5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

And there he was, bowing his head in humility, upon witnessing the victory Allah had blessed him with, such that the end of his beard was almost touching his saddle.” Anas – may Allah be pleased with him – said, “The Messenger of Allah  entered Makkah on the Day of Conquest whilst his chin was touching his ride out of humility.” Ibn Mas’ud – may Allah be pleased with him –said, “A man came to the Messenger of Allah  and spoke to him regarding a matter. Whilst speaking to the Prophet , the man shivered.” Humbleness Seeing this, the Prophet  said, “Take it easy! I am just a son of a woman from Quraysh who used to eat dried meat.” He also used to say, “I sit as a slave sits and I eat as a slave eats.” In short… Whoever is humble for Allah’s sake, Allah elevates him. Allah only increases the honour of the one who is humble. Humbleness (65) To worship in secret On a cold winter’s night about ten years ago, I was out in the desert with friends. One of our cars had broken down, so we had no choice but to stay out in the cold. I recall that we lit a fire and sat around it together. How pleasant are winter discussions when sitting around a campfire! As our discussions protracted, I noticed that one of the brothers gently slipped out of our circle. He was a very pious man who used to perform acts of worship in secret. I would notice that he would go to the Jumu’ah prayers very early, sometimes so early that even the doors of the mosque would not have yet been opened! He got up and took a pot full of water. I thought that perhaps he had gone to relieve himself. When he delayed his return for longer than usual, I got up to see where he was, only to find him far away from us. He had wrapped himself up with a cloak due to the extreme cold and was in the state of prostration on the sand, in the dark of the night, all on his own. It was as if he was begging for Allah’s mercy and love. It was obvious that he loved Allah, and I think Allah loved him, too. I realised that to worship in secret honours a person in this world before being honoured in the Hereafter. Years have passed since then, and I still know him. Allah has made him much appreciated amongst the people. He participates fully in da’wah projects and guiding the people. When he walks about in a marketplace, I see the younger generation race to him to shake his hand, out of love and respect, before the older generation do! How many businessmen, princes and famous people wish that the people would love them as they love this person, but how far from the mark they are! You refuse to spend the night with a candle lit and sleep instead And then you still expect to meet Me (Allah)? Yes! As Allah says “Lo! Those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent will appoint for them love.” Meaning,Allah will cause the people to love them, for when Allah loves you, He makes you appreciated on the earth. The Prophet  said, “When Allah loves a person, he calls out to Jibreel and says, ‘I love this person, so love him.’ Thus, Jibreel begins to love him. Then Jibreel calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens and says, ‘Allah loves this person, so love him.’ Thus, the inhabitants of the heavens love him. Then this love descends into the hearts of people. This is what Allah means when He says, “Indeed, those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent will appoint for them love.” When Allah hates a person, He calls out to Jibreel saying, ‘I hate this person, so hate him.’ Thus Jibreel hates him. He then To worship in secret calls out to the inhabitants of the heavens and says, ‘Allah hates this person, so hate him.’ Thus, the people of the heavens hate him. Then this hatred descends into the hearts of people.” (alBukhari and Muslim) How beautiful it is that you live, eat and drink in this world and at the same time Allah calls out your name in the heavens saying, “I love him, so love him!” Az-Zubayr bin al-‘Awwam – may Allah be pleased with him – said, “Whoever of you is able to keep his righteous deeds a secret, then let him do so.” Secret worship can be done in various ways. You can perform it by regularly praying the night prayers, even if it be one unit of prayer every night, which you pray immediately after ‘Isha, or before you go to bed, or before Fajr, just so that you are known by Allah to be from those who pray the night prayer. The Prophet  said, “Allah is odd and He likes that which is odd.