One day, asking his Sahâba, our Prophet ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sallam’ stated, “Do you know who the biggest thief is?” “Allah and his Prophet know better,” they replied. Upon this he stated, “The biggest thief is the one who steals from his own namâz, because he does not carry out the rules of namâz precisely!” One must avoid this theft, too, thus securing oneself against becoming a big thief. One must intend to perform namâz without having anything in one’s heart. If the intention is not correct the worship will not be accepted. One must recite the qirâat correctly, do the rukû’, the sajdas, the qawma and jalsa in due itmînân. In other words, after the rukû’ one must stand upright and remain so as long as the duration in which one could say, “Subhânallah,” and must sit upright and remain so as long as the same duration between the two sajdas. Thus, itmînân [tumânînat] will befulfilled in the qawma and jalsa. Those who do not do so become thieves and will be tormented bitterly.

This letter is (a piece of) advice to the Sultân.^[1] Mu’âz bin Jebel relates: (One day) the Messenger of Allah ‘sall-Allâhu alaihi wa sallam’ held me by the hand. After walking for a few steps, he said, “Yâ Mu’âz! Act with taqwâ steadily. Always tell the truth. Abide by your promises. Never commit a breach of trust. Have mercy on orphans. Observe the rights of your neighbor. Do not become angry with anyone. Always talk softly. Greet every Muslim. Know that an Imâm is necessary. Learn the knowledge of fiqh, which is the way taught by Qur’ân al-kerîm, and never turn away from these teachings. Whatever you do, think of the Hereafter. Prepare yourself for the Judgement Day. Do not set your heart to the world. Always do what is beautiful and useful! Do not backbite any Muslim. Never bear false witness. Admit the right word. Do not revolt against an Imâm (religious leader) who administers justice. Do not arouse fitna on the earth. Always make dhikr of Allah. Make secret tawba for your secret sins. Make open tawba for your open sins!” Abdullah ibni ’Umar relates: Someone asked the Messenger of Allah, “How many times should I pardon my servant?” There was no answer. So the person asked again. The Messenger stated, “Pardon him seventy times daily!” O Emîr-ul-mu’minîn! I present my regards and love to you. I should like to express my gratitude. I am very thankful to see you in safety and peace and also for the services you have rendered to Islam and for the supports you have given to the Sharî’at. My disciples and I have been wishing you a long life and praying very earnestly day and night that you be given more strength and that you be victorious over your enemies. Relying on the fact that sincere benedictions pronounced (over a person) in absentia are more likely to be accepted, we carry on our prayers. May thine sun of sultanate and sovereignty always shine on high horizons! Âmîn.

[1] The sixth Sultân of India, Alemghîr Muhammad Evrenghzîb, passed away in 1118 [A.D. 1707]. He ruled over India fifty years with justice and served Islam.