MERCY OCEANS, Book 02 (Shaykh Nazim, 224 pages, 7/12)
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reality, but the ego is nearer to the body and it has so many tricks and bad actions and thoughts that make it easy for it to catch control. The ego’s interest is only for his pleasure, he is not thinking of others. All kinds of illnesses are because of ego’s control on our body. Our Grandsheikh was saying that all Prophets came just to make egos bow humbly to the Lord. The first character of the ego is pride, yet he has no right to be proud, as he begins as dirty water and ends as a deca- yed body. If a person gives his body to the hands of the soul, he will be a clean-hearted person and not smelling bad when he dies.
So many people in Damascus came to see Sheikh Hassan when they opened his tomb to make a road there. I was there; he was lying in white cloths and his beard had much black still in it. After 300 years a beau- tiful smell was coming from him. It took two hours to carry him 200 metres, everyone rushing to support the holy body, it floating above their fingertips. After three days I was passing by that place. Boys were bringing out handfuls of earth from the old tomb and smelling it, a very fine fragrance it had.
I was in Medina once for seclusion during the Hajj time; the mosque was empty and I prayed in the Mih- rab of the Prophet. There was a good smelling there. I pulled back the rug, still smelling; then I lifted the mat, from the ground that smell was coming, the Prophet’s place of prostration.
No one can be proud when thinking of his beginning and ending; but the ego is not accepting to say «no God
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but Allah», he says «no God but me». Therefore when the Prophets came to call people to the worship of the Lord, they fought them, saying: «What, what Lord? We are your Lord.» The first sign of humbleness is saying:
«There is no God but Allah», even if only spoken with the tongue. All Prophets called people only to say this. If a man can say; it is enough, the gates of Paradise will open. This is the key.
Our Grandsheikh says, Allah Almighty sent 124,000 Prophets and with them holy books, and after them saints and tariqats. For what? For teaching people to say «There is no God but Allah.» and to be humble ser- vants to their Lord. Every religion was saying this. No Prophet ever called people to himself. If you see your- self growing in pride you are on a wrong way. If you see yourself coming down to humbleness, you are ta- king benefit from religion. With humbleness we may tolerate every person, no quarreling. If seeing everyone better than yourself, then grows love and respect for everyone. It is a desirable thing. Prophets put seeds in our hearts for respect and love; when growing to hum- bleness there will be no more suffering or crises in the world. This life will be like the life of Paradise, to be in love with one another.
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OH MY DONKEY!
Our Grandsheikh is speaking about his Grandsheikh Abû Ahmad as-Sughûrî who was Qutub of the universe for 40 years. No one can reach the ranks of saints until reaching the ranks of humbleness. This means exactly: to refuse everything for oneself, having no rank, like the earth under the feet of everyone. If no earth, no one can stand up. Saints are carrying all people.
Sheikh Abû Ahmad said about his ego: «If my people and countrymen knew me as I know myself, they would not let me be with them, but would stone me and chase me away.» So humble, he looks to himself as the worst ego, thinking: «Allah is keeping my ego, but still it is worst.» He looked to his high rank as from Allah, not from himself.
Abû Bakr as-Siddîq has the highest rank in the Um- mah after the Prophet. He was the truest person in his faith and belief. The Prophet said: «If the faith of all my nation is weighed against the faith of Abû Bakr, his will be heavier.» But Abû Bakr said to himself: «Disobe- dient Siddîq, in my sight, whatever they say, you must repent and ask forgiveness.» Where are we in looking to ourselves? The lowest rank is the highest rank. Abû Yazîd said: «No one can smell the reality of faith unless he is looking to his ego’s level as under the level of Pha- raoh, Nimrod, Satan and Abû Jahl.» We may say: «Yes, I accept, I am that person, my nafs is lowest.» But there is a test for that. If one calls to us: «Oh my donkey.» and then we are rushing on him: «What!», we prove that we are that donkey.
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It is our duty to respect everyone, this is our religi- on. The real way of Sufism is ordering to respect all peo- ple. A man may be ignorant of his way, having no-good character, and may assault you. You must not come down to his level and quarrel. Sheikh Saadi Shirazi, a Sufi poet, says in one tale: once a man was bit by a dog. He was all night without sleep, crying from pain. His son asked him what had happened. «Today a dog bit me,» he said. «Why did you not bite him back?» asked the boy. «Oh my son, I may endure this pain, but I am not going to be a dog like him.»
When accepting that our egos are like wild animals, you don’t get angry with anyone. This is humbleness and it is a base of good character without which we can- not build.
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DON’T BE ANGRY
The most difficult thing for man is fighting with him- self. We know not to be angry, if a man is assaulting us; but at that moment anger comes like a fire over us, making it most difficult to control ourselves. If we are able to control ourselves at the time of anger, we are one of the most powerful people.
Anger is the defense of egos and is dangerous for eve- ryone. Once a person came to the Prophet for advice. He told him: «Don’t be angry.» When the man asked for more advice, he said again and even a third time:
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«Don’t be angry.» A moment of anger may destroy everything. You may regret it, but it is useless if you have pulled the trigger. Our Grandsheikh says, every training for mureeds with seclusion or practices of less eating and sleeping is to make them powerful for con- trolling themselves at the time of anger, to give control into the hands of the soul. The soul is logical, but the ego is illogical, coming with anger and destroying, har- ming, causing suffering. When fire comes, don’t be gun powder, you and he will explode; be water. Control for anger comes from the level of humbleness. For this, Al- lah will dress one in robes of honour, and he will be in the row of Prophets on the Last Day.
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RAVAGES OF ENVY
Our Grandsheikh was saying that Allah Almighty sent 124,000 Prophets only for changing peoples’ bad cha- racters into good characters.
Who is responsible in the sight of Allah? As long as you have bad character of your ego, you are not relia- ble, not trustworthy, not a servant. If a man is working for a person on a job and then escaping to work for his enemy and then coming back, how is he? Bad character pulls a person to rebel against the Lord‚ He must finally leave all bad character to be trustworthy.
A man may be good in every way, but if he has envy, a character of the ego planted in his heart, he must take
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it out, or it will be such a poisonous snake harming peo- ple. The first to be envious was Satan, then Cain was the first on earth, envious of his brother Abel. All over the world, affliction resulting from envy goes through every level of people, rich and poor, religious and non- religious, educated and non-educated, even among wo- men. At any time envy may destroy all your worship- ping and goodness as it destroyed Satan’s.
Rābi‘a al-Adawiyya was saying: «Oh my brothers, our Istighfar (asking forgiveness) is in need of another Istighfar, until reaching good character, then it will be alright.» Every worshipping we do with bad character, needs the intercession of the Prophet to become ac- ceptable.
Now this is a training. Anytime you meet an unliked thing you may remember these words and take spiri- tual power. Our meetings are like writing on the heart with invisible ink. When the time comes, it appears.
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TO RESIST TEMPTATION
The most important duty of all religions is to make people clean-hearted. Our Grandsheikh says when a man leaves all the bad characteristics of his ego, he is clean-hearted. It’s sign is that if he was left alone with a beautiful girl in the desert or mountains or on an island and was obliged to be with her for fourty days, no bad intention would come in his heart towards her. It is im-
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possible for dirty thoughts to come to a clean-hearted man. You ask, is this possible? Yes. For example, what if she was our sister or daughter. If invited to the feast of a king, and knowing that the king is very jealous, is anyone looking to his wife sitting beside him?
Clean-hearted is a man who believes in his God. When saying, «I believe in God» you believe He is pre- sent with you, everywhere, everytime. How can you lose His watching? Remembering the Lord, the heart is clean; forgetting the Lord, darkness fills the heart, no more faith.
Our Grandsheikh told of one student in Daghestan. He was reading Qur’ān at midnight, the wind and wol- ves were howling outside in the cold. Then came a kno- cking at the door. It was a very beautiful girl, lost in her way. He covered her and continued reading. Then Satan came to him saying: «This is for you, get up.» He got up and went to the candle and held his finger over the flame, saying to himself: «You can’t even take this flame, how can you stand the fire of Hell?» He kept get- ting up from his reading and putting his finger there until dawn and then brought the girl to her father. He asked them, had anything happened. «No.» «How can you stay with this all night and nothing happen?» Then seeing his finger and hearing the story from his daugh- ter, the father called the judge and Imam saying: «I give my daughter to this man for marriage and I give him all my fields and gardens.» Then she became halâl for him.
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INTERCESSION
On the Last Day will be intercession. When all people come to the gathering place, it will be so difficult to wait there that some will ask to be in hell instead. They will go to Father Adam and ask for intercession, but still ashamed for his rebellion, Adam will send them to Noah. Because he prayed for mankind to be destroyed, Noah will send them to Moses. Moses will say: «I cannot do it because I made some mistakes in my life. You must go to Jesus.» Jesus does not say any faults about himself, but he will send them on to Muhammad, saying only:
«I am not for that duty.» They will go to Muhammad, peace be upon him, and he will answer them: «Yes, I am for that duty.» And he will run to make prostration at he Maqam al-Mahmud, and ask his Lord to permit him to make intercession for all nations.
Every Prophet has private intercession for his nation. Also saints, ‘Ulamā’, Hajjis and all Mu’min may do in- tercession. On the Last Day, when all these have made their intercession, it will be asked. «Who is left now to intercede for the people still in Hell?» A voice will answer: «Only remaining the most Merciful Allah Al- mighty.» With His Hand Allah will reach and take out a handful from Hell. The amount in that handful I can’t say, but it must be more than the combined intercessi- on of other intercessors – as His mercy is greater than the mercy of all creation together. Those people never did any goodness in their lives. On their heads will be written. «Saved by the All-Merciful Allah.»
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ON THANKFULNESS
Our Grandsheikh was saying, this world has possibi- lity for everything from goodness to badness, maybe rich or poor, healthy or sick, a ruler or a prisoner. If anything you don’t like is happening to you, you must look that something worse could happen. Sheikh Saadi Shirazi told of one person who was complaining that he had no shoes, until seeing a man with no legs, then he forgot about his shoes. This gives us relief and peace in our hearts. Looking to yourself you can find treasures, hands and fingers. This is good manners with your Lord.
So many people ask me why Allah permits some peo- ple to be born without hands or eyes or a good mind. He makes them as a show for others. «Oh my people, every- one must look to himself that he has everything, and he must be thankful.» Whoever has a handicap, Allah will pay them more than us. For blind people who were pa- tient, he will give them 12,000 paradise beauties. See- ing this, others will wish they had been blind.
One person came to the Prophet, peace be upon him. He was hunchbacked and cross-eyed, his body twisted and ugly. He said: «Oh Prophet, I am not going to pray more than 3 times a day, and I will not fast except du- ring Ramadan.» He was angry. Then Jibrîl came to the Prophet, saying: «Allah dosn’t like complaining like this. Ask him if he will be pleased to have the most
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beautiful angel’s shape on the Last Day.» He asked and the man said: «I am satisfied.»
Sheikh ‘Abdul Khāliq al-Ghujdawānî was once wal- king in the street when someone from above threw down dirty water on him, making his white clothes yellow. He was just going to Juma‘a prayer. His mu- reeds went running after the person responsible, but he caught them, saying: «I am thankful. I was worthy for fire to come down on me, but only coming dirty water,» He sent his mureeds to Juma‘a and, instead of going home where his wife would be sure to make a fuss, he went to the river and bathed until sunset.
