Category Archives: T. Tarbiyet

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

Basis of & wisdom behind the Shariah rulings

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It was early Friday morning. The streets of downtown Jeddah were deserted. The car was traveling at the maximum speed allowed. However, it had to stop at all the red traffic lights for one or two vehicles to pass by and then continue towards Makkah e mukarramah expressway.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) reminded us of this situation and said that this scenario brings to his mind the issue of basis (illat) and the wisdom (hikmet) of rules and regulations. That is, there is wisdom behind all rules but observance of it is not contingent on this benefit. The order of regulatory authorities prevails. In our situation the rule is to stop at the red traffic light allowing other vehicles to pass until it turns green and the wisdom of this is to avoid accidents. Even if there are no other vehicles around it is necessary to stop at a red traffic light and whoever violates this law will be charged and fined.

Similarly, Shariah is the Divine law. There is wisdom behind most of these rulings. However, obedience to these regulations is not dependent on their perception.

 For example it is mentioned in the Holy Quran that,

“Satan wishes only to plant enmity and malice between you through wine and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of Allah and from Salāh. Would you, then, abstain?” 5:91

The Shariah ruling is that drinking wine and gambling are unlawful (haram).  Some of the wisdom for this rulings are mentioned in these verses. However, even if an individual claims that indulgence in these activities does not prevent him from the remembrance of Allah and prayers it would not make drinking intoxicants and gambling legitimate (halal) for him.

Nowadays there is lot of confusion is this regards.

This has to be engrained vividly in our minds. That is, the rulings of Shariah are to be observed irrespective of the wisdom and benefits behind them. They are the orders of Supreme Authority.

Friday, 23 Jamadi al-awal 1429/27 June 2008, Jeddah to Makkah

This is absolutely in concurrence with slavehood (abdiyet).

The supreme station an individual can attain.

Envy

Shaykh Mawlana Mohammed Maseehullah Khan (may Allah ahve mercy on him) said, 

Generally the basis of envying (hasad) is arrogance (kibr) and pretentiousness (ghuroor).

It is without any valid reason an individual seeks to withhold the bounties of Allah. He desires (at times consciously and at times subconsciously) that like himself, Allah too should restrict His bounties.

Envy is a malady of the heart.

It is harmful to both one’s spiritual life and worldly life.

The harm to man’s spiritual life is the elimination of his good deeds and becoming a victim of Allah’s wrath. Our beloved Prophet (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) said:
“Envying devours good deeds like fire consumes wood.”

The harm to his worldly life (dunyaa) is the frustration and worry which perpetually afflicts the envious person. He is consumed by frustration caused by hasad for another whose disgrace and fall he always anticipates. In this way the haasid destroys his Here-after. This is in addition to elimination of his worldly comfort and peace of mind.

Its remedy is by excessively praising the envied person.

One should praise, honour and meet him with extreme respect and humility, no matter how difficult this may seem.

Shariat wa Tasawwuf

Reveal the diseases to the Shaykh

The seeker must show his hidden diseases to the Shaykh, and disclose to him their reality so that he can cure them.

If the seeker has diseases and does not show them, openly or secretly, to his Shaykh, then the latter will not cure him of these diseases, even if he is aware of them. The reason for this is that a physician only treats about which the patient complains.

Having said that, none of the defects of the seeker is lost on the Shaykh, even though he only treats that which the seeker reveals. 

The Adab of the True Seeker, page 29-30

This is one of the reasons why regular communication with the Shaykh is essential. The seeker informs him of the various real life incidents and scenarios where a moral disease is suspected to have played a role. Shaykh then makes the diagnosis and prescribes a treatment. This is the reality of the written self-reformation correspondence (islahi makatabet) between the murid and the Shaykh is Ashrafiya path.

When to make baya’?

A seeker asked if sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) accepts request for baya’.

Following is the response,

Hadhrat (may Allah allow us to benefit from him abundantly) usually does not take baya’ from anyone up front.

It is only when he feels that the seeker has recognized the true meaning of this commitment then he does so. For some this duration is in months for others it may be longer. For example, an individual waited 4 years and his wife 14 years before the ritual of allegiance (baya’) took place.

In the mean duration one is supposed to do what is being told and provide regular feedback. This is the reality of baya’.

The sama’

Once a Shadhili inidividual invited Shaykh al-Arab wal-A’jam Hadhrat Haji Imdadullah mohajir Makki (may Allah have mercy on him) and his close companion for dinner. Hadhrat Haji sahib accepted on the condition that there must be sama’ (audition) accompanied with it.

