772 Clementina St.,
San Francisco 3, Calif.
April 18, 1959
A. A. Siddiqui,
Department of Islamic Studies, University of Punjab,
Lahore, Pakistan
Dear Professor Siddiqui:
As-salaam Aleikhum.
It is now over two years since I have re-established myself in this part of the world, to remain here until the sign is much-seamed to journey wheresover Allah wills. There is no attachment to place although at the moment I am within a mile of the site of my birthplace.
The journey I took to the Orient was marked by nothing but glory and wonder all the way from Japan to the districts where I am well known and there one meets with nothing but apathy and unconcern. It is wonderful to have seen palaces and shrines, to have been the guest of either the highest persons or the most holy persons in so many countries. The effect upon my life has been deep, the effect on my surroundings not at all. And so far as the local Islamic community is concerned I could have gone to Mecca and it would hardly have affected my reception—or lack of it here.
The tasks that I gave in your presence have now been included in my poem “Saladin.” Part III is the Islamic Interpretation of the Bible in seven parts which the presumable Sultan used to convert the Christian captives. I have had ample opportunity to discuss this with leading Arabs wherever I have met them and they unanimously approve of the methods used of never quoting Holy Quran to prove that Book.
When I completed Part IV I sent it to President Nasser who has accepted the dedication and has written me a most favorable letter. I had previously written to this President on my views of the worlds affairs, like the Russian-American Near East situation to the Persian-Greek-Arab situation of centuries back.
Refused platforms locally I decides to form my own Asian Institute. Evidently Allah was with me for I received the immediate backing of all the local Asian Consulates and a lecture hall free. But though the plan to speak upon spiritual and Islamic subjects appears to be in accord with the Divine Will, my particular methods of handling the subjects may not follow any preconceived schedule.
For within two days I received a letter from the League of Religions of London asking for cooperation in establishing branches in this country and within a few days after that I also received a request to go into Southern California and address audiences there later in the year.
In addition to personal rebuffs there was a much more important one in 1957 when UNESCO promoted a large gathering here under the ambitious title of “How to Win Friends in Asia.” The opening sessions were closed by the speech of your countryman the Hon. Ahmed Bokhari (may Ally Grace his soul in paradise) who gave what I consider the most uplifting talk ever offered by a politician—and I have heard plenty of them in an already long life. But the local Islamic Community, following the leader of Rom Landau, has spurned Sufism and the special meetings devoted to religion acted as if there were no such person.
For the “authority” of Islam was an important non-American, anti-Muslim who did not even know the elements of his subject. There was one Iraqi and one Iranian present and they walked out in disgust and I, representing East Pakistan, was also denied the floor. The worst thing is that public funds are used to promote these gatherings.
The chairman is Prof. Moore of the University of Hawaii who insists that there are no cultured Muslims who speak good English, an opinion which, alas, I have heard repeated by some of the local; Muslims. This may give you some idea of what I am up against.
Immediately after receiving the offer from Hollywood, a very dear friend arrived from Penang, Malaya. he is in this country to collect funds to be devoted to a real Institute of Oriental Studies. He reports that Russia is doing just that with a Buddhist teaching Buddhism, and an Arab teaching Islam—something which is very seldom done in this country. He is quite pessimistic about bringing misunderstandings and he has some authority having devoted his life to that cause. I am now awaiting his return and either he or I may get in touch with you later on, inshallah.
More recently I have written to president Rafiuddin of Ikbal Unversity in Karachi. I am wondering how well you know him. He is seeking cooperation in bringing Islam and modern science together. Well, I have proven this in the laboratory and also by analogy covering a large portion of Islam studies. I did mention one thing to the Botanical Department when I visited your university and that is on the relation of Jelal-Jemal in vegetation in the dichotomy between woody and herbaceous growths.
Actually this Jelal-Jemal polarity is found everywhere in nature, such as the crystalline versus non-crystalline forms of matter, the skeleton versus the flesh parts in animals, etc. Indeed those principles which I have learned such as Urouj, Nasoul, Zaval, Kemal, Jelal and Jemal I have tried to apply to known scientific knowledge.
I think Prof. Rafiuddin has made an initial but not important error. There is no such thing as Islam but there is a study of Allah and the revelation and wisdom from Allah constitute Islam; and there is nature and the wisdom we derive from nature may be called Science. But what is Nature but the body of Allah? Consequently there is only One Truth, and whatever we find or know comes from that one body of Truth.
The best of my knowledge would indicate that the present government of Indonesia has already adopted policies in accord with what was just written; and so far as I know the government of Malaya tends to operate in the same direction. The local Governor-General of Indonesia showed me a release from his Central Government and it said: “Shariat is the boat, Tarikat is the diving equipment and Hakikat presents the pearls from the Ocean-of-Truth.” He said he could not give me an extra copy and I asked: “Do you think five men in this country would understand and accept that?”
That is to say, as I see it, despite much pessimism Islam is progressing in many directions but the rather “exiled” communities, not keeping in touch with contemporary currents and tendencies tend to crystallize in a deadly conservatism which they confuse with orthodoxy. It is natural. But I found the Imam at Washington of another type. To begin with when he heard that I had come from Ajmir and Lahore he opened the grounds to me although they were not yet in readiness at the time, the public being barred. And he was equally well aware that in the United States Islam could be presented in a modern fashion, i.e. in accord with accepted scientific teachings.
The test of being in tune with Allah has been demonstrated continuously. Thus I wrote a letter to Habib Bank, your city, in regard to increasing my deposits there. I took it to Consul-General Sattar who explained at length the Pakistani banking methods. When I took it to post, there was an envelope with a rather large sum in it.
Meditating what to do with this extra money I was directed to a record shop and found on the shelves one “Symphonia Oriental” a piece of music which I have sought for, for years. It is exceedingly valuable because it contains Azam and a chanting of Sufis in assemblage utilizing the different serbahs of Zikr in concord. I am going to play it for one of the local Muslims, may even give them record as a parting gesture, because the dear Rom Landau who convinced them that I could not and should not speak for them also taught there were no great living Sufis. Allah is great, but gossipers are greater, alas.
But I am no longer moved by small people, and if their hearts are not great, there is no reason why my own should not be great. I am doing everything possible to increase my Hajj and Zakat contributions which go to your country where there is so much need. And I consider this duty and not goodness.
Finally I am enclosing a picture of my fiancée. How she came to this position is a long story. It was foretold in Lahore that I would be married, but the story is like out of a book.
Faithfully,
Samuel L. Lewis Ahmed Murad Chisti
1088 Fulton St.,
San Francisco 17, Calif.
May 24, 1963
Harold M. Horlock,
USIS,
Lahore Pakistan
Dear Harold:
As-salaam aleikhum and greetings. I am writing you now because in certain sense I am in the same psychological position as in U.A.R. where I was totally unable to bring the Arabs and Americans together, or to turn about an impending mob attack, which came. I had a fine farewell, of course, but this did not prevent the attack and you know I gave you a good deal of history, including the activities of the reds; the pleas of Orientals for real American culture etc.
The Julie Medlock Story. She went to Accra, Ghana, and I have not heard from her. I should not even be surprised if she were at Addis Ababa now. I can, of course, reach her by sending money and it is not so much the money as that I am overwhelmed in a lot of projects and more on the horizon.
The complex in which she is involved is dubbed “Project Prometheus” and “Project Krishna.” The first was the effort to integrate all known knowledge for the good of humanity. Prof. Reiser of Pittsburgh who planned it, has now been accepted by his own university and other institutions. Indeed with what he called a world-idea, he was not prepared for a hurricane of favorable response. He succeeded in bringing together the whole world of non-aligned nations which was not exactly what he had planned and America is still selling him short.
The “Project Krishna” involves the integration of Oriental cultures and between “Project Krishna” and “Project Prometheus” we have all the human knowledge and wisdom not in “Great Books,” while the United States is becoming more and more “solidly” behind “Great Books” thereby offending the whole of Asia, and also the avant garde, whatever that means. At least Adlai Stevenson has stuck out his neck and lost his once tremendous popularity abroad. This country refuses to accept the reality, for example, of Dr. Radhakrishnan.
Now with the widespread news given to Alabama and North Carolina in Asian papers—I bet you get a first-hand view of it, and not much on “space travel.” We hold our heads in the sands and refuse to look at reality. Indeed—and this thought to be up your alley—I consider the accomplishments of TCM and especially the University of Washington State at Lyallpur equally in value to space travel and far more “down to earth.” But unless I were to write to Pullman, we are too busy—and this includes your own USIS, hip-hip-hurrahing, to inform even ourselves of the best accomplishments abroad.
The Sam Lewis Story. I have received and honorarium for my contributions to
Oriental “wisdom” which means, when I return, probably a grand welcome. I don’t want to go into that here, but I still don’t have the “credentials” to enter contain universities here for subjects which I teach abroad. So mote it be—and it will be worse and worse or better and better.
The Khawar Khan Story. Miss Khan is my spiritual god-daughter. I think you may remember the story that when I refused to go to the international philosophical conference to face the communists, I ghost-wrote her paper and she won first prize.
Now she has gone to Peshawar and won acclaim for contributions to contemporary psychology. The way the spiritual Islam works is this: your teachers is given the credit for your accomplishments (in this something like “the old army game”). So my name has been hoisted and gotten over into Iran too, at the top levels.
The other part of her story is Hollywoodish. Her family had been considering the possibility of her meeting the son the late Mohammed Iqbal. And now after the above event she has received a proposal from his son.
Saladin is an epic poem written to try to build up friendship between the United States and the non-aligned countries which are Islamic. As our foreign policy consists always of policy regardless of success, it is quite out of line with approaches gone out of fashion since 1920 (but always in fashion before that). For reasons too long to tell here, if this poem could get into the hands of Iqbal’s son I should probably have instant recognition so being personally involved I held hands off. Besides other per sons asked for Khawar’s hand. So in Pakistan if there is a wedding, it will affect the whole future of my poetical writings.
In the meanwhile Miss Khawar has returned the poem to me and it has been shown to several non-aligned diplomats with telling effect.
The Asian Story. For some reason or other—and it may have been my fault—I was not permitted to attend the recent conference on Asia in Asilomar. So I have spent all my time meeting Asians, all kinds of Asians. Indeed I am preparing to go to Indonesia when the time comes.
The Dervishes. There are 50,000,000 of us and we are totally ignored. Now the new director of the Arab Information Bureau is descended from one of the greatest—which does not prevent our “Peace Corps” etc., etc., from being told there are none. The new Vice-President of India is another. Most of the diplomats of Indonesia I have met—San Francisco, Washington, Cairo , are dervishes and this means nothing.
At this time one of my fellow dervishes is about ready to go to North Africa. He is the cousin of a former secretary of the UN and was a close friend of the late Dag Hammarskjöld. I have given him the names of key persons in the U.A.R. so he can not only verify my stories but can get “in” where we have refused even to look. All non-Aryan anti-communists are fanatics or they don’t exists and this is our “cold war” policy.
After lots of rigmarole I finally convinced the authors of a forthcoming book on Pakistan being published at Princeton that there are dervishes. When they admitted there must be, I gave twenty names in different parts of Pakistan. The projected University of Islamabad is not only being financed by dervishes but it has been over-subscribed—the first institution in Asia not coming with a lot of hand-out petitions. President Ayub broke ground for them and sooner or later there should be visitors this country.
Buddhism is taught in this country—press, radio, TV and many universities, by people who are no more Buddhists than we are Eskimos. But as soon as a person is selected, that is it. We have our priests, ministers and rabbis of their religions and that is right. But for Buddhism we select somebody and I can tell you that three out of the four selected are utterly anathema to the Buddhist world.
I failed totally in trying to get a paper over on “The Religion of S.E. Asia.” And when I met the chief monk of the Vietnamese—which was a daring venture—he embraced me and send a lot of trophies which are now in the Buddha Universal Church in San Francisco. The leader of this church, Dr. Paul Fung, is the Vice-President of the International Buddhist Conference. He has been seen on TV abroad. But does anybody invite him here to conferences, radio programs? Why, even the Red Chinese sent him three cables of congratulation when his church opened. And it is filled to overflowing, even after they split the Chinese from the rest of us, it is filled to overflowing. But does Dr. Paul get called to train the people for the foreign service? Not with so many “experts” around, no sir.
The stories I hear of people going to Asia after studding with the “exports” are ludicrous. And with one Dr. Karl Phillip Eidmann, one of the greatest scholars I have ever met, in our midst, we still rely on “experts.”
Well, the Buddhists don’t really on experts and I am half unhappy and not entirely gloating that Dr. G.A. Malalasekera has asked me to join the staff of those working on the new “Encyclopedia of Buddhism.” With all the “experts” around Sam Lewis has been asked to join.
After years of trying to reach the Japanese I brought them a picture of myself on the sacred mountain in Japan where no other Americans have been and they did a double take. Now the Chinese all know it and I am both using these pictures in my book and will send them to Dr. Malalasekera. But what does this mean? This man is one of the most influential of the unfriendly non-aligned groups and I know exactly why. If we had an intelligent Intelligence they would at least hear my version and try to “neutralize” this man. The Russians do not use beatniks, scamps and private persons to teach them “Buddhism.” Indeed they have just put out “Buddhist Logic,” a tremendous contribution to human knowledge—while we have our “experts” teach claptrap which you will not find in a single temple or sect of Buddhism anywhere.
I am about to go south to get material for this subject.
Pakistan. But the real reason for going south is to get information on the Date Palm. My general history has been almost universal cordial relations with scientists and almost universal by-passing by “social scientists.” I have seen so many subjective articles that I have written a “finis” to one group and sent the whole worlds to Dr. Farooqi at our Embassy in Karachi. But it is one thing to say and another to do:
The Date Palm and the Coconut Palm are answers to salinity. The Date not only tolerates salt but it is the sacred tree of the Muslims. Dr. Farooqi had me address the school of farm advisors in Karachi and I promised to get help.
Unfortunately the cards are in the hands of the UN. When the Egyptians wanted Soybeans I got them the best in six weeks. When the Agricultural Exp. Station at Rawalpindi wanted them, the UN got them in two years and only one of sixty varieties sprouted. This is the UN technical assistance and the Russians are getting out. The UN technical assistance program is simple: The United States puts up the money and the non-aligned Nations administer it so none gets into the cold war. None gets anywhere anyhow. No wonder I am strong for the Ford Foundation.
My next adventure may be to go to a Buddhist retreat, But the real reason will be for more practical experience in Olive raising. I have raised Olives and cured them, but this will give me more direct experience. Pakistan needs Dates and Olives and Avocados but I don’t know how well the soil will tolerate the latter.
The Mentorgarten was an organization which existed in S.F. many years ago. It was a round table group for Americans and Asians and we had some wonderful visitors and speakers. There was no “exporting” and no long-winded harangues. I was given the right to-establish it and some day might, that Americans and Asians can sit down together without listening to German professors and British diplomats on how to get along with Asians.
But with Project Krishna above mentioned sooner or later we are going to get out of “realism” and into “reality.” Harold, you see the universities discussing and sometimes offering free speech for the communists and Birchers. But I don’t know any that have been too open to the politics of Theodore Roosevelt or Woodrow Wilson. They may never have existed as for as the present generations are concerned. And if Julie starts preaching Woodrow Wilson to the Africans, we had better watch out. As I think I told you, the people of India begged me for more information on real Americans and all we can give them—at least where I was, was Bach, Beethoven, Brahmas, space-travel, Tennessee Williams—and by the back door, Unsaint Elizabeth.
I hope someday we are willing to listen to Americans who have been in Asia, or better yet to the Asians themselves.
Faithfully,
S.A.M Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad
Best regards to everybody. Someday I’ll send pictures.
September 27, 1963
My Dear Major:
I have your letter of the 20th and also, in the same mail, one from your good brother, Mohammed Hakim of Sheikhapura. He tells me he is just a beginner in tasawwuf, but as Pir Barkat Ali requested in his training, this will be done as I copy some of Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan’s Teachings (trouble with the typewriter). This work has had to be given up for a multitude of reasons, some of which will be written.
