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THE ESSENCE OF NOBLE CHARACTER

 2. It is clear from the Ahaadeeth that the essence of noble character is not to give Takleef (not to trouble, annoy, hinder and inconvenience anyone). A Hadeeth states that one should not remove the staff (stick) of a brother lest he becomes annoyed. This should not be done intentionally or in jest. Due to the annoyance caused, such jest is forbidden.

 ANSWER PROMPTLY

 3. To avoid giving an answer when questioned or to delay the answer causing the questioner the inconvenience of waiting is highly disrespectful.

 CRITERION OF LOVE FOR ALLAH AND HIS RASOOL salallahu alayhi wasallam

 4. Irrespective of the amount of love a Muslim has for his children, he will never tolerate disrespect from them regarding Allah and His Rasool. The father will not be so angered with disrespect shown to himself as he would be angered when disrespect is directed to Allah and His Rasool by his children. Why did the father become so angry if he never had natural love for Rasulullah? (The anger is proof of his natural love for Allah and His Rasool r).         

THE POWER OF TAUBAH – REPENTANCE

5. Even if the whole world is covered in sin, Taubah wipes it all out. Dynamite is small in size but can destroy huge mountains.

COURAGE AND EFFORT

6. A bondsman (of Allah) should build up courage and make effort, Allah Ta’aala will ensure the persons success. When a father sees his child walking ten steps and falling, then due to mercy and compassion he assists the child and takes him into his lap. Just as the father desires the child to make an effort to walk, in the same way Allah wishes to see our effort. But sad to say, we are not prepared to move from our positions. (We are not prepared to make any effort).

7. Nothing is impossible for a person with courage. Courage is cultivated by staying in the company of a Kaamil (an experienced spiritual guide) or by communicating with him.

WAITING FOR PERFECT SERENITY IS FUTILE

8. To wait for total settling of the mind (i.e. complete devotion to Allah) is futile. This is not possible while one is caught up in this world (with its responsibilities and duties). To achieve this, even in a troubled and perplexed condition, start the connection with Allah Ta’aala. Gradually such single-minded devotion will follow. Otherwise life will come to an end (waiting) and complete devotion will not be achieved.

 THE GREATER JIHAAD

 9. There was no other Shaytaan that led Shaytaan (Iblees) astray. His Nafs (carnal desires) led him astray and turned him into Iblees. Overpowering the Nafs holds priority over overpowering the Kuffaar (Non-Muslims). Thus, striving against the Nafs has been referred to as ‘Jihaad-e-Akbar’ i.e. the greater Jihaad.

TRUE CONTENTMENT

10. Happiness and contentment in life is not based on wealth, but on the joy of oneself and the soul (spiritual self). Spiritual happiness is based on the relationship with the Deen and Allah Ta’aala. Thus, a person who has Deen but little material possessions has a pleasant life. On the other hand, without Deen the Dunya (material possessions) also becomes unpleasant.

If a person possessing wealth is seen to be in happiness then it is either because of the portion of Deen that he has in him or the observer has been fooled by the external condition of that person. If his internal condition is investigated, nothing but distress and unhappiness will be found. It is also possible the observer is unaware of the reality of genuine happiness. He (the observer) has taken superficial comfort to be true happiness. The secret is that true happiness and contentment is different and the means of happiness is different. (Do not misunderstand the material means and possessions to be actual happiness).

If those material things which people consider to be the means of happiness are not so, then Wallaah! In reality they are Adhaab – punishment. Allah Ta’aala says in the Qur’aan:

وَلاَ تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَ أَوْلاَدُهُمْ إِنَّمَا يُرِيْدُ اللهُ أَنْ يُّعَذِّبَهُمْ بـِهَا فِى الدُّنْيَا وَ تَزْهَقَ أَنْفُسُهُمْ هُمْ كٰفِرُوْنَ

“And do not let their wealth nor their offspring impress you. Allah’s plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and that their souls shall depart while they are disbelievers.” (Surah Taubah)  

 It is not necessary that a person in possession of the material means of comfort be in actual comfort. Also, it does not necessarily mean a person not in possession of these material things is not happy and contented.

It is the way of Allah to deprive a person from comfort who is neglectful towards the Deen. Neglect towards the Deen results in the destruction of worldly comfort too.

1. The Kalaam of Allah (Qur’aan) is most perfect because the Knowledge of Allah regarding conditions and circumstances is complete.

He is the Possessor of choice, has control over everything and the One who makes everything effective. No attribute or condition overpowers Him. Thus, every law coming from Him will be perfect. Never can His laws be too strict for He is not overpowered by His attribute of Wrath, nor are they absolutely lenient, for He is not overpowered by His attribute of Mercy, but He is the Possessor of choice and is Qahhaar (One who has control over things) and is Raheem and Kareem when He wishes to be.

