness what I recite:
"I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, who is all alone and Who has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is His slave and His Prophet."
He was then beheaded (lnna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raaj-oon).
After the execution, too much blood came out from Hadhrat Saeed's (Rahmatullahi alaih) body. Hajjaj
himself marvelled greatly at it. He inquired the reason from his doctors, who said:-
"His tranquillity and composure at the time of death had kept his blood in its original form. Generally, people
to be executed are so much scared and afraid of death that their blood curdles and does not flow profusely."
There are many such incidents in the annals of the Taabi'een. Hadhrat Imam Abu Hanifa, Hadhrat Imam
Malik, Hadhrat Imam Ahmad bin Harnbal and other divines had to undergo trials and tribulations because of
their truthfulness; but they remained steadfast in the righteous path.

Which is The Right Path?

Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat: The majority of Muslims who adhere to the Holy Prophet (S) and that of His Blessed Companions (R).

The Holy Prophet (S) said,

"My Community will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the fire except one group. They asked: Who are they, O Messenger of Allah? He said: Those that follow my way and that of my companions." (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, al-Darimi)

The Muslim world is now divided into numerous sects or divisions, as predicted in the above mentioned Hadith. But success belongs only to them, who follow the ways of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and His Companions (R). Now, commonly the question arises that almost each and every sect claim that they are the true followers of The Prophet (S) and the Sahaabis (R), and the other sects are not. So under these circumstances, how can we identify which group is following the Right Path? Which one is the only sect which will be saved from the fire? The following Hadiths show us that it is the group or congregation consisting of the majority of Muslims.

1. The Holy Prophet (S) said: "Allah will never allow my Ummah to unite upon misguidance and incorrect beliefs. Allah's mercy, blessings and protection are with the largest group of Muslims. And he who deviates from this largest group of Muslims will be thrown into Hell." (Tirmizi)

2. The Holy Prophet (S) said: "He who deviates from the largest group of Muslims, even as much as a hand span, has himself cut off his connection with Islam". (Abu Dawud)

3. The Holy Prophet (S) said: "Follow the way of the largest group of Muslims! For, he who deviates from this group will be thrown into Hell!" (Ibn Majah)

4. The Holy Prophet (S) said: "In the period prior to the Day of Judgement, false and deceitful groups will emerge. They will say things to you, which neither you nor your forefathers will have ever heard before. Stay away from these deceitful people and do not let them come near you! Do not be misguided by them and do not let them cause strife amongst you!" (Sahih Muslim)

It is also mentioned in the Hadiths that the majority of the Muslims will not agree on a wrong conception:

1. "My Community shall never agree upon misguidance, therefore, if you see divergences, you must follow the greater mass or larger group." (Ibn Majah)

2. "You have to follow the Congregation for verily Allah will not make the largest group of Muhammad's Community agree on error." (Ibn Abi Shayba)

3. "Verily Allah will not make my Community agree on error." (Tirmidhi)

In the current time of deviation and misguidance among Muslims, The Blessed words of The Beloved Prophet (S) show us the Right Path, so that we may save ourselves from being diverted away from the Path to Jannat. These diversions and sects are all conspiracies of Satan, who is always looking to guide us away from Heaven. But Allah Subhanu wa Ta'ala has given us exact directions so that we may not get lost on the way. May Allah keep us among the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat and may we not stray away from the Right Path. Ameen.

How Islam Arrived in Bangladesh

This article has been taken from Sunni Forum. Through this article I was delighted to find some historical record that some of the Blessed Sahaabis (R) did indeed set foot on our soil. I was really gratified to find this information.

Introduction:

Islam arrived in this land in the same process as the land itself has been formed - in a conituous process of accumulation of silts. Islam was preached by generation after generation before the establishement of Muslim rule through a period of six centuries. As a result, a favoiurable place for Islam along with basic knowlegde about it was created in the hearts of the people. If formed an excellent psychological base that kept the inhabitants of this area firm upon Islam neglecting all sorts of obstacles, attacks and conspiracies.

