ANECDOTES FROM THE AULIYAA
1. THE PURPOSE OF ANECDOTES
Someone asked Hadhrat Abul Qaasim Junaid (rahmatullahi alayh): “Hadhrat, what benefit do the Mureedeen derive from the stories of the Auliyaa?” He said: “Stories (of the Auliyaa) are one of the armies of Allah. The hearts of the Mureedeen derive strength and peace from these anecdotes.” The questioner asked for proof of this claim. Hadhrat Junaid said: “Allah Ta`ala says in the Qur`aan:
“Every episode which We narrate to you from the stories of the Messengers, We strengthen therewith your heart.”
2. THE EFFECT OF WA`AZ
Shaikh Saalih Aarif-e-Kabeer Abu Sulaimaan Daaraani (rahmatullahi alayh) narrated: “I attended a wa`az (lecture). The talk of the lecturer had an effect on my heart. However, the effect disappeared as soon as the lecture ended. I attended his bayaan (lecture) a second time. The effect of his talk lingered with me even on the road, but disappeared when I reached home. After attending his wa`az a third time, the effect endured even after I had reached home. I then destroyed all objects of sin I had and took to the Path of Allah.”
[One should repeatedly sit in the company of the pious. The Naseehat of the Sheikh will ultimately establish a lasting effect, provided that one is a sincere seeker of the Haqq – Truth].
3. RAHMAT
When episodes of the Auliyaa are narrated, Rahmat from Allah Ta`ala descends on the gathering.
4. LOVE FOR THE AULIYAA
According to Shaikh Aarif Abu Turaab Bakhshni (rahmatullahi alayh) when the heart of a man turns away from Allah Ta`ala in consequence of his addiction to disobedience and transgression, he makes the Auliyaa a target for criticism. He denies and ridicules them. (This is a sign of Allah’s curse on such a person).
Shaikh Aarif Abul Fawaaris Shah Bin Shujaa Kirmaani (rahmatullahi alayh) said that there is no Ibaadat better than love for the Auliyaa of Allah Ta`ala. Love for the Auliyaa is a sign of love for Allah Ta`ala. (This is based on the Hadith: “Good Suhbat (i.e. companionship of the Auliyaa) is better than good deeds.”)
5. ANIMOSITY FOR THE AULIYAA
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiallahu anhu)narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Verily, Allah Ta`ala said: “He who harbours animosity for My Wali, I give him notice of war.”
6. THE ABDAAL
Hadhrat Anas Bin Maalik (radhiallahu anhu)narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that there are 40 Abdaal in his Ummat. Twenty two of them are in Shaam (Syria) and 18 are in Iraq. When one of them dies, Allah Ta`ala appoints someone to fill the vacancy. When Qiyaamah is nearby, they will all die.
(Abdaal – this is a class of Auliyaa whose identities are secret. They execute a variety of duties imposed on them by Allah Ta`ala).
7. SOME SPECIAL AULIYAA
Hadhrat Mas`ood (radhiallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “There are three hundred servants of Allah, whose hearts are like the heart of Aadam (alayhis salaam); forty have hearts like the heart of Ibraheem (alayhis salaam); seven have hearts like the heart of Izraeel (alayhis salaam); five have hearts like the heart of Jibraeel (alayhis salaam); three have hearts like the heart of Meekaeel (alayhis salaam); and one has the heart like the heart of Israafeel (alayhis salaam). When the one dies, Allah Ta`ala appoints one of the group of three to take his place; when one of the group of three dies, Allah Ta`ala appoints one from the group of five to take his place; when one from the group of five dies, Allah Ta`ala appoints one from the group of seven to take his place; when one from the group of seven dies, Allah Ta`ala appoints one from the group of forty to take his place; when one from the group of forty dies, Allah Ta`ala appoints one from the group of three hundred to take his place; when one of the group of three hundred dies, a man from the rank and file of mankind is ennobled (With Imaan and Taqwa) and appointed. Allah Ta`ala removes calamities from the Ummah of Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) by virtue of the blessedness of these Auliyaa.”
The one servant mentioned in this Hadith is called the Qutub or Ghaus. Among the Auliyaa his rank and position are like the centre of a circle. He is the pivot.
8. THE QUALITIES OF THE ABDAAL
Abu Darda (radhiallahu anhu) said that the rank bestowed to the Abdaal is not on account of their Salaat, Saum and external display of character, but is by virtue of their pure Taqwa, beautiful intentions, rectitude of their hearts and their love and mercy for all Muslims. Allah Ta`ala has ennobled them with His Knowledge and has bestowed special ranks of His Proximity to them.
They never abuse nor speak ill of anyone. They do not tantalize those who are inferior to them nor despise them. They bear no envy to those superior to them. They excel in virtue. Their disposition is most amiable and they are the most generous. Their hearts hasten towards goodness and they quickly attain the loftiest spiritual heights. This group is the army of Allah and they are the ones who attain success.
9. THE MOST INTELLIGENT
Baraa Bin Aazib (radhiallahu anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that Allah Ta`ala will award the highest places in Jannat to certain of His servants who were the most intelligent. The Sahaabah enquired: “How did they become the most intelligent?” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Their whole attention and all their efforts are directed towards Allah Ta`ala. The objective of all their efforts is Allah’s Pleasure. They have completely lost interest in the world, in its futility, in its pleasures and comforts. The world is contemptible to them. They choose to bear the temporary hardships of the world, hence they will gain the everlasting comfort (of the Aakhirah).”
The criterion of intelligence by Allah is Taqwa.
10. THE COMPLAINT OF THE FUQARAA
Hadhrat Anas Bin Maalik (radhiallahu anhu) narrates that once the Fuqaraa sent a representative to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He said to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): “I am the delegate of the fuqaraa.” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “I regard as my friends those whose delegate you are.”
The delegate said: “The fuqaraa say that all goodness has been acquisitioned by the wealthy, while we are deprived. In fact, the wealthy have gained Jannat. They perform Hajj while we lack the means for it. They give Sadaqah, while we are unable. They free slaves while we lack this ability. When they are sick, they transform their wealth into a treasure (by means of charity).”
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Inform them that those among you who are patient and have the niyyat of attaining thawaab, for them are three such ranks which are not for the wealthy. The first rank: In Jannat will be some mansions of red Yaqoot (a precious stone of Jannat) which will be situated at extremely lofty heights. The people of Jannat will look at these mansions in the same way as the people of the earth look at the stars. Besides a Nabi; a Shaheed and a Mu`min Faqeer, no one will enter.
The second rank: The fuqaraa will enter Jannat 500 years before the wealthy.
The third rank: When a faqeer recites with sincerity:
he gains such thawaab which the wealthy will not acquire even if they spend 10 000 Dirhams (in the Path of Allah). This is the superiority of the faqeer over the wealthy in all deeds of virtue.”
When the delegate informed the fuqaraa of this message, they exclaimed in ecstacy: “O Allah! We are pleased! We are pleased!”
