Spiritual
DISCOURSES (Part 2)
by Mufti Taqi Uthmani
Key:
H=Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi
M=Maulana Taqi Uthmani)
H: It is clear that spiritual diseases (radha’il) in mankind
are innate because even children lose their tempers and
get angry. The Sufia tell us that anger is a byproduct of
arrogance and that anger breeds backbiting. If children get
angry, it’s symptomatic of the arrogance in their hearts.
The existence of these traits in children proves that such
vile traits come innately to human beings.
M: Hazrat Maulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi is saying that
spiritual diseases are inborn and can never be completely
eradicated. We can never rid ourselves of arrogance and
anger, though we can disarm and weaken them. We can
inoculate ourselves against it to the extent that it no longer
affects us negatively.
H: By removing the radha’il, we mean to say that they are
so diminished that even when they start acting up, they can
easily be tamed.
M: Hazrat is saying the radha’il cannot be eradicated
completely, only weakened. The spiritual treatment
weakens the radha’il to a point that the seeker no longer
has to exert himself to bring them under control, as was
the case earlier. This is the case with everything we do,
religious or secular. Through devotion and focus, we can
simplify a difficult task. For example, a man who never
prayed five times salat finds it hard to go the masjid and
pray. However, over time he gets accustomed to it until it
becomes easier. This doesn’t mean that he will no longer
6 March - April 2020 | AL-MADINAH