Category Archives: C. Blame worthy Morals

The bad moral characteristics that have to be removed from within ourselves

Differentiate between the sinner and the sinful

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A spiritual aspirant wrote,

Nowadays my condition is that unintentionally I feel a repugnance in sinful involvement.

Moreover, when I see someone involved in sinful I feel that this individual is headed towards Hell fire  and I must try gently to persuade him to not to do so.  I try my best and with the barakah of your supplications my efforts are not wasted.

It is humbly request that whatever is best for me (in this regards) may please, be instructed.  Duas are requested.

Hakeem al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘The development of repugnance from sinful involvement is a superior state (hal).

However, feel repugnance for the sinner is dangerous thing for a novice (mubtadi) aspirant. This is because most of the time reason for this is arrogance (kibr), feeling self superiority and presumption of self piety.

(Therefore) Till the attainment of a steady spiritual state (tamkeen) consider that this individual (sinner) is superior to me. Nevertheless, his involvement in sinful is repugnant (in itself). His condition is similar to soot smeared on the face of a beautiful person.  This consideration combines the notion that the person is beautiful and the soot is black (and disfiguring). Similar consideration should be done for the sinner and sinful involvement.

Moreover, a novice aspirant should not be involved in forbidding others.

However, giving a lecture in general to the public (about prohibition of sinful involvement) is okay. This is so provided that no other preacher is available to do so. Proceeding beyond this is dangerous.

It is perplexing that in spite of staying here (khanqah, Thana Bhawan) you are unaware of these details.’

Tarbiyet us Salik, Volume 1, page 422-3

Sins: How to give up?

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A sincere reader wrote the following asking for advice,

I came back to China and I don’t know what has happened. I try to lower my gaze and I do but I still get to see faces and half naked bodies. I swear that I have never felt such attraction in my life. I cannot understand why. 

I am seen as a pious person who has a lot of control on nafs. And that was exactly what I also used to think (may Allah swt forgive my insolence). I often used to joke about that I cannot be attracted to Chinese girls. (May Allah swt forgive me). But now what I suffer from is “yellow fever”. Haram fantasizing is pretty common. Then recently, something really unfortunate has happened I am not porn addict ( May Allah swt preserve me) but somehow from one click to another click I ended up watching some explicit (faahash) videos featuring Asian/Chinese looking models. This went on for 3 days. Infact I even forgot that I was fasting and had to make qadha for  that later. (Edited)

…………….

The following response was sent. May Allah make it beneficial for me and all others,

Bismillah 

As Salamu alaykum wrwb 

JazakAllah 

Please, be reminded that the only way to stop from sinful activities  is himmat, firm determination and using self control. 

Three things help in developing this himmat. 

1. Company of the pious. If that is not possible then reading about their life, malfuzaat etc is of help. 

2. Dua. Asking Allah for help. Crying and telling Him one’s bad state and showing extreme humility and begging. Repeatedly. 

3. Setting up a penalty for involvement in sinful. Four rakat nafil salah for repentance and skipping a meal altogether and/or making charity contribution (sadaqa). 

Following steps will assist further inshaAllah, 

Be wise and stop using Internet completely in private. Use it only for essential things and that even in public or when others are around. 

Also, stay in state of wudhu all the time. 

If you have a Shaykh inform him. 

InshaAllah with these measures things will improve. 

However if you take it lightly and do not realize then remember that this sinful activity is spiritually fatal. 

Take care. 

Muhtaj e dua

(Edited)

Islah

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lamalja

An aspirant wrote inquiring about the rectification of sinful acts, like not keeping a proper beard or wearing Islamic clothing, etc. prior to commiting to islah.

The mentor replied, ‘In islah the very basic morals are rectified that lead one to commit  sinful acts like the ones you have mentioned. Therefore, do not delay islah. Start as soon as possible. In-sha-Allah things will improve as progress is made.’

Islahi correspondence (reviewed by sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him)

Intention for islah

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“Shaykh Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (Allah have mercy on him) mentioned another (incident of a) pious sage.

 That a person stayed with him for a very long time and then complained that the state of his heart was not corrected. 

The Shaikh inquired “What do you mean by correction of the heart?” He replied, “Sir, the blessing (of nisbet) that I will receive from you, I will take it and spread it amongst the people”. 

The Shaikh said that this intention is the cause of your loss. That is, that from the start (your) intention is to become a Mentor/Shaykh. Remove this disgusting idea from your heart, and make (sincere) intention (of pleasing Allah). 

There are innumerable blessings that Allah has bestowed on us, being thankful for them and being a slave of Allah is obligatory on us. 

