Bismillah
Hir Rahman Nir Raheem. Allahumma Salle 'Ala Syedina Muhammadin
Wa 'Ala Aalihi Syedina Muhammadin Wa Barik Wa Sallim.
'Ala Inna Auliya Allahu La-Qaufum Alaiheem Walahum Yazanoon.
Abul
Qaasim Hazrat Sheikh Junaid-e-Baghdadi (Radi Allahu anhu)
HIS POSITION
IN THE SILSILA : Sheikh alal Itlaaq, Qultbul Istihqaaq,
Mamba-e-Israar, Sultan-e-Tariqat, Sayyidut Taaifa, Hazrat Sheikh
Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) is the eleventh Imam and
Sheikh of the Silsila Aaliyah Qaaderiyah Barakaatiyah Razviyah
Nooriyah.
BIRTH
: He was born around the year 218 Hijri in Baghdad Shareef.
NAME
: His name is Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu). He was known
as Abul Qaasim and he was blessed with titles such as, Sayyidut
Taaifa, Ta?oosul Ulama, Qawareeri, Zuj?jaan and Lisaanul Qaum.
HIS CHILDHOOD
: When he was seven years old, he went to Haramain Sharifain
in the company of Hazrat Sirri Saqti (radi Allaho anhu). When
they reached the Haram Shareef, four hundred Ulama were seated
there, discussing the topic of Shukr (Gratefulness). All of
the Ulama presented their views during this sitting. Hazrat
Sirri Saqti (radi Allaho anhu) then turned to Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
(radi Allaho anhu) and said, "O Junaid! You too should
say something." He lowered his sight for a few moments,
and then said, "Shukr (gratefulness) is this, that you
should not be disobedient through whatever bounties Allah has
blessed you with, and you should not use it as a means of disobedience
and causing distress." On hearing this, all the Ulama said
together, "O Coolness of our Eyes. Whatever you have said,
is the truth and you are honest in your words, and we cannot
say better than what you have said." Hazrat Sirri Saqti
(radi Allaho anhu) said, "O My Dear Son! From where did
you learn such exemplary words?" Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
(radi Allaho anhu) said,"This is through the blessing of
your esteem companionship." [Masaalikus Saalikeen]
HIS SHEIKH-E-TARIQAT
: He is the mureed and Khalifa of Hazrat Sirri Saqti (radi Allaho
anhu).
HIS EXCELLENCE
: He was a great Aalim Mufti. He was ahead of all in wisdom
and eloquence. From the beginning, right up to the end of his
life, he was loved by all. Everyone was pleased with him as
the leader. There is no person that can point even a finger
at the Maqaam of Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu).
The only people who could not see the station of Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
(radi Allaho anhu) were those who were blind in faith.? He was
known as the voice of the people, but he always called himself
Abdul Masha?ikh (the servant of the Masters). Many of the Ulama
also called him Sultanul Muhaqiqeen. He had reached very high
levels in Shariat and Tariqat. Many great Sheikhs followed his
silsila. He was the greatest Sheikh of his era. He spent time
in the khidmat of Hazrat Muhaasibi (radi Allaho anhu). Once
someone asked Hazrat Sirri Saqti (radi Allaho anhu) if the Mureed
can be more famous than the Peer and Hazrat Sirri Saqti (radi
Allaho anhu) said, "Yes, it is possible. The perfect example
is right before you. I am the Peer of Junaid-e-Baghdadi, but
he is more exalted than me."
HIS CHARACTER
AND HABITS: Even though Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho
anhu) was such a great Wali, he was very humble. He always showed
great respect to others, even to those who were not as exalted
as him. Once he said to his mureeds, "If only I knew that
it was better to read two rakaats of nafil than being with you,
then I would have not sat amongst you." He kept fast for
most of his life.
BUSINESS
: Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) initially did business,
and used to sell mirrors. His manner was, that he used to enter
his shop, and then read four hundred rakaats of nafil salaah.
