However, HDE explained that the rank of a Zakir e Qalbi is greater than a Haji. Why is it greater than a Haji’s, technically?
The Sins of a Zakir e Qalbi
God has declared in Surah Aal-e-Imran verse 135
‘wallazeena izaa fa'aloo faahisha…’ ‘and when people engage in indecent acts…’
‘aw zalamoo anfusahum…’ ‘or they engage in carnal acts…’
This is the correct translation for it.
Commonly, it is mistranslated as ‘and they are cruel to their lower selves’, but how is one cruel on one’s lower self?
‘aw zalamoo anfusahum…’ This means to engage in carnal acts.
So God here is saying that those who engage in indecency and carnal acts - and we all know what those allude to.
So, when people engage in indecent and carnal activities, how would they find penance from it?
For penance, it is written here: ‘zakarul laaha…’- to engage in Zikr Allah.
And then ‘fastaghfiroo lizunoobihim’.
First, you must engage in Zikr Allah and then seek penance for your sins.
And then God used a particular word, ‘wa mai yaghfiruz zunooba illal laahu…’ ‘and who but God could forgive your sins?’
Now, if none but God can forgive your sins then we must seek forgiveness from God, right?
However, God says you must first engage in the commemoration of God’s name (Zikr Allah) and then seek forgiveness.
This is because Zikr Allah washes away your sins.
So what if your heart is constantly engaged in commemorating God’s name?
You may commit sins but at the same time, the Zikr Allah within you will be washing them away.
His Divine Eminence Gohar Shahi elucidated this point.
The Lord said, ‘When someone’s spiritual heart is enlightened, God forgives all their past sins’.
We have also heard that when someone’s pilgrimage of Hajj is accepted by God, all of their past sins are also forgiven.
However, HDE explained that the rank of a Zakir e Qalbi is greater than a Haji. Why is it greater than a Haji’s, technically?
Because say you perform Hajj and it is accepted by God and all your previous sins will be forgiven,
however, the sins you commit in your present will not be forgiven.
You performed Hajj and found penance for your past sins but then you returned to your sinful life, so what of your present sins?
Whereas for a Zakir e Qalbi, when his heart is initially enlightened, his past sins are forgiven and when God’s name settles in the heart, then all future sins will continue to be forgiven.
The future sins... (Studio Audience) …shall be forgiven
All the past sins were forgiven when the heart was enlightened,
but the sins that are committed after the heart is enlightened will continue to be washed away by the heart.
However, then your heart will purify the lower self.
Thereafter, you shall stop sinning altogether.
There is a background story for when this particular verse was descended and it teaches us a lesson.
You will understand it if you listen attentively.
The background story is about a companion of the Prophet (s),
and if I do not explain this particular incident to you, perhaps your tenets shall not be reformed.
At least your tenet regarding the Messenger of God must be correct.
Now, what is that incident?
When Prophet Muhammad (s) migrated from Mecca to Medina,
the Prophet (s) constructed a brotherhood amongst the Meccans and Medinans and established equality.
The Ansar of Medina displayed brotherhood and equality and welcomed them into their homes.
In fact, if a migrant from Mecca was unwedded, and Ansar from Medina was married to two women,
he would divorce one of his wives and have them wedded with the migrant.
Such was their hospitality.
The migrants of Mecca were settled into the homes of the Ansar of Medina.
For instance, when our guests come here, we ask our people to accommodate them in their homes.
They come for a few days and then leave.
However, the Ansar gave them permanent abode in their homes.
Now, when equality had been established,
and the migrants of Mecca were given a permanent place in the homes of the Ansar, and a brotherhood had been established.
Thereafter, whenever the Prophet (s) would leave for war or Jihad,
the Prophet (s) set a rule whereby each household would consist of two brothers, one from Mecca and the other from Medina,
and the rule was that one brother would stay at home to look after the family while the other would go to war.
Now, one such incident occurred whereby the Prophet (s) summoned the Ansar brother of Medina for war,
and the Meccan brother stayed behind to take care of the house.
