A Collection of Speeches by sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) taken from Discourses on Islamic Way Of Life.
Category Archives: C. Blame worthy Morals
A quiz!
Source: Ilm o Amal Monthly magazine
مواعظ اشرفیہ
Desired good company
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Hakim al-Ummah Mawlana Ashraf `Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) writes:
“Allah Most High has put this quality in humans that they are quickly and substantially affected by the thoughts and conditions of others.
[This occurs even] without any specific effort, and happens whether it is good or bad company.
Good company is an element of immense benefit; in the same way, bad company is an element of tremendous harm.
Good company is of such a person who, based on the need, has a grasp on the issues of Deen, and one has good faith in him. He abstains from Shirk, innovation, and worldly affairs. His actions are good, and he is firm and constant in his Salah, fasting, and other necessary acts of worship. His dealings are good and his transactions are clean. He is careful about issues of Halal and Haram. His outward behavior is also excellent. He has a humble disposition and he does not harm anyone without reason. He does not consider the poor and needy to be inferior. His inner qualities are also pleasing. He keeps the love and fear of Allah Most High in his heart. He does not keep much greed for the world in his heart. [When in] conflict with the Deen, he does not care for wealth, comfort, or disgrace. He keeps the Hereafter in front of him, and does not keep this world dear to him. He is patient and thankful in every circumstance.
If someone is found with these qualities, his company is an elixir.
If someone cannot fully recognize these qualities, for him (assistance in) recognition is to seek the pious people of his time, those who are considered by most Muslims to be pious. They should speak well (of him). And after remaining in his company several times, the heart should shy away from blameworthy traits and turn towards praiseworthy morals. Consider such a person to be pious and adopt his company.”
Hayat al-Muslimeen, p. 27 (Multan: Idara Ta’lifaat Ashrafiya)
By Brother I. Khan
Sincerity
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‘Considering one’s self to be sincere is in it self a sign of lack of sincerity.’
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Ahzab tahzib un nafus, Munajat e maqbool, ((zamimajat, Saeedi)) page 302
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ECCMID 2010, Vienna, Austria
Self delusion
Recently it was mentioned that in Tasawwuf error and misguidance is most of the time because of a delusional state resulting from lay public admiration and following.
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) elaborated this very nicely in an anecdote.
There was an individual who owned a horse. This horse was of no use to him. It was a huge, lazy, stubborn and stolid creature. He ate a lot , defecated and farted much. And was totally unproductive. Involving him in any chore led to more trouble than ease in effort of the work. The owner tried everything possible to make him useful. However, neither reward nor punishment worked. He even resorted to amulets and wazifas. All in vain. Exasperated by this irritating creature the owner decided to get rid of him.
He went to the local market to sell this horse. He was approached by a shrewd professional agent who offered his services for selling in return for a decent commission. They agreed on it after some haggling.
The agent brought the animal on the exhibition stall and proceeded with his introduction to draw in customers. In his smart and domineering style he spoke about the noble ancestry of this Arabian stallion. He elaborated on the physical beauty of the animal. Stressing that this steed was worth a fortune. An appropriate gift for a prince. Exalting his enormous strength and stamina. Exaggerating enormously that how economically he ate and how well trained and sharp he was. A life time bargain for sale at a nominal price. He started the bidding.
The horse owner stood mesmerized at the agent’s artful speech. Before anyone else could utter a bidding price he rushed towards the agent and told him that he had changed his mind. He did not want to sell such a magnificent horse with so many qualities. He felt honored to own it.
Similar is my condition. I am well aware of my shortcomings, sins and gross transgression of Shariah,however, the kind comments, praise and admiration of others lead me to believe that there must be something special about me.
This is the self delusion.
It is very common in the religious elite.
A complete antithesis to the teachings of Tasawwuf!
The Prophetic advice
إذا قمت في صلواتك فصل صلاة مودع
ولا تتكلم بكلام تعتذر منه
واجمع الإياس مما في أيدي الناس
An individual approached Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) and requested for some concise advice.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
At the time of offering salat, pray as if this is your last prayer.
And
Do not speak anything for which you will have to apologize later.
And
Do not have any desire for what other people possess.
Ahamd via Jawahar al-Hikam, page 23
The reason for our poor state
Shaykh Mohammad Badr ‘Alam (Allah have mercy on him) [died 1385H, buried in Baqi, Medina al-munawwarah] said,
‘The main reason for our current degradation (as a Muslim nation) in my opinion is that in our hearts the characteristic of being at ease, love, forgiveness, forbearance and having a good opinion (of other fellow individuals) have been replaced by envy, animosity, having a bad opinion and quarrelling without a reason.
