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Mathnavi of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi (133 pages, 9/18)


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the time, seeking only the pleasure of the Great Creator.

Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A.) gave an open invitation to all the people to create within themselves the great wealth of everlasting contact with Allah. He invited them to the great bounty which he himself had tasted and enjoyed and which he now wanted everyone else to enjoy and reap the benefit.

Moulana Rumi (R.A.) says that the saintly ones keep many secrets hidden from others because the average ordinary man is unable to properly comprehend them. But sometimes it does happen that, in an involuntary manner, something does get mentioned as in the case of the mouth uttering some things at the time of sneezing or yawning when it involuntarily opens up. At such times, some such secrets are uttered which Allah wants to spread about. He creates such a condition to come over them that they are unable to control it and thus makes them to utter such words. This is done so that interested people may get an inkling of that world which may cause their hearts to be turned away from this transitory world and incline them towards the unseen world.

"O People, if for one moment you experience the splendour of His nearness, You will in great earnestness submit yourself to earnest Mujahadah.
And if you should within your self see the splendour of His nearness, You will find this world and all its pleasures tasteless and bitter."

Now listen to the advise which Moulana gives, which, if acted upon, the human soul becomes filled with love for the Divine Being and causes the heart to become disenchanted with this world.

"Within yourself create the path towards Allah. How is that achieved?
Cast from you the perception of the pictures of others
And when others leave the heart, Allah's splendour will enter into it.
O Man, treat your illness with the alchemy medicine that was placed within your body. So that good morals be created from bad
And so that your enemies, yourself and your desires, turn to friends. And when through the spiritual guide your bad morals turn to good, You will become beautiful,
And He will bring you near to Him
And save you from the loneliness in contrast to worldly lovers. From whom He will turn away. "

Through the blessed company of Hazrat Shamsh Tabrezi (RA.), Moulana Rumi (RA.) experienced such a frenzy of love and madness and in such a speedy manner had passed through the various stages of acquiring spiritual progress through the process of ]azb, that he became convinced that the only path towards Allah was the path of Love and madness for Him.

Moulana Rumi (RA.) says:
"Any other path apart from the path of frenzied love and madness Are all, paths leading to being far removed from Him.
The cry of the insane one in love appears good to me.
O Beloved, so I desire to remain till Qiyam It - a mad one.
If apart from the chains of Shariat two hundred chains should be tied around my feet, I would break them all as no chains can hold him who is a mad Divine Lover of God."

Moulana Rumi (RA.) was an ocean of Divine Love and for a lover nothing except the remembrance of his Beloved is pleasing and then there are times when he used to long for another Divine Lover with whom he could converse about the True Beloved One and through this bring comfort and peace to his troubled heart.

After the demise of Hazrat Shamsh Tabrezi (RA.), Moulana Rumi (RA.) was now in search of such a companion. One day, in this troubled state of the mind, he was passing by the shop of Salahuddin Zarkoob who was very busy beating metal leaves into thin foil. While the hammer was beating the metal it made such a noise that devotees felt a feeling of love in their hearts. . Moulana at that time was a man filled with Divine Love and on hearing the sounds of the hammer, fell down unconscious.
Salahuddin did not stop beating the metal leaves and in this manner wasted many of them. Finally in the heart of Salahuddin, as a result of the grace of Moulana Rumi (RA.), the fire of Divine Love .was lit. He left his shop as it was and followed Moulana Rumi (RA.).

"O heart consumed with love, what did you breathe into my heart That there is in my heart a burning fire?
I was not aware of the ways of love
But let a similar heart be pressed against my chest. Perhaps its name is love and madness,
This flame that has been lit inside. "

For a period of 9 years, Salahuddin remained in the company and service of Moulana Rumi (RA.) and his company brought great comfort to Moulana. Salahuddin passed away in 664 A.H. After his demise, Moulana Rumi (RA.) chose from amongst his Mureeds Husamuddin Chalpi to be his special companion for as long as he remained alive. Thus he consoled himself in his great longing for the True Beloved. It was through the encouragement provided by Moulana Husamuddin (RA.) that. Moulana Rumi (RA.) wrote his famous work, The Mathnavi. Moulana Rumi (RA.) referred to this in the Mathnavi:

"Just as a thirsty one throws walnuts into deep water repeatedly (which he cannot reach) In order to hear its sound and to see its bubbles.
So, O Hasamuddin, my object is you in this Mathnavi. And this Mathnavi from its beginning is for you
And upon you is its ending, 0 Husamuddin.
My object in this Mathnavi is to explain your words as words denote the glory of the writer. For in truth, the writer is you. I am merely the means for your voice and meanings. "

Once Moulana Rumi (RA.), while reciting the Mathnavi, suddenly remained silent and said: "At this time from the unseen no words are coming. For this reason there is no form. That is why I prefer to remain silent". Then he said: "It is a fact that the themes of the Mathnavi are inspired from on High".

