Summary of Tassawuff

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Related by Hazrat Maulana Maseeh-ul-ummat (RA) one month before his death
By Hazrat Maulana Abdur-Rauf Soofi (UK)

Hazrat (RA) said, “I don’t even have the strength to move the tongue, feeling very weak. It is very difficult for me to even speak, but I will say a few things.”

· Listen carefully, continue all good deeds with steadfastness and continuity along with Husne-Khulq and Husne-Kalam. Continue to establish prayers, fasting along with Sunnah and Mustahabat (according to health and circumstances). Continue Dhik’r and Qur’an according to the free time (available to you) and the circumstances.

· Continue to read (Books of Deen). Hazrat Thanwi’s (RA) “Shariat wa Tariqat” and Imam Ghizali’s (RA) “Tableegh-e-Deen” (translation) should be kept under study. Hazrat Thanwi (RA) used to ask ulema to read these books, and used to stress the need for them to stick to these books.

· In addition, also study “Bayanul Qur’an” (Tafseer of Hazrat Thanwi (RA). Stay away from sins and doubtful matters as stated in the Hadeeth of Sahih Bukhari , “Halal is manifest and Haram is manifest, and in between are doubtful matters.” And to stay away from doubtful matters is “Taqwa”.

· Husne-Kalam is to speak politely and with a soft tone, and Husne-Khulq is to have “Hilm” which means that whenever something happens (which is against one’s nature and temperament) then to let it pass (handle it) with Husne-Kalam, like Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an, “Whereever you hear such talk, then let it pass.”

· Don’t say things and don’t sit at places which may become a source for people to level accusations towards you. The words in the Hadeeth are not to avoid accusations, but to avoid the places and conversations, which generate accusations.

· Hazrat Thanwi (RA) used to say there are two words “Dehan” (concentration) and “Duhn” (obsession). Dehan is to have concentrate towards Allah (SWT) at all times, and Dhun is to obsessed with the correction of the Nafs (Tazkiya-e-Nafs). These two are very strange things, keep acting on these two, and stay away from matters pertaining to others.

· Excessive Dhik’r should be practised in a manner that the tongue is engaged in Dhik’r while the heart is engaged in thanking Allah (SWT) for the taufeeq of the tongue to perform this Dhik’r. Keep your transactions clean.

These are the things that I say as a wassiyyat (parting advice), even though I don’t have the strength but due to the Mercy of Allah (SWT) I was able to do this wassiyyat.

The next day after Fajar Hazrat (RA) again stressed the need to continue good deeds (with steadfastness) while engaged in Husne-Kalam and Husne-Khulq.

Whenever you encounter something which is against your nature and temperament then deal with it with Husne-Kalam and Husne-Khulq or by staying quiet. Then Hazrat (RA) said, “verily Husne-Khulq is indeed big”.

Nabi (pbuh) said to the Sahaba, “Shall I inform you of something which is better then praying (the whole night) and fasting (during the day) for a year?. Sahaba asked what is it Ya Rasool-ullah (pbuh)? Rasool-ullah (pbuh) replied “Husne Khulq” it is indeed big, and then added Shall I tell you of something bigger then it?. Sahaba thought! What could be even bigger then that? Nabi (pbuh) said, to treat your wife with kindness because often things are encountered (with the wife) which are against one’s nature and temperament”.

Similarly our relatives, friends, and even enemies should be treated with Husne-Khulq.

Thus to consistently perform good deeds with Husne Khulq and Husne Kalam and with love and devotion. To stay away from evil (bad) deeds with hatred in the heart against them. And to have a tongue engaged in Dhik’r and a heart engaged in Shkr (Thanking Allah (SWT)). Obsession of Tazkiya-e-Nafs and Islah (correction of the Nafs) and Dehan (concentration) on Allah (SWT) is the summary of Tassawuff, its essence. Continue to act on these things, and this was the saying of my Murshid Hazrat Thanwi (RA).