'The Barriers from Al-Mohaimen are four' (qasida 5:16)

This is the motto of this section, which is for talking about the barriers that cuts off the Moslems' relations with Allah [Al-Mohaimen which is a name of Allah that means the Dominant who controls everything]. We need to know these barriers in order for us to be able to avoid or rectify them in our path to Allah.

This section started with a question from one of our viewers, which he sent to the Discussion page. We then found out that it is a big issue that needs more extensive discussion. We found a book made out of a research conducted by a group of brothers which took them 2 years to complete. This book discusses this subject extensively from the point of view of sayyidi Fakhraddin because it was made with the help of some of his older companions. The book's title is "al-Morshid al-Wagis" which means [the summarized guide].

You can find all special expressions in the Glossary. We need your comments to develop this site for you.

This is a continuation, from a previous issue, to the subject of the barriers from al-Mohaimen. we were talking about the first barrier which is the inner-self. We found that the the inner-self has seven selves, The first and lowest one of them is the "Evil-Inclined Self". The second one was the "Reproaching Self". The third on was the "Inspired Self". This is the forth one:

Reassured self

Sayydi Fakhreddin [AAH] said about it:

[The reassured one in its best advantage,      is an  ashamed walking temptation]

The most significant aspect indicating the elevation of a seeker to such rank is that he may not violate any of the lawful obligations. Also, he will find himself very much pleased with adhering to the traits of Muhammad [PPBUH]. By reaching such rank, a seeker may not feel self-assured, unless he would minutely follow the Prophet pursuit, which is called the rank of empowerment. A seeker that has reached such rank would be the admiration of all whom may see or hear him. Even if he would talk for ages, he would never be bored with. This is due to the facts thrown by Allah into his heart and to what he has been shown from the realities of the angelic world. Danger begins when such seeker starts to be rest assured, owing to the reverence and acceptance bestowed upon him by Allah. Thus, he comes to like meeting with people, as to confer upon them what Allah conferred upon him!  However, he is still in the lowest level of perfection. He also would tend to like miraculous acts, but he would not know that any thing, other than Allah is deemed to be sedition. They set an example for this state as a man who was on his way to perform Hajj (pilgrimage). He was accompanied by other pilgrims. On their way, and after they have covered a long distance, he encountered a stunning woman of a breathtaking beauty. He was dazzled by such charm and wanted to stay with that who has taken his heart away. However, one of the pilgrims advised him not to stop at that point, and to move along with them.  He told him “Come with us to visit the house of Allah (Ka'bah). On our way back, you may take her as a lawful wife for you”. Yet, he was under the spell of passion and fancy. Therefore, he was left behind. When he approached her and removed the yashmak (face veil) covering her face. He found, to his great surprise, nothing but an ugly old woman. Only then, he felt sorry, but it was too late for remorse. A miraculous act is not a bad thing, as it is deemed one of Allah’s grants to us. Also, earthly life is not so ugly in itself, but pursuing and going after it as an end in itself is the ugly thing. Be ware of such adorned earthly life, and try to conceive what sheikh Fakhreddin said in this context: “If you on the Day of Judgment stood in the hands of Allah with your deeds, you will be called to account, yet, if you stood in the hands of Allah with sins, you will be burnt in hell’s fire. So when when this can be lawful for you? This could only happen, when Allah, Almighty, tells you [This is our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning] Sad 38:39.

Now consider the words of sayydi Fakhreddin: "it is an  ashamed walking temptation". Also, consider the story of the prophet Moses [PBUH], when he did the watering for prophet Shoaib’s (Jethro) daughters, then "one of the two [maidens] approached him, walking shyly".  What happened was that life was demonstrated in front of prophet Moses in its most beautiful shape, when the maiden walked before him and the winds blew (a matter that would show her charms), he asked her to walk behind him. At this particular moment, Moses rejected such temptation because he knew how dangerous this was. When the maiden did follow him, he possessed her; otherwise he would have been seduced by her. That’s because he wanted Allah, the Truth, to be in front of him and refused to see any other entity but Him.

Another example is what happened between prophet Yusuf [PBUH] and Zolaikha. When the adorned earthly life was embodied in Zolaikha who represented the appeal and seduction we are talking about. Zolaikha said to yusuf that she is all his, but because he was afraid of Allah in whom he asked for the refuge of Allah. Prophet Yusuf had also rejected same temptation and gave her his back as well.

Sayydi Fakhreddin, in this context says:

[Wherever Al Disuqi would turn his face to... I would follow, for he is, by Allah, my qiblah]

He also said:

[When the race began and the rides were done,     ...        I could see none; but, my loved one]

Thus, Maulana has rejected earthly life and every thing else. He turned his back to anything other than Allah.

You should also know that, in such phase, you may suffer from being bossy. You may also like the idea of being famous and treated eminently by people who gather around you. It is a fork in the road, in which you are attacked by self intrigues. This is because you are still at the lowest level of perfection. So, don’t rest assured by reaching such phase, in order to be able to move forward to the fifth rank; in which a self is to be pleased.

The pleased self next issue ISA

To be continued…..

Written by al-Morshid al-Wagis group

Translated by Noha