[bobibnoxx]

Thanks a lot to everyone else. . Insha Allah I hope to find a true zahid asap.

[nursopoutaras]

Zuhd is detachment from this world in the spiritual sense and not in physical sense.
On a very hot summer day in tropical climate if you drink water with the intention of quenching your thirst but with firm belief that water does not do the job of its own but by Allah (SWT)'s permission only then you are in the state of Zuhd.

I once ended up at dinner with Hazrat Qari Amir Hasan Sahab (RA) and my Shaikh (DB). Both of them are merely half a naan (the bread, chapati made of fermented flour) together, not separately. For me this is high enough level of Zuhd.

And Allah (SWT) knows the best.

[bobibnoxx]

Zuhd is detachment from this world in the spiritual sense and not in physical sense.
On a very hot summer day in tropical climate if you drink water with the intention of quenching your thirst but with firm belief that water does not do the job of its own but by Allah (SWT)'s permission only then you are in the state of Zuhd.

I once ended up at dinner with Hazrat Qari Amir Hasan Sahab (RA) and my Shaikh (DB). Both of them are merely half a naan (the bread, chapati made of fermented flour) together, not separately. For me this is high enough level of Zuhd.

And Allah (SWT) knows the best.

And someone with such a high sense of spiritual detachment would automatically produce a high sense of physical Zuhd. This is because they would perceive everything as having no inherent power or value thus making it obvious to part with dunya. In fact, it’d be foolish and perhaps even sinful not to part with dunya after coming to such a realization. Wallahu a’alam to them, poison and medicine are one and the same. They believe they can just as easily be cured by poison as by medicine and vice versa. All they see is Allah SWT as the Doer SWT and everything else as completely void of benefit or harm. Money, jewelry, wealth, palaces are worthless in their eyes and so they see no reason to fear destitution or loss. :subhan: Wallahu a’lam.

[bobibnoxx]

Huzoor salallahu alayhi wa sallam had many wives - is anyone going to dare say he is not ascetic? He would be with his wives but as soon as the azan was sounded Hazrat Aisha (ra) says, "Marra ka alam ya'rifuna", - he went as if he did not know us. This was the perfect level of zuhd, asceticism, that he had.

The issue here is the heart. As long as the heart is not bound to the worldly things you're good. This is why shaikh e kaamil is necessary.

dear Shaykh,

I see your excellent point. Indeed, it’s impossible that anyone could be more of an ascetic than our Habib SAW and none of us should believe that for a second. I personally believe the Prophet SAW could have easily out-performed all their physical and spiritual feats but it was his consideration for us and our weakness that stopped him from doing so. Wallahu a’lam.

[rxnixoncom]

The story was probably said for the purpose of faza'il, the authenticty is very doubtful through we should take encouragement from the example like many other stories of supernatural feats.

[Jffxljtw]

I advise people to read two Kitaabs which explain the matter perfectly. Number one is Jami al Uloom wal Hikam by Imam Ibn Rajab Hanbali in the section on tawakkul and Kitaab al Zuhd by Imam Qurtubi. Both these kitaabs very succinctly explain the different stages of tawakkul and detachment from this world. It will also make clear that for different people there are different states of tawakkul. What may be advisable for one group of people is not always advisable to another group.

the above two books will provide a thorough understanding of the issue. Both have been translated into English.

[bpejjssoe]

The scholars mention that the poverty that the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu 'alayhi wa alihi wa sallam endured was totally as a result of his choice; had he wanted, he could have enjoyed all the riches he liked. This is typically mentioned in attempts to reconcile the Messenger's abstinence and and his duas against poverty (faqr).

Guys, yes, a balance would probably be most suitable to the vast majority of us. Don't make sweeping judgements, though. The Messenger would go days without food - had he wanted, he could have spent his share on booty, at the very least, on food. Alhamduli Llah, he chose not to.

If you guys have a chance to read Minhaj al-'Abidin, you'd see how the author (who most consider to be al-Ghazali) stresses on leaving seeking provision, and on tawakkul (trust in Allah). At first, I - like many of you - found this concept troubling; this, in part, is due to the very materialistic environment we've been brought up in. The reality is that Allah has promised to sustain us, and for people with firm faith and trust, their sustenance may not even be physical. Just because you are not at this stage does not mean you have to downplay it (as I once did, even if subconciously). We know that during the fight with Dajjal, at certain points the sustenance (qoot) of the belivers will be dhikr!

