Category Archives: A. Reality of Tasawwuf

The nature, definition, goals and principles of Tasawwuf

Not proper for a Believer to disgrace himself

The honorable Companion Huzaifah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“It is not proper for a Believer to disgrace himself.”

It was asked: “O  Prophet of Allah !  What is meant by this?”

The Prophet of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “To undertake something which you cannot bear.” (Tirmizi)

Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Asharf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) explains,

To assume a task beyond one’s capability is not proper for a believer . The consequence will be failure, disgrace, worry, and shame. Frustration will then overtake one.

This saying of the Prophet (hadith) covers all such acts and tasks which are beyond one’s power. In all such cases of difficulties adopt patience (sabr) and supplicate to Allah  for aid.

Hayat al-Muslimeen, chapter 10, Rights of oneself

Phantom of ijazah

Someone had written to Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him),
You have given ijaazat to a particular person but we do not see him to be fit for this position. Must we rely on your ijaazat or on what we see of him?

Hakim al-Umma replied,
‘You should act according to what you have witnessed and you are not bound by my ijaazat. There are various reasons for me giving ijaazat.’

Malfoozat of Faqeeh al-Ummat, page 458

Sufi’s piety

Someone informed Hadhrat Mianji Nur Mohammad (Allah have mercy on him) of a man who had an exceptionally beautiful voice. The informer suggested to listen to his performance of  a naa’t (poetry in praise of Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace) .

Hadhrat Mianji said:

“Sometimes people ask me to be the Imam (leader in prayers). There is difference of opinion on the validity of singing even without the accompaniment of musical instruments. Therefore,  it is more cautious not to  listen to it. Hence, I shall not listen.”

After narrating this episode Hakim al-umma Mawlana Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) commented:

“This indicates the degree of his respect and regard for the post of Imam. He abstained from even an ikhtilaaf (an act which some say is permissible and others say is impermissible). This was a real Sufi who cared so much for the Shariah.”

Tarikh Mashaikh e Chisht, page 94

Reality of Tasawwuf

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Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘For us the reality of Tasawwuf is only knowledge accompanied with actions .

The actions are limited to those that have been instructed by the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and are within the volitional means of the spiritual aspirant (salik).

Besides these all other things are superfulous. If they are bestowed and the Shaykh approves of them then they are a blessing and one should be thankful for them.

However, if they are held or taken away after being given then striving to achieve them or being extremely sad on their withdrawal is impermissible in the path. Moreover it is extremely harmful for one’s spirituality. This is irrespective of whatever that thing may have been.’

Basair e Hakim al-Ummat ra, page 56

Wahdat al-Wujud, Wahdat al-Shuhud and the Safest Position

 

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

‘As regards to the safest position in the like of these issues, it is what we set forth beforehand, in leaving discussion about it and consigning its reality to Allah Most High.

Thus we believe generally in that the existence of Allah Most High is independent, complete, eternal and beginningless, while the existence of creatures in their entirety is a temporal existence dependent on the will of Allah Most High and it is imperfect in all respects relative to the existence of Allah Most High. As regards to the true understanding of this imperfect existence and the manner in which the creatures are characterised by it, we are not commanded to investigate this and arrive at its true nature. There is no way for us to have firm resolve in this at all.

Read the full article on Deoband.org

Pious Companionship (esp. for the Youth)

Hakim al-Ummat Mujaddid Shaykh Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said:
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The vital component for reformation (islah) is (companionship) suhba (of the pious), even without formal knowledge. Moreover knowledge without pious companionship (suhba) is useless. An uneducated person who keeps pious company reforms more successfully as compared to knowledgeable person without good company.

It is for this reason I tell that the children attending secular schools should be sent to visit the pious knowledgeable men (awliya). And if their elders also take note of this it will be very beneficial for all.

And I promise that neither will we rebuke them regarding their trousers being below ankles nor discuss the issue of their beard (being absent or being less than a fistful) and nor will we coerce them to pray (salah).

They will sit with us and in the result we will develop a mutual likability and friendliness and they will also develop a congeniality (munasbet) with deen. And this munasbet is the root cause and source of all (necessary) knowledge and actions.

Not all the Sahaba ra (The Holy Companions) were knowledgeable scholars, they benefited via companionship (suhbet) only. And for these reasons Awliya have always emphasized more on being steadfast with pious companionship as compared to acquiring knowledge.

Malfoozat Kamalat-e-Ashrafiya 172

With the summer vacations here, please, consider sparing few weeks, days or even hours from our busy schedule to be in the company of the pious . This will be an investment for us and our children.

May Allah give us the tawfeeq and facilitate its happening.
Ameen, bi-jah-e-Sayyid al-Mursaleen

Become a Human first!

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Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) repeatedly told people who approached him for reformation (islah):

“If you want to become a saint, a qutub or an abdal go elsewhere. Stay here only if you want to become a human being.”

Lacking the basic qualities of a human being an individual can never even be a true Muslim.

Love, sympathy, wishing well, being honest, sincere, polite and well mannered when dealing with others (even non-Muslims) are the basic rights of all human beings.

How can one gain Allah SWT’s pleasure, (that is being a devout sufi) when he/she is destroying these rights?

Hujjatul Islam Imam Ghazali ra has categorized living creatures in three types:
1. Those, which are always harmful. For example snakes, scorpion, lizards, etc.
2. Those, which are always beneficial. Like sheep, cows, horse, poultry etc.
3. And finally those, that are neither harmful nor beneficial. Like parrots, peacocks, zebra, etc.

Then he poses a question to us: in which category do we fit?

Cynical, acrid, humiliating and arrogant comments that hurt another’s feeling surely without any doubt make us similar to scorpions and snakes!

ع– درد دل کے واسطے پیدا کیا انسان کو

Email: Please, ponder for a moment

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www.ashrafiya.com

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A respected reader sent me this email today.

‘Today I was coming towards Tower from Liyari express way. There was a car (written www.ashrafiya.com on rear glass window) in front of my car. It stopped on the intersection (a very dangerous place to stop a car) where a couple of ba reesh people get off loaded and another (non ba reesh) got out of back seat and went to sit in front. It sounds that it does not take any time but,

1. Is not it a sin to stop a car where it is against rules of traffic and create problem for human beings? (huqooqul ibad ka koi darja/ignoring the rights of other-fellow human beings!)

2. When I honked, the (non ba reesh) showed me his anger that lead to further gali galoch as a result of road rage.(apni ghalti pay nadim honay k bajai badtamizi/being insolent, not acknowledging his mistake or having any remorse..)

If the ba reesh driver and his two companions have no sense of huqooq ul ibad and no sense of traffic rules then they must not place ‘www.ashrafiya.com-sticker’ on their cars so that the do not bring disgrace to it.

I think there is a serious requirement that these petty things should be discussed in coming lectures where importance of traffic signals, speed limits, zebra crossing and other things should be taught as not following such rules and creating problems and hassles for fellow human beings is a sin. Kia pata meezan may yahi bhari par jai.

Allah ham sab ki maghfirat farmai (ameen)’

JazakAllah!

What is Tasawwuf?

Following is a summary of a talk by ‘Arif-billah Dr Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) ,

Keep your understanding of Tasawwuf clear.

Do not be misled by those who consider it to be limited to the recitation of litanies and excessive remembrance (dhikr).

Practical application of Tasawwuf in everyday life boils down to paying close attention to the rights of the others. Make sure that you do not become a source of any discomfort for them, however, minute it may be.

And remember, the most immediate, important and best evaluation of your  success in this endeavor will be your dealings, attitude and behavior with your spouse .

(Audio waaz)