Category Archives: K. Fiqh

Whom to follow?

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Imam al-Ghazali and the signs of the ‘Ulama

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A considerable confusion exists among the Muslims regarding the religious leadership.

This is compounded by the plethora of religious information and instructors online.

Some people endorse scholars from a particular lineage, others from a particular ethnicity, fiqh following or no fiqh following and others look up to some families that their forefathers have been following  from centuries. Many recommend any scholar with a continuous teacher-student lineage (sanad) reaching up to our master Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace.)

However, the confusion remains.

The most beneficial information in this regards is the one being presented in the above article. It expounds on the qualities a true scholar must have.

Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Zakariyyah (Allah have mercy on him) quoted this in Fazail -e-Sadaqat, from ‘Proof-of-Islam’ Imam Ghazali’s (Allah have mercy on him) epic work Ihya al-Uloom ad-Deen, volume 1.

Realizing its benefit Mawlana Mazoor Nomani (Allah have mercy on him) published it in a seprate booklet (Ulama-e-Akhirat ki pehchan, (Urdu) Al-Furqan book depot,Nazeerabad, Lucknow).

It is fortunate that Mawlana Ismael Nakhuda khalifa of Shaykh Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki (Allah preserve them) translated and edited this for the benefit of English speaking masses. Allah reward him abundantly. Amin!

Following is a brief summary of the qualities. Careful and repeated readings of the full article in highly recommended to understand and apply this important information in our daily practical life.

1.  An ‘alim is one who does not try to acquire wealth through his learning.

2.  A true ‘alim is that there should be no contradiction between his knowledge and his practice of din.

3.  He is always concerned with such branches of knowledge that are beneficial for the hereafter and which exhort one to perform good deeds.

4.  He is least interested in the elegance of dress or delicacies of food.

5.  He (without any necessity) keeps away from sultans and rulers, and never visits them.

6.  He does not take hasty decisions when giving verdicts in religious law (fatwas) and is very careful in giving advice on religious matters.

7.  He is seriously interested in the esoteric science, in other words Suluk.

8.  His faith and belief in Allah Most High is ever increasing and they are always concerned about this — firm belief is [a believer’s] capital.

9.  Under all conditions, he should wear a true expression of being inspired with the fear of Allah Most High.

10. He is more concerned about those regulations of Islamic law which pertain to religious practices; to what is lawful and unlawful.

11.  He has studied, with deep insight, various branches of knowledge. He does not accept the opinions of others, for we are bound to follow the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and seek guidance from his sayings alone

12. He is strict and stringent in his avoidance of bid’ah (innovations).

Continue reading……………………..

Absurd Hajj

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A close murid residing in Saudi Arabia was coaxed to perform (nafil) Hajj by some friends without the permit (tasrih: the locals are allowed to perform Hajj every 5 years, provided they make arrangements with an agent and pay him for transportation, lodging, etc). Moreover, he did what the locals commonly do. They intentionally leave most of the Sunna, just focusing on the essentials (wajibat) and do whatever is most convenient to themselves. That is, no staying overnight in Mina, performing rami-e-jamarat after sunset, squatting on footpaths and roads for the time they are in Mina,  hire small buses for transportation that increase traffic congestion, pitch their own tents or stay in others tent without rental payment, etc.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) was obviously upset to know these details. He reprimanded the individual firmly and commented that’

‘This was an absurd (bay-tuka) Hajj.’

Alhudmdulillah, the tarbiyet worked. 

The murid realized and acknowledged his mistakes. He asked forgiveness from Allah and made a firm decision not to repeat these mistakes. These included,

– disregard for the law set by government.  (Permit is to ensure accountability,  establish arrangements, ease overcrowding and plan for the future.)

– causing problem to other guest of Allah, who paid for their arrangements

– leaving Sunna intentionally, an explicitly sinful action

– acting on emotional desires and enthusiasm, in place of following the Shariah ruling

-acting against the Shaykh’s established viewpoint (sayyidi wa sanadiMufti Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah preserve him) strongly approves the permit system and encourages all to stick to it.

In short the virtuous actions, even a Hajj, has to been done in an proper manner for it to be accepted by Allah and be beneficial in our islah.

This requires tarbiyet (training under supervision).

wa ma tawfiqi illa billah! 

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Regarding Tablighi Jamat

الدین النصیحہ

Instructions of Muslih al-Umma Shaykh Wasiullah (Allah have mercy on him) in particular to his associates and admirers and in general to all Muslims.

I have received information from various places and reliable sources that in some localities people are meddling with the Tablighi jamat. They neither perform  a work of deen themselves nor they allow others to do so by creating many obstacles in their task. I consider it to be a extremely bad thing that an individual neither does a work himself nor  he allows others to do so and in addition he makes so many objections on them that they are troubled and abandon the task itself.

The need of religious effort in this era is quite evident. It is vividly obvious that many people are required to do this task. It is well known that in every era there will be some servants of Allah who will serve the religion ardently and safeguard it with their soul and life. It is possible that there may be various different ways to fulfill this single purpose. Hence, in this era the truthful scholars (may Allah reward their effort) are doing this struggle to the best of their abilities.

Even if someone disagrees with a particular methodology the best thing to do is to continue working according to his own method to the best of his ability. However, he must also encourage, help and supplicate for the others working for the religion. If he comes to know about some of their lapses then wishing them well he should advise them politely.  He should neither abuse the Jamat itself nor blame their elders due to the slips of few individuals or lay people. I detest this extremely and consider it to be a source of fragmentation among Muslims.  This is not the time for such things. It is essential to make effort to create mutual love and friendship among Muslims and get rid of envy and enmity form their hearts. Mutual co-operation and unity are the stepping stone for any effective religious or secular endeavor.

It is for these reasons I instruct in general to all Muslims in particular to my associates and admirers that the should not meddle with any group  that is doing religious work (including the Tablighi jamat and others). Instead they should help and assist them. If they can not do so then they should at least supplicate for (Divine) good for them. This is because respected Mawlana Mohammad Ilyas (Allah have mercy on him) is from our elders. God-forbid, he is not an innovator or insincere individual, that his group be rejected and criticized.

As far as the issue of mistakes in the method of the newer generation is concerned it has come to my knowledge that the scholars and superiors of Jamat are aware of these. They are not negligent about these and will make effort on their own to make reformations. It should be none of of our concern to meddle with the effort of deen already taking place and unnecessarily open a new gate of calamity (fitnah) among Muslims.

In these perilous times I consider most minute of the  calamities (fitnah) to be fatal for Muslims. Therefore, I want to remain aloof from them and recommend my admires to do so. This is because the religion is to offer (beneficial) recommendation.

Halaat e Muslih al-Ummat ra,page, volume1, 376-7

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The epidemic!

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Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said:

The worst effect of committing sin is that due to the casual and careless attitude (of a sinner) a minor (saghirah) sin leads to a major (kabirah) sin and eventually to rejection of the truth (haqq). (That is, kufr).

Thus an individual should never become carefree after committing a sin. He should repent and make amendments.

Basa’ir-e-Hakeemul Ummat 532

A sin by definition is an act that displeases Allah.

How can any degree of displeasure of our Creator and Sustainer be considered to be minor, insignificant or a frivolous thing.

In our present environment we are involved in many activities that are sinful.  We observe, hear and think about  many things that are sinful. We consider them to be a normal indispensable part of our daily life.  We condone them. Most of the practicing Muslims are aware of the rulings regarding them but consider them to be trivial, insignificant and minor slips.

It must be remembered that nisbet e batini ( that is the goal of Tasawwuf: the real, strong, perpetual and mutually friendly relationship with Allah) is impossible with indulgence in any degree of sinful activity.

It is beyond common sense that any one will befriend an individual who considers the displeasure of his beloved to be insignificant, trivial and a casual thing.

At the least we must acknowledge our short comings, make repentance (isteghfara) and ask Allah for assistance in giving them up completely.

wa ma tawfiqi ila billah!

Spiritual discipline

Khawaja Farid uddin Masud  Shakar Ganj (Allah have mercy on him) (d. 1266 CE. Pakpattan) instructed his deputies (khulafa),

‘The spiritual progress lies in the discipline of the soul and the purification of inner self, and not in the mechanical performance of worship (only).

If marifat is desired, then anger, jealousy and hatred should be completely wiped out from the heart.

Religious knowledge and learning are pre-requisite  to spiritual discipline.”

Contribution of Mazahir-e-Uloom of Saharanpur to Tasawwuf, Dr Iffat Javed’s Ph.D thesis, Jamia Millia, Dehli, page 15 (edited)

Watching Television

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said in reply to a question about watching television,

‘Contemporary television (programs) are a composite of multiple sins. Almost all of the programs are such that by watching them one indulges in any of these sins. Therefore, it is impermissible to keep a television set at home. I consider it (watching TV) to be inappropriate’

Ulema bayan, Q & A, Chennai, India, 2010

The Rights of fellow humans!

