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Golden Principles of Raising Children: by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali(View All Articles by: Abu Hamid al-Ghazali) |
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Translated
into English
By
Irfan
Hasan
From
the Urdu Translation of the Book
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Imam
Ghazali’s Response to the Letter
Benefits
Narrated by Hatim bin Ism (RA)
Qualities
of a Spiritual Guide (Shaykh)
Obedience
to a Spiritual Guide
Reality
of Tasawwuf (Spiritual Struggle)
Reality
of Reliance on God (Tawakkul
Reality
of Sincerity to God (Ikhlas)
Advice
According to One’s Comprehension
Individual
Capable of Benefiting from Advice
Staying
away from Affluent and Kings (Rulers)
Not
Accepting Gifts from Rulers
Four
Matters Worthy of Our Actions
The
Method of Developing an Intimate Relationship with Allah (God)
The
Method of Relating to the Slaves of Allah
An
Insistent Advice to Study and Learn
A
Supplication (Du’a) that can Always be Recited
The
English translator has added all explanations given within square brackets and
parenthesis and assumes all responsibilities for any mistranslations and seeks
Allah’s forgiveness for that. All
text in Arabic has been transliterated into English and has been italicized.
For doing the English translations of the verses from the Holy Quran,
some help has been sought from the English translation of Quran by famous
European Muslim scholar Muhammad Asad called “The Message of the Qur’an”.
The Urdu translation, used for doing this English translation, has been
published by Dar-al Isha’at, Pakistan.
It
has been learned that one of the students of Imam Ghazali (Rahmatullahi
Alayhe [RA – May Allah shower His mercy upon him]), who acquired a lot of
knowledge and spiritual benefits from him over a number of years, had a thought
in his heart. He thought that he
spent a lot of time learning from Imam Ghazali (RA) over a number of years from
different branches of religious knowledge and gave a lot of sacrifices towards
that end. However, he still did not
know which branch of knowledge from among the branches of knowledge he studied,
would be of real help to him, would illumine his grave, would be beneficial to
him on the Day of Judgment and which branches of knowledge would not be of
benefit to him on the Day of Judgment, so that he could refrain from those
branches of knowledge because the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Peace and Blessings
of Allah be Upon him) said:
“A’auzu
Billahi Min ‘Ilm-il La Yanfa’au”.
“I
seek Allah’s refuge from the knowledge which is of no benefit”.
This
disciple of Imam Ghazali (RA) kept thinking along these lines for a few days and
then wrote a letter to Imam Ghazali with the view of getting an answer to his
dilemma along with some other questions. Furthermore,
he asked in his letter to Imam Ghazali (RA) for some advice and to teach him a
supplication that he could always recite. He
wrote in his letter that although Imam Ghazali (RA) has written numerous books
on this issue such as “Ahya al-Uloom ad-Deen” (Revival of the
Knowledge of the Path to God), “Kimiya as-Sa’ada” (Alchemy of the
Ultimate Success and Happiness), “Jawahir ul-Quran” (Priceless Gems
of the Holy Quran), “Arba’een” (Forty Steps), “Minhaj ul
‘Aabedeen ila Jannatu Rabbul ‘Aalameen” (Best Way for the Worshippers
of God Leading them Towards the Paradise of the Lord of All Universes), etc.,
this weak individual is in need of something that he could always study and
always act upon its injunctions. In reply to his letter, Imam Ghazali (RA) sent him the
following advices.
IMAM
GHAZALI’S RESPONSE TO THE LETTER
In
the Name of Allah (God), the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful.
All
praises belong to Allah alone, the Lord of all the universes and blessings and
peace of Allah be upon His messenger Muhammad and on all of his descendents and
followers.
My
dear beloved son and true friend!
May
Allah, the Exalted, grant you a long life for His worship and obedience and may
He enable you to walk on the path of His beloveds. You should know that the fountain of all good counsel is the
holy existence of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
because the constitution of all counsel is based on his Ahadith
(traditions) and Sunnah (outward character and conduct as well as
internal states). Every counsel
(advice) contrary to his Ahadith (traditions) and Sunnah (outward
character and internal states) will be of no benefit. Countless accounts of advices have been written and told in
the light of the Ahadith (traditions) and Sunnah (outward
character and internal states) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him). If you have
received any guidance from them then you do not need any advice from me.
However, if you have not received any counsel from the counsels of
Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then tell me, in all
these years, what knowledge have you acquired from me?
My dear beloved son! Among the counsels of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), is the counsel:
“’Alamatu
I’radiAllahi ‘Anil ‘Abdi Ishtighaluhu Bima La Ya’nehe Wa Inimra’un
Zahabut Sa’atuhu Min ‘Umrihi Fi Ghairi Ma Yukhlaq Lahu Lihariyyun Ayyatula
‘Alaeyhe Hasratun.”
“A
servant of Allah’s involvement in useless things is an indication that Allah
has removed His special favors from him/her (or has removed him/her from His
Grace). And if the servant is
spending even a moment from his/her life on things other than for which Allah
has created him/her for, then it’s a matter of great sorrow.”
Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has furthermore
said:
“Mun
Jaawazal Arba’eena Sinatu Wa Lam Yughlab Khairuhu ‘Ala Sharrehi Fal
Yatajahhaza Ilan Nari.”
“An
individual whose state, even after forty (40) years of age, is such that good in
him/her does not prevail over the evil in him/her, then [this individual] should
get ready to go to Hell.”
My
dear beloved son! It’s very easy
to give this advice to all the people of the whole world but it’s very
difficult to act upon it oneself. It’s
because, those in whose hearts the pleasures of the world and following of their
desires [from the lower self] dominate, they find the advice and guidance
bitter. These people’s hearts are
trapped in the worldly desires and pleasures.
