table of contents...bayrak al-jerrahi, was written by c abd al qadir al-jilani (1077-1166), the...

TableofContents

CHAPTERONECHAPTERTWOCHAPTERTHREECHAPTERFOURCHAPTERFIVECHAPTERSIXCHAPTERSEVENCHAPTEREIGHTCHAPTERNINECHAPTERTENCHAPTERELEVENCHAPTERTWELVECHAPTERTHIRTEENCHAPTERFOURTEENCHAPTERFIFTEENCHAPTERSIXTEENCHAPTERSEVENTEENCHAPTEREIGHTEENCHAPTERNINETEENCHAPTERTWENTYCHAPTERTWENTY-ONECHAPTERTWENTY-TWOCHAPTERTWENTY-THREECHAPTERTWENTY-FOURCHAPTERONECHAPTERTWOCHAPTERTHREECHAPTERFOURCHAPTERFIVECHAPTERSIXCHAPTERSEVENCHAPTEREIGHTCHAPTERNINECHAPTERTENCHAPTERELEVEN

CHAPTERTWELVECHAPTERTHIRTEENCHAPTERFOURTEENCHAPTERFIFTEENCHAPTERSEVENTEENCHAPTEREIGHTEENCHAPTERNINETEENCHAPTERTWENTYCHAPTERTWENTY-ONECHAPTERTWENTY-TWOCHAPTERTWENTY-THREECHAPTERTWENTY-POUR

TheSecretofSecrets,consideredoneofthegreatestworksofclassicalSufi,mysticismandinterpretedhereforthe.firsttimeinEnglishbyShaykhTosunBayrakal-Jerrahi,wasWrittenbycAbdalQadiral-Jilani(1077-1166),theeponymousfounderoftheQadiriyaorder,thefirstofthegreatSufibrotherhoodswhichradiatethroughouttheIslamicworld.BornneartheCaspianSea,hewasthesonofthegreatsaintFatimabintcAbdullahal-$awmacI.AfteraperiodofintenseintellectualandmysticaltrainingcAbdal-Qadirreceivedthekhirqa>(robeofinitiation)andwassoonrecognised.4sasaintandscholar,consulted,fovedandreveredbycaliphandpauperalike.AsoneofthemostveneratedfiguresinSufismhisburialplaceinBaghdadstillattractsnumerousvisitorsfrommanycountries.

TheSecretofSecretsrevealsinabriefcompasstheveryessenceofSufism,showinghowoutwardpracticessuchasprayer,fastingandalmsgivingcontainawealthofinnerdimensionswhichmustbediscoveredandenjoyedifexternalactionsaretobeperformedinamannerpleasingtoGod.Whenthisisachievedthesoulfinds•truepeaceandthespirituallifebecomescomplete.Thebookformsabridgebetweentwooftheauthor’smorefamousworks,WealthfortheSeekers(Ghunyatal-Talibln),andhisOpeningsoftheUnseen(Futuhal-Ghayb).ItissaidthatunlessonehasdiscoveredtheSecret,onemaynotbeabletoabsorbtheimpactoftheOpenings.

TosunBayrakhasalsoprovidedanintroductiontotheworkin.thelongstandingtraditionofthosewhohaveveneratedtheShaykh,I’andattributedtohimnumerousmiracles—atraditionthatbegansoonaftercAbdal-Qadir’sdeathandhascontinuedthroughtheages.OtherworksbyTosunBayrakal-JerrahiincludeTheMostBeautifulNames,andatranslationofIbnal-Husaynal-Sulami’sWayofSiifiChivalry.

COVERILLUSTRATION:

.Ornamentfromthemarginofa30VolumeMamlukQur’an8th/14thcenturyindicatingthopointTatwhiclLprostrationisrequired.ThewordSajdah(prostration)isenclosedintheformofamosque.(London,BritishLibraryOr.48folio26).BykindpermissionoftheBritishLibrary.

THEISLAMICTEXTSSOCIETYCAMBRIDGE

ISBN9780946621293

www.its.org.uk

THESECRETOFSECRETSal-Jila

SECRETOFSECRETS

al-Jila

|Interpretedby

ShaykhTosunBayrakal-Jerrahial-Halveti

TheSecretofSecrets

HADRATcABDUL-QADIRAL-JIlANI

(MayAllahsanctifyhissecret)interpretedby

ShaykhTosunBayrakal-Jerrahial-Halveti

THEISLAMICTEXTSSOCIETY

Firstpublishedin1992byTheIslamicTextsSocietyMiller’sHouseKingsMillLaneGreatShelfordCambridgeCB22sen,u.k.

Reprint1994,1997,1999,2002,2006,2008,

2010,2011,2012,2014

BritishLibraryCataloguing-in-PubiicationData.

AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary.

ISBN9780946621293paper

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybeproduced,installedinretrievalsystems,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronictmechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublishers.

Contents

Foreword/ix

Translator’sIntroduction/xmAnAddresstotheReader/xLVii

TheSecretofSecrets

Introduction/3

CHAPTERONE

Man’sReturnHometotheOriginalSource/13

CHAPTERTWO

TheDescentofMantotheLowestoftheLow/18

CHAPTERTHREE

ThePlacesoftheSoulswithintheBody/20

CHAPTERFOUR

OnKnowledge/26

CHAPTERFIVE

OnRepentanceandOnTeachingbytheWord/31

CHAPTERSIX

OnIslamicMysticismandtheSufis/40

CHAPTERSEVEN

OnRcmembrance/45

CHAPTEREIGHT

TheNecessaryConditionsforRemembrance/48

CHAPTERNINE

OntheVisionofAllah:ArrivingattheLevelofSeeingtheManifestationoftheDivineEssence/51

CHAPTERTEN

TheVeilsofLightandDarkness/55

CHAPTERELEVEN

TheJoyofBeingGoodandtheMiseryoftheRebel/58

CHAPTERTWELVE

TheDervishes/65

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

OnthePurificationoftheSelf/71

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

OntheMeaningofRitualWorshipandInnerWorship/73

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

OnthePurificationofthePerfectMan,whohasIsolatedHimselffrom,andStrippedHimselfof,AllWorldlyConcerns/76

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

OnCharity/79

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

OnPastingPrescribedbytheReligionandOnSpiritualFasting/82

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

OnthePilgrimagetoMakkaandtheInnerPilgrimagetotheEssenceoftheHeart/84

CHAPTERNINETEEN

OnWitnessingDivineTruththroughtheStateofPeaceComingfromAbandonmentoftheWorldlyandthroughEcstasy/89

CHAPTERTWENTY

OnWithdrawingfromtheWorldintoSeclusionandOnSolitude/93

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

PrayersandRecitationsPertainingtothePathofSeclusion/98

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

OnDreams/108

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

OntheFollowersoftheMysticalPath/116

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

Afterword/120

Foreword

AndwhenyourLordsaidtotheangels,Iamgoingtoplaceintheearthaviceregent.,.andHetaughtAdamallthenames…AndwhenWesaidtotheangels;MakeobeisancetoAdam,theydidobeisance…(SuraBaqara,30,31,34)

WhenAllahcreatedAdamiSHemadehimsuperiortotheangelsbyendowinghimwithknowledgeoftheessenceoftheentirecreation.TheNamestaughttoAdamwereAllah’sattributesandqualities.Bachspecialdivinequalityinvolvedinthecreationofanobjectismanifestedinthatobject.WhenAdamreceivedtheNames,allthesequalitieswereimplantedwithinhisbeing,andthroughthemheunderstoodthewholeuniverse.AllahthensethimwithintheworldtoserveasHisviceregent.

ThedescendantsofAdam1inheritthisendowmentasapotentialcapacity,varyinginnaturefromindividualtoindividual.Aspeoplesgiftsdiffer,soalsodotheirrangesofaccountabilitytoAllahandtheparticularformstheirviceregencymustassume.Thisissoevenatthehighestlevels,asisillustratedinSuraKahf(60-82)bythedifferentrolesplayedbyMoses£j’,theembodimentofmoralrighteousness,andKhidr33,thedemonstratorofmysticalinsight.Butthesupremeviceregency,universalandcomprehensive,wasmanifestedintheProphetMuhammad

THESECRETOESECRETS

Foreword

Itisnecessaryforeachindividualtounderstandthenatureandrangeofhispotentialgift.OnlythencanheknowhisactualrelationshipwiththeuniverseandhisCreatorandfulfilhistrust,thefunctionofviceregencythathehasaccepted.AndonlythencanherealizethetruemeaningandsignificanceofthedivineordinancesbroughtbytheHolyProphet

Withoutthisunderstanding,thereisadangerthattheteachingsofreligionmayremainonlyanexternaldress,tobeadheredtooutwardlybutnotactivatedinwardly.Whenthishappens,thepracticeofreligionturnsintoaruleofcustomsandconventions,andthepresenceofAllahwithintheheartisnotrealized.

ItistruethatParadiseispromisedtothosewhosimplyandsincerelyfollowAllah’scommandmentsandtheProphet’sinstructions,but77losewhoarebelieversamongyon,andthelearned‘Allahwillincreasetheirrank(SuraMujadila,11),and,Arethosewhoarelearnedequaltothosewhoareignorant?(SuraZumar,9).

SuraWaqi‘ashowsthattheultimatedivisionofhumanitywillbeintothreecategoriesandnotjusttwo—peopleboundforHell,peopleboundforParadise,and,outofthelatter,peopleclosesttoAllah(SuraWaqi‘a,7-11).

Inthefinalreckoning,thosewhohavestrivenandhavebeenblessedwithknowledgeofthemselvesandtheirLordwillhaveahigherrank.Forthisknowledgeincreasesone’sloveforAllahandtheProphet*§£,andthemoreoneloves,thecloseronecandraw.Withsuchknowledge,oneunderstandsthatthepracticesofreligionaretheformofwisdom,andthatbyacceptingtheformonerealizesthesubstance.ThewaysandmeansofrealizingthesubstancewithintheformmakeupwhatiscalledSufism.

Sinal-asrdrgives,withinitsbriefcompass,theveryessenceofSufism.ThoughmanySufishadwrittenbeforehim,itwasHadratAbdul-Qadiral-Jilani,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,whomostclearlydefinedthepathandexplainedthetermswhich,sincethen,havebecomeacceptedusage.InthisbookhegivesaSufiexplanationofthefundamentaldutiesofIslam—prayer,fasting,almsgivingandpilgrimage.Itthusformsabridgebetweenhistwomorefamousworks,Glnmyatal-talibin,‘WealthforSeekers’,which

ismeanttoinspiremenandwomentobegoodpracticingMuslims,andFutuhal-ghayb,‘RevelationoftheUnseen’,alatecollectionoflecturesonmysticaltopics.UnlessonepassesthroughSirral-asrdr,onemaynotbeabletoappreciatealltheShaykhsaysinFutuhal-ghayb.Sirral-asrdristhegatewaytothatcityofknowledge.

BytranslatingthisbookintoEnglish,ShaykhlosunBayrakhasdoneagreatservicetothosewhodonotknowArabicorcannotfindthetextinitsoriginallanguage.IfAllahwills,thisworkwillilluminatemanysouls,andleadthosewhohavealreadyreceivedilluminationintothehigherregionsofknowledge.

MayAllahshowerblessingsonthesoulofHadratAbdul-Qadiral-J!lan!,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,andleadallofusintothatdeeperandhigherrealmofknowledge,sothatwemayallberaisedtothestatusofthose‘closesttoAllah.’

SyedAliAshrafDirectorGeneralTheIslamicAcademyCambridge

TranslatorsIntroduction

T‘hevenerableMuhyiddinAbuMuhammad‘Abdul-Qadiral-JTlani,mayhissoulbesanctified,isal-ghawtlial-a’zam—themanifestationofAllah’sattribute‘theAll-Powerful’,whohearsthecryforhelpandsavestheonesinneed,andal-qutbai-a’zam—thepole,thecentre,thesummitofspiritualevolution,thespiritualruleroftheworld,thesourceofwisdom,containerofallknowledge,theexampleoffaithandIslam;atrueinheritoroftheperfectionoftheProphetMuhammadaperfectman;andthefounderoftheQadiriyya,themysticalorderthathasspreadfarandwideandpreservedthetruemeaningofIslamicSufismthroughoutthesecenturiesuntilourtime.

Hewasbornin470a.h.(1077-78c.n.),intheregioncalledal-JilinwhatistodayIran.ThisdateisbasedonhisstatementtohissonthathewaseighteenwhenhewenttoBaghdad,intheyearthatthefamousscholaral-Tammndied.Thiswas488a.h.Hismother,Ummul-KhayrFatimabintal-Shaykh‘AbdullahSum!,wasfromthelineoftheProphetMuhammadthroughhisgrandson,thevenerableHusayn.

Hismotherrelates,

Myson‘Abdul-QadirwasborninthemonthofRamadan.NomatterhowhardItried,herefusedtosuckleinthedaytime.Throughouthisinfancyhewouldnevertakefoodduringthemonthoffasting.

THESECRETOESECRETS

Translator’sIntroduction

OneRamadanduringhisinfancythestartofthemonthfellonacloudydaywhenpeoplecouldnotseethenewmoon.Notknowingifthemonthoffastinghadactuallybegunornot,theycametoUmmul-Khayrandaskedifthechildhadtakenfoodthatday.Ashehadnot,theysurmisedthatthefasthadbegun.

Thevenerable‘Abdul-Qadirrelates,

When1wasasmallchild,everydayIwasvisitedbyanangelintheshapeofabeautifulyoungman.Hewouldwalkwithmefromourhousetoschoolandmakethechildrenintheclassgivemeaplaceinthefirstrow.Hewouldstaywithmethewholedayandthenbringmebackhome.Iwouldlearninasingledaymorethantheotherstudentslearnedinaweek.Ididnotknowwhohewas.OnedayIaskedhimandhesaid,

£IamoneofAllah’sangels.Hesentmetoyouandaskedmetobewithyouaslongasyoustudy.’

Speakingagainabouthischildhood,herelates,

EachtimeIfeltadesiretogoandplaywithotherchildrenIwouldhearavoicesaying,‘CometoMeinstead,Oblessedone,cometoMe’.InterrorIwouldgoandseekthecomfortofmymother’sarms.Now,eveninmymostintensedevotionsandlongseclusions,Icannothearthatvoiceasclearly.

Whenhewasaskedbysomeonewhatbroughthimtohishighspirituallevel,hesaid,‘ThetruthfulnesswhichIpromisedtomymother.’Herelatedthefollowingstory:

Oneday,ontheeveof‘Idal-Adha,Iwenttoourfieldstohelptilltheground.As1waswalkingbehindtheox,itturneditsheadandlookedatmeandsaid,‘Youwerenotcreatedforthis!’Iwasveryafraidandranhomeandclimbeduponourflatroof.AsIlookedoutIsawthepilgrimsgatheredontheplainof‘Arafat,inArabia,rightinfrontofme.

Iwenttomymother,whowasthenawidow,andaskedher,‘SendmetothepathofTruth,givemepermission

togotoBaghdadtoacquireknowledge,tobewiththewiseandthosewhoareclosetoAllah.’Mymotheraskedmewhatwasthereasonforthissuddenrequest.Itoldherwhathadhappenedtome.Shecried,butshebroughtouteightypiecesofgold,whichwasallthatmyfatherhadleftasinheritance.Sheputasidefortypiecesformybrother.Theotherfortyshesewedintothearmpit

ofmycoat.Thenshepermittedmetoleave,butbeforesheletmegoshemademepromiseherthatIwouldtellthetruthandbetruthful,whateverhappened.Shesentmeoff’withthesewords:‘MayAllahprotectandguideyou,myson.IseparatemyselffromthatwhichisdearesttomeforAllah’ssake.Iknowthat1willnotbeabletoseeyouuntilthedayofLastJudgment.’

IjoinedasmallcaravangoingtoBaghdad.AsweleftbehindthecityofHamadan,abandofhighwaymen,sixtyhorsemenstrong,attackedus.Theytookeverythingthateveryonehad.Oneofthesecametomeandasked,‘Youngman,whatpossessionsdoyouhave?’ItoldhimthatIhadfortypiecesofgold.Hesaid,‘Where?’Itoldhim,‘Undermyarmpit’.Helaughedandleftmealone.Anotherbanditcameandaskedthesame,andItoldhimthetruth.Healsoleftmealone.Theymusthaverepeatedtheincidenttotheirleader,becausehecalledmetotheplacewheretheyweredividingthebooty.HeaskedifIhadanyvaluables.ItoldhimthatIhadfortypiecesofgoldsewninmycoatundermyarm.Hetookmycoat,torethearmpit,andfoundthegold.Thenheaskedmeinamazement,‘Whenyourmoneywassafe,whatcompelledyoutoinsistontellingusthatyouhaditandwhereitwashidden?’Ianswered,‘1musttellthetruthunderanycircumstances,asIpromisedtomymother,’Whenthechiefofthebanditsheardthisheweptandsaid,‘IrenegedonmypromisetotheOneWhocreatedme.Istoicandkilled.Whatwillhappentome?’Andtheothers,seeinghim,said,‘Youhavebeenourleaderalltheseyearsinsinning.Nowbealsoourleaderinrepenting!’Allsixtyofthemheldmy

TIIESECRETOFSECRETS

handandrepentedandchangedtheirways.Thosesixtyarethefirstwhotookmy

handandfoundforgivenessfortheirsins.

WhenthevenerablecAbdul-QadircametoBaghdad,hewaseighteenyearsold.Ashereachedthegatesofthecity,Khidrappearedandpreventedhimfromentering.HetoldhimthatitwasAllah’sorderthathenotenterBaghdadforanothersevenyears.

Khidrtookhimtoaruininthedesertandsaid,‘Stayhereanddonotleavethisplace’.Heremainedtherethreeyears.EveryyearKhidrwouldappeartohimandtellhimtostaywherehewas.

Thesainttellsabouttheseyears:

DuringmystayinthedesertsoutsideBaghdad,allthatappearsbeautifulbutistemporalandofthisworldcametoseduceme.Allahprotectedmefromtheirharm.TheDevil,appearingindifferentformsandshapes,keptcomingtome,temptingme,botheringme,andfightingme.Allahrenderedmevictoriousoverhim.Myegovisitedmedailyinmyownformandshape,beggingmetobeitsfriend.WhenIwouldrefuse,itwouldattackme.Allahrenderedmevictoriousinmycontinuousfightagainstit.IntimeIwasabletomakeitmyprisonerandIkeptitwithmeallthoseyears,forcingittostayintheruinsofthedesert.Awholeyear1atethegrassesandrootsIcouldfindanddidnotdrinkanywater.AnotheryearIdrankwaterbutdidn’teatamorseloffood.AnotheryearIneitherate,nordrank,norslept.AllthistimeIlivedintheruinsoftheancientkingsofPersiainKarkh.Iwalkedbarefootoverthedesertthornsanddidn’tfeelathing.WheneverIsawacliff,Iclimbedit;Ididn’tgiveaminute’srestorcomforttomyego,tothelowdesiresofmyflesh.

AttheendofsevenyearsIheardavoiceatnight:‘OcAbdul-Qadir,youarenowpermittedtoenterBaghdad’.

IcametoBaghdadandspentafewdaysthere.SoonIcouldnotstandthesedition,mischief,andintriguethatdominated

thecity.Tosavemyselffromtheharmofthisdegeneratecityandtosavemyfaith,Ileft.AllItookwithmewasmyQur’an.

AsIcametothegateofthecity,onmywaytoseclusioninthedesert,Iheardavoice.‘Whereareyougoing?’itsaid,‘Return.Youmustservethepeople.’

‘WhatdoIcareaboutthepeople?’Iprotested.‘Ihavemyfaithtosave!’

‘Return,andneverfearforyourfaith,’thevoicecontinued,‘Nothingwilleverharmyou.’Icouldnotseetheonewhospoke.

Thensomethinghappenedtome.Cutoft’fromtheoutside,Ifellintoaninnerstateofmeditation.UntilthenextdayIconcentratedonawishandprayedtoAllahthatHemightparttheveilsformesothatIknewwhatshouldbedone.

Thenextday,asIwaswanderingthroughaneighbour-hoodcalledMuzaffariyya,amanwhomIhadneverseenopenedthedoorofhishouseandcalledtome,‘Comein,cAbdul-Qadir!’AsIcametohisdoor,hesaid,‘Tellme,whatdidyouwishfromAllah?Whatdidyouprayforyesterday?’

Iwasfrozen,withamazement.Icouldnotfindwordstoanswerhim.Themanlookedatmyfaceandslammedthedoorwithsuchviolencethatthedustwasraisedallaroundmeandcoveredmefromheadtofoot.Iwalkedaway,wonderingwhatIhadaskedfromAllahthedaybefore.ThenIremembered.Iturnedbacktotelltheman,butIcouldfindneitherthehousenorhim.Iwasveryworried,asIrealizedhewasamanclosetoAllah.Infact,laterIwastolearnthathewasHammadal-Dabbas,whobecamemyshaykh.

OnacoldandrainynightaninvisiblehandledHadratcAbdul-Qadirtothetekke,themysticallodge,ofShaykhHannnadibnMuslimal-Dabbas.Theshaykh,knowingbydivineinspirationofhiscoming,hadthedoorsofthelodgeshutandthelightsputout.AscAbdul-Qadirsatatthesillofthelockeddoor,sleepcameupon

THESECRETOFSECRETS

him.Hehadanocturnalemissionandwentandbathedhimselfattheriverandtookhisablution.Hefellasleepagainandthesamethinghappened—seventimesduringthatnight.Eachtimehebathedandtookablutionintheice-coldwater.InthemorningthegateswereopenedandheenteredtheSufilodge.ShaykhHammadstooduptogreethim.Weepingwithjoy,heembracedhimandsaid,‘Omyson‘Abdul-Qadir,goodfortuneisourstoday,buttomorrowitwillbeyours.Donoteverleavethispath.’ShaykhHammadbecamehisfirstteacherinthesciencesofmysticism.ItwasbyholdinghishandthathetookhisvowsandenteredthepathoftheSufis.

Herelates:

IstudiedwithmanyteachersinBaghdad,butwheneverIcouldn’tunderstandsomethingorcameuponasecretthatIwishedtoknow,itwasShaykhal-Dabbaswhowouldenlightenme.SometimesIwouldleavehimtoseekknowledgefromothers—tolearntheology,traditions,religiouslaw,andothersciences.EachtimeIreturnedhewouldtellme,‘Wherehaveyoubeen?Wehavehadsomuchwonderfulfoodforourbodies,minds,andsoulswhileyouweregoneandwehaven’tkeptathingforyou!’Atothertimeshewouldsay,‘ForAl-lah’ssake,wheredoyougo?Isthereanyonearoundherewhoknowsmorethanyoudo?’Hisdervisheswouldteasemecontinuouslyandsay,‘Youareamanoflawandamanofletters,amanofknowledge,ascientist.Whatbusinessdoyouhaveamongus?Whydon’tyougetoutofhere?’Andtheshaykhwouldchidethemandsay,‘Shameonyou!Iswearthatthereisnonelikehimamongyou.Noneofyouwillriseabovehistoe!IfyouthinkIamharshwithhimandyouimitateme,Idoittobringhimtoperfectionandtotesthim.Iseehiminthespiritualrealmsturdyasarock,asbigasamountain.’

Hadrat‘Abdul-QadirwasthegreatestexampleofthefactthatinIslam,toseekknowledgeisasacredobligation—forallmenandwomen,fromthecradletothegrave.Hesoughtoutthegreatest

wisemenofhistime.HememorizedtheHolyQur’anandstudieditsinterpretationfrom‘AllAbul-Wafaal-Qayl,Abiil-KhattabjVlahfu?,andAbul-HasanMuhammadal-Qadl.Accordingtosomesources,hestudiedwithQadIAbuSacTdal-Mubarakibn‘Allal-Muharraml,thegreatestmanofknowledgeofhistimeinBaghdad.AlthoughHadrat‘Abdul-QadirlearnedthesciencesofthemysticpathfromShaykhHammadal-DabbasandenteredtheSufipathbyhishand,hewasgiventhedervishcloak,thesymbolofthemantleoftheProphetbyQadIAbuSaTd.ThespirituallineageofQadIAbuSaTdpassesthroughShaykhAbul-Hasan‘AllibnMuhammadal-Qurashl,Abul-Farajal-TarsusI,al-Tainiml,ShaykhAbuBakral-Shibll,Abul-Qasimal-Junayd,Sarial-Saqatl,MaYufal-Karkhl,Dawudal-Ta’I,Habibal-‘Ajaml,andHasanal-Basrl,toHadrat‘AllibnAblTalib.Hadrat‘AlltookthecloakofservicefromthehandsofMuhammadtheBelovedoftheLordoftheUniverse,andhefromthearchangelGabriel,andhefromtheDivineTruth.

SomeoneaskedShaykh‘Abdul-QadirwhathereceivedfromAllahMostHigh.Heanswered,‘Goodconductandknowledge.’QadIAbuSaTdal-Muharramlsaid,‘Indeed,‘Abdul-Qadiral-JIlanltookthedervishes’cloakfrommyhand,butIaswellreceivedmycloakofservicefromhishand.’

AbuSaTdal-MuharramltaughtataschoolofhisownatBabal-‘AzjinBaghdad.LaterhegavethatschooltoShaykh‘Abdul-Qadir,whobegantoteachthere.

Shaykh‘Abdul-Qadirwasoverfiftyyearsoldbythattime.Hiswordswereso

effectiveandmiraculousthattheytransformedtheoneswhoheardthem.Hisstudentsandcongregationincreasedinnumberveryrapidly.Soontherewasnoplaceeitherinoraroundtheschooltoaccommodatehisfollowers.

Shaykh‘Abdul-Qadirtellsaboutthebeginningofhisteaching:

OnemorningIsawtheMessengerofAllah.Heaskedme,

‘Whydoyounotspeak?’

THESECRETOFSECRETS

Isaid,‘IambutaPersian,howcanIspeakwiththebeautifulArabicofBaghdad?’

‘Openyourmouth,’Hesaid.Idid.Heblewhisbreathseventimesinmymouthandsaid,‘Go,addressmankindandinvitethemtothepathofyourLordwithwiseandbeautifulwords.’

Iperformedmynoonprayer,andturnedtoseemanypeoplewaitingformetospeak.WhenIsawthemIbecameexcitedandtongue-tied.ThenIsawtheblessedImam‘All.Hecametomeandaskedmetoopenmymouth,thenblewhisownbreathintoitsixtimes.Iasked,‘WhydidyounotblowseventimesliketheMessengerofAllah?’Hesaid,‘Becauseofmyrespectforhim,’anddisappeared.

Frommyopenmouthcamethewords,‘Themindisadiver,divingdeepintotheseaofthehearttofindthepearlsofwisdom.Whenhebringsthemtotheshoreofhisbeing,theyspilloutaswordsfromhislips,andwiththesehebuyspricelessdevotionsinAllah’smarketsofworship…’ThenIsaid,‘Inanightsuchasoneofmine,ifoneofyoushouldkillhislowdesires,thatdeathwould

tastesosweetthathewouldnotbeabletotasteanythingelseinthisworld!’

Fromthenon,whetherIwasawakeorasleepIkeptmydutyinteaching.Therewassuchanimmenseamountofknowledgeaboutfaithandreligioninme.IfIdidnottalkandpouritout,Ifeltthatitwoulddrownme.WhenIstartedteachingIhadonlytwoorthreestudents.Whentheyheardme,theirnumbersincreasedtoseventythousand.

Neitherhisschoolnoritsvicinitycouldcontainhisfollowers.Morespacehadtobefound.Richandpoorhelpedinaddingbuildings,therichaidingfinanciallyandthepoorhelpingwiththeirlabour.ThewomenofBaghdadalsoworked.Ayoungwomanwhowasworkingasalabourerwithoutpaybroughtherhusband,whowasunwillingtoworkfornothing,andpresentedhimtotheshaykh.‘Thisismyhusband,’shesaid.‘Itooktwentypiecesofgoldfromhimasdowry.Iwillgivehalfofitbacktohimfree,andforthe

otherhalfIwishhimtoworkhere.’ShegaveHadratcAbdul-Qadirthegold,andthemanstartedworking.Hedidnotstopwhenthemoneyranout.Nonethelesstheshaykhkeptpayinghim,becauseheknewthathewasneedy.

HadratcAbdul-Qadiral-JIlanlwastheauthority,theimam,inreligiousmatters,theologyandlaw,andtheleaderoftheShafi‘1andHanballbranchesofIslam.Hewasamanofgreatwisdomandknowledge.Allmenprofitedfromhim.Hisprayerswereimmediatelyaccepted,bothwhenheprayedforgoodandwhenheprayedforpunishment.Fieperformedmanymiracles.Hewasaperfectman,ofcontinuousconsciousnessandremembranceofAllah,meditating,thinking,takingandgivinglessons.

Hehadasoftheart,agentlenatureandasmilingface.Hewassensitiveand

possessedthebestofmanners.Hewasaristocraticincharacter,generousandgivingbothofmaterialthingsandofadviceandknowledge.Helovedpeople,butespeciallythosewhowerebelieversandwhoservedandworshippedtheOneinWhomtheybelieved.

Hewashandsomeandwell-dressed.Hedidnotspeakexcessively,butwhenhedidspeak,thoughhespokefast,everysinglewordandsyllablewasclear.Hespokebeautifullyandhespokethetruth.Hespokethetruthwithoutfear,forhedidnotcarewhetherhewaspraisedorcriticizedandcondemned.

WhentheCaliphal-MuqtafTappointedYahyaibnSaTdasQadI,orChiefJustice,HadratcAbdul-Qadiraccusedhiminpublic,saying,‘Youhaveappointedtheworsttyrantasjudgeoverthebelievers.LetusseehowyouwillanswerforyourselftomorrowwhenyouwillbepresentedtotheGreatJudge,theLordoftheUniverse!’Hearingthis,thecaliphstartedtoshakeandshedtears.Thejudgewasimmediatelydismissed.

ThepopulationofthecityofBaghdadwasdegenerateinitsmoralsandbehaviour.Throughhisinfluence,mostofthecity’speoplerepented,andfollowedthegoodmoralsandprescriptionsofIslam.Hecametobelovedandrespectedbyeveryone,andhisinfluencespreadeverywhere.Astherighteouslovedhim,sotyrantsandwrongdoersfearedhim.Manypeople,including

THESECRETOFSECRETS

kings,viziers,andwisemen,cametohimtoaskquestionsandseeksolutions.ManyJewsandChristiansacceptedIslamthroughhim.

TherewasaverywiseandinfluentialpriestinBaghdadwhohadmanyfollowers.ThismanhadvastknowledgenotonlyoftheJudaicandChristiantraditionsbutalsoofIslam;HeknewIslamandtheHolyQur’anandhadgreat

loveandappreciationfortheProphetMuhammadThecaliphrespectedthepriestandhopedthatheandhisfollowerswouldbecomeMuslimsoneday.Indeed,hewasreadytoacceptthereligion,exceptforonething.Thethingthatpreventedhim,whichhecouldneitheracceptnorunderstand,wasthephysicalascensionoftheProphetMuhammad^totheheavensduringhislifetime.

TheAscensiontookplacewhenonenight,theProphetwasbroughtbodyandsoulfromMedinatoJerusalemandfromtheretothesevenheavens,wherehesawmanythings.HevisitedParadiseandHell,andwentbeyondthesetomeethisLord,Whospokeninetythousandwordswithhim.Hereturnedbeforehisbedhadcooled,andbeforealeafwhichhehadtouchedinpassinghadstoppedtrembling.

ThemindofthepriestcouldnotaccepttheascensionoftheProphetandhiscomingbacktotellaboutit.Indeed,whentheProphethimselfdeclareditthedayafterithappened,manyMuslimsdidnotbelieveandlefttheirreligion.Thisthenisatestoftruefaith,forthemindcannotconceiveofsuchathing.

Thecaliphintroducedallthewisemenandteachersofhistimetothepriestinordertoeliminatehisdoubts,butnoneofthemsucceeded.ThenoneeveninghesentwordtoHadratcAbdul-Qadir,askinghimifhecouldconvincethepriestofthetruthoftheAscension.

WhenHadratcAbdul-Qadircametothepalacehefoundthepriestandthecaliphplayingchess.Asthepriestliftedachesspiecetomoveit,hiseyesmetthoseoftheshaykh.Heblinkedhiseyes…andasheopenedthemagainhefoundhimselfdrowninginarapidlyrunningriver!Hewasshoutingforhelpwhenayoung

shepherdjumpedintothewatertosavehim.Astheshepherdheldontohim,herealizedthathewasnakedandhadbeentransformedintoayounggirl!

Theshepherdpulledheroutofthewaterandaskedherwhosedaughtershewasandwhereshelived.WhenthepriestmentionedBaghdad,theshepherdsaidthattheywerethenatadistanceofafewmonthsjourneyfromthatcity.Theshepherdhonouredherandkeptherandprotectedher,buteventuallyasshehadnowheretogo,hemarriedher.Theyhadthreechildren,whogrewup.

Onedayasshewaswashinglaundryinthesameriverwhereshehadappearedmanyyearsbefore,sheslippedandfellin.Assheopenedhereyes…hefoundhimselfsittingacrossfromthecaliph,holdingthechesspieceandstilllookingupintotheeyesofHadratcAbdul-Qadir,whosaidtohim,‘Now,venerablepriest,doyoustilldisbelieve?’

Thepriest,unsureofwhathadhappenedtohimandthinkingthatitwasadream,respondedwiththewords,‘Whatdoyoumean?’

‘Perhapsyouwouldliketoseeyourfamily?’thesaintinquired.Asheopenedthedoor,therestoodtheshepherdandthethreechildren.

Seeingthis,thepriestbelieved.HeandhiscongregationnumberamongthefivethousandChristianswhobecameMuslimbythehandsofHadratcAbdul-Qadir.

Inhisteachingandhisservicetomankindheappliedqualitieswhichheinheritedfromthehighest.Hesaid,

Aspiritualteacherisnotatrueteacherunlesshepossessestwelvequalities.TwoofthesequalitiesarefromtheattributesofAllahMostHigh.Theyaretohidethefaultsofmanandtherestofcreation,notonlyfromothers,butevenfromthemselvesandtohavecompassionandforgivenessforeventheworstofsins.TwoqualitiesareinheritedfromtheProphetMuhammad^—loveandgentleness.FromHadratAbuBakr,thefirstofthefourCaliphs,atrueteacherinheritstruthfulness,

THESECRETOFSECRETS

honestyandsincerity,aswellasdevotionandgenerosity.FromHadrat‘Umar,justice,andimposingtherightandpreventingthewrong.FromHadrat‘Uthman,humility,andstayingawakeandprayingwhiletherestofmankindareasleep.FromHadrat‘All,knowledgeandcourage.

Hewasasdevotedasafathertoallhistensofthousandsoffollowers.Heknewthembyname,andcaredfortheirworldlyaffairsaswellastheirspiritualstate.Hehelpedthemandsavedthemfromdisasters,eveniftheywereattheotherendoftheworld.Hewasachildwiththechildren,andtreatedthemwiththeutmosttendernessandcompassion.Withthosemucholderthanhe,hebecameasifolderthanthey,andtreatedthemwithrespect.

Hekeptthecompanyofthepoorandtheweak;hedidnotseekthecompanyofthefamousandpowerful.Withsuchpeoplehebehavedasifheweretheking’sownKing.

Oneofthesonsofhisservantrelatedthathisfather,MuhammadIbnal-Khidr,servedShaykhcAbdul-Qadirforthirteenyears.Heneversawaflysitonhim,nordidheeverseehimblowhisnose.Althoughtheshaykhtreatedtheweakandthepoorwithgreatrespect,hisservantneversawhimgetupwhensultanscametovisithim,neitherdidhevisitthem,nordidheeattheirfoodexceptonce.Whenakingcametovisithimhewouldleavethereceptionroomandwouldcomebackafterthekingandhispartyweresettled,sothattheywouldgreethimbystandingup.WhenhewrotealettertothecaliphhewouldsaythatcAbdul-Qadirordershimtodothisorthat,andthatitwasanobligationforthecaliphtoobeyhim,sincehewastheirleader.Whenthecaliphreceivedsuchaletterhewouldkissitbeforehereaditandsay,‘Theshaykhisright,indeedheistellingthetruth!’

Oneofthegreatjuristsofthetime,Abu-Hasan,relates:

Iheardthecaliphal-MuqtafitellhisministerIbnHubayra,‘ShaykhcAbdul-

Qadirisridiculingme,makingitcleartothosearoundhimthathemeansme.Itwasreportedtome

thathepointedatadate-palminhisorchardandsaid,’’You’dbetterbehave.Don’tgotoofarorIwillbeheadyou!”Gotohimandtalktohimaloneandsay,“Youshouldnotridiculeandthreatenthecaliph.Youmustknowthatthestationofthecaliphissacredandhastoberespected.”

ThevizierIbnHubayrawenttotheshaykhandfoundhiminthecompanyofavastcrowd.Inhistalk,atonepointhesuddenlydeclared,“Indeed,Iwouldbeheadhim,too!”Thevizierfeltthattheshaykhmeanthim,andterrified,hefledandtoldwhathadhappenedtothecaliph.Thecaliphwasbroughttotearsandsaid,“Truly,theshaykhisgreat.”Hewenttoseehimhimself.Theshaykhgavehimmuchadviceandthecaliphcriedandcried.’

