Category Archives: E. States
Fana fi Rasool
Shaykh Shah Wasiullah (Allah have mercy on him) said,
“Commonly people state that after achieving annihilation in Shaykh (fana fi Shaykh) the status of annihilation in Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is attained and after this annihilation in Allah (fana fil Allah) can be obtained.
However, at practical level it is observed that they are content at annihilation in Shaykh (fana fi Shaykh) and do not progress further.
I do not approve of this.
Moreover, I consider a Shaykh to be negligent in fulfilling the obligation of the path (tariq) and of his status by not guiding the disciple to the realization (ma’arifa ) of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). ‘
Tazkirah Muslih al-Ummat ra, page 105
At another place Shaykh elucidates that by ma’arifa of Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) it is meant recognizing the significance of following his example (Sunna). ( page 104)
At another place Shaykh repeats,
‘Moreover, the only feat for Shaykh is to ensure that the disciple reaches Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). If he does not do this then he has not fulfilled his obligations and not done the essential job entrusted to him.’ (103)
علوم تصوف و تزکیہ کی تفصیل
از حضرت حکیم الامت مولانا اشرف علی تھانوی رحمۃ اللہ علیہ ،
1۔ مقامات
مقصود اصلی اس طریق میں اصلاح اعمال باطنی ہیں اور ان اعمال کو اصطلاح میں اخلاق و مقامات کہتے ہیں۔
2۔ احوال
وہ امور جو بمنزلہ ثمرات غیر اختیاریہ اصلاح مذکور کے ہیں۔
3۔ اشغال
وہ امور جو ان ثمرات کے معین و بمزلہ اسباب حصول ہیں۔
4۔ تعلیمات
وہ امور جو کسی اشتباہ کا دفع یا کسی مرض کا علاج یا کسی عمل کا طرز و طریق بتلائیں۔
5۔ علامات
وہ امور اختیاری یا غیر اختیاری جو ان ثمرات کے آثار ظاہری ہیں۔
6۔فضائل
وہ امور از قبیل نصوص جو ان اخلاق و صفات محمودہ پر بشارت دینے والے ہیں۔
7۔ عادات و آراب
وہ امور جو از قسم افعال اختیاریہ بمزلہ امور طبعیہ اس قوم صوفیہ کے ہیں۔
8۔ رسوم
وہ افعال از قسم افعال مباحہ مبنی بر بعض مصالح غیر ضروریہ۔
9۔ مسائل
وہ امور جو محض تحقیقات علمیہ ہیں۔
10۔ اقوال
وہ امور جو از قسم عبارات ہیں۔
11۔ توجیہات
وہ امور جو ظاہرنظر میں حدودجواز سے متجاوز معلوم ہوتے ہیں، اگر واقع میں وہ داخل حدود ہیں تو ان کی نسبت جو تاویل اور تطبیق کی جاۓ وہ۔
12۔ اصلاح
اور اگر واقع میں بھی خارج حدود ہیں تو اس میں جو تنبیہ کی جاۓ۔
13۔ متفرقات
بہت کم ایسے امور جو ان کلیات میں سے کسی کی فرد نہ ہوں۔
التکشف 258
Schematic diagram of Tasawwuf
Tasawwuf algorithm
Concern for others
An individual wrote:
Now the only source of misery at home is the condition of younger brother. It is the same as it was previously. I pray for him daily, asking Allah that he gives up the habit of lying and embezzlement. These two problems are usually the cause of most of the suffering. He is destroying both, his religion and worldly life. I request you to pray (make dua) for him and advice any practical solution to achieve this.
Hakim al-UmmatMawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi(Allah have mercy on him) replied:
‘I have no hesitation in making dua for him.
However, as far as the request for practical solution is concerned, for inept like us it is best to be concerned with our self rather than for others.
That is,
“فکر خود کن، فکر بیگانہ مکن “
(Be worried about yourself; do not be anxious regarding others’ condition.)
Moreover, there comes a time when even for the best and perfect individuals (kamileen) it is advisable:
عليكم انفسكم لا يضركم من ضل اذا اهتديتم
And that happens when even after substantial efforts other do not pay heed.”
Tarbiyatus Salik, volume 3 page 190
The thing to take from The Sheikh
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) said:
“The thing to acquire from the Sheikh is the fanayiat (self-annihilation).
People consider taking wird, azkar, ashagals and litanies etc. from him, all of which can be acquired from books. The essential thing to take from him is this fanayiat. That is total effacement of self suggestions, opinions, planning, expectations and complete submission to the commands of Shariah.
This is acquired ONLY by accompanying the Sheikh for considerable duration of time.
His suhba is essential:
To observe him practicing Shariah in different settings.
To learn from his attitude & behavior. Where is he firm and when lenient.
To correct yourself by his upright way of practice and implementing Shariah.
To happily bear his chastisement, in hope for self-reformation.
To be ready for his trials and testing, in order to check your sincerity.
To submit to all of his instructions wholeheartedly.
To do each and every major action in your life with his consultation and approval. And,
Finally, to copy, imitate and absorb his all esoteric & exoteric states enthusiastically.
And if this suhba is not readily available then it is essential to correspond with him via letters, mail, phone etc. to acquire this. (As explained in earlier posts.)
Also, important and perhaps most beneficial for this is the detail and extensive study of the malfoozat (suhba talks/utterances) of Hakim al-Umma Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanvi quddus sirrahu. Reading them regularly will allow you to absorb the style/disposition of Hakim al-Umma, who had absolute fanayiat!
Equally significant is the study of the biography of our pious elders. Books like: Ashraf us sawanih (Hakeemul Ummat ra’s biography), Tazkirat ur Rasheed (Moulana Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi ra’s bio), Tazkiratul Khalil (Moulana Khalil Ahmed ra’s bio), etc..
