Pearls of Wisdom
The third waaz of Ashara Mubaraka 1447H dealt with the third celestial body known as Zohl (زحل). Zohl, also known as Saturn in English and Shani in Sanskrit, is the third largest celestial body after the Sun and Jupiter. Zohl is known as the taskmaster for its discipline. In the light of Saturn, Maula TUS taught mumineen what discipline is, the key to easily staying disciplined, and finally how to maintain discipline.
Maula TUS started his bayaan on the concept of discipline with the English saying, ‘Discipline is the key to success’. Using Rasulullah SAW teachings to Osama bin Zayd, Maula TUS showed mumineen what discipline truly is. Rasulullah SAW told Osama that: it is incumbent on you to follow the path of Jannah, and beware that you never waver from it. Expanding on these words, Maula TUS stated that in order to achieve true discipline one must adhere to shariat for the smallest movements; even as small as the twitch of an eye. Syedna Abdulqadir Najmuddin RA gave an example of one such practice. He explained that when a man is returning home he is followed by shaitan, but when the man recites “Bismillah” before entering, the shaitan leaves saying that there is no residence for me here. Similarly, when the man recites “Bismillah” before eating, shaitan says that there is no food for me here and when the man recites “Bismillah” before going to bed, shaitan says that there is no place for me to sleep here. Thus, by reciting “Bismillah” before every little task, we save ourselves from the influence of shaitan and stay steadfast on Siraat-e-Mustaqeem, the path of true discipline. Siraat-e-Mustaqeem is sharper than a sword and finer than a strand of hair. Just like a sharp sword, the siraat cuts through hardships and like a fine strand of hair it shows those who stay firm footed on the siraat exactly what to do and what not to do. Ziyado nil Aswad endured many hardships to reach Imam’s hazrat. His clothes were in tatters and his feet were bleeding because of the treacherous journey he had undergone. When Imam Mohammed al Baqir AS saw his condition, he shed tears for him and acknowledged his immense muhabbat by stating:
و هل الدين الا الحب؟
And what is faith but love?
Next, Maulana TUS explained how to stay disciplined with ease. Maula TUS states that the key to staying disciplined is to break whims and fancies. Mulla Raja displayed this discipline when he chose water for wudu over riches and jewels.
Ali Akbar AS displayed discipline when he went into the battlefield in Karbala to defend his father Imam Husain AS and the enemy offered him peace as he was related to their leader. But, Maulana Ali Akbar’s AS muhabbat for Imam Husain AS granted him the discipline to discern that accepting this peace would take him away from Imam Husain AS. He rejected their offer and returned to Imam Husain AS to quench his thirst. The hardship of thirst, hunger and even death did not dissuade Ali Akbar AS from his discipline.
Finally, Maula TUS taught mumineen how to maintain discipline. Maula TUS stressed that no matter how disciplined a person gets, it is important to not become arrogant, and instead remain modest. He explained that when one reaches a high level of discipline they should remember that there are Awliya Allah that have a higher level of discipline. He expanded upon this by saying that the true source of discipline is listening and doing as instructed by haq na saheb.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS explained that discipline should be maintained throughout a mumin’s life. Most importantly, discipline must be implemented during the days of Ashara Mubaraka, by closing business or taking leave from school: attending the nine days of bukaa on Imam Husain SA is where true discipline lies.