An important advice: How to be tolerant?

Shaikh Hafiz Hakim Fakhruddin Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) instructed his disciples,

‘Be steadfast on Religion (ad-Deen).

Do not create dissensions.

Hold fast to the principles (usool) and do not denigrate each other for the peripheral disagreements.

Consider this disagreement amongst the truthful scholars to be a mercy.

In regards to those who consider themselves to be mujtahid and disagree with the precedent Imams, scholars, pious saints and concoct meanings of the Holy Quran in a manner that was never done by the blessed Companions, their associates (taba’i & tab’ taba’i), well established scholars and Imams : consider them to be astray. It is essential to stay away from them. However, do not quarrel with them or call bad names. To answer and argue with them is the duty of the pious scholars. Not any or everyone can do this job.

It is essential for an individual to be always cognizant of his actions. Stay away from sins and transgressing your Lord. If by chance a sin is committed immediately repent in front of Allah. This will wipe away the sin.’

Majmua’h award wa wazaif, page 4

Dealing with marital conflicts

Shaikh Mawlana Yusuf Ludhyanawi shaheed (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘A pious man wrote to his Shaikh the complaints about her wife in detail and requested advice on how to deal with this situation.

The Shaikh replied that, how can an individual who can not be patient on the (mental & emotional) afflictions caused by his wife claim to be superior to her?’

Narrating an incident of a friend Shaikh said,

One day I became fed up of this continuous bickering between my wife and myself and approached Shaikh Arif-billah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him). I told him that I am tired of this situation. I am short tempered and my wife is more short tempered than me. Patience and forbearance is totally lacking in both of us.  Please, guide what should I do?’

Shaikh Arif-billah used to be very succinct in his replies. He avoided lengthy talks. He listened carefully and recommended,

‘Make the traffic one-way.’

That is, let her speak and you remain quiet.

I did as instructed and the situation became better.’#

‘….. In summary in regards to the eccentricities of their spouses men should have forbearance. They should try to improve (islah) them as much as possible and leave the rest to Allah.’*

Momin aurat, # page 43, * 42

Fikr: Self-improvement

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘The foremost objective in this path is the concern (fikr) for self-improvement.

How can an individual who has no concern for self improvement, considers himself to be living a perfect life, does not have a desire to progress any further or correct his affairs, and is content with the regular routine of daily life traverse this path (tareeq)?’

Waaz: Rah e Sulook, May 15th, 2011

Sufi sama’

Shaikh Fakhruddin Zarradi a senior khalifa of Mehboob e Ilahi Shaikh Nizamuddin Dehlawi (Allah have mercy on them, d. 725Hijri/1325CE) writes,

‘Few of the spiritually overwhelmed (maglub) Shuyukh may have listened to the audition (sama’) accompanied with musical instruments in their state of overpowering desire (shauq). However, our mashaikh (may Allah be pleased with them) are free of this. It is an allegation. Their audition was purely vocal rendition of verses by a reciter (qawwal) describing the perfections of Allah’s creation.’

Usool e sama’, page 21-2

Signs of arrogance

The arrogance (kibr) means that an individual considers himself superior to others regarding the excellent (and desired) qualities. 

It is expected that when an individual has such an allusion about his grandeur the nafs bloats up and starts to manifest the signs (of kibr). They include,

1. Trying to be ahead of everyone while walking with others.

2.  Preferring to be seated in a prominent place in a gathering.

3. Looking down on others with despise.

4. Being angry if others do not initiate to greet and welcome.

5. Being upset if others do not respect him/her.

6. Being visibly annoyed if others offer advice (nasiha).

7. Not accepting the truth even after being convinced.

8.  Looking at the general public as though they are donkeys.

Allah save us all from these.(Amin!)

Taharat e qalb, page 165

Blame worthy morals

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‘The strongest impediment in receiving the spiritual blessings from the Most Merciful (al-Rehman) is the defilement of the heart (qalb) with the blame worthy moral characteristics.

The pious precedent mentors gave foremost priority to the cleansing (tazkiya) of these blame worthy morals.

Moreover, if in an individual even after traversing the various stages of this path (sulook) the special blessings do not appear it would definitely be because of the remaining traces of these blame worthy moral characteristics in him.’

Halaat e Muslih al-Ummat ra, volume 3,  page 86

Food: Don’t waste

Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘There is an incident reported about a friend and gnostic (of Allah). One day while eating he removed the blackened upper portion of the bread and discarded it aside. On this action he was reprimanded and questioned via Divinely inspiration (ilham).

Why (did you do this)?

Wasn’t it for this discarded piece of bread  that the Sky moved (i.e. seasons changed) and Earth expended its wealth  (to grow the grain)? Moreover, then it was ground and baked for you. Now you discard it. Was all this system designed in vain?

The gnostic understood and ate that piece of bread.’

Muqalaat-e-hikmat, #20, Dawat-e-abdiyet, page 187.

We should contemplate how many blessings of Allah do we waste daily. And how can we improve.

Guidance

The pious Gnostic (‘arif)  swear by Allah that acceptance of guidance is neither achieved by intelligent argumentation nor via thorough research. Neither can one thrust it forcefully nor passionately upon another.

It is the light of guidance itself from Allah that illuminates the heart. The doubts cease and truth is manifested. It is an act of mercy, kindness and benevolence from Almighty Allah.

Supplications play a vital role in facilitation of this. Therefore, one should not be neglectful of making excessive dua. This is asking, showing one’s need, reliance and humility to Allah.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ

كام بنتا ھے فضل سے اے اختر

فضل   كا  آسرا  لگا؁ے  ھیں

حضرت شاہ حكیم اختر صاحب مدظلھم العالی

۔

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ

ٓآمین

A reality indeed!

Neither by excessive knowledge nor sincere action!

The Door is opened by His benevolence alone!

 

Setting priorities

 

The initial instruction given to the seekers by the khalifa of Hakim al-Umma Shaikh Mawlana Shah Asadullah (Allah have mercy on them) have been published in ‘Asa’ad ut-Talibeen’.  

They include;

Completion of qaza salah and fasts, performance of the fardh Hajj and emphasis on payment of zakah.

Moreover, abstaining completely from back-biting (ghiba), foul language, loose talking and purposeless interminlgling with others.

Reading the books of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him).

Performing each salah meticluously in first row with the opening takbir along the Imam’s.

The following issues were especially instructed,

1. Keep the dealings (with others) very clear.

2. Do not cause any discomfort and harm to others

3. Do not interfere in the matters of others unnecessarily.

4. Take account of yourself (nafs) daily. Be thankful for the good deeds and repent on the mistakes.

5. Never ever be satisifed with yourself (nafs). Always watch over your outward and inner actions.

6. Follow the instructions given and the ma’amolaat.

7. Keep (the Shaikh) updated about your state and condition.’

Akse-Jameel ra, page 201-2