Monthly Archives: May 2009
The Goal
Grand-Shaykh Haji ‘Abd al-Rahim Wilayati Shahid (1246 H) instructed his khalifa Mianji Nur Muhmmad Jhinjhanawi (1259 H) (may Allah have mercy on them),
‘The main purpose and goal is for one to remain steadfast on the Shari‘a — both outwardly and inwardly — at all times, and abstain from all manners of shirk and bida’. ‘
Instructing Good/Amr bil ma’ruf
Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said:
“There are two prerequesites for amr-bil ma’ruf (instructing good);
Firstly, there should be hope that the individual being spoken to will accept or at least will not harm you (in retaliation).
The other is that the individual must be unaware of that good deed.
Mostly in the cases of lack of knowledge the chance of instruction being accepted are better. Whereas, people already aware of the good deed are often annoyed if instructed to perform it.
Dawat o tablig ki sharaii hasiyat, page 26
The absolute following of the Shaykh
The issue of complete and unquestionable following of the Shaykh is usually described in such a dreadful manner that makes most of the listeners wary of Tasawwuf in general. This is very detrimental especially in this era of religious ignorance and arrogance. Below is an extract explaining the reality of this following.
Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote,
“This following is neither in beliefs (aqaid) nor in unveiling (kashafiyat), other collective issues (masail) and economic matters. It is only in methods of approach, diagnosis, instructions and treatment of spiritual diseases and issues related to spiritual reformation. Moreover,this following is further restricted to the mutual agreement of murid and the Shaykh on the permissibility of the issue. If there is a difference of opinion then it is against the way of people of the path (tareeq) to indulge in a debate with the Shaykh, when following his advice will be against the Shariah ruling. In this situation the best etiquette (adab) between the two proprieties (adab of Shariah and Shaykh) is to consult the scholars or do research of his own (if he is capable of it) and establish a ruling. He should then inform the Shaykh that I do not consider this particular action to be permissible and it is from the teaching of our path (silsila), what should I do? If the Shaykh still instructs him to do the same then it is best to abandon this Shaykh. However, if he gives the permission to forgo this action then this is also following his instruction in proxy.
This is the meaning of absolute following (itiba’ e kamil).
That is, complete following (of the Shaykh) must be done in whatever diseases of the lower self (nafs) he has diagnosed, the prescription he has provided and the permissible actions he has instructed to carry out, the permissibility of which Shaykh and murid agree mutually upon. Murid should not interfere in these issues at all with his opinions. It does not entail following in matters beside these issues.
Mawlana Abdul Majid Dayabadi ra’s book, Hakim al-Umma ra, page 304, quote taken from Al-‘Itedal fi matba’t ar-Rijal
Daily Routine: A must!
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) used to repeatedly emphasize that one must complete his daily ma’moolat (wird) regularly.
In case of a genuine excuse this may be even without wudhu’ (ablution) or while doing the daily chores . This is because that being absent after fixing a ma’mool (wird) causes loss of barakah (Divinely blessings) excessively.
Maasir e Hakeemul Ummat 233
مسلمانان پاکستان کے نام ایک دردناک پیغام
لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ
حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ
حضرت مولانا عبداللہ میمن صاحب مدظلہ نے تحریر فرمایا،
السلام علیکم
حضرت مفتی محمد تقی عثمانی صاحب مدظلہ نے اپنے بیان میں ایک بزرگ کا پیغام ذکر فرمایا ہے کہ انھوں نے خواب میں آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو دیکھا۔ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا کہ،
“پاکستان پر عذاب آنے کا اندیشہ ہے۔”
٭
سورۃ والشمس اور آیت کریمہ کا 70،000 مرتبہ اجتماعی ختم کرنے کا اھتمام کریں!
یہ پیغام ہر مسلمان تک پہچائیں!
