Chapters
DREAM OF THE BELOVED PROPHET SWS
MY EXPERIENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Mohsin Ali was a world-renowned Integrative Medicine Practitioner and an Islamic Thinker of the Sciences of the Qalb (Tazkiyah or purification of the Self). He completed his graduation from Calcutta University and obtained formal edutation from Chinese Nature Cure Institute in Singapore, Thereafter he practiced around the world in both Western and Eastern countries such as London, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Hong Kong and India, where he served as the Medical Director at Integrated Medical Centre, New Delhi. Four of his brothers run a successful alternative medicine centre in the medical district of London, Harley Street.
Dr. Mohsin Ali spent over 3 decades in the path of Tabligh, mentored by top Ulemas and Scholars such as Hazrat Sheikh Maulana Inamul Hasan Sahab R.A., Hazrat Sheikh Maulana Zubair Sahab R.A., Hazrat Maulana Ibrahim Dewla Sahab DB, Hazrat Sheikh Maulana Yaqoob Sahab R.A., and other prominent scholars who started and spearheaded the work of Tabligh from Hazrat Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi. The time devoted with these Sheikhs left a tremendous and lasting impact on his life's thinking which led him to discover the aspects of the Heart (Qalb). On an instance while visiting a family member in Kolkata, by chance he stumbled upon a book written in Bengali with the line, “What all do I tell you, the heart is everything... the heart is everything.”. This felt like a moment of discovery for Dr. Mohsin Ali and led him to spend over 20,000 hours over a span of 10 years working and understanding the truest nature of the Qalb and its purification (Tazkiyah).
A testament to his deep love for Allah, his uncompromising dedication to Sunnah of the blessed Prophet SWS, and his firm adherence to Islamic Law (Shariah) is that countless Muslim brothers and sisters learn and benefit from his discovery. An avid believer of Imam Ghazali R.A.'s sayings that the sciences of the Qalb were hidden from the average man for it could mislead them. Concurrently understanding the Qalb and its purification is of utmost importance and must be made a priority. Evils of the Heart are linked to flaws such as pride, ego, arrogance, hatred, lust etc. He stresses upon its purification as the matters of the Qalb help an individual reach greater heights of spirituality and Tasawwuf which otherwise is inaccessible.
One of his early teachings include "In order to know someone well,carefully observe his or her worldly life and dealings." Another one is, "Learn wisely, Think correctly and Act perfectly", which he repeatedly spread as a message, as he watches the Muslim Ummah often slacking in knowledge, honesty and professionalism leading to their destruction. Dr. Mohsin Ali is also the author of 7 books written in English, and a few of these have been translated to other regional Indian languages and Arabic.
DREAM OF THE BELOVED PROPHET SWS
Once Dr. Mohsin saw a magnificent dream. In this dream, he saw Prophet Muhammad SWS which in itself signifies the importance of such a dream as meaningful and true. He was walking on the on a rough mud road and at a distance he saw the Prophet SWS lying on a bed at his old age. He went ahead to kiss his hand but the Prophet SWS did not allow him to do so. Instead the Prophet SWS said in the sweetest voice "Do not touch me", but later He himself touched Dr. Mohammad Mohsin Ali and caressed him and to which he asked the Prophet SWS, "Oh Prophet SWS! You asked me not to touch but you are touching me?" Suddenly he realized that the Prophet's (SWS) pitcher of milk was on the road and in danger from an approaching truck. He quickly went to retrieve the Prophets SWS pitcher and woke up as soon as he saved the milk. Astounded by the splendor and gravitas of such a dream, Dr. Mohammad Mohsin went ahead to ask scholars of its meaning and was informed that milk in dreams signifies knowledge. With this he started on the path to write books with the aim of inviting and preaching amongst human beings who can understand and comprehend written literature.
In 1989, I travelled from London to perform Hajj in most difficult circumstances financially. Without a confirmed seat in the aircraft I went to the airport with the hope of securing one and undertaking this monumental journey of Hajj. Anyone aware knows how difficult it is to get a seat during Hajj season. I reached the airport and checked with the staff, expecting refusal, but to my surprise, the duty manager of British Airways said, "Mr. Ali I have good news, unexpectedly there is a seat available for you. You are very lucky to have one in this time." I felt elated and special as though Allah had reserved this one only for me. And there at the airport I began my preparations to enter the state of Ehram (a sacred state a Muslim must enter in order to perform major and minor pilgrimages).
The Hajj experience I had was one of those experiences one gets to experience once in a lifetime. Unique beyond all measures, it opened my heart into the world of Eimaan and Allah.
I performed Hajj in a state of unpreparedness and insufficient resources required for such a big journey.
