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Thursday, 20 December 2012
HADHRAT JUNAID BAGHDAADI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT JUNAID BAGHDAADI (rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (rahmatullah alayh) was the nephew and mureed of Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (rahmatullah alayh). Someone asked Hadhrat Sirri Saqati: "Can a mureed's rank surpass the rank of his Shaikh?"
Hadhrat Saqati said: "Yes. Junaid's rank is higher than my rank."
2. Envious persons and mischief-makers criticised and reviled Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi. They made many false allegations about him to the Khalifah of the time. The Khalifah said that as long as an accusation against Junaid Baghdaadi cannot be proven with evidence it is not proper to punish him. Nevertheless, the Khalifah decided to put Junaid Baghdaadi to test. A very beautiful slave-girl was adorned and instructed to tempt him. She had to appear in front of him, lift her veil and converse alluringly with him. She was instructed to say that she was an extremely wealthy woman. If he satisfied her desire once, she would give him all her wealth, reform herself and become engrossed in ibaadat.
The slave-girl went to Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi and set in motion her performance as instructed by the Khalifah. However, he immediately lowered his gaze and bent his head. After a few moments of meditation he lifted his head. While the woman was engaged in her devices of allurement, he sighed and blew in her direction. She promptly dropped down dead.
The observer sent to keep an eye on the woman and Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi reported this episode to the Khalifah. Since the Khalifah was in love with this girl, he was overcome with grief. He commented: "I did to him what I should not have done. I have now to see what I did not want to see." The Khalifah visited Hadhrat Junaid and said: "How did your heart tolerate the separation of such a beloved one from the world?"
Hadhrat Junaid said: "You are the Ameerul Mu'mineen who should have affection for the Mu'mineen. How could you tolerate the ruin of my forty years of riyaazat and ibaadat?"
3. After he commenced to give public lecture, he said: "I am not giving these discourses out of my freewill. Thirty Abdaal have compelled me to do so."
4. A Sufi is one who acts devotedly according to the Qur'aan and Sunnah.
5. People sin and I suffer because I consider them to be parts of my body. The Mu'mineen are like a single body.
6. For thirty years it was the practice of Hadhrat Junaid to repeat his Salaat if any stray thought entered his mind.
7. Hadhrat Junaid said to his mureeds: "If besides Fardh Salaat, it was better to perform Nafl Salaat than to give you naseehat, I would never sit among you to admonish you."
8. He perpetually fasted. When a guest came, he would break his fast (Nafl fast). He said: "Pleasing the guest is not less than Nafl fasting."
9. A fire-worshipper donning the garments of Muslims and pretending to be a Muslim sat in the Musjid to listen to Hadhrat Junaid's discourse. Later he went to Hadhrat Junaid and said:"Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: "Beware of the spiritual vision (firaasat) of the Mu'min, for verily, he looks with the noor of Allah."
The fire-worshipper wanted to test this saying of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) . When he asked for an explanation of the Hadith, Hadhrat Junaid said: "It means that you should become a Muslim."
Realising that his identity has been miraculously revealed to Hadhrat Junaid, the fire-worshipper sincerely and eagerly embraced Islam.
10. Hadhrat Junaid's eyes once pained severely. A non-Muslim physician advised him to abstain from applying water into his eyes. Hadhrat Junaid said: "I shall most certainly make wudhu." During the night he made wudhu and performed Ishaa Salaat. In the morning there was no pain in his eyes. A Voice said: "Junaid, for the sake of My ibaadat you ignored your eyes. I have therefore eliminated your pain."
When the physician visited Hadhrat Junaid and learnt of his overnight cure, he asked: "What remedy did you adopt to cure you in a single night?" Hadhrat Junaid said that he was cured by wudhu. The physician commented: "This is the remedy of the Creator, not of the creation." He promptly and sincerely accepted Islam.
11. A buzrug who sat out to visit Hadhrat Junaid, saw shaitaan fleeing in the road. When he (the buzrug) arrived at Hadhrat Junaid's home, he saw the latter in a furious state. The buzrug said: "When a man become angry, shaitaan dominates him. Don't become so angry."
Then the buzrug narrated the episode of shaitaan fleeing. Hadhrat Junaid said: "When I display anger, shaitaan flees because my anger is for Allah's sake while the anger of others is for the sake of the nafs."
12. A man complained: "There are no longer Deeni brothers in this age." Hadhrat Junaid said: "If Deeni brothers are only those who alleviate your difficulties, then indeed they are non-existent. If you mean the non-existence of original Deeni brothers (i.e. true Mu'mineen), then you are a liar. Deeni brothers are such Muslims whose difficulties you should alleviate and aid them in their difficulties. There is no dearth of such Deeni brothers."
13. Someone asked: "When is the heart happy?" Hadhrat Junaid said: "When Allah Ta'ala is in the heart."
14. One night Hadhrat Junaid was unable to concentrate in his ibaadat. His heart was in turmoil. He came out of his house and saw a man covered in a shawl sitting in his doorway waiting for him. Hadhrat Junaid said: "Now I understand the cause of my lack of concentration. It was your waiting here." The man said: "What is the medicine of the nafs?" Hadhrat Junaid said: "To oppose it." Addressing himself, the man said: "O nafs! I have said this to you a thousand times. Today you have heard it from this illustrious buzrug." He then left. Hadhrat Junaid engrossed himself in ibaadat. The turmoil had disappeared.
15. Once when a healthy man appeared and asked for some assistance, Hadhrat Junaid thought: "He is able to work. Begging is improper for him."
During the night, Hadhrat Junaid dreamt that a covered tray was presented to him. A Voice instructed him to eat. When he opened the tray he saw the dead body of the healthy beggar in it. Hadhrat Junaid retorted: "I am not the devourer of dead bodies." The Voice said: "Why then did you devour him during the day?"
His eyes opened with a shock. He took wudhu, performed two raka'ts and repented for the thought he had entertained. He set out in search of the man. After spending much time searching, he met him on the banks of the river Dajla. On seeing Hadhrat Junaid, the man said: "Junaid, have you repented for yesterday's fault?" When Hadhrat Junaid affirmed his taubah, the man recited the following aayat:
Translation:
"He accepts the taubah of His servants."
He added: "Now, go! Do not ever indulge in gheebat."
Explanation: Even a baseless suspicion is considered as gheebat in so far as the Auliyaa are concerned. In terms of the Shariah, although a baseless suspicion is sinful, it is not gheebat. An ill statement verbally uttered in a man's absence is gheebat, even if true.
16. A mureed of Hadhrat Junaid was deceived by shaitaan. The mureed thinking himself to have attained perfection, no longer discerned the need to remain in the company of his Shaikh. He went into seclusion. Frequently he experienced the angels taking him on a camel for a visit to Jannat. Feeling highly pleased with himself, the mureed made public his experiences.
One day Hadhrat Junaid went to him and said: "When tonight you visit Jannat, recite ." The mureed did so when he experienced his tour of Jannat. As he recited the shayaateen who were masquerading as angels fled. He now saw that he was sitting on an ass and the bones of dead people infront of him. His eyes opened to the reality of his condition. He repented and realised the imperative need for him to remain in the company of his Shaikh.
17. One of Hadhrat Junaid's mureeds in Basrah had gone into seclusion. While in seclusion he thought of committing a sin. When he looked in the mirror he saw his face had become black. He was filled with remorse and grief. After three days the blackness disappeared. Then arrived Hadhrat Junaid's letter in which was written: "Step into the Divine Court with care and respect. For the past three days I was acting as a washerman washing away the blackness of your face."
18. Hadhrat Junaid together with eight of his select mureeds participated in Jihaad against the kuffaar of Room. A kaafir martyred the eight mureeds. Hadhrat Junaid saw nine [???] suspended in the air. The eight souls of the mureeds entered their respective [???]. Seeing the ninth one empty, Hadhrat Junaid concluded that it was destined for him as he too would be martyred. He therefore resumed to fight. The same kaafir who had martyred the eight mureeds appeared and said:
"Make me a Muslim. You return to Baghdad and continue with your duty of guiding people."
The kaafir embraced Islam and fought valiantly, killing eight kuffaar. Finally he was martyred. His rooh entered the ninth [???]. As it entered, all nine [???] disappeared. The ninth one was destined for the new Muslim.
19. Hadhrat Junaid said:
Follow the Qur'aan and Sunnah. Never follow a man who does not follow the Qur'aan and Sunnah.
Abandon the world, the people of the world, shaitaan and the desires of the nafs.
The evil thoughts (waswasah) of the nafs are worse than the waswasah of shaitaan. Shaitaani waswasah can be neutralised by reciting La houla . . ., but it requires struggle to overcome the waswasah of the nafs.
He who follows Nafs-e-Ammaarah is destroyed. (Nafs-e-Ammaarah is the evil and rebellious nafs which commands only transgression.)
A human being becomes a human being by virtue of character, not by appearance.
The hearts of Allah's friends (the Auliyaa) are the receptacles of divine mysteries.
Obedience to the nafs is the foundation of corruption.
One who considers his nafs to be evil is a good servant of Allah.
By renouncing the world and adopting seclusion Imaan remains safe, the body healthy and the heart happy.
He who does not complain and patiently bears hardships in noble.
Blindness is better for the eye which does not derive lesson from the creation of Allah. Dumbness is better for the tongue which does not make the Thikr of Allah. Deafness is better for the ear which does not listen to the truth. Death is better for the body which does not worship Allah.
The world derives adornment from the Sufis like the heavens derives adornment from the stars.
One who guards his heart, guards the Deen.
Tasawwuf means to follow the Qur'aan and Hadith and to become engrossed in ibaadat.
The worst evil of a Sufi is bukhl (stinginess).
Ikhlaas demands that you do not deem your good deeds worthy of acceptance.
20. During the final moments of his life while on his death-bed he requested for wudhu. He was assisted to make wudhu. When the people forgot to make khilaal of his fingers, he reprimanded them. Khilaal was then made. He went into Sajdah and wept profusely, they asked: "Why do you weep so much inspite of having worshipped so much?" Hadhrat Junaid said: "I never was so much in need as the present moment." He then began tilaawat of the Qur'aan Shareef and said: "At this time there is no greater comforter for me than the Qur'aan. I am seeing the ibaadat of my entire life suspended in the air. A strong wind is swaying it. I do not know if this wind is a separator or an uniter (i.e. separating man from Allah or uniting him with Allah). On the other side I am observing Malakul Maut, the Siraat and the Just Judge. I do not know which way I will be commanded to go."
He recited 70 aayaat of Surah Baqarah and then lapsed into the state of Sakaraat (death throes). When people persisted that he recite 'Allah, Allah', he responded: "I have not forgotten Him." He commenced thikr and counting on his fingers the number of times. When he reached the Kalimah finger (forefinger) of his right hand, he raised it and recited Bismillahir . . . He closed his eyes for the last time.
21. While giving Hadhrat Junaid's body ghusl, an attempt was made to open his eyelids for the application of water. A Voice said: "His eyes closed in Our happiness. It will open only after having attained the bounty of The Vision (of Allah)."
Then an attempt was made to open the closed fingers of his hand. The Voice said: "The hand which closed with Our Thikr will not open without Our command."
Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhu) had various mureeds, but there was one particular mureed, towards whom he paid special attention. A few disciples were not pleased with this and asked him why he gave preference to the mureed over others. Hazrat said that he is the most intelligent and wise amongst all of them, and it was for this reason that he gave preference to him. Hazrat then said, “Let me prove this to you.” He gave a chicken and a knife to each mureed, and asked them to sacrifice it where none would be able to see them. Each of the mureeds found a very quite and secluded area, and sacrificed the chicken. This one mureed, came back without slaughtering the chicken. Hazrat asked why he did not slaughter the chicken, and he said, “Huzoor, wherever I went, I found the Qudrat of Allah present there, and I knew that He is All Seeing. It is for this reason that I had no option but to return without success.” Hazrat then said, “Now, did you hear his answer? This is the reason he is so dear to me.”
Shaikh al Itlaaq, Mamba-e-Israar, Sultan-e-Tariqat, Hazrat Shaikh Junaid Baghdadi (RA), was born in Baghdaad in 218 Hijri, in the initial phase of his life was a wrestler under the employment of the king. Such was his renown that people would challenge him for large sums of money and he would wrestle in front of large audiences with the king looking on.
On one such occasion, a very feeble looking man asked the king that he would like to challenge the imperial wrestler. The king was initially reluctant to accept the man’s offer for he felt that the man would pose no challenge to Shaykh Junayd. However after a while the king accepted and the bout began.
Both wrestlers began to warm up with the huge crowd waiting in anticipation. Just before the match started the challenger said to Shaykh Junayd that:
‘I want to say something to you. You and I both know that I cannot beat you. The reason for my challenging you is that I am a Sayidd (descendent of the Prophet sallahu alayhi wasallam).
I and my family have been struck with poverty and we have not eaten for many days. Such are things that we cannot bear the hunger anymore. I beseech you to respect my lineage and let me win this match so that I may get the reward and be able to feed my family’
Shaykh Junayd was shocked by the man’s request but he accepted and to crowd’s great surprise lost the bout. He bore the great disgrace of defeat for the sake of respecting the family of the Prophet sallahu alayhi wasallam. That night when Shaykh Junayd went to sleep he saw the Prophet sallahu alayhi wasallam in a dream. The Prophet sallahu alayhi wasalam said to him:
O Junayd. For my family you made such a great sacrifice. Because of this I have asked Allah to make you the greatest wali of your time
And it was the blessing of this action and duaa that transformed the wrestler Junayd into the great Shaykh Junayd Baghdadi rahmatullahi alayh.
Hadhrat Saqati said: "Yes. Junaid's rank is higher than my rank."
2. Envious persons and mischief-makers criticised and reviled Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi. They made many false allegations about him to the Khalifah of the time. The Khalifah said that as long as an accusation against Junaid Baghdaadi cannot be proven with evidence it is not proper to punish him. Nevertheless, the Khalifah decided to put Junaid Baghdaadi to test. A very beautiful slave-girl was adorned and instructed to tempt him. She had to appear in front of him, lift her veil and converse alluringly with him. She was instructed to say that she was an extremely wealthy woman. If he satisfied her desire once, she would give him all her wealth, reform herself and become engrossed in ibaadat.
The slave-girl went to Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi and set in motion her performance as instructed by the Khalifah. However, he immediately lowered his gaze and bent his head. After a few moments of meditation he lifted his head. While the woman was engaged in her devices of allurement, he sighed and blew in her direction. She promptly dropped down dead.
The observer sent to keep an eye on the woman and Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi reported this episode to the Khalifah. Since the Khalifah was in love with this girl, he was overcome with grief. He commented: "I did to him what I should not have done. I have now to see what I did not want to see." The Khalifah visited Hadhrat Junaid and said: "How did your heart tolerate the separation of such a beloved one from the world?"
Hadhrat Junaid said: "You are the Ameerul Mu'mineen who should have affection for the Mu'mineen. How could you tolerate the ruin of my forty years of riyaazat and ibaadat?"
3. After he commenced to give public lecture, he said: "I am not giving these discourses out of my freewill. Thirty Abdaal have compelled me to do so."
