MALFOOZAAT PART 4 OF HADHRAT MOULANA ASHRAF ALI THAANWI (Rahmatullah Alayh) PART 4 Compiled by: Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa P.O Box 3393, Port Elizabeth, 6056 South Africa 0 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 860. INSAANIYAT Reprimanding a Molvi, Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thaanvi (rahmatullah alayh) said: "Should I not reprimand even when an error is committed? Should I maintain silence? If I do so, how will errors be rectified? What then will be the way of reformation (islaah)? Learn insaaniyat (humanity) and abandon bestiality. It is easy to become a buzrug and a wali. But to become an Insaan (human being) is difficult. I desire to administrate this dose into the hearts, but people sulk." 861. MISCHIEF OF THE MULHIDEEN A noble disposition is indeed a wonderful bounty of Allah Ta'ala. Nowadays there is a preponderance of morons. The cause for this lack of understanding is generally an unconcerned attitude. If people think before acting or speaking, the incidence of error will not be so much. 862. MULHIDEEN This is an age of immense mischief. There is an abundance of people who distort the Deen. Mulhideen (atheists) abound in these times. Night and day it is their occupation to interpolate and tamper with the Deen and nibble at the ahkaam (laws of the Shariah). If it was not for Allah's protection, they would have dug up the very foundations of the Deen. They are perpetually engaged in schemes to destroy the Deen. Let them continue with their plots. There are champions of the Deen to confront them. 863. SELFISHNESS Nowadays everyone selfishly thinks only of himself. He is not concerned with others. 864. UBOODIYAT The function of Uboodiyat (enslavement to Allah Ta'ala) is to fulfil service (i.e. ibaadat and obedience) to the best of one's 1 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 ability. Be steadfast on A'maal-e-Matloobah (i.e. the commands of the Shariah). Repent for defects. In this attitude is goodness and safety. This is the state of abdiyat (being the slave of Allah Ta'ala). Normally this state is not attained without severing unnecessary relationships. It is therefore essential to curtail mingling. 865. KHALWAT The meaning of khalwat (seclusion/solitude) is that the heart should not have any relationship other than with Allah Ta'ala. This is the state of peace. However, nowadays, people have converted the heart into a railway station (or airport) where all and sundry mingle whereas the heart is the abode of only One Being (Allah Ta'ala). When the Divine Being has settled in the heart, then every displeasing development appears pleasing. 866. ASSOCIATION Even association with authentic Mashaaikh despoils one's disposition. (i.e. Sitting in the company of different Mashaaikh.) What then is the consequence if the shaikh is an unreliable man? 867. CRITICISM No one is safe from criticism whether he be an Aalim or a jaahil, pious or impious. Ignore what the critics say and do what is right. What is in accordance with the Shariah, execute it regardless of the criticism. Do not transgress the limits. The best goal to pursue is to create a beautiful bond with Allah Ta'ala. Then, whether someone praises or insults, it will be of no significance. Every deed of a man of this status is for the sake of Allah Ta'ala. Such a person is called an Aarif. 868. FALSE CLAIMS The Mashaaikh of this era claim to be Shaikhs (of Tasawwuf). They claim to have a bond of love with Allah Ta'ala. Despite 2 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 these claims their gaze is focused on people to whom they are subservient. 869. WISEMEN The wisemen (of the Deen) said that zulm (oppression) leads to the demise of an empire. 870. ACADEMIC DISCOURSES The Salf-e-Saaliheen did not restrict themselves to academic discourses. They would derive practical benefit from the Qur'aan and Ahaadith. On the other hand, those of later times indulged more in academic exposition of theories. For example, according to the Hadith, Allah Ta'ala descends to the first heaven in the last portion of the night. On the basis of this Hadith the Salf-e-Saaliheen engaged more in worship during this time of the night. They did not indulge in theoretical discussion regarding this Hadith. They were not concerned with the manner of Divine Descent. They did not ask: 'Since Allah is not a physical body, how does he descend?' They were not concerned with theories and abstract arguments. 871. FEAR FOR ALLAH A man spent his entire life as a nabbaash (one who digs open graves at night to steal the kafan). Towards the end of his life he was overtaken by fear for Allah Ta'ala. He instructed his sons that after his death they should incinerate his body and strew the ashes into the sea. His profound fear for Allah's punishment overwhelmed him to order this action. He thought that in this way he would be saved from Allah's punishment. His body reduced to ashes dissolved in the ocean would not be recovered to undergo punishment. After his death, his instructions were carried out. Allah Ta'ala resurrected him and asked: "Why did you do this?" He replied: "O Allah! For Your fear." Allah Ta'ala then forgave him. 3 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 Allah Ta'ala imposes