Althoughhewasmostcompassionateandhadthebestcharacterandmanners—gentleandloving,keepinghispromises—hewasjust,andsterninhisjustice.Henevershowedangerbecauseofanythingdonetohim,butifanywrongfulactwerecommittedagainstthefaithandthereligion,inhisangerhewouldbecomeawesomeandhispunishmentwouldbeswiftandhard.

Ashaykhofthetime,Abu-Najlbal-Suhrawardl,relates:

Intheyear523HijriIwaswithShaykhHammad,theteacherofShaykhcAbdul-Qadir,whowasalsopresent.ShaykhcAbdul-Qadirmadeagrandstatement.AtthatShaykhHammadtoldhim,‘OcAbdul-Qadir,youtalktooloftily!IfearforyouthedisapprovalofAllah.’

cAbdul-QadirputhishandonthechestofShaykhHammad.‘Lookatmypalm

withtheeyeofyourheart,’hesaid,‘andtellmewhatiswrittenonit’WhenShaykhHammadcouldnotsay,cAbdul-Qadirliftedhishandfromtheshaykh’schestandshowedthepalmtohim.Onitwasaluminouswritingsaying,‘HehasreceivedseventypromisesfromAllahthathewillneverbedisappointed’.

WhenShaykhHammadsawthis,hesaid,‘Therecouldneverbeanobjectiontoamanblessedwithsuchadivine

THESECRETOFSECRETS

promise.Noonecouldeverobjecttohim.AllahblesseswhomeverHewillsamongHisservants.’

ShaykhcAbdul-Qadirusedtosay:

Noneofmyfollowerswilldiebeforetheyrepent.TheywillalldieasfaithfulservantsofAllah.Eachofmygoodfollowerswillsavesevenofhissinfulbrothersfromhellfire.If,inthefarwest,theprivatepartsofoneofmyfollowersweretobeinadvertentlyexposed,we,althoughwewereinthefareast,wouldcoverthembeforeanyonecouldnotice.

Ihavebeengivenabook,abookaslongasanyeyecouldsee,whichcontainsallthenamesoftheoneswhowillfollowmeuntiltheendoftime.WithAllah’sblessingwewillsaveallofthem.Blessedarethosewhoseeme.Iyearnfortheoneswhowillnotseeme.

Allthosewhoattachedthemselvestohimwerealwaysatpeaceandjoyful.Someoneaskedhim,‘WeknowthestateofyourgoodfollowersandwhatawaitsthemintheHereafter.Butwhataboutthebadones?’Heanswered,‘ThegoodonesaredevotedtomeandIamdevotedtosavingthebadones.’

AyounggirlwhowasafolloweroftheshaykhlivedinCeylon.Onedayshewasattackedinalonelyplacebyamanintendingtodishonourher.Helpless,sheshouted,‘Saveme,OmyshaykhcAbdul-Qadir!’AtthatmomenttheshaykhwastakinghisablutioninBaghdad.Peoplesawhimstop,angrilygrabhiswoodenshoe,andthrowitintheair.Theydidnotseetheshoefalldown.ThatshoefellontheheadofthevillainwhowasattackingthegirlinCeylon,andkilledhim.Itissaidthattheshoeisstillthere,keptasarelic.

Sahlibn‘Abdullahal-TustaiirelatesthatonedayShaykhcAbdul-Qadir’sfollowersinBaghdadlosthim.Theylookedeverywhereforhim.SomeonetoldthemhehadbeenseengoingtowardtheTigrisRiver,andhisfollowersranthereafterhim.Whentheyarrivedattheriver,hewasinthemidstofit,walkingoverthewatertowards

them.Allthefishwereputtingtheirheadsoutofthewaterandgivinghimgreeting.

Itwasthetimeofthenoonprayer.Theysawabovethemavastcarpetspreadovertheirheads,coveringthewholesky.Itwasagreencarpet,andonitingoldandsilverwereembroideredthewords:

IndeedforthefriendsofAllahthereistieitherfearnorsorrow.(Sura

Yunus,62)OfamilyoftheProphet,Allah’speaceandblessingsbe

uponyou.IndeedHealoneispraiseworthyandmostglorious(SuraHud,73)

ThecarpetfloatedliketheflyingcarpetoftheprophetSolomon,anddescendedtotheground.Thepeople,inspired,quietandpeaceful,walkedtowardsit.The

shaykh,cladinbeautifulclothes,steppeduponthecarpetandledtheminprayeruponit.Whenheraisedhishandsandsaid,‘Allahisgreat,’thewholeskyechoedthesamewords.Asheprayed,theangelsofthesevenheavensinchorusrepeatedhisprayers.Whenhesaid,‘AllpraiseisduetoAllah,’agreenlightemanatedfromhismouth,coveringthesky.Attheendoftheprayerheopenedhishandsandsaid,‘OLord,forthesakeofmyancestoryourbelovedMuhammad,peacebeuponhim,andforthesakeofthoseamongyourcreationwhofearandloveyou,donottakeanyofmyfollowerstoyouuntiltheyareforgivenoftheirsinsanduntiltheirfaithiscomplete.’Oneandallheardthehumoftheangelssaying,’Amin.’Followingtheangels,theytoosaid‘Amin.’Thentheyallheardavoicefrominsideofthemsaying,‘Rejoice!Ihaveacceptedyourprayers.’

TheProphetMuhammad^says,‘Theperfectshaykhislikeaprophettohispeople’.IndeedHadratcAbdul-QadirwasoneofthoseperfectshaykhswhoopenedtopeoplethegatesoffelicityinthisworldandthegatesofParadiseinthenext.

ItwasonlyafterHadratcAbdul-Qadirhadmasteredhisegoandbecomeaperfectman,andonlybytheinspiredcommandoftheHolyProphetthathebecameateacherandestablishedcontactwiththepeople.Itwasalsoatthistimethat,followingtheexample

THESECRETOESECRETS

ofhisancestortheProphetMuhammad,hemarriedfourwives,eachamodelofvirtueanddevotedtohim.Hewasfifty-oneyearsold,Hehadforty-ninechildren:twenty-sevensonsandtwenty-twodaughters.

Onedayhiswivescametohimandsaid,‘Opossessorofthebestofcharacters,yourlittlesonhasdied,andwehaven’tseenasingletearinyoureyes,norhave

youshownanysignofsadnessorconcern.Don’tyouhaveanycompassionforsomeonewhoisapartofyou?Wearebentoverdoubleinsorrow,yetyougoaboutyourbusinessasifnothinghashappened.Youareourmaster,ourguide,ourhopeforthisworldandtheHereafter,butifyourheartishardandthereisnocompassionthere,howcanwe,whohopetoholdontoyouonthedayofLastJudgment,havefaiththatyouwillsaveus?’

Theshaykhsaid,‘Omydearfriends,donotthinkthatmyheartishard.Ipitytheunfaithfulforhisunfaithfulness,IpitythedogwhobitesmeandpraytoAllahthatitstopbitingpeople,notthatImindbeingbitten,butbecauseotherswillthrowstonesatit.Don’tyouknowthatIhaveinheritedcompassionfromtheonewhomAllahsentasmercyupontheuniverse?’

Thewomensaid,‘Indeed,ifyouhavefeelingevenforthedogwhichbitesyou,howisitthatyoudonotshowanyfeelingforyourownsonwhohasbeensmittenwiththeswordofdeath?’

Theshaykhsaid,‘Omysadcompanions,youcrybecauseyoufeelseparatedfromyoursonwhomyoulove.IamalwayswiththeoneIlove.Yousawyoursoninthedreamwhichthisworldis,andyouhavelosthiminanotherdream.Allahsays,“Thisworldisbutadream.”Itisadreamfortheoneswhoareasleep.Iamawake.Isawmysonwhenhewaswithinthecircleoftime.Nowhehaswalkedoutofthatcircle.Istillseehimandheiswithme.Heisplayingaroundmejustashedidbefore.Forwhenyouseethatwhichisrealwiththeeyeoftheheart,whetherdeadoralive,thetruthdoesnotdisappear.’

Onedaytheshaykhandsomeofhisfollowersweretravellingonfootinthedesert.ItwasthemonthofRamadanandthedesertwashot.Herelated:

XXVIII

Iwasexceedinglytiredandthirsty.Myfollowerswerewalkingaheadofme.Allofasuddenacloudappearedoverhead,likeanumbrellaprotectingusfromthehotsun.Infrontofusappearedagushingspringandadate-palmladenwithripefruit.Finallytherecamearoundlight,brighterthanthesunandstandingapartfromit.Avoicecamefromitsdirection.

Itsaid,‘OpeopleofAbdul-Qadir,IamyourLord!Eatanddrink,forIhavemadelawfulforyouwhatIhavemadeunlawfulforothers!’Mypeople,whowereaheadofme,rushedtothespringtodrink,andtothedate-palmtoeatfromit.Ishoutedatthemtostop,andliftingmyheadtowardsthedirectionofthevoiceIshouted,‘ItakerefugeinAllahfromtheaccursedDevil!’

Thecloud,thelight,thespringandthedate-palmalldisappeared.TheDevilstoodinfrontofusinallhisugliness.Heasked,‘Howdidyouknowthatitwasme?’ItoldtheAccursedOnewhohasbeenthrownoutofAllah’smercythattheaddressofAllahisnotasoundheardwiththeears,nordoesitcomefromoutside.Furthermore,IknewthatAllah’slawsareconstantandaremeantforall.Heneitherchangesthem,norrendersthatwhichisunlawfullawfultotheonesHefavours.

Uponhearingthis,theDeviltriedhislasttemptationofarousingpride.‘OcAbdul-Qadir,’hesaid,‘Ihavefooledseventyprophetswiththistrick.Yourknowledgeisvast,yourwisdomisgreaterthanthatoftheprophets!’Thenpointingtomyfollowershewenton,‘Isthishandfuloffoolsyouronlyfollowing?Thewholeworldshouldfollowyou,foryouareasgoodasaprophet.’

Isaid,‘ItakerefugefromyouinmyLordWhoisAll-hearingandAll-knowing.Foritisnotmyknowledge,normywisdom,whichsavedmefromyou,butthemercyofmyLord.’

HesaweverythingasfromAllah,dideverythingforAllah’ssake,

andattributednothingtoanycreatedbeing,includinghimself.

THESECRETOPSECRETS

Whathesaid,hedid.Complimentorcriticism,benefitorloss,werethesametohim.Hisknowledgewasall-encompassingandhiswisdomsupreme.Heconsideredtheoneswhoknowanddonotapplytheirknowledgeasnobetterthandonkeyscarryingheavybooks.

Oneofthegreatshaykhsofthetime,ShaykhMuzaffarMansuribnal-Mubarakal-Wasitl,relates:

IcametovisitShaykhcAbdul-Qadirwithsomeofmystudents.Iwascarryingabookonphilosophyinmyhand.Hegreetedusandlookedatus,thensaidtome,‘Whatabadanddirtyfriendyouareholdinginyourhand!Goandwashit!’

Iwasawedbytheshaykh’sangrywords.Hecouldnothaveknownthecontentsofthebook,whichIlovedandwhich1hadalmostmemorized.

Idebatedwithmyselfwhethertogetupandhidethebooksomewhereandpickituponmydeparture.AsIwasabouttogoanddothis,hegavemeastrangelookandIcouldn’tliftmyselffrommyseat.Heorderedmetogivethebooktohim.AsIwasdoingsoIopeneditforalastlook.Isawonlyemptywhitepages!Allthatwaswrittenhaddisappeared.

1gavethebooktohim.Hetookit,browsedthroughit,andgaveitbacktome,saying,‘Hereitis,“TheWisdomoftheQur’an”byIbnDaris.’Itookitandopenedit,andindeedthebookofphilosophyhadbeentransformedintoFada’ilal-Qur’anbyIbnDaris,writteninthemostbeautifulcalligraphy.Thenhesaidtome,‘Doyouwishyourhearttorepentwhenyouvoiceyourrepentance?’Ianswered,‘IndeedIdo’.Hesaid,‘Thenstandup’.AsIrosetostand,Ifeltallofmyknowledgeofphilosophydescendfrommymindandsinktotheground.Notawordofitremainedinmymemory.

AnothertimeagreatnumberofpeoplegatheredaroundShaykhcAbdul-Qadir,hopingthathewouldspeak.Hesatforaverylongtimewithoutsayingaword;thecongregationalsosatandwaited

silently.Afterawhileastrangeecstasyovercamethem,asiftheyhadbeenemptiedofallthoughtandimagination.Thenallofthemtogetherthoughtthesamething:‘Whatistheshaykhthinkingabout?’

Assoonasthisquestionwasraisedintheirminds,HadratcAbdul-Qadirspoke.‘JustnowamanwastransportedfromMeccatoBaghdadinaninstant,repentedinmypresence,andflewback,’hesaid.

Thecongregationthoughtasone:‘WhyshouldamanwhocouldflyinaninstantfromMeccatoBaghdadneedtorepent?’

Hesaid,‘Toflyintheairisonething,buttofeelloveissomethingelse.Itaughthimhowtolove.’

‘AbdullahZayalrelates:

Intheyear560IwasattheschoolofHadrat‘Abdul-Qadir.OnedayIsawhimleavinghishousewithhisstaffinhishand.

Isaidtomyself,‘Iwishhewouldshowmeamiraclewiththatstaff!’Helookedatmeandsmiledandstuckthestaffintothesand.Instantlyitturnedintoabeamofintenselightrisingoutofsightintothesky,illuminatingeverythingforanhour.Thenheheldthatbeamoflight.Itturnedbackintoanordinarystaff.Helookedatmeandsaid,‘OZayal,isthatallthatyouwanted?’

AthishandsmorethanfivethousandJewsandChristiansbe-cameMuslims.Morethanahundredthousandruffians,outlaws,murderers,thieves,andbanditsrepentedandbecamedevoutMuslimsandgentledervishes.Heexplainshowhe

reachedthatblessedstate.

Fortwenty-fiveyearsIwanderedinthedesertsofIraq.Isleptinruins.InaplaceatShustar,aruinedcastleinthemiddleofthedeserttwelvedays’journeyfromBaghdad,Istayedinseclusionforelevenyears.IpromisedmyLordthatIwouldneithereatnordrinkuntilIreachedspiritualperfection.Onthefortiethdayamancamewithaloafofbreadandsome

THESECRETOFSECRETS

foodandplacedtheminfrontofmeanddisappeared.Myfleshscreamed,‘Iamhungry,Iamhungry!’Myegowhispered,‘Yourpromiseisfulfilled.Whydon’tyoueat?’ButIdidnotbreakmyvowtoAllah.

BychancethescholarAbuSa‘Idal-Muharramlhappenedtobepassingby.Heheardthescreamsofhungerofmyflesh,thoughIwasdeaftothem.Hecameandsawmyemaciatedstateandsaidtome,‘WhatisthisIseeandhear,O’Abdul-Qadir?’

‘Don’tmindit,myfriend,’Isaid.‘Itisonlythevoiceofthedisobedient,unrulyego,while,Itellyou,thesoulisbowedinfrontofitsLordandishopefulandpeacefulandjoyful.’

‘PleasecometomyschoolatBabal-‘Azj,’heasked.Ididnotanswer,butinwardlyIsaid,‘Iwillnotleavethisplacewithoutdivineorder.’NotlongafterKhidrcametomeandtoldme,‘GoandjoinAbuSa‘Id’.

WhenIreceivedtheorder,IwenttoBaghdad,totheschoolofAbuSa‘Id,andfoundhimwaitingformeatthegate.‘Ibeggedyoutocome!’hesaid.Thenheinvestedmewiththecloakofthedervish.FromthattimeonIneverlefthim.

FortyyearsIneversleptatnight.ImademymorningprayerwiththeablutionIhadtakentomakemynightprayer.IreadtheQur’aneverynightsothatsleepshouldnotovertakeme.Istoodononefootandleanedagainstthewallwithonehand.IdidnotchangethispositionuntilIhadreadthewholeQur’an.

WhenIcouldnotfightsleepmyself,Iwouldhearavoicethatshookeverycellinmybody.Itwouldsay,‘O‘Abdul-Qadir,Ididnotcreateyoutosleep!Youwerenothing.Igaveyoulife.SowhileyouarealiveyouwillnotbeunawareofUs.’

Onedaysomeoneaskedhim,‘OcAbdul-Qadir,wepray,fastanddenythelowdesiresofourfleshjustlikeyou.Howisitthatwedo

notreceivehighmysticalstatesandtheabilitytoperformmiracles,asyoudo?’

Heanswered,‘Iseethatnotonlydoyoutrytocompetewithmeinactions—thinkingthatyoudowhatIdowhileyoumerelydowhatyouseemedo—butyoureproachAllahfornotgivingyouthesamerewards!AllahismywitnessthatIhavenevereatenordrunkunlessIheardmyCreatorsay,“Hatanddrink—youoweittoMeforthebodyIhavegivenyou.”NeitherhaveIdoneasinglethingwithouttheorderofmyLord.’

Shaykh‘AllibnMusafirrelates:

Iwasamongthousandsofpeoplegatheredtohearhimintheopenair.Ashespoke,aheavyrainstartedpouringdownandsomepeoplestartedtoleave.Theskywasdarkwithcloudspromisingmorerain.HadratcAbdul-Qadirliftedhisheadandhishandsinprayerandsaid,‘OLord,ItrytogatherpeopleforYou.AreYoutryingtochasethemawayfromme?’Assoonashesaidthis,itstopped

rainingonus.Notadropfellonusuntilhefinishedspeaking,thoughitwaspouringoutsidetheplaceweweregathered.

Yahyaibnjinaal-Adlbrecalled:

ShaykhcAbdul-Qadirusedtointerjectpoetryintohistalks.Onedayhewastalkingaboutthesoulandherecitedthepoem,

Mysoul,beforeitcametobeintherealmofnothingness,lovedYou.

IfIwithdrewfromtherealmoflove,now,

Wouldmyfeetcarrymeaway?

InwardlyIsaidtomyself,‘Let’sseehowmanypoemshewillrecitetoday.’IhadapieceofthreadwithmeandIputaknotinitundermycloakeachtimeherecitedaverse.Iwassittingfarawayfromhim.Hecouldnotpossiblyhaveseenme.Helookedatmeandsaid,‘Itrytounravel,andyouseemtotieknots!’

XXXIII

THESECRETOFSECRETS

HisdevoutservantAbul-Ridarelates:

Oneday,whilepreaching,theshaykhstoppedinthemiddleofasentenceanddeclared,‘Iwillnotcontinueunlessyougivemeahundredpiecesofgoldrightnow!’Quicklypeoplegatheredahundreddinarsandplacedtheminmyhands.Everyonewasshocked,notknowingwhattodo,lookingathiminamazement.Ibroughthimthemoney.Hegavethehundreddinarsbacktomeandsaid,‘OAbul-Rida,gotothecemeteryofShunTziyyah.Youwillfindthereanoldmanplayingalutetothegraves.Givethisgoldtohimandbringhimtome/

Iwent,andindeed,therewasanoldmanplayinghisluteandsingingtothetombs.Iofferedhimsalutationsandgavehimthebagofgold.Hewasawestruck,gavealongscream,andfainted.

WhenherevivedIbroughthimtoShaykhcAbdul-Qadir,whoaskedhimtocomeuptothepulpit.Themanclimbedthestepswiththeluteonhisshoulders.‘Friend,tellthemyourstory/theshaykhsaid.

Thelute-playertoldusthathehadbeenapopularsingeroffameinhisyouth.Yetwhenhegrewoldnoonesoughthimorwishedtohearhimanymore.Sadandabandonedbyeverybody,thatverydayhehadvowedhewouldneversingtoanyonebutthedead.Hehadcometothecemeteryandashesattheresingingandplayinghislutethegravenearesthimsplitopen!Thedeadmanraisedhisheadandsaid,‘Allyourlifeyouhavesungforthedead.SingforoncefortheEverliving,forAllah.Hecertainlywillgiveyoumorethanyouhaveeverreceived—morethanyoueverhopedtoreceive!’Whenhesawandheardthat,hefaintedinfearandawe.Then,comingtohimself,hebegantosing:

OMyLord,onthedayImeetYouIwillhavenothingtobringbutbeggingonmylipsandhopeformercyinmyheart.

AllwillbegatheredwithhopeinYourpresence,woetomeifIamleftempty-handed!

IfonlythegoodcomebeggingtoYourgate,towhomshouldsinnersgo,seeking?

OLord,whenIcometoYouinshameontheDayofReckoning,willYounotsavemefromtheFire?

Abul-Ridafurtherrelates:

InthemiddleoftheverseIcametohimwiththehundreddinarsfrommymasterasarewardforhisentreatiestohisLord,andinamazementhefainted.

Thelute-player,tearspouringfromhiseyes,repented.Fiethrewdownhisluteandbrokeit.Theshaykhsaid,‘IfthisisAllah’srewardforthesincerityofsomeonewhotookthislifeasagame,whatshallbetherewardoftheservantofAllahwhoistrueandsincereallofhislife?Keepsincerityinyourheart,forwithoutityouwillnotadvancetowardsyourLordevenaninch/

cAbdul-SamadibnHumamwasoneofthewealthiestmeninBaghdad.Aworldly,proud,andarrogantman,hebelievedheownedtheworldandthepeoplewhoworkedforhim.Hesupposedhecouldcontrolthem,doingwiththemwhateverhepleased.Amaterialistineverysenseoftheword,hedislikedtheshaykhprofoundlyanddeniedhismiracles.Herelates:

Asyouknow,Ineverlikedtheshaykh.AlthoughIamamanofmeansandhaveallthatIwish,Iwasnevercontent,happyoratpeace.

OneFriday,asIwaspassingbyhisschool,Iheardthecalltoprayer.Isaidtomyself,‘Let’stakeacloserlookatthismanwhoimpressesotherswithhisso-calledmiracles.I’llgoandmakemyFridayprayerinhismosque.’

Themosquewaspackedsolid.Ipushedmyselfforwardinthecrowdandfoundaplacerightatthefootofthepulpit.Theshaykhstarteddeliveringhissermonandthethingshesaidangeredme.

THESECRETOFSECRETS

AllofasuddenIhadaterribleurgentneedtorelievemyself.Therewasnowayoutofthemosque.Iwasfilledwithhorrorattheterribleshame,asIwasabouttodefecaterightthereandthen.Myangertowardtheshaykhincreased.

Atthatmomenthecalmlydescendedthestepsofthepulpitandstoodaboveme.Whilecontinuingtotalk,hecoveredmewiththeskirtofhiscloak.AllofasuddenIfoundmyselfinabeautifulgreenvalleywhereapurebrookflowed.Therewasnoonearound.Irelievedmyselfandcleansedmyselfandtookablutioninthebrook.AsIdecidedtomakemyprayer,Ifoundmyselfagainundertheshaykhscloak.Melifteditfrommeandreturnedupthestepsofthepulpit.

1wasawestruck.Notonlywasmybellycomfortablebutsowasmyheart.Allthediscontent,angerandnegativefeelinghadbeenwipedoutofit.

AftertheprayerIleftthemosqueandwalkedhome.Ontheway,IrealizedthatIhadlostthekeyofmysafe.Iwentbacktothemosqueandlookedforit,butIcouldn’tfinditanywhere.Ihadahardtimegettingthelocksmithtoopenmysafe.

ThenextdayIhadtogoonabusinesstrip.ThreedaysoutofBaghdadwepassedbyaverybeautifulvalley.Itwasasifaforcepulledustothesideofabeautifulbrook.IrealizedimmediatelythatthiswastheplaceIhadbeenandthebrookwhereIhadwashedmyself.Iwashedmyselfagainatthesameplace.ThereIfoundthelostkeytomysafe!WhenIreturnedtoBaghdadIbecameafolloweroftheshaykh.

AwomanofBaghdad,veryimpressedwiththefameandwealthoftheshaykh,decidedtoleavehersoninthecareofHadratcAbdul-Qadir.Shebroughtthechildtohimandsaid,‘Takethischildasyourown—Irenounceallrighttohim—andraisehimtobecomelikeyou’Theshaykhacceptedthechildandstartedtoteachhimpiety,asceticismanddenialoftheego’slowdesires.

Aftersometimethemothercametoseehersonandfoundhimthinandpaleandeatingacrustofbread.Shewasangryattheshaykhandaskedtoseehim.Whenshecameuponhimshefoundhimwell-dressed,seatedinapleasantroomandeatingachicken.‘Whileyoueatyourchicken,’shereproachedhim,‘mypoorson,whomIleftinyourcare,hasnothingbutapieceofdrybread!’

Theshaykhplacedhishandoverthebonesofthechicken.‘InthenameofAllahWhorevivesbonesfromdust,rise!*Heliftedhishandandthechickenwasalive.Itranaboutthetablesay-ing,‘ThereisnogodbutAllahandMuhammadisHisMessengerandShaykh‘Abdul-QadiristhefriendofAllahandHisMessenger!’

Theshaykhturnedtothewomanandsaid,‘Whenyoursoncandothis,hecanalsoeatwhateverhewishes.’

Onenight,laterinhislife,fiftyoftheeliteofBaghdadweregatheredinhishouse.Thecompanyincludedallthegreatshaykhsofthetime,amongthemHafizAbul-cIzzcAbdul-MughIthibnHarb.Herecalls:

Thatnighttheshaykhwasinastateofinspiration.Pearlsofwisdompouredfromhismouth.Allofuswereinaperfectstateofpeaceandbliss,ofakindwehadneverexperiencedbefore.Amomentcamewhentheshaykhpointedtohisfootanddeclared,‘Thisfootisoverthenecksofallthesaints’.Nosoonerhadhesaidthisthanoneofhisstudents,ShaykhcAllibnal-HIlI,threwhimselfathismaster’sfeet.Hetooktheshaykh’sfootandplacedituponhisneck.Thenalltherestofusdidthesame.

Anotherofthosepresent,ShaykhAbuSacTdal-KaylawI,said:

Whenhesaid,‘Thisfootisoverthenecksofallthesaints,’IfeltAllah’struthmanifestinmyheart.Isawallthesaintsoftheworldstandinginhispresence,fillingmywholevision.Theoneswhowereofthisworldwerepresentbodily;thosewho

XXXVII

THESECRETOFSECRETS

hadpassedawaywerepresentspiritually.Theskywasfilledwithangelsandotherbeingsinvisibletotheeye.AgroupofangelsdescendedandbestoweduponthesaintthecloakoftheMessengerofAllahAsweallprostratedourselvesandstretchedournecksweheardasoundlessvoicesay‘Osultanofthetime,guideofthereligion,oftheplace,OexecutorofthewordofAllahtheCompassionate,inheritoroftheHolyBook,deputyofAllah’sMessenger,Ohetowhoseorderstheearthandtheheavensaregiven,whoseprayerisaccepted,whenheasksforraintheraincomesandmilkcomesfromdrybreasts,

Obelovedandrespectedofthewholecreation…’

AfterShaykhAbdul-Qadirpronouncedthosewords,notonlythoseinhispresence,butallthemenofreligionfeltanincreaseintheirknowledgeandtheirwisdom,inthedivinelightintheirhearts,andintheirspirituallevels.

AsthiseventbecameknownallovertheMuslimworld,alltheshaykhsandteachersputtheirheadsontheflooringreathumblenessandacceptedhisleadership.Sinnersamongthepeoplecameintohispresence,repented,andbecamepure.Bandits,thieves,outlawscametohimandbecamehisfollowers.Hebecamethecentre,thepole.

Threehundredandthirteensaintsofthetime,amongthemsev-enteenintheholycityofMecca,sixtyinIraq,fortyinIran,twentyinEgypt,thirtyinDamascus,eleveninAbyssinia,sevenfromCey-lon,twenty-sevenintheWest,forty-sevenintheinaccessiblelandsbeyondMountQaf,seveninthelandsofGogandMagog,andtwenty-fourintheislandsoftheoceans,allhearditandputtheirheadstothegroundinobedience—withtheexceptionofonePersian.

ThisPersianwasaverydevoutshaykh.Heprayedmorethananyoneandfastedcontinually.HemadenumerouspilgrimagestotheKa’bah.Hewasvery

ambitioustoobtainAllah’spleasure.Forfiftyyeaisheremainedinseclusionfromtheworldwithhisfourhundreddisciples,whomhemadeworkdayandnighttoperfect

XXXVIII

themselves.Hehadgreatknowledge,andhecouldworkmiracles.WhenwordofHadrat‘Abdul-Qadir’sdeclarationreachedhim,hewasatthePilgrimagewithhisdisciples,intheholycityofMecca.EitherheunderestimatedthegreatnessofHadrat‘Abdul-Qadirorheoverestimatedhisown.Herefusedtolowerhisneckinobedienceto‘Abdul-Qadir’scall.ThatnighthedreamedthathewentfromMeccatoByzantiumandthereheworshippedanidol.DepressedbythisoppressivedreamhegatheredhisdisciplesandsaidthathemustgoatoncetoByzantium,wherehehopedtodiscoverthemeaningofthisdream.HisloyaldisciplesfollowedhimtoByzantium.Astheyenteredthecitytheshaykhcaughtsightofabeautifulgirlstandingonabalcony.Herhairwasblackasnight,hereyesweretwinmoonswitharchedbrowsliketendersicklesoverthem,herlookalureforlovers,Hermoistlips,thecolourofrubies,renderedwholookeduponthemthirsty.Hermouthwassosmallthatevenwordscouldnotpass,herslenderwaistwasclaspedbytheidolater’sbelt.Assoonastheshaykhsawherhisheartcaughtfire,hiseyesbecamefixedonher,hiswillslippedfromhishands.Ashisheartwasfilledwithloveforher,religionandfaithleftit.Forallherbeauty,thatwomanwasaharlot,atemptationoftheDevil.Theshaykhstoodatthedoorofthispaganharlot,hismouthopen,hiseyesfixedonthebalcony,hopingtoseeher.Inwardlyhewasintorment.Hethoughtthatalltheseyearshehadfasted,hadtormentedhisflesh,butneverhadhesufferedlikethis.Hesoughthisknowledge,hisreason,tomakesenseoutofthissituation,butallreasonandknowledgehadlefthim.Hiscompanionscametohiminterroranddistressandbeggedhimtocomeaway,torepent,topray.Theshaykhrepliedthatifhehadtotepentnow,hewouldrepentfortheabsurdityofgivingupthewoildandits

pleasuresforthesakeofhisfaith,andasforprayingandbegging,hewouldratherbegfromthisgirlthanfromGod.WhenhewasremindedofAllah’spunishmentandHell,hesaidthatthisseparationfromhisbelovedandthefireofloveinhisheartcouldfeedsevenHells.Hisdisciplespleadedwithhimforalongtime,butseeingthattheireffortsproducednoeffectontheshaykh,theylefthim.

THESECRETOl-SECRETS

Theshaykhstayedawholemonthatthedoorofthepaganharlot.Thedustwashisbedandthedoorstephispillow.Hesleptonthestreetwiththestreetdogs.

Finallythebeautifulpagancametoherdoortomeethimandsaidtohim,‘OoldmanwhocallshimselfashaykhandaMuslim,youaresodrunkwiththewineofgivingpartnerstoGodthatyoushowyourselfinsuchastateinthispaganstreet!’Theshaykhsaid,Iwillgiveupnotonlymyreligionbutmylifeforonetouchofyou*lips.Theharlotsaid,‘Shameonyou,youoldslaveofyourpassions.Howdareyousuggestkissingmewhenyouarereadytowrapyourselfinyourshroudandgotoyourtomb.Goaway!Icannotloveyou.’

Nomatterhowsheinsultedhim,theshaykhstoodatherdoor.Thenshecamedownagainandtoldhim,‘Ifyoulovemeasyousayyoudo,thenyoumustleaveIslam,burntheQur’an,bowyourheadandprostrateyourselfbeforetheidolsanddrinkwine.’Hesaid,‘IcannotyettrulyabandonIslamnorcanIburntheQur’an,butIamwillingtodrinkwinetoyourbeauty.’Shesaid,‘Thencomeanddrinkwinewithme.YouwillsoonagreetodoalltheotherthingswhichIaskofyou.’Ashesippedthewinefromherhands,hisheartandhismindblazedwithfire.HetriedtorecalltheQur’anwhichhehadmemorized,thebookshehadreadandwrittenonIslam,buthehadforgottenthemall.Drunk,hetiiedtotouchher.Shesaid,Notuntilyoubecomeapaganlikemeandburnyour

Qur’an.’HethrewtheQur’anandhisdervishcloakintothefire,lefthisfaith,andbowedtothepagangods,andtriedagaintotouchher.Shesaid,‘Youolddweller,slaveofpassion,whopossessesneitherworldlygoodsnorfame,howcanawomanlikemebecaressedbysuchabeggar?Ineedsilverandgoldandsilk.Sinceyouhavenone,takeyouruglyselfaway!’

Moretimepassed.Thepooroldman,wasted,stoodathergate.Finally,onedayshegaveherselftohim.Thenshesaid,‘Nowformyprice,Ofilthyoldman,goandlookaftermyherdofpigsforayear.’Withoutprotesttheone-timeshaykhoftheKa’bahbecameaswineherd.

ThesadnewsoftheshaykhwhodidnotbowhisheadtoHadrat‘Abdul-Qadirspread,andhisdiscipleswhohadabandonedhimreachedBaghdad.Theyaskedtoseetheshaykh.Whentheytoldhimwhathadhappenedandthattheirshaykhhadforsakenhisreligion,becomeapaganandaswineherd,Hadrat‘Abdul-Qadirsaid,‘Ifonedoesnotsubmitandbecomealambtoashepherd,thenonebecomesashepherdtoaherdofpigs.Foreachmanhashisherdofathousandpigs,athousandidolsinhisheart,unlesshedrivesthemawaybysubmissionandrepentance.’Thenhereproachedthemforhavinglefttheirshaykhandtoldthemthattheyshouldevenhavebecomepagansforhissake!Headdedthatarealfriendisafrienduponwhomyoucanrelyinmisfortune;ingoodfortune,everyonefeignstobeyourfriend.ThentheshaykhprayedforthemisguidedshaykhandtoldthemtogobacktoByzantiumandtellhimthat‘Abdul-Qadirbidshimcomeback.

7hedisciplesatoncesetoutforByzantium.Iheyprayedfortheirshaykhalltheway.TheyfastedandaskedAllahtogivetheirrewardstotheirshaykh.TheysentnumerousblessingstotheProphetMuhammad£=£andaskedforhis

intercession.Thearrowofpiayeireacheditsmark.Whentheycameupontheshaykhtheyfoundhimradiantamongthemanypigs,andwhentheytoldhimofthecallofHadratAbdul-Qadirhetoreawaythegirdleofthepagan,shedtorrentsoftearsofremorse,liftedhishandstoheaveninthankfulness,andallthathehadforsaken—theQur’an,thedivinesecrets—camebacktohimandhewasdeliveiedfromhismiseryandfolly.1henhebathedhimselfandperformedhisablutionsandputonhisdervishcloakandsetoutforBaghdad.

Whileallthiswashappeningthepagangirlsawinadreamalightdescendinguponherandheardthesewords:‘Followyourshaykh,embracehisfaith,bethedustbeneathhisfeet.Youwhohavebeensoiledareaspureasheisnow.Youledhiminyourway.Enternowintohis.’Whensheawokeshewastransformed.Sherushedtocatchupwiththeshaykhand

THESECRETOFSECRETS

hisdisciples.Sheran,withouteatingordrinking,overmountainsandplains.Finally,inthemiddleofthedesert,shefelltotheground.Sheprayed,‘OYouWhohavecreatedme,forgiveme,donotstrikemedown.IfIrevoltedagainstYourfaithandYourways,Ididitinignorance,asmyshaykhdidinarrogance.Youforgavehim,soforgiveme.Isubmitandacceptthetruefaith.’

Allahmadetheshaykh,whowasnotfaraway,hearherwordsandheandhisdiscipleswentbacktowherethegirllay.Shesaid,‘1amconsumedwithshamebecauseofyou.InstructmeinIslam’sothatImaymeetmyLordontheway.’Astheshaykhwitnessedherfaithandhiscompanionsshedtearsofjoy,shebadethemfarewellandjoinedherLord.She,adropintheseaofillusion,returnedtothetrueoceanandtheshaykhcametoBaghdadandstretchedhisneckinhumblenessunderthefeetofHadrat’Abdul-Qadir.

AsHadiatAbdul-Qadirsinfluencespreadtoallcomersoftheworld,manyof

hisdisciplesobtainedimportantpositionsandmanyluletsofmenbecamehisdisciples.Inaccordancewiththeirabilities,innerqualitiesandspirituallevels,hechargedmanyofhisfollowerstoactashisdeputies.Somehemadespiritualteachersandotheisjurists.Someheevenappointedasgovernorsandwieldersofworldlypower.

TherewasadervishwhohadbeenwithHadrat‘Abdul-Qadirforfortyyears,whohadenteredhisserviceandhadmadealleffortstopleasehim.Liewouldseeotherdisciplesmuchyoungerthanhe,whospentmuchlesstimethanhedidwiththeshaykh,delegatedbytheshaykhtoreceiveimportantposts.OnedayhecametoHadrat‘Abdul-Qadirandmadearequest.Hehadservedhimforsomanyyearsandnowhewasgettingold.Whycouldhenotalsoreceiveanimportantandloftypostlikesomeoftheothers?

Ashewasspeaking,agroupofemissariesfromIndiaarrived.

IheywishedHadratAbdul-Qadirtoappointamaharajahtotheirkingdom.Theshaykhlookedathisdervishandsaid,‘Wouldyoulikethispost?Doyoufeelthatyouarequalified?’Thedervishwasoveijoyed.

Aftertheemissariesleft,theshaykhsaidtothedervish,‘IfyoufeelqualifiedtoserveinmynameIwillappointyoutothatkingdominIndia.Ihaveacondition.Youmustpromisetogivemehalfofalltheprofitandgoodsyouwillreceiveduringyourreign.’Thedervishreadilyaccepted.

ThisdervishwasacookatHadrat‘Abdul-Qadir’sschool.Thatdayadessertwasbeingpreparedwhichhadtobestirredcontinuously.Afterhistalkwiththeshaykhhereturnedtothekitchentostiitheheavydessertinagiantcauldronwithawoodenspoon.Whilehewasengagedinthishewascalledtoaccompany

theemissariestoIndiaastheirking,andheleft.

Thedeivishbecameamaharajah.Hegatheredenormouswealth,builtmanypalacesforhimself,marriedandhadason.Heforgotallabouthisshaykhandabouthispromise.

ThenonedayhereceivedamessagethatShaykh‘Abdul-Qadirwascomingtovisithiskingdom.Hepreparedtoreceivehimwithgieatpomp.Afterlavishceremonies,processions,andfeasts,theywereleftalonetospeak.Theshaykhremindedthemaharajahoftheiragreement:hewastoreceivehalfofallthathehadaccumulatedduringhisreign.Themaharajahwasdispleasedatbeingremindedofhispromisebutneverthelessavowedthatbythefollowingdayhewouldprepareanaccountofallhepossessedandwouldofferhalftotheshaykh.

Hisambitionandhishungerforwealth—whichhadincreasedmanytimes,themorewealthheacquired—didnotpermithimtoaccounttiuthfullyforhispossessions.Thenextdayhebroughtalistandpresentedittotheshaykh.Althoughitenumeratedmanypalacesandmanytreasuresitrepresentedonlyafractionofwhatheactuallyowned.

Shaykh‘Abdul-Qadirseemedtobesatisfiedwithhisshare.Thenhespoke.Thearthatyoualsohaveason.’

1hemaharajahresponded,‘Yes,unfortunatelyonlyone.IfIhadtwoIwouldgladlygiveyouone.’

‘Nonetheless,bringthechild,’theshaykhreturned.‘Wecanalwayssharehim.’Theboywasbroughtintotheirpresence.The

XI.III

THESECRETOFSECRETS

shaykhunsheathedhissharpswordandhelditoverthechild’shead.‘YouwillhavehalfandIwillhavehalf1.’hedeclared.

Thefather,horrified,pulledouthisdaggerandwithhistwohandsplungeditintotheheartoftheshaykh.

Heblinkedhiseyes:asheopenedthemhefoundhimselfattheedgeofthecauldronofdessert,plungingthewoodenspoonintoit.Hadrat‘Abdul-Qadirlookedathimandsaid,‘Asyousee,youarenotyetreadytobemyrepresentative.Youhavenotyetgiveneverything,includingyourself,tome.’

HehimselfhadgivenallofhimselftoAllah.Hisnightspassedwithlittleornosleepinsecludedprayerandmeditation.HespenthisdayslikeatruefolloweroftheProphetintheserviceofhumanity.Threetimesaweekhewoulddeliverpublicsermonstothousandsofpeople.EverydayinthemorningandtheafternoonhegavelessonsinQur’aniccommentary,Prophetictraditions,theology,religiouslawandSufism.Hespentthetimeafterthemiddayprayergivingadviceandconsultationtopeople,whetherbeggarsorkings,whowouldcomefromallpartsoftheworld.Beforesunsetprayers,rainorshine,hetooktothestreetstodistributebreadamongthepoor.Ashespentallhisdaysinfastinghewouldeatonlyonceaday,afterthesunsetprayer,andneveralone.Hisservantswouldstandathisdooraskingpassers-byiftheywerehungry,sothattheycouldsharehistable.

HediedonSaturdaytheeighthdayofIIRabT’in561a.h.,1166c.e,attheageof91.Hisblessedtomb,atthemadrasaofBabal-DarajainBaghdad,hasbecomeanimportantplaceofvisitationforSufisandallMuslims.

WhenhecontractedtheillnessfromwhichhediedhissoncAbdul-cAzIzsawthathewassufferinggreatpain,tossingandturninginbed.‘Donotworryaboutme,’hesaidtohisson.‘IambeingturnedoverandoveragainintheknowledgeofAllah.’

WhenhissoncAbdul-Jabbaraskedhimwhereithurthimhesaid,‘Allofmeachesexceptformyheart.Thereisnopaininit,foritiswithAllah.’

HissoncAbdul-Wahhabsaidtohim,‘Givemesomelastadviceuponwhichtoactafteryouhaveleftthisworld.’

Hesaid,‘FearAllahandnoneother.HopefromAllahandentrustallyourneedstoHim;hopeandwantnothingfromanyoneexceptHim.RelyonAllahandonnoneother.UnitewithHim,unitewithHim,unitewithHim.’

Beforeheleftthisworldhelookedaroundandsaidtothepeoplepresent,‘Otherswhomyoudonotseehavecometome.Makeroomandshowcourtesytothem!Iamthecorewithouttheshell.Youseemewithyou,whileIamwithsomeoneelse.Itisbestthatyouleavemenow.’Thenhesaid,‘Oangelofdeath,IdonotfearyounordoIfearanythingexceptHimWhohasbefriendedmeandhasbeengeneroustome!’

Atthelastmomentheraisedhishandsandsaid,‘ThereisnogodbutAllahandMuhammadisHisProphet.GlorybetoAllah,theExalted,theEverliving,glorybetoHim,theAll-Powerful,WhooverpowersHisservantsbydeath.’

Thenhegavealoudcryandsaid,‘Allah,Allah,Allah!’andhisblessedsoullefthisbody.

MayAllah’spleasurebeuponhissoulandmayhisspiritintercedeforthisfaqlr,thewriterofthesewords,andforthosewhoreadthem.

AnAddresstotheReader

(FromaletterbyHadratcAbdul-Qadiral-JTlanl)

DearFriend,Yourheartisapolishedmirror.Youmustwipeitcleanoftheveilofdustwhichhasgathereduponit,becauseitisdestinedtoreflectthelightofdivinesecrets.

WhenthelightfromAllah(Who)isthelightoftheheavensandtheearth…beginstoshineupontheregionsofyourheart,thelampoftheheartwillbelit.Thelampoftheheartisinaglass,theglassisasitwereabrightlyshiningstar…Thenwithinthatheart,thelightning-shaftofdivinediscoveriesstrikes.Thislightning-shaftwillemanatefromthethundercloudsofmeaningneitheroftheEastnoroftheWest,litfromablessedolivetree…andthrowlightuponthetreeofdiscovery,sopure,sotransparentthatitshedslightthoughfredoesnottouchit.1Thenthelampofwisdomislitbyitself.HowcanitremainunlitwhenthelightofAllah’ssecretsshinesoverit?

Ifonlythelightofdivinesecretsshinesuponit,thenightskyofsecretsislitwiththousandsofstars…andbythestars(you)find(your)way…2Itisnotthestarsthatguideusbutthedivinelight.ForAllahhas…deckedthelowerheavenwithbeauty(in)thestars.3Ifonlythelampofdivinesecretsbekindledinyourinnerselftherestwillcome,eitherallatonceorlittlebylittle.Someyoualreadyknow,somewewilltellyouhere.Read,listen,trytounderstand.Thedarkskiesofunconsciousnesswillbelitbydivine

THESECRETOFSECRETS

AddresstotheReader

presenceandthepeaceandbeautyofthefullmoon,whichwillrisefromthehorizonsheddinglightuponlight*everrisinginthesky,passingthroughitsappointedstagesasAllahhas…ordainedfoiitMansions,5untilitshinesin

gloryinthecentreofthesky,dispersingthedarknessofheedlessness.(1swear)bythenightwhenitisstill6…Bythegloriousmorninglight…7yournightofunconsciousnesswillseethebrightnessoftheday.Thenyouwillinhaletheperfumeofremembranceandrepentintheearlyhoursofthemorningofunconsciousnessandregretyourlifespentinsleep.Youwillhearthesongsofthemorningnightingalesandyouwillhearthemsay

[heywereinthehabitofsleepingbutlittlebynight,andinthehoursofearlydawnthey(werefound)prayingforforgiveness?

AllahguidestoHislightwhomHepleases.10

ThenyouwillseefromthehorizonofDivineReasonthesunofinnerknowledgerising.Itisyourprivatesun,foryouaretheonewhomAllahguidesandareontherightpathandnottheoneHeleaveserror.”Andyouwillunderstandthesecretthat

Itisnotgiventothesuntocatchupwiththemoon,norcanthenightoutstriptheday.Eachswimsalongin(itsappointed)orbit.11

Finally,theknotwillbeuntiedinaccordancewiththeparableswhichAllahsetsforthformen,andAllahistheKnowerofallthings,1*andtheveilswillliftandshellswillshatter,revealingthefinebeneaththecoarse;thetruthwilluncoverherface.

Allthiswillbeginwhenthemirrorofyourheartiscleansed.ThelightofthedivinesecretswillfalluponitifyouarewillingandaskforHun,fromHim,withHim.

4SuraNur,35.

5SuraYaSin,39.

6SuraDuha,2.

7SuraDuha,1.

8SuraAl‘Imran,17.9SuraDhariyat,17-18.,0SuraNur,35.

11SuraA’raf,178.

12SuraYaSin,40.

13SuraNur,35.

‘AlltheabovearequotedfromtheVerseofLight(SuraNuru)SuraNahl,16.

3SuraSafiat,6.

XLVIII

TheSecretofSecrets

INTRODUCTION

AllpraiseisduetoAllah,asHeisamunificent,graciousand.compassionateLord,WhohasgatheredallknowledgeinHisEssenceandWhoistheCreatorofallknowledgeforeternity.Thecause,thereasonofallexistenceisfromHisexistence.AllpraiseisduetoAllah,asHehassenttheGloriousQur’anthatbearsinitsessencethereasonforitsrevelation,whichistoremindmenofAllah;Hesentittotheguidewholeadsmenonthepathoftruthwiththemightiestofallreligions.AllpeaceandblessingsbeuponHisbelovedprophetMuhammad,whowasnottaughtbyman,butbyHim.HeisHislastprophet,thelastlinkinthechainofprophethoodwhowasbroughttoaworldgoneastray,themosthonouredamongHisprophets,honouredbythemosthonouredofdivinebooks.Hisprogenyareguidesforseekers,hiscompanionswerechosenamongthegoodandbenevolent.Mayabundantpeaceandblessingsbeupontheirsouls.

Certainlythemosthonourableofvaluablethings,thehighest,thepricelessjewel,themostprofitableobjectoftradeamongmen,isknowledge.OnlywithwisdomcanweattaintheunityofAllah,Lordofalltheuniverses.OnlywithwisdomcanweunderstandandfollowHismessengersandHisprophets,peaceandblessingsbeuponthem.Themenofknowledge,thewisemen,arethepure

THESECRETOFSECRETS

servantsofAllahwhomMehaschosentoreceivedivinemessages.HehaspreferredthemtoothermenbyvirtueofthegraceHehaspoureduponthem.TheyaretheheirsofHisprophets,theirdeputies,whomHismessengerschosetobemastersofmen.TheyareconnectedtoHisprophetswiththefinestof

feelingandwiththewisestofintelligence.

AllahMostHighpraisesthepossessorsofwisdominHisQur’an:

ThenWehavegiventheBookasaninheritancetothosewhomWehavechosenfromamongOurservants:Sosomeofthemarethosewhowrongthemselvesandsomeofthemarethosewhotakethemiddlecourse[whoseerrorsandgooddeedsareequal],andsomeofthemarethosewhoareforemostindeedsofgoodnessbyAllah’swill.Thatisthegreatestgrace.(SuraFatir,32)

ThenourMaster,theProphetofAllah(Godblesshimandgranthimpeace)praisesthem,saying,‘Theholdersofwisdomaretheheirsoftheprophets.Theinhabitantsoftheheavenslovethem,anduponthiseartheventhefishesintheseaspraisethemuntilDoomsday.’Inanotherverse,AllahMostHighcreditsthemenofknowledge,describingthemthus:

CertainlythoseofHisservantswhoarepossessedofknowledgefearHim.(SuraFatir,28)

OurMastertheProphet#,says,‘OnthedayoftheLastJudgmentAllahwillgathermentogether,thenseparatethewisemenfromamongthem,andsaytothem,“Opeopleofknowledge,IgaveyouMyknowledgebecauseIknowyou.Ididnotgiveyouwisdomtopunishyouonthisday.EnterMyParadise;Ihaveforgivenyou”.’

AllpraisebelongstoAllah,Lordoftheuniverses,forHehasgivenhighstationstoHisdevoutservantstoprotectthemfromsinandtosparethempunishment.Hehasblessedthewisebydrawingneartothem.

Someofourstudentsaskedustoprepareabookwhichwouldsufficethem.Incompliancewiththeirwishandtheirneedwehave

Introduction

preparedthisshortbook:mayithealandsatisfythemandothers.WenamedthisbookSirral-asrar/Tmdyahtdjuilayhial-abrar—‘TheSecretofSecretsofwhichtheRighteousareinNeed.’Inthisworktherealitieswithinourfaithandourpatharedivulged.Everyoneisinneedofthem.

Inpresentingthisworkwehavedivideditintotwenty-fourchaptersbecausetherearetwenty-fourlettersinthesacredconfessionofUnityLailahailiaLlah,MuhammadunrasuluLlah(‘ThereisnogodbutAllah;MuhammadistheMessengerofAllah’),andtherearetwenty-fourhoursinadayandanight.

ONTHEBEGINNINGOFCREATION

MayAllahaccordyousuccessinactswhichpleaseHimandmeetwithHisapproval.

Think,impressuponyourmindandunderstandwhatIsay.

AllahMostFlighfirstcreated,fromthedivinelightofHisownBeauty,thelightofMuhammadHedeclaresthisinadivinetraditionrelatedfromHimbytheProphetfifc

IhavecreatedthesoulofMuhammadfromthelightofmy

Manifestation(wajh).

ThisisdeclaredbyourMastertheMessengerofAllahinhiswords,‘Allahfirstcreatedmysoul.Hefirstcreateditasadivinelight;’‘AllahcreatedthePenfirst;’‘AllahfirstcreatedtheIntellect.’WhatismeantbyallthatismentionedashavingbeencreatedfirstisthecreationofthetruthofMuhammad,thehiddenrealityofMuhammadHeisalso[likehisLord]calledbymanybeautifulnames.HeiscalledN/7r,theDivineLight,becausehewaspurifiedofthedarknesshiddenundertheattributeofthemightandwrath(jaldl)ofAllah.AllahMostHighsaysinHisHolyQur’an:

TherehascometoyoufromAllahalightandaperspicuousBook.

(SuraMa’idah,15)

THESECRETOFSECRETS

HeiscalledtheTotalIntellect(caqlal-kull)becausehesawandunderstoodeverything.HeiscalledthePen(al-qalam)becausehespreadwisdomandknowledge,andhepouredknowledgeintotherealmofletters.

ThesoulofMuhammadistheessenceofallbeings,thebeginningandtherealityoftheuniverse.Heindicatesthiswiththewords,‘IamfromAllahandthebelieversarefromme’.AllahMostHighcreatedallsoulsfromhissoulintherealmofthefirstcreatedbeings,inthebestofforms.‘Muhammad’isthenameofallhumanityintherealmofsouls(‘dlamal-aiwdh).Heisthesource,thehomeofeachandeverything.

FourthousandyearsafterthecreationofthelightofMuhammad,AllahcreatedtheHeavenlyThrone(carsh)fromthelightoftheeyeofMuhammad.HecreatedtherestofcreationfromtheHeavenlyThrone.ThenHesentthesoulstodescendtothelowestlevelsofcreation,totherealmofthismaterialworld,totherealmofmatterandbodies.ThenWemakehimdescendtothelowestofthelow.(SuraTin,5).Hesentthatlightfromwhereitwascreated,fromtheUltimateRealm(‘Siamal-ldhut)—whichistherealmofthemanifestationofAllah’sEssence,ofunity,ofabsolutebeing—totherealmofthedivineNames,themanifestationofthedivineattributes,therealmofthecausalintelligenceoftheTotalSoul.ThereHedressedthesoulsinrobesoflight.Thesesoulsarecalled‘sultan-souls’.Clothedinlighttheydescendedtotherealmoftheangels.ThereHeclothedthemwiththebrilliantrobesofangels,theretheywerecalled‘spiritualsouls’.ThenHecausedthemtodescendtotheworldofmatter,ofwaterandfire,earthandether,andtheybecamehumansouls.Thenfromthis

worldHecreatedthebodiesofflesh.

FromitWecreatedyouandititoitWeshallreturnyou,andfromit

raiseyouasecondtime.(SuraTaHa,55)

Afterthesestages,Allahorderedthesoulstoenterintotheirbodies,andbyHiswilltheyentered.

Introduction

SowhenIhavemadehimcompleteandbreathedintohimofMySoul…(SuraSad,72)

Atimecamewhenthesesoulsstartedbindingthemselvestothefleshandforgottheirsourceandtheircovenant.TheyforgotthatwhenAllahcreatedthemintherealmofsoulsHehadaskedthemAmInotyourLord?andtheyhadanswered,Indeed!Theyforgottheirpromise,theyforgottheirsource,theirwaytoreturnhome;butAllahismerciful,thesourceofallhelpandsecurityforHiscreation.Hehadmercyuponthem,soHesentdivinebooksandmessengerstothemtoremindthemoftheirorigin.

AndcertainlyWesentMoseswithOurmessages[saying]:Bringforththepeoplefromdarknessintolight,andremindthemofthedaysofAllah…(SuraIbrahim,5)

Thatis,‘RemindthesoulsofthedayswhentheywereinunionwithAllah.’

Manymessengershavecometothisworld,fulfilledtheirduties,andpassedaway.Thepurposeofallwastobringmenthemessageandawakenpeopletoheedfulness.ButpeoplewhorememberedHim,whoturnedtowardHim,peoplewhowishedtoreturntotheirdivineorigin,peoplewhoarrivedattheirorigin,becamefewerandfewerwithtime.

TheprophetskeptcomingandthedivinemessagecontinueduntilthereappearedthegreatspiritofMuhammadjjSfc,thelastofthemessengerswhosavedpeoplefromdistraction.AllahMostHighsenthimtoopentheeyesoftheheartsoftheheedless.HispurposewastoawakenthemfromthesleepofunconsciousnessandtounitethemwiththeEternalBeauty,withtheCause,withtheEssenceofAllah.AllahsaysinHisHolyQur’an:

Say:Thisismyway.IcalltoAllahwiththecertaintyofinsight—Iandthosewhofollowme…(SuraYusuf,108)

toindicatethepathofourMastertheProphet

THESECRETOESECRETS

TheMessengerofAllah,toindicateourgoaltous,says,‘Mycompanionsarelikethestarsinthesky.Whicheverofthemyoufollow,youwillfindthetruepath.’

Thisinsightcomesfromtheeyeofthesoul.Thiseyeopensintheheart’sheartofthosewhoareclosetoAllah,whoareAllah’sfriends.Alltheknowledgeinthematerialworldwillnotprovidethisinsight:oneneedsaknowledgethatcomesfromthehiddenrealms,aknowledgewhichoverflowsfromdivineconsciousness:…whomWehadtaughtknowledgefromOurDivinePresence.(SuraKahf,65)

Whatisnecessaryformanistofindthosewhohaveinsight,whoseeyesoftheheartareopen,andtobeinspiredbythem.SuchateacherwhoinculcatesknowledgeintoonehastobeclosetoAllahandabletoseeintotheUltimateRealm.

OchildrenofAdam,brothersandsisters,wakeup,repent,forthroughrepentanceyouwillbeaskingyourLordforHiswisdom.Makeaneffortandstrive!Allahcommandsyou:

AndhastentoforgivenessfromyourLord,andaGardenaswideastheheavensandtheearth;itispreparedfortherighteous[whofearandloveAllah]:

77losewhospendineaseaswellasinadversityandthosewhorestrain[their]angerandpardonmen.AndAllahlovesthedoersofgood[toothers].(SuraAl‘Imran,133-34)

Enterthepath,jointhespiritualcaravantoreturntoyourLord.Soontheroadwillbecomeimpassable,andnotravellingcompanionwillbeleft.Wedidnotcometothisbase,minedworldtorest;wewerenotsentheretoeat,drinkanddefecate.ThespiritofourMaster,theProphetofAllah,iswatchingyou.Heispained,seeingyourstate.Lieknewwhatwouldcomewhenhesaid,‘Mypainisformybelovedpeoplewhowillcomeinlatertimes’.

Whatevercomestouscomesinoneoftwoforms,eitherevidentorhidden:evidentintheformofthepreceptsofthereligionorhiddenintheformofwisdom.AllahMostHighordersustorenderourexteriorbeingharmoniousbyfollowingthereligious

Introduction

preceptsandtoputourinnerbeinginorderthroughacquiringwisdom.Whentheouterandtheinnerbecomeoneandwisdomandreligionunite,onereachestheleveloftruth,likethefruittreethatfirstproducesleaves,thenbuds,andthenflowersthatbecomefruit.

Hehasmadetwoseastoflowfreely—theymeet:Betweenthemisa

barrierthattheycannotpass.(SuraRahman,19-20)

Thetwomustbecomeone.Truthcannotbeattainedonlythroughthetangibleknowledgeofthesenses,ofthematerialuniverse.Onecannotinthatwayreachthegoal,whichistheorigin,theEssence.Trueworshipnecessitatesbothreligionandwisdom.AllahMostHighsaysaboutworship:

AndIhavenotcreatedthejinnandmenexceptthattheyshould

worshipMe.(SuraDhariyat,56)

Inotherwords,‘theyarecreatedsothattheymightknowMe.’WhenonedoesnotknowHim,howcanonetrulypraiseHim,askHishelpandserveHim?

ThewisdomwhichoneneedsinordertoknowHimcanonlybeattainedbyliftingtheblackcurtaincoveringthemirrorofone’sheart,cleaningthatmirrorandshiningit.Thenthehiddentreasuresofdivinebeautymaybeginreflectinginthesecretoftheheart’smirror.

AllahMostHigh,speakingthroughHisbelovedProphet,says:‘Iwasahiddentreasure,Iwilledtobeknown,thereforeIcreatedCreation.’Consequently,thedivinepurposeinthecreationofmanisforhimtoacquirewisdom,toknowhisLord.

Therearetwolevelsofdivinewisdom.OneistoknowAl-lah’sattributesandmanifestationsandtheotheristoknowAl-lah’sEssence.InknowingAllah’s

attributesthematerialmantastesboththisworldandthehereafter.ButthewisdomwhichleadstotheknowledgeoftheEssenceofAllahisintheholyspiritinmanknowingthemysteriesofthehereafter.Allahconfirmsthis,saying:…andWestrengthenedhim[Jesus]withtheholy

THESECRETOFSECRETS

spirit…(SuraBaqara,87).ThosewhoknowtheEssenceofAllahfindthispowerthroughtheholyspiritthathasbeengiventothem.

Bothoftheseknowledgesareobtainedbyawisdomthatmusthavetwoaspects:theinnerspiritualwisdomandtheouterknowledgeofmanifestthings.Oneisinneedofbothtoattainthegood.TheProphetofAllahexplainsthemthus:‘Knowledgeisoftwoparts.Oneisinman’stongue,whichisaproofofAllah’sexistence.Iheotherisinman’sheart.Thisiswhatisnecessaryfortherealizationofourhopes.’

Manisfirstinneedofreligiousknowledge.ThisistheeducationinwhichoneistaughttheexteriormanifestationofAllah’sEssencereflectedinthisworldofattributesandnames.Afteronebecomesaccomplishedinthis,itistheturnoftheinnereducationinthesecretswherebyoneentersintotherealmsofdivinewisdomandcomestoknowthetruth.Atthefirststageonemustleaveeverythingthatisnotinaccordancewithreligiousprecepts.Infact,errorsmistakesingoodbehaviourandcharacter—mustbeeliminated,astheSufisrequire.Toachievethisonemustpracticedoingthingsagainstthewishesofone’sego,actswhicharedifficultforthedesiresofthefleshtoaccept.Butintheseeffortsonemustbeattentive,sothattheyarenotmadeforotherstoseeandhearabout.OnemustdothesethingsforAllah’ssake,seekingonlyHispleasure.Allahsays:

…50whoeverhopestomeethisLord,heshoulddogooddeedsand

associatenoneotherintheserviceofhisLord.(SuraKahf,no)

1herealmdescribedastherealmofwisdomisthefirst-createdUltimateRealm.Thatrealmistheorigin,thehometowhichoneaspirestoreturn.Thatiswheretheholyspiritwascreated.Whatismeantbytheholyspiritisthehumanspirit.Itwascreatedinthebestofforms.

ThattruthhasbeenplantedinthecentreoftheheartasAllah’strust,entrustedtoyouforsafekeeping.Itbecomesmanifestwithtruerepentanceandwiththetrueefforttolearnreligion.ItsbeautyshinesonthesurfacewhenoneremembersAllahcontinuously,

Introduction

repeatingtheConfessionofUnityLIilahailiaHah—‘ThereisnogodbutAllah’.AtthefirststageonerecitestheConfessionofUnitywithone’stongue;thenwhentheheartbecomesaliveonerecitesinternallywiththeheart.

TheSufisrefertothespiritualstatesbythenametifl,‘babe’,becausethatbabyisbornintheheartandisrearedandgrowsthere.Theheart,likeamother,givesbirth,suckles,feeds,rearsthechildoftheheart.Asworldlysciencesaretaughttochildren,thechildoftheheartistaughttheinnerwisdom.Asanordinarychildisnotyetsoiledwithworldlysins,thechildoftheheartispure,freefromheedlessness,egotismanddoubt.Thepurityofachildappearsoftenasphysicalbeauty;intheworldofdreamsthepurityoftheheart’schildappearsintheshapeofangels.OnehopestoenterParadiseasarewardforgooddeeds,butgiftsofParadisecomeherethroughthehandsofthechildoftheheart.

InGardensofbliss…roundaboutthemwillgoyouthsneveraltering

inage.(SuraWaqi‘a,12-17)

Androundthemgoboysoftheirs,asiftheywerehiddenpearls.(Sura

Tur,24)

Thesearethechildrenoftheheart,theinspiredstatesoftheSufis,called‘children’fortheirbeautyandpurity.Yettheyarebeautyandpuritypersonifiedinflesh,intheshapeofhumanbeings.Duetotheirsweetandgentlenaturetheyarethechildrenoftheheart,yetishethetruemanwhoisabletochangetheappearanceofcreationbecauseheisconnectedtotheCreator.Heisthetruerepresentativeofhumanity.Accordingtohimthereisnomatter,neitherdoesheconsiderhimselfmatter.Thereisnoveil,nohindrance,betweenhisbeingandtheEssenceofAllah.

OurMastertheProphetexplainsthisstate,‘IhaveatimewithAllah.Atthatmomentnothingcancomebetweenus,neithertheangelclosesttoHimnora

prophet.’The‘prophet’whocannotenterbetweenourMasterandAllahisthematerial,temporalexistenceoftheProphethimself.TheangelclosesttoAllahisthe

THESECRETOFSECRETS

divineLightofMuhammad,thefirstcreation.InthatinspiredstateheissoclosetohisLordthatneitherhismaterialexistencenorevenhissoulcancomebetweenthem.TheProphetdescribesthetimeofthatinspiredstate,saying,‘ThereisaparadiseofAllahwheretherearenopalaces,norgardens,norriversofhoneyandmilk,aparadisewhereonegazesonlyatthedivinecountenance.’Allahconfirmsthis:[Some]facesthatdaywillbebright,lookingtotheirLord,(SuraQiyama,22-23)andtheProphetsays,‘OnthatdayyouwillseeyourLordasclearasthefullmoon.’Butthisisastatethat,ifanycreatedbeing,evenanangel,shouldapproach,hismaterialbeingwouldburntoashes.AllahspeaksthroughHisProphet

IfIpartedtheveilsofmyattributeofMightamerecrack,allwould

burnasfarasMyeyecansee.

ThearchangelGabrielJ5j>,whoaccompaniedtheProphet^inhisAscensiontotheseventhheaven,saidthatifhetookonestepfurtherhewouldbesetaflame.

CHAPTERONE

MansReturnHometotheOriginalSource

Manisconsideredfromtwopointsofview:hismaterialbeingandhisspiritualbeing.Intheappearanceofmaterialbeingeveryoneismoreorlessequal.Therefore,inthisrespect,onemayapplytohumanitygenerallaws.Inhisspiritualbeing,hiddenbehindhisappearance,eachpersonisdifferent.Thereforespecialprivatelawsapplytohim.

Man,inaccordancewithgenerallaws,byfollowingcertainstepscanreturntohisorigin.Totakethesesteps,hefollowstheevidentordinancesofourreligionasaguide;followingthem,headvances.Risingfromleveltolevelhemayreachthestageofthespiritualpath,passingintotherealmofwisdom.Thatisaveryhighstate.

TheProphet^praisesthisstate,saying,‘Thereisastateinwhichallandeverythingisgathered—anditisthedivinewisdom.’

Toreachthatlevel,onefirsthastoabandonfalseappearancesandthehypocrisyofdoingthingssothatothersmightseeorhear.Thenonemustsetforoneselfthreegoals.Thesethreegoalsareactuallythreeparadises.ThefirstiscalledMa’wd—theparadiseofthesecurityofhome.Thatistheearthlyparadise.ThesecondiscalledNacTm—thegardenofthedelightofAllah’sgraceuponHis*creatures,whichistheparadisewithintheangelicrealm.ThethirdiscalledFirdaws—theheavenlyparadise.Thatistheparadiseinthe

THESECRETOFSECRETS

realmoftheunityofthecausalmind,homeofthesouls,ofthedivineNamesandattributes.Thesearetherewards,thebeautiesofAllahwhichthematerialmanwilltasteinhiseffortsinthethreesuccessivestagesofknowledge:effortsinfollowingthereligiousprecepts(shortca)\effortsineliminatingthemultiplicityinhimself,fightingthecauseofthismultiplicitywhichishisego,inordertoreachthestateofunityandcomeclosetohisCreator(fartqa)\andfinally,inhiseffortstoreachthestateofdivinewisdom(macrifa)wherebyhewillcometoknowhisLord.

TheProphetattheconclusionofthepreviouslymentionedtradition,‘Thereisastateinwhichallandeverythingisgatheredanditisthedivinewisdom,’says:‘Withitonelearnsthetruth,whichgatherswithinitselfallcausesandallgood.Thenonemustactuponthistruth.OnemustalsoknowfalsehoodandactuponIt,abandoningallofit.’Andhesays,‘OLord,showusthetruthandmakeitourlottofollowit,andteachusthatwhichisfalseandmakeiteasyforustoavoidit.’And,‘Hewhoknowshisselfandopposesitswrongdesirestruly,comestoknowhisLord,andfollowsHiswishes.’

Thesearethegeneralruleswhichapplytothematerialbeingofman.Thenthereisthespiritualbeingofman,orthespiritualman,whoiscalledthepureman.HisgoalistotalclosenesstoAllah.Theonlywaytothisendistheknowledgeoftruth(haqtqa).Inthefirst-createdrealmoftheabsolutebeingofoneness,thisknowledgeiscalledUnity.

Onemayhopetoreachthegoalofthispathinthisworldlylife.Inthatstatethereisnodifferencebetweenbeingawakeandbeingasleep,sinceinsleepthesoulmayfindoccasiontoescapetoitstruehome,therealmofthesouls,andcomebackandbringnews.Thiswecallthetruedream.Thiseventcanbepartial,asinthecaseofdreams;itcanalsobetotal,asinthecaseoftheAscensionoftheProphetAllahconfirmsthis:

Allahtakes(men’s)soulsatthetimeoftheirdeath,andthosethatdienot,duringtheirsleep.ThenHewithholdsthoseonwhomHehaspassedthedecreeofdeath,andsendstheothersbacktillanappointed

Man’sReturnHometotheOriginalSource

term.Surelytherearesigtisinthisforapeoplewhorefect.(SuraZumar,42)

IhePiophetindicatesthisstatebysaying,‘Thesleepofthewiseismoreworthythantheworshipoftheignorant.’Thewisearethosewhohaveacquiredtheknowledgeoftruththathasnoletters,nosound.ThatknowledgeisreceivedthroughthecontinuousrepetitionofthedivineNameofUnitywiththesecrettongue.Thewisearethosewhosecoreisturnedintodivinelightbythelightofunity.

AllahspeaksthroughHisProphetandsays:

ManisMysecretandIamhissecret.Theinnerknowledgeofthespiritualessence(%nal-bdtin)isasecretofMysecrets.

OnlyIputthisintotheheartofMygoodservant,andnonemayknowhisstateotherthanMe.

IamasMyservantknowsMe.WhenheseeksMeandlemembersMe,Iamwithhim.Ifheseeksmeinwardly,IseekhimwithMyEssence.IfheremembersandmentionsMeingoodcompany,IrememberanddeclarehimasMygoodservantinbettercompany.

Inallthatissaidhere,theonlywaytosatisfyone’swishismeditationthatmeansofknowledgewhichthecommonman*usessoseldom.YettheProphetofAllahggsaid,‘Amoment’sreflectionisworthmorethanayearofworship’.‘Amoment’sreflectionisworthmorethanseventyyearsofworship’.‘Amoment’sreflectionisworthmorethanathousandyearsofworship.’

Thevalueofeveryactionishiddenintheessenceoftruth.Theactofa

moment’smeditationhereappearstohavethreedifferentvalues:

Whoevercontemplatesanaffairandseeksitscausefindsthateachofitspaitshasmanypartsofitsown,andfindsthateachoftheseisthecauseofmanyotherthings.Thisisacontemplationthatisworthayear’sworship.

THESECRETOFSECRETS

Whoevercontemplateshisdevotionsandseeksthecauseandreasonandcomestoknowit,hismeditationisworthseventyyearsofworship.

WhoevercontemplatesthedivinewisdomwithastrongwishtoknowAllahMostHigh,hismeditationisworthathousandyearsofworship,forthisisthetrueknowledge.

Trueknowledgeisthestateofunity.ThewiseloveruniteswithhisBeloved.Fromthismaterialrealm,flyingwithspiritualwingshesoarstotherealmofattainment,forthedevoutwalktoParadisewhilethewiseflytotherealmsclosetotheirLord.

Lovershaveeyesintheirhearts.

Theysee,whileothersarestaringblind.

Suchwingstheyhave,notoffleshandblood.

Theyflytowardsangels,theirLordtofind!

Thisflightoccursintheinnerworldofthewise.Theyreceivethehonourofbeingcalledtruemen,thebelovedonesofAllah,IIisintimates,Hisbrides.ThesaintBayazldal-Bistaml,mayAllahsanctityhissecret,says,Theholdersof

wisdomarethebridesofAllahMostHigh/OthersaswelldescribethembysayingthatthosewhocomeclosetoAllahbecomethebridesofAllah.

Onlythelovingpossessorsofbridesknowthemintimately.ThesewiseservantswhobecomeintimatesofAllah,thoughbeautiful,arecoveredbytheappearanceofordinarymen.AllahspeaksthroughHisProphetsaying:‘MyintimatesarehiddenunderMydomes.NonecanrecognizethembutMe/ThedomesunderwhichAllahhidesHisfriendsaretheirundistinguished,ordinaryappearances.Whenonelooksatabridecoveredbyherweddingveil,whatcanoneseebuttheveil?

YahyaibnMu‘adhal-RazI,mayAllahsanctifyhissecret,says,‘ThebelovedofAllaharetheperfumeofAllahuponthisworld,butonlythetrue,sincerebelievershavenosestosmellthem/Theysmellthatbeautifulperfume;theyfollowthatsmell.ThatperfumecreatesayearningintheirheartsfortheirLord.Eachinhisownwayincreaseshispace,hisefforts,hisdevotion.Thedegreeofhis

Man’sReturnHometotheOriginalSource

yearning,hiswishandthespeedofhispaceareinproportiontohislightness,tohishavingshedtheweightofhisworldlyself.Forthemoreonetakesoft’thecoarseclothingofthisworld,themoreonefeelsthewarmthofone’sCreatorandtheclosertothesurfaceinnerbeingcomes.Closenesstothetruthisinrelationtotheamountoffalsemateriallyonehasthrownaway.Ingivingawayonesmultipleaspectsonecomesclosertotheonlytruth.

TheintimateofAllahishewhohasbroughthimselftonothingness.Onlythencanheseetheexistenceofthetruth.Thereisnowillleftinhimtochoose.Thereisno‘I’leftotherthantheonlyexistence,whichisthetruth.Althoughallmannerofmiracleshavecomethroughhimtoprovethisstate,hehasnothingtodowiththem.Inhisstatethereisnodisclosureofsecrets,becausedivulgingthe

secretofdivinityisinfidelity.