4. A Sufi is one who acts devotedly according to the Qur'aan and Sunnah.
5. People sin and I suffer because I consider them to be parts of my body. The Mu'mineen are like a single body.
6. For thirty years it was the practice of Hadhrat Junaid to repeat his Salaat if any stray thought entered his mind.
7. Hadhrat Junaid said to his mureeds: "If besides Fardh Salaat, it was better to perform Nafl Salaat than to give you naseehat, I would never sit among you to admonish you."
8. He perpetually fasted. When a guest came, he would break his fast (Nafl fast). He said: "Pleasing the guest is not less than Nafl fasting."
9. A fire-worshipper donning the garments of Muslims and pretending to be a Muslim sat in the Musjid to listen to Hadhrat Junaid's discourse. Later he went to Hadhrat Junaid and said:"Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: "Beware of the spiritual vision (firaasat) of the Mu'min, for verily, he looks with the noor of Allah."
The fire-worshipper wanted to test this saying of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) . When he asked for an explanation of the Hadith, Hadhrat Junaid said: "It means that you should become a Muslim."
Realising that his identity has been miraculously revealed to Hadhrat Junaid, the fire-worshipper sincerely and eagerly embraced Islam.
10. Hadhrat Junaid's eyes once pained severely. A non-Muslim physician advised him to abstain from applying water into his eyes. Hadhrat Junaid said: "I shall most certainly make wudhu." During the night he made wudhu and performed Ishaa Salaat. In the morning there was no pain in his eyes. A Voice said: "Junaid, for the sake of My ibaadat you ignored your eyes. I have therefore eliminated your pain."
When the physician visited Hadhrat Junaid and learnt of his overnight cure, he asked: "What remedy did you adopt to cure you in a single night?" Hadhrat Junaid said that he was cured by wudhu. The physician commented: "This is the remedy of the Creator, not of the creation." He promptly and sincerely accepted Islam.
11. A buzrug who sat out to visit Hadhrat Junaid, saw shaitaan fleeing in the road. When he (the buzrug) arrived at Hadhrat Junaid's home, he saw the latter in a furious state. The buzrug said: "When a man become angry, shaitaan dominates him. Don't become so angry."
Then the buzrug narrated the episode of shaitaan fleeing. Hadhrat Junaid said: "When I display anger, shaitaan flees because my anger is for Allah's sake while the anger of others is for the sake of the nafs."
12. A man complained: "There are no longer Deeni brothers in this age." Hadhrat Junaid said: "If Deeni brothers are only those who alleviate your difficulties, then indeed they are non-existent. If you mean the non-existence of original Deeni brothers (i.e. true Mu'mineen), then you are a liar. Deeni brothers are such Muslims whose difficulties you should alleviate and aid them in their difficulties. There is no dearth of such Deeni brothers."
13. Someone asked: "When is the heart happy?" Hadhrat Junaid said: "When Allah Ta'ala is in the heart."
14. One night Hadhrat Junaid was unable to concentrate in his ibaadat. His heart was in turmoil. He came out of his house and saw a man covered in a shawl sitting in his doorway waiting for him. Hadhrat Junaid said: "Now I understand the cause of my lack of concentration. It was your waiting here." The man said: "What is the medicine of the nafs?" Hadhrat Junaid said: "To oppose it." Addressing himself, the man said: "O nafs! I have said this to you a thousand times. Today you have heard it from this illustrious buzrug." He then left. Hadhrat Junaid engrossed himself in ibaadat. The turmoil had disappeared.
15. Once when a healthy man appeared and asked for some assistance, Hadhrat Junaid thought: "He is able to work. Begging is improper for him."
During the night, Hadhrat Junaid dreamt that a covered tray was presented to him. A Voice instructed him to eat. When he opened the tray he saw the dead body of the healthy beggar in it. Hadhrat Junaid retorted: "I am not the devourer of dead bodies." The Voice said: "Why then did you devour him during the day?"
His eyes opened with a shock. He took wudhu, performed two raka'ts and repented for the thought he had entertained. He set out in search of the man. After spending much time searching, he met him on the banks of the river Dajla. On seeing Hadhrat Junaid, the man said: "Junaid, have you repented for yesterday's fault?" When Hadhrat Junaid affirmed his taubah, the man recited the following aayat:
Translation:
"He accepts the taubah of His servants."
He added: "Now, go! Do not ever indulge in gheebat."
Explanation: Even a baseless suspicion is considered as gheebat in so far as the Auliyaa are concerned. In terms of the Shariah, although a baseless suspicion is sinful, it is not gheebat. An ill statement verbally uttered in a man's absence is gheebat, even if true.
16. A mureed of Hadhrat Junaid was deceived by shaitaan. The mureed thinking himself to have attained perfection, no longer discerned the need to remain in the company of his Shaikh. He went into seclusion. Frequently he experienced the angels taking him on a camel for a visit to Jannat. Feeling highly pleased with himself, the mureed made public his experiences.
One day Hadhrat Junaid went to him and said: "When tonight you visit Jannat, recite ." The mureed did so when he experienced his tour of Jannat. As he recited the shayaateen who were masquerading as angels fled. He now saw that he was sitting on an ass and the bones of dead people infront of him. His eyes opened to the reality of his condition. He repented and realised the imperative need for him to remain in the company of his Shaikh.
17. One of Hadhrat Junaid's mureeds in Basrah had gone into seclusion. While in seclusion he thought of committing a sin. When he looked in the mirror he saw his face had become black. He was filled with remorse and grief. After three days the blackness disappeared. Then arrived Hadhrat Junaid's letter in which was written: "Step into the Divine Court with care and respect. For the past three days I was acting as a washerman washing away the blackness of your face."
18. Hadhrat Junaid together with eight of his select mureeds participated in Jihaad against the kuffaar of Room. A kaafir martyred the eight mureeds. Hadhrat Junaid saw nine [???] suspended in the air. The eight souls of the mureeds entered their respective [???]. Seeing the ninth one empty, Hadhrat Junaid concluded that it was destined for him as he too would be martyred. He therefore resumed to fight. The same kaafir who had martyred the eight mureeds appeared and said:
"Make me a Muslim. You return to Baghdad and continue with your duty of guiding people."
The kaafir embraced Islam and fought valiantly, killing eight kuffaar. Finally he was martyred. His rooh entered the ninth [???]. As it entered, all nine [???] disappeared. The ninth one was destined for the new Muslim.
19. Hadhrat Junaid said:
Follow the Qur'aan and Sunnah. Never follow a man who does not follow the Qur'aan and Sunnah.
Abandon the world, the people of the world, shaitaan and the desires of the nafs.
The evil thoughts (waswasah) of the nafs are worse than the waswasah of shaitaan. Shaitaani waswasah can be neutralised by reciting La houla . . ., but it requires struggle to overcome the waswasah of the nafs.
He who follows Nafs-e-Ammaarah is destroyed. (Nafs-e-Ammaarah is the evil and rebellious nafs which commands only transgression.)
A human being becomes a human being by virtue of character, not by appearance.
The hearts of Allah's friends (the Auliyaa) are the receptacles of divine mysteries.
Obedience to the nafs is the foundation of corruption.
One who considers his nafs to be evil is a good servant of Allah.
By renouncing the world and adopting seclusion Imaan remains safe, the body healthy and the heart happy.
He who does not complain and patiently bears hardships in noble.
Blindness is better for the eye which does not derive lesson from the creation of Allah. Dumbness is better for the tongue which does not make the Thikr of Allah. Deafness is better for the ear which does not listen to the truth. Death is better for the body which does not worship Allah.
The world derives adornment from the Sufis like the heavens derives adornment from the stars.
One who guards his heart, guards the Deen.
Tasawwuf means to follow the Qur'aan and Hadith and to become engrossed in ibaadat.
The worst evil of a Sufi is bukhl (stinginess).
Ikhlaas demands that you do not deem your good deeds worthy of acceptance.
20. During the final moments of his life while on his death-bed he requested for wudhu. He was assisted to make wudhu. When the people forgot to make khilaal of his fingers, he reprimanded them. Khilaal was then made. He went into Sajdah and wept profusely, they asked: "Why do you weep so much inspite of having worshipped so much?" Hadhrat Junaid said: "I never was so much in need as the present moment." He then began tilaawat of the Qur'aan Shareef and said: "At this time there is no greater comforter for me than the Qur'aan. I am seeing the ibaadat of my entire life suspended in the air. A strong wind is swaying it. I do not know if this wind is a separator or an uniter (i.e. separating man from Allah or uniting him with Allah). On the other side I am observing Malakul Maut, the Siraat and the Just Judge. I do not know which way I will be commanded to go."
He recited 70 aayaat of Surah Baqarah and then lapsed into the state of Sakaraat (death throes). When people persisted that he recite 'Allah, Allah', he responded: "I have not forgotten Him." He commenced thikr and counting on his fingers the number of times. When he reached the Kalimah finger (forefinger) of his right hand, he raised it and recited Bismillahir . . . He closed his eyes for the last time.
21. While giving Hadhrat Junaid's body ghusl, an attempt was made to open his eyelids for the application of water. A Voice said: "His eyes closed in Our happiness. It will open only after having attained the bounty of The Vision (of Allah)."
Then an attempt was made to open the closed fingers of his hand. The Voice said: "The hand which closed with Our Thikr will not open without Our command."
Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhu) had various mureeds, but there was one particular mureed, towards whom he paid special attention. A few disciples were not pleased with this and asked him why he gave preference to the mureed over others. Hazrat said that he is the most intelligent and wise amongst all of them, and it was for this reason that he gave preference to him. Hazrat then said, “Let me prove this to you.” He gave a chicken and a knife to each mureed, and asked them to sacrifice it where none would be able to see them. Each of the mureeds found a very quite and secluded area, and sacrificed the chicken. This one mureed, came back without slaughtering the chicken. Hazrat asked why he did not slaughter the chicken, and he said, “Huzoor, wherever I went, I found the Qudrat of Allah present there, and I knew that He is All Seeing. It is for this reason that I had no option but to return without success.” Hazrat then said, “Now, did you hear his answer? This is the reason he is so dear to me.”
Shaikh al Itlaaq, Mamba-e-Israar, Sultan-e-Tariqat, Hazrat Shaikh Junaid Baghdadi (RA), was born in Baghdaad in 218 Hijri, in the initial phase of his life was a wrestler under the employment of the king. Such was his renown that people would challenge him for large sums of money and he would wrestle in front of large audiences with the king looking on.
On one such occasion, a very feeble looking man asked the king that he would like to challenge the imperial wrestler. The king was initially reluctant to accept the man’s offer for he felt that the man would pose no challenge to Shaykh Junayd. However after a while the king accepted and the bout began.
Both wrestlers began to warm up with the huge crowd waiting in anticipation. Just before the match started the challenger said to Shaykh Junayd that:
‘I want to say something to you. You and I both know that I cannot beat you. The reason for my challenging you is that I am a Sayidd (descendent of the Prophet sallahu alayhi wasallam).
I and my family have been struck with poverty and we have not eaten for many days. Such are things that we cannot bear the hunger anymore. I beseech you to respect my lineage and let me win this match so that I may get the reward and be able to feed my family’
Shaykh Junayd was shocked by the man’s request but he accepted and to crowd’s great surprise lost the bout. He bore the great disgrace of defeat for the sake of respecting the family of the Prophet sallahu alayhi wasallam. That night when Shaykh Junayd went to sleep he saw the Prophet sallahu alayhi wasallam in a dream. The Prophet sallahu alayhi wasalam said to him:
O Junayd. For my family you made such a great sacrifice. Because of this I have asked Allah to make you the greatest wali of your time
And it was the blessing of this action and duaa that transformed the wrestler Junayd into the great Shaykh Junayd Baghdadi rahmatullahi alayh.
HADHRAT ABDULLAH BIN KHABEEQ (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT ABDULLAH BIN KHABEEQ
(rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Khabeeq was a resident of Kufaa. He said:
The heart is for the purpose of ibaadat.
One who fears, does not give expression to the desires of the nafs.
Acquire only what will benefit you in the adobe of the Hereafter.
A select bandah is one who flees from creation to the Creator.
Abstention from sin is the sign of khauf.
Of all attributes, ikhlaas is the most difficult.
The heart is for the purpose of ibaadat.
One who fears, does not give expression to the desires of the nafs.
Acquire only what will benefit you in the adobe of the Hereafter.
A select bandah is one who flees from creation to the Creator.
Abstention from sin is the sign of khauf.
Of all attributes, ikhlaas is the most difficult.
HADHRAT AHMAD BIN AASIM ANTAAKI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT AHMAD BIN AASIM ANTAAKI
(rahmatullah alayh)
1. Someone asked: "Do you yearn for Allah?" Hadhrat Antaaki replied: "No. man yearns for an absent being. Since Allah is constantly present, I do not yearn for Him."
2. He said: He who fears the nafs attains salvation. One who fears (Allah) is grateful (to Allah). Zuhd has four signs:
a) Trust on Allah.
b) Dissociation from creation.
c) Cultivation of sincerity (ikhlaas).
d) Bearing the calamities of Allah Ta'ala.
Man's hayaa (shame) and khauf (fear) are proportionate to his ma'rifat.
The beauty of the heart is in silence.
A wise man is one who is grateful for the bounties of Allah Ta'ala.
Tawaadhu' (humility) is the elimination of pride and anger.
The select servants of Allah are always in a contemplative mood.
3. Explaining the conception of Yaqeen, Hadhrat Ahmad Bin Aasim Antaaki said: "Yaqeen is a noor which Allah bestows to a bandah (His servant). This noor enables the bandah's heart to view the Aakhirah and veils are lifted."
4. "The following five things purify the heart:
Companionship of the pious.
Tilaawat of the Qur'aan.
Tahajjud Salaat.
5. Hadhrat Antaaki (rahmatullah alayh) always emphasised the cultivation of the spirit of sacrifice to his mureed. One night 29 mureeds visited him. He spread the cloth and on account of lack of food he broke some bread into 29 pieces, placing one piece in front of each mureed. Then he removed the lamp. After some time when the lamp was returned, it was seen that all the pieces of bread were intact. No one had eaten. Having realised how little bread there was, every mureed left his share for the next one.
2. He said: He who fears the nafs attains salvation. One who fears (Allah) is grateful (to Allah). Zuhd has four signs:
a) Trust on Allah.
b) Dissociation from creation.
c) Cultivation of sincerity (ikhlaas).
d) Bearing the calamities of Allah Ta'ala.
Man's hayaa (shame) and khauf (fear) are proportionate to his ma'rifat.
The beauty of the heart is in silence.
A wise man is one who is grateful for the bounties of Allah Ta'ala.
Tawaadhu' (humility) is the elimination of pride and anger.
The select servants of Allah are always in a contemplative mood.
3. Explaining the conception of Yaqeen, Hadhrat Ahmad Bin Aasim Antaaki said: "Yaqeen is a noor which Allah bestows to a bandah (His servant). This noor enables the bandah's heart to view the Aakhirah and veils are lifted."
4. "The following five things purify the heart:
Companionship of the pious.
Tilaawat of the Qur'aan.
Tahajjud Salaat.
