Category Archives: H. Whispering & random thoughts

wasawis and khatrat

یکسوئی کے اقسام

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حال: بوجہ کمزوری دماغ بموجب حکم حضور بعد تہجد بارہ تسبیح بلا ضرب کے آہستہ کہ معمول ہے، مگر بوقت ذکر یکسوئی نہیں ہوتی۔

 

تحقیق حکیم الامت مولانا اشرف علی تھانوی رحمۃ اللہ علیہ: یکسوئی نہ ہونے کی جو شکایت لکھی ہے (اس کا علاج یہ ہے کہ) اپنی طرف سے دوسرے خیالات کا استحضار نہ کیا جاوے، اگر اس پر بھی یکسوئی نہ ہو تو مضر نہیں۔

 

جس یکسوئی کا نہ ہونا مضر ہے وہ یکسوئی اعتقادی ہے، ایسے یکسو کو حنیف کہتے ہیں۔ اس کی تحصیل واجب ہے، اور اختیاری ہے۔

 

باقی خیالی یکسوئی وہ نہ اختیاری ہے نہ واجب اور نہ اس کا عدم مضر ہے۔

 

اس بات کو خوب یاد رکھنا چاہیۓ۔

اس کے نہ جاننے سے بہت لوگ پریشان ہیں۔

 

تربیت السالک، جلد 1، ص518

Tafwidh

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Tafwidh is to assign one’s all affairs to Allah.

Allah may do with one as He desires.

One’s aspiration and hope should be on none besides Allah. In addition to employing the means and the methods, the result of all things should be left to Allah.

Tafwid is accquired by immediately reflecting when being confronted with an event which is in conflict with one’s liking that this is from Allah and most assuredly there is wisdom and goodness in it.

In the beginning it will be difficult to acquire this attitude. However, constant reflection facilitates it and then this attitude assumes a natural condition in the Pious (Auliyaa).

Shariat wa Tasawwuf, Mawlana Masihullah Khan ra

اصل مقصود و تبلیغ

 

احمد تو عاشقی بمشیخیت ترا چہ کار

دیوانہ باش سلسلہ شد شد نشد نشد

 

(مجمع بڑھانے کی کوشش) فضول تو اسی درجہ میں ہے جب کہ

 اس سےضروریات و معمولات میں خلل نہ ہو، اگر اس کی بھی نوبت

آنے لگے تو پھر سدراہ ہے۔

 

لوگ کہتے ہیں کہ ہماری نیت تو مخلوق کی ہدایت ہے،

سو یاد رکھو کہ

 اصل مقصود اپنا وصول الی اللہ ہے،

 دوسروں کا ایصال بھی اسی لئے مطلوب ہے کہ

 اس کے ذریعہ سے ہم کو بھی وصول تام ہو جاۓ،

حق تعالی راضی ہوجائیں۔

 ورنہ ایصال خلق خود بالذات مطلوب نہیں، خصوص جبکہ

مخل وصول ہونے لگے۔

 پس اصلی کوشش اپنے وصول کے لئے کرنا۔

 

البتہ بدون کاوش اور گھیر گھار کے کوئی طالب آجاۓ اور

اس کی طلب بھی محقق ہوجاۓ

 تو اس کی خدمت کردینے کا بھی مضائقہ نہیں، بلکہ طاعت ہے۔

 

باقی یہ کیا واہیات ہے کہ ساری کوشش سلسلہ بڑھانے ہی

کے لئے کی جاتی ہے اور

 اپنے وصول کی فکر نہیں۔

 

وعظ: الوصل وہلفصل، خطبات حکیم الامت رح، جلد 15/ص 192

Time to serve!

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An individual reported sudden passing away of her mother. She expressed her sorrow on the inability to provide any service to her during her life, especially that done during the old age and terminal illlness.

Shaykh al-mashaikh Nawab Eshrat Ali Khan Qaiser (Allah preserve him) consoled her and instructed,

‘The time to serve her has just started, indeed.’

That is, by making supplications (dua) and esal e thawab (i.e. forwarding the reward of good action to the deceased) .

Reported by daughter of Mrs. Sawlat S (Allah have mercy on her).

یہ گناہ صغیرہ ہے یا کبیرہ ؟

 fire

سیدی و سندی حضرت مولانا محمد تقی عثمانی صاحب مدظلہم العالی نے فرمایا ،

 

(گناہ) صغیرہ اس وقت تک صغیرہ ہے جب تک آدمی اتفاقا” کبھی ایسا کام کرلے اور اگر اس کو عادت بنالے اور اس پر اصرار کرے تو پھر وہ صغیرہ بھی کبیرہ ہوگا، نیز اگر گناہ کو معمولی سمجھ کر کرے تو بھی کبیرہ کہا ہے، اس لئے کہ اللہ جل شانہ کی نافرمانی چاہے چھوٹی چیز میں ہو یا بڑی چیز میں ہو، ہے تو نافرمانی۔ اب اگر کوئی اس نافرمانی کو معمولی سمجھ کر نظرانداز کرے تو یہ استھانت اور استخفاف ہے اس لئے گناہ کبیرہ ہے۔

