Translator's Note

“Fuqara” is plural of “Faqeer” and the root word is “Faqr”. In the Holy Quran, it is mentioned,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنتُمُ الْفُقَرَاءُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ

“O Humanity! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah alone is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.” (35:15)

The English word for Faqeer is Ascetic or Mystic. However, the term Faqeer has more specific connotation in Islamic literature, where the term refers to a spiritual seeker or a dervish who has renounced worldly desires to focus on their spiritual growth and journey towards God. They are constantly seeking nearness to Allah (SWT).

Other possible words for Faqeer include: Sufi, Dervish, Mystic, Ascetic, Hermit, Saint etc.

The term “Faqeer” has a profound spiritual and cultural meaning in Islamic tradition. Faqr is the way of ardent Divine Love. اَلۡفَقۡرُ فَخۡرِیۡ  (Faqr is my Pride) is a statement attributed to the Holy Prophet (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam). Faqeer is the one who despite having all the luxuries of worldly life, is constantly engrossed in the thoughts of Allah (SWT) and always seeing the pleasure of Allah (SWT) in his dealings and actions. He sacrifices his free will, and all of his possessions for the sake of Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam), following the example of Hazrat AbuBakr Siddique (RA).

پروانے کو چراغ ہے بلبل کو پھول بس

صدیق کے لئے ہے خدا کا رسول بس

As a Moth sacrifices itself for a radiant lamp and a flower is sufficient for a nightingale, The Prophet of Allah (SAW) is sufficient for Hazrat Abubakr Siddique

(Allama Iqbal)

Faqr does not mean poverty and forgoing all the activities of life. It is in fact, striving for excellence in all walks of life and seeking the pleasure of Allah and his Apostle. It is derived from understanding the message of the Quran and following the footsteps of Hazrat Muhammad (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam).

Allama Muhammad Iqbal has emphasized the relationship between The Holy Quran and the Muslims:

گر تو می خواهی مسلمان زیستن

نیست ممکن جز به قرآن زیستن

If you want to live as a Muslim,

It’s impossible without living according to the Quran

(Allama Iqbal)

Faqr cannot be understood without contemplating the Holy Quran.

جز بقرآن ضیغمی روباہی است

فقر قرآں اصل اہنشاہی است

فقر قرآں اختلاط ذکر و فکر

فکر را کامل ندیدم جز بذکر

A sovereignty established, excluding Quranic principles, is deceitful and fraudulent

Quranic Faqr is the true sovereignty

Quranic Faqr is harmonious blend of Remembrance (of Allah) and Reflection (on the signs of Allah)

Reflection cannot be perfected without Remembrance of Allah

(Allama Iqbal)

In short, Faqr is a way of seeking pleasure of Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). It is following the footsteps of the Prophets, martyrs and the righteous.

طبع مسلم از محبت قاهر است

مسلم از عاشق نباشد کافر است

A Muslim acquires the power of conquest only through love.

If he is not a lover surely he is a kafir.

As a humble student of Islamic principles of Ihsan, I have translated this work of Hazrat Mohammed Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui (pen name: Hasrat) into the English language so that young Muslims in English speaking countries who are not familiar with Urdu, can get benefit from the Sheikh’s advice. May Allah forgive any shortcomings in this translation . I would like to thank my teachers, including Sheikh Mahmood Asadullah Siddiqui for helping me understand the importance of this work in my spiritual journey.

Muhammad A. Ghazi MD

Cary, North Carolina (August, 2024)