Jan 3, 1971
Pir-o-Murshid Sufi Barkat Ali Salarwala, Lyallapur District West Pakistan
Our Beloved Pir-o-Murshid,
As-Salam-Aleikhum,
Early in the morning last Monday, Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti fell down a flight of stairs, banging his head and becoming unconscious of this world. We took him to a hospital where may made dire predictions. But the living God is the merciful and the compassionate. After 4 days consciousness of self returned to Murshid and his first act was to dictate the following letter to you:
�Praise be to Allah!
This has been a glorious exit,
and one which will go down in history
a sign of all the beauty, truth and goodness in the Universe.
One has been truly saved from the jaws of death and adversity, and may live on indefinitely, as God wills.
It is the sign of all symbol and goodness, and the establishment of God�s message in the
western world forever, praise be to Allah!
For I am the first one born in the west to have received the divine message, and believe to have representative in all the purity and goodness of which Allah is capable and which will now be presumed done forever.�
Murshid�s many disciples here, thru the whole crisis, never last their feeling of the presence of Allah, or-rahman, or-rahim. One doctor has said that from a medical point of view his recovery was a miracle. At one time during Murshid�s unconsciousness to this world, I opened a holy book quite at random and saw a drawing of Khizr and Klijah at the fountain of life. Now, inshallah, it will only be a matter of time before Murshid�s strength returns; one can see him being rejuvenated with each breath.
All our love and blessings to you and Kh ~~~ r (who is receiving a copy of this) and Murshid�s other kind friends in your land.
Faithfully Wali Ali
March 7, 1971
Sufi Barkat Ali
Darul Ehsan
Salarwala. Lyallpur, West Pakistan
Beloved of Allah Sufi Barkat Ali,
Honor, love and greeting to you from one of Sufi Ahmed Murad Chistie�s disciples fortunate to be living at the site of his Maqbara. Kaliph Moinuddin has requested that I describe the funeral service to you and send pictures.
First to tell you a little of Lama and why our Murshid wished to be buried here. We are a community/school dedicated to the awakening of consciousness, one of a few such places beginning to take root is America and possibly the only one which welcomes teachers of many different disciplines and faiths. Some of us, after a year�s trial, stay here to live; others come for short periods. Murshid came here several times, once with a number of disciples from San Francisco; he lived with us, taught us dancing, prayers and such about how to live more clearly, joyfully, truly. He felt this place to be a sign of the future, of the �new age� for which he also was an instrument. He also seized the power of this land and said this is a sacred mountain. Now certainly it is more so with the presence of his grave here.
The site is about 9000 feet high in a clearing near the path we take up to the higher ridge and peaks. It is surrounded by pine, blue spruce, and cedar trees. Looking out from the spot there is a gap between trees and one can ass perhaps a hundred miles across the plain, the gorge of the Rio Grande River, to the mountains of the Continental Divide which mark the �backbone� of this country. Also nearby the ancient Kiowa Trail used by the Indians to travel north/south.
There is room there for a building and also for dancing. Lama is some distance from town and highway and the site is a short walk from where we live.
The night before the funeral ceremony there was inspired singing and chanting in the prayer room here. The coffin rested in the center of the large dome here. Different ones visited it in silence. The next morning it was carried up the mountain by six men chanting Allah-Ho-Akbar! It was placed on boards over the grave and the funeral service was conducted by Sheikh Daniel Lomax and disciples Mansur and Basira. Mansur walked around everything three times both ways, chanting silently. Then Daniel wade the call to prayer which resounded over the mountain loud and pure and joyful! The prayer SAUM was recited, the coffin lowered, and then the prayer SALAT. Then followed a short burial sermon which is enclosed here. We all sang the Zikr. Then Basira took a child by the hand, she another, and we formed a long line chanting ALLAH! in and out among the trees. We did a number of the dances Murshid has taught us which were, needless to say, full of feeling.
During this time and after, person after person including the children shoveled and threw handfuls of earth into the grave. Also put is were two roses, one from the tomb of Inayat Kahn and one from Murshid�s home in California. When this was finished the ground was restored as much as possible to its natural state. The grave was marked by stones; at its head was placed a large block of quartz found nearby and the temporary marker carved by disciples in California. The words say:
ON THAT DAY THE SUN SHALL RISE IN THE WEST
AND ALL MEN SEEING SHALL BELIEVE
On top of the grave we placed a bouquet of plants which grow here; sage, juniper, wheat. We knelt in silence for some moments. Several sang a quiet song written for Murshid by his choirmaster. I personally felt a depth of feeling that went from intense personal grief to awe and delight what I saw Murshid dancing on one toe on top of his grave! Laughing! There was (and is) in many of us a sense of intense vibration coming from the spot. During the ceremony the sun had come up the mountain to the spot, and as we walked down the hill we saw a bright crescent moon hanging in the sky.
The Maqbara is watched and cared for. It is visited by disciples, visitors who knew of Murshid, and people here who feel this spot. Plans evolve for work to begin on the shrine when weather permits in a few mouths; disciples will come from San Francisco and some here will also help. There is one design from disciple Fatima which I believe Murshid approved. There is stone here and wood is available, also adobe. We also have Murshid�s own essay on the building of shrines. But we are all advices is these maters; also there is no tradition for it is this country. So we would be most grateful if you can be of any assistance design or plan or advice for us to do it the best way. Enclosed are a few pictures of the other buildings we have put up have � not that the shrine be consistent is style but that it be in harmony.
You may also be interested to know a few impressions from those here: Murshid at the time of his departure from his body and over since has appeared frequently in dreams and meditations. Always very positive and clear. I personally have received answers many questions and those who visit the site now, in a receptive state, sense a powerful vibration and force and also find advice and answers entering their minds. Also the place is very still.
The day I learned of Murshid�s wish to be buried hero I went up the mountain asking to be led to the spot where his body should be placed! The spot was found the next day but the directions which came very clearly (and this was a new and most unusual experience for may be of interest they made such a portrait of our Murshid (maybe it�s only my own):
it should be high, overlooking, but not too high.
it should be quiet, away, but easily accessible.
near a trodden path. touched.
not dramatic. simple.
should be a comfortable place where people can sit and enjoy themselves and dance if possible.
a living large tree needs to be near.
I hope this report can convoy to you some sense of what has happened here for us. It�s hard to express how we feel about Murshid - I mean everyone, not just the two of us who are disciples. He took heaviness and turned it into joy! Ho beat the men at a walking race and fertilized the garden and played with the children. He exhausted us and made us think and argue and dance and bought ice cream. We love his very much! It is a great, great gift to have had his living presence here and now to fool so such the presence of his spirit and the teaching he could give us because he understood so deeply who we are. He broke through our walls when we didn�t know he was doing it and many are very surprised! We pray we can continue to unite within ourselves individually and collectively and to shine the light he helped us so such to begin to see.
To you, Pir-o-Murshid, honor, love, and great thanks
Frances von Briesen disciple
Sufi Barkat Ali
9th March 1971 Beloved Pir-o-Murshid,
As-salaam aleikhum!
One must apologize for being so long in sending you this letter. But now it seems that all the �loose ends� have come together, including the photographs of the Funeral ceremony, etc, and one is finally able to send everything in one package. The pictures have all been labeled on their reverse sides for identification. Also included is a copy of a newsletter, Sufis speak, which is published by friends living many hundreds of miles north of here: this issue is dedicated to the living memory of our Murshid, now Pa-Vurad.
All disciples and Khalifs are chanting Ya Hayyoo Ya Qayyoom as you have instructed. One question is this: should there be any limitation as to the number of times this powerful and sacred phrase is recited? We (Wali Ali and myself) have tentatively fixed on seven times daily, Since that was the number of repetitions used by our Murshid. But there are some disciples Murshid directed to recite upwards of one hundred and one times each day, and there are doubtless others who would repeat Ya Hayyoo Ya Qayyoom! Even more if it were so commanded. May we have your judgment on this matter?
I have here a copy if Wali Ali�s letter to you so I�ll not repeat the items he has already outlined. But one must mention that the Tassawuri of Mohammed, Fatima and Ali performed at Murshid�s funeral service here at the Gareen of Inayat has proven itself in the spiritual report of at least one disciple. The service held here was in absence of Murshid�s body; the service at Lama Foundation in the state of New Mexico where the actual burial took place was directed by Murshid�s representative in the south-western part of this country, Sheikh Daniel-Abdulrahman Lomax. As I Was not present for the Lama event I have instructed Sheikh Daniel-Abdulrahman and also a lady disciple living at Lama to write particular accounts for you concerning the service as well as to send you a snapshot of the vaqbara. Ins~allar, this will be done soon if it has not already been done by now.
The building of the Shrine is now in the stage where four disciples have been given the proper concentration to perform. My wife, Fatima, is acting as consultant for any questions that may arise. A group of twelve of us is planning to travel to Lama Foundation later this summer to begin actual work on this profound undertaking, may Allah bestow his every blessing in this work! Your own contributions in whatever form you might choose would be Allah�s blessing indeed!
Already one feels the need to seek your Aid. There is a church in the area where Murshid used to teach Christian mysticism. There church claims and perhaps practices the attainment of types of illumination by its members. The leader of this church asked me to come see him last month, which I did. He said Murshid appeared to him and told him that a few of his (Murshid�s) disciples were very close to illumination and that they should come to this man to have this illumination brought about. I personally felt uncomfortable in this man�s Presence, but said ~~ speak too Fatima and Wali Ali about it as well as to seek your guidance-especially to seek your guidance. One must admit here that while one has had a certain realization in Pasi Anfas for which experienceone was awarded the robe of Khalif, one has not had the experience of divine illumination. And Murshid himself had said on more than one occasion that Sufism takes us to fana-fi-lillah, which is one step farther along than the effacement in Christ practiced by the afore said church.
Of course, we practice the breath-attunement to our Murshid as well as the Tassawuri Murshid walk, and we haven�t any reason to feel as a result of doing these practices that we should go to anyone outside of Murshid and yourself in such a matter. That is how matters stand at present, and we are going ahead with our projects as if the spirit of Murshid were even more present to us than when he was with us in his body. In a paper he wrote on fana-fi-Sheikh just before he left the world he says, �Fans-fi-Pir is a stage which may come after fana-fiSheikh. While historical Sufism has posited the stares of surrender and assimilation into the living teacher; into the divine ideal; and into the divine spirit beyond ideals, it may be that after the Pir or teacher has left this world the relations established on earth between Murshid and Mureed may continue. They may not only continue, they may advance. So sometimes a disciple may not only continue practices given to him by a teacher in the flesh; he may learn to commune and communicate with this person after he has left the physical world. Many occult and telepathic powers may be aroused when there is a true attunement between pupil and teacher.� Indeed, this was the case with Murshid and his first Sufi teacher, Hazrat Inayat Khan. If you would advice in this matter my own mind would be greatly relieved.
Our work at present consists mainly of spreading the message through repetition of God�s Name, in particular using the ninety-nine beautiful names of Allah along with accompanying movements (mudras) and walking in this manner, thereby using the entire body, mind and voice in praise of God. Both disciples and newcomers are immediately impressed by this manner of presentation of the wonderful and deeply real attributes of Allah! And the singing group is becoming more widely known; a fine man named ~la-ed-din is director of the group and his melodies and harmonies seem drawn from the very heavens. In this manner also is the name of God being spread and heard.
We will keep you posted as to the progress of our loving disciples in this country by writing from time to time. That is both embarrassing and at the same time most inspiring is that the newer disciples seem at times to far outshine the more advanced disciples and leaders. Murshid used to repeat again and again a saying of Hazrat Inayat Khan: �it is the mureeds who make the Murshid.�
Ya Hayyoo Ya Qayyoom!
Ataullah Chishti Box 266
South Brooksville, Maine 04617
August 20, 1971
My Dear Brother, Moinuddin,
Assalam Aleikhum:
This letter comes with special blessings from Sufi Barkat Ali of Salarwala who was beloved Murshid�s Pir.
I am enclosing a copy of a letter which he wanted conveyed to you.
Saadia and I had a baby boy, Alhamdulillah. Mashallah, he is healthy and growing and will be a flower of Islam, Inshallah.
We look forward to being in touch with you in near future. We must raise children according to the Sharia�h, for A L L A H and Islam, and protect them from the many evils of this culture�and which we know so well from our own experience.
I would be glad to hear from you as to progress on the West Coast.
Faithfully yours,
Atauallah Chishti (George A. Lear, Jr.)
My Dear Moinuddin,
All praise and dignity is for my ALLAH, the Rahman, the Rahim, RAYY-ULQUAYYOOM, who, through his RAHMAT (blessings) have enabled me to convey this SIMPLE
Basic and
UNIVERSAL HOLY MESSAGE TO ALL
WHO wish to lead a peaceful, successful, and an ideal happy life. He must understand, believe, and obey ALLAH, and His beloved Prophet MOHAMMED-UR-RASUL ALLAH (SULLAL-HO-ALAHAY WASALLAM) in full, with haste, without rest and without any doubt thereof.
NOTHING CAN BE SPIRITUALLY UNDERSTOOD UNLESS ALLAH AND HIS BELOVED PROPHET MOHAMMED-UR-RASUL ALLAH (SUALLALA-HO-ALAHAY WASSALLUM) ARE UNDERSTOOD.
�Teachings of Islam� is the right path for understanding Allah, the Great. Islam offered by the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) is based on the following five fundamental principles, viz;
Kalma-i-Tauheed
Namaz (prayers) - Five times a day.
Rozas (Fasts)
Zakat and
Haj j .
The message of Allah, the Rahman-ur-Rahim, is contained in the �Holy Qur�an� which stresses mainly �Taharat-e-Qalab��-the purity of the heart�a heart which is God-fearing. Such followers of Islam have been promised �forgiveness,� and purity of heart can be achieved by faithful performance of the rights of Allah and His People. These rights of people have to be observed more carefully than the rights of Allah. Allah is likely to forgive the infringement of His own rights, but not likely to forgive the infringement of the rights of His people.
In reply to your letter received a few days ago, I would consider myself, lucky to offer my spiritual services to Mureeds and Caliphs of my dear Sufi Murad Chisti, how BA MUHAD BAHISHTI, MA SHA ALLAH. AMEEN.
A sun is a true Muslim and a true Muslim is one who believes with heart and soul in one and only ONE GOD (ALLAH) and His last and beloved Prophet Mohammed Rasa]. Allah (Sullala-ho-Alahay-Wassalam).
The fundamentals of Islam which each Muslim is required to observe are five, viz., kalma, namaz, roza (fast), Hajj, and zakat. These are the must. Today, I will explain the first and most important of these five fundamentals, viz., Salat (namaz) .
A Muslim is bound to offer Namaz five times a day.
1st Namaz (Fajar) Early in the morning before sunrise.
2nd Namaz (Zohar) At mid-day.
3rd Namaz (Asar) In the afternoon before sun-set. 4th Namaz (Maghrib) Immediately after sun-set.
5th Namaz (Isha) To be offered before going to bed.
Each namaz should be offered with clean body and clothes. Namaz can be offered individually as well as collectively. A namaz is a complete submission of a Muslim to his Creator, the Almighty ALIAH. It is a direct communication with Allah, each word of which is a prayer seeking strength to follow the right path�the path of those whom Allah loved, namely, Holy Prophets, the Siddiqueen (Truest Believers), Shuhada (who laid their lives for the glory of Islam, etc.,
A sufi is he who carries the Qur�an in one hand and Sunnah (the Prophet�s actions and orders) in the other. He expects nothing from anyone except Allah, to whom he has surrendered himself
completely and to whom he is molly and solely dedicated. He wishes as Allah wishes and has no separate wish of his own. He does not attribute anything to himself but sees in everything nothing but a manifestation of Allah�s Will and Command. His deeds and doings are of course Allah�s deeds and doings.
For a sufi, worldly wealth has no charm. Alike to him are gold and dust, a palace or a cottage. Nor is a gem more valuable to him than a pebble. This is so because with him the sovereignty lies with Allah and Allah alone.
A sufi�s life is simple and austere. He is like a light-house in the sea of the troubled world, and he helps and guides all those who seek for tranquility and everlasting happiness. He is cheerful in all circumstances because of his belief that everything comes from Allah. He is all obedient to Allah and shows respect and kindness to other creatures. In all circumstances he strictly follows the Sunnah - or the life of the Holy Prophet (Sullalaho Alah-e-Wasalam). The Qur�an and Sunnah are a complete dode of conduct for him.
A sufi�s job is not only to live a righteous life himself but also to guide others and inspire them with his personal example. For this he must have a knowledge of the Qur�an and Sunnah and also the patience and inclination to persuade others. It is his second nature to ponder over the creation of the universe so as to find further means for the Glory of God and to assist His slaves. He does not hesitate to make any sacrifices needed for his mission�s success.
In fact, the Sufi must be Qur�an and Sunnah personified so as to serve as a perfect example for his followers.
When knowledge acquired by book or press is quoted, that is always a reflection of personal trend. These reflections may not have a far-reaching effect on social attitudes. The most important trend which is required is one�s own character structure.
With lots of blessings and love,
HA HAYYO YA QUAYYOOM AMEEN.
YA HAYYO YA QUAYYOOM FATAQABBAL. AMEEN. (means kindly accept)
Barkat Ali
Salarwala, West Pakistan
the only way to interpret �seal of the prophets� anyway). Why do you Murshid didn�t teach us all this stuff!? It�s obvious. And of course it Vilayst has suffered terribly at the hands of people who refuse to see the ~~un rising.
Still, �my trip has been a pleasant one,� I�m only pointing out some of the ilemmas that one is faced with in trying to draw on the traditional sources of this. And there will be some who choose to enter fully into the traditional paths. For them the way is quite clear.
If you are graced with the opportunity, you can come conscious of the~~~~~ the exquisite fragrance of the spiritual flowers of the past existing till for the fortunate ones in the subtler realms so home to put it in words It may be compared with ~~agrance which for all you know exists only for you, and once having been re -~~ ased, may be forever spent. This realisation was given to me in the mountains of Afghanistan, where I found myself sitting in what had (I believe) be~~ Chinese Buddhist formal garden some centuries before�now a mountain gully requented by a few wandering shepherds and an occasional caravan passing up to the mountains, Western Himalyas.
The East is a subtle flower, often invisible, and if this sounds like mere ~etry one may have forgotten that the creation of the universe is the original ~~rk of art. This summer Pir cautioned us against ever ceasing to believe that purpose of everything is beauty. I�ve had occasion to remember a story ~~~~ told about seeing the moon rising over the Himalayas... I think maybe starts this trip with a whole list of addresses and then becomes enrapt in mystery where one forgets it all, and then�is it something one remembers? Everything we do is no more than a flight of birds going across the sky.
Lahore, W. Pakistan.
November 16th, 1971. Alhamdulillah!
Dear Wali Ali, Jessica, and Friends,
First of all, warmest congratulations on the birth of Saraawati Alia. May the same spirit prevail on this tense subcontinent. I plan to go to Delhi tomorrow Inshallah, after Sufi Barkat Ali ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ to go there at all and then having amended this to, �Give my salaams to Inayat Khan and don�t stay there long. Don�t mention this place (his Khankah) there, and don�t tell anyone where you got this robe.� Pakistani aerograms being short, this is to be a continuation of a communication being sent to the Khankah simultaneous with this one. I began reporting the message sent to our group through Salik and me. On the question of practice he stressed that Names should be performed regularly 5 times a day. At this point the lights went out. The story about Ahmed Murad saying �Allah Nuri� and restoring the power was recounted, but we remained sitt~~ in the dark. The clock had stopped earlier. Actually Baba Sahib leads namaz in the most casual manner I�ve ever witnessed, and I didn�t presume to voice my reservations about the suitability of this practice for those who are not born Muslims and who lack a knowledge of Arabic. But I had a strong feeling that he knew what I though anyway, and I was conscious of a transmission on a much deeper level, so I preferred to let sleeping serpents lie, as they say here. Shemsedd~~ Ahmed always introduced us to people as Muslims and spoke of Murshid as having converted to Islam by Hazrat Inayat Khan. Actually, you have to spend a little in Islamic countries to know what being a Muslim means to people. I was very, glad for your masterful letters to Shemseddin on the subject, Wali Ali, and now say sincerely that I believe he understands what Murshid was doing and what we sang. As difficult as it was to depart from the simple notion that Salik and Murhsid, and all of you are simply American converts to Islam, we have done damnedest to impart our belief that every impulse of man towards divinity is holy and that we seek the best in every religion, every book, etc. Still, Salik real is a Muslim now, and he has learned all the prayers, and knows all kinds of things about the Imams, Caliphs, how to sit when you pray, etc. I made an attempt to learn many of these things, but my memory is bad anyway, and I can�t remember things that don�t seem necessary. Both at Suit Barkat Ali�s place and ~at Nur Walla Kali Dera, the �tent� of Sain Fazal Shah Sahib, who is the other great saint in this country, where we stayed for quite some time, they pray at least five times a day, seven times a day at Sain Sahib�s place. So I know the movements and a few of the phrases and the rest of the time I recite to myself the Lord�s Prayer, The 23rd Psalm, La ilaha ilia Allah Hoo, Ya Hayyoo Ya Qayoom, or just try to pray from my heart. Shemeddin assured me that the words didn�t matter and by the Qur�an aren�t even obligatory. At times I have despaired of our connection with Isles�didn�t this start for most of us on an acid trip anyway? Salik once said, �When you�re looking for truth you don�t have time for religion.� Let�s be as unorthodox as possible, I say. But then I�ve been under the shadow of Islam since the beginning of September. I�ve found a few funky dervishes who couldn�t care less about religion, but mostly, man, it�s �Why did you choose to embrace Islam and reject Christianity?� I read a quote from the French magazine Planate that says something like: �Sufism�is it a relic from a dying world or the key for the song of the future?� May God save us from the hands of the orthodox! If the best of these people could only come to America and see what miracle is really happening, and that it is not Islam or any other such word. Still, when you see the incredible service that these saints are performing for their own people, you can see why they are so remote from this phenomenon that is going on among the young in the Western countries. Another heartfelt plea to all of you: Don�t be afraid to be freaks, people! It�s the best thing that ever happened to you. This is the true spirit of the dervishes. It�s quite a common saying among people in these countries�Dervishes are like hippies, except they believe in God. I now think, let the eyes talk, and don�t listen to them when they.
Mentorgarten 23 Lahore, W Pakistan
November 16th, 1973
Dearest Brothers and Sisters,
May the Grace of God be with you. Salik and I returned yesterday from a visit of several days to Dar-ul-Khan, �The place where you see God,� at Saler Wala, seventy-five miles west of here, the Derebah of Sufi Barket Ali. Baba Sahib�s place is in the country, surrounded by fields of cotton and other crops, the only activity being peasants passing through the fields and dirt lames with ex-carts, sheep and goats. One of Baba�s devotees is a former prince from India who lives a hundred yards from the mosque at the edge of a field, whose only utterances resemble the basing of a sheep. We arrived on a Thursday when a celebration was being held in honor of Ali, followed by the observance on Friday of the passing of Baba�s Pir, Syed Amir-ul Hasan, so we were four generations in these line. Barkat Ali is quite clearly a great saint a man of unimaginable power and love�we lost our hearts to him. He treated us with great respect and the most gracious hospitality and seemed conscious of imparting his baracat. He said to me, �I want you to sit in my ~~~ and be:�(gesture of Allah ho Akbar).� To see the original of the Murshid walk, your must see Baba Sahib walk. Really! It blew our minds. He also bears a great physical resemblance to Murshid, particularly the eyes, nose and lines around the eyes. He also is at least as busy as Murshid, with a typewriter before him constantly and a whirlwind of correspondence, visitors, and messages. He has about ten thousand disciples in Pakistan. Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr from Teheran is reported to have said, �Among living saints, he is the only man in Pakistan worth visiting.� Though he feeds crowds of people, heals, advises & educates a school full of boys, and is building a quite large center around him, he ends every day with accounts showing zero, has no money of his own, lives in fact through Allah. His manner shows much the same decisiveness, energy, and merriment we associated with Murshid. This is a great lesson in fans-fi-sheikh and what I believe is called tassawuri Murshid. Ahmed Murad, meaning one with a great desire to fulfill his goal; is remembered very fondly here. He was described by several people as a small; very thin, beardless man who talked hardly at all, but who was very joyous at Baba�s place and who danced around a lot. One man who spoke very little English at the time approached him in a railway station because he liked him and wanted to talk to him. All he could think to say was, �Where do you live?�
�Nowhere. I don�t live anywhere,� Murshid said. I had quoted Murshid�s saying that he hadn�t embraced Islam, Islam had embraced him, at a meeting of Nashqbandi Sufis in Lahore, to find out later that this is what Baba Sahib had told Murshid first.
Baba Sahib kept us writing constantly while we were there, and let us sit in a special place, a little walled-in area enclosing a tent and huge tree, which was where he lived in earlier days. When he first moved there from India after partition, he dug a room out underground and lived alone, in what they call a very jelal way, until he quickly began to attract followers and slowly changed the character of the whole area for miles around by the power of his vibration. He may send some of the things we wrote to the Mantorgartan and to Sufis speak.
As I say, he showered every kindness on us. He gave his blessing several times by drinking from his tea-bowl and then passing it to Sal~~. The day before we left he took off his robe and put it on me, saying, �This robe is the same as I gave to Ahmed Murad.� Later that day he also gave Salik a Chahda (big shawl or blanket) and a fountain pan. After seeing us off, he stood for a long time on the road, until we passed out of vision, and the driver of our car, one of Baba�s closest disciples, kept exclaiming, �What a great honor he is showing! Look, he�s still there. I�ve never seen this before,� as he is so busy, apparently, that he usually never spares the time to see people off. You can be sure that our group has his full support and blessing in ways that far surpass our ability to understand. Murshid�s new name Bamurad, incidentally, means �one who has fulfilled his desires.�
Though practice at the Durbah centers around names, praying five or seven times daily, there is also considerable emphasis placed on group chanting in the loud, rapid manner that Murshid taught, of wazifas, chiefly �Ya Hayyoe, Ya Qayoom.� Baba also strongly recommended the daroud sharif which can be learned from Salik if you are not sent a copy from Salar Wala. He said that the whole of the Qur�an is to be found in the syllable Hoo.
Naturally I asked him for whatever message or teaching he might want to deliver through us to you, and now I will begin to report some of what he said, though aerograms are short. I shall also write one to the Mantogarten continuing what has been recorded in this one. These will be posted in the morning, after which, Inshallah, I shall cross the border into India.
Barkat Ali has appointed Ataullah Chisti as his representative in America, he said, so I should think we want to keep in closer touch with him. Everything is Baba�s life is for Allah and Islam, he declared. Nothing else is of interest to him. He stressed the unity of all Muslims and emphasized that Allah is sufficient for all problems. Everything is from Allah, and everything, is for Allah his slogan�though at times he might be led by satan to do things just for himself. But he pointed out the overriding purpose behind all sections is for Allah, so this always wins out. He stressed being willing to give one�s life for Allah.
Please refer to letter to Mantogarten. Both these are intended as communications through this servant from Baba Sahib to all fellow disciplesJamlrid
Oct. 10, 1972
Beloved Pir-O-Murshid Sufi Barkat Ali,
As-sakiam aleikhum!
I hope you will have time to read the enclosed letter, representing as it does much of my vision of the future of the Sufi Order. Of course we would value any comments which you might make on any of this material.
Salik has chosen to stay in England and is living in a budding center there where he has been very effective in building as well as Nimaz.
We are fortunate in having one Mohammed, from a mureed in the Chistia Order, working with us now. He is teaching the prayers as well as lessons in Arabic for anyone interested here. He and his family have been attached to the Dirgah of Salem Chisti in Fathepur Sikri. There is also a man, Tarik, who is a Mureed in the Nagshibandi Order working with us. He, however, seems most interest in developing the psychic and subtle qualities.
Interest in our work here continues to steadily grow, and Inshallah we may be able ultimately to reach millions of Americans.
May Allah keep you and your family in good health. YA HAYYOO IA QAYYOOM!
Wali Ali
I hope you will have time to read the enclosed letter, representing as it does much of my vision of the future of the Sufi Order. Of course we would value any comments which you might make on any of this material.
Salik has chosen to stay in England and is living in a budding center there where he has been very effective in building as well as Nimaz.
We are fortunate in having one Mohammed, from a Mureed in the Chistia Order, working with us now. He is teaching the prayers as well as lessons in Arabic for anyone interested here. He and his family have been attached to the Dirgah of Salem Chisti in Fathepur Sikri. There is also a man, Tarik, who is a Mureed in the Nagshibandi Order working with us. He, however, seems most interest in developing the psychic and subtle qualities.
Interest in our work here continues to steadily grow, and Inshallah we may be able ultimately to reach millions of Americans.
May Allah keep you and your family in good health. YA HAYYOO IA QAYOOOM! Ishks
Wali Ali.
November 13, 1972
Beloved Pir-o-Murshid, As-salaam aleikhum!
There is a tremendous surge of spiritual seeking here in the West, and simply to list the blossoming of its manifest activities would take perhaps too much time for the space of this letter. Nevertheless, one must give some idea of what is happening here. As it turns out, the seeds planted by our Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Ea Murad Bahishti) have taken root and are now branching upwards and outwards in order to provide the spiritual oases necessary to struggling humanity, Bismillah, er-Rahman, er-hahim, in this part of the world.
Perhaps our Murshid has written you about what is called the �new age.� hat this means is that there are arriving on earth many clearly evolved and evolving souls, especially one sees this in the infants and children, and the note being sounded most insistently is the affirmation of spiritual unity and an innate repugnance towards hypocrisy in any form. This is actually happening more and more right here in this country and especially in this state of California.
You may have gotten a certain feeling from Jamshed when he visited Darul Khsan last year; his spirit is a very clear reflection of the type of idealism current among young seekers in the West. And he is joined by many hundreds, even many thousands, of spiritual aspirants on this side of the globe�some of whom are assiduous in their study of tassawuf, any many others who are equally assiduous in their pursuit of the divine Ideal no matter if it be through different mystical paths (although we present very clearly the Unity of Religious Ideals and so are able to function as if others are really parts of ourselves). This means that we put our trust in Allah, the Rahman, the Rahim, to give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear and the hearts to feel that the Islam of Allah and Mohammed (�Peace be upon and from him) has adapted itself to fulfill the needs of the present age by bringing an actual functional Unity among the mankind we have been entrusted to assist.
For many months we have been awaiting the return of our fellow-Mureed Salik who visited you with Jamshed. He wrote that he had received your blessings to teach us the Islamic Nimaz. But he never did return all the way here; instead he landed at Peshara centre; an esoterically oriented spiritual community headed use by our friend and fellow-Mureed Reshad Feild. Put now, praise be to Allah, a young men from Delhi named Mohammed Chisti has shown up in our midst and has agreed to instruct all those interested, and there are many, in the forms of Nimaz. This fulfills your instructions sent in a letter from Darul Rhasn last October a year ago, alhamdulillah!
But you would no doubt be interested to know that our Murshid believed that real Sufism (tassawuf) could be learned not only through the forms of traditional Islamic Nimaz, but equally through the applied study and devotion to the Prayers of Hazrat Inayat Khan, Pir, Nabi and Rassoul, particularly in the western culture. A copy of these Prayers is enclosed herewith.
Recently one has completed a 10-day Khilvat at the request of Pir Vilayat Khan. Many ryazat as well as much fasting were the rule, yet one also made use of the aforementioned Prayers of Hazrat Inayat! Chan, the founder of the combined Nagshibandi, Sohrowardy, Ceadiri and Chisti Orders into the Sufi Message for the present age. As a result of direct instructions from Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Pa Murad Bahishti) one practiced the tassawuri Murshid and also tassewuri Mohammed with devoted concentration on each line from these prayers. It is no special prowess of this person hut of Hazrat Inayat Khan, of Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti and of Allah Himself that these combined concentrations with Tassawuri bring the actuality of Sir, Nabi and Rassoul to earth, Inshallah!
The other Prayers of Hazrat Inayat Khan we recite each day are called Saum and Salat and Khatum. Copies of these are also enclosed and these are the very prayers one recited alongside one�s Murshid for three years nearly every night since he himself introduced their common use in our community.
One other enclosure is a programme from the recent beautiful presentation by the Dervishes from Konya, the spiritual descendants of Jelal-ud-din Rumi, who although outlawed in their own country continue to keen alive the tradition of the Mevlana. We met the Shaikh and his mureeds and sang our many songs to them and, alhamdulillah, their eyes lighted up and our hearts became one with theirs. Spiritual music is indeed the universal Language.
Some news: we are currently preparing a television show featuring the Dance of poses, Jesus and Mohammed (Peace be upon and from them) in a pageant designed to bring about closer ties among Arabs, Christians and Jews. This is a continuation of the work of a group called Hallelujah, the 3 Rings which was founded by our Murshid to fulfill the words of the bible: �Let my house be a house of prayer for all peoples,� His practical program was simply to eat, dance and pray with the peoples of the world after their own fashion.
Also, we are in process of establishing a new spiritual community centre which seems destined to become a true heart-center for the study of spiritual music which is in keeping with the line of blessings descended from Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chisti of Ajmer, and of Hazrat Inayat Khan who was himself a great musician and Caster of the mysticism of Sound. Ultimately about 60 permanent adult and children residents will, Inshallah, be making their home at this new Centre, and for this undertaking your blessings would be very much a part of our needs. Pir Vilayat Khan has undertaken to found this new venture, and his every breath of life is being given to assure its success in the Name of Allah, the Rahman, the Rahim.
Our Sufi Choir, a group of 20 within the larger framework of the Order here, seems headed for a world mission, Inshallah. We sing the spiritual musics of many great religions, especially the Wazifa and Zikr phrases from Islam, and in this way prepare a way for all peoples to join in harmony with each other despite differences of nationality, creed or color. As Hazrat Inayat Khan has said: �Heart speaks to heart, and soul to soul.�
There is much more, always much more, but suffice it to say that we are trying to appeal to Allah and Hierarchy regardless of the endless attractions of the perishing worlds around us, because Allah is Ya Hayyoo, Ya Qayyoom!
With all due apologies for not having written much, much sooner, one is Yours in Faith (al-Din),
Hurkalya
147 Humboldt Avenue San Anselmo, CA 94960
April 19, 1974
Beloved Pir-o-Murshid, Anointed of Allah,
As-salaam aleikhum!
Having just recently learned of Ataullah�s demise, I am writing to you in hopes that our mutual prayers will help to lighten the load of anxiety upon Sa�adia�s shoulders these past few years, Inshallah.
In 1968, when Sa�adia visited Murshid (Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti, now ~~~ Murad Bahisti) here in California, we all attended many meetings together with Murshid and Sa�adia. One particular meeting, held at the Garden of Allah, was note worthy because Murshid had Sa�adia and Moineddin sit on either side of him as he spoke to the assembly. Murshid had us wear our yellow robes, and he wore his yellow robe.
He said that �Sa�adia is my Khalifa of the East, and Moineddin is my Khalif in the West.� This may give you an idea of his wish, if Sa�adia has not since then reported the words of Murshid to you. I only mention this so that you may have some idea of Murshid�s wish for Sa�adia to grow to a certain eminence, already proven in her inner life, in order that she might represent Murshid�s living presence in the East, Inshallah.
Also of interest is an event which took place at the Sufi Summer Camp last year in Woodstock, New York. It was Pir Vilayat Khan�s 57th birthday, and he spoke to the bright-eyed assembly on the subject of his father�s spiritual mission to deliver the Sufi Message to the West. At one point he called out my name and I walked up to him and knelt down, as if a Knight before his Master. Without a work spoken Pir Vilayat took off his sandals and handed them to me, and removed his tashbih from around his neck and placed it over my head. We there upon embraced, and to get things moving again I whispered into his ear, �Pir, the ice cream for your birthday is melting.� Pir Vilayat laughed heartily and repeated my message aloud for all to hear, at which point everyone joined in the laughter.
Beloved Pir-o-Murshid, we are doing the best we can, with Allah�s help being the only help there is. Ya Hayyoo Ya Qayyoom
Love & blessings,
Moineddin Jablonski, Khalif
May 14, 1975
Beloved One of Allah, Sufi Barkat All,
In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, and in the name of all the Prophets, Saints and Masters of all times, including Hama, Krishna, Shiva, Buldha, Abraham, Solomon, Idris, Noah, Isaac, Ishmael, Israel, Elijah, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (upon all of whom be peace).
I am encouraged to write this letter by the remark that you made in your recent letter to Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti�s Khalif, Moin-ed-din Jablonski, that you had read his letter carefully. I pray before Allah that you will truly consider this letter carefully which I am writing you now.
All of this is written with the sure knowledge that there is a Day of Judgement where the truth of all of our actions will be made known before the presence of the One and Only Allah. As a limited human being I do not presume to usurp Allah from His rightful place as the Master of the Day of Judgement. As Holy Duran says over and over again, on that day Allah will show them the truth about the matters upon which they dispute. I gladly submit to the judgement of Allah who is the epitome of Mercy, Compassion, Forgiveness and Truth.
This is the main teaching that my beloved Murshid gave to me: surrender to Allah; seek His pleasure and displeasure; regard Him as your beloved; serve him also by serving humanity. His teaching was always ALLAH, ALLAH, ALLAH and more ALLAH. He said to me and publically on many occasions, �Many who call themselves Muslims will criticize what I am doing; but I don�t care whether they criticise or not. What I do care about is what is Allah�s feeling with regard to our work, and I advise those who criticize to seek guidance from Allah directly.�
Our everything is for Allah (period). I would not dare to say, our everything is for Allah and anything, even Allah and Islam. So many would dispute as to what slam is. To some Islam is a set of rules and practices which is sacred and which should be followed for all time. To some Islam means certain practices to give hypocritical lip service too while ignoring the most fundamental qualities of Allah, the loving, the all-powerful, the One. To all of these I am glad to say, Allah Himself will ultimately show you the truth about the matters upon which you dispute. Or as my Murshid taught again and again �Say ALLAH and leave them to their devices.� If one says Allah, remembers Allah, invokes Allah with every breath, with the deepest intention of one�s heart, that He who was never born and never gave birth should take us entirely into His presence then I believe before Allah that that prayer will ultimately be granted regardless of the different opinions of human beings each of whom may be right from his own point of view.
Islam, as a religion, has failed to demonstrate its superiority. I say this before Allah, and I am glad to take the consequence of such a statement. Islam, as a religion, can only demonstrate its superiority when those who profess to be Muslims actually demonstrate in their daily lives Allah�s Peace, Love, Wisdom, and Blessings. It is true, there are some who follow Islam as a religion who do demonstrate this, but as a whole this is not the case. If we could only see such an Islam as was practiced by the Prophet Mohammed, if we could see people following his example, instead of just praising him and then doing whatever their nufs dictates, then Islam might demonstrate its superiority. Out until such a day comes, before Allah, those who claim superiority for Islam as a religion, run the risk of telling, lies, and paying the? rice thereof, especially when they condemn those of other religions who may be just as close or closer to the actual living God. Only God-Allah can judge. He has created many different peoples and to all he has sent Guidance, albeit in various forms. Mohammed said �Seek wisdom even unto China�, and if he were alive today, before Allah, he would acknowledge the great wisdom and enlightenment which has existed at times in actual Chinese Buddhists and Taoists who truly submitted themselves to the One Truth and attained that supreme Liberation which Allah�s Grace alone can bestow end if hammed were alive today and could meet the living teachings of Indian Vedanta and the Bhagavad-Gita Gita especially and see them, then before Allah I say he would accept Rama and Krishna and Shiva as Prophets, Rassouls of Allah. Do you dare before Allah to say otherwise? So you dare before the Throne of Judgement to spy otherwise? That is your privilege, and you must, line all of us, take the consequences of your actions end may you be covered with the mercy and forgiveness of Allah.
The situation in the world today as in the past finds on the one hand great disputes between the mortis ins of various religions, disputes which give rise to hatred, war, and all manner of suffering. Who among the Muslilm follows the Prophet�s injunction �Discuss in a friendly fashion.� My Murshid taught Allah is the answer to every question, Allah is the Truth which overcomes and integrates all differences and distinctions. If that is the case, then rather than criticize the religion and practice of others we should seek to find that unification in the Divine being which serves as the ultimate reality thru it all. That is why Hazrat Inayat Khan presents his teachings in the way that no does; that is why Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti presents his teachings in the way that he does. They both will have to answer before Allah for their way of teaching and for all those countless mureeds who trust in their example and Guidance, and may Allah bless them and cover them with his peace and mercy and continuously purify the lives of the mureeds united with to in the silsila.
On the other hand in the world today one finds religion playing less and less a part in the actual lives of human beings. Communist propaganda calls religion �the opiate of the people.� And communism is on the rise. Young people from many different cultures see their elders engaged in religious hypocrisy, saying one thing and doing another. And these young people, quite rightly, refuse to blindly accept an traditions passed along by their elders, without some direct experience in the here an now of the truth thereof. There must be some criterion which you are willing to put forth by which religious teachings, of whatever sect can be evaluated. And this must be evaluated objectively, across the board.
I contend that Islam stands today as a religion in much the same condition that Judaism stood at the time of Rassoul Jesus Christ. At the time of Rassoul Jesus Christ those who were the leaders of the Jewish world placed great emphasis on much of the outer elements of the Law while virtually ignoring the inner elements of the Law�namely LOVE. They condemned him for working on the Sabbath day�he healed people thereon. They condemned him for all sorts of sins of disobedience to external rules which had attained an aura of sanctity. But he did not come to present a legal code, he game to give the example of selfless love, of constant praise of God. He emphasized the essentials without which the rules and regulations where as the peeling without the orange. That good to wash one�s hands before meals if you hated your neighbor and could care less if he starved? What good to pray in a certain manner approved by the priests if you had no conception of the Infinite Glory and Majesty of Allah? And so on. His example still lives. It remains us to focus on God�s love, to remember �Whatsoever you do to the least of these my creatures, you do it unto me.�
In America and elsewhere in the world today there is something of a regeneration of genuine religious feeling, a sense of Allah Who is Love and Mercy and all perfections. This regeneration is not coming and has not come as the result of any one religion. At times it has come and is coming in spite of a religion that is suspicious of and condemns direct experience of Divinity. Mohammed could say �Allah is closer than your jugular vein.� But if Allah is closer than your jugular vein, why not ask Allah for Guidance? why not feel His presence continually? Jesus could say �God is Love.� But if God is Love why not make love one�s principle teaching and one�s principle reality, instead of endless credos and dubious theology?
Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Samuel L. Lewis�remember he was born a Jew, and lived most of his life in a Christian culture) is probably more responsible than any single man with the possible exception of Hazrat Inayat Khan, in presenting the great inner beauty of Mohammed and Islam to the people of the West. This was done and continues to be done to people who are fed up with the restrictions and prejudices of particular religions who are looking with open eyes at Buddhism, at Hinduism, at Judaism, Christianity, astrology, communism, any and all the �isms� that are making claims on the world stage. Claims prove nothing, my dear friend. Claims prove nothing.
I believe that Allah is anxious for mankind to turn to Him directly, to take the best from different religions insofar as it is useful, but not to be bluffed by fanatics of any camp. Mohammed after all criticized the Jewish people for continually questioning Moses and putting endless regulations on their lives placing an unnecessary burden on those who would be pious. He wanted to present a simplified law, which he did present, God bless him. And he said there should be no priests, so that each man could interpret Qur�an himself and relate directly to God. Have you become a priest? Beware! Beware! Turn to God, turn to God, turn to God!
You may well be much closer to the favor of God than is the person who is writing this letter. Please pray for us, pray that we receive right guidance, that the straight path is opened before us, that we attain union with Allah. It is Allah alone that we want, and no �ands� no �buts� no �ors�. No particular Prophet, even if he Mohamned, can be placed in precedence to Allah. Allah includes go- hammed. Allah includes all Prophets, Saints and Masters, and I am content that Le. knows who they are. I don�t presume to tell Him, who to accept and who to reject.
Hazrat Inayat Khan left a whole body of inner teachings to be studied and practiced by those mureeds who became members of the Order which he established. Murshid spent much of his life writing commentaries on these teachings by his spiritual teacher. I would be happy to send you the whole thing, the whole body of teachings. I feel that Murshid wanted you to have them before Allah, it is even conceivable that you might learn a few things there from et the very least you might learn what the actual teachings are that are given to mureeds here if they follow their teachers. One word from you and I will send the whole body of material to you. He would like to be your friend. I know there is much that we can learn from you�from your life, from your being, from your dedication to God. But we must find the ways to actually communicate with one another. Hazrat Inayat Khan learned how to communicate to listeners. May you be blessed with the same realization?
May the blessing, of God rest upon you, May His peace abide with you,
May His presence illuminate your heart, Now and forevermore.
Allah mu-barak and salaams from Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti, I am your friend, Inshallah.
SUFI ISLAMIA RUHANIAT SOCIETY
NOOR MAHAL � 758 D STREET � PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA 94952
August 11, 1979
TOWARD THE ONE, THE PERFECTION OF LOVE, HARMONY AND BEAUTY, THE ONLY BEING; UNITED WITH ALL THE ILLUMINATED SOULS WHO FORM THE EMBODIMENT OF THE MASTER, THE SPIRIT OF GUIDANCE.
BISMILLAH, ER-RAHNAN, ER-RAHIM... WE BEGIN IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST MERCIFUL AND COMPASSIONATE...
