Teachings of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanawi & his spiritual successors, particularly 'Arifbillah Dr 'Abdul Hayy 'Arifi (may Allah bless them) and Sayyidi Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) regarding Tasawwuf
A novice seeker wrote, I noticed a new link being added to Ashrafiya website. Would it be recommended for me to listen to these lectures?
Ashrafiya replied, No. Each Shaykh has his own disposition and style of approaching islah. Mixing to many styles leads to confusion. The mawaiz of Hazrat Hakim Akhtar (Allah have mercy on him) and our Shaikh Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) are quite enough and beneficial, inshaAllah.
Islahi emails: TA
Reviewed and approved by sanadi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him)
A sincere brother emailed regarding the quest for a spiritual mentor (Shaykh) in United Kingdom.
Following reply was sent.
It was a pleasure to read your email. MashaAllah. Allah has granted you with balanced understanding, a true yearning (talub) And desire to progress in Deen. May Allah increase them with afiyet. Ameen!
The first thing is to not to make any hasty decisions. Make Dua a lot, mashwara (consultation) with pious repeatedly and istekhara before making any decisions in this regards.
The basic principle is to find a Shaykh you have munasbet (spiritual congeniality).
That is, on hearing Sheikh’s advice the aspirant readily accepts it and feels as though the words are pouring directly into his heart. The advice seems to be aimed directly at him. It appears to address his own spiritual ailments. Most importantly it does not stir any significant negative thoughts and criticism.
Below I’m mentioning few names of reliable and pious Shuyukh. It will be best to contact them, visit them repeatedly and comfortably detect the Munasbet.
The Prophet of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“On the day of eid (when people gather to offer eid prayers) Allah says to the Angels, ‘Have these people fulfilled the obligation (of fasting) and are now gathered for prayers?
I swear by My pride, magnificence, majesty, mercy and elevated status that I will fulfill their prayers.
Tell them to return, I have forgiven them all and furthermore I have replaced their sins with virtuous deeds.
Hence they return completely forgiven.
(Mishkat/Bahaiqi)
On our eid visit to Sayyidi wa sanadi Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani(Allah preserve him) we always found him to be extremely happy and cheerful, repeatedly telling us that Arifbillah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi’s (Allah have mercy on him) statement regarding Eidul fitr
The global Coronavirus pandemic, unimaginable lockdown and numerous deaths makes us wonder if this is a sign of Allah’s wrath.
The ‘arifeen (gnostic) make it clear that in disasters like this a blanket statement can not be made.
Each and every individual has to reflect and see his/her own condition. And then make a judgement for him/her-self.
See,
If his devotion towards Allah has increased in form of excessive dua(supplications) shukr (thankfulness), asking refuge for the future apprehensions, repenting from all that is sinful, making up for the past misgivings, being steadfast on good actions in all circumstances and becoming a better human being then this calamity is a blessing for him in disguise, indeed.
However, if this is not the case and one continues with his/her heedlessness and sinful activities then it is a ‘calamity’ (qahr) for him/her indeed.
May Allah protect us all from falling into the second category.
May Allah protect us all from this pandemic with afiyet.
The global Coronavirus pandemic, lockdown and numerous death makes us wonder if this is a sign of Allah’s wrath.
The ‘arifeen (gnostic) teaching is that in calamities a blanket statement can not be made.
Each and every individual has to reflect and see his/her own condition.
If his devotion towards Allah has increased, he is trying to give up the sinful activities, make up for the past misgivings and become a better human being then this calamity is a blessing for him in disguise.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani ( Allah preserve & protect him) was on the phone. It seemed that someone wanted to narrate a dream and request for interpretation.
Shaykhexcused himself saying: “Brother! I don’t know interpretation of dreams!”
Intekhab e Kaiseri, Ramadan 1440, DarulUloom Karachi office , post zohar majlis
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani ( Allah preserve & protect him) advised:
“Two things are necessary in Tareeq (Tasawwuf):
1. Ikhlas (sincerity)
2. Mudawamat (regularity)
Mudawamat (regularity) is effective by itself. There is no alternative to being regular in one’s daily ma’moolat (recitations, prayers, recitation of Quran, etc.) except by forcing oneself.
Our respected teacher Maulana Rasheed Ahmad used to quote from Maulana Khair Muhammad (May Allah’s mercy be upon them both):
“The excuse that I am not regular in my ma’moolat because of being busy is a sign of lack of importance given to the ma’moolat.”
It means you did not include your ma’moolat in the list of things which keep you busy.”
