A Satanic Spiritual Guide
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen says:
A perfect and accomplished spiritual guide is annihilated in Allah, likewise a pseudo spiritual guide is annihilated in Satan. Disciple of a Satanic spiritual guide is a Satan himself
Beholding the Holy Prophet While Awake
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen expounded:
Imam Suyuti often beheld the Holy Prophet while awake. On facing any difficulty comprehending a Hadith, he turned his attention towards the Holy Prophet who would guide him
Abu al-Hassan al-Kharaqani at times said while teaching lessons on Hadith that the said Hadith is false though its narrators were authentic. People asked how he came to know? He said, “I look at the sacred countenance of the Holy Prophet; if a Hadith is accurate, he smiled and if not, there is no cheerfulness, from which I come to know that the said Hadith is wrongly associated with him.”
Beholding the Spiritual Guide
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen says:
I visited my spiritual guide whenever restless. I felt instant peace the moment I reached in his presence and the opposite upon leaving. This state is possible only through recognizing the spiritual guide.
Fulfilling Responsibilities of Worldly Relations
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen quoted:
All fulfil worldly relations, but a believer (momin) fulfils them to the best outwardly and is inwardly only with Allah just like the Holy Prophet. Though a believer’s body resides in the world, his soul is in the other realm.
The Ardent Lover of Allah
The perfect and accomplished spiritual guide Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen said:
The ardent lover of Allah is one whom the world does not recognise. Abu Hurairah narrates that the Holy Prophet said, “There are many rejected people with unkempt hair who if swear by Allah then Allah fulfils their word.”
Who is the Best Human Being?
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen, the Divine light of guidance says:
Allah Himself has defined the best human being:
وَ مَنْ اَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّنْ دَعَاۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ
Meaning: And who can be more pleasing in speech than one who calls towards Allah. (41:33)
Established on the Throne | Arsh Istawa | (الۡعَرۡشِ اسۡتَوٰی)
Allah says:
اَلرَّحْمٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوٰى
Meaning: The Beneficent One, who is established on the Throne (20:5)
The word ‘Arsh Istawa (الۡعَرۡشِ اسۡتَوٰی)’ was not in the Arabic dictionary at the time when the verse was revealed. For easy comprehension, it was understood on the terms similar to a man who ascends a throne and promises to be just or better the economy. You can understand this term on the basis that Allah is ruling over all the creation in the universe manifesting as His attribute of the Beneficent. This was the simplest meaning but one understands it completely on reaching immortality after being annihilated in Allah.
The Attributes of the Most Beneficent (Rahman) and the Most Compassionate (Rahim)
Allah blesses his creation manifesting as the most beneficent (Rahman) and for the believers as the most compassionate (Rahim).
The Way to Call Towards Allah
فَقُوْلَا لَهٗ قَوْلًا لَّیِّنًا
Meaning: So, talk to him politely. (20:44)
Try to analyse the fact that there was no one at that time exalted in status than Prophet Moses. Conversely, there was no rigid disbeliever than Pharaoh, yet Allah ordered to converse to him politely. This is the way to call towards Allah. The seal of Prophethood, Prophet Mohammad sall’Allahu alayhi wa’alihi wasallam went to Taif to call the people towards the Truth but the people treated him ruthlessly. Allah sent an Angel to the Prophet to punish these people, yet the Holy Prophet refused saying that these people do not know him. Instead, he prayed for them to tread the path of righteousness hoping that their later generations will accept Islam. When the Prophet passed away, many Arab tribes tried reverting so much so that even the Makkans became doubtful. At that time, the people of Taif were among the ones who stayed steadfast on Islam as their leader told them that they were the last to accept Islam and should not be among the first to revert.
The Righteous Scholars
There were scholars who opposed Sufism in the beginning but later in life came to accept it as the true religion for example, Rumi and Imam Ghazali. Ibn al-Jawzi was staunchly against Sufism and his work Talbīs Iblīs is presented as a proof of the fact but later in life he wrote Sifatu al-Safwah in which he supported Sufism. The same goes for Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya as his work al-Fawāʾid and Madarij al-Salikin in later life are a proof that he eventually came to accept and support Sufism.
The Status of Sarwari Qadri
The perfect spiritual guide Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen possessing the light of Divine guidance said:
The Sarwari Qadri disciple meditates with open eyes and while walking (it means even on doing chores and other tasks).
Countenance of the Spiritual Guide and the levels of Faqr
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen, the perfect spiritual guide and the master of the realms said:
A seeker of Allah understands what the spiritual guide desires just by looking at his face.
The countenance of the spiritual guide is like an open book in which everything is written. Even him turning his face is not without a reason. A true disciple observes the countenance of his spiritual guide and treads the different stages of Faqr while beholding him. A seeker of Allah likes what his spiritual guide likes. While he dislikes, what his spiritual guide dislikes. His focus stays on his master, likewise, he does not think of anyone but him. The root cause of all the evils is to not focus on the spiritual guide.
Life-Difficult and Easy
Life is easy if one puts his trust in Allah and difficult, if not.Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen who trusted Allah in all matters of life said:
Life is easy if one puts his trust in Allah and difficult, if not.
The Status of a Human Being
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen, the best of mankind among his generation says:
- Imagine the powers of Angel Gabriel. He lifted the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah on his wings that the angels in the heavens heard the crowing of roosters and the barking of dogs. Then he demolished them by throwing on the ground. On the other hand, Thamud tribe despite its strength was annihilated on one scream of Angel Gabriel. Contrarily, when he was told to step in the realm of Divinity, he refused stating that he does not have the power. It is this realm that is the homeland (and destiny) of mankind.
The Best of Prayers
Once after the sunset (Maghrib) salat, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen questioned, “What is the best prayer?” No one spoke. He answered, “To pray for forgiveness of the Mohammadan umma. Many people were blessed with Sainthood because of it therefore one should always pray for the umma
Slander by Magicians
People’s hearts change on pledging to Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen. Some began to malign him, labelling him a magician. Upon hearing this slander, he responded, “If one is not defamed by calling a magician then it means one has not been successful (in turning people’s hearts towards Allah). Sufis have the same beneficence because of which the Holy Prophet was accused of being a magician (God forbid).”
Travelling to Spread Faqr
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen has travelled all over Pakistan calling people towards Ism-e-Allah Zaat. Before, arriving at the city, he would send a team to that region prior two or three weeks. Many devotees accompanied him in these spiritual tours. Once on a tour to Sindh, a disciple feared that something threatening might happen as it was common those days. He did not share his fears with anyone. On that same evening, all disciples were seated in the blessed company of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen when he said, “My responsibility is not just to bring all of you safely with me but also to take all of you safely back home.”
The Purpose of Spiritual Tours
Once during a spiritual tour to Ahmedpur East, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen said, “Whenever I go out on spiritual tours with disciples, it serves four purposes; firstly it spreads the beneficence of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, secondly to bless disciples with the spiritual company, thirdly to break the bonds of the world as a disciple accompanies him by leaving everything behind. Then he said, I will tell the last reason to all of you one day.”
To Beg from Door to Door
Once Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen had gone to the city of Khushab on a spiritual tour when he said:
I beg from door to door calling people towards Allah. Sultan Bahoo has also said:
نفس را رسوا کنم بہر از خدا
بر ہر دری قدمی زنم از خدا
Meaning: I disgrace myself by begging from door to door for the sake of Allah. (Nur-ul-Huda Kalan)
Whatever I Got Spiritually, I Got it by Serving My Spiritual Guide
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen said, “Whatever I got (spiritually), I got it by spiritual endeavours i.e. by serving my spiritual guide. Like salat is acceptable, only when one is attentive towards Allah.
لَا صَلٰوۃَ اِلَّا بِحُضُوْرِ الْقَلْبِ
Meaning: No salat without the presence of inward.