InabookcalledMirsaditiswritten,‘Allmenthroughwhommiraclesappearareveiledfromandunconcernedabouttheirstates.Forthem,thetimeswhenmiraclesappearareconsideredtobeliketheperiodsofmenstruationforwomen.SaintswhoareintimatewithAllahhavetotravelthroughatleastathousandstages,thefirstofwhichisthedoorofmiracles.Onlythosewhoareabletopassthroughthisdoorunharmedcanreachtheotherstages.Iftheybecomeinvolved,theywillgetnowhere/

CHAPTERTWO

TheDescentofMantotheLowestoftheLow

AllahMostHighcreatedtheholyspiritasthemostperfect.creationinthefirst-createdrealmoftheabsolutebeingofHisEssence;thenHewilledtosendittolowerrealms.HisreasoninthatwastoteachtheholyspirittoseekthewaybacktothetruthontheleveloftheAll-Powerful,toseekitspreviousclosenessandintimacywithAllah.HesenttheholyspirittothestationofHismessengersandsaintsandloversandfriends.OnitswayAllahsentitfirsttotherealmoftheCausalMind,ofunity,oftheTotalSoul,therealmofHisdivineNamesandattributes,therealmofthetruthofMuhammadTheholyspirithadwithittheseedofunity.Asitpassedthroughthisrealmitwasgiventheclothingofdivinelightandwasnamedthesultan-soul.Asitpassedthroughtherealmofangels,whichisthemediumofdreams,itreceivedthename‘movingsoul*.WhenitfinallydescendedtothisworldofmatteritwasdressedintheclothingoffleshthatAllahcreatedtofititsbeing.Itwasclothedwithcoarsematterinordertosavethisworld,becausethematerialworld,ifithaddirectcontactwiththeholyspirit,wouldburntoashes.Inrelationtothisworld,itcametobeknownaslife,thehumansoul.

Thepurposeofthespirit’scomingtothislowestofcreatedrealmsisthatitshouldseektoreturntoitspreviousclosenesswhileinits

TheDescentofMantotheLowestoftheLow

actualformoffleshandbone:thatitshouldcometothisrealmofcoarsematterand,bymeansoftheheartwhichisinsidethiscorpse,planttheseedofunityandgrowthetreeofunitytherein.(Therootsofthattreearewheretheyhavealways

been;itsbranchesfillthevoidofbliss,andthere,forthepleasureofAllah,bearthefruitsofunity.)Thenintheearthoftheheartthespiritplantedtheseedofreligionandwishedtogrowthetreeofreligion,inordertoobtainfruits,eachofwhichwouldraiseittolevelsclosertoAllah.

Allahmadebodiesforthesoulstoenter,andforthesesouls,eachofwhichhasadifferentname,Hebuiltfittingspaceswithinthebodies.Heplacedthehumansoul,thesouloflife,betweenthefleshandtheblood.Heplacedtheholyspiritwithinthecentreoftheheart,wherehebuiltaspaceoffinemattertokeepthatsecretbetweenAllahandHisservant.Thesesoulsareindifferentpartsofthebody,withdifferentduties,withdifferentbusinesses;each,asifbybuyingandsellingdifferentgoods,obtainsdifferentbenefits.TheirbusinessalwaysbringsthemplentyintheformofAllah’sbountyandblessings.

OutofwhatWehaveprovidedforthem,secretlyandopenly,(they)hopeforcommercethatwillneverfail.(SuraFatir,29)

Itbefitseveryhumanbeingtoknowhisbusinesswithinthisuniverseofhisownexistence,andtounderstanditspurpose.Hemustunderstandthathecannotchangewhateverisjudgedrightforhimandhungaroundhisneck.Oftheonewhowishestochangehislot,whoistiedtothisworldandambitiousforit,Allahasks:

Knowshenotwhenthatwhichisinthegravesisraised\andthatwhichisinthebreastsismademanifest?(SuracAdiyat,9-10)

AndWehavemadeeveryman’sactionstoclingtohisneck…(SuraBan!Isra’Il,13)

CHAPTERTHREE

ThePlacesoftheSoulswithintheBody

Theplaceofthehumansoul,thesouloflife,withinthebodyisthebreast.Thatplaceisconnectedtothesenses.Itsbusinessisreligion;itsworkistofollowAllah’sprecepts.WiththesepreceptsAllahkeepsthevisibleworldinharmonyandorder.Thatsoul,actingupontheobligationssetbyAllah,doesnotclaimitsactionsasitsown,foritisnotseparatefromAllah,itsactionsarefromAllah:thereisnoseparationbetweenitandAllahinitsactionsanddevotions.

TomeethisLordlethimworkrighteousnessandintheworshipofhisLordadmitnooneaspartner.(SuraKahf,iio)

AllahisOneandHelovesthatwhichisunitedandone.Hewantsallworshipandallrighteousacts,whichHeconsidersasdevotion,tobelongtoHimselfalone.Thereforeamanshouldnottakeotherpeople’sapprovalorrejectionintoconsiderationinhisactions;neithershouldhisactionsbeforworldlybenefit.TheyshouldbesolelyforAllah’ssake.InspiredstatessuchasseeinginthisvisibleworldtheproofofAllah’sexistence—manifestationofHisattributes,theunitywithinthemultiplicity,thetruthbehindappearances—andclosenesstoone’sCreator,aretherewardsfortheseselflessrighteousactsanddevotions.Yetallthesestillbelong

‘ThePlacesoftheSoulswithintheBody

tothisworldofmatter,fromthegroundunderone’sfeetuptotheheavens.Soalsotothisworldbelongthemiraclesthatmayappearthroughone:walkingonwater,flyingintheair,travellinggreatdistancesinaveryshorttime,hearingsounds,seeingimagesfromfarawayplaces,knowinghiddenthoughts.Asarewardforrighteousactions,onemayalsohopetofindrewardsinthehereafter—palacesofParadise,youngmanservants,eternalvirginsascompanions,milk,honey,wineandalltheotherbenefitsofParadise.YetallthesearebountiesofthefirstlevelofParadise,theearthlyparadise.

Theplaceofthe‘movingsoul’isintheheart;itsbusinessiswiththeknowledgeofthespiritualpath.ItsworkdealswiththefirstfouroftheBeautifulNamesoftheEssenceofAllah.AsintherestofthetwelveNamesoftheEssence,thesefourNameshaveneithersoundnorletters—thustheycannotbepronounced.AllahMostHighindicatesthis:

Say:CallonAllahorcallontheBeneficent.Bywhatever(name)

youcallonHim,HehastheMostBeautifulNames.(SuraBan!

Isra’Il,iio)

AndAllah’saretheMostBeautifulNames,socallonHim

thereby…(SuraA‘raf,180)

Allah’sverywordspointtowhatshouldbeman’sprincipaloccupation:toknowthedivineNames.Thisistheknowledgeofone’sinnerbeing.Ifoneobtainedthatknowledge,onewouldreachthelevelofdivinewisdom.ThatiswheretheknowledgeoftheNameofUnityiscomplete.

OurMastertheProphetsaysofthedivineNames,‘AllahMostHighhasninety-nineNames.WhoeverlearnsthementersParadise’.Healsosays,‘Knowledgeisone.Thenmenofknowledgemadeitathousand.’ThismeansthattheNamewhichbelongstotheEssenceisonlyone;itisreflectedasathousandattributesinthosewhoreceiveit.

ThetwelvedivineNamesarewithintheoriginoftheConfessionofUnity,La

ildhailiaLlah,‘ThereisnogodbutAllah’.Eachofthem

THESECRETOFSECRETS

isinoneofthetwelvelettersinthisphrase.AllahMostIIighhasgivenanindividualNametoeachletterinthedevelopmentoftheheart.EachofthefourrealmsthroughwhichthesoulpassesalsohasthreedifferentNames.AllahMostHighinthiswayholdstheheartsoftheloversfirmlyinlove.Hesays:

Allahwillestablishinstrength(thehearts)ofthosewhobelievewiththewordthatstandsfirminthisworldandintheHereafter.(SuraIbrahim,27)

ThenHegivesthemthegiftofHisintimacy.Hesetsthetreeofunityintheirhearts,thattreewhoserootsdescendtotheseventhLevelbeneathusandwhosebranchesspreadtothesevenheavensaboveusuptothedivineThroneandperhapsstillhigher.Allahsays:

SeestthounothowAllahsetsforthaparableofagoodwordasagoodtree,whoserootisfirmandwhosebranchesarehigh?(SuraIbrahim,

Theplaceofthe‘movingsoul’iswithinthelifeoftheheart.Theangelicrealmisconstantlywithinitsview.Itcanseetheparadisesofthatrealm,itsinhabitants,itslight,andalltheangelswithinit.Thespeechofthe‘movingsoul’isthespeechoftheinnerworld,withoutwords,withoutsound.Itsthoughtsconstantlyconcernthesecretsofthehiddenmeanings.ItsplaceintheHereafter,uponitsreturn,istheparadiseofNa‘Tm,thegardenofthedelightsofAllah’sgrace.

Theplaceofthesultan-soul,whereitreigns,isthecentreoftheheart,theheartoftheheart.Thebusinessofthissoulisdivinewisdom.Itsworkistoknowallofdivineknowledge,whichisthemediumoftruedevotionrecitedinthelanguageoftheheart.TheProphet^explainsthis.‘Knowledgeisintwosections.Oneisinman’stongue,whichistheconfirmationofAllah’sexistence.Theotherisinman’sheart.Thatistheonenecessaryfortherealizationofman’sgoal.’Thetrulybeneficialknowledgeisonlywithintheframeworkoftheheart’sactivity.AstheProphet££says,‘TheHolyQur’anhasanoutermeaningandaninnermeaning.’AllahMost

HighrevealedtheHolyQur’anintenlayersofhiddenmeaning.Eachsuccessivemeaningismorebeneficialthantheonebefore,becauseitisclosertothesourceoftruth.ThetwelvedivineNamesbelongingtotheEssenceofAllaharelikethetwelvefountainswhichgushedforthfromthestonewhentheprophetMoses(peacebeuponhim)hititwithhisstaff’

AndwhenMosesprayedforwaterforhispeople,Wesaid:Strikeitwiththystaff.Sothereflowedfromittwelvesprings.Eachtribeknewitsdrinkingplace…(SiiraBaqara,60)

Theouterknowledgeofappearancesislikerainwater,whichcomesandgoes,whiletheinnerknowledgeislikeafountainwhosesourceneverdriesup.Allahsays:

Andasigntothemisthedeadearth:Wegivelifetoitandbringforthfromitgrain50theyeatofit.(SuraYaSin,33)

Allahhascreatedagrain,aseedintheskies.Thatseedbecamethestrengthoftheanimalinman.AndHehascreatedaseedintherealmofthesouls(cdlamal-anfus):thatisthesourceofstrength,thefoodofthesoul.Ihatgrainiswateredbythesourceofwisdom.AstheProphetsays,‘Ifsomeonespendsfortydaysinsincerityandpurity,thesourceofwisdomwillgushfromhishearttohistongue.’Thebenefitofthesultan-soulistheraptureandlovethatitfeelswatchingthemanifestationofAllah’sbeauty,grace,andperfection.AsAllahconfirms:

OneMightyinPowerhastaughthim,

TheLordofStrength.Soheattainedperfection,

Andheisinthehighestpartofthehorizon.

Thenhedrewnear,drewyetnearer,

SothathewasthemeasureoftwobowsorcloserstillSoHerevealedtoHisservantwhatHerevealed.

Theheartwasnotuntrueinseeingwhathesaw.

(SuraNajm,5-11)

THESECRETOHSECRETS

1heProphet^describesthisstateinanotherway:‘Thefaithfulisthemirrorofthefaithful’.Inthisphrase,thefirst‘faithful’istheheartoftheperfectbeliever,andthesecond‘faithful’,whichisreflectedupontheheartofthebeliever,isAllahMostHighHimself.AllahgivesHimselftheNameof‘Faithful’inHisQur’an:

HeisAllahbesideswhomthereisnogod…TheFaithful,[Guardian

oftheFaith],theGuardianoverall.(SuraHashr,23)

Thehomeofthesultan-soulinthehereafterisFirdaws—theheavenlyparadise.

1hestationwheretheholyspiritreignsisthesecretplacethatAllahmadeforHimselfinthecentreoftheheartwhereHedepositedHisSecret(sirr)forsafekeeping.ThestateofthissoulisdescribedbyAllahspeakingthroughHisProphet#:‘ManisMysecretandIamthesecretofman.’Itsbusinessisthetruthwhichisobtainedbyachievingunity;thatisitswork.Itbringsmultiplicityintounitybycontinuouslyrecitingthenamesofunityinthelanguageofthedivinesecret.Thisisnotanaudibleexteriorlanguage.

Andifyouutterthesayingaloud,surelyHeknowsthesecretand

whatisyetmorehidden.(SuraTaHa,7)

OnlyAllahhearsthelanguageoftheholyspirit,onlyAllahknowsitsstate.

Thebenefitofthissoulisthevisionofthefirst-createdcreation.WhatitseesisAllahsbeauty.Toitbelongsthesecretvision.Seeingandhearingbecomeone.Thereisnocomparison,thereisnoresemblancetoanythinginwhatitsees.ItseesAllah’sattributesofmightandwrathasonewithHisattributesofbeauty,graceandmercy.

Whenmanfindshisgoal,hishome,ashefindsthecausalintelligence,hisworldlymindthatledhimuntilthencomesunderitscommand,hisheartisinawe,histongueistied.FiehasnopowertogivethenewsofthesestatesbecauseAllahisexemptfromanyresemblancetoanythingconceivable.

Whenwhatissaidherereachestheearsoftheoneswhoknow,letthemfirsttrytounderstandtheleveloftheirknowledge.Letthembringalltheirattentiontothetruerealityofthethingstheyknowbeforetheyraisetheireyestothefurtherhorizons,beforetheyseektoreachnewheights,thattheymayreachtheleveloftheknowledgeofdivineprovidence.Maytheynotdenywhathasbeensaid,butseekthewisdomtofindunity,oneness.Fhatisessential.

CHAPTERFOUR

OnKnowledge

Outerknowledgeofthingsthatareself-evidentisdividedintotwelvesections,andinnerknowledgeisalsointwelvesections.Theseportionsaredividedamongthecommonpeopleandthespecial,pureservantsofAllahinproportiontotheirpotential.

Forourpurposesthesesciencesareinfoursections.Thefirstconcernsthepreceptsofthereligionregardingobligationsandinterdictionsrelatedtothingsandactionsofthisworld.Thesecondconcernstheinnermeaningandreasonfortheseprecepts,andiscalledthescienceoftheconceptualknowledgeofthingsthatarenotself-evident,themysticalsciences.Thethirdconcernsthehiddenspiritualessenceitself,whichiscalledwisdom.Thefourthconcernstheinneressenceofthisessence,whichisthetruth.Theperfectmanmustlearnandknowalloftheseandfindpathsleadingtothem.

OurMastertheProphetsaid,‘Thereligionisatree:mysticismisitsbranches,wisdomisitsfoliage,truthisitsfruit.TheHolyQur’an,withitscommentaries,explanations,interpretationsandanalogies,containsthemall/InthebookaLMajmacthewordstafsir,‘commentary’,andta’wtl,‘interpretationthroughanalogies’,aredefinedthus:‘CommentaryontheQur’anisclarificationandelaborationfortheunderstandingofthecommonpeople,whileinterpretationthroughanalogyisclarificationoftheinnermeaning

OnKnowledge

throughinspiredreflectionsexperiencedbythetruebeliever.SuchinterpretationisforthosespecialservantsofAllahwhoarefirmlyestablished,constantintheirspiritualstateandwell-groundedintheknowledgethatenablesthemtoformtruejudgments.Likethedate-treewhoserootsarefirmintheground,theirfeetarefirminthismaterialworld;andagainlikethedate-tree,whosefrondsreachhighintothesky,theirheartsandmindsareraisedtoheavenlyknowledge.’BythegraceofAllahthisconstancythatcontainsnodoubtsisplacedinthecentreoftheirhearts.TheheartfirminthisstateislikenedtothesecondhalfoftheConfessionofUnityLailahailiaLldh,‘ThereisnogodbutAllah’—iliaLldh,‘onlyAllah’,isthefinalconfirmationofunity.

HeitisWhohasrevealedtheBooktothee;someofitsversesaredecisive—theyarethebasisoftheBook—andothersareallegorical.Thenthoseinwhoseheartsisperversityfollowthepartofitwhichisallegorical,seekingtomislead,andseekingtogiveit(theirown)interpretation.AndnoneknowsitsinterpretationsaveAllahandthosefirmlyrootedinknowledge(al-rasikhun).Theysay:Webelieveinit,itisallfromourLord.Andnonearemindfulexceptmenofunderstanding.(SuraAlcImran,7)

ThewriterofagreatcommentaryontheQur’ansaysaboutthisverse,‘Ifthedoorinthisversewouldopen,allthedoorsoftheinnersecretrealmwouldopentoo’.

ThetrueservantofAllahisobligedtofulfillAllah’sordersandtoabstainfromwhatHeforbids.Heisalsoobligedtoopposehisegoandthelowerdictatesofhisflesh.Thebasicoppositionoftheegotoreligionisintheformofimaginationandillusionscontrarytoreality.Onthelevelofmysticism,thetreacherousegoencouragesonetoagreewithandtofollowcausesandpropositionsthatareonlyclosetotruth,eventofollowpropheticmessagesanddeclarationsofsaintsthathavebeendistortedandtofollowfalseteachersandideas.Onthelevelofwisdom,theegotriestopushonetoclaimsainthood,evendivinity—theworstsinofsettingoneselfupasapartnertoAllah.Allahsays:Seestthousuchaone

THESECRETOFSECRETS

OnKnowledge

astakethforhisgodhisownpassion(orimpulse)...(SuraFurqan

Buttheleveloftruthisdifferent.NeithertheegonortheDevilcanreachthere—noteventheangelssetfootthere.AnyonebutAllahwhoapproachedtherewouldburntoashes,astheangelGabrielsaidtotheProphetattheedgeofthatlevel,whenhedeclared‘IfItakeanotherstep,Iwillburntoashes’.

ThetrueservantofAllahisfreefromtheoppositionofhisegoandtheDevil,becauseheisprotectedbyashieldofsincerityandpurity.

He[theaccursedDevil]said:ThenbyThyMight!Iwillsurelyleadthemastray,exceptThyservantsfromamongthemwhoaresincereandpure.(SuraSad,82-83)

Mancannotattainthetruthunlessheispure,becausehisworldlyattributeswillnotleavehimuntiltheessenceismanifestedinhim.Thisistruesincerity.HisignorancewillonlyleavehimwhenhereceivestheknowledgeofAllah’sEssence.Onecannotobtainthiswitheducation;onlyAllah,withoutintermediaries,canteachit.WhenAllahMostHighisHimselftheteacher,He

givesoneknowledgefromHimself,asHedidfortheprophetKhidr.Thenman,withtheconsciousnessofwhathehasreceived,reachesthelevelofdivinewisdom,whereheknowshisLordandworshipsHimWhomheknows.

OnewhoreachesthisstatehasthevisionoftheholyspiritandcomestoseetheBelovedofAllah,MuhammadHetalkswithhimaboutallandeverythingfromthebeginningtotheend,andalltheotherprophetsgivehimthegoodtidingsofthepromiseofunionwiththeBeloved.Allahdescribesthisstate:

AndwhoeverobeysAllahandtheMessenger,theyarewiththoseuponwhomAllahhasbestowedfavoursfromamongtheprophetsandthetruthfulandthefaithfulandtherighteous,andagoodlycompanyarethey!(SuraNisa’,69)

Onewhocannotfindthisknowledgeinhisbeingwillnotbecomewiseevenifhereadsamillionbooks.Thebenefitforwhichone

mayhopeinacquiringtheouterknowledgeofself-evidentthingsisperhapsParadise:thereallthatwillbeseenisthemanifestation0fdivineattributesinshapesoflight.Nomatterhowperfecthisknowledgeofthevisibleandconceivablemaybe,itwillnothelpmantoenterintothesanctityofthesacredplace,theplaceclosetoAllah,foronehastoflytothatplaceandtoflyoneneedstwowings.ThetrueservantofAllahistheonewhofliestothatrealmwiththewingsoftheouterandtheinnerknowledge,neverstoppingontheway,neverbeingdistractedbyanythinginhisflight.Allah,speakingthroughHisProphetsays:

Myservant,ifyouwishtoenterthesanctuaryofMyintimacy,donotpayattentioneithertothisworldortothehigherworldoftheangels,noteventothehigherrealmswhereyoumayreceiveMydivineattributes.

Thismaterialworldisthetemptation,thedevil,ofthemanofknowledge.Theangelicrealmisthetemptationofthewise,andtherealmofthedivineattributesisthetemptationoftheonewhoiscognizantofthetruth.Whoeverissatisfied

withoneofthemisrejectedfromAllah’sgraceofbringinghimclosetoHisEssence.Iftheygiveintothesetemptations,theystop,theydonotadvance,theysoarnohigher.ThoughtheirgoalwastobeclosetotheirCreator,theycannotreachthereanylonger.Theybecomedistracted;theyaretheoneswithasinglewing.

Theonewhobecomesawareoftruthreceivessuchgrace,suchgiftsfromAllahthatnoworldlyeyehasseenthelike,noranyworldlyearheardit,norworldlyheartknownitsnames.Thisistheparadiseofintimacy.Thereareneitherpalacesofjewels,norever-beautifulmaidensascompanionsthere.Maymanknowhisownworthandnotwantnorclaimthatwhichisnothisdue!Hadrat‘All,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,says:‘MayAllahshowerHisBeneficenceupontheonewhoknowshisworth,whoknowstostaywithinhisbounds,whowatcheshistongue,whodoesnotspendthislifeinidleness.’

THESECRETOFSECRETS

Themanwhoknowsmustbeawarethatthechildofthespiritwhichisborninhisheartisthemeaningoftruehumanity:thatisthetruehumanbeing.Heshouldeducatethechildoftheheartteachingunitythroughconstantlybeingawareofunity—leavingthisworldofmatterandofmultiplicity,seekingthespiritualworldtheworldofmysteries,wherethereisnoneotherthantheEssenceofAllah.Inrealitythereisnootherplacebutthatplace,whichhasnoend,nobeginning.Thechildofth!8heartsoarsoverthatinfinitefieldseeingthingsthatnonehaveseenbefore,nonecouldtellof,nonecoulddescribe.ThatplaceisthehomeofthosewholeftthemselvesbehindandfoundunitywiththeirLord,whosawwhattheysawwiththesameeyeastheirLord,theeyeofunity

WhentheyseethebeautyandthegraceoftheirLordthereisnothingoftheirtemporalbeingleftinthem.Ifonelooksatthesunonecanseenothingelse,neithercanoneseeoneself.WhenAllah’sbeautyandgracearemanifest,whatcouldbeleftofoneself?Nothing.

Jesussaid,‘Manhastobeborntwicetoreachtherealmoftheangels,likethebirdswhoareborntwice.’Itisthebirthofthemeaningfromtheact,thebirthofthespiritfromtheflesh.Thatpossibilityisinman.Thatisthemystery,thesecretofman.Itisbornoftheintercourseofman’sknowledgeofthereligionandman’sawarenessofthetruth,asallchildrenarebornoftheunionoftwodropsofwater.

VerilyWecreatedmanfromadropofseminalfluid,inordertotry

him.SoWegavehim(thegifts)ofhearingandsight.(SuraInsan,

Whenmeaningbecomesmanifestinbeing,itbecomeseasytopassthroughtheshallowsintotheseaofcreationandtoimmerseoneselfinthedepthofAllah’scommandments.Allofthematerialuniversesarebutadropincomparisontotheseaofthespiritualworld.Itisonlywhenallthisisunderstoodthatthespiritualpowerandlightofthemysteriesofdivinenature,therealtruth,emanateintotheworldwithoutwordsandwithoutsound.

CHAPTERFIVE

OnRepentanceandOnTeachingbytheWord

Certainlevelsandstagesinman’sspiritualevolutionhavebeenmentioned:letitbeknownthateachoftheselevelsisobtainedprimarilythroughrepentance.Thewaytorepentcanonlybelearnedfromsomeonewhoknowshowtorepentandwhohashimselfrepented.Trueandtotalrepentanceisthefirststep.

Whenthosewhodisbelievedharboureddisdainintheirhearts,thedisdainofignorance,AllahsentdownHistratiquillityonHisMessengerandonthebelieversandmadethemkeepthewordofthefearofAllah(repentance).Andthentheywereentitledtoandworthyofit,andAllahisfullknowerofallthings.(SuraFath,26)

ThestateofthefearofAllahhasthesamemeaningasLaildhailiaUdh:thereisnogod,thereisnothing—butAllah.FortheonewhoknowsthishasthefearoflosingHim,losingHisbeneficence,Hislove,Hismercy;hefearsandisashamedtodowrongunderHisveryeyeandfearsHispunishment.Ifoneisnotoneselfsuchaperson,onemustfindsomeonewhoisandreceivethisfearofAllahfromhim.

ThesourcefromwhichthiswordisreceivedhastobepurifiedandcleansedofeverythingotherthanAllah,andwhoeverreceivesitshouldhavetheabilitytodifferentiatebetweenthewordsofone

THESECRETOFSECRETS

withapurifiedheartandthosepronouncedbythetongueofthecommonman.Thereceivershouldalsobeawareofthewayjnwhichthewordispronounced,forwordsthatsoundthesamemaymeantotallydifferentthings.Itisimpossiblethatthewordcomingfromapuresourcebethesameasthewgrdcomingfromelsewhere.

Iheheartisenlivenedonlywhenitreceivestheseedofunityfromalivingheart,becausesuchaseedisahealthy,livingseedNothinggrowsfromaseedthatisdryandlifeless.Thesacredword

uil«lMill“mentionedintwoplacesintheHolyQur’anisaproof:

Theyindeedwerearrogantwhenitwassaidtothem,(ThereisnogodbutAllah’}andtheysaid,(Shallwegiveupourgods?’(SuraSaftat

35-36)

Thisisthestateofthecommonman,forwhomouterappearances,includinghisownouterexistence,aregods.

SoknowthatthereisnogodbutAllah,andaskforgivenessforyoursinandforthebelievingmanandbelievingwoman,forAllahknowswhatyoudowhereveryougoandhowyoulivein[thesecrecyof]yourhouses.(SuraMuhammad,19)

ThesewordsofAllaharetheguideforthosepurebelieverswhofearAllah.

Hadrat‘All,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,askedourMastertheProphetA.toteachhimtheeasiest,themostvaluable,themostimmediatewaytohissalvation.OurMastertheProphetwaitedfortheangelGabriel2DtobringtheanswerfromtheDivineSource.HecameandtaughtourMastertosayLailaha—‘Thereisnogod’whileturninghisblessedfacetotheright,andtosayiliaLlahbutAllahalone’whileturninghisfacetotheleft,towardshisblessedpureheart.Herepeatedthisthreetimes;ourMaster^himselfrepeateditthreetimes

andthentaughtittoHadrat‘All,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,makinghimrepeatitthreetimes.ThenhetaughtthedivineConfessionofUnityinthesamemanner

t0hisCompanions.Hadrat‘Allwasthefirsttoaskforitandwasthefirsttobetaught.

Thenoneday,whentheyhadjustreturnedfromagreatbattle,theProphet^saidtohisfollowers,‘Wehavereturnedfromasmallbattletowagethegreatwar,’indicatingthestrugglewithone’sownego,one’slowerself,whichisthemeaningoftheConfessionofUnity.‘Yourgreatestenemy’,hesaid,‘isunderyourribs’.

Thedivinelovewillnotcomealiveinyouuntiltheenemy,thedesiresofyourflesh,diesandleavesyou.

Firstyoumustbecleansedofthategothatcommandsyourwholebeingtoevil:thenyouwillhaveapartialconscience,althoughcontinuingtosin.Youwillhaveafeelingofself-reproach—butthisisnotenough.Youmustpassbeyondthatstagetothelevelwherethetruthwillberevealedtoyou,thetruthoftherightandthewrong.Thenyouwillstopdoingwronganddothatwhichisright;thusyourbeingwillbecleansed.Opposingyourflesh,youmustfightagainstitsanimaldesires—gluttony,excessivesleep,idleoccupations—andagainstthecharacteristicsofthewildbeastinyou:negativity,anger,fighting,aggressiveness.Thenyoumustworktoridyourselfoftheevilhabitsoftheego:arrogance,pride,envy,vengeance,greedandalltheotherafflictionsandsicknessesofthebodyandoftheheart.Onlythosewhoareabletodothesethingsaretrulyrepentantandarecleansedandpure.

ForAllahlovesthosewhoturntoHimconstantly(inrepentance),

andHelovesthosewhokeepthemselvespureandclean.(Sura

Baqara,222)

Inone’srepentanceonemustbeheedfulthatone’sregretisnotabstractandgeneral,sothatitdoesnotfallunderthethreatofAllah’sdeclaration,Nomatterhowmuchtheyrepent,theyarenottrulypenitent,andTheirrepentanceisnotaccepted.Thisreferstothosewhohavemerelypronouncedthewordsofregret,butneitherknowtheextentoftheirsin,norhavevowednottosinagain,norhavetakenanyaction.Thatisordinaryrepentance,theouterrepentan-33

THESECRETOFSECRETS

ce,whichdoesnotpenetratetothecauseofthesin.Itisasifsuchpeoplearetryingtogetridofgrassbycuttingitoft’atthegroundratherthandiggingoutitsroots.Indoingthis,theyonlyhelpittogrowbetter.Theonewhorepentsknowinghisfairttandthecauseofhisfaultandwishingtoridhimselfofthisfault,digsouttherootsofthisperniciousplant.Whenitisdugout,itdries,anditdoesnotcomebackagain.Thetrowelusedindiggingtheroots,thecausesofone’ssins,isthespiritualteachingonereceivesfromatrueteacher.Onemustclearthegroundbeforeonecanplantonesorchard.

AndWesetforththeparablestomanthathemayreflect.(SuraHashr,21)

HeistheonewhoacceptsrepentancefromHisservantsandforgivessins,andHeknowsallthatyoudo.(SuraShura,25)

Andwhoeverrepentsandbelievesandworksrighteousdeeds,Allahchangeshisevildeedsintogoodones,andAllahisEver-Forgiving,Merciful.(SuraFurqan,70)

Knowthatthesignthatrepentanceisacceptedisthatthesinneveroccursinoneagain.

Therearetwokindsofrepentance,therepentanceofthecom-monmanandtherepentanceofthepurebeliever.ThecommonmanhopestopassfromevildeedstorighteousnessthroughrememberingAllahandexercisingseriouseffort,leavingthedesiresandcomfortofhisfleshandforcingdifficultiesuponhisego.HemustpassfromegotisticalrevoltagainstAllah’spreceptstoobedience.Thatishisrepentance,whichmaybringhimfromhellfireintoParadise.

Thepurebelievers,thetrueservantsofAllah,areinaltogetheradifferentstate.Theyareatthelevelofdivinewisdom,whichisfarhigherthanthebeststateoftheordinaryman.Infact,forthemtherearenolongerstepstoclimb:theyhavereachedtheproximityofAllah.Theyhaveleftthepleasuresandbenefitsofthisworldandaretastingthedelightfulflavourofthespiritualrealm—thetasteof

theintimacyofAllah,thepleasureofseeingHisEssencewiththeeyeofcertitude.

Theperceptionofcommonmenisthecommonworld,andtheirpleasureisintastingthematerialbenefitsofmaterialexistence.Yetwhiletheveryexistenceofthematerialmanandthematerialworldisanerror,sotooarethebestbenefitsandpleasuresofit.Asthegreatsayinggoes,‘Yourexistenceissuchasinthatallothersinsaresmallincomparisonwithit.’ThewisehaveoftenclaimedthatmanygooddeedsdonebygoodmenwhohavenotreachedthelevelofAllah’sintimacyarenobetterthantheerrorsofthosewhohavecomeclosetoAllah.Thusinordertoteachustoaskforgivenessforthehiddenerrorsthatwethinkofasgooddeeds,ourProphetwhowassinless,usedtoseekforgivenessonehundredtimesaday.AllahMostHighaskedhimtoaskforgivenessforyoursinsandforthebelievingmenandbelievingwomen(SuraMuhammad,19).HesetthepureProphetasanexampleofhowtorepent—bybeggingAllahtoeraseone’sego,one’spersonality,one’sindividuality,allofoneself,totakeaway

one’sveryexistence.Thisistruerepentance.

PenitencemeanstorenounceeverythingwiththeexceptionofAllah’sEssence,andtowishtoreturntoHim,toreturntothehomeofHisintimacy,toseetheDivineFace.OurMaster,theBelovedofAllah,describedsuchpenitents,saying,‘TherearesometrueservantsofAllahwhosebodiesareherebutwhoseheartsareupundertheThroneofAllah.’Theirheartsareintheninthheaven,undertheThroneofAllah,becausethedivinevisionofHisEssenceisimpossibleintheworldbelow.

HereonlythemanifestationofHisdivineattributescanbeviewed,reflecteduponthepuremirrorsofpurehearts:asHadrat‘Umar(mayGodbepleasedwithhim)said,‘MyheartsawmyLordwiththelightofmyLord’.Thepureheartisamirrorwherethebeauty,grace,andperfectionofAllahisreflected.Anothernamegiventothisstateis‘revelation’,beholdingthedivineattributes.

Toreachthatstate,tocleanandshinethatheart,oneneedsateacherwhoismature,whoisinunionwithAllah,andwhois

THESECRETOPSECRETS

esteemedbyall,pastandpresent.ThatteacherhastohavereachedastageclosetoAllahandtohavebeensentbacktothislowerrealmbyAllahtoperfectthosewhoareworthy,butlacking.

IntheircomingdownforthistasksuchsaintlymenofAllahmusttravelthewayoftheProphetandfollowhisexample,yettheirfunctionisdistinctfromthe

functionoftheProphet.Whileprophetsaresentforthesalvationofcommonpeopleaswellaspurebelievers,theseteachersarenotsenttoteacheverybody,butonlyaselectnumber.Whileprophetsaregiventotalindependenceincarryingouttheirduties,thesesaintlyteachersarenotindependent,butmustfollowthewayandexampleoftheProphet.

Itissaidthataspiritualteacherwhodeclareshimselfindependentwishestolikenhimselftoaprophet,whichwillleadhimtoblasphemyandinfidelity.WhenourProphet^statedthathiswisecompanionsareliketheprophetsoftheIsraelites,hismeaningwasotherthanthis—fortheprophetswhocameafterMosesSjallfollowedthereligiousprinciplesthatMosesaobrought.Theydidnotbringnewprecepts.Theyfollowedthesamelaws.Likethem,thewiseamongthepeopleofMuhammad,whosefunctionistoteachtheselectfewamongthepure,followthewisdomoftheProphetyetpresenttheordinancesandthatwhichisforbiddeninadifferentandnewway,openandclear,showingtheirstudentsgooddeedswiththeexampleoftheirownrighteousactsperformedatadifferenttimeandindifferentcircumstances.Theyencouragetheirfollowersbypointingoutthejoyandbeautyoftheprinciplesofthereligion.Theiraimistohelptheirfollowerstocleartheirhearts,whicharesitesforbuildingthemonumentofwisdom.

InallthistheyfollowtheexampleofthosedisciplesoftheProphet^whowerecalled‘thepeopleofthewoollengarb’,whohadabandonedallworldlyactivitytostandatthegateoftheProphet<5^1andbeclosetohim.Thosedisciplesgavenewsastheyreceivedit,directlyfromthemouthoftheProphetIntheirclosenesstotheProphettheyreachedsuchalevelthattheywereabletotalkaboutthemysteriesoftheascensionoftheProphet^evenbeforeherevealedthesesecretstohisCompanions.

OnRepentanceandOnleachingbytheWord

ThesesaintlyteacherspossessaclosenesssimilartothatoftheProphettohis

Lord:asimilartrustandguardianshipofdivineknowledgeisbestoweduponthem.Theyarethebearersofapartofprophethood,andtheirinnerbeingissecureundertheguardianshipoftheProphet^himself.

Noteveryonewhopossessesknowledgeisinsuchastate.TheoneswhohavereacheditareclosertotheProphet^thantotheirownsonsandfamilyandarelikehisspiritualsonswithanaffinitycloserthanmerebloodrelationship.TheyarethetrueinheritorsoftheProphetAtruesonpossesseshisfather’sessenceandsecretbothinhisexteriorappearanceandinhisinnerbeing.TheProphet££explainsthissecretas‘…aspecialknowledgelikeahiddentreasurethatonlythosewhoknowtheEssenceofAllahcanfind.Yetwhenthemysteryisrevealed,noonewhoisconsciousandsincerecandenyit.’

ThatknowledgewasplacedinourMaster^duringtheNightVoyage,hisascensiontohisLord.Thatmysterywashiddeninhimbehindthirtythousandveils.Hedidnotrevealitssecretexcepttothoseamonghisdiscipleswhowereclosesttohim.ItisbythepropagationandblessingofthissecretthatIslamwillcontinuetoreignuntilthelastdayoftheworlds.

Itistheinnerknowledgeofwhatishiddenthatleadsonetothatsecret.Theworldlysciences,artsandskillsareastheshellofthatinnerknowledge,yettheoneswhoareskilledinthesemayhopeonedaytopossesswhatisinthatshell.Someofthesemenofknowledgepossessonlywhatitisobligatoryforahumanbeingtopossessandothersbecomemastersandpreserveknowledgefrombeinglost.YetotherscallhumanitytoAllahwithgoodadvice.SomeofthemfollowthewayofMuhammadandareledtoHadrat‘All,whoisthegatetoknowledgethroughwhichenterthosewhoareinvitedbydivineinvitation.

