In a Majlis of
my Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum), Hazrat requested one of his mureeds to recite
a verse of his poetry. Each time, the verse was rendered, the person was told
to read it again. This went on for one solid hour – that is, the repetition of
the one verse; but the effect on the hearts was seen in the tears that were
shed by those who were present.
The verse,
translated, is :
“If you hide and commit sins,
Someone is watching from above (Allah
Ta’ala)…”
A person who
in not acquainted with the aim and objective would say that listening to the
same verse repeatedly, for an entire hour, would be boring, tiresome,
uninspiring … but not so for those who are sincerely seeking the Pleasure of
Allah Ta’ala. The true believer understands that anything good repeated
benefits him.
“And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits
the Believer.”
[Surah
Zaariyaat 51 : 55]
An analogy
came to mind when giving thought to the above experience : The likeness of the
repetition of this one verse of poetry and its benefit upon the hearts of all
those who were present at the time, is
like that of a ‘drip’.
A person is
admitted into hospital due to various reasons: dehydration, loss of blood, surgery,
childbirth, an accident, etc. Many a time, there is a need for the use of a
drip.
The ‘drip’ is
called ‘drip’ because its work is to administer fluid slowly, drop-by-drop, directly into a vein.
Thus, one drop at a time, enters the person’s system… until the drip is empty.
This process is a slow process, taking, sometimes, a number of hours - yet the
drip is described as a very efficient process whereby the entire body quickly
receives the supply of medication which it requires.
Moreover, a
drip chamber controls the process whereby the fluid flows into the vein without
air entering the bloodstream because if air is introduced into the bloodstream,
this can lead to health complications, which could even be fatal.
If it is a
blood transfusion, the patient receives healthy blood through a drip. Depending
on how much of blood is required, the process can run into hours. If it is dehydration,
then the drip is used to hydrate the patient with a solution of glucose and
electrolytes because glucose boosts the energy system once it enters the
blood stream. If due to some other ailment, accordingly, the drip is used to
supply the medication or nutrients needed.
No sane
patient will complain that the process is too long, he is becoming bored, and
the drip should be removed because it is a tedious experience… The person knows
his health is dependent on the drip.
Now if we have
to look at our own condition as Muslims, as an Ummah, we find that we have lost
so much of spiritual blood, or we are so severely dehydrated spiritually, that
these sessions or Majaalis of the Mashaa`ik are like short term
‘hospitalization’ where we are attached to a drip – the drip being the Suhbah of
the Mashaa`ik, their advice and tawajjuh and duas, by which we hydrate our
Imaan which is withering away, or we regain the spiritual blood that we have lost
due to our own negligence and indulgence in sins.
The repetition
of Qur`aan Shareef, Ahaadeeth and the poetry of the Ahlullah are the medication
or nutrients which are supplied to our souls through this spiritual ‘drip’ and
which, in turn, keep us spiritually alive.
If we do not
take this recourse – of attaching ourselves to a spiritual ‘drip’ – a
Shaykh-e-Kaamil, we can find ourselves in a critical and spiritually
life-threatening condition. May Allah Ta’ala protect us.
These Majaalis
of the Mashaa`ik are to be appreciated – more especially in these times of
fitnah, where indulgence in sins has led to severe spiritual dehydration, loss
of spiritual blood and has led to a domino effect of corruption and immorality
throughout the world. Our weakness is evident at every turn, except for those
who continuously supply their soul with the nourishment of Taqwa via these
spiritual drips.
Allah Ta’ala
has confirmed this in the Qur`aan Shareef:
“O You who Believe, Fear Allah and join the company of the
Truthful ones
(the pious, the Auliya Allah).”
[Surah Taubah 9 : 119]
Hazrat Maulana
Maseehullah (RA) had explained very beautifully, that this Ayah (verse) draws
attention to three important matters : Imaan, Taqwa and Suhbah. And Hazrat
Maulana (RA) elaborated, saying that for the nourishment, growth, health and
preservation of Imaan, Taqwa is required. Without Taqwa, one’s Imaan will weaken,
will decline … will wilt and wither away. However, for the nourishment,
development, growth and progress of Taqwa, the Suhbah (companionship) of the
pious is indispensable. It is essential.
Allah Ta’ala
commands us to keep the company of the ‘Siddiqeen’, the truthful ones – because
they are truthful in their piety.
They have the reality of what they project.
Another point
that we are informed of was that if air
is introduced in the bloodstream, this would lead to health complications which
can be fatal as well.
Similarly when
a person keeps such company and attends such majaalis, but entertains in his
heart insincerity, or in his good efforts, the person begins to suffer the infection
of ujub or kibr, or the person becomes jealous of others and allows malice to
breed in his heart – then this is that poison which can lead to spiritual
death, despite being in the right environment and company.
Allah Ta’ala
grant us all Ikhlaas and full benefit in the efforts we make to keep company
with His Friends.
By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (RA)
