Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said;
“Islah (self-reformation) of women can be done more effectively by the Sheikh than their husbands’.”
Hakeemul Ummat ra kay hayret-angez waqiyat, page 35
Men should be busy with their own islah. They should never even dare to make islah of anyone, except themselves, without consulting and getting permission from their Sheikh first.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db said;
It is grossly inappropriate to display anger.
Anger is one of the first things to be treated in Tasawwuf and tariqat.
It destroys the batin (spirituality) of an individual completely.
Therefore, anyone who starts on path of islah (self reformation) and approaches a Sheikh for this, the first instructions are to cure anger. That is, he is able to control the display of anger. [1]
“For this, initially he is instructed not to display anger at all.
That is, neither displaying anger at occasion where it is appropriate nor at times where it is inappropriate. Even, not displaying it when he has the right to do so. This attitude has to continue till he becomes emotionally balanced. (Sheikh will inform when this happens.)
In mean time if by chance he slips and displays anger using inappropriate words etc., he has to ask forgiveness explicitly from the one he became angry at. That is, to say, ‘brother, I said such and such. I made a mistake. Forgive me.’ [2]
InshaAllah, the weekly discourse of Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db, held at Masjid of Darul Uloom Karachi, which focuses on Tasawwuf will be available on our site.
It can be accessed via Khutbaat.
Please, pray that Allah SWT make it beneficial especially for me and all the rest of us. Ameen.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db advised an individual staying in his blessed company for few days;
Utilize this precious time of stay here for:
1. Completing your daily ma’moolat (wird) thoroughly, as per your previous routine.
2. Doing zikir (remembrance of Allah SWT) and fikir (thinking about Allah SWT’s actions, blessing, etc) with yaksooiy (serenity) of heart.
3. Reading mawaiz (spiritual discourses) of Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra in spare time. Also, continue the nisab e tasawwuf & Tarbiyatus salik you are already reading. Visit the library and read similar things.
4. Being with me when I am in my office/class/etc.
انکے کرم کے ہم نثار، انکی عطا کا کیا شمار
دے دیا عاصیوں کو بار، اپنے حریم ناز میں
دارالعلوم کراچی،
21 – 23 جمادی الثانی 1427
18th- 20th July 2006
Advising salikeen (spiritual aspirants) Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said;
“Tasks which are considered by people to be of high stature should not be initiated without getting permission form the Sheikh first”.
Infas e Essa, volume 2, page 10/Malfoozat e Hakeemul Ummat ra, volume 22.
Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said;
I am particular in trying not to interrupt anyone engaged in his wazeefa (wird). This is because pious elders have said that Allah SWT is extremely resentful, if a person diverts the attention of an individual busy in His blessed remembrance.
Infas e Essa, volume 2, page 142/Malfoozat e Hakeemul Ummat ra, volume 22.
Proprietor of Nauratan Jewellers, narrates that once I visited Hazrat Arif-billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi ra. I was in hurry, time was running short. I requested for a brief nasiha (advise).
Hazrat ‘Arifi ra told me to always remember the fact that, in the judicial system of this world if you plead guilty you are held responsible and punished. Sometimes fined or even jailed.
Whereas, in the court of Allah SWT if you plead guilty, accept your shortcomings and sins, repent sincerely you are forgiven and set free of the humiliation of any punishment. Moreover you are rewarded in most instances for returning back to Allah SWT.
دل بے حس کو یارب اب تو درد آشنا کردے
عطا وہ درد کر جو سارے دردوں کی دوا کردے
مٹا دے یا الہی لوح دل سے نقش باطل کو
مجھے اب ایں و آں کے غم سے اۓ مولا رہا کرد
مفتی محمد شفیع رح
Explaining the meanings and forms of acceptance of dua Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said;
“Sheikh Ibn e Arabi ra has written that the meaning of acceptance of dua is that when an individual calls on Allah SWT, immediately he receives a response
لیبک عبدی
I am here (all attentive), O! My slave.
This is the fulfillment of the promise of acceptance stated in this ayah
ادعونی استجب لکم
For a lover this response is an immense reward itself. He is revived by such reply from the Beloved.”
Erza e Haqq, Khutbat e Hakeemul Ummat ra, volume 15:Tasleem o raza, page 27
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db said while explaining the Sheikh-mureed relationship;
“My Sheikh ra used to say that there are three levels of relationship with the Sheikh.
First is the ‘aqidet’ (reverence). That is, being impressed by Sheikh’s reputation of either scholarly knowledge, or piety or association with pious predecessors, or affectionately guiding disciples, a feeling of respect and desire to benefit from him arises. This is the first stage.
Second stage is that of ‘munasbet’ (congeniality). That is, on hearing Sheikh’s advice the aspirant readily accepts it and feels as though the words are pouring directly into his heart. The advice seems to be aimed directly at him. It appears to addresses his own spiritual ailments. Most importantly it does not stir any significant negative thoughts and criticism.
The final stage is that of ‘muhabbet’ (love). That is, being in association with the Sheikh for some time gradually a desire strengthens to benefit from him abundantly, to visit him often, to hear his advice and act accordingly. This is the desired level necessary for benefiting from the Sheikh. It is at this stage taking bayah is most useful. And it is the usual practice in the tareeq of Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Asharf Ali Thanawi ra to take bayat at this stage.
Waaz: 9th July 2006, Sunday, Masjid Darul Uloom, Karachi
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db said:
“In reality ikhlaq (moral character) is a condition/state of the heart.
Its manifestation is by our limbs and other body parts.
That is, in one’s heart there is aspiration for benefiting and loving the whole creation of Allah SWT. Even, if they are enemies or infidels. This is a result of reflecting that all this has been created by my Lord, Allah SWT and therefore I must love them and deal with them in a good manner.
Firstly, these feeling arise and then actions are done accordingly.
For example, a smile that arises after such feeling is not an artificial smile to win over others’ liking. It is an essential and logical reaction to one’s feelings.
These morals can neither be acquired by reading books nor listening to spiritual discourses alone.
To acquire them it is essential to stay in the company of a mentor and a musleh (Sheikh).
The true goal of tasawwuf and all this Sheikh-mureed relationship is to develop the praise worthy morals and to get rid of the blame worthy morals from one’s self.”
Khandani huqooq o faraiz, page 188
Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said;
“Routine daily ma’moolat (wird), though it may be nawafil (extra/noncompulsory worship) should not be skipped at all, as much as possible.
If they can not be executed at their scheduled time, they must be done later.
Harms of skipping them all together is evident from this saying:
من لا ورد لہ لا وارد لہ
(That is, an individual without a wird is at loss and does not recieve Divinely guiding thoughts.)
At-Takashuf, page 295
اللہ اللہ ایں چہ شیریں است نام
شیر و شکر می شود جانم تمام
Addressing a nikah ceremony, Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db said;
“In reality without “taqwa” and fear of Allah SWT none of the worldly task can be done effectively.
Especially, affairs related to marriage. That is, fulfilling the rights and obligations of being a husband and wife can not be done without having “taqwa“.
Waaz:Shadi karo laykin Allah SWT say darao, Khandani Haqooq o faraiz, page 110