Hadhrat Dr. Abdul Hayy Arifi Rahimahullah was a homeopathic physician by profession. He was trained at Aligarh and used to run a clinic. He was a spiritual disciple of Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahimahullah, and through Hadhrat Thanwi’s blessed company and training, Hadhrat Dr. Abdul Hayy became a spiritual physician as well. Eminent scholars became his disciples, including Hadhrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani, Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Rafi Uthmani, Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Ludhyanwi, and others. Dr. Abdul Hayy is the author of the famous book, Uswah Rasul Akram Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam – The Paradigm of the Noble Messenger, May Allah Bless Him and Grant Him Peace.
Once in a gathering, Dr. Abdul Hayy asked the attendees: “Why do you bother with these long and tedious meditations and litanies? I will show you a short and simple path to closeness with Allah. Try it for a few days and see what happens.
First, develop the habit of talking softly and intimately with Allah Ta’ala The way to achieve this is that whenever you are about to perform any permissible task, say the following silently to yourself: “O My Dear Allah,
- help me in this task,
- make it easy for me,
- allow me to complete it soundly and successfully (with afiyat)
- and accept it in Your Majestic Court.”
These four sentences are short and concise, but they will allow you to turn towards Allah hundreds of times throughout the day, and the goal of a believer is essentially just this: that his or her relationship with Allah is alive at all times.
Secondly, know that at life’s every moment, a person can be in one of four states:
- favourable
- unfavourable
- in reflection on past mistakes and short-comings
- or in worry about future problems and concerns.
If a matter causes you to be happy, you should develop the habit of saying: Allahumma lakalhamdu wa lakash shukr (O Allah, to You is all praise, and to You is all thanks).
If a matter causes you to become sad or concerned, you should say: Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon (We are Allah’s and to Him we return).
If you remember a past error or sin, you should immediately say: Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah).
If you face future worries, you should say: Allahumma inni a’uzu bika min jami’il fitani ma zahara minha wa ma batan (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from all tribulations, the apparent ones and the hidden).
Through thankfulness, the present blessing will remain safeguarded. Through patience during a misfortune, the reward remains safeguarded and Allah’s help is earned. Through seeking forgiveness, the past is purified. And through ‘O Allah, I seek refuge in You’, the future becomes safeguarded.
Thirdly, obtain knowledge of the commands and obligations of the Shariat and do not cease in upholding them, and abandon major sin.
Fourthly, spend a few moments performing any Prophetic remembrance (Sunnah Zikr), and then request the following of Allah Ta’ala:
‘O My Dear Allah, I yearn to become Yours. Make me Yours. Bestow on me Your love and affection (knowledge of spiritual mysteries).’
Use this prescription for just a few days, and see how swiftly you traverse across the stations of divine proximity!
Muslims First 