Sufi Views

Literally, it means a convent. There are actually two sounds hidden in the word Khanqah.: the sounds of ‘Kha’ and ‘Qah’. ‘Kha’ is for khana which means ‘a house’ or ‘a place’ and ‘Qah’ reminds us of Qana’at or contentment. Which then means that a Khanqah is a House of Contentment. Where there is contentment there is satisfaction. Where there is satisfaction, there is mercy, and where there is mercy there is peace. For the holy souls peace is very important. The sufi’s are content with what is granted to them and with their contentment, they make Palaces of Peace. As a result, all the connected holy souls begin to come to this Palace of Peace. Those who visit such a place are showered with blessings. In blessings there is peace.

Ans.: Every human being has the quality to carry out the duties for the generation ahead. In a similar way, he can go reverse by connecting to the links of a sufi order. In a sufi order there are various stations (muqam). When a seeker (talib) follows his spiritual guide (Pir-o-Murshid) with devotion, the love of the spiritual guide transforms him and the various stations of Reality are revealed to him. He passes through many stations of Fana (annihilation of the Self). The first is Fana-fil Murshid where the seeker’s own will merges with the Will of his spiritual guide. Another station is Fana-fil-Ali where the will of the seeker merges with the Will of Hazrat Ali. At this station, nothing of the seeker remains and all that remains is the Will of Hazrat Ali. From here, he may proceed through the station of Fana-fil-Rasool (merging of the seeker’s own will with the Will of the Holy Prophet) till he may reach the station of Fana-fil-Allah, where the seeker has nothing of his own will and all that remains is the Will of the Almighty. While there is the station of Fana (annihilation of the Self), there is also the important station of Baqa (subsistence in the Truth). Upon reaching the station of Baqa, you reach the Original Existence (That which has existed forever, even before any creation).

Ans.: “The passing away of the attributes of self is Fana and abiding in Allah is Baqa”. Actually, Fana is like walking in the dark night and the morning is Baqa.

By recognizing yourself. The Holy Prophet has said: “He who knows his own self, knows God”

By finding a spiritual guide (Pir). According to Hazrat Khwaja Moin-ud-din Hasan Chishti of Ajmer (d.1229 AD): “The knowledge of reality cannot be acquired without the direction of a perfect Murshid (Spiritual Guide).”

By controlling the Self (nafs), your own being (wujood) is erased and the Original Existence (Asal Hasti) appears.