جزاک اللہ خیرا و احسن الجزاء
٭(توبہ و استغفار کریں اور گناہوں کو چھوڑیں)
Concern for others
An individual wrote:
Now the only source of misery at home is the condition of younger brother. It is the same as it was previously. I pray for him daily, asking Allah that he gives up the habit of lying and embezzlement. These two problems are usually the cause of most of the suffering. He is destroying both, his religion and worldly life. I request you to pray (make dua) for him and advice any practical solution to achieve this.
Hakim al-UmmatMawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi(Allah have mercy on him) replied:
‘I have no hesitation in making dua for him.
However, as far as the request for practical solution is concerned, for inept like us it is best to be concerned with our self rather than for others.
That is,
“فکر خود کن، فکر بیگانہ مکن “
(Be worried about yourself; do not be anxious regarding others’ condition.)
Moreover, there comes a time when even for the best and perfect individuals (kamileen) it is advisable:
عليكم انفسكم لا يضركم من ضل اذا اهتديتم
And that happens when even after substantial efforts other do not pay heed.”
Tarbiyatus Salik, volume 3 page 190
Repentance
Shaykh Abd al-Ghani al-Rifai’ (Allah have mercy on him) instructed the novice disciples,
‘The rights of other that are due must be fulfilled or forgiveness sought for them.
If one finds himself unable to do this now, then he should make a firm determination to do so whenever it is possible for him.
In the mean time he should continuously make supplications for the aggrieved individual and ask forgiveness for himself.
For example, he should says hundred times daily, ‘O Allah! I seek forgiveness in matters related to rights of other individuals (huqooq al-ibad).’ This recitation should continue till he fulfills these obligations as outlined above.
This is because repentance (tawbah) is the reality and foundation of this path (tareeq). In fact it is the very first station of the path.
Takhlees Tarsi’ al-Jawahir al-Makkiyah fi tazkiya tal-ikhlaq al-mardhiyah, page 78
Related: Clearing financial matters first!
Tahajjud prayers
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) instructed a seeker who complained of missing the tahajjud salah,
‘Pray four units (rakah) of optional (nafl) prayers (salah) between the sunna and witr of esha with the intention of tahajjud. If you are able to wake up in the last part of the night pray tahajjud again.’
On another occasion he instructed,
‘Special effort should be made to wake up for tahajjud in the last part of the night. It will be completely fine to make up for the lost sleep after fajr prayers. However, until this habit is established make a routine of offering four units of nafl salah between the sunna and witr of esha.’
Islahi khutoot
Saliks involved in completing their missed (qaza) prayers should also act accordingly. However, they should keep nafil to the minimum (2 rakah) and focus more on their qaza at this time also.
The definition of a sufi
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘The meaning on a sufi, in my opinion, is a knowledgeable individual (‘alim) who practices (what he knows). ‘
[Majaalis Hakimul Ummat, page 278]
Helsinki, ESCMID 2009
Esha in Helsinki
Answering a question regarding when should the ‘esha prayers be offered in Helsinki, Finland where there is no complete darkness between sunset and sunrise sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,
‘The most practical thing to do in these areas is that one should divide the interval between the sunset and sunrise into two halves. Pray ‘esha just prior to the end of the first half and fajar after the commencement of second half.’
Helsinki, ESCMID 2009
What is ‘husun e khulq’?
Shaykh Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Beautiful manners (husun e khulq) is your disposition and interaction with others in way that makes them happy, provided that in doing so nothing is done against the Shariah.’
Ifadaat ala Takhlis tarsi’ al-jawahir al-Makkiya, page 52-3
Helsinki, ESCMID 2009
Say Ameen!
Importance of following Sunna!
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) told us:
“Shaykh Mujaddid Alif Thani (Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi Naqshbandi, may Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Allah initially gave me the outward knowledge of Shariah and made me excel in it. Then I turned towards the inner wisdom Sufiya possess. All praise to Allah, He made me do extremely well in them also. And Allah bestowed all His bounties on me and eventually elevated me to such a high station that our lord, the mercy for the universe (Prophet Mohammad, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) conferred the royal cloak of honor to me by his very noble hands.