This, he continue for many years. He then left his shop, and
then sat in the khidmat of his Peer-o-Murshid. He took a room
in the house of his Peer and then spent his time their cleansing
his heart. When he used to enter the state of Muraqiba, he would
remove the musalla from under him as he did not wish to concentrate
on anything. He only engrossed himself in the love of Allah
and His Rasool (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam).? He spent forty
years in Muraqiba (spiritual ecstasy). For thirty years, he
stood after Esha until Fajr and make Zikrullah. He used to make
his Fajr Salaah with the wudhu of Esha. He says, "For twenty
years, I did not miss the Takbeer-e-Oola (First Takbeer of Namaaz
in Jamaat), and if the thought of any worldly thing during Namaaz,
then I would repeat my Salaah, and if? I thought of Jannat or
the Hereafter in my Salaah, then I used to make Sajdah-e-Sahw."
HIS EXCELLENCE
IN THE COURT OF THE PROPHET (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam): One
Buzroog narrates, that he dreamt of the Prophet (Sall Allaho
alaihi wasallam) and Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu)
was also seated in the Mehfil of the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi
wasallam). He then saw that a person came and presented a query
to the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) and the Prophet
(Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) said, "Hand it over to Junaid.
He will write the answer." The person then said, "Ya
Rasoolallah (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) May my parents be
sacrificed at your feet. How can it be given to Junaid in your
presence?" The Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) said,
?Just as the Prophets are proud of their entire Ummah, I am
proud of Junaid.? [Khazinatul Asfiyah vol.1 pg.86]
Once a Sayyid
who lived in Jilan, left home with the intention of Hajj. On
his journey, he passed through Baghdad Shareef. He thus presented
himself in the Darbaar of Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho
anhu). Hazrat asked him where he had come from. He said that
he was from Jilan, and was a descendant of Hazrat Ali (radi
Allaho anhu). Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) then
said, "Your forefather Hazrat Ali (radi Allaho anhu) used
to draw two swords. One against the kufaar and Mushrikeen, and
the other against his nafs. Which sword do you draw?" When
the man heard this, he went into a spiritual state and began
to roll on the ground. He then said, "This is my Hajj.
Put me on to the path of Allah." Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
(radi Allaho anhu) said, "Your heart, is the special Haram
of Allah, thus you should try to the best of your ability no
to allow any non-mahram to enter it." [Kashfuk Mahjoob
pg.119]
HIS LECTURES:
Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) spent his entire
life, serving the Deen of Allah and His Beloved Rasool (Sall
Allaho alaihi wasallam). Once his Peer-o- Murshid, Hazrat Sirri
Saqti (radi Allaho anhu) asked him to deliver a lecture, and
he said that he did not find it ethical to lecture in the presence
of his Peer. One night, he dreamt of the Holy Prophet (Sall
Allaho alaihi wasallam). Rasoolullah (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam)
commanded him to lecture. When morning came, he went to his
Peer and found that his Peer was already awaiting his presence.
As he entered the Khanqah, his Peer said, "W e have all
been asking you to lecture. Now the Beloved Rasool (Sall Allaho
alaihi wasallam) has given you the command to speak." He
asked his Peer how he had known of his dream, and he said, "Last
night I made Deedar of Allah Subhaanahu Ta'aala and I heard
a voice which said that the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam)
had already commanded Junaid to lecture." He agreed to
lecture on condition, that there were not more than forty people
in his lectures. It as agreed and he delivered his first lecture.
