What is Taqwa?

Arif Billah Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahab(Damat Barakatuhum) explain about Taqwa in His book 'Life of Piety' that:
Allah did not mention taqwa first. He first mentioned the fact that He created the ability to sin within man. Now it is your duty not to fulfill the urge to sin. This will create taqwa (piety) in you. If you want to obtain piety, then all you have to do is abstain from sin. Achieve Reward without Doing any Work.The owners of factories first make their employees work and then reward them. But in this case, Allah is granting reward for not doing any work. Do not steal, speak lies and do not look at women. By not doing these things, you will be rewarded with piety and Allah’s friendship. What is taqwa? Taqwa is when you have the urge to sin but you abstain due to the fear of Allah. Then you must endure the pain and not regret adopting piety. Do not say, "I wish I should have looked at least once."Remember that it is shaytan’s ploy to make you regret. One who regrets has an undeveloped heart and his Iman is weak. Iman will be complete when he abstains from sin, endures grief, thanks Allah and becomes ecstatic with joy.


Taken from Life of Piety

It is as if You..... (Salallahu Alaihy Wasallam)

"My eyes have not seen anyone more handsome than You.
nor has any women given birth to anyone more beautiful than You.

You have been created free from all faults
it is as if You have been created as You desire."

Hassan Ibn Thabit

Remembrance of Allah

Qutub e ‘alam Shaykh al-mashaikh Mawlana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (Allah have mercy on him) wrote,

‘The remembrance of Allah (dhikr) is such a thing that if done consistently even with (non-volitional) unawareness, random thoughts, stress of worldly involvements merely with the movement of tongue then also it is beneficial and illuminates the qalb (heart).’

Madhmoon e dhikr, Majmua’ Talefat e Muslih al-Ummat ra, volume 3, page 6

Throne of Honour

O All-Knowing, You opened my heart to the way of supplication. 
Yearning for Your love is glorious and grand;
lust for other love is disgraceful and corrupt.
Your divine court is the infinite plane.
I leave behind the throne of honor,
for the real throne of honor is Your way.


Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A)

Read ! Oh Mu'minah

Read Oh Mu’minah, read the Qur’an
Read and ponder over the message from Ar-Rahmaan.
Educated is she who recognises her Lord and His infinite mercy,
Intelligent is she who submits to His wishes in total humility.

In the Qur’an He did not forget to mention you,
Apparent His love in His elevating you.
Created you from the rib of man, close to his heart,
To be loved and cherished, and not left to be perished.

Read and know about Aasia, wife of the cruel Fir’own,
She preferred torture and death and a house close to her Lord.
Fruits sent down from Heaven, for Mariam, mother of Isaa
Comforted and inspired to save her child was mother of Musaa.

Know how Khowla’s anxiety was removed,
And A’isha’s purity and sanctity proved,
Verses of the Qur’an, sent down in mercy,
A means of protection for women till eternity.

Know that just as acceptance was granted to Ibrahim’s Ramee,
So it was to Hajra’s Sa’ee
Is Hajj complete without the stoning,
And did not the Prophet, the Sahaba and the Awliya have to do the running?

And just as Ahadith was narrated by Abu Hurairah,
So it was by A’isha, Asma and Hafsah.
And if there was born the likes of Hasan Al Basri,
Then who can deny the high status of Raabiyah?

If man will reap the reward of his worship and bear punishment for his inequity,
Then woman too will do so equally,
And if man can reach great heights, then you too are not denied,
So struggle and strive and free yourself, you are not confined.

The freedom of the West is nothing but imaginary
Posing half naked and following the fashions is in actual fact slavery.
So don’t be foolish and be left behind, Oh Mu’minah,
Become in reality a devoted and true Muslimah!


