Before the advent of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), the world was engulfed in tyranny and oppression. With the arrival of Prophet Mohammad, the master of both worlds, the clouds of sorrow and injustice were dispelled. A religion emerged that granted equal rights to everyone. Men and women, young and old alike, were taught the golden principles of following the Mohammadan religion.
However, this religion did not instantly emerge as a global power. Instead, battles were fought between the truth and falsehood. Truth clashed with falsehood, overcame its oppressive powers and triumphed through immense sacrifices. Arrows of criticism, mockery and violence were rained down. Loyalty was tested through severe trials. Believers were burned in the furnace of Divine love, and both outward and inward trials were faced to attain the stages of spiritual elevation.
From Persecuted Minority to Victorious Community
A small group of Muslims who were initially ridiculed and then targeted with relentless opposition steadily grew stronger under the Divine leadership of the beloved Prophet, empowered by unwavering faith. Ultimately, falsehood was defeated and the truth prevailed. That small Muslim force transformed into a magnificent army, and the journey that began amidst fierce opposition in Makkah culminated in its glorious conquest. The Companions undertook this journey under the leadership of Prophet Mohammad, setting timeless examples that will continue to illuminate the path for seekers of Allah until the end of time.
The Perfect Spiritual Guide: A Medium of Divine Grace in This Era
The Companions embodied unwavering loyalty and love for their spiritual guide and master, the Holy Prophet. Today, if a true seeker of Allah adopts those same golden principles and devotes himself to the perfect spiritual guide of the present era, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman and embarks on the journey of inward purification under his guidance, he too can gain the same spiritual beneficence that was bestowed upon the Companions. However, Divine love is the condition, loyalty is the foundation, perseverance is the armor, Allah’s help is the blessing, opposition and trials are the provisions for the journey, while the vision and the company of the spiritual guide are the seeker’s strength, and his pleasure is the ultimate success. These are the golden principles a seeker of Allah learns from the Prophetic era.
Lessons from the Prophetic Era: Persevering Through Trials on the Path of Divine Love
Many people waste precious breaths of life under a false belief that enduring opposition on the path of Divine love was confined only to the Companions of the Prophet. Dear readers! The principles of Divine love remain constant in every era. Allah Himself is love, and to uphold the covenant of that love, every true lover must be willing to stake their life and wealth. Each must face their own trials. The true test of a believer today is to seek the perfect and accomplished spiritual guide of his time. A spiritual guide whose every step follows in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet, who is his true representative, bearer of the Divine Trust and the one who purifies souls. When faced with outward or inward trials on this journey of inward purification, he must endure them in the same manner as exemplified in the Prophetic era. This blog presents various significant events from the era of Prophet Mohammad offering guidance to the seekers traveling on the path of Faqr (Sufism), as the Prophetic era remains an eternal source of guidance for believers.
The Power of Reflection and Solitude: Lessons From Prophet Mohammad’s Life
Aisha bint Abi Bakr narrates: The revelation to the Messenger of Allah began with righteous dreams. Whatever dream he saw would manifest with the clarity of dawn. He then began seeking solitude and would go to the Cave of Hira, where he devoted several nights in worship.
The foremost lesson we learn from the noble life of the beloved Prophet is that seclusion, solitude, reflection, and contemplation are essential for attaining Divine gnosis. When a seeker reflects, strives to understand his reality, longs to detach his heart from worldly attachments in pursuit of Allah’s closeness, and humbly seeks His vision and Essence, then Allah surely shows him the straight path and leads him to the court of a perfect spiritual guide.
Lessons from the Strategic Wisdom in the Early Days of Islam
Among women, the first to embrace Islam was the noble wife of the Holy Prophet, Khadija bint Khuwaylid. Among men, the earliest to accept Islam was Abu Bakr, while among the youth, it was Ali ibn Abi Talib.
At the outset of the Holy Prophet’s mission to preach Islam, only a few individuals had joined the Muslim community. Though this community possessed unwavering faith, they were still few in number and thus lacked influence. For this reason, the Holy Prophet initially instructed his Companions to refrain from preaching Islam openly.
