The reviver of Sunna Shaikh Mawlana Abrarul Haqq (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘The tahajjud salah in itself has the property to make an individual righteous, pious and a friend (wali) of Allah.’
‘There are some medicines that have the property of working both at preventing the disease (prophylaxis) and eradicating it (treatment). Similar is the case of tahajjud. It eradicates the sinful deeds and nurtures the resistance for indulgence in sinful.’
Ma’arif al Abrar ra, page 238
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As understood from the teachings of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanavi (Allah have mercy on him) under Shaikh Mufti Taqi Usmani’s (Allah preserve him) guidance ,
Islah is the betterment or reformation or change of heart (dil badalna) in such a way that the commands of Shariah are followed both in external and internal acts of worship to the best of one’s ability. This is essentially accompanied with acknowledgment of one’s severe short comings in trying to do so.
The real islah is that of the actions of the heart (amal e batini) first and then the outwardly actions that are produced physically are rectified. It is usually not the other way around. This is as mention in the blessed Prophetic saying (hadith of qalb).
The initiating foundation stone of islah is a flash of Divine attraction (jazab) that is bestowed on the selected individual. Its outwardly reason maybe reading something touching, attending a pious individual or place, dua of parents, shaikh etc. In reality it is a kind gift (fadhal o karam) of Allah alone. Everyone of us has to beg for this fadhal e adheem ardently in his/her dua. If the individual is really blessed then he/she will try to safeguard the effects of this Divine attraction by reforming his/her (dhari o batini) actions. If he/she is careless then this will fade away and even might not return ever. Allah save us from this deprivation. Amin!
Tasawwuf provides a frame work for developing this islah. The components of Tasawwuf, like one-to-one mentor-ship, discipline, regular routine, wird, pious gathering and recommended readings all act as catalyst in this growth of islah. However, the real things needed to do the chemical reaction of islah are the firm determination and sincere effort of the salik him/herself.
Catalyst alone can not do the reaction.
Bayah is not essential for islah. It is highly discouraged to be hasty in selecting a Shaikh.
The special nights of Ramadan, Eid, the blessed days of Zil-Hajj, etc. are ideal for asking for this fadhal e adheem of Allah.
Darul Uloom, Karachi
An individual proceeding for Hajj requested for special instructions in this regards.
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mawlana Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him & facilitate for us benefiting from him) said,
‘Be vigilant in effectively utilizing your time (in virtuous deeds) during these blessed days.’
7th Zil Hajj 1433, Jeddah-Mina
The reviver of Sunna Shaikh Mawlana Abrarul Haqq (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Be vigilant in making supplications (dua) at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa.
Supplicate excessively. Cry. If you can not cry then make facial expressions of a crying individual.
Learn to ask from children. How they ask for a thing repeatedly and eventually succeed. Learn it from the beggars who plead with tongue and their poor state. They have learned the art of asking. They are confident and content on their asking skills. Whereas, in reality asking from other fellowmen without a genuine reason is a fault.
But asking from Allah is a sign of submission and servitude. And not supplicating to Him is a fault.
So keep knocking on the door. Do not give up.
كھولیں وہ یا نہ كھولیں در، اس پہ ھو كیوں تیری نظر
تو تو بس اپنا كام كر، یعنی صدا لگاے جا
It is in biography of some of the pious predecessors that in Arafat they continuously made supplications from the zawal till sunset.
This is extremely precious time period. Do not waste it.’
Ma’arif al Abrar ra, page 226-7
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The reviver of Sunna Shaikh Mawlana Abrarul Haqq (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘In the state of ihram one should recite talbiyah excessively.
Lot of people are negligent about this.
It should be recited when meeting someone, or bidding farewell to him, on getting on the ride or stepping down from it, on walking uphill or downhill, after the fardh and nafil salah. In the days of tashreeq recite takbeer first and then the talbiyah.
Recite it excessively all the times while walking and doing other stuff. Say it in a low tone. The prevalent way of reciting it in chorus collectively is incorrect.
In Islam there are supplications prescribed to be recited at various occasions. However, in the state of ihram there should be vigilance in recitation of talbiyah at all the times and transitions.
This (ihram) is the dress of lovers. Hence, when dressed like a lover an individual should act like one. Roaming around repeatedly reciting that ‘I am present’, ‘O my Lord! I am at your service’.
This recitation of talbiyah should continue till the stoning (rami) on 10th of Zil Hajj.’
Ma’arif al Abrar ra, page 222
O my Lord!
By Your stature and esteemed respect!
I did not indulge in sin to rebel against You!
When I was disobeying I was neither unaware of Your position (as our Lord), nor did I deny Your retribution, nor did I consider Your watching me to be something minor.
However, my nafs incited and assisted me in indulging in these wretched acts.
The veil of Your concealment (as Sattar) made me pretentious.
I disobeyed You because of my ignorance. I disobeyed You by my actions.
Now who is going to save me from Your punishment?
If You excise the lifeline (of mercy and forgiveness) to me then what am I to grab (for my salvation)?
al-Murshid al Amin page 493-4
The Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) said:
“And the destroyers are: desires which are followed; stinginess which is obeyed; and a man being pleased with himself, and this. (last trait) is the worse of them (of the things which spiritually wrought destruction to one).”
Ujub is to attribute one’s excellence to oneself while being oblivious of the possibility of such excellences being snatched away by Allah. Ujub is a concealed and subtle trick of the nafs which always desires to occupy a distinguished rank (above others). The nafs obtains pleasure in this desire (of ujub). Allah detests one who considers himself to he distinguished, laudable and the receptacle of excellences.
Delight over the bounties granted by Allah is not ujub. Such true delight is not unrestricted and does not produce vanity since the fear of the elimination of the bounties is ever present in the heart. One realizes that the excellence or bounty which one has gained is purely a gift from Allah Who has awarded it because of some act or knowledge (which is also the favor of Allah), and one further realizes that Allah has the full power of snatching away the bounty at any time He desires. This experience of delight is therefore not ujub.
On the other hand, a person suffering from the ailment of ujub becomes neglectful and fails to recognize that the bounty in his possession is in fact a gift from Allah. One afflicted with ujub considers himself to be entitled to the bounties.
THE REMEDY
Always regard excellences and virtues which one possesses to be the bestowal of Allah. Contemplate on the power of Allah and fear the possibility of the gifts being snatched away. Ponder about your faults, both internal and external so that the notion of perfection and holiness is annihilated.
Path to Perfection, Mawlana Masihullah Khan (Allah have mercy on him)
Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Time management and planning how to to do so are a great things.
It should not be the way to do something in the time allocated for another thing and do that particular thing in some other time slot.
Everything should be done in the time set for it.
This brings great blessings (barakah) in time (more things are done with ease in same duration) and comfort (to all).’
Husn al Aziz, volume 2, page 412
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,
‘Sit in solitude. Close your eyes. Contemplate (do muraqaba). Repeatedly remind yourself either by saying it or thinking that, ‘I am in front of Allah’, ‘I am in front of Allah! Allah is watching me! Allah is watching me! I am in front of Allah! Allah is watching me’
Do this daily for some (fixed) duration of time.
As a result of this activity, by the kind bestowal of Allah, this awareness will gradually and progressively increase.
This contemplation is known as muraqaba e Ihsan.
Allah provides assistance to the one who does this activity (punctually). A awareness develops in this individual prior to all actions and verbal sayings that makes him ponder about the permissibility and accountability (in front of Allah) about that actions or sayings he is going to do.
This is a recommendable state.
It changes the heedless lifestyle into a cautious and caring one.’
Sunday waaz, Sept 2nd, 2012, Daruloom Karachi mosque, after asr.
‘Arif-billah Shaikh Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) used to instruct that prior to any good deed make this supplication,
O Allah! Help me. Make it easy for me. Let me complete it successfully. And (kindly) accept it.’
Ma’arif al-Abrar ra, page 4
Arif-billah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Do not pursue excessive information.
It is worthwhile to act on whatever knowledge one already has.
Our acts of worship and obedience have become ritualistic. In this era of chaotic life style with environment promoting egoistic and hedonistic characteristics our hearts do not appreciate the reality and status (of these acts of worship) as it must be. Therefore, first of all we must supplicate to Allah, ‘O Allah! You have bestowed on us these forms of worship, please, make us appreciate them, give us their blessings, spiritual effulgence, fruition, sound understanding, facilitation of action and a blessed lifestyle. Amin!’
Ramadhan is going to start soon. Appreciate its significance and try to gain benefit from it to the maximum.
Cleanse your exterior and interior body parts prior to its starting by repenting and asking Allah’s forgiveness (from all sinful activities) thoroughly.’
Ramadhan ul mubarak kay anwar shuru honay say pehlay
1. Ask Allah for facilitation (tawfeeq) to benefit from the blessings of Ramadan daily, from now onwards.
2. Make a firm determination to abstain from all sins. Especially those committed by the eyes, ears and tongue.
3. Try to free as much time as possible from work and other commitments for pure worship (ibadah).
4. Reschedule non essential appointments till after or before Ramadan. Finish all Ramadan and Eid shopping prior to the sighting of the crescent.
5. Make special effort to follow as many as possible Sunna in daily activities.
Learn these and memorize the adiya e masnoon (dua) for particular occasions before hand. The book “Alaikum bi sunnati”by Mawlana Abdul Hakim Sukharwi ra is a good, practical and handy resource for this.
6. Review the essential fiqh (rulings) relating to fasting, taraweeh and other Ramadan related issues from “Behishti Zewar” (Heavenly Ornaments) of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him).
7. To get motivated and organized, read the discourses of Hakeem al -Umma regarding Ramadan (Mawaiz-e-Ashrafiya volume : Barakat e Ramadan) and listen to the talks of Sayyidi wa sandi db on how to prepare for the holy month.
8. Practice the actions of the Heart. Do not do any action without a proper intention.Abstain from all the blame worthy morals. No anger, arrogance, belittling caustic remarks, etc. It is strange to abstain from otherwise halal (lawful food) and commit an act which is always haram (forbidden). Try to do most of the praise worthy moral actions. Having patience, humility, gratitude, sincerity, etc. Keep a tight grip. Do not slip here.
9. Make a practical and doable time table for daily activities.
The point to remember is that in Ramadan acts of primary form of worships (i.e. salah, dhikr, tilawat, etc.) are to be increased. These lead to an increasing direct relationship with Allah (i.e. ta’luq ma’Allah).
The tawfiq is from Allah!
