Respected Gentlemen!
In the universe, Allah the Exalted sent noble Prophets from time to time for the guidance of humanity, and with the advent of the Last Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ, He completed the chain of prophethood. After him, in the light of his outward and inward teachings, the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Imams of those who had attained union, and the perfect leaders began, who carried out the responsibility of guiding and reforming the Muslim Ummah.
After that, the era of sainthood began, which continues to this day. In every age, Allah Almighty appoints some of His servants for the guidance, reform, and leadership of the Ummah, who, through their outward and inward spiritual authority, reform the misguided people of the Ummah.
In the initial stages, most of these servants detach themselves from the world and, in order to establish a connection with their true Lord, go to forests and secluded places for worship, spiritual exercises, and struggles, so that no worldly activity may become an obstacle in their path. Some of them devote their entire lives to this pursuit, while some special servants, after attaining spiritual completion, are appointed by Allah Almighty in cities to convey outward and inward spiritual grace to the creation of God.
When a perfected servant of God, after completion, casts a perfect spiritual glance upon a seeker, his destiny is changed. Among these servants of Allah is also His Eminence Syedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi (may Allah grant him exalted longevity), the Patron-in-Chief of Anjuman Sarfroshan-e-Islam (1975) Registered Pakistan.
He spent a major portion of his life in forests for the attainment and completion of spirituality, and when he was appointed to convey spiritual grace to the creation of God, within a short period not only did a revolution occur in the lives of countless men and women, but through a single dervish-like perfected glance, spiritually dead hearts were revived and set into continuous remembrance of Allah.
Hazrat Syedna Riaz Ahmad Gohar Shahi r.a wrote several books during his lifetime, which were based on Sufism and esotericism.
Allah SWT has descended prophets to guide the path of righteousness, ending the chain of Prophethood with the manifestation of the last Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH). The time of Khūlafā’-e rāshidīn’, Imām΄-ul vā’silīn, and mūq’tadā-e kā’milīn began, followed by the time of sainthood. Allah SWT has deputied certain people for guidance, reforming misguided people through their apparent and inner authorities. Some people spent their lives in jungles to establish a concern with Allah SWT, and some were appointed as perfect spiritual guides upon completion of their sainthood. His Majesty Syedina Riaz Ahmad Gohar Shahi, the first rated guardian of Anjuman Sarfroshan-e Islam Pakistan, is one such person who has revolutionized the lives of many and revived the dead Quloob with his remembrance of Allah SWT.
The youth class has become unacquainted with religion, leading to denial of spiritualism, enmity towards religious savants, and distrust of spiritual guides. This is not due to the youth’s lack of observation of the luminosity among spiritual guides and the stories and miracles they study. There are 360 friends of Allah who serve humanity, contributing to the flourishing state of the world. Thousands of believers in spiritualism are present, but the formula is not widespread. To recognize these particularities and make the formula common, a chain of preaching and spiritualism has been initiated to recognize these particularities and make it common. May Allah help and support this effort.
This book is a collection of experiences from hundreds of people, revealing insights such as observations of objects, contemplation of heart, spirit, and soul, as well as encounters with jinn and spirits that ignite hearts with remembrance of Allah. Through research in the Holy Quran, prophetic traditions, and writings by saints, an organization was founded in 1980 to spread the teachings of this esoteric divine doctrine and spiritual benevolence.
This clarification is issued to clearly explain certain concerns that were raised about some writings of Syedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi (RA).
It is on record that a few passages in his books — Rohani Safar (The Spiritual Journey), Minarat-un-Noor, Roshnaas, and Tiryaq-e-Qalb — were questioned by scholars of Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamaat.
These concerns were taken seriously and handled with sincerity and responsibility. As a result, a consultative meeting was held on 26 October 1991 in the presence of respected scholars and responsible representatives, including Maulana Mufti Ahmed Mian Barkati, Maulana Qari Abdul Rashid Noori, Mr. Arif Memon (Central President Anjuman Sarfroshan-e-Islam Pakistan) and Mr. Wasi Muhammad Qureshi (Central Secretary-General).
The meeting was conducted under the supervision of Maulana Saeed Ahmed Asad Faisalabadi (Central Convener, Pakistan Sunni Ittehad).
Following this consultation, all passages that had raised objections were corrected and amended.
It was also agreed that if, in the future, any passage in these writings causes doubt or needs clarification, guidance will be sought directly from Maulana Saeed Ahmed Asad Faisalabadi, so that all material remains in line with the established beliefs of Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamaat.
All decisions made in this regard were properly documented, and the relevant records are available for verification. This clarification is shared in the spirit of transparency and understanding, with the aim of removing misunderstandings and promoting unity and harmony within the Ummah.
Official Clarification Regarding the Writings of Syedna Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi (RA)
There held a discussion on “Heavenly Illumination, Minart of Light and An Account of Access to Spiritualism” between the savants of Ahl-e Sunnat (namely) Maulana Mufti Ahmad Mian Barkati, Hazrat Maulana Qari Abdul Rashid Noori and Mr. Muhammad Arif Maimon the central president of Anjuman Sarfaroshan-e Islam and Mr. Wasi Muhammad Qureshi the central nazm-e Aala in the presence of Maulana Muhammad Saeed Ahmad Asad the central convener of “Pakistan Sunni Itehad” at Gari Khata Hyderabad today dated 26th October1991 at 11:00 PM night. The mutual consultation resulted that the following phrases will be altered item wise.
No. 1 “They were involved in several bid’at (heresy) even in the sainthood.” (An Account of Access to Spiritualism, Page no. 20). This phrase will be written like this……
“Their sainthood was admitted (true) but some activities against the (rules of) Sharī΄at (Islamic Law) were observed among them.”
No. 2 Some of the Muslims believe in Sheikh Sanaan while the others believe in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as “Prophet”. (Heavenly Illumination, Page no.10). This phrase will be written like this……
Some human beings believe in Sheikh Sanaan while the others believe in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as “Prophet”.
No. 3 or had altered the creed, they had fell into severe seduction. (Heavenly Illumination, Page no.10) This phrase will be written like this……
“or had altered the creed, they had become infidel.”
No. 4 Had come under certain effects of Mirzayat (those who follow the teaching of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad) and Wahabiyat (those who don’t believe in sainthood). (An Account of Access to Spiritualism, Page no. 7). This phrase will have addition of these words……
Had come under certain effects of Mirzayat and Wahabiyat. Thanks to Allah SWT, “those effects have gone now”.
No. 5 Naf΄s (self) stirred up…… As the instigation of Naf΄s (self) had come to an end that is why there announced by you, “thanks to Allah SWT that there will be one amongst my progeny who will hold this status.” (Heavenly Illumination, Page no.9) This phrase will be eliminated……
No. 6 “and through saliva…… (it) began to strengthen your Naf΄s (self)”. (Heavenly Illumination, Page no.8) This phrase will be eliminated……
No. 7 “and the way without ablution…… Or either have got their waists slanted.” (Heavenly Illumination, Page no.6) Following words will be written after eliminating this phrase……
“The Namaz (prayer) pleasures double in this way.”
No. 8 “One day when Adam A.S…… Iblīs´ (Satan) said, “Now live live, that I wanted” (Minart of Light, Page no. 7-8) This whole phrase will be eliminated.
It has also been decided that: one should contact to Maulana Saeed Ahmad Asad Sahib of Faisalabad, if some body finds any phrase suspicious. By the grace of Allah SWT it will be solved (answered) with reference to Qur’ān´ and sunnah. The scholars of Ahl-e Sunnat and Anjuman Sarfaroshan-e Islam will keep mutual love and will defend together the Maslak (conduct-school of thought) Ahl-e sunnat and Jmaat (association).
The religions that exist as a result of the Heavenly Books are proper as long as the Scriptures have not been altered.
Religions are like boats and Scholars are like oars, if either one is defective then it becomes difficult to reach the destination.
However Saints do take even the damaged “boats” (people) to the shore. It is for this reason that incomplete and broken people gather around Saints.
The love of God is superior to religion and it is the essence of all religions. Whereas the light of God is the guiding and illuminating lantern of the path.
There are four parts of knowledge. Three parts are of the apparent, the “seen” and one part is of the hidden, (the spiritual) which was spread by Khidr (Vishnu Maharaj).
It is only the love of God that is the way to getting closer to God. The Dogs are better than an individual’s heart that is empty of God, as dogs love their master and it is because of that love that they achieve the closeness and favour of their master. Otherwise an “unclean” dog and a divinely ordained human being cannot be compared.
If you desire paradise, the pure maidens and palaces in it then worship abundantly: so as to reach the highest of heavens.
If you are searching for God then you must learn spirituality also, so that whilst remaining on the straight and guided path you arrive at the essence of God and achieve the union with God.
R.A.Gohar Shahi