My Dear Beloved Son
My Dear Beloved Son
My Dear Beloved Son
By
Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad Al-Ghazali (May God Shower His Mercy Upon Him)
From
Topics…………………………………………………………………………………… Pages
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TRANSLATOR’S NOTE:
The English translator has added all explanations given within square brackets and
parenthesis and assumes all responsibilities for any mistranslations and seeks Allah’s
forgiveness for that. All text in Arabic has been transliterated into English and has been
italicized. For doing the English translations of the verses from the Holy Quran, some
help has been sought from the English translation of Quran by famous European Muslim
scholar Muhammad Asad called “The Message of the Qur’an”. The Urdu translation,
used for doing this English translation, has been published by Dar-al Isha’at, Pakistan.
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INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK
It has been learned that one of the students of Imam Ghazali (Rahmatullahi Alayhe [RA
– May Allah shower His mercy upon him]), who acquired a lot of knowledge and spiritual
benefits from him over a number of years, had a thought in his heart. He thought that he
spent a lot of time learning from Imam Ghazali (RA) over a number of years from
different branches of religious knowledge and gave a lot of sacrifices towards that end.
However, he still did not know which branch of knowledge from among the branches of
knowledge he studied, would be of real help to him, would illumine his grave, would be
beneficial to him on the Day of Judgment and which branches of knowledge would not
be of benefit to him on the Day of Judgment, so that he could refrain from those
branches of knowledge because the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Peace and
Blessings of Allah be Upon him) said:
This disciple of Imam Ghazali (RA) kept thinking along these lines for a few days and
then wrote a letter to Imam Ghazali with the view of getting an answer to his dilemma
along with some other questions. Furthermore, he asked in his letter to Imam Ghazali
(RA) for some advice and to teach him a supplication that he could always recite. He
wrote in his letter that although Imam Ghazali (RA) has written numerous books on this
issue such as “Ahya al-Uloom ad-Deen” (Revival of the Knowledge of the Path to God),
“Kimiya as-Sa’ada” (Alchemy of the Ultimate Success and Happiness), “Jawahir ul-
Quran” (Priceless Gems of the Holy Quran), “Arba’een” (Forty Steps), “Minhaj ul
‘Aabedeen ila Jannatu Rabbul ‘Aalameen” (Best Way for the Worshippers of God
Leading them Towards the Paradise of the Lord of All Universes), etc., this weak
individual is in need of something that he could always study and always act upon its
injunctions. In reply to his letter, Imam Ghazali (RA) sent him the following advices.
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IMAM GHAZALI’S RESPONSE TO THE LETTER
In the Name of Allah (God), the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful.
All praises belong to Allah alone, the Lord of all the universes and blessings and peace
of Allah be upon His messenger Muhammad and on all of his descendents and
followers.
May Allah, the Exalted, grant you a long life for His worship and obedience and may He
enable you to walk on the path of His beloveds. You should know that the fountain of all
good counsel is the holy existence of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him) because the constitution of all counsel is based on his Ahadith (traditions)
and Sunnah (outward character and conduct as well as internal states). Every counsel
(advice) contrary to his Ahadith (traditions) and Sunnah (outward character and internal
states) will be of no benefit. Countless accounts of advices have been written and told in
the light of the Ahadith (traditions) and Sunnah (outward character and internal states) of
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). If you have
received any guidance from them then you do not need any advice from me. However, if
you have not received any counsel from the counsels of Prophet Muhammad (Peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) then tell me, in all these years, what knowledge
have you acquired from me? My dear beloved son! Among the counsels of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), is the counsel:
Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has furthermore
said:
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“Mun Jaawazal Arba’eena Sinatu Wa Lam Yughlab Khairuhu ‘Ala Sharrehi Fal
Yatajahhaza Ilan Nari.”
“An individual whose state, even after forty (40) years of age, is such that good in
him/her does not prevail over the evil in him/her, then [this individual] should get ready to
go to Hell.”
My dear beloved son! It’s very easy to give this advice to all the people of the whole
world but it’s very difficult to act upon it oneself. It’s because, those in whose hearts the
pleasures of the world and following of their desires [from the lower self] dominate, they
find the advice and guidance bitter. These people’s hearts are trapped in the worldly
desires and pleasures. In this respect, this individual is worthy of special mention, which
learns wisdom, philosophy and worldly learning like that and thinks that this knowledge
will be a cause of salvation for him/her in the life hereafter along with earning for him/her
fame and prestige in the world. He/she thinks that it’s not necessary to act on this
knowledge and that he/she is exempt from acting upon it. This belief, which is wrong, is
of those who study philosophy. All Glory and Honor to Allah the Great. This individual
does not even know this much that the knowledge that he/she acquires on which he/she
does not even act upon, will be a reason for punishment for him/her on the Day of
Judgment. Does this person not know that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Inna Ashaddan Nasi ‘Azabun Yaumal Qiyamati ‘Alimu Lum Yunfa’huAllahu Bi ‘Ilmihi.”
“On the Day of Judgment, the most severe torment will be given to the scholar (person of
knowledge) to whom Allah had not benefited from his/her knowledge (i.e. he/she did not
act upon the acquired knowledge).”
It has been narrated in the traditions of the intimates (friends/saints) of Allah, that one
saint saw Shaykh Junaid Baghdadi (RA) in his dream after his death and asked him:
“Worships and signs (Isharaat) all turned out to be useless. But some Rak’at (cycles) of
prayers I did at the time of Tahajjud (third part of the night) were of benefit.”
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My dear beloved son! Do not be deprived of good deeds, do not be without the
knowledge of the external matters (Shari’ah), and do not be without internal excellences
(noble inner qualities). Have firm certitude that only knowledge without good deeds will
not benefit you on the Day of Judgment. You can understand this [important] point from
the example that if someone is passing through a jungle or desert holding ten sharp
swords, good arches along with some other weapons, and knowing the art of war and
method of using these weapons and all of a sudden is confronted by a lion. Tell me, can
this person be saved without using these weapons? You know very well that this person
cannot be saved. Likewise, you should know that if someone knows hundred thousand
points of knowledge (or Fiqh/legal issues) but does not act on them then this knowledge
will be of no benefit to this person.
Second example is of a person who is sick and knows that his/her cure lies in such and
such medicines but does not use these medicines, and then will the knowledge of
medicines and of their ability to cure his/her illness is of any help in actually curing the
illness [of this person]? You can understand it quite well that merely having the
knowledge of wisdom cannot cure the [spiritual/inner] diseases. A poet has said that
even if you take (buy) two thousand pounds of wine you will not be intoxicated until you
drink from it.
Acquiring a lot of knowledge and continually browsing a lot of books but not acting upon
that knowledge will not be of any benefit to you unless and until you make yourself
deserving of Allah’s mercy through deeds of righteousness. Until then, the Grace of
Allah will stay away from you. Listen, Quran says the following in this respect:
This proves that human beings can achieve success only after struggling and striving.
My dear beloved son! I know that you might have read that this verse of Quran was
abrogated. I suppose that this verse was abrogated but what do you say about the
following two verses:
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“Famun Kana Yurju Liqaa-a Rabbihi Fal Ya’mal ‘Amalun Salihun.”
“Hence, whoever looks forward [with hope and awe] to meeting his/her Lord [on the Day
of Judgment], let him/her do righteous deeds, and let him/her not ascribe unto anyone or
anything a share in the worship due to his/her Lord.” (Quran, 18:110)
And what do you say about the following holy Ahadith (traditions of Prophet Muhammad
[May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him])?