Islam entered Bangladesh through the following three ways:

1. The Chittagong port was one of the major ports for entering the eastern region including China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Many merchants used to anchor at the Chittagong port and go to China using land roads. The Arab merchants had been using this port since pre-Islamic period and continued to do so after they embraced Islam. They used to preach Islam along with their business activities. Islam began to spread from that time.

2. King Cherumol Perumol of Tamilnadu coastal kingdom Malabar embraced Islam during the lifetime of the Prophet Mohammad (PUH). As a result that area turned into a centre for preaching Islam. Preachers used to come to Bangladesh from that region.

3. After the conquest of Sindh by Muhammad Bin Kashem, many preachers used to come from the Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey on their feet to preach Islam here.

The silent preaching of Islam that went for more than six centuries remained hidden due to lack of historical evidences. Modern researcher are finding evidences are being found from the books written by Arab Muslim historians, geographers and Muhaddises. For example, it is proven from the narratives of Muhaddis Imam Abadna Marwazi that a group of Sahabis (R) including Abu Oakkas Ibn Ohaib came to Chittagong in the year 618. The narratives of many Arab geograpics of eleventh century including Abul Kasem Obaidullah Ibd Khurdadbih, Al Idrisi, Al Masudi, Yaqub Ibn Abdullah mention the business relations and settlement of Arab merchants in Chittagong seaport, Chandpur river port, Ramu, Coxesbazar etc. These are verified by recently discovered archaeological evidences. A gold coin of the period of Harun-ur-Rashid (788) was found in Paharpur, Rajshahi another set of coins of Abbasia period were found in Moinamoti, Comilla. An ancient Masjid that was built in the seventh century (689 BC, 69 Hizri) has been discovered recently in Lalmonirhat district.

The folk stories and songs provide substantial hints about many Islam preachers and saints. There are signs of their tombs and Dargahs. We find many mosques built by them. These indicate that Islam had been spreading in Bangladesh for six centuries before the Muslims conquered Bengal. The repressed anti-Aryan people of Bengal began to adore Islam from that time.

The conquest of Bengal started in 1204. Islam began to receive patronisation from the rulers. The barriers for the people of this region for embracing Islam was removed. As a result they began to enter into Islam in large numbers. Islam did not come here with the help of swords, rather the people of Bangladesh embraced it through love and profound understanding.

Before Conquest of Bengal:

People of this land were familiar with Islam before the conquest of Bengal. Arab merchants had links with Chittagong port since pre-Islamic period. It has been proven in recent studies that a group of Sahabis (R) including Abu Oakkas Malik, Quyes Ibn Sairadi, Tameem Ansary, Urrah Ibn Assasa, Abu Quyes Ibn Harisa came to Chittagong in 618 during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PUB). They preached Islam there for few years and then went to China.

The following Sahabis (R) came to Bangladesh through Chittagong seaport after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PUB):
- Abdullah Ibn Utban
- Assem Ibn Amr Tameemi
- Sahel Ibn Abdi
- Suhael Ibn Adi
- Hakim Ibn Abeel Assaqafi

Later five delegations of the Tabeyees including a group of Muhammad Mamun and Muhammad Mohaimen came here to preach Islam.

In 712 Muhammad Bin Kasem conquered Sindh. It paved the way for Muslims to come to Bengal.

In 778 a group of Muslims fell into a storm in the Bay of Bengal. They were taken to the King of Arakan Ma-ba-toing. The king became very pleased with them due to their behaviour and intellects. He gave them several villages to settle. As a result, an Islamic society was developed in the course of time.

During 866 to 874, the famous saint of Iran Baezid Bostami preached Islam in Chittagong. Although most of the historians say that he returned to his homeland, many people believe that he died and was buried in Chittagong. His shrine is still in Chittagong.

In 954, the Muslims of Arakan became so powerful that they established Muslim rule in a part of Chittagong. King San-da-ya could not tolerate the Muslim rule and defeated them.

