Mathnavi of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi (133 pages, 5/18)
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rough the blessings of His special saintly servants. Misfortune changes to good fortune.
In a Hadith we are taught:
Arabic
"Those who sit in the company of the Saintly ones Will never be deprived and be of ill-fortune."
Hence, we see the great progress made by the Wazir through his sorrow and weeping.
"When the heart weeps, the essence of love is created in the heart And no illness is like this blessed illness.
When in the heart contact with Allah becomes established, Then this heart is worth calling a heart."
After Sultan Ibrahim (R.A.) had exhibited his miracle to the Wazir, he asked him:
"O Ameer, what is better? This Kingdom of the heart or the wretched, perishable Kingdom of Balkh?"
I have written this in the following words:
"Then said the King of Balkh, 0 Wazir,
What is better, the Kingdom of the heart or the wretched Kingdom of Balkh? Of what benefit was the Sultanate of Balkh?
Now at last I experience comfort in my life.
The hustle and bustle of State proved to be a headache.
Now I am a beggar but at the same time King of land and sea. Through the ecstasy of Zikr, I am drunk and happy.
I am free from all worries and troubles,
The humiliation of love has become an honour to me. I have taken upon me poverty and became a King. "
When the Wazir, through the blessings of the King of Balkh, had attained the inner Kingdom of the heart, he immediately decided to resign from the Ministry and he chose to become a companion of the Sultan in the desert. Up to now, for the whole of his life, he had been a slave of rational thinking, but he finally became successful through having become mad in the love for Allah.
"I tested reasoning but when nothing successful. emerged, I made myself into a madman and I was successful. .
And when madness proved fruitful and caused me to reach my Beloved,
I became in love with madness and cast aside reason.
O True Beloved, to utter cries in Thy remembrance appears very good. O Allah, grant me the ability to continue crying to you till
Qiyamat. " LESSON
This story teaches us that Allah's love and the bounties of the hereafter are so much more better and greater than the blessings of this world and all that lies in it. In it we are taught to discard the love of this perishable world.
Khwaja Majzoob (RA.) says:
"This world is no place for enjoyment
It is a place of taking heed and is not sport and play. "
Hazrat Saadi Shirazi (RA.) says:
"O Self! If you should ponder deeply, you will come to the conclusion That it is best to adopt a life of poverty over a life of riches. "
It is true that one day, we will have to leave this world and after death the poor and the King will be equal in the grave.
"When the Indian, the Qaychaki, European and the African reach the grave, They all become of one colour, all turn to dust.
This drink and kebab and sugar are all from one dust, But the dust has been coloured in various colours. "
THE STORY OF HAZRAT PIR CNANCI (R.A.)
During the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar (RA.) there was a man with a melodious voice who used to playa harp. The beauty of his voice was such that it greatly affected men, women and children. Whenever he used to pass by singing on his way from the jungle, even the birds and animals used to gather to listen to him.
Gradually, as he grew older and his voice through old age became less attractive, those who used to rave over his voice began ignoring him. Now, wherever he went, no one would even ask about him. Thus his fame and popularity vanished and he began to experience the solitude of being unknown, and as a result started feeling pangs of starvation and hunger.
Noticing this selfish disinterest amongst the people, one day when he was very sad, he said to himself: "0 Allah, when I had a beautiful voice, people used to flock around me like butterflies and they entertained me from all sides. Now I have been ignored as I have become old and my voice is no longer beautiful. These selfish people are even fleeing from my shadow. How sorry I am that I had attached my heart to such unfaithful people! How full of deceit was not this contact with them! If only I had turned to Thee, if only I had remained busy day and night with Thy remembrance, and if only I had fixed my hopes on Thee, then I would not have seen the disappointment of this day".
Pir Changi's (R.A.) heart became very sorrowful and tears started flowing from his eyes. Suddenly at that moment from the unseen, the force of Jazb pulled his heart towards Allah.
"When on the earth there fell my tears,
In the heavens rose the star of my bondage. "
Pir Changi (RA.) uttered one long cry, turned his back to the people and like a madman went towards the graveyard in Madina Shareef. There he took refuge in a cave of an ancient grave wherein he sat down, and weeping bitterly he prayed:
"0 Allah, today I am Thy guest, because people have discarded me. There is for me no other place of refuge except with Thee. There is now no one except Thee to purchase my voice. Acquaintances have left me and old age has overtaken me. Now I have no other refuge except with Thee. a Allah, I turn to Thee with great hopes. Do not send me back disappointed. "
I (i.e. Hakim Akhtar) have explained this in the following words in my Mathnavi:
"Pir Changi prayed earnestly:
"a Allah, People were like moths around me when my voice was good. Now there is jeering for my voice
And useless is this art of harp and instruments. Now Thy help to me is most necessary.
My musical art has become useless." My story is a lesson for all.
Even though Pir Changi is of bad character But Thy Majesty is indeed Great.
Except for Thy door there is no other refuge. Leaving you, where else shall I go?
After trying all other plans of mine, Now only to Thee do I turn my sight."
Pir Changi (R.A.) remained in the ancient cave, remaining busy with his cries to Allah while tears continued to stream from him until the Mercy of Allah got into action. In this way Hazrat Umar was informed by means of ilhaam (inspiration):
"0 Umar there is one servant of Mine who, because of his melodious voice, used to be very well loved and popular among men. Now, because of old age, the beauty of his voice has disappeared and all the people have discarded him and this fall from grace and popularity has become the cause of his repentance and his turning towards Me. Now My Infinite Mercy has purchased his soul.
Even though he may have been a sinner and negligent, I accept his cries For in My sight there is no other refuge for My bondsman, save in Me.
O Umar take some wealth from the Baitul Maal, go to the graveyard and give My Salaam to this troubled bondsman of Mine. Give the money to him and inform him that as from today Allah has made him 'near'
to Him and that He has granted him a special favour. Now there is no need for him to be sad and grieved. a Umar tell this bondsman of Mine that from now onwards Allah has, from the unseen, arranged for his daily sustenance" .
"To the Throne has reached your cries and weeping. Your Buyer has been your Lord Most High.
In your veins flow the blood of your liver, In your cries lies the pains of your liver.
Your weeping in sorrow has been accepted, Be not sad and dejected over poverty.
Through Allah's attraction to you, you have become special to Him, Throwaway your harp and musical instruments."
Hazrat Umar, on receiving this message through ilham (inspiration), became restless. He took some money from the
Baitul Maal and proceeded towards the graveyard in Madina Shareef. When he arrived there he saw an old man lying asleep in an ancient grave with a harp next to him, and with the sign of tears on his face and beard. He immediately realised that through those tears he must have reached this rank.
Moulana Rumi (R.A.) says:
"The harp-playing saint attained a special rank. Blessed! a holder of mysterious secret, Blessed!"
The same theme is expressed by the author of "Gulzaare Ibraheem" "The wife of Nabi Loot was an unbeliever
While the wife of Firaun was a believer.
He brought forth from a temple of idols, a Siddeeq And in the Kaaba was born a Zindeeq (Abu Jahl).
The son of Azar (i.e. Ibrahim (A.S.)) was the friend of Allah And Kan'aan, son of Noah, was gone astray."
The Khalifa, Hazrat Umar, respectfully remained standing in front of the grave for Pir Changi (RA.) to wake up, so that he could give him the glad tidings of Salaam from Allah. While standing there Hazrat Umarsneezed and Pir Changi (RA.) opened his eyes. On seeing the Ameerul Mumineen he became filled with fear, so much so that he began trembling. He feared that Sayedina Umarwould punish him, because of the musical instrument that was lying next to him. During that time it was well known that Hazrat Umar used to beat up with his stick the wrong-doers, for committing wrongs. However, when Hazrat Vmar saw Pir Changi (RA.) was trembling in fear, he said to him: "Fear not, I have come to you to bring to you glad tidings from your Lord."
He said:
"Why should the stick of Farouq fall on him, Him who cries before the Lord?
Allah has inspired unto me
And informed me of your name
And He has showed to me your high rank So that I can come to you at your place And He has told me to inform you:
'I have chosen you, 0 fortunate one'
And he has ordered me to take from the Treasury Some money to hand to you. "
When Hazrat Umar had informed Pir Changi (RA.) of Allah's special gifts and favours to him, Pir Changi (RA.) was filled with gratitude and sorrow.
Moulana Rumi (RA.) says:
"When Pir Changi (R.A.) had heard of Allah's bounty and gifts from the mouth of Sayedina Umar,
He began trembling in gratitude and sorrow. And began to bite his own hands in anger. Thinking of his erstwhile negligence he cried:
'0 Allah, without likeness; seeing Your mercy and bounty, I am filled with shame at Your favour.'
He cried and in anger threw the harp down, breaking it into pieces And said to it: 'You have deprived me of Allah's Love
And have led me astray from the path of truth. For seventy years you drank my blood
And for that time have I sinned and been unmindful. Till I have now become an old man
And through you my face has been black in Allah's sight."
Sayeduna Umar observed all this and it affected him so deeply that tears came to his eyes. He said:
"0 Man, this crying and weeping of yours is a sign of your intelligence. Your life is enlightened through your nearness to Allah. Verily the tears of sinners are very valuable in the sight of Allah."
"Allah equates the tears of sorrow and grief from the eyes of a sinner With the blood emanating from a martyr."
Through the company of Hazrat Vmar ~~ and his blessings, Pir Changi (RA.) became an eminent Shaikh of Tariqat and entered the ranks of the Awliyaa Allah (saints of Allah).
LESSON
This story teaches us that a person should never lose hope in Allah over his misfortunes. One should at all times have hope in Allah. The story also teaches us that all other connections, except connections with Allah, are temporary and transitory. No faithfulness remain in these conditions. Only Allah is at all times prepared to accept His bohdsmen. However, the Love and contact which is solely for Allah's sake, is also included in the Love for Allah.
THE STORY OF THE HERDSMAN AND NABI MOOSA (A.S.)
During the time of Nabi Moosa (A.S.) there was a "majzoob" herdsman who filled with Divine Love, was busy grazing his sheep and goats in the mountainous pastures away from men. In the mountains he used to cry out distressed in his Love for Allah, praying thus:
"0 Allah, where will You meet me? If You should meet me, I will become your servant, mend Your clothes, comb Your hair and if ever You should become sick, I would console You. 0 Allah, if I should see Your home, I will bring milk and ghee to You by day and night. I will kiss Your hands and massage Your legs. When Your time for sleeping comes along, I will sweep clean Your sleeping place. 0 Allah, all my sheep are sacrificed for You. 0 Allah, whatever words I speak regarding my sheep and goats, I am actually uttering them in longing love for You. The sheep is just an alibi. "
So actually the herdsman, in the troubled state of his excessive love for Allah, was opening his heart as I have further mentioned in my urdu Mathnavi (Hakim Akhtar).
"This is the story of a herdsman In the time of Nabi Moosa (A.S.). In a sincere search for his Lord,
While on the fringe of the desert plains And while weeping sadly and distressed With burning Divine Love from within.
One day the herdsman, while remembering his Beloved Was crying in prayer before Him:
'0 Lord of both worlds,
How can I meet You and where?
Show me some sign of the meeting place Where I can meet You, 0 King of the Universe. My heart will not experience any quiet
For as long as I do not find your address.
Every Rose Garden is a thorn bush without You. Life is a fire without You.
Without You, the beautiful voice of the nightingale, Sounds like the cries of the crow in our ears.
This earth, sun and the moon,
This Rose Garden, this desert, land and sea Are all no pleasures to me without You.
How can I live without You? Should I meet you, 0 Lord,
I would press Your legs and hands every day. I would give You bread to eat.
I would give You milk to drink every morning and evening. I would give You milk of my goats to drink,
O Lord of all men. "
The herdsman was opening his heart to Allah with these words of love when suddenly Nabi Moosa (A.5.) happened to pass by that way and as he heard the words he said:
"0 Herdsman, do you think Allah stands in need of a servant? Does He have a head so that you can comb His hair? Does he become hungry so that you could give Him goat's milk to drink? Does He become sick so that you could sympathetically treat him? 0 Ignorant One! Allah is free of all faults and needs. Quickly, repent! Your words are words of blasphemy. Allah is utterly not in need of any of your services."
When the herdsman heard these words of Nabi Moosa (A.S.) he became ashamed of himself. In fear and sorrowful distress, he tore his clothes and started crying bitterly, fleeing towards the desert. Then Allah sent revelation to Nabi Moosa (A.S.):
"0 Moosa, why have you chased my bondsman from me?
I have sent you to join them to me, not remove them from me."
Mathnavi Akhtar:
Revelation came to Moosa (A.S.) from Allah,
"Why did you remove My bondsman from Me? Proper etiquette is for those endowed with wisdom.
But how can the sigh of the herdsman be with wisdom. He whose clothes are torn through Divine Love, .
His clothes are not mended by truth. Which way did My beloved flee?
Where has My mad lover gone?
Even though love has no reason and discretion,
And even though outwardly his words appeared uncouth, But from inside his heart was clean.
Although outwardly he spoke words disrespectful, But in meaning they were words of love and spirit. With his words of one drunk with madness,
He was searching for the Court of Greatness. "
LESSON
The lesson from this story is that, at the time of admonishing or advising someone, one should remember that the person you are admonishing could possibly be one who is accepted in Allah' s sight.
Thus some persons may be truly sincere lovers of Allah and as such may be disrespectful and blasphemous. This may. be as a result of their overwhelming love and is in actual fact not disrespectful, although to outsiders that is how it may appear.
Moulana Rumi (R.A.) says:
"The conversation of the lover of God towards Him
Which comes out of the heart of love, is not void of respect."
Hence, at the time of admonishing and advising, one should be moderate. It should not be done with so much of harshness and in such a punishing manner that the person loses hope. However, in the case before us, Nabi Moosa (A.S.), because of being a courier of Shariat, it was necessary for him to show the herdsman where he had gone wrong. Allah's rebuke to Nabi Moosa (A.S.) was not for the purpose of forbidding him from showing the right path. It was more to show him the correct manner of giving advise. For this reason it would be wrong for ignorant Soofis to object against the teachings of the Ulama-eHaq. Neither should they consider themselves above the Ulama. The Ulama have a very high position in Allah's sight.
THE STORY OF NAZRAT LUQMAN (A.S.)
Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) used to be in the employ of a rich man. Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) had such great love for Allah and contact with Him, that it created within him high moral character and exemplary habits. This was a clear sign of his nobility and nearness to Allah. The details of that is described in Surah Luqman in the Quran Sharif..
The nobility of Luqman's (A.S.) character had a great effect on his master, so much so that the master considered him as a great friend and a beloved companion. Although he was the master, yet in fact the master became like a slave to his employee.
''It is the miracle of love that the King became a slave of his beloved".
It then became the practice of the master that whenever he had something special to eat, he would first feed Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) of it and after Luqman (A.S.) had filled himself, he would then eat the left- overs. Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) would consider the love of the master and his habit so he would eat moderately and send what was left over to the master.
One day, during the melon season, the master received a melon from somewhere. At that time Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) was not present. The master sent one of his slaves to go and call him. When Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) arrived, the master cut the melon into slices and slice by slice started giving thereof to Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) to eat. As he ate the slices, the master inwardly became pleased at the effect his love was having upon Hazrat
Luqman (A.S.).
Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) ate the slices of melon with great pleasure and all the time expressed thanks for the favour shown to him by the master. After having eaten the slices, when just one slice remained, the master said: "Let me eat this slice and see how sweet is this melon". Saying this, he put the slice into his mouth. Immediately such bitterness spread from: the tip of his tongue down to his throat, that-as a result of the bitterness of the melon, he fell down unconscious and remained unconscious for a whole hour.
