Arif billah Hazrat Dr. Abdul-Hayy Arifi ra said:

“Shaytan has three ‘ع’ (the Arabic letter ‘ain ).
Meaning that;
1. He is a devout worshipper (‘abid/ عابد ) [prayed for thousands of years prior to slipping]
2. He is a tremendous scholar (‘alim/ عالم ) [Former teacher/instructor of other angles]
3. He is a great Gnostic (‘arif/عارف) [Evident by his attitude at the time of Allah SWT’s wrath. He knew that if he makes a request even at this moment of fall it will be accepted.]

But he lacks the fourth ‘ain ع’. That is, he is not a true lover (عاشق). If he had been a true lover he would have surely prostrated (to Hazrat Adam alehes salaam, on Allah SWT’s order without any reservations. For lover does as the Beloved commands!)

Brothers! We neither want to be mere worshippers nor only Gnostics.
We only want to be sincere lovers.

We want to be true lovers; because it is due to this that our bond and relationship with Allah SWT can never be cut off.

And for this, Allah SWT has told us to follow the example of His beloved messenger salallaho alehey wa ‘alehi wasalam. For whoever follows his noble example he becomes Allah SWT’s beloved.
–
(Malfoozat e Arifi ra 178)

Sidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db has related to us the following statements of Sayyid-ut-taifa Hazrat Haji Imdadullah mohajir-Makki ra & Hakeemul Ummat ra many times;

People call for unity again and again.
But they do not unite.

Do we know: What are the fundamental ingredients to make unity?

They are humility (tawa’duh) and giving preference to others over one’s self (‘esar).

There can never be unity between two arrogant (mutakabir) individuals.
Also, it can never be imagined until one is willing to sacrifice his own benefit, be it physical like money, property and position or whimsical like fame, stature and public appeal.

Without these two essential components talking of unity is mere lips service and diplomacy to gain some quick benefit. And once this benefit is achieved the factions disunite to be mortal enemies again.

wa ma taufiqi ila billahe

Reality of khushoo is not to have any intentional and purposeful thoughts of any thing in the heart other than Allah swt while performing a good deed.

Literally it means absolute stillness/calmness. In the parlance of Shariah it means stillness of the body parts, (which is self explanatory) and also stillness and calmness of the heart. That is, to end all other thinking activities (and focus on Allah SWT).

What is the method to achieve this (i.e. end all other thinking activities and focus on Allah SWT)?

It is not possible to stop all other thinking activities at once immediately. The method is to intentionally focus the attention of the heart towards something desirable. Provided that it does not clash with nature of worship being performed. For example, in salah:
– Focus the attention on Allah SWT, if that is difficult then
– Contemplate that one is facing the holy Ka’ba, or
– Concentrate on the words of Quran and other azkar being read or
– Focus on the meaning of Quran and other azkar being read

This is effective because one can not be attentive towards two things at a single moment. By intentionally and purposefully adopting any of these methods other thinking activities can be halted effectively.

(Basair-e-Hakeemul-Ummat ra 306-7)

However, the guidance from the Sheikh is required in selecting the most effective method for oneself. Also, success or failure in accomplishing it has to be reported to him and based on his feedback one has to achieve the true khushoo required

At the same time reflecting on our attitude in regards to them

Hakeemul-Ummat qaddas sirrahu says that reasons for loving someone are four;
Beauty (jamal)
Perfections (kamal)
Generosity (nawal)
Wealth (maal)

They are present to their maximum in Allah swt.

Here we are focusing on His generosity.
A cursory glance on the bounties that He is showering on us is a proof of this generosity.

