Who Are the Rijāl?

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

[Al-Fatiha for Shaykh Abd Jalilق, the trusted representative of Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق in Egypt, who returned to his Lord yesterday.]

“رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ”

(Qur’an 33:23)

“Rijālun ṣadaqū mā ‘āhadū Llāha ‘alayhi fa-minhum man qaḍá naḥbahu wa-minhum man yantaẓir”

“Men true to what they pledged to Allāh. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance].” Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm.

Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says, “Those who kept their promise to Allāh ﷻ and did not break it, are men.” He ﷻ describes them as men. This means that even if she’s a woman, she too has risen to the rank of a man.

Someone who considers themselves a man but does not keep their word is neither a man nor a woman. It’s important to understand that here, it’s not about distinguishing between men and women, but rather a description of those who keep their word, a description by Allāh ﷻ.

Why are we saying this? Because those who remain steadfast on the way of Allāh ﷻ are precious people. They have won. Those who do not break their word are acceptable people in the sight of Allāh ﷻ. When their appointed time comes, they die on that way. And as long as they remain, as long as they live, they continue on that way, on the promise they made.

Based on that description is a man who became Muslim in the time of Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim. May Allāh ﷻ have mercy on him, he passed away yesterday. He was German, but his Islām was established in the presence of Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim forty or more years ago. He was a philosophy professor.

Philosophy is something based on doubt and uncertainty. Through the karāmah of Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim, shukr to Allāh ﷻ, he became a Muslim. And he served himself and those around him for forty or more years. Many people found guidance through him; Muslims and non-Muslims.

Not only non-Muslims; even many Muslims can also stray from the way. He guided them back to the right way. Then, as a beloved servant of Allāh ﷻ, he departed from this world.

This is what is important. Why were we created in this world and what have we done? Allāh ﷻ tells you why you were created, but you wander around like a clueless chicken, not understanding.

People who understand know that: When one finds the truth, one must cling to it. With that truth, you will pass over into the other world. With that truth, you will stand before the Haqq (Truth/ Allāh), by the permission of Allāh ﷻ.

May Allāh ﷻ keep us all steadfast and not lead us astray. Many people fall away from the way. They run from place to place, saying “I like this, I don’t like that,” and then suddenly see that they’ve left this world without having found anything.

May Allāh ﷻ not make us like them, but keep us steadfast. May He keep us all steadfast until we find our Lord, until we meet our Prophet ﷺ and our mashāyikh there, in shā’a Llāh. Wa min Allāh at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

•⁠ ⁠Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

7 January 2025/ 18 Rajab 1447

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul

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