Category Archives: T. Tarbiyet

Contains principle and guidelines on training and disciplining of the morals (ikhlaq) of murid

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.

‘Ujub-Self admiration

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The Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) said:

“And the destroyers are: desires which are followed; stinginess which is obeyed; and a man being pleased with himself, and this. (last trait) is the worse of them (of the things which spiritually wrought destruction to one).”

Ujub is to attribute one’s excellence to oneself while being oblivious of the possibility of such excellences being snatched away by Allah. Ujub is a concealed and subtle trick of the nafs which always desires to occupy a distinguished rank (above others). The nafs obtains pleasure in this desire (of ujub). Allah detests one who considers himself to he distinguished, laudable and the receptacle of excellences.

Delight over the bounties granted by Allah is not ujub. Such true delight is not unrestricted and does not produce vanity since the fear of the elimination of the bounties is ever present in the heart. One realizes that the excellence or bounty which one has gained is purely a gift from Allah Who has awarded it because of some act or knowledge (which is also the favor of Allah), and one further realizes that Allah has the full power of snatching away the bounty at any time He desires. This experience of delight is therefore not ujub.

On the other hand, a person suffering from the ailment of ujub becomes neglectful and fails to recognize that the bounty in his possession is in fact a gift from Allah. One afflicted with ujub considers himself to be entitled to the bounties.

THE REMEDY
Always regard excellences and virtues which one possesses to be the bestowal of Allah. Contemplate on the power of Allah and fear the possibility of the gifts being snatched away. Ponder about your faults, both internal and external so that the notion of perfection and holiness is annihilated.

Path to Perfection, Mawlana Masihullah Khan (Allah have mercy on him)

Time management

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Arif-billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Time management is part of the Shariah.

The manner in which Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to divide his time is explicitly reported in a tradition quoted in (the book) Shamail e Tirmizi.

That is, when at home Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to divide his time into three parts. The first one was for worship of Allah. The second for his wives (and other household members). The third for his special Companions.’

Shu’b al Eman via Isha al Muslimeen, page 411

Managing time

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

‘Time management and planning how to to do so are a great things.

It should not be the way to do something in the time allocated for another thing and do that particular thing in some other time slot.

Everything should be done in the time set for it.

This brings great blessings (barakah) in time (more things are done with ease in same duration) and comfort (to all).’

Husn al Aziz, volume 2, page 412

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.

Muraqaba e Ihsan: Developing taqwa

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Sit in solitude. Close your eyes. Contemplate (do muraqaba). Repeatedly remind yourself either by saying it or thinking that, ‘I am in front of Allah’, ‘I am in front of Allah! Allah is watching me! Allah is watching me! I am in front of Allah! Allah is watching me’

Do this daily for some (fixed) duration of time.

As a result of this activity, by the kind bestowal of Allah, this awareness will gradually and progressively increase.

This contemplation is known as muraqaba e Ihsan.

Allah provides assistance to the one who does this activity (punctually). A awareness develops in this individual prior to all actions and verbal sayings that makes him ponder about the permissibility and accountability (in front of Allah) about that actions or sayings he is going to do.

This is a recommendable state.

It changes the heedless lifestyle into a cautious and caring one.’

Sunday waaz, Sept 2nd, 2012, Daruloom Karachi mosque, after asr.

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

What to do when consultation with Shaikh is not possible?

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘When consultation with Shaikh for guidance (in islah related issue) is not possible, either due to time constraints or logistics reasons then one should consult Allah directlly.

اللهم خرلنا واخترلنا

That is, turn to Allah asking for guidance and assistance in that perplexing situation.  This should be done repeatedly and continuously.

Allah guides the individual who turns to Him for guidance as it is said in the Holy Quran,

اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يُنِيب

Allah chooses (and pulls) towards Himself Anyone He wills and guide to Himself anyone who turns to him  (to seek guidance). (42:13)

Ramadhan 1433 (8/14/2012)

Telephone consultation for islah

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It was brought to the attention of sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) that due to the unreliable postal system there is frequent loss of islahi letters. This is creating problem for the seekers, especially in issues that require urgent consultation.

Sayyid wa sanadi kindly gave permission to contact him via telephone in this regards between 10.00 PM and 11.00 PM (Pakistan standard time).

However, following points must be clear about this facility,

1. This is for the seekers who already have a established and thriving Islahi relationship with sayyidi wa sanadi db.

2. It is only for issues that require urgent consultation.

3. There is special land line telephone number dedicated for this purpose. Please, contact me ( with proof of Islahi relationship) to obtain it.

4. Please, do not share this number with others.

5.Prepare in advance what you intend to discuss. Be concise and to the point.

A. Please, do not share this telephone number with others.

How to balance between the religious practices?

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said!

‘Advice from a Shaikh is needed to effectively balance between the religious practices. In absence of this guidance mistakes are committed. They may lead to either negligence of the rights of parents/spouses or involvement in sinful. This may lead to souring of close relationships and displeasure of Allah.

Moreover, it alienates the secular observers. They become vary of religious change in their lives.’

An individual inquired regarding the nature of this advice.

Is it the one given in weekly or monthly discourses?

Sayyidi wa sanadi elaborated,

‘In general discourses the fundamental principles of practicing Deen are mentioned. However, their application in everyday life varies according to the particular individual’s conditions, circumstances, priorities, etc.. Therefore, specific individual guidance is required. This requires consultation with a spiritual mentor:Shaikh.

To make it more understandable to the physician who asked this question Shaikh added,

This is similar to the field of medicine where the principles of medical sciences are taught in formal lectures. However, application of these principles in a particular clinical settings is very specific to each and every patient. This is based on his signs, symptoms and other comorbid conditions etc.

Therefore, specific guidance from ‘a’ Shaikh is needed to follow Deen effectively.

Ramadhan 1433

Balancing the practices of Deen

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Sayyidi wa sandi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani(Allah preserve him) mentioned,

There is growing trend of Islamic awareness and practicing in younger generation. This often leads to clash with their non practicing parents. Sometimes the situation becomes ugly. It is imperative to be firm on the religious commandments. This is because there is no obedience of anyone in things that displease Allah. However, in doing so full respect of the parents has to be maintained. There should be no anger, rudeness or harsh language used. This is also an Islamic injunction. The fine balance between the practices of Deen has to be maintained in order to gain pleasure of Allah.

Ramadan waaz1433: sabr series

Recitation of Holy Quran

The first instruction for spiritual seekers in regards to the rectification of religious actions by sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) is,

A. If correct recitation of Holy Quran has not been yet been studied under a qualified Qari (teacher) then this has to be done immediately.

If this was already done then one should recite it (as a test) to another qualified Qari and ascertain the requiremnet for further improvement. If there is a need then this has to be accomplished as soon as possible.

Dastur al-Amal baray Talibeen e islah (new revised edition 2012), page 3

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