5. Hadhrat Antaaki (rahmatullah alayh) always emphasised the cultivation of the spirit of sacrifice to his mureed. One night 29 mureeds visited him. He spread the cloth and on account of lack of food he broke some bread into 29 pieces, placing one piece in front of each mureed. Then he removed the lamp. After some time when the lamp was returned, it was seen that all the pieces of bread were intact. No one had eaten. Having realised how little bread there was, every mureed left his share for the next one.
HADHRAT MANSOOR AMMAAR (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT MANSOOR AMMAAR (rahmatullah alayh)
1. A slave was sent with four dirhams by his master to make a purchase. Along the way he stopped to listen to a lecture being given by Hadhrat Mansoor Ammaar (rahmatullah alayh). Present in the audience was a very poor durwaish. While speaking, Hadhrat Ammaar said:
"Who will give this durwaish four dirhams in return for four duas from him?" The slave offered the four dirhams. When the buzrug asked him what duas he wished for, the slave said:
1) "That I be freed. 2) That Allah Ta'ala grants my master the taufeeq of taubah. 3) That I obtain another four dirhams. 4) That Allah Ta'ala bestows His mercy to me, to you and this entire audience."
The durwaish supplicated accordingly. When the slave returned, his master was very annoyed and demanded an explanation. After the slave explained what had happened, the master emancipated the slave and presented four hundred dirhams to him while he, himself sincerely repented. That night in a dream a Voice said to the master:
"We have bestowed Our mercy on you, on the slave, on Mansoor Ammaar and on the entire audience (of that gathering)."
2. Hadhrat Mansoor Ammaar (rahmatullah alayh) said:
Allah has created the hearts of the Aarifeen for His Thikr, and the hearts of the seekers of the world for greed.
The best man is he whose profession is ibaadat, whose yearning is for durwaishi (the state of poverty of the Auliyaa), whose desire is for seclusion, whose hope is the Aakhirah, whose Maut is constantly in front of him and who is always thinking of taubah.
The heart of man is of Noor. When the love of the world enters, it darkens and dispels the Noor.
One who associates with creation remains far from the Creator.
A man who is not patient when overtaken by worldly misfortunes will be involved in the misfortunes of the Aakhirah.
A renouncer of the world is free from worry and one who maintains silence has no need to apologise.
He is a vile transgressor who perpetrates such a sin from which he can abstain.
3. After his death, Hadhrat Abul Hasan Sha'raani (rahmatullah alayh) saw him in a dream and enquired of his fate. Hadhrat Mansoor Ammaar (rahmatullah alayh) responded: "Allah forgave me and said: "Deliver your discourses of Our praise among the Malaa-ikah in the heavens in the same way as you had done among the people on earth."
"Who will give this durwaish four dirhams in return for four duas from him?" The slave offered the four dirhams. When the buzrug asked him what duas he wished for, the slave said:
1) "That I be freed. 2) That Allah Ta'ala grants my master the taufeeq of taubah. 3) That I obtain another four dirhams. 4) That Allah Ta'ala bestows His mercy to me, to you and this entire audience."
The durwaish supplicated accordingly. When the slave returned, his master was very annoyed and demanded an explanation. After the slave explained what had happened, the master emancipated the slave and presented four hundred dirhams to him while he, himself sincerely repented. That night in a dream a Voice said to the master:
"We have bestowed Our mercy on you, on the slave, on Mansoor Ammaar and on the entire audience (of that gathering)."
2. Hadhrat Mansoor Ammaar (rahmatullah alayh) said:
Allah has created the hearts of the Aarifeen for His Thikr, and the hearts of the seekers of the world for greed.
The best man is he whose profession is ibaadat, whose yearning is for durwaishi (the state of poverty of the Auliyaa), whose desire is for seclusion, whose hope is the Aakhirah, whose Maut is constantly in front of him and who is always thinking of taubah.
The heart of man is of Noor. When the love of the world enters, it darkens and dispels the Noor.
One who associates with creation remains far from the Creator.
A man who is not patient when overtaken by worldly misfortunes will be involved in the misfortunes of the Aakhirah.
A renouncer of the world is free from worry and one who maintains silence has no need to apologise.
He is a vile transgressor who perpetrates such a sin from which he can abstain.
3. After his death, Hadhrat Abul Hasan Sha'raani (rahmatullah alayh) saw him in a dream and enquired of his fate. Hadhrat Mansoor Ammaar (rahmatullah alayh) responded: "Allah forgave me and said: "Deliver your discourses of Our praise among the Malaa-ikah in the heavens in the same way as you had done among the people on earth."
HADHRAT HAMDOON QASAAR (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT HAMDOON QASAAR (rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Hamdoon Qasaar (rahmatullah alayh) was the mureed of Hadhrat Abu Turaab Bakshi (rahmatullah alayh) and the Shaikh of Hadhrat Sufyaan Thauri and Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Mubaarak (rahmatullah alayhim).
2. Once he was sitting by a dying friend. The moment he died, Hadhrat Hamdoon Qasaar extinguished the lamp. Explaining his action, he said: "As long as he was alive, the lamp was his property. It now belongs to his heirs. It is not permissible to use it without their consent."
3. He was asked the reason for the effectiveness of the discourses of the Auliyaa and Ulama of earlier times. He said: "They spoke for the progress of Islam and for their safety from the nafs."
4. Hadhrat Hamdoon Qasaar said:
"Adopt the company of an Aalim and stay away from a jaahil."
"Follow the Mutaqaddimeen (i.e. the great Auliyaa and Ulama of the early era of Islam)."
"Obedience to the nafs blinds a man (i.e. renders him spiritually blind)."
"Think of yourself as evil and others as intoxicated and fear the possibility of you too becoming intoxicated (i.e. going astray)."
"Generosity produces virtue and miserliness produces vice."
"Eating much is the root of all sickness and a calamity for the Deen."
"The searcher of the world will be contemptible in the Aakhirah."
"Zuhd (abstinence) is to be contented with whatever Allah has provided and to refrain from asking for more."
2. Once he was sitting by a dying friend. The moment he died, Hadhrat Hamdoon Qasaar extinguished the lamp. Explaining his action, he said: "As long as he was alive, the lamp was his property. It now belongs to his heirs. It is not permissible to use it without their consent."
3. He was asked the reason for the effectiveness of the discourses of the Auliyaa and Ulama of earlier times. He said: "They spoke for the progress of Islam and for their safety from the nafs."
4. Hadhrat Hamdoon Qasaar said:
"Adopt the company of an Aalim and stay away from a jaahil."
"Follow the Mutaqaddimeen (i.e. the great Auliyaa and Ulama of the early era of Islam)."
"Obedience to the nafs blinds a man (i.e. renders him spiritually blind)."
"Think of yourself as evil and others as intoxicated and fear the possibility of you too becoming intoxicated (i.e. going astray)."
"Generosity produces virtue and miserliness produces vice."
"Eating much is the root of all sickness and a calamity for the Deen."
"The searcher of the world will be contemptible in the Aakhirah."
"Zuhd (abstinence) is to be contented with whatever Allah has provided and to refrain from asking for more."
HADHRAT ABU HAFS HADDAAD (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT ABU HAFS HADDAAD (rahmatullah alayh)
1. By profession, Hadhrat Abu Hafs (rahmatullah alayh) was a blacksmith. He has therefore been called Haddaad (Blacksmith). Prior to his reformation he was in love with a beautiful girl. He went to enlist the aid of a famous magician. The sorcerer advised him to abstain from all acts of ibaadat for 40 days. Thereafter, his magic will have the necessary affect on the girl. After 40 days Abu Hafs Haddaad again visited the sorcerer. As much as he endeavoured, the magic was ineffective. The sorcerer said: "You must have rendered some act of Ibaadat hence the ineffectiveness of my magic."
Abu Hafs Haddaad: "I did not worship at all. However, I would remove stone in the pathway to save people inconvenience."
Sorcerer: "Alas! You have refrained from the ibaadat of such a God Who had accepted such an insignificant act of virtue and rendered the magic ineffective. He even overlooked your disobedience of 40 days."
This statement of the sorcerer made a tremendous impact on the heart of Abu Hafs Haddaad. He repented, renounced the world and engrossed himself in Thikrullah.
2. Hadhrat Abu Hafs Haddaad daily earned one dinaar. In the darkness of the night he would give the dinaar to some faqir or throw it into the home of a struggling widow. He distributed his dinars nightly in a way that no one knew who gave the money.
3. One day while in his workshop he heard a blind man reciting a Qur'aanic aayat. The effect of the aayat transported him into a state of ecstasy. He was beyond himself. In this state of ecstasy he removed a red-hot iron from the furnace with his bare hands. Holding it in his hands he instructed his staff to hammer it. All were amazed to observe this miraculous scene. When the state of ecstasy ended, he saw the red-hot iron in his hands. He threw it aside, gave away his workshop and went into complete seclusion. He said: "I had endeavoured much to conceal my condition, but Allah Ta'ala had willed otherwise."
4. He said: "For thirty years I struggled to put into full practice a Hadith, but failed." When asked for the Hadith, he cited: Insert Arabic Man hasanal Islam …
"Of the beauty of a man's Islam is his abandonment of that which does not benefit him."
5. Once Hadhrat Abu Hafs Haddaad went into the wilderness with a group of his mureeds. While lost in the absorption of Allah's remembrance, suddenly a wild buck appeared and settled peacefully in his lap. Hadhrat Abu Hafs wept and the buck left. When a mureed asked for an explanation, Hadhrat Haddaad said: "I thought that if at this time I had a goat I would have been able to give my companions (mureeds) a treat. As this thought passed through my mind the buck came to me."
He was then asked: "When Allah Ta'ala has so much regard for you, why do you weep?"
Hadhrat Abu Hafs replied: "The arrival of the buck by the command of Allah Ta'ala threatened to distance me from the Court of Allah. If Allah Ta'ala had wished goodness for Fir'oun, He would not have fulfilled the wish of Fir'oun by commanding the river Nile to flow."
Explanation: Although Fir'oun claimed to be god, he was fully aware of the existence of Allah Ta'ala. When he was challenged to command the Nile to flow in the opposite direction to prove his claim of godhood, Fir'oun sincerely prayed to Allah Ta'ala to grant his wish. Allah Ta'ala accepted his prayer and the river Nile flowed in the opposite direction. But, Fir'oun remained a kaafir and died a kaafir. Hadhrat Abu Hafs was referring to this episode to illustrate to his mureeds that miraculous events are not always the sign of divine acceptance. The story of Fir'oun brought fear to him, hence he cried when his wish was so swiftly accepted.
6. Whenever Hadhrat Abu Hafs was angered, he would immediately break into light-hearted talk. After his anger subsided, he would revert to serious discussion.
7. A man whose donkey was lost was overcome with grief. Hadhrat Abu Hafs made dua: "O Allah! As long as his donkey is not found, I shall not move a step forward." The donkey immediately appeared.
8. Once in a wilderness, Hadhrat Abu Hafs Haddaad was without water for 16 days. On the 17th day he came across a stream, but did not drink any water. He sat down in contemplation. Coincidentally, Hadhrat Abu Turaab Bakshi (rahmatullah alayh) appeared on the scene and asked: "What are you contemplating?" Hadhrat Abu Hafs replied: "After 16 days I found water today. Now within me is progressing a debate between Ilm and Yaqeen. If Ilm gains the upperhand, I shall drink water. If Yaqeen dominates, I shall abstain and proceed my journey." Hadhrat Abu Turaab commented: "This rank belongs exclusively to you."
9. Commenting on hospitality to the guest, Hadhrat Abu Hafs said that a guest is a messenger sent by Allah Ta'ala, hence kindness to him should be for the sake of Allah Ta'ala.
10. He said:
"He who does not follow the Sunnah nor understands his own evil is not a man."
"Know the calamity of your speech." (Before speaking one should reflect on the contemplated talk and its consequences.)
"Ask Allah for the pleasure of silence so that you spend your life in silence."
"The world is an abode which perpetually involves man in sin."
"Bukhl (miserliness) is to refrain from sacrifice."
"Sacrifice means to accord priority to the rights of others in both Deeni and mundane affairs."
"A noble man is one who is graceful (kind, generous and forgiving) to others while hoping for the grace of Allah."
"A pious man is one who is subservient to the Sunnah and consumes halaal."
"A man who does not consider himself to be evil is arrogant. An arrogant man is ruined."
"Khauf (fear of Allah) is the lamp of the heart by means of which vice and virtue are discerned."
"A man who always searched for the kindness of Allah is never ruined."
"Taqwa is in halaal rizq."
"Tasawwuf is total and perfect respect."
"Abstention from sin after taubah is a true taubah."
"Be obedient to the Chief, Muhammad ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) so that all chiefs become obedient to you."
11. During his dying moments Hadhrat Abu Hafs Haddaad (rahmatullah alayh) said: "One should regret whenever thinking of anyone (besides Allah Ta'ala)."
Abu Hafs Haddaad: "I did not worship at all. However, I would remove stone in the pathway to save people inconvenience."
Sorcerer: "Alas! You have refrained from the ibaadat of such a God Who had accepted such an insignificant act of virtue and rendered the magic ineffective. He even overlooked your disobedience of 40 days."
This statement of the sorcerer made a tremendous impact on the heart of Abu Hafs Haddaad. He repented, renounced the world and engrossed himself in Thikrullah.
2. Hadhrat Abu Hafs Haddaad daily earned one dinaar. In the darkness of the night he would give the dinaar to some faqir or throw it into the home of a struggling widow. He distributed his dinars nightly in a way that no one knew who gave the money.
3. One day while in his workshop he heard a blind man reciting a Qur'aanic aayat. The effect of the aayat transported him into a state of ecstasy. He was beyond himself. In this state of ecstasy he removed a red-hot iron from the furnace with his bare hands. Holding it in his hands he instructed his staff to hammer it. All were amazed to observe this miraculous scene. When the state of ecstasy ended, he saw the red-hot iron in his hands. He threw it aside, gave away his workshop and went into complete seclusion. He said: "I had endeavoured much to conceal my condition, but Allah Ta'ala had willed otherwise."
4. He said: "For thirty years I struggled to put into full practice a Hadith, but failed." When asked for the Hadith, he cited: Insert Arabic Man hasanal Islam …
"Of the beauty of a man's Islam is his abandonment of that which does not benefit him."
5. Once Hadhrat Abu Hafs Haddaad went into the wilderness with a group of his mureeds. While lost in the absorption of Allah's remembrance, suddenly a wild buck appeared and settled peacefully in his lap. Hadhrat Abu Hafs wept and the buck left. When a mureed asked for an explanation, Hadhrat Haddaad said: "I thought that if at this time I had a goat I would have been able to give my companions (mureeds) a treat. As this thought passed through my mind the buck came to me."
He was then asked: "When Allah Ta'ala has so much regard for you, why do you weep?"
Hadhrat Abu Hafs replied: "The arrival of the buck by the command of Allah Ta'ala threatened to distance me from the Court of Allah. If Allah Ta'ala had wished goodness for Fir'oun, He would not have fulfilled the wish of Fir'oun by commanding the river Nile to flow."
