HADHRAT ABDULLAH BIN MUBAARAK (rahmatullah alayh)

HADHRAT ABDULLAH BIN MUBAARAK

 (rahmatullah alayh)

 

1. Prior to his reformation and entry into the Path of tasawwuf, he was intensely in love with a beautiful slave-girl. His love for her continued for a great length of time. Once during a winter night, he stood near her home in the hope of seeing her. He stood waiting the entire night until the morning, but in vain. In the morning he was smitten by remorse for having wasted the night. He said to himself: "If I had spent the night in worshipping Allah, it would have been a thousand times better than what I have done."
Allah's fadhl opened up his heart. His perishable love was replaced by Divine Love. He repented and engrossed himself in Allah's remembrance.
2. Once his mother went out searching for him. She found him sleeping in an orchard near a rose tree. A snake was fanning him with a branch from a Nargis (Narcissus) tree.
3. His practice was to go for Hajj one year, Jihaad the next year and trade the third year. He would contribute the profit of his trade to the poor and needy.
4. Once Abdullah Bin Mubaarak borrowed a pen, but forgot to return it. When is occurred to him to return the pen, the owner has already left for the land of Shaam. Abdullah Bin Mubaarak journied to Shaam to deliver the pen.
5. Once while he was walking along the road the people told a blind man: "Ibn Mubaarak is approaching. Ask him whatever you wish."
The blind man stopped Ibn Mubaarak and begged him to make dua for the recovery of his vision. As a result of Ibn Mubaarak's dua, the blind man regained his vision.
6. Once on a Hajj journey, Ibn Mubaarak strayed off the path in the wilderness. He was delayed so long that he concluded that he would be unable to reach Arafaat in time as there remained only four days. Suddenly he saw a very old and weak lady who said: "Come with me. I shall take you to Arafaat."

He accompanied her. Ibn Mubaarak explains: "I went with her. Whenever a river appeared she instructed me to close my eyes. I would close my eyes. I would perceive myself walking on the water. On her instruction I would open my eyes to discover ourselves on the opposite bank of the river. Soon we reached Arafaat."

After Hajj the old lady said: "Come with me to meet my son. He has been worshipping in a cave for many years." When they reached the cave, Ibn Mubaarak saw a young man. His body was like a rake, but his face was glittering. The young man said:

"I know that my Maut is to take place, hence Allah Ta'ala sent you to give me ghusl and bury me." As he spoke, his soul departed. Ibn Mubaarak gave him ghusl and after Janaazah Salaat buried him. The old lady instructed Ibn Mubaarak: "Now go. I shall spend my life at the graveside of my son. When you come next year, you will not find me. But, always remember me in your dua."
7. Once after completing Hajj, Ibn Mubaarak fell asleep by the Ka'bah. In a dream he saw two Angels. The following conversation took place between the Angels:
First Angel: "How many people had performed Hajj this year and how many had their Hajj accepted?"

Second Angel: "Six hundred thousand persons performed Hajj, but not a single Hajj has been accepted. However, in Damascus there is a shoemaker, Ali Bin Muwaffiq. Although he did not come for Hajj, his Hajj has been accepted and for his sake Allah Ta'ala has accepted everyone's Hajj."

On waking, Ibn Mubaarak was very surprised. He set off for Damascus to investigate. On arrival he met the shoemaker who presented the following narration to Ibn Mubaarak:
"I am a shoe-repairer. For many years it was my heart's desire to perform Hajj. After a long time I had managed to save 300 dirhams. I therefore resolved to perform Hajj this year.
One day we perceived the fragrance of food cooking in our neighbour's home. My wife told me to ask the neighbour for some of the food. When I approached my neighbour he said: 'Brother, the food we have cooked today is not lawful for you. We have been starving for the past seven days. Today I saw a dead ass. I cut some of its flesh which we have cooked today.'

The shoemaker said: "My heart shivered with fear of Allah Ta'ala. I gave him the 300 dirhams which I had saved."
Ibn Mubaarak narrated his dream to the shoemaker and added: "The Angel spoke the truth."
8. Once while Abdullah Ibn Mubaarak was walking in the road, he met a Sayyid who said: "Why do you have a superior rank than me although I am a Sayyid?" Ibn Mubaarak said: "Most assuredly, your father is Rasulullah (b) and my father was astray. Your father left the estate of Hidaayat (Guidance) which I acquired. It is for this reason that I received this rank. My father left the estate of deviation which you acquired. It is for this reason that you hold no rank."

That same night, in a dream Ibn Mubaarak saw that Rasulullah (b) was annoyed. When he asked for the reason, Rasulullah (b) said: "Why did you find fault with my children?" Ibn Mubaarak awoke and set off to meet the Sayyid. Meanwhile, Rasulullah (b) appeared to the Sayyid as well and said: "If your deeds were noble, Abdullah would not have disgraced you." The Sayyid too set off to meet Abdullah Ibn Mubaarak. Both met in the road. After narrating their dreams, both repented.
9. Hadhrat Suhail (rahmatullah alayh) frequently visited Abdullah Bin Mubaarak. One day while leaving Ibn Mubaarak's home, Suhail said: "In future I shall not come to your house. The young girls in your home were teasing: 'Come to us Suhail! Come to us Suhail!', I detest this." Ibn Mubaarak proclaimed outside: "People, come perform the Janaazah Salaat of Suhail." Then Suhail died. When the people asked Ibn Mubaarak to explain how he knew of Suhail's imminent death, he said:"Suhail said today that young girls in my house were calling him. There are no young girls in my home. The Houris of Jannat were calling him. That was a sign of his imminent death."
10. One day Abdullah Ibn Mubaarak was travelling in the border territory of Byzantine. He came across a crown of people severely beating a man who was shackled. I went up to him and asked him for an explanation. He said: "According to our religion, it is not permissible to mention the name of our chief idol as long as one has not been purified of sins. I committed the error of taking its name without having been purified of my sins. I am therefore being punished. I also cannot cry because I fear the great idol."
Ibn Mubaarak commented: "Shukr unto Allah. Allah bestowed to me that religion in which a sinner is purified of sins by mentioning the Name of Allah. When he acquires Ma'rifat of Allah fully, he adopts silence."
11. Once during Jihaad, Ibn Mubaarak was engaged in combat with a kaafir. When it was time for Salaat, he sought permission from the kaafir to disengage until he ahd performed Salaat. The kaafir agreed and Ibn Mubaarak performed his Salaat. After Salaat the duel resumed. When it was the kaafir's prayer time, he sought Ibn Mubaarak's permission to say his prayers. Ibn Mubaarak agreed. While the kaafir was worshipping an idol, Ibn Mubaarak became enraged and decided to kill the kaafir forthwith but he heard a Voice reprimanding: "Beware! Think of the aayat: 'Honour promises. Verily, (you) will be questioned (in Qiyaamah) about promises.'

Ibn Mubaarak wept. When the kaafir completed his prayers, he asked Ibn Mubaarak the reason for weeping. Ibn Mubaarak explained. The kaafir said: "It is dishonourable not to worship a God who becomes annoyed with even His friend for the sake of an enemy." The kaafir then embraced Islam.
12. Ibn Mubaarak narrated:"I saw a man wanting to enter the Ka'bah. As he attempted, he fell down unconscious. On reviving, he recited Kalimah Shahaadat. When I asked him for an explanation, he said: "I was a fire-worshipper. I disguised myself to see what is in the Ka'bah. As I was about to enter, a Voice reprimanded: 'You are the enemy of a Friend. How can you enter the House of the Friend?' I then embraced Islam with a true heart."
13. People asked: "What is most beneficial for a man?"
Ibn Mubaarak: "Perfect intelligence."
People: "If he lacks perfect intelligence?"
Ibn Mubaarak: "Beautiful manners."
People: "If he lacks beautiful manners?"
Ibn Mubaarak: "Seeking advice from a kind brother."
People: "If he has no such brother?"
Ibn Mubaarak: "Then silence."
People: "If he is unable to remain silent?"
Ibn Mubaarak: "Then death is best for him."
14. Ibn Mubaarak said:
"Giving one dirham as Qardh-e-Hasnah is more meritorious than giving a thousand dirhams in charity."
Qardh-e-Hasnah means a beautiful loan, i.e. giving a loan to a person in difficulty and not pressing him for repayment.
"A man who takes even a shell from haraam wealth cannever be a mutawakkil (i.e. one who has tawakkul)."
"Tawakkul does not negate effort to earn. Both tawakkul and effort are acts of worship."
"Man tolerates disgrace in the pursuit of all worldly things."
"Piety brings a man in the protection of Allah."
"The reward of caring for one's wife and children and teaching them the Deen is greater than the reward of Jihaad."
"Behave humbly with those who occupy a lower level than you here on earth."
15. Before he died, Ibn Mubaarak gave all his wealth in the path of Allah. A mureed reminded him that he had three daughters and should leave something for them. Ibn Mubaarak said:
"I have left Allah for them. When Allah is the maintainer of a person, he has no need of Abdullah."
16. In his last moments, he opened his eyes, smiled and recited the Qur'aanic aayat:

"For the likes of this should people strive."
He closed his eyes and departed from this worldly abode.
17. Someone who saw Hadhrat Sufyaan Thauri in a dream asked: "How did Allah Ta'ala deal with you?" Sufyaan said: "Allah Ta'ala forgave me." When asked about the fate of Abdullah Ibn Mubaarak, Sufyaan Thauri said:"You ask about him? Allah has included him in that group of His devotees who are daily admitted twice into the Divine presence."

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HADHRAT BAAYAZID BUSTAAMI (rahmatullah alayh)

 

HADHRAT BAAYAZID BUSTAAMI (rahmatullah alayh)

1. Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (rahmatullah alayh) said about Hadhrat Baayazid Bustaami (rahmatullah alayh):"His superiority over us is like Jibraeel's superiority over all the Angels."
In further praise of him, Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi said: "The highest stage of Tauhid which other Auliyaa attained by their endeavours is the elementary (first) stage produced by the effort of Baayazid. When they reached his elementary stage, they could not progress further, but became rooted in wonder and amazement."

2. His paternal grandfather was a Magian (fire-worshipper). However, his father was a great Wali and lived in Bustaam. His mother narrates: "While he was in my womb if a doubtful morsel of food entered my mouth, he would agitate so much that I would be compelled to remove it from my mouth."

3. Someone asked Baayazid Bustaami: "In Tariqat (the spiritual path) what is best for a man?"
He replied: "A pious mother. Then eyes which can see and ears which can hear. If a man does not possess even one of these, death is better for him."

4. Once in the Madrasah he came across the Qur'aanic aayat in Surah Luqmaan:

"Be grateful to Me and your parents."
He left the Madrasah, came home and said to his mother: "Mother, I am unable to show gratitude to two being. Either ask me from Allah to serve you or allow me to serve Allah."
His mother who was a very saintly lady said:
"I have assigned you to Allah. Serve Him."
Baayazid took leave from his mother and journied to the land of Shaam where he engrossed himself in Ibaadat and Thikr. For three years he wandered in the wilderness of Shaam, abandoning food, drink and sleep. He enjoyed the suhbat (companionship) of 170 Auliyaa.