InvitetothewayofthyLordwithwisdomandgoodpreachingand

arguewiththeminwaysthatarebestandmostgracious.(SuraNahl,

THESECRETOfSECRETS

Whattheymeanintheirwordsisthesame.Itsappearanceofdifferenceisonlyamatterofdetailsandmannerofexpression.

Actually,therearethreemeaningsthatappearasthreedifferentkindsofknowledge—actedupondifferently,butconvergingjntooneinthetraditionofourMastertheProphetKnowledgejsdividedintothree,fornosinglepersoncancarrythatwholeloadofknowledge,norisabletoactuponit.

Thefirstpartoftheverse,InvitetothewayofthyLordwithwisdomcorrespondstothedivinewisdom,theessenceandbeginningofallandeverything.Itspossessormust,liketheProphetactinaccordancewithit.Itisonlygiventothetrueandbraveman,thespiritualwarriorwhowilldefendhispositionandfighttopreservethatknowledge.OurMasterdescribeshimthus:‘Thezealouseffortofthetruemancanshakethemountains’—the‘mountain’meaningtheheavinessoftheheartsofsome.Theprayersofthesemenareaccepted.Whentheywishforsomething,ithappens;whentheywishsomethingtodisappear,itevaporates.

HegrantswisdomtowhomHepleases,andhetowhomwisdomis

grantedreceivesindeedabenefitoverflowing.

(SuraBaqara,269)

ThesecondistheouterknowledgeindicatedintheQur’anicverseas‘goodpreaching’.Itistheshellofinnerwisdom.TheoneswhopossessitpreachthegoodandteachgoodactionandforbidmanwhatAllahhasforbidden.TheProphetpraisesthem.Themanofknowledgepreacheswithkindnessandgentleness,whiletheignorantmanteacheswithharshnessandanger.

Thethirdknowledgeisconcernedwithregulatingworldlyhu-manaffairs.Itisthehuskoverreligiousknowledge,whichistheshelloverdivinewisdom.Itistheknowledgedestinedforthosewhorulemen:man’sjusticeoverman,man’sgovernmentofman.ThelastpartoftheQur’anicversepreviouslymentioned

describestheirfunction:andarguewiththeminwaysthatarebestandmostgracious.SuchpeoplearethemanifestationofAllah’sattributeofal-Qahlidr,theOverpoweringDominator.Theirfunctionisthemain-tenanceoforderamongmeninaccordancewithDivineLaw,asthe

luiskprotectstheshell—whiletheouterknowledge,whichistheshell,protectstheinnerknowledge,whichistheseed.

TheProphetadvises,‘Frequentthecompanyofwisemen,obeyyourjustrulers.AllahMostHighrevivesdeadheartswithwisdomasHemakesthedeadearthcomealivewithvegetationbymeansofHisrain.’Healsosays,‘Wisdomisthelostpropertyofthebeliever.Hepicksitupwhereverhefindsit.’

EventhewordspronouncedbyordinarymenhavedescendedfromthePreservedTabletofAllah’sdecreesconcerningallthingshappeningfromthebeginninguntiltheend.ThatTabletiskeptinthehighrealmofcausalintelligence,yetwordsarepronouncedinaccordancewithone’slevel.Thewordsofthosewhohavereachedtheleveloftrutharedirectlyfromthatrealm,therealmofAllah’sintimacy.Thereisnointermediarythere.

Knowthatallwillreturntoitsorigin.Theheart,theessence,hastobeawakened,madealive,tofinditswaybacktoitsdivineorigin.Ithastohearthecall.Onehastofindtheonethroughwhomthecallwillcome,thetrueteacher.Thatisanobligationuponone.TheProphetsays.‘KnowledgeisanobligationuponeveryMuslim,womanandman.’Thatknowledgeisthefinalstageofallknowledge,thedivinewisdom,theknowledgewhichwillleadonetoone’sorigin,tothetruth.Therestofknowledgeisnecessaryonlytotheextentthatitisuseful.Yetforthesakeofone’sego,oneisambitiousforworldlyknowledge.Allahispleasedwiththosewholeaveambitionforworldlyhonoursandfame,fortheseworldlybenefitsarewhathinderoneinone’svoyagetoHim.

Suy:Iaskofyounothinginreturnforthisbutloveandattachmenttothosenearofkin.(SuraShura,23)

Accordingtotradition,themeaningofthewords‘whatisclosetoyou’istocomeclosetotruth.

CHAPTERSIX

OnIslamicMysticismandtheSufis

ThenamesujtisanexpressionderivedfromtheArabicwordsaf\‘pure’.ThereasonthattheSufisarecalledbythisnameisthattheirinnerworldispurifiedandenlightenedwiththelightofwisdom,unityandoneness.

AnothermeaningforthisappellationisthattheyarespirituallyconnectedwiththeconstantcompanionsoftheProphetwhowerecalled‘thecompanionswiththewoollengarb’.

Theymayalsohavewornthecustomarygarbofrough-wovensheep’swool(suf)whentheywerenovices,andhavespenttheirlifeinoldpatchedclothes.

Astheirexteriorispoorandhumble,soistheirworldlylife.Theyarefrugalineating,drinkingandotherpleasuresofthisworld.Inthebookcalledal-Majmacitissaid,‘Whatisbecomingtothepiousasceticisthemostordinaryandhumbleclothingandwayofliving.’Althoughtheymayappearunattractivetotheworldly,theirwisdomismanifestedintheirgentlenessanddelicatemanner,whichmakethemattractivetothosewhoknow.Inrealitytheyareanexampletomankind.Theyfollowdivineprescriptions.Theyare,inthesightoftheirLord,inthefirstrankofhumanity;intheeyesofthosewhoseektheirLordtheyarebeautifuldespitetheirhumbleappearance.Theymustbedistinguishedanddistinguishableandtheymustbethatwayoneandall,fortheyareallonthelevelofunityandonenessandmustappearasone.

OnIslamicMysticismandtheSufis

InArabicthewordtasawwufIslamicmysticism,consistsoffourconsonants,t,s,wandfThefirstletter,f,standsfortawba,repentance.Thisisthefirststeptobetakenonthepath.Itisasifitwereadoublestep,oneoutwardandoneinward.Theoutwardstepinrepentanceisinwordsanddeedsandfeelings:tokeepone’slifefreefromsinandfromwrongdoingandtoinclinetowardsobedience;tofleefromrevoltandopposition,toseekagreementandharmony.Theinnerstepofrepentanceistakenbytheheart.Itisthecleansingoftheheartfromconflictingworldlydesiresandtheheart’stotalaffirmationofthewishforthedivine.Repentance—tobeawareofthewrongandtoabandonit,tobeconsciousoftherightandtostriveforit—bringsonetothesecondstep.

Thesecondstageisthestateofpeaceandjoy,safd\Thelettersisitssymbol.Inthisstagetherearesimilarlytwostepstotake:thefirstistowardspurityinheartandthesecondtowardsitssecretcentre.

Peaceofheartcomesofaheartfreeofanxiety.Anxietyiscausedbytheweightofallthatismaterial—theweightoffood,ofdrink,ofsleep,ofidletalk.Allthis,likethegravityoftheearth,pullstheetherealheartdownwards,andtofreeitselffromthisweighttirestheheart.Thenthereareties—desire,possessions,loveoffamilyandchildren—whichbindtheetherealhearttotheearthandkeepitfromsoaring.

Thewaytofreetheheart,topurifyit,istorememberAllah.Atthebeginningthisremembrancecanonlybedoneoutwardly,byrepeatingHisdivineNames,pronouncingthemaloudsothatyouyourselfandotherscanhearandremember.AsthememoryofHimbecomesconstant,remembrancesinkstotheheartandbecomesinward,silent.Allahsays:

Believersarethosewho,whenAllahismentioned,feelatremorin

theirhearts,andwhenthey[seeand]hearHismanifestationstheir

faithisstrengthened.(SuraAnfal,2)

‘Tremor’meanstheawe,fear,andloveofAllah.WiththisremembranceandrecitationofAllah’sNamestheheartwakesupfrom

THESECRETOFSECRETS

thesleepofheedlessness,iscleansed,isshined.Thenformsandshapesfromthehiddenunseenrealmarereflectedinthatheart.TheProphet<§£says,‘Themenofknowledgeoutwardlyvisitandinspectthingswiththeirminds,whilethewiseareinwardlybusycleaningandshiningtheirhearts.’

ThepeaceofthesecretcentreoftheheartisachievedbycleansingtheheartofeachandeverythingandpreparingittoreceiveAllah’sEssencealone,whichenterstheheartwhenthatheartisbeautifiedwiththeloveofthedivine.ThemeansofthiscleansingistheconstantinwardremembranceandrecitalwiththesecrettongueofthedivineConfessionofUnityIdildhailiaLlah—‘thereisnogodbutAllah’.Whentheheartanditscentreareinastateofpeaceandjoy,thenthesecondstage,representedbytheletter5,iscomplete.

Thethirdletter,w,standsforwilaya,whichisthestateofsanctityoftheloversandfriendsofAllah.Thisstatedependsuponinnerpurity.AllahmentionsHisfriendsintheHolyQur’an:

Beheedful;verilyuponthefriendsofAllahthereisnofear,nordotheygrieve.

Forthemtherearegladtidingsinthislifeandinthehereafter…(SuraYunus,62and64)

Theoneinthisstateofsanctityistotallyconsciousof,inlovewithandconnectedtoAllah.Asaresultheisbeautifiedwiththebestofcharacter,moralsandmanners.Thisisadivinegiftbestoweduponhim.OurMastertheProphetsaid,‘Observedivinemoralsandbehaveinaccordancewiththem’.Atthatstagetheconsciousmanshedshisworldly,temporalcharacteristicsandappearscladindivineattributes.AllahsaysthroughHisProphet4K:

WhenIloveMyservantIbecomehiseyes,hisears,histongue,hishandsandhisfeet.HeseesthroughMe,hehearsthroughMe,hespeaksinMyname,hishandsbecomeMineandhewalkswithMe.

OnIslamicMysticismandtheSufs

CleanseyourselfofeverythingandkeeponlyAllah’sEssenceinyou,for:

theTruthhascomeandfalsehoodvanished.Surelyfalsehoodisever

boundtovanish.(SuraBan!Isra’Il,81)

Whenthetruthcomesandfalsehoodhasvanished,thelevelofwilayaiscomplete.

Thefourthletter,/standsforfand*theannihilationofself,thestateofnothingness.Thefalseselfmeltsandevaporateswhendivineattributesenterone’sbeing,andwhenthemultiplicityofworldlyattributesandpersonalitiesleave,theirplaceistakenbythesingleattributeofunity.

Inreality,thetruthisalwayspresent.Itneitherdisappearsnordeclines.Whathappensisthatthebelieverrealizesandbecomesonewiththatwhichhascreatedhim.InbeingwithHim,thebelieverreceivesHispleasure:thetemporalbeingfindsitstrueexistencebyrealizingtheeternalsecret.F.verythingwillperishbutHisCountenance…(SuraQasas,88)

ThewaytorealizeHistruthisthroughHispleasure,throughHisagreement.WhenyoudodeedsforHissakewhichmeetwithHisapprovalyoucomeclosetoHistruth,HisEssence.ThenalldisappearsexcepttheOneWhoispleasedandtheonewithwhomHeispleased,united.Gooddeedsarethemotherthatbearsthechildoftruth:theconsciouslifeofatruehumanbeing.ThegoodwordsandthegooddeedsrisetoAllah.(SuraFatir,10).IfoneactsandexistsforanythingbutAllah’ssakealone,oneissettinguppartnerstoAllah,puttingoneselfor

othersintheplaceofAllah—theunforgivablesinthatsoonerorlaterdestroysone.Butwhentheselfandselfishnessareannihilated,onereachesthestageofunionwithAllah.ThelevelofunionisintherealmofAllah’sproximity.Allahdescribesthisrealmthus:

Surelytherighteouswillbe…intheplaceoftruth,inthepresenceof

aSovereignOmnipotent.

(SuraQamar,54-55)

THESECRETOFSECRETS

Thatplaceistheplaceoftheessentialtruth,thetruthofalltruths,theplaceofunityandoneness.Itistheplacereservedforprophets,fortheoneswhoarelovedbyAllah,forHisfriends.Allahiswiththosewhoaretrue.Whenacreatedexistenceisunitedwiththeeternalexistence,itcannotbeconceivedasaseparateexistence.WhenallearthlytiesareabandonedandoneisinunionwithAllah,withthedivinetruth,onereceiveseternalpurity,nevertobeblemished,andbecomesoneofthecompanionsofthegarden,thereintodwell(forever).(SuraAcraf,42).Theyare:Thosewhobelieveandworkrighteousness,(SuraAcraf,42).However,noburdendoWeplaceonanysoul,butthatwhichitcanbear.(SuraATaf,42)Butoneneedsagreatdealofpatience.AndAllahiswiththosewhopatientlypersevere.(SuraAnfal,66)

CHAPTERSEVEN

OnRemembrance

AllahMostHighHimselfshowsthewaytothosewhoseek.torememberHim.RememberAllahasHehasguidedyou…(SuraBaqara,198).ThismeanstorememberthatyourCreatorhasbroughtyoutoacertainlevelofconsciousnessandfaithandthatyoucanonlyrememberHiminaccordancewiththisability.OurMastertheProphet$ays,‘ThebestdeclarationofremembranceistheonewhichIandalltheprophetsbeforemerecite.ItisinthedivinephraseLaildhailiaLlah—“thereisnogodbutAllah”.’

Therearedifferentlevelsofremembranceandeachhasdifferentways.Someareexpressedoutwardlywithaudiblevoice,somefeltinwardly,silently,fromthecentreoftheheart.Atthebeginningoneshoulddeclareinwordswhatoneremembers.Thenstagebystagetheremembrancespreadsthroughoutone’sbeing—descendingtotheheart,thenrisingtothesoul;thenstillfurtheritreachestherealmofthesecrets;furthertothehidden;tothemosthiddenofthehidden.Howfartheremembrancepenetrates,thelevelitreaches,dependssolelyontheextenttowhichAllahinHisbountyhasguidedone.

RemembrancepronouncedinwordsisbutadeclarationthatthehearthasnotforgottenAllah.Theinwardsilentremembranceisamovementoftheemotions.TheremembranceoftheheartisthroughfeelinginoneselfthemanifestationofAllah’smightand

THliSECRETOFSECRETS

beauty,whiletheremembranceofthesoulisthroughtheenlightenmentofthedivinelightgeneratedbyAllah’smightandbeauty.Theremembranceofthelevelofthesecretrealmisthroughtheecstasyreceivedfrombeholdingthedivinesecrets.Theremembranceofthehiddenrealmbringsoneto:theplaceoftruthinthepresenceofaSovereignOmnipotent.(SuraQamar,55)Theremembranceatthefinallevelthatiscalledkhajtal-akhfa’—‘themosthiddenofthehidden’—bringsonetoastateofannihilationoftheselfandunificationwiththetruth.InrealitynoneotherthanAllahknowsthestateoftheonewhohaspenetratedintothatrealmcontainingallknowledge,whichistheendofallandeverything.SurelyHeknowsthesecretandwhatisyetmorehidden.(SuraTaHa,7)

Whenonehaspassedthroughthesestagesofremembrance,adifferentstateofspirit,asifadifferentsoul,isborninone.Thatsoulispurerandfinerthanallothersouls.Itisthechildoftheheart,thechildoftruth.Whileintheformofseed,thischildinvitesandattractsmantoseekandfindthetruth;andafteritisbornthischildwillurgemantoseektheEssenceofAllahMostHigh.Neitherthisnewsoulcalledthechildoftheheart,noritsseedandpotential,isineveryman.Itisfoundonlyinthepurebeliever:HeplacesthesoulwithHisdecreeintheheartsofthosewhomHechooses.(SuraMumin,

ThissoulissentfromtherealmoftheAll-powerfulandisplacedintheuniverseofthevisibleworldswheretheattributesoftheCreatoraremanifestinthecreation,butitbelongstotherealmoftruth.ItdoesnotfavournorpayanyattentiontoanythingbuttheEssenceofAllah.OurMastertheProphetexplains:‘Thisworldisundesirableandunlawfulforthosewhowishforthehereafter.Thehereafterisundesirableforthosewhowishforthisworld,anditwillnotbegiventothem.ButforthesoulswhoseekAllah’sEssence,neitherthisworldnorthehereafterhasanyattraction.’Thissoulisthechildoftruth.Itisthatwithinonewhichwillseek,findandbewithitsLord.

Overandaboveanythingyoudo,thematerialbeinginyoumustfollowthe

straightpath.Thatisonlypossiblethroughpreservingandfollowingthepreceptsofreligion.Todothisonehasto

OnRemembrance

beconscious,toremember—torememberAllah,nightandday,inwardlyandoutwardly,continuously.Forthosewhoseethetruth,torememberAllahisanobligation.AsAllahorders:

RememberAllahstandingandsittingandlyingdown.(SuraNisa’,

…thosewhorememberAllahstandingandsittingandlyingontheirsides,andwhoreflectonthecreationoftheheavensandtheearth.OurLord,Thouhastnotcreatedthisinvain!Glorybetothee…(SuraAl‘Imran,191)

TheNecessaryConditionsforRemembrance

CHAPTEREIGHT

TheNecessaryConditionsforRemembrance

Oneoftheconditionsthatpreparesonetorememberistobeinastateofablution;washedandcleansedbodilyandpurifiedinwardly.Atthebeginning,aconditionfortheeffectivenessofremembranceistopronouncealoudthewordsandphrasesofwhatistoberemembered-—theConfessionofUnity,theattributesofAllah,Whenthesewordsarerecited,oneshoulduseallone’sefforttobeinaconsciousstate.Inthiswaythehearthearsthewordandisenlightenedwiththelightofthatwhichisremembered.Itreceivesenergyandbecomesalive—notonlyaliveinthisworld,butaliveforeverinthehereafter.AllahMostHighdescribesthiseternallife:Vieytastenotthereindeath,exceptthefirstdeath…(SuraDukhan,56)

OurMastertheProphetdescribingthestateofthebelieverwhoachievestruththroughremembrance,says,‘Believersdonotdie.Theyonlypassfromthistemporallifetotheeverlastinglife’.Andtheydotherewhattheydidhere.Ashesays,‘TheprophetsandtheonesclosetoAllahcontinuetheirworshipintheirgravesastheydidintheirhouses.’TheworshiphementionsisinwardsupplicationofAllah,nottheprayerobligatoryfivetimesadayinthisworld,withitsstanding,bowingandprostration.Inwardsilentsupplicationisoneoftheprincipalqualitiesidentifyingthetruebeliever.

Wisdomisnotobtainedbyman,butisgiventohimbyAllah.Afterhavingbeenelevatedtothatstate,thewisebecomeintimatewiththesecretsofAllah.AllahbringsonetoHissecretsonlyifone’sheartisaliveandconsciouswiththeremembranceofHim,andifthatconscioushearthasthewishtoreceivethetruth.AsourMastertheProphet££says,‘Myeyessleep,butmyheartiseverawake’.

Theimportanceofwishinginobtainingwisdomandtruthisexplainedinthe

wordsofourProphet<&,‘Ifapersonwishestolearnandactsuponhiswishandstudies,butdiesbeforeattaininghisgoal,AllahassignshimtwoangelsasteacherswhoteachhimdivinewisdomuntiltheDayofJudgment.Thatpersonisraisedfromhisgraveasawisemanwhohasobtainedthetruth.’ThetwoangelshererepresentthespiritofourProphetandthelightofloveandsanctitywhichconnectsmanwithAllah.TheimportanceofwishandintentionisfurthermentionedbytheProphet‘Manywhowishtoknowdieignorant,buttheyareraisedfromtheirgravesontheDayofJudgmentaswise;andmanyamanofknowledgeisraisedonthatdaydepraved,havinglosteverything,andtotallyignorant.’Thosemenwhoareproudoftheirknowledge,whoseekknowledgeinordertoobtainthegoodsoftheworldandtosin,arewarned:

Youreceivedyourgoodthingsinthelifeoftheworldandyoutookyourpleasurefromthem,buttodayshallyouberecompensedwithapenaltyofhumiliation,forthatyouwerearrogantonearthwithoutjustcauseatidthatyou(even)transgressed.(SuraAhqaf,

TheProphet^says,‘Actionsareconditionedbyandtiedtointentions.ThewishandintentionofthefaithfularebetterandmoreworthyinthesightofAllahthanarehisactions.Theintentionoftheunfaithfulisworsethanwhatappearsinhisactions.ForAllah,thegoodintentionofthebelieverismoreworthythanthebestdeedoftheunfaithful.’Intentionisthefoundationofaction.OurMastertheProphet<£§£says,‘Itisgoodtobuildagood

THESECRETOFSECRETS

deeduponagoodfoundation,andasinisadeedbuiltuponbadintentions/

WhosodesiresthecultivationofthehereafterWegivehimincreaseinhiscultivation,andwhosodesiresthecultivationofthisworldWegivehimthereofandhehasnoportioninthehereafter.(SuraShura,20)

Thebestcourseistofindatruespiritualteacherwhowillbringyourhearttolife.Thiswillsecureyoutheeternallifeofthehereafter.Thisisurgent;ithastobedoneimmediatelyinthislifebeforethetimeisspent.Thisworldisthefieldofthehereafter.Hewhodoesnotplantherewillnotreapthere.Soplantyourfielduponthisearthwithboththesubjectiveseedsofagoodlifehereandtheobjectiveseedsthatwillyieldagoodharvestinthehereafter.

CHAPTERNINE

OntheVisionofAllah:ArrivingattheLevelofSeeingtheManifestationoftheDivineEssence

ThevisionofAllahisoftwokinds:oneisseeingthemanifestationofAllah’sattributeofPerfectBeautydirectlyinthehereafter,andtheotherisseeingthemanifestationofthedivineattributesreflectedupontheclearmirrorofthepureheart,inthislife,inthisworld.InsuchacasethevisionappearsasthemanifestationoflightemanatingfromthePerfectBeautyofAllahandisseenbytheeyeoftheessenceoftheheart.

Allahdescribesthevisionseenbytheeyeoftheheart:Theheartdidnotdenywhatitsaw.(SuraNajm,11)

OnseeingthemanifestationofthedivinethroughanintermediarytheProphet^says,‘Thefaithfulisthemirrorofthefaithful’.Whatismeantbythefirst‘faithful’,themirrorinthisphrase,isthepureheartofthebeliever,whilethesecond‘faithful’WhoseesHisreflectioninthatmirrorisAllahMostHigh.WhoeverarrivesatthelevelofseeingthemanifestationsofAllah’sattributesintheworldwillcertainlyseetheEssenceofAllahinthehereafterwithoutshapeorform.

TherealityofthishasbeenconfirmedbymanyofthebelovedandtheloversofAllah.Hadrat‘Umar,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,said,‘MyheartsawmyLordbytheLightofmyLord’.AndHadrat‘All,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,said,‘Iwillnotprayto

THESECRETOESECRETS

AllahunlessIseeHim’.Theybothmusthaveseenthemanifestationofdivineattributes.Ifsomeoneseessunlightcomingthroughthewindowsandsays,‘Iseethesun!5heistellingthetruth.

AllahgivesthemostbeautifulexampleofthemanifestationofHisattributes.

AllahistheLightoftheheavensandtheearth.TheparableofHislightisasiftherewereanicheandwithinitalamp,thetampenclosedinglass,theglassasitwereabrilliantstarlitfromablessedtree,anoliveneitheroftheEastnoroftheWest,whoseoiliswell-nighluminous,thoughfirescarcetouchesit;lightuponlight!AllahdothguidewhomHewilltoHislight.(SuraNui\35)

Themeaningofthenicheisthefaithfulheartofthebeliever.Thelampenlighteningthenicheoftheheartistheessenceoftheheart,whilethelightthatitshedsisthedivinesecret,thesultan-soul.Theglassistransparentanddoesnotkeepthelightwithin,butprotectsitandallowsittospread,whichiswhyitislikenedtoastar.Thesourceofthelightisadivinetree.Thattreeisthestateofunityreachingoutwithitsbranchesanditsroots,inculcatingtheprinciplesoffaith,communicatingwithoutanyintermediaryinthelanguageofpurity.

ItisdirectlyinthislanguageofpuritythatourMastertheProphet■*§£receivedtheQur’anicrevelations.Inreality,theangelGabrielbroughtthedivinemessagesonlyaftertheyhadalreadybeenreceived—-thisforourbenefit,sothatwemighthearinhumanlanguage.Thisalsomadeclearwhowerethehypocritesandnonbelieversbygivingthemtheoccasiontodeny,astheywouldnotbelieveinangels.

TheproofthattheHolyQur’anwasrevealeddirectlytotheProphet*§£isintheQur’anitself.

AndthouartsurelymadetoreceivetheQur’anfromtheAILWise,theAILKnowing,(SuraNaml,6)

SincetheProphet^receivedrevelationbeforetheangelGabrielbroughtittohim,eachtimeGabrieldeliveredtheholyverses,

OntheVisionofGod

theProphetfoundtheminhisheartandrecitedthembeforetheyweregiven.Thatisthereasonfortheverse:

AndmakenothastewiththeQur’anbeforeitsrevelationismade

completetothee…(SuraTaHa,114)

ThissituationismadeclearbythefactthatwhenGabriel3d-accompaniedtheProphet^onthenightofhisascension,hecouldnotgoanyfurtherthantheseventhheaven,andsaying,‘IfItakeanotherstepIwillburntoashes’,heleftourMaster<§£tocontinueonhisown.

Allahdescribestheblessedolivetree,thetreeofunity,asbeingneitheroftheEastnoroftheWest.Inotherwords,ithasneitherabeginningnoranend,andthelightofwhichitisthesourcehasnorisingorsetting.Itiseternalinthepastandnever-endinginthefuture.BothAllah’sEssenceandHisattributesareever-existent,becauseHisattributesarelightgeneratedfromHisEssence.BoththemanifestationofHisEssenceandthemanifestationofHisattributesaredependentonHisEssence.

Trueworshipcanonlybeperformedwhentheveilshidingtheheartareliftedsothatthateternallightshinesuponit.Itisonlythenthattheheartisenlightenedbythedivinelight.Itisonlythenthatthesoulseesthetruththroughthatcelestialniche.

Thepurposeofthecreationofthisuniverseistodiscover,toseethathiddentreasure.AllahsaysthroughHisProphet‘Iwasahiddentreasure,Iwilledtobeknown.IcreatedthecreationsothatIwouldbeknown.’Thatistosay,thatHewouldbeknowninthismaterialworldthroughHisattributesmanifestedinHiscreation.ButtoseeHisveryEssenceislefttothehereafter.There,thevisionofAllahwillbedirect,asHewills,anditwillbetheeyeofthechildoftheheartthatseesHim.

Onthatdaysomefaceswillbeam(withjoyandbeauty),lookingat

theirLord.(SuraQiyama,22-3)

OurMastertheProphetsays,‘IhaveseenmyLordintheshapeofabeautifulyouth.’Perhapsthisisthemanifestationofthe

TIIESECRETOFSECRETS

childoftheheart.Theimageisthemirror.Itbecomesameans,renderingvisiblethatwhichisinvisible.ThetruthofAllahMostHighisexemptfromandfreeofanykindofdescriptionoranykindofimageorform.Theimageisthemirror,thoughwhatisseenisneitherthemirrornortheonewhoislookingintothemirror.Ponderonthatandtrytounderstand,becausethatistheessenceoftherealmofsecrets.

Yetallthisishappeninginthisworldofattributes.IntherealmoftheEssenceallmeansdisappear,burnintothinair.TheonesinthatrealmofEssencethemselvesdonotexist,buttheyfeeltheEssenceandnothingelse.HowwelltheProphet^explainsthiswhenhesays,‘IknewmyLordbymyLord\InHisLight,byHisLight!Thetruthofmanisthesecretofthatlight,asAllahsaysthroughHisProphet:‘ManisMysecretandIamhissecret’.

TheplaceoftheProphetMuhammadwhoselightisthefirstofAllah’screation,isdescribedinhisownwords,‘IamfromAllahandthebelieversarefromme’.AndAllah,speakingthroughHisProphetsays:‘IhavecreatedthelightofMuhammadfromthelightofmyownexistence’.ThemeaningofAllah’sownexistenceisHisdivineEssencemanifestedinHisattributeoftheMostCompassionate.ThisHedeclaresthroughHisProphet^,saying:‘My

compassionfarsurpassesMypunishment’.ThebelovedMessengerofAllahisthelightoftheTruth,forAllahsays,Wesenttheenotbutasamercytothewholecreation.(SuraAnbiya’,107)and

IndeedOurMessengerhascometoyou,makingcleartoyoumuchofthatwhichyouconcealedoftheBookandpassingovermuch.Indeed,therehascometoyoufromAllahalight…(SuraMa’ida,15)

TheimportanceofthebelovedProphetofAllahismadeclearwhenAllahspeakstohimandsays:‘Butforyou,Iwouldnothavecreatedcreation’.

CHAPTERTEN

TheVeilsofLightandDarkness

Allahsays:Whoeverisblindinthisworld,hewillbeblindinthe.hereafter.(SuraBan!Isra’Tl,72)itisnottheblindnessoftheeyesinone’sheadbuttheblindnessoftheeyesofone’sheartthatwillpreventonefromseeingthelightofthehereafter.AsAllahsays:Forsurelyitisnottheireyesthatareblind,buttheirheartswhichareintheirbreasts.(SuraHajj,46)Theonlycauseoftheheartbecomingblindisheedlessness,whichmakesoneforgetAllahandone’sfunction,one’spurpose,one’spromisetoHim,whileoneisinthisworld.Theprincipalcauseofheedlessnessisignoranceoftherealityofthedivinelawsandorders.Whatkeepsoneinthisstageofignoranceisadarknessthatcompletelycoversonefromtheoutsideandfullyinvadesone’sinnerbeing.Someofthepropertiesofthisdarknessarearrogance,pride,envy,miserliness,vengeance,lying,gossiping,backbitingandsomanyotherhatefultraits.ItisthesetraitsthatreducethebestcreationofAllahtothelowestofthelow.

Toridoneselfoftheseevilsonehastocleanseandshinethemirroroftheheart.Thiscleansingisdonebyacquiringknowledge,byactinguponthisknowledge,byeffortandvalour,fightingagainstone’segowithinandwithoutoneself,byriddingoneselfofone’smultiplicityofbeing,byachievingunity.Thisstrugglewillcontinueuntiltheheartbecomesalivewiththelightofunity—andwiththatlightofunity,theeyeofthecleanheartwillseetherealityofAllah’sattributesaroundandinit.

THESECRETOFSECRETS

VieVeilsofLightandDarkness

Onlythenwillyourememberthetruehomefromwhichyoucome.Thenyouwillhavetheyearningandlongingtoreturntothetruehome,andwhenthetimecomes,withthehelpoftheMostCompassionate,thatspiritwhichispureinyouwillgotojoinHim.

Whentheattributesofdarknesslift,lighttakesitsplace,andtheonewiththeeyeofthesoulsees.HerecognizeswhatheseeswiththelightoftheNamesofdivineattributes.Thenhehimselfisfloodedbylightandbecomeslight.TheselightsarestillveilshidingthelightofthedivineEssence,butthetimecomeswhentheytooaredrawnback,leavingonlythelightofthedivineEssenceitself

Thehearthastwoeyes,onelesser,theothergreater.WiththelessereyeonemaybeabletoseethemanifestationofAllah’sattributesandNames.Thisvisioncontinuesallthroughone’sspiritualevolution.Thegreatereyeseesonlythatwhichisrenderedvisiblebythelightofunityandoneness.OnlywhenonecomestotheregionsofAllah’sintimacydoesitsee,intheultimaterealmofthemanifestationofAllah’sEssence,theunityoftheAbsolute.

Inordertoreachtheselevelsonthisearthinthislifeyoumustcleanseyourselffromyourworldlyattributes,whichareegoisticandegotistical.Thedistanceyoumusttravelinyourascenttowardstheselevelsdependsonthedistancethatyouhaveputbetweenyourselfandthelowdesiresofyourfleshandyourego.

Yourattainmentofthegoalyouwishforisnotlikeamaterialthing’sarrivingatamaterialplace.Neitherisitlikeknowledgeleadingonetoathingthatbecomesknown,norlikereasonobtainingthatwhichisrational,norliketheimaginationjoiningwiththatwhichitfancies.ThegoalthatyouwishtoattainistherealizationofyouremptinessofallelseexcepttheEssenceofAllah.Thisattainmentisabecoming.Thereisnodistance,norclosenessnorfarness,norreaching,normeasure,nordirection,nordimension.

HeisAll-glorious,allpraiseisduetoHim,HeisMostMerciful.HebecomesvisibleinwhatHehidesfromyou.HemanifestsHimselfasHeputsveilsbetweenHimselfandyou.HisbeingknownishiddeninHisnotbeingknown.

Ifanyofyoureachthatlightwhichissuggestedinthisbookwhileyouarehereinthisworld,trytobalanceyourbookofdeeds.Itisonlyunderlightthatyoucanseewhatyouhavedone,whatyouaredoing;doyouraccounting,makeitbalance.YouwillhavetoreadyourbookinfrontofyourLordonthedayofLastJudgment.Thatisfinal.Youwillnotthenhavethechancetobalanceit.Ifyoudothathere,whileyouhavethetime,youwillbeofthosewhoaresaved.Otherwisepainanddisasterisyourlotinthisworldandinthehereafter.Thislifewillend.Thereisthepainofthegrave,thereisthedayofLastJudgment,thereisthebalancethatwillweighthesmallestsinandthetiniestofgooddeeds.Thenthereisthetestofthatbridge,thinnerthanahairandsharperthanasword,attheendofwhichistheGarden,underwhichistheFireandsomuchhardship,andforsolong,whenthisshortlifeends.

CHAPTERELEVEN

TheJoyofBeingGoodandtheMiseryoftheRebel

Youshouldknowthatallmenareincludedinoneoranotheroftwoclasses:theclassofpeoplewhoareatpeace,contentandhappy,doinggooddeedsinastateofobediencetoAllah,andthosewhoareinastateofinsecurity,doubtandmiseryintheirrebellionagainsttheprescriptionsofAllah.Boththequalityofobedienceandthatofrebelliousnessarepresentineachhumanbeing.Ifthepurity,thesincerityandthegoodinonearedominant,one’sselfishcharacteristicsaretransformedintospiritualstatesandone’srebellioussideisovercomebyone’sgoodside.Ontheotherhand,ifonefollowsthelowdesiresofone’sfleshandthetendenciesofone’sego,one’srebelliouscharacterdominatesthatwhichisselflessandobedientinone,andonebecomesarebel.Ifbothofthesecontrarycharacteristicsareequal,thehopeisthatthegoodwillovercome,asispromised:Hethatdoethgoodshallhavetentimesasmuchtohiscredit…(SuraAn‘am,160)AndifAllahsowishes,HemayevenfurtherincreaseHisfavours.

YetthatpersoninwhomevilandgoodareequalwillstillhavetopasstheterribletrialofthedayoftheLastJudgment,whilefortheonewhowasabletotransformhisselfishnessintoselflessness,thelowdesiresofhisfleshintospiritualaspirations,therewillbe

TheJoyofBeingGood

notrial,thereisnoaccountingtobegiven.HewillenterParadisewithout

passingthroughtheterrorsoftheLastDay.

‘Thenhewhosebalance(ofgooddeeds)willbefoundheavywillbe

inalifeofgoodpleasureandsatisfaction.(SuraQari’a,6-7)

Fortheonewhoseerrorsareheavierthanhisgooddeedstherewillbepunishmentinproportiontotheamountofhiscrimes,afterwhichhewillbetakenoutofhellfireand,ifhehasfaith,willenterParadise.

Obedienceandrebelliousnessmeangoodandevil.Thesearepresentineveryman,yettheydonotstayastheyare.Thegoodmayturnintoevilandtheevilintogood,asourMastertheProphet££says:‘Whiletheoneinwhomgoodisdominantfindssalvation,peaceandjoy,andbecomesgood,andtheoneinwhomevilismorethangoodrebelsandbecomesevil,theonewhorecognizeshiserrorsandrepentsandchangeshiswayswillhavehisstateofrebelliousnesstransformedintoobedienceanddevotion.’

Itisindeeddecreedthatbothgoodandevil,boththeblissfullifeoftheobedientbelieverandthemiserablelifeoftherebel,arestatesthatpeoplearebornwith.Botharehiddeninthepotentialofeveryman.OurMastertheProphet#says,‘Theonewhoisfortunateenoughtobegoodisgoodinhismother’swomb,andthewretchedsinnerisasinneralreadyinhismother’swomb.’Thatisthewayitis,andnoonehastherighttodiscussit.Thematterofdestinyisnottobediscussed,forifoneisledtosuchdiscussiononeisledtoheresyanddisbelief.