During his first lecture, eighteen people passed away. He then
stopped his lecture and went back home. [Kashful Mahjoob pg
201]
A SINCERE MUREED : Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (radi Allaho
anhu) had various mureeds, but there was one particular mureed,
towards whom he paid special attention. A few disciples were
not pleased with this and asked him why he gave preference to
the mureed over others. Hazrat said that he is the most intelligent
and wise amongst all of them, and it was for this reason that
he gave preference to him. Hazrat then said, "Let me prove
this to you." He gave a chicken and a knife to each mureed,
and asked them to sacrifice it where none would be able to see
them. Each of the mureeds found a very quite and secluded area,
and sacrificed the chicken. This one mureed, came back without
slaughtering the chicken. Hazrat asked why he did not slaughter
the chicken, and he said, "Huzoor! Where ever I went, I
found the Qudrat of Allah present there, and I knew that He
is All Seeing. It is for this reason that I had no option but
to return without success." Hazrat then said, "Now,
did you hear his answer. This is the reason due to which he
is so dear to me."
HIS TRUST
IN Allah: Once a man presented him with five hundred Ashrafis
(coins). Hazrat asked if he had any other wealth with the exception
of the five hundred Ashrafis. The man replied that he did. Hazrat
said, "Will you ever need any more money in the future?"
He said, "Why not Huzoor. There is always a need for money."
Hazrat said, "Then you should keep these Ashrafis for yourself,
for you are more needy than I am, since I have nothing, and
still, I have no need for anything more. Even though you have
wealth, you are still in need of more. I would really appreciate
it if you would please take back this money, as I do not take
from those who are in need themselves and I believe that My
Lord alone is the Ghani and the rest of the world are faqeers."
HIS KARAAMATS
: Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) says, "The
greatest Karaamat is to remain firm on the Shariat-e-Mustafa
(Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam)." There is no doubt, that
Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) was very firm on
the Shariah, and his every action was the reflection of the
Sunnah of the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam).
HAZRAT
BEING AWARE OF HIS MUREEDS CONDITION : There was a mureed
of Hazrat who used to live in Basra. He once intended to commit
a sin. The moment this thought entered his heart, his entire
face turned black. When he looked into the mirror, he was amazed
to see his condition. He was very ashamed and stayed in doors.
After three days, the blackness disappeared and his face returned
to its original colour. On the same day, a person delivered
a letter to him, which was from His Peer-o-Murshid, Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
(radi Allaho anhu).? When he opened the letter, he found the
following written inside, "Keep your heart in control,
and remain respectfully as a servant (of Allah). For three days
and three nights, I had do to the job of a laundryman, so that
I may wash away the blackness of your face." [Masaalikus
Saalikeen]
A FIRE
WORSHIPPER: Once a Majoosi (fire worshipper) put on a Zanaar
(a so-called sacred thread worn by fire worshippers), and then
disguised himself as a Muslim, but putting on the arabian garb.
He then presented himself before Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi
Allaho anhu) and said, "I have come to ask the meaning
of a Hadith Shareef, which says, "Itaqu bi firaasatil Mo'min
Fa In?nahu yanzuroo bi Nooril'laahi" (Fear of the sight
of a true believer, for he sees with the Noori of Allah). "Could
you explain the meaning of this Hadith?" Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
(radi Allaho anhu) heard his questioned and smiled. He said,
"It means that you should break your zanaar, leave kufr
and accept Islam." When he heard Hazrat?s reply, he was
astonished, and immediately recited the Kalima Shareef and accepted
Islam. [Tazkiratul Awliyah pg.233]
PROTECTION
FROM SHAITAAN : Once, there was a mureed of Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
(radi Allaho anhu), who felt that he had perfected himself (become
Kaamil). He thus, began to live in total seclusion. At night,
he used to dream an Angel, which used to present a camel for
him. He used to then sit on the camel, and the Angel would take
him on a journey of Jannat. He used to enter a place that was
very beautiful. He used to partake in delicious food and drinks,
and he saw the most handsome people there. After a while, he
would return to his home. He reached such a state, that he began
to tell people, "I am amongst those who visits Jannah daily."
