40 Sayings Of A Modern Sufi Master

macgupta #27

Sir,

What you have written is the sufism (atleast what I understand it to be). What Naqshbandi and his Imams are talking about is nothing but the same old orthodox Sunni views and have nothing to do with tassawuf. Sufism has always been popular with westerners, especially becuase of its tolerant message. Some sufis like Ibn Arabi have even been called of being pantheists (sp?) by the orthodox muslims. The Europeans, especially the Germans have done a great deal of work in preserving their message. Call it message or yet another interpretation of Islam, sufism is suddenly becoming very popular in the west, courtesy of Rumi. If people like Naqshbandi think they can wrap the name tassawuf over their bigotry and sell it to the world, they are mistaken. Some of these forty quotes are simply vile and run completely against the teachings of most Sufis. They need to come up with a better gimmick.

Regards,

Raja Amir Janjua

Ref FARANGI_KUSH #: 7

You said {``Justice & Fairness is the Hallmark of the One who is Nature incarnate.

If a kafir follows the tenets of Islam then he can expect to be rewarded with hoors & luxurious dwellings``}

What, no ghilmans for the kaffirs?

Asif, a general question for you (don`t consider this an attack):

Why do so many religious factions, sect, groups etc. in Pakistan resort to extreme violence against each other? And why are so many of them bent upon declaring each other non-Muslims, heretics, etc.? Obviously, all of them cannot be correct. Each thinks that their own group is correct. Using this logic, only one can be correct; so an overwhelmingly majority of them would then fall into the non-Muslim/heretic category that themselves accuse others of.

A view held by many secular/liberal groups is that religous groups along with their leaders are ignorant. Although I have met more than my share of ignorant religious people, I have also met quite a few who were very knowldgeable. However, many of the knowledgeable hold the same views about other Muslims sects.

One could argue that in Pakistan, violence is not limited to religious groups only. Ethnic violence, political violence, police violence etc. is common in Pakistan. However, the ethnic, political etc. groups don`t proclaim they are killing and attacking others because they have been ordered by God to do so. They basically do it for profit.

I am all for jihad in self-defence, when someone is being attacked, or when someone`s human rights are being violated. However, many religious groups, with the blessings and encouragements of the leaders, seem to offensively attack fellow Pakistanis physically and religiously (non-Muslim declarations), and justify their actions in the line of their sectarian religious beliefs. Why? Why not just live and let live? And would you agree that all these groups who keep finding faults in the other groups approach to religion cannot all be correct. Mathematically speaking, only one of them can be correct. So are all the other ones actually non-Muslims/heretics etc., according to the standards they themselves have set.

Your comments on this will be greatly appreciated.

Asif,

The diversity and `flowering` of religious thought on the subcontinent and continuity of tradition in culture and religion is always a source of great wonder to me, especially the many-centuries-old unbroken associations between the land, its history and its inhabitants. I sincerely hope all such diversity and associations are protected by the best means possible. A glimpse of this richness is seen in your post describing the history of your most respected seer, and I am thankful to you for it.

On the same thought and as an ignorant in this matter, I have questions for you: Whether the teachings of all sufi, or even Naqshbandi seers are in tune with each other, without any essential mutual contradictions?

When any teachings do differ, at what level of discourse do disciples of one seer attempt to reconcile with other respected seers and their disciples?

Sadhana

Dear Asif Salaam,

I wonder if Allama Iqbal was an admirer of your Sufi Master. As I understand Allama, he was not supportive of any sufi ideas mainly on the basis that sufi-ism preaches guftar-ka-ghazi and not kirdar-ka ghazi.

According to Allama, one of the reason Muslims are not progressing in modern world is because they are putting more stress on Huqooq-ul-Allah and not Hoqooq-ul-Ibad. In a nut shell “no practicality just spirituality.” It simply means that we need a balanced mix of both and not just spirituality. He said:

Pukhta tar kardo mizag-e-khanqahi main ise

Another piece:

Hai taza pasand mazhab main iski tabiat

Kar le kahin manzil to guzarta hai bahut jald

Tehqiq ke bazi ho to shirkat nahin karta

Ho khail muridi ka to harta hai bahut jald

Taveel ka phanda koi siyaad laga de

Yeh shakh-e-nasheman se utarta hai bahut jald

Was-Salam

Asfand Siddiqui

Sacramento CA

I do not know what [sect] Rumi was; but how he is seen today -- his descendants have a web page at

www.mevlana.net, which opens with the following :

``Come! Come again! Whoever, whatever you may be, come!

