Ism-e-Allah zaat

Sultan ul Arifeen Hadrat Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) in his spiritual poetry exemplify Actual Name of Allah Almighty (ﷻ) “Allah” as “Chambay De Booti” which means “Ism-e-Allah zaat” which is planted by real murshid in the chest (heart) of disciple. He (R.A.) says that:

“Alif Allah as jasmine sapling, my murshid sown in my heart Hoo”

He (R.A.) glorified the greatness of “Ism-e-Allah zaat” in his hundred and forty books. He (R.A.) says that “listen Tora, Zaboor (psalm), Ianjeel (bible) and mother of Divine books Quran, all of these books are merely exegesis of Ism-e-Allah.” What is Ism-e-Allah? It is actual Divine essence in Whose attributes are incomparable, beyond human comprehension, exceptional without doubt and in Whose honour came “Say Allah is One”

Hadrat Ghouth Azam (R.A.) exemplifies Ism-e-Allah zaat as tafil almaani as He (R.A.) said: “tafil almaani means reality of spirituality for example reality of tree contained inside its seed is tafil almaani a tree is present in the seed of tree and that is the reality of the tree. When seed is cultivated the same reality (tafil almaani) grows into a tall tree.” He (R.A.) further said that: “When Ism-e-Allah zaat comes into someone’s heart from it, two elements are created one is fire and the other is illumine. With fire all forms of imaginations other than Allah (ﷻ) and materialistic love gets burnt and with illumine heart becomes shining mirror.” (Fatha-Al-Rabani)

Profound Scholars glorify and explain Ism-e-Allah zaat as follows:

“Allah” is Ism-e-zaat and it is especially unique for Glorious zaat, saying of profound scholars is that this blessed name is neither infinitive nor derivative meaning never derived from any word nor any word derived from it and neither this blessed name metaphorically can be applied as other blessed names metaphorically can be applied. Therefore this blessed name is pure and exempt from any partnership or application. Like Allah Almighty (ﷻ) Ism-e-Allah is One and Only, and is “He has not begotten any, nor is He begotten”. Ism-e-Allah zaat is the Ism-e-Azam.

Practitioners, devotees and abstinent had searched Ism-e-Azam, but besides few spiritual recognisers duly unable to access it, meaning they couldn’t reach up to its core. Undoubtedly with dhikr of Allah (ﷻ) they fulfilled their objectives and attained ranks. But don’t forget whatever dhikr they have practiced the centre of orbit for all these dhikrs is Ism-e-Allah zaat whereas all the rest of Divine names’ remained absorbed in axis of attributes. By keeping alive the tradition of research different research scholars had classified different verses as Ism-e-Azam. This research is being recorded here in order. In one narration as Quran states, 21:87, “There is no God except You. Glory be to You! Surely, I was of those who wrong (their souls)” is associated with Ism-e-Azam, who so supplicates with it his supplication is approved. Scholars say that this Ayiat Karima is approved supplication, particularly for removal of calamity it has complete effect. It is cited in the Hadith of Qala Alrada Saad bin Abi Waqas (R.A.), Rasool Allah (ﷺ) said, “Should I not tell you of such Ism-e-Azam of Allah Almighty (ﷻ) that when He (ﷻ) is called by it, He (ﷻ) responds and when He (ﷻ) is begged, He (ﷻ) grants”

* Leader of the universe Rasool Allah (ﷺ) heard someone saying,

اللھم انی اسئلک بانی عھدنک انت اللہ لا الہ الا انت الاحد الصمد الذی لم یو لد ولم یکن لہ کفواۤ احد Translation: “O Allah (ﷻ) I beg You of that promise that You (ﷻ) are Allah (ﷻ) and there is none worthy of worship, You (ﷻ) are Alone, You (ﷻ) are carefree, you are not some one’s offspring nor You (ﷻ) have any equal”. “I swear by Allah (ﷻ) that you have begged Allah Almighty (ﷻ) with that Ism-e-Azam, that when begged with it Allah Almighty (ﷻ) grants and when he is supplicated with it He (ﷻ) approves”

* Some scholars have said “Ya Allah, Ya Rahman, Ya Raheem” as Ism-e-Azam.