“Al Imanu Iqrarum Bil Lisaaney Wa Tasdeequm Bil Janaaney Wa ‘Aamalum Bil
Arkaaney.”
“Iman (faith) is to testify with tongue, and to certify with one’s heart, and to act on the
teachings (of Islam)”.
After the explanation of this truth, if you get the thought in your heart that I am saying
that a slave [of God, i.e., a human being] will go to Paradise not on the basis of Allah’s
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Grace but on the basis of his/her own [good] deeds, then you should understand that you
have not understood what I said. On contrary, what I am saying is that a slave will enter
Paradise because of Allah’s Favor, Generosity, and Blessings. However, unless the
slave makes himself/herself deserving of Allah’s Mercy through his/her worship and
servitude (obedience), until then he/she will not be entitled to Allah’s Mercy and Favor. I
am not narrating this fact instead Allah, the Exalted, is saying:
It means, how a slave [of God] will enter Paradise without the Mercy of Allah, the
Exalted? I repeat this [important point], how will a slave enter into the Paradise [without
Allah’s Mercy]? But if someone says that one will enter into the Paradise because of
one’s faith (Iman) then there are many difficult valleys (obstacles) in front. Among them,
the first difficult way (obstacle) is to safely take with oneself one’s faith (Iman).
My dear beloved son! Have the conviction that unless and until you work, you will not get
the pay (or compensation of your work). There was man from among the Children of
Israel who used to excessively worship Allah. Allah sent an angel to him to test him who
said:
“Allah, the Holy, says that you put yourself in trouble for no use since your worship is not
accepted by Him and you will go to Hell.”
Hearing this message from the angel, the righteous man replied:
“Allah, the Exalted, has created us for His worship and servitude and our job is to serve
Him [no matter what] and He is the Owner [of each and everything and everyone
including myself] and the Powerful One.”
Then this angel appeared in the Presence of Allah, the Exalted, and said:
“O my Lord! You are the Knower to the secrets of this universe and You also know what
Your worshipper slave has replied.”
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“If this slave of Ours does not turn his face away from Our worship and servitude, then
We will also not turn Our Face away from him.”
My dear beloved son! Listen to what the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (Peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) says:
“Mun Zanna Annahu Bidunil Juhdi Yasilu Fahuwa Mutminun Wa Mun Zanna Annahu
Bibazlil Juhdi Yasilu Fahuwa Mut’ibun.”
“A person who thinks that he/she will go to the Paradise without (righteous) deeds is
misguided and the person who thinks that he/she will go to the Paradise only through
striving is merely busy with hard work.”
Shaykh Hasan Busri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) says:
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Our master of the two worlds (in this life and in the life hereafter), Prophet Muhammad
(May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says in a much better, clear, pure, and
beautiful way compared to the above sayings:
“Al Kayyeysu Mun Daana Nafsahu Wa ‘Amila Lima Ba’dal Mauti Wal Ahmaqu Manit
Taba’a Nafsahu Hawaha Wa Tamanna ‘Ala Allahi Illa Mani Wafi Riwayati ‘Ala Allahil
Mughfirati.”
“Intelligent is the one who subdued his/her Nafs (self, i.e., evil desires and inclinations of
the lower self) and performed [good pious] actions for the life hereafter and mindless
(stupid) is the one who subdued his/her Nafs to pleasures, greed, and [evil and vain]
desires and thought that Allah is with him/her.” In some (Hadith) traditions it says: “[This
mindless person] hopes for Allah’s forgiveness.”
However, if your intentions were to establish (strengthen first in yourself and then in the
rest) the Path to God (Deen) brought by Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him), attaining moral uplift and civilization, and eliminating evil from your
self then:
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A tradition (hadith of Prophet Muhammad [May peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him]) says:
What benefit have you derived for yourself and what have you achieved from studying
knowledge, i.e., knowledge of argumentation (Ilmul Kalaam), social values (Ilmul Ikhlaq),
medicine (Ilmut Tib), astrology (Nujoom), linguistics, poetry, conducting wars, etc.?
What benefit have you obtained other than wasting your life and gaining worldly fame? I
have read in Prophet ‘Isa’s (Jesus [Peace of Allah be upon him]) Gospel (Injil) that
between the time the copse (dead body of a human being) is placed in a casket and
brought to the grave, Allah, the Exalted, asks the corpse forty (40) questions with His
Power. In the first question Allah, the Exalted, asks:
“’Abdi Qad Tahherta Munzaral Khalqi Sineena Fahul Tahherta Munzari Sa’atun.”
“O My Slave! You decorated (beautified) yourself [with knowledge of outward matters] for
many years to show off to the [mortal] creations [of Mine]. But for My sake only, did you
ever purified your heart [from evil and heedlessness] even for a moment?”
[Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in an
authentic tradition: “Allah does not Look at your faces and your bodies but Looks at your
hearts (the state it’s in, what goes into it, and what transpires into it, therefore it’s
extremely important to purify the heart which is forever in Allah’s Sight).]
My dear beloved son! Everyday, the Voice of Allah resonates in your heart:
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My dear beloved son! Knowledge without actions is madness and actions without
knowledge are useless. The knowledge that today, does not keep you away from sins
and that does not evoke in you the desire to obey Allah, remember, will not save you
tomorrow from Hellfire. If you do not perform righteous deeds today and do not make up
for the time you wasted in the past then on the Day of Judgment you will be saying:
“O you the mindless one! That is where you are coming from.”
My dear beloved son! Create courage in yourself and create movement in your body for
struggle [on the Path of God]. Make efforts for performing pious deeds because then
you will be going to the grave. Those, who already are in the grave before you, are
waiting for you every moment to see when you come to them. Beware! Without fruits
(good deeds) do not even get close to them. Abu Bakr Siddiq (May Allah be pleased
with him) says:
So think where you are in? If you are in the cage of birds then when you will listen to
“Irji’I ila Rabbika!” “Return to your Lord!”, you [will be liberated and] will fly to a very high
place to sit.
But God forbid if you are among the animals for whom it has been said:
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Be certain that you will arrive carrying your luggage from the place of Zawiya (spiritual
retreat) to the place of Hawiya (Hell), i.e., from this world to straight to the Hell. Once
Shaykh Hasan Busri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) was given cold [and sweet]
drink. As soon as he took it in his hand he took a sigh and fell unconscious. When he
regained consciousness, people asked him what had happened to him. He replied:
“Zakartu Umniyyata Ahlin Naari Heena Yaquluna Le Ahlil Jannati Un Uufidu ‘Aleyna
Minal Ma’i.”
“I remembered the wish of the inhabitants of Hell when they will plead to the inhabitants
of Paradise to give them a little water.”
O beloved! If knowledge without actions had been sufficient for you and if you did not
need actions then why Allah, the Exalted, would say at the dawn:
Then this proclamation of Allah, the Exalted, would have been useless. In fact, this
proclamation of Allah, the Exalted, at dawn is for:
Once a group of companions were praising Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be pleased
with them both) in front of the Messenger of Allah (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be
upon him) on which the Messenger of Allah (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon
him) said:
One day the Messenger of Allah (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said to
a companion:
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“La Takthirin Nauma Bil Laili Fainna Kathratan Naumi Bil Laili Tad’oo Sahibahu Faqirai
Yaumal Qiyamati.”
“Do not sleep too much at night because the one who sleeps too much at night will be
empty handed on the Day of Judgment (i.e. he/she did not avail the opportunity of
coming close to Allah through Allah’s remembrance, prayers, and devotions to Allah at
night especially in its last part).”
In the above verse, it’s a commandment from Allah to His Prophet (May Peace and
Blessings of Allah be upon him).
In the above verse, there is an expression of gratitude [from Allah to such slaves].
Our master of both the worlds, the Messenger of Allah (May Peace and Blessings of
Allah be upon him) says:
“Allah, the Exalted, really likes three sounds: of the rooster [that wakes people up for
Tahajjud prayers], secondly of the recitation of the Holy Quran, and thirdly of those who
in the last part of the night plead to Allah, the Exalted, for His forgiveness and repent [to
Him].”
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Shaykh Sufyan Suri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) [who was an intimate of
Allah], says:
“Inna Allaha Ta’ala Khalaqa Reehun Tahabbu Waqtal Ashaari Tahmilul Azkaara Wal
Istighfaara Ilal Malikil Jabbari.”
“Allah, the Exalted, has created a wind, that blows in the last part of the night. At that
time, those [slaves of Allah] who engage in Allah’s remembrance and ask [Allah for His]
forgiveness, their voices are presented [by this wind] to the Court of Allah, the Exalted.”
Shaykh Sufyan Suri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) has also said:
“When the night begins, an angel from beneath the Throne (of Allah) makes the
proclamation that all the worshippers should wake up, so those who are granted Tawfiq
(good fortune/capability) by Allah get up and start praying. In the middle of the night, a
second angel makes the proclamation that all obedient and respectful slaves of Allah
should get up. Thus they get up and continue to pray until Sehr (the last blessed part of
the night). When it’s time for Sehr then a third angel makes the proclamation that all
those who seek Allah’s forgiveness should get up. Thus they get up and seek Allah’s
forgiveness. When it’s time for dawn, then a fourth angel makes the proclamation ‘O you
the heedless ones! Get up [the day break has come]!’ Then these people get up from
their beds like the dead will get up from their graves [upon resurrection on the Day of
Judgment].”
My dear beloved son! It has been told in the will of Luqman (Peace of Allah be upon
him) that he, advising his son in his will, said:
“Ya Buneyya La Takununnad Deeku Akyas Minka Fainnahu Yunaadi Bil Ashaari Wa
Anta Na’imun.”
“My son! Do not let the rooster be more intelligent than you are. It shouldn’t happen that
he (i.e. the rooster) gets up at the last part of the night to make proclamations [for
Tahajjud prayers and remembers his Lord] while you keep sleeping [in a deep sleep of
heedlessness, carelessness, and ignorance].”
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Kazabtu Wa Baitil Allahi Lau Kuntu ‘Aashiqan
Lama Sabaqatni Bil Buqa’il Hamaaimun
“At night, the dove sitting on the branch [of a tree] is calling on [to its Lord]
While I am in a deep sleep
By the Lord of the House of Allah (Ka’aba)! I am a liar! If I had been a true lover [of
Allah]
Then the doves would not have won over me in weeping [in the pain of separation from
my Beloved (Allah)!
Alas! I do not even wet my eyes [with tears] while claiming to love [my Beloved Lord!]
While the animals keep weeping [in their love for their Creator].”
My dear beloved son! Our purpose is that you should know what obedience and worship
are. Obedience and worship are to follow the Shari’ah (law) of Prophet Muhammad
(May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then whether the commandments are
for performing the righteous deeds or for restraining oneself from evil or whether [the
commandments] are for following his words or deeds, in other words, whether you do
something or not do something, whether you say something or not say something, all
these must be in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (May peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him). If you say something then say it according to the
teachings of Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). If
you keep silent then be silent according to the commandments of Prophet Muhammad
(May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). If you do something or do not do
something then do it in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (May
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). If you do something and you consider it an
act of worship but you do not do it to obey the commandment of Prophet Muhammad
(May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then this will not be counted as worship
but instead will be counted as a sin even though it might be prayer or fasting. Do you not
know that if someone fasts on the [first] day of the two Eids (i.e. two foremost Islamic
celebrations) or on the days of Hajj (pilgrimage) then this person will be committing sin?
Even though it is fasting but since it’s not done in accordance with the commandment of
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Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that’s why this
person is being sinful. Similarly, if someone performs prayers at a forbidden time (e.g.
after Asr [late afternoon] prayer but before sunset or after Fajr [dawn] prayer but before
sometime after sunrise, etc.) or at an illegally occupied place then he/she will be called
Athim (sinner) and Fasiq (law breaker). Even though it apparently looks like [a legitimate
act of] worship but since it was not done in accordance with the guidance of Prophet
Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), it is not correct. If a
husband has relations with his wife then it is not a sin even though it apparently looks
bad. However, since it is done in accordance with the guidance of Prophet Muhammad
(May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) therefore it is Halal (permissible or
within legal limits). Therefore, it is known [now] that worship is the second name
(synonym) of obedience (i.e. worship means obedience).
Similarly, prayers and fasting are counted as worship when they are performed in
accordance with the [Divine] guidelines. Therefore, my dear beloved son! All of your
words and deeds should be in accordance with the commandments of Prophet
Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). That is, whatever actions
you perform and conversations you have should be in accordance with the Shari’ah
(Divine law), because whatever the knowledge and actions of [God’s] creations, not in
accordance with the Shari’ah (Divine law), are clearly misguided and keep them (i.e.
creations/human beings primarily) away from the truth. This is the reason why Prophet
Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) abrogated all [religious]
learning from the previous eras.
Therefore, you should not do anything without the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (May
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and be certain that you cannot walk (move
forward) on the Path of Allah, the Exalted, with [merely] the knowledge that you have
acquired. However, this Path [of God] must be traveled through hard work and
Mujahadah (intense inner spiritual struggle and exercises) and the pleasures of the self
and desires [from the lower self] must be cut (wiped out) with the sword of Mujahadah
(intense inner spiritual struggle and exercises). These desires of the lower self cannot
be eliminated through immoralities and through the deceptions of false Sufis (i.e. those
who claim to be Sufis [True Sufis are those who possess an intimate relationship with
God due to the emergence of purified souls after they wiped out evil from the deepest
recesses of their souls through Mujahada – spiritual struggles] but in reality they are not,
they are simply speaking the words of Sufis and acting like them on the outside while
being hollow and devious from the inside). Allah, the Exalted, does not like fine points,
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i.e., depths of philosophy, and dark times, i.e., a life engulfed in sin (evil and immorality).
The tongue speaking the words of deep wisdom and beauty while the heart worshipping
heedlessness [from God] and desires of the lower self, this is a sign of mighty
misfortune.
Unless you cut (eradicate) the desires (inclinations and tendencies) of the lower self with
the sword of truth and Mujahada (intense inner spiritual struggle and exercises), until
then the light (illumination) of Ma’arifah (deep intimate knowledge, understanding,
consciousness, awareness, relationship with Allah) will not be born in your heart.
My dear beloved son! You have asked [me] about some [spiritual] issues, among which,
some cannot be described completely in writing and speech. When you reach that [high
spiritual enlightenment] state then you will know them yourself. The lesson of love is not
taught but it’s born and learned by itself. If you reach that [high spiritual] state then
knowing [these issues] will be equivalent to moving from one [spiritual] state to another
(Mustahilaat). Because Ishq (intense love) is another name for love and intense desire
to seek what one loves (Zauq). Love and Zauq (intense desire to seek what one loves)
can neither be described in speech nor in writing and its spirit (meaning) cannot be
presented. Just like sweetness, sourness, and bitterness cannot be described by
anyone who wants to describe them in writing or speech. Therefore, let it be known, that
if you reach this destination [of high spiritual station/enlightenment] then you will know
[all this] by yourself. But if you are not able to reach this destination [of high spiritual
station] then the truth can be described to some extent in writing and speech.