5. One day, after having spent a considerable period of time in Hadhrat Ja'far Saadiq's company, the latter said: "Baayazid, bring that kitaab from the shelf." Baayazid said: "Where is the shelf?" Hadhrat Ja'far: "You have been so long here, yet do not know where the shelf is." Baayazid: "I had never raised my head infront of you. I therefore do not know where the shelf is." Hadhrat Ja'far: "Now proceed to Bustaam. You have attained the lofty ranks."

6. When Baayazid was informed of a Wali, he went to meet him. On reaching the place, he saw the buzrug spitting in the direction of the Qiblah. Baayazid turned away without meeting the buzrug. He commented:"If he was aware of the stages of Tariqat, he would never have violated the Shariah by spitting in the direction of the Qiblah."

7. After a separation of many years, Baayazid decided to visit his mother. He first went to Madinah Munawwarah for ziyaarat. When he finally reached home it was Fajr time. Standing at the door of his mother's hamlet, he could hear her making wudhu. He listened and heard her supplicating: "O Allah! Keep my wayfarer in comfort. Let the Auliyaa be pleased with him. Give him a beautiful reward." Baayazid broke down in tears and knocked in the door. His mother asked: "Who is it?" He said: "Your wayfarer." Embracing him, she said:"You stayed away a long, long time. The tears I have shed for your love has taken away the light of my eyes (she had become blind). Worry has bent my back."

8. He said: "The ranks I have achieved are the fruit of my mother's duas." One night his mother asked for water. There was no water in the house. It was an extremely cold night. The young Baayazid (then a boy of 8) went to the river to fetch some water. The river was at a distance from the house. By the time he returned, his mother had fallen asleep. Not wanting to disturb his mother, he stood at her bedside holding the mug of water least his mother opened her eyes. The entire night passed with Baayazid waiting with the mug in his hand. On account of the extreme cold, the water had frozen. When his mother awoke, she was deeply touched by her son's devotion and obedience. The dua which emanated from her heart reached its target in the Divine Court.

9. The following episode illustrates the tenderness of his heart and the affection for Allah's creation. On his return from Hajj, he purchased some food in the city of Hamdaan. When he reached his home and opened the parcel he found some ants. He lamented: "Alas! I have rendered them homeless." He closed the parcel and returned to Hamdaan where he set the ants free at the place where he had bought the food.

10. At the door of the Musjid, Baayazid Bustaami was found weeping. When questioned, he said: "I find myself as impure as a woman in her haidh. I fear that my presence will pollute the Musjid."

11. Once in a state of ecstasy, Baayazid uttered: "Glory to me. Great is my rank." Later when he was questioned by his mureeds, he said: "If I again make this utterance, slay me." When he went into solitude, he was again overwhelmed by ecstasy and he repeated the same words. His mureeds rushed into the room with the intention of slaying him as commanded. On entering the room, to their amazement they discovered the whole room was filled with Baayazid's form. The mureeds struck their daggers at this form. But it was as if they were striking water. The daggers had no effect on Baayazid Bustaami.
After some time, the huge form began diminishing until the original form of Baayazid appeared.

12. One day Baayazid holding a red apple in his hand, commented: "This is lateef." (Lateef literally means nice, beautiful, fine.) A Voice reprimanded: "Baayazid! Have you no shame? You have described an apple with My Name." (Al-Lateef is one of the Beautiful Names of Allah Ta'ala.) As a punishment for this error, the remembrance of Allah was effaced from Baayazid Bustaami's heart for forty days. He vowed never to eat any of the fruit of Bustaam.

13. Hadhrat Abu Musaa (rahmatullah alayh) asked: "In your quest for Allah, what did you find the most difficult?" Baayazid Bustaami said: "The most difficult was to incline the heart to Allah with His aid. When I gained His aid, my heart inclined to Him without my effort."

14. Once while walking, a dog approached from the opposite side. Baayazid stepped aside to make way for the dog. This action constrained the disciples to also make way for the dog. A disciple asked: "Allah Ta'ala has made man the noblest creation. However, by making way for the dog you have elevated it over us. This is irrational and in conflict with the Shariah. Baayazid Bustaami said: "The dog asked me: 'Why did Allah make me a dog and you the king of the Aarifeen? What was my fault and what was your excellence?' I searched my heart and understood that our superiority over the dog is purely the kindness of Allah Ta'ala. I therefore made way for the dog."

15. One day while crossing a narrow bridge, a dog approached from the other side. To avoid brushing against the dog, Baayazid pulled his cloak towards himself. The dog spoke: "Why did you do this? If I am dry, there is no harm in your garment touching me. If I am moist, a little water can cleanse your cloak. But, even the seven oceans cannot purify you of your pride. Baayazid said: "You have spoken the truth. While there is zaahiri (external) impurity in you, there is baatini (spiritual) impurity in me. Come live with me so that I may be purified."

The dog: "We cannot live together. You are the Maqbool (accepted and honoured) leader of mankind while I am mardood (accursed and buffered). Secondly, I do not hoard a bone for the next day while you hoard food for tomorrow." Baayazid lamented: "Alas! When I am not deserving of the company of even a dog, how can I gain Allah's Proximity?"

16. A mureed of Hadhrat Shafeeq Balkhi (rahmatullah alayh) set off for Hajj. On his way he stopped in Bustaam to visit Baayazid Bustaami.

Baayazid: "Whose mureed are you?"
Mureed: "Hadhrat Shafeeq Balkhi's."
Baayazid: "Tell me something of his actions and statements."
Mureed: "He is completely independent of entire creation. He has total trust in Allah Ta'ala. He says: "If rain does not descend from the heaven; grain ceases to grow from the earth and creation becomes my children, then too I shall not abandon tawakkul."
Baayazid: "He is a kaafir and a mushrik. Even if I become a crow, I shall not face the direction of his city. Tell him that he is testing Allah Ta'ala very cheaply. If he is hungry, let him beg from someone and eat. He should not disgrace tawakkul. I fear that perhaps the land be destroyed on account of his evil."
(Hadhrat Shafeeq Balkhi – rahmatullah alayh – was among the Auliyaa. Even Auliyaa are sometimes deceived by the nafs. Ujub [vanity] is a very subtle and hidden disease. It is not everyone who has the ability to detect this evil, especially if it happens to be existing in a great Shaikh of Hadhrat Shafeeq Balkhi's stature. It requires a spiritual giant such as Baayazid Bustaami to diagnose the ills of illustrious spiritual guides.
It should also be understood that the terms 'kaafir' and 'mushrik' employed by Baayazid Bustaami in this context do not connate the technical meaning as known in the Shariah. Actions and things permissible for the masses can be major sins if perpetrated by the select Auliyaa. Baayazid's designations here should not be understood as fatwas of kufr expelling Hadhrat Shafeeq Balkhi from the fold of Islam. The Auliyaa who are the true Aarifeen, operate on an exceptionally lofty spiritual plane, the conception of which is incomprehensible to us laymen.)

The mureed, instead of proceeding for Hajj, returned to his Shaikh and reported the comments of Baayazid Bustaami. After prolonged reflection, Hadhrat Shafeeq Balkhi recognized the spiritual ailment to which Baayazid Bustaami had referred. He said to his mureed: "Did you not ask him – 'If Shafeeq Balkhi is a kaafir and mushrik, then what is your status?" The mureed said: "I did not ask him." The Shaikh sent him back to Baayazid with the instruction to pose this question to him. On arrival, the mureed asked Baayazid: "If Shafeeq Balkhi is a kaafir and mushrik, then who are you?" Baayazid: "This question is his second act of childishness. Whatever I say, you will not understand."

Mureed: "Write it on a paper."

Baayazid wrote: "Baayazid is nothing." He gave the paper to the mureed who delivered it to Shafeeq Balkhi. When the mureed arrived, Shafeeq Balkhi was in his last illness (maradhul maut). After reading Baayazid's message, Shafeeq Balkhi renewed his Imaan. He recited Kalimah Shahaadat and died.

17. One night Baayazid was unable to concentrate in his ibaadat. Inspite of his endeavours, he simply could not experience the usual sweetness of his ibaadat. After searching his house, he found a bunch of grapes. He gave it to a beggar. Thereafter he experienced the pleasure of Thikrullah. In view of the lofty state of tawakkul of the Auliyaa, even lawful possessions adversely affect their spirituality. While ordinary people are not required to imitate such austerity which is exclusive with the select Auliyaa, it is imperative to at least abstain from mushtabah (doubtful) food and futile acts. Such things and acts are highly detrimental for Roohaani (spiritual) progress.

18. One of Baayazid's neighbours was a very poor Yahoodi (Jew). Once the Yahoodi went on a journey. Due to extreme poverty his wife could not afford buying oil for the lamp. Since the house was in pitch darkness during the night, the Yahoodi's baby son would cry in fear. Taking pity, Baayazid left his own lamp every night in the Yahoodi's home. The baby would feel comforted. When the Yahoodi returned, his wife told him of Baayazid's kindness. The Yahoodi said: "Alas! We have lived in darkness despite such a noble guide living nearby." He went to Baayazid and embraced Islam.

19. Once Baayazid Bustaami stretched his legs. A man contemptuously tramped on him. Allah Ta'ala punished the man with the disease of leprosy which led to his death.

20. A man said boastfully: "I too can do what Baayazid does (i.e. his ibaadat)." Once when he visited Baayazid, the latter looked at him and sighed. The impact of Baayazid's sigh rendered the man unconscious. He remained in this state for three days and three nights. After he regained his senses, Baayazid said: "An ass cannot carry the load of an elephant."

21. Hadhrat Bu Saeed Maikhori (rahmatullah alayh) decided to test Baayazid Bustaami. With this thought in mind he met Baayazid who said: "I have assigned wilaayat (sainthood) and karaamaat (miracles) to my mureed, Bu Saeed Raa-ee. Go to him."

When Bu Saeed Maikhori arrived at the home of Bu Saeed Raa-ee, he found the latter engaged in Salaat. After completing Salaat, Bu Saeed asked: "What do you want?" Bu Saeed Maikhori said: "I want fresh grapes." It was not the season for grapes. Bu Saeed Raa-ee broke a knife into two, buried one portion near to himself and the other portion near to Bu Saeed Maikhori. Instantaneously, two grape vines began growing. The vines simultaneously yielded fruit. While the grapevine in proximity to Bu Saeed Raa-ee produced delicious white grapes, the tree near to Bu Saeed Maikhori yielded dark grapes of poor quality. When he asked for an explanation, Bu Saeed Raa-ee said: "Since your intention was to put us to test, your heart's condition has become manifest in the grapes."

Bu Saeed Raa-ee then presented a shawl to him, adding: "Guard it well. Don't lose it." Bu Saeed Maikhori proceeded for Hajj. Although he took great care to guard the shawl, he lost it in Arafaat. When he returned to Bustaam, he was amazed to see the shawl by Bu Saeed Raa-ee.

