Topics
Meditation means fixing full attention on one
point after getting rid of all other thoughts. It is a common observation that
without concentration we can do nothing in a better way. Little children learn
A, B, C when they focus on these letters. An accountant calculates accurately
if his attention never diverts from his work. Concentration is a must for
success in every field. The same thing is true in religious matters. Sometimes
due to thoughts one cannot remember which Sura he has recited in his prayers.
The religious scholars and sufis often arrange
meditation and advise their pupils to do meditate. Sufi’ism means to follow
Shariah and teachings whole-heartedly. For the elevation of self, Shariah is
theory and sufi'ism is practice. Religious theory lies in following the basic
principles of lslam. The act of finding out reality after contemplating on the
wisdom behind these principles is called practice. During practice devotee sees
the praying angels in his own prayer. At that time he is blessed with the grace
of Allah totally. This is the real meaning of prayer. "Prayer" is the
elevation of the true believers. During the prayer one can see Allah in front
of him.
Meditation is defined in different ways.
1). Focusing
on one point after getting rid of all other thoughts,
2). When
one loses control over senses, one enters the realm of meditation.
3). When
one adopts the dream-like condition during waking, one finds himself in
meditation.
4). During
meditation one can see and listen to things from a distant place.
5). Coming
out of world of consciousness and entering the world of unconsciousness.
6). The
time comes when a meditator sees himself watching Allah.
There is a light in human soul which is without
any limits. If we want to measure this unlimited light we shall have to
acknowledgment the fact that the whole universe is covered by this unbounded
light. In the circle of this light present, past and future will be open to us.
The universe is a circle and its light is a
lantern. The flame of this lantern is called "Basra" (Sight).
Everything is seen in the reflection of the flame of the lantern. The lights in
the flame vary.
In our mind the thought of things comes when
the things receive little light. The things which receive fast light are more
apparent. The things which receive the fastest light are perceived most
clearly.
Human eye neither sees nor understands the
detail of the things which are present in the form of abstract ideas.
Observation means looking at all types of
light. Observation has the faculty to transport even the dim light in vision.
Even the thoughts can be perceived in their proper shapes, appearance and
colours. Observation is such a power of soul as makes thoughts or ideas visible
with all their parts.
Observation is faster than electricity. The
storage of light increases to such an extent as the invisible becomes visible.
It is the first stage of observation. All the actions in this stage are related
to sight. An expert in observation is able to watch all the features of the
unseen.
The second stage of observation is hearing.
This stage empowers the man to hear the thoughts of others transformed into
voices.
The third and fourth stages of observation are
smell and touch. The expert in observation can even smell and touch the things
lying at the distance of millions of years.
Once a companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
told him that he used to see the angels walking on the sky during his long
awake at night. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, "Even the angels would have
shaken hands with you if you had maintained the habit of keeping awake at
night".
This incident is the example of the stages of
observation. Looking at the angels is related to sight and shaking hands to
touch.
A situation comes in the stages of observation
when all the conditions of body and soul come to a focal point and body is
directly affected by the inspiration of the soul.
There is a long list of such incidents in the
lives of the saints. Once, one of the acquaintances of Hazrat Mairuf Karkhi
(R.A) asked about a recent mark of injury on his body. Hazrat Mairuf (R.A)
said, " Yester night I started thinking about the Khana Ka'aba during my
prayer. After walking around the Holy Khana Ka'aba, I slipped near Zurn Zum
well and fell there. It is the mark of that injury".
Once, I (Khawaja Shams-u-Din Azeemi) asked my
spiritual mentor Abdal-e-Haq Qalandar, mentor of Saints about a big mark of
injury on his body He said that during spiritual journey at night he passed
between two rocks. He was wounded by the sharp point of one of the rocks.
When one gets stability in the conditions of
observation the
spiritual learner walks, eats and does
everything in the world of the unseen as-
When a sufi is fully observed in meditation he
can touch both the beginning and the end of time due to his expertise. He can
use his powers bestowed on him by Allah. He can see the events which
tool<place thousands of years ago or the events which will take place in the
coming thousands of years. The past events or future events are present between
beginning and end of the universe. This state of observation is called visit or
perception in sufi'ism.
A student of sufi'ism becomes aware of the
lights present in his heart and he enters the senses of unconsciousness while
leaving the realm of consciousness. He sees that the angels and the hidden
things are disclosed to him. A mystic comes to know about the facts of the
spiritual world. He sees the lights used in the control of the universe.
The meditator gets the following benefits.
1. His
sleeping faculties are awakened.
2. He
gains spirituality.
3. He
gets Allah's attention and company.
4. He
gets mental calmness
5. He
pays no attention to social evils.
6. His
problems are solved. He faces no worries.
