Al Waseeyah of Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

A waseeyah is usually taken as a ‘mild’ order from a Shaykh to his mureeds (students).

These are a few highlights from the Al Waseeyah (General Advice) from Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki to his mureeds (dedicated students) seeking ilm (knowledge). A sharh (commentary) to these points will follow in later articles.

• Develop the intention to seek ilm (knowledge).
• Once the intention is established to seek knowledge, continue the seeking of ilm (knowledge).
• Associate yourself and keep company with people of ilm (teachers and students of knowledge) and make friends with them. In the case of seeking religious knowledge from an Alim / Shaykh, the Alim / Shaykh would mostly benefit the student if they possess the following qualities.
• He fears Allah swt
• He has the wisdom to give people and his students advice
• He has compassion to people and his students
• He can handle the insults of people and accept them
• He has the patience to deal with a loss (any type of loss)
• He has gentleness towards people and his students
• He has humility knowledge of Allah swt and the nafs (ego)
• He does not teach to seek the money or wealth of people and his students
• He has a habit to consult the recommended books of knowledge on a daily basis for the purpose of revision
• If you are a teacher of ilm, show respect to the students who you are teaching.
• Read a portion of the Quran daily and reflect upon the verses which you have read (tafakkur).
• Read a portion of the Qutb al Qawm (recommended books of the pious) daily. Some of the recommended books include:
• The Ihyaʿulum al-din (The Revival of Religious Sciences) by Imam al-Ghazali, 
• The Awarif ul Ma'arif by Shaykh Shabab udiDin Suhrawardi
• The al-Hikam al-‘Ata'iyya (the Book of Aphorisms) by Shaykh Ahmad ibn Muhammad Ibn 'Ata Allah al-Iskandari
• The an-Nasaih al-Diniyyah wal-Wasaya al-Imaniyyah (Religious Counsels and Faith-based Advices) by Imam 'Abdallah ibn 'Alawi al-Haddad
• Risaalat al-Mu`awanah  (The Book of Assistance) by Imam 'Abdallah ibn 'Alawi al-Haddad
• Ad-Dawah At-Tammah (The Perfect Call – on the obligation of da’wah) by Imam 'Abdallah ibn 'Alawi al-Haddad
• The Kitab al-Luma fil-Tasawwuf by At-Tussi, Abu Nasr 'Abdullah Bin 'Ali As-Sarraj
• Adopt the virtue of good upriteous behaviour toward your fellow students of ilm and people in general (ghusnul ghulq).
• Develop the quality of warah (caution) in every action you perform. A sin of the heart occurs if you are not careful and cautious.
• Exercise good thoughts toward all people that you interact with (husn al hulq) and exercise good thoughts towards Allah swt (husn al thann billah)