Hadhrat Hamdoon Qassaar (Rahmatullah Alayh) – “Why Were The Talks Of The Former People (Ulama) So Effective.”

Hadhrat Hamdoon Qassaar (Rahmatullah alayh) was among the Auliya of the Salafus Saaliheen. He was the Mureed of Hadhrat Turaab Bakhshi (Rahmatullah alayh). He was the Shaikh of Hadhrat Abdullah Mubaarak (Rahmatullah alayh), The people of his era used to revile him considerably, for they could not understand his talks pertaining to spiritual subtleties. But, the Auliya had the highest regard for him.a

One day he visited a sick friend who was in his maradhul maut (last illness). The moment the friend died, Hadhrat Hamdoon (Rahmatullah alayh) extinguished the lantern. The people who were present asked in surprise for the reason. He said: “As long as he was alive, the lantern and the oil in it belonged to him. The moment he died, the ownership of his heirs was established. It is therefore not permissible to use the property of the heirs.”

When the elders and Aimmah of Nishapur observed the piety and wisdom of Hadhrat Hamdoon, they requested him to begin a series of lectures to benefit the people. Hadhrat Hamdoon said: “It is not permissible for me to deliver wa’z (lecture) because my heart is trapped in the dunya and in jah (self-esteem/vanity). My talks will not benefit you. My talks will have no good effect on your hearts. It is a mockery of Ilm (Knowledge of the Deen) to make statements which have no good effect on the heart. It is to debase the Shariat. The talk is appropriate of such a person whose silence harms the Deen and whose speech eliminates falsehood.”

The humility of Hadhrat Hamdoon and his belief of his own sinfulness were overwhelming in him. He also made reference to the Hadith: “He who remains silent regarding the Haqq is a dumb shaitaan.” Since he believed sincerely that his talks will be devoid of benefit, neither benefitting the people nor guarding the Deen, he declined the request to deliver lectures.

Hadhrat Hamdoon (Rahmatullah alayh) was asked: “When is a person qualified to speak (i.e. give a wa’z)?” He said: “When he does not have to think what next he should say after having made a statement. His information should be from the Ghaib. As long as the speech cascades from the Ghaib, he should continue with his speech and not consider himself as the repository of the talk.”

The Auliya do not prepare speeches. What they speak is by inspiration from Allah Ta’ala.

Hadhrat Hamdoon (Rahmatullah alayh) was asked: “Why were the talks of the former people (Ulama) so effective.” He said: “They spoke for the glory of Islam and for their salvation (in the Aakhirah), and for the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. We speak for the honour of the nafs (jah, vanity, pride), for worldly motives, and for the pleasure of people.

“Your relationship with Allah Ta’ala in privacy should be more and loftier than your relationship with Him in public.”

There should be concealment as far as possible of one’s deeds of virtue.

“If you see piety in someone, do not be hasty in leaving him so that a portion of the barkat of his piety also reaches you.”

I give you wasiyyat (advice and admonition) of two things: Stay away from the company of Ulama (i.e. the ulama-e-soo’) and from the company of the juhala (ignoramuses).”

“He who reflects on the excellences of the former people (Salafus Saaliheen) will understand his own deficiencies.”

“Remember that worry is in the desire for more (i.e. more than whatever Allah Ta’ala has ordained for you).”

“He who does not desire blindness, should not become blind to the harms of his nafs.”

“If you see an intoxicated person, do not despise him. Fear the possibility of you becoming like him.”

“When the Faqeer is proud of his faqr (poverty), then his pride exceeds the pride of all the people of wealth. The status of faqr remains as long as the Faqeer is humble.”

The root of all spiritual ailments of the heart is abundance of eating, and it is the root for bringing calamity to the Deen.”

“He who is engrossed in the dunya will be disgraced in the dunya and the Aakhirat.”

“In calamity, only he who doubts Allah Ta’ala displays impatience.”

Three things delight shaitaan. (1) Killing a Mu’min. (2) Death in the state of kufr. (3) Fear for Durwaishi (i.e. the poverty of the Auliya).” (The delight of shaitaan is not confined to these three evils. The statement has been made to emphasize the villainy of these three evils.)