The Loving Sights

People of Allah keep watching their associates. In case of lapses by them they correct them but never do they denigrate them. Nor do they indulge in scolding.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Battery Charger

People go to the People of Allah to charge their batteries. People of Allah have their batteries charged up at all times.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Doctor Waliullah of Hyderabad (RA)

Dr Waliullah of Hyderabad was a heart specialist. He was a Hafiz, a Qari and a scholar (an Aalim). He groomed himself in the ways of Allah Almighty. He was consultant to the President too. (Last year we had got the sad news that Dr Waliullah has been encircled by Divine Mercy in an accident. May Allah Almighty forgive his sins and grant a high place in the Heavens. Verily we are for our Lord and unto Him is our return.)

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Who Cures?

We hear of famous physicians. In reality Allah, Most High cures but the fame goes to the physicians.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Effect of Environment

Once Hazrat Shah Wasiullah Sahab (RA) said something that was heard by the young son of his daughter. "Grandpa you did not say Lord Willing (Insha Allah)", the little one said. Later on Hazrat (RA) said that sometimes even the young ones say such things that are very wise.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Few People Take Heed

Khanqahs are not crowded places.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Division of Labour

The external sciences are taken care of by the honourable scholars. The cleansing of inner self is undertaken by the Elders. They have different spheres of action.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Effect of Science

Study of science should lead to God consciousness (for it is an investigation into signs of Allah Almighty) but today people are getting  misguided by the same. Scientific experimentation should be done by emptying the mind of biases. The right use of our faculties will lead to enlightenment. This includes right use of eyes, ears, tongue and mind.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Out Sourcing

Today we get medical treatment by internet. Tell the symptoms from this side and you'll get the remedy from the other side. This is referred to as a miracle of science. In reality it is a reward from Allah Almighty. Study science but with God conscience.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Very Soft of Heart

People of Allah have a very caring heart. they see the associates faltering but won't disclose their observations. But when the Seekers inform them of their condition they try sincerely to save them from the Hell fire. "Being a believer how could you commit such an act," they sometimes say..

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Importance of Fear of Lord

I have a special testament to make, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said. Testament is a serious thing but here we have a special testament. "Fear Allah", he said.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Our Own Intelligence Service

The current running topic is Inner and Outer Lights, Inner and Outer Darkness. Former is to be cultivated, latter avoided. Holy Prophet (PBUH) had made supplications for light of body parts, eyes, ears and others. If we use the body parts for the purpose they have been created for then it will produce light in our body parts. These body parts are the secret services of the King of the body. The King is the heart.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010)

Mufti Muhammed Usama (ZM)

Muhammed Usama is a young Mufti educated at Ashraful Madaris, Hardoi, Madarasa Khadim-ul-Islam, Hapur, Mazahir-ul-Uloom, Saharanpur and the Aligarh Muslim University. Presently he discharges Arabic teaching and Ifta duties at the Madarasa Arabia Tameer-e-Millat, Aligarh. As an energetic and bubbly person, may Lord protect him from evil glances, he takes a lot of interest in publication of religious literature. Together with Mufti Muhammed Adil (ZM) of Jamia Qasimia Madarasa Shahi, Muradabad he forms the main pair of pillars for consultations for the present blog. Mufti Usama is among rare sub species of homo sapiens who are completely relaxed in presence of Hazrat Shaikh (DB). May Allah Almighty protect him from jealousy. One day Hazrat Shaikh (DB) was very happy at tea time. "Mufti Usama and Muft Adil have gladdened the heart", said Hazrat Shaikh (DB). Nobody asked the reason. Mufti Usama won't tell, Mufti Adil was not around but Hazrat Shaikh (DB) is not the only one whose heart is gladdened by them. Many hearts get solace by their presence, as if they are some form of remembrance of Lord Almighty. Verily People of Allah are those who remind you of Allah Almighty.

Where Angels Fear to Tread

Ali Miyan (NM) was such a great scholar but never wrote on exegesis (tafseer). I get overwhelmed by the idea, he used to say. Now a days even those people who have learned little bit of Arabic, perhaps by self study will start exegesis circles in the mosque.

(An occasional saying)

History of Islam

There is history of Muslims and then there is history of Islam. Former is of interest to historians. Later one to Muslims. Ali Miyan, may Allah, Lord of Honour fill his tomb with light, wrote the second one. The Urdu title of the book in four volumes is Tarikh-e-Dawat-o-Azimat. The English version is called Saviors of Islamic Spirit. Later on it'd have two more volumes about Syed Ahmed Shaheed. Here is our brief history in the form of Chapter titles from that book. (Prepared from Urdu edition)

Volume I: 1 to 7 Century AH

1. Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz
2. Hazrat Hasan Basri
3. Abbasids and Compilation of Hadith and Fiqh
4. Khalq-e-Quran and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal
5. Mutazila and Abul Hasan Ashari
6. Batinites
7. Imam Ghazali
8. Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Quadir Gilani
9. Allama Ibn-e-Jauzi
10. Nuruddin Zangi and Salahuddin Ayyubi
11. Shaik ul-Islam Izzuddin Abdus Salam
12. The Tatars
13. Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi

Volume  II  : Eight Century AH : Imam Ibn-e-Taimiyyah

1. His Character
2. His opposition
3. His Revivalist Work
4. Criticism of Logical, Philosophical and Scholastic Attributes
5. Preferences for Adopting Sunnah and  Quranic Attitude
6. Rojection of un-Islamic Thoughts and Beliefs
7. Revival of Shariah studies
8. Sources of Law : The Book and the Sunnah
9. Disciples : Ibn -e-Qayyim, Ibn-e-Abdul  Hadi, Ibn-e-Katheer, Ibn-e-Rajab

Volume  III

1. Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Hazrat Khawaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, Hazrat Khawaja Fariddudin Ganj Shakar
2. Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia
3. His Character
4. Habits, Teachings, Sama, Benefits
5. Shaikh Sharafuddin Yahya Maneri
6. The Firdausia Order : Khwaja Najmuddin Kubra, Khwaja Badaruddin Samarqandi, Khwaja  Ruknuddin Firsausi, Khwaja Najibuddin Firdausi

Volume IV : Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi

1. The World of Islam in tenth century AH.
2. Hazrat Mujadad-e-Alf-e-Sani ( Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi) : Life Conditions
3. Main Events of Life
4. Risalat-e-Muhammad : Revival
5. Wahadat-ul Wujud or Wahadat-ul-Shahud
6. From Akbar to  Jahangir
7. Succesors and  Disciples : Khwaja Muhammed Masoom, Syed Adam Binnori, Saifuddin Sirhindi, Khwaja Muhammed   Zubair, Maulana Fazl-ur-rahman Ganj Muradabadi, Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janan, Shah Ghulam Ali, Maulana Khalid Rumi, Shah Ahmed Saeed, Shah Abdul Ghani
8. Syed Shah Almallah,  Shaikh Sultan Balyavi, Syed Abdullah Akbarabadi, Syed Ahmed Shaheed

Vol : V

1. Islamic World in 12 Century AH.
2. India in 12 Century AH.
3. Family of Shah Waliullah
4. Brief Condition of Life
5. Revivalist Work
6. Propogation of Hadith and Sunnah
7. Hujjat-ullah al Baligha
8. On Caliphate of Islam
9. Leadership of Ummah in Mughal Times
10. Sons, Successors and Peers : Shah Abdul Aziz, Syed Ahmed Shahid, Maulana Abdul Hai Budhanvi and Shah Ismail Shahid, Maulana Shah Mohammed Ishaq, Shah Yaqub Sahab
11. Shah Rafiuddin Dehlvi, Shah Abdul Quadir Dehlvi, Shah Muhammed Ashique Phulati, Khwaja Muhammed Amin Kashmiri, Shah Abdul Saeed Hasani Raebarelvi
12. Shaikh Muhammed-ibn-e-Abdul Wahhab

Supplications That Please Allah Almighty

Why did Allah say that ask for well being from Me, ask for abundance (barkat) in work from Me? How He gave abundance in the life and work of the Holy Prophet(PBUH)? Preaching and spreading of Islam, training of the Companions and a lot of battles, all took place in a short span of time. Allah gives same abundance to his friends. There was a scholar of Firangi Mahal, Lucknow. He got only 39 years in this world but finished hundred books before that.

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

Taraweeh on Run

A person was asked as to how the Taraweeh Prayers were in there mosque. Several Rajdhani Expresses (among the fastest trains in India) pass through Aligarh. The person replied that the Taraweeh Prayers were like the fastest Rajdhani. This is our present attitude about prayers. This does not create the sense of well being that the prayers usually do. There are the studies of the children to worry about, eight units are enough, people argue. Earlier people used to encourage to indulge in obedience. Hazrat Thanwi (QS) started Tahajjud Prayers in the age of thirteen years.

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

A False Reasoning

Some people say that there is no toiling in religion. (Allah says that we have created man for toil.) Why are you getting involved in twenty units of taraweeh, eight is alright.

Now, on the Judgment Day, if the demand is announced for twenty units where will you bring the twelve units from?

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

Wake Up Again

Indulge in remembrance, indulge in pondering-you'll not live in this world forever. Till yesterday our elders used to bless us to be pious. The marriage took place, children were born and now we our self are in the position of blessing others, the children. It all passed and that too rather fast.

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

In the State of Failing

When we fail in delivering our duties we should feel ashamed and should never insist on our failings. To be adamant invites Allah Almighty's wrath. We must also remember that when wrath of Allah Almighty comes none is spared, sinners or the pious.

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

Our Ignorance

How unfortunate statements do we make? Why should I keep fat, don't I have food to eat? We just do not value this blessing of fasting. Haven't you noticed that even non-Muslims respect you when you value fasting?
"He is fasting", you'll here them saying with appreciation.

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

The Blessings of Ramadan

It seems that the Ramadan started just a little while ago. By now it is already in its last leg. The rest too will pass fleetingly. How much have we valued this blessing of Allah. Did we discharge its duties? Did we thank Him for this blessing? We give up fasting with the smallest of excuse.

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

The Destiny

We shall get only that much livelihood as has been entered in our destiny. The implication is that we must value every blessing of Allah Almighty. Any opportunity to indulge in acts of worship too is by the Mercy of Allah Almighty and is a blessing. That blessing will not be snatched away from you for which you have expressed gratefulness to Him. In the sixth part of the Holy Qura'n He says that if you will be grateful what will He get by sending His wrath on you?

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

Be Ready, Be Prepared

Man should always keep himself for any and all eventuality. Keep preparing for it. Any thing may happen in life. Even death may takeover us. This type of contemplation will lead to a desire to indulge in good deeds. This will enlighten the heart.

(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, August 30, 2010)

Muhi-us-Sunnah (QS) on Supplications

The affection of the Master of Two worlds, Leader of the Two Worlds Divine Prophet , May Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him, was such that for the convenience of the Muslim Nation he fixed supplications and invocations for every occasion. At the same time our laxity is such that it does not cross our mind that there might be a supplication for the situation that we are face to face with. Thus in came to my heart that we make these supplications a part of our routine so as to benefit from their reward.