Allama Ibn Kathir writes: When the number of Muslim men reached thirty-eight, Abu Bakr said to the Holy Prophet, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Let us now step into the open and fulfill the duty of propagating Islam with full strength.’ Prophet Mohammad replied, ‘O Abu Bakr! Our numbers are still few.’ (Zia-un-Nabi)
This decision of the Holy Prophet reveals a timeless wisdom for the seekers on the path of Faqr. And that is, if, after pledging allegiance to a perfect spiritual guide, a seeker faces circumstances that make the journey difficult to continue, then he must assess his strength, capacity and situation, and act with wisdom and discretion. Protective silence, too, is a sign of such wisdom, provided it is rooted in sincerity and purity of intention.
Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Umar ibn al-Khattab’s Acceptance of Islam
Carrying out the mission of calling people to the truth with discretion was the first stage in the propagation of Islam. The radiant light of Islam was gradually illuminating the hearts of Makkah’s elite. Among the most prominent were Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Umar ibn al-Khattab, whose acceptance of Islam significantly strengthened the Muslim community.
Allama Ibn Kathir writes: Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib embraced Islam in the second year following the advent of Prophethood. The conversion of such a brave and lionhearted chief struck fear into the hearts of Makkah’s polytheists. Equally monumental was Umar ibn al-Khattab’s acceptance of Islam.
Ibn Abbas relates that Umar ibn al-Khattab recounted: After embracing Islam, I came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘O beloved Messenger of Allah! Are we not upon the truth, whether we live or die?’ The Prophet replied, ‘By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you are indeed upon the truth, whether you live or die.’ I then said, ‘Then why do we hide and conceal our faith when we are on the side of the truth and they wallow in falsehood?’ The Prophet responded, ‘O Umar, we are few and you witness how the disbelievers treat us.’ Umar vowed, ‘By Him Who sent you with the truth, all those gatherings where I used to sit as a disbeliever, I will now attend them as a Muslim.’
Then we emerged from Dar al-Arqam in two rows. I was leading the one and Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib the other until we entered Masjid al-Haram. When the Quraish saw us, it was as if a mountain had crashed upon them. To spread the news, I deliberately informed Jamil ibn Maghmir of my acceptance of Islam. He cried out, stirring the city, ‘The son of Khattab has turned away from his religion.’ (Zia-un-Nabi)
Reflecting on this transformative moment, Abdullah ibn Masud said: Umar ibn al-Khattab’s acceptance of Islam brought honor to the Muslims, his migration brought them strength, and his caliphate brought mercy. By Allah, we did not have the courage to offer prayer openly in the courtyard of the Kaaba until Umar embraced Islam.
The Divine Command to the Prophet to Invite His Close Relatives to the Truth
After the advent of Prophethood, the first three years were spent in silent and discreet propagation of Islam. During this time, those noble and resolute individuals who gathered under the banner of Islam were radiant testaments to the splendid and unparalleled victories of the Holy Prophet’s peaceful mission. As the Muslim community grew strong and organized under the Prophet’s leadership, Angel Gabriel descended with a Divine command:
وَ اَنْذِرْ عَشِیْرَتَکَ الْاَقْرَبِیْنَ۔ وَاخْفِضْ جَنَاحَکَ لِمَنِ اتَّبَعَکَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ ( سورۃ الشعرا ۔ 214-215)
Meaning: And, (O Esteemed Beloved,) warn your close relatives (of Our torment). And extend your (merciful, kind and supporting) hand to those believers who follow you. (26: 214-215)
Fulfilling this Divine command was imperative yet far from easy. In a society deeply entrenched in disbelief and idolatry, where generations had long bowed to the lifeless idols carved from stone, calling one’s own people to the Oneness of Allah was an arduous endeavor. The Prophet obeyed the command of his Lord and began inviting the Quraysh of Makkah, along with his close relatives, to the truth.
Islam encourages the true seeker of Allah to liberate himself from the fear and love of all beings besides Allah. This liberation is the very heart of the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed). Such level of Oneness is achieved through the purification of inward.
