Prophet Muhammad (s) in heart enter cave

Spiritual Lessons in the Month of Safar – Tafsir Surah Kahf (Part 1)

September 21, 2021 July 5, 2024

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This Article Has Been Translated

Malayalam

From the Realities of Mawlana (Q) as taught by Shaykh Nurjan Mirahmadi

A’uzu 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

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘aalameen, was salaatu was salaamu ‘alaa Ashraful 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.”

﴾أَطِيعُواللَّه وَأَطِيعُوٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ… ﴿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)

Always a reminder for myself ana abdukal ‘ajeezu, dayeef, miskinu, zhalim, wa jahl, and but for the grace of Allah (AJ) that I am and we are still in existence from Allah’s (AJ) infinite rahmah (mercy) that doesn’t become angered and extinguish us from existence. It’s an immense rahmah and mercy.

Muharram is the Movement Towards the Ghar e Thawr

From the knowledge of awliyaullah (saints), we have a journey. Those whom Allah (AJ) is guiding towards a reality, then Allah (AJ) inspire these guides to teach about that reality. That every year is a hijrah and a movement into these oceans of reality. The first month, the month of Muharram, was a movement into the cave of safety. When Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ made a hijrah and in that hijrah, he stopped at Ghar e Thawr, the Cave of Thawr. That cave, we never left.

Prophet’s ﷺ Struggle in Makkah Symbolizes the Struggle of the Heart

So, whatever you’re doing on this dunya (material world) and how to relate these realities, it’s a dress of what’s happening upon the soul. The reason they teach it, not to boast or brag about a knowledge, but to inspire people to rise up, to rise up. There’s something far greater happening than our day-to-day eating, living, drinking. There’s a journey that the soul is on of realities and dresses of realities. Awliyaullah (saints) come into our life and teach when Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ moved, every movement was an immense ocean of realities. That struggling for 13 years in the reality of Makkah means the struggle of your heart.

You Have to Fight for Your Faith and Peace

Before you can get to faith, you have to struggle in the mulk and in the world. In your physical world, faith doesn’t just come because you wanted it. Faith is something you fight for. Peace is not something you say, ‘I just want peace. I go sit by a tree and peace comes to me.’ It would be nice, but Allah (AJ) put shaitan (satan) in this Earth so as soon as you say, ‘I want peace,’ shaitan says, ‘Really? Oh, you’re one of those.’ Then your whole life now becomes upside down.

So, it means you fight for peace. People don’t understand the word that they use thinking peace and serenity and it just comes to you. No, you have to fight your demons. You have to fight the desires and all the bad characteristics to reach a state of God’s satisfaction so that He dresses us with that serenity and that peace.

Peace Comes From the Soul’s Proximity to Divinely Presence

That peace only comes from the proximity to the Divinely Presence. When you feel the angelic light and the angelic reality of your soul is near you and dressing you, of course you feel peace. You sleep in peace, you walk in peace, you eat in peace. Because our only peace is from paradise and your paradise reality begins to accompany you on Earth. So, they teach these realities to inspire us that, ‘Rise! Rise up, awaken and move towards the ascension of your reality.’

Everything on Earth is an Analogy for a Spiritual Reality

When Prophet ﷺ moved from the state of Makkah and struggling 13 years against himself, against every type of condition, Allah (AJ) granted an opening. That opening, he moved towards the city of lights which means towards the Heavenly Kingdom. Everything on Earth is an analogy for something happening. That you’re going to be given a hijrah and a movement into the Heavenly Kingdom and the rahmah (mercy) that Allah (AJ) wanted is, ‘Stop at this cave for your nation is in need of what I’m going to be dressing you with.’

Prior Prophets of Allah (AJ) are Placeholders for Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ

As Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ ran from them, entered into the Cave – this is the Cave of all Realities. Ghar e Thawr is the original cave. Ashab ul Kahf (Companions of the Cave) and all the prior prophets of Allah (AJ), they’re imitations of the Muhammadan Reality. They’re placeholders. Their story is only an imitation of the khatam that going to arrive upon Earth. Every movement that Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ makes is the real movement. Everything else was an imitation.

‘Arifeen Return to the Cave of Safety in Muharram

So, it means in this understanding of our movement, we call Shamsul ‘Arifeen (The Sun of Knowers). These are the knowers of the reality of the sun of all knowledges. The shams (sun) is a light of eternity. The ‘arifeen (knowers), they are on a journey, on an eternal journey with their soul into the oceans of these realities.

Muharram, for them, was an opening and every year is an opening to go back. Leave everything bad, step with their right [foot] asking for Allah’s (AJ) satisfaction for new openings this year; new blessings, new dressings. They go to the cave and in the cave, Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ took His Great Siddiq (Truthful). We described that in Muharram. So, they entered into the cave.

Surah Tawbah Guides the Month of Muharram

That surah (chapter), Surah Tawbah, dresses and guides Muharram. We said, ‘The Qur’an is the guide for all humanity.’ This Qur’an coming from the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ, Manzil ul Qur’an (where the Holy Qur’an emanates). Then imagine now what is the reality of the soul of Prophet ﷺ? Surah Tawbah dressed Muharram. The cave is the secret of entering into that reality.

The Cave Represents the Heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ

When Allah (AJ) describe for the companions that, ‘Leave that oppression and go towards the city of light,’ and Prophet ﷺ takes his beloved friend, Sayyidina Abu Bakr as Siddiq (as). They entered into the cave. The cave was sealed by the spider web, the dove. There was a hole within the cave where a snake was coming out and the great Siddiq (as) covered that hole with the blessed qadam and the blessed foot of a siddiq.

That cave represents the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. The nation and all of creation is being dressed by that cave, blessed by that cave, never leaving that cave. That cave on Earth was symbolic of the Muhammadan heart and Prophet ﷺ taking his companions that, ‘I want to take you to my reality. We’re going to leave our physical state of Makkah and we’re going to enter into this world of the soul.’

You Can Only Enter the World of Light Through Prophet’s ﷺ Heart

‘But you can’t get to the world of Madina, Madinatul Munawwara (luminous city of Prophet ﷺ), to the world of light without coming through my heart.’ That’s the cave. Had he gone directly then he would have set an example that everybody can reach to this city of light. Said, ‘No, not this city of light. This city of light that I’m taking you – Maqam al Mahmood – the highest of Allah’s (AJ) stations in proximity which is Qaaba qawsayni aw adna. The highest of the highest requires that you stop in my heart.’

﴾فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ ﴿٩

53:9 – “Fakana qaaba qawsayni aw adna.” (Surat An-Najm)

“And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer [to the Divine Presence].” (The Star, 53:9)

So, are you getting? [Shaykh asks the audience] Physical things represent spiritual realities. He didn’t take him straight to Madina. He’s taking so that, ‘You and everyone who comes after in this nation of mine will learn that stop in my heart to reach this city of Madinatul Munawwara.’ So, the cave is the heart of Prophet ﷺ and awliyaullah (saints) understood. They’ve been taken, their soul witnessed, they witnessed the cave and they see the reality within the cave. That’s why they were taught by it.

Holy Qur’an, Chapter 29 – Realities of the Spider Web and Laam Alif

This cave of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ is guarded by a spider web. So, you go, ‘Spider web? Oh, Qur’an, surah 29.’ Oh 29, that’s laam alif. Right? Laam alif, bi sirrat e laam jalala, “Ana Madina wa Baabahu.”

“قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ “أَنَا مَدِيْنَةُ الْعِلْمٍ وعَلِيٌّ بَابُهَا

Qala RasulAllah ﷺ, “Ana madinatul ‘ilmin wa ‘Aliyyun baabuha.”

“I am the city of knowledge and ‘Ali (as) is its door/gatekeeper.” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

The spider web is the laam alif, is the zulfiqar (sword of Imam Ali (as)). That you look into this heart of Prophet ﷺ, none will see it. They see it as just, ‘Oh okay, he delivered a message, he left,’ astaghfirullah (seek forgiveness from Allah (AJ)). When Allah (AJ) give guidance, he’s given guidance; whom He has not guided, there is no guidance.

﴾وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَـٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلَا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّـهُ ۖ لَقَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ…﴿٤٣…

7:43 – “…wa qalo Alhamdulillahi al ladhee hadana lihadha wa ma kunna linahtadiya lawla an hadana Allahu, laqad jaa at Rusulu Rabbina bil Haqqi…” (Surat Al-A’raf)

“… And they will say, Praise be to Allah, who has guided us to this [joy and happiness]; and we would never have been guided if Allah had not guided us. Certainly the messengers of our Lord had come with the truth…” (The Heights, 7:43)

It’s not cleverness you keep reading something and you think you’ll read it a good way and you’ll understand something. You won’t understand anything unless Allah (AJ) guides you.

Ulul al Baab Guard the Cave With Power of 29 – Laam Alif and Zulfiqar

So, the cave is the heart of Prophet ﷺ. The ankabut (spider) is a symbol and a sign. This is guarded by 29 – 29th letter of huroof (Arabic Letters) is laam alif. Laam alif – zulfiqar (sword of Imam Ali (as)). Teaching you, ‘No, now there are gatekeepers on this cave, Ulul al Baab.’ There are categories in which Allah (AJ) names His rijal (people of maturity). There’s Ulul al Baab, they are the Caretakers of the Door and they sit with a 29 guarding the cave.

Awliyaullah come and teach you, ‘Oh, 29 is a laam alif.’

‘A laam alif?’ [person replies] ‘Yes, they have a zulfiqar. They carry a zulfiqar with them.’ Like that [Shaykh shows the zulfiqar on his necklace], just a little one, just to show you symbolically. Why? Because they’re custodians of laam alif. They are the custodians of what Nabi Musa (as) wanted.

Above Every Knower is a Greater Knower, Regardless of Physical Rank

Somebody emailed and said that, ‘I don’t understand when you talked about Mawlana Shah Naqshband (Q) helping Sayyidina Dhul Qarnain (as). Why would awliya (saint) help anbiya (prophet)?’ We said, ‘Because when Allah (AJ)… every knowledge and knower, there is a higher knower.’

﴾نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتٍ مَّن نَّشَاءُ ۗ وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٧٦

12:76 – “…Narfa’u darajatin man nashao, Wa fawqa kulli dhee ‘ilmin ‘aleem.” (Surat Yusuf)

“… We raise in degrees whom We will, and Above every knower there is a greater knower.” (Joseph, 12:76)

Darajah (spiritual rank) of knowledge is infinite. It has nothing to do with the rank of your physicality. You can be a King and the person can be a shepherd and his knowledge far outranks any king. Knowledge for Allah (AJ) is based on the soul and that has nothing to do with physicality and that soul has no time.

Awliya are Inheritors of the Prophets

So, what does it matter for Allah (AJ) if the soul of His awliya (saints) come to teach the soul of a prophet from Bani Israel? That’s why the hadith, Prophet ﷺ clarified that, ‘My ulama…’ means ‘My companion who are all awliya and all the awliya who will come – warathatul anbiya (inheritor of the prophets) from Bani Israel.’ ‘They are the inheritors.’ It means they will teach you from their knowledges of those realities because they inherit from Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ.

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ، قَالَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ : ” اَلْعُلَمَاءِ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ.” [رِيَاضْ اَلصَّالِحِينْ: ١٣٨٨‏]

‘An Abi Darda (ra) qala, qala Rasulullahi ﷺ: “Al ‘Ulama ye warathatul Anbiya.”

Narrated by Abi Darda (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “My scholars are the inheritors of the prophets.” [Riyad As Saliheen)

Sayyidina Musa (as) Sought Knowledge from Sayyidina Khidr (as)

We’re entering into the month of that reality, that Sayyidina Musa (as) – a prophet of Bani Israel from the big Ulul Azam, the great prophets of Allah (AJ) – he wanted a knowledge that was not accessible to him. He was sent to a Muhammadan guide which is the 11th Shaykh in the Naqshbandi shajarah (spiritual lineage), Mawlana Sayyidina Khidr (as), Sayyidina Abbas Khidr (as). So, a prophet of Allah (AJ) wanted to seek knowledge.

This is the month of Surat al-Kahf where Allah (AJ) wants us to understand that that laam alif, the secret into that cave is the secret of all knowledges. The zulfiqar and the laam alif is where the two rivers meet, where Sayyidina Musa (as) wants and said, ‘I won’t stop until I reach where the two rivers meet, where the river of Your creation and Your Divinely Presence, where do they meet, ya Rabbi?’

﴾وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَاهُ لَا أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِيَ حُقُبًا ﴿٦٠

18:60 – “Wa idh qala Mosa 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)

La Ilaha IllAllah and Muhammadun Rasulallah ﷺ are the Two Rivers of Knowledge

There are two rivers of knowledge – the river of mulk and everything that created which is called ‘Muhammadun Rasulallah ﷺ.’ Because we taught you that everything manifesting is in the ocean of Muhammadun Rasulallah ﷺ. ‘And I want the knowledges of Your Divinely Lights in the ocean of La ilaha illAllah. And I don’t want to stop until I reach (Holy Qur’an, 18:60).’ These we know as the Muhammadan haqqaiq (realities). ‘I don’t want anything from what You gave to me.’ He was asking Allah (AJ) for Muhammadan haqqaiqs. Was why? Because he saw it. When he said, ‘Ya Rabbi, let me see You.’

وَلَمَّا جَاءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَاتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُ رَبُّهُ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنظُرْ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ لَن تَرَانِي وَلَـٰكِنِ انظُرْ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُ فَسَوْفَ تَرَانِي ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُ لِلْجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُ دَكًّا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقًا ۚ فَلَمَّا أَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٤٣

7:143 – “Wa lamma jaa Musa limeeqatina wa kallamahu Rabbuhu, qala rabbi arinee anzhur ilayka, Qala lan taranee wa lakini onzhur ilal jabali fa inistaqarra makanahu, fasawfa taranee, falamma tajalla Rabbuhu lil jabali ja`alahu, dakkan wa kharra Musa sa`iqan, falamma afaqa qala subhanaka tubtu ilayka wa ana awwalul Mumineen.” (Surat Al-A’raf)

“And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, “My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You.” [Allah] said, “you will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in its place, then you will see Me.” But when his Lord manifested His glory on the mountain, He made it as dust, and Moses fell unconscious. And when he awoke/recovered his senses, he said, “Glory be to You! to You I turn in repentance, and I am the first of the believers.” (The Heights, 7:143)

Allah (AJ) showed him the reality of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ, khashiya (dust) – out. He was out. He witnessed what his Lord wanted him to witness of the reality of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. Then, ‘That’s it. I want this reality. I won’t stop. What You’re going to feed me of knowledges is nothing compared to what I want from the reality La ilaha illAllah Muhammadun Rasulallah ﷺ.’ That’s the zulfiqar. That is the secret of the entrance to the cave.

You Must Follow a Great Siddiq to Reach the Heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ

Inside the cave, you must be connected to a great Siddiq (truthful). You must be a part of a tariqah (spiritual path) to reach the realities of the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ because he teaches that, ‘If you’re in my heart…’ That’s why he’s in the cave and he’s resting in the cave because it’s a station of fana (annihilation). He’s not busy in the cave.

Every, every, every word that Allah (AJ) uses are immense oceans within the Qur’an. So, when Prophet ﷺ is resting because he says, ‘You’re entering my heart. I’m in fana. This is where I’m in the Divinely Presence, my heart. Who do you have to be with if you want to be with my heart? You have to be with my great Siddiqs, my companions whom they are truthful in their actions and in their deeds.’

﴾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)

Support of Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (as) Fights Shaitan Entering Our Hearts

Because the great Siddiq is the only one who can put his qadam (foot) on that hole where shaitan is going to come. Shaitan is trying to enter into our hearts and at every moment tries to enter into the heart to poison the heart, poison the faith, poison everything that we believe in. And no doubt, he’ll enter because Allah (AJ) gave to him. But what was Allah’s (AJ) najat (salvation) for us? That, ‘If you’re with these great Siddiqs, they’re going to put their foot on that hole.’

That’s the inheritance that Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (as) gives to the Naqshbandiya shajarah (spiritual lineage). ‘I gave my whole life for this reality of La ilaha illAllah Muhammadun Rasulallah ﷺ.’ It means, ‘I gave everything and that’s what I left as an inheritance is this zulfiqar and this kalimah (testimony). As a result of that, my support will come to fight the shaitan entering into your heart.’

Love of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ Will Direct Your Soul to Enter the Cave

So, this is a cave we never leave. This is the eternal journey. Muharram starts, the shaykhs are teaching, ‘We are now going for that cave.’ How do you go to be with someone you love and how do you go into the cave of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ? It’s not by your salah (daily prayer), not by your zakah (charity), but by your muhabbat and your love. You do your salah because Prophet ﷺ ordered you to, so that he’ll love you. You give your zakah so Prophet ﷺ will be happy with us. But it’s the muhabbat and the love of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ that will direct our soul into that cave, and then it goes now on auto-pilot.

3, 6, and 9 Hold the Secret of This Universe

As it’s entering, then the holy month of Safar is opening. What’s the next nine after Surah Tawbah? Because it’s in power of nine, this is the sultanate (kingdom) of nine, the reality of nine. That’s why we say, ‘If you know 3, 6 and 9, you know the secret of this universe.’ 3, is everything is in 3. Allah (AJ) – 1. 2 is actually a reflection of the 1, and 3 is where we come from. It’s the reality of the soul. 6 is the reality of wadood and love, that Allah (AJ) created everything from love, ‘I wanted to be known and I created.’

قَال رَسُولَ اللَّه ﷺ، قَالْ اللَّه عَزَ وَجَلْ: ” كُنْت كَنْزاً مخفيا فَأَحْبَبْت أَنْ أُعْرَفَ؛ فَخَلَقْت خَلْقاً فَعَرَّفْتهمْ بِي فَعَرَفُونِي.” [حَدِيثْ اَلْقُدْسِي – بِحَارْ اَلْأنْوَارْ، اَلْعَلَامَةْ اَلْمَجْلِسِيْ، جُزْء ٨٤، صَفْحَة ١٩٩]

Qala Rasulallahi ﷺ, Qala Allah (AJ): “Kuntu kanzan makhfiyya, fa ahbabtu an a’rafa, fa khalaqtu khalqan, fa ‘arraftahum bi fa ‘arafonee.” [Hadith al Qudsi – Behar al Anwar, Al ‘Alama al Majlisi, Juz’ 84, Safha 199]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, that Allah (AJ) said: “I was a hidden Treasure then I desired to be known, so I created a creation to which I made Myself known; then they knew Me.” [Holy Hadith – Bihar al Anwar, by Al ‘Alama al Majlisi, Volume 84, Page 199]

Allah (AJ) Wanted to be Known From the Best, Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ

‘Wanted to be known.’ So imagine how much He loves the reality of what He’s going to be known from. He’s going to be known from the best. He’s going to be known from the ocean of Muhammadun Rasulallah ﷺ. So, that’s why if you come against that reality, you have severely come against Allah (AJ). It’s a great punishment.

That, ‘I wanted to be known. This is the best of what I have to present.’ Can you imagine coming against the greatest thing that Allah (AJ) wanted to be known by? That’s the immensity of that love and that immense blessing. That, ‘Ya Rabbi, we found it. We found this reflection. We understood this reality that You’re manifesting Your love and all Your goodness for creation to understand. It will be known as Muhammadun Rasulallah ﷺ.’

Surah 9 Moves Towards the Cave, Surah 18 Enters Inside

So, everything is created by this 6 and waw, everything! Everything is manifesting from waw. 9 is the sultanate. So, it’s a triangle. 3 [right corner] is one base, 6 [left corner] is another base, 9 is the sultanate [tip of a triangle]. 9 being the sultanate, so the next nine is what? Surat al-Kahf, 18. 18 is the oceans of Hayat (Ever-living) is now opening.

So 9, we were in the cave, moving towards the cave. 18, you entered into the cave because in Surah Tawbah, verse 40 was a description of Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (as) in the cave with Prophet ﷺ that, ‘You are with your companion.’ They entered in through the verse.

﴾ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ‌ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَ‌وْهَا…﴿٤٠…

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)

Run From Dunya and Seek Refuge in the Cave!

That Qur’an is dressing us. Now that you’re in the cave, this is the month of Safar – entering in the cave. So, the first few ayatul kareem (the generous verse of Holy Qur’an) is the beginning of Safar. Haji Shahid is, [surah] 18, verse 16.

Reciter: “A’uzu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem. Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.”

﴾وَإِذِ اعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّـهَ فَأْوُوا إِلَى الْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُم مِّرْفَقًا ﴿١٦

18:16 – “Wa idhi’ tazaltumo hum wa ma ya’budoona illAllaha fawoo ilal kahfi yanshur lakum rabbukum mir rahmatihi wa yuhayyi lakum min amrikum mirfaqa.” (Surat Al-Kahf)

“When ye turn away from them and the things they worship other than Allah, betake yourselves to the Cave: Your Lord will shower His mercies on you and disposes of your affair towards comfort and ease.” (The Cave, 18:16)

Sadaqallahul ‘azim.

Shaykh Nurjan Mirahmadi : Barakah ya Rasulul Kareem (The Most Generous Messenger). ‘When you turn away from them and the things that they worship, their oppression and their zulumat, they worship everything other than Allah (AJ). Betake yourself to the cave.’ It means Allah (AJ) wanting for us, ‘Run from this dunya!’ Seek refuge in someone who already is in My refuge. Where are you going to shelter yourself from shaitan? Except other than already is protected from shaitan which is the heart and love of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ.’ That’s why Prophet ﷺ described, ‘You’ll be with whom you love.’ ‘Betake yourself to the cave and that your Lord will shower you with His mercy.’ Who is the rahmah (mercy) of Allah (AJ)? Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ.

عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ: … فَقَالَ (رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ): ” أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ.” ]اَلْمَصْدَرْ: مُسْلِمْ:. ٧٥٢٠ ]

‘An Anasin (ra): … Faqala (Rasulullahi) ﷺ: “Anta ma’a man ahbabta.”

Narrated Anas ibn Malik (ra) that …the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “You will be with whom you love.” [Source: Muslim 7520]

The Illuminating Light of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ Removes All Fear

As soon as you run, say, ‘I’m running, ya Rabbi, I want to be in the presence of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ. Protect me from oppression, protect me from every difficulty.’ That’s why when we read these na’at (prophetic praising), they had far greater plagues, ta’oon. They had every type of difficulty and they’re saying that when we praise upon Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ that, ‘My eyes are filled with light, my home becomes filled with light. What is it that I have to fear?’ Everything is fearing that light of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ! They fill their hearts with light and love and faith while shaitan (satan) is trying to pull your faith.

مہک اُٹھا اِک اِک گھر آنگن
اُجیاروں سے تَن مَن دَرپن
اُن کے نام سے صُبحِ روشن
جَگ مَگ اُن سے شام

Mahak Utha Ek Ek Ghar Angan, Ujiaroon Say Tan Man Darpan
Un Kay Naam Say Subhay Roshan, Jug Mug Un Say Shaam

Every corner of the house is sanctified, eyes, heart and body is illuminated
By his name the mornings are enlightened, From him the evenings shines.

‘Perhaps I shower you with My Mercy and dispose of your affairs towards comfort and towards ease.’ (Holy Qur’an, 18:16) It means, ‘I take away your difficulties and I give you comfort and ease.’ It means you’ll reach Allah’s (AJ) Satisfaction. So Surah ‘Cave’, Kahf, the first ayahs (verses) at the beginning of the month then is now the lesson for us, Ashab ul Kahf.

Guidance in Safar – Sayyidina Musa (as) is Led to Sayyidina Khidr (as)

In the middle of the month, it’ll be about Sayyidina Musa (as) and Sayyidina Khidr (as). How a prophet of Allah (AJ) sought the guidance of awliyaullah (saints). For the knowledge of what these awliyaullah have, where Allah (AJ) describe these awliyaullah that, ‘They attained a rahmah’; not, ‘They went and studied fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence).’ ‘They attained a rahmah and then We taught them knowledges.’

﴾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)

Because when Allah (AJ) teaches, there’s no time and infinite capacity because Allah (AJ) has opened their heart to the rahmah. But the beginning is Ashab ul Kahf. So, our life now, when they say, ‘Oh, this is a heavy month.’ Yes, it’s a heavy month because Allah’s (AJ) sending immense haybah, immense majestic lights of grace and majesty.

Ismullah – “Al-Fattah” & Ismur Rasul – “Rasul ur Rahmah” Dress Safar

So, then we go to the Muhammadan Way app. You say, ‘Ok. Open up now the month, open up ‘Safar’ and understand the tajalli (manifestation) that awliya (saints) are taking in this heart of Prophet ﷺ.’ They say, ‘Oh, Safar.’ Then you look at Safar and say, ‘Oh, this is the 18. This is the entry way, Surat al-Kahf. What’s the 18^th name of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ? ‘Rasul ur Rahmah’ (The Messenger of Mercy). Oh! This is the cave of rahmah.’

18^th name of Allah (AJ) from Dalail ul Khairat (book of praising upon Prophet ﷺ) because these are keys and codes, ‘Al Fattah – the one whom going to open.’ Open what? The cave. What cave? The cave of rahmah so that to run into Allah’s (AJ) oceans of rahmah. So, then we read Surat al-Kahf to be dressed by its blessings, dressed by its lights, dressed by its understanding. Every ayatul kareem is dressing us in this holy month.

Allah (AJ) Eternally Dresses Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ With Hijab of Haybah

Then you go to, ‘This cave I’m going to be in, the cave – it’s a hijab (veil).’ Allah (AJ) dressed Prophet ﷺ and is continuously dressing twelve hijabs of light. That, Allah (AJ) has no time and is continuously dressing the soul and the reality of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ at the station of, “Qaaba qawsayni aw adna.”

﴾فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ ﴿٩

53:9 – “Fakana qaaba qawsayni aw adna.” (Surat An-Najm)

“And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer [to the Divine Presence].” (The Star, 53:9)

Where Prophet ﷺ says, ‘I receive the tajallis (manifestations) and my light is always sweating from the haybah and majesty of what Allah (AJ) is dressing.’ So, when we’re doing this and studying this, as Prophet ﷺ is now receiving from Allah (AJ) this dress of Safar, this reality of Safar, the hijab of haybah (majestic power), where Allah (AJ) for 11,000 of Allah’s (AJ) years was making the zikr. Allah (AJ) was making the zikr upon the light of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ, “Subhanal ‘Alim al-Hakim. Subhanal ‘Alim al-Hakim.” ‘Glory be to my Lord the All-knowing and the wise.’

سُبْحَانَ الْعَلِيْمُ الْحَكِيمْ

“Subhanal ‘Alim al-Hakim”

“Glory be to my Lord, the All-Knowing, the Wise”

Allah (AJ) Dresses Safar With Oceans of Majestic Power and Knowledges

So, you enter the cave of rahmah (mercy), and that’s why the second part is about Sayyidina Khidr (as) and Sayyidina Musa (as). Because he [Nabi Musa (as)] wanted knowledge and wisdom and Allah (AJ) sent him a servant that was given wisdom and then dressed with knowledges. That’s how they come to these understandings.

That what they’ve been taught from these realities and what Prophet ﷺ has given to them of inspirations. So, this is the month, “Subhanal ‘Alim al-Hakim” where Allah (AJ) going to dress from the oceans of haybah (majestic power) and majestic light, knowledges and wisdom because it’s the time in which the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ is opening.

Everything Crooked Becomes Straight With the Tajalli of Safar

They’re entering in, entering in, they say, ‘Oh, it’s a heavy month.’ Of course! Haybah is a heavy tajalli. It’s not jamali (beatific), it’s jalali (majestic). Everything crooked becomes straight. So, it’s heavy because the energy is immense, the dressing and the blessings are immense.

So, the first part of that is to understand that the Ashab ul Kahf, they ran from badness. So, sometime in our life, we’re going to watch this video. We’re going to understand that, ‘Ya Rabbi, I don’t want anymore. I don’t want to be with these bad people. I don’t want to accompany in the fellowship of bad people. I want to run to the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ.’ In every moment, there are people running. “Idha jaa a Nasrullahi wal Fath. Wa ra-aitan naas…”

﴾إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّـهِ وَالْفَتْحُ ﴿١﴾ وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا ﴿٢ ‎

110:1-2 – “Idha jaa a Nasrullahi wal Fath. (1) Wa ra-aitan naasa yadkhuloona fee deenil laahi afwajaa (2)” (Surat An-Nasr)

“When there comes the Divine Support of Allah and the Victory. And thou dost see the people enter Allah’s Religion in crowds.” (The Divine Support, 110:1)

They’re coming in droves. That, they understood shaitan trying to kill us all – inject us, shoot us, put a mask on us, put fire on our hands to clean us. When you’re going to have enough? You still think he’s your friend, take your guidance from him too. Until he tells you, ‘Jump off the cliff’ and people will jump. Until Allah (AJ) inspire within their heart, ‘Run from shaitan. Direct yourself to Rahman! Run to the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ.’

Keep Praising Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ Through Your Difficulties

Then you understand these mehfil (gatherings), these salawats (praisings upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) and these na’at. You’re not going to get there by intellectual understanding. You’re going to get there by praising, by being like a little bulbul (nightingale). Right? Because don’t you love the morning? Say, every type of difficulty you have and you say, ‘How are these guys are so happy?’ You wake up sad, whatever you went through at night, ‘Why are the birds so happy? They’re all singing, always praising Allah (AJ).’

You don’t think if he [bird] got your attention, you’re getting the attention of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ? ‘I know you have difficulty, I know you have sadness, I know you have hardships. But your singing is very beatific because you’re coming with all your heart.’ Like a bulbul, you just keep putting your heart out, and heart out, and heart out hoping one day Allah (AJ) will grant a relief. Allah (AJ) hears everything, ‘I’m closer to you than your jugular vein.’

﴾وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ ﴿١٦…

50:16 – “…wa Nahnu aqrabu ilaihi min hablil wareed.” (Surat Qaf)

“…and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.” (The Letter Qaf, 50:16)

Sadness and Difficulty Bring Out Your Sincerity

But when you’re sad, you cry so much nicer. Because your stomach is not full; you’re in need. When you’re full and relaxed, the bird just like, ‘Hmmm,’ doesn’t want to sing anymore. Because he’s so full, he can’t, you know what is he… You sing when sadness and difficulty is in your life because you’re so much sincere and asking Allah (AJ) for a relief. They don’t sit there and intellectualize and make long du’as (supplications) – 45 minute nonsense from their mouth; lip saying one thing, heart smelling a different way, body doing a different thing.

But sing and praise Allah (AJ) and in every praise are immense du’as. When you’re praising and praising and your heart one day understands. I’m praise and praise and this beatific fragrance begins to come from your praising, all immense du’as.

Allah (AJ) is in Our Beatific Emotions of Praising

Look at their words. When you sing at home, open the Salawat Book and start reading salawats (praises upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ). Don’t read du’a (supplication) from your mouth. The du’a from your mouth is filled with all sorts of rubbish, ‘I want this, I want this, I want this, I want…gimme gimme, gimme, my name is Jimmy.’ [laughter]. Right? ‘Just give it to me. Come on gimme that, gimme that.’ Oh, I feel like I’m going to be robbed!

Allah (AJ) said, ‘Just sing for Me. Sing these beatific songs. I’ll become your beatific voice.’ Every beatific emotion, Allah (AJ) is right there in the emotion. When you begin to sing and recite and drum and do everything we do, Allah (AJ) is right there in the emotion. ‘I am in that emotion, in that way of your praising.’ So, no doubt we have the attention of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ and that is our key into this cave.

Our Safety is Under the Gaze of Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ

We pray that Allah (AJ) continue to inspire us to goodness and that Sayyidina Muhammad’s ﷺ nazar (gaze) always be upon us and through that nazar to dress us and bring us into these oceans of reality. By that nazar, save us from every type of mushkilat and difficulty. Wherever we are coming short, ya Rabbi, with an immense rahmah and softness. We are not in need of any type of hard learning and severe difficulty. Just with a nice cotton, if You can just push us a little bit this way and that way so that it’s gentle and soft and loving.

Subhana rabbika rabbal ‘izzati ‘amma yasifoon, wa salaamun ‘alal mursaleen, walhamdulillahi rabbil ‘aalameen. Bi hurmati Muhammad al-Mustafa wa bi siri Surat al-Fatiha.

Special thanks to our transcribers for their help with transcribing this suhbah.

Original Date of Suhbah: September 17, 2020

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