(Azkar-e-Masnoona, The Invocations According to Sunnah)

The Valuable Night

Once the beloved Prophet Muhammed, may Peace and Blessings of Allah bu upon him, told the Companions the story of a Jewish ascetic. He'd do jihad in the day and spend the night in worship. To top it all he did it for a thousand months. This saddened the Companions. " O our beloved Prophet (PBUH) we do not have such long lives. Wont we be deprived of the corresponding reward?", they said to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Allah, Alla-Pure and Most High had Mercy on the Companions, and thus all believers and sent the Chapter : The Night of the Holy Qura'n. This tells about the Valuable Night (shab-e-qadr)-the night that is better than a thousand months. The night in which angels descend, including Hazrat Jibreel (AS) and send peace on the believers-till the break of dawn. To search for this night is part of the beliefs of a Muslim. The knowledge of the Valuable Night was given to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by Allah, All-Pure and Exalted. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) started towards the Holy Mosque to tell the good news and the method to identify the Valuable Night. But on the way he found two people quarreling. He tried to induce peace among them but in the process forgot the method to locate the Valuable Night among three hundred and sixty nights of the year. As a by product of this story we get a lesson about the harms of quarrel. At a place in the Holy Book we get the information that the Holy Book descended from the Tablet in Heaven in the Month of Ramadan. Thus we should look for it in the present month and spend it in prayer to get the rewards better than prayers and worship of thousand months. According to a tradition we should look for the Valuable Night in the odd nights of last ten days of the Holy month of Ramadan. There are other signs of this night that the stars sign rather brightly in this night and it is neither too hot nor too cold and that the sun next day rises rather blemish free, that is, without clouds. May Allah, All-Pure and Most High provide us the opportunity to find this night and make the most of it by worship, prayer and supplications. A person getting even two Valuable nights in his life will surpass the ascetic in question in worship. Verily our Lord Almighty is Most Merciful, Most Beneficent.

My Daughter, My Daughter, My Son

(1) More you leave the sins dearer you become to Allah Most High.

(2) When Khawaja Sahab (RA) retired he was very happy. "Now I can spend more time in the remembrance of Allah", he said.

(3) Today we keep pushing our children towards hell. The knowledge is for enlightenment but we think of it only as a stepping stone to livelihood. How can my son be an engineer, doctor,  IAS  is all we worry about.

 (Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

A Prostitute

There was a prostitute, a beautiful women. Because of a Shaikh she repented. He later on married her. One day she was grinding flour with hand operated machine. She was weeping too, with tears of thankfulness to Lord Almighty. Some one asked, "What do you think of your life? You were in beautiful surroundings with rich people visiting and coveting you. Was it better than or now?"  "This life is much better", she said.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

This is Your Love?

A Shaikh had a female servant. She happened to be beautiful. A disciple got distracted by her beauty and forgot lost his direction. Shaikh noticed it. The Elders do not shout at high. They proceed differently. The Shaikh gave the servant a laxative. The first effect of a laxative is that it takes away the luster of the face. In a few days the servant had lost the facial flesh too and looked very unattractive. After that the Seeker won't even look at her but Shaikh so arranged the matter that the same servant will serve him the meals. At a reaction of the Seeker against this servant the Shaikh asked him, "Weren't you in love with her?" The Seeker was ashamed but affirmed it. "What has happened now?" , the Shaikh asked. "She is not the same, charm has gone out of her", the Seeker said. "I'll show you the charm", the Shaikh said, "Bring in the charm". The sweeper had been instructed to collect the waste of the female servant and it was brought in. "This is what you were in love with. This is your charm", the Shaikh said.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

Thus Spake Shah Wasiullah Sahab(RA)

Hazrat Shah Wasiullah Sahab (RA) used to say eat anger, eat agony and grievance and feed sweets.  There was a Nawab who used to have rather bitter relationship with his wife. After acting on this advice he told the Shaikh that life is passing in relief now.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

With Family Members

Keep your dealings with the family members in good shape.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

Have Patience

It takes time to cultivate good morals and build up character.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

The Inner Alarm

Mufti Rashid Ahmed of Karachi was in the Holy Mosque. After prayers he switched on the fan and  lied down on the mat. Immediately a thought came to his heart that aren't you making the mosque your restroom? This is how your inner self reacts when you indulge in the remembrance of Allah Almighty. In similar situation the scholars advice that while entering the mosque we should make an intent of Confinement (aitikaf).

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

A Tattle

Nowadays people indulge in different kinds of babble. They will rattle off phrases like slave of wife or brandish accusation that a particular person is being govern or run by his wife. He is dancing at the gestures of his wife. It is strange that such words are being used for a woman who has given her all to that person-her honour and heart.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

Sweet-Talk

Complimenting and cajoling your wife is part of the Holy Doctrine (shariat).

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

Meaning of I Accept

At the time of marriage we say that I accept. This acceptance includes all the responsibilities of marriage. To bear the occasional pungent and bitter words of your wife is included in that I accept.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

While in Anger

At the time of anger the use of the word divorce (talaq )is very distasteful. This shakes the Divine Throne.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

Wife Again!

Value your wife. She is a blessing. She saves you from sins. Think of the people who disgrace themselves by visiting females of bad fame. She is born of the crooked bone so bear the trouble she gives you with cheerful attitude. Once children are born even those troubles that wives usually give disappear. Those who bear the pain given by the troubles given their wives will get the reward of the patience of Hazrat Ayyub (AS). Wife is not a slave, not even a servant. Her title is that of life partner. Deliver her rights and do so while delivering the rights of your parents. Even the father-in-law and mother-in-law should think of the daughter-in-law as a daughter. This will reduce the troubles in the family.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

Strange Ways of Lord Almighty

Allah Almighty gave us everything. Life, faith and all the blessings of this world that we have. Then if we use these blessings according to His Will then He says that alright I'll give you my Friendship too. All-Pure is our Lord Exalted!

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

In the Shadow of the Throne

On the day of Judgment there will be no shade except the shadow of the Divine Throne. Among the people who will be accepted in it will be the people who made friendship in this world only for the sake of love of Allah, All-Pure and Exalted. Today Deoband.org has given a link to the present blog and hence every one helping in this task can hope for the shadow of the Divine Throne, together with the company of the Scholars of that site as well as ASHRAFIA, Lord Willing. Not only that, Mercy of Allah Almighty looks for excuses and all concerned can hope for a fate with them! Lord Willing. And that is only the beginning. Hazrat Maulana Tariq Jamil Sahab (DB) said in one of the speeches that on the Day of Judgment Allah Sub-hanahu wa Ta-ala will call a meeting of the scholars and to them He will open the hidden knowledge, layer by layer. The effect will be that the scholars will be spell bound and will realize the smallness of the knowledge given to them in this world. Glad tidings once more, Lord Willing.

A Mandatory Watch

Keep a watch on your baser self. The word baser self  (nafs-e-ammara) was given by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself.  If he (PBUH) was alert about it then how can we afford to take it easy?

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

How to Get Purity of Intent?

Do not give up an act of worship even if you are doing it by habit. Initially a person does the things by habit only but slowly it turns into worship. Purity of intent (ikhlas) enters into our deeds but it enters slowly. The trick is to keep doing the act of worship and not to give up. As one keeps working his stature increases and the reward too increases with stature.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 29, 2010)

Thus Spake Haji Sahab (RA)

Hazrat Haji Imdadullah Sahab Makkah Migratory gave the following remedy for the spiritual disease of show (riya). If you suspect that an act of  yours has some content of show then do not give it up for that will only confirm that it lacked purity of intent. Instead of giving up that act indulge in that excessively. Slowly it will turn into an habit. If you continue that further then it will enter into worship and obedience.

Forget Me, Remember Him

A senior  Seeker wrote to his Shaikh, "Hazrat I remember you a lot". The Shaikh wrote back, "My Dear! Forget me, remember Him. What will you get by remembering the perishable? Remember the Ever-Alive, Ever-Present."

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

State of Mind (kaifiat)

The state of mind is a peculiar thing. It keeps changing and some sometimes it changes rather suddenly. A man who is cheerful and lively on hearing a single phrase might change so much that one is left wondering as to what has happened to him.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Be Not Inquisitive

Avoid inquisitiveness (tajassus). This is forbidden (haram). Some people are absorbed in this. "Who came, who went, what is this, how is that? What kind of Shaikh is this whose sons do not keep beard?"

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Aspects of Permission

When a Shaikh makes a vice regent, a caliph, a khalifa he gives him Permission (ijazat) to take up the  responsibility of inner cleansing of other people. The Shaikh usually says that I am giving the permission on his present condition. The dogma of condition changed, advice changed applies here. Thus in some cases the Elders have withdrawn the Permission, saying that you do not have the capacity to bear this responsibility. They alos say that a person with Permission should not thing high of himself and a person whose Permission is withdrawn should not think low of himself. This is a matter of hereafter not of this world.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Why the Things Remain the Same?

Sometime people say that this man has a correctional relation with that Shaikh but things are the same with him as they have been. In this context how can the Shaikh be blamed if the Seeker either does not inform the Shaikh or does not act upon the advice? Shaikh's job is to give advice and not to force it down the Seeker's throat. The Shaikh is not a policeman.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

The Common Laxity in The Method (tareeqat)

A common lapse in our efforts for cleansing our inner self is of stating the achievements and ignoring the ailments. We focus on preferable (Agreement, bayt) but ignore the mandatory (self-correction). Sometimes this leads to the drawing of a curtain (hijab) between the Shaikh and the Seeker. Sometimes it leads to the great curtain (hijab-e-akbar). This happens in case of people who have either pride (kibr) or self-praise (ujb). Shah Mohammed Ahmed Pratapgarhi (RA) used to say that annihilate your ego.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Aren't Some of the Sayings Rather Common Place?

May be. But then we many times ignore the most obvious and thus require the most common place and common sense advice. Once Hazrat Maulana Aslam Qasmi Sahab (DB), in the Kennedy Hall Auditorium of the Aligarh Muslim University,  while speaking about excellence of gathering knowledge said that even a bundle of bidis (the rustic cigarette, so to say) has a lot of knowledge on it. It may not look like a very deep observation but it, in fact is. Replace the the cigarette by gutka and ask a person who has ignored the warnings on the sachets of gutka for far too long.

A Painful Development

A new trend, nowadays, is that worldly tussles, troubles have entered the religious seminaries (madaris) too. This is happening because we do not worry about the cleansing (tazkiya) of our baser self (nafs).

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Proud of AIDS?

There is another common sickness nowadays. We say, "I have an Agreement (bayt) with this or that Shaikh." It is stated with pride. When you have an Agreement with a Shaikh then it is merely an acknowledgment of the fact that you have spiritual ailments. Is that something to be proud of?

