Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘The meaning on a sufi, in my opinion, is a knowledgeable individual (‘alim) who practices (what he knows). ‘
[Majaalis Hakimul Ummat, page 278]
Helsinki, ESCMID 2009
Category Archives: A. Reality of Tasawwuf
Say Ameen!
Importance of following Sunna!
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) told us:
“Shaykh Mujaddid Alif Thani (Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi Naqshbandi, may Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Allah initially gave me the outward knowledge of Shariah and made me excel in it. Then I turned towards the inner wisdom Sufiya possess. All praise to Allah, He made me do extremely well in them also. And Allah bestowed all His bounties on me and eventually elevated me to such a high station that our lord, the mercy for the universe (Prophet Mohammad, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) conferred the royal cloak of honor to me by his very noble hands.
Furthermore, made me move forward additionally to much higher stations to the level that if I speak of it, the scholars of the exoteric Shariah will give a verdict that I am a unbeliever (kafir) and Sufiya will label me to be a heretic (zindeeq). But how can I deny this? It is a fact.
However, after achieving all these exalted stations I make a prayer (dua). Whoever says ameen after it, inshaAllah he will also receive salvation (magfirah).
The dua is:
O Allah! Give me the tawfeeq to follow the example of Prophet Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him (ameen).
O Allah! Keep me (steadfast in) following the example of Prophet Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him till I die (ameen).
This is because, after all this journey I found out that it is due to this following of Sunna of Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him), that this was achieved.’
Therefore, we should make a solemn determination from today onwards that we are going to perform all the Sunna of Prophet ( Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him). Then, inshaAllah, we will observe how bliss, clarity (noor), blessings (barakah) and luminosity is instilled in our lives.
By Allah, the delight of life is not achieved by indulging in transgressions and sins. Ask regarding this pleasure from those individuals who have molded their lives in the example of Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him). ”
(Islahi-mawaiz 236-7)
Helsinki, ESCMID 2009
The thing to take from The Sheikh
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) said:
“The thing to acquire from the Sheikh is the fanayiat (self-annihilation).
People consider taking wird, azkar, ashagals and litanies etc. from him, all of which can be acquired from books. The essential thing to take from him is this fanayiat. That is total effacement of self suggestions, opinions, planning, expectations and complete submission to the commands of Shariah.
This is acquired ONLY by accompanying the Sheikh for considerable duration of time.
His suhba is essential:
To observe him practicing Shariah in different settings.
To learn from his attitude & behavior. Where is he firm and when lenient.
To correct yourself by his upright way of practice and implementing Shariah.
To happily bear his chastisement, in hope for self-reformation.
To be ready for his trials and testing, in order to check your sincerity.
To submit to all of his instructions wholeheartedly.
To do each and every major action in your life with his consultation and approval. And,
Finally, to copy, imitate and absorb his all esoteric & exoteric states enthusiastically.
And if this suhba is not readily available then it is essential to correspond with him via letters, mail, phone etc. to acquire this. (As explained in earlier posts.)
Also, important and perhaps most beneficial for this is the detail and extensive study of the malfoozat (suhba talks/utterances) of Hakim al-Umma Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanvi quddus sirrahu. Reading them regularly will allow you to absorb the style/disposition of Hakim al-Umma, who had absolute fanayiat!
Equally significant is the study of the biography of our pious elders. Books like: Ashraf us sawanih (Hakeemul Ummat ra’s biography), Tazkirat ur Rasheed (Moulana Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi ra’s bio), Tazkiratul Khalil (Moulana Khalil Ahmed ra’s bio), etc..
If all of these are done sincerely and seriously, inshaAllah, gradually this fanayiat will eventually develop and grow to the optimum level required.”
Islah by Tawajjuh, Wazifah & T’aweez?
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“I observe that lot of people are expecting that their self-reformation (islah) will happen by the spiritual attention (tawajjuh) of a pious person. They also expect that by reciting special litanies (wazifah) or by using an amulet (t’aweez) their lower self (nafs) will be fixed to act on Shariah, and they will not have to do anything (that is, use self determination, courage and act appropriately).
Remember! This is a very big mistake.
Your nafs and Satan are misleading you!
The islah-e-nafs (reformation) does not happen without struggling and striving (using self determination, courage and acting appropriately against one’s desires and wishes).
The spiritual attention (tawajjuh) and litanies (wazaif) are for increasing the luminosity of a reformed nafs. They open the path in forward direction. “
Mawaiz-e-Ashrafiya vol. 11: Taqwa wa Tasawwuf
Using Time appropriately
Yesterday a former student asked sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) for some advice (nasiha).
The Shaykh told him:
“Recognize the importance of time. That it is an invaluable wealth. Spend it very wisely and precisely in virtuous actions.”
Next day while the Shaykh was sitting in Masjid al-Haraam facing the holy Kab’a (‘s Rukun-e-Yamani) an individual requested some elaboration on this advice. That is, as how to practically incorporate it in to one’s daily life.
