Category Archives: C. Blame worthy Morals

The bad moral characteristics that have to be removed from within ourselves

Switch it off yourself

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Giving up sin seems to be very difficult task. Sometimes the urges are so strong that it appears one will die if he/she does not indulge in sin. But this is not the reality.

Understand it by an analogy. Suppose an individual has a strong desire to see something inappropriate on television (or Internet). In spite of being aware that this is sinful and wrong not following the desire seems to be impossible. It feels that this is beyond his/ her capability to resist. Death may follow if he/she does not do it. Therefore, he makes all the arrangements to indulge in this sinful activity. However, when everything is ready and in place the supply of electricity (or Internet) is shut off (as it happens frequently these days in Pakistan).

What will he/she do now?

Accept the reality even though with grudge and still a strong desire to do otherwise. However, with means beyond his/her control there is no way to do it. It is not done. This denial of indulgence in sinful though involuntarily does not seems to be impossible or result in death.

All of that strong urge, impossibility and iminent doom on denial to act on it were a deception of lower self (nafs) and Satan.

Now take heed from this analogy.
Voluntarily switch off the means of indulgence in sinful activities yourself. There is reward from Allah on doing this. Whereas, if it happens involuntarily there is no such reward.

Take control of the switch in your hand.’

Ramadan 1432/August 2011

May Allah faciltitate this for all of us. Amin!

Intention of self islah

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A scholar murid inquired displaying the text of Basair al-Hakim al-Ummat that it is an absolute contraindications for a Salik to be engaged in giving lectures and instructions to others until he has acquired nisbet ( a strong, perpetual and mutually friendly relationship with Allah). Being a scholar he was involved in giving regular sessions at his local mosque. What was he supposed to do?

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammmad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied,
‘These sessions should be with the intention of self rectification and mutual reminder. Only then they will not fall into the category Hakim al-Umma has restricted for the salik.’

Masjid Darul Uloom, Karachi, Ramadan 1432

Jeddah

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Tarbiyah with affection

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A seeker from Iran visited sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) in Ramadan. After office hours at ‘asr salah he informed the Shaikh that he intended to stay in Darul Uloom for few days to be in his company.

The Shaikh was obviously displeased by this casual attitude. He was severely reprimanded for not providing this vital information during the working hours so that the arrangements for his stay and food could be made accordingly with ease. Now after-hours this was a difficult task to perform. He was sternly counseled for this inappropriate behavior.

Shaikh’s personal assistant went out of the way and made these arrangements. JazakAllah.

Next day in office Shaikh sat beside this seeker on the chairs reserved for visitors and explained to him gently and affectionately the importance of proper timely communications to avoid discomfort to other individuals. Shaikh made sure he understood his mistake. The love, affection and sincerity in Shaikh’s demeanor was striking to all those present.

Moreover for heartening the seeker’s spirit the Shaikh presented him a gift and made arrangements for his journey back home to be with his family at Eid in a timely manner.

28th Ramadan 1432/29th August 2011, Office, Darul Uloom Karachi.

 

رمضان المبارك ١٤٣٢ بیان :١

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سیدی و سندی حضرت مولانا مفتی محمد تقی عثمانی صاحب مدظلھم العالی

وعظ

رمضان المبارك ١٤٣٢ بیان :١

The real achievement: Leaving sinful!

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘It is relatively easier to make ‘itekaf (of the last ten days of Ramadan), offer numerous supererogatory (nafil) salah, recite the whole Quran daily, perform many Umrah and Hajj.

However, the real feat is when it comes to leaving the sinful activities. This is the real achievement and mark (of true religiosity). To have control over the sinful desires of nafs. To be steadfast at the time of temptation. Being cognizant of the commands of Allah.

On the Day of Judgment an individual will not be questioned about missing supererogatory worshipful acts but he certainly will be admonished for being involved in sinful activities. ‘

Ramadan 20th, 1432, 21 August 2011, Darul Uloom Karachi Mosque

Tarbiyyah at khanqah

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An individual visiting from abroad requested to stay in Darul Uloom, Karachi to be be in close proximity to sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi usmani (Allah preserve him) for his spiritual development (islah).

