Hardening of Heart

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A spiritual aspirant wrote,

On the death of (my) child his mother is (extremely) disturbed. She cries repeatedly on simple matters and expresses sorrow. Compared to her despair my grief is nothing. Moreover, on hearing from people about losing a child I feel minimal sorrow in my heart. Because of this I fear that my heart has hardened (قساوت القلب) and I have no attachment with my children.

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

‘Having attachment (to children) in itself is not a requirement. Therefore, its deficiency or absence should not be worrisome. Attachment is required to fulfill their rights. There should not be any deficiency in this.

Hardening of heart entails being brave on committing sinful.

Lack of attachment and feelings is not hardening of heart. It is something that is, also, to an extent coveted.

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 3, p174-5

Bringing children to the pious

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Maulana Abdul Majeed Bachrayuni (Allah have mercy on him) inquired, ‘ What is the benefit for children in attending the gathering (majlis) of the pious elders?

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

‘They develop affinity (uns) with the pious. It is this affinity that leads to increase in (this) relationship. Therefore, their attendance in these gathering is not without benefit. ‘

Anwar al Majeed, p 19

Treatment for hurtful words

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A spiritual aspirant wrote,

For a long duration I am afflicted with this spiritual disease of being harsh when speaking the truth explicitly. People are hurt by it, sometimes forever and on other occasions momentarily.

After (this happens) I feel excessively distressed for hurting the feelings of an individual. Sometimes I apologize but still I feel sorry. I also make dua often after salah. Asking Allah for facilitation in controlling my speech, so that I do not indulge in useless talk.

I wanted to write about this illness to you for a long time, however, yesterday you spoke about the Prophet’s (Allah bless him and grant him peace) saying من سلم المسلمون. It reminded me of this. I humbly request you to, please, prescribe a treatment for it.

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

‘For few days restrict yourself from advising and instructing (nasiha) others.

Remember this and with determination act on it.

Implementing this for some days will, InshaAllah, create a balance.

However, if there is an occasion where you consider that instruction is mandatory (wajib) then ask another individual to say it. In this way a mandatory duty will not be abandoned. ‘

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 2, chapter 3, p 168

Pious company: How much?

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A question was put forward regarding the optimal duration of keeping company (suhba) of Shaikh.

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

‘The optimal duration of this association is until the reality of the path (tareeq) is clearly understood. Once this is happens and a congeniality is developed with this path it is no more necessary. ‘

Husn al Aziz, vol 1, part 2, p 118

Tip for success

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Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (Allah have mercy on him) once advised a person:

In order for you to acquire focus and remain composed at all times, it will be necessary for you to make a timetable, allocating time for each responsibility. Thereafter, if you adhere strictly to your timetable, you will be able to easily complete all your various works with complete ease and undivided attention. Over time, working in this manner will become your second nature.

(Qutbul Aqtaab Hazrat Sheikhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 387)

Airport

Karachi-Jeddah

Sunna of washing hands prior to eating

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) was requested to join the dinner at wedding reception.

Shaikh asked the host for location of the restroom to wash hands. It was located far away so provision was made to wash hands in the garden nearby.

As Shaikh was washing hands he commented,

‘These days this Sunna (the habit of Prophet, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) of washing hands prior to eating is being neglected (especially in big events and gatherings).’

Sunset Club, Banquet hall, Phase 2 ext. DHA. 19 August 2018, 2300

Reflections on Hajj

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Shaikh Dr Ghulam Mohammed khalifa of Allama Syed Suleman Nadwi (Allah have mercy on them) wrote the following after performing Hajj in 1971 (1390 Hijri),

‘The number of people performing Hajj is increasing every year due to spreading affluence, ease of transportation and availability of luxuries in Haramain. However, the number of sincere individuals (performing Hajj correctly) is steadily decreasing.

In general the pilgrims are neglectful of the etiquettes (adab), their reverence (ta’zeem) and the requisite knowledge of the procedure (masail of Hajj).

True repentance after Hajj and desire of changing the sinful lifestyle to a virtuous one is nonexistent and has become a meaningless thought. ‘

Jamal e Aagahi, p58

———–

Unfortunately fifty years later the situation is the same.

The True Sign of Perfection

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Hakim al Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him) once mentioned:

People regard different things to be the sign of a person’s perfection. Some people base perfection on one’s excessive ‘ibaadah (worship), while others base perfection on one’s level of taqwa (piety and abstinence). However, according to the ‘Ulama, the person who has truly acquired perfection is he who, with possessing the qualities of perfection, always keeps his weaknesses and faults before him at all times.

(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 3/321)

Source:

Serving parents on Hajj

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) instructed brothers proceeding for Hajj with their parents,

‘You will get reward for two Hajj. One for your’s and the other for facilitating the Hajj of your respected parents.

Remember that serving your parents on this blessed journey is most meritorious. The service you provide to them will compensate for all extra worship, like nafil tawaf, etc.

(Therefore, consider yourself to be fortunate and avail this opportunity to the best of your ability.)

Office Darul Uloom Karachi, 28/7/2018, after zohar

Advice for those proceeding for Hajj

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A scholar requested for advice in regards to his Hajj journey.

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

‘Make sure that time is not wasted. Utilize it effectively in tawaf, tilawet (recitation of Holy Quran) and adhkar.

These are only few days as mentioned in the Holy Quran

Usually people waste time in socializing with friends etc. (This should be avoided.)’

Masjid Darul Uloom, Karachi 28 July 2018, after zohar

Islah

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A 17 year old A-Level student wrote,

Assalamualaikum wrwb.

Question:

At this present time what are my duties as a salik and what do you expect from me so that i can try my best and dont disappoint you?

Wassalam

The following answer was given by his mentor,

Wa alaykum as salaam wrwb.

JazakAllah

MashaAllah. This thought (fikr) is reflective of your yearning (talab) (to gain Allah’s pleasure). May Allah increase it more with afiyet. Ameen.

It is essential

1. To fulfill the daily essential (faraiz), highly recommended (wajibaat) and Sunna actions

2. Abstain from all that is sinful

3. Fulfill your duties as a son and a student

All of the above to the best of your abilities.

Structured daily routine, heartfelt supplications (dua) and some basic daily recitation & readings (mamoolaat) facilitate all of the above.

Take care.

Muhtaj e dua

‘ abd

Company of pious

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Grand-Mufti of Pakistan Mufti Mohammed Rafi’s (Allah protect & preserve him) book “My Shaikh Hazrat ‘Aarfi” was being read.

The passage was about when Arifbillah Dr Abdul Hayy ‘Aarfi (Allah have mercy on him) gave Ijaza of Baiyah to Mufti Rafi’, and he wrote a letter to Shaikh ‘Aarfi thereafter. The letter included how Mufti Rafi’ would feel dejected at his efforts for self-improvement but Shaikh ‘Aarfi’s letter granting Ijaza of Baiyah turned his low self-esteem into motivation to increase his efforts for self-improvement.

Hazrat Mufti Rafi’ Sahab DB commented at this passage:

“This is among the extraordinary effects of the company of a Shaikh. Dejection, lack of morale and hopelessness are converted into hope and motivation to exert one’s energies in the effort to improve oneself.”

Ramadan 1439, malfuzaat collated by Br Kaiser Nizamani