Monthly Archives: September 2009

Major sins (kabair)

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Shaykh Abu Taleb Makki (Allah have mercy on him) said that I complied the Prophetic sayings related to major sins and found out that there are 17 mentioned explicitly. They include,
Four related to heart,
1. Associating partners with Allah (shirk)
2. Intention of persisting on a sin
3. Being hopeless of Allah’s mercy
4. Being heedless of Allah’s wrath

Four related to tongue,
1. Bearing false witness
2. Allegation of adultery on innocent
3. Swearing falsely
4. Doing magic

Three related to stomach,
1. Drinking alcoholic beverages
2. Consuming the wealth of orphans
3. Taking unlawful tax/rent for agricultural land

Two related to genitalia,
1. Illicit sexual relations
2. Homosexuality

Two related to hands,
1. Killing someone unjustly
2. Stealing

One related to feet,
1. Fleeing from the battlefield in jihad

One related to the whole body,
1. Being disobedient to the parents

May Allah save us from all of these by His mercy. Amin!

Adab e Shaykh wal murid, page 16

Worship

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Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) wrote in reply to a salik’s letter who had complained of decreasing interest and engrossment,

‘There are various ways of worshipping. Contemplation is also worship, remembrance without counting is also worship, and considering one’s self to be unprivileged, undeserving, deficient and imperfect is also worship. Hence, the objective is always achievable.

However, there are two undesired states, disobedience (ma’asiyet) and heedlessness (gaflah). And all praise is to Allah, you do not have them.

The overwhelming rapture (ghalba) and engrossing interest (shauq) are from the transitional states. The lack of them is not detrimental for the salik. Moreover, these states can not stay at the same level for ever.’

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 592

Treatment of skepticism

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An aspirant wrote,

Respected Sir,
I have certain degree of skepticism in my personality. Listening to the criticism of the opponents greatly perturbs me. For this reason I only read your books. All praise is to Allah, whenever this kind of skepticism arises there is no effect on my acts of worship. However, the interest in worship that already existed is lost and I feel sad and depressed.  At the same time I dislike and hate these doubts and suspicions. But they persist. I feel as if I have become a hypocrite. Please, inform me how to get rid of this ailment.

Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
Do not read anything that will create doubts and suspicions.
If inadvertently you hear something of this category and this state (mentioned above) arises then there is no need to take any special measures to rectify it. This is because this effort will result in increasing distress and a permanent involvement (that is, seeking explanation & clarification) will afflict you. Therefore, instead of this effort ignore it actively. Do be bothered at all in spite of recurring random thoughts. However, continue making supplications and showing humility (to Allah).

Consider this to be enough.

InshaAllah, very soon the state (described) will be cleansed.

Once this habit is formed such power will develop in the heart that it will not be perturbed by such things.

This is a hikami (Divinely inspired wisdom) prescription. Bestowed  by Allah’s grace recently and is very significant information.

And all praise is for Allah!

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 3, page 135

Salik’s Unlimited progress

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Hakim ul Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said commenting on the verse 83 of surah Shu’raa:

“O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous”,

“A salik must not stop at any stage (during his spiritual quest).

He should always strive and aspire for more progress.”

Masail us Sulook min Kalam Malik ul Mulook, page 397

After Ramadhan

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Shaykh Wasiullah (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The effect of real acts of obedience is that an individual does not observe any virtue (kamal) in him/herself at all.

If there in no development of  humility, abasement, feeling of inability and lowliness after an act of worship then one should consider that this worship lacked sincerity.’

‘Iteraf e zunoob, page 99

The reason is that true worship illuminates the inner-self which in turn reveals the actual state within.

For example, it is like switching on the light bulb in a dark room. The illumination will reveal all the defects that were concealed by the darkness.

Cognizant of all the deficiencies an individual is now better equipped for attempting their rectification.

Similar should be our condition after Ramadhan.

Eid mubarak

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Our master the Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be on him) said;

“On the day of eid (when people gather to offer eid prayers) Allah speaks to the Angels,

‘Have these people fulfilled the obligation (of fasting) and are now gathered for prayers?

I swear by My pride, magnificence, majesty, mercy and elevated status that

I will fulfill their prayers (and supplications).

Tell them to return, I have forgiven them all and furthermore

I have replaced their sins with virtuous deeds.’

Hence they return completely forgiven.”

(Mishkat/Bahaiqi:Hayat al-Muslimeen)

An unimaginable joy!