Every company bears effects on the personality of a person. It is the very nature of human being that he adopts the culture, traditions, behaviours, attitude, thoughts etc. of the society where he lives. Even, his ascent becomes similar to the people around him. It is a famous saying, “A man is known by the company he keeps.” Good personality is a testimony of good company. It is sign that he interacts with noble people. Likewise, undesirable behaviour speaks of immoral company. Hence, the one who is committed to become a gentleman, he must join the company of such people.
Gamut of Right and Wrong
Only wine drinking, gambling, adultery etc are not evils but it includes malice, grudge, lie, backbiting, greed, pretence etc too. Similarly, righteousness is not confined within boundaries of sharia rather it consists of sharia and mysticism. It implies that a man must be a manifestation of virtuosity exoterically by following sharia as well as esoterically by adhering to mysticism. Simply, one’s inward should be free of grudge, malice, jealousy, ignorance, greed, lust, everlasting hopes etc. Such an inward becomes the possessor of light.
Grandeur of Companions
It was just because of marvellous beneficence of company of Prophet Mohammad that all the Companions were not only regular in prayers, fasting and rest of the devotions but they had disclosed the esoteric reality of these devotions. The beneficence was so explicit and perfect that the Companions were entitled as stars because star serves as a guide to traveller during night. In the same way, they are guide of umma.
Tradition in vogue for gaining Beneficence
Then Tabi‘un (successors of Companions) were benefitted by the company of Companions. Tābi’ al-Tābi’in got the blessing from the enlightened company of Tabi’un. This chain continued, thus common people got this beneficence from company of Saints. Tradition of getting beneficence started from all eternity and it will remain continued to all eternity.
Quran emphasis to join virtuous Company
It has such an importance that Allah has instructed to adopt virtuous company.
Company of Truthful
Allah says:
یٰٓاَ یُّھَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ وَکُوْنُوْا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِیْنَ۔ (التوبہ۔119)
Meaning: O believers! Fear Allah persistently, and remain in the (company) of those who uphold the truth. (At-Taubah:119)
Company of those who seek Allah
وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِیْلَ مَنْ اَنَابَ اِلَیَّ۔ (لقمان ۔15 )
Meaning: And follow someone who adopts the path of turning to Me. (Luqman:15)
اَلَّذِیْنَ یَدْعُوْنَ رَ بَّھُمْ بِالْغَدٰوۃِ وَالْعَشِیِّ یُرِیْدُوْنَ وَجْھَہٗ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَیْنَاکَ. ( الکہف ۔28)
Meaning: (O My beloved!) Those who remember their Lord morning and evening, ardently seeking His vision (of His radiant Countenance). Your (affectionate and caring) looks must not but focus them. (Al-Kahf:28)
Everlasting friendship
On the Day of Judgement, only those will be the friends who guided each other towards right path. Rest of the people will blame each other for their loss no matter they were close friends and relatives in the world. Thus, their friendship will change into enmity. As Allah says:
اَلْاَخِلَّاۤءُ یُوْمَئِذٍ م بَعْضُھُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ اِلَّا الْمُتَّقِیْنَ۔(الزخرف۔67)
Meaning: On that Day, all friends and acquaintances will become enemies to one another except the pious. (Az-Zukhruf:67)
یٰوَ یْلَتٰی لَیْتَنِیْ لَمْ اَتَّخِذْ فُلَانًا خَلِیْلًا ۔لَّقَدْ اَضَلَّنِیْ عَنِ الذِّکْرِ بَعْدَ اِذْ جَآءَ نِیْ ط وَکَانَ الشَّیْطٰنُ لِلْاِنْسَانِ خَذُوْلًا. ( الفرقان ۔ 28۔29 )
Meaning: Ah! Woe to me! Would that I had not taken such a one for a friend! Surely, he led me astray from the direction and guidance after it had come to me, and Satan leaves man helpless and forlorn (in the time of distress). (Al-Furqan:28-29)
Do not adopt the company neglectful
Whenever Quran instructs to adopt good company, it also warns against evil company.
فَاَعْرِضْ عَنْ مَّنْ تَوَلّٰی عَنْ ذِکْرِنَا وَلَمْ یُرِدْ اِلَّا الْحَیٰوۃَ الدُّنْیَا. ( النجم۔29)
Meaning: So move away from him who turns away from Our remembrance and desires nothing but the life of this world. (An-Najm:29)
وَ لاَ تُطِعْ مَنْ اَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَہٗ عَنْ ذِکْرِنَا وَاتَّبَعَ ھَوٰہُ وَکَانَ اَمْرُہٗ فُرُطًا۔ (الکہف ۔28 )
Meaning: And (also) do not follow him whose inward We have made neglectful of Our remembrance, and who follows but the urge of his (inciting innerself) and his case has exceeded all bounds. (Al-Kahf:28)
One should chose the company which is token to success in this world and the hereafter. The company which sanctifies innerself from impurities, thus one becomes manifestation of light. Undoubtedly, it is the company of Fakirs, which encompasses the above-mentioned beneficences. It is obligatory for the seeker of Allah to search such a company which is source of perfection of faith. Although there is no Prophet after Prophet Mohammad but now seekers of Allah gain closeness of Allah and His vision through the mediation of Fakirs.
Hadiths
Therefore, there are a number of Hadiths which emphasises to join the company of Fakirs.
Difference between good and bad company
Prophet Mohammad said:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلَاءِ ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ ، عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ ، وَالسَّوْءِ ، كَحَامِلِ الْمِسْكِ ، وَنَافِخِ الْكِيرِ ، فَحَامِلُ الْمِسْكِ إِمَّا أَنْ يُحْذِيَكَ ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَبْتَاعَ مِنْهُ ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَجِدَ مِنْهُ رِيحًا طَيِّبَةً ، وَنَافِخُ الْكِيرِ إِمَّا أَنْ يُحْرِقَ ثِيَابَكَ ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَجِدَ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً
Meaning: Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet said, ‘The example of a pious companion and an evil one is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him, but the one who is blowing a pair of bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him. (Bukhari:5534)
In fact, good companion symbolizes Saints and Fakirs, and perfume denotes faith. On the other hand, companion blowing bellows is like the one who astray and ultimately one becomes the fuel of hell.
Company of Fakir is the most authentic and only way to gain vision of Allah and perfection of faith, provided one joins their companionship for seeking Allah instead of materialistic world.
Who is the best friend?
Abdullah ibn Abbas narrates once someone asked Prophet Mohammad: Who is a best friend?
He replied: The one whose countenance leads you to remembrance of Allah, whose speak is a source of beatitude for pious deeds and whose deeds reminds you of the world hereafter. (Majmau’ al-Zawa’id, volume:10, Page:266)
A misguiding belief
Some people speculate non-existence of Fakirs and Saints in present era (may Allah forbid). Such belief are self-fabricated and sign of weak faith. Regarding such misbelief Quran says:
Meaning: And from amongst you there must be a community comprising the people who invite mankind towards gnosis, enjoin righteousness and forbid evil. And they are the successful people. (Aal-Imran:104)
Quran is a comprehensive book which is applicable to the eras until Day of Judgement. Therefore, above-mentioned verse implies that there will be a group of people who will always invite people towards gnosis of Allah. Previously, such an invitation was responsibility of Messenger and Prophets but after Prophet Mohammad, it has been assigned their successors i.e. Fakirs.
Grandeur of Fakirs (Fuqara)
Umar ibn Khattab relates that Prophet Mohammad said: There are some slaves of Allah who are neither Prophets nor martyred, but on the Day of Judgement Prophets and martyred will wish for status equal to them.
Companions asked about those people. Prophet Mohammad replied: They are the ones who love each other for Allah only although they are not relatives or business partners. I swear! Their faces will be enlightened, they will be sitting on high chairs made of light. Neither they will be fearful nor sad, whereas rest of the people will be depressed.
Then Prophet recited the following verse:
اَلَآ اِنَّ اَوْلِیَآءَ اللّٰہِ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَیْھِمْ وَلاَ ھُمْ یَحْزَنُوْنَ ۔ ( یونس۔ 62)
Meaning: Beware! Verily, the friends of Allah will not have any fear, nor will they grieve. (Yunus:62)
Need of company of Fakir in present era
In this era, when the world is replete with evil, everyone, specially youth, must join the company of perfect Saints. In fact, Satan leads people astray in their youth because innerself is more disobedient in this age. Perfect Fakirs (Fuqara e Kamileen) purify the innerself of a person with their momentary spiritual glance.
Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani
Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani says: O salve of Allah! Join the company of Saints. It is their marvel that they bring life to the dead one with their spiritual gaze and attention (enliven the inward and purify the evils of innerself) no matter he is Jew, Christian or fire worshipper. (Al-Fath ar-Rabbani)
Perfect Saints are like mirror
Perfect Saints (Auliya) are like mirror which reflects the weaknesses of beholder. Subsequently, getting rid of these weaknesses lead to success in this world and the hereafter. The company of Fakir is like to person who has built his home on the bank of ocean of fragrance. Such a home remains scented no matter windows and doors are closed. On the other hand, the company of strayed people is like a coal-mine. Therefore, it blackens everything esoterically and exoterically.
Easy way to become beloved of Allah
All the scholars have preached to adopt the company of Mystics. Maulana Nizamuddin Bajouri says: Be with Fakirs and be courteous in their company. It may purify your innerself and you may become the beloved of Allah. (Johar-e-Tauheed)
Foremost responsibility of every Muslim
Ibn Hamza (ra) says: Before performing devotions and mystical exercises seek guidance from perfect Mystic.
Perfect Fakir of Ism-e-Allah Zaat
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya says: Stand with those Fakirs firmly who are engrossed in invocation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, follow the Sunna strictly and careful in all of their matter (for the fear of Allah).
