The Counsel Of Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki

translation by: Shaykh Shazad Khan, As-Suffa Institute

You, the traveller, should firstly adopt the tenets of faith of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jam’ah.

You should learn sacred law so that you can fulfill your obligation to your Lord and other human beings.

You should follow the Qurān and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad [Allah bless you and give you peace] and his Companions [Allah be well pleased with them].

You should abandon blameworthy traits. They are, greed [ḥirṣ], fallacious hope [ṭūl al-amal], anger [ghaḍab], lying [kidhb], backbiting [ghībah], stinginess [bukhl], envy [ḥasad], ostentation [riyā], pride [kibr] and rancour [ḥiqd].

You should adopt the praiseworthy traits. They are, patience [ṣabr], gratitude [shukr], contentment [qanā‘ah], knowledge [‘ilm], certitude [yaqīn], entrustment to Allah [tafwīḍ], reliance on Allah [tawakkul], satisfaction with Allah’s decree [riḍā] and accepting fate [taslīm].

You should be steadfast in following the Sharī‘ah and abstain from all unlawfulness [harām].

You should adopt taqwā and abstinence.

You should adopt the sunnah at all times and avoid all prohibited and doubtful items.

If you sin, you should repent immediately, and should compensate the action with good works and penitence. Never should you delay repentance.

You should perform all five daily prayers with congregation.

After performing the fard, wájib, sunnah and nafl works, you should occupy yourself with what the shaykh has prescribed.

You should not hanker after excess in litanies but rather concentrate on occupying the heart with Allah’s remembrance and love.

When you feel pleasure in His remembrance you should be grateful.

All works should be done solely for divine pleasure.

You should not seek inspiration [kashf] or miracles [karámat].

When you experience expansion [basṭ] you should adopt gratitude and be mindful of the boundaries of divine law.

When you experience constriction [qabḍ] you should not despair but continue in ardour.

You should consider yourself below your works, and regard yourself as blameworthy in their performance.

You should not disclose the secrets of the esoteric sciences to the unacquainted.

You should not disclose your own experiences to anyone other than your Shaykh.

You should shun the world and all that it contains; otherwise a thousand years of spiritual works will be of no avail.

The heart is a mirror; so protect it from the gleam of other than Him.

You should constantly seek refuge from the love of prestige and leadership, as it is deception.

Time is a blessing; use it wisely and do not waste it in forgetfulness, as lost time cannot be compensated.

You should chivalrously persevere on the path, and detach yourself from the changing of worldly matters.

Flee from innovators and unorthodox Sufis, even if they perform supernatural acts.

Intermingle with fellow human beings according to necessity and with good character and humbleness.

Adopt humility as your necessary character and object to no one.

Adopt tenderness in your speech and befriend silence and solitude.

Persevere in your works wholeheartedly.

Do not let disturbance enter your heart and assign all actions to Allah alone.

Guard your heart vigorously from the threat of the other.

Oblige yourself with helping others in matters of religion.

First rectify your intention and then begin the work.

Eat moderately; do not exceed so much that you become idle nor so little that you become weak in performing works.

Adopt moderation in all affairs.

It is better that you earn your livelihood. Reliance on Allah for sustenance is also permissible provided that you are immune from expectation of created beings.

Keep your heart pure from attachment to other than Him. Neither fear nor hope from anyone besides Him.

Yearn for Allah impatiently, longing Him endlessly.

Be with Allah at all times.

Be grateful for whatever He bestows you; little or large.

Do not despair at poverty, but rather consider it your honour that He has privileged you with the station of the prophets and friends of Allah.

Adopt tenderness and mercy with your colleagues. Pardon their faults and accept their excuses.

Always abstain from backbiting.

Overlook the shortcomings of others but not your own.

Consider everyone better than yourself, and do not quarrel with anyone, even if you are on the truth.

Your occupation should be serving others and being a host.

Seek the companionship of the poor and needy, and serve the religious scholars and pious with honour and prestige.

Consider the existence and absence of things alike.

Be content with the wealth that you possess.

Give preference to others over yourself.

Love hunger and thirst for it is the food of Allah.

Laugh less and cry more. Fear divine punishment and His disregarding you.

Remember death profusely, for it cuts ties with other than Him.

Seek refuge from Hell, for it is the abode of divine separateness. And seek Heaven for it is the abode of divine proximity.

Account yourself daily after fajr and maghrib prayers by recollecting the events of the day. Thank Him for the good works performed and seek His forgiveness for all sins committed.

Adopt truthfulness and eating the lawful as your necessary trait.

Avoid all gatherings of mere amusement and unlawfulness.

Abstain from all cultural norms of ignorance.

Love, hate, befriend and bear enmity, for the sake of Allah.

Do not harm anyone nor have high expectations from them.

Forever remain modest and avoid excess verbiage.

Do not worry excessively and adopt a reformative attitude.

Remain obedient to your Lord, pious and dignified.

The above are the traits of the pious. Do not be deluded if you attain them nor consider yourself as good.

Visit the graves of the pious and also the general Muslim public. Donate reward of recitation unto them.

Adopt etiquette and obey your Shaykh for he is the heir of the Prophet [Allah bless him and give him peace].

Continuously pray for the Shaykhs of the tariqa for they are your intermediaries to Allah.