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Seekers of today!
Shaikh Abu Saeed Gangohi (Allah have mercy on him) came to realize his spiritual loss after the death of his Shaikh. He had not completed his spiritual training as yet. He inquired about the senior spiritual inheritors of his Shaikh. It was mentioned that Shaikh Nizamuddin Balkhi (Allah have mercy on him) was the most distinguished deputies (khulafa).
For his islah Shaikh Abu Saeed travelled from Gangoh, India to Balkh, northern Afghanistan. A distance of approximately 1700 km (1050 miles). This was by horse or camel caravans and took many months to cover.
This was reflective of his yearning (talab) for islah and spiritual betterment to gain pleasure of Allah.
Compare this to our yearning!
Today we search for a Shaikh in the immediate vicinity of our residence, province or city. We want someone who will change his schedule to accommodate our convenience.
This is is NOT talab!
This only proves that we are not true seekers and do not realize the importance of islah.
If we were seriously sick and came to know of a expert physician we would seek his consultation irrespective of the location of his clinic, timings and charges. This is because we realize the potential danger of our illness if left untreated.
However, we are content with our spiritual maladies, the anger, arrogance, impatience, love of wealth & fame, ostentatiousness, insincerity, pretentiousness, the sins of speech and eyes, etc.
May Allah open our eyes and make us aware of our mistakes. May He facilitate this for us, the undeserving servants’, by His infinite mercy, kindness and philanthropy. Amin!
كاميابي كي كنجي
اللہ
Detrimental connections
It is an essential for the seeker to curtail his/her social connections in order to establish and develop a real, strong and ever-growing relationship with Allah.
Hakim al Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Solitude (khalwa) protects from involvement in sinful activities. Provided this solitude is accompanied with the safeguard of eyes, ears and heart (from seeing, hearing or thinking about anything impermissible).
(In solitude) Purposefully one should not think about anything other than Allah. If random thoughts come then busy yourself in remembrance of Allah and cast them away. This type of solitude will indeed save one from involvement in sinful activities.’
“Individuals who do not have (daily) scheduled time for solitude gradually lose the spiritual luminosity of their hearts.’
On how to achieve this in one’s daily life practically, he added,
‘Do everything on its scheduled time.
The (permissible) worldly affairs on their time and the daily spiritual recitations and activities (wird) on the time allotted for them.
Even occasionally involve yourself in appropriate and succinct humor to entertain and please a fellow Muslim’s heart.
In this way all things will move together, otherwise, in complete solitude sometimes the enthusiasm and aspiration becomes weak. And without them it is difficult to proceed.’
Shariat wa tariqat, page 257
نسخه سعادت
سفر حيات كا أصول
Criticism
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said in regards to the popular practice of complaining about the deteriorating religious conditions in the society,
‘The most dangerous aspect of criticism of the prevalent corrupt cultural trends and how people act (these days) is that we make them an excuse for our wrong doings.
Therefore, it is frequently quoted, ‘in itself this action is inappropriate, however, in light of the prevalent circumstances we have to do it’.’
Jawahirat Shaikhul Islam, page 34
Punctuality & consistency
Shaikh al Hadith Mawalana Zakariya Kandhelawi mohajir Madani (Allah have mercy on him) used to say,
‘Punctuality and consistency in one’s daily spiritual activities (mamools) are the stepping stones to success.’
Malfuzat Moulana Ibrahim Mia (damet barkatahum)
Seclusion
Hakim al Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘Until and unless the public connections are significantly curtailed the serenity (yak-sui) of heart (qalb) is not achieved. The acquisition of nisbet is dependent on having this serenity.’
Shariat wa Tariqat, page 252
Real keramat
Shaikh Abdul Ghani Tarablusi al Khalwati (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘The real keramat (performance of extraordinary feats) in this world، according to the pious masters (of the path), is to be steadfast on the straight path (sirat e mustaqeem) and be content with Allah (‘s decree) in all states.
This is the station (muqam) that is comprehensive of outwardly and internal servitude (uboodiyet).
It is the highest station of all.’
Tarsih al Jawahir al Makkiyah fi Tazkiya tul Aklaq al mardhiyah, (Urdu), page 223
Fear of death
A spiritual seeker (mureed) wrote,
I become very anxious when I remember death. I don’t feel that I’m ready to die yet. How can I develop more hope in Allah’s mercy? What do you feel about your old age and closeness to death?
Sheikh Sayyid Muhammad Abdul-Wahid (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
Death is a natural process like the rising and setting of the sun is. Fear of death is normal and almost everyone has it. You can pray for your longevity and end with faith. In order to invoke Allah’s mercy, you should say countless times during the day “ya reHman, ya reHiym”.
February 12, 2012
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وصال
شیخ الاتقیاء جناب حضرت ڈاکٹر عبدالواحد صاحب رحمه الله وفات پا گئے.
انا لله و انا الیه راجعون.
اللہ تعالی ان کے درجات بلند فرمائیں اور جوار رحمت میں جگه عطا فرمائیں۔امین
حضرت كا مستقل قیام ریاض سعودی عرب میں تھا۔ اجكل أمريكا كے سفر میں تھے۔
First thing to do
Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) said,
‘The first thing to do (for a spiritual seeker) is be concerned about his self improvement (islah).’
Jawahirat e Shaikh ul Islam, page 33
This improvement is to be in all domains of Deen. That is, in beliefs, acts of worship, mutual dealings & transactions, social etiquettes and moral characteristics.
This is the basic foundation of Tasawwuf, without it spiritual development is impossible.
Ignoring this essential stepping stone and becoming engrossed in sufi methods of remembrance (dhikr), recitation of litanies and attendance of specific gatherings, etc. are all from the deceptions of the nafs and Shaytan.
علم غير نافع