Some of his close scholar (ulema) companion were reluctant to go and excused themselves out. However, Hakim al-Umma accompanied Hadhrat Haji sahib without any hesitation. While the companions were discussing this issue amongst themselves, Hakim al-Umma reiterated that he was going to attend this event, indeed. If Hadhrat Haji sahib was going what questions other could have. None of them was more pious then him.

At the event prior to meal being served, the (Shadhili) Shaykh’s companions stood up in a circle and one of them started to recite a Divine Name. Others chanted the same in chorus. The person leading this is called the munshid. After a while all became silent and munshid recited some poetry related to Divine Love. It was in a simple but very pleasant tone. The munshid was an old person. After it they recited another Divine name similarly. In summary, this sama’ was a very fine, pleasant and enjoyable event.

After its completion Hadrat Haji sahib inquired, ‘Did you enjoy?’

Hakim al-Umma replied affirmatively that, ‘Hadhrat indeed it was very enjoyable’.

Hahdrat Haji sahib then said that, ‘This is (in reality) the sama’. Some of our companions were uncomfortable with it for no definite reason. I had purposefully asked for this condition (sama’) just to show what are it limits.”

Ashraf us Sawanih, volume 1, page 262-3

Ghair muqallid murid

Any seeker, even if he was a ahle-hadith, provided he did not consider following the Imams’ (taqlid) impermissible (haram) and did not speak bad or held ill thoughts for the jurist (fuqha) Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) would not refuse to instruct him (in the spiritual path) or pass on the (sufi) dhikr or even accept him into the silsila (as a murid).

Ashraf us Sawanih, volume 2 269

Signs of false sufis

Their sufism is focused on and limited to anti-wahabi rhetoric and ritualism. Certain specific practices (rasoom) for remembrance (zikr, sama’, etc.) and celebration (hawl, milad, etc) are over emphasized. The stress on acquiring the knowledge of actions of the heart (maqamat) and the spiritual training (tarbiyet) to develop these are completely ignored. Hence, their tasawwuf does not lead to gnosis (marifah) and perfect slave-hood (‘ubodiyah). This is reflected in their noncompliance to Shariah rulings in the truest sense in all matters of their daily life.

Allah’s marifah

Hadhrat Shaykh Wasiullah Khan (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

“Once Hadhrat Mawlana (Thanawi) was telling us very fine subtleties regarding the gnosis (marifah).

Mawlana Abdul Ghani (may Allah have mercy on him) humbly commented,  “When the understanding of the mystical secrets (marifah) of the friends of Allah (awliya-Allah) is so difficult than how much more demanding it would be to achieve Allah’s marifah.”

Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma (may Allah have mercy on him) appreciated and acknowledged this comment.”

Halate Musleh al-Ummat, page 115

Suhba to avoid

Shaykh Sayyid Raziuddin Ahmad Fakhri (may Allah have mercy on him) instructed the travelers on the path (salikeen),

” The four imperatives for treating a medical illness are,

1. Correct diagnosis

2. Appropriate consultation and treatment

3. Healthy diet

4. Avoidance of harmful things

Similarly in treatment of the diseases of the soul (batin) these all are essential. However, most crucial in them is the fourth item. That is, avoidance of harmful things. This means to avoid inappropriate companionship (suhba).

What is inappropriate suhba?

Anything, be it an individual person, a thought, a voice, a visual scene, a speech, a written material, a sign, a statement, in summary any entity that is not compatible with the actions, thoughts, mode and method of the traveler on this path is deleterious companionship that has to be avoided.”

Ahl e sulook per achi buri sohbet kay aseraat, page 6 &14

Questioning the Islahi correspondence

Written correspondence between the murid and Shaykh is an essential principle of Ashrafiya tareeq.

Commonly known as islahi makatabet, it’s efficacy and importance has been extremely underestimated and neglected by us at practical level. This is specially true for the younger generation for whom writing letters is unknown.

Disregarding this effective mode of benefiting from the Shaykh has led to what we are observing these days. That is, effective islah does not take place even after years of baya and attending majalisof Shaykh for those who do not engage in islahi makatabet.

In this regards a sincere brother asked the following,

“Consider a case where a person living in the other extreme corner of the world, having never met his ‘Shaykh to be’ (his first ever shaykh of tareeq). However, he has been reading his books, articles, blogs etc. Can he still start and maintain a very effective ‘relation for islah‘ using ordinary postal mail ? (which takes 7 days to reach, then takes time to be answered due to busy schedule on the Shaykh’s part, and is then sent back, so 7 more days).

