Teachings of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanawi & his spiritual successors, particularly 'Arifbillah Dr 'Abdul Hayy 'Arifi (may Allah bless them) and Sayyidi Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) regarding Tasawwuf
Category Archives: C. Blame worthy Morals
The bad moral characteristics that have to be removed from within ourselves
A seeker wrote, A lot of the spiritual medicines prescribed in the recommended readings, our Hazrat (Mufti Taqi Usmani, Allah protect & preserve him)‘s book islahikhutbaat and in the correspondance with you are indeed very effective Alhamdulillah. Please suggest some techniques/course of action to remember them when they are needed. I get a feeling that I am not implementing them as properly as it should be done.
Ashrafiya replied,
MashaAllah. This question is a sign of ture talub. May Allah increase it more with afiyet (Allahumazid fa zid).
The tip is to read and re-read the prescription many times and make dua asking Allah to facilitate its recall at the appropriate time. And if one forgets it, then fix a fine (jurmana) for this failure, like two rakah salat e tauba.
Islahi emails:TA
Reviewed and approved by sanadi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him)
– I wish to ask about polemical debate. As our elders stress a lot about the harms of debating and you can also feel a sudden negative effect after debating with someone even though you feel you were on haq. Should one completely abstrain from discussing anything at all. Normally a debate starts off as a simple innocent conversation. I used to think the point at which one should pull out from the debate is when arguments begin to repeat. But now I feel that by that time the spiritual harm is already done. What should be the course of action in this. e.g. In my community, our Islamic organization split into two groups. As I understand both sides have respectable people and no one is completely wrong. There were weaknesses on both sides. Today at prayer someone started taking the side of one of the groups and criticizing the other. I tried to explain the point of view of the other side but it turned into a debate and I still feel the negative effect on my heart. Should one completely stay out of controversial issues even though you feel you have a valid point and you should convey it to the other person.
Ashrafiya replied,
Indeed. Involvement in polemical debates is always spiritually detrimental. There are many reasons for it, including,1. it directs one’s attention from Allah2. one tries to defend his opinion and nafsaniyet comes in3. specially for people like us, blameworthy character traits like, anger, hasad, arrogance, etc. come into play. and many others. All of them cause this negative effect on one’s heart. It is best to avoid it upfront. Moreover, if one is stable enough to control his nafs (beyond our status) the negativity of other’s heart is reflected and carried over to his own heart ruining it’s serenity.
Islahi emails:TA
Reviewed and approved by sanadi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him)
A seeker wrote, In regards to Eating. The chapter on eating less (in the book Tabligh e Deen of Imam Ghazali, Allah have mercy on him) did mention the benefits and harms clearly. But in terms of what to achieve I wish to ask some questions. When to eat: The best is to remain hungry for atleast 3 days and eat on the 4th day. The lowest level is to eat once a day. How much to eat: I couldn’t relate to the amounts mentioned here. What I understood better over here is to eat only when really hungry and stop eating before completely satisfied. What to eat: Couldn’t understand in terms of the contemporary Pakistani diet.
Ashrafiya replied,
Hakim al-Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned that for us it is not recommended to restrict diet as it was done by sufiya previously. However, balance has to be maintained.The most important things in this regards are,
1. One’s mind is not occupied with thoughts and plans of eating specific items most of the time.
2. During each meal a moment comes when one hesitates to eat more or stop. At this moment one should stop eating.
3. Continue with your meals as usual. Do not make any drastic changes. However, be health conscious and eat whatever is good for you.
4. At dinner parties eat as usual. Making more shukr of Allah for all the bounties and variety of flavors, etc. However, stop as mentioned in #2.
Islahi emails:TA
Reviewed and approved by sanadi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him)
My close friends and family members (whom I consult for my major decisions) are aware of my pursuing this path. I get a feeling that they expect more as if I am going to change overnight (perhaps it was a mistake to let some people know about this effort). Subsequently I get a feeling that I am trying to improve myself to show off in front of others. And it makes me really doubt the ikhlas that is a pre-requisite for all a’mal to be accepted i.e. they should be solely for pleasing Allah SWT. Please advise.
Ashrafiya replied,
1. The details of the islah are individualized. They are personal and private. It is inappropriate to share the details with others. Even if they were to ask the details answer very humbly that I have been asked not to tell others. I am doing whatever is being instructed.
2. There is no problem in informing them in general that you are trying to establish a islahi ta’luq.
3. Be aware that islah is a life long process. The change is gradual. Our akabir compare it to the growing of a child.
4. The blame-worthy moral trait of show-off or riya is a ikhteyari action. That is, you have to have an intention and then do it. It does not happen by itself without your control.
5. Also, as a established principle it is stated that the real show-off never ever doubts his own ikhlas and mukhlis is always in doubt. So do not worry. Continue what you are doing. MashaAllah, you are travelling and distance is being covered.
Islahi emails:TA
Reviewed and approved by sanadi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him)
A spiritual aspirant who is a medical student wrote, Lastly I wanted to inform that I also took admission in online alim course, after having mashwara with my father, he said ضرور کرو اگر آسانی کر ساتھ کرسکتے ہو بس اپنے اوپر بوجھ نہ ڈالنا So I will be doing darja aula for trail and if I am able to do then I will continue Inshaa Allah.
Following reply was sent
Wa alaykum as salaam wrwb
JazakAllah
MashaAllah. May Allah give isteqamet & facilitate all with afiyet. Ameen!
We have been instructed to achieve ahsaan (الاحسان) in our life. One interpretation of this is to achieve perfection in whatever we do. It will be best to focus on your studies seriously and become an outstanding physician.
There are many mediocre doctors and many more non-practicing (bay-amal) alims.
One does not have to be a full fledged alim to be a practicing pious Muslim.
A lot of time the Devil (Shaitan) deceives by getting us involved in some nonessential good work.
Ahsaan (الاحسان) in anything requires lots of mujahidda.
The COVID-19 Pandemic is taking a major emotional toll on us.
The lockdown and the continuous barrage of negative news is creating uncertainty about one’s own and loved ones’ well being, future, job and financial securities.
This is draining us emotionally and is creating anticipatory grief and depression.
This is spiritually dangerous.
If not dealt appropriately it will lead to loneliness, lassitude, trouble focusing, feelings of sadness & hopelessness, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, irritability, restlessness, sleeping difficulties and eventually exhaustion. The daily prayers, recitations, readings and supererogatory (nafil) actions and khushu (concentration & reflection) in them will gradually fade away.
This will be a disaster indeed.
The lifelong mujahidda (struggle) wasted.
We all have to be proactive in this regards.
Following points have helped me and InshaAllah will be helpful for you as well.
1. Keep focused. Our goal is achieving Allah’s pleasure and acceptance. All sinful activities are a barrier to it. Leave them now.
2. Remind ourselves that Allah, Most High being the Sovereign authority in charge (al-Hakim) has all the right to do with us as He wants. No one can question it. We being His slaves have to accept it. However, at the same time we must remember that He is Wise (al-Hakeem) and whatever He does certainly has something beneficial for us. We may not be able to acknowledge this right away but this is for sure.
3. Disconnect with news and social media to a greater extent. Set limits. Check these twice per day just to keep updated and motivated.
4. Connect with Allah. Make dua. Ask Allah for safeguard from all our apprehensions. This can even be non-verbal in mind & heart.
5. Keep up with our daily ma’moolaat (routine). The dhikr, recitations of Holy Quran, Munajat e Maqbool, tasbihat, recommended books. Even under normal circumstances one has to force him/herself to do these. Please remember that this is not easy. This is the daily mujahidda (spiritual struggle) required.
6. Make excessive shukr (gratitude) of Allah. Remind ourselves of all the blessings we have right now, like physical & mental health, food, water, shelter, family & loved ones, accessibility to healthcare etc. and make shukr for each and every of them individually. Allah has promised that gratitude insures and increases the blessing.
7. Use our time wisely. Each moment of our life is priceless. Do not let it waste in useless activities. Do your job. Learn. Read. Write. Cook. Workout. Be busy.
May Allah protect us all and keep us steadfast in these challenging time.
The global Coronavirus pandemic, unimaginable lockdown and numerous deaths makes us wonder if this is a sign of Allah’s wrath.
The ‘arifeen (gnostic) make it clear that in disasters like this a blanket statement can not be made.
Each and every individual has to reflect and see his/her own condition. And then make a judgement for him/her-self.
See,
If his devotion towards Allah has increased in form of excessive dua(supplications) shukr (thankfulness), asking refuge for the future apprehensions, repenting from all that is sinful, making up for the past misgivings, being steadfast on good actions in all circumstances and becoming a better human being then this calamity is a blessing for him in disguise, indeed.
However, if this is not the case and one continues with his/her heedlessness and sinful activities then it is a ‘calamity’ (qahr) for him/her indeed.
May Allah protect us all from falling into the second category.
May Allah protect us all from this pandemic with afiyet.
The global Coronavirus pandemic, lockdown and numerous death makes us wonder if this is a sign of Allah’s wrath.
The ‘arifeen (gnostic) teaching is that in calamities a blanket statement can not be made.
Each and every individual has to reflect and see his/her own condition.
If his devotion towards Allah has increased, he is trying to give up the sinful activities, make up for the past misgivings and become a better human being then this calamity is a blessing for him in disguise.
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him) once mentioned:
Greed is the root cause of all problems. It is such an evil trait and spiritual malady that it should be regarded as the mother of all spiritual maladies. It is on account of greed that disputes and fights occur, and it is on account of greed that most of the court cases take place. If it was not for the greed of wealth, then no person would have trampled the rights of the next.
Theft and zina also stem from greed for wealth and greed for haraam passions. Evil character also originates from the same root, as the friends of Allah say that evil character stems from pride, which is the greed for recognition. Hence, even pride stems from greed.
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
The Deen of Islam places great emphasis on assisting those in need and those undergoing difficulties. However, it is unfortunate that in today’s times, many people are totally unconcerned about assisting those in difficulty.
Some people are so miserly and self-centred that they make every arrangement for their own comfort – shoes, food, clothing, etc. – yet they have no worry or concern for whether others are dying or undergoing distress.
Some people argue and say, “How many people must we help? There are thousands of people in need and difficulty!” The answer to such people is, “Very well, you are right in saying that there are thousands of people in need and difficulty. However, if you are unable to assist all, it does not mean that you should not assist the few people you are able to assist! At least assist ten people among them!”
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) then mentioned, “Generally, these types of excuses are made by people who do not wish to do anything.”
