Chapter No. 22 Remembering Allah

Sufism is based on the purification of self. The spiritual mentors have suggested certain lesson or exercises for the purgation of the self and the heart. These lessons have been derived from the verses of the Holy Quran and from the attributive names of Allah. Man gets piety and store of spiritual light only through repetition of these lessons. Soul gets elevated by repetition of some verse or some attributive names of Allah and thereby the inner eye of the devotee is opened. He gets such an insight that the intuition of the facts becomes quite easy for him.

The Personal Name Of Allah

The law of safe spectrum informs that all the happenings from the beginning to the end of the universe are due to the word spoken by Allah. And even the difference between present and future is based on the word. All the things in the universe are based on the word of Allah. The holy books and the Holy Quran are the explanations of the words said by Allah "word" is the manifestation of Allah's names and the verses of the Holy Quran. The different types of noun give existence to new creations. The name of Allah controls the whole universe. There are many kinds of word or noun, each kind has its own head. The same head controls all the nouns of its category. Allah's personal name is the head of words.

Allah's attributing names are light. The name controlling all lights of the same type is synthesis of all these lights, and these names are the elements of the creation of all the things present in the universe. For instance, the name which controls the senses and the requirements working within human body is the great name for human kind.

There is a separate great name for the genie, separate great name for vegetation and a separate great name for the angels.

Eleven Thousand Senses

There are nearly eleven thousand senses within man. The senses work for the fulfillment of elements and emotions. One name always controls these eleven thousand demands or situations. Besides the personal name, each name of Allah is an attribution which has creative values in it with perfection. "Allah is the Light of heavens and earth"

(Surah Noor: Verse 35)

The same light of Allah, in the form of waves, gives birth to life and vitality in vegetation, animals, human beings, genies and angels. It is the blessing of Allah gives on in the whole universe that each individual is connected with the other one through the waves of the light.

There is a solid contact between the planetary systems and human beings. We receive the thoughts in our minds coming from the other systems. The waves become light in no time. The big and small waves of light bring many images to us. These images are called thoughts, concepts, worries and cares. Allah says: "O people call me I shall hear. Seek from me I shall bestow "Allah has described his attributions through his names. "Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them"

(Surah Al-Ara'af: Verse 180)

"O ye who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify Him early and late"

(Surah Al-Ahzab: Verse 41,42)

Hidden Treasure

Each of Allah's attributes is a hidden treasure. The people are showered with Allah's blessings when they remember Allah. There are ninety attributes of Allah. In order to be benefited from this costly treasure, each attribute has its own way of its effects.

The reiteration of each name enlightens the mind. The storage of the blessings of Allah's attributes settles the disturbed things in this regard. And one can get the desirable results. It is worth­ noticing that the sins dim our inner light. Man gropes in the dark due to his mistakes and sins.

When a man deliberately chooses a simple life, his life is a mirror of the following verse of the Holy Quran:

"Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts and on their eyes there is a covering theirs will be an awful doom"

(Surah Al-Baqra: Verse 7)

Each name of Allah is his attribute. Every attribute is active and working according to the natural law. Every attribute has strength and vitality. When we reiterate one of Allah's names, it has its own effect. We should refrain from mistakes and sins if the required benefits are not achieved. Good and evil are the direct result of our actions. We use our mind, tongue and limbs in all these actions.

For instance a man uses his tongue when he calls names. The same tongue can be used for saying good things for the betterment of the people. In the same way all our (good or bad) thoughts, ideas and feelings are directly related to our actions.

All the actions are good actions if we have sincerity, sacrifice for others, the betterment of Allah's creatures and we are the followers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). What brings us close to Allah and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the contemplation of Allah's signs with hymns. Allah says, "Remembering Allah

brings heart's satisfaction". The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said, "Act upon the teachings of the Holy Quran and do remember

.         .         Allah. It will bring light to you on the earth and you will be remembered on heavens".

Contemplation

The basic theme of the recitation of the Holy Quran is to contemplate on Allah's sayings and to act upon his orders.

"O ye who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance".

(Surah Al-Ahzab: Verse 41)

"O ye who believe! When ye meet an enemy, hold firm and think of Allah much, that ye may be successful."

(Surah Al-Anfaal: Verse 45)

Explaining the above-mentioned verse Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbas has remarked that Allah has exempted a handicapped man from all the worships. But remembering Allah is such worship as exempt no one and it has no limits. But there is a different case for a man who is out of his senses. Allah says:

"Such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining" (Surah Al-e-Imran: Verse 191)

Great significance is attached to the remembrance of Allah with soul and heart. It is more valuable if there is hidden remembrance of Allah.

