HADHRAT JUNAID BAGHDADI (Rahmatullah alayh)

HADHRAT JUNAID BAGHDADI

(Rahmatullah alayh)

* Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullah alayh) was the Imaam of the Sufiya. He is called Sayyidut Taa-ifah (The Leader of the Jamaat of Auliya), Taa-usul Ulama (The Peacock of the Ulama) and Sultaanul Muhaqqiqeen (The Sultan of the Researchers). He occupied the loftiest rank in Shariat and Tareeqat (Tasawwuf). Despite such lofty status, envious enemies branded him a zindeeq and a kaafir. He was the nephew and mureed of Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (Rahmatullah alayh).

* Someone asked Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (Rahmatullah alayh): “Can the status of a mureed be higher than the status of his Shaikh?” Hadhrat Saqati responded: “Yes. The glittering proof for this is Junaid Baghdadi.”

* When Hadhrat Junaid was 7 years old, his maternal uncle, Hadhrat Sirri Saqati took him with for Hajj. In a gathering of 400 Mashaaikh in Musjidul Haraam, the discussion was on the topic of Shukr (gratitude for the bounties of Allah). Each one presented his comments on this topic. Finally, Hadhrat Sirri Saqati said: “O Junaid! You too make some comment on this mas’alah.” The 7 year old Junaid lowered his head for a few moments then said: “Your obedience to Allah Ta’ala should not be for the bounty He presents to you, nor should the bounty be used for disobedience.” With unanimity the 400 Mashaaikh applauded the child and said that his comment was the best.

Hadhrat Sirri Saqati said: “O Junaid! How did you know this?” Hadhrat Junaid replied: “From the barkat of your companionship.”

* Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh) set up a business in Baghdhad where he traded with mirrors. Daily in his shop he would perform 400 raka’ts Salaat. After some time he abandoned the shop and went into seclusion in the home of Hadhrat Sirri Saqati. For 30 years he performed Fajr Salaat with the Wudhu of Isha’. He would devote the entire night in Ibaadat.

* After having devoted 40 years worshipping in seclusion, the thought crossed the mind of Hadhrat Junaid that he had attained the Maqsood (the Goal of his divine pursuit). He heard a Voice saying: “The time has now arrived to expose to you your zunnaar.” (Zunnaar is a holy girdle of the fire worshippers).” Hadhrat Junaid let out a deep sigh of grief and said: “He who is unfit for attaining the Goal, all his virtuous deeds are sins.” He then engrossed himself more in the pursuit of Divine Love.

* All great Auliya and Ulama had many haasideen (envious enemies). They complained to the Khalifah about Hadhrat Junaid saying that he was deceiving and misleading people. The Khalifah said that he could not be apprehended without proof. When there was a flood of complaints and charges against Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh), the Khalifah devised a plan to test and entrap him if indeed he was guilty of the charges.

The Khalifah had a stunningly beautiful slave girl. She was famed for her beauty and elegance, and the Khalifah was in love with her. She lived as a queen in the palace. It was decided to use her to ensnare Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh). She was dressed in the best of garments and adorned with jewels. She was instructed to lift her niqaab (face veil) in Hadhrat Junaid’s presence and use all her feminine wiles to entrap him. She should say she was a very wealthy lady but had decided to take to the path of piety. The world was no longer an attraction for her. She should plead with him to accept her in his companionship as her guide. A servant was sent with her to observe the episode and report to the Khalifah.

When the lady arrived at Hadhrat Junaid’s place, she did as she had been instructed. Momentarily Hadhrat Junaid’s gaze fell on her. Immediately he lowered his gaze, and the woman commenced with her scheme. After she had completed her story, Hadhrat Junaid lifted his head, let out two deep sighs and blew in the direction of the woman. Immediately she dropped down and died.

The Khalifah was shocked and beyond himself with grief when it was reported to him what had transpired. Smitten by remorse, the Khalifah commented: “He who does to him (Junaid) what he should not do, shall see (with regret) what he does not want to see.” Then he decided to visit Hadhrat Junaid. However, his courtiers insisted that he should summon Hadhrat Junaid to come to the palace and answer. But the Khalifah said: “It is improper to summon such a man to come to us. It is necessary for us to go to him.”

