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Specialised Tassawuff Shaykh!

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#31 [Permalink] Posted on 19th September 2013 16:30
What I've learned about tazkiya (purification of the heart) is that it requires a spiritual guide who is connected through the generations to the kamil and mukammal teachings and guidance of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallem). Mashaykh in various sciences help us connect to the lived experiences of the Islamic tradition - connecting with the kamil and mukammal functions of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallem) as established for us by Allah Ta'aala. Regardless of whether we go to a madrasa, or TJ (sorry, don't know much about this effort... only what I've read here and there though it sounds like an effort that is really necessary and beneficial for our ummah masha'Allah ), or Jihad... we still need to make sure our spiritual guidance is from someone who is qualified. I was reading a post by sister Ummitaalib about how some mashaykh are also involved in TJ - this implies not all TJ efforts are led or organized (or however they are run) by mashaykh but some are. Likewise, I would assume not every shaykh calling for J is a shaykh capable of tazkiya - am I wrong? And, spiritual guides aren't necessarily scholars of hadeeth... and so on. So, in that sense, mashaykh who specialize in tazkiya are separate from the rest, though they may or may not also be involved in various efforts or possess knowledge in other sciences as well.

Even if we aren't bayah to a shaykh (I'm not), we still should seek spiritual guidance and well-founded knowledge through those with proper training, who are trusted, and who move our hearts insha'Allah.

[I'm still relatively new in my learning so please, if you see any errors, please don't wait to correct me... correct me right away. JazakAllah khayran.]
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#32 [Permalink] Posted on 19th September 2013 17:04
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#33 [Permalink] Posted on 19th September 2013 17:27
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Masha'Allah. I am learning through Shaykh Kamaluddin's school so insha'Allah what I wrote above was actually what I got from a lecture he delivered for us.

I've been meaning to ask him a question and insha'Allah I will e-mail one of my ustadhas or even his wife who also teaches us, masha'Allah. That said, I'll post my comments here as well since others might benefit from replies:

If you get a chance, would you mind asking him about the way many younger mashaykh (including himself) structure their talks - lecture style. I take it they choose to do so to help make those who are most comfortable with that style of learning, benefit... but, not everyone is comfortable with it. Alhamdulillah, I am university educated but sometimes I feel the focus on degrees and professions is too heavy and the structure is too classroomish, which feels quite awkward for me (despite my education) - I often wonder how people who don't have a university degree feel (when they hear comments regarding post-secondary education), or how people who don't function well with lecture and classroom setup feel... also, sometimes the pace is quite fast; I find myself yearning to spend days, weeks, months, or more on a single lesson to try to perfect it before moving on but feel like I'm being ushered from one to the next at the speed of light just to accomplish the basics within a set period of time (this goes for all courses out there that have set start-end dates - not limited to the courses I'm taking... just to be sure: I am very happy with the courses alhamdulillah)... and so, doing amal on everything I learn is proving to be quite the challenge. Not only that, it sometimes feels like I'm regressing
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#34 [Permalink] Posted on 19th September 2013 17:36

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Waiting for a confirmation and then I will print your post and give it to him (if I get confrmation). Anything else please add it.

I will be printing some of my posts and the objections from SF and asking him that way to be precise.

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#35 [Permalink] Posted on 19th September 2013 18:02
Alhamdulillah. JazakAllah khayran. I just sent an e-mail to one of my ustadhas asking her to share with him insha'Allah. If he is busy though, and on-route to UK, she may not be able to do so... so, yes, please do share if you get a chance. JazakAllah khayran.
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#36 [Permalink] Posted on 19th September 2013 23:43

Acacia wrote:
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Got the appointment for Saturday night so the earliest I will respond on the forum is Sunday Morning. I asked for an appointment and told them that Mufti Kamaluddin knows me and the person knew me from Sunniforum so he is texting as to why I am banned!

:-) Why can't the world leave me and SF alone? :)

Me & SF are permanently divorced for almost 2 years! And I still keep getting asked about the Ex-wife!!!

