A Shaykh’s Advice for Habib ‘Ali Zayn al-‘Abidin ibn ‘Abd ar-Rahman al-Jifri

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is an exchange between Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) and Habib ‘Ali Zayn al-‘Abidin ibn ‘Abd ar-Rahman al-Jifri on the 23rd November 2010.  This event took place when he came to visit Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) in Lefke.  This swuhbah concerned Sulthan al-‘Arifin, Shaykh Bayazid Thayfur ibn ‘Isa al-Bisthami (q.s.), the sixth Grand Shaykh of the Naqshbandi Thariqa’, whose maqam is in Damascus, though some say it is in Iran. 

Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) said every human being is in dread of Judgement Day.  Who does not fear to be Judged in the Divine Presence on that Day.  Shaykh Bayazid’s (q.s.) heart was always yearning for that Day.  He said, “I would love to hear my Lord Call me on that Day!”  What else can he desire?  After hearing Him Call out his name, even if He were to Hurl him into Hell, it would not matter.  Shaykh Bayazid (q.s.) would not fear all the Fires of Hell, just as he would not find happiness even if Allah (s.w.t.) Gave him all the Heavens in exchange for the ecstasy experienced after having been Called by Him.  It is such an honour, such sweetness, to hear Him Call our names.  And after He has Judged Shaykh Bayazid (q.s.) and Asks him his need, Shaykh Bayazid’s (q.s.) reply would be that he needs nothing more than this.  It is enough for him, from pre-eternity to eternity; to hear the Divine Calling his name.  Allah (s.w.t.), His Attributes and His Words, are Eternal.  Were He to Call us, we would hear it forever.  That is all we need.  One in such state has no desire for the Heavens and no fear of the Fire. 

Habib ‘Ali al-Jifri said they ask only for forgiveness and sincerity, to which Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) replied he is no one to grant anything.  After all, will Allah (s.w.t.) not make Rasulullah (s.a.w.) happy by Granting Forgiveness and Safety to his ummah?  For sure, Rasulullah (s.a.w.) will be sad to lose even one of his ummah to the Fire.  In such a case, will He Throw even one of His servants into the Fire? 

Habib ‘Ali reiterated that Allah (s.w.t.) has Promised Rasulullah (s.a.w.) not to let him down.  Thus, he asks for sincerity and forgiveness as he feels ashamed towards Allah (s.w.t.).  Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) asked gently, if we truly feel ashamed in all reality.  Modesty has long since been Removed from this Earth when Jibril (a.s.) came to remove haya’ from the Earth.  The people of yesterday were ashamed to commit sins before Allah (s.w.t.), but not the people of today. 

Habib ‘Ali said they ask knowledge and guidance from the Treasures.  Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) said, Rasulullah (s.a.w.) had asked Allah (s.w.t.) to Grant this for his ummah and Allah (s.w.t.) Replied that this is a Forgiven ummah, Covered in Mercy.  We are Ummat un-Marhumah wa Ummat un-Maghfurah.  Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) asked, if we had forty children, would we accept if even one of them was taken away by a sultan?  Would that bring us comfort?  Habib ‘Ali replied in the negative. 

Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) said, Rasulullah (s.a.w.) is the Mercy to all Creation.  Allah (s.w.t.) Grants his ud’iyyah until his heart is satisfied.  And Rasulullah (s.a.w.) will not be satisfied, until everyone who believes, is saved by Allah (s.w.t.).  Habib ‘Ali confirmed that Allah (s.w.t.) Said: 

سُوۡرَةُ الِضُّحىٰ

وَلَسَوۡفَ يُعۡطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرۡضَىٰٓ (٥) 

And soon will thy Guardian Lord Give you (that wherewith) you shalt be well-pleased. (Surah adh-Dhuha’:5) 

Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) said, we must understand, for it is the door of happiness, that is, we must be happy to have a Forgiving Lord.  We must never lose hope in Allah’s (s.w.t.) Mercy and Forgiveness.  He is always Forgiving towards a repentant believer. 

Habib ‘Ali said Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) is our door to happiness.  In a hadits, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Speak of happiness and mercy, to make people’s hearts happy.”  Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) asked, is not Allah (s.w.t.) the Forgiver?  Who will He Forgive?  Is the Forgiveness for the Prophet (s.a.w.)?  His Forgiveness is for the sinners. 

