Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said, while highlighting the necessity of informing the Shiekh of one’s conditions:

“Even if you were to start a new worldly task ask the Shiekh regarding it.

That is, ask him, will it be deleterious for my spirituality?

For example, I want to do this business. Is it appropriate or not? Do not ask this to ascertain that this endeavor will be financially profitable or not. As though Sheikh will consult Allah SWT and tell you definitely. Do not ask for this reason. This is a dirty intention.

Ask him I want to do this specific business. Will it be an obstacle for my spiritual path? I want to be transferred to that specific position, or I want to study secular sciences or medicine would these be deleterious for my spirituality.

These are the things to be inquired from the Sheikh.

Now days the state of affairs (of mureed) is to do what ever he wishes. Without informing the Sheikh, to the extent that it may destroy his spirituality completely.

And they (mureed) say that these are our worldly matters what is the need of informing the Sheikh of these.

In reality these things have a great impact on one’s spirituality.

Therefore, it is essential to inform and consult the Sheikh in advance whenever starting any new worldly venture.

This is the method of islah (self-reformation). ”

Waaz: Rahat-ul-quloob; Mawaiz e Ashrafiya volume 22, page 263-4

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said:

“The special relationship that develops as a result of excessive zikir (remembrance of Allah SWT) and being consistent in following His commands is called nisbat.

This nisbat ceases to exist if sin is committed.

However, if one was to repent (sincerely) it will return back.”

Ma’asir e Hakeemul Ummat ra, page 415

Mufti Mohammad Shafii’ ra, senior khalifa of Hakeemul Ummat ra said:

“This is the prescription to attain the level of wilayat (Allah SWT friendship). It comprises of three components. That are;

1. Suhba (company) of a wali (Allah SWT’s friend)
2. Following his advice and recommendation
3. ZikirulAllah ( excessive remembrance of Allah SWT)

Ma’ariful Quran, volume 4, page 550

A mureed inquired: what is the requisite thing to be acquired by the aspirant in this tareeq?

Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra replied:

“Firstly, overwhelming remembrance of Allah SWT so that least time is spent being forgetful (of Allah SWT) and secondly, consistency in fulfilling the commands of Shariah so that no disobedience occurs at all.

These are the essential things to be acquired and all the effort, struggle and therapies are adopted for these.”

Tarbiyatus Salik, volume 3, page 365

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanavi ra said:

“The suhba (company) of Sheikh is most beneficial only if the mureed is consistent in zikir (remembrance) and shugul (special concetration excericse for recollection) prescribed by the Sheikh.

There are individuals who are always around the Sheikh but do not do the wird prescribed. They do not benefit at all and always remain deficient.

And some others spend most of their time with the Sheikh and spare a short interval to do some zikir & shugul hapzardly. This is also not beneficial.

The major portion of the time should be for the prescribed zikir & shugul (i.e wird). Only then the suhba (company) of Sheikh is beneficial.

 Ma’asir e Hakemmul Ummat ra page 228   

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ahsraf Ali Thanavi ra wrote to a spiritual aspirant:

“The goal of tareeq (Tasawwuf/sulook) is to gain Allah SWT’s pleasure.

For it two things are required, one knowledge regarding the method of obtaining it and other is action according to it.

As for the method, it is only one. That is to act on the exoteric (zahiri) and esoteric (batini) commands of Shariah.

Two things assist in it. Firstly, zikir (remembrance of Allah SWT) as much as one can consistently do. Secondly, suhba (company) of the ahlulAllah (pious) as much possible. If one can not spare time for it (for genuine reasons) then reading books of and about the pious can also substitute for it.

Two things are an obstacle in acheiving this goal. That are, sins and being occupied in fadhool (useless/non-essential).

One thing that is a requisite for all this is to be effective is consistently informing the Sheikh of one’s condition (halat).”

Masair e hakeemul Ummat ra page 270