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THE MAN WHO NEVER GOT ANGRY
To take off bad character is more difficult than moving a mountain. Sometimes that bad character is sleeping and you think it is dead but you must not be fooled; the worst character is anger, and it is quickly awakened. Sheikh Sharaf-ud-Dîn was in Medina at a meeting of saints and honourable people. Someone told him about a Moroccan Sheikh there: «That person will never be angry. Forty years and I’ve never seen him angry.» A servant hearing this, asked Sheikh Sharaf-ud-Dîn for permission to anger him. He followed the Moroccan to his room and knocked. «Who is it?» He entered and knelt before the sheikh. «I want to ask for interpreta- tion of a dream. «Oh, good, my son.» «I saw in my dream
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that The Last Day had come. All people gathered toge- ther. A caller called, ‘Where is Imām Mālik? (Moroc- can Muslims are staunch followers of the Sunni Imām Mālik and his school of law) He and his followers are going to Hell!’ – Up jumped the sheikh and chased the servant back to the meeting place, shouting: «Shaitān!» The servant took his gold piece that he had wagered with the man who said that the sheikh could never be angered. The judgement for a person is with his last ac- tion. Don’t say, trusting your ego, «No, I am alright.»
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POWER OF GOOD WORDS MADHHABS IN ISLAM
There was in Noah’s time a giant named ‘Ooj ibn Unq, so big, his head reaching the sky. Everyday he ate all the bread in all the bakeries of the town, but he was never satisfied. One day, Noah asked him to bring wood for an ark and promised to fill him with food in return. He agreed and gathered up one forest in his arms and delivered it. Noah put before him three loaves of bread. ‘Ooj could hardly see them. «Oh ‘Ooj, say Bismi llâhi r- rahmâni r-rahîm and eat.» He refused, «Oh ‘Ooj, what is it that you refuse to say?» ‘Ooj replied: «I refuse to say Bismi llâhi r-rahmâni r-rahîm.» Then Noah said: «Now eat.» He ate and was filled, but suspicious, he accused Noah of making magic, and collected the wood and left. From the pieces he dropped, Noah built the ark.
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Noah was the first person to take a guard dog, so many people giving him injury. They were using his ark as a toilet, so Allah gave them leprosy. They could find no remedy for it. One night a leper came to use the toilet and slipped and fell in. The next morning his leprosy was cured. Then all people came and collected and scraped and cleaned until it was spotless. Don’t in- jure anyone. Allah knows the intentions of our actions. The story of ‘Ooj is good tidings. Holy words must have an effect on a person. It is like a tablet, a doctor says this is poison. But a man says: «I don’t believe» and eats it. Believing or not, poison is poison. Anyone saying
«Lâ ilâha illâ llâh» must come to real faith in the end. It comes out of the mouth as a green bird, of such beauty not of this world. Those words are the soul of this ange- lic bird which flies to its heavenly position to repeat «Lâ ilâha illâ llâh» until the Last Day for the benefit of that person. Anyone saying it is caught; that good word will take him into Mercy Oceans. Don’t be sorry for him.
About the four Imams of Sunni Muslims: they are beginning and ending at the same place. The Imams be- gin at the Prophet, and end at Paradise. They are four ways to go on, suitable for different people. Four lanes are better than one for trucks and cars. It depends on how fast you want to run. It is comfort for everyone. Mankind is not created all the same as out of a facto- ry. Tariqat orders one to take the strongest way from every Madhhab to make oneself strong. Don’t listen to devils who are denying madhhabs in Islam.
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MURSHID TRICKS NAFS DON’T SEE SINNERS AS ANIMALS
We are in need everytime of the Awliyā’’s help. They are the Khalifs of Allah Almighty on earth, having po- wers to help mankind. Our Grandsheikh once spoke of knowledges, asking which is useful for us. Knowledge comes in two ways. One is by listening from outside and using that in directing oneself on a way. But some knowledge comes from the heart and this is more po- werful in pushing one towards his target. In other words, if a command comes from outside, the ego is not taking care to keep it, but coming from yourself, it has more effect. Ego never likes to be commanded, but if coming from the heart, you see it as honourable. You may listen to so many lessons, but you are wai- ting for that command to come from yourself. Correct and Divine Guidance is with the second way. Awliyā’ may speak, but also they are sending inspirations on hearts. Then one thinks about the knowledge coming:
«I am thinking this.» As much as we are purified, Divine wisdom waves can be caught by our hearts’ ears. The Prophet says that if a man can keep his heart pure and worship sincerely for 40 days, then he may catch Divine wisdom in his heart and may speak wisdom. Wisdom is essence of knowledge.
Our Grandsheikh was saying, maybe for a servant Allah is teaching him, or the Prophet is teaching him, or his murshid is teaching him by inspirations. It is important for physicians to have inspirations to make diagnosis. As much as a physician has a pure heart, he
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easily understands sickness and prescribes medicine. This is if they are beyond love of money, only thin- king to help people and to lighten suffering, then Allah takes the veil from their hearts and they are successful. Helping people, Allah will help you. The eye must be beyond love of money; if they are giving, take; if not giving, don’t ask. But the most materialistic people are doctors. Most lovely to Allah is one helping others. It is honour for everyone. We must intend everyday to help others, don’t help yourself, then Allah will help you, and His help is enough. If all people on earth gathered to help you, they can’t do it like He can. He gives plea- sure, safety and satisfaction. You can’t buy it, it is only for sincere servants. This is a reality.
One Wali once saw a drunk lying on the earth, sa- ying: «Allah, Allah, Allah.» He took a handkerchief and began to clean his mouth. «Oh my Lord, I ask on behalf of this servant forgiveness.» He went to chamber and heard a Divinely Voice addressing him: «Oh My ser- vant, you cleaned his mouth for My sake and I cleaned his heart for you.» Then he heard someone outside pra- ying and crying for forgiveness. «Who are ye? What are ye doing?» «I am the one who you cleaned his mouth.» Increasing in faith means mercy increasing in hearts, not to be looking on sinners like animals. That is the looking of outwardly learned people. The saints are loo- king with mercy. «My intercession is for big sinners,» the Prophet said.
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SIT AT THE BACK OF THE ASSEMBLY
Our Grandsheikh was saying that as much as you can see yourself as down it is better for you. If saying: «I am the lowest servant of my Lord» then Allah will not leave you on that level – but put you up. Hadith says that he who humbles himself before Allah, Allah raises him up. One exalting himself before Allah, Allah redu- ces him. When coming to a meeting, sit at the back of the assembly and wait for somebody to invite you to the front. Proud people are always disappointed. For a humble person it doesn’t matter if no one is showing him proper respect. This is good character; he is rest- ful, and he may respect everyone. With the words of a murshid, the true physician, so many heavy things are taken from our shoulders. Our Grandsheikh says if put- ting yourself along with inanimate things, the desk, the carpet, the pitcher, you will be restful. If seeingyourself on the level of a donkey then it will be impossible to be angry with anyone for abuse. You are free from all troubles. High mountains always have stormy weather, but not low plains. If putting self at the level of donkey, Allah will take you to the highest level.
Abû Bakr as-Siddîq, the most preferred person next to the Prophet of this Ummah, his faith greater than the whole nation, said: «Oh My Lord, I don’t see myself worthy of paradise or strong enough to withstand hell. I am asking forgiveness and Your favour.» The words of Sultans are the Sultans of Words.
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AFFIRMING WEAKNESS
Because a baby accepts his own weakness so totally, Al- lah appoints so many servants to keep him. But as he grows and begins to feel a sense of his own strength, the servants go away. Later he learns that this view of himself is not true, that he is in need from everyone. For a person recognizing that he is in need of help, Al- lah is sending help from every direction. Anyone with seriousness in his asking must reach his target.
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DON’T BREAK HEARTS ASSUME THE BEST
Islam refuses every bad thing. Islam and Imān came for the happiness and wellbeing of everyone. It is prohibi- ted in real faith to harm people – harming their honour, bodies or possessions is forbidden. Our Grandsheikh was saying that we must keep respect for the hearts of people so that they are not harmed in their hearts from us. The worst thing in Islam is to give people sorrow, and the best is to please people. Allah Almighty likes this. Make people pleased as much you can. This is the best wor- ship. Shah Naqshband said if a man went to Mecca and destroyed the Holy Mosque, his sin would be less than for one who breaks a person’s heart. This gives exact va- lues for real religion. Islam has so much care for people’s respect and well-being. Anyone harming another by his
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hand or tounge is not a Muslim and has no faith. This is real Islam, but we are losing it by our bad actions.
Our Grandsheikh was everytime addressing people:
«Oh my son, my brother, make people pleased with you.» Shah Naqshband, said: «We are ashamed to ask intercession in the Divine Presence for one who destro- yed people’s hearts. We can’t help them. For other sins we may ask forgiveness.» Anyone keeping himself from harming others is a real Muslim and a real sufi. Harming includes thinking bad thoughts about a person. For ex- ample you may see a man speaking with a woman and say to yourself or another: «Look at that man seducing that woman!» This is bad thinking; you have no right. How do you know this? It is only speculation.
If a man keeps away from such assumptions, Allah Almighty will clean his heart and he will reach good character before leaving this life. Bad assumptions are the sign of dirtiness in our hearts. For example, this boy, (he points to one of six years) if he is looking to that man and woman, is he thinking something bad?
Bad assumptions first came from the Jews to Jesus and secondly from all Christians to our Prophet, Mu- hammad. Good assumption must say he is a Prophet. He has every attribute of Prophets and his time is nea- rest to us. If you can affirm the Prophethood of Abra- ham, Moses, and Jesus, who are so far away in time, it is not logical to deny the nearest. Jesus will be the judge for those Christians denying Muhammad and I will be their prosecutor, for all priests.
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book two
YOUR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURSELF
What is the thing which makes a person approach the Divine Presence speedily? Everyone is asking closeness to Allah. As much as close, so much is increasing love, light, and happiness. A believer must search the ways to the Divine Presence and choose the quickest. Our Grandsheikh says that that way is to be occupied with yourself, to leave other people.
Your first responsibility is yourself, to correct your wrong actions and overcome your shortcomings. Too much work we have, but we are leaving it to look af- ter others. Correcting your wrong actions, you will be quickly sent to the Divine Presence. If Allah was not covering our many wrong doings, we could not walk in the streets. We must think of the day when that co- ver will be lifted. Therefore, all saints are looking af- ter themselves only and this affects others even if they don’t speak. With their actions people follow them. Our Grandsheikh says: «Great happiness is for that person who is occupied with his own faults and is not looking at the faults of others.
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ALLAH’S ENDLESS MERCY OCEANS
Our Grandsheikh was speaking to me on the mercy of Allah Almighty: «Oh my son, up to where may we hope for the mercy of Allah? No limit. Don’t give up your
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hope of His mercy.» All dirty waters run into the sea, but does the sea become dirty – no, and what is the size of our sins beside Allah’s Mercy Oceans?
On the night of his Mi‘raj, the Prophet was with Ji- brîl passing through the Seven Heavens when he saw a big door and asked for the key.