* Exalted Prophet (ﷺ) heard Zaid bin Samit (R.A.) supplicating in these words “O Allah (ﷻ) verily I am begging You that undoubtedly all praises are for You, none is worthy of worship besides You, You are alone and You have no partner O merciful O bestowal of favour O creator of heavens and earth O Glorious Majestic O immortal, Alive and omnipotent.” said “this is such Allah’s Ism-e-Azam that when He (ﷻ) is called, He (ﷻ) approves and when begged He (ﷻ) grants”

* In a Hadith Mother of Mumins Hadrat Ashia Sadiqa (R.A.) supplicated “Your God is One and there is no god besides Him He extremely compassionate and merciful, and Alif lam meem Allah is and there is none worthy of worship and He is immortal and He has established entire system, Alive and omnipotent” Rasool Allah (ﷺ) said “within it is Ism-e-Azam”

* Hadrat Imam Zain-ul-Abadeen (R.A.) saw in his dream Ism e Azam “Allah Allah Allah there is no god besides He who is Rabb of Grand Arsh”

* Imam Qazi Ayiaz (R.A.) quoted from some scholars that Ism-e-Azam is Kalima Tauheed (Islamic creed)

* Imam Fakher u-din Razi (R.A.) and some respected Sufi’s have called that “Hoo” is Ism-e-Azam.

* Majority of scholars describe “Ism-e-Allah zaat” to be Ism-e-Azam.

* Hazoor Syedna Ghauth Paak (R.A.) said “condition is that when you recite “Ism-e-Allah” at that time there is nothing besides Allah Almighty (ﷻ) in your heart.”

* Rasool Allah (ﷺ) said, whoso calls with these five creeds whatsoever he begs from Allah Almighty (ﷻ), Allah (ﷻ) Glorious Majestic will bestow, “There is no god besides Allah and Allah is greatest, There is no god besides Allah and He is only One there is none worthy of worship except Allah. There is no partner for Him. For Him is the Kingdom. And for Him is the praises. And He is on everything powerful. And (there is) no power and no strength except from Allah the Most High the Most Great.”

From all of this research it is established that Ism-e-Azam is actually Ism-e-zaat because in all of the supplications and in verses with different attributes Ism-e-zaat, Allah, Lillah, Lahoo and Hoo exists which are the evidence of it being the Ism-e-Azam.

“And remember the Name of your Rabb morning and evening”.

Here Rabb is His (ﷻ) name also but said that “remember the Name of your Rabb” because this is amongst names of attributes whereas His (ﷻ) actual name is “Allah” meaning here order is to remember with His (ﷻ) actual name. 

Meaning of dhikr of Allah (ﷻ) is remembering Allah (ﷻ). More or less one hundred and twenty four thousand Prophets (﷩) came and invited people towards dhikr of Allah (ﷻ) and all of the heavenly books and scriptures descended upon Prophets (R.A.) had command to remember Allah Almighty (ﷻ) meaning dhikr of Allah Almighty (ﷻ). Whereas in Quran and Hadith it is mentioned,

“And remember Allah much so that you may attain prosperity” 62:10

“Remembrance of Allah is the first obligation (fard) before any other obligations” (Hadith Nabvi (ﷺ))

It is worth considering that amongst creations of eighteen thousand universes only human being is commanded for dhikr of Allah Almighty (ﷻ) and all the rest of creation praises and glorify Allah Almighty (ﷻ) as stated in Exalted Quran, “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth (all) glorify Allah” 59:1

All creations are ordered to glorify Allah (ﷻ) and only humans are order of dhikr of Allah (ﷻ) is an evidence for greatness of humanity. This prof of greatness is further elaborated from creations of human being. As Allah (ﷻ) has said in exalted Quran:

“Verily I created man from the amalgamation of two beings so that he should be tested so We made him able to hear and see” 76:2

Sufi interpret this verse as human being has two bodies one made of clay and water which is solid and have mass and other was created from purified spiritual transparent illumine. Because this physical inferior being was created from soil and it is linked with universe of creation and its substance, requirements and desires are linked with creations and that is where its arrangement is made. As Allah (ﷻ) has said:

“And there is no moving creature (living being) on the earth but (that) its sustenance is upon Allah”. 11:6

Whereas the other spiritual transparent body which is linked with spiritual universe (universe of La-hoot) and its sustenance and requirements are in relation to it.

“And (also) there is sustenance for you in the heaven and which you are promised”. 51:22.