My dear beloved son! Some of your questions are such that to whatever extent they
could be addressed in writing and speech, have been answered in my book Ahya al-
Uloom ad-Deen (Revival of the Knowledge of the Path to God) and in other books in
detail that you can read. However, they will be explained here too, in a concise way
Inshallah (God-willing).
Secondly, you have asked what is essential for those walking on the Path of Allah, the
Exalted (i.e. the seekers of Allah). [First condition is that] You should have the
knowledge that the first thing that should be present [in a seeker of Allah] is the belief of
fear of Allah to such an extent that a seeker does not get involved in an innovation (bid’a,
i.e., a matter which is contrary to the established principles of Quran and Sunnah
[teachings, actions, outward conduct and inner states of Prophet Muhammad (May
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) such as contentment, patience, gratitude,
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certitude in God, intimate relationship with God, Ma’arifah (deep intimate knowledge and
recognition of God], intense love of God, etc.)]). The second condition is that true and
complete repentance (Taubatun Nasuh) should be done in such a way that [a seeker of
Allah] will not return to this humiliation [of sins]. The third condition is that even
enemies should be kept satisfied to such as extent that none of the creations has any
obligation left on him/her. The fourth condition is that one [a seeker of Allah] should
acquire [enough knowledge] from the knowledge of Shari’ah (Divine law) so that through
it, he/she will be able to follow and obey the commandments of Allah, the Exalted [that
are obligatory on him/her]. It is not an obligation to learn from the knowledge of Shari’ah
(Divine law) anymore than that. From other branches of knowledge one should learn to
the extent that is obligatory on him/her. This fact should be in your knowledge that it has
been narrated in the traditions of the intimates of Allah (saints) that Shibli (May Allah
shower His Mercy upon him) said:
“I served 400 spiritual masters and guides and I adopted (acted on) only one out of the
4000 Ahadith (traditions) of Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) that they narrated and left the rest of the Ahadith (traditions). It’s because,
when I deliberated on this one Hadith (tradition), then I found my salvation in this one
Hadith (tradition). I found in this one Hadith (tradition) the knowledge of all who came first
and all who came last:
My dear beloved son! It is known from this Hadith (tradition) that you do not need much
knowledge because to study knowledge more and to acquire it more is Fard Kifayah (i.e.
it is an obligation on the entire Muslim community and this communal obligation is
discharged when a group of people from within the community do it, but if there is no one
doing it in the community then the entire community will be sinful for not discharging the
Divine obligation). Pay special attention to this next tradition so that you will attain [a
high level of] certitude:
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A TRADITION: It is said that among the students and mureeds (disciples who seek
spiritual elevation/enlightenment through the attainment of purification of their soul from
all evil desires and tendencies under the guidance of a spiritual guide who has in turn
completely attained this purification and high station before Allah through training,
guidance, and proximity of another spiritual guide) of Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah
Shower His Mercy upon him), was a student and disciple named Hatim Ism (May Allah
Shower His Mercy upon him who in turn later on became a great spiritual master through
the training and guidance of Shaykh Shafeeq). One day Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May
Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said to him:
“O Hatim! For how long have been in my company (spiritual proximity) and have been
listening to what I have been saying (teaching)?”
Shaykh Hatim Ism (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) replied: “Thirty Three years!”
“In that [long] time period, what benefit have you derived from me?”
Shaykh Hatim Ism (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) responded:
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) responded:
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) then said:
“O Hatim! I have spent my lifetime in teaching and training and you have just gained
eight benefits from me!”
Shaykh Hatim Ism (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) replied:
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“O my teacher! If you asked [me] for the truth then the reality is what I [just] told you. I
do not need any more [benefits] and these benefits from knowledge are quite sufficient
because I am certain that I will attain salvation [and success] in this life and in the life
hereafter through these eight benefits.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) asked him:
“O my teacher! The first benefit is that I looked at the people of this world and saw that
everyone has a beloved. But these beloveds of the people [of the world] are such that
some of them (i.e. the beloveds) are with them (i.e. the people) until their illness that
brings death, some of them are with them until death, some of them are with them until
they reach their graves, and after burial all the lovers return from there. None of their
beloveds go with them in their graves to live with them there and to provide their
company [in the darkness, solitude, narrowness, and horror of the grave]. I
contemplated on this and said to myself that only that is a good beloved who goes with
them in the grave and lives with his/her lover, who will provide the company, who will
illuminate the grave, who will be a partner on the Day of Judgment and its destinations
(stations that one goes through after burial until the Day of Judgment). I saw that the
only beloved who has these [good] qualities is my good (pious/righteous) deeds. After
this [determination and awareness], I made my good deeds my beloved so that it goes
with me in my grave [when I die], will provide me with its company, will become an
illuminated candle in my grave, will be my partner in all stages of life hereafter, and never
ever separate away from me.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said:
“Bravo O Hatim! You have told a very good thing. Now narrate the second benefit.”
“O my teacher! The second benefit is that I glanced at the people of the world and saw
that everyone was following after the pleasures and desires from the Nafs (lower self that
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instructs one to commit evil) and [everyone] is subservient to the desires from the lower
self. Upon seeing that, I deliberated on the following holy verse [from Quran]:
‘Wa Amma Mun Khafa Maqama Rabbihi Wa Nahun Nafsa ‘Anil Hawa Fa Innal Jannata
Heyal Mawa.’
‘But the one who has stood in fear of his/her Sustainer’s Presence, and restrained
his/her inner self from the base (low and evil) desires, Paradise will the place of rest [for
this person].’ (Quran, Chapter 79, Verses 40-41)
I developed the certitude that the Wise Quran is correct and the book of Allah is the truth.
Then I established a front against my Nafs (lower self) and became determined to
oppose it. I molded it (i.e. my lower self) in such a shape that I did not fulfill any of its
desires until it started to find peace [and satisfaction] in the worship of Allah, the
Exalted.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) responded:
“May Allah, the Exalted, provide His blessings in your good deeds. Now narrate the third
benefit.”
“O my teacher! The third benefit is that when I glanced at the people I saw that every
person, with great pain and hard work, is busy in accumulating the possessions (money,
wealth, goods) of this mortal world and is very happy that he/she has a lot of goods and
material possessions. But when I contemplated on the following holy verse from the
bounteous Quran:
Then whatever [material possessions] I accumulated in the world, I spent it all in Way of
Allah by distributing it among pious indigents and beggars so that it (the material
possessions that I distributed in the Way of Allah) will get deposited with Allah, the
Exalted, as my trust and will become source of immense good and ransom (i.e.
salvation) in the life hereafter.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said:
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“O Hatim! May Allah grant you His Compensation (reward for your spending in His
Way)! You said a very good thing and have done a very good thing. Now narrate the
fourth benefit.”
“O my teacher! The fourth benefit is that I looked at the people of the world and saw
that some of them think that grandeur and honor belong to the nation or tribe (group) that
is big and powerful, that’s why they are expressing pride in their tribe (nation or group).
