counsels from al-firdous: wise sayings

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1 ن الرحیم الرحم بسمCOUNSELS FROM AL-FIRDOUS Compiled by Professor Akbar Dad Translated by Muhammad Muzamil Khan Jami’a Masjid Sharif al-Firdous Gulhar Sharif Kotli, Azad Kashmir Articles originally selected by Janab Hadrat Sahib رحمت ہ علت ہ

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Words of Wisdom

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1

بسم ہللا الرحمن الرحیم

COUNSELS FROM AL-FIRDOUS

Compiled by Professor Akbar Dad

Translated by Muhammad Muzamil Khan

Jami’a Masjid Sharif al-Firdous

Gulhar Sharif Kotli, Azad Kashmir

Articles originally selected by Janab Hadrat Sahib ہعلت هللا ہرحمت

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الرحیم الرحمن ہللا بسم

THE FIRDOUS COUNSELS, 2012

Compiled by Professor Akbar Dad

Translated by Muhammad Muzamil Khan

Published on the Occasion of Hadrat Sahib’s 4th

Urs

Sharif, 31st December 2012

Jami’a al-Firdous

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PREFACE

The purpose of Rasul Allah’s coming to earth

was, to connect the individual with his Lord, enlighten

his heart with the awareness of Allah, achieve the

highest level of moral characteristics, acknowledge

Allah’s favours and spread the unity of Allah all over the

world. Through Rasul Allah , Allah granted us his great

book the Holy Qur’an so that human beings could obtain

knowledge from it, and search for the hidden treasures in

the universe thus gaining an understanding of their

Creator and ultimately fulfilling the purpose of their

existence.

Rasul Allah provided a personal example of

how to implement the Qura’nic teachings in one’s life.

Through individual and collective training, he formed an

exemplary society. He created a group of loyal and

dedicated Companions, whose equal cannot be found in

history. After him , his Companions (may Allah be

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pleased with them all) set a beautiful example of love

and obedience to him , immersed themselves in his

love and followed his blessed Sunnah (way). The

Companions spread his teachings with utmost love,

devotion, sincerity and sacrifice. Consequently they were

able to defeat the superpowers of the time: the Roman

and Persian Empires.

The Holy Qur’an states: “Invite (all) to the Way

of thy Lord with wisdom,” (16:125). Therefore the silent

transformation in the din (religion), takes place through

the proper adherence to the Shari’ah. The Shari’ah

consists of three pillars: a) knowledge b) action and c)

sincerity. Dawah (calling people to Islam) by knowledge

alone has always been insufficient, and it is through

wisdom that it becomes effective. Real change never

takes place by mere speech or slogans. However for a

silent transformation to succeed, it is essential that it is

based upon knowledge, action and sincerity. In addition,

it is vital that people share a common goal. It is the

People of the Heart who can give a (common purpose),

and transform talented individuals in society, thereby

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effectively creating a lasting change. The People of the

Heart consider this task of guiding people as an

important obligation, whilst utilising their noble

characteristics: patience, steadfastness, humility and

sincerity to achieve the objective. It is through wisdom,

coupled with clear evidence, that they guide people;

dispelling all their doubt and uncertainty. When dealing

with people, the employment of sincerity, kindness and

wisdom leads to them paying heed to the advice offered

to them thus considering it essential to follow it for the

rest of their lives. As the saying goes:

Gufte uh gufte allah bawad,

garche ze halqum-e abdallah bawad.

His speech is from Allah,

Although it comes from the servant’s throat.

Regarding the way the Awliya Allah call people

to Islam, the Sufi masters state, “Ordinary Muslims

preach; forbidding bad and promoting good, the scholars

use the pen, the warriors use the sword, the Sultans use

power but the People of the Heart and foresight (Awliya

Allah), use their gaze (spiritual attention) to call people

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to Islam. Whilst the teachings of others reach the ear and

mind, the teachings of the Awliya reach the heart. The

association with flowers changes the colour of the heap,

but the company of the prophets and saints changes

people’s hearts.”

The foundation of Islam is based on observance

of Shari’ah; complete love and adherence to the Bringer

of the Law . Adab (good conduct) is the first step,

without it all else is futile. Even if an individual

endeavours numerous efforts, (without adab) he shall

remain unsuccessful. It was by adhering to the Sunnah

of the Prophet , that Hadrat Mujaddid Alf Thani Rahmatullah

Alayhi wrote letters to his deputies and followers, to rise up

against the tyrant. He formed a common goal for his

followers thus succeeded in bringing about a spiritual

revolution, which defeated the tyrant. The results that

emerged from that movement are well known to the

student of (Indian Muslim) history.

After the Prophet , the work done by Hadrat

Abu Bakr Siddiq and his descendents to stabilise and

assist the din, is worthy of note. His tenth descendent

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Hadrat Shaykh Kamal al-Din Rahmatullah Alayhi left his rule in

Yemen, and taught Hadith Sharif in the vicinity of Rasul

Allah for fifty years. He then migrated to Sistan,

where his family served the din for many centuries. His

descendent Hadrat Qadi Qiwam al-Din Rahmatullah Alayhi

migrated from Sistan (Iran) to India, where he settled in

Haryana. His family kept the flame of knowledge and

spirituality burning for many centuries.

His descendent Hadrat Qadi Fath Allah Rahmatullah

Alayhi left Rohtak (India), and came to seek knowledge

from the master of Shari’ah and Tariqah, Hadrat Sayyid

Mubarak Shah Rahmatullah Alayhi at the famous Madrasa of the

time- in Alipur Sayyidain, near Behra District, Sargodha.

Apart from knowledge, Hadrat Qadi Fath Allah Rahmatullah

Alayhi also sought a spiritual master. The learned teacher

saw the potential in the student and guided him to ‘The

Treasurer of the Divine Trusts’, the complete master,

Hadrat Khwaja Muhammad Hasan Rohtasi Rahmatullah Alayhi. If

there is genuine desire in the seeker, then it does not take

long for things to happen accordingly.

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According to the Divine plan, Hadrat Khwaja

Muhammad Hasan Rahmatullah Alayhi came to Alipur, and in his

first meeting he saw that Hadrat Qadi Fath Allah Rahmatullah

Alayhi was capable of carrying the treasures of the ‘Divine

Trust’. He brought him along to Rohtas in District

Jhelum. Hadrat Qadi Fath Allah Rahmatullah Alayhi spent many

years in the company of his Master, and was granted

khilafat by him and instructed to go to the state of

Jammu and Kashmir, where he was appointed to the high

rank of Chief Justice. In order to guide people he built a

mosque, and in his spare time he would retire to the

basement of the mosque, where he would occupy

himself with the remembrance of Allah.

