Shariah, Tariqah and Haqiqah

Hz Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi (r.a.) explains the relationship between the Shariah (law), the Tariqah (way) and the Haqiqah (Truth/Reality) thus:

The Law is like a lamp: It shows the way. Without a lamp you will not be able to go forward. When you enter the path your going is the Way. And when you reach the goal, that is the Truth.

The Law may be compared to learning the theory of medicine. The Way involves avoiding certain foods and consuming certain remedies on the basis of this theory. Then the Truth is to find everlasting health and to have no need for theory or practice.

When man dies to the life of this world, the Law and the Way will be cut off from him and only the Truth will remain………The law is knowledge, theWay is works and the Truth is attainment to God.

Masnavi BK 5 (Intro)

 

Letter Extract 2- Hz Shahab (RA)

” Only the Prophet (upon him be peace and blessings) is the perfected man (mard -e-kamil) but in his ummah there are men of iman (mard-e-momin) some of whom are examplary, others are semi-examplary and yet others that are non-examplary. Their ranks differ in accordance with their knowledge, understanding, actions and character.

Islam is an open book. Apart from the huruf-e muqatt’aat (disjointed letters) which are known only by God there is no secret in the Qur’an or in the forms of worship. In Iqbal’s work where expressions such as “Knower of secrets” etc are used it is mostly for purposes of beautification. It does not mean that there is some secret beyond the Qur’an or in the various forms of worship which has to be discovered before one’s faith is perfected or before one can stake a claim for being a knower of secrets.

There are two reasons why the great shaykhs have often kept their awrad secret. Firstly because after having made their obligatory worship public they do not wish to attract attention with extra devotions. Secondly things related to spiritual phenomena and disclosures which they experience are strictly personal and if made public would not be understood by others not be of any benefit to them. Having said that they do often take their close and trusted companions into confidence regarding these matters.

This habit of great and sincere masters has provided a ready made excuse for false sufis who have turned sufism into a cult of secret knowledge. This is simply a means of abusing and defrauding simpletons. Neither the deen nor sufism is some secret or occult affair. Those that present it as such have some worldly motive for doing so.”

 

Na’layn Sharif- The Noble Sandal

Jo sar pe rakhne ko mil jaye naal-e-paak-e-Huzoor
to phir kehenge ke haan taajdar hum be hein

(If ever I were granted to place the noble sandal on my head
I would then proclaim: yes, I am indeed crowned king)

 

Mawlid as-Sharif- Rejoice!

God Most High informs us:

” There hath come unto you a messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.

Now, if they turn away (O Muhammad) say: Allah sufficeth me. There is no god save Him. In Him have I put my trust, and He is Lord of the Tremendous Throne.”

Al-Qur’an: 9:128-129

 

Saudi Rape Verdict

This is truly depressing news. A Saudi court has sentenced a 19-year old rape victim that was gang raped to six months imprisonment and 200 lashes. This is more than absurd literalism; it is zulm (oppressive injustice). It is also a slur against Islam and a clear sign of just how crazy the Saudi regime really is. The Guardian has the details here.