He was warmly welcomed and informed about the different options for housing available. Like, guest rooms, guest house and students’ hostel. He requested that whatever was best for his islah would be the most preferable.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh recommended that in this case the students hostel will be the best place to stay. The conditions there are simple, ascetic and humble, more befitting a seeker. However, a personal visit should be made prior to making the final decision to ascertain that an individual will be able to handle the condition and not have excessive hardship staying there.

From time to time sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh inquired from that individual how was he doing there and if he had any problems. He also send students and other staff to check on him. In addition to the hospitality and kindness of the Shaikh this was also an exam for the seeker. That is, to see if he complains about the petty, transient and material problems. The signs of arrogance, non effacement (fana) and love of the worldly.

This is a form of the tarbiyyah that happens when a seekers stays in the company of the Shaikh.

Ramadan 1432/August 2011

 

Post Ramadan effort: preserving the momentum

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For development and maintenance of  reverence of God (taqwa) in our post-Ramadan life sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

1.Leave sinful activities:

Be strict on holding your lower (nafsani) desires. Make a firm determination. Do not yield to these sinful desires easily. These desires and Satan are our two arch enemies.

2. Change the thought pattern.

The mind is constantly occupied with thoughts. There is no gap or vacuum in this process. These thoughts are either of worldly matters or useless issues or sinful activities. It is essential to intervene and develop a spiritually healthy though pattern. We have to actively think about hereafter, heavens, thankfulness of Allah for the innumerable bounties and blessings bestowed upon us, asking refuge for anticipated calamities, repenting from sinful activities, etc.

3. Adopt pious company

This is the most effective way to achieve the change of thought pattern. It leads to absorption, assimilation and implementation of the Divine teachings in our life. Without the company of the the pious the Deen remains limited to superficial level.

4. Make remembrance of Allah

Set up a daily routine of making remembrance of Allah. There are three categories of remembrance of Allah. First is that it is done with the tongue without presence of mind. Second is when tongue is silent and there is mindfulness. Finally, when both tongue and mind are making the remembrance together. Do not under evaluate even the first category. It is a stepping stone for the rest of the categories. Moreover, with consistency it eventually engulfs the mind also.

Make a daily time table for this. The daily activities done in an organised method creates barakah in time. More things are done in the same period of time. Include in it these four things, recitation of Holy Quran atleast two pages daily, durood, third kalima and istegfar. Fix a specific time for them. In other times recite whatever form of remembrance comes to mind.

The remembrance of Allah (dhikr) is a form of energy and power. It assists in development of determination to fight the lower desires.

5. Make supplication (dua)

Set a specific time for this. Like prior to sleeping, after esha. For few minutes sit and supplicate.

Say, ‘O Allah I want to follow the path You are pleased with. I want to control my thoughts, aspirations and desires as per Your desires. You have repeatedly instructed us in the Holy Quran to do so. How can I do it? I am weak. My determination and effort are feeble. Provide from Your benevolence and mercy the determination, power and motivation so I can control my desires and make them totally subservient to Your commands.’

Make this supplication daily without any gap. It is impossible that Allah will reject this supplication indeed.

29th Ramadan 1432/30th August 2011, Darul Uloom masjid, after duhur bayan.

Tarbiyah: No familial succession in deen!

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘My late father (Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Shafi, Allah have mercy on him) use to deliver the morning lecture during the month of Ramadan and had a islahi majlis on Sunday mornings throughout the year. After his death people requested that these lectures should continue. My Shaikh Dr Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) instructed us not to do so.

Further more, a few days after the demise of our father Hadhrat ‘Arifi instructed us (Mufti Rafi & sayyidi Mufti Taqi Usmani) to submit our resignations from our post as deputy administrator (naib muhtamim) of Darul Uloom, Karachi. He added that there is no familial succession in holding religious posts and offices. These positions requires a specific acumen, whenever you develop that then only it will be permissible for you to hold them. For now wait and make effort to develop this.

