The First Step..
Hazrat Sahl bin Abdullah Tastari رحمه الله has said that the first step in the journey to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is Tawbah. Tawbah is to be remorseful for sins committed, to be ashamed for evil desires and to substitute sins with good deeds.
Hazrat Sahl bin Abdullah Tastari رحمه الله further qualifies:
- The ability for Tawbah is not acquired without maintaining silence.
- Silence cannot be acquired without seclusion and solitude.
- The aptitude for solitude cannot be attained without Halaal food.
- The capability for consuming Halaal food is not secured without fulfilling the rights of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
- The rights of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله cannot be fulfilled as long as one does not exercise control over the limbs of the body.
- In order to achieve all of this, it is necessary to supplicate to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for tawfeeq (guidance and ability).
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The Unique Love of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for His Creation
Hazrat Sahl bin Abdullah Tastari رحمه الله has stated that not a day passes without Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله calling; “O My servant! You are not just. I remember you while you forget Me. The more I call you unto Me, the further away you flee. I remove calamities from you while you resolve to commit transgressions. O son of Adam! Tomorrow, on the day of Qiyamah, when you are in My Court, how will you account for your injustice?” (المنثور لابن الجوزی ص۲)
Hazrat Sahl bin Abdullah Tastari رحمه الله has further added that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله created man and said; “Confide your secrets in Me. If you are unable, then look at Me. If you are unable, then at least seek your needs from Me.”
(The Saadiqeen)
Reflections
We need to understand that the greatest barrier between Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and man is pride; and the closest way to attain Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is through humility. Furthermore, we need to reflect that we are perpetually experiencing the bounties of Allah Ta’alaجل جلاله. The greatest of His bounties is that the heart is imbued with His remembrance. And yes, there is no sin greater than forgetting Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
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Are We the Searchers of the Aakhirah?
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Maseehullah Khan Sahib رحمه الله has related an incident that happened in Thana Bowan; Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله was delivering a talk when a person arrived. After greetings were exchanged, the person mentioned; “I did not perform my Salaah while I was travelling in the train.”
Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله asked; “Why did you not perform your Salaah?”
The person replied; “The coach was full of Hindus. The thought came to me that if I were to perform Rukú’ and Sajdah in front of them, it must not happen that these people would laugh at me.”
On hearing this Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله became extremely angry and said very tersely; “These people also laugh at our Īmān – so should we also leave aside our Iman?”
The person was asked to leave the Majlis. Hazratjee رحمه الله explained that worldly people do not bother about honour and disgrace in earning the dunya (world). So why should a talibe-akhirah (searcher of the Aakhirah) bother?
When the world is the objective, one travels to various cities in search of items that can be sourced cheaply so that the maximum profit can be attained. The person tolerates all forms of discomfort, sacrifices his sleep and remains unconcerned about his meals. He does not think about the comforts at home but rather consumes himself in efforts towards profit. This is the reality of a seeker of the world.
The seeker of the Aakhirah should feel ashamed when compared to the seeker of the world. The seeker of the world has immersed his body and soul in the desire for profits. As seekers of the Aakhirah, we have to reflect on our temperament and preferences. It will be necessary for us to exert ourselves in actions that will earn the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and not allow ourselves to be distracted. Nor should we allow ourselves to be affected by the opinions of others; our only focus should be the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and emulating the blessed Sunnah.
(For Friends pg.23)
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The Heart of the Ahlullah
An outstanding feature in the life of the Ahlullah is their generosity even in a state of poverty. It has been reported that a thief entered into the house of Hazrat Ahmad Khadrawiyah رحمه الله one night but he found nothing of value to take. As he was about to leave, Hazrat Ahmad Khadrawiyah رحمه الله called him and said; “O young man, make Wudhu and perform Salaah this night. Whatever I shall receive in the morning will be for you so that you do not leave my home empty handed.” The thief complied and engaged in Salaah for the remainder of the night.
In the morning, a man came and handed Hazrat Ahmad Khadrawiyah رحمه الله a gift of a hundred dinars (gold coins). Hazrat رحمه الله said to the thief; “Take this. It is the reward of your night’s Ibaadah.” An amazing spiritual state (haal) overcame the thief. He began to shiver, and he said; “I have indeed lost the path. Just for this night’s Salaah, The Gracious Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله sent this reward for me.” He refused to accept the gold. He repented and became the disciple (mureed) of Hazrat Ahmad Khadrawiyah رحمه الله.
Reflections
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله has shared an amazing perspective. Hazrat رحمه الله said that we need to reflect as to what is the actual agenda of the Ahlullاh? Hazrat رحمه الله then advised us that the only desire of the Ahlullاh رحمهم الله is that the seeker (who comes to them for guidance) becomes successful in this world and the Aakhirah. Hazrat رحمه الله thereafter poses the question; can we get a better well-wisher?
If we still maintain a distance from the Ahlullah رحمهم الله and have an attitude of independence; are we not depriving ourselves? May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله incline our hearts to His special servants so that we may secure our salvation.
آمين يارب العالمين
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The Essence of Humility
The essence of humility is that you do not regard yourself better than any person.
(Shaikh Muhammad Sammak رحمه الله)
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Sense of Reasoning?
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله has mentioned that one adverse effect of transgression is that the wrongdoer’s reasoning is negatively impacted upon. Hazrat رحمه الله has said that reason is made up of inner light, the blemish of wrongdoing causes it to decrease in brilliance. The fact is that wrongdoing is a proof of one’s lack of reason. If one’s reasoning was in order, then how could he possibly do wrong?
Does man not realise that he is in the power of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله the Most High?
Does man not consider that he is living as the property of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ?
Does man choose to remain ignorant that his actions are witnessed and watched over by His Malaikah (angels)?
Does man not realise that he is forbidden from doing wrong by the book of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ?
Does man want to acknowledge the requirements of Iman?
Does man not consider the certainty of death and the ever-lurking shadow of Jahannum?
Does man want to incur loss in this world and the Aakhirah for the fleeting ‘pleasure’ and ‘satisfaction’ of disobedience?
Is it possible that a reasonable man could persist in wrongdoing inspite of all that?
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Deprived of the Supplications of the Angels
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله has mentioned that a severe consequence of disobedience is where one is prevented from having the Malaikah (angels) ask for his forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . It is stated in the Kalaamullah:
“Those who bear the Arsh, and those around it proclaim the praise of their Lord, and believe in Him, and they ask forgiveness for those who believe; ‘O Lord, You embrace everything in mercy and knowledge. Therefore forgive those who have repented, and follow Your way, and guard them against the torment of Hell.'”
(Surah Al-Mu’min: 8)
Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله has stressed that we notice how clearly this verse states that the Malaikah (angels) Q ask forgiveness of their Lord for the Muslims who follow the way laid out for them by Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله the Most High. How will it be possible for the one who refuses to travel that way to receive this blessing?
Can we really afford to be deprived? May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله guide us towards submission and save us from obstinacy.
آمين يارب العالمين