Category Archives: Q. Akabir

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

Muraqaba e duayia

Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:

Muraaqabah-e-Du’aa’iyyah refers to where one, while remaining silent, closes his eyes, and turns his attention to his heart and begins making dua with his heart i.e. one does not make a verbal dua with one’s tongue. While making dua with one’s heart, one may make dua for his deen, his dunya, and for whatever needs one has.

However, one should also remember to include the ummah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in one’s dua by asking Allah Ta‘ala to bring favourable and good conditions upon the ummah and grant them success.

On account of the ummah being linked to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), when one includes the ummah in one’s dua, then this will be a means for one’s duas gaining acceptance by Allah Ta‘ala.

Note: Just as it is permissible to make dua verbally, it is also permissible to make dua in one’s heart, as mentioned above by Hazrat Sheikhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih). However, it should be borne in mind that on those occasions where it is established that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made a verbal dua (e.g. after salaah, after the azaan, after eating, etc.) then one should recite these masnoon duas verbally in order to practise upon the sunnah. Nevertheless, at other times, one can make dua to Allah Ta‘ala verbally or in one’s heart.

(Qutbul Aqtaab Hazrat Sheikhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 434)

Ihyauddeen

Our Elders

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Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi (rahimahullah) once mentioned the following:

The reason for me having great confidence in my deeni elders is not because I regard them to be the most learned Ulama in the world, as I know that it is possible that there are other Ulama in the world who may have more knowledge than them.

Rather, the main reason for my confidence in them is that I found them to be people of Allah Ta‘ala. They were not people of the world. Though they lived in the world, but they were not influenced at all by the world and its attractions. They remained distant from the desire for name and fame and wealth and riches.

Their only work in the world was to serve deen and fulfil what deen required from them at all times – even if it meant them sacrificing all their personal benefits and comforts (they were prepared to do so).

(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 24/79-80)

Ihya Uloom e Deen

The Criteria when selecting a Sheikh

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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

Reading: Be careful

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Hakim Al Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him) once mentioned the following:

If an irreligious person speaks of something relating to deen, then his speech will contain some darkness in it. Similarly, his writings will also contain some type of darkness in it. On the converse, if a righteous person speaks of something relating to the dunya, his speech will contain noor in it.

The reason is that in reality, a person’s speech originates from his heart. Hence, a person’s speech will definitely contain the effect of his heart. (If his heart is pure, the effect of the purity will be seen in his speech and writings, and if his heart is impure, then the effect of the impurity will similarly be seen in his speech and writings.)

When this is the situation, that the speaker’s inner condition is reflected in his speech, and the writer’s inner condition is reflected in his writing, then one should understand that it is extremely important for one to refrain from sitting in the company of irreligious people (those who are not committed to deen) and nor should one ever read their writings.

Reading the writings of an author is akin to sitting in his company. Thus, the very same ill-effects which one will experience through sitting in the company of an irreligious person will be found through reading his books or writings.

(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/117)

Via: Ihyaaudden.co.za

اصلاح اخلاق

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سیدی و سندی حضرت مفتی تقی عثمانی صاحب مدظلہ نے فرمایا،
اصلاح اخلاق کے صرف دو راستے ہیں:
۱۔ صحبت اہل اللہ۔ وہ لوگ جنہوں نے کثرت مجاہدات سے اپنے اخلاق کو معتدل بنالیا ان کی صحبت کی کثرت۔
۲۔ توفیق الہی۔ اس کے لئے دعا کرتے رہنا چاہیے۔ جیسا کے احادیث میں تعلیم کیا گیا ہے۔ (اسئلک خلقا” مستقیما)

درس مناجات مقبول۔ ۷ اگست ۲۰۲۲