Category Archives: T. Tarbiyet
Developing Allah’s love!
Shaykh Shahabuddin Suhrawardi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“A Shaykh develops and nutures the love of Allah, Most High in a disciple (murid) by instructing him to follow the example and manners of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) (i.e Sunna).
Whosoever does this correctly becomes the beloved of Allah, as it has been said in the Holy Quran,
‘(O Prophet!) Tell (them) that if you want to love Allah , then you should follow me. (By this) Allah will love you and forgive all your sins. Indeed! Allah is all forgiving and merciful. ‘(3:31)”
Awarif al-Ma’arif, chapter 10, page 231
Spiritually beneficial topics?
Hadhrat Mawlana Wasiullah, one of the special khulafa of Hakim Al-Umma (may Allah have mercy on them) points out,
“In our times it will not be of much benefit to speak only about the the higher spiritual states (ahwal) and exalted mystical stations (maqamat).
It will be more beneficial to elucidate on the spiritual ailments (razail) the general public and elite are afflicted with and direct them towards the treatment.”
Hayat Muslih al-Ummat ra, page 5
Tarbiyet: A wife’s complaint
A wife wrote a letter complaining that in spite of taking very good care of her monetarily and physically her husband’s attitude is dry, rough and non affectionate with her. She cited many examples of his curt, blunt and hurtful replies and behavior.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) had the husband read the letter (when he visited) in front of him and asked for an explanation.
The husband acknowledged his behavior and tried to make some genuine excuses, like financial stresses, psychological illness, unrealistic demands by the spouse and pressures at work.
Very gently Hadhrat advised him,
‘Her complaint is genuine. Remember that for a successful marital relationship extra effort has to be made. Try your best. The enviornment at home should be that of affection, gentleness and happiness.’
At the same time Hadhrat reassured the wife in writing that he has instructed her husband on these issues and she should be patient and undemanding.
A few days later Hadhrat inquired the husband regarding the status of this issue.
Malfuzat e Ramadhan 1429
IDSA, Washington DC
TV & VCR/DVD
Giving instructions to a newly appointed mujaz Hadhrat Dr. Ismail Memon (may Allah preserve him) said,
‘In the Prophetic sayings ingestion of intoxicating beverages has been pointed out to be the source of all the sins (umm al-khabayis), similar is the status of viewing television and video cassette recordings (VCR and these days DVDs). They are the root cause of most of the immoral actions (abb ul-munkerat).
Refrain from them completely.
Many individuals fail intellectually to recognize the evil effects of these things.
Even if one does not understand, it is essential to abstain from them.”
Maqalat wa shuzrat, Mawlana Yusuf Ludhyanawi shaheed (may Allah have mercy on him), page 8
Becoming a murid?
A sister asked,
“Can I become a murida of Shaikh Hazrat Taqi Usmani sahib? I was previously a murida of Shaikh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on him) from India.”
All praise is to Allah, as per the teachings of sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) following reply was sent,
‘It is a great blessing of Allah that you are a muridah of Hadhrat Ali mian (may Allah have mercy on him).
I pray and hope that you are continuing with what Hadhrat told you to do, such as remembrance(tasbihat, dhikr), recitation of Holy Quran (tilawat), reading (mutala’), etc.
As a basic rule, it is most beneficial that after the passing away of his Shaykh the murid associates with Shaykh’s senior representatives (khulafa) to continue the journey on the same track without any interruptions.
However, if due to unavoidable circumstances you can not contact any of those khulafa then you can correspond with sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) for self-reformation (islah) and bayiat.
The two most prevalent sins!
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah grant him a long, healthy and fruitful life) said,
“To preserve the benefits gained in Ramadhan abstain from sins. The two most common sins in which most of the people are involved in these days are,
1. Inappropriate use of eyes. That is, seeing unlawful things.
2. Backbiting. That is speaking of others in such a manner that if they came to know about it they will be upset. Even if the content is truth.
Make a concious effort to control yourself.”
Ramadhan bayan 1429, Darul Uloom Karachi
Darul Uloom is a khanqah these days!
All praise is for Allah, Most High.
These days Dar ul Uloom, Karachi is a spiritual lodge (khanqah/zawiya).
Spiritual aspirants from various places around the world have flocked together to avail the blessings of Ramadhan in the blissful company of their Shaykh.
Almost two hundred individuals are performing the sunna seclusion (e’itikaf) in Dar ul Uloom’s mosque.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) holds a daily session after zuhar prayers for the spiritual aspirants. These discourses are providing the essential knowledge of tasawwuf for the seekers. The reality of sincerity (ikhlas), presence of mind/heart in worship(khushu’), and the method of tazikiya are some of the topics that have been discussed so far.
Thereafter, muridin gather in his office to be in his blessed company till the asr prayers. There they listen to the advise, observe the attitude and absorb the spiritual states of their Shaykh. MashaAllah!
May Allah make this beneficial for all of us. And, inshaAllah, this supplication be accepted
Amin!
سلامت تیرا میخانہ، سلامت تیرے مستانے
رہے گا رنگ عالم میں یہی تا یوم دیں ساقی
مجذوب رح
How to read the spiritual discourses?
