Category Archives: K. Fiqh

Permissible & impermissible acts regarding graves of awliya

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Making elevated graves, constructing domes over them, observing death anniversaries (urs) with pomp and festivities, using excessive illumination (in these places and gatherings) as is the custom these days, and prostrating to dead or alive are all impermissible actions.

However, to visit (the graves of awliya), to forward the reward of good deeds to them and derive benefit (fayuz) from them (or their graves) if one is sahib e nisbet are all fine things. ‘

Taleemud Deen, page 129

Rules regarding unveilings & ilham

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Hakim al Umma mujjadid Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

The information gained via unveiling (kashaf) and ilham is implied knowledge (not definitive).

If it is in accordance to the principles of Shariah then it will be acceptable. Otherwise it is imperative (wajib) to abandon it.

If it is not against the principles of Shariah but there is conflict between two kashaf, then if they are of the same individual then latest will be reliable. If they are from two different individuals then the kashaf of the person who is of calm and composed demeanor (sahib e sahaw) is to be followed than the individual who is in overwhelmed state (sahib e sukar). If both individuals are sahib e sahaw then the kashaf of the individual who has most of his kashaf in accordance to Shariah will be reliable. If they are equivalent in this respect then preference will be given to the individual who has more signs of Divine proximity and acceptance. If they are equal even in this aspect then it is permissible to follow whichever is accepted by your heart.

In scenario of kashaf of an individual versus kashaf of many individuals the kashaf of the group is more worthy. However, if that individual is superior to all of the others than his kashaf will be preferable.

Taleem ud Deen, page 121-2

Two rakat prior to maghrib salah

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him with ‘afiyet) said in discussion regarding the permissibility of praying two rakah prior to the fardh salah of maghrib,

The correct and just thing is that there is no proof (daleel) of two rakah prior to maghrib being disliked (karahiyet). And there are many proofs of its permissibility.

However, it must be taken into account that at places where there is time interval prior to congregational salah (jamah), like in the blessed Haramain, then being stubborn that I am a Hanafi and whatever happens I am not going to pray is not the proper attitude. In these situation it should be offered.

One thing that has to be always avoided is: creating fitnah.

Praying these two rakah are permissible and wherever there is time available (between adhan and jama’h) they should be offered. However, it should not be offered at places where none has even heard about this issue. Initiating these prayer in this situation will create a fitnah resulting in useless discussions.
However, mention the permissibility of this issue at an appropriate opportunity.

Inman al Bari, volume 3, pages383-5

Serve parents

Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmad (Allah preserve him) said,

‘I instruct the youth that associated with me for their islah to take special care of their parents. That is, (in addition to be being polite and obedient) they must provide extra care and service to their parent. Like massaging the parents’ legs and feet ( a common practice to sooth tired limbs in subcontinent).

Everyone is eager to massage Shaikh’s feet while they neglect providing this service to their parents. This is absurd. The Shaikh has several people to provide this service whereas your parent’s only have you or few other individuals to do this.

I repeatedly tell them that in hierarchy of Shariah rulings the rights of parents come before those of the Shaikh.

This also reassures the parents about their son’s Shaikh. (That is, they do not feel threatened of being replaced by the Shaikh.)’

Hilton Makkah al mukaramah, 1st Muharram 1434/15th November 2012, after esha.

Allah’s Prophets are infallible & Friends are protected

Shaikh Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘It is prohibited to believe that friends (awliya) of Allah are infallible. Then why should one lose conviction in them if they err. They are not flawless (ma’soom).

They can commit sins. There are many wisdoms from Allah (even) in these actions.

However, they are protected for sure. So they do not persist in their wrong doing. They immediately repent asking forgiveness from the sinful actions.

This is what I understand from ‘being protected’. That is, there should be no persistence in doing the sinful activity and (immediate) repentance is facilitated for him so that he is saved from its consequences and adverse effects.’

Ifadaat al Wasiya ala Tarse’ al Jawaher al Makkiya, page 142

 

Balancing the practices of Deen


Sayyidi wa sandi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani(Allah preserve him) mentioned,

There is growing trend of Islamic awareness and practicing in younger generation. This often leads to clash with their non practicing parents. Sometimes the situation becomes ugly. It is imperative to be firm on the religious commandments. This is because there is no obedience of anyone in things that displease Allah. However, in doing so full respect of the parents has to be maintained. There should be no anger, rudeness or harsh language used. This is also an Islamic injunction. The fine balance between the practices of Deen has to be maintained in order to gain pleasure of Allah.

Ramadan waaz1433: sabr series

Improve our salah

One of the attendees requested for a premature departure  Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmed (Allah preserve him) humbly asked him to wait few minutes to listen to what he had to say. Then he briefly advised,

‘It should be crystal clear that if we do not improve our salah we will not be able to improve our (spiritual) life.

On the Day of Judgment Allah will not question us about the time spent in Tableegh, or Khanqah or education (madersa). The very first question will be regarding the salah. The foremost thing we will be accountable for will be our salah.

If we are questioned about our salah now, we will be dissatisfied ourselves. Then how could this salah please Allah.’

11/8, MC1, KKNGH, Jeddah, 02 June 2012,  after esha

Tazkiyah & Tabligh

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Muhtaram,

Tabligh is an Arabic word literally meaning “to convey”.

Contextually it refers to conveying the message of Islam. The word Tableegh is commonly used to refer to the Tableegh Jamaat movement in which people spend 3 days or 40 days or 4 months or 1 year in Tableegh.

Alhamdulillah, the Tabligh effort has been proven to be beneficial in conscientising people about their religious duties and reforming the lives of many people.

I fully support the noble effort of Tableegh.

However, it is important to note that the specific form and way of the Tabligh effort is not specifically mentioned in the Shariah. It is recommended. The actual mission of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was Da’wah with Ta’leem (educating) and Tazkiyah (purification of the soul). The present form of Tableegh is one form of Da’wah. It is not the only way of Da’wah. To confine the obligation of Da’wah to the Tableegh movement is erroneous.

There are innumerable ways of Da’wah and all forms of Da’wah practiced within the confines of Shariah should be supported and complimented. It is therefore incorrect for some ardent supporters of Tabligh to claim an absolute right of Da’wah through Tabligh. Such an attitude is a great injustice to the broader concept of Da’wah and is an extremist attitude.

It is even worse to claim that Tabligh is more important than Tazkiyah. Tazkiyah is Fardh. The specific form and way of Tabligh is not Fardh. It is merely recommended. How can a recommended form of Da’wah be preferred over a Fardh act?

To reform oneself and cleanse oneself from the evil instincts within ourselves is Fardh.

It is also very unfortunate that we hear of reports from some elders of Tabligh Jamaat referring to Tazkiyah as a secondary issue, not so important, e.t.c.

How can a Fardh act not be of any importance at all? Such statements are incorrect and misleading. It is expected of the Ulama engaged in Tabligh and Tazkiyah to encourage people to do both, Tazkiyah and Tabligh.

If one does not go out for 3 days, 40 days or 4 months in Jamaat, he is not sinful and will not be answerable in the court of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). However, if one does not reform himself from pride, jealousy, ostentation, e.t.c, he will be sinful and answerable to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala).

People actively engaged in Tabligh should realize this and adjust accordingly. One can never attain the Maqam (position) of Ihsaan by merely going out in Tabligh without reforming oneself. The singular approach of Tabligh whilst sidestepping the importance of Tazkiyah is an incorrect view and erroneous. It is misleading.

Tazkiyah is Fardh. The specific form of Tabligh is not Fardh. It is recommended. It is an effort we too support.

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Dar al- Mahmood

Source : http://tasawwuf.daralmahmood.org/muf…tabligh-jamaat

Improving salah

Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmed (Allah preserve him) said,

‘A very senior pious individual instructed me that if I was seriously interested in becoming religious than I should be vigilant about improving my salah. That is, praying salah as per Sunna with contemplation that Allah is watching me. He added that if I did not do this than in spite of praying punctually I will be simultaneously doing all the undesirable worldly stuff.

Haji sahib instructed to those present to not to take this lightly. Improving salah should be our topmost priority.

Moreover, he emphasized reading the booklet ‘Namazain Sunnat kay mutabeq parhyay’ by sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) carefully and meticulously implementing each and every step as instructed. ’

11/8, MC1, KKNGH, Jeddah, 02 June 2012,  after esha

Alive or dead?

Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmed (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Alive person feels the pain of a pinprick and reacts.  Whereas a dead body will never feel or react even if a nail is driven into it.

Similarly, a faithful individual feels the undesirable effects of sinful activity. It makes him uncomfortable. If this does not happen than one should worry about the presence of faith (eman). It is the (spiritual) life/soul of an individual.’

Jeddah, 30th May 2012, bayan after maghrib

اصول فقہ

Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘In regards to the issue of mawlid there is a delicate discussion that need not be mentioned to lay public (for it is difficult for them to comprehend it). It is that, people do it (mawlid) considering it to be an act of worship (ibadah). For it (mawlid) to be so (an act of worship) requires documentation (from Sunna, Fiqh). This documentation has not yet been established. Those who advice against it do so based on this.

The lay people do not understand this and subsequently conclude that these people stop them from remembering the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

(To elucidate further) Hakim al Umma gave the example that suppose if someone was to recite ‘Mohammed’ ‘Mohammed’ (Allah bless him and give him peace). Then it has to be investigated that is this (recitation) considered to be a act of worship or not? (If he considers it to be an act of worship) Then there is no proof of it.

Mazeed al-Majeed, page 13

This delicate point is indeed seldom appreciated, even by scholars.

The crux of all discussion to proof the validity of celebrating mawlid is on historic incidents. That is, such and such major Shaikh, grand Mufti or erudite scholar did it. These only establish the cultural events observed at that time.

Practice makes perfect?

Then why do we see otherwise in ourselves?

That is, in spite of performing religious actions ( e.g. salah, tilawat, dhikr, etc) for so many years the same mistakes are repeated,  the outward beauty and inward concentration does not increase. Perfection remains a mirage.

Shah Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘An action has to be done properly to be beneficial in this world and in hereafter.’

Majmua’ talefat e Mulih al-Ummat ra, volume 2, Sa’adet e haqiqi, page 323,

Foremost , what is going to be practiced must be established properly. The method must be correct.

It is futile to expect perfection when the thing initiated is done incorrectly and then repeated similarly manifolds. The obvious result of this mistake would be perfection in repeating the the mistake itself.

It for this reason our shuyukh stress on learning the basic religious (fiqhi) text (Bashishti Zewar/Thamar) thoroughly upfront on the path of sulook.

Arif billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘Read the book: Uswa e Rasool e Akram (sallalaho aleh e wasalam). It is a manual for your daily life.’

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) reinforces this in his instruction to the spiritual seekers.