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."
