October 1995
1st October Urs Ghaus-ul-Azam at the Qadiri Razvi Central Mosque, Vallee Pitot
Lovers of Allah
Hazrat Maulana Khushtar reminded the audience that some years back Vallee Pitot was almost an abandoned place where very few people would take up residence. Nowadays, however there has been a complete change, construction is in full swing. That is a sign of progress and change, but real progress cannot be attained if we do not take steps to protect our faith. In that connection, if we perform the compulsory prayers and participate in various spiritual exercises and programs at the Sunni Razvi Center, our faith would be safe guarded.
A man of faith, continued His Eminence, should have fear of Almighty Allah alone. He would then, automatically, reach a stage when he would not be afraid of anybody or of anything.
Hazrat Maulana Khushtar related that Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) was once asked about the secret of his becoming Ghaus-ul-Azam. How, in fact, did he achieve such greatness and reach the stage of the culminating point of mankind. His reply was simple; he NEVER uttered a word of falsehood in his life.
3rd October – In the office of Hazrat Maulana Khushtar
True Pleasure
Ever since his creation man has always been counting, said His Eminence. Very rarely, however, does he really try to count the number of days he has already spent in this temporary world. He does not realize that those who are not yet born are asking him to vacate this world so that they may step in, while those who have already left are praying him to join them quickly so that the day of reckoning, the Day of Judgment could come.
An event, which occurred in the life of Hazrat Luqman, was then related. His wife told him that she was pregnant. "Ah!" exclaimed Hazrat Luqman, and he, immediately went into prostration. When he stood up, he stated, "True, people generally rejoice at such news, but I am despondent because when I start counting, I perceive that half of my stay in this world has already passed."
Nobody prevents us to make these calculations in a honest way, pursued His Eminence, but we should not loose sight of the fact that we are definitely walking towards our grave. Such being the case, we should seek sources of true pleasure, since only spiritual activities can yield true pleasure, we should, with our heart and soul, be always engaged therein.
6th October Jummah prayers at the Qadiri Razvi Central Mosque
Time, health and life
The Jummah day is a day of favors, blessings and peace, and it is sad if we do not take advantage of such a day. Thursday has already gone by and it will not come back again. We should, therefore make good use of the present because the past is the past and will never come back again. The beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) advises us to pay all due respect to time. Hence, we should avoid going to places where people waste their time in idle talk, and we should take the firm resolution to use time with the intention of pleasing Almighty Allah.
Hazrat Khushtar added that the illustrious messenger of Allah counsels us to consider good health as a blessing. We should, therefore, devote our young days, when we are most energetic, scrupulously and perform as many commendable actions as we can. Who knows what may happen to us in our old age when, generally, we are in a state of decrepitude? It is almost a pity, remarked Hazrat Khushtar, that many old men are so engrossed in worldly matters today that they have no time for worship and meditation.
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, "Give all proper consideration to life before death overcome you."
If we want to understand the deep meaning of that saying, His Eminence advised us to go the cemetery and spend some time there. We shall come to realize that many members of our family, friends and acquaintances are lying buried there, and soon our turn shall come. Since we shall have to leave this world, we shall think twice before committing anything reprehensible. The audience was also requested to meditate upon the following didactic saying of Shaikh Sadi (may Allah be pleased with him), "Take care of your life before somebody announces your death." If somebody passes away in our family, we should take steps to settle his debts, if any. And finally, Hazrat Khushtar quoted the following from the mellifluous pen of Imam Ahmed Raza (may Allah be pleased with him), the monarch of Sufis of his time:
Outarrte chand dhalti chandni jo ho sake karle
Andheraa paak aate he do din ki oujali he
Perform the maximum good actions you can, for the moon is waning.
The brightness is but for sometime, utter darkness will soon be coming
9th October – Monday weekly Halqa Zikr at Sunni Razvi Academy
Delicious fruits for a happy life
The circle of Zikr (remembrance of Allah) is like a garden of paradise. After having quoted the saying of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), Hazrat Maulana Khushtar said that the fruits of that garden are not sour. They are not soft and they are not rotten. Indeed they are of a special quality. We are therefore fortunate to gather weekly when we are given the golden opportunity to cultivate some luscious fruits, which may, help us, lead a happy and sweet life.
Elsewhere, most people are becoming more and more selfish, and they seem to be looking at the interests of the members of their own family – husband, wife and children. Here, in the circle of Zikr, added Hazrat Maulana Khushtar, the atmosphere is different. We remember Almighty Allah and venerate the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), Ghaus-ul-Azam (may Allah be pleased with him), Imam Ahmed Raza (may Allah be pleased with him) and other lovers of Allah in a true spirit of solidarity. We also pray for the departed souls as well as for all those who are still living in this world of ours. End of talk.
12th, 13th and 16th October – Urs Celebrations
The 54th Urs of Hazrat Hujjatul Islam, Maulana Shah Muhammad Hamid Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him), eldest son of Alahazrat Imam Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him), and the 31st Urs of Allama Shah Muhammad Ibrahim Raza Khan Jilani Mian (may Allah be pleased with him), eldest son of Hujjatul Islam were celebrated at:
His Eminence related that Hazrat Hujjatul Islam came to this world when Imam Ahmed Raza was only 20 years old. However, though very young he had already acquired much knowledge and wisdom. The son was named Muhammad and was commonly called by the name Hamid Raza. By the age of 19 Hamid Raza became a fully-fledged theologian who could propagate in three languages, namely, Urdu, Arabic and Persian, the message of peace and love as expounded by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace). Theologians of high repute would honor him.
Hujjatul Islam was a most handsome man and his appearance was striking and pleasing to look at him. Those who have seen Maulana Ryhan Raza Khan, eldest son of Maulana Ibrahim Raza Khan, may get an idea of how attractive Hujjatul Islam was.
Hazrat Maulana Khushtar pointed out that all praise is due to Allah who has bestowed His favors on the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous, and He is pleased when the latter are being lauded. If we, therefore, act accordingly, everything would finally redound to our own credit.
Just after the ceremony performed at the Sunni Razvi Academy, a friend withdrew a paper from his pocket and showed it to me, a poem by Hujjatul Islam could be read thereon. The friend informed me that he brought that poem with a view to chanting it to the audience. That golden opportunity, unfortunately, did not smile at him, but when His Eminence, through his psychic powers, melodiously ended his discourse with the following four last lines of the poem, he was all joy.
Mein ne mana ke Hamid goonegar he
Masihat kaysh he aur khatakaar he
Mere Maula magar he moojrim se lataknatoo
I admit that Hamid is a sinful man.
He is a man base and bad-tempered
But my Lord you are all graceful
And Your mercy is inviting the prisoner not to lose hope.
The above quoted four lines clearly indicate that Hujjatul Islam Maulana Shah Muhammad Hamid Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him) was, despite all his grandeur, a most humble man. It would be most unfortunate, therefore, if, with our little knowledge, we start strutting on the surface of the earth. We should on the contrary, destroy our selfish ego, our ‘I-nesses’, if we do really want to taste sweetness and highness. Hazrat Maulana Khushtar has written an Urdu book entitled ‘Tazkira-e-Jameel’, a highly inspiring and instructive biography of Hujjatul Islam. May Allah bless us with an English translation of the book?
19th October – during the morning at office of Hazrat Maulana Khushtar
Blessings of the Masters of the Path
When Nizamuddeen Auliya (may Allah be pleased with him) was about to leave this world, he instructed his disciples, among whom were many well-known personalities of the age, to see to it that mystic songs are sung for three days before his burial. (Note: However, when he passed away the instruction was not carried out)
Hazrat Maulana Khushtar explained that Nizamuddeen Auliya had reached the stage of fanafillah (annihilation of self in the love of Allah) and was acclaimed as Mehboob-e-Subhani (beloved of Allah) and, for the rest, it is a question of contact with the Masters of the Path and their consequential blessings.
20th, 27th October and 3rd November at Qadiri Razvi Central Mosque and EidGah
Real progress
The student, the teacher, the professional, the businessman, nay, everybody is in search of progress and his mind is focused. The question, which, therefore, arises, is, "What is progress and how to attain it?" We should, right from the start, get it out of our mind altogether that real progress is based on nationality, community, race, culture, status, money or education. That does not mean as a community that we should be against material advancement and education.
The Holy Quran states that man will really move forward if he has faith and do good deeds. Otherwise, he will necessarily be in loss. Today, what are wanted are men of faith who are prepared to perform virtuous actions with tremendous will and perseverance. We must not forget that people that are virtuous are the beloved of Allah.
Hazrat Maulan Khushtar advised us to that to strengthen our faith we should sit in the circle of the men of Almighty Allah. He related how a Companion of the beloved Prophet was assured paradise simply because he had the good luck of looking devotionally at the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) but once. On his part, whenever Abu Hanifa would feel a bit restless, he would search the company of his own student Habeeb Tai, an outstanding Sufi.
Pharaoh was a very opulent man abut was constantly at a loss. Anu Jahl had much knowledge, but he too was at a loss. Sa’ad, a Companion of the beloved Prophet, had some riches and was told that he would be a bit late to enter paradise as some time would be taken to ‘balance his accounts’. Needless to say, emotional tears freely flowed down his face. Hazrat Maulana Khushtar quoted another saying of the Prophet where it is related that the majority of people in paradise would be those whom we consider as ‘simple’.
Those who hanker after promotion should think twice at the answer given by Abdullah Ibn Umar when he was offered the post of governor. He replied that a saying of the Prophet clearly shows that a person who is given a responsible post is just like somebody who is being slaughtered with the non-sharpened edge of a knife. However, he finally accepted the post in the ‘real’ interest of the people. His Eminence requested the audience to give much attention to the irrefutable fact that empty-handed we come in this world and empty handed shall we depart.
On the third day, Maulana Khushtar stated that it is fine if we have faith and perform good actions, but we should try to do something more, namely encourage others on the Path of Truth and steadfastness. Right away, he said that such a task is not easy but we should not turn back. We should try our best to prevent any wrong action and we should not be afraid to speak the Truth whenever anybody else is spreading mischief.
Hazrat Maulana Khushtar also pointed out that we cannot live in this world without any problems and, when we encounter them, we should bear the problems with a calm mind. In the Holy Quran, it is said that Allah is with those who show patience. We should therefore not loose hope as our Helper is non other than than Almighty Allah himself. After all, He is ever ready to challenge all those who are hostile to His friends, who, as we know, bear much misfortune without any complaint.
23rd October 1995 – weekly Monday Halqa Zikr at Sunni Razvi Academy
And die not except as a Muslim
Hazrat Maulana Khushtar chanted the following from Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (RA):
Ousse gali ka gada hoon mein jisse mein
Mangateh taajdaar phirteh hein
Of that court (The Prophet’s), we are the beggars
Where all the princes and sovereigns seek favors
He then advised the audience to always search for that assembly and requested us to pray so that we stand firm on the Right Path till our last breath. Quoting again from Alahazrat (RA) he said:
Ounhein jaane ounhein maana na rakha ghair se kaam
Lillah hilhamd mein dunya se mussalman gaya
I revered the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and always loved him
Thanks God! I have died as a true Muslim (translated by Prof. Qureshi)
Maulana Khushtar stated that we must not go hither and thither. We must have an unflinching faith and hold fast onto the message of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) as transmitted to us by the spiritual luminaries. If we do so, a cool breeze will rustle at last, and we shall, by the grace of Allah, leave this world as true believers.
Depth of Faith
Hazrat Maulana Khushtar related that Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him), together with his parents had left India on board a vessel for pilgrimage. During the voyage the weather deteriorated and the sea became very rough. Most of the passengers were greatly disturbed and they thought death was imminent. They, therefore, put on their death shroud. Imam Ahmad Raza who was of a different view, said:
"By Allah’s name no cyclone would come."
As it turned out, the waves became less and less violent and the vessel finally reached the port safely. When he was asked how he did know that they would reach their destination safely, he answered that he had made the prayer of security (dua-e-hefazat) before leaving home. He was, therefore, convinced that no misfortune would befall them. At that time he was only twenty-three years old.
Signs of Humbleness
Maulana Khushtar said that in his early twenties, even after the completion of his studies, he used to set in rows the shoes of all those coming to attend the Urs Shareef (death anniversaries of Saints). When he went on pilgrimage, he looked for opportunities to perform the same kind of duties because his heart kept telling him that the shoes had touched the land whereon once walked the beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and deserve some attention.
29th October 1995 – Haji Ramtoola’s abode
Proper planning for a peaceful life
Hazrat Maulana Khushtar said that it is easy to lead a righteous life, but on the other hand, it is difficult as well. Easy for those who create a plan and organize their activities properly. Realizing that this world has been created for them, they consider that material possession, honestly earned, is to a certain extent essential. They do not, however, allow themselves to be enslaved and trapped by this world, and they take cognizance of the fact that they have been created for the hereafter. These individuals therefore live peacefully, happy and content. On the other hand, those who have no aim and objective and who do not recognize the next world are restless.
Those who enjoy peace are keen to pay visit to the cemetery where they get the feeling that their stay in this world cannot verily last forever. After all, they tell themselves that, if the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), Kwaja Moinuddeen Chishti (may Allah be pleased with him), Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him), Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him) and the galaxy of other sages of Allah have left this world, they themselves can never remain here permanently and they act accordingly.
To bring home the temporary character of our sojourn here, His Eminence told the story of a wise man that went into the castle of a king. On meeting the latter, the sage, after some conversation, pointed out that the palace is just like an inn, in the sense that before the present occupant there was the king’s father and before his father, there was his grandfather.
A short note on Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) was also recounted. A Saint said that he had seen Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) by the Ka’ba praying that he be blind when he rises on the Day of Resurrection so that he might not see the sins he had committed during his lifetime. The message is clear, emphasized His Eminence; we must think of the Day of Judgment and adopts a humble attitude. If Almighty Allah so wishes, He may out of nothing mould us into ‘something’.
10th November 1995 – Qadiri Razvi Central Mosque, EidGah, and in the office of His Eminence
Today and tomorrow
We should be thankful to Almighty Allah for thee opportunity He grants us to gather every week for the Jummah prayers. On that occasion, in one way or another, the Imam pronounces some words of guidance. It is very unfortunate if we do not pay due attention to the sermon delivered, and we do not perform our duties and shoulder our responsibilities accordingly.
On the material plane, we do prepare some plan for our daily activities and we do forecast the future. For our spiritual advancement also, His Eminence emphasized, we should organize ourselves so that the present as well as the hereafter may be fruitful to us in the real sense of the word. We should not continued Maulana Khushtar, live just like animals that eat, drink and sleep. We should do something more so that true happiness may emerge from our spiritual involvement.