Fatwa #4377927 December 2022Pakistan
Tazkiyat-un-Nafs & Bay'ah
Question
Could you kindly explain to me your opinion of there being no need to take Bayah based on the teachings of Moulana Thanwi RA
You mentioned you spoke at a conference of 600 people regarding this topic and encouraged sufficing on lectures and books to make one's Islaah. Also, your opinion on 'each person being on their own journey and finding their own way without a Shaykh.
(In response to this question I asked him)
Can you ask Mufti Saheb....to explain to me…What does he mean when he says that he chooses not to give Bayah.
Is this for the awwaam or only for those who have reached a certain level of understanding of tassawuf?
Bayah is Sunnah but making ones islaah is fard. But how can one do this alone?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, self-rectification (Tazkiyat-un-Nafs) is incumbent (fardh) upon each and every individual. It is possible to achieve Tazkiyah through seeking Ilm (knowledge) and more importantly, acting upon the Ilm provided it was obtained from reliable sources and teachers.
However, years of experience have proven that spiritual development under the auspicious supervision of a capable Shaykh (spiritual guide) will enable an individual to reach levels of spirituality which are not easily attainable independently.
The most fundamental tenet in this path is the constant or prolonged company and supervision of a Shaykh. This can be achieved with or without bay’ah. Therefore, taking bay’ah will be a Mustahab act. However, given that bay’ah can be proven from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Sahabah, taking bay’ah will be a means of Barakah (blessings) and ease on this journey of Tazkiyah.
The above was extracted from Imdaadul Fatawa (Vol 5, Pg 246-247) and Imdaadul Ahkaam (Vol 1, Pg 48) of Molana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahimahullah).
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Bilal Yusuf Pandor
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
(2019-11-22)