Instructions for the Seeker 3

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Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) instructed,

‘Following the pious elders is the safest path.

Holding self-opinions (khud–raiy) is dangerous.

Hence, in outward matters it is most appropriate for a scholar to follow the Hanafi fiqh. A common person should follow a Hanafi scholar.

And in internal (batini) matters follow a perfect Shaykh. Do not do anything new worldly or religious without his permission. However, if a scholar or Sufi-Shaykh instructs explicitly contrary to Sharia then do not follow him .’

Ta’leem ut Talib, #6, p23

Instructions for the Seeker 2

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Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) instructed,

‘If Satan creates a doubt in any of the beliefs (aqaid) recite لا حول ولا قوہ الا باللہ and push it away. Do not pursue it excessively.

If it does not go away then mention it to a Sufi-scholar. Even if his reply doesn’t provide any relief then tell yourself that I accept it without any proof. By doing so Satan becomes completely incapable (of misleading) and runs away.’

Ta’leem ut Talib, #5, p22-3

Instructions for the Seeker 1

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Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) instructed,

‘In writings or sayings of some pious sages there appear to be things that are contrary to the teachings of Sharia. Keep your beliefs (aqida) as per Sharia. However, do not consider those pious sages to be wrongful. Presume that I cannot understand its (true) meanings.’

Ta’leem ut Talib, #4, p22

My standing

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Shaikh Mahfouz (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Do not weigh people on your scale.

Weigh yourself in the scale of the pious selected travelers (on the path).

By doing so you will see the blessings bestowed on them and your own destituteness.’

Masalik-us-salikeen, pg 2

Order of actions in islah

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  1. The correct intention and determination to follow the path as described in the book Qas-us-sabeel

2. Repentance from all previous sinful activities

3. Completion of repentance. That is, compensating (qaza) the lapsed essential (fardh) and recommendable (wajibaat).

4. Steadfastness in essential (fardh), recommendable (wajibaat) and Sunna action from now onwards

5. Abandonment of all that is useless and sinful

6. Adopting a daily routine of extra good actions (wird) as instructed by the Shaikh. They include,

a. Excessive remembrance of Allah (dhikr)

b. Muraqaba and/ashgal

c. Tilawet

d. Dua

7. Rectifying the blameworthy morals traits by consulting the Shaikh regularly

It is essential to follow this order.

Haphazard activities usually results in waste of time and effort.

May Allah facilitate it for all of us. Ameen!

Definition of useless speech

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A seeker inquired regarding the criteria for ascertaining what speech is useless.

Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘This is an issue that requires mental reasoning (ijtihad).

Access mentally that if I do not say this thing is it going to harm me or another in religious or worldly matters to any extent (tiny or big).

If it is then say it. Otherwise don’t.

This is the criteria, especially in the beginning. ‘

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 3, page 185

Comprehensive supplication

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While performing tawaf Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) shared with us,

‘By Allah’s tawfeeq during tawaf I ask Allah that He accepts for us from all the supplication made here by the Prophets (Allah’s peace & blessings be upon them all), their (families &) Companions (Allah be pleased with them) , the elite chosen friends (awliya) and all the Muslims (Allah have mercy on them all) whatever is most appropriate for us. Ameen!’

Masjid al Haraam, Makkah e mukarramah. Mataf, as he passed by muqam-e-Sayyidina Ibraheem (peace be upon him). After esah. 9th January 2019

Intention when reminding others

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) inquired from one of his mojaz regarding the weekly majalis (gatherings of mutual reminding).

In response to the update provided he said,

‘They should be done with the intention of your own self-reformation (islah). ‘

Millennium Hotel, Makkah e mukarramah. After esha. 9th January 2019

The Divine Grace

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A seeker requested further elaboration of the Allah’s fazal mentioned in the previous post.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) said,

‘It means facilitation (taufeeq) of and persistence on good deeds, attainment of Allah’s pleasure and His acceptance. ‘

Masjid al Haraam, Makkah e mukarramah. Prior to exiting Bab 89. After esah. 9th January 2019

Exhausted seeker

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) said in reply to the complaint of a seeker feeling dejected,

‘Dear brother, keep up with your daily (good) activities irrespective of feeling any spiritual results or affects. These activities themselves are the goal.

In Urdu verses I have conveyed this

قدم ہیں راہ الفت میں تو منزل کی ہوس کیسی

یہاں تو عین منزل ہے تھکن سے چُور ہوجانا

(When traveling on the path of love why lust for the destination,

Here exhaustion from tiredness is the destination itself).

One who continues to work diligently is eventually bestowed with Divinely grace (Allah’s fazal). ‘

As Salaam Holiday Inn, Jeddah, 7/1/2019, after esha

Islahi correspondence

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In reply to a question regarding islahi correspondence Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) said,

There is always a big pile of islahi letters. I reply to all, however, it may be delayed sometimes.

Prior to this travel I cleared all the back log. But next day there was a another collection piling up.

I don’t accept new request for islahi relationship anymore.

I look forward to the islahi letters from my close friends (Shaikh always uses this term for murideen and those who have islahi relationship with him).

Jeddah, as Salaam Holiday Inn, after esha, 7/1/2019

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him. Ameen!) wrote,

(12) The verse signifies that one must not follow whims and conjectures, nor should he act on presumptions based on surmises. He should act on premises based on knowledge. If someone believes in conjectures without proper investigation, he will be questioned on the Day of Reckoning on what basis he accommodated this belief in his heart, and whether he believed in something after seeing it with his own eyes, or hearing it with his ears. If he believed in it without proper investigation through these sources of knowledge, he will be punished.

The Meanings of Noble Quran, Chapter 17-Isra

Dealing with evil notions

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Shaykh Ibrāhīm al-Khawwāṣ (may Allah grant him His mercy) said,

The beginning of sin is the (random) evil notion (خاطر).

If its owner does not obviate it by disliking it, it will become (a persistent) resistance.

If its owner does not obviate it by resisting it, it becomes whispering.

If its owner does not correct it through discipline, from it will awaken lusts with [his] capriciousness, and it will obstruct one’s mind, knowledge, and clear distinction. (Leading to sinful involvement.)

The infamies of the soul and their treatment (edit)