Chapter on Sufism
Friends! if one judges people based on their status, dressing, possessions, and the way they talk, instead of on how capable, educated intelligent or honest they are then he will also be judged similarly. God forbid, a slight discrepancy in these materialistic parameters can end friendships and relations. How will relationship survive if they are based on material gains? We should be prepared to reap what we sow. When everything is based on worldly benefit, imagine what will happen when this bubble bursts? Then humans turn into animals. To catch their prey, animals fight, lock their horns and kick each other. If the opponent is weak, they will snatch the prey. Otherwise, they will accept defeat and move in search for another target. If they can find a prey, good. If not, then they will survive on whatever they have stored. You can only expect one to behave like an animal once they acquire animal traits. But one will surely feel remorse one day and will have to return to the pure and loyal relations which are cemented together with love; the ones that are based on the natural human principles. Different religions have defined their laws, especially Islam.
Our leader, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) followed these laws and set an example for the rest of the world. Even his followershave left behind abundant teachings for us to follow. The speeches of the flagbearers of modern animal and human rights are worthless in front of the teachings of the Sufi saints of the Indian subcontinent on the sanctity of humanity. This is because these teachings were derived from the greatest teachers of all times, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which continue to guide us till date. Thus, get connected and closer to our Prophet (SAW) through the abundant recitation of Durood Pak and then preaching it to others. Hopefully, everyone will gain sense.
Friends! Life revolves around contiuous struggles and efforts. Even a mother does not feed a child who does not cry. And from here, one’s life struggles begin. Later come the effort to surpass one’s siblings and relatives in terms of education, fame, politics, office and business. Simply put we have to face challenges at each step of life.
Likewise, a Sufi begins a never-ending war to tame his Nafs which only culminates with death. Similarly, a teacher must improvise to teach his students. Just like one takes precautions during illness, a loan sharkpractices patience to find alone prey. Apolitician temporarily becomes caring and helping to gain votes, an experienced teacher initially has to improvise to make their students follow their ideology ust asparents encourage children to study by offering them sweets and chocolates. Anyhow, life is filled with joys and sorrows which no one can escape. A Sufi is like a skilled warrior who remains constantly at war with hisNafs and physical being. If this Sufi lacks necessary weapons, he is bound to fail. If he is appropriately armed, he has brighter chances of succeeding. We have a weapon in the form of Durood Pak which guarantees our success. Although expediency may be required at times. May Allah be your protector and supporter.
Friends! I was unaware of humanity. I was uneducated; religion, to me was merely a ritual. I had ventured so far into the worldly life where it was virtually impossible to return (This is the story of a common man). Our Lord (SWT) created the human life, placed the Nafs inside it, and then declared manHis most superior creation.
Naturally, one can only become eligible to different positions and titles after going through different exams and challenges. The higher the position, the higher are the rewards and so are the stakes and punishment. In case of failure, one is taught to be hopeful of mercy and ask forgiveness. With such numerous ways available for seeking forgiveness, it is really hard to become hopeless or disappointed. Allah (SWT) sent close to 1,25,000 Prophets, in addition to His pious people to reform mankind. None of them has ever expressed the desire to buyworldly benefits in exchange of their religious duties. As exceptions some greedy people falsely claim to possess spirituality and establish shrines to use them for worldly benefits and tarnish the names of the true Sufi saints.
The people who visit these false Sufis are equally responsible for the damage caused. That is because these people think spirituality is all about actionless prayers, extravagance, spells and magic. When they can’t achieve their gaols, instead of realizing their mistakes, they start blaming Sufism. Today, anyone can become the caretaker of a shrine and gain worldly benefits by simply narrating a false dream (relating a false dream about a Sufi saint saying that they have been chosen) this is not the way of the Sufi saints. Their goal is to bring people towards Allah (SWT), and to reform them in the light of our religious teachings to make them useful and active members of the society.
To make them realize that Allah (SWT) is the Forgiver Qalandaris do not tread on the prohibited paths like drugs and killing. Leave these and follow the path that leads to our Prophet Muhammad (SAW). You can do this by reciting Durood Pak in abundance. Once you get closer to him your entire life will be transformed. You will develop coherence in your thoughts and begin to feel happy and relaxed. You will begin to differentiate between your friends and enemies. You will lose your deceitful habits and you will never hurt anyone again. May Allah be our supporter and Protector. Amen.
Spritual Teacher
Friends! Just as a student needs a teacher to gain worldly knowledge and learn skills in every field of life spiritual knowledge also cannot be gained without the guidance of a mentor. It does not matter what you call that teacher. Every form of learning comprises of two aspects: teaching and training that is to show how something is done practically. It is the prerogative of the teacher as to which type of learning methodology, he uses to train his students.Teaching demands as much of the teacher as of the student. Since spiritual learning and knowledge is directly connected to the spirit, much greater care must be exercised. Knowledge is obtained through ears, eyes, heart, soul and mind. Hence, it is imperative that these human senses must be functional. Some teachers ask their students to recite “wazaif” for cleaning their hearts and to keep them focused in their quest for spiritual knowledge, while others assign various responsibilities to their students, such as offering food and water to the guests. Teachers assign these responsibilities according to the personality and intellectual level of the students. In this modern age, we have been tasked with reciting and teaching the Durood-e-Pak. There are many reasons behind this the first is to seek Allah’s blessings and facilitation by reciting during routine daily work. The second and more important reason is to help us get closer to the Prophet (PBUH) through abundant recitation of the Durood-e-Pak, allowing us to progress in the light of His (PBUH) teachings.
Syed Ghulam Hyder Shah Qalandri
Kunri, Sindh, Pakistan
