Category Archives: Q. Akabir

Appreciating the contemporary elders

Shaykh al-Hadith Qutub al-aqtab Mawlana Zakarriya Kandhelawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

“…there is one very important fact to which I wish to draw attention.

When the Elders passed away many people desired to see those special qualities which were part of their Shaykh (in those who succeeded them). But it is clear that all those who follow the Elders and are in their footsteps will be less gifted than the Shaykh, except in few cases, as Allah pleases.

Those people who do not see the qualities of the Elder in his successors and turn away from their Shaykh’s path of Tasawwuf, are only doing themselves great harm.

I began to see this very clearly since the time of Hazrat (Rasheed Ahmad) Gangohi (may Allah have mercy on him). During the era of the most prominent deputies of Hazrat, I saw many of their contemporaries, who were also attached to Hazrat through Bay’at.  They saw that some of the special qualities which Hazrat had were no longer present in these deputies so they did not approach these deputies for spiritual guidance. This caused me a great pain and sorrow because these deputies (khulafa) were near to Allah  and possessed ‘nisbet‘ (the perpetual, close and mutually favorable relationship with Allah). If indeed these people had become connected to one of these deputies (khalifa), they would have progressed greatly.

…………….

A heartfelt letter

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assalam wa alaikum

I had been to Allahabad from Monday till Friday.
After maghrib majlis i zikr i was in the company of  Hazrat Shaikh Qamaruz Zaman Allahabadi (damat barkatuhum).  He gave sanad i hadith سند حدیث to Moulana Idrees Varethi sahib. Then I took permission from him to get my luggage from mehman khana which was just across the road so that I can leave at 7.30 P M as my train was at 8.00 PM.
By the time I came back I saw him writing something on a page. Dr Syed Mehmood Quari saheb, his khalifa was sitting by the side and smiled to me.  Later he handed that letter to Dr. sahib and asked him to give it to me.
Dr sahib told me that Hazrat Mawlana Qamaruz Zaman (damat barkatuhum) has given me (ijaza of) mujaz i suhbat, مجاز صحبت.
I  got shocked and started crying like a child.  I embraced his legs. I told him that I am unfit for this and I might bring disrepute to silsila. Hazrat Shaikh db said that this thought (of giving me ijaza) suddenly came to his mind, he never thought about this in past and he has to give it.
I told him I am a beggar asking for few paisas and he has given me a treasure which I am  unworthy of. He said you will get more (spiritual) progress (tarqi) of your batin and you will cure batini diseases (that afflict the soul) also. Then he embraced me.
I am writing this to you because you are the person responsible* for all this, Allah reward you for this in unmeasurable ways.
I am yet to overcome my feelings
Please pray for me that i should not be source of badnami بدنامی to our akabir.
talib i dua
Dr N Imdad Ali
Associate Professor Urology
Bellary, Karnataka, India
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*This is also extreme humility of this sincere online friend. In his search for a Shaikh he contacted this site via email in September 2009 and was directed to Shaikh Mawlana Qamaruz Zaman Allahabdi (Allah preserve him). He attributes this blessing mistakenly to the job of a lowly usher.  The bestowals from Allah, like these, are usually from the heartfelt supplications of one’s parents, teachers and those he/she helped when they were in need.

Sincerity

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Allama Sayyid Suleman Nadwi Saheb (Allah have mercy on him)  was renowned for his academics among the Indian scholars.

He requested Hakim al-Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) for bai’at. Hakim al-Umma instructed  him to review some of his (eccentric) views and publish the correct version (admitting his mistakes).

Allamah prepared a draft of the reviewed views and presented them to Hakim al-Umma and also published the retraction.

It is upon this that Hakim al-Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) commented:

از سلیمان كَیراخلاص عمل

“Learn sincerity from Suleman”

It really takes courage for a great scholar and academic of Allama Sayyid Suleman Nadwi’s status to review his views and even publish the retractions admitting his mistakes openly.

A sincere person places Allah’s pleasure in front of him. He does not worry about his status.

The mercy of Allah for vanished graves

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Haji Mohammad Usman, the book seller from Delhi, was a khalifa of Hakim al Umma Shaikh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah ave mercy on them).

After partition he migrated to Karachi, Pakistan and established Maktaba e Thanawi on M.A Jinnah Road. Close to his death he expressed the desired to be buried in the graveyard that is in the middle of the Malir riverbed. The Malir river is a flooded each year in the rainy season and most of the graves are washed away. Everyone was perplexed at this choice of burial site.

At repeated inquiries Haji sahib explained that he had read an incident and desired the mercy mentioned in it for himself. That is, once our master prophet Musa (Allah’s peace be upon him) on his way to Mount Sinai  passed by a graveyard. The dwellers of the grave were being punished for their wrong doings.  On another similar trip some time later he noticed that the graves were neither discernible nor there were any signs of punishment. He requested Allah to reveal the reason for this change. That is, what action or who’s supplication had benefited these individual and the punishment was lifted from them.

Allah told him that it was beyond His mercy to punish those who’s last remaining sign of existence – the grave, had even been wiped out from the face of the Earth with the passage of time.

Haji sahib aspired for the same mercy for himself after flood waters had washed away his grave. This is evident of his extreme humility and absolute annihilation (fana).

 

A seeker

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Almost four years ago a young gentleman from North America contacted this site requesting facilitation in establishing a islahi relationship with Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him). He was directed accordingly.

Sayyidi wa sanadi instructed him to get in contact with one of his mojaz whom he knew from before and could communicate effectively via email and telephone. The sincere brother did meticluously as he was told. He wrote regularly about his religious affairs and sought counsel in improving them.

All praise is for Allah. This summer he travelled from North Americla to spend the last days of Ramadhan in the blessed company of sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) at Darul Uloom Karachi.

The stay at Darul Uloom was very beneficial. The ascetic living conditions of the hostel,  the post dhuhar discourses in mosque, the tafsir sessions at Hira Foundation’s recording room and blessed company of sayyidi wa sanadi db in his office were  invigorating spiritual elixirs.

He requested for bayiah. Sayyidi wa sanadi reviewed the Islahi correspondence he had done with the mojaz in detail.  Being satisfied the request was accepted and actualized.

Sayyidi db made sure that it was clear to the seeker that the main thing is the islah (reformation and rectification) of one’s spiritual condition. The bayiah is a blessing (Barakah) and to a limited degree an act of Sunna.

The bayiah was made into the silsila of Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi’s Shaikh Haji Imdaullah mohajir makki via Arifbillah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi, Mawlana Masihullah Khan and Mufti Mohammad Shafi (Allah have mercy on them all).

A detailed dua was made asking Allah for assistance in being steadfast on this allegiance and safeguard from bringing bad name to these pious elders of the silsila.

Instructions for future were given.

The main point sayyid wa sanadi stressed upon was to have this ongoing sense (fikr) of improving one’s condition by recognizing the shortcomings and trying to rectify them.

The blessed brother returns to his hometown tomorrow.

Futuhat-e-Taemoori: prior to maghrib, Friday, 31st August 2012/12th Shawwal 1433. Bait-ul-abd, DHA, Karachi

Remembrance of Allah

Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘This is the action that stops the random thoughts and whisperings (wasawes). It keeps the lower self (nafs) involved in something (beneficial). If it was to be left on its own it would get into something (spiritually) detrimental.

It is acknowledged that this action is the remembrance (of Allah) by heart (dhikr e qalbi).

This can be done at all the times.

Therefore, involve your nafs in this action. By doing so it will not get into detrimental things and heedlessness (gaflah).’

Jawahirat e Hakim al Ummat ra, volume 3, page 68

Involvement in sinful and feeling of hopelessness

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Our master Shaikh Ibn e Ata-Allah al Iskanderi (Allah have mercy on him) said in al Hikam,

‘Commitment of a sinful act must not make you feel hopeless in acquiring a steadfast state with your Lord. Maybe this is the last sin destined for you.’

Shaikh Mawlana Abdullah al Gangohi (Allah have mercy on him) wrote in his explanation of this;

‘This is because involvement in sinful acts due to human nature (of being weak and forgetful) is not against steadfastness on Deen. However, persisting on sinful actions, not repenting and having an intention of committing it again are against steadfastness.’

Ikmal ush Shiyam, page 55

 

Dealing with criticism constructively

Back biting (ghiba) is a major sin (gunah e kabira). In Qur’an it is described as eating the flesh of ones’ dead brother.

It is mentioning in front of others something (true) about an absent fellow Muslim that would be unpleasant to him if he were to be aware of it.

It is from the category of rights of the fellow Muslims (huquq al ibad). Repentance from it requires asking forgiveness from the aggrieved individual.

It was a habit of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) to ask the individual who approached him to apologize for back biting him,

‘I forgive you but, please, let me know what did you say about me.’

To his disciples he explained that I do so to find out that if he had criticized me genuinely. If it was the case then I will make effort to amend those mistakes.