22. Someone asked Baayazid Bustaami: "Who is your murshid (spiritual mentor)?" He said: "An old lady. Once I was walking in the forest when I met an old lady carrying a load of flour on her head. She requested me to carry her load to her home. I beckoned to a lion which had suddenly appeared, and it submissively came near. I told the old lady that the lion will carry her load until her home. I then asked her what would she say when people observed the lion carrying her load. She replied: "I shall say that today I met an oppressor who was showing off."

I said: "Why will you described me as an oppressor showing off?" The old lady said: "Allah Ta'ala has created the lion free, but you want to impose a burden on it, hence you are an oppressor. Secondly, you wish to advertise that you are a holy man capable of demonstrating miracles. This is the worst disease. You are therefore nothing but a show-off."
Baayazid said: "This naseehat of the old lady impressed me. I learnt a lesson and repented. She is therefore my mentor."

23. Baayazid said: "Tariqat cannot be obtained without obedience to the Shariah. He who claims to be on Tariqat without following the Shariah, is a liar."

24. Baayazid said: "It was revealed to me – "Our treasury is filled with ibaadat. If you wish to meet Us, present such treasures which are not in Our treasury." I asked: 'O Allah! What is lacking in Your treasury?'

The reply came: "Humility and weakness. We grant proximity to the humble and weak."

25. He said:
"Superior to the bounties of both worlds is the understanding that without Allah's kindness, one cannot achieve anything merely by effort and concern. Nevertheless, man has been commanded to make effort. Whatever goodness is achieved after effort should be attributed to the fadhl (kindness) of Allah Ta'ala."
"Even if Allah forgives me and entire creation, it is insignificant in relation to His mercy."
"To become proud on account of ibaadat is a major sin of great proportion."
"When I renounced the world and adopted Allah's love, I realised that even my own being was an enemy."
"A true Aarif is one who renounces all wishes and desires, and is pleased with the choice of Allah Ta'ala."
"He who annihilates himself in Allah's remembrance, discovers the eternal life."
"A man who flees from people and adopts silence is an Aarif."
"Do not adopt the companionship of a man who has acquired knowledge for the sake of worldly honour."
"It is simple to renounce the world, for there is nothing more contemptible than it."
"Allah Ta'ala bestows three attributes to His close servants:
a) Generosity like the ocean.
b) Love like the sun.
c) Humility like the ground.
"When Allah accepts a servant, He appoints a Fir'oun to distress him (Allah's servant)."
"The company of the pious is better than pious deeds and the company of the evil is worse than evil deeds."
"A man who recognizes Allah has no need to ask from anyone. Whoever has not recognized him is always in need."
"He who abandons his lowly desires, reaches Allah."
"All creation submits to the one who has reached Allah."
"A man who does not understand that his nafs is the most contemptible, has absolutely no rank in piety."
"When a man becomes aware of his fault, he attains excellence."
"When a man disassociates from people, Allah presents His Qurb (Proximity) to him."
"The worst calamity for the body is to become forgetful of Allah Ta'ala."
"I asked Allah for the way to enter into His path. He said: "Abandon your ego and you can enter."

26. After Baayazid's demise a buzrug saw him in a dream. The buzrug asked how he had fared by Allah Ta'ala. Baayazid said: "Allah Ta'ala asked: "What have you brought for Me?" I said: "Tauhid." Allah Ta'ala asked: "Have you forgotten the night of the milk?" Baayazid then realised that even his lofty degree of Tauhid too was defective.

Explanation: One night after having drunk some milk, Baayazid developed a pain in his stomach. He concluded that the stomach-pain was due to the milk. Allah Ta'ala referred to this idea which attributes effects to causes other than Allah Ta'ala. He is the Sole Cause. All things are intermediaries operating by His direct command and intervention. Although it is permissible to attribute events to their mundane causes created by Allah Ta'ala, Auliyaa of Hadhrat Baayazid's standing and Ma'rifat are not expected to demonstrate the slightest forgetfulness of Allah Ta'ala. The attribution of events to their mundane causes or intermediaries by the Auliyaa constitute 'shirk' in the religion of Ma'rifat.

27. Hadhrat Ahmad Khadrawi's wife said: "Let me tell you of the rank of Baayazid. Once after making tawaaf of the Ka'bah, I fell asleep. In a dream I saw myself near to the Divine Arsh (Allah's Throne). Below the Arsh I beheld a wonderful orchard in which was a thousand flower-trees. On every leaf and petal was inscribed:
Insert Arabic (Baayazid Wali Allah)
Baayazid is the Wali of Allah."

28. In a dream someone asked Baayazid Bustaami to define Tasawwuf. He said: "Tasawwuf is abandonment of comfort and adoption of struggle."
This abandonment and adoption have a variety of degree and phases. The very minimum degree which is compulsory on every Muslim is to abandon all unlawful and futile comforts and to struggle against the evil dictates of the nafs.

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HADHRAT ZUNNOON MISRI (rahmatullah alayh)

 

HADHRAT ZUNNOON MISRI (rahmatullah alayh)

 

1. Prior to his renunciation of the world, Zunnoon Misri (rahmatullah alayh) was told of an Aabid (worshipper) who had imposed severe penances on himself. When Zunnoon Misri located the Aabid, he found the latter hanging upside down from a tree. The Aabid was addressing himself, saying:"O nafs! As long as you do not comply with my wishes in worshipping Allah, I shall keep you in this suffering until you perish."

This sight reduced Zunnoon to tears. The Aabid said: "Who is weeping for a shameless sinner?" After exchanging salaams, Zunnoon went in front of the Aabid who said: "My body is not co-operating in the ibaadat of Allah. I am therefore punishing it."

Zunnoon: "I was under the impression that you had committed murder or some other major sin, hence this server self-imposed punishment."

Aabid: "There is no greater sin than association with people. All sins stem from this sin."

Zunnoon: "Truly, you are a great Zaahid."

Aabid: "If you want to see a great Zaahid, go onto that mountain."

Zunnoon Misri climbed the mountain. When he reached the top he saw in the distance a hut, as he approached the hut, he saw a decomposed human leg laying nearby. From inside the hut emerged a buzrug with one leg. Obviously, the cut-off leg had belonged to him. When Zunnoon asked for an explanation, the buzrug said:"One day while sitting in my place of ibaadat, a beautiful woman passed nearby. In a moment of weakness my nafs urged me to get up to take a look. As I got up and took a step forward, I heard a Voice rebuking: 'Have you no shame! For 30 years you have been worshipping Allah Ta'ala, but today you are obeying shaitaan!"

Overcome with fear, shame and remorse, I cut off the leg which had taken the first step in the direction of transgression. Why have you come to this evil sinner? If you wish to meet a great Aabid, go to the peak of that mountain." (He pointed in the direction of the mountain.)

The height of the mountain deterred Zunnoon Misri from making an attempt to climb it. The buzrug then narrated the following account of the Aabid:
"He has been worshipping on that mountain for a considerable period of time. Once when someone said to him that a person obtains food only by working and earning a living, he vowed not to eat any food earned by human being. He passed his time in ibaadat. After undergoing the rigours of hunger for some time. Allah Ta'ala sent a swarm of bees. He lived on the honey prepared by these bees."

The meetings and talks of these saints made a profound impact on Zunnoon Misri. He repented and resolved to spend his life in the remembrance of Allah Ta'ala. As he came down the mountain he observed a blind bird on a tree. While he was reflecting on the source of the blind bird's sustenance, he saw the bird settling on the ground and pecking the soil with its beak. Miraculously a tray filled with seeds, emerged. Then there emerged a second container filled with water having the fragrance of roses. After satisfying itself, the bird returned to the tree-top and the utensils miraculously disappeared. Zunnoon's tawakkul and yaqeen were solidified by this episode.

As he walked in the forest he met a few of his old friends who had discovered a trunk of treasure. They were busy sharing the treasure. A board on which was inscribed the Name of Allah Ta'ala was also with the treasure. When they offered Zunnoon a share of the treasure, he declined and took the board and kissed the Name of Allah Ta'ala. That night in a dream a Voice said to him: "The others chose the wealth of the world. You chose Our Name. We have opened the doors of knowledge and wisdom for you." 2. Soon after his reformation, Zunnoon Misri was making wudhu at the river. Nearby was a mansion. A beautiful woman was standing on the veranda. Zunnoon approached and greeted. The woman said:"O Zunnoon, at first I thought you were a mad man. As I took a closer look and reflected, I thought you were an Aalim. As I examined you more, I thought you were an Aarif. Now that you have approached me, I have realised that you are none of the three."

Zunnoon asked for an explanation. The woman said:"If you were a madman, you would not have made wudhu. If you were an Aalim, you would not have looked at a ghair mahram female. If you were an Aarif, your mind would not have been occupied with anyone besides Allah Ta'ala."

The woman then miraculously became invisible, disappearing from sight. It was then that Zunnoon understood that the figure was not a woman, but a being appointed by Allah Ta'ala for his admonition.
3. One day while in a boat, a merchant's pearl was missing. Zunnoon was accused of having stolen it. He was severely assaulted. While the people were beating him, he raised his head to the heaven and said:"O Allah! You know that I am not a thief." Instantaneously thousands of fish, each with a pearl in its mouth, appeared on the surface of the water. Zunnoon took one pearl and handed it to the merchant. When the people observed this wonderful miracle they were full of remorse and apologised profusely. From that day he was called Zunnoon which means the man of the fishes.
4. Zunnoon's piety exercised a profound impact on his sister. One day while she was reciting the aayat

she exclaimed: "O Allah! You bestowed mann and salwaa to Bani Israaeel, but not for the people of Islam. I shall not sit as long as You do not bestow to us too mann and salwaa."
As she spoke, mann and salwaa began raining on her. She left home the very same moment, entered the wilderness and was never again seen.
(Explain mann and salwaa)
5. Once along his travels, he saw thousands of people had assembled by a mountain. When he enquired he was informed that once a year a buzrug emerged from the mountain. He would blow on the crowd and all the ailing people would immediately be cured. Zunnoon Misri also waited. Ultimately, a very old, frail and weak man emerged from the mountain side. His eyes were deep in their sockets. As he emerged, the mountain trembled. The buzrug faced the crowd and blew on the people. As he turned to leave, Zunnoon grabbed hold of his cloak and said: "You have cured the people of their physical ailments. Cure me of my spiritual ailments."

The buzrug said: "Leave my cloak. Allah is watching. He is observing that you have turned to another being besides Him. I fear that He may assign me to you and you to me."
He then violently broke free and disappeared into the mountain.
6. Once when Zunnoon Misri was found to be weeping profusely, he was asked for the reason. He said: "Last night I dreamt that Allah Ta'ala said:"When I created mankind, they split into ten groups. When I presented the world to them, nine groups inclined towards it. One group turned away from it. This one group split into ten groups. I presented Jannat to them. Nine groups inclined towards it. One group did not incline towards it. Then this group split into ten groups. I presented Jahannum to them. Nine groups fled from it. One group did not flee. I said: You did not incline to the world, neither did you desire Jannat nor feared Jahannum. What do you desire?"

