As we have in earlier posts, here and here, a regular attendee of the sitting (majlis), who is a disciple of Hakim Muhammed Akhtar Sahab (Damatbarkatuhum), visited his Shaikh recently for an extended duration. That is the first thing he did after his retirement. An attempt was made to extract some tidbits from him with minimal results. Reason is not difficult to see. It was a journey of love. Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (QS) said that the state of love is such that the lover is unaware of himself. That much we understand. Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (QS) told another thing also about the state of love, that in the state of love the lover is unaware on the surroundings. This perhaps we understand much better. Finally the venerable Shaikh also told that in the state of love the lover is unaware of the beloved too. This is bit strange. But then let us remember that it comes from the personality who had his foot on the necks of the other Shaikhs!
So is it surprising that our friend who has spent a month with his Shaikh can not tell much about it? But again here are some more crumbs for us. Because of advance age, as wished by Lord Most High, Hakim Sahab is rather frail and hence spends most of the time on bed. Except for sitting (majlis) times.
"Did he recognize you?", another attendee of sitting (majlis) inquired. "Yes, yes. And he'll say again and again that convey my salam to Hakim Sahab (Hazrat Shaikh (DB))."
This has a few lessons for us. Periodic out burst of "conver my salam" tells us as to what remains important after a life well spent in this perishable world. It shows the longing for old associates. Also Salam-salam are the only words that will be heard in Gennah. It seems that Gennah is a reality for these people just like the presence of the associates.