When the Holy Prophet openly began calling the Quraysh and his relatives to Islam, the opponents made the life unbearable for the Companions in Makkah. They inflicted such cruelty and torment that even the thought of it makes one’s heart tremble. But now was the time to stand firm under the leadership of their spiritual guide, the Prophet, and face the battlefield of love like fearless warriors. Now was the test of loyalty and love, and to prepare them for success, the Holy Prophet had sanctified the inwards of his Companions. Speaking of this very principle of love, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman says:
When a seeker of Allah adopts the path of Truth and Divine love i.e. Faqr, everyone opposes. This has been the tradition since the era of the Companions. The easy life is to perform the usual daily chores such as going to work in the morning to earn a livelihood, provide for your dependents and maybe go to the mosque to offer salat five times a day if you want to be religious. On the contrary, the path of Truth demands sacrifices. While traveling this path the seeker’s honor, fame and integrity are converted into dishonor and rejection, and everyone opposes him. (Teachings and Quotes of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen)
Trials on the Path of Truth and the Unshakable Perseverance of the Holy Prophet
The opponents of Islam used every possible tactic to prevent the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) from following the truth and spreading its message. They even pressured his uncle, Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib, to intervene and dissuade him. In response, the Holy Prophet said to his uncle: O my uncle! Even if they place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, demanding that I abandon this mission, I will never do so. I will persist until Allah grants victory to this religion or I give my life for it. But I will not withdraw from this duty.
Moved by his unwavering determination, his uncle replied: O my dear nephew! Say whatever you wish. I will never hand you over to the disbelievers at any cost. (Zia-un-Nabi)
The Holy Prophet endured a storm of injustice and oppression. Thorns were scattered along his path. Filth and dirt were thrown at him. He and his Companions were besieged for three long years in the valley of Shi’b Abi Talib, cut off from society through a complete social boycott. All trade and dealings were forbidden. Under the scorching heat, suffering from hunger and thirst, children, the elderly, and the youth all cried out in agony. All this cruelty and merciless treatment was inflicted simply because he invited them to the truth. There was hardly a tactic the disbelievers of Makkah did not resort to in order to inflict pain and suffering upon the Holy Prophet.
The Companions Love and Devotion for the Holy Prophet
When these individuals embraced the call of the true religion and declared belief in the one God, rejecting countless idols worshipped by Makkah’s chiefs, imagine the tortures they endured as their opponents tried to turn them away from the path of Truth.
One of the most moving accounts is that of Bilal ibn Rabah (Bilal al-Habashi), the devoted Companion and lover of the Prophet. He was the slave of Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and counted among the eternally blessed, known as the Sabiqun al-Awwaloon (the earliest pioneers of Islam). Umayyah, known for his fierce enmity towards Islam, could not tolerate that his own slave had accepted the faith without his consent, and had begun professing devotion to One true God. He subjected Bilal to harsh torture in an attempt to compel him to abandon Islam.
He would deprive him of food and water. In the scorching midday sun, when the desert sands burned like molten copper, he would drag him out and lay him flat on the blistering ground. Then he would place a heavy stone upon his chest and say: “Either renounce the religion of Mohammad and return to idol worship, or suffer death here in agony.”
And yet, in a state of near-unconsciousness, Bilal would repeatedly respond: “He is One, He is One. I do not associate any partners with Allah, and I reject the worship of idols.”
Before the advent of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), the world was engulfed in tyranny and oppression. With the arrival of Prophet Mohammad, the master of both worlds, the clouds of sorrow and injustice were dispelled. A religion emerged that granted equal rights to everyone. Men and women, young and old alike, were taught the golden principles of following the Mohammadan religion.
However, this religion did not instantly emerge as a global power. Instead, battles were fought between the truth and falsehood. Truth clashed with falsehood, overcame its oppressive powers and triumphed through immense sacrifices. Arrows of criticism, mockery and violence were rained down. Loyalty was tested through severe trials. Believers were burned in the furnace of Divine love, and both outward and inward trials were faced to attain the stages of spiritual elevation.
The Endurance of the Holy Prophet and the Devotion of the Companions: A Timeless Lesson for Allah’s Seekers
By reflecting on the unwavering patience of the Holy Prophet and the sincere devotion and sacrifices of his Companions, seekers on the path of Faqr learn the vital truth that this path is rooted in Divine love. And love demands sacrifice, be it life, wealth, or enduring the opposition of one’s own family.
