From the Malfuzat of Faqih ul Ummat Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi رحمة الله عليه
Source:
Explanation of Tasarruf-e-Baatini And The Incident of Hadhrat Saharanpuri رحمة الله عليه
Questioner: What is the meaning of tasarruf-e-baatini that the mashaayikh carry out?
Mufti Sahib: What is the tasarruf-e-zaahiri that they carry out?
Questioner: Explain them both.
Mufti Sahib: There lived in Meerut an `aalim by the name of Moulana Mufti Kifayatullah Sahib. He had taught at Deoband as well as in Saharanpur and he was bay`at to Hadhrat Shaikh-ul-Hind Rahmatullahi Alayhi. When Hadhrat Shaikh-ul-Hind was imprisoned in Malta a certain state of mind overcame him and he thought of committing suicide. He would sometimes take a knife whilst at times he would go to a well with the intention of committing suicide. He became disinterested towards his zikr. Moreover, his shaikh was not present. Thus, he wrote a letter to Hadhrat Saharanpuri Rahmatullahi Alayhi relating his condition to him. Hadhrat replied: It is quite surprising that you have considered me fit for this task. This task is far beyond me.
Thus, he became extremely perturbed and decided to travel to Moulana Thanwi Rahmatullahi Alayhi in Thanabawan via Deoband and Saharanpur. However, when he reached Saharanpur he was unable to locate the train to Thanabawan. Hence, he was compelled to lodge at Madrasah Mazahir-ul-Uloom. On seeing him, Hadhrat Saharanpuri embraced him and seated him besides himself.
After speaking for a few moments Hadhrat told him, "It is surprising that you wrote up to me. Where am I capable of fulfilling such a task?" Plucking up courage he said, "Hadhrat! If someone says that you are not fit for this task then he is not criticising you but rather Hadhrat Gangohi Rahmatullahi Alayhi, that how did he appoint an unqualified person as his khalifah. I was nurtured in the very same place from where you received all that you have achieved. I deserve being shown mercy. Have mercy on my pitiable condition."
Hadhrat replied, "Very well." He then prescribed the tera tasbeeh (a certain form of zikr) for him and said, "Recite this zikr so loudly at the time of tahajjud that I will be able to hear it." Hadhrat Saharanpuri's home was close to the Madrasah.
Mufti Kifayatullah replied, "Could you please excuse me. I will not be able to carry out this zikr." Hadhrat told him, "Do not worry. Just continue doing what you are supposed to do. Someone had come to our Hadhrat with a similar condition and Hadhrat had prescribed the very treatment."
Nevertheless, Mufti Kifayatullah Sahib made the zikr at the latter portion of the night. After Fajr, Hadhrat Saharanpuri went into his room and asked him to sit near the door with his eyes closed. He followed Hadhrat's instructions.
Mufti Kifayatullah relates: "I did not know what Hadhrat was doing inside the room but I could feel as if my heart was injured; it was full of pus and Hadhrat was massaging it to remove the pus. On several occasions I opened my eyes to see whether Hadhrat was outside, but he was still inside. After performing Ishraaq salaah Hadhrat came out of the room and with a smile asked me, "How do you feel." I replied, "Alhamdulillah, I am fine."
Thereafter, Hadhrat asked me to join him as he went to deliver the Bukhaari Shareef lesson. Hadhrat's lessons used to be brief but I began posing all sorts of questions and for each question Hadhrat gave several answers. Regarding some of the answers he said, 'Do not search for this in the kitaabs because it does not appear therein.' The amount of anwaraat (effulgence) and barakaat (blessings) I had witnessed in the lesson was never experienced by me elsewhere.
After Ishraaq I told Hadhrat that I had initially intended going to Thanabawan. Hadhrat replied, 'Most definitely go. However, on your return stay over for one more day because there is still some deficiency.' I could not understand what was still deficient. Nevertheless, I went to Thanabawan and the next day on my return I came to Saharanpur and instead of staying over for one day I stayed for two days. This time I felt as though something was being filled in my heart which was giving me strength. It was as though on the first visit my heart was cleansed from all filth and now it was being filled with strength and radiance. Thereafter Hadhrat said, 'I am now satisfied. You may go.'"
The reason for Hadhrat telling him, "I am surprised that you consider me to be fit for this task," was that when Mufti Kifayatullah was in Saharanpur he acknowledged Hadhrat's status with regards to `ilm (knowledge) but he did not accept him with regards to tasawwuf. However, now in this state of distress he realised that his problem could only be solved by Hadhrat. Thus, by saying this he removed the suspicions from his heart. His confidence in Hadhrat was now established and he also received benefit through this.
Q: Will a person to whom Allah Ta`ala bestows the ability of tasarruf-e-baatini be able to make tasarruf as and when he wishes?
A: A blade will be able to cut as long as Allah Ta`ala wishes, otherwise not.
Tasarruf-e-Zaahiri
Q: What is tasarruf-e-zaahiri?
A: Tasarruf-e-zaahiri is where a person imparts lessons the entire day. However, this is not like the jaahil (ignorant person) who pretended to be a sufi. Once, his mureeds and associates came to him and remained with him for some time. He then said: motoo (I want to relieve myself.) The mureeds thought to themselves that Hadhrat is saying: Mutoo Qabla An Tamutoo (Annihilate yourself before you die.)
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by merely placing his head beneath my arm." Someone asked Moulana Khaleel Ahmad Saharanpuri رحمة الله عليه whether this person was really true in his claim or not. Hadhrat replied, "He is true but do not go to him for he is a bid`ati."
