Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

It was told that Sayyidina Hasan Al-Basriر once, was distraught when he missed three months of night vigil. Knowing that awakening for Tahajjud is indeed a Divine Invitation to be in conversation with Allah Almighty, he was in intense self-introspection, trying to find the fault in himself that has prevented him from being with his Lord in the intimate of the night.

Such sincerity led him to discover he had erred just once, feeling in his heart, a superiority to a student he tutors.

Having just for a brief moment, an attribute of shaitan, caused this great Saint to be denied Tahajjud for months.

For this, it is enough for a sincere seeker to realise the posture of our open enemy. Shaitan Alayhi Laqnat has been an enemy to our grandfather Sayyidina Adam Alayhi Salam and will continue as such, until the end of time, to us and all our progeny.

Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق said satanic tricks and traps are endless. Towards piety or disobedience, he sets traps for the children of Adam Alayhi Salam.

Since the arrival of Sayyidina Adam on earth, he was greeted with hostility as shaitan had incited the animals to detest him and ‘advised’ them to tear him to pieces. With the help of Sayyidina Jibrail Alayhi Salam, the first creature to become a companion and guardian to Adam Alayhi Salam was the dog. A wild creature, but once domesticated, became useful and of service to its master.

Acquiring the attributes of a dog is one of virtue in Tariqah.

Once the great saint and 6th Grandshyakh of the Naqshbandi Way, Mawlana Abu Yazid Al-Bistamiق was walking through a street when a dog appeared and approached him slowly. Being cautious, not wanting his clothes to be in contact with the dog, Abu Yazidق pulled up his clothes. Unexpectedly, the dog spoke to Abu Yazidق with a human-like voice, “I am created filthy and my filth can be cleansed by the way ordained by Allah, but the prejudiced attitude inside you will not be washed away even if you use all the water obtained from seven rivers. The internal or spiritual sins are difficult to clean.” Hearing the wise word of the dog, Mawlana Abu Yazidق invited the dog to his company, to which the dog denied, for its filthiness.

Mawlana Abu Yazidق whispered to himself, ”If even a dog refuses to accompany me, am I eligible to be close to God and attend His functions? All Praises for God who has shown all the flaws in me and guiding human beings through the minor things.”

Mawlanaق has taught us to leave all satanic traits starting with self-aggrandisement, and look to the humble dog in admiration, for its attributes are that of true believers, the Friends of Allah.

A domesticated dog is an obedient and loyal servant to its master. A light sleeper, always on high alert to perform its duty, eating little from food scraps, unshaken in its loyalty, even if the master inflicts upon it, pain. The dog is in complete contentment with its master.

For this, sincere mureeds under the care of a Spiritual Master (waliyan murshida) must be in Shukur, for unlike a stray dog, the dog blessed with a master has duties to perform and is guided towards the road of servanthood.

May we inherit the attributes of dogs, to be in obedience and loyalty to our Master, until we reach servanthood to Allahﷻ.