Four Steps To Attain Wisdom

Darse Quran by Maulana Muhammad Mustafa Shareef Naqshbandhi
Published in Muslim Murasu, March 2013

Shah Waliullah explains that verses in the Quran can be divided in five categories. One of them are verses relating to Prophets, their situations and miracles. ‘Al Fauzul Kabir’ is an important book written by Shah Waliullah. Egyptians translated it from Persian to Arabic. It is fondly read by both Arabs and non-Arabs.
More than thousand verses are related to the beloved people of Allah. The history of the companions of cave detailed in Surah Kahf is an example. Surah Yusuf is foremost in this. It corrects our ideology and clarifies us about life. This Surah contains 111 verses. There is no mention about prayer, fasting or Haj. There is no mention of dos and don'ts. Yet Allah calls this a beautiful history. Asraar, mystical examples, are given.
Full Quran descended on Prophet (s.a.w.s). The trials that Prophet Yusuf (alai) went through are explained to console our Prophet. The struggles that one may encounter and the opportunities and solutions are explained. This Surah revolves around the personality of Yusuf (alai). He is a successful person. We cannot succeed without knowing a successful person.
We will not forsake our virtue if we get spiritual transformation. We should not trade our virtue or chastity for any price. Every prophet was given miracles. Yusuf (alai) was extremely beautiful. This was his Mojiza. Anyone will get attracted to him. Yusuf (alai)’s mother had passed away. So Yakoob (alai) was very affectionate to Yusuf (alai). Yusuf and Binyamin are children to Yakoob (alai) through one of his wives. He had eleven sons through another wife. This created jealousy. Dreams of prophets will come true. Dream is one fortieth of Nubuwat. Prophet (s.a.w.s) also used to get dreams before he was handed the mission. His dreams used to come true exactly as seen.
Yusuf (alai) saw a dream. Eleven stars, sun and moon prostrated to him. Yakoob (alai) understood that Yusuf (alai ) will attain power and authority. Dreams should not be told to everyone. They can be shared with scholars or spiritual guides.
Whatever you keep thinking during the daytime will come as dreams in night. Have good thoughts during daytime. You will get pleasant dreams. Heart should always remember Allah even when we are in the thick of worldly affairs. Surah Ahzaab, 33, verse 41 – ‘uzkhurullaha zikhran khasheera’. Remember Allah more.
My Hazrat used to say that remembering Allah once in heart is better than uttering His name seventy times orally. Some Muslims say Masha Allah, Insha Allah often to hide their hypocrisy. There is no danger of Riyaah (ostentation) when you remember in heart.
Bed should be clean. Go to sleep after ablution. Do Tauba before sleeping.There are very few experts who can interpret dreams taking into account the time of dream and other details.
It took forty years for Yusuf (alai) to see his dream come true. In between, he was imprisoned, thrown in a well, sold in a market. We should not show haste to see our dream come true. Youth and beauty were tested.
There will be questions about how we spend our youthful days. A person may not be able to do good deeds in his old age. The deeds that he used to do in his young age will be gifted to him. Don’t be casual that we can do good deeds in the old age. Death can come between one Salaam and the other.
Allah will show oncoming events to His beloved servants. This is called Ilhaam. Surah Shams, 91, verse 8 – ‘fa alhamahaa fujoorahaa wa taqwaahaa’. He taught it goodness and wrong. There are steps to attain Ilhaam. If a person avoids sitting in wasteful places and involving in cheap and futile talks and deeds, he will be given ‘Nafse Lawwaamaa’. This will create happiness while doing a good deed and remorse while committing a mistake. This is sign of Imaan. If conscience is dead, a person won’t feel any remorse even after committing grave sins. Nafse Mulhima will be given after crossing second stage. Now oncoming events will be informed upfront.
Some dreams may not materialize as expected. Otherwise one may become arrogant. Some failures can occur on this account. Allah will give knowledge to Muttaqeen (pious ones). Surah Baqarah, 2, verse 282 – ‘wattaqullaha wayuallimukumullahu’. Fear Allah, He teaches you. Allah will send knowledge direct to the hearts. Knowledge will come if we follow four approaches
1.    Solitude
2.    Silence
3.    Eating less
4.    Praying in the nights
My Hazrat often said to speak less and listen more.
The history of Yusuf (alai) is a lesson to youngsters. Zulaika was daughter of the king. She insisted, but Yusuf did not comply to her wish. He was punished and sent to prison.
Don’t approach adultery. Allah hates it. Don’t even go near it. Do not sit with a woman in seclusion. Don’t create chances for adultery. Allah’s grace will be lifted when there is adultery. It will bring disgrace in this world and the next. Supplications of chaste youngsters will be answered and their prayers will be accepted. They will get shadow on the Judgment Day. Allah will send Noor to the hearts if you protect your gaze.
Surah Noor, 24, verse 30 – ‘qul lil moomineena yaguddu min absaarihim wa  yahfazoo furoojahum’. They should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. Nowadays, there is more obscenity on streets. It increases chances for goodness as well. Avoiding evil will increase goodness. Staying away from bad deed is in itself a good deed. My Hazrat used to say that beard is the veil for men.
Listening to the history of prophets is an Ibadat. Learning the history of Prophet Yusuf is an Ibadat. Listening history of Auliyas is Kaffaaraa (expiation). Remembering death is Sadqa (alms). ‘Guldaste Tareeqat’ is a book written by my Hazrat. It gives history of Prophet Yusuf.
Don’t discuss your dreams with unqualified persons. Bird will leave the cage. You will lose the benefit. Don’t publicize your internal growth. The benefit that accrues gradually and slowly will be strong and enduring.

Surah Yusuf. First verse. ‘alif laam raa’. These are Huruf Muqatta'at. This is a secret between Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.s). Once Jibreel (alai) brought verses of Surah Maryam. ‘kaaf haa yaa ain saad’. Prophet said, “I know this”. It is wrong to say only Allah knows this. Jibreel (alai) is not the authority. Prophet is the authority.
Surah Khawshar, 108 – ‘innaa a’tainakal khawshar’. ‘We have given you’. This is a small Surah. Reading it will make our Aqeedah (creed) clear. Observe the words chosen by Allah. We have given you. Complete authority is given. Hasan and Husain (rali) were named as leaders in heaven for youngsters. Fatima (rali) was declared as leader for women in heaven. Prophet made these announcements out of his authority. Allah is the creator of the heaven. Prophet is given authority.
We say ‘Quran’ very casually. Allah calls it with respect. ‘Quranul majeed’, ‘Quranul Kareem’. ‘tilka aayaatul kitaabul mubeen’. Allah describes the qualities of the Noble Quran. Verse continues. ‘inna anzalnahu quranan arabiyan’. ‘We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran’. Prophet has said: “Arabic is my language, Quran’s language and the language of heaven. Have love for Arabic”.
We should love Prophet’s language if we have love for him. We should love all aspects of the beloved. Supplications can be asked during Sajda in Nafil prayers. But it should be in Arabic. Using any other language will dismiss the Namaz. We can often hear Allah’s Name and Praise when we speak with Arabs. Learn Arabic.
‘Nahnu naqussu alaika ahsanal qasasi bimaa awhainaa ilaika haazal quran’. This is the best history revealed so far. This is the history of Prophet Yusuf, the history of rule in Egypt. This is the most beautiful history. Allah explains it.