ASHRAFIYA

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in response to an irrelevant question of a spiritual aspirant;
“To ask such question is against the etiquette (adab).
Seeker (talib) has two commitments to fulfill (in regards to self reformation (islahi) correspondence with the Sheikh).
First, is to inform (the [...]

Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (may Allah have mercy on him) said;
“If you commit a sin, repent immediately and compensate the action with good works and penitence. Never should you delay repentance.”
Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) adds that you should repent immediately at the same location where you committed this wretched [...]

An individual wrote a letter requesting permission for visiting Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) for self reformation (tazkiya).
Granting permission Hadhrat told him (this will be achievable) only if he comes leaving behind all arrogance and prepared to receive all kinds of humiliation.
Tarbiyat us Slaik, volume 1, page [...]

An aspirant requested something for recitation (wird) that will assist in performance of good deeds and stop one from committing sins.
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied;
“Performance of good deeds and giving up sins are both volitional things. Recitations have nothing to do with them.
The method to adopt [...]

Hadhrat Mawlana Masihullah Khan sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) advised;
“When confronted by different verdicts of the scholars, adopt the one in which there is precaution (ahwat). Always resolve to remain aloof from disputation.”
The Path to Perfection, page 122

Constant remembrance and contemplation of the attributes and bounties of Allah Most High will induce the desired love for Him. Compliance with the laws of the Shari’a and much remembrance of Allah expel the love of others from the heart, making way for the exclusive Love of Allah Most High.
The Path to Perfection, page 83

An aspirant inquired: “Is it inappropriate to make dua for nisbet (strong, perpetual, mutually agreeable relationship with Allah SWT)?
Hakeemul Umma Hazrat Thanawi ra replied: “It is most desired (to make such dua).”
Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 420

After describing the reality of tareeqat in detail, Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra summarizes it,
“Thus, salik has to do two things.
One is essential (faraz). That is observance of the commands of Shariah, both exoteric and esoteric. The other is mustaheb (commendable). That is excessive remembrance [...]

Listing the obligations for those who take the (Ashrafiya) tareeq Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra mentions,
Firstly, one has to read all the eleven parts of Behishti zewar (Heavenly ornaments, essential text of Hanafi fiqh) cover-to-cover, word-by-word. (In case if one cannot read, he/she has to have it read to him, listening attentively.)
Secondly, [...]

Referring to the common complaint by spiritual aspirants, “I do not feel it to be interesting”, when instructed to do the essentials of tareeq (wird, informing their condition regularly to the Sheikh, reading the prescribed texts, etc.) routinely, Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani shaib db said:
“Till when will you remain a slave [...]

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said;
“In order to develop within the nafs (inner self) capability of improvement and to facilitate and strengthen the treatment methods prescribed (to rectify one’s morals/behavior), the Sheikh instructs recitation of certain azkar (plu.zikir) & involvement in ashgal (special zikir exercises).”
Tarbiyatus Salik, volume 1, page7
This should make [...]

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said;
“In addition these spiritual maladies (diseases of the heart, e.g. pride, love of worldly, impatience, looking down on others, anger, etc.) ruin most of the external (physical) acts of worship (e.g. salat, hajj, charity, etc.).”
>, volume 1, page7

Sayyid wa sanadi Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db told an individual:
“Make it a daily routine to read from the mawaiz (lectures), malfoozat (discourses) and other books of Hazrat Hakemmul Ummat (Mawlana Ashrafi Ali Thanawi) qadas sirrahu.
Do not be negligent. Reading even a single page daily is beneficial.
They are indispensable for those travelling [...]