In case this person feels that the desires of the nafs still rule a lot of his daily routine and there is nobody around him to physically or verbally instruct him, would an islahi letter (which takes a long round time) be as thoroughly instructive to cater for this amateur’s Islahi need?

The following response was sent,

Your question is excellent and reflective of true desire (talab).

The ideal thing in tasawwuf for islah is blessed company (suhba)of the Shaykh. This is not only limited to attending the darsor visiting him occasionally. It should be staying at length close to him. This is to observe and learn from his behavior in different situations and allow the Shaykh to observe and make islahof your behavior in regular every day settings. For this previous day Shuyukh had live-in khanqahs. This is still very much desired and encouraged. However, during these days of busy life and many economical, educational or family commitments it is very difficult to squeeze out time for this. It for this reason a substitute by writing letters has been arranged. However, this can take any form of communication like e-mail, postal mail or contact via fax, etc.

A very essential point to remember in this substituted form of islahi ta’luq, is that one has to be very candid, explicit and truthful in telling his condition to the Shaykh. This islahi relationship is absolutely for gaining Allah’s pleasure. Shaykh is like a doctor if a patient hides important information, for example not being compliant in taking the medicine, or indulging in prohibited eating or physical activities or not following other recommendation, etc. from him it will lead to deterioration of the illness and cure will never be achieved. This is a very common pitfall we all encounter.

The scenario you describe is a common everyday reality for those involved in their islah. Even living in Karachi it may take up to 14 – 21 days for the letter’s reply. InshaAllah, email will soon facilitate this also.

It should be very clear upfront that Shaykh is going to give you advice and instructions to do what is the best for your settings. He will also prescribe some award and make dua for its facilitation. But it is YOU who has to take the bold step of crushing the desires of nafs and DO what is instructed. If you do not or can not or fail for some reason to do it, inform this to the Shaykh OPENLY. Do not be shy. Shyness here is HARAM. Shaykh may use some other method for your islah.

I hope I made my point clear.

Be aware that our nafs and shaytan are very knowledgeable and expert in misguiding us via genuine, logical and seemingly sound religious argumentation. You need an equally learned expert to counter their attack. He is the Shaykh.

Islahi makatabet is very effective, easy and practical means of benefiting from the Shaykh where ever you might be. Millions have and are profiting from it.

Try it on a trial basis!

Ever lasting spiritual struggle

Hadhrat Hakim al-umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah ahve mercy on him) said,

“Hardship persists in performance of good deeds.  It is because these actions are against the desires of the lower self (nafs). The lower self essentially tries to fight them off. This  may be a minor or a major battle. Hence, it remains essential to act against the desires of the lower self by doing spiritual struggle (mujahida) life long.

This is true both for the novice (mubtadi) and the one who has arrived (muntahi). Both of them have to face the opposition of the lower self some time or another, either in  form of laziness in performance of good deeds or indulgence in a sin. Novice gets into it a lot and the muntahi a little. In order to prevail in this battle it is essential for both of them to engage in spiritual struggle (mujahida). ”

Basair al-Hakim al-Umma, page 164-5

Related: Spiritual struggle

The Spiritual Struggle

Hadhrat Mawlana Masihullah Khan (may Allah have mercy on him) said,

The reality of spiritual struggle (mujahada) consists in the habitual practice of opposing the lower self (nafs).

In other words, it is to check and control the physical, pecuniary, egotistical, and mundane desires, delights and preferences of the lower self in persuit of the obedience and the good pleasure of Allah Most High.”

The Path to Perfection, page 36

Religious polemics

Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) reprimanded a murid,

“Stay away from all religious polemics.

Focus on the religious matters mutually agreed upon. These issues outnumber the ones that are disagreed upon.

There is no benefit in addressing the disputed issues, especially for the common lay individual. Discussing such issues is a total waste of time for him.

Only at an individual level if someone sincerely and for practical reasons wants to know the truth regarding these issues guide him to a reliable scholar or scholarly work.”

Mujazeen! Do not take baya or hold a majlis.

Hadhrat Mansur Ali Khan (may Allah preserve him) narrates that,

‘Arif-billah Hadhrat Dr. Abdul-Hayy ‘Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) used to tell his mojazeen (those to whom he gave permission to take baya ‘and train murid) very firmly that until and unless they have an internal overwhelming yearning to take someone as a murid they should not take baya.

Similarly, without this intense inner desire to tell others about the spiritual path (tareeq) they should not open their mouth to give a speech. They should wait for their spiritual puberty and maturity.”