Category Archives: B. Praise worthy morals

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

Reasons for not developing love of Allah!

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Shaikh Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Most frequently the reasons for not developing love of Allah in a murid are,

1. Either listening to the instructions and sayings of Shaikh inattentively or not following them,

2. Not having the love of Shaikh,

3. God-forbid, considering Shaikh to be insignificant,

4. Adulteration in the instructions of the Shaikh through self-opinion (khud raiy).

(Remember) There is no room at all for self-opinion and opposition (of Shaikh) in this path!

Majmua’ talifat e Muslih al Ummat ra, volume 5, page 81

 

Affection & devotion of people these days!

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Shaikh Dr. Ismail Mangera sahib (Allah preserve him) narrates,

My respected Shaikh Mawlana Masihullah Khan Jalallabadi (Allah have mercy on him) once said to me in private,

“See here, in this day and age no person is loyal and faithful (mu’taqid) to anyone else, except a few, masha’Allah.”

(Hadhratwala’s tone and expression was something special.)

“Each person is a devotee of his own self.

As long as you pander to others, agreeing with their whims, talking softly and sweetly, people will express their devotion to you.

The moment you say ‘No. No;’ and people cannot make use of you, both affection and devotion vanish – muhabbat is gone and so is i‘tiqad.”

(And this has been borne out by experience!)

SF blog

Time management

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Arif-billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Time management is part of the Shariah.

The manner in which Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to divide his time is explicitly reported in a tradition quoted in (the book) Shamail e Tirmizi.

That is, when at home Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to divide his time into three parts. The first one was for worship of Allah. The second for his wives (and other household members). The third for his special Companions.’

Shu’b al Eman via Isha al Muslimeen, page 411

Managing time

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

‘Time management and planning how to to do so are a great things.

It should not be the way to do something in the time allocated for another thing and do that particular thing in some other time slot.

Everything should be done in the time set for it.

This brings great blessings (barakah) in time (more things are done with ease in same duration) and comfort (to all).’

Husn al Aziz, volume 2, page 412

Sincerity

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Allama Sayyid Suleman Nadwi Saheb (Allah have mercy on him)  was renowned for his academics among the Indian scholars.

He requested Hakim al-Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) for bai’at. Hakim al-Umma instructed  him to review some of his (eccentric) views and publish the correct version (admitting his mistakes).

Allamah prepared a draft of the reviewed views and presented them to Hakim al-Umma and also published the retraction.

It is upon this that Hakim al-Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) commented:

از سلیمان كَیراخلاص عمل

“Learn sincerity from Suleman”

It really takes courage for a great scholar and academic of Allama Sayyid Suleman Nadwi’s status to review his views and even publish the retractions admitting his mistakes openly.

A sincere person places Allah’s pleasure in front of him. He does not worry about his status.

The mercy of Allah for vanished graves

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Haji Mohammad Usman, the book seller from Delhi, was a khalifa of Hakim al Umma Shaikh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah ave mercy on them).

After partition he migrated to Karachi, Pakistan and established Maktaba e Thanawi on M.A Jinnah Road. Close to his death he expressed the desired to be buried in the graveyard that is in the middle of the Malir riverbed. The Malir river is a flooded each year in the rainy season and most of the graves are washed away. Everyone was perplexed at this choice of burial site.

At repeated inquiries Haji sahib explained that he had read an incident and desired the mercy mentioned in it for himself. That is, once our master prophet Musa (Allah’s peace be upon him) on his way to Mount Sinai  passed by a graveyard. The dwellers of the grave were being punished for their wrong doings.  On another similar trip some time later he noticed that the graves were neither discernible nor there were any signs of punishment. He requested Allah to reveal the reason for this change. That is, what action or who’s supplication had benefited these individual and the punishment was lifted from them.

Allah told him that it was beyond His mercy to punish those who’s last remaining sign of existence – the grave, had even been wiped out from the face of the Earth with the passage of time.

Haji sahib aspired for the same mercy for himself after flood waters had washed away his grave. This is evident of his extreme humility and absolute annihilation (fana).

 

Muraqaba e Ihsan: Developing taqwa

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

‘Sit in solitude. Close your eyes. Contemplate (do muraqaba). Repeatedly remind yourself either by saying it or thinking that, ‘I am in front of Allah’, ‘I am in front of Allah! Allah is watching me! Allah is watching me! I am in front of Allah! Allah is watching me’

Do this daily for some (fixed) duration of time.