The is message reached Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho
anhu). Hazrat then went to visit him, and found him sitting
with great pomp and splendour. Hazrat asked him about his claims,
and he explained everything in detail. Hazrat said, "Tonight,
when you reach this place, you must read Laa Howla wa Laa Quwwata
il?la Bil?laahil Aliyil Azeem" That night, when he had
the dream and he reached the so-called Jannat, he read as Hazrat
instructed him to. The moment he read this, all those in his
dream began to shriek and flee from him. He then sees that he
is on a horse, and there are skeletons in front of him. On seeing
this, be became afraid, and realised his mistake. All that he
was seeing was just an illusion of Shaitaan. He immediately
rushed to Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) and repented
for his behaviour. He also learnt, that for mureed to be by
himself is like taking poison.
HIS JALAAL
: Due to his piety and knowledge, Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi
Allaho anhu) became very famous in Iraq. There were however
those, who were jealous of his fame. They continuously made
accusations against him, and also complained against him to
the Khalifa. The Khalifa said that they could not do anything
to him as long as there was no evidence against him. The Khalifa
then said that he had a purchased a very beautiful slave girl,
whose beauty outshone all the women of the city. He thus commanded
that she be dressed in the most beautiful clothes and adorned
with precious pearls and diamonds.
Once she
had been dressed, he called her and said, "I want you to
go to where Junaid is and remove your veil from over your face
and tell him that you want to be his, and that you have become
weary of the world. All that you want is to live with him, and
for him to help you to gain closeness to Allah." The Khalifa
then appointed a servant to go with her, so that he may be witness
to whatever may transpire. The woman presented herself before
Hazrat and removed her veil, saying what the Khalifa had commanded.
Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi
(radi Allaho anhu) looked up at her once and said something.
The woman, could not bear the sight of the Jalaal of Hazrat
Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) and fell to the ground
and passed away. When this message reached the Khalifa, he was
very sad. He said, "Some people say things about the Masha?ikh
which they should not say. The Sheikh has reached a level that
he is able to see that where our sights can not venture."
[Shajratul Kaamileen pg.153/154]
GEMS
OF WISDOM : Some of his beautiful and wise sayings are being
presented, so that we may read and make amal upon them.
*A Sufi
is like the earth, that all the dirt is thrown onto him and
yet it blossoms into a green pasture. *A Sufi is one, whose
heart is like Hazrat Ibrahim (alahis salaam), that it is free
from the love of the world and one which is always ready to
obey the commands of Allah, his acceptance should be like that
of Hazrat Ismaeel (alahis salaam), his sadness should be like
that of Hazrat Dawood (alahis salaam), His patience like that
of Hazrat Ayoob (alahis salaam), his eagerness should be like
that of Hazrat Moosa (alahis salaam) and in Dua, his sincerity
should be like that of The Beloved Rasool (Sall Allaho alaihi
wasallam). *Tasawwuf is that which kills you and lives by itself.
The most powerful relationship, is that of the servant to his
Creator, when he tries to understand the secrets of Tauheed,
and all roads are sealed to the creation, except the road of
the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam). * Do not follow him,
who follows the Quran and leaves the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi
wasallam).
HIS KHULAFA
: Some of his most respected Khulafa are : Hazrat Abu Bakr Shibli,
Hazrat Mansoor Abraar, Hazrat Shah Muhammad bin Aswad Dinoori
and Hazrat Shah Ismaeel Al Aziz (ridwaanullahi ta aala alaihim
ajmaeen).
WISAAL :
When Hazrat became aware of his passing away, he asked for those
present to assist him in wudhu, which they did. They had forgotten
to make khilaal of his beard, so he reminded them of this. He
then went into Sajdah, and began to weep. "O our Peer!
You have sent before you so many good deeds and heaps of obedience.
What is the purpose for this Sajdah?" He said, "Junaid
has never been in so much need as he is now." He then began
to recite the Quran, so one mureed said, "Hazrat! Are you
reciting Quran Shareef ?" Hazrat said, "What better
time is there than now, when my book of deeds will soon be close.
