The 'Alamaat (Signs) of the Faqir (The One in Need of Allah)

To clarify the term “Faqir فقير “, Allah uses it to describe all of mankind. He says, يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنتُمُ الْفُقَرَاء إِلَى اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ “O ye men! It is ye that (Fuqaraa’) have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants, worthy of all praise.” Allah ta’alaa, as Imam As-Suyuti says in his tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis), is telling mankind that they are in need of Allah in every situation, in every state, and in every place. “Need” denotes dependence. Whereas Allah has no dependence or “need”, thus He is Al-Ghaniy – The Self-Subsisting, one free of all needs. So the faqir is the one dependent, in utter and complete need of Allah ta’alaa. The faqir in the nomenclature of tasawwuf, however, has the same root meaning but expands on what the faqir shouldbe. The following is the definition of the great Sufi Wali, Al-Ghawth Abu Madyan: “The signs of the fuqaraa’ are three things: 1) They do not eat unless they are hungry. 2) They do not sleep unless sleep overwhelms them. 3) They do not speak except out of necessity (الضرورة).” ((Taken from Bidaayat Al-Murid )) Some thoughts: Food: In the west, man is fighting the epidemic of obesity. The Faqir/Murid, does not seek to fill his stomach. He does not “snack” until his waist line bulges. Rather, he strikes the balance. The balance of the 1/3rd diet; 1/3 of the stomach for food, 1/3rd of the stomach for liquid, and 1/3rd of the stomach for air (comfortable breathing). Good eating habits result in controlling the nafs (the evil self) and good health so that the seeker of Allah can increase his worship. Sleep: The righteous Salaf would spend their nightsintahajjud, seeking nearness to Allah. They would only sleep when sleep overcame them, when they could no longer stand inkhushu’(complete connection with Allah). The Nabi (‘alayhis salaam) instructed not to approach the prayer while being tired. The reason is also found in the verse of the Qur’an where Allah ta’alaa instructs the Muslims “Do not come to prayer while intoxicated…” The mind must be preserved to have connection with Allah. The mind and heart must be “awake”, aware,conscious, in order to draw near and be in the presence of the divine (ta’alaa). Speaking: Does one really need to say anything? I recall the statement of ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (radhiya Allahu ‘anhu wa ‘Alayhis salaam), “The more one speaks, the more sins he commits, the more sins one commits the further in the fire of hellhe will be.” And the statement of our Beloved (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “Promise me to guardtwo things and I can guarantee you a house in Jannah. The tongue and the private parts (i.e. not committing fornication).” Al-Ghawth Abu Madyan (rahmatullah ‘alayh) also said, “The sign of the truthful Faqir is that he opens for his soul (nafs) four things and that he locks for his soul for things:He opens for himself self-abasement (الذل) and locks for his soul the door of worldly fame (عز). He opens for himself the door ofMujaahadah(struggle against the caprice) and closes for himself the door of ease. He opens the door of need (faqr – of Allah) and closes the door of self-sufficiency (ghinaa). He opens the door of As-Sahr (سهر ) – Wakefullness – and locks the doorof sleep.” ((Ibid )) This is the time for work and action. Do not delay! Travelling upon the path is difficult, in the words ofShaykh Nuh. It is not for the weak, but for those struggling to be with Allah.

The Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The Mujaahid is the one who struggles against his own soul for the sake of Allah” ((Reported by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad )) Allah says, “And those people who struggle in us, we guide them to our paths, and verily Allah is with the Muhsinin!” Oh Allah, Bless our beloved Propet Muhammad, hisfamily, his companions, and those that follow them in righteousness. Ameen!