Explanation: Although Fir'oun claimed to be god, he was fully aware of the existence of Allah Ta'ala. When he was challenged to command the Nile to flow in the opposite direction to prove his claim of godhood, Fir'oun sincerely prayed to Allah Ta'ala to grant his wish. Allah Ta'ala accepted his prayer and the river Nile flowed in the opposite direction. But, Fir'oun remained a kaafir and died a kaafir. Hadhrat Abu Hafs was referring to this episode to illustrate to his mureeds that miraculous events are not always the sign of divine acceptance. The story of Fir'oun brought fear to him, hence he cried when his wish was so swiftly accepted.
6. Whenever Hadhrat Abu Hafs was angered, he would immediately break into light-hearted talk. After his anger subsided, he would revert to serious discussion.
7. A man whose donkey was lost was overcome with grief. Hadhrat Abu Hafs made dua: "O Allah! As long as his donkey is not found, I shall not move a step forward." The donkey immediately appeared.
8. Once in a wilderness, Hadhrat Abu Hafs Haddaad was without water for 16 days. On the 17th day he came across a stream, but did not drink any water. He sat down in contemplation. Coincidentally, Hadhrat Abu Turaab Bakshi (rahmatullah alayh) appeared on the scene and asked: "What are you contemplating?" Hadhrat Abu Hafs replied: "After 16 days I found water today. Now within me is progressing a debate between Ilm and Yaqeen. If Ilm gains the upperhand, I shall drink water. If Yaqeen dominates, I shall abstain and proceed my journey." Hadhrat Abu Turaab commented: "This rank belongs exclusively to you."
9. Commenting on hospitality to the guest, Hadhrat Abu Hafs said that a guest is a messenger sent by Allah Ta'ala, hence kindness to him should be for the sake of Allah Ta'ala.
10. He said:
"He who does not follow the Sunnah nor understands his own evil is not a man."
"Know the calamity of your speech." (Before speaking one should reflect on the contemplated talk and its consequences.)
"Ask Allah for the pleasure of silence so that you spend your life in silence."
"The world is an abode which perpetually involves man in sin."
"Bukhl (miserliness) is to refrain from sacrifice."
"Sacrifice means to accord priority to the rights of others in both Deeni and mundane affairs."
"A noble man is one who is graceful (kind, generous and forgiving) to others while hoping for the grace of Allah."
"A pious man is one who is subservient to the Sunnah and consumes halaal."
"A man who does not consider himself to be evil is arrogant. An arrogant man is ruined."
"Khauf (fear of Allah) is the lamp of the heart by means of which vice and virtue are discerned."
"A man who always searched for the kindness of Allah is never ruined."
"Taqwa is in halaal rizq."
"Tasawwuf is total and perfect respect."
"Abstention from sin after taubah is a true taubah."
"Be obedient to the Chief, Muhammad ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) so that all chiefs become obedient to you."
11. During his dying moments Hadhrat Abu Hafs Haddaad (rahmatullah alayh) said: "One should regret whenever thinking of anyone (besides Allah Ta'ala)."
HADHRAT YUSUF BIN HUSAIN (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT YUSUF BIN HUSAIN (rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Yusuf Bin Husain (rahmatullah alayh) was the mureed of Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri (rahmatullah alayh). He was extremely handsome and by nature had a beautiful disposition.
The daughter of an Arab chief once saw him and was overwhelmed by love. She too was famed for her beauty. One day when she found an opportunity to see him in privacy, she expressed her burning love for him. Fear of Allah overcame Yusuf Bin Husain and he promptly fled. During the night he dreamt that Hadhrat Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) was seated on a throne. Rows of malaa-ikah were standing with reverence infront of him. When Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) saw Yusuf Bin Husain, he (Nabi Yusuf) arose from the throne and stepped forward to welcome him. He honoured Yusuf Bin Husain by seating him on the throne. Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) said to Yusuf Bin Husain:
"When the fear of Allah gripped you when the daughter of the Arab chief expressed her love for you, Allah Ta'ala said to me:
'O Yusuf, look! You had supplicated to Me to save you from the evil of Zulaikha. Here is Yusuf (Bin Husain) who did not even look at the daughter of the Arab chief for the sake of My Fear.'
Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) added:
'I have been instructed to welcome you. You will attain the ranks of the Auliyaa of the Deen. Go to Zunnoon Misri and acquire the Ismul A'zam from him."
When his eyes opened, Yusuf Bin Husain journied to Egypt. He spent a year in the suhbat of Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri (rahmatullah alayh). After expiry of the year, Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri said: "Ask whatever you wish for." Yusuf Bin Husain said: "Impart to me the Ismul A'zam." Zunnoon Misri remained silent. After another year had passed Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri gave a dish covered with a cloth to Yusuf Bin Husain instructing him to deliver it so a buzrug near to the river Nile. Along the way, Yusuf Bin Husain detected a movement in the dish. Curiosity led him to open the lid. As he did so, out jumped a mouse. Feeling highly ashamed of himself, he closed the dish and delivered it to the Buzrug. When the buzrug found it empty, he said: "When you could not guard even a mouse, how can you guard the Ismul A'zam?"
Full of shame he returned to Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri who commented: "I had prayed to Allah Ta'ala seven times requesting for consent to impart the Ismul A'zam to you. Each time it was intimated to me to put you to test. It has now transpired that you have not yet developed the ability to guard the Ismul A'zam. Now return to your land. You will acquire the Ismul A'zam in due course."
2. On Yusuf Bin Husain's departure, Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri gave the following naseehat: "Forget whatever you have learnt (i.e. of book-knowledge) so that all veils are lifted. Forget me too. Do not mention to anyone that I am your Shaikh. Give naseehat to people and call them to Allah. Do not think of yourself as the intermediary (between Allah and His servants)." He returned to his homeland, the land of Re.
3. In his homeland he engaged in discourses. On account of the opposition of the establishment Ulama (Ulama-e-Zaahir), his audience dwindled. One day not a single person attended hence he thought of abandoning his discourse. An old lady reprimanding him said: "You had pledged to Zunnoon that you would admonish people. You now think of violating your pledge." This admonition alerted him and he continued with his bayaans (discourses / lectures) for the next 50 years. He became indifferent to the number of people present in the audience.
4. Hadhrat Yusuf Bin Husain said:
A man who believes in the omnipresence of Allah, flees from people.
Allah eliminates all thing besides Himself from a heart which truly remembers Him.
A Saadiq conceals his ibaadat and takes to seclusion.
The thirst (for Allah's love) of one drowned in the ocean of Tauheed is never quenched.
The noblest object is ikhlaas.
You are a slave. Therefore live like a slave (obeying the commands of Allah).
Those who recognise Allah by reflection (fikr), increase their ibaadat.
5. After the death of Yusuf Bin Husain, a buzrug saw him in a very lofty spiritual rank. The buzrug asked: "How did you attain this rank?"
Yusuf Bin Husain replied: "I had never mingled good with evil while I was on earth."
The daughter of an Arab chief once saw him and was overwhelmed by love. She too was famed for her beauty. One day when she found an opportunity to see him in privacy, she expressed her burning love for him. Fear of Allah overcame Yusuf Bin Husain and he promptly fled. During the night he dreamt that Hadhrat Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) was seated on a throne. Rows of malaa-ikah were standing with reverence infront of him. When Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) saw Yusuf Bin Husain, he (Nabi Yusuf) arose from the throne and stepped forward to welcome him. He honoured Yusuf Bin Husain by seating him on the throne. Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) said to Yusuf Bin Husain:
"When the fear of Allah gripped you when the daughter of the Arab chief expressed her love for you, Allah Ta'ala said to me:
'O Yusuf, look! You had supplicated to Me to save you from the evil of Zulaikha. Here is Yusuf (Bin Husain) who did not even look at the daughter of the Arab chief for the sake of My Fear.'
Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam) added:
'I have been instructed to welcome you. You will attain the ranks of the Auliyaa of the Deen. Go to Zunnoon Misri and acquire the Ismul A'zam from him."
When his eyes opened, Yusuf Bin Husain journied to Egypt. He spent a year in the suhbat of Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri (rahmatullah alayh). After expiry of the year, Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri said: "Ask whatever you wish for." Yusuf Bin Husain said: "Impart to me the Ismul A'zam." Zunnoon Misri remained silent. After another year had passed Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri gave a dish covered with a cloth to Yusuf Bin Husain instructing him to deliver it so a buzrug near to the river Nile. Along the way, Yusuf Bin Husain detected a movement in the dish. Curiosity led him to open the lid. As he did so, out jumped a mouse. Feeling highly ashamed of himself, he closed the dish and delivered it to the Buzrug. When the buzrug found it empty, he said: "When you could not guard even a mouse, how can you guard the Ismul A'zam?"
Full of shame he returned to Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri who commented: "I had prayed to Allah Ta'ala seven times requesting for consent to impart the Ismul A'zam to you. Each time it was intimated to me to put you to test. It has now transpired that you have not yet developed the ability to guard the Ismul A'zam. Now return to your land. You will acquire the Ismul A'zam in due course."
2. On Yusuf Bin Husain's departure, Hadhrat Zunnoon Misri gave the following naseehat: "Forget whatever you have learnt (i.e. of book-knowledge) so that all veils are lifted. Forget me too. Do not mention to anyone that I am your Shaikh. Give naseehat to people and call them to Allah. Do not think of yourself as the intermediary (between Allah and His servants)." He returned to his homeland, the land of Re.
3. In his homeland he engaged in discourses. On account of the opposition of the establishment Ulama (Ulama-e-Zaahir), his audience dwindled. One day not a single person attended hence he thought of abandoning his discourse. An old lady reprimanding him said: "You had pledged to Zunnoon that you would admonish people. You now think of violating your pledge." This admonition alerted him and he continued with his bayaans (discourses / lectures) for the next 50 years. He became indifferent to the number of people present in the audience.
4. Hadhrat Yusuf Bin Husain said:
A man who believes in the omnipresence of Allah, flees from people.
Allah eliminates all thing besides Himself from a heart which truly remembers Him.
A Saadiq conceals his ibaadat and takes to seclusion.
The thirst (for Allah's love) of one drowned in the ocean of Tauheed is never quenched.
The noblest object is ikhlaas.
You are a slave. Therefore live like a slave (obeying the commands of Allah).
Those who recognise Allah by reflection (fikr), increase their ibaadat.
5. After the death of Yusuf Bin Husain, a buzrug saw him in a very lofty spiritual rank. The buzrug asked: "How did you attain this rank?"
Yusuf Bin Husain replied: "I had never mingled good with evil while I was on earth."
HADHRAT SHAH SHUJA' KIRMAANI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT SHAH SHUJA' KIRMAANI (rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Shah Shuja' Kirmaani (rahmatullah alayh) was a member of the royal family. After he took to the path of renunciation he did not sleep for 40 years. After this long period, he fell asleep for a few moments and in a dream saw the Vision of Allah Ta'ala. In his dream he said: "O Allah! I searched for You in awakefulness, but found You in a dream." Allah Ta'ala said: "This is the consequence of your awakefulness."
Thereafter he would generally take a short nap in the hope of experiencing Allah's Vision. He frequently said: "I will not exchange my dream for the awakefulness of both worlds."
2. Hadhrat Kirmaani had a very beautiful and saintly daughter. The king of Kirmaan proposed marriage to her. Hadhrat Kirmaani promised to give an answer to the proposal after three days. During this period, he wandered from one Musjid to another in the hope of finding a sincere durwaish with whom his daughter may marry. On the third day he found such a durwaish. When Hadhrat Kirmaani asked the durwaish if he wished to marry, he said that no one would give their daughter to a pauper. With the consent of the daughter, the nikah was performed. When she arrived at the home of her husband, she found only a piece of bread and some water in a mug. She asked: "Why have you kept this?"
Durwaish: "Yesterday I ate half of the bread and drank half of the water. I have left the balance for today."
His wife: "I want to go to my father."
Durwaish: "I knew that a woman of the royal family cannot spend her life with a faqir."
His wife: "It is not as you say. I want to complain to my father about the assurance he gave me. He promised that he would perform my nikah with a pious man, but he married me to a man who is not grateful to Allah Ta'ala. A man who hoards food for the next day contradicts tawakkul. Choose between the bread and me. Either the bread stays or I."
This episode illustrates the exceptionally lofty state of her zuhd and taqwa. Even a piece of bread in the home is regarded as negatory of tawakkul by certain Auliyaa of the calibre of Hadhrat Kirmaani's daughter.
3. Hadhrat Abu Hafs (rahmatullah alayh) wrote to Hadhrat Kirmaani:
"I viewed myself in my nafs, actions and defects. I acquired only hopelessness."
Hadhrat Kirmaani replied:
"I have made your letter the mirror of my heart. If my dissatisfaction with my nafs is sincere, then I have hope in Allah. When I have hope in Allah, I shall have fear. When I have fear, I shall have no hope in my nafs. When I shall have no hope in my nafs, I shall be able to remember Allah. When I shall remember Allah, I shall become independent from creation. When I shall gain independence from creation, I shall reach Allah."
4. Hadhrat Kirmaani said: "The grace of gracious men and the sainthood of saintly men remain as long as they do not regard their grace as grace and their sainthood as sainthood."
When a man become conscious of his excellences, he becomes afflicted with ujub (vanity) which negates his lofty attributes.
5. He said: "A faqir remains Allah's secret as long as the faqir conceals his faqr. When he reveals it, it is snatched from him."
6. Sidq has three signs:
i) Dislike for the world.
ii) Aloofness from people.
iii) Dominance over desire.
7. He said: "A wise man is he who does not look at haraam, abandons desire, remembers Allah with his heart, follows the Sunnat with his body and consumes halaal food."
Thereafter he would generally take a short nap in the hope of experiencing Allah's Vision. He frequently said: "I will not exchange my dream for the awakefulness of both worlds."
2. Hadhrat Kirmaani had a very beautiful and saintly daughter. The king of Kirmaan proposed marriage to her. Hadhrat Kirmaani promised to give an answer to the proposal after three days. During this period, he wandered from one Musjid to another in the hope of finding a sincere durwaish with whom his daughter may marry. On the third day he found such a durwaish. When Hadhrat Kirmaani asked the durwaish if he wished to marry, he said that no one would give their daughter to a pauper. With the consent of the daughter, the nikah was performed. When she arrived at the home of her husband, she found only a piece of bread and some water in a mug. She asked: "Why have you kept this?"
Durwaish: "Yesterday I ate half of the bread and drank half of the water. I have left the balance for today."
His wife: "I want to go to my father."
Durwaish: "I knew that a woman of the royal family cannot spend her life with a faqir."
His wife: "It is not as you say. I want to complain to my father about the assurance he gave me. He promised that he would perform my nikah with a pious man, but he married me to a man who is not grateful to Allah Ta'ala. A man who hoards food for the next day contradicts tawakkul. Choose between the bread and me. Either the bread stays or I."
This episode illustrates the exceptionally lofty state of her zuhd and taqwa. Even a piece of bread in the home is regarded as negatory of tawakkul by certain Auliyaa of the calibre of Hadhrat Kirmaani's daughter.
3. Hadhrat Abu Hafs (rahmatullah alayh) wrote to Hadhrat Kirmaani:
"I viewed myself in my nafs, actions and defects. I acquired only hopelessness."
Hadhrat Kirmaani replied:
"I have made your letter the mirror of my heart. If my dissatisfaction with my nafs is sincere, then I have hope in Allah. When I have hope in Allah, I shall have fear. When I have fear, I shall have no hope in my nafs. When I shall have no hope in my nafs, I shall be able to remember Allah. When I shall remember Allah, I shall become independent from creation. When I shall gain independence from creation, I shall reach Allah."
