Two types of Sufis

Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,

“There are two types of sufis. Firstly those who strive immensely in performing supererogatory (nawafil) actions in abundance, such as excessive dhikr, salah, fasting etc. Whereas, the other type sticks to the basic actions required with few supererogatory ones but they strive to develop and establish the spiritual works of their heart. These spiritual works are, being mindful of Allah at all the times, requesting Him for every need, thanking Him for His favors, asking His refuge from any disaster, etc. They appear to be ordinary people without any show of excessive worship. In reality they are realized sufis with a perpetual connection to Allah most High.

Being this second type of sufi is the unique characteristic of the path (tariqa) of Hadhrat Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him).”

Waaz 5/07     

How to Stop seeing the prohibited?

A spiritual aspirant wrote,

“At times of having the opportunity of casting lustful glances I remind myself that if I am able to save my eyes from seeing the prohibited it will be a grand miracle (karama). In fact it will be million times superior to any super natural feat.  I also recall the saying from the ‘Awarif (ul ma’arif) that Allah asks us to be steadfast (isteqama, on His commands) and we are anticipating for miracles (karama) to happen. All praise to Allah, with His support I am able to save myself easily (from casting lustful glances).

Please, approve of these thoughts.”

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

“These thoughts are absolutely correct. May Allah increase and bless your knowledge and understanding. ”

Tarbiyet us Salik, voulme 1, page 225

Ostentation

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

“Pious elders have stated that as doing some thing (primarily) to please others is ostentation (riya), similarly abandoning an action for same reasons is also ostentation.”

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 349

Allah save us from it! Ameen.

Irritating spouse

An individual requested special prayers (dua) complaining that his wife was irritating him a lot.

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

“Do not be distrubed by wife’s pestering. This is  also a spiritual struggle (mujahida). You will be rewarded for it*. Let her annoy you.”

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 432

*(Especially, if you handle the situation correctly with the patience, wisdom and kind & caring attitude in return.)

When reading the Spiritual discourse

An individual inquired what points should he pay most attention to when reading Shaykh’s spiritual discourses (mawaiz) to achieve maximum benefit.

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

“When reading these discourses paying attention to two things are beneficial. Firstly, the blame worthy things mentioned in them which are present in me and then working to remove them. And similarly, the praise worthy attributes mentioned that I do not posses and trying to achieve them.”

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 429

Clearing financial matters first!

Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) told a disciple, who had taken multiple loans (non-interest bearing) and was unable to pay them back, to write in detail regarding the payment of these debts in every letter written to him (usually fortnightly or monthly).

He was instructed to write these financial matters first and then mention issues realted to tareeq (that is consistency on wird, manifestation of blameworthy or lack of praise worthy morals, etc).

Hadhrat has on multiple occassions instructed to write down all such issues clearly in a diary, accessible to very close relatives, in case of sudden emergency or death. That is for the arrangement for posthumous clearance of these debts. This is essential.

It is an outstanding feature of Ashrafiya tariqa to have crystal clear financial dealings. Any mureed who does not recognize the importance of these issues is for sure not going to progress much in this spiritual path.

Sunna 30

Sunna related to food: To use right hand for eating food, accepting it from and giving it to someone. (Ibn e Majah)

Worship & Love

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

“The similitude of our daily basic recitations (ma’moolat/wird) is like wheels of a vehicle. They are essential for it to move. The love of Allah, most High, is like the fuel in its engine. Both are necessary for it to run. Lacking either of them is disastrous. To progress both are essential.

These ma’moolat and love are directly propotional to each other. The consistency in ma’moolat leads to increase in love and this enhanced love leads to further increase in worship and servitude. ”

Waaz 5/07

Lack of importance

Hadhrat Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,

“Once my respected teacher Mufti Rasheed Ahmad visited Mawlana Khair Mohammad Jahlinderi (may Allah have mercy on them) a senior khalifa of Hadhrat Thanawi and founder of Khairul Madaris Multan, after a considerable period of time.

Hadhrat Mawlana complained that it had been a very long time since he last visited. Mufti Rasheed excused that it was becuase of being very busy that he could not come. Hadhrat Mawlana lovingly chided him that the excuse of not having time for something is evident of lack of importance of that thing.”

Hadhrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah allow us to benefit from him abundantly) added,

“These days people often write to me that we  are unable to complete our daily recitations (wird) because of our hectic schedule. This is evident of their priorities. Things less important are neglected. How can these people traverse the path?”

Waaz 4/2007

Obedience of Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

Khawaja Nasir al-Din Chirag Dehlawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said, ” Obedience to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) is imperative. Such obedience is essential in word, act and intention, because love of Allah Most High is not possible without obedience to the Messenger Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace).”

The Path to Perfection, page 20. By Shaykh Masihullah Khan (may Allah have mercy on him).  Highly recommended reading. An essential handbook for every salik.

Sunna 29

Sunna related to food: To eat with the intention (niyyah) of fulfilling Allah’s command to do so and to gain strength for worshiping Him. (al-Targheeb)