How will be my end?

Hazrat Shibli (R) used to say, "O the Lord of Unseen! If I knew what is my status to You? And how would You treat me finally? O the One Who Forgives sins and change the heart! How is going to be my end!"

Then he would recite the following words:

"Oh! Only if I knew how my discussion goes on - is it in positive or negative? Is it with hatred or with praise? By the Lord - Who knows all the secret matters! Oh! if I only knew what would be my situation on the Day of Resurrection? Oh if I knew whether I'll die with belief or with kufr (disbelief)? Do you think whether my request would be accepted or not? Or whether my heart will be broadened? Oh! If I only knew whether I'll enter into Hell or Heaven! You people better stop praising me! Because I know my state quite well."

From 'Nujhatul Basatin" of Hazrat Yafeyi Yamini (R)

Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu anhu)'s Sayings

1. How helpless man is! He doesn't know when death would come. He doesn't know what is in his fate. Even a tiny mosquito is flying after him to bite.

2. Engage yourself in good deeds. If you keep yourself away from good deeds, the field will never be vacant. Allah Tala definitely will make the work done by someone. And in your fate there will remain only distess. (May Allah Tala save me and you!- Ameen)

3. Allah Tala has provided man with knowledge only so that he may pass the arduous test of the Day of Judgment.

4. The level of attaining Pure Character is: Taqwa - Fear of Allah Tala.

5. The heart fetches all the things which eyes see. If eyes do not take lesson from an incident that

provides some teaching, those eyes are ill.

6. Do not judge a person only by one quality; do consider his other characteristics.

7. Social contact is helpful at the time of difficulties.

8. Barakah (blessing) is never closed for a grateful servant. The door of Tawba is never closed for one who always seek forgiveness.

9. Whatever plan may you make regarding yourself, finally that is certainly to take place what Allah Tala wishes (decides for you). Therefore, while accomplishing every task, it is wise to rely on Allah Tala.

10. To forgive is the best revenge.

11. The more a heart becomes greedy, the farther it is from Allah Tala’s faith and reliance.

12. One who cannot guard oneself, he cannot be safe even if he is guarded by others.

13. Until you talk to someone don’t underestimate him.

14. The one who can control anger can accomplish most good deeds.

15. If it is difficult for someone to commit sin, it can be concluded that he is under the special blessing of Allah Tala.

Abu Bakr (Radiallahu anhu)'s Sayings

1. Ibadat is like a profession. Its industry/shop is: Solitude; its capital is Taqwa (refrain from sins in Fear of Allah Tala); its profit is Jannah.

2. After committing sin, Tawba is Wajib (mandatory) . However, refraining from sins is a greater Wajib.

3. Surprising is the ups and downs of time. More surprising is - not taking lesson from the ups and downs taking place in front of our own eyes!

4. Every good deed has its limit. However, Sabr (patience) is such a good deed that is limitless.

5. One who devotes himself in the path of Allah Tala, Allah Tala is enough for him.

6. Enough is the Ilm (Knowledge) attained by a Mu'min (believer) that creates Fear of Allah Tala in mind.

Five Conditions to Enter into the Paradise

Faqih Abu Layees Samarkandi (R) said, one who wants to enter into Jannah (Paradise) must fulfill the following five conditions:

1. Refrain from all sins

The Quran says: "The person who refrains his will from evil vices, his residence would be Jannah" Sura Naziyat: 40-41

2.Be satisfied with little in this world

In one Hadith Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam informed - Certainly the cost of Jannah is to give up dunya (worldly matters)

3. Be very much enthusiastic in accomplishing good deeds

The Quran says: "This Jannah has been rewarded to you for your good deeds" Sura Zukhruf: 72

4. Be in the company of devout

In one Hadith Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam informed - Increase the number of (noble) brothers & friends. Because on the Day of Judgment every (Muslim) brother will advocate his (Muslim) brother.

