The Bounty of Becoming a Friend of Allah Ta’ala
Friends of Allah, Love of Allah December 22nd, 2008
A Short Audio lecture titled ‘Allah Ka Wali Hone Ki Nimat‘ (The Bounty of Becoming a Friend of Allah Ta’ala) is uploaded on Khanqah’s Website.
To listen or download, Click Here
English Translation:
Hazrat Mawlana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib (Damat Barakatuhum) commenced his discourse by relating a recent incident of a scholar who came from Rangoon which is located in Burma. Hazrat Wala (DB) said: “He came from Burma, Rangoon, from a lengthy distance. This is the real thirst. All of you people live in Karachi and deem it difficult to come here. Where is Rangoon and where is Karachi? Rangoon is in
Burma.” In other words, look at the distance between Rangoon and Karachi.
“Is attaining the friendship of Allah an ordinary gift? If one has a connection with an ordinary police inspector or a or a senior government official, then people proudly boast about the connection they share with such and such person. Then what would one say about a person who has a connection with Allah Ta’ala? Who is greater than Allah? No one is greater than Allah, He is the Greatest. In turn, a connection with
Allah Ta’ala is the greatest gift, but to attain a connection with Allah Ta’ala one must have Taqwa.”
Allah Ta’ala has said, “None is My friend except those who are muttaqi (God-fearing),” those who are fearful of Allah Ta’ala and protect themselves from all sins. This is why it is very important to leave sin. Leaving sin is the base of attaining the friendship of Allah. If one does not leave sin, then one will be stuck in a state of sinning until one dies, and will face Allah Ta’ala in that state, as a sinner.
Therefore my friends fear Allah. While fearing Allah do not displease Allah regardless of how much struggle one may have to endure. Do not displease Allah Ta’ala even for a single moment whether the nature of the sin is minor or major. Allah Ta’ala is the Greatest, a minor sin is also considered a grave sin to the One that is the Greatest.
Tags: God-fearing, hazrat wala, khanqah, rangoon, scholar, taqwa
Biography
Site Updates December 6th, 2008
Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (damat barkatuhum)
Shaykh’s inclination towards the Creator, the Almighty Allah (swt) began before he even reached puberty. He dedicated his life from before teens in the service of those pious servants of Allah (swt) whom the world today refers as Ahlullah (saints). From the tender age of 12, he began attending discourses of renowned scholars of the time. At the age of 15, he took bay’at (pledge) to the great Wali (saint) of his time, Shaykh Shah Muhammad Ahmed (ra) and spent three years continuously in his lofty company. Thereafter Shaykh was guided to the company of the famous Wali (saint) Shaykh Shah Abdul Ghani Phoolpuri (ra), with whom he spent 17 years. The Shaykh’s service and dedication to his Shaykh is unsurpassable in recent times. During the seventeen years with Shaykh Phoolpuri (ra) the nights were spent in a retreat (jungle) from where no other human sound was audible except for the Shaykh’s (Phoolpuri) zikr (remembrance of Allah). It was under the tutelage of Shaykh Phoolpuri for seventeen years that Hazrat mastered the scholarly work of Mathnawi by Shaykh Rumi. Shaykh Phoolpuri (ra) himself was guided by the greatest scholar of recent history, Hakeem ul Ummat Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi (ra), who in turn was taught the Mathnawi by Shaykh Haji Imdadullah (ra).
Shaykh’s discourses permeate the listeners’ heart with Allah’s love, Greatness and hope of salvation. Every word he utters brings one closer to the Creator, Almighty Allah (swt). His company impresses upon those around him to converge their mental as well as physical ‘being‘ into living a life to the Creator’s criterion. His discourses know no language, color or age barriers and even those alien of Urdu benefit. During Ramadan 1419 (1998/1999) a European from Belgium, who could not speak not understand Urdu, spent Ramadan with Shaykh. He was occasionally seen mesmerized by the Shaykh discourses and tears rolled down his cheeks. When someone asked him what was that kept him with Shaykh’s company? He replied, “Shaykh’s words touch my heart and my eyes involuntarily weep, thinking of Allah’s Greatness”. It is because of Shaykh’s great appreciation and understanding of Allah’s qualities that his Shaykh awarded him the title of Aarif Billah (One who has become acquainted with Allah’s qualities).
In his discourses and writings he explores profound topics relevant to the ummah (community) at present time. .His understanding and explanation of man’s spiritual relationship with Allah (swt), the prevalent spiritual and physical maladies and its rectification are topics taken up by other Ulemas (scholars of Islam) throughout the world.
Shaykh Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) is one of the greatest gifted scholars of Islam today. His reputation and standing to the Muslims of Asian subcontinent needs no introduction. However, for the benefit of others, Shaykh has been favored by Allah (swt) to have been nurtured by three of the greatest and most renowned Wali’s (saints) of his time.
Tags: abdul ghani, ashraf ali thanwi, hakeem akhtar, hazrat wala, Mathnawi, Rumi, Scholars, Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar, Zikr
