Category Archives: I. Miscellaneous

Preserving the Serenity of Qalb

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Moulana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanvi ra writes in Qasdus Sabil ila Mawla al-Jalil;

It is essential that individuals traversing the sulook avoid all those things that disturb the tranquility of qalb (mind/heart). This is because the serenity of qalb is a big treasure.

There are many such things. For example:

To destroy one’s health by self negligence.
To strife for scrumptious food unnecessarily.
To indulge all the time in beautification of one’s body and clothes
To be either greedy and stingy, or spendthrift
To develop (unusually close) friendship or enmity with someone.

Tas-heel Qasdus Sabil, page 30 & 31, by Hazrat Mawlana Shah Lutufe Rasool sahib ra

Ulama and Molvi need Islah

Hakimul Ummat Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi alai presenting nasihah to Ulama, said

“Nowadays, once a person has studied a couple of Arabic books, he is given the title of Molvi whereas in actual fact he is not a Molvi.

A Molvi is a person who understands the laws of the Shariah and practises accordingly in both the Zaahiri and Baatini spheres.

He has to be a man of Allah. A man of Allah is never a jaahil.”

“I take qasam (oath) and say if the greatness of Allah Ta’aala enters into the heart, you will become ashamed if someone addresses you as ‘Maulana Sahib’, ‘Hafiz Sahib’, etc.”

“When one gains kamal (perfection or excellence in the moral and spiritual realms) then one will realize that one is in actual fact a jaahil.”“I always maintain that the Ulama are in greater need of moral reformation (islah).”

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mohammad Taqi Usmani saheb db’s bayan: Value of Knowledge

–

Stevensille, MD, USA

Things to look for in a Son-in-law

An individual wrote to Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanavi ra regarding the marriage of his daughters. He expressed his dilemma about the potential bride-groom. That is, if he was religious his financial circumstances were miserable. And if he was financially well to do his religious adherence was poor.

Hazrat Thanavi ra commented that;

“Finding real religiosity is almost impossible these days, even in the seemingly observant individuals.

However, for the best bride-groom selection the following criteria will be useful;

He should neither have any doubts about, nor should he ridicule any of the Islamic beliefs and teachings.
He must have the potential capability to improve. This is evident by his respecting the scholars and pious elderly.
He should be mild mannered. (Not getting angry very easily and all the time). This is essential for expecting him to fulfill the rights of his dependants.
He should have the sufficient financial means (to support his family).

If an individual has these characteristics it will be appropriate to accept such a person as son-in-law. Afterwards with increased intermingling and communication with him congeniality (munasabet) will develop. And for a person with all these qualities it will be most possible that his condition improves for better and he becomes a really observant Muslim.

Ma’asir e Hakeemul Ummat ra page 183

When will the Qiyamah (Apocalypse) be?

Grand Mufti of Pakistan, senior khalifa of Hakeemul Ummat ra, Mufti Mohammad Shafi’i ra wrote:

Wise men have said:

مَنْ مَاتَ فَقَدْ قَامَتْ قَََيَامَتُه‘

meaning that the individual who dies his Qiyamah happens at that very moment.
(That is, so because the opportunity for virtuous action ends and some glimpses from the reward (or punishment) of the hereafter start from the grave).

(M ‘aariful Quran volume 3 page 500)

نيل الشفا بنعل المصطفى صلى الله عليه و اله وسلم

ازحكيم الامت مولانااشرف على تهانوى رحمة الله عليه

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Turning to Allah SWT: The creeps

I do not feel it is the right time for me to become religious!

I appreciate its importance and inshaAllah, some day I will commit to a religious way of life and develop islahi-ta’luq (relationship for self reformation) with a Sheikh.

But not now!

I am too much into dunya (worldly affairs).
I do not feel ready to give up music, illicit relationships, immoral internet sites, opposite sex friends, interest bearing loans, etc.

Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra gives an example of such scenario: This is like an individual standing on the banks of a river.

Both of his hands are soiled with filth.
He wants to clean them but is hesitant to wash them in this pristine water.
He thinks of the filth on his hand and purity of the river: ‘First I should clean them and then rinse them in this sparkling water. Otherwise I will contaminate it.’

It is a huge mistake.
There no other easy way of cleaning those dirty hands except to plunge them in the same water.

Irrespective of our abysmal condition, the only cure is to take that bold decision.
Become religious in the true sense.

Commit.

Develop a relationship with a spiritual mentor (Sheikh).

The illuminations (noor) of good deeds will, inshaAllah, expel the darkness of sins by itself.

wa ma taufiqi illa billah

Earthquake: A Punishment/Trial or Natural Phenomenon

The heated debated divides the Pakistani nation regarding the recent earthquake:
Is it a punishment (‘azaab) or just a natural disaster?

