TARIQAT (5)
THERE WAS NO NECESSITY FOR THE CUSTOMARY WAY OF STRIVING DURING THE TIME OF RASULULLAH S.A.W.

A mere glance at Rasulullah S.A.W during his lifetime was sufficient to attain the rank of ihsaan. It is constantly mentioned in the works of the former and latter masha’ikh that the ziyaarat (to have merely seen him) of Rasulullah S.A.W. was more than enough to reach the stage of ihsaan. As time passed after the lifetime of Rasulullah S.A.W. the enlightenment of prophethood became distant and therefore the hearts became effected with the dimming and consequent darkness.

A saying of Hadhrat Anas R.A., narrated by Tirmizi is transcribed on page 547 in Mishkaat. It reads thus, “The day when Rasulullah S.A.W. entered Madina Munawwarah everything was enlightened and the day he passed away darkness descended on all things. After the demise of Rasulullah S.A.W., we had scarcely shaken off the dust from our hands after throwing sand into his sacred grave and we already found a difference in the enlightenment of our hearts”. i.e. The purity and light in our hearts was not like that which we sensed when seeing Rasulullah S.A.W. (when he was alive).

In a narration of Hadhrat Hanzala R.A. he says, “I came out of my house and met Hadhrat Abu Bakr R.A. He inquired, “Hanzala, how are you ?“. I replied, “Hanzala has become a munaafiq (hypocrite)”. He said, “Subhanallah, (Allah alone is pure of all faults) what are you saying ?". I said, “Whilst we are with Rasulullah S.A.W. and he described jannat and jahannam, then it is as if both of them are before our eyes. But when we return home to our wives, children and occupations we tend to forget much of what he says”. Hadhrat Abu Bakr R.A. on hearing this said, “I swear by Allah, this is my condition too”. Both of us then went to Rasulullah S.A.W. and admitted, “0 Rasulullah S.A.W. Hanzala has become a hypocrite”. Rasulullah S.A.W. said, “What did you say ?". “I repeated the entire abovementioned talk whereupon RasuluIlah S.A.W. declared”, “I swear by Him, who owns my life, if you remain at all times in the state in which you are when with me, and be occupied in the remembrance of Allah then the angels will shake hands with you on your beds and on your paths, but O Hanzala, it happens occasionally, it happens occasionally, it happens occasionally”. i.e A person does not remain in the same state all the time. The state of Hudhuri (presence) is experienced occasionally.

Similarly with the masha’ikh, the state and condition of the mureedeen in their presence differ from that in their absence. The hadith of Rasulullah S.A.W. further broadens the meaning of the word ‘dhikr’, so that by a dhikr gathering and abundant remembrance of Allah the rank of ihsaan is attained. Increasing ‘dhikr’ is a substitute for being in the presence of the shaikh.(Mishkaat — narration of Muslim, page 198).

A narration in ‘At’takasshuf’ on page 631 states that Hadhrat Abu Taiha Ansaari R.A. was performing salaat in one of his orchards when he noticed a ‘Dubsi’ (a bird or wild dove) flying and fluttering all over, trying and failing to find a way out. Abu Talha R.A. felt very pleased to own such a dense orchard where even a bird finds it difficult to fly out. For a few moments his eyes followed the ‘Dubsi’ then he turned his attention back to his salaat only to find that he had forgotten at what stage he was (in his salaat). He thought to himself, “Because of my wealth, great affliction has reached me and I have lost my concentration in salaat. So he went to Rasulullah S.A.W. and related the entire incident that occurred during his salaat”. He said, “0 Rasulullah S.A.W. this whole orchard is charity, dispose of it however you wish”. (narrated by Imaam Maalik R.A.)

Note:
(1) The habit of meditation for supervision of the heart. It is a practice of the sufis to constantly watch the heart and compensate for any deficiency. By the action of this Sahaabi R.A. (companion) and Rasulullah’s S.A.W. approval, the worthiness of this practice is evident. This awareness is due to his vigilance over the state of his heart.

(2) To detest whatever causes one to be unmindful of Allah is a praiseworthy state called ‘Ghairat’ (exercising restraint). This fact is ascertained from this hadith.

