Category Archives: L. Books
New book
A Collection of Speeches by sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) taken from Discourses on Islamic Way Of Life.
Tajweedi Quran
A very useful resource for individuals’ trying to improve their Quran recitation.
Forth coming book
This book is included in ‘at-Takashshuf, التکشف an essential reading for those in tareeq.
Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah said,
In this book Mawlana Thanwi discusses numerous subtle and complex themes of tasawwuf derived from the ahadith of our beloved Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam. His erudite commentary demonstrates time and again how the principles of tasawwuf have their origins in the primary sources of Islam. Mawlana Thanwi’s approach, like that of his illustrious mashai’ikh, stresses the complete harmony between Shariah and tariqah and their interrelatedness.
ECCMID 2010, Vienna, Austria
Acquiring true religiosity
Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said:
“It is from suhba (pious companionship) that deen (religion) is acquired.
I swear to it that deen can not be obtained from books!
Formal religious knowledge may be achieved via reading, but true religiosity can never be obtained without serving eagerly at the footsteps of a master.
Akbar (Allahbadi ra) who was a fine poet and his verses had wisdom in them, said
دین ہوتا ہے بزرگوں کی نظر سے پیدا
Awaj e Qanowj, page 82
تسھیل تربيت السالك Tarbiyat us Salik (simplified)
الإحسان
قال: فأخبرني عن الإحسان
. قال (صلي الله عليه وسلم): أن تعبد الله كأنك تراه
فإن لم تكن تراه ، فإنه يراك
5th Feb 2010. Vist Library at Darl al-Mustafa, Tarim, Hadramaut
Teachings of Awliya
Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Mufti Mohammad Shafii’, senior khalifa of Hakeem al-Umma (Allah have mercy on them) writes:
“The narratives regarding the senior Awliya Allah fall under three categories;
- Those regarding their kashaf & karamat (unveiling and miracles)
- Those related to their higher levels of ibadah (worship) and piety.
- Finally, their advice and instruction for improvement to general Muslims.
From all these it is this third thing that the general Muslims have to read and learn with utmost emphasis. This is because it is essence of the teachings of Awliya. It is the most effective medicine for betterment of Muslims.”
Preface, Nuzhatul Basateen (Translation of Imam Yafai’i ra’s Rawdh ur Reyaheen+) page 6. Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) supervised the translation of this book and recommended its reading for salikeen to develop and increase the love of Allah.
It is published by HM Saeed Co., Karachi, Pakistan. It is freely available at major Islamic bookstores.
Advice to reader of Sufi works!
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him and allow us to benefit from him a lot. Ameen!) gives the following invaluable advice to those interested in classic Sufi works:
“A point never to be forgotten when reading the books of venerable Sufi masters is that the things to acquire from them are;
– the special relationship with Allah (ta’aluq ma’Allah),
– remembrance and contemplation of hereafter,
– turning to Allah with humility (inabat),
– recognizing the plots & deceptions of nafs and methods to prevent them,
– methods of cleansing the heart and
– love of Allah and His messenger صلی اللہ علیہ و الہ وسلم.
As far as the fiqh (Shariah juristic rulings) and kalam (science of logic and art of reasoning) issues, historic events and narrations (rewayat) are concerned these are neither their (i.e. Sufi masters) field of specialization nor one can rely on them solely in these matters.
لکل فن رجال”
Tabseray 476
Knowledge and pious company
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Ilm (knowledge) without suhba (company of the pious) is not beneficial.
The islah (reformation) of a person with suhba and‘ ilm is easier compared to the person with ‘ilm but without suhba.
All the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were not scholars. Whatever they achieved they achieved through suhba. The people of Allah (Ahl Allah) have always taken care with regard to suhba. They concentrated more on suhba than ‘ilm.’
جملہ اوراق و کتب
جملہ اوراق و کتب در نار کن
سینہ را از نور حق گلزار کن
Acquiring Religious Knowledge
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah SWT preserve him and allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen!) said:
“After professing faith (emaan) the foremost duty and obligation that befalls an individual is to acquire religious knowledge. This is because until he knows what is required essentials (faraiz & wajibat)) to do and from what things to abstain from, he will not be able to fulfill the requirements of faith.”
Ina’mul Bari (duroos-e-Bukhari shareef) volume 2, page 27
نظم
Suhba of books, magazines, newspaper & internet
Shaykh Raziuddin Ahmad Fakhri (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“Similar to the good and bad effects of the company of an individual and the items of his/her personal use, books, magazines and newspapers also have these effects.
One has to be very cautious in deciding which book or newspaper to read. “
Ahl e sulook per achi buri sohbet kay aseraat, page 22
This is also relevant for internet.
Wasting time by visiting unhealthy sites, engaging in useless discussions, chatting, viewing photos or videos and listening to unreliable audio speeches and nasheeds, etc. can be very detrimental spiritually for a seeker.
