Category Archives: Q. Akabir

Seekers of today!

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Shaikh Abu Saeed Gangohi (Allah have mercy on him) came to realize his spiritual loss after the death of his Shaikh. He had not completed his spiritual training as yet. He inquired about the senior spiritual inheritors of his Shaikh. It was mentioned that Shaikh Nizamuddin Balkhi (Allah have mercy on him) was the most distinguished deputies (khulafa).

For his islah Shaikh Abu Saeed travelled from Gangoh, India to Balkh, northern Afghanistan. A distance of approximately 1700 km (1050 miles). This was by horse or camel caravans and took many months to cover.

This was reflective of his yearning (talab) for islah and spiritual betterment to gain pleasure of Allah.

Compare this to our yearning!

Today we search for a Shaikh in the immediate vicinity of our residence, province or city. We want someone who will change his schedule to accommodate our convenience.

This is is NOT talab!

This only proves that we are not true seekers and do not realize the importance of islah.

If we were seriously sick and came to know of a expert physician we would seek his consultation irrespective of the location of his clinic, timings and charges. This is because we realize the potential danger of our illness if left untreated.

However, we are content with our spiritual maladies, the anger, arrogance, impatience, love of wealth & fame, ostentatiousness, insincerity, pretentiousness, the sins of speech and eyes, etc.

May Allah open our eyes and make us aware of our mistakes. May He facilitate this for us, the undeserving servants’, by His infinite mercy, kindness and philanthropy. Amin!

وصال

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شیخ الاتقیاء جناب حضرت ڈاکٹر عبدالواحد صاحب رحمه الله وفات پا گئے.

انا لله و انا الیه راجعون.

اللہ تعالی ان کے درجات بلند فرمائیں اور جوار رحمت میں جگه عطا فرمائیں۔امین

حضرت كا مستقل  قیام ریاض سعودی عرب میں تھا۔ اجكل أمريكا كے سفر میں تھے۔

Bayan and majlis

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Shaikh Mohammad Kaleem (Allah preserve him) a
senior khalifa of Arif billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘I do not give lectures (bayan).

I just talk extempore (to the seekers who gather to benefit). Whatever is felt to be important or is asked is discussed.

I feel that these types of discussions (majalis) are more beneficial than the lectures.’

Shaikh Mohammad Kaleem sahib db’s residence. Darul Uloom Karachi, Sunday, noon, 16th December 2012

This distinction has to be appreciated and applied, especially by the non-scholar and young shuyukh.

The Divine prescription for loss

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Shaikh Mansur Ali Khan (Allah preserve him) said.

Once I was in the company of Arif billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him). There was no one else. Hazrat Dr Arifi read aloud a letter send to him for spiritual advice.

It was from a young girl. She had been on vacation with her father in the northern areas of Pakistan. One day while traveling by bus it was fajar time and his father requested the bus driver to stop for salah. He agreed. Her father while disembarking the bus was run over by the speeding car coming from behind. The family rushed to help him. However, he was badly injured and died in front of them. They were devastated.

The daughter was now requesting for dua and words of consolation.

Dr Arifi looked at me and asked,
What should I write her?

I had no clue at all.

Dr Arifi closed his eyes and contemplated for few seconds. Then he said,

أنا لله و أنا اليه راجعون

Recitation of this is the soothing treatment for a bereaved heart. It is prescribed by Allah and established by practice of our master Prophet Mohammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

Recite this repeatedly in abundance.’

Turning to this lowly writer Shaikh Mansur said,
‘Please, convey this to your brother. I am making dua that Allah makes magfirah of his son and give sabr e jameel to the parents.’

Amin!

Masjid Nabawawi (ala sahibeha alf alf salawat o Salam) close to extreme right front corner of the original masjid.
After fajar 26/12/2012CE 13/2/1434H

What is deen?

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new masjid e Nabawi

Shaikh Mohammad Kaleem (Allah preserve him) a senior khalifa of Arif billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘What actually is deen?

I quote from a discourse of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him).

It is the rectification of the relationship between the slave (abd) and his Lord (Allah).

In technical terms it is described as ‘ubodiyet’, the opposite of which is arrogance (kibr).’

Shaikh Mohammad Kaleem sahib db’s residence. Darul Uloom Karachi, Sunday, noon, 18th December 2012.

Our purpose

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Shaikh Khawaja Mohammad Ma’soom (Allah have mercy on him) wrote,

‘The purpose of traversing the path (sulook) is not to become a Shaikh and take murids.

The goal is to fulfill the duties of being a slave of Allah without the involvement and resistance of the lower self (nafs).

Moreover, the purpose of this path is to achieve anonymity and ward off rebelliousness of the nafs and being self opinionated. This because the  acquisition of Gnosis (marifa) is dependent on these things.’

Maktoob, quoted via Tofah-tush-Shuyuk, page 49

Instruction and own islah

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The reviver of Islam Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (Allah have mercy on him) wrote to one of his deputies (khalifa),

‘Be concerned about your own affairs (that is, your relationship with Allah), so that you leaves this world safely (with eman).

In the hereafter certificate of authorization (ijazet-nama) or (increased number of) disciples will be of no help.

