The global Coronavirus pandemic, lockdown and numerous death makes us wonder if this is a sign of Allah’s wrath.
The ‘arifeen (gnostic) teaching is that in calamities a blanket statement can not be made.
Each and every individual has to reflect and see his/her own condition.
If his devotion towards Allah has increased, he is trying to give up the sinful activities, make up for the past misgivings and become a better human being then this calamity is a blessing for him in disguise.
To develop in a seeker the concern for establishment of Deen (in one’s life) and regard of permissible & impermissible is the real karamah of the Shaykh and explicit proof of his spiritual blessings and benefits.
Ashraf-us-Sawanih, v2,p28
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him) once mentioned:
Greed is the root cause of all problems. It is such an evil trait and spiritual malady that it should be regarded as the mother of all spiritual maladies. It is on account of greed that disputes and fights occur, and it is on account of greed that most of the court cases take place. If it was not for the greed of wealth, then no person would have trampled the rights of the next.
Theft and zina also stem from greed for wealth and greed for haraam passions. Evil character also originates from the same root, as the friends of Allah say that evil character stems from pride, which is the greed for recognition. Hence, even pride stems from greed.
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/146)
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
The Deen of Islam places great emphasis on assisting those in need and those undergoing difficulties. However, it is unfortunate that in today’s times, many people are totally unconcerned about assisting those in difficulty.
Some people are so miserly and self-centred that they make every arrangement for their own comfort – shoes, food, clothing, etc. – yet they have no worry or concern for whether others are dying or undergoing distress.
Some people argue and say, “How many people must we help? There are thousands of people in need and difficulty!” The answer to such people is, “Very well, you are right in saying that there are thousands of people in need and difficulty. However, if you are unable to assist all, it does not mean that you should not assist the few people you are able to assist! At least assist ten people among them!”
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) then mentioned, “Generally, these types of excuses are made by people who do not wish to do anything.”
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/163-164)
Via Ihyaauddeen-Deen
A student complained of annoying recurrent thoughts (وساوس) regarding ritual purity۔ He added that he was spending to much time in restroom and wasting lots of water. Moreover it was giving him headaches and anxiety.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) replied,
‘Its treatment is to firmly do the opposite of these thoughts. Do not give importance to them. Otherwise they will continue to annoy.
The student requested for a recitation (wazifa) to help him.
Sayyidi instructed him to recite the Prophetic prayer
اللھم اجعل وساوس قلبی خشیتک و ذکرک
And recite surah an naas (Quran chapter 114) often and blow over himself. ‘
Darul Uloom Karachi, office. 26 October 2019. After zuhar.
An individual congratulated on the award recently conferred.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) replied,
‘Please, make supplication (dua) that it is not istedraj.’
Office, Darul Uloom, Karachi, prior to zohar, 15/10/2019
A spiritual aspirant wrote, Sir! The conditions of wilting and constriction is ever increasing. Weeks and months pass by without experiencing any happiness. It looks like mind and heart are dead. There no solace either in being alone or in gatherings. I’m extremely disturbed by the vacuum and suspension in life. The work is merely for acquiring sustenance there is no aspect of interest in it at all. ……………
……. The wish for dying has not as yet developed, however, life is a burden……………
Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
‘This condition is called spiritual constriction (qabd). It happens to all (spiritual wayfarers:salikeen ). Outwardly it appears to be an affliction, however in reality it is a blessing.
Its causes are different. Sometimes it is disturbance in normal physiological (bodily) functioning or mixing (in unsuitable company) or seasonal affect or medicinal side effects or (consumption of inappropriate) food or psychological factors, or (excessive) thinking or (overwhelming) sadness or anger. All of these are treated by there opposites.
Sometimes it is due to sinful involvement. It’s treatment is abandoning the sinful and excessive repentance.
Sometimes it to elevate the spiritual status of the aspirant. That is, the deficiency in volitional good actions is compensated by forced spiritual struggle. This increases the spiritual status.
At other times it is to rectify one’s morals (ikhlaq). That is, by observing one’s imperfections there is development of humbleness and humility. This cures many blameworthy morals, like narcissism (ujub), arrogance (kibr) and hard-heartedness (qasawet), etc. .