Let’s take a look;
1. Being alive
2. Being a human
3. Having complete and normal anatomical and physiological functioning of this human body that is, being free of all diseases. Healthy.
4. Life.
5. Time. Hours, minutes and seconds.
6. Being a Muslim
7. Being in the Ummah of our Master Prophet Mohammed salallaho alehey wa a’lihi wasalam
8. Association with Ulama-e-Haqq (Ahle Sunnah wal Jammah, Deoband)
9. Having the importance of following the religion
10. Aspiration of improving our self
11. Traversing the Path (sulook)
12. Being under the guidance of a perfect Sheikh (sheikh-e-kamil)
13. Education. Both religious and professional.
14. Job. Source of halal income.
15. Loving relatives; parents, spouse, children and others.
16. Well being of ourselves and these relatives
17. Housing & shelter
18. Means of transportation
19. Being free of worries
20. Opportunities of good actions
21. Being ashamed of our short comings and repenting
22. Basic necessities of living and moreover lots of luxuries
23. Wealth and savings

The list goes on and on.

What did we do to deserve these bounties in the first place?
By His infinite mercy Allah swt gave us these gifts. We did not deserve them at all. There are many individuals far better then us who are deprived of these bounties.

What is our attitude in regards to them?
Most of us do not reflect on being the elite and gifted. We take these bounties for granted. We are usually not thankful & appreciative for them. And on the contrary we complain for minor deficits and worries. Majority of us in our ignorance are using these bounties to disobey Allah swt.

We have to allot few minutes each day for reflection (muraqaba). Sit down after fajir or eisha and enumerate the blessings we have, one by one. Thanking Allah swt for each of them, (allahuma lakal hamd wa lakash shukkur). At the same time reflecting that we were unworthy of such gifts and it’s by His generosity and kindness that He bestowed them. And He has the power to take them away any time. This is the fist step towards real thankfulness.

The real thankfulness (shukkur) is not to use any of the bounties in disobeying Allah swt, as confirmed by Hazrat Junaid ra.
Har mooay badan bihi jo zaban ban kay karay shukkar
Kum hay bakhuda unki einayat say kum hay( Mufti Sha’fi ra)

The most essential thing on the part of the mureed is to efface his owndesires, suggestions and plans. He should completely surrender to his Sheikh’s advice.

This is the very first step of Tasawwuf.

It is done voluntarily and is within one’s control.

Only when one completes this successfully it is possible to set up and surrender to the commands of Allah swt and His messenger sallalaho alehey wa alehi wassalem in the true sense.

‘Arifbillah Hazrat Dr Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi ra said;
The method for developing Allah swt’s Love is:
1. Reflecting on the bounties of Allah swt and being thankful for them
2. Associating with the people who already have this Love (ahl-e-muhabbet). Reading their books, biographies and poetry.
3. Meticulously following the Sunnah method in all aspects of your life

Malfozat-e-‘Arifi ra page 83

Sidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db said;

A man approached my father Mufti Mohammad Shafi’i ra and asked a question;
‘Whats your opinion regarding Yazeed? Wasn’t he a fasiq (covert transgressor)?’
‘Brother! how can I answer your question’, replied the khalifa of Hakeemul ummat ra & Mufti-e-a’azam of Pakistan,’ I do not know about myself. If I am a fasiq or not? Then how can I judge Yazeed.’
ghair ki tujh ko keya par(t)i
apni nabayr(t) tu

Sheikh Akber Sultanul Awliya Muhiuddin Ibn Arabi ra said:

“ The meaning of being kind and merciful to your fellow brethren is nothing except saving them from hell, guiding them to paradise,
leading them out of ignorance towards knowledge,
from being guilty towards devotion and
from loss towards perfection.
This is so, because no individual can complete his faith (eman) until he wishes the same for his fellow brethren what he desires for himself.”

Aadabul Sheikh wal Mureed
(Urdu Translation by Mufti Mohammad Shafi’i ra under supervision of Hakeemul Ummat ra. Page 3,4)

Sidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani db said:

“What is the meaning of shuker (being thankful to Allah swt)?
It means that these bounties of Allah swt which I possess, I did not deserve them and I have no right over them. But Allah swt by His kindness and as a favour gave them to me. Therefore, I should be thankful and feel obliged to Him.”

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