When he regained consciousness,. he questioned Hazrat Luqman (A.5.): "0 Beloved one, how did you manage to so heartily eat those slices of melon? Just one slice of the melon had such an effect on me, how did you manage to eat so many slices?"
Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) replied: "Khwaja Saheb, from your hands I have received hundreds of gifts. The burden of thanks upon me is so great that my back has gone crooked. Hence, I felt ashamed that the hand that had granted me so much favours, if one day some distastefulness or bitterness should come,
how can I turn away from it? a Khwaja Saheb, the pleasure of knowing that it comes from your hands has changed the bitterness of the melon to sweetness"
LESSON
My spiritual mentor, Moulana Shah Phulpoori (R.A.) (May Allah fill his resting place with Noor) used to relate this story with great pleasure and used to repeat the last couplet. While relating this story he used to advise thus:
"At every given moment there are numerous bounties and favours of Allah upon men. But if ever for a moment some such incident takes place which brings with it a problem and outwardly causes some difficulty, man loses patience and fails to be grateful. On the other hand, there are those to whom through the blessings and the company of the Saintly ones, Allah has granted a good understanding of deeni affairs, so that when sorrows and difficulties touches them, they remain happy and pleased with their Lord. At such times, they draw strength from their good understanding of deen and realise that this world is like a hospital and we are all like patients in it. There are times when the doctor gives the patient medicine like "halwa-e-badaam" (sweet medicine) to eat and at other times feeds them" chara- ita" and" Ghuloo-e-neb" which are very bitter. However, in both of these there are beneficial results for the patient. Similarly, Allah is the "AI-Hakeem", the All-Wise and at the same time is the Al-Haakim" - Ruler. He is also the "AI-Raheem", the Merciful One. Hence, whatever conditions are to befall us in accordance with Allah's pre determination, whether it brings out comfort or discomfort, all these are for our benefit and in our interest.
The Hadith teaches us that for some bondsmen, a high rank has been determined. But sometimes, that bondsman has not acquired the good deeds to reach to such a high rank. Hence Allah causes him to become involved with some calamity, which if he accepts and bears patiently, he is able to reach that high position.
Another Hadith says: "A believer is touched by fever and (while he suffers in this fever) his sins drop off from him just like leaves fall off from the trees in autumn."
Another Hadith says: "A thorn pricks a believer and he receives reward for it."
Yet Another Hadith says: "On the day of Qiyamat when, in return for having suffered patiently in the face of calamities and misfortunes, rewards will be handed out, then every person who suffered calamities will wish that his skin had been cut to pieces with a scissors, then what a grand reward he would have received on that day."
Hence, a Mumin (believer) should remain pleased in times of misfortunes. In other words, there should be no complaints or objections from his tongue. He should at all times seek Allah's pardon and forgiveness for sins and pray for safety from calamities:
"0 Allah, we are weak and do not possess the patience to bear the difficulty of calamities. Please, in Your Infinite Mercy, change the calamity to the safety of Your pardon".
We have been prohibited from praying for calamities and have been commanded to pray for safety and pardon. If we pray for calamities and misfortunes, it would be a sign from us of our bravery, while praying for safety and pardon are signs of our admission of weakness, which is liked by Allah.
"0 people, discard your show of strength and power. Adopt an attitude of crying and weeping before Allah, As Allah's mercy is directed towards crying in weakness.
Cry to Allah in humility so that you become cheerful and happy. So that without the smile on your lips
You remain so happy within your heart (with Allah)
That thousands of smiles may be sacrificed for such cheerfulness of he heart. "
If at all times there is safety and comfort then a person's temperament which inclines towards worship of Allah, will move away from steadfastness. Without calamities and misfortunes a feeling of humility and weakness is not created in a person.
In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah is reported to say: "I am with those of broken hearts." "Sabar" (Patience) causes the hearts to be broken as it is bitter.
A person suffering from sorrow or in desperate need calls upon Allah in humility crying and weeping. Can a person making, duah to Allah while in ease and comfort compare with him? The former person is in such a calamity which causes him to become nearer to Allah and develops a strong bond with Allah.
"The contact with him increased even further
The enmity of the creation became the cause of mercy"
A certain saintly man said: "While suffering in sorrow, the way towards Allah is traversed speedily." This is due to the fact that through sorrows and misfortunes, a feeling of weakness, humility and affliction is created in the heart. At such times
Allah's special communion is experienced.
Arabic
"Allah says: "Verily Allah is with those who patiently persevere."
This theme has been very well expressed by Hazrat Asghar Khaundwy (R.A.):
"If You are sharing this grief of mine, Then why should I grieve over that grief"
The conclusion to this discussion is that the life of this world consists but of a few days. Whether these days are of ease and comfort or whether the days are of calamities and misfortunes, they all shall shortly pass away. Hence, neither should one become. overjoyed at the conditions of ease and comfort, nor complain and object in cases of difficulties and calamities. At times of ease and comfort gratitude should be expressed while in times of difficulties and calamities, there should be patience, acceptance and surrender. If a person keeps the aims and objectives of life in front of him, then he has found the solution for all problems. The main aim of this life is to attain the pleasure of Allah. That pleasure is only attained by following Ijis path and obeying the law as indicated by Him, to repent for all shortcomings and sins and to seek forgiveness for faults committed. Thus if a person follows the Sunnah, then whether conditions of ease or conditions of calamity prevails, both these sets of conditions hold within them the means and way towards Allah's pleasure. On the other hand
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rough the blessings of His special saintly servants. Misfortune changes to good fortune.