 T aken from Sunni Forum by UmmiTalib

Turning away from Pointless Talk

Allah Ta'la says in Quran :


قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ,الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ,وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِمُعْرِضُونَ  (Muminoon verses 1-3)
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّا وا كِرَامً (Surah Furqan verse72)
وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا اللَّغْوَ أَعْرَضُوا عَنْهُ  (Surah Qasas verse 55)


"Successful are the believers, who are humble in their prayers, and who turn away from pointless talk, [23:1-3] and: Those who do not bear witness to what is false, but when they pass by pointless talk, pass by with dignity, [25:72] and: When they hear pointless talk, they turn away from it." [28:55]

“Pointless talk” [laghw] is speech which is futile and irrelevant, and bears no relation to any true purpose. It brings no benefit to the one who utters it, and may well bring him misfortune instead.

 Hazrat Ali (ra) related that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is part of a man’s sound practice of Islam that he leave alone that which is of no concern to him.” [At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

Dhu’l-Nun said, “Whoever loves Allah lives truly, and whoever inclines to anything else damages his mind. A foolish man comes and goes, paying attention to what is nothing, while the intelligent man inspects his own thoughts scrupulously.”

Sunnats of Jumaah

Sunnats of Jumaah  by Shaikh ul Arab Wal Ajam, Arif Billah Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (db)

1. To take a bath.  (Bukhari , Tirmidhi , Ibne Majah)

2. To wear nice and clean clothes. (Abu Dawood, Chapter of Ghusal on the day of Jumu’ah)

3. To proceed early to the Masjid.(Tirmidhi ,Ibne Majah)

4. To go to the Masjid on foot. (Ibne Majah)

5. To try to sit as close as possible to the Imaam. (Ibne Majah , Tirmidhi)

6. If the Saffs (rows) are already filled, one should not jump over the shoulders of the musallies in order to get to the front.(Abu Dawood)

7. One should not do any futile action eg. one should not fiddle with one’s clothes or fingers. (Ibne Majah)

8. To listen to the Khutba attentively. (Tirmidhi ,Ibne Majah)

9. The person who recites Surah Kahaf on Friday will be bestowed with a Noor( Spiritual light) from under the Arsh (The Throne of Allah Ta’ala) which will extend from the earth till the sky and will benefit him in the darkness of the Day of Qiyaamah. All his (minor) sins which he had committed from the previous Jumu’ah up to this Jumu’ah will be forgiven. (Behishti Zewar)

10. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihy Wassallam) is reported to have said, “Recite Durood upon me in abundance on the day of Jumua’h since they are presented to me.” (Ibne Majah)

11. On the day of Jumua’h it is Sunnat to apply oil to the hair and to use itr or any other sweet smelling fragrance. (Bukhari)

Source :Beautiful Sunnats of Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihy Wasallam) 

Anguish of Love

One day my ship will also cast (its) anchor

One day we will passionately see Makkah and Madinah.

Although the mine of love is in every heart,

However it cannot be discovered without blood and sweat.

Good God! These blossoming springs of ebullition of love,

My bosom feels like a river of fire.

O tears of repentance! May I be sacrificed over Your favours,

This treasure of mercy has rained upon a sinner.

The condition (of success) is (some) kind attention of the men of love,

Otherwise this gem of love cannot be had.

Akhtar! I do agree, that there are calamities in the path of love,

But through His grace, Sakinah and Tranquility descends as well.

Taken from Ma- arif e Mathnavi

Beneficial Knowledge

Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (Allah (SWT) have mercy on him) said,
“Beneficial knowledge is [knowledge] that increases your fear of God Most High, improves your ability to discern the faults of your ego, makes you more cognizant of how to worship your Lord, reduces your desire for this world, increases your longing for the next world, and opens your spiritual insight to the disastrous defects of your actions so you can avoid them.
It discloses to you the plots and delusions of the Devil and how he misleads the scholars who have gone astray until he exposes them to the hatred and anger of God Most High, for they have used religion to purchase this world, taken knowledge as a means to gain the wealth of sultans, to consume the wealth of religious endowments, the poor, and the needy, and turned their energies throughout the day to the acquisition of prestige and high standing in the hearts of people, which forces them to show off their good deeds, to argue, and to be quarrelsome and ostentatious when they speak.” [Imam Ghazali, Bidayat al-Hidaya]

Impotane of Durood

Allah Ta'la says in Quran( surah Al Azab verse 56)
        

