Worship in Youth
To: Mirza Fathullah Ḥakīm (may Allah have mercy on him)
نَحْمَدُهُ وَنُصَلِّي عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ الْكَرِيمِ
اَمَّا بَعْدُ: Faʿalaykum bimuwaẓabat ādāʾ al-ṣalāh
You must be consistent in offering your prayers with punctuality, humility, and in congregation. This is the means to salvation and success.
Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, the believers have succeeded — those who are humble in their prayers.”
(Qur’an 23:1–2)
True courage is acting at the time of danger. If a soldier falters in a moment of enemy dominance, it reflects the seriousness of the situation. The righteousness of youth is more valuable precisely because they walk the path of piety despite the powerful pull of desires.
The Companions of the Cave (Aṣḥāb al-Kahf) earned immense honor and distinction for just one act — that they migrated away from those who opposed their religion.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Worship during times of chaos is like migrating to me.”
Meaning: to rise for tahajjud during a bitterly cold night, or to go to the masjid for Fajr prayer despite the hardship, is like making hijrah to the Prophet ﷺ himself.
Thus, anything that obstructs obedience and worship becomes in itself a cause of reward, because it increases the recompense many times over.
What more can be written?
The son of Shaykh Bahāʾuddīn disliked the company of the poor and inclined more toward the wealthy and worldly people. He does not realize that their company is like deadly poison, and their rich foods only darken the soul.
Al-ḥadhar, al-ḥadhar, al-ḥadhar, al-ḥadhar!
Beware of them, beware of them, beware of them, beware of them!
In a hadith it is stated:
“Whoever humbles himself before a rich man due to his wealth — two-thirds of his religion is gone.”
Alas for the person who shows humility to a worldly person merely because of his worldly status.
And Allah, Glorified and Exalted, is the One Who grants success.