pick a lot from them. The blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم humbly said:          Ya Rasoolallah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! What are the flower-beds of Paradise? The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: Gatherings of knowledge.

(Al-Mu’jam-ul-Kabeer, vol. 11, pp. 78, Hadees 11158)

For persuasion, let’s listen to a faith-refreshing Madani parable.

Horror of the Siraat bridge (Madani parable)

Like many other youths, I had also indulged in many immoral evils. Watching films and dramas and wasting time in useless activities were some of the favourite routines of mine. The holy month of Ramadan arrived, so I – a sinful person – was also privileged to attend Masjid in order to offer Salah. A responsible Islamic brother who was associated with Dawat-e-Islami delivered Dars from Faizan-e-Sunnat in the Masjid and met the attendees very warmly afterwards. I was highly impressed with his good manners. The phrase ‘dear Islamic brothers’ spoken by him was particularly pleasing to me.

One day, he met me very warmly and invited me to attend the weekly Sunnah-inspiring Ijtima’ of Dawat-e-Islami held on Thursday. I intended to attend the Ijtima’. Before Thursday, someone gave me an audio-cassette speech titled ‘Pul-Siraat ki Dehshat, i.e. Horror of Siraat bridge’ released by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami. I listened to it very attentively. I had already heard the word ‘Pul-Siraat’ but I did not know that it is extremely dangerous to cross it. I learnt about it after I listened to the Bayan. Thinking how I would be able to cross it with the burden of my sins, I could not hold back my tears. Therefore, I made a firm intention to repent of sins and to get reformed. اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ! By the blessing of the Sunnah-inspiring Madani environment of Dawat-e-Islami, I have adorned my face with a beard according to Sunnah, my head with a beautiful ‘Imamah (Islamic turban) and my body with white clothes.

عطائے حبیبِ خدا مَدَنی ماحول                    ہے فیضانِ غوث و رضا مَدَنی ماحول

سلامت رہے یا خدا مَدَنی ماحول                    بچے نظرِ بد سے سدا مَدَنی ماحول

سنور جائیگی آخِرت اِن شَاءَ الله                   تم اپنا ئے رکھو سدا مَدَنی ماحول