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Category Archives: H. Whispering & random thoughts
Dowazdah tasbih in Ramadan
A seeker inquired,
In Ramadan I recite the dowazdah tasbih as per my regular routine after fajar/tahajjud. Is it okay to do so? The restrictions of not doing it on a full stomach or after drinking cold water (for an hour prior) do they apply here also?
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve and protect him) replied,
‘No they do not apply here. Do as your regular routine.’
Office, Darul uloom Karachi 10 Ramadan 1436/28 June 2015. After zohar.
Vacation: How to spend it?
One of our readers, a graduate student, asked,
How should an individual spend his Ramadan and summer vacations ???
1) Going with Tabligi Jammat for 10-15 days
2) Performing eitakaf (seclusion in mosque for the last 10 days of Ramadhan)
3) Studying the translation and tasfir of Quran e Kareem from a scholar
4) Going to a khanqah to learn how to do remembrance of Allah (dhikr)
5) Get training of Jihad in order to be prepared if a need arises.
6) Not going anywhere. The student gives full attention to his studies. He stays at home and does whatever good deeds that are possible for him
Waiting patiently for your answer … as I am so confused regarding these things
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The following (edited) response is being shared with intention that it will, inshaAllah, benefits others.
Please, remember that each and every person is an individual with his unique state of mind, preferneces, working stlyle, emotions, ancestral-cultural-regional-religious heritage, intellectual-educational-experiential aptitude, involvements, duties, obligations, expectations from family etc etc. Therefore, no single activity from the ones you mentioned can suit all. It is for this reason it is recommended to consult an older, experienced and pious person who knows about you in detail to recommend what is best for you.
I am not aware of your present condition in detail so it will be very difficult for me to recommend anything specific. However, I will mention the pros and cons of each and then you can decide.
1) Going with Tabligi Jammat for 10-15 days
This is the best way for individuals who are very new to deen, un- or moderately educated, living in areas without access to scholars and sufi masters.
2) Performing eitakaf
This is for moderate and advanced seekers. These are individual who have disciplined themselves to an extent and can manage their time effectively and benefit from the solitude. Otherwise people just hang around wasting time.
3) Studying the translation and tasfir of Quran e Kareem from a scholar
More important than this is the basic knowledge of aqaid and everyday fiqh. Beliefs and rulings regarding the correct way of offering our worship. Equally important is tajweed of Quran e kareem. That is reading Quran e kareem with the correct pronunciation. It is the Kalam of Allah, it has to be recited in the way it was revealed. Sadly 99% of Pakistani Muslims read it in Urdu. This is a major sin.
A person who has done these three basic things (aqaid, fiqh & tajweed) then he/she can proceed to study of Quran e kareem’s translation and Hadith sahreef.
4) Going to a khanqah to learn how to do remembrance of Allah (dhikr)
This is a misconception. Khanqah are like inpatient medical facilities where those with spiritiual sickness come for treatment. Zikr in specific ways may be a part of the treatment plan. But it is not the sole objective of staying there.
One has to make sure that it is a genuine khanqah. Not a dargah, where saint or grave worship is done. Also, the Shaykh must be competent spiritual physician and not a hereditary parasite trading in the name of his pious ancestors. And the patient himself must be aware of how to seek and follow instructions given to him.
5) Get training of Jihad in order to be prepared if a need arises.
This is the biggest fitna of our era. A major distraction for the youth.
Without jihad e akbar, that is rectifying your inner morals/ikhlaq, jihad e asghar (physical combat) can never be effective.
In the whole Makkan period of the life of our master Prophet Mohammed (Allah bless him and grant him peace) there was no order of physical jihad. Only spiritual struggle was required.
Also, most of the contemporary jihadi groups are with dubious ‘aqaid, fiqh following & politico-economic affiliations.
It is best to avoid all contact with them.
6) Not going anywhere. The student gives full attention to his studies. He stays at home and does whatever good deeds that are possible for him
This is is the best option. Provided that you use your time effectively and do not waste it, especially on internet, TV, and other impermissible (haram) activities.