In 1053, Shah Muhammad Sultan Balkhi reached Harirumpur of Manikgonj through river way. He later established an Islam preaching centre around Mohastangar of Bogra. He established mosques and Islamic schools. During this time, he had to fight with King Parshuram of Mohastangar. The king was killed in the battle. Later the Army Chief Surkhab and captive princes Ratna Moni embraced Islam. Shah Muhammad Sultan Balkhi arranged their marriage and nominated Surkhab as the new king.

In 1053, Shah Muhammad Sultan Rumi came to Netrokona with a group of preachers. He invited the king of Madanpur for embracing Islam. The king refused first but accepted the invitation later and entered into Islam.

In 1179, Baba Shah Adam came to Bikrampur with a group of preacher to preach Islam there. Later he was martyred in a battle with king Ballal Sen.

In 1184, Shah Makhdum Ruposh came to Rajshahi as the first Islam preacher there. He was one of the preachers who built the base of Islam in Bangladesh in a completely hostile environment. He turned Rajshahi into an Islamic locality. His activities were centred around Rampur and Boalia.

Islam as Victor in Various Places:

It took two centuries to establish complete Muslim rule in Bengal. Muslim rule started from Rajshahi and completed in Khulna by Khan Jahan Ali.

1. North Bengal (Nadia, Gaur, Rangpur, Dinajpur: 1204)

After Delhi and Bihar was conquered by Muslims, King Lakxan Sen of Bengal anticipated Muslim attacks there. He was afraid that a Muslim battalion would suddenly attack him to free the people of this region from his oppression. Moreover, the astrologists told him that he would be defeated by the victor of Bihar, Bakhtier Khilji. As a result he employed strong guard in all conventional entrances of his temporary capital Nadia. However, in 1204, Bakhtier Khilji entered Nadia in a completely unconventional and difficult way and attacked the palace with a battalion of only 18 advanced soldiers. Lakxan Sen thought that the capital had fallen and escaped through the backdoor. It was the starting of Muslim rule in Bengal. Bakhtier Khalji conquered the whole North Bengal including Gaur, Bogra, Rangpur and Dinajpur.

2. Eastern-Southern Area (Sonargaon, Dhaka, Faridpur, Mymensingh, Barishal: 1274-1290):

Sultan Mugisuddin Tugril of Lakhnauti became active to establish Muslim rule in entire Bengal. He defeated the last Sen king Madhu Sen and brought Eastern Bengal under Muslim rule. As a result Sonargaon, Dhaka and Faridpur came under Islam. He build a fort at a place called Larikal 25 miles south to Dhaka and named it 'Killa-e-Turgil'. Bughra Khan was appointed ruler of Bengal in 1281. He ruled Bengal until 1290. Meanwhile, he brought Mymensingh and Barishal under Muslim Rule.

3. Sylhet (1303):

Sylhet was being ruled by a tyrant king named Gaur Gavinda. In 1301, Sultan Shamsuddin Feroz Shah sent forces against him twice in the commands of his Army Chief Sekander Gazi. It failed. He sent a group of soldiers again in 1303 in the leadership of Sayed Nasiruddin. Sekander Gazi too fought against Gaur Gavinda in this battle. Famous saint Shah Jalal assisted the force with his 313 companions. Gaur Gavinda escaped after being defeated. Shah Jalal stayed in Sylhet till his death in 1446 and preached and established Islam there.

4. Chittagong (1340):

Although Islam reached Chittagong much earlier, it took time to establish Muslim rule there. Sultan Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah was thorn in Soanargaon in 1338 and extended the area of his rule to southeast. During that period Ali Qadar Khan, Ali Mubarak Khan and Shamsuddin Mubarak Shah were in power in North Bengal. Fahkruddin Mubarak Shah brought Chittgaong under Muslim rule for the first time in 1340 and built a road from Chandpur to Chittagong.

5. Khulna Division (1418-1449):

Khan Jahan Ali played a remarkable role in preaching and establishing Islam throughout Khulna Division. Few Hindu Zaminders were ruling a small portion of the area and the remaining vast land was occupied by jungle. Khan Jahan Ali was engaged in building habitants, preaching Islam among non-Muslims and carrying out humanitarian activities. He built 360 mosques, dug 360 ponds for drinking water and constructed numerous pukka roads. He started building mosques, digging ponds and constructing roads from Barabazar of Jhenidah and reached Bagerhat. There he settled and build famous Shat Gambuj (Sixty Domes) Mosque. He established Quranic rule there in the name 'Khalifatabad' meaning the place of God's representatives.

