Hadhrat Sirri Saqti رضي الله عنه

Hadhrat Sirri Saqti ‎رضي الله عنه

Hazrat Sirri Saqti ‎رضي الله عنه was a Tab’a Tab’ieen (i.e. he had met those who had met the Sahaabas رضي الله عنه , ie companions of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم

He was the Mureed (Disciple) and Khalifa (successor) of Hazrat Maroof Karkhi رضي الله عنه

He was also the Murshid (Master) of the famous saint Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi رضي الله عنه

Kindness
Hazrat Sirri Saqti was the Imam (Leader) of the Ahle Tasawwuf (people of gnosis) and he possessed in-depth knowledge of religion and spirituality. Despite his stature and knowledge, he was blessed with extreme kindness.

Hazrat Bishr Haafi (May God be pleased with him) said, "I never used to ask for anything from anyone but Hazrat Sirri Saqti (May God be pleased with him), as I was very well aware of his piety and I knew that he was always happy to give."

Worship and Striving
Hazrat Sirri Saqti performed one thousand Rakats nafil salaah (prayer cycles) daily.

Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (May God be pleased with him) says, "I have never seen a more greater Aabid (worshipper) and Zaahid (striver) than him, and I have not seen this in anyone else, that even until the age of 98, the only time I saw him rest, was at the time of his demise."

Practice
Once some of Hazrat Sirri Saqti’s devotees asked him to explain the reality of Sabr (patience). He began to deliver a lecture on the topic. Whilst he was speaking, a scorpion began to sting him on his feet. Despite this, he continued delivering his lecture unmoved. Those, present said, "Sir! Kill the scorpion and move it away." On hearing this, he said, "How can I behave contrary to that which I am preaching.”

Once Hazrat Sirri Saqti said "Thirty years have passed now, and I am still making tauba (repentance) because of one thing that I made shukr (thanks) for." People asked what he meant, and he said, "Once there was a fire in the market place and all the shops burnt down except mine. When I was informed of this, I made shukr (thanked God). I then decided to make tauba (repentance), since by thanking God that my shop was saved, I felt I was better than my other brothers and that I was pleased that a worldly possession was saved."

Changing Lives

Once Hazrat Sirri Saqti رضي الله عنه saw a drunk person lying on the ground, calling the name of God. Hazrat washed his mouth and said, "He does not know that he is taking the most exalted name with his impure mouth."

After he left, the drunken man became sober. Those that were present told him what had happened while he was intoxicated. He was very embarrassed, and he began to curse his nafs (ego) and weep bitterly.
He said, "O Shameless nafs! Sirri Saqti has now seen you in this sad state, and he too left. Now fear God and repent."
That night, Hazrat Sirri Saqti (May God be pleased with him) heard a voice from the unseen which said, "You washed his mouth for my sake, and I have washed his heart for your sake."
When Hazrat went to the mosque for late night prayers, he found the once drunk man, now in the mosque reading his prayers.
Hazrat asked how the sudden change had occurred in him, and he said, "Why do you ask me concerning this, when God has already informed you about it."