It being a punishment (‘azaab) depends on OUR state, as per Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Moulana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanvi ra : “A misfortune or difficulty resulting in increasing distress and anxiety is a consequence of sins.

Whereas, one which causes an increase in one’s relationship to Allah SWT and an enhancement in one’s submission and acceptance (of the Divine will) is not a trial or tribulation in reality.

Though, it may seem to look like it.

These seemingly trials & misfortunes are sometimes for elevating one’s status (in afterlife) and for testing one’s love.”

Maasir e Hakeemul Ummat 390

Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat Mawlama Ashraf Ali Thanvi ra

Progress

A disciple is like a new moon,

In reality no different than the full moon:

Its apparent imperfection is a sign of grateful increase.

Night by night the newmoon gives a lesson in gradualness:

With deliberation it says, “O hasty one,

Only step by step can one ascend to the roof.”

A skillful cook lets the pot boil slowly;

The stew boiled in a mad hurry is of no use.

[Mathnawi VI, 1208-1212]

From here

Hazrat db Contact Information

For those who want to contact Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db for islah.

The postal address is:Hazrat Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db
Darul Uloom Karachi
Karachi 75180 Pakistan

Some points to consider while writing the letter:
1. Divide the page in to two columns.
Write in one and leave the other column blank for the reply.
2. Try your best to be brief and to the point
3. Include a stamped self-addressed envelope for reply.
4. DO NOT ask for wazaif (litanies), interpretation of dreams and ta’weez (amulets).
5. Allow 1-2 weeks for the reply. (Pakistan’s postal system is quite slow)

Islahi/Self-improvement correspondence!

Islahi T’aluq

Contents 1

Contents II

104. Influencing your Wife!

105. Say Ameen!

106. How to deal with a difficulty?

107. Labayik Allahuma Labayik

108. On Death of the Sheikh!

109. The Islahi Correspondence between Mureed & Sheikh

110. The thing to take from The Sheikh

111. The Sacred Relics: Significance

112. Whole Deen, Not Partial Deen

113. Sijdah of every moment!

114. Levels of khushoo

115. Ihsan

116. Upbringing Muslim Children

117. Fanayiat

118. Recognizing the Importance of Time

119. Attitude to be Adopted for Issues Differed Upon

120. Concern for others

121. Ruining the Heart via Tongue & Eyes

122. When in trouble?

123. Deen is not Difficult at all!

124. Instructing Good/Amr bil ma’ruf

125. Goal:Maqamaat not Ahwal

126. Salik

127. Challenging the aspirant

128. Filling Station for Allah SWT’s Love

129. Acquiring Religious Knowledge

130. Please, guide me!

131. Riya?

132. Diagnosis of blame worthy moral trait

133. Bad Opinion about others

134. Preventing Miserliness

135. Not Recognizing the Blame-worthy Morals Within

136. Actions without Enthusiasm!

137. Perfect State

138. Daily Routine: A must!

139. Misfortunes: Consequence of sins or A Blessing in Disguise

140. Success in sulook: Not achieving anything!

141. Deadliest Poisons in sulook

142. Tips to Alleviate Hardships

143. Preparing for Ramadan 1

144. Dua Nisfus Shaaban

145. RAMADAN SCHEDULE

Please, guide me!

Where do I stand?

Take heed!
Mere lip service does not help.
It is the actions according to the commands of Allah SWT & His beloved prophet salallaho alehey wa alehey wasalam that count.

Take a moment to reflect!
How are my beliefs?
What deficiencies exist in my worship?
How much unIslamic behavior is exhibited in my social dealings?
What about my day to day dealings with fellow Muslims?
What about my irreligious home & family environment?

Remember, we have to fulfill the commands of all the five subdivisions of Shariah to be a Muslim.That are;
1. Aqaid/beliefs
2. ‘Ibadaat/Worship
3. Ma’asherat/Social etiquettes
4. Ma’amlaat/Mutual dealings
5. Ikhlaq/Moral etiquettes

Surely I will find huge mitakes, large gaps and open disobedience.
For slavation take the next step.

Sit down before Allah SWT by yourself.
Tell Him your plight.
These gross deficiencies and blatant negligence you commit.
Acknowledge them.
Show Him your pathetic condition and how much in need of His guidance you are.
Ask His help!
Cry, supplicate, request and beseech like a child requesting for a fancy toy.
If not possible genuinely, then be an actor.
Tell Him that you want to change.
And without His help you do not have the courage, means and strength to do so.

Do your part, at least.

Leave the rest and results to Allah SWT.

It is impossible if some one does so and is not guided!

(Theme from Arif Billah Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi ra’s malfuzat)

مسنون دعا

اللهم
اجعلنى اخشاك
كانَى ارأك
ابدا ً حتى القاك
و اسعدنى بتقواك
ولا تشقنى بمعصيتكمناجات مقبول 119