Furthermore,noonehastherighttousedestinyasanargumenttoabandonalleffort,allgooddeeds.Onemaynotsay,‘Ifmydestinyistobeoneofthegood,whyshouldItiremyselftryingtodogooddeeds,asIamalreadyblessed?’or,‘Ifitismydestinytobeevil,whatgoodwillitdotobegood?’Obviouslythisisnotright.Itisnotpropertosay,‘Ifmystateisfixedfrommypast,whatbenefitorlosscanIhopeforwithmyeffortsinthepresent?’Thebestexamplegiventousisthecomparisonofthefirstmanandprophet,Adam£>withtheaccursedDevil.TheDevilputtheblameforhisrevoltonhisdestinyandbecameaninfidelandwasrejected

THESECRETOFSECRETS

fromthemercyandpresenceofHisLord.Adam^admittedhisfault.Assumingtheresponsibilityforhiserror,heaskedforgiveness,receivedAllah’smercy,andwassaved.

ItisincumbentuponallbelieversandallMuslimsnottotrytounderstandthecausesoftheunfoldingofdestiny.Whoeverdoesthiswillbecomeconfusedandwillgainnothingbutdoubt.Hemayevenlosehisfaith.ThefaithfulmustbelieveinAllah’sabsolutewisdom.Everythingthatmanseeshappeninginhimselfandinthisworldcertainlyhasacause,butthatcauseisnottobeunderstoodbyhumanlogic,asitisbasedondivinewisdom.Inthelifeofthisworld,whenyouencounterblasphemy,hypocrisy,duplicityandallotherthingsthatseemtobeevil,letthesethingsnotshakeyourfaith.KnowthatAllahMostHighinHisabsolutewisdomisresponsibleforallandeverything,andHedoeswhatappearstobenegativeinordertoexpressHisinfinitepower.Manifestationofsuchoverwhelmingpowermayseemtosomeunbearable,andthereforenegative,butthereisgreatmysteryinthisthatnooneotherthanourProphetcouldknow.

ThereisastoryofawisemanwhoprayedtohisLord,saying,‘ODivineOne,allispreordainedbyYou.MyfateisYours,thewillisYours,thewisdomwhichYouputinmeisYourcreation!’

Asheprayed,heheardaresponsewithoutsound,withoutwords,comingfrominsidehim,whichsaid,‘OMyservant,allthatyousaybelongstotheOneWhoisuniqueandunited.Itdoesnotbelongtotheservant.’

Thebelievingservantsaid,‘OmyLord,Ihavetyrannizedmyself,Iaminerror,Ihavesinned!’

Afterthatconfessionheagainheardthevoicefromwithinhim:‘AndIhavehadmercyuponyou,Ihaveerasedyourfaults,Ihaveforgivenyou.’

Lettheoneswhohavefaithknowandbethankfulthatallthegoodtheydoisnot

fromthembutthroughthem.SuccesscomesfromtheCreator.Whentheyerr,letthemknowthattheirmistakesandtheirsinsbelongtothem,thattheymayrepent.Wrongcomesfromtheunjustifiedambitionsoftheiregos.Ifyouunderstandthis

TheJoyofBeingGood

andfollowit,youbelongtotheoneswhoarementionedbyAllahas:

‘Thosewho,havingdonesomethingtobeashamedoforwhohavewrongedtheirownsouls,earnestlybringAllahtomindandaskforforgivenessfortheirsins—andwhocanforgivesinsexceptAllah?—andareneverobstinateinpersistingknowinglyin(thewrong)theyhavedone,forsuchtherewardisforgivenessfromtheirLordandgardenswithriversflowingunderneath—aneternaldwelling…(SuraA1‘Imran,135-136)

Itisbetterforthebelievertoacceptthathehimselfisthesourceofallofhisownfaults.Thatiswhatwillsavehim.ItindeedismuchbetterthanattributinghisfaultstotheAlmightyandPowerful,theOnewhocreatedall.

WhenourMastersaid,‘Itisalreadyknownwhenoneisinthemother’swombwhetheronewillbeasinnerorberighteous,’hemeantby‘themother’swomb’thefourelementsthatgivebirthtoallmaterialforcesandfaculties.Twoofthesefourelementsareearthandwater,whichareresponsibleforthegrowthoffaithandofknowledge,givelifetotheliving,andappearintheheartashumbleness,forearthishumble.Theothertwoelementsarefireandether.Theyaretheoppositeofearthandwater.Theyburn,destroy,kill.ItistheDivinethatunitestheseoppositesinonebeing.Howdowaterandfirecoexist?Howarelightanddarknesscontainedwithintheclouds?

ItisHeWhoshowsyoulightning,causingbothfearandhope;itisHeWhoraisesupthecloudsheavywithrain.

Nay,thunderrepeatsHispraisesandsodotheangels,withawe.Heflingstheloud-voicedthunderboltsandtherewithstrikeswhomsoeverHewill…(SuraRa‘d,12,13)

OnedaysomeoneaskedthesaintYahyaibnMu‘adhal-RazI,‘MowdidyoucometoknowAllah?’Heanswered,‘Bytheunionofopposites.’

THESECRETOFSECRETS

VicJoyofBeingGood

Theoppositespertainto,andinfactarearequirementfor,theunderstandingofAllah’sattributes.Facingthedivinetruthmanbecomesthemirrorinwhichthetruthisreflected,butalsoinwhichtheattributeofMightisreflected,Mancontainsthewholeuniverseinhisbeing:thatiswhyheiscalledtheunifierofmultiplicity,themacrocosm.AllahhascreatedhimwithHistwohands,HishandofgraceandHishandofall-compelling,crushingpowerandwrath.Thereforeheisamirrorthatshowsbothsides,boththatwhichiscoarseanddenseandthatwhichisfineandexquisite.

WhileallthedivineNamesaremanifestedinman,allothercreationsareonlyone-sided.AllahcreatedtheaccursedDevilandhisprogenyfromHisattributeofall-compellingwrath.HecreatedtheangelsfromHisattributeofgrace.Thequalitiesofsanctityandcontinuousworshiparecontainedintheangels,whiletheDevilandhisfollowers,createdfromAllah’sattributeofcrushingwrath,havethequalityoftyranny.ThatiswhytheDevilbecamearrogantand,whenorderedbyAllahtoprostratehimselftoAdam,refused.

Asmancontainsinhimselfboththehighandlowcharacteristicsoftheuniverse,

andasAllahhaschosenHismessengersandsaintsfromamongmen,thesemessengersarenotfreefromerroreither.Prophetswhentheyreceivethemissionofprophethoodaremadeinnocentofgreatsins,butthesmallsinsanderrorsmaystillbemanifestedinthem.Thesaints,ontheotherhand,arenotrenderedincapableofsins.YetitissaidthatwhensaintswhocomeclosetoAllahreachperfection,theycomeunderdivineprotectionagainstcommittinggreatsins.

Shaqlqal-Balkhl,mayAllahsanctifyhissecret,says,‘Therearefivesignsofrighteousness:agentledispositionandasoftheart,sheddingtearsofregret,asceticismandnotcaringabouttheworld,beingunambitious,andhavingaconscience.Thesignsofasinnerarealsofive:tobehard-hearted,tohaveeyesthatnevercry,tolovetheworldandtheworldly,tobeambitious,andtobewithoutconscienceandshame/

TheProphetattributesfourqualitiestotherighteousperson:‘Heisdependableandsafeguardsthatwhichisgivenintohiscare,

andreturnsit.Hekeepshispromises.Heistruthfulandneverlies.Heisnotharshindiscussionanddoesnotbreakhearts/Healsomentionsfoursignsofthesinner:‘Heisunfaithfulandun-dependableandcarelesswiththingsentrustedtohiscare.Hedoesnotkeephispromises.Helies.Hefightsandcursesashediscussesandhebreakshearts/Moreover,thesinnerisunabletoforgivetheerrorsofhisfriends.Thisisasignoffaithlessness,justastoforgiveisthegreatestsignofthebeliever,forAllahMostHighHimselforderedHisbelovedProphetHoldtoforgiveness,commandwhatisright,butturnawayfromtheignorant.(SuraATaf,

Theorder,‘Holdtoforgiveness’isnotgivenonlytoourMastertheProphet.It

addresseseveryone,andcertainlyallpeoplewhobelieveinMuhammadIfakingordershisgovernortodoacertainthing,abidingwiththatorderbecomesincumbentuponeveryoneunderthatgovernor,eventhoughtheorderitselfwasgivenonlytohim.

Intheorder,‘Holdtoforgiveness/theword‘hold’means‘Makeitahabit,makeitapartofyournature,apartofyourself/WhoeverhasaforgivingnaturereceivesoneofAllah’sNames,theNameoftheForgiver.Allahpromises,Ifapersonforgivesandmakesreconciliation,hisrewardisduefromAllah…(SuraShura,40)KnowthatrighteousnessturnsintorebellionagainstAllah,andrebellionandsinintorighteousness,notbythemselves,butthroughinfluencesandbyone’sowndoingandeffort.AsourProphetsays,‘AllchildrenarebornasMuslims.ItistheirmothersandfathersthatturnthemintoJews,ChristiansorMagianfire-worshippers.’Everyonehasthepotentialofbeinggoodandofbeingbad.Thereforeisitwrongtojudgesomeoneorsomethingastotallygoodortotallybad.Itisrighttothinkthatifsomeonehasmoregoodinhimthanhehasbad,heisrighteous,andifhisbadfeaturesaremorethanthegood,thereverse.

ThisdoesnotmeanthatmangainsParadisewithoutgooddeeds,nordoesitmeanthatheisthrownintohellfirewithoutsins.TothinkthiswayisinoppositiontotheprinciplesofIslam.AllahhaspromisedParadisetoHisbelievingservantswhodogooddeeds,and

THESECRETOFSECRETS

haswarnedtherebelling,nonbelievingsinnerswhosetthemselvesupaspartnerstoHimwiththepunishmentofhellfire.Hesaid,

Whoeverdoesgood,itisforhimselfandwhoeverdoesevil,itisagaittsthimselfThentoyourLordyouwillbebroughtback.(SuraJathiya,15)

7hisdayeveryoneisrewardedwithwhathehasearned.Noinjusticethisday!SurelyAllahisswiftinreckoning.(SuraMu’min,17)

Mancanhavenothingbutwhathestrivesfor.(SuraNajm,39)

Andwhatevergoodyousendbeforeforyourselves,youwillfinditwithAllah.(SuraBaqara,no)

CHAPTERTWELVE

TheDervishes

ThereisagroupofpeoplecalledtheSufis.Fourinterpretationsaregivenforthisname.Somesee,lookingattheirexterior,thattheywearroughwoollengarb.InArabicthewordforwoolissilfiandtheycallthemSufisfromthis.Others,lookingattheirwayoflifefreefromtheanxietiesofthisworld,andattheireaseandatpeace,whichinArabicissqfatcallthemSufisonthataccount.Yetothers,seeingdeeper,lookattheirhearts,whicharepurifiedofeverythingotherthantheEssenceofAllah.Becauseofthepurityofthosehearts,inArabicsafi,theytermthemSufis.OtherswhoknowcallthemSufisbecausetheyareclosetoAllahandwillstandinthefirstrow,inArabicsafi]beforeAllahonthedayoftheLastJudgment.

Therearealsofourrealms,fourworlds.Thefirstistheworldofmatter,ofearth,water,fireandether.Thesecondistheworldofspiritualbeings,oftheangels,ofjinnsanddreamsanddeath,oftherewardsofAllah—theeightparadises,andthejusticeofAllah—thesevenhells.ThethirdistheworldoftheWord,theBeautifulNamesofAllah’sattributes,andtheHiddenTabletwhichisthesourceofallofAllah’smessages.ThefourthistherealmofAllah’spureEssence,arealmindescribablebecauseatthatleveltherearenowords,names,attributesorlikenesses.NoneexceptAllahknowsit.

Therearealsofourkindsofknowledge.ThefirstisknowledgeofAllah’sprecepts,andisconcernedwiththeouteraspectsofthe

THESECRETOFSECRETS

TheDervishes

lifeofthisworld.Thesecondismysticalknowledge,theinnerknowledgeofcausesandeffects.Thethirdistheknowledgeofthespirit,self-knowledge,andthroughit,knowledgeofthedivine.Finally,thereistheknowledgeofthetruth.

Thesoulsarealsooffourkinds:thematerialsoul,theenlightenedsoul,thesultan-soulandthedivinesoul.

Appearances,themanifestationsoftheCreator,arealsooffourkinds.Thefirstisthemanifestationinformsandshapesandcolour,asifinHisartwork.Thesecondmanifestationisinactionsandinteractions,inthingsthathappen.ThethirdisHismanifestationinattributes,qualities,thecharacterofthings.FinallythereisthemanifestationofMisEssence.

Theintellect,orreasoningpower,isalsooffourkinds:theintelligencewhichdealswithworldlyaffairsofthislife;theintelligencewhichconsidersandthinksofthehereafter;theintelligenceofthesoul,spiritualwisdom;andfinallythetotalCausalMind.

Thesubjectsjustdiscussedarealsofour:thefourkindsofknowledge,thefoursouls,thefourkindsofmanifestationandthefourintellects.Somemenstayatthefirstlevelofknowledge,soul,manifestationandintellect.Theyaretheinhabitantsofthefirstparadisecalled‘theparadiseofthesecurityofhome’,thatis,theearthlyparadise.Thosewhoareatthesecondlevelofknowledge,soul,manifestationandintellectbelongtoahigherlevelofParadise,thegardenofthedelightofAllah’sgraceuponHiscreatures,whichistheparadisewithintheangelicrealm.Thoseamongmenwhohavereachedthethirdlevelofknowledge,soul,manifestationandwisdomareinthethirdlevelofParadise,theheavenlyparadise,theparadiseofthedivineNamesandattributesintherealmofunity.

YetthosewhoseekandattachthemselvestotherewardsofAllah,eveniftheyareinParadise,cannotseethetruerealitywithinthemselvesandwithinthethingsaroundthem.Thosemenofwisdomwhoseekthetruth,thosewhohaveachievedthetruestateofthedervish,thestateoftotalneed—nottheneedofanythingbut

Allah,theneedofAllahalone—leaveeverythingandseeknothingbuttruth.Theyfindwhattheyseekandentertherealmoftruth,therealmwhichisclosesttoAllah,andlivefornothingexcepttheEssenceofAllah.

Theseabidewiththedivineorder,‘TakerefugeinAllah’,andfollowtheadviceoftheProphet4S,‘BoththisworldandthehereafterareunlawfulfortheonewhoseeksAllah’.OurMasterdoesnotmeanthattheworldandthehereafterareunlawful.HemeansthattheoneswhowishforandseekAllah’sEssencedeprivetheirfleshandtheiregosoftheirneeds,lovesanddemandsoftheworldandtheworldly.

Theseekersoftruthreasonthisway:thisworldisacreatedbeing;wearealsocreatedbeings,wearebothinneedofaCreator,ofanOwner.Howcouldoneinneedaskforwhatheneedsfromanotherwhoisinneedhimself?WhatwayisthereforacreatedbeingotherthanseekinghisCreator?

AllahsaysthroughthelipsofHisbelovedProphet£§£,‘Mylove,MyexistenceistheirloveforMe’.

OurMastertheProphet£§£says:‘Mystateofutterneed,mypoverty,ismypride.’TheutterneedandloveofAllahisthebasisforthesearchofthedervish.ThestateofpovertywhichistheprideofourMasterisnotthepovertyofthelackoftheworldly.ItistheabandonmentofeverythingbutthewishfortheEssenceofAllah.Itistoleaveallthegoods—notonlythoseofthisworld,butthosepromisedinthehereafter—andthusintotalneedtopresentoneselftoone’sLord.

Thisisastateofbringingoneselftonothingness,ofdisappearingintheEssenceofAllah.Itistoemptyone’sbeingofeverythingwhichisforone’sbeingandto

emptyone’sheartofeverythingbutHislove.ThenthatheartbecomesworthytoreceivethepromiseofAllah,‘1donotfitintoMyheavensnorMyearths,butIfitintotheheartofmyfaithfulservant’.

ThefaithfulservantishewhoexcludesallotherthantheOnefromhisheart.Whenaheartisthuspurified,AllahenlargesitandfitsHimselfintoit.HadratBayazldal-Bistaml,mayAllahsanctityhissecret,describesthegreatnessofsuchaheart,saying,‘Ifallthat

THESECRETOPSECRETS

TheDervishes

existsinandaroundtheThroneofAllah,thatvastestofallofAllah’screations,weretobeplacedinacoineroftheperfectman’sheart,hewouldnotevenfeeltheweightofit.’

SuchasthesearethebelovedofAllah.Lovethemandbearoundthem,forthosewhotrulylovewillbewiththeirbelovedinthehereafter.Thesignofthisloveistoseektheircompany,towishtoheartheirwords,andwiththeirsightandtheirwordstofeellongingforAllahMostHigh.

Allah,speakingthroughthelipsofHisProphetsays:‘Ifeeltheyearningofthefaithful,oftherighteous,ofthetrueservants,forMe,andItoolongforthem.’

TheseloversofAllahappeardifferentfromothers,andtheiractionsaredifferentfromthoseofothers.Atthebeginning,whentheyarenovices,theiractionsappearbalancedbetweengoodandbad.Whentheyareadvancedandreachthemedianleveltheiractionsarefullofbeneficence.InallcasesthegoodwhichcomesthroughthemisnotonlyintheirfollowingthepreceptsofAllahandofthereligion,butinactionswhichcontainbeatitudeandshinewiththelightofthemeaningwithinappearances.

Theyareasifcladinclothingofcolouredlightwhichgeneratesfromtheminaccordancewiththeirlevels.

Astheyovercometheiregosandthetyrannyofthelowerdesiresoftheirfleshwiththeblessingofthedivinephraselailahaillallah—thereisnogodbutAllah—andreachthelevelofbeingswhocandiscriminatebetweenrightandwrong,condemnthewrongwithinthemselvesandwishfortheright,asky-bluelightemanatesfromthem.

When,fromthatstate,withthehelpandinspirationofallahtheyoptforthegoodandleavethebad,aredcolourengulfsthem.

WiththeblessingcomingfromtheNameofAllah,hu,thatNamewhichnoneotherthantheTruthcandescribe,theyreachthelevelthatiscleansedofallharmfulattributesandbadactionsandfindastateofpeaceandserenity.Thenagreenlightemanatesfromthem.

Whenallegoanditswishes,whenallpersonalwillisleftbehindthroughtheblessingofhaqq,theTruth,andwhentheysubmittheirwillstothewillofAllahandarepleasedwithallthatcomesfromAllah,theircolourturnstowhitelight.

Thesearethedescriptionsofdervishesfromtheirnovitiateatthebeginningofthepathuntiltheyreachamedianstage.Buttheonewhoreachesthelimitsofthispathhasneitherformnorshapenorcolour.Hebecomesasifarayofsunshine.Thesunshineiscolourless.Itslightdoesnotresembleanycolour.Thedervishwhohasreachedthehighestlevelhasnobeingtoreflectlightorcolour.Ifanything,hiscolourwouldbeblack,whichabsorbsalllight.Thisisthesignofthestateofannihilation.

Forotherswholookathim,thiscolourless,darkappearancebecomesaveiloverthelightofwisdomwhichhepossesses,justasthenightisaveiloverthesunshine.AllahsaysthatHe

madethenightasacovering,andmadethedayasameansofsubsistence.(SuraNaba5,io-ii)

Forthosewhohavereachedtheessenceofthemindandofknowledge,thereisasigninthisverse.

Thosepeoplewhohavecomeclosetotruthinthelifeofthisworldfeelasiftheyareimprisonedhereinadarkdungeon.Theyspendtheirlifeinpainandmisery.Theysuffergreathardships,pres-sureofcircumstances,inaworldoftotaldarkness.TheProphetsays,‘Thisworldisadungeonforthefaithful’.Ashepointsout,calamitiesfallfirstupontheprophets,thenuponthosewhoaretheclosesttoAllah,thenindescendingscaleuponthosewhoarctryingtocomeclosetoHim,Thereforeitisappropriateforthedervishtowearblackandtotietheblackturbanaroundhishead,foritistheclothingoftheonewhoispreparedtosufferthepainsofthispath.

Inreality,blackistheappropriateclothingforthosewhoshouldmournforhavinglosttheirhumanityandtheirpossibility.Manymencarelesslylosethatgreatgift,properonlytomankind,ofbeingconscious,ofbeingabletoseethetruth,thuskillingwiththeirownhandstheireternallife.Puttingoutthedivineloveyearning

THESECRETOFSECRETS

intheirhearts,separatingthemselvesfromtheholyspirit,theylosethepossibilityofreturningtotheorigin,tothecause.Althoughtheydonotknowit,theyarctheoneswhosufferthegreatestofcalamities.Iftheywereawarethattheyhadlostallthebenefitsofthehereafter,theeternallife,theywouldindeedweartheclothingofmourning.Awidowwhohaslostherhusbandmournsforfourmonthsandtendays.Thisisamourningforthelossofthatwhichbelongstothisworld.Themourningfortheonewhohaslostthegoodoftheeternallifeshouldbeeternal.

OurMastertheProphetsays:Thosewhoaresincerearealwaysattheedgeofagreatdanger’.Howwellthisdescriptionfitstheonewhohastowalkontiptoewiththegreatestofcare!Butthisisthestateofthedervishwhohaslefthisbeingandisintherealmofannihilation.HispovertyofthisworldwhichhehasleftbehindandhistotalneedforAllahisgreat,andheloomsasagreatbeautyoverandabovehumankind.

OurMastersays,‘Povertyisablackenedfaceinbothworlds’.Hemeansthattheonewhohaspurposefullychosentobepoorinthisworld,disappearingtothisworld,doesnotreflectanyofthecoloursofthisworld,butabsorbsonlythelightofthedivinetruth.Thedarkofhisfaceislikeabeautyspotwhichfurtherenhanceshisbeauty.

Thosewhohavecomeinsightofthetruth,afterbeholdingthebeautyofthetruth,donotcaretoseeanythingelse.Theycannotlookwithloveandyearningatanythingelse.ForthemAllahbecomestheonlybeloved,theonlythingthatexists.Thatistheirstateinbothworlds.Thatistheironlypurpose.Finally,theyhavebecomeMen,andAllahhascreatedManinorderthatheknowHim,inorderthathereachHisEssence.

Itbehovesallmentoseekandknowthereasonfortheircreationandtofeelthemeaningofthisreason,thedutieswhichbefalltheminthisworldandinthehereafter,sothattheydonotspendtheirlifehereinvain,sothattheydonotregretforeverinthehereafter—engulfed,drownedintheyearningwhichtheywillfinallyrealizeineternalremorse.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

OnthePurificationoftheSelf

Purificationiscleansingoneself.Therearetwokindsofcleanliness.One,exterior,isordainedbythepreceptsofthereligionandiscarriedoutbywashingone’sbodywithpurewater.Theother,innerpurification,isobtainedthroughtherealizationofthedirtinone’sbeing,beingawareofone’ssinsandsincerelyrepentingforthem.Thisinnerpurificationnecessitatestakingaspiritualpathandistaughtbyaspiritualteacher.

Accordingtothereligiousrulesandprecepts,onebecomesimpureandone’sablutionisbrokenwhencertainbodilymattersuchasfaeces,urine,vomit,pus,blood,semen,etc.,isexpelled.Thisnecessitatestherenewaloftheablution.Inthecaseofsemenandmenstrualbleedingatotalwashingofthebodyisnecessary.Inothercasestheexposedextremitiesofthebody—thehandsandforearms,thefaceandfeet—mustbewashed.Concerningrenewingone’sablutionourMastertheProphetsaid:‘AteachrenewalofablutionAllahrenewsthebeliefofHisservantwhoselightoffaithisrepolishedandshinesbrighter,’and‘Repeatedpurificationbyablutionislightuponlight’.

Innerpuritycanalsobelost,perhapsmoreoftenthanouterpurity,bybadcharacter,lowbehaviour,harmfulactsandattitudessuchaspride,arrogance,lying,gossiping,slandering,envyandanger.Consciousandunconsciousactsbyone’ssensessoilthespirit:themouthwhicheatsunlawfulfood,thelipswhichlieandcurse,

THESECRETOFSECRETS

theearwhichlistenstogossipandslander,thehandwhichstrikes,thefeetwhichfollowthetyrant.Adultery,whichisalsoasin,isnotperformedonlyinbed;astheProphetsays,‘Theeyesalsocommitadultery*.

Wheninnerpurityisthussoiledandspiritualablutionbroken,therenewalofablutionisbysincererepentance,whichisperformedbyrealizingone*sfault,bypainfulregretaccompaniedbytears(whicharethewaterwashingthedirtfromthespirit),byintendingnevertorepeatthisfault,bywishingtoleaveallfaults,byaskingtheforgivenessofAllah,andbyprayingthatHepreventonefromcommittingsuchasinagain.

Toprayistopresentoneselfinfrontofone’sLord.Tohaveablution,tobeinapurifiedstate,isaprerequisiteforprayer.Thewiseknowthatthecleanlinessofone’sexteriorbeingisnotsufficient,forAllahseesdeepintoone’sheart,whichhastobegiventheablutionofrepentance.Onlythenisprayeraccepted.Allahsays

77/15iswhatwaspromisedforyou—foreveryonewhoturned(to

Allah)insincererepentance,ivhokept(Hislaw).(SuraQaf,32)

Thepurificationofthebodyandexteriorablutioninaccordancewithreligiouspreceptsisalsoboundbytime,forsleepcancelsablutionaswell.Thiscleanlinessistiedtothedayandthenightofthelifeofthisworld.Thecleanlinessoftheinnerworld,theablutionoftheinvisibleself,isnotlimitedbytime.Itisforthewholeoflife—notonlyforthetemporallifeofthisworld,butalsofortheeternallifeofthehereafter.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

OntheMeaningofRitualWorshipandInnerWorship

Fivetimesaday,atspecifictimes,prayerisordainedforeveryadultandableMuslim.ThisisorderedbyAllah:Guardtheprayers,especiallythemiddleprayer…(SuraBaqara,238)Ritualworshipconsistsofstanding,recitingfromtheQur’an,bowing,prostrating,kneelingandaudiblyrepeatingcertainprayers.Thesemovementsandactionsinvolvingthemembersofthebody,recitationsspelledoutandheardinvolvingthesenses,aretheworshipofthematerialselfBecausetheseactionsofthematerialselfaremultipleandarerepeatedmanytimesineachofthefiveprayersduringtheday,thefirstpartoftheorderofAllah,Guardtheprayers,isintheplural.

ThesecondpartofAllah’sorder,especiallythemiddleprayer,referstotheprayeroftheheart,becausetheheartisinthemiddle,inthecentreofthebeing.Thepurposeofthatworshipistoobtainpeaceofheart.Theheartisinthemiddlebetweentherightandtheleft,betweenthefrontandtheback,betweentheupperandthelower,andbetweenrighteousnessandrebellion.Theheartisthecentre,thepointofbalance,themedian.OurMastertheProphetsaid,‘TheheartsofthechildrenofAdamarebetweenthetwofingersoftheAll-Merciful.HeturnsthemwhicheverwayHewills.’ThetwofingersofAllahareHisattributesoftheirresistiblepowerofpunishmentandthelovinganddelicatebeautyofbeneficence.

THESECRETOFSECRETS

Trueworshipistheworshipoftheheart.Ifone’sheartisheedlessoftrueworship,theritualprayerofthematerialselfisindisorder.Whenthishappens,thepeaceofthematerialselfthatonehopestoobtainfromritualprayerisnotrealized.ThatiswhytheProphet^says,‘Ritualworshipisonlypossiblewithaquietheart’.

PrayeristhesupplicationofthecreatedtotheCreator.ItisameetingoftheservantandtheLord.Theplaceofthismeetingistheheart.Iftheheartisclosed,heedless,anddead,soisthemeaningofworship.Nogoodcomestothematerialbeingfromsuchaprayer.Fortheheartistheessenceofthebody;therestisdependentuponit.AstheProphet*§£says,‘Thereisapieceofmeatinman’sbody—whenitisinagoodstate,thewholebeingimproves,andwhenitisinabadstate,thewholebeingfallsapart.Beware,thatpieceofmeatistheheart.’

Prayerprescribedbythereligionistobeperformedatspecifictimes.Withinadayandanighttherearefivesuchspecifictimesofprayer.Thebestwayofdoingthemistoperformtheminamosque,incongregation,turningtowardthedirectionofthecityofMakka,followingtheonewholeadstheprayerwithouthypocrisy,notfortheapprovalofothers,andwithoutostentation.

Thetimeforinnerworshipistimelessandendless,forthewholelifehereandinthehereafter.Themosqueforthisprayeristheheart.Thecongregationistheinnerfaculties,whichrememberandrecitetheNamesoftheunityofAllahinthelanguageoftheinnerworld.Theleaderofthisprayeristheirresistiblewish.ThedirectionofprayeristowardtheonenessofAllah—whichiseverywhere—andHiseternalnatureandHisbeauty.

Thetrueheartistheonewhichcanperformsuchaprayer.Aheartlikethisneithersleepsnordies.Aheartandsoullikethisareincontinuousworship,andabeingwithsuchaheart,whetherheappearawakeorasleep,isinconstantservice.Theinnerworshipoftheheartishiswholelife.Thereisnolongerthesoundofrecitationnorstanding,bowing,prostratingorsitting.Hisguide,theleaderofhisprayer,istheProphethimself.HespeakswithAllahMostHigh,saying,TheedoweserveandTheedowebeseechforhelp.(SuraFatiha,4)

Thesedivinewordsareinterpretedasasignofthestate

OntheMeaningofRitualWorshipandInnerWorship

oftheperfectman,whopassesfrombeingnothing,beinglosttomaterialthings,intoastateofoneness.Suchaperfectheartreceivesgreatblessingsfromthedivine.OneoftheseblessingsismentionedbyourMastertheProphet<§£:‘TheprophetsandthosewhoarebelovedbyAllahcontinuetheirworshipintheirgravesastheydidintheirhouseswhiletheywereofthisworld.’I11otherwords,theeternallifeoftheheartcontinuesitssupplicationstoAllahMostHigh.

Whentheritualworshipofthematerialbeingandtheinnerworshipoftheheartunite,theprayeriscomplete.Itisperfectworship,anditsrewardsaregreat.ItbringsonespirituallytotherealmsoftheproximityofAllah,andphysicallytothehighestlevelofone’spossibility.IntheworldofappearancesonebecomesthedevoutservantofAllah.InwardlyonebecomesthewiseonewhohasattainedthetrueknowledgeofAllah.Ifritualworshipdoesnotunitewiththeinnerworshipoftheheart,itislacking.Itsrewardisonlyadvancinginrank.Itwillnotbringoneanyclosertotherealmofthedivine.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

OnthePurificationofthePerfectMan,whohasIsolatedHimselffrom,andStrippedHimselfof,

AllWorldlyConcerns

Thepurposeofthispurificationisoftwokinds;oneistogainaccesstothedivineattributes,andtheotheristoreachtherealmoftheEssence.

PurificationtogainaccesstodivineattributesnecessitatesateachingthatwillinstructoneintheprocessofcleansingthemirroroftheheartfromanimalandhumanimagesbytheinvocationofthedivineNames.Thisinvocationbecomesthekey,thepasswordopeningtheeyeoftheheart.OnlywhenthateyeisopenedcanoneseethetrueattributesofAllahMostHigh.Thenthateyeseesthereflectionofthedivinemercy,grace,beautyandkindnessonthepurifiedmirroroftheheart.TheProphetofAllah££says,‘ThefaithfulseesbythelightofAllah’,and‘Thefaithfulisthemirrorofthefaithful’.Healsosays,‘Themanofknowledgemakesimageswhilethewisemanpolishesthemirroruponwhichtruthisreflected’.WhenthemirroroftheheartiscompletelycleansedbybeingpolishedwithcontinuousinvocationofthedivineNames,onehasaccesstoandknowledgeofthedivineattributes.Thewitnessingofthisvisionisonlypossibleinthemirroroftheheart.

PurificationforthepurposeofattainingthedivineEssenceisthroughcontinuousremembranceandtheinvocationofthe

OnthePurificationofthePerfectMan

ConfessionofUnity.TherearethreeNamesofUnity,thelastthreeofthetwelvedivineNames.Theyare:

lailaiiaillallah—ThereisnogodbutAllah

allah—ThepropernameofGod

hu—ThetranscendentAllah

haqq—TheTruth

hayy—TheeverlivingdivineLife

qayyum—TheSelf-existingOneuponWhomallexistencedepends

qahhar—-TheAll-compellerWhooverwhelmsall

waiihab—ThelimitlessDonorofall

fattah—TheOpener

wahid—TheOne

ahad—TheUnique

samad—TheSource

TheseNamesmustbeinvokednotbytheordinarytongue,butwiththesecrettongueoftheheart.Itisonlythenthattheeyeoftheheartseesthelightofunity.WhenthesacredlightofthedivineEssencebecomesmanifest,allmaterialqualitiesdisappear,allthingsbecomenothing.Thisisthestateoftotalconsumptionofallandeverything,avoidbeyondallvoids.Themanifestationofdivinelightextinguishesallotherlights.

EverythingwillperishbutHim.(SuraQasas,88)

AllaheffaceswhatHepleasesandestablisheswhatHepleases,andHisistheessenceoftheBook.(SuraRa‘d,39)

Whenallisgone,whatisleftforeveristheholyspirit.Itseeswiththelightof

Allah.ItseesHim,Heseesit.ItseesbyHim;itseesinHim;itseesforHim.Therearenoimages,nolikenessesinHisseeing.NothingislikeHim,andHeistheHearingandtheSeeing.(SuraShura,n)

Whatisleftisapureandabsolutelight.Thereisnothingtoknowbeyondit.Thatistherealmofself-annihilation.Thereisnolongeramindtogiveanynews.ThereisnooneelsebutAllahtowhomtogivenews.OurMastertheProphet*§£describesit,saying,‘Ihavea

THESECRETOFSECRETS

timewhenIamsoclosetoAllahthatnoone,neitheranangelnoramessengernoraprophet,cancomebetweenus/Thatisthestateofisolation,whereonehasstrippedoneselfofeverythingexceptAllah’sEssence.Thatisthestateofunion,asAllahordainsfromthelipsofHisProphet‘isolateyourselffromallandfindunion*.

Theisolationproceedsfromallthatisworldlybecomingnothing.

Itisonlythenthatyouwillreceivethedivineattributes.That

iswhatourMastertheProphetmeanswhenhesays,‘Adornchaptersixteen

yourselfwiththedivinedisposition’.Purifyyourself,submerging

yourselfinthedivineattributes.OilCharity

Therearetwokindsofcharity:thatcharitywhichisprescribedbythereligion,

andspiritualcharity,whichisofadifferentnature.Thedonationsprescribedbythereligionarefromthelawfullygainedgoodsofthisworld.Afterthedeductionofacertainamountallocatedfortheuseofone’sfamily,aspecificpercentageoftheexcessisdistributedtothosewhoareinneed.Spiritualcharity,however,istakenfromthatwhichonehasobtainedofthegoodsofthehereafter.Italsoisgiventotheoneswhoareinneedofit,tothespirituallypoor.

Charityisgivingalmstothepoor.Allahordainsthis,saying,Charityisforthepoorandtheneedy…(SuraTawba,60)WhateverisgivenforthispurposepassesthroughthehandsofAllahMostHighbeforeitreachestheoneinneed.Thereforethepurposeofcharityisnotsomuchtohelptheneedy,forAllahistheSatisfierofallneeds,buttoletthedonor’sintentionsbeacceptabletoAllah.

ThosewhoareclosetoAllahdevotethespiritualrewardsoftheirgooddeedstosinners.AllahMostHighmanifestsHismercy,pardoningsinners,inproportiontotheprayers,thepraises,thefasts,thealmsandthepilgrimagesofHisservantswhointendtosacrificethespiritualrewardstheymayhopeforasaresultoftheirworshipanddevotions.AllahinHismercycoversandhidesthesinsofsinnersasarewardforthedevotionofhisgoodservants.

THESECRETOFSECRETS

Thegenerosityofthesefaithfulonesissuchthattheykeepnothingforthemselves*neitherthereputationofbeinggoodnorthehopeofarewardinthehereafter.Fortheonewhotakesthispathhaslostevenhisownexistence.Heisinthestateoftotalbankruptcy,becauseheistrulygenerous.Allahlovesthosewhoaregenerousuptothepointofbeingtotallybankrupttothisworld.OurMastertheProphetsays,‘TheonewhohasspentallhehasanddoesnothopetohaveanythingisinthecareofAllahinthisworldandinthehereafter*

ThegreatladyRabi’aal-‘Adawiyya,mayGodbepleasedwithher,usedtopray,beggingAllah,‘OLord,giveallmyshareofthisworldtothenonbelievers,andifIhaveanyshareofthehereafter,distributeitamongYourfaithfulservants.AlllwishforinthisworldistoyearnforYou,andall1wishforinthehereafteristobewithYou;forbothmanandwhatconiestohishandsforashortwhilebelongonlytotheOwnerofboth.*

Allahrepaysatleasttentimestotheoneswhogive.Hewhodoesgoodshallhavetentimesasmuchinreturn…(SuraAn’am,160)

Anotherbenefitofcharityisitscleansingeffect.Itcleansesone’spropertyanditcleansesone’sbeing.Ifone’sbeingiscleansedofegotisticalattributes,thespiritualpurposeofcharityisaccomplished.

