And those who struggle and strive in Our Way, most certainly We will guide them to the Paths

leading to Us. (Quraan)

THE FIFTY STATIONS In the CHISHTIYYAH SOJOURN TO ALLAH TAALA

Compiled from the Teachings and Writings of Hazrat Moulana Maseehullah Khan Jalalabadi and Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Quddisa Sirruhuma
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THE SEVEN INTRODUCTORY STAGES

1. Fanaa-fish-Shaikh (Immolation of ones self at the altar of the Shaikhs direction)
Itiqaad (Faith)To believe that this Shaikhs taleem and tarbiyat (teachings and training) are the most beneficial to one in the whole wide world. Itimaad (Confidence)To be confident in the taleem and tarbiyat of the Shaikh to the extent that one does not exercise ones own opinions and ideas.

2. Mutaalaah (Study)
Shariat wa Tasawwuf Part OneThrice the whole kitaab and thereafter the Chapter of Akhlaaq; i.e. the detestable traits and the praiseworthy traits applying what is read to ones life and judging oneself in hypothetical situations. Lectures of Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi alaih). In his encyclopaedia of Mawaaiz one will find a waz of Hazrat Thanwi on every station of this incredible sojourn to Allah Ta'ala. Malfoozaat of Hazrat Thanwi (Rahmatullahi alaih) Mawaaiz and Malfoozaat of Hazrat Maseehul Ummat (Rahmatullahi alaih) Writings and compilations of Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat and Hazrat Maseehul Ummat (Alaihimar Rahmah) Ashrafus Sawaanih Hayaat-e-Maseehul Ummat Behishti Zewar Note: Shariat wa Tasawwuf, Behishti Zewar and one of the remaining kitaabs on the list are compulsory for daily study. 2

3. Payment of Debts
Debts owed to people Outstanding Zakaat, Fitrah, etc.

4. Huqooqullah (Rights Owed to Allah)

Discharging of all Qazaa Salaat and Sowm Absolute obedience to the Shariat

5. Huqooqul Ibaad (Rights Owed to the Creation of Allah Taala)

Study Huqooqul Islam of Moulana Thanwi and daily take stock of rights due to others. Study Hazrat Thanwis waz titled Khairul Irshaad li Huqooqil Ibaad (A Noble Instruction in regard to the Rights of Allahs Creation).

6. Muhaasabah (Stocktaking)
Daily reflect over your actions and deeds. Express shukr over a good deed and resolve to continue with it. Express Towbah over an evil deed and resolve to abstain from it.

7.

Muraaqaba-e-Mowt Death)

(Meditation

on

Daily reflect on death and the events to transpire thereafter. Alternatively study a kitaab on the events of Mowt and the stages thereafter. Hazrat Shaikh Zakariyyahs Zikr-e-Mowt translated into the 3

English language with the title Remembrance of Death is a valuable kitaab in this regard. Study Hazrat Thanwis waz Muraaqabatul Ardh (Meditation on the Earth).

THE THIRTEEN STAGES OF TASFIYAH AND TAKHLIYAH (CLEANSING AND REMOVING EVIL TRAITS) 8. Hirs Alal Maal (Greed for Wealth)
Reduce your expenditure. Do not worry and preoccupy yourself with the future. Think that a greedy person is perpetually in disgrace.

9. Hirs alal Umr (Desire for Longer Life)

Remove love of the world from the heart.

10. Tama (Carnal Passion)

Keep your carnal desires under check. Do not succumb to your inordinate desires. Desires should be under the reins of the Aqal (intelligence) and the Aql under the reins of the Shariat.

11. Ghussah (Anger)

Think that Allah Taala has complete power over you. If He punishes you at once for each wrong, then what will your condition be? Think of your wrongs. Understand that nothing happens without the will of Allah Taala. Study Hazrat Thanwis waz Al-Ghadhab(Anger)

12. Darogh (Falsehood)

Be attentive before speaking. Have courage when speaking. Make amends after speaking. Repent at any sinful talk. Think about the harms of false talk.

13. Hasad (Jealousy)

Praise the one you are jealous of. Treat whom you are jealous of with humility and respect.

14. Bukhl (Miserliness)

Remember death in abundance. Reflect on the Hadeeth: A miser is far from people, far from Jannat, close to Jahannam.

15. Riyaa (Ostentation)

Rid yourself of love for the world. Discharge non-congregational acts of Ibaadat in privacy. With excessive repetition turn Ibaadat into aadat (habit) and the aadat into Ikhlaas (sincerity).

16. Ujub (Vainglory)

Think of the favours of Allah Taala. Reflect over the power of Allah Taala. Whenever He wishes He can snatch the favour away. Think of the highest stage of perfection. Reflect over your external faults and shortcomings. 6

Reflect over your internal faults and shortcomings.

17. Takabbur (Haughtiness)

Bring to mind and reflect over the highest stage of perfection. Approach others with humility and respect. Think and meditate over ones origin (sand and sperm), current state of carrying najaasat (filth, i.e. waste matter in the stomach) and ones ending (decomposing in the grave). Reflect over each nimat (bounty) of Allah Ta'ala. If it be snatched away, what would your condition be? For instance, had one become insaneAllah forbidwhat would ones condition be?

18. Keenah (Malice)

Forgive the one despised. Meet him with humbleness.

19. Hubb-e-Jaah (Love for Fame)

Think that neither are those people who praise me going to remain, nor am I.

20. Hubb-e-Dunya (Love of the World)

Excessive remembrance of death Abandon distant and remote plans and ideas. Stop thinking much about the future.

THE TWENTY STAGES OF TAHLIYAH AND TAJLIYAH (BEAUTIFYING AND ADORNING THE HEART WITH PRAISEWORTHY ATTRIBUTES) 21. Mujaahadah (Spiritual Discipline)
Do not overeat. Stop eating when you can take a morsel or two more. Do not speak anything unnecessary. Sleep 6 to 8 hours. Do not mix with people unless necessary.

22. Towheed (Unshakeable Belief in the Oneness of Allah)

Think of creations weakness and helplessness. Think of the omnipotence of Allah Taala.

23. Ikhlaas (Sincerity)

Eradicate love for fame. Engage in Ibaadat in privacy. Do an act of Ibaadat abundantly by virtue of which it will become a habit and after it becoming a habit the Ibaadat will then become packed with sincerity.

24. Towbah (Repentance)

Bring to mind and reflect over the warnings of Allah Taala. Study the kitaab Jazaa-ul Amaal of Moulana Thanwi (Rahmatullahi alaih).This kitaab has been translated into English with the title Deeds and Retribution.

25. Muhabbat (Love for Allah Taala)

Think about the perfection of Allah Taala. Reflect over the attributes of Allah Taala. Recall the favours of Allah Taala Carry out the Commandments of Allah Taala. Engage in excessive Zikr. Purify your heart from all else besides Allah Taala.

26. Showq (Eagerness)

Inculcate Divine Love.

27. Uns (Attachment)

Have love for Allah Taala.

28. Khowf (Fear)

Bring to mind the warnings of Allah Taala and reflect over it.

29. Rajaa (Hope)

Think over the vast Rahmat of Allah Taala. Reflect over the favours and kindness of Allah Taala. 9

30. Zuhd (Abstinence)

Think of the evils of the world. Think of the harms of the world. Think of the perishing of the world. Think of the benefits of the Aakhirat. Think of the permanence of the Aakhirat.

31. Tawakkul (Trust)

Reflect over the favours of Allah Taala. Reflect over the promises of Allah Taala. Think about your past successes.

32. Qanaaat (Contentment)

Think about the perishing of the world.

33. Hilm (Tolerance, Forbearance)

Eradicate anger. Think about Allah Taalas power over you. Think about your disobedience and Allah Taala overlooking your mistakes. Think that nothing can come into existence without the Will of Allah Taala.

34. Sabr (Perseverance, Patience)

Weaken and suppress the dictates of the nafs. . This is achieved by opposing the desires of the nafs, which is in reality Mujaahadah. Allah Ta'ala is with the Saabireen. Meditate over this gracious Aayat. 10

 Engage in the recitation of Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilaihi raajioon and think over its meaning, i.e. Verily we belong to Allah and verily to Him will we return.

35. Shukr (Gratitude)

Think and reflect over the bounties of Allah Taala daily. It will be of utmost benefit to record the bounties and favours of Allah Ta'ala upon one, although we cannot encompass all His favours and gifts upon us.

36. Sidq (Perfection)

Know what it takes to achieve perfection. Exercise special care when rendering Ibaadat. Rectify your shortcomings by meditating over your deeds.

37. Tafweez (Resignation to the Will of Allah)

Think of the Divine Wisdom in things that go against your nature. Study Hazrat Thanwis waz Ad-Dawaam alal Islam.

38. Razaa (Divine Pleasure)

Inculcate Divine Love.

39.

Fanaa-e-Nafs Carnal Self)

(Immolation

of

Ones

Adopt Mujaahadah. Excessive Zikr Excessive Meditation

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40.

Fanaa-ul-Fanaa (Immolation Immolation) 1/Baqaa

of

the

Perpetual Zikr Perpetual Fikr (Meditation)

i.e. to be oblivious of ones state of Fanaa-e-Nafs. In this stage the Saaliks gaze is riveted on Allah and Allah Alone.

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THE TEN STAGES OF TAKMEEL AND TAHSEEL (PERFECTION AND QUALIFICATION) 41. Husn-e-Khulq (Beautiful Character)
Ward off evil in the best possible manner.

42. Husn-e-Kalaam (Beautiful Speech)

Dignified, cultured and polite words Soft tone

43. Husn-e-Muaasharah Maal Awlaad waz Zowjah (A Beautiful Life with the Children and Wife)
Daily note down what beautiful conduct you displayed to each member of the household.

44. Fanaa-fir-Rasool (Perfect Obedience to Rasoolullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

Daily study and note taking of ones obedience and imitation of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) under the guidance of the study of Shiyamul Habeeb wa Shammut Teeb (Part Four of our English translation of Nashrut Teeb).

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45. Zikr (Engrossment of the Tongue and Heart with the Remembrance of Allah Azza wa Alaa)
Careful study of Chapters One and Two of Shariat wa Tasawwuf Part Two and according to ones health, strength and time putting into practice.

46. Fikr / Muraaqabah (Contemplation / Meditation)

Careful study of Chapter Four of Shariat wa Tasawwuf Part Two and according to ones health, strength and time applying the directives.

47. Shaghl (Spiritual Exercise)

Careful study of Chapter Three of Shariat wa Tasawwuf Part Two and a cautious implementation of the Ashghaal. It is of vital importance here to bear ones physical health in mind and not impose strain on one, otherwise, instead of any benefit, there is a real possibility of harming oneself.

48. Tilaawat-e-Kaamilah (Perfection in the Art of Recitation of the Quraan)

Careful study of Chapter Seven of Shariat wa Tasawwuf Part Two and its implementation.

49. Salaat-e-Kaamilah (Perfection in Salaat)

Careful study of Chapter Eight of Shariat wa Tasawwuf Part Two and its implementation.

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50. Khidmat-e-Khalq (Service to Creation)

Verbal Written Physical Monetary / Financially Moral Support

NB It will be of immense benefit if one records each stage in a book and daily record one's progress.

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