Category Archives: E. States

Haal.

Mujahida e thania: The subsequent struggle

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A spiritual aspirant wrote,

In the previous condition the attention towards Allah was increased and desire to commit sinful was very subdued. Moreover, a sort of spiritual serenity,  calmness and attentiveness was present. However, the condition is not like this anymore. The desire to commit sinful activities becomes very strong sometimes. And the previous serenity is no more.

In this condition I feel miserable, please, pray for me to be steadfast on the right path.

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

‘This is the time of subsequent struggle (against desires of nafs) (mujahida e thania) after the completion of the initial struggle (at the onset of this path). The accomplished seeker (wasil) who in unaware of this suspects returning (to previous heedless state) (rij’at). Sometimes he is so dejected that he gives up (the good deeds and abandons the struggle to resist sinful). In reality, this is an regular essential stage of completion of this path (sulook).

The explanation of this is that in the initial (part of this path) there is excessive enthusiasm and the natural desires are subdued. Towards the middle or the end (of this path) the enthusiasm wanes and the desires resurface. This is because the (sinful) desires are not eradicated (by spiritual struggle) they are only subdued. At this resurfacing spiritual struggle is again required. However, the hardship and effort in this (subsequent) struggle is to a lesser extent. لرسوخ التھذیب فی النفس۔ ., but determination, diligence, willpower and self control are required (to do so).

Based on the signs a sort of perfection is felt in (your) nisbet. Relying on Allah, I give you permission to take allegiance (from spiritual aspirants) (ijazet e bia’yet) and expect from Allah that it will be beneficial for the people. ‘

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 467-8

Islah: Explained further

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An intelligent question was put foward by a reader,

Dear Sir, as salamu alaykum

I’m a middle class working male. I’m married and have 3 beautiful children. My life revolves around my work and family. All praise is for Allah! I stay away from the major sins. I pray puntually, mostly in mosque with congregation (jamah). I recite Quran, Hadith and Sunna adhkar daily. Also, I often fast the Sunna fasting days. I attend a dars regarding tazkia weekly.

Is this all not enough for my islah? Why do I need to consult a spiritual mentor (Shaykh)?

Reply:

Yes! For a spiritually healthy Muslim this is quite enough. However, for a spiritually ill Muslim  specific interventions are required.

For example, an individual can not keep his thoughts focused on the worship being done. Mentally he is absent from the physical effort being performed. The state that he is seeing Allah or Allah is seeing him is a brief intellectual thought. It is not long lasting and does not affect his demeanor. This is a form of  heedlessness (gaflah) and also lack of khushu. Both are spiritual maladies. They requires treatment. Or maybe there is a change in quantity  or quality of worship being done depending on the awareness that others are observing me. This is show-off (riya). Another spiritual malady. Or when upset one crosses the limits of permissibility in speech and action. Similarly there are many other things that require seeking help from an expert.

Once spiritual health is restored the actions you mentioned will be more beneficial.

An example maybe helpful in understanding this concept. For a healthy normal individual a well balanced daily diet, moderate amount physical exercise and daily multivitamin dose is enough for general well being.

However, for a diabetic or hypertensive person specific treatment will needed in addition to modification in diet and exercise. Similar is the case of psychological diseases, quite common these days. Mere, restoration of normal well balanced diet, sleeping habits and exercise is not sufficient. Psychological counselling or medication maybe necessary in addition to these things.

The general observation is that spiritual illnesses are quite rampant. Moreover, most of these individuals are themselves unaware of these afflictions.

A sick person who is unaware or does not acknowledge his illness is in great danger.

In addition, all of us have outstanding opinion about ourselves. We all consider ourselves to be better than others. This is the most severe spiritual malady, the source of multiple other blame-worthy morals (razail): Arrogance (takabbur). Consulting a spiritual physician is the first step towards its diagnosis and treatment.

I pray and hope that this is sufficient clarification of the issue. Please, do not hesitate to ask if there are further queries.

Take care.

Muhtaj e dua

Islah: What, Why & How?

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Islah translates as betterment, repair, rectification, reformation, improvement, renovation, optimization  and restoration.

Islah e nafs is the main topic of Tasawwuf.