Link: https://www.nvrislam.net/index.php?j=eng&post=5779
reality, but the ego is nearer to the body and it has so many tricks and bad actions and thoughts that make it easy for it to catch control. The ego’s interest is only for his pleasure, he is not thinking of others. All kinds of illnesses are because of ego’s control on our body. Our Grandsheikh was saying that all Prophets came just to make egos bow humbly to the Lord. The first character of the ego is pride, yet he has no right to be proud, as he begins as dirty water and ends as a deca- yed body. If a person gives his body to the hands of the soul, he will be a clean-hearted person and not smelling bad when he dies.
So many people in Damascus came to see Sheikh Hassan when they opened his tomb to make a road there. I was there; he was lying in white cloths and his beard had much black still in it. After 300 years a beau- tiful smell was coming from him. It took two hours to carry him 200 metres, everyone rushing to support the holy body, it floating above their fingertips. After three days I was passing by that place. Boys were bringing out handfuls of earth from the old tomb and smelling it, a very fine fragrance it had.
I was in Medina once for seclusion during the Hajj time; the mosque was empty and I prayed in the Mih- rab of the Prophet. There was a good smelling there. I pulled back the rug, still smelling; then I lifted the mat, from the ground that smell was coming, the Prophet’s place of prostration.
No one can be proud when thinking of his beginning and ending; but the ego is not accepting to say «no God
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but Allah», he says «no God but me». Therefore when the Prophets came to call people to the worship of the Lord, they fought them, saying: «What, what Lord? We are your Lord.» The first sign of humbleness is saying:
«There is no God but Allah», even if only spoken with the tongue. All Prophets called people only to say this. If a man can say; it is enough, the gates of Paradise will open. This is the key.
Our Grandsheikh says, Allah Almighty sent 124,000 Prophets and with them holy books, and after them saints and tariqats. For what? For teaching people to say «There is no God but Allah.» and to be humble ser- vants to their Lord. Every religion was saying this. No Prophet ever called people to himself. If you see your- self growing in pride you are on a wrong way. If you see yourself coming down to humbleness, you are ta- king benefit from religion. With humbleness we may tolerate every person, no quarreling. If seeing everyone better than yourself, then grows love and respect for everyone. It is a desirable thing. Prophets put seeds in our hearts for respect and love; when growing to hum- bleness there will be no more suffering or crises in the world. This life will be like the life of Paradise, to be in love with one another.
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OH MY DONKEY!
Our Grandsheikh is speaking about his Grandsheikh Abû Ahmad as-Sughûrî who was Qutub of the universe for 40 years. No one can reach the ranks of saints until reaching the ranks of humbleness. This means exactly: to refuse everything for oneself, having no rank, like the earth under the feet of everyone. If no earth, no one can stand up. Saints are carrying all people.
Sheikh Abû Ahmad said about his ego: «If my people and countrymen knew me as I know myself, they would not let me be with them, but would stone me and chase me away.» So humble, he looks to himself as the worst ego, thinking: «Allah is keeping my ego, but still it is worst.» He looked to his high rank as from Allah, not from himself.
Abû Bakr as-Siddîq has the highest rank in the Um- mah after the Prophet. He was the truest person in his faith and belief. The Prophet said: «If the faith of all my nation is weighed against the faith of Abû Bakr, his will be heavier.» But Abû Bakr said to himself: «Disobe- dient Siddîq, in my sight, whatever they say, you must repent and ask forgiveness.» Where are we in looking to ourselves? The lowest rank is the highest rank. Abû Yazîd said: «No one can smell the reality of faith unless he is looking to his ego’s level as under the level of Pha- raoh, Nimrod, Satan and Abû Jahl.» We may say: «Yes, I accept, I am that person, my nafs is lowest.» But there is a test for that. If one calls to us: «Oh my donkey.» and then we are rushing on him: «What!», we prove that we are that donkey.
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It is our duty to respect everyone, this is our religi- on. The real way of Sufism is ordering to respect all peo- ple. A man may be ignorant of his way, having no-good character, and may assault you. You must not come down to his level and quarrel. Sheikh Saadi Shirazi, a Sufi poet, says in one tale: once a man was bit by a dog. He was all night without sleep, crying from pain. His son asked him what had happened. «Today a dog bit me,» he said. «Why did you not bite him back?» asked the boy. «Oh my son, I may endure this pain, but I am not going to be a dog like him.»
When accepting that our egos are like wild animals, you don’t get angry with anyone. This is humbleness and it is a base of good character without which we can- not build.
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DON’T BE ANGRY
The most difficult thing for man is fighting with him- self. We know not to be angry, if a man is assaulting us; but at that moment anger comes like a fire over us, making it most difficult to control ourselves. If we are able to control ourselves at the time of anger, we are one of the most powerful people.
Anger is the defense of egos and is dangerous for eve- ryone. Once a person came to the Prophet for advice. He told him: «Don’t be angry.» When the man asked for more advice, he said again and even a third time:
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«Don’t be angry.» A moment of anger may destroy everything. You may regret it, but it is useless if you have pulled the trigger. Our Grandsheikh says, every training for mureeds with seclusion or practices of less eating and sleeping is to make them powerful for con- trolling themselves at the time of anger, to give control into the hands of the soul. The soul is logical, but the ego is illogical, coming with anger and destroying, har- ming, causing suffering. When fire comes, don’t be gun powder, you and he will explode; be water. Control for anger comes from the level of humbleness. For this, Al- lah will dress one in robes of honour, and he will be in the row of Prophets on the Last Day.
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RAVAGES OF ENVY
Our Grandsheikh was saying that Allah Almighty sent 124,000 Prophets only for changing peoples’ bad cha- racters into good characters.