Now I am in peaceful quarters but the move not only entailed time and money, but a woman took advantage to rob me and this means either going to court or taking the course Allah shows, but in any case there was monetary loss. Then, while working 12 hours daily and 8 hours Sunday, my brother Saladin arrived and gave me three big requests which, in honor, had to be fulfilled and then he was very angry because my eyes showed the fatigue. It took two weeks to clear this extra burden up. It always entailed what I call the “New School” for children, which is based on Kalama and learning how to walk. (Actually, this is a Naqshibandi method.) I do not know how all the tasks before me can be accomplished. It is not even conceivable now and our good friend also asked me to do something far him materially. All can say is to wait until I come.
My research compels me to visit the Chamber of Commerce, and on the next trip will see what one can find out here. If you see him, please tell him I have not had a free day in the last two months, that I am materially overburdened in every direction and that numbers of people also want me to pray for them. One is lucky even to have sleep and that, not always. My television set is not working and this has been fortunate, for there is no time to watch anyhow and cannot even buy a radio, for there is no time.
Then, in the world affairs, this unfortunate trouble between Malaya and Indonesia makes it very hard, for any arguments one may have can be refuted and Muslims look like warlike people. The same in the Near East and this will hurt in Kashmir, too. Everyone will say, “See, this proves the Muslims are warlike.” Nor has there been any help in Urdu. This will consume more time and I don’t know how to do it.
The department of Near East Studies in Los Angeles is just above the Botanical Garden there and I hope to make your visit “Official.” But now comes a long story: Pir Dewwal Shereef asked me to represent him here and I have gone to some time and expense, but never once received a reply, which has made it impossible to tell whether anything has been accepted. Our good friend, Major Awwari, kept me informed, even going out of his way. Also, I took preliminary steps to legalize the Islamia Ruhaniat Society here, and will do so either at his behest, or as a means to receive funds. Money may be sent from Pakistan, I believe, either for the University or for this society. Besides, I was requested to open an office and my limited means does not permit me. But if funds could be released from Pakistan, either from Saadia Khawar or any source, there could be an office and help. Because of the impasse on getting Urdu translations, I must even look for such a person now, here, but until this is done, can make no report. However, if moneys can be released (dollars), they could be handled by the Bank of America which has an office in Karachi, and then to my bank with the least problem. But this would need an OK from the Bank of Pakistan (State Bank), and we would have to contact the right persons and make the right arrangements. So this is written to you rather than to Khawar here, and will need some discussion and consideration.
Now, already you are seeing where the science and religion join. Because love can be applied first in mechanics, with the Islam as the potential energy and the Allaho Akbar (Takbir) as the kinetic energy, this I shall also present to our good friend Mohammed Qureshi when I see him because he plans to be a mechanical engineer.
The Huxleys are great minds. They always know what is wrong. But Aldous Huxley has not only tried Vedanta and some forms (not serious) of Buddhism, but also drugs to effect perception. All of them make him see what the material eye does not see, but if he gets out of Nasut it is either into the Barzakh, or at best, to Malakut and not any further.
When the disciples of our Pir say they will visit the tomb of Bhullah Shah I am happy because we do not know the Azan and Fateha and only by this means can we learn to study, as the bible teaches, (but he Jews and Christians do not practice,) little by little, line by line. And when one comes to Rab Alamin, he is stuck, for even Rab comes from Ra + ab, each of which has a meaning, and Alamin is a plural of A, L, M and even ilm comes from the same root, which is interpreted very differently. So if we do not know the first words of religion and holy Qur’an, we have no right from Allah to “explain” and therefore, I hope, to speak again from the Bhullah Shah point of view, to be careful of every word and every line.
At Peshawar and Punjab universities I was permitted to speak at length, not on the theory of the unity of religion and science, but on the actual unity showing how the Sifat-i-Allah operate in both. At Peshawar there is a great and wise Murshid, Prof. Durrani, who has been head of both the Physics and Engineering Departments and when we visited Warsak Dam we discussed how the Sifat-i-Allah manifested in each of the operations there. But my main work has been in the plant and animal one can witness the Jelal, the Jemal, the Kemal, biologically and chemically; actually, and so one can understand the nature better. This has also been shown when I have received the latest manuscripts (not yet published) in certain sciences.
Now as regards this world, Tasawwuf has to do with Tarikat, the way of discipline and venture and then one comes to realization which is Hakikat. There one realizes the teaching of Holy Qur’an, “We have our representatives on earth.” This has always been so. The different schools of Mahdi-proclaimers are ignorant of the existence of the highest spiritual brotherhood headed by Ghaus or Qtub. But even when they have a belief, they have not always been so fortunate as to meet the actual living representatives. So it has been more knowledge than faith which showed me what they have told me. I mean right here on earth, and not in any mystical experience, what was coming and what they are doing. Of course, long before this was the occult development, which showed the operations beyond this world and in the secrets, so that one does not even know the one next to him. But now, alhamdulillah, I know the outward representatives and some others, both in the Arab and Pakistani worlds. So there is no need to worry over the future from this point of view.
This brings up the next step. Now that I have the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, my own researches and a pile of materials supplied by many of the brethren in Pakistan and India, verbally, and in English, there is complete methodology bridging the east and west, the past and the present, the religions and the metaphysical and the scientific.
Love, peace and blessings,
September 30, 1963
My Dear Brother:
A letter from Sufi Pir Barkat Ali has just been received and it is interesting to note he says he has no spare time. One can well understand this when it is reflected in one’s own life. Even in Asiatica I have four projects and tomorrow the reports will be made on Vietnam, which are based mostly on the experience of friends but a little of my own. In any event, none of these things have ever been taken seriously and it leads to complications in two directions, one spiritual and the other political.
I am also enclosing a copy of a letter to one Mohammed Ilyas, a disciple of Sufi Sahib in England, which contains some news in the second paragraph concerning one Mohammad Qureshi, living San Francisco. It may bring you some ideas or inspiration.
There has also been a letter from Mohammed Hakim of Sheikhupura which was not answered until today. Yesterday a lady spoke on Humza and neither she nor her managers were prepared for what happened. Instead of a few hundred people, there was a great throng and instead of one presentation, there were three and even that was not enough.
A short report was made to the consulate and embassy. They are so understaffed they do not know what is going on in cultural matters. Anyhow the speaker told me she is coming back soon and proposed a form of collaboration which would benefit both countries. This was new and surprising but may have to be followed up. Anyhow, details were mailed to Sheikhupura.
Then this morning I visited Pakistani Airlines. The manager told me if we avail ourselves of their services, for example in the shipment of seeds and cuttings, it would be better to pay for them at your end, in rupees, if they go by PIA. At the same time, the shipment would go faster and get through customs quicker. This is preparatory but one cannot forever delay anything.
The letters from both Mohammed Hakim and Pir Sufi Sahib mention your difficulties. One has to hold hard here. Very few know the deep Murakkabah and Mushahida of the form called Mujahida, which concerns with the purification of oneself at the higher levels. It is easy to write and hard to do when one is always busy. But now, and one does not know whether it is as a devotee or scientist, I wish to do exactly what Pir Barkat Ali has requested, and do not know what effect it will have upon the inner or outer life, but even from the scientific view, if one does not try them, one cannot tell, and from the devotional and spiritual point of view, all assignments are most welcome.
I have still to write to the University at Los Angeles where there is a big organization for the study of Islamic Culture, which there includes Pakistan, but elsewhere sometimes Pakistan is assigned to South Asia. I do not expect to go south until Thanksgiving, at the end of November or even later but cannot tell now.
There are some things gained from the lecture on Humza which may benefit your health and also give ideas for your farm projects. This will need time and consideration. Later in the week I should go to the Chamber of Commerce check more on the oil company. Allah has kept my health fine though one is busy all the time, almost without surcease, only on different matters.
My next thing is to practice some things Sufi Barkat Ali has given which may be of more service to you.
With love and blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
6th October, 1963
My Dear Brother:
As-salaam aleikhum. Today I write under strange circumstances. Pir Sufi Barkat Ali has been sending me some news but more spiritual aid and it is noticeable that psychically the life is the same as his; the whole time is devoted to the pursuit of certain duties for humanity. Also it is based upon the Hadith of the Supreme Prophet, and the more one goes over the Hadith, the more agreement there is with the actual spiritual life and the less agreement also with the commercial or social life. Yet the Message of Mohammed is “peculiar” in the sense that it does not stress retirement, excepting for occasional khilvat.
Among the tasks is considerable research into Buddhism and among these is my work on the biography of one of the greatest Buddhist of this century. Yet when we were alone he said: “Sam, we ain’t got it” (bad English purposely). I replied, “Phra, we have got It.” This may never be published but it is a wonderful assurance.
This is mentioned now because the outlook of the Pir is the same as that of the Bodhisattva; that one takes on oneself the welfare of the whole of humanity and gives up all thought for rest or pleasure or nice things. The only difference is that Oneness is in Allah and finding everything in it.
The second reason for writing is the enclosure of some of the papers of Hazrat Inayat Khan on Brotherhood. These papers may be shared with anybody and I shall no doubt send out the extra copies made. One set will go to Khawar but I have a lot of things for her and a few things each for Shamsuddin and Mohammed Hakim.
The next thing is that as my manuscript proceeds so do world events. Yesterday I was in a secret meeting with General Conroy whose host in Pakistan was General (or Marshall) Musa. This is mentioned because there is no way of telling now whether your mission here will be military, diplomatic, scientific, spiritual or personal or any combination. It was much easier with the military than with the press or social scientists.
The next thing is that there has been no news at all from Islamabad. Until recently, Major Anwar has been very cooperative, but it is not to him, it is to government officials and to Pir Dewwal Shereef or his colleagues to write occasionally. It is only because of the assurance of Pir Barkat Ali that one takes on some of the severe problems of Pakistan. And again even if Pakistan is wrong in everything, there is no alternative. You can’t go with England, India, China, Russia or America, and there is no turning back either. So the road is not easy, I think you understand.
Only Islam is in difficulties with Malaysia and Indonesia on the brink of trouble and
Somaliland playing with war (I think they are right, but war is not necessarily the best way).
The Hadith stands as a tower of strength, and with blessing and love you will understand. This letter is to be shared.
Major R.M. Sadiq
12-A3 Gulberg 3, Lahore
17th June, 1964
My dear brother,
“Asalaam-o-Aleikhum,”
I hope you are in best of spirit and health. I got your letter about ten days back but due to my heavy commitments I could not reply you earlier. There is a lot of pressure of work from business and spiritual side, both sides are extremely important for me. Now let me give you complete brief since I wrote to you last.
Miss Khawar Khan. She is in best of spirit and she is spiritually going quite fast and high. She has got unshaken belief and faith in you. She works very much according to your teachings and advises. On 3rd June, I held a big reception at my new house and it was real combinations of three occasions.
1. Peraire Birthday.
2. He got through the Matrix examination.
3. House Warming up party.
It was a largely attended party. Only missing link was you. But the gap was filled by Miss Khawar’s attendance and presence. I introduced her to Haji Sarferaz who was there. He was very pleased to meet her, and told me to compliment you for having such a Mureed. He remarked Soofi is highly selective.
Trip. I am making arrangements to be there by the 12 of October, 1964. Again this all depends on a reply from you.
Spiritual. I can communicate with you very frequently from my frequency. The other day I Visited Mian Mir Sahib and he told me that Murad has gone very high and further added that we both should combine mission together.
Oil. I have written numbers of letters of Mr. Oscar Swallow but it seems that people at South Western take things in light manners. Please do write to him to send me samples, at least 4 gallons, failing which we will be losing business worth millions of rupees.
Pir of Dewwal Shereef will be visiting Lahore on 19th June, 1964. With whom I am going to discuss my and your mission in detail.
Carpets. I will be dispatching you carpet samples very soon.
Friend. A very dear Mureed of mine Major I.A. Khan, a Doctor by profession, has gone to USA Washington for training. He will be writing to you, please do look after him. I have directed him to see you during his stay in States. He may need your spiritual help. His address is Lt. Commander I.A. Khan Pakistan, Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington DC, USA.
Thanking you,
Yours affectionate brother
March 9, 1965
Seyyed Abdal Ahmed
[?] Manzil
My dear Brother:
As salaam aleikhum. Any letter from you brings joy and inner glow. The package also will be used. The last one of dry roses was used in healing and purification for a young mureed here, and very successful, too. One feels the Baraka in these gifts, and they become effective.
There is no zakat to pay here and it is only proper and normal either to send funds either to your Shrine or to that of Nizam-ud-din Auliya in Delhi, or that of Data Ganj Baksh (Grand Sheikh Al-Hujwiri) at Lahore who also processed our Khwaja Sharbi Nawaz.
And it is one thing to worship a saint, another thing to worship at his shrine and still a third to draw upon him for inspiration and guidance.
The very next project is a paper in “Purification and Repentance in Islam.” This will be drawn largely from “Kashf-al-Mahjub of Al-Hujwiri (Data Sahib) and is to be presented at a conference of all faiths to be held here in the State of California this coming September. I shall have as colleagues at that conference Seyyed Hossein Nasr who is professor of Islamics and Near East studies at the American University at Beirut, Lebanon.
Already Allah has given the inspiration, for the difference between the tasawwuf and ordinary religion is that one gets perpetual guidance and inspiration even though he lives geographically, so to speak, at the end of the earth. Al-Ghazzali said that tasawwuf consists of experiences and not logic, and if one has not lived through the ahwal and makamat, he cannot justify himself toward the world and before Allah. Before his nufs he can justify himself and this is condemnation not justification.
Also from Al-Hujwiri will be drawn material on Mushahida and Mujahida, but one has lived through these also. Today there is a witness here of a man from Sudan whose father was a great teacher at Kano, in Nigeria. He hopes we can build up connections between the spiritual brethren all over earth and with Allah’s help this will be done. At Kano he says there is a school where tasawwuf is taught in English where an American believer would be most welcome.
Now there has arisen in Ceylon, Kalvath Shan, or Abode of Meditation. They are on Range Estate, Wattola, Humpitiya, Ceylon. Already their publication has received nothing but praise from many parts of the world. They are giving out teachings of perfection and wonder, in English, which has not been done much. All these things are very encouraging and point ultimately to the establishment of spiritual brotherhood on earth.
The great contribution of Islam is not something different but something final. This comes in baqa, and in Ismi Asam, and by these words and what they mean inwardly and outwardly man can be reborn, revivified and stand firm and strong under all conditions. In the praise of Allah it is not necessary to condemn or exclude and with widening of heart there is room for all for Allah is Rab Alamin.
One can understand with many pilgrims you are very busy. It may surprise you to learn that the peace program for South East Asia coming from these hands and heart has been accepted and published. The whole Western world may have despised the approach but the leaders in that region appreciate the university of heart and know this is needed for peace and understanding.
The practice of Akhlak Allah and Zikr and Fikr rescues one from the loneliness of “The Cave” and enables one to be firm, strong and alert though in the midst of “spiritual stranger.” The conferences which are coming this year in California, inshallah, shall give scope for spiritual expression, which has not previously been permitted. It requires patience, steadfastness and insight.
My love and blessings to yourself and all the brethren,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti.
772 Clementina St.,
San Francisco 3, Calif.
March 15, 1965
Prof. U. Durrani,
Faculty of Electrical Engineering
University of Peshawar
Peshawar, West Pakistan.
My dear Brother:
As salaam aleikhum. It is with great joy one finds that those who are close to one’s heart, and also to one’s mind and with one’s heart and with one’s mind are uniting in the projected World University. This person placed in your hands copy of one of the works of Prof. Oliver Reiser, and also in the hands of other people and as one looks at the list of Trustees it is remarkable that they are largely colleagues on some plane.
When Surendra M. Ghose came to this city he shocked the audience by pointing his finger at the writer and saying: “Why, you are the man I came to San Francisco to meet. I came five thousand miles to meet you.” This was a shocker for the audience consisted of those either coldly indifferent or of metaphysical professors who have been “famous” by teaching private metaphysics as Oriental wisdom. From that point on things have happened too rapidly in many directions.
At another time in life this person had a home where it is easy to practice Khilvat and there was a sort of Mushahida on Allah as Creator. In this he saw the evolution of the Sifat, how Allah, so to speak, made experiments with the Sifat to see what kind of inorganic and what kind of organic bodies could hold the Sifat. On the physical plane there was first the experiments with inorganic compounds, and then the vital life force was added (something like Prana) and the organic evolution began. Then came the introduction of the Sifat.