In a Hadith we are taught:
Arabic
"Those who sit in the company of the Saintly ones Will never be deprived and be of ill-fortune."
Hence, we see the great progress made by the Wazir through his sorrow and weeping.
"When the heart weeps, the essence of love is created in the heart And no illness is like this blessed illness.
When in the heart contact with Allah becomes established, Then this heart is worth calling a heart."
After Sultan Ibrahim (R.A.) had exhibited his miracle to the Wazir, he asked him:
"O Ameer, what is better? This Kingdom of the heart or the wretched, perishable Kingdom of Balkh?"
I have written this in the following words:
"Then said the King of Balkh, 0 Wazir,
What is better, the Kingdom of the heart or the wretched Kingdom of Balkh? Of what benefit was the Sultanate of Balkh?
Now at last I experience comfort in my life.
The hustle and bustle of State proved to be a headache.
Now I am a beggar but at the same time King of land and sea. Through the ecstasy of Zikr, I am drunk and happy.
I am free from all worries and troubles,
The humiliation of love has become an honour to me. I have taken upon me poverty and became a King. "
When the Wazir, through the blessings of the King of Balkh, had attained the inner Kingdom of the heart, he immediately decided to resign from the Ministry and he chose to become a companion of the Sultan in the desert. Up to now, for the whole of his life, he had been a slave of rational thinking, but he finally became successful through having become mad in the love for Allah.
"I tested reasoning but when nothing successful. emerged, I made myself into a madman and I was successful. .
And when madness proved fruitful and caused me to reach my Beloved,
I became in love with madness and cast aside reason.
O True Beloved, to utter cries in Thy remembrance appears very good. O Allah, grant me the ability to continue crying to you till
Qiyamat. " LESSON
This story teaches us that Allah's love and the bounties of the hereafter are so much more better and greater than the blessings of this world and all that lies in it. In it we are taught to discard the love of this perishable world.
Khwaja Majzoob (RA.) says:
"This world is no place for enjoyment
It is a place of taking heed and is not sport and play. "
Hazrat Saadi Shirazi (RA.) says:
"O Self! If you should ponder deeply, you will come to the conclusion That it is best to adopt a life of poverty over a life of riches. "
It is true that one day, we will have to leave this world and after death the poor and the King will be equal in the grave.
"When the Indian, the Qaychaki, European and the African reach the grave, They all become of one colour, all turn to dust.
This drink and kebab and sugar are all from one dust, But the dust has been coloured in various colours. "
THE STORY OF HAZRAT PIR CNANCI (R.A.)
During the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar (RA.) there was a man with a melodious voice who used to playa harp. The beauty of his voice was such that it greatly affected men, women and children. Whenever he used to pass by singing on his way from the jungle, even the birds and animals used to gather to listen to him.
Gradually, as he grew older and his voice through old age became less attractive, those who used to rave over his voice began ignoring him. Now, wherever he went, no one would even ask about him. Thus his fame and popularity vanished and he began to experience the solitude of being unknown, and as a result started feeling pangs of starvation and hunger.
Noticing this selfish disinterest amongst the people, one day when he was very sad, he said to himself: "0 Allah, when I had a beautiful voice, people used to flock around me like butterflies and they entertained me from all sides. Now I have been ignored as I have become old and my voice is no longer beautiful. These selfish people are even fleeing from my shadow. How sorry I am that I had attached my heart to such unfaithful people! How full of deceit was not this contact with them! If only I had turned to Thee, if only I had remained busy day and night with Thy remembrance, and if only I had fixed my hopes on Thee, then I would not have seen the disappointment of this day".
Pir Changi's (R.A.) heart became very sorrowful and tears started flowing from his eyes. Suddenly at that moment from the unseen, the force of Jazb pulled his heart towards Allah.
"When on the earth there fell my tears,
In the heavens rose the star of my bondage. "
Pir Changi (RA.) uttered one long cry, turned his back to the people and like a madman went towards the graveyard in Madina Shareef. There he took refuge in a cave of an ancient grave wherein he sat down, and weeping bitterly he prayed:
"0 Allah, today I am Thy guest, because people have discarded me. There is for me no other place of refuge except with Thee. There is now no one except Thee to purchase my voice. Acquaintances have left me and old age has overtaken me. Now I have no other refuge except with Thee. a Allah, I turn to Thee with great hopes. Do not send me back disappointed. "
I (i.e. Hakim Akhtar) have explained this in the following words in my Mathnavi:
"Pir Changi prayed earnestly:
"a Allah, People were like moths around me when my voice was good. Now there is jeering for my voice
And useless is this art of harp and instruments. Now Thy help to me is most necessary.
My musical art has become useless." My story is a lesson for all.
Even though Pir Changi is of bad character But Thy Majesty is indeed Great.
Except for Thy door there is no other refuge. Leaving you, where else shall I go?
After trying all other plans of mine, Now only to Thee do I turn my sight."
Pir Changi (R.A.) remained in the ancient cave, remaining busy with his cries to Allah while tears continued to stream from him until the Mercy of Allah got into action. In this way Hazrat Umar was informed by means of ilhaam (inspiration):
"0 Umar there is one servant of Mine who, because of his melodious voice, used to be very well loved and popular among men. Now, because of old age, the beauty of his voice has disappeared and all the people have discarded him and this fall from grace and popularity has become the cause of his repentance and his turning towards Me. Now My Infinite Mercy has purchased his soul.
