Bismi-l-llahi-r-rahmani-r-raheem
In the name of Allah the Almighty
the Merciful
Wa-salla-l-llahu ala sayidina
Mohamed'en wa ala Aali-hi wa Sahbi-hi wa sallam
Allah's Prayer and Peace be upon
sayidina Mohamed, his Family and Companions
Introduction:
One of the
greatest service to the Religion of Allah, is to guide people to it as far as
you can. Prophet sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H), said in Hadith: (It is far
better for you that Allah cause you guide someone (to Him), than you receive
the red camels (rare precious type of camels). From there, it came that our
Tariqa sheikhs has been always the utmost keen for people's guidance. And; the
new comer to Tariqa is like one who comes in a new home, that he was not used
to. Therefore, it became obligatory, as part of the service, that we give him a
suitable dose of knowledge relevant to his new starting life in Tariqa before
he/she goes deep in the sea of knowledge, which needs some heart, mind and soul
readiness to be established in advance. Referring to a Sufi words:
Not every science is achieved by learning;
Especially, our gifted glorious
knowledge
From here, the
idea protruded to me to write this paper to put in between the Tariqa brother/sister
reading it, in particular the leaders and instructors a material that helps
them the useful knowledge essential for his/her understanding and for vim enhancing.
I will provide the information in logical sequence and I chose to put it in the
form of Question and Answer. Here we go:
1)
Why
are we in this life?
A question that every wise person should ask, in order to
know from where he/she is and to where he/she is to go. What is the wisdom
behind creation? Actually, the matter is not more that it is Allah's Will that
is behind His creating life. His objective is told in one Hadith Qudsi (Sacred
Hadith): (I (Allah) were a hidden treasure and I liked to be known and I
created the Creatures (life) and I taught them about Me and by Me they got to
know Me). So it is required to know Allah; and to know Him, He has laid the
ways to reach that knowledge. He said in Quran:
(And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me)
Surat Adh-Dhāriyāt (verse 56). And, if all that from worship to knowledge has
been achieved, then – at the end of the path - gratitude must be given to Allah
for giving all that of creation, giving and guidance. That is called gratitude
or Thankfulness (Shokr), and in more advancement Shokr has
to be complemented by Thanking for allowing thanking Him – Gratitude for Gratitude
(Shokr el- Shokr). Allah said in that respect in Quran: ("Work,
O family of David, in gratitude." And few of My servants are grateful)
Surat Saba' (verse 13). Sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) has stood all night in
Prayer until his feet swelled and when he was asked why tiring himself that
much despite Allah gave him absolute forgiveness, he (P.P.B.U.H.) answered: (Shouldn't
I be a Grateful servant?). Gratitude for Gratitude is a level of Perfection
(Ihsan), the higher level in Islam.
2)
How
could the knowledge of Allah be achieved?
By following Allah messengers, let go those of Philosophy
and Logic who depend on mind to reach Allah knowledge. Because Allah has
taught about Him by mediums (without being with the medium target will be
lost - iss lawla alwasita ladhahaba kama geel-l mousoot (Ibn Basheesh).
3)
What
is religion?
In Arabic means (Deen), it is from (Dain) means indebtedness.
As if you have to repay a debt owed to Allah. That is why the obligatory
worship such as the Five Prayers and Fasting Ramadan has to be compensated
whenever missed. (Deen) has an equivalent meaning to the word
"surrender". Religious (Deen) in Allah's count is Islam superseding
old religions, as per verse of the Quran: (Indeed, the religion in the sight
of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except
after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves.
And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah , then indeed, Allah is swift in
[taking] account) 19 Surat 'Āli `Imrān
4)
What
are the Religion Stages?
Religion is composed of Three Stages, made clear by Hadith
narrated by sayidina Omer ibn Al-Khattab (r.a.a.) who said: "While we
were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam,
there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very
black hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew
him. He sat down close by the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, rested his
knee against his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam."
Said the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, "Islam is that
you should testify that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad is His
Messenger, that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakah, fast
during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at
Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey
to it)." Said he (the man), "You have spoken truly." We were
astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but
he went on to say, "Inform me about iman (faith)." He (the Messenger
of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and
His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in
its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken
truly." Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the
Messenger of Allah) answered, " It is that you should serve Allah as
though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you ."
He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah)
said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner."
So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its
coming)." Said he, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to
her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute,
the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty
buildings." Thereupon the man went off. I waited a while, and then he (the
Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Umar, do you know who that questioner
was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said,
"That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion.) [Muslim].
It is clear from this Hadith that Islam is made up of three
stages. i.e. Islam, Iman and Ihsan. This more explained as it is long been
adopted by scholars as follows:-
- Islam: Is Sharia'a which means the outer
appearance deeds
- Iman: Is doing the heart-driven
deeds, Hadith: (Faith is not wishful thinking or outward appearances
but what settles in the heart and proved by work)
- Ihsan: It is the fruit of the deeds
done in the stages of Islam and Iman, so that the servant goes into the
level of noticing Allah all the times.
In more detail, we can say that:
Islam: is the work composed of the Islam five bases:
-
"Shahada" Witnessing:
Allah is the only God and Mohamed is His Messenger
-
Doing the Five Compulsory Prayers
-
Providing "Zakat"
Social Participation (for those affording it)
-
Fasting Ramadan (for those
affording it, or affording to help feed the poor as compensation in case of
non-affordability)
-
"Hajj" Pilgrimage to Mecca
(for those affording it)
Iman: is the work composed of thrusting. Thrusting against the
egos and exerting effort in extra deeds "Nawafil" extending from the
Islam bases. As in Prayer, one can do Nawafil unlimitedly, some happened to do
extra 1000 "rakaat"; in Fasting: any days other then the compulsory
Ramadan 30 days; in Zakat: any extra money r kind material given out to the
poor; in Hajj: any extra pilgrimage then the one compulsory or
"Omra's". Here , we have to look carefully and ask: If to every Base
of the five bases there is "Nawafil" extra work and that the
:Nawafil" relating to each base are higher in rank accordingly in
comparison to ther "Nawafil", then regarding the First Base
"Shada", which is compulsory one time in life to prove retaining to
Isalm, then the "Nawafil" of "Shada" should come on top of
rank and importance. As actually
"Shada" is made up of two parts i.e. One Part is: " No deity
except Allah " "La ilaha illa-l lah" ' and other part is "that
Muhammad is His Messenger" "Mohamed'un Rasou-o-llah", then
the "Nawafil" of this base comes in two parts: One Part is
"Nawafil" of "La ilaha illa-l lah", which is ZIKR
(pronouncing the name of Allah and reading prayer "award") and Second
Part is of "Mohamed'un Rasou-o-llah" which is "Salat ala
Elnabi" by reciting "Allahuma Salli ala Sayidina Mohamed wa ala
aalihi wa sallim" "Oh
Allah, may your Prayer and Peace be upon sayidina Mohamed, his Family". It has
been said in pet verse:
The Zikr is the greatest gate you
enter through;
To Allah, let your respirations
be guards for it
Ihsan: is the fruit of the "Nawafil", adding total heart
devotion to Allah and permanent sensation "Muragaba". Here are quoted
some words by Companions including sayidina Abubakr who said: "I would not
see something apart from seeing Allah there at it" and sayidina Omer who
said: "I would not see something apart from seeing Allah there before
it".