Similarly, when a disciple performs any task given by the spiritual guide, his focus should be on the guide. Only then the spiritual guide favours the disciple with strength and perseverance to complete that task. He also favours by guiding how the task should be done and after completing it saves the disciple from arrogance and vanity.
Save Yourself from the Fatwa of being called a Disbeliever
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen said:
It is quite easy nowadays to call a person of the Mohammadan umma a disbeliever. Remember! The Holy Prophet said, “Whoever calls his Muslim brother a disbeliever, then surely, one of them is such.” (Bukhari 6104, Muslim 215)
Allah Beat a Person
A person came running to Umar ibn Khattab and complained that Ali ibn Abi Talib had beaten him. Umar responded, “Indeed, Allah’s eyes saw you and Allah beat you.”
Divine Vision
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen said:
Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani said, “A seeker who believes has two pairs of eyes: one physical and the other spiritual. With physical eyes, he sees mankind dwelling onto the earth and with the spiritual eyes, he sees the creations of heavens. After this, all the veils from his inward are removed and he beholds Allah. He becomes the beloved of Allah unifying with Him.”
Pray for Allah’s Pleasure instead of Love
Do not pray for Allah’s love instead ask for his pleasure (rida). Men do not have the ability to love Him. In Risala Roohi Sharif, when Allah said to Sultan Bahoo:
تو عاشقِ مائی
Meaning: You are My lover.
Sultan Bahoo respectfully submitted:
عاجز را توفیقِ عشقِ حضرتِ کبریا نیست
Meaning: My humble being is incapable of the love of the Majesty. (Risala Roohi Sharif)
Oath of Allegiance
Oath of Allegiance The conversation took a turn to oaths of allegiance. Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen said that there are different types of oath of allegiance:
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO ENTER ISLAM:
It was taken at the time of accepting Islam. This type of oath ended in the era of the Rashidun Calips because a lot of people started accepting Islam after different conquests.
OATH TO A CALIPH:
This was taken on becoming a Caliph. The oath to enter Islam ended in the era of the Rashidun Caliphate and this oath to a Caliph initiated. After the end of Rashidun Caliphate, imperialism started in the form of Umayyad Caliphate and Abbasid Caliphate. In the last era of the Abbasid Caliphate, this form of oath of allegiance ended as it was deemed unnecessary when a person ascends the throne. Though the word Caliphate is written with the kings of Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphate when in reality they were kings and not Caliphs.
OATH TO JIHAD:
This was taken by the Holy Prophet before jihad.
OATH OF REPENTENCE AND PIETY:
This form of oath is continued to date while others are no more practiced. Ali bin Abi Talib had four successors: Imam Hasan, Imam Husayn, Kumayl ibn Ziyad and Imam Hasan of Basra. The former three were martyred by Banu Umayya while the fourth Imam Hasan migrated to Basra hence the name Imam Hasan of Basra. Sufism spread due to him as he laid the foundation of Sufi orders. He started bestowing something to symbolise oath because otherwise Banu Umayya felt threatened that the said person is taking oath (to become a Caliph). To symbolise oath, he started giving his shirt, cloak or anything else. In the last era of the Abbasid Caliphate, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani reformed the oath of repentance and piety in its original form. At that time, the Caliphs had become weak and they had also forgone practicing oath.
Jarir ibn Abdullah narrated that the Holy Prophet took his oath to say salat, pay zakat and to be a well-wisher of other Muslims.
(Bukhari 57, Tirmidhi 1925)
It means that after the oath to enter Islam, the Companions took oath again and that oath was of repentance and piety. It is wrong to say, “We are born Muslims therefore we do not need to take oath.” People exalted in ranks than you have been pledging allegiance. Who are you to say that you do not need to pledge oath of repentance and piety.
Other than the aforementioned, there are other forms of oath: oath to listen and obey and oath of Sufism. Oath of Sufism is the same as oath of repentance and piety.
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