Heathen, idolatrous or fire worshipper, come!

Even if you deny your oaths a hundred times, come!

Our door is the door of hope, come! Come like you are!``

and

Who is Mevlana?

Mevlana was a philosopher and mystic of Islam, but not a Moslem of the orthodox type. His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. To him and to his disciples all religions are more or less truth. Looking with the same eye on Moslem, Jew and Christian alike, his peaceful and tolerant

teaching has appealed to men of all sects and creeds.

---

I see a message somewhat different from this in the Chowk article.

-arun gupta

What an interesting assortment of replies!

Asif thanks for the article. Regarding your comments about science, and how the common man might be led astray; it is important to note that Sufism is not opposed to Science. Here is an enlightening quote ``Sufism and science are striving for the same destination. Science wants to know: How did the universe come into being and what is its nature? Is there any Creator? What is He like? Where is He? How is He related to the Universe? How is He related to man? Is it possible for man to approach Him? Sufism has found the answers and invites the scientists to come and have that knowledge`` -Islamic Sufism by Capt. Wahid Baksh Sial (A Sufi of the Chisti order).

To the folks who ask Asif to ``get a life``, and claim the article is ``gibberish``;

I can appreciate that you cannot fathom the full texture of existence. You are probably bound to a single dimension and are not (or choose not) to be aware of other possibilities. Your limitations in understanding are noted and understood. While not stating that the rest of the gang (including myself) ``get it``, at least, I am very open to hear other points of view, including yours if you care to explain.

Now coming back to the topic. I just finished reading an excellent book on Sufism yesterday and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to tip toe into this ocean. It is titled: ``Sufism; an essential introduction to the philosophy and practice of the mystical tradition of Islam`` by Carl W. Ernst.

It is an excellent, easy to read introduction to Sufism. The author does not attempt to resolve any controversies, but simply states facts in light of in-depth research. He guides the reader through the definitions of Sufism, how the west understood it, the different Sufi Orders, and the modern day tension between fundamentalists and Sufis. This book helped clear many ambiguities in my mind.

I am eager to hear of other introductory texts to Sufism that people have enjoyed reading.

I remain,

Lyahus

lyahus@netscape.net

re temporal #21:

``Have you wondered why this undue emphasis on FIRs? Here (in Toronto) I can visit any police station and lodge ANY major or minor complaint, or better still, just phone them and they are bound

to take down my complaint.``

Coming from you this utterance is somewhat of a surprise. As a rough guess more than 90% of deliberations in court cases even at the high court level involve contents of the FIR only. What else would you expect from a justice system that is corrupt to the core? Things in the developed world are no better although they may give a semblance of sanity.

Asif:

An enlightening write-up!

I liked # 30, it was very nicely worded.

I read # 29 a few times, but Sumujh Naheen Ayee’. Please explain that.

“19.A loose, unbridled, camel never reaches it’s destination and wherever it goes it is beaten and hit. A camel in a line (of camels) however, no matter how thin and weak it is, definitely will reach it’s destination.”

The above has some subtle points and should be clarified. The first sentence is clear whereas the second one is not. I understand what you are trying to say but the latter part can confuse the readers.

#40: Please explain why? Is it because the Aa’maa’l Naa’ma is closed ?

I think we certainly need more interpreters and translators.

Regards

Afia -- (#14?) Thank you for the kind words. The praise is due to the Shaykh (may his innermost being be sanctified!) Yes, the true Mashaikh open their arms to all who wish to join the Sufi Path!

Bayah can be taken by any one who wishes. Insha Allah the Shaykh will accept you! (In reality the Shaykh`s find YOU, although you might think otherwise!:-)) Unfortunately, Hazrat Ameer e Millat has honoured the Next World and so you cannot take bayah with him. I however took bayah with one of his descendents (also Shaykhs) and I am sure you can too. It will depend where you are in the world (although bayah can be taken by letter as well). email me please for further info as I do not want to give out sensitive info on the net--naqshbandijamaati@yahoo.com

:-)

Remember my Shaykhs are descendents of Sayyidina Rasool Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam (sayyids) and it is not in their blood to send anyone away empty handed in the tradition of their Magnificent Ancestor sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam! As Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi has said,

Wah kya jood o karam hai Shah-e-BataHaa tera

``Nahin`` suntaa hi nahin maangnay waala tera!

fhn-- it is your understanding which is flawed in this case, sorry. You have made the mistake of taking it literally to not help lepers! Other hadiths say to visit lepers and the scholars of hadith have said that the overall meaning is that you can visit them! But here the point was that as bad company spoils you, so will mixing with heretics run the risk of ruining your own aqeedaH. And considering that salvation depends on it--is it worth the risk? (The advice is for the common man--people like us who can be made to have doubts by the mere words of modern scientists/philosophers--of course, the Saints themselves have NO doubts as they have EXPERIENCED the Divine for themselves and their faith in Allah is PERFECT and at a level we cannot imagine.)

