Category Archives: F. Zikir & fikr

Remembrance, comtemplation and spiritual excersises

The real task!

Sayyid wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,

“The real task is to abstain from all sins!

“Most of the people select and perform the easy stuff. They initiate a relationship with a Shaykh, develop a routine of praying predawn prayers (tahajjud), perform excessive remembrance (dhikr), and recite Quran daily. However, they do not leave the sinful activities.

Remember this clearly, abundance of supererogatory (nafil) actions is of no advantage without abstaining from sinful activities. Whereas, persistence on the obligatory (fardh) and necessary (wajib) actions are quite enough without any extra (nafil) thing if one stays away from sins completely.”

Waaz, post ‘Asr, Masjid Baitul Mukkaram, Jummah, 30 November ’90, 11 Jamadi us sani 1411

Sufi dhikr

Masih al-quloob Hadhrat Mawlana Masihullah Khan (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

“In addition the Shaykh instructs the disciple to perform remembrance (dhikr) in a special distinctive method. This (dhikr) creates the states of yearning and enthusiasm (to please Allah) in his heart.”

Eman afroze bayanat, page 31

Be humble ……… but not ungrateful!

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

‘And now there is this malady which many people are falling into – perceiving themselves as very pious and saintly but I say who would think such a thing when they have no way of knowing what state they will find themselves in when they die? On what virtuousness do they take pride in? Allah protect us from such thinking.

What is there to be arrogant about when in all likelihood we cannot pick out one ra’kaat from our entire life that can be said to match up to the standards expected by Allah and then these paltry offerings themselves are also by dint of His favour and His blessing otherwise we could not even execute this’

(Malfooz 211, pg 169, Malfoozhat Hakeem-ul-Ummat, [Al-ifhadhat al yawmia…], Published Idara Taaleefat-e-Ashrafia)

 Source: The excellent blog, Beneath the Shade

Signs of false sufis

Their sufism is focused on and limited to anti-wahabi rhetoric and ritualism. Certain specific practices (rasoom) for remembrance (zikr, sama’, etc.) and celebration (hawl, milad, etc) are over emphasized. The stress on acquiring the knowledge of actions of the heart (maqamat) and the spiritual training (tarbiyet) to develop these are completely ignored. Hence, their tasawwuf does not lead to gnosis (marifah) and perfect slave-hood (‘ubodiyah). This is reflected in their noncompliance to Shariah rulings in the truest sense in all matters of their daily life.

Allah’s marifah

Hadhrat Shaykh Wasiullah Khan (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

“Once Hadhrat Mawlana (Thanawi) was telling us very fine subtleties regarding the gnosis (marifah).

Mawlana Abdul Ghani (may Allah have mercy on him) humbly commented,  “When the understanding of the mystical secrets (marifah) of the friends of Allah (awliya-Allah) is so difficult than how much more demanding it would be to achieve Allah’s marifah.”

Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma (may Allah have mercy on him) appreciated and acknowledged this comment.”

Halate Musleh al-Ummat, page 115

Wird vs clear dealings vs good morals

‘Arif billah Dr. Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) instructed the seekers,

“The daily routine recitations  (wird) can be increased or decreased based on the time available, determination and health status. But it is essential to have clarity in dealing with others, purity of social demeanor and rectitude of morals at all the times.”

Ma’moolat e yoomiya, page 14 

Clarification:Hizb al-Bahr

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him)said in regards to hizb al-bahr,

“No doubt this is a blessed litany. However, the prayers mentioned in the Prophetic sayings (hadith) and Holy Quran are more exalted and effective than it. Pay heed to this as people commit gross negligence in this matter.”

Munajat e Maqbool, Preface of Hizb al Bahar, page 192

Unintentional bad thoughts: Reason & Treatment

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

“Occasionally these unintentional bad thoughts (khatarat) are due to an extra sensitive psyche and personality. Some times they are due to medical reasons. At other times they are due to acts of blame worthy moral traits. On other ocasions it may be secondary to some evil (Satanic) intervention or sins. Also it may be a test of one’s yearning and desire for Allah’s pleasure. And some times more than one of these may combine.

In a case where a specific reason can not be ascertained it is best to combine all the possible treatments (that are: repentance,  firm reslove of being upright in future, treatment for medical, psychological and magic/evil-eye illnesses, excessive supplication and turning to Allah).

However, in all cases in addition to the specific treatment the common remedy for all cases is not to pay any attention to these thoughts. Do not contemplate on the nature or the reason for these bad thoughts.”

Ashraf us Sawnih, volume 1, page 434

خطرات کے اسباب اورعلاج

کبھی خطرات کا سبب لطافت طبع اور ذکاوت حس ہوتی ہے،کبھی عوارض طبیہ، کبھی رزائل نفسانیہ، کبھی تصرفات شیطانیہ، کبھی معاصی اور کبھی حق تعالی کی جانب سے طلب کا امتحان ہوتا ہے۔ اور کبھی ان اسباب میں سے ایک سے زائد اسباب بھی جمع ہو جاتے ہیں۔

 اس صورت میں جب کہ تشخیص نہ ہوسکے تو سب معالجات کو جمع کرلیا جاۓ۔ لیکن ہر صورت میں علاوہ معالجات خاصہ کے سب کا مشترکہ علاج یہی ہے کہ التفات نہ کرے اور خوص نہ کرے، نہ خطرات میں نہ ان کے اسباب میں۔ 

اشرف سوانح، جلد 1، ص 434 

Muraqaba for the afflicted

alhakim.jpg

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) use to instruct the seeker afflicted by something unfavorable that he should contemplate (muraqaba) on the Divine names al-Hakim and al-Hakeem.

Allah, Most High being the Sovereign authority in charge (al-Hakim) has all the right to do with us as He wants. No one can question it. We being His slaves have to accept it. However, at the same time we must remember that He is Wise (al-Hakeem) and whatever He does certainly has something beneficial for us. We may not be able to acknowledge this right away but this is for sure.

Thinking on these lines decreases the apprehensions and sufferings associated with the affliction. Also it increases one’s love and trust on Allah at the same time.

Shaykh’s wird

Alhumdulillah, few weeks back I was blessed to be in the company of sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him). We were driving from Jeddah to Makkah e mukarramah. Shaykh planned to pray fajr salah in haram shareef and perform tawaf afterwards. During the entire trip except for the essential talking Shaykh was busy with his wird. The continuous motion of tasbih in his hand gave us the clue.

Similarly, once on such a journey in friday night Shaykh was heard reciting the surah Kahaf, Mulk and Alif lam mim sijadah. 

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Incidents like these are an eye-opener for us. They should make us aware that practicing what we study, learn and preach is very important, however, busy we may be. Also, it should motivate us to plan and manage our time appropriately.

Thinking of Allah in sky?

A senior spiritual aspirant wrote,

‘Most of the time I am attentive (of Allah). However, a doubt pesters me all the time. That is, with this attention (towards Allah) spontaneouly my thoughts are directed (upwards) towards the sky.  I understand that I am exempted for such an unintentional thought, but its presence bothers me. May be it is from a (hidden) sub-section of unbelief (kufr). Please, prescribe some treatment for it if necessary.’

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

“Peace and blessing be on you.

Allah, Most High is free from been given a direction.

However, His most selected effulgences (tajeliyat) have a special relationship with His Throne (‘arsh). It is for this reason thoughts of Him direct one’s attention insticntively upwards. This is based on a reality and there is nothing of unbelief (kufr) in it.”

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 2, page 1126