For the Sake of Deen

On the 26, 27 and 28 March, I've been out on a 3 day Jamaat of Tabligh. I've been on a Jamaat before, but never for 3 days completely. My father wouldn't allow me to stay over because he cared a little too much for me. This is the first time I've traveled on the path of Allah with my bed on my shoulders and slept in the mosque. The independence day of our country have marked a different sort of independence for me. I've wondered how much difference there can be in staying over and not. Well, I've just found out that there's a huge gap. Whenever you want success, in any aspect of life, there needs to be some sacrifice, the more the sacrifice, the more closer you get to your goal. It goes for studies, profession, everything. Same theory applies for Imaan as well. The more hardship you go through for the sake of Deen, the better is your Imaan and steadfastness on the guidelines of Islam. There needs to be a great amount of hardship and sacrifice to attain the Imaan, which can inspire us to do good deeds and stay away from all evil from within our hearts. That's why it took our Prophet Muhammad (S) and his Blessed Companions (R) 13 years of hardship and effort to attain the eligibility of the complete Deen Islam, and only after that the guidelines of Islam was implemented on them. The noble work of Tabligh is nothing but the same effort as that of the Prophet (S) and the Sahabis (R), to acquire the Imaan which can keep us on the right path. By treading the path of Allah, with our beds and baggages on our shoulders, by leaving the luxurious life we used to live, by leaving our cozy air conditioned rooms, and sleeping on the floor of the mosque with people of all classes, by eating from the same plates and glasses with others, by preaching to people we consider to be low class, by being patient despite the many teases and pushes of the negligent, overall by struggling for the betterment of our Faith, all the diseases by which our hearts and minds have been filled, will slowly but surely be washed away, and in that place dependence on only Allah will be rooted. This is the goal of the work which is called as Tabligh. The blessed person through which this effort has been started again, Maulana Iliyas (Ra) didn't name it Tabligh. He said that if would name it, it would be 'Tahreek e Imaan' or, 'Revolution of Imaan'. Indeed it is so. Due to the strict adherence of the Quran and the Sunnah, this noble work has reached all corners of the globe within just a few decades. By spending some time in Allah's path, ultra moderns youngsters who are used to living life on the fast lane, are taking up the Sunnahs of the Rasul (S), becoming conveyors of the message of Allah, and thus are improving their own Imaan and that of others. If you want to understand how this effort can be such a life changing one, there is only one to find out, and that is by going out yourself.
Two of my friends from AUST, Ruhu and Fahad were with me in this Jamaat. I'm glad that they were there. Most importantly they weren't there only to pass the time of the semester break, but they have indeed learned the how important it is for us to work for the sake of Islam, and they are ready to do the work in their own community with their local mosque.
May Allah accept our efforts for the betterment of Imaan, and may Allah give all of us the understanding and the Tawfiq to give our effort, money and time for the sake of Deen, as we are suppposed to. Ameen.

An Eye-Opening Poem

I received this poem on my profile a long time ago. To me it seemed like a real eye-opening poem. I don't know who the author of this poem is, if anybody knows, please drop a comment.

I wonder……………………

If Prophet Muhammad visited you
Just for a day or two,
If he came unexpectedly,
I wonder what you would do?
Oh I know you would give your nicest room,
To such an honored guest,
And you would serve him your very best.

You would be the very best,
Cause you’re glad to have him there,
That serving him in your home
Would be a joy without compare.

But…when you see him coming,
Would you meet him at the door
With your arms outstretched in welcome,
To your visitor?

Or…would you have to change your clothes
before you let him in?
Or hide some magazines and put
The Qur’an where they had been?

Would you still watch those movies,
Or your T.V. set?
Or would you switch it off,
Before he gets upset.

