Monthly Archives: March 2007

Correcting others

A mureed wrote about his excessive anger on non-Islamic actions committed by his family members. This was causing lot of frictions between the relatives.

Hakim al Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) adviced him,

“It is the responsibility of a mentor or a leader to hold those under his supervision accountable for their actions. You are currently busy in your own reformation (islah) and should not have time for all of this. It is inappropriate for you to interfere in anyone’s affairs.”

Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 57

Informing nothing significant to Sheikh

A disciple (mureed) wrote that there is nothing significant to report to you these days. 

Hakim al-Umma Hadrath Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied, “It is beneficial to inform this also (to the Sheikh). At times there is some information in it as well.”  Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 55

سالک

شب تاریک و بیم موج و گردبے چنیں حائل

کجا دانند حال ما سبک ساران ساحلہا

Priority of islah over bay’a

In response to an aspirant’s request for taking-pledge (bay’a), Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah sanctify his secret) said,

Rectification of actions (islah e a’mal) has priority over taking-pledge (bay’a), excessive remembrance (dhikr) and spiritual exercises (shugal).

To do this rectification it is essential to study forty or fifty of my printed discourses (mawaiz), the booklets ‘Islah ur rasoom’, ‘Adab ul masharat’ and ‘Tahzib us salikeen’. Without this essential reading all excessive remembrance (dhikir) and spiritual exercises (shugal) are useless. Therefore, complete this before proceeding.

It is best to do things in an organized way. Otherwise, if the foundations of a building are weak it is most likely to collapses easily.

Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 94

Path to success

In reply to a disciples’s letter Hakim al-Umma, Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

 “Keep doing what has been instructed and informing me about it. This is the path to achieve success. Whoever has arrived has done so by this method. Similarly, Allah will grant you success.”

 Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 94

Tasawwur e Haqq

A spiritual aspirant inquired how can one envision (tasawwur) Allah’s being (dhat)?

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah sanctify his secret) replied,

“This envisioning (tasawwur) should be about the being of Allah as it may easily be possible. There is no specific method to do so. It is better to contemplate that He is watching me.

And at times when it is difficult to concentrate on this and stray thoughts are disturbing then one should be attentive towards his heart and imagine that it is reciting ‘Allah, Allah’.”

Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 143

In Sheikh’s company

20th Ramadhan 1427 (After Asr)

I asked Hadhrat that being for the first time in the company (suhba) of my Sheikh, what should I mostly focus on?

Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,

“Previously when someone used to ask me to stay here with me, I used to decline as I used to think that I am busy and I will not be able to give proper time to those who come to stay here with me.

But then a thought came into my heart that who am I to give someone something? Allah swt is the one, Who gives. Hence, now whoever comes with genuine yearning (talb-e-sadiq, I allow him to stay.) He will get benefit, inshaAllah.”

Hadhrat db continued:

“While being in the presence of your Shaykh, if he is talking then listen to him very attentively. If he is not talking then contemplate that a light (noor) is emanating from the heart of my Shaykh and is going into my heart.”

Meraj us Salikeen: Malfoozat Ramadhan 1427.

Allah’s love?

A spiritual aspirant wrote,“I query if there is any love of Allah, most High in my heart or not?” 

Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied, “This thought is a proof of Allah’s love itself. Evidence of proof essentially validates what it is trying to prove. Hence, inshaAllah, love (of Allah) is certainly present.” 

Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 139

حاضرى بحضور سروركائنات

الصلوة و السلام عليك يا سيدى يا رسول الله

اسئلك

شفاعت يا حبيب الله

شفاعت يا نبى الله

شفاعت يا خاتم الانبياء

 

صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم