Malfoozaat on Tasawwuf – Part One Of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi rahmatullahi alayh TASAWWUF – The Rooh (Soul) of the Deen TASAWWUF IS THE ROOH (SOUL) OF ISLAM Tasawwuf in reality is nothing but the ROOH of Islam. Islam consists of two fundamental parts, viz the external laws pertaining to Ibadat and. the internal state of beauty, concern, sincerity and perfection on which (he external laws are to be based. Thus Tasawwuf is an integral part of the Shariat of Islam. Any “tasawwuf” beyond the confines of the Shariat is not the Tasawwuf of the Qur’an and Hadith, but is a practice of fraud and deception. The Tasawwuf of ALL the great and illustrious Auliyaa operate within strict control of the Sunnat of our Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). A tasawwuf which is at variance with the Tasawwuf of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is not Tasawwuf, but is some satanic concept designed to obtain the pleasure of shaitaan. The main purpose of Tasawwuf is to eliminate the bestial qualities in man and to supplant them with the noble and virtuous qualities of angels. In this direction, Tasawwuf employs the advices, exhortations, restrictions, prohibitions and remedies prescribed by the Qur’aan, Hadith and the authoritative and authentic Auliyaa of Islam. TWO EXTREMES WITH REGARD TO TASAWWUF (SUFISM) All the authentic principles of Tasawwuf are to be found in the Qur’an and Hadith. The notion that Tasawwuf is not in the Qur’an is erroneous. Errant Sufis as well as the superficial Ulama (Ulama-e-Khushk) entertain this notion. Both groups have misunderstood the Qur’an and Ahadith. The Ulama-e-Khushk claim that Tasawwuf is baseless since they believe that the Qur’an and Ahadith are devoid of it while the errant and transgressing (ghali) Sufis assert that in the Qur’an and Hadith are only the exoteric (zahiri) laws. Tasawwuf they say, is the knowledge of the batin (esotericism). According to them, Nauzubillah, there is no need for the Qur’an and the Hadith. In short, both groups consider the Qur’an and Hadith to be devoid of Tasawwuf. Thus, in conformity with their opinion, one group has shunned Tasawwuf and the other group has shunned the Qur’an and Hadith. PSEUDO-SUFIS HAVE INTRODUCED BID’AH AND SHIRK INTO THEIR ‘DEEN’ Tasawwuf is a misunderstood concept, its true meaning and significance in the daily life of a Muslim are lost, Commercial “sufis” (men who exhibit themselves as saints) arc trading Tasawwuf as some mysterious cult of “Mysticism” apart from the Shariat and Sunnat of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). They have reduced Tasawwuf to potions, talisman, incantation empty rituals, and they have cloaked it with belief and theories of kufr and shirk. They have interwoven Tasawwuf with bid’ah and practices of corruption. All this have become necessary in the interest of their pecuniary benefits. A mystical cult appeals and preys on the mind of ignorant and unwary masses who seek an escape for their Shar’i duties and Ibadat in the fantasy of “mystical” concepts fraudulently conjectured by the fraudulent “sufis”. Such fraudulent “sufis” are swift in escaping the weaknesses and the spiritual lethargy of the masses and are adept in providing “easy” solutions of escape for a fee. Muslims who treasure their Iman and their Islam have to beware of such robbers of the Deen who are easily recognised by the high fees which they levy for spiritual initiation (ba’yt) into their mystical paths, for their annual renewal fees, for the tabarruk charges and for their many other fees subtley, but compulsorily levied in the supposed interests of their disciples. TASAWWUF IS SIMPLE If the Path is pursued correctly, the simplicity of Tasawwuf will be understood. The machinations of the mercenaries have made Tasawwuf into a mysterious and difficult cult. (Mercenaries here refer to impostors and incompetent khalifas / sheikhs / peers who lack proper understanding of the methods and goals of Tasawwuf. They have worldly and nafsaani motives, hence they mislead those who seek moral reformation — Mujlisul Ulama) The aim of Tasawwuf is the attainment of perfection of the Shariat. The experts have named this branch Tareeq – The Path – for easy comprehension. The name of the branch of Islam which relates to the reformation of A’maal-e- Zaahirah (External/physical acts) is called Shariat, while the branch which deals with A’maal-e-Baatinah (moral acts) is called Tareeqat. However, as a result of the confusion created by these ignoramuses, these two branches have been made to appear as opposites, repelling one another. LOSING THE OBJECTIVE OF TASAWWUF When customs become overwhelming, haqaaiq (realities) are then overshadowed. The true objective is lost. The objective of Tasawwuf is not auraad and ashghaal. Whilst these acts are aids for achieving the objective, they are not the objective. The actual objective of Tasawwuf