Wisdom
Islam is not a ritualistic, backward religion but it is a very scientific, progressive religion geared towards love, gaining knowledge, enlightenment and even going beyond the limitations of our physical bodies. Over time it has produced extraordinary intellectuals and literature.
The Holy Prophet salal lahu Alayhe wa salam has said: “Pondering for an hour is better than divine service for a year.”
Al Hadith 1:4:44:201w
So, Islam is not only about worship or gaining knowledge, but it is also about growing ourselves to attain wisdom, to be the enlightened person that we were created to be.
“He (Allah) grants wisdom to whomsoever He wills. Indeed, he who is granted wisdom has been granted an ample good. And none would take heed except those endowed with understanding.”
Al Quraan 2:269
If a seed is placed between two rocks then it would not grow properly but if a seed is placed in good soil with sufficient water then it would grow into a healthy plant which will bear beautiful flowers and lovely fruit. So if we sincerely focus our mind and our hearts towards knowing our Creator and unravelling the mystery of life, it would be like planting that seed in fertile soil. We would be opening ourselves up to Divine guidance, inspiration and wisdom.
If we do not open up our hearts and minds to our Creator by following His Chosen ones, but instead chose to limit and focus our attention on attaining material stuff then there is simply no way we going to understand life or attain wisdom. This is our challenge. This material world is attractive to us and it is going to draw our attention at every level and if we want to succeed in life then we simply have to fight off and overcome these urges. A few verses from the Matnawi that elaborates on this:
“Whoever has cleaned his spirit of (sensual) desires will at once see and realise Allah and His Throne.
When Mohammed, (salal lahu Alayhe wa salam) overcame his human passions, then wherever he turned his face, he saw the Face of Allah.
When you are exposed to the evil suggestions of Satan, how are you going to expierience ‘There is the Face of Allah?’
Every one in whose breast the gate is opened (by cleaning our desires) will see from every city the sun (shining).
God is present amongst others as the moon amidst the stars. If you cover your eyes with your fingers you will not see anything of the world?
If you do not see this world, yet it is present then: the fault lies not on the finger of your evil self.
Come, lift the finger from your eye (Cleanse yourself), and then see whatsoever you wish too.”
Matnawi bk 1 verse 1396
Just as we have different levels to secular education, such as primary school, high school and university, so too, in Islam there are different levels to education such as Shariah, Tarika (following Allah’s Chosen Ones), ‘Marifa’ (wisdom) and Haquika. The five pillars of Islam is derived from the Hadith of Gabriel AS but this is just one part of this Hadith. It’s the part that teaches outer actions. The second part is about developing our inner feelings to attain faith and the third part is ‘Ihsaan’ which is about seeing Allah SWT.
We simply cannot get stuck at “Shariah” and think we are good Muslims. This is putting a cap and stunting our growth. Learning about Islam is a lifelong task and we must always be open to learning.
So ‘Marifa’ is the stage of wisdom during which the person begins to see and understand the reality of life. It’s in this stage that we actually begin to realise and understand our Creator better and in this way, it grants a person stronger faith. Remember, faith (knowing Allah) is the thing that Allah SWT wants us to achieve and it is this that He accepts and rewards.
The Holy Prophet salal lahu Alayhe wa salam has said: “A man becomes one of the inmates of prayer, fasting, zakaath, pilgrimage and umra, till he mentioned all the virtues, but still he would not be rewarded on Resurrection Day except to the proportion of his wisdom.”
Al Hadith 2:29:1:417w
Allah SWT is free from all wants. He does not need us to pray to Him ritualistically. What pleases Him is that we should pray so as to grow our characters and our spirituality. Our prayers must be practices that help us to become better people, to become enlightened and wise.
“He that searches after wisdom becomes a fountain of wisdom; he becomes independent of acquisition (and ways) and means.
The guarding tablet (heart) becomes a guarded tablet; his understanding becomes enriched by the spirit.
When a man’s understanding has been his teacher, after this the understanding becomes his pupil.
The understanding says like Gabriel, ‘O Ahmed, if I take (one) more step, it would burn me”
Matnawi
Let’s open up our hearts to Allah SWT, let’s pray that He guides us on the straight path and that He grants us understanding and wisdom. Ameen.
Peace and salutations be upon Allah’s Messengers who are responsible for guiding humanity throughout time. Ameen.
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi.
Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi was founded by Dr/Hakim Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah RA, (lovingly known as Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saib RA).
Author: Mahomed Hassan Gaffoor
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