From this illustration it appears that, we can say Islam
"Religion" Stages coincide in meaning as follows:
The knowledge of
certainty or Sharia'a referring
to stage of Islam
The eye of certainty or Sufism referring to stage of Iman
The perfection of certainty or Reality referring to stage of Ihsan
5)
What
is the Sufi Tariqa (Way)?
The Sufi Tariqa (Way) is the stage of Iman (followed by the
stage of Ihsan), that is concerned with the development of Iman (belief) in the
heart and purification of the soul from the effect the stain which covers the
hearts formed by the egos. It is concerned with the freeing of the soul from being
under the slavery of the body and its ground-nature, to the high levels of the
skies of knowledge and Allah's divine love. In that respect it is one f Al-Imam
Al-Ghazali statements that Tasuf (Sufism) is compulsory for any Muslim so that
he gets complete Islam fellowship. In simple vocabulary Tariqa (way) means the
path that takes you from the point where you are standing to the far final
point where you are targeting. That final target is the divine knowledge
(knowing of Allah). The Tariqa takes one through numerous steps where the
disciple (murid) goes to the desired (murad) going through those steps starting
from getting rid of the effect of the egos to the immense count of Zikr to the
transparency of the soul. And it is a must finding an expert who has gone all
the way through and is capable to take the escalating people through. Allah
(tala) said in Quran: (Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their
lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They
fight in the cause of Allah , so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true
promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who
is truer to his covenant than Allah ? So rejoice in your transaction which you
have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.) 111 Surat
At-Tawbah
6)
What
is the importance of the Shiekh in Tariqa?
Learning Religion comes through direct teaching as it is of
two aspects: aspect of order (sharia law) and aspect of behavior (method or
Tariqa), Allah (tala) said in Quran: (And We have revealed to you, [O
Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the
Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has
revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of
the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed,
He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to
test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your
return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which
you used to differ.) 48 Surat Al-Mā'idah. Caring of these two aspects
necessitates the existence of teacher (sheikh) to develop them perfectly in the
disciple, as same as in other kinds of arts of life: the apprentice of
mechanics should be taught by a skilled elder mechanic to teach him the skills
and secrets of the job. The physician must be taught theory and practice by a
medicine professor. For that Prophet sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H) said in
Hadith: (I counsel you to have taqwa (fear) of Allah, and to listen and obey
[your leader], even if a slave were to become your ameer. Verily he among you
who lives long will see great controversy, so you must keep to my Sunnah and to
the Sunnah of the Khulafa ar-Rashideen (the rightly guided caliphs), those who
guide to the right way. Cling to it stubbornly [literally: with your molar
teeth]). This meaning goes all along until the Day of Resurrection.
Here, it is not enough performing direct preaching, but the
performance is the most important. We tell the following story which resembles
the difference between teaching through behavior and direct preaching: The
story tells that a shepherd was driving his sheep through a narrow path in the
mid of a farm. He felt dizzy and laid on the ground with his head n a stone and
slept. Here, meanwhile the sheep went in disorder and scattered through the
farm. This happening, there came from the opposite direction some harsh
bearded men and went running through the farm pursuing each single sheep aiming
to bring them back in order. But on the contrary they helped destroy more the
plantation without succeeding in their aim. Here, came from the other direction
a man with a small beard and a stick in his hand and did one thing: he awakened
the shepherd, who then made a whistle and all the sheep came back in order and
followed on the path. The sheep are the egos, the shepherd is the heart and the man with the small beard
and a stick is the sheikh. The sheikh only awakened the heart (by zikr) and the
heart took control on the egos, a thing which preaching cannot do. Saiydi
Fakhr-e-Diin says in qasida:
Of the utmost strange things of
the people in my time;
Those who do not know the truth,
tend to give advice
7)
Where
lies the Zikr with respect to worship behavior?
The Zikr (remembrance) is the Engagement with Allah by on
reciting His name by senses and with the heart attendance. Its opposite to
Ignorance which is the engagement with some other than Allah. For this, the
Sufi are in reality named "The People of Allah" (Ahlul-llah).
The outcome is that the one doing Zikr will finally has his name be recited by
Allah. The Quran verses has numerously urged on Zikr. As examples, He Allah (talah)
said:
·
(There has certainly been for you
in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in
Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.) 21Surat Al-'Aĥzāb
·
(So remember Me; I will remember
you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.) 152 Surat Al-Baqarah
·
(And remember your Lord within
yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the
mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.) 205 Surat
Al-'A`rāf
·
(." Say, " Allah
[revealed it]." Then leave them in their [empty] discourse, amusing
themselves.) 91 Surat Al-'An`ām
·
(He has certainly succeeded who
purifies himself) * (And mentions the name of his Lord and prays.) 14-15 Surat
Al-'A`lá
·
(Those who have believed and
whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah . Unquestionably, by the
remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.) 28 Surat Ar-Ra`d
·
(and the men who remember Allah
often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a
great reward.) 35 Surat Al-'Aĥzāb
Also, in Hadith Qudsi: The Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) said: (Allah
the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am (1). I am with him when he
makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of
him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of
him in an assemble better than it. …
etc.).
In Hadith: (If you pass by the paradise gardens enjoy it),
they said: What are paradise gardens? He said: (Zikr Circles)
8)
What
is Struggle (Jihad) against the Egos?
The known Jihad is the war against the enemies of Allah and
His religion by swards and weapons. Prophet sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.)
described that Jihad by Smaller Jihad compared to Jihad against the Egos, which
he named the Bigger Jihad. It also came in Hadith that: (The worst of your
enemies is your ego hidden in you). That is to get released from the ego and
self desires and norms is more difficult to it than carrying a sword and face
and fight a material enemy. Al-Imam A-Bosairi described the ego, saying:
The ego is like a baby, if you
leave it breastfeeding, it will grow up like that; And if you wean it, it will
accept weaning
So, the Struggle (Jihad) against the Egos, is compared to the
known physical Jihad (war), for the similar structure applies in both cases,
i.e.:
- In War there are two enemies facing
together, here in Bigger Jihad (egos war) these are Your soul and
Your Egos
- In War there must be a commander
(top rank) and in Bigger Jihad the commander is the Shiekh
- In War there are weapons and in the
egos war the weapons are the Zikr (as organized by Tariqa)
- In War there must be a killer and a
killed, and the egos war, you will kill your egos
Sayidi Ibrahim Eldsougi says:
Allah bless those who bought
religion for their egos;
And; they put them to suffer long
times;
Their bodies has tired their egos
during the night;
While egos tired some others
bodies during the night
Also, a well known verse of Qasida says: "Persevere
and you will witness". Arabic "Jahid Tushahid"
The Ego has been given many descriptions, which are actually
its different phases, those called the Seven Egos, similar to Seven Earths; and
these, ascending from worst and on, are as follows;-
- The Badly Ordering Ego "Ammara
bis-soo":
The one that orders wrong doing
such as sins, ignoring obedience and zikr and follow fancy ….., Quran: (And I
do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except
those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and
Merciful." 53 Surat Yūsuf
- The Reproaching Ego
"Lowwama":
The one that comes after one does
bad things and blames him/her or wrong doing. Quran: (And I swear by the
reproaching soul [to the certainty of resurrection].) 2 Surat Al-Qiyāmah
- The Inspired Ego
"Mulhama":
Here comes inspiration to the
soul, but either it follows the righteousness
or it drops down and follows the wickedness. The last will stay there
and do not travel to the better situations of the soul awaiting ahead. Quran: (And
inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness) 8 Surat
Ash-Shams
- The Reassuring Ego
"Mutmainna":
The one that passed the
examination phase successfully and therefore got reassured. What is required is
not to feel conceited and rely on this reassurance, we have to keep open-eye so
as to move ahead. Quran: ([To the righteous it will be said], "O reassured
soul) 27 Surat Al-Fajr
- The Satisfied (well-pleased) Ego
"Radhiya":
Satisfied with the travel up to
here, but not focusing forward. Quran: (Return to your Lord, well-pleased and
pleasing [to Him]) 28 Surat Al-Fajr
- The Admired (pleasing) Ego
"Mardhiya":
Admired for its effort to go
further (one step and all egos vanish). Quran: (Return to your Lord,
well-pleased and pleasing [to Him]) 28 Surat Al-Fajr
- The Accepted Ego
"Kamila":
Accepted as completing to this
last ego, which carries all the good merits of an ego, but still and remaining
an Ego. Quran: (And enter among My [righteous] servants) 29 Surat Al-Fajr
Actually, all the Egos has to be fought against and killed, to
free from their slavery.
