Prepare for the Questions of the Day of Judgement
Īmān, Islām, righteous deeds, taqwā, iḥsān, ṣabr, shukr, zuhd, tawāḍuʿ, contentment, truthfulness, trustworthiness, compassion, and cooperation in virtuous deeds—these are the true values about which questioning will take place on the Day of Judgement. It is based on these that the decision will be made as to who will enter Paradise and who will be condemned to Hell. This worldly life has been given to us so that we may cultivate these qualities within ourselves and strive for their perfection.
The correct guidance for attaining these traits lies in the Qurʾān and the Sunnah. To learn about them, we seek admission into institutions such as Dār al-ʿUlūm Deoband, Mazāhir al-ʿUlūm Sahāranpūr, Nadwat al-ʿUlamāʾ Lucknow, Madrasat al-Iṣlāḥ Sarāy Mīr, Jāmiʿat al-Falāḥ in Aʿẓamgarh, Jāmiʿah Salafiyyah Banāras, and other such madāris, spending some time there and graduating with titles such as ʿĀlimiyyah, Fāḍilah, and so on.
Obtaining ʿālimiyyah and fāḍilah qualifications from madāris is to be counted among the means, whereas the realisation of the aforementioned qualities falls under the objectives. The significance of means lies only in so far as they help in attaining the intended objectives. If a person opens a shop but earns nothing, joins a gym but fails to build health, or wanders along many roads without concern for the destination, then such efforts will not be considered praiseworthy in anyone’s view.
Thus, if someone is a Qāsimī, Maẓāhirī, Nadwī, Iṣlāḥī, Falāḥī, or Salafī by affiliation, yet lacks qualities such as taqwā, patience, or gratitude—if their words hurt others—then on the Day of Judgement, these affiliations will be of no benefit. His identity as a Qāsimī or Nadwī will not help him in the least.
On the other hand, someone who has not graduated from any of these institutions but possesses fear of Allah, follows the Sunnah, races towards righteous actions, and deals with everyone with humility—such a person will easily answer the questions of the Day of Judgement. His Lord will be pleased with him, he will be admitted into Paradise, and be protected from the punishment of Hell.
Therefore, we must refrain from exaggerating the value of affiliations with madāris and educational institutions. We must understand the distinction between means and ends, and focus all our attention on acquiring those qualities that will benefit us on the Day of Judgement—those qualities for the sake of which divine scriptures were revealed, Prophets were sent, and we were gifted this life.
Affiliations with madāris are like national or ancestral affiliations; they are merely identifiers for recognition, not indicators of superiority. They do not make anyone more honoured in the sight of Allah, nor do they entitle anyone to Paradise.
In reality, taking pride in such affiliations is a mark of jāhiliyyah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم condemned pride in lineage and said: “Leave it, for it is a foul thing.” (daʿūhā fa-innahā muntinah)
Those who are truly intelligent are those who understand the distinction between means and ends, and live their lives accordingly. They seek knowledge from madāris, but do not stop there; rather, they set as their ultimate goal the attainment of the real, praiseworthy qualities. May Allah make us among the righteous and the God-fearing.
Disclaimer: This article was translated by AI. Original post: https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/6665