When the Khalifah met Hadhrat Junaid, he said: “O Shaikh! What type of heart do you have? How could you destroy and kill such a beloved one?” Hadhrat Junaid responded: “O Ameerul Mu’mineen! Is this the way you show affection for the Mu’mineen? You wanted to destroy my forty years of riyaadhaat and ibaadaat.”

* “I   commenced delivering wa’z only after 30 Abdaal had insisted that I give discourses and call people to the Path of Allah Ta’ala.”

* “What we (the Sufiya) have gained (in Roohaaniyat and Divine Proximity), was not achieved by speeches and argument. It was acquired by means of hunger, sleeplessness, renunciation of the world and abstaining from the things which were appealing to the nafs.”

* “A man of Tasawwuf should have with him the Qur’aan in his right hand, the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in his left hand, and walk in the light of these two lanterns so that he does not fall into the pit of doubts nor become entrapped in the darkness of Bid’ah.

*”If in Salaat a thought of the world entered my mind, I would repeat the Salaat. If a thought of the Aakhirat came to mind, I would make Sajdah Sahw.”

* Once Hadhrat Junaid said to his Mureeds: “If I knew that besides the Fardh Salaat, that two raka’ts Nafl are better than sitting with you, I would never be sitting with you.”

* Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (Rahmatullah alayh) urged Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh) to deliver wa’z. However, he felt that it was disrespectful to deliver lectures whist his Shaikh was still present. One night Hadhrat Junaid saw Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in a dream instructing him to deliver wa’z. In the morning he prepared to go to Hadhrat Sirri Saqati to inform him of the dream. He found Hadhrat Sirri Saqati standing at his (Hadhrat Junaid’s) door. Hadhrat Saqati said: “You are still   thinking that others should tell you. Now you have to deliver wa’z. Your talks are a medium for the salvation of the Ulama. All of us have been always saying that you should deliver wa’z, but you ignored us. But now Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has instructed you. Now you have no option.”

   Hadhrat Junaid recited Istighfaar, and said: “Hadhrat, how did you know that I had seen Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in my dream?” Hadhrat Sirri Saqati said: “I saw Allah Azza Wa Jal in a dream saying: “We have sent Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to instruct Junaid to mount the mimbar and deliver lectures.”

* One day in his bayaan a Christian slave disguised as a Muslim came and said to Hadhrat Junaid: “O Shaikh! Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Beware of the firaasat of the Mu’min”. What does this mean.” Hadhrat Junaid briefly lowered his head, then lifted it and said: Yes, this is the statement of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The time has come for you to break the cross and accept Islam.” Immediately, the slave accepted Islam. There was a hue and cry of surprise and wonder among the Muslims. Hadhrat Junaid’s fame spread even more.

   As a result of the publicity of this episode, Hadhrat Junaid abandoned delivering wa’z and secluded himself in his home. People pleaded with him, but to no avail. He refused to resume his lectures. He said: “I have no desire to destroy myself.” Two years later without anyone requesting him, he mounted the mimbar and resumed his talks. When he was asked what had induced him to resume his lectures, he said: “I came across a Hadith in which is mentioned that towards the end of this earthly time, there will be a man who will be the most contemptible of all people. He will deliver lectures to the people. I have realized that I am that most contemptible person. In obedience to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) I am therefore delivering lectures.”

* Once Hadhrat Junaid found his heart (spiritual heart) missing. He supplicated: “O Allah! Return my heart.” A Voice said: “O Junaid! We took away your heart so that it remains with Us. But you are asking its return so that it associates with someone other than Us.”

* Whilst journeying in the desert he saw a young man sitting under a tree. He asked” “Why are you sitting here?” The young man said: “I enjoyed a constant haal (a apiritual state of ecstasy). I lost it at this spot.” Hadhrat Junaid continued his journey. Several months after Hajj when he returned, he found the young man sitting in the same spot. He asked: “Why are you now still sitting here?” The young man replied: “What I was searching for, I found it here. I have therefore stationed myself at this place.” Hadhrat Junaid said to himself: “I do not know which of the two states is better.”

* A Wali saw Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in a dream. Hadhrat Junaid was in Rasulullah’s presence. A man entered and and sought a fatwa from Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He indicated to the person to ask Hadhrat Junaid. The man said: “O Rasulullah! When you are present, why should I ask Junaid?”   Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied: “Just as the Ambiya were proud of their entire respective Ummats, so am I proud of Junaid.”

* Once when Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh) was very ill, he made the Dua: “O Allah, cure me.” He heard the Divine Voice reprimanding: “O Junaid! What right have you to interfere between Allah Ta’ala and His servant? Do not interfere. Do as you have been commanded to, and have patience in the misfortune with which you are afflicted. What relationship do you have with Ikhtiyaar (volition)?”

Allah Ta’ala has a different and extremely lofty standard for His close Auliya. They have to repose total trust in Allah Ta’ala and accept with contentment whatever condition or calamity Allah Ta’ala imposes on them.

* Once Hadhrat Junaid had a severe pain in his leg. He recited Surah Faatihah and blew on his leg. Immediately he heard a Voice reprimanding him: “Have you no shame to use Our Kalaam for the sake of your nafs?” This reprimand is for the elite Auliya, not for the masses

His extremely lofty rank debarred him from even this perfectly valid and permissible act.

* Once Hadhrat Junaid’s eyes were paining severely. The physician who was a Christian advised him to abstain from applying water to his eyes. Hadhrat Junaid said: “Then how shall I make wudhu?” The physician said: “If you wish to retain your eyesight, then abstain from applying water. It is now your choice.” After the physician left. Hadhrat Junaid made Wudhu. He ignored the advice of the physician and applied water to his eyes as usual. After Salaat he went to sleep. When he woke up he found that his eye ailment had been completed cured. He heard a Voice saying: “O Junaid! For the sake of Our pleasure you forsook your eyes. If you had supplicated to Us   by the Waseelah (medium) of your intention for Us to forgive all the inmates of Jahannam, it would have been accepted.”

   When the physician came again, he was surprised to find that Hadhrat Junaid’s eyes were cured. He asked about the remedy used. Hadhrat Junaid explained what had transpired. The physician embraced Islam and commented: “This is the treatment of The Creator, not of the created. In reality, my eyes were ailing, not your eyes. You are the physician, not me.”

* Once a Buzrug was on his way to meet Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh). As he neared Hadhrat Junaid’s residence, the Buzrug saw shaitaan running in leaps and bounds away from the house of Hadhrat Junaid. When the Buzrug arrived, he saw Hadhrat Junaid venting extreme anger on a man. The Buzrug said: O Shaikh! I have heard that when the sons of Aadam (i.e. human beings) become angry, then that is the time when shitaaan overwhelms them. But her I have seen shaitaan fleeing from you. What is the reason? Hadhrat Junaid said: “Have you not heard that when anger is for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, Iblees flees.? Our anger is for Allah’s sake, hence you saw Iblees fleeing. Others vent anger for the sake of their nafs.”

* One night while Hadhrat Junaid was walking in the road with a mureed, a dog barked at them. Hadhrat Junaid said: “Labbaik! Labbaik!” (I am present). The Mureed was surprised. Hadhrat Junaid said: “I viewed the anger of the dog in the light of Allah’s Wrath, and I heard the Voice of Allah Ta’ala. I did not observe the dog in between, hence I exclaimed “labbaik”.

* Someone asked: “When is the heart happy?” Hadhrat Junaid responded: “When HE is in the heart.” (i.e. Allah Ta’ala)

* A man presented a gift of 500 dinars to Hadhrat Junaid. Hadhrat Junaid said: “Besides this do you have more?” He said that he had much more. Hadhrat Junaid asked: “Do you desire more wealth?” He said:”Yes.” Hadhrat Junaid said: ”Then take this. You are more in need of it than me. I have nothing, and I have no desire for wealth.”

