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Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi

Lessons from Talks of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi

The Renaissance of Islam

| A Better Muslim, Insights, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanviby

He said!  
 
How can I instill this in the hearts? My heart desires that everyone comes to the right path in such a way that the glory of Islam is manifested from their every action, just as people used to accept Islam by observing the respected Companions (Sahaba-e-Karaam); We should all adopt the Sahaba as our role models. The betterment of this world and the faith is hidden within this.  

It is a factual matter that if Muslims reform themselves and religion becomes firmly rooted in them, then and only then can Islam be established. Whatever worldly calamities are swarming us nowadays, Insha’Allah (God willing), the situation will completely turn around in a few days. And although there can be intellectual arguments for this, I wish I could reveal the experiential (spiritual/inner) portion of it, but I do not have the power to express it. 

Notes to myself

After listening to numerous lectures from Ulema-e-Karaam, my belief has been strengthened: I have to change myself and align my surroundings (my own personal being, my home, and my office) with the teachings of Islam rather than someone else to do it for me.

I realized that the answer to the question ‘When would Islam become a power again?’ is not that “they” (the people, the government, the army, the bureaucracy, etc.) have to change; the answer is that “I” have to change. This change will not come through bullets or force; it will only come when we change ourselves. 

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Maintain Moderation in Everything

| A Better Muslim, Be Productive, Daily Blogs, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanviby

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said
Befriend your friend with moderation; it may be that he will become your enemy one day. And hate your enemy with moderation; it may be that he will become your friend one day

Although the disbelievers are inherently subject to abhorrence and hatred (towards Muslims), maintaining moderation is still required even in harboring animosity towards them. Similarly, maintaining moderation in both love and hatred is absolutely essential. The jurists (Fuqaha) have gone so far as to forbid the remembrance of Allah (Zikr) when it is done inappropriately or out of place; in fact, in certain contexts, they have deemed it an act of disbelief (Kufr), such as saying “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) over unlawfully acquired (Haram) food. In short, everything has its own designated rights and prescribed boundaries.

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Lack of Obedience and Organization

| A Better Muslim, Be Productive, Daily Blogs, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, Politicsby

Our brothers (Muslims) lack the disposition for obedience and following leadership (Ittiba). Even if their commitment to faith (Deen) is not perfect, they should at least possess the capacity to follow someone. This is precisely why they are ruined.

Another reason is that they completely lack internal discipline (Nazm) and adherence to principles. If they work on combining proper organization on one hand with faith on the other—then clearly the path to divine help will open.

In the era of the Companions, what numerical strength did the Muslims possess against the Byzantine and Persian Empires? Yet, they were people of faith (Deen) and were highly organized. If proper organization accompanies faith, then see what wonders unfold! Conversely, entangling oneself in a disorganized state is to cast oneself into destruction.

And Life is a trust from God; “Do not kill yourselves” (لا تَقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ – Surah An-Nisa, 4:29) Sacrificing one’s life for the sake of God is no small matter, but there must at least be the satisfaction and certainty that it is undeniably being spent for God’s sake alone.

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A way to get out of any adverse situation.

| A Better Muslim, Be Productive, Daily Blogs, Faith & Life, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanviby

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا. Whoever fears Allah, He brings forth a way out for him – 65:2

Taqwa, as I understand it from what I have been able to gather and retain from the discourses of our honorable Ulema, manifests in both our hearts and our actions. To the best of my limited understanding, it is a state that prevents us from not only executing anything that displeases Allah but also contemplating it.

Taqwa is not a physical or paralyzing fear, but rather a fear born of deep reverence. It is the protective anxiety of risking the displeasure of the Almighty—much like an upright person who, out of pure love and respect, would never do anything to grieve their parents.

This, as the Aayat in the Malfooz mentions, is a key to getting out of any adverse situation and, in my experience, not being in one in the first place.

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Unnecessary Questions and Actions

| A Better Muslim, Daily Blogs, Faith & Life, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanviby

When a questioner asked a question on behalf of the general public, stating that ‘People often ask/wonder about …’, Maulana Sahab advised that such inquiries should only come from the individual who genuinely intends to act upon them. Even if someone asks, simply tell them, ‘We do not know.’

This and similar Malfoozat, discourses, and lectures from Ulema-e-Karaam have drilled into my head to focus on things that I control and not to waste time even in discussing/arguing on things that have no relevance to strengthening my relationship with my creator, Almighty Allah

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Sharia (divine law) cannot be separated from any walk of life

| A Better Muslim, Daily Blogs, Faith & Life, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanviby

Just as the ignorant among the Sufis claimed Sharia (divine law) and Tariqa (the spiritual path) to be two separate things, thereby escaping the binding commandments and forming a permanent sect—and now they see no need for Sharia—similarly, another group has claimed Sharia and politics to be separate from each other, thereby escaping the commandments, and this too has become a permanent sect.

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Malfoozat of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه)

| Faith & Life, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanviby

One of my regular practices is to read the Malfoozat of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه). Malfoozat, simply defined, are the casual or general words spoken by someone. They are not planned discourses (bayaans) or formal articles.

Reading them makes me feel as though I am sitting in the spiritual company of Maulana Sahab. His insights are full of wisdom, and the conversational style makes the advice deeply personal and practical to implement. I often find that just a few lines (malfooz) from Maulana Sahab are worth entire, well-researched books by Western authors.

I initially tried to expand upon or explain them, but I really see no reason to do so. Therefore, I will simply focus on translating the specific passages I have highlighted during my readings—the ones that have truly stuck with me over the years. InshaAllah I plan to post regularly.

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