From: silatman@hls.com
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean,soc.culture.arabic
Subject: Saint of Gilan (2)
Date: 13 Dec 92 18:49:39 GMT




                         SAINT OF GILAN (2)
                         ------------------

   Hazrat Abdul Qadir Gilani, the Saint of Baghdad [mercy of God
upon him] was born in Naif, in the district of Gilan in Persia,
in the month of Ramadan in the year 470 AH [1077 AD].
He is one of the greatest saints of Islam. In his lifetime 
he preached in discourses, and here I am presenting a second
one in a series.

                        SAINT OF GILAN SPEAKS:
                        ---------------------

   Said Hazrat Abdul Qadir Gilani [raa]:

   "When you are dead to the creation, it will be said to you:
'May God have mercy on you', and God will make you die out
of the desires of the flesh. And when you die out of the desires
of the flesh it will be said to you: 'May God have mercy on
you.' Then He will give you death in your will and desires;
and when you are dead in your will and desires, it will be said
to you: 'May God have mercy on you,' and He will restore you
(to a new) life.

   Now you will be given a life after which there is no death,
and you will be enriched with a wealth after which there is
no poverty; and you will be awarded a gift after which 
there will be obstruction, and you will be made happy
with a happiness after which there will be no sorrow and
misery, and you will be blessed with a blessing after which
there will be no adversity; and you will be equipped
with a knowledge after which there will be no ignorance;
and you will be given a security after which there will
be no fear; and you will be honored so as not to be
dishonored; and you will be made near (to God) so as
not to be kept away; and you will be exalted so as not
to be lowered; and you will be honored so as not to
be abused; and you will be purified so as not to be
polluted any more; then you will be the fulfillment
of all hopes and the (flattering) remarks (of people)
will assume reality in your case; and you will then 
become the philosopher's stone so much so that you will
elude being recognised (in your elevated position)
and you will be so exalted that you will have no like
of yourself, unique that you will have no peer and no equal.
You will become unique and peerless, most hidden
and most secret.

  You will then become the successor of every Messenger
and Prophet of God and Truthful man (Siddiq). You will become
the finishing point of all saintliness (Wilayat)
and the living saints will flock to you. And thru you
will the difficulties be solved and thru your prayers
will the clouds, rains and the fields yield harvest;
thru your prayers will be removed the calamities and
trouble of the rank and file of people (in the country)
of even those living in the frontiers, of the rulers
and the subjects, of the leaders and the followers and
of all creatures. So you will be the police officer
(so to speak) for cities and people.

  The people will traverse distances and hasten towards
you and they will bring gifts and offerings and render you 
service, in every condition of life, by the permission
of the Creator of things. The tongues of people will
(at the same time) be busy everywhere with applause
and praise for you. And no two persons of faith will
differ with regard to you. O! the best of those who
live in populated areas and those who travel about,
this is the grace of God and God is the Possessor of
mighty grace."

From "Futuh al-Ghaib" [Revelations of the Unseen]
Sufi Books, 227 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-334-5212.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean