Status of one’s Shaikh

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘It is acclaimed that one should consider his Shaikh superior to all other (Shuyukh).

Apparently there seems to be a contradiction in this and what Allah says,

…………….Above every man of knowledge, there is someone more knowledgeable.[12:76]

(To reconcile these) it must be clear that if one thinks like this due to overwhelming love (sukr e muhabbat) then he is excused.

If one is not in a state of overwhelm-ness than he should think that in living individuals I can not find anyone else who can benefit me more (spiritually) than this individual.
This is what my Shaikh sayyidi wa sanadi al Haaj Mohammad Imdadullah (Allah have mercy on him) said.’

Taleemud Deen, page 126

Rights of Shaikh

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘If one finds effect and influence (taseer) in the company of a Shaikh then he should,
1. Value this company
2. Develop extreme love and caring for this Shaikh
3. Follow his instructions thoroughly
4. Keep him happy,
5. Not to do anything that annoys him, because this results in cessation of receiving spiritual benefit (fayuz) for him.

In the initial verses of chapter Hujarat (49) the etiquette for (approaching) the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) are mentioned. The same rules for etiquette and love apply to the Shaikh, as he is a perfect (kamil) deputy (khalifa) of the Prophet.’

Taleemud Deen, page 126

49: The Private Apartments
With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.
[49:1]
O you who believe, do not proceed ahead of Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

[49:2]
O you who believe, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and be not loud when speaking to him, as you are loud when speaking to one another, lest your good deeds should become void while you are not aware.

[49:3]
Surely, those who lower their voices before Allah’s Messenger are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested for piety; for them there is forgiveness, and a great reward.

[49:4]
As for those who call you from behind the chambers, most of them have no sense.

[49:5]
Had they remained patient until you come out to them, it would have been much better for them. And Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.

[49:6]
O you who believe, if a sinful person brings you a report, verify its correctness, lest you should harm a people out of ignorance, and then become remorseful on what you did.

[49:7]
And know that among you there is the Messenger of Allah. If he obeys you in many a matter, you will certainly fall into hardship. But Allah has endeared to you the Faith, and made it beautiful in your hearts, and made detestable to you the disbelief and sins and disobedience. Such people are rightly guided,

[49:8]
as a grace from Allah, and as a blessing. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Making multiple bayiah

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘It is an abominable practice and (sign of spiritual) debauchery to make bayiah with multiple Shuyukh without a genuine reason.

This results in loss of the blessings (barakah) of bayiah.

Moreover, it befogs the (spiritual beneficence received from the) heart (qalb) of the Shaykh and ripping of the (spiritual) connection (nisbet) is feared.

Such a person gains the reputation of being a (spiritual) delinquent.

Taleemud Deen, page 125-6

Eid: An unimaginable joy!

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The Prophet of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“On the day of eid (when people gather to offer eid prayers)
Allah says to the Angels,
‘Have these people fulfilled the obligation (of fasting)
and are now gathered for prayers?

I swear by My pride, magnificence, majesty, mercy and elevated status that I will fulfill their prayers.

Tell them to return,
I have forgiven them all
and furthermore
I have replaced their sins with virtuous deeds.

Hence they return completely forgiven.

(Mishkat/Bahaiqi)

On our eid visit to Sayyidi wa sanadi Mawlana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) we always found him to be extremely happy and cheerful, repeatedly telling usArifbillah Dr Abdul Hayy Arifi (Allah have mercy on him)’s saying regarding Eidul fitr

“We are excessively blessed individuals today.

All our sins have been forgiven.

They have been bartered with good deeds.

We are completely clean and tidy.”

An unimaginable joy!

In regards to taking another Shaikh

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘If an individual with correct intention stayed in the service of a Shaikh for considerable duration but did not find any influence (ta’seer) in his company than he should seek his objective at another place. This is because the objective is Allah not the Shaikh.

However, one should not have bad belief about the first Shaikh. It is possible that he is perfect and accomplished but one’s share was not there.

Similarly, if the Shaikh dies before the objective is achieved or it is impossible to meet him then one should seek another Shaikh. The thought of benefiting from his grave being sufficient and no need for another living Shaikh must not be entertained . This is because the benefiting from the grave is not for instruction (and guidance), only a sahib e nisbet can benefit, resulting in progress of his state (Ahwal). Whereas, this individual is still in need of instruction. Moreover, if this was the case (that benefiting from grave of pious was enough) then there would be no need of bayiah (taking another Shaikh). There are millions of graves of perfect Shuyukh and even Prophets (to benefit from in the world).

Taleemud Deen, page 125

Repentance in Ramadan is essential

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Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him and allow us to benefit from him abundantly, Amin!) said,

‘It is absolutely essential (fardh e ‘ain) that we make genuine repentance for all our sins during this month.

This is to avoid being the subject of the supplication made by Sayyidna Jibrael (Allah’s peace be on him) that destruction is for the person who finds Ramadan but does not have himself forgiven and our master Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) saying ‘Amin!’ on it.’