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Protect Your Body Parts

Protect your body parts from sins. If you discover any misuse them inform your spiritual physician that you have this disease, what is its cure?. He shall tell you the remedy. Nowadays while writing to the Elders we start with our boasting. I have achieved this, I have achieved that, I am seeing lights, I am seeing houris-but we do not state our sicknesses. If we do not inform the Elders about our diseases then how do we expect to be cured?

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

The Obscene Words

Use of bad words is a sign of hypocrisy. Some people use them even for people of Allah Almighty. You keep getting letter with such words. But People of Allah ignore them.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Good Character

Cultivate good traits of character. This is voluntary (akhtiari). Good traits are cultivated in the company of the pious people.

(This all is part of the series, by Hazrat Shaikh (DB), on inner darkness, outer darkness, inner light, outer light.Owing to its importance the topic is being repeated.)

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Indulge not in Perfidy

Do not breach trust. Trust is not only money but information too. If some one asks your advice in some matter than the information regarding that becomes a trust and that too must be guarded.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 28, 2010)

Proper Recitation ( Tajweed)

Correct a few letters in your recitation and hole of your Qura'n will be corrected.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Thus Spake Muhi-us-Sunnah (NM)

Whenever you go to a Shaikh go completely empty, you shall return completely filled.

(An oft repeated saying)

Maulana Abdul Quddoos Gangohi (RA)

The Chishtia Order of mysticism got transferred to Bulkh in Afghanistan from India. Maulana Abdul Quddoos Gangohi (RA) went to the Shaikh in Bulkh who had the seat of this order at that time. The Shaikh was his father's disciple. When the Shaikh came to know about his journey he come forward to meet him by three destinations. This is how the Shaikh welcomed his Shaikh's son. After three days of stay as a guest he ask about the purpose of journey. "I have come to take back the treasure you had brought from India", said Maulana Gangohi. "So be it", the Shaikh said but his posture changed. "Make arrangements for him to serve in the stables", the Shaikh ordered the helpers.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

The Choice

When you go some where as a guest you are welcomed and honoured. When you go as a patient to a physician you are reduced to wait in a queue. How would you like to face Allah Almighty? As His guest or a patient?

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

A Desirable Thing

It is desirable that all of our habits and dealings are according to Sunnah.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Earlier People and Us

Hazrat Sabir Kaliyari (RA) survived on goolars (ficus racemosa) and reached all those heights that he reached. We eat all the delicacies and do nothing.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Who Lives a Clean Life?

We shall live a clean life if we have fear of Allah in our heart.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Self-Auditing ( muhasaba)

Self-auditing is an integral part of mysticism. One should find some time alone every day and examine the deeds of the day. Thank Allah Almighty for every good deed that you did in the day and repent for each misdeed. Nowadays we do not have time at our disposal. In such circumstances we should find few minutes after every prayer and examine, as above, our deeds between the two prayers.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

How to Produce Weight in Your Talk?

If you'll fear Allah Almighty then your heart will get enlightened. This in turn will produce weight in your talk.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Sunnah of Miswak

Nowadays the Sunnah of miswak has gone out of our life. We should adopt it and encourage our family to do the same, particularly the women.

(An oft repeated saying)

Effect of remembrance

More you indulge in remembrance of Allah Almighty more your heart will be enlightened.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Enemy for Sake of Allah Almighty

In one of the early battles of Islam a son was fighting with disbelievers and his father on the side of believers. After the battle the son told his father that today you were within my reach but I spared you. The father replied that by Allah Almighty if you would have come in my range I would not have spared you.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Site Review : Khanqah Imdadia Ashrafia

Khanqah Imdadia Ashrafia is the website for dissemination of the teachings of Hazrat Hakim Mohammed Akhtar Sahab, may Allah provide us the blessings of his presence for a long time to come. Hakim Akhtar Sahab (DB) shares more than one spiritual guides with Hazrat Shaikh (DB). After the booklets by Shah Hardoi (RA) these are the books and booklets by Hakim Akhtar Sahab (DB) that are most common in circulation around Hazrat Shaikh (DB). The Urdu couplet of Hakim Akhtar Sahab (DB) that adores the header of the website under review also adores the clinic of Hazrat Shaikh (DB).

Technically the website is quite accomplished including several live pod casts of the sittings (majalis) Hazrat Hakim Akhtar Sahab (DB). Those people who can not be present in the sittings of the Elders should take it as special blessing and Grace from Allah Almighty. It almost gives the feeling of being present in the sitting. There is an archive of the audio recordings of the sittings (majalis).

Apart from the regular features of a web page there is blog also and a gadget to ask Hazrat Hakim Sahab(DB) about your spiritual matters.

A very fulfilling site.

SAYING: In the late morning sitting (majlis) Hazrat Hakim Akhtar Sahab(DB) told many soothing things. Few of them are repeated here.

(1) We should not call the angels pious (muttaqi). Pious is that person, a man or a djinn, who has the ability to commit a sin but does not do so. Angels do not have the ability to commit sins. They are innocent and that is what they should be called-innocent (masoom).

(2) To day we commit sins like covering ankles with upper garment or cutting our beards and say that I have no problem with it. Is it a small trouble that Allah is angry with you? Allah does not slap us or make our nose flat when we commit sins. Why? When a king attacks another kingdom he does not focus of the police of that kingdom but on the king. King of body is heart and when we commit sins Allah Almighty fills our heart with tension, trouble and problem.

(3) To Hazrat Lot(AS) Allah Almighty sent three angels in garb of attractive youth. Out of four angels the angel of death was not there. Why? Allah Almighty did not intend to give them death directly but torment (azaab). We must try to imagine how angry Allah Almighty was at their sodomy.

Another X-Ray

People of Allah look at the people with the Light of Allah Almighty. Thus they get a picture of the people in their heart. It is like X-ray.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

His Speech Lacks Meat

After a sermon by an Elder a person remarked that there is no strength in his speech. The Elder was within an year shot and heard this. He said, " My dear fellow the substance is found in the speeches of those people who have a connection with Allah, with the Prophet (PBUH), with the Holy Qura'n. You take my speech and connection of your own."

(A faithful is a mirror to another. The Elders are like high quality mirrors. If we end up finding a short coming in our Elders then in all probability it is our short coming-we are looking in the mirror! Now read the saying above again and see how softly the questioner has been corrected. All-Pure is Allah, Most High.)

Some people's discourse is not very scholarly but it has a rather strong attraction in it. The discourse doesn't have to be long too. Once people suggested, to Shah Hardoi Hazrat Abrar-ul-Haq Sahab (RA),  that there should be a discourse. He said very well and then spoke, but only for ten minutes. In these minutes the speech managed to pack a lot of information. Like filling the ocean in a pot, to use a cliche.

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Today's Title

Today's title is Purity (ikhlas). ( Some times Hazrat Shaikh, may Allah Almighty provide his blessings to us for long, gives a title to a day's sermon (bayan).) Nowaday we are busy with fame and fortune which makes it difficult to have Purity (ikhlas).

(Sitting (majlis) on Friday, August 27, 2010)

Blog Review : ASHRAFIYA

 ASHRAFIYA is a blog similar to the present one. A caliph of  Mufti Taqi Usmani Sahab (DB) has been blogging about Ashrafia-Imdadia teachings since August 1994. By now there are around 1400 posts on different aspects of Islam. The subheading explains the content:

Teachings of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanawi & his spiritual successors, particularly 'Arifbillah Dr 'Abdul Hayy 'Arifi (may Allah bless them) and Sayyidi Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) regarding Tasawwuf

The spiritual genealogy  at the blog under review merges with that of Hazrat Shaikh (DB) beginning with Hazrat Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA). The posts there can be consulted with benefit in spite of considerable overlap of the subject matter. In the spiritual pathology, pathology of spiritual  ailments a rather common disease is of negligence and laxity (ghaflat). The cure for this is remembrance and repetition. Moreover a blogger may say a thing in a way that it will go directly to your heart-thus browsing other similar blogs can be a very profitable activity.

The Arabic inscription at the header says, "O Sustainer open my heart and make my task easy for me (Rabbish rahli sadri wa yassirli amri)."  This is part of the Hazrat Musa (AS)'s supplication to Lord Almighty before proceeding to talk to Pharaos. This supplication is used, particularly, before any significant communication effort.

 ASHRAFIYA   is the first blog to include the present one into its blogroll. May Allah Almighty reward the blogger for the same from His bounties and provide us his blessings for long.

Five Departments of Religion

The Scholars have delineated five departments of religion.

(1) Faith and Confirmations
(2) Worship
(3) Social Behaviour
(4) Earning and Livelihood
(5) Conduct and Character (1, 2)

Glossary and Acronyms

The following list is a dynamic one and should be visited frequently.

AS = Alai-his-salam, May Peace be upon him. Used for the Prophets (AS).

DB = Damat barkatuhum, May Allah Almighty prolong his blessings

RA = Radiallahu Anhu (or Anhum), may Allah Almighty be pleased with him (or them). This is used in case of the Companions (sahaba) of the Holy Prophet, may Peace and Blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him.

RA = Rehmatullah Alaihi, may Allah Almighty have Mercy upon him. This is used for departed pious Elders.

NM = Nawwarallahu Marakadahu, may Allah Almighy fill his tomb with light. This is used for departed pious Elders of even higher stature.

PBUH = Peace be upon him, this is used for the Holy Prophet, may Allah Almighty shower his Peace and Blessings upon him.

QS or QAS = Quddoos Allahu Siiruhu, May Allah Almighty sanctify his inner self.  Used for the elders who are no more with us physically.

Imam Ghazali (RA) on Social Behaviour

How should a Muslim behave as a member of the civil society is an important department of religion. Revival of Religious Sciences (Ahya-al-Uloom-id-Din) by Imam Ghazali, may Allah Almighy bestow His Mercy on him, discusses these matters in detail in the second volume. Various aspects are as follows.

(1) Rules of Eating and Drinking
(2) Secrets of Marriage
(3) Earnings, Trade and Commerce
(4) Hala and Haram
(5) Love and Brotherhood
(6) Duties to Relatives, Neighbours and Muslims
(7) Benefits and Harms of Seclusion and Society
(8) Rules of Journey
(9) Music and Ecstasy
(10) Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
(11) Conduct and Character of Holy Prophet

Acquisition of these traits take a long time and the company of the pious Elders is a sine qua non n this case.

Imam Ghazali (RA) on Worship

Worship is one of the departments of religion. First  volume of the Revival of Religious Sciences (Ahya-al-Uloom-id-Din) by Imam Ghazali, may the Mercy of Allah Almighty be upon him, has a thorough and easy going discussion on all the aspects of worship. He discusses the following things.

(1) Acquisition of Knowledge
(2) Foundations of Belief
(3) Mysteries of Cleanliness
(4) Secrets of Prayer
(5) Secrets of Zakat and Charity
(6)  Secrets of Fasting
(7) Secrets of Pilgrimage
(8) Excellence of Qura'n
(9) Zikr and Invocation
(10) Action After Division of Time

To go further than a technical knowledge of worship, to acquire it in our life the best and most efficient method is to adopt the company of the pious elders.

