The sterling advice of Faqihul Ummah Hazrath Mufti Mahmood
Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) has helped thousands of people to overcome many
problems and difficulties — especially in the line of Islahun Nafs
(inner-self reformation). Hereunder is a reply to a letter seeking guidance.
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: Respected Mufti Saheb! Assalamu Alaikum Whenever I notice anybody doing something against the Shariah, such as swearing, etc., I immediately begin despising the person. My nafs then says to me: "You are much better than him. Others beside you are all despicable." I humbly request Hazrath to help me remedy this situation. REPLY: BISMIHI TA’ALA Respected Brother! Assalamu Alaikum To despise a person upon observing him committing a sin is itself a serious crime (only the sin should be despised — never despise the person). At such a time one should consider his own sins. He should address himself thus: " There are numerous vices in me which I am fully aware of. How absolutely despicable I have become due to these sins! On the day of Qiyamah, I will be questioned about my own sins, not about the vices of others. Allah Ta’ala says: "You are not responsible for what I (Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) do and I am not responsible for what you do." To despise anyone is a sin on its own — and a very serious one too. It is NOT a trivial matter. Allah Ta’ala will question me on the day of Judgement: "If my servants committed any wrong, what right did you have to despise them?" (What will I then answer?)" Ponder over this regularly. Insha-Allah, you will benefit from it. (Maktubaat v.1, p.96)
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: (The letter was not published. Apparently it seems that the writer complained about much dispute between the people he works with. The reply contains valuable advice in this regard.) REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother Assalamu Alaikum .....Every person should at all times look towards his own shortcomings and make an effort towards self reformation. Become blind to the shortcomings of others. The person who looks towards his own shortcomings and is blind towards the faults of others has been praised in the Ahadith. However, pride is a great obstacle in this regard. It prevents one from recognising one’s faults. Pride always engages one in looking for the faults of others. May Allah Ta’ala save us from this serious malady. Always control your tongue and do not quarrel or dispute with anyone. Study the works of Hazrath Hakimul Ummah and strive to act upon it. If you mould your life according to his advice, Insha-Allah success will be at hand... (Maktubaat v.1, p.28)
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Mufti Saheb! Assalamu Alaikum Please show me the way of refraining from all sins. I also wish to know how one should develop the enthusiasm for performing Ibaadat, rid oneself from all evils and be inclined to do good. I am teaching in a little Madrasah. Make dua that I be granted sincerity. REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother! Assalamu Alaikum ...Sit in solitude and perform muraqabah (meditate) over the following aayah: "Alam ya’lam bi an-nal laha yaraa" (Translation — Does he not know that verily Allah is watching). Sit and meditate over this as long as possible. Thereafter, while you are busy in your work, every little while recite this aayah and ponder over its meaning. Allah Ta’ala will grant you much benefit by it. Read about the lives of the pious and narrate them to others as well. Sit in the company of the pious. Time permitting go in Jamaat for 40 days. When one has a good environment, one’s actions and character also improve. ...May Allah Ta’ala grant you progress in serving His Deen and bless you with sincerity and steadfastness. Aameen. (Maktubaat v.1, p.68)
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: Hazrath Mufti Saheb I cannot protect my eyes (from sin). Please advise me on how to overcome this malady. REPLY: Beloved Brother Allah Ta’ala has created natural means for the protection of the eyes from all sin. With every eye Allah Ta’ala has created two shutters — one at the top and another at the bottom. When one’s sight falls in the wrong place, immediately close both these shutters. There is also another means of uprooting this disease (of gazing at ghair mahrams — women with whom marriage is permissible). Sit in solitude, close your eyes and recite the following verse: "Does he not know that verily Allah is watching" (the Arabic should be recited — Surah 96 Verse 14). While reciting this verse ponder over the following: "If I am in the presence of my father, Ustaad or spiritual mentor and a strange woman (ghair mahram) had to pass, would I look at her ? Most definitely not. How can I then look at any woman in the presence of Allah Who is watching at all times." Practice this for ten minutes every day. Over and above that whenever you get the opportunity ponder over this until it becomes firmly embedded in the heart. May Allah Ta’ala help you. (Maktoobat Faqihul Ummah V.1 pg. 42)
