When a person decides to travel, he progresses towards a fixed destination and does not look towards another direction. Similarly, when a seeker of Allah steps towards Faqr, he desires for the gnosis and connection with Allah and its final destination is:

اِذَا تَمَّ الْفَقْرُ فَھُوَ اللّٰہُ

Meaning:  When Faqr is accomplished that is Allah.

A Qudsi Hadith says:

  • “Whoever seeks  Me,  undoubtedly  finds Me. Whoever finds  Me,  he  recognizes  Me. One who  recognizes  Me,  he  begins to  love  Me. Whoever  loves  Me,  he  becomes  My  lover. One who loves Me passionately, I kill him. Whomsoever  I  kill,  his compensation  is due  on Me  and I  am  Myself  his compensation.”

The Hadith “When Faqr is accomplished that is Allah” also mentions the same reality.

Likewise, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman says:

  • When a seeker reaches the height of Faqr, he acquires all the Divine attributes and reaches the level of the Universal Divine Man. At this point, the entity of man of Faqr perishes. This is the level where the difference between I and You perishes, hence he reaches the level of Oneness with Allah where there is no duality.” (Shams-ul-Fuqara)

It is very difficult to explain the level “When Faqr is accomplished that is Allah” so that no doubt remains. In fact, this is the level, which is beyond limits.

What is Faqr?

Sultan Bahoo razi Allah anhu says:

گر   بگویم   فقرش   را   تمام

احتیاجی نیست فقرش را مقام

  • Explanation: If I explain Faqr entirely then I can say concisely that Faqr is transcendent of levels and stations. (Nur-ul-Huda)

Sultan Bahoo explains all the stages of extremes of Faqr in these words:

  • Listen O self-sacrificing seeker! Listen O spiritual guide towards the beneficence of Faqr! According to a tradition, patience and complete submission, is the finality of Faqr. However, one must move ahead and should not feel proud on attaining it. (Nur-ul-Huda).

What is the height of Faqr?

He further says:

    • There are four levels of Faqr; first is to have eternal immersion by the contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat such that both the worlds come under the feet of the seeker and all the angels become his humble slave. Is it accomplishment in Faqr? No! It is also imperfect level, do not feel proud and essentially move ahead from this. The seeker may achieve the level where he can cover the journey from the Throne to the nether regions in a glance, grant eternal life to the dead by his sight. He can read the Guarded Tablet and tell people about their good and bad fortune, offer the salat five times daily in the sanctuary of Kaaba. Always eat the lawful and leave the unlawful forever. Is it accomplishment in Faqr? No! It is also unaccomplished level of Faqr. Do not feel proud on achieving it rather, must necessarily move ahead. All such levels are related to the physical world and keep the person an implorer. Only the Fakir, who is independent of all needs, has found the seven treasures and seven levels of Miraj. A Hadith says;

اَلْفَقْرُ لَایَحْتَاجَ اِلَّا اِلَی اللّٰہ (عین العلم وزین الحلم)

        Meaning: Faqr needs nothing (from anyone) except Allah. (Ayn al-Ilm wa Zain al-Hilm) (Nur-ul-Huda)

Seven levels of Miraj

Sultan Bahoo further says:

The seven treasures relate with these seven levels of Miraj. First is the Miraj of knowledge. Second is the Miraj of clemency. Third is the Miraj of Divine love. Fourth is the Miraj of gnosis. Fifth is the Miraj of observation of Divine closeness. Sixth is the Miraj of company of Saints in the Mohammadan Assembly. Seventh is the Miraj of residing in the station of no station and becoming the Fakir annihilated and immortal with Allah. This is the veritable level of Faqr about which the Holy Prophet (sall’Allahu alayhi wa’alihi wasallam ) said,

اِذَا تَمَّ الْفَقْرُ فَھُوَ اللّٰہُ

Meaning: When Faqr is accomplished that is Allah. (Nur-ul-Huda).

How one can reach the height of Faqr?

Grace of Allah

One cannot reach this level on his own hard work only. It is the grace of Allah that He shows the path to the seeker to reach Him. Furthermore, Sultan Bahoo says in Nur-ul-Huda:

باھوؒ  فقر را  دریافتہ   از مصطفیؐ

واقفِ  اسرار شد  فضل  از اِلٰہ

Explanation:

Bahoo got Faqr directly from Prophet Mohammad. And became the knower of all secrets by the grace of Allah.

