MERCY OCEANS, Book 01 (Shaykh Nazim, 208 pages, 12/12)
https://www.nvrislam.net/index.php?j=eng&post=5772
rce may be used for goodness or badness. Therefore, Shariah says that if you can prevent a person, with your hand, from falling into badness, you must catch him. Or, if you can stop him with your speech, you must speak. Finally, if you cannot stop him with your hand or with your speaking, you must pray for him: ‘O my Lord! Keep him from falling into bad ways!’
“No force may be used on Christians and Jews for becoming Muslims. They are able to distinguish between a true man and a liar; therefore, it is useless to force them to be Muslims. They are free to think as they please, until the time for thinking is ended with the return of Jesus (peace be upon him). Then, he will judge among them.”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was saying about keeping our lman, “We must keep, very carefully, the light of faith because enemies are trying to take away that light. Faith is the light of Allah given to His servants. Therefore, everyone must be very careful to guard against those enemies who are trying to extinguish the light of Iman.
“There are three entrances by which those enemies try to extinguish the light of Iman. You must put guards at those three doors in your body. What could be a more precious treasure to guard than lman? If Allah sees His servant dutifully guarding His precious favour, He Almighty looks with pleasure on that servant. And, when Allah Almighty looks to His servant with pleasure, He sends Divine favours, Divine mercy, Divine pleasure to that servant’s heart. And, whoever guards those three doors carefully, will be granted the wisdom of all one hundred and four Holy books, because he is a trustworthy person.
“All Prophets came to teach people how to protect those three doors. Also, all tariqats, all Grandshaykhs, are trying, with exercises, with
training, wirds (daily litanies), khalwa (seclusion); to make their murids keep those three doors carefully.
“The first door, or entrance, that is vulnerable to attack by devils who try to extinguish the light of lman, is the eyes. A man may reach the highest degree of Iman when suddenly, through prohibited looking (the most attractive thing is women), his Iman is gone. We are very easily taken and our lman extinguished through our eyes.
“The second door is our mouth, our tongue. Quickly, devils catch us by our tongues, enter and extinguish our lman. You must be very careful with your speech. You must be like a man on trial. In a court everything may turn on a single word. In reality, we will be in court on the Judgment Day before the Judge of Judges, Allah Almighty.
“The third door is the ears, and other organs. You must not let them be used by devils, for their purposes. You must keep your organs, so that devils and Satan cannot use them as they like. Concerning the ears, there are two ways to use them: hearing and listening. You may hear anything, but, only if you want, if you will it, must you listen. Allah Almighty says that when Quran is being read, you must listen to it. On the other hand, you may hear a donkey’s braying but you are not listening. You may hear some bad speech but you are not listening. When you are listening, you have responsibility. But, if you are only hearing, there is no responsibility for you.
“It is the same for the eyes. You may see everything. But, when you look, you have responsibility for that looking. That means every believer, every Muslim must consider the reasons for his actions and know the consequences. He must know his purposes; heedlessness is prohibited in lslam. If you are looking at a lady; What is your purpose? Why are you looking? For your ego!
“Allah Almighty teaches every believer. And, every believer knows what is good for him, or what is bad. Your conscience always gives you exact signs on goodness and badness, but every time your conscience points you toward goodness, your ego says, ‘No!,’ because its pleasure is with badness. This is an important lesson. If you keep this, Allah Almighty promises to teach you all the knowledge of Holy books. If you cannot
protect these three doors, then, sometimes, enemies will come and extinguish the light of your lman.”
* * * * * * *
“It is a good manner,” says our Grandshaykh, “not to argue with people. If you know you are on the right way, don’t argue.
“Arguing extinguishes lman. If you are right, and you are arguing with someone who is wrong, perhaps he will say some wrong thing that may be harmful to you. For example, if a man calls you a kafir, you must not argue. ‘No! I am not kafir!’ Instead, you must agree with him, in this manner: ‘Yes! You are right! My nafs’ bad habits are kafir!’
“All people are making arguments now. Each one imagines himself to be the most clever of people. He likes his word to be listened to and respected in every place. All enmity grows from this, from arguing. Therefore, you must say in response to any argument, ‘Yes, it is as you say. My ego is responsible for what you disapprove of in me. It is very bad. But, I am not in agreement with my ego. I am trying to keep its bad habits away from me, to improve my character. O my brother! If you are right in your argument, may Allah correct me. And, if you are wrong, O my brother, may Allah forgive you and make you right!’”
* * * * * * *
“If a man tells you a lie,” asks our Grandshaykh, “what will be your position? You must not say, ‘No! That isn’t true.’ You must not refuse his words. This is a high character and good manners.
“You may tell him, ‘Oh? Is it so?’ Maybe, in your sight his statement has no reality, but you must be gentle. We have not been ordered to refuse people, but to make them more pleased. We are living in a time when people may say anything and everything; you must be patient with them, and excuse them, always without fighting. You must know that people are ill in their egos. If you are claiming to be doctors, you must excuse them. If you are on the way of Prophets, you must help them and be tolerant of them. This is the highest degree of good manners.”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was making an important point for everyone:
“Everyone must know the value of himself. If a man has no self- respect, gives himself no value, then he will not give another person’s life any value either. For example, if a doctor knows his body’s value, how will he be toward the bodies of his patients? He who is ignorant of himself will be more ignorant of others!
“We have been ordered to keep our bodies excellent throughout our lives. You must not load your body with more than its capability; nor will you load others in that way. Our bodies are amanah, trust from our Lord. On the Judgment Day we will be asked, first, how we kept our bodies. All Holy books are in agreement on this point, namely that we must keep our bodies in very good condition, not doing anything that gives harm to them. You must not misuse your body. No poisons!
“In our time, people find their bodies very cheap. Therefore, lslam is making health first in all things. Everyone, especially those on top stations, must keep people very carefully so that they may not harm each other. If they are saying, ‘I am free to do as I like!’; they may go to the tops of mountains, and to the jungle! When you live with other people, you must keep yourself healthy, keep your self-value and self-respect. Keep this respect, and others may respect you.
