Seadet-i Ebediyye - Endless Bliss Third Fascicle

Since the times closer to that time are so valuable, we should
realize how valuable that time itself was. It is for this reason that it
is written in Qût-ul-qulûb: [1]
“To see that blessed face of
Rasûlullah’s once, or to sit in his presence only for a while, makes
one attain such blessings as cannot be obtained in halwats or
arbaîns, which means mortification of the flesh for forty days, at
other times.” Also the great Walîs who were matured at other
times were promoted by receiving fayd from the spiritual sohbat of
Rasûlullah.]
30 — SECOND VOLUME, 99th LETTER
This letter was written to Sayyid Muhammad Nu’mân
‘rahmatullâhi ta’âlâ ’alaih’. It explains why some Awliyâ, while
making progress on a path of Tasawwuf, see themselves in the
grade of the Sahâba, why so many calamities and sufferings befell
Prophets in the world, and gives information on ’adam, Fanâ and
Baqâ:
Bismillâhirrahmânirrahîm. Hamd be to Allâhu ta’âlâ. Salâm to
those slaves of His whom He has chosen!
Question: As a sâlik makes progress along a path of Tasawwuf,
he sometimes visualizes himself sharing the same grade with the
Sahâba, who are superior to him according to the unanimity (of
the Islamic scholars). He even sees himself at the grade of
Prophets. How does that happen? Some people think that the sâlik
says he is at the grade of the owners of those ranks. So they do not
believe what the sâlik says. They even censure him. What is its
reason?
Answer: Low people ascending to grades occupied by high
people is like poor people going to the doors of the rich or to the
homes of the owners of favours, asking for what they need from
them, and attaining their favours. Those who think that such
people’s going up to those grades means to become equal to the
owners of the grades must be ignorant. This promotion of theirs is
sometimes intended for them to see the grades and yearn for them.
It is like going to see the palaces and villas of sultans and princes
in the world. It would be idiocy to think that such people have
become equal to sultans and princes. Servants enter their master’s
[1] Written by Abû Tâlib-i-Mekkî (or Makkî) ‘rahmatullâhi ta’âlâ ’alaih’
(d. 386 [996 A.D.], Baghdâd).
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