Moulana refers to that in the following lines:
"When I ponder about rhyme and stanzas, my Beloved says to me:
Think not about rhyming, just ponder over my countenance.
I will inspire you with the lines. Do not burden your heart with it." THE STORY OF HAZRAT UMAR 'q~ AND THE ROMAN ENVOY
Once the ambassador of the Emperor of Rome came to Madina with many gifts. Arriving at Madina, he enquired from the people the whereabouts of the palace of the King of Madina. The people replied: "Our King has no palace. However, our leader, the leader of
the believers has a mansion - his respected self which has a special contact with Allah and which has become enlightened through the splendour of His nearness. Thus this has made him independent of the need for royal palaces. "

They further informed him: "You will find the leader of the believers, Hazrat Umar in the graveyard of Madina". The Roman Ambassador then went to the graveyard and there saw Hazrat Umar lying down, having taken off his shirt with a sheet covering the lower part of his body. He was lying down fast asleep on the ground with no throne or crown on his head. Neither were there any soldiers nor any bodyguards. But as the ambassador looked at his face, he began shaking with fear. Within himself he said:

"I have seen many great Kings in this life
And have been the companion and confidant of many Rulers. Never have I any fear for any King. But the awe and fear I feel for this one
Dressed in such tattered clothing is causing my senses to depart.
This person without any weapons and without any forces sleeping here alone on this ground. What is it that causes my whole body to shake and tremble in awe of him?
Even if I had seven bodies, they would not bear it and all would tremble. "

Then the envoy said to himself:
"This awe and fear that I feel is not for this one who is dressed in tattered clothes.
In fact, this is fear of Allah for this tattered clothed one has a heart that is blessed with Allah's contact and nearness."
Thus this envoy, through the blessings of Hazrat Umar' s company and grace converted to Islam. Moulana Rumi (RA.) says:
"He who fears Allah and adopts a life of righteousness, him the jinn and men fear.
And whoever sees him is overpowered by awe and fear. " LESSON
This story teaches us the lesson that true honour for men is brought about by true and deep contact with Allah and not by outward shows of beauty and adornment. But the foolish ones of our age are displeasing Allah and in spite of committing sins are endeavouring to acquire honour and respect by building beautiful mansions, dressing in expensive clothing and putting their trust in their businesses. But we see that the honour they acquire is such that in their absence, those very same people who honour them in their presence swear them.

Today, he may be the President of the country, but the moment he vacates that position or is removed from this position, then there is no more any honour for him in the newspapers. Similarly is the position of the Kings. But Saints of Allah, the Awliyaa Allah, are the true Kings. Hence they are called Shah. This is their true position and description in this world as well as after their demise. They continue to be mentioned with honour even after their death. .

THE STORY OF THE CROWN OF NABI SULAYMAN (A.S.)

Once Nabi Sulayman (A.5.) stood before a mirror and placed the crown on his head. The crown landed on his head in a crooked manner. He again placed it on his head and straightened it, but again it landed crookedly. Then for the third time he again straightened it but again it landed crookedly. This caused him to become overwhelmed with fear of Allah. He fell down in prostration and cried in repentance before Him. Thereafter he again placed the crown on his head and this time it was straight. Then Nabi Sulayman (A.S.) realised that there had been some action of his which Allah disapproved of and which caused Him to divert His countenance from him. Thus for this reason the lifeless crown had turned crooked on his head.

Nabi Sulayman (A.S.) was a Prophet and Prophets are sinless. The question that arises in the heart is: "Did any sin of his take place? Did Nabi Sulayman (A.S.) commit any sin?"

