Keeping One's Heart Focused

Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi saheb mentions a method so that one's heart remains focused whilst reciting Qur'aan.

Before one begins recitation, one should think,'If my close family and friends were to ask me to recite Qur'aan before them and I begin reciting Qur'aan so that they may listen, how exactly would I recite? Would I make a big show and recite with tarteel*, or would I recite in any way without paying much attention?'

After this one should ponder, 'Allah Ta'aala has ordered me to recite the Qur'aan and He is listening to me; His pleasure is more necessary than the pleasure of my close ones'.

With this thought, one should begin recitation. If in the midst of recitation one has forgotten this thought, discontinue recitation and refresh the thought in ones mind.

Insha Allah in a few days this feeling shall remain intact.

Adapted from Malfoozat Hakeemul Ummat

vol 12, pg 123

*Tarteel is to recite the Qur'aan in a slow, measured tone.

Note: Jazakumullahu Khairan to those who helped me in translating some Urdu words. Baaraka Allah.

Teeth Shattering Reply

Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi saheb mentions that once an atheist said to Moulana Shah Ismail Shaheed saheb that the keeping of the beard is an extra and useless act. His proof for this was that since a person has no beard at the time of his birth, hence it should be forbidden to keep a beard.

Moulana Shaheed replied, "If that is the case then break your teeth as well."

Moulana Abdul Hayy saheb was there at the time as well, and he responded, "Wah Moulana! What a teeth shattering reply you gave!"

Adapted from Malfoozat Hakeemul Ummat

vol 12, pg 82

Actual Crying is from the Heart

Once a man wrote a letter in which he mentioned that before he went for Hajj, he used to cry a lot; since he had come back, he was no longer able to cry. Due to this change, he was feeling depressed with the thought that perhaps his spiritual self had deteriorated from what it previously was.

Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi saheb replied to this man that there is one kind of crying that is from the eyes; this is not in ones control, and its not being in ones control should not be a source of concern.

The other kind of crying is that from the heart, and this was the kind of crying that the author of the letter was experiencing; his being depressed over lack of tears was proof of this. 

So, in reality there was actually no need to be worried.

Adapted from Malfoozat Hakeemul Ummah 

vol 12, pg 39

"...eliminating the sickness..." - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

"People search for comfort (and pleasure) in the worlds of the Deen. While such comfort does occur, it is only after accomplishment of the work. But people desire to attain this comfort first. Their similitude is that of a sick man who complains of his ill-health. While he wishes for good health, he abstains from medicine.

Health without eliminating the sickness is not possible. The elimination of sickness cannot be effected without medical treatment. However in the affairs of the Deen the intelligence of people has become deranged (because they are reluctant or refuse to adopt correct methods for spiritual reformation and benefit)."

Taken from Malfoozat (Statements and Anecdotes), page 52
Compiled by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa

"...enamored by supernatural displays..." - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

"People who are much enamored by supernatural displays, will be with Dajjal in greater numbers. I have heard this from my seniors. I have also heard that Dajjal will have the appearance of a majzoob. (A majzoob is a saint whose mind appears to be deranged as a result of his total engrossment with Allah's remembrance and love.)

This indicates that haal (a spiritual state) is not sufficient. The vital need (for rectitude) is obedience to the sunnah. those people who's attention is focused only on spiritual/supernatural states while not accepting deen as a requisite for tasawwuf, will find it very difficult to be saved from the traps of Dajjal. Dajjal will do everything, but he will not be able to act in accordance with the sunnah. Only the followers of the sunnah will be safe from Dajjal's trap."

Taken from Malfoozat (Statements and Anecdotes), page 52
Compiled by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa

Sins & Good Intentions? - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

"The hadeeth 'Verily actions are according to intentions' pertains to permissible acts and worship. It does not apply to sins. The hadeeth means that good deeds accompanied by good intentions are acceptable. It does not mean that sins accompanied by good intentions are transformed into virtuous deeds."

Taken from Malfoozat (Statements and Anecdotes), page 48
Compiled by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa

Humility - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

"People say that humility creates disgrace. This is wrong. On the contrary, humility brings about respect. It comes in a hadith, "Whoever adopts humility for the sake of Allah, Allah elevates him"."

Taken from Malfoozat (Statements and Anecdotes), page28

Compiled by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa

Move with Times? Absurd. - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

Here's an interesting something I read today in the Malfooz of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayhi. It reminded me of something Moulana Yunus Patel saheb mentions a lot in his bayans:

1. Mahawl par parho 'La Hawal'! (Read La Hawl upon environment!)
2. Zamana hum ko badal sake ye zamana mein dum naheen; zamana hum se hain, hum zanana se naheen! ((That) Times have the power to change us, this power times do not have; times are from us, (it is) not that we are from times!)

*****

"Judge Akbar Hussain, who was a very wise man, made a wonderful statement.

He said, 'The statement "We should move with the times" is absurd. The times refer to our collective actions which are under our control.

'How then should we become subservient to these?' "

Taken from Malfoozat (Statements and Anecdotes), page 52

Compiled by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa

Written Exams - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

'I am opposed to the system of written examinations which is prevalent in the educational institutes. Great strain and stress are imposed on students by this system. The purpose on examinations is to ascertain the ability of the student. It will therefore, suffice to ascertain whether the student has understood the kitab which he has been taught. 

This fact can be ascertained even if the student is tested orally and the kitab is given to him to look at. Memorizing can be accomplished by revision and teaching. In fact, in most cases, the student forgets what he had memorized during his student days. Such futile memorizing  strains the mind unnecessarily. 

It is sufficient to ascertain if the student possesses the ability to solve the problems in the kitabs by means of his own research. More than this is an exercise in futility.'

Posted as promised for a friend in an exam.

True Obedience - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

'Nowadays the capacity of obedience is no longer to be found among the people. Once Hadhrat Umar (Radhiya Allahu Anhu), while making Tawaaf observed a woman with the disease of leprosy also making Tawaaf. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiya Allahu Anhu) forbade her from making Tawaaf, saying that since her ailment caused inconvenience to others, it was best that she remains at home instead of coming for Tawaaf.

After some days, the lady returned. People informed her of Hadhrat Umar's (Radhiya Allahu Anhu) death and told her not to worry since the one who had forbidden her from Tawaaf was no longer present to debar her. The lady replied: 

"I thought that he was alive, hence I came to plead with him. He is not the type of person one obeys in his presence and disobeys in his absence. He is a man of such caliber that his commands have to be obeyed after his death in the same way as they were obeyed during his lifetime."

So saying, she departed and never again returned to make Tawaaf. Such lofty degree of obedience is no longer found.'

Taken from Malfoozat (Statements and Anecdotes), page 7

Compiled by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa

Verbally Expressable? - From the Malfoozat of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi saheb Rahmatullahi 'Alayh

'Molvi Muhammad Shafi Saheb contemplated the publication of a newspaper. I advised him that if he publishes a paper, it should be entirely Islamic in character. People should be able to say, "This is indeed an Islamic paper." 

The standard by which this can be achieved is to reflect in the light of Shari'i principles. Before deciding on the publication of any material, ascertain by reflection whether it will be permissible to verbally express what is desired to be published. If it is permissible to verbally express the statements, then it will be permissible to print them. If verbal expression is not permissible, printing too will not be permissible.'

Taken from Malfoozat (Statements and Anecdotes), page 4

Compiled by Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa