SUBMISSION by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh) When Hazrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) was told

to submit to Allah Taala, he respo nded that he had submitted himself to the Rabb (Sustainer) of the Worlds. Some Mu fassireen (Commentators) say that there are approximately 18 000 worlds. Allah Taala mentions this incident as follows: And remember when his Rabb said to him : Submit (thy will to Me). He said : I submit (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe. [ Surah Al - Baqarah : 131 ] After Hazrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) made this declaration of submission, ther e followed many trials and tests. As a young man, he was faced with opposition from his father, who was an idol-wo rshipper. When he invited his father to the worship of Allah Taala, his father op posed and threatened him : He (the father) said : Do you reject my gods, O Ibraheem? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you. [Surah Maryam 19 :46] Due to Hazrat Ibraheems (alayhis salaam) rejection of idol-worship, and his preac hing the message of Allah Taala, he was thrown into the fire by Namrud and his pe ople: They said, Build him a furnace and throw him into the blazing fire. [Surah Saffaat : 97] They said, burn him and protect your gods if you do (anything at all)! [Surah Ambi yaa 21 : 68 ] It is stated that for an entire month, the people of Namrud collected firewood, which they thereafter lit, fanning it until it became an intense, blazing fire. Using a catapult, they threw Hazrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) into the raging fi re. However, The One who created fire and gave it the attribute to burn, now com manded the fire to become cool, as well as offer safety to Hazrat Ibraheem (alay his salaam). We said, O Fire ! Be you cool, and (a means of) safety for Ibraheem. [Surah Ambiya a 21 : 68 / 69] After being delivered from this test, saddened with his people, he left his coun try (Iraq) and made Hijrah to a place where he could worship Allah Taala in peace , Syria. Having no children, Hazrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) thus made dua for a child: O My Lord, grant me a righteous son. [Surah Saffaat 37 : 100] In his old age, at the age of 86, Hazrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) was blessed w ith a son. So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear. [Surah Saffaat 37 : 101] When the child became of age, Hazrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam) was commanded to slaughter his son. What a great test!

Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) work with him, He said: O my son! I see in a vision that I offer you in sacrifice: Now see what is your view?... [Surah Saffaat 37 : 102] What must have gone through his heart? And likewise the heart of Hazrat Ismaeel (alayhis salaam)? But when Hazrat Ismaeel (alayhis salaam) was informed, he told his father to do whatever he had been commanded to do. (The son) said : O my father! Do as you are commanded: You will find me, if Allah so wills, practising patience and constancy. [Surah Saffaat 37 : 102] Their entire lives were lives of Obedience and Submission. They were prepared to accept death but not prepared to abandon or reject the Hukm (Order) of Allah Taa la. Allah Taala mentions the reply of Hazrat Ismaeel (alayhis salaam). He said : Insha -Allah, you will find me of the patient ones. Look at his humility. He did not say: I will be patient; rather: Insha-Allah ... if Allah wills. His words clearly indicate the beautiful qualities of humility, etiquette, trust in Allah Taala, patience and endurance. There was no claim whatsoever of pride, or boastfulness or superiority or conceit. Despite having to face so many trials and tribulations, none of the Ambiya (alay his salaam) made a claim of being perfect. They did not rely on their own abilit y and capacity; rather they focused on Allah Taala. They made the effort and trus ted in Allah Taala. So when they had both submitted their wills (To Allah) [Surah Saffaat 37 : 103] The word Aslamaa alludes to the brave submission of father and son, without ques tion. The claim of Divine Love was made manifest in this immediate surrender and compliance to Allah Taalas Command. And as is known, despite the repeated efforts made, the knife would not cut the throat of Hazrat Ismaeel (alayhis salaam)This b eing by the Will of Allah Taala. Allah Taala then ransomed Hazrat Ismaeel (alayhis salaam) with a ram from heaven. Allah Taala states : Thus indeed do We reward those who do right [Surah Saffaat 37 : 110] Allah Taalas rewards encompass bounties of this world and bounties of the next for that person who surrenders himself to the commands of Allah Taala and sacrifices his desires solely for the pleasure of Allah Taala. We learn the lessons of SUBMISSION, OBEDIENCE, SACRIFICE attributes which are s orely lacking in our own lives. We are commanded to submit ourselves to the Hukm (Command) of Allah Taala; whiche ver one is directed to us. There are different Ahkaam: sometimes it is the order of Salaah, sometimes it is the order not to perform Salaah; but at EVERY given moment the Command of Taqwa is directed to us, and that is we restrain ourselves from that which is Haraam. Where is the truthfulness of our claim of Love and Imaan, if we cannot comply to

obedience? We have not been commanded to sacrifice our sons. We are only called to give up sins. Just dont do the sin. Dont cast lustful gazes, dont commit zina, dont gamble, dont backbite, dont do sins. Dont do and get rewards. Dont do (sins) and become the F riend of Allah Taala. Nisbat (connection) with Allah Taala is secured only on Taqwa and obedience to Ra sulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Once we have established friendship with Allah Taala, then no difficulty, no hard ship, no adversity or suffering becomes insurmountable, as is seen in the life o f Khalilullah (Friend of Allah), Hazrat Ibraheem (alayhis salaam). We also learn that when we say we believe, then we will be tested on our claim. Allah Taala states : Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We Believ e and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true f rom those who are false. [Surah Ankaboot 29 : 2] Or do you think that you shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (Trials) as came to those who passed away before you [Surah Baqarah 2 : 214] These tests in life are to see who still remains sincere and faithful to Allah T aala and who gives up and turns away from Allah Taala. Of course, we should not be asking for tests and trials. We are weak. However, this world is a world of tes t. From our side, we should always seek safety and aafiyat (well-being), as has been taught by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). An Aalim has beautifully described the understanding and approach of a Believer in dealing with the tests of this worldly life : In whichever condition He keeps me, It is the best condition for me; Through whichever route He takes me, It is the easiest route for me. In this journey of life, we are to establish and maintain our relationship with Allah Taala, no matter what the circumstance and conditions we face For those who persevere and work hard to pass the examination of this worldly li fe, there will be innumerable rewards : Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure! [Surah Zumar 39 : 10] And we ask Allah Taala to make us ever-submissive to Him, and that He grant us ea se in the matter of life and death, grant us well-being and the ability to maint ain steadfastness in all conditions of life.