AFFECTION AND MERCY O THE MASTER OF BOTH WORLDS

We too should drive some lessons from these points. Consider the fact that in that age of goodness, in the absence of evil such care and consideration is being given to the nurturing, the reformation and correct upbringing of children. Today we find ourselves in the worst of ages but what, in consideration of that fact do we do for the nurturing, the reformation and correct upbringing of our children? Allah’s beloved (sallallahi alaihi wasallam) was the very embodiment of mercy and immediately acceded to the request of Umme Anas (radiallahu anha) and approved of Anas bin Maalik remaining in his illustrious company and service. This is a monumental point. How many years did he remain in the blessed service of Allah’s beloved (sallallahi alaihi wasallam)? For a period of ten years. Did some untoward, some disliked occurrences not take place within this period of ten years? They most definitely did! Many such actions on the part of Anas bin Maalik did take place. So much so that the Azwaaj-e-Mutahharaat complained on one occasion but the splendid state of Allah’s most beloved (sallallahi alaihi wasallam) was truly amazing. In fact it was beyond our conception. When such complaints used to come to him, he used to say, " Had something else been preordained it would have happened. Do not tell him anything, whatever had to happen has happened."

It was the very inception of his youth. He was but eight years old when numerous such instances occurred. As an example, on one occasion Allah’s beloved messenger (sallallahi alaihi wasallam) sent Anas bin Maalik on some errand. but after a long while had passed he had still not returned. Allah’s beloved messenger (sallallahi alaihi wasallam) set out towards the marketplace and found him standing with a few other boys observing some game in progress. He went behind him and placed his blessed hands on the shoulders. From this another point is amply clarified, that it is incorrect to approach someone from behind and place one’s hands over his eyes because it will be the cause of flustering and alarming a person. With great ease he (sallallahi alaihi wasallam) placed his blessed hands over his shoulders from behind. When he turned around to see who it was, he found that Allah’s beloved messenger (sallallahi alaihi wasallam) was smiling in spite of the fact that the occasion was one wherein one would be upset and angered. In spite of this with a smile adorning his blessed face he said, "You are proceeding to the place I have sent you to." Hadhrat Anas bin Maalik immediately proceeded and completed his allotted task and returned. On mentioning this incident, it appears in the narrations and books of Seerah that on mentioning this incident Hadhrat Anas used to cry on remembering the ultimate level of affection and love he received from the master of both worlds (sallallahi alaihi wasallam).

My beloved ones! Matters can be resolved even today. Rectification can be enacted. Those who are desirous, who are seekers can become connected to Allah Ta`ala by remaining in the company of those who are connected to Allah Ta`ala provided they are treated with affection. It was the period of terminal illness of my Hadhrat wherein I asked him, "Hadhrat how should the Taalibeen, the seekers be treated?" twice did he say ,"With nothing but affection! With nothing but affection!

Another amazing point to bear in mind is that when someone engages in the service of someone, by virtue of such service Allah is attained. Allah is attained and together with this, by the blessing of service, an increase in the lifespan is also granted.

On the demise of Allah’s beloved messenger (sallallahi alaihi wasallam) the age of Hadrhat Anas bin Maalik was eighteen and when Anas bin Maalik passed away at the ripe old age of a 120 years. For a hundred and two years did he continue fulfilling the responsibility of enjoining what is right , forbidding what is wrong and devoting himself to the rectification of others. All this while he remained occupied in Deeni activities.