HADHRAT SAHAL BIN ABDULLAH TASTARI (Rahmatullah alayh)

HADHRAT SAHAL BIN ABDULLAH TASTARI

(Rahmatullah alayh)

* Hadhrat Sahal Bin Abdullah Tastari (Rahmatullah alayh) was among the very senior Auliya of the era of the Salafus Saaliheen. He was the mureed of Hadhrat Zunnun Misri (Rahmatullah alayh). The loftiness of his spiritual status is adequately portrayed by the fact that he remembered the occasion in the spiritual realm, long before the appearance of man on earth, when Allah Ta’ala had taken the pledge of Imaan from the souls of the progeny of Aadam (alayhis salaam). When Allah Ta’ala said to all the souls assembled in the presence of Hadhrat Aadam (alayhis salaam) in Jannat:

“Am I not your Rabb?”

In unision, the huge concourse of souls responded:

“Yes! (Most assuredly, You are our Rabb).”

Even during his childhood days he would say that he remembered well that occasion. He also said: “I am aware of everything which transpired whilst I was in the womb of my mother.” When he was three years of age, he would spend the night in Salaat with his uncle Muhammad Bin Sawaar (rahmatullah alayh). He was perpetually fasting from the age of seven years.

* “Taubah is compulsory on every person, whether he is of the elite (i.e. Auliya and pious Ulama) or of the laypeople or whether he is a sinner or an obedient person.”

* Since the time he became the mureed of Hadhrat Zunnun Misri (rahmatullah alayh), Hadhrat Sahal never spread his feet nor leaned against the wall. One day in Tastar (his home city), he suddenly stretched his legs and said: “Ask me whatever you wish.” When the people in surprise said: “Hadhrat, you had never done so before.” He replied: “As long as the Ustaadh is alive, the student should conduct himself with respect.” The people made a note of the time and date. Later it was established that Hadhrat Zunnun Misri (rahmatullah alayh) had died in Egypt precisely on that day and time.

* The governor, Amr Laith was critically ill. All the physicians had given up hope. It was said that only the Dua of a pious person could be of benefit. Hadhrat Sahal (rahmatullah alayh) was called. When in the presence of the governor, Hadhrat Sahal said: “Dua is accepted for a person who repents and turns towards Allah Ta’ala with obedience. However, your prisons are full of Mazloomeen (oppressed persons). First release them and repent.”

Amr Laith accepted this advice and ordered the release of the prisoners. He sincerely made Taubah. Whilst Hadhrat Sahal was engaging in Dua, the governor was immediately cured. To express his gratitude, he offered Hadhrat Sahal a considerable amount of gold coins, but Hadhrat Sahal refused to accept it. He then left.

Outside the residence of the governor, a Mureed of Hadhrat Sahl commented that if the gold had been accepted, many Fuqara would have benefited. Hadhrat Sahal instructed him to look ahead. Suddenly, the place was filled with gold. All around was gold. Hadhrat Sahal said: ‘What need do I have of the governor’s gold, when Allah Ta’ala has put so much gold at my disposal?”

* Hadhrat Sahal (rahmatullah alayh) would frequently walk over water (river and streams) without his feet becoming moist. He would miraculously walk on the surface of a river. Once when he was asked about this miracle, he said : ‘Ask this Muath-thin. He is a truthful man.” When the Muath-thin was asked to comment, he said: “I am not aware of it. But the other day, while Hadhrat Sahal was taking a bath in this pond, he slipped. If I had not been present to save him, he would have drowned.”

In order to conceal his karaamat of walking over water, he referred them to the Muath-thin who was unaware of the miracle.  

* A Buzrug narrated: “One Friday before Jumuah Salaat I went to meet Hadhrat Sahal. I saw a snake at his house. I was filled with fear. Hadhrat Sahal instructed me to enter. When I entered, he commented: ‘A man who has not understood the reality of the transcendental realms fears the creatures on earth.’ Then he asked me regarding Jumuah Salaat. I said that we are 24 hours walking distance from the Jaami’ Musjid. He took hold of my hand. Instantaneously I saw that we were inside the Jaami’ Musjid. After Salaat when we were outside, Hadhrat Sahal viewing the large crowd emerging from the Musjid, said: “All of them are the reciters of Laa ilaha ill al laah. However, very few are sincere.”

* The home of Hadhrat Sahal was known as Baitus Sabaa’ (The Home of the Wild Animals). For ages after his demise this name remained famous. The reason for this designation was that wild animals, even lions, would frequent his home. He would feed these animals.

* Hadhrat Sahal had prescribed for one of his mureeds the constant thikr of Allaahu-Allaah. The mureed was at all times engrossed in this Thikr. One day, a rafter from the ceiling fell on the head of the mureed. Blood gushed from his head. Every drop which fell on the ground formed the word: Allaah

* Addressing his mureeds, Hadhrat Sahal said: “One will not attain accomplishment (in the spiritual realm) as long as one does not imbue within oneself one of two attributes. (1) He becomes oblivious of entire creation, and his focus is only on Allah Ta’ala. (2) His nafs becomes contemptible to him. He remains completely unconcerned of whatever opinion people have of him. He sees none but Allah Ta’ala.

* Hadhrat Sahal (rahmatullah alayh) said: “Once while I was on journey walking through the wilderness, I saw an old woman walking along with a stick. She was wrapped in a shawl. I thought that she was lost, having been left behind by the caravan in which she had been. As I neared, I put my hand in my pocket to give her some money which she would need along the journey. Immediately she thrust her hand in the air and it was filled with gold coins. She said: “You obtain coins from your pocket. I obtain it from the ghaib (unseen realm).” Then suddenly she disappeared.”

* An Abdaal visited me. During the night time I would question him about spiritual issues. I could discuss with him only during the night time because after Fajr Salaat he would dive into the river and remain underwater until the Zuhr Athaan. He would then emerge and perform Zuhr Salaat with the Jamaat. Immediately thereafter he would again dive into the river and remain underwater until Asr, then emerge for Asr Salaat. This was his practice for all the Salaat. It was surprising that when he would emerge from underwater, not a hair of his was moist. He remained with me for a very long time. In all this time, he never ate anything nor spoke to anyone else.

* Hadhrat Sahl (rahmatullah alayh) said: “One night in a dream I saw myself on the plains of Qiyaamah. People were   overwhelmed with fear. Suddenly I saw a white bird lifting a person and taking him to Jannat. In this manner the bird repeatedly returned to take a person into Jannat. I wondered about this episode. Then I saw a folded paper in front of me. I opened it. In it was written. ‘The name of this bird is Wara’ (Piety).’

   Then I was led into Jannat. On entering I saw a crowd of 300 persons. After greeting them, I asked: “While on earth what did you fear most?” All said: “An evil death.”

* In a dream I saw the accursed Iblees. I asked him: “What is most difficult for you?” He said: “The heart of a Muslim in which is ingrained the Remembrance of Allah.”

* Once Iblees gave a discourse on Tauheed. If all the Aarifeen had been present, they would have been dumbstruck.

* “One night I met a Buzrug who was overwhelmed with hunger. I presented some food to him. He discerned some doubt in the food, hence he abstained from consuming it. Due to extreme weakness he was unable to engage in his Ibaadat (Nafl) that night. This was the first time in three years that he had been unable to adhere to his routine ibaadat of the night. However, in lieu of his hunger and abstention from consuming what he believed to be mushtabah (doubtful), Allah Ta’ala awarded to him such rewards which surpassed the collective rewards of the ibaadat of all people of that night.”

* “When man’s stomach is filled with haraam food, then he desires futility. His bestial lusts multiply, and his worldly wishes and hopes increase.”

(Haraam and Mushtabah food corrupts the heart, weakens and destroys roohaaniyat (spiritual stamina) and causes physical diseases.)

* “Solitude and seclusion are devoid of their benefits as long as the food is not halaal. Halaal food is acquired only when Allah Ta’ala wills.” (This indicates the huge misfortune of those who recklessly consume haraam and mushtabah foods. They have been cast aside by Allah Ta’ala.)

* Eating once in 24 hours is the way of the Siddiqeen (Auliya of the highest class).

* “It is only with hunger that Ikhlaas (Sincerity) and rectitude of deeds are achieved. When Allah Ta’ala created the world, He instilled sin and ignorance in satiation (full stomach and in over-eating), and Ilm (Knowledge) and Hikmat (Wisdom) in hunger.”

