Let us now describe precisely all the components one by one.
Elm : Knowledge is the light while ignorance is darkness. The prime objective of knowledge is to eliminate darkness of falsehood and guide mankind to the enlightened path of truth. Education in Islam is mandatory (farz). This education is to acquire the knowledge of religion and shariah. The greatest prophet declared, “ Education is compulsory for each muslim man and woman” (Ebne Ma-aza).
Every Muslim man and woman are required to know the commands and sanctions of Allah. Acquiring knowledge on halal (recommended), haram (prohibited), farz (mandatory) and wazeb (obligatory) are also necessary. Mention has been made in the Hadith (sayings and deeds of the prophet) that knowledge is of two kinds. They are exoteric (worldly) and esoteric (spiritual) knowledge. The Holy prophet only mentioned knowledge as Farz. He did not specify any particular type. It transpires therefore that since knowledge is of two types-both the types ate compulsory to acquire. Before that we should have a clear idea on the line of demarcation as regards a thing becoming farz.
We all are aware that Islam is founded on five principal articles of faith called five pillars. These are kalema (admitting the sacred sentence : La ilaha illallahu Mohammadur Rasulullah), salat (five times prayers), siam (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), and Zakat (charity). To be able to emulate and practise the fundamental concept of Islam in our daily life it becomes imperative to learn and acquire clear and correct knowledge on these principal aspects of our religious. Let’s elaborate it with an example. If a man has no means there is no binding on him to perform Hajj or to give away Zakat.
It is therefore, not farz for him to acquire knowledge on these subjects. As a matter of fact, acquiring knowledge becomes contingent on the applicability of the dictates of shariah on individual requirements for practising the same in this lifetime.
Nor it is required for every muslim to memorise the Quran (Hafez), to become a Muhaddis (Hadith specialist) or to be a commentator of the Quran (Mufassir). In the similar manner it is not Farz to acquire knowledge to become Kutub, Gaus, Abdal, Aotad or Mujadded (These are different administrative positions in the supernatural world. Depth of wisdom makes eligible for different posts).
Education is only compulsory to the extent required to drive away from heart all affinities and attractions for material objects other the love for Allah- till the soul (kalb) turns placid and serene. Allah declares thus “None of your wealth or offspring will benefit you on the day of Resurrection save a calm and serene soul ” (Sura Suarah).
The soul (kalb) attains this sublime state only when enlightened with the zikir (remembrance) of Allah. Nothing else but constant zikir of Allah can and will achieve such peaceful and placid state. Allah Almighty declares “ kalb is salvaged and emancipated only through zikir of Allah” (sura-Raad).
Exoteric knowledge is acquired by enrolling in a religious school and studying therein. A teacher will teach a student who has no knowledge of alphabets. In similar manner, a man aspiring for spiritual knowledge needs to approach a man whose kalb burns with the fire of zikir (remembrance) of Allah. To derive maximum benefit from his association he must completely submit himself to his morshed. The incessant cosmic ray that falls on the kalb of the morshed (peer) is directed on the kalb of the disciple (murid) through deep and passionate attachment and unstinted love and adulation and ignite the kalb of the disciple with the zikir of Allah. The kalbonly then turns sublime and emancipated. A man specialised in the art of such divine knowledge is called a peer(spiritual guide). One should devote oneself in the pursuit of spiritual knowledge concurrently with general education. Otherwise he will be responsible for non-compliance of his farz.
Amol : One should practise (amol) proportionate to his learning. The objective of learning is to practise. Without amol learning becomes meaningless unless applied, exercised and worked-out.
We are slaves of Allah. Our primary duty is to fulfil the demands of and meet obligations of a slave. We should acquire knowledge in pursuits of this divine obligation and objective. Practise as we learn and earn should be our prime motto.
Ekhlas : Ekhlas means acquiring unalloyed intention or honest motive behind any action (niyat). Niyat is nothing but pure determination or fair resolve. Intention or a firm resolve should be fair, honest and holy. For whatever degree of knowledge is acquired and amol done it is worth nothing unless intended for the sole purpose of carrying our the orders and achieving complete satisfaction and pleasure to Allah. Ekhlas being of such fundamental importance to our religious concept, we shall discuss briefly the ways and means to achieve sacred intention (niyat).
The seat of origin of any sacred design (niyat) is soul. Expressing intention aloud is not mandatory. But to resolve in our hearts is definitely an act of farz. It is necessary to intend any resolve in our hearts before performing salat. Further it is mentioned in the Hadith that “Amol (act of practice) is judged by its intention ”(Bokhari).
Kalb is the seat of all activities both good and evil. The Satan (devil) has an abode there. The Satan our enemy provokes us to commit misdeeds from there. No sacred or honest intention can be conceived so long Satansits in and exercises control over our kalb. The kalb is tarnished with the presence of Satan occupying it. As a sequel, the niyat (intention) of an impure soul is bound to be other than sacred and holy. The Satan has to be driven off from our heart in order to sanctify our soul. It will only then be possible to attain holy intention. It has come in the Hadith that, The seat of Satan is deep rooted in our heart. The Satan runs away from the soul with the zikir of Allah. But as soon as our kalb is negligent or oblivious of zikir, Satan makes a come back and provokes us to commit evils or sins (Bokhari).
The Satan is most active during prayer and vehemently resists and diverts our mind at the time of performing salat. He (Satan) is conscious of the fact that he can not counter the strength bestowed on us by Allah and developed through devoted prayers.
Salat (prayer) is the essence of all worships. When performed with devotion, it abstains us from all evils and wrong doings. Almighty Allah declared, “ Surely salat refrains men from all wrong doings” (Sura-Ankabut). Salat performed with ablution, clean dress and calm mind solely for the entire satisfaction of Allah maintaining correct sequence of all rituals considered perfect and accepted by Him.
Allah is most hallowed and sacred. No one but a most pious man is able to worship Him befittingly and successfully. Purity or sanctity both physical and mental are essential pre-requisites. Ablution or bathing makes a man externaly clean but zikir of Allah causes to turn the kalb submissive and sublime.
It is expedient for the kalb to be absorbed in zikir of Allah and continue always to do so. If kalb abstains from the zikir, Satan takes over the control of our kalb and destroys all good intentions of amols and also ruins the concentration of salat (prayer). It has come in the Hadith that “Salat performed without concentration of mind is futile.” Almighty Allah declares “ Establish salat for the sake of my remembrance.” (Sura Ta-ha)
We must find a way out of this precarious situation. We shall have to approach a spiritual guide (peer) to realise that goal. We should search for a peer who is able to kindle our kalb(heart) with the ceaseless zikir of Allah. A genuine peer specialises in the art of such knowledge.
Understandably the clear objective of adopting to the prevalent schools of Sufism is to acquire ekhlas. Most of our people flock around a peer to fulfil material gains. Many of these peers also indulge in and are found to encourage such perverted aims and desires of these people which by any standard is outside the purview of any genuine mystic school of thoughts.
In the light of our short discussion and brief deliberation, it is now crystal clear that Elm, amol and ekhlas,- all these three constitute essential elements of true faith. Without one, the other two are valueless. As for instance, a man having only elm means nothing without having achieved amol (practice) and ekhlas. In similar way a person with elm and ekhlas but having no amol to his credit it worth nothing.
It is therefore understood that one has to be a follower and member of one of the different tarikas to be able to practise shariah fully. Based on the consideration of these facts and views tarika is regarded as a step forward towards shariah.
Now there may definitely arise some queries regarding the tarika to be adopted and practised. The prime aim of all tarikas is one and identical. But Tarika-e-khas Mojaddedia has tremendous advantage over others in respect of suitability and appropriateness and suits to the modern age. Unlike other Tarika it is not necessary to work very hard to achieve spiritual development in this tarika. Allah likes both hard as well as easy religious exercises (amol). Life now is very complicated and complex. Time too is very short. In view of all these it is imperative to adopt and practise a tarika as simple as possible.
In Tarika-e-khas mojaddedia (a school of mystical thought propounded by Hazrat Mojaddede Alfe sani (rh.), a murid (disciple) attains with ease complete spiritual development and progress as noor (beam of concentrated light) is reflected from the kalb of peer to that of murid and illuminates the innerself of the later. This process of propagating and transmitting noor from the kalb of peer to the kalb of murid is achieved instantly i,e as soon as a disciple surrenders and submits himself fully to the will and discretion of the Peer and maximum time required may be forty days. The next stages and phases of advancement in this spiritual process that follow are also very rapid and accomplished very easily and quickly.
It should however be borne in mind that tarika itself does not carry anyone to destination. Tarika is a vehicle and peer is its guide. The fact is that the peer carries one to destination not the carrier itself. However majestic and grand a tarika may be only accomplished peer can steer his disciples to ultimate goal through his sheer spiritual potentials.
Nevertheless, in the absence of above stated qualifications or abilities or the peer, mere surrendering to him will fail to produce the desired objectives.
We are muslims. Let us recall the verses of Allah “ Kullu muslimun Ekhwatun ” “All muslims are a brotherhood.” We shall not forget another Hadith “Ummatun Oahedatun ”. “My followers are an unity.” Muslims now-a-days are in great distress and calamity. We are subjects of hatred, neglect and oppression all over the world. Notwithstanding the fact that we should have been the leader of all races and nations like our prophet Mohammad (sm.) who was the leader of all prophets.
But what do we find in reality ? We are subjected to the worst oppression and humiliation all the world over whether in a muslim majority or minority country. In some places our worldly passions and greeds ate set ablaze by the affluence of newly found wealth. Whereas in most of other places the reverse is true i.e. repression, oppression, illiteracy all as a by-product of proverty or being a minority have become a stark reality.
We shall have to find a way out of this morbid state quickly and immediately. Let us all plunge ourselves in a holy war to recover our lost glory and usurped splendour. Self analysis to free ourselves from all our shortcomings are also necessary. We should remember whether we are a farmer, a labour or a head of state that we are slaves of Almighty Allah and followers of prophet Mohammad (sm.). The duty of our head of state is to introduce Islamic rules in our country to ensure justice in the society. Let us not forget that the only perfect law is the law of Almighty Allah . Oh, head of states! How dare you practise law that opposes the faith in Allah. Remember you are sure will be accountable and held answerable by Almighty Allah in the day of Final Judgement.
The responsibility vested with the religious scholars is to imbue the general masses in the pursuits of religious education, to answer and settle problems of the contemporary world in the light of the Holy Quran and the Hadith in addition to revival and enhancement of the glorious tradition, spirit and heritage in the exercise and practise of shariah. They consider to be the heir to the noble prophet; but do they have the required quality, spirit and sacrifices? Oh, Scholars (alem)! Do you think that you are doing the duty of a representative of the prophet? Are you not competing with each other for name, fame, honour, wealth or power? Are you oblivious of the sayings of the noble prophet that “That scholar will suffer most in the day of judgement who fails to derive benefit out of his erudition and learning.”
The aims of the sufi community is to illuminate the kalb of men with the light of love for Allah. But what is the actual state of affairs? Oh, sufis! you are engaged in amassing wealth and other material acquisitions and sycophancy of the influentials has become your principal aim of life. Why do you offer and introduce yourselves as servants of religion but found engaged in opposing the faith itself overtly or covertly?
There are three categories of enemies of Islam. For instance, greedy rulers, selfish scholars and false and fake Sufis. Unless these three kinds of people are set on the right path, the glory and splendour of our faith will not shine and glow. Pious heads of states, religious scholars and accomplished Sufis can only contribute to the flourishing and glorifying our religion.
Common muslims are not directly involved in sacrilegious acts. Even then they cannot evade and shun the responsibility of distorting faith. It is incumbent upon them to find religious scholars and approach proficient spiritual guide in search of theological knowledge. Instead, they approach them for fulfilling their material objectives.
A great majority of these people are in fact trading in the name of religion to flourish self interest and to further self advancement.
On the otherhand, their exists a current of thought opposed to everything in Islam. Islam is anathema or least an conundrum to these so called intellectuals. Most of such pseudo intellectuals are submerged in the cross current of irreligious and unIslamic pursuits. They too cannot shun their moral obligations. While they spend day and night studying, reading and researching on every thing prejudicial to or repugnant to the tenets of Islam, they seem most reluctant and unwilling to spend a fraction of their time, energy and resources in the study and research of the Holy Quran. Are they not aware that the knowledge of faith and dictates of Sharia are Farz for the literate, illiterate, labours, farmers, journalists, scientists and intellectuals all alike?
Our head of states, religious scholars, spiritual leaders and socially conscious educated section- all are muslims and part of the same community. We cannot remain silent spectators or indifferent to any of them going astray. We are all but an unique entity. “ ummatun Oahedatun” (my followers are an unity). We are conscious of the fact that loss of any or damage to any of our single limb weakens our strength. So let us then contemplate and reflect in collective self criticism and ponder in retrospect :
1. Whether our creeds (Akida) are correct and flawless ?
2. Do we consider both the currents of thinking (religious education and spiritual development) equally important or not ?
3. Whether we are practising (Amol) according to our learning (Elm) ?
4. Whether we have enrolled in any school of spiritual knowledge (tarika) suitable for the modern time ?
Our own life should be adorned and equipped with the realistic answers to the questions raised above. We should then propagate the theme and motivate others and sway the general masses in all spheres of our family,. Social, national and international arena. Success in establishing religious faith collectively will only then be a reality. The demand of tablig (propagation), ekamat-e-deen and that of waging a holy war ( jehad) can then be realised.
A man without adorning deen (Faith) in personal level cannot establish the same in social and national life. It will indeed be an impossible proposition.
Oh, Brethren in Islam! Be aware! There is still time to involve ourselves to the total service to our religion with the sole purpose of establishing and practising divine faith in every sphere of our social structure and national life.