An open letter from Shaykh Hisham Kabbani to all Haqqani Naqshbandi mureeds with respect to everyone
Bismillahir Rahmani Raheem
Dear Lovers of His Eminence Mawlana Shaykh Nazim,
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatallahi wa barakatuhu,
We write this letter to extend our hand to those who seek to harm us, and in doing so to fulfill the intent of the verse: Fa man ‘afa wa aslaha fa-ajruhu ‘ala Allah, “If a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah (42:40).”
We come forward with this statement to fulfill the requirement of this holy verse, which is one that Grandshaykh Sultan al-Awliya Abdullah al-Faiz ad-Daghestani recited repeatedly in his suhbats. We also follow what Mawlana Shaykh Nazim has stated personally on this issue. This decision was taken based on the hadith where Prophet (s) said, Al-fitnatu naimatun, la’na Allahu man ayqazhaha, -- “Confusion, dissension and trouble are sleeping. Allah curses the one who awakens it.”
Sadly, an utterly despicable and vile level of fitna was initiated by some followers of Shaykh Abdul Karim (Aydogan) and Ahmed Rafiuddin and others, which caused damage to the tariqa from within. The intention of those who brought up this confusion seems nothing less than to separate and divide the tariqa; we see the severe damage this fitna has already caused and believe if it continues, will escalate further.
We humbly ask all lovers of His Eminence Mawlana Shayhkh Nazim (Q) and His Eminence Mawlana Shaykh Hisham (Q) to stop engaging in this distasteful, harmful fitna immediately. Allah (swt) said in the Holy Quran:
Wa laa yaghtab ba’adukum ba’ada. Ayuhibbu ahadukum an ya’kula lahma akhihi maitan fakarihtumuh?
“Neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate that (so hate the other!) (49:12).”
And Allah (swt) said:
Yaa ayyuha alladheena aamanu in jaa’akum faasiqun bi-naba’in fatabayyanu an tuseebu qawman bi-jahaalatin fa-tusbihu ‘alaa ma fa’altum naadimeen.
“Oh ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of regret for what ye have done. (49:6)”
We urge those who read this not to misunderstand the message: we send this not out of weakness, but out of respect and love for His Eminence Mawlana Shaykh Nazim (Q), to contain this growing fitna. Those who spread it should know they are playing with fire. In the end, they will regret that they were heedless of the fire which will come back on them. We no longer want to be part of this awful dissension which occurred many times in history, even in the time of the Sahaba.
We take this opportunity to remind all those on our esteemed path, the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Tariqa, what H.E. Mawlana Shaykh Hisham has done for this tariqa, with the Baraka of H.E. Mawlana Shaykh Nazim:
* From 1990, the time he came to America by order of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, Shaykh Hisham has traveled around the world tirelessly spreading the message of Islam and tariqa to people of all walks of life, including statesmen and world leaders.
* He hosted Mawlana Shaykh Nazim in America on five different occasions (1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2000), despite his refusal to come in the past. Shaykh Hisham took Mawlana Shaykh Nazim around the country and even to Alaska, where they met with tens of thousands of Muslims and non-Muslims.
· In 1998, he arranged for Mawlana Shaykh Nazim to address US Congressmen and Senators about Islam and tasawwuf on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
· He took Mawlana Shaykh Nazim all over the world and made certain he was hosted with utmost respect and dignity he deserves. He arranged trips to South Africa and southern Russia, and in a world tour, to Uzbekistan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
· With Mawlana Shaykh Nazim’s baraka and by his order, Shaykh Hisham stood for haqq in the US since 1991, single-handedly taking on the Wahhabi ideology that permeated the mosques in America with their false interpretations of Islam. He brought back tariqa, the practice of Mawlid an-Nabi, tasawwuf – the essence of classical Islam, through his lectures, books, internet debates, conferences and magazine publication.
· In 1991, Shaykh Hisham engaged in a widely publicized debate on the existence of tasawwuf and defeated the Wahhabi, Muhammad Adly, who was supported by Rabitat al’Alam al-Islami [The Muslim World League]. This was at a time when people were silenced by the Wahhabi’s aggressive campaigns, and no one had the courage to stand forth against their hegemony. He stood forth with Allah and His Prophet’s support and the support of our master, Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, Sultan al-Awliya. This was done via internet at a time when it was just emerging as its own medium.
· Shaykh Hisham organized two large Islamic conferences attended by esteemed and respected dignitaries and ulama from every corner of the Muslim world. The first one in Los Angeles, CA, (1996) featured 157 speakers and was attended by an estimated 10,000 people. The second one was in Washington, DC (1998) and featured over 200 speakers with an estimated attendance of 8,000 people. He worked very hard to put Mawlana Shaykh Nazim on the highest podium possible, and give him maximum exposure in order for his light and his message to be heard far and wide.
· He established The Muslim Magazine, a prestigious and acclaimed Muslim periodical which changed the face of Muslim publishing in America. Known for its voice of moderation (in a time of growing extremism), the magazine featured religious writings and rulings by eminently qualified scholars and theologians, as well as profiles of the great luminaries from whom we have inherited our understanding of Islam.
· In the last two decades, Shaykh Hisham has met with and explained to world leaders, the classical teachings of Islam and Sufism, making his mark most prominently in his exemplary behavior. From his countenance alone he exudes the tolerance, moderation and universal values of the faith whose name he works tirelessly to preserve. Long before it was “popular” to do so, he expressed grave concern about the growing Wahhabi influence and its growing radicalization around the world. He warned country after country about the threat of Islamists, Wahhabis and extremists, and very specifically against the threat of Bin Laden. In doing so, he exposed himself, his family and his organizational staff to threats from many different people and organizations. Despite this, he continued to work without pause and rest, in keeping with the example of our master, Mawlana Shaykh Nazim.
· Shaykh Hisham has published over thirty books in which Mawlana Shaykh Nazim’s teachings are available in bookstores and online throughout the world. Included in these is his Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine, which has proved a powerful and vital resource to those fighting Wahhabi hegemony.
· He began the Sufilive Internet channel, which broadcasts all trips around the world, and for one year now, has broadcast Mawlana Shaykh Nazim’s live suhbats from Cyprus with simultaneous translations in 8 to 12 languages. Due to this priceless channel, Mawlana Shaykh’s teachings are widespread and easily accessible to any seeker of truth.
· In addition to the above, he has also developed countless websites disseminating knowledge about the Naqshbandi Tariqa, tasawwuf, Sharia, and charitable works on behalf of the Ummah of Islam. In promoting the message of peace in every moment of his life, Shaykh Hisham has been an ambassador on behalf of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, passing letters of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim to top leaders all around the world.
It is self-evident that Mawlana Shaykh Hisham has worked tirelessly for over two decades, spreading the light, love and message of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim in every instance he can, all with the blessing and support of Mawlana Shaykh. We ask all of those who provoke the fitna at this time, if any one accomplished what Mawlana Shaykh Hisham has accomplished? Some of you were not even born yet. We feel obliged to state this as a matter of fact, and without pride nor arrogance, astaghfirallah. With all due respect, we challenge any one of Mawlana Shakyh Nazim’s “mureeds” to ask them what they did in this regard?
Despite all of these accomplishments, whose value is apparent even to the blindest of foes, the enemies of tariqah tried their best to stop us, but have been unable to do so due to Mawlana Shaykh Nazim’s unwavering support.
Sadly today, the greatest enemies of tariqah are no longer those outside it, but are those who from within its hallowed confines are trying to use divide-and-conquer tactics to cause divisions within, using various websites from which to launch their attacks and not hesitating to make up the greatest lies.
As a result, it is our duty to respond in order to keep this tariqah united under Mawlana Shaykh Nazim’s leadership.
By Mawlana's advice, and with respect to all of you, both those with us and those who oppose us, and with respect to what you represent, we the Naqshbandi-Haqqani SufiStudents of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, state that we consider all representatives to be working for Mawlana Shaykh Nazim. It is only out of love and respect to MawlanaShaykh Nazim that we withhold from responding. Do not wrongly assume it is due to weakness that we have not replied. It is not because we cannot respond to those who attack us that we hold back. It is only to avoid further splitting this tariqah that we desist.
Shaykh Hisham asks personally all those who love Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, regardless of their stance, to cease posting derogatory attacks and to stop all dissension-causing emails, comments, or any sort of posts that might fan conflict. To all those who care to accept this advice, he requests they stop responding to any attacks on his character or the characters of any of his representatives.
We sought to restrain many people who asked to respond to the many inflammatory attacks, because we don't want to fuel the confusion. This is our declaration. Whoever likes may adhere to this recommendation. To those who refuse to do so, and persist in wrongdoing and dissension, we will not respond. Everyone will be responsible for whatever they post on the Internet. They will be responsible in this life and they will beresponsible in the hereafter. Unfortunately, we cannot control everyone, who out ofemotion and love to Shaykh Hisham, sends a response, but this is our position.
May Allah give long life to Mawlana Shaykh Nazim and to his family and to his grandchildren and to all his followers.
Thank you very much. Wallahu al-Muwaffiq, “Allah is the Granter of Success.” We hope this message reaches everyone and they take it according to its sincere intent and with the best understanding.
It is better to be united against Shaytan and devils than to be opposing the followers of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim. With all our respect to each and every mureed and with no bad feelings against any representative, we say, may Allah forgive you and us.
We conclude by encouraging all to do your best in the name of tariqah and Mawlana Shaykh Nazim. Do not seek to fragment this tariqah into thousands of pieces for no reason. Be happy with whom you like of different representatives, and work with whom you like, as our final objective is to work for the benefit of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim and this Most Distinguished tariqah.
Finally, we wish to say that Shaykh Hisham is not seeking khilafa and we ask that Allah subhan wa-taala give Mawlana Shaykh Nazim long life and health so that this tariqah willmove directly from his hand to the hand of Mahdi (as), who is from the grandchildren of Prophet (s) and has been foretold will appear in the Last Days with heavenly support to bring about peace on earth.
In conclusion, we say peace be on all of you and we state:
Fashhad Allahuma anni qad ballaghtu – “O Allah, You are my witness that I have made this declaration.” Whoever likes to be khalifa, it is not a problem for us. Whoever wants to be representative, it is not a problem for us. Everyone is free to be whatever he likes, and this is not a problem for us. Rather, let each work from his side while others work from their side and let all our work be for one, for Mawlana Shaykh Nazim (Q).
With this declaration, Shaykh Hisham extends his hand, not as the first one to extend his hand, but considering that all extend their hand towards each other at the same time in order to fulfill the discipline and teaching of this most distinguished Naqshbandi Tariqah, under our master Mawlana Shaykh Nazim.
From SufiLive Administration
On behalf of our beloved Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani