Ifaadaat-e-Farouqi 2

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IFAADAAT-E-FAROUQI

An individual came into the presence of Hazrat Uthmaan-e-Ghani (radhiyallahu anhu) after having looked with lust at a woman. Without taking the name of the person, Hazrat Uthmaan said, “It is indeed sad, that not much time has passed since the demise of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and Zina (adultery) is dripping from the eyes of people.” Take note of the method of admonition in public gatherings. This is also the manner and style of our Mashaaikh. Initially it is a general address with great subtlety. The identity of the person is not disclosed directly, nor in a hint. This approach (of direct reference) in addressing someone is disliked and disapproved of by our elders. If after this special address the individual still does not understand and take heed, then on another appropriate occasion, he will be spoken to, in private. A point to bear in mind is that until the patient does not acknowledge his illness, he will not succeed in eradicating or curing it. Such postulates have to be established around him so that he is surrounded from all sides with the gravity of his error and with sincerity concedes to his illness. The approach must not be, “You have such and such diseases within you.” This will not have the desired result and will not benefit the intended person. Such steps have to be taken, such postulates have to be established, such preliminaries have to be set whereby realization sets in and he is forced to introspect and analyze his condition resulting in him approaching his Murabbi (his guide and mentor) and admitting to him that such and such matters are troubling his conscience.

An incident that occurred in Karachi comes to mind. I mentioned to Abbaji that a Buzrug (friend of Allah) said to an individual, “You are a vain person.” I asked Abbaji what his opinion was regarding the matter. I did not mention the name of any individual since there was no need to do so for I was presenting the case before him for my own benefit. In reply, Abbaji said, “The said Buzrug does not have Munaasabat (familiarity) with the science of reformation). If he did have Munaasabat, he would not have adopted such an approach.” 

He also said, “By casting evil glances such darkness develops in the eyes that even a person with slight insight will be able to discern and recognize that the sight of this individual is tainted, is foul. If two such individuals are gathered who are equal in age, equal in appearance or beauty and are looked in the eye, it will be perceived that the one who does not have this detestable habit will have Noor radiating from his eyes while the other who does have this habit will emit dreary darkness, will reflect an emptiness accompanied with dread and fear.” At times the Buzrugs by means of Kashf (inspiration from Allah Ta`ala) come to know of things which are not known or perceived by others, but they do not disgrace anyone. Our Hazrat mentioned an amazing incident pertaining to Hazrat Gauth-e-A’zam (Shaikh Abdul-Qadir Jailaani). He was informed through Kashf that a particular person was to commit the detestable act (of zinaa) a particular number of times in his life. He immediately became restless and perturbed. After Tahajjud he raised his hands before Allah Ta’ala saying, “O Allah! Protect him from this act, let him not commit it.” This was an accepted servant of Allah, he was Mustajaabud-Da’waat (one whose Duas are readily accepted), he was Gauth-ul-A’zam (Gauth is a very high category of Auliya). The dua was accepted. After two or three days the said individual was brought to him lying on a stretcher. He had become weak and emaciated to the extent that there was no hope of his surviving. In this state he was brought before Hazrat Gauth-e-Paak. Hazrat was addressed with these words, “Hazrat what can be said, it is a shameful matter which leaves us speechless. He has been visited with such difficulty that it became necessary for him to bath seventy times in one night (due to nocturnal discharge).” Hazrat said, “Congratulations! He has been blessed! Allah Ta`ala has transformed his sins into rewards. Forget about his suffering, my dua has been answered. You know nothing of the matter. Allah Ta`ala has saved him from a forbidden action and has brought about an avenue of reward. He will recover. Feed him with honey, eggs and any other nutritious foods. I am ecstatic that my dua has been accepted.” 

