TAMBIHUL GHAAFILEEN - ADMONITION FOR THE NEGLECTFUL
by Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi

RAWDATUS SAALIHEEN

THE IMPRESSIONS OF SOME NOTABLE ULEMA.HADHRAT MAULANA QAARI TAYYAB SAHEB (A.R) RECTOR OF DAARUL ULOOM DEOBAND.

We praise Allah and convey salutations to Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam).

A graduate of Daarul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Mahfoozul Hassan, has translated the book, Tambeehul Ghaafileen, written by Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi (A.R), the great scholar of divine sciences.

This humble servant has paged through the book in your hands and derived great benefit from it. A summary of this book is that it is a treasure of gold and gems. It is a wealth of good practices and noble character that will easily make a person ascetic and pious if he keeps this book with him and studies it carefully.

Maulana has favoured the Muslims by placing this fortune in their hands, the worth of which the entire world cannot pay. May Allah grant him the best of rewards. May Allah increase the deeds and knowledge of the translator, perpetuate his grace, and grant the Muslim ummah the ability to derive benefit from him. Aameen.

Muhammed Tayyab (May Allah for give him)

Rector of Daarul Uloom Deoband

16 Dhul Qa´dah 1398 A.H.

HADHRAT MAULANA SAYYID FAKHRUL HASAN SAHEB SENIOR LECTURER OF DAARUL ULOOM DEOBAND.

I have browsed through the book, Rawdatus Saaliheen, by the respected Maulana Mahfoozul Hassan. This book is actually a translation of the book, Tambeehul Ghaafileen.

I know Maulana from childhood, who is a highly capable graduate of Daarul Uloom Deoband. I agree with the impressions of Maulana Akhlaaq Hussain Qaasimi and Mufti Azeezur Rahmaan Bijnoori. However, I personally feel that the book falls short of shedding proper light on the metaphorical beauties of the original.

May Allah bless this work with His acceptance and grant the writer and myself the ability to make further contributions to the Islamic literature. Aameen.

Sayyid Fakhrul Hassan (May Allah forgive him)

Senior lecturer

Daarul Uloom Deoband.

16 Dhul Qa´dah 1398 A.H.

HADHRAT MAULANA IKHLAAQ HUSSAIN QAASIMI COMMENTATOR OF THE QUR´AAN AND CHAIRMAN OF JAMI´ATUL ULEMA DELHI.

One of the most successful methods of propagating the truth is "maw´izatul hasanah." The Qur´aan has accorded this method second position of priority amongst three methods. [Surah Nahl, verse 35]

The meaning of "maw´izatul hasanah" is to advise people using effective and captivating methods with the best explanation. It includes instilling Imaan and the fervour to act, using warnings, hopes, similitudes and parables.

The author of this book, Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi (A.R), is renowned for his ability to effectively employ "maw´izatul hasanah." Hadhrat Maulana Mahfoozul Hassan Qaasimi Sambali (a luminary from a famous family of leading scholars) has successfully captured the effect of this book in this condensed volume.

May Allah accept the efforts of Maulana and create spiritual awareness from this book.

Akhlaaq Hussain Qaasimi

Idaara Rahmate Aalam-Delhi

27 September 1978.

FORWARD BY MUFTI AZEEZUR RAHMAAN.

We praise Allah and send salutations to Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam). The book in your hands is a translation of a work titled Tambeehul Ghaafileen, which is famous amongst the ulema. The author of this book was Nasr bin Muhammed bin Ahmed bin Ibraheem, who is better known as Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi (A.R) {who passed away 373 years after the Hijrah}.

Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi (A.R) penned many books containing his fataawa, and is the author of at least fourteen or fifteen works. He was known as Imaamul Huda (the leader of guidance) during his time. He was so pious and particular that he used to take lumps of sand along with him on journeys, to be used to clean after relieving himself. When he was asked about the reason, he replied that he did not like to use the sand of another person without permission.

He used to say that he never spoke a lie since he reached an understanding age. He passed away on the 11th of Jumaadal Ukhra, 373 A.H. A study of conditions in Samarqand and Bukhaara during that period reveals that the ulema concentrated their lectures and public addresses towards spiritual reformation. This fact is also revealed by a study of the lives of people like Hakeem Tirmidhi (A.R), Abu Bakr, Muhammed Is´haaq (A.R) and Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi (A.R). A perusal of books like Tambeehul Ghaafileen, Bustaan and others will portray the same fact.

I have a hand-written copy of Bustaan, which is also penned by Faqih Abul Laith Samarqandi (A.R). I have published a translation and commentary of this book, adding references and sources where necessary. After reading Tambeehul Ghaafileen, I intended to translate it as well, but every person cannot do everything. This privilege went to Hadhrat Maulana Mahfoozul Hassan Sambali, who translated the work in a concise form.

How is this book? This is revealed by the historical origin of the book. It is a unique prescription consisting of a blend of subtle advices, words of wisdom, Ahadeeth of Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) and Qur´aanic verses.

The translator, Maulana Mahfoozul Hassan is an extremely capable youngster, with an eye for intricacies. He is a graduate of Daarul Uloom Deoband. I have read his book from cover to cover. It is excellent. May Allah accept it. Aameen.

Azeezur Rahmaan (May Allah forgive him)

Madani Daarul Iftaa Madrasah Madeenatul Uloom Bijnoor

15 Shawwaal 1398 A.H.

FOREWARD.

The fact cannot be refuted that, just as knowledge is foundational support of actions, a study of the lives of our pious predecessors is one of the most effective ways of spurring actions.

As someone said, "The person who ignores the lives and advices of the pious predecessors is contaminated between two evils. Either he carries out a negligible amount of deeds and considers himself to be amongst the pious predecessors, or he considers his little effort to be extremely great, thereby succumbing to pride and boastfulness. He will then regard himself as the greatest and look down on all others. His efforts will then be worthless and his deeds will be destroyed."

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) said, "Meditation for a moment is better than a hundred years of worship." This is the basis of this work.

Since people are inclined towards brevity these days, the lengthy discussions have been omitted, and most of the quotations have been translated in a concise manner.

I am well aware of my deficiencies in knowledge, and I accept that I am unable to do justice to a noble task like translation. However, I long felt the desire in my heart to render a religious service to the public, so that it becomes a means of securing my salvation in the Hereafter. May Allah make this objective be realised.

"This is not difficult for Allah."

There is a great possibility that errors may have occurred in this publication because of my deficient knowledge. I humbly request religious scholars to grace me with a notification of such errors. This is the first part of this series. May Allah grant me the ability and capability to complete the series. Aameen. I plead to the readers not to forget this lowly writer in their du´aas.

NOTE: References have not been given because the author´s name carries sufficient weight.

Mahfoozul Hasan Sambali

15 Rabee´uth Thaani 1398 A.H.

25 March 1978 FOREWARD

The original book is in Arabic called "Tambeehul Ghaafileen" by Faqih Abu Laith Samarqandi (A.R) a high ranking Faqih (expert on Islamic Law) and an exemplary par excellence Sufi.

The Urdu translation was done by Maulana Mahfoozul Hassan Sambali entitled "Rawazud Saaliheen".

Numerous commentaries are written on the pearls of wisdom of Faqih Abu Laith (A.R)

We have presented a translation for every Muslim who is interested in strengthening ones Imaan, and improving ones character, personality and behaviour, beautiful guidelines have been provided in this wonderful masterpiece.

Many Sufi scholars use it for their mureeds (disciples) spiritual upbringing.

Because it is so well divided and subdivided, extracts can be easily used as article fillers, page and cover fillers.

Moreover, a book "Thought of the Day" can be gleaned from this book.

Furthermore, extracts can be taken by academic lectures and substantiated by Qur´aan, Sunnat, statements and actions of Sahabah (R. A) to constitute valuable "bayaans" (lectures).

We pray that Allah Taala accepts our efforts to translate into the English language reliable, authentic, valuable material of the Ahlus Sunnat Wal Jamaat.

A. H. ELIAS (MUFTI)
1421/2001

1. SINCERITY

OSTENTATION IS A MINOR FORM OF POLYTHEISM.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has mentioned, "I greatly fear minor polytheism for you." When the Sahabah (R.A) asked what ´minor polytheism´ was, Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) replied, "Ostentation."

On the Day of Judgement, those who were ostentatious will be told, "Go to those for whom you had carried out your actions in the world. Collect the rewards for your actions from them if they are able to give you anything!"

THE SIMILITUDE OF OSTENTATION.

A wise man once coined the similitude of a person who performs actions to show others as that person who fills his purse with stones instead of money. These will not help him at all. It will only make the purse seem heavy to others, who will think that he is wealthy. In a similar manner, the ostentatious person will appear to be pious to others, but he will receive no reward for his actions from Allah.

SEVEN THINGS ARE WORTHLESS WITHOUT
SEVEN THINGS.

A saint once said that a person´s actions are worthless if he does seven things without doing another seven. These are:

1. He claims to fear Allah, yet he does not abstain from sin. This claim is thus futile.
2. He aspires for reward from Allah, yet he does not perform any good actions. (Although Allah can reward a person without good actions, but Allah requires that he does good).
3. He desires to do good actions, but he does not resolve to do so.
4. He prays for something, yet does not make an effort to acquire it. Only those who make an attempt will receive the guidance to attain their objective. Allah says, "We will certainly show the ways to those who strive for Us."
5. He seeks forgiveness (with the tongue) without being remorseful (within the heart).
6. Without internal reformation, superficial actions are worthless.
7. Actions are wasted without sincerity (irrespective of the quantity).

A DOUBLE REWARD FOR AN ACTION COMING TO THE FORE:

A Sahabi (R.A) once asked Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) whether he would be rewarded for an action that he performed secretly, but people had learnt about it and he felt pleased about this. Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) replied that he would receive double the reward therefore, one reward for performing the actions secretly and the other for it becoming apparent.

Explanation: Performing an action secretly denotes sincerity, for which a person will be rewarded. When the action becomes apparent, others are encouraged to emulate the same. The person is then rewarded for encouraging others.

Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) has said, "Whoever initiated a good practice in Islam, will receive the reward of whoever practises the same thereafter." [Muslim]

However, it will be contrary to the requirement of sincerity that a person carries out an act secretly, but desires that it becomes known.

WHO ARE THE SINCERE ONES?

A person once asked a saint, "Who is a sincere person?" He replied, "The sincere person is the one who conceals his good actions just as he conceals his evil actions." When it was asked what the pinnacle of sincerity was, he replied, "When you detest to be praised by people."

RECOGNIZING THE CHOSEN SERVANTS OF
ALLAH: - FOUR TRAITS.

Hadhrat Zun Noon Misri (A.R) was once asked how to recognize Allah´s chosen and special servants. He replied by saying that there were four traits by which they could be recognized. These are:

1. He forsakes ease and comfort.
2. He spends from the little that is in his possession.
3. He is content with his lowly status.
4. Praise and insult are the same to him.

FOUR SIGNS OF OSTENTATION.

1. Being negligent of good actions when in seclusion.
2. Performing good actions with eagerness when in the public´s eye.
3. Excelling in the performance of those actions that attract praise.
4. Reducing the performance of those actions that people frown at. [From the lips of Hadhrat Ali (R. A)]

THE FORT FOR ACTIONS.

There are three things that serve a fort for actions. They are:

1. The realization that the inspiration to do a good action is from Allah (this prevents pride and boastfulness).
2. To do every action for Allah´s pleasure.
3. To seek recompense for every action from Allah only.

LEARN SINCERITY FROM A SHEPHERD.

A saint once advised that sincerity should be learnt from a shepherd. When someone asked how this was possible, he replied, "When the shepherd performs his salaah while tending to his goats, the thought never crosses his mind that the goats will praise him. In this manner, a person should carry out his acts of worship, being undeterred by the praises and insults of people."

FOUR CONDITIONS FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF ACTIONS.

1. Knowledge. (Only that action performed with proper knowledge thereof will be accepted).
2. Intention. (Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) said that the basis of all actions is their intentions).
3. Patience. (Actions should be performed calmly and all adversities encountered while performing an action should be borne patiently).
4. Sincerity.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE PIETY: - THREE FACTORS.

Someone once told Hadhrat Shafeeq bin Ibraheem (R.A), "People call me a pious person. How can piety be recognized?" The reply was, "It can be recognized by three factors. These are:

1. Explain your inner condition to the pious people. If they are satisfied, then you are pious, otherwise not.
2. Offer the world to your heart. If it refuses the world then you are pious, otherwise not.
3. Offer death to yourself. If you are pleased with it, then you are pious, otherwise not.

If a person has these three qualities, he should thank Allah and display humility. He should then never allow ostentation to infect his actions, for this will pour water over all that he does."

THREE IMPORTANT FACTORS.

Certain saints always included the following three factors when writing a letter.

1. Allah will amend the worldly matters of the person who works for the Hereafter.
2. Allah will amend the relationship between people and the person who cares to rectify his relationship with Allah (i.e. he is sincere to Allah).
3. Allah will correct the external aspects of the person who corrects his internal self. [From Hadhrat Auf bin Abdullah (R.A)]

THREE FACTORS CAUSE DESTRUCTION.

Allah causes a person to be involved in three things when He intends to destroy him. These are:

1. Allah grants him knowledge without the inspiration to practise thereupon.
2. Allah allows him the company of the righteous, without the recognition of their status and appreciation of them.
3. Allah allows him to do good actions without sincerity.

These are all a result of incorrect intentions. If a person acts with the correct intention, he will be practical on his knowledge, will appreciate the company of the righteous and will perform all actions with sincerity.

THE FOUR NAMES OF A BOASTFUL PERSON.

Someone asked Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) about which acts will secure salvation in the Hereafter. The reply was, "Do not deceive Allah." When the meaning of this was asked, Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) said, "Act on Allah´s orders solely for Him, not for anyone besides Him. Performing an action for anyone besides Allah will be deceiving Him. Guard against ostentation because this is shirk. The ostentatious person will be called by four names on the Day of Judgement (viz.) "Oh Kaafir!", "Oh Faajir" (Oh sinner!), "Oh Ghaadir" (Oh deceiver!), and "Oh Khaasir!" (Oh loser!). (Then they will be told,) "Your actions are wasted and your rewards spent. There is no share for you here and the deceiver should collect his reward from the one for whom he acted."

The Sahabi (R.A) who narrated this hadith swore by Allah that he heard this hadith from Rasulullah (sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam).

Someone has said the following fine words, "Safeguarding an action is more difficult than performing it."

THE SIMILITUDE OF GOOD ACTIONS.

Hadhrat Abu Bakr Waasiti (R.A) has mentioned that a good action is like fine glass. Just a little heedlessness will cause it to shatter, whereafter it will be irreparable. In the same way, good actions are shattered by ostentation and boastfulness, thus it will not accrue any reward.

Note: When a person senses any show and ostentation in an action, he should try his level best to eradicate it. If it cannot be eradicated, he should not abandon the action, but seek forgiveness from Allah. Allah may grant him the ability to be sincere in the following action.

AN INCIDENT.

A person doubted his sincerity after constructing an inn for travellers. Someone told him in a dream that even if his action was insincere, the du´aas of the travellers who will benefit from this noble action will surely be sincere and accepted in your favour. He became extremely pleased and satisfied with this statement.