* “Inculcate four attributes to perfect Ibaadat: hunger, seclusion, humility and contentment.”

* “Shaitaan, cursed by Allah Azza Wa Jal cannot approach the one who remains hungry. The root of all spiritual calamities is satiation (i.e. to always fill the stomach).

* Haraam food entraps the eyes, the ears, the tongue, the stomach, the reproductive organs, the hands and the feet in sins. Then sin emanates from him intentionally and unintentionally. When only halaal is consumed, these organs engage in obedience, and he becomes the repository of virtue.”

* “Halaal and Tayyib are only that in which Allah Ta’ala is not forgotten.”

* Once one of his Mureeds was overwhelmed with hunger. He had not eaten for several days. In a spirit of dejection he said to Hadhrat Sahal: “O Ustaad! What is rizq?” Hadhrat Sahal said: “Remembrance of The Being Who is alive, Who does not die.”

* “People are of three kinds:

(1) Those who struggle against their nafs for the sake of Allah Azza Wa Jal.

(2) Those who fight with people for the sake of Allah Azza Wa Jal.

(3) Those who fight against Allah Azza Wa jal for the sake of their nafs. They imply: “Why is Your law (O Allah!) not in conformity with our nafs?”

* “Say to the one who desires to attain perfection in Taqwa: “Abstain from all sins.”

* “The amal (act of ibaadat) which does not conform to (the method) of the pious predecessors (Salafus Saaliheen) is a cause for punishment.” (i.e. acts of bid’ah; adding to ibaadat; deleting from ibaadat; introducing new acts in the form of ‘ibaadat’.)

* The hearts of the Aalim, Zaahid and Aabid are still dead. The hearts of the Siddiqeen and Shuahada are alive.” ( The men of only textual knowledge and superficial piety are deprived of Roohaaniyat – spiritual stamina).

*  The perfection of Imaan depends on the perfection of A’maal (virtuous deeds). The perfection of virtuous deeds is by means of Wara’ (Taqwa of a lofty stage).” Wara’ stems from Ikhlaas. Ikhlaas is to abandon everyone besides Allah.”

* The Mukhlis (the one who is sincere) is cast into the trial of difficulties and hardships. If in these trials he displays impatience and restlessness, he is cast aside (from Allah’s Proximity). If he remains resolute and patient in the trials, he is granted Allah’s Proximity.”

* “He who does not worship Allah Ta’ala volitionally, the worship of creation will be imposed on him.”

* “He who derives comfort in anything besides Allah Ta’ala, will not smell even the fragrance of Yaqeen.”

* The Noor of Allah never settles in a heart in which are things which are displeasing to Allah Ta’ala.”

* Such wajd and haal (ecstasy and spiritual states) which are not condoned by the Qur’aan and Hadith are baatil (false and baseless).”

* The heart which is hardened by knowledge is the worst of hard hearts. Such a heart is the heart which relies on effort and planning. It is bereft of reliance on Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala keeps such a heart far from Him in this world, and in the Hereafter his abode is Jahannam.” (This is the fate of the Aalim who misuses his knowledge for worldly and nafsaani objectives).

* There are three types of Ulama.

(1) The Aalim who has only textual knowledge (Zaahiri Ilm). He proclaims his textual knowledge to the people of zaahir (i.e. the materialists).

(2) The Aalim of Baatin who has spiritual knowledge which he proclaims to the people of Baatin (the Auliya).

(3) The Aalim whose Knowledge is between him and Allah Ta’ala. Others are unaware of such Knowledge.”

* There is no greater sin than ignorance.” (i.e. for a Muslim)

* Our (i.e. the Sufiya) Usool (Principles of life) are six: The Kitaab of Allah, the Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), Halaal food, abstention from inconveniencing others even if they inconvenience us, remaining far from prohibitions, and making haste in fulfilling the rights (of all and everything).”

* “The first step (in the journey to Allah Ta’ala) is Taubah. Taubah is to be remorseful for sins committed, and to be shameful for evil desires, and to substitute evil deeds with virtuous deeds.

* “The ability for Taubah is not acquired without maintaining silence. Silence is not acquirable without seclusion and solitude. The aptitude for Solitude is not acquired without halaal food. The aptitude for consuming halaal food is not acquired without fulfilling the rights of Allah Azza Wa Jal. The rights of Allah cannot be fulfilled as long as one does not exercise control over the limbs of the body. To achieve all of this, it is necessary to supplicate to Allah Ta’ala for taufeeq (guidance and ability).”

