IMAM SHADHILI – FOUNDER OF SHADHILI SUFI ORDER
REFLECTIONS AND PERSPECTIVES
The birth anniversary of Imam Shadhili, an eminent savant and renowned Islamic Saint born in 1196 in North Morocco, is being commemorated in various parts of the Muslim world during the month of October.
Imam Shadhili endowed with an unblemished character and charismatic personality attracted able disciples, awed local political rulers and fuelled the envy and enmity of detractors amongst literalist jurors and scholars.
When asked about who his master was, the Imam said: “I took an oath of discipleship with Sheik Abd al-Salam ibn Mashish. However, now I do not have a relationship of dependence and discipleship with anyone. Rather I dive deep in the ten seas: Five are human seas - Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Abu Bakr (Ral), Umar (Ral), Uthman (Ral) and Ali (Ral). And five are spiritual seas - Gibreel, Mikaeel, Israafeel, Izraeel and the Greatest Spirit (Al ruh al-Akbar).
On the descent of Adam to this earth the Imam observed: “I swear God did not cause Adam to descend into this world to diminish him, but rather caused him to descend in order to complete him. I swear God caused Adam to descend into this world even before creating him as the Almighty revealed in the Divine Speech - “I am making in this world a vice-regent.” How generous it is that God made vice regency the legacy of disobedience! For through disobedience God set forth the practice of repentance for everyone after Adam until the Day of Reckoning.” nearness. So choose for yourself…”
The Sheik related: “I once saw Abu Bakr in a dream and he asked me if I recognized the sign that one’s heart has been freed from the love of the world. I replied in the negative.” He replied: “The sign that one’s heart has been freed from love of the world is that when one acquires worldly possessions, one disposes of them freely and when one loses them, one feels a sense of relief.”
The Sheik lamented: “Someone once persecuted me so terribly that I was at my wit’s end. Then I had a vision of someone in a dream who said to me a sign of true righteousness was that one has a lot of enemies, yet took no notice of them.” Imam Abu Al Hassen Al Shadhili is a progeny of the Holy Prophet through the lineage of his grandson Imam Hassen (Ral). Eminent founders of other mainstream Tariqas too were descendants of the Holy Prophet and thus were renowned as the people of the House (Ahal al Bayt).
Four authentic narrations of the Holy Prophet depicted in Muslim Tirmidhi and Ahmed though many chain s mentioned to the effect that the Holy Prophet was leaving behind two weighty matters, namely Allah’s book (Holy Quran) and the People of His House (Ahal al Bayt). The Holy Prophet reiterated: “These two shall never part ways until they come to me at the pond Therefore attend to how you act with them after me. If you hold fast to them you will never go astray.”
Sheik Shadhili was an exemplary leader, brilliant scholar and a religious luminary. His contribution to Islam in particular and to humanity in general is noteworthy and indelible. Although he passed away from this mundane world nearly 800 years ago, this towering personality still holds sway in the lives of millions of his followers across the world.
His contribution to Islam in particular and to humanity in general is noteworthy and indelible.
The Sheik discouraged asceticism and monasticism. To be gainfully employed was an integral pre-requisite for initiation to his Tariqa (sect). He urged that his followers must cultivate four principles of virtuous conduct. These were to avoid oppressive sinners in the world, preferring those who live for the next world, sharing with the poor out of consolation and making obligatory the five daily prayers in congregation.
The Imam prevailed upon his disciples to adhere strictly to four traits - Generosity even when you have little, willingness to pardon an offence committed against you, patient endurance in times of affliction and contentment with God’s decree for you.
The Sheik’s intelligence, sagacity and inner knowledge could be understood from a few of the following utterances, advice and wise counsel he imparted. Once he advised his Khalifa Abu Al Abbas as: “If someone says something untrue about you, then say God knows about me what he knows and with God rests final outcomes.”
Someone asked the Sheik about alchemy. He answered: “Rid your heart of greed! Have no hope that your Lord will give you anything except what has already been apportioned for you. That is real alchemy.” The Sheik also mentioned that God Almighty says: “O my servants, make me your Supreme concern and I will guard you from that which causes you concern. O my servants, as long as you belong to yourself you are in the place of remoteness and so long as you live through me you are in the place of
AROOS LIYAWDEEN