engulfed in fear of hell and fear of Almighty Allah, only and only to please Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ The All-Merciful, then the Almighty is pleased with her and He عَزَّوَجَلَّ elevates her status so high to the extent that even devout worshippers visit her just to meet her. Sadly though! In our communities the standards by which people measure excellence are condemnable; wealthy individuals, landlords, officers, deputies, high-profile figures, owners of high-end vehicles, top class mobile phones, laptops, computers, fancy dressers, residents of mansions, attractive bungalows, or posh areas, fair-skinned people, people born in upper castes are glorified day and night. Whereas in the sight of Almighty Allah the most honourable and esteemed Muslim is the one who is the most abstinent and devout. Ayah 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat (part 26) states:

یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقْنٰكُمْ مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ وَّ اُنْثٰى وَ جَعَلْنٰكُمْ شُعُوْبًا وَّ قَبَآىٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوْاؕ-اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اَتْقٰىكُمْؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌ خَبِیْرٌ(۱۳)

 Translation Kanz-ul-Iman: O people! We have indeed created you from one man and one woman, and have made you into various nations and tribes that you may recognise one another. Indeed the most honourable amongst you, according to Allah, is one who is most pious amongst you. Indeed Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Surah Al-Hujurat, part 26, Ayah 13)

Hakeem-ul-Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yar Na’eemi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه elaborates on this glorious Ayah: “Mankind originates from Sayyiduna Aadam and Hawwa
(عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم و رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا), and since their origin is soil, consequently the origin of all mankind is soil, hence why do you feel the need to boast about your heritage. The wisdom behind dividing humans into various family trees and tribes is for them to recognise themselves rather than boast and brag.” (Explaining the background to the revelation of this sacred Ayah the honourable Mufti writes): “On one particular visit to the market of the Enlightened Madinah Munawwarah the Noblest Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم noticed a servant proclaiming: “Whoever employs me shall not ban me from offering my five Salahs behind the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم” The servant was employed by someone. One day the servant fell ill, and the Noblest Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم visited him to enquire after his health. Following the illness the servant passed away. Some people were surprised when they noticed the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم blessing the servant with his صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم gracious presence at the servant’s burial. It was then that this glorious Ayah was revealed.