Preferred Habits

Like the harmful tendencies of our baser self (nafs) the preferred habits too are discussed at many places. Just like the harmful tendencies the most succinct description of preferred habits is in the book Education of Religion (ta-alim-ud-din) by Hazrat Ashraf Ali Thanwi, a leisurely  discussion is there in Character of The Prophet (PBUH) (Serat-un-Nabi) by Syed Sulaiman Nadwi while the following list is prepared from Revival of Religious Sciences (Ahya-al-Uloom-id-Din) by Imam Ghazali, may Allah Almighty fill their tombs with light.


(1) Repentance (tauba)
(2) Patience
(3) Gratefulness
(4) Fear of Allah Almighty
(5) Hope from Allah Almighty
(6) Poverty and Renunciation
(7) Unity of Allah Almighty (tauheed)
(8) God Reliance (tawakkul)
(9) Love and Attachment
(10) Will and Intention
(11) Truthfulness
(12) Meditation and Introspection
(13) Pondering over Good
(14) Death and Subsequent Events


Like  cleansing of destructive evils cultivation of the above habits is done in the company of pious Elders.
Utmost care is required in this regard for spirituality in modern society is taken as a fashion, some thing to be flaunted while even in the conservative society there is no dearth of unscrupulous people ready to take undue advantage of the unwary.

Destructive Evils

The harmful tendencies of our baser self (nafs) are discussed at many places. The most succinct description is in the book Education of Religion (ta-alim-ud-din) by Hazrat Ashraf Ali Thanwi, a leisurely  discussion is there in Character of The Prophet (PBUH) (Serat-un-Nabi) by Syed Sulaiman Nadwi while the following list is prepared from Revival of Religious Sciences (Ahya-al-Uloom-id-Din) by Imam Ghazali, may Allah Almighty fill their tombs with light.

(1) Harms of Greed
(2) Harms of Sexual Passion
(3) Harms of Tongue
(4) Harms of Anger Hatred
(5) Harms of Envy
(6) Evils of the World
(7) Evils of Wealth
(8) Harms of Miserliness
(9) Evils of Power
(10) Evils of Show
(11) Evils of Pride
(12) Evils of Self-Praise
(13) Evils of Erroneous Beliefs

The easiest way to cleanse one-self of these destructive evils is done in the pious company of the Elders. This is seeking (sulook), the method (tareeqat), sufism and mysticism (tasawwuf).

Preferred Company of Ali Miyan (RA)

Last of the Early Elders Hazrat Qari Amir Hasan Sahab, may Allah Almighty provide his blessings for a long time to come, said that Ali Miyan (RA) used to say that I have experienced many type of companies but the best company is that of the People of Allah.

List of Prophets (AS)

Allah Almighy sent many Prophets to this world for guidance of human beings, may His Peace be upon them all. Only a few are explicitly mentioned in he Holy Qura'n. These are:

(1) Hazrat Adam, may peace be upon him, (the first man was a Prophet!),
(2) Hazrat Nooh, may peace be upon him,
(3) Hazrat Ibrahim, may peace be upon him,
(4) Hazrat Ishaq, may peace be upon him,
(5) Hazrat Ismaeel, may peace be upon him,
(6) Hazrat Yaqoob, may peace be upon him,
(7) Hazrat Yoosuf, may peace be upon him,
(8) Hazrat Dawood, may peace be upon him,
(9) Hazrat Sulaiman, may peace be upon him,
(10) Hazrat Ayyub, may peace be upon him,
(11) Hazrat Musa, may peace be upon him,
(12) Hazrat Haroon, may peace be upon him,
(13) Hazrat Zakaria, may peace be upon him,
(14) Hazrat Yahya, may peace be upon him,
(15) Hazrat Isa,may peace be upon him,
(16) Hazrat Ilyas, may peace be upon him,
(17) Hazrat Yoonus, may peace be upon him,
(18) Hazrat Lut, may peace be upon him,
(19) Hazrat Idrees, may peace be upon him,
(20) Hazrat Dhul Kifl, may peace be upon him,
(21) Hazrat Salih, may peace be upon him,
(22) Hazrat Hood, may peace be upon him,
(23) Hazrat Shuaib, may peace be upon him,
(24) Hazrat Muhammed, may peace and blessings be upon him.

(Adapted from Education of Religion (ta-aleem-ud-deen) by Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, may Allah Almighty have Mercy upon him.)

The Seven Phrases

I advice recitation of seven phrases (kalimat-e-sab-aa)  at the time of very late night prayer (tahajjud) that are as follows. (1) Allahu Akbar, ten times, (2) Alhamdulillahi, ten times, (3) Subhanallahi wa bi hamdihi, ten times, (4) Subhanal malikil quddos, ten times, (5) Astaghfirullah, ten times, (6) Laa ilaha ilallah, ten  times and (7) Allhumma inni a-oozubika min zaiqid dunya wa zaiqi yaumal qiyamah, ten times. In these seven phrases we have expressed Greatness of Allah, then His Praise, then His Purity and Divinity, our repentance, His Unity and finally we have made our supplications too.

(An oft repeated saying.  Both the Seven Phrases (kalimat-e-sab-aa) as well as the Brief Round (Wazifa) are many times distributed in printed form.)

While Indulging in Remembrance of Allah

While indulging in remembrance of Allah Almighty think of four of His attributive names. Allah is All-Hearing (Al-Sameea), All-Seeing (Al-Baseer), All-Knowing (Al-Aleem) and All-Aware(Al-Khabeer). 

(An oft repeated reminder)

Excess of Titles and Honorifics

Why is there so much use of honorifics and titles in the blog?

Allah Almighty has created the world so that we can worship Him, All-Pure and Exalted is He. Supplication is the core of worship. The titles and the honorifics are, in fact, all supplications. Thus when we recite these titles and honorifics we indulge in an act of worship. As a result we fulfill our duty. Therefore, these should be taken as a blessing and grace.

Acceptance of Supplications

If your supplication does not seem to be accepted by Allah Almighty then do not stop the supplication. Even in case of our beloved Prophet Mohammed, may Peace and Blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, some supplications were accepted with some perceptible delay. Whose supplications can be more acceptable than his? Rapid or delayed acceptance is decided by Allah Almighty and as to the time of acceptance who can decide it better than Him?

( A common saying)

Am I in Reverse Gear?

A scholar, who is a Mufti too, complained that when I used to indulge in little remembrance of Allah Almighty then the Satanic whisperings too were few. Now that I have increased my remembrance then the whisperings too have increased. It was explained to him by Hazrat Shaikh (DB) that you continue with your act. If you put sugar out there then flies will come to it. More the sugar more the flies. Satan is an open enemy and he has a whole army. He tries to hinder those people who indulge in obedience. Those who are flaunting religion they are already doing his work. Satan ignores them.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Our Present State

Earlier when people performed Haj they indulged in extra repentance. Today we perform Haj but our dealings remain the same. (Said with a lot of pain.)

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

A Wake Up Call

Whatever moments of life are left value them.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

A Benefit of Good Deeds

If you go to Allah with good deeds then you will go with a pink face, otherwise with a pale one.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Fears of Haji Sahab (NM)

Hazrat Haji Imdadullah Makkah Migratory, may Allah Almighty fill his tomb with light, used to say that I fear none except two. One is my baser self, I never know when it will debase me and the other is Allah Almighty.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

A Few Admonitions

(1) Avoid every sin.
(2) What ever is gone is gone.
(3) Indulge in remembrance (of Allah Almighty) and pondering (over the hereafter).
(4) Incorporate recitation of the Holy Qura'n i your routine.
(5) Acting upon Sunnah is dear to Allah Almighty.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Taking Power of Allah Lightly

When faced with a Satanic whispering we say that there is no power except Allah Almighty. We recite it in Arabic. But we take it lightly-almost in jest. What a grievous error. We do not realize its power.  These words are rather deep like the ocean.When our beloved Prophet (PBUH) recited these words the Companions (RA) used to get stunned. They knew its power and understood its meaning. We recite them but the Satan does not run away because of our lack of conviction. There are many an excellence of these words.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Who Are the Truthful People?

Allah Almighty says, "Be among the truthful".  Who are these truthful people? In reality these are the people who act upon the Doctrine (shariah).

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Why Do the Scholars Refer to the Elders?

If Allah Almighty has given knowledge to the Scholars then he has given its light to the Elders. This light is what brings the Scholars to the Elders.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

A Mnemonic

Condition changed, instructions changed.

(Directives of the Doctrine (shariah) change if the circumstances change.)

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Have Faith in Allah Almighty

This is a story of an Indian Muslim student in USA. One of his Professor declared an extra class that overlapped with Maghrib Prayer time. On top of it it was the month of Ramadan. The Professor was known to be strict. Even then he gathered his courage and asked for a break of five minutes for himself-to break fast and pray.

"Is it necessary?", the Professor asked. "Yes, it is", he said. The Professor declared that the whole class will have ten minutes break.

And All Praise is for Allah All-Pure and Exalted on that.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Kick the Booty, Listen to Me

A Nawab asked Hazrat Shah Fazlur Rehman Ganj Muradabadi (RA) to visit his mansion. For some reason the seer did not accept it. The Nawab was not pleased. He sent the word to the people in the service of the seer that extensive gifts will be showered on him. The attendant got the news during a sitting (majlis) and he duly whispered it into the ear of the seer, "Hazrat the Nawab has promised to donate a lakh of rupees to the madarasa". In those days it was a huge amount. The Shaikh said that kick the booty and listen and pay attention to the things I am telling you.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Knowing Allah Almighty

Hazrat Ibrahim Bin Adham was a king. When he got to know Allah Almighty he left the kingdom.

(Note : This is not an invitation towards giving up worldly duties, these remain what they are-duties. This is an illustration of the value of Love of Allah as compared to the value of worldly things.)

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Abundance in Movement

This is a study of Hazrat Thanwi (RA) that there is Abundance (barkat) in Movement (harkat). The movement can be of two types, zig zag and straight. It is is the straight movement that brings abundance. Suppose there is an Imam who stands in prayer not facing towards the Holy Kaba but with an apparent deviation. In this case even less educated people will not pray behind him.

(Sitting (majlis) on Tuesday, August 24, 2010)

Brief Round (Wazifah)

In his era of shortage of time Hazrat Shaikh (DB) has suggested a brief round of remembrance after each Compulsory (fard) Prayer. Its name itself is the Brief Round (mukhtsar wazifah). After every compulsory prayer recite:
(1) Repentance (atagh firullaha rabbi minkulli zambinw wa tubu ilaihi), 20 times,
(2) Blessings (darood sharif), ten times and
(3) Surah Ikhlas, ten times.

This has included the remembrance of Lord Almighty, blessings on His Beloved Prophet (PBUH) as well as recitation of the Holy Qura'n, that too in a short time.