(3) Discarding whatever causes negligence in remembering Allah. There are many incidents of saints who found the hearts of seekers to be strongly attached to material things and they were then instructed to dispose of these things. The basis of this remedy is found in this hadith. The Sahaabi R.A., prescribed a remedy and Rasulullah S.A.W., did not reject it. This is technically known as ‘taqreer’.

A similar story of an Ansaari in the time of Hadhrat Uthmaan R.A., is recorded in ‘Mu’atta’. An Ansaari Sahaabi R.A., was once performing salaat in one of his orchards. It was the season for dates and the trees were heavily laden. His eyes were attracted to the huge bunches of dates on the trees and he felt happy. (His heart was occupied in the admiration of the fruit). Thereafter his attention returned to his salaat but by then he had already forgotten how many rak’aats he had performed. He then lamented, “This garden has caused me harm”. He went to Hadhrat Ameerul Mu’mineen Uthmaan R.A., and explained what had happened and said, “My orchard is given as charity in the path of Allah, spend it where you wish”. Hadhrat Uthmaan R.A., sold the orchard for fifty thousand, hence it was known as ‘khamseen’ (fifty), thereafter Hadhrat Uthmaan R.A., distributed the sum in charity. There are many such events of the Sahaaba-e-Kiraam R.A., from which it is evident that they attained the rank of ihsaan without the need for striving and doing spiritual exercises.

In his commentary on ‘Mu’atta’, Hadhrat Shah VaIiul1ah R.A., has stated that these incidents are signs of spiritual relationship which develop in the heart, and places the worship of Allah Ta’aala above all else, and arouses a feeling of shame and restraint to be engaged in anything else besides Him.

Allama Abul Waleed Baaji R.A., says, “Incidents in which distraction in Salaat occurred to Sahaaba R.A., are very few, and whenever they did, it was a great burden on them. We who frequently encounter such incidents of evil distraction of the mind, what will our position be? May Allah forgive us”. (Awjazul Masaalik, Vol 1, page 314).

In the fifth chapter of this unworthy beings book ‘The Stories of the Companions’ many stories are recorded on the diligence and concentration in salaat by these great men. A young Sahaabi, Hadrat Abdullah bin Zubair R.A., was performing salaat while his son Hashim was asleep near him. A snake fell from the ceiling and coiled around him. The child screamed. The family folk came running. There was an uproar. The snake was killed. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair R.A. completed the salaat with the same calmness (as before the incident) and inquired, “A little noise was heard, what was it ?“. The wife replied, “May Allah bestow mercy on you! The child's life was at stake and you did not even know!" He exclaimed, “Woe to you, if I should have diverted my attention from salaat how would it be valid?". These illustrious men were in no need of spiritual exercises and any earnest efforts. They successfully attained the rank of ‘An tabudal laaha ka’annaka taraahu’. “That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him in front of you."

My dear and respected Maulana Yousuf Saheb R.A. has also transcribed many similar incidents in his book ‘The life of the companions’. He has recorded in the chapter ‘The reality of faith’, many such incidents of the Sahaabah R.A. The first one mentioned is of Hadhrat Haarith bin Maalik R.A., who was once sleeping in the Masjid. Rasulullah S.A.W. entered and tapped him with his blessed foot and said, “Lift your head”. He lifted his head and said, “My mother and father be sacrificed for you, what is your command ?". Rasulullab S.A.W. asked, “In what condition did you begin the day?". He replied, “0 Rasulullah S.A.W., I have began the day in the condition of a firm believer”. Thereupon Rasulullah S.A.W. said, “Behind every positive statement there is a reality. What is the reality of your pronouncement ?". He replied, “I have turned my face away from the world, fasted all day long, worshipped Allah the entire night; it is as if I see the throne of my Cherisher, the people of jannat visiting each other, and the people of jahannam enemies of one another”. Then Rasulullah S.A.W. said, “You are a person whose heart Allah has enlightened. You have attained ‘ma’rifat’ (deep knowledge — recognition of Allah). Remain steadfast upon it !" (Hayaatus Sahaabah, vol. 3, page 19)