They responded: "You know what we desire."

This small group of Allah's creation, namely, the select Auliyaa, desire nothing besides the Vision of Allah Ta'ala. Their ibaadat is not for the acquisition of thawaab and Jannat nor for the fear of Jahannum. The only motive is the Pleasure of Allah Ta'ala.
7. A young lad (minor) came to Zunnoon Misri and said: "I have inherited one hundred thousand dinars which I wish to present to you." Zunnoon said: "As long as you have not attained puberty, it is not permissible for you to spend your wealth." After the boy became baaligh (i.e. attained puberty), he came and contributed all his wealth in the path of Allah.
8. Once this lad (mentioned in No. 7 above) observed that Zunnoon Misri was in extreme difficulty due to poverty. He said: "Alas! If I had wealth today, I would have given it to you today." Zunnoon thought: "This lad has not yet fully understood the meaning of faqr." By the permission of Allah, Zunnoon Misri miraculously produced three pearls. He sent the lad with the pearls to the jeweller to ascertain the value of the pearls. He went and returned saying the each pearl was valued at 100 dinars (gold coins). Zunnoon instructed the lad to crush the pearls and discard them. He commented: "Understand that the Fuqaraa are not in need of wealth."
9. Zunnoon Misri said: "I admonished people for 30 years, but only one man correctly found the path of Allah. He was a prince. Once he came to my Musjid and heard me admonishing myself. I was saying: "There is no greater ignoramus then the weakling who fights the most powerful one." The prince said: "Explain clearly, what you are saying so that I too understand." I said: "Who is a greater ignoramus than one who fights with Allah Ta'ala?" (i.e. Transgresses the laws of Allah Ta'ala.)

The prince left. He returned the following day and said: "Show me the way of reaching Allah Ta'ala." I said: "There are two ways – A short route and a long route. The long route is to abandon desires. The short route is complete renunciation of the world and everything besides Allah Ta'ala." The prince opted for the short route. He renounced the world donning the simple shawl of the Sufis, he set off into the wilderness engrossing himself in Allah's ibaadat. Finally he entered into the rank of Abdaaliyat."
10. A man came to Zunnoon Misri and complained of heavy debt. Zunnoon picked up a stone. As he touched the stone, it turned into a precious stone. The man took the stone, sold it and paid his debts.
11. One Eid night, Zunnoon Misri developed an intense desire for some delicious food. He said to himself: "If you agree to perform two raka'ts in which you complete the entire Qur'aan, I shall feed you delicious food." He commenced the Salaat and by morning time he had recited the whole Qur'aan in two raka'ts. Now his heart was delighted. He felt that after ten years of depriving himself of delicious food, he will be satisfying himself. This thought constrained him to vow: "I take oath by Allah that I shall never fulfil your desire."
Just when he took the oath, a man with a pot of delicious food approached and said: "I am a poor man. My family had not tasted delicious food. Today I had managed to have this food prepared for them because it is Eid. I fell asleep and in a dream Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) appeared and said to me: "If you wish to meet me on the Day of Qiyaamah, then give this food to Zunnoon Misri and tell him to enter into a peace pact with his nafs for a short while. He should eat a few morsels from this food."

In obedience to Rasulullah's ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) command, Zunnoon Misri ate a few morsels. The man then took the pot and returned to his family.
Once an oath is taken, observance of it is incumbent provided that it is lawful. If for some reason the oath is violated (as in this episode), kaffaarah (compensation / expiation) is incumbent. The kaffaarah for violating a Qasam (oath) is to fast three days in a row. If due to extreme illness which is incurable or extreme old age one is unable to fast, then ten masaakeen (poor Muslims) should each be given two full meals or each one may be given the current Sadaqatul Fitr amount.
12. People were unable to comprehend his mystical statements. They accused him of being a Zindeeq (heretic / kaafir). He was put in chains and taken to the Khalifah who ordered him imprisoned for forty days. While he was in prison, his sister sent him some food, but he did not eat of it. After he was released, she said: I had prepared the food from halaal earnings." Zunnoon Misri said: "Yes, but the guard who brought the food was an oppressor."

Even the touch of a Zaalim (oppressor) spiritually contaminates the food. Such food affects the lofty spirituality of the Auliyaa. On his release the Khalifah posed certain intricate questions to Zunnoon. All present in court were amazed at the wonderful answers which he gave very eloquently. The king was so touched that he became Zunnoon's mureed and sent him to Egypt in great honour.
13. On an intensely cold day when the entire wilderness was covered with ice, Zunnoon Misri saw a Jew scattering seeds on the ice.
Zunnoon: "What are you doing?"

Jew: "Today the ground is covered with ice. I am scattering seeds for the birds. Perhaps Allah will grant me its reward."

Zunnoon: "The seeds of an alien (i.e. kaafir) are unacceptable there (i.e. in Allah's Court)."

Jew: "Be it so. Nevertheless, Allah is seeing what I am doing. This suffices for me."

Sometime thereafter, during the days of Hajj, to his surprise and amazement Zunnoon Misri saw the same Jew making tawaaf around the Ka'bah with deep devotion. He said to Zunnoon: "See, how rewarding was my scattering of seeds. Just look at the beautiful reward I received." With great animation Zunnoon Misri supplicated: "O Allah! In return for a few seeds you bestowed this favour to a Jew who was engrossed in kufr for 40 years."

Zunnoon heard a Voice saying:"I do as I please. No one can comment on My affairs."
Allah Ta'ala is Independent. He is not bound by any laws. He acts as He pleases. Ikhlaas (sincerity) is rewarded by Allah Ta'ala with the treasure of Imaan. A kaafir who is sincere in his quest for the truth will find the Path of Imaan leading to Allah Ta'ala.
14. In a dream, Zunnoon Misri asked a friend who had died: "How did you fare by Allah Ta'ala?" His friend replied: "Allah Ta'ala forgave me because of two things: While on earth I had never taken anything from anybody and I had never filled my stomach for fear of becoming lazy in ibaadat."
15. Zunnoon Misri said:

"Glory unto Allah Who protects the People of Ma'rifat (the Auliyaa) from worldly relationships with the fear of Aakhirah."
"The greatest veil (barring one from Divine Proximity) is the eye which does not see the prohibited things."
"A man whose stomach is filled with food does not acquire Hikmah (divine wisdom)."
"The most prosperous man is he who dons the raiments of taqwa."
"The body of a small-eater remains healthy, as the soul of one who abstains from sin remains healthy."
"There is nothing surprising when a man is patient in calamity. Surprising is his pleasure and contentment in calamity."
"Those who fear Allah, find the Straight Road. Those who lack fear, go astray."
16. Zunnoon Misri listed the following acts as causes for the corruption and degeneration of Muslims:

Deficiency in righteous deeds.
Obedience to shaitaan.
The idea that Maut is a distant event.
Abandoning the pleasure of Allah and pursuing the pleasure of people.
Abandoning the Sunnah for the sake of nafsaani desires.
Citing the errors of the Akaabir (Senior Ulama and Auliyaa) in justification of one's own faults, while ignoring their excellences and to denigrate the on account of some error.
17. "The sign of divine love is complete conformity with the Sunnah of Allah's Habib (i.e. Rasulullah – b)."
Conflict with the Sunnah testifies to the hollowness of the claim of love for Allah Ta'ala. Without strict obedience to the Sunnah, love for Allah Ta'ala is impossible.
18. Zunnoon Misri said: "Conform with Allah. Admonish people. Oppose the nafs. Abhor the enemy (i.e. shaitaan)."
Abhorrence for shaitaan is to refrain from following his commands.
19. "When Allah loves a man, He revels to him the faults of his own nafs. When He wishes to disgrace a man, He conceals his faults from him."
20. "A pious man neither looks at evil nor listens to evil."
"I have not seen a better guide showing the path of Ikhlaas (sincerity) than khalwat (solitude)."
"A man who adopts khalwat, clings to the pillar of Ikhlaas."
"A Sufi is one who instructs others to do such virtuous deeds which he himself has already practised."
21. Describing the meaning of an Aarif, Zunnoon Misri said: "An Aarif is one who fears Allah Ta'ala. His fear for Allah increases every moment because he constantly progresses in his state of Qurb-e-Ilaahi (Nearness to Allah). The sign of an Aarif is that while he is among people, he is in actual fact far from them. Whoever lacks these attributes is not an Aarif, for the Qur'aan says: "Verily, among the servants of Allah only the Ulama fear Him." (Ulama in this context refer to the Ulama-e-Rabbaani, the Aarifeen.)"The condition of the Aarif is ever-changing because mysteries of the spiritual realm constantly unfold for him. The Aarif is the most cultured and most respectful in creation. Ma'rifat (divine knowledge) develops him at all times."
22. He said: "There are three kinds of Ma'rifat.

Ma'rifat-e-Tauhid – This is the knowledge of the Unity of Allah. Every Muslim in general, possesses this degree of Ma'rifat.
Ma'rifat-e-Hujjat wa Bayaan – This is the knowledge of Scholars of Islam. It refers to the higher knowledge of the Shariah which the Ulama in general posses.
Ma'rifat-e-Sifaat – This is the knowledge of Allah's attributes. It is a revealed / inspired knowledge of the transcendental and spiritual realities. Allah Ta'ala reveals this knowledge to his select Auliyaa only.
23. "A man who lays claim to Ma'rifat is a liar."
24. "The king of the Aakhirah is the Zaahid and the king of the zaahid is the Aarif."
25. "Entering into companionship with Allah Ta'ala means to abstain from all things prohibited by Him."
26. He said: "There are four symptoms of a diseased heart: (i) It does not experience the sweetness of ibaadat. (ii) It is devoid of fear for Allah Ta'ala. (iii) It derives no lesson from the things and events of the world. (iv) It does not put into practise knowledge."
27. He said:

"When a man has reached the stage of Uboodiyat, he abandons the pleasure of the world."
Uboodiyat is the condition of perfect slavery – being the obedient slave of Allah. It is a stage subservient to Allah's Will.
"Knowledge is present, but there is a dearth of actions which conform with knowledge. There is a dearth of ikhlaas (sincerity) in actions."
"Love is present, but there is a dearth of truth in love."
"While the masses repent for sin, the elite (i.e. the Auliyaa) repent for ghaflat (carelessness, forgetfulness or not being always alert)."
28. Zunnoon Misri, speaking on taubah said: "There are two kings of taubah (Repentance):

(a) Taubah Inabat which means repentance due to fear for Allah Ta'ala.
( صلى الله عايه وسالم) Taubah Istijaabat which means repentance due to shame for Allah. The servant feels ashamed of the deficient ibaadat he offers, hence he repents.
All parts of the human body have their own respective ways of Taubah. The Taubah of the heart is to resolve to abstain from haraam. The Taubah of the eyes is to resolve to guard them from looking at haraam. The Taubah of the ears is to resolve to prevent them from listening to haraam. The Taubah of the hands is to restrain them from stretching towards haraam. The Taubah of the feet is to prevent them from walking towards haraam."
29. He said:

