water. My Nafs felt unpleasant of her command. Therefore, I realised that during the journey of Hajj, my Nafs supported me just for its own desire and kept me in deception; because if my Nafs had become fully sincere, then why would it (i.e. Nafs) feel extremely difficult to fulfil one right of Shar’iah (i.e. obeying mother) today?’ (Ar-Risala-tul-Qushayriyyah, pp. 135)

Love for status makes the hardship of worship easy

Dear Islamic brothers! This narration does not mean at all that Sayyiduna Abu Muhammad Murta’ish رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه  did not listen to his mother; but rather, her command was felt to be unpleasant by his Nafs only. So, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه  made his mindset that for so many years, I have performed the difficult worship like Hajj just falling prey to the deception of my Nafs.

From this narration, we also come to know how great Madani mindset our righteous predecessors possessed and what an embodiment of humility they used to be. Some people have the habit of meeting other people with extreme politeness and humility but have a rude, immoral and severe heart-breaking attitude at times towards their parents, siblings and household. Why is it so? Because displaying good character among general public becomes a means of fame, whereas there is no special hope of gaining respect and reverence by having good mannerism at home! That’s why these people behave extremely politely amongst general public.

This narration also contains extremely important Madani pearls of admonition for those Islamic brothers as well who present various sacrifices for some Mustahab [preferable] actions but are heedless in fulfilling Faraaid and Wajibat (obligatory acts); for example, obeying parents, failing to provide children with the upbringing according to Shari’ah and those who are negligent themselves in the matter of acquiring the Fard knowledge. The truth is that the virtuous actions through which one attains fame and appreciation, they are performed with ease despite being difficult, because love for status i.e. the desire of attaining fame turns severe hardships into easiness. Love for status contains nothing but