A summary of Tasawwuf and its key objectives and Methodology in the Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Tariqah

Maktubaat Rabbani
of
Mujaddid Alf Thani
Shaykh Ahmed Faruqi Sirhindi
رحمة الله عليه

 

Maktub 62 Vol.1

 

Written to Mirza Hisamuddin Ahmad رحمة الله عليه

There are two parts for the one seeking to gain Wasul ilallah (closeness to Allah ﷻ). The first is Jazba and the other Suluk. Or in other words Tasfiyah and Tazkiyah.

That Jazba which is gained prior to Suluk is not from the true objectives (of this path of Tasawwuf) and that Tasfiyah (purification of the Qalb) which is achieved before Tazkiyah (purification of the Nafs) is also not from amongst the required objectives of this path (Tasawwuf).

However, the Jazba that is (granted) after the completion of Suluk and that Tasfiyah which is after having achieved Tazkiyah, which is in Sair-Fillah, are indeed from amongst the desired objectives of this Path (Tasawwuf).

The first (initial) Jazba and Tasfiyah (of the Qalb) is only to facilitate in making the path of Suluk easier (for the Salik). Without traversing the path of Suluk the Task (wasul ilallah) is not accomplished and without achieving the manaazil of suluk (ten Maqaams of Suluk which Mujaddid Alf Thani deems absolutely necessary for the achievement of Tazkiyah of the Nafs), the beauty of the Desired (Allah ﷻ), cannot be witnessed.

The first Jazba, in comparison to the second Jazba, is merely a resemblance in form. Whereas in reality these two are not even comparable with one another (they are that different). Therefore, that which the Mashaikh of this blessed Tariqah (Naqshbandia) have mentioned (in their statements) that they have “placed the end into the beginning”, is the placing of the resemblance of the end into the beginning. This is because the reality of the End cannot be contained, nor comprehended in the Beginning, because the Nihaya (End) has no comparison with Bidaya (Beginning). This subject has been dealt with in detail in that letter which was written in order to explain the reality of Jazb and Suluk.

In short (summary), it is necessary to pass through the resemblance (Surat of Jazb) which is gained in form only in the beginning, to the reality (actual Jazb) which is only achieved after Suluk.

To leave aside the reality and remain content with only the resemblance (of Jazb) is to keep oneself far away from the desired objective of this Path (Tasawwuf).

May Allah ﷻ keep us on the reality and protect us from the false form by the sanctity of the chosen Prophet ﷺ and his pious offspring رضی اللہ عنھم.

Completed Rabi’ul Awwal 1445/23^rd Sept 2023

(By: Sayed Farūq Al-Hassani حفظه الله)