In this Mushahida one had to identify in consciousness as Rumi has expressed so beautifully in Masnavi and one could see the gradual freeing of the Divine Spirit through this evolution, coming as from dark confinement to a freedom in life. But in the Mushahida one was able to go forward and back and ascertain just where and how the Sifat operate in the different animals especially.
The first grade of freedom was the self-consciousness in man. Then even granting man’s psychological evolution, the next was how did Allah wish to use man (collective and individually) as avenues of expression of His Will. And then one learns the difference between formulae and freedom, from confinement as a Dove and expression in a multitude of fashions. It also was, so to speak, a [?] and grouping of Sifat.
At the lowest level, “inside” the atom we come only into operations of light; at the highest level, when we deal with Sifat in any manner we come only into operations of Light. Only at the higher levels there is consciousness of the relation of each Sifat to the others, and at the lower levels there is not consciousness of each atom toward the others.
Human character may be evolved, conditioned or freely expressed. But character in surrender means operations either according to Divine Will or Divine Plan the latter meaning only the Jemal, Jelal and Kemal expressions.
In Sufi literature there is some confusion owing to the identification of the Wali Jemali with the “Saint” and the Wali Jelali with the “Prophet.” This is not true. The Wali Jelali is the “Master” and the true Prophet (Nabi) may be or in Wali Kemali, or Insaan-i-Kemal.
The last few years this person has seen death of some of his spiritual colleagues who were all Jemali and yet the world smothered them. Their history will not be related but each left a heritage to this person. When one finally was permitted an audience he said: “This is my first and may be my last address. You are supposed to be Buddhists and if there is anything I say now that is not true please interrupt. I am come to read to you some of the most profound and beautiful literature in my belief that the world has ever received. You do not have to agree and you do not have to accept.” So I read some Buddhist scriptures and 90% of the audience had never even heard of them. For what are called “Buddhists” today have any sort of belief and any sort of moral behavior or misbehavior. They had never heard the Buddhist scriptures and they had decried personal efforts to have anybody read them. I read them, and that audience of former critics, even the men, began to cry. This is one’s work.
Soon the top Buddhist leaders were consulting this person, etc. There is “The Mountain Path” from South India coordinating all the spiritual movements. And now there is “Kalvath Shan” a new publication of Sufis of Ceylon using wonderful English and insisting on spiritual experience and not philosophies or metaphysics.
Then there stepped into this person’s life a Sudanese. This person long prayed to meet a man from Sudan. There the people are all under Tarikat. It was something more than love, it was attunement and identification. All kinds of things are happening and, inshallah, will happen.
The next project is a paper on “Tauba” for a World Conference of Faith. It will be a blending of Data Ganj Baksh (Al-Hujwiri) and personal experience, for this person will not speak on what he does not know. The scientific life is progressing in great harmony in love, in beauty. It is only among the non-scientific people that barriers are erected and now, inshallah, they slowly fall.
You are listed as Dean Faculty of Agricultural Engineering. Last semester I enrolled for a short course on Ag. Machinery and now on Landscape Construction, last lessons being on cement and concrete work. How far way are we from each other?
My love and best wishes to Abdul Ghani and Professors at the Pushtu Academy and all my other friends.
Faithfully,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
(Samuel L. Lewis)
772 Clementina St.
San Francisco 3, Calif.
May 20, 1965
Ghulam Mohammed Khan
Khidri Ruhaniyat Islamiya
Islamabad, West Pakistan
My Dear Brother:
As-salaam aleikhum. Attention has been called that at no time you have received communications from me, which is disappointing. For at least three letters were sent to your colleagues, one to you and after that for a while a number to Major Anwar at Rawalpindi and no answers. Also during this period much time and money were spent to no end, that little information was received. And especially in matters with the Ford Foundation where it is very important that action comes from his Holiness to inform the Ford Foundation at Karachi of your intents and efforts. This is still necessary and anyhow three copies of this letter are being sent out with the hopes that from some source there will be a letter to the Foundation.
This also becomes important for this person is being recalled to Pakistan presumably on agricultural missions by our brother, Major Sadiq, and others and also information has been received from another source of recent efforts of Ford Foundation. And while it will be very nice to have this information and cooperation for these agricultural missions, the whole import of the Khidri Ruhaniyat will be lost in human successes which is not the purport of a grand spiritual mission and effort.
My first stop after reaching Karachi several years ago was to go to Multan with American friends and there I met a Wali. “What have you come for?” “I have come to teach.” “What?” “Ishk, Ilm, Shahud.” “All right, teach.” I still have pictures of the event and by the Grace of Allah as manifested to me through Wali Khwaja Khidr this is being written. For there is no question that the longevity and vitality manifesting and manifested in throughout this person and other gifts vouchsafed, though not yet accepted in this world, give the right and authority for this communication which must be explained because the material aspects are discussed.
I have before me “Tadhkirat-al-Auliya” of Fariduddin Attar. There is no question that these holy men were great saints and there is equally no question that a great many criticisms have come to me concerning Pir-o-Murshid. And if you measure Pir-o-Murshid Pir Dewwal Shereef in the context of these saints, he falls very short, but if you measure these saints in the context of our Pir, they fall very short.
For these saints are saints in fana, they have accomplished all the grade of fana. But for all that they are deficient in baqa. And our Pir, though he may not have been so proficient in fana, is their superior in baqa. And there is some question but to me it is evident that these Auliya are more like Buddha than like Mohammed and our Pir, whatever else be said of him, is to a very unimportant, for like American like activities and the wonderful graces of the very great saints of India communicate mostly to the inner life of people, but not to their outer lives. And if we are to follow Insaan-i-kemal, we must have perfection of the whole personality, not the elevation of soul and neglect of body or the opposite.
Also I have before me Kashf-Mahjub of Al-Hujwir (Data Ganj Baksh), and especially the section on shay that sobriety is better than intoxication. But it seems the whole world, and especially both that of India and Islam, despite all the teachings prefer the intoxication to the sobriety and the fana-saints to the baqa-saint.
The University of Islamabad can only be the work of baqa saints. The fana-saints are like the angels and despite Qur’anic teachings the world expects angelic qualities and human activities and they expect more the angelic qualities. The Prophet Himself, who was Insaan-i-kemal, maintained the human characteristics, acted the angelic ones and, with all his attention on Allah, he kept a watchful eye on the humanity and this the fana-saints are unable to do. The same is in the story of the Khalifa-Rashidan:
Siddiq saw Allah and shay together
Omar never saw Allah but afterwards he saw shay
Othman never shay but afterwards he saw Allah
Ali saw Allah only and never saw shay.
Now Ali is the perfection of the saints of fana and Siddiq the perfection of the saints of baqa and we need the complete activity.
If you study the modern sciences, nothing is left out. The botanist does not disregard the weed; the assayist sees everything in the rock; and the ultramicroscope proves that everything in the Universe is composed of light, just as all scriptures hold. So it is no part of mine to dwell on any criticisms or imperfections and especially as it seems to be the divine will and plan to have in these days men of activity and not perfect angelic-saints one is not concerned with personality criticisms. Besides the will of Allah is to work toward perfection. It is not perfection to begin and end with perfection, it is perfection to work in and through everything and not make criticisms in final sense. For everything and everyone has his usages.
Besides one can hardly explain to the world the Grace which this person saw manifest in our Pir and if the Grace was not extended nevertheless it was. And if one continues and explains the work of Khalif A. A. Brochi there would be no end to this letter.
Briefly; as soon as this person stopped trying to help the University the hand of Allah began to manifest itself. For when I turned to ordinary things, it seems that all sorts of little doors open. One can get models for motors and machines and gifts of all kinds, and free. A letter was sent to my freight forwarders in Karachi though answer has not been received, as to their colleagues here and in New York. From this end a number of things may be collected as models and books. And in New York perhaps General Motors may supply also hand tools. But it would still be better to write to Ford Foundation.
This does not include any agricultural materials at any level, which will also be taken up. Nor visits to certain groups in this vicinity which are active in the Islamic countries in these fields. For one person can only do so much.
The news about the book, the amulets and your condition are very pleasant. One does not like to pray Allah concerning oneself and one likes to pray concerning others.
If it is finally decided to come to Pakistan by sea, this will give more time but will delay time of arrival. My present position is not to decide this until Dr. Nasr and I meet, for it is wise to stop in Iran; this means air-travel. Also all this depends on an early and successful settlement here of legal problems. I would appreciate if either Major Sadiq or Shah Sahib could “see” for me. It is only a matter of timing. But my Kashf is that I should be leaving the United States by early December, inshallah.
I wish to pay my own way across the United States unless you can get money released. There is a new Consul-General here and there has been no time to see him. I may write to the Consulate in New York for information.
Love and blessings to your aunt and yourself, from
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
772 Clementina St.
San Francisco 3, Calif,
23rd June, 1965
M. E. Naeem Lukhesar
23, Edwards Road
Lahore West Pakistan
Beloved One of Allah, As-Salaam Aleikhum.
It was very nice of you to write and although all the details are clear, nevertheless some distinct signs have been given that I should write and it is because of these signs one writes.
Sometimes this person does not refer to himself as a “Muslim” but as an “Inshallahist.” There is no use in writing that they are the same. There is too much difference between so many so called “Muslims” and “Inshallahists” or Sufis that on the Day of Judgment this will be clearly seen. Besides, it is most unfortunate that so many Muslims have taken it into their own accounts to judge the world.
According to Arnold Toynbee too many people begin with the idea that Iblis exists and they have to create a thought called “Allah” or “God” to combat that Iblis. So for the moment the Iblis of America is China and the Iblis of Pakistan is India and the Iblis of many Arabs is Israel and instead of placing their faith in Allah or God, they start off elsewhere and so they end elsewhere and they suffer from real difficulties which they do not see while fighting concept difficulties. These concept difficulties are not imaginary but they are more real in the mind than in the objectives. And once this is started we start chains of reason and reasoning which are nothing but extensions of Nufs.
It is no doubt more than rude to start off with teachings in tasawwuf, but if people do not understand the tasawwuf that is all right but not to correspond with this person. For not only is Kalama accepted but Takbir, and to place any power or might outside of Allah is not only shirk (with which you will agree) but it becomes most impractical and it is on this point one must speak.
The Mughal Humayun, in trying to recover his empire, refused to fight his Islamic enemies (and Muslims do fight Muslims) while they were fighting unbelievers. But present day Pakistan, instead of relying on Allah, will call on anybody, anybody at all—Muslims, non-Muslim believers and violent non-believers, so long as it brings either emotional or material satisfaction.
Allah is Rab Alamin and He selects Whom he will for guidance, wisdom, inspiration, and so for scientific, artistic and technical accumulations from which all can benefit. It is Allah who is the Rahmat but He selects His channels and His channels are often those with whom we differ both in religion and politics. So our particular concept of Allah does not always agree with the Master of Heavens and Earth whom all serve and from whom all get their help and assistance in solving problems. It in the end is Allah who is the Helper, the Guide, with endless servants.
Muslims do not like work. They talk about “Hadith” and praise Hadith and they keep on praising Hadith but not following them. They praise Allah in words and they praise Mohammed in words without following Mohammed and they do not praise all those people inspired or gifted by Allah who can help in solving the real problems in food, education and other matters. So there is a gap between the orthodoxy who see Divinity only in certain channels and Sufis who see Guidance everywhere and in everyone and through everyone knowing it is Allah who is doing it all. And we should be praising Allah.
Then there is the difference between the sayer and the doer. The sayers can always find fault; they do not do much. Your Murshid has just two projects: one is that for Indus Valley Development. This will require going to the agricultural research station at Davis, California, where there are some fine irrigation engineers. Also the best Olive experts, so the two missions will be accomplished together. After that one can submit this project. And to whom will it be submitted?
Until last month there was no cooperation from the Foreign Service of your country. They want help and do not want help. The divine guidance is to get the help. And who is concerned? Pir-Dewwal Shereef. He is anxious for a prosperous Pakistan so people can be fed and comfortable. He also wants to see them develop aptitudes. Everyone knows answers in their minds; in the field of action it is different.
Or again the difference between the Wali and the angelic person. The angelic person pleases everybody, and it is a question whether he pleases Allah or not; the Wali pleases Allah and it is a question whether he pleases people or not. Our duty is to the inner and to cooperate. There has been enough inner guidance in your Murshid to carry him through and if he is at fault, he does not ask Allah for forgiveness, he asks Allah for the just punishment.
The other matter is the family law-suit. A letter was received from an uncle indicating that all the materials for testimony are now available and that we shall make every effort for some sort of just settlement. My brother, who has always been a wrongdoer, is very much in a hurry. And this brings what is almost a dilemma. The longer your Murshid holds out the stronger his position will be. And yet the longer he holds out the longer before he can return to Pakistan. Outside the weather your Murshid does not care about being here. He finds himself in no sympathy with Americans in politics and he has found himself in full sympathy with Zafrullah Khan.
There has been no rest, duty coming first. It was necessary to make a trip to Berkeley to celebrate the Egyptian Independence Day; then to go again to hear Dr. Bernard Lewis speak on Islamic Justice. And a very strange thing happened. There are all kinds of dramatic events going on at the Berkeley campus of the University of California and some have been given much attention. Yet on Thursday the protest rallies were drawing few and Dr. Lewis and his associates were surprised to find the small room filled. There was far more interest in “Islamic Justice” even among young people.
The address was excellent on all points and a letter has been written asking for an appointment. Anyhow now the relations between your Murshid and many people at the University of California have improved considerably this last year.
The next subject is peculiar. My spiritual brother, Saladin, for whom the poem was written, became an avid believer in what is called the Osawa Regime. It is based on Brown Rice. Your Murshid has been eating Brown Rice (unpolished) for a long time. He is very much in favor of it. But in the writings of Dr. Osawa the same thing has been said as was told you about the rice and milk. Besides this was like the Purdah (Khilvat) diet excepting honey and fruit were also used. Your Murshid likes this as a diet anyhow. The rice you enclosed is of a very fine quality, fine for health. It takes somewhat longer to cook. But it contains the Bran: the Bran may be removed but the coating eaten. Please get the details and go ahead as the Hakim suggests.
There lies over me at this time a very heavy burden and it is heavier because others cannot or do not see it. As matters stands a very heavy lawsuit is impending and it will tie me down for a long time. This is very recent and unless something is done it will stifle all my plans in whatsoever direction.
There is one way in which help can be given, and in a certain sense must be given prayers. But also if there is spiritual insight and exercise of Ruhaniyat, this will be the best help. On the material plane no help other than this is needed now.
But there is another reason for writing at this moment that two signs were manifested last which are very important and I hope the meaning is clear.
In 1955 we had a fair Muslim Society here and when the United Nations met all the religions had gatherings and all the Muslims here and from outside gathered to see if they could be united and establish a Mosque. And at such meetings a number of persons came who were interested only in power and wealth and they selected a non-American, non-Muslim who was friend of the Sultans of Morocco and Saudi Arabia and they thought he could bring them money. There were six imams and they played them off against each other until there were none.
Besides this non-Muslim there was an American convert who knew nothing and did not even study Qur’an and an Urdu speaking Indian who was half Arab and the whole Pakistani Colony accepted him as leader when he was actually in the pay of the Indian government.
After I was gone the whole movement disintegrated, and what was left was mostly a society with very bad entertainment and a few prayers. They would never permit me to speak, ever. And they refused all reports although Nasser’s representative told me that if they would accept my reports they would receive money. And they tried to buy land even though the City of Francisco would give them the land free but they would not accept any suggestion from this person.
There was also an Imam in this city who did not belong to the Islamic Society but he was a very good friend of mine. Nobody bothered about him. One night, and it must have been by divine Grace, I turned on the radio and heard perhaps the best speech on Islam ever heard locally. I found it was my old friend and now in the past six months everything has changed. The people of San Francisco accepted this Imam and gradually the remnant of the Islamic Society also and since they accepted him they have begun to prosper a little.
I went to see him last night partly because of this and also because I am trying to get a group to host the Ambassador from Sudan when he comes here. And the whole outlook of this man and change I have as a beneficent sign from Allah.
But also he has a friend, whom he says is a very wealthy farmer, mostly growing rice. This man is planning to give up his American properties and come to Pakistan and has some lands near Lyallpur so my next steps, inshallah, shall be to contact him. So although I have the burdens as above, it is possible that also blessings will come.
