From Tarbiyatus Saalikeen
Islamic Tarbiyah Academy

Once in the presence of an Ãlim Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thãnwi (R) said; “It is necessary for every person to establish a link with a saint.” The Ãlim asked, “Why is it necessary?” Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thãnwi (R) replied, “It is actually Fardhul Ain, because in Suratul Fãtiha the verse, ’The path upon whom You have bestowed Your favours.’ Is in fact the alternative or substitute to the preceding verse, which is, ’Show us the straight path.”

It is only by following the straight path that we Qualify to receive the favours of Allah, and receiving Allah’s favours is the object. This object can only be achieved if we place our hands in the hands of one upon whom Allah has already bestowed His favours, and these are the saints.

Doctor Abdul Hay Arifi (R) once said, “There is only one way to meet Him (Allah), Seek the road from those who have already found Him.”

He once said,
“Only they will get Him who have a thirst,
Only they will find Him who seek Him.”

Shaykh Jalaluddeen Rumi (R) says, “Your spiritual state has become weak owing to constant sinning and leading a life of neglect. Your soul has become like a rabbit, when it faces your nafs (carnal self), which is like a lion, and a rabbit will never over power a lion. Your nafs is the lion and your soul is the rabbit on account of its spiritual weakness. Strengthen yourself spiritually through establishing a link with a saint.”

He further says, “Fly with the wings of a saint, not with the vulture like wings of the evil nafs. The nafs is like a vulture which consumes filth and carrion. It flies only towards the filth and carrion of material world and should you latch
yourself onto its wings, it will surely carry you there. Attach yourself to the wings of a saint, because saints are connected to the celestial world. They will fly you out of the love of this dead world and transport you to Allah. Their
wings are free of the evil effects of the vulture. They will carry you safely, not
allowing you to fall upon this temporary world. You will witness their blessings with your every eyes.”

CLOSENESS TO ALLAH

Shaykh Jalaluddeen Rumi (R) says, “I have become the Royal Falcon, i.e. I have attained the closeness of Allah. I am not a vulture that feeds on carrion. I have repented from that.” When a person reforms from the base and lowly qualities to noble and praiseworthy qualities, and he unshackles himself from this insignificant material world, then he becomes a saint.

Shaykh Rumi (R) says, “People addressed me as ’Molvi’, but when I joined the company of Shamsuddeen Tabrezi, people started calling me ’Moula e Rum’ (master of Rome) instead of Molvi Jalaluddeen.”