سُوۡرَةُ الفَتْح

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

إِنَّا فَتَحۡنَا لَكَ فَتۡحً۬ا مُّبِينً۬ا (١) لِّيَغۡفِرَ لَكَ ٱللَّهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِن ذَنۢبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ وَيُتِمَّ نِعۡمَتَهُ ۥ عَلَيۡكَ وَيَہۡدِيَكَ صِرَٲطً۬ا مُّسۡتَقِيمً۬ا (٢) 

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Verily We have Granted you a manifest victory: That Allah may Forgive you your faults of the past and those to follow; Fulfill His Favour to you; and Guide you on the Straight Way; (Surah al-Fath:1-2) 

The sins of the past and future, have been Forgiven.  This is for those who sincerely repent.  None can pass the Scrutiny and Judgement of Allah (s.w.t.).  None is fit to stand before Him.  It has been set since the Day of Alastu bi ar-Rabbikum, the Day of Promises that every wali has been given his disciples and they will accompany them for eternity.  Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) said, qalu bala’.  This had been assigned from the Day of Promises.  We are His Muslim servants.  Allah (s.w.t.) will never throw us into the Fire and we thank Allah (s.w.t.) for that.  We must be aware of one thing though.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Allah has Educated me with the best of manners.”  Those with the best of manners will be in the Divine Presence, but the ill-mannered will be placed in stables where they can fulfill their carnal desires, eat and drink.  Although all of the ummah of Muhammad (s.a.w.) will eventually be saved, there are different types of Paradises – some will be near to Allah (s.w.t.), others, will be Veiled.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) was Sent to perfect human conduct.  Thus, we must not be satisfied just to practice the bare minimum in Islam.  We must strive to be the foremost in faith, the best of the believers.  It is these believers who will be nearest to Allah (s.w.t.). 

سُوۡرَةُ الواقِعَة

وَكُنتُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا ثَلَـٰثَةً۬ (٧) فَأَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ مَآ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ (٨) وَأَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡمَشۡـَٔمَةِ (٩) وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ (١٠) أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبُونَ (١١) 

And you shall be Sorted out into three classes.  Then (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand - what will be the Companions of the Right Hand?  And the Companions of the Left hand - what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?  And those Foremost (in faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).  These will be those Nearest to Allah: (Surah al-Waqi’ah:7-11) 

Shaykh Nazhim (q.s.) says it is common knowledge that animals will not be judged.  He gives an example, that if we were a farmer and an animal strayed into our field and ate our crops, we would probably complain to the authorities about what happened in order to attain compensation.  But the judge will not ask us to bring the animal to be a witness and to give testimony.  It is the owner of that animal that will be brought to court.  So many people are like animals in their behaviour.  Cattle are never given responsibilities.  Humans today have animal-like attributes, so nowadays, everyone lives mindlessly, and irresponsibly.  So, we must have a shepherd, a ‘lawyer’ who will plead for us in the Divine Court; we must seek a guide.  Those without a shaykh, take their ego as their guide. 

سُوۡرَةُ الفُرقان

أَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُ ۥ هَوَٮٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيۡهِ وَڪِيلاً (٤٣) أَمۡ تَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ يَسۡمَعُونَ أَوۡ يَعۡقِلُونَ‌ۚ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا كَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ‌ۖ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً (٤٤) 

See you such a one as takes for his god his own passion (or impulse)?  Could you be a disposer of affairs for him?  Or think you that most of them listen or understand?  They are only like cattle; nay they are worse astray in Path. (Surah al-Furqan:43-44) 

If we can evolve, and shed our animal characteristic, then we are no longer cattle.  We can reach our Divine stations.  We must remove our bad manners and we must strive to attain good manners.  The ones without good manners, are like animals.  They cannot hold responsibility.  The bad-mannered ones are placed in the stables, far from the Palace.  But the clean ones, the good-mannered ones, will be allowed into the Palace, to sit with the King.



Comments

  1. You must q.s after habib ali al jifri (q.s)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What do you mean I "must"? I do not have to put anything after anybody's name, unless it is the Prophet (s.a.w.) himself. Habib 'Ali is still alive. When he dies, and we are certain of his state, then we can talk about honorifics.

      Delete
  2. Then why put q.s under shaykh nazim al haqqani r.a?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Because he has passed away, and he is a wali. I have my own system. I decide upon the honorific as I deem most suitable. I do not need anonymous profiles telling me what I "must" do.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to share our thoughts. Once approved, your comments will be posted.

Popular posts from this blog

The Du’a of the Blind Man

A Brief Biography of Shaykh Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdullah Niyas al-Kawlakhi (q.s.)

The Benefits of the Verse of 1,000 Dananir