Naqshbandi Principle:Returning to the World (Bazgasht)

Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem

Allahumma Swalli Alaa Sayyidina Muhammadin Wa alaa Aali Sayyidina Muhammadin Wa Sallim

Madad Ya Al Haqqani Madad Ya Sahibu Saif, Madad Ya Ambiya Wa Awliya Allah

There are eight Naqshbandi Principles formulated by the Imam of the Khwajagan (early Naqshabndi Silsila) order , Hazret Shaykh Abdul Khaliq Ghujdavani (Q.S) and three other principles formulated by the Imam of the Tariqah Khwajah Muhammad Baha’uddin Naqshbandi Al-Uwaisi Al-Bukhari (Q.S).

They are:

1-Hosh Dar Dam (Awareness of breath), 2-Nazar Bar Qadam (Watching the step), 3-Safar dar Watan (Inward Journey in the Spiritual Path) , 4-Khalwat Dar Anjuman (Solitude in the Society) , 5-Yad Kard (Reminding outwardly and inwardly of God’s Name), 6-Baz Gasht (return to the responsibilities of a person according to Shari’ah after performing pure Zikr), 7-Concentration on God (Yaddasht), 8-Nigadasht (Guarding one’s spiritual state)

Other three Principles taught by Khwajah Shah Baha’uddin Naqshbandi (Q.S) as an additional three methods of training the students were:

9-Awareness of time (Wuquf E Zamani), 10-Counting the Zikr repetitions (Wuquf e Adadi), 11-Constant Attachment of Heart to God (Wuquf E Qalbi)

In this article I am inspired to write about: Returning to the World of Religious duties after Pure Zikr (Bazgasht)

Returning to the World of Religious Duties (Bazgasht):

Allah says: Quran: 62:10 And when the prayer (Zikr) has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah , and remember Allah often that you may succeed*.

A Seeker in the way followed by the Zikr and Annihilation (Fana), he is required to return to the world in order to fulfill his obligations and duties according to the Islamic Laws (Shari’ah) and Traditions (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Some have misinterpreted or misunderstood this principle due to their lack of understanding on this principle. This is the Sixth principle according to Hazret Abdul Khaliq Ghujdevani (Q.S) the mater of the Khwajagan Way. When a seeker (Murid) is submerged in the Zikr and ascended in the spiritual journey while he is physically in this world, it requires him to follow the book of Allah and Traditions of Prophet alaihiswalathu wa salam, and keep the duties that is commanded by God, this is the perfect state (Kaamil) of a Seeker.

When the seeker progress in his Zikr, reach in a state of complete emptiness and annihilation in the Divine presence, through meditation (Muraqaba) , the lower world vanish from his heart, his physical body in this world and his spiritual being in the divine presence. This is a very delicate state of a seeker. Al Hallaj Mansoor (Q.S), Al Bistami (Q.S) and others were outspoken from the self sacrifice and divine relationship ,words that are considered as forbidden in the law in the world of creations.

The meaning of the Word “Baz Gasht” (Returning) is to Return to the Servants of God after reaching in the Divine Presence(nearness) which is followed by “Journey Homeward”,returning to the Shaykh and to the Jama’ath after the state of Annihilation (Fana) which happens after purification. And perfect purification is when nothing remains in a person except God, everything vanishes in the seeker including his self. The returning can also be to guide others if he seeker has given shaykh-hood. That his Shaykh may need him as an assistant/deputy to work for him in order to guide the people.

For others, the seekers it is only to follow the ways of the Prophet alaihiswalathu wa salam which based on Sunnah and Shari’ah.

17:80 Say: “O my Lord! Let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honour, and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honour; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me).”

Allah says: 17:81 Say: ´Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Falsehood is always bound to vanish.

Thus Allah says[Quran 89:27-28] [To the righteous it will be said], “O reassured soul,Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him],

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Qur’an 13:28)

When the Soul is reassured in the Zikr and Find Peace and Certainty , then you shall enter in the way of righteous and favored.

Quran [15:99]:Worship your Lord until you attain certainty.

Quran [89:29] And enter among My [righteous] servants

Since the Seeker is still alive in this world in his flesh he shall fulfill his religious obligations in the Path of those whom Allah has bestowed favor.  In other words, a person whom God has guided will be in the Path of  Sufi Tariqah

Quran [1:7], See Link for Explanation: 1:7 The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor,

The seeker is obligated to follow the outward life style and duties commanded in the religion of Islam. It is a part of guarding his spiritual state and following the Prophet (alaihiswalathu wa salam).. If a seeker fail to follow the Prophet (alaihiswalathu wa salam) it is obvious chance that he may lose his spiritual progress and status and can even become a heretic or an unbeliever.

Because Allah says:[3:31] Say: “If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

God commanded all Angels and Iblees to prostrate to Adam (A.S), to accept him as the Khalifa of Allah on earth. But Iblees failed, though he had a high maqam, and he become blind in his state and status. So he became Satan and ruined his spirit and ruining the souls of millions of people since then!.

In the case of a seeker who does not follow the Prophet (s.a.w), he also ruin himself and may ruin millions of people, who just see the Karamath (Miracles) and eloquent speech from his experience in the spiritual journey!

So many spiritual travelers and even so many Shaykhs are fooled in this stages and have been drowned from their ranks due to the failure of following the Sunnah of Prophet (alaihiswalathu wa salam)

So the Naqshbandiyya Principle: “Returning to the World” means to come back to the God’s Religion and Righteousness.

Allah says: Qur’an  49:7 And know that among you is Allah’s Messenger: were he, in many matters, to follow your (wishes), ye would certainly fall into misfortune: But Allah has endeared the Faith to you, and has made it beautiful in your hearts, and He has made hateful to you Unbelief, wickedness, and rebellion: such indeed are those who walk in righteousness;-

The aim of the Returning is to live in the world in Servant hood (Abd), because Allah says: ” I have not created jinn and mankind except to serve Me. (51:56)

Because it is the Sunnath of Allah to Preserve his servant for His Own Sake. That he may be a sign for the people and a clear proof for the believers so that they may understand the promise of Allah is true.

Allah says in Al Kahf: 18:21 And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt…

For the beginners,this principle means that they should not only following the spiritual exercises , but also fulfilling other duties that are obligatory on every believer.