Q & A SESSION WITH 21ST CENTURY PRACTISING SUFI GURU FROM THE NAQSYABANDY ORDER.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu

I am very pleased, present with me this very instant is His Excellency, Honorable Syaikh Alhady, a practising Sufi Guru  of the 21st century, from the Naqsyabandy Order. During this Q & A session, we will try to elicit as much information and clarifications from him in order to enlighten us regarding the subject of Sufism, Tariqah, Tasawwuf in Islam, and so forth. We also hope that by the end of the session, we will be able to appease the cynics, skeptics, and critics, put to rest all doubts, misunderstanding, prejudices and disputes regarding the said subjects, once and for all!

1.QUESTION: Assalamualaikum, Honorable Syaikh!  Can you please define what indeed is Sufism, Tariqah and Tasawwuf? Are they part of Islam and if so why do they invite so much polemic of prejudices among Muslims in general, especially in this part of the world?

ANSWER:  Waalaikumussalam warahmatulahi wabarakatu. Bismillahi, waminallahi, wabillahi, wailallahi, wafillahi, wala hawla wala quwwa tailla billahil ‘aliyyil’azim. ‘Amma ba’:

When we speak about Sufism, Tariqah and Tasawwuf, or add another one, ie, Ihsan, we actually mean the same thing. They are essentially the same, in essence, and they are indeed an integral part of the Islamic religion! They specifically refer to the intrinsic, hidden reality or esoteric nature or part of Islam, whilst the more famous Syariah refers to the exoteric or popularly external nature of Islam.

Prejudices invariably, arise as a result of sheer ignorance, malignant sickness of the heart, misinformation, misunderstanding and the misfortune of not having been exposed to the correct practices with de facto practitioners; much less engaging experientially in such practices. 

2.QUESTION: Are they derived from the Holy Quran?

ANSWER: Yes indeed, in spite of the people’s general disbelief, the word Tariq or Tariqah appears not once but nine times in five Surahs in the Holy Quran! So are words like Sirot, Sabil, Suluk, Wasilah, Rabitah, Ihsan, etc. which appear in the Holy Quran, mean the same thing. Does it matter then, if the word Tasawwuf does not, This therefore, is an indisputable testimony of TariqahTasawwuf [as popularly known at present] being an integral part of Islam that which we, inevitably, cannot do without!

3.QUESTION: Please enlighten us further.

ANSWER: Islam, as we know it comprises, firstly, the external or exoteric phase or AzZohir Syariah and secondly, the internal or esoteric phase or AlBatin Syariah. While the former consists of the renown Fiqh and Usuluddin [Tawheed], the latter comprises Tasawwuf or Ihsan! Let me put it in a nutshell for better understanding. If you draw a big circle, within it represents  Islam, draw a smaller circle within the big circle to represent Iman or Tawheed, and lastly, draw a third circle within the second circle to denote Tasawwuf or Ihsan. Subsequently, the sums of all the parts will make up Islam as a whole, as the complete religion. No part should be taken out or practised in isolation because they are all inclusive in nature.That being the essence of Islam, the pure and true religion as described by the Prophet to Archangel Gibrail, in the presence of theSahabah [reported in Hadits Sohih], should be well understood by all Moslems.  

4.QUESTION: Are there anymore Quranic exegesis to support this?

ANSWER: Yes indeed! While the three circles denote firstly,Islam or Moslem, secondly, Iman or Mukmin and thirdly, Ihsan or Muhsin respectvely, Q.S. Al-Hujurat: 14, admonishes:

' Say, we have submitted our wills to God [become Moslem] for not yet has faith [Iman] entered your hearts.' Meaning, one can be a Moslem yet not a mukmin!

In Q.S. Al-Ankabut: 69, assures:

' And those who strive in Our [Cause], We will certainly guide them to Our Paths: For verily God is with those who do right. [Muhsin].'

The above verse exhorts one to strive, struggle hard and undertake Jihad in the religion before God will finally show the right way or path to Him and thereby attain the goodness and utter delicacy [Ihsan] of nearness and close proximity to Him.

This again shows the inclusive nature of the symbolic three circles embodying one another representing Islam in its perfect state.

5.QUESTION: Therefore, if one practises only the exoteric Syariah namely just Fiqh, would that make him less a Moslem?

ANSWER: Well, he still remains a Moslem nonetheless, but he is far from being transformed to the level  measure for measure, as spelt out by the Prophet s.a.w. himself. Proof of this is in the transformed, towering and sterling personalities of the Tabi’in and Sahabah, who, having mentored the Prophet s.a.w. very closely and consistently, embraced perfection in their spiritual endeavours and etiquette, in their daily lives. They were without doubt, the perfect Ummah!

Imam Ahmad Hambal r.a. was famously reported saying:

‘ Alsyariatu billa Haqiqati ‘aatilah, wal Haqiqatu billa Syariati baatilah.’