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: Hazrath Mufti Saheb I am suffering from a (spiritual) illness. Whenever anybody belittles or humiliates me, I become enraged. Please remedy this weakness in me. REPLY: Beloved Brother The remedy is extremely easy provided that you have the courage. Whenever anybody belittles or humiliates you, immediately ponder thus: " I have committed various other sins. My character is also poor. I carry much impurity within my body all the time. Hence if somebody belittles or humiliates me, SO WHAT? He has not even come close to the reality (of my evils). Furthermore, whatever happens in this world is first sanctioned from above (by Allah Ta’ala). Only then does it become apparent here. My being humiliated was also sanctioned from above, hence it has occured. Why then do I become angry ??? Besides this, whatever occurrence upsets me takes place as a compensation for my sins. I should therefore be grateful to the one humiliating me that as a result of this my sins are being forgiven." (Maktoobat Faqihul Ummah V.1 pg. 53)
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LETTER: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Mufti Saheb Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah ... I am in a terrible state. It seems as if some darkness has engulfed my heart. Daily I recite the kalimah 100 times in the morning and evening but yet I find no effect upon me. I am punctual with my salaah, but it is without life and soul. I think I am the worst of all people. As a result I feel absolutely despondent...Please make dua for me that I should be granted death on Imaan. ... SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah ...Do not ever become despondent due to your present circumstances. ...It is the grace of Allah Ta’ala that he has opened up the reality in front of you. You have not been left in the misconception that afflicts many people that they regard themselves as great and as being people of high status whereas in reality they are nothing. May Allah Ta’ala save us from this malady. Remember this well that a person will only gain salvation due to the mercy of Allah Ta’ala. No person will gain salvation on the basis of his actions. Sometimes a person does numerous good deeds, but then suddenly pride develops within him. Due to his numerous good deeds he regards himself as worthy of Jannah. However, due to the evil of his pride he becomes deprived of all the good actions and eventually becomes worthy of punishment. Allah Ta’ala has saved you from this serious malady. For that you should be grateful to Him. Sometimes a person who has spent 70 years of his life upon kufr,. is finally granted Imaan and thus he goes to Jannah. It also happens that a person spends 70 years of his life on Imaan but then due to pride he is deprived of this great wealth and ends up in Jahannam. Hence no person can ever be proud of his actions and rely upon them while becoming totally unconcerned about the punishment of Allah Ta’ala. To the extent that one regards himself as lowly and worthless, to that extent will one become worthy of the forgiveness and mercy of Allah Ta’ala. Ponder in solitude over this that Allah Ta’ala has created you as a human being, not as some snake or scorpion, etc. He has saved you from kufr and shirk. He grants you the ability to take His name daily. He permits you to stand in His presence and perform salaah. Insha-Allah He will protect you in the Hereafter as well. It is incorrect to despair of His mercy.. May Allah Ta’ala help you. (Maktoobaat, vol.1: pg.80)
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LETTER: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Mufti Saheb! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah ... You had advised me to meditate upon death. I have not yet understood how to do this. Please explain it to me. SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah ... When you lie down upon your bed at night, imagine it to be the last moments of your life. Hence repent and seek forgiveness for all your sins. Thereafter imagine that your life is actually leaving you. You are then being given ghusal and your body is being wrapped in the kafn (shroud). Thereafter your salaatul janaazah is being performed and you are being lowered into your grave. In the grave you are being faced with the questions of Munkar and Nakeer (the two angels who question the deceased in the grave). In short, ponder over the aspects that will follow after death until you fall asleep. When you wake up the next morning, regard it as an extension in your life that Allah Ta’ala has granted you. This extension in life is also to enable you to prepare for death. Therefore do not perpetrate any such action which you will find difficult to answer for (on the day of judgement). Also during the course of the day with everything that you do, regard it as the last day of your life until it is finally night. At night repeat the same process. (Maktoobaat - pg. 50) NB. In the ahadith Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has exhorted the Ummah to remember death excessively. The above prescription is to induce that required awareness of death. While this particular method of developing the awareness of death can be practiced by anybody, it is best if one takes advice in this regard from a spiritual guide. Considering one’s personal condition, the guide may prescribe some other method for one.
