8. removes love of worldly wealth from the heart

9. assists one in working for the Hereafter

10. cleanses the heart of spiritual rust

11. teaches love for the friends of Allah Almighty

12. becomes a means of salvation in both worlds

13. beautifies one’s worldly and spiritual life

14. makes one truly love the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

15. creates deep concern for the religion

16. and helps one cross the Ṣirāṭ on the Day of Judgement.

O those who love Khawājah Gharīb Nawāz! We have heard the blessings of serving one’s murshid. Now, let us listen to how our pious predecessors demonstrated this devotion in their lives.

Sayyidunā Mujaddid Alf Thānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه and his Murshid

Mujaddid Alf Thānīرَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه  displayed extraordinary respect and humility for his murshid, Muḥammad Bāqī Billāh al-Naqshbandī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, who also held him in great esteem.

Once, Mujaddid Alf Thānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was sleeping on a couch in his chamber when his murshid, Shaykh Bāqī Billāh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه arrived alone, like any other dervish. An attendant wished to awaken Mujaddid Alf Thānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, but the shaykh forbade him, and waited outside until he woke up.

After a while, Mujaddid Alf Thānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه awoke, and upon hearing movement outside, asked, “Who is there?” Shaykh Bāqī Billāh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه replied, “It is the faqīr, Muḥammad Bāqī.” The moment Mujaddid Alf Thānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه heard his shaykh’s voice, he leapt from the couch, hurried outside, and sat before his murshid with deep humility and respect.^[1]