The answer to the question is that no sin was committed by him. Sometimes in their reckoning the Prophets choose to leave aside the most excellent line of action, preferring at a given moment to adopt another permissible line of action. In such cases they are punished for having discarded the most excellent line of action. In actual fact the alternate deed is in itself permissible. Thus this is the type of action Nabi Sulayman (A.S.) may have committed but which Allah disapproved of.

Another question that arises: The crown is a lifeless thing. So how could the lifeless thing have moved to become crooked on his head? Moulana answers by saying that the four elements, dust, air, water and fire are the basis of all things and their creation. Although these four elements are all lifeless, their

contact with Allah is like the contact of living things. All these concrete things and plants understand the orders of Allah and on hearing them are quick to obey.

THE STORY OF HOW A PERSON'S MOUTH TURNED SKEW THROUGH HAVING MENTIONED THE PROPHET'S NAME IN JEST

A person took the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad mockingly. His face turned skew and remained like that. That unfortunate evil one came to the Prophet and said: "Pardon me, as you have the gift of special knowledge from Him. "

Moulana Rumi says:
"When Allah Taala decides to bring disgrace upon someone, He causes him to incline towards mocking the saintly one.
This evil inclination also is a consequence of some other sin of his, That he begins to taunt the righteous ones..
Allah then punishes him with disgrace and humiliation. And when Allah desires to hide someone's faults and sins, He helps him not to speak of the faults of faulty ones.
And when He desires to favour us with good,
He makes us incline towards sighing and crying in front of Him. Refreshed be that eye which cries in front of that truly Beloved And may that heart be blessed which is broiled in His Love.
Where there is flowing water, there greenery grows And where tears flow, there Allah's garden blooms."

The Hadith teaches us that there are two drops of water which are very much loved by Allah: The drops of tears that are shed through the fear of Allah and the drops of blood that are shed in Allah's path.

"When he repented from his courage for committing sins, Rasulullah granted him pardon.
If you desire Allah's mercy then in crying grant pardon for him Who begs of pardon from you.
And if you seek the Mercy of Allah,
Then first show mercy to the weak ones. "

THE STORY OF THE 'NIGHT RUBY LAMP' AND THE WATER COW

The aquatic cow or bull brings forth pearls from the water at night and grazes in the meadows, consuming the iris and odoriferous plants. For this reason its faeces are amber in colour as a result of its feeding upon such delicate and exquisite plants like narcissus, nelofar and other sweet-smelling plants.

Moulana Rumi (R.A.) mentioned this. Thereafter he states a very precious thing. He says that just as the aquatic bull's food is the cause of bringing forth sweet-smelling scent, likewise the one whose food consists of Zikr and the obedience to Allah will produce from his lips such words which will be indeed very effective.

"He whose diet consists of Zikr and obedience to God, Why should his words not become effective?"

Furthermore the aquatic cow grazes in the light of the jewel until it moves far away from the pearl. A trader comes along with the aim of taking possession of the pearl. He takes black mud and throws it over the pearl. As a result of this the entire meadow becomes dark as the mud now stops the rays of the pearl from spreading. Meanwhile, the cow walks about in the grazing field in order to attack the opponent with its horns but the opponent sits quite safely among the trees. When the cow despairs of attacking the enemy, it returns to the spot where the pearl is kept, but only sees the mud which now covers the pearl, and runs away.

Moulana Rumi (R.A.) after mentioning the above incident gives a beautiful piece of advise. He says that Shaitaan too, seeing the earthly form of Hazrat Adam (A.S.) fled like that animal fled on seeing the mud which had covered the ruby. He refused to prostrate before Hazrat Adam (A.S.) as Allah Taala had commanded. Instead he raised an objection stating that he was created of fire, which rises high and is therefore superior to Hazrat Adam (A.5.) who was created of dust. The wretched Iblis could not understand that within the earthly form was hidden the soul of him who was to become the vicegerent of Allah Taala i.e. Nabi Adam (A.S.).

