Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 71
71 1 َ مِنَ النَّبِيّٖنَ وَ الصِّدِّيْقِيْنَ وَالشُّهَدَا�ٓءِ وَ الصّٰلِحِيْن From among the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs and the Righteous. That is to say, those upon whom God has bestowed His blessings comprise four classes of people: the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs and the Righteous. All four of these magnificent ranks are gathered in the Prophets, peace be upon them, because this is the highest rank among these four. It is obligatory upon each and every one of us to strive correctly to attain these excellences, in the manner that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has shown us through his own actions. Never Abandon the Way of the Holy Prophet sa I would also like to tell you that there are many people who desire to attain these excellences by way of their own self-invented incantations and litanies. But let me tell you that if you adopt a method that was not practiced by the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then it is futile. Who could be more truly experienced in the path of those favoured by God than the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him? In fact, he was a man in whose person all the excellences of prophethood reached their final limit as well. The path adopted by the Holy Prophet sa is the most effective and nearest way to God. To abandon this path and invent another—irrespective of the joy that it may bring— in my opinion, leads to ruin. This is what God has disclosed to me. By truly following the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, one finds God; but one who does not follow the Holy Prophet sa —even after an entire life of striving—shall not be able to attain the ultimate objective. As such, even Sa’di speaks of the necessity of subservience to the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in the following words: ٰیفطصمزبدہ و ورع وکش و دصق و افص اےئ رب ر ن ن م�یف� � ل�یک و Strive to forsake materialism, and to adopt piety, sincerity, and purity; But do not step beyond (the practices taught by) Mustafa sa. So, do not abandon the path of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be 1 an-Nisa , 4:70