Knowledge and Its Recipients

Knowledge is of two types. One that grants you gnosis, recognizing Allah (SWT). The other one is useful for gaining livelihood. In the former case you also get reward for knowing Allah (SWT). In the latter case you do not get any reward if your intentions are not pure.

It is immaterial whether the recipients of knowledge are a few. Once I was with Shah Wasiullah Sahab (RA) alone. He conducted the Majlis for two hours. I too did neither yawned nor got bored.

(Majlis (Sitting) on Thursday, February 21, 2013)

Full Sermon - 1 (VR0001)

The first original Urdu audio file (Sermon - 1 (VR0001)) has been translated into English by brother Tilpat of Kamaalaat-e-Kalimia in various installments.  It is posted here in its entirety. For the convenience of dear readers it is reproduced below.

Sermon -1 ( VR0001 )

Translated by Tilpat

Bismillahir-rahmani-raheem,
[Translator: I am really very scared for this delicate task. May Allah(SWT) accept and protect me from any mistakes in translation. I have made it as close to the urdu version. Ya Allah, please forgive me for any mistakes as these are the priceless and extremely valuable advises of Hazratwala (db) as my only aim is to make them available for English speakers. Ameen. The urdu audio is available from (http://anonahouse.blogspot.com/p/faq.html).]

Fear Allah

The topic is going on since many days about external and internal noor (spiritual light) and external and internal darkness. Some things have been told in this regard. Amongst them is that the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) had advised Hazrat Muaz bin Jabal (radiallahu anhu) – “Oh, Muaz, fear Allah (SWT).” Today the ummah is worried – externally it is fearful of Allah (SWT) but internally it has forgotten Allah (SWT). Today there is a lot of mistrust, wrong dealings and we (think we) are mo’min. Due to this we are not getting success (falah). It is the system of Allah (SWT) that when you do sins, Allah (SWT) will become angry and his help (nusrat) will go away. Today there is open rebellion (towards the orders of Allah (SWT)), lying and backbiting are widespread and with all these we want to be the friend of Allah (waliullah). It’s just impossible.

Safeguarding the tongue

Safeguarding the tongue is very important. Wherever you hear complaints they are packed with lies and backbiting. That is why everyone is worried. The prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) had advised “Fear Allah (SWT)”. This advise covers everything. Those who are called the pious people of the ummat (sulha-e-ummat) they also have this disease. Those who are serving Islam they too have this disease. How can success be achieved?

Why duas are not accepted ?

Often it is heard people saying that duas (supplications) are not accepted- there are conditions for its acceptance - among them it is important that we only eat halal (islamically lawful). If a morsel of haram (islamically unlawful) food reaches our stomach, our duas will not be accepted. And how much of our earnings are going to haram instead of halal. We see cases of unlawful seizure of someone’s property, farmland or house. With all this we want to become the people of Allah (Ahlullah). People are also involved in the work of jamat ( refers to the tablighi movement) but these (contrary) things are also happening side-by-side. Whose fault is it? It is the fault of the individual who is doing such things. The work of jamat is in order to get an understanding of deen and awareness of sins. So, this is the fault of the individual (not the jamat). Today encouragement (targheb) is given in order to accumulate dunya (wordly interests) in the name of religion (deen).

Zakat is the dirt of wealth

Now-a-days, those people who don’t deserve (financial aid) show themselves to be deserving. Those who have work skills and can earn yet they are taking financial aid from the Madaris (religious institutions). The food eaten from such financial aid is not halal (for a person who can earn) and due to that it is going in the stomach as haram food. Due to that there are disputes in the Madrassas. When you eat dirty things you will become dirty. Zakat is the dirt of wealth. One who doesn’t deserve it, yet eats from it, this will bring chaos in his life. Today wherever you look in the whole society you hardly find anyone who is not affected with this problem. That is why it is said that the special people of Allah (SWT) will always be less in number till Qiyamah. Very limited.

Not every dawat is acceptable

There is no care taken in our eating / drinking. When you eat dirty things, you will remain dirty. In dire cases of hunger, eating even something like dead meat becomes permissible. In cases of taking aid from the Madrassa, one doesn’t know about its permissibility. There is no precaution taken in eating / drinking. Remember this point, that not every dawat (an invitation to lunch/dinner or function) is to be accepted. People say- please accept our brother’s dawat in order to please him. Shariat has drawn borders – on who to please and who not to please. Ask this from the ulema (the islamic scholars). Not every dawat is acceptable. There is an open rebellion towards the commands of Allah (SWT) and ways of the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) and we are joining them just to please them. Whosoever will join such a gathering will be a sinner. Any A’lim (scholar’s) participation in such a gathering will not be a daleel (a shar’ee proof). Ask him, that’s his matter. What my Mashaikh and elders have taught me I will practice that. With whichever shaykh (spiritual teacher) you are related to, you must obey him. This is called ba’yat (pledge to a shaykh)

What is the purpose of Ba’yat ?

Ba’yat means that we will give up bad habits and acquire good habits. Just giving hand-in-hand (to a spiritual mentor) is not enough, remember this. And this is not enough for success in Akhirat. Success only depends on your repentance from your sins because (by ba’yat) you have made the shaykh a witness.

Why is the ummat worried?

There are cases where a nikah has been done and after that there are fights and disputes over dowry. Somewhere there is talaq(husband seeking divorce) and somewhere there is khulaa (wife seeking divorce) and both parties are religious, yet there are fighting each other. Yesterday, a person came from Faizabad. Though he is religious, yet he has unlawfully seized a house for which he neither pays the rent nor does he empty it. So, what type of religiousness is this?. That is why the ummat is worried. Halal rizq (islamically lawful earning) is not coming to us. This will bring chaos. You were not deserving (financial aid) but you pretended that you deserve it. That is why the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said “Fear Allah (SWT).” This advice covers many things- it covers all the sins. When you fear Allah (SWT), his help will be with you. (Due to that) a simple earning will be sufficient for all your needs.

Speaking the truth

This was one of the prophetic advice to fear Allah (SWT). The prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) also advised to “speak the truth.” Now-a-days, lying has become so common that people lie even for just petty things, although in the Quran, a liar has been cursed -Allah’s curse is on the liars. The words of dua-e-qunoot are itself a form of curse- we read it and we are receiving the warning from that or we ourselves are receiving the curse of this dua, since we don’t understand the meaning and the purpose of this dua. In this dua we are renouncing kufr and then we are telling Allah (SWT) that we will obey Allah (SWT) by doing such and such. But, since our actions are against it, we are receiving the curse (due to the disobedience of what we profess) in this dua. So, it is important that we learn namaz, its words and go to the ulema. Take out some time and go to them to learn these important things. We don’t even know the meaning of namaz (and its inner details).

Nobody cares about correcting the Quran

We don’t read the Quran correctly. We don’t learn it correctly. Though this is Farz-e-Ayn (an obligation or a compulsory duty on every single Muslim to perform, just like praying). Some things are mustahab (recommended or encouraged) but this if Farz-e-Ayn. Who cares about this?

Making ones ba’yat effective

Why did you make a relationship with the shaykh (spiritual mentor)? It was done in order to correct one’s ma’amlat (dealings) and that ibadaat (worship) becomes according to sunnah (ways of the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم)). This is what is called ba’yat. Remember, just merely giving hand in hand to the shaykh is not enough. There is a lot of misunderstanding about this now-a-days. Why are the effects of ba’yat not being seen now-a-days? Before people used to be ba’yat with a shaykh and attain high levels (of spirituality) just within a few days. The shaykh used to affirm that they have fulfilled the right of their ba’yat. Any matter used to arise, they used to inform the shaykh, the shaykh used to prescribe a remedy for it. They practiced upon it and attained high levels due to that. Today, we don’t even inform the shaykh (ittila) about ourselves. Until we don’t have a love and yearning (ishq) for our shaykh and Mashaikh, nothing will happen.

The 3 important principles

Remember these 3 principles – one is ilm-e-nubuwwat (the divine knowledge brought by the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم)), the 2nd one is noor-e-nubuwwat (prophetic light) and the 3rd one is ishq-e-nubuwwat. The ulema (islamic scholars) have obtained this ilm-e-nubuwwat. Not that it is necessary, it is farz-e-Ayn. Ilm-e-nubuwwat – meaning whatever teachings of the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم)- practicing upon it, learning it and teaching it- this will be called farz-e-ayn. The mashaykh and the Ahlullah have the noor-e-nabuwwat that is transmitted heart-to-heart (chest -to-chest). Those rumooz (divine codes) explained by the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) - such as how to get the ma-arifat (divine recognition) of Allah (SWT), how to increase one’s love for Allah (SWT). This is called noor-e-nabuwwat. Progressing in this, is called ishq-e-nabuwwat. Anything that the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, one seizes it with his teeth or holds fast to it firmly without questioning as it covers everything. That’s why anyone who makes fun of sunnat (ways of the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم)) loses his Iman. In such cases, Iman has gone away when one says – this is just a sunnat, I don’t like it. Kufr has come inside such a person (due to his dislike and making fun of sunnat). We don’t know how many such things we speak. That’s why ilm is very important, seeking it is farz and being involved in other things is mustahab.

Technology of deen

Today the whole ummah has forgotten the farz. There are many technologies being invented but nobody knows about the technology of deen. But due to your irreverence and making fun of the Ahlullah, Allah (SWT) is taking them away from this world. That’s why khanqah’s (spiritual training centers) are becoming empty of such Ahlullah. So, whoever is your shaykh, you must go to him.

How to benefit from one’s shaykh -1 ?

Going to the shaykh must not be inclusive but it should be exclusive. It should not be the case that the shaykh (while travelling or in a journey) is staying in a particular place, a person visits him there. This is sign of not having love and yearning for the shaykh. When the shaykh is at his place (that is assigned for the spiritual training of his followers), then you visit him there. This is the best thing (in order to benefit from him). Now-a-days, people look at the easy and the less expensive way (of visiting the shaykh while he is close by). Remember, that the more you spend on this, the more reward you will get for it. Our elders (akabireen) never liked this inclusive type of visits.

How to benefit from one’s shaykh? -2

People would ask permission from Hazrat Maulana Raipuri sahab (nawwarallahu murqadahu) when he would leave for a journey, so that they could accompany him (for benefiting from him) . Hazrat would reply that (in terms of islah and benefitting from him) it wouldn’t make any difference. The only thing is that due to his (Hazrat’s) presence, the person (accompanying him) would get delicious dishes to eat, but the actual work (of islah and rectification) would be at the place assigned for that purpose. So, the actual place assigned for this purpose is the real place for the work (of islah and rectification). A sign is enough for the wise. When you go to the shaykh, learn something from him. Just meeting him is not enough. Just going for a handshake is not the purpose. This indicates a lack of relationship between you and your shaykh. Before, people used to travel from far and distant places to visit their shaykh, his majlis (gathering) even it be for just a few moments.

Inclusive vs Exclusive and prescription to become a waliullah

Hazratwala (Hazrat Maulana Shah Abrarul Haq sahab (nawwarallahu murqadahu)) used to mention that visiting the shaykh should be exclusive not inclusive. Going to the house of Allah (SWT) (for umrah or hajj) is (becoming) inclusive. A person was going to London for business, he also performed an umrah. A person was going to America, he also performed an umrah. This is inclusive- it indicates a lack of relationship (with Allah (SWT)). It shouldn’t be inclusive but exclusive – i.e. travelling only for the sake of performing umrah or hajj. Hazratwala, in all his travels (abroad), never made umrah. Once during his visit to Dubai, his stay was for a long time. So,it was suggested to him that, the weather (in Makkah) is also pleasant and since his stay is for a longer time, so if appropriate, an umrah could be performed. That was the only time that he performed umrah as a part of a journey else all his umrah’s were done exclusively. Today, though we go for the purpose of business, yet we put on the ihram and say that we are going for umrah. That’s why a time will come when deen will be made dunya. Due to that the benefits (of umrah) will not be seen. Before in old times, people used to do one umrah and become from the ahlullah, they used to perform one Hajj and become the waliullah (the friend of Allah).

Also, it is a prescription to become waliullah is that one should 2 things- one is fasting excessively whether one is rich or poor. You will become a waliullah. Secondly, those who have wealth, they should do Hajj. It is the promise of Allah (SWT) that you will become a waliullah due to that. But, the condition for this prescription is that you must follow them (the ways of the waliullah) also. We must try to fulfill the ma’moolat (daily actions prescribed by the shaykh).