In this respect, this individual is worthy of special mention, which
learns wisdom, philosophy and worldly learning like that and thinks that this
knowledge will be a cause of salvation for him/her in the life hereafter along
with earning for him/her fame and prestige in the world.
He/she thinks that it’s not necessary to act on this knowledge and that
he/she is exempt from acting upon it. This
belief, which is wrong, is of those who study philosophy.
All Glory and Honor to Allah the Great.
This individual does not even know this much that the knowledge that
he/she acquires on which he/she does not even act upon, will be a reason for
punishment for him/her on the Day of Judgment.
Does this person not know that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Inna
Ashaddan Nasi ‘Azabun Yaumal Qiyamati ‘Alimu Lum Yunfa’huAllahu Bi ‘Ilmihi.”
“On
the Day of Judgment, the most severe torment will be given to the scholar
(person of knowledge) to whom Allah had not benefited from his/her knowledge
(i.e. he/she did not act upon the acquired knowledge).”
It
has been narrated in the traditions of the intimates (friends/saints) of Allah,
that one saint saw Shaykh Junaid Baghdadi (RA) in his dream after his death and
asked him:
“O
Abu al-Qasim! Inform me about your state after your death!”
Shaykh
Junaid Baghdadi (RA) responded:
“Worships
and signs (Isharaat) all turned out to be useless. But some Rak’at
(cycles) of prayers I did at the time of Tahajjud (third part of the
night) were of benefit.”
My
dear beloved son! Do not be deprived of good deeds, do not be without the
knowledge of the external matters (Shari’ah), and do not be without
internal excellences (noble inner qualities).
Have firm certitude that only knowledge without good deeds will not
benefit you on the Day of Judgment. You
can understand this [important] point from the example that if someone is
passing through a jungle or desert holding ten sharp swords, good arches along
with some other weapons, and knowing the art of war and method of using these
weapons and all of a sudden is confronted by a lion. Tell me, can this person be saved without using these
weapons? You know very well that
this person cannot be saved. Likewise,
you should know that if someone knows hundred thousand points of knowledge (or Fiqh/legal
issues) but does not act on them then this knowledge will be of no benefit to
this person.
Second
example is of a person who is sick and knows that his/her cure lies in such and
such medicines but does not use these medicines, and then will the knowledge of
medicines and of their ability to cure his/her illness is of any help in
actually curing the illness [of this person]?
You can understand it quite well that merely having the knowledge of
wisdom cannot cure the [spiritual/inner] diseases. A poet has said that even if you take (buy) two thousand
pounds of wine you will not be intoxicated until you drink from it.
Acquiring
a lot of knowledge and continually browsing a lot of books but not acting upon
that knowledge will not be of any benefit to you unless and until you make
yourself deserving of Allah’s mercy through deeds of righteousness.
Until then, the Grace of Allah will stay away from you.
Listen, Quran says the following in this respect:
“Wa
Anna Laeysa Lil Insaani illa Maa Sa’aa”
“Human
beings will get only what they have strived for.”
This
proves that human beings can achieve success only after struggling and striving.
My dear beloved son! I know
that you might have read that this verse of Quran was abrogated.
I suppose that this verse was abrogated but what do you say about the
following two verses:
“Famaey
Ya’mal Mithqaala Zarratin Khairaey Yarahu Wa Maey Ya’mal Mithqaala Zarratin
Sharraey Yarahu.”
“And
so, the one who shall have done an atom’s weight of good, shall see it, and
the one who shall have done an atom’s weight of evil, shall see it.”
(Quran, 99:7-8)
“Famun
Kana Yurju Liqaa-a Rabbihi Fal Ya’mal ‘Amalun Salihun.”
“Hence,
whoever looks forward [with hope and awe] to meeting his/her Lord [on the Day of
Judgment], let him/her do righteous deeds, and let him/her not ascribe unto
anyone or anything a share in the worship due to his/her Lord.”
(Quran, 18:110)
“Innal
Lazina Aamano Wa ‘Aamaylus Sawlihaatey Kaanat Lahum Jannaatul Firdausee Nuzula
Khalideena Feeha.”
“Verily,
those who believe in Allah and perform righteous deeds, for them the highest
Paradise is for their hospitality in which they will live forever.”
At
another place (in Quran), Allah the
Exalted has said:
“Illa
mun Taaba Wa Aamana Wa ‘Aamila ‘Aamalun ‘Sawlihun.”
“Except
for those who repented [from their sins and wrongdoings] and believed and
performed righteous deeds.”
And
what do you say about the following holy Ahadith (traditions of Prophet
Muhammad [May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him])?
“Buniyal
Islamu ‘Ala Khamsin Shahadatu Al La Ilaha IllAllahu Wa Iqamus Salaata Wa
Eetaa-uz Zakaata Wa Saumu Shahre Ramadana Wa Hijjul Baeyta ManIstata-a Ilaeyhi
Sabeela.”
“Islam’s
foundations are on five things: to testify that there is none worthy of worship
(or Lordship) other than Allah and Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) is His messenger, to establish regular prayers (Salaat),
to pay the zakaat (obligatory charity), to fast in the holy month of
Ramadan, and to perform Hajj (pilgrimage to the House of God) if one possesses
the capacity (financial and physical) to do so.”
“Al
Imanu Iqrarum Bil Lisaaney Wa Tasdeequm Bil Janaaney Wa ‘Aamalum Bil Arkaaney.”
