13Ayats and Hadiths that My Father Bilal Earnestly Recommended Us to Learn:
1- Iblis adheres to those in the tariqat. He wants to tempt them, saying “You are in front of the others. You are greater than everyone. There is no possibility for you to be downgraded in the state of Allah.” If he achieves to tempt them even to a smaller degree, he ruins them and makes them rebellious to Allah Almighty.
2- Iblis adheres to those not in the tariqat, as well. He worsens the situations of those who are afflicted with whispers, by making them feel panic, fright, despair, trouble, depression; he even goes so far as to make them commit suicide. If those who are afflicted with the problems mentioned below read the surah and ayats we stated below, they will be healed by the permission of Allah. There are many people who applied this prescription and have been healed. They first make ablution and clean their teeth with a miswak. If they can do, they get up at night and perform ghusl. They wear clean underwear and clothing, and sit down sincerely facing the qiblah. Those in the tariqat make rabita as they are in the presence.
a- Recite a hundred times La hawla wala quwwata illa billahi aliyyil azim, each of which begins with, A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim Bismillahirrahmanerraheem.
b- Recite a hundred times Surah Falak, each of which begins with A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim Bismillahirrahmanerraheem.
c- Recite a hundred times Surah Nas, each of which begins with A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim Bismillahirrahmanerraheem.
d- Recite twenty-five times Bismillahi qafi huwallahu, bismillahi shafi huwallahu, Bismillahil ma’afi huwallahu La Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma`as-mihi shai'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i, wa Huwas-Sami`ul-`Alim. Allahumma Ahfazna min afatis samawati wal ardi minal jinni wal insi wasshaitain, each of which begins with A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim Bismillahirrahmanerraheem.
Those who know it, recite once A`udhu billahi minassami’ul- Alimu minash-Shaitan nir-rajim Asta`iydhu billahi minassami’ul- Alimu minash-Shaitan nir-rajim. Allahu khayrul Fatiheene wal Hafizeene bi fadailu Bismillahirrahmanerraheem, and then recites the last page of Surah Hashr. At the end, they should make dhikr, saying Lailahaillallah for at least five minutes.
My father Bilal said:
Remembering Allah much affects Iblis in the following way:
Imagine you pursue a dog to catch it. You force it into a corner and it flinches. As long as you continue to perform dhikr for Allah, Shaitan flinches, too. It is a prerequisite not to do a forbidden thing according to the Shariat. If one performs a forbidden thing, then Shaitan steps in and does not leave. Shaitan both perverts humans and continues his enmity. Humans should not give Shaitan a chance by performing forbidden things. Thus, Shaitan unintentionally requires humans to strive and pray for the sake of Allah.
My father Bilal said:
1- In my worst and troubled times when I needed help, I recited:
Allah Allah qurbatiy ya Rasool Allah farrej qurbati. This is for an individual. If recited for group of people, it is recited as
Allah Allah qurbatana ya Rasool Allah farrej qaurbatana.
I recited both: Allah Allah qurbatiy ya Rasool Allah farrej qurbati. Allah Allah qurbatana ya Rasool Allah farrej qaurbatana.
This is recited 25, 50 or 100 times a day.
2- The prayer of Nada Ali: In the Battle of Uhud, Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, left Hazrat Ali in Madina as guardian of the city. When our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, fell into the well, he was greatly troubled. At that time, Jibril, alaihissalam, brought the prayer of Nada Ali, which is the following:
A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim Bismillahirrahmanerraheem.
Nada Aliyyan mazharil acaib tajidhu ‘avnan laka finnawaib li ilallahi hajati kulli hammin wa gammin sayanjali bi nubuwwatika ya Muhammad bi wilayatika ya Aliyyu ya Aliyyu ya Ali. Adrikni wa alayya mahwili.
My father Bilal used to end it with: Adrikna wa alayna mahwili so that it could be recited in groups. I recite both : Adrikni wa alayya mahwili, and Adrikna wa alayna mahwili at the end.
The meaning of this prayer is:
Nada Aliyyan mazharil acaib = call Ali and let the wonders emerge.
Tajidhu ‘avnan laka finnawaib = you will find him your helper in troubled times.
Li ilallahi hajati = I have requests for Allah.
Kulli hammin wa gammin = in order for all my problems solved
Sayanjali bi nubuwwatika ya Muhammad = All will be for the sake of your prophecy. The following are the words of our Prophet:
Ya Aliyyu ya Aliyyu ya Ali. Adrikni wa alayya mahwili = Ya Ali, ya Ali, ya Ali, be aware of me, turn to me and save me. Hazrat Ali heard him calling from Madina. He rode and reached the place where the Prophet was. He drove away all the enemies and took our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, out of the well. He kept him protected under a steep incline of Mount Uhud. He began to fight by standing in front of the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. While toppling the enemies he faced, his sword was broken. Allah’s Messenger, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, gave his own sword, Zulfiqar, to him. Hazrat Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, continued to fight fiercely. He was alone on the battlefield against the enemies with only his sword, Zulfiqar. Upon seeing this, our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said:
La fata illa Ali, la sayfa illa Zulfiqar.
“No conqueror other than Ali, and no sword other than Zulfiqar.” (Excerpt from sermon recorded by Hajji Bilal Nadir, kaddesallahu sirrah.)
If one recites this prayer of Nada Ali 25, 51, 101 or 150 times when they are in trouble, the spiritual help of Allah’s Messenger, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, and Hazrat Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, will reach one, as was the case with our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam,.
Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, and Hazrat Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, said:
“Whoever counts the harf-e-abjad of this prayer and recites it, will be free from any trouble. The spiritual help of Allah’s Messenger, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, and Hazrat Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, will reach them.
Some people do not accept this prayer as it is not from an ayat. They say:
- The Qadiris have the prayer of Nada Ali. You do not need it.
Whereas, my father Bilal, myself and some of our brothers recited this, praying 150 times when we were in trouble, and we benefited greatly.
Now,
1- The prayer of Bismillahi Qafi (cited above)
2- Wallahu A’lamu: This is a selection of ayats from the Qur‘an. This is also a part of the wird of Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, who used to recite it every morning.
A blessed prayer:
A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim Bismillahirrahmanerraheem.
Wallahu a’alamu bi a’daiqum wa kafa billahi waliyyan wa kafa billahi naseera wa kafa billahi hasiban wa kafa billahi wakeela wa kafa billahi hadiyan wa kafa billahi naseera wa kafallah al mu’mineenal kýtala ve kanallahu qawiyyan azeeza wa kafa billahi bi zunubi ‘ibadihi khabiran baseera. Wala hawla wala quwwata illa billahi aliyyil azim.
My father Bilal said this prayer is the Ism-e-A’zam (The Greatest Name)
3- Surah Fatiha: The Surah we recite in every prayer.
Hadith:
- O Jabir! I call your attention to the fact that I inform you of the greatest Surah of the Qur’an. This is Surah Fatiha, because it contains all the cures for every disease. (Ramuz-al-Hadith, Hadith no: 3988, 6167) In another narration this is given as 72 kinds of disease.
A poor man begged for something from Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, who had nothing to give. He held a handful of dust, recited Surah Fatiha and blew on it. The dust immediately was turned to gold. Later, this poor man tried to do same thing, yet he could not achieve it. He asked Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, why this was. Ali said:
- The prayer you recited is the same prayer and the surah is the same surah, yet the mouth is not same mouth. (Excerpt from sermon recorded by Hajji Bilal Nadir, kaddesallahu sirrah.)
15MURSHID-E-KAMIL
1- If you ask for a friend in this world, Allah is enough.
2- If you ask for a Murshid-e-Kamil, the Qur’an is enough.
3- If you ask for evidence, Muhammad is enough.
4- If you ask for more, Hellfire is enough.
5- Do not worry, what has been foreordained will happen,
6- Do not obey your nafs and be aware of Allah’s commandments;
7- Even if you have golden trees, whose leaves are emerald,
8- You will end up as a handful of dust.
9- Look for the knower and consult the understanding,
10- Why do you wonder, this is a trust.
This poem, made up by missionaries to corrupt Islam, is contrary to the Qur’an and the evidence of the Shariat.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an that we should be with good people. (Tawba, 119) Musa, alaihisalam, wished to learn ‘Ilm ladun (knowledge coming directly from the divine source). Allah Almighty sent him to Khidir, alaihissalam. He said: “Let him teach.” (Kahf, 65-66) As you see, the book is not sufficient. If you do not have a teacher who teaches you how to read and recite, even the Qur’an is not sufficient. It is contrary to the rules of Allah Almighty, unless you find His friends and obey them to find instruction.
To those saying “If you ask for Murshid-e-Kamil, you have the Qur’an”, our Prophet, salllallahu alahi wa sallam, says: “I am instructed by Jibril, alaihissalam. He guided me how to pray by leading the prayers.” (Sunan Abu Dawoud, Vol. 2, Hadith no: 393) We are taught how to pray by the Prophet, salllallahu alahi wa sallam, who was taught by Jibril, alaihissalam, who was taught by Allah Almighty.
If you cannot find someone who can teach you the way and sunnah of the Prophet, salllallahu alahi wa sallam, the you oppose the idea “If you ask for evidence, you have Muhammad.” If you can find the good people mentioned in the Qur’an (Tawba, 119) then you can suffice with the Qur’an.
There are many ayats and hadiths that say destiny can change. Those of the Qadariyya sect say that destiny does not change. If destiny does not change and believers or infidels go to their predestined places, then what is the need for prayers and worship? The nation of Yunus, alaihissalam, faced suffering. They called on Allah so that their suffering would be removed and they became believers. So, their destiny changed.
If you say what has been foreordained will happen, then you are obeying your nafs. In the end, you have not carried out Allah’s commandments. You say: “What has been foreordained for me will happen anyway.” This is the belief of Shaitan. Shaitan said to Allah Almighty: “That is what my destiny is. I have no fault at all. You already knew what I would become.” Allah refused his repentance. Adam, alaihissalam, on the other hand, said: “Our Lord! We have been unjust to ourselves, and if Thou forgive us not, and have (not) mercy on us, we shall certainly be of the losers.” (Araf 23) and his repentance was accepted. Qur’an says: “Do not forge a lie against Allah.” Saying that destiny is this way or that is lying about Allah.
“Look for the knower and consult” First you say that something is enough, stating “what has been foreordained will happen”, “the Qur’an is enough”, “our Prophet , sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, is enough”, “You do not need to ask for Murshid-e-Kamil”, then why do you ask to be allowed not to obey the nafs and be aware of Allah’s commandments? If one obeys their nafs, “what has been foreordained will happen.” And how does one be aware of Allah’s commandments if they are not foreordained to do so before? Then you say “Look for the knower and consult.” This is absolute rubbish. Why do you consult if this consultation will not change what has been foreordained? These are all foolish ideas opposed to the ayats and hadiths. The ignorant cannot foresee. They do not know how ignorant they are. Claiming to know, they write down these ideas. Our brothers were asked my opinions about these ideas. Here is my opinion. I also demand their opinions regarding my words.
16Eleven characteristics of Murshid-e-Kamil
There is no error in exemplifying. As editors make headlines and give short statements of the article to follow, so too does Allah Almighty give us headlines and He says in the Qur’an:
“O my Beloved! Give good news to my humble servants!” (Hajj, 34)
1st Characteristic: They “are patient under that which afflicts them in the way of Allah.” (Hajj, 35) Everybody claims to be patient. This way has every kind of affliction: trouble, illness, poverty etc. Such people are much more patient under these afflictions than anyone else.
2nd Characteristic: “Those only are believers whose hearts become full of fear when Allah is mentioned.” (Anfal, 2)
Such people remember Allah much and in such a way that their heart becomes full of fear. Another verse says: “Their skins and their hearts become pliant to the remembrance of Allah.” (Zumar, 23) One can claim that I remember Allah much and my heart becomes pliant to the remembrance of Allah. The sign of this is following:
When you meet such a person, he talks about the remembrance of Allah. His words are dhikr of Allah and his inner world is contemplation of Allah. He thinks about the unity and greatness of Allah, His supremacy and His majesty. His glance is a look of contemplation. His look reflects his belief, his view and his mind. Waisal Qarani qaddasallahu sirrah advised Umar, radhiallahu ‘anhu: “O Omar! Let your word be the remembrance of Allah, let your inner world be the contemplation of Allah, and let your glance be a look of contemplation.” All the prophets and the friends of Allah behaved in this way. A true Murshid-e-Kamil speaks about the unity and greatness of Allah, His supremacy and His majesty.
“Do you not see that Allah is He Who all those who are in the heavens and the earth glorify?” (Noor, 41)
The dhikr of Allah has five levels: a) orally b) by fuad, spiritually c) with the heart d) sanawbari (two fingers above from navel) e) lubb (right kidney or the location of the same) (Zumar, 9)
Those in fifth level hear the remembrance of all those who are in the heavens and the earth.
3rd Characteristic: “They continue prayer.” (Hajj, 35)
They perform prayer much and add nawafil prayers, including qada (not performed at due times). One can falsely claim that they perform many prayers, because no one knows whether they do so or not.
Hadith:
“The reward of the prayer that is performed secretly is double that of the reward of the prayer performed in congregation.” (Sunan Abu Dawoud, Vol. 2, Hadith no: 560; Ramuz-al-Hadith, Hadith no: 2643; Al Uhud al Qubra, p. 107)
“A prayer in my masjid is worthier than a hundred prayers in other masjids. A prayer in the Ka’ba is worth more than a hundred thousand prayers in my masjid. The worthiest is the prayer performed secretly, which only Allah knows.” (Ihya, Vol. 1, Hadith no: 644, p. 553; Narrated by Abu Sheikh)
Therefore, the tariqat is based on isolation, secret prayer and secret remembrance of Allah. Night prayer also is not public.
4th Characteristic: “They spend (benevolently) out of what We have given them.” (Hajj, 35)
This cannot be hidden. The young, the old, the rich, the poor, the patient, the healthy, all come and have meals. Does every kind of person come to his house? Do they have rest and enjoyment there? Does he spend for the poor? If he does, everybody already knows this and if he doesn’t then they don’. There are many ayats which command that we spend out of our sustenance and feed the poor and the needy. (Baqara, 254; Ibrahim, 31; Munafiqoon, 10; Ramuz-al-Hadith, Hadith no: 3444 similar)
If one has the four characteristics mentioned above, he is a great person. Murshid-e-Kamils are known by these four characteristics. If any of them are absent, then one is not a Murshid-e-Kamil; Allah ranks these characteristics in His ayat, so they are all necessary.
The lodge of a Murshid-e-Kamil should be open to everyone and it should be open at all times. The lodges of friends of Allah are always open. The young, the old, the rich, the poor, the patient, the healthy, all come and rest there.
One is praised because he has certain qualities. Go and look at his house! If he does not have the quality of feeding the poor, helping the needy and spending his wealth for the sake of Allah, then he does not have one atom of the friendship of Allah. They spend benevolently out of their sustenance. This is the priority. Then you may look at other qualities.
“Shaitan threatens you with poverty and enjoins you to be niggardly, and Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and abundance; Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.” (Baqara, 268)
No prophet was a miser. No friend of Allah was ungenerous, not one restrained from feeding the poor or the needy. They all had the quality of spending their possessions in the way of Allah, along with other three qualities. One can falsely claim to have the first three qualities, but not the fourth one, because everybody can easily recognize whether one spends for the poor or feeds the needy or not.
5th Characteristic: Allah says in the Qur’an: “And We reveal of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers, and it adds only to the perdition of the unjust.” (Isra, 82) Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, says: “The Qur’an is a healing.” (Ramuz-al-Hadith, Hadith no: 2796) The Qur’an has the healing, which is Ism-e-A’zam, the Greatest Name.
Some whose titles are hajji, hodja, mufti, waiz or a teacher of the Qur’an teach the Qur’an, yet they cannot heal anyone. Although the Qur’an has healing powers, they can do nothing.
In the Qur’an are all the substances and materials, yet a person must be a master to associate them. The beloved Murshid-e-Kamil is like this master. He can associate all substances so that he can cure all patients with the healing of the Qur’an. Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, says: “The friends of Allah hide their positions.” However, Allah does not hinder us from disclose the healing of the Qur’an. Moreover, He orders us to do so. The reciting of the prophets and the friends of Allah cures all patients and solves all problems. A friend of Allah should disclose this to everyone, so that everybody can come and benefit from this bounty; this was the case with my father Bilal. The healing of the Qur’an was apparent to those visiting him when he was alive. Now it is apparent to those visiting his tomb after he has passed away. If one has such a claim, he is asked to produce two witnesses. We can bring not only two, but two hundred witnesses and they will tell you the tales of how they were healed and how they solved their problems. If one is considered to be reliable with two witnesses, then what about two hundred witnesses? This is as clear as the sun in the sky. If you say there is nothing like the sun, you cannot make anyone believe you. Likewise, you cannot make anyone believe that the reciting of my father Bilal did not heal.
6th Characteristic: Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, was asked:
- O Rasoolullah! How do we recognize the friends of Allah?
- He is generous and he advises people. (Mawahib-e Ladunniya, Vol. 1, p. 779)
He conveys ayats, hadiths and the evidence of the Shariat, advising others of the most important subjects that Muslims need. If he does not warn them and speak about “ilm ladun”, he does not have the characteristics mentioned.
7th Characteristic: Those who are together with him are not bored even when they sit down for hours. Some go to a café and enjoy themselves there, then they become bored after a while. But there is no boredom when one is with a friend of Allah. When people meet with a friend of Allah, they feel that their muhabbat and fayz increase. Only if they are obstinate infidels do they desire to leave. The company of our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, made unbelievers, sinners and hypocrites Muslims. Those with disease in their hearts cannot remember Allah. If they can, their disease disappears. (Ramuz-al-Hadith, Hadith no: 5060)
Some cannot attend the assemblies of the friends of Allah. They are ill, either inwardly or outwardly. Those who know Allah and His Messenger attend assemblies with persistence, because ilm ladun is spoken there and it emerges there. Even infidels, if they are not obstinate, can be influenced by the words of the friends of Allah, just as our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, affected infidels with his blessed words and miracles, helping them to become Muslims. Since the friends of Allah are deputies of the Prophet , sallallahu alaihi wa sallam,, their words are like the words of the Prophet. (Ramuz-al-Hadith, Hadith no: 6385) Thus, they can affect infidels as the Prophet did, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. If infidels are obstinate, it does not work, because there is a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing and there is a covering over their eyes. (Baqara, 7)
Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said:
“I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its door. (cont.)” (Kanz-al Irfan, Hadith no: 128; Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 6, Hadith no: 3969; Islam Tarihi (M. Asim Koksal), Vol. 11, p. 278; Dort Buyuk Halife (Semsuddin Ahmed Efendi), p. 259; Mir’at-e Kainat, Vol. 1, p. 701) This knowledge is the knowledge of spirituality, ilm ladun. The is the knowledge which Musa, alaihissalam, learnt from Khidir, alaihissalam, and Umar learnt from Uways Qarani. This is the knowledge that Yunus Amra learnt after he carried the wood of Sheikh Taptuk on his back for 18 years. The friends of Allah have this knowledge. Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said:
“If you attend the assemblies of the scholars, your knowledge increases.” This hadith explains the matter well. “If you attend the assemblies of those who are scholars, hodja or waiz, your knowledge increases. If you attend the assemblies of those who are people of wisdom, your wisdom increases and if you attend the assemblies of the Murshid-e-Kamil, your hearts are enlivened.” (Ramuz-al-Hadith, Hadith no: 3392) A waiz gives advice in his sermon regarding what to do or what not to do. Yet, nobody pays any attention, because their hearts are dead. The heart is like a field. If this land is not cultivated, it isjust so much dirt. Even if you plant it with seeds, it will be profitless. The land of the heart is same. If it is full of sins, it needs cultivating. It should be improved and developed. When the time comes, whatever you have seeded will bear fruit. Look at one’s heart! Have him recite Astagfirullah Al Azim five hundred times. If he recites Astagfirullah Al Azim five hundred times every morning, his heart becomes cultivated. Then farm his heart a second time by having him recite salawat five hundred times. Farm it with the recitation of Lailahaillallah. Do this with the dhikr of Allah so that the heart is perfectly complete. As a cultivating land bears fruit from whatever has been planted, so to will this heart accept whatever you tell it, because it is alive.
Growing a beard is sunnah, is not it? Yes. Is it a good deed? Yes. Some scholars do not grow beards, even when they are seventy or eighty. They know, yet they do not do this act. Using miswak is sunnah, is not it? Yes. Yet most scholars do not use it, Why do they do not use it even when they know?
Combing the hair is sunnah, is not it? Yes. (Shamail-e-Sharif, p. 57) Growing the hair is sunnah, is not it? Yes. (Sahih Bukhari, at-Tajrid as-Sarih, Vol. 12, Hadith no: 1957; Sunan Nasai, Vol. 7-8, Hadith no: 5030; Sunan Ibn Maja, Vol. 9, Hadith no: 3631) Wrapping the upper part of the body is sunnah, too. Why are these sunnah acts not performed? They know and tell others about such acts, yet they do not do them. There is a hadith regarding wearing shalwar. (Ramuz-al-Hadith, Hadith no: 1315, 4175, 6229; Sunan Nasai, Vol. 7-8, Hadith no: 5290; Mawahib al Ladunniya, Vol. 1, p. 568-569) This is sunnah according to those hadiths. Why do not they do it then? They have knowledge but do not apply it. Dervishes do not appear knowledgeable, yet they apply these as soon as they hear. The heart of the outwardly scholar is dead, the heart of the dervish is alive and sound.
We have to perform nightly prayer, for this is stated in the Qur’an. At least, this is sunnah. Why do not they perform it? They have knowledge but do not apply it, because their hearts are not enlivened.
The Qur’an orders that we perform nightly prayer and remember Allah, saying “Rise to pray in the night except a little, half of it, or lessen it a little” or “Nigh two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night.” (Muzzammil, 2, 3, 4, 20) Why are these not applied? A dervish performs these acts, though. Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said: “You see some men and assume that they are alive, yet they do not have a heart, they are dead.” (Excerpt from the record of a sermon by Hajji Bilal Nadir, kaddesallahu sirrah.) You are talking to a dead man, his heart is dead. (May Allah protect us.)
8th Characteristic: Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, was known as “Muhammad al-Amin” in his youth. He was the most trusted and most reliable person. (Mawahib-e Ladunniya, Vol. 1, p. 662)
A Murshid-e-Kamil is also the most trusted and most reliable person, like our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. They are the most reliable ones for people to trust, who will protect their life, property and chastity.
There are three signs of a true friend who loves for the sake of Allah:
He protects his friend’s property more than his property.
He protects his friend’s life more than his life.
He protects his friend’s chastity more than his chastity.
Abu Bakr, radhiallahu ‘anhu, Umar, radhiallahu ‘anhu, Uthman, radhiallahu ‘anhu, and Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, all gave their possessions to our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Abu Bakr, radhiallahu ‘anhu, gave eighty thousand gold coins to our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Uthman, radhiallahu ‘anhu, spent all his property on the cause as our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, ordered. Once, he gave a thousand dirham to the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. So did Umar, radhiallahu ‘anhu. Ali, radhiallahu ‘anhu, fought with the enemy and brought goods taken in wartime to the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. He distributed these to the poor and the needy, and never took anything from it for himself..
When the Prophet's face was wounded and he fell into a pit during the Battle of Uhud, Abu Talha, radhiallahu ‘anhu, and Zubair, radhiallahu ‘anhu, stood in front of the Prophet, shielding him with their bodies. Their arms and legs were wounded. Abu Dujane, too, shielded the Prophet from spears. (Mawahib-e Ladunniya, Vol. 1, p. 161) Noticing there was a gap in front of the Prophet, the pagans continued to strike the Prophet with their spears. A woman named Asma Bint Zam’a shielded the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. These people put the Prophet’s life before their own lives.
Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, experienced difficult times in Mecca and his companions began to be killed. Some said:
“O Prophet! Let us immigrate to another place.” Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, allowed them to emigrate to Ethiopia, but he did not go with them. He the lives of their friends before his own life. When the children of Ta’if stoned our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, he and Abu Bakr were wounded. Abu Bakr’s wound was so serious that he was unconsciousness for three days.
Jibril, alaihissalam, came and said:
" Indeed, Allah has sent me to you to bring together the two mountains that stand facing each other at each end of Makkah so that they will crush these people in between.” But the Messenger of Allah, while being stoned, said: "I hope that Allah will raise from among their descendants people who will worship Allah the One.” (Sahih Bukhari, at-Tajrid as-Sarih, Vol. 9, Hadith no: 1333) He future generations before himself. This is one of the characteristics that a Murshid-e-Kamil should have.
Protecting his friend’s chastity more than his chastity is the same: Jibril, alaihissalam, Mikael, alaihissalam, and Israfel, alaihissalam, came to Prophet Lut as young males. And Lut's people came rushing towards him; since these people were indulging in the sin of sodomy, he closed the door on them. He could not persuade the people to go. Then he said: ‘O my people! Here are my daughters. You can marry them.” (Hud, 78) He put his friend’s chastity before his own. This is a prerequisite of being a true friend for the sake of Allah.
9th Characteristic: He is inflicted with trouble. Every kind of trouble makes him greater and more venerable. People love him more.
He can be jailed. He can be sent into exile. He can suffer problems, including backbiting, slander, diseases, famine and defamation. He always has three of the troubles mentioned. One comes, one goes. This is the case for all the prophets and the friends of Allah. This is the case for a Murshid-e-Kamil.
10th Characteristic: Allah grants him dignity. Everybody, whether they like him or not, has to respect him. Allah says:
“He cast awe into their hearts.” (Ahzab, 26)
Abu Jahil did not pay one of his workers. The worker came to the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, and complained to him. Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, told the worker that they would go to Abu Jahl together. They went to his house. At that time, Abu Jahl was speaking offensively about our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. The Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, knocked on his door. Abu Jahil came out of his house. Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said fiercely:
“Why do you not pay this man? I will not go away unless you pay this man!”
Abu Jahl hurried up and paid his worker. He was trembling. Those who were with said:
“You were saying bad things about Muhammad, yet you obeyed his order.”
“Did not you see?”
“See what?”
“They were upon his shoulder, striking with their spears. If I had refused him, they would have killed me.”
“We did not see anything like that.”
“Then Muhammad bewitched me.” (Shawahid-an-Nubuwwa, p. 72, 73)
When Musa, alaihissam, encountered the Pharaoh, he threw down his staff and at once the staff became a wriggling snake, 1800 meters long. (Mir’at-e-Kainat, Vol. 1, p. 195, a similar version) It wrapped itself around the palace of the Pharaoh and plucked the dome of with its fangs. The Pharaoh was terrified. His very naval ached. He had to relieve himself forty times a day. Everybody thought that as he was god he did not need to go to the toilet. A true Murshid-e-Kamil should have dignity and presence.
11th Characteristic: He loves and hates for the sake of Allah. The Quraish people came to Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, and said:
“We will allow you to marry whichever girl you want. We will give you money, as much as you want. But do not refute our idols.” Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said:
“If you were to put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand, you would not be able me to turn back from Allah’s way.”
Our Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said:
“The most worthless scholar is he who visits the rich for their property, not for Allah. The most worthy wealthy man is the one who visits a scholar for the sake of Allah.”
The most worthless scholar exchanges valuable knowledge for worthless property. The Qur’an says:
“Do not sell My Signs for a small price.” (Baqara, 41) Any material thing in the world has a small price. The ayats are not to be sold for a small price.
“The likeness of those who were charged with the Taurat, then they did not observe it, is as the likeness of the ass bearing books.” (Jumua, 5) The ass does not have anything to do with books except carrying them. This also means that those who do not observe their knowledge will bear the responsibility of their knowledge..
As we could not find the books of the hadiths my father (Sheikh) Bilal stated in his sermon record, we have given similar versions of them which he used.