Turning to Allah SWT: The creeps

I do not feel it is the right time for me to become religious!

I appreciate its importance and inshaAllah, some day I will commit to a religious way of life and develop islahi-ta’luq (relationship for self reformation) with a Sheikh.

But not now!

I am too much into dunya (worldly affairs).
I do not feel ready to give up music, illicit relationships, immoral internet sites, opposite sex friends, interest bearing loans, etc.

Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra gives an example of such scenario: This is like an individual standing on the banks of a river.

Both of his hands are soiled with filth.
He wants to clean them but is hesitant to wash them in this pristine water.
He thinks of the filth on his hand and purity of the river: ‘First I should clean them and then rinse them in this sparkling water. Otherwise I will contaminate it.’

It is a huge mistake.
There no other easy way of cleaning those dirty hands except to plunge them in the same water.

Irrespective of our abysmal condition, the only cure is to take that bold decision.
Become religious in the true sense.

Commit.

Develop a relationship with a spiritual mentor (Sheikh).

The illuminations (noor) of good deeds will, inshaAllah, expel the darkness of sins by itself.

wa ma taufiqi illa billah

Lustful glances

Nothing happens without determination.

The real treatment of stopping from lustful glances is to think at that moment:

“Allah SWT is watching me now and on the Day of Judgment I will be questioned regarding this.

And if Allah SWT condemns me for punishment what will happen of me?”

By recalling this repeatedly again and again

one will attain success.

Therefore, make determination.

This is the only treatment.

Initially for few days there will be some hardship indeed,

but eventually,

inshaAllah, it will become a habit.

And then the gratification and peace

you will find in it can only be imagined of.

(Basair-e-Hakeemul-e-Ummat 369

Earthquake: A Punishment/Trial or Natural Phenomenon

 

The heated debated divides the Pakistani nation regarding the recent earthquake:
Is it a punishment (‘azaab) or just a natural disaster?

It being a punishment (‘azaab) depends on OUR state, as per Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Moulana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanvi ra : “A misfortune or difficulty resulting in increasing distress and anxiety is a consequence of sins.

Whereas, one which causes an increase in one’s relationship to Allah SWT and an enhancement in one’s submission and acceptance (of the Divine will) is not a trial or tribulation in reality.

Though, it may seem to look like it.

These seemingly trials & misfortunes are sometimes for elevating one’s status (in afterlife) and for testing one’s love.”

Maasir e Hakeemul Ummat 390

The Noor

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Moulana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanvi ra said:

“There is a special blessing (barakh) in virtuous deeds. They produce a noor (illumination) in the heart. This is the same noor (illumination) for which the Prophet of Allah salallaho alehey wa alehi wasalam requested and prayed for at the time of tahajjud (referring to the famous dua recited at that time).

The characteristic of the noor (illumination) is that it is self evident and makes other realities also evident. It is itself manifest and makes possible the recognition of other facts.

Development of this noor in a heart causes all darkness (zulmat) to run away.

What kinds of darkness?

The darkness of laziness.

The darkness of being happy on enemy’s misfortune (keynah) and envy (hasad).

The darkness of arrogance (kibir).

The darkness of anger.

(In summary every) all darkness that are result of sins/transgressions.

And it (the noor) nurtures freshness, brilliance, radiance and comfort in one’s heart.”

Discourse:As Sharia pg 10/taken from: Islahul Muslimeen 39

 

It is time of introspection after Ramadhan.

Where do I stand?

عشق

ہو جاۓ سہل عشق کا وہ ماجرا نہیں

ہر آن ابتدا ہے کبھی انتہا نہیں

حضرت بابا نجم احسن رح

 

Concentration in Prayers

Many of us are disheartened by the inability to concentrate while praying.

Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi quddus sirrahu explains:

“Reality of khushoo (Concentration/Serenity) is not to have any intentional and purposeful thoughts of any thing in the heart other than Allah swt while performing a good deed.

Literally it means absolute stillness/calmness. In the parlance of Shariah it means stillness of the body parts, (which is self explanatory) and also stillness and calmness of the heart. That is, to end all other thinking activities (and focus on Allah SWT).