Even though he may have been a sinner and negligent, I accept his cries For in My sight there is no other refuge for My bondsman, save in Me.
O Umar take some wealth from the Baitul Maal, go to the graveyard and give My Salaam to this troubled bondsman of Mine. Give the money to him and inform him that as from today Allah has made him 'near'
to Him and that He has granted him a special favour. Now there is no need for him to be sad and grieved. a Umar tell this bondsman of Mine that from now onwards Allah has, from the unseen, arranged for his daily sustenance" .
"To the Throne has reached your cries and weeping. Your Buyer has been your Lord Most High.
In your veins flow the blood of your liver, In your cries lies the pains of your liver.
Your weeping in sorrow has been accepted, Be not sad and dejected over poverty.
Through Allah's attraction to you, you have become special to Him, Throwaway your harp and musical instruments."
Hazrat Umar, on receiving this message through ilham (inspiration), became restless. He took some money from the
Baitul Maal and proceeded towards the graveyard in Madina Shareef. When he arrived there he saw an old man lying asleep in an ancient grave with a harp next to him, and with the sign of tears on his face and beard. He immediately realised that through those tears he must have reached this rank.
Moulana Rumi (R.A.) says:
"The harp-playing saint attained a special rank. Blessed! a holder of mysterious secret, Blessed!"
The same theme is expressed by the author of "Gulzaare Ibraheem" "The wife of Nabi Loot was an unbeliever
While the wife of Firaun was a believer.
He brought forth from a temple of idols, a Siddeeq And in the Kaaba was born a Zindeeq (Abu Jahl).
The son of Azar (i.e. Ibrahim (A.S.)) was the friend of Allah And Kan'aan, son of Noah, was gone astray."
The Khalifa, Hazrat Umar, respectfully remained standing in front of the grave for Pir Changi (RA.) to wake up, so that he could give him the glad tidings of Salaam from Allah. While standing there Hazrat Umarsneezed and Pir Changi (RA.) opened his eyes. On seeing the Ameerul Mumineen he became filled with fear, so much so that he began trembling. He feared that Sayedina Umarwould punish him, because of the musical instrument that was lying next to him. During that time it was well known that Hazrat Umar used to beat up with his stick the wrong-doers, for committing wrongs. However, when Hazrat Vmar saw Pir Changi (RA.) was trembling in fear, he said to him: "Fear not, I have come to you to bring to you glad tidings from your Lord."
He said:
"Why should the stick of Farouq fall on him, Him who cries before the Lord?
Allah has inspired unto me
And informed me of your name
And He has showed to me your high rank So that I can come to you at your place And He has told me to inform you:
'I have chosen you, 0 fortunate one'
And he has ordered me to take from the Treasury Some money to hand to you. "
When Hazrat Umar had informed Pir Changi (RA.) of Allah's special gifts and favours to him, Pir Changi (RA.) was filled with gratitude and sorrow.
Moulana Rumi (RA.) says:
"When Pir Changi (R.A.) had heard of Allah's bounty and gifts from the mouth of Sayedina Umar,
He began trembling in gratitude and sorrow. And began to bite his own hands in anger. Thinking of his erstwhile negligence he cried:
'0 Allah, without likeness; seeing Your mercy and bounty, I am filled with shame at Your favour.'
He cried and in anger threw the harp down, breaking it into pieces And said to it: 'You have deprived me of Allah's Love
And have led me astray from the path of truth. For seventy years you drank my blood
And for that time have I sinned and been unmindful. Till I have now become an old man
And through you my face has been black in Allah's sight."
Sayeduna Umar observed all this and it affected him so deeply that tears came to his eyes. He said:
"0 Man, this crying and weeping of yours is a sign of your intelligence. Your life is enlightened through your nearness to Allah. Verily the tears of sinners are very valuable in the sight of Allah."
"Allah equates the tears of sorrow and grief from the eyes of a sinner With the blood emanating from a martyr."
Through the company of Hazrat Vmar ~~ and his blessings, Pir Changi (RA.) became an eminent Shaikh of Tariqat and entered the ranks of the Awliyaa Allah (saints of Allah).
LESSON
This story teaches us that a person should never lose hope in Allah over his misfortunes. One should at all times have hope in Allah. The story also teaches us that all other connections, except connections with Allah, are temporary and transitory. No faithfulness remain in these conditions. Only Allah is at all times prepared to accept His bohdsmen. However, the Love and contact which is solely for Allah's sake, is also included in the Love for Allah.
THE STORY OF THE HERDSMAN AND NABI MOOSA (A.S.)
During the time of Nabi Moosa (A.S.) there was a "majzoob" herdsman who filled with Divine Love, was busy grazing his sheep and goats in the mountainous pastures away from men. In the mountains he used to cry out distressed in his Love for Allah, praying thus:
"0 Allah, where will You meet me? If You should meet me, I will become your servant, mend Your clothes, comb Your hair and if ever You should become sick, I would console You. 0 Allah, if I should see Your home, I will bring milk and ghee to You by day and night. I will kiss Your hands and massage Your legs. When Your time for sleeping comes along, I will sweep clean Your sleeping place. 0 Allah, all my sheep are sacrificed for You. 0 Allah, whatever words I speak regarding my sheep and goats, I am actually uttering them in longing love for You. The sheep is just an alibi. "
So actually the herdsman, in the troubled state of his excessive love for Allah, was opening his heart as I have further mentioned in my urdu Mathnavi (Hakim Akhtar).