Such a person should remain in contact with a spiritual mentor and get advice from him regarding how to spend his time.
was salam
Daily recitations: way to progress
We have to remind ourself that consistency of daily ma’molaat (wird) is the way to spiritual progress.
Being lax in performing them usually results in deterioration.
At any given moment there is either increase or decrease in one’s spirituality. There is no steady or stationary state that one may become content with. No just hanging around!
The pious masters of the path have said that death is better for a salik who is not progressing.
Dhikullah: various forms
A seeker wrote,
All praise is for Allah. I am (regularly) reciting the five tasbihat instructed by you after Fajr salah. I want to do some dhikr (remembrance of Allah) also.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) replied,
‘Those tasbihat are also (a form of) dhikr.
However, if you have time available (in your daily schedule) then start dowazdah tasbih in low audible voice. If you are not aware of its method then (come and) learn it verbally.’
Islahi Khatoot
Dhikr in salah
A seeker wrote,
In salah that are offered silently (in congregation) previously I used to recite Surah al Fatiha in my mind to maintain concentration. However, now I do not find this interesting and want to do the dhikr Allah Allah in my mind. Is this appropriate?
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) replied,
‘No.
Contemplating about Surah al Fatiha is more appropriate.
However, (it is okay) if the dhikr Allah Allah flows out (in your mind) without your control (ikhteyar).’
Islahi Khatoot
Achievement and its awareness
A seeker wrote,
As per your instruction I do not look towards the states (kaifiyat) and results (summerat) (of spiritual works being carried out). However, I desire that I achieve an iota of piety (taqwa) and a strong perpetual connection with Allah (nisbet).
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) replied,
“Do you desire these achievements or the awareness of having achieved these?
The first desire is appropriate, whereas, the latter inappropriate (for a sincere seeker).’
Islahi Khatoot
القول العزیز رح
Progress: The signposts
The seeker continued,
All praise is for Allah. It is Allah’s beneficence. With your blessed company, instructions and attention I have an idea of the required standard of religiosity and awareness of Allah (taqwa) for a seeker. (Sadly) this lowly writer is devoid of an iota of it.
Allah save me from not being thankful.
Because of you the saying of Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) stays afresh in mind that (paraphrased)
We have seen real men. No cattle can fool us by claiming to be human.
I feel ashamed telling others about my relationship with you. This is because that by seeing my poor condition they may form a unbecoming opinion about you and are thus barred from benefiting from you. How insignificant am I and (all of) my opinions! Indeed, the opinion of a sick individual is also a sick- opinion.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) replied,
‘All of the above are reflective of sound understanding (of the path). Their experiential understanding and tasting is required (in this path). They, insha Allah, are signposts telling us that the path is being covered.’
Islahi Khatoot
Morals: assessing the achievement
A seeker wrote.
(It seems as though that) awareness of Allah (taqwa) and sincerity (ikhlas) have not brushed past me.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect him) replied,
‘If another individual said this to you would you be offended? Answer truthfully!’
In the next letter seeker wrote,
I am not sure how to answer this vividly. However, I know that if I feel offended it will proof without doubt that awareness of Allah (taqwa) and sincerity (ikhlas) have not touched me.
Sayyidi wa sanadi replied,
‘All praise is for Allah!
I am pleased by this response.
May Allah further increase (your) knowledge and understanding. Amin!’
……….
Islahi Khatoot
Sheikh’s love, reverence and spiritual congeniality
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect him) wrote in reply to a seeker’s question,
‘The greater the spontaneous (t’abai) love and reverence of Sheikh the better and most beneficial it is. However, they are not the absolute criteria.
The logical (aqli) love and reverence plus spontaneous spiritual congeniality (munasbet) are the essential criteria (to benefit spiritually from the Sheikh).
That is, intellectually one should have firm conviction that for my reformation (islah) my Sheikh is the most appropriate.
The spontaneous spiritual congeniality (munasbet) means that instructions given by the Sheikh are usually easily accepted by mind (qalb) and thoughts of objections do not arise. Except on rare occasions.
If the logical love and reverence, and spontaneous spiritual congeniality are lacking then spiritual benefit is in fact impossible. In this case the seeker must look at other places (for a new Sheikh) where he feels the logical love and reverence, and spontaneous spiritual congeniality. He should inform his initial Sheikh and establish a contact with the new Sheikh. There is no disrespect (bay–adabi) in doing so.
