Aside from outlining the shaykh’s requisite spiritual abilities, Shaykh Ibrahim also detailed more specific behavior to which spiritual guides were meant to adhere. Most obviously, the guide must first precede the disciple in following guidance. Moreover, the guide should never see himself as the source of spiritual guidance, but must stay closely connected to his own guide. In one letter to a group of authorized spiritual instructors (muqaddamun), Shaykh Ibrahim wrote:
"I advise the instructors (muqaddamin) connected with us, with loving and kindly counsel, advice for the sake of God and by God, that they should all proceed in consistent earnestness with the guidance and advice of the brethren, in the religion and the spiritual path. In all cases, this can only be done after they follow (such guidance) themselves, for they can only command something after they have preceeded others in doing it; and they can only restrain others from doing something after they have restrained themselves. Let them not be lazy in appointing an arbitrator between themselves in everything of significance. There is nothing more harmful to the common folk than the faults of the elders, may God overlook our faults and theirs. And let them [the Muqaddam] not break the connection between themselves and their exemplar [Shaykh], for in so doing they will also cut off their own spiritual assistance as well as that of their followers."
In the same letter, the Shaykh went on to list a series of strenuous obligations for such instructors [muqaddams]. They must recite twelve thousand times the prayer Salat al-Fatihi in one twenty-four hour period, perform at least fifty cycles (rak’a) of supererogatory prayer, attend the congregational prayer five times a day, and lead the congregational remembrance (wazifa) in the place of prayer (zawiya) “even if alone.” They must give charity every day, even if only a loaf of bread. They must give respect to the descendants (shurufa’) of the Prophet Muhammad, all the saints (awliya’), the scholars (‘ulama’), and the students of Islamic knowledge (‘ilm). He also warned them against dividing against each other: “You must cooperate in your goals by the covenant of [abiding to your] word. Surely in coming together is mercy, and in division is punishment.”
Being a spiritual guide thus requires an exemplary work ethic and model social conduct as well as a special relationship with God.
Source: Jawaahir al-Rasaail, p. 34
Excerpts from the book: Living Knowledge in West African Islam
Author: Ustadz Zachary Wright
"I advise the instructors (muqaddamin) connected with us, with loving and kindly counsel, advice for the sake of God and by God, that they should all proceed in consistent earnestness with the guidance and advice of the brethren, in the religion and the spiritual path. In all cases, this can only be done after they follow (such guidance) themselves, for they can only command something after they have preceeded others in doing it; and they can only restrain others from doing something after they have restrained themselves. Let them not be lazy in appointing an arbitrator between themselves in everything of significance. There is nothing more harmful to the common folk than the faults of the elders, may God overlook our faults and theirs. And let them [the Muqaddam] not break the connection between themselves and their exemplar [Shaykh], for in so doing they will also cut off their own spiritual assistance as well as that of their followers."
In the same letter, the Shaykh went on to list a series of strenuous obligations for such instructors [muqaddams]. They must recite twelve thousand times the prayer Salat al-Fatihi in one twenty-four hour period, perform at least fifty cycles (rak’a) of supererogatory prayer, attend the congregational prayer five times a day, and lead the congregational remembrance (wazifa) in the place of prayer (zawiya) “even if alone.” They must give charity every day, even if only a loaf of bread. They must give respect to the descendants (shurufa’) of the Prophet Muhammad, all the saints (awliya’), the scholars (‘ulama’), and the students of Islamic knowledge (‘ilm). He also warned them against dividing against each other: “You must cooperate in your goals by the covenant of [abiding to your] word. Surely in coming together is mercy, and in division is punishment.”
Being a spiritual guide thus requires an exemplary work ethic and model social conduct as well as a special relationship with God.
Source: Jawaahir al-Rasaail, p. 34
Excerpts from the book: Living Knowledge in West African Islam
Author: Ustadz Zachary Wright
No comments:
Post a Comment