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Mufti Saheb! From the time I have taken bay'at on your hands until the present time, I do not yet. find any. significant change in my condition. I make all attempts to refrain from the forbidden things but due to my human weakness I still commit such actions. For instance my gaze sometimes falls on a strange women as a result of which evil thoughts continue to pester me, though I do not act upon the dictates of those thoughts. I also try to create the fear of Allah Ta'ala and His Rasul (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in my heart and attempt to perform my salaah with khushoo' and khudoo' (humility and devotion) but I have not been successful in this either. Kindly advise me with regard to the above. One more malady which plagues me is anger. I simply cannot tolerate the faults of others Please guide me in this matter. SUMMARY OF REPLY: Respected Brother! The one who treads the path of righteousness and strives to attain the same, Allah Ta'ala does not allow the efforts of such a person to go in vain even though he may not see the fruits of his efforts immediately. Allah Ta'ala declares: "Verily Allah does not allow the efforts of those who do good to go in vain" (Surah Tawba)- Evil thoughts creeping into the mind is something beyond one's control. Do not pay any attention to them (i.e. ignore such thoughts and then turn your attention to something else). This is similar to the case of a person who is going to the Musjid. While on his way he hears the braying of a donkey. This is something beyond his control. However an intelligent person will pay no attention to the braying of the donkey. He will continue on his way- Thus there is no accountability for such thoughts that come into the heart involuntarily (and they are ignored), Nevertheless may Allah Ta'ala grant you salvation from this as well. When anger overcomes you, immediately drink cold water. If you are standing, sit down, If you are sitting, recline. Busy yourself with some other work. This is the immediate treatment. The long term treatment is to sit in solitude and ponder over the following: The one whom I become angered with, I did not create him nor did I grant him his eyes nose, hands, legs and all his other limbs. I did not grant him his health or his sustenance. Yet upon a trivial worldly matter I become angry with him.. If Allah Ta'ala, the Being who created me and granted me everything had to become angry with me, what would be my condition? Was Salaam (Maktoobaat)
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: Respected Mufti Saheb! As Salaamu Alaikum Kindly explain what is "Riya" and "Ujub." SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta'ala Respected Brother As Salaamu Alaikum Riya (ostentation) means to perform any act of worship for anyone other than Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala detests riya since it tantamounts to shirk (ascribing partners with Allah Ta'ala). On the day of Qiyamah Allah Ta'ala will announce: I detest shirk. Therefore the one who has ascribed any partner with me in any ibadah, he should seek the reward for the same from the partner that he ascribed to me. Therefore one should reflect that, for instance, one performs salaah to obtain the grace of Allah Ta'ala. He adopts full humility and devotion so that Allah Ta'ala may be pleased. However, if riya creeps into this action and he begins to perform it for somebody else, all his efforts are gone in vain. Besides, on the day of qiyamah it will be announced regarding him that he was involved in riya. Then he will face great humiliation and disgrace and he will find his book of good deeds to be empty. Ujub (vanity) refers to the condition where a person thinks good of his actions or his opinions (i.e. he regards himself to be a very worthy and capable person in thought and deeds). When such thoughts come to mind, one should reflect upon one's sins and think thus: "I have committed so many sins hence how can I be elated about myself. If my sins had to be exposed, how despised and disgraced I will be among the people." Sit in solitude and ponder over this. Insha Allah one will be freed from riya and ujub. May Allah Ta'ala cleanse us from these maladies. Aameen.
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Summary of letter: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Mufti Saheb! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah 1. I am trying to give up smoking but I do not seem to be able to give it up? 2. Previously in my ignorance I had photographs taken of myself. Some of these are in my possession while some are in the possession of others. What should I do with those photographs? 3. I always over-eat. How can I stop this? SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah 1. To give up your habit of smoking adopt the following procedure: Immediately cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke daily by a quarter. After one week cut it down by another quarter. In this manner each week reduce it by quarter. Insha-Allah you will then manage to give up this habit. 2. Burn the photographs that you have in your possession. Also acquire those photographs which are in the possession of others and burn them. If they refuse to give it to you, buy it from them and burn them. 3. Fix the amount that you require to eat before hand and eat that much only. Do not eat to your full. One should stop eating when just a little hunger is still left. Was Salaam (Maktoobaat vol.1)
