Category Archives: D. Acts of Worship

Various acts of devotion to show our servitude

Guidance

The pious Gnostic (‘arif)  swear by Allah that acceptance of guidance is neither achieved by intelligent argumentation nor via thorough research. Neither can one thrust it forcefully nor passionately upon another.

It is the light of guidance itself from Allah that illuminates the heart. The doubts cease and truth is manifested. It is an act of mercy, kindness and benevolence from Almighty Allah.

Supplications play a vital role in facilitation of this. Therefore, one should not be neglectful of making excessive dua. This is asking, showing one’s need, reliance and humility to Allah.

Setting priorities

 

The initial instruction given to the seekers by the khalifa of Hakim al-Umma Shaikh Mawlana Shah Asadullah (Allah have mercy on them) have been published in ‘Asa’ad ut-Talibeen’.  

They include;

Completion of qaza salah and fasts, performance of the fardh Hajj and emphasis on payment of zakah.

Moreover, abstaining completely from back-biting (ghiba), foul language, loose talking and purposeless interminlgling with others.

Reading the books of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him).

Performing each salah meticluously in first row with the opening takbir along the Imam’s.

The following issues were especially instructed,

1. Keep the dealings (with others) very clear.

2. Do not cause any discomfort and harm to others

3. Do not interfere in the matters of others unnecessarily.

4. Take account of yourself (nafs) daily. Be thankful for the good deeds and repent on the mistakes.

5. Never ever be satisifed with yourself (nafs). Always watch over your outward and inner actions.

6. Follow the instructions given and the ma’amolaat.

7. Keep (the Shaikh) updated about your state and condition.’

Akse-Jameel ra, page 201-2

Company of the pious

Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘This is known from experience that the companionship of pious is the root cause of all religiosity.

The company of the pious is most superior from all the sources of achieving the reality, the sweet savoring and the majesty of religion.’

Hayyatul Muslimeen, via Uswa-e-Rasool-e-akram (صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم), page 207-8

Giving charity

Shaikh Ahmad Kabir al-Rifa’i (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Giving money in charity is superior to physical worship and other supererogatory acts of devotion.’

Hakim al-Umma Shaikh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) commented that this superiority is because charity benefits many individuals (whereas physical worship is beneficial to the doer alone) and also giving money is vexatious for nafs.

Aqwal e Sufiya, page 83

Apathetic murid

Sayyadi wa sanadi Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Previously it was well known that two individuals seldom slept at night. One is the newlywed. The other is a new disciple (murid). However, the situation has changed for the murid with a very few exceptions.

Apathy is common. Yearning and desire to progress is totally lacking.  Completing the daily basic wird is a humongous unsuccessful challenge even after years of relationship with the mentor. This is a common complaint in their islahi letters. What can be done in this regards? No one can do what you have to do yourself. There are no magic potions, amulets or invocations to facilitate this.

Even senior aspirants are stuck on the very basic wird. Aspiration for doing more remembrance (dhikr) and communicating this desire to the mentor is absent. Remember the Shaykh is not going to advance you to the next level until you verbalize your interest and show progress.’

Ramadhan 1429

The difference between the state of a salik and non-salik

Hakim al-Umma mujadid Shaykh Mawlana Shah Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘There two kinds of people.

Those individuals who are not traveling on this path (sulook) and characteristics of yearning and desire (of Allah’s pleasure) have not even developed in them. Their condition is that whenever their hearts are pure and uncluttered they make remembrance of Allah. The awareness of being involved in sinful activities does not stop them from doing good works. This is because they do not care about it (the involvement in sinful).

Then there is the other kind, ones who are traveling on this path and have developed some tastefulness (dhauq). Their state of heart is such, because of their relationship with Allah (ta’luq maAllah), that any tiny bit of change in it due to negligence and involvement in sinful activity  causes them extreme grief. This is to the extent that they become disheartened of being involved in remembrance and good works and do not find the courage to do so in the future. This is not because of being heedless of their Lord, most High. It is due to the acknowledgment that now (with this involvement in sinful) how can I face my Lord and make His remembrance. At the outlook this does not seem to be a good state because it is suspending remembrance (of Allah). However, in some instances even this state is a blessing. This is because, in these instances it will result in that sinful activity not to be carried out ever again.

Hence, having this state is a blessing. However, it is essential to point out that one should not act on the calling of this state. That is, not to stop the remembrance at all. Moreover, it is essential for this individual not to be negligent of remembrance for a second and be despaired. This remembrance (dhikr) should continue irrespective of being involved in millions of sinful activities.  This is because the spiritual darkness that leads to suspension of remembrance (by being involved in sinful) will only be lifted by the remembrance (of Allah) alone. There is no other cleanser to do this. If this is done with consistency then, inshaAllah, one day (eventually) escape from the dreadful condition (of involvement in sinful activity) will be achieved.’