 

 لہذا اس چکر میں مت پڑنا کہ بھائی یہ صغیرہ ہے چلو کرگزرو۔

 

حضرت حکیم الامت حضرت تھانوی رحمۃ اللہ علیہ صغیرہ و کبیرہ کی مثال دیتے ہیں کہ جیسے چنگاری اور بڑا شعلہ، دونوں آگ ہیں، کیا کوئی شخص یہ سمجھ کر کہ یہ چھوٹی سی چنگاری ہے اپنی الماری میں رکھ لے گا، ایسا کوئی نہیں کرے گا، اس لئے کہ اگر رکھے گا تو جلادے گی۔

 

اس لئے جو کہا گیا ہے کہ روزہ، نماز، صغیرہ (گناہ) کے لئے کفارہ بن جاتے ہیں، اس سے کبھی یہ مت سمجھنا کہ یہ معمولی چیز ہے، لہذا کر گزرو۔ یہ کفارہ اس وقت بنتے ہیں جبکہ اتفاقا” بھول چوک سے سرزد ہوجاۓ، لیکن باقاعدہ مقصد بنا کر، ارادہ کر کے، اسے معمولی سمجھ کر کرتا ہے تو یہ کبیرہ ہی کہ حکم میں ہے۔

 

اللہ تعالی اپنی مدد اور نصرت سے محفوظ فرماۓ۔ آمین!

 

انعام الباری، جلد 3، ص 277

The absolute following of the Shaykh

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The issue of complete and unquestionable following of the Shaykh is usually described in such a dreadful manner that makes most of the listeners wary of Tasawwuf in general. This is very detrimental especially in this era of religious ignorance and arrogance. Below is an extract explaining the reality of this following.

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

“This following is neither in beliefs (aqaid) nor in unveiling (kashafiyat), other collective issues (masail) and economic matters. It is only in methods of approach, diagnosis, instructions and treatment of spiritual diseases and issues related to spiritual reformation. Moreover,this following is further restricted to the mutual agreement of murid and the Shaykh on the permissibility of the issue. If there is a difference of opinion then it is against the way of people of the path (tareeq) to indulge in a debate with the Shaykh, when following his advice will be against the Shariah ruling. In this situation the best etiquette (adab) between the two proprieties (adab of Shariah and Shaykh) is to consult the scholars or do research of his own (if he is capable of it) and establish a ruling. He should then inform the Shaykh that I do not consider this particular action to be permissible and it is from the teaching of our path (silsila), what should I do? If the Shaykh still instructs him to do the same then it is best to abandon this Shaykh. However, if he gives the permission to forgo this action then this is also following his instruction in proxy.

This is the meaning of absolute following (itiba’ e kamil).

That is, complete following (of the Shaykh) must be done in whatever diseases of the lower self (nafs) he has diagnosed, the prescription he has provided and the permissible actions he has instructed to carry out, the permissibility of which Shaykh and murid agree mutually upon. Murid should not interfere in these issues at all with his opinions. It does not entail following in matters beside these issues.

Mawlana Abdul Majid Dayabadi ra’s book, Hakim al-Umma ra, page 304, quote taken from Al-‘Itedal fi matba’t ar-Rijal

Using Time appropriately

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Yesterday a former student asked sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) for some advice (nasiha). 

The Shaykh told him:

“Recognize the importance of time.  That it is an invaluable wealth.  Spend it very wisely and precisely in virtuous actions.”

Next day while the Shaykh was sitting in Masjid al-Haraam facing the holy Kab’a (‘s Rukun-e-Yamani) an individual requested some elaboration on this advice. That is, as how to practically incorporate it in to one’s daily life.

Obviously pleased on the question, Shaykh replied;

“Firstly one has to recognize the importance of time per se.

Secondly, one has to organize one’s schedule to fully maximize the benefit of available time, such that not a single moment is wasted. Being wasted meaning that it is not utilized appropriately even for a worldly purpose, may it be sleeping or moderate lawful entertainment or being busy in helping another fulfill his essential obligations, etc.

Wasting time includes indulging in activities having no benefit for this life or here-after (akhira).”

The Shaykh continued:

“Develop the habit of planning.

That is, plan for the future.

If I was to get 5 or 10 minutes break between my tasks how will I spend it?

For example, while commuting to work.

Think and decide in advance.

How I am going to spend these 15 minutes besides doing the driving?

Only if one has thought of these in advance he will be able to utilize this time appropriately.

My father (Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Hazrat Mawala Mohammad Shafi’i ra) used to inform us that, “Even the time I spent in toilet I try to make use of it. If there is nothing else I scrub and clean the water jug (lota) kept in there.”

All praise to Allah, due to his training I also try to enact on this advice. When I come home from my classes I know there will be at least a 5 minute interval before the lunch is served. I have planned in advance the use of this time. Such as, to return someone’s telephone call, etc.