"This is the story of a herdsman In the time of Nabi Moosa (A.S.). In a sincere search for his Lord,
While on the fringe of the desert plains And while weeping sadly and distressed With burning Divine Love from within.
One day the herdsman, while remembering his Beloved Was crying in prayer before Him:
'0 Lord of both worlds,
How can I meet You and where?
Show me some sign of the meeting place Where I can meet You, 0 King of the Universe. My heart will not experience any quiet
For as long as I do not find your address.
Every Rose Garden is a thorn bush without You. Life is a fire without You.
Without You, the beautiful voice of the nightingale, Sounds like the cries of the crow in our ears.
This earth, sun and the moon,
This Rose Garden, this desert, land and sea Are all no pleasures to me without You.
How can I live without You? Should I meet you, 0 Lord,
I would press Your legs and hands every day. I would give You bread to eat.
I would give You milk to drink every morning and evening. I would give You milk of my goats to drink,
O Lord of all men. "
The herdsman was opening his heart to Allah with these words of love when suddenly Nabi Moosa (A.5.) happened to pass by that way and as he heard the words he said:
"0 Herdsman, do you think Allah stands in need of a servant? Does He have a head so that you can comb His hair? Does he become hungry so that you could give Him goat's milk to drink? Does He become sick so that you could sympathetically treat him? 0 Ignorant One! Allah is free of all faults and needs. Quickly, repent! Your words are words of blasphemy. Allah is utterly not in need of any of your services."
When the herdsman heard these words of Nabi Moosa (A.S.) he became ashamed of himself. In fear and sorrowful distress, he tore his clothes and started crying bitterly, fleeing towards the desert. Then Allah sent revelation to Nabi Moosa (A.S.):
"0 Moosa, why have you chased my bondsman from me?
I have sent you to join them to me, not remove them from me."
Mathnavi Akhtar:
Revelation came to Moosa (A.S.) from Allah,
"Why did you remove My bondsman from Me? Proper etiquette is for those endowed with wisdom.
But how can the sigh of the herdsman be with wisdom. He whose clothes are torn through Divine Love, .
His clothes are not mended by truth. Which way did My beloved flee?
Where has My mad lover gone?
Even though love has no reason and discretion,
And even though outwardly his words appeared uncouth, But from inside his heart was clean.
Although outwardly he spoke words disrespectful, But in meaning they were words of love and spirit. With his words of one drunk with madness,
He was searching for the Court of Greatness. "
LESSON
The lesson from this story is that, at the time of admonishing or advising someone, one should remember that the person you are admonishing could possibly be one who is accepted in Allah' s sight.
Thus some persons may be truly sincere lovers of Allah and as such may be disrespectful and blasphemous. This may. be as a result of their overwhelming love and is in actual fact not disrespectful, although to outsiders that is how it may appear.
Moulana Rumi (R.A.) says:
"The conversation of the lover of God towards Him
Which comes out of the heart of love, is not void of respect."
Hence, at the time of admonishing and advising, one should be moderate. It should not be done with so much of harshness and in such a punishing manner that the person loses hope. However, in the case before us, Nabi Moosa (A.S.), because of being a courier of Shariat, it was necessary for him to show the herdsman where he had gone wrong. Allah's rebuke to Nabi Moosa (A.S.) was not for the purpose of forbidding him from showing the right path. It was more to show him the correct manner of giving advise. For this reason it would be wrong for ignorant Soofis to object against the teachings of the Ulama-eHaq. Neither should they consider themselves above the Ulama. The Ulama have a very high position in Allah's sight.
THE STORY OF NAZRAT LUQMAN (A.S.)
Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) used to be in the employ of a rich man. Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) had such great love for Allah and contact with Him, that it created within him high moral character and exemplary habits. This was a clear sign of his nobility and nearness to Allah. The details of that is described in Surah Luqman in the Quran Sharif..
The nobility of Luqman's (A.S.) character had a great effect on his master, so much so that the master considered him as a great friend and a beloved companion. Although he was the master, yet in fact the master became like a slave to his employee.
''It is the miracle of love that the King became a slave of his beloved".
It then became the practice of the master that whenever he had something special to eat, he would first feed Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) of it and after Luqman (A.S.) had filled himself, he would then eat the left- overs. Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) would consider the love of the master and his habit so he would eat moderately and send what was left over to the master.
One day, during the melon season, the master received a melon from somewhere. At that time Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) was not present. The master sent one of his slaves to go and call him. When Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) arrived, the master cut the melon into slices and slice by slice started giving thereof to Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) to eat. As he ate the slices, the master inwardly became pleased at the effect his love was having upon Hazrat
Luqman (A.S.).
Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) ate the slices of melon with great pleasure and all the time expressed thanks for the favour shown to him by the master. After having eaten the slices, when just one slice remained, the master said: "Let me eat this slice and see how sweet is this melon". Saying this, he put the slice into his mouth. Immediately such bitterness spread from: the tip of his tongue down to his throat, that-as a result of the bitterness of the melon, he fell down unconscious and remained unconscious for a whole hour.
When he regained consciousness,. he questioned Hazrat Luqman (A.5.): "0 Beloved one, how did you manage to so heartily eat those slices of melon? Just one slice of the melon had such an effect on me, how did you manage to eat so many slices?"
Hazrat Luqman (A.S.) replied: "Khwaja Saheb, from your hands I have received hundreds of gifts. The burden of thanks upon me is so great that my back has gone crooked. Hence, I felt ashamed that the hand that had granted me so much favours, if one day some distastefulness or bitterness should come,
how can I turn away from it? a Khwaja Saheb, the pleasure of knowing that it comes from your hands has changed the bitterness of the melon to sweetness"
LESSON
My spiritual mentor, Moulana Shah Phulpoori (R.A.) (May Allah fill his resting place with Noor) used to relate this story with great pleasure and used to repeat the last couplet. While relating this story he used to advise thus:
"At every given moment there are numerous bounties and favours of Allah upon men. But if ever for a moment some such incident takes place which brings with it a problem and outwardly causes some difficulty, man loses patience and fails to be grateful. On the other hand, there are those to whom through the blessings and the company of the Saintly ones, Allah has granted a good understanding of deeni affairs, so that when sorrows and difficulties touches them, they remain happy and pleased with their Lord. At such times, they draw strength from their good understanding of deen and realise that this world is like a hospital and we are all like patients in it. There are times when the doctor gives the patient medicine like "halwa-e-badaam" (sweet medicine) to eat and at other times feeds them" chara- ita" and" Ghuloo-e-neb" which are very bitter. However, in both of these there are beneficial results for the patient. Similarly, Allah is the "AI-Hakeem", the All-Wise and at the same time is the Al-Haakim" - Ruler. He is also the "AI-Raheem", the Merciful One. Hence, whatever conditions are to befall us in accordance with Allah's pre determination, whether it brings out comfort or discomfort, all these are for our benefit and in our interest.
The Hadith teaches us that for some bondsmen, a high rank has been determined. But sometimes, that bondsman has not acquired the good deeds to reach to such a high rank. Hence Allah causes him to become involved with some calamity, which if he accepts and bears patiently, he is able to reach that high position.
Another Hadith says: "A believer is touched by fever and (while he suffers in this fever) his sins drop off from him just like leaves fall off from the trees in autumn."
Another Hadith says: "A thorn pricks a believer and he receives reward for it."
Yet Another Hadith says: "On the day of Qiyamat when, in return for having suffered patiently in the face of calamities and misfortunes, rewards will be handed out, then every person who suffered calamities will wish that his skin had been cut to pieces with a scissors, then what a grand reward he would have received on that day."
Hence, a Mumin (believer) should remain pleased in times of misfortunes. In other words, there should be no complaints or objections from his tongue. He should at all times seek Allah's pardon and forgiveness for sins and pray for safety from calamities:
"0 Allah, we are weak and do not possess the patience to bear the difficulty of calamities. Please, in Your Infinite Mercy, change the calamity to the safety of Your pardon".
We have been prohibited from praying for calamities and have been commanded to pray for safety and pardon. If we pray for calamities and misfortunes, it would be a sign from us of our bravery, while praying for safety and pardon are signs of our admission of weakness, which is liked by Allah.
"0 people, discard your show of strength and power. Adopt an attitude of crying and weeping before Allah, As Allah's mercy is directed towards crying in weakness.
Cry to Allah in humility so that you become cheerful and happy. So that without the smile on your lips
You remain so happy within your heart (with Allah)
That thousands of smiles may be sacrificed for such cheerfulness of he heart. "
If at all times there is safety and comfort then a person's temperament which inclines towards worship of Allah, will move away from steadfastness. Without calamities and misfortunes a feeling of humility and weakness is not created in a person.
In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah is reported to say: "I am with those of broken hearts." "Sabar" (Patience) causes the hearts to be broken as it is bitter.
A person suffering from sorrow or in desperate need calls upon Allah in humility crying and weeping. Can a person making, duah to Allah while in ease and comfort compare with him? The former person is in such a calamity which causes him to become nearer to Allah and develops a strong bond with Allah.
"The contact with him increased even further
The enmity of the creation became the cause of mercy"
A certain saintly man said: "While suffering in sorrow, the way towards Allah is traversed speedily." This is due to the fact that through sorrows and misfortunes, a feeling of weakness, humility and affliction is created in the heart. At such times
Allah's special communion is experienced.
Arabic
"Allah says: "Verily Allah is with those who patiently persevere."
This theme has been very well expressed by Hazrat Asghar Khaundwy (R.A.):
"If You are sharing this grief of mine, Then why should I grieve over that grief"
The conclusion to this discussion is that the life of this world consists but of a few days. Whether these days are of ease and comfort or whether the days are of calamities and misfortunes, they all shall shortly pass away. Hence, neither should one become. overjoyed at the conditions of ease and comfort, nor complain and object in cases of difficulties and calamities. At times of ease and comfort gratitude should be expressed while in times of difficulties and calamities, there should be patience, acceptance and surrender. If a person keeps the aims and objectives of life in front of him, then he has found the solution for all problems. The main aim of this life is to attain the pleasure of Allah. That pleasure is only attained by following Ijis path and obeying the law as indicated by Him, to repent for all shortcomings and sins and to seek forgiveness for faults committed. Thus if a person follows the Sunnah, then whether conditions of ease or conditions of calamity prevails, both these sets of conditions hold within them the means and way towards Allah's pleasure. On the other hand
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