Category Archives: N. Advice

Guidance

The pious Gnostic (‘arif)  swear by Allah that acceptance of guidance is neither achieved by intelligent argumentation nor via thorough research. Neither can one thrust it forcefully nor passionately upon another.

It is the light of guidance itself from Allah that illuminates the heart. The doubts cease and truth is manifested. It is an act of mercy, kindness and benevolence from Almighty Allah.

Supplications play a vital role in facilitation of this. Therefore, one should not be neglectful of making excessive dua. This is asking, showing one’s need, reliance and humility to Allah.

Setting priorities

 

The initial instruction given to the seekers by the khalifa of Hakim al-Umma Shaikh Mawlana Shah Asadullah (Allah have mercy on them) have been published in ‘Asa’ad ut-Talibeen’.  

They include;

Completion of qaza salah and fasts, performance of the fardh Hajj and emphasis on payment of zakah.

Moreover, abstaining completely from back-biting (ghiba), foul language, loose talking and purposeless interminlgling with others.

Reading the books of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him).

Performing each salah meticluously in first row with the opening takbir along the Imam’s.

The following issues were especially instructed,

1. Keep the dealings (with others) very clear.

2. Do not cause any discomfort and harm to others

3. Do not interfere in the matters of others unnecessarily.

4. Take account of yourself (nafs) daily. Be thankful for the good deeds and repent on the mistakes.

5. Never ever be satisifed with yourself (nafs). Always watch over your outward and inner actions.

6. Follow the instructions given and the ma’amolaat.

7. Keep (the Shaikh) updated about your state and condition.’

Akse-Jameel ra, page 201-2

Company of the pious

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

‘This is known from experience that the companionship of pious is the root cause of all religiosity.

The company of the pious is most superior from all the sources of achieving the reality, the sweet savoring and the majesty of religion.’

Hayyatul Muslimeen, via Uswa-e-Rasool-e-akram (صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم), page 207-8

Giving charity

Shaikh Ahmad Kabir al-Rifa’i (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Giving money in charity is superior to physical worship and other supererogatory acts of devotion.’

Hakim al-Umma Shaikh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) commented that this superiority is because charity benefits many individuals (whereas physical worship is beneficial to the doer alone) and also giving money is vexatious for nafs.

Aqwal e Sufiya, page 83

Focus on others or self?

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Focusing on the defects of others makes an individual incognizant of his own deficiencies.

All are ready to criticize others and find the faults. But never ever pay any attention to their own defects.

Today we should analyze this attitude of ours. That is, when we are criticizing others does a feeling of self appraisal arise in us. Do we ponder about our deficiencies?

If we do then why don’t we try to get rid of them.’

Mojudah halaat aur hamari zimaydari

 

Reading classic text without Shaykh’s permission

Shaikh Abdul Qudoos Gangohi [d. 944 Hijri/1537 CE] (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Qutub e ‘Alam Sultan al-Mashaikh Khawaja Nizamuddin Awliya came to know that Shaikh Naseer uddin Chirag Dehlavi (Allah have mercy on them) is reading a book authored by Shaikh Dhunun Misri (Allah have mercy on him). He called him and informed him that this had come to his knowledge and it was his instruction not to do so. The reason being that when you read about the pious predecessors and do not find some of their attributes in your Shaikh the Satan finds a way to sow the seed of contention. Moreover, he creates doubts about your Shaikh in your heart (and mind). This dissipates the effort (of islah & sulook).

The point to pay attention attention in this incident is that he forbade reading such text for Qutub e ‘Alam Shaikh Naseer uddin Chirag Dehlavi (Allah have mercy on them) in spite the fact that he was perfect (kamil) and truthful (sadiq), and truthful can not be misguided by Satan. This forbidding was an admonition for the others.’

Maktubat e Qudusiya, # 89, page 331

Leaving argumentation

The Prophet of Allah (blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) said,

‘An individual who is on untruth but abandons argumentation and squabbling (by accepting the truth) for him a house will be constructed in the periphery of the Paradise. Whereas, for the individual who is on truth but abandons confrontation and argumentation (He acknowledges that the opponent is not accepting, the time is being wasted and he is fears possibility of blameworthy morals to be be stirred in his nafs) a house will be constructed in the center of the Paradise. (That is certainly superior to the one located in the periphery.) And for the individual who has the best morals a house will be constructed in superior most part of the Paradise.

This is reported in (Sunan e) Tirmizi.

It has been observed that most of the pious in spite of being on truth circumvent the contentious issues and prefer to remain silent when someone squabbles or confronts them. The rationale for this is referred in the Prophetic saying (hadith) translated above.

This attitude (of leaving all argumentation) appears to be desired (characteristic ) as per this hadith.’

Basair e Hakimul Ummat ra, page 577-8

Apathetic murid

Sayyadi wa sanadi Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Previously it was well known that two individuals seldom slept at night. One is the newlywed. The other is a new disciple (murid). However, the situation has changed for the murid with a very few exceptions.