It means, if one embraces the Syariah without the Haqiqat [Ihsan], all actions will be in vain, while, embracing the Haqiqat strictly, without the Syariah will render all actions void. And whosoever enjoins the two, will render the perfect religion!

6.QUESTION: We now have the synthesis and prerequisites of the Perfect man and the Perfect Religion!

ANSWER: Love of God is contingent upon the love and total obedience to the Prophet, and to flee from his commandments and personifying all goodness [Ihsan] will only subject oneself to final doom and destruction! Therefore, to qualify for Khalifahhood [Insan Kamil], as underlined in the Holy Quran, one must totally adopt, adapt and embrace all teachings of the loveable Prophet, without exception, of whichTasawwuf or Ihsan is an integral part of his teachings.    

7. QUESTION: Honorable Syaikh, you have certainly hit the nail on its head very convincingly and conclusively; and also exhorted the teaching and embracing of values in Tasawwuf to be ingrained in each and every one resulting in a knowledgeable, resilient, stronger and a blessed Ummah!

ANSWER: That indeed is a fitting description of the stuff made of the Moslem Ummah that lasted a good 300 years of the golden eras gone by. All we have to do is just to replicate it, if only it is that simple!

8. QUESTION: What is the danger ensuing from not knowing and not engaging TariqatTasawwuf?

ANSWER: One becomes less human, because one is part human and part beast, as a result of ones unbridled dominant lower Nafs.

9. QUESTION: Is that why man is ever so prone to fall prey to even the slightest temptation to do evil?

ANSWER: No other reason.

10. QUESTION: Why is Tasawwuf the domain of the Elite?

ANSWER: Will gold ever lose its lustre and splendour, even when flung into a mud?

11. QUESTION: Every dog has its day; and every DOGMA has its say!

ANSWER: Yes, more importantly is to allay, even eliminate all prejudices, misgivings, misconceptions and especially ignorance, so that Tasawwuf will stand tall and supreme in the hearts of men!

12. QUESTION: Honorable Shaikh, last but not least, why is it that you do not portray the mainstream Ulamas, especially, in your attire attributes?

ANSWER: In all my Halaqahs, you will find me fully attired; but outside it, I am fully sick and tired, of stereotyping what I stand for. Dressing up to represent what you are not, to the public, is so rampant that any right-thinking person will be loathe. There’s already so much of artificiality, superficiality, absolute hypocrisy, deception and greed among the so-called elites [read: ulamas]. Lets not emulate it lest one wishes to profit from it!

The Prophet S.A.W. was reported saying in his Hadits:

‘ Innallaaha laa yanzuru ila suwarakum, walaa ilaa a’malakum, walakin yanzuru ilaa qulubikum.’

Which means, God does not look at your physical attributes nor your deeds but He most certainly holds your heart to account!

13. QUESTION: Thank you immensely, Honorable Syaikh, for this most engaging and enlightening discourse, which should put all doubts and controversies to rest, eternally!

ANSWER: Alhamdulillah- Then, I will humbly rest my case, likewise! Wabillahit Taufiq wal Hidayah. Wasalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu.

BAITUL ADAM ITMT, SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA. 07/02/2012.  

ONE - WAY TICKET THE FINAL REDEMPTION

Ladies and Gentlemen! Assalaamualaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh!

In this second series of Q & A session, we are extremely pleased to share with you, by having with us once again, at this very moment, His Excellency, Honourable Syaikh Al-Hady An-Naqsyahbandi, a renowned Sufi Guru of the 21st Century. We will explore with the Honourable Syaikh, what exactly is his take on the subject before us, amazingly entitled, ' ONE-WAY TICKET - THE FINAL REDEMPTION.' Let's not waste any more time!

1.Q. Assalaamualaikum, Ya Honourable Syaikh!

  

 A. Wa'alaikumussalaam Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh!

2.Q. Perhaps, Honourable Syaikh can enlighten us on the precise meaning of the title of this Q & A   session, its wider ramifications and how the subject matter impacts upon all mankind!

  

 A. Bismillaahi, Alhamdulillaah! Wa’budullaaha wa la tusyriku bihi syai’a, Wassolaatu wassalaamu ‘ala sayyidinaa Muhammadin syamsil huda, wa’ala aalihi wa ashaabihii nujuumil ihtidaa i. Amma ba’:  

Very well! The phrase 'One-way ticket' fittingly refers to the ultimate journey that each and every man will undertake, at some point in his life, when his time is up, that his Maker has predestined upon him; that this final appointment is his to keep! In other words, he says farewell to all those dear people around him, all his dear possessions; farewell also to the world and his own life-existence, in this so-called dream-world! This is the journey of no return, no U-turn! This is the awesome and fearsome Sakarat. He dies! Period!