When a person develops this habit of utilizing the time precisely, Allah facilitates immense actions for him and also puts blessing (barakh) in time. (That is, in short duration a lot is achieved.)

Remember, heedlessness (gaflah) is a bane!”

Makkah e mukarramah, November, 7th 2005

The objective of sulook

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Khawaja Mohammad Ma’soom Sirhindi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

The objective of travelling on the path (sulook) is not to become a Shaykh and accept murid.  In fact its aim is to fulfil the duties of slave-hood (abdiyet) without the involvement and resistance of the lower self (nafs).

Tohfa tush Shuyukh, page 49

Leisure of heart

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A senior spiritual aspirant wrote,

I was pondering how the leisure of heart (faraghet e qalbi)  can be obtained.  This thought came to me that whatever discussion or action is not essential to avoid looking into it, listening and thinking about it. This is irrespective of it being from the past or related to the future.

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

‘May Allah give barakah in your comprehension abilities (faham). This is it.’

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 739

When in trouble?

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him and allow us to benefit from him abundantly, Ameen) said:

“When in trouble or in a perplexing situation immediately repent (make tauba) before asking Allah for help & assistance.

There are definitely many sins we are not even aware of committing. Moreover, our worship itself is full of faults. Repenting from all these is a must.

An aftermath of sin (ma’seyat) is that it causes your decision making abilities to become cloudy/muddy. You forget things and make wrong judgements. Repentance will remove these and making your thinking and decision making clearer.”

Waaz 26th June 2005, Darul Uloom Karachi

Levels of khushoo

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A novice murid wrote his condition:
‘In namaz for khushoo I concentrate on the wordings of the recitation (as instructed). For zikr and tilawat, should I do similarly or concentrate on the meanings?’

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Amin) replied:
“It is best on both, if possible. Otherwise which ever is achievable.”

Trying his best to do as instructed after some considerable time the same individual wrote:

‘In zikr and namaz instead of concentrating on words and meaning I get focused on a thought as though Allah is present and He is watching me. Sometimes this thought is strong and at others it is weak. Is this thinking appropriate for me? Also if I voluntary try and keep this thought I can not concentrate on words and meanings.’

Shaykh said:
“Concentrating on words and meanings are a stepping stone and are for the purpose of creating this focusing that Allah is present and He is watching. All praise is for Allah, progress up the stairs occurred. Whatever excessive thankfulness (to Allah) is done for this blessing can not be enough.
Allah increase it manifolds.”

Islahi khutoot

Tips to Alleviate Hardships

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Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Actions that diminish sufferings and hardships include:
– Recalling your transgressions (sin)
– Reminding yourself of the reward/compensation on hardships
– Reflecting that in hardship there is test of  faith(’eman). That is, it analyzes if there is faith present or not.
– Remembering, it causes a state of overwhelming slave-hood (abdiyat). The dirt of self-assertion, arrogance and pride is cleansed. The reality of one’s being is revealed and the person realizes not to make any boastful claims.
– Bringing to mind that it causes one to perceive the supremacy and grandeur of Allah’s actions and one’s own feebleness.

Hence, hardships result in increasing slave hood(abdiyat).
And the abdiyat is a very distinguished state (maqam).”

Ma’asir Hakeemul Ummat, page 390-1

North Myrtle Beach, SC

Errors to Avoid in Dua!

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Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote in the preface of the book Munajat-e-maqbool,

“In case of dua (supplication) few errors are taking place. That are;

1. To supplicate (dua) only when faced by an adversity.

2. And on these occasions instead of using the supplications told to us by Allah and holy Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him), we go for new and innovative litanies (wazaaif).

3. To supplicate without true yearning, devotion and concentration.

4. To lack the conviction and aspiration that the supplication will be accepted for sure.

5. To make haste and expect immediate response.

If there is delay in its acceptance to be disheartened and abandon making dua.”

Munajat-e-maqbool, page 3-4

Kissimmee, FL

Two Steps to Success

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said:

Two things are always to be done actively in every endeavor.

Firstly take the initiative and start working and secondly beseech Allah for its successful completion.

These two things are to be done for all things during your whole life and inshaAllah, you will succeed.

My Shaykh (Arifbillah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi ra) used to tell us, “Talk to Allah”.

Tell Him, “O Allah! I was involved in all these bad deeds, now I have taken the step to reform. Some of the sins I gave up but giving up the rest of them is becoming difficult for me due to the overpowering by my lower-self (nafs), shaytan, environment and my circumstances.

You alone can remove these overwhelming factors. It is not within my capability to do so. O Allah! Please, remove these crushing obstacles or else do not reprimand me in hereafter regarding them.”

Talk to Allah like this. Then you will find out how things work up for the best and how you are saved from the sins by Allah.

(Help comes after initiating the action: Islahi Khutbat 139-141/volume 11)

Kissimmee, FL