Apathy is common. Yearning and desire to progress is totally lacking.  Completing the daily basic wird is a humongous unsuccessful challenge even after years of relationship with the mentor. This is a common complaint in their islahi letters. What can be done in this regards? No one can do what you have to do yourself. There are no magic potions, amulets or invocations to facilitate this.

Even senior aspirants are stuck on the very basic wird. Aspiration for doing more remembrance (dhikr) and communicating this desire to the mentor is absent. Remember the Shaykh is not going to advance you to the next level until you verbalize your interest and show progress.’

Ramadhan 1429

The difference between the state of a salik and non-salik

Hakim al-Umma mujadid Shaykh Mawlana Shah Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘There two kinds of people.

Those individuals who are not traveling on this path (sulook) and characteristics of yearning and desire (of Allah’s pleasure) have not even developed in them. Their condition is that whenever their hearts are pure and uncluttered they make remembrance of Allah. The awareness of being involved in sinful activities does not stop them from doing good works. This is because they do not care about it (the involvement in sinful).

Then there is the other kind, ones who are traveling on this path and have developed some tastefulness (dhauq). Their state of heart is such, because of their relationship with Allah (ta’luq maAllah), that any tiny bit of change in it due to negligence and involvement in sinful activity  causes them extreme grief. This is to the extent that they become disheartened of being involved in remembrance and good works and do not find the courage to do so in the future. This is not because of being heedless of their Lord, most High. It is due to the acknowledgment that now (with this involvement in sinful) how can I face my Lord and make His remembrance. At the outlook this does not seem to be a good state because it is suspending remembrance (of Allah). However, in some instances even this state is a blessing. This is because, in these instances it will result in that sinful activity not to be carried out ever again.

Hence, having this state is a blessing. However, it is essential to point out that one should not act on the calling of this state. That is, not to stop the remembrance at all. Moreover, it is essential for this individual not to be negligent of remembrance for a second and be despaired. This remembrance (dhikr) should continue irrespective of being involved in millions of sinful activities.  This is because the spiritual darkness that leads to suspension of remembrance (by being involved in sinful) will only be lifted by the remembrance (of Allah) alone. There is no other cleanser to do this. If this is done with consistency then, inshaAllah, one day (eventually) escape from the dreadful condition (of involvement in sinful activity) will be achieved.’

Basair e Hakim ul-Ummat ra, page 528

Spiritual involvement

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Shaykh Jalaluddin Thanesari (Allah have mercy on him d.989 Hijra) said,

‘The seeker of truth suffices in the spiritual involvement (shugal e batini, i.e. methods of developing remembrance, concentration and awareness) after fulfilling the essential (faraidh) and Sunna actions. He does not stress on physical worship and supererogatory (nawafil) actions like the ascetics.’

Irshad ut Talibeen, page 11

Essential advice for salik

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Shaykh al-Mashaikh Haji Imdadullah mohajir makki (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Keep away from the company of Sufis that act against the Shariah.

Meet other people with good manners only as required.

Consider yourself to be the lowest creature.

Do not criticize anyone.

Speak with compassion.

Love being silent and alone (khalwah).

Keep your time well planned.’

Taleem ud deen, page 227

(The edition by Maktaba e Rehmania, Lahore is the best currently available. It has explanation and translation of all Arabic and Persian quotes in footnotes.)

Purpose of bay’a: Observance of Sunna

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A person requested pledge (bay’a) from Hadhrat Mian Asghar Hussain (may Allah have mercy on him), a senior Shaykh and instructor at Darul Uloom Deoband.

Hadhrat inquired what was his purpose do so?

‘Divine union (wisal e haq)’, the individual replied.

‘ All praise is for Allah, you have very lofty aspirations’, Hadhrat cheerfully chided him.

‘My brother! The only purpose of taking the pledge should be that observance of the Sunna in all aspects of life is facilitated. That is it’, he continued.

And things like strong perpetual relationship with Allah (nisbet) and Divine union (wisal) are the states and talks of high ranking pious people (and not for ordinary sinful people like us).’

Halat Musleh ul Ummat ra, page 94

Etiquettes of Reading

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Arif Billah Dr. Abdul-Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said that while I was visiting Jama-e-Ashrafiya, Lahore, the teachers requested for some naseeha (advice). I told them,

“You people read and teach the books of great scholars of Islam daily.

However, you do it carelessly.

To truly benefit from the barakah (blessings) of these books. Make it a habit that before starting to read them, turn towards Allah. Make dua (prayer). For the scholar first. That Allah make his magfirah, be pleased with him and raise his status in paradise. Then, supplicate for yourself. That is, may Allah make this reading most beneficial for you.

Only by doing so you will really benefit from these great books and their authors’ exalted knowledge.”