If one wishes to learn the spirit of financial sacrifice on this path, look to Usman ibn Affan, who gave away his entire wealth in the way of Allah. Or look to Abu Bakr Siddiq, the Companion of the cave, who would buy and free oppressed slaves for the pleasure of Allah. If one seeks to understand what it means to forsake one’s home and worldly comforts in the way of Faqr, then reflect upon those who migrated to Abyssinia and Madina. If one wishes to understand how close relatives become opponents on this journey, then study the life of the Holy Prophet, for among his fiercest opponents was his own uncle, Abu Lahab. The cruelty inflicted by Abu Lahab and his wife was so great that Allah Himself revealed sura al-Lahab in condemnation.
When a seeker progresses through the stages of purification of inward under the guidance of a perfect spiritual guide, the fragrance of Faqr, which Sultan Bahoo likens to the scent of musk, begins to emanate from his very being. Just as the fragrance of musk cannot be concealed, the seeker’s love for Allah too cannot remain hidden for long. Sooner or later, it becomes apparent to both relatives and worldly people. At that point, Truth clashes with falsehood. Love demands sacrifice and loyalty to the perfect spiritual guide is put to test. Regarding this ardent love, Sultan Bahoo beautifully says:
تدوں فقیر شتابی بندا، جد جان عشق وچ ہارے ھوُ
عاشق شیشہ تے نفس مربی، جان جاناں توں وارے ھوُ
Explanation: Fakir becomes accomplished when he trades his life for love and ends the desires of his innerself with the sword of negation (La لَا). He sacrifices his house, wealth, family and even his own being and then annihilates himself burning in the fire of love. (Abyat-e-Bahoo Kamil)
ثابت عشق تنہاں نوں لدھا، جنہاں ترَٹی چوڑ چا کیتی ھوُ
Explanation: Only those are blessed with Divine love who sacrifice all their possessions to have the eternal pleasure of closeness with Allah. (Abyat-e-Bahoo Kamil)
The Dawn After Darkness: A New Chapter for Islam
The long night of pain, sorrow, and suffering was finally drawing to a close. The era of helplessness and vulnerability faced by Islam and its followers was now drawing to a close. The time was approaching when Allah would fulfill His promises of victory and support to His beloved servant and exalted Messenger.
For thirteen long years, the Prophet tirelessly called the people of Makkah to the path of Truth. Yet, except for a few fortunate individuals, none were granted the Divine grace to accept the sincere call of the guide of the Truth.
When, after years of heart-wrenching efforts, no sign of acceptance of Islam appeared among the people of Makkah or the surrounding tribes, Allah’s support turned the hearts of tribes in a distant land. Tribes from a faraway city began to incline toward Islam. They listened to the Prophet’s message, embraced Islam, pledged allegiance, and assured him of their support in times of hardship.
These were the tribes of Banu Aws and Banu Khazraj, who later earned the noble titles of Ansarullah (the helpers of Allah) and Ansar-e-Rasool (the helpers of the Prophet). When the Muslims of Makkah migrated to Madina by Allah’s command, these noble tribes warmly welcomed them, offering shelter, brotherhood, and love. Allah has repeatedly praised them in the holy Quran:
وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَہَاجَرُوْا وَجٰہَدُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰوَوْا وَّنَصَرُوْٓا اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ حَقًّاط لَہُم مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَّ رِزْقٌ کَرِیْمٌ (سورۃ الانفال ۔ 74)
Meaning: And those who believed and emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah and those who provided shelter (to those who sacrificed their households and homeland in the cause of Allah) and helped (them), they are the people who are in fact true Muslims. They are the ones for whom is forgiveness and an honorable provision. (8:74)
Divine Support for the Steadfast Seeker on the Path of Truth
When a seeker of Allah endures trials on the path of Truth with patience and unwavering perseverance, standing firm like a wall of steel and proves loyal to the perfect spiritual guide, then the doors of Allah’s help are surely opened for him.
Just as the Ansar of Madina became a means of support for the emigrants of Makkah, likewise, on the path of Faqr, Allah creates means for His sincere seekers. In the same way the Holy Prophet united Muhajirun and Ansar into a strong and harmonious community for the sake of Allah’s pleasure, the perfect spiritual guide leads a community of Allah’s seekers. He establishes an organization to spread the message of Allah to the masses. The purpose of this organization is to purify the self and enlighten the heart with the Divine vision, so that the seeker may attain success in both worlds.