I reached Jeddah and travelled to Makkah. When I entered the house of Allah — Baithullah — for the first time my body trembled with the fear of Allah, I wept uncontrollably and considered death to be so near I may not be able see or meet any of my family members after this.
I could barely eat or talk and preferred loneliness. I noticed a state of extreme self-control on the tongue. When I prayed, my mind ceased to think or exist. Everywhere I saw, I saw His Noor. When I prayed at Hateem ('Hijr Ismail' the place where Ibrahim A.S. constructed a shelter for Hazrat Ismail A.S. and Maa Hajar A.S.) I felt I could pray for 40 years at a stretch without the need for food, sleep or anything else.
I was filled with the faith of Hereafter (Akherath). I wanted to occupy all my time remaining on earth with Nafil prayers, reading the Quran and following every little Sunnah of the beloved Prophet SWS. I would sleep like a newborn baby. The Noor put me into a state of purity and cleanliness.
My Eimaan grew many folds seeing the mysterious help of Allah every step along the way.
One remarkable incident happened during Hajj. Kissing of "Hajre Asawad" (Divine Stone from Heaven). I took a stand that I will not push or hurt anyone to kiss the divine stone so I avoided trying to kiss it. One day as I was standing near the gate of Baitullah (House of Allah), suddenly the path in front of me cleared up from the Holy gate right up till the stone, I went straight all way on the completely empty path and kissed the stone for as long as I wanted. Never thought during the Hajj season where millions of people gathered in the house of Allah, where thousands of people are doing Tawaff, I would manage to get a clear path to kiss Hajre Aswad but miraculously did. This was a divine miracle for me. I held Taqwa to not hurt anyone and the Kingdom of Allah came in my favour Alhamdulillah (all praise to Allah).
At Arafah, I felt weightlessness. My body floated. If people were unruly or harsh towards me I couldn't help but completely ignore and act with patience and complete tolerance. Not an ounce of revenge spurred from within. The most beautiful of women couldn't catch my attention.
On the night of Mozdalfah, I was tired and exhausted yet prayed through the night and recited Zikr of Allah.
At Jumera while stoning of the Shaytaan, with each pelting of the stone I felt I was shedding something from within (sins committed in the past). It added to more buoyancy in my state.
At Medinah, I begged Allah to veil my past sins from Prophet SWS for it would hurt him (SWS) so much.
At Riaz-ul-Jannah (area between the Mimbar and the sacred chamber of Prophet Muhammad SWS in Masjid al Nabawi), known as the Garden of Paradise, I felt deeply the pain and agony of Prophet's (SWS) for his Ummah. A heavy burden like a mountain he carried in his heart. Nothing could make the Prophet SWS happier or relieved except those who strive to reduce his (SWS) pain for the Ummah. Only this can offer some relief.
In my heart, I felt a deep reverence and importance of my mother and left Madinah the next day. When I returned home in New Delhi, I felt extreme softness in my heart. As soon as the names of Allah and Prophet SWS came before me, tears would begin to flow. I was connected to a light from the sky. A physical “tube-light” like light attached to my heart and into the sky. It went with me everywhere I went. To me, it was the highest level of spirituality an ordinary human can experience. Nothing could go beyond this.
Remember, Eimaan is in the Gayeb (hidden secrets of Allah) and sometimes Allah opens this secret for the commons, brings it into the “unveiled”. In His Noor this may be little but is sufficient for a human to give up his life for the sake of His Lord. The light stayed with me 14 to 15 days. I felt no desire (khawaish) to fulfill and very little of me was left for this Dunya. I could continue to live like this with bare minimum necessities.
This was the experience of an ordinary man who Allah blessed with the Noor of Eimaan, Noor of Enlightenment (Hidayah), only the fortunate few experience in their lives. In this lies the truth of Islam I wish more people to understand and propagate.
Another thing I forgot to mention—When I reached at Nizamuddin (during summers) it was mango season, I wanted to have mangoes but I didn't eat it on my own. I asked my Shaykh (Guru), “can I have some mangoes?” He said you can have. Point being I didn't want to fulfill my desires without taking permission from my Shaykh. Highest level of obedience developed in my heart and mind. This might be an extreme step for many but it uncovers another type of thinking process. When you completely hand over yourself to your Shaykh, Shyataan will not get a chance to deceive you. Otherwise your own self-oriented thoughts get influenced by Nafs and Shytaan and might destroy, therefore always act with professional guidance (Mashwara).
MY EXPERIENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
My first spiritual enlightenment experience was in 1985, Nizamuddin Markaz around 2.30pm when my spiritual father Hazrat Maulana Yaqoob Sahab R.A. strictly commanded me to say "Oh Allah! Can live life without anything but cannot live without You". The moment said these words, a bright radiant light as the moon penetrated my heart. It happened unusually on that afternoon. It was a powerful and emotional moment and enlightened my heart, felt complete Peace, Noor and happiness. Tears started falling from my eyes with the love of Allah. Another experience of spiritual Enlightenment was in Makkah (1989) during my Hajj. Allah SWT enlightened my heart and truly made me understand what Islam and spirituality actually is. My heart, mind and intellect was so enlightened that could pray for 40 years at ago. On the day of Arafat my body's weight feel like Zero grams, was floating. Perhaps it was because my sins were forgiven. Many more divine things happened.
When I returned to Nizamuddin, Delhi, I experienced a Divine Light (Noor) and my heart was fully connected to the Sky which was fully visible. I could see that light all the time and was fully discernible. A tube-light like light shining and connected to the sky. Lt nearly lasted 15 days. The Noor (light) was always with me. Everywhere I went it was with me. Whether I was eating, walking, sleeping or even going to the market. After 15 days it disappeared. The feeling of Noor is different but seeing the Noor continuously was a different experience. I felt utmost peace! Tears would often roll down my eyes. My heart was beautified with softness, kindness and humility. Whenever I recited the name of Allah and Prophet SWS, I would find myself in tears. Difficult to hold back.
In 1985, Allah enlightened my heart. 1986 during the time of Hajj, my Shaykh Mursheed Hazrat Maulana Inamul Hasan Sahab Rahmatullah Alaehe (R.A.) was going for Hajj too so I went to meet him to ask his blessings and Dua. I went straight to his room at Nizamuddin Markaz and requested him for Duas. He was in a Jalal frame of mind (highly charged spiritual and fiery mood), with great emphasis and intensity he said "Of course I will". It felt piercing.
It wasn't weeks before I was kidnapped at gunpoint by Sikh militants under my rented residence at Kailash Colony, New Delhi. My life took a new turn. Situations as these one cannot fathom beforehand or even express well in writing, the fear, trauma, every emotion associated with it. It was beyond frightening and traumatic.
Over six months I suffered this trauma. Any militant killed in an encounter, the police would take me to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to identify the militant - "was he who kidnapped you?" Goes without saying it was difficult to identify militants as it was dark when the incident happened and I was with them for a short span of time in a remote and isolated place.
Anyway I came to Nizamuddin Markaz to meet all top Ulemas and seek their Dua's. When I met with Hazrat Maulana Ibrahim Sahab, with loving grace he said, "go in the path of Allah for Tabligh". An Indian Railways Jamaat, headed by Hazrat Yusuf Sahab R.A (Emir of Jamaat) was going towards Madras for 40 days, I joined them. Here I met with Mohammad Arif Sahab who later became one of my best friends and continues to till date.
About the Emir — Hazrat Yusuf Sahab Rahmatullah Alaihe — I wish to mention, in total I may have spent over 320 days in his company over several Jamaats and not a single flaw and shortcoming in his life came before me. I travelled with him, ate with him, sat with him, discussed many complicated issues concerning my family life, present issues of the time etc. but never saw a glimpse of anything unpleasant thing in his manners, demeanour or character. Almost as a flawless human being he went through life. An exemplary man by all standards, par excellence. A true Syed (from the descendants of Prophet SWS), a model character of man and a reflection of the Prophet SWS. May Allah bless his soul.
The trauma from my kidnapping stayed on. I began to suffer with what's called "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" (PTSD). Any time I would cross paths with any Sikh gentleman, my heart began to shiver with palpitations, often it was so severe, if I would go out to see a patient and crossed paths with a Sikh gentleman, I would straight away return home without seeing the patient.
Madras was a breath of fresh air for me. I wouldn't come across a single Sikh throughout my stay. However the moment I returned to Delhi, at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station I crossed a Sikh and was overwhelmed with all the emotions again, lasting a few days. This is what a disease of the heart looks like.
At Nizamuddin Markaz, Hazrat Maulana Ahmed Lat Sahab took me to meet Hazrat Maulana Inamul Hasan Sahab R.A. In that moment he made Dua for me, the fear and palpitations were lifted from my heart and were gone before I even exited his room. I knew I had to surrender my life at his feet. May Allah reward him with countless Blessings in his grave.
Over the years I was deeply attached to the work of Dawah and Mashaikhs at Nizamuddin, notably Hazrat Maulana Yakoob Sahab Rahmatullah Alaihe who took me under his wing, treated me as a son and cared for me until his death. May Allah bless him immensely. My spiritual journey in many ways began from this incident.