“Real religions all fight badness. They never agree with any bad characters. Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last Prophet, clearly said, ‘I came just to complete good characters.’”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh is speaking about Mahdi, the keeper of this time (peace be upon him). Grandshaykh was sitting in Mahdi’s assembly, and listening to his words: “O my brother, Shaykh ‘Abdullah!” he said. “In our time, the sign of good character, and the highest degree of Jihad al Akbar (fighting with your ego), is to carry other people’s bad characters, to bear with them, and to tolerate them. As much as we have patience with people, forbearance, we have good character. It is the sign of good character in our time.”
* * * * * * *
My Grandshaykh was wondering one day, “O Nazim Effendi! People are passing through so much difficulty in this life when, in reality, it is so easy! It is too simple! Why are men making it so difficult?”
Before one hundred years ago, life was so simple in comparison with today, and people were much happier. Now, inventions and discoveries are increasing, and life is more and more complicated. Also, every day troubles and problems are increasing. Therefore, we must try to make this life more simple. If we don’t do this, our troubles and difficulties will be never-ending.
Before, there were ten drugs and ten illnesses. Now, perhaps there are one hundred thousand drugs, and a like number of afflictions as well! We must simplify; move back into harmony with Nature. Mother Nature embraces us. Therefore, our Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold a miracle in his hadiths. Saying, “O my people! There will come a time on you!...” he went on to describe all the troubles that will appear on the world as the last day approaches. Then he advised his nation about who would be saved from all troubles; he who took his sheep and went to the tops of mountains. This hadith is a sign for us to return to nature and the simple life.
Allah originally made life so easy, but now we make it so difficult. This is a punishment for us now. All economic problems come after this point. One hundred years ago a man could have one suit of clothes for two, perhaps three, years. Now, his ego orders him to change it perhaps every fifteen days, every week, perhaps morning and evening!
Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, “The contented man is the richest man.” If you are running after things, you are poor. Allah likes his servants to live with pleasure, not solemn and sad, because solemn and sad are signs of dissatisfaction with your Lord. If a man is pleased and satisfied, it is a sign that he is pleased and satisfied with his Lord. Satisfaction makes even a short life happy, but dissatisfaction makes a short life very, very long – a destroying burden. Be pleased with your Lord, and everything in this life will be enjoyable for you.
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was saying, “What is one important thing, making our lives more difficult? if a man never accepts any rule except his own, he is not going to save himself from trouble. Everyone who says, ‘My rule is excellent. I am not in need to ask anyone,’ is not going to save himself from trouble.
“A man may plan something. He may regard that plan as excellent, and, so thinking, he will not consult with anyone. That man will always be in trouble, throughout his life. Be humble, so that you are able to consult with other people. Their observation may be better than yours. Perhaps they may see an easier, better way for you. But, if you never ask other people, you will be always in trouble.
“Allah Almighty orders His servants, ‘Ask for everything from authorised people.’ When people don’t do this, it is another source of trouble for them. Therefore, you must ask someone who knows well the matter that is before you. There are specialists for everything. If a man is going to lose his eye, he is not going to go to a heart specialist!
“If you don’t have advisors, you will have endless trouble. As we are in need of advisors for this life’s problems, we are more in need of advisors for our spiritual, or Heavenly progress so that we may know the shortest, safest way to our Heavenly stations. If you don’t take advisors for your Heavenly life, you cannot reach your Heavenly, spiritual station. Our Heavenly advisors are, first of all, Prophets (peace be upon them all). Next come their spiritual heirs, the Awliya, or Saints (may Allah be pleased with them all).”
* * * * * * *
Allah Almighty orders His servants, when they come for prayer, to put on their ornaments. What does this mean? We must look to the Prophet’s sunnah, for he knows, more than any other man, how one should be for praying. He stood for prayer in the Divine Presence exactly as his Lord ordered him, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “O my nation! Pray as you see me pray!”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) never prayed without a turban. Only if he didn’t have one (because it was being washed, for example, or sometimes when he prayed alone) did he pray without a turban. But he says, “Always pray with turban.”
A turban is the ornament of man for praying. On the Prophet’s Night Journey did he go without a turban? No, he went with turban! Gabriel came to him wearing a turban; all angels are coming with turbans. Turban is the perfect ornament for praying.
So, if you have no excuse, you must use turbans. We must not discount its importance. I never saw our Grandshaykh praying without a turban. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, “If a man prays with amama (turban), Allah will reward him with ten-thousand goodness’s.” And, in our time, as it is a famous sunnah, he who uses turban is given the reward of one hundred martyrs! This is because now, even Muslims are fighting against the turban. They wish to lose it, like the Saudis, so that no one will wear it. But, our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, “He who keeps my sunnah, in the last days, will be given the reward of one hundred martyrs.”
But people are killing the sunnah. Devils are fighting turbans now because it is a sign of Islam. No fighting for beards, because everyone can grow his beard. No problem for beards. In every religion, in every way of life, people can grow beards. But most important is the turban! Devils are fighting to make men lose it. Allah is giving to my heart to make all, from east to west, wear turbans.
When a devil looks at a man with a turban, Satan says to him,
“This is the Prophet’s soldier, you must fight him!”
* * * * * * *
You are asking for Divine Powers, to approach the Divine Presence. Our Grandshaykh has such powers. Once, he said to me, “O Nazim Effendi! We have such miraculous powers; we are power stations! From ants to elephants, from mankind to angels, from earth to Heavens, Jinn and men, everyone!
“We are power stations. To any person who is asking for that power to reach his destination, we shall give. We are ready; waiting for those who come, asking to travel to Heaven. We know what he needs, though he himself may not, and according to his desire, according to his capability, we give. He may feel it or not; it doesn’t matter!
“There is a mill for making flour. Wheat is put between the stones for grinding. When the grinding is finished – flour! Don’t be worried for yourself. The mill will not cease functioning. Divine help will come to your heart, like drops or like a torrent.
“You do not need to ask with your tongue. We are not looking to your speech, but we are looking to your heart’s action. It is all right; that Divine help is falling on your heart, more and more. You must not ask with your tongue, ‘I am in need!’ There is no value in that. We are looking at your nature’s need. If you are in need, we will know.
“Increase your need – that is important! Every time you are in action, this power increases. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, ‘From heart to heart, there are secret ways.’ Especially from the hearts of Awliya to their followers. This relationship is strong, bringing people all together.
“Therefore, according to your love for Awliya, they will give you more power. This is the way. When you are showing love, respect, and charity toward Awliya, they also return to you more than your love, more than your respect, and more than your charity.