It is a synonym of tazkia e nafs. That is, purification of nafs.  That is, one of the four basic Prophetic tasks as stated in Al-Jum’a : 2, “He is the One who raised amidst the unlettered people a messenger from among themselves who recites to them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the wisdom, while they were earlier in open error.”

It means improvement and purification of the moral characteristics of an individual. It includes development of good morals (fadhail), like repentance  (tawbah), patience  (sabr), gratitude (shukr), hopefulness (raja), fear of Allah (khauf), asceticism (zuhd), Oneness of Allah  (tawheed), love Allah and Prophet (muhabba), yearning (shauq), (uns), acceptance (raza), sincerity (ikhlas), felicity (sidq), contemplation (muraqaba), humility (raw ashy), accountability (muhasabah), (fikr) and riddance of bad moral characteristics (razail) like lust (shahwut), afflictions of speech  (afaat e lisan), anger (ghasb), hatred (keyna), envy (hasad), love of the worldly (hubb e dunya), stinginess (bukhul),greed (hirs), love of status (hubb e jah), showing off (riya), arrogance  (takabbur), narcissism (ujub), looking at the prohibited (bud-nazri), illicit love affairs  (dunyawi eshq).

It must be clear that these moral characteristics are the driving force for an individual’s action. If they have not been purified and rectified  following of the Shariah rules is not effectively possible. Moreover, even if one forces himself to act, the external forms of worship done remains deficient.

These unrefined morals lead one to get involved in the prohibited actions and omit the good actions.

Praying salah hastily is an example from our daily activities. It shows the lack of muhabba, shauq, uns, ikhlas, sidq, muraqaba, fikr and presence of hubb e dunya.

Seeing what is prohibited is due to presence of shahwut and lack of khauf, muraqaba, muhabba.

Discord, quarrelling and sarcasm, even within spouses is due to arrogance, envy, affliction of speech and lack of muhabba and self sacrifice.

In this same manner the reason of all sinful activities can be traced to the non purified morals.

The method of achieving  islah is via

1. Knowledge of these morals,

2. Consultation with a mentor to correctly diagnose their lack or presence in one’s self,

3.  Following the treatment prescribed and

4. Re-consultation to confirm effective cure or failure of therapy.

 These steps are repeated until a stable state is achieved. In this the seeker is constantly cognizant of his deficiencies and effectively strives to improve on them.

Wa ma tawfeeqi illa billah

Tasawwuf: Beware of pretenders and astray

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Shaykh Aḥmed al-Zarrūq (Allah have mercy on him) (d.899/1493) said,

There are many pretenders on this path because of its strangeness, and there is a lack of understanding because of its subtleties. There is a great deal of rejection of its followers because of its purity.

People giving advice have cautioned against pursuing the path due to the numerous errors therein.

Religious leaders compiled works to refute its followers because of what heretics have done to it and because of erroneous things attributed to people on the path.

Even ibn ‘Arabī al-Ḥātimī (God have mercy on him!) said, “Beware of this path, for most of those who deviate from it are of it. It is but a path of doom and a path of this world. He who actualized his knowledge, action, and spiritual state will gain the glory of eternity. He who abandons realization in the Path will be doomed and will come to an end.”

We ask God for well-being through His grace and generosity!

“The Principles of Sufism (Qawā‘id al-Taṣawwuf): An Annotated Translation with Introduction.” p. 203

Acceptance of deeds: The sign

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Our master Ali ibn al-Husayn (Allah be pleased with him) said,

‘If you are aware of any of your actions, that is a proof that it has not been accepted (by Allah). For that which is accepted is elevated  and hidden from you; your not noticing it is the sign of its acceptance.’