" With the command of Allah Taala to Adam (A.S.):
'Get thee down', the soul of Hazrat Adam (A.S.) Was placed in his body made of earth and water. "

Moulana Rumi continues,
"O friends, discard this search after comforts and avoid these arguments and debates
And become involved with sulook, as following of lustful desires is the destruction of men. For just as Iblees was unaware of what lay inside the earthly form So also the aquatic cow was unaware that the pearl was under the mud. "

LESSON

Similarly is the position of the foolish ones of this age, who look at the external poverty and indigent condition of the Ahlullah (saints of Allah) and then compare their condition with their own beautiful mansions and splendid clothing and thus become deceived by these material things. They fail to understand, that treasures lie buried in that ruined condition. Further they fail to understand that in that state of worldly deprivation lies the riches and in that state of madness is hidden true intelligence and wisdom. In other words, the Saints of Allah have their sole contact with Allah and one should not be deceived by their poverty. May Allah guide those opponents of the Saints who flee from them.
The conclusion to the story is this: The trader is looking from the tree at the water cow and waiting for the foolish one to become fed up with the mud and turn towards the water, so that he may take the pearl out of the mud and return home successful.

Similarly, in acquiring benefit from the Awliyaa-Allah, one should not look upon their earthly bodies. Rather they should smell the fragrance of Allah from their souls. They should do what Majnoon did when he heard that Layla had passed away. He went to the graveyard, crying long and bitterly, smelled the sand of every grave and when he finally smelled the sand of Layla's grave, he declared: "This is Layla's grave."

Moulana Rumi (R.A.) speaks of this when he says,
"Like Majnoon I too smell the dust till I find the sand of Layla (i.e. true saints of Allah) The true seekers of Allah got the fragrance of the Master
From the fragrance of His true devotees and lovers."

By attending a few "majlises" and gatherings, he realises that within the heart which is in that body is the nisbat or contact with Allah Taala.

Once on a journey, Rasulullah said to the Sahabah: "I am smelling the fragrance of Allah from the direction of Yemen ". That was the fragrance of Hazrat Uwais Qarni (R.A.), who was a great Saint of Allah living in the village of Qarn in Yemen. He was a True Lover of Allah and His Messenger. He could not present himself before Rasulullah $as he was busy in the service of his mother.

"Said the Prophet: From the direction of Yemen in the air, I smell the fragrance of Allah. "

According to a Hadith, Rasulullah said: "Verily I find the smell of the Rahman (The Merciful One) from the direction of Yemen. "

Even today, the True Lovers and Seekers after Allah find the smell of Allah from the Saints and they are not embarrassed or shy to gain benefit from them.

Moulana Rumi (R.A.)says:
"O Ye enemy of love and shame, come to Me. I have ripped to pieces the curtain of shame
Which prevents obedience to Divine Command."

THE STORY OF THE PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE OF NABI MOOSA (A.S.)

Nabi Moosa (A.S.) being a shepherd in the service of Nabi Shuaib (A.S.) is mentioned in the Quran. One day while grazing the goats, a goat ran away. Nabi Moosa (A.S.) had to run after it so far that his feet became filled with blisters. He walked so far that the rest of the flock too could not be seen anymore. Finally the goat became tired and came to a standstill and Nabi Moosa (A.S.) caught it.
Instead of being angry with the goat or beating it, he rubbed sympathetically around its neck, back and head. Like a mother he acted kindly to the animal and although having suffered so much himself, did not in any way show his displeasure. In fact he felt sorry for the animal so much that tears came to his eyes. He said to the goat: "I thought that you had no mercy upon me. That is why you made me so exhausted. But why did you not have mercy upon yourself. If you had no mercy upon the blisters upon my feet and the thorns that pricked me, then at least you should have had mercy upon yourself. "

At that moment Allah said to the Angels: "Nabi Moosa (A.S.) is now suited for Prophethood." (In other words: The ability to withstand the sorrows of the Ummat and also to withstand the injuries from their side and the heart to bear all difficulties).

"Allah said to the angels:
For the prophethood of this era, Moosa is the suitable person. "
"Nabi Mustapha has said that before acquiring Prophethood, Every Prophet used to be a shepherd".

In Bukhari Shareef this is also mentioned in a Hadith and Moulana discussed the wisdom in that: "So that through grazing sheep and goats,
The Prophet's patience and dignity may be exposed. The reason they are made to rear goats is,
To teach them patience and gentleness amidst adversity. "

Someone inquired of Rasulullah:
"Did you also look after sheep, 0 Best of Creation?"
He replied: "Yes, indeed, I also at one time was a shepherd." "Allah, after this herding of sheep, grants spiritual shepherdhood
And after delivering the duty of a shepherd
He grants the Prophets the position of spiritual herdsman."