5. Pray more & more to Allah Tala for Jannah & Khatima bil Khaiyr (Good ending at death)

From Tambihul Gafeleen

Hazrat Lukman Hakeem's Advice

All collected from Maulana Mohiuddin Khan DB's book: 'Kurano Manik - Part 1'

• There is nothing precious than the following deeds: Allah Ta’la’s name at the tongue and bear the frightful situation of Judgment day in heart
• Safeguard the heart in Salat; keep the tongue in limit while speaking; Be vigilant towards the hands while you get angry and be watchful at the stomach while eating.
• By shutting the mouth improve and develop the senses. Don’t be thoughtless when you are quiet.
• While making friendship with someone, see whether his temper is in control when anger arouses. Don’t make friendship with those who lose temper and become imbalanced while getting angry.
• Don’t fear man while accomplishing a deed to satisfy Allah Ta’la.
• Always try to rectify yourself, so that the heart never gets chances to be blemished.
• Among thousands of words select four. Among these four, don’t forget two: one is your Creator and the other is death. And never remember the other two: first, your credits and second, others faults.

Wise Words

(All collected from Maulana Mohiuddin Khan DB's book: 'Kurano Manik - Part 1')

Three things destroy man: Greed, Jealousy and Arrogance.
- Imam Gazzali (R)

Three occasions demand three special things:

i. A hero in the battlefield

ii. A patient man in great difficulty

iii. A brother in danger

- Johar

Three habits fetch all good for a man:

i. Be pleased with Allah Ta’la’s wish

ii. Seek divine support (i.e. pray humbly) of Allah Ta’la in trouble

iii. Be patient in difficulties

- Imam Gazzali (R)

Three are actual wealth:

i. Knowledge

ii. Courtesy

iii. Worship

-Imam Salabi R

Through three things man can achieve the Rahmah of Allah Ta’la:

i. Refrain from sins

ii. Express utmost gratitude

iii. Worship

- Hazrat Ibrahim Adham R

Malfuzat Thanvi R: Part III

Assistance on the path of Allah Ta'la

The main objective of human life is to satisfy Allah Ta'la. And to be successful in this mission, one should walk along a path that is known. And the path is verily defined, that is to obey all the instructions and guidelines from Allah Ta'la.

Two things would help us on this walkway:
a) Remembering Allah Ta'la all the time
b) Spending time as much as possible in the company of pious and devout persons. If it’s not possible due to lack of time, then try to read the mulfuzats (sayings) and biographies of those noble men.

Again two things can hinder and refrain us on this walkway:
a) Committing sins and
b) To keep busy with unnecessary deeds.

The most important task for a traveller (on the path of Allah Ta'la) is to be aware all the time.

Malfuzat - Hazrat Ashraf Ali Thanvi R Part II

A severe audacity
Once a disbeliever (Kafir) asked Hazrat Ali (RA) “Don’t you believe that none can die before the predetermined time of death?” Hazrat Ali (RA) replied “Yes, undoubtedly no one can die before his predetermined time of death.” Then the disbeliever asked Hazrat Ali R to jump off a high-rise building to prove his belief. Then Hazrat Ali (RA) replied: “Certainly I believe that even what you tell me to do would not fetch death if it isn’t fixed for me”. But I won’t do such thing because that will be an act to justify fortune affixed by Allah Ta’la (Taqdir) which indeed is a severe audacity against Allah Ta’la and nothing more.”

Reason for suspicion
It’s often found that general people easily become dubious about a matter. And to end up the suspicion becomes very hard for them. The origin of such suspicion is ignorance and to eradicate it knowledge is the major basis. Therefore, suspicion produced from ignorance can though easily be solved by many; knowledge-based solution is not easy for all.

Words of Worth

These words of Shabbir Ahmed Usmani R bear an important message and therefore regarded to be memorable forever….
“Certainly a good deed draws impression if accomplished in pure intention and in the right way and it creates no argument.”

