Ways to Feed Others The Niyaz of Giyarwi

Madani Muzakarah

Recite the holy Quran daily

Q: How much Quran should we recite every day?

A: If you wish to recite the entire Quran every day, you can do so. However, it is written in Shajarah Qadiriyyah that we should recite one part (juz/pāra) daily, which would allow us to complete the Quran in a month. There are some students in our seminaries who read one section (manzil) of the Quran every day. There are seven sections in the Quran, so they complete the entire Quran in seven days. You should recite as much as you can and continue reciting until your heart remains engaged. If you can recite one section a day, then that is excellent.^[1]

Ways to feed others the niyaz of Giyarwi

Q: Should we feed our families the niyaz of Giyarwi by inviting them to our home, or should we pack it in boxes and distribute them among the poor?

A: Both methods are valid. If it is possible to invite everyone and feed them by organising a blessed gathering which consists of recitation of the Quran, praise of the Prophet  صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , and a reminder, then that is better. Other virtuous acts can be incorporated too. If inviting and feeding people will yield fewer attendees, but distributing food packs to homes will allow you to reach out to more people, such as Islamic sisters and young children, then this can also be done.^[2]

What is the meaning of “Māh-e-Fākhir”?

Q: What is the meaning of “Māh-e-Fākhir” and “Quṭb-e-Rabbānī”?

A: “Māh-e-Fākhir” refers to a month to be proud of; a month of superiority. “Quṭb-e-Rabbānī” is a saintly pole (quṭb) appointed by Allah Almighty. Any position of sainthood, whether quṭb, ghawth, or abdāl, are all granted by Allah Almighty. Even when Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه transformed the thief into a qutb, it was Allah Almighty in reality who caused that transformation. This is because it is Allah Almighty who granted him the ability to make the robber into a qutb.^[3]

The statement, “Do not perform so many righteous actions that the reward of Allah Almighty falls short”

Q: Someone said, “Brother, do not perform so many righteous actions that the reward of Allah Almighty falls short!” What is the ruling on saying this?

A: Refuge is with Allah! These are blasphemous words. Although someone probably uttered them in jest, they are still highly unbefitting and blasphemous. One should not even think in this manner, and a Muslim in particular can never be guilty of this. It is possible that this is a result of bad company and listening to dialogues from films. May Allah Almighty shower His grace upon us and preserve our faith.^[4]

The meaning of being fraudulent (makkār)?

Q: What does it mean to be fraudulent?

A: A fraudulent person is deceptive. Referring to a Muslim as fraudulent, or makkār in Urdu, is offensive and falls under the sin of mocking Muslims. If you have used such words for someone, apologise to them and repent to Allah Almighty.^[5]

A wife mocks husband for being less educated than her

Q: A wife says to her husband, “I am more educated than you, and you are less educated than me.” Are her words acceptable?

A: These words could hurt the husband’s feelings. The woman might have a certificate, but the man could have a wealth of experiential knowledge, even if he is not formally educated. In any case, speaking to someone in this way is disrespectful and hurtful.

I carry booklets to give to people who visit me. At times, when I go to hand over a booklet to someone, a brother calls out, “He does not understand Urdu.” I have told such people to not say things like this, as this can hurt the feelings of the other person. For someone who lives in Pakistan, not knowing how to read or write Urdu could be embarrassing. If they themselves profess that they do not understand Urdu, then that is a separate issue. I have even seen people who can speak such excellent English that an average educated person would be shocked after observing them, but their Urdu is poor.^[6]

Mother-in-law places rubbish at the door of daughter-in-law

Q: If a mother-in-law lives in the upper floor of a house, and she places her rubbish in a container and leaves it on her daughter-in-law’s doorstep, what should the daughter-in-law do?

A: The daughter-in-law should be forbearing. She should clear the rubbish. If she quarrels with her mother-in-law, it will only fuel matters, and she will lose the reward in the case of being patient. Therefore, she should serve her mother-in-law and keep her happy. However, if the mother-in-law is doing this in order to provoke her daughter-in-law, she will be sinful.^[7]

Eating during the azan

Q: Can we eat during the azan?

A: If you were already eating prior to it, you can continue eating. ^[8] If you did not begin eating before the azan, it is better for you to reply to the azan first and then begin eating. If you wish to stop eating and reply to the azan, you can do so, for replying to the azan is very rewarding.^[9]

Go to Hell!

Q: How serious is it to say “Go to Hell” to a Muslim?

A: This is a type of curse which will certainly embarrass and humiliate the other person. Also, this statement could be said as a threat, to scare or to instil fear. Therefore, this statement cannot be uttered. Some people say, “We are honourable with the honourable, but immoral with the immoral”. The one who utters such words is immoral himself.^[10]