Sheikh Faisal Abdul-Razak (may Allah preserve him)

Adab Al-Mardiyya notes

Taken at the Spiritual Retreat 2007 London

This book has been accepted by the Umma

Sheikh Abdul-Rahim said that this book has unique content

It is also said the Imam Buzaydi (may Allah be pleased with him) was
relating his own states

He was trained by Sheikh Darqawi (may Allah be pleased with him)

He had many students including Ibn Ajibah (may Allah be pleased with
him)

The root of Tasawwaf is Adab with Allah and if we don’t have this, we
don’t have any Adab with anything

True Tasawwaf can only grow out

The second station of Adab is with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah
bestow peace and blessings upon him)

He was born in the tribe of Bani Salam from the clan of Ghumari. In the
middle of the 12th century

We need to reclaim our recitation of the Quran

That is the greatest wird – everyday not occasionally – living by it and
teaching it

Imam Buzaydi (may Allah be pleased with him) travelled for many years
and spent many years in seclusion

He wished to visit the complete man

He found Sheikh Darqawi (may Allah be pleased with him) expected

that Imam Buzaydi (may Allah be pleased with him) would visit him as
he saw him in a dream

Sheikh Darqawi (may Allah be pleased with him) wasn’t content with
the progress of his students

Imam Buzaydi (may Allah be pleased with him) spent sixteen years of
training with the sheikh

Sheikh Darqawi (may Allah be pleased with him) said that Imam
Buzaydi reached even higher levels than him and that him he was
unique

He died on the 10th of Muharram

The journey to Allah (the Exalted) begins with Adab

They weren’t distinguished except by their Adab

Adab has infinite levels and stations, we don’t stop there, we keep
building
The relationship of the Sheikh and the Murid is like the relationship of a
father and child

Its like the sheikh is like washer of the dead body. (If you don’t give
yourself to the Sheikh, then how can they be washed.)

There must be total trust, acceptance and positive influence

Someone who wants to travel through a jungle and he doesn’t know the
tracks, they will try and find out a way by trail and error. They may
never reach the other side. If there is a guide, unless you take the hand
of a person who knows the way then you’ll find your way easily. The
rule of thumb is to take the hand of the sheikh.

Imam Tirmidi said that all the companions thought that they where the
special one

The companions have levels, it was because of their Adab with him
 Second session.

Sheikh Da’bar was blind but he was able to recognise the Quran, hadith
and Qudsi hadith because he used to see light in the words.

Imam Buzaydi never had any formal education

1. The Murid should not visit the sheikh unless he has a gift for him.

It applies:
* If you haven’t seen him for a long period of time
* What you can afford

This may not apply if you are seeing him everyday.

The first hadith that a student should hear from his sheikh is the hadith
of mercy.

One of the blessings of these times, is to have Sheikh Muhammad (may

Allah preserve him)

If people can’t see him, then its because they have been veiled form him

It’s from the signs that Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala loves you that you are
the company of the Sheikh

Most of the kinds of the companionship will lead you to hell

It was of the manners of the companions to give charity before asking a

question
 2. The Murid should not sit too often with the Sheikh, this may
diminish his veneration of the Sheikh

Be mindful of that

You want to maintain the yearning of the Sheikh and then you’ll think
that you are sitting with anyone

3. The Murid should not laugh too much with the Sheikh, this should
be kept within reasonable limits

Be mindful you don’t reduce the standing of you and the Sheikh

(Good Adab allows for quick progression and vice versa)

Everything is journeying to Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala, whether they know

it or not, Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala is the final destination

We don’t want to meet Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala without progression, we

want progression

Be mindful of your progression

4. Do not speak too much in his presence – worse still to raise your
voice in his presence

Excessive speech is a low voice is bad manners

Some bedions came calling for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) with bad manners. And the Quran was revealed, “don’t raise your
voice above the voice of the Prophet.”
When we raise our voice it is because we want to impose our opinion

It is a type of tyranny

If we think about that person, it’s to honour him – sometimes we take

that for granted

Be mindful of other people

A little kindness can go a long way

He will give you out of kindness

Our manners should be internalised

People will respond to you, if you treat them well

5. Do not sit on the right or the left of the Sheikh, even if he wishes
for you to do so.

If he insists then it is okay

Refuse at first then accept on insistence

When you enter into the gathering of the Sheikh, you should observe the
Adab of the Masjid.

You sit down facing the sheikh, face to face, eye to eye, heart to heart
and the last is the highest level

So be there physically and spiritually

The Shammil Al-Tirmidi doesn’t not contain a description by Abu Bakr
(may Allah be pleased with him) because he was in awe of him, so much
that he couldn’t look at him but he was with him in the heart

It was an act of worship to look at your sheikh

Looking is an act of worship

Like looking at the Quran, looking at the Ka’aba

It is like looking at his door, waiting for it to be open. When it is you

come up and stay at the door until you are let in and they are given
water then food.

Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala doesn’t get bored of giving until you get bored
of taking

It’s an amazing mercy that Allah has given us different types of creation.
So we don’t get bored with him – what a mercy!

