Setting Priorities

Giving initial instructions to a novice murid, sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) wrote;

For future from now on, make special effort for the following;

1. Try your best to abstain from all sins, especially those of eyes, tongue and ears/hearing.
2. Refrain from useless (fazool) and petty (laya’ni) activities.
3. Read from Hakeemul Ummat ra’s discourses (mawaiz) or instructive utterances (malfuzat) daily as per your convenience. Even if its one page daily.

With these acts, if you have enough time, add following three tasbihats to your daily routine;
1. SubhnaAllah wa bihamdhihi subhanAllah il azeem
2. Third kalimah; SubhnaAllah walhumdulillah walaillaha il Allah o wAllaho akber
3. Salutations on the Prophet (Allah blees him and give him peace) Durood shareef

All of them 100 time each. Preferentially they should be recited after fajer or (if not possible then) after isha. Otherwise, recite them whenever you get a chance.

Islahi khutoot

Innovation

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

“An innovation (bid’ah ) is to introduce something which has no basis in Shariah (Divine law) into the religion (deen) regarding it to be (an integral) part of religion and to act upon it with the hope of reward.

Indulgence in an innovation is a major sin.”

Behishiti Zewar

Wahabi-ish?

In answer to one person’s question Hadhrat Hakim all-Umma Mawlana Shah Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi(may Allah have mercy on him) replied:

I don’t know how these innovators (bid’ati) link us to the Wahhabi’s?

First of all, the one whose name they are slandering is not even Abdul Wahab. For no reason they have slandered the poor guy. The actual person is Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab who took to extremes in certain matters, but not to the extent that these people slander him for.

Moreover, our aqaa’id are not even similar to his. If they argue that some of our beliefs are similar to his, then the answer to that is: your beliefs are similar to his also. For example, ‘Muhammd ibn Abdul Wahab believes that Islam is the truth, and so do you. He believes in the prophet hood of Muhammad (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) and so do you.’ So what is so bad about that?

And in so many issues (masa’il) we have major differences with him. So how can we be considered his followers? For example, he considers traveling for the visitation of Prophet’s (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him)) blessed grave to be forbidden, whereas we say that it is praise-worthy (mustahab), rather emphasized to do so. Even some of our scholars gone to the extent of having the opinion that it is essential (wajib).

How then are we Wahhabis?

If they consider us Wahhabis due to the fact that we also don’t send curses on him like they do, then it should be known that Hazrat Rabi’ah Basriah (may Allah have mercy on her) would not even like to curse Satan (shaytan). In reality, this type of cursing and absolving oneself from others is the practice of the Shia (rawaafidh), and has no basis according to Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah.

So, how is it then that we are labeled as Wahhabis?”

Malfuzat-e-Hakim al-Umma ra; 8/253
Translated by Hadhrat Mawlana Tameem Ahmadi مدظله

Levels of Negligence

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

“It is in “Fawaidul fawad” (malfuzatof Hazrat Mehboob e Ilahi Khawajah Nizamuddin Awliya Chishti ra) that, salik is he who travels on the path (of sulook). Waqef واقف is the one who is stuck in the middle

If a salik is negligent in his worship but quickly repents, ask (Allah’s) forgiveness and resumes his duties actively he becomes a salik again. However, God-forbid, if he continues to be negligent chance are that he may be turned off راجع

There are seven levels of negligence in this path (sulook).

First is اعراض dodging Allah’s commands

If one does not repent humbly he proceeds to حجاب the creation of a barrier between him & Allah

If he persists this leads to تفاصل increasing separation between him & Allah

If he does not repent even now, the additional state of enthusiasm ذوق و شوق)) in acts of devotion is taken away. This is سلب مزید removal of additional states

If he continues in his foolish ways the comfort and pleasure that were present even before the additional state of enthusiasm are also taken away. This is called سلب قدیم removal of original states

Not repenting and correcting his behavior at this stages leads to an agreement of heart on separation (from Allah). This is called تسلی agreement on separation between him & Allah

If the same negligence continues the love (of Allah) is replaced by عداوت hatred

We seek Allah’s refuge from them all.”

Taleem ud Deen, page 113-4, Taj Co. edition. (An essential reading in Nisab e Tasawwuf)

Strongest Impediment in Sulook

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

‘Although, all the sins and attachments to other-than Allah are an obstacle in this path (sulook). Few indispensable ones are explained here.

First and foremost is opposition of the Sunna of Prophet, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him (in beliefs, acts of worship, especially ikhlaq/morals, mutual dealings, financial transactions and all other activities).

