Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
Let me tell you a story. Long ago. You will get some idea of what a Sufi’s personality can be like. And you will also be able to understand the difference between a real Sufi and a fake Sufi in disguise.
A saint named Mian Mir lived in Dharmapura, Lahore. He was the founder of the Mian Khel sub-tribe of the Qadriya order. He was the guru of Darashikoh, the eldest son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
While the saint Mian Mir was in Lahore, he appointed guards in his court so that worldly, powerful or wealthy people could not approach him or disturb him.
Mughal Emperor Salim Jahangir once attended the court of Mian Mir with his soldiers, feudal lords, and council members to pay homage. He was stopped by the guard at the entrance of the court. No permission to enter! The king was kept standing at the gate for a long time! He had never been so humiliated in his own kingdom!
Finally permission was granted. The king was taken to Mian Mir. Mian Mir was sitting in the company of several dervishes and saints. Upon entering the court, the king, with some arrogance, looked at Mian Mir and said,
“Ba dar-e-darbis darbane na-bayd”
There should be no guard at the door of the fakir.
Mian Mir’s answer was –
“Babaid kehe seje duniya na ayd”
Keep a guard so that worldly people cannot enter!
The king was ashamed. He begged for forgiveness and asked for prayers. He had planned an expedition to the Deccan. He asked the saint Mian Mir to pray for the success of the expedition.
At that time, a devotee came to the court and offered a taka to Mian Mir in homage. Mian Mir told the servant, “Give the money to the neediest person present here.”
None of the monks accepted the money. The servant returned to Mian Mir with the money in hand. Then Mian Mir pointed at the king and told the servant, “Give him the money!”
He is the poorest and most needy among us. Not satisfied with his vast kingdom, he has come here from Delhi to beg for the kingdom of the Deccan. His all-consuming hunger is like a burning fire that ruthlessly burns dry wood. This greed has made him even more needy, poor and miserly. Go, give the money to him!
Education is the most important thing for today’s Sufis! Today, the entire Sufi community is disgraced because of the spineless Mekki Sufis. Sufis are the kings of kings. The world is at their feet. Wealth, power, and splendor are objects of hatred to them.
The Sufis have been falling since the moment they abandoned their ideals and surrendered themselves to wealth and power. To overcome this fall, we have to become true Sufis. We have to be disillusioned, courageous, and show the pinnacle of sacrifice.
May Maula grant us the strength to remain elevated in the midst of Sufi ideals.
Amen.
Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
Editor – Apon Khobor
Chairman – Apon Foundation