From Mirpur, the descendants of Hadrat Qadi

Fath Allah Rahmatullah Alayhi moved to a village called

Checheyan Sharif, in Fathpur. The enlightened members

of his family changed people’s destinies, corrected the

misguided, removed the un-Islamic customs, and guided

people to Islam. They reminded the people of the

temporal nature of the world and guided them towards

the hereafter; encouraging them to speak the truth, give

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up backbiting and to follow the Shari’ah. The mosque

was the source of their guidance and wherever they

lived, they made sure to build a mosque there. Hadrat

Khwaja Muhammad Rukn Alam Rahmatullah Alayhi once went

to Kaini, near Panjera Tehsil Kotli. After reciting his

wazifa, he would go to the nearby spring and carry

stones on his head. After amassing them in the village he

said, “We shall build a mosque here.”

Hadrat Khwaja Muhammad Sultan Alam Rahmatullah

Alayhi also built a mosque outside the village of Checheyan

Sharif, and had living quarters built next to it. Indeed this

family inherited love for mosques from one generation to

another. Our Hadrat Sahib Rahmatullah Alayhi also inherited a

mosque; the same mosque where sincere people would

gather around Qibla Alam Rahmatullah Alayhi and scholars and

Sufis would come from afar, to gain benefit from him.

Although the walls of the mosque were made of mud, its

pillars uneven, the people who went there were sincere

people of firm resolve, and due to their visits, bad traits

would be removed from them. Seeing these people

visiting this mosque, a person joked, “These days either

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German forces are gathering or the followers of Qadi

Sahib in the Underhill area.”

The spark lit from this blessed mosque is now

spreading light everywhere. Having inherited only one

mosque, he (Hadrat Sahib Rahmatullah Alayhi) took good care of

it. And due to his efforts, today magnificent mosques are

to be found everywhere. Subsequently, the knowledge of

the Qur’an has become widespread, and the financial

needs of seekers of knowledge are met by the Spiritual

Centre.

Nowadays, thousands of huffaz (memorisers of

the Qur’an) and hundreds of scholars are linked with this

movement and are serving the din day and night. May

Allah grant them courage, aspiration and sincerity so that

they continue to serve the din with sincere intentions.

And from this spiritual centre, the light of gnosis rains

down upon those people who have great willpower and

determination. Consequently the people’s lives are being

transformed, as they are trained and gain increased

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passion for the din. May Allah turn this blossom into an

everlasting spring.

For a while, the customary way of calling and

advising people to din has been suspended in this

mosque. Even Friday prayers are offered without a

sermon. Nonetheless, all members of the family are

practically involved in guiding and instructing people.

The first and main centre of this movement is Khanqah-e

Sultaniyya in Kaladeo, Jhelum. Most members of the

family serve the din there. There is no difference

between what they preach and practice. Whatever they

do is according to the Sunnah. This is the effect of

spreading the din. In old age everyone turns to God but,

here, thousands of young men and women are busy

trying to achieve their salvation. The true seekers are

discreetly told some words of wisdom, which they hold

onto firmly for the remainder of their lives and no further

preaching or encouragement is necessary.

Since 27th

September 1985, for the purpose of

communal guidance, every week, once or twice or in

times of need, some necessary words are written on the

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blackboard and placed in a prominent position. The

Sangis listen to these words and remember them, and

some people note them in their diaries and try to follow

them with their heart and soul. The subjects of the

writings on the blackboard cover all aspects of life:

prayers, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, virtues of the

Qur’an, blessed Traditions, matters of fiqh, piety, dhikr,

repentance, supplications, salutations on the Prophet ,

Islamic etiquette, humility, reflection, diseases of the

heart and their cures, trials and tribulations and their

solutions, tenth of Muharram, Birthday of the Prophet ,

the Night of Ascension, the Night of Power, the

company of the pious people, focusing on the master,

connection with the master, the benefits of connection

with the Spiritual Centre, the benefits of taking bay’a

and its evidence, sayings of pious people, quotes, words

of wisdom, advice and consul and many other topics are

highlighted. All of these writings have been preserved,

and have now been compiled and duly published under

the title al-Balagh al-Mubin (The Clear Message, 2007),

so that the Sangis and their descendents may take benefit

from it. In the effort to collect, write and preserve all the

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writings, I was assisted by Master Muhammad Shafiq

(Kurti) more than anyone else, other Sangis also,

sometimes, helped me. I thank all of them from the

bottom of my heart, may Allah accept their efforts.

Professor Akbar Dad

TRANSLATOR’S NOTE

In the Urdu book al-Balagh al-Mubin (2007),

Professor Akbar Dad Sahib compiled these anecdotes on

the instruction of Hadrat Sahib Rahmatullah Alayhi. Sometimes it

is a direct quote, and at other times it is paraphrased by

him. The anecdotes were arranged in the order they were

written on the board. I have taken the liberty to rearrange

the anecdotes and add sub-headings, for the benefit of

non-literate Urdu Sangis. I have not translated the whole

book, and instead have compiled a selection from it.

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QURA’NIC COUNSELS: DON’T BE NEGLECTFUL

ها الذين آمنوا ل تلهكم أموالكم ول أولدكم عن ذكر للا يا أي

ن قبل أن يأتي أحدكم الموت فيقول رب لول ا رزقناكم م وأنفقوا من م

الحين ن الص ق وأكن م د رتني إلى أجل قريب فأص أخ

خبير ب نفسا إذا جاء أجلها وللا ر للا ما تعملون ولن يؤخ

O you, who have believed, let not your wealth

and your children divert you from remembrance of

Allah. And whoever does that-then those are the losers.

And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have

provided you before death approaches one of you and he

says, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief

term so I would give charity and be among the

righteous.” But never will Allah delay a soul when its

time has come. And Allah is acquainted with what you

do. (63:8-11)

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SAYINGS OF THE HOLY PROPHET

The Five Pillars

سمعت رسول : عبد للا بن عـمر بـن الخطاب رضي للا عـنهما ، قـال

شـهـادة : بـني اإلسـالم على خـمـس : للا صلى للا عليه وسـلم يقـول

أن ل إلـه إل للا وأن محمد رسول للا ، وإقامة الصالة ، وإيـتـاء الـزكـاة

وحـج البيت ، وصـوم رمضان

( رواه البخاري ومسلم)

On the authority of Abd Allah, ibn `Umar ibn

al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with both) who said, I

heard Rasul Allah say, “Islam has been built on five

pillars: testifying that there is no God worthy of worship

except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of

Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakah

(obligatory charity), making the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the

House, and fasting in Ramadan.” (Narrated by Bukhari

and Muslim)

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The Lucky Seven

عن النبي صلى للا عليه وسلم قال سبعة يظلهم للا يوم القيامة في ظله

يوم ل ظل إل ظله إمام عادل وشاب نشأ في عبادة للا ورجل ذكر للا في

خالء ففاضت عيناه ورجل قلبه معلق في المسجد ورجالن تحابا في للا

ورجل دعته امرأة ذات منصب وجمال إلى نفسها قال إني أخاف للا

ورجل تصدق بصدقة فأخفاها حتى ل تعلم شماله ما صنعت يمينه

(رواه البخاري ومسلم)

There are seven whom Allah will shade in His

Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His

Shade:

A just ruler.

