Saiyedul Istegfar: Meaning in English

In Hadith it is stated, "One who will recite Saiyedul Istegfar (the Istegfar which has been entitled as Saiyed - Leader of Istegfar) with sincerity once at daytime and at night, will enter into Paradise if s/he passes away in that day or night. (Bukhari)

O Allah! You are my Sustainer. Without You there is none to worship. You are the One Who created me. I am your slave. I rely on Your promises with utmost efforts. I seek refuge to You from self degradation. I admit all Your Bounties on me. I confess my sins. Therefore, forgive me! None is there who can forgive sins without You. (Ameen))

Tawheed - Solution of Life: Part II

Imam Gazzali (R) has explained the concept of Tawheed with an example. He told that a man blamed the sword - you have killed me. Sword replied - What had I to do? I was in the hand. Blame the hand. Then the man told the hand (which was holding the sword), you have killed me. Hand exclaimed and said - How can I do so? I had no strength! It was the willingness who controlled me and directed me to fight. The man then accused willingness. Willingness defended by saying, I was instigated and ispired by the Heart. The heart told the man that I am in the control of someone else.

"The Heart of man is between the Two Fingers of Allah Tala (is contolled by Him)"

This is the reality, which is the purpose of Tawheed in terms of good deed. Whan someone achieves this level of Tawheed, neither does he dare to flatter others, nor does he care other people. He doesn't fear anyone except Allah Tala. The greed of wealth cannot influence him. He doesn't even fear death. Sheykh Sadi (R) has explained in this way:

"Under the foot of Mua'h-hid (One who as achieved Tawheed to satisfactory level)

Let go abundance of wealth;

Or let he be crowned with humiliation & disgrace

He will never - in any condition expect from man;

Do never ever forget this piece of teaching of Tawheed"

The one who attains the Makam (level) of Tawheed will not only comprehend, rather with his very naked eyes he will see that if the whole world wants to provide help to me, without Allah Tala's command that is NOT possible. On the other hand, if the whole world intends to harm me, without Allah Tala's wish it is NOT possible. Therefore, why should I be afraid of anyone? Why should I flatter others? Why should I be greedy? Therefore his fear is to none but Allah Tala. He never bestow his head in front of any being or thing, but Allah Tala. He excepts from none, but Allah Tala. He therefore is busy how to develop a strong bond with Allah Tala. And his slogan is:

"Know Allah Tala One, Read Him One, See Him One and Search Him One and only One."

Now the question comes, how will this level be attained(?)

In belief, all Muslims do posses the concept of Tawheed. However, as the sight is on the things, which outwardly express reasons, there is doubt in the belief mixed. Imam Gazzali (R) has provided an example of this suspension. About a dead body everyone knows and believes that it has nothing to do, completely incapable to do anything. People firmly belief that it cannot move its limbs. However, people fear to sleep with the dead body on the same bed. This fear doesn't imply that they don't believe in the death or incapability of the corpse. But an inner suspension fetch worries in them. In this way Muslims who haven't attained the level of Tawheed, admits the incapablity of things. But their hearts don't have the strength to completely and definitely defend the suspensions surrounding regarding 'doing of the matter'. Because eyes view 'things doing'. Heart is not strong enough to make understand - Doer is NOT the thing. If someone can attain this strength that things don't possess power, he will attain the level of Tawheed which is the discussion point.

The strength of Heart can be attained by various deep meditation. When man rests his eyes on the happening of this world, he can veiw how the plans and programs of men shatter. Gradually, the cloud of suspension drives away from the heart. The Aqida (Belief & Concept) of Tawheed takes place in heart and it finally becomes a habit. However, if this deep meditation is accomplished by the guide of a Spiritual Mentor then the later can save the person from all sorts of violation in works and thoughts.

Violation in the concept of Tawheed needs to be explained within two points.

First point is, though the Creator of all good and evil is none, but Allah Tala, and though all the happiness and sorrow both are from Allah Tala, still there is a conduct of approach while referring to these. The smallest of good should be related to Allah Tala, while the smallest of bad should not be related to Allah Tala.

Allah Tala states: "The door of Rahmah (Bounty) which Allah Tala opens for someone, others are incapable of closing it; the thing which He closes, without Him, none is its Opener." Sura Fatir: 2

In this Verse, there is a noticable point. It is, with 'opening' - the word Rahmah has been mentioned. However, with 'closing' - only 'the thing' has been mentioned, without any further explanation. Here in this Verse is a teaching, i.e. it is not the conduct to relate Allah Tala with closing of Rahmah. In addition, there is information that if anything in this universe apparantly seems contrary to Rahmah, it will be for good for all.

Hazrat Ibrahim (AM) has followed the mentioned conduct. He used to relate all the goods with Allah Tala. For instance, he used to say, Allah Tala has provided Hidayat to me. He is the One who provides food and clothing to me. He also says: "When I become ill, he recovers me from illness." Sura Ash-Shuwara: 80

Ibrahim (AM) has clearly related 'being ill' to ownself. But related Allah Tala whicle talking of recovery.

Hazrat Khijir (AM) has followed the same rule. He says, "And Allah Tala wished they reach their youth and retain the treasure." Sura Kahf: 82

He has related the good to Allah Tala.