Who is responsible in the sight of Allah? As long as you have bad character of your ego, you are not relia- ble, not trustworthy, not a servant. If a man is working for a person on a job and then escaping to work for his enemy and then coming back, how is he? Bad character pulls a person to rebel against the Lord‚ He must finally leave all bad character to be trustworthy.
A man may be good in every way, but if he has envy, a character of the ego planted in his heart, he must take
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it out, or it will be such a poisonous snake harming peo- ple. The first to be envious was Satan, then Cain was the first on earth, envious of his brother Abel. All over the world, affliction resulting from envy goes through every level of people, rich and poor, religious and non- religious, educated and non-educated, even among wo- men. At any time envy may destroy all your worship- ping and goodness as it destroyed Satan’s.
Rābi‘a al-Adawiyya was saying: «Oh my brothers, our Istighfar (asking forgiveness) is in need of another Istighfar, until reaching good character, then it will be alright.» Every worshipping we do with bad character, needs the intercession of the Prophet to become ac- ceptable.
Now this is a training. Anytime you meet an unliked thing you may remember these words and take spiri- tual power. Our meetings are like writing on the heart with invisible ink. When the time comes, it appears.
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TO RESIST TEMPTATION
The most important duty of all religions is to make people clean-hearted. Our Grandsheikh says when a man leaves all the bad characteristics of his ego, he is clean-hearted. It’s sign is that if he was left alone with a beautiful girl in the desert or mountains or on an island and was obliged to be with her for fourty days, no bad intention would come in his heart towards her. It is im-
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possible for dirty thoughts to come to a clean-hearted man. You ask, is this possible? Yes. For example, what if she was our sister or daughter. If invited to the feast of a king, and knowing that the king is very jealous, is anyone looking to his wife sitting beside him?
Clean-hearted is a man who believes in his God. When saying, «I believe in God» you believe He is pre- sent with you, everywhere, everytime. How can you lose His watching? Remembering the Lord, the heart is clean; forgetting the Lord, darkness fills the heart, no more faith.
Our Grandsheikh told of one student in Daghestan. He was reading Qur’ān at midnight, the wind and wol- ves were howling outside in the cold. Then came a kno- cking at the door. It was a very beautiful girl, lost in her way. He covered her and continued reading. Then Satan came to him saying: «This is for you, get up.» He got up and went to the candle and held his finger over the flame, saying to himself: «You can’t even take this flame, how can you stand the fire of Hell?» He kept get- ting up from his reading and putting his finger there until dawn and then brought the girl to her father. He asked them, had anything happened. «No.» «How can you stay with this all night and nothing happen?» Then seeing his finger and hearing the story from his daugh- ter, the father called the judge and Imam saying: «I give my daughter to this man for marriage and I give him all my fields and gardens.» Then she became halâl for him.
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INTERCESSION
On the Last Day will be intercession. When all people come to the gathering place, it will be so difficult to wait there that some will ask to be in hell instead. They will go to Father Adam and ask for intercession, but still ashamed for his rebellion, Adam will send them to Noah. Because he prayed for mankind to be destroyed, Noah will send them to Moses. Moses will say: «I cannot do it because I made some mistakes in my life. You must go to Jesus.» Jesus does not say any faults about himself, but he will send them on to Muhammad, saying only:
«I am not for that duty.» They will go to Muhammad, peace be upon him, and he will answer them: «Yes, I am for that duty.» And he will run to make prostration at he Maqam al-Mahmud, and ask his Lord to permit him to make intercession for all nations.
Every Prophet has private intercession for his nation. Also saints, ‘Ulamā’, Hajjis and all Mu’min may do in- tercession. On the Last Day, when all these have made their intercession, it will be asked. «Who is left now to intercede for the people still in Hell?» A voice will answer: «Only remaining the most Merciful Allah Al- mighty.» With His Hand Allah will reach and take out a handful from Hell. The amount in that handful I can’t say, but it must be more than the combined intercessi- on of other intercessors – as His mercy is greater than the mercy of all creation together. Those people never did any goodness in their lives. On their heads will be written. «Saved by the All-Merciful Allah.»
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ON THANKFULNESS
Our Grandsheikh was saying, this world has possibi- lity for everything from goodness to badness, maybe rich or poor, healthy or sick, a ruler or a prisoner. If anything you don’t like is happening to you, you must look that something worse could happen. Sheikh Saadi Shirazi told of one person who was complaining that he had no shoes, until seeing a man with no legs, then he forgot about his shoes. This gives us relief and peace in our hearts. Looking to yourself you can find treasures, hands and fingers. This is good manners with your Lord.
So many people ask me why Allah permits some peo- ple to be born without hands or eyes or a good mind. He makes them as a show for others. «Oh my people, every- one must look to himself that he has everything, and he must be thankful.» Whoever has a handicap, Allah will pay them more than us. For blind people who were pa- tient, he will give them 12,000 paradise beauties. See- ing this, others will wish they had been blind.
One person came to the Prophet, peace be upon him. He was hunchbacked and cross-eyed, his body twisted and ugly. He said: «Oh Prophet, I am not going to pray more than 3 times a day, and I will not fast except du- ring Ramadan.» He was angry. Then Jibrîl came to the Prophet, saying: «Allah dosn’t like complaining like this. Ask him if he will be pleased to have the most
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beautiful angel’s shape on the Last Day.» He asked and the man said: «I am satisfied.»
Sheikh ‘Abdul Khāliq al-Ghujdawānî was once wal- king in the street when someone from above threw down dirty water on him, making his white clothes yellow. He was just going to Juma‘a prayer. His mu- reeds went running after the person responsible, but he caught them, saying: «I am thankful. I was worthy for fire to come down on me, but only coming dirty water,» He sent his mureeds to Juma‘a and, instead of going home where his wife would be sure to make a fuss, he went to the river and bathed until sunset.
