The last thing in our list of deeds leading to t’aluq ma’Allah/Love of Allah swt is making dua a lot.

This is in addition to reciting the Prophetic invocation for different occassions.

Dua is the soul of worship, as told to us by Allah’s beloved Prophet sallalaho alehey wasalm. It creates a direct connection between Allah swt and His slave (abd). Persistence and sincerity in it leads to permenance of this connection.

This may be the reason, Allah’s beloved, Prophet sallalaho alehey wasalm commanded us to ask every thing from Allah swt. Even salt (for our food) and laces for our shoes.

Remarkably, dua is the only form of worship in which the asking for wordly benefits also becomes a source of merit (thawab).

Arifbillah Dr. Abdul Hayy ra used to tell his mureeds, get into the habbit of talking to Allah swt. Tell Him all your worries and concerns. Ask help and assistance from Him in each and every action. Sheikh Mufti Taqi Usmani mudhazillahu explains this by giving the following examples. If you hear the phone bell ringing, ask Allah swt that there may be good in it and person calling gives good news. If you are searching for something, ask Allah swt to facilitate the search. Similarly, if you plan to travel, ask Allah swt to provide safe, economical and swift means of transport and that the journey be pleasnat. Etc., etc. In short before each and every action turn to Allah swt.

Bandah hu(n) tera, Aay Allah meri sun
Farma dey meray maqsad-e-qalbi kay leyay kun
Har ghair ko dil say meray ma’doom hi kar dey
Sab bhool kay lag jaay bus ik dil ko teri dhun
(Hazrat Baba Najam Ahsan ra)

http://ashrafiya.blogspot.com/2004/11/conclusion-signs-of-taluq-maallah.html

Being steadfast (Istiqamah) in observing the injunctions of Shariah is superior to performing miracles (karamah).

It leads to the creation of the ta’aluq ma’Allah/Love of Allah swt and also, makes it stronger.

It is easy to observe the sharia injunctions when conditions are favorable; person is satisfied, healthy, and wealthy and has excess leisure time. But the real test comes when the situation becomes tight. There is illness, scarcity and not enough time. Being steadfast under such condition is a sign of love of Alllah swt. Following the sharia under such circumstances leads to further development of this love.

Also, every individual passes through phases in his daily life when he sometimes feels elated, energetic and enthusiastic (bast). He enjoys following the commands of sharia. At other times he feels depressed, desolate and lazy (qabdh). Following the sharia becomes a chore to him. Being steadfast in both of these situations is necessary. This shows that he is sincere in his worship and not a slave to his mood and desires. This also strengthen the Love of Allah swt.

In summary, the commands of shariah, either exoteric or esoteric are to be fulfilled under all circumstances. In pratical life this may be difficulty to do. But after consultation with the Sheikh these difficulties can be tackled easily.

“And those who strive in Our (cause) We will certainly guide them to Our paths, for verily Allah swt is with those who do right” 29:69

http://ashrafiya.blogspot.com/2004/11/asking-allah-swt-dua-lot.html

At the same time reflecting on our attitude in regards to them

Hakeemul-Ummat qaddas sirrahu says that reasons for loving someone are four;
Beauty (jamal)
Perfections (kamal)
Generosity (nawal)
Wealth (maal)
They are present to their maximum in Allah swt.

Here we are focusing on His generosity.
A cursory glance on the bounties that He is showering on us is a proof of this generosity.
Let’s take a look;
1. Being a living creature
2. Being a human
3. Having complete anatomical and physiological functioning of this human body that is, being free of all diseases. Healthy.
4. Life.
5. Time. Hours, minutes and seconds.
6. Being a Muslim
7. Being in the Ummah of our Master Prophet Mohammed salallaho alehey wa a’lihi wasalam
8. Association with Ulama-e-Haqq (Ahle Sunnah wal Jammah, Deoband)
9. Having the importance of following the religion
10. Aspiration of improving our self
11. Traversing the Path (sulook)
12. Being under the guidance of a perfect Sheikh (sheikh-e-kamil)
13. Education. Both religious and professional.
14. Job. Source of halal income.
15. Loving relatives; parents, spouse, children and others.
16. Well being of ourselves and these relatives
17. Housing & shelter
18. Means of transportation
19. Being free of worries
20. Opportunities of good actions
21. Being ashamed of our short comings and repenting
22. Basic necessities of living and moreover lots of luxuries
23. Wealth and savings
The list goes on and on.