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#37 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 08:51

Acacia wrote:
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Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Mufti Kamaluddin (HA) spoke about the first lesson (stage) of the Silsila explaining the origins and reasons for the Khanqahi Nizam (Tareeqas) and specifically the difference between Suhba (of the Shaykh) and Khalwa (seclusion).  He gave examples from the Qur’aan and Sunnah and then explained them with the sayings of Imam Rabbani (RA). At the end he took Bay’ah from everyone (including myself), collectively.

He then divided people into groups and said that he won’t be talking any personal or Silsila related questions from anyone who has not done the Dhik’r for 4-6 months and their first point of contact should be Br Arsalan (who received Khilafah) from now on. He felt that anyone with personal problems and issues (lust, anger, greed, jealousy etc) must first do Dhik’r for 4-6 months and if they then have issues, he will be happy to deal with them.

I then privately gave him a printout of your question and he read it a few times and then responded:

I have been lecturing for over 7 years professionally so there is a possibility that it has crept into my talks. He said that we all have our focus (and reasons) so ask the Sister to bear with us on ours and also there are other Mashaykh who may be of benefit to her who don’t have this focus.

He then smiled and said everyone says that I speak fast! I don’t think I speak fast, do I? He said that they have are trialling a new model where Mureeds are paired up and assigned companions so they can renew their lessons and it is found be of benefit. They have also introduced self paced lessons. However, none of these are being offered online but we intend to.

He said ask the Sister to slow the playback speed of my recordings to counter my speed (of speech) but please bear with me as others also say I speak fast. If she continues with the lessons it will benefit and most importantly stick to the Adhkaar (linking this point to his talk that Khalwa (seclusion) will benefit you immensely). Continue with the Dhik’r and listen to the talks which you have issues with multiple times.

Brother London786 has a thread on your question on SF.

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#38 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 13:43
JazakAllah khayran, very helpful insha'Allah.

(BTW: I didn't mean he speaks fast, no, I can handle his speech... it is the pace at which lessons progress from one concept to the next but, alhamdulillah, it looks like they're doing things about that too. I know ZAO is in its infancy and they're learning as we learn so its good to get these out there for them to consider.)
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#39 [Permalink] Posted on 22nd September 2013 13:59
I can't seem to find brother London786's thread on SF. Please provide a link insha'Allah. JazakAllah khayran.
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#40 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd September 2013 09:38

Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi Adhkar without Shaykh or Bayah?

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

I summarised my discussions with Shaykh (Mufti) Kamaluddin Ahmed (HA) from March 2011 in a thread aimed at dispelling myths and removing misunderstandings regarding Tassawuff. Our dear (Dr76 from SF) asked me to seek further clarification from dear respected Mufti Saheb (HA) on the advice of being able to carry out the Adhkaar of Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi Silsila without Shaykh or Ba’yah. I sent the query via email and then also asked in person in Masjid Zakariyya (Bolton) on the 21st of September 2013.

Mufti Saheb (HA) replied (summarised):

I received your query and I was thinking about producing some common questions about Tassawuff on a new website so your question seemed ideal to place it on the site and then answer in some detail. In summary we have two kinds of Adhkaar:

  1. Masoon Adhkaar: This is what they are commonly known as amongst our people and these are Adhkaar which are specifically mentioned in Qur’aan and Sunnah such as Astaghfaar or salutations upon Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and a person doesn’t need permission to carry these out.
  2. Sunnah derived Adkhaar: We don’t hide the fact that the Adhkaar of various (Tassawuff) Silsilas are derived from the Qur’aan and Sunnah but not directly mentioned, therein. We have them in talks and websites and books but a person needs permission from the Shaykh to carry it out. I gave you permission to carry these out and also everyone in that Majlis (2011) and today (2013) and many of these people are not Bay’ah or connected with the Silsila but they have been given permission. I don’t advise anyone to read these Adhkaar on the internet or in the books or listen to them and start them, they should seek permission.