A youth who grew up in the worship of Allah,

the Mighty and Majestic.

A man who remembered Allah in private and so

his eyes shed tears.

A man whose heart is attached to the mosque.

Two men who love each other for Allah’s sake,

meeting for that and parting upon that.

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A man who is called by a woman of beauty and

position [for illegal intercourse], but he says, “I

fear Allah.”

A man who gives in charity and hides it, such

that his left hand does not know what his right

hand gives in charity.

(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).

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SAYINGS OF HADRAT ABU BAKR SIDDIQ

Hadrat Junayd Rahmatullah Alayhi states that the best

definition of tawhid is by Hadrat Abu Bakr

Siddiq , “Glory be to Allah who has not shown

the path of His ma’rifah (knowledge of God) to

men, except through their confession of their

inability to know him.”

If for some reason you fail to do the good deeds

then try to attain it and if you achieve that then

move forward.

If advice has no effect on a person, he should

know that his heart is dead.

When the power of knowledge goes beyond its

limit, it causes corruption and too much talk, and

when it is defective then it leads to foolishness

and stupidity.

Keep your speech short.

Speech is only beneficial if it can be heard with

ease.

Long speech effectively make one lose some

parts of it.

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The heart is dead and its life is knowledge.

Knowledge is also dead and its life is in seeking

(more knowledge).

It is shameful if the cockerel rises at dawn before

you.

Knowledge is the legacy of the prophets whilst

wealth is the inheritance of the Pharaoh and

Qarun.

When a noble person studies knowledge, he

becomes humble and when a bad person learns

the same knowledge, it makes him arrogant.

Charity is a good act for a wealthy person, but it

is even better for a poor person.

Repentance is a good act for an old person, but it

is even better for a young person.

Humility is a good act for a poor person, but it is

even better for a wealthy person.

Justice is a good act for everyone, but it is even

better for a king.

Laziness towards Allah’s worship is bad in

ordinary people, but is even worse amongst the

learned people.

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Pride is a bad act for the rich people, and it is

even worse in the poor people.

Whatever incidents takes place is near, but nearer

still is death.

Sin from a young person is bad, but it is even

worse from an old person.

Seclusion is better than the company of a coward,

and the company of the good people is better

than being alone.

The ways of the world are strange but even

stranger is to be heedless.

Sincerity means that one should not seek any

reward for ones good deeds. Leave the world for

the Hereafter and leave the Hereafter for Allah’s

sake.

The pupil of the eye is the door to the heart, and

all desire enters the heart through it and it creates

lust and passion. If a person keeps his eyes closed

he is protected.

A human is weak yet it is strange that he

disobeys Allah, who is Almighty.

21

Cry upon that day in which you did not perform

any good deeds.

When he used to visit anyone to express his

condolence he would say, “There is no affliction

in patience, and there is no benefit in crying.”

Just remember the death of Rasul Allah and

then your problem will seem insignificant.

Unfortunate is he that he dies but his sins live on:

for example he began some bad thing, or made a

false coin, started some bad game or published a

harmful book and so forth.

When a person becomes proud because of some

worldly thing, then Allah becomes angry with

him and takes that thing away from him.

The one who cannot cry should show mercy

towards those who do cry.

He who occupies himself in Allah’s work, Allah

occupies Himself in his work.

Control your tongue from complaints and you

shall have a blissful life.

22

You are busy gathering provision to live in the

world, and the world is busy trying to get rid of

you.

Offer charity to a poor person with humility and

respect, as to give charity happily is a sign of its

acceptance.

The redness of Gold and the yellowness of

Saffron have destroyed women.

Worship is a trade, the shop is its seclusion, its

wealth is piety and its profit is Paradise.

23

HOLY MONTHS: MUHARRAM

Muharram al-Haram: The 10th

of Muharram is a

blessed day and it is known as ashura, as 10 thousand

prophets were born on this day, and according to another

narration 10 thousand prophets were granted prophet

hood on this very day. It is written in Khalasatul Akhbar

that Rasul Allah said, “Allah Almighty has chosen

ashura, and Allah created my light on this day and also

the spirits of the prophets.” Also according to another

tradition, ten things were created on ashura: the Throne

and the Stool, the Pen and the Tablet, Hadrat Adam,

Hadrat Hawa, the Spirits, the Earth, and the Skies. Some

state that Heaven was also created on ashura.

Ten things are sunnah on ashura, and anyone

who acts upon them shall be forgiven: 1) to stroke the

head of an orphan 2) To provide abundant food for one’s

family 3) To keep a fast 4) To offer voluntary prayers

5) To bathe 6) To put kohl in your eyes 7) To visit the

ill 8) To visit a learned person 9) To reconcile people

10) To make supplications

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It is written in Shariq that Rasul Allah said that

the day of ashura atones for one year’s sins. It is related

in Riyahin, that if anyone spends as much as a

mosquitoes’ wings, he shall gain as much sawab as if he

had given the mountain of Qaf in charity, and this is due

to the blessing of ashura. Know that it is good to

supplicate to Allah, but it is even better on ashura. On

the morning of ashura the gates of mercy are opened. A

person should pray to Allah for Heaven and His vision,

as prayer on this day is not rejected.

The Virtue of the Fast on Ashura

Anyone who fasts on ashura, for him the eight

gates of heaven shall be opened and he can enter from

any gate he wishes. Rasul Allah has said that,

“Anyone who keeps a fast on ashura, for every moment,

700 hundred angels shall pray for his forgiveness until

the day of Judgement.”

Rasul Allah has said that anyone who keeps a

fast on ashura, shall attain the blessing as if he had

performed one thousand hajj and umrah, and equal to the

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inhabitants of the Heaven and the seven earths and seven

skies.”

Hadrat Rabi’a Rahmatullah Alayhi states that in the period

of Rasul Allah , the sahaba used to keep this fast of

ashura so that the later generation in the ummah would

also keep this fast. Indeed this fast was fard upon Adam.

Hadrat Shub’i Rahmatullah Alayhi writes in Kifaya that it is an

obligation upon the parents to order their children to

keep the fast of ashura.

