TRANSLATION of 153rd LETTER

It is necessary to look for an Islamic savant, to find and read the books of the ’Ulamâ of Ahl as-sunna. Each day going by is very valuable. There is no return to the world. The greatest blessing is Sohbat (or Suhba), which means to keep company with an ’Âlim of Ahl as-sunna and thus to be blessed with his words [and breath]. Uways-i-Qarnî loved Rasûlullah very much and performed acts of worship continuously day and night. Yet he could not attain the grade of any of the Ashâb-i-kirâm, who (had attained their high grades because they) had been blessed with the honour of attaining Rasûlullah’s company. If a wise and vigilant person loves any one of the passed Murshids very much and turns his heart towards him, certainly some of the fayz and barakat abounding in the Murshid’s heart will flow into his heart. He will attain abundant ma’rifat. However, attaining high grades of Wilâyat requires Sohbat. Lucky for those who attain endless felicity (in the hereafter) by receiving fayz from a Murshid-i-kâmil and making much dhikr (uttering the name of Allâhu ta’âlâ) in their sojourn in this life!

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