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 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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Know that the pledge is Sunnah and not obligatory. This is because the folk took the pledge from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and sought proximity by it with Allah Most High, and there is no evidence indicating that one who foregoes it is a sinner, neither did any of the Imam's rebuke anyone who abstained from it.
Know that the Sunnah of Allah Most High is that affairs which are subtle and hidden in the consciousness are determined by actions...
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Suluk means to constantly keep the parts of the body and the heart occupied in the obedience of Allah Most High. This should be done in accordance with the Shari'ah and the noble Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) to such a degree that it becomes second nature and it is no more a burden to practice on the din (religion).
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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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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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The Shaykh, the Imam, the 'Allama, the Hadith Scholar Rashid Ahmad ibn Hidaya Ahmad ibn Pir Baksh ibn Ghulam Hasan ibn Ghulam 'Ali ibn 'Ali Akbar ibn Qadi Muhammad Aslam al-Ansari al-Hanafi al-Rampuri then al-Gangohi. He was one of the research, learned and accurate 'ulama. In his age, there was none like him in honesty, virtue, trust in Allah, fiqh, nobility, courage at times of danger, firmness in religion and emphasis in adhering to the (Hanafi) school.
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In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, and peace and blessings upon His final Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his Family and Companions. Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanawi needs no introduction. He is the author of many books including the famous Behishti Zewar and Bayan al-Qur'an, a Tafsir of the Qur'an in Urdu comprising of three volumes. His books have covered all the various sciences of the din. His sermons, lectures and advices (malfuzat and irshadat) have been...
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