It is mentioned in a hadith sharif that Rasul Allah

instructed Sayyida Fatima, not to feed Imam Husayn

on the day of ashura as, on this day, even the animals

and birds do not give milk or eat grass.

Nafal on Ashura

It is related in a hadith sharif that, anyone who

prays four units of nafal, in which he recites ayatul kursi

once and sura Ikhlas three times after sura Fatiha, in

each unit, and after whatever he asks of Allah, it shall be

granted to him.

26

Rasul Allah said that anyone who offers 100

units of nafal on the night of ashura, in which he recites

sura Ikhlas three times after Fatiha and on completion

reads the third kalima 70 times, Allah shall forgive all

his sins and grant him good deeds throughout the year.

27

COUNSEL OF HADRAT IMAM JAFAR SADIQ Rahmatullah Alayhi

Avoid the company of five people:

1) The liar, as one is ultimately humiliated by

associating with him.

2) A foolish person, as the more he tries to help you

the more damage he causes.

3) A miser, as he shall waste your precious time.

4) A coward, as he cannot be trusted and might

abandon you at the most critical period.

5) The hypocrite, as he shall leave you in order to

gain one morsel.

28

HARAM IS HARMFUL

According to the teachings of Allah and His

Messenger , anyone who is nourished with haram food

shall not enter Paradise. Therefore save your children

from Hellfire by providing them with lawful

nourishment.

He who eats haram shall be inclined towards

forbidden things. Consequently his grave shall become a

pit of Hell. Those who are inwardly blind enjoy eating

haram. But if a person is influenced by the holy Qur’an,

then he will not accept haram even when it is offered to

him.

It is necessary to keep forbidden or doubtful food

from your stomach, and obligatory to seek lawful

livelihood. It is recommended that one only eats what is

necessary from the lawful food, as overeating hardens

the heart and creates discord in the mind. Additionally

overeating weakens the memory and one becomes lazy

towards worship and pursuit of knowledge;

strengthening the evil forces. If overeating halal food

29

leads to this much damage, then what kind of harm

would haram food bring? To seek halal livelihood is an

obligation upon every Muslim. To offer worship or to

seek knowledge whilst eating haram food is akin to

building a beautiful structure on a rubbish heap. When

you can manage a full year with a cotton shirt, and

survive on two chapattis every day, then you shall have

abundant halal earnings to spend on yourself.

Hadrat Khwaja Baqi Billah Rahmatullah Alayhi states,

“Remember that the heart cannot experience

contentment, focus and presence unless one eats lawful

and pure food according to ones need. Even if you

worship for one thousand years, you shall not gain the

purity of the soul and will not reach your high aim,

unless your food is lawful. It not enough that your food

is lawful but the wood, water and utensils must also be

from lawful income. Whilst cooking, one’s heart should

be focused on Allah, and the one eating the food should

reflect on his life and upon Allah’s favours; as to eat a

morsel without focus takes away the blessing of food.”

30

ETIQUETTE OF SPEECH

It is better not to talk too much as it indicates

lack of intellect and leads to loss of status. Hadrat

Aishah narrates, “That Rasul Allah was moderate in

his speech and when he spoke one could count the

words.” The philosopher Barzjamer states, “That too

much talk makes one crazy.” Hadrat Ibrahim Nakhi

Rahmatullah Alayhi narrates that Rasul Allah stated that, “The

previous nations were destroyed because of excess in

three things: talking, eating and sleeping.”

Always talk less and listen more. Once, people

asked a wise man, “Why do you speak less and listen

more?” He replied, “Because I have been granted two

ears and one tongue.”

Hadrat Umar states, “I have never had a better

friend than controlling my tongue.”

Think carefully before you speak, the wise ones

have said, “First ponder then talk, pehlay toulo phir

bolo.” Talk only when it is necessary and do not repeat

the same thing lest people get bored of you. If someone

31

mentions something in private, then do not try to hear

their conversation. When addressing elders do not talk

with gestures and speak in a mild manner. Keep your

speech short and precise, do not talk nonsense. Do not

talk about difficult matters to someone who cannot

comprehend it, talk to people according to their ability.

32

HOW TO WALK

Do not walk too fast as it is a sign of anger and

do not walk too slowly as that indicates illness. Do not

sway your body like a woman and walk at a moderate

pace. Do not look back again and again as it is the

practice of idiots and do not always lower your head as it

is a sign of depression.

SOLITUDE

As he said farewell, a person requested Hadrat

Abi Warraq Rahmatullah Alayhi for advice, he replied, “Based on

my personal experience, goodness of both worlds is

based on two things: Seclusion and minimum dealings

with people, if you can do this then goodness stays with

you.”

ETIQUETTE OF SLEEP

When you intend to sleep then face the Qibla and

lie on your right side. Reflect on the fact that sleep is

similar to death.

33

VIRTUES OF NAFILA WORSHIP

Some nafila (voluntary) worship gives a person

an extra merit (sawab) and with a little effort one attains

a great reward. The following nafila prayers are highly

recommended.

Tayyatul Wudu

When a person performs ablution and then offers

two cycle of prayer it is called tayyatul wudu and this act

carries a great reward according to hadith sharif.

However one must not offer this prayer at forbidden

times: midday, after fajr and after asr.

Ishraq

It is related in a hadith sharif that any person who

performs fajr with jama’at and then occupies himself

with the remembrance of Allah until 21 minutes after

sunrise, then offers 2 or 4 cycles of prayer then he

receives as much reward as if he has performed hajj or

umrah.

34

Awwabin

Six nafals should be offered after the two sunnat

of maghrib.

Tahajjud

When a person gets up to pray after midnight it is

called tahajjud and one attains great reward. This prayer

is very dear to Allah Almighty and there is great merit in

it. A minimum of four units or a maximum of twelve

units should be read. If time is short then two units will

suffice. If a person does not have the ability to read it

late at night then it can be read after isha but the reward

is not the same. Perform tahajjud prayer regularly as to

stay awake in the early part of the night and to fall asleep

at tahajjud time is a sign of misfortune.

Salatul Tasbih

Rasul Allah said to his uncle Hadrat Abbas: “O

Abbas, my uncle! Shall I not give you a gift? Shall I not

show you something by means of which Allah will

forgive your sins: the past and the present, the intentional

and unintentional, the major and the minor, the hidden

35

and the manifest? Rasul Allah then taught him the

salatul tasbih, and said at the end: “If you can pray it

daily, do so. If not, then once every week. If you are

unable to do that, then pray it once every month. If you

cannot do that, then offer it once every year. And if you

cannot do that, then at least read it once in your

lifetime.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud)

The Tasbih:

Subhan Allahi wal-hamdulillahi wa-la ilaha

ilallahu wallahu Akbar (Glory be to Allah, all praise

belongs to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and

Allah is the Greatest).

