Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat
Barakaatuhum)
Diamonds
are known to be an extremely prized commodity; something which is sought-after.
They are treasured for their rarity and beauty.
In its
original form, a diamond is a rough stone and has to undergo a demanding
process to create the sparkling diamond, which will then be made available for
an exclusive market.
Diamonds
are explained as crystals of pure carbon that are formed under intense heat and
very high pressure, deep in the earth’s mantle. They are also known as one of
the hardest minerals.
Whilst carbon is
a very abundant element, not all of it becomes diamonds. Similarly, there are billions
of human beings but not all become "diamonds".
However, every person has the potential to become a spiritual diamond - if the
effort is made.
Just as a diamond is formed deep in the earth, a diamond amongst people is
generally formed in the safety and fortification of the Suhbat of the Ahlullah.
...The
Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu 'anhum) had become bright, brilliant, glittering
stars by virtue of the Suhbat of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam).
They have been described as stars, which offer guidance. Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) said: “My Companions are like the stars,
whichever of them you follow you will be rightly guided”
In this
path of Sulook, there are many unique diamonds. They are different
individuals, from different walks of life, who become the friends of Allah
Ta’ala. In the making of the human ‘diamond’, there is also the heat and
pressure of different tests and sacrifices, which brings to the surface the
true value and worth of a person.
As a
diamond undergoes an intense degree of Mujahadah (Striving), so too
does the one who seeks to become a diamond in the Court of Allah
Ta’ala! The tests of life and the efforts and striving for the cause and
pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, are factors which contribute to the making of the
spiritual diamond.
Through these tests, struggles and sacrifices, the spiritual
diamonds amongst mankind are created.
Allah
Ta’ala mentions in Surah Al-Mulk
“[He] who
created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and
He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.”
[Surah
Al-Mulk 67 : 2]
And in
Surah Al-Baqarah:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ
بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوْعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ
وَالثَّمَرٰتِ قلے
وَبَشِّرِ
الصّٰبِرِينَ ۙ الَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُّصِيْبَةٌ
لا
قَالُوْآ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ
رٰجِعُونَ ◌
أُولٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوٰتٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ
وَرَحْمَةٌ صلے
وَأُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ ◌
“We will
definitely test you with some fear, some hunger and some loss in your wealth,
in your health and in the fruits. Give glad-tidings to those who patiently
persevere. And when any trial reaches them, they say: ‘Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji-oon (from Allah we have
come and to Him is our return).” They are those on whom are the
benefactions of their Lord, and receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the
guided ones.”
[Surah
Al-Baqarah 2 : 155/156/157]
In his
quest to become a spiritual diamond, the Saalik strives against his nafs and
shaytaan; and continuously renders the sacrifices of the evil desires of his
nafs. He chooses Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure before his own pleasure. No matter
what the demand, no matter what the temptation and no matter what great pressure
he has to contend with, he remains firm and steadfast in his obedience to Allah
Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
Like carbon
becomes a diamond and a very hard mineral under very high pressure, the Saalik becomes a spiritual diamond with his abstinence from sins, and becomes strong, firm and solid in his Imaan in Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam).
When
diamonds are discovered, they are not left in their raw form. There are
special techniques adopted to cut and shape a diamond before it is embedded in
a ring, in earrings, in a bracelet or in a necklace. Diamond cutters use
different techniques:
1.) Cleaving
or sawing – is a technique where the diamond cutter cuts a diamond
down to an appropriate size.
2.) Cutting –
is the technique adopted to give the diamond its shape.
3.) Polishing –
is the final technique to give the diamond its finished look.
These
diamond cutters bring life to rough diamonds and transform them into brilliant,
glittering gems. When they are placed on the market, then as we know, they are
sold at a high price – depending on their carat, cut, colour and clarity. As
such, not everyone can purchase diamonds.
Similarly,
when the rough diamonds of mankind are placed in the Suhbat of the
Sheikh-e-Kaamil, then like the diamond cutter, the Sheikh-e-Kaamil makes an
effort on the Mureed and adopts different techniques to mould him into a true
human being and a sincere Aashiq of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam).
