The Nur of Nubuwwat and Wilaayat

Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the greatest Nabi (prophet).  Nubuwwat (Prophethood) is granted by Allah.  It is an extraordinary Nur. 

Despite this fact, many people were unable to perceive his (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) Nubuwwat.  Just in Makkah alone, the Mushrikeen (Polytheists) were unable to perceive this Nur and acknowledge him as a Nabi.  This was the case with the adversaries.

On the other hand, even the partisans were unable to distinguish him (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) before the distinction was made.  This was clearly seen from the fact that when Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) migrated to Madinah accompanied by Hadrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu), the people of Madinah were unable to distinguish the Nabi from the follower until Hadrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu) began to shade Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) when the heat of the sun became intense.

To be able to see and recognise that Nur, باطن استعداد (internal spiritual faculty) is required.  When Hadrat Abdullah bin Salaam (Radiyallahu Anhu) saw Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for the first time, he said: 

عرفت ان وجهه ليس بوجه كذاب

"I realised that his face was not that of a liar."

In Bukhari, it is mentioned that the Sahabah were on a journey with Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and became very thirsty.  They saw a lady carrying two waterskins.  So they summoned her to come to Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) but she refused, asking what is a Nabi?  Finally, upon seeing the miracle of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) after 40 people drank from her waterskins and the water was still intact, she perceived the Nubuwwat of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). Due to this, she accepted Islam and so did the people of her village.

From this incident, it is clear that the Nur of Nubuwwat is not something that can simply be perceived by just anyone at any time.  It is باطني استعداد (internal spiritual faculty) of a certain level that enables one to perceive this Nur of Nubuwwat. 

If the Nur of a Nabi cannot be recognised by everyone, then what would be the case of an 'Aalim or the pious friend of Allah, for example the Wali, the Qutub or the Ghawth (different categories of wali) that are far lower in rank compared to a Nabi?  It would not be surprising if they are not recognised by people.  Thus, not to be recognised is a Sunnat, albeit, اضطرارية (involuntary).

It is Farz (compulsory) for a Nabi to proclaim his Nubuwwat.  But is it Farz or Mustahab for a Wali or an 'Aalim to proclaim who he is?  No. 

Our pious predecessors and Mashaayikh did not include any title in front of their name be it Haafiz, Maulana, Sheikh, let alone Mufti.  At most, they would write احقر or نا چيز signifying insignificance.  This was the general trend.

If an 'Aalim sees that people are ignorant and are in need of him or he is the only ‘Aalim in his locality, then it is incumbent for him to inform others of who he is for the sake of Deen.  But every Aalim should not do this unnecessarily as Allah is well aware of the secrets of the heart as the Ayat says:

والله عليم بذات الصدور

"Allah is well aware of that which is in the hearts."

When a person reaches the level of فنانيت (self annihilation), he will not consider himself as something.  He will not regard himself as significant. 

To consider oneself as nothing is the true treasure.  Thus, we should ask for this true treasure from Allah.  Unfortunately, we are wasting our time chasing after things that are not treasures, thinking that they are treasures.  We are running after the treasures of the Dunya and at the same time, forsaking the treasures of the Aakhirah.  How much time is being spent for the treasures of the Dunya?  That same amount of time could have been used to amass the treasures of the Aakhirah. 

Say for example there are two paths.  One leads to the treasures of the Dunya and the other leads to the treasures of the Aakhirah.  A person has gone a long way on the path leading to the treasures of the Dunya.  Now, to come onto the second path, he would have to first retract his steps and then only start from the other path, resulting in more time spent overall. 

At times, some passengers are late and the stewards have to delay the flight and rush them to board the plane faster to assist them in reaching their destination.  Likewise, Allah too has His armies that can assist us to reach Him quicker. 

وما يعلم جنود ربك الا هو

"None knows the army of your Rabb but He." 

Thus, Allah may make us reach Him through a shorter route.

If people would only realise the true value of the treasures of the Aakhirah, they would be ready to forsake everything for them. 

May Allah dawn this reality upon us.