And Allah knows best!

Afia -- (#14?) Thank you for the kind words. The praise is due to the Shaykh (may his innermost being be sanctified!) Yes, the true Mashaikh open their arms to all who wish to join the Sufi Path!

Bayah can be taken by any one who wishes. Insha Allah the Shaykh will accept you! (In reality the Shaykh`s find YOU, although you might think otherwise!:-)) Unfortunately, Hazrat Ameer e Millat has honoured the Next World and so you cannot take bayah with him. I however took bayah with one of his descendents (also Shaykhs) and I am sure you can too. It will depend where you are in the world (although bayah can be taken by letter as well). email me please for further info as I do not want to give out sensitive info on the net--naqshbandijamaati@yahoo.com

:-)

Remember my Shaykhs are descendents of Sayyidina Rasool Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam (sayyids) and it is not in their blood to send anyone away empty handed in the tradition of their Magnificent Ancestor sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam! As Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi has said,

Wah kya jood o karam hai Shah-e-BataHaa tera

``Nahin`` suntaa hi nahin maangnay waala tera!

fhn-- it is your understanding which is flawed in this case, sorry. You have made the mistake of taking it literally to not help lepers! Other hadiths say to visit lepers and the scholars of hadith have said that the overall meaning is that you can visit them! But here the point was that as bad company spoils you, so will mixing with heretics run the risk of ruining your own aqeedaH. And considering that salvation depends on it--is it worth the risk?

And Allah knows best!

Now I know why religion is/was called an equivalent of ``opium``. Thanks Asif.

RE: Pricess Reply#8

You said:

My take is that ``good deeds`` is like a vector (containing both a `direction` and a `magnitude`). Without direction, the magnitude of your work may be aimless...like dust before the wind. Without effort, you`re in the same place as you started, though you may be staring in the right direction. No sense in arguing which is better, when neither is any good.

``Vow`` that is the most enlightening and intelligent thing I`ve read since I dont know when. Thanks for sharing.

786

First of all this post was for those interested in religion and specifically tassawuf--Sufism.

I will ignore the comments by rajajanjua and others who are evidently opposed to orthodox Islam as I have found in the past that arguing with such people is a waste of time.

It has to be remembered that perhaps no one in the subcontinent in the 19/20th century has done more to help the poor people then Hazrat Ameer-e-Millat and those interested in details should read his biography ``Seerat-e-Ameer-e-Millat.`` Never did the Shaykh eat without inciting the poor around him to share his table so that 100s would eat at a time! Subhan Allah!

As for the quotes, they are all in accordance with Sunni Islam`s orthodox teachings. Therefore if some individuals cannot accept them or find fault with them, it is their problem. They are free to not agree. To them, I have nothing further to say.

Tassawuf is about `taste` -experiencing the Divine for yourselfs and yet, as the Shaykh says it must be approached within the frame work of Islam. In the history of Islam you will not find one Sufi saint who is accepted throughout the world as a Sufi saint who is NOT of orthodox Ahle SunnaH aqeedah. Name one!

Temporal -- in this life Allah rewards those who do good deeds if they are not Muslims too as He is Just. But salvation in the Next Life is dependent on Islam as He has informed us in the Qur`an and hadith. As the Shaykh says, this boils down to accepting the Prophethood of Sayyedina Muhammad alayhi salaato salaam as even Shaytaan believes in Allah (as the Shaykh has argued).

But these kind of questions come under the rubric of kalaam (speculative theology) and this was not the aim of this post. It was to share with others the wisdom of a true Sufi Master -one who has experienced the Divine for himself and who has been commanded to bring others too the divine as well. Thus continuing in the tradition of the great sufis of the past like Mawlana Rumi. (People forget that Mawlana was a strict Hanafi and in fact a renowned Qadi as well as a Sufi!)

Bina -- I can be contacted at naqshbandijamaati@yahoo.com

Now, I hope that people will concentrate on the sayings themselves and on the topic of sufism and not turn this into another ``Islam-bashing`` exercise.

