Friends! There is a vast difference between a “thinker” and a “doer”. You may have noticed that it is easy and fun to give free advice. Anyone can do it and it costs nothing. If you ask your friends about some disease then all of them will start offering their opinions like experienced Doctors, Hakeems, or learned Professors. However, after a while, you will find themselves discussing their own medical problems and illnesses with you. The reality is that these people have only read or listened to these medical opinions somewhere, but have never used themselves nor do they know how to use them. They just want to impress people with their fancy words. Similarly, if everyone can become a doctor or an engineer after reading books, then what is the point of having a teacher? The real thing is the application of knowledge, and the difference between thinking and practically doing something is called Tariqat.
Friends! It is not surprising if someone gets bitten by a rabid dog. But when a pet dog becomes rabid and bites it is a concern. Trust is a bridge between wisdom and knowledge but in the case of Ishq (divine love) there is no bridge you have to swim your way across. The greater the attractions of this world appear the more pain and suffering they will afflict. Life is useless without perseverance. It is difficult to reach your (spiritual) destination without knowing the path of Tariqat (divine journey). Unfulfilled dreams cause nothing but restlessness. If someone is tired and makes rest stops but slowly and consistently continues to walk towards the path stopping only to regain strength, he will ultimately reach his destination one day. Even if he can’t reach, he can still smell its (divine) fragrance. Friends, this is the journey of love, and you are the ambassador. May Allah be your guardian.
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-eBayt 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.
My spiritual children we do not believe in renouncing this world. We have before us the whole life of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) as a model. We must adopt his Sirah and live according to his teachings and enjoy all the blessings of the world. But while benefitting from these blessings whether they are related to knowledge science or business we must also prepare for the journey that each of us has to perform one day. Friends try to come close to the Rehmat e Mohammadi (SAW) that Allah (SWT) has blessed us with, by acquiringa passion for reciting Durood Sharif and Immersing yourself in it. May this blessing be a source of Allah’s mercy for us in this world and the hereafter.
Friends! The one who is searching for pearls does not have second thoughts about diving into the sea. The desire for finding the jewels compels him to do so. In the same way, one cannot put numbers on the beloved’s beautiful smile. Love follows no time it depends on when our beloved Saeen (SAW) wills. Thus, never leave this path or go astray once you enter it. Our task is to tread Allah is the one guides us to the destination.
Syed Ghulam Hyder Shah Qalandri
Kunri, Sindh, Pakistan
