Veils to certitude

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Shaikh Ibraheem bin Adham (Allah have mercy on him) said,

There are three veils covering our hearts. Certitude (Yaqeen) does not develop until they are removed. They are,

1. Being happy with what we have.

2. Being sad for that which we do not have

3. Being happy when we are praised

(The reason is that) being happy with what we have is due to greed ( a blameworthy-trait) . Being sad for what we do not have is because of anger. Anger (is also a blame worthy trait that) results in punishment (from Allah). Whereas, being happy when we are praised is due to sense of high self regard (ujub). This ujub destroys the good actions.

Ahya al Uloom bab faqr o zuhd via

Leaving a good deed

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Hey, Abdallah ! Do not be like a man who used to get up for the night vigil and then he left it.

Sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) said,

‘Based on this Prophetic saying (hadith) scholars have said that one should not leave the supererogatory (nafil) acts of worship that has been included in his/her daily routine.

However, the meaning of leaving, as I have heard from my Shaykh Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi with reference to Hakim al Umma (Maulana Ashraf Ali) Thanvi (Allah sanctify their secret), is to make an intention to abandon them (altogether and forever).

If there is no intent to abandon them (altogether and forever) but they are skipped for a duration, however, there is an intention that I will continue them (whenever the circumstances are suitable) then inshaAllah it will be not included in this admonishing. ‘

Ina’m al Bari, volume 4, p 320

Advice: when in Makkah

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Shaykh Khalid Kurdi (Allah have mercy on him) said that in the blessed city of Madinah he requested a Yemeni Shaykh for dua and advice prior to departing for Makkah mukarramah.

The Yemeni Shaykh made dua for him and instructed,

‘Do not waste time there.

Use it effectively in tawaf, supererogatory salah, recitation of Holy Quran, remembrance of Allah (dhikr) or performing your missed (qaza) salah.

Moreover, under all circumstances avoid all (even in your thoughts), criticism of, and argumentation with, anyone in the Holy precinct of Makkah.

Be busy with your own work. ‘

Khutbat e Mashaheer , volume 2, p 77

Rx:Ogle

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A seeker wrote,

The second (spiritual) ailment is of ogling. I stealthy stare at beardless boys (امراد) and women. I feel a form of (lustful) pleasure in this. Occasionally, if I try using determination to look away it is very arduous for me and I feel tormented for a long duration. I have asked (others) many times (for measures to give up this habit) but have been unsuccessful. Please, let me know of a way that I develop an innate disgust for this hideous action.

Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘Besides diligent (repeated) use of determination and self control there is no way (of giving up this sinful action).

Furthermore, two things help in facilitating it,

1. Keeping one’s self cognizant of its retributions (here & in hereafter), and

2. Excessive remembrance (of Allah). ‘

Husn al Aziz, volume 1, part 2, p 152

Components of a perfect repentance

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Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) said instructing a seeker,

There are five components of perfect repentance (توبہ کاملہ) ,

1. Acknowledgement of the wrongdoing

2. Feeling remorse for this

3. Asking forgiveness

4. Reaffirming determination not to do it again

5. Planning for rectification(اصلاح) [of the blameworthy morals that led to indulgence in it].

Husn al Aziz, volume 1, part 2, p 152

Making ones ba’yat effective

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Shaykh Hakim Kalimullah Aligarhi (Allah preserve & protect him) said,

Why did you make a relationship with the shaykh (spiritual mentor)?

It was done in order to correct one’s ma’amlat (dealings) and that ibadaat (worship) becomes according to sunnah (ways of the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم)). This is what is called ba’yat.

Remember, just merely giving hand in hand to the shaykh is not enough. There is a lot of misunderstanding about this now-a-days.

Why are the effects of ba’yat not being seen now-a-days?

Before people used to be ba’yat with a shaykh and attain high levels (of spirituality) just within a few days.

The shaykh used to affirm that they have fulfilled the right of their ba’yat. Any matter used to arise, they used to inform the shaykh, the shaykh used to prescribe a remedy for it. They practiced upon it and attained high levels due to that.

Today, we don’t even inform the shaykh (ittila) about ourselves. Until we don’t have a love and yearning (ishq) for our shaykh and Mashaikh, nothing will happen.

Source: Thus Spake Hazrat

Blessed with opportunity to meet Hazrat Hakim sahib db in mataaf, Masjid al Haraam, Makkah mukarramah 23/92018 ishraaq

Extremism in veneration of Shaykh

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Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (قدس سرہ) said,

Their is extreme exaggeration in the belief of the ignorants regarding (the veneration of) their Spiritual mentors (Shaykh/pir).

Even those with knowledge are not free from exaggeration, though they don’t consider their Shaykh to be equivalent to God but they have exaggeration in terms of unveiling (Kashf), for example they believe that when the Shaykh is attentive towards the hidden he can find out matters (which are hidden). May Allah Ta’ala save us from this deadly misguidance.

The second manifestation and form of this exaggeration is in consulting the Shaykh in worldly matters.

It took (me) a long time to understand this issue. They believe that whatever the Shaykh says will surely bring success.

Some make interpretation that whatever is uttered will have blessings (“Barakah”) in it.

Whereas, blessing are (actually) in making supplications (Dua), so why don’t they suffice on (requesting for) Dua.

Is this the true meaning of blessings?

Failure can also be a form of it.

Husnul-Azeez Volume 1/Part 2 (Page 139)

Hardening of Heart

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A spiritual aspirant wrote,

On the death of (my) child his mother is (extremely) disturbed. She cries repeatedly on simple matters and expresses sorrow. Compared to her despair my grief is nothing. Moreover, on hearing from people about losing a child I feel minimal sorrow in my heart. Because of this I fear that my heart has hardened (قساوت القلب) and I have no attachment with my children.

Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘Having attachment (to children) in itself is not a requirement. Therefore, its deficiency or absence should not be worrisome. Attachment is required to fulfill their rights. There should not be any deficiency in this.

Hardening of heart entails being brave on committing sinful.

Lack of attachment and feelings is not hardening of heart. It is something that is, also, to an extent coveted.

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 3, p174-5

Bringing children to the pious

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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

Treatment for hurtful words

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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

Pious company: How much?

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A question was put forward regarding the optimal duration of keeping company (suhba) of Shaikh.

Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘The optimal duration of this association is until the reality of the path (tareeq) is clearly understood. Once this is happens and a congeniality is developed with this path it is no more necessary. ‘

Husn al Aziz, vol 1, part 2, p 118

Tip for success

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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

Sunna of washing hands prior to eating

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) was requested to join the dinner at wedding reception.

Shaikh asked the host for location of the restroom to wash hands. It was located far away so provision was made to wash hands in the garden nearby.

As Shaikh was washing hands he commented,

‘These days this Sunna (the habit of Prophet, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) of washing hands prior to eating is being neglected (especially in big events and gatherings).’

Sunset Club, Banquet hall, Phase 2 ext. DHA. 19 August 2018, 2300