Category Archives: E. States

Haal.

Unveilings & other paranormal happenings

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

‘The events that happen out of the normal means (khirq e adet) are of various types.

One of them is unveiling (kashaf). It is of two types, kashaf e kuni and kashaf e illahi.

Kashaf e kuni is that the confines of distance and time do not remain a barrier and the individual becomes aware of (hidden) affairs.

Kashaf e illahi is that the knowledge, secrets and gnosis about the path (sulook) or Allah and His attributes dawn on an individual’s heart (qalb) or they are seen in domain of sleep or trance (alem e mithal) being manifested in various forms.

Another type (of paranormal) is ilham. That is, knowledge of some thing is put into the heart of the Sufi with serenity (and conviction). Sometimes he hears the voice of the hidden caller (hatif e ghaibi).

The third type is the intervening (tasarruf) and influencing (taasur). This is of two kinds. Firstly, influencing the inner self (batin) of the disciple so that he is attracted towards Allah. Secondly, influencing the other things of the universe, either by concerted concentration (himmat) or by making supplication (dua). Numerous incidents of these sort are reported from the friends (awliya) of Allah.

Taleemud Deen, page 121

Reward of worship

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

‘The friends of Allah (awliya) receive more reward for worship as compared to others. This is because of their increased servitude (uboodiyet) and sincerity (ikhlas).’

Taleemud Deen, page 121

Shaikh Imdadullah mohajir Makki (Allah have mercy on him) said,
Two rakah of an Arif are superior to 100,000 rakah of another Muslim.

Wusul and rejection

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

‘After arrival (wusul) there is no rejection (mardudiyet). Whoever has been rejected is prior to wusul.’

Taleemud Deen, page 121

Wusul: An experiential (dhauqi) relationship and sense of being in presence of Allah with forgetfulness and annihilation of all that is other-than Allah.
Shariat wa Tariqat , page 370

The company of pious

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

‘I consider that in this era keeping company of the pious (ahl Allah) is an absolute essential (fardh e ‘ain).

Moreover, my fatwa is that in these times keeping the company of and having close contact with the pious and elite (friends of Allah) is absolutely essential.

This is because, there can not be any doubts about taking the means of safeguarding one’s faith being essential.

And it has been established by experience that in these times safeguarding one’s faith (eman) is only possible by keeping company of the pious.  No spell works, with the blessings of Allah, after this relationship.’

Fayuz ar Rahman, page 123

Dealing with lustful thoughts

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An individual (blind, physically weak and financially challenged) complained about the (lustful) attraction towards women and young men that was driving him crazy. He elaborated that this engrossment is to the extent that I am negligent of food consumption. I pray but sometimes I’m unaware of what was recited in prayers. I am very much afraid of this condition. I request a remedy for it.

Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
There are two levels of being attracted towards something.
One is mere attention towards it and the second is love that is attention accompanied with a desire.

The first level is a natural thing. Allah has placed (sexual) attraction in men (for women). It can neither be eliminated by any means nor it is required from us to do so.
The second level is within one’s control (ikhteyar). It means that one has control to some extent in keeping it or annihilating it. An individual can increase his involvement in a thing to such an extent that that he is engrossed in it completely all the time. On the other hand he can avoid a thing to the extent that he no more desires it. Hence being volitional it is binding (to be acquired).

First treatment is use of determination (himmat). Allah has placed the performance of volitional acts on the determination of an individual. He has promised assistance after determination.

The second treatment is diverting thoughts. The attention has to be diverted away when there are overwhelming thoughts (of this nature). It is an axiom that lower-self (nafs) can not be attentive towards two things at one time. Therefore, at times of excessive desires be busy with something else. This may be religious activity like offering prayers, making remembrance or reciting Holy Quran, or it may be worldly activity like visiting someone, etc, etc..

The third treatment is to ignore these overwhelming desires completely. This is with the understanding that these feelings are not going to harm me at all. This is the most effective treatment.
The individual said that how was it possible to ignore these thoughts. They have spoiled my prayers, dhikr and shugul. Not for a moment these thoughts leave me.

Hakim al Ummah replied,
These thoughts are from the first level. They are not sinful. You are responsible for your actions. You are responsible for implementing these thoughts into action. Until then it is neither sinful nor are you accountable for them. These thoughts are not going to harm you even if they continue for your whole life.

The fourth treatment is to make supplication.
The individual requested for some special prayer formula recitation (wazdhifa) to ward away this calamity.

Hakim al Ummah replied,
Wazdhifa can not do this. The treatment is as mentioned above. Instead to wazdhifa make supplications (dua).

(In summary) use your determination, become busy in something else, cry and make heartfelt supplications showing extreme neediness that O Allah! Save me from these calamities.

Indeed supplication is effective and leads to facilitation in difficulties.

Malfuzat e Hakimul Ummat, volume 29, page 131

Become intelligent!

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Observing the prevalent Muslim attitude of not being wise and intelligent, Shaikh Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi repeatedly quoted this advice of Shah Ahlullah brother of Shah Waliullah muhadith Dehlavi (Allah have mercy on them all) from his book Chahar Bab,

‘Although, Intelligence, wisdom, understanding acumen and intellectual foresight are innate capabilities, but they can be improved further with acquiring vast experiential knowledge, keeping company of the wise, readings intellectual texts, listening to the beneficial advices and biographies of the (successful) predecessors.

Therefore, it imperative that everyday we try to improve our intellectual abilities.

We should be vigilant in making conscious and extra effort to be in the category of intelligent and not in that of stupid people. ‘

Halaat e Muslih al Ummat ra, volume 4, page 338

Remembrance of death

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Shaikh Mohammed al Daqqaq (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘A person who reminds himself of death often is honored with three gifts,
1. Early facilitation of repentance
2. Being content with one’s provision
3. Having the desire to and delight in worship’

Ebrat ka saman, page 25, Urdu translation of Imam Sha’rani (Allah have mercy on him)’s Mukhtaser Tazkirah al Qurtubi,

Tip: Repentance from disobedience

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Shaikh Muhammad ibn Ahmed al Mawahib al Tunisi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The prerequisite for repentance according to the masters of this path (sulook) is to break from the company of the disobedient.’

‘Warning: Take care not to return to the place you deserted and to the spot where you parted (with disobedience), for there you might immediately suffer a relapse.’

Qawanin Hikam al Ishraq, page 38

This company, place or spot may include individuals, specific venues and materials that are heard, read or seen. This is, especially so for the indiscriminate use of Internet in our days.