Sometimes,
in the efforts made by the Saalik, in his obedience to Allah Ta’ala and in
undertaking good deeds, the Saalik suffers the malady of Ujub (vanity /
conceit), Takabbur (pride) or some form of Hubbe Jah or Hubbe Bah. So the
Sheikh also uses the technique of ‘cleaving’ and brings the Saalik down to size
– down to Abdiyyah (servitude to Allah Ta’ala), whereby the Saalik annihilates his
nafs and recognises that he is a slave and servant of Allah Ta’ala.
This
Abdiyyah and Fana’iyyah are achieved most easily when there is a spiritual
diamond cutter doing the work – that is, the Sheikh-e-Kaamil. On its own, a
diamond cannot cut itself or do anything to improve itself. If a diamond does
not entrust itself – so to say - to a diamond cutter, it will remain a rough,
course diamond. It would not have become the brilliant Kohi-Noor or the Great
Star of Africa.
The
Sheikh also adopts the technique of giving the Saalik, a beautiful ‘shape’ and
form – by guiding him and correcting him in his Aqaa'id (beliefs), in his Ibaadaat (worship), in his character and
in his dealings with the creation. The “polishing” of the Mureed is the effort
of Zikrullah and the effort of Ikhlaas whereby the Saalik shines brightly in
his Love for Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
Indeed, that person who connects with this
perfect Dien and with the beautiful Sunnah becomes the envy of diamonds.
…Diamonds fade when compared to the brilliant light, splendid shine, beauty and
value of the one who sacrifices himself for Dien and sacrifices himself upon
the Sunnah.
What is
the Kohi Noor next to the heart of a Mu’min? Nothing!
The buyer
for the spiritual diamond is none other than Allah Ta’ala – who then houses His
diamond in the everlasting home of Jannah! Allah Ta’ala says:
إِنَّ اللّٰهَ اشْتَرٰﮮ
مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ ط
“Allah has purchased from the Believers their
lives and their properties; [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise…”
[Surah At-Taubah 9 : 111]
Whilst the
buyers of worldly diamonds consider the carat, cut, colour and clarity,
Allah Ta’ala considers the sincerity of our hearts and deeds.
Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Verily Allah does not look towards your physical appearances, or
towards your riches; but He sees (the sincerity of) your hearts, and (the
nature of) your deeds.”[1]
Diamonds
are after all stones that have some material value attached to them. Even if a
person possesses these diamonds, it is only for the duration of his earthly
life. They will be left behind when the person is placed in his grave. They may
even be lost to him in his lifetime.
…On
the other hand, a diamond amongst mankind appreciates and increases in value –
even after his death! His value increases with his Ibaadaat, with his Khidmat
of Dien, with his efforts to benefit the creation in various ways, and in
other good deeds – and his value increases after death, by virtue of the
Sadaqah-e-Jaariyah he leaves behind.
Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “When a man dies, his acts come
to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people)
benefit, or a pious child, who prays for him (for the deceased)”.[2]
An Aashiq
of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) becomes a unique
diamond by virtue of the qualities in his heart, which he carries with him
wherever he goes and which accompany him to his grave and are a source of
tremendous spiritual profit in both worlds.
Our
Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'Alayh) had
said that on one occasion, Shah Waliullah (Rahmatullahi 'Alayh) addressed the
Moghul Emporers, saying: “Waliullah has a heart that is adorned with
the gems and pearls of the Love of Allah Ta’ala. When you die, you will be
beneath the ground, covered in a few sheets, while your wealth and treasure, your power and position will be left behind, above the ground.”
Every
person has the ability to become a spiritual diamond. However, it is with the
skilled work of the spiritual diamond cutter (the Sheikh-e-Kaamil), that the
person acquires spiritual shape, beauty and shine. So we should hand ourselves
over to a Sheikh who is Kaamil – and allow him to cleave, saw, cut and polish –
that is, allow him to make our Islaah.
…Of
course, we should be very wary of those who are fraudulent and bogus peers.
May Allah
Ta’ala grant us the understanding and Taufeeq of Amal and bless us all with the
Suhbat of such a Sheikh who will mould us to be diamonds that will fetch a high
price in the Court of Allah Ta’ala!
[1] Sahih Muslim
[2] Sahih
Muslim