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THE MAN WHO NEVER GOT ANGRY
To take off bad character is more difficult than moving a mountain. Sometimes that bad character is sleeping and you think it is dead but you must not be fooled; the worst character is anger, and it is quickly awakened. Sheikh Sharaf-ud-Dîn was in Medina at a meeting of saints and honourable people. Someone told him about a Moroccan Sheikh there: «That person will never be angry. Forty years and I’ve never seen him angry.» A servant hearing this, asked Sheikh Sharaf-ud-Dîn for permission to anger him. He followed the Moroccan to his room and knocked. «Who is it?» He entered and knelt before the sheikh. «I want to ask for interpreta- tion of a dream. «Oh, good, my son.» «I saw in my dream
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that The Last Day had come. All people gathered toge- ther. A caller called, ‘Where is Imām Mālik? (Moroc- can Muslims are staunch followers of the Sunni Imām Mālik and his school of law) He and his followers are going to Hell!’ – Up jumped the sheikh and chased the servant back to the meeting place, shouting: «Shaitān!» The servant took his gold piece that he had wagered with the man who said that the sheikh could never be angered. The judgement for a person is with his last ac- tion. Don’t say, trusting your ego, «No, I am alright.»
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POWER OF GOOD WORDS MADHHABS IN ISLAM
There was in Noah’s time a giant named ‘Ooj ibn Unq, so big, his head reaching the sky. Everyday he ate all the bread in all the bakeries of the town, but he was never satisfied. One day, Noah asked him to bring wood for an ark and promised to fill him with food in return. He agreed and gathered up one forest in his arms and delivered it. Noah put before him three loaves of bread. ‘Ooj could hardly see them. «Oh ‘Ooj, say Bismi llâhi r- rahmâni r-rahîm and eat.» He refused, «Oh ‘Ooj, what is it that you refuse to say?» ‘Ooj replied: «I refuse to say Bismi llâhi r-rahmâni r-rahîm.» Then Noah said: «Now eat.» He ate and was filled, but suspicious, he accused Noah of making magic, and collected the wood and left. From the pieces he dropped, Noah built the ark.
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Noah was the first person to take a guard dog, so many people giving him injury. They were using his ark as a toilet, so Allah gave them leprosy. They could find no remedy for it. One night a leper came to use the toilet and slipped and fell in. The next morning his leprosy was cured. Then all people came and collected and scraped and cleaned until it was spotless. Don’t in- jure anyone. Allah knows the intentions of our actions. The story of ‘Ooj is good tidings. Holy words must have an effect on a person. It is like a tablet, a doctor says this is poison. But a man says: «I don’t believe» and eats it. Believing or not, poison is poison. Anyone saying
«Lâ ilâha illâ llâh» must come to real faith in the end. It comes out of the mouth as a green bird, of such beauty not of this world. Those words are the soul of this ange- lic bird which flies to its heavenly position to repeat «Lâ ilâha illâ llâh» until the Last Day for the benefit of that person. Anyone saying it is caught; that good word will take him into Mercy Oceans. Don’t be sorry for him.
About the four Imams of Sunni Muslims: they are beginning and ending at the same place. The Imams be- gin at the Prophet, and end at Paradise. They are four ways to go on, suitable for different people. Four lanes are better than one for trucks and cars. It depends on how fast you want to run. It is comfort for everyone. Mankind is not created all the same as out of a facto- ry. Tariqat orders one to take the strongest way from every Madhhab to make oneself strong. Don’t listen to devils who are denying madhhabs in Islam.
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MURSHID TRICKS NAFS DON’T SEE SINNERS AS ANIMALS
We are in need everytime of the Awliyā’’s help. They are the Khalifs of Allah Almighty on earth, having po- wers to help mankind. Our Grandsheikh once spoke of knowledges, asking which is useful for us. Knowledge comes in two ways. One is by listening from outside and using that in directing oneself on a way. But some knowledge comes from the heart and this is more po- werful in pushing one towards his target. In other words, if a command comes from outside, the ego is not taking care to keep it, but coming from yourself, it has more effect. Ego never likes to be commanded, but if coming from the heart, you see it as honourable. You may listen to so many lessons, but you are wai- ting for that command to come from yourself. Correct and Divine Guidance is with the second way. Awliyā’ may speak, but also they are sending inspirations on hearts. Then one thinks about the knowledge coming:
«I am thinking this.» As much as we are purified, Divine wisdom waves can be caught by our hearts’ ears. The Prophet says that if a man can keep his heart pure and worship sincerely for 40 days, then he may catch Divine wisdom in his heart and may speak wisdom. Wisdom is essence of knowledge.
Our Grandsheikh was saying, maybe for a servant Allah is teaching him, or the Prophet is teaching him, or his murshid is teaching him by inspirations. It is important for physicians to have inspirations to make diagnosis. As much as a physician has a pure heart, he
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easily understands sickness and prescribes medicine. This is if they are beyond love of money, only thin- king to help people and to lighten suffering, then Allah takes the veil from their hearts and they are successful. Helping people, Allah will help you. The eye must be beyond love of money; if they are giving, take; if not giving, don’t ask. But the most materialistic people are doctors. Most lovely to Allah is one helping others. It is honour for everyone. We must intend everyday to help others, don’t help yourself, then Allah will help you, and His help is enough. If all people on earth gathered to help you, they can’t do it like He can. He gives plea- sure, safety and satisfaction. You can’t buy it, it is only for sincere servants. This is a reality.
