The Youthful Innocence of Ismail (as) and To be Rabbaniyun
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
Dhul Hijjah ذُوالْحِجَّهْ , The month of Hajj and Pilgrimage
Spiritual Importance of the 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, and each of these 12 phases represents 12 veils, or 12 different emanations that are dressing creation
throughout the year
Imam Ali says, “The Prophet was once asked about the Imams 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? So the Prophet (pbuh) placed his hand on my head and said: The first of them is this (Imam Ali) and the last (12th) of them is Al-Mahdi. 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 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 holy Speech Known as Quran is Dressing These Holy Months
At The Level of Sainthood, these Surahs 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) – dressing3. Rabi al Awwal رَبِيْعُ الْأَوَّلْ(Rabi I)
4. An-Nisa’ (The Women) – dressing 4. Rabi al Thani رَبِيْعُ الْثَانِيْ
5. Al-Ma’idah (The Table Spread)– dressing 5. Jumaada al Olā جَمَادَى الْأُولَي
6. Al- An’am (The Cattle) – dressing 6. Jumada alThani جَمَادِىَ
7. Al-A’raf (The Heights) – dressing 7. Rajabرَجَبْ
8. Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War) – dressing 8. Sha’bān شَعْبَانْ
9. At-Tawbah (The Repentance – dressing 9. Ramaḍān رَمَضَانْ
10. Yunus (Prophet Jonah) – dressing 10. Shawwālشَوَّالْ
11. Hud – dressing 11. Dhul Qiʿdaذُوالْقِعْدَةْ
12. Yusuf (Prophet Joseph) – dressing 12. Dhul Hijja ذُوالْحِجَّهْ
In this 12th month we are completing one year of ma’refah (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 Naqshbandia, 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 (chapter) 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 and Power of Number 9 – The Sultan (King) of Numbers
9 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.
Holy Quran, Surat Al ‘Isra (Night Journey) (17:79–81)
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﴾
“Wa minal layli fatahajjad bihi nafilatal laka ‘asaa an yab’athaka rabbuka maqaman Mahmoda. (79)
Wa qur rabbi adkhilnee mudkhala sidqin wa akhrijneemukhraja sidqin waj’al lee milladunka sultanan naseera (80)
Wa qul jaa al haqqu wa zahaqal batilu, innal batila kaana zahooqa (81)”
And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a Station of Praise and Glory! (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 Thy Presence an authority to aid (me).” (80)
And say: “Truth has (now) arrived, and Falsehood perished: for Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish.” (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, 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, these Surahs dressing the 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 al Awwal رَبِيْعُ الْأَوَّلْ(Rabi I)
36. Ya-Sin (Ya Seen) – dressing 4. Rabi al Thani رَبِيْعُ الْثَانِيْ
45. Al-Jathiyah (The Crouching) – dressing 5. Jumaada al Olā جَمَادَى الْأُولَي
54. Al-Qamar (The Moon) – dressing 6. Jumada alThani جَمَادِىَ الْثَانِيْ
63. Al-Munafiqun (The Hypocrites) – dressing 7. Rajabرَجَبْ
72. Al-Jinn (The Jinn) – dressing 8. Sha’bān شَعْبَانْ
81. At-Takwir (The Overthrowing) – dressing 9. Ramaḍān رَمَضَانْ
90. Al-Balad (The City) – dressing 10. Shawwālشَوَّالْ
99. Az-Zalzalah (The Earthquake) – dressing 11. Dhul Qiʿdaذُوالْقِعْدَةْ
108. Al-Kawthar (The Abundance) – dressing 12. Dhul Hijja 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 – or Sayidena Ibrahim (as) in Arabic – it is important to reflect on his life and his story.
This Reality is Based on Holy Quran;
Secrets of Surat al Kawthar (The Fountain of Abundance) Holy Quran 108
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ ﴿١﴾ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ ﴿٢﴾ إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ ﴿٣﴾
Inna ‘atayna kal kawthar (108:1)
Fasali li rabbika wanhar (108:2)
Inna shani-aka huwal abtar. (108:3)
To thee (O Muhammad) we have granted the Fount (of Abundance). (108:1)
So pray to your Lord and Sacrifice. (108:2)
Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off. (108:3)
Every Prophet and every Messenger 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 coordinates, 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 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, Sayidena Ibrahim (as) had prayed to his Lord for a son, that would inherit his spirituality, until finally his prayer was answered and Sayidena Ishmael (as) was born.
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ ﴿٢﴾
Fasali li rabbika wanhar
So pray to your Lord and Sacrifice. (108:2)
Then an order came to Sayidena Ibrahim (as) that shook his heart. He was ordered to sacrifice his only son Sayidena Ismael (as). In the morning he is crying, his heart is breaking, and he wakes up his son and says, “babba, we have to go for a walk.” And Sayidena Ismael (as) is looking at his father innocently and asking, “what’s wrong father?” And Sayidena 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 Sayidena 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 Sayidena Ibrahim (as) held his sons 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.”
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.” (Holy Quran, Those who set the Ranks)
Mawlana Shaykh is teaching us that there is tremendous wisdom in this story. All his life Prophet Abraham 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?”
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ ﴿٢﴾
Fasali li rabbika wanhar (108:2)
So pray to your Lord and Sacrifice. (108:2)
In the end, Sayidena Ibrahim(as) didn’t sacrifice his son, Sayidena Ismael (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 Sayidena Ibrahim! 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. 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 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 (saw) was teaching (from Quran) that on the Day of Judgement your mouth will be sealed and your hands and feet will testify for you.
الْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَا أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٦٥﴾
36:65 “Al yawma nakhtimu ‘ala afwahehim wa tukallimunaa aydeehim wa tashhadu arjuluhum bima kanoo yaksiboon. (Surat al 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. (Ch. 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.”
Who is station is higher Ibrahim (as) or Ismael (as)?
There is another secret in the story of Sayidena 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 Sayidena Ibrahim and Sayidena Ismael (as). It is as follows; following his ordeal, Sayidena 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! سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَاSamina wa ‘atana.
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) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys.” (Holy Quran, 2:285)
It is a testament to my sincerity and my love for You, my Lord!” Sayidena Ibrahim (as) was proud of his level of sacrifice, but Mawlana Shaykh is teaching that if you think Sayidena Ibrahim (as) reached a high station of spiritual submission, what about the boy?!
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ ﴿٢﴾
Fasali li rabbika wanhar
So pray to your Lord and Sacrifice. (108:2)
Sayidena Ismael (as) was also a Prophet 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 RijjalAllah (man 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 Sayidena Ismael (as) was asking: “O my father, who is higher, you or me?” Sayidena 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.” Sayidena Ismael (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!” And that reality of Sayidena Ismael is being inherited by Sayidena Muhammad (saw), and all of the Ahul Bayt, because Prophet (saw) is the descendant of Sayidena Ismael (as) and he (saw) is the owner of the Kawthar.
Secret of Surat al Kawthar
108th Surah (12×9=108), Surat alKawthar,
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’rifat, 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 says:
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ ﴿٢﴾
Fasali li rabbika wanhar
So pray to your Lord and Sacrifice. (108:2)
From their spiritual station and their mystical knowledge, Mawlana Shaykh is teaching that these two oceans are meeting and unlocking their secrets in this month – the story of Sayidena Ismael and Sayidena Ibrahim (as), and the 108th Surah of Holy Qur’an, (Surah alKawthar).
From the secrets of the story of Sayidena Ismael (as) which is dressing Dhul Hijjah, it means “sacrifice yourself!” And God is confirming that reality, saying, Fa-salli li-Rabbika wanhar, “pray unto thy Lord and sacrifice” (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; and 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.
إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ ﴿٣﴾
Inna shani-aka huwal abtar.
Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off. (108:3)
Only Allah can cut our enemies off, the biggest enemy is the ego and Shaytan. 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 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.”
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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