Maulana Abdul Majeed Bachrayuni (Allah have mercy on him) inquired, ‘ What is the benefit for children in attending the gathering (majlis) of the pious elders?
Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
‘They develop affinity (uns) with the pious. It is this affinity that leads to increase in (this) relationship. Therefore, their attendance in these gathering is not without benefit. ‘
Anwar al Majeed, p 19
A spiritual aspirant wrote,
For a long duration I am afflicted with this spiritual disease of being harsh when speaking the truth explicitly. People are hurt by it, sometimes forever and on other occasions momentarily.
After (this happens) I feel excessively distressed for hurting the feelings of an individual. Sometimes I apologize but still I feel sorry. I also make dua often after salah. Asking Allah for facilitation in controlling my speech, so that I do not indulge in useless talk.
I wanted to write about this illness to you for a long time, however, yesterday you spoke about the Prophet’s (Allah bless him and grant him peace) saying من سلم المسلمون. It reminded me of this. I humbly request you to, please, prescribe a treatment for it.
Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
‘For few days restrict yourself from advising and instructing (nasiha) others.
Remember this and with determination act on it.
Implementing this for some days will, InshaAllah, create a balance.
However, if there is an occasion where you consider that instruction is mandatory (wajib) then ask another individual to say it. In this way a mandatory duty will not be abandoned. ‘
Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 2, chapter 3, p 168
Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (Allah have mercy on him) once advised a person:
In order for you to acquire focus and remain composed at all times, it will be necessary for you to make a timetable, allocating time for each responsibility. Thereafter, if you adhere strictly to your timetable, you will be able to easily complete all your various works with complete ease and undivided attention. Over time, working in this manner will become your second nature.
(Qutbul Aqtaab Hazrat Sheikhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 387)
Airport
Karachi-Jeddah
Shaikh Dr Ghulam Mohammed khalifa of Allama Syed Suleman Nadwi (Allah have mercy on them) wrote the following after performing Hajj in 1971 (1390 Hijri),
‘The number of people performing Hajj is increasing every year due to spreading affluence, ease of transportation and availability of luxuries in Haramain. However, the number of sincere individuals (performing Hajj correctly) is steadily decreasing.
In general the pilgrims are neglectful of the etiquettes (adab), their reverence (ta’zeem) and the requisite knowledge of the procedure (masail of Hajj).
True repentance after Hajj and desire of changing the sinful lifestyle to a virtuous one is nonexistent and has become a meaningless thought. ‘
Jamal e Aagahi, p58
———–
Unfortunately fifty years later the situation is the same.
Hakim al Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him) once mentioned:
People regard different things to be the sign of a person’s perfection. Some people base perfection on one’s excessive ‘ibaadah (worship), while others base perfection on one’s level of taqwa (piety and abstinence). However, according to the ‘Ulama, the person who has truly acquired perfection is he who, with possessing the qualities of perfection, always keeps his weaknesses and faults before him at all times.
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 3/321)
Source:
Grand-Mufti of Pakistan Mufti Mohammed Rafi’s (Allah protect & preserve him) book “My Shaikh Hazrat ‘Aarfi” was being read.
The passage was about when Arifbillah Dr Abdul Hayy ‘Aarfi (Allah have mercy on him) gave Ijaza of Baiyah to Mufti Rafi’, and he wrote a letter to Shaikh ‘Aarfi thereafter. The letter included how Mufti Rafi’ would feel dejected at his efforts for self-improvement but Shaikh ‘Aarfi’s letter granting Ijaza of Baiyah turned his low self-esteem into motivation to increase his efforts for self-improvement.
Hazrat Mufti Rafi’ Sahab DB commented at this passage:
“This is among the extraordinary effects of the company of a Shaikh. Dejection, lack of morale and hopelessness are converted into hope and motivation to exert one’s energies in the effort to improve oneself.”
Ramadan 1439, malfuzaat collated by Br Kaiser Nizamani
After a prayers, Grand-Mufti of Pakistan Mufti Mohammed Rafi’ Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) was walking towards a door of the Masjid to exit when someone approached him, shook hands with him and began talking to him about something. During this time a second person tried to approach him and shake his hands. Respected Mufti sternly pointed with his hands to him to stay away.
He was teaching him the basic etiquette that when two people are engaged in a conversation then a third should not interfere without permission.
Instead of a verbal lesson, this practical lesson will probably prove to be much more effective.
Ramadan 1439, malfuzaat collated by Br Kaiser Nizamani
The Grand-Mufti of Pakistan Mufti Mohammed Rafi’ Usmani ( Allah preserve & protect him) was informed by his secretary that some people had sent him gifts of mangos.
The Shaikh personally called each person who had sent the gifts to thank them, reminding of the Hadith: “He who does not thank people is not thankful to Allah.”
Ramadan 1439, malfuzaat collated by Br KaiserNizamani
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) mentioned the following in Ramadan 2017 as well as Ramadan 2018:
When seekers used to ask me for permission to stay in my company, I would previously excuse myself as I used to think that I would not be able to give them their due time. However later Allah Ta’ala put in the heart that who am I to give benefit to anyone? If a sincere seeker comes then due to his sincerity and desire, Inshallah Allah Ta’ala will grant him benefit.
Ramadan 1439, malfuzaat collated by Br KaiserNizamani #13
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) mentioned that his respected father Mufti Muhammad Shafee’ Usmani narrated that Hakim Ul Umma (Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)(Allah have mercy on them) used to say that it is very difficult to become a (proper) human being. I could not become one but Allah showed us true human beings such that now (a beast like) a bull cannot deceive me saying that I am a human being.