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CAUSES OF SPIRITUAL RETROGRESSION SUMMARY OF LETTER: Bismihi Ta'ala Respected Mufti Saheb! As Salaamu Alaikum I do not have the enthusiasm and eagerness to do any work (and to complete my Tasbeehs, Tilaawat, etc.). I am forever in a state of uneasiness. Shaitaani thoughts and inclinations continue to bother me. Please advise me how to overcome this situation. SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother! As Salaamu Alaikum Generally there are three reasons for such a condition overcoming a person: (1) Inappropriate company — The condition described could be as a result of adopting the company of such people who themselves are not inclined towards Zikr, Islaah, etc. (2) Consuming Haraam — Often due to a person consuming what was acquired in a Haraam manner, he is afflicted with this condition. (3) Sins — A person is sometimes overcome by this problem due to having sinned. Ponder deeply as to what the reason is in your case. Having determined the reason, remedy it immediately. Thereafter take a bath, perform two Rakaats of Salaatul Tawbah and remain on the Musallah for a long time making Istighfaar and repenting with utmost humility. Beseech Allah Ta’ala not to deprive you of taking his pure name and to forgive your sins. Having done this commence with your Ma’mulaat (daily devotional practices of Zikr, Tilaawat, etc.). The day you do not manage to fulfil your Ma’mulaat on time, delay your meals until you complete it. May Allah Ta’ala grant you Tawfeeq and constancy. Was Salaam (Maktoobaat pg.86)
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TRUE LOVE FOR RASULULLAH (PBUH) SUMMARY OF LETTER: BISMIHI TA'ALA Respected Mufti Saheb! Assalamu AlaIkum Warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu How can one generate the true natural love for Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) within oneself? SUMMARY OF REPLY: BISMIHI TA'ALA Respected Brother! Assalamu AlaIkum Warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu One of the companions of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was Hazrath Anas (R.A.). He was only ten years old when his mother left him in the service of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). He served Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) for ten years. He loved his master dearly and Allah Ta'ala's Rasul (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) also loved him dearly. Once Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to him: "O my beloved son! If it is possible that you could commence the day or night in such a condition that your heart is free of malice for anyone, then do so!" (i.e. you should definitely try to acquire this). Thereafter Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "This (keeping the heart clean of any malice) is from my Sunnah. The one who loves my Sunnah has indeed loved me. The one who loves me will be with me in Jannah." This clearly indicates to us how to acquire the true love of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). By loving the Sunnats of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and practicing upon them one's love for him will increase. (An-Noor: Ramadhaan 1416)
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Mufti Saheb! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu I have become entrapped in an illicit affair. This has resulted in much problems for me. Kindly show me a way out of this problem. SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu Be absolutely certain that nothing is achieved without courage. You will have to pluck the courage to get out of your predicament irrespective of how agonising and difficult it may be on your nafs. If indeed you wish to come out of this predicament, firstly distance yourself physically from the person whom you have fallen in illicit love with (there should be no chance of meeting or seeing one another - translator). In the last part of the night engage in the zikr. The method of the zikr is this: When saying turn the head towards the right shoulder while imagining that one has taken out of the heart all forms of impermissible love and thrown it behind one. While bringing the head forward towards the heart and imagine that the love of Allah Ta’ala has been embedded in your heart. After this make zikr of one thousand times with the thought that the love of Allah Ta’ala has now been firmly established in your heart. It is extremely important that you should disassociate yourself from the person in such a manner as if you never heard or thought of him/her. Never correspond with the person in any way. May Allah Ta’ala remove you from this predicament. (NB: With regard to the zikr, one should consult one’s own Shaikh. Different amounts of zikr are prescribed to different people due to their varying conditions - translator).
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SUMMARY OF LETTER: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Mufti Saheb! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu The writer explained that his enemies have put him into great problems and difficulties, to the extent that they even resorted to having sihr (black magic) done upon him. He then requested some wazifa of such a nature that as soon as he begins to read it, he would see his enemies being disgraced and humiliated. He also requested permission to recite the "Manzil" published by Sheikhul Hadith Moulana Zakaria (R.A.) to counter the effects of the sihr upon him. SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu I was greatly disturbed upon hearing of your plight. The recitation of the "Manzil" published by Hazrath Sheikhul Hadith (R.A.) is very beneficial and has proven to be effective. It has been the practice of the Akabireen to recite it. Hazrath Shah Waliullah (R.A.) has also written about its great effect. You may also recite it for your own protection and the protection of your family. However the purpose must be to obtain the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and to be safe from the evil of one’s enemies. This has always been the way of our pious predecessors. They did not like to see their enemies being disgraced and humiliated. Rather they stopped people from trying to disgrace their enemies. Do you want to take all the revenge of the sufferings your enemies have given you in this world? It is better that you forgive them in this world. As a result in the Hereafter you will gain such great benefit in return that you cannot even imagine in this world. (Tarbiyatut Taalibeen pg.196) The "Manzil" is a compilation of various aayats of the Qur’an and other duas. Its recitation has a tremendous effect in countering the effects of sihr, jinns, etc.