Ramadan 1434 after dhuhar majlis, Darul Uloom

Clarification regarding unveilings

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

It is not essential to have events that happen out of the normal means (khawareq) for wilayet (Allah’s special friendship).

Some of the Holy Companions never had a single paranormal event in their life, in spite of being superior to all awliya.

Superiority is contingent on Allah’s proximity and sincerity in worship.

The paranormal events can happen to non-Muslim ascetics. They are the result of training (one’s self).

The level of events that happen out of the normal means (khirq e adet) (on scale of virtuous deeds) is less than that of remembrance if Allah by heart (zikr e qalbi).

The author of Awarif (al Ma’arif, Shaikh Soharwardi, Allah have mercy on him) considers those without paranormal events to be superior to those who posses them.

The most awesome extraordinary feat (karamat) of the Gnostic is to be steadfast on Shariah. And their loftiest kashaf is to asses the capabilities of the sincere seekers and train them accordingly.

Shaikh Akbar (Muhyuddin ibn al Arabi, Allah have mercy on him) has written that some of the possessors of extraordinary feats (karamat) desired at their deathbed, alas! these feats had not occurred at their hands.

This raises a doubt, that is, then how is possible to ascertain that an individual is from the friends of Allah (awliya)?

Wilayet is a hidden affair. Why is their a need to disclose it?
If this is to benefit from them, then avail from their company and instructions. If you find your condition changing (for better) everyday you will know for sure that this individual has influence.’

Taleemud Deen, page 122-3

Rules regarding unveilings & ilham

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Hakim al Umma mujjadid Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

The information gained via unveiling (kashaf) and ilham is implied knowledge (not definitive).

If it is in accordance to the principles of Shariah then it will be acceptable. Otherwise it is imperative (wajib) to abandon it.

If it is not against the principles of Shariah but there is conflict between two kashaf, then if they are of the same individual then latest will be reliable. If they are from two different individuals then the kashaf of the person who is of calm and composed demeanor (sahib e sahaw) is to be followed than the individual who is in overwhelmed state (sahib e sukar). If both individuals are sahib e sahaw then the kashaf of the individual who has most of his kashaf in accordance to Shariah will be reliable. If they are equivalent in this respect then preference will be given to the individual who has more signs of Divine proximity and acceptance. If they are equal even in this aspect then it is permissible to follow whichever is accepted by your heart.

In scenario of kashaf of an individual versus kashaf of many individuals the kashaf of the group is more worthy. However, if that individual is superior to all of the others than his kashaf will be preferable.

Taleem ud Deen, page 121-2

Unveilings & other paranormal happenings

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The events that happen out of the normal means (khirq e adet) are of various types.

One of them is unveiling (kashaf). It is of two types, kashaf e kuni and kashaf e illahi.

Kashaf e kuni is that the confines of distance and time do not remain a barrier and the individual becomes aware of (hidden) affairs.

Kashaf e illahi is that the knowledge, secrets and gnosis about the path (sulook) or Allah and His attributes dawn on an individual’s heart (qalb) or they are seen in domain of sleep or trance (alem e mithal) being manifested in various forms.

Another type (of paranormal) is ilham. That is, knowledge of some thing is put into the heart of the Sufi with serenity (and conviction). Sometimes he hears the voice of the hidden caller (hatif e ghaibi).

The third type is the intervening (tasarruf) and influencing (taasur). This is of two kinds. Firstly, influencing the inner self (batin) of the disciple so that he is attracted towards Allah. Secondly, influencing the other things of the universe, either by concerted concentration (himmat) or by making supplication (dua). Numerous incidents of these sort are reported from the friends (awliya) of Allah.

Taleemud Deen, page 121

Reward of worship

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The friends of Allah (awliya) receive more reward for worship as compared to others. This is because of their increased servitude (uboodiyet) and sincerity (ikhlas).’

Taleemud Deen, page 121

Shaikh Imdadullah mohajir Makki (Allah have mercy on him) said,
Two rakah of an Arif are superior to 100,000 rakah of another Muslim.

Wusul and rejection

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Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘After arrival (wusul) there is no rejection (mardudiyet). Whoever has been rejected is prior to wusul.’

Taleemud Deen, page 121

Wusul: An experiential (dhauqi) relationship and sense of being in presence of Allah with forgetfulness and annihilation of all that is other-than Allah.
Shariat wa Tariqat , page 370

Those at loss on the night of 15th Sha’ban

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It was reported from our master Prophet Muhammad, (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him),

“This is the middle Night of Sha’ban. Allah frees in it a large number of the people from (Hell) Fire, more than the number of the hairs growing on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb. But He does not even look at an individual who

– associates partners with Allah, or

– who nourishes malice in his heart (against someone), or

– who cuts off the ties of kinship (qata’ rehmi), or

– who leaves his clothes extending beyond his ankles (as a sign of pride), or

– who disobeys his parents, or

– who has a habit of drinking wine.”

Allah save us from being among these individuals. Amin!