An individual inquired that a lay person gets an impression that the teachings of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanavi and especillay, his successors (may Allah have mercy on them) regarding tasawwuf appear to be intensified fiqh. Does this path lead to ma’rifah?
All praise is for Allah.
It should be explicitly clear that we do not divide Shariah and Tasawwuf in to two seperate entities. They are both essential simultaneously.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said, “Shariah without tasawwuf is a body without soul, whereas, tasawwuf devoid of Shariah is absolute heresy (zindaqa). Strive and implement both of them in your life together.”
To talk of ma’arifa and wilayet without recognizing the essential importance of fiqh practically in one’s life is wrong.
The classical works of tasawwuf, like al-Lama’, Awarif al-Ma’arif, al-Risala, Ihya al-Uloom ad deen, all start with emphasis and detailed discussion of Shariah and fiqh rulings. This is because of the fact that an individual can not attain real wilayet and ma’arifa without the essential fiqh required to live an Islamic life.
May Allah facilitate its understanding and implementation in our life. Ameen!
Hadhrat Khawaja Aziz ul-Hassan majoob narates that while discussing the absurd beliefs of astray Islamic sects Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on them) would spontaneously hold his hands together and beg with very extreme humility and servitude, “O Allah, please, save us from Your wrath (qahar)!” 