“Iman
(faith) is to testify with tongue, and to certify with one’s heart, and to act
on the teachings (of Islam)”.
After
the explanation of this truth, if you get the thought in your heart that I am
saying that a slave [of God, i.e., a human being] will go to Paradise not on the
basis of Allah’s Grace but on the basis of his/her own [good] deeds, then you
should understand that you have not understood what I said.
On contrary, what I am saying is that a slave will enter Paradise because
of Allah’s Favor, Generosity, and Blessings.
However, unless the slave makes himself/herself deserving of Allah’s
Mercy through his/her worship and servitude (obedience), until then he/she will
not be entitled to Allah’s Mercy and Favor.
I am not narrating this fact instead Allah, the Exalted, is saying:
“Inna
Rahmata Allahi Qareebum Minal Muhsineen.”
“Verily,
the Mercy of Allah is close to the doers of good.”
It
means, how a slave [of God] will enter Paradise without the Mercy of Allah, the
Exalted? I repeat this [important
point], how will a slave enter into the Paradise [without Allah’s Mercy]?
But if someone says that one will enter into the Paradise because of
one’s faith (Iman) then there are many difficult valleys (obstacles) in
front. Among them, the first
difficult way (obstacle) is to safely take with oneself one’s faith (Iman).
My
dear beloved son! Have the conviction that unless and until you work, you will
not get the pay (or compensation of your work). There was man from among the Children of Israel who used to
excessively worship Allah. Allah
sent an angel to him to test him who said:
“Allah,
the Holy, says that you put yourself in trouble for no use since your worship is
not accepted by Him and you will go to Hell.”
Hearing
this message from the angel, the righteous man replied:
“Allah,
the Exalted, has created us for His worship and servitude and our job is to
serve Him [no matter what] and He is the Owner [of each and everything and
everyone including myself] and the Powerful One.”
Then
this angel appeared in the Presence of Allah, the Exalted, and said:
“O
my Lord! You are the Knower to the
secrets of this universe and You also know what Your worshipper slave has
replied.”
On
this Allah, the Exalted, said:
“If
this slave of Ours does not turn his face away from Our worship and servitude,
then We will also not turn Our Face away from him.”
“Ishhadu
Ya Malaaikatey Anni Qad Ghafartu Lahu.”
“O
My angels! All of you be [My]
witnesses that I have forgiven him.”
My
dear beloved son! Listen to what
the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
says:
“Haasibu
Qabala Un Tuhasabu Wa Zinu Qabala Un Tuuzanu.”
“Take
accounts of your selves (i.e. judge and correct your selves) before you will be
taken into accounts [on the Day of Judgment] and weigh your deeds (i.e.
critically self-analyze and correct the shortcomings in your deeds) before your
deeds will be weighed (judged then punished or rewarded on the Day of
Judgment).”
Ali
(May Allah bless his countenance) said:
“Mun
Zanna Annahu Bidunil Juhdi Yasilu Fahuwa Mutminun Wa Mun Zanna Annahu Bibazlil
Juhdi Yasilu Fahuwa Mut’ibun.”
“A
person who thinks that he/she will go to the Paradise without (righteous) deeds
is misguided and the person who thinks that he/she will go to the Paradise only
through striving is merely busy with hard work.”
Shaykh
Hasan Busri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) says:
“Talabul
Jannati Bila ‘Amalin Zambum Minaz Zunubi.”
“To
desire Paradise without good deeds is a sin from among the sins.”
Another
intimate of Allah says:
“Al
Haqiqatu Terku Mulahizatil ‘Amali La Terkul ‘Amali.”
“The
reality [of knowledge] is that one acts on it (i.e. knowledge) without admiring
it (i.e. one’s good actions), however one should not stop performing [good]
deeds [even if there is a danger of one admiring one’s own good deeds].”
Our
master of the two worlds (in this life and in the life hereafter), Prophet
Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says in a much better,
clear, pure, and beautiful way compared to the above sayings:
“Al
Kayyeysu Mun Daana Nafsahu Wa ‘Amila Lima Ba’dal Mauti Wal Ahmaqu Manit
Taba’a Nafsahu Hawaha Wa Tamanna ‘Ala Allahi Illa Mani Wafi Riwayati ‘Ala
Allahil Mughfirati.”
“Intelligent
is the one who subdued his/her Nafs (self, i.e., evil desires and
inclinations of the lower self) and performed [good pious] actions for the life
hereafter and mindless (stupid) is the one who subdued his/her Nafs to
pleasures, greed, and [evil and vain] desires and thought that Allah is with
him/her.” In some (Hadith)
traditions it says: “[This mindless person] hopes for Allah’s
forgiveness.”
My
dear beloved son! You stayed awake
at nights to continually rehearse (memorize/repeat) knowledge and sacrificed
your sleep to study it. If your
intention was to gain worldly (material) benefits and worldly prestige and
status then:
“Fawailul
Laka Thumma Wailul Laka.”
“There
is sadness (woe) for you and again there is sadness (woe) for you.”
However,
if your intentions were to establish (strengthen first in yourself and then in
the rest) the Path to God (Deen) brought by Prophet Muhammad (May peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him), attaining moral uplift and civilization,
and eliminating evil from your self then:
“Fatuba
Laka Thumma Tuba Laka.”
“For
you is the happiness and blessings and again for you is the happiness and
blessings.”
“Sahrul
‘Uyuna Bighairi Wajhika Sana ay’un
Wa
Baka uhunna Bighairi Faqdika Batilun”
“[O
my Lord!] The wakefulness of the eyes, except for beholding [the beauty of] Your
Countenance, is useless.
And
unless it’s for [the sorrow of being separate from] You, the weeping (tears)
of the eyes for someone [or something] else [other than You O Lord!] is gravely
wrong.”
A
tradition (hadith of Prophet Muhammad [May peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him]) says:
“’Ishu
Ma Shay’ta Fa Innaka Mayyeytu Wahbib Ma Shay’ta Fa Innaka Mufariqatun
Wa’mil Ma Shay’ta Fa Innaka Tujza Bihi.”
“[O
Human Being!] Spend your life the way you like but [keep in mind that one day]
you will die, and love whoever you like but [keep in mind that one day you] will
get separated from him/her, and perform deeds the way you like but [keep in mind
that one day] you will surely get their just compensation [good or bad depending
on your deeds].”
What
benefit have you derived for yourself and what have you achieved from studying
knowledge, i.e., knowledge of argumentation (Ilmul Kalaam), social values
(Ilmul Ikhlaq), medicine (Ilmut Tib), astrology (Nujoom),
linguistics, poetry, conducting wars, etc.?
What benefit have you obtained other than wasting your life and gaining
worldly fame? I have read in
Prophet ‘Isa’s (Jesus [Peace of Allah be upon him]) Gospel (Injil)
that between the time the copse (dead body of a human being) is placed in a
casket and brought to the grave, Allah, the Exalted, asks the corpse forty (40)
questions with His Power. In the
first question Allah, the Exalted, asks:
“’Abdi
Qad Tahherta Munzaral Khalqi Sineena Fahul Tahherta Munzari Sa’atun.”
“O
My Slave! You decorated (beautified) yourself [with knowledge of outward
matters] for many years to show off to the [mortal] creations [of Mine].
But for My sake only, did you ever purified your heart [from evil and
heedlessness] even for a moment?”
[Prophet
Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in an authentic
tradition: “Allah does not Look at your faces and your bodies but Looks at
your hearts (the state it’s in, what goes into it, and what transpires into
it, therefore it’s extremely important to purify the heart which is forever in
Allah’s Sight).]
My
dear beloved son! Everyday, the
Voice of Allah resonates in your heart:
“’Abdi Ma Tasna’u Bighairi Wa Anta Majfufum
Bikhairi.”
“O My slave! Why
do you worship [Me] for show off and ostentation, even though the good and the
bad [circumstances] are both in My Hands? For
this reason, you should worship me [alone] with sincere intention and devotion
[and not to impress any of My mortal creations who are not capable of benefiting
or harming you even by a little except by My Will].”
My dear beloved son! Knowledge without actions is madness and actions without
knowledge are useless. The
knowledge that today, does not keep you away from sins and that does not evoke
in you the desire to obey Allah, remember, will not save you tomorrow from
Hellfire. If you do not perform
righteous deeds today and do not make up for the time you wasted in the past
then on the Day of Judgment you will be saying:
“Ferje’yna Na’mal Saaliha.”
“Send us back [to the world, O our Lord!] so that
we [can] perform the righteous deeds.”
Then it will be said to you:
“O you the mindless one! That is where you are
coming from.”
My dear beloved son! Create courage in yourself and create movement in your body
for struggle [on the Path of God]. Make
efforts for performing pious deeds because then you will be going to the grave.
Those, who already are in the grave before you, are waiting for you every
moment to see when you come to them. Beware! Without fruits (good deeds) do not even get close to them.
Abu Bakr Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) says:
“Hazihil Ajsaadu Qafasut Tuyouri Awo Astabalud
Dawab.”
“These bodies are either cages of birds or
dwellings of animals.”
So think where you are in? If you are in the cage of birds then when you will listen to
“Irji’I ila Rabbika!” “Return to your Lord!”, you [will be
liberated and] will fly to a very high place to sit.
“Ihtuzza ‘Arshur Rahmaani Limauti Sa’adibne
Muadh.”
“The Throne of the Compassionate One shook with the
death of Sa’ad bin Muadh.”
But God forbid if you are among the animals for whom
it has been said:
“Uulaaika Kal An’aami Bal Hum Adallu.”
“These people are like animals yet even more
misguided.”
Be certain that you will arrive carrying your luggage
from the place of Zawiya (spiritual retreat) to the place of Hawiya
(Hell), i.e., from this world to straight to the Hell.
Once Shaykh Hasan Busri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) was given
cold [and sweet] drink. As soon as he took it in his hand he took a sigh and fell
unconscious. When he regained
consciousness, people asked him what had happened to him.
He replied:
“Zakartu Umniyyata Ahlin Naari Heena Yaquluna Le
Ahlil Jannati Un Uufidu ‘Aleyna Minal Ma’i.”
“I remembered the wish of the inhabitants of Hell
when they will plead to the inhabitants of Paradise to give them a little
water.”
O beloved! If
knowledge without actions had been sufficient for you and if you did not need
actions then why Allah, the Exalted, would say at the dawn:
“Hul Min Ta ibin Hul Min Sa ilin Hul Min
Mustaghfirin.”
“Is there anyone who repents from sins?
Is there anyone who asks [Me of anything]?
Is there anyone who begs [Me] for forgiveness?”
Then this proclamation of Allah, the Exalted, would
have been useless. In fact, this
proclamation of Allah, the Exalted, at dawn is for:
“Kanu Qaleelum Minal Laili Ma Yahja’oon.”
“There are only a few [slaves of Allah] who sleep
little in the last part of the night [right before dawn which is a blessed time
for coming close to Allah].”
Once a group of companions were praising Abdullah bin
Umar (May Allah be pleased with them both) in front of the Messenger of Allah
(May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) on which the Messenger of Allah
(May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Nay’mur Rajula Huwa Lau Kana Yusalli Bil
Laili.”