Many have described these phases of the egos, but we see here
what sayidi Fakhr-eddin has said in Qasida No. 6 verses (10-21):
How so much enemies in the inners
of my followers, I have killed; so that they inspired fresh air;
Ordering the bad, how ugly its
syrup; it is the poison and the limit of the catastrophe;
By its killing, how nice is the repay for a
killer, who waived away from you the harming sources;
After it is a reproaching one, by
its deception to people from coming closer to keeping away;
In its good exists harming and
its harming is evil; wish the lover gain careful listening;
After it comes vastness of wickedness
for the spaced one; the vastness of righteousness by the help of the Angels of
the Names;
That one who rose to the vastness
of righteousness has succeeded; failed the one who does not gain rising;
The Reassured in its greatest
curiosity; is a hypnotizer that walks shyly;
And the Admired, when the
determinations are put down; accepted traveling
then shortly after staying behind;
And then after the one that was
Accepted despite its drawbacks; by its killing is seen the dignified sacrifice;
These are Seven as long as I am
concerned and there is no an eighth; I have dictated and ended my dictating;
The Sheikh cannot kill most of
them or part of them; if he has got some kind of snooze
Also sayidi Fakr-eddin says in one Qasida No. 25, addressed
to Maulana Al-Husein, referring to the egos subject in verse No. 13:
And; he is the witness of the innocence of a
killer; and the egos are seven and their killing is allowed
Also sayidi Fakr-eddin also clarifies in reference to Hajj
deeds that throwing the seven stones at Jamarat in Mina during Hajj is a signal
for killing the seven egos. That comes in one Qasida No. 1, verse No. 261:
And; not everyone who throws
(stones) at the Jamrat at Mina; is considered to have killed an ego or reaching
at a target
Also sayidi Fakr-ed-din also says in one Qasida No. 1 verse
No. 136:
Yes, the sickness of love to the
lover is a disease; but it heals the strongest diseases
Meaning by " the strongest
diseases", the Egos.
It was also mentioned in some Sufi references:
Kill the ego by the sword of
perseverance; in the aim of your Lord acceptance, you gain the desired;
And, take off the veils from the
heart by it; and admire the face of you generous Lord
9)
What
is the reason behind the name "Sufi"; what is its meaning; and what is
the origin of the Sufi Tariqa's?
First: The name Sufi:
There are many theories about the origin of the name "
Sufi". Al-Imam Al-Gushairi (famous of his Al-Risāla al-Qushayriyya epistle
on Sufism), that the first Muslims after sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) had not
carried a specific name in his time apart from (Companions of Rasoul-Allah
"messenger') as it were not second in rank to any other name, so they were
called "Companions" and when the era after them came the ones who
have met the companions were called the "Successors" and those have
seen in that the most honourable description; and then the ones came after
those were called the " Successors of the Successors". Then the
people went into differences and contrast between their levels; so that the
special of the special of them were called "Servants and Ascetics".
Then when heresies "bid'ah's" appeared and deterioration occurred,
the special of the Sunnites, who are observing themselves with Allah, who are
safeguarding their hearts from inattention raps, got signified by the name
"Tasusf - Sufism" and this name has propagated during the first two
hundred years of Hijri – calendar (Hijri is calculated from the day Sayidina
Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) migrated from Mecca to Medina).
And; regarding the reality of the word "Sufi",
spoke sayidi Fakhr-ed-Din (r.a.a.), clarifying the fact of differences between
historians regarding the word, quoting:-
-
It is mentioned that the Sufi's
are so called because they used to wear wool (Arabic: "Suf"); and that
is wrong, because we have to except from them those who do not wear Suf (wool).
-
It is also mentioned that because
they organize in rows for Zikr (group remembrance) (Arabic: "Saf");
and that also wrong because we have to except from them those who do Zikr in
circles.
-
It is also mentioned that the
name refers to " abstaining Companions given a palm wood-made shelter in
the back part of Prophet's mosque in Medina" "Ahl e-Suffa"; and
that also wrong because are "Companions" and Quran verses came in
their concern; and Sufi's are not companions.
-
Then, in fact, Sufi's real name
is the "People of Allah" (Arabic: "Ahl-l-llah", short for
saying: "The People Engaged with Allah", because they engaged
themselves with Allah remembrance by reciting His name "ALLAH".
-
It is also well-known that the
servants (people) will stand if front of Allah for judgment to be questioned on
everything "they did". And; in this respect Allah (tala) says in
Quran: (Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure) 8 Surat
At-Takāthur . That is: Allah (tala) gave you the Eyes boon (favor) , and you
will be questioned what you have done with them? Same for the Ears, Legs … etc.
That means any type of boon Allah (tala) has given to the person, he/she will
be questioned. And; this questioning will be very precise. For that reason the
Sufi's has adopted to engage all their time with Allah and tie themselves to
Allah's Tying Rope, engaged in prayer for the Beloved Prophet and his Family
"salat-ala-en-nabi". They bring themselves closer to Allah by doing
extra deeds "Nawafil" that were set-forth by sayidina Mohamed
(P.P.B.U.H.). Outcome of this process, they process, which is "engaging in
Allah remembrance", they are called "People of Allah"
(Ah-l-llah". This is the actual meaning of Sufism.
Second: Understanding the meaning of Sufism:
One can easily understand the meaning of Sufism, reading the
Hadith narrated by sayidina Omer ibn Al-Khattab: "While we were one day
sitting with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, there
appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black
hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He
sat down close by the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, rested his knee
against his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam …. Etc.) as
mentioned in Q-4 above. It is clear from this Hadith that Islam (Religion) is
composed of three stages: Islam, Iman & Ihsan, (as stated):
Islam: Sharia'a and outer deeds;
Iman: Work in Heart deeds, (Iman is what is deep in the heat
and proved by deeds);
Ihsan: The Fruit of working in the Islam and Iman stages, so
that one is under observation of Allah witnessing him.
And; the role of Sufism is to engage in Zikr "Allah Remembrance"
by senses and with heart awareness. That is opposite to the negligence and why
the Sufi's are called the "People of Allah". As a result (of
intensive remembrance) the Zikr doer Remembering Person) will be remembered by
Allah. The Zikr – reciting Allah name will lead to travel (Elsayer).
