‘Ashura incident

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

“Once I was visiting the blessed city of Makkah. It was a very brief and private trip. No one was informed that I was here. It was the day of ‘ashura (10th Moharram)  and after dhur salah as I was leaving the haram shareef a person approached me and said that his Shaykh (a famous hadith scholar originally from Jawa, Indonesia, who had settled in haram) had sent him to bring me along to his residence. Being surprised at this unusual call I accompanied him to the Shaykh’s house. I already knew him and had recieved the permission (ijaza) to narrate hadith from him previously.

Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) greeted me with his usual affection and humbleness. After the introductory salutations I inquired that how did he come to know that I was visiting Makkah. He similed and told me that it was unnecessary to know this, however, more important was the reason he had called me.  He wanted to give me ijaza of a specific hadith, musalsal bil-‘ashura. A hadith whose permission is traditionally given by the scholars to their students on the day of the ‘ashura, as our master Prophet of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) told his companion this thing on the day of ‘ashura.

I was overjoyed to recieve this precious gift.” 

Muraqaba for the afflicted

alhakim.jpg

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) use to instruct the seeker afflicted by something unfavorable that he should contemplate (muraqaba) on the Divine names al-Hakim and al-Hakeem.

Allah, Most High being the Sovereign authority in charge (al-Hakim) has all the right to do with us as He wants. No one can question it. We being His slaves have to accept it. However, at the same time we must remember that He is Wise (al-Hakeem) and whatever He does certainly has something beneficial for us. We may not be able to acknowledge this right away but this is for sure.

Thinking on these lines decreases the apprehensions and sufferings associated with the affliction. Also it increases one’s love and trust on Allah at the same time.

Shaykh’s wird

Alhumdulillah, few weeks back I was blessed to be in the company of sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him). We were driving from Jeddah to Makkah e mukarramah. Shaykh planned to pray fajr salah in haram shareef and perform tawaf afterwards. During the entire trip except for the essential talking Shaykh was busy with his wird. The continuous motion of tasbih in his hand gave us the clue.

Similarly, once on such a journey in friday night Shaykh was heard reciting the surah Kahaf, Mulk and Alif lam mim sijadah. 

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Incidents like these are an eye-opener for us. They should make us aware that practicing what we study, learn and preach is very important, however, busy we may be. Also, it should motivate us to plan and manage our time appropriately.

Awarif al-Ma’arif

picture.jpg A classic textbook of tasawwuf. It is an essential reading for advanced level murid. It is included in the core curriculum for the seeker (nisab e tasawwuf) recommended by Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Asraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him).

Signs of being ‘sahib e nisbet’

“Nisbet” or ta’aluq ma’Allah (a strong, agreeable and perpetual relationship with Allah, Most High) is the goal of every salik.

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said regarding the signs of a person having this blessing,

“In company of such an individual there should be an effect of being drawn towards the Hereafter (akhira) and a displeasure for the wordly (dunya).  And, more religious minded people should be attracted to him than those immersed in worldly issues.

However, it is uncommon to perceive these signs.  Particularly the first one is infrequent to be felt by the common heedless individuals, whereas its recognition is easier for those traversing the path.”

Ma’asir e Hakim al-Umma ra, page 280

To increase marital love

In addition to the behavioral changes needed to improve the marital relationship, the pious have mentioned that making intense supplication for it after the recitation of the following portion of verse of Holy Quran hundred times daily is also beneficial,

و القيت عليك محبت منى(Sura 20: 39)

It is best to send salutations (durood) on the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) eleven time prior and after the recitation. 

Sweetness of faith

 The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness of faith:

1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else.

2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake.

3. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire.” (Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 16)

Explaning it Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Mohammad TAqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said, 

“What is meant by sweetness of faith (here)?

Literally sweetness means a sugary taste. However, here this taste of sugar and molasses is not implied. It means that the hardship that usually accompany the obligations of faith become pleasurable. To endure these difficulties is delightful and enjoyable. The pleasure, joy and satisfaction achieved in fulfilling these commandments of faith ordered by Allah exceeds all worldly pleasures and enjoyments. This state is given by Allah to His chosen servants. And it is this condition that is called sweetness or pleasure of faith (eman).

Inam al-bari, duroos Bukhari sharif, volume 1, page 374

May Allah, Most High give this to us all,

even though we do not deserve it at all.

Ameen!

O Allah, please, save us from Your wrath!

mirrage.jpgHadhrat Khawaja Aziz ul-Hassan majoob narates that while discussing the absurd beliefs of astray Islamic sects Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on them) would spontaneously hold his hands together and beg with very extreme humility and servitude, “O Allah, please, save us from Your wrath (qahar)!” 

And he use to tell us that, “In case of Allah’s wrath falsehood (batil) appears to be the truth (haq) and erroneous thoughts take the form of realities (haqaiq).”

Hakim al-Umma kay heratangayz waqiyat, page 76-7

May Allah save us all from His wrath. Ameen!

Marital love and fear of Allah

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

“Once I asked my first wife that even though I am never neglectful of your rights then what is the reason that you always remain saddened. She replied that whatever I did was not out of love but due to the fear of accountability infront of Allah.

I told her that if I had fulfilled all these rights merely due to love it was possible that at some point due to decreasing love (which always remain a possiblity) I become neglectful in executing my obligations. But if I do these things due to fear of accountability to Allah then remain reassured that I will never ever be neglectful in fulfilling these rights. This is because once this fear of Allah enters a heart it never leaves. You should be happy at this (state of mine).”

Hakim al Umma kay heyratangayz waqiyat, page 39

Is tasawwuf intensified fiqh?

An individual inquired that a lay person gets an impression that the teachings of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanavi and especillay, his successors (may Allah have mercy on them) regarding tasawwuf appear to be intensified fiqh. Does this path lead to ma’rifah?

All praise is for Allah.

It should be explicitly clear that we do not divide Shariah and Tasawwuf in to two seperate entities. They are both essential simultaneously.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mawlana Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said, “Shariah without tasawwuf is a body without soul, whereas, tasawwuf devoid of Shariah is absolute heresy (zindaqa). Strive and implement both of them in your life together.”

To talk of ma’arifa and wilayet without recognizing the essential importance of fiqh practically in one’s life is wrong.

The classical works of tasawwuf, like al–Lama’, Awarif al-Ma’arif, al-Risala, Ihya al-Uloom ad deen, all start with emphasis and detailed discussion of Shariah and fiqh rulings. This is because of the fact that an individual can not attain real wilayet and ma’arifa without the essential fiqh required to live an Islamic life.

May Allah facilitate its understanding and implementation in our life. Ameen!