1. It is narrated from the book, Ma'dan al-Ma'ni, that a learned man should do (good) deeds and then ask others to do (good) deeds, so that he does not subject himself to the threat (wi'id) that "...Why profess ye that ye practise not?" (S. 61 : 2 SAL). One, who is rightly guided, shows the path (of Allah); as Allah has told Prophet Muhammad (SLM): "... if thou do it not, then thou hast failed to fulfill the function of a messenger..." (S. 5 : 67 SAL).

2. Imam Mahdi (AS) and his companions have stated this by saying that this attribute should be there in the person who invites or calls people unto Allah.

3. Imam Mahdi (AS) has said that the existence of worldly life is kufr (infidelity). In other words, to live with life is, they say, existence and self (khudi). He also said: "The person who desires the worldly life, or keeps the company of a seeker of the world, or goes to his house or has affection for him, he (such a person) is not from us, nor from Prophet Muhammad (SLM), nor from Allah."

4. Imam Mahdi (AS) has said that migration from one's house (that is, leaving the house and all household effects) is absolutely obligatory (farz-e-'ain); one should practise trust in Allah (tawwakkal) and totally surrender (to Allah); give up all desires and temptations from the people (khalq), and fixed income; and look at profit and loss with the realisation that it comes from Allah; remain in seclusion from the people, perpetual retirement (khilwat), remembrance (of Allah), contemplation, concentration and meditation; and clean and gladden the heart; desire for divine love and for perishing (fana); nearness (qurb) to and the meeting (with Allah). And if one does not possess all these attributes, one would not be da'i ila Llah (one who invites unto Allah); and his sermon (wa'z) will be of no use.

5. It is narrated that Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam (RZ) asked Imam Mahdi's permission to remain in seclusion. Imam Mahdi (AS) said: "One should remain in a place where one could hear someone say something or should say someting which others hear."

6. It is reported by Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood (RZ) that Miyan Malikjeo (RZ) was a migrant-companion of the Imam and he had been given glad tidings by the Imam. Hundreds of people were in his company and daira, giving up their hearths and homes and everything. Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood (RZ) said: "Miyan Malikjeo should remain in the company of the Imam's (AS) migrant-companions." And this servant (of Allah, Vali Yusuf (RZ), the author) has heard from Miyan Malikjeo that a person, who does not get some new information from Allah every day, is not from Allah. Miyan Malikjeo (RZ) was a person of (such a) high eminence. (But even he was advised to remain in the suhbat - company of the righteous).

7. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said: "Become a servant (mahkoom) and not the master (hakim)." And about the second attribute, Prophet Muhammad (SLM) said: "Verily, Allah created and sent (His) prophet by His command to invite the (Muslim) community (ummah) unto Allah and rightly guide it to the right path, as Allah has said: "O Prophet ! Lo ! We have sent thee as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And as a summoner unto Allah by His permission, and as a lamp that giveth light. And announce unto the believers the good tidings that they will have great bounty from Allah." 1 The person who is endowed with the attributes enumerated above is a murshid and he should be obeyed.

8. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said: "My companions are like stars; whomever you follow, you will remain rightly guided." And the companions of Imam Mahdi (AS) too are like stars. And whoever dies under their feet is an infallible believer (hukmi mumin). And salvation can be achieved through the intercession of a person who has the attribute of creating or adapting the character of Allah, and whose word and deed are in a accordance with the commands of Allah; otherwise, the attribute of the people of Paradise is very difficult to achieve in (terms of ) Quran. Allah says: "Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: 'When (will come) the help of Allah?' Ah! verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!" 2

9. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said: "Do you think that the Paradise is a cattle-pound. By Allah! You will never enter Paradise until you become like a hail-stone, which falls from the sky but cannot reach the earth." In these days, everyone cherishes murshidi (the position of being a spiritual guide) and the daira. One should not do that. Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said: "Become a servant, not a master." But now being a seeker (of Allah) is difficult, but being a murshid has become easy.

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.... l but I used to commit the same evil deeds." Calling people to knowledge and Quran with intimidation is cursing oneself and one's descendants and servants and wealth. Tarheeb means a person's enjoining others to do good deeds and prohibiting them from evil and his word and deed not conforming (with what he advised others).

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