[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Muntakhab al-tawārīkh](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh) › [Muntakhabu-t-tawarikh (Ranking, Lowe, Haig)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-ranking-lowe-haig) › 143 # Muntakhab al-tawarikh 143: XXIV. SHAIKH ABU-'L-MA'ALI. Muntakhabu-t-tawārīkh (Ranking, Lowe, Haig) 143 - **Language:** English ### XXIV. SHAIKH ABU-'L-MA'ALI. ### [143.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-ranking-lowe-haig.143.1) He is the nephew, the son-in-law and the spiritual successor of his holiness the true spiritual guide, the abode of saintship, him who is seated in the chair of unity, lord of the sword of might and the troop of power of the Eternal One, the manifestation of the perfections of Muhammad, Miyan Shaikh Da’ud (may God sanctify his soul!). He is, in the swift pursuit of righteousness, the phoenix of the age, a pattern in all states and assemblies of holy poverty and self-effacement. If mention be made of those favoured by God it is his name which is most appropriately mentioned, and if the talk be of those who excel their fellows it is his name which is first spoken. He is a man of lofty soul who has completely effaced himself in the love which he bears to his spiritual guide, a man of noble mind who knows no other occupation than the adoration of his saintly preceptor. He has himself written verses to that purport:— Couplets. “I am ever inebriated with the cup of love; What should I know of 'this' and 'that'— I who worship Da’ud? “How can this frozen heart be warmed by the speech of all? Nay, it requires the breath of Da’ud, which can soften even iron.” ### [143.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-ranking-lowe-haig.143.2) Ghirbatī speaks in his religious ecstasy, An ecstasy which is indeed altercation without speech. It were impossible to describe the condition of his love, Yet to refrain from doing so is another impossibility. Ghirbatī! Make thy life a sacrifice to Him, For the felicity of union with Him is not bestowed as a worthless gift. Keep the mention of love in thine heart, and open not thy lips: Keep the mouth of this flask well closed, lest (cold) air should enter it. Ghirbatī! Raise the cry of 'I am God!' and fear not the stake, For rope and stake are the means of ascent in this path. That which we have seen and known of that Soul of Souls (We learnt) not to repeat, but to see and to know. The following copy of a letter is one of his wonderful epistles which he sent to me in Lahor:— Verses ### [143.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-ranking-lowe-haig.143.3) I increased my desire and my heart is in grief, And within my bowels a fire is kindled. When will the absent return from their long journey? \* \* \* \* “My dear one, — At this time of dejection in my separation from every friend and stranger I had come to regard the news even of those who asked after the well-being of all as a letter-carrier and messenger, and used to hope for greetings and a message, when suddenly your affectionate letter took the place of a prescription for the restoration to health of those cast down with melancholy at separation from their friends, and redoubled my desire to see you, and my affection. Now the verses of that holy man of the Qadiri order, the seething of whose waves of eloquence astonishes and bewilders the soul, expel the anguish of my heart, and I beg that you will excuse me (for quoting them) : — ### [143.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-ranking-lowe-haig.143.4) Ho, ye (who hearken) ! I wonder at all men. And in my drunkenness I see neither that which is before me nor that which is behind. And there is nothing, I swear by God, in my bowels but desire for you, My heart seeth you, as though I saw from your eyes. From my grave whisper in the ears of my absent friends That they are the objects of my regard both in life and death. When Munkir and Nakir shall come to me I shall answer to Nakir at the time of his coming, and to Munkir. And will say ‘Question not me, but another concerning them, for I am verily their friend, And the bond of my love for them has suffered no change. We all convey salutations to all of you. Written by the humble Abu-’l-Ma‘ali.” And in another letter he wrote the following couplet — “As for that dear one who nightly moveth near me. Blest will be the day when he appears clearly before me.” "Salutations blended with the desire of seeing you and flaunted like the banner of the Da'udiyyah branch of the Qadiriyyah order are sent to you. Know that your friend has important business with Maulana 'Abdu-'l-Ghafur and Shaikh 'Umar, which can be settled by a moment's attention from you. If you can spare any of your precious time to bring it about it will, in truth, be most fruitful in benefits. My blessing." --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-ranking-lowe-haig.143](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-ranking-lowe-haig.143) · Pramāṇa