Some of them are such that they think that the grandeur is obtained through abundance
of wealth, [material] possessions, family and relatives that’s why [some] people are
expressing their pride in their wealth and children. Some [people] are such that they
think that their grandeur and honor is in displaying anger, beating, killing, murder and
pillage and they express their pride in that. Some [people] are such that they think that
their grandeur is in wasteful spending that’s why they consider their wasteful spending a
source of honor and express their pride in that. But I deliberated on this verse in which
Allah, the Exalted, says:
Therefore this is correct and is the truth and the creations’ thoughts are false and wrong
conjectures. That’s why I adopted Taqwa (pious reverence, consciousness, awe, and
fear of Allah) so that I get counted as the one with the highest rank in the sight of Allah,
the Exalted.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said:
“O Hatim! May Allah be pleased with you. You have said a very good thing. Now
narrate the fifth benefit.”
“O my teacher! The fifth benefit is that I looked at the people who were complaining
about each other. It was found that they were doing all this because of envy, jealousy,
and enmity and the main cause of that is [the desire and competition for] greatness,
grandeur, [material] possessions, wealth, and knowledge. I contemplated on the
following verse from the Holy Quran in which it’s said:
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‘Nahnu Qasumna Baeynahum Ma’eeshatahum Fil Hayatid Dunya.’
‘It is We who distribute their means of livelihood (sustenance) among them in the life of
this world.’ (Quran, Chapter 43, Verse 32)
Then I thought that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has appointed the possessions and
ranks since the first beginning [of the creation] and no one has any control [or say] in this
matter. Therefore, I did not compete or had jealousy with anyone and remained agreed
to Allah’s distribution [of worldly bounties] and [His appointed] destiny and got along with
the whole world [by giving up all jealousies and enmities against God’s creations].”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said:
“O Hatim! You are saying the truth and you are doing the right thing. Now narrate the
sixth benefit.”
“O my teacher! The sixth benefit is that when I glanced at the people, I saw that every
person is having enmity with someone else for some reason. Then I deliberated on the
following verse:
After that, I developed the certitude that Allah’s saying is the truth, I should not have any
enmity with anyone other than Shaytan (Satan). Since then, I considered Satan as my
enemy and did not obey any of his orders. Instead, I developed obedience [of Allah] and
followed the commandments of Allah, the Exalted and adopted only His worship and
servitude. The correct way is the Sirat al-Mustaqeem (the straight path of guidance in
which there is no crookedness) as Allah, the Exalted, has Himself said:
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said:
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“O Hatim! You did a very good thing and said a very good thing. Now narrate the
seventh benefit.”
“O my teacher! The seventh benefit is that I looked at the people and saw that every
person is preoccupied with his/her livelihood and search for sustenance and is involved
in an intense effort. In this regards, he/she is not even differentiating between Halal
(permissible) and Haram (forbidden) but instead, is getting humiliated with doubtful and
Haram (forbidden) earnings. Then I deliberated on the following verse:
Then I developed the certitude that the Wise Quran is the truth and is correct and that I
am also among those living creatures [of God] that are present on earth. So thus, I got
engaged in the worship of Allah and developed the certitude that He will bring to me [my]
sustenance because He has promised [to provide me with] sustenance.”
Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said:
“You did a very good thing and told a very good thing. Now narrate the eighth benefit.”
“O my teacher! The eighth benefit is that when I looked at the people I found that every
person’s reliance [or trust] is on someone or something. Some have trust [or rely] on
their [material] possessions, some trust [or rely] on other people. Therefore, I pondered
on this holy verse in which Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, says:
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When Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) heard these
[eight] benefits, he said:
“O Hatim! May Allah grant you His Tawfeeq (i.e. enable you to do righteous deeds and
to walk on His Path). You have told [us] very good things. I have seen in Taurat
(Torah), Injil (Gospel of Prophet Jesus), Zabur (Psalms), and in the praiseworthy
differentiator between right and wrong (i.e. the Holy Quran), that all these books [of God]
mention these eight benefits, i.e., all four books in their teachings have told [us] these
eight benefits. Whoever acts on these [eight principles] is like as if he/she has acted on
all four [holy] books.”
My dear beloved son! You [now] know from these traditions that you do not need a lot of
knowledge.
Now let’s return to our explanation and I will tell you the internal (inward) conditions for
the student and seeker on the Path of God.
The fifth condition that is obligatory on the seeker on the Path of Allah, the Exalted, is
that he/she should have a Shaykh al-Kamil (the perfected spiritual guide) who guides
him/her and removes evil qualities [and morals] from the seeker and replaces them with
noble qualities [and morals]. The example of [Shaykh’s spiritual] training is just like that
of a farmer who when looking after a crop sees the unnecessary grass that emerged,
pulls them out of the crop. Likewise, whatever weeds that pop up in the farm, he (i.e. the
farmer) uproots them from the crop and throws them away. Then the farmer puts water
and fertilizers in the crop so that the crop grows [better] and develops a good quality.
Likewise, in every condition, the traveler on the Path of Allah has no cure or solution but
to have a Murshid al-Kamil (a true Shaykh or a perfected spiritual guide). Because,
Allah, the Exalted, has sent Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) to His slaves (human beings) so that he proves to be an illuminated proof (guide) in
the Way of Allah and so that he brings people to the Way of Allah, the Exalted. When
the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) departed from this
world, he appointed his deputies and caliphs in his place so that they become a proof
(Daleel) of the Way of Allah, the Exalted, until the Day of Judgment.
Therefore, for the seeker [of God], there should be a perfected spiritual guide (Shaykh
al-Kamil) who, for the sake of walking on the Path of Allah, is an illuminated proof as a
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deputy (spiritual heir) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him).
The heir of Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who is made
one’s Shaykh (spiritual guide) should be a scholar but every scholar cannot be a Shaykh
al-Kamil (a perfected spiritual guide). For this work [of guiding people spiritually by
purifying their souls and helping them progress with their souls in the Way of Allah] only
that person can be qualified who has some specific qualities. Here we briefly narrate
some [such] qualities so that every nut head (crazy) and misguided person could not
claim to be a Shaykh (spiritual guide) [as it is necessary to define these qualities due to
the presence of a large number of fake impersonators claiming to be Shaykhs whose
sole purpose is to deceive people to gain material benefits thus causing great damage to
this important aspect of Islam by disillusioning people and misguiding many].
I say this that only that person can be a Shaykh (spiritual guide) who after having turned
his/her face away from the love of the world, [love of] honor, and [love of worldly] ranks,
has given the Bay’a (a way of promising Allah on the hand of a Shaykh to turn away from
evil inwardly and outwardly and to excel utmost in the Path of God by obeying God’s
commandment, staying away from His prohibitions, and struggling with one’s soul to
excel oneself in the Path of God by purifying one’s soul seeking God’s nearness and
approval) to a perfected spiritual guide [who in turn has given the Bay’a to his perfected
spiritual guide and so on] so that this [spiritual] chain [in this way] goes back all the way
to the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). This person
must have done all kinds of Riazat/Mujahada [spiritual struggles] and has obeyed every
commandment of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). This
person must eat less, sleep less, prays more (performs prescribed five daily prayers
along with optional prayers), fasts more, and does a lot of spending [in the Way of God]
and charity. This person should have in his/her temperament (inner and outer
personality) all good moral qualities and patience, gratitude, certitude [in Allah],
generosity, contentment, trustworthiness, tolerance, seriousness [of purpose in life],
humility, obedience [to Allah], truthfulness, shyness (modesty, reserve, fear of
wrongdoing), dignity (an aura of honor and respect), tranquility, and other qualities like
these should be a part of his character and conduct. This person should have acquired
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a light (illumination) from the lights (illuminations) of Messenger of Allah (Peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) so that all evil qualities like miserliness, jealousy, enmity,
expectations from the world [and its inhabitants], anger, rebellion, etc., have been
eliminated from him and he should not be dependent on anyone for knowledge except
for that knowledge which we [specifically] obtain from the Messenger of Allah (Peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him).