Shaykh Mufti Ashiq Illahi Bulandshahri mohajir Madani (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The issue of the rights of the fellow human beings (huqooq al-‘ibad) is of great enormity.  Commonly people are negligent about them. For them religiosity is limited to salah, (long) shirt and beard.

Shaykh Sufyan Thawri (Allah have mercy on him) used to say,

‘If an individual comes on the day of Judgment with seventy disobediences of Allah it is lighter sin than arriving there with a single obligation pending for a fellow human being.’

This is because Allah is self-sufficient (as-Samad) one can expect forgiveness from Him, whereas humans are needy. Therefore, it is essential to be vigilant about these rights. It is of immense importance that one clears these dues before death. It is a stupid idea to expect forgiveness from fellow humans on that day (of Judgment). They will be in need there in a a very tight situation. They will be looking for minute gains and all will try to claim their pending dues in full.

The situation in distribution of inheritance (merath) is sinful for almost all religious individuals, self-proclaimed pirs, scholars, and  lay public. The wealth (and property) of the deceased person is not distributed as per the Shariah rulings among the inheritors. The share of the widow and orphans is engulfed by others.’

Yadgar e Saliheen, Halaat e zindagi, page 104-5

Before Going to Eid Prayer

The following acts are prescribed as Sunnah at the beginning of the day of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr before proceeding to the Eid prayer:

1. To wake up early in the morning.

2. To clean one’s teeth with a Miswaak or a brush.

3. To take a bath.

4. To put on one’s best available clothes.

5. To wear perfume.

6. To eat a sweet food, preferably dates, before the Eid prayer.

7. To recite the following Takbir in the low voice while going to the ‘Eid prayer:

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd

Source: Islamic Months by sayyidi wa sanadi db

Ashrafiya precisian: The daily wird

Points to bear in mind for the daily routine (wird) of a novice seeker.

Go slow and easy initially.
Do not exhaust yourself by fixing a routine that is beyond your limits. (Inform the Shaykh upfront of your limitations).
Make lot of prayers (dua) for ease, guidance and acceptance from Allah in this regards.

Also, it must be remembered that all these things are supererogatory (nafil). They provide assistance in fulfilling the essential actions (wajibat) to gain Allah’s pleasure. The most important of which is to abstain from all that is impermissible (sins).

Also, your duties as a sonْ/daughter, brother/sister, spouse, parent, employee at work, or student in college have priority over all these nafil activities. This means that when there is a clash between these two kind of activities precedence in given to the wajib. If there is no clash then it is highly recommended to do them diligently.

Min ifadat e murshidi

Bidah

lmam Ghazali has reported from our master Hasan Basri (Allah have mercy on them) a narrative that Satan said:

“I presented sinful deeds in an attactive form to the Muslims, but they nullified my efforts through repentance (istighfar). Then I presented before them vices in the garb of virtues, thus leaving no initiative for repentance.”

Instances of such vices are self-made innovations (bidah) in religious practices.

Vitues of Zikr, page 133

Not proper for a Believer to disgrace himself

The honorable Companion Huzaifah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“It is not proper for a Believer to disgrace himself.”

It was asked: “O  Prophet of Allah !  What is meant by this?”

The Prophet of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “To undertake something which you cannot bear.” (Tirmizi)

Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Asharf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) explains,

To assume a task beyond one’s capability is not proper for a believer . The consequence will be failure, disgrace, worry, and shame. Frustration will then overtake one.

This saying of the Prophet (hadith) covers all such acts and tasks which are beyond one’s power. In all such cases of difficulties adopt patience (sabr) and supplicate to Allah  for aid.

Hayat al-Muslimeen, chapter 10, Rights of oneself

Rights of kuffar

In his weekly islahi lecture sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) reminded us,

‘There are no circumstance under which it is permissible for individuals to take law in their own hand to punish those who commit major sins or turn apostate. It is the task of the government administration to apprehend them.

Killing non-Muslims (dhimmis) living in a Islamic country is as haram (impermissible) as murdering a fellow Muslim.

To emphasize the significance of this it is reported in a saying of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) that the peron who kills a non-Muslim (dhimmi) living in a Islamic country will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise (which is so strong that it can be smelt at a distance of 500 years).

More explicitly he (Allah bless him and give him peace) admonished the Muslims at his last Hajj, to not to become like non-Muslims killing one another.’

Teen gunah e kabirah,