What did we do to deserve these bounties in the first place?
By His infinite mercy Allah swt gave us these gifts. We did not deserve them at all. There are many individuals far better then us who are deprived of these bounties.

What is our attitude in regards to them?
Most of us do not reflect on being the elite and gifted. We take these bounties for granted. We are usually not thankful & appreciative for them. And on the contrary we complain for minor deficits and worries. Majority of us in our ignorance are using these bounties to disobey Allah swt.

We have to allot few minutes each day for reflection (muraqaba).
Sit down after fajir or eisha and enumerate the blessings we have, one by one. Thanking Allah swt for each of them, (allahuma lakal hamd wa lakash shukkar). At the same time reflecting that we were unworthy of such gifts and it’s by His generosity and kindness that He bestowed them. And He has the power to take them away any time. This is the fist step towards real thankfulness.

The real thankfulness (shukkar) is not to use any of the bounties in disobeying Allah swt, as confirmed by Hazrat Junaid ra.

Har mooay badan bihi jo zaban ban kay karay shukkar
Kum hay bakhuda unki einayat say kum hay
( Mufti Sha’fi ra)

Next:

http://http://ashrafiya.blogspot.com/2004/11/being-steadfast-in-following-rulings.html

sallalaho alehey wa alehi wasalam

A’rifbillah Dr. Abdul Hayy quddus sirrahu used to tell his mureed how he did this;

“I practiced this for a very long period of time. That is, whatever I wanted to do, I did not do it instantaneously. I paused for a moment. Brought to my mind this knowledge that observing Sunnah is of utmost importance. Then I made an intention of following the method of Allah swt’s beloved sallalaho alehey wa alehi wasalam and did the act appropriately.

For example, when I entered my house, I found one of my children playing. Feeling a rush of fatherly love and affection, I thought of picking her up and kissing her. However, I did not do it right away. I stopped myself for a moment. Brought to my mind the Sunnah of Allah swt’s beloved prophet sallalaho alehey wa alehi wasalam, that he used to love children and showed affection to them. I then made an intention (niyyah) of following him and proceeded to pick her up and kiss her.

Similarly, while on dinner table, I did not start eating immediately. I brought this fact to mind that it was Sunnah of prophet sallalaho alehey wa alehi wasalam to eat. Then intending to do so, I began eating using my right hand, after reciting Bismillah and observed the Sunnah table manners throughout the dinner.”

Jigar pani keya hay mudatoon, aay A’rifi, gam ki kasha kash mein
Koiy aasan hay keya khogar e aazar ho jana
(Arifi ra)

However, it is important to point out that this is not a play of words. That is, in fact I am eating because I am hungry or a very tasty platter of food is in front of me. I just recite that I eat because it is Sunnah and fulfill my own desire. This is not the message. One has to contemplate the importance of observing Sunnah at that moment and proceed with the intention to do so. Doing it in the correct Sunnah manner. This is the correct sequence of events to make it a true following of prophet sallalaho alehey wa alehi wasalam.

Teray habib ki ya Rabb shabahat lay key aya houn
Haqiqat is ko tu kardey mein sorat ley kay aya houn

sallalaho alehey wa a’lehi wasalam

Hazrat Thanwi quddus sirrahu said that in our tareeq (path) the goal is achieved comparatively quickly. The reason being the extraordinary emphasis laid on following the Sunnah of Allah’s beloved prophet sallalaho alehey wa alehi wasalam. This makes the achievement of goal by jazb (Divine attraction/pull) rather than sulook (personal effort and toil).
As it is said in the holy Quran;
(O Prophet!) Tell (them) that if you want to love Allah (swt), then you should follow me. (By this) Allah swt will love you and forgive all your sins. Indeed! Allah swt is all forgiving and merciful. (3:31)

It is therefore, very important to follow Sunnah in all daily activities. The whole life of Allah’s beloved sallalaho alehey wa alehi wasalam is in front of us. His personal appearance, attire and hygiene, activities from morning to dust, relationship with wives, way of worship, social interactions, manners, economic and governmental matters, and every imaginable daily activity is included in this. It is preserved in texts like “Shamail” by Imam Tirmizi ra (Arabic, Urdu) and “Uswa-e-Rasool e Akram” by Arifbillah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi ra (Urdu, English) and “A’laikum bisunnati” by Mufti Abdul Hakeem Sukharwi ra (father of Mufti AbdurRaouf Sukharwi dbt) (Urdu).