“Allah is the source, the fountain. No one can approach Niagara Falls to drink; but you may drink from a cup (Awliya) and say, ‘I am drinking from Niagara!’ Wahhabis say that all people are the same; no difference among men. They are not accepting that Awliya have extraordinary powers. You may take two wires; one, you put into an electrical outlet; the other, no. They look the same, but touch them and you will feel the difference! Yes, all people are the same; but some of them are connected with Divine Powers. You cannot know by sight alone.
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was telling us about Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), who said, “Before I became Muslim, I kept my money in my hands very firmly. I feared it would be finished if I spent it. But, after my Islam, I opened my hand with giving, and, as much as I am giving, my money is not going to run out!”
This is the meaning of the Quranic verse, “O My people! As much as you give in charity, I am giving better, exchanging your charity with My Charity!” Therefore, don’t be afraid. If you are giving for the sake of Allah, He will give to you. Sayiddina Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), before he became Muslim, was afraid to spend all his money. But, when he believed Allah’s words, he gave and gave, and there was no end to his money and property.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It is impossible to decrease the money of a man who gives in charity.” And, our Grandshaykh was saying, “Allah Almighty sometimes is trying His people. Prophets have been tried, and Awliya have been tried; because each trial gives them higher degrees. Once, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) gave all his money and things away. He didn’t even have anything left to wear, so he wrapped a straw mat around himself. But, after that trial was finished, more and more came, also.
“O believer! Do you think a well will run dry from your drawing? When Allah tried Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and saw that he didn’t change his belief when hardship came, it meant that he passed the examination. When that happens, Allah Almighty opens His oceans of mercy to that servant.”
Allah tried even His beloved Muhammad (peace be upon him). When his Sahaba tied one stone on their stomachs for hunger, the Prophet tied two stones. When his belief remained unchanged, the examination was finished. No more trials came to him.
What is the wisdom of Allah trying His servants? He is trying His servants to see if they see that all things come from Him Almighty. He is giving, and He is stopping. He is teaching patience. He says, “Good tidings for My patient servants!”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh says, “You must not be worried about your sustenance, because for everyone living on this world there are chains of sustenance coming down. As much as you will cut from that chain, more will come down. If you are cutting a little, little will also come. If you are generously cutting, it will generously come. If it is finished for you, you may ask.
“If something is given to you, without your asking, it is halal, good for you. You must not refuse it. It is not good manners to refuse a person. That person is giving to you with his inspirations, and if you refuse, he will be ashamed, broken. You must take it and thank him, pray for him. If you are not in need, you may keep it aside for giving to someone who is in need later on.
“If you are a traveller and someone asks you if you are in need you must reply, ‘As you like’ or ‘As you know.’ Then, as they offer, you must accept. This is a good manner – to place consideration for your plight on his conscience. He may give, or not; but in Islam, the best manner is ‘Don’t ask!’ This manner is true for the giver as well as the receiver. Don’t wait to find out if he is in need. Your inspiration and your conscience will cause you to give freely, but Satan will come to you and say, “You must ask, and then give. Perhaps he is not in need.’ Then, you will not be so generous. Give!”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh says, “Don’t be afraid of death. This is the sign of lman. To be fearful of dying is the sign of no lman. Bravery comes from the power of our faith. As our lman increases, fear of death recedes, and bravery grows. There is no fear of death for a mu’min. One who fears death will try to escape it, whereas a believer will be brave, hoping to meet his Lord.
“Without bravery in the face of death, lslam cannot spread on the world. Without this faith and courage, people will hide in their houses. Believers need to appear all over this world, in order to put the signs of Haqq (Truth and rightness) there.
“The fear of death prevents mu’min from many good actions, especially from fighting for the sake of Allah, and for the sake of goodness, justice, and rightness. When believers show fear of death, it encourages bad people and devils to more cruelty. Dogs have a character; if they feel you are afraid of them, they will attack you. But, if they feel that you are not afraid of them, they will run to escape from you. Devils are this way. If believers and good people don’t fear devils, then those devils will be afraid. Otherwise, it will be the reverse; if we are afraid, then they will be brave toward us. Therefore, in Islam, it has been ordered not to be afraid of death.”
* * * * * * *
We know that Satan is the first, and most dangerous enemy for us. He is always trying to destroy our lman, always renewing his attacks on believers. Our Grandshaykh said, “The first step of Satan to destroy our lman is to make us in doubt about our sustenance. The devil says to us, ‘What are you doing? How are you going to live? Where is your job? Where is your money?’
“People are of two kinds: One kind works for this life and this world; the other kind is working for his Lord. The first kind becomes tired with his working. The second kind, who are working for their Lord, are not tiring themselves working for this world; Allah makes other work for them.
“When Allah Almighty created all our souls, He made an exhibition of all the kinds of jobs that people could do; every occupation. Then, He ordered each person to choose one of them for their life and every person chose one.
“After the last person had made his choice, there remained one group of people who had waited without choosing. Allah asked them, ‘Why haven’t you chosen?’ They replied, ‘O our Lord! We choose only your service! No occupation for us but that!’
“Allah Almighty was so pleased, and He addressed them, ‘O My servants! You chose My service; therefore, I made all those other people servants to you!’ Then, He ordered this dunya, ‘Serve My servants!’
“Satan attacks believers, making doubt come into their hearts about their sustenance so that they will leave their Lord’s service and pursue the things of this world. Satan makes all people, especially Muslims, think deeply about their future, about their welfare, about their children’s future. Why? Allah doesn’t ask us for tomorrow’s worship, only today’s, only what is due now. Why are we asking Allah for tomorrow’s sustenance?
“We must have faith in Allah to provide for our needs. ‘Am I not your Provider?’ says our Lord. ‘Do you not trust in Me, O My servant?’
“New day, new sustenance. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, ‘Sustenance is provided for everyone, throughout his life. Each man must complete his share before he dies. Until he finishes what is written for him, what is allotted for him, he will not die.’
“We must take a lesson from the pets of men. Look how much they trust their owners for food. In European countries, cats and dogs are kings. Did you ever see a cat or a dog working? They trust their owners, who feed them without expecting work in return. Have we reached this level of trust to our Lord? Allah says, ‘You must not trust your own powers, your minds, businesses, money, etc. You must trust Mel’ It is Satan who tells us the opposite.”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was saying, “What are the attributes of Awliya? Anyone who believes in Allah and eternal life, and Holy Books, and Allah’s messengers, and Paradise and Hell, and the Last Day, that person is stepping on the way to the first station of Wilaya, to be a Saint.
“That belief is the first step toward Wilayat. It is our will to begin, but to reach that goal we need Divine Help. For this reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) always asked for Divine Help, and therefore, we too must not trust our own powers, but must ask and trust our Lord’s Help. That is most important for everyone, especially those who are traveling for the sake of Allah Almighty.
“What is a Wali’s attribute? What is his belief’s power? How is his belief in his Lord? It is like this: If Allah Almighty covered all the sky with
an iron cover and all the earth with rock, and that Wali is ordered to provide sustenance for all people, he will not worry. His belief is so strong in Allah the Provider (ar-Razzaq). If any doubt comes to his heart, he is thrown out of Sainthood!
“Allah is Lord of the universe, and He may order us to do anything at any time. We must always be ready to accept those orders. Ordering is for Allah. To keep His orders with no objections is for his servants. When Allah Almighty orders, that order must be kept. When Allah ordered the angels to make sajdah, lblis refused, and Gabriel made sajdah twice in his place!”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh said, “When does the power of our faith appear? When an unlovely thing happens to you, and you remain unchanged, firm in your faith, your Iman is real. If you can bear with those undesired things, the power of your faith will appear. Without trial, you cannot say that you have real power of faith.
“When Abraham (peace be upon him) was about to be thrown into the fire, the angels wept for him. They appealed to Allah for permission to help him. Allah agreed and sent Gabriel down on behalf of all the angels to help Abraham (peace be upon him), but only on the condition that Abraham (peace be upon him) must first ask for that help.
“So, Gabriel came to Abraham (peace be upon him) and asked, ‘O Ibrahim! Do you need help? I am ready for that!’
“Abraham (peace be upon him) replied, ‘O, Gabriel! From you I need nothing. Only from my Lord!’
Then you must ask your Lord for help!’ Gabriel said again.
“And, Abraham (peace be upon him) replied again, ‘It is enough that He knows I am here.’
“This is real power of faith, unchanging in the face of trials. This is the target. We must continue, until we are like Abraham (peace be upon him). You may, throughout your life, be in so many heavy positions. You
must not melt; you must be solid! Our life’s problems and troubles are so many. According to the power of our Iman, our faith, we can stand up to them. You may see some people killing themselves in the face of their troubles. When people are faced with great events, strong faith keeps them from panic.”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh said that rebellion against our Lord is the main reason for the prevention of His favours to us. If you understand this, you will always be in good condition, enjoyment, and happiness.
Sayyidina ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “If a man fears Allah Almighty, he will live a happy life, and travel over the whole world safely.” No problem for that person, and no difficulties.
So many people, on account of their rebellion to their Lord, are lying in hospitals and prisons. We must be, instead, obedient to our Lord’s will. When confronted with a great event that we cannot face, we must leave it to Allah’s will, to Allah’s power, saying, “La hawla wa la quwwata illah billah hil-‘Aliyyil ’Azeem.” (No power or strength except by Allah the Highest, the Most Great One.) We can’t change anything, but He has the might to change everything as He likes.
This is an excellent good manner, and a very lovely attitude or attribute for a servant toward his Lord. If you are faced with a heavy happening, or a great event that you can’t carry, that you cannot bear, you must say, “O my Lord! La hawla wa la quwwata illah billah hil-‘Aliyyil ’Azeem! You Almighty can carry it. You, alone, can change it!” Only in this way can you bear some things. You cannot carry them with your own powers, but must transfer the load to your Lord.
All problems of servants can be easily solved in this manner, with this saying. it is the sign of perfect obedience to your Lord and according to our Prophet (peace be upon him), “La hawla wa la quwwata illah billah hil-‘Aliyyil ’Azeem” is a treasure from Paradise. The servant with this word is the most powerful one in the whole world, and, in our tariqat, we have been ordered to repeat it one hundred times in a day. With it a servant can bear everything in this world; as much as even mountains can bear!
* * * * * * *
For what reason are we learning? For what reason are we taking knowledge? What are Holy Books for? Do you not know that Satan knows all Holy Books? So many religious people are reading Holy Books and trying to take more and more knowledge.
I heard today about a contest in Jerusalem among young people, to see who is the most knowledgeable of their Holy Books. For what? It is more important to know the reason for learning. Iblis, as we said before, knows all Holy Books. If it were enough merely to have this knowledge in order to be saved, then Iblis would also have reached that point!
Therefore, we must understand that our target, or aim, is not to possess so much knowledge. Holy Books are lights from Allah Almighty to His servants. You must take that light in your hands, and you must go through darkness until you reach your realities in the Divine Presence. That knowledge is Shariah, and acting according to that knowledge is the meaning of tariqat – to go on toward your Heavenly positions.
The meaning of tariqat is ‘way,’ and when you enter this ‘way’ and go on, you will reach your Divine Positions in the Divine Presence. They are the realities of mankind, of human nature. It is the recognition of ourselves and our realities. Everything has a reality and when a man recognizes himself, he may know his Lord.
Our realities are in the Divine Presence, but we separated and came into this world. As of yet, there is no connection between ourselves and our realities in the Divine Presence. All Prophets (peace be upon them all) and all Awliya (may Allah be pleased with all of them) came to make that connection for us, as they themselves are so connected. Therefore, Allah Almighty ordered His servants to follow one of those Prophets and Awliya, so that we may also become connected to our realities.
“Follow in the path of him who has turned to Me with love.” Thus, Allah Almighty describes the personality of those who are connected with their Divine Stations: “. . . who turned to Us with love…”
* * * * * * *
Notes
“These are the words of our Grandshaykh. Awliya are addressing both our spirits and our bodies, at the same time. Their
words may be written on our hearts, and in books. If a man hasn’t the power to address your heart, you will not be able to take enough benefit from his words. When words are written on your heart, anytime you may need them you will remember. But if they are not written on your
heart, you cannot remember. You cannot benefit from them.”
~Sultanul Awliya Mawlana Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani ق
Link: https://www.nvrislam.net/index.php?j=eng&post=5772
rce may be used for goodness or badness. Therefore, Shariah says that if you can prevent a person, with your hand, from falling into badness, you must catch him. Or, if you can stop him with your speech, you must speak. Finally, if you cannot stop him with your hand or with your speaking, you must pray for him: ‘O my Lord! Keep him from falling into bad ways!’
“No force may be used on Christians and Jews for becoming Muslims. They are able to distinguish between a true man and a liar; therefore, it is useless to force them to be Muslims. They are free to think as they please, until the time for thinking is ended with the return of Jesus (peace be upon him). Then, he will judge among them.”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was saying about keeping our lman, “We must keep, very carefully, the light of faith because enemies are trying to take away that light. Faith is the light of Allah given to His servants. Therefore, everyone must be very careful to guard against those enemies who are trying to extinguish the light of Iman.
“There are three entrances by which those enemies try to extinguish the light of Iman. You must put guards at those three doors in your body. What could be a more precious treasure to guard than lman? If Allah sees His servant dutifully guarding His precious favour, He Almighty looks with pleasure on that servant. And, when Allah Almighty looks to His servant with pleasure, He sends Divine favours, Divine mercy, Divine pleasure to that servant’s heart. And, whoever guards those three doors carefully, will be granted the wisdom of all one hundred and four Holy books, because he is a trustworthy person.
“All Prophets came to teach people how to protect those three doors. Also, all tariqats, all Grandshaykhs, are trying, with exercises, with
training, wirds (daily litanies), khalwa (seclusion); to make their murids keep those three doors carefully.
“The first door, or entrance, that is vulnerable to attack by devils who try to extinguish the light of lman, is the eyes. A man may reach the highest degree of Iman when suddenly, through prohibited looking (the most attractive thing is women), his Iman is gone. We are very easily taken and our lman extinguished through our eyes.
“The second door is our mouth, our tongue. Quickly, devils catch us by our tongues, enter and extinguish our lman. You must be very careful with your speech. You must be like a man on trial. In a court everything may turn on a single word. In reality, we will be in court on the Judgment Day before the Judge of Judges, Allah Almighty.
“The third door is the ears, and other organs. You must not let them be used by devils, for their purposes. You must keep your organs, so that devils and Satan cannot use them as they like. Concerning the ears, there are two ways to use them: hearing and listening. You may hear anything, but, only if you want, if you will it, must you listen. Allah Almighty says that when Quran is being read, you must listen to it. On the other hand, you may hear a donkey’s braying but you are not listening. You may hear some bad speech but you are not listening. When you are listening, you have responsibility. But, if you are only hearing, there is no responsibility for you.
“It is the same for the eyes. You may see everything. But, when you look, you have responsibility for that looking. That means every believer, every Muslim must consider the reasons for his actions and know the consequences. He must know his purposes; heedlessness is prohibited in lslam. If you are looking at a lady; What is your purpose? Why are you looking? For your ego!
“Allah Almighty teaches every believer. And, every believer knows what is good for him, or what is bad. Your conscience always gives you exact signs on goodness and badness, but every time your conscience points you toward goodness, your ego says, ‘No!,’ because its pleasure is with badness. This is an important lesson. If you keep this, Allah Almighty promises to teach you all the knowledge of Holy books. If you cannot
protect these three doors, then, sometimes, enemies will come and extinguish the light of your lman.”
* * * * * * *
“It is a good manner,” says our Grandshaykh, “not to argue with people. If you know you are on the right way, don’t argue.
“Arguing extinguishes lman. If you are right, and you are arguing with someone who is wrong, perhaps he will say some wrong thing that may be harmful to you. For example, if a man calls you a kafir, you must not argue. ‘No! I am not kafir!’ Instead, you must agree with him, in this manner: ‘Yes! You are right! My nafs’ bad habits are kafir!’
“All people are making arguments now. Each one imagines himself to be the most clever of people. He likes his word to be listened to and respected in every place. All enmity grows from this, from arguing. Therefore, you must say in response to any argument, ‘Yes, it is as you say. My ego is responsible for what you disapprove of in me. It is very bad. But, I am not in agreement with my ego. I am trying to keep its bad habits away from me, to improve my character. O my brother! If you are right in your argument, may Allah correct me. And, if you are wrong, O my brother, may Allah forgive you and make you right!’”
* * * * * * *
“If a man tells you a lie,” asks our Grandshaykh, “what will be your position? You must not say, ‘No! That isn’t true.’ You must not refuse his words. This is a high character and good manners.
“You may tell him, ‘Oh? Is it so?’ Maybe, in your sight his statement has no reality, but you must be gentle. We have not been ordered to refuse people, but to make them more pleased. We are living in a time when people may say anything and everything; you must be patient with them, and excuse them, always without fighting. You must know that people are ill in their egos. If you are claiming to be doctors, you must excuse them. If you are on the way of Prophets, you must help them and be tolerant of them. This is the highest degree of good manners.”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was making an important point for everyone:
“Everyone must know the value of himself. If a man has no self- respect, gives himself no value, then he will not give another person’s life any value either. For example, if a doctor knows his body’s value, how will he be toward the bodies of his patients? He who is ignorant of himself will be more ignorant of others!
“We have been ordered to keep our bodies excellent throughout our lives. You must not load your body with more than its capability; nor will you load others in that way. Our bodies are amanah, trust from our Lord. On the Judgment Day we will be asked, first, how we kept our bodies. All Holy books are in agreement on this point, namely that we must keep our bodies in very good condition, not doing anything that gives harm to them. You must not misuse your body. No poisons!
“In our time, people find their bodies very cheap. Therefore, lslam is making health first in all things. Everyone, especially those on top stations, must keep people very carefully so that they may not harm each other. If they are saying, ‘I am free to do as I like!’; they may go to the tops of mountains, and to the jungle! When you live with other people, you must keep yourself healthy, keep your self-value and self-respect. Keep this respect, and others may respect you.
“Real religions all fight badness. They never agree with any bad characters. Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last Prophet, clearly said, ‘I came just to complete good characters.’”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh is speaking about Mahdi, the keeper of this time (peace be upon him). Grandshaykh was sitting in Mahdi’s assembly, and listening to his words: “O my brother, Shaykh ‘Abdullah!” he said. “In our time, the sign of good character, and the highest degree of Jihad al Akbar (fighting with your ego), is to carry other people’s bad characters, to bear with them, and to tolerate them. As much as we have patience with people, forbearance, we have good character. It is the sign of good character in our time.”
* * * * * * *
My Grandshaykh was wondering one day, “O Nazim Effendi! People are passing through so much difficulty in this life when, in reality, it is so easy! It is too simple! Why are men making it so difficult?”
Before one hundred years ago, life was so simple in comparison with today, and people were much happier. Now, inventions and discoveries are increasing, and life is more and more complicated. Also, every day troubles and problems are increasing. Therefore, we must try to make this life more simple. If we don’t do this, our troubles and difficulties will be never-ending.
Before, there were ten drugs and ten illnesses. Now, perhaps there are one hundred thousand drugs, and a like number of afflictions as well! We must simplify; move back into harmony with Nature. Mother Nature embraces us. Therefore, our Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold a miracle in his hadiths. Saying, “O my people! There will come a time on you!...” he went on to describe all the troubles that will appear on the world as the last day approaches. Then he advised his nation about who would be saved from all troubles; he who took his sheep and went to the tops of mountains. This hadith is a sign for us to return to nature and the simple life.
Allah originally made life so easy, but now we make it so difficult. This is a punishment for us now. All economic problems come after this point. One hundred years ago a man could have one suit of clothes for two, perhaps three, years. Now, his ego orders him to change it perhaps every fifteen days, every week, perhaps morning and evening!
Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, “The contented man is the richest man.” If you are running after things, you are poor. Allah likes his servants to live with pleasure, not solemn and sad, because solemn and sad are signs of dissatisfaction with your Lord. If a man is pleased and satisfied, it is a sign that he is pleased and satisfied with his Lord. Satisfaction makes even a short life happy, but dissatisfaction makes a short life very, very long – a destroying burden. Be pleased with your Lord, and everything in this life will be enjoyable for you.
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was saying, “What is one important thing, making our lives more difficult? if a man never accepts any rule except his own, he is not going to save himself from trouble. Everyone who says, ‘My rule is excellent. I am not in need to ask anyone,’ is not going to save himself from trouble.
“A man may plan something. He may regard that plan as excellent, and, so thinking, he will not consult with anyone. That man will always be in trouble, throughout his life. Be humble, so that you are able to consult with other people. Their observation may be better than yours. Perhaps they may see an easier, better way for you. But, if you never ask other people, you will be always in trouble.
“Allah Almighty orders His servants, ‘Ask for everything from authorised people.’ When people don’t do this, it is another source of trouble for them. Therefore, you must ask someone who knows well the matter that is before you. There are specialists for everything. If a man is going to lose his eye, he is not going to go to a heart specialist!
“If you don’t have advisors, you will have endless trouble. As we are in need of advisors for this life’s problems, we are more in need of advisors for our spiritual, or Heavenly progress so that we may know the shortest, safest way to our Heavenly stations. If you don’t take advisors for your Heavenly life, you cannot reach your Heavenly, spiritual station. Our Heavenly advisors are, first of all, Prophets (peace be upon them all). Next come their spiritual heirs, the Awliya, or Saints (may Allah be pleased with them all).”
* * * * * * *
Allah Almighty orders His servants, when they come for prayer, to put on their ornaments. What does this mean? We must look to the Prophet’s sunnah, for he knows, more than any other man, how one should be for praying. He stood for prayer in the Divine Presence exactly as his Lord ordered him, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “O my nation! Pray as you see me pray!”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) never prayed without a turban. Only if he didn’t have one (because it was being washed, for example, or sometimes when he prayed alone) did he pray without a turban. But he says, “Always pray with turban.”
A turban is the ornament of man for praying. On the Prophet’s Night Journey did he go without a turban? No, he went with turban! Gabriel came to him wearing a turban; all angels are coming with turbans. Turban is the perfect ornament for praying.
So, if you have no excuse, you must use turbans. We must not discount its importance. I never saw our Grandshaykh praying without a turban. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, “If a man prays with amama (turban), Allah will reward him with ten-thousand goodness’s.” And, in our time, as it is a famous sunnah, he who uses turban is given the reward of one hundred martyrs! This is because now, even Muslims are fighting against the turban. They wish to lose it, like the Saudis, so that no one will wear it. But, our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, “He who keeps my sunnah, in the last days, will be given the reward of one hundred martyrs.”
But people are killing the sunnah. Devils are fighting turbans now because it is a sign of Islam. No fighting for beards, because everyone can grow his beard. No problem for beards. In every religion, in every way of life, people can grow beards. But most important is the turban! Devils are fighting to make men lose it. Allah is giving to my heart to make all, from east to west, wear turbans.
When a devil looks at a man with a turban, Satan says to him,
“This is the Prophet’s soldier, you must fight him!”
* * * * * * *
You are asking for Divine Powers, to approach the Divine Presence. Our Grandshaykh has such powers. Once, he said to me, “O Nazim Effendi! We have such miraculous powers; we are power stations! From ants to elephants, from mankind to angels, from earth to Heavens, Jinn and men, everyone!
“We are power stations. To any person who is asking for that power to reach his destination, we shall give. We are ready; waiting for those who come, asking to travel to Heaven. We know what he needs, though he himself may not, and according to his desire, according to his capability, we give. He may feel it or not; it doesn’t matter!
“There is a mill for making flour. Wheat is put between the stones for grinding. When the grinding is finished – flour! Don’t be worried for yourself. The mill will not cease functioning. Divine help will come to your heart, like drops or like a torrent.
“You do not need to ask with your tongue. We are not looking to your speech, but we are looking to your heart’s action. It is all right; that Divine help is falling on your heart, more and more. You must not ask with your tongue, ‘I am in need!’ There is no value in that. We are looking at your nature’s need. If you are in need, we will know.
“Increase your need – that is important! Every time you are in action, this power increases. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, ‘From heart to heart, there are secret ways.’ Especially from the hearts of Awliya to their followers. This relationship is strong, bringing people all together.
“Therefore, according to your love for Awliya, they will give you more power. This is the way. When you are showing love, respect, and charity toward Awliya, they also return to you more than your love, more than your respect, and more than your charity.
“Allah is the source, the fountain. No one can approach Niagara Falls to drink; but you may drink from a cup (Awliya) and say, ‘I am drinking from Niagara!’ Wahhabis say that all people are the same; no difference among men. They are not accepting that Awliya have extraordinary powers. You may take two wires; one, you put into an electrical outlet; the other, no. They look the same, but touch them and you will feel the difference! Yes, all people are the same; but some of them are connected with Divine Powers. You cannot know by sight alone.
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was telling us about Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), who said, “Before I became Muslim, I kept my money in my hands very firmly. I feared it would be finished if I spent it. But, after my Islam, I opened my hand with giving, and, as much as I am giving, my money is not going to run out!”
This is the meaning of the Quranic verse, “O My people! As much as you give in charity, I am giving better, exchanging your charity with My Charity!” Therefore, don’t be afraid. If you are giving for the sake of Allah, He will give to you. Sayiddina Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), before he became Muslim, was afraid to spend all his money. But, when he believed Allah’s words, he gave and gave, and there was no end to his money and property.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It is impossible to decrease the money of a man who gives in charity.” And, our Grandshaykh was saying, “Allah Almighty sometimes is trying His people. Prophets have been tried, and Awliya have been tried; because each trial gives them higher degrees. Once, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) gave all his money and things away. He didn’t even have anything left to wear, so he wrapped a straw mat around himself. But, after that trial was finished, more and more came, also.
“O believer! Do you think a well will run dry from your drawing? When Allah tried Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and saw that he didn’t change his belief when hardship came, it meant that he passed the examination. When that happens, Allah Almighty opens His oceans of mercy to that servant.”
Allah tried even His beloved Muhammad (peace be upon him). When his Sahaba tied one stone on their stomachs for hunger, the Prophet tied two stones. When his belief remained unchanged, the examination was finished. No more trials came to him.
What is the wisdom of Allah trying His servants? He is trying His servants to see if they see that all things come from Him Almighty. He is giving, and He is stopping. He is teaching patience. He says, “Good tidings for My patient servants!”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh says, “You must not be worried about your sustenance, because for everyone living on this world there are chains of sustenance coming down. As much as you will cut from that chain, more will come down. If you are cutting a little, little will also come. If you are generously cutting, it will generously come. If it is finished for you, you may ask.
“If something is given to you, without your asking, it is halal, good for you. You must not refuse it. It is not good manners to refuse a person. That person is giving to you with his inspirations, and if you refuse, he will be ashamed, broken. You must take it and thank him, pray for him. If you are not in need, you may keep it aside for giving to someone who is in need later on.
“If you are a traveller and someone asks you if you are in need you must reply, ‘As you like’ or ‘As you know.’ Then, as they offer, you must accept. This is a good manner – to place consideration for your plight on his conscience. He may give, or not; but in Islam, the best manner is ‘Don’t ask!’ This manner is true for the giver as well as the receiver. Don’t wait to find out if he is in need. Your inspiration and your conscience will cause you to give freely, but Satan will come to you and say, “You must ask, and then give. Perhaps he is not in need.’ Then, you will not be so generous. Give!”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh says, “Don’t be afraid of death. This is the sign of lman. To be fearful of dying is the sign of no lman. Bravery comes from the power of our faith. As our lman increases, fear of death recedes, and bravery grows. There is no fear of death for a mu’min. One who fears death will try to escape it, whereas a believer will be brave, hoping to meet his Lord.
“Without bravery in the face of death, lslam cannot spread on the world. Without this faith and courage, people will hide in their houses. Believers need to appear all over this world, in order to put the signs of Haqq (Truth and rightness) there.
“The fear of death prevents mu’min from many good actions, especially from fighting for the sake of Allah, and for the sake of goodness, justice, and rightness. When believers show fear of death, it encourages bad people and devils to more cruelty. Dogs have a character; if they feel you are afraid of them, they will attack you. But, if they feel that you are not afraid of them, they will run to escape from you. Devils are this way. If believers and good people don’t fear devils, then those devils will be afraid. Otherwise, it will be the reverse; if we are afraid, then they will be brave toward us. Therefore, in Islam, it has been ordered not to be afraid of death.”
* * * * * * *
We know that Satan is the first, and most dangerous enemy for us. He is always trying to destroy our lman, always renewing his attacks on believers. Our Grandshaykh said, “The first step of Satan to destroy our lman is to make us in doubt about our sustenance. The devil says to us, ‘What are you doing? How are you going to live? Where is your job? Where is your money?’
“People are of two kinds: One kind works for this life and this world; the other kind is working for his Lord. The first kind becomes tired with his working. The second kind, who are working for their Lord, are not tiring themselves working for this world; Allah makes other work for them.
“When Allah Almighty created all our souls, He made an exhibition of all the kinds of jobs that people could do; every occupation. Then, He ordered each person to choose one of them for their life and every person chose one.
“After the last person had made his choice, there remained one group of people who had waited without choosing. Allah asked them, ‘Why haven’t you chosen?’ They replied, ‘O our Lord! We choose only your service! No occupation for us but that!’
“Allah Almighty was so pleased, and He addressed them, ‘O My servants! You chose My service; therefore, I made all those other people servants to you!’ Then, He ordered this dunya, ‘Serve My servants!’
“Satan attacks believers, making doubt come into their hearts about their sustenance so that they will leave their Lord’s service and pursue the things of this world. Satan makes all people, especially Muslims, think deeply about their future, about their welfare, about their children’s future. Why? Allah doesn’t ask us for tomorrow’s worship, only today’s, only what is due now. Why are we asking Allah for tomorrow’s sustenance?
“We must have faith in Allah to provide for our needs. ‘Am I not your Provider?’ says our Lord. ‘Do you not trust in Me, O My servant?’
“New day, new sustenance. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, ‘Sustenance is provided for everyone, throughout his life. Each man must complete his share before he dies. Until he finishes what is written for him, what is allotted for him, he will not die.’
“We must take a lesson from the pets of men. Look how much they trust their owners for food. In European countries, cats and dogs are kings. Did you ever see a cat or a dog working? They trust their owners, who feed them without expecting work in return. Have we reached this level of trust to our Lord? Allah says, ‘You must not trust your own powers, your minds, businesses, money, etc. You must trust Mel’ It is Satan who tells us the opposite.”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh was saying, “What are the attributes of Awliya? Anyone who believes in Allah and eternal life, and Holy Books, and Allah’s messengers, and Paradise and Hell, and the Last Day, that person is stepping on the way to the first station of Wilaya, to be a Saint.