7. He
is less vulnerable to diseases.
8. He
has firm belief in Allah.
9. He
can treat diseases through meditation.
10. He
can transport his ideas to others.
11. He
can go anywhere he likes.
12. He enjoys
sound sleep.
13. His
intellect sharpens.
14. He
develops mastery over describing things.
15. Forgiveness
and tolerance are his special merits. He has a soft corner for others and
speaks politely.
16. He
likes all the human beings irrespective of class, colour and creed. He serves
them whole-heartedly.
17. He
has a great affection for his mother. He respects his father and elders and
treats the children with affection.
18. He
is charitable and hospitable.
19. He
prays for all the people.
20. The
people are benefited from the soul of the meditator.
21. Humility
and tolerance become his second nature.
22. He
regards the evil thoughts just the wastage of time and tries his utmost to get
rid of them. He seeks support from the souls of the prophets and the saints.
His restlessness turns into peace of mind.
23. He
feels presence of Allah in his prayers and watches the praying angels with him.
24. He
visits the heavens and finds the gardens of paradise in front of
him.
25. During
the meditation for the knowledge about the conditions of the dead, a meditator
meets the souls of the dead.
26. He
watches true dreams.
27. He
is blessed with the meeting with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) if he is his true
follower.
1. The
maintenance of the prayer.
2. The
full concentration on Allah during the fasting.
3. The
full concentration on Allah during Hajj (pilgrimage)
4. Meditation
of the spiritual mentor
5. Meditation
of blue lights
6. Meditation
of higher spiritual status
7. Meditation
of flowers
8. Meditation
of heart's observation
9. Meditation
of Allah's seat
10. Meditation
of inhibited dwelling
11. Meditation
of paradise
12. Meditation
of soul observation
13. Meditation
of the black spot in heart
14. Meditation
of death
15. Meditation
of light
16. Meditation
of hovering loose.
17. Meditation
of the Messenger of Allah
18. Meditation
of the knowledge about the secrets of the dead.
19. Meditation
of accountability
20. Meditation
of intuition
21. Meditation
of self
22. Meditation
of Oneness of Allah
23. Meditation
of analysis of self and universe
24. Meditation
of treatment of different diseases
25. Mediation of Lights of Various Colours
1). Mediation
of blue light
2). Meditation
of yellow light
3). Meditation
of red light
4). Meditation
of crimson light
26. Meditations
with Open Eyes
1. Meditation
of sun-observation
2. Meditation
of Moon-observation
3. Meditation
of Circle-observation
4. Meditation
of candle-observation
1). Moderate
temperature
2). Peaceful
atmosphere
3). Darkness
4). Sitting
posture
5). No
disturbance
6). No
violation of basic principles of lslam
7). No
anger
8). Respect
to elders, affection for children 9). No
drug addiction
10). Attending the religious gatherings 11).
After food digestion
12). With
ablution
13). A fixed
time
14). No
gluttony
15). No
complete silence. A bit of conversation with others will give relief to the
mind.
16). Reiteration
of "Ya-hai-yow Ya Qayo _um"
17). A
clean place, clean dress, a good fragrance. Asking blessings on the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) and saluting him with a worthy salutation in a great number.
'
1). Mid-night
prayer time
2). After
or before Morning prayer
3). After
noon prayer
4). After
night prayer
I). Prayer
posture
2). Crossed
legs posture
3). After
spiritual contact with spiritual mentor
4). Concentration
on heart with closed eyes
5). Looking
at the sky
6). Looking
at the nasal tip
7). Keeping
waist and neck straight without being tense.
8). Smooth
breathing
9). Suitable
time after empty stomach I0). After sound sleep
11). Meditation
can unfold the secrets of others. A meditator
should not exploit his power. It is against religious doctrines.
12). Facing
the north, a meditator can read what he likes. Full concentration should be
given to the topic of meditation.
13). Try
to overcome thoughts.
14). Meditation
for 24 hours is not allowed. Fifteen to twenty minutes are suitable for
meditation.
15). Floor
is the best place. Chair, sofa and cushions are not allowed.
All the Muslims know the fact that our Holy
Prophet (PBUH) meditated in Cave Hira for a long time.
For a common man there should be temporary
separation from all worldly links and pre-occupations.
"So
remember the name of thy Lord and devote thyself with a complete devotion"
(Surah Muzzammil: Verse 8)
The meditator should choose a dark peaceful
place. Full concentration is the first and foremost requirement.
1). Minimum
use of sweet
2). No
drug addict ion
3). No
gluttony
4). Keep
awake after a sound sleep
5). Minimum
talk
6). Neither
back biting nor fault finding
7). Complete
avoidance of lies
8). A
bit of cotton in the ears during meditation
9). In
meditation of pass-e-Anfas (held breath), the meditator inhales very slowly and
then exhales without holding it in the chest. The meditation must be done
according to one's stamina from 5 times to 21 times under the supervision of a
spiritual mentor.
10). One
should face the south during meditation of held breath.
Before all the prayers, the meditator should
envision that he is seen by Allah. With the passage of time, this thought will
rid him of all worldly temptations during the prayers.
Such a situation during prayer unfolds the
mysteries of the unseen world and the meditator is on the way to spiritual progress.
Life never ends with physical death being released
from mortal body, human soul takes up the new body of light.
After
getting skill on meditation of death, one can overcome the bodily senses in
order to be dominated by the senses of light for the time being. The Holy
Prophet said, "Die before your death". It means one can experience
the world hereafter after overcoming the worldly desires.
During his spiritual journey, a sufi narrated
his observation about the secrets of graves "once I meditated sitting near
and old grave. I started watching small and big circles in the shape of
springs. These circles were worth watching and there was sudden darkness. Then
a light appeared from the distant space.
My soul entered the door. Inside I watched a
whole city inhabited by the people. There I saw the highest buildings as well
as the mud houses, streams and rivers, forests, gardens and flowers. In the
city, there were palaces as well as the caves of the stone-age. All the persons
were naked. One of the inhabitants said to me "Why have you dressed
yourself though you look like us in outward appearance"?
It was the world of dead people who belonged to
the period when there was no social rule and the people had no concept of
dressing.
Billions of people had been living there for
millions of years. The people of the stone-age lived there. At the same time
there were the people who belonged to the most advanced scientific age. They
had made more powerful plane and missiles. Formulas were found to bring an end
to the gravitational pull of the earth. Time and space were under their
control. They lived on the earth, but were fully aware of the work of the
angels and future happenings. Their invention enabled them to control winds and
storms. There lived the people who enjoyed salvation. End he damned people who
resided there. There were fields full of cups but no black marketing there were
the bazaars with shops but without customers.
I met a shopkeeper who was sitting in an empty
shop. He had nothing to sell. I asked the person the cause of his misery. He
said that he had been sitting there for 500 years, but no customer came to him.
He was a rich businessman in the world. He amassed his riches through hoarding,
and profiteering.
I met another old shopkeeper. He was totally
confused and haunted by some fear. There were bits of papers and registers of
accounts in front of him. He was busy in calculating in this way. "Two and
Two are equal to seven and Nine and seven are equal to twelve". When he
noticed the wrong total he started crying in terror. When asked he replied that
he had been doing all this for three thousand years. He always got wrong total.
It was all due to his misdealing with the people in the world.
I also met a man with a long beard. The long
beard caused a great trouble to him. Even he fell many times due to the beard.
When asked he replied that he deceived the simple people due to his holy
appearance.
I found a person calling aloud outside a
village, "Listen to me O people, I inform you about Allah's teachings.
Come I tell you what Allah says". Nobody paid any heed to him. Then a
group of angels came there. They took interest in his call. But the preacher
said at once, "I have been thirsty for a long time. Give me water"
The angels gave him a glass of boiled water. His red lips burned and turned to
black. The angels forcibly poured the boiling water into his month. The angels
started laughing and said loudly that the man used the name of Allah in his
dealings. The cries of the man were horrifying.
In this grand city there was a narrow and dark
street. At the end of the street were fields and a jungle. There was a
four-walled house covered with a rubber like material. It was open to the sun
and rain. Some women resided in the house. They were unable to stand due to the
low roof. Suffocation and anxiety could be felt there. A woman was sitting
there with stretched legs. Her upper body was that of a woman but she had ten
feet legs.
Being terrified I asked her the reason of her
long legs. She said that in the world she told the secrets of a house to the
members of another house. She instigated others to fight with one another. At
present she was unable to walk. Her legs were filled with burning coals. She
herself was burning and found no one to take pity on her.
During the meditation I saw a man who was
moving stealthily with a knife in his hand fearing something terrible. O my
Allah, he dragged a man attacking on his back and started sucking the blood
like a dog. He drank fresh and thick blood and then started vomiting. Disgusted
with such a miserable life he cried, "I wish I had been aware of the
punishment of back-biting in the world".
Then I found a twenty feet giant with human
appearance. Due to his big stature and weight he was unable to live in a room
or house.· He spent his time in moving to and from on the roofs of the houses.
Neither did he sit nor did he sleep. He jumped from one roof to another roof.
He beat his head and started weeping when asked he replied, "I deprived
the orphans of their own wealth and property and constructed all these
buildings in the world.
Now I am not allowed to enter these buildings.
The delicious and luxurious meal has turned into wind and fire in my body. The
stuffed wind has enlarged my body to this extent. It is impossible for me to
live in a house. Ah, the fire burns me. I want to escape, but find no
way".
Dialogue Between A Woman And The Angel Of Death
In the death-meditation I find a mud house at
the end of a field.
In a walled-courtyard, there was a thick tree.
There was a large gathering of the people under the tree. I found a woman
debating with a man. The woman forbade the man to take her husband with him.
But the man remarked he found no other way. He would act upon Allah's orders.
The woman beat her chest and started weeping bitterly.
I moved toward them and inquired about the
matter. I asked the man why he bothered the woman. The man said, "Look at
me and try to recognize me". Through my meditation, I knew that the person
was the angel of the death I shook hands with him and felt electricity shocks.
Due to the shocks I moved upward and fell on the ground. The death angel
(Hazrat Izrael) said "The man is most loved by Allah. His wife is also a
pious woman. Now it is the death-time of the man. I am directed by Allah to
take his soul to the other world provided that the man is ready for the next
world journey. But his wife insisted on leaving the man in the world unless
both of them die together".
Then the death-angel brought me to a mud-room
of the house. I found a saint lying there covered in a brown blanket on the
earth. A leather cushion was under his head. It was filled with dates-leaves.
His beard was round and small. He was hale and hearty with a good height and
large bright eyes. The rays of light could be seen on the forehead.
The death-angel entered the room and said “Aslarn
u-Alaikum,
Abdullah". I also said the same thing.
Hazrat Abdullah asked the death-angel about the orders of the Creator. Bowing
his head the death-angel said "Allah wants to meet you". The
death-angel sat near the feet of the saint. The saint was ready gladly with
full obedience and humility. His whole body trembled and his soul left his body
forever. The angel also flew upwards and was out of sight in no time.
According to sufi'ism, light is the basic
element of the creation of the universe as stated in the Holy Quran:
"Allah is the Light of the heavens and
earth"
(Surah Noor: Verse 35)
Light is capable of showing itself and showing
the other lights Waves and colours are its characteristic features. Light
travels in the past and future simultaneously and connects past with the
present. Without it, the universe will lose its contact with the past.
Memory is the stance of light. When we remember our childhood or some past moment of our life, our past flashes
in our present due to the light and the events of our childhood enliven in our
memory.
The senses of genies, angels and other
supernatural beings are based on light. In the way to spirituality, meditation
of light is an important step. There are many ways for meditation of light.
i) A
student envisions the whole universe and all the creatures sunk in the vast sea
of light. He himself is sunk in the same sea.
ii) The
shower of light coming from the heavens falls on the whole world including the
meditator.
''Allah
is the light of heavens and earth. This light is like the place for lantern and
the lantern is in the glass globe"
(Surah Noor: Verse 35)
The student of spiritual journey envisions his
whole body enlightened by the waves of light as exemplified in the verse.
Meditation Of Allah's Attributing Names
Similarly, there is meditation of the Holy Quran and lights of Allah's
attributes. One can recite Allah's attributes or some verse and understand its
meaning fully. After this, the meditator tries to find out the same attribute
of Allah in him. During meditation, the devotee is absorbed to the extent that
he finds light in everything. He also sees everything enveloped in light. The sufi
keeps in mind the following verse of the Holy Quran. "Allah is with you
wherever you go"
(Surah Hadid: Verse 4)
The very idea gets maturity and depths. One
feels oneself in contact with Allah in every condition standing or sitting, in
isolation or in meeting the people, in his leisure time or doing some work.
Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (RA) remarked: "To
seek the knowledge of sufi.'ism through meditation is to be able to see Allah.
Such a sight is got through heart".
All the religions in the world have mentioned
an invisible light in some way or the other. The light is the essence of all
the lights
and is present everywhere as stated in the
Bible.
KHWAJA SHAMS-UD-DEEN AZEEMI
Many a scholar has written a lot about
spiritualism and pantheism. One school of thought is of the view that as saints
often used to wear wooly dresses therefore people would call them sufis. Wool
is called sauf in Arabic. They used to wear such a dress, for it had been the
habit of many a prophet, saints and pious people. According to some people, as
they have been associated with the Ashaab-e-suffa that is why they are called sufis;
whereas according to yet another school of thought the word sufi is linked with
suf a.... but all these explanations are not satisfactory.
In fact, the terminological meaning of Sufi'ism
(tasawaf) is self cleansing. It is the name of a true spirit that is related
to conscience and the light of conscience is always inherent. A sufi always
thinks in the context of Allah. His talk moves around Allah. He lives with
Allah and dies in the name of Allah. He recites His words and always praises
Him and remains enmeshed in His love. He sacrifices everything in order to see
and meet Allah.
