01.31.08
So You Want to be Something Huh?
Hazrat Hakim-ul-Ummah Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahimahullah) addressing his students and disciples said:
“Unfortunately the condition of people (who are treading the path of Deen) today is that they want to quickly become “something” from the get-go before actually doing anything. I say to them, that even the fact that Allah Ta`ala accepts us to be involved and occupied with His Deen is a great status and bounty in itself. What more of a blessing can a person ask for than being occupied in the Deen of Allah Ta`ala.
As for that person who desires to become “something” and gain some name and status for himself through Deen, then remember this well…this person is a very unfortunate and deprived (mahroom) person. Annihilate your desires of status and name and remain busy in His servitude, being hopeful of His grace.
Never become hopeless of Him due to your weaknesses and shortcomings. Stand up and move (trusting in Him alone) and see how Allah makes all the difficulties easy and removes the obstacles.
The condition of treading this path is that one must have talab (the fervent desire) and the problem with us today is that we do not have the talab to attain Allah alone. DESIRE ALLAH ALONE, AND THEN SEE WHAT HAPPENS.”
(Malfoozat-e-Hakim-ul-Ummah; Vol. 7, Pg. 74)
Objecting Against the Ahlullah
There is not deprivation at the door of the saints but the condition is that there must be no malice and enmity in the heart. Mullah Ali Qari (Rahimahullah) states in Sharh Mishkat: Whoever objects to his Shaikh and looks at him despisingly, will never be successful.
Maulana Abrarul Haq Sahib (DB) said that a Mureed (disciple) traveled with him. Hadhrat had delivered a lecture at night and became exhausted. He rested. Allah regards the rest (sleep) of the Ahlullah as worship. Maulana Gangohi (Rahimahullah) said that if a person’s carpenter makes a door and his tools wear out, and he repairs them for an hour, he will have to pay the carpenter because the latter used them for his sake. Thus, the Ulema of Deen who use their heads and tire them out for religious work, their sleep is also counted as worship. If Allah wills, he will grant them reward for sleeping as well.
So Hadhrat said that the disciple wrote a letter to him saying that because Hadhrat did not perform his tahajjud salah in the train whereas he being the disciple performed it, he was abrogating his pledge (Bay’at). The disciple said that his worship was more than the Shaikh’s worship. If only the wretched person realized that the two raka’at of the Maulana and all other saints, are better than our hundred thousand raka’ats. Their sleep is better than our staying awake, our awwabeen, ishraq, and tahajjud. Hadhrat Hajee Sahib (Rahimahullah) used to say that the two raka’at of an arif (one who has full recognition of Allah) is better than one hundred thousand raka’at of a non-arif. Those who harbor objection against the Ahlullah remain deprived.
01.23.08
A Lesson in Life
Love is an action of the heart.
The actions carried out by the limbs,
Can be somewhat limited in their expression,
Of the love a person’s heart really feels.
One can easily devote his/her heart
To another creature on the Earth,
But has one ever stopped to wonder…
What good does it bring about?
The feeling of misery
And restlessness in the heart…
Is that what one wants in life?
Is it really worth it?
Neglected is the Khaliq al makhlooq,
The Creator of all creations,
The One who created you from a clot of blood,
The One who is truly deserving of all devotion.
Ever dared to be a die hard aashiq…
Of The One from whom tranquility is granted?
Of The One who’s generosity is incomparable?
Of The One who’s love is incomparable?
Attaining the pleasure of Allah
Should be the one concern on our minds.
To become a true lover of Allah,
Is the achievement to make in life.
Yet, the question remains…
In what way can this goal be met?
Submission is progression.
And as I have been told,
Time and time again,
Focus and you will succeed.
It’s just the wind under your wings
To make you soar higher…
-A Student
01.21.08
A Real Mureed
Just two days ago, I was listening to a lecture of my Shaykh, Hazrat Mawlana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (DB) which he had given in the khanqah in Karachi in 2000. One point that really stuck with me is a statement that Hazratwala (DB) made towards the end of the lecture. This statement pierced my heart and got me thinking. I began to examine myself and came to this realization that how much more I need to raise the bar and that my standard is very low.
Hazratwala (DB) said, “Mureed woh hai jisko dekh kar Shaykh yaad aaye.” In English that means something to the following effect: “A real mureed is one who when looked at reminds the onlooker of the shaykh.”
The following questions came to mind…How well do I represent my Shaykh? Do I fit that description or not? These are some serious points that all those people who consider themselves to be mureeds of any Shaykh should ponder over.
May Allah grant us the ability to become true and real mureeds. Aameen!
01.17.08
No Reckoning for the People of the Shade
It has been narrated in the hadeeth that on the Day of Judgment, seven types of people will be given the shade of the throne of Allah on such a day when there will be no shade other than the shade of His throne. The question might arise: “Will these people also have to give accountability for their deeds?” The answer to this is that to be given shade on that day is a form of great honor and nobility. Being given this level of honor is itself a proof that they will have no reckoning on that day. The reckoning will be for those who are not under this shade. Where there is shade there is no reckoning, and where there is reckoning there is no shade.
- Mawaahib-e-Rabbaaniyah pg. 377
