Lisanu’l-Hal

“The more you worry about the world, the more the concern in your heart for the Hereafter will diminish.

The more you worry about the Hereafter, the more the concern in your heart for the world will diminish.”

Malik b. Dinar (rahmatullahi alayh)

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One of the great Sufis, Hatem Al-Asam (quddisa sirruhu), had been a student of Shaqiq al-Balkhi (quddisa sirruhu), who was also a great Sufi, for thirty-three years. When his teacher asked him what he had learned during this time, he said he had  learned eight things. His teacher said, “I spent my life with you, and you only learned eight things during this time! So what are they?" Hatem Al-Asam (rahmatullahi alayh) began to explain:

First: I looked at people, I saw that everyone likes something. The things they love are always with them, but those things stay behind when they enter the grave. For this reason, I have taken good deeds as my beloved so that when I enter my grave, they will also enter the grave with me.

Second: I thought about the verse, “Whereas for the one who feared to stand before his Lord, and restrained himself from the (evil) desire. Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge” (An-Nazi’at, 40-41). Knowing that the words of Allah Almighty are true, I fought with my nafs to get rid of my objectionable desires. So much so that my nafs decided on taking the path of obedience to Allah.

Third: I looked at people and saw that everyone has something valuable in their own way that they keep with them. Then I thought about the verse: “Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is lasting” (An-Nahl, 96). After that, whenever I received something valuable to me, I gave it away for Allah so that it would be eternal for me in His presence.

Fourth: I looked at people and saw that each of them trusted in property, nobility, and lineage, and I realized that they were of no value. Then I thought about the verse: “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” (Al-Hujurat, 13),  and I clung to taqwa so that I would be valuable in the sight of Allah.

Fifth: I looked at people and saw that some blamed others and cursed them for the blessings they had. I realized that it was all because of envy. Then I thought about the verse: “Is it they who allocate the mercy of your Lord? We have allocated among them their livelihood in the worldly life.” (Az-Zukhruf, 32). After that, I gave up envy and hostility towards people. I knew that what was apportioned for me would surely reach me.

Sixth: I looked at people and saw that some persecuted others and were hostile to them. When I looked at myself, I saw that my real enemy was the shaytan. As a matter of fact, Allah Almighty says, “Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy” (Fatir, 6).  That's why I took the shaytan as an enemy and loved all people.

Seventh: I looked at people and saw that everybody wants to have a lot of wealth and property, and they abase themselves for this purpose. Then I thought about the verse:  “There is no moving creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by Allah” (Hud, 6). I knew that I was one of those creatures that were given sustenance, and I turned to Allah and abandoned everything except Him.

Eighth: I looked at people and saw that some trusted others; one trusted his wealth and commerce, another his art, and another his physical health. In short, I saw that every creature puts their trust in another created thing. In this regard, I turned to the verse “And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him” (At-Talaq, 3)  and trusted only in Him.

When Shaqiq Al-Balkhi (quddisa sirruhu) listened to these and said:

– “O Hatem! May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) bless you. You have gathered all the issues in these eight things.”

(Muhammed Erbili, Tanwiru'l-Qulub)

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“Salvation is in three things: Eating halal food, perfection in taqwa (fearing Allah properly), and being on the right path.”

Sari es-Sakati (quddisa sirruhu)

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The One Who Takes the Path Without a Guide

Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi (quddisa sirruhu) once said:

“O traveler! Find yourself a murshid because this path to Allah is fraught with perils and terrors unimagined without a guide. Even on a road that you have traversed many times, you will be confused if you set out without a guide. What would you do on a road you have no recognition of?

Make up your mind and don't be coy, don't try to go forth without a guide! If the shadow of a Kamil Murshid does not fall on you and if he does not hold your hand when necessary, diabolical voices will lead you astray.

There were many smarter people on this road than you. They all lost their way. Hear from the Qur'an how those who struck into the wrong path or embarked on their journey alone went astray. Understand what shaytan has done to them! Shaytan led them hundreds of thousands of times away from the path of hidayah (Guidance to the true path) and istiqamah (steadfastness). He consigned them to grief.” (Masnavi, 1/194)

Eser Sazak