is the islaah (reformation) of a’maal-e-baatinah (moral character). As long as reformation has not been achieved, the full benefit of auraad and ashghaal will not be acquired. In fact, sometimes the effect is vanity and pride. Therefore, reformation of moral character takes precedence over auraad and ashghaal. TASAWWUF IN THE QUR`AAN AND HADITH The Tareeq (i.e. Tasawwuf) is not at variance with the Ahkaam (of the Shariah). It is not apart from it. Hence the Aalim of the Tareeq is the Aalim of Ahkaam as well. In fact, Tasawwuf is for developing perfection in Salaat, Saum, Hajj, Zakaat etc. The Mashaaikh design Thikr and Shaghl for the attainment of perfection in Ibaadah. Alhamdulillah! I have substantiated the masaa-il of Tasawwuf on the basis of the Qur`aan and Hadith. These very acts (of the Qur`aan and Hadith) are the Tareeq while the Maqsood (objective) is Allah Ta`ala’s Pleasure. Besides this there is nothing else. The special methods of Ta`leem in vogue by the Mashaaikh are all tadaabeer (methods and exercises of attaining the goal). They are not the Maqsood (goal). Yes, they facilitate attainment of the goal – in short, the Qur`aan and Hadith are replete with Tasawwuf. However, intelligence is necessary for understanding. THE GOAL OF SULOOK The Maqsood (goal) of Sulook is the attainment of the Pleasure of Allah. For this purpose there are two requisites: (a) The Knowledge of the Path (b) Giving practical expression to this knowledge. The Tareeq (Path) is nothing other than resolute adherence to the Ahkaam-e-Zaahirah and Ahkaam-e-Baatinah. This Path has two acts which facilitate the Saalik (Traveller of this Path): Constant Thikr and the Companionship of the Pious as much as possible. If such Suhbat (companionship) is not attainable, then reading the works of the Auliya will be its substitute. Two things are obstacles in the Tareeq: Sins and involvement in futility. One act is beneficial for all of this. That is to keep the Shaikh informed of one’s conditions. Thereafter remains the natural ability of the Saalik. Depending on his own ability, he will progress. This is the Tareeq in a nutshell. (Ahkaam-e-Zaahirah refer to physical and practical deeds of the Shariah, e.g. Salaat, Saum, the rules pertaining to dealings, etc. Ahkaam-e-Baatinah refer to Morality – character – the purity of the heart and the like.) THE OBJECTIVE OF SULOOK (The Path of moral reformation and spiritual progress leading to Allah’s Proximity is called Sulook or Tasawwuf or Tareeq). The objective of Sulook is Divine Pleasure. There are two fundamentals for this acquisition: Knowledge and Practise (i.e. giving practical expression to knowledge). Thus the Tareeq is only one, namely, adherence to the exoteric an esoteric laws of the Shariah (Ahkaam-e-Zaahir and Baatin). Two acts aid the traveller in this Path: Perpetual Thikr and the company of the Pious. If one is unable to be in the physical company of the Pious, then the substitute for this is to study the life episodes of the Auliya. Two acts are obstacles in the Tareeq: Sin and futility. Then there is one act which is beneficial for the acquisition of all these factors. That is, constantly informing one’s sheikh of one’s conditions. Progress will then be proportionate to one’s natural ability. This in a nutshell, is the meaning of Sulook. THE FOUL STENCH OF CORRUPT ‘TASAWWUF’ When Tasawwuf becomes corrupted it is transformed into either insanity or hereticism (zindaqah). When a delicate object becomes corrupt, its decomposition is intense. SOUL OF TAREEQAT The Soul of Tareeqat is abdiyat (slavery). The attribute of abdiyat strengthens roohaniyat (spiritual fibre). Its effect is the emaciation of the nafs, which leads to self-annihilation (fana) These are the peculiarities and effects of abdiyat. Adiyat is achieved by action (i.e. giving practical expression to the teachings of the Shariat and Sunnat). These accomplishments are not the products of emotional states. Nowadays there are many people of hawa (desire) who hanker after emotional effects and acquisitions. (Hakimul Ummat refers to such ‘guides’ who lack understanding of the moral path (Tareeqat). Islaah of the nafs (moral reformation) is an unknown path for them. They sit in circles engaging in thikr programmes. When they are emotionally effected by the melodious tunes of their collective chorus singing acts, they are duped into believing that they are accomplished spiritualists who have attained lofty roohaani status. Yet when someone annoys them, they let off a litany of expletives. Describing such hallucinating ‘thaakireen’, Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thaanvi says that they are “Bul Hawaas”, i.e. the Father of Desire”— Mujlisul Ulama) UNAWARENESS OF THE PATH PREVALENT EVEN AMONGST THE ULAMA There exists so much unawareness of the Path of moral reformation that, besides the masses, even to the elite (mashaaikh and ulama), this Path appears strange.