In the present era, the religious scholars and the alleged spiritual guides predominantly emphasize on materialistic aspects and physical endeavours. They lack the spiritual knowledge and gnosis of Allah, which is essential for establishing a genuine spiritual connection with Allah. Unfortunately, they disregard the essence of this pristine religion, dividing Muslims into physical groups and sects. Consequently, the unity that once defined the Muslim community has been eroded.
Need of Understanding the True Soul of Religion
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen intensely feels, the time has come to invite Muslims towards the soul and essence of Islam. More so, towards its real worship which would sanctify them of esoteric diseases like greed, jealousy, arrogance and malice etc. This sanctification would purify their spiritual selves, hence, propelling them to spiritual elevation and Divine proximity. To achieve this, it is imperative to embrace the path of Faqr.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen adorned the throne of Divine guidance and persuasion of Sarwari Qadri order. After that, he invested all his spiritual and physical resources and energy in the spiritual reformation of the Muslim nation. His objective is to fortify, advance and unify them under the flag of Faqr, which is the core of Islam. His mission is to simplify Faqr and spread it among the Muslim nation. The subsequent paragraphs delve into the intricate tapestry of his physical and spiritual endeavors towards this noble aspiration.
Spiritual Endeavours And Marvels
Faqr is a Spiritual Way
Faqr is the way of spiritual self and it is the reality. Unless a person becomes spiritually righteous he can never be outwardly improved. Such person is pretentious and deceptive who without spiritual reformation appears to be pious. As Holy Prophet said:
کُلُّ بَاطِنٍ مُخَالِفٌ لِّلظَّاھِرٍفَھُوَ بَاطِلٌ
Meaning: Every spiritual self which is opposite to outward being is surely false.
Whether the goal is personal transformation or the betterment of society, it hinges on the revival of the spiritual essence. Any other approach, even if it is effective momentarily, proves transient as people invariably revert to their true inner selves. This underscores why the Holy Prophet initially purified the inner beings of the Arab society through his spiritual sight before initiating external changes. This exemplifies the Mohammadan approach to transforming a society into a harmonious state. Unquestionably, this method stands as the quintessential means to achieve this objective.
Invocation of Ism-e-Allan Zaat to Enliven Soul
In the early thirteen or fourteen years of Islam, Allah did not enjoin practices like salat and other physical forms of worship. A closer examination of the verses revealed in Makkah reveals that Allah emphasized a greater focus on invocation. Specifically, there was a directive for increased invocation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, the personal name of Allah.
اِقْرَاْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّکَ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَ
Meaning: O beloved! Read with the name of your Holy Lord, Who has created everything. (96:1)
سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّکَ الْاَعْلٰی
Meaning: Glorify the personal name of your Holy Lord ( اللہ ), the Highest. (87:1)
وَ اذْکُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّکَ وَ تَبَتَّلْ اِلَیْہِ تَبْتِیْلًا
Meaning: And continue invoking the personal name of your Holy Lord ( اللہ ). And devote to Him alone (in your inward and soul) and break away from everyone else. (73:08)
Spiritual Attention of a Perfect Spiritual Guide Sanctifies the Soul
The all-powerful spiritual sight of the Universal Divine Man and the invocation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat sanctify and modify spiritual self. Certainly, spiritual righteousness is the only reason and mirror to exoteric or physical improvement. When both of these become upright in citizens then it results in the salvation of whole society.
All spiritual guides of the Sarwari Qadri order have adhered to the Mohammadan way to sanctify the inciting innerself (an-nafs al-ammarah). This is how they cleansed the spiritual self of seekers of Allah and made them righteous. This path remained concealed from the general populace across different epochs, except during the era of al-Ghawth al-Azam. Initially, this knowledge was accessible to a select and privileged group of seekers. This was largely due to the prevailing materialistic pursuits and sectarian divisions that hindered people from seeking it. When the pursuit of truth was overshadowed by worldly desires and divisions, this knowledge became obscured. Allah dispatched Saints to this worldly realm to impart hidden blessings, not to withhold them. However, when these blessings are sought by none, the question arises: upon whom shall they bestow them? Iqbal points to this disorientation in the following verse:
جلوۂ طور تو موجود ہے کوئی موسیٰ ؑ ہی نہیں
Explanation: The Divine theophany manifested at Mount Sinai is still achievable but unfortunately no one seeks it. This very revelation was once ardently yearned for by Prophet Moses.
Although the spiritual orders and the perfect Saints secretly continued in every age. Yet, Allah granted beneficence to only those seekers of Allah who always sought Saints to quench thirst of their souls.