- Hazrat Taqi Usmani DB (Islahi Khutubat, Translated from Bangla)

Sign of a Strong Believer

Collected from Mawaez of Hazrat Ashraf Ali Thanvi R

In the war of Siffin Hazrat Ali R was sleeping peacefully on his horseback. The situation was such furious in the battle that numerous where beheaded all around. In this terrible situation Hazrat Ali R’s sleep on horseback, whose sword often fell on the ground astonished one individual who asked, “Amirul Mu’mineen! In such danger you soundly sleep?” The answer of Amirul Mu’mineen was:
“The day to die and the day not to die – between these two when shall I escape death? On the day when death is to not come – it will never come. And the day affixed for death cannot be escaped with any precaution.”

Malfuzat - Mufti Muhammad Shafi R: Part I

Collected from the book Malfujat: Mufti Shafi (Rahmutullahi Alaiyhi) by Mohammad Belayat Hossain (A Mureed of Mufti Shafi R)

The sign of Satisfaction of Allah Ta’la
(Hazrat Delivered on 20th August, 1961)
Mufti Shafi R said, his teacher Hazrat Mawlana Azgar Hossain R told, “When a man is provided the ability (tawfiq) of good deeds, or he keeps on performing good deeds, you may conclude that Allah Ta’la is Satisfied with him. Therefore, getting the opportunity of good deeds and performing Ibadat (i.e. worshipping) of Allah Ta’la is to be thought (great) bounty.”
Mufti R said, “Concentrating mind on a good deed is within the ability of man. But to contact mind and soul in Ibadat (worship toward Allah Ta’la) is not within the ability of man; that is the wish of Allah Ta’la.”


Don’t leave a good deed despite small and don’t commit a sin let be how minor it is
(Hazrat Delivered on 9th August, 1964)
Mufti Shafi R said, Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alayihiwasallam said, “Don’t leave a good deed despite of being small, and refrain from committing a sin despite how minor it seems”. Mufti Shafi R said to the present audience, “The enormous good deeds those you perform today are the successors of small good deeds you performed at the earlier stage of your life. Gradually from small good deeds opportunity of performing greater amount of good deeds has come. Similarly, those who are committing major sins today, previously had been habituated to minor ones.” He said, “We shouldn’t leave performing good deeds assuming it to be small, because, often that becomes the reason for salvation. For example: the two incidents of two Mudares (teachers) of Deoband Madrasah. One between them is Mawlana Mahmudul Hasan R, whom one saw in dream after passing away, and asked – how has Allah Ta’la treated you? He answered, when alive – once his wife cooked curry without salt and he didn’t utter any single word regarding the matter to his wife and simply had his meal. Allah Ta’la for such a petty deed had forgiven him and set free.”
Second incident, the second Scholar, while he died none was present – he passed away when he had returned from the wash room. His servant was not beside him. After his death someone asked him in dream, how has Allah Ta’la treated you? He answered, ‘None was present when I passed away. On that regard, Allah Ta’la has forgiven me.’ Allah Ta’la didn’t ask him about any deeds.

Malfuzat - Hazrat Ashraf Ali Thanvi R Part I

These are summaries of selected points from ‘Hakimul Ummater Mazlish’ – published by Emdadia Library Banglabazar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

We express acknowledgment toward the collectors and/or translators of this valuable book – which indeed is a guidance for each an every Ummah provided by the Great Saint Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Rah.

Note: For clear understanding, we had to modify some of the headings. Please note that these are not complete translation, rather only the summaries. Efforts have been made to make the reader understand the message clearly.

Malfuzats: Part I

Do not lag behind in accomplishing good deeds
If there is interest and enthusiasm in us for performing good deed then it is possible for us to accomplish it. Even if you don’t find any interest of performing good deed start doing it, gradually interest and enthusiasm would boost up and this is how accomplishing good deeds become easier.

Whenever our Murshid (Spiritual Mentor) asks us to do something, we should obey it. “We cannot pay attention to work” – is a lame excuse. We only waste time by neglecting to perform our duties.


The deception of satan
If mind desires to accomplish a particular sin several times, then it is an intrigue of the nafs. And if the mind brings in different evil advice each time that is considered to be the stratagem of satan. Because the soul’s desire is self satisfaction and satan always wants to indulge us in sin.


Aimless life
Those who have aims of life, they lead a promising and prosperous life. They don’t have much suspicion and hesitation in life. On the other hand, people who have thousands of questions and possess doubts and suspicions, lead an aimless life and they don’t have an intention to do anything fruitful.

When the Sahabas (Rd) heard Rasulullah (SM) saying something, they would rush to apply it. They would never ask questions such as: What? and Why? They thought and believed it is unnecessary to ask such questions. Indeed, the fear of Allah Ta’la, desire of Jannah and deep love and obedience towards Rasulullah (SM) made it possible for the Sahabas (Rd) to build up an eventful and active life.

Ulamas and Sufis
Comparing Ulamas with Sufis, Hazrat Thanwi (R) gave more importance to the former, in respect of the society. Because, Ulamas are the frontiers for the society. For this reason, he liked the participation of Ulamas in daily activities rather than being isolated from society. He would think that Ulamas should lead their life for spreading knowledge, counsel people giving proper advice and serve the society through writings. This comment of Thanvi R was indeed an opinion in terms of duty and responsibility. Certainly he possessed a great respect towards the Sufis and Sufism.


How should we perform Ibadat
The friends of Allah Ta’ala (WaliAllahs) never exposed their deeds for showing the people, nor did they expose it for any foul purpose. Rather some WaliAllahs would perform deeds in such ways so that none but only Allah Ta’la could know. Some used to render such tasks in front of public, which were outwardly regarded as sin and unruly. However, in reality those were not sins. Through these tasks, they intended not to be popular in public.

In Thanwi (R)’s opinion, mid-standard must be followed in case of performing Ibadat. Everyone should engage in own task and none should pay much attention to exposure and hiding.


The company of the friends of Allah Ta'la (Learn to hate sins, not the sinner)
Those who disobey and violate the rules of Allah Ta’la must be punished by us, and we should express hatred towards their sins. Simultaneously, we must eradicate arrogance from us and express politeness and courtesy towards people. Naturally the question arises – how can these two very opposite things be developed? An example would clarify it. If there is a verdict against a prince and he has to face death penalty, the executioner will never think that he is more respectful than the prince. As we all know that in respect of status, it is not possible for an executioner is equal to a prince. But the executioner has to perform his duty. He has to punish the prince according to the verdict (as the prince has been found guilty). Today, in the same way, we also tell off and scold people for their sins. It is possible (Allah Ta’la may forbid!) – any time we’ll commit such sins! In the court of this world today I am blaming and proving others to be guilty for their deeds, but for my wrongdoings, I might be caught and punished even more severely by Allah Ta’la as a greater sinner in the life hereafter. Therefore, animosity and hatred should not be towards people, rather these are against the sins.


Freedom is a right
For having food, Hazat Thanwi (R) did not like gathering people from different classes together. Because, in such an environment, people only try to comply with formalities. Each gets trapped in the jail of formalities and loses sovereignty. Hazat Thanwi (R) would always assure his freedom beforehand, whenever he had been invited somewhere. Because, in this way, he would not have to do anything unwilling.

Why today less eating and sleeping are not welcomed
Eating less and sleeping less are very important and popular tasks (in terms of sacrifice), which are found in the Sufia-Ekeram’s syllabus of training. This is not exactly any law imposed by Islam and nor it is the purpose or goal. Rather to control the nafs or vices of oneself, and gaining control over the nafs is possible by undergoing such training.

The former people were physically strong and their nafs also had more ability. So they had to undergo training of less eating and sleeping. People today, are very weak. Today eating less and sleeping less are not found effective. To gain the strength of soul, would it be wise to lose the physical strength?