Hadhrat Mawlana Masihullah Khan (may Allah ahve mercy on him) said,
“Always fear that your present condition might change (for worse). This thought uproots arrogance very effectively.”
Isalah afroze bayanat, page 582
Category Archives: B. Praise worthy morals
Ever lasting spiritual struggle
Hadhrat Hakim al-umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah ahve mercy on him) said,
“Hardship persists in performance of good deeds. It is because these actions are against the desires of the lower self (nafs). The lower self essentially tries to fight them off. This may be a minor or a major battle. Hence, it remains essential to act against the desires of the lower self by doing spiritual struggle (mujahida) life long.
This is true both for the novice (mubtadi) and the one who has arrived (muntahi). Both of them have to face the opposition of the lower self some time or another, either in form of laziness in performance of good deeds or indulgence in a sin. Novice gets into it a lot and the muntahi a little. In order to prevail in this battle it is essential for both of them to engage in spiritual struggle (mujahida). ”
Basair al-Hakim al-Umma, page 164-5
Related: Spiritual struggle
Recipe for success
Hadhrat Mansur Ali Khan (may Allah preserve him) narrates that
Do these things before embarking on any new or significant endeavor, inshaAllah, you will be successful. Firstly, ask Allah for help and ease in initiating and completing it. Then pray that it is done with sincerity (ikhlas) and truthfulness (sidq). And finally pray that it is accepted by Allah.”
Appreciate the blessings
Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“A person who does not apprciate the blessings (of Allah) have them removed from himself in an unknown manner.”
‘Awarif ul ma’arif, pge 163
Blessings and three kinds of sufis
The nikah ceremony in Masjid al-Haram’s coutyard behind the rukn e yamani conducted by Hadhrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani ( may Allah preserve him) was simple.
In addition to numerous pilgrims and guests, Pir Zufiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi and Hadhrat Mansoor Ali Khan (may Allah preserve them) were among the audience.
Afterwards there was a reception in one of the five star hotel ballroom in front of the holy Haram. The arrangements were lavish. The food was delicious, plentiful and in variety.
Seeing this arrangement Hadhrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,
“It is in these settings the difference between a novice sufi, a sufi who has attained ma’rifah and a sufi who is deficient can be seen.
The novice (mubtadi) sufi devours the food and enjoys the luxuries for the pleasure of his own self (nafs).
Whereas, the one who is realized (muntahi) sufi considers these luxuries to be a blessings and benevolence of the real Provider (جلا جلاله). He partakes of them feeling obliged and thanks his Lord abundantly.
The sufi who is deficient considers these to be blame-worthy extravagance and indulgence in worldly luxuries and tries to spoil them before consuming. For example adding water to dilute the most delicious curry, etc. His sight is still on the material things themselves and not on their Creator and Provider (جلا جلاله). ”
(Makkah e mukarramah, 26th Sha’ban 1428/8thSeptember 2007, After ‘esha)
Unsuccessful effort
An individual wrote,
“Before falling into a sinful act I try my best to avoid it by using my determination and supplicating to Allah for help. However, if God-forbid, the sin is committed I have this disheartening feeling that all the effort done to avoid the sin was wasted.”
Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) replied,
“Supplications are never wasted. The feeling of remorse and repentance being felt after the mistake is its effect. No one knows what reward this feeling of guilt and penitence may bring?
Therefore, neither be disheartened nor abandon the effort and supplication.
However, this is the time to renew the determination (to avoid sinful) and make prayers for being steadfast in doing so.
When a clothing is soiled we wash it. However, if it is again soiled, even after extreme care not to do so, will we abandon the cleaning thinking that this is a wasteful activity?”
Islahi Khutoot, ‘amaal
Thankfulness
‘Arif billah Hadhrat Dr. Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“Being thankful to Allah for any of the blessings is like investing in an insurance policy. That is, the principle amount invested remains safe and moreover it increases over time.”
What is thankfulness?
Acknowledging that,
1. This blessing is from Allah.
2. Allah has provided it to me without me being eliglible(musteheq) for it.
3. Allah has the power to remove it from me any time and without any reason.
Realization of these leads to utilization of this blessing in being more obidient to Allah and not using it to displease Him. Without this realization it is only superficial verbal thankfulness and not the real required praise-worthy moral.