“He is a good man.
I wish he prayed the Tahajjud prayers (optional prayers in the
blessed last part of the night before dawn which is indispensable for making
spiritual progress in the Path of Allah).”
One day the Messenger of Allah (May Peace and
Blessings of Allah be upon him) said to a companion:
“La Takthirin Nauma Bil Laili Fainna Kathratan
Naumi Bil Laili Tad’oo Sahibahu Faqirai Yaumal Qiyamati.”
“Do not sleep too much at night because the one who
sleeps too much at night will be empty handed on the Day of Judgment (i.e.
he/she did not avail the opportunity of coming close to Allah through Allah’s
remembrance, prayers, and devotions to Allah at night especially in its last
part).”
“Waminal Laili Fatahajjad Bihi Nafilatal Laka.”
“[O Beloved Prophet! (May Peace and Blessings of
Allah be upon him)] And in [the last] part of the night perform the Tahajjud
prayers [for the sake of Allah] which will be very beneficial for you.”
(Quran)
In the above verse, it’s a commandment from Allah
to His Prophet (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him).
“Wa Bil Ashaarihum Yustaghfiroon.”
“And those [true slaves of Allah] at the time
before dawn, plead for Allah’s forgiveness.”
(Quran)
In the above verse, there is an expression of
gratitude [from Allah to such slaves].
“Wul Mustaghfireena Bil Ashaari.”
“And those [true slaves of Allah] seek [Allah’s]
forgiveness at the time before dawn.” (Quran)
In the above verse, there is a mentioning [of such
slaves of Allah].
Our master of both the worlds, the Messenger of Allah
(May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) says:
“Allah, the Exalted, really likes three sounds: of
the rooster [that wakes people up for Tahajjud prayers], secondly of the recitation of the Holy Quran, and
thirdly of those who in the last part of the night plead to Allah, the Exalted,
for His forgiveness and repent [to Him].”
Shaykh Sufyan Suri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon
him) [who was an intimate of Allah], says:
“Inna Allaha Ta’ala Khalaqa Reehun Tahabbu
Waqtal Ashaari Tahmilul Azkaara Wal Istighfaara Ilal Malikil Jabbari.”
“Allah, the Exalted, has created a wind, that blows
in the last part of the night. At
that time, those [slaves of Allah] who engage in Allah’s remembrance and ask
[Allah for His] forgiveness, their voices are presented [by this wind] to the
Court of Allah, the Exalted.”
Shaykh Sufyan Suri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon
him) has also said:
“When the night begins, an angel from beneath the
Throne (of Allah) makes the proclamation that all the worshippers should wake
up, so those who are granted Tawfiq (good fortune/capability) by Allah
get up and start praying. In the
middle of the night, a second angel makes the proclamation that all obedient and
respectful slaves of Allah should get up. Thus
they get up and continue to pray until Sehr (the last blessed part of the
night). When it’s time for Sehr
then a third angel makes the proclamation that all those who seek Allah’s
forgiveness should get up. Thus
they get up and seek Allah’s forgiveness.
When it’s time for dawn, then a fourth angel makes the proclamation
‘O you the heedless ones! Get up
[the day break has come]!’ Then
these people get up from their beds like the dead will get up from their graves
[upon resurrection on the Day of Judgment].”
My dear beloved son! It has been told in the will of Luqman (Peace of Allah be
upon him) that he, advising his son in his will, said:
“Ya Buneyya La Takununnad Deeku Akyas Minka
Fainnahu Yunaadi Bil Ashaari Wa Anta Na’imun.”
“My son! Do
not let the rooster be more intelligent than you are. It shouldn’t happen that he (i.e. the rooster) gets up at
the last part of the night to make proclamations [for Tahajjud prayers
and remembers his Lord] while you keep sleeping [in a deep sleep of
heedlessness, carelessness, and ignorance].”
This reality is made clear in the following verses
(of poetry):
“Laqad Hatafet Fi Junhil Laili Hamamatun
‘Ala Funanin Wahnun Wa Inni Na’imun
Kazabtu Wa Baitil Allahi Lau Kuntu ‘Aashiqan
Lama Sabaqatni Bil Buqa’il Hamaaimun
Wa Az’amu Anni Haa’imun Zu Sababatin
Lahu Bi Wa La Abki Wa Tabkil Bahaaimun.”
“At night, the dove sitting on the branch [of a
tree] is calling on [to its Lord]
While I am in a deep sleep
By the Lord of the House of Allah (Ka’aba)!
I am a liar! If I had been a true
lover [of Allah]
Then the doves would not have won over me in weeping
[in the pain of separation from my Beloved (Allah)!
Alas! I do not even wet my eyes [with tears] while
claiming to love [my Beloved Lord!]
While the animals keep weeping [in their love for
their Creator].”
My dear beloved son! Our purpose is that you should know what obedience and
worship are. Obedience and worship
are to follow the Shari’ah (law) of Prophet Muhammad (May peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) then whether the commandments are for performing
the righteous deeds or for restraining oneself from evil or whether [the
commandments] are for following his words or deeds, in other words, whether you
do something or not do something, whether you say something or not say
something, all these must be in accordance with the teachings of Prophet
Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
If you say something then say it according to the teachings of Prophet
Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
If you keep silent then be silent according to the commandments of
Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
If you do something or do not do something then do it in accordance with
the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him). If you do something and you
consider it an act of worship but you do not do it to obey the commandment of
Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then this will
not be counted as worship but instead will be counted as a sin even though it
might be prayer or fasting. Do you
not know that if someone fasts on the [first] day of the two Eids (i.e.
two foremost Islamic celebrations) or on the days of Hajj (pilgrimage)
then this person will be committing sin? Even
though it is fasting but since it’s not done in accordance with the
commandment of Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
that’s why this person is being sinful. Similarly,
if someone performs prayers at a forbidden time (e.g. after Asr [late
afternoon] prayer but before sunset or after Fajr [dawn] prayer but
before sometime after sunrise, etc.) or at an illegally occupied place then
he/she will be called Athim (sinner) and Fasiq (law breaker).