Respected Mufti Shafi added that Hakim al Umma used to say this about himself (i.e. that he could not become a true human being) due to his humility, whereas this statement actually applies to me.
After looking at such people we understood how a human being should be like. If someone else comes and says that a human being should be something different, then Inshallah we would not be deceived.
He would also recite a couplet sometimes:
دل میں سما گئیں ہیں قیامت کی شوخیاں
دو چار دن رہے تھے کسی کی نگاہ میں
Unexplicable pleasures are infused in my heart,
I stayed under someone’s supervision for a few days
He also used to stay: “I have not read to many books. But I have observed men of Allah.” Like Shaikh (Rasheed Ahmed) Gangohi, Shayk al Hind, Hakim al UmmaThanvi, (Allah have mercy on them all).
Meaning I stayed in their company for a long time. Their company created a certain temperament and way of thought. After observing their outstanding demeanor, Alhamdulillah the heart does not get attracted to others.
Books give outwardly knowledge, but man is made by man, i.e. with his companionship. How to act on (and implement) on that knowledge is learnt from men.
Ramadan 1439, malfuzaat collated by Br KaiserNizamani #11
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) said,
“During my early days of studying in Darul Uloom, the the Darul Uloom was located so far away from the city center that it was like an island cut off from the rest of the world. I would go home on Thursdays, which used to be holiday. Our house had 5 rooms out of which 2 contained cupboards filled with books. My holiday routine was to browse through those books. I would open a book, read a few pages then move on to another book. For some books I would only read the author’s name and few pages, some I would read half and some books complete. All praise is for Allah (Alhamdulillah) I read all kinds of books, including about Seerah, Tasawwuf, etc. After reading all those books I say from the depth of my heart that the books which benefited me most were the Spiritual discourses (Mawaiz) of Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him).
My respected father used to encourage me to read the Mawaiz but initially I used to be more interested in literary texts. Also, I would find the language of the Mawaiz too difficult and sophisticated. It wasn’t that I would not understand the language, but I would find it too sophisticated for my taste. I would read them sometimes, but would not find them interesting.
One day I told my respected father the following state of my heart: “Among my elders, the amount of affinity and fondness I find in my heart for respected Shaykh al-Hind (i.e. Maulana Mahmudul Hasan) and Maulana Anwar Shah Sahab Kashmiri is more than for Hakim Al Umma (Allah have mercy on them)”.
It is obvious that all of them are our elders. However, it seemed as if my respected father felt a shock, and replied, (to the near meaning):
“Taqi miyan (میاں), you are still stuck in the knowledge of alfaz-o-nuqoosh (words and designs). You have not even started to have the concern for correction (islah) of your nafs.” He said this with a sense of longing and regret. This is despite my respected father’s deep attachment to those two elders.
When my respected father said these words, it had effect on me and I started reading Hakim al Umma’s Mawaiz with importance. Later on, when I established Islahi correspondence with respected (Shaikh Dr Abdul-Hayy) ‘Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) he instructed me to fix 1 to 2 pages for daily reading. Alhamdulillah now perhaps there is none of the Mawaiz left which I have not read.”
Ramadan 1439, malfuzaat collated by Br KaiserNizamani #6
Makhdum Zayn ud Deen (Allah have mercy on him) reported that one of the pious predecessors (salaf) said,
“I am ashamed that any action I do be without an intention, even my eating, drinking, sleeping and using the toilet. ”
……….
It is related that one of the righteous was seen in a dream after his death.
The dreamer asked him “what has Allah done with you?”
“He has forgiven me and has raised my rank.”
“By means of what?”
He replied “Here we are dealt with by generosity (jud) not by bowing (ruku’) and prostrating(sujud) (in worship), and are given on the basis of intention (niya), not by our acts of service (khidma), and are forgiven through Divine Grace (fadl), not by our deeds (fi’l).”
The Guidance for the Intelligent
Sayyidiwa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) said,
“Everyone should have this feeling and ardent desire that each and every human being is saved from the Hell-fire (Jahannam).”
In addition to the above mentioned dua ask Allah for all the blessings mentioned and promised for His slaves during this month as mentioned in Quran or Hadith (sayings of our beloved Prophet, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Tell Allah that I do not deserve them but I am in extreme need of them. Please, bestow them on me by Your kind Grace and infinite Mercy.
Once my father Cdr Shaukat Kamal (Allah have mercy on him) and I were in the presence of Shaikh Mansur Ali Khan (Allah protect & preserve him) in Jeddah when the commencement of Ramadan was announced. On hearing the news Shaikh raised his hands for dua. He made a lengthy dua asking Allah for facilitation of all the good deeds in accordance to Sunna & their acceptance, avoidance of all that is sinful and useless and being blessed with all mercy and merits of this month as mentioned in Quran & Hadith.
May Allah facilitate it for us with afiyet. Ameen.
Allah Ta’ala helped to finish the translation of Episodes 6 and 7 of Hazrat Mufti Sahab’s (D.B.) autobiography. I have uploaded them at the following link:
Episode 6
https://archive.org/download/Memories_Autobiography_Mufti_Taqi_Usmani/Memories_Episode_6.pdf
Episode 7
https://archive.org/download/Memories_Autobiography_Mufti_Taqi_Usmani/Memories_Episode_7.pdf
Translations of all episodes until now are available here:
Done by Brother Kaiser Nizamani sahib, Singapore