Taleem ud Deen, page 131, Taj Co. edition. (An essential reading in Nisab e Tasawwuf)

Three things to do on hearing something beneficial

‘Arifbillah Hadhrat Dr. Abdul Hayy ‘Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) told those gathered to hear him speak;

“To reap maximum benefit from something heard that is spiritually beneficial do these three things;

1. Make dua immediately. Asking Allah for the assistance (tawfeeq) to act according to it.

2. Pass it on to others.  That is, repeat it to someone else, later.

3. Act on it as soon as possible. Even if it were to be a single occurrence.”

Khutbat e Arifi ra, mp3, 10 CD set

احوال انتہاۓ سلوک

ایک اجازت یافتہ کا خط

 

الحمدللہ سردست طریق سلوک میں کچھ شبہات نہیں معلوم ہوتے۔

جو کچھ انتہاء اس طریق کی بطفیل آنحضرت اپنی ناقص فہم میں آئی ہے بغرض اصلاح بے تکلف عرض کرتا ہوں، امید ہے کہ تکلیف فرما کر اصلاح فرمادی جاوے ۔

 وہ یہ کہ،

– یقین کالمشاہدہ کا حاصل ہونا

– اپنا اور اغیار کا وجود چشم باطن میں فناء کالعدم ہوجانا،

– بالکل یکسو ہو کر قلب کا ذکر و مذکور کی طرف متوجہ و مائل ہوجانا اور

– جمیع تعلقات و جملہ حالات و خیالات کا باطن سے غائب و فناء ہوجانا،

– مدام باہوش و صاحب فکر رہنا،

– اپنے اور اغیار کی ذات بلکہ ہر دو جہاں اور جملہ ماسوا سے قلب کا بالکل آزاد و فارغ ہوجانا،

– رضا و تسلیم کا عادی و خوگر بن جانا: جملہ حالات و جمیع معاملات میں مشیت و مرضی مولا پر بدل و جاں راضی و خوش رہنا،

بس اپنے فہم ناقص کا خلاصہ عرض کر چکا۔

 

حکیم الامت رحمۃ اللہ علیہ کا جواب،

ماشآ اللہ لیھئنک العلم،

 خوب سمجھ گئے۔

 اللہم ادم و اقم۔

 

تربیت السالک، جلد1، ص772

 

 

Sunna: The criterion

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in regards to selecting a Shaykh for spiritual path:

“The thing to look for in a Shaykh is the proportion of the Sunna of the Holy Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) he has integerated into his actions.

Unveiling of your secrets (makashafat) etc. can be an act of mesmerism. These are under the control of one’s thoughts. (So do not rely on this sign alone.)

The real and major thing to look for is the level of congeniality (munasbat) with Holy Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him). And this congeniality should be spontaneous and consistent.”

Husn al-Aziz: Malfoozat e Hakim al-Ummat, volume 17 page 41

Secret of Repetition

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

“Reading or discussing something repeatedly usually results in recalling it when its need arises.

At that moment one needs spiritual determination to act according to it.

Doing such for some time eventually leads to the creation of an instinctive inclination for acting so without effort.”

Malfoozar e Arifi 167

Adversity form Authorities

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

“The thing to do if an unpleasant events comes from the authorities in charge (for example, the government) is to inform them about your suffering in a civilized manner.

If they do not act on your complain, be patient.

Do not confront them by action, speech or writing.

Make dua that Allah remove these miseries.” 

Hayatul muslimeen, chapter 10, huqooqun nafas, page 186

That means, no violence, rallies, agitations, destroying public or private property or any other ways that are equivalent to taking the law in your own hand!

Best book for a salik preparing for Hajj

 

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,

“Hadhrat Makhdoom Mohammad Hashim Tathtawi’s (may Allah have mercy on him) book, ‘Hayat al-qalub fi ziyarat al-mahbub‘ is the most authentic text regarding the Hanafi fiqh rulings on Hajj. My respected father, Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) used to praise it a lot. It was because of this that he obtained its manuscript with much effort and had it published by Maktaba Darul Uloom, Karachi. He used to say that the methodical study (tehqiq) of some of the Hajj rulings (masail) in it is superior to most of the the other established text.”

Hayat al-qalub fi ziyarat al-mahbub, page 3

The original book is in Persian. It was translated in to Urdu by Mawlana Khalilur Rehman Nomani al-Mazaheri (may Allah have mercy on him).

Hajj is a unique act of worship (‘ibada). 

As per Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) it is a worship of an ardent lover (‘ashiq) .

It is done only once in lifetime. That is, the fardh Hajj.

In other worships that are repeated daily or yearly there are chances to reach the zentih of sincerity, devotion and perfection (sidiq) eventually over time.  But this is not possible in Hajj. Hence, all effort has to be made to make sure that it is done as required by the Shariah in the first go.

The wealth of information given in this book is remarkable. All the faraidh, wajibat, sunna and mustehebbat are mentioned in detail.

It is a must reference to be available on Hajj journey, especially for individuals or if your group does not have qualified Hanafi scholar to guide you step by step.

May Allah help all those intending for Hajj this year, making each and every step easy. May He give them utmost sincerity, devotion and conformation to the Sunna in it. And finally accept it as a ‘perfect Hajj’. Ameen!

Prohibiting a permissible act

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

“The Islamic jurist (fuqaha) and sufi masters have paid due attention to the principle, that if a permissible or desired (mustaheb) action becomes the source of a sin then that action itself will become impermissible.

For example, some intoxicants (like opium) in minute quantities that are non-intoxicating are not impermissible (haram). However, as small quantity can (inadvertently) increase and become intoxicating, they are prohibitted in meager amounts also.

Similarly, permissible speech, sleep and intermingling with others are not sinful in themselves. But (excessive & unrestricted involvement in) these activites eventually lead to indulgence in sin. It is for this reason Sufi Masters prohibit these also (i.e. the well known spiritual struggles (mujahidat) of the path).”

Fiqh e Hanafi kay usul wa zawabet, page 113