Category Archives: A. Reality of Tasawwuf

The nature, definition, goals and principles of Tasawwuf

The essential instructions for mureed

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

‘After bayiah (spiritual allegiance) the things that need to be rectified upfront include, arrogance, negligence in fulfilling the rights of others (huqooq al ‘ebad), envy, hatred, creating adversity (fitna) between people, etc. However, nowadays no restrictions are instructed for these things. Whereas, previous pious elders (Mashāyikh) used to give priority to these things from first day.

The litanies & recitations (wazaif) were instructed after many years.

Moreover, these restrictions were not merely verbal instructions, they recommended various practices to uproot these spiritual ailments from the heart.

Like, if they saw an individual afflicted with self adoration (زینت پرستی) he was instructed to sweep and tidy up the spiritual lodge (khanqah) or streets. Similarly, if they saw arrogance in an individual, he was instructed to tidy up the shoes of people coming to pray. These acts of humility have the ability to create humbleness in heart. ‘

Infas e Essa, volume 1, pg43

Sufi Speech

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Shaykh Ziauddin Abu Najeeb Soharwardi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘It is the practice of the Sufis that they do not talk about an issue until they are asked to do so. Even then they reply according to the inquirer’s acumen.’

Adaab ul murideen, p41

Moreover, Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) adds that before replying they turn to Allah asking for the most suitable answer for this individual.

Explanation of supplications from Munajat-e-Maqbool

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Translation:

“Our Lord, do not hold us accountable, if we forget or make a mistake, and, Our Lord, do not place on us such a burden as You have placed on those before us, and, Our Lord, do not make us bear a burden for which we have no strength. And pardon us, and grant us forgiveness, and have mercy on us. You are our Lord. So then help us against the disbelieving people.”

Sayyid wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) explained, among other things:

There are three things being asked at the end of this supplication:

a) وَاعۡفُ عَنَّا “And pardon our sins”.

b) وَاغۡفِرۡ لَنَا “And forgive us”. It is possible that a mistake is pardoned, i.e. Allah is no longer displeased for committing that mistake, but a punishment may still be given as compensation. Here we are commanded by Allah to say: “Oh Allah. Pardon our mistakes and also forgive us and don’t give us any punishment for them.”

c) وَارۡحَمۡنَا “And have mercy on us”. Here we are asking Allah: “Oh Allah! Not only pardon us for our mistakes and not punish us for them, please also give us something from Your Mercy”.

Hazrat explained that a “waqaf” sign is stated in the (Indo-Pak) Mushafs after each of these supplications. While reading a verse after which there is a “waqaf” a pause which is longer than a “saktah” should be made without releasing the breath. This waqaf is for pondering over the meanings of these three supplications. They should not be read without pausing, in which case they would be read without pondering over the meanings of these supplications.

These supplications also teach us that a slave of Allah is required to try his utmost to live his life according to the commandments of Allah. At the same time, he should fear for any mistakes or shortcomings in his efforts and ask Allah for forgiveness over them.

Intekhab e Kaiseri

Ramadan 1440: Post-Zuhr Discourses- Explanation of supplications from Munajat-e-Maqbool

Before doing anything do this!

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

“Do everything with Ikhlas (sincerity) and supplicating to Allah (ruju ilallah). Before starting any work, make dua: “Oh Allah! Give me the ability to do this work with sincerity and in a manner which is according to Your Pleasure.”

Intekhab e Kaiseri, Ramadan 1440

Essential for Tasawwuf

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani ( Allah preserve & protect him) advised:

“Two things are necessary in Tareeq (Tasawwuf):

1. Ikhlas (sincerity)

2. Mudawamat (regularity)

Mudawamat (regularity) is effective by itself. There is no alternative to being regular in one’s daily  ma’moolat (recitations, prayers, recitation of Quran, etc.) except by forcing oneself.

Our respected teacher Maulana Rasheed Ahmad used to quote from Maulana Khair Muhammad (May Allah’s mercy be upon them both):

“The excuse that I am not regular in my ma’moolat because of being busy is a sign of lack of importance given to the ma’moolat.”

It means you did not include your ma’moolat in the list of things which keep you busy.”

 

Intekhab e Kaiseri, Ramadan 1440

Tariqah

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

Ṭarīqah is part of Sharīʿah.

My Shaykh’s Shaykh Ḥakīm al-Ummah Mawlānā Ashraf ʿAlī Thānawī (d. 1362/1943) revived taṣawwuf and purified it from many innovations that had crept into it. He also prescribed an easy solution for people nowadays who are unable to undertake the sacrifices undertaken by the saints of the past. He prescribed two easy things to keep a firm relationship with Allah Almighty. The first is making abundant Shukr (gratitude) and the second is making abundant supplications.

The first half of Sūrah al-Fātiḥah indicates upon the first whilst the second half indicates upon the second. Hold on to the maʾthūr (transmitted/Sunnah) supplications and establish a firm relationship with Allah. This is an easy prescription.”

Source: Seven days in Bukhara & Samarqand

Rights of Shaykh

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

When a person takes someone as his Shaykh or religious guide, then in order for him to benefit from the Shaykh, he will have to fulfil three essential requirements. These three requirements are among the rights which he owes to the Shaykh and should be borne in mind at all times. These requirements are:

  • He should have faith (I’tiqaad) in him i.e. he should have love and respect for him and accept him to be a pious, rightly guided person who follows the sunnah.
  • He should have trust (I’timaad) in him i.e. he should have confidence in the guidance and knowledge he imparts and regard him capable of guiding him correctly in Deeni matters.
  • He should submit (Inqiyaad) to him i.e. he should follow the advices and teachings of the Shaykh diligently with complete commitment and dedication.

(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/77)

Source:ihyaauddeen.co.za

ECCMID2019, Amsterdam, NL

Instructions for the Seeker 4

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

‘Neither have conviction about, nor associate with a person who appears to be a Sufi but contravenes Sharia (laws). This is irrespective of his having unveiling (kashaf) or miraculous incidents (karamat).

However, do not criticize anyone without a genuine reason.’

Ta’leem ut Talib, #9, p23

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!

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