As a result of this activity, by the kind bestowal of Allah, this awareness will gradually and progressively increase.

This contemplation is known as muraqaba e Ihsan.

Allah provides assistance to the one who does this activity (punctually). A awareness develops in this individual prior to all actions and verbal sayings that makes him ponder about the permissibility and accountability (in front of Allah) about that actions or sayings he is going to do.

This is a recommendable state.

It changes the heedless lifestyle into a cautious and caring one.’

Sunday waaz, Sept 2nd, 2012, Daruloom Karachi mosque, after asr.

What to do when consultation with Shaikh is not possible?

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

‘When consultation with Shaikh for guidance (in islah related issue) is not possible, either due to time constraints or logistics reasons then one should consult Allah directlly.

اللهم خرلنا واخترلنا

That is, turn to Allah asking for guidance and assistance in that perplexing situation.  This should be done repeatedly and continuously.

Allah guides the individual who turns to Him for guidance as it is said in the Holy Quran,

اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يُنِيب

Allah chooses (and pulls) towards Himself Anyone He wills and guide to Himself anyone who turns to him  (to seek guidance). (42:13)

Ramadhan 1433 (8/14/2012)

Things to do prior to Ramadhan

date-ramadan-debut-ramadan

Arif-billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Do not pursue excessive information.

It is worthwhile to act on whatever knowledge one already has.

Our acts of worship and obedience have become ritualistic. In this era of chaotic life style with environment promoting egoistic and hedonistic characteristics our hearts  do not appreciate the reality and status (of these acts of worship) as it must be. Therefore, first of all we must supplicate to Allah, ‘O Allah! You have bestowed on us these forms of worship, please,  make us appreciate them, give us their blessings, spiritual effulgence, fruition, sound understanding, facilitation of action and a blessed lifestyle. Amin!’

Ramadhan is going to start soon. Appreciate its significance and try to gain benefit from it to the maximum.

Cleanse your exterior and interior body parts prior to its starting by repenting and asking Allah’s forgiveness (from all sinful activities) thoroughly.’

Ramadhan ul mubarak kay anwar shuru honay say pehlay

Prepare for Ramadhan

1. Ask Allah for facilitation (tawfeeq) to benefit from the blessings of Ramadan daily, from now onwards.

2. Make a firm determination to abstain from all sins. Especially those committed by the eyes, ears and tongue.

3. Try to free as much time as possible from work and other commitments for pure worship (ibadah).

4. Reschedule non essential appointments till after or before Ramadan. Finish all Ramadan and Eid shopping prior to the sighting of the crescent.

5. Make special effort to follow as many as possible Sunna in daily activities.
Learn these and memorize the adiya e masnoon (dua) for particular occasions before hand. The book “Alaikum bi sunnati”by Mawlana Abdul Hakim Sukharwi ra is a good, practical and handy resource for this.

6. Review the essential fiqh (rulings) relating to fasting, taraweeh and other Ramadan related issues from “Behishti Zewar” (Heavenly Ornaments) of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him).

7. To get motivated and organized, read the discourses of Hakeem al -Umma regarding Ramadan (Mawaiz-e-Ashrafiya volume : Barakat e Ramadan) and listen to the talks of Sayyidi wa sandi db on how to prepare for the holy month.

8. Practice the actions of the Heart. Do not do any action without a proper intention.Abstain from all the blame worthy morals. No anger, arrogance, belittling caustic remarks, etc. It is strange to abstain from otherwise halal (lawful food) and commit an act which is always haram (forbidden). Try to do most of the praise worthy moral actions. Having patience, humility, gratitude, sincerity, etc. Keep a tight grip. Do not slip here.

9. Make a practical and doable time table for daily activities.

The point to remember is that in Ramadan acts of primary form of worships (i.e. salah, dhikr, tilawat, etc.) are to be increased. These lead to an increasing direct relationship with Allah  (i.e. ta’luq ma’Allah).

The tawfiq is from Allah!

Remembrance of Allah

Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘This is the action that stops the random thoughts and whisperings (wasawes). It keeps the lower self (nafs) involved in something (beneficial). If it was to be left on its own it would get into something (spiritually) detrimental.

It is acknowledged that this action is the remembrance (of Allah) by heart (dhikr e qalbi).

This can be done at all the times.

Therefore, involve your nafs in this action. By doing so it will not get into detrimental things and heedlessness (gaflah).’

Jawahirat e Hakim al Ummat ra, volume 3, page 68