As for the people who went to extremes, and were subsequently censured by the Beloved salawatu Llah wa salamuh 'alayh, it is less straight forward than some may be led to thinking. According to some of these ahadith, we are prohibitted from fasting the siyam ad-dahr (constant fasting appart from the prohibitted days). Hence, the Hanafis declared it Makruh. On the other hand, an-Nawawi ash-Shaf'i declares it mustahabb for certain groups of people. In fact, the companion, Ibn 'Umar declared that he would consider those who did so from the best of the best! (saabiqin). Clearly, it's more subtle. It depends on the state of the person. The three men who came to the Beloved (one who decided to never marry, the other who decided to fast constantly etc) were doing so in a state of challenging the Beloved. The Beloved thus stated: "Whoever turns away from my sunnah, is not from me". This was the purpose of that hadith - that our will should be submitted to the Messenger's will at all times, for he is our door to Allah. Salla Llahu 'alayhi wa alihi wa sallam. Which people are most qualified to determine a person's state when doing such actions? Which group are most qualified to determine one's desire to follow the Sunnah? Clearly it's the awliya'. If we disagree with them regarding these 'extreme' feats of worship, the least we can do is keep our mouths shut.

that was lovely bro.. i read something similar few days back in Wasiyatul Irfan a periodical from the khankah of Hazrat Maulana Shah Wasiullah sahab Ilahabadi (khalifa of Hazrat Maulana Thanwi ). shall translate few lines when i have time

duas..

wa assalam..

[Eujacwta]

There are many, many zahids alive today but they just don't wear a special t-shirt - if they went round announcing that they are ascetics this would make it something of the nafs not of Islam. You probably even know some people who are at your masjid or locality, but you think they are just the funny old man from across the street.

[nursopoutaras]

On the related matter - this fact that poverty of beloved Prophet (PBUH) was his own choice should be emphasized and it should be made more common knowledge. This is a tricky point because man is scared of hunger and Satan the cursed uses it as a weapon against us. Hence it is necessary to protect ourselves against these machinations and thoughts.

there is another Tradition in which He (PBUH) supplicates for minimal sustenance for his coming generations. This should be a useful Tradition to implore believers against greed - a disease that is as rampant in our ranks as amongst kuffar - .

[bobibnoxx]

I advise people to read two Kitaabs which explain the matter perfectly. Number one is Jami al Uloom wal Hikam by Imam Ibn Rajab Hanbali in the section on tawakkul and Kitaab al Zuhd by Imam Qurtubi. Both these kitaabs very succinctly explain the different stages of tawakkul and detachment from this world. It will also make clear that for different people there are different states of tawakkul. What may be advisable for one group of people is not always advisable to another group.

the above two books will provide a thorough understanding of the issue. Both have been translated into English.

Thanks a lot and thanks to everyone else’s beneficial posts. I hope more will help out for the sake of Allah SWT.

[bobibnoxx]

There are many, many zahids alive today but they just don't wear a special t-shirt - if they went round announcing that they are ascetics this would make it something of the nafs not of Islam. You probably even know some people who are at your masjid or locality, but you think they are just the funny old man from across the street.

Yes but as rare and hidden as they are, I was hoping perhaps someone knew a friend who knew someone who knew a zahid . I myself know of a wali and zahid but he passed away (may Allah SWT elevate him). He was a good friend my grandfather. One of the remarkable things he used to do was he’d to have others lock him in a tiny one-roomed house from the outside which was away from the village where he’d spend long periods of time. What was it but a jail cell and yet he would voluntarily ‘imprison’ himself in it :subhan:. My mother would tell us of his karamaat (miracles). May Allah SWT have mercy on him and elevate him. Ameen.

One of my relatives I think is a wali too because… he can read minds! Yes he can. He’s not really ascetic though, he’s quite normal actually. He does however have a very high sense of morals and justice ta’ala. TBH, his gift is rather scary and amazing at the same time. I can’t help but try to censor my thoughts around him : o. May Allah SWT increase him. Ameen Ya Rabb.
Wallahu a’lam.

Perhaps a good place to start would be to go to sufi circles and ask around there. The thing is I don’t really know where such circles are held in Egypt. Where else do you guys think I could search? Who do think I should I ask? Thanks. Please pray for me. I will pray for you all too ta’ala. .

[bobibnoxx]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7811782/muslim-saints-mystics

Reading these biographies, it’s like we are missing out on such a deep and fulfilling side of life. We should all pray to become ascetics like they were. I truly want to become an ascetic but I want someone to help and guide me.

[GoblinGaga]

What level of hypocrites are we?

If tomorrow a man wearing tattered clothing, disheveled hair, a lungi, an amamah, walked to masjid didn't even drive, is known to be a pauper, no one knows his name, stood up to give the khutbah we would be the first to shun him. "Who is this beggar to give naseeha to us?" We want the guy who didn't drive, but was driven to the masjid in a nice car no less than a bmw, is a doctor or in medical school, or son of doctor, wears very nice fashionable clothes, smells nice, hair and beard well groomed and oiled. He might discuss loving the poor people from the mimbar, but don't get him confused, because he himself hasn't sat with a poor person in years, his circle are all elite people of the community. He might discuss the orphan from the mimbar, but don't confuse his words; he doesn't even know of any orphan. This is the person we all would love to hear. Let's not lie, if a person with tattered clothing and disheveled hair stood up to give khutbah we would raise hell that the homeless are now using our masajid for sleeping place.

