This is a very beautiful poem of our Sheikh R.A. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the substance in our life and make it part of us.

مجھے قرب کا عا لم دیا ہے آہ صحراء  نے

My sigh (my Aah) in the jungle has given me the closeness of Allah

I was connected to Allah Ta'ala whilst I was alone in the jungles with my Allah.

سنا ہے خانقاہوں میں محبت کے ہے میخوانے

(We have heard) that there are taverns of love in the Khanqahs

 Those that come to the Khanqah are given the love of Allah to drink. The Khanqah has been given similarity of the tavern.

دیا کرتا ہے ساقی عاشوں کو جام ، پیمانے

The one serving the liquor in a bar gives the lovers of wine in goblets

This is the similarity of the Sheikh in the Khanqah that is pouring out the love of Allah Ta'ala. In the tavern a person purchases Haraam drinks which are absolutely harmful in every respect. The love of Allah Ta'ala is distributed free of charge in the Khanqah.

خلاف راہ سنت جو بنا کرتا ہے مستانے

Those that become lovers of Allah Ta'ala but contradict the Sunnat of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam

There are many Sheikhs who do not adopt the Sunnat dressing, neither do they have a beard, they tread a path that is contrary to Sunnat. These type of Mashaaikh without the beard are commonly found amongst the Barelwis and Shias. Some of them wear the trouser below their ankles. Some of them wear colourful clothing for show. They appear or pretend to be pious whereas they contradict the Sunnat.

وہ دیوانے بظاہر میں ہے مگر اندر میں فرزانے

Outwardly they are lovers of Allah but internally they are shrewd

They are deceiving the people with their external looks. It is strange that many people are even deceived in today’s time when the teachings of Islam are so widespread. How many people make Sajda to the Sheikh, the women come in front of such Sheikhs and kiss their hands! It is amazing how Shaytaan tricks people.

جو  عارف  ہے وہ کس عالم میں رہتے ہے خدا جانے

 Allah alone knows in which world the Aarif (one who has recognised Allah Ta'ala) lives

An Aarif is always in the thoughts of Allah Ta'ala. When he sits to eat then he makes an intention that he is eating as it is the command of Allah Ta'ala.  Hadrat Maulana Maseehullah Saheb R.A explains the verse of the Quraan Sharif,

إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ

The Pure Word (the Kalimah as well as other forms of Dhikr) climbs up to Him, propelled by good deeds (coupled with good deeds, a Muslim’s Dhikr is readily accepted by Allaah).

He explains that the “Kalimah-e-Tayyiba” goes up to Allah Ta'ala and the “Amal-e-Saalih” takes it up, which is the transport to take it up. In order to do “Amal-e-Saalih” a person requires energy and strength. A person requires food to gain strength. Therefore a person should have a Niyyat at the time of meals that he is eating in order to acquire strength so that one is able to do A’maal (righteous deeds).

In another verse Allah Ta'ala says,

يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا

Allaah addressed the Ambiyaa saying,) “O you Rusul! Eat from the pure things and (in gratitude to Me for My provision) do good acts (that please Me).

If a person partakes of meals without any Niyyat then his stomach is being filled but he doesn’t get any reward. Our Sheikh R.A used to say that Allah Ta'ala says in the Quraan,

فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ

So think of Me and I will think of you

Before eating a person should first remember Allah Ta'ala. The meal may be a simple meal such as a mutton curry but ponder as to where has the mutton come from. The little lamb had to be taken care of by so many people, it had to be fed properly, thereafter it had to be slaughtered, transported to the butcher. A perfect sharp knife was required for slaughtering, which required the entire knife manufacturing industry to manufacture. The handle of the knife was perhaps manufactured in an industry of its own. In the mutton curry there are potatoes added which are acquired from the potato farmer. The farming sector is completely a separate industry. The farmer required tractors, fertilizer, workers, etc. These potatoes are then packed in bags and transported to the market which requires the truck industry and then the retailer sells it to us.

We also require utensils to cook the mutton curry. We require an electrical or gas stove to cook the food. We require water which is added to the food. An Aarif recognises and acknowledges all this. The meal of an Aarif takes him to such a stage where our entire life’s Tahajjud cannot take us. The Sulook of our Masahaaikh is to eat and enjoy the bounties of Allah Ta’ala. They have taught us an easy method of gaining a connection with Allah Ta’ala. This is not a method of difficulty and Mujaahada.

The Aarif looks at his wife and becomes pleased, he then abstains from looking at other women. He looks at his children, or at his little child that is smiling in his sleep which is a result of the angels playing with the child and recognises Allah Ta'ala. Such a person enjoys closeness to Allah Ta'ala. 

When he retires to bed then he appreciates that Allah Ta'ala has blessed him with sleep. If he wakes up during the night then too he remembers Allah Ta'ala. Therefore a person cannot imagine the world in which an Aarif is living. If this is the condition of his external life where he is constantly thinking of Allah Ta’ala, can we then imagine what will be the condition of his Salaah? What will be the condition of his Sajda? What will be the condition of his Ruku? 

Yes, he seems to be an ordinary person like us who is eating, drinking, fulfilling his daily chores, but we cannot imagine the world in which he is living.

بھلا جو غیر عارف ہے وہ ان کا رتبہ کیا جانے

Where can a person who hasn’t recognised Allah Ta’ala know the status of an Aarif

A person who doesn’t even recite Bismillah before eating, one who complains about the food by saying that either the salt is too little or too much, and it is too hot or too cold, etc. Where can such a person ever recognise Allah Ta'ala?  If we take a look at the painting of an artist then we will not be able to appreciate it as we are armatures in art, a person that studied the subject will appreciate it.

If a student comes to the Madrasah and studies the first year Kitaabs then he will appreciate the points of Nahw and Sarf that an Alim uses to prove certain points in Tasawwuf or Fiqh, else a lay man cannot understand. Similarly, one that hasn’t yet recognised Allah Ta'ala will not realise the position of an Aarif.

حسینوں کے اجڑ جائینگے جب جوگرافیا ایک دن

When the geography (shapes) of women will be distorted one day

The filthy women of the world are not really beautiful. Shaytaan merely mesmerises one and presents them as beautiful. Their artificial beauty will be lost one day, their teeth will have fallen out, the temples will have gone in, back will be bent, etc.

بتا ناداں کہاں جائینگے اپنے دل کو بہلانے

Tell me O ignorant one! Where will you go to please your heart?

In another poem Hadrat says,

گھبرا کر سب کہتے ہے مر جائینگے

مر کر  بھی چین نہ پایا تو اب بتا کہاں جاینگے

Everyone becomes frustrated and says, “We will die”

If you die but do not attain comfort then where will you go?

If there is Adhaab in the Qabr then how will a person escape? A person experiences bigger problems in the Qabr. Nevertheless, a person becomes old and the women also become old, so what will a person do at such a time.

جب یاد آتی ہے ان کے دل میں گھبراتا ہوں گلشن میں

When the heart remembers then I am uneasy even in a garden

When one experiences that special closeness of Allah Ta'ala then he is not at ease even in a garden. Hadrat says, “I’m not at ease in the company of people.” 

مجھے قرب کا عالم دیا ہے آہ صحراء نے

My sigh (my Aah) in the jungle has given me the closeness of Allah

This closeness to Allah Ta'ala can be experienced in the middle of the night in Tahajjud Salaah.

جو زاھد عشق سے نا آشنا ہے پھر بھی وہ ناداں

A Zaahid that does not know of the love of Allah then he too is ignorant

A Zaahid refers to a person that not only abstains from doubtful and Haraam but he abstains even from permissible things. His eating and sleeping is minimal, he has an absolutely simple way of life. Such a Zaahid does not know about the love of Allah Ta'ala. 

A person had gone to Makkah Sharif. He had gone with the hope of performing plenty Salaah, Tawaaf, etc. However, due to illness he was unable to go to the Haram. He then complained to Haji Imdaadullah Muhajir Makki R.A of his situation. Haji Imdaadullah R.A said that this person is an Aabid (one that worships Allah Ta'ala). If he was an Aarif then he should remain content in whichever condition Allah Ta’ala had kept him. The object is not to perform Salaah rather it is the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala.

Allah Ta’ala proves this on the occasion of Haj. When a person completes the Wuqoof of Arafaat which is the pinnacle of Haj, then the Haji is instructed to perform his Maghrib in Muzdalifa. He may be a person that had never missed Takbeer-e-Ula but the command of Allah Ta’ala is that he should now proceed to Muzdalifah and perform Maghrib Salaah there even though it may be Esha time. A person cannot rely on his intelligence but one will have to adhere to the command of Allah Ta’ala at every stage of his life. Many people are limited to their Ibaadaat but the actual thing is to realise wherein lies the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.

A wealthy person does not have to destroy or get rid of his wealth to gain the closeness of Allah Ta’ala, neither does a poor person have to worry of attaining wealth and giving charity, performing Umrah, etc. in order to gain the closeness of Allah Ta'ala. If a poor person never performed Haj but gained the pleasure of Allah whilst remaining at home, then he has acquired his objective. This is only understood by an Aarif and to a greater extent by an Aashiq (a lover of Allah Ta'ala). An Aashiq doesn’t worry of rules and regulations but what will cause my beloved to become happy.

The husband drinks his tea daily after meals but then suddenly asks for his tea before meals. The wife won’t question his request by saying, “You drink your tea after meals daily so why are you asking for it after meals.” She will serve it according to his request as he is her beloved.

A person whilst performing the Fardh Salaah notices that someone is about to fall in a well, the command of Shariah at such a time will be to discard one’s Salaah save the person as this is the command of Allah. We should therefore see where the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala lies.           

نہیں سمجھا ہے خود لیکن چلا ہے مجھ کو سمجھانے

He hasn’t understood but he has come to make me understand.

Hadrat explains the example of a young boy that is four or five years old who hasn’t reached Buloogh. His enjoyment lies in flying kites, playing with marbles, etc. whilst the elder boys are talking about girls which is obviously Haraam. He is not interested in those things that interest these elder boys. When he becomes Baligh then he also inclines towards the same things. Similarly, many people comment by saying, “What is this going to Khanqah, and Nisbat with Allah Ta'ala?” Understand that they haven’t become Baaligh as yet. We shouldn’t fight with them but merely pass them with respect and honour. We should understand that they are small boys that haven’t reached maturity. When they become Baaligh then they will understand the concept of Khanqah and establishing a connection with Allah Ta’ala.

کسی کی آہ مظلومی سے وقت ظلم ڈرنا تھا

One should fear the sigh of one that has been oppressed

Many people are not aware of the position of the Ahlullah yet they are passing remarks and criticizing them. Sometimes a person insults a customer that came to his shop, or his worker, or his wife which is regarded as oppression. One should fear their curse as their connection to Allah Ta'ala is very close to such an extent that one should fear the curse of a Kaafir as well. In this couplet, Hadrat is specifically referring to those that criticize the Ahlullah. Allah Ta'ala says, “Whoever harbours enmity for any of my Awliya, then I declare war against such a person.”

یہ ہے خانہ آباد ظالم جس سے ویرانہ

This was an inhabited place which has become deserted, O oppressor!

As a result of Dhulm (oppression) one loses all his accomplishments. Therefore one should be very particular not to be in a position where he is cursed by anyone. However, one should be extremely particular in regards to the Ahlullah. Generally, their hearts are very big thus they make Dua for your forgiveness and overlook any inconvenience caused to them.

A person was once walking with his newlywed wife. Another person was passing by and some mud had splashed onto her gown. The husband slapped the passer by even though it was not his fault. Shortly thereafter the oppressor fell down dead. The people accused the oppressed of being the cause of his death. He said, “I didnt do anything.” They asked, “How did he die?” He replied, “He took revenge for his beloved and Allah Ta'ala took revenge for his beloved.”

ستایا عمر بھر ابو جھل نے شمع نبوت کو

Abu Jahl had inconvenienced Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam throughout his life

مگر بدنام ہے دونوں جہاں میں اسکے افسانہ

However, he is blamed in both the world for his tales

He is buried in Badr where they have made toilets, thus people are relieving themselves on him all the time. This is apart from the punishment of the hereafter.

کہاں تک ضبط بے تابی کہاں تک پاس بد نامی

How long is the eagerness in my heart to explain the love of Allah Ta’ala, How long must I be blamed?

I can no longer control myself to express the love of Allah and make the Zikr of Allah. How long am I going to be worried of people saying that I am insane. People comment in regards to such lovers of Allah Ta’ala, by saying, what does he know about enjoyment in women? He just keeps prohibiting us from looking at women.

کیا مجبور اظھار بیان پر خوف فردانے

How forced I am on expressing the love of Allah

This is similar to the young boys (i.e the Ashaab-e-Kahf) that stood up and spoke openly in spite of the king of the time threatening to kill anyone that refuses to prostrate to him.

وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا فَقَالُوا رَبُّنَا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَن نَّدْعُوَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَهًا لَقَدْ قُلْنَا إِذًا شَطَطًا

We strengthened their hearts (their Imaan and resolve) when they stood up (before the Kaafir king) and said, “Our Rabb is the Rabb of the heavens and the earth. We will never accept another as Ilaah besides Him, for then we will have definitely uttered sheer transgression (blasphemy and words far from reason).”

Similarly Allah Ta’ala,  mentions in Surah Yaseen regarding the person who openly declared,

إِنِّي آمَنتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَاسْمَعُونِ

I have certainly believed in your Rabb (Allaah), so listen to me

This is the condition of an Aashiq of Allah Ta’ala,, he is unable to hide himself. In the Awliya exposing themselves, there is sincerity. Sincerity doesn’t mean that a person hides, rather it means that a person does things for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala,. On the other hand, if a person conceals his condition but he wants people to speak of his sincerity then there is Riya in his concealment. We have misunderstood Ikhlaas as we feel that Ikhlaas actually means that nobody should be informed, but Ikhlaas actually means that everything should be done for Allah Ta’ala,.

At times it is preferable to discharge Zakaat openly but it should be done for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.

نہ کر تحقیر زاہد خدا  کے درد مندو کی

Don’t belittle the lovers of Allah, O Zaahid.

There is a world of a difference between an Aashiq and a Zaahid. The Zaahid looks at his Ibaadat and abstains from various things that may be permissible, whereas the Aashiq enjoys the bounties of Allah Ta’ala,. The Aashiq is enjoying roast chicken whilst the Zaahid is eating Rooibos tea and brown bread. The Aashiq gains the closeness of Allah Ta’ala, whilst enjoying all these bounties.

مقام درد دل کو بے خبر تو آہ کیا جانے

You are unaware of the position of the love of Allah, Aah, what do you know.

The person that exerts himself and stays away from various bounties of Allah Ta’ala, gets the wages of a labourer. The heart is the king of the body and gets the wage of a king. The king of a country generally sits in his palace but gets the highest wage whereas the labourer works hard and earns a meagre amount. 

تجلی ان کی ہوتی ہے عطاء شکستہ میں

The Tajalli (manifestation) of Allah Ta’ala, strikes on a broken heart

The heart that is broken attracts the Tajalli of Allah Ta’ala,. People have desire of looking at women. If an attractive woman passes by and one lowers his gaze instead of fulfilling the strong desire that he has, then the lightning of love strikes that heart. We shouldn’t pretend as though we do not have any desire to sin. The thought of sin affects everyone but it should not be fulfilled. In reality that is a Buzurg and Wali of Allah Ta’ala,.

کیا ہے قلب  کو لیکن شکسہ غم کو سو دانہ

What is the condition of a broken heart? The martyr on the battle field had attained martyrdom once. Hadrat Thanvi R.A has written that a person that breaks his heart’s desire gets the reward of a hundred martyrs daily. In one Hadith  Rasulullah Salallahu alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “We have returned from the small Jihaad to the big Jihaad (i.e. Jihaad of the Nafs).”

A person keeps silent even though the wife has upset him. She may be getting angry but he does not retaliate but controls himself.

In the time of Hadrat Sheikh R.A a certain person came to a book seller and uttered harsh words. One of the Buzurgs told him, “Don’t you have a tongue?”  He replied, “I have a tongue but Allah Ta’ala,  is with me, if I overlook the attitude of this person then Allah Ta’ala, will overlook my faults.” A Buzurg also intends taking revenge, or desires looking at other women but they fulfil the command of Allah Ta’ala,, then the lightning of Muhabbat is poured into the crevasses of their hearts.  Every person gets such an opportunity.

نہیں ہے زندگی میں کوئی داستان غم کی

If one doesn’t have a story of experiencing grief as a result of not committing sin

A person that doesn’t have the ability of committing sin can never be a Wali of Allah Ta’ala. An angel doesn’t sin, therefore an angel can never be a Wali of Allah Ta’ala. The person that experienced grief due to abstaining from sin will be a Wali of Allah Ta’ala. 

وہ اہل غم کے قرب خستگی آہ کیا جانے

What do they know of those that had experienced grief as they inclined towards sin yet abstained in the fear of Allah and trying to please Allah Ta’ala?

The desire and thought of sins are not Haraam, but it is Haraam to entertain it and act upon it. The thought and desire of sins is the fuel to reach Allah Ta’ala. The more powerful the fuel the quicker one reaches Allah Ta’ala.

Hadrat R.A used to say, “Never make Dua to Allah Ta’ala to remove the desire of sins.” We should make Dua to Allah Ta’ala that we do not commit sins, but the desire should remain. Many that haven’t understood Taswwuf display themselves as people that have no desire for sin. This is the manner in which Sheikhs present themselves.

وہی کرتے ہے اپنے عاشقوں پر تبصرے اختر

Only those people criticize the lovers of Allah Ta’ala

جو ظالم درد الفت سے ہوا کرتے ہیں بے گانے

Those that are unaware of the love of the Allah Ta’ala

Hadrat explains that a Hindu is only interested in making money. If a beautiful woman comes to the shop her beauty doesn’t interest him, he is interested in the next customer. He is like a Jew. Similarly, there are those that are only worried about Thawaab all the time. What would they know of the love of Allah?

If a customer comes to your shop who is a close friend and you have seen him after many days then you will delay him so that you are able to speak to him. When a person is a lover of Allah, then Allah  Ta’ala doesn’t fulfil his requests in his Duas, as Allah Ta’ala enjoys the conversation with such a person. When a person doesn’t understand this, where can he understand the position of the lovers of Allah  Ta’ala.