How to benefit from one’s shaykh ? – 3

Now, there is deficiency in completing the zikr, completing the Quran (as per the prescription)- is a sign of disinclination or lack of love (for the shaykh). The shaykh must be informed about these deficiencies. Now-a-days, nobody informs the shaykh. Whenever you go anywhere, first visit your shaykh at his (designated) place (for spiritual training). It must be exclusive not inclusive. Its okay if the shaykh is passing by and one visits him. The shaykh is also pleased to see his murid. But its becoming a trend now that when a shaykh passes nearby, all the people are coming to visit him at his (transit) place in order to benefit from him (istifada). In order to benefit from the shaykh (istifada) one must do mujahidah (effort against one’s self or nafs). So, go to your shaykh’s designated place (of training) there they will tell you (train you). This was the principle of all of our Akabireen.

Once Hazrat Shaikul-Hadith Maulana Zakariyya sahab (Nawarallahu Murqadahu) went to Gangoh. There was a large crowd that was following him. So, he informed the host that I just have a few selected guests, these other ones have just come with me (uninvited). Try to understand what the shaykh is saying and what’s his purpose. The summary of everything is that abstain from sins. The shaykh is just a guide. He showed you the way, but if you didn’t obey, you will be misguided yourself. It’s not the fault of the shaykh. We hear complaints that so and so is ba’yat with such a shaykh and his condition is not good. Its not the fault of the shaykh. Its the fault of the murid. The shaykh guided you to the way and explained it. Now, if you don’t follow it, its your fault not the shaykh’s fault.

Save yourself from sins

Hazrat Qari sahab (Hazrat Qari Ameer Hasan sahab – nawwarallahu murqadahu- passed away on February 2012….inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajeon) visits us often here in Aligarh. Those who are linked (ba’yat) with me or with Hazrat Qari sahab (Nawwarallahu murqadahu) both of us have the same opinion, same thoughts and the same type of (islahi) work that is save yourself from sin. If you don’t save yourself from sins, you will not achieve success. Correct your ma’amlat (dealings), ibadat (worship) and reading of the Quran. Our namaz (prayer) must be according to the sunnat (ways of the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم)). Who is doing this now-a-days? Nobody goes to the Qari (the teacher of Quran) to correct their Quran. But they will go to other places.

The real wealth is the wealth of deen

People send their children to coaching centers for tuition so that they can enter the engineering or medical sciences. These are all worldly things. If one has become a doctor will he never retire? Will he never leave this world? The minute one dies everything is finished. Many professors come here and realize that though they are educated with high qualifications such as a PhD but in fact they have been deprived of the real wealth (that is the wealth of deen).

Istifada and appreciation for one’s sheikh

Hazrat ‘s brother-in-law ( Hazrat here refers to Hazrat Maulana Abrarul Haq sahab (nawarallahu murqadahu)) was a doctor with a high position in London. He made an islahi relationship with Hazrat Qari sahab (nawarallahu marqaduhu). Hazrat Qari sahab (nawarallahu murqadahu) asked him to recite surah Yaseen in front of him. When he recited the surah, Hazrat corrected his recitation. Upon this, he (the doctor sahab) took a deep breath and sighed that he had wasted his life. This is called appreciation for one’s shaykh. He had come from London especially and made an effort on this. Today, we go to the shaykh and request him to make dua for our worldly things- things that are temporary. But nobody is requesting for making dua for the permanent things (that is Akhirat- hereafter). An owner of a well-established poultry farm visited Hazrat Qari sahab (nawwarallahu murqadahu). He is a good businessman. He had a strong interest to correct his Quran. Since he had (islahi) relationship with Hazrat Qari sahab, he started memorizing the Quran. He gives excellent Azan (call for prayer), Iqamat (call for congregation) and does excellent tilawat (reading of Quran). He was a totally illiterate person in this area (tilawat, azan etc.). He finished (learning) his noorani qaidah (the basic book of tajweed) from Hazrat Qari sahab and also a few surahs of the Quran, but with correct tajweed (pronunciation). This is called istifada (benefiting from one’s shaykh).

The summary of Hazrat Qari Ameer Hasan sahab’s effort (nawwarallahu murqadahu)

The whole summary of Hazrat Qari sahab’s (nawarallahu murqadahu) effort is that our tilawat of Quran becomes according to the sunnat. Our namaz gets corrected and our ma’malat get rectified. Hazrat Qari sahib (nawarallahu murqadahu) keeps visiting us and he says the same point that now people are spending their efforts on things that are temporary and short-lived.

