Once, when taking a walk through a
park, with some friends, we came across a fountain, wherein were numerous 1
cent and 2 cent coins. On noticing this, it came to mind, that since the 1 cent
coin and the 2 cent coin have negligible value – in fact, no worth or value is
really given to these coins – they are generally discarded in a fountain, after
some ‘wish’ is made.
…And if the wish is such, that it
would definitely be accomplished with money, then a mere 1 cent or 2 cents
would not suffice for the fulfilment of the grand wishes of those who throw
with any such hope…
Nevertheless, I presented this
analogy to my companions:
The value of the 1 cent coin, after
having separated itself from the R5 coin, or the R100 note, diminished. It ‘depreciated’, so to speak.
…So many pass by such fountains, and
yet no one considers taking one or a few of those coins.
However, when that 1 cent coin
attaches itself to the R100 note, then its value and worth is considered just
as that R100 note. When the 1 cent coin attaches itself to the R100 note, its
value will increase – It is now part of R100.
And if that 1 cent coin prefers its ‘independence’ then inevitably, that
would be to its own loss. It will then be considered worthless and insignificant,
and will be discarded in some fountain or thrown on the street.
In a like manner, when Saalikeen[1] attach
themselves to the Ahlullah[2], by keeping
their pious company and emulating them in their actions, speech and character,
their value increases. When we keep the company of friends of Allah Ta’ala,
then Insha-Allah, we will, through the blessings of their value, also acquire
some worth.
If there is sincerity, the Saalik
will also become as valuable and precious.
My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem
Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (DB) had given a wonderful analogy when he visited South
Africa, and observed the sand of the gold mines in Gauteng.
He explained that the sand which remained in the
company of gold, became ‘golden’ in colour. Something as ordinary as sand took on the hue and
shade of something as precious as
gold. So too, one will notice that the sand which contains coal, becomes black
in colour.
Hazrat then
compared the ‘golden sand’ to the person who sincerely befriends and associates
with the Ahlullah. Such a person will
not only acquire the same colouring as ‘gold’; he will become gold.
…Those who think they can tread the
path to Allah Ta’ala (Sulook) on their own and also become so ‘valuable’, are
quite mistaken.
Even our honourable and respected
Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) had said : “People
addressed me as, ‘Molvi’[3],
until I attached myself to the blessed company of Shamsuddeen Tabrezi. Then
people began addressing me as ‘Maula-e-Rum’ (The Master of Rum).”
Then again, the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (RA)
became ‘Sahabah’[4]
because they attached themselves to the blessed, august and exclusive company
of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam).
…This ‘Suhbat’ (companionship) of the Ahlullah is the medium of spiritual
achievement.
However, great caution should be
exercised in choosing a mentor. This warning cannot be emphasized enough.
Just the garb of piety or flowery
speech does not make a person a Wali
(friend) of Allah Ta’ala. Some ‘peers’
have ulterior and worldly motives; especially of milking their mureedeen
(disciples) of their money. They just give their mureedeen, wazaa`if and some
tasbeehs to read. There is no education, no disciplining, and no reform.
…If there is no Deen in the Shaykh,
how will his mureeds change their lives? …When the Shaykh is a prisoner of nafs
(ego) and shaytaan, how will it be possible for him to free his mureeds from
nafs and shaytaan ?
Therefore
Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) had said:
“Develop contact with a righteous one
So that through his company and
du`aa you may succeed,
But search for a guide who is awake in all
situations
So that you too may become awake.
And if you should remain in the company of the
vanquished,
You too will become vanquished.”
There are many who make the claim of
being mashaa`ik but are themselves caught up in the snares of nafs and
shaytaan. They have not even recognized their own nafs, have no experience in
the field of Islaah and Tazkia, and instead of guiding, they misguide. They
then become a trial for the people.
The true Mashaa`ik don’t promote and
advertise themselves, nor do they canvass for mureedeen. They don’t chase after
name and fame. They don’t hanker after Dunya. They wish to remain concealed,
but Allah Ta’ala sometimes chooses for them to be known.
Thus, when choosing a Shaykh, consider the Shaykh who is learned,
practical on his knowledge, pious, trained and experienced in the field of
Islaah and Tazkia, and acknowledged by the Ulama-e-Haq as one who is truly Sahib-e-Nisbat
and Waliullah. It is through attaching oneself to such a Shaykh that the Saalik
will acquire value.
Hazrat Dr.
Abdul Hay Saheb (Rahmatullah ‘alaih), who was a senior Khalifa of Hazrat
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullah ’alaih), was wont to say :
“There is only one way to meet
Him (Allah),
Seek the road from those who
have already found Him.”
By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
[1] Saalikeen : Seekers of
Allah Ta’ala
[2] Ahlullah : People of
Allah
[3] ‘Molvi’ : meaning, one
who has knowledge.
[4] Sahabah : Companions (of the Holy
Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam.)
