Category Archives: B. Praise worthy morals

The good moral characteristics that are to be developed within one’s self

Maintain severe level alert against nafs

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

‘Always remember this.

Do not provide an opportunity or the means to the lower self (nafs) to misbehave.

This is extremely important information that is being provided.
Nafs is the devil that destroyed the asceticism (zuhd), God-conscientiousness (taqwa) and sanctity of highly pious individuals in few moments.

Never consider it to be dead.

Sometimes due to unavailability of means (to disobey) it acts subdued. However, it is waiting for the opportunity and means (lurching to strike). ‘

Al Ifadet al Yoomia, volume 4, page 23

Brotherly advice

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Commenting on the Prophetic saying narrated in Sahih Bukhari (#104) sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Sayedina Abu Shuraih (Allah be pleased with him) taught us a etiquette. That is, irrespective of how evil an individual is and how heinous actions he is committing even then advising or inviting him (to the truth) should be in a manner that does not dishearten him. Moreover, it should take into account his (social) status.’

Inamul Bari, volume 2, page 149

The most superior karamet

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It was reported that an individual walks on (flowing) water.

Shaikh Abu Mohammad Murtaish (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘I consider that the person who has been blessed by Allah to be steadfast against his (sinful) desires is most upright and superior to the individual who walks on water and flies in the air.

And (remember) action against one’s desire is only by asceticism (zuhud) and diverting one’s attention away from all (worldly) things.’

Eqaz al Himam, volume 1, page 369

Priorities in islah

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

‘The pious (masters) do not focus excessively on the exoteric actions (dhahiri a’mal). This is because they can be rectified in a moment merely by changing one’s determination. That is, an individual who does not pray can (make a firm determination) in a moment and start praying, one who shaves his beard can (make a firm determination) in a moment and let it grow. Similarly, in a moment an alcoholic can repent from drinking and a transgressor (fasiq fajir) becomes God-fearing.

The important thing that the pious focus on is the rectification of the moral characteristics (ikhlaq e batinah), like arrogance (kibr) etc.. The rectification of these is very difficult.’

Husn al-Aziz, Malfuzat e Hakim al Umma ra, volume 17, page 284

Advice: sufis do not quarrel

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What did the speaker of beautiful words, the splendid face Bhalul ( majzoob, Allah have mercy on him) say,
When he passed by a quarreling Sufi

If this claimant (lover of Allah) had truly recognized the Friend (Allah), he would not have been involved in argument with the enemy (wasting time in something other-than his love).

Shaikhul mashaikh Haji Imdadullah mohajir Makki (Allah have mercy on him) wrote these verses at the very end of his treatise Faisala e haft masala.

Breaking the chains of desire

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Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed ‘Aijiba (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The only means of breaking the chains of desires of the lower self (nafs) are,
1. Overwhelming yearning (shauq) (for Allah’s pleasure)
2. Fear that makes one flee (from Allah’s displeasure)
3. Bestowal of Allah’s bounty either via means of a Perfect Shaikh, who possess alchemy potion for bringing this change or without any means,
(He chooses for His grace whom He wills. ) Allah is the Lord of great bounty. (Al-i’Emran : 74)’

Eqaz al Himam page 359

Daily poor quality ma’molaat

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A seeker wrote,
All praise is for Allah, the daily virtuous activities (ma’molaat) are being carried out punctually, however, their quality remains poor.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Taqi Usmani (Allah keep him safe, healthy and in ‘afiyah) replied,
‘Carrying them out punctually is a great blessing in itself. Be thankful (to Allah) for it.
Moreover, the feeling of them being of poor quality is another blessing. Be thankful for it also. And ask forgiveness (from Allah for all the deficiencies).’

Islahi khutoot, qalmi

Means of acquiring Tasawwuf

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Shaikh Junaid Baghdadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘We did not acquire Tasawwuf by discussions or argumentations.

In reality we acquired it by going hungry (1), keeping awake (2) and being persistent in our actions (3).’

Eqaz al Himam, Urdu, page 332

(1) From all that is impermissible or suspicious or causes laziness.
(2) In acquiring knowledge, performing tahajjud, remembrance of Allah and intimate conversation with Allah
(3) Performance of good and abstinence from sinful deeds, both physical and that of qalb

Excessive desire & preserving the serenity

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

‘Permissible sexual desire in excess is detrimental. This is because with this excess the normal composed state vanishes (as one is over aroused sexually). The pious have advised against going to extremes in this regards.

Respected Haji (Imdaullah mohajir Makki) (Allah have mercy on him use to say,
‘As far as possible try not to let go of one’s serenity.
-Even if some one has a small amount of money he should keep it safe and not waste it. This is for the peace of mind.
– Do not succumb to diseases because of negligence (in food or medicine).
– Do not be such audacious and straightforward in speech that others become your enemy and entangle your thoughts (qalb).
In short, in the teachings of respected Haji (Imdadullah mohajir Makki, Allah have mercy on him) there was much emphasis on (preserving) the serenity (jamia’t). He repeatedly instructed that serenity is an immense thing (so preserve it).

‘Imam Ghazali (Allah have mercy on him) has written that the similitude of an individual who is not sick (with an ailment making him sexually impotent) and has stable strength (to maintain such relationship) and then uses aphrodisiac food and medicine to further enhance his sexual powers is like poking asleep snakes and scorpions inviting them to come and bite him.

If someone has a illness than it is a different issue.
Rich individuals are most interested in this.

I have warned about this issue because even permissible excessive sexual desire has a detrimental effect on one’s spirituality (batin).’

Husn al Aziz, Malfuz 442, volume 1, page 55