Divine Trust
TRANSFERENCE OF THE DIVINE TRUST
The way every seeker of Allah searches for the perfect spiritual guide to attain closeness to Allah through his guidance, similarly, the perfect spiritual guide also searches for a true and capable seeker who can be trusted to bear the Divine secrets, so he can transfer the Trust of Faqr to him and retire from his obligation.
The Rule of Transference
One pre-decided rule for the transference of the Trust of Allah has been described by Rumi as:
The spiritual guides of Sarwari Qadri order have always refrained from popularity. Except the seekers of Allah, no one knows them neither their shrines are well-known like the shrines of the Saints of other orders.
Umar ibn Khattab relates that Prophet Mohammad said:
"The most beloved to Allah among mankind are those who are pious but hidden. If they are not in a gathering, no one misses them (as they are not famous). If they are in a gathering, no one recognises them. Their inwards are lamps of righteousness." (Mishkat al-Masabih 5328, Mustadrak 5182, 7933)
Sultan Bahoo says:
"ہوویں سونا سداویں سکہ ھُو"
Meaning: Hide your glitter. Show yourself as nickel despite being the gold.
The Chain of Transference
Since Sultan Bahoo could not find a true seeker of Allah in his life, so he left this world without transferring the Divine Trust to anyone. Then, from the sacred court of Prophet Mohammad, Sayyid Mohammad Abdullah Shah was sent after approximately one hundred and thirty nine years (on Monday, 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1241 AH i.e. 24 October 1825) to whom Sultan Bahoo transferred the Divine Trust of Faqr.
Sayyid Mohammad Abdullah Shah receives the Divine Trust from Sultan Bahoo through the sacred court of Prophet Mohammad.
The Trust was transferred to Pir Mohammad Abdul Ghafoor Shah who transferred it to Pir Sayyid Mohammad Bahadur Ali Shah. He transferred this Trust to Sultan Mohammad Abdul Aziz who eventually granted it to Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen reaches the court of Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali on 12th April 1998 and proves to be the most capable seeker for the Divine Trust.
Faqr was perfected on Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali, and then it returned to the Holy Prophet who is the authority on Faqr. Then, the Divine Trust would be transferred once again from the court of Prophet Mohammad on the same pattern as it was transferred to Sayyid Abdullah Shah from Sultan Bahoo.
The Sacred Transference to Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen narrates the transference of the Divine Trust of Faqr to him in these words:
From 1998 till 2001, Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali made Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen pass through various esoteric and exoteric trials. By the grace of Allah and kindness of his spiritual guide, he passed each and every trial successfully.
The Hajj Journey of 2001
When Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali had thoroughly tested his chosen heir of the Divine Trust, he intended to go for Hajj. On Wednesday, 28th February 2001, he went for Hajj with his newly selected seekers of Allah.
ساماں سو برس کا ہے پل کی خبر نہیں"
On 7th March, in Makkah, Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali ordered Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen to purchase a shroud for him, wash it with Zamzam water and touch it with the wall of Kaaba. During the entire stay in Makkah, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen's only prayer was:
The Divine Moment in Madina
Finally, on 21st March 2001, the day came for which Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali had been waiting for twenty years, as the person he had selected and presented in the court of Prophet Mohammad for transferring the Divine Trust, was approved.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen recalls:
When they reached closer to the golden grill of the Holy Prophet's tomb, Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali turned his face towards the tomb. His sacred face was shining brighter than the moon. The beauty of that moment sent Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen into trance.
There and then, Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali bestowed his ultimate kindness and favour upon Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen in the form of the Divine Trust and made his inward replete with Divinity. From that day onwards, his sacred face glowed with happiness and he regained health and vigour.
Completion of the Mission
After coming back to Pakistan, Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali became indifferent towards all his other responsibilities, as his mission had been accomplished. Following the way of his spiritual guide, he trained Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen for two years as the heir of the Divine Trust to hold the exalted throne of spiritual guidance and persuasion.
From here starts the third phase of the life of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen where he has been elevated to the level of Sarwari Qadri perfect spiritual guide from a seeker and disciple. He has been appointed at the exalted throne of Divine guidance and spiritual persuasion as the spiritual leader of the Sarwari Qadri order.
The sacred transference of the Divine Trust represents the continuity of spiritual guidance through the centuries, connecting the seeker to the Divine through an unbroken chain of perfected souls who carry the light of Faqr from generation to generation.