4. Hadhrat Kirmaani said: "The grace of gracious men and the sainthood of saintly men remain as long as they do not regard their grace as grace and their sainthood as sainthood."
When a man become conscious of his excellences, he becomes afflicted with ujub (vanity) which negates his lofty attributes.
5. He said: "A faqir remains Allah's secret as long as the faqir conceals his faqr. When he reveals it, it is snatched from him."
6. Sidq has three signs:
i) Dislike for the world.
ii) Aloofness from people.
iii) Dominance over desire.
7. He said: "A wise man is he who does not look at haraam, abandons desire, remembers Allah with his heart, follows the Sunnat with his body and consumes halaal food."
HADHRAT SHAH SHUJA' KIRMAANI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT SHAH SHUJA' KIRMAANI
(rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Shah Shuja' Kirmaani (rahmatullah alayh) was a member of the royal family. After he took to the path of renunciation he did not sleep for 40 years. After this long period, he fell asleep for a few moments and in a dream saw the Vision of Allah Ta'ala. In his dream he said: "O Allah! I searched for You in awakefulness, but found You in a dream." Allah Ta'ala said: "This is the consequence of your awakefulness."
Thereafter he would generally take a short nap in the hope of experiencing Allah's Vision. He frequently said: "I will not exchange my dream for the awakefulness of both worlds."
2. Hadhrat Kirmaani had a very beautiful and saintly daughter. The king of Kirmaan proposed marriage to her. Hadhrat Kirmaani promised to give an answer to the proposal after three days. During this period, he wandered from one Musjid to another in the hope of finding a sincere durwaish with whom his daughter may marry. On the third day he found such a durwaish. When Hadhrat Kirmaani asked the durwaish if he wished to marry, he said that no one would give their daughter to a pauper. With the consent of the daughter, the nikah was performed. When she arrived at the home of her husband, she found only a piece of bread and some water in a mug. She asked: "Why have you kept this?"
Durwaish: "Yesterday I ate half of the bread and drank half of the water. I have left the balance for today."
His wife: "I want to go to my father."
Durwaish: "I knew that a woman of the royal family cannot spend her life with a faqir."
His wife: "It is not as you say. I want to complain to my father about the assurance he gave me. He promised that he would perform my nikah with a pious man, but he married me to a man who is not grateful to Allah Ta'ala. A man who hoards food for the next day contradicts tawakkul. Choose between the bread and me. Either the bread stays or I."
This episode illustrates the exceptionally lofty state of her zuhd and taqwa. Even a piece of bread in the home is regarded as negatory of tawakkul by certain Auliyaa of the calibre of Hadhrat Kirmaani's daughter.
3. Hadhrat Abu Hafs (rahmatullah alayh) wrote to Hadhrat Kirmaani:
"I viewed myself in my nafs, actions and defects. I acquired only hopelessness."
Hadhrat Kirmaani replied:
"I have made your letter the mirror of my heart. If my dissatisfaction with my nafs is sincere, then I have hope in Allah. When I have hope in Allah, I shall have fear. When I have fear, I shall have no hope in my nafs. When I shall have no hope in my nafs, I shall be able to remember Allah. When I shall remember Allah, I shall become independent from creation. When I shall gain independence from creation, I shall reach Allah."
4. Hadhrat Kirmaani said: "The grace of gracious men and the sainthood of saintly men remain as long as they do not regard their grace as grace and their sainthood as sainthood."
When a man become conscious of his excellences, he becomes afflicted with ujub (vanity) which negates his lofty attributes.
5. He said: "A faqir remains Allah's secret as long as the faqir conceals his faqr. When he reveals it, it is snatched from him."
6. Sidq has three signs:
i) Dislike for the world.
ii) Aloofness from people.
iii) Dominance over desire.
7. He said: "A wise man is he who does not look at haraam, abandons desire, remembers Allah with his heart, follows the Sunnat with his body and consumes halaal food."
Thereafter he would generally take a short nap in the hope of experiencing Allah's Vision. He frequently said: "I will not exchange my dream for the awakefulness of both worlds."
2. Hadhrat Kirmaani had a very beautiful and saintly daughter. The king of Kirmaan proposed marriage to her. Hadhrat Kirmaani promised to give an answer to the proposal after three days. During this period, he wandered from one Musjid to another in the hope of finding a sincere durwaish with whom his daughter may marry. On the third day he found such a durwaish. When Hadhrat Kirmaani asked the durwaish if he wished to marry, he said that no one would give their daughter to a pauper. With the consent of the daughter, the nikah was performed. When she arrived at the home of her husband, she found only a piece of bread and some water in a mug. She asked: "Why have you kept this?"
Durwaish: "Yesterday I ate half of the bread and drank half of the water. I have left the balance for today."
His wife: "I want to go to my father."
Durwaish: "I knew that a woman of the royal family cannot spend her life with a faqir."
His wife: "It is not as you say. I want to complain to my father about the assurance he gave me. He promised that he would perform my nikah with a pious man, but he married me to a man who is not grateful to Allah Ta'ala. A man who hoards food for the next day contradicts tawakkul. Choose between the bread and me. Either the bread stays or I."
This episode illustrates the exceptionally lofty state of her zuhd and taqwa. Even a piece of bread in the home is regarded as negatory of tawakkul by certain Auliyaa of the calibre of Hadhrat Kirmaani's daughter.
3. Hadhrat Abu Hafs (rahmatullah alayh) wrote to Hadhrat Kirmaani:
"I viewed myself in my nafs, actions and defects. I acquired only hopelessness."
Hadhrat Kirmaani replied:
"I have made your letter the mirror of my heart. If my dissatisfaction with my nafs is sincere, then I have hope in Allah. When I have hope in Allah, I shall have fear. When I have fear, I shall have no hope in my nafs. When I shall have no hope in my nafs, I shall be able to remember Allah. When I shall remember Allah, I shall become independent from creation. When I shall gain independence from creation, I shall reach Allah."
4. Hadhrat Kirmaani said: "The grace of gracious men and the sainthood of saintly men remain as long as they do not regard their grace as grace and their sainthood as sainthood."
When a man become conscious of his excellences, he becomes afflicted with ujub (vanity) which negates his lofty attributes.
5. He said: "A faqir remains Allah's secret as long as the faqir conceals his faqr. When he reveals it, it is snatched from him."
6. Sidq has three signs:
i) Dislike for the world.
ii) Aloofness from people.
iii) Dominance over desire.
7. He said: "A wise man is he who does not look at haraam, abandons desire, remembers Allah with his heart, follows the Sunnat with his body and consumes halaal food."
HADHRAT ABU SULAIMAAN DAARAAEE (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT ABU SULAIMAAN DAARAAEE
(rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Abu Sulaimaan Daaraaee (rahmatullah alayh) said:
Everything has its corrosion. Eating to the degree of satiation is the corrosion of the heart's purity. Ihtilaam (nocturnal discharge of semen) is a punishment for filling the stomach.
A man who eats his stomach full suffers six calamities:
1) He does not experience pleasure in ibaadat.
2) His memory in remembering wisdom decreases.
3) He is unable to be affectionate to people.
4) Ibaadat is onerous on him.
5) His lust increases.
6) He is preoccupied with the toilet.
2. He said:
A man in whose heart is noor (spiritual light) is angered by nafsaani desires. That noor separates him from the world and inclines him to the Aakhirah.
Abandonment of ego is called Tawaadhu' (humility). (As long as one thinks of oneself as being something, one lacks humility.) He who does not recognize his nafs does not understand the meaning of Tawaadhu'.
One who speaks without thinking always regrets.
Eating less, sleeping less and speaking less are the signs of a sincere taubah.
The Thikr of Allah effaces sins and His Ridhaa (being pleased with Him) severs vain hopes.
Everything has its corrosion. Eating to the degree of satiation is the corrosion of the heart's purity. Ihtilaam (nocturnal discharge of semen) is a punishment for filling the stomach.
A man who eats his stomach full suffers six calamities:
1) He does not experience pleasure in ibaadat.
2) His memory in remembering wisdom decreases.
3) He is unable to be affectionate to people.
4) Ibaadat is onerous on him.
5) His lust increases.
6) He is preoccupied with the toilet.
2. He said:
A man in whose heart is noor (spiritual light) is angered by nafsaani desires. That noor separates him from the world and inclines him to the Aakhirah.
Abandonment of ego is called Tawaadhu' (humility). (As long as one thinks of oneself as being something, one lacks humility.) He who does not recognize his nafs does not understand the meaning of Tawaadhu'.
One who speaks without thinking always regrets.
Eating less, sleeping less and speaking less are the signs of a sincere taubah.
The Thikr of Allah effaces sins and His Ridhaa (being pleased with Him) severs vain hopes.
HADHRAT HAARITH MUHAASABI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT HAARITH MUHAASABI (rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Haarith Muhaasabi (rahmatullah alayh) was a contemporary of Hadhrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullah alayh). His abstinence from mushtabah (doubtful) food was of such a high degree that his fingers would become paralysed if he touched such food. Once he visited Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (rahmatullah alayh). A neighbour in whose house a marriage had taken place had sent some of the walimah food to Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi. This food was served to Hadhrat Muhaasabi. As he took a morsel of the food, his fingers became limp. Nevertheless, he quickly put the morsel with great difficulty into his mouth, but it would simply not go down his throat. He left the room, spat out the food and went home.
After some days when Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi met him, he (Hadhrat Junaid) asked him to explain his abrupt departure of the other day.
Hadhrat Haarith Muhaasabi said:
"Whenever I stretch my hand towards mushtabah food, it is Allah's great favour that my fingers become limp. However, in deference for you I managed to put the morsel of food in my mouth, but it was rejected by my throat. I spat it out and left."
Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi again invited Hadhrat Haarith Muhaasabi to his home. This time he served a piece of dry bread which Hadhrat Muhaasabi are with relish. Hadhrat Muhaasabi commented: "This suffices for the durwaish."
2. Hadhrat Haarith Muhaasabi inherited 30,000 dirhams from his father's estate. He handed the whole amount to the Baitul Maal (the state's treasury) and said:
"Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: 'The Qadriyyah are the Majoos (fire-worshippers) of this Ummah.' My father was a member of the Qadriyyah sect. The Majoos are not Muslims, hence it is not permissible for me to inherit from my father."
3. He said:
Do not take oaths.
Do not speak a lie.
Do not make promises. If a promise has been made, honour it.
Do not curse anyone, even if the person is an oppressor.
Do not seek compensation for anything from anyone.
Do not testify in a case of kufr, shirk and nifaaq.
Do not intend to commit a sin whether it be a sin of the heart or of the body.
Do not impose on anyone. Rather remove the difficulties of others.
Do not wish for an honoured position in the world and regard all others to be nobler than yourself.
Obedience to the laws of Allah Ta'ala is Sabr.
The understanding that all worldly causes are from Allah and to be grateful for even misfortunes are called Tasleem (complete submission).
Severance of relationship with the enemies of Allah is called Haya (Shame).
Divine Love means to shun the world.
To abandon sin on account of the fear of being apprehended (in the hereafter) is called Khauf.
Fleeing from people is called Uns (i.e. an elevated stage of Divine Love).
A Saadiq (Truthful one) is a person who is pleased when he is criticised. He always seeks Allah's refuge.
He who has adorned his nafs by struggle, has found the straight path.
Allah bestows the ability of following the Sunnah to the one who has ikhlaas (sincerity) and engages in Muraaqabah (contemplation).
After some days when Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi met him, he (Hadhrat Junaid) asked him to explain his abrupt departure of the other day.
Hadhrat Haarith Muhaasabi said:
"Whenever I stretch my hand towards mushtabah food, it is Allah's great favour that my fingers become limp. However, in deference for you I managed to put the morsel of food in my mouth, but it was rejected by my throat. I spat it out and left."
Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi again invited Hadhrat Haarith Muhaasabi to his home. This time he served a piece of dry bread which Hadhrat Muhaasabi are with relish. Hadhrat Muhaasabi commented: "This suffices for the durwaish."
2. Hadhrat Haarith Muhaasabi inherited 30,000 dirhams from his father's estate. He handed the whole amount to the Baitul Maal (the state's treasury) and said:
"Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: 'The Qadriyyah are the Majoos (fire-worshippers) of this Ummah.' My father was a member of the Qadriyyah sect. The Majoos are not Muslims, hence it is not permissible for me to inherit from my father."
3. He said:
Do not take oaths.
Do not speak a lie.
Do not make promises. If a promise has been made, honour it.
Do not curse anyone, even if the person is an oppressor.
Do not seek compensation for anything from anyone.
Do not testify in a case of kufr, shirk and nifaaq.
Do not intend to commit a sin whether it be a sin of the heart or of the body.
Do not impose on anyone. Rather remove the difficulties of others.
Do not wish for an honoured position in the world and regard all others to be nobler than yourself.
Obedience to the laws of Allah Ta'ala is Sabr.
The understanding that all worldly causes are from Allah and to be grateful for even misfortunes are called Tasleem (complete submission).
Severance of relationship with the enemies of Allah is called Haya (Shame).
Divine Love means to shun the world.
To abandon sin on account of the fear of being apprehended (in the hereafter) is called Khauf.
Fleeing from people is called Uns (i.e. an elevated stage of Divine Love).
A Saadiq (Truthful one) is a person who is pleased when he is criticised. He always seeks Allah's refuge.
He who has adorned his nafs by struggle, has found the straight path.
Allah bestows the ability of following the Sunnah to the one who has ikhlaas (sincerity) and engages in Muraaqabah (contemplation).
HADHRAT DAWOOD TAAI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT DAWOOD TAAI (rahmatullah alayh)
1. Before his reformation, Hadhrat Dawood Taai (rahmatullah alayh) once heard a poet reciting a couplet which made a tremendous impact on him. His heart turned away from the world. In bewilderment he explained his condition to Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayh) who advised him to remain in seclusion. After a few days Imaam Abu Hanifah advised him to sit in the company of the Auliyaa. After spending a year in the company of different Mashaa-ikh, he became the Mureed of Hadhrat Habib Raa-ee (rahmatullah alayh).
2. Hadhrat Dawood Taai lived in a large house which he had acquired prior to his entry into the path of renunciation. One part of the house collapsed and he moved into another part. He never made an attempt to repair the collapsed part. Some time later, the part in which he was living, also collapsed. He moved into another part. As time passed, this section too collapsed, leaving only part of the roof intact. He lived under this shelter. After he died, the roof also collapsed.
3. The following are some of his sayings:
One who lacks consideration for others, lacks Deen.
Futile gazing is as reprehensible as futile conversation.
Abandon the company of people.
The dead are waiting for you.
Strive for the acquisition of the Deen like you are striving for the acquisition of the world.
Prevent your tongue from evil and remain aloof from people.
4. Once the Khalifah, Haroun Rashid came with Imaam Abu Yusuf (rahmatullah alayh) to visit Hadhrat Dawood Taai. However, he refused to allow them to enter his home, saying: "I do not wish to meet people of the world and oppressors." On the insistence of his mother he relented and allowed them to enter. He allowed them to remain only a few moments. When about to leave, Haroun Rashid presented some gold coins to Dawood Taai. Refusing to accept, he said: "I had sold my house in exchange for halaal money. I am still using from that money for my needs. I have supplicated to Allah Ta'ala to remove me from this world when my money finishes."
