Category Archives: T. Tarbiyet

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

Levels of khushoo

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A novice murid wrote his condition:
‘In namaz for khushoo I concentrate on the wordings of the recitation (as instructed). For zikr and tilawat, should I do similarly or concentrate on the meanings?’

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Amin) replied:
“It is best on both, if possible. Otherwise which ever is achievable.”

Trying his best to do as instructed after some considerable time the same individual wrote:

‘In zikr and namaz instead of concentrating on words and meaning I get focused on a thought as though Allah is present and He is watching me. Sometimes this thought is strong and at others it is weak. Is this thinking appropriate for me? Also if I voluntary try and keep this thought I can not concentrate on words and meanings.’

Shaykh said:
“Concentrating on words and meanings are a stepping stone and are for the purpose of creating this focusing that Allah is present and He is watching. All praise is for Allah, progress up the stairs occurred. Whatever excessive thankfulness (to Allah) is done for this blessing can not be enough.
Allah increase it manifolds.”

Islahi khutoot

Mawlana Hanif Jaunpuri db

 mashaikh

Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Hanif Jaunpuri (may Allah preserve him) a khalifa of Shaykh Wasiullah (may Allah have mercy on him) is almost hundred years old.  He has been teaching for the past 63 years. Presently he is the Shaykh al-Hadith at Baitul Uloom, Sara-i-Mir, UP, India.

He is, mashaAllah, very active, alert and mentally sharp even at this age.

He was in Jeddah yesterday. In an informal talk  he informed us about himself. In my own words I will post some excerpts from it. May Allah make it beneficial for us. Amin!

‘I worked as a porter initially. I had attended school till fourth grade only. Then I became a famous ‘amil.People used to call me ‘Hanif Shah’. It was in 1942 or 43 that I recognized the importance of Tasawwuf and wrote a letter to Hakim Al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah Have mercy on him) asking for guidance. It was the period of Hakim al-Umma’s terminal illness. In response Hakim al-Umma excused himself from being able to do so but provided a list of 25 khulafa to select from based on one’s congeniality (munasbet).

I consulted with sincere friends and selected Shaykh Wasiullah (may Allah have mercy on him) as a Shaykh. I moved to his khanqah. In spare time I tended to the goats kept at his home. There I had a desire to formally study Islam. And in four and a half years I completed the basic curriculum.  It was  in the blessed month of Ramadhan at the tahajjud time that Shaykh Shah Wasiullah initiated the dars of Sahih al-Bukhari for us. We were 20 or 25 students. Thereafter, for the subsequent 11 years I attended this dars for my own benefit.

Once Shaykh Wasiullah for some tarbiyyah reason banished me from the khanqah. Shaykh had a jalali demeanor of tarbiyyah. We were apprehensive approaching him. It took me two years to gather courage and visit him again. During this period I moved to Banares. There I studied homeopathic medicine and established a clinic. It was on the eve of eid al-fitr that I decided to return to Shaykh. Travelling hundreds of miles by train I reached Gopaganj (a small town near the village of Shaykh) early morning on the eid day. There were festivities all around. People were celebrating eid. Each and everyone of them knew me from before. But no one even greeted me. They were all aware that I had been banished by the Shaykh. I greeted them and asked them to mediate for me and inform the Shaykh of my arrival. No one agreed. They said that they did not want to spoil their eid by upsetting the Shaykh. Eventually, I mustered the courage to go by myself.

My feet were trembling and the heart was racing amok as I climbed the stairs leading to the Shaykh’s room. On seeing me Shaykh said, ‘Oh! you have returned eventually.’ I dropped on his feet and started crying. Shaykh consoled me. He instructed others to make me comfortable at khanqah. He had siwayian(sweets made especially on eid) from his home brought for me and moreover presented me 30 rupees as eidee (eid gift). Thereafter he instructed me to stay at the khanqah as long as he was alive. (Mawlana was emotionally overwhelmed at narating this). ‘

Jeddah, Qari Rafique sahib’s residence, after ‘esha, 10th April 2009

Ihsan

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An individual enthusiastically informed Arif-billah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) that by Allah’s grace he had attained the station of Ihsan. That is, worshipping Allah as though you see Him and if that is not possible then as though He sees you.

Shaykh Arifi (qaddas sirrahu) congratulated and encouraged him. And then inquired that if this ihsan was attained only in prayers (salah) or it was also present at other times, like dealing with house hold members, especially wife.

The individual looked in bewilderment at Shaykh and informed that he thought this ihsan was only meant to be limited to prayers and ritual worship.

Shaykh Arifi explained to the audience in detail that this is a common mistake. We tend to limit deen to formal acts of worship (Ibadaat). Our all other activities seem to be independent of the fact that each and every moment of our life we are as much a slave of Allah as in prayers and other worship.

The genuine ihsan is perpetual. The slave is aware that he is being watched and he will be accountable for whatever he does. Hence, he has utmost respect and does not do any thing inappropriate. Remember this is an intentional and a voluntary act of thinking.

