A MESSAGE OF DISAVOWAL" "RISALAT AL-MUNTAQIM"
CONCERNING THE SPIRITUALLY ENRAPTURED (MAJDHUB) AND THE TRAVELER ON THE PATH OF ALLAH (SALIK)
LETTER #3 FROM THE DISCOURSES of Shaykh Al-Islam AlHajj Ibrahim Niasse {Interpreted from the Arabic by Imam Muhammad Abdullahi al-Tijani al-Ibrahimi (USA)}
In the Name of Allah--The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful, The Avenger(Al-Muntaqim), All Powerful(Al-Aziz), The Compeller(Al-Jabbar), The Supreme(Al-Mutakabir). Peace and Blessings be upon the Mess...enger--the Master and the Slave(As-Sayyid Al-Abd)--who said: “O Fatima, daughter of Muhammad! I have nothing which can avail you against Allah!”. This letter should be given to everyone who claims an affiliation with us. Let it be known that:
There are two (kinds of people) who have nothing to do with me or with the Tariqa, if they persist in the following condition and state:
1.) A spiritually enraptured person (Majdhub) who does not continue to travel the Path to Allah (by conforming to the Sacred Law).
2.) A traveler on the Path to Allah (Salik) who is not spiritually enraptured.
It is my concern, as you know, that everyone who desires to be with me in my spiritual state should travel my path (by emulating my example) in both word and deed--by obeying the commands and avoiding the prohibitions (of Allah)--both inwardly and outwardly--and thirsting and longing to attain the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger(SAWS). As for the person who is affiliated with us and is doing things which contradict the pure Sacred Law--by engaging in the forbidden or prohibited (Muharamat) and abandoning the commands (Ma’murat)--Allah bears witness and you all bear witness--that I am free and disavowed from such a person! O Allah! I declare myself free of what these people are doing! “And let those who oppose the Messengers commandment beware lest some trial befall them or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.”(24:63); “Repent and turn to Allah all of you, O you who are believers!”(24:31).
As for what I mentioned concerning my (true) disciples being receptacles which are full of the Secrets & Mysteries of the Three Divine Presences (Asrar al-Hadrat al-Thalatha), it is as I have said, but where is my (true) Murid among you? He is more rare than the Philosophers Stone or Red Sulphur (Kibrit al-Ahmar)! If the situation continues as you have described (in your letter to me), I will readily revoke the permission from every Muqaddam who does not act according to his obligations when the prohibited things are done in his presence. If a person is too weak (to stop the bad actions) then let them migrate to Allah and His Messenger and to us! By Allah, these people never stop their moving in Allah (Sayr), until after they become engrossed with created beings! Those who are present with us for great amounts of time will soon forget all about vain desires (Shahawat). Indeed, there are young people here who have forgotten the very taste of vain passions! Among them are those who have even forgotten about their wives and would not even go to them (for sexual pleasure), except by permission and command from us! This is the (spiritual state) of my students and none else.
You must return to Allah with repentance (Tawba), obeying the commands (Imtithal), avoiding the prohibitions (Ijtinab), asceticism (Zuhd), righteousness (Wara’), and learning (Ta’alam). Allah said to the Friend of Friends (Wali al-Awliya), “Say: ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”(20:114). So it is not befitting for a (true) Murid to stop his moving in Allah (Sayr) until he has a personal encounter with me and if I cannot change his spiritual state, then I permit him to go to another Shaykh who has a higher spiritual station than myself. But you should know, may Allah have mercy on you! that many of those who claim ‘Shaykh-hood’ are only blocking mankind from entering the Path of Allah, by the absence of righteousness! Whosoever claims a connection to Allah while being a blockage on His Path has indeed been marked by Allah with war and he has got his place among the people of negative criticism and misery. Only he himself is the cause for that!
It is imperative that you be spend a considerable amount of time in our presence so that you can receive from us the correct Adab of traveling the Path of Allah (Suluk), just as you receive the Realities of Spiritual Rapture (Haqa’iq al-Jadhbu) from us. Whosoever does this has attained to the greatest success! It is also imperative that you correct whatever abominable occurrences which may happen between the brethren, either by your hand, tongue, or heart as it is mentioned in the Hadith. Whosoever desires the maximum benefit (of this advice) must memorize and preserve whatever comes from our discourses, either in poetry or prose. The memorization of this present “Message of Disavowal” is obligatory for every Murid, and everyone who comes across it must copy it and persist in reading it everyday!