Later Imaam Abu Yusuf learnt from a close associate of Dawood Taai that he had 10 dirhams left from the money he had received for his house. On the basis of Dawood Taai's daily expenses, Imaam Abu Yusuf calculated that the money will be depleted after a certain number of days. When that number of days expired, Imaam Abu Yusuf said: "Today, Hadhrat Dawood Taai has died." On making enquiries, it was learnt from Dawood Taai's mother that he was engrossed in ibaadat the entire night. Finally he died in Sajdah.
5. While Dawood Taai was in his last illness, a buzrug saw him reciting the Qur'aan Shareef in the blazing sun on a fiercely hot day. When the buzrug advised him to come into the shade, Hadhrat Dawood Taai said:
"I detest submitting to my nafs."
He died that very same night.
2. Hadhrat Dawood Taai lived in a large house which he had acquired prior to his entry into the path of renunciation. One part of the house collapsed and he moved into another part. He never made an attempt to repair the collapsed part. Some time later, the part in which he was living, also collapsed. He moved into another part. As time passed, this section too collapsed, leaving only part of the roof intact. He lived under this shelter. After he died, the roof also collapsed.
3. The following are some of his sayings:
One who lacks consideration for others, lacks Deen.
Futile gazing is as reprehensible as futile conversation.
Abandon the company of people.
The dead are waiting for you.
Strive for the acquisition of the Deen like you are striving for the acquisition of the world.
Prevent your tongue from evil and remain aloof from people.
4. Once the Khalifah, Haroun Rashid came with Imaam Abu Yusuf (rahmatullah alayh) to visit Hadhrat Dawood Taai. However, he refused to allow them to enter his home, saying: "I do not wish to meet people of the world and oppressors." On the insistence of his mother he relented and allowed them to enter. He allowed them to remain only a few moments. When about to leave, Haroun Rashid presented some gold coins to Dawood Taai. Refusing to accept, he said: "I had sold my house in exchange for halaal money. I am still using from that money for my needs. I have supplicated to Allah Ta'ala to remove me from this world when my money finishes."
Later Imaam Abu Yusuf learnt from a close associate of Dawood Taai that he had 10 dirhams left from the money he had received for his house. On the basis of Dawood Taai's daily expenses, Imaam Abu Yusuf calculated that the money will be depleted after a certain number of days. When that number of days expired, Imaam Abu Yusuf said: "Today, Hadhrat Dawood Taai has died." On making enquiries, it was learnt from Dawood Taai's mother that he was engrossed in ibaadat the entire night. Finally he died in Sajdah.
5. While Dawood Taai was in his last illness, a buzrug saw him reciting the Qur'aan Shareef in the blazing sun on a fiercely hot day. When the buzrug advised him to come into the shade, Hadhrat Dawood Taai said:
"I detest submitting to my nafs."
He died that very same night.
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
HADHRAT IMAAM AHMAD HAMBAL (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT IMAAM AHMAD HAMBAL (rahmatullah alayh)
1. The Mu'tazilah sect had brought great distress and suffering to Imaam Ahmad Hambal (rahmatullah alayh). While the deviant Mu'tazilahs propagated the erroneous belief of the Qur'aan being the created word of Allah, Imaam Hambal was their leading opponent teaching that the Qur'aan was the uncreated Word of Allah Ta'ala. The Khalifah Ma'moon too entertained the Mu'tazilah view. Imaam Ahmad was arrested and brought in front of the Khalifah who ordered him to retract his belief. When Imaam Ahmad refused, he was put in chains and severely flogged. Inspite of his frail body, he preserved and submitted to the torture, but never abandoning the truth.
While flogging Imaam Ahmad, his izaar (the garment covering the lower part of the body) was about to fall off. Two hands miraculously appeared, tied the izaar and disappeared. When the king beheld this wonderful episode, he ordered Imaam Hambal to be released. He finally succumbed to the wounds of the torture and died. On his death-bed he was asked about the Khalifah, Ma'moon. Imaam Hambal said:
"He had punished me for the sake of Allah because he thought I was propagating falsehood. On the Day of Qiyaamah, I shall hold no claim against him."
2. Imaam Ahmad Hambal narrated the following episode: "Once in the wilderness I lost my way. A bedouin was sitting in a corner. I went up to him and asked for directions. He became restless and wept. Thinking him lost and hungry, I offered him some bread. In anger he said: 'O Ahmad Hambal, you are not pleased with Allah. You offer rizq like Allah while you have lost the way.' I said to myself: 'O Allah! You have concealed such noble servants of Yours in such remote corners of the world.' Discerning my thoughts, the bedouin said: 'There are such servants of Allah, by whose command the entire earth can be transformed into gold.' When I looked, I beheld gold as far as my eyes could see. I was overcome by ecstasy. I heard a Voice saying: 'This man is Our beloved servant. If he wishes, We shall cast the entire universe into turmoil. Be grateful to Us for having allowed you to meet him. You will never again see him."
3. While he was in Baghdad, Imaam Hambal would not eat anything which was produced there. His food would be brought from the city of Mosul. Explaining his action, he said: "Hadhrat Umar (رضئ الله عنه ) had made waqf the lands of Baghdad for the Ghaazis (Muslim Mujaahideen). These lands are lawful only for them."
4. Since the use of silver and gold is permissible only in jewellery for females and as money, Imaam Ahmad Hambal would instruct people not to sit in the company of those who had silver surmah containers.
5. Once when Imaam Hambal was blessed with the vision of Allah Ta'ala in a dream, he asked: "O Allah! How should Your Proximity be cultivated?" Allah Ta'ala said: "By means of tilaawat of the Qur'aan." Imaam Hambal asked: "With or without understanding?" Allah Ta'ala said: "With and without understanding."
6. Someone asked: "What is zuhd?"
Imaam Hambal: "The zuhd of the masses is abstention from haraam and the zuhd of the elite is abstention from the desire of increase in halaal."
Zuhd is to renounce the world. In so far as the masses are concerned, zuhd is to renounce all unlawful and reprehensible deeds and acts. The zuhd of the Auliyaa is of a different and higher kind. To gain nearness to Allah Ta'ala, abstention from even lawful desires becomes necessary. Such renunciation is of a variety of degrees depending on the spiritual abilities of the Auliyaa.
The there is a much higher type of zuhd which Imaam Hambal defined: "The zuhd of the Aarifeen is to abandon everything besides Allah Ta'ala."
7. During his last moments his son asked about his condition. Imaam Hambal replied: "This is not a time for answering. Make dua that Allah takes me with Imaan. Shaitaan is saying to me: 'O Ahmad! Alas! You are departing in the safety of Imaan.'
But, I say: 'As long as breath remains, there is no certainty of Imaan. I still have some breath left and this is the perilous stage. May Allah have mercy."
After making this statement, Imaam Ahmad Hambal passed away. Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: "Imaan is suspended between hope and fear."
8. Flocks of birds accompanying the Janaazah of Imaam Ahmad Hambal (rahmatullah alayh) wept. On beholding this scene, two thousand Jews embraced Islam.
While flogging Imaam Ahmad, his izaar (the garment covering the lower part of the body) was about to fall off. Two hands miraculously appeared, tied the izaar and disappeared. When the king beheld this wonderful episode, he ordered Imaam Hambal to be released. He finally succumbed to the wounds of the torture and died. On his death-bed he was asked about the Khalifah, Ma'moon. Imaam Hambal said:
"He had punished me for the sake of Allah because he thought I was propagating falsehood. On the Day of Qiyaamah, I shall hold no claim against him."
2. Imaam Ahmad Hambal narrated the following episode: "Once in the wilderness I lost my way. A bedouin was sitting in a corner. I went up to him and asked for directions. He became restless and wept. Thinking him lost and hungry, I offered him some bread. In anger he said: 'O Ahmad Hambal, you are not pleased with Allah. You offer rizq like Allah while you have lost the way.' I said to myself: 'O Allah! You have concealed such noble servants of Yours in such remote corners of the world.' Discerning my thoughts, the bedouin said: 'There are such servants of Allah, by whose command the entire earth can be transformed into gold.' When I looked, I beheld gold as far as my eyes could see. I was overcome by ecstasy. I heard a Voice saying: 'This man is Our beloved servant. If he wishes, We shall cast the entire universe into turmoil. Be grateful to Us for having allowed you to meet him. You will never again see him."
3. While he was in Baghdad, Imaam Hambal would not eat anything which was produced there. His food would be brought from the city of Mosul. Explaining his action, he said: "Hadhrat Umar (رضئ الله عنه ) had made waqf the lands of Baghdad for the Ghaazis (Muslim Mujaahideen). These lands are lawful only for them."
4. Since the use of silver and gold is permissible only in jewellery for females and as money, Imaam Ahmad Hambal would instruct people not to sit in the company of those who had silver surmah containers.
5. Once when Imaam Hambal was blessed with the vision of Allah Ta'ala in a dream, he asked: "O Allah! How should Your Proximity be cultivated?" Allah Ta'ala said: "By means of tilaawat of the Qur'aan." Imaam Hambal asked: "With or without understanding?" Allah Ta'ala said: "With and without understanding."
6. Someone asked: "What is zuhd?"
Imaam Hambal: "The zuhd of the masses is abstention from haraam and the zuhd of the elite is abstention from the desire of increase in halaal."
Zuhd is to renounce the world. In so far as the masses are concerned, zuhd is to renounce all unlawful and reprehensible deeds and acts. The zuhd of the Auliyaa is of a different and higher kind. To gain nearness to Allah Ta'ala, abstention from even lawful desires becomes necessary. Such renunciation is of a variety of degrees depending on the spiritual abilities of the Auliyaa.
The there is a much higher type of zuhd which Imaam Hambal defined: "The zuhd of the Aarifeen is to abandon everything besides Allah Ta'ala."
7. During his last moments his son asked about his condition. Imaam Hambal replied: "This is not a time for answering. Make dua that Allah takes me with Imaan. Shaitaan is saying to me: 'O Ahmad! Alas! You are departing in the safety of Imaan.'
But, I say: 'As long as breath remains, there is no certainty of Imaan. I still have some breath left and this is the perilous stage. May Allah have mercy."
After making this statement, Imaam Ahmad Hambal passed away. Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: "Imaan is suspended between hope and fear."
8. Flocks of birds accompanying the Janaazah of Imaam Ahmad Hambal (rahmatullah alayh) wept. On beholding this scene, two thousand Jews embraced Islam.
HADHRAT IMAAM SHAAFI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT IMAAM SHAAFI (rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Sufyaan Thauri (rahmatullah alayh) asked Hadhrat Khidhr's opinion regarding Imaam Shaafi (rahmatullah alayh). Khidhr (alayhis salaam) said: "He is among the Autaad."
(In the hierarchy of the Auliyaa of unknown identities, there are 12 classes. Autaad is one of the top-ranking classes.)
2. In the beginning, Imaam Shaafi remained in seclusion deriving baatini (spiritual) knowledge and direction from Hadhrat Saleem Raa-ee (rahmatullah alayh).
3. The reverence he had for Sayyids constrained Imaam Shaafi to stand in respect for even little boys of the family of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم).
4. Once when going for Hajj, Imaam Shaafi took with him 10,000 dinars (gold coins). People advised him to invest the money in lucrative business ventures. Imaam Shaafi listened to the advices, but did not respond. He went to the outskirts of Makkah Muazzamah and made a heap of the gold coins. He sat down and gave a handful of dinars to every passer-by. Soon the whole pile of gold was depleted.
5. In terms of a treaty, the emperor of Room paid an annual sum to Khalifah Haroun Rashid. Once, the emperor sent the annual levy with a deputation of Christian priests. On this occasion the emperor has also issued the following ultimatum to Haroun Rashid:
"If the Ulama of your religion defeat these priests in debate, I shall continue to pay the levy. If they fail, I shall terminate it." Haroun Rashid assembled the Ulama on the banks of the River Dajla and requested Imaam Shaafi to debate with the Christian priests. Imaam Shaafi spread his musalla on the river-water. Seating himself on the carpet, he challenged the priests: "If you wish to debate, come here on the water."
When the priests beheld this miraculous scene, the vista of guidance opened in their hearts. All embraced Islam. When the emperor learnt of this development, he said: "We are fortunate, that man (i.e. Imaam Shaafi) did not come to Room. The whole population would have embraced Islam."
6. Imaam Shaafi said: "Whoever taught you even a little respect, consider him to be your Ustaadh."
"Do not vie with others in the accumulation of wealth. Vie with them in ibaadat. Wealth remains behind on earth while ibaadat accompanies you into the grave."
7. During his last illness, Imaam Shaafi wrote a wasiyyat naamah (last testament) to be given to a particular person who was not present. He also instructed that the man be told to give ghusl to his (Imaam Shaafi's) body. However, the man was not present when Imaam Shaafi died. He was in Egypt, hence someone else had to give the ghusl. When the man returned from Egypt many days later, the testament was given to him. The verbal message too was delivered. In the wasiyyat naamah was written: "I am in debt for 70,000 …" The man paid Imaam Shaafi's debt and said that ghusl here referred to the debt owed by Imaam Shaafi."
(In the hierarchy of the Auliyaa of unknown identities, there are 12 classes. Autaad is one of the top-ranking classes.)
2. In the beginning, Imaam Shaafi remained in seclusion deriving baatini (spiritual) knowledge and direction from Hadhrat Saleem Raa-ee (rahmatullah alayh).
3. The reverence he had for Sayyids constrained Imaam Shaafi to stand in respect for even little boys of the family of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم).
4. Once when going for Hajj, Imaam Shaafi took with him 10,000 dinars (gold coins). People advised him to invest the money in lucrative business ventures. Imaam Shaafi listened to the advices, but did not respond. He went to the outskirts of Makkah Muazzamah and made a heap of the gold coins. He sat down and gave a handful of dinars to every passer-by. Soon the whole pile of gold was depleted.
5. In terms of a treaty, the emperor of Room paid an annual sum to Khalifah Haroun Rashid. Once, the emperor sent the annual levy with a deputation of Christian priests. On this occasion the emperor has also issued the following ultimatum to Haroun Rashid:
"If the Ulama of your religion defeat these priests in debate, I shall continue to pay the levy. If they fail, I shall terminate it." Haroun Rashid assembled the Ulama on the banks of the River Dajla and requested Imaam Shaafi to debate with the Christian priests. Imaam Shaafi spread his musalla on the river-water. Seating himself on the carpet, he challenged the priests: "If you wish to debate, come here on the water."
When the priests beheld this miraculous scene, the vista of guidance opened in their hearts. All embraced Islam. When the emperor learnt of this development, he said: "We are fortunate, that man (i.e. Imaam Shaafi) did not come to Room. The whole population would have embraced Islam."
6. Imaam Shaafi said: "Whoever taught you even a little respect, consider him to be your Ustaadh."
"Do not vie with others in the accumulation of wealth. Vie with them in ibaadat. Wealth remains behind on earth while ibaadat accompanies you into the grave."
