Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
Hazrat Khwaja Hasan Al Basri (RA) was one of the most influential personalities and Sufi saints of the Tabi’in era, who was born in 21 AH (642 AD). He was in the company of many companions including Hazrat Maula Ali (AS) and gained knowledge directly from them. His life was a shining example of self-restraint, worship, fear of Allah and renunciation of worldly desires. He used to walk barefoot, eat little and was always immersed in the meditation of Allah. His sayings are full of deep theoretical and spiritual teachings, which later played an important role in forming the foundation of Sufism. He said: “The world is such a thing that the more you love it, the more it will make you cry.” His life and teachings still ignite the light of faith, thirst for knowledge and self-purification in the hearts of believers.
Nurture Nurturing
He was nurtured in the house of the Prophet. He drank the milk of the breasts of the Prophet’s wives. He came into contact with numerous companions. He directly received the treasure of the secret knowledge of Tasawwuf, or Ma’rifat, from Hazrat Ali (AS), the bearer of the guardianship, the master of the Ummah, and the door of knowledge. He had an intimate friendship with Imam Hussain.
On the path of spirituality
The young Hasan Al-Basri, who was as bright as a new-born, was a gem merchant in his early life. He used to travel the country and trade in gems. Incidentally, he observed a special incident in the royal family of the then Roman Empire and adopted the life of a hermit, running on the path of purity through complete detachment and repentance. He abandoned all illusions of business, commerce, home, and family and began solitary penance. On the path of building a spiritual life with a deep and concentrated mind, his strict asceticism began, that is, Austerity. He went to Basra for the purpose of practice and started living there. After a long life of practice, he started giving public lectures. The fountain of divine love was opened in his discussions on Sufism, or the knowledge of knowledge or the secret mysteries of religion. A crowd of God-loving people flocked to his meetings. Tapasi Rabia Basri is worth mentioning among them.
“It is said in a popular saying that all people are in need of the knowledge of Hasan Basri and his name is also in the highest position as a scholar.”
The political context of that time was a transitional period for the true religion of Muhammad. The anti-prophet or anti-religious forces were the leaders of religion through cunning tactics. The true religion was in a state of near-death due to the spread of the false religion imposed by the Umayyad Caliphate. The royal blueprint was being gradually implemented to legitimize the illegal Caliphate. Which As a result, all the pious, the lovers of the Prophet, the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt, and the protectors of the true religion, were being killed indiscriminately. The lives of all the great men were filled with uncertainty and calamity. It became almost impossible to preach the religion and remain on the path of religion in the face of the power and weapons of the unrighteous. During that critical period, Imam Hasan al-Basri was spreading religion and spirituality with full strength, courage, and courage.
Imam Hasan al Basri (may Allah be pleased with him) imbibed the true teachings and the main religion of Islam, that is, the priceless mine of Sufism and the treasure house of secret knowledge, from his Murshid Maula Ali (a.s.), and spent his entire life shedding the radiance of that great wealth and glory. He established Sufism in every aspect of his life and spread that divine glory throughout the world. Born in the house of the Prophet, he acquired knowledge and secret knowledge from the headquarters of the Maulayyah and brought religion to the world. The eternal stream of Islam. From Imam Hasan Al Basri we get the grace and knowledge of the Murshid of the Belayah, Maula Ali (a.s.). He became a disciple of the holy hand of Maula Imam Ali (a.s.) and attained Maulayyah by acquiring both the knowledge and Belayah of the Zahiri and Batini. He is one of the six successors who were entrusted by Maula Ali (a.s.). He is the first Murshid of the Chishti and Qadriya Tariqas.
Achievements and Contributions
The Chishti and Qadriya Tariqas are being practiced by the two Caliphs who were entrusted by him.
The two Caliphs are respectively –
Hazrat Abdul Wahed bin Zayed (ra)
Hazrat Habib Ajmi (ra)
From Hazrat Abdul Wahed bin Zayed, five families of the Chishti Tariqas and from Hazrat Habib Ajmi (ra) There are nine branches of the Qadriya order.
Khwaja Hasan Basri’s invaluable advice –
One day, Mahatma Malik ibn Dinar asked Khwaja Hasan Basri about his plight. Hasan Basri (RA) replied, the real plight is in the death of the heart. Malik Dinar (RA) asked again, how is the death of the heart? He replied, in the attachment of the mind to worldly things.
Khwaja Hasan Al Basri said, four things are absolutely necessary for a person.
1. Desire for the pleasure of the Lord
2. Pure devotion
3. Contentment with little
4. Moderation.
Date of writing – 04/04/2020
Author – Labib Mahfuj Chsity