Obviously pleased on the question, Shaykh replied;
“Firstly one has to recognize the importance of time per se.
Secondly, one has to organize one’s schedule to fully maximize the benefit of available time, such that not a single moment is wasted. Being wasted meaning that it is not utilized appropriately even for a worldly purpose, may it be sleeping or moderate lawful entertainment or being busy in helping another fulfill his essential obligations, etc.
Wasting time includes indulging in activities having no benefit for this life or here-after (akhira).”
The Shaykh continued:
“Develop the habit of planning.
That is, plan for the future.
If I was to get 5 or 10 minutes break between my tasks how will I spend it?
For example, while commuting to work.
Think and decide in advance.
How I am going to spend these 15 minutes besides doing the driving?
Only if one has thought of these in advance he will be able to utilize this time appropriately.
My father (Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Hazrat Mawala Mohammad Shafi’i ra) used to inform us that, “Even the time I spent in toilet I try to make use of it. If there is nothing else I scrub and clean the water jug (lota) kept in there.”
All praise to Allah, due to his training I also try to enact on this advice. When I come home from my classes I know there will be at least a 5 minute interval before the lunch is served. I have planned in advance the use of this time. Such as, to return someone’s telephone call, etc.
When a person develops this habit of utilizing the time precisely, Allah facilitates immense actions for him and also puts blessing (barakh) in time. (That is, in short duration a lot is achieved.)
Remember, heedlessness (gaflah) is a bane!”
Makkah e mukarramah, November, 7th 2005
The objective of sulook
Khawaja Mohammad Ma’soom Sirhindi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
The objective of travelling on the path (sulook) is not to become a Shaykh and accept murid. In fact its aim is to fulfil the duties of slave-hood (abdiyet) without the involvement and resistance of the lower self (nafs).
Tohfa tush Shuyukh, page 49
Leisure of heart
A senior spiritual aspirant wrote,
I was pondering how the leisure of heart (faraghet e qalbi) can be obtained. This thought came to me that whatever discussion or action is not essential to avoid looking into it, listening and thinking about it. This is irrespective of it being from the past or related to the future.
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied,
‘May Allah give barakah in your comprehension abilities (faham). This is it.’
Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 739
Levels of khushoo
A novice murid wrote his condition:
‘In namaz for khushoo I concentrate on the wordings of the recitation (as instructed). For zikr and tilawat, should I do similarly or concentrate on the meanings?’
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Amin) replied:
“It is best on both, if possible. Otherwise which ever is achievable.”
Trying his best to do as instructed after some considerable time the same individual wrote:
‘In zikr and namaz instead of concentrating on words and meaning I get focused on a thought as though Allah is present and He is watching me. Sometimes this thought is strong and at others it is weak. Is this thinking appropriate for me? Also if I voluntary try and keep this thought I can not concentrate on words and meanings.’
Shaykh said:
“Concentrating on words and meanings are a stepping stone and are for the purpose of creating this focusing that Allah is present and He is watching. All praise is for Allah, progress up the stairs occurred. Whatever excessive thankfulness (to Allah) is done for this blessing can not be enough.
Allah increase it manifolds.”
درجہ عظمت شیخ
حضرت حکیم الامت مولانا اشرف علی تھانوی قدس اللہ سرہ فرماتے ہیں،
اب پیر کا ادب خدا تعالی کے برابر کرتے ہیں کہ اگر سجدہ کا بھی حکم کرے تو شاید کرلیں اور استدلال میں حضرت حافظ رحمۃ اللہ علیہ کا شعر پڑھتے ہیں،
بمے سجادہ رنگیں گرت پیر مغاں گوید
کہ سالک بے خبر نہ بود ز راہ و رسم منزلہا
اور یہ معنی سجھتے ہیں کہ اگر پیر شراب خوری کا بھی حکم کرے تو بجا لاؤ کیونکہ وہ منزل سےواقف ہے، تمہارے حق میں بھی مفید ہوگا۔ استغفراللہ! حضرت حافظ رحمۃ اللہ علیہ کا یہ مطلب ہرگز نہیں۔ بلکہ مئے سے مراد طریق عشق ہے۔ اور سجادہ سے مراد قلب ہے۔ مطلب یہ ہے کہ سلوک میں ایک طریق اعمال کا ہے اور ایک طریق محبت و جذب کا ہے۔ پس اگر شیخ نے تمہارے لئےطریق محبت و جذب تجویز کیا ہو اور تمہاری راۓ میں طریقہ عمل مناسب ہو تو اس کو دل میں جگہ دو اور اپنی تجویز کو چھوڑو۔ کیونکہ عارف سالک اس منزل کی راہ و رسم سےنا واقف نہیں ہوتا۔
اور جو معنی مشہور ہیں وہ بالکل غلط ہے کیونکہ ہم نے تو پیر اس واسطے بنایا ہے کہ خدا تعالی کی رضامندی کا راستہ بتادے۔ اگر وہ راستہ نہ بتاوے۔ بلکہ راہ سے بٹادے تو اس کی پیروی ہرگز جائز نہیں ہے۔
واعظ: وحدۃ الحب، تسلیم و رضا،خطبات حکیم الامت رح، جلد 15، ص169-170
Be intelligent!