There are angels performing certain tasks

Salat, recitation, fast.

The Sheikh is the Qibla of the Murid

Foundational principles

Consider them as a whole

Be mindful of Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala – privately and publicly

Be mindful of details

Steadfastness

The beginner might be good but to continue the intention is harder

Following the Sunna in speech and action

The Murid goes beyond the Fiqh definition of the Sunna

Whatever he does it is for the good for the Sheikh

The companions don’t need to know why; the fact he (peace and
blessings be upon him) used to do it is enough for him

There was a companion who came to the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) with his top button of his shirt open. For the rest of his life
that companion used to wear his shirt like this.

Excellent character

This is the whole reason for the creation of the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him)

He said that he only sent to perfect character

 Third session

This is the beginning of the month of Muharram, a sacred month, may

Allah accept our worship

Ahmed ibn Ajibah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that this book
was the most specific book at this time

Good manners allows us to travel quicker than others

All worship is a means to make us better

Our knowledge should make us better – if it doesn’t then it’s the fault of
the learner

Let him take us by the hand, to Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala

Maintain a level of love for the Sheikh

We can only lose if we show bad manners

6. Do not stare too much at him if he is in front of you.

This may decrease your shyness of the Sheikh in his presence – except
with a yearning and desire for him

7. Do not hasten or interject the words of the Sheikh when he is

speaking

If he hesitates then we could lead the conversation into a different

direction
 8. Do not sit in the company of the sheikh, in the manner of ordinary
people, sitting in an ordinary gathering.

This is the gathering of the king and his subjects.

 Consider your conduct
 Respect the subjects

Abu Hanifa (may Allah be pleased with him) would not extent his feet in
the direction of his Sheikh, even when he was at home

Face the Qibla when standing

Be mindful of Adab, it can do amazing things for us. Something that may
seem pointless to us, may be great in the sight of Allah

9. Do not walk on the right, the left or alongside the Sheikh. You
should walk slightly behind him. He is like the leader of the Prayer
and you are the follower, if you go ahead the prayer is broken.

Imam Shafi’s mother looked after him and she would send him to study,
with different scholars. She would ensure he would wear the best
clothes to the circles of knowledge, this instilled into him a great respect
for knowledge.

How was angel Gibril (upon him peace) when he came to be taught? He
presented himself well to illustrate this point

Imam Shafi would walk with his mother, slightly behind her, later on in
his mother’s life

Strive to subject your Naafs to this kind of training

 10.The Murid should not walk in front of the Sheikh in prayer, with
the exception of an order.

You wait for the Sheikh to move forward

If he orders you to perform the prayer, perform them (Imam)

Foundational principles (cont)

As a Murid you are journeying to Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala

As the Murid of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) used to
do

What is offensive comes out of the Imam

Indifference to the acceptance and a rejection of others

Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala loves you to come close to him and satan hates
that

Where will he be when we turn to Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala?

It is very difficult to overcome a close rejection

Be mindful of the nature of people

Some people might want to pull you down to the level by discouraging
you, even though he knows its good for you
If we practice Islam according to others, we wouldn’t be able to do
anything

If you please people then you are displaced from Allah Subhanu wa
ta’ala

If you strive to please Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala, people will become

pleased

Fourth session
(principles cont)

It is good to remind yourself of these principles

Fourth Principle

Satisfaction with the divine decree, in hardship and in ease

If we are bothered what people say then we may move off

He must have satisfaction in all situations

Don’t try to pierce the wall of destiny, go with the qadr of Allah
Subhanu wa ta’ala

There are aspects of dissatisfaction with Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala

Consistent submitting the affair to Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala

There are forces against the Muslims and they have a faith unmoved

There’s a reason for every Adhkar

Turning to Allah in prosperity and as well as adversity

There’s wisdom in every adversity

You are given traits to deal with the difficulty

Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala doesn’t place a burden more then we can bear

Its good to remember this in a time of difficulty

Seek the protection of Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala in times of affliction

Truly wonderful if the affair of the believer, whatever good comes to

them they are thankful and what every evil comes they are patient

Our sickness is forgiveness in this world

This is better for us, we are forgiven

Use the blessings that Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala has blessed us with and
use it in a way that he would be pleased with us

There are more principles

 1. Possessing high aspirations

2. Have great aims – we should aim to be the best Murid

We live our lives as though we see Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala (Hadith

Gibril)

You can see the power of Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala in creation

To be ever conscience of Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala

Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala has prescribed excellence in everything

Preserve the sanctity of Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala

Stay away from doubtful matters

The doubtful could lead to the haram

Stay away from what is prohibited

When we do this our sanctity is preserved

If we don’t do this then we put obstacles in our path, we do not time to

waste

When we leave the world, this stops

The world is the place of actions

The heaven is the place of account

There are those who want another chance even they had their chance
What state will we be in? (On the last day)

We will be there with nothing to show

Should we risk not doing what we should, why are we wasting our time

The grave will be a pit or a garden, based on what we do here

If we allow ourselves to commit sins, we will be slowed down or set back

This has nothing to do with time

Some spent a short time and progress and others take years to progress

They cannot travel on this path except with the sheikh

3. Excel in service to others

Serving people is one of the most effective ways of progress

Imam Shadhali (may Allah show him mercy) said, “There are two
categories of worship. 1. One benefits ourselves. 2. Sending the reward
to others."