However, when Hazrat Khijir (AM) made hole under the boat of the orphans, he stated, "I wished to damage the boat." Sura Kahf: 79

He related damage to himself.

For this reason, the Fuqaha has written a Ruling - if someone calls Allah Tala only the Creator of dogs and swines, the individual will become a kafir (nonbeliever).

Second point is, though the Doer of every activity in this universe is solely Allah Tala, still the Shariah hasn't completely ignored the discussion of things and means. Allah Tala has affixed some responsiblities to those. Because, definitely Allah Tala is the Doer and the Doer has set the thing to accomplish a task. For this reason if someone is providing support then it is mandetory that the one getting service and support should express gratitude towards the first. Ulama for this reason advise to preserve and take care of the papers, because papers are means to Knowledge.

To what extent should we keep notice to these means and in which cases there should not be any sort of noticing things, the difference between these need to be observed carefully by the Seeker, who wants to attain Tawheed in terms of deed. Practically a Spiritual Mentor will guide the Seeker along this path.

Tawheed - Solution of Life: Part I

Mufti Shafi Saheb (R) - A Star indeed. Allah Tala has blessed us through his works. This extract is one very valuable piece from 'Dil ki Dunya' a must read book for the Seeker of Right Path.

(Note: Anyone reading this part must not miss Part II for clear understanding of Tawheed. Any question regarding such matter must be clarified from Spiritual Mentor or Ulama)

"Know Allah Tala One, Read Him One, See Him One and Search Him One and only One..."

The inner values of man, which have been prescribed essential, amongst those - Tawheed is a major one. To believe in One Allah Tala and match nothing to Him is the foundation of Iman (belief). In Ilm-e Tasawuf, Tawheed has been elaborated much more deeply. It states that the Tawheed which had been achieved conceptually or at a level of belief must be practiced in good deeds in such manner that it becomes human habit. It means, when the believer views the happening of this world he firmly believes that whatever is happening is by the command of Allah Tala. Without His command not a single molecule can turn. At the level of belief every Muslim knows and accepts it. However, in every situation of life where will and woe comes by turn, this very belief doesn't seem to be arouse in mind always. For this reason, when there is means through which happiness or sorrow enters in life, man seem to relate that means with the happiness or sorrow coming. But reality of Tawheed (which is Tawheed in terms of good deed) is - always wake up in heart the actual cause of happenings (i.e. Only Allah Tala's command is the source of all happenings), as if you are seeing it. A devout says in this regard,

"Through your heart if you see the doing of Allah Tala that is Tawheed, only the bearing of witness through tongue is not sufficient."

When man views that behind every occurrence of this world there is One Allah Tala's Hand, man doesn't care to become friendly or inimical to others. Because his firm belief is happiness or sorrow whatever is coming in my life is from Allah Tala. The thing which can be seen as cause is only the means.

"Animosity of enemies and intimacy of friends all are from Allah Tala
Indeed the hearts are in the Hand of Allah Tala."

In Hadit it is stated, when something occurred which was against will, instead of expressing any sort of complain, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam just used to say, "What Allah Tala desired has happened, what He won't desire will not happen."

Fact is that, to relieve the heart at the moment of sorrow and pain, this is indeed the best treatment ever found!

To be continued Inshallah

If Allah Tala decides to Honor

At the time of Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) there was a young man who possessed the quality of advising right and forbidding wrong. Once this young man made an adverse comment about the Khalifa. Being informed the Khalifa immediately arrested him and put him in a room where there was no provision of air and light, in view the individual be punished severely. After five days one man informed Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) that he saw the very young man in a garden quite freely wandering about and that he is no more a captive.

Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) again ordered to arrest the young man. When he was brought in front of the Khalifa, Khalifa asked him, "Who freed you?" The young man answered, "The one who entered me into the garden." Khalifa asked, "Who entered you into the garden?" The young man answered, "The one who made me captive." Khalifa said, "Your words seem very astonishing to me(?)" Instantly the young man replied, "Which task of Allah Tala is NOT astonishing to you?" Hearing this reply of the young man, Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) started shedding tears.

Then Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) ordered his men to take this man and mount him on horseback; give him a round across the city; ahead of his horse - let an announcer announce: "Allah Tala has honored this guy; Khalifa Harunur Rashid desired to dishonor and degrade him, however, the Khalifa has failded to do so. Finally he is bound to honor him." (From 'Nujhatul Basatin')

Unlock your heart's door today

O Allah! Unlock the doors of our hearts by Your Rememberance (Zikr) and provide us ability to enjoy Your complete Bounties and provide us Your Full Blessings (Rahmah) and always keep us amongst Your noble servants!

-From Munajate Makbool of Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R)
The e-book in English with Arabic (Munajate Makbool) is available in the site: http://islamibayanaat.com/EnglishLiterature.htm Download all the ebooks from this site and READ and BUILD UP A LIFE OF MUSLIM!

Note:
Every Muslim should have this book, and every Muslim should read the Duas in it -
Hazrat Thanvi (R) has gathered Supplications of Quran and Hadith in this valuable book.