Publisher's Preface

پیش لفظ

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, and blessings and salutations upon the Master of all Messengers and Prophets, and upon his family and companions, all of them.

This treatise — Thamarat al-Makkiyyah — is among the distinguished works of Shaykh al-Mashaikh, the guide of the wayfarers, Hazrat Maulana Shah Muhammad Rafi' al-Din Faruqi Qandhari (may Allah sanctify his secret). It was composed in the blessed city of Mecca al-Mukarramah in the month of Muharram 1198 AH, during a state between full wakefulness and gentle sleep (the state between wakefulness and drowsiness), at the noble station of Hijr Isma'il near the Ka'ba.

The original text was in the Persian language. Later, it was translated into Urdu by the noble Hazrat Taj al-Qurra' (may Allah sanctify his secret). The authenticity of this text has been verified by Hazrat Mir Shuja' al-Din Husayn, who wrote in his own blessed hand: 'This is among the compositions of my master and spiritual guide Hazrat Maulana Shah Muhammad Rafi' al-Din al-Qandahari.'

The book contains the essential disciplines (ashghal) and practices ('amaliyyat) of the exalted Qadiri order. It comprises a Muqaddimah (introduction), three Abwab (chapters), and a Khatimah (conclusion). The Muqaddimah treats the essentials of bay'ah (the covenant of initiation). The first chapter treats the branches of the order — the dhikr practices. The second chapter treats the principles of spiritual wayfaring (suluk) in the order. The third chapter concerns the Silsilah (chain of transmission) — the genealogies of the mashaykh of this order. The conclusion presents certain benefits and summary points of the suluk of the order.

We, the descendants of Hazrat Taj al-Qurra', with sincerity and dedication, have undertaken the publication of this blessed work. The computer typesetting was completed by our son Salman Faruqi. We pray to Allah Most High that He accepts this humble service and grants benefit to all readers through it.

Written by: Shah Muhammad Qayam al-Din Muhsin Faruqi al-Qadiri (son of Hazrat Taj al-Qurra').

11 Rabi' al-Akhir 1426 AH / 20 May 2005.