Hazrat Shaikh Hakim Muhammed Kalimullah Sahab (DB) and Hazrat Aqdas Qari Amir Hasan Sahab (DB) are back from Kashmir tour. At tea time, after Sitting (Majlis), Hazrat Shaikh (DB) was in very cheerful disposition about Kashmir visit. Hazrat Shaikh (DB) said that people there have lots of regard for Religion (deen). Mufti Farooq Khan Sahab (DB) of Madarsa Mehmoodiya, Hapur Road, Meerut was there with some other Scholars. Many other scholars too were present and some more came at tea time.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Prefer News Over Views
It means that we should believe whatever has been told to us by our beloved Prophet (PBUH) over what we see. This is a refrain in Jama'at. And this is a difficult thing for us to digest. Particularly people with modern education will react with revulsion to any suggestion of this kind. This is a tragedy because a very effective dictum gets neutralized because of our reflex. One has to be very alert about any dictum because if the benefits are great the harms are equally devastating. So what about the present dictum (Believe the Khabar not the Nazar)? Khabar is news and nazar is vision. Well we have only one argument in favour of this dictum. That is the existence of optical illusions. Get an initial training about them here and then see many more here-we hope you can appreciate the latter after spending some time on the former. Here is one example. Look at the following picture.
The thin strip in the middle looks shaded. On the left side it looks light shade of gray while on the right it appears to be a darker shade of gray. This is because of the shading present in the background above and below this thin strip. In reality the thin strip is has a uniform shade of gray. Here is the same strip after the top and bottom environment has been removed.
We have left the left and right shades intact in editing. It is indeed uniform shade of gray. If you are still unconvinced then cover, on your screen, the background above and below the thin strip and again see for yourself.
This is called an optical illusion. This one one of hundreds designed. Clearly views can be tricky. In this game of science called optical illusions it is a mundane kind of thing.
So what to believe and what not to believe. There are two answers to it. As far as science of optical illusion is concerned it is a developing thing and one can just navigate as other are doing. Of course one has to be alert always about every step-whether it is in the right direction or not. In the rest of matters believers are very fortunate to have the News-that is the Qur'an and Sunnah. Believe that-not your vision. Prefer the news over the views.
The thin strip in the middle looks shaded. On the left side it looks light shade of gray while on the right it appears to be a darker shade of gray. This is because of the shading present in the background above and below this thin strip. In reality the thin strip is has a uniform shade of gray. Here is the same strip after the top and bottom environment has been removed.
This is called an optical illusion. This one one of hundreds designed. Clearly views can be tricky. In this game of science called optical illusions it is a mundane kind of thing.
So what to believe and what not to believe. There are two answers to it. As far as science of optical illusion is concerned it is a developing thing and one can just navigate as other are doing. Of course one has to be alert always about every step-whether it is in the right direction or not. In the rest of matters believers are very fortunate to have the News-that is the Qur'an and Sunnah. Believe that-not your vision. Prefer the news over the views.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Reward of Submission
Those who submit to the Will of Allah Most High are always granted a new life from Him.
Kushtgaan-e-khanjar-e-tasleem ra
Har zamaaN az ghaib jaane-deegar ast
Kushtgaan=the dead (plural)
e=of
khanjar=dagger
tasleem=to accept (here the Will of Allah (SWT))
ra=of
har=every
zamaN=era
az=from
ghaib=unseen
jaan=life
deegar=different
Har zamaaN az ghaib jaane-deegar ast
Kushtgaan=the dead (plural)
e=of
khanjar=dagger
tasleem=to accept (here the Will of Allah (SWT))
ra=of
har=every
zamaN=era
az=from
ghaib=unseen
jaan=life
deegar=different
Dawah : Spirit and Strength of Islam
Dawah : Spirit and Strength of Islam
Maulana Muhammed Isa Mansoori, London
(A multi-part article appearing in Armughan Urdu monthly beginning with April 2011. Below only titles of sections are being presented.)
Part One
Part One
(1) The Extensive Departments of Religion Will Give Benefit When Combined With Dawah
(2) Habit of Allah in Battle of Truth and Falsehood
(3) The Only Option for Islamic Ummah is Dawah
(4) Three Epochs of Islamic Ummah
(5) Dawah is Duty of Every Muslim
(6) Only Dawah and Jihad Differentiates Between Faith and Hypocrisy
(7) The Real Cause of Our State and Problems
Part Two
Part Two
(8) How Did Islam Get Publicized in the World?