As some people have said, a certain level of Islamic knowledge has to be assumed before the real impact of these beautiful sayings can be appreciated.

BTW, the correct transliteration of zikr IS ``dhikr`` and in any book on Sufism in English it is transliterated as such as it is a technical term in sufism and so should be kept in its original form.

BTW, my appreciations to all those who benefited from this and who had a good word to say! You know who you are (especially Jazba99 and Princes(s?))

:-)

F-Kush --the Shaykh (quds sirruhu) has answered your objection in saying number 11. And evidently a Master like that knows about Islam a lot more than we ever can.

The Shaykh was the Ghawth [urdu: Ghaus] of his age--and in Sufi terminology a ghawth is a saint of the higest spiritual rank-the word ghawth means Helper. He is the spiritual ruler of his age.

May Allah be pleased with him and with us for his sake! ameen.

A hadith :

I [Allah] declare war on him who attacks my wali.

786

First of all this post was for those interested in religion and specifically tassawuf--Sufism.

I will ignore the comments by rajajanjua and others who are evidently opposed to orthodox Islam as I have found in the past that arguing with such people is a waste of time.

It has to be remembered that perhaps no one in the subcontinent in the 19/20th century has done more to help the poor people then Hazrat Ameer-e-Millat and those interested in details should read his biography ``Seerat-e-Ameer-e-Millat.`` Never did the Shaykh eat without inciting the poor around him to share his table so that 100s would eat at a time! Subhan Allah!

As for the quotes, they are all in accordance with Sunni Islam`s orthodox teachings. Therefore if some individuals cannot accept them or find fault with them, it is their problem. They are free to not agree. To them, I have nothing further to say.

Tassawuf is about `taste` -experiencing the Divine for yourselfs and yet, as the Shaykh says it must be approached within the frame work of Islam. In the history of Islam you will not find one Sufi saint who is accepted throughout the world as a Sufi saint who is NOT of orthodox Ahle SunnaH aqeedah. Name one!

Temporal -- in this life Allah rewards those who do good deeds if they are not Muslims too as He is Just. But salvation in the Next Life is dependent on Islam as He has informed us in the Qur`an and hadith. As the Shaykh says, this boils down to accepting the Prophethood of Sayyedina Muhammad alayhi salaato salaam as even Shaytaan believes in Allah (as the Shaykh has argued).

But these kind of questions come under the rubric of kalaam (speculative theology) and this was not the aim of this post. It was to share with others the wisdom of a true Sufi Master -one who has experienced the Divine for himself and who has been commanded to bring others too the divine as well. Thus continuing in the tradition of the great sufis of the past like Mawlana Rumi. (People forget that Mawlana was a strict Hanafi and in fact a renowned Qadi as well as a Sufi!)

Bina -- I can be contacted at naqshbandijamaati@yahoo.com

Now, I hope that people will concentrate on the sayings themselves and on the topic of sufism and not turn this into another ``Islam-bashing`` exercise.

As some people have said, a certain level of Islamic knowledge has to be assumed before the real impact of these beautiful sayings can be appreciated.

BTW, the correct transliteration of zikr IS ``dhikr`` and in any book on Sufism in English it is transliterated as such as it is a technical term in sufism and so should be kept in its original form.

BTW, my appreciations to all those who benefited from this and who had a good word to say! You know who you are!

Quote : ``All the different groups in the world are believers in the Oneness of God [tawhid], whether they be bhangis, choorhay-chamaar,Christians, or some other group, but why are they accursed (mala’un)? Because they only say, ’There is no god but Allah’ but omit ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’.``

As one of the ``accursed``, I take refuge in a higher authority, who says :

``I look upon all creatures equally; none are less dear to Me and none more dear. But those who worship Me with all their heart live in Me, and I come to life in them.[Gita, 9:29]

``As men approach Me, so do I receive them. All paths lead to Me, O Arjuna.`` [4:11]

``Those who worship other gods with faith and devotion will also come to Me, Arjuna, but by other paths.``[9:23]

``I am the object of all worship, and every act of selfless service is done for Me.``[9:24]

``The body is mortal, but he who dwells in the body is said to be immortal and immeasurable. [2:18] As the same person inhabits the body through childhood, youth and old age, so too at the time of death he attains another body. The man of wisdom is not deluded by these changes [2:13]``

``Even if you were the most sinful of all sinners, you could cross beyond all sin by the raft of spiritual wisdom. [4:36]``

The Infidelator,

-arun gupta