Went for a special sabaq (religious class) yesterday. Aqa Moula (TUS) had graciously given raza (permision) mumineen to learn from the kitab (book) of Syedna Hatim Mohyuddin (RA), the 3rd Dai-ul-Mutlaq who lived in Yemen and is buried in the hill-top town of Hutaib. The title of the book is Tambi-hul-Gaafelin which is loosely translates into "Waking up those who are asleep". Indeed, how deep in sleep we are!

In his preamble, Aamil Saheb (who was teaching the class) stated that the book was written as an answer to a person who lamented to Syedna Hatim about the state of society. How people lived at odds with each other instead of working together with one another. Syedna Hatim effectively explains why true believers of the faith should adopt good social habits. Not just because it is good and we need to be good.....it goes even deeper than that. And Syedna Hatim also explains (using very creative and understandable similies in my opinion) what are these good social habits and how we can improve the world by just improving ourselves. How we can reduce conflict in the world by following the simple guidelines laid out in the Holy Quran. Syedna Hatim also clearly explains and elaborates on the points found in the Quran.

It was only one lesson and there are many more to come but I will try my best to follow what I have learnt. And on my first day today I have found out that it is easier said than done. But I must at least try.

The Kitab was written as a response to a man's lament on the state of society. Indeed now the world is in conflict. The people of the world are sleeping. And Aqa Moula, in all his wisdom, knew exactly what mumineen needed to wake up. Tambi-hul-Gaafelin.

While each word from the Kitab places a man deep in thought on his actions, it also goes to show one thing. That Islam, in its essensce, is peace. It advocates peace, it requires its followers to live peacefully and co-exist peacefully with other in this world. Only then it would be possible to co-exist peacefully in the next. Unfortunately, many elements who claim to be Islamic don't seem to understand that. It is such a pity.

I am ever thankful to the Lord that I am a follower of Aqa Moula (TUS) who is the true advocate for what Islam is all about.