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Category Archives: E. States
The mercy of Allah for vanished graves
Haji Mohammad Usman, the book seller from Delhi, was a khalifa of Hakim al Umma Shaikh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah ave mercy on them).
After partition he migrated to Karachi, Pakistan and established Maktaba e Thanawi on M.A Jinnah Road. Close to his death he expressed the desired to be buried in the graveyard that is in the middle of the Malir riverbed. The Malir river is a flooded each year in the rainy season and most of the graves are washed away. Everyone was perplexed at this choice of burial site.
At repeated inquiries Haji sahib explained that he had read an incident and desired the mercy mentioned in it for himself. That is, once our master prophet Musa (Allah’s peace be upon him) on his way to Mount Sinai passed by a graveyard. The dwellers of the grave were being punished for their wrong doings. On another similar trip some time later he noticed that the graves were neither discernible nor there were any signs of punishment. He requested Allah to reveal the reason for this change. That is, what action or who’s supplication had benefited these individual and the punishment was lifted from them.
Allah told him that it was beyond His mercy to punish those who’s last remaining sign of existence – the grave, had even been wiped out from the face of the Earth with the passage of time.
Haji sahib aspired for the same mercy for himself after flood waters had washed away his grave. This is evident of his extreme humility and absolute annihilation (fana).
ھماری یہ درگاہ
Muraqaba e Ihsan: Developing taqwa
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,
‘Sit in solitude. Close your eyes. Contemplate (do muraqaba). Repeatedly remind yourself either by saying it or thinking that, ‘I am in front of Allah’, ‘I am in front of Allah! Allah is watching me! Allah is watching me! I am in front of Allah! Allah is watching me’
Do this daily for some (fixed) duration of time.
As a result of this activity, by the kind bestowal of Allah, this awareness will gradually and progressively increase.
This contemplation is known as muraqaba e Ihsan.
Allah provides assistance to the one who does this activity (punctually). A awareness develops in this individual prior to all actions and verbal sayings that makes him ponder about the permissibility and accountability (in front of Allah) about that actions or sayings he is going to do.
This is a recommendable state.
It changes the heedless lifestyle into a cautious and caring one.’
Sunday waaz, Sept 2nd, 2012, Daruloom Karachi mosque, after asr.
A seeker
Almost four years ago a young gentleman from North America contacted this site requesting facilitation in establishing a islahi relationship with Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him). He was directed accordingly.
Sayyidi wa sanadi instructed him to get in contact with one of his mojaz whom he knew from before and could communicate effectively via email and telephone. The sincere brother did meticluously as he was told. He wrote regularly about his religious affairs and sought counsel in improving them.
All praise is for Allah. This summer he travelled from North Americla to spend the last days of Ramadhan in the blessed company of sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) at Darul Uloom Karachi.
The stay at Darul Uloom was very beneficial. The ascetic living conditions of the hostel, the post dhuhar discourses in mosque, the tafsir sessions at Hira Foundation’s recording room and blessed company of sayyidi wa sanadi db in his office were invigorating spiritual elixirs.
He requested for bayiah. Sayyidi wa sanadi reviewed the Islahi correspondence he had done with the mojaz in detail. Being satisfied the request was accepted and actualized.
Sayyidi db made sure that it was clear to the seeker that the main thing is the islah (reformation and rectification) of one’s spiritual condition. The bayiah is a blessing (Barakah) and to a limited degree an act of Sunna.
The bayiah was made into the silsila of Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi’s Shaikh Haji Imdaullah mohajir makki via Arifbillah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi, Mawlana Masihullah Khan and Mufti Mohammad Shafi (Allah have mercy on them all).
A detailed dua was made asking Allah for assistance in being steadfast on this allegiance and safeguard from bringing bad name to these pious elders of the silsila.
Instructions for future were given.
The main point sayyid wa sanadi stressed upon was to have this ongoing sense (fikr) of improving one’s condition by recognizing the shortcomings and trying to rectify them.
The blessed brother returns to his hometown tomorrow.
Futuhat-e-Taemoori: prior to maghrib, Friday, 31st August 2012/12th Shawwal 1433. Bait-ul-abd, DHA, Karachi
Prepare for Ramadhan
1. Ask Allah for facilitation (tawfeeq) to benefit from the blessings of Ramadan daily, from now onwards.
2. Make a firm determination to abstain from all sins. Especially those committed by the eyes, ears and tongue.
3. Try to free as much time as possible from work and other commitments for pure worship (ibadah).
4. Reschedule non essential appointments till after or before Ramadan. Finish all Ramadan and Eid shopping prior to the sighting of the crescent.
5. Make special effort to follow as many as possible Sunna in daily activities.
Learn these and memorize the adiya e masnoon (dua) for particular occasions before hand. The book “Alaikum bi sunnati”by Mawlana Abdul Hakim Sukharwi ra is a good, practical and handy resource for this.
6. Review the essential fiqh (rulings) relating to fasting, taraweeh and other Ramadan related issues from “Behishti Zewar” (Heavenly Ornaments) of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him).
7. To get motivated and organized, read the discourses of Hakeem al -Umma regarding Ramadan (Mawaiz-e-Ashrafiya volume : Barakat e Ramadan) and listen to the talks of Sayyidi wa sandi db on how to prepare for the holy month.
