Words of Advice by Ghawth-i Thani

Words of Advice by Ghawth-i Thani (Quddisa Sirruhu)

There is a hadith that informs us that scholars are the heirs of the prophets. This inheritance, of course, is not material wealth but the Qur'an and Sunnah. However, not every scholar can claim a stake in this inheritance. Only those who act according to their knowledge and exhibit sincerity in their actions are true heirs of the Prophet. They are the righteous servants of Allah, His true friends.

Numerous doors have been opened through their efforts. Their gazes and their sohbats have been a means of guidance. Those who have lost their way have found direction through their support. Those who see them remember Allah. And they have matured through their advice.

The departure of such scholars from our midst to meet with their Lord has always been deeply moving. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "The death of a scholar is a chasm in Islam. No matter how night follows day, nothing can fill this chasm." (ad-Darimi, Muqaddima, 32)

Last month, we mourned the passing of Ghawth-i Thani Shaykh Sayyid Abdülbaki El-Hüseyni. From his book "el-Minhâcü’s-Seni," we present the "Words of Advice" section…

My brothers and sisters in faith! I advise you to cling tightly to the Quran and Sunnah. Indeed, Allah Almighty says:

“So, hold fast to that which has been revealed to you. Surely, you are on the straight path.” (Az-Zukhruf, 43)

“Say (O Prophet): ‘If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.’” (Ali Imran, 31)

“O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and do not nullify your deeds.” (Muhammad, 33)

Every seeker should adopt the view of either Imam Abu'l-Hasan al-Ash'ari or Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi and correct their belief by following the path of the saved sect, Ahlu’s-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaah.

One should learn the necessary fiqh on topics such as taharah (purity), prayer, zakat, and hajj by adhering to one of the four madhhabs. Indeed, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Seeking knowledge is fard upon every Muslim."

I advise you to maximize the benefit of all time periods, with these being particularly important:

1- The time between Maghrib and Isha prayer,

2- The time between the Fajr prayer and sunrise,

3- The pre-Fajr time when blessings and manifestations are bestowed and supplications are answered.

Shaykh Ibrahim ad-Dasuki (quddisa sirruhu) said: "How can a sincere disciple claim to love the tariqah while sleeping at the time when treasures are revealed!"

One can use their time wisely with prayer, fasting, remembrance, recitation of the Quran, connection with their murshid, and other righteous deeds.

One can use their time wisely with salah by praying in congregation, keeping up with the Sunnah prayers, witr, duha, tahajjud, awwabin, tasbih, wudu, and tahiyyatu’l-masjid prayers.

One can use their time wisely with fasting by observing the six-day fast of Shawwal, fasting on the ninth and tenth day of Muharram (Ashura fast), fasting on the eve of Eid al-Adha, and other voluntary fasts.

One can use their time wisely with dhikr by repeating the wird assigned by their Shaykh, reading a section from Dalailu’l-Khayrat daily, making dhikr after obligatory prayers, and performing the Khatm-i Hajagan.

One can use their time wisely with the recitation of the Quran by reading one or more juz daily; also by reading surah Yasin daily, surah Naba after Asr prayer, and surah Mulk after Isha prayer.

One can use their time wisely with rabita by continuing to perform it between Maghrib and Isha except during Ramadan, and between Dhuhr and Asr during Ramadan.

I also advise my dear brothers and sisters to obey Allah in what He commands and prohibits, and to be Allah-fearing. Indeed, Allah commands His servants in the Quran to fear Him.

“O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims.” (Ali Imran, 102)

“So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey…” (At-Taghabun, 16)

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Wherever you are, fear Allah!"

Brothers and sisters should transform their mubah (permissible) actions into acts of worship through intention. Indeed, Allah says: 

“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, (being) sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakat. And that is the correct religion.” (Al-Bayyinah, 5)

The purpose of eating should not be to satisfy the nafs, but rather to gain strength for worship. Similarly, the purpose of wearing clothes should be to adorn oneself for worship and prayer. Indeed, Allah says:

“O children of ’Adam, take on your adornment at every mosque…” (Al-A’raf, 31)

In the same way, with this intention, sleep also becomes worship. While they are sleeping, they are as if they are worshipping because they have the intention of performing worship. If this intention is not initially possible, they should strain themselves and beseech and supplicate to Allah the Exalted until they achieve it. 

They must also refrain from major sins such as adultery, murder, and usury, as well as minor sins such as relieving oneself in the direction of the Qibla. For, persisting in minor sins turns them into major sins.

They should also guard their eyes from what is forbidden. Because looking at what is forbidden, especially with lust, is like a deadly poison and a striking arrow to the heart.

They should seek what is halal in all their affairs. Indeed, Allah says:

“O you who have believed, eat from the good (i.e., lawful) things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is (indeed) Him that you worship.” (Al-Baqarah, 172)

And the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "O people! Allah is beautiful and accepts only what is beautiful!"