Malfuzat - Volume VIII — Page 176
176 MALFŪZĀT - ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF URDU VOLUME 8 This call did not come to any other Prophet or Messenger. It is said that when this verse was revealed and recited, Hadrat Abū Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, started to cry upon hear- ing it. A companion said, 'O old man, what happened to you today? This is a happy day. Why did you start crying?' Hadrat Abu Bakra replied, 'You do not know. I perceive the death of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, from this verse. The discernment of Hadrat Abū Bakrra was very sharp. He understood that the work was done, so what need was there to be here? As a rule, when a settlement officer is sent to settle a district, he stays there until the work is done. Then, he is sent to another location when the work is finished. Similarly, this is the practice [of Allah] regarding the Messengers. When the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was asked about this matter, he said, 'Abū Bakr speaks the truth, and then he said, 'If I were to befriend anyone in this world, it would be Abū Bakr. The Essence of Khullat This sentence is also open to interpretation. The Holy Prophet sas did befriend Hadrat Abū Bakrra, so what does this sentence mean? The point is that khullat and friendship are that which sinks into one's veins and fibres, which is unique to Allah the Exalted alone and reserved for Him. There is only brother- hood and fraternity with others. The meaning of khullat is that it should sink inside one like the infatuation of Joseph came to abide in Zulaikha. So, this is the only meaning of this holy phrase of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that there is no partner in the love of Allah. If I were to befriend anyone in the world, it would be Abū Bakr.