The Spiritual Path and Excellence of the Elders
Akābir kā Sulūk wa Iḥsān — اکابر کا سلوک و احسان
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About this book
A collection of discourses by Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā Kandhlawī (Raḥimahullāh) on the reality of Taṣawwuf, the obstacles encountered on the spiritual path, and the proper conduct of disciples, compiled by Muḥammad Iqbāl Hoshyārpūrī (Raḥimahullāh). Prefaced by Mawlānā Sayyid Abu al-Ḥasan ʿAlī Ḥasanī Nadwī (Raḥimahullāh).
Contents
—Foreword›
Mawlānā Sayyid Abu al-Ḥasan ʿAlī Ḥasanī Nadwī (Raḥimahullāh)
IThe Reality of Taṣawwuf and Its Source›
True Taṣawwuf
The Ṣūfī is one who is near to Allāh and possesses Iḥsān
The saying of Ḥaḍrat Abū Yaḥyā Zakariyyā (Raḥimahullāh) — Proximity through obligatory acts
Proximity through supererogatory acts — Companions — Successors — Successors of Successors — the ascetics — the devout worshippers — the term Taṣawwuf
The substance of Taṣawwuf was present in the first generation
Definition of Taṣawwuf
The call of the Noble Prophet ﷺ
Statement of Shāh ʿAbd al-Ḥaqq Muḥaddith Dihlawī (Raḥimahullāh)
Statement of ʿAllāmah Shāmī (Raḥimahullāh)
Statement of Imām Rabbānī Ḥaḍrat Gangohī (Raḥimahullāh)
Statement of Mawlānā ʿĀshiq Ilāhī (Raḥimahullāh)
Taṣawwuf is the very essence of faith
The difference between the worship of an ordinary person and one who possesses spiritual connection (nisbat)
The writings of Ḥaḍrat Imām Rabbānī (Raḥimahullāh)
Translation of Ḥaḍrat’s writings
The question of Raʾīs al-Aḥrār: “What is this thing called Taṣawwuf?”
The story of crossing the river on foot
The 360 joints of the human body
“In the era of Prophethood, the formal organisation of paths and silsilahs did not exist” — an objection and Ḥaḍrat’s reply
The essence of all forms of remembrance and spiritual exercises
The purpose of obedience and the devotion of the Companions
Categories of spiritual attention and connection — permission for bayʿah
“Ijāzah is not a proof of perfection, but a proof of suitability”
Granting permission for bayʿah to an unworthy person
The story of a highway robber who attained spiritual connection
The spiritual attention of the friends of Allāh never fails to leave its mark
“My shaykh may be a blade of grass, but my conviction in him is sufficient”
Objections against the true mashāyikh
The two types of deputies of Ḥaḍrat Ḥājī Ṣāḥib (Raḥimahullāh)
One should not be arrogant about one’s ijāzah
“There is still work to be done here with me”
The reality of spiritual connection (nisbat)
Reflective nisbat
Instilled nisbat
Reformative nisbat
The spiritual discipline of Ḥaḍrat Abū Saʿīd Gangohī (Raḥimahullāh)
Unitive nisbat
Accounts of receiving everything through heart-to-heart contact
The instructive account of Ḥaḍrat Shaykh Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Andalusī (Raḥimahullāh)
IIObstacles to Sulūk and the Etiquettes of Disciples›
A letter from a veteran practitioner of dhikr and spiritual exercises
Ḥaḍrat’s reply
A marginal note on the letter — by the transmitter
The counsel of Ḥaḍrat Gangohī (Raḥimahullāh)
Ḥaḍrat Shaykh al-Hind’s drinking from the spittoon
The love of Ḥaḍrat Rāypūrī (Raḥimahullāh) for his shaykh
Ḥaḍrat Imām Rabbānī’s stay in the service of Ḥaḍrat Ḥājī Ṣāḥib and his trials
The account of Mawlawī Aḥmad Ḥasan Ṣāḥib
There is no path other than supplication and weeping
The displeasure of the shaykh
Additions to the chapter on obstacles, from personal experiences
The necessity of compliance in the path
The narration of Ḥaḍrat Abū ʿUbaydah from Shamāʾil al-Tirmidhī
Etiquettes of disciples — from Irshād al-Mulūk
The counsel of Ḥaḍrat Ḥājī Ṣāḥib (Raḥimahullāh)
The account of Ḥaḍrat Sulṭān Jī (Raḥimahullāh)
One who does not guard the heart of the shaykh
“Where will you pray the ʿĪd prayer?” — the question of Ḥaḍrat Junayd (Raḥimahullāh)
Etiquettes of disciples — from ʿAwārif al-Maʿārif
The etiquettes of the shaykh’s gathering
The rank of the shaykh
The causes of carnal desire
Seeking the pearl
The importance of etiquettes
Respect for the shaykh
The account of Thābit ibn Qays
The karāmah of Ḥaḍrat Thābit
The test of taqwā
The conduct of Ḥaḍrat ʿAbd al-Qādir (Raḥimahullāh)
The relationship between the disciple and the shaykh
Complete trust in the shaykh
Turning to the shaykh
Seeking the appropriate moment
The abundance of questions
Unity of purpose
The station of the disciple
A saying of Ḥaḍrat Shaykh
Advice from the humble transmitter