Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘It is from the usual patterns of Allah that the outstanding qualities of a disciple* are not manifested during the lifetime of his/her Shaikh.
This is so that the disciple does not become independent of Shaikh(‘s guidance).
Fayuz ar Rahman, page 18
(*accomplished)
Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘I consider that in this era keeping company of the pious (ahl Allah) is an absolute essential (fardh e ‘ain).
Moreover, my fatwa is that in these times keeping the company of and having close contact with the pious and elite (friends of Allah) is absolutely essential.
This is because, there can not be any doubts about taking the means of safeguarding one’s faith being essential.
And it has been established by experience that in these times safeguarding one’s faith (eman) is only possible by keeping company of the pious. No spell works, with the blessings of Allah, after this relationship.’
Fayuz ar Rahman, page 123
‘Arif billah Shaikh Hakeem Mohammad Akhtar sahib passed away in Karachi today. He had been in critical condition for the previous several days. He had suffered a stroke in 2000 and had been partially paralyzed. However, he continued the spiritual beneficence till his last days. In the recent years many individuals benefited from him all over the world. Especially, from his advice on controlling one’s gaze. A essential timely reminder in this era of wide spread obscenity and exposure of what Shariah has commanded to be veiled.
Allah have mercy on him, raise his status in here-after manifolds and give sabr to all of us. Amin!
He was a khalifah of Shaikh Mawlana Shah Abrarul Haq, (khalifah of Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi) and Shaikh Shah Mohammad Ahmad Partabgarhi from the silsila of Shah Fazal ur Rehman Ganjmuradabadi (Allah have mercy on them all).
Shaikh Shah Abdul Ghani Phulpuri (Allah have mercy on him) was his first Shaikh and step-father.
His spiritual beneficence continues after his passing away. His books and recorded & published discourses continue to change the life of hundreds of individuals. Moreover, he leaves behind approximately three hundred khulafa who will, insha Allah continue in his footsteps.
Please, make dua and esal e thawab for him.
Shaikh Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) quotes many predecessor masters of the path (of Tasawwuf). In conclusion he writes,
‘It is evident from these quotes that the goals of these masters were reformation of the lower-self (islah e nafs), performance of the commandments of Shariah with sincerity and abstention from the prohibited.’
Tarbiyet us Salik, The Introduction, volume 1, page
Observing the prevalent Muslim attitude of not being wise and intelligent, Shaikh Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi repeatedly quoted this advice of Shah Ahlullah brother of Shah Waliullah muhadith Dehlavi (Allah have mercy on them all) from his book Chahar Bab,
‘Although, Intelligence, wisdom, understanding acumen and intellectual foresight are innate capabilities, but they can be improved further with acquiring vast experiential knowledge, keeping company of the wise, readings intellectual texts, listening to the beneficial advices and biographies of the (successful) predecessors.
Therefore, it imperative that everyday we try to improve our intellectual abilities.
We should be vigilant in making conscious and extra effort to be in the category of intelligent and not in that of stupid people. ‘
Halaat e Muslih al Ummat ra, volume 4, page 338
‘There is difference between the duties of a scholar and a Shaikh.
The duty of a scholar is to recite from the holy Quran and Prophetic sayings, explain them and give beneficial advice to people. Then it is up to the people if they listen or snooze, accept or become hostile, act on the advice or criticize it. The scholar does not care about these attitudes. He did his job. That was to convey the message.
Whereas, the Shaikh gives religious instructions to the audience and in addition demands actions from them accordingly. He gives guidance to the people, mentors them and then evaluates their progress (or failure).’
Halaat Musleh al Ummat ra, volume 4, page 253-4
Shaikh Mufti Ebrahim Desai (Allah preserve him) the Ameer, Darul Iftaa said,
“When you have done something wrong, be ready to admit it and ask for forgiveness”
Click the above link to the new website.
Shaikh Dr Hafizullah mohajir Madani (Allah have mercy on him) was sitting in the blessed Masjid al Haram in Makkah. It was the Hajj season. Seeing the massive crowd struggling to perform an essential rite of their faith, he commented that I have been contemplating that how can steps be taken to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims and ease this process.
Clarifying it to the perplexed disciples sitting around worshiping diligently he added, contemplation about things that will benefit Muslims is also a form of worship.
Shaikh was in touch with an individual who would convey to senior officials in charge at Masjid al Haram about possible things for improvement.
(The picture shows the new Jeddah airport. It is under construction.)
Shaikh Sari Saqti asked Shaikh Junaid (Allah have mercy on them),
‘What is the reality of thankfulness (shukr)?’
He replied,
‘The real thankfulness (for the blessings of Allah) is not to use them in disobeying Allah.’
Jahan e dedah, page 30
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) is indisposed these days. Please, make dua that Allah grants him rapid, complete and pur-afiyet recovery. Amin!
Jazak Allah.
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Shaikh Abdul Ghani at Tarablusi al Khalwati (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘It is your lower self (nafs) that veils you from Allah.
The scholars of Reality (al haqiqa) have mentioned seven stages of the nafs according to its changing states, the ammara, lawamah, mulhema, mutmainah, radhiya, mardhiya and kamilah.’
Following is a summary of Shaikh’s discussion.
1. The inciting nafs (nafs-i-ammara)
إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلاَّ مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّيَ
Surely, man’s inner self often incites to evil, unless my Lord shows mercy.”[12:53]
In its primitive stage the nafs incites us to commit evil: this is the corrupt nafs as the lower self, the base instincts. Its characteristics include; stinginess, greed, envy, ignorance, arrogance, lust, anger, heedlessness, coveting, mad manners, involvement in useless, making others’ fun, having malice for them and harming them with speech or hand.
It becomes the instrument of Satan’s seduction (to sin). It the most lethal enemy. Therefore extreme caution is needed in not listening to its insolent commands. In Prophetic saying the struggle against it has been mentioned as highest level of righteous effort (jihad al akbar).
Being steadfast on the commandments of Shariah is essential. Keeping constant vigilance (muhasba) is required. It is imperative to have extreme humility and engagement in supererogatory deeds. This is facilitated by giving up (after consultation with Shaikh) the excessive permissible pleasures and all useless activities. By routinely crying in front of Allah asking for help and making remembrance of Allah as instructed by the Shaikh.
‘Never leave supplication because of being depressed and frustrated (by frequent slips) or lose hope by considering the goal to be unrealistic. This will severe the determination altogether.’
If one persists then Allah will spiritually enlighten the heart of the seeker that will make it possible to see the diseases that inflicts the nafs.
The comes the second stage.
continued.
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Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) recommended a curriculum for the seekers to develop a clear understanding of the path of Tasawwuf.
The text included are arranged in particular order. They start with the simple basic books of Hakim al Ummah and move to Imam Ghazali’s Arbaeen and then to more advanced text such as Mathnawi of Mawlana Rumi, Adaab al Uboodiyah of Imam Sharani and Akmal ush Sheyam explanation of Al Hikam of Shaikh Ibn e AtaAllah al Iskanderi (Allah have mercy on them).
In addition to clearing concepts, the reading of these texts motivates the seeker to be firm on the path and to progress further.
Senior Shuyuk of our path used to complete the reading and explanation of this curriculum in special sessions reserved only for the serious seekers.
Individual seekers must read these books diligently like textbooks. They should mark the outstanding passages and take notes for later review.
