Last speech of Hadhrat Maulana Yusof sahib Kandhalvi

On the morning of 30th march 1965 Hadhrat Ji Maulana Yusuf sahib Kandhalvi
delivered a speech. It was given after Fajr salaah in an area of Lahore known as
Raiwand. In it he discussed many important issues regarding the unity of the
Ummah. He expressed with feeling and pain his mounting concern over continued
hostilities amongst Muslims.Tragically, it was to be his last public address. Three
days later the world received the sudden unexpected news that Maulana Yusuf had
passed away. Even those who were only slightly familiar with him were shocked and
grieved by the loss. Others, who knew him more closely and were aware of his
remarkable qualities and services to Islam, were devastated.Because of its grave
importance, this speech has been translated and reproduced below. Although an
effort has been made to include as much of the essential contents of the speech as
possible, time and space do not allow for all the relevant points to be covered,
Nonetheless the aim of the translation is to provide readers with an insight into the
thought of Maulana Yusuf and his deep dedication to Islam. It also presents to them
a sample of his oratory skills and the essence of his message to the Ummah:

Firstly, i must inform you that my health is not very satisfactory. My night was spent
restless and sleepless. Nevertheless, i feel it necessary that i address you today.
Listen attentively,and act accordingly, Allah will make you honourable. Be negligent,
and you will be an open invitation to ruin.This Ummah has been prepared only
through tremendous sacrifices. The blessed Prophet peace be upon him and his
loyal companions encountered difficulty after difficulty to see the formation of this
Ummah. Their enemies, have spared no pains in forcing craks into the wall of the
Ummah. They have struggled relentlessly to break the Ummah, that it may disband
helplessly. Now the situation we have before us is that the Ummah has lost its
strength of unity. Until the Ummah retained its capacity to harmonise, a few
thousand individuals were nt over the entire world. The then Islamic world did not
boast a single finely structured building.Even the Masajids were bare, simple and
modest. Not even a lamp could be found in the Masjid. The first lamp to be lit in
Masjid-An Nabawi was in the ninth year after migration. It was lit by Hadhrat
Tameem Daari who accepted Islam in 9AH. Prior to this date almost the entire Arab
world had marched into the fold of Islam. Masses of people whos tribes varied,
whose backgrounds varied, whose homelands and origins varied had formed what
became known as the Ummah. It was only when so many hurdles had been cleared
and this much progress made, that History recorded the first lamp to be lit in the
Prophets masjid.Many a year may have elapsed in making such seemingly
insignificant progress as the use of a lamp. But that mattered little. What did matter
and what is the key measure of achievement here is that the lamp of guidance with
which the Prophet had been sent, had illuminated every house and dwelling of

Arabia and its effects reached far beyond the boundaries of the peninsula. In fact
the Ummah had been formed. I t rose to the challenges of humanity.Whichever
direction it chose to march whole civilisations surrender to its authority.This Ummah
was created only when every individual saw beyond the boundaries of family, tribe,
party, nation and homeland. None was a blind patriot to his native land.Value for
wealth and property, wife and family bore no importance at all. The only issue of
any importance, the only factor never to be ignored,was the order of Allah and His
beloved Prophet Muhammad.An Ummah can only be formed when every
relationship in opposition to Allah and His messenger is severed.When the Muslims
were one, the m urder of a single individual sent shock waves racing through the
Ummah. Today thousands of lives are tragically lost but not a single eyebrow is
raised.-Later in the speech Maulana Yusuf commented:-A set community of people,
a group of settlers in a particular region is not an Ummah. An Ummah is a
composition of thousands of communities and regions. Any person who believes one
community or nation to be his own and a second community or nation to be alien is
helping to reduce the Ummah into a sacrificial animal. He is destroying the Ummah.
He is attempting to diminish the struggles of the Prophet and his devoted
companions.The Ummah was not torn and conflict riddled. We ourselves are to
blame for the ruin that has befallen us. It was only after the injuries had been
inflicted that the Kuffaar administered further punishment. The damage had already
been done prior to their intervention.If the Muslims are to reunite even today the
combined strength of world powers, atom b ombs and missiles cannot destroy
them. But if, on the contrary, they continue to uphold the banner of nationalism and
simply on the grounds of love for country divisions appear within the Ummah, then
i swear by Allah your weapons, your military power and your defences will be of no
avail to you.The only reason Muslims are being tormented throughout the world, the
sole cause of their sufferings is that they have failed to remain an Ummah. They
have totally disregarded the exhaustive struggles borne by their loving Prophet in
its formation. Friends, i am expressing to you the grief that lies in my heart. The root
cause of all our calamities is that the Ummah has ceased to remain an Ummah. In
fact, we have totally forgotten what it means to be an Ummah and we are ignorant
of how the Prophet formed it.In order to be a united Ummah and to win the support
of the Lord, it is not sufficient simply for the Muslims to be regular in Salah, for there
to Dhikr in abundance etc. Take for example the case of Ibn Baljam, the assassin of
Hadhrat Ali. He used to perform salah so excessively and engage in dhikr so
fervently that when in punishment of his crime, outraged by his villainous act,
people before slaying him, sought to cut his tongue of, he protested, Treat me as
you wish, but i plead that you spare my tongue so that until i breathe my last, i may
utter the name of my Lord. Despite appearing such a devout servant of Allah, the
Prophet had declared that the killler of Ali would be the most detestable individual
of this Ummah.As for religious instruction and education, well, the likes of Abu Al
Fadhl and Faydhee were highly trained, learned scholars. So talented that they
wrote the commentary of the Quran without using any letters with dots. Even so,
their knowledge did not prevent them from misleading Akbar and making a mockery