Even though it apparently looks like [a legitimate act of] worship but
since it was not done in accordance with the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (May
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), it is not correct.
If a husband has relations with his wife then it is not a sin even though
it apparently looks bad. However,
since it is done in accordance with the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (May peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) therefore it is Halal (permissible or
within legal limits). Therefore, it
is known [now] that worship is the second name (synonym) of obedience (i.e.
worship means obedience).
Similarly, prayers and fasting are counted as worship
when they are performed in accordance with the [Divine] guidelines.
Therefore, my dear beloved son! All
of your words and deeds should be in accordance with the commandments of Prophet
Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
That is, whatever actions you perform and conversations you have should
be in accordance with the Shari’ah (Divine law), because whatever the
knowledge and actions of [God’s] creations, not in accordance with the Shari’ah
(Divine law), are clearly misguided and keep them (i.e. creations/human beings
primarily) away from the truth. This
is the reason why Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) abrogated all [religious] learning from the previous eras.
Therefore, you should not do anything without the
guidance of Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and
be certain that you cannot walk (move forward) on the Path of Allah, the
Exalted, with [merely] the knowledge that you have acquired.
However, this Path [of God] must be traveled through hard work and Mujahadah
(intense inner spiritual struggle and exercises) and the pleasures of the self
and desires [from the lower self] must be cut (wiped out) with the sword of Mujahadah
(intense inner spiritual struggle and exercises).
These desires of the lower self cannot be eliminated through immoralities
and through the deceptions of false Sufis (i.e. those who claim to be Sufis
[True Sufis are those who possess an intimate relationship with God due to the
emergence of purified souls after they wiped out evil from the deepest recesses
of their souls through Mujahada – spiritual struggles] but in reality
they are not, they are simply speaking the words of Sufis and acting like them
on the outside while being hollow and devious from the inside).
Allah, the Exalted, does not like fine points, i.e., depths of
philosophy, and dark times, i.e., a life engulfed in sin (evil and immorality).
The tongue speaking the words of deep wisdom and beauty while the heart
worshipping heedlessness [from God] and desires of the lower self,
this is a sign of mighty misfortune.
Unless you cut (eradicate) the desires (inclinations
and tendencies) of the lower self with the sword of truth and Mujahada
(intense inner spiritual struggle and exercises), until then the light
(illumination) of Ma’arifah (deep intimate knowledge, understanding,
consciousness, awareness, relationship with Allah) will not be born in your
heart.
My dear beloved son! You have asked [me] about some [spiritual] issues, among
which, some cannot be described completely in writing and speech.
When you reach that [high spiritual enlightenment] state then you will
know them yourself. The lesson of
love is not taught but it’s born and learned by itself.
If you reach that [high spiritual] state then knowing [these issues] will
be equivalent to moving from one [spiritual] state to another (Mustahilaat).
Because Ishq (intense love) is another name for love and intense
desire to seek what one loves (Zauq).
Love and Zauq (intense desire to seek what one loves) can neither
be described in speech nor in writing and its spirit (meaning) cannot be
presented. Just like sweetness,
sourness, and bitterness cannot be described by anyone who wants to describe
them in writing or speech. Therefore,
let it be known, that if you reach this destination [of high spiritual
station/enlightenment] then you will know [all this] by yourself.
But if you are not able to reach this destination [of high spiritual
station] then the truth can be described to some extent in writing and speech.
My dear beloved son! Some of your questions are such that to whatever extent they
could be addressed in writing and speech, have been answered in my book Ahya
al-Uloom ad-Deen (Revival of the Knowledge of the Path to God) and in other
books in detail that you can read. However,
they will be explained here too, in a concise way Inshallah
(God-willing).
Secondly, you have asked what is essential for those
walking on the Path of Allah, the Exalted (i.e. the seekers of Allah).
[First condition is that] You should have the knowledge that the
first thing that should be present [in a seeker of Allah] is the belief of fear
of Allah to such an extent that a seeker does not get involved in an innovation
(bid’a, i.e., a matter which is contrary to the established principles
of Quran and Sunnah [teachings, actions, outward conduct and inner states
of Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) such as
contentment, patience, gratitude, certitude in God, intimate relationship with
God, Ma’arifah (deep intimate knowledge and recognition of God],
intense love of God, etc.)]). The second
condition is that true and complete repentance (Taubatun Nasuh)
should be done in such a way that [a seeker of Allah] will not return to this
humiliation [of sins]. The third
condition is that even enemies should be kept satisfied to such as extent
that none of the creations has any obligation left on him/her.
The fourth condition is that one [a seeker of Allah] should
acquire [enough knowledge] from the knowledge of Shari’ah (Divine law)
so that through it, he/she will be able to follow and obey the commandments of
Allah, the Exalted [that are obligatory on him/her].
It is not an obligation to learn from the knowledge of Shari’ah
(Divine law) anymore than that. From
other branches of knowledge one should learn to the extent that is obligatory on
him/her. This fact should be in
your knowledge that it has been narrated in the traditions of the intimates of
Allah (saints) that Shibli (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) said:
“I served 400 spiritual masters and guides and I
adopted (acted on) only one out of the 4000 Ahadith (traditions) of
Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that they
narrated and left the rest of the Ahadith (traditions).