We submitted our resignations.

The rector of Darul Uloom Mawlana Sehban Mehmood (Allah have mercy on him) was baffled by this information. Contemplating the difficulties in running the day to day activities of the Darul Uloom without us he made a special visit to Hadhrat ‘Arfi at his home. Hadhrat refused to discuss this issue at all and instructed him to bring this up in the official administrative meeting of Darul Uloom.

After resigning we could not even attend the administrative meeting.

However, in the administrative meeting the new designations of president and deputy president were created and Hadhrat ‘Arifi nominated us for these posts.’

Shaikh Mufti Mehmood Usmani (Allah preserve him) listened to this with amazement and commented on the tarbiyyah aspect of Hadhrat Arifi’s approach (to eliminate the love of fame and position from an aspirant’s heart).

Eidul fitr, Hadhrat’s drawing room, Darul Uloom, Karachi, pre-duhur, 31 August 2011

Allah’s mercy in His displeaure!

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Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Hasan (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘By committing sinful activities an individual harms himself alone. This is the reason for Allah being displeased with these transgression.

There is mercy in Allah’s displeasure for what is harmful for an individual.

Acknowledgment and contemplation of Allah’s mercy creates His love. This love facilitates activities that please Him. This leads to the blessings of His pleasure and proximity.’

Al-qawl al-Aziz, page 25

Jeddah

Time management

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 - Go to sleep right after Isha salaat and wake up in tahajjud. Complete all your reading and writing tasks at that time. That has been the routine of our akaabireen.

- Never attend any gatherings after 9 pm. If there is a gathering at your place, make sure its ends before 9!

- He further said that nowadays most of the gatherings are not segregated so one can easily apologise the host beforehand for not being able to attend it. Secondly, one could very well visit earlier, give a present and politely inform the host why they needed to leave.

- The biggest ‘calamity’ that has befallen the urbanites is this day and age is that they have stopped sleeping early, and the misfortune (be-barkati) this produces in one’s life, and time, is clearly evident in our messed up daily routines.’

musaafir-e dasht

Dealing with marital conflicts

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Shaikh Mawlana Yusuf Ludhyanawi shaheed (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘A pious man wrote to his Shaikh the complaints about her wife in detail and requested advice on how to deal with this situation.

The Shaikh replied that, how can an individual who can not be patient on the (mental & emotional) afflictions caused by his wife claim to be superior to her?’

Narrating an incident of a friend Shaikh said,

One day I became fed up of this continuous bickering between my wife and myself and approached Shaikh Arif-billah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him). I told him that I am tired of this situation. I am short tempered and my wife is more short tempered than me. Patience and forbearance is totally lacking in both of us.  Please, guide what should I do?’

Shaikh Arif-billah used to be very succinct in his replies. He avoided lengthy talks. He listened carefully and recommended,

‘Make the traffic one-way.’

That is, let her speak and you remain quiet.

I did as instructed and the situation became better.’#

‘….. In summary in regards to the eccentricities of their spouses men should have forbearance. They should try to improve (islah) them as much as possible and leave the rest to Allah.’*

Momin aurat, # page 43, * 42

Signs of arrogance

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The arrogance (kibr) means that an individual considers himself superior to others regarding the excellent (and desired) qualities. 

It is expected that when an individual has such an allusion about his grandeur the nafs bloats up and starts to manifest the signs (of kibr). They include,

1. Trying to be ahead of everyone while walking with others.

2.  Preferring to be seated in a prominent place in a gathering.

3. Looking down on others with despise.

4. Being angry if others do not initiate to greet and welcome.

5. Being upset if others do not respect him/her.

6. Being visibly annoyed if others offer advice (nasiha).

7. Not accepting the truth even after being convinced.

8.  Looking at the general public as though they are donkeys.

Allah save us all from these.(Amin!)

Taharat e qalb, page 165