HundredQuestions79
(:title Hundred Questions - Words Worth Saying (Part 4))
Words Worth Saying (Part 4)
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Expression of Gratitude
By the grace and providence of God, the Sustainer of the worlds, the book Hundred Questions has been completed. With utmost gratitude for these blessings and bounties I feel immense pleasure and happiness in writing an introduction to the fourth part of the book. However, the heart exclaims: Alas! If only this humble, indigent servant were able to duly thank his generous Lord for His magnificent favours and bounties!
Guidance and help
O my True Sovereign! O my Master and Lord! The truth of my condition is never hidden from Your knowledge! Were it not for Your holy guidance that guides and helps us reach the destination of the recognition of religion, and were it not for the mercy which You have granted to this humble entity, what a great distance there would have been between this feeble and destitute servant and the attainment of the goal! Without Your help, footsteps stumble along this difficult path and without Your spiritual aid the heart and mind are stricken with consternation.
Yearning for Inquiry and Zeal for Investigation
My `azizan! Have you ever wondered why the yearning for inquiry and zeal for investigation is always found in human nature? Why does man always want to observe and understand one by one the marvels and wonders of the earth and heaven? Why is man invited to reflect upon the signs of the external world (afaq) and the internal world (anfus) in addition to the Qur'an? What is the main reason for his interest and delight in recreation, excursion and perambulation? What is the secret in feeling charm and joy when observing natural phenomena? What is its spiritual background or what is the wisdom in his delight and happiness in the scenes of meadows and gardens? What is that power, which prompts not only small children but also elders to ask, question, investigate and understand? And in view of all these conditions why does it seem that man is in search of regaining his lost wealth through whatever means?
Answer to these questions
The comprehensive and single answer to all these questions is that behind the curtain of the numerous capacities, faculties and aspirations of this kind there is the divine power itself, which controls all. It is the divine power, which always continues to awaken in man a desire to attain the inner realities of the natural phenomena and things in the universe, and the secrets of the divine essence hidden in them, so that thereby he may attain the ma`rifat of God, the Lord of Honour. For in His ma`rifat are permanent life and eternal salvation, and the everlasting kingdom of the world of spacelessness (`alam-i la-makan). The world of spacelessness is where the pre-eternal and post-eternal favours and bounties are ever present without past and future. It is true that without the luminous guidance of the true guide no one can understand these great secrets.
Means of Guidance
The explanation of these implications is that from the everlasting wealth of intellect, understanding, knowledge and wisdom, only those people can be enriched who seek the means through whom to understand the secrets of nature and the mysteries of creation. This means is the holy Prophet's successor who is the fountainhead of both the esoteric and exoteric guidance. It is in following this guide of the straight path that the mysteries of life and the universe and the secrets of the heavenly scripture are revealed. The invaluable treasures of the recognition of one's own self and God are hidden in these secrets, so that those who are chosen by God (khasan-i Khuda), may attain them and recognise the pre-eternal and post-eternal reality of their "higher I (ana-yi culwi)". That reality is so unique and incomparable that it has never been, nor can it ever be separated, from the "Reality of realities (haqiqatu'l-haqa'iq)" at any time.
Recognition of One's Own Soul and Recognition of God
Yes, it is true that the knowledge of the recognition of one's own soul (khwud-shinasi) and that of God (Khuda-shinasi) is the supreme knowledge, which is hidden in the secrets of the heavenly scripture and in the book of the universe. Among these books, one is in the form of a compendium (mujmal) and the other is in an elaborate form (mufassal). There is a third book, which is living and speaking, known as the book of self (kitab-i zat) or the book of soul (kitab-i nafs), which is also called the book of spirit (kitab-i ruh). About this book it is said in the Qur'an: "He is indeed successful who purifies it (soul) (91:9)". The purification of the soul or the spirit is necessary for, in its original state it is a miraculous mirror, which one should call "a'inah-yi haqa'iq-numa (the mirror which shows the realities)", for in it are reflected the signs of the Compassionate (ayat-i Rahman) in their full splendour and brilliance and in real theophanies, whether they are those of the Qur'an or those of the physical world.
Expression of Gratitude to the `Azizan
Finally, I would like to thank the kind and esteemed office- bearers and members of Khanah-yi Hikmat with utmost appreciation, for they have endured various troubles and difficulties in order to advance the cause of knowledge of this organization and to render a lasting service to the beloved Jama`at. Further, with great zeal and willingness they have sacrificed a great deal of time to serve the cause of knowledge, for which they have willingly expended many precious hours of their life. They are those of my `azizan, who are working hard day and night, in the form of a well-tended organization. In addition, there are many `azizan in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Chitral, Gilgit and Hunza, who not only have great yearning for the acquisition of knowledge, but are also interested in serving the cause of knowledge.
For his gems-like suggestions, kindnesses like a shower of pearls and mountain-like support, whatever thanks are rendered to Dr. Faquir Muhammad Hunzai are insufficient. I do not have appropriate words to do justice to, and to duly thank him for his great favours.
In the words of utmost sincerity and love and with appreciation and approbation, I would like to thank the honourable Eastern Canada Regional Committee of the Isma`ilia Association for Canada, and the beloved Jama`at, for having granted me a rare golden chance to render the service of knowledge to them. In this connection it is especially incumbent upon us to thank those angel-like families for their sincere hospitality and unprecedented services. They provided for us in their blessed homes not only an excellent place for rest, but also office space and meeting rooms, so that before going on tour to the surrounding Jama`ats we could prepare ourselves well and at other times we could hold discussions at home concerning religion with the desirous members of the Jama`at. God willing, we will remain grateful, obliged and indebted to them and ever pray for them, and we never forget their moral heights, religious virtues and angelic qualities.
Now I would like to allude to that literary co-operation which we received in the form of rendering some of my books into English and French and in the form of typing. In this connection I remember time and again those angels on the surface of the earth in my good thoughts, spiritual imagination and in the prayers of humility and submission. Their literary co-operation has been a source of encouragement for this darwish.
Thus, it is my most humble prayer: O the Lord of Honour! Accept the efficacious prayers of your favourite and chosen servants for all these real devotees! O Lord! Grant them peace, felicity and success in both the worlds; grant them the courage to spend the precious wealth of their life and age in more and more services of knowledge and religion, and fulfil all their good wishes! Amin, O the Sustainer of the worlds!
The humble servant,
Nasir Hunzai.
Saturday, 21/9/1398 A.H. - 26/8/1978 A.D. - Year of the Horse.
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