Ibn al-Qayyim writes in Madarij al-Salikin (vol.2, p.464): Section — from among the stations of, “It is you who we worship and it is you from who we seek aid,” (4:1) there is the station of knowledge (‘ilm). If this station does not accompany the salik from the first step that he places in the path until the last, then his suluk will be on another path; the path of connecting to Allah (wusul) is cut off from him, the paths of guidance are...
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Imam Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim is known for his depth in the matters and intricacies of Tasawwuf, his great book Madarij al-Salikin bears testimony to this. I shall, insha Allah, soon quote some important sections of his precious words in relation to some beneficial and well-researched discussions pertaining to a collection of matters relating to Tasawwuf.
Prior to this, I wish to quote two short biographies of Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim -- the first by Hafiz Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali and the second by Professor Muhammad Musallam al-Ghunaymi,...
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Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh held a “Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhab Week” in which all of the shaykh’s writings were distributed in twelve volumes. Through the grace of Allah, I studied each volume page by page and never came across any place in which Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhab criticises, refutes or rejects Tasawwuf or any one of the Sufi shaykhs on account of his Tasawwuf. These books are easily available and sold in markets and bookstores; it is possible...
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Shaykh al-Islam Mawlana Husayn Ahmad Madani (may Allah enlighten his resting place) has also stressed in his letters that the original purpose of Suluk is ihsan. In one epistle he writes, "My respected one. The original purpose of Suluk is ihsan -- 'that you worship Allah as if you are seeing him' (Al-Hadith). In other words an ingrained ability should develop in the salik and this should be at the beginning. As to the end, then that...
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It has been mentioned above that Sayyiduna Jibril (may Allah grant him peace) asked the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), "What is ihsan?" The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, "Ihsan is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing him..." Tariqah in reality is another name for ihsan, or the way to acquire the quality of ihsan. It is this that is called Tasawwuf and Suluk, or name it what you wish -- these...
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A person who spends his time in pursuing futile things will never be inclined towards the necessary things. This is proven through experience. If someone fears that if he becomes pious (muttaqi), he will lose out on the worldly pleasures, then I say; "Make the intention that I do not want to become pious. However, for the sake of Allah spend some time in the company of the 'ulama and the masha'ikh and understand the din. The result of this will be that you...
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A collection of letters between three leading 'ulama detailing the need and importance of establishing gatherings of dhikr in madrasahs. Consisting of letters between the Grand Mufti of Pakistan Mufti Muhammad Shafi', Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi and Muhaddith al-'Asr Mawlana Sayyid Muhammad Yusuf Binnori (may Allah enlighten their graves).
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By Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi
Ease comes after effort: Nowadays this has become a common malady, people first desire ease and then they will start the work. The law is first start the work and ease will follow. Cause of hope and despair: Sin has the characteristic of cultivating hopelessness and despair in a person and pious actions cultivate hope and optimism.
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After the Sunnah salam ; it should be noted that you are permitted to take baya’ (pledge). Whoever intends to give pledge, you should with a fully content heart take baya’ and provide further instructions. Do not approach this work with affectation (takalluf) and do not let any opposing devilish insinuations (wasawis) or thoughts (khawatir) take root in your heart.
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It is also called the exercise (shughal) of Rabitah, Barzakh and Wasta (see Ta'lim al-Din); to the mashayikh of Tasawwuf it is a very important exercise. The mashayikh have written many benefits of this. Some seniors said it is unconditionally (mutlaqan) impermissible. According to this slave, this is incorrect, as Tasawwur al-Shaykh is understood from many hadiths. Because of this, I have not understood why some have deemed it unconditionally impermissible.
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