The Method

The tasbih is read 75 times in each cycle (rakah),

totalling 300 at the end of a 4 cycle prayer, as follows:

After beginning the prayer by raising your hands and

saying Allahu Akbar, recite (subhankallah) and recite the

above tasbih 15 times. Then recite bismillah, sura al-

Fatiha and another sura followed by the above tasbih10

times. Then go into the kneeling position (ruku) and after

36

reciting the usual tasbih recite the above tasbih 10 times.

After standing up from that position recite rabbana lakal

hamd and thereafter recite the above tasbih 10 times.

Then go into prostration and after reciting the usual

tasbih recite the above tasbih 10 times. Then sit up from

the prostration and recite the tasbih 10 times. Thereafter

go into prostration again and after reciting the usual

tasbih recite the above tasbih 10 times. Get up for the

second cycle and start with the tasbih 15 times, then

follow the same pattern. At the end of the second

prostration for the second cycle you will remain seated

for the tashahud (attahayatu lillahi...). Complete as

normal then rise for the third cycle and start with the

tasbih 15 times and follow the above pattern again in the

fourth cycle, (Narrated by Abu Dawud).

37

WISE COUNSELS

Do not hide your genealogy and do not claim

descent from other families as it is forbidden

in Islam.

To label a Muslim a disbeliever (kafir) is

worse than murder. There is a severe warning

in the Shari’ah for such an act: Rasul Allah

stated that, “Anyone who calls his brother

kafir, this word shall return to one of them

(make him a kafir).” It is also a grave sin to

curse a Muslim.

Do not sit alone with a strange woman. The

Devil is your eternal enemy and he might

destroy you by making you commit a major

sin.

Do not consider something that has been

forbidden by Allah Almighty as lawful

otherwise you shall commit disbelief.

Therefore stay away from forbidden matters.

Every matter that a novice on the spiritual

path sees in a dream, vision, inspiration and

38

meditation should be tested with the Book

and the Sunnah and if it in accordance then

believe it, otherwise consider it as a

whispering of the Devil.

To consider any sin whether major or minor

lawful or to treat it lightly and to make fun of

the Shari’ah amounts to disbelief. To tell

jokes using words of disbelief, to believe the

predictions of the astrologers and to lose hope

in Allah’s mercy also amounts to disbelief.

The miracles of the saints are true but no

matter how high ranking the saint is he can

never equal a prophet.

Do not praise a Muslim brother to his face as

it might cause his ego to rebel and he might

become obsessed with self pride and glory.

Be kind to your neighbours so that your Lord

becomes happy with you. Try to safeguard

the rights of your neighbours as much as

possible.

Do not solely act upon the advice of women

as they are not necessarily wise.

39

If you become angry then try to control

yourself as anger is from the Devil. However

to be angry for the sake of your Faith is

commendable.

In every situation fear Allah and obey His

commands.

To conceal someone’s faults is a virtuous act.

Do not break ties of kinship with your

relatives even if they cause you problems.

The perfection of a Darwish is that he should

be independent of all else but Allah and have

no desire in his heart for support from anyone

else.

Do not seek anything from Allah, except

Allah.

Keep your gaze on your feet and remember

Allah as you walk.

The day which is spent in neglect shall be a

source of regret on the Day of Judgement.

Durud Sharif is a great gift for the Believers

and superior to all other litanies.

40

He is superior who does not consider himself

superior. When one thinks highly of himself

than his greatness departs. The real saints are

those who do not view their sainthood and he

who considers himself a saint than his

sainthood departs. Spiritual poverty (faqr) is

a trust from Allah and as long as the person

hides it, he keeps the trust. But when he

discloses this trust it leaves him as does

spiritual poverty.

If one accepts the Divine will happily then he

is patience otherwise one is far from the rank

of patience.

A saint (wali) can never be a polytheist

(mushrik) and a mushrik can never be a wali.

It is difficult to find pearls and even more

difficult to find the Friends of Allah.

The one who hurts his parents his prayers,

fasting, charity and pilgrimage shall not save

him from Hellfire.

To deny Hadith is to deny the Qur’an and one

who denies the Qur’an loses his faith.

41

Illness is a warning for a person.

Sufism from beginning to end is nothing but

good manners.

When asr time begins then read four units of

Sunnat, the Prophet has mentioned the

virtues of these four Sunnat.

A person visited Shu’yab ibn Harb Rahmatullah Alayhi

and expressed his desire to stay with him. He

replied, “My friend, servant hood requires

unity and anyone who does enjoy intimacy

with Allah in solitude than he shall never

have enjoyment in anything of the world.

42

COUNSELS OF SHAYKH DHUNUN AL-MISIRI Rahmatullah Alayhi

He states that six things corrupt people’s deeds:

1) Weak intention for the actions for the

hereafter.

2) Slavery to the Ego.

3) Delusions.

4) Preferring people’s pleasure above Allah’s

pleasure.

5) Observance of one’s own opinion above

the teachings of the Prophet .

6) To cite the mistakes of earlier people as

examples to justify one’s bad actions.

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THREE DANGEROUS TRAITS

1) Arrogance (takabbar)

2) Envy (hassad)

3) Pride (u’jab)

U’jab means to be proud. Hassad means to wish

evil for others so they suffer loss and takabbar means to

be arrogant. Indeed, Allah likes to see the trait in His

servants that He does not have which is humility and

pride is the cloak of Allah which does not befit a human

being. One can remove these three harmful things by

acts of kindness and good deeds. Takabbar is known as

‘the mother of all illnesses’ and has defeated many

renowned people indeed. Many spiritual people have

fallen prey to this dangerous illness. May Allah protect

us from pride, amin.

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DHIKR

The seeker on the spiritual path should perform

abundant dhikr and sit in seclusion and make dhikr with

the rosary. Nothing can be achieved by just day

dreaming. Action requires passion. Make abundant dhikr

on the heart so that you awaken from your slumber. A

follower asked his master, “Make my heart perform

dhikr.” The Master replied, “This matter is not like a

grain that I can fill your lap. Indeed, this requires effort;

from thought to the heart and from the heart to the

Throne of Allah, focus on the point that outpourings are

coming from the Throne to your heart.” Make dhikr as

long as you are alive.

45

DISEASE OF THE HEART

The disease of the heart is a very dangerous

illness and numerous people suffer from it. The ratio of

healthy and unhealthy might be one out of a thousand

but the ratio of those people who suffer from the disease

of the heart is 99.9%. Remember only he who has a

healthy heart shall be saved. The sign of ill health is loss

of appetite and the sign of illness of the heart is lack of

passion for the remembrance of Allah. As one cannot

survive without food similarly the heart cannot remain

healthy without the passion and remembrance for Allah.

