175-The Rawha: Guidance for Seekers-Awe,Hope, and Patience – The Treatise for Seekers of Guidance – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani


In this series, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani covers and explains this early text of Islamic spiritual guidance, Imam Muhasibi’s “The Treatise for Seekers of Guidance” (Risalat al-Mustarshidin). This work contains precious gems of religious guidance on how to increase in faith, following of the Prophetic sunna, and how to turn to Allah with a pure heart and excellence of character.

The texts in the Rawha will be read in Arabic, translated, and commented upon briefly. This class is of benefit both for committed students of knowledge—particularly given the reading in Arabic—and for those simply seeking daily guidance, reminders, and inspiration in learning to live the light of Prophetic guidance.

In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz explains three key qualities of having awe of Allah, being hopeful of Him and being steadfastly patient with that which befalls you. He looks at these qualities through the counsels of the Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). The counsel is: “(1) hold yourself in awe of Allah with respect to your religion. (2) Hope in Him in all your affairs. (3) And be steadfast in all that befalls you.”

Shaykh Faraz explains what it means to have awe and fear of Allah. One fears the station and majesty of Allah, out of the intensity of love and inclination to Allah. He also explains that true hope in Allah is to seek righteous outcomes while taking the right meant to get there, outwardly and inwardly.

Finally, Shaykh Faraz explains that true patience is to remain firm on all that is pleasing to Allah, with outward good response and inward contentment. Shaykh Faraz closes with two key counsels by Sayyiduna Ali and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). Sayyiduna Ali said: “Fear only your sin. Hope only in your Lord. Don’t be shy of [people]. And don’t be shy of saying ‘I don’t know,’ if you don’t.” Sayyiduna Umar said: “Whoever fears Allah doesn’t express their rage, and whoever is mindful of Allah doesn’t simply do whatever they wish.”

 

For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit seekersguidance.org/podcasts.

Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate