The Youthful Innocence of Ismail (as) and To be Rabbaniyun
From the Realities of Mawlana (Q) as taught by Shaykh Nurjan Mirahmadi
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ ٱلْرَّجِيمِ
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
A’uzu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah (AJ) from the accursed Satan
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘aalameen, was salaatu was salaamu ‘alaa Ashrafil Mursaleen, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammadul Mustafa ﷺ. Madad ya Sayyidi ya Rasulul Kareem, Ya Habibul ‘Azeem, unzur halana wa ishfa’lana, ‘abidona bi madadikum wa nazarekum.
Atiullah wa atiur Rasul wa Ulil amre minkum. Always a reminder for myself, ana abdukal ‘ajeez, wa dayeef, wa miskin, wa zhalim, wa jahl, and but for the grace of Allah (AJ) that we’re still in existence.
أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُم… ﴿٥٩﴾ …
4:59 – “…Atiullaha wa atiur Rasula wa Ulil amre minkum…” (Surat an-Nisa)
“…Obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you…” (The Women, 4:59)
Dhul Hijjah ذُوالْحِجَّهْ , The Month of Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Spiritual Importance of Moon’s Phases
One of the secrets of the lunar calendar that enlightened masters have understood is regarding the moon and the spiritual importance of the moon’s phases. The Islamic calendar is based upon the 12 phases of the moon. Each of these 12 phases represents 12 veils, or 12 different emanations that are dressing creation throughout the year
Imam Ali (as) says, ‘The Prophet ﷺ was once asked about the Imams (religious leaders) while I was in his presence. He answered: I swear by the sky, [displaying] the Zodiacal signs (a reference to 85:1). Their number is the same number of the signs of the Zodiac. I swear by the Lord of the nights, days, and months their number is the same as the number of the months. The Companion said: Who are they O messenger of Allah (AJ)? So the Prophet ﷺ placed his hand on my head and said: The first of them is this (Imam Ali (as)) and the last (12th) of them is Al-Mahdi (as). Whoever supports them has supported me, who ever opposes them opposes me. Whoever loves them loves me, whoever disdains them has disdained me. Whoever rejects them has rejected me, and whoever acknowledges them has acknowledged me. Through them Allah (AJ) protects His religion, expands His lands, sustains His people, brings down the drops of the sky, and the blessings of the earth emerge. They are my trustees and successors and the leaders and masters of the believers.’
Allah’s (AJ) Holy Speech Known as Holy Quran is Dressing 12 Holy Months
At the level of sainthood, these Surahs (chapters) dressing the 12 months
1.Al-Fatihah (The opener) – dressing 1. Muharram مُحَرَّمْ
2. Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – dressing 2. Safar صَفَرْ
3. ‘Ali ‘Imran (Family of Imran) – dressing 3. Rabi’ul Awwal رَبِيْعُ الْأَوَّلْ(Rabi I)
4. An-Nisa’ (The Women) – dressing 4. Rabi’ul Thani رَبِيْعُ الْثَانِيْ
5. Al-Ma’idah (The Table Spread)– dressing 5. Jumadal Awwal جَمَادَى الْأُولَي
6. Al- An’am (The Cattle) – dressing 6. Jumadal Thani جَمَادِىَ
7. Al-A’raf (The Heights) – dressing 7. Rajab رَجَبْ
8. Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War) – dressing 8. Sha’ban شَعْبَانْ
9. At-Tawbah (The Repentance – dressing 9. Ramadan رَمَضَانْ
10. Yunus (Prophet Jonah) – dressing 10. Shawwal شَوَّالْ
11. Hud – dressing 11. Dhul Qi’dah ذُوالْقِعْدَةْ
12. Yusuf (Prophet Joseph) – dressing 12. Dhul Hijjah ذُوالْحِجَّهْ
In this 12th month we are completing one year of ma’rifah (Gnosticism), one year of spiritual journeying. It is the month of pilgrimage in Sufi tradition, in remembrance of the Prophet Abraham (as). According to Sufi teaching we are all pilgrims, we are all seekers, regardless of whether or not we are making the physical pilgrimage. Our Masters are teaching us that every moment is a pilgrimage for the soul. In every moment and with every passing day we are looking to make a pilgrimage towards perfected character. We are asking to leave bad character and move towards good character and good actions. Then, as we go deeper into the esoteric knowledge of Naqshbandiya, these numbers begin to unlock certain secrets which pertain to our individual spiritual development. For example, each of the 12 months is dressed from the secrets of the corresponding Surah of the Holy Qur’an. In this 12th month of Dhul Hijjah, the secrets of the 12th Surah – Surah Yusuf (Prophet Joseph [as]), begin to dress us. As well as the secrets of the 108th Surah – Surah Kawthar.
Awliya (Saints) and Power of Number 9 – The Sultan (King) of Numbers
9 is the Sultan of numbers. Why Surah 108 is because as we moved from 1 through 9, with 9 being the highest and most powerful number. Saints are moving with the power of 9 in every moment. They have reached to that authority, to that perfection and that power which is symbolized by the number 9. As we enter the 12th month, the month of Dhul Hijjah, we are dressed with the secrets of the 12th Surah, Surah Yusuf. But the saints are being dressed with the secrets of the 108th Surah Kawthar because 9×12=108.
وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا ﴿٧٩﴾ وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَل لِّي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَانًا نَّصِيرًا ﴿٨٠﴾ وَقُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ ۚ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا ﴿٨١﴾
17:79–81 – “Wa minal layli fatahajjad bihi, nafilatal laka ‘asaa an yab’athaka Rabbuka Maqaman Mahmooda. (79) Wa qul Rabbi adkhelni mudkhala Sidqin wa akhrejni mukhraja Sidqin waj’al li min ladunka Sultanan NaSeera. (80) Wa qul jaa alhaqqu wa zahaqal baatil, innal batila kana zahoqa. (81)” (Surat Al-Isra)
“And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will your Lord raise you to a Station of Praise and Glory! [Maqam al Mahmood]” (79) Say: O my Lord! Let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honour, and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honour; and grant me from Your Presence a Victorious King to aid (me). (80) “And say, Truth has come, and falsehood has perished. Indeed falsehood, [by its nature], is ever perishing/bound to perish. (81)” (The Night Journey, 17:79-81)
Saints’ gnosticism is always based on the power of 9 because 9 represent perfection. Anything after 9 becomes two digits comprised of numbers from 1-9. One of the secrets of 9 is that 9 multiplied by any number will always break down back to 9. That is why it (9) is the Sultan of numbers. Therefore, in the 1st month we are being dressed with the 1st Surah Fatiha. But Saints are taking from the Fatiha and Opening secrets of the 9th Surah Tawba (Repentance). In the 2nd month, they are taking from the 18th Surah (9×2=18), and so on. So while we are being dressed in this month by the 12th Surah, enlightened masters who have reached to that sultanat (Kingdom) are being dressed by the 108th Surah.
At The Level of Sainthood, Following Surahs are Dressing 12 Months
9. At-Tawbah(The Repentance) – dressing 1. Muharram مُحَرَّمْ
18. Al-Kahf(The Cave) – dressing 2. Safar صَفَرْ
27. An-Naml(The Ant) – dressing 3. Rabi’ul Awwal رَبِيْعُ الْأَوَّلْ(Rabi I)
36. Ya-Seen(Ya Seen) – dressing 4. Rabi’ul Thani رَبِيْعُ الْثَانِيْ
45. Al-Jathiyah(The Crouching) – dressing 5. Jumadal Awwal جَمَادَى الْأُولَي
54. Al-Qamar(The Moon) – dressing 6. Jumadal Thani جَمَادِىَ الْثَانِيْ
63. Al-Munafiqun(The Hypocrites) – dressing 7. Rajabرَجَبْ
72. Al-Jinn(The Jinn) – dressing 8. Sha’ban شَعْبَانْ
81. At-Takwir(The Overthrowing) – dressing 9. Ramadan رَمَضَانْ
90. Al-Balad(The City) – dressing 10. Shawwalشَوَّالْ
99. Az-Zalzalah(The Earthquake) – dressing 11. Dhul Qi’dah ذُوالْقِعْدَةْ
108. Al-Kawthar(The Abundance) – dressing 12. Dhul Hijjah ذُوالْحِجَّهْ
Therefore, in this 12th month, a month in which millions of people are making their pilgrimage and following in the footsteps of the Prophet Abraham (as) – or Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) in Arabic – it is important to reflect on his life and his story. This Reality is Based on Holy Quran.
Why the Prophets (as) were Sent?
Every Prophet (as) and every Messenger (as) of the Divine was sent to humanity as an example for us. Not only did they dedicate their entire lives in service to the Creator, but they were actually created for no other purpose than to teach us about the Divine and how to approach the Divine Presence. If not for their lives and the stories of their lives, we would have no co-ordinance, we would have no means to approach. It would be like trying to find your way out of a wilderness without a road. This material world is a wilderness and we are lost in its vastness. Things are happening in our lives from left to right and we most likely have no idea why they’re happening. Then we open up a Holy Book, any Holy Book, and we read about the lives of the Prophets (as) and we find that they have already blazed a trail for us to follow. To quickly get out of this jungle and avoid its dangers. These books and these stories contain tremendous sources of wisdom which help us to navigate this life.
Prophet Abrahim (as) was Ordered to Sacrifice His Son
As Sufis, we read about the story of Prophet Abraham (as) and we contemplate about his life. Prophet Abraham (as) was Khalilulllah, the ‘intimate friend of God,’ and he was known for his amazing generosity. Anything that his Lord had given to him he gave back to his community. But, from all the blessings that he had enjoyed in his life there remained one thing that he had not been granted. All his life, Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) had prayed to his Lord for a son, that would inherit his spirituality, until finally his prayer was answered and Sayyidina Ishmail (as) was born.
Then an order came to Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) that shook his heart. He was ordered to sacrifice his only son Sayyidina Ismail (as). In the morning he is crying, his heart is breaking, and he wakes up his son and says, ‘Baba, we have to go for a walk.’ Sayyidina Ismail (as) is looking at his father innocently and asking, ‘What’s wrong father?’ Sayyidina Ibrahim is not able to answer, but just trying to maintain his composure and not scare his son. He is trying his best to keep Sayyidina Ismail (as) unaware of what is going to happen. At this point in the story, saints are taking from Heavenly Knowledge, from hidden Knowledge, and are able to explain to us their dialogue that day.
As Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) held his son’s hand and walked up that mountain, preparing to sacrifice him, his heart was in agony. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, but his soul was in submission. Then something miraculous occurred; his son looked at him and said: ‘Father, why are you crying? I know what you have been asked to do. Tie my hands and God willing, you will find me to be peaceful.’
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّـهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ ﴿١٠٢﴾
37:102 – “Falamma balagha ma’ahus sa’ya qala ya bunayya inni ara fee almanami annee adhbahuka fanzhur ma dha tara, Qala ya abati if’al ma tu maru, satajidunee inshaAllahu minas Sabireen.” (Surat As-Saffat)
“And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think. He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, one of the Patient/steadfast.’” (Those Who Set the Ranks, 37:102)
Mawlana Shaykh (Q) is teaching us that there is tremendous wisdom in this story. All his life Prophet Abraham (as) gave to his community. The one thing that he wanted all his life was the one thing that the Divine asked him to give up. Divine was teaching us, and Prophet Abraham (as) was teaching us through the example of his life, that anyone can give things that they aren’t attached to. Some people aren’t attached to their money, and they are very generous with it. That is a good characteristic to have, if that money is used in the way of the Divine. However, what is more loved from the Divine is when we are willing to sacrifice those things we want, those things that we struggle to part with.Can You Sacrifice Your Bad Character for the Sake of Allah (AJ)?
It means, are you willing to sacrifice your bad character for the sake of your Creator? Would you stop smoking? Stop gossiping? Stop getting angry? Would you leave your bad character and begin your pilgrimage towards the Heavenly Kingdom? Either way, you are on a pilgrimage to that world. Because this life is ending, and spiritual teachers are asking us, ‘What have you done to prepare for that meeting with you Lord?’
In the end, Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) didn’t sacrifice his son, Sayyidina Ismail (as) – a ram was given in his place. Divine is saying, ‘I didn’t need the boy, just like I don’t need your prayers or your fasting. O Sayyidina Ibrahim (as)! I don’t need anything from you, but I wanted to test the condition of your heart. I wanted to see if you would be willing to sacrifice your ego’s desires out of love for Me?’ The level of sacrifice that we read in this story is only for Prophets (as). That is why his story is so powerful, and it is so important to remember his sacrifice at this time of year. It’s something we could never imagine having to go through, but always their stories contain wisdoms and lessons for us. Mawlana Shaykh (Q) is asking, ‘Are you willing to sacrifice? Are you willing to leave your desires for the sake of the Divine?’ because that is a display of true love. People can say whatever they like, but it’s the actions that count. Prophet ﷺ was teaching (from Quran) that on the Day of Judgement your mouth will be sealed and your hands and feet will testify for you.
(٦٥) الْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَا أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ
36:65 – “Al yawma nakhtimu ‘ala afwahehim wa tukallimunaa aydeehim wa tashhadu arjuluhum bima kanoo yaksiboon.” (Surat YaSeen)
“That Day, We will seal over their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify about what they used to earn.” (YaSeen, 36:65)
Why? Because the mouth says many useless things, but what you do with your hands and feet is where the real truth lies. As they say in English, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’
Whose Station is Higher, Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) or Sayyidina Ismail (as)?
There is another secret in the story of Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) which is from the knowledge of the ‘arifeen, the knowers of God. From their knowledge they relate to us a dialogue which occurred between Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) and Sayyidina Ismail (as). It is as follows; following his ordeal, Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) said to his Lord, ‘O my Lord! My heart was bleeding and my hands were shaking. I loved my son so much but I heard Your order and I obeyed! “Sam’ina wa ata’na.”
(٢٨٥) سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَاِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيْرُ
2:285 – “Sam’ina wa ata’na, ghufranaka Rabbana wa ilaykal masir.” (Surat Al-Baqarah)
“…We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the end of all journeys.” (The Cow, 2:285)
‘It is a testament to my sincerity and my love for You, my Lord!’ Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) was proud of his level of sacrifice, but Mawlana Shaykh (Q) is teaching that if you think Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) reached a high station of spiritual submission, what about the boy?
Sayyidina Ismail (as) was also a Prophet (as) of God. He knew what was happening when his father was leading him up that hill – and he didn’t object! He had the faith of what we call in Arabic a rijalullah (men of God), combined with the innocence of youth. That combination is the perfection of character that we are seeking in Sufism; to have that type of faith while maintaining a youthful innocence. Children are innocent; they have no plots, no ill plans or conspiracies. But we don’t understand that because we’re sick and we think everyone else is sick like us. 
From the knowledge of Saints they are teaching us that there was a dialogue, and Sayyidina Ismail (as) was asking: ‘O my father, who is higher, you or me?’ Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) answered, ‘O my son, I am higher. You can’t imagine how difficult it was to be asked to give up the one thing you wanted your entire life. To be asked to sacrifice something you love so dearly.’ Sayyidina Ismail (as) replies, ‘No father, I am higher. For you were merely sacrificing your property, while I was accepting to sacrifice myself!’ No one enjoys having to sacrifice anything. So imagine sacrificing yourself, imagine giving your own physicality to be slaughtered and to submit and be at peace with it. Divine is saying, ‘That level is unimaginable!’ That reality of Sayyidina Ismail (as) is being inherited by Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ, and all of the Ahul Bayt (Holy Family of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ). Because Prophet ﷺ is the descendant of Sayyidina Ismail (as) and he ﷺ is the owner of the Kawthar (Fountain of Abundance).
Secret of Surat al Kawthar – 108th Surah (12×9=108)
So as we are remembering the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (as) in this 12th month of Dhul Hijjah, then Saints begin to teach us from their ma’rifah, from their level of knowledge, which opens a reality from the Surah al Kawthar. A surah which is dressing this (12th) holy month of sacrifice when Allah (AJ) says:
(٢) فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
108:2 – “Fasali li rabbika wanhar” (Surat al-Kawthar)
“So pray to your Lord and Sacrifice.” (The Fountain of Abundance, 108: 2)
From their spiritual station and their mystical knowledge, Mawlana Shaykh (Q) is teaching that these two oceans are meeting and unlocking their secrets in this month – the story of Sayyidina Ismail (as) and Sayyidina Ibrahim (as), and the 108th Surah of Holy Qur’an, (Surah al Kawthar). From the secrets of the story of Sayyidina Ismail (as) which is dressing Dhul Hijjah, it means ‘Sacrifice yourself!’ God is confirming that reality, saying, “Fasali li rabbika wanhar” ‘Pray unto thy Lord and sacrifice.’ (Holy Qur’an, 108:2). It means that as long as you take care of yourself, you will achieve nothing. But if you sacrifice from what is most dear to you, if you sacrifice from your own physicality, Divine says ‘I will take care of you.’ Put yourself on that block; sacrifice your bad character and bad habits. Place no importance on the physicality by allowing your body to experience pain and discomfort. Ask the Divine for support in moving towards good character and for support in making the real pilgrimage of the self in this holy month.
(٣) إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ
108:3 – “Inna shani-aka huwal abtar.” (Surat al-Kawthar)
“Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.” (The Fountain of Abundance, 108:3)
Only Allah (AJ) can cut our enemies off, the biggest enemy is the ego and Shaitan (satan). Then, the miracle of the Divine is that if you sacrifice, the Divine will take care of you. But first you must be saying ‘O my Lord! Thy Will, will be done! I don’t need my will.’ You can say it by tongue, but there must also be an action. If that prayer enters into your heart, and you are really submitting your will to Divine’s Will, God says ‘I will give you the treasures of Heaven and earth.
“Subhana rabbika rabbal ‘izzati ‘amma yasifoon, wa salaamun ‘alal mursaleen, walhamdulillahi rabbil ‘aalameen. Bi hurmati Muhammad al-Mustafa ﷺ wa bi siri Surat al-Fatiha.
Special thanks to our transcribers for their help with transcribing this suhbah.
Related Articles:
- DHUL HIJJA: A Sacred Month of Sacrifice– Important events, handouts, du’as of Dhul Hijja, the 12th Lunar month.
- Hajj is ‘Arafat, ‘Arafat’s Secret is Ismail (as) – Representing Maqam Ihsan (Excellence/Perfection)
- Reality of Hajj – Everything Makes Tawaf (Circumambulation)
- Secrets of Sacrifice and Hajj in 12th Lunar month- Realities of Prophet Ismail and Yusuf (Joseph) (as)
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