What is certitude

Certitude is of three kinds:

 

1.    Ilm-Ul-Yaqeen, the certitude that comes from knowing

 

2.    ‘Ayn-Ul-Yaqeen, the certitude that comes from seeing

 

3.    Haq-Ul-Yaqeen, the certitude that comes from experiencing

 

For instance, after seeing a full pitcher, we know that water is present in it.  It is called ‘Ilm ul Yaqeen, the certitude that comes from knowing.  After raising its cover, we see the same with our eyes.  This is ‘Ayn Ul Yaqeen, the certitude that comes from seeing.  When one drinks it, the reality of water will be revealed to us in such a manner that the preceding 2 will be obliterated.  There will be no veil and no intermediary between us and the water.  Rather our reality and the water’s reality will become one, this is called Haqq Ul Yaqeen, the certitude that comes from experiencing.

 

Hadhrat Abu-Bakr Warraq (May Allah shower His mercy upon him) says that until and unless each and every veil between Allah Most High and a slave is removed, the station of certitude can’t be attained.  By being regular in good deeds, Salaat, fasting, recitation of the Holy Quran and remembrance of Allah, the veils are removed and the station of Certitude is attained.  It is only after this that one’s faith becomes complete.

 

Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Abu Bakr (May Allah shower His mercy upon him) says:  Unless you strengthen faith, the articles of Islam and Ihsaan, you can never reach the doors of Certitude.  Certitude can be strengthened by acting upon the Shariah, by traversing the path of Sulook (the path of closeness to Allah Most High) and by gaining the subtleties of Reality (Haqiqa).

 

Hadhrat Mujaddid Alf Thaani (May Allah shower His mercy upon him) mentions that “Unity” means gaining the wealth of annihilation (Fana) and the aim of this wealth is also Certitude and this is also referred to as the Reality of Faith.  When this is developed in a seeker then great stations are developed in the heart of that seeker and when there is steadfastness and stability in this, then wondrous miracles are expressed at the hands of that seeker.

 

‘Ala bin Hadhrami (May Allah be well pleased with him) was a Companion.  When the Islamic army started for Bahrain, he was made the commander.  On reaching the shore, everyone opined that ships should be arranged.  Hadhrat ‘Ala (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:  The Caliph of Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) asked us not to stop anywhere.  Therefore it isn’t appropriate for us to wait for ships.  He supplicated Allah Most High stating: O My Lord!  You paved a path for Moosa (May peace be upon him) through the sea.  We are the slaves of Your beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), please give us also a way through this sea.  With these words, he spurred his horse into the sea.  The whole army followed Shua’bul Iman an they crossed it as well.  The result of this was that the enemy was awed whether these are human beings or angels and accepted Islamic rule.  This is the power of Certitude.

 

Hadhrat Shah Shuja’ Kirmani (May Allah shower His mercy upon him), who became a dervish by giving up kingship had a daughter.  He kept her waiting for 20 years with the intention that he would wed her to a pious person.  The girl being exceptionally beautiful, the king sent his own marriage as well.  Hadhrat Shuja’ sought three days’ time to respond.  Meanwhile, he saw a dervish offering Salaat in a godly manner and married off his daughter to him.

 

On entering her husband’s house, the bride saw a chapatti in a niche.  She asked her husband:  What's this chapatti for?  The husband replied:  It is left over from yesterday.  Immediately the bride started to prepare to go back to her father’s house.  The husband said: I already knew that a king’s daughter can’t stay in the house of a dervish.  The bride replied:  I am not going on account of your poverty, but because of your lack of certitude.  You don’t trust Allah enough even for your sustenance that you have kept a chapatti for today since yesterday.  I am astonished at my father that he kept waiting for 20 years only to marry me to a person who doesn’t trust Allah even for his own sustenance.  With an embarrassed thanks, the dervish asked:  Dear bride!  Is there any expiation for this?  The bride said:  Keep me or this lack of certitude.

 

These are the people of certitude.  Every seeker needs this.

 

Hadhrat Sufyan Thauri (May Allah shower His mercy upon him) tells: Certitude is that when an affliction or adversity falls upon one, he (she) should consider it from Allah Most High and shouldn’t be sad but consider it as a comfort and thank Allah for it.  He also said: Cognizance of Allah (Ma’arifah) is gained only when certitude.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) says: When the radiance of Certitude enters the heart, there is a widening in the heart.  The Companions asked:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  What is its sign?  They were told:  There are 3 signs of it:

 

1.    Inclination towards the hereafter

 

2.    Dislike for this (material) world

 

3.    Preparation for death before it

 

[Excerpted from Mawaaiz-E-Hasanah of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan Syed Abdullah Shah Sahab Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri (May Allah shower His mercy on him), 2006 edition, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 369-371]