Whilst, 'No redemption' strictly stipulates that one begins the journey with just what one has, or has not, at that point or moment in time; and reluctantly so! Its absolute fragility and finality precludes against pleas for mercy, nuances of regret, repentance or forward grandiose plans for self-construction or amendments, and so forth! Is there any hope for mercy, yet; you may ask??

We have now come to the subject matter proper called 'The art and science [signs] of Dying.' 

Its dire significance and importance can best be illustrated by Quranic exegesis, firstly, which states:

' Kullu nafsin zaa iqatul maut.’al-Anbiya’:35 and Ali Imran:185.

' Every life or soul shall have a taste of death.’ Period! However, it is every right-thinking and practicing Muslim’s obligation to make it a quest to live and die as Muslims [Mukmin], nonetheless! al-Baqarah:132.

Second illustration:

' The Angel of Death unceremoniously, descended upon a certain man. He then blurted-out, ' I have now come to take your life!’ Startled and shocked, the poor man exclaimed, 'What? Can you spare me and grant me a respite of at least one month?’ The Angel of Death asked, 'What for?' To which the poor soul answered, ‘So that I'd be able to repent, perform my prayers, religious obligations, and many acts of good deeds!' The Angel blatantly declined, but still the wretched soul subsequently pleaded, ' How about a week, a day or an hour?' The wranglings or bargains, if you like, were decidedly untenable and quite useless, as you can see! No angel of God will extend you courtesies, generally!

Please refer chapter 50, verse 19, which states:

' Wa jaaat sakratul mauti bilhaqqi, zalika maa kunta minhu tahiid,' which means:

' And the stupor of death will bring truth [before his eyes]. ' This was the thing which you were trying to escape!'

3.  Q. Honourable Syaikh, what happens here, is there a hadits or Traditions of the Prophet which points or relates to this?

  

 A. Yes indeed! As a matter of fact, the Prophet s.a.w, has dwelt on the matter on numerous occasions, admonishing mankind to correctly understand the real meaning or philosophy of life and death, and to make preparations for it! But, of course, man would either wittingly disbelieve it or choose to be heedless, but the loss is his entirely, regardless!

A Hadits of the Prophet, matter-of-factly, states:

' Whomsoever is able to recite the Syahadah [Laa ilaaha illallah], on his last breath upon dying, will be accorded Paradise!'

Therein, lies the golden key to Paradise! Ah, a simple thing you say, but, alas, this is easier said than done! Why is this so?

Using a simple analogy, if a person is extremely good at something, say, mathematics; he is able to crunch figures at will, for his own good, even in sleep, let alone during his wakeful hours! How is this done, you may ask? Clearly, if something or a habit has become second nature to a person, it must have been acquired through the process of in-built, practice, conditioning, or internalization!

Similarly, Almighty God confirms in chapter 8, verse 45:

‘ Fasbutuu wazkurullaaha kathiral la’allakum tuflihuun.’

' Be firm and call God in remembrance much [and often], that ye may prosper!'

True to the saying, 'Old habit dies hard,' and also, 'Perfect practice makes perfect!' Therefore, what one needs is firstly, ingrained belief, knowledge and constant recital [ TAWAJJUH and HALAQAH ZIKR], and of course, amar ma’aruf! Again, all pointing towards consistency and conditioning!

In addition, a Tradition of the Prophet states:

' Die before you die! Should anyone seek proof of this, simply look at my Sahabah, Abu Bakar as-Siddiq r.a., who is living-proof of this!'

The great Imam al-Ghazali, once cautioned in one of his Kitaab, thus:

' Mallam yakun lahu nasiibun min 'ilmi, yukhafu 'alaihi su ulkhatimah.' Which literally means, whomsoever does not study and understand Tasawwuf, he is likely to meet Su ul khatimah, upon dying? Wa iyya zubillah!

4. Q. Dear Honourable Syaikh, if this be the end of the life-story of every man, how then do we deal with this? Is there a Sunnah, a time-honoured methodology to overcome this extremely fearsome, insensible, imperceptible, dazzling and intimidating trials and tribulations, called Sakratul-maut?

 A. Exactly as the Holy Quran states in chapter 47, verse 19:

' Fa'lam annahu laa ilaaha illallaah, wastaghfir lizambik.'

' Know therefore, Laa ilaaha illallah, and ask foregiveness for thy fault!'

Fear not, Son, because the whole resolution of the matter lies in the great secret or Hikmah that stays unlocked in the science of the Kalimah Syahadah! What needs to be done is to prise it open, of course, with the help and guidance of an expert. This so-called expert is none other than a Guru or Mursyid, and a true practitioner in Tasawwuf! A lesser qualification is not acceptable, because only a true man of God is able to guide another man to the correct path of God, which the Guru has earlier navigated through himself, so to speak! Then, and only then, will the novice be properly and securely armed!