Indeed! While managing your own affairs if anyone comes (asking for guidance explicitly) with sincere yearning then instruct him about the path. However, do not make the instruction about the path (tariqat) your main goal and management of your own affairs subservient to this. Doing so will be an affliction and loss for you.’

Maktoob 228, quoted via Tofah-tush-Shuyuk, page 48

Controlling sight and tongue

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Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmad (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Be totally silent. Develop this habit (of keeping the heart attentive towards Allah), especially here in illuminated Medinah. Remain mute, deaf and blind here. Keep your sight focused to ground. Do not look at anything except for the essential, like way towards the door of blessed mosque.

The sight and speech should not be used without an active intention. If this control is achieved one is bestowed with many blessings from Allah. Our sight and speech are irresponsibly out of control. The sight wanders here and there without any restrictions.

Be vigilant about safeguarding the sight especially in the blessed city of Medinah. This is the least that should be done here. By the evening time there should not be a single image of non-mehram in our mind. This can only be achieved if one actively lowers his gaze. If accidentally something inappropriate is seen then turn to Allah immediately, asking for protection and removal of its bad effects.’

Madinah e munawarrah, 3rd Muharram 1434/17th November 2012, after asr

Islamic dress

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Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmad (Allah preserve him) had just returned from the blessed Masjid al-Haraam after performing tawaf e wida. He greeted us with a radiant smiling face. Walking independently he appeared handsome in the black kurta and showed no signs (mashaAllah) of any illness at all.

The humility, love and kindness overflowed as the audience benefited spiritually from his words.

Haji sahib said,

‘I observed that the young men who approached me for islah started wearing the simple white  kurta and khanqahi topi. They were trying to copy their Shaikh.

I questioned them about this change. Who had instructed them to do so?

Moreover, I inquired about the opinion of their wives and other household members regarding this change.

They answered that we are labeled as bhaiya (slang for resident of UP) and mawlavi.

I took them personally to a tailor and asked him to make kurta for them in styles and colors (even mix and match) in trend these days for their age group.

Personally I always preferred to wear white clothes in accordance with the Sunna. However, to reinforce the message for young men and show them practically that it is permissible, now I also wear colored kurta.

In fact, few people in Bombay joke about Haji Shakeel’s dashing kurta(s).’

Hilton Makkah al mukaramah, 1st Muharram 1434/15th November 2012, after esha.

Allah’s Prophets are infallible & Friends are protected

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Shaikh Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘It is prohibited to believe that friends (awliya) of Allah are infallible. Then why should one lose conviction in them if they err. They are not flawless (ma’soom).

They can commit sins. There are many wisdoms from Allah (even) in these actions.

However, they are protected for sure. So they do not persist in their wrong doing. They immediately repent asking forgiveness from the sinful actions.

This is what I understand from ‘being protected’. That is, there should be no persistence in doing the sinful activity and (immediate) repentance is facilitated for him so that he is saved from its consequences and adverse effects.’

Ifadaat al Wasiya ala Tarse’ al Jawaher al Makkiya, page 142

 

The calamity of our era!

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Shaykh Mawlana Dr Hafiz Tanvir Ahmad Khan (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The biggest calamity of our era is not to consider an evil to be evil, a sinful thing to be sinful, and impermissible (haram) activity to be impermissible.

This lowly individual remembers till today these words of Shaykh Mawlana Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him);

‘Alas. You will watch television, movies, and operate VCR. You are not going to abandon these activities. Moreover, you will continue all the other abominable practices.

The conditions these days have deteriorated to the extent that  it has become impossible to stop people from indulging in these activities.

Now our lamentation is that, for the sake of Allah, at least consider these things to be impermissible and sinful.

Do not boast about being involved in them. These days people take pride in them and boastfully tell others that we have television, VCR, video camera, etc.

Take heed! Consider these acts sinful.

Indulge in them with the understanding that they are sinful. Otherwise, it is feared that one may be be deprived of faith (eman).

Shamet e Aamal, page 8

Invaluable Prescription

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Shaikh Dr Hafez Tanveer Ahmed Khan, a murid of Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi and khalifa of Masih al Umma Mawlana Masihullah Khan (Allah have mercy on them) said,

‘I inform you of the recipe of alchemy (the mystical process that changes other metals to pure gold).

It is brief and only takes a few minutes.  Perform it at night before going to sleeping. Do it everyday.  By the Grace of Allah it will bring much benefit in one’s life.

Take account of all the days happenings quickly. Then,

  • Make repentance (taubah) for all sinful activities, major or minor. Ask Allah for transformation of heart (‘s priorities) as He (alone) has control over heart. Ask Allah to change these sinful habits into a life of piety as per the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunna of our Beloved Messenger Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace).
  • Do acknowledge (Muhasabah) that all all good deeds performed throughout the day were due to Allah’s benevolence (taufeeq). Ask Allah for their acceptance and the ability to perform more sincere and virtuous deeds in future.
  • Be thankful to Allah (Shukr) for blessings such as faith (eman), being a member of the Ummah of Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), family, physical health, etc..  Acknowledge not being worthy of any of these blessings and that they are solely the Allah’s benevolence. Ask Allah to continue showering blessings upon you and to make you amongst the thankful (shakireen) servants.