Thus those people who do Allah’s remembrance (dhikr) and spiritual exercises (Shughal) or offer Salah with the intention to get benefit through them, this is their foolishness, their intention is wrong (faasid). What kind of benefit, what kind of reward? This being, this body, these eyes, this nose, these ears, this tongue, these senses that Allah has given us, first we should complete our thankfulness (Shukr) for them, only later can we think of benefits or rewards. ”

Source: Tazkiratur Rasheed by Maulana Aashiq Ilahi Meerathi, Volume 2, page 31

Intekhab e Kaiseri 

Presumptuous attitude in this path

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One who adopts a presumptuous attitude in this path (tareeq) for sure drowns in deepest sea of despair!

One who is audacious in the path of the Beloved he is a thief to others (on the path) and not (a true) human being. 
The moon of self conceited attitude causes the sun (of reality) to be eclipsed. (Remember) the audacious attitude of the Satan made him accursed (forever).  
Taleem ud Deen, page 207
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The presumptuous behavior maybe a bold statement that may lead to disbelief or it maybe a false claim or an intentional involvement in sinful activity. 

Shaikh: image problem 

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve and protect him) said,

‘Adopting a life style and promoting an air of being a Sufi Shaikh is wrong (for those who have permission to initiate mureed). 

None of our pious predecessors (akabir) did this. They lived a simple life style (as is the Sunna of our beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace). Their hallmark is the extreme humility (tawadhu). 

Moreover, it is dangerous as it leads to extreme attitudes of reverence by their followers.  (Sometimes excuses are made for noncompliance to Shariah.)’

1st Shawwal 1437/6 July 2016 Wednesday, residence, Darul Uloom Karachi, pre-zuhar 

In his instructions to whom he gave permission to initiate mureed (mojaaz) Sayyidi wa sanadi said,

۔ کبھی مخدومیت، یا مروجہ پیری مریدی کی شان بنانے کی کوشش نہ کریں، بلکہ اس کو اپنے لیۓ زھر قاتل سمجھیں

Never try to adopt the lifestyle of being someone senior and superior or that of contemporary Sufi Shuyukh.  In fact, consider this to be the most potent poison (for your spirituality). 

Islahi khutoot (qalmi)

Reminder: red flag!

Islah:Self improvement

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve and protect him) said,

‘The prescription for an individual’s islah has 3 components,

1.  Turning to Allah (inabet illa Allah). This is by repentance from transgressions done in the past and asking assistance in doing good actions in the present and future. 

2. Removing one’s self from places, conditions and situations where the likelihood of falling into sinful is possible based on past experience. 

3. Developing spiritual strength to resist the temptations of nafs by having a daily routine for remembrance of Allah. 

Majlis, 28 Ramadan 1437/ 4 July 2016, post Zohar, Darul Uloom Karachi 

Is Internet Haraam for me?

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) said, 

‘One of the major sinful involvement of our era is viewing the sexually explicit material online. 

May Allah protect us all from it. Amin!

It is haraam (impermissible) for a person to have an Internet connection and computer devices if he can not control himself from viewing these.

Throw them away!

This is an essential spiritual struggle (mujahida) to gain Allah’s pleasure. ‘

Majlis post-zuhar, 26 Ramadan 1437/2 July 2016, masjid Dar ul Uloom Karachi 

Sincerity – less: Shaykh & mureed fall

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Musleh al Umma Maulana Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘As it is possible that an individual has knowledge and he does not practice accordingly, similarly it is possible that one practices (according to the knowledge) but without sincerity (ikhlaas).  

Moreover, it is possible that previously there was sincerity in actions done but later it evaporates. 

Shaykh Muhiyuddeen Ibn Arabi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

وقد راینا شیوخا” سقطوا

We saw many Shuyukh that fell from their ranks (as a spiritual guide due to this). 

If even a Shaykh can fall (from his rank), then possibility for a mureed to fall (due to lack of sincerity) is much greater.’

Majales Musleh al Ummat ra, volume 6, page 134

Shaykh’s job

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Musleh al Umma Maulana Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘A genuine (muhaqqiq) Spiritual mentor’s  (Shaykh) job is to inform the disciple of his shortcomings.

That is what I (personally) practice.  And then I evaluate how much sinful involvement has he (the disciple) abandoned.

I do not inquire about the litanies (wird) recited.  Brother! If you recite the wird you will for sure get inspiration (warid). This is an affair between you and Allah. Your reward will be according to the effort you put in. ‘

Majales Musleh al Umma ra, volume 6, page 129

Tasawwuf: Ashrafiya Approach 2

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Tasawwuf-Aur-Nisbat-e-Sufia-250x384

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) continued,

‘Similar is the story in all of the Tasawwuf. In some quarters the method of treatment (of spiritual maladies) has  been made a goal in itself.

