We are very privileged indeed to have a scholar, an Arif and a renowned Sufi Shaykh of the caliber of Shaykh Hazim Abu Ghazalah to answer some commonly asked questions about Tasawwuf. As his As Sayyid title implies, Shaykh Hazim is descendent of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW). He is the spiritual head of the Qadiri Shadhili Hashimi tariqa. He was born in Palestine in 1933 and is currently residing in Jordan. He studied journalism but received instructions to apply himself full-time to Islamic studies. He holds a doctorate from the University of Damascus. He took Bay’ah from from Shaykh Mohammed Hashimi al Tilmisani (RA). He was given the Khilafat by Shaykh Tilmisani. After his Shaykh’s demise he received further guidance as well as a Khilafat from Shaykh Abdul Qadir Issa (RA) of Aleppo. Shaykh Hazim is a prolific writer. He has authored some 15 major works in fields such as Fiqh, Tasawwuf, Tafsir and other Islamic topics; He has recently completed a book on the Asma Ul Husna. Shaykh Hazim is a regular visitor to South Africa where he has a number of murids (followers). (Biographical details supplied by Dr. Goolam Dastaghir Hayat). Question: What is the most fundamental principle of the spiritual journey? Answer: The most fundamental principle of the journey towards Allah is to have perfect confidence and trust in one’s Shaykh. This is since he is the means by which one attains to the treasure and highest goal – this being knowledge of Allah, the Exalted. The Shaykh knows the road to this knowledge. After completing his own journey he has returned in order to benefit people through what he knows. And to have confidence in him is to have confidence in the Messenger of Allah, the Salutations and Peace of Allah be upon him. [This is since he is an inheritor of the Prophet’s legacy (SAW)]. Question: How does one enhance mutual love among spiritual seekers? Answer: The Prophet (SAW), said: “Visit one another and you will love one another”. This can even mean just having a cup of tea together. And those of you who have the most Iman are those who have the most love for their fellow brothers and sisters. A Hadith Qudsi states: “Where are those who love one another for My sake? Who visit each other for My sake? Who spend on each other for My sake? Today I cover them with My Shade – a Day on which there is no shade except My shade.” Question: In remembering Allah is one also remembering the Messenger of Allah (SWT), and vice versa? Answer: Hazrat Abdullah ibn Mubarak (a great scholar of Hadith) saw the Prophet (SAW) in a dream and said to him: “Oh Messenger of Allah, forgive me! The remembrance of Allah has kept me from remembering you.” The Prophet (SAW) replied to him: “Do you not know, oh Mubarak, that whosoever remembers Allah remembers me and whosoever remembers me remembers Allah.” Question: Does the one who knows Allah (arif) ever stop in fighting his self? Answer: The one who knows Allah battles against his self out of choice and on a continuous basis. He does not stop this battle. The people of Allah say: “The one who stops returns [to a lower spiritual degree].” This is why we advise the sincere seeker (murid) that he lets his self die through his own choice, before the matter is beyond his control [that is, before he dies.] And we advise him to continually battle his self. Question: Does the murid sin by forgetting to recite the Qur’an and making dhikr? Answer: Forgetting dhikr and the recitation of the Qur’an is among the sins caused by Shaytan. It similarly results from forgetfulness of Allah. And that is why the the most important advice I give to all my sincere companions is telling them: “Beware of forgetfulness!” This is because misery afflicts none except the forgetful. Oh Allah! Do not make us of the forgetful. Question: Can you give some brief advice to the murids? Answer: Oh gathering of the fuqara (those aware of their need of Allah). If you fear Allah you will be a mercy to and among the believers. But if you forget Allah you will be an affliction and punishment for them. The sincere murid fears Allah outwardly and inwardly. When the murid makes Allah his defense against all things then he will be a mercy among the believers, calling them to the knowledge of Allah through his spiritual state, his talk and his truthfulness. And Allah says: “And We have not sent you except as a mercy unto all the worlds.” [Extracted and translated from “Al-Ajwiba al-Ghazaliyyah ala asilah as
Sufiyyah”] [Ghazalan answers to Sufi questions]. Translated by Dr. Uwais Rafiuddin. Dr. Rafiuddin is a lecturer in Arabic at the University of
Western Cape and the International Peace University South Africa in Cape Town. | 