Fakir who reminds of Allah
Ibn Ashir in his book Al-Murshid al-Mu’een:
یذکرہ اللّٰہ اذا راٰ
ویوصول العبد الی مولا
یجاھد النفس لرب العالمین
ویتجلی بمقامات الیقین
Explanation: Seeker of Allah should find a Fakir whose countenance reminds him of Allah and unites him with Allah. He purifies the innerself of a seeker for Allah and he has authority over stations of certainty (knowledge of certainty, eye of certainty and truth of certainty).
Shaikh Mohammad ibn Yusuf explains these verses in his books Nur-e-Mobeen Ali Al-Murshid al-Mu’een: The sacred company and countenance of a perfect Saint is a source of remembering Allah. He takes the slave to Allah by blessing him the cognizance of his weaknesses of innerself and persuade him to reject everything other than Allah. Perfect Fakir (Fakir-e-Kamil) points out all those weaknesses of seeker which are hurdles in the way of Allah and subsequently he recommend the medicine for it as well.
Physician of esoteric diseases
Shaikh Husayn bin Abdullah bin Mohammad Tayyabi says: The person who is sick with esoteric aliments, he should search for a perfect Fakir (Wali-e-Kamil) as he is the only doctor to cure them.
Al-Ghazali
Abu Ḥamid Mohammad ibn Mohammad al-Ghazali says: It is obligatory for everyone to join the company of Mystics as there is no one purified from esoteric diseases other than Prophet.
Al-Ghazali further says: Those who believe that they do not need guidance, they are like self-growing plan which dies early.
Adopt the company of the one who is Deputy of Allah in this world
Shaikh Abdul Wahab Shirani advises Muslim: Join the company of the one who has adorn the throne of persuasion and guidance so that he engross you in invocation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat to the extent that you achieve salvation from satanic whisper even in your devotions.
Traveller is lost without guide
Shaikh Aki Khawaz says: Do not walk on this path without guide, otherwise you will be lost in stations and difficulties coming in this way.
Friendship of Fakir
Friendship of a Fakir is the treasure of faith whereas the friendship of imperfect and seeker of materialistic world creates distance between Allah and his slave by abolishing the faith. Such a friendship leaves one alone in a thick forest helpless, hence he becomes the slave of innerself and hypocrite, thus becomes accursed. In addition, he misguides other people.
Need of doctor
Wherever someone suffers from any disease, he get his check up done from a best doctor for cure. Therefore, he follow the prescription and take every medicine advised by doctor without considering the pain he experiences. Similarly, the one who desires to attain the perfection of faith by getting rid of esoteric diseases, he must join the company of perfect Fakir. This is the only way to be successful in the purpose of life. Remember! Man gets what he seeks.
Argument of Ignorant people
Some accursed people tag the friendship of Fakir as extinction of faith. In fact, their gamut of faith is limited to physical devotion. In reality, their physical devotion have made them ignorant. Their ignorance is visible in their discussion and gait. Moreover, they nominate people for paradise and hell as Allah has given them authority over it. Although, they are sick of jealousy, grudge, pretence, narcissism and lust. In fact, they have become enemy of Fakirs because of these esoteric diseases.
Sultan Bahoo teachings
The Holy Prophet said to Abu Zar Ghaffari:
“O Abu Zar! You must know that the people of pure inward sometimes observe the secrets of the spiritual worlds in their true dreams and sometimes with open eyes while awakening and everything is exposed upon them. This is one of the highest spiritual levels and is among the ranks of the Prophets. Certainly! The true dreams are the forty sixth part of Prophethood. So, you must fear Allah in their matter. If you will commit anything wrong with them, you will transgress your limit and it will put you into destruction. Ignorance is better than the intellect which inclines one to deny their grand status. One who denies the honour of the friends of Allah, also denies the honour of the Prophets (because Prophets are first the friends of Allah then Prophets) and he is completely excluded from the religion.” (Ain-ul-Faqr)
Ana’s ibn Malik reports that Prophet Mohammad said: (On the Day of Judgement) You will be along those whom you love. (Muslim)
Tehreek Dawat-e-Faqr (Regd.)
In this era, Tehreek-Dawat-e-Faqr is the true representative of teachings of Prophet Mohammad. Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is the founder of Tehreek-Dawat-e-Faqr.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen
He is perfect spiritual guide who possesses the light of guidance. In this era of sectarianism, his teachings are the only guidance. His company grants salvation from satanic whisper. It is an open invitation to visit him to all those who believes that there is no spiritual guide in this era. Those who denies the grand status of Saints, they must pay visit to Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen and seek Ism-e-Allah Zaat. They will start believing soon after experiencing the closeness of Allah. Thus, Allah will disclose the reality of His Saints upon them and provide refuge to them against Satan.
May Allah bless us with wisdom to understand the grandeur of their company and their exalted status and save us from blasphemy.
Note
This blog is English translation of an Urdu article of the magazine “Mahnama Sultan-ul-Faqr Lahore” for the month of February, 2019. The title of the Urdu article is:
فقرا کاملین کی محفل۔ ایمان کی تکمیل
Originally penned by Rafia Gulzar Sarwari Qadri from Lahore is presently in English by Abdullah. To read original article click the link
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