Category Archives: F. Zikir & fikr

Remembrance, comtemplation and spiritual excersises

Tasbeeh/Misbaha

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Moulana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanvi ra writes
“It is permissible and moreover advisable to keep a Tasbeeh either to keep a count of zikir or remind oneself of zikir.Tasbeeh in hand reminds one to do zikir.

Disregard the thought that keeping a Tasbeeh will result in riya (showoff: blame worthy moral).

Riya is by intention. That is, only when the purpose to keep the tasbih is that the people observing will consider me to be pious. If this is not the intention then it will not be riya.

To consider this as riya and abandon zikir due to such random thought (wasawes) is a deception by Shaytan. By these deceiving thoughts he wants to deprive us from the rewards of zikir.

Also, another of his deception is the thought that what is the advantage of such oral zikir when the heart is preoccupied with the worldly affairs?

So, understand the answer to this misconception very clearly.

In Zikir initiated with the intention to gain Allah SWT’s pleasure, even if the attention is inadvertently diverted the reward is not lost. Provided the intention remains the same.

However, in free times it is essential to try and keep one’s attention focused on the zikir to reap more reward.

Hayatul Muslimeen, page 208-9

The Accepted Whispers/Munajat-e-Maqbul

Du’a (supplication) is the essence of worship. It is the weapon of the believer. With it we can never fail; without it we can never succeed. It is a whispering conversation with Allah, the most uplifting, liberating, empowering, and transforming conversation one can ever have.

This book contains more than 200 du’as from the Qur’an and Hadith in Arabic for daily reading, along with their transliteration, translation, and commentary in English. The commentary explains historic background, meanings, merits, and special significance of the du’a in question.

This selection was originally compiled by Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi under the title Munajaat-e-Maqbul. Like his Bihishti Zewar (Heavenly Ornaments), it has been very popular in the countries of the Indian subcontinent, where it has become a household name. This edition aims at making it accessible to the English-speaking world.

The Compiler

Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (1280-1362 AH/1863-1943 CE), commonly referred to as Hakim al-Ummat (“Sage of the Ummah”), was a giant among the Islamic scholars of the twentieth century. He was a master in all branches of Islamic scholarship including Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh and Tasawwuf. A prolific writer, he had more than a thousand publications to his credit. He wrote for the minimally literate as effectively as he did for scholars. Nearly a century later some of his books remain as popular as they were when originally published. Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani writes, “The likeness of his accomplishments is not found in many preceding centuries.”

The Translator

Khalid Baig is a writer on Islam and contemporary issues.

Albalagh

Excellent, indeed!

Mujahidah plus wird

After all this about the imporatnce of daily wird and mustehebbat it is essential to remind ourselves of the advise of Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db,
“Remember! The similitude of all these awrad and wazaif is like tonic and health supplements.
They boost your overall spiritual well being. But for this healthy spiritual state it is essential to abstain from whatever displeases Allah SWT.
Sins are fatal diseases.
You require firm determination and resolve to avoid them.
The strength and energy obtained by the daily wird should be used for this purpose.
Without this mujahidah (spiritual struggle) wird alone is not effective in curing the diseased soul.”

Importance of Daily Wird

Maseehul quloob Hazrat Mawlana Maseehullah Khan sahib ra said:

 

مَن لا ورد له َلا وَارد له

 

One who does not have a wird, meaning he is not punctual with his daily zikr (remembrance) and awrad (recitations) (as prescribed by the Sheikh) never receives any waridat (Divinely guiding intutions).

This is an established principle of Tasawwuf.

It is like the student who does not read and prepare well by studying thoroughly himself never develops a command for applied knowledge of that subject.

Similarly, wird is essential (for those on the path/sulook).

It is tailored (by the Sheikh) to accommodate your work, leisure and health conditions.

In brief, it is totally unacceptable for a salik to say that I do not get time for my wird!

How strange is this excuse, indeed?

You do not have the time to sit with the tasbeeh (zikr beads) alone in a corner (to complete your wird).

Not even this much spare time?

You had the time to entertain a friend and have tea with him.

This is just like a student who did not read and attend classes but had time to spend with friends having tea.

This is reflective of his poor interest (shauq), savor (zauq) and longing (taleb) for the path.”

Mawlana Mehmood Ashraf Usmani:Hazrat Mawlana Maseehullah Sherwani qs ki aik yadgar majlis, Albalagh (Urdu)

Etiquettes of being a Civilized Individual

The rulings of Shariah have been broadly classified into five categories. They are:
1. those related to the beliefs (‘aqaid)
2. those pertaining to the forms of worship (‘ibadaat)
3. those related to the mutual financial transactions (ma’amlaat)
4. those associated with manners of civilized living (ma’ashrat) and
5. finally, those dealing with the inner morals (ikhlaq)

It is sad to see that most of us, Muslims, only consider a’qaid and ‘ibadaat to be the components of deen and are completely ignorant of the rest.