It is said that being a herdsman inculcates into one the habit of tolerance and clemency as the sheep and goats have the habit of walking away in all directions. Thus the herdsman has a great problem in gathering them together just like Nabi Moosa (A.S.) was troubled in the above story.

THE STORY OF HAZRAT SAFOORA (A.S.)
The "Tajalli" of Allah Taala (noor-light) which was cast on Mount Toor .caused the mountain to crumble and Hazrat Moosa (A.S.) to fall unconscious. When he regained consciousness and returned from the mountain, then for some days his face still had such a glow that whosoever looked at his face directly became dazzled and turned blind. He therefore prayed to Allah Taala that He should grant him such a screen over the noor on his face that peoples eyes may be saved from damage.

Allah Taala ordered him to cover His face with a part of that~. blanket with which he covered himself on Mount Toor and which was able to bear the intensity of that noor on that mountain.

"For apart from that blanket O Moosa,
Even if Mount Qaaf tries to block that noor from your face it too would be shattered"

It is through Allah's power that the and saintly ones are able to bear the Noor of Allah. That Noor which Mount Toor could not bear, Allah through His power has made the hearts into a mirror so that it could reflect the Light. Rasulullah -$had referred to this when in a Hadith Qudsi he said: "Allah says: Space and orbits do not contain me, neither do minds nor the selves of men."

"However in the heart of a believer I am contained like a guest Who has been given full access and control over the residence of the
host. "

In this couplet 'contained like a guest' is to indicate the honour and respect together with love. 'Contained', here does not indicate being inside a specific space as Allah is free from being' contained' in any space.

"Without such a mirror no one could bear to look upon my beauty, Neither on this earth nor in the heavens."

The story continues: Nabi Moosa (A.S.) made a face covering from the blanket and prohibited the people from staring at his face without this veil. The piece of blanket did the job which doors and walls could not do. Even if the veil had been made of iron, it too would have melted due to the Noor that remained on Nabi Moosa's (A.S.) face, after the shining of splendour on Mount Toor. The veil had been in touch with the warmth of Divine Love and at the time of its burning blaze, it was part of the clothing of a Saint of Allah. For this reason it could now be used as a curtain for the Noor that was shining from Nabi Moosa's (A.S.) face.

Hazrat Safoora, the" wife of Nabi Moosa (A.S.), was a great Lover of his Prophethood. She became restless and impatient of this veil. Her love became so overwhelming that she looked directly at the face of Nabi Moosa (A.S.) with one eye. Immediately her sight of that eye was lost. Still she could not have patience. She opened her other eye and that one also lost its sight.

Moulana Rumi (RA.) explained that a seeker after Allah initially offers bread in the path of Allah. In other words he is prepared to offer the strength which is created by the bread and offers this towards acquiring the pleasure of Allah. But as the Noor of Obedience to His Will takes effect upon him, he becomes prepared to offer his very life in Allah's path.

"At that time a woman asked Safoora:
'Have you any sorrow at your eyes losing their sight?'
She replied: 'My great sorrow is this that I do not have a hundred or a thousand eyes, If I had,
I would sacrifice them all
In order to see the Noor of Nabi Moosa's (AS.) countenance."

Allah so approved of this reply of Safoora and her Great Love for Nabi Moosa (A.S.) that she was granted her eyesight once again. Her sight in both the eyes were returned in such a manner that she could look directly upon Nabi Moosa's (A.S.) face. She was granted such strength in her eyesight that she would never lose it when looking at Nabi Moosa's (A.S.) face.

THE STORY OF THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN A FROG AND A MOUSE

Once on the bank of a river there lived a mouse and a frog. A very close friendship developed between the two of them. This friendship grew until it became a love relationship. By mutual arrangement they used to meet each other daily in the mornings and would converse with each other for a very long time.

These meetings made both of them very happy. They used to tell stories to each other and listened to each other's tales. They even told each other their secrets and considered each other alone as holders of their secrets. When they met they even remembered and related happenings of more than five years ago, to each other.

Moulana Rumi (RA.) says:
"The excitement of eloquence and conversation from the heart is a . . sign of love And when there is a termination of eloquence, it is a sign of lack of love.
How can that heart which had seen its loved one ever remain stern and cross? And when the nightingale has seen a flower, how can it ever remain silent?
When a lover sits in the company of a lover, Thousands of stories are remembered by the heart.
The Lowhul-Mahfooz -preserved tablet is
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