Vision of Allah (Deedar-e-Elahi)
Devotion is meaningless without vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi). The Vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi) is the greatest blessing of Allah bestowed upon mankind.
The Mohammadan umma have been gifted with this sacred gift on the night of ascension at the request of Prophet Mohammad. Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani says:
مَنْ لَّمۡ یَعۡرِفُہٗ کَیۡفَ یَعۡبُدُہٗ۔
How can a person worship Allah, unless he knows and recognizes Him? (Sirr-al-Asrar)
Sultan Bahoo says: One, who does not have Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) while invoking Him, in fact he is oblivious of Allah.
Sacred companions could see Allah.
True believers are blessed with the Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) as well as humility and presence. Prophet Mohammad taught Mystic knowledge to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Umar ibn Khattab, Usman, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Bilal ibn Rabah and all of his sacred Companions especially in the 13 years from prophethood till order or obligatory worship like Salat, Zakat etc. (read Masarif-e-Zakat). Hence, when they started physical worships, their inward was enlightened with Deedar e Elahi. Therefore, all types of devotion must be spiritually alive i.e. they must have Deedar e Elahi.
Vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi) in light of Quran.
The Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) has also been mentioned in the Quran: وَ مَا خَلَقۡتُ الۡجِنَّ و الۡاِنۡسَ اِلَّا لِیَعۡبُدُوۡنِ
Meaning: I have not created humans and Jinns except for my servitude. (51:56)
In the explanation of this verse, Abdullah ibn Abbas says:
وَ مَا خَلَقۡتُ الۡجِنَّ وَ الۡاِنۡسَ اِلَّا لِیَعۡبُدُوۡنِ
Meaning: In this verse, ‘prayers’(لِیَعۡبُدُوۡنِ) means gnosis (لِیَعۡرِفُوۡنِ) True prayers are those which have gnosis and Deedar e Elahi.
Perfect Saints are blessed with the vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi)
Seeker of Allah is blessed with Divine vision in Majlis e Mohammadi. According to the Fakirs, prayer (salat or namaz) refer the gnosis and proximity to Allah. Allah does not need prayers from man because all His angels perform devotions all the time and on time. Allah wants man to recognize and seek Him. Hence, gain gnosis and Deedar e Elahi.
آن نور تجلی کہ بموسیٰ ؑ کوہِ طور عین عنایت است مرا حق ظہور
Explanation: How can one have Vision of Allah unless inward is awake! Real prostration is possible only while beholding Him. Merely, prostrating before the wall blindly is not at all the real prostration.
Vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi) in light of hadith:
Many Hadiths glorify Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) as the basis of belief, spiritual elevation and success. According to a Qudsi Hadith:
کُنْتُ کَنْزًا مَخْفِیًا فَاَرَدۡتُ اَنْ اُعْرَفَ فَخَلَقْتُ الْخَلْقَ
Meaning: I was a hidden treasure. I desired to be recognized. Thus I created the creatures for my gnosis. Therefore, the purpose behind the entire universe and all created things is the gnosis and Deedar e Elahi.
Question in grave about vision of Allah. (deedar-e-elahi):
In addition, it is also important to know that man would be first asked regarding Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) in the grave. It would be asked: “Who is your Lord (مَنْ رَبُّکَ)?” If a person has not gained gnosis and Deedar e Elahi, then he would not be able to answer. For example, if a person answers that his Lord is the Creator of the universe then he will be asked that how is his Lord different from other religions and what is the point of being a part of the Mohammadan umma if such is the answer. Therefore, the one thing, which differentiates a Muslim believer with other people, is gnosis and Deedar e Elahi.
The denier of vision of Allah:
It is unfortunate that many people including Muslims deny the fact that Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) exists. However, in the Quran, Allah warns those who deny the Deedar e Elahi in this way:
اُولٰٓئِکَ الَّذِیْنَ کَفَرُوْ بِاٰیٰتِ رَبِّھِمْ وَ لِقَآئِہٖ فَحَبِطَتْ اَعْمٰلُھُمْ فَلَاْ نُقِیْمُ لَھُمْ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ وَزْن
Meaning: It is those, who have denied the signs of Allah and His meeting (seeing). So, all their deeds are ruined. And, Allah shall not give any weight or any worth to them (and their deeds) on the Day of Rising. (Al Kahf 105)
قَدۡ خَسِرَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَذَّبُوۡا بِلِقَآءِ اللّٰہِ
Meaning: So those who believe their meeting with Allah incur loss. (Al-An’am:31)
وَ مَنۡ کَانَ فِیۡ ہٰذِہٖۤ اَعۡمٰی فَہُوَ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ اَعۡمٰی
Meaning: And whoever remains blind (to the glorious vision of Allah) in this (world), will be blind in the hereafter, as well. (Bani Israil 72) In ar Risala tul Ghausia, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani reveals that the one who remains heedless to his inward and Deedar e Elahi, Allah increases his attention towards the world: “One who does not try to come to me esoterically, I make him suffer physically through hardships.”