One Wali once saw a drunk lying on the earth, sa- ying: «Allah, Allah, Allah.» He took a handkerchief and began to clean his mouth. «Oh my Lord, I ask on behalf of this servant forgiveness.» He went to chamber and heard a Divinely Voice addressing him: «Oh My ser- vant, you cleaned his mouth for My sake and I cleaned his heart for you.» Then he heard someone outside pra- ying and crying for forgiveness. «Who are ye? What are ye doing?» «I am the one who you cleaned his mouth.» Increasing in faith means mercy increasing in hearts, not to be looking on sinners like animals. That is the looking of outwardly learned people. The saints are loo- king with mercy. «My intercession is for big sinners,» the Prophet said.
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SIT AT THE BACK OF THE ASSEMBLY
Our Grandsheikh was saying that as much as you can see yourself as down it is better for you. If saying: «I am the lowest servant of my Lord» then Allah will not leave you on that level – but put you up. Hadith says that he who humbles himself before Allah, Allah raises him up. One exalting himself before Allah, Allah redu- ces him. When coming to a meeting, sit at the back of the assembly and wait for somebody to invite you to the front. Proud people are always disappointed. For a humble person it doesn’t matter if no one is showing him proper respect. This is good character; he is rest- ful, and he may respect everyone. With the words of a murshid, the true physician, so many heavy things are taken from our shoulders. Our Grandsheikh says if put- ting yourself along with inanimate things, the desk, the carpet, the pitcher, you will be restful. If seeingyourself on the level of a donkey then it will be impossible to be angry with anyone for abuse. You are free from all troubles. High mountains always have stormy weather, but not low plains. If putting self at the level of donkey, Allah will take you to the highest level.
Abû Bakr as-Siddîq, the most preferred person next to the Prophet of this Ummah, his faith greater than the whole nation, said: «Oh My Lord, I don’t see myself worthy of paradise or strong enough to withstand hell. I am asking forgiveness and Your favour.» The words of Sultans are the Sultans of Words.
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AFFIRMING WEAKNESS
Because a baby accepts his own weakness so totally, Al- lah appoints so many servants to keep him. But as he grows and begins to feel a sense of his own strength, the servants go away. Later he learns that this view of himself is not true, that he is in need from everyone. For a person recognizing that he is in need of help, Al- lah is sending help from every direction. Anyone with seriousness in his asking must reach his target.
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DON’T BREAK HEARTS ASSUME THE BEST
Islam refuses every bad thing. Islam and Imān came for the happiness and wellbeing of everyone. It is prohibi- ted in real faith to harm people – harming their honour, bodies or possessions is forbidden. Our Grandsheikh was saying that we must keep respect for the hearts of people so that they are not harmed in their hearts from us. The worst thing in Islam is to give people sorrow, and the best is to please people. Allah Almighty likes this. Make people pleased as much you can. This is the best wor- ship. Shah Naqshband said if a man went to Mecca and destroyed the Holy Mosque, his sin would be less than for one who breaks a person’s heart. This gives exact va- lues for real religion. Islam has so much care for people’s respect and well-being. Anyone harming another by his
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hand or tounge is not a Muslim and has no faith. This is real Islam, but we are losing it by our bad actions.
Our Grandsheikh was everytime addressing people:
«Oh my son, my brother, make people pleased with you.» Shah Naqshband, said: «We are ashamed to ask intercession in the Divine Presence for one who destro- yed people’s hearts. We can’t help them. For other sins we may ask forgiveness.» Anyone keeping himself from harming others is a real Muslim and a real sufi. Harming includes thinking bad thoughts about a person. For ex- ample you may see a man speaking with a woman and say to yourself or another: «Look at that man seducing that woman!» This is bad thinking; you have no right. How do you know this? It is only speculation.
If a man keeps away from such assumptions, Allah Almighty will clean his heart and he will reach good character before leaving this life. Bad assumptions are the sign of dirtiness in our hearts. For example, this boy, (he points to one of six years) if he is looking to that man and woman, is he thinking something bad?
Bad assumptions first came from the Jews to Jesus and secondly from all Christians to our Prophet, Mu- hammad. Good assumption must say he is a Prophet. He has every attribute of Prophets and his time is nea- rest to us. If you can affirm the Prophethood of Abra- ham, Moses, and Jesus, who are so far away in time, it is not logical to deny the nearest. Jesus will be the judge for those Christians denying Muhammad and I will be their prosecutor, for all priests.
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book two
YOUR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURSELF
What is the thing which makes a person approach the Divine Presence speedily? Everyone is asking closeness to Allah. As much as close, so much is increasing love, light, and happiness. A believer must search the ways to the Divine Presence and choose the quickest. Our Grandsheikh says that that way is to be occupied with yourself, to leave other people.
Your first responsibility is yourself, to correct your wrong actions and overcome your shortcomings. Too much work we have, but we are leaving it to look af- ter others. Correcting your wrong actions, you will be quickly sent to the Divine Presence. If Allah was not covering our many wrong doings, we could not walk in the streets. We must think of the day when that co- ver will be lifted. Therefore, all saints are looking af- ter themselves only and this affects others even if they don’t speak. With their actions people follow them. Our Grandsheikh says: «Great happiness is for that person who is occupied with his own faults and is not looking at the faults of others.
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ALLAH’S ENDLESS MERCY OCEANS
Our Grandsheikh was speaking to me on the mercy of Allah Almighty: «Oh my son, up to where may we hope for the mercy of Allah? No limit. Don’t give up your
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hope of His mercy.» All dirty waters run into the sea, but does the sea become dirty – no, and what is the size of our sins beside Allah’s Mercy Oceans?
On the night of his Mi‘raj, the Prophet was with Ji- brîl passing through the Seven Heavens when he saw a big door and asked for the key.
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