This is the case of gathering of remembrance done aloud (ijtemai majalis e dhikr bil jaher).  Remembrance (of Allah) done aloud and in a gathering are both per se permissible. However, these days in some (sufi) paths it is considered to be an essential part and without it remembrance is considered to be deficient and less rewarding.

Similarly, as an example is the case of  supplicating in front of the graves facing the qibla. It is permissible per se. Moreover it is proven by Sunna of our master prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). However, when our pious-predecessors saw that grave-worshipers can misuse it for their benefit then they discouraged doing so

We consider our master Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) to be the mujaddid (one who revives) of this era.  In Tasawwuf lots of things were done as a means of treatment prescribed by masters, however, gradually (with passage of time) they became an objective in them-self. The revival of Tasawwuf that Hakim al Umma did was to state that the real objective (of Tasawwuf) is the acquisition of praise worthy moral characteristics (fadhail) and riddance of blame worthy moral characteristics (razail) from one’s self.

In reality there are various degrees of crossing the limits in Tasawwuf. Some elders prescribed as a form of treatment something for their disciples, others selected something else to be more beneficial. Then some considered this treatment to be essential (for all), others promoted them to the level of things highly desired (mustaheb) or Prophetic practice (Sunna). The problem starts from here (with this meddling in the fiqhi hierarchy of status of actions) onwards. ’

Albalagh,Urdu, volume 51, publication 6-7, (April 2017) page 71-2

Ijazet:Asking for it?

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 A murid wrote,

For a long duration I have been desiring to stay in your company for my spiritual betterment (islah). However, this wish has not fulfilled as yet. Concern for the household members and lack of resources have been the obstacle.

Another more important reason to write to you is that sometimes individuals request that I accept their bayiah and let them join the path (silsila). I direct them to your respected person. To this they reply that it is beyond their capacity to travel there and (even if they go) Maulana (Hakim al Ummah) doesn’t accept their request and insists that they stay (there for islah). Hence, it is easier to join the path via you. This is not possible (for me to do) without having permission (ijazet) and permission is difficult (to achieve) without spiritual capability. These days most of the people insist unduly on ritualistic bayiah. I’m afraid that (because of it) they may be entrapped by the pseudo-Sufis (who contravene Shariah) and loose their faith.

Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘Doing effort of spiritual betterment (islah) with an intention that I will (become a Shaikh and) accept bayiah is in vain. This individual will will never ever achieve spiritual betterment. His arrogance (kibr) will flourish. Repent from this. Only then effort for spiritual betterment will be effective.

Asking for the ijazet fearing that people will be entrapped will eventually result in the same status this request was made to avoid (that is entrapment by incapable Shaikh).
And if having capability is a must criteria then let it be clear that top most sign of capability is considering one’s self unworthy of this (responsibility).

There is no possibility of getting this permission after all.

You must (strife for) develop(ment of) sincerity. ‘

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 41-2

Sexual desires: control them

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Musleh al Umma Maulana Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that these days we are shy to mention the topic of sexual desires. It is thought to be something vulgar and beyond the limits of religious decorum. Whereas, our Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) explicitly mentions this topic high lighting the importance of controlling these desires, availing them within the permissible means and warning us about the destruction if they are left unchecked.

Moreover, as quoted above there are many Prophetic supplications asking Allah for assistance in this regards. In spite of being the best of mankind and infallible Prophet  (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) he asked Allah for help. Most likely  he did this to instruct us to be vigilant in this regards and  not to take these desires lightly. Many have fallen into destruction due to them.

Also, we learn from these Prophetic instructions that these desires are powerful, persuasive and difficult to remove with our efforts alone. Divine assistance is required to control them effectively.  For this reason we should make it a habit to ask Allah for help in this regards.

The tip to remember is that Divine assistance comes only to those who keep on trying their best to control these desires.

Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi was aware of the importance of instructing his associates (mureedeen) regarding this topic. He would often recite the following verses,

Save your semen! Don’t let it flow to waste

For it is the (precious) water that creates life when poured in the right place

Majalis e Musleh al Ummat Ra, volume 5, second majlis paraphrased

We have to tackle this issue with more vigilance. The opportunities for fulfilling sexual desires are plentiful and readily available. The newer technologies are developed to guarantee confidentiality and secrecy. The exposure to immoral sexual imagery is abundant. Especially affected are the naïve, curious and immature adolescents. Their developing minds are corrupted and it becomes a lifelong struggle to remove these thoughts or succumb to them.

The only cure for this is by sincere persistent effort and asking Allah for help. These two components result in a vigilant awareness of accountability in front of Allah and this stops an individual from all that is immoral.

May Allah facilitate this for us. Amin!