Blessed Pir-O-Murshid,
Dear Sufi Barkat Ali, as-salaam aleikhum!
Our sincerest thanks for your Holy Message of July 14, 1979. It is indeed a joy to receive such a poetic and prophetic exhortation to �off the veil a bit� and discover the mysterious gem in the mine of mind, as you say. Furthermore, we are grateful for your kindness in sharing with us the practice of Fikar, along with the diagram showing the details and methodology of the Fikar practice. (One is reminded of Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti�s saying, �Sufism is based upon Devotion and Science, or Ishk and Ilm.�)
However, one feels that it is necessary to explain to you more of our situation with regard to the matter of our Order�s curriculum of esoteric studies and the ryazat that combine to produce the noble ahwal and magamat, through the Grace of Allah.
As you may know, we follow the teachings and example of Pir-O-Murshid Inayat Khan who established the Holy Message of Sufism in the West. He was trained thoroughly in the methodologies and realization of the four chief Sufi Schools: Chisti, Qadari, Nakshibandi and Sohrawardi. Hazrat Inayat Khan correlated and systematized the teachings of these Four Schools into a coherent and integrated curriculum suited to the temperament of human beings living in the Western culture�no small feat:
For instance, our Order contains 12 grades, beginning with the study of Takua Taharat, Etekad Rasm u Ravaj, Pasi Anf as, Saluk, Kashf, Nakshi Bandi and Tassawuf; these studies comprise the first three grades and are called the Gathas. The next three grades, called Githas, cover the subjects of Asrar ul Ansar, Murakkaba, Amaliat, Ryazat, Kashf ul Kabur, Sadhana, Dhyana, Occultism and Shafayat. The third three grades, called Sangathas cover the subjects of Tassawuf, Saluk, Khawas, Hasiat, Nasihat, Talim, Ryazat and Wasiat. And the final three grades cover the same themes, albeit they are more advanced studies and require deeper realization for their understanding.
Furthermore, the gradual stages of ryazat are vouchsafed to the mureeds as they progress through the grades, grades which require both outward stability and inner experience. In his A Sufi Message of Spiritual Liberty, Hazrat Inayat Khan says, �The Sufic method of realization�the study of Shariat, Tariqat, Haqiqat and Marefat, also the practice of Zikr, Fikar, Kasab, Shaghal and Amal is claimed to be the easiest, shortest and most interesting for spiritual accomplishment.� Naturally, we repeat the Kalama, the Salat (in English) that Pir-O-Murshid Inayat Khan gave, and of course the Wazifas as required for each individual mureed.
We also follow in the footsteps of our dear Murshid, Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. He left a living legacy of epic poetry dealing with the most sublime themes, Commentaries on virtually all of the Gathas and Githas of Hazrat Inayat Khan (and on much of the published literature, some twelve volumes of teachings, of Hazrat Inayat Khan). Our Murshid instructed us in the methods of Tassawuri, of Akhlak Allah and, through Divine Grace, the mysteries of fana and baqa.
And the phrase �follow in the footsteps� has also been employed most joyously in the very sacred Dances of Universal Peace which Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti gave to us so that we might share the same spirit that inspired King David the Psalmist to dance in the presence of his Lord, Ya Hayyoo, Ya Qayyoom!�share that spirit with those whose hearts are awakened through the sacred Dance. There is not one iota of frivolity in these Dances, for they are every one based upon the repetition of the Divine Name, upon the Name of Allah Who is Rahman and Raheem...
As you most clearly ascertained during the visit of our pilgrims to Darul Ehsan, our ladies are indeed of �noble birth.� But really speaking, all of our mureeds are of noble birth, even all humanity is of noble birth�for all mankind has been created in God�s Image. Of course, one is hard put to prove the steadfast virtues of a people who trample upon their fellowmen and bring ruin to justice and modesty and love. But as the Americans say, �There are always a few rotten apples in every barrel.�
What I am really saying is that there is a new and resurgent spirit of devotion and mystical/religious seeking in the West today. The pilgrims who visited Khankah Darul Ehsan represent the very best of a new kind of humanity, so to speak. Our Murshid recognized this, and was quick to bring the secrets of Sufism to our hearts and souls. These are human beings who do not feel the separations that divide the larger body of humanity; these are real disciples whose hearts are tender, whose inner faculties are already well-advanced at an early age. These are they who would unite with the whole humanity through wisdom and love, yet who also need tremendous care while they grow and mature to completion and even perfection, Inshallah.
In Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti �s last letter to you, written from his hospital bed, he says, �For I am the first one born in the West to have received the Divine Message, and believe to have representatives in all the purity and goodness of which Allah is capable, and which will now be presumed done forever.�
So I just want you to know, and I say this with all earnestness and in hopes that you will not consider my words and the sincere feelings behind them as anything but filled with gratitude for your �shelter and care��that we do maintain our mujahidas, that we do our Fikar and other Daroods on the breath throughout the day and night, in Remembrance of our Creator.
I have personally been practicing Fikar (the practice you enclosed in your last letter) for some twelve years, under the instructions of Murshid Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. In fact, most of our mureeds are taught to practice Fikar from an early stage of mureedship; naturally all practices are suited the individual needs of each Mureed. And as the Mureed advances he is given the more advanced practices such as Kasab, Shaghal and, finally, Amal. All mureeds join in the practice of regular Zikr and Prayers.
One of the Prayers is called PIR:
Inspirer of my mind,
Consoler of my heart,
Healer of my spirit,
Thy presence lifteth me from earth to Heaven, Thy words flow as the sacred river,
Thy thought riseth as a divine spring,
Thy tender feelings waken sympathy in my heart. Beloved Teacher, thy very being is forgiveness. The clouds of doubt and fear are scattered by thy piercing glance;
All ignorance vanishes in thy illuminating presence; A new hope is born in my heart by breathing thy peaceful atmosphere.
O inspiring Guide through life�s puzzling ways, In thee I feel abundance of blessing.
We say this every morning, along with Saum and other prayers. Also, in keeping with our background as Westerners, the men and women are not separated in most spiritual endeavors�the chief exceptions being classes for men which stress the Jelal developments, and classes for women which emphasize Jemali developments. There does not seem to be any problem when the mind and heart are focused upon Allah and His Beautiful Names.
As you have asked to be apprised of �the minutes and results� of Fikar, all I can say is that I find Fikar to be a means of experiencing the Divine Presence radiating from the heart and filling the whole body, particularly when I do it in a walking manner. I also usually take a couple or three mureeds along with me so that they can imbibe the same sense of realization through attunement and atmosphere. This is exactly what Murshid did for us when he was on earth.
Another practice he trained me in was the Tawaj j eh, or Glance. This is perhaps the greatest means of spiritual transmission that I have had the good fortune to share with kindred spirits. As you also are well-immersed in this most beautiful spiritual method, I know you will appreciate the words above... (The photos of you giving tawajjeh to the pilgrims are treasured specially).
Until later, and with all love and blessings, your friend, d�~ *
Moineddin
P.S. Perhaps I should tell you that my physical condition is not good. For nine years I have been afflicted with a kidney disease, glomerulo-nephritis. I almost died nine years ago in the hospital, until Murshid came in and yelled at me to get .out of there! So I recovered and had a fairly normal life for five years until 1976 when my kidneys failed altogether, and I was placed on hem dialysis, a treatment involving having my blood cleansed by a special machine three times a week, a total of 15 hours. That has been my condition ever since, and honestly I feel that my time on earth is not long.
But I feel ready to respond to Allah�s beckoning whenever His call comes. I have prepared for the orderly transition of successor-ship in our Sufi Is lamia Ruhaniat Society, and feel that when I do pass from this earthly sphere, Inshallah,. I can join my Murshid in saying, as he did some nine years ago, �...(we) have representatives in all the purity and goodness of which Allah is capable...�
One�s body gradually weakens, but the spirit is willing and strong, Inshallah!
Your prayers and concentrations are most gratefully asked for all...
P.P.S. Speaking of Fikar, my secretary has been sitting and breathing Fikar for practically the entire writing of this letter! This is the type of Mureed I am blessed to have surrounding me. If I started counting I would lose count because I would become lost in the depth of noble qualities in each one...
�Moineddin
10 June 1980
Hakim Ghulam Moinuddin Chishti
Branch Offices :
Wall Ali Meyer
Syed Nazim All Nizami I/C 416 Precita Avenue
Dargah Hzt. Nizamuddin San Francisco, Calif. 94110 Nizamuddin West
New Delhi (India)
My Dear Wali All,
As-salaam alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatahu: Mohd. Haroon Sabri I/C
Dargah Sabir Pak With every best wish for your health, happiness and
Village Kalyar success in both the Worlds, I am writing to convey Distt. Saharanpur (U.P.) a greeting from Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat All, of
India Dar-ul-Ehsan, Pakistan. During my recent extended
tour to Pakistan and India, I had the very real
Pleasure of sitting with him for a day. He requested
that I send you a copy of the enclosed communication, Syed Safdar Ali Chishti and that you in turn circulate it among your followers. (I/C for Pakpatan Sharif) With kindest regards to your wife and family, and
H. No. 10, Street No. 4 greetings to all in your care, I remain, Abdul Karim Street
Qila Gujar Singh Dutifully in�. t e se qe of Allah,
Lahore (Pakistan)
Encl: Cory of R
C. G. Luhar
Chatariya, Tuluka Vijaynagar
Gujarat) India
Publishers of : The Holy Biography of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and
The Big Five of Sufism in India, by the late W. D. Begg, Ajmer (India)
June 14, 1980
SUFI ISLAMIA RUHANIAT SOCIETY
MENTORGARTEN * 410 PRECITA VENUE * SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110
Pir-O-Murshid Sufi Barkat Ali, Dar-ul Ehsan
Pakistan
Beloved one of Allah,
Aa-salaam aleikhum we rahmatullah wa barakatahu!