Buzrughs kept us in mind when they advise us. Better that we stick to the guy drinking milk with nutella mixed in than to claim we love the guy only living on milk.

[bobibnoxx]

What level of hypocrites are we?

If tomorrow a man wearing tattered clothing, disheveled hair, a lungi, an amamah, walked to masjid didn't even drive, is known to be a pauper, no one knows his name, stood up to give the khutbah we would be the first to shun him. "Who is this beggar to give naseeha to us?" We want the guy who didn't drive, but was driven to the masjid in a nice car no less than a bmw, is a doctor or in medical school, or son of doctor, wears very nice fashionable clothes, smells nice, hair and beard well groomed and oiled. He might discuss loving the poor people from the mimbar, but don't get him confused, because he himself hasn't sat with a poor person in years, his circle are all elite people of the community. He might discuss the orphan from the mimbar, but don't confuse his words; he doesn't even know of any orphan. This is the person we all would love to hear. Let's not lie, if a person with tattered clothing and disheveled hair stood up to give khutbah we would raise hell that the homeless are now using our masajid for sleeping place.

Buzrughs kept us in mind when they advise us. Better that we stick to the guy drinking milk with nutella mixed in than to claim we love the guy only living on milk.

Right now i feel like a hypocrite, but only Allah SWT knows what I would do if I were to meet such a khateeb today.

So do this mean shaykh you approve of this type of ‘extreme’ asceticism?

[GoblinGaga]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7811782/muslim-saints-mystics

Reading these biographies, it’s like we are missing out on such a deep and fulfilling side of life. We should all pray to become ascetics like they were. I truly want to become an ascetic but I want someone to help and guide me.

Lol what's to learn about shunning world and hereafter from your heart?

[GoblinGaga]

Right now i feel like a hypocrite, but only Allah SWT knows what I would do if I were to meet such a khateeb today.

So do this mean shaykh you approve of this type of ‘extreme’ asceticism?

Bhai jaan,

We find two types of buzrughs; (1) Suluk e Wilayat and (2) Suluk e Nabuwwat.

This 1st type are more ascetic in the real physical sense of the word. If they get some money immediately its gone in charity etc.

The 2nd type are more ascetic in its meaning and doctrine. If they get some money they invest it etc.

Our buzrughs have been type 1 or type 2 or a mixture of the two. Type 1 are more of your tattered clothing, disheveled hair, no money etc. I can't say I prefer or like one over the other, it would be disrespectful not only to them but to the tajalliyaat which manifest on their heart.

Both have their shaan. Both are amazing people.

[excholza]

May I say that we need to also remember that our beloved Muhammad was a leader and in that capacity how could he have taken when he knew his people were suffering? Before he received prophethood, he lived a modest life but was it that of an ascetic? I don't think the issue of choice and force is a fair one to discuss here since he was generous and fair in sharing whatever was acquired by the will of Allah (SWT), fulfilling the duties of his makaam.

Leaders should take heed of the standard set by him.

[nursopoutaras]

A bowl of soup was presented to a pious person.
He added water to it before sipping - to kill the taste so that his tongue does not get spoiled by it.
A Shaykh heard this story. He said that this person is an 'aabid (the man of worship, devotee) but he is not an 'aarif (gnostic - who recognized Allah (SWT)). Had he been one he would have taken the soup as such and would later have thanked Allah (SWT) for such a nice blessing.

[bobibnoxx]

Bhai jaan,

We find two types of buzrughs; (1) Suluk e Wilayat and (2) Suluk e Nabuwwat.

This 1st type are more ascetic in the real physical sense of the word. If they get some money immediately its gone in charity etc.

The 2nd type are more ascetic in its meaning and doctrine. If they get some money they invest it etc.

Our buzrughs have been type 1 or type 2 or a mixture of the two. Type 1 are more of your tattered clothing, disheveled hair, no money etc. I can't say I prefer or like one over the other, it would be disrespectful not only to them but to the tajalliyaat which manifest on their heart.

Both have their shaan. Both are amazing people.

Thanks for your kind reply Shaykh.

[bobibnoxx]

May I say that we need to also remember that our beloved Muhammad was a leader and in that capacity how could he have taken when he knew his people were suffering? Before he received prophethood, he lived a modest life but was it that of an ascetic? I don't think the issue of choice and force is a fair one to discuss here since he was generous and fair in sharing whatever was acquired by the will of Allah (SWT), fulfilling the duties of his makaam.

Leaders should take heed of the standard set by him.

ta'ala shaykh Fusus will clarify for us.