HADHRAT SIRRI SAQATI (Rahmatullah alayh)

HADHRAT SIRRI SAQATI

(Rahmatullah alayh)

* Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (Rahmatullah alayh) was the Mureed of Hadhrat Ma’roof Karkhi (Rahmatullah alayh) and the maternal uncle of Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullah alayh). In the beginning he was a trader in Baghdad. His profit mark-up was never more than 5%. An item costing 10 dinars would be sold for 10.5 dinars. ‘Saqati’ is a person who sells very cheap, inexpensive produce. He is therefore called Saqati.

In his shop he had a special section wherein he would spend most of his time in Nafl Salaat. One day he purchased almonds for 60 dinars. Soon there was a scarcity of almonds and the price increased substantially. An agent from the marketplace advised Hadhrat Saqati to sell his almonds since it was the opportune time. Hadhrat Sirri asked him about the price. The agent said that he would sell it for 90 dinars. Hadhrat Sirri: “I have pledged not to make a profit of more than 5%. Agent: “I shall not sell your almonds at a lesser price.” Hadhrat Sirri: “I shall not violate my pledge.” The agent refused to take the almonds. How could he sell almonds worth 90 dinars for such a low price? It was not worth his effort. He went away without the almonds. Hadhrat Sirri remained firm on his principle.

This is the attitude of a man who understands the meaning of Rasulullah’s statement: “Rizq is sealed, and the greedy one is deprived.”

* One day there was a huge fire in the marketplace. All the shops excluding his shop were gutted and destroyed in the fire. A person commented to him: ‘You are fortunate that your shop did not burn down.” Hadhrat Saqati spontaneously said: ‘Alhamdulillah, my shop was saved.”

This statement agitated his conscience. He reflected and regretted for having said so because it displayed lack of concern and grief for the misfortune which had befallen others. He resolved to cease trading. He contributed all his stock to the poor and took to the Path of Tasawwuf. Thereafter, he repented and recited Istighfaar for 30 years, seeking forgiveness for having expressed happiness selfishly whilst other Muslims were suffering.

Prior to this final resolution, one day Hadhrat Habeeb Raa-ee (Rahmatullah alayh) passed by his shop. Hadhrat Sirri offered him a gift. Hadhrat Raa-ee (rahmatullah alayh) said: “May Allah Ta’ala bestow goodness to you.” Hadhrat Sirri said: “From that moment the world became cold to me.” In other words, he lost interest in the world and its ways.

The next day Hadhrat Ma’roof Karkhi (Rahmatullah alayh) passed by his shop with an orphan child. Hadhrat Ma’roof said: “Clothe this orphan child, and Allah Ta’ala will make this world an enemy to your heart, and free you from this occupation (of trading).” Hadhrat Sirri purchased new clothes for the orphan. He lost all interest and love of the world.

Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullah alayh) once commented that he had not seen anyone more perfect in Ibaadat than Hadhrat Sirri (Rahmatullah alayh). The only time he was confined to bed was at the age of 98 years during his Maradhul Maut (the last illness). For 40 years he had an intense desire for honey, but he denied this desire of his nafs.

His fear was so intense that he would daily look in the mirror several times to see if his face had not darkened as a consequence of sin. His profound love for humanity constrained him to say: “I wish that the grief and sorrow of the entire creation be my lot so as all people could be free from grief.”

* “I fear that perhaps my name has been recorded in the roll of the munaafiqeen.”

* Hadhrat Bishr Haafi (Rahmatullah alayh) said: “If anyone wishes to ask anyone for something, he should ask only from Sirri Saqati. I know that he becomes extremely delighted when something leaves his hands. One day I found Sirri Saqati crying much. I asked him the reason for his crying. He said: “ I placed my jug of water in the cool breeze. I then went to sleep. In a dream I saw a beautiful Houri (Damsel of Jannat). I asked: ‘To whom do you belong?” She responded: “To the one who does not place his water jug in the cool breeze.’ I was overwhelmed with grief. I therefore broke the jug and am leaving it here to remind me of the harm I had done.”

* Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullah alayh) narrated the following miraculous episode: “Once I went to visit Sirri Saqati. I found him in a state of agitation, and I asked him what had happened. He explained: “A young Buzrug came and asked me to explain the meaning of Haya (shame/modesty). After I had explained it, it had such a profound effect on the Buzrug that he literally melted and became transformed into water. The water you see here in front of you, is that Buzrug.”   There was a pool of water nearby.”

* When Hadhrat Sirri Saqati saw Nabi Ya’qoob (alayhis salaam) in a dream he said: “O Nabi! Despite you having perfect love of Allah Ta’ala, why were you so overwhelmed by the love of Yusuf (alayhis salaam), which was futile?” In his dream a Voice reprimanded: ‘O Sirri Saqati! Be careful and control yourself.’ Then Yusuf (alayhis salaam) was shown to him. As his gaze fell on Nabi Yusuf (alayhis salaam), he (Hadhrat Sirri Saqati) let out a loud scream and became unconscious. He remained unconscious for 13 days. When he regained consciousness, he heard a Voice saying: “This is the compensation for those who criticize Our beloved ones.”

* Once Hadhrat Sirri Saqati met a Wali on a mountain peak. He asked the Wali: “Who are you?” The Wali said: ‘Hu’ (i.e. ‘He’. Sirri: “What do you do here?’ The Wali: ‘Hu’. Sirri: ‘What do you eat?’ The Wali: ‘Hu’. Sirri: “By ‘Hu’ are you referring to Allah Ta’ala?’ On hearing the mention of Allah Ta’ala, the Wali let out a loud scream and dropped down dead.

* “The servant can reach such a lofty stage of Divine Love which makes him oblivious of even an arrow penetrating his body or if he is cut with a sword.”

* When people would come to Sirri Saqati to gain guidance, he would make Dua: ‘O Allah! Grant them knowledge so that there is no need for them to come to me.” He was averse to people coming to him.

* A person had renounced the world and was engaging in great Mujaahadah for thirty years. When he was asked about his spiritual attainment, he said: “It is the effect of the Dua of Hadhrat Sirri Saqati. One day I went to his home and knocked at the door. He called from inside: “Who is it?” I said: “A lover of Allah.” He replied: “If you are a true lover of Allah, you would have been absorbed with him. You would not have come to me.” Then he made Dua: “O Allah! Let him be absorbed in Your Love.” A wonderful change overtook my heart immediately.”

* Once while Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (rahmatullah alayh) was giving a discourse (wa’z), Ahmad Bin Yazeed who was one of the courtiers of the royal court of the Khalifah, passed nearby with a large retinue with much pomp and splendour. He instructed his retinue to halt and wait for him while he would go and listen to the discourse. He commented: “We usually attend such gatherings which are inappropriate. At least I should attend this discourse.”

On entering the gathering, he heard Hadhrat Sirri saying: “Of the 18,000 species of creation, no species is as weak as man. There is not a single creation which is as disobedient to Allah Ta’ala as man. Despite his abject weakness, man has resolved to disobey such a great, and powerful Being as Allah Ta’ala.”

This statement penetrated Ahmad’s heart like an arrow. He underwent a profound change, and he sobbed so much that he became unconscious. When he revived, he left for his house sobbing. That night he did not have his meal nor did he speak to anyone. The next day, he went walking alone to the khaanqah of Hadhrat Sirri Saqari. He had become pale and stricken with grief.

The third day, donning the garb of mendicants, he again went to the khaanqah and waited until the discourse had ended. Then he went to Hadhrat Sirri and said: “O Ustaadh! Your words have made the world cold upon my heart. I wish to renounce the world. Show me the way.” Hadhrat Sirri said: “There are two ways: the long way and the short way. Which way do you want to traverse?” Ahmad said that both ways should be explained to him. Hadhrat Sirri explained that the long way is the normal Shariah route. Perform Salaat, Fast and observe all the tenets, commands and prohibitions, etc. The short way is complete renunciation of the world; to sever all relationships, and not to accept anything from anyone.

Ahmad departed and headed straight for the wilderness. After a few days, an old woman came to Hadhrat Sirri and cried: “O Imaam of the Muslims! I had a son who was hale, happy and full of life. After attending your discourses he became sorrowful and grief stricken. Now since a few days he has disappeared. Do help me.” The mother was crying profusely, hence Hadhrat Sirri said: “Do not be dejected. He has renounced the world and turned towards Allah Ta’ala. The ultimate end will be only goodness. If he comes, I shall inform you”.

One night after many days had passed, Ahmad suddenly appeared. Hadhrat Sirri Saqati sent someone to inform his mother. Ahmad was pale and as thin as a rake. Ahmad said: “O Ustaadh! Just as you have guided me to comfort and emancipated me from the darkness of the world, may Allah Ta’ala grant you peace and pleasure in both worlds.”

Soon Ahmad’s mother, wife and his little child arrived on the scene. Seeing the exceptionally poor condition of Ahmad, the mother and the wife cried and wailed profusely. Even the little boy joined in crying. The grief and sadness of the family reduced even Hadhrat Saqati and all present to tears. Ahmad’s mother embraced him. Whilst sobbing, his wife placed the child in front of Ahmad, and exclaimed: “Wherever you go, take the child with you.” All their attempts to take Ahmad home were in vain.

As Ahmad attempted to leave, his wife said: “You have made me a widow whilst you are alive, and you have made your child an orphan. It is best that you take the child with you.” Ahmad responded: “Yes, I shall take him with me.” Then he removed the garments of the child and draped him with a piece of his tattered shawl.” When the mother saw this, she grabbed the child, and said: “I cannever allow this.”

Meanwhile, Ahmad quickly left them and returned to his seclusion in the wilderness. One night at the time of Isha’ a man came to Hadhrat Sirri and informed him: “Ahmad sent me and said that he has very little time left. He wants you to come to him.” Hadhrat Sirri accompanied the man to a Qabrustaan where he found Ahmad lying on the sand. He was on his very last, and murmuring something. Hadhrat Sirri placed his ears at Ahmad’s lips and heard him reciting the Qur’aanic aayat: “For this should the aamil (doer of goodness) practise.” Then, he said: “O Ustaadh! You have come on the very last moment.” So saying, the rooh took flight from Ahmad’s body.

Sobbing much, Hadhrat Saqati left to make preparations for Ahmad’s burial. As he reached the built-up area, he saw many people   heading in the direction of the Qabrustaan. On enquiring, he was told: “Are you not aware? Have you not heard a Voice from the Heaven proclaiming that whoever attends the Janazah of Allah’s Wali in the Qabrustaan of Shunooziah tonight will be forgiven?”

* “Stay far from wealthy neighbours, mercenary Qaaris and Ulama.”

* He who desires that his Deen remains safe and that he attains peace and comfort should adopt seclusion. This is the age of seclusion.”

* “Everything of the world is futile except five things: Sufficient food to sustain life; Water to quench thirst; sufficient clothes to cover the body; a home to shelter in, and sufficient knowledge to practise (the teachings of the Deen).”

(The needs of man for this transitory earthly sojourn are extremely few. But this Insaan has made this world his objective and goal, hence he has forgotten the ultimate end which Maut will usher in soon. Thus, he devotes his 24 hours daily to develop this dunya oblivious of the return to Allah Ta’ala and the Reckoning in the Aakhirat.)

*  “Sin which is the effect of pride, arrogance and rebellion is exceptionally severe. There is little hope of gaining forgiveness for such sins because the sin of shaitaan was due to pride, arrogance and rebellion.” (When a person sins because of pride and rebellion, it will indeed be rare for him to repent and seek forgiveness. Such a person is without remorse and regret, hence   there is no hope of forgiveness. He becomes like shaitaan.)

* If a man enters a beautiful lush orchard filled with trees and on each tree is perched a bird singing melodiously: ‘Assalamu alaika Ya Waliyallaah! (Peace on you, O Wali of Allah!)’, and if he does not fear that this scenario may be Istidraaj (shaitaani deception), then in reality he is trapped in the vortex of deception. Beware of such a person.”

* “A sign of Istidraaj is that one becomes oblivious (ghaafil) of one’s own sins and defects.”

* “Deception is a statement bereft of amal (practical deed of virtue).”

* “The best strength is that which defeats the desires of the nafs. Adab (respect) is the translator of the heart. (It states what is in the heart).”

* “He who is bereft of adab cannot impart adab to others.”

* “Numerous are the people whose words do not conform to their actions, and few are the people whose actions conform to their words.”

* “The bounty of an ingrate is snatched away in unexpected ways.”

* “Your tongue translates what is in your heart, and your face is the mirror of your heart. What you conceal in your heart is displayed on your face.”

* “There are three types of hearts. A heart like a mountain. It remains unshakeable in firmness (and truth). A heart like a tree with strong grounded roots. While it sways in the wind, it remains in its place. A heart like a feather. It has no stability. It flutters in whichever direction the wind takes it.”

* “Haya (Shame) and Uns (Divine Love) appear at the doorway of the heart. If they discern Taqwa and Zuhd therein, they enter. They do not enter a heart bereft of Taqwa and Zuhd.”

* “Understanding is proportionate to Divine Proximity.”

* “The most advanced person is he who is firm on the Haqq.”

* “It is recorded in some Heavenly Scripture that Allah Ta’ala says: “O My servant! When My Thikr overwhelms you, I become your Beloved.”

* “Tasawwuf has three attributes:

(1) Ma’rifat that does not impede Taqwa and Wara’.

(2) Spiritual knowledge whuch does not conflict with the Zaahiri Shariah of the Kitaab and Sunnah.

(3) Its miracle is to prevent people from haraam actions.”

* “Zuhd is to abstain from asking, to be contented with the little which wards of starvation, abhorrence for futility, and to expel the world from the heart.”

* “The capital of Ibaadat is Zuhd, and the capital of Futtoot (Courage) is to turn away from the world.”

* “He who seeks recognition in the eyes of people, falls far from the Gaze of Allah Ta’ala.”

* “If you see a person associating much with people, know that he lacks in Sidq (Truth).”

* “A good moral character is that you do not inconvenience people, and that you patiently bear the difficulties they create for you”.

* “Abstention from sin is in three ways: For the fear of Jahannam; for the desire of Jannat, and because of shame for Allah Ta’ala (i.e. disobedience to the Benefactor is shameful).”

* “A person does not attain perfection as long as his Deen does not overwhelm his desires.”

* “Once while Hadhrat Sirri was giving a bayaan on Sabr, a scorpion bit him several time, but not the slightest change overcame him. Later when the people became aware, they asked why did he not repel the scorpion. He said: “I was ashamed because I was at the time giving a bayaan on Sabr.”

* “Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullah alayh) narrated that Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (Rahmatullah alayh) said: “I do not wish to die in Baghdad, for I fear that the ground will not accept me, and I shall then be humiliated, and those who had cherished a good opinion of me will then detest me.”

* On the occasion of his demise, Hadhrat Sirri Saqati (Rahmatullah alayh) said to Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullah alayh): “O Junaid! For the sake of companionship with people, do not deprive yourself of the companionship with Allah Ta’ala.” Hadhrat Junaid responded: “If you had given me this advice earlier, then I would not have cultivated even your companionship.” Then Hadhrat Saqat’is rooh took flight – Rahmatullah alayh.