There is another sign which came up this week. The other day there was a luncheon gathering at which several persons who were attached to the American Peace Corps reported on their activities. The press and government have been praising these people no end. But the young people back did not report so, and they all ran into [?] which they did not expect. The most outstanding one was the man sent to an Islamic community in the Philippines. He could only report complete inability to do anything.
After the gathering I told him there was a vast world between the Islam of humanity and the book-stuff taught here by Englishmen, mostly, which has nothing to do with anything whatsoever. He told me he had found it out. Now in Pakistan there is a censorship over some books and writers and there is no question that these writers mislead people terribly by writing out their ideas and calling these ideas by the name of some Asian religion where there is no connection at all. The very books prohibited in Pakistan are often text-books here. The students study these books and when they come to Asia they find the people are not like that at all and they fail.
About a year ago the top American professor in Arabics came out flatly for Islam against Christianity and for mysticism against orthodoxy and put Sufism on the top. And since then there are so many signs of changes in the universities and I can tell you very many nice stories that will either go into manuscripts or can wait until I return.
So next week I shall see this young man. He is now at a university where also my friends have important posts. And I am going to visit other universities soon. In September I speak at a gathering of the World’s Faiths. The topic will be tauba and that position will also be based on Data Sahib (as above) plus “tasawwuf is based on experiences and not premises.”
So although at the time between being overworked and having legal complication, the future looks very bright indeed, inshallah. And if Allah wills, I should leave this country around the end of the year able to function as He wished. Only one must not take things for granted, and there are many roadblocks. Still what must be done must be done and bayat and all it means still stands.
Love and blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murshid-Chisti
Copy: Please show to Major Sadiq
772 Clementina St.,
San Francisco 3, Calif.
November 7, 1965
Izhar Hameed Siddiqui,
Chishti Sabri,
“Yaqeen International”
Frere Road, Karachi 3, Pakistan
My dear Brother:
As-salaam aleikhum. With the arrival of your edition of July 22, for the first time I am satisfied with a publication from Pakistan. One receives here all kinds of literature each of which ignores the others and each of which expects one to distribute their magazines and thus win converts. But not knowing American psychology most of them would prove to be very offensive.
For example the tendency among the Muslims of South Asia is that no matter what a Westerner says, or does or accomplishes, he remains inferior in “Islam” to them and they overlook that by this type of immoral behavior; they become held in contempt with these of the Arab world.
This person knows of two standards, the standard of Kalama and the standard of tarikat. There may be more. In the standard of Kalama, which is to say Nimaz, all people who join in prayer are equal and any conclusion that one is superior to others thereby and thereafter is kafr before Fateha.
The standardization of tasawwuf may be different but despite the fact that the writer has already been publicly ordained as a Murshid in the Chisti-Sabri school has brought no replies from Pakistan. And this is also kafr for Rassoul-lillah has taught: “Act as if in the presence of Allah and remember, if you do not see Him, verily He sees you.” And the great obstacle to spreading what is called, or miscalled “Islam” is that too many of us will not act as if Allah were watching and seeing us.
Now you have written: “Intellectual Ability and Ethical Power” and this is equal to the best article I have read coming from a Muslim. Too often the stand has been taken that a Muslim is superior to anybody else and I have seen a number of monarchs removed from their posts who privately and publicly broke almost every teaching of Hadith if not of Holy Qur’an yet a lot of people upheld saying, “They are Muslims.” In this sense every Kalama-ist is not a Muslim. He may be saved from Hell but he is not superior because people say he is superior.
On page 39 you write: “The ultimate aim of all Muslims should be to work for the fraternity of Islam and promote a feeling of unity so that the sufferings of one Muslim may become the concern of all Muslims, for indeed all Muslims, irrespective of who or where they may be, are brothers in faith.” This needs several comments from the practical point of view:
1. I have a god-daughter who is a Yogini and a Seeress. I asked her which would be easier, to bring the spiritual leaders of the Hindus together or to bring the Pakistanis and Hindus together. She said, “The latter would be easier.” I said: “Do you realize that you have judged in favor of Pakistan?” “I realize that you cannot bring the spiritual leaders of the Indians together.”
The spirituality of the Swamis and Gurus is great and the spirituality of the Pirs and Murshids is great, but the latter are united in brotherhood and the former are divided in separation.
During the meeting of the UN here there were speeches by the leaders of all Faiths and one of the Imams came here from Washington, D. C. and gave an impassioned speech for Brotherhood. I spoke to the Arab leader here that I was much interested in a peace program that would stop the fighting between India and Pakistan and he said he was also interested and was inviting this Imam here. But when he spoke there were very few Muslims, especially few Pakistanis in the audience. And on the whole the Pakistanis here are for Pan-Islam and not for human brotherhood and this brings up a dilemma:
In seeking a formula that might solve the Kashmir complex I find that the Americans who are not Muslims have a much more favorable program for that part of the world than do the Arabs who are not Muslims. If you call in just the Muslims, you might find judges who judge on a different basis and might decide against you. And if you call in the historians and social scientists who are not Muslims, but who know something of the history of Kashmir, they are not in favor of any of the events that have taken place in Kashmir since the overthrow of the Moghul Empire and are much more sympathetic toward the Pakistan point of view, or if not sympathetic, at least open-minded.
We have already had such a situation here that this person was ostracized by the Muslim, community under pressure from a man who speaks Urdu. He was half Arab, half Indian-national (born in Bombay). As the Pakistan community called itself “Pan- Islamic” they supported this man whom I found later in the employ of the Indian government! It has been very difficult to overcome this handicap.
This brings up a complexity which I do not wish to solve or resolve. Nevertheless there is no obstacle greater than adding to the Five Pillars, and as the Imam from Washington is for the Brotherhood of man and you ask for the fraternity of Islam, would you concede to him? This Imam and his colleagues have converted many Americans. Pakistanis have converted some Negroes but hardly any Caucasians.
When you say: “Our kind Prophet once said that wisdom and knowledge are the best treasures which Muslims should seek wherever they could be found, I agree. But as soon as anybody affirms anything not in Qur’an and Hadith and places it over what is found in Qur’an and Hadith and you come out for a “fraternity of Islam” and this conflicts with the search for wisdom and knowledge and you follow the ignorant Kalama-repeater and reject the learned and wise who do not repent Kalama you are in a trap and it is for that reason that we are unable to solve the Kashmir complex.
As it looks now many non-Muslims wish Pakistan to be given more consideration about Kashmir and many Muslims are satisfied with things as they are.
As to “Interest Free Banking” I am sending this to a friend who is interested in such a
philosophy.
Faithfully,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
22nd March, 1966
772 Clementina St.
San Francisco, Calif. 94103
Begum Aisha Bawany Wakf
P. O. Box 4178
Karachi 2, Pakistan
Beloved Ones of Allah:
Bismillah Er-Rahman Er-Rahim. One must thank you for the mass of literature sent here. But why it was sent to this person is not clear. This person does nothing without consulting Allah and there are all sorts of ways of consulting Allah.
Now in my belief, Allah is closer then the neck vein, which means He is closer than the neck vein and this is reality and poetry. And being closer then the neck vein, one can pray to him and get Guidance, especially in the form of Kashf. The teachings of Kashf are offered in a literary form in “Kashf-al-Mahjub” but the operation of Kashf is possible because Allah is closer than the neck vein, not poetically but actually.
Last night one went to the Iranian Consulate to celebration the Persian New Year. And because one was a stranger there he depended on Allah and His Guidance. And when one depends on Allah and His Guidance one does not come with ideas to impose on anybody. One comes with the open heart. When one prays in Sajda it is that “I am nothing, Thou art.” And when one prays in Sajda, Allah who is closer then the neck vein, gives the guidance.
So one came to speak on Shiraz. One mentioned Shiraz and found oneself surrounded by Shirazis. One of himself did not know that there were many or any Shirazis here. But one depends on Allah (tawakkul) and when there is faith, when there is trust, the glories of Allah manifest. One was surrounded by Shirazi and we discussed Shiraz and Hafiz and it was a wonderful evening. This from trusting in Allah and His Guidance in nothing, nothing, nothing else.
One agrees when the Holy Prophet is quoted, “To spend more time in learning is better than spending more time in praying.” Or “Seek after knowledge though it be in China.” Wonderful, but as soon as one spends more time in learning than in praying, as soon as one seeks the knowledge of China, the whole world of “Muslim” condemns him. He becomes an outcaste; the “Muslim” shuns him.
Have you ever tried to spend your time learning, really learning? Have you ever tried to get the wisdom of the Chinese? That is where the Inshallahist and the “Muslim” part company.
Al-Ghazzali said that tasawwuf consisted in experience and not syllogisms. Now you offer a lot of syllogisms and they have no beginning. Words are used and they mean whatever you want them to mean wherever you want them to mean. That is fine, for you. But how can you expect a stranger to take these words and convey them to others? Have you asked Allah for permission? For guidance? Allah Is Allah and not man, his thoughts, his ideals, his definitions.
1st April, 1966
772 Clementina St.
San Francisco, Calif.
Yaqeen International
Frere Road
Karachi 3, Pakistan
Beloved Ones of Allah:
Id Mubarak. This letter is being written just before departing for Pakistan House and one feels full of gratitude for Allah. For the first time in life, and one is not young by earthly counting, there has been recognition of this person and by implication, recognition of the Divine Message.
American people are educated, astute and heart hungry. They are not like described in your press (and one does not object to your politics, only to wrong criticism of this people). They are spiritually starving just as some of your neighbors are physically starving. And to illustrate the way of Allah, by which one means the Wayef Allah and not some description which limits Allah: very recently a citizen was named Poet Laureate for this State.
He had won by expressing the yearning of soul of man and expressed this in poetry, the heart hunger, the yearning, the longing, but left it opened. So this person wrote him, why did he leave everything with a question and not with an answer. And, alhamdulillah (but not praise to people who think they worship Allah), he answered that he had drunk at the fountain of the Sufi poets! The fact that he so expressed himself will leave the doors open for teaching and certainly for the literature that this person has been spreading.
This literature is accepted at the Consulates of Iran and Pakistan and by the head of the Arab Information bureau, who is a descendent of Maulana Roum.
There is a scientific aspect to the lives of Americans. They do not accept unwarranted statements backed by no evidence. Holy Qur’an cannot be proven by Holy Qur’an and that is why Pakistanis fail but Arabs do not in trying to spread the Message of Islam. And the second reason is the limited superiority of all Muslims over all non-Muslims, a doctrine which is not in either Qur’an or Hadith but out of the nufs mankind. And one sees no reason for Americans to accept a religion which makes them inferior to others no matter what the aspect of heart.
Yes, there have been instances wherein “Islamic” missions have succeeded. The most successful are those of the Ahmadiyyas, Flijan-Muhammad people and the Imams from Al-Azhar. Each has found in his own peculiar way a key to the minds or hearts of Americans.
But when you say concerning Allah that “Allah must,” this person says that an “Allah must” is not Allah, that it cannot be Allah and is contrary to the teachings both of Holy Qur’an and Hadith. No, my friends, it is a sin to say “Allah must.” At least this one does not, will not and cannot accept such presentations of religion to the people of this land.
Even now this person returned from his journey with words of comfort for the Consul General here which he is not going into detail because one may be patient, hard working and follow the Sabri morals and yet he will be accused.
Thus, Holy Murshid, one has answered your letters and more than answered, but since the previous outbreak of hostilities, few letters have come through. Your Government has every right to interfere with the mail but that is hardly this person’s fault.
During this period, the condition of Islamics is even worse than previously. There used to be three Mosques listed in the city of Los Angeles and now there are none. Besides there are no Muslims lecturing to Americans at all and they are so divided.
This person had some training in the Arab world. His chief Teacher used to lecture from the Hadith and not only that, he knew all the history of the holy family, every member of them. This was one type of instruction. And there is a sort of inheritance here from Maulana Roum whose descendent lives here and we are very close friends.
Isa has said, “For every idle word ye shall suffer in the day of judgment.” When this one was in Cairo he used to be taken to task for not praying. The people who took him to task never went to the Mosques and this person was always going to the Mosque. But some people born, as they say, “Muslims” have dispossessed the Creator of the Universe as Master of the Day of Judgment and have taken over. And Allah always deals with them justly so it is not for this one to say anything.
Besides, the Daroods operate in the daily life, but one cannot report when under clouds. My first Pir-o-Murshid, Hazrat Inayat Khan, taught that Sheikh Suhrawardi in ‘Awarif al-Ma’arif and one does not dare disobey such teachings and even if one has few disciples, one never regards them as separate or separated people.
It was by Kashf and without any human directions that this one met again the son of Hazrat Inayat Khan and many of one’s former good friends, both social and spiritual. This indicated a new day. This is also true in the universities where now for the first time, praise to Allah, the professor and students alike listen and respect.
But this one will not answer further. The total ignorance of so many “Muslims” of Adab and Heya and other moral teachings places one in a strange position. But before Allah one must not move. The whole day is spent in forms of Zikr, at work or devotion or rest or anything else. And one stands accused by people who are not so devout. So be it.
This person is not responsible for the political affairs of the world, and neither for the problems with which he is associated which have come through prayer and vision and not from nufs. Fortunately a miracle has happened that when a Sufi editor asked for the names of the culture Muslims in this country and this person had no way of finding them, in the same mail one received this list from a surprising quarter. This is the way Allah operates; it is not the way man operates. Of oneself nothing could be done but the Grace is continually manifesting and it is strange to be accused by those who defy the Messenger of Allah by losing their tempers and arguing in other than a friendly manner. It is not this person but the accuser who should be studying Qur’an and Hadith and the Moral Law.
Faithfully,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
772 Clementina St.
San Francisco 3, Calif.
11th June, 1966
Yaqeen International
Frere Road,
Karachi 3, Pakistan
Beloved One of Allah:
As-salaam aleikhum. Your issues of February 7 have arrived and they touch the very center of my life and being. But in order to make my positions clear and it is not easy thing it is to delineate between Muslims and Inshallahists I shall use the term “Muslims” as it is generally used.
The writer does not believe there can be any shortcoming or lack of wisdom or Beneficences or Compassion on the part of Allah, the Almighty. And he does not agree with Muslims who explain away failures. Failures to the writer show either that there is a test from Allah or that one has departed from the ways of Allah or both. But he refuses to throw any doubt on Rahmat. And as most Muslims throw considerable doubt on Rahmat and as they do not use the Bismillah it is most difficult to get the very well educated people of this land interested in “Islam.” They find “Islam” has very little to do with Allah and a lot to do with all kinds of politics and very forms of self-praise. And it never occurred to Muslims that their lack of success is due almost entirely to their self-praise and departure from Alhamdulillah. They may repeat the words on their lips and it stops right there. In practice ritualistic prayers and not as it should be, in [?] is, the cleansing of body, mind and heart.
The logic of “Economic Difficulties in the Light of Qur’an Majeed” is impeccable. And “fell prayed to the calamity of locusts.” Of course, and again and all the self-praise of Muslims does not stop the locusts.
There was once a famous actress in this country named Mary Pickford and she wrote a book, “Why not try God?” This person said, “Poor lady, why doesn’t she? And today one says the same to Muslims, “Why not try Allah?” Or is there some shortcoming in Allah? This one sees nothing but Perfection in Allah and without claiming perfection for Rassoul-lillah he has chosen to follow to the death some of the Hadith, and he fulfills his life that he acts as if in the Presence of Allah at all times and knows that if he cannot see Allah, Allah veritably sees him always. So it never does anything good to hide and one finds self-apologetic Muslims hiding and apologizing.
As one comes to “Islam and Economic Prosperity,” this is very close to the heart of this person because when this person asked Allah for Guidance, it came that he should work for the prosperity of Pakistan. He had not particular reason. When he began his studies years ago and we did not have literature our text was “Kashf-al-Mahjub” and it is still “Kashf-al-Mahjub.” And when the tomb of Data Sahib was visited in Lahore the spirit of the Saint embraced him and he received the Guidance in the spirit. This was recognized by the Sufi Murshids and later he realized that Data Sahib and Sheikh Al-Hujwiri were one and the same person.
Now this is told not to show one’s prowess but because your publication is called “Yaqeen.” And it was from the study of “Kashf-al-Mahjub one learned about Yaqeen.”
The difference between the scientist and theologian is this: the scientist bases his opinions on experience and the theologian on deductions. Al-Ghazzali has said, “tasawwuf is based on experience and not on premises.” But many Muslims do not accept this at all; they consider their deductions as superior to the experiences of mankind.
This person also follows the dictum of Rassoul-lillah: “Praise Allah in time of prosperity and surrender to Him in adversity.” And from this one can learn the use of Saida to surrender and the greater the surrender the protection and “verily with difficulty cometh ease.”
Now if the Sufi cannot always see Allah his spirit can be attuned to the Saints and to the Messenger and when he returns he hopes to chant this Zikr:
Ya Mohammed Abdullah,
Ya Mohammed Abdullah,
Mohammed Rassoul-lillah,
Ya Mohammed Abdullah.
The explanation of this is exactly the same as “Islam and Economic Prosperity.” There is no difference on anything at all. There is complete agreement.
The Kashf, the Yaqeen was to study the sciences in this land so one could find means to bring prosperity to Pakistan: salt-water conversion to open the Makran; salinity control in the valleys and Indus basin; the introduction of crops not now grown; the installation of a general fertilizer program such as is used by the Khan Brothers, cane growers near Mardan, and many more items. This person has spent thousands of rupees of his own small means.
But when plans were presented to an important official he challenged the writer for not agreeing on that man’s ideas on Kashmir. This person has not been in Kashmir, this person is not in politics and this person has satisfied the Consul-General of Pakistan. But he did not satisfy the official, and the official being a Muslim has not dared to blame Allah for failure in Kashmir. Everything and everybody but Allah is blamed.
This man denounced the writer and said there was no such problem and after he denounced the writer and even forged letters, terminating this, one read an official announcement from your gracious President, Ayub Khan, to the opposite. But this man being a “Muslim” though he lie and cheat it is “Inshallahist” and not a Muslim.
You are very devoted and enthusiastic but your ideas do not strike the Americans. This last week one received a letter from an important American Citizen. There was nothing on it but “La Illaha El Il Allah.” That is all this important American wrote, nothing else. It had come from his observation of this person and also his Zikr; no lectures, no theologies, no sermons, no instructions just Zikr and this has touched the heart of this important American. The Messenger of Allah said that people who repeated Kalama would be saved from hellfire but lots of Muslims will have no consideration for learning as is written in Hadith.
The Suras of Holy Qur’an begin with Bismillah and Bismillah indicates Rahal and Rahmat should indicate that it is possible to solve all problems. And the Inshallahist says that excepting for nufs all problems can be solved. Allah in His Infinite Wisdom and Mercy has made it possible to solve all problems, both those of the worlds without and the worlds within. In the Holy Book gardens are promised and in the lives of man during the centuries since Furkan, deserts occupy more space. Why is this?
The Mercy and Wisdom of Allah point in one direction and the conclusion of man in another direction. The best time was that of the first Caliphs. It has been repeated and the principles are all referred to in “Islam and Economic Prosperity.”
The details and references are excellent. In the Arab world I have seen the artisans at work and the builders at work and many at work repeating Kalama and Zikr and they are among the happiest people on earth: not the most wealthy, but the happiest and this editorial also has the prescription for this happiness. If we follow Allah and His Book and His Messenger and the Companions we may be solving all problems. But if we make a distinction between certain people who without surrendering to Allah, without the Kashf and the Yaqeen, we shall only be repeating the same mistakes as have been made through the centuries.
The other night this one met a stranger and was very much surprised when he said; “Your whole inner being is peace and power. I have never met such a peaceful man and yet you seem to exude power.” One did not say anything. This was our first meeting.
Trust in Allah and depend on Him and not on words from our little minds, and inshallah, all problems inner and outer will be solved. This was a marvelous editorial. I pray that Pakistan will go on that path and if it is possible to help, one is more than ready and willing to aid.
With all love and blessing,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti.
772 Clementina St.
San Francisco 3, Calif. 94103
11th March, 1967
Nasr, Sehmiran, Amaniyah,
Pahlavi Ave. 25 Farkhar St.,
Tehran, Iran
My dear Brother in Allah:
As-salaam aleikhum. The other day, just before receiving your letter, I got off at a wrong corner from the tram (street car) and before realizing, saw an Iranian Bazaar which had just been established. There was a lady in charge, born in San Francisco, but she had married one of your fellow Tehranis and said her husband knew you.
She is at the same disadvantage as any non-native is; that no matter how deep their knowledge of holy things are, they can never be “equal” to those who are born Muslims, and she has the same treatment as the rest of us, no matter how learned or wise or holy, we have to work apart from the Islamic community. I have since returned, presenting her copy of “Hadith” of Hazrat Inayat Khan, all because I felt that was the best way to introduce her to Islamics at any level. It proved to be exactly what she wanted, and could not get. For this country is full of Islamic missionaries, who are not only in absolute agreement in the end, but in absolute agreement in how they got there. So, there is no room for the Grace of Allah.
There is a universal system here that all religionists infer self-praise. They may say, “Praise to Allah,” or they may have strange beliefs, but all end in inferred self-praise. The result is that the young are, more and more, deserting all religion and at the moment, they are coming to this house in increasing numbers. So much so, that tomorrow night, inshallah, I shall be extending Bayat to a whole group, those who seek God and God consciousness, and believe I can help them. My own chief merit is rejections.
Now, my Brother, I have known for many years that I should have to follow in the path of Hafiz-i-Shiraz, to be rejected by any fellow citizens, and after I am gone, to be highly respected by them or more. I have known this by Kashf and direct sight, but these things are as foreign to “Islam” as they are to other faiths, and any experience of and from Allah is regarded as a sign of queerness.
The next thing that happened during the week is the inheritance of a library, from a lady with some wealth, who has a “queer” idea in America. This is very “queer,” that one could learn more Asian philosophies from Asians than from Europeans and Englishmen. Why, even the local Islamic Center selected an Englishmen who was not a Muslim to teach Qur’an, compelling me and some others to resign. But whatever a “Muslim” does is correct, inshallah, or no inshallah. And I guess I am scandalizing them, as Abu Said ibn Abu-l-Khayr scandalized his contemporaries.
For instead of praying about science and religion, I gave to each of them any and all names of God they choose to repeat, and the vast majority found by their own efforts that the word Allah was more efficacious than any other word. They tried it themselves and found this out. For, although the Prophet (I hope I am extending peace to him,) said there should be no compulsion in “Islam,” that is the biggest international joke in existence; for the vast majority of zealots insist on compulsion and fail, while this person will allow no compulsion and, praise to Allah, is succeeding. Already one is winning the young, if not to “Islam,” then to Kalama and Zikr.
For, although it is said that every child is born a Muslim, no child is born with a complex relation to legal codes and folklore which, in so many parts of the world are called “Islam,” and in so many parts of the world differ from each other, so that the “Islam” of one peoples is quite different from the “Islam” of other peoples.
Now the signs are that I must cooperate; only patience is needed. I am, at the moment, engaged in litigation. Our father left a substantial sum which has increased enormously since his death and neither my brother nor I benefit much from it. We are getting ready to bring suit, for I live in poverty and he, due to illness and accidents, cannot pay his bills; and the principal in the estate has increased so much that there is no way for us to touch it, no matter how much we want. And, on top of that, he has been ill, and so many of my friends have been ill, that I am held up. At the same time, I have had the sign to go to England and after this sign, my mother’s estate was probated, leaving enough money for this trip, but no more.
In the library just inherited, one finds the works of M. Pallis. As of Titus Burkhardt, he is the one European who had the audacity to be honest and say one cannot learn tasawwuf without undergoing the proper disciplines from the proper teachers. This is not generally held. “You have been to Harvard University.” “Then you don’t know anything about Islam.” “No. I did not learn anything about Islam there.” This holds, pretty much, for the whole country, although there are breaks now. The important name is always more important than the important wisdom.
I have also had the sign to begin on “Six Interviews with Hazrat Inayat Khan.” This would include my report on the meeting with Hazrat Khwaja Khizr, the Mursaleen and Mecca Shereef. But such knowledge is rejected by our community. And having the Grace of Allah excludes one from most religions communities (vide Hafiz).
Now I have the complete Ryazat of Hazrat Inayat Khan; and I have placed in the hands of a friend a whole pile of material on Ryazat from many sources, not published to and in the Western world. One outer sign comes this morning. I am awaiting a professional athlete. I have shown him how to climb steep hills using, variously, Kalama, Zikr and Wazifas and he has found they work, they are real, they are operative. They are also “unislamic,” for to practice that Allah is closer than the neck-vein is not done. When I teach the Zikr, I require talibs to be aware of their neck-vein and they find it very beneficial. And even tonight I have been invited to another group of young people, to whom I shall show how to chant Allah Hu! This attracts them to what may be called “the religion.” There is no theology at all, just “Allah and the sciences of Allah, which would end in Ism-i Azam. So one no longer cares whether one’s community accepts; for Allah is the Day of Judgment.
Therefore, although there is caution of patience, I am to take everything you have written into deep consideration and will also see my bookstore about your works; those I do not have.
Now, I have already seen by Kashf and Shahud the need to establish a Khankah here. But, besides this, my legal counselor has proposed it; and a new type of Americans, who have the extrasensory faculties and they have independently sought, for they have recognized my position and relation to the Auliya (in the broad sense.)
It thus becomes peculiar that the Islamic community does not recognize this. All my articles on tasawwuf, so far, have been rejected, but those who have the Keen Sight are helping spiritually, if not physically.
The next step is obvious, if and when I go to England, to contact anybody with whom you are in contact. So, I am to wait for any communication from Clive-Ross.
Actually, my position is this: my brother cannot obtain moneys unless I have an equal claim, and so far my claim is largely based on the need of funds to help with further research. At this moment, I have telephoned my brother who is ill and he is quite favorable to your request. Having lived in poverty (for an American) so long, any large sum coming to these hands must be used for the cause of Allah. The cause of Allah is not a person.
Wednesday, alhamdulillah, for the first time, a representative of an important magazine sought this person for an interview for an article on “Sufism” and he suggested further interviews. All these things together from signs, even without prayer, meditation, kashf or shahud.
Last week, a letter was received from Prof. Huston Smith of MIT. Did you meet him? He is regarded as the chief authority on Comparative Religions in the whole country. At the Psychedelic Conference, everybody leaned on Prof. Sydney Cohen, who leaned on Prof. Smith, who was amazed when I told him, personally, things that others reject on the grounds of “egotism.” So I sent him my “True Mysticism Versus Pseudo Mysticism,” and he wants to see me; and it had been my program to go to Massachusetts anyhow, for this money had been reserved before the contact. No “Muslim” can stop kashf or shahud. Allah reveals to whom He would reveal, when he would reveal, or the “8/7 of Qur’an,” as the aforementioned Abu Said taught.
Copy of this is also going to Khalifa Saadia Khawar Khan and to the Islamic community here. I do not belong to this community, but to the Canadian American Islamic Assn., based on the universities and working with the Imams. At least the Imams did recognize my being a human person who has travelled far and wide and studied much.
My prayers and wishes are for you and we shall see what Allah permits. Peace and blessings from
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Samuel L. Lewis)
P.S. Have regular correspondence with Ajmir.
410 Precita Ave.,
San Francisco, Calif. 94110
1st June, 1969
Muslim News International
3 Bonus Road,
P. O. Box 7659
Karachi, Pakistan
Beloved Ones of Allah: As-salaam aleikhum
At this moment I am preparing a paper on Pakistan jointly for the University of California and San Francisco State College. One must say that there is a different type of professor today out here than a few years ago. And I cannot help being struck by Maryam Jameelah’s “Orientalists Influence on Muslim Scholarship” which should better be titled, “Vested Interests Influence on Muslim Scholarship.”
I myself have been the victim of that strange “only in America” institution, the European professor of Oriental culture. A generation back we had many of them. There is no doubt that Dr. H. A. R. Gibb has been the most influential, and perhaps the wealthiest and his word has been pretty near “law” in what may be called dark places.
But far from decrying our Sister’s lament, I welcome it. It can become the basis for counter-attack. And it may surprise you that within one year three different professors in classes here assent that Mohammad was a Prophet or Messenger of God! They add this to their Christianity and so represent a new point of view which is gaining adherence in this region.
We have just had a course in mystical experience and it was surprisingly easy to present the case of Mohammed (No English and German “experts” around anymore.) And the follow up has been a jointly successful campaign to bring the two messages of Jelaluddin Rumi to the young Americans, that of cosmic poetry and that of dervish dancing. To this I am adding chanting almost as if one may become a “Moin-ed-din Chisti” of America. I think I have almost a hundred young Americans repeating Kalama and have not had for months a single challenge to the claims concerning Mohammed as a mystic, as a prophet or as the Final Messenger of Allah.
All of this has been of no concern on the one hand to the Mosques here and on the other, of course, to those professors of “Islamics” who are allies of Gibbs, being neither Muslims nor Americans.
Some time ago when I had only ten followers I asked them to repeat any name of God they wished and then tell me the effects. Nine voted for Allah; one voted for Ram; none voted for “God” or other alternatives. And the hard, hard fact that musicians and singers use la.la.la.la…. has helped open this door.
There is a Hadith that Holy Qur’an was sent down in seven dialects and each one has its inner and outer meaning. If one ever had the deep mystical experiences, especially in fana-fi-Rassoul, one would know from the deep direct experience the truth of this. And any arguments at lower levels are useless. One champions and will continue to champion, inshallah, the teaching of Al-Ghazzali that tasawwuf is based on experience and not syllogisms.
Where I depart from Sister Maryam Jameelah is that any syllogisms are of any value whatsoever in discussing the actualities of Revelation. In the sciences we are not permitted to discuss intelligently unless we have had some direct laboratory or similar experience. And the same should apply to all matters in regard to the relation of Allah and humanity; or if we really accept the real Hadith, between Allah and shay.
There is another item and one here accepts the presentations of Sheikh Hujwiri (Data Ganj Baksh) about the superior spiritual and mystical process of the first Khalifs and the companions. We have a parallel of sorts in the Buddhists tradition that those who came into the presence of Buddha immediately became enlightened. And even H. G. Wells attested that there must have been something in Mohammed that could produce a Siddiq, and Omar and I add, an Ali.
There is no bogey in “rationalism.” There is only the strange habit of Muslims and non-Muslims alike of identifying words with things. “Rationalism” as it is called is not at all rational. It is just a high sounding term for discrete analysis. Analysis breaks down, it solves nothing. It is the cause of all the disturbances this country, and I presume other countries are having today.
Any person can write anything without any supporting evidence. In Western culture the law and the true sciences require substantiation. Elsewhere opinion is wanted and opinion carries the day and will continue to carry the day until people become honest first with themselves (the greet Jihad) and then with others (the lesser Jihad).
Of course I believe the trouble is nufs. But there is no intention here of forcing Sheikh
Al-Hujwiri on anybody. I still believe and am content to stand alone, “There is no compulsion in Islam.”
Faithfully,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
P.S. No Muslims at the “only in America” East-West gathering in Hawaii. Five out of twelve of the leaders belong to a very small but important faith. I need not mention its name here.
P.P.S. There was a very plain young American woman here. She was given
the name of Namealah. She has become beautiful and radiant.
Dec. 28, 1969
Dr. A. Ala-ud-din Siddiqui
Punjab University
The Mall
Lahore, Pakistan
Beloved One of Allah:
The surprise reception of certain materiel (copies enclosed) from Ceylon came in a time and manner to be very stimulating. One is engaged in, among many other things, the reception of labor “Rassoul Gita” which, inshallah, may become of great importance to the people of the future. There is a sort of school of poetry—it is not exactly that but the term will do—which portrays the incessant efforts of the Spirit of Guidance to make itself known in the outer world. All the inspirations came in Pakistan, but it has required much patience, silence, endeavor, to resume them.
Islam has at least two meanings which can be verbalized, not exactly fairly, as:
a. Complete surrender to Allah
b. Exact performance of certain rituals and traditions
These are not necessarily inconsistent and at war with each other, but as a rule, conventions dominate over spiritual accomplishment. One has seen therefore the failures of many efforts verbalized as Islamics, whereas in truth nothing that proceeds from Allah can ever actually fail. In other words, I hold that if something fails, it is not from Allah. And if something comes from Allah, it never in the end fails. This may not be the popular view, but it is the one to which I stubbornly hold and will hold until it is demonstrated, and I mean demonstrated, otherwise.