* On the way from the Musjid on a Friday, Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh) seeing the large crowds emerging, said: “They all are the inmates of Jannat, but those who are fit for companionship are a different people.”

* Once when Hadhrat Junaid saw a man begging in the Musjid, it crossed his mind that this person appears healthy and strong. Why is he begging? He is able to work. Why does he disgrace himself in this manner? That night in a dream he saw a large dish presented to him. The dish was covered. He was told: “Eat of it.” When Hadhrat Junaid opened the container he saw the dead body of that same beggar. I then understood that I had made his gheebat in my heart. I woke up with fear and shock. I made Wudhu and performed two raka’ts Salaat. I then set out in search of that person. I saw him sitting on the banks of the river Dajlah. He was   taking some pieces of discarded vegetables which were floating on the water and eating it. When he saw me, he exclaimed: “O Junaid! Have you repented for what you had thought of me?” I said: “Yes.” He replied: “Now go!”. Then he recited the Aayat: “He accepts the Taubah of His servants.” He added: “Beware! Keep guard over your heart.”

* Hadhrat Junaid narrated: “I learnt the meaning of Ikhlaas from a barber. Once when I was in Makkah Muazzamah, I went to a barber to have my head shaved. While the barber was still engaged in cutting the hair of another man, I said to him:” For Allah’s sake, shave my head.” The barber immediately abandoned the other client and said to him: “I have to leave everything since the Name of Allah Ta’ala has come in between.” He kissed the head of Hadhrat Junaid. After having shave his hair, the barber gave Hadhrat Junaid a gift of some money.

After a few days, someone presented a bag of money to Hadhrat Junaid. He went with the money to the barber and presented it to him. The barber said: “Have you no shame! You had asked me to shave your head for the sake of Allah now you want to give me this money in exchange.”

* An old lady came crying to Hadhrat Junaid. Her son had disappeared. He said to her to have Sabr. She went away and after some days came back and asked him to make Dua for the return of her son. Hadhrat Junaid told her to return home for her son has arrived. When she reached her home, she found her son had arrived.  

* A thief one night entered Hadhrat Junaid’s home. The only item he could find was a set of garments. He stole it. The next day whilst Hadhrat Junaid was in the market place, he saw his clothes by a trader. The customer said to the trader, if there is someone to confirm that these garments are your property, then I shall buy. Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh) immediately said: ‘I testify that the garments belong to him.” The customer then purchased the clothes.

* Once a wealthy man came to the khaanqah and took with him one of the mureeds. After a short while the mureed was returning with a basket of food on his head which was intended for the mureeds. The wealthy man was walking behind the mureed. Hadhrat Junaid instructed the mureed to put down the load. He refused to accept it and said: “He (the wealthy man) is extremely disrespectful. Are there only Durwaishes to carry his burdens? While the Durwaish has no wealth of the dunya, he has the Aakhirat.”

* A mureed gained the impression that he had attained a lofty stage of spiritual accomplishment. He therefore left the khaanqah and went into seclusion elsewhere. Every night it appeared to him that angels arrived to take him to Jannat. A beautiful camel was brought and on it he would be led to a beautiful garden where   streams flowed. There were many people in the garden. This scene was enacted for him every night. The mureed spread this information and believed that he was being taken every night to Jannat.

     When Hadhrat Junaid heard of this, he went to the mureed and enquired about his condition. The mureed explained in detail what was transpiring. Hadhrat Junaid said: “Tonight when you reach there recite Wala houla wala quw wata il laah bil laahil azeem thrice. That night, although the mureed had not attached any importance to Hadhrat Junaid’s suggestion, he nevertheless, recited merely to test what Hadhrat Junaid had said. As he recited, there was much screaming and chaos, and everything vanished. He found himself sitting on a grave and the bones and skeletons were scattered. He realized his folly and went back to the khaanqah and remained in Hadhrat Junaid’s company.

* Once while Hadhrat Junaid was giving a bayaan, a mureed screamed and went into a state of ecstasy. Hadhrat Junaid warned him to control himself and forbade him from repeating the performance. The wa’z continued. The mureed exerted tremendous pressure on himself to restrain himself from lapsing into ecstasy. Finally he was unable to restrain himself. He fell down dead. In his shawl there was only a pile of ash. He had dissolved into ash.

* Once a mureed having committed an evil act was overwhelmed with shame. He left the khaanqah and went to sit in the Musjid. When Hadhrat Junaid passed by him, he (the mureed) fell down because of awe and fear. He knocked his head and blood gushed. As the blood touched the ground, the words: Allahu Jal le Jalaalahu were forming. Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh) commented: “You seek to portray that you have attained a lofty status. Understand well that you and a little child are equal in Thikr. A man is required to reach The Mathkoor (The One being remembered, viz. Allah Ta’ala).

     These words had such an effect on the mureed that he died on the spot. After he was buried, a Buzrug saw him in a dream and enquired about his condition. The mureed said: “After years of struggling have I now reached the boundary of my kufr. The Deen is extremely far away. I now understand what I had hallucinated.”

* A mureed was in seclusion in some place away from Hadhrat Junaid. Whilst in seclusion, the thought of a sin settled in him. When he looked in the mirror, his whole face had become black. He tried everything in an attempt to remove the blackness, but to no avail. The darkness remained on his face. Out of shame he remained indoors. However, each day the darkness decreased. On the third day his face had attained its normal complexion. He heard a knock on the door. He asked: “Who is it?” The person said: “I have a letter from Hadhrat Junaid for you.” He opened the door and took the letter in which was written: “Why do you not observe the respects of the abode of worship where you are? For the past three days I have been a washerman washing your face to clean it from the darkness.”

* Once one of his mureeds having committed something shameful fled from the khaanqah. After a considerable time, Hadhrat Junaid was walking with a group of his mureeds when he saw the mureed. Greatly embarrassed, the mureed turned and fled into another alleyway. Hadhrat Junaid said to the group of mureeds: “All of you return to the khaanqah. One of my fowls had fled and is trapped in a net.” Then he went into the alleyway in pursuit of the mureed. When the mureed saw him, he quickened his pace. Hadhrat Junaid followed. Soon the mureed came to a dead end. There was no outlet. Full of shame, he   turned his face to the wall, and said: “O Hadhrat! Where are you coming to?” Hadhrat Junaid said: “I am coming to where you are facing the wall to take you back to the khaanqah   so that the wall could open up and give way for you.”

* Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh) had eight selected mureeds. One day they desired to participate in Jihad. Hadhrat Junaid together with them went on a Jihad campaign against the Romans. In the battlefield they were confronted by a Christian fighter. He martyred all of the eight mureeds. Hadhrat Junaid saw nine beautiful domed cabins suspended in the air.   As each mureed fell, his soul entered a cabin. Hadhrat Junaid thought that the ninth one was intended for himself. He continued fighting. Soon the same Christian appeared and said to him: “O Abul Qaasim Junaid! Return to Baghdad and guide people. The remaining cabin is for me. Give me the teaching of Imaan. ” Thus he embraced Islam. After killing eight Christians, his soul entered the ninth cabin. All nine cabins then together disappeared.

* There was a Sayyid by the name, Naasiri. On his journey to perform Hajj when he reached Baghdad he went to meet Hadhrat Junaid. Hadhrat Junaid asked him: “From whose progeny are you?” He said: “From the progeny of Ameerul Mu’mineen Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu).” Hadhrat Junaid said: “Your grandfather used to wield two swords. One against the kuffaar, and one against the nafs. O Sayyid! Which sword are you wielding?” The talk of Hadhrat Junaid excercised a profound effect on the Sayyid. He fell down in an ecstatic state. Then he said: “O Shaikh! My Hajj is here. Guide me to Allah Ta’ala.” Hadhrat Junaid said: “Your heart is the special Haram of Allah Ta’ala. Do not allow any alien to enter.” As Hadhrat Junaid completed his naseehat, the Sayyid collapsed and his soul departed from his earthly body.

* Hadhrat Junaid said: “In this path there are numerous highway robbers spreading their traps – the trap of deception, the trap of Istidraaj, the trap of wrath, the trap of kindness, etc. There is no limit to the traps. There is a need for such a man who is able to differentiate in the plethora of these traps.”

* “All pathways are blocked except the Path of Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). It is wide open. Walk on this Path. Never follow one who is not on this Path. He does not follow the Qur’aan nor is he aware of the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Knowledge is confined to the Kitaab of Allah and the Sunnah of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

* “There are four oceans between Allah Ta’ala and the servant. Until these four oceans have not been traversed, the goal by Allah will not be attained.   (1) The world. The ship is Zuhd (Renunciation). (2) Man- its ship is for you to stay far from him. (3) Iblees – its ship is Bughdh (hatred for him). (4) Lust (nafsaani desires) – its ship is to oppose it.”

* “There is a difference between the deceptions and temptations of the nafs and shaitaan.   The desire of the nafs is enduring. It remains and makes demands until it realizes gratification. Even if it temporarily subsides, it returns until it is satisfied. The temptation of shaitaan is warded off by reciting Walahoula... Shaitaan then flees”.

* “This Nafs-e-Ammaarah is a great commander of evil. It takes one to destruction, and it aids enemies. It befriends all evils and is subservient to lustful desires.”

* “Iblees did not attain Mushaahadah (Divine Perception) even during his state of obedience. On the other hand, Hadhrat Aadam (alayhis salaam) did not lose his Mushaahadah despite his error.”

* “A person is a human being by character, not by appearance.”

* The hearts of Allah’s Friends are the abodes of Divine Secrets. Allah Ta’ala does not reveal His secret to a heart which has befriended the dunya.”

* “Standing on the foundation of the nafs is the root of corruption.”

* “Being ghaafil (forgetful/oblivious) of Allah Ta’ala is worse than falling into the fire.”

* “Never does the nafs gain an affinity with Allah Ta’ala.”

* “Those who desire that their Deen remains safe, their bodies healthy and their hearts peaceful, tell them to stay away from people. Such a time has dawned when it is best to flee from people. An intelligent person is he who adopts seclusion.”

* “He whose knowledge has not reached yaqeen; whose yaqeen has not reached khauf; whose khauf has not reached amal; whose amal has not reached wara’; whose wara’ has not reached ikhlaas, and whose ikhlaas has not reached mushaadah, will be among those who will be destroyed.”

* “The entire world will not harm a man in whose heart there is no hirs (greed/avarice), and if there is even a grain of hirs in his heart, it will harm him.”

* “As far as possible ensure that the utensils in your home are of the earthenware type.” This is emphasis on observance of simplicity.

* “He whose life is dependent on breathing, his life ends when his soul departs from his body. He whose life is on Allah (i.e. Thikrullaah), he is transferred from one life to another, from the physical life to the actual life.”

* “The eye which does not derive lesson from the creation of Allah Ta’ala, it is better that it be blind. The tongue which is not engrossed in the remembrance of Allah, it is better for it to be dumb. The ear which is not always in expectation of listening to the truth, it is better for it to be deaf. The body which is not expended in the service of Allah Ta’ala, it is better that it be dead. When Allah Ta’ala intends goodness for a person, He guides him to the Sufis, and He keeps him away from the Qaaris.”

* Tasawwuf is engrossment with Allah Ta’ala and abstention from all other relationships.”

* The signs of the Fuqara are that they do not ask anyone for anything. They do not dispute with anyone. If someone disputes with them, they maintain silence.”

* Explaining the meaning of Tasawwuf, Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullah alayh) said:

“Taswwwuf is to keep the heart clean from all expectations from people; abstaining from subservience to desire; killing the attributes of the nafs; cultivating the spiritual attributes; acquisition of true knowledge; to practise such deeds which will benefit until Qiyaamat; to admonish and advise all people of the Ummat, and to follow the Shariah of Muhammad (Salallahu alayhi wasallam).”

* “Sufis are a people whom besides Allah Ta’ala no one recognizes.”

* “The worst of evil acts is bukhl (stinginess) for a Sufi.”

* “Veils for the Auliya (i.e. veils of deprivation) are to look at Ibaadat (i.e. to regard one’s ibaadat to be significant); to look at thawaab, and to look at karaamat.”   If the focus is on these, the Wali is diverted from the Maqsood. His worship should not be motivated by the desire for any gains, be it of the spiritual kind.

* “The heart of the Mu’min makes 70 rotations every second whereas the heart of the munaafiq does not rotate even once in 70 years.” The heart of the munaafiq is stagnant in its hypocrisy. It does not progress spiritually.

* The Maradhul Maut (Last Illness) of Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (Rahmatullah alayh)

When the time of his Maut approached, he instructed his mureed to assist him with making Wudhu. Khilaal of the fingers was forgotten. Then Hadhrat Junaid made khilaal. He went into Sajdah and profusely sobbed. It was said to him: “O Chief of Tareeqat! Despite all the Ibaadat which you have sent ahead what is the need for this Sajdah and sobbing?” He said: “Junaid was never so much in need of a time as this present time.” Then he began to recite the Qur’aan Majeed. When he was asked about his Qur’aan recitation at this time, he said: “Nothing is better for me at this time than reciting the Qur’aan. The time has drawn near for my Record of Deeds to be presented. I am observing the 70 years of my ibaadat hanging on a thread like a hair in the wind. A strong wind is blowing it. I do not know if this wind is for destruction or for the attainment of the Goal. On the one side I can see the Siraat (The Bridge over Jahannam). On the other side is Malakul Maut, and The Just Judge Who is not concerned about me. I do not know on which path I shall be led.”

Then he recited 70 Aayaat from Surah Baqarah. In the state of Sakraat the people around said to him to recite the Kalimah. He said: “I did not forget Allah. There is no need to remind me.” Then he began with tasbeeh, counting on his fingers. When he reached his Shahaadat finger, he lifted it, said: Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem, and his soul departed from his earthly body.

   When his body was being given ghusl and water was about to be put to his eyes, a Voice exclaimed: “Keep your hands away from the eyes of Our friend. The eyes which had closed on Our Thikr will not open except with Our Vision.” His fingers had closed whilst reciting Tasbeeh. All attempts to open the fingers during ghusl failed. The Voice exclaimed: “The hand which closed with Our Thikr shall open only with Our command.”

       When Hadhrat Junaid’s Janaazah was lifted, a white pigeon arrived and settled on one corner. The people tried much to chase the pigeon but failed. The pigeon spoke and said: “Do not cause grief to you and to me. My claws of love are welded on the Janaazah.”

* A Buzrug saw Hadhrat Junaid in a dream and asked how he had fared when Munkar and Nakeer arrived for the questioning. Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh) said: “They arrived in great pomp and splendour and asked: “Who is your Rabb?” I looked at them and laughed, and said: “On that day when He (Allah) asked: “Am I not your Rabb?”, I had already responded: “Yes!”. I have already answered to the King. What need is there today to answer to the slaves? I say that He is the one Who has created me, and He is The One Who has guided me.” (He recited this Qur’aanic aayat). Both Angels left saying: “He is still intoxicated with Divine Love.”

* Hadhrat Hareeri (Rahmatullah alayh) in a dream asked Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullah alayh) about his condition. He replied: “Allah Ta’ala bestowed His mercy and forgave me. All the spiritual subtleties were ignored. Of value were the two raka’ts performed in the middle of the night.”

* Hadhrat Shibli (Rahmatullah alayh) was sitting in reflection at the graveside of Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullah alayh). Someone asked him a mas’alah. Shibli responded: “Just as I had felt shame for him when he was alive, so too do I feel despite the grave being between us.” He did not answer the question at that moment. The condition of the Auliya is the same in life and death.