Friends, If you look at any aspect related to the creation of the universe you will find one thing common. Be it soil, mountains, different types of minerals, even the oceanic reservoirs they are all related to the soil in one form or the other. If they did not originate from soil they end up in the soil. When the sea dries up it leaves behind soil. The great prehistoric ruins that you see, were far different from what they are today. Similarly, my friends, man is also made from dust and will end up in dust no matter where he may be. Friends, a human being is like a clay castle whose parts are made of clay. The point to note is that while our Master (Allah SWT) has chosen a guest watchman (the soul) for this castle (the body) He has also left its enemy the Nafs as a traitor within. The Nafs is actively trying to take over the thrown (the heart) decorated for the Master (Allah) in an aim to control the armed forces (human’s hands, feet, eyes, ears and nose, etc), at its will. But 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. The one who facilitates this process is the Murshid, and the practice of Murshad’s advice is known as Tariqat.
As usual, I had locked myself in my room to perform my daily wazaif and award. I hear a knock on the door a man enters respectfully kneels at the far end of the carpet and tells me that he had been looking for me for centuries. Later he said I have brought a message from your Grandmother (Bibi Jiji Mithi RA Kunri) from Sultanabad. I thought he must be some shrine worker and decided to interrogate him in a routine manner. But to my astonishment he tells everything about the appearance of my grandmother (Bibi Jiji Mithi RA Kunri) and things about my grandfather (Saeen Abdul Rehman Shah RA). He repeats word for word my grandmother’s message and my dream and things about them which I was already aware of This stranger (Saeen Muhammad Ali Baloch RA) kept on weeping during the entire duration of our meeting. After entrusting me with the message he asks me to pay my respects at my grand father’s grave and to come with him to meet his Murshid, Saeen Ahmed Ali Qureshi (RA) in Islamabad. He also asks me to visit him at his store in Sultanabad. Before he leaves we have a telephonic conversation with Baba Saeen (Saeen Ahmed Ali Qureshi). What you need to understand is that as soon as I was entrusted with the spiritual duties responsibilities of my elders and spiritual mysteries, I began to see the hidden secrets of an entirely new world. On the one hand was my theoretical knowledge and stories, and on the other were the spiritual blessings. My friends understand this spirituality cannot be obtained through words. It requires spiritual blessings (of a Murshid). You must learn to value it.
Friends spiritualism is all about purity. It’s not about magic, stunts, extravagant dressing and appearance, stories, miracles, fraudulent practices, fancy words or using spiritualism as a source of earning and getting one’s photos published to act famous all these things have nothing to do with spirituality. Spiritualism is directly connected with the soul. Lacking any shape or form, spirituality dives straight in enlightens the heart and washes away all the worldly desires. It teaches us perseverance and guides us towards to path of Allah’s oneness towards. Striving to achieve the targets set by the teacher or mentor – without worrying about what people say only to seek the happiness and blessings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Spirituality is not acquired its spontaneous. It’s love at first sight the lover gives away his heart without thinking and the beloved (Murshid) accepts it without any material desire.
Friends! Spirituality is not about merry dreams and wishes practising it only when your desire and then leaving or forgetting about it when life becomes busy only to return again suddenly when going through a difficult time. There is nothing wrong with turning back, as repentance is a good thing. But doing something without greed expecting something in return or without thinking about the results separation from these illusions is the true meaning of spirituality. The sacrifices made by our Holy Prophet (SAW) his noble companions and the Ahl-e-Bayt are perfect examples No ulterior motives and no obstacle simply following instructions and guidelines and exponentially growing in number in the process. This is just as if we keep adding zeroes to the digit one, it becomes a billion one attracts many more with their character.
Friends this (Sufism) is a life long journey you cannot cross this river in one leap. Either you build a boat or you become an expert swimmer. Friends, get onboard the boat (of mysticism) ask the boatman to steer you or learn to swim from an expert swimmer. Both are viable options and both have their own pleasure.
Syed Ghulam Hyder Shah Qalandri
Kunri, Sindh, Pakistan