The stumbling of those aspiring, page 136

باتیں کرو

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 ____(1)____
چپکے چپکے یونہی ان سے باتیں کرو

کہہ دو دکهڑے سبهی، ان سے باتیں کرو

کوئی ہمدم نہیں کچھ مگر غم نہیں

دوست تو ہیں وہی ان سے باتیں کرو

شور و ہنگامے میں مانگ لو خامشی

خامشی میں کبھی ان سے باتیں کرو

______(2)____

کیا ہیں کرتوت تیرے انهیں ہیں خبر

بے خبر! بے خطر ان سے باتیں کرو

ہاں سنا ڈالو دل کی حکایت انهیں

بے زباں چشم تر ان سے باتیں کرو

کار دنیا میں مشغولیت گو رہے

دل ہی دل میں مگر ان سے باتیں کرو

سب توجہ کا مرکز رہے انکی ذات

خود کو بھی بهول کر ان سے باتیں کرو

_____(3)_____

سوچتے سوچتے  بیت جائیگی عمر

سوچتے سوچتے ان سے باتیں کرو

ہر گھڑی اک تعلق سا قائم رہے

چلتے پھرتے ہوئے ان سے باتیں کرو

وہ تمھارے ہی ہیں اجنبی تو نہیں

راز سے ناز سے ان سے باتیں کرو

یوں تو ہے جلوہ یار پیش نظر

 جب بھی موقع ملے ان سے باتیں کرو

______(4)______

محفلوں میں خیال انکا ہر دم رہے

خلوتوں میں ذرا ان سے ان سے باتیں کرو

تم بھکاری بنو ان سے مانگا کرو

بنکے منگتے سدا ان سے باتیں کرو

______(5)______

رات کی خامشی جب ہو چھائی ہوئی

سر بہ خم زیر لب ان سے باتیں کرو

دم بدم ہر گهڑی، ہر جگہ ہر کہیں

صبح دم، وقت شب ان سے باتیں کرو

 فیض مرشد سے اشعار کہہ تو گئے

بات تو تب هے جب ان سے باتیں کرو

______(6)______

انکی باتیں کرو محفلوں میں فرید…

اور تنہائی میں  ان سے باتیں کرو

ہو نہ پائے فرشتوں کو جس کی خبر

دل کی پہنائی میں ان سے باتیں کرو

——————————————————-

خواجہ تاش

مکرم و محترم جناب فرید صدیقی صاحب

Piri – muridi: The reality of Tasawwuf Part 1

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Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi writes in the preface of ‘Tarbiyet us Salik‘ of Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on them) ,

‘The task of being a Shaykh is a lofty responsibility.

This is, because calling people towards Allah is the Prophetic job and the Shaykh is delegated to do it. Therefore, there can not be any doubt in its immense significance.

It is for this reason the quote of pious predecessors is famous,
الشيخ فى قومه كاالنبى فى أمته

A Shaykh in a community is like a Prophet in his Ummah.

Respected (poet) Hafiz Shirazi (Allah have mercy on him) pointed towards this in,

na har

(Not anyone with a glowing face knows how to flirt

Not anyone who makes a mirror act like Alexander

There are thousands of points thinner than a hair in this way

Not anyone who shaves his head can be a qalander)

ٖFrom the essentials of performing this task are two things that differentiate between a righteous and charlatan Shaykh.

First is his expertise in recognizing the aptitude and specific characteristics of the seeker’s temperament.

Secondly, his technique of instruction and training (the seekers accordingly) is at its most perfect level.

The greatness of the (Sufi) Masters is determined by their exceptional level of instruction and training. And this is the cause of their popularity in the (religious) elite.

In an era the Shaykh who is superior to all the contemporary Shuyukh in this field is known as ‘Qutub ul Irshad‘. Like Leader of the group Junaid al Baghdadi and Shaykh Ghuas e azam (Abdul Qadit al Jilani, may Allah sanctify their secret) etc. etc..

To be contd.

 Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 2

Repentance: The first step!

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A sincere reader wrote,

Assalam o alaikum…

My name is XYZ…. I’m a student of college… Basically I am from Town C.

I stumbled upon your site. Thanks for such an outstanding work for us. May Allah bless you and give you what you want in this life and after death.

I think I should come to the main point, Sir, I am only a Muslim by name. I do not say my prayers regularly, don’t recite Kitab ul Allah, although I’m a hafiz. But i think I forgot most of it. I cut my beard. And many things I am not able to say in front of you.

Sir! I’m very much worried about my emaan. I have been lost in this life. Totally forgot my mission in this life for which I have been sent.

Please tell me what can I do now to save my emaan?  How can i come back to a life of Muslim?How can i do what I’m suppose to do…?
Can you please tell me
JazakaALLAH

The reply sent,

Respected brother Hafiz XYZ sahib

as salamu alaykum wrwb

Jazak Allah

It is great to know about you.