“That belief is the first step toward Wilayat. It is our will to begin, but to reach that goal we need Divine Help. For this reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) always asked for Divine Help, and therefore, we too must not trust our own powers, but must ask and trust our Lord’s Help. That is most important for everyone, especially those who are traveling for the sake of Allah Almighty.
“What is a Wali’s attribute? What is his belief’s power? How is his belief in his Lord? It is like this: If Allah Almighty covered all the sky with
an iron cover and all the earth with rock, and that Wali is ordered to provide sustenance for all people, he will not worry. His belief is so strong in Allah the Provider (ar-Razzaq). If any doubt comes to his heart, he is thrown out of Sainthood!
“Allah is Lord of the universe, and He may order us to do anything at any time. We must always be ready to accept those orders. Ordering is for Allah. To keep His orders with no objections is for his servants. When Allah Almighty orders, that order must be kept. When Allah ordered the angels to make sajdah, lblis refused, and Gabriel made sajdah twice in his place!”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh said, “When does the power of our faith appear? When an unlovely thing happens to you, and you remain unchanged, firm in your faith, your Iman is real. If you can bear with those undesired things, the power of your faith will appear. Without trial, you cannot say that you have real power of faith.
“When Abraham (peace be upon him) was about to be thrown into the fire, the angels wept for him. They appealed to Allah for permission to help him. Allah agreed and sent Gabriel down on behalf of all the angels to help Abraham (peace be upon him), but only on the condition that Abraham (peace be upon him) must first ask for that help.
“So, Gabriel came to Abraham (peace be upon him) and asked, ‘O Ibrahim! Do you need help? I am ready for that!’
“Abraham (peace be upon him) replied, ‘O, Gabriel! From you I need nothing. Only from my Lord!’
Then you must ask your Lord for help!’ Gabriel said again.
“And, Abraham (peace be upon him) replied again, ‘It is enough that He knows I am here.’
“This is real power of faith, unchanging in the face of trials. This is the target. We must continue, until we are like Abraham (peace be upon him). You may, throughout your life, be in so many heavy positions. You
must not melt; you must be solid! Our life’s problems and troubles are so many. According to the power of our Iman, our faith, we can stand up to them. You may see some people killing themselves in the face of their troubles. When people are faced with great events, strong faith keeps them from panic.”
* * * * * * *
Our Grandshaykh said that rebellion against our Lord is the main reason for the prevention of His favours to us. If you understand this, you will always be in good condition, enjoyment, and happiness.
Sayyidina ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “If a man fears Allah Almighty, he will live a happy life, and travel over the whole world safely.” No problem for that person, and no difficulties.
So many people, on account of their rebellion to their Lord, are lying in hospitals and prisons. We must be, instead, obedient to our Lord’s will. When confronted with a great event that we cannot face, we must leave it to Allah’s will, to Allah’s power, saying, “La hawla wa la quwwata illah billah hil-‘Aliyyil ’Azeem.” (No power or strength except by Allah the Highest, the Most Great One.) We can’t change anything, but He has the might to change everything as He likes.
This is an excellent good manner, and a very lovely attitude or attribute for a servant toward his Lord. If you are faced with a heavy happening, or a great event that you can’t carry, that you cannot bear, you must say, “O my Lord! La hawla wa la quwwata illah billah hil-‘Aliyyil ’Azeem! You Almighty can carry it. You, alone, can change it!” Only in this way can you bear some things. You cannot carry them with your own powers, but must transfer the load to your Lord.
All problems of servants can be easily solved in this manner, with this saying. it is the sign of perfect obedience to your Lord and according to our Prophet (peace be upon him), “La hawla wa la quwwata illah billah hil-‘Aliyyil ’Azeem” is a treasure from Paradise. The servant with this word is the most powerful one in the whole world, and, in our tariqat, we have been ordered to repeat it one hundred times in a day. With it a servant can bear everything in this world; as much as even mountains can bear!
* * * * * * *
For what reason are we learning? For what reason are we taking knowledge? What are Holy Books for? Do you not know that Satan knows all Holy Books? So many religious people are reading Holy Books and trying to take more and more knowledge.
I heard today about a contest in Jerusalem among young people, to see who is the most knowledgeable of their Holy Books. For what? It is more important to know the reason for learning. Iblis, as we said before, knows all Holy Books. If it were enough merely to have this knowledge in order to be saved, then Iblis would also have reached that point!
Therefore, we must understand that our target, or aim, is not to possess so much knowledge. Holy Books are lights from Allah Almighty to His servants. You must take that light in your hands, and you must go through darkness until you reach your realities in the Divine Presence. That knowledge is Shariah, and acting according to that knowledge is the meaning of tariqat – to go on toward your Heavenly positions.
The meaning of tariqat is ‘way,’ and when you enter this ‘way’ and go on, you will reach your Divine Positions in the Divine Presence. They are the realities of mankind, of human nature. It is the recognition of ourselves and our realities. Everything has a reality and when a man recognizes himself, he may know his Lord.
Our realities are in the Divine Presence, but we separated and came into this world. As of yet, there is no connection between ourselves and our realities in the Divine Presence. All Prophets (peace be upon them all) and all Awliya (may Allah be pleased with all of them) came to make that connection for us, as they themselves are so connected. Therefore, Allah Almighty ordered His servants to follow one of those Prophets and Awliya, so that we may also become connected to our realities.
“Follow in the path of him who has turned to Me with love.” Thus, Allah Almighty describes the personality of those who are connected with their Divine Stations: “. . . who turned to Us with love…”
* * * * * * *
Notes
“These are the words of our Grandshaykh. Awliya are addressing both our spirits and our bodies, at the same time. Their
words may be written on our hearts, and in books. If a man hasn’t the power to address your heart, you will not be able to take enough benefit from his words. When words are written on your heart, anytime you may need them you will remember. But if they are not written on your
heart, you cannot remember. You cannot benefit from them.”
~Sultanul Awliya Mawlana Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani ق
Link: https://www.nvrislam.net/index.php?j=eng&post=5772