FIRST VOLUME, 195th LETTER

Our Prophet’s having been commanded to adapt himself to the people of Ibrâhîm ‘alaihis-salâm’ and to aspire after the reminiscences of the salawât and barakât bestowed on him (Ibrâhîm ‘alaihis-salâm’) was intended so that he (Muhammad ‘alaihis-salâm’) should go through the rank of Ibrâhîm ‘alaihis-salâm’ and attain higher ranks. Going through Ibrâhîm’s ‘alaihis-salâm’ rank requires adapting oneself to his people. For attaining his rank there is no other way than adapting oneself to his people. Difference between these two ranks is like the difference between a mosque and its mihrâb (niche in a mosque which shows the direction of qibla and where the imâm stands to conduct the namâz in jamâ’at). The imâm has to walk through the mosque in order to reach the mihrâb, his rank. The mihrâb is like the center of a circle. The mosque is like the area surrounded by the circle. When Rasûlullah reached Maqâm-i-Ibrâhîm (the rank of Ibrâhîm ‘alaihis-salâm’) and then entered the rank of Mahbûb, which was exclusively peculiar to him, he pulled hadrat Abû Bekr Siddîq up to take his place beside him.

FIRST VOLUME, 202nd LETTER

In this short span of life, do the most important things! Know it a great blessing to spend your nights worshipping and to weep through early mornings! Illuminate dark nights with lights of dhikr! Be honest and reliable in your trade affairs! It is stated in a hadîth-i-sherîf, “Allâhu ta’âlâ loves a faithful tradesman.” Do not make business contracts that are fâsid or which are based on interest! This is one of the dangers which scholars are vulnerable to. Imagine how perilous a situation non-scholars are in! I wonder if anyone is free from such corrupt contracts? Learn how to make contracts conformable with the Sharî’at from true men of religion [or from their books]! Be extra cautious in this respect! Pray and trust yourself to Allâhu ta’âlâ to protect you against this risky deed! We send our salâm to those who are in the right way!

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