Biography of Sayyid Jama'at Ali Shah (r.a)1841-1951 Part 10

"Assuredly in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility" Quran.13:28

Biography of Sayyid Jama'at Ali Shah (r.a)1841-1951 Part 10
Sirat Amir e Millat


Hazrat Sayyid Jama'at Ali Shah (r.a)'s Tasawwuf (Sufism)

Following the reality of shari'a (Haqiqat e Shariat) with heart at peace (Itminan e Qalb) is real Tasawwuf (Sufism).In Hadith Qudsi it is stated "My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him." Hazrat Amir e Millat (r.a) acted upon this Hadith.He emphasized the importance of rights of Allah (Haquq Allah) and rights of people (Haquq an-Nas).Renunciation of this world (Tark e Dunya) was not the part of his tasawwuf.He used to eat healthy food,wear clean clothes and participated in worldly affairs according to the guidelines of shari'a.He himself followed the shari'a and Sunna and also emphasized its compliance to his disciples (Yaran e Tariqat).When you follow the shari'a with heart at peace,the Attributes of Allah Taala reflect on your heart and you achieve very high spiritual stations.This is reality of tasawwuf (sufism) and this is the Uswa e Hasana (Excellent Prophetic Example).
Hazrat Sayyid Jama'at Ali Shah (r.a) revived the traditional shari'a focused tasawwuf. He belonged to Naqshbandiyya Mujaddadiyya Sufi Order.Imam Rabbani Mujaddad Alif Sani (r.a) emphasized the following of Shariah (taqlid e shariat) and Sunnah (Iteba'a e sunnat).This was also the way of Hazrat Amir e Millat (r.a).Performing religious duties according to sunna of the beloved Prophet (saws) is the spirit (ruh) of tasawwuf. Essence of his education was to practice dhikr,perform tahajjud regularly,recite darood sharif,perform prayers,practice fasting and other obligations and sunnas,take care of rights of people, follow the Prophet (saws) in manners (ikhlaq),actions (amal ) and habits (adat)and avoiding prohibited & unlawful completely.He used give easy wazaif to his disciples.
Disciplining the selfish self (nafs e ammara) is very difficult task and a great struggle (Jihad e Akbar).It was a great spiritual accomplishment to take care of people and worldly affairs and keep your heart busy with remembrance of God and feel His presence all the time.He used to say "Dil ba yar,dast ba kar " "Heart with God and hand with work".He guided thousands to straight path (sirat e mustaqeem ),made them Zakir (busy with remembrance of God) and helped them achieve the station of Nafs e Mutme'inna (Contented Self ).
He followed Naqshbandi Sufi Way (Naqshbandi Tasawwuf) strictly which is based on Quran & Sunna.There are five pillars of Tariqa (Sufi Way): 1. Dhikr ( Remembrance of God) 2. Fikr (Reflection) 3.Muraqba (Contemplation) 4. Muhasba (Reckoning,Self-Assessment) 5. Rabita (Contact & Connection).Hazrat Bahauddin Naqshband (r.a) said "Tariqa e ma az nowadir ast.wa urwa ti alwuthqa ast.ma ra fazal awurda und-----" "Our Way is very rare and very precious. It is the urwati-l-wuthqa ("Firm Handhold"), the way of keeping firm and steadfast in the footsteps of the Prophet (saws) and of his Companions . They brought me to this Way from the door of Favors, because at its beginning and at its end, I witnessed nothing but the Favors of God. In this Way great doors of Heavenly Knowledge will be opened up to the seeker who follows in the footsteps of the Prophet (saws)."
Hazrat Amir e Millat ( r.a )was a living example and role model of this tariqa in 19th and 20th centuries.