Thank you for your letter of fatherly concern and guidance, which I just received in the mail yesterday from an intermediary�one G. M. Chishti (Robert Thompson). Pir-O-Murshid Inayat Khan, who according to our faith was chosen by God the Almighty to transmit to the Western world the sacred wisdom of the ages, has said, �A Sufi is one who can see from the point of view of another as well as his own.� It is this principle which I must apply to myself when endeavoring to respond to your words of instruction, for while you are not my Pir, nevertheless as a result of your total dedication to Allah and your emulation of the ways of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (on whom be peace) you have been blessed by God and should be honored by this person.
I was very happy to hear the reports of those mureeds from here who visited Darul-Ehsan last year. I was especially heartened to know of the work of service which you tirelessly perform by the Grace of Allah and also that many felt the presence of that awakened heart of love which is the living testimony of a full spiritual state. It is my prayer that you communicate the fullness of Islam for the true solace and regeneration of your countrymen and those under your spiritual guidance. Someday I hope to see the fruits of your concentration in the awakening of those under your tutelage, as God wills.
For us here our instructions are clear. We are following the clear guidelines of Hazrat Inayat Khan and Sufi Ahmed Nurad Chisti. You are mistaken when you say that he would instruct as you proclaim in your letter. With all respect, you only saw one facet of the diamond of that illuminated soul (on whom be peace) who was chosen by Allah to function as an abdal. He was a universal man who a was the proof of his beloved teacher Inayat who taught that one could pray in unity with all peoples without making vain distinctions; thus when one is with Muslims one is a Muslim, when with Christians a Christian, when with Jews a Jew, when with Hindus a Hindu, when with Taoieta a Taoist, when with Buddhists a Buddhist and so on because one knows from true realization within the Truth which functions in all. You make think this is impossible, because it is not your path, but it was the path of Murshid Samuel Lewis. This I know because by the Grace of God I was allowed to share his life and work for many years and received from him the seal of his understanding. For example, he put as on the path of the Bodhisattva, a sublime teaching of Mahayana Buddhism. I do not expect you to know anything about this subject; it was not Murshid's work to show this facet to you. But people have attained the highest realization following this path. I have both seen and meditated and prayed with men and women who have attained perfect peace and compassion following these teachings {I have done this both with Murshid and after his passing) and this is just to mention one of the facets of his wee soul. All of these he shared in full with his close disciples.
Murshid was one of the founders of the Holy Order of Mans, a Christian mystical order which now functions nationwide with a great spirit of healing in its wings. His poem �What Christ? What Peace?� was just published in their national organ. Murshid said that the greatest soul he ever met was Mother Krishnabai who attained complete samadhi thru the Grace of her Guru Papa Ram Das, a man who Murshid also called his Guru and whose ashram is located in Kanhangad, India and is called Anandashram. The pilgrims from this center who journeyed to Pakistan last year spent a week with the holy mother there earlier in their trip. In fact, when I first came to Murshid's house which bears the name �Mentorgarten� from his Buddhist inheritance, the first spiritual practice which he led us in was the repetition of the sacred mantram he had received from Papa Ram Dass Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram! I could go on and on in this vein but I trust you have gotten the idea. So when you tell me what Murshid would have done I can only smile at how little you know of this man. For him, the various rituals of the religions were not the be-all and end-all; he directed those of his disciples who were inclined to any particular form to fully enter that form. If a person was not attracted to the form of the religion in which he was born and confirmed (as in my own case who was raised Jewish) he showed them the breadth of his universal heart and pointed them directly to Allah, Who is the Only Being, the Source and Goal of All. He never asked me to stop being Jewish; to him that would have been an absurdity but he opened my eyes to the examples of all the Messengers of God in all cultures. By following this kind of methodology I dare say that he has made more Americans aware of the perfections of the Holy Prophet Mohammed than anyone before his time. Certainly he has succeeded more and his successors continue to succeed more in this regard than all those who attack people in the name of Islam and reveal an evolution which is primarily mental rather than of the heart.
Some of these people like Mr. G. M. Chisti for example go about busily organizing and haranguing others, following well known Western models of politics, and yet have not truly touched a single heart or brought a single person into the world of God's love. Do not place your hopes in this kind of person who lives in their mind. Why in his absence from Tucson on his recent trip to India and Pakistan one of my disciples who handles book distribution wrote to his address requesting some titles which he handles for us to make available to others. Mr. Thompson (Chisti)'s reply was typical. On his return he wrote a long letter saying why we had not yet received the books and accusing the man he had left in charge of this responsibility as being �faithless� and �untrustworthy.� This is typical. Not being able to touch and transmute hearts he takes refuge in endless accusations and trouble-making even with regard to those who have supposedly chosen to work with him. Praise be to God we have been blessed with a different calibre of people. You have seen a few of them. Praise be to God there are scores more, people who know how to take Rassoul Jesus� advice �To love ye one another.�
I mention this about Mr. Thompson with no malice, believe me, but because you chose him to be your intermediary rather than send your letter to me directly. With all respect, you have not up to this point in your life shown a full understanding of the psychological types of men found in the Western cultures. Murshid, who was a Westerner himself understood this perfectly and therein lay part of the reason for his great success in bringing people of these varied backgrounds into a balanced state of life filled with joy and service. He never lost a disciple to suicide and he rescued people who were in very dire straits, healing their hearts rather than adding fuel to already unbalanced minds. I wish to remind you of one particular case in point. I do not know whether at this point in time, whether even now, you have been made aware of the true facts regarding Ata-ullah Chisti. A person like yourself whom people fear and respect often is told what people want you to believe in order to curry your favor. This is, as you must know, very dangerous, and I feel obliged to warn you about it. If
fixed beliefs out of so-called �respect� then a great injustice is done.
Murshid could have helped Ata-ullah as he did scores of other people in even worse condition than him, but you had adopted him as a mureed and he let you do it your way. You made the mistake, quite understandable because you do not yet understand the psychology of Americans, of fueling his already intoxicated mental obsessions in the name of Islam. The direct result was that one day he could not stand the strain any longer and took a gun and blew his brains out. Two of my good friends Shahabuddin and Surya Less had to handle the job of taking care of the remains and solacing poor Khawar and the child. This is what actually happened, regardless of what you may have been told. And since you will be called to account for it by God I think you should know before you repeat the same mistake with other Americans who may be of the same psychological type as Ataullah, may God have mercy on his soul.
The man whom Murshid appointed to be his spiritual successor, Moineddin Jablonski, is not one of your intellectuals. His heart and mind have however been illuminated with God's Love and peace. By the Grace of God he has been given the direct experience of fana-fi-rassoul with regard to Jesus Christ, and he has unhesitatingly drunk that cup to the fullest and has become a living example to people. The testimony is in the beautiful effects of his life on his disciples, and Allah alone knows the truth of what I say.
You have seen a few letters of Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti and others and have pronounced your judgement that they contain nothing but a survey of superficial points of sufism in which you are not interested. If you like to make judgements and pronounce ex cathedra like a Pope without being interested in learning more of what is actually taught, that is of course your right. But having had the benefit of studying the great wealth of teachings at our disposal, forgive me if I am not impressed by your pronouncements about things which you have not seen and are not interested in seeing. I intend to send you a sampling of some of these materials. If the Holy Prophet could tell people to seek knowledge even unto China, I don't think one of his devotees should acorn things sight unseen, even from America. I have no wish to convert you to my point of view. Doubtless you are doing God's work and I pray for your success. But neither do I hold you in awe and fear you, but only God to whom I am glad to submit and accept His judgement on That Day when all things will be made clear to those who differ.
Look directly into our hearts if you are able and see our intentions. It is possible that those whom you scorn as being unsound may nevertheless be cradled by an All Compassionate Allah Who works according to His own Will in all lands and in all people and even tolerates and blesses people who do not promulgate exactly the same forma and rituals as your good self.
Doubless others from here who have met you and love you will write in their own way. I have not had that privilege so please forgive me if this distance has made me misunderstand and speak improperly. You always have s deepest salaams.
Love and Blessings,
Wali Ali Meyer
Page 3 7y�'
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In your letters to me you have decided most things according to ~~t
� your thoughts only which cannot be entertained. Our Prophet's a .~
Tarigat,� his culture and his mode of living is the only tenable !'
^.,<< thing for they are perfect and complete in all respects for all'Y ages and are above all criticism and any amendment.
May I ask you to overhaul your thinking machinery regarding all
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aspects and bring it in line with what Allah or HIS PROPHET have ordained, for every thing else is transitory, always changing ~'Y
<._~.
and temporary. Nothing but sorrow and woe will be the result if done otherwise.
