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Question:
Our family has been engaged in trade for generations, and several years ago,
our business was thriving. We were considered affluent and respected members of
society. Moreover, our forebears were deeply committed to religious
observances, consistently adhering to the practices of fasting and prayer, and embodying piety in their
lives. However, inexplicably, our business began to experience a steady
decline. Despite making decisions with careful deliberation, the outcomes were
invariably unfavorable. Presently, we find ourselves in substantial debt,
amounting to millions of rupees. Our elders have always taught us the
importance of maintaining integrity and ensuring that no actions are undertaken
through unlawful means, and we have endeavored to follow these principles.
Despite our best efforts, however, circumstances remain unpropitious. We are
now confronted with two psychological dilemmas: the first is to adopt the
corrupt values of society to expand our business, and the second is to continue
placing our trust in Allah, even though this approach has thus far yielded
negative outcomes in terms of business success.
Answer:
When Allah bestows His divine grace upon a person, it is accompanied by the
responsibility to fulfill the rights of His creation. A meticulous examination
of the situation suggests that there has been significant neglect in the
discharge of these rights, particularly those related to interpersonal obligations.
It is well-known in religious teachings that for every act performed for the
sake of Allah, one receives tenfold blessings in return. Inversely, when
Allah’s blessings are not allocated in His service, the returns diminish, both
in this world and the Hereafter. This appears to be the crux of your current
predicament. From a psychological standpoint, the resolution to this dilemma
requires not only steadfast adherence to religious duties such as prayer and
fasting, but also the cultivation of a spirit of selflessness towards Allah’s creation. The inertia in this
realm of selflessness must be addressed through conscious efforts to engage in
acts of charity and sacrifice, even when the tangible benefits are not
immediately apparent. To facilitate this, I recommend a particular ritual aimed
at restoring the faculties of generosity and altruism, which may have been
stifled by prolonged stress and material concerns. The method is very simple. Find
a nearby body of water—whether a pond, stream, or canal—that contains fish. The
cleanliness of the water, whether pure or turbid, is of no consequence. Upon
locating this, first prepare black ink in an inkpot and set it aside for use.
Gather thin sheets of paper (preferably kite paper) and a fine pen, one that
will not cause abrasions to the surface of the paper. Write the Letter
"Alif" (الف):
Begin writing the letter "alif" (الف) on the paper. The intention is to write
each letter in such a way that it can be cut into small, separate pieces. These
small pieces should be large enough to be formed into tiny balls. The writing
of the letter "alif" has profound psychological effects on the
consciousness. While an exhaustive explanation of this process is beyond the
scope of this response, it is essential to understand that such an exercise
facilitates a shift in one’s mental framework by instilling discipline, focus,
and a spirit of selflessness. Once the pieces of paper are cut out, roll them
into small balls. Prepare dough beforehand, which will be used to wrap the
paper balls. Once the dough balls are dry, take them to the water source where
fish are present and immerse them in the water. This practice should be done in
complete silence; refrain from speaking unless absolutely necessary. The act of
creating these small, symbolic offerings is not just a ritual of physical
activity but serves as a psychological exercise to induce a state of mental and
spiritual openness. This practice should be continued for a duration of three
months.
Khwaja Shamsuddin Azeemi
Nearly three decades ago, the esteemed spiritual scholar and blessed guide, Khwaja Shamsuddin Azeemi (R.A), inaugurated a mission of public service with the objective of liberating humanity from afflictions, psychological distress, and physical ailments. For ten years, he remained in contemplative retreat, silently advancing this sacred commitment to the service of creation (khidmat-e-khalq). As the hearts of the people began turning toward him, he employed the medium of mass communication. In 1969, this initiative was formally introduced to the public through newspapers and spiritual journals. According to conservative estimates, through written correspondence and face-to-face interaction—particularly via national publications and the Roohani Digest—Hazrat Azeemi has extended spiritual guidance and healing to over 1.4 million men and women, addressing intricate personal crises and intractable medical conditions. Today, it is not uncommon that wherever a few individuals gather, and a seemingly insoluble dilemma or incurable illness is mentioned, someone inevitably suggests: “Establish contact with Azeemi Sahib—the matter will be resolved.”
Through the grace of Allah the Almighty, the spiritual affinity with the Prophet (P.B.U.H), and the continued beneficence of the blessed guide, four volumes of Roohani Daak (Spiritual Correspondence) have now been compiled. The first volume is hereby presented to you for contemplation and benefit.
