The Reality of Awliyya

The Reality of Awliyya

In the Name of Allaahu, the Sultan of hearts, the Opener of every seal, the Possessor of Knowledge


Know that among the ones drawn close to al-Haqq, the rank of Siddique is the highest rank of Sainthood. Such a Wali sees Allaahu by Allaahu and sees that which is not Allaahu by His Light. The bare Truth is exposed to him. He is a Knower of the Reality of the Divine Essence, ZaatulLaah, and therefore knows al-Ism al-Aalam, the Greatest Name of Allaahu. The Light of Allaahu is the Eye of his eye. He sees, and converses with, the Ruh (Spirit) of the Summit of Manifestations, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (shalla Allaahu 'alahi wa sallam) in perfect intimacy in such a way that he comprehends the Holy Prophet’s true spiritual rank. This way, he receives Knowledge directly from the heart of the Holy Prophet (SAW), not from behind the veils (hijabs) but at the sacred spiritual station within the Spiritual Ka'ba, al-Bayt al-Ma'mur. Such a being is the true inheritor of al-Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyya, the Muhammadan Reality. He is the greatest Sign (Tajalli) in his time, al-Hujjah al-Islaam, through whom the Primary Existence-Being, al-Wajib al-Wujud (al-Wujud al-Mutlaq), Allaahu, manifests His resplendent signs.

Whenever he delivers a speech to mankind, millions of jinns are present, sitting and listening to him. He possesses two faces: one towards Allaahu and another towards mankind.

The one who has reached Haqiqah and gained Allaahu's special favor can experience 700,000 different levels and forms of knowledge ('ilm) and ecstasy (wajd) which are subtly hidden in the 99 Names of Allaahu, from which they can pull out for humanity 700,000 different esoteric (inward) and exoteric (outward) kinds of wisdom. Such exalted wisdom is none other than Ma'rifat, Direct Knowledge of Reality.

Know that the journey towards Haqiqah and Ma'rifat through Shari'ah and Thariqah involves moving from one vast ocean of wisdom and knowledge into another. In the process, the veils are pulled away, and eventually the Salik (Spiritual Wayfarer) reaches the Divine Presence in a place (state of being) where he observes, experiences, and is annihilated by, the Reality of the verse

“Allaahu Nuru samawati wal ard.”

“Allaahu is the Light of the heavens and the earth.”

In this state, nothing exists except that Light, for anything beside that Light is ultimately non-existent and illusory. This is the reality of fanaa' and baqaa'.

The journey towards the Naked Truth, the Highest Truth, al-Haqiqah al-Haqaiq, is depicted in the Mi'raj of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). When the Holy Prophet reached a certain point in the journey with the Angel Jibril (alaihi salaam), the Angel said to the Holy Prophet, “Yaa Muhammad, only you can enter beyond this point. If I move further I will be destroyed and there shall thereafter be no existence for me.” The Holy Prophet said, “Yes, I will continue alone,” and he went alone beyond this point to the Utmost Limits, thereby acquiring the Secret of secrets (al-Sir al-Asrar) whose reality is depicted in the Qur'an as the "furthermost Lotte Tree". At this point, his personality was annihilated and he perceived himself as the Primordial Light of Creation, the First Intellect, and the Perfect Mirror, Nur Muhammad, which is the inner Reality of the Holy Prophet. This way, he (SAW) at last attained the Divine Presence, where he perceived nothing but Allaahu, His Existence.

Know that in every age, in every time, there is the so-called Wali Qutb, the Pole Wali, known as as-Sulthan al-Awliyya, in whose being the Muhammadan Reality is concentrated in its fullest intensity. Such a Wali must be al-ashraf from both his paternal and maternal lineage, from Ahl al-Bayt (the Family of the Holy Prophet). Remember that it was upon the Household of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that the Qur'an and the Spirit of Truth (ar-Ruh al-Quds) descended. In other words, he must be al-Hassani and al-Husayni, a direct genetic and spiritual descendant of the Holy Prophet (SAW). If, however, by any chance the Wali Qutb is not from the Family of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and yet he is able to reach that distinguished spiritual level, then he is said to inherit the Muhammadan Reality from Salman al-Farsi, for the Holy Prophet (SAW) included him as a member of Ahl al-Bayt. Once, the Holy Prophet (SAW) told his wife not to cover herself in front of Sayyid Salman, saying, “Salman minee Ahlul Bayt.” (“Salman is among the Ahlul Bayt.”)

Know that every phenomenon in the universe, by Allaahu's permission, is subject to the spinning Ocean of Power known as, al-Muhamma, concentrated in the being of the Wali Qutb, coming from Allaahu to the Holy Prophet (SAW), and from the Holy Prophet to the Wali Qutb. From the esoteric point of view, this is how the Din of Islaam is preserved by Allaahu 'Azza wa Jalla from time to time, that is, through the presence of the Wali Qutb which functions as a Pillar and Axis that connects the physical dimensions of the Earth to the hidden dimensions of the Primordial Muhammadan Reality. Note carefully: It is incumbent upon every Muslim to recognize the Wali Qutb of his age.

Examples of Awliyya Qutb, among others, are Hazrat Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jailani (radhi Allaahu anhu), Hazrat Shaykh Muhammad Ibn 'Arabi (radhi Allaahu anhu), Hazrat Imaam Abu al-Hassan as-Shadzili (radhi Allaahu anhu), Hazrat Khwaja Mu'in ad-Din Chishti (radhi Allaahu anhu), and Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Baha' ad-Din Naqshband (radhi Allaahu anhu).

O beloveds of Allaahu, my dear brothers and sisters, let nothing remain in your hearts but Allaahu Jalla wa Jalal. Know that Allaahu's obedience to you is always greater than your obedience to Him. Know that His love for you is far greater than your love for Him! Few people realize this and therefore most of us are thankless.

May Allaahu continue to guide us in the genuine Prophetic Light, in the Straight Path (as-Siraat al-Mustaqim), so that each of us may reach the elevated stations and ecstasy which He reserves for His beloved servants. Ameen.

Ishq,

{Dani}