        "Innal llaha wa Malaa'ikatahu Yu salluna allan nabiyi. Ya           Ayyuhal lazeena aamanu sallu alaihi wasallimu tasleema. "

"Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). O you who believe! Send Blessings (Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with worthy Salutation"

Durood (Salam upon Nabi e Pak Sallallahu Alaihy Wasallam ) is the surest way to attain Love and pleasure of Allah and Nabi e Pak( Sallallahu Alaihy wassalam)It is truly a blessing from Allah ta'la as any other good deed  have the possibility of being  rejected in court of Allah Ta"la but Salaam upon Huzoor e pak Salla lahu Alaihy Wasallam is always accepted,so we should be regular in sending Salaam upon our beloved prophet Sallallahu Alaihy Wasallam.When Allah Ta'al Himself and Angles send durood upon beloved prophetSallallahu Alaihy Wassalam then why should we deprived of such a bounty of Allah Ta"la.

The Heart is Allah's House

Arif Billah Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar sahab(Damat Barakathum) in his book'Connection With Allah Ta'la' says:
Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullah Alaihy)
had mentioned that a person will never achieve a close link with Allah until his heart is totally detachedfrom this perishable and material world. There is only ONE heart: You either give itto Allah Ta’ala or you give it to the temporary world.Once in a gathering, in which Hazratwala (Damat Barakathum) was also present, 
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Saheb (Rahmatullah Alaihy)
said: "It is permissible to keep 
Dunya 
(material world) in one's hand,and even in one's pocket, but not in one's heart. The heart is Allah's house." 
Hazrat Khawajah Saheb (Rahmatullah Alaihy)
used to say

O Majzub! Remove the thoughts of beauties from your heart,The House of Allah is not the place for keeping idols (temporary beauties).

If the love-of worldly things enter the heart, then this heart of dust has been ruined and wasted on dust (since all material things originate from dust and end up asdust). If on the other hand, the love of Allah enters this heart of dust, then it will become valuable. 

Source Connection With Allah Ta'la

Be awake,Be a seeker

 If your heart isn't yet illumined
Be awake always, be a seeker of the
heart,
Be at war continually with your carnal soul.
But if your
heart is already awakened,
Sleep peacefully, sleep in the arms of
Love.

Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.)

Empty the heart for Allah

Following is the story of Hakeemul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Rahmatullah Alaihy that i listened in one of bayan of Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar sahab (Damat Barakatuhum) and happened to read  it today somewhere showing how Allah walay keep their heart engrossed in love for Allah:


Hadhrat Mufti Shafi Saheb (rah) says that once while he was walking with Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rah) to his house, Hadhrat Thanwi took out a pencil and piece of paper; from this we can deduce it to be a practice of the Ahlullah. Hakeemul Ummat after all is our spiritual grandfather, why then do we not adopt his practice? Let us also keep pen and paper nearby. Hadhrat took out pencil and paper, wrote something down and replaced it in his pocket. He then addressed Mufti Shafi Saheb,
“Mufti Saheb, what have I just done?”
Hazrat Mufti Saheb replied,
“Hadhrat you took out pencil and paper, jotted down something and replaced it in your pocket.”
Hadhrat Thanwi (rah) then drew Mufti Saheb’s attention to and pointed out the wisdom of his action, he said,
“Something was repeatedly coming to mind and the apprehension that I may forget it caused my heart to be totally absorbed by it.”
“Having written it down, I have removed the weight that bore so heavily on my heart, vacating my heart for Allah.”

Ways of developing love for Allah

 Shaykh Ibn al-Qayyim (rah) says: “The reason which cause muhabbah (love) of Allaah to develop, are :

First: Reciting the Qur’aan, reflecting and understanding its meaning and its intent.

Second: Drawing closer to Allaah – the Most High – through optional deeds, after fulfilling the obligatory duties.

Third: Being continuous in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah, with the tongue, the heart and the limbs – under all circumstances. The more continuant the dhikr, the more muhabbah develops and intensifies.

Fourth: Giving precedence to what Allaah loves over personal loves, when being overcome by desires.

Fifth: Contemplating and deliberating over the Names and Attributes of Allaah.