If there is someone spending their nights in Nafl worship, then the one
spending their time in worship is greater than worship

Try to find some way we can participate in our local Masjid

Once a week, Hoover, clean the yard

If you serve the scholars then your children will be scholars

The people of the raised platform are still producing scholars, they
served the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

Service of others doesn’t bring you down

Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Yaqoubi (may Allah be pleased with him) used to

wash the Masjid and after a while, he saw the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) in a dream washing the Masjid like him

What would Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala do to that person who would look
after his house?

4. Don’t leave something half way, complete the task, see it through to
the end

Don’t leave a project halfway through

If you can’t do it don’t start it

There should be no difference between life as a Murid and their live in

the world
(Not being two types of people, one as a Murid and one a person of the
world)

All our conduct should reflect that

A scholar who was young and before his Islam, met a friend who had
changed, no swearing, dignified and then the said to him, “We want
what you got.” The friend said he had accepted Islam in jail. The young
scholar was Dr Abdul-hakim Jackson
You never know what you conduct will achieve

You can arrive to the same speech but in a different tone

Fulfil your resolutions

5. To exalt our blessings in what we receive from Allah Subhanu wa

ta’ala

We recognise the source of the blessings

Treat your provision well and don’t abuse it

We should be the best Muslims we can be

We have to fulfil the sacred law

Do not broadcast your bayat

Let your good behaviour speak for itself

You cannot lose anything by being good to another person

 Fifth and final session

6. The Murid should not sit in the physical position of the sheikh

The protocol of the king dictates that people shouldn’t sit in the place of
the sheikh

7. The Murid should not eat with the Sheikh, as a matter of normal
practice

Imam Zain Al Abideen (may Allah show him mercy) would refrain from
eating with his mother. When he was asked why, he said, “I might reach
for some food that my mother may have wanted.”

If this is the Adab of someone who brought you into the world, what
about the one who brought you to Allah Subhanu wa ta’ala

8. Do not sleep in the same room of the Sheikh, you may disturb him

9. Do not call out to the Sheikh if you are near his home

Some bedions called out, “Ya Muhammad,” and the ayah was revealed, if
they were patient, he would’ve come out

Like not having the nickname Abu Qasim during his lifetime (peace and
blessings be upon him)

10.Do not sit facing the house of the Sheikh, except with his
permission
 11.Its important to follow the sheikh even if you might disagree with
him

After a while you will get used to the Sheikh and what he likes and be
mindful

12.Avoid what he forbids you from doing – even if doing so seem

adverse

You must trust your sheikh

Once you take someone as a Sheikh you have to obey and there are
consequences of disobediences

You disagree with him and start to backbite – some may have had a bad
ending

The Murid should honour the sheikh when present as well as absent

Wird al-Amm is the king of the wirds, which opens the door to
spirituality

Which allows you to enter the room, the realm of Tasawwaf

When you enter you keep the key, you don’t throw it away. Like a car
key once you arrive somewhere you don’t throw the key away, you need
it to go back.

It’s a general wird for everything

At the end of the wird it is upon you to make Dua for yourself, parents,
your sheikh etc.

This maintains the link with the Sheikh

Nearness to the Sheikh is not governed by physical distance

Its spiritual nearness

As you precede on the path

There can be two Murids, one in Damascus and one in the UK but the
one in the UK is closer to him

13.Fulfilling the rights of the Sheikh to the best of your ability

If you carry out his instructions with sincerity, it becomes enjoyable

Ibn Ata’llah (may Allah show him mercy) said, “Actions are lifeless forms
but it is the presence of intention that brings it to life.”

14.Abandon ones understanding, knowledge and leadership to that of

the Sheikh

It is not changing it but putting it to one side and taking anew

Empting the vessel of our body, so we can fill up what the Sheikh gives

There should be acceptance not questioning

Have companionship with pious people, especially from the Murids

(Sheikh Faisal recommends fishing as it teaches you patience)

Spending four hours and not catching anything

The Murid should be like a fisherman

The worst oppression is upon your family

It’s not easy to change your family

Sins have consequences

Imam Shafi (may Allah show him mercy) said, ”There is not a breath we
take, except by the divine decree.”

To know your individual obligation should be in place a Muslim not just

for a Murid

The Murid should make up the wird, (if missed)

The level of obedience should be raised

It is necessary to have a spiritual guide

Do not expect to proceed too much, if you don’t take the path

All the Murids should make up missed prayers

Should you tell your parents about Bayat? Not if it will cause harm.

You took Bayat? Are you an extremist? What next? (Joking about the
possible parents reaction) (End of notes)