"The deeds of one who fears Allah Ta'ala are excellent and the deeds of one who has hope in Allah Ta'ala are beneficial."
"Fear should be more than hope."
Khauf (Fear for Allah) and Rajaa (Hope in the mercy of Allah) are excellent attributes. Excess in any of these attributes is detrimental for spiritual progress. The equilibrium (i'tidaal) degree is to have slightly more khauf than rajaa. An excess of rajaa leads to negligence and deficiency in righteousness while an excess of khauf can lead to hopelessness, inertia and abandonment of righteous deeds.
"The nourishment of my soul is Thikrullah."
"Shame is to always fear punishment for sins already committed."
"Man speaks (to Allah) because of love. He remains silent because of shame and he becomes restless because of fear."
"Taqwa is to prevent the body from the pollution of sins and the soul from futile talk and to be in constant contemplation of Allah Ta'ala."
"Restraining the eyes and mind from indulgence in prohibited things is also muraaqabah (contemplation on Allah Ta'ala.)."
"Tawakkul is not to have any expectation regarding anyone; to repose all trust on only Allah Ta'ala and to remain an obedient slave."
"Uns (a lofty stage of divine love) is that the heart is diverted from all worldly relationships and to be imbued with love for Allah and His friends."
"Fikr (to be concerned and in contemplation) is the key of ibaadat."
"Opposing nafsaani desires is a sign of having attained Allah Ta'ala."
Such Attainment have limitless ranks of progress and elevation. The more the servant struggles against his nafs, the greater will be his degree of Wisaal-e-Haqq (Attainment of Allah's Proximity).
"Perpetual contemplation of the heart unlocks the truth of the transcendental realm for the soul."
"Among the demands of Ikhlaas is to save yourself from your enemy (shaitaan)."
"The sign of ikhlaas is that you do not become pleased when praised nor are you grieved when criticized."
"An example of seeing with the eyes is Ilm (knowledge) and an example of seeing with the heart is Yaqeen (faith as a result of spiritual vision)."
"A man who does not guard his nafs is devoid of ikhlaas."
"He who fears Allah, turns towards Allah."
On the contrary, a person fearing worldly objects, flees from them.
"A contented man experiences greater comfort than all the people of the world. He is the chief of all." Contentment here means to be happily satisfied and pleased with whatever condition and circumstance Allah Ta'ala has decreed, be it prosperity or adversity. The one who possesses the attribute of Qanaa-ah (contentment) is happy and comfortable in all states.
"A man who strives in something which is not beneficial for him, destroys what is beneficial for him."
"A man who truly fears Allah Ta'ala possesses true friendship of Allah. His intelligence attains perfection."
"If you are unable to ascertain a man's baatini state (his spiritual and moral conditions) from his zaahiri state (practical deeds, characteristics, and outward appearance), do not enter into companionship (suhbat) with him."
A morally and spiritually elevated soul exudes its beautiful effect on the appearance and physical body of a pious man. If these effects are not discernable, the suhbat of such a man of unknown character should not be cultivated.
"A man whose heart is engrossed in Allah's remembrance forgets all things besides Allah Ta'ala."
30. Someone asked: "When can a man traverse the path of Khauf (the Road leading to Divine Proximity)?" Zunnoon Misri said:
"When he considers himself to be (spiritually) sick and he refrains from the world because he fears deterioration of his sickness."
31. Zunnoon Misri was asked: "What is the sign of Khauf?" He said: "To become fearless of all things besides Allah Ta'ala." Such Khauf is cultivated by obedience to the Sunnah, adoption of the Sunnah, perpetual Thikr, Muraaqabah (contemplation / meditation) and Muhaasabah (always taking a self-reckoning of one's deeds).
32. Zunnoon Misri said:
"Solitude is to be divorced from one's nafs."
"Everything which produces forgetfulness of Allah is called dunya (the world)."
"A malicious man is he who neither knows the Road of Allah nor asks others for the direction."
33. Giving naseehat to Hadhrat Yusuf Bin Husain (rahmatullah alayh), he said:
"Oppose your nafs to conform with Allah. Do not oppose Allah to conform with your nafs. Never despise any person even if he happens to be a mushrik for it is possible that he repents and is accepted in the Divine Court."
34. Someone asked for naseehat. Zunnoon Misri said: "Cultivate love for Allah. He will make you independent of all people. Oppose your nafs as long as it has not become submissive. When calamity befalls you, adopt sabr. Spend your life in the remembrance of Allah."
35. He said: "Do not be concerned of the past nor of the future. Consider the present as an opportunity."
Man should not squander his time in idle and futile ideas and thoughts either of the past or future. Every moment he gains should be utilized constructively, i.e. for the development of his Aakhirah.
36. Zunnoon Misri was asked: "What is the sign of a man who has gained perfect recognition of his nafs?" He replied: "He is always suspicious of his nafs. He never trusts his nafs."
37. While Zunnoon was in his last illness, someone asked: "What do you wish for?" He said: "That I become aware (of my last) sometime before Maut arrives." He then recited some verses:
Fear has indisposed me;
Yearning has scorched me;
Love has killed me;
Allah has resurrected me.
He then became unconscious. When he opened his eyes, Yusuf Bin Husain asked for some naseehat. Zunnoon said: "Don't engage me in conversation. Allah's favours have cast me into bewilderment." His soul then took flight from his earthly body.
38. On the night Zunnoon Misri died, 70 Auliyaa saw in their dreams Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) saying: "I have come to welcome the friend of Allah."
39. On his death, people saw the following words miraculously inscribed on Zunnoon's forehead: Translation:
He is the beloved of Allah.
He died in the Love of Allah.
He is the one killed by Allah.
He was smitten by the Sword of Allah.
40. The heat was unbearably hot when Zunnoon's Janazah was taken. Flocks of birds hovering over his Janazah provided shade.
41. As Zunnoon's Janazah passed by a Musjid, the Muath-thin was proclaiming:

Zunnoon raised his Kalimah finger. Thinking that perhaps he was alive, the people put down the Janaazah. When they examined his body they confirmed he was dead. However, his finger remained outstretched testifying to the Unity of Allah Ta'ala. Several attempts to lower the finger failed.

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HADHRAT BISHR HAAFI (rahmatullah alayh)

 

 HADHRAT BISHR HAAFI (rahmatullah alayh)

 

1. Before his reformation, Hadhrat Bishr Haafi (rahmatullah alayh) was a drunkard. One day on his way to the pub he saw a piece of paper on which was written  laying in the street gutter. He stopped to pick it up. He cleaned the paper, applied perfume to it and placed it on a high shelf in his home.

That night a buzrug was commanded in a dream: "Go to Bishr and tell him: You had perfumed and honoured My Name, I shall cleanse you of your sins and elevate you." The buzrug's eyes opened. He thought: "Bishr is a faasiq. My dream is false." He took wudhu, performed two raka'ts and went to sleep. He saw the same dream. He woke up. With the same thought in mind, he fell asleep. For the third time he saw the same dream.

In the morning, the buzrug sent for Bishr but was informed that he was in the pub. He went to the pub, stood outside and enquired about Bishr. He was told that Bishr was lying in a drunken stupor. The buzrug said: "Tell him that someone has brought a message from Allah Ta'ala." When this message was delivered, it penetrated his heart, sobering him. Bishr was overcome with fear. He said to his friends in the pub: "I do not know if this is a message of reprimand or punishment. Farewell! You will not see me again." He emerged from the pub. The buzrug delivered the message and Bishr repented. Allah Ta'ala granted him a most elevated spiritual status. 2. Out of extreme love and devotion, he walked bare feet, hence he is called Bishr Haafi. Haafi means the bare-footed one. People asked him the reason for walking bare-feet. He said: "When I repented, I was bare-feet. I now feel ashamed to wear shoes. Allah Ta'ala says (in the Qur'aan) – 'He has made the earth a carpet for you'. It is disrespectful to walk with shoes on the carpet of a king."
3. Hadhrat Imaam Ahmed Hambal (rahmatullah alayh) spent much time in the company of Bishr Haafi (rahmatullah alayh). One day some of his students said: "It is quite surprising that although you are such a great Aalim and Muhaddith you associate with an insane man." Imaam Hambal said: "Although I have greater awareness of the knowledge I possess than that insane man, he knows Allah Ta'ala more than what I know Him." Imaam Ahmad Bin Hambal would say to Bishr Haafi: "Narrate to me from your Rabb."
4. One night Bishr Haafi went to his sister's home. Suddenly he halted in the entrance. He was overwhelmed by a state of bewilderment. He remained standing in contemplation the entire night. In the morning he left for Fajr Salaat. After returning from the Musjid, his sister asked for an explanation for his queer behaviour. He said: "I wondered that in Baghdad besides myself, there are two kaafirs whose names are also Bishr. My name too is Bishr. Allah Ta'ala favoured me with Islam. What did I do to deserve Islam and what did they do to deserve kufr? This condition of wonder occupied my mind the whole night."
5. Hadhrat Bilaal Khawwaas (rahmatullah alayh) met Hadhrat Khidhr (alayhis salaam) in the wilderness of Bani Israaeel. Bilaal Khawwaas asked: "What is your opinion of Imaam Shaafi?"

Hadhrat Khidhr: "He is among the Autaad." (This is a class of Auliyaa.)
Bilaal Khawwaas: "What do you say about Imaam Ahmad Hambal?"
Hadhrat Khidhr: "He is a Siddique."
Bilaal Khawwaas: "And Bishr Haafi?"
Hadhrat Khidhr: "He is unique. After him there will not be anyone like him."
6. Bishr Haafi was so scrupulous in his taqwa that he never drank water from the water-canal erected by the king.
7. A buzrug said: "Once in winter I visited Bishr Haafi. Due to insufficient clothes he was shivering of the intense cold. I asked him, why he was undergoing so much hardship. He said: "I am thinking of those durwaishes who are unable to afford garments to protect them against the cold. I have no money with which to aid them. I find it comforting to at least physically conform with them by sharing their plight."
8. Defining Faqr (poverty), Bishr Haafi said: "The people of Faqr are of three classes.
1st Such men who have diverted their gaze in entirety from people. Neither do they ever ask anything from anyone nor do they accept anything from anyone. They are known as Roohaaniyeen. They obtain from Allah Ta'ala whatever they ask for.

2nd This class of Fuqaraa do not ask anyone for anything. However, they accept if given to them. They are the middle class and are the Mutawakkileen.

3rd These Fuqaraa adopt patience (sabr) and strive against their desires. They spend their time in Thikrullah.
9. Bishr Haafi narrated the following episode:"One day Hadhrat Ali Jurjaani (rahmatullah alayh) was sitting near to a fountain in the forest. I went near. When he saw me he exclaimed: "Today I must have committed some great sin, hence I saw a human being." He then fled. I pursued him until I reached him and implored: "Give me some advice." He replied: "Conceal poverty (faqr) and adopt sabr. Abandon the desires of the nafs. On earth keep your house emptier than the grave so that you will have no regret when you have to depart from this earth at the time of Maut." (Ali Jurjaani–rahmatullah alayh– was a majzub who lived in forests and desolate places, fleeing from people.)
10. Some people who were proceeding for Hajj requested Bishr Haafi to accompany them. He said that he would accompany them if they agreed to accept the following three conditions:

 No one should take along any provisions for the journey.
 No one should ask anyone for anything.
 If anyone presents something, it should not be accepted.