Would you turn off the radio,
And hope he had not heard?
And wish that you did not utter
your last loud hasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music,
And instead take out Hadith books?
Could you let him walk right in,
Or would you rush about?

And I wonder…if the Prophet (saw) spent, a day or two with you,
Would you go on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on and say the things You always say?
Would life for you continue
As it does from day to day?

Would your family conversations,
Keep up their usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal,
To say a table grace?

Would you keep up each and every prayer?
Without putting on a frown?
And would you always jump up early,
For Fajr at dawn?

Would you sing the songs you always sing?
And read the book you read?
And let him know the things on which,
Your mind and spirit feed?

Would you take the Prophet with you,
Everywhere you plan to go?
Or, would you maybe change your plans,
Just for a day or so?

Would you be glad to have him meet,
Your very closest friends?
Or, would you hope they stay away,
Until his visit ends?

Would you be glad to have him stay,
Forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great relief,
When he at last was gone?

It might be interesting to know,
The things that you would do.
If Prophet Muhammad came,
To spend some time with you

Ijtema 2008: Flooded with rain, Flooded with Blessings

The days of Ijtema are the most eagerly awaited days of the year to me. Since I came to Uttara I didn't miss attending this grand event. It's a huge opportunity to listen to the elders of Tabligh who come here from all the corners of the globe, inspiring us to work on Allah's path, spread the words of Quran and Sunnah. This year I knew I wouldn't be able to attend all three days, as the classes and exams were too heavily scheduled as we are heading towards the end of the semester. But man desires and Allah decides. Due to continuous rain and chilling winter cold, the Ijtema was cut short into just one day. I saw a glimpse of the misery of the people at Ijtema on Thursday. I went there at Asr and the scenario was totally miserable. It was raining from above, the water dripping down through the canopies. The clay roads were all muddy, making it a huge task to move around. People were finding no place even to put their luggage. At several spots I saw men removing mud using bottles and pots from the ground where they are supposed to stay for three days. I couldn't stay for much longer and headed back home. As I was returning, I could here our very own Maulana Zubair speaking about patience through the hurdles in life. He referred to the Sahabis (Ra), saying that they never prayed for their troubles to be gone, instead they prayed that they would face tougher challenges, so that they can prove themselves in the test of Imaan.
At Friday, the situation was getting even worse. So after the Maghrib prayers, the seniors of Tabligh and two people from each Zilla was called on an emergency meeting, from which the decision came to halt the proceedings of this year's Ijtema after the Isha prayer. The eagerly anticipated so called 'Akheri Munajat' was held at about 8:00 pm.
Apparantly it seems as though the Ijtema has been foiled, that it has failed its purpose. But it might not be so. Maybe this years Ijtema would be far more successful in achieving its goals than recent years. Allah tests the steadfastness of His subjects through all states and conditions, to see how strong they stand on the path of Allah, despite the state they are in. India's Maulana Saad said at the bayaan after Maghrib, that this seemingly failed congregation would bring many times more blessings from Allah than any other, and the far reaching positive effect of this Ijtema would be seen very shortly Inshallah. I guess what he meant is that through this turn of events, people will find new inspiration, encouragement and spirit to work for the sake of Deen Islam.
One immediate example of what Maulana Saad said was observed in the representation of the Ijtema by the media. Most of the times, when the electronic media covers this event, they hugely fail to bring out the true purpose of Ijtema, which is to send out Jamaats of Tabligh throughout the country and the world, to call people towards Allah. This year I was surprised to see a clear difference. I saw the report made by private broadcasters Channel-I on their news after the day Ijtema was terminated. I was really delighted to note that the true goal of Ijtema was indeed brought out clearly enough. In the papers as well, I saw similar changes. Pamphlets distributed by the government sponsored by Grameen Phone, which contained the map of the Ijtema ground, also mentioned the necessity of the work of Tabligh. These things are quite different from the previous years.
So in the same tone as all the Muslims of the country, I pray to Allah that this Ijtema which is apparently flooded by the rain, is in fact flooded by the Blessings of The Almighty.