Asking to be Cured

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is adapted from the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.).  He is the Grand Shaykh of the Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Order. 

The first thing a patient must do is to admit, he is a servant of Allah (s.w.t.), that he has become weaker through this illness, that he knows it is a result of bad actions and sins.  He then asks Allah (s.w.t.) for Forgiveness for the sake of His Most Beloved and Precious Servant.  If we ask for the respect of His Most Respected One, shifa’ will be Given.  According to the level of our belief, it can be given instantly, after an hour, after a day, 3 days, a week, or after one month.  After 40 days it must be taken away. 

Allah (s.w.t.) will Ask us what we want to use our health for.  If we ask for health and strength, we must do it with the intention to serve Him more, not to run even faster after this dunya.  Everything is under His Will.  None can go against it.  It is the base of every building.  With a strong foundation, we have a strong belief which will give us pleasure.  We will never be sorrowful. 

Once, al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf ordered a companion to be killed.  The companion was smiling all along, because he accepted the Will of His Lord.  That is the highest level of faith.  We must know that Allah (s.w.t.) has Given us endless levels of belief.  A worshipper follows the orders of Allah (s.w.t.), but a servant will also follow His Will. 

Shaykh ‘Aziz Mahmud Hudayi (q.s.) was the shaykh of Sulthan Ahmad Bakhti who built the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.  When we enter it, we have the feeling we are entering paradise.  The Sulthan himself helped put the stones and soil on the foundation, like a labourer.  Every sulthan must have a shaykh, because if a sultanate is not supported by spiritual power it cannot exist and it will fall. 

During his reign, a heavy illness befell the people of the time.  They fell ill in the morning and were dead by the evening.  People were prayed on and buried all day long.  A great fear spread over the land.  The scholars decided to get together and to go to the shaykh and ask him to make a prayer, asking Allah (s.w.t.) to Remove this punishment from His people.  The shaykh opened his door and told them to come in.  “O our master, you know which terrible illness has befallen us.  We are in fear.  Please make a du’a which Allah will Accept to Remove this curse.” 

“I understand that you want this.  But I have never asked Allah to Remove anything which Allah has Ordered.  I have never asked to change His Will.  I am sorry.  I cannot do what you are asking for.” 

The people were upset, and some started to cry.  But Allah (s.w.t.) does not Want His servants to feel hopelessness, so the shaykh continued, “O you servants, this is my way.  But I can send you to someone who can do what you ask for.  I will send you to a huge cemetery, so frightening that people normally do not even want to go there during the day.  Deep in there, you will find a dervish, who is occupied with the love and awe of his Lord.  He is on another level all together, attracted to the Divine Love.  Beware, it is not easy to go close to him.  When he sees you coming, he will attack you with stones and words.  Do not give up.  Tell him I have sent you.” 

It happened the way the shaykh had told them, and when they mentioned the name of the shaykh to the dervish, he said, “O my brothers, give my respects to him. I will do what he asks of me.  I am under his command.  Go back to the mosque and pray for the illness to go away, and it will.”  The people returned, and as he had said, the illness finished with their prayer. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Has such servants, when they ask for something, it will happen at once.  Keep our respect for everyone, they can be hidden ones; we may lose a big chance to get their prayers and du’a.