And; as Elsayer is the aim of the lovers so as to reach the highest
positions in the Beloved closeness and amiability, then all the concept of
Sufism has been built on the paving of the way for Elsayer and
presenting clearly is top limits and tools helping to reach those limits, so
that the disciple by his/her vim and effort with the help of a learned sheikh,
can discover the depths of the way. That sheikh who has the expertise and is
the guide to the presence of entireness. So that they say:-
Travel and you will be addressed
by the shining beauty;
Towards the beloved, yes, all the
universe is travelling
Despite they have been described by Sufi's (wool wearing),
one of the them has said:
Sufism is not the wearing of wool
and repair it with patches;
Even not your unrest when the singers sing;
No even loudly crying or dancing
or falling down as if you had become mad;
Sufism is to clear leaving no
dirt and follow the Truth, the Quran and the Religion;
And; to be observed feeling weak
to Allah regretting all the time your sins;
Another said:
The people has argued who is the
Sufi and differed about the Sufi in old times; and they thought it is driven
from Suf "wool";
And; I will not dress this name
to a guy unless he has presented heart cleanliness, so he has been cleaned
until he is called the "Clean" Sufi
Third: The Origin of Sufism (from where
it evolved?):
Prophet sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.), the first Sufi: and;
Prophet sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) was the first Sufi as he has been ordered
to remember Allah's name (do Zikr) in the first Surat's of the Quran and even
before where he had used to spend nights after nights in Hera Cave in Mecca, so
what he would be doing except reciting the name "Allah"; and he has
to obey Allah's orders. (Actually the normal baby used to pronounce as a first
word in his life the word "baba", but he (P.P.U.H.) the first
word he mentioned in babyhood is the word "Allah"). In other words,
the beloved Prophet (P.P.B.U.H. & His Family) used to recite the name
Allah; and even intensively. And; after long time of starting extending the
message came the Isra-and-Mi'raj ascending to the Sky and seeing Allah. That
was 11 years from the start in Mecca and 2 years before Hijra to Medina). There
the Five Prayers have been fixed then after Hijra to Medina by 2 years was
fixed the Fasting of Ramadan .. but well before all that the remembrance of
Allah's name never stopped … it means the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H.) as ordered to do
Zikr well before that. So, what more and better deed we can think to do!
Sufism and the Companions: When
Allah (tala) ordered that He were to be Remembered, many of the Companions asked to the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H.) to teach
them how can be the Zikr and the by Names that they recite and by what numbers.
Then the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H.) cleared to them that the Zihr would be either by
the mere name "Allah" or by the name combining negation and
confirmation i.e. (La-ilah-illa-l-llah) "No god but Allah"; and that
it could be in silence or loudly, or combining both cases, as is mentioned in
Quran: (And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without
being apparent in speech ...) 205 Surat Al-'A`rāf. And, the Prophet
(P.P.B.U.H.) explained in his Hadith narrated by Saad ibn Malik (r.a.a): (The
best of Zikr is the one that is hidden and the best of livelihood is the one
that suffices). And, when it is the day of judgment and the attending
book-keeping Angels come with their books, Allah (tala) asks them: "See, is
there anything left for him/her?" they say: "Our Lord, we have not
missed anything from his/her deeds we learned of that we had not saved and
written". Then Allah (tala) says: "I have something hidden for you
that you do not know and I will reward you for it, that is it, the hidden
Zikr". Then the elder Companion sayidina Abu Bakr Elsiddeeg (r.a.a.)
selected to be taught the hidden and the announced Zikr, then Allah Messenger
taught his the Zikr by the The Divine Entity name in hidden that is
"Allah" and the Zikr of negation and confirmation "la-ilaha
illa-l-lah" and he (r.a.a) kept doing them, so that he became an integral
of the hidden and announced and the apparent and the inner (Zahir & Batin),
the Sharia'a and the Truth and the Spoken and the Done. Then as as a result of
his loyalty and the extreme observation (muragaba) it was experienced to smell
from him a roasted liver; and from his personal description in the book Majmaa-al-Zawid
conveyed from (his daughter) Aisha (r.a.a), she said: "He was a man of
intense teardrop, sad heart-looking, as if sadness has torn and weakened him
from the excessive fear from Allah, and when he recited as if he is singing in
sorrow for his extreme loyalty. Despite all that, he said: "I do not guarantee
the cunning of Allah, even one of my feet is in the Paradize". And also
when he heard the Hadith: "Prayer "meaning the five compulsory
prayers" in the beginning of its allocated time is in the satisfaction of
Allah and in the middle of its allocated time is in the mercy of Allah and in
end of its allocated time is in is in the forgiveness of Allah", he
commented: "for me to be within Allah (tala) satisfaction is better than
to be at his forgiveness". And, so all those who followed his track and his principles and tasted his drink.
Allah (tala) said in Quran: " And [to] others of them who have not yet
joined them. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise" 3 Surat Al-Jumu`ah.
Of those who
followed on the track of Elsiddeeg (r.a.a) and gained that glory was sayidi
Mohamed Baha-ed-din (r.a.a.), known for the name "Allah" been printed
(naqsh) on his heart, so his followers called him Al- Naqshbandi and his
followers been known as "Al-Naqshbandia"
Taiqa which also extended in many branches and It had been well-know
featured by seriousness and determination. And
if you want to know these great people, you can just follow their references
and you will find it as the long series of the Hadith narrators and the Quran
reciting men. And you have to know that the prequisite of Allah (s.w.t.)'s judgment is that he chose the position of the
People of Ihsan "Perfection"
to be the highest of the positions and they are the People of Allah and His
Specials out of his servants.
So, He made their
principles be propagated through two (no third to them) absolutely between all
Muslims. Those two are: Al-Siddiggiya, whose origin was sayidina Abu
Bakr Al-Siddeeg (r.a.a.) and the Khalwatiyya whose origin was Al-Imam Ali
ibn Abi Talib (Allah honours his face).
The origin of the Khalwatiyya
which got the name also after sayidi (Ali
Al-Khalwatiy) and its reference and origin was that sayidina Al-Imam Ali
(Allah honours his face) asked the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H.) saying: Direct
me to the shortest ways to Allah and the easiest of them to His servants and
the most preferred to Allah (tala). Then the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H.) said: (The
best of what has been said by Me and the Prophets before me, is "la ilaha
illa-l-llah" (No divine but Allah), and if all the Heavens and the Earths
are in one side of the balance and "la ilaha illa-l-llah" is on the
other side, the one of "la ilaha illa-l-llah" will tip the
balalnce" and in another version: (Oh Ali, the hour of judgment will not
take place and there on the Earth who is reciting "Allah").
It came in records that sayidina Al-Imam
Ali (Allah honours his face) asked the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H): How can I do
remembrance "Zikr"? the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) said: Close your eyes and
listen to me three times then you repeat three times and I listen to you. Then
the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) said: "la ilaha illa-l-llah" three times
closing his eyes and raising his voice in doing so, and Ali listening. The Ali
recited "la ilaha illa-l-llah" three times and the Prophet listened .
Besides to that, the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) made the same agreement with many
Companions such as sayidina Anas ibn Malik (called the servant of the Prophet),
sayidina Abdullahi ibn Masoud, sayidina Salma Al-Farsi and sayidina
Abu-Huraira, sayidina Huzaifa ibn Alyaman and others, cannot all be mentioned
in this space.