It’s because, when I deliberated on this one Hadith (tradition),
then I found my salvation in this one Hadith (tradition). I found in this
one Hadith (tradition) the knowledge of all who came first and all who
came last:
‘Aymal Lid Dunya Be Qadre Maqamika Feeha
Wa’mal Le Akhirateka Be Qadre Baqaa’ika Feeha Wa’mal Lillahi Be Qadre
Hajateka Ilaeyhe Wa’mal Lin Naari Be Qadre Sabrika Alaeyha.’
‘Work for the world (or worldly life) as much as
you live in it and work for the life hereafter as much as you want to live there
and work for Allah, the Exalted, as much as you are in need of Him and work for
the Hell as much as you can be patient with its pain and sufferings.’ ”
My dear beloved son! It is known from this Hadith (tradition) that you do
not need much knowledge because to study knowledge more and to acquire it more
is Fard Kifayah (i.e. it is an obligation on the entire Muslim community
and this communal obligation is discharged when a group of people from within
the community do it, but if there is no one doing it in the community then the
entire community will be sinful for not discharging the Divine obligation).
Pay special attention to this next tradition so that you will attain [a
high level of] certitude:
A TRADITION: It is said that among the students and mureeds
(disciples who seek spiritual elevation/enlightenment through the attainment of
purification of their soul from all evil desires and tendencies under the
guidance of a spiritual guide who has in turn completely attained this
purification and high station before Allah through training, guidance, and
proximity of another spiritual guide) of Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower
His Mercy upon him), was a student and disciple named Hatim Ism (May Allah
Shower His Mercy upon him who in turn later on became a great spiritual master
through the training and guidance of Shaykh Shafeeq).
One day Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said
to him:
“O Hatim! For
how long have been in my company (spiritual proximity) and have been listening
to what I have been saying (teaching)?”
Shaykh Hatim Ism (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon
him) replied: “Thirty Three years!”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi asked:
“In that [long] time period, what benefit have you
derived from me?”
Shaykh Hatim Ism (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon
him) responded:
“[I have] obtained eight (8) benefits [from
you].”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) responded:
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaeyhe Raji’oon.”
“To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return
(it’s a supplication from Quran that is made at times of loss and grief).”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) then said:
“O Hatim! I
have spent my lifetime in teaching and training and you have just gained eight
benefits from me!”
Shaykh Hatim Ism (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon
him) replied:
“O my teacher!
If you asked [me] for the truth then the reality is what I [just] told
you. I do not need any more
[benefits] and these benefits from knowledge are quite sufficient because I am
certain that I will attain salvation [and success] in this life and in the life
hereafter through these eight benefits.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) asked him:
“All right! Tell
me what are those eight benefits?”
BENEFITS
NARRATED BY HATIM BIN ISM (RA)
“O my teacher!
The first benefit is that I looked at the people of this
world and saw that everyone has a beloved.
But these beloveds of the people [of the world] are such that some of
them (i.e. the beloveds) are with them (i.e. the people) until their illness
that brings death, some of them are with them until death, some of them are with
them until they reach their graves, and after burial all the lovers return from
there. None of their beloveds go
with them in their graves to live with them there and to provide their company
[in the darkness, solitude, narrowness, and horror of the grave].
I contemplated on this and said to myself that only that is a good
beloved who goes with them in the grave and lives with his/her lover, who will
provide the company, who will illuminate the grave, who will be a partner on the
Day of Judgment and its destinations (stations that one goes through after
burial until the Day of Judgment). I
saw that the only beloved who has these [good] qualities is my good
(pious/righteous) deeds. After this [determination and awareness], I made my good
deeds my beloved so that it goes with me in my grave [when I die], will provide
me with its company, will become an illuminated candle in my grave, will be my
partner in all stages of life hereafter, and never ever separate away from
me.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) said:
“Bravo O Hatim!
You have told a very good thing. Now
narrate the second benefit.”
“O my teacher!
The second benefit is that I glanced at the people of the
world and saw that everyone was following after the pleasures and desires from
the Nafs (lower self that instructs one to commit evil) and [everyone] is
subservient to the desires from the lower self.
Upon seeing that, I deliberated on the following holy verse [from Quran]:
‘Wa Amma Mun Khafa Maqama Rabbihi Wa Nahun Nafsa
‘Anil Hawa Fa Innal Jannata Heyal Mawa.’
‘But the one who has stood in fear of his/her
Sustainer’s Presence, and restrained his/her inner self from the base (low and
evil) desires, Paradise will the place of rest [for this person].’
(Quran, Chapter 79, Verses 40-41)
I developed the certitude that the Wise Quran is
correct and the book of Allah is the truth.
Then I established a front against my Nafs (lower self) and became
determined to oppose it. I molded
it (i.e. my lower self) in such a shape that I did not fulfill any of its
desires until it started to find peace [and satisfaction] in the worship of
Allah, the Exalted.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) responded:
“May Allah, the Exalted, provide His blessings in
your good deeds. Now narrate the
third benefit.”
“O my teacher!
The third benefit is that when I glanced at the people I
saw that every person, with great pain and hard work, is busy in accumulating
the possessions (money, wealth, goods) of this mortal world and is very happy
that he/she has a lot of goods and material possessions.
But when I contemplated on the following holy verse from the bounteous
Quran:
‘Ma ‘Indakum Yanfadu Wa Ma ‘IndAllahi Baaqin.’