Hakim al-Umma had a permanent feature in the monthly publication of his Khanqah, al Noor, regarding this issue. It was to acknowledge his errors and slips. He even hired scholars to vet his works.

One who is seeking Allah’s pleasure and acceptance is never hesitant to acknowledge his own mistakes and repent. Each and every criticism, however acrid it maybe provides an opportunity to do so. It is a blessing in disguise.

wa ma tawfiqi illa billah

 

The best of both the worlds

Mawlana Abdul Qadir Madni a senior khalifa of Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve them) said

‘My respected Shaikh Qari Fateh Mohammad Panipati mohajir Madni (Allah have mercy on him) used to say in regards to hassanah of duniya and akhira that people consider them to be huge bank balance, cars,property  and gardens or maidens of paradise respectively. However, in reality the best of this world are the accepted good deeds and that of here-after is the pleasure (Radha) of Allah.

Masjid e nabawi, near Bab e nisa,  after asr salah, 20th June 2012

How to gauge spitirual progress?

Imam ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad (Allah have mercy on him) said,

Should a man wish to know whether he is rising or falling in religious terms, he should look at how his state and conduct had been a month or a year ago.

If he finds that they were better than his present state and conduct, he should know that he is descending into degradation; whereas if he finds that his present state and conduct are better, he should know that he is rising and improving.

It has been handed down that “he who finds that his (present) day resembles the previous day has been cheated, and he who finds that his (present) day is worse that the previous day is accursed. Accursed here means remote from a particular and specially accorded to mercy.

He who is not increasing is diminishing.

To explain, if when thinking about previous days, you feel that you then had no desire for the world, were eager for the Hereafter, scrupulously avoided doubtful things, were quick to good actions, quick to obedience, remote from transgressions, and by comparison are now no better or are to any extent worse, then know that you are going down, deteriorating in religion, in your aspiration for God, and in striving for the Hereafter.”

Knowledge and Wisdom

Tazkiyah & Tabligh

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Muhtaram,

Tabligh is an Arabic word literally meaning “to convey”.

Contextually it refers to conveying the message of Islam. The word Tableegh is commonly used to refer to the Tableegh Jamaat movement in which people spend 3 days or 40 days or 4 months or 1 year in Tableegh.

Alhamdulillah, the Tabligh effort has been proven to be beneficial in conscientising people about their religious duties and reforming the lives of many people.

I fully support the noble effort of Tableegh.

However, it is important to note that the specific form and way of the Tabligh effort is not specifically mentioned in the Shariah. It is recommended. The actual mission of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was Da’wah with Ta’leem (educating) and Tazkiyah (purification of the soul). The present form of Tableegh is one form of Da’wah. It is not the only way of Da’wah. To confine the obligation of Da’wah to the Tableegh movement is erroneous.

There are innumerable ways of Da’wah and all forms of Da’wah practiced within the confines of Shariah should be supported and complimented. It is therefore incorrect for some ardent supporters of Tabligh to claim an absolute right of Da’wah through Tabligh. Such an attitude is a great injustice to the broader concept of Da’wah and is an extremist attitude.

It is even worse to claim that Tabligh is more important than Tazkiyah. Tazkiyah is Fardh. The specific form and way of Tabligh is not Fardh. It is merely recommended. How can a recommended form of Da’wah be preferred over a Fardh act?

To reform oneself and cleanse oneself from the evil instincts within ourselves is Fardh.

It is also very unfortunate that we hear of reports from some elders of Tabligh Jamaat referring to Tazkiyah as a secondary issue, not so important, e.t.c.

How can a Fardh act not be of any importance at all? Such statements are incorrect and misleading. It is expected of the Ulama engaged in Tabligh and Tazkiyah to encourage people to do both, Tazkiyah and Tabligh.

If one does not go out for 3 days, 40 days or 4 months in Jamaat, he is not sinful and will not be answerable in the court of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). However, if one does not reform himself from pride, jealousy, ostentation, e.t.c, he will be sinful and answerable to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala).

People actively engaged in Tabligh should realize this and adjust accordingly. One can never attain the Maqam (position) of Ihsaan by merely going out in Tabligh without reforming oneself. The singular approach of Tabligh whilst sidestepping the importance of Tazkiyah is an incorrect view and erroneous. It is misleading.

Tazkiyah is Fardh. The specific form of Tabligh is not Fardh. It is recommended. It is an effort we too support.

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Dar al- Mahmood

Source : http://tasawwuf.daralmahmood.org/muf…tabligh-jamaat