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Arif-billah Dr. Abdul-Hayy ‘Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said:
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“When faced with a difficulty which seems to be either unavoidable or irresolvable, our Hadhrat (Hakim al-Umma) used to advice us not to think and ruminate about it. Start making dua in your heart regarding it. And repeatedly recite اياك نعبد و اياك نستعين.
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By doing so, inshaAllah, the anxiety will vanish, peacefulness will be achieved and the difficult task will be settled with ease.”
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Ma’moolat-e-yoomia 25-6
Shaykh Mufti Muhammad Rafi` Usmani (may Allah preserve him) states:
In the Noble Qur’an, the command for repentance has been given as such:
تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
Turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (Surah Nur, Verse 31)
Each one of us is involved in some sin or another, as no one is free from sins. Some of us, however, commit more sins and some of us less. From all people, though, the best are those who repent. Therefore, when a sin is committed, keep the requirements of repentance in mind and immediately repent.
In Surah Tahrim, Allah Most High says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا
O you who believe, repent to Allah with a sincere and firm repentance (Surah Tahrim, Verse 8
This verse refers to a repentance that is both sincere and has firmness. Therefore, we can see that, despite being innocent and protected from sin, the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to seek forgiveness from Allah more than 70 times in a day (as mentioned in a Hadith.)
Now, the question comes to mind: If the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not sin, then from what did he repent? Understand that there are two aspects to this:
One purpose was to set an example for the Ummah. If the most beloved creation to Allah and such an exalted messenger used to seek Allah’s forgiveness more than 70 times a day, then we should do even more than that.
The Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not seek forgiveness due to sins. His good deeds and piety are matchless. However, it has been set that the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) would, in his supplications, frequently say statements meaning: “O Allah! We have not fulfilled the right of Your worship, as its right is. We have not recognized You as Your right is. We have not acquired the piety as Your right deserves. We ask forgiveness for our shortcomings in fulfilling Your rights.”
In another Hadith, it is mentioned, “O people! Repent to Allah and seek his forgiveness. Verily, I repent 100 times in a day” (Muslim).
In the previously mentioned Hadith, the count was not specified, but in this Hadith, it is specified to be 100. Therefore, when our elders instruct people on adkhar, tasbihaat, and ma’mulaat, they always include 100 times istighfar (seeking forgiveness) with the following words:
استغفر الله ربي من كل ذنب وأتوب إليه
The word tawba (seeking repentance) is also included here; however, it is also important that we also make the intention for seeking repentance.
So if the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to seek Allah’s forgiveness 100 times in a day, and this is also included in the routine of our elders, then we should also bring this deed into practice.”
Tawba ki Haqeeqat Aur Ahmiyat
(Translated by brother I Khan)
Abandoning a good action in middle thinking that people will consider me to be pious is riya (ostentation).
Whereas, doing an action to impress others is shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Hence, sincerity is to be saved from both of these by Allah.
Ahzab tahzib un nafus, Munajat e maqbool, (zamimajat, Saeedi) page 303
A Collection of Speeches by sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) taken from Discourses on Islamic Way Of Life.
The reward of remembrance of Allah (dhikr) is the facilitation (tawfiq) of dhikr itself. And Allah, most High, acknowledges this action of of His slave.
Dhikr removes heedlessness.
The method of dhikr for the novice seeker is the vocal repetition of the Holy-name (ism-e-dhat). For the moderately advanced (mutawassit) it is the contemplation (tasawwur) of this by heart (qalb). And for the graduate (muntahi) seeker it is the perpetual following of the commands of Shariah as though they are his instinctive nature.
Ahzab tahzib un nafus, Munajat e maqbool, ((zamimajat, Saeedi)) page 308
Shaykh Masihullah Khan (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Supplication (dua) is the form of worship in which there can be no random thoughts (waswasa).’
Islah afroze bayanat, page 297
An individual complained that from many days I feel as though the special relationship with Allah (nisbet) has been lifted from me. There remains no interest in the daily wird and worship.
Shaykh Sayyid Zawwar Hussain Shah (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘This is not the removal of nisbet. This state is called the spiritual contraction (qabdh).
The nisbet is removed by committing infidelity (kufr), associating partners with Allah (shirk), involvement in innovations (bida’) and major sins (kabair).
Whereas, the state of qabdh afflicts all including the novice and the advanced spiritual traveler. When it occurs the individual considers that this might be due to indulgence in sinful acts and therefore repents. In fact the repentance done in this state is much more sincere than done in the state of spiritual expansion (bast).
Whenever afflicted by qabd one should increase in repentance, recite la hawla wa la quwwata illa biallah in abundance and continue with the daily wird and worship with extra effort. There should be no absence from these daily activities, even accomplishing a portion of them will suffice.’
Mahnama Tamir e ifkar, eshaet khas bayad Shaykh Syed Zawwar Hussain Shah (Allah have mercy on him), page 606-7
Sayyidi wa sanadiShaykh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,
‘The people living in the vicinity of the House of Allah (Ka’ba) have a greater responsibility of following the Shariah commandments. To do so they must develop a strong relationship with Allah.
As per the teachings of my Shaykh Hadrat ‘Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) following three things are helpful in developing this relationship and love of Allah,
1. Recitation of the Sunna prayers (azkar) for the different occasions in once daily life.
2. Making supplications for each and everything.
3. Being abunbdantly thankful of all the blessings Allah has bestowed on us.’
Bayan, Jeddah 16th February 2010, after ‘Asr
Sayyidi wa sanadiShaykh Mufti Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) is in the blessed Medinah these days.
With the Saudi school mid year vacations there is a huge crowd of pilgrims.
Going for the Friday prayers an individual inquired the Shaykh where could he find him in the Haram. The Shaykh replied that usually he tries to be in the first row of the mosque. To do so he left two and half hours before the juma salah time.
This apparently ‘ordinary thing’ is a teaching for all of us who are trying to improve their condition.
The excellence of praying in the first row, coming early for Friday prayers, sitting with the intention of e’itkaf, reading Holy Quran, reciting tasbih & salawat, offering salat at-tasbih, waiting for salah, etc. are things with numerous rewards mentioned in the Prophetic sayings.
Setting our priorities appropriately and useful utilization of time is the key to implementing these things in our practical life.
May Allah facilitate this for us. Amin!
Friday, 12th Feburary 2010, Medinah e munawwarah
