Category Archives: J. Rights

Islah/Self-reformation

Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi (Allah have mercy on him) once mentioned the following:

In this path of tasawwuf (self-reformation, the primary effort is upon the heart, and) the heart is extremely delicate and sensitive, like a delicate flower. (Just as a delicate flower is easily damaged by the environment, similarly the heart is easily affected by the wrong environment). Hence, at all times, one should ensure that he safeguards and protects his heart from any type of evil.

(In essence, if the heart is pure and righteous, then the actions which one will carry out will also be pure and righteous, and if the heart is corrupt, then accordingly, the actions which one will carry out will also be corrupt.)

Once, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was seen carrying a water bag on his shoulder (taking it to give people water to drink). When asked the reason for him carrying the water bag himself and providing water for the people, he replied, “Certain delegations from other lands had come to Madinah Munawwarah, and the atmosphere that was created through their presence with me was one of grandeur and glory. On account of this, I feared that self-admiration and pride should not enter my heart. Therefore, as a remedy and cure, I decided to carry the water bags and provide water to the people to prevent pride from entering my heart.”

(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 24/259-260)

Ihya ud Deen

The Criteria when selecting a Sheikh

Leave a reply

Hakim Al-Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi (Allah have mercy on him) once mentioned:

In the path of seeking self-reformation, it is obvious that a person will be in need of a sheikh (spiritual guide to guide him through the path). However, since many people are unaware of the procedure to follow and the criteria to look for when selecting a sheikh, they err in selecting the right person for their islaah (self-reformation).

Hakim Al-Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi (Allah have mercy on him) thereafter mentioned that the following criteria should be found in the person one wishes to take as his sheikh (spiritual guide):

1. The person should be well acquainted with the laws of shari’ah, though he may not be an aalim who is an expert in every science of deen.

2. He must have knowledge of the path of tasawwuf and sulook, though he may not be a person who experiences kashf, nor a person from whom miracles or supernatural acts are witnessed.

3. He must have spent a considerable amount of time in the company of a sheikh-e-kaamil (a pious spiritual mentor who has completed his islaah under his mashaaikh)

4. When sitting in his majlis, the general effect that one finds is that one’s love for the dunya decreases and a yearning for the Aakhirah is created (or increases) in one’s heart. Similarly, fear for getting involved in sins and the motivation to carry out good deeds is created in the heart, regardless of whether one experiences any spiritual conditions or not.

Despite the person being a sheikh-e-kaamil, if one does not perceive any benefit through remaining in his company, then one should realize that the reason for this is that one does not have compatibility with the sheikh. Therefore, one should leave this sheikh and seek another sheikh.

Nevertheless, even when one does not find compatibility with a particular sheikh, he should not show any form of disrespect to him. This can be compared to the situation where a certain doctor’s treatment is not proving effective for a person. In such a situation, one will refer to another doctor, but an intelligent person will not run-down or disrespect the first doctor.

(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 24/323)

Source: Ihyaauddeen co za

وقت کی قدر

Leave a reply

عارف باللہ ڈاکٹر عبدالحئی عارفی رحمہ اللہ علیہ

نے مرض الوفات میں انتقال سے کچھ گھنٹہ پہلے عیادت کے لئے ہوۓ متعلقین سے فرمایا

“اپنے اپنے کام میں لگیں۔

وقت ضائع نہ کریں۔

وقت بہت قیمتی ہے۔”

(البلاغ عارفی رح نمبر ص۱۸)

صحبت اہل اللہ

Leave a reply

عارف باللہ ڈاکٹر عبدالحئی عارفی رحمہ اللہ علیہ

نے فرمایا: میں تاکیدا” وصیت کرتا ہوں کہ دیندار اللہ والوں کی صحبت کا ضرور ضرور اہتمام رکھا جاۓ۔

زندگی کی حقیقت، زندگی کی صلاحیت، زندگی کی عافیت ان حضرات کے فیوض و برکات صحبت سے نصیب ہوتی ہے۔

(البلاغ عارفی رح نمبر ص۳۶)

Maintain Relationships, Speak Truth & Be Good

Leave a reply

Our master Ali (Allah be pleased with him) reported:

When the weapon of the Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had been assembled, I found on the handle or blade of his sword three sayings,

“Maintain relations with those who cut you off,

Speak the truth even if it is against yourself, and

Be good to one who is evil to you.”

Source: Mu’jam Ibn al-A’rābī 1507

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani

عَنْ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ لَمَّا أَنْ ضَمَّ إِلَيْهِ سِلَاحَهُ يَعْنِي النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ وَجَدْتُ فِي ذُؤَابَةِ أَوْ عِلَاقَةِ سَيْفِهِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَحْرُفٍ صِلْ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَقُلِ الْحَقَّ وَلَوْ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ وَأَحْسِنْ إِلَى مَنْ أَسَاءَ إِلَيْكَ

1507 معجم ابن الأعرابي

1911 المحدث الألباني خلاصة حكم المحدث صحيح في السلسلة الصحيحة

Nathia Gali, Richmond Boutique