Contentment comes from Allah’s remembrance and

through remembrance the heart gains strength. Anyone

who does not spend his life in Allah’s remembrance, his

heart is dead.

A healthy heart leads to a healthy body and increases

desire for sincere and pious deeds. The best method of

curing the heart is to make abundant dhikr of Allah.

There are certain cures for specific ailments of the heart,

try to understand and implement these rules and attain

benefit.

46

OVEREATING AND ITS CURE

Overeating leads to many sins. One must be

mindful of these traps, one must not get used to eating

tasty dishes. However having a tasty meal occasionally

is fine. Avoid haram (unlawful food) as any person that

is fed on haram shall not enter paradise. If a person is

fed haram during his/her childhood then the sin is upon

the parents. However in adulthood a person is

responsible for one’s own actions. Do not overeat and

leave some room in your stomach, there are many

benefits in this act.

The heart stays healthy and is able to thank

Allah for His favours.

It increases love for Allah.

The heart softens which leads to enjoyment in

both supplications and dhikr.

It pains the carnal soul and reminds it of

Allah’s punishment and thus it avoids sins.

It decreases the passion for sin.

A person feels light, less sleepy and is able to

perform Tahajjud and other prayers.

47

One shows mercy to the hungry and the

destitute and feels compassion for other

people.

CURE FOR THE HEART

Hadrat Ibrahim Khawass Rahmatullah Alayhi was a great

Awliya and he stated that five things can cure the heart:

1) To read the Holy Qur’an with contemplation.

2) To stay hungry.

3) To read tahajjud at night.

4) To weep before Allah at early dawn.

5) To adopt the company of the pious.

THREE DON’TS

It is imperative for you to avoid three things:

1) Lying

2) Deceit

3) Backbiting

48

CONSULS OF HADRAT MUJADDID ALF THANI Rahmatullah Alayhi

Letter

Dear son (daughter), free time is a great

opportunity and it should not be wasted in pursuit of

useless activities. Indeed, all free time should be spent in

acts that please Allah, the Glorious, and the most High.

Perform all five prayers in congregation with devotion

and serenity, and offer tahajjud (early dawn prayer) as

well. Do not forget to seek forgiveness at early dawn,

and do not oversleep or over indulge in the pleasures of

the flesh. Make remembrance of death and matters

relating to it your objective. In short, turn away from the

world and towards the Hereafter. Reduce worldly affairs

to the minimum. Spend all your time in preparation for

the Hereafter. In summary, your heart should be free

from all else except Allah and your outer appearance

should be adorned with the Shari’ah.

کار این ھست و غیر از این ھمہ ھیچ

Kar in hast wa ghyar az in hame hech,

This is what really matters all else is futile.

49

(Maktubat Sharif, Letter Number 31, Volume

Two)

‘Free Time’

Today when you have free time and possess the

things that your heart desires, don’t delay things for

tomorrow. The best age is the age of youth, and one

should stay busy with the best acts: worship and

obedience to Allah. One should avoid things which are

either forbidden or doubtful in the Shari’ah, and must

offer the five prayers in congregation. And pay the zakah

(poor due), if one has the means to do so, as it is a

necessity in Islam. One should pay (zakah) gladly,

indeed one should be grateful to Allah for such an

opportunity. The ulama (scholars) state that to insist on

small sins, leads one to big sins, and to insist on major

sins can lead to disbelief, may Allah Almighty protect us

from this, (Maktubat Sharif, Number 96, Volume One).

Youth

What wonderful gift it is from Allah that one is

granted the chance to repent in youth, and then is made

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steadfast. All the gifts in the world cannot compare with

this one grant. It is correct to compare this one gift to

morning dew, and the rest to river water as this one gift

leads to Allah’s pleasure. Of all the gifts in this world or

the next, the pleasure of Allah is the highest and greatest

gift.

Sow Now, Reap Later

Allah has made this world as the planting field

for the Hereafter. That person is indeed unfortunate who

eats all the seed and plants nothing in the fertile earth;

failing to turn one seed into hundreds of seeds. And

saves nothing for the day when, a brother shall run from

a brother, and a mother shall forsake her son. Such a

person is a loser in both worlds, and shall have nothing

but remorse and regret.

Dear Beloved, time is a sword that cuts. Who

knows whether one shall see tomorrow or not? One

should carry out the necessary work today, and leave the

unnecessary work for tomorrow. Such is the view of the

intellect which focuses on the Hereafter, but the intellect

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which merely focuses on the material world thinks

otherwise.

Be With Allah, Always

All deeds depend on the heart, and if the heart is

entangled with other than Allah, then it is ruined and

destroyed. Merely carrying out practices as a custom, is

of no benefit. It is necessary to protect your heart from

other than Allah, and perform good deeds. Without

physically performing pious deeds, it is foolish to claim

that the heart is sound. As it is not possible in the world

to think of a body without a spirit, similarly it is

impossible to protect the heart without pious deeds.

Many heretics in this time claim such, may Allah save us

from such false beliefs by the grace of His Beloved .

(Maktubat Sharif, Letter Number 39, Volume One).

Keep Away From the Fat Cats

Association with the people of the world is a

poison, and anyone who drinks this poison falls into an

everlasting slumber. For an intelligent person, a hint is

sufficient, let alone constant reminder and overstatement

52

of the fact. The tasty morsel from the king’s court

increases the disease of the heart. Run away from them

more than the lion. As a lion only takes your life and

does not destroy your Hereafter, but association with

kings and rulers can cause an everlasting damage.

Therefore avoid their company, shun their tasty dishes

and even avoid seeing them.

Real Illness

When a noble and fortunate person suffers from

some physical ailments, and if any of his limbs are in

pain, then every effort is made to cure the illness. Yet no

effort is made to cure the illness of the heart (which

means to be attached to other than Allah), despite the

fact that it has reached a critical stage and it is possible

that it might put one to an everlasting sleep; condemning

one to eternal punishment. Indeed, very little effort is

made to remove the illness. If a person is unaware of the

illness, then he is a complete fool and if he is aware and

does nothing to cure it, then he is a stupid person.

53

Importance of the Sunnah

An important advice is to make the Sunnah of the

Prophet an obligation upon oneself, as without it

salvation is impossible. Don’t give any thought to the

world; its adornments and decorations. As in Allah’s

sight, this world is despised and detested. Before Allah,

this world has no value. The people of Allah should be

more pleased at the lack of it, as its temporal nature and

betrayal is well observed and documented. One should

learn a lesson from the lives of previous people who

loved the world. May Allah grant us and you the ability

to follow the path of the Prophet .