7. During his last illness, Imaam Shaafi wrote a wasiyyat naamah (last testament) to be given to a particular person who was not present. He also instructed that the man be told to give ghusl to his (Imaam Shaafi's) body. However, the man was not present when Imaam Shaafi died. He was in Egypt, hence someone else had to give the ghusl. When the man returned from Egypt many days later, the testament was given to him. The verbal message too was delivered. In the wasiyyat naamah was written: "I am in debt for 70,000 …" The man paid Imaam Shaafi's debt and said that ghusl here referred to the debt owed by Imaam Shaafi."
HADHRAT IMAAM ABU HANIFAH(rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT IMAAM ABU HANIFAH(rahmatullah alayh)
1. Hadhrat Imaam Abu Hanifah Nu'min Bin Thaabit (rahmatullah alayh) was a Taabi-ee. Illustrious Auliyaa such as Fuzail Bin Iyaaz, Ibraahim Bin Adham, Bishr Haafi and Dawood Taai (rahmatullah alayhim) were among his students.
2. It is narrated that when Imaam Abu Hanifah presented himself at the Raudha-e-Mubaarak (the Holy Grave) of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) he recited:
(Insert Arabic Assalaamu Alayka ya Sayyidul Mursaleen)
"Salaam on you, O Leader of the Ambiya!"
the reply from within the Holy Sepulchre came:
(Insert Arabic Wa Alaykas salaam ya Imaamul Muslimeen)
"And Salaam on you, O Imaam of the Muslims!"
3. Once Imaan Abu Hanifah dreamt that he was exhuming the bones of the holy body of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) and sorting them out. He woke up full of fear. He asked Ibn Sireen, the famous interpreter, for the interpretation of his dream. Ibn Sireen said: "Congratulations! In the knowledge of Hadith you will attain the ability of distinguishing between Saheeh (authentic) and Maudhu' (fabricated) ahaadith."
4. In a dream, Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) informed: "O Abu Hanifah! Allah has created you to revive my Sunnah. Do not adopt seclusion."
5. Once Imaan Abu Hanifah attended a Janaazah. It was an extremely hot day. The only shade in the vicinity was the shadows of a wall. However, Imaam Abu Hanifah remained standing in the blazing sun. When people insisted that he stand in the shade, he said: "The owner of the house is my debtor. It is not permissible for me to derive any gain from him because the Hadith says: "The benefit produced by every qardh (loan given) is ribaa."
6. Initially it was Imaam Abu Hanifah's practice to perform 300 raka'ts every night. One day while walking in the street he overheard someone telling another person: "He performs 500 raka'ts every night." Henceforth he increased his nightly practice to 500 raka'ts.
7. Once Imaan Abu Hanifah honoured a wealthy man on account of his worldly rank. To compensate for this error Imaam Abu Hanifah recited the Qur'aan Shareef a thousand times.
8. When a difficult mas'alah (Deeni question) confronted him and there appeared to be no solution, Imaam Abu Hanifah would recite the Qur'aan Shareef 40 times. By the barkat of this recital, the Mas'alah would be solved.
9. Commenting of the adab (respect) of Imaam Abu Hanifah, Hadhrat Dawood Taai said that in 30 years he never saw Imaam Abu Hanifah stretching his legs or removing his headgear, neither in public nor in seclusion. When Dawood Taai asked the reason for such respect even in seclusion, Imaam Abu Hanifah said:
"How can I respect people in public and be disrespectful to Allah Ta'ala in seclusion?"
10. There was a wealthy man who had a great aversion for Hadhrat Uthmaan (رضئ الله عنه ). He even branded Hadhrat Uthmaan (رضئ الله عنه ) a Yahoodi. Imaam Abu Hanifah sent for him and said: "I wish to arrange your daughter's marriage to a (certain) Yahoodi." The man, greatly annoyed, exclaimed: "How can you utter such a notoriety while you are the Imaam? This is not permissible." Imaam Abu Hanifah said: "Your opinion in this matter is of no significance. Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) , himself gave two of his daughters in marriage to a 'Yahoodi'." The Yahoodi understood and repented. Two daughters of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) on different occasions were married to Hadhrat Uthmaan (رضئ الله عنه ).
11. In a dream Hadhrat Yahya Muaaz Raazi (rahmatullah alayh) asked Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) : "Where should I search for you, O Rasulullah?" Nabi-e-Kareem ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: "Search for me by the knowledge of Abu Hanifah."
12. A man who frequently sat in Imaam Abu Hanifah's company asked for a loan of a large sum to relieve him of his financial distress. Imaam Abu Hanifah advanced the loan. The man promised to repay the loan on a certain date. On due-date he was unable to pay. Feeling ashamed, he no longer visited Imaam Abu Hanifah. Although Imaam Abu Hanifah wondered at the absence of his friend, he could not understand the reason. Imaam Abu Hanifah had forgotten about the loan and the friend's promise.
One day after Salaat, Imaam Abu Hanifah decided to confront the man to ascertain the reason for his aloofness. When the man saw Imaam Abu Hanifah approaching, he turned and quickly walked away. Imaam Abu Hanifah followed. When the man saw Imaam Abu Hanifah following him, he broke into a run in order to escape. Imaam Abu Hanifah also ran after him. When the man realised that Imaam Abu Hanifah was nearing him, he hid his face in his hands in shame, facing the wall of a building. Imaam Abu Hanifah lightly placed his hands on the man's shoulders and asked the reason for his peculiar behaviour. Highly embarrassed, the man explained his inability to repay the loan. Now Imaam Abu Hanifah recalled the loan he had given. He took the man home and gave him a similar large sum to pay his debts.
2. It is narrated that when Imaam Abu Hanifah presented himself at the Raudha-e-Mubaarak (the Holy Grave) of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) he recited:
(Insert Arabic Assalaamu Alayka ya Sayyidul Mursaleen)
"Salaam on you, O Leader of the Ambiya!"
the reply from within the Holy Sepulchre came:
(Insert Arabic Wa Alaykas salaam ya Imaamul Muslimeen)
"And Salaam on you, O Imaam of the Muslims!"
3. Once Imaan Abu Hanifah dreamt that he was exhuming the bones of the holy body of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) and sorting them out. He woke up full of fear. He asked Ibn Sireen, the famous interpreter, for the interpretation of his dream. Ibn Sireen said: "Congratulations! In the knowledge of Hadith you will attain the ability of distinguishing between Saheeh (authentic) and Maudhu' (fabricated) ahaadith."
4. In a dream, Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) informed: "O Abu Hanifah! Allah has created you to revive my Sunnah. Do not adopt seclusion."
5. Once Imaan Abu Hanifah attended a Janaazah. It was an extremely hot day. The only shade in the vicinity was the shadows of a wall. However, Imaam Abu Hanifah remained standing in the blazing sun. When people insisted that he stand in the shade, he said: "The owner of the house is my debtor. It is not permissible for me to derive any gain from him because the Hadith says: "The benefit produced by every qardh (loan given) is ribaa."
6. Initially it was Imaam Abu Hanifah's practice to perform 300 raka'ts every night. One day while walking in the street he overheard someone telling another person: "He performs 500 raka'ts every night." Henceforth he increased his nightly practice to 500 raka'ts.
7. Once Imaan Abu Hanifah honoured a wealthy man on account of his worldly rank. To compensate for this error Imaam Abu Hanifah recited the Qur'aan Shareef a thousand times.
8. When a difficult mas'alah (Deeni question) confronted him and there appeared to be no solution, Imaam Abu Hanifah would recite the Qur'aan Shareef 40 times. By the barkat of this recital, the Mas'alah would be solved.
9. Commenting of the adab (respect) of Imaam Abu Hanifah, Hadhrat Dawood Taai said that in 30 years he never saw Imaam Abu Hanifah stretching his legs or removing his headgear, neither in public nor in seclusion. When Dawood Taai asked the reason for such respect even in seclusion, Imaam Abu Hanifah said:
"How can I respect people in public and be disrespectful to Allah Ta'ala in seclusion?"
10. There was a wealthy man who had a great aversion for Hadhrat Uthmaan (رضئ الله عنه ). He even branded Hadhrat Uthmaan (رضئ الله عنه ) a Yahoodi. Imaam Abu Hanifah sent for him and said: "I wish to arrange your daughter's marriage to a (certain) Yahoodi." The man, greatly annoyed, exclaimed: "How can you utter such a notoriety while you are the Imaam? This is not permissible." Imaam Abu Hanifah said: "Your opinion in this matter is of no significance. Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) , himself gave two of his daughters in marriage to a 'Yahoodi'." The Yahoodi understood and repented. Two daughters of Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) on different occasions were married to Hadhrat Uthmaan (رضئ الله عنه ).
11. In a dream Hadhrat Yahya Muaaz Raazi (rahmatullah alayh) asked Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) : "Where should I search for you, O Rasulullah?" Nabi-e-Kareem ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: "Search for me by the knowledge of Abu Hanifah."
12. A man who frequently sat in Imaam Abu Hanifah's company asked for a loan of a large sum to relieve him of his financial distress. Imaam Abu Hanifah advanced the loan. The man promised to repay the loan on a certain date. On due-date he was unable to pay. Feeling ashamed, he no longer visited Imaam Abu Hanifah. Although Imaam Abu Hanifah wondered at the absence of his friend, he could not understand the reason. Imaam Abu Hanifah had forgotten about the loan and the friend's promise.
One day after Salaat, Imaam Abu Hanifah decided to confront the man to ascertain the reason for his aloofness. When the man saw Imaam Abu Hanifah approaching, he turned and quickly walked away. Imaam Abu Hanifah followed. When the man saw Imaam Abu Hanifah following him, he broke into a run in order to escape. Imaam Abu Hanifah also ran after him. When the man realised that Imaam Abu Hanifah was nearing him, he hid his face in his hands in shame, facing the wall of a building. Imaam Abu Hanifah lightly placed his hands on the man's shoulders and asked the reason for his peculiar behaviour. Highly embarrassed, the man explained his inability to repay the loan. Now Imaam Abu Hanifah recalled the loan he had given. He took the man home and gave him a similar large sum to pay his debts.
HADHRAT ABU ALI SHAFEEQ BALKHI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT ABU ALI SHAFEEQ BALKHI (rahmatullah alayh)
1. Prior to his reformation, Hadhrat Abu Ali Shafeeq Balkhi (rahmatullah alayh) was a trader. During one of his business trips in Turkistan, he went to see a famous temple of the idolaters. When he saw a man worshipping an idol, Shafeeq Balkhi said: "Don't you have any shame? You are worshipping a powerless object." The idolater responded: "Don’t you have any shame? You wander from land to land in search of your rizq. Can your God not provide rizq for you in your land?"
This remark struck a responsive cord in his heart. He immediately returned to his homeland, Balkh. Along the journey, he met a man who asked: "What is your occupation?" Shafeeq Balkhi replied: "Trade." The man said: "What has been decreed for you is obtainable in your home. It is obvious that you are not grateful to Allah."
This comment had a further impact on him. When he reached home he learnt that the ruler of Balkh had apprehended one of his neighbours on suspicion of having stolen his (the ruler's) dog. Shafeeq Balkhi approached the ruler and pleaded for his neighbour's release. In a sudden state of emotion Shafeeq Balkhi said that the dog will be found within three days. The neighbour was released on the assurance given by Shafeeq Balkhi. After three days a man appeared at Shafeeq Balkhi's home with the dog. He sent the dog to the ruler. From that day Shafeeq Balkhi renounced the world and entered the path of tasawwuf.
2. Shafeeq Balkhi had acquired knowledge of the Shariat and Tareeqat from 1,700 Ustaadhs. He said: "I discovered the pleasure of Allah in four things:
a) Contentment with the rizq Allah provides.
b) Ikhlaas (sincerity).
c) The knowledge that shaitaan is the enemy.
d) Accumulating the requisites of the Aakhirah."
3. Once during a famine he saw a slave strolling happily. Shafeeq Balkhi said: "People are overcome with grief on account of the famine, but you are strutting around so happily." The slave said: "I am not concerned. My master has an abundance of food. He ensures that I do not remain hungry." This reply profoundly affected Shafeeq Balkhi who supplicated: "O Allah! This slave has so much trust on his mater's food. Why should I not have trust in You Who are the King of kings?" Thereafter, his tawakkul developed in perfection. He would often say that he was the mureed of the slave.
4. In a lecture in Samarqand he once said: "If you are corpses, go to the qabrustaan. If you are children, go to the Madrasah. If you are insane go to the madhouse. If you are kaafir, go to kufristaan (the land of the kuffaar) and if you are Muslims, then choose the Straight Path of Islam."
5. Shafeeq Balkhi set off for Hajj. When he reached Baghdad, the Khalifah, Haroun Rashid highly honoured him and asked for naseehat. Shafeeq Balkhi said: "Allah Ta'ala has made you the representative of the four Khulafa-e-Raashideen. You will be questioned about truth, justice, shame and knowledge. Allah has granted you wealth to give to the needy. He has given you power to compel people to observe the Shariah. If you fail in these duties, then in Qiyaamah you will be the leader of the inmates of Jahannum. The Khalifah is like a fountain and his subordinate officers like streams springing from the fountain. Govern righteously so that your offices emulate you."
When Haroun Rashid asked for more naseehat, Shafeeq Balkhi said: "If you are overwhelmed by thirst in a desert and someone offers you water in exchange for half your kingdom, will you accept?" The Khalifah said: "Yes."
Shafeeq Balkhi: "If after drinking the water, you are unable to urinate and suffer great pain and distress, a physician says that he will cure you for half your kingdom, will you agree?"
The Khalifah said: "Yes."
Shafeeq Balkhi: "A kingdom which worth a cup of water and its release is not worth to be proud of." Haroun Rashid wept profusely.
6. He said:
"The rizq and acts of virtue of a man who has tawakkul on Allah, increase. He becomes generous. He is not affected by shaitaani wasaawis in his ibaadat."
"A man who complains during calamity, quarrels with Allah Ta'ala."
"The sign of fear for Allah is abandonment of prohibitions. The sign of hope is constancy in ibaadat. The sign of love is enthusiasm and repentance."
"Nine-tenths of ibaadat consists of fleeing from people and one-tenth is to adopt silence."
"Three things destroy a man:
a) Committing sin in the hope of repenting.
b) Abstaining from repentance in the hope of life (i.e. taubah is delayed for a later date).
c) Refraining from repentance in the hope of Allah's mercy."
"Allah Ta'ala gives life to the Aabideen (His devotees) after their death and death to the sinners even during their earthly lifetime."
"Maut cannot be stalled. Always be prepared for it."
"I consider hospitality to the guest the noblest act. Only Allah is aware of the reward of hospitality."
"Seven hundred Ulama unanimously said: "A Zaahid is one who does not befriend the world. A wealthy man is one who is contented with whatever has been predestined for him. A wise man is one who cannot be deceived by the world. A durwaish (dervish) is one who does not ask for more. A miser is one who honours wealth more than humanity and refrains from giving."
This remark struck a responsive cord in his heart. He immediately returned to his homeland, Balkh. Along the journey, he met a man who asked: "What is your occupation?" Shafeeq Balkhi replied: "Trade." The man said: "What has been decreed for you is obtainable in your home. It is obvious that you are not grateful to Allah."