As per instruction of Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Muhammad Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah SWT preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) setting aside an allocated time every day to think repeatedly that: ‘I am in front Allah SWT & He is watching me’, is essential for achieving it. It becomes a habit in second nature only by doing it repeatedly. Practice makes perfect. Gradually it becomes almost like an instinctive performance, like breathing or drinking.

Wa ma taufiqi ilabillahi!

Two Steps to Success

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said:

Two things are always to be done actively in every endeavor.

Firstly take the initiative and start working and secondly beseech Allah for its successful completion.

These two things are to be done for all things during your whole life and inshaAllah, you will succeed.

My Shaykh (Arifbillah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi ra) used to tell us, “Talk to Allah”.

Tell Him, “O Allah! I was involved in all these bad deeds, now I have taken the step to reform. Some of the sins I gave up but giving up the rest of them is becoming difficult for me due to the overpowering by my lower-self (nafs), shaytan, environment and my circumstances.

You alone can remove these overwhelming factors. It is not within my capability to do so. O Allah! Please, remove these crushing obstacles or else do not reprimand me in hereafter regarding them.”

Talk to Allah like this. Then you will find out how things work up for the best and how you are saved from the sins by Allah.

(Help comes after initiating the action: Islahi Khutbat 139-141/volume 11)

Kissimmee, FL

Intention in religious discussion

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My respected father Cdr. Shaukat Kamal (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote,

‘Every friday I gather my family after asr salah and discuss religious matters with them. I am using your books and (Hakim al-Umma’s) Bahishti zewar for assistance. I feel that this activity is most beneficial for myself.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) replied,

‘The real intention (in these sort of activities) should be self benefit, indeed.’

Walid sahib kay Islahi khutoot, page 10

Lustful glances

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

Nothing happens without determination.
The real treatment to prevent lustful glances is to think at that moment:

“Allah SWT is watching me now and on the Day of Judgment I will be questioned regarding this. And if Allah SWT condemns me for punishment what will happen of me?”

By recalling this repeatedly again and again one will attain success.

Therefore, make strong determination.
This is the only treatment.

Initially for few days there will be some hardship indeed, but eventually, inshaAllah, it will become a habit. And then the gratification and peace you find in it can only be imagined of.

(Basair-e-Hakeemul-e-Ummat, page 369)

Committing a sin thinking

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

Committing a sin thinking it will decrease (or eliminate) the desire for that sin (in the future) is a deception of Shaytan. Yes, the desire will be decreased temporarily but the faculty and power of committing sin will be strengthened (long term) resulting in the eradication of sin becoming beyond ones power and strength.

From: Advices of Hakim al-Umma: Part One

Sheikh-mureed Relationship

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

“The relationship between a Sheikh and a mureed is exactly like that between a physician and a patient.

If a person acknowledges being a patient of a certain physician and that physician agrees to it, would this contract by itself result in cure of all ailments of that person?

Never!

Therapeutic intervention will be needed.

Its method is to inform the physician of the illness in detail (get diagnosed and receive treatment).

It can not be achieved by just sitting in the company of physician silently for few hours daily without informing him of the illness and getting a prescription.

No one does this.

Moreover, people repeatedly tell the physician in specific details their condition. Even if the doctor acknowledges understanding them, they insist to repeat the details fearing some vital information may have been missed.

But it is distressful for the miserable Sheikh. No one tells him regarding their batini (esoteric) ailments (requesting treatment). It is assumed that he himself will tell what diseases you suffer from and treat them without your request. …….. Even if he were to have kashaf (unveiling) without you asking for treatment specifically, he will never impose it on you. Why would he care if you show such an attitude. You need his services (for cure), he does not need you.”

Waaz: Rahat-ul-quloob; Mawaiz e Ashrafiya volume 22, page 261

Company of the Pious

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It is the third thing in our list of actions leading to creation of ta’luq ma’Allah/Love of Allah swt. Most probably this is the most effective means of achieving it.

Here, pious are those who already posses this ta’luq/Love. First most in them is the Sheikh himself or whom ever he suggests and approves. The benefits of this companionship are to felt and lived. The words can not describe them in the fullest sense. Here we will mention a few.

Once a person asked Hazrat Thanvi qaddas sirrahu, that the famous verse;
Yak zamana suhbat ba awliya
Behter az sed sala ta’et e bay-riya

(Momentary companionship of Friends of Allah swt is better than hundred years of sincere worship) seems to be an exaggeration. How can this be possible?
Hazrat Thanvi ra replied that, “It was no exaggeration at all. Moreover, the message was still not completely conveyed. If the poet had said;
Yak zamana suhbat ba awliya
behter az sed lekh sala ta’et e bay-riya
(Momentary company of Friends of Allah swt is better than million years of sincere worship), it would not have been an exaggeration.”

This is because in the company of pious/awliya you get more than the sincerity. You get this ta’uluq ma’Allah/love of Allah swt. This is the master key for all further good actions.

