Goal & Our Capability

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said:

“The achievement of goal is not dependent on how much you toil & labor.

It is contingent on working according to the yearning and determination within your means.

Pious elders have said that six units of prayer by a sick and feeble are equal to six hundred rakah of a strong healthy person. This is so because the feeble has the strength of praying six units only and Allah SWT rewards him, for He knows the condition and capabiity of all very well.”

Ma’asir e Hakeemul Ummat ra, pge 179

Ulama and Molvi need Islah

Hakimul Ummat Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi alai presenting nasihah to Ulama, said

“Nowadays, once a person has studied a couple of Arabic books, he is given the title of Molvi whereas in actual fact he is not a Molvi.

A Molvi is a person who understands the laws of the Shariah and practises accordingly in both the Zaahiri and Baatini spheres.

He has to be a man of Allah. A man of Allah is never a jaahil.”

“I take qasam (oath) and say if the greatness of Allah Ta’aala enters into the heart, you will become ashamed if someone addresses you as ‘Maulana Sahib’, ‘Hafiz Sahib’, etc.”

“When one gains kamal (perfection or excellence in the moral and spiritual realms) then one will realize that one is in actual fact a jaahil.”“I always maintain that the Ulama are in greater need of moral reformation (islah).”

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mohammad Taqi Usmani saheb db’s bayan: Value of Knowledge

–

Stevensille, MD, USA

Knowledge without Suhba

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said:

“Remember a scholar who after completion of his education does not attend a khanqah (zawiya) for islah (self reformation) is like a person who is satisfied with the wudhu alone and does not proceed to offer the salah (prayers).

Mere learning and teaching is of no use. To be effective they have to be accompanied with the suhba (company) of the ahlul Allah (the pious).”

Ifadhatul yoomiya, volume 5, page 515. Quoted from Albalagh (Urdu) Safar 1427, 50.

Sheikh’s dua & Mureed’s work

Explaining Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat ra’s statement;

“No doubt the dua and barakah of Sheikh plays a major role in one’s islah (reformation). But its status is that of supplementary assistance and not the main thing to rely on exclusively.”

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

“It means that you will have to do the work yourself. Dua, attention and guidance of the Sheikh becomes a motivation and catalyst for this work. It increases the aspiration, boosts the determination and assists its performance. But you will have to toil and do the task yourself. You will have to travel yourself.”

Islahi majalis, volume 2, page 243

اپنے دین کی حفاظت مقدم ہے

حضرت حکیم الامت مولانا اشرف علی تھانوی قدس سرہ نے فرما

اگر دوسرے کے دين کی حفاظت میں اپنے دین کا اندیشہ ہو تو اپنے دین کی حفاظت مقدم ہے

حسن العزیز 1/109

عاشقی چیست

عاشقی چیست بگوہ بندہ جاناں بودن

دل بدست دگر دادن و حیراں بودن

What is love?

It was said:

Be the slave of the Beloved!

Hand over your heart to Him and

Be in awe!

Informing Sheikh: Everything!

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said, while highlighting the necessity of informing the Shiekh of one’s conditions:

“Even if you were to start a new worldly task ask the Shiekh regarding it.

That is, ask him, will it be deleterious for my spirituality?

For example, I want to do this business. Is it appropriate or not? Do not ask this to ascertain that this endeavor will be financially profitable or not. As though Sheikh will consult Allah SWT and tell you definitely. Do not ask for this reason. This is a dirty intention.

Ask him I want to do this specific business. Will it be an obstacle for my spiritual path? I want to be transferred to that specific position, or I want to study secular sciences or medicine would these be deleterious for my spirituality.

These are the things to be inquired from the Sheikh.

Now days the state of affairs (of mureed) is to do what ever he wishes. Without informing the Sheikh, to the extent that it may destroy his spirituality completely.

And they (mureed) say that these are our worldly matters what is the need of informing the Sheikh of these.

In reality these things have a great impact on one’s spirituality.

Therefore, it is essential to inform and consult the Sheikh in advance whenever starting any new worldly venture.

This is the method of islah (self-reformation). ”

Waaz: Rahat-ul-quloob; Mawaiz e Ashrafiya volume 22, page 263-4

لغزش

حیرت نہ کر بدن کو میرے چور دیکھ کر

ان رفعتوں کو دیکھ جہاں سے گرا تھا میں

سیدی و سندی مدظلہ

Sheikh’s censuring

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said:

“If a Sheikh censures a mureed, he starts making excuses. If attention is drawn to a fault he immediately begins to justify his actions.

By acting such he claims to be free from all deficiencies. What is the Sheikh going to do islah(reform) of then?

If he does not consider himself to be sick, then what is the need of a physician?

(The proper attitude is that) If Sheikh censures him, he should listen very attentively and try to understand the criticism. It is inappropriate to start justifying his mistake.

Even if it is not his mistake he is not at loss with this advice. At least, he gained some useful information. That is, even if he did not had the disease now he knows its treatment and can use it in future if need arises.

Moreover, mureed’s considering himself disease free is not reliable. Some times patient does not recognizes his own illness. An experienced physician after examination and laboratory tests makes the diagnosis, especially in the very early stages of the disease. The doctor insists on immediate treatment fearing imminent full blown disease. Having being informed of this vital fact the patient must comply with initiating the treatment right away. He must not confront the physician’s diagnosis, claiming to be completely healthy and disease free. ”

Waaz: Rahat-ul-quloob; Mawaiz e Ashrafiya volume 22, page 262

Nisbat & Sins

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra said:

“The special relationship that develops as a result of excessive zikir (remembrance of Allah SWT) and being consistent in following His commands is called nisbat.

This nisbat ceases to exist if sin is committed.

However, if one was to repent (sincerely) it will return back.”

Ma’asir e Hakeemul Ummat ra, page 415

Prescription for wilayat

Mufti Mohammad Shafii’ ra, senior khalifa of Hakeemul Ummat ra said:

“This is the prescription to attain the level of wilayat (Allah SWT friendship). It comprises of three components. That are;

  1. Suhba (company) of a wali (Allah SWT’s friend)
  2. Following his advice and recommendation
  3. ZikirulAllah ( excessive remembrance of Allah SWT)

Ma’ariful Quran, volume 4, page 550