So one day, the brother from Mecca stopped the wife of the Ansar in her own house; he was overcome with lust.
He stopped her and took her hand with ill intentions.
The woman said, ‘Be ashamed. I am your brother’s wife.
He trusted you.
You migrated from Mecca and he gave you a place in his house and you want to dishonour your brother’s wife?’
The woman’s words shook the man to the core.
He left the house and went towards the jungles.
He was deeply ashamed. He was wracked with guilt.
Now, the Prophet (s) was gone for Jihad so he decided to wait for the Prophet (s)’s return to seek repentance.
So anyway, he spent the days in constant worry, shedding tears uncontrollably.
Then one day he was informed that the Prophet (s) had returned from Jihad.
He had high hopes that he would go to the Prophet (s) and earn forgiveness.
So first, he approached the other companions.
He asked Abu Bakr Siddiq for advice, ‘I’ve done this terrible thing. Please, request the Prophet (s) to forgive me’.
When Abu Bakr heard this, he was furious and told the man to leave.
So the man went to Umar but Umar also told him to leave.
He went to Maula Ali who also told him to leave.
Finally, he went to the Prophet (s) with the hopes that the Prophet (s) would surely forgive him.
However, the Prophet (s) also said, ‘Go. I cannot do anything about this. What you have done is unforgivable’.
Now, when the Prophet (s) too shunned him, he felt utterly helpless and thought even the Prophet (s) has not forgiven me, so what will I do now?
So he returned to the jungle and wailed in desperation.
He called out to God and said, ‘O God, I have no one but you! Even your beloved has shunned me’.
At this, he cried his heart out.
The Prophet (s) was his biggest support, he was convinced he would be forgiven,
but his hopes were shattered when the Prophet (s) shunned him by saying,
‘Nothing can be done about this. You’ve committed a grave sin. Get lost!’
Now, the only one he could rely on was God.
Therefore, the man sobbed and wailed in desperation, with utmost sincerity,
which made God uttery benevolent and God sent Gabriel to the man.
Gabriel said to the man, ‘God has accepted your repentance and has forgiven you,
but always remember this: is there anyone other than God who can forgive your sins?’
The man asked Gabriel, ‘What had I done that made everyone shun me?
In fact, Abu Bakr, Umar and Maula Ali turning away from me is alright but why did the Prophet (s) shun me?
The Prophet (s) did not let me stay, he told me to go. Why?’
Gabriel said, ‘Listen, first of all, you committed a sin and then you went to make the Prophet (s) a witness to your sin.
This is why he told you to leave immediately.
He did not allow you to speak because if he becomes witness to your sin then you would have to face punishment.
You were making such a grand personality a witness to your sin!
If it had been between you and God alone, God would have silently forgiven you.
But you’re going to the Leader of all Prophets, you’re going to everyone and revealing your sin to them!
So this is when God said
‘wa mai yaghfiruz zunooba illal laahu…’ ‘And who other than God would forgive your sins?’
Now, the lesson we learn from this is
Well, the lesson people think they learn from this is that God forgives us, and even though the man went to the Prophet (s), he was shunned.
However, this story is incomplete because this particular companions is one who had not been granted the Zikr of God’s personal name.
Although he had faith, he was not amongst the Ahle Batin.
He was not a momin who possesses ethereal knowledge which is why he was held accountable for this sins.
And he was given the knowledge of exoteric Sharia.
However, those those hearts were enlightened through the spiritual glance of Prophet Muhammad (s),
and their hearts were reverbrating with God’s name, enlightened with God’s name,
if such people ever erred and comitted sins, they would be washed away by their hearts.
There was never any heed for a witness.
And then came a time when their lower selves were completely purified.
When their lower selves became purified, the desire to sin diminished.
This knowledge of spirituality through which God’s name echoes in the heart,
it is an automated system due to which your heart is closely monitored where none of your sins can linger;
you are not even required to tell your prophet or your Spiritual Master.
That you have sinned. They are aware. So stay silent. Do not speak.
The divine energy that is settling in your heart shall burn the sin before it is written [in your book of deeds].