liability on people in proportion to the intelligence He has bestowed to them. This episode reflects the boundless mercy of Allah Ta'ala. 872. BIDATI A person becomes a bid'ati even if he practises one act of bid'ah in the same way as a man becomes a kaafir if he commits just one act of kufr. It is not necessary for a number of acts of bid'ah or kufr to be in him. 873. BE ALERT Always be alert regarding the nafs. Whenever the nafs finds an opportunity, it will most certainly act (to involve one in evil). Even those who have attained moral reformation should not be careless in this regard. However, at least they will be able to apprehend and control the nafs by virtue of knowledge and experience. On the contrary the condition of our nafs is like that of a wild horse out of control. It is therefore necessary to be alert at all times. Carelessness will culminate in deception. How can one become careless regarding a snake? Shaitaan is not as dangerous as the nafs is. 874. SELF OPINION Self-opinion in this path is a notorious bandit and a fatal poison. A man in whom this exists will be totally deprived of benefit. He will not gain any benefit in this Path. The very first step in this path (of moral reformation) is self-annihilation. 875. FEAR OF CRITICISM Nowadays a widely prevalent malady is the fear for criticism. No one should speak ill of me. This malady is called hubb-e- jaah (love for fame). It develops from takabbur (pride). Pride is a destructive disease. Do not be concerned with the criticism of people. Let them say whatever they desire. There is no harm in it. 4 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 876. JAHL In addition to hardness settling on the heart as a consequence of bid'ah, jahl (ignorance) also darkens the heart. Bid'ah completely eliminates Nooraniyat and Roohaaniyat. The effect of bid'ah is the elimination of intelligence. Therefore, when they are admonished, they resort to vilification. They are the enemies of the Auliya. They are bereft of respect. 877. MISCHIEF OF BID’ATIS In bygone times at least bid'atis would engage in some Thikrullah. But, today they flagrantly indulge in fisq and fujoor (immorality). Their nufoos (plural of nafs) are clogged with mischief. They are the worshippers of lust and pleasure. They are audaciously proud of their irreligiousness. Music, singing and association with young lads and prostitutes have become their salient features. Night and day they indulge in these immoralities at the mazaars (graves) of the buzrugs. They disgrace the buzrugs and cause distress to them. They are the enemies and the opponents of the buzrugs. They deceive the Makhlooq (people) of Allah and disgrace Tasawwuf and the people of Tasawwuf. 878. THE ENEMIES FROM WITHIN This is the age in which Fitnah is in the form of ilhaad and zindaqah. Besides the open enemies of Islam, there are numerous enemies lurking within (the Muslim nation) pretending to be the friends of Islam. From within they give effect to their plots. Their plots come within the purview of the aayat: "Verily, their plots are such that even mountains will be eliminated." However, Allah Ta'ala has given the assurance: "Verily, We have revealed the Thikr (the Deen), and most certainly We are its Protectors." Accordingly, Allah Ta'ala has created a group to defend His Deen. In this regard, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "There will ever remain a group in my Ummah 5 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 who will be aided on the Haqq until the Day of Qiyaamah." Thus Allah Ta'ala establishes the Ulama-e-Haqq to neutralize all the clamour and deception of the people of baatil. The reformers and so-called friends of Islam of this age are in reality enemies of Islam whose salient feature is to mutilate the ahkaam (laws) of Islam. 879. WAZAAIF Nowadays wazaaif and auraad are equated to buzrugi (sainthood). It is believed that a great achievement has been accomplished by fulfilling the wazaaif and auraad prescribed by the shaikh. (Wazaaif is the plural of wazeefah and auraad is the plural of wird. These are forms of thikr which the shaikh prescribes for mureeds. In this age, the objective of Tasawwuf is ignorantly believed to be wazaaif and auraad.) The sheikhs (spiritual guides) of this age have corrupted the mureeds. Even the Mashaaikh abstain from instructing the mureeds in the sphere of islaah of the nafs. They only teach wazaaif and auraad. They ask about kaifiyaat (spiritual experiences). Did you see anything? Has any yearning developed in the heart or not? All these are in fact states of the nafs. While in some instances these kaifiyaat are praiseworthy, they are not the objective. All these kaifiyaat are transitory impressions which are not commanded by the Shariah. Even some kuffaar experience such states. Yogis attain these states by way of their spiritual exercises. 880. SPIRITUAL PERFECTION Spiritual perfection is proportionate to Tashabbuh (emulation/resemblance) with Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The greater the emulation of the Sunnah, the greater the degree of perfection. Absorption (in some spiritual state) is not a criterion of perfection. 