Category Archives: Z. Mustahebbat

Two rules of success

An individual who was opening an Islamic school requested for advice and dua.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘Make sure that whatever you do is with sincerity. That is, to please Allah alone.

Develop the habit of turning to and supplicating to Allah (ruju ila Allah) in all the matters.

Theses two things are the most important rules for success in all the matters of life.

Furthermore, do not make extensive plans for future.

Stick to your principles as per Shariah all the times.’

Then he raised his hands and instructed all present to make dua. A succinct heartfelt dua was made.

Office, 8th Shawwal 1432/7th September 2011

Excessive remembrance of Allah

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shiakh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,

‘I saw my paternal grand mother and remember her vividly. She was a disciple (muridah) of Shaikh (Rashid Ahmad) Gangohi (Allah have mercy on him). You could clearly hear the dhikr Allah! Allah! coming from her chest with every breath all the time.

This was a feature of Shaikh Gangohi’s teaching of excessive remembrance of Allah for the seekers.’

After tarawih at Hadhrat’s drawing room, Darul Uloom Karachi, 27th Ramadan 1423/28th August 2011

Khanqah at Darul Uloom Karachi

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Staying in the company of the Shaikh is essential component of the spiritual training and development (tarbiyah) of a seeker.

Special lodgings called khanqah (zawiya) are used for this purpose. Here the seekers (murideen) stay to be in company of their Shaikh. This is their private time in seclusion from all that is worldly. They attend the daily discourses, keep themselves vigilant in worship and make excessive remembrance of Allah as instructed by their Shaikh .

In addition, this provided an opportunity to see the Shaikh closely, learn from his attitude and behavior and absorb his spiritual states.  It also gives the Shaikh a chance to analyze each and every murid individually and closely.

In short, staying in khanqah is extremely beneficial for spiritual growth.

During the blessed month of Ramadan a lot of seekers spare time to do so.

Alhumdulillah, at Darul Uloom Karachi there are arrangements for this. Permission has to be obtained from the Shaikh. This year there were approximately 300 mutakifeen in the mosque. There were other seekers living in the guest house, guest rooms and students’ hostel. Few had come from other countries such as USA, Saudi Arabia, Iran and UAE. There were regular sessions for their spiritual training.

During the last 10 ten days the daily schedule was like this; after fajr prayers, tafsir of Holy Quran was done by Shaikh Mufti Mehmood Ashraf Usmani (Allah preserve him). Around 10 AM there was a session by Shaikh Mufti Abdur Raouf Sukkharavi (Allah preserve him). It included reading from the essential text and its explanation. After dohur sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) spoke. This was about tazkiyah & tarbiyah. It was the crux of all the activities. After ‘asr and ‘esha Shaikh Mufti Abdur Raouf Sukkharavi (Allah preserve him) had sessions.

In addition the Shaikh provided opportunity to the seekers for private meetings.

Overall, the blessed moments of Ramadan, the gathering of sincere seekers and company of pious Shuyukh was extremely conducive to awareness of spiritual betterment.

مستی كے لیے بو؁ے مے تند ھے كافی

مے خانہ كا محروم بھی محروم نھیں ھے

Room # 141, Darul Usman ra, Darul Uloom, Karachi, 20th- 23rd & 26th – 29th Ramadan 1432, 21st – 24th & 27th – 30th August 2011

Genorosity in Ramadan

The Prophet (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) was the most generous person, and he used to become more so (generous) particularly in the month of ramadan because Gabriel used to meet him every night of the month of ramadan till it elapsed. Allah’s Apostle used to recite the Qur’an for him. When Gabriel met him, he used to become more generous than the fast wind in doing good.

Bukhari, 006.061.519

Dua to be Recited at the Approach of Ramadhaan

 

Hadhrat Ubaadah bin Saamit (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to teach the Sahaabah (Radi Allahu Anhum) the following Dua at the approach of the Month of Ramadhaan:

 اَللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْنِيْ لِرَمَضَانَ وَسَلِّمْ رَمَضَانَ لِيْ وَسَلِّمْهُ لِيْ مُتَقَبَّلاً

Allahumma Sallimnee Liramadaana Wa Sallim Ramadaana Lee Wa Sallimhu li Mutaqabbila

“O Allah! Safeguard me for the Month of Ramadhaan (by making me see the Month of Ramadhaan healthy and fit so that I can take maximum benefit from it), and safeguard the Month of Ramadhaan for me (by making the conditions in it such that I can take maximum benefit from it) and accept it from me.” (Kanz-ul-ummal, Vol.8, Pg. 584 Hadith 24277)

Every Muslim should endeavor to memorize this dua and recite it in abundance in these few days before Ramadhaan.

Source: Daul Iftaa

Excessive good works

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After ‘esha salah walking towards the hotel from Haram sharif a murid informed about a  state to use time effectively. He said that in addition to the ma’molat (daily wird) prescribed he does more stuff, like reciting Holy Quran, tasbihat, durood sharif, etc.. However, he felt uneasy about this because this was not done with your consultation.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah grant him a long, healthy and productive life.Amin!) was obviously pleased and replied,

‘The daily ma’amolat should be those that you are able to do consistently. However, doing more is fine, especially if you have time to do so.’

Al-Ajyad, Makkah e mukarramah

Preparing for Ramadhan

vema

 

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 appointmentstill after or before Ramadan. Finish with 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 Hazrat 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!

A good state

 

A spiritual aspirant wrote his condition to Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him),

‘These days this lowly individual recites ten thousand times ‘istegfar‘ and 24,000 times ‘ism e dhat’ daily.  Occasionally there is deficiency or excess in these amounts secondary to  impromptu demanding circumstances.

However, my condition is that after any virtuous deed I feel extreme degree of shame, similar to that felt on committing sins. The reason for this is that in all the virtuous deed performed I recognise many shortcomings and deficiencies. Moreover, I am cognizant of the multitude of blessings of Allah showering on myself all the time.

If a mistake is committed then the only respite is to cry, repent and beg.  Additionally, it leads to extreme humiliation in front of Allah.  

From few days I feel this condition of aloofness from all that is worldly in my heart. …………….

Hakim al-Umma replied,

‘It extremely delighted my heart. May Allah give multiple folds increase in blessings and progress.  Moreover, by the grace of pious associates (like yourself) may He grant a pleasant end to this invalid writer. I expect this supplication from my friends also.’

Tarbiyat us Salik, volume 1, page 761-3