Basair e Hakim ul-Ummat ra, page 528

Spiritual involvement

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Shaykh Jalaluddin Thanesari (Allah have mercy on him d.989 Hijra) said,

‘The seeker of truth suffices in the spiritual involvement (shugal e batini, i.e. methods of developing remembrance, concentration and awareness) after fulfilling the essential (faraidh) and Sunna actions. He does not stress on physical worship and supererogatory (nawafil) actions like the ascetics.’

Irshad ut Talibeen, page 11

The path

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Shaykh Jalaluddin Thanesari (Allah have mercy on him d.989 Hijra) instructs,

‘Understand that the beginning of this path is Shariah. Therefore, all essential (fardh), recommended (wajib), Sunna, praiseworthy (mustehib) and etiquette (adab) actions are to be performed. Moreover, avoiding in food, residence and personal being all that is impermissible, suspicious, and of minor or major impurity. This is called purity of physical being. This is all Shariah.

Then comes the path of tariqat. This is to keep one’s heart free of the blame-worthy morals, such as love of the worldly, lust, envy, hatred, arrogance, greed, misery,etc. In addition adorning it with praise-worthy morals, like truthfulness, purity, humility, philanthropy, chivalry, trust, sincerity, best manners and trustworthiness in dealing with fellow human beings (etc.). This is called revolution (gardesh) and changing of morals. Acknowledge that this is a magnanimous feat. This is because without it the real wealth of deen is not achieved and traveling on the path of truth is impossible. Moreover, this feat requires keeping the lowest profile and maintaining seclusion, so that these actions become well established without failures.
سخن باكس مگو الا بضرورت
خلل تا در نيفتند در حضورت

After this comes the path of reality (haqiqah) and realization (marifa).’

Irshad ut Talibeen, page 9

2nd AfME Pneumococcal Summit
Dubai, UAE 12-13 April 2011

Dua: Talking with Allah

Mufti Mohammad Hasan, the founder of Jamia e Ashrafia, Lahore and a senior khalifa of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on them) said,

‘Whenever an individual requests for supplication (dua) for himself I acknowledge that he has done a big favor to me by providing an opportunity to talk to Allah. Talking to Allah is an immense affair.’

Ahsan us Sawanih, page 185

Essential advice for salik

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Shaykh al-Mashaikh Haji Imdadullah mohajir makki (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Keep away from the company of Sufis that act against the Shariah.

Meet other people with good manners only as required.

Consider yourself to be the lowest creature.

Do not criticize anyone.

Speak with compassion.

Love being silent and alone (khalwah).

Keep your time well planned.’

Taleem ud deen, page 227

(The edition by Maktaba e Rehmania, Lahore is the best currently available. It has explanation and translation of all Arabic and Persian quotes in footnotes.)

This path: diving for pearls

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Shaykh al-akbar Muhyuddin ibn ‘Arabi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘It is from the criterion of being a Shaykh that he takes into account each breath and every action of the murid.  He puts additional pressure on the one who is more obedient and adherent. This is because this is the path of hardship. It does not have any involvement of leniency in it. The dispensations (rukhs) are for the general public because they are content that they remain faithful and Muslims by name. They fulfill the very basic requirements (faraidh) imposed on them by Allah.

However, an individual who aspires for highest levels beyond that of the general public for him it is essential to bear extra hardships.

A person who desires to wear a pearl necklace must brace the depths of the ocean and hold his breath. This is essential to dive in the ocean (and get pearls).’

Adab al-Shaykh wal-murid, via Madhmun e zikr, MTM-U, volume 3, page 25

 

A Special Dua

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Hakeem al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said:

 

“Imam e A’zam Abu Hanif (Allah have mercy on him) used to tell that whatever blessings I have received is due to the blessing (barakh) of this dua

اللهم انا نستعينك علی طاعتك

)O Allah SWT! We seek your assistance in performance of all virtuous deeds(

(Majalis e Hakemul Ummat ra 246)

To be included in one’s daily supplications.

Etiquettes of Reading

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Arif Billah Dr. Abdul-Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said that while I was visiting Jama-e-Ashrafiya, Lahore, the teachers requested for some naseeha (advice). I told them,

“You people read and teach the books of great scholars of Islam daily.

However, you do it carelessly.

To truly benefit from the barakah (blessings) of these books. Make it a habit that before starting to read them, turn towards Allah. Make dua (prayer). For the scholar first. That Allah make his magfirah, be pleased with him and raise his status in paradise. Then, supplicate for yourself. That is, may Allah make this reading most beneficial for you.

Only by doing so you will really benefit from these great books and their authors’ exalted knowledge.”