بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم
💭 FASHION IS A TEST OF THE VERY SEVERE KIND.
In fact, it is a madness and an obsession that has afflicted many. It makes a person blind, except to the chase of keeping up with the latest fashion trends, styles and designs, which are ever changing. Have we ever stopped to think that one day, very soon, we will leave this world wrapped in a simple Kafan (shroud), the pattern and style of which has remained the same and will always remain as is? _How senseless it is to make fashion the , 'be all and the end all’_ of our lives, when the inescapable occasion of death calls for just one Kafan, with no designer names or brand labels.
💭 Ponder a while: If the obsession is with jewellery, then no ring, no bangle, no jewel will adorn the person when buried beneath the earth. If the infatuation is with handbags, the Kafan does not even have one pocket. Since nothing is taken from this world, there won’t be a need for a handbag. If the fixation is with shoes, we will be barefoot when placed in our graves.
💭 If our preoccupation is with cell-phones, tablets, in upgrading and having the best of technology, and if we are consumed with social media and are negligent of our purpose in this world and neglectful of good deeds, we should understand that there will be no WiFi, no 3G and no connection for socialising with our friends when in the grave. There will be just the person and his deeds!
💭 Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi رحمة الله عليه makes plain this reality: “The world is ‘darul ghuroor’ - a world of deception The day man is delivered to his grave, Nothing except his shroud accompanies him.”
💭 To wear good clothes, eat fine food and live well is not Haraam (forbidden), if the earnings are Halaal (lawful) and our obligations to the poor and needy are also met. Whilst it is permissible to dress well and live well, it is not acceptable to be lavish, exceeding all bounds of Islamic guidelines, ignoring the plight and the dire circumstances of the poor and needy. Many are without employment, food and even homes – more especially in these times wherein inflation has gone through the roof, and a loaf of bread and a litre of milk are beyond the means of the poor. We should be considerate and remember that we will be questioned about our expenditure on the Day of Qiyamah.
💭 Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘[On the Day of Judgment], the feet of a person will not move until he is asked regarding:
1.) His life; how did he spend it,
2.) His knowledge; how did he act upon it,
3.) His wealth; how did he acquire it (and)
4.) How did he spend it, and
5.) His body, how did he use it.’ (Tirmidhi)
💭 What has to be understood is that we must not become slaves of passion and fashion.
Our clothing and accessories should also not become the medium of us falling prey to the deadly diseases of Takabbur (pride), Ujub (vanity/conceit) and Riyaa (show and ostentation).
Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم warned *“Whoever wears garments for fame, Allah will clothe him with the garment of disgrace.”* (Abu Dawood)
💭 It is this diversion and game of “fashion” and “materialism” which literally gulps and swallows money and opens the doors of wastage, extravagance, living beyond one’s means, purchasing on interest; and being negligent of the objective of this worldly life. It also leads to rivalry, jealousy, enmity and other sins. There is great ease and comfort in simple living without being shackled by the need to change with changing designs and fashion.
_Simplicity is a part of Imaan (Abu Dawood)_ and ‘THE DRESS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – THAT IS THE BEST.’ [SURAH AL-A’RAAF 7 : 26]
There are those who use the Ahadīth on neatness, Taharah and so forth, as justification for modern day lavishness; whereas fashion, lavishness and extravagance are very different from neatness and good grooming.
💭 Allah Ta’ala describes those who are extravagant and lavish as brothers of shaytaan:
“SURELY, SQUANDERERS ARE BROTHERS OF SHAYATEEN, AND THE SHAYTAAN IS VERY UNGRATEFUL TO HIS LORD.”
[SURAH AL-ISRA 17 : 27]
💭 Hazrat Khwaja Azizul Hasan Majzoob رحمة الله عليه very aptly stated: *“You are always concerned: ‘I must remain above all. My fashion and beautification must excel all.’ Is this how one, who is going to die, lives? The outward beauty of the world has deceived you!”*
``` May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding of the purpose of this worldly life and grant us the Taufeeq of striving for what is real and everlasting. Aameen. ```
_(Taken from the kitaab : Seeking the Shade of the Arsh | Guidance for the Youth.. Compilation of advices from the teachings of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh))_
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