Sixth: Recognizing and remembering the favors and bounties of Allaah – both manifest and hidden.

Seventh: To be humble and submissive before Allaah – and this is the greatest matter.

Eighth: To be in seclusion reciting the Qur’aan, during that time in which Allaah descends to the lowest heaven (which is the last third of every night), finishing this recitation with seeking Allaah’s forgiveness and repenting to Him.

Ninth: To sit in the gatherings of the true and sincere lovers of Allaah, reaping the fruits of their speech, and not to speak except if there is benefit in it and that you know that such talk will increase you in goodness and that it will benefit others as well.

Tenth: To stay clear of all those causes which distances the heart from Allaah – the Mighty and Majestic.

 These are the reasons which cause the person to develop true love for Allaah and to reach the rank of al-muhabbah, by which he reaches his Beloved.

The Bounty of becoming a Friend of Allah

 In one of his bayan Hazrat Mawlana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Damat Barakatuhum) commenced his discourse by relating a recent incident of a scholar who came from Rangoon which is located in Burma. Hazrat wala (DB) said: “He came from Burma, Rangoon, from a lengthy distance. This is the real thirst. All of you people live in Karachi and deem it difficult to come here. Where is Rangoon and where is Karachi? Rangoon is in
Burma.” In other words, look at the distance between Rangoon and Karachi.
“Is attaining the friendship of Allah an ordinary gift? If one has a connection with an ordinary police inspector or a or a senior government official, then people proudly boast about the connection they share with such and such person. Then what would one say about a person who has a connection with Allah Ta’ala? Who is greater than Allah? No one is greater than Allah, He is the Greatest. In turn, a connection with
Allah Ta’ala is the greatest gift, but to attain a connection with Allah Ta’ala one must have Taqwa.”
Allah Ta’ala has said, “None is My friend except those who are muttaqi (God Fearing),” those who are fearful of Allah Ta’ala and protect themselves from all sins. This is why it is very important to leave sin.Leaving sin is the base of attaining the friendship of Allah. If one does not leave sin, then one will be stuck in a state of sinning until one dies, and will face Allah Ta’ala in that state, as a sinner.
Therefore my friends fear Allah. While fearing Allah do not displease Allah regardless of how much struggle one may have to endure. Do not displease Allah Ta’ala even for a single moment whether the nature of the sin is minor or major. Allah Ta’ala is the Greatest, a minor sin is also considered a grave sin to the One that is the Greatest.

Circle of Love

In the Name of Allah Most-Compassionate, Most-Merciful

Dua is the weapon of believer.It is such a powerful tool that Allah Subhanwa Ta'ala provides us,So lets take the advantage of such beautiful blessing of Allah Ta'la in attaining His love.

Following is the Beautiful dua taught by our Beloved Prophet( Sallallahu Alaihy Wasallam)

The Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu `alayhi wa salam) said to Muadh ibn Jabal (radi Allahu `anhu):

I love you! So never leave this du`a’ after every prayer:

Allahumma a’inni ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibadatika.

Oh Allah help me in remembering You, in offering gratitude to You, and in worshiping You beautifully.

[Hadith book of Abu Dawud | 002: 1517]

This became known as the Circle of Love hadith, as when Muadh taught the du`a’ to others he first said “I love you! So do not [stop] saying…” and they would tell those who came after them, “We love you! So do not [stop] saying this du`a’…”

Another Beautiful duaa taught is:

Allahumma inni asaluka hubaka,

Wa hubbaman ya hibuka,

Wal amal al-ladhi bel leghuni hubbaka,

Allahumma ja’al hubbaka a-habba alay-yai,

Min nafsi, wa-ahli,wa minal barrid.

Translation


O Allah I ask You for Your Love,
And the love of those whom You Love,
And the actions that will cause me to attain unto Your Love,
O Allah make Your love more beloved,
to me than myself, my family and even from cold water. (At-Tirmidhi)


Those who are on path of seeking love of Beloved Allah Ta'la should recite this dua with sincerity and enthusiasm. May Allah Ta'la blessed us with His love and love of Beloved Prohpet (sallallahu Alaihy wasallam) and make us his sincere slave Ameen !!