7 November 1988

Q:  Can you explain about the two kinds of Ittibaa Nabvi.

A:  The Wahabis who are eloquent about following the example (Uswa-i-Hasnah : Life example) of the Prophet and are never tired of praising Ittibaa-Nabvi. They do not know what Ittibaa means. It means imitating the example of the Prophet (s.a.w). Ittibaa is of two kinds. Ittibaa-i-Zahri and Ittibaa-i-Batini. Ittibaa Zahiri means following the Prophet’s (s.a.w) outward actions such as his prayers (salat), dress, habits and way of living. While Ittibaa-i-Batini means following his inner spiritual states such as love of Allah, Marifat of His Dhat and Sifat, Knowledge of Divine Mysteries and secrets of creation, etc. But the Wahabis exoterics lay stress only on Ittibaa-i-Zahiri and do not bother about Ittibaa-i-Batini which really matters because it is difficult to attain. Not only that, they oppose those who follow Ittibaa-i-Batini to show to the world that only they are good and perfect Muslims and rest are misguided. But Allah s.w.t is the best Judge and therefore He always helps, uplifts and elevates His real lovers and has always exalted them in the world. The Sufis are the people who spreaded out in four corners of the world and converted millions of Kafirs to Islam.

 
Note:  If somebody does not feel reconciled to our point of view, let him or her follow his or her own way. We do not mind. Our aim is not ammassing wealth or getting power and followers. We are working purely to serve the cause of Islam especially the vital inner or spiritual aspect of Islam which is real Islam. And by the grace of Allah s.w.t spritualism is proving to be successful even in the Western countries and we are great headway.

Note:  These people (Wahabis) are opposed to spiritualism of Islam and we cannot agree with them.




Q:  This is about arrogance. Can you explain how to crush arrogance? What should be the attitude of a Salik (seeker of God) with regards to arrogance?

A:  Arrogance is the greatest hurdle in this path. It destroys the seeker as it destroyed Iblis (Satan) who thought he was better than Adam. Adam was saved by begging Allah’s pardon. Iblis was damned for being arrogant. The Mashaikh have said that a seeker (salik) who thinks himself better than a dog never succeeds. One must consider himself worse than dogs, swines, kafirs, mushriks, munafik and everything in the world. It is then that he can reach Allah’s presence. Kindness to Allah’s creatures is the greatest source of success in this path.

       Allah’s action - Allah s.w.t is Great. He never leaves those (tyrants, oppressors, etc) who are cruel to His creatures. The tyrants never flourish.

        We should also guard against Satan and Nafs which will try to pull us up and make us arrogant so that we fall down and get condemned. It is Satan’s mission to mislead. So, we must try to keep firm and do not think for a second that we are something. Satan thought he was something and got damned forever.

          Hazrat Ali (rz) has said, “It is better to be mazloom (tyranised) than a zalim (tyrant).”




Q: Shaitan and our Nafs are our two great enemies. Can you tell me how to guard against Shaitan and Nafs? It seems to me a great uphill task to combat these enemies.

A:  The best thing which can protect you from Shaitan and Nafs (bodily or beastly tendencies) is intense love for Allah, for the Prophet (s.a.w), for Islam and for the Auliya Allah. In one word these qualities are known Iman (strong belief and love in Allah). When Iman is strong in your heart, the Satan dare not come near you. He cannot enter the sacred fort of Iman. Moreover, he is frightened of your zikrs, salats, Quran, Moraqqabat and everyhting. He dare not enter the house where these things are practised. Moreover, Allah Almighty is there to save you from Satan and other enemies, for He does not leave His true friends to be harmed by Satan or the other enemies. The only thing is that one should have firm conviction that Allah will never fail him. He will always protect His sincere servants. But if some misfortune comes to the true Momins, it is by way of test and trials which are really meant to wash away your sins and to exalt your position (Martabat).




Q:  Can you explain who causes all worries, troubles, calamities, misfortunes, etc. How to cure them?

A:  Actually it is one’s Nafs that causes trouble. Shaitan also joins the Nafs and destroys happiness.

      The best way to overcome them is to go on doing Zikr and Moraqabas regularly. Allah s.w.t has said in the Holy Quran, “Peace of mind lies in Zikr.” This is because Zikr is the food of Qalb as it brings the seeker close to the Divine Lord. Once one has established close relationship with Him (and in perpetual state of Moraqabat-i-zat), all the worries come to an end miraculously.

         It is said by our Noble Prophet (s.a.w), “He who becomes of Allah, Allah becomes his.”  The Prophet (s.a.w) also said, “He who has the Lord, has all.”

         So, the ideal cure for all worries, troubles, calamities and misfortunes is Zikr Allah and attachment with Allah s.w.t. Allah s.w.t says, “I do with my servant as he or she expects Me to do.”

         If you firmly believe that He is with you, He will never let you down. It is His promise.




Q:  There are three degrees of belief in Allah. Can you explain with examples the difference between these three degrees of belief?

A:  There are numerous degrees of belief in Allah, perhaps as many as there are human beings. Islam divides them into three broad categories:
i)               Ilmul Yaqin - belief based on knowledge received from the Quran and the Prophet (s.a.w) that Allah exists.

ii)               Ainul Yaqin -   belief based on actual seeing with your own eyes that He exists.

iii)        Haqqul Yaqin - belief based on your personal experience.

 

        This can better be explained by an example of fire. Suppose there is a person who has not seen fire burning wood. If somebody tells him that fire burns wood, his belief about “fire” burning quality would be of the first category, that is, Ilmul Yaqin.

         When he actually sees fire burning wood, his belief would be of the second category, that is, Ainul Yaqin.

           But when he puts his hand in fire, his belief would be of the third category, that is, Haqqul Yaqin.

          Hadis of the Prophet (s.a.w) saying that, “Say salat in a state as if you are seeing Allah” refers to the second category of Iman -  Ainul Yaqin.

          While the Hadis saying that, “When  a servant of Allah tries to come close to Allah, Allah loves him and gets so close to him that hears by Allah’s hearing, sees by His sight, works with His hand and walks by His feet.......”. This Hadis refers to the third category of Iman - Haqqul Yaqin. There are so many verses in the Holy Quran about the third category, that is, Haqqul Yaqin, for instance, Allah says, “Whereever you turn there is the face of Allah.” It is also said, “He is with you whereever you are.” Then He says, “We are nearer to man than his jugular vein.” He also says, “Thy goal is Thy Rab.”

           All this shows that persons of higher qualities and calibres must always strive for higher degrees of Iman , that is, spiritual nearness (Qurb) with the Divine Lord, and should never content themselves with the lower degrees of Iman like the common people.




Q:  What is Man? Can you enlighten me on this basic question.

A:    Roomi (r) has said in “Fih-i-Ma-fih” (It is what it is):
       “It is a pity, Man has contented himself with the food (eating, drinking and sex) meant for his donkeys…”

 

        What he means to say is that if eating, drinking and sex are the only objects of man, he is no better than an animal. Man is more sublime, and his position is extremely exalted in the Scale of Creation. He is the “Lord of creation” and “Vicegerant of God” on earth not by virtue of his animal self but by his intellect, his reason and spiritual potentiality. He is a combination of body and soul.