Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanavi (may Allah have mercy on him) says,
“At any given moment whatever state Allah chooses for his slave it is the best thing for that occasion. One should not desire any thing against it.
If it appears that Allah is considering our loss to be the best thing for us, then why should it be a source of remorse?”
Basair e Hakim al Umma, page 327
Abu Idris Khulani (may Allah have mercy on him), one of the most famous student of Companions (a tabi’i) says that once I visited Ma’adh ibn Jabal in the mosque of Damascus and told him that,
“By Allah I love you for the sake of Allah.”
He repeatedly asked me to swear if it was so and when I answered in affirmative every time, he pulled me by my garment (shawl) and said,
“Hear the good news!
I have heard the exalted and blessed Messenger of Allah saying that “Allah says, My love shall certainly be for those who love each other for My sake, who sit in each other’s company for My sake, who visit each other for My sake and spend money on each other for My sake.”
Muwatta Imam Malik, Kitab-al-Shi’r quoted in ‘Easy Good Deeds’ by Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him), page 48
A spiritual aspirant wrote,“I query if there is any love of Allah, most High in my heart or not?”
Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied, “This thought is a proof of Allah’s love itself. Evidence of proof essentially validates what it is trying to prove. Hence, inshaAllah, love (of Allah) is certainly present.”
Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 139
Hadhrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,
Irshadat-e akabir 25, The Path to Perfection, page 142
Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) writes;
“To love for the sake of Allah” means loving someone, not for any worldly gain, but because he is more religious and pious or he is very learned in Deen or is busy in serving the cause of Deen or because loving him or her is commanded by Allah, e.g. one’s parents.”
“Easy Good Deeds”
Source: An excellent blog:at-Tazkirah: التذكرة
Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (may Allah have mercy on him) said;
“If you commit a sin, repent immediately and compensate the action with good works and penitence. Never should you delay repentance.”
Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) adds that you should repent immediately at the same location where you committed this wretched act. This is to ensure that when on the Day of Judgment (qiyamah) this area of Earth testifies against you it will bear witness that you repented on it also.
An individual wrote a letter requesting permission for visiting Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) for self reformation (tazkiya).
Granting permission Hadhrat told him (this will be achievable) only if he comes leaving behind all arrogance and prepared to receive all kinds of humiliation.
Tarbiyat us Slaik, volume 1, page 91
Constant remembrance and contemplation of the attributes and bounties of Allah Most High will induce the desired love for Him. Compliance with the laws of the Shari’a and much remembrance of Allah expel the love of others from the heart, making way for the exclusive Love of Allah Most High.
The Path to Perfection, page 83
A salik complained of his poor spiritual state?
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db advised him:
“Be thankful for what you have.
Repent for the omissions.
Make dua (for future apprehensions).
These are the actions to be done lifelong (to achieve & maintain a spiritual state).”
Islahi khutoot
Mufti e ‘azam Pakistan, Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Shafii sahib ra writes:
“The translation of word ‘abd’ is slave (bandah). The one who is owned by his master. His body, all his decisions and activities are bound to the authority and approval of his master.
Only that person is worthy of being called a slave (bandah) of Allah SWT who’s beliefs, thoughts, aspirations, desires and all positive and negative activities are as per the orders and approval of his master (Allah SWT). He is always remains attentive to act as oredered.”
Ma’ariful Quran, (Urdu), volume 6, page 502
Allah SWT make us a real ‘abd. Ameen!
Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Asharf Ali Thanawi ra said:
“It is rude not to fulfil the right of others due on one’s self. Whereas, not to demand rights of one’s self from others is being self-sufficient (istegna). (This is required).
Waaz: Huqooq e Quran, page 28
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db said:
Whenever a thought comes to your mind that may be suspicious of takkabur (pride/arrogance), immediately be thankful to Allah SWT( for that blessing).
Shukur (thankfulness) and takabbur can not stay together in one place.
Malfoozat Kebriyet e Ahmer, number 30
(Being Thankful to Allah SWT)
Arif-billah Hazrat Dr. Abdul Hayy ‘arifi ra said:
“This action creates love of Allah SWT and strengthens the relationship with Allah SWT (ta’aluq ma’Allah). One feels the tastefulness of contentment in his state and life becomes filled with serenity (afiyat).
Moreover, one of the blessings of this action is that a thankful person seldom commits sins.
Also, it saves one from the deadly diseases of takabbur (arrogance/pride), hasad (envy), greed, avarice, extravagance, miserliness, etc.”
Ma’moolat e yoomia, page 18
Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said;
“In conclusion what is known as fana (annihilation) is an extremely lofty from of love.
That is, all other-than Allah SWT realtionships are so much suppressed that nothing remains to share being worthy of worship. This is the end result of لا اله الاالله .
Neither there exists any thing worthy of being an objective or goal. That is;فليعمل عملا صالحا ولا يشرك بعباده ربه امدا
Nor there exists in the eyes of the salik (seeker) any one besides Him. That is; كل شئى هالك الا وجه”
Waaz: Tareeq e qalander, page 313
Commenting on Sheikh Abu Madyan maghrabi ra’s instruction to his mureed on muraqaba (meditation) that “Allah SWT is watching me”, Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said that this contemplation is quickest way to fana (annihilation).
Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Shafii ra adds, when this thinking that Allah SWT is watching me, is firmly established in an individual’s mind then his desires, aspirations and even his own being will be obliterated. This is station of fana (annihilation), the highest position on the path of Tasawwuf.
Rooh e Tasawwuf*, page 109.
*A compilation of sayings of sufi sages by Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra, translated into Urdu with brief commentary by Mufti Mohammed Shafii ra.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db instructed an individual to do this muraqaba,
“I am in front of Allah SWT and He is watching me”,
for 5 minutes daily when starting the wird.