Everything has an effect 4.51mb/MP3
By Maulana AS Desai
Thursday 13 Shawwaal 1447 – 2 April 2026
EVERYTHING HAS AN EFFECT
Mufti A S Desai Afrikee hafizahullah
Bismillahi Ta’ala…
Imam Shaf’i (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) sent a messenger to his student Imam Ahmed Ibne Hanbal (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), who is Imam of the Hanbali Madhab saying;
‘You will soon be afflicted by a great trial yet will emerge from it successfully.’
The trial would pertain to the issue of whether the Quran Majeed was the created word of Allah Ta’ala or the uncreated word. There was great controversy over this issue at that time.
The deviant sect; Mu’tazila; claimed that the Quran Majeed is the created word/speech of Allah Ta’ala. The belief of the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’ah is that the Quran Majeed is uncreated. It is a very lengthy and intricate subject which we will not discuss now.
The ruler/Khalifah of this time was a Mu’tazili. Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was at the forefront of the efforts to negate and refute beliefs of this deviant sect. So, the Khalifa had Imam Ahmed (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) arrested and brought in front of him in his court where he was ordered to retract his Fatwa (in favour of Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jama’ah) and conform to the belief of the Mu’tazila. Imam Ahmad (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) refused. He was tied up and severely flogged but refused to retract (his Fatwa).
This is what Imam Shafi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was referring to that he (Imam Ahmad Rahmatullahi Alayhi) would emerge from this trial safely. He would not give in to torture and would remain firmly upon Haqq.
When the messenger delivered this message to Imam Ahmad (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), he became very happy because in this message was the assurance that he will emerge (from this trial) safely with his belief and will not give in. This news was in reality ‘Kashf’ (inspiration).
Out of joy, Imam Ahmad Rahmatullahi Alayhi removed his kurta (upper garment) and gave it to the messenger to gift to Imam Shafi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). When the messenger brought this garment, Imam Shafi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) asked, ‘When Imam Ahmad (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) removed this garment from his body, was he wearing anything underneath? The messenger replied, ‘There was nothing else’.
Upon hearing this, Imam Shafi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) kissed the garment and rubbed it on his eyes. Thereafter, he washed it thoroughly, then squeezed it and stored the water from the garment in a container. Whenever any of his associates would be ill, he would send them some of this water. Upon rubbing this water on their body, they would be cured regardless of what kind of sickness they had. All of this was through the Barakah of the kurta worn by Imam Ahmad (Rahmatullahi Alayhi).
Allaamah Sha’rani (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) says, ‘Reflect upon the humility of Imam Shafi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). Imam Ahmad (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was his student yet observe the respect and honour that he showed to him. These great personalities never considered themselves superior to any other Muslim.’
This is the true meaning of ‘humility’. Humility is not the mere exchanging of niceties; you meet a person, shake his hand, laugh with him. A person can laugh and smile with you, yet test him out by annoying him, you will then see his reaction, (observe how much ‘humility’ he has).
Therefore, true humility is that a person must consciously believe that I am the lowest of Allah Ta’ala’s creation, even lower than a dog. A dog has no fear (for the hereafter) but we must always worry; will I die with Imaan or not. There is no guarantee. A person cannot base his guarantee (of dying upon Imaan) on his present condition or on his actions.
There were many Auliya (great saints) whose entire lifetime was spent in worship, yet they departed this world without Imaan. Nobody has the guarantee of Imaan; it is suspended between hope and fear. Animals do not have this fear (as there will be no reckoning for them) but humans will maintain that fear.
Allaamah Sha’rani (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) says, ‘On the contrary, the bogus Mashaikh of our era consider themselves to be cut above everyone else’. Allaamah Sha’rani (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was a Shaykh of the 10th century; around 500 years ago. What can we say of the ‘shaykhs’ of the current era. There remain no genuine Mashaikh of Tasawwuf.
We learn two things from this episode. Firstly, the true meaning of humility. The other is that everything has an Athar (effect). The Kurta of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) due to being on his body contained the effects of his piety.
Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Everything has an effect’, whether it is good or bad. He (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) forbade sitting on wild animal skins. Although pure, the animality of that skin will transfer and have an effect on that person.
Nowadays, Muslims do not know if they are Muslims are not. During holidays seasons, they go to hotels and guesthouses of the Kuffar and sleep in those same beds where Zina (adultery) is committed. They eat in the same plates and utensils in which pork and wine are served. Yet, this is fine with them and it has no effect whatsoever. This shows the corruption of Imaan.
If Imaan is pure, then this Imaan will be like a mirror. The slightest contamination will be felt.
Hadhrat Sufyaan Thawree (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), one of the great saints, says, ‘Every Ayat (verse) of the Quran Majeed that I recite, seventy avenues of spiritual knowledge would open up to me. Now, if I recite the entire Quran Majeed, not a single spiritual avenue opens up. The reason for this? One day due to extreme thirst, I accepted water from a soldier. The moment I drank that water, I could feel the spirituality departing.’
Why? These soldiers are oppressors. The effect of the oppression was in that water. That effect blocked the spiritual channels and avenues which were previously open.
We must always understand than Imaan and Kufr are opposites. As far as possible, stay away from everything to do with the Kuffar.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Tawfeeq. Aameen