وَ لَمَّا جَاءَ مُوۡسٰی لِمِیۡقَاتِنَا وَ کَلَّمَہٗ رَبُّہٗ ۙ قَالَ رَبِّ اَرِنِیۡۤ اَنۡظُرۡ اِلَیۡکَ ؕ قَالَ لَنۡ تَرٰىنِیۡ وَ لٰکِنِ انۡظُرۡ اِلَی الۡجَبَلِ فَاِنِ اسۡتَقَرَّ مَکَانَہٗ فَسَوۡفَ تَرٰىنِیۡ ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلّٰی رَبُّہٗ لِلۡجَبَلِ جَعَلَہٗ دَکًّا وَّ خَرَّ مُوۡسٰی صَعِقًا ۚ فَلَمَّاۤ اَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبۡحٰنَکَ تُبۡتُ اِلَیۡکَ وَ اَنَا اَوَّلُ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ۔
Meaning: And when Musa came at the time (set) by Us and his Lord spoke to him. He submitted “O Lord, show me (Your Beauty) so that, I may savour Your sight”. Allah said, “You cannot look upon Me (directly) but look towards the mountain. So, if it stays in its place then soon will you behold My beauty”. When his Lord unveiled the Light on to the mountain, (He) crushed it into sand particles and Musa fell down unconscious. Then, when he recovered, he submitted: “Holy You are, and I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of all believer.” (Al A’raf 143)
Quranic reference of prophet moses seeing Allah:
Prophet Moses and vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi)
Whenever the concept of Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) is discussed, it is impossible not to discuss the incident of Prophet Moses. People often argue that Prophet Moses, despite his desire to see Allah, was unable to have Deedar e Elahi. Hence, people say that if he being a Prophet could not have Deedar e Elahi, then no one else can. In contrast, the Quranic verses above clearly reveal that Prophet Moses saw the Light of Allah. In addition, the part, “I am the first believer (Mumin)” show that he did see Allah. Hence, he was the first to gain Deedar e Elahi.
Shattering of mountain:
The underlying subtle point is very simple. The way a person needs sunglasses to gaze at the sun, one only ends up seeing its encircling light. Likewise, Allah ordered Prophet Moses to look at the mountain from where He descended His theophany. However, the mountain failed to bear the Divine Trust and shattered to pieces. The Quran states:
اِنَّا عَرَضۡنَا الۡاَمَانَۃَ عَلَی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ وَ الۡجِبَالِ فَاَبَیۡنَ اَنۡ یَّحۡمِلۡنَہَا وَ اَشۡفَقۡنَ مِنۡہَا وَ حَمَلَہَا الۡاِنۡسَانُ ؕ اِنَّہٗ کَانَ ظَلُوۡمًا جَہُوۡلًا۔
Meaning: We presented our Trust to the skies, earth and mountains. Everyone refused to bear it, but man (the Universal Divine Man) picked it up. No doubt, he is cruel (towards his innerself) and ignorant (of his highest rank near Allah). (Al Ahzab 72) Prophet Moses can never ask Allah anything which is impossible or forbidden In Tafseer Zia-ul-Quran, Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari says in the explanation of the above-mentioned verse: “As far as, the possibility of seeing Allah is concerned, there is not any controversy. Everyone admits that anyone can have vision of Allah. If it were not possible, why would Prophet Moses (Hazrat Musa) had asked for it? Moreover, the prophets know what is possible, what is not. A Prophet never asks for anything which is impossible or forbidden.”
Prophet Moses asked Allah for His vision
After all, Moses was the Prophet of Allah, he would only ask of Allah whatever is possible and practical. In the Exegesis of Zia ul Quran, Mohammad Karam Shah al Azhari states: “There is no controversy that Allah can be seen. Everyone admits that Deedar e Elahi is possible. Prophet Moses would never have asked for it had it not been possible. Moreover, the Prophets know what is possible, what is not. Hence, a Prophet never asks for impossibility or anything which is forbidden.” Jarir ibn Abdullah al Bajali relates that the Prophet said: “Soon you will see your Allah with your own eyes.” (Mishkwat)
Vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi) leads to gnosis:
The verbal declaration of faith is quite easy. What is difficult and that which matters is to accept and act upon it genuinely. The fact is that the soul refuses to believe anything which it has not seen. Hence, true belief in Allah means Deedar e Elahi and then gaining His gnosis. Therefore, it is then that the prayer is actually meaningful and becomes a Miraj itself. Prophet Mohammad said:
اِنَّکُمْ سَتَرَوْنَ رَبَّکُمْ کَمَا تَرَوْنَ ھٰذَا الْقَمَرُ لَا تُضَامُوْنَ فِیْ رُؤْیَتِہِ (صحیح بخاری7434)
Meaning: Soon you will have Deedar e Elahi as you see the sun and the moon. (Al Fath ar Rabbani section 33) Umar ibn Khattab said: “I had the Deedar e Elahi through His resplendent Light.” Ali ibn Abi Talib said: “I do not worship Allah unless I see Him.” Hence, gnosis of Allah is gained through Deedar e Elahi.
Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani quotes about Vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi)
According to Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani: “Our Allah is Omnipresent and one can see Him”. “Every true believer who has gnosis and true belief, possesses two physical eyes and two esoteric eyes of the soul. Therefore, with his physical eyes, he can see the world and its creatures whereas, with his internal eyes, he can see the creatures of the unseen world. Hence, all the veils are lifted from his soul. Consequently, he can have Deedar e Elahi without any doubt and material medium. Thus, he becomes closest to Allah and His beloved.” (Al Fath ar Rabbani section 33)
The soul is always thirsty to see Allah:
Man is formed through inner and physical being. The inner being or soul is the real person. On the other hand, the physical form is only the dress of this world and remains here. It is only the soul which can gain Deedar e Elahi and returns to Allah after death. Therefore, the Quran states:
اِ نَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیۡہٖ رَاجِعُوۡن
Meaning: We have come from Allah and to Him only we return. Hence, soul gains gnosis and Divine vision as soul belongs to Allah. As Allah says in the Quran that He breathed the soul into the vessel of Adam and all humankind:
وَ نَفَخۡتُ فِیۡہِ مِنۡ رُّوۡحِیۡ ۔
Meaning: And then I (Allah) breathed into him My soul. (Al-Hijr-29) This soul is the one that remains curious to have vision of Allah and His gnosis. Allah says about those who do not seek His vision and gnosis.
فَاِنَّہَا لَا تَعۡمَی الۡاَبۡصَارُ وَ لٰکِنۡ تَعۡمَی الۡقُلُوۡبُ الَّتِیۡ فِی الصُّدُوۡرِ
Meaning: These (physical) eyes are not blind but the soul inside the body is blind (to vision of Allah). (Al-Hajj-46)
Obstacles in vision of Allah:
In the Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi), there are certain obstacles which refrain a person to get ahead. In this regard, Sultan Bahoo says: Know that mountains or walls cannot hinder the seekers of Deedar e Elahi. In fact, only obstacle between them and Allah is the inciting innerself (commanding inner self). However, it is harder than walls and mountains and it is very difficult to remove it. Moreover, inciting innerself is Satan’s companion. Therefore, the Perfect Murshid first kills inciting innerself by the sword of Ism e Allah Zaat. Hence, there remains no veil between Allah and His slave. Consequently, he gains the blessings of Deedar e Elahi all the time. (Nur ul Huda Kalan) There are neither both high walls and mountains between Allah and His slave nor a very long distant journey. Rather, there is only a thin veil of innerself. The perfect spiritual guide who possesses Divine secret, can remove it by his spiritual attention and by the contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat. Therefore, if you come, you will find the doors open for you. If, you do not come, then Allah needs none. (Kaleed ul Tauheed Kalan)
Ism-e-Allah Zaat is a necessity for vision of Allah (deedar-e-elahi)
The Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) requires spiritual sight. This is granted by the perfect spiritual guide through Ism e Allah Zaat. The invocation and contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat which has been provided by the Sarwari Qadri Shaikh has genuine spiritual effects upon the inward of the disciple. Hence, the Murshid who has spiritual sight blesses his disciples with Deedar e Elahi. Sultan ul Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali says: This world requires 2 elements for vision: sight and light. If one is missing, vision is not possible. Likewise, the spiritual world or inward also requires 2 elements for Deedar e Elahi. This includes the spiritual sight and Divine light through Ism e Allah Zaat. Allah says:
Sarwari Qadri order and vision of Allah:
Sultan Bahoo declares that Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) is only possible in the Sarwari Qadri order. Only the Sarwari Qadri disciples have the courage, tolerance and determination to reach to the level of vision of Allah. If a disciple (Salik, Mureed) of any other order claims it, he is only lying and boasting. Definitely, he has many veils between him and Allah. (Nur ul Huda)
Sultan Bahoo quotes regarding vision of Allah:
The Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) requires spiritual sight. This is granted by the perfect spiritual guide through Ism e Allah Zaat. The invocation and contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat which has been provided by the Sarwari Qadri Shaikh has genuine spiritual effects upon the inward of the disciple. Hence, the Murshid who has spiritual sight blesses his disciples with Deedar e Elahi. Sultan ul Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali says: This world requires 2 elements for vision: sight and light. If one is missing, vision is not possible. Likewise, the spiritual world or inward also requires 2 elements for Deedar e Elahi. This includes the spiritual sight and Divine light through Ism e Allah Zaat. Allah says:
Meaning of deedar-e-elahi for seeker of Allah:
Sultan Bahoo explains that for the seeker of Allah, Deedar e Elahi holds great significance.
طالبِ دیدار با دیدار بر جز خدا دیگر
نہ بیند بانظر ہر طرف بینم بیانم حق زحق بامطالعہ دائمی دِل دم غرق
Meaning: The seeker of vision of Allah seeks nothing except Deedar e Elahi. So, he sees nothing except Allah. Therefore, while drowned in his real essence, he sees Allah everywhere. Undoubtedly, Deedar e Elahi is the greatest blessing of Allah. In the words of Sultan Bahoo:
بہ ز ہر لذّت بود لذّتِ لِقا لذّتِ دُنیا چہ باشد بے بقا
Meaning: Of all pleasures, the best is seeing the Eternal beauty i.e. Allah. Moreover, all the pleasures of this material world are unworthy as compared to His vision. In fact, they are mortal and perishable. (Nur-ul-Huda)
Vision of Allah unleashes to those who sacrifice:
It is a fact disclosed in the world of mysticism, that Deedar e Elahi is only gained by those who are sacrificial to their spiritual guide and hence, Allah. In his book, Ain ul Faqr, Sultan Bahoo says:
ہر کہ جانِ خود را فروخت اسمِ اللہ را خرید ہر کہ اسمِ اللہ خرید بعین العیان دید
Explanation: Whoever sacrificed his life to Allah, procured Ism e Allah Zaat. Whoever procured Ism e Allah Zaat (in fact) beheld Allah with his open eyes. Allah is always with you. However, you are blind to His presence and depraved from His path.
بجز دیدارِ حق مردار باشد کہ عاشق طالبِ دیدار باشد
Explanation: Everything is carrion except Deedar e Elahi. That is why true lovers seek only this Holy vision.
Deedar-e-elahi the toughest and greatest achievement
Although Vision of Allah (Deedar e Elahi) is possible yet it is the toughest and greatest achievement. Allah says:
اِنَّا عَرَضۡنَا الۡاَمَانَۃَ عَلَی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ وَ الۡجِبَالِ فَاَبَیۡنَ اَنۡ یَّحۡمِلۡنَہَا وَ اَشۡفَقۡنَ مِنۡہَا وَ حَمَلَہَا الۡاِنۡسَانُ ؕ اِنَّہٗ کَانَ ظَلُوۡمًا جَہُوۡلًا۔
Meaning: Indeed, we offered the Trust (of our resplendent Light) to the heavens and the earth and the mountains. But, they declined to bear this and became scared. However, man took it on. Verily, he is ever so wrongdoing (against his own soul), unwise and extremely ignorant (of the consequence of lapse in paying back this trust).” (Al Ahzab 72) At preexistence, the souls were immersed in His vision. However, when the souls were descended and enclosed in physical bodies, their trial began in the world. Unfortunately, veils of self, blinded the inner vision of soul. Therefore, only Divine light in the inward can help achieve Deedar e Elahi.
