Caskets of Pearls Vol. 2 - Casket of Pearls 63


Casket of Pearls 63

Tags: Giryah-u zari, Supplication, `aqabah, Steep Ravine, Wall, Light, ibda`i body, Shirt of Yusuf, Ihbitu, Khulud, Hubut

Q621 You have analysed the giryah-u zari of one of your very dear students and officers and have said that there are approximately twenty meanings hidden in supplication done with ardent love and humility. Our question is why are there so many virtues in giryah-u zari?
A621

  • The truth is that no matter how much you praise giryah-u zari it will never be enough, because it is the centre of all ethical virtues, as well as the opening of the door to spirituality.
  • Hidden in it is the secret of the spiritual progress of Allah's friends.
  • Alas, if only people had understood its benefits! Alas if only we could easily do giryah-u zari!

Q622 These questions are with reference to Surah-yi Balad verses (90:11-16): What is the meaning of crossing the steep ravine (`aqabah)? How can one free someone from slavery? What is the ta'wil of hunger (masghabah)? Who is the orphan near of kin? Who is the wretched beggar?
A622

  • To cross the steep ravine (`aqabah) means to succeed in the inner or spiritual struggle (jihad-i batin).
  • To free a slave means to first and foremost free oneself from the slavery of the carnal soul, and to attain the abundant treasure of knowledge and recognition.
  • Hunger implies the famine of knowledge.
  • To feed an orphan near of kin during the famine means to organise a feast of knowledge for the followers of the unique Imam (May peace be through him) of the time.
  • To feed a wretched beggar means to spread knowledge amongst the circle of da`wat of the hujjat or pir.

Q623 It is said in Surah-yi Kahf verse (18:82): "And as for the wall, it belongs to two orphan boys in the city and underneath it is a treasure for them, and their father was a righteous person, so your Lord willed that they should attain their maturity and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord". What are the ta'wili secrets in this?
A623

  • The personal world is based on the example of the world of religion and in it there is everything, including two subtle luminous children. They are like the potential Imam-i mustaqarr and the Imam-i mustawda`.
  • It is akin to Hazrat Isma`il and Hazrat Ishaq (May peace be through them) being in the world of religion. It appears that the secrets of Imamat are amazing and wondrous.
  • The wall beneath which the treasure was hidden is also certainly mentioned in Surah-yi Hadid (57:13). It is the wall that separates the outer (zahir) from the inner (batin).

Q624 Without a doubt the Divine light is present in the pure and sacred personality of the exalted Imam (May peace be through him). However, what types of miracles does he possess?
A624

  • Many people compare his light to the physical light, but the original light is a great angel, who encompasses the universe and is also confined in the Imam-i mubin.
  • What we refer to as Allah's light, can also be called Allah's Spirit, and can also be accepted as an angel, so that there will be ease in understanding the wisdom of the Qur'an.
  • The Imam is in the west and you are in the east and despite knowledge and good deeds, affection and love there are difficulties nonetheless. In such circumstances, it would not be a surprise if the Imam (May peace be through him) from the progeny of Muhammad (May Allah send blessings and peace through him and his progeny) graces you with his presence.

Q625 Is the ibda`i body (juththah-yi ibda`iyyah) or Yusuf (May peace be through him)'s shirt in reality an angel? Are the sarabil (miraculous shirts, 16:81) angels too? Are Hazrat Dawud (May peace be through him)'s mail coats also angels?
A625

  • Yes, the ibda`i body and Yusuf (May peace be through him)'s shirt are the same light and angel mentioned above.
  • Hazrat Dawud (May peace be through him)'s mail coats are also an example. In reality such angels came into existence from his light and were fighting in the spiritual battle as additional souls on behalf of the mu'mins of the first rank.

Q626 What is the difference between a subtle human being, a jinn (pari), an angel and the ibda`i body?
A626

  • These are all the same one creature, but its many names are a trial for the people.
  • How can those people who are not struggling for the knowledge of certainty, the eye of certainty and the truth of certainty, enter into the treasure of wonders and marvels of the Imam-i mubin? I would ask those fortunate followers of the exalted Imam who are his lovers, why do they not meet him first in the garden of the knowledge of certainty?

Q627 By the blessing of the holy Lord you have many young hands which are rendering exemplary service of knowledge and you have many helpers, supporters and friends in knowledge both in the east and the west. Are you extremely happy with them? What is the name of your latest book?
A627

  • Al-hamdu li'llah! Not only am I extremely happy with them but with great happiness I want to sacrifice myself for all my `azizan, rather I am already sacrificed for them.
  • God willing, I am completing the writing of one precious book called "Caskets of Pearls". Further it is also among the Lord's favours that Firishtah-yi Qalam's book, "Seven Oceans of Luminosity" is being publicised.
  • The editing of this dear book will be done by Dr. Faquir Muhammad Hunzai and it will greatly enhance the book's beauties.

Q628 When do the stormy miracles of the personal world begin? At which stage does the demonstration of the subjugation of the universe occur? Subjugation means victory, therefore when the entire universe is subjugated, does the personal world encompass the universe?
A628

  • The beginning of resurrection (qiyamat) is also the beginning of the stormy miracles.
  • The great miracle of the subjugation of the universe continues to happen in the stage of `Izra'il.
  • Perhaps this is the secret since, by Allah's command, the angels spread the personal world continuously in the universe and in this way they enfold the universe again and again in the personal world. There is the possibility of innumerable wisdoms in this.

Q629 What is the inner (batini) wisdom in the two verses, that is, Surah-yi Al-i `Imran (3:139) and Surah-yi Muhammad (47:35)?
A629

  • As indicated in the first verse, in their batini wisdom there is the command of the greater jihad: "And do not lose heart and do not grieve, for you shall have the upper hand if you are (true) believers".
  • "Do not lose heart" (wa la tahinu) suggests that this is about jihad. Thus, the batini wisdom of both these verses is related to the greater jihad, because for true believers victory is in the batin.

Q630 In Surah-yi Baqarah (2:36, 2:38) and Surah-yi A`raf (7:24) in the story of Adam (May peace be through him), there is a command to 'go down all of you' (ihbitu), although apparently only Adam and Hawwa (May peace be through them) had been exiled from paradise. What is the reason for using the plural form of the verb in these verses?
A630

  • The reason for this is certainly that there were many Adams who had many people with them and, who were all sent down from Firdaws (paradise).
  • However, there is a very great secret here that water in the form of the ocean remains in its centre, as well as rotating on its circle. This example also applies to the people of Firdaws, who with respect to their origin always remain in paradise, and with respect to their shadow (16:81) they continue to come to this world.
  • This is the reason why the wise Qur'an has mentioned both permanence (khulud) and descent (hubut) in different places.
  • We should conceive of higher realities universally, particularly about the human soul which is an ever-reaching and ever-pervading reality.
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