Allah says:

ذٰلِکَ فَضۡلُ اللّٰہِ یُؤۡتِیۡہِ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ ذُو الۡفَضۡلِ الۡعَظِیۡمِ (57:21)

Meaning: It is Allah’s bounty that, He gives to whom He wills. And Allah is the Lord of infinite bounty. (57:21)

At large, people just know the name of Faqr. Only one among thousands accomplishes Faqr by truly acquiring it, observing and tasting its pleasure personally. The Holy Prophet said:

اِذَا تَمَّ الْفَقْرُ فَھُوَ اللّٰہ

Meaning: When Faqr is accomplished that is Allah. (Nur-ul-Huda)

Invocation and contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat

Apart from the favor of Allah, the other most important thing is the invocation and contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat. In fact, Sultan Bahoo says:

  • The inward, in which Ism-e-Allah (name of Allah) sustains, becomes alive and never dies. That is why a Hadith says:
  • Saints never die.

 He lives in this (physical) world but works for that (spiritual) world. The secret (inner part) in which Ism-e-Allah sustains, does not require seclusion. As he adorns the dress of Divine secrets, i.e. Ism-e-Allah embraces the inner and outer self of a person from head to toe. (Mehak-ul-Faqr-Kalan)

Allah Almighty says in a Qudsi Hadith:

  • No doubt! There are some of My Saints who are hidden beneath My Robe. No one knows them except Me.

Sultan Bahoo says:

  • Only that seeker reaches this level, whom Ism-e-Allah blesses with its bounty and grace, pledge oath of allegiance to Prophet Mohammad and attains the level of hiding in the Divine Robe and reaches at the highest level of Faqr. The whole being of such Fakir becomes Divine Light (nur). After that, nothing other than Allah can enter in his entire existence. Even while being in the assembly of other people, He remains hidden from their sight like Prophet Khidr. (Mehak-ul-Faqr-Kalan)
Moral Attributes

Not everyone can achieve this level. In order to achieve it, moral attributes like sincerity, Divine love, perseverance, patience, loyalty, sacrifice, surrender and submission to Allah’s will are necessary. At every step man is tested by the blessings of this world and hereafter esoterically and exoterically. Hence, one whose eyes neither incline towards anything other than Allah nor exceed the limit becomes successful.

Sultan Bahoo says:

  • The Mohammadan Fakir steps steadily and firmly in the path of Faqr and annihilation in Allah. Faqr heads Allah and Allah Himself heads Faqr. It means that Fakirs become like falcons from Ism-e-Allah Zaat. Therefore, if a person remains steadfast in Faqr, he becomes man of Divine secrets. On the contrary, if he goes astray from the path of Faqr and faces towards this material world and worldly people, leaves steadiness and courage, then he stoops down from the height of Faqr and Divine secrets. Hence, he becomes like a crow whose eye is on the carrion. Eventually, he is disgraced and becomes wretched in both the worlds. (Mehak-ul-Faqr Kalan)
Slavery of perfect and accomplished spiritual guide

Sultan Bahoo declares that along with the invocation and contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, the slavery of perfect and accomplished spiritual guide is necessary.

He further says:

  • The path of Faqr is very difficult. So, one should have a spiritual guide who should also be a problem solver.

The Holy Prophet says:

مَشِی عَنِ الرَّاسِ بِدُونِ الاَقدَامِ

Meaning : (The travellers of path of Faqr) progress towards Allah headlong instead of walking on steps

Sultan Bahoo further says:

  • O struggling man! Open your eyes and come out of your dreams. For Divine observation, you need an inward that is alive. (Mehak-ul-Faqr Kalan)

Sultan Bahoo says in Aqal-e-Baydar:

  • The spiritual guide bestows the level of gnosis of Allah and Divine presence by his attention from inward to inward, sight to sight, soul to soul and secret to secret. By a single attention of his persuasion, the seeker enlightens. Hence, exalts to the level of (when Faqr is accomplished that is Allah). Then he becomes the ruler of both the worlds and becomes Fakir who annihilates in Allah and is independent of all desires.

Sultan Bahoo says in Nur-ul-Huda:

  • The ultimate level of Faqr cannot be achieved by mystic struggle and exercise. However, only the seeker whom the attention of perfect and accomplished spiritual guide presents before Prophet Mohammad, attains it by the Mohammadan sight.

What is Sarwari Qadri order?

The achievement of the ultimate level of Faqr (When Faqr is accomplished that is Allah) is possible only in Sarwari Qadri order.

Sultan Bahoo says:

  • Remember! In every other order there are pains and struggles. However, in Sarwari Qadri order the seeker annihilates in Allah by the contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat from the very first day. The Sarwari Qadri order is like the sun and all the other orders are like a lamp. (Nur-ul-Huda)

Sultan Bahoo also explains that

  • Not all Qadris are at this level. There are some satanic people surrounded in evil apprehensions. As, some spies get the succession of Qadri order through tricks and ruses. Apparently, their objective is fulfilled but in fact, they are cursed esoterically. Such reprobates falsely claim that they have the succession from every order. True Qadri follower feels extremely embarrassed to incline towards any other order. He neither seeks anything from other orders nor keeps any relation with them. The seeker of Qadri order is a lion who never keeps company of foxes. He is a falcon that flies at heights and never joins the crows. Qadri follower is like a camel that eats thorns and carries heavy loads. (Nur-ul-Huda)

Sultan Bahoo says:

  • Accomplishment, ultimacy, gnosis, Divine closeness and Divine observation of light of Faqr is achieved only in Sarwari Qadri If follower of any other order claims it, he is a boaster, liar having dead inward and veiled. However, an accomplished Sarwari Qadri is very rare in the world. An accomplished Sarwari Qadri is like the bright and beneficent sun. (Nur-ul-Huda)
Who is an accomplished Sarwari Qadri?

Sultan Bahoo explains the answer in following words:

  • An accomplished Sarwari Qadri is recognized by the fact that he does not guide his seekers verbally, but through spiritual attention. Then he grants him presence in the Mohammadan Assembly by Divine presence gained through Ism-e-Allah Zaat and essence of Islamic creed. He takes him to the level of guidance and sainthood by the order of Prophet Mohammad, without intervening. Then he presents his seeker to Allah and Prophet Mohammad. Allah Almighty says:

وَ اُفَوِّضُ اَمۡرِیۡۤ اِلَی اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ بَصِیۡرٌۢ بِالۡعِبَادِ  (40:44)

Meaning: I consign my affairs to Allah. Surely, Allah is ever Watchful of the servants. (40:44)  

Who is a Sarwari Qadri spiritual guide?

Sultan Bahoo says:

  • If one claims to be perfect Sarwari Qadri spiritual guide but neither knows how to elevate the disciples esoterically to the Mohammadan Assembly by the Divine favour nor lets them have beneficence from the Holy Prophet, then he is utterly unaware of veritable Qadri way and the Divine closeness with which the true Qadri followers are blessed. Having spiritual persuasion from the perfect spiritual guide fulfills all the objectives. Whereas, taking persuasion from an imperfect is unlawful for the seeker of Allah. (Nur-ul-Huda)

It is true that the perfect Sarwari Qadri spiritual guide is very rare and only those seekers can reach him whose inward is replete with Divine love. Those seekers who reach a perfect spiritual guide and cover the path of Faqr in his company are blessed. Surely, not everyone can attain the level of اِذَا تَمَّ الْفَقْرُ فَھُوَ اللّٰہُ (When Faqr is accomplished that is Allah). However,  it is also not appropriate that one does not even travel towards Allah. The grandeur of a perfect spiritual guide  is that even if a wretched and callous person comes at his door, he blesses him with at least one level of belovedness from the court of Allah. However, there is one condition that the seeker must be loyal and sincere with the spiritual guide.

“If you come to Me, you will find the door is open. If not, then Allah needs none.”

Word of Fakirs:

The word of Fakirs is from the Divine closeness and based on Divine command Be. This means that if a Fakir commands something to happen, that certainly happens immediately or afterwards. It may happen within a moment or may take years until doomsday. That is because Allah never refuses the word of Fakir.

Prophet Mohammad says about the Fakir who is annihilated in the Divine closeness and presence, and has attained the essence of ‘Be’:

  • “The tongue of Fakirs is the sword of Rehman(attributive name of Allah)

Such Fakirs are only found in the Sarwari Qadri order whose exoteric self is beloved, esoteric self is lost in Divine closeness, exoteric self is vigilant while esoteric self is engrossed in Divine vision.

The success of a true believer lies in that if he finds a perfect and accomplished spiritual guide then he should remain attached to him and obey him in every possible way. Certainly, not everyone can reach at the extreme level but man should not leave this path just by thinking that it is impossible to cover it. Every soul is destined to have some level of closeness to Allah. Hence, it is incumbent upon every seeker to, at least try to attain it. These very beautiful couplets say that:

تیریؐ  معراج  کہ  تو  لوح  و قلم   تک  پہنچا

میری معراج کہ میں تیرےؐ قدم تک پہنچا

Meaning: O beloved Prophet! Your Miraj is to cross the Pen and the Tablet. My Miraj is just to reach your feet.

Note:

This blog is English translation of an Urdu article of the magazine “Mahnama Sultan-ul-Faqr Lahore” for the month of July 2018.

The title of the Urdu article is اِذَا تَمَّ الْفَقْرُ فَھُوَ اللّٰہُ شرح  (Sharah “Ezzah tamma alFaqr faHoowa Allahu)

Faiza Gulzar Sarwari Qadri from Lahore has originally penned this article, and Zainab Moghees Sarwari Qadri has translated it exclusively for websites. Do not forget to visit the original article for which you only have to click the link

https://www.mahnama-sultan-ul-faqr-lahore.com/july-2018-sharah-faqr

Do leave a comment or query, as we would like to hear from you and for support hit the like button.

Click to rate this post!
[Total: 0 Average: 0]
Spread the love
Open chat
1
For Online Bay'ah (Bayat)contact us!
Aslaam o Alaikum!
Welcome to the Website.