The summary of the discussion from 2011 is as follows:


Shaykh (Mufti) Kamaluddin Naqshbandi-Mujaddid (HA) who is currently doing his Phd at Cambridge addressed the matter at Wimbeldon Masjid (London) on Friday (18th of March 2011) and here is a Summary of what the Shaykh (HA) said.


Shaykh (HA) said that people misunderstand what and who a Deobandi is and they simply ascribe themselves to a label. Our elders have attributed four (4) key components to being a Deobandi:

  1. Correct Aqeedah: A person has to engage himself (or herself) throughout their lives in learning and practising the correct Aqeedah
  2. Adherence to Sunnah: There is no other path which leads to Allah (SWT) apart from the noble Sunnah
  3. Tassawuff/Islah: Tassawuff has been a pivotal part of Islam since its inception and people always took their Islah from their Seniors
  4. Khidmah of Islam: Everyone has to be engaged in serving Islam to the best of their capacity. Their capacity and talent dictates what and how they serve the Deen and they neither look down upon others nor upon the “other efforts” e.g. my Shaykh has taught me Tassawuff so that’s my humble way of serving the Deen and I am incapable of being a teacher at a Darul-uloom or any other way which the other noble Ulama are serving the Deen so it’s down to my weakness and lack of strength. We have to consider others who are serving the Deen better then us...

Our Mashaykh have given six pointers for someone to practise Tassawuff and they are as follows:

 

  1. Recitation of the Qur’aan: Qur’aan needs to be recited (as Dhik’r) and understood under the guidance of Ulama-e-Kiraam (not by self study!) and here we recommend that YOU MUST at least recite half a juz daily and if you can’t then ¼ of a Juz daily and if you can’t recite at least grab it from the shelf, look at it and put it back. Shaykh Zulfiqar (HA) says, “Muslims don’t read the Qur’aan because they don’t touch the Qur’aan!”
  2. Daily Istighfaar: “Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Dhanbin Wa Atoobo Ileh” 100 times daily and the number comes from Authentic Sunnah and you should seriously feel embarrassed and ashamed over your sins and it’s the feeling which matters!
  3. Daily Durood: “Allahumma Salli Ala Sayyidina Muhammadin Wa-Ala Ali Muhammadin Wa Barik Wassallam” and you should feel that Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is your Prophet and you are the Ummati sins and it’s the feeling which matters!
  4. Wuqoofe-qalbi: Throughout your day whenever you have sometime (more than 3 minutes) think about Allah (SWT) and when you are busy then start a task (take 1 moment) to think about Allah (SWT) in the middle, do the same and in the end do the same...The idea is to totally immerse yourself in the thoughts about Allah (SWT). Its discussed in detail here:

http://www.islamicspirituality.org/audio/download/64/On%20Wuqoof-e-qalb%20(vigilance%20of%20the%20heart).mp3

        5. Muraqaba: Take 5-10-15 minutes (whatever you can) daily to perform Muraqaba. Its discussed in detail here:

http://www.islamicspirituality.org/audio/download/59/On%20Muraqabah.mp3

       6. Tassawuff Tutoring: Contact a Shaykh about your issues and problems and bad habits (such as anger, Jealousy) and take Mushwara and act upon it.

I then asked the Shaykh if its OK for anyone to practise it and Shaykh replied, "We make no distinction between Mureeds and Non-Mureeds and we have no secrets so anyone can practise this...."

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#41 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd September 2013 09:47
Excellent information...Jazakallah
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#42 [Permalink] Posted on 23rd September 2013 17:28
Just realized my error in seeking a slower pace. The courses we are offered are introductory in a sense - they are only meant to help get us acquainted with the basics - a 'first-run' of studies that will insha'Allah take us an entire life time. Alhamdulillah for wanting to know more, that's a desire that insha'Allah drives us all to keep seeking knowledge. There is no error on the part of the teachers - masha'Allah, they are better aware of the struggle, have a better understanding of where to take things, and so we (i.e. I) need to have some trust in the pace... simple, alhamdulillah.
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