Category Archives: D. Acts of Worship

Various acts of devotion to show our servitude

Who is a disciple?

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Shaikh Sharafuddin Yahya al Maneri (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘A disciple is a person who submits himself to his guide in word, deed, heart and body.’

He went on to explain:
” ‘In words’ means that his speech is in conformity with what his guide says regarding the essential principles and derived teaching of religion.

‘In deeds’ means that he does nothing, whether in a religious or worldly matter, contrary to what has been sanctioned by his guide, even if it be an act of devotion!

‘In heart’ means keeping his heart unstained by any blameworthy quality, just as his guide does.

‘In body’ means keeping his senses and bodily members pure and without any stain of sin, just as his guide has done.

When he has conformed himself in all these ways, then he can be called a disciple.”

A Mine of Meaning (Ma’din ul–Ma’ani), page 165

Summum bonum

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Shaikh Ma’ruf al Karkhi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘When Allah decides the highest good for an individual the door to performance of virtuous deeds are opened and the doors for argumentation are shut closed for him.’

Manaqib wa Ahwal Shaikh Ma’ruf Karkhi rehmatullah aleh, Ibne Jawzi Ra, page 111

A disobedient Muslim

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Mehboob e Ilahi Khawaja Nizam ud din auliya (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘An individual (Muslim) is obedient even when he is in a sinful state for three reasons,

Firstly, he is aware that whatever (sinful activity) he is doing is impermissible.

Secondly, he knows that Allah is aware and observant (of his activities).

Lastly, he aspires for forgiveness (from Allah).

All these are understanding of obedient individuals.
Moreover, as he does not aspire to remain involved in sinful activities forever, he is not punished.’

Jawahir al Hikam, Selection from Fawaid al Fuad, Dr Ghulam Mohammad Sulemani (Allah have mercy on him)

Make effort for good deeds

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Shaikh Ma’ruf al Karkhi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Pray salah with congregation even if you have to walk a mile to do so
Pray Juma even if you have to walk two miles.
Visit the sick even if you have to walk three miles.
Be in a Janazah even if you have to walk four miles.
Greet those returning from Hajj or Umrah even if you have to walk five miles.

Visit those fighting in the way of Allah (mujahid) even if you have to walk six miles.
Deliver charity to the needy even if you have to walk seven miles.
Reconcile people even if you to travel eight miles to do so.
Visit the blood relatives and close friends even if you have to travel nine miles.
Fulfill the needs of your family members even if you have to walk ten miles to do so.

Help your brother even if you have to walk eleven miles to do so.
Visit another Muslim because of Allah even if you have to walk twelve miles to do so.’

Manaqib wa Ahwal Shaikh Ma’ruf Karkhi rehmatullah aleh, Ibne Jawzi Ra, page 105

The objective

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A seeker wrote: These days due to the illness of my wife, being busy with taking care of her and because of the the disruption of the household affairs most of the (routine virtuous) actions (wird) are missed. Only prayers (salah) is done. In this situation a thought troubles me that why did this happen to me and my routine works have been disrupted? This is adding to my distress.

Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
‘There is no reason to be distressed.
The real objective is the reward (thawab). Allah bestows this sometimes via (voluntary virtuous) actions and on other occasions through hardships and sufferings. (Thus) the objective is achieved in both the situations.’

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 3, page 57

Celebrate

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) instructed,

‘Keep the book ‘Uswa e Rasool e Akram sallaho alehey wasalam‘ that contains the Sunnah practices, in front of yourself (that is, read it meticulously).

Study each and every Sunnah and in cooperate it into your daily life.

After doing so, in-sha-Allah, you will notice the radiance (nur) of these Sunnah actions.

Then your every day and moment will be an occasion celebrating the life of Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

May Allah facilitate the following of Sunnah for me and all of you. Amin!’

Seeratun Nabi sallaho alehey wasalam aur hamari zindagi, al Balagh 3/1435, page 19

The rights of Prophethood

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Qadhi Mohammad Zahid al Hussaini (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘There are six rights from the rights of Prophethood that are so lofty, superior and essential that without their acknowledgement faith in Prophethood can not be ascertained.’

Below is a summary of them,
1. The Prophethood is eternal
2. The perfections and ranks of Prophethood are bestowed by Allah
3. All of the sayings and states of our Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) portray the faculty of Prophethood
4. Our Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the leader (Imam) of all the Prophets
5. The (appropriate) etiquettes and (extreme) reverence of our Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) should be from the depths of one’s heart
6. The love of our Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) must be more than we love our own life, wealth and everything else.

Rehmat e kaiynat sallaho alehey wasalam, pages 356 – 373

Regarding the initial takbeer of salah

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) mentioned the difference of opinions amongst the scholars (fuqaha) regarding the Prophetic sayings (hadith) that to what extent the hands must be raised while starting the salah. He continued,

‘However, all of them agree that the palms should be facing the qibla direction.

