Category Archives: T. Tarbiyet

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

Not proper for a Believer to disgrace himself

The honorable Companion Huzaifah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“It is not proper for a Believer to disgrace himself.”

It was asked: “O  Prophet of Allah !  What is meant by this?”

The Prophet of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “To undertake something which you cannot bear.” (Tirmizi)

Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Asharf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) explains,

To assume a task beyond one’s capability is not proper for a believer . The consequence will be failure, disgrace, worry, and shame. Frustration will then overtake one.

This saying of the Prophet (hadith) covers all such acts and tasks which are beyond one’s power. In all such cases of difficulties adopt patience (sabr) and supplicate to Allah  for aid.

Hayat al-Muslimeen, chapter 10, Rights of oneself

Reality of Tasawwuf

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

‘For us the reality of Tasawwuf is only knowledge accompanied with actions .

The actions are limited to those that have been instructed by the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and are within the volitional means of the spiritual aspirant (salik).

Besides these all other things are superfulous. If they are bestowed and the Shaykh approves of them then they are a blessing and one should be thankful for them.

However, if they are held or taken away after being given then striving to achieve them or being extremely sad on their withdrawal is impermissible in the path. Moreover it is extremely harmful for one’s spirituality. This is irrespective of whatever that thing may have been.’

Basair e Hakim al-Ummat ra, page 56

How to spend vacations?

A murid living abroad inquired;

“I have returned  home for my annual vacations. All the time is free. Please, guide me in spending it appropriately.”

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani  (Allah preserve him) replied;

“Spend this free time in reading (the recommended material), zikir (remembrance of Allah, as instructed earlier) and appropriate (permissible) entertainment to relax and refresh your mind.”

Islahi khatoot

Ruining the Heart via Tongue & Eyes

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

“Two things completely ruin the heart and destroy its luminosity. One is backbiting (ghiba). And the other is seeing the unlawful (bad-nigahi). Both of them have become widespread these days.”

Sawanih wa ta’lemat e Hazrat Arifi ra pg 382

The four worst sins in Shariah

 


Hujjat al-Islam Imam Ghazali (Allah have mercy on him)  has mentioned following to be the worst sins in Shariah:

1. Associating partners with Allah SWT. Either in His being or His attributes.
2. Considering a sinful act to be within the acceptable limits in Shariah. That is, to consider it halal.
3. Because of failure in one’s efforts, give up performance of  good actions (yaas).
4. Because of being unafraid of Allah SWT, commit the prohibited actions without any reservation (nedar).

We all must ponder over the second crime (in bold).
How many sins prevail in our daily life and how lightly do we take them?

Sayyidi wa sanadi Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah preserve him) tells us to leave all the sins immediately. However, due to our weak determination, non-Islamic surroundings or secular social pressures if we are not able to do so, we should make a habit of repenting for these sins every night, each single day. This will at least keep our balance sheet of deeds clear. And if God forbid, we were to die, there won’t be the huge amount of sins in arrears for punishment waiting.

توبہ میری جام شکن، جام میرا توبہ شکن
سامنے ڈھیر ہے – ٹوٹے ہوۓ پیمانوں کا

Pious Companionship (esp. for the Youth)

Hakim al-Ummat Mujaddid Shaykh Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said:
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The vital component for reformation (islah) is (companionship) suhba (of the pious), even without formal knowledge. Moreover knowledge without pious companionship (suhba) is useless. An uneducated person who keeps pious company reforms more successfully as compared to knowledgeable person without good company.

It is for this reason I tell that the children attending secular schools should be sent to visit the pious knowledgeable men (awliya). And if their elders also take note of this it will be very beneficial for all.

And I promise that neither will we rebuke them regarding their trousers being below ankles nor discuss the issue of their beard (being absent or being less than a fistful) and nor will we coerce them to pray (salah).

They will sit with us and in the result we will develop a mutual likability and friendliness and they will also develop a congeniality (munasbet) with deen. And this munasbet is the root cause and source of all (necessary) knowledge and actions.

Not all the Sahaba ra (The Holy Companions) were knowledgeable scholars, they benefited via companionship (suhbet) only. And for these reasons Awliya have always emphasized more on being steadfast with pious companionship as compared to acquiring knowledge.

Malfoozat Kamalat-e-Ashrafiya 172

With the summer vacations here, please, consider sparing few weeks, days or even hours from our busy schedule to be in the company of the pious . This will be an investment for us and our children.

May Allah give us the tawfeeq and facilitate its happening.
Ameen, bi-jah-e-Sayyid al-Mursaleen

Become a Human first!

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Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) repeatedly told people who approached him for reformation (islah):

“If you want to become a saint, a qutub or an abdal go elsewhere. Stay here only if you want to become a human being.”

Lacking the basic qualities of a human being an individual can never even be a true Muslim.

Love, sympathy, wishing well, being honest, sincere, polite and well mannered when dealing with others (even non-Muslims) are the basic rights of all human beings.

How can one gain Allah SWT’s pleasure, (that is being a devout sufi) when he/she is destroying these rights?

Hujjatul Islam Imam Ghazali ra has categorized living creatures in three types:
1. Those, which are always harmful. For example snakes, scorpion, lizards, etc.
2. Those, which are always beneficial. Like sheep, cows, horse, poultry etc.
3. And finally those, that are neither harmful nor beneficial. Like parrots, peacocks, zebra, etc.

Then he poses a question to us: in which category do we fit?

Cynical, acrid, humiliating and arrogant comments that hurt another’s feeling surely without any doubt make us similar to scorpions and snakes!

ع– درد دل کے واسطے پیدا کیا انسان کو

Repentance & Sins: Repent again

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him and allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen!) said:

“Hold fast to this advice.

That is, do not be disappointed and become disheartened by the repeated failures of repentance by committing sin.

Confront this failure of repentance by making a solemn determination (never to commit that sin again).

If you fail again, renew your determination again.

This mental struggle and physical effort has to continue until the end of life. Do not be discouraged by the repeated failures in keeping up with repentance. Hence, deciding not to repent. This depressed attitude is not correct.

Repent with a more solid determination (never ever to commit that sin again).”

Islahi majalis, volume 5, page 245

باز آ باز آ ہر آنچہ ہستی باز آ

گر کافر و گبر و بت پرستی باز آ

ایں درگاہ ما درگہ نوامیدی نسیت

صد بار گر توبہ شکستی باز آ

What is Tasawwuf?

Following is a summary of a talk by ‘Arif-billah Dr Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) ,

Keep your understanding of Tasawwuf clear.

Do not be misled by those who consider it to be limited to the recitation of litanies and excessive remembrance (dhikr).

Practical application of Tasawwuf in everyday life boils down to paying close attention to the rights of the others. Make sure that you do not become a source of any discomfort for them, however, minute it may be.

And remember, the most immediate, important and best evaluation of your  success in this endeavor will be your dealings, attitude and behavior with your spouse .

(Audio waaz)