(An oft repeated saying)

Special Instructions for Ramadan

(1) Recite the Pure Word (kalima-e-taiyyaba) abundantly,
(2) Recite words of repentance (ataghfar) abundantly,
(3) Supplicate for heaven (gennah),
(4) Supplicate to seek refuge from hell (gehennah),
(5) Recitation of the Holy Qura'n, as per capacity,
(6) Send blessings (darood) at least three hundred times, more is even better,
(7) Be particular about Early Participation (takbir-e-oola) in prayers, specially congregational prayers,
(8) Be present before Isha prayers to participate in taraweeh,
(9) Spend free time in mosque with the intentions of aitikaaf,
(10) Avoid useless with utmost care, do not talk about religious things also without necessity.

(Back cover of the booklet Gift of Ramadan (Tohfa-e-Ramadan), glanced by Hazrat Muhi-us-Sunnah (RA), organized by Mufti Muhammed Usama, published by Professor Abdul Wasay Usmani)

Why Aren't the Comments On?

Because this is not a discussion forum-let alone a debating ring. Clarification of matters Islamic are done in fiqh academies. Implementation of the religion clarified by the scholars is done by diminishing oneself in the service of pious elders. That is the subject matter  and the purpose of this blog. If you are over powered by an urge to discuss then this is one of the places to go.

The Monthly Dawat-ul-Haq

The monthly Dawat-ul-Haq is an Islamic magazine published by the Local Society for Call to Truth (Maqami Majlis-e-Dawat-ul-Haq), Pernambut, Tamil Nadu, India. The language is Urdu. Islamic periodicals by Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jama-at are possibly the cleanest,  most serene, enlightening and cleansing magazines in any language. This one tops the list. The articles are selected by the editors with consultation with the local scholars of the Society from the writings of the people like  Hazrat Thanwi (RA), Ali Miyan (RA), Mufti Shafi Sahab (RA), Muft Ashiq Ilahi Buland Shahri (RA), Mufti Taqi Usmani (DB), Qari Siddique Hasan (RA), Mufti Muhammed Zakaria (RA) and others of similar stature. There are sayings (malfoozat) of Hazrat Thanwi (RA), Hazrat Shah Hardoi (RA) and Hazrat Shaikh (DB). Only choicest poetry in appreciation of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) get into it together with the gnostic poetry of the people like Khwaja Azizul Hasan Sahab Ghauri Majzoob (RA).

Officially the magazine is for private circulation only. It is published from #43 Mulla Street, Pernambut (Vellore District), PIN- 635 810. The electronic mail can be sent to rediffmail.com with the userid dawathulhaq. Do not forget the h after t as per South Indian usage.

What is Majlis-e-Dawat-ul-Haq?

Muslim society in India has got an large number of customs, traditions and practices that are spurious in nature. Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, may Allah Almighty fill his tomb with light, was worried about this. Many of these things are listed in detail in the book Heavenly Ornaments (Bahishti Zewar). He established a society for the correction of such practices and it was called Majlis-e-Dawat-ul-Haq (Society for Call to Truth). In his own words the purpose of the society was:

"The purpose of the society is to inculcate a religious spirit among Muslims, to show them the path to success which, for Muslims, depends on relationship with Allah Almighty; the method to achieve this is to follow all commandments of Allah Almighty and to practice all the instruction of the Holy Prophet(PBUH), big or small. It should be kept in ind that in any action no step is taken against the Doctrine (shariah). This is the soul of worship and the reality of the life of believers."

He established it in or prior to AC1938(AH1354).

The society was revived by Hazrat Muhi-us-Sunnah (RA) in Hardoi, a caliph of Hazrat Thanwi (NM). Hazrat Shaikh Hakim Mohammed Kalimullah Sahab (DB) is the Patron of the society. It has branches also.

A Suggestion

Go to the People of Allah. Be in their service, it will open the windows of your heart, that will fill your heart with light.

(Sitting on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

Allah Almighty Says

All of your body parts are yours but the heart is mine.

(Hazrat Shah Mohammed Pratapgarhi (RA) has a couplet about it:

Allow none to enter your heart,
Let no one get a pass to it,
About the dewellers of your heart
All the time Ahmed, be on guard.

Na koi dil main aa jaye, na koi rah pa jaye,
hareem-e-dil ka apne Ahmed, har dum pasbaN rehna)

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

He Poured Water in Soup

A mystic was having his meal. He realized that the soup is very tasty. Then he became alert. "The baser self is getting attached to this world", he thought. "I shall not allow you to do that", he resolved and poured water in the soup. He had it after completely spoiling its taste.

Some one said that this Traveler(as-salik, traveler in the path of Allah Almighty) was an ascetic (zahid, who is detached from this world) but not a gnostic (arif, who knows Allah Almighty, is familiar with Him).

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

Hazrat Qari Muhammed Ilyas Sahab (DB)

Hazrat Qari Muhammed Ilyas Sahab (DB) is the Imam and Khateeb (who delivers the Juma Prayer address) of the Anona House Mosque. He has a natural talent for the Qura'nic recitation style (tarteel). He is a majaaz-i-sohbat  (caliph permitted for company) of Hazrat Shah Hardoi (NM). Earlier he used to teach qirat at the Conference Compound mosque, behind Muslim University Market (Shamshad Market) after fajr prayers. Now he does the same at the Anona House mosque. Kids as well as other people of all ages keep coming to him for corrections in their recitations and for improving their Prayer Call (azaan), even from distant places. May Allah Almighty increase his stature and provide his blessings for a long time to come.

What is Shiny Primer (noorani qa-ida)?

This is the primer that introduces Arabic alphabets to, usually, the kids. In Indian Punjab there is the city of Ludhiana. Maulvi Noor Muhammed Ludhianwi (RA) had prepared it, before AH1350. The world of Urdu books is like a constantly changing galaxy in which books appear and disappear fast. Muhi-us-Sunnah Hazrat Abrar-ul-Haq Sahab (RA) saw a copy of it and liked the approach. He republished it, after some significant contributions, in AH1412 and with some more additions in AH1422. It is the popular Arabic primer in the circles having any connection with Muhi-us-Sunnah  (RA).

As alluded to above this is used by grown up people too. A muhaddis once spent seventeen days in Hardoi, UP, India to learn the Shiny Primer. Muhaddis, a hadees teacher, is usually a senior teacher in a madarasa.

Why so much of fuss about a primer?

 Lord Almighty asks us in His Holy Qura'n  to recite it with style (tarteel). The directive is towards propriety, rather than embellishment. So the Lovers of Allah Almighty have been trying to recite the Holy Qura'n with style, with tarteel ever since its revelation. Egyptian people have perfected the style to a rather high level. In fact they will put the recitation on loud speaker at the road crossings and drivers will take their cars to a side jut to listen and enjoy the recitation, even those who are not Muslims by faith.

Shah Hardoi (RH) focussed, among other things, on proper recitation of the Holy Qura'n. Today, by the Grace of Allah Almighty only, the recitation standard in India is set by Hardoi. Earlier it was unthinkable. So much so that Abdullah Yusuf Ali (RA) while writing his preface to his, by now extremely popular, translation of the Holy Qura'n in English language says that it is not possible for us to pronounce the Arabic alphabet!

Popularity of this primer has reached the Arab land too. Hazrat Hakim Syed Afsar Basha (DB) was browsing at a  book stall outside the Holy Kaba. He saw there a Primer, the Shiny (Qaida tun Noor). He bought it and showed it to Shah Hardoi (NM). What a joy it is to recite the Word of Lord Almighty as He wants us to. What a joy it is to recite the Word of Lord Almighty as it was recited by our beloved Prophet, may Peace and Blessings of Lord be upon him.

Can We Get Completely Absorbed in Something?

Usually we hear that this person or that person is completely absorbed in something or else. Is it permissible? This is permissible in case of remembrance of Allah Almighty. One is allowed to get completely absorbed is remembrance of Allah Almighty. Even then the point to remember is that this does not absolve the concerned person from the directives of the Doctrine (shariah).

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

Some Sunnah of Sleeping

(1) Sleep early, indulge not in worldly talk,
(2) Perform ablution before sleep,
(3) Dust the bed three times,
(4) To apply three scoops of eyeliner(surma)  for each eye,
(5) Sleep after reciting the Word (kalima),
(6) Sleep after reciting the Fatimah Round ( tasbih-e-Fatimah),
(7) Recite the three Says (three qul, surah Ikhlas, Falaq, Naas), blow on your palms and rub on reachable body parts, repeat the same three times,
(8) Recite surah Mulk and surah ALM Sajdah,
(9) Lie on right side with palm under the cheek,
(10) Recite the before sleeping supplication, (O my Allah, with your Name, in death and in life, Allahumma bismika wa amutu wa ahya),
(11) If sleep escapes then recite the supplication (A oodu bi kalimaa tilla hittamati min ghad bihi wa iqabihi wa sharri ibadihi wa min hamza tishshaya tini  wa anyah duroon.),
(12) In case of a bad dream make a soft spurt to the left after reciting the supplication (A oodu billahi minush
shayatini wa sharri haazihi rooya) three times.

(Inside back cove page of the Shiny Primer (noorani qa-ida))

Some Sunnah of Eating

(1) To wash both hands up to the joints,
(2) To spread out the table spread (actually the floor spread),
(3) To recite bismillah,
(4) To eat with right hand (not at all with the left one),
(5) To eat from your side (if there are many things on the spread then eat the things you like, in case somebody is stretching his hand then withdraw yours),
(6) To eat with three fingers (and the thumb),
(7) To clean up the cup, plate by licking them with finger and finally to lick the fingers,
(8) If food drops then to pick it up and eat it,
(9) Not to find faults in food,
(10) Not eat while inclined,
(11) To recite the post eating supplication (All Praise is for Allah who provided this food and drink and made us Muslims)(Alhamdu lillahil-lazi at'amana wa saqana wa ja'alana  Muslimin),
(12) To fold told the spread and then get up and to recite the supplication of wrapping up the floor spread
(Humdan kaseeran taiyabum mubarakan fihi gaira mak fi in wala mu addin wa la mustagh nan anhu rabbana),
(13) Mouth cleansing and
(14) Washing of both hands.

(In side of the front cover page of the Shiny Primer (noorani qa-ida))

Accounting for Body Parts

Every body part is a blessing from Lord Almighty. For every blessings we shall have to render an account. So will be the case for body parts. We must remember this before performing any act of sin with our body parts. On the Day of Judgment these will give witness against us. "O Allah! He used us for committing sins," they will say.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

Status of Wife

The status of wife is that of beloved. The Holy Prophet practiced it, may Peace and Blessings be upon him. A sign of this is in the large number of stories in which the Mothers of the Faithful are shown expressing their anger with him.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

A Man of Patience

A women said something pungent to her husband. He said you'll go to your tomb and me to mine.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

When a Friend of Allah Laughs

 Full of Light Prophet Mohammed, may Peace of Allah Almighty be upon him, used to smile, and that too a lot. Laughing is discouraged. When a Friend of Allah laughs then it has a completely diffent meaning. When a hot plate becomes very hot we see drops of fire on it. We say that the hot plate is laughing. The laughing of people of Allah has the similar connotation. If you touch a laughing hot plate you'll get a nasty burn.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

What Should We Cry For?

