Questions and Answers about Tasawwuf
Questions of Ahbab Answered by
His Eminence Ameer Muhammad Akram Awan
Sheikh Silsilah Naqshbandiah Owaisiah
Q5: Is the ‘power of concentration’ related to the brain or the Qalb?
A5: there are five senses, one of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing associated with the human body; there is yet another, a sense of thought also. The information processed by them directly affects the Qalb. If the eye sees something beautiful, a beautiful flower, a lovely picture, the Qalb also feels delighted; if it sees something ugly, the Qalb also feels distressed. If the ear hears something good or bad, or if the tongue indulges in noble or loose talk, the Qalb feels their effect. Similarly, the thought process of the brain also affects the Qalb. When, it is advised to close the eyes during Zikr, lock the tongue, move the body slightly and focus the mind on ‘Allah Hoo’, all these steps are aimed at reducing the external effects on the Qalb. If the Qalb is distracted, it will divide its attention and consequently its connection with Zikr Allah will be lost. It means the Qalb can remain attentive to only one thing at one time. The ‘power of concentration’ is, in fact, one of the yoga practices and worship of Hindus. These are exercises of the brain that are similar to telepathy. This power by focusing the entire mental energy at one point. Such people start with constantly gazing at the flame of a candle for five minutes in the beginning and gradually extend this time to several hours. Those who become experts can continue gazing at the sun for hours at a time. They do this to attain the ability to focus the entire mental energy at one point. Having attained it, they use this ability to transfer their thoughts to other people’s minds or to read their minds to some extent. During these times, you are using machines for similar purposes. You can watch on TV, a game being played on the other side of the world. A person who has learnt the art to concentrate may see it even without a TV; it is possible. You can converse with someone across the globe though a telephone, while such a person may be able to communicate without a telephone. There still exists a tribe in Africa, where this concentration of attention is regarded as worship. Their religion dates back to the prehistoric period. One of them informs the other of his plan to communicate at a particular time. The other person also concentrates at the same time and they are able to communicate even if they are hundred of miles apart. It is possible, because anything that can be perceived through material means can also be perceived by concentration of attention, because the brain is also a material entity. However, it is not possible to observe the angels, facts of Barzakh or the realm above the heavens or the Divine Refulgence, through concentration of attention.
Q6: How can the effect caused by the lack of attention and concentration on Kashf and Maraqbaat be removed?
A6: Our reason for attention and concentration is to guard the Qalb against external disturbance. Our real object is the Qalb. If the concentration is inadequate, the mind starts thinking of something else. If you open you eyes and start looking at something or start listening to a song, it will disturb the attention of you Qalb. For this reason, our Qalb does not absorb the spiritual states. Now the question: how to overcome this weakness? The best cure is frequent meditation. Meditate for long duration after Zikr. If Maraqbaate Thalatha (the Three Meditation) are your lessons, meditate about Aqrabiyyat when going to sleep. If you are doing Lata‘if and Rabitah (Connection – the basic meditation) only, concentration on your Qalb while going to sleep. If you find sometime to meditate, sit down and meditate. Frequent meditation strengthens the Qalb.
Q7: How can one achieve constancy in Zikr?
A7: Constancy is achieved through concentration, and concentration is achieved through frequent Zikr. It is a condition achieved by performing an act continuously. If you observe those who indulge in worldly activities like gambling, drinking or bird fighting, they become so engrossed that their minds, tongues and hands remain occupied in their hobbies, whether they are driving, cooking or doing anything. Similarly, the blessing of constancy is achieved through frequent Zikr.
Q8: What is meant by ‘confirmation by the Qalb’?
A8: if this confirmation by the Qalb is absent, one may be included in Muslims lists, but is not considered a Muslim by Allah-SWt. Allah-SWt accepts his Islam only when his Qalb accepts Islam. If a student loses faith in his teacher after obtaining an education, he doesn’t lose that knowledge, but for the acquisition of Prophetic blessings, it is obligatory to place complete faith in the Holy Prophet-SAW. Then Deen, in reality, denotes the strength of relationship with the Holy Prophet-SAW, the stronger this relationship, the stronger the Faith! Secular knowledge comprises mere words, but Prophetic blessings comprise both words and feeling that suffuse the character of a believer. You may keep teaching about honesty to a student, but you cannot make his honest, yet when the Holy Prophet-SAW describes honesty, it shall become the second mature of a listening believer. And this is the distinguishing greatness of Prophets!
Q9: What is meant by the illumination of the Lata‘if and what is its indication?
A9: When the Lata‘if are illuminated, a person develops hatred for sin and feels a wave of delight passing through the body by doing a noble act. This is the real indication. If one is blessed with Kashf (spiritual observation), one can also detect the increase and decrease in the lights of Lata‘if.
Q10: A member of the Order, who visits us to conduct Zikr once remarked that these meditations are only abstract and conceptual. Please explain this.
A10: This is not correct. This is the concept in Hindu yoga. The meditations in Islamic Tasawwuf are real and actual. There is no room for any imaginations, nor are such imaginations taught.
Q11: what should be imagined during Ahdiyyat, Ma‘iyyat and Aqrabiyyat?
A11: My brother, there is not need to imagine anything. Whenever you are blessed with Ahadiyyat, you will get one of the two things through the Tawajjuh of either the Sheikh or a Sabib-e Majaz. You will either get Mushahidah (spiritual observation) and see Ahadiyyat or observe its Lights or see your Rooh standing there. Some lucky ones may be able to see all three things while some may observe only two. It is possible that if one doesn’t get Mushahidah, one may get Wajdaan. One does get either of the two blessings. Although the person blessed with Wajdaan doesn’t observe anything, he is fully convinced that he is standing there and all these things are also present there. The indication of Wajdaan is that it is such a strong inspiration from Allah-SWt that no intellectual reason can override it. No one can convince him that is not correct. Although he is not seeing anything, yet he is observing everything. Wajdaan is more reliable than Mushahidah. There is the possibility of an error in Mushahidah; although Shaitan cannot go above the heavens, he tries to colour the lights going up and tries to paint his image in them, which is very difficult to detect. However, in Wajdaan, the lights are descending on to the Qalb, if Shaitan tries to interfere with them, the hair stand at their ends and the Qalb immediately realizes that there is something wrong. Wajdaan is, as such, more reliable. However, HE doesn’t deprive anyone and certainly blesses everyone. If this blessing takes time or is received immediately, it is timed by HIM, because HE knows what should be granted to whom and at what time. Your duty is to make an effort; our job is to give Tawajjuh and work with you, and it for Allah to reward our efforts.
Q12: What should we thought of during Maraqbaat (meditations)?
A12: nothing should be thought of during Maraqbaat. My brother when you are fully concentration on ‘Allah Hoo’ during Zikr, there is no need to think of anything else. Full attention should remain focused on ‘Allah Hoo’ in this part. The Rabitah (connection) is the first Maraqbah during the meditation part. In this Maraqbad, lights rise up from the Qalb to the `Arsh (The Divine Throne). Again, full attention should remain focused on this. Those who have been blessed with other Maraqbaat should concentrate on their respective meditations.