Under the leadership of the Holy Prophet, the Muslims migrated to Madina. Battles were fought, lives were sacrificed, Truth clashed with falsehood, and the believers ultimately triumphed over the disbelievers of Makkah. Ultimately a small, seemingly powerless group was transformed into a formidable force. At last, in the eighth year of Hijrah, Allah granted them a glorious victory in the form of the Conquest of Makkah.
True Victory for the Seeker of Allah
Dear readers! What does it truly mean for the seeker of Allah to achieve victory in truth and overcome false powers on the path of Faqr? As mentioned earlier, the seeker of Allah is also tested. This is their outward trial. The real battle is a battle within. It occurs between the self (an-nafs) and the soul (ruh). If the self dominates, the soul’s connection with Allah weakens. But if the soul is strengthened, it gradually overcomes the self. The inciting self (an-nafs al-ammarah) elevates to the repenting self (an-nafs al-lawwamah), then to the inspiring self (an-nafs al-mulhimah), and ultimately becomes the self at peace (an-nafs al-mutmainnah).
The Inner Migration of the Seeker of Allah
On the path of Faqr, the seeker of Allah reaches an inner stage where they must undertake an inward migration. Just as, during the Prophetic era, the Companions left behind their wealth, families, and possessions to migrate in the way of Allah breaking all idols of fear and attachments in their hearts, the seeker too must do the same inwardly.
This inward migration is what Sultan Bahoo calls Trattee Chaurr (sacrifice everything) in his Punjabi poetry. On the path of Faqr, when a seeker undertakes this inward migration, detaching his heart from everything besides Allah, erasing idols of fear and worldly attachment, and sincerely turning toward Madina, the abode of the perfect spiritual guide, they become strong both inwardly and outwardly. The Companions grew strong under the leadership of the Holy Prophet and were ultimately granted the Conquest of Makkah. For the seeker of Allah, the conquest of Makkah symbolizes the annihilation of the self and the elevation of the soul toward its origin, eternal station in the spiritual realm, the realm of Divinity (alam al-LaHoot)
Why Did Abu Jahl Not Accept Islam?
There were many disbelievers in Makkah who knew deep within that the religion brought by the Holy Prophet was the Truth, and that he was indeed a true Messenger of Allah. They even admitted that the Book he recited was a Divine revelation, so powerful and profound that no human could ever produce such speech. They would secretly listen to the Quran in the darkness of the night, hidden in the shadows. And yet, they did not embrace Islam. Why? What held them back from believing? Sultan Bahoo writes about this in his book Ain-ul-Faqr:
One must know that the real enemy of the Holy Prophet was the worldly wealth. Had Abu Jahal been an indigent he would have followed the Holy Prophet. It was the worldly wealth that martyred Imam Hassan and Hussain. Had Yazid been a poor person he would have obeyed the Imams, as the Imams were the beloveds of Fatima-tuz-Zahra and the Holy Prophet and the descendants of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Hence, the worldly people who love money are like Abu Jahal and Yazid not like Hazrat Rabia of Basra and Sultan Bayazid Bastami. (Ain-ul-Faqr)
Love for Wealth and the World - A Veil from Recognizing the Truth
The love of wealth and the material world is a deceptive trial that keeps a man from recognizing the Truth. It was this very trial that kept Abu Jahl from accepting the message of Islam, despite knowing it was true. Even today, in this era, there are seekers of the world whose hearts are filled with love and greed of wealth. Such people fail to recognize the perfect spiritual guide as the spiritual representative of the Prophet and the bearer of the Divine Trust of Faqr. Even when the miracles of the path of Faqr manifest before them, they still reject this esoteric path due to envy and malice toward the spiritual guide.
In every era, there exist both seekers of Allah and seekers of the world. The seekers of Allah are the blessed individuals who, in pursuit of inward purification and Divine vision, pledge allegiance to the perfect spiritual guide and adopt the path of Faqr. But the seekers of the world are, in reality, seekers of wealth and material gain. Due to their ego and stubbornness, they refuse to adopt the path of Faqr. And even if they do, their deficient desire deprives them of the Truth.
All seekers of Allah are wholeheartedly invited to pledge allegiance at the sacred hands of the Founder and Patron-in-Chief of Tehreek Dawat-e-Faqr and the Imam of the Sarwari Qadri Order, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman. May Allah grant us success on the path of Faqr by giving us the ability to follow the noble character of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Ameen.
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