Making multiple bayiah

Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘It is an abominable practice and (sign of spiritual) debauchery to make bayiah with multiple Shuyukh without a genuine reason. This results in loss of the blessings (barakah) of bayiah. Moreover, it befogs the (spiritual beneficence received from the) heart (qalb) of […]

In regards to taking another Shaikh

Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘If an individual with correct intention stayed in the service of a Shaikh for considerable duration but did not find any influence (ta’seer) in his company than he should seek his objective at another place. This is because the objective is Allah […]

The sequence of events in sulook

Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said, The sequence of events in the suook according to the people of this path are, Firstly, there is development of determination (to traverse the path). At this time one should entrust one’s self to a perfect (kamil) Shaykh. In our era this […]

Appreciating the contemporary elders

Shaykh al-Hadith Qutub al-aqtab Mawlana Zakarriya Kandhelawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “…there is one very important fact to which I wish to draw attention. When the Elders passed away many people desired to see those special qualities which were part of their Shaykh (in those who succeeded them). But it is clear that all […]

A tip to improve salah!

Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmed (Allah preserve him) said in regards to praying with concentration that Allah is watching me, ‘A tip to improve one’s salah is to offer two rakat daily with intention of forwarding its reward (esal e thawab) to our master Prophet Muhammed (Allah bless him and grant him peace). This noble association […]

Shaikh-murid relationship

Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘The analogy of the company of pious is like planting a sour-flavored mango sapling beneath a Fajri  (better quality and sweet tasting) mango tree. And then grafting a branch of Fajri on its stem. It is quite evident that (now) this (sour-flavored) […]

Harnessing the thoughts: Focus

– An individual inquired about controlling the random thoughts that pervade the mind all the time. This automatic phenomenon is perpetual and does not spare the mind free for a split of a second. These thoughts are there even while being is salah, reciting the Holy Quran and doing remembrance of Allah. What is the […]

Intention of self islah

A scholar murid inquired displaying the text of Basair al-Hakim al-Ummat that it is an absolute contraindications for a Salik to be engaged in giving lectures and instructions to others until he has acquired nisbet ( a strong, perpetual and mutually friendly relationship with Allah). Being a scholar he was involved in giving regular sessions […]

Purpose of bay’a: Observance of Sunna

. A person requested pledge (bay’a) from Hadhrat Mian Asghar Hussain (may Allah have mercy on him), a senior Shaykh and instructor at Darul Uloom Deoband. Hadhrat inquired what was his purpose do so? ‘Divine union (wisal e haq)’, the individual replied. ‘ All praise is for Allah, you have very lofty aspirations’, Hadhrat cheerfully […]

The epidemic!

_________________________ _________________________ Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said: The worst effect of committing sin is that due to the casual and careless attitude (of a sinner) a minor (saghirah) sin leads to a major (kabirah) sin and eventually to rejection of the truth (haqq). (That is, kufr). Thus an […]

Qabdh: Spiritual contraction

An individual complained that from many days I feel as though the special relationship with Allah (nisbet) has been lifted from me. There remains no interest in the daily wird and worship. Shaykh Sayyid Zawwar Hussain Shah (Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘This is not the removal of nisbet. This state is called the […]

Principles of tareeq

Shaykh Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) quotes from the book ‘Minhej al-A’amal’, that from the principles of the people of Tasawwuf are, 1.  Eating the lawful (halal) 2.  Having the beautiful manners (husun e khulq), and 3.  Avoiding the company of those who do not share the same goal as the salik (azdad/najins). […]

Understanding the concept of bid’ah

Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi [may Allah have mercy on him] said, ‘It should be realized that actions and practices innovated after the passage of the first three generations of Muslims [khairul quroon/ best of eras] are categorized into two types, First category: Pseudo-bid’ah Those actions whose rationale is new but some essential acts […]

Status of sufi traditions

Mawlid  Hawl Hadra Urs Milaad  Qiyam-Salat-o-Salam Ijtemai Zikr Chillah Dhikr Raqs Hizb Litanies Bayaih Tawajuh Lataif Sama’ Barsi Khatam Fatiha Nazar Niyaz Gheyarweih Sajjada-nashini KhalwaWazifa Dawair Shah Waliullah Dehlawi (may Allah have mercy on him) a Sufi master and the main teacher of Prophetic traditions (ahadith) for all the scholars of subcontinent origin said, ‘The  spiritual, perpetual […]