Teachings of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanawi & his spiritual successors, particularly 'Arifbillah Dr 'Abdul Hayy 'Arifi (may Allah bless them) and Sayyidi Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) regarding Tasawwuf
While speaking to us, Hoca (Shaykh Mustafa Azami, Allah have mercy on him) told us that when he was student at Al-Azhar, he once went to get some milk. On the wall of the milk seller’s shop, it was written with calligraphy: “The one who cheats, he is not from one of us.” This is taken from a hadith. But the milk seller was adding water to the milk in front of this hadith on his wall.
Everyone laughed upon hearing this.
But Hoca added, “You all too, when you reach the class five minutes late, when you do not prepare well, when you waste time in empty talk during the class, you too fall to the level of the man adulterating milk with water.” Everyone was taken back upon hearing this. A pin drop silence followed.
Till today, I’ve not forgotten those words. I try to fulfill the rights of the class lesson in its true sense. I remind myself that whenever I go late to class, or if I don’t prepare myself well, I fall to the level of the man mixing milk with water.
Hakim al Umma Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Allah have mercy on him) once mentioned the following:
In order for one to inculcate the quality of zuhd (abstinence from worldly pleasures), it does not mean that one completely renounces and gives up all worldly pleasures. Rather, if one reduces his worldly pleasures, this is sufficient for him to acquire the quality of zuhd.
In other words, one should not remain engrossed in the acquisition of worldly pleasures where day and night, one’s concern only revolves around acquiring worldly pleasures, e.g. “I need to prepare such and such delicious meal”, “I need to purchase such and such item from such and such place”, “The rice in a certain place is delicious so it must be brought from there”, or a certain place is renowned and famous for their cream, so one says to people, “Please bring some cream for me from that place.”
In essence, for one to remain engrossed in acquiring delicious food and smart clothing is against the demands of zuhd (abstinence from worldly pleasures). However, if these worldly pleasures and enjoyments come to one on their own, without one making any special effort to acquire them, then in this case, these bounties and worldly pleasures should be regarded as the favour of Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, one should express gratitude to Allah Ta‘ala for receiving this favour.
Similarly, zuhd does not mean that one should eat very little food. In fact, this is not something that is desired in Shari’ah. The reason is that through eating less, one will not be looking after the treasures of Allah Ta‘ala and allowing it to remain full. Similarly, it will not be viewed in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala as it is viewed in the world, that if an employer has to offer a full salary to his employee, and he only takes half, it will be viewed as though he is doing a favour to his employer by taking half. However, in regard to Allah Ta‘ala, this is not the case (i.e. in regard to the limitless treasures of Allah Ta‘ala, one is not doing Allah Ta‘ala a favour by taking less or eating less, rather, Allah Ta‘ala wants us to enjoy what He bestows us with and express gratitude to Him).
At the same time, one should not over-indulge in eating to such an extent that one’s stomach begins to pain and one’s health suffers, due to which one finds difficulty in fulfilling his ibaadaat. Our Hazrat Haaji Saheb (rahimahullah) would often say, in a lighthearted manner, “Look after your body well, but also ensure that you take good work from your body.” In order words, use your body to engage in ibaadaat to the best of your ability.
A seeker inquired about the procedure of getting baiyet to Hazrat Mufti sahib.
Ashrafiya replied,
Sayyidiwasanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) usually does not take baiyet from anyone up front. When he feels that the seeker has recognized the true meaning of this commitment, only then he does so.
For some this duration is in months. For me it was 4 years and my wife 14 years.
In the mean duration you are suppose to do what is being told and provide regular feedback.
Individuals with whom Hazrat db does not feel munasbet are reffered to other Shuyukh. However, this may also be a test for the seeker to guage his talub (desire).
The qualities a Shaykh looks for in a potential murid are his yearning and desire to gain Allah SWT’s pleasure, readiness for anniliation of self -suggestions/opinions and enthusiasm for following what is told to be done.
Another problem I feel is that whenever I get really sad, feel loney or get depressed then my heart does not find peace. Not even in salat. I cannot concentrate . I donot know why it is and how can I can resolve it.
Ashrafiya replied,
Try to keep a positive outlook. Thank Allah for each and every blessing. Set aside 5 minutes daily to do this. Enumerate all the blessings, e.g. life, well functioning body organs & systems, health, husband, daughter, wealth, house, etc.
Assalam-u-Alaikum wr wb ,I do apologize in advance as I am new to this world and lack the adab required, definitely appreciate your patience.I made lots of dua to Allah SWT, thought about it in detail, and Hazrat, I would like to request you to accept me into an islahi talluq.There are many reasons behind my request.- Alhamdulillah your instructions really benefit me and I would consider it a huge privilege to be able to continue to work under your guidance and advice.- Your website has tremendously benefited me and Alhamdulillah its continuing to do so. And primarily it was ashrafiya.com that really inculcated a desire in me for islah and showed me the means to do so.- You are Hazrat Taqi Usmani db’s mujaz and Hazrat db also advised the same.- I absolutely love the fast communication with you and find it extremely beneficial too. May Allah greatly bless you for the attention I have gotten so far.- After lots of istikhra and dua, I find my heart inclined towards this.
Ashrafiya replied,
I read this in detail.
InshaAllah this is also from Allah and there will be something better for both of us in this.
banday ko apni awqat ma’loom hay. husb e hukum khidmet kay kiya hazir hay. jitna mumkin ho sakha zaroor karayga, inshaAllah.
The truth is that we both are in the same boat headed towards the same destination. It is a magnanimous blessing of Allah SWT that He has given this tawfiq. May He further give us the insight to recognize this blessing and allow us to use it appropriately. InshaAllah, we will be companions assisting each other with our knowledge, experience, state (hal) and dua.
I spend some time with Tablighi Jamat for company with the pious. I try to go once a week in the weekly gusht and go out for 3 days every 2,3 months.
Ashrafiya replied,
Tablighi activity must be under the supervision of a Shaykh only. One should explicitly tell him about one’s family, job and other commitments and whom is he going to delegate these when he is off for tabligh. Otherwise, it will be detrimental for him and his family.
Islahi emails:TA
Reviewed and approved by sanadi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him)
‘Is keeping a fist length beard an absolute requirement (I do have a beard but not fist length)?
Is keeping your pants (or shalwar) above the ankle another absolute requirement?
Following answer was given by Ashrafiya,
Tasawwuf deals with the ailments of the heart which are the root cause of all sins (actions against Sunna are sins). That is the reason most Shyukh do not instruct their disciples on fiqhi issues and direct them to muftis.
In simple words, it not a rerequirement to have these prior to becoming a murid/talib e islah. When the disease causing this will be treated there will be no resistance in doing the Sunna acts.
Sayyidiwasanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) instructed,
‘One of the benefits to derive from staying at home (during lockdown) is to accomplish those tasks that were left behind due to busy daily schedule.
Like understanding the translation and tafseer (exegesis) of Holy Quran and learning the Sunna of Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and trying to act on them.’
Sayyidiwasanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) instructed a physician who returned from abroad,
‘MashaAllah!
You have returned back home leaving a good salary. Here work with the intention of helping others (khidmetekhalq). (That is, earning money should not be the primary objective). May Allah facilitate it for you. Ameen!’
Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) inquired regarding his present job. On coming to know that he was satisfied in the current situation he said,
Our master Ali (Allah be pleased him) said, ‘It is a blessing for an individual to find his livelihood in his hometown. ‘
Darul Uloom Karachi, after zohar, walking towards home, January 18, 2020