5.Q. Honourable Syaikh, according to the Tradition, can you spell out precisely this science of dying, this Khatimah, what actually takes place within the dying moments, as the dying man lies- in- wait and apprehensively so?

 A. To have certain death coldly staring in your face is not everyone’s daily favorite dish! But it surely will find you, even as we speak; when you least expect it! Therefore, only the wise will constantly prepare for its eventual arrival, to preempt or to leverage, if you will; instead of allowing it to take you by surprise!

The moments of dying, truth be told, are real moments of great calamity and trepidation; truth verses falsehood; a contest of sorts; whereby Almighty God wills it, that there will eventually, emerge a victor or a vanquished!

You will stand in good stead, if you have gone through the rigours of the science of dying yourself! For incumbents, the process allows you to understand and realize ones true nature; every facet of one’s spiritual self, by identifying one’s multitude of Nafs; defining, refining, distilling and crystallizing them into pure spiritual states within oneselves! What initially begins with the conscious-self, pervades the sub-conscious, plumbs deep and becomes so internalized within every fabric of one’s being, that one finally knows and understands one’s own realms of spirituality and alchemy! Inevitably, one has full and complete control of oneself and thus, fully prepared for the unexpected!

During the beguiling moments of dying, one is put to very rigorous and strenuous test. God Almighty will pose a revelation of sorts before ones very eyes, visions of which one has never before experienced in one’s life! God Almighty confirms this in chapter 50, verse 22, which states:

' [It will be said:] 'Thou wast heedless of this, now have We removed thy veil, and sharp is thy sight this Day.'

Need I remind also that, one of the greatest hurdles yet, in the form of ordeals and tribulations, comes from the devil/iblis himself! Beware of, and fathom his sworn statement before Almighty God!

Refer chapter al-A’raf, verses 16-18: As God Almighty rid him from paradise:

‘Because Thou hast thrown me out of the Way, lo! I will lie in wait for them [Bani Adam] on Thy straight Way! Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left; Nor will Thou find, in most of them, gratitude [for Thy Mercies]’ [God Almighty] said: ‘Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of them follow thee, Hell will I fill with you all!!!’

Therefore, never ever take this transition between life and death [sakarat], for granted, at your own peril!

But, for him who comes ‘prepared’, therein, lies his redemption and salvation by succumbing to the miraculous science and mistique of the Syahadah, complete with its overwhelmingly powerful ramifications and ‘Hikmah’, that one already has gnosis of ‘Marifah’ and knowledge, previously mastered, for his own good! Period!

But, for the uninitiated and the imbecile, and against the background of utter confusion, frenzy and agony, during the Sakarat, one is likely to lose track of one’s own condition, sanity, judgment and state of mind; and the end-result can only be an absolute disaster! Na’’uzubillah!

6.Q.  Hounorable Syaikh, you have indeed revealed the whole spectrum of dying that one simply shudders and is loathe to encounter, unprepared? As a final closure, why, and how is it that knowledge of the Science of the Self, and the Science of Dying encapsulated in Tasawwuf, is able to stave-off trepidation during moments of dying?

 A. Just consider this! If your heart beats 70 times a minute, it will beat 70 x 60 x 24 = 100,800 in a day of 24 hours. If you breathe an average of 20 times a minute, it will be 20 x 60 x 24 = 28,800 in a day of 24 hours. Total them up, you will get a round figure of 130,000 times, in a day of 24 hours!

Now, in the ritual spiritual practice of the Realms of Tasawwuf, the Salik/Seeker/devotee is taught to perform Zikr [Syahadah] with every heartbeat, and breath, consciously or unconsciously; every single day for the rest of the devotee’s entire and enlightened life!

You do not have to be a mathematician or a psychic now, to be able to rate his chances, in battling the gruesome war of attrition, during the dying moments of Sakratul-maut; when compared to a complete idiot or ignoramus who lacks knowledge, let alone practice of the Zikr!

Thereupon, Almighty God Commands:

' O ye who believe! Call His Name, Celebrate the Praises of God, and do this often.' Ahzab 33:41.

O yes, do recite and repeat the Syahadah often! Therein, lies your final redemption and salvation. The Jannah will be yours, absolutely, Son! InsyaAllah Alhamdulillah!     

All said and done, if you know God Almighty, you can be what you wish to be, be it in this world or the next! Believe you me, InsyaAllah Ta'ala! ALHAMDULILLAH! TABARAKALLAHU RABBUL’ALAMIN!

Thank you!’

For further reference, please surf website TARIKATUSUFIYAH.BLOGSPOT.COM, specifically on ‘HURU-HARA MATI.’

Wabillahit Taufiq wal Hidaayah,

Assalaamualaikum warahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh!

BLOG TN, MADRASATUL BAITUL ADAM, SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR, 24.05.2013.