‘All that is with you is bound to come to an end,
whereas all that, which is with Allah is everlasting.’ (Quran, Chapter 16,
Verse 96)
Then whatever [material possessions] I accumulated in
the world, I spent it all in Way of Allah by distributing it among pious
indigents and beggars so that it (the material possessions that I distributed in
the Way of Allah) will get deposited with Allah, the Exalted, as my trust and
will become source of immense good and ransom (i.e. salvation) in the life
hereafter.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) said:
“O Hatim! May
Allah grant you His Compensation (reward for your spending in His Way)!
You said a very good thing and have done a very good thing.
Now narrate the fourth benefit.”
“O my teacher!
The fourth benefit is that I looked at the people of the
world and saw that some of them think that grandeur and honor belong to the
nation or tribe (group) that is big and powerful, that’s why they are
expressing pride in their tribe (nation or group). Some of them are such that they think that the grandeur is
obtained through abundance of wealth, [material] possessions, family and
relatives that’s why [some] people are expressing their pride in their wealth
and children. Some [people] are
such that they think that their grandeur and honor is in displaying anger,
beating, killing, murder and pillage and they express their pride in that.
Some [people] are such that they think that their grandeur is in wasteful
spending that’s why they consider their wasteful spending a source of honor
and express their pride in that. But
I deliberated on this verse in which Allah, the Exalted, says:
‘Inna Akramakum ‘IndAllahi Atqakum.’
‘Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah
is the one who is most deeply conscious (i.e. fearful) of Him.’
(Quran, Chapter 49, Verse 13)
Therefore this is correct and is the truth and the
creations’ thoughts are false and wrong conjectures. That’s why I adopted Taqwa (pious reverence,
consciousness, awe, and fear of Allah) so that I get counted as the one with the
highest rank in the sight of Allah, the Exalted.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) said:
“O Hatim! May
Allah be pleased with you. You have
said a very good thing. Now narrate
the fifth benefit.”
“O my teacher!
The fifth benefit is that I looked at the people who were
complaining about each other. It
was found that they were doing all this because of envy, jealousy, and enmity
and the main cause of that is [the desire and competition for] greatness,
grandeur, [material] possessions, wealth, and knowledge.
I contemplated on the following verse from the Holy Quran in which it’s
said:
‘Nahnu Qasumna Baeynahum Ma’eeshatahum Fil
Hayatid Dunya.’
‘It is We who distribute their means of
livelihood (sustenance) among them in the life of this world.’ (Quran,
Chapter 43, Verse 32)
Then I thought that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted,
has appointed the possessions and ranks since the first beginning [of the
creation] and no one has any control [or say] in this matter.
Therefore, I did not compete or had jealousy with anyone and remained
agreed to Allah’s distribution [of worldly bounties] and [His appointed]
destiny and got along with the whole world [by giving up all jealousies and
enmities against God’s creations].”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) said:
“O Hatim! You
are saying the truth and you are doing the right thing.
Now narrate the sixth benefit.”
“O my teacher!
The sixth benefit is that when I glanced at the people, I
saw that every person is having enmity with someone else for some reason.
Then I deliberated on the following verse:
‘Innash Shaytana Lakum ‘Aduwwun Fettakhizuhu
‘Aduwwa.’
‘Verily, Shaytan (Satan) is your enemy so
treat him as your enemy.’ (Quran,
Chapter 35, Verse 6)
After that, I developed the certitude that Allah’s
saying is the truth, I should not have any enmity with anyone other than Shaytan
(Satan). Since then, I considered
Satan as my enemy and did not obey any of his orders. Instead, I developed obedience [of Allah] and followed the
commandments of Allah, the Exalted and adopted only His worship and servitude.
The correct way is the Sirat al-Mustaqeem (the straight path of
guidance in which there is no crookedness) as Allah, the Exalted, has Himself
said:
‘Alam A’had Ilaeykum Ya Bani Aadama Al La
Ta’budush Shaytana Innahu Lakum ‘Aduwwum Mubeen Wa Ane’buduni Haza Siratum
Mustaqeem.’
‘Have I not obtained this promise from you that O
you the Children of Adam! Never
ever obey the Shaytan (Satan). No
doubt, he is your avowed (open) enemy and worship Me alone [because] this is the
straight path.’ ”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) said:
“O Hatim! You
did a very good thing and said a very good thing. Now narrate the seventh benefit.”
“O my teacher!
The seventh benefit is that I looked at the people and saw
that every person is preoccupied with his/her livelihood and search for
sustenance and is involved in an intense effort. In this regards, he/she is not even differentiating between Halal
(permissible) and Haram (forbidden) but instead, is getting humiliated
with doubtful and Haram (forbidden) earnings. Then I deliberated on the following verse:
‘Wa Ma Min Daabbatin Fil Arde Illa ‘AlalAllahi
Rizquha.’
‘And there is no living creature on earth whose
sustenance is not the responsibility of Allah.’ (Quran, Chapter 11, Verse 6)
Then I developed the certitude that the Wise Quran is
the truth and is correct and that I am also among those living creatures [of
God] that are present on earth. So
thus, I got engaged in the worship of Allah and developed the certitude that He
will bring to me [my] sustenance because He has promised [to provide me with]
sustenance.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy
upon him) said:
“You did a very good thing and told a very good
thing. Now narrate the eighth
benefit.”
“O my teacher! The eighth benefit is that when I looked at the people I found that every person’s reliance [or trust] is on someone or something. Some have trust [or rely] on their [material] possessions, some trust [or rely] on other people. Therefore, I pondered on this holy verse in which Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, says: