Quenching A Future Imam's Learning Aspiration
I neither like pride nor have any affinity for such humility in which there is disgrace. I do not house (in this khanqāh) anyone who is haughty, nor does a displayer of false humility find any place here, nor such a person who adopts such humility in which another becomes acquainted of his being selfless. …
[In the talk “Need for Tablīgh”, Maulāna Ashraf ῾Ali Thānvi rehmatullāhi ῾alayh says]
…Let us look at an Ayah which has been used to take proof that no one should propagate dīn until he brings that action into his own life.
لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ . كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَنْ تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ
Why do you say that which you do not do? It is most hateful to Allah that you should say that which you do not do. (61:2-3)
In reality these people have relied on the apparent translation only and have been deceived. They think that the Ayah is saying that an action which one is not doing himself, then he should not tell others to do that act, whereas that is completely incorrect. In order to understand Qurān in proper way we need to keep in mind the Asbāb un Nuzūl1 in mind.
Maulāna Ashraf ῾Ali Thānvi rehmatullāhi ῾alayh replied to a questioner that every Muslim has Nūr ul Imān in him, whether its effects are apparent or not.
In a discourse Maulāna Ashraf Ali Thānvi rehmatullāhi alayh said,
One person has sent a letter that he is indebted and needs an effective wazīfa. I replied that there is no better wazīfa in effect than Dua’.
[quran_taharah] People have stopped asking Allāh. The connection between the slave and Allāh has weakened a lot. The perception of people in this matter is very corrupt, and one thing which is even more harmful than this is when the wazīfa does not work, they start to doubt the ability of the verses of Allāh. This further corrupts ones belief.
[In a discourse Maulāna Ashraf Ali Thānvi rehmatullāhi alayh said,]
I always say that although Kayfiyāt (feelings) and spiritual conditions are pleasurable but they are not the aim (of Tasawwuf), they are nonetheless a catalyst (towards the goal). In order to attain the goal, such pleasures are not necessarily required. Just like no one gets Wajd (condition of being immersed in ones state) in the prescriptions of Hakīm Ajmal Khan Sāheb, it (prescription) is however very helpful.
In an answer to one Maulāna Saheb, Maulāna Ashraf Ali Thānvi rehmatullāhi alayh said that it is not from amongst the statements of Muhaqiqīn (those with the insight) that one should first rid his heart from Mā Siwā’ Allāh (all that is besides Allāh) and thereafter instill Allāh’s remembrance in it. Whosoever believes this is greatly deceived. It is extremely difficult for a heart to be empty of Mā Siwā’ Allāh, and to think otherwise is a grave error.
In a discourse, Maulāna Ashraf Ali Thānvi rehmatullāhi alayh mentioned that idleness is the root of all evil. Shaytān seeks those who are idle to make them involve with his mischief. One old sheikh was walking along with his servant when they saw a man sitting idly on the side of the road. The Sheikh …