What to do?
In regards to the present depressing condition of the Ummah, Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,
“It is grossly inappropriate to waste time discussing the current situation the Muslim Ummah is in these days. The best thing is to turn towards Allah and ask for forgiveness and guidance in this regards.
Our pious elders have stated that if in a difficult situation a person’s attention towards Allah is increased then it means that these hard times are there to atone his misgivings and elevate his status in here-after. However, if he turns away from Allah then it is feared to be a punishment. May Allah save us all from it.”
Waaz 22 July 2007, Darul Uloom Karachi, after asr islahi bayan
Karachi: Heat, rain and no electricity
All are complaining about the excessive heat, the torrential rains and no electricity in Karachi these days. No doubt the conditions are very tough and depressing.
The most important question for us is, how should a salik act in these condition?
The simple answer is, by turning to Allah.
Asking Him for help in removing these difficulties.
Acknowledging our lack of gratitude when the conditions were smooth.
Being patient. That is, recognizing that these calamities are from Allah and He is al-Hakim and al-Hakeem. It has for sure many benefits in it for us, we may not be aware of them. However, to gain His pleasure in accordance with His commands and the Sunna of His beloved (may Allah bless him and give him peace) we are being patient.
Acknowledging our feeble, weak condition and sole reliance on Allah in getting rid of them.
Asking Allah to make these difficulties an atonement for our wrongdoings and sins.
Reminding ourselves of the numerous other bounties of Allah that we possess even now.
Not to discuss these issues in a tone or style that may give the impression of complaining that Allah has been unjust at causing suffering to me.
These are the teachings of Hadhrat Mawlana Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) and high-light how Tasawwuf is practiced in everyday life of a person.
Allah alone gives success.
How to Stop seeing the prohibited?
A spiritual aspirant wrote,
“At times of having the opportunity of casting lustful glances I remind myself that if I am able to save my eyes from seeing the prohibited it will be a grand miracle (karama). In fact it will be million times superior to any super natural feat. I also recall the saying from the ‘Awarif (ul ma’arif) that Allah asks us to be steadfast (isteqama, on His commands) and we are anticipating for miracles (karama) to happen. All praise to Allah, with His support I am able to save myself easily (from casting lustful glances).
Please, approve of these thoughts.”
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied,
“These thoughts are absolutely correct. May Allah increase and bless your knowledge and understanding. ”
Tarbiyet us Salik, voulme 1, page 225
Irritating spouse
An individual requested special prayers (dua) complaining that his wife was irritating him a lot.
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied,
“Do not be distrubed by wife’s pestering. This is also a spiritual struggle (mujahida). You will be rewarded for it*. Let her annoy you.”
Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 432
*(Especially, if you handle the situation correctly with the patience, wisdom and kind & caring attitude in return.)
When reading the Spiritual discourse
An individual inquired what points should he pay most attention to when reading Shaykh’s spiritual discourses (mawaiz) to achieve maximum benefit.
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied,
“When reading these discourses paying attention to two things are beneficial. Firstly, the blame worthy things mentioned in them which are present in me and then working to remove them. And similarly, the praise worthy attributes mentioned that I do not posses and trying to achieve them.”
Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 429
Worship & Love
Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,
“The similitude of our daily basic recitations (ma’moolat/wird) is like wheels of a vehicle. They are essential for it to move. The love of Allah, most High, is like the fuel in its engine. Both are necessary for it to run. Lacking either of them is disastrous. To progress both are essential.
These ma’moolat and love are directly propotional to each other. The consistency in ma’moolat leads to increase in love and this enhanced love leads to further increase in worship and servitude. ”
Waaz 5/07
Displaying humility
An aspirant wrote,
“Is it appropriate for me to use words like ‘lowly’ or ‘unworthy individual’ for myself?”
Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) replied,
“There is no harm in using these words, provided you actuallyconsider yourself to be so.”
Islahi khutoot,
Humility
Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote to a senior aspirant (khalifa) who had been worried regarding not achieving any significant state after years of spiritual struggle,
” There is a wisdom behind this thinking. That is, this has developed thorough humility in you which is my predominant demeanor (mazaq). Harken to this glad news.”
Taribyat us Salik, volume 1, page 175