Secrets of 18, Safar People of the Cave Surah Kahf Lessons
This Article Has Been Translated
From the Realities of Mawlana (Q) as taught by Shaykh Nurjan Mirahmadi.
A’udhu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected one
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
As salaatu was salaamu alaa ashraf ul mursaleen Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad el Mustafa sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Madad ya Sayyidi ya Rasule Kareem, ya Habibel Azheem. Unzur halana wa ishfalana abidona bi madadakum wa nazarakum.
A’udhu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem, Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Atiullaha wa atiur Rasula wa Ulil amre minkum. Always a reminder for myself ana abduka ajiz wa daif wa miskeen wa zalim wa jahl. By the grace of Allah (AJ), we are still in existence. We are trying to take a path of being nothing and asking Allah’s (AJ) rahmah and Mercy to be upon us.
﴾ياأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُواللَّه وَأَطِيعُوٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ…﴿٥٩
4:59 – “Ya ayyu hal latheena amanoo Atiullaha wa atiur Rasola wa Ulil amre minkum…” (Surat An-Nisa)
“O You who have believed, Obey Allah, Obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you…” (The Women, 4:59)
Imam Ali (as) is the Baab to the City of Knowledge (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)
From the knowledge of awliyaullah (saints) that Allah (AJ) through living Qur’an, the eternal and unimaginable realities of holy Qur’an. That awliyaullah move and dress through the lights of Holy Quran. And for them the month of Muharram is a hijrah (migration) and that hijrah is through a baab (door). This means their life is continuous and the oceans of the city of knowledge because Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ said, ‘I am the city of knowledge wa Ali Baab hum’. It means their arwah and their soul is continuously moving into that city of knowledge. And the baab, baabu Hu, baabuha. The baab that Imam Ali (as) and Ashab in-Nabi ﷺ are guarding. That they guard the gate to the reality of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ.
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ “أَنَا مَدِيْنَةُ الْعِلْمٍ وَ عَلِيٌّ بَابُهَا”
Qala Rasolullah (ﷺ) “Ana madinatul ‘ilmin wa ‘Aliyyun baabuha.”
“I am the city of knowledge and ‘Ali (as) is its door/gatekeeper.” Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Ba of Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem is the Door to All of Holy Qur’an
All uloom al Quran (knowledge of Qur’an) is in 30 juz. All 30 juz (parts) in Surat Fatiha. All Surat Fatiha in Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. All it’s realities, all it’s knowledges. All of Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem is where? In the ba. Fatiha is in Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. All the knowledges of Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem is like a laser. It’s in the ‘ba’.
So then now the hadith of Prophet ﷺ is ‘ana Madinatil ‘ilm’ (I am the city of knowledge). I am Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Wa Ali baabu ha and Ali (as) is the ba, baabu ha. It means come to that door to reach these knowledges. Because every uloom (knowledge) is in Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. So Prophet ﷺ is teaching us, ‘I’m Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.’ And come to the ba, ulul baab, the people of the baab, they carry and they hold the door to the city in the realities of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. These are awliyaullah (saints).
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : “أَنَا مَدِينَةُ الْعِلْمِ وَعَلَىٌ بَابُهَا، فَمَنْ أَرَادَ الْمَدِينَةَ فَلْيَأْتِ مِنْ بَاْبُهَا.”
Qala Rasolullah (ﷺ) “Ana Madinatul ‘Ilmi wa ‘Aliyyun Babuha, Faman Aradal Madinata falya’ti min Babuha.” (Hasan)
The Prophet (s) said: “I am the city of knowledge and Imam ‘Ali is its gate/gatekeeper, so whoever wants from the city must take from its gate/gatekeeper” [Sound hadith by Imam Tirmidhi in al-Awsat]
Find the Ulul Ahbab (Lovers) and the Ulul baab (People of the Door)
So then they’re teaching that if you come with them, don’t just go anywhere. They’re not going to raise you. They’re not going to dress you. They’re not going to bless you. But try to find ulul ahbab, the lovers, who are ulul baab, the people of the door. What’s that salawat (praising)? We have a salawat in Arabic saying ulul ahbab, the people of love and ulul baab and the people of the door.
أهْلَ بَابَكَ أَحْبَابِكَ
يَا رَبَّ يَا رَبَّ يَا رَبَّ
أَنَعَمْ عَلِيْنَا عَلِيْنَا
مَدَدَ مَدَد مَدَد
Ahle babak, Ahbabak
Ya Rab, Ya Rab, Ya Rab
An’am ‘alayna ‘alayna
Madad, madad, madad
Your beloveds are the people of the door
O Lord, O Lord, O Lord
Send your blessings upon us
Help us, send us your support
Ulul baab (People of the Door) Guard the Heart of Prophet ﷺ
Ulul ahbab and ulul baab and the people of the door, they’re the same. The people of the door, they are the ones who keep the love and muhabbat of Prophet ﷺ. They guard the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. Ya musabebal asbab, ya mufatihal abwab, ya muqalibal quloobi wal absar’ (O Originator of causes! O Opener of doors! O Tuner (Changer) of hearts and eyes.) It’s all regarding them. They’re the awliyaullah (saints) who guarding that.
يَا وَهَّابُ يَا وَهَّابُ يَا وَهَّابُ، يَا مُسَبِّبَ الأَسْبَابِ، يَا مُفَتِّحُ الأَبْوَابِ، يَا مُقَلِّبُ الْقُلُوْبِ وَالأَبْصَارِ.
يَا دَلِيْلَ الْمُتَحَيِّرِيْنَ يَا غِيَاثَ الْمُسْتَغِيْثِيْنَ، يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ، يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ. وَاُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِيْ اِلَى اللهِ. اِنَّ اللهَ بَصِيْرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ.
“Ya Wahhab. Ya Wahhab. Ya Wahhab. Ya musabbibal asbab, ya mufattihul abwab, ya muqallibul qulubi wal absar. Ya Dalilal mutahayyirin, ya Ghiyathal mustaghithin, ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, ya dhalJalali wal Ikram. Wa ufawwidu amri illAllah, innAllaha basirun bil ‘ibad.
“O Bestower! O Bestower! O Bestower! O Originator of causes! O Opener of doors! O Tuner (Changer) of hearts and eyes! O Guide of the perplexed! O Succour for those who seek Your aid! O Living! O Self-Subsisting One! O (You who are) possessed of Majesty and Bounty! I entrust my affair unto Allah. Truly, Allah is aware of His servants.”
Keep the Company of the Saints, They’re Dressed from Qur’an al Kareem
Allah (AJ) dress them (saints) from Qur’an al Kareem. They are walking realities of holy Qur’an. When we follow them, they begin to take us on their journey. When we follow, ‘ittaqollaha wa kono ma’as sadiqeen (have consciousness of Allah and be with those who are truthful). Keep their company. When you keep their company, they’re taking you where they’re going, where their shaykh is going, where awliyaullah (saints) are going, and all into the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. So think from the world of light, not physicality.
﴾يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ ﴿١١٩
9:119 – “Ya ayyuhal ladheena amanoo ittaqollaha wa kono ma’as sadiqeen.” (Surat At-Tawba)
“O you who have believed, have consciousness of Allah and be with those who are truthful/ Pious /sincere (in words and deed).” (The Repentance, 9:119)
Muharram Opens the Baab e Tawbah (Door of Repentance)
So soon as Muharram opens, the baab (door) is Surat at Tawbah. Baab at Tawbah (the door of repentance). There is a door in Makkah called Baab at Tawbah. It means that this door of Muharram, they step in that and they make a tawbah (repentance) every year, Ya rabbi. There’s no Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. So follow me, surat 9 because Allah (AJ) describes who are these sultans. On the day of judgement, 8 will hold the 1. 8 will hold 1. So means the 1 is the Sultan.
﴾وَالْمَلَكُ عَلَىٰ أَرْجَائِهَا ۚ وَيَحْمِلُ عَرْشَ رَبِّكَ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ ثَمَانِيَةٌ ﴿١٧
69:17 – “Wal Malaku ‘ala arjayeha, wa yahmilu ‘Arsha Rabbika fawqahum yawmaidhin thamaniyatun.” (Surat Haqqah)
“And the angels/ will be on its sides, and eight will, that Day, bear the Throne of thy Lord above them.” (The Reality, 69:17)
Allah (AJ) Has Stamped Our Hands with 1 & 8
Your hand is stamped with 8 and 1 (Shaykh pointing at palm of left hand). And the right hand is stamped with 1 and 8. So when Allah (AJ) stamped you to serve the Sultan, Sultanan Naseera, Allah’s (AJ) authorized Sultan.
﴾وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِي مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَاجْعَل لِّي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَانًا نَّصِيرًا ﴿٨٠
17:80 – “Wa qul Rabbi adkhelni mudkhala Sidqin wa akhrejni mukhraja Sidqin waj’al li min ladunka Sultanan NaSeera.” (Surat Al-Isra)
“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).” (The Night Journey, 17:80)
Our Purpose is to Serve the Sultanun Naseera
Your life is the serve the Sultan, they are Ibad ur Rahman (servants of the most compassionate). Everybody else, they serve themself. Ibad ur Rahman, they reach what Allah (AJ) wanted them to reach.[Pic]
﴾وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا…﴿٦٣
25:63 – “Wa ‘ibaadur Rahmaanil lazeena yamshoona ‘alal ardi hawnanw…” (Surat Al-Furqan)
“And the true servants of Rahman (The Most Gracious Allah) are those who walk on the earth with humility.” (The Criterion, 25:63)
Why Allah (AJ) stamped us with that? So that you never forget it. If you want to know what you’re here for, Allah says look to your hand. Why is there an 8 and 1? How do you say 8 in Urdu? Aat. Eight, aat and 1. Why Allah (AJ) stamped it? So you don’t forget who you are. Your life to serve the One. Sultanan Naseera (Quran 17:80), 1 Sultan that Allah (AJ) put upon all creation, Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ.
Baab at Tawbah Requires Sincere Repentance
So come to Baab at Tawbah, no Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, because our journey is where? To the city of knowledge. Who is the city of knowledge? Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. So, there’s no Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, because you didn’t get there yet. They want us to come to the gate. Come to the Baab at Tawbah. Tawbah means when you’re making zabiha (sacrifice) on an animal, you don’t say Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, you say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar (in the name of Allah, Allah is Great). Why Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem (In the name of Allah the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful)? How you can say Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem and slaughter something? So this Baab at Tawbah, it requires real and sincere repentance. Repent! Repent from all the bad characteristics, all the bad desires, all the bad things. Come to them, they carry the zulfiqar (two-spiked sword). They show you how to cut your thoughts off.
Even Sayyidina Musa (as) Struggled With Thinking Too Much
Now we’re going to describe in Surat Al-Kahf what Nabi Musa (as) had a problem with Sayydina Khidr (as) because he kept thinking too much. Right? He said, I want to meet where the two rivers meet.
﴾وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَاهُ لَا أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِيَ حُقُبًا ﴿٦٠
18:60 – “Wa idh qala Musa lefatahu laa abrahu hatta ablugha majma’a albahrayni aw amdiya huquba.” (Surat Al-Kahf)
“Behold, Moses said to his attendant, I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travel.” (The Cave, 18:60)
I want to go to the reality of la ilaha illallah Muhammadun Rasulullah ﷺ. These two rivers is what? Nabi Musa (as) is looking for water? You mean he’s never seen an ocean, when we travel on Facebook to the different rivers? [Shaykh laughs] Nabi Musa (as) cares for a river? It’s a reality. It means there’s a haqaiq (realities) behind every word of holy Qur’an. So Nabi Musa (as) is saying I want la ilaha illallah Muhammadan Rasulullah ﷺ. This is your highest reality, not what you gave to me and my people. I want what you gave to the Sultan (king).
لَا إِلَهَ إلاَّ اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌا رَسُولْ الله
La ilaha illallahu Muhammadun Rasulallah
“There is no diety but Allah, Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
Strive to Be With the People of the Door
So it means then this Ashabul Kahf, this 9 in Baab at Tawbah, make a repentance. I’m not going to have that bad character. I’m not going to lie and cheat and steal. I want to be with the people of the baab (door). I want to be in the company of awliyaullah (saints). It’s not easy to be with them and definitely not with bad character and definitely not with judging them. Be careful, all your life can fall apart. If you meet one of them and you treat them bad, all your life will fall apart. But if you meet them and you treat them good and you accompany them, every reality will dress upon the heart.
:عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَة رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُول اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم إنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ
مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقْد آذَنْتهُ بِالْحَرْبِ” – رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ”
“Man ‘ada li waliyan faqda adhantahu bil harbe,…” (‘An Abi Hurayra, Rawa e Bukhari)
Narrated by Abu Hurayra, that Prophet Muhammad (saws) said that “Allah (aj) said, ‘I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a wali (saint) of Mine…” [Hadith qudsi, Narrated by Abu Hurayra, in Sahih Bukhari]
That’s why you say haramain (Makkah and Madina). You know if you’re going to go for Hajj (pilgrimage), you don’t go as a crook and a thief because everything you do wrong in the haram (forbidden) is a million times more dangerous than you do at home. Right? Is it daleel (proof)? So it means when you want to go in Allah’s (AJ) way, and you go to Hajj, you don’t do haram because it’s going to be multiplied a million times worse. So it means you make your character, ya Rabbi, I want to reach your reality with no bad character. That grant me a forgiveness, grant me to be nothing. I want to leave my head at the door and come with my heart.
Quran 9:40 is Opening of the Cave – 40 is the Reality of Muhammadiyon
Then read all of Surat at Tawbah. All ayat ul kareem of Surat at Tawbah is all the ayats (verses) of the turuqs (spiritual paths). Every reality of the turuq is in Surat at Tawbah. All the way to where Allah (AJ) describes Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq is in the cave with Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. Surah at Tawbah, verse 40. 40 because RijalAllah (men of Allah (AJ)). Nabi Musa (as) was 40 years old, RijalAllah. 40 days of khalwa (seclusion). This means everything to do with 40 is the reality of Muhammadiyon. So, at 9 and 40 is the opening of the cave. Allah (AJ) describes you’re not alone. ‘That we’re not alone, Allah (AJ) is with us.’ (Quran 9:40). And that was the story of the cave of Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Saddiq went with Prophet ﷺ to the cave.
…ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا…
9:40 – “…thaniya ithnayni idh huma fil ghari idh yaqolu lisahibihi la tahzan inna Allaha ma’ana, fa anzalAllahu sakeenatahu, ‘alayhi wa ayyadahu, bi junodin lam tarawha…” (Surat At-Tawba)
“… as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see…” (The Repentance, 9:40)
Ashabul Kahf Left Bad Desires and Attained a Mercy
The second month that opened is Safar – why Ashabul Kahf (People of the Cave)? Because what’s the next 9? 18. 9, the next 9 is what? Surat 18. Your right hand has what? 1 and 8. So now this must have a secret, that your right hand and the reality of your right hand is opening in the month of Safar. And Surat Al-Kahf has to do with the reality that, ya Rabbi, I came to make a tawbah (repentance) and I left my head behind.
Then Allah (AJ) is going to give us the qesa and the stories because this is real. It’s not a story from old. Allah (AJ) want from them what he wants from us. The Ashabul Kahf, they were under shayateen (devils) and Fir’aun (Pharoah) and every desire was around them. They know if I’m going to follow those desires, I’ll be lost. I’ll burn in eternity. So they left the bad desires. And what Allah (AJ) describes, “atina rahmah”. They attained a rahmah (mercy). They went to the cave of Allah (AJ) and Allah (AJ) granted them a rahmah. Because that ‘atina rahmah’ is the same later on you’re going to hear about Sayydina Khidr (as) (Qur’an, 18:65). Because these Rijal (men) attained a rahmah (mercy) from Allah (AJ) and then Allah (AJ) taught them knowledges.
﴾إِذْ أَوَى الْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى الْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا ﴿١٠
18:10 – “Idha aw al fityatu ilal kahfi faqalo Rabbana atina min ladunka Rahmatan wa hayyi lana min amrina rashada.” (Surat Al-Kahf)
“When the young men fled for refuge to the Cave and said: Our Lord! Give us mercy from Thy presence, and shape for us right conduct in our plight.” (The Cave, 18:10)
The Greatest Cave of All is Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ
So then awliyaullah (saints) come into our life to save the greatest cave of all is what – is Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. The Muhammadiyun is the highest reality. So Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (as) went to the cave with Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. That is the highest cave of realities. All the other prophets of Bani Israel, they are at the maqam (station) of the ulema (scholars/saints) of Sayydina Muhammad ﷺ. ‘Warith ul Anbiya’ (inhertors of the Prophet).
عُلَمَاءِ أُمَتِيْ كَأَنْبِيَاءِ بَنِيْ إِسْرَائِيلْ
“’Ulama e Ummati ka anbiya e Bani Israel.”
“The scholars of my ummah are like the Prophets of Bani Israel.” Prophet Muhammad (saws)
So it means the story of all the prophets from before Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ, they are like the darajat (level) of the awliyaullah (saints) of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. The ulema (scholars), they carry that reality so it means the highest reality is Prophet ﷺ.
Be Ashabul Kahf of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ
So what cave, ya Rabbi, what cave you want us to go to? Run to the cave of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ! Be Ashabul Kahf of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ! So your arwah and your soul, how it can run to the cave of Prophet ﷺ? Because Prophet ﷺ described you will be with whom you love. You’ll be with whom you love.
قَالَ رَسُول اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم: الْمَرْءُ مَعَ مَنْ أَحَب
Qala Rasulullah (saws): “Almar o, ma’a man ahab.”
Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: “One is with those whom he loves.”
So this is Maqamul Iman (Station of Faith). That your soul will be with whom you love. When you love, who are you going to be with? As soon as you make durood sharif and you have a love of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ, your soul goes to Prophet ﷺ. And Prophet ﷺ gives 10 durood back onto your soul.
The Immense Power of Durood Sharif Makes you Ahbab un Nabi ﷺ
We’ve said it for many years. Make durood sharif, prophet ﷺ gives 10 durood back onto your soul, you become Ahbab an-Nabi ﷺ (lovers of Prophet ﷺ)
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صلى الله عليه وسلم -: ” مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَاةً وَاحِدَةً، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرَ صَلَوَاتٍ، وَحُطَّتْ عَنْهُ عَشْرُ خَطِيئَاتٍ، وَرُفِعَتْ لَهُ عَشْرُ دَرَجَاتٍ “
Qala Rasulullah (saws): “Man Salla `alaiya Salatan wahidatan, Sallallahu `alayhi `ashra Salawatin, wa Huttat `anhu `ashru khaTeatin, wa ruf`at lahu `ashru darajatin.”
Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: “Whoever sends blessings [Praises] upon me, God will shower His blessings upon him ten times, and will erase ten of his sins, and elevate [raise] his [spiritual] station ten times.” [Hadith recorded by Nasa’i]
Every time you make durood sharif, make durood sharif, make durood sharif, because Maqam al Iman is to love Prophet ﷺ more than you love yourself. You remember yourself all the time. You buy a house for yourself. You buy a car for yourself. You get food for yourself. How much you give in the way of Allah (AJ) and the love of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ? Ten dollars, and you’re a big mujahid, wow, mashaAllah! (Shaykh laughs)
The Sahabi Celebrated Mawlid un-Nabi ﷺ Every Day
The Sahabi gave their lives for the love of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. When you want to know, did sahabi (holy companions) celebrate mawlid (birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)? Everyday they celebrated Mawlid un-Nabi ﷺ because they put themselves on the line to die everyday. Everyday they went into battle to keep Prophet ﷺ alive and to keep his risalat (messengership) moving. They never abandoned Prophet ﷺ – that was their Milad! Every moment was a Milad (birth of Prophet ﷺ) for them because they celebrated the life of Prophet ﷺ. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have fought. There is no other prophet that had 124,000 companions who all wanted to die for him, alayhi salatus salaam.
Sayyidina Isa (Jesus) (as) had 12 and one cheated him. 12, with all his miracles and 1 sold him. Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ had 124,000 sahabi (companions) and all of them wanting to die for Prophet ﷺ. It’s a completely different reality. So, as soon as you love Prophet ﷺ, as soon as you make durood sharif, what’s happening? Your soul is moving into the presence of Prophet ﷺ and that becomes the reality of A’udhu Billah.
First is A’uzu Billah Before you Get to Reality of Bismillah
Seek Refuge From Shaytan –
A’udhu Billah (seek refuge in Allah). It means how ya Rabbi, how am I going to seek refuge from shaytan? He said be with Ar Rahman (the Gracious), be with Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. A’udhu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected one). Before you open Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem (In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful).
اَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْمِ
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْم
A’udhu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected one.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
We’re on a journey to Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Before you can get to the reality of Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, wa uloom ul-awaleen wal akhireen (knowledges of the first and last) and all the knowledges of Qur’an to dress you. You have to get it right. What is A’udhu Billahi? Where am I going to be safe, ya Rabbi, from shaytan (satan)? The only person and the only one whom shaytan is scared of is Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. And Allah (AJ), Janab e Haqq (Divinely Speech), is a description of Prophet ﷺ. ‘Qul Ja al Haqq‘ (Qur’an, 17:81). Oh Haqq of Allah is what? Is Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. When the haqq (truth) comes, the falsehood goes. And the falsehood, by it’s nature, is perishing.
﴾وَ قُلْ جَآءَالْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَطِلُ، إِنَّ الْبَطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا ﴿٨١
17:81 – “Wa qul jaa alhaqqu wa zahaqal baatil, innal batila kana zahoqa.” (Surat Al-Isra)
“And say, Truth has come, and falsehood has perished. Indeed falsehood, [by its nature], is ever perishing/bound to perish.” (The Night Journey, 17:81)
Shaytan is Powerless in the Presence of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ
The shaytan (satan) has no power, no nothing in the presence of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. As soon as you make durood sharif, shaytan is running. You recite, you pray, you give zakat (charity), shaytan is right there with you. He’s sitting right there and his qira’at (recitation) is better. Anybody who has done dua (supplication) on somebody possessed, we did a dua with our shaykh, the person who was possessed, his qirat of Surat YaSeen was 1,000 years old, the jinn inside the person. It wasn’t scared. You can recite as much as you want.
But as soon as you begin to make durood sharif, durood sharif on Sayydina Muhammad ﷺ, all shayateen run. Because Nurul Muhammad (light of Muhammad ﷺ) comes to be present. When Haqq Allah (AJ) comes, every falsehood goes. Every wrongness goes. That’s why shaytan keeps telling people don’t make durood sharif because it’s against his business. It’s bad for his business. But we’re in the business of destroying shaytan.
Make Durood Sharif to Destroy Shaytan
It means that the love of Sayydina Muhammad ﷺ will make you to be Ashabul Kahf (People of the Cave). As soon as you make durood sharif continuous in the thousands, thousands, your soul will feel the love and the fragrance of Prophet ﷺ. You make the durood in the house, put the salawats (praisings) in the house, it becomes a cave of Allah (AJ). In which Budala, Nujaba, Nuqaba, Awtad, Akhyar, wa jinn, wa malaika, 7 categories of Allah’s (AJ) beings will begin to occupy your house, will occupy your heart.
And they continuously surrounding you so that awliyaullah are mahfuz (safeguarded). Ma’soom (innocent) is for prophets. They’re mahfuz which means that Allah (AJ) guards them with Budala, Nujaba, Nuqaba, Awtad, Akhyar, wa jinn, wa malaika – 7 categories. All these realities means they’re on a journey. It’s not everyday they think of something different. They’re on a journey to take their students continuously to the baab (door), continuously to Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.
Sayyidina Khidr (as) Was Dressed With Rahmah, Then Given Knowledge
So why then, in next part of the surat, from Surat al-Kahf, Allah (AJ) describing be like Ashabul Kahf, run to the cave, leave shaytan, and I’ll dress you from a rahmah (mercy). Then I’m going to send you from one who has the rahmah and been given knowledges. And that becomes the story of Nabi Musa (as) and Sayyidina Khidr (as).
﴾فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِّنْ عِبَادِنَا آتَيْنَاهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا ﴿٦٥
18:65 – “Fawajada ‘abdan min ‘ibadinaa ataynahu rahmatan min ‘indina wa ‘allamnahu mil ladunna ‘ilma.” (Surat Al-Kahf)
“So they found one of Our servant from among Our servants, on whom We had bestowed Mercy from Ourselves and whom We had taught [unseen/heavenly] knowledge from Our own Presence…” (The Cave, 18:65)
In the same surat, Allah (AJ) is now describing, yes, you’re now in the cave and you’re going to be dressed by these knowledges. I’m going to send you one of my servants. Sayyidina Khidr (as) is in the shajrah (family tree) of Naqshabandi til Aliyya. He’s the 10th shaykh, but that doesn’t mean he’s the most powerful.
The Living Shaykh Inherits All the Power From Guides Before Him
The living shaykhs are carrying all the power of the shaykhs who passed away and all the shaykhs who are coming new. Right? Your old television, however beautiful it was, is not comparable to today’s television. Prophet ﷺ is fresh. What he gave of secrets to them is an inheritance that the shaykh who passes away, he gives all his inheritance to the shaykhs who’ll be living in akhira zaman (end of time).
And these are Ahbab Nabi ﷺ, they carry the secret of all the shaykhs passed and every knowledge that’s coming fresh through the heart of Prophet ﷺ. Yeah, don’t think they’re weak. Don’t think they’re weak. They have an immense power from Allah (AJ) and have all the awliya (saints) of passed supporting them with whatever they inherited. Why, why would it be different? I have a telephone from Pakistan from 50 years ago. You compare that power to this? [Shaykh picks up smart phone] It has all that technology and whatever new coming from the heart of Prophet ﷺ.
Even they’re not able to receive through their character, but the rahmah (mercy) is unimaginable. That Allah (AJ) give them as a grant, as a ni’mat (blessing), just to inherit that rahmah. Not by any deed, not by any action, it’s just a ni’mat from Allah (AJ). ‘Whom been guided, Allah (AJ) guides. Whom Allah (AJ) didn’t guide, there is no guidance.’ (Qur’an 18:17) This is Allah’s (AJ) ni’mat (blessing).
مَن يَهْدِ اللَّـهُ فَهُوَ الْمُهْتَدِ ۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ وَلِيًّا مُّرْشِدًا…﴿١٧﴾
18:17 – ” …man yahdillahu fahuwal Muhtadi, wa man yudlil falan tajida lahu waliyyan murshida. (Surah al Kahf)
“… He whom Allah, guides is rightly guided; but he whom Allah leaves to stray,- for him you will never find Saintly Guide to the Right Way.” (The Cave, 18:17)
It’s Not Easy to Follow, Even Nabi Musa (as) Was Tested
So then how to be like Nabi Musa (as)? That ya Rabbi, I want to accompany one of those servants. And the danger that Allah (AJ) is then describing in Surat al-Kahf that they’re not easy to be with. Don’t use your head with them because what they want is taslim (submission) and itibah (following). They don’t want your aql (intellect) and they don’t want your opinion. Right? Because Nabi Musa (as) kept throwing his opinion and what’s the first thing? Allah (AJ) is giving adab (manners), not the shaykh, not the guy with a beard talking. Allah (AJ) in Surat al-Kahf is giving the adab. That kalimullah, who speaks to Me directly, he met an awliyaullah. And that awliyaullah told kalimullah you’re not going to have patience with me because your knowledge is not complete on what I know.
﴾قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا ﴿٦٧﴾ وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ خُبْرًا ﴿٦٨
18:67-68 – “Qala innaka lan tastatee’a ma’iya sabra. (67) Wa kayfa tasbiru ‘ala ma lam tuhit bihi khubra. (68)” (Surat Al-Kahf)
“(The Other) said, Verily you will not be able to have patience with me! (67) And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge? (68)” (The Cave, 18:67-68)
The Three Tests of Sayyidina Musa (as) and His Questioning
This means that when you don’t know something, and you use your head with them, you’re going to have a problem. Because you don’t understand exactly what’s happening.
1. The Broken Ship
So why Sayyidina Musa (as) had all those problems? Why did he complain about the destroying of the ship?
﴾فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا رَكِبَا فِي السَّفِينَةِ خَرَقَهَا ۖ قَالَ أَخَرَقْتَهَا لِتُغْرِقَ أَهْلَهَا لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَيْئًا إِمْرًا ﴿٧١
18:71 – “Fantalaqa hatta idha rakiba fes safeenati kharaqaha, qala akharaqtaha litughriqa ahlaha laqad jita shay-an imra.” (Surat Al-Kahf)
“So they set out, until when they had embarked on the ship, Al-Khidr tore it open. [Moses] said, Have you torn it open to drown its people? You have certainly done a grave thing.” (The Cave, 18:71)
2. Building the Wall
Why did he (Musa (as) complain about the building of the wall?
﴾فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَيَا أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ اسْتَطْعَمَا أَهْلَهَا فَأَبَوْا أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارًا يُرِيدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُ ۖ قَالَ لَوْ شِئْتَ لَاتَّخَذْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ﴿٧٧
18:77 – “Fantalaqa hatta idha ataya ahla qaryatin istat’ama ahlaha faabaw an yudayyifoo huma fawajada feeha jidaran yureedu an yanqadda faaqamahu, qala law sheta lat takhadhta ‘alayhi ajra.” (Surat Al-Kahf)
“So they set out, until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so alKhidhr restored it. [Moses] said, If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment.” (The Cave, 18:77)
3. The Naughty Boy
Why did he (Musa (as) complain about the killing of a boy? (Quran 18:74)
Khidr (as) Teaches Through Nabi Musa (as) That We Must Be Patient
And what Allah (AJ) wants from us, is that if you want to accompany these awliyaullah (saints) and pious people, be patient! Follow them and enter into the oceans of taslim (submission) and itiba (following). Itiba, there is no question that you come with your heart. Stay patient, stay patient, until Allah (AJ) give you an answer within your heart. And each time you’re being raised by iman. This is the Maqamul Iman (Station of Faith).
If you have to talk and ask and ask what is this, what is that? That’s not iman. Right? Because then the shaykh had to tell you. But Iman, Maqamul Iman, is that you believe. Be patient and believe and Allah (AJ) give all the adab (manners) of the character. How to have character with them so that you can achieve. And in the end Nabi Musa (as) didn’t have the patience and kept asking until the guide said where me and you, this is where we separate.
﴾قَالَ هَـٰذَا فِرَاقُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنِكَ ۚ سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا ﴿٧٨
18:78 – “Qaala haazaa firaaqu bainee wa bainik; sa unabi ‘uka bitaaweeli maa lam tastati’ ‘alaihi sabraa” (Surat Al-Kahf)
“He answered: ‘This is the parting between me and thee: now will I tell thee the interpretation of (those things) over which thou wast unable to hold patience.'” (The Cave, 18:78)
Nabi Musa’s (as) Tests Were a Reflection of His Own Life
1. Was thrown into a Boat
Awliyaullah (saints) come back and teach us that why Nabi Musa (as) was having problems? When he complained about the boy, Sayyidina Khidr (as) came back and taught him, didn’t your mom throw you in a boat? These 3 tests were not from Sayyidina Khidr (as) and not about Sayyidina Khidr’s (as) life. It was about Nabi Musa’s (as) life. And he didn’t see it because he didn’t have patience. Later, they came and said that the boat you were complaining about and you said why you did something to the boat? He said, why your mom threw you in the boat on the water? Wasn’t that sure death to throw the child into the boat? Allah (AJ) has a hikmah (wisdom) of why he does what he does (Quran 28:7). It’s not for you to ask why. So, it was Nabi Musa’s (as) life.
2. Gave Water for Free
Then Musa (as) said why you took from the wall and you didn’t ask for money. He said why did you water the sheep of the women and you didn’t ask a fee? Because you wanted them as a wife.
﴾فَسَقَىٰ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ تَوَلَّىٰ إِلَى الظِّلِّ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ ﴿٢٤
28:24 – “Fasaqaa lahumaa summa tawallaaa ilaz zilli faqaala Rabbi innee limaaa anzalta ilaiya min khairin faqeer” (Surat Al-Qasas)
“So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said, ‘My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.'” (The Stories, 28:24)
Awliya Show You Your Own Character
Don’t you remember your own life? Because we don’t see the test as my own life. We see the test as I’m seeing something wrong in the shaykh. I’m seeing something wrong in the shaykh. No, no, this is not the shaykh’s maqam (station). You’re never going to the see the shaykh’s maqam. They’re going to show you your maqam, and your life and your character. When you accompany them, they show you your character. Why you judge? Why you have bad character? Why you have anger? Why are you so quick to be angry? These are not acceptable characteristics.
3. Hit the Guard
So, Nabi Musa (as) was being shown his own life and at the end he killed the boy, he said “why’d you kill the boy”? Why did you hit the guard and he died? Everything you complained about, you did.
وَدَخَلَ الْمَدِينَةَ عَلَىٰ حِينِ غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَا فَوَجَدَ فِيهَا رَجُلَيْنِ يَقْتَتِلَانِ هَـٰذَا مِن شِيعَتِهِ وَهَـٰذَا مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ ۖ فَاسْتَغَاثَهُ الَّذِي مِن شِيعَتِهِ عَلَى الَّذِي مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ فَوَكَزَهُ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ۖ قَالَ هَـٰذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ مُّضِلٌّ مُّبِينٌ ﴿١٥﴾
28:15 – “Wa dakhalal madeenata ‘alaa heene ghaflatim min ahlihaa fawajada feeha raju laini yaqtatilaani haazaa min shee’atihee wa haaza min ‘aduwwihee fastaghaasahul lazee min shee’atihee ‘alal lazee min ‘aduwwihee fawakazahoo Musaa faqadaa ‘alaihi qaala haaza min ‘amalish Shaitaani innahoo ‘aduwwum mmudillum mubeen” (Surat Al-Qasas)
“And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, ‘This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy.'” (The Stories, 28:15)
A True Guide and Real Believer is a Mirror Showing Your Character
And every time we complain with them (Awliya), Allah (AJ) said why you complaining? You’re doing worse. He’s showing you your life. That’s what Prophet ﷺ hadith is the believer, a real mu’min , not everybody call themself a mu’min (believer). ‘A real mu’min is a mirror to his brother.’
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةٍ، قَالَ النَّبِيُّ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاَةُ وَالسُّلَّامُ:
الْمُؤْمِنُ مِرْآةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ، وَالْمُؤْمِنُ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ يَكُفُّ عَلَيْهِ ضَيْعَتَهُ، وَيَحُوْطُهُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ الْمَصْدَرَ
[ صَحِيحُأَبِي دَاوُدٍ]
‘An Abi Hurayra (ra), Qala an Nabi (saws): “Al muminu meratul mumini, wal muminu akhul mumini, yakuffu ‘alayhi dhay’atahu, wa yahutuhu min warayihil masdara.”
Narrated by Abu Hurayra (ra), the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said: “The believer is a mirror to the believer, and the believer is the brother to the believer, protect his brother and shield his back”. [From Sahih Abu Dawood]
Have you ever seen a mirror? All you see is yourself. You don’t see the shaykh. When you accompany a real mu’min, when you accompany an awliya or shaykh, what happens? He’s a reflection, it’s hadith of Prophet ﷺ. He’s a mirror for you. You see all of your imperfections. You see everything about yourself. Everything you don’t like is actually a reflection from you. Not from him. You don’t see him. He’s merely an ayena (mirror), a reflection. He reflects back your character. In your presence, he talks like you. In your presence, he acts like you. So that we get to know ourselves. Who knows himself will know his Lord.
مَنْ عَرَفَ نَفْسَهْ فَقَدْ عَرَفَ رَبَّهُ
“Man ‘arafa nafsahu faqad ‘arafa Rabbahu”
“Who knows himself, knows his Lord.” Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
3rd Month is Rabbi al-Awwal – Reality of 27 and Surat an-Naml
We pray that Allah (AJ) dress us from these holy nights, the opening of the month of Safar and all it’s realities. This is a 12 month journey to the Lord of Power. The last month is the hijrah (migration), is the hajj (pilgrimage). The 3rd is what? The 3rd ‘9’ is what? 9, 18, 27. What’s 27? Surat An-Naml (the Ant). The mulk (earthly realm) of Sayyidina Sulayman (Solomon (as), where you find the ‘Innahuwa sulaymana, wa innahuwa bismillahir rahmanir raheem.
﴾إِنَّهُ مِن سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣٠
27:30 – “Inna Hu min Sulaymana, Wa inna Hu Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.” (Surat An-Naml)
“Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, He/it is (as follows): ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. (The Ant, 27:30)
Subhana rabbika rabbal ‘izzati ‘amma yasifoon, wa salaamun ‘alal mursaleen, walhamdulillahi rabbil ‘aalameen. Bi hurmati Muhammad al-Mustafa wa bi sirri surat al-Fatiha.
Special thanks to our transcribers for their help with transcribing this suhbah.
Original Date of Suhbah: Oct 22, 2017
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