Category Archives: N. Advice

The four worst sins in Shariah

 


Hujjat al-Islam Imam Ghazali (Allah have mercy on him)  has mentioned following to be the worst sins in Shariah:

1. Associating partners with Allah SWT. Either in His being or His attributes.
2. Considering a sinful act to be within the acceptable limits in Shariah. That is, to consider it halal.
3. Because of failure in one’s efforts, give up performance of  good actions (yaas).
4. Because of being unafraid of Allah SWT, commit the prohibited actions without any reservation (nedar).

We all must ponder over the second crime (in bold).
How many sins prevail in our daily life and how lightly do we take them?

Sayyidi wa sanadi Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah preserve him) tells us to leave all the sins immediately. However, due to our weak determination, non-Islamic surroundings or secular social pressures if we are not able to do so, we should make a habit of repenting for these sins every night, each single day. This will at least keep our balance sheet of deeds clear. And if God forbid, we were to die, there won’t be the huge amount of sins in arrears for punishment waiting.

توبہ میری جام شکن، جام میرا توبہ شکن
سامنے ڈھیر ہے – ٹوٹے ہوۓ پیمانوں کا

Pious Companionship (esp. for the Youth)

Hakim al-Ummat Mujaddid Shaykh Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said:
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The vital component for reformation (islah) is (companionship) suhba (of the pious), even without formal knowledge. Moreover knowledge without pious companionship (suhba) is useless. An uneducated person who keeps pious company reforms more successfully as compared to knowledgeable person without good company.

It is for this reason I tell that the children attending secular schools should be sent to visit the pious knowledgeable men (awliya). And if their elders also take note of this it will be very beneficial for all.

And I promise that neither will we rebuke them regarding their trousers being below ankles nor discuss the issue of their beard (being absent or being less than a fistful) and nor will we coerce them to pray (salah).

They will sit with us and in the result we will develop a mutual likability and friendliness and they will also develop a congeniality (munasbet) with deen. And this munasbet is the root cause and source of all (necessary) knowledge and actions.

Not all the Sahaba ra (The Holy Companions) were knowledgeable scholars, they benefited via companionship (suhbet) only. And for these reasons Awliya have always emphasized more on being steadfast with pious companionship as compared to acquiring knowledge.

Malfoozat Kamalat-e-Ashrafiya 172

With the summer vacations here, please, consider sparing few weeks, days or even hours from our busy schedule to be in the company of the pious . This will be an investment for us and our children.

May Allah give us the tawfeeq and facilitate its happening.
Ameen, bi-jah-e-Sayyid al-Mursaleen

How to deal with a difficulty?

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Arif-billah Dr. Abdul-Hayy ‘Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said:
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“When faced with a difficulty which seems to be either unavoidable or irresolvable, our Hadhrat (Hakim al-Umma) used to advice us not to think and ruminate about it. Start making dua in your heart regarding it. And repeatedly recite اياك نعبد و اياك نستعين.
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By doing so, inshaAllah, the anxiety will vanish, peacefulness will be achieved and the difficult task will be settled with ease.”
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Ma’moolat-e-yoomia 25-6

Become a Human first!

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Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) repeatedly told people who approached him for reformation (islah):

“If you want to become a saint, a qutub or an abdal go elsewhere. Stay here only if you want to become a human being.”

Lacking the basic qualities of a human being an individual can never even be a true Muslim.

Love, sympathy, wishing well, being honest, sincere, polite and well mannered when dealing with others (even non-Muslims) are the basic rights of all human beings.

How can one gain Allah SWT’s pleasure, (that is being a devout sufi) when he/she is destroying these rights?

Hujjatul Islam Imam Ghazali ra has categorized living creatures in three types:
1. Those, which are always harmful. For example snakes, scorpion, lizards, etc.
2. Those, which are always beneficial. Like sheep, cows, horse, poultry etc.
3. And finally those, that are neither harmful nor beneficial. Like parrots, peacocks, zebra, etc.

Then he poses a question to us: in which category do we fit?

Cynical, acrid, humiliating and arrogant comments that hurt another’s feeling surely without any doubt make us similar to scorpions and snakes!

ع– درد دل کے واسطے پیدا کیا انسان کو

Repentance & Sins: Repent again

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

“Hold fast to this advice.

That is, do not be disappointed and become disheartened by the repeated failures of repentance by committing sin.

Confront this failure of repentance by making a solemn determination (never to commit that sin again).

If you fail again, renew your determination again.

This mental struggle and physical effort has to continue until the end of life. Do not be discouraged by the repeated failures in keeping up with repentance. Hence, deciding not to repent. This depressed attitude is not correct.

Repent with a more solid determination (never ever to commit that sin again).”

Islahi majalis, volume 5, page 245

باز آ باز آ ہر آنچہ ہستی باز آ

گر کافر و گبر و بت پرستی باز آ

ایں درگاہ ما درگہ نوامیدی نسیت

صد بار گر توبہ شکستی باز آ

Desired good company

 

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Hakim al-Ummah Mawlana Ashraf `Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) writes:

“Allah Most High has put this quality in humans that they are quickly and substantially affected by the thoughts and conditions of others.

[This occurs even] without any specific effort, and happens whether it is good or bad company.

Good company is an element of immense benefit; in the same way, bad company is an element of tremendous harm.

Good company is of such a person who, based on the need, has a grasp on the issues of Deen, and one has good faith in him. He abstains from Shirk, innovation, and worldly affairs. His actions are good, and he is firm and constant in his Salah, fasting, and other necessary acts of worship. His dealings are good and his transactions are clean. He is careful about issues of Halal and Haram. His outward behavior is also excellent. He has a humble disposition and he does not harm anyone without reason. He does not consider the poor and needy to be inferior. His inner qualities are also pleasing. He keeps the love and fear of Allah Most High in his heart. He does not keep much greed for the world in his heart. [When in] conflict with the Deen, he does not care for wealth, comfort, or disgrace. He keeps the Hereafter in front of him, and does not keep this world dear to him. He is patient and thankful in every circumstance.

If someone is found with these qualities, his company is an elixir.

If someone cannot fully recognize these qualities, for him (assistance in) recognition is to seek the pious people of his time, those who are considered by most Muslims to be pious. They should speak well (of him).  And after remaining in his company several times, the heart should shy away from blameworthy traits and turn towards praiseworthy morals.  Consider such a person to be pious and adopt his company.”

Hayat al-Muslimeen, p. 27 (Multan: Idara Ta’lifaat Ashrafiya)

By Brother I. Khan

Bring a silent change

Emphasizing the importance of taking a Shaykh Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘A Shaykh is needed to maintain the balance.

It is in this regards that Hadhrat Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) made such a novel statement,

‘Bring a change in yourself in such a manner that no fingers are pointed towards you.’

If in bringing about this change fingers are pointed towards you (meaning people are surprised by the sudden extreme change in you and talk openly about it) then it will be a trial (fitna) for you and chances are that you will return to your previous state.

Bring a change like a child develops gradually and becomes an adult. “

Islahi Majalis, volume 3, page 95

To bring such a change a Shaykh is indispensable.