We all have had that moment in life when we had to 'pop' into the town centre to do a little bit of shopping. It's one of those things in life that you just have to do.

For some people, strolling down into the town centre and doing shopping is like a fun activity or shopping; for me it's something I try and prolong for as long as possible... But there are some things that just have to be done.

Being Sunday, I had a little time on my hand and built up the courage to drive to the town centre and park in the Haymarket Theatre. There is a flat rate for parking at the Haymarket Theatre on Sundays and therefore people prefer parking there as they can shop for longer without having to worry about returning to their car before a specific time.

While I was on my way into the car park there was another car leaving; the car stopped and opened its window to offer me his parking ticket as it was valid for the entire day. "I won't be needing this ticket anymore, you can use it if you please" was what he said. I thought for a moment and refused...

POINT

Sometimes we forget that Islam is a way of Life, a religion that is present in every act and action we do; a religion that categorises every deed and deems it either acceptable or unacceptable in the eyes of Allah.

It was tempting to take that ticket and park my car in the Haymarket; there seemed to be nothing wrong it doing so; he offered me the ticket, willingly, and I could have made use for it.

But... I remembered an incident of Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi:

As far as I recall, there was a disciple of Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf that came to His Khankah to visit him with his children. The disciple, through some talk, mentioned to Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali that he had paid only half price for his child’s ticket in order to get to the Khankah because despite being an adult he only looked like a child and therefore was able to pass off as a child at the ticket counter.

After hearing this Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi became perplexed and disturbed and told his disciple that he had not understood the basis and principles of Islam and therefore he was not even fit for Khilaafah (being his disciple).

It is an incident that should make us realise the true meaning of Islam; an incident that should make us realise that Islam is much more than just offering charity, praying Salaah and making supplications. It was upon the above act that the disciple lost his Khilaafah.

May Allah forgive all of our sins; those we commit knowingly and unknowingly; those we perform in the light of the day or the darkness of the night; those committed openly or in hiding and may He give us the true understand of our Religion, Islam. Aameen.