We should cry at our failings-today we cry at the things that are worldly. My son answered me back, my wife answered me back, my honour has bitten dust. The person who cries at his failings gets reward. Today we laugh at our failings. This is the way of those who deny Allah Almighty and those who attribute partners to Him.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

Improved Google Catchment

Today Google has started catching the present blog as the first entry when we search for Thus Spake Hazrat Shaikh. The Google Search gadget on the blog has also started functioning, till yesterday it was giving no results.

Site search like:

caliph site:anonahouse.blogspot.com

directly from Google has also started working. Today above search is giving three results. Google has a robot program called the Googlebot which visits sites registered with Google and collects information in a cache for Google. Our searches return results from this. Once again thanks to all of you who have supported this effort.

The Meaning of Sattar

An attributive name of Allah Almighty is Sattar-the One Who hides shortcomings. If He was not hiding our shortcomings then we shall find it difficult to come out of our houses.

(Sitting (majlis) on Sunday, August 22, 2010)

I Seek Not Payment for My Religion

Once Maulana Fateh Mohammed Jalandhari, may Allah Almighty grant him Peace, was invited for a talk on religion in Peshawar. After the talk the organizers asked him to proceed for meal. He said that I came to give a talk-not to take a meal. Some body suggested that these are Pathans and will be infuriated if their invitation to food is rejected. "This Maulvi does not prey upon chapatis" he said. "Abdul Rehman start the vehicle" he further said to his son and left the place.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Religious Edict for Sale

A mufti was asked for a religious edict  (fatwa) against his opinion. He denied and persisted on it even though he was subjected to atrocities. Today we are ready to compromise at the first sign of trouble. There is an stampede to declare insurance permissible.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Cleaning of Inner Self

Purification of our inner self is compulsory. Who will do that? People of Allah?

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

It Looks Difficult But ...

Today, in few hours, first ten days of the Month of Fasting will be over. The rest too will pass-just like that.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Why Did You Approach Him?

Somebody asked Maulana Rashid Ahmed Gangohi that you are an ocean of knowledge why did you  go to Haji Sahab (Hazrat Haji Imdadullah Sahab, Makkah Migratory), may Allah Almighty fill their tombs with light.

This is a matter of external and internal knowledges, he replied.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Words and Deeds

A person gave a rather nice talk about religion. On the way back this person saw a women and remarked to his companion, "What a beauty!"

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Who Remembers His Failings?

Not all people remember their failings and misdeeds. Only those people remember them who repent their past misdeeds sincerely.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Path to Salvation

Somebody asked the Holy Prophet of Allah Almighty, may Peace and Blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, "O Rasulallah! What is the route to salvation?"

He received the following answer.

(1) Have control over your tongue (speak only allowed words and these too only when necessary), (2) Extent your house ( the meaning is that do not go out without necessity, for example you go toilet only when it is necessary) and (3) In solitude, cry over your misdeeds ( a person who cries over his misdeeds will not have the temerity to point a finger at other people's short comings).

The Companions (sahaba) were the people who understood these things and thus shined like the moon and the sun. We, the ignorant, pay no heed to these words of wisdom.


(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Requests for Supplications

When a  man who is busy in work asks for supplications then supplications surge for him from the depths of heart.

(Merging yourself in work will increase the effectiveness of your supplications.)

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Effect of Hatred of This World

If a person does not have the love of this world in his heart than any amount of enticing by the deviates and disobedient people will have no effect on him.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

There is a Purpose Behind Our Creation

We have not come to this world, we have been sent.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Another Series

A father wants his son to surpass him. (In general a man does not want any body to surpass him.)

A teacher wants his students to surpass him. (In general nobody wants others to surpass him in knowledge.)

A Shaikh wants his associates to surpass him.

A Prophet, may Peace be upon them all, wants his community (ummah) to surpass other communities.

Allah Almighty wants his slaves to be coloured in His Colour.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Affinity and Connection

Affinity and Connection (nisbat) with the people of Allah-which in deed is affinity and connection with Allah Almighty takes some time to exhibit itself. After that it has sustenance.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Dangers of the Rot of Heart

If some rot enters your heart then all the Aulias (Friends of Allah)  of the world can do nothing about it. Immediately approach Allah Almighty.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Why is This Blog Preoccupied With Lists?

The method adopted by Muhi-us-Sunnah Shah Hardoi, may Allah Almighty fill his tomb with light, was to present Islam not in the form of a scholarly treatise-though he was a scholar of very high caliber. He presented Islam in terms of pamphlets, posters and lists. It makes it easy to remember the tenets of Islam. This is a step towards their implementation in our life. It is easy to implement things in our life in easy installments.

Do All Good Deeds Please Allah?

A good deed pleases Allah Almighty if it is done for him only.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Reliance on Allah Almighty

A man asked for some debt from a person to whom he was close. This person denied flatly. The man was astounded and immediately resolved, "O Allah! I'll never ask from any body any more except you". Suddenly he saw treasures. "No, I do not want all this. Give me only so much that will relieve me from asking from your slaves". Neverheless in his subsequent life Allah Almighty opened the gates of treasures for him. All-Pure is Allah Almighty, Exalted.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Implications of Displeasing a Friend of Allah Almighty

A person invited the wrath of Maulana Rashid Ahmed Gangohi. His brother got worried. He approached Maulana Fazlur Rehman Ganj Muradabadi for supplications. "Where do you come from?", the Maulana asked. "Deoband", was the reply. "Why did you not go to Gangoh, it is nearer to your place?". "I am associated with you so I thought I shall ask you for the supplications". "Even if all the Friends of Allah supplicate for your brother it'll have no effect-unless Maulana Gangohi is pleased". Ultimately the brother went to Gangoh and approached Maulana Rashid Ahmed with apologies and the matter got settled.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

What to Get Attached With?

Try to get attached with hereafter, you will not get attached with this world.

(Sitting on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

What the Shaikh Can't Do (Another Thing)

An Elder (Pir) and Instructor (Murshid) can not give guidance.

(Sitting on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

News at the End of Sitting (Majlis)

An associate, a Reader in the university, informed that his mother passed away today at three am. Verily we are for our Lord and unto Him is our return. Hazrat Shaikh (DB)  said the she has returned to her home (watan). Then there was collective supplication for her the grieved family lead by Hazrat Shaikh (DB) in silence (sirr).
After that Hazrat Shaikh (DB) said that after a soul departs the first thing we must do is to give bath to the body.

(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, August 21, 2010)

Maulana Shuaib Ahmed Bastwi Encircled by Divine Mercy

Maulana Shuaib Ahmed Bastwi, a caliph of Hazrat Shaikh Mohammed Hakim Kalimullah Sahab, may Allah Almighty provide us the blessings of the later for a long time to come, passed away yesterday, on Friday,  August 20, 2010 in first ten days of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Maulana Bastwi was a teacher at madarasa Ashraf-ul-Madaaris, Hardoi, UP, India. May Allah Almighty forgive his sins and allot a high place for him in the heaven.

Verily we are for our Lord and unto Him is our return.

Faith in Detail (Iman Mufassal)

I solemnly declare faith in Allah and angels and books and messengers and the Last Day and that the ability to impart good and evil completely comes from Allah Almighty and that there is life after death.

Faith in Short (Iman Mujmal)

I solemnly declare faith in Allah as He is in His names and attributes, accept all of His commands, accept it in words and confirm by heart.

List of Islamic Beliefs and Confirmations

Following list of Islamic beliefs has been prepared using Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA)'s book Education of Religion (Ta-aleem-ud-deen), published by Farid Book Depot, Jama Masjid, Delhi-6.
There is a more detailed list that has been browsed by Hazrat Muhi-us-Sunnah (RA).

(1) Initially the whole universe was unborn. Then it came into existence on creation by Allah Almighty.

(2) Allah is One and He is dependent on no one,  He gave birth to no one and nobody gave Him birth, none is like Him.

(3) He exits since eternity, He'll be there till eternity.

(4) There is nothing like Him, He is unique.

(5) He is live, He has power over everything, nothing is hidden from Him, He sees every thing, hears every thing, He does what He wants, talks, He's the only One Worthy of worship, He has no partner, He is Merciful on His creatures, He is the King, He is free from all faults, only He saves His slaves from calamities, He's the one with Honour, He has greatness,  He is the Creator, it is He Who forgives sins,  He is All-Imposing, He gives a lot, He is the Sender of livelihood, constrains or increases the livelihood of whom so ever He desires,  subdues or elevates whom so ever He desires,  honours or dishonours who so ever He desires, He is Just, He carries patience and forbearance, values service, accepts supplications, He smells, None His actions are devoid of wisdom, He is the one who arranges all matters, He is the One who brought all of us into existence for the first time and He is the one who will raise us again on the Day of Judgment, He keeps everyone  alive, He is the one Who kills, every one knows Him by sign's and attributes, nobody understand the subtlety of His personality, accepts the repentance of sinners, punishes the culprits, He is the one Who guides, neither sleeps nor drowses, doesn't get tired by safeguarding the whole world, He is the one balancing every thing, similarly all attributes of excellence belong to Him.

(6) Allah Almighty is free from the attributes of the created things. The Holy Qura'n and hadees contain some information that is difficult to understand. In such cases it is better to refer these matters to Allah Almighty for only He only understands them.

(7)What happens in the world, good or bad, Allah knows that before time, for ever and then creates that accordingly. This is called destiny. There are many secrets in the creation of bad things-everbody can not fathom these.

(8) To each person Allah has given understanding and power of intention. The person uses them voluntarily to perform either good or bad deeds. Allah is pleased with good deeds and displeased with bad deeds.

(9) Allah has not ordered any duty that is beyond capability.

(10) Nothing is compulsory on Allah, whatever benevolence He bestows that is His Grace.


(more to come)

It is Compulsory to Answer Salam

If a person says Assalamu Alaikum then it is compulsory to return it. In our daily life we volunteer to say salam. As a result both parties end up not answering each other. The solution to this failing is that during your daily recitations include several Wa Alaikumussalam.

(A recent sitting (majlis))

The New Muslim

At the end of a recent sitting (majlis) a new Muslim from eastern part of the country was presented to Hazrat Shaikh (DB). Hazrat Shaikh renewed his Word (kalima). It was desired that he should be given a new name. Hazrat Shaikh (DB) asked his old name and proposed a name with the similar meaning. The person was not following Urdu that well. Hazrat Shaikh (DB) made very brief, precise and simple instructions for him. "Obey One, obey Him only."

True Love (Ishq-e-Haqiqi)

True love (ishq-e-haqiqi) is the love for sake of Allah Almighty. It includes filial and familial love.

Recently the Last of the Early Elders Qari Amir Hasan Sahab, may Allah Almighty provide us his shade for a long time to come, visited South Africa. From there he came back to India at a time when northern part of the country was having extraordinarily soaring temperatures. Consultations lead to the decision that he should go to Hyderabad but some communication gap ensued and Qari Sahab (DB) landed at Delhi from Mumbai. Hazrat Shaikh, may Allah Almighty provide us his blessings for a long time to come, suggested that Qari Sahab should proceed for Hyderabad owing to the unbearable heat.