6 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 881. THE DUNYA (WORLD) Engrossment in the dunya – in worldly pursuits – ruin even one's physical health and beauty. The spiritual destruction is even greater. However, due to desensitization people are imperceptive. At the time of Maut this spiritual paralysis will be cured and the ruin and destruction will become vivid. The less the relationship with the dunya, the more peace and tranquillity will one experience. The people of the dunya are deprived of this treasure. Even if they experience it partially, it is contaminated and imperfect. 882. BARKAT OF THE SUNNAH Hadhrat Maulana Fazlur Rahmaan Gunj Muradabaadi (rahmatullah alayh) was generally in the state of jazb (a spiritual state of absorption in divine love). Once a leper (one who has the disease of leprosy) came to visit him. The people of the locality maintained their distance from him. Hadhrat Fazlur Rahmaan invited the leper to have meals with him. After he had meals, the leper was cured. Hadhrat commented: 'Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had also invited a leper to eat with him. By virtue of the barkat of the Sunnah, the leper was cured.' 883. NISBAT AND AMAL (Nisbat-e-Baatini is a close spiritual relationship with Allah Ta'ala. Amal in the context of this discussion refers to spiritual remedies and prescriptions) Once a man who was sitting in the company of Hadhrat Fazlur Rahmaan Gunj Muradabaadi (rahmatullah alayh) thought to himself: 'Hadhrat must be having some sort of an amal to subjugate the hearts of people, hence so many people incline to him.' As this thought was going through the person's mind, Hadhrat Fazlur Rahmaan commented: "Taubah! Taubah! Do you not know that amal extinguishes Nisbat-e-Baatini?" 7 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 884. HARJ (HARDSHIP) Once a man said to Hadhrat Maulana Fazlur Rahmaan Gunj Muradabaadi (rahmatullah alayh): “Hadhrat, there is great harj in Imaam Abu Hanifah's fatwa pertaining to a Mafqoodul Khabr." (Mafqoodul Khabr is a husband who has gone missing and his whereabouts are unknown. According to Imaam Abu Hanifah, the wife has to wait a lifetime in anticipation of his return. The marriage cannot be annulled.) Hadhrat Fazlur Rahmaan responded: "Yes, there is great harj. The mas'alah of Jihad is in the Qur'aan. There is greater harj in Jihad. You may excise it also from the Qur'aan." 885. DIFFERENT DISPOSITIONS The Auliya are of a variety of dispositions. In some Tawaadhu' (Humility) is overwhelming; in some Shafqat (Affection); in some Rahmat (Mercy); in some Jamaal (Tenderness), and in some Jalaal (awesomeness). None may be criticized. These dispositions are not voluntary acquisitions. (These are the natural dispositions which are inherent in the Auliya). 886. SHUKR UNTO ALLAH I am grateful to Allah. It is His favour (Ihsaan) that considerable (Deeni) work has been accomplished. For ages there will be no need, and when the need arises, Allah Ta'ala will harness in one of His servants (to guard His Deen). No one can be proud of his accomplishment. It is only by His grace and kindness that He appoints someone to undertake the work of the Deen. Yes, I am most happy that He has bestowed the ability, courage and strength to execute the obligation. What is there in the existence of man? Nothing! 887. DEPLETION OF TAQWA Taqwa and Tahaarat have decreased in every group whether it be the Ulama or the Buzrugs, whether Zaahid or Aabid. There 8 MALFOOZAAT PART 4 is a great dearth of these attributes nowadays. There is no longer Ihtiyaat (caution). Just look at the irregularities of Ulama in the matter of funds, barring a few. Similarly, those who claim to be durwaish and sufi. They utilize amaliyaat to subjugate the hearts of people, and devour the wealth of people. This is just like a bandit who snatches the wealth of people by robbery and banditry. Since there is a depletion of Taqwa and Tahaarat nowadays, there is no barkat in either Deeni or worldly projects. This depletion has culminated in the increase of nahoosat (misfortune), hence goodness and barkat have terminated. 888. SERVANTS Generally the wealthy show no respect for servants. They treat them with considerable humiliation, and exceed the limits. However, there are exceptions. Everyone is not the same. 889. 'MUJTAHIDS' LIKE RAIN-FROGS Nowadays, like rain-frogs, numerous 'mujtahids' have mushroomed. Their outstanding feature is to mutilate and distort the ahkaam (laws) of the Deen. This is their occupation night and day. They have made the ahkaam of Islam a target for practice. They expend their entire intellectual ability to nibble at the Deen. Undoubtedly, these claimants of Islam cause greater harm to Islam and the Ummah than aliens (the kuffaar). These people (the modernist zindeeqs) masquerading as 'friends' of Islam and Muslims are in reality enemies. Under guise of Islam, they engage in the destruction of the Deen and the Ummah. While they conspire to destroy the Deen, they are in fact destroying themselves. Islam will remain pure forever. They say that they understand the Qur'aan and Hadith better than the Ulama. On the basis of this corrupt understanding they interpolate and transmogrify the Shariah. The changes they wrought in the meanings and concepts of Islam are worse than the changes which a total ignoramus effects in the text of the 9