The people said that while they accept the first two conditions, the third condition was not acceptable. Bishr Haafi said:"Your tawakkul is on the provisions of others. If your trust was solely on Allah Ta'ala, you would have attained the rank of wilaayat (sainthood)." He thus refused to join them. This high degree of tawakkul is the quality exclusive of certain Auliyaa. It is not a degree of tawakkul for everyone. Nor is every person able to adopt this special degree of tawakkul.
11. Once Bishr Haafi asked Khidhr (alayhis salaam) to make dua for him. Khidhr (alayhis salaam) said: "May Allah Ta'ala make ibaadat easy for you and may He conceal your ibaadat from yourself." In other words, one should not entertain the idea that one is engrossed in much ibaadat. Such an attitude is ujub (vanity) which destroys one's ibaadat.
12. One day in the qabrustaan he saw a wonderful scene. The inmates of the grave were out and it appeared that they are gathering something furiously. Bishr Haafi supplicated: "O Allah! Reveal this mystery to me." He was commanded to question the inmates of the grave. When he asked, they responded: "A week ago a pious man who passed here recited Surah Ikhlaas thrice and bestowed the thawaab to us. From that time until now we are gathering that thawaab."
13. Once in a dream, Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: "Bishr, do you know why Allah Ta'ala has elevated you above your contemporaries?" Bishr Haafi said that he did not know. Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: "Because you follow my Sunnah, honour the pious, admonish Muslims, and you love my Sahaabah and my companions." While all Auliyaa have these qualities in common, Bishr Haafi was outstanding in this sphere.
14. On another occasion, Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) gave Bishr Haafi the following advice in a dream:"The kindness which the wealthy show to the poor for the sake of acquiring thawaab is noble. However, it is nobler for the poor to refrain from presenting their needs to the wealthy. They should repose reliance on only Allah Ta'ala."
15. He said: "If you want honour, abstain from three things:

 Placing your needs in front of people.
• Speaking ill of others.
 Accompanying the guest of another person."
"A man who desires recognition on earth, does not experience the sweetness of the Aakhirah."
16. Bishr Haafi said: "If the only benefit of qanaa-ah (contentment) was respect on earth, striving for its acquisition would be commendable."
Qanaa-ah in the terminology of the Auliyaa means to be happily contented with whatever provision and condition decreed by Allah Ta'ala. The minimum gain of qanaa-ah is respect on earth. A contented person does not disgrace himself by self-imposed dependence on others. The spiritual rewards of qanaa-ah are immeasurable.
17. "The wish for worldly recognition is the product of love for the world." When a man wishes that people speak good of him and entertain a high opinion of him, he suffers from hubbud dunya (love of the world).
18. He said: "As long as a man does not erect a barrier of steel between his nafs and himself, he will never experience the sweetness of ibaadat."
A slave of desire has no understanding of ibaadat. His acts of worship are mechanical. Nafsaani desires increase spiritual blindness, hence such a person fails to comprehend and experience the sweetness of spiritual realities.
19. Bishr Haafi said: "Three acts are most difficult. (a) Generosity in poverty. ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) Piety in privacy. (c) Truth in fear. A poor man spending in the path of Allah Ta'ala from his meagre provisions is a truly generous person. Piety is not restricted to ritual acts of worship. It has a wider meaning, bringing within its scope virtuous character, true fear for Allah Ta'ala and concern for the Aakhirah. His good, kind and tender conduct is not merely a public exhibition. In privacy, at home, he remain a paragon of virtue in his relationship with his wife, children and servants.

When danger stares one in the face, it is difficult to proclaim the truth which one knows can result in hardship, hence Rasulullah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) said:"The noblest jihaad is proclamation of the truth in the presence of a cruel king."
20. Bishr Haafi said: "True piety is to eliminate all doubts and to constantly apprehend the nafs." Doubt in the Providence and Decrees of Allah Ta'ala negate taqwa. A man while not verbally doubting the Razzaaqiyat of Allah Ta'ala, indicates by his unlawful conduct that he does not honestly believe that Allah Ta'ala is the sole Provider of Rizq. If his belief was pure, devoid of doubts, he would not adopt haraam and doubtful ways of seeking a livelihood. Similar doubts exist in man's heart in almost all spheres of life. Most people lack true taqwa despite their abundance of worship. Also, taqwa demands that the nafs be perpetually held under restraint. Man has to reflect before he speaks or acts. If he fails to scrutinise his every word and deed, he lacks true taqwa.
21. He said: "Zuhd is an Angel who does not reside anywhere except in an empty heart." Zuhd (abstinence) means the attitude of worldly renunciation or the total elimination of worldly love. A man who may be living in a hut in the forest cannot be termed a zaahid if there lurks worldly love in his heart.
22. He said: "A man who practises righteous deeds with sincerity is distressed by company." A natural attribute of a man who acts purely for the sake of Allah Ta'ala is love of solitude. Anything which disturbs his solitude distresses and terrifies him.
23. Bishr Haafi said: "A man's heart hardens even by glancing at a miser." How much more will this hardness be by eating the food of a miser or by associating with him?
24. He said: "As long as a man's enemy does not feel safe from him, he has not attained excellence." Roohaani excellence depends on purity of heart. This characteristic should be so outstanding that even one's enemy should feel at ease. Even an enemy understands that this man's honesty and purity of heart preclude the slightest vestige of malice, hence he feels safe. He knows that there is no need for him to fear any treachery. Only the Auliyaa attain such heights of excellence.
25. He said: "If you are unable to engage in Allah's ibaadat, at least refrain from disobeying Him." Ibaadat here refers to Nafl / optional acts of worship. While abstention from transgression is essential for all people, it has greater importance for a man whose stock of Nafl ibaadat is meagre.
26. He said: "Even if a man should lay in Sajdah Shukr for his entire life, he will never be able to correctly and sufficiently discharge the demand of Shukr. The bounties and favours of Allah Ta'ala are innumerable. Even a lifetime of prostration is inadequate for expression of gratitude to Allah Ta'ala. The Qur'aan Majeed says:

"If you count the favours of Allah, never will you be able to enumerate them."

When His bounties cannot even be enumerated, how can sufficient Shukr be offered?
27. When his time of departure from this world approached, Bishr Haafi became restless. Someone asked: "Do you love this life of the world?" He responded: "No! However, I fear to enter the Divine Court."
28. After Bishr Haafi's demise, a man who saw him in a dream, asked: "How did you fare by Allah?" He replied: "Allah Ta'ala reprimanding me said: "Bishr, why did you fear Me so much? Were you not aware that I am merciful and gracious?"
29. An aged lady came to Hadhrat Imaam Ahmad Hambal (rahmatullah alayh) and said: "I was weaving cotton on my veranda. The royal light was lit (i.e. the public lamp in the street arranged by the king). In this light I continued to spin cotton for a short while. Is the earning which I shall derive from this cotton lawful?"

Imaam Ahmad: "First tell me who you are?"
Old Lady: "I am Bishr Haafi's sister."
Imaam Ahmad: "That income is unlawful for you. Follow in the footsteps of your noble brother. When his hand would touch any doubtful food, it would not co-operate." (i.e. His hand would become momentarily paralysed. In this way did Allah Ta'ala protect him from consuming any mushtabah [doubtful] food.) (See Tabsiratul Auliyaa)

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HADHRAT IBRAAHIM BIN ADHAM (rahmatullah alayh)

 

HADHRAT IBRAAHIM BIN ADHAM (rahmatullah alayh)

 

1. Prior to his reformation, he was the proud king of Balkh. (Balkh today is a province of Afghanistan.) Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (rahmatullah alayh) said: "Ibraahim Bin Adham is the Key of the Knowledge of the Auliyaa." 2. Once when he visited Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayh), many in the gathering viewed Ibraahim Bin Adham with contempt. Imaam Abu Hanifah said: "Sayyiduna Ibraahim!", and greatly honoured him. In surprise someone asked: "How has he become our leader?"
Imaam Abu Hanifah said: "He is always in the remembrance of Allah, while we are engrossed in remembrance of the world."
3. When he was the king of Balkh, he led a life of great pomp and splendour. One night while he was sleeping in his palace, he heard a sound on the palace roof. He called out: "Who's there?" A voice said: "I am searching for my camel."

Ibraahim: "How can you search for your camel on the palace roof?"
The Voice: "How can you search for Allah in this palace?" Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with fear of Allah.
The next day, while he was seated on his throne in his royal court, a stranger who inspired awe in onlookers suddenly entered, no one had the courage to question the stranger. He boldly came forward, stood in front of the throne and said: "Who is the owner of this inn?"
Ibraahim: "This is not an inn. It is my palace."
Stranger: "Before you to whom did it belong?"
Ibraahim: "To my father."
Stranger: "And before your father to whom did it belong?"
Ibraahim: "To my grandfather."
Stranger: "Where are they now?"
Ibraahim: "They are no longer living."
Stranger: "Is this then not an inn where people tarry for a while an depart?"
The stranger suddenly disappeared just as mysteriously as he had appeared. Ibraahim Bin Adham terminated the session and went out in search of the stranger. When he located him after great difficulty, Ibraahim asked his identity. The stranger said: "I am Khidhr." Ibraahim was overcome with fear.
4. Once Ibraahim Bin Adham set out with a group of his soldiers on a hunting excursion, possibly to divert his mind from the perplexing events of the past few days. While hunting, he was separated from the rest of the party. Suddenly, he heard a voice repeatedly exclaiming: "Wake up before death awakens you." Suddenly, a buck appeared. Ibraahim went in its pursuit. The buck said: "I have come to hunt you. You cannot catch me. Has Allah Ta'ala created you for this?" He turned away with these words ringing in his ears. Now fear had completely overwhelmed Ibraahim Bin Adham. Then he began hearing these words being omitted from his own breast. The spiritual realm now opened up for him. He repented and resolved to renounce his throne and the world.

While walking he met shepherd with a flock of sheep. He exchanged his royal garments for the shepherd's simple dress and presented all the sheep to the shepherd. The sheep incidentally belonged to Ibraahim. Thus he cast off the garments of the world and donned the raiments of the spiritual realm. Dressed like a shepherd he wandered off into the wilderness to search the capital he required for his journey into the Hereafter. He wandered alone in the wilderness, repenting and passing his time in Allah's remembrance.
On his journey in the wilderness he saw a blind man walking on a narrow bridge across a river. Ibraahim shouted: "Be careful! Be careful! Suddenly the blind man was high in the air. He lifted Ibraahim and took him across the river. Ibraahim was left wondering in amazement.