If all of these are done sincerely and seriously, inshaAllah, gradually this fanayiat will eventually develop and grow to the optimum level required.”
The objective of sulook
Khawaja Mohammad Ma’soom Sirhindi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
The objective of travelling on the path (sulook) is not to become a Shaykh and accept murid. In fact its aim is to fulfil the duties of slave-hood (abdiyet) without the involvement and resistance of the lower self (nafs).
Tohfa tush Shuyukh, page 49
Leisure of heart
A senior spiritual aspirant wrote,
I was pondering how the leisure of heart (faraghet e qalbi) can be obtained. This thought came to me that whatever discussion or action is not essential to avoid looking into it, listening and thinking about it. This is irrespective of it being from the past or related to the future.
Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied,
‘May Allah give barakah in your comprehension abilities (faham). This is it.’
Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 739
When in trouble?
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him and allow us to benefit from him abundantly, Ameen) said:
“When in trouble or in a perplexing situation immediately repent (make tauba) before asking Allah for help & assistance.
There are definitely many sins we are not even aware of committing. Moreover, our worship itself is full of faults. Repenting from all these is a must.
An aftermath of sin (ma’seyat) is that it causes your decision making abilities to become cloudy/muddy. You forget things and make wrong judgements. Repentance will remove these and making your thinking and decision making clearer.”
Waaz 26th June 2005, Darul Uloom Karachi
Levels of khushoo
A novice murid wrote his condition:
‘In namaz for khushoo I concentrate on the wordings of the recitation (as instructed). For zikr and tilawat, should I do similarly or concentrate on the meanings?’
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Amin) replied:
“It is best on both, if possible. Otherwise which ever is achievable.”
Trying his best to do as instructed after some considerable time the same individual wrote:
‘In zikr and namaz instead of concentrating on words and meaning I get focused on a thought as though Allah is present and He is watching me. Sometimes this thought is strong and at others it is weak. Is this thinking appropriate for me? Also if I voluntary try and keep this thought I can not concentrate on words and meanings.’
Shaykh said:
“Concentrating on words and meanings are a stepping stone and are for the purpose of creating this focusing that Allah is present and He is watching. All praise is for Allah, progress up the stairs occurred. Whatever excessive thankfulness (to Allah) is done for this blessing can not be enough.
Allah increase it manifolds.”
Marital Relationship & Taqwa
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaykh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said:
“My respected father Hadhrat Mufti Mohammad Shafii’ (amy Allah have mercy on him) used to say that the healthy and happy relations between husband and wife are not at all possible unless they have taqwa: the fear of Allah, in their heart.
The degree of intimacy between them can never be found in any other relationship. Both are sharing one another’s secrets and are so close to each other that a closer relationship can never be imagined of. These relations are such that they can not be known to others in detail. Under such conditions, when they are in private and intimate, if one partner decides to hurt the other or disregard his/her rights who is going to stop him/her?
There are many rights if they are not executed, one can report to the police or claim them through the court. But most of the rights of husband and wife are such that they can not be reported to the police or be demanded via court. The judicial system at the most will make it possible to claim for wife’s monetary allowance and meher but what about the husband’s arrogant attitude and bitter speech? Which court or police is going to reimburse for these hurtful things?
There is only one thing that can prevent these hurtful things from happening. It is the fear of Allah (taqwa).
That is, when the husband realizes that Allah by uniting his wife to him (via nikah) has imposed some rights for her. These are obligations for me to fulfill. I am bound to undertake them. If I do not comply with them I will be accountable before Allah.
Until this realization arises one can not discharge other’s (marital) rights thoroughly.
(Marry but Fear Allah SWT: Islahi Khutbat 73-73 Volume 11)
Be intelligent!
Shaykh Shah Wasiullah (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
Imam Abdur-Rehman Ali al-Jauzi (may Allah have mercy on him) has stated in his book ‘Kital al-azkiya’ that,
From all the bounties of Allah bestowed on human beings the most phenomenal is the intellect. This is because it is the instrument of acquiring the knowledge of Allah (ma’arifa). It helps in the organizing the demands of religion and this world. It enables one to focus on the eventual outcome. It leads to understanding of complicated things. It drives one to go for the the beneficial things and accumulate them.’
Mawlana Shah Ahlullah, brother of Shah Waliullah (may Allah have mercy on them) stated this in his booklet “Chahar bab’,
‘Intelligence, prudence and far-sightedness are innate qualities but they grow and improve with increase in experience, company of the wise individuals, reading of books of knowledge and listening to tales of wisdom and general advice. Therefore, one must try constantly to improve his mental capabilities.
Furthermore, physical and mental struggle must be done to establish one’s self as intelligent and not being in the category of stupids.
Intellect is a unique entity. It must be utilized appropriately and not wasted.’
I remind you, that we do not utilize it appropriately and hence we destroy the benefits of both this world and the here-after. As though, we have kept our mental abilities on hold. This in particular I find in the religious individuals. They are totally handicapped in this regards.
Tazkira e musleh al-Umma, page 134
Salik
Shaykh Mansoor Ali Khan (may Allah preserve him) said,
‘For a salik there is no stationary state on this path (tariq).
He is always on the move.
He either progresses by being consistent with the good works or God-forbid regresses by being negligent and lazy.’
Sunday majlis, 12 April 2009, Jeddah
Useful knowledge
Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Useful knowledge is that which,
makes you grow in the fear of Allah,
increases you in awareness of your defects,
deepens your knowledge of worship of your Lord Most High,
decreases your desire for this world and increases your desire for the life to come, and
opens your eyes to the defects of your actions so that you can guard against them.’