Three Aspects of Islamic Law

The Shari’ah has three parts: a) knowledge, b)

action, c) sincerity. Unless all three elements are in

place, the Shari’ah cannot be considered complete. And

when the Shari’ah is attained, then Allah’s pleasure is

obtained; the greatest blessing in the both worlds.

Always occupy yourself in dhikr, and every action which

is done in the light of the Shari’ah is dhikr, even buying

54

and selling. Hence one must be mindful to perform all

movements in line with the Shari’ah; turning every

action into dhikr. One must be careful that what one eats

is legal, and it is not proper to eat food from an unlawful

source; paying heed to what is permissible and what is

forbidden in the Shari’ah.

The best of all good deeds is to spread the

Shari’ah. To implement one act of Shari’ah when its

signs are being demolished, is more praiseworthy in the

sight of Allah than spending millions of rupees. As

spreading the teachings of the Shari’ah is the work of the

prophets, peace be upon them. And it is evident, that the

ability to do great deeds is granted to the prophets,

whereas the ability to spend wealth is given to ordinary

people.

In the Naqshbandiyya Tariqat spiritual progress

is dependent on the observance of the Shari’ah.

Although Hadrat Mujaddid Rahmatullah Alayhi used to give

initiation in the Qadiriyya and Chishtiyya, his main

influence came from the Naqshbandiyya. He took utmost

care in following the Shari’ah, and advised his

55

companions to strictly follow the Sunnah and study

matters of fiqh with great care. Even though he was an

expert in matters of fiqh he always carried the leading

books of fiqh with him, whether at home or travelling. If

the Jurists disagreed about a matter, whether it was

permissible or not, he would avoid such an act; thus

completely leaving what is ambiguous. He would say

there is no greater excellence than following the Sunnah

of the Prophet . He would state that, “whatever little I

have achieved has been through following of the

Sunnah.”

Virtue of Namaz

O Beloved, the world is a place of action and the

Hereafter is a place of reward. Therefore one must keep

busy in doing good acts. The best act is to establish

namaz, as it is the pillar of the din and the ascension of

the Believer. Therefore one must take utmost care in its

performance; keeping its conditions and etiquette.

Repeatedly I have overstated the need to perform it with

contentment and concentration. Fulfil these

requirements, as many warnings have been made to

56

people regarding this. If the namaz is sound then there is

hope for salvation, as the din has been established and

the ascent to ascension has reached its peak.

‘Special Time’

That ‘special’ time that the Prophet enjoyed,

referred to as ‘I have a time with Allah’, was during the

namaz, according to this faqir. . It is namaz which wipes

away sins; it is namaz which prevents one from obscene

and forbidden things. It is namaz in which the Prophet

used to seek solace, as he stated: “O Bilal, bring me

comfort.” Namaz is the pillar of the din and the thing

which separates Islam and disbelief.

Real Progress

Progress and development is dependent upon piety,

the details of this summary is as follows:

a) To fulfil the commands

b) To avoid what it forbidden

The Angels accompany a person in matters of

commands. If success was dependent on merely

57

following commands, then the angels would progress but

is not possible for them to avoid the forbidden matters.

As they are sinless by nature and so they cannot disobey,

therefore there is no need to stop them from forbidden

matters. Hence it is necessary that progress is linked with

the second part, and this avoidance is nothing but going

against your ego’s desires. Indeed the Shari’ah has come

to remove obedience to the ego and following wrong

customs. It is the ego which leads one to commit what is

forbidden, or indulge in useless activity, which

ultimately leads to forbidden things. Therefore to

avoiding both the forbidden and useless things, is in

reality opposing the ego.

Problems!

Do not be disturbed due to worldly problems or

other complications. These situations are not such that a

person need lose hope. This world is temporary and shall

end; one must occupy one’s self in this world with

actions that are pleasing to Allah, whether it is a life of

hardship or ease. No one but Allah is worthy of being

desired.

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Your daily provision is fixed. Consider that

sufficient and focus on the real work. Do not use it as

means of gaining more wealth. That way it leads to a

never ending spiral, and to have endless desire whilst

being a Darwish amounts to disbelief.

The Blessing of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is a very blessed month.

The nafila prayers that are offered in this month are

equal to fard of other months. And performing fard in

this month is equal to seventy fard in other months. If a

person has the ability to give charity and perform pious

deeds in this month, then this ability shall last throughout

the year. It is Sunnah to break the fast straightaway and

to delay the Sehri. To complete a Qur’an and read the

taraw’ih is an established Sunnah. In the Hadith Sharif it

is narrated that when one of you opens a fast, he should

open it with a date as this is more blessed.

Stay Close to the Awliya

Know that sweeping the quarters of the Awliya, is

far better than attaining high position amongst the

59

wealthy people. Whether you understand this today or

not, you certainly will in the Hereafter, but then it will be

too late. The desire for lavish clothes and tasty food has

misled you. It is still not too late, concentrate on your

real purpose and do things which are pleasing to Allah;

avoid things that become an obstacle on His path.

O Brother, you have become disillusioned with

the company of the Awliya, and have become an

acquaintance of the wealthy. This is a very bad thing that

you have done. If you lack insight today then tomorrow

it shall not be the case, but then there is nothing but

remorse and regret. It was my obligation to inform you.

Good Manners with the Master

One must reflect that in order to gain this

despicable world, so many etiquettes are required, then

what about things that lead to Allah, how much more

care is needed in that. Therefore as much as possible, the

murid (disciple) should not stand where his shadow

would fall on his murshid (master) or his clothes. He

should not step on the prayer mat of his murshid, and or

60

perform wudu where he (master) performs wudu. He

(murid) should not use his (murshid) particular utensils,

he should not eat in his company or converse with

anyone in his presence, and indeed he should not pay

any attention to anyone else. In the absence of the

murshid, he should not spread his feet or spit in that

direction. He should consider what the murshid does as

correct, even if it seems contrary. As whatever the

murshid does is based on inspiration therefore one

cannot object.

Khatam Sharif

It is a source of great blessing to read the Khatam

Sharif of Hadrat Mujaddid Alf Thani Rahmatullah Alayhi and

send him the merit, the Khatam is as follows:

Durud Sharif 100 times

La hawla wala quwata illah billah 500

times

Durud Sharif 100 times

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THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTION WITH THE SHAYKH AND THE

SPIRITUAL CENTRE

The murid (novice) has two very dangerous

enemies; firstly the Ego, and secondly the Devil. In order

to protect oneself from the trickery and deception of

these two enemies, two things are essential; a) abundant

dhikr and b) connection with the Shaykh which acts as

the Red Sulphur. The role of the Shaykh is akin to a

shelter that provides coolness and refuge, for the murid.