This comment had a further impact on him. When he reached home he learnt that the ruler of Balkh had apprehended one of his neighbours on suspicion of having stolen his (the ruler's) dog. Shafeeq Balkhi approached the ruler and pleaded for his neighbour's release. In a sudden state of emotion Shafeeq Balkhi said that the dog will be found within three days. The neighbour was released on the assurance given by Shafeeq Balkhi. After three days a man appeared at Shafeeq Balkhi's home with the dog. He sent the dog to the ruler. From that day Shafeeq Balkhi renounced the world and entered the path of tasawwuf.
2. Shafeeq Balkhi had acquired knowledge of the Shariat and Tareeqat from 1,700 Ustaadhs. He said: "I discovered the pleasure of Allah in four things:
a) Contentment with the rizq Allah provides.
b) Ikhlaas (sincerity).
c) The knowledge that shaitaan is the enemy.
d) Accumulating the requisites of the Aakhirah."
3. Once during a famine he saw a slave strolling happily. Shafeeq Balkhi said: "People are overcome with grief on account of the famine, but you are strutting around so happily." The slave said: "I am not concerned. My master has an abundance of food. He ensures that I do not remain hungry." This reply profoundly affected Shafeeq Balkhi who supplicated: "O Allah! This slave has so much trust on his mater's food. Why should I not have trust in You Who are the King of kings?" Thereafter, his tawakkul developed in perfection. He would often say that he was the mureed of the slave.
4. In a lecture in Samarqand he once said: "If you are corpses, go to the qabrustaan. If you are children, go to the Madrasah. If you are insane go to the madhouse. If you are kaafir, go to kufristaan (the land of the kuffaar) and if you are Muslims, then choose the Straight Path of Islam."
5. Shafeeq Balkhi set off for Hajj. When he reached Baghdad, the Khalifah, Haroun Rashid highly honoured him and asked for naseehat. Shafeeq Balkhi said: "Allah Ta'ala has made you the representative of the four Khulafa-e-Raashideen. You will be questioned about truth, justice, shame and knowledge. Allah has granted you wealth to give to the needy. He has given you power to compel people to observe the Shariah. If you fail in these duties, then in Qiyaamah you will be the leader of the inmates of Jahannum. The Khalifah is like a fountain and his subordinate officers like streams springing from the fountain. Govern righteously so that your offices emulate you."
When Haroun Rashid asked for more naseehat, Shafeeq Balkhi said: "If you are overwhelmed by thirst in a desert and someone offers you water in exchange for half your kingdom, will you accept?" The Khalifah said: "Yes."
Shafeeq Balkhi: "If after drinking the water, you are unable to urinate and suffer great pain and distress, a physician says that he will cure you for half your kingdom, will you agree?"
The Khalifah said: "Yes."
Shafeeq Balkhi: "A kingdom which worth a cup of water and its release is not worth to be proud of." Haroun Rashid wept profusely.
6. He said:
"The rizq and acts of virtue of a man who has tawakkul on Allah, increase. He becomes generous. He is not affected by shaitaani wasaawis in his ibaadat."
"A man who complains during calamity, quarrels with Allah Ta'ala."
"The sign of fear for Allah is abandonment of prohibitions. The sign of hope is constancy in ibaadat. The sign of love is enthusiasm and repentance."
"Nine-tenths of ibaadat consists of fleeing from people and one-tenth is to adopt silence."
"Three things destroy a man:
a) Committing sin in the hope of repenting.
b) Abstaining from repentance in the hope of life (i.e. taubah is delayed for a later date).
c) Refraining from repentance in the hope of Allah's mercy."
"Allah Ta'ala gives life to the Aabideen (His devotees) after their death and death to the sinners even during their earthly lifetime."
"Maut cannot be stalled. Always be prepared for it."
"I consider hospitality to the guest the noblest act. Only Allah is aware of the reward of hospitality."
"Seven hundred Ulama unanimously said: "A Zaahid is one who does not befriend the world. A wealthy man is one who is contented with whatever has been predestined for him. A wise man is one who cannot be deceived by the world. A durwaish (dervish) is one who does not ask for more. A miser is one who honours wealth more than humanity and refrains from giving."
HADHRAT SUFYAAN THAURI (rahmatullah alayh)
HADHRAT SUFYAAN THAURI (rahmatullah alayh)
1. One day when Hadhrat Sufyaan Thauri (rahmatullah alayh) entered the Musjid with his left foot, he heard a Voice rebuking him: "O Thaur! This disrespect for the Musjid is reprehensible." (Thaur means buffalo.) Henceforth he was called Sufyaan Thauri. The fear which the Voice instilled into him made him unconscious. When he regained his senses, he severely slapped himself many times, saying: "My name has been effaced from the role of human beings." This incident led to his reformation and entry into the spiritual path.
2. Once in the Musjid, Sufyaan Thauri saw the Khalifah of the time fiddling with his beard during Salaat. Sufyaan Thauri said: "This is not Salaat. On the Day of Qiyaamah this Salaat will be struck into your face." In annoyance and anger the Khalifah exclaimed: "Shut up!" Sufyaan Thauri said: "Why should I not proclaim the truth?" In a fit of rage, the king ordered Sufyaan Thauri to be executed by hanging. When the time for his execution neared, Sufyaan Thauri was sitting in the company of Hadhrat Sufyaan Bin Uyainah and another buzrug. At this time the king and his ministers were in discussion in the palace. Sufyaan Thauri said: "I am not concerned about being hung. I cannot conceal the truth." Then he supplicated: "O Allah! I am innocent. Punish the king." As he was making dua, a severe earth tremor struck. The king and his ministers were all swallowed by the earth. Sufyaan Bin Uyainah commented:
"We never saw anyone's dua so effective, swift and powerful."
3. The successor of the king mentioned above had great faith in Sufyaan Thauri. He was a devoted follower. Once when Sufyaan Thauri became severely ill, the king sent an experienced physician who was a fire-worshipper. After examining Sufyaan Thauri the physician said: "His liver has split into bits out of fear for Allah. A Deen which produces such an effect, must indeed be the true Deen." He then embraced Islam. When the king heard of this development, he commented: "I thought that I had sent a physician to a patient, but in fact I had sent a patient to the physician."
4. While still young, Sufyaan Thauri had developed a hunched back. When he was asked about his bent back at such a young age, he said:
"Three of my Ustaadhs were great Aabids and Zaahids. But while dying, they lost their Imaan. One became a Yahood; the second a Nasaara and the third a fire-worshipper. Fear of Allah has bent my back. I always ask Allah for a death with Imaan."
5. A man sent two packets of Ashrafis (gold coins) as a gift to Sufyaan Thauri with the message:
"My father was your close friend. He has now died. I am sending this gift from his lawful earnings. Do accept it." Sufyaan Thauri returned the money with the message: "My friendship with your father was on account of the Deen, not for any worldly motive."
6. Once a young man who missed his Hajj, let out a sigh of grief. Sufyaan Thauri said to him:
"I have performed four Hajj. Exchange the thawaab of your sigh for the thawaab of my four Hajj."
The youth happily agreed. At night, Sufyaan Thauri dreamt a Voice saying:
"You have indeed struck a wonderful bargain cheaply. If the reward of that sigh has to be distributed to all the participants of Arafaat, everyone would become wealthy."
7. Once when he went to the public bath, Sufyaan Thauri saw a young lad. Ordering the people to expel the boy from the bath, he said:
"With every woman there is one shaitaan. But accompanying a young boy are 18 shayaateen whose mission is to ensnare people."
8. Sufyaan Thauri said:
"When good deeds are practiced, the Angel records these in the Record of Goodness. When people speak about their good deeds, the Angel records the deeds in the Record of Riyaa (show and ostentation)."
"An Aabid (worshipper) who associates with a ruler is a man of riyaa."
"There are ten kinds of weeping. Of these, nine are the result of riyaa and one, the product of fear for Allah. If in an entire year one tear-drop is shed because of Allah's fear, it is better than a lifetime of weeping for other reasons."
"A man who adopts solitude in this world, attains salvation in the Hereafter."
"It is best to remain hidden from the gaze of people."
"The sleep of worldly people is better than their remaining awake. While sleeping, they are aloof from the world."
"Noble is the king who adopts the company of the zaahid, and evil is the zaahid who adopts the company of the king."
"The first ibaadat is seclusion then the quest of knowledge, then giving practical expression to knowledge, then dissemination of knowledge."
"Acquire the world according to the needs of the body and acquire the Aakhirah according to the needs of the soul."
"If sin has a physical stench, no one would have been able to come near to another person."
"Giving charity from haraam wealth is like washing garments with urine."
"A good act extinguishes the Wrath of Allah."
"Yaqeen is a propensity of the heart. When Yaqeen becomes perfect, a man acquires Ma'rifat. The belief that all calamities are from Allah Ta'ala, is Yaqeen."
9. It was said to Sufyaan Thauri: "Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said that Allah Ta'ala regards as enemies those who consume meat in abundance. What is the wisdom underlying this?"
Sufyaan said: "Meat in this context refers to gheebat. Gheebat of a Muslim is like devouring dead meat. A person who indulges in gheebat is abhorred by Allah Ta'ala."
10. Sufyaan Thauri said to Hadhrat Haatim (rahmatullah alayh):
"I shall tell you four things which people generally are guilty of:
a) Criticizing and accusing people. This brings about negligence in the execution of Allah's laws.
b) Jealousy for the progress of a Muslim. This leads to ingratitude.
c) Accumulation of haraam assets. This causes forgetfulness of the Aakhirah.
d) To become careless regarding the warnings of Allah Ta'ala and to lose hope in His promises. This lead to kufr."
11. Sufyaan Thauri had great affection and mercy for creation. Once when he saw a bird suffering in a cage, he set it free. The bird frequently visited him and watched him in ibaadat. After his death, the bird flew along with the Janaazah. It would sometimes settle with grief on the Janaazah. After burial, the bird sat on the grave grief-stricken. A Voice spoke from the grave: "Allah has forgiven Sufyaan on account of his affection for creation."
2. Once in the Musjid, Sufyaan Thauri saw the Khalifah of the time fiddling with his beard during Salaat. Sufyaan Thauri said: "This is not Salaat. On the Day of Qiyaamah this Salaat will be struck into your face." In annoyance and anger the Khalifah exclaimed: "Shut up!" Sufyaan Thauri said: "Why should I not proclaim the truth?" In a fit of rage, the king ordered Sufyaan Thauri to be executed by hanging. When the time for his execution neared, Sufyaan Thauri was sitting in the company of Hadhrat Sufyaan Bin Uyainah and another buzrug. At this time the king and his ministers were in discussion in the palace. Sufyaan Thauri said: "I am not concerned about being hung. I cannot conceal the truth." Then he supplicated: "O Allah! I am innocent. Punish the king." As he was making dua, a severe earth tremor struck. The king and his ministers were all swallowed by the earth. Sufyaan Bin Uyainah commented:
"We never saw anyone's dua so effective, swift and powerful."
3. The successor of the king mentioned above had great faith in Sufyaan Thauri. He was a devoted follower. Once when Sufyaan Thauri became severely ill, the king sent an experienced physician who was a fire-worshipper. After examining Sufyaan Thauri the physician said: "His liver has split into bits out of fear for Allah. A Deen which produces such an effect, must indeed be the true Deen." He then embraced Islam. When the king heard of this development, he commented: "I thought that I had sent a physician to a patient, but in fact I had sent a patient to the physician."
4. While still young, Sufyaan Thauri had developed a hunched back. When he was asked about his bent back at such a young age, he said:
"Three of my Ustaadhs were great Aabids and Zaahids. But while dying, they lost their Imaan. One became a Yahood; the second a Nasaara and the third a fire-worshipper. Fear of Allah has bent my back. I always ask Allah for a death with Imaan."
5. A man sent two packets of Ashrafis (gold coins) as a gift to Sufyaan Thauri with the message:
"My father was your close friend. He has now died. I am sending this gift from his lawful earnings. Do accept it." Sufyaan Thauri returned the money with the message: "My friendship with your father was on account of the Deen, not for any worldly motive."
6. Once a young man who missed his Hajj, let out a sigh of grief. Sufyaan Thauri said to him:
"I have performed four Hajj. Exchange the thawaab of your sigh for the thawaab of my four Hajj."
The youth happily agreed. At night, Sufyaan Thauri dreamt a Voice saying:
"You have indeed struck a wonderful bargain cheaply. If the reward of that sigh has to be distributed to all the participants of Arafaat, everyone would become wealthy."
7. Once when he went to the public bath, Sufyaan Thauri saw a young lad. Ordering the people to expel the boy from the bath, he said:
"With every woman there is one shaitaan. But accompanying a young boy are 18 shayaateen whose mission is to ensnare people."
8. Sufyaan Thauri said:
"When good deeds are practiced, the Angel records these in the Record of Goodness. When people speak about their good deeds, the Angel records the deeds in the Record of Riyaa (show and ostentation)."
"An Aabid (worshipper) who associates with a ruler is a man of riyaa."
"There are ten kinds of weeping. Of these, nine are the result of riyaa and one, the product of fear for Allah. If in an entire year one tear-drop is shed because of Allah's fear, it is better than a lifetime of weeping for other reasons."
"A man who adopts solitude in this world, attains salvation in the Hereafter."
"It is best to remain hidden from the gaze of people."
"The sleep of worldly people is better than their remaining awake. While sleeping, they are aloof from the world."
"Noble is the king who adopts the company of the zaahid, and evil is the zaahid who adopts the company of the king."
"The first ibaadat is seclusion then the quest of knowledge, then giving practical expression to knowledge, then dissemination of knowledge."
"Acquire the world according to the needs of the body and acquire the Aakhirah according to the needs of the soul."
"If sin has a physical stench, no one would have been able to come near to another person."
"Giving charity from haraam wealth is like washing garments with urine."
"A good act extinguishes the Wrath of Allah."
"Yaqeen is a propensity of the heart. When Yaqeen becomes perfect, a man acquires Ma'rifat. The belief that all calamities are from Allah Ta'ala, is Yaqeen."
9. It was said to Sufyaan Thauri: "Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said that Allah Ta'ala regards as enemies those who consume meat in abundance. What is the wisdom underlying this?"
Sufyaan said: "Meat in this context refers to gheebat. Gheebat of a Muslim is like devouring dead meat. A person who indulges in gheebat is abhorred by Allah Ta'ala."
10. Sufyaan Thauri said to Hadhrat Haatim (rahmatullah alayh):
"I shall tell you four things which people generally are guilty of:
a) Criticizing and accusing people. This brings about negligence in the execution of Allah's laws.
b) Jealousy for the progress of a Muslim. This leads to ingratitude.
c) Accumulation of haraam assets. This causes forgetfulness of the Aakhirah.
d) To become careless regarding the warnings of Allah Ta'ala and to lose hope in His promises. This lead to kufr."
11. Sufyaan Thauri had great affection and mercy for creation. Once when he saw a bird suffering in a cage, he set it free. The bird frequently visited him and watched him in ibaadat. After his death, the bird flew along with the Janaazah. It would sometimes settle with grief on the Janaazah. After burial, the bird sat on the grave grief-stricken. A Voice spoke from the grave: "Allah has forgiven Sufyaan on account of his affection for creation."
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