He took up residence for nine years in a cave near to Nishaapur. He would spend the whole week inside the cave, emerging only on Thursdays to collect firewood which he sold in Nishaapur. On Friday morning he would sell the wood in Nishaapur. After Jumah Salaat, he would give half of his earning to some faqeer and with the other half he would buy bread which would suffice until the next Friday.
5. In winter the region, including the cave, was covered with ice. One night he was in need of ghusl. He broke the ice and managed to gain from it some water for ghusl. With the iced water he bathed and passed the remained of the night in Salaat. By Fajr he was shivering uncontrollably as a result of the intense cold. He thought that he would die of the cold. Suddenly he felt something, like a warm blanket, being thrown around him. Feeling the warmth, he fell asleep. When he woke up, the saw that it was a huge snake which had kept him warm by having wrapped itself around him. Overcome with fear, Ibraahim prayed: "I am unable to bear the form in which You have sent Your aid." As he supplicated, the serpent disappeared into the ground.
6. When the people discovered his identity and his lofty spiritual rank, Ibraahim Bin Adham fled from the cave and set off for Makkah, after his departure, Shaikh Abu Saeed (rahmatullah alayh) visited the cave and commented: "Subhaanallah! Even if this cave was filled with musk it would not have been as fragrant as it has been left by the short stay of that noble soul. It is indeed soothing to the soul."
7. While journeying through the wilderness, Ibraahim Bin Adham met a buzrug who imparted to him the Ism-e-A'zam (The rare and greatest Name of Allah Ta'ala known to only a few selected Auliyaa). Shortly thereafter he met Khidhr (alayhis salaam) who said: "O Ibraahim! The one who taught you the Ism-e-A'zam is my brother, Ilyaas." Ibraahim Bin Adham became the Mureed of Hadhrat Khidhr. It was through the agency of Hadhrat Khidhr that Ibraahim Bin Adham attained such lofty spiritual height of divine proximity.
8. Along his travels when he reached Zaatul Irq, he came across a group of 70 durwaishes who were lying dead. Blood was still flowing from their bodies. When he went near, he found one of them was still alive.

Ibraahim: "O young man! What has happened?"

Young man: "We are a group of Sufis. We set out in the wilderness with trust in Allah. We had pledged neither to speak to anyone nor fear anyone besides Allah Ta'ala. Our motion and rest would be only for Him. When we met Khidhr, we were overjoyed. We said that we had attained out goal. We were delighted that such a great person came to welcome us. Then came the divine rebuke: "Violators of your pledge! What was your pledge? You have forgotten Me and have been attracted by others. I shall take your lives for this crime."
The dying Sufi continued: "O Ibraahim! All these extinguished bodies you are observing are the consequence of the violation of that Vow. O Ibraahim" If you too are prepared for this then proceed, otherwise retrace your steps."

In amazement, Ibraahim said: "Brother, tell me, how did you escape?" Young Sufi: "They were accomplished while I am a novice in this field, hence I was spared to live a while." He too then expired.
9. After wandering for many years in the wilderness, Ibraahim Bin Adham finally reached Makkah Muazzamah. Numerous people in Makkah became his disciples. While in Makkah he would earn his living by selling firewood which he would gather himself. Sometimes he would work as a farmhand.
10. When he had abandoned his throne, he had left behind an infant son. After the son attained manhood, he made enquiries about his father. His mother narrated the episode of his father's renunciation of the world and told him that his father was presently in Makkah Muazzamah. Four thousand inhabitants of Balkh accompanied the young prince to Makkah. When they finally reached Musjidul Haraam, the prince saw many durwaishes.

When he questioned them about Ibraahim Bin Adham, they said: "He is our Shaikh. He has gone to gather firewood." The prince went to the outskirts where he saw an aged man with a pile of wood on his shoulder. This sight reduced the prince to tears. Controlling himself, he followed his father at a distance. When they reached the market-place, he heard his father exclaiming: "Is there anyone with wholesome money to purchase a wholesome product?" A man gave some bread in exchange for the firewood. Ibraahim Bin Adham gave the bread to his mureeds while he became engrossed in Salaat.

Ibraahim's teaching to his mureeds was to guard their gaze from young lads and females. Ibraahim and his disciples began making tawaaf of the Ka'bah. During the tawaaf, his gaze fell on his son. Paternal love kindled and his gaze was momentarily fixed on his son. His mureeds were astonished. After tawaaf, they asked Ibraahim to explain the mystery of his conduct. He said: "When I left Balkh, I left behind a milk-suckling boy. That lad appears to be my son."

The next day a mureed of Ibraahim went to the caravan of Balkh. He found the young prince seated on a chair reciting the Qur'aan. The prince was weeping. The following conversation transpired:

Durwaish: "From where do you hail?"
Prince: "From Balkh."
Durwaish: "Whose son are you?"
The prince wept and said: "I never saw my father. Yesterday I saw a man, but I am not sure if he is my father. I fear that he may flee if I ask him. My father's name is Ibraahim Bin Adham."
Durwaish: "Come, I shall take you to him."
Ibraahim was sitting with his mureeds at Rukn-e-Yamaani when he saw the mureed approaching with his son and his wife (i.e. the queen, Ibraahim's wife). When the mother saw Ibraahim, she lost control, wept and said: "Son, that is your father." All the mureeds as well as others cried loudly. The prince fainted. When he regained conscious, he greeted his father. Ibraahim, returning the salaam, embraced his son and asked: "What Deen are you following?"

Prince: "The Deen of Muhammad ( صلى الله عايه وسالم) ."
Ibraahim: "Do you know the Qur'aan?"
Prince: "Yes, I know it."
Ibraahim: "Al-hamdulillah! Have you acquired any knowledge?"
Prince: "Yes, I have."
Ibraahim: "Al-hamdulillah!"
Ibraahim stood up and began walking away. But his son held on to him while his wife was pleading. Ibraahim lifted his face to the heaven and said: "O Allah! Set me free." Instantly, his son dropped down dead.

Later when his disciples asked for an explanation, Ibraahim said: "When I embraced my son, his love kindled in my heart. Immediately, a Voice reprimanded: "O Ibraahim! You are claiming to love Me but you associate with another being. You admonish your disciples to abstain from looking at boys while you look with love at your son and wife." I then supplicated: "O Allah! If his love will divert me from You, either take my life or take his life." The dua was accepted and his life taken."

Some Auliyaa have an extremely close relationship of Divine Love. They are on a different spiritual plane. Having abandoned the world and its pleasures in entirety, great trials are imposed on them in the journey of Divine Love. Just as Hadhrat Ibraahim (alayhis salaam) was called on to sacrifice his son, Ismaail (alayhis salaam), so too are certain Auliyaa required to make great sacrifices for the treasure of Divine Love.
11. When Ibraahim Bin Adham was asked for the reason for having abandoned his throne, he said: "One day while sitting on my throne I was looking in the mirror. I reflected and realised that my destination was the grave; the journey ahead was long and arduous; there was no companions and no food for the journey. The Judge is just and I lack evidence. My kingdom then appeared detestable to me."
12. Someone asked: "Why don't you marry?" Ibraahim said: "Does a person take a wife to make her walk bare feet and to remain hungry? If I can, I would give talaaq to even myself. How can I then tie others to myself? How can I deceive a woman?"
13. When Ibraahim Bin Adham heard a durwaish complaining about another durwaish, he said: "You have adopted sainthood without any benefit. You have purchased durwaishi (sainthood) without any payment." The durwaish said: "Does one purchase sainthood?" Ibraahim replied: "Yes. I have purchased it in exchange for the kingdom of Balkh. This too, is a cheap price for such a priceless treasure."
14. A man presented a thousand dirhams to Ibraahim Bin Adham. He said: "I have never accepted anything from the poor." The man said: "I am wealthy." Ibraahim: "Do you need more wealth?" Wealthy man: "Yes, I need more." Ibraahim said: "When you are in need of more, then you are the chief of the poor. Take what you have brought."
15. Ibraahim Bin Adham said:
"The sign of an Aarif is that he is always in contemplation. He derives lesson from everything and praises Allah. He is always active in the obedience of Allah."
"Tomorrow on the Day of Qiyaamah, the act which seems so difficult here on earth for you, will be the heaviest in the Meezaan (Scale of Deeds)."
"When three veils are lifted, the door of spiritual treasures opens for the Salik:
Even if he acquires the kingdom of both worlds, he is not delighted.
If this kingdom is snatched away, he does not grieve. If he grieves, it indicates greed and anger. This is a sign of his contemptibility which deserves punishment.
He desires no praises. A man who loves to be praised lacks courage in entirety. One who lacks courage is put to shame.
16. Ibraahim Bin Adham asked a man: "Do you wish to enter the assembly of the Auliyaa of Allah? Have no care for either this world or the next. Become absorbed in Allah. Consume halaal food even if you do not spend the night I prayer and the day in fasting."
17. "No one has attained sainthood by (only) Salaat, Saum, Hajj and Jihaad. But, he who knows what he is eating, attains sainthood."
As long as a man is not scrupulous regarding his food, he will never gain nearness to Allah Ta'ala by virtue of abundance of worship.
18. People were highly praising a young man. It was said that his spiritual state was extremely lofty. He was a man of waid (experiencing states of spiritual ecstasy). Ibraahim Bin Adham asked to be taken to the young saint. When he was taken there, the young man asked Ibraahim to be his guest for three days. He observed the young man for three days and was impressed by his worship and rigorous acts of austerity. In fact, Ibraahim felt ashamed of himself, for he found that in comparison to the young man he was lacking. Ibraahim then thought: "Let me examine him more intensely. Perhaps a shaitaan has influenced him and is keeping him in a state of delusion." On closer examination, Ibraahim discovered that the young man's food was not halaal. He commented: "Allahu Akbar! This is the influence of shaitaan." He asked the young man to be his guest for three days.
Ibraahim brought the young man home and he joined in meals. Immediately, there was a transformation in the young man's condition. The former state of spiritual fervour, enthusiasm and vigour dissipated. Highly agitated, he said: "What have you done to me?" Ibraahim said: "Your food was not halaal. Shaitaan would enter into you along with the food. He freely came into your body and emerged. Now that halaal food has entered into your body, shaitaan has been unable to demonstrate his influence. Now your true state has been exposed. The basis of spiritual progress is halaal rizq."
19. Ibraahim Bin Adham said to Sufyaan Thauri (rahmatullah alayh): "Although you have considerable knowledge, you are in need of some yaqeen."
20. Hadhrat Shafeeq (rahmatullah alayh) asked Ibraahim Bin Adham (rahmatullah alayh): "Why do you flee from people?" Ibraahim responded: "My Deen is in my lap. With it I flee from city to city and mountain to mountain to protect it from shaitaan and make my exit with safety from the doorway of Maut."
21. After completing Salaat, he would cover his face with both hands. When asked about this, Ibraahim Bin Adham said: "I fear that Allah Ta'ala may fling my Salaat into my face."
22. One day, he did not obtain a single morsel to eat. In gratitude he performed 400 raka'ts Salaat. The next day again he had nothing to eat. Again he performed 400 raka'ts. This continued for seven days.
After seven days of hunger, Ibraahim Bin Adham was overcome by extreme hunger and weakness. He prayed: "O Allah, send some food now." Suddenly a young man appeared and said: "Do you wish to eat?" When Ibraahim said, 'Yes', the young man took him to a luxurious mansion. Now recognising Ibraahim Bin Adham, the young man said: "I am your slave and this mansion belongs to you." (The slave and the mansion were part of Ibraahim's estate which he had renounced when he had abandoned the throne).