*”The holiest stage is to substitute one’s evil attributes with virtuous attributes.”

* “Two things destroy man: The crave for honour and the fear of poverty.”

* “Shaitaan does not approach a man whose heart is adorned with genuine humility.”

* “There are five pearls of character:

(1) The independence of a mendicant (Sufi).

(2) Contentment of a hungry person.

(3) The external facade of happiness of a grieving person.

(4) Kindness to an enemy.

(5) The strength of a man who spends the night in ibaadat and the day in fasting.

* “The greatest barrier between man and Allah Azza Wa Jal is pride, and the closest way to Allah is humility.”

* “One who has pride is bereft of fear (for Allah). He who is bereft of fear is not trustworthy. He who is not trustworthy never becomes aware of divine treasures.”

* “He who has two faces will never perceive the fragrance of Sidq (Truth).”

* “The Sunnat is snatched from one who meets a Bid’ati. Allah Ta’ala extinguishes the Noor of Imaan from one who is pleased with the actions of a Bid’ati. The similitude of the Sunnat on earth is like Jannat is in the Hereafter. He who enters Jannat is saved from sorrow and grief. He who is on the Path of the Sunnat is saved from the lusts of the nafs and from acts of bid’ah.”

* “Accepting the wealth of transgressors is like accepting haraam.”

* “He who criticizes Tawakkul, criticizes Imaan. (This malady is acute in materialists, even if they are Muslims.)

* The Shukr of the Aarif is his understanding that he is unable to fulfil the rights of Shukr.”

* “The effusion of Allah’s bounties is perpetual. The greatest of His bounties is that He imbues your heart with His remembrance. There is no sin greater than forgetting Allah Ta’ala.”

* “He who closes his eyes to haraam, is saved from grief and sorrow.”

* “In the entire creation, the noblest and most beloved to Him is the heart of the Mu’min. It is the heart of the Mu’min which is the repository of His Ma’rifat. If there was a nobler creation than the heart of the Mu’min, He would have made it the repository of His Ma’rifat.

(The Mu’min in this context brings in its purview also the Muqarrab Malaaikah and other intelligent Makhluqaat of which we are unaware. The hearts of these noble creations are also repositories of Allah’s Ma’rifat – Divine Recognition. While the Mu’min’s heart is a lofty repository of Ma’rifat, it is not the sole repository – And Allah knows best.)

* “There is no friend but Allah Ta’ala, and there is no guide but Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). There is no food, but Taqwa, and there is no deed, but Sabr.” (The exclusiveness is for emphasis.)

* “Not a day passes without Allah Ta’ala calling: “O My servant! You are not just. I remember you while you forget Me. The more I call you unto Me, the further away you flee. I remove calamities from you while you resolve to commit transgressions. O Son of Aadam! Tomorrow on the Day of Qiyaamah when you are in My Court, how will you account for your injustice?”

* “Allah Ta’ala created man and said: “Confide your secrets in Me. If you are unable, then look at Me. If you are unable, then at least seek your needs from Me.”

* “Never shall you become alive as long as your nafs does not die.”

* “He who has become the master of his nafs, has ennobled himself. The master of the nafs becomes the master of others. He whose nafs has vanquished him becomes contemptible. There is no ibaadat more pleasing to Allah Ta’ala than opposition to the desires of the nafs. He who has recognized his nafs, has recognized Allah Ta’ala. He who has recognized Allah, drowns in the ocean of happiness and pleasure.”

* “The first sin of a Siddeeq is to conform with his nafs.”

* “Allah Azza Wa Jal appoints a special Angel over the Saadiq to propel him towards Salaat when its time arrives. He wakens the Saadiq from his sleep.”

* “A Sufi is he whose heart is pure from (spiritual) pollution and radiant with reflection. With Divine Proximity he is secluded from others. Sand and gold are equal to him.”

* “Tasawwuf is to eat less, deriving comfort with Allah Ta’ala, and to flee from people.” (This is not the be all of Tasawwuf. These are vital ingredients of Tasawwuf).

* “There are three signs of Tawakkul: The Mutawakkil does not ask. When given he does not accept. If he accepts, he abandons it (i.e. he gives it away).” (This stage of Tawakkul is for the select Auliya of lofty roohaaniyat).

* “The people of perfect Tawakkul are awarded with three bounties:

(1) True Yaqeen (2) Revelation of the Unseen realm (3) Revelation of Qurb-e-Ilaahi (Divine Proximity). Tawakkul is that you do not cast aspersions on Allah Ta’ala. Believe firmly without any vestige of doubt that whatever He has promised, will reach you. Of the effects of Tawakkul is the state of tranquillity whether one possesses something or does not possess it. True Tawakkul will be acquired by him who abandons all relationships besides His relationship.” (In such abandonment there should be no violations of the Shariah).

* Tawakkul is a comprehensive concept which embraces all virtuous attributes. In its embrace are:

Zuhd, Taqwa, renunciation of the world, Mujaahadah against the nafs, acquisition of Ma’rifat from the objects of creation, fear, hope, perception of Divine Greatness, Tafweez (i.e. to assign affairs to Allah Ta’ala), and submission to Allah in grief and sorrow.

* Haya (shame/modesty) is superior to khauf (fear). Haya is the attribute of Allah’s select servants whilst khauf is the attribute of the Ulama.” (i.e. the Ulama-e-Haqq who practise in accordance with their Knowledge).

* “Fear is the male, Hope is the female, and Imaan is their son.” [Rasulullah – (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Imaan is suspended between fear and hope.’]

* Khauf (fear for Allah) does not settle in a heart in which resides pride and arrogance.”

* “Khauf is for preventing one from prohibitions, Raja’ (hope) is for obedience to the commands. The understanding of raja’ is the effect of khauf.”

* “Courage is to follow the Sunnat.”

* “He who befriends his nafs, has befriended Allah’s enemy.”

* Abandoning the nafs and turning to Allah Ta’ala is a most difficult journey. The nafs is either a kaafir or a munaafiq or a riyakaar (a show off).

* Ikhlaas is to hand over the Deen to Allah Ta’ala in exactly the same manner in which it was acquired from Him, and not to give it to anyone else (i.e. not to subject the Deen to the innovations of people).”

* “Eating once daily is the practice of the Siddiqeen. Eating twice is the practice of the masses of the Mu’mineen. Eating thrice daily is the work of animals.”

* “The lowest level of virtue is to bear the difficulties imposed by the people and to refrain from extracting revenge for a wrong, and to forgive the wrongdoer, and to supplicate to Allah Ta’ala to forgive him.”

* Someone asked for naseehat. Hadhrat Sahal (rahmatullah alayh) said: “Be alert. Adopt solitude. Eat less and maintain silence.”

* The day Hadhrat Sahal (rahmatullah alayh) died, a huge concourse of people had gathered for the janaazah. There was loud wailing. A Jew came out from his house to observe the scene. As the Janaazah passed by his home, the Jew loudly proclaimed: ‘O People! Do you see what I am seeing?” They asked: “What are you seeing?” He said: “I am seeing Angels descending on the Janaazah.” Then he recited the Kalimah Shahaadat and became a Muslim.

* Hadhrat Abu Talhah Maalik (Rahmatullah alayh) said that the day Hadhrat Sahal (Rahmatullah alayh) was born and the day he died, he was fasting.

* One day Hadhrat Sahal was sitting with his companions when a man passed in front of them. Hadhrat Sahal said: “This man knows some spiritual mysteries.” As he spoke, the man suddenly disappeared.   We searched much for him, but in vain. After Hadhrat Sahal (rahmatullah alayh) had been buried, while one of his mureeds was sitting near to the grave, he saw that person. The mureed said: “O Hadhrat! This Shaikh who lies buried here had said that you are aware of spiritual mysteries. For the sake of Allah Ta’ala Who had bestowed to you the mysteries display for us a karaamat.” He pointed to the grave of Hadhrat Sahal and said: “O Sahal, speak?”

     From the grave, Hadhrat Sahal said: “Laa ilaha il lallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu.” Then the man said: “It has been said that the one who recites this Kalimah, the grave is not dark for him. Is it true?” From inside the grave, Hadhrat Sahal (rahmatullah alayh) responded: “Yes, it is so.”