of religion.The lessons to be learned from these and many other examples is that
merely acquiring the attributes of Ibn Baljam, Abu Al Fadh and Faydhee will not
reunite the Ummah and they will not entitle us to divine help.- Later on in the
speech, Maulana warned:-Rest assured, my people , my country my household
this line of reasoning and this type of statement works to destroy the Ummah.
Whoever, on whatever level, endeavours to ignite the the fire of conflict within the
Ummah will be destroyed.The Ummah will only be reunited if Muslims from all walks
of life and from all quarters, without any internal barriers, discharge those
responsibilities that were stressed to them by the noble prophet peace be upon
him.Remember! The factors that crush the oneness of the Ummah are unjust
dealings carried out within Muslims. Crimes that are against society, against
humanity. When a person or a group of people treat others unjustly, when they deny
them what is rightfully theirs, when they are a cause of grief to other, when they
humiliate and dishonour other, the seeds of bitterness and conflict are sown. Craks
begin to appear in the Ummah.That is why i reiterate, mere recitation of the
Shahadah and abundant dhikr will not establish the Ummah. THE Ummah will only
be re-established when internal dealings are reformed, responsibilities are to society
are understood and discharged, the rights of all are fulfilled and each individual is
received with kindness. In fact, unity will only come when ones own rights and
interests are sacrificed for the convenience of others. The compassionate Prophet,
his companions, Abu Bakr, Umar and others sacrificed everything in their means to
make this Ummah a true united Ummah. They volunteered themselves in the most
punishing difficulties to achieve this.- Maulana Yusuf further commented:-To
establish an Ummah it is necessary that we all strive to create mutual harmony and
guard against internal dispute. The tongue plays a key role in making or breaking
the Ummah. It has the capacity to unify hearts. It also has the capacity to destroy
the unity of the hearts. Misuse it, and it presents a whole barrel of insoluble
problems and disputes. Use it sensibly and a simple phrase can bring an end to ill
feeling and repair broken friendships.This is why it is so important to be cautious in
the use of our tongues. This attention to speech will only be possible when each
person develops a strong awareness of the presence of Allah, that at every moment,
in every place he is with him, watching him, studying his every action listening to
his every word.All the teachings of Islam have been prescribed to generate mutual
love and harmony. In salah there is unity In fasting there is unity. The Hajj is an
exhibition of unity amongst people of different races, nations and languages.
Grouping for religious discourses creates unity. Kindness and hospitality for Muslim
brethren, the exchanging of gifts and presents all create harmony and unity. They
are actions which ease the path to Jannah. Those who engage in such activities will
be amply rewarded. Their faces will gleam and radiate on the day of reckoning.On
the contrary, enmity, envy, publicising confidentialities relating to others,
dishonouring and humiliating others, causing grief and heartache to others, these
are all actions that are the ingredients of disunity. They pave the way to hell and
those guilty of these actions will have their faces darkened in the hereafter.Drawing attention to actions that may be taken to eliminate disunity, Maulana

explained:-Today we find a universal effort to break the solidarity of the Ummah.