Toseparateoneselffromalittleportionofwhatonethinksisone’sownbringsmanifoldrewardsinthehereafter.Allahpromises:

WhoishewhowillgivetoAllahabeautifulgift?ForAllahwillincreaseitmanifoldtohiscredit,andhewillhavebesidesaliberalreward.(SuraHadtd,n)

andTrulyhefindssalvationwhopurifies(hissoul).(SuraShams,9)Charity,the‘beautifulgift,’isagooddeed,aportionofwhatyouhavereceived,bothmaterialandspiritual.Giveit,forAllah’ssake,toAllah’sservants.Eventhoughmanifoldrewardsarepromised,donotdoitforthereturn.Giveallgiftsandcharityaccompaniedbycare,love,andcompassionandnotasafavour,expectingthanks,makingtherecipientfeelunderobligation,indebtedorgrateful.ForAllahsays:

OnCharity

Oyouwhobelieve,makenotyourcharityworthlessbyremindersofyourgenerosity,andbycausingvexation…(SuraBaqara,264)

Donotasknorexpectanyworldlybenefitforyourgooddeeds.DothemforAllah’ssake.Allahsays.

Bynomeansshallyouattainrighteousnessunlessyougive(freely)ofthatwhichyoulove;andwhateveryougive,intruthAllahknowsitwell(SuraAl‘Imran,92)

OnFasting

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

OnFastingPrescribedbytheReligionandOnSpiritualFasting

Thefastingprescribedbythereligionistoabstainfromeatinganddrinkingandsexualintercoursefromdawntosunset,whilespiritualfastingis,inaddition,toprotectallthesensesandthoughtsfromallthatisunlawful.Itistoabandonallthatisdisharmonious,inwardlyaswellasoutwardly.Theslightestbreachofthatintentionbreaksthefast.Religiousfastingislimitedbytime,whilespiritualfastingisforeverandlaststhroughoutone’stemporalandeternallife.Thisistruefasting.

OurMastertheProphetsays,‘Therearemanyofthosewhofastwhogetonlyhungerandthirstfortheireffortsandnootherbenefit’.Therearealsothosewhobreaktheirfastwhentheyeat,andthosewhosefastcontinuesevenaftertheyhaveeaten.Thesearetheoneswhokeeptheirsensesandtheirthoughtsfreeofevilandtheirhandsandtheirtonguesfromhurtingothers.ItisforthesethatAllahMostHighpromises,TastingisadeeddoneforMysake,andIamtheonewhogivesitsreward.’AboutthetwokindsoffastingourMastertheProphetsays,‘Theonewhofastshastwosatisfactions.Oneiswhenhebreakshisfastattheendoftheday.Theotheriswhenhesees.’

Thosewhoknowtheouterformofthereligionsaythatthefirstsatisfactionoftheonewhofastsisthepleasureofeatingafteradayoffasting,andthemeaningofthesatisfaction‘whenhesees’is

whensomeonewhofastedthewholemonthofRamadanseesthenewmoonmarkingtheendofthefastandbeginningthefestivitiesoftheholiday.TheoneswhoknowtheinnermeaningoffastingsaythatthejoyofbreakingthefastisthedaywhenthebelieverwillenterParadiseandpartakeofthedelightstherein,andthemeaningofthegreaterjoyofseeingiswhenthefaithfulseesthetruthofAllahwiththesecreteyeofhisheart.

Worthierthanthesetwokindsoffastingisthefastoftruth,whichisinpreventingtheheartfromworshippinganyotherthantheEssenceofAllah.Itis

performedbyrenderingtheeyeoftheheartblindtoallthatexists,eveninthesecretrealmsoutsideofthisworld,excepttheloveofAllah.ForalthoughAllahhascreatedallandeverythingforman,HehascreatedmanonlyforHimself,andHesays‘ManisMysecretand1amhissecret’.ThatsecretisalightfromthedivinelightofAllah.Itisthecentreoftheheart,madeoutofthefinestofmatter.Itisthesoulwhichknowsallthesecrettruths;itisthesecretconnectionbetweenthecreatedoneandhisCreator.ThatsecretdoesnotlovenorleantowardsanythingotherthanAllah.

Thereisnothingworthytowishfor,thereisnoothergoal,nootherbelovedinthisworldandinthehereafter,exceptAllah.IfanatomofanythingotherthantheloveofAllahenterstheheart,thefastoftruth,thetruefast,isbroken.Thenonehastomakeitup,torevivethatwishandintention,toreturnbacktoHislove,hereandinthehereafter.ForAllahsays:TastingisonlyforMe,andonlyIgiveitsreward’.

OnthePilgrimage

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

OnthePilgrimagetoMakkaandtheInnerPilgrimagetotheEssenceoftheHeart

PilgrimageaccordingtoreligiouspreceptsisthevisitationoftheKa‘bainthecityofMakka.TherearecertainrequirementsconnectedwiththisPilgrimage:towearthepilgrim’sgarb—twowrappersofseamlesswhiteclothwhichrepresenttheleavingbehindofallworldlyties;toarriveinMakkainastateofablution;toperformsevencircumambulationsaroundtheKa‘ba—asignofcompletesurrender;torunseventimesbetweenSafaandMarwa;togototheplainof‘Arafatandstandwaitinguntilsunset;tospendthenightinMuzdalifa;tomakeasacrificeatMina;tomakeanothersevencircumambulationsaroundtheKa‘ba;todrinkfromthewellofZatnzam;andtomaketwocyclesofprayerneartheplacewheretheprophetAbrahamstoodneartheKa‘ba.Whenthesearedone,thePilgrimageiscompleteanditsrewardgranted,andifanythingislackinginthisritualitsrewardiscancelled.AllahMostHighsays:AndcompletethepilgrimageandthevisitationforAllah.(SuraBaqara,196)Whenallthisiscomplete,manyconnectionswiththeworldthatwereunlawfulduringtheritualbecomelawfulagain.Inone’snormalstateonemakesalastcircumambulation,andreturnstodailylife.TherewardofthepilgrimageisannouncedbyAllah:

Andwhoeverentersitissafe,andthePilgrimagetotheHouseisadutythatmenowetoAllah,whoevercanfndawaytoit.(SuraA1‘Imran,97)

WhoevercanperformthePilgrimagewillfindsafetyfromhellfire.Thatishisreward.

TheinnerPilgrimagenecessitatesagreatdealofpreparationandgatheringofprovisionspriortoundertakingthevoyage.Thefirstthingistofindaguide,ateacher,whomonelovesandrespects,onwhomonedependsandwhomoneobeys.Itishewhowillfurnishthepilgrimwiththeprovisionsheneeds.

Thenonemustprepareone’sheart.TowakeituponerecitesthesacredphraseLailahailiaLlah—ThereisnogodbutAllah’—andremembersAllahin

contemplatingthemeaningofthatphrase.Withthistheheartawakens,becomesalive.ItalsoremembersAllah,andkeepsrememberingAllahuntilthewholeinnerbeingispurifiedandcleansedofallelsebutHim.

Aftertheinnerpurification,onemustrecitetheNamesoftheattributesofAllah,whichwillkindlethelightofAllah’sbeautyandgrace.ItisinthatlightthatonehopestoseetheKa‘baofthesecretessence.AllahorderedHisprophetsAbrahamandIshmaeltothispurificationinsaying:

AssociatenotanythingwithMe,andpurifyMyHouseforthosewho

circumambulateit.(SuraHajj,26)

IndeedthematerialKa‘bainthecityofMakkaiskeptcleanforthepilgrims.HowmuchcleanershouldonekeeptheinnerKa‘bauponwhichTruthwillgaze!

Afterthesepreparationstheinnerpilgrimwrapshimselfinthelightoftheholyspirit,transforminghismaterialshapeintotheinneressence,andcircumambulatestheKa‘baoftheheart,inwardlyrecitingtheseconddivineName—allah,thepropernameofGod.Hemovesincirclesbecausethepathoftheessenceisnotstraightbutcircular.Itsendisitsbeginning.

Thenhegoestothe‘Arafatoftheheart,thatinnerplaceofsupplication,thatplacewhereonehopestoknowthesecretof‘ThereisnogodbutHe,WhoisOneandWhohasnopartners’.TherehestandsrecitingthethirdName,hu—notalone,butwithHim,forAllahsaysAndHeiswithyouwhereveryouare.(SuraHadld,4)ThenherecitesthefourthName—haqq,theTruth,the

THESECRETOFSECRETS

nameofthelightofAllah’sEssence—andthenthefifthName,hayy—thedivinelife,eternal,fromwhichalltemporallifederives.ThenhejoinsthedivineNameoftheEverlivingwiththesixthName—qayyum,theSelf-existingOneuponwhomallexistencedepends.ThisbringshimtotheMuzdalifaofthecentreoftheheart.

ThenheisbroughttotheMinaofthesacredsecret,theessence,whereherecitestheseventhName—qahhar,HeWhooverwhelmsall,theAll-compeller,WiththepowerofthatNametheselfandselfishnessaresacrificed.Theveilsofdisbeliefareblownawayandthegatesofthevoidflyopen.

ConcerningtheveilsseparatingthecreatedfromtheCreator,theProphetsays:‘FaithandfaithlessnessexistataplacebeyondAllah’sThrone.TheyareveilsseparatingtheLordfromtheviewofHisservants.Oneisblackandtheotherwhite.’

Thentheheadoftheholyspiritisshavedofallthematerialattributes.

RecitingtheeighthdivineName,waiihab—theDonorofAll,withoutlimits,withoutconditions—heentersthesacredareaoftheEssence.ThereherecitestheninthName—fattah,theOpenerofallthatisclosed.

EnteringtheplaceofassiduousnesswherehestaysinretreatclosetoAllah,inintimacywithHimandawayfromeverythingelse,herecitesthetenthName,waiiid—AllahtheOneWhohasnoequal,nonelikeHim.TherehebeginstoseethemanifestationofAllah’sattributesamad,theSource.Heseesthebeginningofthisinexhaustibletreasure.Itisasightwithoutformorshape,resemblingnothing.

Thenthelastcircumambulationstarts:sevencircuitsduringwhichherecitesthelastsixNamesandaddstheeleventhName,ahad—theUniqueOne,theOnlyOne.ThenhedrinksfromthehandoftheintimacyofAllah.AndtheirLordmakesthemdrinkapuredrink.(SuraInsan,21)ThecupinwhichthisdrinkisofferedisthetwelfthdivineName,samad—theSource,theSatisfierofall

needs,theSoleRecourse.

OnthePilgrimage

IndrinkingfromthisSourceoneseesalltheveilsliftingfromtheeternalface.OnelooksuponitwiththelightcomingfromIt.Thatworldhasnolikeness,noshape,noform.Itisindescribable,unassociable,thatworld‘whichnoeyeshaveseen,noearshavehearditsdescription,thatnoman’sheartremembers’.ThewordsofAllaharenotheardbysoundnorseenasthewrittenword.Thedelightthatnoman’sheartcantasteisthedelightinseeingthetruthofAllahMostHigh,andhearingHimspeak.

AfterthePilgrimageallwrongturnsintoright.DuringthePilgrimageallthatisunlawfulistransformedintolawfulthings,andallthisiswithinthenowattainedunity,whichiscontinuous.Allahsays,

Hewhorepentsandbelievesanddoesrighteousdeeds,forhimAllah

willchangehisevildeedstogood,(SuraFurqan,70)

ThenthatpilgrimwillbefreedofallactionsthatarefromhimselfandfreedfromallfearandgriefAllahsays:NowsurelytbefriendsofAllah,theyhavenofear;nordotheygrieve.(SuraYunus,62)FinallythefarewellcircumambulationisperformedwiththerecitationofallthedivineNames.

Thenthepilgrimreturnshome,tothehomeofhisorigin,thatholylandwhereAllahcreatedmaninthebestandmostbeautifulpattern.InreturningherecitesthetwelfthdivineName,samad,theSource,thetreasurefromwhichtheneedsofallcreationaresatisfied.ThatistheworldofAllah’sproximity,thatiswherethehomeoftheinnerpilgrimis,andthatiswherehereturns.

Thisisallthatcanbeexplained,asmuchasthetonguecansayandthemindgrasp.Beyondthisnonewscanbegiven,forbeyondistheunperceivable,inconceivable,indescribable.AstheProphetsays,‘Thereisaknowledgethatstaysintactlikeburiedtreasure.Nonecanknowitandnonecanfinditexceptthosewhoaregiventhedivineknowledge,’Butwhentheyhearoftheexistenceofsuchknowledge,thesinceredonotdenyit.

Themanofordinaryknowledgegatherswhathegathersfromthesurface.Theonewhopossessesdivinewisdomdrawsfromthedepths.ThewisdomofthewiseistheverysecretofAllahMost

THESECRETOFSECRETS

High.NoneknowswhatHeknowsotherthanHehimself.Allahsays:

AndtheyencompassnothingofHisknowledgeexceptwhatHepleases.HisknowledgeextendsovertheheavensandtheearthandthepreservationofbothtireHimnot.(SuraBaqara,255)

ThoseblessedoneswithwhomHesharesHisknowledgeareHisprophetsandHisbelovedoneswhostrivetocomeclosetoHim.

Heknowsthesecretandwhatisyetmorehidden.(SuraTaHa,7)

Allah,thereisnogodbutHe,HisaretheMostBeautifulNames.(SuraTaHa,8)

AndAllahknowsbest.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

OnWitnessingDivineTruththroughtheStateofPeaceComingfromAbandonmentoftheWorldlyandthroughEcstasy

ManyversesintheQur’anandmanydeclarationsoftheProphetandthesaintsdescribethesestates.Tociteafew:AllahsaysinHisQur’an,

77/ebodiesofthosewho[loveand]feartheirLordtremble,thentheirbodiessoftenastheirheartsrememberAllah.ThisisAllah’sguidance,HeguidestherewithwhomHepleases,(SuraZumar,23)and

IsonewhoseheartAllahhasopenedtothesubmissionofIslam,sothathefollowsalightfromhisLord(nobetterthanonehard-hearted)?WoetothosewhoseheartsarehardenedagainsttheremembranceofAllah.(SuraZumar,22)

TheProphetsays,‘Asingledivineinspirationwhichcutsoneofffromtheworldandbestowsupononethereflectionofdivineattributes,showingonethesignsofthedivineUnity,isworththeexperienceofbothworlds.’And‘Theonewhohasnotexperiencedecstasyandtherebyreceivedthemanifestationofdivinewisdomandtruthhasnotlived.’

HadratJunayd,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,said,‘Whenecstasymeetsthedivinemanifestationsinsideone,oneiseitherinastateofthehighestjoyorthedeepestsorrow’

THESECRETOESECRETS

Therearetwokindsofecstasy:physicalecstasyandspiritualecstasy.Physicalecstasyisaproductoftheego.Itdoesnotgiveoneanyspiritualsatisfaction.Itisundertheinfluenceofthesenses.Oftenitishypocritical,occurringsothatothersseeorhearaboutit.Thiskindofecstasyistotallydevoidofvaluebecauseitispurposeful,itiswilled:theonewhoexperiencesitstillthinksthathecando,thathecanchoose.Itisnotgoodtogiveanyimportancetosuchexperiences.

Spiritualecstasy,however,isatotallydifferentstate,astatecausedbytheoverflowofspiritualenergy.Ordinarily,exteriorinfluences-—-suchasabeautifullyrecitedpoem,ortheQur’anchantedbyabeautifulvoice,ortheexcitementbroughtonbytheceremonyofremembranceoftheSufis—-maycausethisspiritualelevation.Thishappensbecauseatsuchmomentsthephysicalresistanceofthebeingisobliterated.Thewill,theabilityofthemindtochooseandtodecide,isovercome.Whenthepowersofboththebodyandthemindareundermined,theecstaticstateispurelyspiritual.Togoalongwiththatkindofexperienceisbeneficialtoone.

AllahMostHighsays:

SogivethegoodnewstoMyservantswholistentotheword(ofAllah),thenfollowthebeautyinit.SucharetheywhomAllahhasguided.Andsucharethemenofunderstanding.(SuraZumar,17-18)

Thesweetsingingofthebirds,thesighingoflovers,areamongthoseexteriorcauseswhichmovethespiritualenergy.Inthisstateofspiritualenergyevilandtheegohavenoshare;theDeviloperateswithinthedarkrealmsofthedoingsoftheegoandhasnosayintheilluminatedrealmofmercy.IntherealmofAllah’smercyandcompassionevilmeltslikesaltinwater,justasitevaporateswhenonereciteswithfaiththedivinephraseLdhawlawaldquwwatailiabi-Lldhil-Altil-‘AzTm—‘ThereisneitherforcenorpowerexceptinAllahtheGloriousandExalted’.TheinfluenceswhichincitespiritualecstasyaredescribedinthewordsoftheProphet‘TheversesoftheQur’an,thewiseandwondrouspoemsof

OnWitnessingDivineTruth

loveandsoundsandvoicesofyearningilluminatethefaceofthesoul*.

Trueecstasyistheconjunctionoflightwithlight,whenthesoulofmanmeetsthedivinelight.Allahsays,Thepureareforthepure.(SuraNur,26)IfecstasycomesthroughtheinfluenceoftheegoandoftheDevil,thereisnolightthere.Thereisonlydisbelief,doubt,denialandconfusion.Darknessbegetsdarkness.Thatistheego’sportion.Inthatportionthesoulandthespirithavenoshare.Allahsays,Theimpurearefortheimpure(SuraNur,26)

Themanifestationofthestateofecstasyisalsooftwokinds-—themanifestationofphysicalecstasyissubjecttoone’sownwillwhilethemanifestationofspiritualecstasyisbeyondone’schoiceandvolition;inthefirstcasetheapparentsignsarevoluntary.Ifoneshakesandtremblesandmoanseventhoughnotundertheinfluenceofanypainordisturbanceinthebody,itisnotconsideredlegitimate.Whatislegitimateisvisiblechangesinone’sphysicalconditionthatareinvoluntaryandcausedbyone’sinnerstate.

Theseinvoluntarymanifestationsaretheresultofaspiritualforceoverwhichonehasnocontrol.Thesoulinecstasyoverwhelmsthesenses.Itislikethestateofdeliriumcausedbyahighfever:itishardlypossibletopreventoneselffromshakingandtremblingandstiffeningindeliriumbecauseonehasnopoweroveranyoftheseexteriormanifestations.Similarlywhenexpandedspiritualenergyovercomesthewillofthemindandthebody,ecstasyistrue,sincereandspiritual.

Suchspiritualecstaticstates,whichtheintimatesofAllahenterinperformingthemovementsandwhirlingoftheirrituals,aremeanstoexciteandimpeltheirhearts.ThisisthefoodofthosewholoveAllah:itgivesthemenergyintheirhardvoyageinsearchofthetruth.OurMastertheProphet$£says,‘TheecstaticritualoftheloversofAllah,theirwhirlingandchanting,isanobligatoryformofworshipforsome,andforothersasupererogatoryactofworship—andyetforothersstillitisheresy.Itisobligatoryfortheperfectman,itissupererogatoryfortheloversandfortheheedlessitisheresy.’And‘Heisill-naturedwhotakesnopleasurebeingwith

THESECRETOPSECRETS

loversofAllah:thepoemsofthewisewhichtheychant,theseasonofspring,thecolourandperfumeofitsflowersandtheluteanditssong.’

Theheedlessforwhomtheseekingofspiritualecstasyisaheresy,andtheill-naturedoneswhotakenopleasureinbeauty,aresickandthereisnoremedyforthatsickness.Theyarelowerthanthebirdsandthebeasts,lowereventhantheass,becauseeventheanimaltakespleasureinatune.WhentheProphetDavid(peacebeuponhim)sang,allthebirdsgatheredaroundhimtolistentohisbeautifulvoice.TheProphetsays,‘Theonewhohasnotexperiencedecstasydoesnothavethetasteofhisreligion’.

Therearetenstatesofecstasy.Someoftheseareapparentandtheirsignsvisible,andsomearehiddenandunobservablebyothers,liketheinnerconsciousnessandremembranceofAllah,orasilentreadingoftheHolyQur’an.Toshedtears,tohavedeepfeelingsofregret,fearofAllah’spunishment,longingandsorrow,shameforone’smomentsofunconsciousness;whenonegrowspale,orthefaceflusheswithexcitementfromstateswithinandfromeventsaroundone,burningwiththeyearningforAllah—theseandallphysicalandspiritualanomaliescausedbysuchthingsaresignsofecstasy.

CHAPTERTWENTY

OnWithdrawingfromtheWorldintoSeclusionandOnSolitude

Seclusionandsolitudeshouldbeviewedasstatesofbothexteriorandinteriorwithdrawal.

Theexteriorstateofseclusioniswhenamandecidestowithdrawhimselffromtheworld,imprisoninghimselfinaspaceawayfromotherpeople,sothatpeopleintheworldaresavedfromhisundesirablecharacterandexistence.Healsohopesthatinsodoingthesourceofhisundesirableexistence,hisegoandthebasedesiresofhisflesh,willbeseparatedfromtheirdailynourishmentandthesatisfactionofthingstheyareusedto.Further,hehopesthatthisisolationwilleducatehisegoandhisappetites,permittingthedevelopmentofhisinnerspiritualbeing.

Whenonedecidesthis,one’sintentionmustbesincere.Inawayitislikewilfullyputtingoneselfinagrave,inastateofdeath,hopingaboveallfortheagreementandpleasureofAllah,wishinginone’shearttoridthepureandthefaithfulofone’suglypresence.TheProphetsays,‘Thefaithfulishefromwhosehandandtonguetheotherfaithfularesafe’.

Indeed,helockshistonguefromidletalk,forastheProphetsays,‘Thesalvationofmancomesfromhistongue.Hisvillainyanddisgracecomealsofromhistongue’.Heshutshiseyestotheunlawfulsothattheirtreacherous,deceitfulsightdoesnotfallon

THESECRETOFSECRETS

OnWithdrawingfromtheWorld

whatbelongstoothers.Hestopshisearsfromhearingliesandevil,andtieshisfeet,preventingthemfromcarryinghimtosin.

OurMastertheProphet^pointsoutthatmembersofthebodycansinbythemselves:‘Theeyescancommitadultery’.Whenoneofyoursensesoroneofyourmemberssins,anuglyblackcreatureiscreatedoutofitonthedayoftheLastJudgmentanditwitnessesagainstyouforthesinitcommitted.Thenitiscastintohellfire.’Godpraisestheonewhopreventshimselffromwrongdoing,becausethisistruepenitence,activerepentance.Hesays,

AndasforhewhofearstostandbeforehisLordandwhorestrainshimselffrombasedesires,theGardenissurelytheabode.(SuraNazi‘at,40-41)

HewhofearshisLordandrepents,withdrawinghisuglyexistencefromamongthefaithfulandwithdrawinghisuglinessfromhisownfaithfulness,istransformedinhisisolationintoabeautifulyoungman.HebecomestheservantoftheinhabitantsofParadise.

Seclusionisacastleagainsttheenemyofone’sownsinsanderrors.Withinit,alone,oneiskeptclean,Godsays,

SowhoeverhopestomeethisLord,heshoulddogooddeedsandjoinnooneintheserviceofhisLord.(SuraKahf,no)

Allthathasbeentolduptonowisonlytheoutermeaningofthestateofseclusion.Theinnermeaningofseclusionistheexclusionfromtheheartofeventhethoughtofanythingthatbelongsintherealmoftheworldly,ofevilandoftheego,leavingfoodanddrinkandbelongings,family,wife,childrenandthecareandloveofall.

Thethoughtofothersseeingorhearingmustnotenterthatseclusion.TheProphet££says,‘Fameandthatwhichitbringsisacalamity,andtoturnawayfromfameandseekingapprovalfromothersandthatwhichtheybringisacomfort.’Hewhointendstoenterintoinnerseclusionhastolockoutofhisheartallpride,arrogance,vengeance,tyranny,anger,envy,intolerance,slanderandtheirlike.Ifanysuchfeelingenterstheoneinseclusion,hisheart

becomessoiled.Itisnolongerwithdrawnfromtheworld,andsuchseclusionisworthless.Oncedirtenterstheheartitlosesitspurityandallgoodiscancelled.Godsays,

Whatyouhavebroughtisdeception.SurelyGodmakesallyour

workscometonothing.(SuraYunus,81)

Evenifone’sactionsappeargoodtootherpeople,whennegativecharacteristicsenterintothemoneisconsideredamischiefmakerwhodeceiveshimselfandothers.TheProphetsays:‘Prideandarrogancecorruptfaith.Slanderandbackbitingareworsesinsthanadultery5;‘Asfireburnsfirewood,vengeanceburnsandconsumesallone’sgooddeeds.’‘Intriguesleeps;acursebeupontheonewhowakesitup,’‘ThemiserwillneverenterParadise,evenifhespendhiswholelifepraying.5‘HypocrisyisahiddenformofsettingupothersandoneselfaspartnerstoAllah.’‘Paradisewillrejecttheonewhorejectsothers.’

TherearemanymoresignsofbadcharactercondemnedbytheMessengerofAllah.Thosementionedsufficetoshowusthatthisworldisaplacewhichrequiresconstantprudenceandprecaution,thatonehastowalkthroughitwithextremecareandattention.Thefirstgoalofthemysticpathisthecleansingoftheheart,andthefirstactionnecessarytoachievethisistodenytheegoandthefleshtheirfutileandvaindesires.Inseclusion,withsilence,meditationandcontinuousremembrance,one’segoisreformed.ThenAllahMostHighrendersone’sheartenlightened.

Nothingthathappensinseclusionshouldbedonewilfullyandpurposefully.Thatwhichisnecessaryislove,sincerityandtruefaith.Thewayisnotone’sownway.OneisfollowingthewayoftheblessedCompanionsoftheProphet,

thewayofthosewhofollowedthem,andthewayofthosewhoknowtheirwayandwhofollowit.

Whenthefaithfuloneinthiswayfollowsthepathofrepentanceandinspirationandcleanseshisheart,AllahMostHighwithdrawsfromhimallthatisharmfulandevilandkeepshimsecurefromtheirreturning.Hisappearancebecomesbeautiful;hisfeelings,whethercontainedorexpressed,becomepure.Allthathedoesisdonein

TUBSBCRETOFSECRETS

OnWithdrawingfromtheWorld

reverence,forheisinthedivinepresence.‘Allahhearstheonewhogivesgratefulpraise.5ThusAllahwatchesoverhim,Allahacceptshisprayersandhisyearningsandhisgratefulpraiseandgrantshimallhewishes.Allahsays,

Ifanydoseekgloryandpower—toAllahbelongallgloryandpower.

ToHimascend(all)wordsofpurity.ItisHeWhoexaltseachdeed

ofrighteousness…(SuraFatir,io)

Wordsofpuritysafeguardthetonguefromheedlesswords.ThetongueisabeautifulinstrumenttopraisetheLord,torepeatHisBeautifulNames,toconfirmHisUnity.Allahwarnsagainstheedlesstalk.

Secureindeedarethebelieverswhoarehumbleintheirprayersand

whoshunvaintalk.(SuraMu’minun,i“3)

AllahMostHighbestowsHismercy,compassion,andgraceupontheonewholearnsandactswithgoodintention.Hebringshimclosebyraisinghislevel.Heispleasedwithhim;Heforgiveshisfaults.

Whenoneisliftedtothatlevel,one’sheartbecomeslikeanocean.Theshapeandcolourofthatoceandonotchangewiththelittlecrueltyandtormentthatmendropintoit.TheblessedProphet££says,‘Belikeanoceanwhoseappearancedoesnotchange,butinwhichthedarksoldiersofyouregodrown5—asthePharaohandhisarmiesdrownedintheRedSea,Onthatocean,theshipofreligionfloatssafeandsound;itsailsuponthatgreatocean.Thespiritoftheoneinseclusiondivesintoitsdepthstofindthepearloftruth,bringstothesurfacepearlsofwisdomandcoralofgrace,andspreadsthemabroad.Allahsays,Outofthemcomepearlsandcoral(SuraRahman,22)

locontainsuchanocean,yourappearancemustbethesameasyourbeing;whatyouaremustbethesameaswhatyouappeartobe.Yourexteriorandinteriorstatesmustbeone.Whenthishappens,thereisnoduplicity,seditionordisorderintheoceanoftheheart.Nostormofmischiefcanbrewinthatcalmsea.The

onewhoattainsthatstateisinastateofcompleterepentance;hisknowledgeisvastandbeneficent,hisactsareallservicetoothers,hisheartdoesnotflowtoevil.Ifheerrsorforgets,heisforgiven,forherememberswhenheforgetsandrepentswhenheerrs.HeisintheproximityofhisLordandofhimself.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

PrayersandRecitationsPertainingtothePathofSeclusion

WhosoeverhaschosentowithdrawhimselffromtheworldinordertocomeclosetoGodmustknowtheappropriateprayersandrecitations.Performingtheseprayersrequiresthatonebeinastateofpurityandasmuchaspossibleinastateoffasting.Thespacewithinwhichthesecludedonecloseshimselfisusuallyinorinthenearvicinityofamosque,foritisaconditionofseclusiontoleaveone’scellfivetimesadaytoperformcongregationalprayers,allthewhileremainingimpersonalandhiddenandnotspeakingaword.Whoeverisinseclusionmustmakeaspecialefforttobemoreconsciousofandabidewiththeprinciples,fundamentalsandconditionsofcongregationalprayer.

Everynightinthemiddleofthenightthesecludedpersonmustwakeuptoperformtheprayercalledtahajjud,meaningthestateofwakefulnessinthemiddleofsleep.Thetahajjudprayerbearsthesymbolismofresurrectionafterdeath.Whenonewakesupforthisprayeroneistheownerofone’sheartandone’sthoughtsareclear.Inordernottospoilthisconsciousstateoneshouldnotthenparticipateinordinaryactivitiesoflifesuchaseatinganddrinking.

Immediatelyonawakening,withtherealizationofresurrectedconsciousness,recite:al-hamduli-’Llahi}lladlnahydntba’damdamdtamwa-ilayhitumtshur—‘AllpraisetoAllahWhohasresur-

PrayersandRecitations

rectedmeafterhavingtakenmylife.Afterdeath,allwillreviveandgotoHim’,ThenrecitethelasttenversesoftheSuraAlcImran:

Behold!Inthecreationoftheheavensandtheearth,andthealternationofnightanddaythereareindeedsignsformenofunderstanding—

MenwhocelebratethepraisesofGodstanding,sitting,andlyingdownontheirsides,andcontemplatethe(wondersof)creationintheheavensandtheearth(withthethought):fOurLord!NotfornaughthastThoucreated(all)this!GlorytoThee!GiveussalvationfromthepenaltyoftheFire/

OurLord!anywhomThoudostadmittotheFire,trulyThoucoverestwithshame,andnevermilwrongdoersfindanyhelpers!

OurLord!wehaveheardthecallofonecalling(us)tofaith,‘BelieveyeintheLord’,andwehavebelieved.OurLord!Forgiveusoursins,blotoutfromusouriniquities,andtaketoThyselfoursoulsinthecompanyoftherighteous.

OurLord!GrantuswhatThoudidstpromiseuntousthrough‘ThineApostles,andsaveusfromshameontheDayofJudgment,forThouneverbreakestIhypromise.

AndtheirLordhathacceptedofthem,andansweredthem:{NeverwillIsuffertobelosttheworkofanyofyou,behemaleorfemale:

Yearemembers,oneofanother:Thosewhohavelefttheirhomes,orbeendrivenouttherefrom,orsufferedharminMycause,orfoughtorbeenslain—verily1willblotoutfromthemtheiriniquitiesandadmitthemintoGardenswithriversflowingbeneath;—arewardfromthePresenceofAllah,andfromHisPresenceisthebestofrewards’

Letnotthestruttingaboutoftheunbelieversthroughthelanddeceivethee.

Littleisitforenjoyment:77teirultimateabodeisHell:whatanevilbed(tolieon)/

THESECRET0I:SECRETS

Ontheotherhand,forthosewhofeartheirLord,areGardenswithriversflowingbeneath;thereinaretheytodwell(forever)—agiftfromthePresenceofAllah;andthatwhichisinthePresenceofAllahisthebest(bliss)fortherighteous.

Andthereare,certainly;amongthePeopleoftheBook(theChristiansandjews)thosewhobelieveinAllah,intherevelationtoyou,andintherevelationtothem,bowinginhumilitytoAl-lah:77\eywillnotsellthesignsofAllahforamiserablegain!ForthemisarewardwiththeirLord,andAllahisswiftinaccount.

Oyewhobelieve!Persevereinpatienceandconstancy;vieinsuchperseverance;strengtheneachother;andfearAllah;thatyemayprosper.(SuraAlcImran,190-200)

Followingthisonetakesablutionandprays:‘GlorytoAllah-allpraiseisduetoYou.NoneotherthanYouisworthytoreceiveprayer,Irepentformysins.Forgivemysins,forgivemyveryexistence.Acceptmyrepentance.YouaretheMerciful,Youliketoforgive.OLord,placemeamongthosewhorealizetheirwrongdoingsandincludemeamongYourpureservantswhohavepatience,whoarethankful,whorememberYouandwhopraiseYounightandday/

Thenraisingone’seyestothenightskyoneconfirms,‘IwitnessthatthereisnogodbutAllah,alone,withoutapartner,andIwitnessthatMuhammadisAllah’sservantandHisMessenger/

‘ItakerefugeinYourmercyfromYourpunishment.ItakerefugeinYourpleasureandapprovalfromYourwrath.ItakerefugeinYoufromYou.IcannotknowYouasYouknowYourself.IcannotpraiseYouenough.IamYourservant,IamthesonofYourservant.Myforehead,uponwhichYouhavewrittenmydestiny,isinYourhand.Yourdecreerunsthroughme.WhatYouhaveordainedformeisrightforme.IsetbeforeYoumyhandsandthebounties

Youhaveplacedinthem.IopenmyselfinfrontofYou,exposingallofmysins.ThereisnogodbutYou,andYou

aremercifulandIamatyrant.Iamadoerofwrong,Ihavetyrannizedmyself.Formysake,becauseIamYourservant,forgivemygreatsins.YouaremyLord,Youaretheonlyonewhocanforgive/

Thenturninginthedirectionoftheqibla,say:‘Allahisthemostgreat.AllpraiseisduetoHim.1rememberandglorifyHimnightandday’.Thenrepeattentimes:‘AllgloryistoAllah’,thententimes:‘AllpraiseandthanksaretoAllah’,thententimes:‘ThereisnogodbutAllah’.

Nextoneperformstwelvecyclesofprayer.Onegivestheclosinggreetingofpeaceaftereverytwocycles,becauseourMastertheProphetsaid,‘Thenightprayersaredonetwobytwo’.

AllahMostHighpraisesthosewhooffertheprayerofwakefulness:

Andduringapartofthenightkeepawakeandpraybeyondwhatisincumbentuponyou.MaybeyourLordwillraiseyoutoastateofgreatglory.(SuraBan!IsraTl,79)

Theyforsaketheirbeds,callingontheirLordinfearandinhope,andspendoutofwhatWehavegiventhem.Sonosoulknowswhatrefreshmentoftheeyesishiddenforthem,arewardforwhattheydid.(SuraSajda,16-17)

Laterinthenight,onewakesupagaintoperformthethreecyclesofwitrprayerthatsealtheprayersoftheday.Inthethirdcycle,afterrecitingtheFatiha—theOpening:

InthenameofAllah,theBeneficent,theMercifulPraisebetoAllah,theLordoftheworlds,

TheBeneficent,theMerciful,

MasteroftheDayofJudgment

YoudoweserveandYoudowebeseechforhelp

Guideu$onthestraightpath

ThepathofthoseuponwhomYouhavebestowedfavoursNotofthoseuponwhomwrathisbroughtdownnorofthosewhogoastray.

THUSECRETOFSECRETS

andoneotherchapterfromtheQur’an,oneraisesone’shandsasatthebeginningoftheprayer,saysAllahuakbar—‘Allahismostgreat’—andrecitesthequtnit,theprayerofreverence:‘OAllah,weaskYourhelpandweaskYourforgivenessandYourguidance.WearefaithfultoYouandweturntoYouandwetrustinYouandwepraiseYouforallgood.WearethankfultoYouandwearenotungratefultoYou,andwerenounceandabandontheonewhooffendsYouwithsins.OAllah,YouweserveandtoYouweprayandprostrateourselvesandtoYouwehaverecourse.WehopeforYourmercyandfearYourpunishment.SurelyYourpunishmentwillovertakethosewhodisbelieve.’

Theprayeristhenfinishedintheusualway.

Aftersunrisetheoneinseclusionperformstheishraqprayer,theprayerof

illumination,whichisoftwocycles,andafterwardstwocyclesoftheisti’adhaprayerthatseeksrefugeandprotectionfromevil.Duringthefirstcycle,aftertheFatiha,onerecitestheSuraFalaq,theDawn:

Sny:IseekrefugewiththeLordoftheDawn

Fromthemischiefofcreatedthings

FromthemischiefofDarknessasitoverspreadsfromthemischiefofthosewhopracticesecretarts

Andfromthemischiefoftheenviousoneashepractisesenvy,

Inthesecondcycle,aftertheFatiha,onerecitestheSuraNas,Mankind:

Say:IseekrefugewiththeLordandCherisherofMankind

VieKing(orRuler)ofMankind}

VieGod(orjudge)ofMankind—

FromthemischiefoftheWhisperer(ofevil)whowithdraws(afterhiswhisper)—

(Thesame)whowhispersintotheheartsofmankind—Amongjinnsandamongmen.

