Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said in regards to the ihsan, while explaining the the hadith e Jibrael (Allah’s peace be on him),
“Vigilance that Allah, exalted is He, is watching me is more effective, easy and practical for a seeker than trying to contmeplate that I am watching Allah.”
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Uthmani (may Allah preserve him) writes:
“A gentleman used to visit my father (Mufti Muhammad Shafi Uthmani [may Allah have mercy on him]). Once he expressed to my father his burning desire to see the Holy Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be on him) in a dream and asked him for some spiritual exercise for this.
My father said to him: ‘My dear brother, you are indeed a very ambitious man that you have this auspicious desire. I do not have the courage to entertain this desire, because I think that I do not deserve this honor. I. therefore never thought of learning and doing such exercise and disciplines to have a meeting with the Holy Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be on him) in a dream. Even if I am graced with such a meeting how can I do full justice to the required etiquettes? That is why I did not aspire for the honor of this meeting. If Allah Himself graces me with this meeting it will be His great favor to me. In that case, He shall teach me the requisite etiquettes also. However, just like any other believer, I too bear a desire for this.’ “
From: at-Talib
Arif-billah Hadhrat Dr. Muhammad `Abd al-Hayy `Arifi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“When the abundance of rememberance (Dhikr) and persistence in righteous actions start producing stability and fortitude in deeds and their surrounding conditions, one is blessed with an inward connection (with Allah) proportionate to one’s capability, knowledge and comprehension. This tunes one to obey Allah and to worship Him in a natural way. The result of which is that he finds himself doing so out of love, while at the same time, there emerges a parallel hatred for disbelief and sin in his heart.”
Ma`mulaat Yawmiyyah
Hadhrat Mawlana Wasiullah Shah reports from Qutub e ‘alam Hadhrat Mawlana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (may Allah have mercy on them) the reality of ihsan,
“Contemplating on the Absolute Divine Reality in one’s mind all the time, considering it to an actual presence, without any descriptions, and therefore being modestly conscious and accordingly being an obedient servant is the real goal. This is the ihsan. All other things are superfluous.”
Nisbet e sufiya, page 86
In sequel of the previous post. An individual inquired how can this yearning and desire be created and developed.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) was obviously pleased at this question and replied,
“Once Mawlana Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) was elaborating on this same topic. He said that an individual should stretch out his begging bowl and keep on beseeching Allah, Most High for this. Hadhrat (Khawajah Azizul Hasan) Majzoob (may Allah have mercy on him) asked that if someone didn’t even have the begging bowl what should he do? Hakim al-Umma replied that he should request for the bowl itself from Allah, Most High.
Hence, one should make supplications for it. That is, ask Allah, I lack true desire and yearning, please, correct this deficiency. Keeping company of those who already have this yearning and reading their books (Shaykh and pious predecessors mashaikh) will also help in its creation and development.
Well! This question itself is a sign that, all praise to Allah, true desire and yearning is present (to some extent) in the inquirer.”
Thrusday, pre-zuhar, 25th October 1990/5 Rabi II 1411. Meeting in office with respectable Drs. Sayyid Abdul Qadir Ahmer and Sayyid Abdun Nasir Moin (may Allah preserve them).
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,
“The most important thing [in this way (sulook)] is the yearning and desire (talub). Make effort to develop it. Your benefit is directly proportional to this yearning. Mawlana Rumi (may Allah have mercy on him) said this in couplet meaning,
Limit your search for water but increase your thirst.
True thirst will pull out the water from beneath your feet.”
Post Asr, 4th Rabi II 1411/24 October 1990. Hadhrat’s residence, meeting with Baray Abbu (may Allah have mercy on him) & Abbu (may Allah preserve him)
Masih al-quloob Hadhrat Mawlana Masihullah Khan (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“In addition the Shaykh instructs the disciple to perform remembrance (dhikr) in a special distinctive method. This (dhikr) creates the states of yearning and enthusiasm (to please Allah) in his heart.”
Eman afroze bayanat, page 31
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘And now there is this malady which many people are falling into – perceiving themselves as very pious and saintly but I say who would think such a thing when they have no way of knowing what state they will find themselves in when they die? On what virtuousness do they take pride in? Allah protect us from such thinking.
What is there to be arrogant about when in all likelihood we cannot pick out one ra’kaat from our entire life that can be said to match up to the standards expected by Allah and then these paltry offerings themselves are also by dint of His favour and His blessing otherwise we could not even execute this’
(Malfooz 211, pg 169, Malfoozhat Hakeem-ul-Ummat, [Al-ifhadhat al yawmia…], Published Idara Taaleefat-e-Ashrafia)
Source: The excellent blog, Beneath the Shade
Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) said,
“Some individuals achieve nisbet (a perpetual, close and strong relationship with Allah) but they themselves are unaware of this fact. There is benefit from Allah, Most High, in this unawareness also. That is, if they were to know, then either they will fall into self-pride (‘ujub) or their yearning will decrease.”
October 24, 1990, Hadhrat’s residence, Darul Uloom Karachi
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“If family members, close friends and other acquaintances do not love you anymore then be content that Allah, Most High made this a means for your heart to turn away from everything other-than-Him (ghair-Allah).”
Ma-sir Hakim al-Umma ra, pa 387
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanavi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“Facing hardships in most of their states is practically essential for those traversing the path (sulook).”
Ashraf us Sawanih, volume 1, page 425
A very important advice to remember for each and every traveller on this path.
Be ready!
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“Occasionally these unintentional bad thoughts (khatarat) are due to an extra sensitive psyche and personality. Some times they are due to medical reasons. At other times they are due to acts of blame worthy moral traits. On other ocasions it may be secondary to some evil (Satanic) intervention or sins. Also it may be a test of one’s yearning and desire for Allah’s pleasure. And some times more than one of these may combine.
In a case where a specific reason can not be ascertained it is best to combine all the possible treatments (that are: repentance, firm reslove of being upright in future, treatment for medical, psychological and magic/evil-eye illnesses, excessive supplication and turning to Allah).
However, in all cases in addition to the specific treatment the common remedy for all cases is not to pay any attention to these thoughts. Do not contemplate on the nature or the reason for these bad thoughts.”
Ashraf us Sawnih, volume 1, page 434
کبھی خطرات کا سبب لطافت طبع اور ذکاوت حس ہوتی ہے،
اشرف سوانح، جلد 1، ص 434
Hakim la-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that in tasawwuf parlance,
“The reality of danger (khatra) is that involuntarily one’s self (nafs) becomes attentive towards some thing bad (i.e against Shariah).”
Ashraf us Sawanih, volume 1, page 430
Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) use to instruct the seeker afflicted by something unfavorable that he should contemplate (muraqaba) on the Divine names al-Hakim and al-Hakeem.
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.
Thinking on these lines decreases the apprehensions and sufferings associated with the affliction. Also it increases one’s love and trust on Allah at the same time.