ANCIENT SUFIS: THOUGHTS FOR THE SEEKER OF DEEPER REALITIES

THE LIGHT OF GUIDANCE CENTER FOR SUFI STUDIES, NEW YORK CITY

A Center for the Study of the Teachings of The Sufi Order International
       
From the book Meditations by Muinuddin Chisti

The Sufis breathe nothing but love.

It is given in the discourses of Kwawaja Shibli that the holy Prophet was given by Allah the khirqat (robe), the cap and the bowl on the night of ascension. He was directed to ask of his companions what they would do if they were given these holy relics. The one who gave the correct answer would get them....


Some time after his return from the ascension the holy Prophet asked Hadharat Abu Bakr: 'O Abu Bakr! If I give you the robe of the caliphate of Allah, the cap and the bowl, what will you do then? Hadharat Abu Bakr submitted thus: 'I will take more to acts of devotion, worship and piety and adhere to you in outward and inward prayers'.


The holy Prophet subsequently put the same question to Hadharat Umar. He replied: 'For the pleasure of Allah I shall adopt justice and give what is due to the rightful claimants'.


Afterwards the holy Prophet asked the same question to Hadharat Uthman, who replied thus: 'O messenger of Allah! For the pleasure of Allah I shall give generously to the poor and the needy!'


Last of all the holy Prophet asked of Hadharat Ali: 'O Ali! Tell me what you would do if I give you the robe of the caliphate'. Hadharat Ali submitted thus: 'O messenger of Allah! I shall conceal the faults of the people and hide their sins'

The holy Prophet, on hearing this reply, said: 'Allah has so ordered me, that whomsoever among my companions may give this reply, I should give him the robe of the caliphate, the cap and the bowl.'

*From MEDITATIONS of Hazrat Muinuddin Hasan Chisti*:, published by Sharib Press, Southhampton, England, 1994.

THE CAPACITY TO SERVE By Abdul Qadir Jilani

When He wants a servant to do something, He prepares him for it. This is something that has to do with inner meanings, not outer forms.... His speck of dust will become a mountain; his tiny drop, an ocean; his star, a moon; a sun; his little, much; his obliteration, existence; his annihilation, perpetuity; his mobility, stability. His tree will grow tall; it will tower up to the heavenly throne, while its roots are in earth and its branches provide shade in this world and the hereafter....
When this has been fully accomplished, this servant is properly equipped to stay among the people, to lend them a helping hand, and to save them from the drowning ocean of this world. For if the Lord of Truth intends to use His servant as an instrument for doing good, He makes him their guide, their physician, their educator, their trainer, their translator, their interpreter, their good omen, their gift, their lamp, their sun.

From The Sublime Revelation, by 'Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani, translated by Muhtar Holland. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 1992, p.44

THE SUFIS BREATHE NOTHING BUT LOVE, By Muinuddin Chishti

It is given in the discourses of Kwawaja Shibli that the holy Prophet was given by Allah the khirqat (robe), the cap and the bowl on the night of ascension. He was directed to ask of his companions what they would do if they were given these holy relics. The one who gave the correct answer would get them....

Some time after his return from the ascension the holy Prophet asked Hadharat Abu Bakr: 'O Abu Bakr! If I give you the robe of the caliphate of Allah, the cap and the bowl, what will you do then? Hadharat Abu Bakr submitted thus: 'I will take more to acts of devotion, worship and piety and adhere to you in outward and inward prayers'.

The holy Prophet subsequently put the same question to Hadharat Umar. He replied: 'For the pleasure of Allah I shall adopt justice and give what is due to the rightful claimants'.

Afterwards the holy Prophet asked the same question to Hadharat Uthman, who replied thus: 'O messenger of Allah! For the pleasure of Allah I shall give generously to the poor and the needy!'

Last of all the holy Prophet asked of Hadharat Ali: 'O Ali! Tell me what you would do if I give you the robe of the caliphate'. Hadharat Ali submitted thus: 'O messenger of Allah! I shall conceal the faults of the people and hide their sins'

The holy Prophet, on hearing this reply, said: 'Allah has so ordered me, that whomsoever among my companions may give this reply, I should give him the robe of the caliphate, the cap and the bowl.'

*From MEDITATIONS of Hazrat Muinuddin Hasan Chisti*:, published by Sharib Press, Southhampton, England, 1994.

 

Let the heavens be reflected on the earth, Lord, that the earth may turn into heaven. ......... Hazrat Inayat Khan

 

Love all and hate none. Mere talk of peace will will avail you not. Mere talk of God and religion will not take you far.

Bring out all of the latent powers of your being and revel the full magnificence of your immortal Self.

Be surcharged with peace and joy, and scatter them where ever you are and wherever you go.

Be a blazing fire of truth, be a beauteous blossom of love and be a soothing balm of peace. With your spiritual light, dispel the darkness of ignorance; dissolve the clouds of discord and war and spread goodwill, peace and harmony among the people.

Never seek any help, charity of favors from anybody except God.

Never go to the courts of kings but never refuse to bless and help the needy and the orphan, if they come to your door. This is your mission, to serve the people.

Carry it out dutifully and courageously, so that I, as your Pir-o-Murshid, may not be ashamed of any shortcomings on your part before the Almighty God and our holy predecessors in the Sufi Silsilah on the Day of Judgment.

(Muinuddin Chishti's last talk to his spiritual disciples, 1233 A.D.)

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