These [above] mentioned qualities, among some qualities of perfected spiritual guides
and leaders who lead spiritually on the Path of God, are capable of making one a
deputy/heir of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Following such spiritual guides is the correct way.
Such spiritual guides are very difficult to find. But if someone has obtained this wealth
and this blessing that he/she found such a spiritual guide and this spiritual guide includes
him/her among his disciples (Mureeds) then it is necessary for this disciple to have outer
and inner respect (honor and etiquettes) for his/her spiritual guide.
Outer etiquettes [to one’s spiritual guide] include that [the disciple] does not argue with
him/her and if some argument starts and if he/she thinks that the spiritual guide has
forgotten something then he/she should not object to it. The disciple should not stand in
place of prayers all the time but when its time for prayers then he/she should go to the
place of prayers and perform prayers then. When [the disciple] is done with prayers then
he should wrap up the praying mat and should not perform a lot of optional (extra and
non-obligatory) prayers in front of the Shaykh (spiritual guide) after every [obligatory, i.e.,
five daily] prayers. Whatever the perfected guide commands, the disciple should obey it
to the best of his/her capacity [It is extremely important for everyone to understand here
that, of course, a true spiritual guide cannot and will not command a disciple to do
something which is Haram (forbidden) in the Shari’ah (the law of Allah). On contrary, the
fake impersonators claiming to be spiritual guides lacking in the aforementioned
qualities, can command their disciples to do things that are Haram (forbidden)].
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INNER ETIQUETTES (RESPECT)
Inner etiquettes [to one’s spiritual guide] include that whatever the disciple apparently
hears from the Murshid (spiritual guide), he/she should not entertain even a small grain
of doubt in his/her heart about the Shaykh’s (spiritual guide) words or deeds otherwise
the disciple will be called a hypocrite. If the disciple cannot do that then he/she should
abstain from the company of the spiritual guide until his/her inside becomes like his/her
outside.
The sixth condition is that the disciple (the seeker of truth) refrains from the deceptions
of the Nafs (the lower self which is a subtle, invisible [to an outer eye yet clearly visible to
a person having an inner eye or deep insight], inner presence [or subtle faculty like the
soul] that commands one to evil by whispering it into the heart of a person). This is only
possible if the seeker abandons the gatherings of the bad-character folks and the
ignorant people. In this way, the domination of Shaytan (Satan) over his/her heart will
come to an end and all Satanic (evil) influences will get eradicated from their roots. This
Satanic group could be from among the humans or from among the Jinn (an invisible
creation of God that was created from fire. Satan belongs to this group and he gets his
recruits from this group).
The seventh condition is that in every situation, [a seeker] should give preference to
humility and lack of greed over wealth and should adopt contentment [and satisfaction
with the Will of Allah]. These seven things are essential for the traveler on the Path of
Allah, the Exalted, and the seeker [of the truth].
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One who has perseverance in acting on the Shari’ah and has the qualities of [desiring]
betterment (true success) for the entire humanity is a “Sufi” (this actually is the correct
use of this term as opposed to the wrong uses of the term that are prevalent today).
Loyalty [and obedience] to Allah is that [the seeker] sacrifices his own happiness for the
sake of Allah. Sincerity to [all] people [of the world] is that [the seeker] does not keep
relations with the people for his/her own motives [but instead is selfless towards them
and performs selfless duty to them] and refrains from selfishness. But instead should
dedicate himself/herself for the good (welfare) of [all] the people [of the world], however
the condition is that, this welfare should be in accordance with the Shari’ah (the Divine
laws).
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know that Riya (show off/ostentation) is born out of people’s praises and honors and the
cure of [the spiritual disease of] Riya (show off/ostentation) is that you consider the entire
universe subservient to the Power (Control) of Allah, the Exalted, and consider all
creations [of Allah] equivalent (similar) to the pebbles and stones, you should understand
this that stones do not have the power to bring you either grief or comfort. If you
consider all creations like this (i.e. like stones and pebbles) then you will get rid of Riya
(show off/ostentation). Until you have this belief that the [mortal] creations have power to
bring you grief and comfort, then Riya (show off/ostentation) will never get out of your
heart.
My dear beloved son! Your remaining questions are such that some of them have been
addressed in books written by us (i.e. me) which you can see there and some [of your]
questions are such that writing their answers is forbidden. So whatever is written, keep
putting them into practice so that those matters will be clarified to you, which you do not
yet know.
My dear beloved son! After this, whatever matter you find difficult and do not
understand, then do not ask [about such matters] other than with the tongue of your
heart.
“Wa Lau Annahum Sabaru Hatta Takhruja Ilaeyhim Lakana Khairal Lahum.”
“If those people had exercised patience [instead of screaming outside your house] until
you (O Prophet Muhammad [Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]!) yourself had
come out [of your house], then it would had been good for them.” (Quran, Chapter 49,
Verse 5)
Don’t hurry! When the time comes you yourself will be told [about such matters] and
shown.
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“We (i.e. Allah) will soon show you our signs, therefore, do not desire to hasten [this
matter].”
So don’t ask before [the right] time, when you reach that [spiritually elevated] stage then
you yourself will see it. Therefore, have this certitude that unless you go towards this
destination, until then you will not reach there nor will you be able to see.
My dear beloved son! By Allah! If you illuminate your heart [by purifying it by removing
from it the darkness of evil] then certainly you will see amazing things. You should strive
with your utmost in every step [of the way towards your destination]. Other than that, the
purpose will not be achieved.
Shaykh Zun Noon Misri (May Allah shower His Mercy upon him) said something so good
to a student of his from among his students:
“In Qadarta ‘Ala Buzlir Ruhi Fata’ala Wa illa Tushtaghil Bi Nazahatis Sufiyyati Wal Qaal.”
“If you have the courage to exert your utmost [with your soul in this way] then come [and
step in this way] otherwise do not just get indulged in the nice things that Sufis say.”
My dear beloved son! I will now end my explanation on [following] eight admonitions
(advices).
EIGHT ADMONITIONS
Among these [eight admonitions], you have to do four of them and you do not do four of
them so that your knowledge does not become your enemy on the Day of Judgment.
First, those four things will be mentioned that you should not do.
1. PRINCIPLES OF DEBATE
Firstly, as much as it’s possible you should not have [religious] debates with everyone
and do not argue with anyone on any [religious or non-religious] issue because there are
many [hidden] calamities (harms) in it and has more harms than benefits. This work
(debates and arguments) is the fountainhead (source) of all evil things such as
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ostentation (show off/Riya), jealousy, arrogance, resentment, enmity, pride, egoism, etc.
If an argument starts between you and someone else [about an issue] and you desire
the truth to prevail then your intention to argue in this matter is said to be correct. In this
regards, there are two indications (signs) of your right intentions: First [indication] is that,
if truth is revealed from either your tongue or from the tongue of the opponent, it makes
no difference to you. In other words, you are satisfied (content) in both cases that the
truth has been revealed. Second indication [of your right intention] is that you consider it
better to argue on this [issue with your opponent] in solitude [and not in front of an
audience]. But if you argue [or debate] on an issue and if you are certain that you are
correct and the opponent is only arguing [for the sake of arguing] then you beware and
do not argue with him/her and end your discussion right at that point otherwise grudges
[and resentments] will born out of this and no benefit [whatsoever] will be achieved.