You must establish the 5 daily Salat, pay the Zakat, fast the Month of Ramadan, and perform the pilgrimage to Mecca if you are financially able. You must also give Sadaqa from your wealth in seeking the pleasure of Allah, for in the Hadith collection of Imam Muslim, it is narrated on the authority of Abu Malik al-Harith(RA), that the Prophet(SAWS) said, “Purity is half of Faith; saying ‘Al-Hamdu-Lillah’ fills up the Scale; saying ‘Subhan Allah wa’l Hamdu-Lillah’ fills up what is between heaven and earth; Prayer is a light; Patience is a brightness, and the Qur’an is either a proof for you or against you. Every person wakes up each day as the purchaser of his own soul, either enslaving it or setting it free.”
Allah has said--and He is the Most Truthful of Those Who Speak--“Surely, Allah commands justice and excellence, and helping kin and He forbids evil, abomination and oppression.”(16:90). So woe upon woe to those who do not accept the rulings of Allah and His Messenger(SAWS) with a total and complete acceptance (al-Qabul at-Tam), but glad tidings to the one who receives our letter and repents and rectifies what he can--to him is the felicity of both worlds! Allah pardons what has passed. As for him who does not change his ways, Allah and all of you bear witness that I am free of him--and I do not declare my disavowal of anyone until after the disavowal of Allah and His Messenger(SAWS)!
I advise all of you to increase your offering of “Salatul Fatihi Lima Ughliq” (The Opener of what was Closed) and to conceal the ‘secrets & mysteries’ (al-Asrar), by word and deed! I advise all of you to be cautious of speaking openly with the speech of the ‘People of Realities’ (Kalam Ahl al-Haqa’iq), but rather travel on the straight path! These vain desires are only idols (Taghut) which you worship after you claim to have Faith (Iman). Allah, the Most High says, “Whosoever disbelieves in idols and believes in Allah has grasped a most trustworthy handhold that will never break, and Allah is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.”(2:256).
Spread this letter to everyone who is affiliated with us, and let every Muqaddam keep a copy to read to whoever is with them. I have hope in Allah that this letter will reach all of you with a pure heart and attentive ears! May Allah grant us all His Guidance!
Salaam
Ibrahim ibn Al-Hajj Abdullahi al-Tijani
Madina Kaolack (May Allah protect it from every affliction)
1349H/1930
Source: Kitaab Jawaahir ar-Rasaa’il (The Book of Essential Letters
LETTER #3 FROM THE DISCOURSES of Shaykh Al-Islam AlHajj Ibrahim Niasse {Interpreted from the Arabic by Imam Muhammad Abdullahi al-Tijani al-Ibrahimi (USA)}
In the Name of Allah--The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful, The Avenger(Al-Muntaqim), All Powerful(Al-Aziz), The Compeller(Al-Jabbar), The Supreme(Al-Mutakabir). Peace and Blessings be upon the Mess...enger--the Master and the Slave(As-Sayyid Al-Abd)--who said: “O Fatima, daughter of Muhammad! I have nothing which can avail you against Allah!”. This letter should be given to everyone who claims an affiliation with us. Let it be known that:
There are two (kinds of people) who have nothing to do with me or with the Tariqa, if they persist in the following condition and state:
1.) A spiritually enraptured person (Majdhub) who does not continue to travel the Path to Allah (by conforming to the Sacred Law).
2.) A traveler on the Path to Allah (Salik) who is not spiritually enraptured.
It is my concern, as you know, that everyone who desires to be with me in my spiritual state should travel my path (by emulating my example) in both word and deed--by obeying the commands and avoiding the prohibitions (of Allah)--both inwardly and outwardly--and thirsting and longing to attain the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger(SAWS). As for the person who is affiliated with us and is doing things which contradict the pure Sacred Law--by engaging in the forbidden or prohibited (Muharamat) and abandoning the commands (Ma’murat)--Allah bears witness and you all bear witness--that I am free and disavowed from such a person! O Allah! I declare myself free of what these people are doing! “And let those who oppose the Messengers commandment beware lest some trial befall them or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.”(24:63); “Repent and turn to Allah all of you, O you who are believers!”(24:31).
