Lesson 4 – Feeling the pain of the Ummah
My beloved Father, Hazrat Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) considered himself in relation to the Ummah, as one limb of a single body.
- Sayyiduna Nu’man Ibn Bashir (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) said: “The Muslims are like [the body of] one man; if his eye pains, his whole body pains and if his head pains, his whole body pains.”
(Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith was a reality in the heart of Hazrat (rahimahullah). He genuinely felt part of the same body. The suffering of any Muslim, in any part of the world would grieve him.
- He would often say: “How can we be at ease when so many brothers and sisters are suffering throughout the globe.”
- With the help of Allah, Hazrat Moulana initiated a relief project for the Syrian refugees from his Masjid. In this regard, a few years ago, a huge orphanage as well as a bakery was set up under his guidance. They continue to function to this day. Thousands of Syrian refugees receive bread daily from this bakery.
- Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) held special programs for the women folk at the time of various crises and exhorted them to contribute in the path of Allah Ta’ala.
On more than one occasion, the women folk would happily part with their wealth and jewelry for these noble causes. This reminds one of the life of the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum). Our Nabiy (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) also encouraged the Sahabiyyat to donate to charity from their jewelry, and they aptly did so.
- My beloved Father (rahimahullah) would also contribute from his personal money towards relief projects for suffering Muslims throughout the world.
- In the wake of the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia in 2004, Hazrat (rahimahullah) traveled [and encouraged other influential businessmen to also travel] to the affected areas and provide support in whatever way possible.
- During the xenophobic attacks in our country, the Isipingo Beach Masjid was active in assisting the displaced brothers and sisters.
- Any person he encountered that was in genuine need, he made a sincere effort to assist him, either by himself, or by instructing others to attend to it.
Our Din is so beautiful, that if one cannot personally assist the needy, he can still acquire reward if he intercedes on their behalf to someone who can assist.
(Sahih Bukhariy)
- The state of orphans and widows always pitied him. Whenever possible he tried to support them with his personal means. My beloved Father (rahimahullah) had a special affinity with orphans. He had made arrangements that every day, at least one hot meal must be sent to the home of 3 orphan children. Alhamdulillah this was done daily during his lifetime and still continues to this day.
May Allah Ta’ala make it a means of Thawab jariyah for Moulana. Amin. - Every month Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) would send money from his own wages to a particular widow in the locality to assist her financially. In addition to her being a widow, her late husband used to serve and make khidmat of Moulana’s late father (rahimahumallah). Two months before my Beloved Father passed away, he even increased the stipend. Among the last instructions that he gave on his way to the hospital the day he passed away, was to ensure that this widow receives her allowance. Alhamdulillah this legacy is also continuing to this day.
- He always encouraged fervent du’as for all Muslims, especially those who are suffering.
Du’a is a great weapon, whose value we unfortunately do not realise.
May Allah Ta’ala fill the grave of Hazrat Moulana Haroon saheb with nur and grant us the ability to follow in his footsteps.
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