Everyone is answerable to Allah:
There is no doubt about the fact that on the Day of Judgement, Allah will question every soul about the Divine Trust entrusted to each. The way to protect this Trust is through purification of the self. Allah says in the Quran:
یَوۡمَ لَا یَنۡفَعُ مَالٌ وَّ لَا بَنُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۸۸﴾ اِلَّا مَنۡ اَتَی اللّٰہَ بِقَلۡبٍ سَلِیۡمٍ ﴿ؕ۸۹
Meaning: On the Doomsday, neither worldly assets nor progeny will benefit anyone but only the pure and protected soul (from evil) will help. (Saad 88, 89)
وَ فِی اَنۡفُسِکُمۡ ؕ اَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُوۡنَ ۔
Meaning: I am within you, cannot you see. (Adh-Dhariyat-21)
وَ نَحۡنُ اَقۡرَبُ اِلَیۡہِ مِنۡ حَبۡلِ الۡوَرِیۡدِ۔
Meaning: I am closer to man than his jugular vein. (Qaf:16) In Qudsi Hadith Allah says:
لَاْ یَسْعُنِیْ اَرْضِیْ وَ لَا سَمَآئِی وَلٰکِنْ یَسْعُنِی قَلْبُ عَبْدِالْمُؤ مِن
Meaning: Neither earth can possess me nor the skies, only the inward of a true believer can possess me.
قَلْبُ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَرْشَ اللّٰہِ تَعَالیٰ۔
Meaning: The inward of a true believer is the Divine empyrean (Arsh) of Allah (where He resides). Prophet Mohammad said: “One who does not possess trust (Amanat) has no faith”.
Iqbal and self-recognition
According to Fakirs, Sufis and Mystics, one can gain the recognition of Allah through self-realization or self-recognition. According to a Qudsi Hadith:
مَنْ عَرَفَ نَفْسَہُ فَقَدْ عَرَفَ رَبَّہُ ۔
Meaning: One, who gained self-recognition, undoubtedly, recognized Allah. Iqbal referred to self-recognition as khudi. He instructed the Muslim umma to recognize their inner self khudi in order to recognize Allah. Iqbal named Self Recognition as Khudi Iqbal has named self-recognition as Khudi. He persuades the Muslim umma to recognize their true self Khudi in order to recognize Allah.
خودی میں گم ہے خدا ئی تلاش کر غافل یہی ہے اب تیرے لیے اصلاحِ کار کی راہ
Meaning: O neglectful! Allah has hidden Himself within you. Search and find Him, as this is the only way of your success. Soul is a part of Divinity and feels restless without the closeness and Vision of Allah. Moreover, self-recognition, recognition of Allah as well as gnosis, closeness and Vision of Allah are interrelated. Furthermore, it all comes down to one’s urge, desire and longing for Allah.
Inner purification:
The main goal of the perfect spiritual guide towards his disciples is to purify their innerselves. Hence, for this reason, Sultan ul Ashiqeen grants invocation and contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat on the 1st day of allegiance. Many disciples of Sultan ul Ashiqeen bear witness that they have gained the sacred gift of the Vision of Allah through his beneficence.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen quotes on deedar-e-elahi:
No delight is better than the delight of the Divine vision. However, it can be attained only by the sight of the purified soul not by the light of the physical eyes. The absolute worship is that which is performed while seeing Allah, does not matter what way is adopted to worship. The soul of devotions of Prophet Mohammad and his Companions was ‘ascension to Allah’, meaning worshipping Allah while seeing Him. One who finds Allah, finds eternal success. Inner peace lies only in the Divine vision.
Key questions:
Allah has gifted his vision only the Mohammadan umma. It was bestowed to Prophet Mohammad at his request on the night of ascension i.e. Miraj. Read more in Sufi teachings blogs.
According to Islam, God is neither a material nor a spiritual being. The Quran says, “No vision can grasp him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things.” (6:103) When a seeker of Allah, annihilates in Allah only then spiritually strong and worthy enough to behold Allah.
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