Sayings of Shaikh Hussein al-Kasnazan

These are some of the wise words of Shaikh Hussein al-Kasnazan:

Our Ṭarīqa is based on the Qur’an and the Sunna, having love for the truth, self‑discipline, truthfulness, being patient with hard circumstances and afflictions, fulfilling the promise, avoiding drawing satisfaction from the calamities of Muslims, not hurting your neighbour, responding to the offence with charity, showing mercy towards orphans, giving clothing to the naked, feeding the hungry, dressing the poor, strengthening the weak and avoiding wronging others.

O seeker! Distance yourself from loving this world for loving it ruins the worshipper as heat ruins honey. O my dervish! Be with the wronged and do not be with the wrongful one for this world may last with disbelief but it does not last with wrongdoing.

People are all equal; nothing differentiate between them other than piety and good deeds.

O people! There is no superior and inferior or different ranks in religion other than by fruitful works. We are all from Adam, and Adam is from dust.

O seeker! Allah (high is He) prohibited backbiting, slander, calling names, disbelief, and disobedience, so avoid all these prohibited things. Not everyone who kneels and prostrates properly performs the prayer that is described in this verse: إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ “Prayer prohibits indecency and wrongdoing” (29.45). The real praying person is one fulfills all the requirements of the prayer: doing the right movements, praying correct numbers, saying the two statements of glorification of God, saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is great), avoiding what is illegal, doing what is permissible, showing piety, and having respect for it. The person prays properly only when he has done all of that, and is focused and aware when he prays, and purifies his body of anything that is forbidden, including what he eats and keeps in his heart. As for the person who has illicit sex, puts on illegal cloths, or drinks forbidden drinks then he is the one that this verse refers to: إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَـٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا “The hearing, the sight, and the heart will all be accountable” (17.36).

O seeker! Adhere to the door of Allah, turn your face towards the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and seek spiritual help from his high position sincerely through your Shaikh. Be polite in his presence, and be respectful of him in his absence, and be careful. Serve much in his house and say little in his presence. Give advice to your brothers and bring their hearts together. Occupy your heart with dhikr and beautify your heart with thinking. Seek the help of Allah and be patient with whatever harm comes your way. Do much prayer on the Messenger (PBUH), stay at home and do not go out often to the shops and places of happiness, and hold firm to the rope of Allah. The person who abandons this world earn happiness. Honour your guest, be merciful towards your parents, children, spouse, and servant. Remember Allah in every matter, be sincere to Him in public and in private, and do good works for the hereafter. This is my advice to you, O seeker!