(9) In Delicate Moments Its Dawah That Supported Islamic Ummah
(10) Prophetic Method : Solution to All Problems
(11) Psychology of Trader and Dayee Are Same
(12)Glory of Dawah and Character of Dayee
Part Three
(13) Harms of Political Preoccupation in Modern Times
(14) Political Mentality and Bias is Biggest Roadblock in Path of Publication of Islam
(15) Basic Need of Dawah are Amicable Relations Between Nations
(16) Labour of Spreading Religion is the Only Thing That Can Unite the Complete Ummah
(17) Irrevocable Damage Caused by Dawah Neglect
(18) Islamic Ummah Neglected Dawah After the Initial Epoch
(19) The Situation after Loss of Power in the Subcontinent
Part Three
(13) Harms of Political Preoccupation in Modern Times
(14) Political Mentality and Bias is Biggest Roadblock in Path of Publication of Islam
(15) Basic Need of Dawah are Amicable Relations Between Nations
(16) Labour of Spreading Religion is the Only Thing That Can Unite the Complete Ummah
(17) Irrevocable Damage Caused by Dawah Neglect
(18) Islamic Ummah Neglected Dawah After the Initial Epoch
(19) The Situation after Loss of Power in the Subcontinent
Saturday, June 25, 2011
A Couplet That Refuses To Go
Asghar hareem-e-ishq main hasti hi jurm hai
Rakhna kabhi na paanw yahaN sar liye huway
To be is the real crime in the compound of love Asghar
Never ever step in here if you happen to be in a state of being
Source : Asharafia (Urdu)
Rakhna kabhi na paanw yahaN sar liye huway
To be is the real crime in the compound of love Asghar
Never ever step in here if you happen to be in a state of being
Source : Asharafia (Urdu)
Why Is It So Exciting?
Those of you who are connected with the Path, the Seeking, the Method, the Tareeqat will know that it is the most exciting occupation. Allah created us for His worship and what could be more exciting than perfecting our worship? That is what Tasawwuf is all about. Those who are deprived of it keep shouting innovation at it. That is one more curtain for them and we shall not dwell upon that here. We'll just mull over the fact as to why is it so exciting. (To be continued.)
Awesome at An-Noor
The blog An-Noor has a gadget about frequently viewed posts but the treasure hidden in the main repository is much more than that. We'll like to report that here in this post. This shall, for the time being, a developing post-so come back to it again and again to check whether some new material as appeared or not. The plan is to browse that blog chronologically and report the most overwhelming posts. The same thing needs to be done for Ashrafia but that is quite some stupendous task seeing the huge number of posts there. To begin with here is the present content of the Frequently Viewed Posts gadget there.
- Introduction: An-Noor
- Biography of Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA)
- Tips to Wake up for Fajr
- Q&A: Solutions to Your Spiritual Diseases
- Biography of Hazrat Maulana Shah Abrar-ul-Haq Sahib (RA)
- At the Door of the Beloved
- The Qualities a Shaykh Should Have
- Shajarah of Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (DB)
- The Four Actions
- Sunnats on Entering and Exiting the Toilet
- Six Advices for Performing Good Deed and Avoiding Sins
- Too Much Mental Exertion In One’s Deeds is Not Good
Thank You Thorn, Thank You Rose
Traffic here is not huge.
It can not be-as told by Allah Most High that the people who take heed of Allah's words are few.
Hence every visit counts-it is a blessing of Allah Most High. And on every blessing it is mandatory to thank Him. All Praise is due to Lord Most High for each past and each coming visit. May Allah accept your visits and our efforts merely by His Mercy. The single largest traffic route to Thus Spake Hazrat Shaikh comes via Ashrafia. The second place keeps changing. Usually it is An-Noor. Specially thanks to those of you who have landed up from the blog A Thorn in Rose Garden
that has been included at An Alig's Armchair under title Rose Garden Spirituality.
That was the second largest source of traffic last week for us.
It can not be-as told by Allah Most High that the people who take heed of Allah's words are few.
Hence every visit counts-it is a blessing of Allah Most High. And on every blessing it is mandatory to thank Him. All Praise is due to Lord Most High for each past and each coming visit. May Allah accept your visits and our efforts merely by His Mercy. The single largest traffic route to Thus Spake Hazrat Shaikh comes via Ashrafia. The second place keeps changing. Usually it is An-Noor. Specially thanks to those of you who have landed up from the blog A Thorn in Rose Garden
that has been included at An Alig's Armchair under title Rose Garden Spirituality.