Your email is reflective that, masha-Allah, you have importance and azmet of Deen in your heart. May Allah increase it more with ‘afiyet. Amin!

Please, be reminded that we are all humans. Weak in determination and lazy in action. It is in our nature to slip and fall down. However, it is abnormal to slip and not stand up, rub off the dirt, clean our-self and start walking again.

Please, do the same.

At the first opportunity take a bath (ghusul0, wear clean clothes, put some perfume (‘itr) and pray two rakat of salat e tauba. After salam raise hands and make heartfelt dua.

Tell Allah swt everything.

Tell Him that the disobedient slave has returned back to Your mercy.

Please, protect me and save me from my nafs and shaytan.

I am weak.

I repent from all that has been done.

I make firm determination that I will not do it again.

But what am I and what is my determination?

Ya Allah! only Your mercy will save me from committing sins again.

O Merciful have mercy on me. I have no other place to take refuge.

Like this pour out your heart. Take your time doing this.

After this, please, try your best to follow the basics of Islam on-wards. Especially, the 5 daily prayers on time.

Insha Allah gradually other things will be included. But do not rush now.

Remember, old bad habits die with difficulty. So do not expect miracles. There will be a struggle with nafs and shaytan. You have to have determination, high spirits and faith in Allah. Please, keep in contact with this lowly writer whatever your condition is on weekly basis. Insha Allah we will travel together on this path to Allah’s pleasure.

Avoid bad company. This includes friends, internet, books and magazines, etc.

Take care.

Do not worry a lot. Allah is most merciful.

Insha Allah, you will be successful.

muhtaj e dua

Hanif

(Edited for posting)

Listening to lectures & Islah: Clearing a misconception

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The current technology has facilitated the sharing of information. Spiritual discourses of Shuyukh can be heard live online or saved for later use very easily.

However, islah (self betterment/reformation) does not happen just by passive listening to these lectures.

Islah requires active effort.

These lectures provide the general guidelines. Application of these in one’s daily life requires consultation with a spiritual mentor (Shaykh).

After attending a series of lectures on arrogance a seeker wrote that he for sure has arrogance and has started its treatment.  Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) replied,

‘Based on what you made this diagnosis? Write in detail the incident and behavior that made you suspicious of this.’

(Islahi khatoot)

This shows the indispensability of a Shaykh for islah. He makes the diagnosis and prescribes a treatment plan.

Moreover, individuals listen to many different Shuyukhs’ lectures. This indeed increases their information. However, it has to be acknowledged that every Shaykh has a different style in approach and application of Deen. This may sometimes appear conflicting and result in confusion.

It is for these reasons it is  recommended that a seeker of islah limits himself to the lectures of his/her Shaykh. This is especially so in the initial phase. Later he may ask for permission to listen to someone in particular.

Islah is not about having vast knowledge and information is. It is about application of the essential knowledge and information actively in our morals and daily life.

May Allah facilitate this for us. Amin!

جذب فرید

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 دامن کی آگ پهونک نہ دے قلب و جان کو
شوق طواف شعلہ آذردگی سلام

جو کچھ  کہ دل میں ہے وہی کرنے کا ہے خیال

بس ہو چکا تماشہ شائستگی سلام

خواجہ تاش جناب فرید صدیقی صاحب

Shukr: appreciate the blessings & be thankful

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On the day of Eid Al Fitr 1436 Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve and protect him) instructed,

‘Appreciate the blessings of Allah and be thankful excessively.

When I contemplate on the blessings of Allah that are being bestowed on me, it feels like like a torrential rainfall. Sometimes I fear that this might be istedraj. (May Allah save us all from it.) 

Recite abundantly (with contemplation of meanings)

اللهم اجعلنا شاكرين لنعمك مثنين بها قابليها وأتمها علينا

O Lord! make us thankful for the blessings You have bestowed on us, allowing us to appreciate them, making us competent of (utilizing) them (appropriately) and making them perfect for us.

Allah will bestow more blessings and facilitate further progress.’

Residence, Dar ul Uloom Karachi, 18/7/2015