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OTHERS The letter below was a request for advice with regards to a personal problem. Due to the great number of such letters received, this letter is being published for general benefit. Respected Mufti Saheb ... I am now living with my in-laws and life has become very difficult. My husband is very unfair to me. He cares more for his mother and sisters while I get the ‘back seat’ for everything. I am treated like dirt while he thinks the world of them. My husband has now decided to go for Umrah and intends to take his mother and sisters along but does not intend taking me with him.... REPLY: Respected Sister A wife generally has such intense love for her husband that she always tends to regard her husband’s love for her as deficient and lacking. She remains under the misconception that the husband has no feelings for her whereas in reality the husband has great love for his wife. However, the wife's intense love demands that the husband’s affection and love for his mother, sisters, friends, etc. should also be directed towards her. Nevertheless I make Dua to Allah Ta’ala that He make your husband most loving towards you and enable him to fulfil your rights. Whatever difficulties you experience from your husband, regard it as a means of the forgiveness of your sins. By exercising patience you will gain the nearness of Allah Ta’ala. Whoever your husband wishes to take for Umrah, he will also receive the full reward of their Umrah. Despite having the desire to accompany him, by adopting sabr (if he does not take you along) you will also receive the full reward of your husbands Ibadah as well as a separate reward for exercising patience. May Allah Ta’ala instill complete love between you and your husband.
The letter was not published. Apparently the writer complained that upon seeing the wealth of others, he desires the same for himself. Hence he requested a remedy to clean one’s heart from the greed of this world. SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Brother! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah ...Have a firm conviction that whatever Allah Ta’ala has decreed for you, you will most certainly receive it. Nobody can ever stop it. Likewise if Allah Ta’ala has not decreed something for you, you will never ever acquire it. One’s sustenance seeks one in exactly the same manner that one’s death pursues one. If a person hides away in a secure fortress, death will find him there as well. Similarly one’s sustenance will reach one wherever one may be. Until one has not received one’s decreed sustenance, death will not overtake one! As for the wealth in the possession of others, one does not know whether it is the income of interest, bribery, or whether it was earned from a haraam transaction, etc. One is also totally unaware whether there is any azaab (punishment) hovering above that wealth (if it was earned in a haraam manner). It is clear that if such wealth comes to one, it will bring along the azaab with it. Thus it is akin to seeing a snake or scorpion in someone’s pocket and to desire that the same comes into one’s own pocket. It is obvious that the snake will come together with its poison and the scorpion will come along with its sting. Which intelligent person will ever desire such a thing? May Allah Ta’ala grant you halaal sustenance and may He bless you with qana’ah (contentment). Without qana’ah, one’s greed will never cease. (Maktoobaat, vol.1: pg.26) SUMMARY OF LETTER: (The writer requested some advice and duas.) SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta'ala Respected Brother As Salaamu Alaikum May Allah Ta'ala enable you to fulfil all your obligations and responsibilities with ease. May He also make many people to take benefit from you and assist you in every difficulty from the unseen sources (ghaib). When you departed, I had advised you to be extremely particular of how your time is being spent. Be very vigilant about this. Whatever time passes well, make shukr to Allah Ta'ala for it. If anybody treats you with love and respect, regard it as the Grace of Allah Ta'ala that He has placed love and respect for you in that persons heart. Otherwise, it was possible that the same person could have been an arch enemy who hates you. Hence consider it the Grace of Allah Ta'ala that He has concealed your faults. He forgives all sins and conceals the faults of people. Do not place total realiance on any person and divulge all your secrets to him, nor have any enmity with any person. Treat every person with husne akhlaaq (good character). The one who at present kisses your hands with great love could tomorrow end up swearing at you. Therefore, always adopt a moderate approach in your dealings with people and be careful in this regard. Was Salaam (Maktoobaat - vol.1, pg.111) LETTER: Bismihi Ta’ala Respected Mufti Saheb Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah What must one meditate on while reciting Istighfaar, Durood Shareef, the Third Kalimah, Laa ilaaha illallah and during the recitation of the Qur'an Shareef? SUMMARY OF REPLY: Bismihi Ta'ala Respected Brother! Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu When reciting Istighfaar imagine that you are completely soiled with the filth of sins from head to toe. With the recitation of Istighfaar your sins are gradually being washed away. Think that just as a dirty cloth which is left under a running tap is gradually purified of the dirt and filth, likewise with the barakat of Istighfaar my sins are being washed away and my heart is being purified. While reciting Durood Shareef imagine that the angels are presenting the gift of Durood Shareef from me, a sinner, to Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is pleased with it. While making zikr of the third kalimah and reciting subhanallah meditate that Allah Ta'ala is free of every blemish, upon reciting alhamdulillah that every perfection and greatness solely belongs to Allah Ta'ala. Meditate upon saying la ilaha illalah that there is none worthy of giving one's heart to and worthy of total allegiance besides Allah Ta'ala. When you say Allahu Akbar that Allah Ta'ala is greater than everything that I have perceived and even greater that what I have not perceived. During recitation of the Qur'an ponder that you are reciting to Allah Ta'ala. Recite as a child recites to his Ustaad (with utmost care and full concentration). Was Salaam (Tarbiyatut Taalibeen pg.78)
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