How to benefit from one’s shaykh? – 4

So, take out some time and go to your shaykh in order to get benefit. Remember this point that an inclusive visit will never benefit the seeker. My shaykh had given me a very special advice as to how to benefit from one’s spiritual mentor. I benefited a lot from his advice. He said that wherever you go, go empty (with an empty heart), you will return filled up. Don’t go with criticism and fault-finding else you will be deprived (of any benefit from the shaykh). Those who are having these things in their heart, they are habituated to it and as a result remain deprived. They don’t get success due to that. And the total basis of benefiting from one’s shaykh is to go with a clean and empty heart. What is the shaykh saying? He is conveying you the prophetic teachings. So, if you listen inattentively with half-heartedness, you will be a sinner. That’s why those who have a majlis (gathering where the spiritual mentor imparts religious, often spiritual advices) in their area (should understand that it) is held for a short time in order to convey the teachings of deen. Allah (SWT) has kept an attraction in such majlis.

Complete the actions prescribed by the shaykh

Correct your habits and maamlat (dealings). The shaykh prescribes some actions to be done on a daily basis. But mostly, I am informed by the seekers of their inability to complete them. The time for our sleeping, eating etc. are fixed but it is not so for ibadat, zikr and tilawat. That is why the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) has made dua in Rajab “اللّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَبَ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان – O Allah ! Make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan” (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits & blessings). This dua was done 2 months before Ramadan. He had so much zeal and fervor for ibadat. Today people are worried that Ramadan will be in summer- how shall they fast? They are getting too worried and crying about this in advance. Before people used to welcome Ramadan that 2 months are left for its commencement. For this the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) has made dua on approach of this great month. That is why, whatever you do, go to your shaykh exclusively.

An etiquette of visiting the shaykh

Among the etiquettes of visiting the shaykh, is that the seeker should not (put himself in such a position that he) be a burden on the shaykh. On this etiquette, Hazrat Hakeemul-ummat Molana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullah alihi) used to say when a patient visits a doctor he doesn’t put his burden (of being provided food, water and hospitality) on the doctor. Now people visit the Ahlullah and complain that I wasn’t asked even for a drink of water or food or place to stay (meaning I wasn’t given hospitality). Are they responsible to provide you hospitality? You went there for treatment – so those who go for treatment will be treated differently. Those who just go for a casual visit to the shaykh they are not going for treatment, hence they are treated as guests. The patient visits the doctor and nobody complains that one was not served even a glass of water by the doctor. Why did you visit the doctor? And if the something like this happens at the shaykh’s place, people complain that I was not served or asked even a glass of water; there was no one who accommodated me; there was no one to guide me. People start fault-finding resulting in deprivation (from the shaykh). People spend a lot of money open-heartedly on doctors for treatment but when they go to the shaykh they think differently. Regarding this, Hazrat Hakeemul-ummat Molana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullah alihi), humorously remarked about the condition of this time that the best mureed (disciple) is the one who gives the best gifts. And the best shaykh is the one provides a lot of hospitality. This is the condition of this time. Those people (Ahlullah) have a vast heart. They will never tell you to deposit (or pay) money to them. You must think yourself about this aspect. Go there with just one purpose that is to learn deen.

Love and hardship for deen

The people in the past were lovers of deen. In the times of the sahabah (رضوان الله عنهم أجمعين), during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (رضي الله عنه), a person came from sham (present day area of Syria). When Hazrat Umar (رضي الله عنه) enquired the purpose of his visit – he replied that he had come to learn the attihiyat (the invocation to be recited in the sitting portion of salah). That was the only purpose of his visit. Hazrat Umar (رضي الله عنه) was very pleased to hear this. Such a long distance and journey was traversed for this purpose. It wasn’t like today where we travel in just a few hours with the convenience of cars and planes. This was the purpose of the journey. How did you reach here? There was an ardent desire (talab) for deen. Where is Balkh (a province in Afghanistan) and where is India?. But people travelled due to their desire for deen. They didn’t think whether they would be successful or not. Just their love for deen made them do so. Where did Hazrat Khwaja Ajmeri (rahmatullah alihi) come from? He undertook lot of hardships for the sake of deen. He left his country. All this for the sake of deen. But, today we misuse his name. We should show (due) respect to his name.