Shah Abdul Qaadir Muhaddith Dehelwi used to give lessons on Hadith in the Masjid. One student arrived late for the lessons. Shah Abdul Qaadir became aware through Kashf that the particular student was in need of a bath and has not bothered to do so. Consider how these noblemen conceal the positions of people. Shah Abdul Qaadir Sahib said to the class, “Wait brother, wait! I am feeling a little lethargic today. Come let us go to the Jamna river for a swim. Do not forget to take your lungis (loin cloths) with you. Go and wait there and I will join you.” They all took their lungis and proceed to the Jamna which is a river of Delhi. After swimming for a while they returned. Hazrat Shah Abdul Qaadir then said, “Although it is somewhat late, let us nonetheless not totally miss our lesson today.” Hazrat Madani’s approach, too, was splendid I have heard it discussed by many people and also directly from Abbaji. At times he used to arrive in Deoband at two in the morning. He used to relieve himself, make Wudhu and ring the bell, after which lessons would commence! These days, however, there is a sharp decline in fervour for and dedication to knowledge. At some places, skipping as many as forty pages, a single hadith is read and taught. In the case of Hazrat Madani and Abbaji the Kitaabs used to be completed in their entirety. Alhamdoelillah! This servant of Allah has had the opportunity to attend the teaching of the entire Sihah-e-Sittah (the six most authentic compilations on Hadith) by Abbaji. It is a great favour of Allah. 

     In this manner did Shah Abdul Qaadir complete the teaching of the lesson. The student for whose benefit the entire exercise had taken place was reduced to shame. An immense effect did it have on the student. In spite of keeping the reality of the situation under wraps he was at the same time afforded the opportunity to take a bath and attend the lesson in a proper state. By this, his faith and determination was enhanced. This is the splendid condition of the Ahl-Allah. Hazrat himself tolerated so much inconvenience, and in such an exemplary manner allowed the student to have his bath. On coming to terms with the splendid state of the Ahlullah, that they do not disgrace or degrade anyone, those who attend their gatherings should not hide their faults from the Ahlullah so that they can be cured by them. Gentlemen, I will make a point to inform you that by placing all conditions to the letter, before Abbaji, made me his beloved. Alhamdoelillah! I became his beloved. Everyone informs the Shaykh about colourful aspects of the spiritual self, but the serious matters, the shortcomings, nobody is willing to discuss. As they occur, one should place one’s conditions before one’s Murabbi. There is no need to reformat the letters. I have, till today not changed or altered a single letter. Alhamdoelillah! I have in my possession over a thousand letters of correspondence but not once did I write something in draft and thereafter edit it. Alhamdoelillah! Not even with a single letter did I do this. Only one fact was at the forefront of my mind, that my Murabbi was my Muslih (reformer). If I err with regard to writing he will correct me and that is exactly what happened. I presented exactly what the case was and did not resort to sifting what should or should not be put forward. I put it across just as it was, whether correctly or incorrectly. The fact is I presented myself as I was. May millions of mercies and blessings descend on Abbaji. He was always very kind and extended favours upon favours, he kept on correcting me, kept on reforming me. This is the method of benefiting by bearing in mind the loftiness of this path. One must inform the spiritual mentor of each and every condition that occurs to the self. A fitting Shaikh is one in whom there is attraction. Some may very quickly enter people into his Silsilah (spiritual order), but, thereafter, does not have the presence of mind to attend to their reformation. Someone is being made Bay’at, another’s relationship is being accepted, he is being made a spiritual son. By all these actions he is making it Waajib, making it compulsory upon himself to guide and assist them, making them realise, ‘Now your responsibility is on my head.’ Allah Ta`ala grant us all Fehm-e-Saleem (perfect understanding) and Aql-e-Mustaqeem (true-correct intelligence).

     Hazrat Thanwi says, “We should, by looking at our own conditions, determine to what extent we are involved in protecting ourselves from evil glances. In my opinion, from among thousands, possibly one may be saved from this malady. Otherwise, by and large people are embroiled in it and consider it to be a very light or trivial sin, and to consider a sin as trivial is a major issue. Those who are young are at least aware of the fact that they are suffering from the disease of evil glances. While those whose youth has waned away, are not even cognizant of the fact that they are in the throes of this disease. They think that desire and lust is no longer in them, therefore if they happen to look at anyone, admire anyone, what harm is there therein? Thus they are oblivious of the sin they suffer from.”

(To be continued Insha-Allah)