Maarfat
Friends if the soul learns the art of conquering its internal enemy (the Nafs) through a good friend who knows how to defeat it then the art of conquering the treacherous Nafs exposing its wicked tricks and overpowering it to save the body’s throne (the heart) is called Ma’arfat.
Friends! When Awliya Allah ascend to the state of Ma’arfat, they bow down and leave all their matters in Allah’s (SWT) hands. Not a second goes in their lives when they are not engulfed in Allah’s remembrance. They get a new life one which is disconnected from their own will and likings. Their every action belongs to Allah (SWT). Such personalities are the graduates of the Qaladari school of divine love.
Once Watayoo Faqeer was sitting atop a tree and requesting Allah for an ass as a means of conveyance. Soon as an English officer was passing by his she-ass gave birth to a baby ass. Watayoo was pleased as he thought Allah had granted his wish in the form of the baby ass. So he jumped down very happily. The Officer saw Watayoo and said “Good that you have come Faqeer. Pick up this baby ass on your shoulders and come with me!” Watayoo looked up to the Heavens and said” Ya Allah I had requested for an ass to carry me. Now I have to carry this ass! Either I made the wrong request or You my Lord misinterpreted it!”
The lesson in this story is that our prayers are granted but not always in the exact manner we request. Even then hidden in the result is something that is better for us. Only we may take time to realise this. We pray for what we think is good for us, but we may be treated like Watayoo Faqeer and may have to live with the results for the rest of our lives. In the same manner love of wealth and power can become a rope in our neck. Once watayoo received a coin in alms. He did not know where to keep it safe. He wandered about in distress. Finally he decided to bury it under the roots of a tree. When he had buried it he felt relived and went to sleep peacefully. A thief had been following him. When Watayoo was asleep the thief cut the tree and took the coin buried under its roots. When Watayoo got up and found the tree cut down. He said” I thank Allah. I could have been cut down instead of the tree!” My friends, patience and persistence are strengths which help you avoid crossing limits. And in these Sufi stories there is valuable wisdom which we must acquire. May Allah be with us all.
When Awliya Allah bow before Allah holding their knees with their palms and fix their attention on their hearts, their hearts shine like Mount Seena where Allah cast a reflection of His Radiance and Moses (AS) fell unconscious. Friends Allah Almighty has blessed man with a body which is not just bones and meat. The secret of what lies within must be understood. The human body has seven locations where divine manifestations appear in different colours. The names of these seven places are (Akhfi, Khafi, Sirri, Rooh, Qalb and Nafs) and they have been endowed with animal souls, human souls and divine souls. In mystical terms, these locations are called the “Lutaif-e-Khamsa”. The system operates like a generator that is powering seven bulbs with lights of different colours. When these lights shine, they turn the rust and darkness that had made our body a dark prison into a well-lit palace a place where the owner (Allah SWT) sits and provides comfort. Only Select friends of Allah get connected to Him and get bestowed with His secrets. Friends these are lessons in mysticism and May Allah bless us with this divine knowledge.
Sufi saints always refer to the Nafs as a dog. We find different types of dogs. Some bite despite being looked after, some remain faithful even if they have to bear harsh treatment – like the Dog of the Ashab e Kahf. As the Quran says, their dog will be allowed into the Jannah. Some people keep dogs for safety. Now they are even being used for surveillance and intelligence. No one likes to adopt a rabid dog who misbehaves with its owner. Friends, your Nafs can turn into a rabid dog as well even your relatives or friends. May Allah protect us from these rabid dogs.
Friends! We have two types of trees in this world ones that give shade to animals and travellers and protect them from heat, and the other type which give us fruit and nourishment. While each type of tree develops from a seed,a tree cannot bear fruit without the supervision of a gardener. But at the same time we see that even the branches of a single tree differ from each other. Some are straight others are curled or bent. It is easier to pluck fruits from the lower branches than the ones at the top. Friends! ponder at this phenomenon. It’s up to you which type of tree you wish to become. The shady trees despite their usefulness are cut as soon as they stop offering shelter. The same happens to the fruit trees but they generally remain useful for longer periods. The shady trees are suitable for preaching while the fruit trees are useful because they distribute their produce their seeds are collected sowed again.
Water is always colourless. If it changes its colour it will not remain fit for consumption. The poet says it’s not the water’s fault if it changes colour. Rather the birds are to be held accountable which dirtied it. Geese which always drink clear water, feel embarrassed that crows have made the water unclean. Friends, the reason for giving this example is that the good matured people in this world are amazed at what this world has turned into. Today, respect is non-existent. Whether its business, religion, social affairs or politics, everything has been overshadowed by hatred. If you come to know about a source of clean water, even in a minute quantity go there immediately you will benefit immensely from it. Otherwise if you keep on drinking murky water you will have stomach upset and ulceration (in the spiritual context), whose only cure is prevention by drinking clean water. Friends! Let us drink the clean and pure water of Durood Pak to replenish our spiritual health and also give this remedy to other so that they can prevent Satanic ulcerations.
Syed Ghulam Hyder Shah Qalandri
Kunri, Sindh, Pakistan