What is the method to achieve this?
(i.e. end all other thinking activities and focus on Allah SWT)

It is not possible to stop all other thinking activities at once immediately.
The method is to intentionally focus the attention of the heart towards something desirable. Provided that it does not clash with nature of worship being performed.
For example, in salah (in descending order):
– Focus the attention on Allah SWT (e.g. I am in front of Him and He watches me), if that is difficult then
– Contemplate that one is facing the holy Ka’ba, or
– Concentrate on the words of Quran and other azkar being read or
– Focus on the meaning of Quran and other azkar being read

This is effective because one can not be attentive towards two things at a single moment. By intentionally and purposefully adopting any of these methods other thinking activities can be halted effectively.”

(Basair-e-Hakeemul-Ummat ra 306-7)

However, the guidance from the Sheikh is required in selecting the most effective method for oneself. Also, success or failure in accomplishing it has to be reported to him and based on his feedback one has to achieve the true khushoo required.

Also, nothing is achieved overnight.
It requires constant practice and effort to excel in it.

The tips are to
1. To understand & acknowledge that the required concentration is intentional and achievable. It is not an over whelming rapture or deep coma like condition beyond one’s grasp.

2. To be steadfast, and not to be disappointed by frequent failures initially,

3. To return to the original thinking/focusing process prescribed as soon as one recognizes the derailment (ghaflah).

wa ma taufiqi illa billah

Using Time Appropriately (Part 2)

Hazrat db continued:

“Develop the habit of planning.

That is, plan for future.

If I was to get 5 or 10 minutes break between my tasks how will I spend it?

For example, while commuting to work.

Think and decide in advance.

How I am going to spend these 15 minutes besides doing the driving?

Only if one has thought of these in advance he will be able to utilize this time appropriately.

My father (Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Hazrat Mawala Mohammad Shafi’i ra) used to inform us that, “Even the time I spent in toilet I try to make use of it. If there is nothing else I scrub and clean the water jug (lota) kept in there.”

All praise to Allah SWT, due to his training I also try to enact on this advice. When I come home from my classes I know there will be at least a 5 minute interval before the lunch is served. I have planned in advance the use of this time. Such as, to return someone’s telephone call, etc.

When a person develops this habit of utilizing the time precisely, Allah SWT facilitates immense actions for him and also puts barakh in time. (That is, in short duration a lot is achieved.)

Remember, heedlessness is a bane!”

Continued Part 3

Using Time Appropriately (Part 1)

Yesterday a former student asked Sayyidi for some advice (naseeha). Hazrat db told him:

“Recognize the importance of time.
It is an invaluable wealth.
Spend it very wisely and precisely in virtuous actions.”

Next day Sidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah SWT preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) was sitting in Masjidil Haraam facing the holy Kab’a (‘s Rukun-e-Yamani). An individual requested some elaboration on this advice: As how to practically incorporate it in to one’s daily life.

Obviously pleased on the question, Hazrat db replied;

“Firstly one has to recognize the importance of time per se.

Secondly, one has to organize one’s schedule to fully maximize the benefit of available time, such that not a single moment is wasted. Being wasted meaning that it is not utilized appropriately even for a worldly purpose, may it be sleeping or moderate lawful entertainment or being busy in helping another fulfill his essential obligations, etc.

Wasting time includes indulging in activities having no benefit for this life or here after (akhira).”

Continued Part 2

Ending Ramadan with Shukur & Istigfar

Arif billah Hazrat Dr Abdul Hayy ra said;
Once I led a prayer jamah. After finishing I said aloud, “Alhumdulillah“.
A person from the audience enquired, “is it appropriate to be thankful on a worship filled with deficiencies?”

“Yes! Indeed”, I told him. “Look at the tawfeeq from Allah SWT and thank for it. It is a special favor and gift. There are many Muslim among us who even lack this.
As far as deficiencies are concerned I acknowledge their existence and make istagfar(repentance) for them but being a ‘abd (slave) whatever I do and how much I try to excel in it, they will remain full of defects and deficiencies.
It is the perfection of slavehood (‘abdiyat) to be aware of your deficient state.

Utilizing these precious moments of life then why shouldn’t I contemplate on Allah SWT’s benevolence and be thankful?”

Just a reminder for all of us to be thankful to Allah SWT for the gift of Ramadan, ability to fast, pray, make dua and charity etc.. Also a reminder for istigfar/repentance for all our short comings.

Progress

A disciple is like a new moon,
In reality no different than the full moon:
Its apparent imperfection is a sign of grateful increase.
Night by night the newmoon gives a lesson in gradualness:
With deliberation it says, “O hasty one,
Only step by step can one ascend to the roof.”
A skillful cook lets the pot boil slowly;
The stew boiled in a mad hurry is of no use.
[Mathnawi VI, 1208-1212]
From here