8. Practice the actions of the Heart. Do not do any action without a proper intention.Abstain from all the blame worthy morals. No anger, arrogance, belittling caustic remarks, etc. It is strange to abstain from otherwise halal (lawful food) and commit an act which is always haram (forbidden). Try to do most of the praise worthy moral actions. Having patience, humility, gratitude, sincerity, etc. Keep a tight grip. Do not slip here.
9. Make a practical and doable time table for daily activities.
The point to remember is that in Ramadan acts of primary form of worships (i.e. salah, dhikr, tilawat, etc.) are to be increased. These lead to an increasing direct relationship with Allah (i.e. ta’luq ma’Allah).
The tawfiq is from Allah!
Nafs
A spiritual aspirant wrote,
‘The similitude of my nafs is that of of slime covered slithery pig. Restraining it from indulging in sinful is extremely challenging. It wiggles violently and fights ferociously if I try to control it. Getting hold of this slippery, powerful and agile brute is extremely difficult.
Please, make supplication (dua) that Allah gives me the determination and courage to rein this beast. And facilitates this process effectively for me.’
Shaikh Dr Hafeezullah Madani (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
‘Amin!
An explicit and vivid similitude indeed.’
Makkah e mukarramah, 1424
Involvement in sinful and feeling of hopelessness
Our master Shaikh Ibn e Ata-Allah al Iskanderi (Allah have mercy on him) said in al Hikam,
‘Commitment of a sinful act must not make you feel hopeless in acquiring a steadfast state with your Lord. Maybe this is the last sin destined for you.’
Shaikh Mawlana Abdullah al Gangohi (Allah have mercy on him) wrote in his explanation of this;
‘This is because involvement in sinful acts due to human nature (of being weak and forgetful) is not against steadfastness on Deen. However, persisting on sinful actions, not repenting and having an intention of committing it again are against steadfastness.’
Ikmal ush Shiyam, page 55
Leaving what does not concern us
“The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“From the excellence of a man’s Islam is leaving that which does not concern him.”
“That is, to leave that which is not important or befitting of him, whether in speech, actions, or thought.
Thus, ‘the excellence of a man’s Islam’ is its perfection, such that one remains steadfast in the submission to the commands and prohibitions of Allah, and surrenders to His rulings in accordance to His destiny and decree (qada wa qadr). This is the sign of the heart having been expanded by the light of its Lord, and the descent of quietude (sakina) into the heart. The reality of ‘that which does not concern him’ is that which is not needed for a worldly or next-worldly necessity, and does not aid in attaining his Lord’s good pleasure, such that it is possible to live without it…
This includes excess acts and unnecessary speech… This hadith may well be taken from Allah Most High’s saying,
“And who shun all vain things.” (Qur’an, 23: 3)
Mulla Ali al-Qari (Allah have mercy on him) mentioned this in his commentary on Mishkat al-Masabih.
Riyadh,KSA
معطر روح ومنور چشم
صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم
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یا اللہ جل جلالہ
کر معطر روح کو، بوۓ محمد سے مری
اورمنور چشم کر، روۓ محمد سے مری
_______________________
صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم صلی اللہ علیہ والہ وسلم
آمیں
منظوم شجرہ سلسلہ چشتیہ امدادیہ اشرفیہ/مناجات مقبول
عاشقوں کا کام
Improve our salah
One of the attendees requested for a premature departure Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmed (Allah preserve him) humbly asked him to wait few minutes to listen to what he had to say. Then he briefly advised,
‘It should be crystal clear that if we do not improve our salah we will not be able to improve our (spiritual) life.
On the Day of Judgment Allah will not question us about the time spent in Tableegh, or Khanqah or education (madersa). The very first question will be regarding the salah. The foremost thing we will be accountable for will be our salah.
If we are questioned about our salah now, we will be dissatisfied ourselves. Then how could this salah please Allah.’
11/8, MC1, KKNGH, Jeddah, 02 June 2012, after esha
Ijazah
Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmed (Allah preserve him) very humbly acknowledged that he has ijazah from five shuyukh to accept and instruct spiritual seekers. However, initially he was very reluctant to accept this responsibility. He even held the feet of one of his Shaikh crying and begging him to be exempted from this responsibility. He was absolutely sure that he was incapable and unqualified for this position. Moreover, he was afraid that his popularity as Shaikh will only bring bad opinion of the Tasawwuf and (this specific) silsila from the public.
The shuyukh insisted and instructed him to do as he was told.
Later he admitted to his Shaikh, ‘May Allah reward you abundantly. The bestowal of ijazah has benefited me immensely.‘
The Shaikh asked for an explanation.
Haji sahib replied, ‘Acknowledgement of it acts as a deterrent for involvement in sinful activities. At those moments I address myself and ask:
‘Even now!
Are you going to be involved in these kind of activities?’
The Shaikh was very much pleased with the reply.
11/8, MC1, KKNGH, Jeddah, 02 June 2012, after esha
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 (nisbet) will make one strive more for perfection in salah.
All praise is to Allah. Many individuals have tried this and found it to be very beneficial in improving their salah.’
Madarsa Sayyidena Maaz bin Jabal (Allah be pleased with him), Jeddah, 07 June 2012, after maghrib