As for what I mentioned concerning my (true) disciples being receptacles which are full of the Secrets & Mysteries of the Three Divine Presences (Asrar al-Hadrat al-Thalatha), it is as I have said, but where is my (true) Murid among you? He is more rare than the Philosophers Stone or Red Sulphur (Kibrit al-Ahmar)! If the situation continues as you have described (in your letter to me), I will readily revoke the permission from every Muqaddam who does not act according to his obligations when the prohibited things are done in his presence. If a person is too weak (to stop the bad actions) then let them migrate to Allah and His Messenger and to us! By Allah, these people never stop their moving in Allah (Sayr), until after they become engrossed with created beings! Those who are present with us for great amounts of time will soon forget all about vain desires (Shahawat). Indeed, there are young people here who have forgotten the very taste of vain passions! Among them are those who have even forgotten about their wives and would not even go to them (for sexual pleasure), except by permission and command from us! This is the (spiritual state) of my students and none else.
You must return to Allah with repentance (Tawba), obeying the commands (Imtithal), avoiding the prohibitions (Ijtinab), asceticism (Zuhd), righteousness (Wara’), and learning (Ta’alam). Allah said to the Friend of Friends (Wali al-Awliya), “Say: ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”(20:114). So it is not befitting for a (true) Murid to stop his moving in Allah (Sayr) until he has a personal encounter with me and if I cannot change his spiritual state, then I permit him to go to another Shaykh who has a higher spiritual station than myself. But you should know, may Allah have mercy on you! that many of those who claim ‘Shaykh-hood’ are only blocking mankind from entering the Path of Allah, by the absence of righteousness! Whosoever claims a connection to Allah while being a blockage on His Path has indeed been marked by Allah with war and he has got his place among the people of negative criticism and misery. Only he himself is the cause for that!
It is imperative that you be spend a considerable amount of time in our presence so that you can receive from us the correct Adab of traveling the Path of Allah (Suluk), just as you receive the Realities of Spiritual Rapture (Haqa’iq al-Jadhbu) from us. Whosoever does this has attained to the greatest success! It is also imperative that you correct whatever abominable occurrences which may happen between the brethren, either by your hand, tongue, or heart as it is mentioned in the Hadith. Whosoever desires the maximum benefit (of this advice) must memorize and preserve whatever comes from our discourses, either in poetry or prose. The memorization of this present “Message of Disavowal” is obligatory for every Murid, and everyone who comes across it must copy it and persist in reading it everyday!
You must establish the 5 daily Salat, pay the Zakat, fast the Month of Ramadan, and perform the pilgrimage to Mecca if you are financially able. You must also give Sadaqa from your wealth in seeking the pleasure of Allah, for in the Hadith collection of Imam Muslim, it is narrated on the authority of Abu Malik al-Harith(RA), that the Prophet(SAWS) said, “Purity is half of Faith; saying ‘Al-Hamdu-Lillah’ fills up the Scale; saying ‘Subhan Allah wa’l Hamdu-Lillah’ fills up what is between heaven and earth; Prayer is a light; Patience is a brightness, and the Qur’an is either a proof for you or against you. Every person wakes up each day as the purchaser of his own soul, either enslaving it or setting it free.”
Allah has said--and He is the Most Truthful of Those Who Speak--“Surely, Allah commands justice and excellence, and helping kin and He forbids evil, abomination and oppression.”(16:90). So woe upon woe to those who do not accept the rulings of Allah and His Messenger(SAWS) with a total and complete acceptance (al-Qabul at-Tam), but glad tidings to the one who receives our letter and repents and rectifies what he can--to him is the felicity of both worlds! Allah pardons what has passed. As for him who does not change his ways, Allah and all of you bear witness that I am free of him--and I do not declare my disavowal of anyone until after the disavowal of Allah and His Messenger(SAWS)!
I advise all of you to increase your offering of “Salatul Fatihi Lima Ughliq” (The Opener of what was Closed) and to conceal the ‘secrets & mysteries’ (al-Asrar), by word and deed! I advise all of you to be cautious of speaking openly with the speech of the ‘People of Realities’ (Kalam Ahl al-Haqa’iq), but rather travel on the straight path! These vain desires are only idols (Taghut) which you worship after you claim to have Faith (Iman). Allah, the Most High says, “Whosoever disbelieves in idols and believes in Allah has grasped a most trustworthy handhold that will never break, and Allah is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.”(2:256).
Spread this letter to everyone who is affiliated with us, and let every Muqaddam keep a copy to read to whoever is with them. I have hope in Allah that this letter will reach all of you with a pure heart and attentive ears! May Allah grant us all His Guidance!
Salaam
Ibrahim ibn Al-Hajj Abdullahi al-Tijani
Madina Kaolack (May Allah protect it from every affliction)
1349H/1930
Source: Kitaab Jawaahir ar-Rasaa’il (The Book of Essential Letters
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