‘Arif-billah Hadhrat Dr Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“Reading or discussing something repeatedly usually results in recalling it when its need arises.
At that moment one needs spiritual determination to act according to it.
Doing such for some time eventually leads to the creation of an instinctive inclination for acting so without effort.”
Malfoozar e Arifi 167
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,
“Hadhrat Makhdoom Mohammad Hashim Tathtawi’s (may Allah have mercy on him) book, ‘Hayat al-qalub fi ziyarat al-mahbub‘ is the most authentic text regarding the Hanafi fiqh rulings on Hajj. My respected father, Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) used to praise it a lot. It was because of this that he obtained its manuscript with much effort and had it published by Maktaba Darul Uloom, Karachi. He used to say that the methodical study (tehqiq) of some of the Hajj rulings (masail) in it is superior to most of the the other established text.”
Hayat al-qalub fi ziyarat al-mahbub, page 3
The original book is in Persian. It was translated in to Urdu by Mawlana Khalilur Rehman Nomani al-Mazaheri (may Allah have mercy on him).
Hajj is a unique act of worship (‘ibada).
As per Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) it is a worship of an ardent lover (‘ashiq) .
It is done only once in lifetime. That is, the fardh Hajj.
In other worships that are repeated daily or yearly there are chances to reach the zentih of sincerity, devotion and perfection (sidiq) eventually over time. But this is not possible in Hajj. Hence, all effort has to be made to make sure that it is done as required by the Shariah in the first go.
The wealth of information given in this book is remarkable. All the faraidh, wajibat, sunna and mustehebbat are mentioned in detail.
It is a must reference to be available on Hajj journey, especially for individuals or if your group does not have qualified Hanafi scholar to guide you step by step.
May Allah help all those intending for Hajj this year, making each and every step easy. May He give them utmost sincerity, devotion and conformation to the Sunna in it. And finally accept it as a ‘perfect Hajj’. Ameen!
What does Islam say about poetry, singing, musical instruments, musicians, and the business of music? How have Muslim societies historically looked at these questions and how have their attitudes changed in the media age? Why have mosques remained music-free while churches have not? What is the truth about the much-publicized “music controversy” in Islam? Why did Sufis call sama as the slippery stone? These are some of the questions explored in-depth in Slippery Stone: An Inquiry into Islam’s Stance on Music.
Of late, increasing attempts are being made to promote “Islamic music,” and the distinction between what is allowed and what is not has become hazy and unclear for many. This book demystifies the issue of music in Islam by going to original source books in Arabic, many of them brought to light for the first time in the English language. It traces the attitudes of the Muslim society about music and the musician throughout its history and quotes extensively from the deliberations of the Qur’an and Hadith scholars and jurists from all schools of Islamic Law, both Sunni and Shi’ah. Separate chapters are devoted to a discussion of the views of Sufi masters as well as the arguments of Ibn Hazm.
It examines in considerable depth the impact of colonialism and the media revolution (beginning with the gramophone) on the attitudes of Muslim societies regarding music. It also subjects the works of Orientalists to a scrutiny that was overdue.
By referring to it as a slippery stone, Sufis vividly pointed out the dangers associated with this enterprise and emphasized the need for caution. History is filled with the corpses of those who fell off the slippery stone by ignoring this advice. Combining historic, cultural, and jurisprudential perspectives this book brings the truth of that metaphor into sharp relief.
More than six hundred references and more than a hundred twenty biographical notes on the authorities quoted add to the value of a discussion that is comprehensive without being boring, and detailed without being confusing. This book has left no stone unturned in its examination of the slippery stone.
Available at Albalagh Bookstore
Manhattan, NY
سیدی و سندی حضرت مولانا مفتی محمد تقی عثمانی صاحب مدظلہم العالی نے آج بعد نماز عصر حاضرین کو مطلع فرمایا کہ،
“انشاءاللہ آج شب سورہ والناس کے ترجمہ اور تشریح کےساتھ احقر نے گذشتہ کچھ عرصے سے اردو ترجمہ قرآن کا جو کام شروع کیا ہوا تھا وہ الحمدللہ مکمل ہو جاۓ گا۔”
انشاءاللہ بعد عید الفطر یہ “آسان ترجمہ قرآن بمعہ تشریحات” تین جلدوں میں چھپ کر منظر عام پر آجائیگا۔
جزاک اللہ تعالی احسن الجزاء
16 رمضان المبارک 1429
Instructing a senior scholar from Rangoon, Myanmar, who is staying in Darul Uloom to be in sayyidi wa sanadi’s company for the month of Ramadhan, Hadhrat said,
“Read the spiritual discourses (mawaiz) of Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) as much as possible during your stay here. Make an effort to read at least forty of these.
However, while reading them keep an intention for your own self reformation (islah). It is a common ailment of scholars that when they read something beneficial they make a mental note of it to mention it in their next public speech. This is not beneficial. One’s own reformation (islah) should be the primary concern to gain maximum benefit.”
7th Ramadhan 1429, Darul Uloom
Having a clear perspective of Tasawwuf’s reality is essential from the very start of the spiritual journey.
That is, what is the goal and means to reach it?
Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) made this vividly clear upfront to every seeker who approached him for spiritual reformation (islah).
People with their creative imagination, knowledge of partially correct or interpreted information and especially readers of Sufi hagiographies and difficult classic texts make assumptions and set unrealistic goals.