Shaykh Shah Wasiullah (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
Imam Abdur-Rehman Ali al-Jauzi (may Allah have mercy on him) has stated in his book ‘Kital al-azkiya’ that,
From all the bounties of Allah bestowed on human beings the most phenomenal is the intellect. This is because it is the instrument of acquiring the knowledge of Allah (ma’arifa). It helps in the organizing the demands of religion and this world. It enables one to focus on the eventual outcome. It leads to understanding of complicated things. It drives one to go for the the beneficial things and accumulate them.’
Mawlana Shah Ahlullah, brother of Shah Waliullah (may Allah have mercy on them) stated this in his booklet “Chahar bab’,
‘Intelligence, prudence and far-sightedness are innate qualities but they grow and improve with increase in experience, company of the wise individuals, reading of books of knowledge and listening to tales of wisdom and general advice. Therefore, one must try constantly to improve his mental capabilities.
Furthermore, physical and mental struggle must be done to establish one’s self as intelligent and not being in the category of stupids.
Intellect is a unique entity. It must be utilized appropriately and not wasted.’
I remind you, that we do not utilize it appropriately and hence we destroy the benefits of both this world and the here-after. As though, we have kept our mental abilities on hold. This in particular I find in the religious individuals. They are totally handicapped in this regards.
Tazkira e musleh al-Umma, page 134
Sign of a rejected salik!
‘One of the signs of a rejected salik is that the importance and vigilance he manifests for the wird given to him by his Shaykh is hundred times more than what he displays for the performance of daily obligatory prayers (fardh salah).‘
Tazkirah e Musleh al-Ummat, page 68
Allah save us all!
Salik
Shaykh Mansoor Ali Khan (may Allah preserve him) said,
‘For a salik there is no stationary state on this path (tariq).
He is always on the move.
He either progresses by being consistent with the good works or God-forbid regresses by being negligent and lazy.’
Sunday majlis, 12 April 2009, Jeddah
Useful knowledge
Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Useful knowledge is that which,
makes you grow in the fear of Allah,
increases you in awareness of your defects,
deepens your knowledge of worship of your Lord Most High,
decreases your desire for this world and increases your desire for the life to come, and
opens your eyes to the defects of your actions so that you can guard against them.’
Ihsan
An individual enthusiastically informed Arif-billah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) that by Allah’s grace he had attained the station of Ihsan. That is, worshipping Allah as though you see Him and if that is not possible then as though He sees you.
Shaykh Arifi (qaddas sirrahu) congratulated and encouraged him. And then inquired that if this ihsan was attained only in prayers (salah) or it was also present at other times, like dealing with house hold members, especially wife.
The individual looked in bewilderment at Shaykh and informed that he thought this ihsan was only meant to be limited to prayers and ritual worship.
Shaykh Arifi explained to the audience in detail that this is a common mistake. We tend to limit deen to formal acts of worship (Ibadaat). Our all other activities seem to be independent of the fact that each and every moment of our life we are as much a slave of Allah as in prayers and other worship.
The genuine ihsan is perpetual. The slave is aware that he is being watched and he will be accountable for whatever he does. Hence, he has utmost respect and does not do any thing inappropriate. Remember this is an intentional and a voluntary act of thinking.
As per instruction of Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Muhammad Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah SWT preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) setting aside an allocated time every day to think repeatedly that: ‘I am in front Allah SWT & He is watching me’, is essential for achieving it. It becomes a habit in second nature only by doing it repeatedly. Practice makes perfect. Gradually it becomes almost like an instinctive performance, like breathing or drinking.
Wa ma taufiqi ilabillahi!
Two Steps to Success
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said:
Two things are always to be done actively in every endeavor.
Firstly take the initiative and start working and secondly beseech Allah for its successful completion.
These two things are to be done for all things during your whole life and inshaAllah, you will succeed.
My Shaykh (Arifbillah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi ra) used to tell us, “Talk to Allah”.
Tell Him, “O Allah! I was involved in all these bad deeds, now I have taken the step to reform. Some of the sins I gave up but giving up the rest of them is becoming difficult for me due to the overpowering by my lower-self (nafs), shaytan, environment and my circumstances.
You alone can remove these overwhelming factors. It is not within my capability to do so. O Allah! Please, remove these crushing obstacles or else do not reprimand me in hereafter regarding them.”
Talk to Allah like this. Then you will find out how things work up for the best and how you are saved from the sins by Allah.
(Help comes after initiating the action: Islahi Khutbat 139-141/volume 11)
Kissimmee, FL