Therefore, it is vital that I clarify this reality that as per Islamic teachings the characteristics of being at ease and having mutual love is not only for fellow Muslims alone. It is a fundamental requirement for all the fellow human beings.’
Jawaher al-Hikam, page 21
Watching Obscenity on Internet
A young brother inquired:
One of the sins I am involved in is watching obscene and lewd material on the internet. Please, guide me on how to stop this wretched action.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied;
“It is most essential to abandon this action right now by forcefully acting against the desires to do so. To achieve this do not log on to the internet at all.
For this treatment to be effective make firm determination and sincere resolve.
Otherwise, remember, this is an extremely destructive sin.”
Islahi khutoot
How to develop determination?
An individual asked that the pious usually instruct their disciples to develop determination (himmat) for doing good deeds and abstaining from sinful acts. What is the method to develop this determination?
Hakim al-Umma’s khalifa Shaykh Mawlana Khair Mohammad Jalandhari (Allah have mercy on them) replied,
‘The heartfelt acknowledgment of the significance and the importance of a matter instinctively creates the determination (for action).
For example, when one has to travel for an important journey and the train leaves at midnight it is reflexively that one prepares to do so.’
Khair us Sawanih, page 308
Seeker’s affliction
Sidi Ahmad Zarruq al-Barnusi al-Fasi (Allah have mercy on him) [1442 – 1493 CE] said,
I have also seen that the seekers of this age are afflicted with five things:
1.The preference of ignorance over knowledge
2. Being deluded by every spiritual impostor
3. The inability to prioritize important matters
4. Using the spiritual path as a means to inflate the selfish soul
5. Attempting to expedite a spiritual opening without fulfilling its prerequisite conditions.
This has resulted in five other afflictions:
1. Preferring innovations as opposed to the tried and true prophetic practice (Sunna)
2. Following the people of claims and conceit as opposed to the truth
3. Acting on capricious desires in all of their affairs, even the most celestial
4. Preferring fantasies to realities
5. The manifestation of claims without sincerity.
Foundations of the Spiritual Path Translated by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson
Spiritual graduation and awareness of deficencies
Shaykh Shah Wasiullah (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘For successful spiritual graduation it is essential that an individual is aware of his/her deficiencies.
Remember, for a person who has acknowledged his short comings there remains no barrier in proceeding towards success . (That is, by effectively correcting these faults).’
Shaykhain, page 36
Companionship to be avoided
Shaykh-e-kamil Arifbillah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said;
“The companionships (suhba) that do not make one remember Allah or His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), reflect on one’s own debilitated condition and perceive one’s filthy inner-self and lead to increased involvement in dispensable (ghair-maqsood) and increasing desire of fame (hubb e jah) are to be shunned.
Otherwise, tell me what will be the advantage of such supercilious suhba?
A companionship is only useful if it has the property of changing our life for better. It cures our spiritual aliments and makes evident to us our moral deficiencies and spiritual shallowness. “
Sawanih wa ta’lemat e Hazrat Arifi ra pg 584
Buhtan
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Attributing a statement or an action to any individual, especially a believer (momin) without an explicit proof as per the ruling of Shariah is the clear sin of false allegation (buhtan) . This is especially so if this is in relation to a an esoteric issue, like intention (niyyah), etc.’
Risala shiq al-gain an Ali wa Hussain (Allah be pleased with them), page 8
Karachi
Precious advice
Shaykh Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (Allah have mercy on him) said the following addressing the students of Medina (al-munawwarah) University,
‘A scholar should be more pious and congnizant (of Allah).
Being excessively involved in contraversial issues makes one negligent of his/her own personal improvement.
Focus more on practice of issues that are held unanimous. For example, khushu in salah. Do not be involved in peripheral minor issues.
You are aware of the scholarly acheivements of Imam Ahmad and Hafiz Ibn Taymiyyah (Allah have mercy on them). However, you are not aware of their high moral character, humility, fear of Allah and being busy in night crying.
It was the practice of Hafiz Ibn Taymiyyah (Allah have mercy on him) that whenever, he faced a difficulty he would go to an isolated mosque, cry and make the following supplication repeatedly,
Ya mu’alim al Ibrahim ‘alimni, ya mufham al Suleman fahimni
The greed and desire of the worldly has made the scholars worthless.
Be an example for others.’
Tazkirah wa sawanih Mawlana Hasan Jan shaheed ra, page 43