Sometimes it is a test of love and reverence. That is to see if the individual works only when happy and experiencing enjoyment or continues with good actions when there is no experiencing at all. Because the later condition can only be due to overwhelming love and reverence.
At other times it is leads to attraction (jazb) to the sanctified realm (‘alam al quds) by removing the veils and obstacles.
And sometimes the causes are beyond descriptions.
After this prelude, there are some points of caution,
1. Sometimes various different causes are combined
2. When this (qabd) occurs it is futile to investigate and identify the reasons behind it. Moreover it is detrimental to do so. This is because there is no way to ascertain it definitely. And it will be a wasted effort.
3. The rights of all the possibilities should be fulfilled. That is (practice ) repentance, patience, thankfulness, assigning affairs to Allah (tafweez) , relying on Allah, humility, supplications, turning to Allah, excessive remembrance, being steadfast in good actions, decrease in useless affairs, involvement in activities that relax and strengthen the mind like meeting friends, interaction with spouse and children, consuming one’s favorite foods in moderation. All these must be combined in a efficient way.
4. All of these (above mentioned) activities should be done without the intention of treatment or expecting (a hastened) spiritual opening (bast) or blissful state. These are in themselves (necessary) to be done. One should be ready to be steadfast in fulfilling these rights even if this spiritual constriction prevails till the end of life.
5. Staying away as much as possible from all the astringent and worrisome affairs.
Use of these interventions meticulously, InshaAllah, will result most of the times in spontaneous (physical/tabaii) spiritual opening and for sure in intellectual (‘aqli) spiritual opening.
If there is suspicion of relapse then as per ان عدتم عدنا be ready. Like an individual who get a seasonal fever (every year). He doesn’t despair. He just renews the prescription again (for use).
Tarbiyet-us-salik , volume 3, p 186-8
Shaykh Ahmed Zarruq (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘The beginning of each sin is a random thought (khatrah).
It should be fought with loathing (karahah).
Otherwise it becomes a (recurring) opposition (mu’aradah). Here it should be met with aversion otherwise it becomes a (repeated) whispering (waswasa). Here it should be resisted with great effort (mujahida). Otherwise it becomes lust (shahwah) accompanied by capricious desire (hawa). Here all reason, knowledge and understanding will be obliterated and he will become to weak to save himself from sinking in to the bottomless pit of sin and crime.’
Ahmad Zarruq, p291
Shaykh Ahmed Zarruq (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Although the traveler (salik) must be more cautious after returning to sin he must not give up and despair. After every return, even a thousand time, he must renew his intention to repent.
If the Devil argues: “What is use of a repentance following a repetition of the sin?”, he must be answered, “Just as we made the sin’s repetition a habit, we make the repetition of repentance a habit too. ‘
Ahmad Zarruq, p282
Shaykh Ahmed Zarruq (Allah have mercy on him) said,
Repentance means returning to the Truth (haqq) and abandoning whatever displeases Allah.
It is entering into the purely and saintly life by ceasing once and for all wrong actions and thoughts and making a strong resolution not to return to sin.
For this traveler (salik) should shun source of sin in place or time (or individuals that facilitate sinful activities).
Ahmad Zarruq, p280-1
Shaykh Ziauddin Abu Najeeb Soharwardi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘The (main) worship of the spiritual aspirant (faqir) is fighting back the thoughts (khawatir) inciting to sinful action.’
Adaab ul murideen, p51
Shaykh Ziauddin Abu Najeeb Soharwardi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Being lazy in repentance from a sinful action is worst than committing that action.’
Adaab ul murideen, p48
Shaykh Ziauddin Abu Najeeb Soharwardi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘It is reported that an individual who can not benefit (others) by his silence his speech cannot be beneficial (to others) either.’
Adaab ul murideen, p42
Shaykh Ziauddin Abu Najeeb Soharwardi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘It is the practice of the Sufis that they do not talk about an issue until they are asked to do so. Even then they reply according to the inquirer’s acumen.’
Adaab ul murideen, p41
Moreover, Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) adds that before replying they turn to Allah asking for the most suitable answer for this individual.