The ICU of a khanqah and informing the shaykh

So, with whoever you have islahi relationship, go to him, listen to his instructions and advices. This is the path to success. Many people visit the shaykh but only those will be successful who will involve themselves (in fulfilling his orders and instructions). The shaykh wants the seeker to abstain from sins. If a sin is committed, immediately do taubah (repentance). That is why the shaykh keeps a watch over the seeker for this reason. Just a few days back, Allah (SWT) opened on my heart, the example of an ICU (Intensive care unit). What happens in an ICU? It’s a room where no one is allowed to enter, though the same equipment and medicines that are present in an ICU are also present in the regular wards. But then, why is the patient kept separately (in an ICU)? There is nothing special about the ICU except (that the doctor wants) to isolate (the patient from) any ikhtilat (meeting anyone) and this makes the treatment process easy for the doctor. Usually, people visit the patients at hospital. They can go to any regular ward or a special ward assigned for visitors but in an ICU- absolutely no entry is allowed to any visitor. In an ICU, a nurse is continuously monitoring each and every moment of the patient under the supervision of a doctor. Similarly, there used to be ICU’s at Mashaykh’s and Ahlullah’s khanqah’s (spiritual training centers). The seeker used to visit the Mashaykh and he would point out that the seeker has such and such spiritual disease. So, the shaykh would assign someone to watch him and at the same time instruct the seeker to stay in the room (allocated to him at the khanqah) cutting-off contact with anyone even with the shaykh himself, except when the shaykh calls him. The seeker would listen and practice the instructions and would become amongst the Ahlullah.

Today, though we are ba’yat, yet we don’t avoid sins – our ears, eyes and tongue are sinning constantly. That is why the system of khanqah was established so that people would free their minds from their worldly engagements and come to it for remembrance of the name of Allah (SWT). Today we go to the khanqah’s to make fun of them. Due to disrespect towards it, Allah (SWT) is taking it away from the world. All the restrictions for (which the khanqah was established) are gradually being neglected. One may say that they (the Ahlullah) are also from the creation of Allah (SWT). Ok, then what’s the purpose of their creation? Since they were disrespected, Allah (SWT) is depriving the ummat of the Ahlullah. All the Mashaykh used to have these ICU’s. They used to call the seeker sometimes at 1’o clock in the night or sometimes at 3’o clock at night in order to enquire from him his condition and what benefit did he get from being in this type of isolation. They used to ask the seeker explicitly about this. Today, we don’t inform our shaykh about our condition because we feel shy as to what Hazrat Qari sahib or my shaykh will think about me. They will be happy to know about your condition. After all, why does a patient visit the doctor? the only reason is in order to get healthy.

Conclusion – the content of ba’yat and its purpose

That is why abstain from sins. For this reason the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) advised “Fear Allah (SWT).” Save your organs from sins. Though ba’yat is a mustahab act (preferable act), but being Ba’yat was a thing of very high status proven with tawatur (continuity) from the prophet to the wali (friend of Allah), but we have degraded it due to not fulfilling its rights. Hence we are not experiencing the real success of being ba’yat. In previous times, people used to think that by once making taubah (repentance) they must adhere to it. They used to think of it as a word given (a covenant made) to the shaykh that must be fulfilled. The words of taubah are also indicative of this – I make a covenant that I will do so and so and I will not do so and so. The very same words used in taubah are, in fact, the actual words (read and repeated) in a ba’yat. As much one practices upon it, he will benefit. These are some things I discussed. Now, I request Hazrat Qari sahab for his advices.

(End of Hazratwala (damad barkatuhum)’s sermon (VR0001), followed by a short advice by Hazrat Qari Ameer Hasan sahab (Nawwarallahu Murqadahu)

Appendix

(Rest of the text is the advice of Hazrat Qari Ameer Hasan sahab (Nawwarallahu Murqadahu wa Aalallahu Maratibahu))