Act on this very important issue after understanding it thoroughly. Do not hesitate to ask again if any doubts remain.’
The seeker replied,
All praise is for Allah, by His blessing I find logical love and reverence, and spontaneous spiritual congeniality with you in me.
Sayyidi wa sanadi replied,
‘If at any time these do not remain then informing me without any reservations is imperative. Insha Allah I will not be even slightly upset on this.’
Islahi khatoot
Interest in daily good works
A seeker wrote,
For the previous few days a strange state is felt. I do not find any of (the daily) actions interesting.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect him) replied,
‘It is not necessary to have spontaneous interest (in the good actions done). Try and keep your self engrossed in them.
The seeker added.
I try to keep my self involved (in these actions) but I am unsuccessful (in developing interest).
Sayyidi wa sanadi instructed,
‘This effort is essential (as it is the spiritual struggle). Success is nonessential.
The seeker further added,
All the daily good works (ma’molaat) are done as a routine habit.
Sayyidi wa sanadi corrected him,
‘Is this routine habit something repugnant?’
Islahi khatoot
Murid?
A seeker who was in regular islahi relationship for few years wrote,
Frequently people ask me that are you a murid (disciple) of Hazrat. How should I respond?
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied,
‘What is the need to get into the discussion of lexicon and titles?
Tell them that I seek advice from him in religious matters.’
Islahi khatoot
Spiritual tinnitus?
A seeker wrote,
A new development is an echoing noise heard all the time in the ears.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied,
‘What is this (useless) affair you are getting involved in?
One should not pay significant attention to these kinds of things.’
Islahi khutoot
Suspicion: The biggest lie!
Our master Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him), said,
“Beware of (bad)opinion.
(Bad)opinion is the most lying form of speech.
Do not deceive one another
nor envy one another
nor hate one another
nor compete with one another excessively (for worldly gains)
nor shun (avoid, ignore) one another.
Rather be the slaves of Allah as brothers.”
The things mentioned in this Hadith are those which tarnish relationships by creating hatred and enmity in the hearts.
The Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) first mentioned (the disease of) having (baseless) bad opinion about others. This is a kind of false delusion. The situation of one who is afflicted with this disease is such that if he has the slightest disagreement with someone, he considers all of their actions to be based on evil intentions. Based on this baseless bad opinion about them, he additionally associates other non-existing bad things to them. The natural reaction to this is that his behaviour towards them is also affected by this. Thereafter there is some reaction from others as well. Hearts break apart due to this, and relationships become stained permanently.
The Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) has called bad-gumani (having bad opinion about others) as the most untrue speech. Apparently it means that lying by tongue is known to everyone as a big sin, but people don’t normally consider having (baseless) bad opinion about others as being a grave sin. Rasulullah (sallalahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has informed us that having (baseless) bad opinion about others is the biggest lie, and this sin of the heart is not less grave than the sin of lying by tongue.
Just like the evilness of having (baseless) bad opinion about others has been mentioned in this Hadith, similarly having good opinion of others has been called the best form of worship in another Hadith. It is stated that “Having good opinion of others is a part of good worship).
After bad-gumani (having (baseless) bad opinion about others), among the other things Rasulullah (sallalahu ‘alaihi wasallam) forbade us is not to deceive each other, and if we see someone in a good state we should not wish bad for him. And we should not shun (avoid, ignore) each other. The case with all these is that these things sow the seed of hatred and enmity in hearts. And the love, sympathy, brotherhood and unity that is expected and desired from our Iman-based relationship with other Muslims becomes impossible.
In the end the Hadith says: “Rather be the slaves of Allah as brothers”. There is an indication in these words that only when you keep your hearts clean from the above-mentioned evil qualities can you truly live as brothers.
Source: Baab Al-Shahnaa’, Hadith Number 410, Adab Al-Mufrad of Imam Bukhari (r.a.) with Urdu Translation and Explanation of Maulana Muhammad Khalid Khan Garhi (student of Maulana Ashiq Ilahi Muhajir Madani Rahimahullah)
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