Few select practicing ones include ma’amlaat to be deen also.

Ikhlaq, all praise to Allah SWT is practiced by those involved in tasawwuf.

The Shariah ruling regarding how to live a civilized life is abandoned by most of us.
However, it is ironic that we brothers/sister who are involved in discussions of higher & lofty realities of Tasawwuf are disregarding the rights of fellow individuals. The fact remains true that the rights of fellow human beings (haqqul ‘abd) can not be forgiven by repentance alone. It require asking forgiveness from the aggrieved individual. Most of us are totally unaware of the rulings of Shariah pertaining to the etiquettes of civilized living. The extent of this ignorance is so great that enemies of Muslims regard Islam to be incompatible with the civilized world life. Post 9/11 western strategy is to modify Islam to make it civilized.Hakeem ul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra being the mujaddid high lighted the importance of these rulings in most of his discourses and writings. The most beneficial of these is a concise treatise “Aadab ul Ma’ashrat” (Etiquettes of Civilized living).
The importance of this book is evident by the fact that it is the first reading in the nisab e Tasawwuf (curriculum for salikeen) recommended by Hakeemul Ummat ra.
The basic principle underlying the rulings of civilized living is,
“My words, actions and attitude should not be the source of any discomfort or annoyance for fellow human beings at all.”
InshaAllah, quotes from this book regarding some important and common lapses in our every day (uncivilized) life will be posted here.
Allah SWT give us the tawfeeq. Ameen!

RAMADAN SCHEDULE

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Make a practical and doable time table for daily activities.

The point to remember is that in Ramadan acts of primary form of worship are to be increased. These lead to an increasing direct relationship with Allah SWT (i.e. ta’luq ma’Allah).

This must include the following:

Tahajjud Salah: Easier than usual as one has to get up for suhoor. Preferably 8 rakah.

Dowazdah tasbeeh & zikr Ism e zaat
As instructed by the Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Sheikh db.

At tahajjud real, sincere dua and begging for Allah SWT’s mercy, love, guidance, strong relationship, true knowledge & understanding of deen, observance of Sunnah and a’fiyah in this world and the after-life
Munajat e maqbool: Daily manzil (hizb).

Al fathiha: Recite سورة الفاتحة 41 times, preceded and followed with durood درود شريف 11 times between the Sunnah and faraz of fajar.

Recite Shajarah daily and make esal-e-sawab for theses pious predecessors.

Recite سورة يس after fajar.

Tasbehat: Hundred times each as instructed by Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Sheikh db.

1)سبحان الله و بحمده سبحان الله العظيم

2) سبحان الله والحمد لله و لا اله الالله و الله اكبر

3) استغفار

4) درود شريف

5) لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلى العظيم

Tilawat Quran majeed: At least one parah (hizb) daily. This is the basic essential. Increase it as much as possible depending on your schedule. 

Ishraq salah: Approximately twelve minutes after sunrise pray 2 rakah.

Chaast salah: Around 10 AM 2-4 rakah

Awabeen salah: 6 rakah after maghrib

(PS: Nawafil are for those who do not have any qaza salah pending.)

Recite سورة واقعه after zuhar

Reciteمزمل سورة after maghrib

Recite سورة سجده and سورة ملك after e’sha & taraweeh 

Taraweeh:
Twenty rakah in jama’h.

In each taraweeah (i.e. resting between each 4 rakah) Hazrat Thanvi ra

used to recite درود شريف25 times.

Kalimah e tayyabah:
لا اله الالله with occasional محمد رسول الله , 500 times after taraweeh and in all other
spare times while doing the daily chores.

Muraqaba:
Try to concentrate on: “I am in front of Allah SWT and He is watching me.”
Five minutes, immediately following asr prayers.

This is the soul and essence of fasting. Try and extend it to other daily activities.

Excessive dua/prayers:
Any time you get a chance.
Especially prior to the iftar. Reserve 10 to 15 minutes for this alone.

Ask above all for Allah SWT’s pleasure, acceptance, jannah, refuge from His displeasure and hellfire.
All other minute and big things desired.
Most importantly to be included in His awliya (special friends).
Pray for the Muslims suffering around the world and betterment of the Ummah’s condition.

P.S. Each individual should do in consultation with his/her Shiekh what is practical for him her.

Also, it is essential to remember faraiz and wajibat (work,study & taking care of family) have priority over nawafil.