Many knowledgeable individuals and students (of religious institutes) falter in this practice.’

Inam ul Bari, volume 3, page 469. Sahih al Bukhari, bab 85, Hadith 738

Salat e janaza

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An individual inquired, ‘Alhumdulillah, in this summer vacation I had the opportunity of offering few salat e janaza (prayers for the dead) led by you. I noticed that the gap between the first and second takbir is much longer than it takes to complete thana. Is it because of recitation of sura e Fatiha as Mawlana Anwar Shah Kashmiri (Allah have mercy on him) used to do?

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) smiled and acknowledged,
‘Yes. I do recite sura e Fatiha as has been reported to be the practice of our master Abdullah bin Abbas (Allah be pleased with him). According to the Hanafi scholars (fuqaha) it can be recited as a supplication (dua).’

Haram sharif, mataf, behind Rukun-e-Yamani, Makkah al mukkaramah. After esha, 24th November 2013

Purpose of islahi majlis

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self-improvement wordle

 

Sayyadi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah bless him with a long, healthy and productive pur-’afiyet life, Amin!) instructed a mojaz about the islahi gatherings (majalis),

‘These gatherings must be conducted regularly.

The primary intention should be one’s own islah (improvement of morals, actions and state).’

Walking from Haram sharif, Makkah al mukkaramah to hotel. After esha, 24th November 2013

#2: Turn to Allah

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah bless him with a long, healthy and productive life, Amin!) continued,

The second thing is to be vigilant in turning to Allah (asking for assistance) all the time. That is, while walking or being busy in something or resting, in short whenever there is any need one should turn towards Allah and ask for assistance. One has to develop this habit.

For example, right now when we depart the masjid we should ask Allah for an appropriate ride. Once in the ride we should ask Allah that we reach our destination safely without any traffic problems. If feeling hot we should ask Allah to alleviate it. If feeling cold we should ask Allah to provide warmth. On entering our home we should ask Allah that we find all the family members safe and sound. In summary we should persist in turning towards Allah asking for assistance in all our activities.

Be vigilant in being thankful to Allah for all the blessings you have, however, small they might be. Repeat it verbally, ‘all praise is for Allah’ (Alhumdulillah).

If one does these things then every moment of his time is accounted as being in the remembrance of Allah.
May Allah facilitate this for all of us by His mercy and benevolence. Amin!

Attending Fiqh Academy session, Riyadh, KSA after Friday prayers, 11/22/2013

Utilize time effectively

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time-managementA group of seekers requested for some advice.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah bless him with a long, healthy and productive life, Amin!) said,

‘Firstly, try to utilize the time effectively.

Each and every moment must be spent in actions that lead to Allah’s pleasure. These  include in addition to the acts of worships, the mutual dealings (muamlaat), social etiquette (adaab ul ma’asheret), fulfilling the rights of one’s own self (nafs), the rights of the children, spouses and parents. etc.

Not a single moment of a believer’s life should be in anything that displeases Allah.

In fact a believer can make all his activities a form of worship, like eating and drinking. That is by performing it with the pure intention and correct method as per the commandments of Allah.

Therefore, it must be ensured that the time is not wasted at all. One should be involved in any of the good actions as mentioned above.’

Attending Fiqh Academy session, Riyadh, KSA after Friday prayers

We are ‘abd

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Definition of ‘abd

‘abd= slave + worshipper

Main Entry:
slave  [sleyv]
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: person who serves, often under duress
Synonyms: bondservant, captive, chattel, drudge, help, laborer, menial, peon, retainer, serf, servant, skivvy, subservient, thrall, toiler, vassal, victim, worker, workhorse
Antonyms: master

 

Main Entry:
worshiper/worshipper
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: believer
Synonyms: adorer, churchgoer, communicant, congregant, devotee, devout person, pious person, supplicant, votary
Antonyms: agnostic, atheist, skeptic 

‘abd of Allah

Abundant remembrance of Allah

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dhikr e kathir

O you who believe, remember Allah abundantly,  [33:41]
and proclaim His purity at morn and eve.[33:42]

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah bless him with a long, healthy and productive life with ‘afiyet, Amin!) said,

‘It must be remembered that if the tongue is not immersed in vocalization of remembrance of Allah the heart (qalb) will never be habitable (to the remembrance of Allah).

This is because the remembrance of Allah by vocalization via tongue is like the first step. If an individual does not climb it, then how can he reach the (real) remembrance, (that is) with the heart.

Therefore, the first step in developing a sustainable relationship with Allah is the remembrance with tongue (dhikr e lisani). This must never be abandoned.

Dhikrullah kay fadhail, page 11

In this discourse Shaikh mentions the various methods of remembrance prescribed by the Sufis, including the dowazdah tasbih that is staple dhikr of Ashrafiya path.

It usually takes 30 plus minus 5 minutes . It is preferably done after tahajjud or fajr salah in solitude with as much concentration as possible.

This is the kickoff.