Ashraf Ali Thanwi

Ashraf Ali Thanwi (1862–1943) was an Indian Sunni Islamic scholar, author, jurist and a Sufi mentor of the Chishti order. He was an alumnus of the Darul Uloom Deoband, and authored several hundred books including Bayan Ul Quran and Bahishti Zewar.

Quotes

 * People are excessively obsessed with dreams. Their concern for things which they dream is greater than their concern for things which effect them during their state of wakefulness. How confused are they!
 * Ashraf Ali Thanwi (2015), Hayatul Muslimeen, Adam Publishers and Distributors, p. 220


 * The primary purpose of Tasawwuf is the reformation of the actions of the heart.
 * Amir Bashir (December 2015). Muhammad Anwar Khan Qasmi (ed.). "Deobandi Sūfi Doctrine: Towards a Comprehensive Understanding of Tasawwuf within the Context of Tawhīd and Sunnah". Islamic Literature Review. Deoband: Deoband Institute of Islamic Thought. 2 (2): 3.''


 * Knowledge prevents  one  from  going  astray  because  of  the  realization  of  the  truth. This  in  itself  is  a  great  treasure.
 * Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Hayātul Muslimeen p. 4


 * Lowering oneself, which is called Tawaadhu’ (humilty), is a great and valuable asset. To achieve this quality, many of the servants of Allah abandoned their kingdom and empire. They didn’t care in the least what people thought of them. Surely, humility must then be a much-prized quality so that people gave it preference to it over the entire world!
 * Discourses of Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanwi, Islamic Promotions,p.9


 * A scholar is an adherent of the Sunnah.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, The road to Allāh, p. 7


 * The seeking  of  wealth  for  a  valid  reasons  is  exhorted  and  is  full of  significance.  Lawful  wealth  too  plays  its  part  in  the  acquisition  of  peace  of  mind, which  is  an  end  desired  by  the  religion.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, Hayātul Muslimeen, p.44 


 * To assume  a  task  beyond  one’s  capability  is  not  proper  for  a  Mu’min.  The consequence  will  be  failure,  disgrace,  worry,  and  shame.  Frustration  will  then overtake  one.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, Hayātul Muslimeen p. 66
 * Without the  head,  man  is  a  dead  body.  So  too,  without  prayers,  all  other  acts  of worship  are  lifeless.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, Hayātul Muslimeen p.71
 * "Remembrance creates  and  strengthens  a  special  bond  between  man  and  His  Creator."
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, Hayātul Muslimeen p.80
 * Mosques  are  not  places  for mundane  activities.  Mosques  are  erected  purely  for  the  remembrance and worship  of  Allah.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, Hayātul Muslimeen p.76
 * "The reality of character is that we must not cause any form of difficulty and inconvenience to anyone, outwardly or inwardly, in his presence or in his absence."
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī (Kamālāt-e-Ashrafiyyah, p.93,)
 * If by practicing on any form of piety, someone’s heart will be broken, then practice on the fatwa (verdict of the scholars). At such occasions, to protect one’ piety is not permissible e.g. If, in accepting any gift, there is disgrace for you and honour for your brother, then give preference to his honour over yours.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, Kamālāt-e-Ashrafiyyah p.93
 * The enthusiasm which I had for debating in my young days is now replaced by as much aversion for it because of its harms.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, ''Ashraf-as-sawānih p. 39
 * I developed enthusiasm for Dīn - of which tahajjud is one branch.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, ''Ashraf-as-sawānih p. 28
 * Energizing one's intellect and disposition is not the way to success. The kindness of the Master cannot be achieved without humility.
 * Ashraf Ali Thānwī, ''Ashraf-as-sawānih p.41
 * Scholars are much needed as they are the backbone of religion. Scholars are more needed than Saints otherwise no one would know the religious ordinances and limits.
 * Ashraf Alī Thānwī,  The life and teaching of Mawlānā Ashraf Alī Thānwī p.26
 * Saints (Sufis) are like elder brothers and Senior scholars (Fuqaha) are like father in respect.
 * Ashraf Alī Thānwī, The life and teaching of Mawlānā Ashraf Alī Thānwī ,p. 27
 * Keep intellect above your habits, and Shari'ah above your intellect.
 * Ashraf Alī Thānwī, The life and teaching of Mawlānā Ashraf Alī Thānwī, p. 37