To dispel these sorts of myths Hakim al-Umma wrote exegesis of some of the Sufi texts that are commonly misinterpreted. They include explanation of Mathnawi of Mawlana Rumi (in 24 volumes), poetry of Hafiz Shirazi and Fusoos of Ibn Arabi (may Allah have mercy on them).
A very beneficial point he makes in the introduction to one of the text is as follows,
“From the teachings of Tasawwuf, I always had intellectual interest in the instructive section (uloom e ma’amla) because this deals with the commands and prohibitions and acting on them leads to the proximity of Allah, Most High.
In comparison, the section of unveiling (uloom e makashafa) was instinctively attractive but not appealing intellectually. This is because they play no role in gaining Allah’s nearness and have a great inherent danger that some mistakes in them (interpretation and application) may lead to loss of faith (eman) itself.
(May Allah save us all from this calamity.)”
Al-tanbih al-tarabi fi tanzih ibn al-Arabi ra, page 6
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mohammad Mufti Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) recommends the following books to gain essential knowledge, sound understanding and practical application of Islam for every Muslim.
“Section 1: Necessary Beginners Knowledge
“…without which living a life like a true Muslim is not possible.”
Section 2: Broadening the Core
“…by which such vastness and firmness is produced in religious aspects that a person will not be misguided by those who misguide.”
(Fatawa Usmani, volume 1, pg. 181-182 ed. Maktaba Ma`arif al-Quran: 2005)
“The best moral characteristic of Sufiya is humility (tawadhu). There is no superior uniform of slavehood (abdiyet) other than this humilty.”
Awarif al-Ma’arif, page 294
An essential reading for all salikeen from the curriculum of Tasawwuf.
In sequel of the previous post. An individual inquired how can this yearning and desire be created and developed.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) was obviously pleased at this question and replied,
“Once Mawlana Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) was elaborating on this same topic. He said that an individual should stretch out his begging bowl and keep on beseeching Allah, Most High for this. Hadhrat (Khawajah Azizul Hasan) Majzoob (may Allah have mercy on him) asked that if someone didn’t even have the begging bowl what should he do? Hakim al-Umma replied that he should request for the bowl itself from Allah, Most High.
Hence, one should make supplications for it. That is, ask Allah, I lack true desire and yearning, please, correct this deficiency. Keeping company of those who already have this yearning and reading their books (Shaykh and pious predecessors mashaikh) will also help in its creation and development.
Well! This question itself is a sign that, all praise to Allah, true desire and yearning is present (to some extent) in the inquirer.”
Thrusday, pre-zuhar, 25th October 1990/5 Rabi II 1411. Meeting in office with respectable Drs. Sayyid Abdul Qadir Ahmer and Sayyid Abdun Nasir Moin (may Allah preserve them).
This book is the English translation of sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani’s book “Taqleed ki Sharaiee Haisiyat“. It sheds light on the reality of following a madhab(taqleed), its different types and why it is necessary today. It also answers the doubts and objections of people on this topic.
Download the pdf document here.
دست از طلب ندارم تا کار من برآید
A classic textbook of tasawwuf. It is an essential reading for advanced level murid. It is included in the core curriculum for the seeker (nisab e tasawwuf) recommended by Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Asraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him).
In regards to getting rid of the effects of black magic (sihr) ‘Arif-billah Dr. Abdul-Hayy ‘Arif (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“Pray two units (rakah) of salah.
In first unit recite قل اعوذ برب الفلق (chapter 113) and in second قل اعوذ رب الناس (chapter 114) after al-fatiha.
After salam recite لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلى العظيم five hundred times. Send salutations on the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) eleven times before and after this recitation. Then make dua, especially for removal of the sihr.
This is very effective method. Do not belittle it due to its being so simple and easy.”
From audio of weekly majlis 1980s.
Use of black magic (sihr) is rampant these days.
There are various reasons for it. Firstly, the ease of availability which is most likely due to the consumer demand. Secondly, the rise in number of individuals who can afford it. And finally the declining religious state of Muslims. This is both in external (dhahiri) and spiritual (ruhani) realms.
The external elements include lack of care about major or minor impurity states, eating what is definitively halal, not praying regularly, indulging in sins, especially the major ones and not repenting immediately. These all make one more susceptible to the effects of sihr.
The spiritually destructive (muhlekat) characteristics of anger, envy or jealousy (hasad), hatred(bugdh), lack of love for Allah and has His creation and loss of sense of accountability before Him are the real forces driving theperpetrator to use of this ulterior method to harm fellow human beings.
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned in Bahishti Zewar (Hanafi fiqh manual) a list of thirty three Quranic verses to be recited daily for the treatment of and propylaxsis against black magic. They have been compiled into a booklet known as manzil (online).
Finally two things need to be clarified in this regards. Firstly, not every illness, accident or unusual thing should be assumed to be a result of black magic. Common things are more common. Secondly, if black magic is suspected it must be diagnosed correctly and treated by an expert (a’amil). The things mentioned here are general measures. Specific treatment may be needed in some cases. This expert should be a pious Muslim. He should not be a person who is using black magic himself for this treatment as is very common these days.
Allah save us all from sihr. Ameen!
اسوہ رسول اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم
تصنیف عارف باللہ حضرت ڈاکٹر عبدالحئی عارفی رحمۃ اللہ علیہ