Preparingoneselffortheday,onenextpraystwocyclesofistikhara,prayerseekingAllah’sguidanceforrightdecisionsduring

theday.IneachofthetwocyclesofistikharatheFatihaisfollowedbytheThroneVerse,dyatal-kurst:

Allah!ThereisnogodbutHe-—theLiving,theSelf-subsisting,Eternal.NoslumbercanseizeHimnorsleep.Hisareallthingsintheheavensandonearth,WhoistherewhocanintercedeinHispresenceexceptasHepermitteth?Heknowethwhat(appearethtoHiscreaturesas)beforeorbehindthem.Norshall

theycompassaughtofhisknowledgeexceptasHewilleth.HisThronedothextendovertheheavensandtheearth,andHefeelethnofatigueinguardingandpreservingthem,forHeistheMostHigh,theSupreme(inglory).

ThenonerecitesseventimestheSuraIkhlas,Sincerity:

Say;HeisGod,theOneandOnlyGodtheEternal,AbsoluteHebegettethnot,norisHebegottenAndthereinnonelikeuntoHim.

Laterinthemorning,theoneinseclusionperformstheDuhdprayerofpietyandpeaceofheart.Itisperformedinsixcycles,witharecitationofversesfromtheSuraShams,theSun,andtheSuraDuha,theBrightnessofDay:

Bythesunandhis(glorious)splendour;

Bythemoonasshefollowshim;

Bythedayasitshowsup(thesun’s)glory;

Bythenightasitconcealsit;

Bythefirmamentandits(wonderful)structure;

Bytheearthandits(wide)expanse;

Bythesoulandtheproportionandordergiventoit;

Anditsenlightenmentastoitswronganditsright;—

Trulyhesucceedsthatpurifiesit,

Andhefailsthatcorruptsit!

TheThanutd(people)rejected(theirprophet)throughtheirinordinatewrongdoing,

THESECRETOFSECRETS

Behold,themostwickedmanamongthemwasdeputed(forimpiety).

ButtheApostleofAllahsaidtothem:7risashe-camelofAllah!

And(barhernotfrom)havingherdrinkV

Thentheyrejectedhim(asafalseprophet),andtheyhamstrungherSotheirLord,onaccountoftheircrime,obliteratedtheirtracesandmadethemequal(indestruction,highandlow!)

AndforHimisnofearofitsconsequences.

Bythegloriousmorninglight,

Andbythenightwhenitisstill—

ThyGuardian—Lordhathnotforsakenthee}norisHedispleased.

Andverilythehereafterwillhebetterfortheethanthepresent,

AndsoonwillthyGuardian-Lordgivethee(thatwherewith)thoushaltbewell-pleased.

DidHenotfindtheeanorphanandgivetheeshelter(andcare)?

AndHefoundtheewandering,andHegavetheeguidance.

AndHefoundtheeinneed,andmadetheeindependent.

Thereforetreatnottheorphanwithharshness,

Norrepulsethepetitioner(unheard);

ButthebountyofthyLord—rehearseandproclaim!

Theduhdprayerisfollowedbytwocyclesofkaffara,aprayerofexpiationfordirtthatmayhavetouchedoneunavoidablyorwithoutone’sbeingaware.Forcontactwithfilth,evenwheninadvertent,isnonethelessasin,acauseofpunishment.Thismayhappeneveninseclusion,forinstance,throughone’sphysiologicalneeds.TheProphetsays,‘Bewareofdirt—evenwhenyouurinate,thatadropshouldnotsplashonyou—becauseitisasignofthesufferingofthegrave/Ineachcycle,aftertheFatihaonerepeatstheSuraKawtharseventimes:

InthenameofAllahtheBeneficentandMerciful.

ToyouhaveWegrantedthefountain(ofabundance),

IhereforetoyourLordturninprayerandsacrifice.

Forhewhohatesyou,hewillbecutof}’(fromfuturehope).

Anotherprayer—long,thoughitisonlyfourcycles—shouldbeperformedinthecourseofadayinseclusion.Thisisthetasbth,glorification,prayer.IfthebelieverbelongstotheHanafischoolhewillgivethegreetingofpeaceandfinishonlyafterallfourcycles;ifheisoftheShafi‘Ischoolhewillofferitastwosetsoftwocycles.(ThisruleappliestoprayerdoneduringthedayIfitisdoneatnight,boththeHanafiyyaandtheShaffiyyaperformtheprayerintwosetsoftwocycles.)

TheProphetdescribedthisprayertohisuncle,Ibn‘Abbas,thus:

‘O‘Abbas,mybeloveduncle,beheedful,Iwillgiveyouagift.Beheedful,Iamgoingtotransmittoyousomethinggood;beheedful,Iamgoingtogiveyounewlifeandhope;beheedful,Iamgoingtogiveyousomethingworthtenofthegreatestgoods.IfyoudowhatItellyou,Allahwillforgiveyoursins—thoseyoucommittedbeforeandthoseyouwillcommitafter,oldones,newones,smallones,largeones,madeknowinglyorunknowinglysecretlyoropenly

‘Youwillperformfourcyclesofprayer.Ineachcycle,aftertheFatiha,youwillreciteanotherchapterfromtheQur’an.Whileyouarestanding,youwillrepeatfifteentimes:SubhanaLldhi,il-hamduh-Lldhi,lailahailiaLldhuwa-Lldhuakbar,u>a-ldhawlawa-taquwwatailiabi-Lldhil-(Altl-Azmi—“GlorytoAllah,allpraisebelongstoAllah,thereisnogodbutAllah,andAllahisMostGreat.ThereisnopowerorstrengthexceptinAllah,theExalted,theMagnificent”/

‘Whenyoubowfromthewaist,handsonknees,youwillrepeatthistenmoretimes.Thenstandandrepeatittenmoretimes;thenprostrateandrepeatittenmoretimes.Risingfromtheprostration,sittinguponyourknees,repeatittenmoretimes.Prostrateyourselfagainandrepeatittenmoretimes.Sitagainonyourkneesandrepeatittenmoretimes,thenstandforthesecondcycle.Dothesameduringtherestofthefourcycles.

‘Ifyoucan,dothisprayereverydayIfyoucannot,doiteveryFridayIfyoucannot,doiteverymonth.Ifyoucannot,doitonceayear;ifyoucannotdothiseither,doitatleastonceinyourlifetime/

THESECRETOPSECRETS

Thusinthefourcycles.Theprayerofpraiseisrepeatedthreehundredtimes.AstheProphet££suggestedtheexerciseofthisprayertohisuncle,Ibn‘Abbas,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,itissuggestedthattheoneinseclusionalsoperformit.

InadditiontothesedutiesthesecludedpersonshouldreadatleasttwohundredversesfromtheHolyQur’aneachday.

HeshouldalsorememberAllahcontinuouslyand,accordingtohisinnerstate,eitherproclaimHisBeautifulNamesaloudorinwardlyinhisheart.Theinnersilentremembrancebeginsonlywhentheheartregainsconsciousnessandlife.Thelanguageofthisremembranceisthehiddensecretword.

EveryoneremembersAllahandrecitesHisNamesinaccordancewithhisownability.Allahsays:AndrememberHiminthewayHehasguidedyou.(SuraBaqara,198)Inotherwords,rememberHimaccordingtoyourability.Ateveryspiritualleveltheremembranceisdifferent.Ithasanothername;ithasanothercharacter,anotherwayOnlytheoneswhoareateachlevelknowitsproperremembrance.

TheoneinseclusionalsorecitesthechapterofSincerityandUnity,theSuraIkhlas,ahundredtimeseveryday.

HealsopraysforourMastertheProphet££,recitingonehundredtimes:AUShummasalli‘aidSayyidinaMuhammddinwa-‘alddliMuhammddinwa-sahbihiwa-sallim—‘OGod,pourblessingsuponourMasterMuhammadanduponthefamilyofMuhammadandhisCompanions,andpeace.’

Heshouldalsorecitethefollowingprayeronehundredtimes:

astaghfiruLinkaUAztmIdildhailiaHuwal-Hayyul-Qayyum—mimdqaddamtuwa-mdakhkhartuwa-md4dlantuwa-maasrartuwa-mdasraftuwa-mdantaa7amubihimitun.Antal-Muqaddimuwa-antaPMu’akhkhiruwa-anta‘alakullishay1inQadir

‘IbegforgivenessfromAllahtheEverliving,theSelf-Existing,theMagnificent—thereisnogodbutHe.Iaskforgivenessformysinsofthepastandofthefuture,thewrongsIhavedoneopenlyandsecretly,andformylifewhichIhave

squandered.Youknowme

betterthanIdomyself.Youbringthingsforthandleavethembehind,andYouhavepowerovereverything,’

ThetimeleftafterallofthisiscompletedisspentreadingfromtheQur’anandinfurtherworshipandprayer.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

OnDreams

Thedreamsthataredreamtbetweenthetimejustbeforeonefallsasleepanddeepsleeparetrueandbeneficent.Thesedreamsareoftenbearersofrevelationsandthemediumofmiracles.Theyaretheimagesthatfallontheeyeoftheheart.TheproofofthetruthofdreamsisinthewordsofAllah:

Allahindeedfulfilledthedreamofhismessengerwithtruth:youshallcertainlyenterthesacredmosque,ifAllahplease,insecurity.(SuraFath,27)

AndindeedtheProphetdidentertheholymosqueinMakka,whichwasheldbyhisenemies,theyearafterthisdream.AnotherexampleisinthedreamoftheprophetJoseph(peacebeuponhim):

WhenJosephsaidtohisfather;Omyfather,Idreamtofelevenstarsandthesunandthemoon,Isawthemmakingobeisancetome.(SuraYusuf,4)

TheProphet^said,‘Nootherprophetswillcomeafterme,yettheremaycomeotherrevelations.Thebelieverswillseetheserevelationsintheirdreams,ortherevelationswillbeshowntothemintheirdreams.’Allahconfirmsthis:

Forthemistherevelationofgoodnewsinthelifeofthisworldandinthehereafter.(SuraYunus,64)

OnDreams

DreamscomefromAllah,butsometimesalsofromtheaccursedDevil.

TheProphetsays,‘Theonewhoseesmeinhisdreamscertainlyseesme,becausetheDevilcannottakemyshape/NeithercantheDevilappearintheformofthosewhofollowthefaith,thepath,thewisdom,thetruthandthelightoftheProphetTheoneswhoknowinterpretthesewordsoftheProphetsayingthatnotonlycantheDevilnottaketheformoftheProphethecannotpretendtobeanyoneoranythingwhichhasthecharacterofmercyandbeneficence,orcompassionandgraceandfaith.Indeed,alltheprophetsandthesaintsandtheangels,theholymosqueoftheKa‘ba,thesun,themoon,thewhiteclouds,theHolyQur’an,areentitiesintowhichtheDevilcannotenter,norcanhetaketheirshape.ThisisbecausetheDevilistheplaceandconditionofthemanifestationofwrathandpunishmentandgrief.Hecanonlyrepresentconfusionanddoubt.WhensomeonehasinhimthemanifestationofAllah’sName,the‘UltimateGuidetoTruth’,howcouldtheattributeoftheOneWhoLeadsAstraybemanifestinhim?Attributeswhichareinoppositiontoeachothercannevertakeeachother’splace,likewaterandfire.Wrathcannotassumetheshapeofmercy,neithercanfireappearaswater.Theyrepeleachother,theystayawayfromeachother,theybelongtodifferentspaces.ThusAllahseparatestruthfromfalsehood,‘rimsdoesAllahmanifesttruthandfalsehood…withparablesandexamples.(SuraRa‘d,

Ontheotherhand,theDevilcanpretendtobeAllahandtemptpeople,leadingthemastray.ThishecandoonlywiththepermissionofAllah.Allahhasmanyattributeswhichappeartobecontrarytoeachother.Forinstance,Hisattributeofmightandangerappearstobetheoppositeofhisattributeofbeautyandgentleness.TheaccursedDevilcanonlypretendtoassumethecharacterofangerandmightbecauseheisinessencetheobjectofAllah’swrath.AllahalsohasboththeattributesoftheUltimateGuidetoTruthandtheOneWhoLeadsAstray.TheDevilcannotappearwiththecharacterofanydivineattributeinwhichthereisatraceofguidance.

THESECRETOFSECRETS

OnDreams

IftheDevilpretendstorepresentanyoftheattributesofAllah,hedoesthisthroughAllah’swill,inordertoleadthebelievertogoodbyopposingbad,toleadhimtotruthbyopposingfalsehood.InrealitytheDevildoesnothavethepowertotakeawaythefaithofthefaithful;hecanonlypickitupifthebelieverhimselfthrowsitaway.

AllahaskshisProphetto:

Say:‘Thisismyway.IcalltoAllahwiththeknowledgeofcertainty

(obtainedbyinsight),/andtheoneswhofollowme,andglorybeto

Allah;andIamnotoftheoneswhoattributepartnerstoHim.(Sura

Yusuf,108)

Inthisverse,‘theoneswhofollowme’aretheperfectmen,thetruespiritualteacherswhowillcomeaftertheProphetwhowillhavehisinnerknowledgeandinsightandwhowillbeclosetoAllah.Suchapersonisdescribedasprotectorandtrueguide.(SuraKahf,i7)

Therearetwokindsofdreams,subjectiveandobjective,andeachisitselfdividedintotwokinds.

Thefirstkindofsubjectivedreamisthereflectionofahighspiritualstateandaresultingvirtue,andappearsinimagessuchasthesun,themoon,thestars,white

desertscenesbathedinlight,gardensofParadise,palaces,beautifulspiritsinangelicformandsoon.Thesearetheattributesofapureheart.Thesecondkindofsubjectivedreamcontainsimagesthatcorrespondtothestateoftheonewhoisfreefromanxietyandwhohascometoknowhimselfandfoundpeaceofmind.TheseimagesarethedelightswhichhewillfindinParadise—thetasteofheavenlynourishment,theperfumeandsoundsofParadise.

Hewilldreamofsomeanimalsandbirdsthatresemblethemostbeautifuloftheircounterpartsinthisworld.TheanimalsseeninsuchdreamsareindeedfromParadise.Forinstance,thecamelisananimalofParadise.Thehorseissentasananimalofburdentocarrytheholywarriorinhisbattlewiththenonbelieveraroundhimandwithinhim.TheoxwassenttotheprophetAdamtotillthegroundtogrowwheat.Thelambcomesfromthehoney

ofParadise,thecameliscreatedfromthelightofParadise,thehorsefromthesweetbasilofParadise,theoxfromthesaffronofParadise.

Themulerepresentstheloweststateoftheonewhohasfoundpeaceofheartandmind.Whenhedreamsofamule,itisasignthatheisnegligentandlazyinhisworshipbecausethedesiresofhisfleshandegopreventhim,andhisspiritualeffortsarewithoutbenefit.Thenheshouldrepentandbeconstantinhisgooddeedssothathewillobtainaresult.

TheasswascreatedfromthestoneofParadiseandisgiventotheserviceofAdamSandhisprogeny.Theassisthesymbolofthefleshanditsmaterialneeds,theegoanditsselfishness.Thefleshisananimalofburdentocarrythesoul.Ifmanisaslavetohisflesh,heislikeamancarryinganassonhisshoulders,butthetruemanridestheassofhismaterialbeing.Thustheassrepresentsthemeansbywhichhedirectstheaffairsofthehereafterinthisworld.

Tospeakwithabeautifulyouthwithapureandspiritualcountenanceisasignthatdivinemanifestationsarereachingone,becausethosewhohavereachedtheenlightenmentofdivinemanifestationsinParadisewillappearinthisbeautifulform.OurMastertheProphetdescribesthemasbeingwell-proportioned,gracefulwithbeautifuldarkeyes.Heevensaid,‘IhaveseenmyLordinthe

shapeofamostbeautifulyouth’.AsAllahisbeyondallshapeandform,thisstatementisinterpretedasthemanifestationoftheLord’sbeautifulattributesreflecteduponthemirrorofthepuresoul.Thisreflectioniscalledthechildoftheheart.Thematerialappearance,thebody,isthemirrorforthedivineintelligencewhicheducatesandformsus.ThisreflectedimageisalsotheconnectionbetweentheservantandhisLord.Hadrat‘All,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,said,‘IfIwerenotformedbymyLordIwouldnothavecometoknowHim’.

Forspiritualformationoneneedstheinstructionandexampleofaguideintheformofalivingteacher.TheseteachersaretheprophetsandtheonesclosetoAllahwhoinherittheirwisdom.ItisOnlythroughtheirteachingthattheheartandthebeingare

THESECRETOFSECRETS

OnDreams

illuminated,sheddinglightontheirpath.Onefindstheinspiredsoulinoneselfthroughthem.Allahsays:

HeistheRaiseroflevels,theLordoftheThroneofPower.ByHis

orderdoesHesendthe(inspired)soultoanyofhisservantsHe

pleases,thathemaywarn(men)ofthedayofmeeting(theirLord).

(SuraMu’min,15)

Forthesalvationofyourheartyoumustfindateacherwhowillinspireyouwiththissoul.

ImamGhazall,mayAllahsanctifyhissecret,says,‘ItislawfultoseeAllahMostHighinone’sdreamsasabeautifulimage.1hatimageisasymbolinaccordancewithone’sspirituallevel.ThatwhichisseeniscertainlynotthedivineEssence,becauseAllahisbeyondallshapeandform.NeithercanourMastertheProphetbeseenindreamsinhistrueappearance,exceptbythosewhoaretheinheritorsofhiswisdom,knowledgeandactionsandwhofollowhimtotally.Others,whentheydreamofhim,dreamofsymbolsinaccordancewiththeirpotentialandstate,buttheydonottrulyseehim.’

InthecommentaryofMuslim’scollectionoftraditionsoftheProphetthereisastatementwhichsays,‘ItislawfultodreamofAllahMostHigheitheraslightorinhumanform’.HemanifestsHimselfintheformsofHisattributes.TotheProphetMoses35Heappearedasfireinaburningjujubetree.ThatwastheapparitionofthedivineWordwhichtheProphetMosesheardastheBurningBush,sayingOMoses,whatisthatinthyrighthand?(SuraTaHa,ll)

WhatappearedtoMosesasfireinrealitywasthedivinelight.Hesawitasfireinaccordancewithhislevelandhiswish,forhewasseekingfire.Formanthelowestdegreeofbeingisthatofvegetation,thetree,andthenthelevelofanimalinhim.Isthereanywonderiftheonewhohaspurifiedhimselfoftheselowerlevelsofbeingandbecomeaperfectmanseesthedivinetruthmanifestedasaburningbush?TootherperfectmenAllahmanifestedHiswordsastheirown,issuingfromtheirownlips,HadratBayazidal-Bistaml,mayAllahsanctifyhissecret,insuch

astateofdivineinspirationpronouncedthewords,‘MyessenceistheGloriousOne.Howgreatismyhonour!’ThedivinewordcamefromthelipsofHadratJunaydal-Baghdadi,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,‘ThereisnoneotherthanAllahundermycloak.’Therearegreatsecretsinlevelssuchasthesewhich

perfectmenhavereached.Theyaretoodifficulttocomprehendandtoolongtoexplainhere.Theyconcernonlythosewhodedicatetheirlivestothepursuitofinnerknowledge.

TobearecipientofdivinemanifestationandtohavecontactwiththespiritofourMastertheProphet^onemustbetaughtandeducatedandbroughttoacertainspirituallevel.TheseekerwhohasjustenteredthespiritualpathcannothopetobeabletorelatetoAllahMostHighortoHisProphetwithoutanintermediaryHemustfirstbepreparedandeducatedbyateacherwhoisclosetothem.BetweenapureteacherwhoisclosetoAllahandourMastertheProphet^thereisarelationshipwhichtranscendsthephysical.IftheProphet^werealiveonecouldtakeknowledgedirectlyfromhimandtherewouldbenoneedofanintermediary.Butashehaspassedtothehereafter,heisseparatedfromtheworldlyandinanimmaterialstate.Thereforeonecannothavedirectcontactwithhim.Thesameistrueofthetrueteachers.Whentheyleavethisworldonecannolongerlearnfromthem.

Youwillunderstandifyouareperceptive;ifyouarenot,seektobe.Seektofindthisunderstandingwithcontemplationsothatyouwillovercomethedarknessoftheegowiththelightofillumination.Youneedlighttosee,tounderstand:youcannotseeinthedark.Thelightfallsonlyonplacesthathavebeenputinorderandcleansed,onhonouredplaces.Thebeginnerbyhimselfcannotputhimselfinorderandthereforeisinneedofateacher.

AlivingteachermusthaveconnectionwithourMastertheProphetofAllahgg—thatis,ifheistrulytheinheritorofthestateoftheProphet.InhisteachinghereceivesguidancefromtheProphetandistaughttobeatrueservantofAllah.Withthishelphebecomesthemeansofcontinuationoftheinnerpath.Therestisasecret.Onlytheonesfittorealizemayrealize.

TiliiSECRETOFSECRETS

OnDreams

Viemight,(thetruevictoryandhonour),belongstoAllahandtoHisMessengerandtothebelievers(uponwhomHehasbestowedit).(SuraMunafiqun,8)

Thisstateofhonouristhesecret.

Spiritualeducationisnotaneasymatter.Thematerialsoulisinthebodyandiseducatedwithit.Theplaceofthespiritualsoulistheheart.Theplaceofthesultan-soulisthecentreoftheheart.Theplaceoftheholyspiritisthesecret.Thatsecretisameansofrelatingthetruthtothebeliever.Itisaninterpreter,translatingthetruthtotheseeker,becausethatsecretbelongstoAllah,isclosetoHimandisHisconfidant.

Therearealsodreamswhicharetheresultofbadcharacter.Theyshowtheattributesoftheoverpoweringegoortherealizationofone’swrongdoings,yetoneisunabletostopthem.

Eveninabetterstate,whenoneisremindedbyAllahofone’ssinsanderrors,onedreamsofwildanimals,oflionsandtigers,wolvesandbears,dogsandboarsandsmallerbeasts—foxes,hares,cats,snakes,scorpionsandcarnivorousorpoisonous,harmfulanimals.

Tomentionafewoftheviceswhichtheseimagesrepresent:ThetigeristhesymbolofprideandegocentrismtothedegreethatoneisarroganttoAllahHimself.

TothosewhorejectOurwordsandturnawayfromthemwitharrogance,noopeningwilltherebeofthegatesofheaven,norwilltheyentertheGardenuntilthecamelcanpassthroughtheeyeoftheneedle…(SuraATaf,40)

Thesamepunishmentisalsoduetothosewhoarearroganttopeople.

Thelionisasymbolofexcessiveloveofoneselfandofself-praise.Thebearrepresentsangerandrageandtyrannytowardthoseunderone’scontrol.Thewolfrepresentsgluttonywithoutanyregardforlawfulnessorunlawfulnessorcleanlinessorfilth.Thedogisthesymboloftheloveofthisworldanditstroublesanditsnegativities.Swinearethesymbolofenvy,ambition,vengefulnessandlust.Thefoxisthesymboloflying,cheatingandswindlingintheaffairs

ofthisworld.Thehareisthesymbolofthesameactions,exceptdoneheedlesslyandunconsciously.Todreamofaleopardisasignofeffortspentsenselesslyandirrationally,alsoofthedesiretobeprominent.‘Thecatisasymbolofmiserlinessandduplicity.Thesnakerepresentslying,gossiping,makingfalseaccusationsandtyrannizingpeoplewithone’swords.Thescorpionisthesignofnegativecriticism,makingfunofpeopleandrejectingthem.Thehornetrepresentssubversivelanguagethathurtspeople.

Ifonedreamsoffightingwithoneofthesebeastsbutnotovercomingit,oneneedstostrengthenone’sefforts,worship,andconsciousremembrance,untilatastrokethoseanimalsareobliterated,Ifonedreamsofkillingthesebeasts,itmeansthatonehasstoppederringorcausingharmtoanyone.Allahmentionsthis:Hewillremovetheirillsfromthemandimprovetheircondition.(SuraMuhammad,2)

Ifonedreamsofoneoftheseanimalsturningintoahumanbeingitisasignthatone’spreviouswrongstatehasbeenturnedrightandthatone’srepentanceisaccepted,becausethetruesignofone’srepentancebeingacceptedisone’sinabilitytodothesamewrongagain.

Accepthimwhorepentsandbelievesanddoesgooddeeds;forsuch,

Allahchangestheirevildeedstogoodones,..(SuraFurqan,70)

Whenoneissavedfromwrongandevil,onemusttakeallduecarenottofeelsecure,forthefleshandtheegoregaintheirstrengthwiththeslightestreminder

ofdisobedience,revoltandvice,andcastonebacktoone’soldways.Thestateofthesoulatpeacecaneasilybelost.ThereasonAllahhasorderedHisservantstoabstainfromthatwhichisunlawfulistocreateacontinuouswarningtokeeponeever-vigilant.

Theevil-commandingegosometimesappearsinone’sdreamsasanonbeliever;theself-criticizingselfmayappearasaJew,andtheinspiredselfsometimesappearsintheformofaChristian.

OntheFollowersoftheMysticalPath

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

hepeopleofthemysticalpatharedividedintotwosections.ThefirstgrouparetheSunnis:theyfollowthepreceptsoftheHolyQur’anandthepracticesandrulesderivedfromthebehaviourandwordsoftheProphetTheyfollowthisguidanceintheirwords,intheiractions,intheirthoughtsandfeelings,andtheyfollowtheinnermeaningofthereligion—thatis,theyunderstandanddonotfollowblindlyTheyactuponandliveinaccordancewiththereligiousprecepts,tastingthemandenjoyingthem,notmerelyenduringsomethingforceduponthem.Thisisthemysticpathwhichtheyfollow.ThisisthebrotherhoodofthelovingservantsofAllah.SomeamongstthemarepromisedParadisewithouthavingtogiveanaccountonthedayoftheLastJudgment,andotherswillsufferalittleoftheterroroftheLastDayandthenentertheGarden.YetotherswillhavetopassforashortwhilethroughhellfiretobepurifiedoftheirsinsbeforeenteringParadise.Nonewilltastetheeternalfire.Theeternalfireisforinfidelsandhypocrites.

Thesecondgroupiscomposedofheretics.TheProphet<§£warnedus,‘You,liketheChildrenofIsraelbeforeyou,likethecommunityofJesussonofMary,willbedividedandseparatedfromeachother,Astheyhaveinventedanddistorted,youtoowill

createheresies.Withtime,inheresy,oppositionandsin,youwillbelikethemanddothesamethings.Iftheywentintothelairofapoisonousreptile,youwouldfollowthemdown.YoushouldknowthattheChildrenofIsraelsplitintoseventy-onedivisions.Theyareallinerrorexceptone.AndtheChristianssplitintoseventy-twodivisions,andtheytooareallinerrorexceptone.Ifearthatmypeoplewillbedividedintoseventy-threesections.Thiswillbecausedbytheirturningrightintowrongandtheunlawfulintothelawfulaccordingtotheirownjudgment,fortheirownadvantageandpurposes.Withtheexceptionofone,all

ofthesedivisionsareHell-bound,andthatonegroupissaved.5Whenaskedwhothesavedoneswere,heanswered,‘Theoneswhofollowmybeliefsandactionsandthoseofmycompanions5.

Thefollowingaresomeofthehereticalpathsthatcallthemselvesmystics.

TheHululiyya,Incarnationists,claimthatitislawfultolookatabeautifulbodyorabeautifulface,whetherofawomanoraman,whoeveritis,whethertheyarewivesorhusbands,daughtersorsistersofothers.Theyalsointermingleanddancetogether.ThisisclearlyagainstthepreceptsofIslamandthepreservationofhonouranddecencyinitslaws.

TherearethosewhoarecalledHaliyyawhoseektobeecstaticallyentrancedbysingingandmovingandshoutingandclappinghands.Theyclaimthattheirshaykhsareinsuchastatethattheyareoverandabovethejurisdictionofreligiouslaw.ThiscertainlydoesnotcorrespondtothebehaviouroftheMostBelovedofAllah,whoineverywayabidedbyreligiouslaws.

TheAwliya’iyyaclaimtobeintheproximityofAllahandsaythatwhentheservantcomesclosetoAllah,allreligiousobligationsareliftedfromhim.Theyfurtherclaimthatawait,theoneclosetoAllah,becomesHisfriendandisthereforesuperiortoaprophet.TheysaythatknowledgecametotheMessengerofAllahthroughGabriel2D,whiletothewalldivineknowledgecomesdirect.Theirfalseviewoftheirstateandwhattheyattributetothemselvesistheirgreatestsin,whichdestroysthemandbringsthemtoheresyandinfidelity.

THESECRETOFSECRETS

TheShamuraniyyabelievethatthewordiseternal,andthatwhoeverpronouncestheeternalwordisnotboundbyreligiousobligations;forthemthereisnoconsiderationoflawfulandunlawful.Theyusemusicalinstrumentsintheirrituals.Theydonotseparatemenfromwomen.Theydonotseeanydifferencebetweenthetwosexes.Theyarebutanincorrigiblegangofinfidels.

TheHubbiyyasaythatwhenmencometothestageoflovetheyarefreedofallreligiousobligations.Theydonotconcealtheirprivateparts.

TheHuriyya,liketheHaliyya,byshoutingandsingingandclappingofhandsseekastateoftrance,andinthattrancetheyclaimtohaveintercoursewiththehouris;whentheyleavetheirtrancetheytaketotalablution.Theyaredestroyedbytheirownlies.

TheIbahiyyarefusetoproposegooddeedsandtoforbidevilones.Onthecontrary,theyconsidertheunlawfullawful.Theyapplythisideatowomen.Forthem,allwomenarelawfultoallmen.

TheMutakasiliyyamakeaprincipleoutoflazinessandbegfromdoortodoorfortheirsustenance.Theyclaimthattheyarethusleavingtheworldlyandtheyrotintheirlaziness.

TheMutajahiliyyafeignignoranceandpurposelydressimmod-estly,tryingtolookandbehavelikenonbelievers,whileAllahsaysDonotinclinetowardsthewrongdoers…(SuraHud,113)AndtheProphetsays,‘Whoevertriestoappearlikeapeopleisconsideredtobeoneofthem’.

TheWafiqiyyaclaimthatonlyAllahisabletoknowAllah,Thereforetheyabandonthepathofseekingtruth,andtheirpurposefulignoranceleadsthemtodestruction.

TheIlhamiyyacountoninspiration,abandonknowledge,forbidstudy,andsaythattheQur’anisaveilforthemandthatthepoeticmuseistheirQur’an.TheyabandontheQur’anandprayersandteachtheirchildrenpoetryinstead.

TheleadersandteachersoftheSunnipathsaythattheCompanions,withtheblessingofthewordsandpresenceoftheProphetwereinahighstateofspiritualecstasyandrapture.Inlatertimesthis

spiritualleveldissipated.Itpassedtothespiritualinheritorsofthedivinepathtotruth,whichinturndividedintomanybranches.Itwasdividedintosomanysectionsthatthewisdomandtheenergythinnedanddispersed.Inmanycasesallthatwasleftwasonlyanappearancewrappedintheclothingofaspiritualteacherwithoutanymeaningbeneathit.Eveninthatemptystateitkeptmultiply-inganddividing,turningintoheresy.SomebecameQalandarT—wanderingbeggars.OthersbecameHaydaffandpretendedtobeheroes.StillotherscalledthemselvesAdhamIandpretendedtofol-lowFladratIbrahimAdham’sabandonmentofthesultanateofthisworld.Therearesomanymore.

Inourtime,thosewhofollowthepathoftruthinaccordancewiththereligiouslawarefewerthanfew.Thetruefollowersofthispathareknownbytwowitnesses.Oneistheexteriorwitness,whichshowsthattheseeker’sdailylifeisreinforcedbyreligiousordinancesandpractices.Thesecond,theinnerwitness,istheexampletheseekerfollowsandemulatesandbywhichheisguided.Indeed,thereisnoneothertofollowthantheProphetofAllahwhoisthemeans,thebridge,andatonetimetheseekerandthetruthheseeks.Withoutdoubthisdivinespiritistheonlyintermediary.Thatisthelawwhichmustbefollowedforthecontinuationofreligiousorderinthelifeofarealbeliever.AlternativelyasaintlybeingwhoembodiestheinheritanceoftheProphet’sspiritualitymayblesstheseekerwithhismaterialpresence.Indeed,theDevilcannotassumetheshapeofourProphet

Beware,Otravelleronthepathtotruth,thattheblinddonotleadtheblind.Yoursightshouldbesokeenthatyouareabletodistinguishthesmallestparticleofgoodfromthesmallestparticleofevil.

Afterword

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

Afterword

Thetravelleronthepathtotruthmusthaveintelligence,understandingandinsight.Thesearehisprerequisites.

AllahcreatedservantswiseandunderstandingWholeavetheworld,theabodeofafflictions.

Theytaketotheseawherewavesaretheironlytrial,

Wheregooddeedsareshipsonwhichtoridethewaves.

Thetravellerisonthepathbecausethereisaplacetowhichhewishestogo.Hisattentionisfixedprincipallyuponthatgoal,yethecannotignoretheimportanceofthepreparationforthisvoyage.Whenheprepareshemusttakeheednottobefooledbytheattractionofappearances,andhemustnotloadhimselfwithluggagenortakethestopsandstationsashisfinalgoal.

ThepeopleofthemysticpathsaythatdeedsbelongtotheOnewhocreatedthem.Manisnotfullyresponsible:inhishandsdeedsmayappearotherthanwhattheyare.Allahsays

…noneissecurefromAllah’sschemeexceptthepeoplewhohavelosteverything[andareintotalwant].(SuraATaf,99)

Thisisfundamentalonthispath:toleaveallluggagebehindanddependonAllah,undistractedbythetemptationsofthestationsonthepath.InadivinetraditionAllahsays:

OMuhammad,givethegoodnewstothesinnersthatIamAll-Forgiving.ButtelltheoneswhoaretrulyMineandsincereintheirwishforMethatIamMost

Jealous(ofanythingthattheymaywishforbesidesMe).

ThemiraclesthatappearthroughthoseclosetoGodandthespiritualstationsinwhichtheyappeararetrue.YetevensuchpeoplearenotsafefromAllah’sschemesandHistestsincitingthemtosin—sometimestheyareevengrantedSuccesswhentheybegintosin,sotheymaythinkthattheirstatesbelongtothemandthatthemiraclesaretheirs.Itisonlytheprophetsandtheirmiraclesthatarcfreefromsuchtests.Itissaidthatthefearoflosingonesfaithatone’slastbreathistheonlysafeguardthatwillgrantfaithatone’slastmoment.

HadratHasanal-Basri,mayAllahsanctifyhissecret,usedtosaythattheonesclosetoAllahsucceedthroughtheirfearofAllah.Inthem,fearwellexceedshopebecausetheyknowthedangerofbeingfooledbyhumannature.Thesedelusionsdriveoneoutofthepathwithoutoneevenknowingit.Healsosaidthatthehealthypersonfearssicknessandhishopesarefew,whilethesickpersonnolongerfearsfallingsick,andhishopeforhealthgrows.

TheProphet£§£says,‘Ifoneweighedthefearandthehopeofthefaithful,onewouldfindthemequal’.ByAllah’sgrace,atourlastbreath,Allahincreasesourhopeoverourfear.InthewordsofourProphet‘AllmypeoplewilltaketheirlastbreathswithtrustandhopeinAllah’smercy’.ForAllahpromises:Mymercyencompassesallthings…(SuraA‘raf,156)and,‘MymercyfarsurpassesMywrath’.

AllahistheMostCompassionateandtheMostMercifuloftheMerciful,andonemaycertainlydependonthat.YetthetravelleronthepathoftruthmustfearandescapefromAllah’swrath.ForthisitisnecessarythathepresenttoHimallthathepossesses—hisverybeing,hisexistence—placeeverythingatHisfeetandtakerefugefromHiminHim.

Oseeker,fallonyourkneesinfrontofyourLord!Stripyourselfofyourmaterialbeing!Confessandrepentforyourpasterrorsand

THESECRETOFSECRETS

waitatthegateofhismercywithoutanything,incompletewant!Ifyoudothis,youwillcertainlyreceiveHisgrace,Hisblessings,Hisenlightenment,Hisloveandcompassion;andallyoursinsandimpuritieswillmeltawayfromyou.ForHeistheBeneficent,theMostCompassionateandGenerous,theEternalLord,theAll-powerful.

WebegforpeaceandblessingsuponourMastertheProphetandhisprogeny,companionsandfollowers.AllgraceandthanksbelongtoAllah;weleaveallinHishands.

table of contents...bayrak al-jerrahi, was written by c abd al qadir al-jilani (1077-1166), the...

Documents

tazkera mashaikhe qadiriya majeediya

brotherhoods atelines

sufi brotherhoods in syria and israel: a contemporary...

christian brotherhoods / frederick deland leete (1912)

the ,political significance of the wolof · pdf filethe...

malawi’s muslim communities in their local and global ·...

mafia brotherhoods

medliher - mediterranean living heritage · qadiriya sufi...

die qadiriya-bruderschaft im geopolitischen kontext der...

sufi world book 4 4.pdf · preliminary to futuh-ul-ghaib...

brotherhoods orders secret societies

voie qadiriya boudchichiya

energy healers and what they do - institute for the...

dossier de presse - ists institut supérieur des ... · pdf...

from papiamentu to afro-catholic brotherhoods: an ... ·...

corazón del corán · corazón del corán lex h ixon...

sufi brotherhoods in syria and israel: a contemporary...

pengaruh penggunaan metode pbl (problem based...

sufi dervishes - images of sufis by halveti jerrahi order of...

origen of the brotherhoods