But, the only propagated ones earlier and recently were the one
referring to sayidina Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeg, so called "Al-Naqshabandiyya"
and the ones referring to sayidina Ali (Allah honours his face), so called
"Al- Khalwatiyya". Despite, there were many that kept
references to sayidina Al-Imam Ali through his descendents. Also has taken from
elsayida Zeinab daughter of Al-Imam Ali (r.a.a) many such as elsayida Shawana
Al-Basriyya, elsayida Rayhana Al-Habashiyya, elsayida Nafisa Al-Mardhiyya,
elsayida Maymouna Al-Badawiyya, elsayida Abda Al-Kurdiyya; and all of them got
reference through Al-Imam Ali (Allah honours his face)
10)
Why
are there numerous Tariqa's
Its known that of the "Successors" it happened that
Al-Imam Al-Hassan Al-Bisri took the Zikr methods from the Companions; and that
way the two Tariqa's transferred to next generation as (Siddiggiya) refeering
to sayidina Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeg and (Alawiya) referring to sayidina Ali – all
along till the two Tariqa's came to sayidina Al-Imam A—Guneid (r.a.a.), from
whom the Tariqa's transferred to the Four Poles (Aktab). in that respect it was
said:
Take a path which its pasture is rich;
Mention its people in their series and
sequencing;
From Al-Guneid the clearing Pole (Kutb);
To the Prophet to the Dominant (Allah);
The Four Poles (Aktab) are: sayidi Ahmed Al-Rufae (r.a.a), founder
of Rufaeya Tariqa, sayidi Abdul Gadir Al-Gailani (r.a.a) founder of Gadiriya
Tariqa, sayidi Ahmed A-Badawi (r.a.a.) founder of Badawiya Tariqa, sayidi
Ibrahim Al-Dsougi (r.a.a.) founder of Burhaniya Tariqa. Fifth Pole sayidi
Abul-Hassan Al-Shazuli founder of Shazuliya Tariqa. These glorious men stand in
Inner (Sufi) knowledge as same as the Four Imam's (leaders) of the Sharia'a
(Figh), Outer knowledge. And also some other Tariqa's has branched from them,
as if a Adherent reached a certain
higher stage and given permission he will establish his own Tariqa, as example
are: Sammaniya evolved by sheikh Mohamed Al-Samman student of Tariqa Gadiriya,
Idrissiya and Mirghaniya evolved by sheikh Ahmed ibn Idris and Mohamed Osman
Al-Mirghani from the Shazuliya as well is the Tidjaniya by sheikh ahmed
Al-Tidjani and others more.
All the Tariqa's agree in principle to the method of upgrading the
disciple up high to spiritual richness through Zikr and attending to Sharia'a
to perfect their worship deeds. That spiritual upgrading takes the disciple in
the companionship of the main Tariqa sheikh, then to the companionship of Maulana
Al-Imam Al-Husein (r.a.a), the entrance to sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.), who
said n Hadith: (I am from Husien and Husien is from Me) (i.e.: my grandson ,
entrance to Me). Then the disciple enjoys the companionship of the greatness of
sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) and goes up in all Adherent s stages. As a
conclusion, there is no difference between the Sufi Tariqa's, but only that
they express in different schools leading to the same target. Therefore, you
find the Tariqa's people in common harmony and exchanged love to each other.
Quran: (). This is expressed in a nice verse by a great Sufi:
How so much there is conflict between the
debate skilled;
And; there is no conflict between the
Beauty Love thrilled;
11)
Who
are the Four Sufi Poles and what is their Role?
The Four Imams of Sharia'a has organized sharia'a law and knowledge
how to do all kinds of worship, these are: Imam Abu Haneefa (Hanafi Doctrine),
Imam Malik (Maliki Doctrine), Imam Alshafei (Alshafei Doctrine) and Imam Ahmed
ib Hanbal (Hanbali Doctrine). In same way, appeared the Four Poles in Sufi
Orders:
- sayidi Ahmed Al-Rufae (r.a.a), relating to the Prophet's
Honoured Family through sayidina Al-Imam Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Abi
Talib (r.a.a.), and whose Maqam is
in Um-Obeida in Iraq, founder of Rufaeya Tariqa,
- sayidi Abdul Gadir Al-Gailani (r.a.a), relating to the
Prophet's Honoured Family through sayidina Al-Imam Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn
Abi Talib (r.a.a.), and whose Maqam
is in Baghdad in Iraq, founder of Gadiriya Tariqa,
- sayidi Ahmed A-Badawi (r.a.a.), relating to the Prophet's
Honoured Family through sayidina Al-Imam Al-Husienn ibn Ali ibn Abi
Talib (r.a.a.), and whose Maqam is
in Tanata in Egypt, founder of Badawiya Tariqa,
- sayidi Ibrahim Al-Dsougi (r.a.a.), relating to the Prophet's
Honoured Family through sayidina Al-Imam Al-Husien ibn Ali ibn Abi
Talib (r.a.a.), and whose Maqam is
in Dsoug in Egypt, founder of
Burhaniya Tariqa.
- Fifth Pole sayidi Abul-Hassan Al-Shazuli (r.a.a.), relating to
the Prophet's Honoured Family through sayidina Al-Imam Al-Hassan ibn Ali
ibn Abi Talib (r.a.a.), and whose
Maqam is in Humaythira in Egypt easten sahara, founder of Shazuliya
Tariqa.
The Four Poles in Sufi Orders and Fifth sayidi Abul-Hassan
Al-Shazuli has organized Sufism, made it easier than the old times of Imam
Al-Gonied generation. They set up routine prayers (Awrad) under the permission
of sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.). The Sufi came into organized Tariqa's under
main sheikh and pyramid descending managing responsible characters. Permissions
and upgrading criteria plus spiritual caring is well clear and at good
standards. In eras where institutional work is more successful exists the track
laid out first by the Aktab (r.a.a. all.)
12)
What
is the Tariqa: Burhaniya Dsougia Shazulia?
Some people may think that the Burhaniya Dsougia Shazulia
Tariqa is newly coming in the Sufi environment, as it were not so famous in the
society before its appearance on the hands of sayidi Fakhr-ed-din Elsheikh
Mohamed Osman Abdo Elburhani. The Burhaniya Tariqa is actually one of the
oldest Sufi orders (Tariq'a), that it was founded by sayidi Ibrahim Elqurashi
Eldsougi (1235 -1277 Gregorian 633-676 Hijri) one of the four Sufi Poles
(Aktab) where goes back the origins of Sufi Tariqa's. The reason why the Burhaniya
Tariqa has not spread in the past was that sayidi Ibrahim Eldsougi gave the
Tariqa only to his elder brother sayidi Musa Abul-Imran and a few number of
scholars who came into a debate with him, ended by them taking Tariqa. And then
the Tariqa remained not wide spread for a long time, till came sayidi
Fakhr-ed-din (r.a.a) (1902 – 1983) who was born in Sudan and spread the Tariqa
in Sudan the in Egypt then spread it all over the world starting from early
last century. The Tariqa was named Burhaniya according to the fact
that sayidi
Ibrahim Al-Dsougi (r.a.a.) bears the attribute name of Burhan which means
(proof) i.e. the Proof of the People and the Religion. The Tariqa has
spread by its name Burhaniya Dsougia Shazulia by its sheikh and
descendent of sayidi Abul-Hassa Al-shazuli, called Abul-Mawahib Al-shazuli (1417
– 1476 Gregorian 820 – 881 Hijri), when sayidi Abul-Mawahib has combined both
the Burhaniya Dsougia with the Shazulia to form our
known Tariqa the Burhaniya Dsougia Shazulia which spread from
Morocco to Sudan to reach sayidi Fakhr-e-edin Elsheikh Mohamed Osman Abdo in
Sudan through his ascendant grandfathers. Sayidi Fakhr-e-edin Elsheikh Mohamed
Osman Abdo Al-Burhani is a descendent of the honourable Prophet Family and has
spent all his life from childhood till the last days in the service of Tariqa,
been especially prepared by his sheikh (leader) sayidi Ibrahim Eldsougi for the
task of spreading his Tariqa. He has well made the task in gathering the people
around the Tariqa and teaching them all that is a necessary for a true complete
Muslim. He has as well built many Zawya's (place to meet and do worship and
Zikr) and Mosques in Sudan, the Egypt then in all Arab countries, and then
throughout the West including Germany, France, Italy and the USA etc. His successor
and son sayidi Elshiekh Ibrahim (1938 – 2003) has spread it intensively both
spiritually and physically where he visited all the Tariqa people around the
world. The Tariqa nw is led by the grandson of sayidi Fakhr-ed-din, Elshiekh
Mohamed Elshiekh Ibrahim Elshiekh Mohamed Osman Abd Elburhani (r.a.a), from
main center in Khartoum – Sudan, who appoints a top responsible to each country
to assist in managing the Tariqa.