HAZRAT AYESHA (R.A)

Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) has remarked that once the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said,

"The hidden remembrance of Allah which cannot be even heard by the angels is seventy times greater than the articulated remembrance of Allah".

It prevents the devotee from self-display. There are many verses in the Holy Quran for the remembrance of Allah and the remembrance of Allah in galore. Sometimes the emphasis is on remembrance of Allah's personal name and sometimes on remembrance of Allah in heart.

"And do thou (O Muhammad) remember thy lord within thyself humbly and with awe, below thy breath, at morning and evening. And be not thou of the neglectful".

(Surah Al..Ayraf: Verse 205).

Whenever, the generous people face some danger from the devil they start remembering Allah. Suddenly, they are awakened. It means the pious remember Allah whenever the devil throws a pall on their hearts with doubts. It is Allah who removes the pall from their hearts. Allah says "Remembering Allah brings an end to the devil's temptation".

The saints with their friends keep themselves busy in hidden and articulated remembrance of Allah. Such a gathering is called the gathering for remembrance of Allah. The Holy Quran has mentioned both individual and collective remembrance of Allah. Even the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is directed for remembrance of Allah in group.

ANGELS AND THOSE WHO REMEMBER ALLAH

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said "The angels search for those who remember Allah. The angels call other angels when they find such a holy gathering. So the angels cover them with their wings from the earth to the sky. Then Allah says to the angels "You are the witness I have forgiven these men". One of the angels says that a man had come there due to his own deeds. He was not among those who were busy in remembering Allah. Allah says, No one can remain deprived of the blessings of such a holy gathering".

The Holy Prophet said, "Should not I inform you about such a

best action as brings success to you in this world and the world here-after. Listen; do join the gatherings where Allah is remembered".

Search for such gatherings and the participation of the angels in these gatherings are the signs of virtuous action. Such gatherings win Allah.'s favour as well as success in religion and the world. Remembering. Allah brings hearts satisfaction and shower of blessings.

"Establish worship for My remembrance"

(Surah Taha: Verse 14)

Remembering Allah during prayer means to be contacted with Allah. Such a contact makes the worshipper see Allah or he is seen by Allah due to his firm belief on Allah. Allay says: "Remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance"

(Surah Al-Baqarah: Verse 200)

"Is he whose bosom Allah hath expanded for the surrender (unto Him), so that he followth a light from his lord, (as he who disbelieweth)?Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah. Such are in the plain error."

(Surah Azzumar: Verse 22)

Hazrat Zakariya (A.S) was a very old man. He asked the angel how he could have a son when age had overtaken him already and his wife was barren. He asked to appoint a token for him. He was informed:

"The token into thee (shall be) that thou shalt not speak unto mankind three days except by signs. Remember thy lord much, and praise (Him) in the early hours of night and morning."

(Surah Al-e-Imran: Verse 41)

The Conquerors And The Fighters

Even the conquerors and the fighters are advised to remember Allah:

"O ye who believe! When ye meet an army, hold firm and think of Allah much, that ye may be successful"

(Surah Al-Anfaal: Verse 45)

In the monasteries of the saints such an atmosphere is create d as to bless the learners with the lights of Allah and the Prophet­ hood. The theoretical lessons given by the saints as theory are within the sayings of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

"It is more endearing to me than anything of this universe to remember Allah along with those who remember Allah after morning and afternoon prayer".

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

"The angels come upon those who remember Allah and they cover them with their wings. They are sheltered in Allah's blessings and Allah remembers them"

The devotees are made to remember Allah individually and collectively in the spiritual schools and colleges. So that they might be dominated by Allah's colour. The learners are directed to keep them busy in remembering Allah in all the conditions sitting, walking, with ablution or without ablution.

They are asked to say "Ya Hai-yo-Ya-Qayoum" in all the conditions.

Whenever a man remembers Allah in heart or with articulation, a vibration starts working within his inner-self and all his senses are attentive to Allah collectively.

Law

The law is that there are two types of senses working within a man. One type of senses brings him closer to the outer world. They rather captivate him in the shackles of the world. The hidden senses bring him closer to Allah and open to him the secrets of the unseen. In this state Allah's attributes cover him.

This thing can be explained in simple words that man's indulgence in worldly matters is actually indulgence in putrefaction though he may not feel any bad smell. But a complete analysis of all the material elements will disclose the fact that everything is based on decay and had bad 5mell. And actually the semen which causes our existence smells bad. After death the human body becomes putrid while giving bad smell. On the other hand the other body made of light is so soft that it makes him visit the other world. He even finds himself attending the gatherings of the angels.

When a mystic keeps himself busy in remembering Allah the current of light runs in the body of light. The waves of delight rid him of all his fears and griefs.