The pious people state, “The shade of the Master is part

of dhikr of Allah.”

The role of the Shaykh is like a magnet

whilst the position of the murid is like a piece of metal.

The piece of metal kept near a magnet attains magnetic

properties and acts as a magnet for other pieces of metal.

Similarly when a murid spends time with the Shaykh, his

heart becomes magnetic with Divine love and hence it

becomes easier to save oneself from the Ego and the

Devil.

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When the sun rises it burns and dries the filth

from the earth. According to the Jurists the piece of earth

on which rays of the sun have fallen, and as long as no

filth is visible, that area is classified as clean. In a similar

manner, when the heart of the murid is full of filth of

sins and lust then the Shaykh’s heart sends rays to his

heart and removes the filth. The flowers and plants take

the rays from the sun for their development. The heart of

the murid is like a flower and the Shaykh’s heart sends

light to it and helps it grow.

The plant which sprouts by itself is often ugly

and crooked, but the plant which is monitored by a

gardener is both straight and beautiful. Likewise, the

murid who spends time in the association with the

Shaykh, has his crookedness straightened. The training

by the Shaykh creates good characteristics in the murid.

Subsequently, the murid becomes polite and considerate,

and develops into a good individual in the society.

Faith is nothing but good manners

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The person who sells colour is termed a colour

seller, and the one who dyes clothes is called a Dyer.

The Qur’an and the Sunnah are the colour and the

religious scholars are sellers, and the Shayukh are the

dyers. When a murid stays in the company and service of

the Shayukh, then he is dyed in Allah’s colour. “(We

take our) colour from Allah, and who is better than Allah

at colouring,” (2:138).

Stop being hypocritical and become sincere,

Either totally become wax or be a stone.

If the murid leaves the company of the heedless

and joins the company of the Shaykh, then it is as if he

has become friends with a perfume seller. Either he shall

obtain perfume or at least have the nice smell. But the

example of bad company is like friendship with a

Blacksmith, even if you are not burnt, you shall still

smell of black smoke.

If you go with the smell of perfume,

Then one day you shall come drenched in perfume.

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However if you go towards the fire,

Then one day you shall burn your clothes.

I accept that you kept your clothes safe,

But you still felt the heat of the fire.

Some trees produce fruit that is small and

tasteless. But evidence suggests that if you graft this tree

with another tree, then it grows much bigger and tastier

fruit. In the same manner the murid is a like fruitless

tree, and when he is spiritually grafted with the Shaykh,

then he produces the fruits of abundant good deeds.

In good company flowers fell into my lap,

But the opposite happened in bad company.

Imam-e Rabbani Hadrat Mujaddid Alf Thani Rahmatullah Alayhi

writes,

“There is little time and one must spend that time

in worthy pursuits. That is to be in the presence of the

Pious People, as there is nothing better than good

association. Do you not see that the Companions of the

Prophet are superior to all others except the prophets,

due to association, even if those people were Awais al-

65

Qarni and Umar Marwani (Hadrat Umar ibn Abd al-

Aziz); although these two individuals reached perfection

on each stage, with the exception of association with the

Prophet . It is for this reason, that due to the blessing of

the association with the Prophet , Hadrat Amir

Mu’awiya’s fault is better than the good deeds of these

two. And the mistake of Umar ibn al-As, is better than

the mistakes and good deeds of these two. As the

Companion’s faith was based on witnessing Rasul Allah

, arrival of the angels, revelation and miracles

therefore no other person except the Companions has a

share in this perfection. And if Awais al-Qarni knew the

benefit of this association, then he would have not let

any obstacle come in its way. “But Allah will choose for

His special Mercy whom He will- for Allah is the Lord of

grace abounding,” (2:105). Thus the association with a

Shaykh has hundred cures for the murid. Fortunate are

those murids who had complete association with the

Shaykh and gained numerous benefits from it. ” (Letter,

Number 120, Volume One)

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One day Shaykh Sa’di went to the Turkish baths

and saw a nice piece of clay, and then this conversation

transpired, “I said to it, are you musk or ambergris as I

am intoxicated by your smell.” It said to me, “I was

worthless clay but I spent some time with the Rose. That

association with the Rose has transformed me; otherwise

I should have remained a piece of dust.”

One holy person used to state, “Not only should

the murid keep a close contact with the Shaykh, but also

his spiritual centre. He maintained, “When we used to

visit our Shaykh’s spiritual centre in his absence, we

would gain blessing from the walls.” A murid should

have such deep devotion for his Shaykh, that he loves

the Master’s residence.

I encircle the street of Leyla,

Sometimes I kiss this wall and then the other.

I do this not out of love for the walls,

But due to my love for its inhabitant.

When the grindstone grinds, all the grains are

crushed, except for those few grains which are nearest to

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the axis.. Similarly the grindstone of dunya is turning,

and will crush everyone except for those few people who

are closely linked with the spiritual centres. Some holy

people have said, “When trials and tribulations occur,

then only the Awliya Allah and those who are linked with

them shall remain safe.”

When an ordinary person stands at the

crossroads, then no one gives him any respect. However,

if that person wore a soldiers’ uniform than he would be

shown respect. He who makes trouble with the soldier,

invites trouble from the whole army. Likewise if a

person has strong connection with the Awliya Allah, then

their support is with him. Therefore the Devil is afraid to

mess with such a person. That connected person is not

alone, as he has the support of the Awliya behind him. It

is for this reason that some people have said, “Our

Elders’ supplication has safeguarded us.”

Two bricks are made from the same factory. One

is placed in the toilet, and no one likes to step on the

brick with naked feet, even if there no visible filth. But

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the brick that is used in the mosque, people shall happily

rub their forehead upon it. What is the difference? One

brick is associated with the toilet and the other with the

mosque, and it is this link that makes one superior to the

other.

When white paper and cardboard are bound

together to make the holy Qur’an, then the Jurists state

that, “None touch it except the purified,”(56:79).This not

only means that do not touch the white sheets on which

it is written, but also the binding cover, as it cannot be

touched without ablution. See the link to the holy Qur’an

gave honour to the cardboard. Likewise when a murid

has a strong link with the Awliya, he becomes dear to

Allah. Every murid should try to strengthen his link with

his spiritual centre.

With the gaze of the perfect Shaykh, one achieves love for the

Prophet ,

The love of the spiritual centre leads to Allah’s nearness.

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An English compilation from al-Balagh al-Mubin, Vol One

2012

Published on the Occasion of Hadrat Sahib’s 4th Urs Sharif

Janab in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah during Ramadan