Khidmat e khalaq & Seclusion

Explaining a verse of Khawajah Hafiz Shirazi ra, Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said:

“Here the instruction is to provide khidmat e khalaq (service to the creation of Allah SWT). This is very much beneficial for the salik.

This is for two reasons;

Firstly, providing service to others requires humility. This is essential for cleansing the soul. And arrogance and narcissism are major barriers in achieving it.

Secondly, providing service to others will comfort them and they will make dua for him. Acceptance of a single sincere dua is sufficient for salik’s salvation.

Sheikh said this in:

طریقت بجز خدمت خلق نیست

بہ تسبیح و سجادہ و دلق نیست

However, it should be remembered that this intermingling with others should not be in excess of what is required for providing this public service. If this happens, then it is against the seclusion required and is harmful for ones soul. Seclusion is essential for a salik.”

Irfan e Hafiz ra, At-Takashuf, page 71

[This seclusion is for strengthening the bond with Allah SWT and safeguarding others from one’s uncivilized ikhlaq (morals).

To achieve this balance, expert advice from one’s Sheikh is indispensable.]

Anger

Maseehul-quloob, Hazrat Mawlana Maseehullah Khan sahib ra advised those striving on attaining a relationship with Allah SWT (i.e. mureedeen) :

“Anger should not even come close!

You should not be angry at all.”

Islah-afraoze bayanat, page 321

Birth of a Daughter!

Bint e Mohtarem wa mukarrem MRK saheb zayed majdahu

(Born 27th Rajab 1427/23rd August 2006)

Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Shafii’ saheb ra writes:

“A Muslim should express more joy at birth of a daughter. So this becomes an opposition to the actions of ahl-e-jahiliyah (pre-Islamic pagans).

Moreover, it is in a hadith, that woman is mubarek who’s first born is a girl

Even in the verse of Holy Quran يهب لمن يشاء اناثا و يهب لمن يشاء الذكور“He gives whom ever he wants (baby) girls and whomever He wishes He gives them boys”, giving priority to females points towards this. That is, having the first-born a girl is better (afdhal).”

Ma’ariful Quran, volume 5, page 344

How can Sheikh Ignore us?

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi rasaid commenting on the verse 30 of sura al-Hud:

“An individual who is turning his attention towards Allah SWT (i.e. the aspirant/mureed/seeker) must not be ignored.
This is because Allah SWT is also attentive towards him.
Ignoring him will be ignoring Allah SWT.”

Masail us Sulook min Kalam Malik ul Mulook, page 259

Taleb/True Desire

Hazrat Shah Wasiullah saheb ra wrote to a person who requested to establish islahi ta’luq (self-reformation relationship);

“All praise is to Allah SWT.

You have developed this thought and feeling (of self improvement). This is what they call taleb (true desire).

Sir! In tareeq the real thing is that this thinking and feeling (of self deficency that needs to be improved) develops.”

Halaat e Muslehul Ummat, page 15

Meaning of Tasawwuf?

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db said:

“People do not understand the meaning of Tasawwuf. They consider recitation of litanies, muraqa and mukashafa to be Tasawwuf.

Whereas, Tasawwuf is to aim for Allah SWT’s pleasure in all things.
And to deal compassionately with Allah SWT’s creation.
(To such an extent that) one avoids diligently becoming the source of minutest harm to anyone else.”

Inamul Bari, volume 1, page 259

Reverence of Sheikh

Hazrat Mawlana Wasiullah sahib ra adviced a senior mureed: “It is essential that a true seeker (talib e sadiq) considers himself to be deficient in the reverence required (for the Sheikh). This is most beneficial for him.”

Halaat Muslehul Ummat, page 118

Etiquette of Advice:No Heartbreaking!

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db said while explaining the hadith of Sahih Bukhari, volume 1, chapter 37, number 104,

“Irrespective of the degree of corruptness of an individual and the severity of the mistake he may be committing when it comes to rendering advice or calling him towards the religion, the attitude adopted must not be heartbreaking. Moreover it should take into consideration the status of that person.”

Inamul Bari, volume 2, page 149

اصل کمال

“بیٹا شیخ کے پاس آنا کمال نہیں۔

اصل میں تو شیخ کی نظروں میں آنا کمال ہے!

شیخ کے پاس رہنا کمال نہیں۔

شیخ کے دل میں رہنا کمال ہے!”

شیخ التفشیر مولانا احمد علی لاہوری رح کے حیرت انگیز واقعات ص 303

A form of Zikir: Fikir

In explaining the ayah 205 of surah “al-‘araaf”, Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said:

“From this it is evident that there is a form of zikir (remembrance) that there is no gaflah (forgetfulness). This is the fikir (thinking). Although in it there are no movements of the tongue at all, neither khafi (concealed) nor jali (obvious).”

Masail us Sulook min Kalam Malik ul Mulook, page 213

ذکر قلبی

مسیح القلوب حضرت مولانا مسیح اللہ خان صاحب رحمۃ اللہ علیہ نے فرمایا

“ذکر قلبی نام ہے فکر قلبی کا۔”

اصلاح افروز بیانات ص64

رضا

ما پروریم دشمن و ما می کشیم دوست

کس را چرا و چوں نہ رسد در قضاء ما

مولانا رومی رح

Benefiting from Sheikh’s Silence

Once Hazrat Mawlana Shah Wasiullah Khan saheb ra sat silently among those gathered to listen him speak. After a prolonged duration he said;

“You should not consider it essential that I am going to talk (every time we gather). 

Only those people should attend this gathering who consider it equally beneficial for themselves just sitting quietly without any thing being said.”

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Foot note: Imam Abdul Wahab Shi’rani ra’s famous saying is:

من لم ينفعه سكوتنا لم ينفعه كلامنا

Whoever does not benefit from our silence,

he can not benefit from our speech.

Halaat e Muslehul ummat ra, page 73

Speech & Writing, Reflect the Inner states

Hazrat Mawlana Shah Wasiullah Khan saheb ra, a senior & exceptional khalifa of Hakeeul Ummat ra said;

“People judge the integrity of an earthenware, that is it broken or intact, by its noise (resulting from tapping on it). Similarly, we (the ahlullah) deduce from a salik’s way of talking and writing some information about his qalbi (inner) states.”  

Halaat e Muslehul ummat ra, page 51