Here I explain a benefit. You should know that to ask questions about [religious and
spiritual] issues is like narrating the diseases of the heart and its causes in front of a
doctor (curer) of the heart. Furthermore, the efforts made by this doctor (curer) to cure
the diseases of the heart, are like responding to the questions asked about [various]
issues. You should have the certainty that ignorant people are like those patients who
have a sickness (disease) in their hearts and [true] scholars are like doctors and curers.
Imperfect scholars are not capable of curing [the diseases of the heart] and perfected
scholar (Shaykh al-Kamil) can cure the diseases. Furthermore, [a perfected scholar] can
find the [root] causes of the disease, but if the disease becomes worse and if its causes
are not found then an expert doctor (curer) should be consulted who can tell that this
disease can be cured and this disease cannot be cured with any medicine. To be
indulged in curing an incurable disease like this is equivalent to wasting time. Now you
should understand that:
CATEGORIES OF PATIENTS: Ignorant [people who are like] patients are of four kinds
and among these [four] categories, the patients belonging to one category can be cured.
The remaining four categories of patients are incurable.
First patient is the one who asks questions because of jealousy or who objects.
Jealousy is such a lethal disease that has no cure. Just understand, that whatever
answer you will give, no matter how good it is, he/she will consider you an enemy and
his/her fire of envy and jealousy will be further ignited. Therefore, it’s better to not
respond to this person. A poet has said something good in this respect:
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“Kullul ‘Adawati Qad Turja Izalatuha
Illa ‘Adawata Mun ‘Aadaka Min Hasadin.”
“Every kind of animosity can be rectified (corrected) but the animosity born out of
jealousy is not possible to be rectified.”
Therefore, its solution is that you leave this jealous one so that he/she stays infected with
this disease.
“Fa ‘AaRid ‘Um Mun Tawalla ‘Un Zikrina Walam Yurid Illal Hayatad Dunya.”
“So stay away from the individual who [because of jealousy] turns his/her face away from
Our remembrance and desires nothing but [the pleasures of] the life of the world.”
Second kind of patient is the one whose cause of disease is the lack of intelligence and
foolishness. This disease is also incurable. Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him)
said that I am [with the Permission of God] not incapable of bringing dead to life but I am
incapable of curing the fools and the ignorant folks. Ignorant fool is the one who spends
very little time acquiring knowledge and has not even started [learning] intellectual and
transmitted religious knowledge but objects to those scholars who have spent their
lifetime acquiring intellectual and transmitted religious knowledge. This individual has no
knowledge that his/her objection is considered agonizing by this individual [even though
he/she is not aware of it], others like him/her, and scholars. Likewise, undoubtedly, this
objection must seem agonizing to the one who is a great scholar. This individual does
not even know that the objection he is having on the scholar is of no avail (useless) [to
him/her]. This great scholar’s depth of knowledge and insights is not even known to
him/her and to others like him/her. So if this person cannot even understand that (i.e.
the knowledge and depth of understanding of the scholar) then it is his/her foolishness.
One should stay away from this kind of person and should not even give [him/her] a
response.
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“Nahnu Ma’aashirul Anbiyaee Umirna Un Natakallamun Nasa ‘Ala Qadre ‘Uuqulihim.”
“Our group of prophets have been ordered [by Allah] to talk to the people according to
their minds (i.e. mental capacities/understandings).”
2. REALITY OF PREACHING
You are being admonished that you refrain from preaching and making speeches
because there are great calamities and harms in it. If you think that whatever you preach
you have already acted upon it, then keep this in mind also that Allah, the Exalted and
the Truth, said to Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus – Peace be upon him):
“Ya Ibna Maryama A’azee Nafsaka Fa In At-ta’azta Fa Izin Nasa Fustahyee Minni.”
“O Son of Mary! You [should] admonish you self (Nafs) [first], then if it accepts your
advice then give advices to others, otherwise have shame before Me.”
If such situations get created that you have to preach, then refrain from two things:
Firstly, in your sermon refrain from colorful narrations, gestures and signs (secretive
language), flowery and decorated language, pleasing poetry, illegal talk that is against
the Shari’ah (Divine laws), and lies of [fake] Sufis (spiritually elevated individuals). It is
because Allah, the Exalted, does not like those who are pretentious (showy). But if
[some preacher’s sermon or talk] exceeds the boundaries of pretense and show (i.e. one
is only trying to impress others with a seemingly eloquent language) then know that this
preacher’s inner being (heart) is bad and his/her heart is heedless [of God’s
remembrance]. Because the purpose of sermon (religious talk) is not to display one’s
capabilities but it is to mention the punishment of the hereafter. It is to narrate one’s
shortcomings in Allah’s servitude and to express regrets on useless endeavors and the
life wasted [in useless pursuits]. It is to mention the difficult stages of the life hereafter
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that are obstacles in our way ahead. Likewise, it is to mention the method of passing
through this world while keeping our faith (Iman) intact, the spectacle of the Angel of
Death (Malik ul-Maut) at the time of death, the questioning in the grave by Munkir
Nakeer (two angels that appear in the grave after burial), and to mention the stations of
the Day of Judgment. In addition, the [fearsome] spectacle of accountability in the field
of Hashr (a vast field where all humankind will be assembled after resurrection on the
Day of Judgment), the weighing of [our] actions [that we did in the world] in Mizaan (the
mighty scale/balance created by the Almighty Allah for weighing our actions on the Day
of Judgment), walking on the bridge [called] Sirat (a bridge over Hell which leads to the
Paradise which is thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword on which all human
beings will be made to walk) and crossing it, and to map other horrors of the Day of
Judgment. The preacher should narrate all these matters of fear in front of the people
and should inform them about these matters. Other than that, the people sitting in the
gathering (audience) should be reminded of their [inner and outer] faults and
shortcomings so that the fear of the punishment of the hereafter is born in their hearts
and to the greatest extent possible they should have regrets over the time they lost [in
vain pursuits] and should try to make up for that (i.e. the lost time), and they should shed
tears over the time spent without worship (God’s remembrance). All these things that I
mentioned above should be narrated in a sermon [or religious talk]. For instance, if the
water from the flood reaches the door of someone’s house creating such a threat that
within seconds it could engulf the entire house and drown it along with his/her children.
At that time [of an impending disaster just about to be unleashed], the owner of the
house will scream in the house and will say “Al-Hazr Al-Hazr”, this is, “Beware! Beware!
Run quickly! Flood Water has arrived!”. In a horrific time like this, the owner of the
house will never mention the flood in colorful sentences, gestures and signs (secretive
language), flowery and decorated language, or in an embellished colorful poetry. The
example of the sermon should be like this (i.e. to have fear oneself and then instill that
same fear of wrongdoings in others with a sense of extreme urgency as in the case of an
impending disaster).
Secondly, while giving sermons (religious talks or preaching), one should not allow such
thoughts to enter into one’s heart that after listening to his/her sermon people will shout
slogans of praise, become ecstatic, tear their clothes, raise a load uproar in the
gathering, and audience will start saying that the gathering was very good and that so-
and-so gave a very good sermon. These kinds of thoughts are included in [pure] Riya
(show off/display/ostentation/desire to impress others) and to be pleased with such
things is a proof that you lack intelligence. In truth, your intention should be to summon
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God’s creations from this world to the next, to summon them from sins (wrongdoings) to
servitude [of God], from greed to the detachment of the heart from the world [and to
adopt contentment], from miserliness to generosity, from ostentation (Riya) to sincerity
(Ikhlas – doing things only seeking the Countenance of Allah), from arrogance to
humility, from heedlessness [of Allah’s remembrance] to consciousness (awareness of
God), from pride to piety. Instill in their hearts the love of the life hereafter so that they
get inclined towards the life hereafter. This way, disenchant their hearts from the world
so that they will consider [the love and attachment of] the world an enemy [stopping them
from realizing their full potential and the purpose for which Allah has sent them in this
world]. In the same way, do not keep people in a [state of] deception about Allah’s
Plenitude and Mercy by misstating facts (saying wrongful things), but instead, create in
them piety (fear of Allah) and God-consciousness and see (determine) what they have in
their hearts which is against the approval of Allah and [see] what they are inclined
towards which is against the Shari’ah (Divine Law) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him). Along with it, keep an eye on their morality and deeds
so that their wrongful deeds come to an end and are replaced with good morals
(character and conduct) and good deeds. Those people who are dominated by the fear
[of Allah], create in them so much hope that when they get up from your gathering, some
[noble] inner qualities have been inculcated (born) in them and their exterior [demeanor
and character] have been changed also. The people who were lazy in Allah’s worship,
should get inclined towards worshipping Allah [as a result of your preaching] and develop
in their hearts a deep rooted desire for servitude of God and those who are daring and
audacious (bold) in committing sins should get developed in them the fear of Allah. A
sermon (religious talk) which is not like this and if the preacher (speaker) does not
narrate these things, then it (the religious talk) will became a source of calamity for the
preacher and the audience. This type of a person is a Shaytan (Satan) [who after
becoming a slave of his/her degraded lower self, thinks that he/she will display his/her
abilities in the sermon and will obtain the fame and grandeur of the world]. This Shaytan
(Satan) misguides creations [of God] from the path of true guidance, sheds their blood,
and involves them in an eternal destruction. The creations of God should stay far away
from this individual. These people spread such a turmoil (Fasad) in religion that is not
even spread by Satan (Shaytan). The person who has the power to get such preacher
off the pulpit (Minbar), it is obligatory (Wajib) on him to get such people deliberately
removed from the pulpit and to stop them from giving sermons so that these people are
not able to say wrong things about commanding right and forbidding evil (‘Amr bil
Ma’roof Wa Nahi ‘Anil Munkar).
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3. STAYING AWAY FROM AFFLUENT AND KINGS (RULERS)
Third [admonition about things you should avoid] is that you should not [even] greet any
king, any affluent, or any ruler and stay away from their proximity (company) and
gatherings and more than that you should not even lift an eye to look at them. Because,
in seeing them and in keeping their company, has many calamities hidden in them. But
if ever you happen to be in their company by any chance, then refrain from praising
them. [As a Hadith says:]
“Fa InnAllaha Yaghdib Iza Mudihal Faasiqu Waz Zalimu Wa Iza Madaha Wa Mun Da’aa
Li Zalimin Bitoolil Baqaaii Faqad Ahabba Aye Ya’siyAllahu Fil Arde.”
“Verily, Allah, the Exalted, is angry when any transgressor (Fasiq) and an oppressor
(Zalim) is praised and the one who prays for a long life for an oppressor, is as if he/she
has liked that he/she walks on earth as a sinner.”
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al-Uloom ad-Deen” (Revival of the Knowledge of the Path to God). You can search
(find) them there.
My dear beloved son! Refrain from the [above mentioned] four things but the things that
you have to do are also four in number and it will be appropriate that you take full care of
them. [These four things to do are:]
“Fala Yakmalu Eemanu ‘Abdi Hatta Yuhibba Lisaa-irin Nasi Ma Yuhibba Li Nafsihi.”
“My (Allah’s) slave’s faith (Iman) is never complete unless he/she likes for all human
beings what he/she likes for himself/herself.”
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situation, [think and realize] what kind of knowledge will benefit you, so only indulge in
that kind of knowledge. If you have the knowledge that your life will last for no more than
a week, then in that week (i.e. in the last week of your life) you will never read such
scholarly books in which you will learn things like [the art of] religious debates,
argumentation, dictionary, linguistics and grammar, poetry, poetic collections, and essay
writing. The reason for doing that [in the situation when your life ends in one week] is
that you have developed an understanding that such knowledge will provide no benefit to
you. For this reason, you will keep yourself busy the whole week with contemplation of
the heart and recognizing the faults in your Nafs (self) [so that you can make amends
wherever you can in the short time that is left]. You will turn your face away from the
world [and the life therein] and after purifying your heart from all evil qualities and
embellishing (decorating) it (your heart) with the love of Allah and with beautiful noble
[inner] qualities, you will get busy with Allah’s worship and servitude. It is [even] possible
that in any day or night of that [last] week [of your life] you will not even visit anyone even
though [you know that] there is no likelihood of you dying on that very day or night.
My dear beloved son! Listen to one more thing, remember it, understand its reality,
contemplate on it, and act on it, so this way you will certainly earn your salvation. If you
are given the news and told that the next week the king will visit your house, then
certainly in the whole week, you will not do any work other than having the obsession
that king’s glance should not fell on such-and-such thing so I should clean it. In this way
you will clean everything in your house, decorate everything and that includes your body,
your dress, the walls and floors of your house, etc. You will clean all of these things.
Now you should yourself think and understand! What should I explain to you about this
hint? You yourself are intelligent so a hint should be enough for you. That’s why,
Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said:
When the Supreme Ruler’s (Ahkamul Hakimeen) sight is on your heart then why do you
not purify your heart? If your desire is to acquire knowledge of the matters of the heart
then you should study [my book] “Ahya al-Uloom ad-Deen” (“Revival of the Knowledge of
the Path to God” also known as “Revival of Religious Learnings”) and our other books,
because to acquire such knowledge is personally obligatory (Fard al-‘ayn) on all
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Muslims. To acquire other knowledge is a communal obligation (Fard Kifaya – an
obligation on an entire community which is discharged by the entire community if there is
a single group within the community that fulfills the communal obligation). But this
knowledge should be acquired to such an extent so that you can obey the
commandments of Allah, the Exalted. If Allah, the Exalted, grants you the Tawfeeq
(capability/motivation) then you should necessarily acquire this knowledge.
But Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not accumulate
provisions (food) for all of his wives (Azwaj al-Mutahharat), but instead, he accumulated
provisions (food) for one year for those of his wives (Azwaj al-Mutahharat) only whose
reliance (Tawakkul) on Allah was weak. And for those Ummahatil Mu’mineen (Mothers
of the Believers – the wives of the Prophet), whose certitude [in Allah] was perfect and
had strong Tawakkul (reliance on Allah), for them the Prophet (Peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) did not even accumulate even one day’s worth of provisions. For
instance, for ‘Aisha Siddiqa (May Allah be pleased with her) and for other Mothers of
Believers like her.
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many supplications have come [to us] from the methods of the Ahl al-Bayt (the family of
Prophet Muhammad [Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]), so search for them
there. Recite the following [supplication], in particular, after every prayer (Salaat):
O my Allah! You become ours (grant us benefits) and do not burden us (protect us from
harms). O my Allah! Grant us salvation when we die and reform our deeds and grant us
safety in your days and nights and grant us your mercy in our houses and in our
possessions and cover our sins and fault with the cover of your forgiveness and do us
favors by correcting all our faults [inner and outer] and give us confidence and reliance
on You.
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descendants and on his companions. All praises are solely due to Allah the Lord of all
the Universes (Rabb ul-‘Alameen).”
This book comes to end with the help of the Absolute Sovereign (Al-Malik) and the Giver
of all (Al-Wahhab)!
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