Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) said,
‘The most unforgettable reality that we forget most is that every moment we are getting closer to the Day when all our deeds will be recompensed.’
Twitter: Sheikh’s official tweeter account
Hocapasa, Istanbul TR
A seeker wrote,
Sometimes my spouse insists that I wear cologne and do not wear cap at least while at home.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) replied,
‘This is also permissible.
Moreover, (intention of) making your wife happy will be rewarding.
It is okay to be without cap for sometime at home. However, the normal practice should be of using it (most of the time).
Islahi Khatoot
A seeker wrote in his monthly islahi correspondence,
The daily routine for recitation of one juz of Quran can not be completed (these days). Only half or three quarters is read. Moreover, when this is also not possible I recite Surah al Ikhlas hundred times.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) replied,
‘This is also sufficient. All praise is for Allah that the daily routine is being carried out with consistency.’
Islahi Khatoot
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
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
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
A seeker wrote,
I excessively desire to be in your company (suhba) as much as possible.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) replied,
‘After asr (salah) when I am in Karachi call and visit me whenever you want. If this is not possible than attending the weekly gathering (majlis) and (regular) correspondece are sufficient (alternative for excessive suhba).’
Islahi khatoot
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
A seeker living abroad for his medical training wrote,
The travelling expenses for visiting home will be around three thousand dollars (a substantial amount for a foreign trainee in mid 1990’s). Would it be appropriate to spend so much money on myself?
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect him) replied,
‘Assess your financial capacity (for spending). If no major necessity is affected and you do not have to draw loan then (be aware that) money is for providing happiness and comfort to one’s self and family. Moreover, making parents happy (by visiting them) is a reward-able action.’
Islahi khatoot
A seeker wrote,
I am not even aware of the method of seeking islah effectively.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect him) replied,
‘Read about the praise-worthy (fadhail) and blame-worthy (razail) morals from Maasir al Hakim al Ummat or Tabligh-e-Deen (of Imam Ghazali, Allah have mercy on him). Then do your own analysis (are they present or lacking in my character). Wherever you have suspicion ask about it. This is the effective way of seeking islah.’
Islahi khatoot
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
A seeker wrote,
‘I find supplications (dua) uninteresting while raising the hands after salah. I usually make a very brief dua and finish it hurriedly.’
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) replied.
“This is also a (spiritual) state.
However, at least after one of the salah, in spite of being uninterested, make it a habit of supplicating properly.
If you are distracted then force yourself to do so. In any case supplicate for a period of time and then finish.
Moreover, if you schedule in advance that after one of the five salah you will supplicate for your family, after another for friends, etc. etc. then it is hoped that you will find making dua interesting.”
Islahi khutoot
Hakimau
Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) recommended following tips for waking up early;
1. Eating less at dinner
2. Eating dinner earlier (ideally before esha)
3. Drinking less water (in evening)
4. Reciting the last 4 veses of surah Kahaf (18:107-110) once (at bed-time).
Basair Hakeemul Ummat page 562
Also, to have a sincere intention for this and make dua (prayer) asking for Allah’s help to arise at the specific intended time.
Set multiple alarms. One of them in a loud table clock kept at a distance from bed. This is to ensure that you have to get out of the bed to switch it off.
wAllah-ul musta’an
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
A spiritual aspirant missed writing bismillah (In the name of Allah) at the beginning of his islahi letter.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) corrected him,
‘Write Bismillah at the beginning of the letter or 786 (when without wudhu) and recite bismillah.’
Islahi khutoot
* bismillah is a verse of Holy Quran. It must not be touched without being in state of wudhu