Furthermore, made me move forward additionally to much higher stations to the level that if I speak of it, the scholars of the exoteric Shariah will give a verdict that I am a unbeliever (kafir) and Sufiya will label me to be a heretic (zindeeq). But how can I deny this? It is a fact.
However, after achieving all these exalted stations I make a prayer (dua). Whoever says ameen after it, inshaAllah he will also receive salvation (magfirah).
The dua is:
O Allah! Give me the tawfeeq to follow the example of Prophet Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him (ameen).
O Allah! Keep me (steadfast in) following the example of Prophet Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him till I die (ameen).
This is because, after all this journey I found out that it is due to this following of Sunna of Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him), that this was achieved.’
Therefore, we should make a solemn determination from today onwards that we are going to perform all the Sunna of Prophet ( Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him). Then, inshaAllah, we will observe how bliss, clarity (noor), blessings (barakah) and luminosity is instilled in our lives.
By Allah, the delight of life is not achieved by indulging in transgressions and sins. Ask regarding this pleasure from those individuals who have molded their lives in the example of Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him). ”
(Islahi-mawaiz 236-7)
Helsinki, ESCMID 2009
The thing to take from The Sheikh
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) said:
“The thing to acquire from the Sheikh is the fanayiat (self-annihilation).
People consider taking wird, azkar, ashagals and litanies etc. from him, all of which can be acquired from books. The essential thing to take from him is this fanayiat. That is total effacement of self suggestions, opinions, planning, expectations and complete submission to the commands of Shariah.
This is acquired ONLY by accompanying the Sheikh for considerable duration of time.
His suhba is essential:
To observe him practicing Shariah in different settings.
To learn from his attitude & behavior. Where is he firm and when lenient.
To correct yourself by his upright way of practice and implementing Shariah.
To happily bear his chastisement, in hope for self-reformation.
To be ready for his trials and testing, in order to check your sincerity.
To submit to all of his instructions wholeheartedly.
To do each and every major action in your life with his consultation and approval. And,
Finally, to copy, imitate and absorb his all esoteric & exoteric states enthusiastically.
And if this suhba is not readily available then it is essential to correspond with him via letters, mail, phone etc. to acquire this. (As explained in earlier posts.)
Also, important and perhaps most beneficial for this is the detail and extensive study of the malfoozat (suhba talks/utterances) of Hakim al-Umma Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanvi quddus sirrahu. Reading them regularly will allow you to absorb the style/disposition of Hakim al-Umma, who had absolute fanayiat!
Equally significant is the study of the biography of our pious elders. Books like: Ashraf us sawanih (Hakeemul Ummat ra’s biography), Tazkirat ur Rasheed (Moulana Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi ra’s bio), Tazkiratul Khalil (Moulana Khalil Ahmed ra’s bio), etc..
If all of these are done sincerely and seriously, inshaAllah, gradually this fanayiat will eventually develop and grow to the optimum level required.”
Islah by Tawajjuh, Wazifah & T’aweez?
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“I observe that lot of people are expecting that their self-reformation (islah) will happen by the spiritual attention (tawajjuh) of a pious person. They also expect that by reciting special litanies (wazifah) or by using an amulet (t’aweez) their lower self (nafs) will be fixed to act on Shariah, and they will not have to do anything (that is, use self determination, courage and act appropriately).
Remember! This is a very big mistake.
Your nafs and Satan are misleading you!
The islah-e-nafs (reformation) does not happen without struggling and striving (using self determination, courage and acting appropriately against one’s desires and wishes).
The spiritual attention (tawajjuh) and litanies (wazaif) are for increasing the luminosity of a reformed nafs. They open the path in forward direction. “
Mawaiz-e-Ashrafiya vol. 11: Taqwa wa Tasawwuf