Shaikh Sufyan bin Thawri (Allah have mercy on him) used to say:
“My mother advised me:
‘My son!
Only seek religious knowledge if you intend to implement it.
Otherwise, it will be a source of torment for you on the Day of Resurrection.’ ”
Ikhlaq as-Saliheen, translation Tambih al Mughtarin of of Imam Sha’rani (Allah have mercy on him)
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An individual inquired that if it was still inappropriate to keep a face book account.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied,
‘Yes indeed one should not have an account on the facebook . It is against the Islamic honor to do so. The desecration they did for our master Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) was despicable.
However, I do not say that it is impermissible (na-jaiz/haram) to do so.
Some people tell me there is an account under my name also. I do not approve of it. I tell them to delete it if possible. I have no connection with it.’
Medinah e munawwarah, Al-Taiba Suites, 11th January 2011
Mention was made about the stream of publications written recently against the eccentric views of a contemporary scholar.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,
‘Indeed we live in a era where holding individualistic views are common. Anyone with an attentive audience feels free to do it. It is one of the signs of the end of time as mentioned in a Prophetic sayings.
However, the tactics used to bring this to their attention and correct them should be with utmost wisdom, thorough knowledge and in a heartfelt manner. It should be in private. This is so that they are not humiliated and alienated.
Publishing these sorts of books is usually not useful. It will lead to the publication of a rebuttal and then another answer to it will be written. This process will be repeated multiple times without any benefit. Moreover, all this argumentation and infighting adds to the armamentarium of the enemies of Islam.
These issues were referred to us at Darul ifta in Darul Uloom, Karachi also many years ago. We wrote in detail about them and send it directly to the highest authorities in charge of the movement this scholar is associated with. All praise to Allah, it was received well by them and significant improvements were made according to our recommendations.’
Makkah Towers # 2, 3rd January 2012, after esha
Please, note that this is only a conjecture of an intelligent observer.
The building they had built shall always remain a source of unrest in their hearts, unless their hearts are cut into pieces. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Ninth chapter (sura),
Eleventh section (juz),
Verse number 110
Allah knows best!
Makkah Tower #2, 3rd January 2012, Post esha
Sayyadi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,
‘A Yemeni Shaikh has written a book about the coming of Imam Mahdi, our master Esa (peace from Allah be upon them) and The Day of Judgment. Using the verses of the Holy Quran and the science of abjad (numerical values of the alphabets) he has come up with 2024 to be the year of these happenings. He requested me to write an introduction to this book.
I read the book with much interest and wrote a detailed introduction. In it I appreciated the marvel and excellence of Quranic sciences, the uniqueness of the scholar’s idea and his excellent application of the abstruse science of abjad.
However, at the same time I cautioned the readers about these sort of prophecies. Their reliability can not be guaranteed. They are at their best, guesstimates of an intelligent observer. If people develop firm faith in them then two catastrophic things are possible. Firstly, they may postpone repentance from sins and commission of good actions till that date. Secondly, if this incident did not happen then they might loose faith or life like the Adventists’ ‘Great Disappointment’ of 1844.
In summary, we can enjoy a good read but in regards to coming of qiyamah the best thing is to improve our condition. Repent from sins. Mend our ways and do good actions, both physical and spiritual.’
Makkah Towers#2, 3rd January 2012, after esha
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,
‘These days most of us are preoccupied by the past events or future apprehensions. In doing so we neglect the present.’
An individual inquired,
‘In our era due to technological advances every day chores are done relatively quickly. Hence we have extra time available to us. This usually results in preoccupation with useless involvements including those you mention. How can we utilize time more effectively?’
Sayyidi wa sanadi replied,
‘I repeatedly tell the people the same and ask them what are they doing with the time they save by using these new technologies.
An individual has to develop the importance of value of time.
Once this importance is developed then it will be impossible for him to waste a single second. Moreover, Allah will give barakah in his time and he will be able to do more work effectively in the same amount of time.’
Makkah Towers, 3rd January 2012, After esha
Mention was made of a pious Shaikh who had become independent paying absolute regards to his personal opinions (zauq/dhauq)* and looking down on others who dared to differ.
An individual inquired,
‘I feel extremely anxious about this incident. It seems very dangerous. How can a person who had several years of islahi relationship fall like this? What can I do to safeguard myself from such disaster?’
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied,
‘It is good to be afraid. Anticipation of such calamity makes you more careful.
Never ever consider yourself to be anything.
Giving absolute preference to these personal (zauqi/dhauqi) opinions is sign of arrogance. Stay away from it.
Always consider yourself to be insignificant and remain under the close supervision of a pious Elder (Shaikh).
I heard multiple times from my respected father (Mufti Mohammad Shafi’, Allah have mercy on him) an individual who becomes independent (bi-dhzat) actually becomes absolutely corrupt (bad-dhzat).
Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) used to say that one should always keep himself under the supervision of senior pious Shaikh. However, when they are no more such individuals available than he should seek mentor-ship from the contemporary pious and eventually when they also cease to exist then one should not be ashamed to seek council from those who appear to be junior to himself. For only Allah knows in reality who is a senior or a junior (in level of proximity, piety, etc) .’
Walking towards Makkah Tower #2 from Bab Abdul Aziz, 3rd January 2012 after esha.
*Those issue which are controversial between the pious scholars. Some scholars consider them permissible whereas others advice to stay away from them.
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A wife complained regarding her husband’s strictness in implementing Shariah at home. This individual has a very close islahi relationship with another contemporary Shaikh.
Sayyid wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied that it will be grossly incorrect for him to interfere in this matter. He also elaborated that it has to be acknowledged that there is the issue of congeniality (munasbet).
(Some individuals have it with a Shaikh who appears to be extremely strict, blunt and cantankerous to others. Yet some people have no problem with him and benefit from him spiritually.)
It is inappropriate to chastise him for something (permissible) his Shaikh recommends.’
Makkah e muramah, 6th Safar 1433/1st Jan 2012
Born Rajab 1338 Aligarh, India
Died Safar 1433 Karachi, Pakistan
Son of Nawab Mohammad Masood Ali Khan.
Grand father Nawab Liaqat Hussain Khan was murid of Shaikh Mawlana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi and grand mother was muridah of Shaikh al-Masahaikh Haji Imdadullah sahib mohajir Makki (Allah have mercy on all of them).
He made bayah to Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him).
He had permission to take bayah from seekers by Shaikh Mawlana Faqir Mohammad and Shaikh Mawlana Masihullah Khan (Allah have mercy on them).
Source: Halaat e Eshrat wa Maktubaat e Masihul Ummat ra
Shaikh Sari al-Saqti (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘He who looks at the defects of others becomes blind of his own defects.’
Jawami ‘Adab al-Sufiya, page 31-2
Our master Prophet Jesus son of Mary (Allah’s peace be upon them) said,
“It is of no use to you to come to know what you did not know, so long as you do not act in accordance with what you already know.
Too much knowledge only increases pride if you do not act in accordance with it.”
Abu ‘Abdallah Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Shaybani Ibn Hanbal: Kitab al-Zuhd 327:
Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) instructed a seeker,
‘A little determination is required to stay away from all that is sinful. In addition, sit and recite daily with contemplation hundred times ‘Allah’ ‘Allah’. Do this in spite of not having the desire to do so.
…….
I have a strict criteria (in instructing those aspiring spiritual progress) to stay away from all that is sinful.
Holding one’s self from indulgence in sinful is the most undesired (yet most beneficial) of all the spiritual struggles and exercises for the lower self (nafs).’
Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 3, page 1026
Many people try to coerce their family members to reform (islah). Use of verbal, physical or emotional pressure may be involved in this effort.
The golden words of Mufti Rasheed Ahmad Ludhyanawi (Allah have mercy on him) must be remembered that this is not permissible to do so for post-pubertal individuals, like adult sons, daughters, sons & daughters-in law, etc.
If done without wisdom it backfires and leads to alienation from religion, misunderstandings and souring of relationships. (May Allah save us all. Amin!)
It is best to make excessive supplications (dua) in this regards and ask Allah for guidance. Then only one should advice them gently in a heartfelt manner at an appropriate time in privacy. Until then one should be involved in his own islah.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) repeatedly tells us,
‘A truthful advice in not a club to strike another individual as one desires.
Sometimes one has to wait for years to say the right thing with the right intention in the right manner for it to be effective.’
Allah give us the tawfeeq. Amin!
| Definition: | compassion, generosity |
| Synonyms: | affection, altruism, amiability, beneficence, benevolence, charity, clemency, consideration, cordiality, courtesy, decency, delicacy, fellow feeling, forbearance, gentleness, good intention, good will, goodness, grace, graciousness, heart, helpfulness, hospitality, humanity, indulgence, kindliness, magnanimity, mildness, patience, philanthropy, serviceability, solicitousness, solicitude, sweetness, sympathy, tact, tenderness, thoughtfulness, tolerance, understanding, unselfishness |
| Antonyms: | cruelty, harshness, meanness |
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Our master the holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
إن الله يحب الرفق في الأمر كله (رواه البخاری)۔
“Allah is kind and loves kindness in every matter.”
إن الرفق لا يكون في شيء إلا زانه . ولا ينزع من شيء إلا شانه ( رواه مسلم) ۔
“Whenever kindness is in a thing it adorns it, and whenever it is removed from anything, it disfigures it.” [Muslim]
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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) often says that Arabic is a very unique and rich language. It has a huge vocabulary. Sometimes it is quite difficult to convey the meaning of a word when translating it into another language. This is specially so with the languages like English.