Working quite independently I find myself a leader of a large number, a growing large number of young Americans who accept Kalama, chant Zikr, and believe there is a true God not apart from the experiences of humanity. In this I find myself apart from many Muslims who when things go wrong seem to feel the solution lies in passing pious petitions which get nowhere. While the Muslims of this country and of this world are concerned with these pious petitions they are unconsciously assuming a power other than Allah to whom they can appeal. And while they are concerned with these petitions, this person has been successful in getting even ex-Israelis to recite Kalama and Zikr. I feel positive that the word of Mohammed, on whom be Peace, that the souls of those who so repeat will certainly not go to Hell, even though they may not otherwise accept the dogmas and practices of institutionalized Islam. I am not opposed to institutions, but this world needs Allah above all else, and when Allah is put in second place, He is put in no place. In any event, one can hardly have the disapproval of Allah and be successful in his spiritual endeavors and undertakings. Where then do approval and disapproval come? If from other than Allah, this assumes a power the existence of which I have been unable to accept.
Curiously, along this same line, there is very little interest among members of the Muslim communities in the local studies on Arabic and Islamic culture, in all the arts, in poetry and literature. To me this is a sorry state. If there is anything to rival the Taj in grandeur, it can be found in the Islamic accomplishments in other lands now relegated to artistic studies. And once relegated there, ignored by the Islamic communities. But this very situation has enabled one to proclaim the Messenger of Allah among non-Muslims and to receive surprisingly favorable responses. Why can this be so? I believe, although I cannot prove it, that this shows a certain favor and acceptance by Allah Himself. You should not be surprised therefore to hear that my own American disciples of their own efforts are studying Arabic, are studying Islamic Culture, are working for better understanding in all avenues and pursuits.
One does not have to seek “excitement” in life. Having already been successful in drawing even a few Israelis to din, our next venture is to await an Arabic Sufi scheduled to arrive any moment. And one has utmost faith that righteousness is going to prevail in this world, as it always ultimately has, even though externally mazy things look dark. They will look dark when the hearts and minds of people are dark, and they will became bright when the hearts and minds of people are bright.
I hope, inshallah, to be able to attend a conference of the world’s religions under the auspices of The Temple of Understanding, an American institution whose headquarters are in Washington, D.C. I have full faith in the activity of the Divine Presence. In some respects this is a message for your people, when I receive what might be called pessimistic communications. Nor do I like to preach that Allah is all Mercy and Compassion when it seems otherwise. But looking beyond the veil, i.e., accepting the functionality of Kashf and Shahud, I find there is a perfect beautiful world beyond all seeming troublesomeness.
Love and Blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
(Samuel L. Lewis)
written at: Box 444, San Cristobal
NM 87564
June 17, 1970
Pir Dewwal Shereef
University of Islamabad
Islamabad, West Pakistan
Beloved Pir:
Asalaam Aleikhum! It is a long time since one has attempted to write. The experiences favorable and unfavorable which has occurred in the last nearly seven years are now resolving themselves into a grand symphony. No doubt everything has happened, is happening as Allah wishes. One finds oneself in a rather strange universe in which neither orthodoxy nor heterodoxy seem to matter very much, but there is a more and more constant Akhlak Allah, and this Akhlak Allah becomes even more natural than necessary.
(One has among one’s records a number of different interpretations of the meanings of La Il La Ha El Il Allah. These interpretations are not very much in accord with what is known as “Islam,” but are absolutely in accord with the Hadith, “Allah has sent down Holy Qur’an in seven dialects and each has an inner and outer meaning.”)
The first part of the life which lasted almost five years was like a sojourn in The Cave; whatever one’s intentions, whatever one’s commissions, whatever one’s wishes and ambitions, they neither failed nor succeeded. It is easy to presume that one can go into another land and by his mere presence convert a lot of people to whatever he wishes. It is easy to dream of the ignorant converting the intelligent, but this is nonsense. It requires intelligence to convert the intelligent.
About five years ago one reversed one’s habit of peacefulness and nonviolence and brought suit against a member of one’s family. The suit was never terminated; not only was it settled out of court, but it has resulted at the lowest level in a much larger income which keeps on increasing, until at this day it is about four times as great as it was when one was in Pakistan, Alhamdu Lillah!
Just before this change one suffered from an infection, to main poisoning to be exact, and when one was flat on his back in the hospital the voice of Allah appeared and said, “I make you spiritual teacher of the hippies.” One may surrender to Allah willingly or unwillingly or one may refuse to surrender to Allah; but when one is flat on one’s back, one has not even a choice.
This was followed immediately by a series of visions and every one of those visions has now come into outward manifestation, down to tiny details. Now this is in harmony with the predictions or commissions of several Pirs and holy men that one was to get fifty thousand Americans to say and repeat Allah and believe in him. This of itself looked immense and when one considers in the past that this person was a recluse and an outcast, it looks even more ridiculous. But so did the outlook no doubt of Siddiq when he was in The Cave with the Blessed Messenger.
One began teaching spirituality through the Walk. This was a grand adventure during which 3 of the original 6 disciples deserted this Murshid; but it is remarkable that one has not had 3 desertions since. This method was blessed by the late Miss Ruth St. Dennis, a very spiritual dancing teacher who knew how to receive inspirations from the very space itself.
The Walk developed in two directions: extensionally and intentionally; in the extensional walk disciples learned to climb hills and mountains and walk long distances. The sacred phrases needed for these are comparatively few. But then the question arose: if the Sifat-i-Allah and Hadiths can be used to help one walk long distances, climb mountains, and work without fatigue, cannot they and other Sifat-i-Allah and Wazifas be used to help mankind in his greater education, purification and development? So now we use many of the sacred phrases in psychic and moral procedures. These take on two entirely different aspects:
Moral Development. By applying the divine qualities to mankind one helps to remove the evils, the short-comings, the impediments, and all the grosser aspects of being. A sacred phrase is better than a chastisement. A chastisement is a reliance on man; a prayer or devotion is a reliance on Allah. All theories, doctrines, and orthodoxies aside, the simple fact is that these methods work.
When I told some Muslims what I was doing they said, “Muslims will not approve of this.” I answered, “It is not a question as to whether Muslims will approve of this, it is a question of “does Allah approve of this.” I live in a district where there are some Jordanians and Palestinians and they are amazed and approve.
The next phase seems to be coming—that these methods can be extended to deal with psychological problems. Without going in to details there were two such instances just before I left San Francisco about a month ago and both turned out successfully, Alhamdu Lillah!
Psychic Purification. The great pseudo-problem—and it is a pseudo-problem and not a real problem is that the young people in this part of the world and others are resorting to the use of products of the vegetable world to open themselves up or to be opened up to what might be called the subtle world (following an Indian termination) or possibly to Malakut which has been variously interpreted. The simple fact is that this is so. The soul of man knows very well that the material world (Nasut) is only one of several planes of existence. All the common or uncommon sense cannot change this. In the last days of his life the late Aldous Huxley concluded that this hidden world was real. It was also known as faerie by the Celtic people. It was considered variously immoral, illegal, insane and perverse to have any dealings with it. People diatribe against materialism, but keep themselves bound in it just the same.
There have been many predictions supporting the principles of psychic and spiritual evolution. One began with the theme Joy Without Drugs. It is so easy to have a formula, words. Then the question came, how to implement these words with actualities?
It is one thing to say La Il La Ha El Il Allah. It is beautiful to say, “As man takes one step toward Allah, Allah takes ten steps toward him,” but how about the actualities? This is exactly what has happened.
Now one is daring two tremendous things: the first is based on a Hadith, “In that day will the sun rise in the West and all men seeing will believe.” It is true that the Blessed Messenger said, “Seek wisdom even unto China.” But try it. And you will have down on you almost all the Islamic world accepting most fortunately the most advanced sages and seers. I shall refer to this later. Well the voice of Allah came to me and presented more visions of dervish dances. These dances are based only slightly on the methods of the Mevlevi School. They also have in them elements of the Rifa’i and Bedawai Schools. And along with them the operative aspects of kashf.
One of the strangest things in my life is that I began studying “Kashf-al-Mahjub” in 1924, and it was not until 1962, after I had visited Dirgah Data Ganj Baksh many times and had many direct communications from him, that I realized Data Sahib and Sheikh al-Hujwiri were one and the same man! But even now I see how the kashf must develop into Shahud and Mushahida, a subject beyond the scope of this letter.
So we began dervish dances and everything has followed exactly to details of what the Blessed Allah showed in vision: the growth from 6 to 30 disciples, from 30 to 60, from 60 to 100 and then the aureole burst into another dimension. I have not yet organized to that dimension. One was entirely satisfactory in a conference of the leaders of the world religions where Sufism so to speak was represented by our good friend Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr. After that one was entirely successful in communicating the Sufi dances to the young in London, England; Boston, in the Northeastern part of the United States, and now in the Southwest.
Then the question arose of this body and other bodies being overworked, whereupon the wise Allah intervened and gave the commission, that Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti would be called upon, Inshallah, to play a role in the United States similar to that of Saint Moin-ed-din Chisti in India. Although the vision was clear, it was so daring that one could not face it but instead surrendered himself entirely to Allah and from that moment a new type of Qawwal was borne.
So during the dancing classes we intersperse the rest periods with chanting, although we have one grand Wazifa chant (Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, Allaho Akbar) used during the walks and Kalama chants during the dances. These are apart from the new type of Qawwal. One must say here that although many Muslims will resent these, they seem to have the entire approval of Allah, and hundreds and hundreds of us “kaffir-feringhis” are chanting the praise of Allah in Arabic, and also the praise of Rassoul Lillah!
Now the next thing is the revolution in the Western music of the day from popular music. The inspirations from Allah seem tom blend in these modes with the chantings of sacred phrases.
Now we come to the next phase. A disciple, William Mathieu, joined us—I am at this time giving him the spiritual name of Alla-ud-din, using our good friend, Dr. Alla-ud-din Siddiqui of Lahore as putative God-father; we are also sending a copy of this letter to Vice-Chancellor Siddiqui.
One has, so to speak, several missions and commissions from Allah about which one does not wish to speak here as they would be digressions. One sees the need of a return to Pakistan, Inshallah, in 1972 or 3 (unless Allah directs sooner and money is forthcoming) of bringing a group to Pakistan, and especially to the Universities of Islamabad and Punjab and present this material; this would not only better American/Asian relations but would do much to raise the consciousness of the young so that they would realize whatever experiences are derived from so-called drugs, these are very little when contrasted to the experiences of kashf and shahud.
In the meanwhile there has been some filming of our work. Unfortunately at this writing the filming has included rituals, and personalities quite inimical to the Cause of Allah or to the purposes to which this personality is devoted. In the meanwhile two other groups have in mind the filming of modern methods of seeking and serving Allah (God), one from a universal point of view and the other from the point of view of already established religions, and in both these instances there is excellent personal relations to and with Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti.
While I feel to be working much more for the Mohammed of Jili (insan-i-kemal) than for the orthodoxed version of Mecca Shereef, evidently here also Allah is with me; we went into a bookstore in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and saw Mishkat which I purchased immediately, and on my return to San Francisco I am commissioned to write on the coalescence of the moral teachings of my first Pir-o-Murshid, Hazrat Inayat Khan, with the Hadiths. This will be in part a labor of love and joy and in another a directive to the very questionable situations in the world today. Fortunately, I have three wonderful secretaries who are very devoted. I also have two remarkable young men serving as Khalifs, and at least one young man and one young woman almost as advanced. Their dreams, their visions, their outlooks, their high standards almost cause one to weep.
This is written high in the Rocky Mountains in a place more comparable to Nathiagalli than to Murree, some 9,000 feet up. I shall be returning to San Francisco at the end of the month; I shall be returning expecting large audiences. One must fulfill the commissions and amr’ given to one by Allah and the Pirs who represent Him on earth. Although well on in years from the worldly standpoint the mind is such that this letter was dictated without pause and the body also is remarkably active, Alhamdu Lillah!
Please give my love and respects to all of your colleagues and especially to my very good friend, the Brigadier.
Love, Blessings, and Respects,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti Samuel L. Lewis
410 Precita,
San Francisco California USA
June 22, 1970
Prof. U. Durrani
Departments of Physics and Engineering
University of Peshawar,
Peshawar, W. Pakistan
Beloved One of Allah; Asalaam Aleikhum!
I have just been reminded by a sudden visit from Christopher Hills to this place that a letter should be sent you; Lama Foundation where I am staying is very high up in the Rocky Mountains and compares perhaps more to Nathiagalli than to Murree. But there is no town here, The nearest city is about 25 miles away. The word “Lama” is of Amerindian not of Asian derivation. Indeed this mountain seems to have been sacred to some at the natives of this region, and the founders of this group are perhaps as well attuned to the Pueblo Indians, as they are called, as any other group.
It will soon be eight years since the return from Pakistan, during which time one had to go through the trials, tribulations and vicissitudes of The Cave. But in the last three years after a deep experience of pain and vision both it seems that the whole of life is progressing exactly as numerous sages have predicted and exactly as seems to be “revealed” in states of exaltation. To put it briefly, today one is in a far better financial condition, one has about 100 disciples and is constantly drawing more and more audiences.
As you know there can be a vast difference between a verbal “Islam” and a continual response to the divine will in all things. It should be obvious to everyone that the actual will of Allah is often contrary to the wishes, whims, and desires of human kind, including the pious.
It might seem boastful to declare one of operating on a plane comparable to that of Saint Moin-ed-din Chisti. But the fact is and it is a very powerful fact that we are attracting more and more and more and more young people through our chants and dances. If you came here you would even hear young children chanting praises of Allah while the pious self-proclaim their own superiority.
You will excuse me if I do not furnish too many details. I am sending a copy of this also to Khawar, who is in the eastern part of the United States. She has begun to realize that this Murshid has a tremendous mission. We have a small, but quite successful Khankah in the city of Novato, California, some 30 miles north of San Francisco. In times of stress, turmoil and confusion, more and more mureeds are finding at the same time material prosperity and inward inspiration. For this moment the inner inspiration which concerns me as a person most is that of the singing and chanting. One can foresee another visit to Pakistan, inshallah, perhaps in 1972. In any event it should be after Khawar returns and at her convenience.
This letter is written from the State of New Mexico in the southwestern portion of the United States. One was invited here as a Murshid and is beginning to be called on a large scale either “Murshid” or “Sufi Sam.” S.A.M. is both the holdover of my original nickname and the initials of Sufi Ahmed Murad. One was given a commission, so to speak to get 50,000 Americans to chant Allah; it seemed impossible, but after I left San Francisco to come here there was a so-called “Holy Man’s Jamboree” of, I am told, 1,500 or more young Americans and they were entirely won over by my colleague Pir Vilayat Khan (oldest son of my original teacher Hazrat Inayat Khan, and my representative, my esoteric secretary, Wali Ali Meyer.) It will be several days before I return to that region, but on the 5th of July we expect to celebrate the birthday of Hazrat Inayat Khan.
The visit of Christopher Hills has brought up both a positive and negative theme. The positive theme is that we need your writings. I am willing to send on any amount that will more than cover the shipment to the above address. I would like an estimate and will see that the money is in your hands before a shipment is made; this is a different world today. You hear about the excitement and turmoil; you do not hear about the grandeur and idealism of an ever-growing number of young Americans who are far more God seekers than their predecessors.
I am presenting a sort of universal Sufism with Mohammed, Mecca Shereef, as insan-i-kemal following Jili. I also in my person—which may be very limited or may not be—see (shahud) him as Khatimal Mursaleen. In these days when so many can speak on mysticism that mystics have little opportunity, this hardly inhibits the connection between the devotee and his ideal. Basically I use three method: 1) walk, 2) dance, and 3) chant. The walk came first, and it covers everything from ordinary walking through all grades of tasawwuri to Akhlak Allah. This is a long and profound subject which I shall not discuss here. In my poem “Saladin” the Messenger of God appeared in all capacities up to the most profound; but we also chant both “Ya Mohammed Abdulla” which is to say, Mohammed as a perfect karma yogin—I mean example by working, not by writing books about it, example, by being one among humanity, not one so superior and even separate from the rest of humanity.
My personal secretary Mansur and I have been to a conference of all the real religious leaders of this world. By heart, by intention, by wish and by desire finding our good friend Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr very close to Swami Ranganathananda Maharaj, both freedom and bondage brought the same conclusion. The one theme I had to accept from Dr. Nasr was the warfare against the lying Dajjals. Philosophy and claims aside I personally have had to suffer such persecution from such people I am very glad today there is also a rising movement against Dajjalism which may be the curse of the world.
I had already felt inspired to write against that which Christopher Hills stands for; there are so many audacious and presumptuous persons and groups denying to La Illaha El Il Allah. We seem to have yoga without God, spirituality without Allah, and self proclamation as the goal in life with a growing multitude of rival claimants all establishing themselves in the highest position; all ignoring each other; all disregarding traditional religions; all talking about complexities and legal organizations with themselves in the highest posts, of course, as the way out. A lot of them, instead of love for humanity, they all seem to agree that most of human kind is inferior and just waiting for leadership themselves.
Where I have not been persecuted by such people I have seen their most ridiculous downfalls. The last actually occurred in this part of the world a few years ago by a group in which Christopher Hills was also connected, but which excluded absolutely—and I mean absolutely—all Sufis including saints poets and historical characters and a number of other real spiritual characters and movements in this world.
Among the things I learnt from Hazrat Inayat Khan was that a teacher can only be judged by the advanced development of his disciples. I have seen so many marvelous comets go by, including such characters as Ramana Maharshi of Arunachala. I have seen so many proclaiming, self-proclaimed or otherwise proclaimed personalities often with large temporary followings, but I have not seen the transmission of dharma or the descent of baraka. And although I cannot compare myself to these wonderful characters, there is one thing that is sure and that is the descent of baraka first to my leading disciples and then now to more and more of them.
Years ago when I was despised I came upon a so-called “hippy” named Carl Jablonski and saw the Sufi symbol in his forehead. I knew immediately he was destined for spiritual leadership and in the course of time he became my first Khalif. I have another Khalif of a different sort, a man part Irish part Chinese, a mixture of East and West, who because of his physical prowess was given the name of Akbar. His progress has been on a different line but it has been marvelous.
Now we are presenting a new type of Qawwal based on modern developments in music but using mostly the sacred phrases of Islam. Traditionalists may gawk, but when you find young Americans running around singing:
“Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, Allaho Akbar, La Illaha El Illahu,
… other Wazifas and sacred phrases.
Those bigoted Muslims are self-deceived and deceive others when they say there is opposition to Mohammed. It is easier to get the new type of Americans to chant “Mohammed a Rassoul Lillah” than to sing patriotic songs. This is the new age.
One has also assumed the role of a loving grandfather. At first it seemed very daring. Now it has become a most successful career, Alhamdu Lillah!
So you can see that your writings would be most welcome here and perhaps more than welcome. I am today overwhelmed by the invitations and huge possibilities of winning the young people of the world to a true spiritual life. Or as is said in Hadiths, “In that day will the sun rise in the West and all men seeing believe.”
Love and Blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
July 7, 1970
Consular Division Embassy of Pakistan
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
As-salaam-aleikhum!
The writer has been given to understand that one Nawab Sahib from Lahore has been in your vicinity and registered with you. The writer has been a guest in this gentleman’s home and it is a courtesy to try and find out his whereabouts. Also I understand he wishes to contact me personally.
For your information the writer has been constantly moving. He was given what to many may have been an impossible mission to get 50,000 Americans to repeat Allah, and perhaps go on from there. But the writer has also been at a conference of the leaders of the world’s religions. His own closest associate being Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr of Tehran, Iran.
All praise to should be extended to Allah for his guidance, Divine and human, which is making it possible for this person to have reached hundreds and now, inshallah, thousands, of young people. In fact he has been giving instructions in the sciences of Wazifas and Kalama to young Americans and finds it very easy, although of course not “newsworthy” because it is so unusual.
When in London one met the cultural attaché at the office of the high commissioner and found that he also was very close to Pir Dewwal Shereef and the University of Islamabad. But on account of the persecution by lawless mobs of people of Pakistani origin the writer intends to join the London mosque and to pay Zakat there for the relief of these unfortunate victim. For the Nawab’s information, all affairs of life have progressed marvelously in the course of this year.
Faithfully,
Samuel L. Lewis
August 3, 1970
Mr. F. H. Engineer
Sales Manager
Associated Cement Co.
Ibafda House
Lahore, West Pakistan
Beloved one of Allah: As-salaam-aleikhum!
At this time I am writing you at the request of our good friend Shemseddin Ahmed. Sometimes in moments of conceit or even actuality I seem to think that the prediction “In that day will the sun rise in the West and all men seeing will believe” is being fulfilled here, the West signifying the Western hemisphere.
As you possibly knew, after the return from Pakistan, I went through a long Cave-period. There is no doubt that many people seem to think that others can accomplish so much without taking into consideration the difficulties of life. It was only during an illness and afterwards that when the Voice of Allah said, “I make you spiritual teacher of the Hippies” that things began to happen, and they have been happening ever since, and more and more and more and more. I have had exactly two free days so far this year. The hardest people to deal with are those who verbalize “Take it easy,” for they are the ones who expect more and more and more from me. What they expect is generally right before Allah, but they are not always considerate of human limitations.
The Divine Messenger has said, “Every child is born a Muslim.” I never met any child yet who understood the Sharia of the great Imams at birth. Never once. But I am finding more and more infants, not only the children of disciples, but a lot of others, who are saying Allah before they say the proverbial “Mama” and “Papa.” I consider this a miracle, a miracle of Allah. But of course it is not accepted by “good-Muslims.” It does not fit in with traditions!
I have been corresponding Shemseddin concerning getting literature from IRFAN and U. Durrani. We can use such literature. We can also pay for it. In the past two weeks my devoted disciples have taken steps to see there is an ample treasury here and to help the cause of Allah in all respects. Since their meetings, at which I was not present, the attendances at various gatherings has increased, the collections have increased, the request for Sufi teachings has increased, and more and more personalities are trying to reach this person all the time. He has not sufficient secretarial help, but the main reason is that Allah has seen to it that former secretaries now have good remunerative (paying) jobs. There is nothing in our life which does not support to the full “Er-Rahman, Er-Rahim.”
One disciple is filming spiritual endeavors all over the United States and hopes to go to Ajmer, inshallah. There is a rise of interest inmate and dance in as ways to human understanding. Last week there was a musical concert of an artist from Nubia, Sudan. Notably absent from the audience where Muslims and Arabs; notably present and in very large numbers, were young Americans to whom the press refers to as “Hippies.” But I tell you, beloved one of Allah, there is a new type of young American, so much more spiritually advanced than their forebears that they are absolutely inconceivable to the press.
I have tried to communicate with Prof. Durrani and others but have not been successful. We do need spiritual literature here. We are keeping in touch with Ashraf, the best we can. I now have about 100 disciples in this region who are about as many as I can handle, and depends are made on me and for me to understanding between Jews and Muslims are so far been most successful, Alhamdu Lillah! These plans do not always meet with the approval of various types of traditionalists. To me it is always a question “Do they meet with the approval of Allah?” I have seen me sign that they do not.
At this writing, I have no way of telling when and whether I can see Khawar either in the United States or in Pakistan. If Allah wills it certainly shall be, but I cannot at the same time without aid carry on personal missions and serve Allah. If aid comes that will no doubt be different.
But, praise to Allah, he has kept this body and mind in a marvelously fit condition considering age and circumstances.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
August 22, 1970
Ansar Nasri
Radio-Pakistan
Karachi, West Pakistan
Beloved One of Allah: As-Salaam-Aleikhum!
It is now several years since returning to this land. One came back with the blessings and wishes of so many Saints and devotees who all seem to be in agreement as to this person’s mission. But until 1967, it was like The Cave. Then one had to face one’s own brother in a lawsuit. The lawsuit was won and fifty year’s enmity disappeared. We became friends. Only there was a celebration and one was stricken with ptomaine poisoning. During that time there was a real spiritual experience and the Voice of Allah said, “I make you spiritual teacher of the Hippies.” One was flat on his back hospital. What could one do?
Then Allah showed a great many visions, and every one of those visions, Alhamdulillah!, has since come into manifestation. One’s earlier theme of “Joy Without Drugs” was followed by opening classes, first in spiritual walks and then in Dervish Dancing. These walks were all based on the Sifat-i-Allah and Wazifas of Tasawwuf. They work. Young people began to be excellent mountain-climbers and hikers. In the meanwhile a number of events led to a much better financial situation enabling the writer to have a home in San Francisco and, with some disciples, have a home in the town of Novato 30 miles North of San Francisco. This place is called “The Garden of Inayat” after Hazrat Inayat Khan.
(“The Garden of Allah” was later established at the home of my disciples Amin—now a Sheikh-and Amina, his wife.) Both these gardens have blossomed marvelously and I hear are becoming show places. But the main attention is to vegetables and although by Kashf one felt it would be three, already it is only the second year and the harvests are most beautiful.
Then we began producing Dervish Dances. Some of your countrymen said: “Muslims will not approve of these.” This person said, “It is not a question of whether Muslims approve, it is a question of whether Allah approves.”
Anyhow, one’s own disciples in this area have increased to about 100. many more are attending meetings. The dances themselves are spreading, and it is safe to say that already at least 1000 Americans are chanting Allah, the Bismillah, the Wazifas, the full Kalama. Not only that, everything is growing, excepting at this writing the strange phenomena of lack of secretarial help, due to the prosperity of related adventures calling into employ all the disciples and their friends!
In addition to that these fine young people now realize the burdens their Murshid has been carrying, and are helping in every way they can.
As a side report, we are succeeding, inshallah, in plans promoted for bringing Israelis, and Palestinians, and Arabs together; of getting Jews to repeat the Kalama and Muslim to repeat the Shems. This is not news of course.
In the meanwhile, La Illaha El Il Allah is something more than a sacred phrase. It is truth itself, or as we say Ya Hayy! Ya Hakk! While one of my disciples was looking for a place for a summer school of Pir Vilayat Khan he ran into a wealthy man who was looking for Sufis! He is now a mureed and is traveling, but is expected home soon and has promised every sort of co-operation.
Now I must tell you about disciple Phillip Davenport. He is a very ambitious young man whose efforts to publish magazines have not been very successful. But he did publish my “Toward Spiritual Brotherhood” and this won the approval of my present Pir-o-Murshid (or rather one of them) Sufi Barkat Ali of Salarwala near Lyallpur. I was originally introduced to Sufi Sahib by our old friend retired Major Mohammed Sadiq. It is the same Phillip who found the wealthy publisher just mentioned before.
In the meanwhile, the Dervish Dances impressed a well-to-do disciple who had been in the film industry. He has tape recorded and filmed many of my efforts. He conceived the idea of a world project, and was also joined by my god-son Ralph Silver, who has been fairly successful in raising funds. They are leaving, along with others, some going to Teheran, and then all joining together for Urs at Ajmer. They will be visiting Nizam-ud-din Auliya at Delhi, both before and after Ajmer. Then they are breaking up again, and after that Phillip and Ralph will both probably visit Pakistan, but not necessarily traveling together, Ralph wishing to go to Lahore, ‘Pindi, etc. But Phillip definitely wishes to come to Karachi.
Early this year, secretary Mansur and I participated in the conference of the world’s religions at Geneva, Switzerland. At the beginning we were almost the only unknowns. My colleagues were Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Pir Vilayat Khan, but we gained many many friends like Dr. Jurgi and other notables. Zafrullah Khan was there and rather withered under the attacks of other Muslims. It demonstrated that mere worldly fame is of little value when action is necessary. His successor is an Egyptian who sat next to me, a beautiful soul who impressed everybody both by his speech and silence.
Now I do not know what changes have been taking place in the television industry since my departure. I am hoping you are alive and well, and that either you or your colleagues will at least be willing to welcome my friends and disciples.
At London I had a wonderful interviews with a Pakistani cultural attaché who is also a friend of my other Pir, Dewwal Shereef of the University of Islamabad. (I am also writing our old friend Brigadier Ghulam Khan.)
That Allah may be with us regardless of “Muslims” is manifested by the fact that all infants born to disciples in the past two years say “Allah” before they say Mama or Papa. But it is not only these infants but many other infants, not children of Muslims, who are doing the same. And this week, when I went out walking, we were surrounded by a group of children, ages 3 to 6, Allahu, Allahu, Allahu.
I have also made friends with the Imam of the London mosque to whom may pay my Zakat, Pakistanis are really persecuted are mis-treated in London. No nonsense; no propaganda. Actuality. Horrible! So I hope to help this Imam who himself has been a disciple in Tasawwuf.
I think this is enough news for one letter.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
P.S. If my old friend S. Itaat Hussein is still alive will you please send him my salaams.
August 24, 1970
Judge Ghulam Rabbani Khan
c/o Islamic Review
Brandreth Road,
Lahore, West Pakistan
(also Monserah Hazara District, West Pakistan)
Beloved one of Allah: As-Salaam-Aleikhum:
It is many years since we have tried to contact each other, but now Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful, is opening many doors. My whole life’s savings were used to go on a trip to Europe with my secretary Mansur.
We were totally unknown when we met the great spiritual and religious leaders of the world, and also met many persons with whom there had been correspondence. The meeting itself was under the auspices of The Temple of Understanding.
The famous Sir Zafrullah Khan was there. In general political leaders did not make very good showings; religious and spiritual leaders did. Anyhow, my own brother left this world while the conference was on, and at this writing I am now in excellent financial condition.
We then went to London and I rejoined the World Congress of Faiths. This is a New Age. The young people, especially in America, have universal outlooks. I had already begun teaching Dervish Dances and first by ten, and now by 100s, young Americans are repeating: Allah! So inspired and spiritual colleagues that they are making a world project of filming and recording efforts in the same general direction. Next week, Inshallah, two groups are leaving here who will ultimately rejoin each other at Nizam-ud-din Auliya in Delhi, and then go to URS at Ajmer. After that, one group wishes to visit Pakistan. I have written to my friend Ansar Nasri of Radio-Pakistan in Karachi.
We would like to know if you are interested in meeting these people. I know some of them would be anxious to photograph the Asoka documents on your grounds. We do not expect at this time yet to get many people of conservative tendencies to join in Dervish Dancing. But we are getting Americans, Alhamdu Lillah. The Divine Apostle has said “Every child is born a Muslim”. There is a phenomena here that all our infants begin saying “Allah” before they say “Mama” or “Papa,” but we find this is also true of infants of friends who belong to other religious or no religion. And last week, when I went out walking I was surrounded by a group of little children who chanted “Allahu, Allahu, Allahu.”
When I was in Boston I found a copy of Miskhat in a book store and have purchased it but I think we need more than that today, although it might be said that Allah knows best what that more may be.
I certainly appreciate all your past courtesies. We also had a strange occurrence: a rather wealthy man was looking for Sufis. He encountered some of our disciples and now wants to work with and for us, including publications of my own past. Indeed at this writing I am now working every day all the time, and nothing wrong except I am working every day all the time-with good health, a vigorous mind, and feeling of Divine Blessing.
I hope this may reach you somewhere and you can meet my friends when they come to Pakistan later on, inshallah. I have not heard from anybody in Abbottabad for some time.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L. Lewis
October 25, 1970
His Excellency President Agha Mohammed Yahya Khan
Ayub National Park
Rawalpindi, West Pakistan
Beloved One of Allah:
As-salaam aleikhum. This American reading in the New York Times, “Yahya Asserts Indian-Pakistani Enmity is Tragic,” feels it is not out of order to write to you. One has spent mean notable days in your land where he has still two living Sufi Pirs: Sufi Barkat Ali of Salarwala and Pir Dewwal Shereef of Islamabad. But he was also once blessed with the baraka of the late HajiBaba Abdul Aziz of Havelian. He counts among his dearest friends Ansar Nasri of Radio Pakistan and Dr. A. A. Siddiqui of Punjab University and many many many others. It was not only these Pirs, but a number of others from whom there was no Bayat who predicted he would have a career getting multitudes of Americans to repeat “Allah.” There is now a Naqshibandi teacher in South America who is attracting many Americans of both continents, using the Thousand and One Nights and its oft repeated phrase, “There is no power nor might save in Allah.” On this point one differs from many of the orthodox who see all kinds of powers in this world, and even do not seriously accept Holy Qur’an, which affirms that everything will pass away save Allah and His countenance.
The other day I told one of your consuls of success in getting Americans to repeat Allah at a time when multitudes are turning to movements originating in India, some ancient, some modern. I do not decry these movements, but I find hardly and people study Indian philosophy, the real Indian philosophy, which proclaims seven grades of existence. Allah’s last Messenger, from whom be peace, says in the Hadith: “Holy Qur’an was revealed in seven dialects, and each has an inner and outer meaning.” I am unwilling to dispute with Muslims who choose to ignore the Hadith, but I find that anyone who knows the Hadith and has progressed in the inner sciences (ryazat, etc.) can easily understand Hinduism and can find a religion and philosophy equal to or higher than anything that ever came out of southern Asia.
When one called on an Indian cultural attaché—before there was a Pakistani Embassy—and was challenged as to the worth of Moineddin Ibnu’l Arabi, one said, “Ibnu’l Arabi and Sankara are one.” This point of view of this person was long derided all over this land, but no longer, alhamdulillah. There are changes in the universities and we ourselves have been most successful in teaching Dervish dances and in constructing a, new kind of singing based almost entirely on the Sifat-i-Allah.
There has been some question as how to stem the tide of emotional Indian movements. One has no such intention. Americans accept “non-violence” but not satyagraha. The answer to this comes in the sayings of the last Messenger: “Allah is closer than the neck-vein.” We not only teach it; we demonstrate it and have been most successful although for the most part ignored by the so-called “Muslims.”
We recently found copy of Ghazzali’s Book of Counsel for Kings. We are amazed at the high humanitarianism of the Persian sage. We found in it so many elements that could be corrective of the ills of the day or of any day that we intend, inshallah, to make it better known. Yes, there have been Americans who have spent years of research and study on the works of this great man, but they were quite ineffective in reaching others. And it is most unfortunate that, while many so-called Muslims verbalize great faith in Allah or in the sages of Islam, when it has come to actual personalities and the teachings thereof, they have been quite amiss.
But now there is another type of humanity manifesting in this land. It has become so easy to get Americans to say “Allah.” And it has been almost simple to get some acceptance of the messengers of Allah and the seal thereof, that one must challenge all those enthusiasts who ignorantly declare that Islam is the most misunderstood faith. If it is misunderstood, it is the fault of the Imams and Tablighis. The soul of every man yearns for truth, and I challenge, I dare to challenge all those who do not accept many of the teachings of Mecca Sherif while proclaiming superiority. But the real question is, how to put these into effects this day, and it can be done both in Islamic and non-Islamic countries if one turns to the teachings and teachers.
Thus, for years, having no teachers before me, there was much study of Kashf-al-Majub, my Sheikh Hujwiri. He declares that man’s riza should be in Allah and not in the ego-self. And I believe the simple change in the hearts and minds of men could help-purify many governments, many movements, many causes of Misunderstanding.
With this basis and with absolute, and I mean absolute, faith in Allah, we have been quite successful in promoting understanding between Israelis, Arabs, and Christians. We believe more can be done. We believe it is possible for an Islamic nation and Islamic teachings to come to the forefront in this world. Therefore we hope and trust you will help present seriously teachings which ought to be presented. Years ago I took this matter up with Mr. teachings which ought to be presented. Years ago I took this matter up with Mr. Quadrula Shah, and while he seemed to have understood each other, little seems to have been done. Or perhaps more has been done if we take all facts and factors into consideration than usually happens in so-called underdeveloped countries. And if we take a step further, and become consciously aware of the practicalities of this same kashf, we should be finding that Allah is a constant guide in our midst; that he is actually nearer than the neck vein as the Teachings affirm. And from this position of strength, real strength, divine strength, we can find our way to understanding, and perhaps to more than understanding.
Therefore one salutes you and prays that you can give proper need not to verbalizes but to the actuality of the divine presence and the divine guidance in all things, and by this means, not only come to same understanding with your neighbors but prove that Pakistan can stand up before the nations of the world as a contributor to human progress in all directions. In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, and
in all Sincerity,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
November 20, 1970
To the Embassy of Pakistan,
Washington D. C.
Beloved Ones of Allah:
As-salaam aleikhum. The writer is a recognized Pir or Murshid in the Chisti-Kadri-Sabri school of Sufis whose head-quarters is at Salarwala near Lyallpur; and a Khalif of Pir Dewwal Shereef of the University of Islamabad.
The other day one made an inquiry into relief for the sufferers in East Pakistan and since then has learned that there is a group at 1550 Sutter St., San Francisco. One will try to see what can be done.
On one’s return from a visit to the Eastern seaboard, one had learned that a number of disciples has formed a rather successful choral group and is planning to make tape recordings and then phonograph records. One asked the director if he had any objection to distributing these in such a way also as to help in the relief. A major portion of their choral work is based on the Sifat-i-Allah and Wazifas. In fact we have already organized a public affair for 20th December. It is possible, inshallah, that revenues there from may be diverted also to this relief.
There is, unfortunately, (it has nothing to do with the above) another aspect to our work. Our teachings are spreading and due to the Grace of Allah to Whom be all praise, we are prospering in many directions. This has lead others to mis-appropriate the term “Sufi” for private ventures connected with profit-making and also for social notoriety. This was already occurred in this land in the case of “Zen Macrobiotics” which has no spiritual background, lead to the acquisition of moneys and the death of the originator who had neither spiritual nor moral bases. We feel this is most unfortunate. It also comes at a time when the universities are opening their doors to us, which was not true previously.
We shall keep the local Consulate informed of our endeavors.
Love and blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
November 21, 1970
Pakistan Times
Lahore, Pakistan
As-Salaam-Aleikhum!
It has been said that a touch of common suffering makes a whole world akin. One returned to his native city in 1962 with the blessings of many Saints and Pirs of Pakistan to bring Americans to the recognition of La Illaha El Il Allah. For six years one got nowhere, although during this time one’s financial situation was greatly eased. Then one had a stroke and while in the hospital the Voice of Allah came with a blessing. One arose from the sickbed and began a very strange career, toward the teachings of Sufism to the young which has been most successful, Alhamdulillah! And in preparation for a peace mission, one led 1000 young Americans in a procession in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco chanting “Allah.” It was only yesterday, after a period of two months, that one learned this procession had been televised and many people had seen it is films and watched these young under the leadership of this writer as a functioning Murshid.
The peace mission was so successful, although not yet news, that we had to return to San Francisco to work out a more deliberate program, and in this it would seem that Allah is on our side. There has been nothing but success.
While in New York City we had many meals at Pakistani restaurants, and renewed our friendship with Mr. Chaudhuri at the Consulate there. We also happened on a Mr. Samuel Weiser, a born Jew, who is now re-publishing books on spiritual Islam. We purchased a copy of L’awarifu-l-Ma’arif by the Grand Sheikh Sohrawardi. When we returned home we also found a large packet from Ashraf including two copies of Futuh-Al-Ghaib of Abdul Kadiri Jilani. It was while studying these books, and particularly Futuh-Al-Ghaib that we heard about the tragedy to East Pakistan. At this moment we are trying to follow emotional and spiritual teachings of Ghaus-i-Azam, and at the same time doing. And in this doing Allah has been with us.
Our meetings are all better attended. We are scheduled to speak at Universities and to do a number of things in which we were blocked by that strange American institution, the European Professor of Oriental Philosophy—we hope that day is nearly over, inshallah.
Presenting Tasawwuf to the Americans as a spiritual philosopher, especially of love, we are winning the love of many young Americans and promoting their love toward each other. We are not getting anything like the news or notoriety of our Hare Krishna rivals, but have been most successful in so many endeavors, and it is our duty to share, whether as Zakat or otherwise.
The loving disciples had plans for a great money-raising affair on December 20, 1970, for this person and for the peace plan. But now on consultation it is agreed to share, most definitely share, with our suffering brothers in the East wing of your country.
In the meanwhile we have a most successful choral group which has been creating new types of songs and chants based on the Wazifas and Sifat-i-Allah of Islam. Last week they received a surprise endowment and have planned to make tape and phonograph records. The choral master has been give the name of Ala-ed-din, in honor of cry good friend Prof. Ala-ed-din Siddiqui of Punjab University. He and his group have agreed entirely and enthusiastically to join in this effort to make these tapes and records to help raise funds for the sufferers.
In a few minutes one will be leaving this house with women mureeds to get cloths to make
longees for the men of East Pakistan. We are not going to send Western clothing, but last night someone did bring us a whole collection of Pathan type pajamas which we have also accepted, nor will any of this prevent us from cooperating in any and all manners for the solace of those whom we regard as our unfortunate spiritual and human brethren.
Love and Blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
November 23, 1970
Dr. Ala-ed-din A. Siddiqui
Punjab University
The Mall
Lahore, West Pakistan
Beloved One of Allah:
As-Salaam-Aleikhum! It is a very delicate and yet maybe fundamental matter to consider tragedies along with the existence of er-Rahman, er-Rahim. But this letter is not can so concerned with theories or doctrines as with actions.
There are a growing number of young Americans who accept “that there is no power or might save in Allah.” They believe in it remarkably and firmly, and it maybe a new departure that in this sense the sun is rising in the West.
So many Sufi Pirs gave this person their blessing and said he would be leading Americans to repeating the phrase “Allah.” A few months ago, before leaving California for the Atlantic Coast, he actually led about 1000 young people chanting “Allah” in the Golden Gate Park of this city. Surprisingly he had to terminate his efforts because everything was turning out successful, and with limited time at his disposal, and rather limited financial resources, he had to return to California. But these limited financial resources are not limited when contrasted to his financial position in earlier days and there has been a steady although slow and undramatic increase in both his resources and followings, Alhamdulillah!
The next enterprise was to try to work out a program for peace in the Near East. Mr. Gunnar Jarring, the United Nations authorized director for Palestine, once told the writer that his plan and program were the most sensible he had ever encountered. As we have discussed on previous occasions, Kashf is a faculty open to and for all human beings.
In his trip to the Atlantic coast, all items of which were successful, he encountered a Jewish businessman who not only is cooperating with Ashraf, but who himself is taking a leading part in restoring Sufic literature. We now have in our hands Futuh-al-Ghaib, of Abdul Kadiri Jilani, but also L’awarifu-l-Ma’arif of Grand Sheikh Sohrawardi, as well as Al-Ghazzali’s “Counsel for Kings.” We therefore stand in grand contrast to most of the Muslims in this country, in that we study and venerate the grand wisdom-literature of the past. Some of your countryman have complained to me, and I think rightly complained, that there was a grand trend in the U.S. toward various aspects of Hinduism generally one emotional levels, but passing off as being spiritual, which they may or may not be. To me the answer is very simple—Muslims praise their grandeur but do not share it. This is a tremendously large subject into which I am not going at this time.
Our efforts toward promoting a peace program for the Near East have been unusually successful, and we are now engaged also in promoting a program to raise additional funds for those efforts. There have been no difficulties whatsoever. Our resources, praise to Allah, are included.
But now we are faced with another situation, and have decided also to embark on a campaign to raise gaud. to help the poor victims have had nothing but goodwill. This person does not recall a single instance in the past few months when lecturing on Rassoul-Lillah that there has been any challenge of any kind. Pragmatic Americans are by nature better fitted to be followers of Al-Ghazzali than of Gandhi, provided they are shown the ways. And they are being same the ways.
There has been a great deal of enthusiasm about a Bazaar program to raise funds both for our peace program and for our general endeavors. When it was proposed that this Bazaar also use its efforts to help the poor victims of East Pakistan, there was surprising unanimity in response. In fact, tomorrow, we are making our first visit to fabric stores, and the first lesson will be given to women to make longees for the men of East Pakistan. We have already discussed with the local consulate, and they agree longees will be far more welcome than Western clothing. But this does not mean we will not cooperate fully in programs of sending medicine, blankets, and other needs.
In the Spring visit to London, and especially in the recent visit to New York, we have had many meals in East Pakistani restaurants and feel drawn very closely to some of those people. We feel our programs fan the heart, but we also praise Allah Who is helping us both financially and materially.
While this has been going on, a number of disciples have formed a choral group and have adopted or crested forms of singing based mostly on the Sifat-i-Allah or the Wazifas. It has been astonishingly effective. The other day the choral-leader, Ala-ed-din (named after you) Mathieu said he was planning to have his work recorded on tape and phonograph records. I asked “Cannot this be done to help East Pakistan relief? We could get the fame and the poor people would get the funds.” He enthusiastically agreed.
We may go further and look into the matter to see if and when even tapes could be sent to your good self.
Love and Blessings,
Samuel L. Loris
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti
Dec. 22, 1970
The Minaret
B Block Manzil Marzenabad
Karachi 33,
West Pakistan
Beloved Ones of Allah:
As-salaam-aleikhum! With the aid of Allah the Merciful and Compassionate, we have been very successful here, Alhamdulillah!, in establishing a Khankah and Sufi movement along lines not necessarily in accord with the traditions which are now called Islam, but which do not necessarily establish surrender to Allah, to whom to us is the Only Being. Our very strange and unaccountable success has caused us to focus attention on two undertakings which do not always please Muslims but which seem, inshallah, to please Allah Himself, for in very strange, almost miraculous, ways, they have been successful, praise to Allah!
We had planned a Bazaar to raise funds and interest on our peace program for the Near East. This peace program is based on the supposition that Allah is the creator and lover of all mankind and not just of special groups be they of one or some other particularistic religion. But in the midst of our endeavors a tragedy occurred in East Pakistan and we felt it right in the Name of Allah, Er-Rahman, Er-Rahim, to divert some funds to this same and. Apparently Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Generous, and the Wise, favored this. And we are pleased to report we have not only raised funds for our Near East Program but also to assist our suffering spiritual brothers and sisters of East Bengal, etc.
We have now a library entirely spurned by the local mosque and other mosques in this country, consisting of works also by Imam Al-Ghazzali and the great Sufi Saints. Indeed, two or three of us were all reading at the same time separate copies of “Futuh Al-Ghaib” and all separately agreed that this is one piece of most beautiful spiritual writing. But we also felt that Ghaus-i-Azam was teaching us how to behave in times of tragedy and suffering, so we have not lost any emotional equilibrium.
Our approach to Islam is somewhat different from that of traditionalists. The Messenger of Allah, from whom be peace, brought his revelation to a multitude of ignorant gangsters who spoke Arabic. We have seen no success in promoting a Message for ignorant gangsters. But with slight adaptations and varying interpretations we have been most successful, praise to Allah, in presenting this Message mostly to young Americans who are highly educated and never were prone to those vices and evils common among ancient Arabs.
One came back to this country in 1962 instructed by quite a few Teachers of tarikat, to get Americans to repeat “Allah”. And apparently, with Allah’s help, we have been most successful therein and therefore, although we have not done it the way the orthodox insist, for we definitely differ with the orthodox who defy and defile the tradition “There is no compulsion in Islam”. They insist; we do not. But we do agree with Shah Latif, “Allah is your lover, not your jailer.”
Wishing to obtain some information on the recent elections, we found a copy of The Minaret at the Pakistani Consulate and were so moved by the writing about Ghaus-i-Azam in the latest copy on the files that we are sending you the sum of $10. The subscription is supposed to be $2, but we would like copies airmailed, and would be glad to send further sums to help in this.
Islamic missions will never succeed so long as bigots forget Akhlak Allah. They are liars when they claim there is opposition to Mohammed; the opposition is to them, their persons.. So many Sheikhs and Pirs asked this person to work to get Americans to say Allah. For some time it was very difficult. Then the Voice of Allah manifested and directed this person, and in the last three years there has not boon a single failure, Alhamdulillah! We began by reaching a few, then by scores, and now by hundreds. I should say today several thousand young Americans are saying “Allah.” And all our infants without exception have been repeating the word “Allah” before any other word whatever.
In addition to that we have been getting now hundreds of Americans to repeat “Mohammedar Rassoul Lillah” in manners never tried before and yet never failing.
We are totally encouraged by our recent Bazaar which drew many people and much money. There were two manifestations to a beautiful young disciple whose name is Basira. She saw crowds and money. But she was also blessed by the vision of the Seal of the Prophets, who said He was blessing our undertaking.
We are teaching mostly thru music and dancing. When Muslims told this person “Muslims will not like that,” one answered, “It is not a question whether Muslims like it, it is a question whether Allah likes it.” We practice Akhlak Allah, and will continue to do se regardless of the orthodox and the heterodox, the believers and the non-believers.
Love and Blessings,
Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti 140 Precita Ave.
San Francisco, Calif. 94110