This spiritual body is actual reality of human which remained for four thousand years in the intimacy of Allah Almighty’s (ﷻ) special manifestation where its sustenance was dhikr of Ism-e-zaat (Allah’s actual name) and illumine of zaat. Which provides spiritual food, spirit completes its ranks and attains intimacy of Allah (ﷻ) and recognition of Allah (ﷻ) about which Allah (ﷻ) has said that:

“I was a secret treasure and I wished to be recognised so I created the creation for My recognition”

Therefore to reach this reality, becoming aware of secret of life and for the completion of purpose of life a person has to get Ism-e-Allah zaat (Chambay De Booti) from perfect murshid (spiritual master) on the first availability, who make him recognise himself and take him to spiritual recognition, intimacy and Divine presence to the state of (Fina Fillah) annihilation in Allah (ﷻ) and (Baqa Billah) exist in with Allah (ﷻ).

When a person contemplates Ism-e-Allah zaat with eyes closed in the innermost he flies from mortal house and reaches house of immortality as if death bed situation is prevalent on him (Kaleed e Janaat)

Hadrat Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) is saying that Ism-e-Allah zaat should be contemplated in imaginations, thoughts and contemplations. Same as besides natural universe of matter there are other universes which our five senses cannot feel but their reality and nature is fact. Similarly there is a world of contemplation in soul, innermost, intellect and brain of every person which is obvious visible reality like those universes but our five senses cannot feel it. These contemplations are related to heart and intellects which have very close link with our belief and intent. As has been said:

“Undoubtedly neither Allah Almighty sees yours faces neither your actions but He sees your intentions and yours hearts” (Hadith). Further saying of Hadrat Mohammad (ﷺ) is that:

“Actions depends upon the intentions”

There are limitless verses and Hadith which point towards soul (qalb) and innermost and faith is established in these thought and contemplation and cursed Satan leaves whispers within this innermost thought and contemplation “Who whispers into the hearts of mankind” 114:5

To be safe from Satanic whispers and for purification of heart Hadrat Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) emphasis on contemplation of Ism-e-Allah zaat and says:

Contemplation of Ism-e-Allah zaat keeps its contemplator safe and becomes secure refuge from Satan and his followers for whole of his life. (Shamas-ul- Arifeen)

Further about the purification of heart and safety from inclining towards sins He (R.A.) says:

Without contemplation of Ism-e-Allah zaat, darkness, rancour, rust, hazards, polytheism and filth of infidelity doesn’t get removed. (Shamas-ul- Arifeen)

There are different ways people perform dhikr of Ism-e-Allah and they conduct dhikr in their own manners and they attain benefits according to their intentions. But to understand the essence of Ism-e-Allah zaat and to attain objective of life from it, is destiny of few of them. For example, some people conduct dhikr loudly melodiously and some others conduct dhikr by habse dam (holding breath) and with such suffocation person’s face and eyes turns red. Some people conduct dhikr in secret voice (khafi) of ism-e-Allah and some people have particular dhikr with breathing known as pass anfas (with breaths) in this method aggressiveness comes into breathing because mouth is closed and with breathing sound of dhikr can be heard. 

This method is rather difficult like habse dam. No one can act upon these methods continuously for twenty four hours. However to access its essence’s reality it is paramount to continue dhikr for life with every breath whilst eradicate all imagination of otherness from heart so that Ism-e-Allah’s image could be established. Regarding this method Allah Almighty (ﷻ) explained in these words, “And remember your Sustainer in your breathing humility and submissively and secretly and do it in morning and evening and be not of the neglectful.” 7:205 (Al Quran) 

Regarding continuous dhikr it is stated in the following words, “So, (O Muslims,) when you have said your Prayers, remember Allah standing, sitting and (lying down) on your sides.” 4:103 (Al Nisa)

Rasool Allah (ﷺ) explained it in these words, “breaths are numbered and any breath taken without dhikr of Allah is deceased”

In order to access its essence and reality it is rather difficult to practice concealed dhikr continuously within breath even though Rasool Allah (ﷺ) had said, “the best dhikr is dhikr (khafi) concealed”

Furthermore in this way a person can be engaged in the world and still remains in dhikr meaning “heart is towards beloved and hand is towards work”

Further explaining the method of dhikr Hadrat Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) has narrated in his Punjabi poetry as follows: 

 

 

Those who have acquired real ishq they dare not mutter Hoo

They remain in dhikr and reflection and restrict their breaths flutter Hoo

nafsi, qalbi, sirri, khafi and ukhfa, dhikr they procure Hoo

I sacrifice upon you Bahoo with a single glance, life they secure Hoo