Instructing a senior scholar from Rangoon, Myanmar, who is staying in Darul Uloom to be in sayyidi wa sanadi’s company for the month of Ramadhan, Hadhrat said,
“Read the spiritual discourses (mawaiz) of Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) as much as possible during your stay here. Make an effort to read at least forty of these.
However, while reading them keep an intention for your own self reformation (islah). It is a common ailment of scholars that when they read something beneficial they make a mental note of it to mention it in their next public speech. This is not beneficial. One’s own reformation (islah) should be the primary concern to gain maximum benefit.”
7th Ramadhan 1429, Darul Uloom
Advice at condolence 3
On their way to mosque for magrib salah one of the sons of Hadhrat Shaukat Kamal (may Allah have mercy on him) told sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him), “After the demise of my respected father I have this feeling that I did not appreciate him enough during his life. I was negligent in fulfilling his rights.”
Hadhrat acknowledged this and said,
“This feeling is nothing inappropriate. ‘Qader e ni’mat ba’d az zawal’ (One truly appreciates a blessing only when it is gone forever) is a well known axiom.
However, all praise is for Allah, that even now you can be of assistance to him in his after-life by doing esal e thawab and making supplication (dua) for him as much as possible.”
26th Sha’ban 1429/29th August 2008
Advice at condolence 2
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) instructed the widow of his very close deceased murid/khalifa Hadhrat Shaukat Kamal (may Allah have mercy on him) from behind a partition,
“No doubt the loss is great but you must be patient. Remember that being sad, hearbroken and even crying is not in opposition to the patience (sabr) required by Shariah. Moreover, it is the right of the beloved deceased to miss him and grieve. The only thing that has to be avoided is to criticize and oppose the decree of Allah, Most High.”
JazakAllah!
DHA, residence, 26th Sha’ban 1429/29th August 2008, after maghrib
Advice at condolence 1
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) instructed the sons of his very close deceased murid/khalifa Hadhrat Shaukat Kamal (may Allah have mercy on him),
“Take special care of your mother. Acknowledge how precious her existence is now. Make sure to keep her content and comfortable.
This is especially so that with time the sorrow of other relatives of the deceased wanes away but that of the spouse does not. In contrary it increases with age and time.
Also, he encouraged them to do esal e thawab as much as possible for the deceased by praying, reading Holy Quran, giving charity, etc.”
JazakAllah!
DHA, residence, 26th Sha’ban 1429/29th August 2008, around maghrib
Excessive supplication
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) was performing Umrah.
At each and every step he supplicated at length with utmost serenity, humility and servitude.
In the prayers after the tawaf (wajib ut-tawaf) his ruku and sujood were longer than usual. During sai’i he recited the supplications from Munajat e Mabool. However, at stops on Safa and Marwa he made dua at length in Urdu.
At the end of the Umrah rituals he made another very comprehensive supplication audible to those immediately besides him on Marwa.
All praise is for Allah, he did not miss a single moment without being in contact with Allah, Most High during the whole process. Moreover, numerous individuals and few of his students on recognizing him came to greet him and asked for prayers for themselves. Again providing an opportunity to call upon Allah.
May Allah give us the ability (tawfiq) to learn from this. Amin!
Ramadhan and ta’aluq ma’Allah
A murid requested sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) to consider a programme for the ‘itekaf (seclusion) in the last 10 days of Ramadhan. He elaborated that it will be of utmost benifit for the murideen. They will be in the company of their Shaykh and pious fellow seekers, able to better utilize their time in worship and listen to spiritual discourses gaining the essential understanding of religion and learning the arts of its application in personal life.
Hadhrat listened to it attentively and then commented,
“It is a very good idea. However, eventually people involved in this will lose focus and it will take a form of a religious carnival. This has happened a lot in our history. Things start simply but over time they are elevated to be akin to essential and compulsory actions (faraidh, wajibat).
The blessed moments of Ramadhan are not for communal activities. They are to establish and reinforce one’s relationship directly with Allah, Most High. This is best achieved in seclusion. That is the reason it is best to perform all the supererogatory (nafil) worship in private. Where the slave (abd) is in front of his Lord alone, acknowledging his short comings, asking for forgiveness, thanking for the bounties, seeking protection from all that is discomforting and begging for the burning desire of his heart. That is, Allah’s pleasure in the exact foot steps of His Beloved Prophet!”
Jeddah International airport, May 2005
Teaching by example
Scrupulousness in matters of religion
The following simple incident demonstrates how a Shaykh teaches the disciples with his actions. May Allah give us the sight to see these and a determination to implement them in our daily life. Amin!
After performing the Umrah sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) proceeded to the barbers shop to cut hairs, as it is necessary (wajib) to come out of state of ihram.
To the female companions he specifically instructed to make sure that they cut their hairs within the boundaries of Haram sharif and not on returning back to Jeddah.
Sitting in front of the barber Shaykh asked a lowly murid to check his hairs and make sure that it was greater in length to an interphalangeal space (minimum length when trimming hair is permissible instead of shaving the head completely).
Having made sure about the hair length, Shaykh instructed the barber on how much hair has to be trimmed in order to come out of state of ihram. He did so gently, in very simple language and demonstrated this to him using his fingers.
Friday, 23 Jamadi al-awal 1429/27 June 2008, Misfila, Makkah e mukarramah.