Sultan-ul-Faqr VI made Ism-e-Allah Zaat Common
The grand contribution of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI in the annals of Faqr and spiritualism is that he made it common. He did so by granting the beneficence of Ism-e-Allah Zaat to everyone. Not only to the seekers of Allah but the general public benefitted from it as well. Preceding his era, the prevailing principle among Saints was ‘the unveiling of Ism-e-Allah Zaat is forbidden’. However, he reversed this notion to ‘veiling Ism-e-Allah Zaat is forbidden’. His strategy revolved around transforming ordinary Muslims into seekers of Allah first, subsequently guiding these seekers towards the proximity and vision of Allah. This transformative approach stands as his distinctive hallmark.
Sultan-ul-Faqr VI made Ism-e-Allah Zaat Common
The grand contribution of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI in the annals of Faqr and spiritualism is that he made it common. He did so by granting the beneficence of Ism-e-Allah Zaat to everyone. Not only to the seekers of Allah but the general public benefitted from it as well. Preceding his era, the prevailing principle among Saints was ‘the unveiling of Ism-e-Allah Zaat is forbidden’. However, he reversed this notion to ‘veiling Ism-e-Allah Zaat is forbidden’. His strategy revolved around transforming ordinary Muslims into seekers of Allah first, subsequently guiding these seekers towards the proximity and vision of Allah. This transformative approach stands as his distinctive hallmark.
Sultan-ul-Faqr VI made Ism-e-Allah Zaat Common
The grand contribution of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI in the annals of Faqr and spiritualism is that he made it common. He did so by granting the beneficence of Ism-e-Allah Zaat to everyone. Not only to the seekers of Allah but the general public benefitted from it as well. Preceding his era, the prevailing principle among Saints was ‘the unveiling of Ism-e-Allah Zaat is forbidden’. However, he reversed this notion to ‘veiling Ism-e-Allah Zaat is forbidden’. His strategy revolved around transforming ordinary Muslims into seekers of Allah first, subsequently guiding these seekers towards the proximity and vision of Allah. This transformative approach stands as his distinctive hallmark.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen is on the Footstep of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman carries forward the legacy of his spiritual guide, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali. Much like him, he adheres to the approach of making Faqr accessible to all Muslims. He extends a public invitation to Muslims, urging them to engage in the invocation and contemplation of the supreme name of Allah (Ism-e-Allah Zaat). Through his spiritual attention, he bestows the blessing of Divine vision and presence in the revered Mohammadan Assembly upon them. As Iqbal said,
چھپایا حسن کو اپنے کلیم ؑ اللہ سے جس نے
وہی ناز آفریں ہے جلوہ پیرا نازنینوں میں
Explanation: Allah, Who ordered (you cannot look upon Me) to Prophet Moses, is now unveiled and is seated among his seekers. Thus, seek His vision, if your intentions are pure you will find Him.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen is on the Footstep of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman carries forward the legacy of his spiritual guide, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali. Much like him, he adheres to the approach of making Faqr accessible to all Muslims. He extends a public invitation to Muslims, urging them to engage in the invocation and contemplation of the supreme name of Allah (Ism-e-Allah Zaat). Through his spiritual attention, he bestows the blessing of Divine vision and presence in the revered Mohammadan Assembly upon them. As Iqbal said,
چھپایا حسن کو اپنے کلیم ؑ اللہ سے جس نے
وہی ناز آفریں ہے جلوہ پیرا نازنینوں میں
Explanation: Allah, Who ordered (you cannot look upon Me) to Prophet Moses, is now unveiled and is seated among his seekers. Thus, seek His vision, if your intentions are pure you will find Him.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Made Faqr Easy
As previously mentioned, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen follows in the footsteps of his spiritual guide, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali. However, he goes further by simplifying the path of Faqr for seekers of Allah, aiming to make it accessible to the general public. This endeavour is directed at helping individuals find their life’s purpose and be worthy in the court of Allah.
Undoubtedly, his sacred self is a blessing for the believers. Subsequent sections detail the spiritual initiatives he undertook to facilitate the journey of Faqr for ordinary individuals. This approach intends to enable everyone to progress towards becoming believers after purifying themselves from their arousing inner selves (an-nafs). Only through this purification can the true essence of this unblemished faith be revealed to all. By adhering to this sacred path, success on the day of Judgment can be attained, and a robust community, surpassing all others, can be formed. An ardent disciple of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen wrote the following beautiful lines describing the ease he created in the path of Faqr.
سوکھیاں ہندیاں لمیاں نے راواں عشق دیاں
کر دیندا جدوں یار نگاواں عشق دیاں
Explanation: When Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen directs his spiritual attention on the seeker of the path of Divine love (Faqr), the seeker effortlessly traverses all the intricate waystations and courses of this path.