I am seeing my deeds before me, hanging in the air by a thin
thread as it sways from the wind blowing against it. I am not
sure if this wind is one of union, or one of absolution. On
one hand, I am seeing the Angel of death, and on the other hand,
I am seeing the Pul Siraat. There is the Most Supreme Judge,
and the path is there. I am not sure of which path I will pass
through." After saying this, he completed the recitation
of the Quran. He then read seventy verses of Surah Baqarah.
Those present asked him to chant the words "Allah, Allah"
He said, "Why I you reminding me. I have not forgotten."
He then began reading the tasbeeh on all his fingers. When he
reached the Shahaadat finger (index finger), he lifed his finger
and said, "Bismil laah hir Rahman nir Raheem" He then
closed his eyes, and the soul left his body, allowing him to
travel from this mundane world into the Glorious hereafter.
After his
wisaal, he was given ghusl. Those giving ghusl wished to put
water on his eyes, when they heard an unseen voice saying, "Do
not touch the eyes of my beloved, since those eyes that have
closed in my remembrance, shall not open before they see me."
They then tried to open his fingers, and the voice said, "Those
fingers that have been closed in my name, shall only open on
my command." [Masaalikus Saalikeen vol.1 pg 308].
Hazrat
Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu) passed from this world,
on a Friday, the 27th of Rajab, 297 or 298 Hijri.
MAZAAR
SHAREEF : His Mazaar Shareef is in a place called Shaunizia,
which is in Baghdad Shareef. Once someone asked Hazrat Abu Bakr
Shibli (radi Allaho anhu) a masla (religious query) whilst he
was at the Mazaar of Hazrat Junaid-e-Baghdadi (radi Allaho anhu).
He said, AI feel ashamed to answer in front of the Mazaar of
Hazrat as I felt ashamed to answer in his presence, for I still
feel that his sight is upon me.
AFTER
HIS WISAAL : After his wisaal, a pious person dreamt of
him and asked about the questions of the Angels Munkar and Nakeer.
He said, "The Angels came to me and asked who is my Lord,
and I smiled and said, ?My Lord is He, Who took the pledge from
me on the first day, thus what need is there for me to answer
to the servants, after I have already answered tot he King.
They Angels then left me and said, 'He is still drowned in love
and is resting in the same love.'?
Hazrat
Junaid Baghdadi (R.A)says that Sufism is founded on eight qualities,
generosity, acquiescence, patience, symbolism, traveling (strange
hood), woolen dress, pilgrimage hood and faqr (poverty).
- the generosity of Abraham (may blessings of Allah be on him),
who offered his son for sacrifice;
-
the acquiescence of Ishaq (may blessings of Allah be on him),
who submitted to the command of Allah to give up his life;
-
the patience of Ayub (may blessings of Allah be on him), who
patiently endured the affliction of worms and the jealousy of
the Merciful;
-
the symbolism of Zakarriya (may blessings of Allah be on him),
to whom Allah said,thou shalt speak to no man for three days
but with signal.?(Q 3:41) and again to the same effect, Behold!
He cried to his Lord in secret.?(Q 19:3):
-
the traveling (strange hood) of Yahya (may blessings of Allah
be on him), who was a stranger in his own country and an alien
to his own kin;
-
the wearing of wool by Moses (may blessings of Allah be on him),
who wore woolen garment throughout;
-
the pilgrimage hood of Jesus (may blessings of Allah be on him),
who was so detached therein from worldly things that he kept
only a cup and a comb. He threw away his cup when he saw a man
drinking water through use of palms of his hands, and the comb
likewise when he saw another man using his fingers to dress
his hair;
-
the poverty of Muhammad (peace be upon him), to whom Allah Almighty
had given the keys of all the worldly treasures saying: "Lay
no trouble on you, but procure every luxury by means of these
treasures;?and he answered: "LLord, I desire them not,
keep me one day full-fed and one day hungery.?
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