MORAL REFORMATION
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- Last Updated: Friday, 12 September 2014 15:20
Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (rahmatullah alayh) said:
"In every group when customs become overwhelming, truths (haqaaiq) are overshadowed. The aim (maqsad) of Sulook or Tasawwuf is not auraad and ashghaal (special forms of thikr and spiritual exercises). Although auraad and ashghaal facilitate in the acquisition of the aims, the actual objective is Islaahe-Baatin (moral reformation). As long as islaah-e-nafs has not been achieved, the efficacy of ashghaal and auraad will not be fully realised. In fact, sometimes because of ujub (self esteem) and kibr (pride), the auraad and ashghaal constitute dangers."
In this age even mashaa-ikh have failed to understand the maqsad of Tasawwuf. Instead of concentrating on the moral purification and reformation of their mureeds, they emphasise on thikr formulae and some ashghaal. These spiritual exercises, instead of benefiting the mureeds, cause the spiritual ailments to further deteriorate. The moral corruption in the diseased mureeds is magnified. The sick mureed thinks of himself as a 'buzroog' (holy man). He labours under the misconception of having acquired elevated spiritual states and ranks. He pursues the phantoms of states (halaat) thinking that these are the goals of becoming bay't to a Shaikh. The maqsad of Tasawwuf is nothing other than Islaah-e-Baatin and Ittibaa-e-Sunnah (following the Sunnah).