Another benefit is that in the company of the pious one repeatedly hears useful knowledge and tips for putting this to practice in every day life. This will motivate the clumsiest of the mureed to action.

Additionally, there is the benefit of dua (prayers) of the pious. Seeing a sincere aspirant working diligently they make prayer for him. InshaAllah, there is conviction that their prayer are accepted.

Also by keeping their company, one starts to admire them and imitate them. This hastens the spiritual progress.

Essential to acknowledge is that this company needs to be for considerable duration of time (months/years), with sincerity and total obedience to bear its fruit.Being physically present in the company of the Sheikh as much as possible in different settings is needed. Corresponding with him often via mail, e-mail and telephone can be a substitute if physical presence is not possible.In the tareeq of Hazrat Hakeem ul Ummat ra regular correspondence between the Sheikh and mureed is a must cornerstone of spiritual improvement effort.

Masti kay leyay boay maay tund hay kafi
Maakhanay ka mehroom bhi mehroom nahi hay
According to Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat ra company of the pious is a compulsory obligation (fardh a’yn) in this era for each and every Muslim. It is the vital means of saving ones faith.

Our busy daily schedule and complicated lifestyle does not seem to accommodate company of the pious!It is all about our priorities. Things which we consider important are somehow adjusted in the same busy schedule.Those who are serious regarding the tareeq have to make this their number one priority.

However, the tareeq is not rigid and inadaptable. When genuine reasons for not being physically present exist, there are other means to get some similar benefit if not exactly the same.They are:

1. Reading books of the past Mashaykh of the tareeq.Most important are the sermons (mawa’iz, 30 volumes, 500 pages each) and suhba talks (malfoozat, 25 voulmes, 250 pages each) of Hakeemulummat Hazrat Thanvi ra. Also books by A’rifbillah Dr. Abdul Hayy ra (especially Basair Hakeemulummat). And finally books by Sidi wa Sanadi Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib dbt (specifically, Islahi Khutbat 14 volumes, & Islahi Majalis 5 voulmes, 300 page each).

2. Listening to the spiritual discourses of the Sheikh. Alhumdulillah, more than five hundred such discourses delivered by Sidi wa Sanadi Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib dbt are available both in audio cassettes and MP3 CDs. Some of them have been posted on worldwide web also.

Continuous effort and trying one’s best to be in the company of the Sheikh whenever possible, even for brief duration will, inshaAllah, lead to the development of this ta’aluq ma’Allah/Love.

Course to lafz hi sekhatay hain
Adami adami banatey hain
Justujo ham ko adami ki hay
Who kitabain abus mangatey hain
(Akbar Allahbadi ra)

A blessed state

yamehbubal

A senior disciple wrote,

Frequently a state raptures me on hearing the blessed name of Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) or listening to his narrations.  Tears flow for a while and it appear that as if the Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) is sitting in front of me. This happens both in public and in solitude. On these occasions an unintentional desire to stand arises. However, two thoughts come to mind preventing me to do so. Firstly, in public I fear that people will call me an impostor and  it will be damaging for the beliefs (‘aqaid).   Secondly, the internal state is as described whereas apparently there is nothing visible. I remain perplexed in this situation. Afterwards I feel a sort of disassociation in remembrance (dhikr) and this makes me anxious.  What should I do? Stand up or not?

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

‘This is a blessed state.

If you can not withstand it, then stand up. However, do not disclose to others why are you standing.  This way it would not be detrimental to beliefs (aqaid). If someone insists a lot to know the reason tell him I was feeling anxious. Period.’

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 2 page 730

Islahi T’aluq

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‘Arifbillah Shaykh Dr Abdul-Hayy ‘Arifi (may allah have mercy on him) said;

To slip and commit mistakes is inherent human nature.

If the mistakes were not there spiritual progress would not be possible.

However, to avoid them (in first place) and become aware of them (if committed) prominent scholars and sufis established a relationship for self-reformation (islahi t’aluq) with the friends of Allah  (ahlulAllah) and abandoned ascribing any self perfection.

Malfozat-e-‘Arifi ra page 61

Recitation of Quran in salah!

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Shah Abrar ul-Haq (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Some individuals follow all the rules and regulations of reading Quran in prayers (salah) that are read aloud (jahari), whereas, in prayers that are read silently they do not follow any of the regulations.

Why?

Are these regulations only for the prayers read aloud?

If the following of these regulations is due to the respect and right of the Holy Quran then in all situation they must be followed.

Hayat e Abrar ra, page 255

Daily wird & Time constraints

Sands of Time

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

‘If due to genuine reasons limited time is available the components of the wird may be decreased in quantity.

For example instead of reciting the tasbeehat 100 times each do it 33 times or 11 times or even 3 times if the restraints are such great.

Do not abandon the wird all together.

Abandoning it will cause loss of great barakah (blessings).’

Allah give us the tawfeeq. Ameen