This Tariqa is considered the last in its domination and
spread all around the world and is going to overwhelm materializing the
prediction f sayidi Ibrahim Eldsougi (r.a.a.) 700 years ago, when he promised,
saying:
Life (on the Earth) will not be
depleted or its days;
Unless my Tariqa covers all its
East and West;
13)
What
is the "Award" of the Burhaniya Dsougia Shazulia Tariqa and what is
its importance?
Award is a Routine Prayer Package that the Tariqa gives to
the disciples; and it is chosen by the main leaders (shiekh's) of the Tariqa
following a "spiritual" permission to them from the Prophet sayidina
Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.). it is known that award (Zikr) is an unrestricted form of
worship. Award means a recitation of Zikr and prayer that is performed
regularly by number and fixed times, coming under the notion "The best of
the deeds is that which the servant keeps doing regularly, even if it had to be
little" Hadith. The Award in general contains:
-
Foundation (Al-Assas): Award to
be recited after the Fajr Paryer and the Asr Prayer:
(bismillahi-r-rahmani-r-rahim 100 Times; Astaghfirul-laha al-azheem
hoa-attawabu-r-rahim 100 Times, La-ilah-illa-l-llah 100 Times, ya-da'yem 300
Times and Allahumm-salli-ala-saiydina Mohameden wa ala a'alihi wa sahbihi
wa-sallim 100 Times)
-
Travel "Sayer" Awrad
"Muragaba": Zikr of the name "Allah" after passing a preparatory
stage with Zikr of Asking Forgiveness "Istighfar" and "La-ilah
illa-l-llah"
-
Gifts to Leaders Series (silslat
of shiekh's): Rciting Fatih and Ikhlas surant
-
Prayers for safe-guard
-
Quran reciting: daily
-
Prayer to Prophet "salat ala
anabi"
-
Etc.
14)
What
is the importance of the Intention in doing deeds?
We learned from Maulana sayidi Fakhr-e-din that the Hadith
about intentions is the most important one regarding Muslim deeds, that is why
all Hadith collectors has been keen to put in the beginning of their books. The
Hadith narrated by sayidina Omar bin al-Khattab (r.a.a.) who said: I heard the
Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, say: "Actions are
(judged) by motives (niyyah), so each man will have what he intended. Thus, he
whose migration (hijrah) was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to
Allah and His Messenger; but he whose migration was for some worldly thing he
might gain, or for a wife he might marry, his migration is to that for which he
migrated." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim].
From that if one made the intention to do some good deed and
failed to do it, he/she we be credited one time for it and if he/she succeed to
do it, he/she will be credited ten times. For Tariqa follower, it is advised to
put forth a big intention that one wants to do Zikr and Awrad so as to upgrade
his soul to the top places of closeness to Allah. This is seen in view of
Hadith: (If the vim of one of you has hanged to the Pleiades, he/she will get
it)
15)
What
are the Zikr "Remembrance" phases?
Zikr "Remembrance" in Tariqa has Four Grades:
- Zikr by Tongue: It is the starting point. The disciple
recites Zikr by his tongue, with heart attention as well. The idea is to
occupy all the time and do not scrap a time when you can do Zikr. This
grade is characterized as baby breastfeeding, it needs to step forward
from it. That is only possible by doing a lot of Zikr.
- Zikr by Heart: Here, the disciple has made abundant Zikr
by tongue and consequently, his hear started to catch the Zikr and little
by little the heart starts to recite the name "Allah". You hear
it at the rhythm of your heart beating
- Allah Allah Allah- This stage means now the disciple has stepped
into what is known as the Abundance of Zikr. In Hadith: " An atom of
the heart deeds weighs the weights of mountains of the tongue deeds".
The Zikr of heart occurs in the virtual heart lies under the biological
heart position. The Zikr of heart can be tested by three methods:
a- To
attend the heart reciting Zikr before sleeping and to pay attention to it
directly when you wake up. If it still recites, this means it passed the first
test.
b- To
pay attention to the heart during work and busy hours, if it still recites,
this means it passed the second test.
c- To
pick up the speech of the few people near you when you are sleeping, it this
happens it means the hear Zikr passed the third test.
By this the disciple has stepped
into weaning stage, left breastfeeding of the Zikr by tongue. Sayidi Fakr-e-din
says in Qasida (verse 13 Qasid 1):
And; I wean those of you who has
completed breastfeeding;
And; I inherit my secret into the
one that has got my marking-paint
- Zikr by Soul: The soul is all over the body, and its
centre can be felt at the right side of the chest opposite to the heart.
If the disciple exhibits more effort and activeness in Awrad, the soul
will catch up the Zikr "Allah". That is the light of the Heart
Zikr floods over the Spirit. The meaning is expressed in one Sufi Qasida
verse saying:
The container will be filled with
light, until;
The light spreads over the rims
of the container
- Zikr by Composite: This is the grade where the light of
Zikr from the soul floods over all the tissues of the body, whereby all
the body will be reciting Zikr " Allah Allah Allah".
The last two grades lucky gaining
person rights on his life file, that he will remain remembering Allah even
after death, for the soul is the same in both stages of life and death. This
was explained by Al-Imam Al-Ghazali in his book Ihya' Ulum al-Din (The Revival
of Religious Sciences).
16)
What
are the advantages of Zikr "Remembrance"?
Zikr (Allah Remembrance), takes the Zikr performer into the companionship
of Allah (tala). Hadith: Allah (tala) said to sayidina Moses (P.B.U.H): "I
am the companion of that who remembers me". So he/she will receive the
gifts from and the generousity of Allah and upgrades by the soul to witness the
mystery of great creation of Allah; and joins sayidina Rasoul Allah (Allah
Messenger) (P.P.B.U.H.) and his lovers; and becomes one of those in the upper
grade of religion, the Ihsan where he/she is honoured by being Wali (Adherent )
in the closeness of Allah. That is why they say" "Remembrance is
the declaration note for being a Waly" .
17)
What
is the meaning of Sayer "Travel"?