"I'll come to Aligarh. My heart is longing to meet you", Qari Sahab said over the telephone.

He has not been in South Africa for long and before that he was in Aligarh.

Five Pillars of Islam

The five pillars of Islam are:
1. Faith (iman)
2. Prayer (salah)
3. Fasting (saum)
4. Charity (zakah)
5. Pilgrimage (haj)

List of Four Mystic Orders

The four main mystic orders of Islam are:
1.Qadiri
2.Chisti
3.Suhrawardi
4.Naqshbandi.

List of Pious Caliphs

1. Hazrat Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique, may Lord Almighty be pleased with him,
2. Hazrat Sayyidina Umar Farooq, may Lord Almighty be pleased with him,
3. Hazrat Sayyidina Usman Ghani, may Lord Almighty be pleased with him,
4. Hazrat Sayyidina Ali, may Lord Almighty be pleased with him.

 (Yes, there will be people for whom it is new information.)

List of Caliphs of Shah Hardoi (RA)

Reviver of Sunnah Hazrat Maulana Abrar-ul-Haq Sahab Shah Hardoi was a caliph of Wise of the Generation, Reviver of the Community Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, may Allah Almighty fill their tombs with light. The former himself had a large number of caliphs all over the world.

Hakim Syed Afsar Basha Qasmi (DB) of Vellore, Tamilnadu, India is one of them. While writing a biography of Shah Hardoi (RA) he included a list of the of the caliphs too. This is included below.

Shah Hardoi (RA) had two types of caliphs. Permitted for Contract (majaaz-i-bayt) and Permitted for Company (majaaz-i-suhbat) only.

It was desired by Shah Hardoi (RA) that anybody contacting his caliphs for self-correction and self-purification must ensure, on his own, that the caliph is a practitioner of Sunnah and not to head for a Contract (bayt) on his (Shah Hardoi (RA)'s) word alone.

Authorized for Pledge (majaaz-i-bayt)

(1) Hz Maulana Basharat Ali Sahab Sultanpuri, former Deputy Nazim Madarasa Ashraful Madaaris and Majlis-e-Dawatul Haq, Hardoi. (He has left this world, RA.)
(2) Hazrat Hakim Mohammed Kalimullah Sahab (DB), Anona House, Civil Lines, Aligarh
(3) Hz Maulana Mohammed Yusuf Sahab, Basti, UP, India. (He has left this world, RA.)
(4) Hz Maulana Mohammed Athar Sahab Bastwi, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
(5) Hz Master Habibullah Sahab, Hardoi, UP, India (He has left this world, RA.)
(6) Hz Master Mohammed Usman Sahab, Hardoi, UP, India (He has left this world, RA.)
(7) Hz Haji Azeemullah Sahab, Sultanpur, UP, India (He has left this world, RA.)
(8) Hz Molvi Abdul Haleem Sahab, Azamgarh, UP, India.
(9) Hz Abdul Haafiz Sahab, Lakhimpur, UP, India.
(10) Hz Munshi Ahmed Siddique Sahab, Hardoi, UP, India.
(11 Hz Doctor Islam Ahmed Sahab, Etah, UP, India (He has left this world, RA.)
(12) Hz Syed Azhar Karim Sahab, Jajpur, Orissa, India.
(13) Hz Doctor Ali Malpa Sahab, Bhatkal, Karnataka, India
(14) Hz Maulvi Syed Mehmood Sahab, Beed, Maharashtra, India (He has left this world, RA.)
(15) Hz Maulvi Ja'far Ali Sahab, North Arcat, Tamil Nadu, India.
(16) Hz Maulana Mufti Saeed Ahmed Sahab, Pernambut, Tamil Nadu, India
(17) Hz Maulvi Nizamuddin Sahab, Kaghaz Nagar, Andhra Pradesh, India (He has left this world, RA.)
(18) Hz Alimuddin Hashmi Sahab, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
(19) Hz Haji Muhammed Abdur Rehman Sahab, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India.
(20) Hz Maulana Hakim Muhammed Akhtar Sahab,Karachi, Pakistan
(21) Hz Haji Muhammed Afzal Sahab, Karachi, Pakistan
(22) Hz Maulvi Muhammed Azhar Miyan Sahab,Karachi, Pakistan
(23) Hz Jameel Ahmed Sahab,Karachi, Pakistan
(24) Hz Ghulam Sarwar Sahab,Lahore, Pakistan
(25) Hz Muhammed Anwarul Haq Sahab, Jeddah, Saudia Arabia
(26) Hz Maulvi Yahya Bham Sahab, Transvaal, South Africa
(27) Hz Maulvi Sulaiman Ghanchi Sahab, Transvaal, South Africa
(28) Hz Haji Abdul Haq Desai Sahab, Natal, South Africa
(29) Hz Maulvi Fazlur Rehman Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh (He has left this world, RA.)
(30) Hz Maulvi Ayyub Surati Sahab, West Yorkshire, UK
(31) Hz Maulana Mufti Abdur Rehman Sahab, Dhaka, Bangaladesh
(32) Hz Maulana Salahuddin Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(33) Hz Professor Hameeduddin Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(34) Hz Maulana Abdur Rehman Hyderabadi Sahab, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
(35) Hz Ahmed Aijaz Hyderabadi Sahab, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(36) Hz Maulana Abdul Ahad Sahab, Kheda, Gujrat, India
(37) Hz Hakim Muhammed Amin Sahab, Pernambut, Tamil Nadu, India (He has left this world, RA.)
(38) Hz Mazhar Hussain Sahab, Sita Marhi, Nepal (He has left this world, RA.)
(39) Hz Abdul Wakil Sahab, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India
(40) Hz Muhammed Zakir Sahab, Balasore, Orissa, India
(41) Hz Sufi Abdus Samad Sahab, Bhubaneswar, Orissa (He has left this world, RA.)
(42) Hz Mulana Abdur Rauf Sansarpuri Sahab, Hardoi, UP, India (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(43) Hz Molvi  Abdur Rauf Bastwi Sahab, Hardoi, UP, India (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(44) Hz Maulvi Afzalur Rehman Sahab, Hardoi, UP, India (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(45) Hz Munshi Israr Ahmed Sahab ,Hardoi, UP, India (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(46) Hz Mufti Abdullah Phoolpuri Sahab, Azamgarh, UP, India
(47) Hz Maulvi  Inaam Ahmed Sahab, Kasganj, UP, India (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(48) Hz Maulvi Obaid Hasan Sahab,Kasganj, UP, India (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(49) Hz Doctor Munawwar Hussain Sahab, Aligarh, UP, India (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(50) Hz Maulvi Inamullah Shahjahanpuri Sahab, Muradabad, UP, India
(51) Hz Mufti Muhammed Arshad Sahab, Muzaffar Nagar, UP, India
(52) Hz Haafiz Muhammed Ishaq Sahab, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(53) Hz Haji Abdus Sattar Sahab, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(54) Hz Sallemullah Ghauri Sahab, Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(55) Hz Maulvi Abdul Mannan Sahab, Sita Marhi, Nepal (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(56) Hz Mufti Muhammed Asad Sahab, Pernambut, Tamil Nadu(Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(57) Hz Maulvi Mufti Abdur Rashid Sahab, Rahat Garh, Madhya Pradesh (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(58) Hz Mufti Afzal Hussain Sahab, Basti, UP, India (He has left this world, RA.)
(59) Hz Qari Mehfooz Sahab, Jahangirabad, Pakistan (He has left this world, RA.)
(60) Hz Mansoor Ali Khan Sahab, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(61) Hz Abdul Majeed Khan Malihabadi Sahab, Lucknow, UP, India (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(62) Hz Qari Khaliqullah Sahab, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
(63) Hz Bahauddin Saleem Hyderabadi Sahab, Chicago
(64) Hz Mufti Mehmoodul Hasan Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(65) Hz Maulana Mufti Shamsuddin Sahab, Chittagong, Bangladesh
(66) Hz Maulana Shafiullah Sahab, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
(67) Hz Mufti Mansoorul Haq Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(68) Hz Professer Ghayasuddin Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(69) Hz Maulana Imdadullah Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(70) Hz Maulvi Abdus Sattar Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(71) Hz Maulana Hifzur Rehman Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(72) Hz Muhammed Meezanur Rehman Sahab, Ghazipur, Bangladesh
(73) Hz Maulana Muhibullah Sahab, Chittagong, Bangladesh
(74) Hz Maulana Muhammed Taiyab Sahab, Chittagong, Bangladesh
(75) Hz Maulana Muhammed Arshad Sahab, Bogra, Bangladesh
(76) Hz Maulana Syed Ahmed Sahab, Noakhali, Bangladesh
(77) Hz Maulana Qamaruddin Sahab, Gorakhpur and Deoband, UP, India
(78) Hz Qari Abul Hasan Azmi Sahab, Deoband, UP, India
(79) Hz Ansar Ahmed Kamil Sahab, Allahabad, UP, India
(80) Hz Maulana Hakim Syed Afsar Basha Sahab, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
(81) Hz Maulana Bilal Hussain Thanwi Sahab
(82) Hz Sufi Zaheeruddin Sahab, Aligarh, Aligarh, UP, India
(83) Hz Maulana Hameedullah Lone Sahab, Sokolgam, Kashmir, India
(84) Hz Maulvi Mazaahirul Haq Sahab, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttrakhand, India
(85) Hz Mufti Shafqatullah Sahab, Hardoi, UP, India
(86) Hz Mufti Noorul Haq Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(87) Hz Mufti Saeedur Rehman Bastwi Sahab, Mumbai, India
(88) Hz Mufti Azizur Rehman Fatehpuri Sahab, Mumbai, India
(89) Hz Mufti Meezanur Rehman Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(90) Hz Haji Habibullah Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh (Former Majaaz-e-Sohbat)
(91) Hz Maulana Anwarul Haq Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(92) Hz Maulana Rafiq Ahmed Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(93) Hz Mufti Ubaidullah Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(94) Hz Mufti Muhammed Suhail Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(95) Hz Maulana Anwar Shah Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(96) Hz Maulana Abdul Quddoos Sahab, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(97) Hz Maulana Sher Ali Sahab, Surat, Gujrat, India
(98) Hz Maulvi Muhammed Zakaria Sahab, Kairana, UP, India
(99) Hz Haji Aleemul Haq Sahab, Hardoi, UP, India
(100) Hz Haafiz Abdullah Abdul Haq Sahab, Dabhel, Gujrat, India
(101) Hz Maulvi Muhammed Yaqub Ashraf Sahab, Rander, Gujrat, India
(102) Hz Maulvi Muhammed Ayyub Sahab, Surat, Gujrat, India
(103) Hz Maulana Hafiz Muhammed Qasim Sahab, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Authorized for Company (majaaz-i-suhbat)