Ibraahim said: "I am setting you free. This mansion and its belongings are now your property." He departed without eating and supplicated:
"O Allah! I asked for a piece of bread. You put the world infront of me. Henceforth I shall ask for nothing besides You."
23. Once he spent the night with three disciples in a dilapidated Musjid. There was no door and an extremely cold wind was blowing. To shield his mureeds from the cold gust, he stood the entire night in the doorway.
24. When anyone wished to stay with him (as his mureed), Ibraahim Bin Adham stipulated three conditions: (1) I shall serve everyone. (2) I shall give the Athaan. (3) Whatever I acquire, I shall distributed it equally among the mureeds.
25. A man who had wandered around the whole day in search of employment was returning empty-handed. He thought of his hungry wife and children at home. What will he tell them today? On his way home, he saw Ibraahim Bin Adham sitting peacefully. With a heavy sigh, the man said: "You are sitting so peacefully without a care in the world. I envy you." Ibraahim said: "Give me your sigh in exchange for all the ibaadat I have so far made."

A grief stricken heart has great value in Allah's court. In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah Ta'ala says: "I am in the broken hearts of people."
26. Once when someone asked him for his profession (i.e. worldly occupation by means of which one earns a living), Ibraahim Bin Adham said: "The office-bearers of Allah are not in need of a profession."
When Mu'tasim Billah asked him the same question, he replied: "I have left the world and the Aakhirah for their searchers. For myself I have chosen Allah's remembrance in this world and Allah's Vision in the Aakhirah."
27. Ibraahim Bin Adham was asked: "Have you ever experienced happiness in your state of poverty?" He replied: "I experienced happiness several times. On the first occasion I was in a boat. My garments were tattered and torn and my hair dishevelled. People were mocking me. A man was repeatedly tugging at my hair and punching me. All expressed their mirth in laughter. Seeing the disgrace of my nafs, I became delighted.
On the second occasion (also in the boat), suddenly a storm threatened to wreck the boat. The pilot accusing me of ill-luck instructed that I be thrown overboard. I was harshly grabbed and hauled to the edge of the boat. Just as they were about to cast me overboard, the storm subsided. I was then left. Again I experienced happiness on account of the disgrace suffered by my nafs.
The third time I was overcome with weakness and tiredness. I fell asleep in a Musjid. The people grabbed me and pushed me down the steps. As I rolled down hitting my head, blood gushed out. Each step I went down, Allah Ta'ala revealed a spiritual realm to me. The happiness of this revelation ended when I landed at the bottom. I wished that the steps were endless so that I could perpetually roll down experiencing the exhilaration of the revelation of spiritual realms."
28. Once he journeyed several days in the wilderness. He could not find anything to eat. He thought: "I have a friend living nearby. If I go there, I shall have something to eat." Immediately he abandoned the idea since he concluded that his tawakkul had weakness. He entered a Musjid and said: "I repose my trust in The Being Who is alive and Who will not die." A Voice said: "Allah has removed from earth those who had trust in Him." Ibraahim said: "Why is this so?" The Voice responded: "A man who thinks of going to friends for food is not a mutawakkil (one who has trust in Allah)?"
29. Once Ibraahim Bin Adham asked a man: "From whence do you eat?" The mans said: "I do not know. Ask Allah Ta'ala. I have no time for such nonsense."
30. Someone asked: "How do you spend your time?" Ibraahim Bin Adham replied: "I have three vehicles. When I acquired a ni'mat (bounty), I ride the vehicle of shukr and go to Him. When I worship, I ride the vehicle of ikhlaas to Him. When I commit a sin, I ride the vehicle of istighfaar and go to Him."
31. A number of Mashaa-ikh were sitting at a place. Ibraahim Bin Adham attempted to join them but they prevented him. It was said to him: "We perceive the odour of kingdom in you."
When this was the reaction of the Mashaa-ikh notwithstanding the exceptionally lofty spiritual rank of Ibraahim Bin Adham, what can now be said in regard to others?
32. Someone asked: "Why is there a veil screening the heart from Allah Ta'ala?" Ibraahim Bin Adham said: "Because the enemy of Allah is taken as a friend and the bounties of the Aakhirah are forgotten."
33. Advising a man, Ibraahim Bin Adham said: "Take Khaaliq (The Creator) as your friend and abandon makhlooq (the creation)."
"Open the purse. Eliminate love for wealth. Spend in Allah's path and prevent your tongue from evil conversation."
Lies, abuse, flattery, back-biting, gossip, and nonsensical talk are all evil conversation.
34. When a man asked for naseehat, Ibraahim Bin Adham said:

"Do six things. When you commit a sin against Allah Ta'ala, refrain from eating the food He provides. When you wish to sin, get out of His territory. Sin in a place where He cannot observe you. At the time of death, ask Malakul Maut to grant you respite for taubah. Do not allow Munkar and Nakeer to approach you in the grave. When you are sentenced to Jahannum, refuse to enter it."

The man said: "No one can achieve this. How then can I do these?"
Ibraahim said: "If you are unable, then refrain from sin." The man repented and died in Ibraahim's presence.
35. People asked: "Why are our duas not accepted?" Ibraahim Bin Adham replied: "You know Allah, but you do not worship Him. You recognize His Rasool and the Qur'aan, but you do not obey. You eat His bounties, but you are not grateful. You do not prepare for Jannat nor arrange for safety from Jahannum. You acknowledge shaitaan as the enemy, but you do not abhor him. You know Maut will arrive, but you do not prepare for it. You bury your parents in the grave, but you derive no lesson. You know that you have defects in you, but you search for the faults of others. How can your duas be accepted?"
36. Once when the people complained of the high price of meat, Ibraahim Bin Adham advised: "Do not buy meat. The price will then fall."
37. Once Ibraahim Bin Adham and other were picking up dates. Each time he filled his garment, someone would snatch it from him. He would renew the effort only for the dates to be snatched away. This occurred 40 times. Thereafter no one took his dates. He heard a Voice saying: "The forty times are in expiation of the forty golden shields with which soldiers paraded infront of you when you were a king."
38. Once he was employed to guard an orchard. One day the owner asked him to bring some pomegranates. Ibraahim Bin Adham brought a few but all were sour. Annoyed, the owner said: "After all this time you are unable to differentiate between sweet and sour pomegranates." Ibraahim said: "You employed me to guard the orchard, not to eat the fruit." The owner said: "It appears from your piety that you are Ibraahim Bin Adham." His identity exposed, Ibraahim Immediately departed.
39. Ibraahim Bin Adham said: "In a dream I saw Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) holding a book in his hand. I asked him: "What are you doing with this book?" Jibraeel (alayhis salaam): "I am recording the names of Allah's devotees." Ibraahim: "Will you record my name too?" Jibraeel: "You are not a devotee of Allah." Ibraahim: "At least I am a friend of Allah's devotee."
After a short pause, Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) said: "Allah Ta'ala commands that your name be written at the top of the list." In this path hope is acquired from hopelessness."
40. One night Ibraahim Bin Adham was in Musjidul Aqsa. Since the caretaker did not permit anyone to sleep inside the Musjid, Ibraahim concealed himself by wrapping himself in a carpet. Late in the night he saw the door automatically open. A Shaikh with a group of forty durwaishes entered. All of them were dressed in sackcloth. After performing two raka'ts, the Shaikh turned to face the group. One in the group said: "Is there anyone who does not belong to us?" the Shaikh said: "Yes – Ibraahim Bin Adham. He has not tasted the pleasure of 40 days of ibaadat." Ibraahim came out of concealment and said: "True, but why?"

The Shaikh: "You had purchased some dates in Basrah. You saw a date which belonged to the seller and thought that it was yours. You picked it up." Ibraahim Bin Adham returned to Basrah and requested the seller to forgive him. Ibraahim's attitude had such an impact on the seller that he gave up his business and set out in the path of Allah. Ultimately he was accepted into the assembly of the Abdaal.
41. One day outside the city precincts, Ibraahim Bin Adham met a soldier who asked: "What is your name?" Ibraahim: "A servant of Allah, i.e. Abdullah." When the solder asked for the direction to the city, Ibraahim pointed towards the qabrustaan. Thinking that Ibraahim was mocking him, the soldier beat him fiercely drawing much blood. He put a rope around his neck and brought him to the city. The people reprimanded the soldier and said: "This is Ibraahim Bin Adham." The soldier regretting his misdeed apologized profusely. Ibraahim said:

"You have made me deserving of Jannat. I made dua that you too attain Jannat."

A buzrug saw in a dream the inmates of Jannat gathering pearls. He asked: "Why are you gathering pearls?" They replied: "A foolish man wounded Ibraahim Bin Adham's head. We have been commanded to scatter these pearls on him when he enters Jannat."
42. Ibraahim Bin Adham saw an intoxicated man lying in the street. He was frothing from his mouth. Ibraahim washed the man's mouth and with a heavy heart sighed: "The mouth which should be involved in the thikr of Allah should not be in this condition."
At night, Ibraahim dreamt that an Angel was saying: "You cleansed his mouth for the sake of Allah, hence Allah has cleansed your heart." When the man sobered up, people informed him of what had transpired. He was so much affected by what he heard that he repented and devoted himself to the remembrance of Allah.
43. Once Ibraahim Bin Adham was discussing with a buzrug on a mountain. The buzrug asked: "What is the perfection of a man of truth?" Ibraahim said: "If he says to a mountain: 'Move!', it will move." As he spoke, the mountain began to move. Ibraahim said to the mountain: "I did not order you to move. I only cited an example." The mountain became motionless.
44. One day Ibraahim Bin Adham was sitting on the banks of the river Dajlah sewing his tattered shawl. A passer by who recognised him said: "What did you gain by abandoning the kingdom of Balkh?" Ibraahim threw his needle into the river and made a sign with his hand. Instantaneously, thousands of fishes emerged. From the mouth of every fish a golden needle protruded. Scanning the river, Ibraahim said: "I do not want these needles. I want my needle." All the fish disappeared under water and a tiny fish emerged with Ibraahim's needle in his mouth. Taking his needle, he commented: "The least acquisition for abandoning the throne of Balkh is this."
45. Once when he drew the bucket from the well, it was filled with silver. He dumped it and lowered the bucket. When he brought it out, the bucket was full of gold. He dumped it and lowered it again. This time it was full of precious stones. He said: "O Allah! I need water for wudhu. I am not in need of the wealth of this world." The fourth time when he brought out the bucket, it was filled with water."
46. Towards the end of his life, he disappeared. It is not known where he had died. Some say that he died in Baghdad while others claim Shaam. It is said that his grave is near to the grave of Loot (alayhis salaam). Allah knows best.
47. It is narrated that on the occasion of his death, a Voice was heard proclaiming:"Today the Safety of the world has died!"

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