"Sayer" or travel is the target of Tariqa. It means
moving from one stage to another aiming to reach limit of the way; and join the
Beloved in the beauty of soul tours. For that, the Sufi order is concerned in
clearing the way and pointing out the limits of Sayer and tools to achieve it,
such that the disciple leaning on his vim and effort with the help of his
leader "sheikh" who has well known all the secrets of the road, will
be directed to the targeted perfection "Ihsan". That is expressed in
one Sufi quote:
Do travel, the shining beauty
will address you;
Towards the Beloved, as all the
universe is Travelling
Here, Maulana sayidi Fakhr ed-edin (r.a.a) explains the
Sayer, its types and grades; and how the disciple can travel from one stage to
the next. Thus, the Sayer is divided into two stages:
- Sayer "travel" To Allah
- Sayer "travel" In Allah
Sayer "travel" To Allah:
The Sayer "travel" To Allah starts from the very
first day the disciple comes into Tariqa, by reciting the name and Awrad
according to the instructions of the Shiekh or his representative in the area
of the disciple.
There is normally a preparatory stage where the disciple is
given the "Istaghfar" "begging forgiveness" by the form
"Astaghfirul-llah-a-l-azeem, hooa-t-twabu-r-raheem", meaning "I
beg forgiveness from the Great Allah, He the Forgiving, the Merciful". The
importance of the "Istaghfar" here is to act as a cleaning media to
clean the heart from sins preparing to when the disciple starts reciting the
name Allah a clean place, target of the "Istaghfar" number is 70000
in total. An example: If you want to put food to eat, you first wash the plate.
The after that the disciple is given the name "la-ilah-illa-l-llah",
stressing on the word "illa" in the middle, meaning "There is no
divine, but Allah" for another while, to soften the heart, Hadith: (keep
your heat soft by "la-ilah-illa-l-llah"). After quite training on
Zikr with "la-ilah-illa-l-llah", the disciple is transferred by
instructor to start reciting the name "Allah", hich is done in
packages of 6666 times (needs around 1 hour) and is recited during Muragaba
(also called the Night Award">
After that, the disciple continues reciting the name
"Allah" and doing the Awrad to protect him/her; and also keep
associating with the Tariqa people in his/her area, especially in the Group
Zikr (at Zawya – Thursday Evening), to gain the blessing of the gathering. Then
more effort the disciple steps forward to Sayer "travel" In Allah.
Sayer "travel" In Allah:
This stage is the stage of travelling in the Names of Allah,
according to Hadith: (There are ninety nine names of Allah, he who contains
them, will enter the paradise". Containing the Names here, obviously, does
not mean learning them by heart (like school students). Containing here
actually is giving to each stage of the names ne by one its full requirement.
Quote from Sufi scholar:
To the divine is my travel in the
names stages;
Same as the picture of mixing
inside me fire and water;
So that when he/she completes the travel, he/she enters the
paradise. That is the Paradise of the Knowledge, one of the two
mentioned in the Quran: (But for he who has feared the position of his Lord are
two gardens)
47 Surat Ar-Raĥmān
18)
Who
is the Wali "Adherent "?
The Wali "Adherent " is simply defined as "the
one who cared about Allah in worshipping and Allah cared about him in His concern".
The Wali is distinguished by Allah's safe-guarding for him/her and using
him/her in servicing the Religion; and by the love of people to him/her and by
his prayer be answered (by Allah). As the notion goes: "Whatever is
intended to Allah will continue and keep in connection; and whatever is
intended to any other than Allah will discontinue and be cut-off". So you
distinguish big Wali's like our shiekh's and the Imam's of the Religion by that
their teaching is continuing for centuries and will continue till the end of
the world. Quran says: (As for the foam, it vanishes, [being] cast off; but as
for that which benefits the people, it remains on the earth. Thus does Allah
present examples) 17 Surat Ar-Ra`d.
19)
What
are the essential Religion Teachings?
First: The Sharia'a
Knowledge:
To gain from the basic Sharia'a Knowledge (Figh) jurisprudence,
necessary as to how a Muslim should perform worship including purgation, ablution,
Prayer, Fasting Ramadan, Hajj (Pilgrimage) and Zakat (charity) ..etc., also
Figh of dealings t learn what are the measures to observe in dealing in between
people like buying, selling, borrowing .. etc. to avoid dragged in the
prohibited (Haram, opposite of Halal).
Second: Perfecting Reciting of the
Qur'an:
To gain the basic knowledge of how to read and recite the
Quran properly.
Third: Various Knowledge:
To gain the basic knowledge of History and biography, the
Truth knowledge, what is necessary to enhance the vim of the disciple to do
more effort.
Third: Answering of Important Belief Questions:
In this respect it is quite sufficient to read the two books
of sayidi Fakhr-ed-din where he gathered all the predecessors knowledge and
books: (1) Intisar Awliya-er-rahman ala
Awliya-esh-shaitan "The Victory of the Adherent to the Almighty
over the Adherent to the Satan"; and (2) Tabriat-ez-zimma fi
nashi-l-Umma wa Tazkirat Uli-l-albab li-s-sayeri-ila-s-swab " The self-
acquittal of Advising the Nation and the Reminding of the Smart-Minded for the
Travel to the True", refuting the Wahhabite (extremists) under-estimating
the Prophet's position and claims of Tawsul "begging mediation" and Tabrauk
" seeking
blessings", Sibha and Zikr as false acts and other controversy subjects.
20)
What
is the importance and legitimacy of the Sibha (Rosary)?
As for the Sibha (Rosary) is proved by fact and Sunna
(Prophet Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) spoken words, deeds and approval of Companion deeds).
Out of that fact it is known that Allah (tala) had bound worship with numbers
and timings, such that without any exception all the worship deeds has
procedure, quantity and specified time. And; if this applies for the obligatory
deeds, there is no reason to abandon for additional deeds (Nawafil). Of the
Companions who used to use Sibha in Awrad are: sayidatuna Safiya (r.a.a) wife
of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has got Sibha of 4000 dates seeds; sayidatuna Fatima
daughter of sayidina Al-Husien used to use Sibha from a thread knotted,
sayidina Abu-Huraira (r.a.a.) used to have a thread with 2000 knots used to not
sleep until he makes 12000 times with it his Zikr; and many great people as
narrates sayidi Fakr-e-edin referring to a book of sayidi Jalal al-Din
al-Suyuti (r.a.a.) (1445 – 1505 CE). One Sufi sheikh has described Sibha as
follows:
The orderly
structured which the wise;
joins solely
and; it sums up his vim
21)
What
is the position of the Prophet Family "Al-l-beit" in the Religion?
The love of the Prophet Family (al-e-beit) is an obligation
to Muslims according to the Quran, stating: (Say (O Muhammad SAW): "No
reward do I ask of you for this except to be kind to me for my kinship with
you." And whoever earns a good righteous deed, We shall give him an
increase of good in respect thereof. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready
to appreciate (the deeds of those who are obedient to Him) 23 Surat Ash-Shūraá.
The utmost regarded as his kinship (P.B.U.H.) are His daughter sayidatuna
Fatima (r.a.a.), her husband sayidina Ali ibn abu Talib and her sons sayidina
Al-Hasan and sayidina Al-Husien and sayidatuna Zeinab; and eventually or their
descendents till the end of Life. That was explained by Hadith: (All the
messengers had their descendents from them direct, except Me, my descendents
come through Ali). " To Be kind" is adding benefit over
love.
Sometimes, confusion may pass to some people - due to disruption
that is coming deliberately or randomly – that love of the Prophet family is
only a concern of Shia Islam and not of Sunni Islam. The moderate Sunni Islam gives the full attachment with
love to the Prophet Family as well as to the Prophet Companions. This is where
the difference exists: Shia Islam (in its most) does not attach with love to
Companions, extremists Suni does not attach with love the Prophet Family. Sufi
are the most moderate form of Islam who combine both loves in full harmony. The
four Imam's of Sharia'a all expressed their non-negotiable love to the Prophet
Family.
Also, we have to realize that quite a good number of the
Adherents to Allah (Wali or Saint) and in particular the major leaders (sheikh's)
are from the Prophet Family. Sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) say in Hadith:
"The example of my Family is like the Ship of Noh, that who boards on it
will escape torture and those who retard from it will perish".
22)
What
is the meaning of Brotherhood of Believers?
Brotherhood in Religion is an essential feature and an aspect
of Allah "tala" and His Messenger (P.P.B.U.H.) acceptance and joy. In
Hadith: (It is that Believers are brothers). That is because belief is in the
heart and if the hearts resemble each other they attract each other. Quran
said: (And brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the
earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but Allah brought them
together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and Wise) 63 Surat Al-'Anfāl. That Zikr
"Allah" has brought them into affinity. All the worship types are
inclusive of the concept of brotherhood. When answering a question: How can a
Tariqa brother (sister) reward the sheikh? Sayidi Fakhr-ed-din said
that: A Tariqa brother can reward the shiekh by helping or serving his brothers
(her sisters). That clarifies an important point i.e. the Love of the
brother is from the love of the Shiekh and the love of the Shiekh is from the
love of sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) who says in Hadith: (Love Allah for
the what he bestows you and Love Me for the love of Allah and Love My Family
for my Love).
23)
What
is the Group Zikr "Remembrance"?
The Group Zikr in all Tariqa's follows the same principles,
though might differ in shape. The Zikr is performed in holiday night usually
(Thursday or Saturday), but not restricted to, to give a chance to all possible
attendants to share. It is also called "Hadra" means
"Attendance". It is very important for the believer in Tariqa to
attend the Hadra, as this gives him/her a very strong spiritual boost and
increases activity in Awrad, as well the more and better practice of Awrad
makes it more beneficial attending the Hadra. The Hadra (Group Zikr) takes its
meaning from the situation that sayidina Mohamed (P.P.B.U.H.) has been ordered
by Allah (tala) to combine with those performing group Zikr in the Mosque
(Masjid) as Quran stated: (And keep yourself patient [by being] with those
who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance.
And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly
life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance
and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect) 28 Surat
Al-Kahf. Also in Qudsi (Sacred) Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (r.a.a)
that the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) said: Allah (glorified and exalted be He) has
supernumerary angels who rove about seeking out gatherings in which Allah's
name is being invoked: they sit with them and fold their wings round each
other, filling that which is between them and between the lowest heaven. When
[the people in the gathering] depart, [the angels] ascend and rise up to
heaven. He (the Prophet p.b.u.h.) said: Then Allah (mighty and sublime be He)
asks them - [though] He is most knowing about them: From where have you come?
And they say: We have come from some servants of Yours on Earth: they were
glorifying You (Subhana llah), exalting you (Allahu akbar), witnessing that
there is no god but You (La ilaha illa llah), praising You (Al-Hamdu lillah),
and asking [favours] of You. He says: And what do they ask of Me? They say:
They ask of You Your Paradise. He says: And have they seen My Paradise? They
say: No, O Lord. He says: And how would it be were they to have seen My
Paradise! They say: And they ask protection of You. He says: From what do they
ask protection of Me? They say: From Your Hell-fire, O Lord. He says: And have
they seen My Hell-fire? They say: NO. He says: And how would it be were they to
have seen My Hell-fire: They say: And they ask for Your forgiveness. He (the
Prophet p.b.u.h) said: Then He says: I have forgiven them and I have bestowed
upon them what they have asked for,and I have granted them sanctuary from that
from which they asked protection. He (the Prophet p.b.u.h) said: They say: O
Lord, among them is So-and-so, a much sinning servant, who was merely passing
by and sat down with them. He (the Prophet P.P.B.U.H) said: And He says: And to
him [too] I have given forgiveness: he who sits with such people shall not
suffer).
In Hadra some Tariqa's (like Gadiriya) gather in a round
circle, some (like Ahmadiya and Burhaniya) organize in rows. The Hadra is
performed by a Singer or Singers singing Qasida's (poems), Zikr leader (bust)
clapping rhythm or some times by hitting on a drum and the rest of attendance
recites loudly the name "Allah" or sometimes "La-ilaha-illa-l-llah"
or sometimes "hoo" all are names of Allah. And all that is
done in précised harmony.
There are also some basic preferences that to be observed by
disciple attending the Zikr. These are:
- To direct the intention to Hadra (in all deeds directing
the intention is very important)
- To do ablution before going into Zikr, to allow better
the lights flow into your heart and Extra (meded) and blessings cover all
over your body and soul
- Clear your heat from any hatred and attend with Pureness
- To join at the
direct point you reach, not surpass others already sitting (when you are
keen to be at the front, you can come earlier)
- Close your eyes, so as not to be distracted by noticing
the others and to focus on Zikr with your heart
- Turn off the light, except for a dim light to maintain
pureness and focusing, while doing Muragba " Meditation" and Zikr "Group
Remembrance"
- Restrict following of Zikr leader and harmony with other
performers. You pronounce the Name in the same way, same frequency and
same sound intensity
- Staying up to the end: They say:-
Be patient for (hadra) till its
end;
The rewards will not be distributed
before it ends;
- Not to quit during the Zikr, except for an non-avoidable
reason. In that case you do Fatiha to Maulana (saying I ask permission).
- Have good faith in others attending the Zikr, it is express
in a shiks's Qasida:
Keep good faith in remembrance
performers;
If there were not under care, they
would not come to Allah
- Not to repeat after the singer or point to him to repeat
a verse of the song
- Not to pretend "hal" i.e. “condition” plural
Aḥwāl, in Ṣūfī terminology, a spiritual state of mind that comes to
the Ṣūfī from time to time during his journey toward God. The aḥwāl are
graces of God that cannot be acquired or retained through an individual’s
own efforts
- To end with prayer "duaa" to all your Tariqa
brothers and sisters and to your family and yourself; and an who asks for
"Al-Fatifa".
24)
What
is the relation between Sufism and Politics?
Our great Sufi family since old days, and as a basic of their
ethics is to avoid handling Politics as part of their abstaining behavior. But,
that has never prevented them from participating in assisting the governor in
the truthful argument. As an example, the two big shiekhs: sayidi Abul-Hasan
Al-Shazali and sayidi Ahmed Al-Badawi has joined physically in fighting against
French invasion to Egypt in their time.
In general Sufi Tariqa's care not to act in politics as
institutions, but they do not bind their follower from participating in any way
he chose. Moreover, we witnessed our shiekh's encouraging the Tariqa people to
participate in all society activities and nations' concerns.
25)
Where
to find Tariqa centers/groups/Zawya's?
Tariqa Burhaniya is spread all over the world. The Instructor
"Murshid" can advise the new disciple to where he can join the group
of Tariqa people, through the address of the Zawya. Sometimes the Zawya can be
near the residence or near the work place of the disciple. Information can also
be found in Tariqa World page in the Tariqa website:
Wa-salla-l-llahu ala sayidina Mohamed'en wa ala Aali-hi wa
Sahbi-hi wa sallam
Allah's Prayer and Peace be upon
sayidina Mohamed, his Family and Companions
