Deen and dunya Advices by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi
“Nowadays every person desires to maintain his style of life. They search for a Hadith to substantiate their way of living. This is not Ittiba-e-Sunnah (following the Sunnah). Obedience to the general pattern of Rasulullah’s life is Ittiba-e-Sunnah. The endeavour to maintain one’s life style and to corroborate it with a Hadith is ittiba-ehawa (following lust).” (Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)
Once in Meerut, I (i.e. Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi) was given a soda (soft drink) to drink. When I drank it, I suffocated and it appeared that I would die. I placated myself with the fact that it was the day of Jumuah. Maut on this day is a great virtue. (A pure soul is immediately affected by any poisonous filth ingested.)
General people have greater faith and conviction in their hearts for Hizbul Bahr than for the Masnoon Duas. It is therefore necessary to refrain from reciting it (i.e. Hizbul Bahr).(Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)
According to the Hadith, eating more than once a day is waste. Israaf (extravagance/waste) does not coexist together with need and permissibility, therefore this Hadith means eating a second time without being hungryas is the habit of the affluent ones who are slaves of the stomach. They eat simply because it is the time for meals. (Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf AliThanvi)
Words of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi
The Hadith says: "Sin less, and Maut will become easy for you, and abstain from debt, and you will have freedom." In other words, you will not have to adopt humiliation in front of anyone. (Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)
Do not do any act which brings disgrace to the Deen. It comes in the Hadith: "Honour the command of Allah, Allah will honour you." (Hadhrat Thanvi)
"It is mentioned in the Hadith: "Verily, Allah has sent down both disease and medicine. He has created a medicine for every sickness. Therefore adopt medicine, and do not remedy with haraam." This is the Masnoon way. Nevertheless, abstention from medicine is also permissible if one has the necessary Tawakkul (Trust in Allah). Abstention from medical treatment may not be criticized." (Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)
The basis for all the doubts of modernists in the Ahkaam of Islam is the elimination of love and honour of Allah and His Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) from their hearts, and this is the effect of this education (western education). When this love and honour is eliminated then innumerable doubts develop regarding the Ahkaam. (Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)
Evil gazing (lustful gazes at females and lads) corrupt both one’s Deen and dunya. (spiritual and physical life). Beware of this malady. The natural peculiarity of sin is to despair of the mercy of Allah. (Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)
"If women adorn themselves with expensive garments and jewels genuinely for the sake of the happiness of their husbands, then this is permissible. However, if the adornment is for ostentation – to show others – then it is sinful. The sign of adornment being sinful is that within the home, her appearance is that of a menial worker. She dresses shabbily without having concern for her husband. But when she has to go out of the home or attend a function, then she adorns and decorates herself like a princess." (Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)
Understanding (Tafaqquh) in the Deen is acquired by one who has pursued Knowledge (of the Deen) with attention, and who had honoured his Asaatizah (Teachers). The student who displeases his Asaatizah will never gain true Ilm regardless of his efforts. Experience has confirmed this. (Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)