The only safeguard to this is that we devote ourselves entirely to the divine mission
of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. Let us encourage the Muslims to flock to the
Masjids. There, let them be reminded of the sweetness, beauty and importance of
Imaan. Let there be groups of people collected for Taleem, collected for the
remembrance of Allah, groups sat addressing the issue of religion and its revival.
Differing sects of people, diverse nationalities, people of varying languages be
assembled on the same basis, with the same intentions, conforming to the same
prescribed methods, engaging in the same activities as were once to be witnessed
in the Prophets Masjid. Only then will we succeed in unifying the Ummah.We must
refrain from activities which allow shaytaan to fuel disputes within us. A group of
three people should be concious that the fourth amongst them is Allah. A company
of five or six individuals should be aware that the sixth or seventh amongst them is
Allah. He is present, He is listening to their entire conversation and studying their
activities. Does their speech flow with mutual love? Does it generate harmony and
brotherhood or does it destroy brotherhood? Are they engaged in backbiting, tale
telling or evil conspiracies?The compassionate Prophet sacrificed his priceless and
suffered the pangs of hunger to establish this Ummah. Today, over totally minor
issues we are slaying the Ummah. Note! forgoing Jummah salah will not be such a
punishable sin in the courts of Allah as the detestable crime of tearing the tissues of
this Ummah.If the Muslims are to unify then they will never see the face of disgrace
in this world. The superpowers will bow to their sovereignty.The Ummah will only be
one when the Quraanic pronouncement:Azillatin Alal Mumineenonce again
becomes a living reality.The Muslims become a visible example of these words. That
is each individual amongst them treats his fellow Muslims with humility, humbleness
and regards them superior to himself. This characteristic is taught and practiced in
the work of Tabligh.When the Muslims will discipline themselves to:Azillatin Alal Mu
mineenthen as a result they will be elevated to:Aizzatin alal Kafireenthat is they
will be nt and triumphant over the kuffaar, whether they be settlers of Asia or
nationals of Europe. That is, no one would be in a position to oppose a united
Ummah.This Ummah will unite through self sacrifice, sacrifice of time, wealth and
comforts. Once these sacrifices are given and the Ummah is made it will receive
honour and dignity. Honour and dignity does not lie in the trends of any nation, not
even in the social and political set-ups of the super powers. Honour lies in the hands
of Allah alone.In order to be deserving of his favours, He has prescribed a particular
code of conduct, issued guidelines and stipulated that certain principles be adhered
to.Any individual, family, community or class of people who fulfil these requirements
and adorn their lives with these radiant characteristics they themselves will become
radiant.The Jews are descendants of Prophets. They behaved arrogantly and
violated divine law and displeased Allah. The companions of the blessed Prophet
were the offspring of idol worshippers. They chose to adopt the flawless principles of
the Quran and teachings of the Prophet. Allah made them the shining stars of this
Ummah. Allah is pure of any family ties or relationships. In His court all that is taken
into account is obedience to law and conformance to principles.Friends, with an

intense fervour, devote yourselves to the cause of making the Ummah of the
Prophet Muhammad a united Ummah, an Ummah bubbling with faith and belief, an
Ummah constantly engaged in the remembrance of Allah, his Grace, His
bounties,one concerned about the religious education of its individuals of the
Ummah that surrenders to the will of Allah, an obedient, helpful, tolerant, loving and
caring Ummah. Let us strive to make it an Ummah that condemns evil scheming,
detests disobedience to Allah, deplores the humiliation and abuse of others,
deplores prying into the private affairs of others and backbiting of others.If on any
plot of earth this banner is lifted and effort is made in the required manner, then
very shortly, every nation on earth will follow suit.What is needed now is that people
of every community, origin, race and language be teamed together in groups and
sent out for the work of Dawah. Let each group be teamed, meticulously bind itself
to the principles of this work then inshAllah the efforts of uniting the Ummah will
come to blossom and Allah willing shaytaan and the dictates of our desires will pose
no danger to us whatsoever.
Certainly There is For You In The Messenger Of Allah, An Excellent Example.