The summary of all the 4 spiritual orders 

The summary of all the 4 spiritual orders – Naqshbandiya, Chistiyya, Suharwardiya, Qadriya, as said by Hazrat Khwaja sahab (rahmatullah alihi) that the road to love (of Allah (SWT)) is one and that is one should not be neglectful of his friend (that is one shouldnot be neglectful of Allah (SWT)). It can be developed through the following method – zikr (rememberance of Allah (SWT)) and fikr (concern for akhirat), dhun (total devotion) and dhyan (attention towards Allah (SWT)). No matter whichever silsila (spiritual order) one is associated with, this is the summary of all the 4 spiritual orders or the roads to the love of Allah (SWT)- not to be neglectful of Allah (SWT). This is the summary of the whole talk that the seeker should inform (the shaykh) about his (spiritual) condition (ittila) and obey the instructions (prescribed by the shaykh for him – ittiba). If a seeker keeps doing these both – ittila and ittiba, he will benefit. And if a seeker has a relationship with a shaykh, but he doesn’t do ittila just because of the fear of what the shaykh will think about him….

Humility- the predominant quality of the Ahlullah

One cannot be from Ahlullah if he thinks himself to be better than others. The Ahlullah always think of themselves to be inferior to everyone. When Hazrat peeranay-peer Shaykh Abdul Qadir Gilani (rahmatullah alihi) entered the Haram (Makkah), he noticed that one of the sunnat of the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) is being left out or neglected. So, he said to himself that let me revive this sunnat. That sunnat is called ibtihal which means crying immensely in the court of Allah (SWT). So, he cried so profusely in Haram, that his crying could be heard in the whole of Haram. After that he read a few couplets – “Oh Allah I don’t say that please accept my ibadat (worship) but I beg you that you write for me forgiveness for my sins.” Then he adds to it “ Oh Allah, if I deserve punishment, then on the day of Qiyamah raise me as a blind person, so that due to my sins I don’t face embarrassment in front of the pious ones.” He was a very big personality. In this way, he is basically advising us. When the pious ones, the Ahlullah, give advice they blame their internal condition for being spiritually imperfect though they have achieved the complete stage of spiritual perfection.

Another example of Humility

There was a pious person in Delhi who had lot of barakat in his time. Hazrat Maulana Abdulhye sahab Fringi Mahali (rahmatullah alihi) passed away when he was quite young. Allah (SWT) took many efforts of deen through him. When he visited Shah Fadlulrahman sahab Ganjmuradabadi (rahmatullah alihi), the latter stood up in honor of Maulana Abdulhye sahab, saying that, inspite of my old age, I stood up in honor of the ilm (knowledge of deen) that you have. Then has asked a masala ( a question) to the Maulana sahab to check it in the book. When he (Maulana sahab) checked the book, he re-considered his opinion by saying that “Hazrat, what you said is haq (correct), I made a mistake.” Maulana Abdulhye sahab (rahmatullah alihi) was such a great scholar that he had written the sharha (explanation) of the Arabic grammar book “Mizan” in Persian “Tibyan-e-Mizan”. He was very intelligent and talented.

Conclusion of Hazrat Qari sahab’s advice (nawarallahu murqadahu) and dua

So, when Allah (SWT) takes the effort of deen from someone, he makes the circumstances for it… Shaykh Abdulhaq Muhaddith Dehlawi (rahmatullah alihi) used to walk daily 7 km to and from his house to learn deen. Sometimes his father used to ask to him to play with the children in the locality. But he used to say that my heart doesn’t get contented with anything except with studying (i.e. learning deen). So, I will not play. This was his condition. That is why he has done so much effort. He brought the Ahadith (to India) from Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah.

Let’s make dua to Allah (SWT) that Allah (SWT) give us the taufeeq (opportunity) to practice on what’s been said.

Oh Allah, whatever life has passed has passed away in neglectfulness, whatever is left, give us taufeeq to practice on the ways of the prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Oh Allah, those who are sick or whose relatives are sick, please give them shifa.

Oh Allah, give security and protection in this city.

Grant us respect for our elders and love for our youngsters.

Oh Allah, give security and protection in this city.

Today, our character is bereft of obedience- (we are not ready to listen to anyone). We don’t listen to our father or mother or teacher or even the spiritual mentor. We only listen to our nafs that is our biggest enemy. Oh Allah, save us from the deception and treachery of nafs and shaytan!

Oh Allah, at our death, grant all of us khatma on Iman.

ربنا تقبل منا إنك أنت السميع العليم.

End of translation of VR0001, Alhamdulillahala zalik. May Allah (SWT) accept and forgive any mistakes in translation, Ameen

(Poster : Headings were generated by the translator brother Tilpat.)