Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Sayyidina Ali RadiAllahu anhu said that this life is like the sea and people are travellers on it. We journey the Sea of Life and hope the waters carry us safely to our destination.
The waters are essential for travel, yet, we would not want the same waters carrying the vessel entering into the ship to wreck it.
The journey of life is short. It is temporary, like a ‘fata morgana’, a fairy-tale like, believable mirage appearing to offer security, power and comfort, but in reality, it is a misleading illusion that quickly fades away.
One might then ask, what is the purpose of life?
Mawlanaق reminds us that this life is meant for tests and trials, in preparation for an everlasting life to come.
Every suffering and tribulation is precisely placed for each one of us to progress towards a better hereafter.
Those voyaging on the Ship of Tariqah are lucky ones who depend on an appointed sea captain to navigate through the varying waters of life. Allahﷻ has blessed those in tariqah to be with a true Guide who teaches them to understand the purpose of life.
Those who choose to follow the egoistic-self will be in distress when they learn at the time of death, of the ego’s trickery to cause a shipwreck and a doomed final destination.
Very few will reach safety and not everyone on the Ship of Tariqah is safe. Mureeds can still lose their way by disobeying the advice of the Shaykh.
Holy Prophet ﷺ said in a sahih hadeeth, “ad-deenu naseeha” – “Religion is advice.” Religion is not a lecture for a scholar to give and go. It is given through an experienced, appointed Guide in Tariqah - the Heart of Religion.
Sayyidina Shah Naqshbandق said, “tariqatuna as-suhbah wal-khayru fil-jam`iyya” – “Our Way is guidance through advice, and the best is in association.” Without association, without advice, there is no way to benefit.
Therefore, to be in obedience to Allahﷻ is to obey the advice of the Guide. Holding firmly to his handhold means to take his every advice without a doubt that the murshid knows better than his mureeds. His advice must influence and become the centre of our daily life choices.
Mawlanaق has also reminded us to stay in the safety of Allah’s ﷻ Hand over the community. Allah’sﷻ Hand is over those who come together seeking Hisﷻ Pleasure alone. Stay in touch with fellow seekers in this Way and not become that lone sheep who is preyed on by hungry wolves.
Journeying safely through the Sea of Life is to take Mawlana’sق advice, be with the jemaah and consistently perform the daily practices and devotions. We dirty goodness bestowed by Allahﷻ with bad thoughts, assumptions and actions, and the best way to seek purification is through daily istighfar - sincere repentance.
Insha’Allah may those who heed this advice and sincerely seek to attain the Pleasure of Allahﷻ reach Hisﷻ Divine Safety and Pleasure.
May Allahﷻ grant us safety, peace and to be able to enter into Islam completely, in obedience, with no doubts in the firm handhold of our Guide.
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