~M
Some things have been said in letters about �ILEAN� and �KASHF� and other mystic words. Let me tell you here in unambiguous words 7I that any and all such imaginings which are not supported by xY it �0� the HOLY QUR�AN and SUNHAT are rejected because they are nothing
but insinuations of the devil. Please desist from following such74-i~ things.
A /.
Much has been said herein so start enriching yourselves with true'Y'{ learning. If Sufi Murad Chishti had lived longer, he would have confirmed each and every word I have written. Cleanse your minds, �s. your hearts, your thoughts and your actions of everything not �'~!r
BISMILLAH ER-RAMMAN ER-RAHIM . . .
June 29, 1980
Dear Sufi Barkat Ali, As-salaam aleikhum!
Upon receiving your letter of April 10, 1980, we felt impelled to respond immediately. We decided to have Masheikh Wall Ali be our official spokesman, and then Sheikh Vasheest, myself and some others would write to you as individuals from our hearts.
I will always remember your last words to those of us who visited you in March, 1979. �I will keep you not in memory but in heart!� You even gave re a copy to take home.
At that meeting you became my beloved teacher Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti. Afterwards I told the others, who had not known him in the body, that it was the same as being in his presence for a day. So much love, joy and laughter was shared between us. How can this be forgotten?
Our hearts were lifted into the one Heart. There were no rules or distinctions. You led the women into the Mosque and made tea for us. You sat the women up front and we sang the Zikr together. It was a meeting of East and West in the deepest meaning of the word meeting.
When I returned I felt I had an understanding of what it means to accept Islam. To accept the Holy Prophet Mohammed in the chain of Prophets who link all religions into one. There is only one God!
Murshid Moineddin is very ill with kidney and bone disease, but he told me that your letter was �heart-breaking.�
How can we go forward to present the message of Allah, of peace and unity, to the world�if we break hearts?
I shall remember our meeting not in my mind, but with all my heart. With deepest respect,
Noor Mahal
June 29, 1980
Dear Jaman and Fatima, As-Salaam aleikhum!
Enclosed find Fatima�s response to Sufi Barkat Ali. As far as I know, Vasheest has yet to answer him. I�ll ask Fatima (~~ the one attempting to take his dictation and paking a lot of boo boos) to ask Vasheest if he has written a response when she seas him later today at Wali Ali�s surprise birthday party after the board meeting. (It�s very strange to sit here and type about myself in the third person so I just have to add a few personal comments) Shadija has planned a big party with Yasmin Speigel cooking fancy Chinese food. Unfortunately they only planned on 40 and it looks more like 60 or more will attend. Moinuddin is getting anxious to return to his dictation. I seem to have taken over.
Sarah from Lama just walked in the door; this will be her fourth and final visit that we have had since she arrived last week. Sarah has made a decision to undertake the work of sufic initiation at Lama Foundation. This has been a long time coming, both for Sara personally, and for Lama Foundation. Her work there will be special; she will be traversing a kind of sword-bridge. But no matter when you have Jesus and Moses guiding your every step, insha�allah. I have asked Sara to follow her own intuition regarding how she will approach such formalities as initiation fees, dues assessments if any, and the like. There is not a lot of personal money around at Lama, so some special arrangements must be made in the case of each individual candidate. Etc., etc.
The new dismillah finally came out two days are, so the mailing should begin within the week, inshallah.
Ishaq and Naryan drove down from ~~~~ and we had an interview yesterday. It turned out that the canary yellow Sheikh�s roeb ripped all its seams, so he had a new one made of the proper color, and asked be to bless it. So I placed it, actually hugged it to my heart, and proceeded to recite mary sacred phrases concentrating on love and protection � closing with four Allah Mubaraks!
I asked Fatima last night to make sure that the mature leaders of the Ruhaniat Such as Mukit and Ishaq and their wives, sara, and Jamil (who should be given some kind of honorary status as a leader connected with the Ruhaniat�s work��though his role cannot be limited as it were to one specific path unless he should so choose) be encouraged to contribute as co-equals with Fatima, Wali Ali and Joe Miller. The time has simply come for our work to recognize the broader efforts that are taking place, It may also be wise for this year�s gathering to be three days instead of two.
Have been enjoying �Murder must advertise� � another 4-part series starring Lord Peter Wimsey. That�s the way ~ spend Wednesday evenings after dialysis. One more episode to go.
Love and blessings, Moinuddin
P.S. have turned over the Bowl of Sak: Commentary work to Mevlami & Sitra. Am farming out more & more of my work to others now as I await a kidney, Inshallah.
HAZRAT MOINUDDIN JABLONSKI
758 �D� ST. PETALUMA CALIFORNIA 94952 U.S.A.
Assalam-O-Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barkatohoo.
I cannot find words to express my feelings on the arrival of holy pilgrims in Daml Ehsan. What all I can say is that the lovely buds and blossoms of the Garden orchered by my dearest Sheikh Hazrat Ahmad Murad Chisti ever remain pleasant, springfull, ma sha allah. Please convey my blessings to all.
Continue practice darood as follows.
ALLAH-HUMMA SALLE ALA BADRITTAMAME
ALLAH-HUMMA SALLE ALA NOORUZZALLAME
ALLAH-HUMMA SALLE ALA MIFTAHEE DARUSASSALAME ALLAH-HUMMA SALLE ALA SHAFIHI JAMI IL LANAME
My best salams and prayers to Murshida Fatima and her companions.
I would like this visit to be incorporated in your Sufi Order. Thank you very much for snaps, too.
Nawab Iftikhar Ahmad Khan visited us a few days ago. Your letter read and was very happy. Accept salams from him too.
Yours
Mohammed Barkat Ali
Daml Ehsan, Faiselbad, Pakistan 1 June 1979
0 April 1980
23 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1400 A. H.
NP
My dear Friends of Sufi Islamia Ruhaniat Society,
Salaam alaikum.
This letter is written to you to clarify certain points which iv Pi have arisen regarding the teachings of sufism, or �tassawuf.� In past years, your Murshid, the late Sufi Murad Ahmad Chishti,
x was authorized by myself to convey certain teachings of the Chishti silsila, and other Orders in which I hold Khalifat. Regardless of which silsila in sufism, or what your present leaders may claim of authority, in this letter, I express for you the nature of the work which Sufi Ahmad Murad Chishti was asked
i to convey.
Our Rassoul Allah (sail allaho alahe wasallam) said that the difference between a Muslim and a. Kafir (or between a �believer� in Him and a disbeliever) is NAMAZ.
I, in no way, am opposed or rude to the high anti lofty status and esteem or position you may hold for your Pir O-Murshid. However, it is my belief and conviction, that one who is not
or her self steadfast in I1AMAZ, cannot be accepted or
I him
considered even, in any way as a teacher of sufism or Islam.
So, such teachers� �Tariqat� or path and permission cannot be accepted as correct or sound, who so ever this teacher may be. May I hence ask you to be punctual and constant in the practice
T
of NAMAZ (meaning the traditional Islamic prayers), and in addition be strict in observing the other existing laws of Islam. Failing this, at least, for God's sake, quit calling yourselves �sufis� and using the holy name of �Sufi Islamia Ruhaniat.� A Faqir, a Sufi and Moballigh is required strictly to follow all existing Islamic Do's and Don'ts, according to what are demanded of humans by the Islamic doctrines contained in the Holy Qur�an. The outward appearance should also be Islamic.
I have very closely studied the letters of your teachers, and the
late Sufi Ahmad Murad Chishti, and find that they contain nothing but a most general review and survey of superficial points of Sufism in which I am not at all interested. My confirmed advice to YOU is to devote all of your attention and energy to ALLAH and HIS PROPHET MUHAMMAD RASULLULLAH (sallaho alahe wasallam), and seek peace and success in these Blessings and Commandments only. Remember Islam and Islam only, and all the rest of your problems will be solved.
OUR EVERYTHING IS FOR ALLAH AND ISLAM
AND HE ALL ARE ALLAH AND ISLAM.
Beloved of ALLAH, ASHA Allah. WALI ALI.
Assalam-o-Alaikum.
It is no exaggeration to say that our beloved friend SUFI AHMED MURAD CHISHTIE was the first and lucky American who embraced Islam or whom ISLAM embraced. His struggle to preach ISLAM is of course praiseworthy and will ever remain alive in HEARTS of his followers.
The PLANTS he cultivated in MINDS and SOULS will really yeil rich fruits.
He did his best to convey the MESSAGE to mankind in full MAY ALLAH, RAHMAN, Rahim HAYY �UL- QAYYOOM bless him as he blesses his friends - We very wholeheartedly submit our very sincere and loving blessings to his SOUL.
I would like to receive detailed summery of his FUNERAL ceremony with pictures if available, and also a snap of his MAQBARA.
With blessings to you all -
Caliphs and disciples of My very Sincere Caliph AHMAD MURAD now BA - MURAD
MOTTO = SURRENDER yourself to ALLAH AND ISLAM as your beloved Pir-o-Murshid surrendered.
I pray yours
QALB = HEARTS
ROOH = SOUL
Nufs = Mind
may UNITE in a link and may you all be shine as
Sun to remove the DARKNESS of your�
PRAYERS. ALL CALIPHS AND DICIPLES to recite
YA HAYYO YA QAYYOOM.����������-
YA HAYYO
YA QAYYOOM.