Uttar Pradesh, India

(1) Hz Master Maulvi Baksh Sahab, Hardoi
(2) Hz Maulvi Abdul Mubeen Gondwi Sahab, Hardoi 
(3) Hz Maulvi Muhammed Shuaib Bastwi Sahab, Hardoi
(4) Hz Maulvi Faizul Hasan Sahab, Hardoi
(5) Hz Maulvi Hafiz Abdur Rehman Gulbargwi Sahab, Hardoi
(6) Hz Maulvi Muhammed Ahmed Sahab, Hardoi
(7) Hz Maulvi Fatehur Rehman Sahab, Banda
(8) Hz Syed Muhammed Zubair Sahab, Sitapur
(9) Hz Maulvi Siraj Muhammed Afghani Sahab, Deoband
(10) Hz Maulvi Muhammed Farooq Sahab, Malihabad
(11)  Hz Maulvi Akramullah Sahab, Muradabad
(12) Hz Qari Muhammed Ilyas Sahab, Aligarh

Andhra Pradesh, India

(13) Hz Kamaluddin Pasha Wazifayab Sahab, Hyderabad (He has left this world, RA.)
(14) Hz Maulvi Abdul Ghani Sahab, Hyderabad 
(15) Hz Nawab Muhammed Baqar Khan Sahab, Hyderabad
(16) Hz Abdurr Rahim Sahab, Hyderabad (He has left this world, RA.)
(17) Hz Maulvi Abdul Mughni Sahab, Hyderabad
(18) Hz Maulvi Waliuddin Sahab, Hyderabad
(19) Hz Maulvi Abdul Maaz Sahab, Nalgonda

Orissa

(20) Hz Maulvi Fazlul Haq Sahab, Dharamshila
(21) Hz Syed Muhammed Zubair Sahab, Bhubaneswar

Maharashtra

(22) Hz Haji Abdul Majeed Sahab, Parbhani
(23) Hz Abdul Shakoor Sahab, Mumbai

England

(24) Hz Haafiz Muhammed Maakdar Sahab, West Yorkshire

Bangladesh

(25) Hz Maulvi Ahmedullah Sahab, Dhaka
(26) Hz Haji Nazimuddin Sahab, Dhaka

Pakistan

(27) Hz Muhammed Shafiq Ahmed Khan Sahab, Karachi
(28) Hz Doctor Qarrar Ahmed Sahab, Karachi
(29) Hz Maulvi Muhammed Basheer Sahab, Karachi
(30) Hz Shaikh Nazir Husain Sahab, Lahore

Saudi Arabia

(31) Hz Muhammed Siddique Bhuwaira Sahab, Jeddah
(32) Hz Muhammed Ismail Bhuwaira Sahab, Jeddah
(33) Hz Ibrahim Rashid Sahab, Jeddah
(34) Hz Riyazuddin Sahab, Madinah

(Adapted from Hayaat-e-Muhi-us-Sunnah by Hazrat Hakim Syed Afsar Basha Sahab Qasmi. Published by Haqqi Publications, Bangalore Road, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India)

Who is a Caliph?

The word meaning is vice regent. Man is caliph of Lord Almighty on earth. In Islam it applies to the religious, spiritual and temporal vice regent of the Last Prophet of Allah (All-Pure and Exalted), may Peace and Blessings be upon him. In mystic circles it is a person who has Permission by a Shaikh to take the task of Purification (tazkiya) and Correction (islah) of others . For caliph the Urdu word is khalifa.

Twenty Evils of Tongue

Proof of Islam Imam Abu Hamid Al Ghazali has listed twenty evils of tongue in Volume 3 : Book of Destructive Evils of his Opus Revival of Religious Sciences (Ihya al Uloom id Deen). These are:

(1) Unnecessary Talk
(2) Excessive Talk
(3) Telling Lies
(4) Talking About Sins
(5) Disputing (About Wealth and Property)

(6) Ornamentation in Talk
(7) Obscene Talk
(8) Cursing
(9) Singing and Poetry
(10) Laughing and Cracking Jokes

(11) Ridicule
(12) Disclosing Secret Conversations
(13) False Promising
(14)  Falsehood
(15) Backbiting

(16) Slander
(17) Hypocrisy
(18) Praise
(19) Carelessness
(20) Questions About God
 
(A reoccurring mention in the sittings (majaalis). List of harms prepared from Maulana Fazlul Karim's translation. Publisher : Kitab Bhawan, 1214, Kalan Mahal, New Delhi (1982))

List of Volumes in Ghazali's Revival of Religious Sciences

The book Revival of Religious Sciences (Ihya al Uloom ad Deen) by Proof of Islam Imam Abu Hamid Al Ghazali is in four volumes.

1. The Book of Worship
2. The Book of Worldly Usages
3. The Book of Destructive Vices
4. The Book of Constructive Virtues

Thus Spake Hazrat Qasim Nanotwi (RA)

Hazrat Maulana Qasim Nanotwi, may Allah Almighty have mercy upon him, said that if this blot of being a scholar was not on me then I would have diminished my self so much that no one would have known where I was born and when I died.

Jihad

Once Hazrat Shaikh  Junaid Baghdadi, may Allah Almighty sanctify his inner self, was sitting in his chamber. He got the feeling that some one is saying that he should do jihad. He thought about it and then said the following.
"O my baser self I have understood your trick. You want to do jihad so that the matter will so be finished quickly. You want a quick delivery from the worldly problems through martyrdom. Now listen! I'll kill you in this room only at the time of appointed by Allah Almighty. No easy exit for you." The whispering did not return after that.

(A repeated saying)

Guard Your Tongue

Guard your tongue. It is your tongue that will take you to heaven or otherwise. Imam Ghazali, may Allah Almighty fill his tomb with light, has listed twenty evils of tongue.

(An oft repeated saying)

Why Newspaper?

People Allah do not like it when the seekers spend too much time reading newspapers. If you read newspapers at all then read them to get admonition. Newspapers are filled with incidents that are full of admonitions.

(An Earlier Saying)

Love of Personal Fame

Love of personal fame is a grave sin. (Allah Almighty is forgiving but grave sins are not forgiven unless specifically asked for forgiveness. Such sins are indeed grave. A single grave sin has the possibility of pulling a person to hell on the Judgment Day-all other actions being favourable. ) A sweeper who was working in our (Hazrat Shaikh's) house used to say, "The dumplings of praise-neither sweet nor sour". Very wise saying indeed.

(Praise is tasteless, in bad taste.)

(An oft repeated saying)

Be Silent, Miyan is Listening

Among the varied states of the Seekers there is the state of Presence. Presence before Allah Almighty, Lord of the Words. There was a such person who achieved this state. When people will indulge in useless talk in front of him he would say, "Be silent, Miyan is listening."

(Miyan is a name used for Allah Almighty. Scholars discourage this word for being too familiar.)

(An oft repeated saying)

Picked Up By Google : All Praise to Lord Almighty

To day Google picked up the present blog. All praise is for Allah Almighty for taking us to  the map within a week. To get the Google link search for Thus Spake Hazrat Shaikh. Then on the first page of results opt for spake only option. You should have the blog on the first page. Or simply search  for Thus +Spake Hazrat Shaikh. May Allah Almighty reward you all who have sent their good wishes, suggestions and who are pleased to see the blog. It was all very gratifying. Praising Allah Almighty once again.

Addendum to the Refrain

Protect yourself, specially, from the sins of eyes, tongue and ears. These are the parts which often indulge in sinning.

For How Long Must We Strive?

Striving (mujaahidah) is a life long process, even for the Elders.

What to Thank Allah Almighty For?

Thank Allah Almighty, among other things, specially for
(1) making you a man (or a woman),
(2) making you a Muslim,
(3) giving you birth in the community (ummah) of Prophet Mohammed, may Peace and Blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him,
(4) making you a reciter of  The Word (kalimah) and finally
(5) making you one of the Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jama-at.

(A reoccurring saying)

What the Shaikh Can't Do

The Shaikh can only advise you. To act upon the advice is up to you.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

A Secret of Surah Fatiha

While reciting Surah Fatiha when you come to the words Lord of the Day of Judgment then think that you are present in His Court as a culprit.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

Why do We Go to the Elders?

We must ask the People of Allah Almighty for religion. Our habit is to go for supplications for house, factory, company, colony and what not.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

The Average Age

Our beloved Prophet, may Peace and Blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, said that the average age of (people in) my community (ummah) is between sixty and seventy years.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

Whom to Expect From

From Allah Almighty only.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

A Prayer of a Seer

Once, on stage, Hazrat Asraf Ali Thanwi, may Allah Almighty fill his tomb with light, asked that pray to Allah Almighty to provide me a place among the shoes of the dwellers of the heaven (jennah). Another Shaikh present at the occasion said that you have taken the cake-I can't ask for a lower thing like a place in the toilet for there are no toilets in the heaven.

(If our beloved Prophet, may Peace and Blessings of Allah Almighty be upon him, was so humble in his prayers how can, we so dirty people, be sure of our results? Hence the above sayings of the Elders.)

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

You understood? Really?

Once a guest from Bhopal visited Hazrat Maulana Mohammed Ashraf Ali Thanwi, may Allah Almighty fill his tomb with light. He claimed that he'll present the Seer with such a gift that he could not refuse. After his meeting he expressed his desire to present the gift. "This is our first meeting and I do not accept gifts in the first meeting", Hazrat said. "You'll not be able to refuse the gift", said the guest, "Allow me to show it to you". "Alright, show it", the Seer said. The guest then brought out a bottle of good quality scent. As practitioners of Sunnah the People of Allah Almighty do not refuse when offered with milk, pillow and scent.

"So you think you have understood the hadees?", Hazrat Thanwi asked.

"Yes", the guest conceded.

"The hadees is about the little amount of scent we rub each other-not about a bottle".

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

Another Benefit of Remembrance

Indulge in remembrance of Allah Almighty. It will open the locks of your heart.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

A Strange Assertion

People keep insisting on one strange thing. The Religious seminaries (deeni madaaris) must teach contemporary branches of knowledge. They want to pull towards western ways.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

What is Knowledge

The real knowledge is the knowledge of the Doctrine (shariat). The rest is information and data.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

Differentiate Beween a Believer and a Non-believer

There is a clear difference between a believer and a non-believer. Understand it by a parable. Let us think of a parrot in a cage kept in a garden. The parrot will think that when I go out of the cage I'll enjoy with those parrots who are there in trees already. How enjoyable that will be! The cage is this world and the parrot is a believer. Now think of another parrot in cage in the garden but also surrounded by cats. The parrot will think how safe it is to be in the cage. There is so much danger out there. This is the parable of the on-believer.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

Effect of Avoiding Sins

People of Allah Almighty avoid sins. For it they are rewrded. Take the example of Shah Hardoi, may Allah Almighty fill his tomb with light. He reached such a status that, many times, a single sentence will send the listeners into ecstasy.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)

A Good Thing to Ask from Allah Almighty

Ask Allah Almighty to make you His own. To own you. Also hope for the same.

(Sitting (majlis) Monday, August 16, 2010)