By following these intentionally all daily activities become an act of worship. Thus a means of getting closer to Allah swt. It is the same personal, family, social and work life but adopting the Sunnah method changes dust to gold. Alchemy!

Nothing is easy. Every thing needs initiative and may be difficult in the beginning. But with constant practice it becomes easy and a routine. Such is the case here. After acquiring the knowledge of the Sunnah it has to be practiced in every day life thoroughly. If one faces difficulties in doing so, Sheikh needs to be consulted. He with his insight and experience will define a mode of achieving it.

Sab thay kay dehkha keyay unka kharam-e-naz
Hum thay kay unka naqsh-e-qadam choom tay rahay
(Arifi ra)

C. Prophet’s prayers:
Third mode of dhikr is the recitation of the Prophetic prayers (iediya-e-musnoonah) for the specific occasions. They cover all the aspects of an individual’s life from waking up, going to bathroom, coming out, wudhu, entering and leaving home, walking to mosque, in the mosque, before and after praying, greeting a friend, seeing something undesirable, sneezing, before and after conjugal relations, illness & visiting the sick, weather changes & calamities, etc., etc. There is no occasion in a Muslims life which can not be made into remembrance of Allah swt by reciting them thoughtfully at that moment.

My Sheikh dbt often says that these prayers are explicit proof of our Master’s prophethood (dalail-un-Nabowat). No ordinary man could have recited such meaningful prayers at these occasions.

In our tareeq special emphasis is laid on memorizing them and reciting them contemplating their meanings.

Hazrat Sheikh Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani dbt has complied them in a handbook “Radiant Prayers” (Purnoor duaiy).

Also, daily recitation of a section (hizb) of “Munajat e Maqbool” is a usual practice for all mureeds. Hakeem ul ummat Hazrat Thanvi ra rearranged Mulla Ali Qari ra’s compilation of Prophet salallaho alehey wasalam’s prayers “Hizb il A’zam” into seven approximately equal length sections as “Munajat e Maqbool”. Making it convenient to be read daily.

D. The Four Marvelous Gems:

Another form of remembrance of Allah swt is to practice the four praise-worthy acts appropriately.

Arif billah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi ra pointed out that any given moment in a salik’s (person traversing the path) life only four states can exist. They are;
1. Either, he is happy and content from his present situation, or
2. He is unhappy and distressed by things happening against his wishes, or
3. He is guilty of a mistake or a sin committed, or
4. He is worried about anticipated future mishaps or disasters

For each of these if he develops the habit of practicing the following, he will be in a perpetual state of remembrance.
1. For first state, he thanks Allah swt for these bounties. Bearing in mind that he did not deserved them and it was only the mercy of Allah swt to grant them. And Allah swt is capable of taking them away at any time. This is thankfulness (shukkur).
2. For the second, he is patient. He understands that Allah swt knows what’s best for him and He decides accordingly. I with my limited knowledge, insight and experience can not decide this. This is Patience (sabr).
3. For the mistake, he repents. Fulfilling the three criteria for repentance. That are, he is remorseful, he leaves the sin immediately and finally he pledges never to commit it again. This is Repentance (taubah).
4. Finally for the future worries he takes refuge in Allah swt. Asking His help and protection from such calamity. This is taking refuge (istiaza).

One who develops the routine of practicing these praise worthy actions appropriately, he is in constant contact with Allah swt.

This eventually will result in the development of ta’aluq ma’Allah/love.

Mauhabat duno alam mein yehi ja kar pukar aiy
Jesey khud yar ney chaha, uosy ko yad-e-yar aiy!