Riyad-us-Saliheen
Riyad-us-Saliheen
Compiled By
Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi
Hat Tip : User Imam Ghazali at Sunni Forum
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
An Spiritual Accident
As you enter the Anona House Complex the small but beautiful Mosque comes to your view rather suddenly because it is covered by the shops in front of it. Few days ago the Seeker entered the Anona House complex
and the Mosque came, as expected, into full view. So did Hazrat Shaikh Damatbarkatuhum as he was coming out of the Mosque after Asr Prayers. Anona House House Asr time is usually fifteen minutes later than the other Mosques and many people make it to the Sitting (Majlis) after Asr Prayers at their usual Mosques. On that day since Hazrat Shaikh (DB) came into full view rather unexpectedly it precipitated into an small accident. The light (noor) that is present on the face of the People of Allah has rather drastic effect on the neurons. (No we are not that much interested in corresponding scientific analysis.) That is what happened that day. Nothing worrisome but very significant. To complete the narration there is one Seeker who is spending lots of time in (optional) Prayers in the Mosque. He too is glowing like radium. A fairy sort of world-we kid you not.
and the Mosque came, as expected, into full view. So did Hazrat Shaikh Damatbarkatuhum as he was coming out of the Mosque after Asr Prayers. Anona House House Asr time is usually fifteen minutes later than the other Mosques and many people make it to the Sitting (Majlis) after Asr Prayers at their usual Mosques. On that day since Hazrat Shaikh (DB) came into full view rather unexpectedly it precipitated into an small accident. The light (noor) that is present on the face of the People of Allah has rather drastic effect on the neurons. (No we are not that much interested in corresponding scientific analysis.) That is what happened that day. Nothing worrisome but very significant. To complete the narration there is one Seeker who is spending lots of time in (optional) Prayers in the Mosque. He too is glowing like radium. A fairy sort of world-we kid you not.
Life of Muslims
That is the book Hayat-ul-Mulimeen by Hazrat Thanwi (RA). A book that, together with Bahishti Zewar, was source of Hope from Allah (SWT) for Hazrat Aqdas (RA). Here are the chapters courtesy Ashrafia Islamic University, Lahore.
Chapter No.2 Acquisition of and imparting Deeni knowledge Revolution of the Ummah
How to rectify this change – How to reform
Chapter No.2 Acquisition of and imparting Deeni knowledge Revolution of the Ummah
How to rectify this change – How to reform
Chapter No.3 Reciting and teaching the Qur’aan Majeed
Chapter No.4 Love for Allah and love for Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam
Chapter No.4 Love for Allah and love for Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam
Chapter No.7 Association with the pious
Chapter No.8 The life of Rasullah Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam
Chapter No.8 The life of Rasullah Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam
Chapter No.21 Dissociation of the heart from the world and constant reflection of the Aakhirah
Chapter No.22 Abstaining from sin
Chapter No.25 The distinguishing characteristics of the nation of IslamChapter No.22 Abstaining from sin
Monday, June 20, 2011
How to Decide the Correct Sect
Muftis' answer is clear that the the seventy third group that will directly go to Jannah is Ahl-e-Sunnah wal Jama'a. See for example here. The trouble starts when you face the ground reality. There are many groups claiming that title. Too many of them are rather aggressive.
See Who Is Talking
Shaikh (RA) wrote in answer to a disciple telling his state of heart:
Who is this Shaikh (RA) having such a humility? It is Hazrat Aqdas Hakim-ul-Ummat Mujaddid-e-Millat Maulana Ashraf Ali Sahab Thanwi (RA).
Source : Ashrafia
It extremely delighted my heart. May Allah give multiple folds increase in blessings and progress. Moreover, by the grace of pious associates (like yourself) may He grant a pleasant end to this invalid writer. I expect this supplication from my friends also.
Who is this Shaikh (RA) having such a humility? It is Hazrat Aqdas Hakim-ul-Ummat Mujaddid-e-Millat Maulana Ashraf Ali Sahab Thanwi (RA).
Source : Ashrafia
Advantage Kashmir
Today Evening Hazrat Shaikh (DB) and Qari Amir Hasan Sahab (DB) left for Delhi on their way to Kashmir for a week long journey. So mabruk to those of you who shall have them for themselves.