He is not overpowered or compelled by any attribute. We learn from this that His Kalaam (Qur’aan) and all His laws are free from extremism. This is exactly why it is compulsory for every human to subjugate himself to the Shari’ah. The Shari’ah carries within itself all benefits and wisdom. Experience has proven to us that we become overwhelmed by difficult conditions. This makes it more necessary to follow the Shari’ah of Allah so that we can preserve moderation.

Undoubtedly, there is tremendous moderation in the Shari’ah.

1. A person who fulfills a need of a brother, it is as if he has spent his entire life in the service of Allah.

2. There is no greater Ibaadat (form of worship) by Allah than pleasing another Muslim.

3. The most superior act after Imaan (after accepting Imaan) is to serve the creation.

4. A person who does not respect the elders and is not kind to the younger ones is not from among us. 

5. The greatest cause of (a person’s) Maghfirat (forgiveness) is (presenting to others) a pleasant face and kind words.

6. What you do not prefer for yourself, do not prefer for others.

7. Simplicity is a sign of Imaan.

8. Everything is beneficial for a Mu’min. When goodness reaches him he makes Shukr (expresses gratitude unto Allah). When grief reaches him he adopts Sabr (patience). Both these qualities are commendable.

9. A Mu’min should not remain displeased with his wife. If there is a quality in her that is displeasing, surely there is a quality in her that is pleasing.

10. A person who adopts the middle path (moderation in spending) will not become poverty stricken.

11. Nothing is more harmful to a person than excessive speech (futile speech).

12. First offer to the daughters, then to the sons whatever is purchased from the market place.

13. Someone asked: “What is sin?” The reply given was: “That which the heart dislikes.”

14. When anyone of you has love for a (Muslim) brother, you should inform him that “I have love for you.”

15. O Allah! I admit unto You that if in anger I have said anything uncalled for to any member of my Ummah, or if I have cursed anyone, (after all) I am also human. Like other people, I also become angry. You have sent me as a mercy unto the creation. Therefore, transform my curse into a mercy for that person.

16. Who adopts silence has achieved success.

17. The person who is not grateful unto mankind (for their kindness) is also not grateful unto Allah.

18. Actions are judged according to intentions.

19. The best of actions are those which are done in moderation.

20. The person whose good actions please him and evil actions displease him is a true Mu’min.

*The translation of Malfoozaat below was completed by Maulana Yusuf Laher who generously provided this work to mawaiz-e-ashrafia.com to be posted and be made available for the benefit of the Ummah. The May Allah swt reward him and grant us the ability to act on this knowledge with sincere intentions, inshaAllah.*

IRSHAADAAT/ADVICES OF:

HAKEEMUL UMMAH HADHRAT MOULANA ASHRAF ALI THANWI (Rahmatullaahi Alayh)

 Translated by: Moulana Yusuf Laher

Khaleefah of:   

Aarif Billaah Hadhrat Moulana Shaah Hakeem Mohammed Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)          

FOREWORD

 بِسْمِ اللهِ الرّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

اَلـحَمْدُ لله رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ ، وَ الصَّلاَةُ وَ السَّلاَمُ علٰى أشْرَفِ الـمُرْسَلِيْنَ ، وَ عَلٰى اٰلِه وَ أصْحَابه أجـمَعِيْنَ ، وَ بَعْدُ:  

Hakeemul Ummah Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (رحمة الله عليه) needs no introduction. He is the author of many books including the famous Beheshti Zewar and Bayaanul Qur’aan, a Tafseer of the Qur’aan in Urdu comprising of three volumes. His books have covered all the various sciences of the Deen. His sermons, lectures and advices (Malfoozaat and Irshaadaat) have been transcribed by many. 

This booklet is a translation of one of those transcripts. The original is in the Urdu language under the name: IRSHAADAAT/MALFOOZAAT published by Kutub Khaana Mazhari, Gulshan Iqbal, Karachi, Pakistan.

Irshaad or Malfooz means a statement of advice. I have attempted to give each Irshaad a heading, but do remember there are numerous Irshaadaat which have much more in them than what the heading states.

May Allah grant one and all the guidance to practice on these advices. May He through His Grace accept this effort and bless us with joy and prosperity in both worlds. Aameen.

May Allah fill Hadhrat’s grave with Noor and grant him a lofty status in the hereafter. Aameen.

Sometimes due to certain circumstances it becomes difficult to verbally thank and express gratitude to someone. I hereby take this opportunity to dedicate the Thawaab of this translation to my parents who have reared, educated and supported me in comfort and adversity. I can never repay them nor express adequate gratitude for their kindness. It is only Almighty Allah who can adequately repay them on my behalf. May Allah Ta’aala grant them the full reward of this translation. May He also grant them Maghfirat and eternal pleasure. Aameen.

O reader! I earnestly request you to also constantly remember them in your pious Du’aas. Jazaakumullaah.     

-Translator