Perfection is in Meticulous Following of the Sunnat
One Mureed of Hazrat Haji Saheb (Rahmatullahi alaih) was a Saahib-e-Kashf [i.e. he would receive inspirations from the unseen]. He thought of reading a Namaaz completely free of obstructing thoughts. He read Namaaz with his eyes closed and free from any stray thought. Upon completion he became exultant. Then he meditated on the position of his Namaaz. The appearance of the Namaaz was shown to him. He saw that it was in the form of a handsome and beautiful person. He scrutinized
further each part of the body. Coincidentally his gaze fell on the eyes, but to his dismay he found no eyes. He became very perturbed. He went to Hazrat [Haji Saheb] and mentioned what he saw. He did not explain all the circumstances of his Namaaz. But, what amazing intuition of Hazrat! Spontaneously he said: “You must have read the Namaaz with closed eyes!” Hazrat then said: “Although you read the Namaaz in such a manner that thoughts did not cross your mind, however, reading Namaaz with closed eyes is contrary to the Sunnah.”
Leaving the eyes open and reading [Namaaz] is therefore more meritorious, regardless of thoughts crossing one’s mind, whereas reading with closed eyes even though no stray thought crosses one’s mind is less superior because it is against the Sunnat.
To resemble Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is much more meritorious. Hazrat! In the eyes of Allah, resembling the appearance of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is also accepted.
I have a friend in Qanooj who is an attorney. He relates an episode of his that he went to a certain city. At one street he was met by an old lady who called him to her home. She treated him very hospitably. She served him sweet dishes. He asked her: “Mother! Why are you showing so much hospitality to me? Neither do you know me nor do I know you.” The old lady replied: “I have a son who looks just like you. He is abroad. Your looks remind me of him.”
Now whenever he [the friend of Hazrat Thanwi] passes there, he makes it a duty to visit her. She in turn receives him warmly.
Just think! When an old lady of lesser degree kindness shows so much affection to someone resembling her son, then will Allah Ta’ala not love resemblance to His Rasool in Ibaadat!
Bear this in mind that Wilaayat [Sainthood] is a branch of Nubuwwat [Prophet-hood]. The greater the degree of similarity to Nubuwwat the greater perfection there will be in a person’s Wilaayat.
The masses are attracted mostly to one who shows emotional behaviour. In their opinion such a person is a Kaamil [achiever of perfection in Tasawwuf], whereas he is not a Kaamil. Yes he is ma’zoor [excused in the Shariat for his emotional outbursts due to being overwhelmed by Divine love or fear].
A Kaamil is one who resembles Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam); every act of his—sitting, standing, eating, drinking, smiling, talking—is the same [as that of Rasoolullah Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam]. In short, everything of his is like Rasoolullah’s. This is a Kaamil.
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullah alayh)(Quddisa Sirruhul Azeez)