During the Maghrib Prayers Qari Sahab (DB) was seen wearing khuffain (leather socks). After Fard Prayers he moved away from the front line to avoid the blast of the desert cooler. Weather is quite hot but precautions by Hazrat Qari Sahab (DB) show that how the reality changes from person to person. These people have diminished themselves so much in the path of Allah (SWT) that even hot weather is to tread with caution. Also he was seen to be struggling for each getting up and sitting down during the Prayers. Others resort to complete sitting in much better health.
Well there are different statures of people.
During the Maghrib Prayers Qari Sahab (DB) was seen wearing khuffain (leather socks). After Fard Prayers he moved away from the front line to avoid the blast of the desert cooler. Weather is quite hot but precautions by Hazrat Qari Sahab (DB) show that how the reality changes from person to person. These people have diminished themselves so much in the path of Allah (SWT) that even hot weather is to tread with caution. Also he was seen to be struggling for each getting up and sitting down during the Prayers. Others resort to complete sitting in much better health.
Well there are different statures of people.
The Peacock Danced in the Jungle
There is an Indian proverb that says that a peacock danced in the jungle-who saw it?
The purport is that if no one saw your action then how would people know that you really did it?
Thus in spite of the fact that display of good deeds is not allowed some actions are to be put in public.
Like the admonitions.
It always gives us a pleasure when sayings of Hazrat Shaikh (DB) are noticed.
Increasing number of viewers is one such indication for us.
People giving links is another indication.
People making their appearance as followers is yet another indication. (We are sorry that we can not display the followers on our panel because two of our followers have put their photographs there.)
So thanks F.F.B.Deen for the link. You are here in our links.
The purport is that if no one saw your action then how would people know that you really did it?
Thus in spite of the fact that display of good deeds is not allowed some actions are to be put in public.
Like the admonitions.
It always gives us a pleasure when sayings of Hazrat Shaikh (DB) are noticed.
Increasing number of viewers is one such indication for us.
People giving links is another indication.
People making their appearance as followers is yet another indication. (We are sorry that we can not display the followers on our panel because two of our followers have put their photographs there.)
So thanks F.F.B.Deen for the link. You are here in our links.
Signs of Allah : Discrete Letters
We are ordained not to be dogmatic about the meanings of Discrete Letters in the beginnings of some of the Surah. This, in the least, makes them mysterious. That is just as well. In most of the places the the Holy Qur'an is as simple as common sense. After all both common sense as well as the Holy Qur'an are from our Lord Most High. This brings us to the question of Godly qualities. There must be something awe inspiring too about Allah (SWT). And something mysterious. There are many names and attributes of Allah (SWT) that have are awe inspiring. In the Holy Qur'an there are the Mysterious Verses and the Discrete Letters too. How the Discrete Letters broke down the curtains between faith and him for an American brother can be read here. An oven fresh story.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Signs of Allah : The Pitcher Plant
Animals usually eat plants. When plants eat animals-even if these are mosquitoes and flies? It is, for sure, a Sign of our Lord Most High. All-Pure is He.
Source : Sunni Forum
Friday, June 17, 2011
Even I Understand That Much
Here is an eye opening event about innovation amidst Sunnah and how the Elders dealt with it.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Shun Terminology
Question : Are the words Constipation (qabz) and Relief (bast) physical or they have spiritual?
Hazrat Shaikh (DB) : Hundred percent spiritual. Even beloved Prophet (PBUH) once said that at a moment of time I felt that I should drop myself from the mountain top. So this might be the condition some time. But one should not get involved in technical terminology. Just remember two things that you have to give up sins and you have to implement Sunnah.
(After Sitting (Majlis) on Thursday, June 16, 2011)
Hazrat Shaikh (DB) : Hundred percent spiritual. Even beloved Prophet (PBUH) once said that at a moment of time I felt that I should drop myself from the mountain top. So this might be the condition some time. But one should not get involved in technical terminology. Just remember two things that you have to give up sins and you have to implement Sunnah.
(After Sitting (Majlis) on Thursday, June 16, 2011)
Our Prayer, Their Prayer
Two units of Prayer by a friend of Allah (SWT) are equivalent to our thousand units. This is because of the difference in the levels of sincerity.
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
Mix Reverence
Recite the Holy Qur'an but it should be done with reverence .
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
Make It Easy For Him
There was some anger in the personality of Hazrat Musa (AS). Because of this Alah (SWT) asked him to talk softly to Pharaoh.
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
The Right Focus
You keep doing your work (of spreading the Religion) and do not worry about the detractors.
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
A Simple Point Regarding Copying
To copy the Companions (RA) does not mean that we should start competing with the. (May Allah (SWT) forgive.)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
The Care in Narration
Every Traditionist ends his narration with how he, Peace be upon him, said (au kama qala alaihi asslatu wassalam.) They are very sensitive to it.
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
Supplication or Curse?
A poet supplicated for a person whose one eye was bad that may Allah make your two eyes similar. If this was said in love then it means that the supplication was for both eyes to be good. In hatred the same supplication will mean that his both eyes be bad. In a similar manner we can not do exegesis of the Holy Qur'an merely by looking at the dictionary.
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
A Futile Exercise
Today we try to get meaning of the Holy Qur'an merely using (an Arabic) Dictionary. Try as hard as you may it is not possible.
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
( In another saying there is a recommendation for using a Qur'anic Dictionary. So start using the latter dictionary but that too has to be done in consultation with a qualified person. One problem that occurs because of self study is the following. One ends up making a personal view of the things said in the book. Now this view may or may not be correct. To give up our views is an extremely difficult task. Once a person has established a personal view then he'll go to any lengths to protect it. This makes self correction very difficult. The solution is not to fall in the pit of personal opinion and start your understanding of the Holy Qur'an in the company of a qualified person. There might be other harms of self study.)
(Sitting (majlis) on Saturday, December 25, 2010)
( In another saying there is a recommendation for using a Qur'anic Dictionary. So start using the latter dictionary but that too has to be done in consultation with a qualified person. One problem that occurs because of self study is the following. One ends up making a personal view of the things said in the book. Now this view may or may not be correct. To give up our views is an extremely difficult task. Once a person has established a personal view then he'll go to any lengths to protect it. This makes self correction very difficult. The solution is not to fall in the pit of personal opinion and start your understanding of the Holy Qur'an in the company of a qualified person. There might be other harms of self study.)
Reverence for Blessed Haram
There was a time when two bottles of kerosene were brought to (Hazrat Wala (RA)'s) room in Haram. To day the rooms are air conditioned. For Muzdalifah people used to take lanterns (hurricane lamp) with them, now you need no such thing. (But the reverence is not the same.) Sitting in Mina people talk of worldly things. In modern times it is difficult to get a few days time out of your schedule and that too, sitting in Haram, you waste in worldly talk.
(After Sitting (Majlis) on Wednesday, June 15, 2011)
(After Sitting (Majlis) on Wednesday, June 15, 2011)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Protect Your Routine
Hazrat Thanwi (RA) said that I do my work according to my routine (m'amool). But if there is even a slight change then the whole schedule of the day gets disturbed.
(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, February 14, 2011)
(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, February 14, 2011)
Attention Offspring
Three things have been said: It is necessary to learn, recite and act upon the Holy Qur'an. Teach these things to your children too.
(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, February 14, 2011)
(Sitting (majlis) on Monday, February 14, 2011)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Gliding Angels
Many scholars from Delhi had come to the sitting (majlis). As usual the scene became of a locality where angles are gliding around. These people have amazing trust (aqeedat).
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Human Weakness
Sometimes one ends up looking for external signals for the inner state-whether one's actions are according to Sunnah or not. A positive signals is soothing and a negative one is that moves the ground beneath our feet. Allah, Lord of Honour, some times gives unexpected blessings. For example when your efforts are appreciated. An email by a friend, well wisher, elder or relative about liking the blog or a post can make your day. Same is true when you find that the blog has been included in blog roll of another blog. That is what was discovered today. A new blog called AThorn in a Rose Garden gave place to both Thus Spake Hazrat Shaikh and An Alig's Armchair. The said blog is about the sayings of Maulana Yunus Patel Sahab (DB). That is solidly within the boundary of the subject matter of blogs thus it is included in the blog roll of An Alig's Armchair.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Medicine for Heart
Thus Spake Hazrat Ibraheem Khawas (RA): Five things work as medicine for heart. (1) To read Qur'an with pondering, (2) To have empty stomach (to eat less), (3) To do tahajjud Prayers, (4) To make very humble supplications in the Morning Prayer and (5) To adopt the company of the pious people.
Source : Ashrafia (Urdu)
Source : Ashrafia (Urdu)