Name: Living with God · April 18, 2007 — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Uploaded: 2017-07-25
Duration: 59 min 4 s
Channel: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Description: Read the full transcript of “Living with God · April 18, 2007”, a lecture by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, with timestamps. Covers: Shift focus from creature to Creator.

0:10 al-rehman al-reheem, wa-sallallahu ala al-nabi al-kareem. الرحمن الرحیم، وصلی اللہ علی النبی الکریم.

0:21 rab-ishrah li sadri, wa-yassir li amri, wa-hlul uqdatan min lisani, yafqahu qawli. رب اشرح لی صدری، ویسر لی امری، واحل العقدۃ من لسانی، یفقہ قولی.

0:32 The theme for the present talk is "Living with God." The theme for the present talk is "Living with God."

0:43 Living with God is the highest state of living. Living with God is the highest state of living.

0:49 God is Lord of the universe. God is Lord of the universe.

0:55 God is the creator and sustainer. God is the creator and sustainer.

1:01 God is everything. God is everything.

1:07 God is the source of all kinds God is the source of all kinds

1:13 of goodness. of goodness.

1:23 So living with God means living with all kinds of goodness. So living with God means living with all kinds of goodness.

1:33 Living with God means living with beauty, living with Living with God means living with beauty, living with

1:43 eternity, living with universal peace, living with all kinds of happiness, living with all kinds of solace. eternity, living with universal peace, living with all kinds of happiness, living with all kinds of soulless.

2:00 So it is very important So it is very important

2:16 everyone should learn the art, everyone should learn this art, how to live with God. everyone should learn the art, everyone should learn this art, how to live with God.

2:26 It seems to be a difficult task, but it is not. It seems to be a difficult task, but it is not.

2:36 I can say that I can say that

2:46 living with God is the easiest task. Why? living with God is the easiest task. Why?

2:53 Because everyone is living with something. Because everyone is living with something.

2:59 It is nature. It is nature.

3:06 It is nature's urge to live with something. It is nature's urge to live with something.

3:12 For example, people live For example, people live

3:19 with their business. with their business.

3:25 Everyone lives with his children. Everyone lives with his children.

3:31 Everyone lives with his economic interest. Everyone lives with his economic interest.

3:37 So what is this? So what is this?

3:43 All these things in which people are living, that is creature. All these things in which people are living, that is creature.

3:49 So people are already living with creature. So people are already living with creature.

3:56 So what is required? So what is required?

4:02 Only to shift of focus. Only to shift of focus.

4:08 Shift your focus from creature to the creator, and you will be able to live with God. Shift your focus from creature to the creator, and you will be able to live with God.

4:14 Everyone is already living with creature, God's creation. Everyone is already living with creature, God's creation.

4:21 So it requires only shift of focus. So it requires only shift of focus.

4:27 Shift your focus with creature to creator, and then you will find then you will be able to Shift your focus with creature to creator, and then you will find then you will be able to

4:33 live with God. live with God.

4:39 So it is the easiest task. Easiest task. So it is the easiest task. Easiest task.

4:45 Let us take the example of sun Let us take the example of sun

4:51 and light. and light.

4:57 Everyone lives in sunlight. Everyone lives in sunlight.

5:03 Sunlight is a you know sunlight is a must for our life. Sunlight is a you know sunlight is a must for our life.

5:09 So everyone enjoys sunlight. So everyone enjoys sunlight.

5:15 Then if you know sunlight, if you enjoy sunlight, then it is very easy to know sun, Then if you know sunlight, if you enjoy sunlight, then it is very easy to know sun,

5:21 to discover sun, to live with sun. to discover sun, to live with sun.

5:28 So this is the case of God. So this is the case of God.

5:34 When you are living in creature, shift your focus and you will be able to live with God. When you are living in creature, shift your focus and you will be able to live with God.

5:40 So it is a very, very easy task. So it is a very, very easy task.

5:47 There is no difficulty at all. There is no difficulty at all.

5:53 Now I would like to give an example from the Prophet of Islam. Now I would like to give an example from the Prophet of Islam.

6:03 You know the Prophet started his mission in Makkah in 610 AD. You know the Prophet started his mission in Makkah in 610 AD.

6:13 Then after 13 years, he was compelled to leave Makkah. Then after 13 years, he was compelled to leave Makkah.

6:24 So he migrated from Makkah and settled in Medina. So he migrated from Makkah and settled in Medina.

6:30 It was a very, very difficult journey. It was a very, very difficult journey.

6:36 It was a 30-mile journey. It was a 30-mile journey.

6:42 And at that time, 30 miles was a very difficult journey. And at that time, 30 miles was a very difficult journey.

6:48 And the enemy of Makkah were chasing him, chasing him to find him and to And the enemy of Makkah were chasing him, chasing him to find him and to

6:54 kill him. kill him.

7:01 So he took refuge in a mountain. So he took refuge in a mountain.

7:09 That was Mount Thor. That was Mount Thor.

7:16 So he took refuge in a cave of Mount Thor. So he took refuge in a cave of Mount Thor.

7:24 At that time, when he was in this cave, Abu Bakr was with him. Only Abu Bakr was with him, no third person. So what happened? Abu Bakr Siddiq noticed that At that time, when he was in this cave, Abu Bakr was with him. Only Abu Bakr was with him, no third person. So what happened? Abu Bakr Siddiq noticed that

7:54 the enemy reached to the mouth of the cave. the enemy reached to the mouth of the cave.

8:02 They were helpless at that time. They were helpless at that time.

8:10 So Abu Bakr Siddiq said, "O Prophet, they reached here also." The Prophet said, "Innallaha maana, God is with us. So Abu Bakr Siddiq said, "O Prophet, they reached here also." The Prophet said, "Innallaha maana, God is with us.

8:19 God is with us." God is with us."

8:27 The same event is narrated in Hadith, and we find that at that time the Prophet also said The same event is narrated in Hadith, and we find that at that time the Prophet also said

8:37 that, "Ya Abu Bakr, maazannuka bisnain, Allahu salih suhuma." O Abu Bakr, although we are two, but we that, "Ya Abu Bakr, maazannuka bisnain, Allahu salih suhuma." O Abu Bakr, although we are two, but we

8:48 have also a third that is God Himself. have also a third that is God Himself.

8:58 So this was the experience of the Prophet. So this was the experience of the Prophet.

9:05 So what was the secret behind this? So what was the secret behind this?

9:13 Why did the Prophet say that God is with us, "Innallaha maana"? Why did the Prophet say that God is with us, "Innallaha maana"?

9:21 It was a miracle of It was a miracle of

9:28 it was not a miracle. It was a simple thing. I would like to give here an example to understand this point. You know when an astronaut reach it was not a miracle. It was a simple thing. I would like to give here an example to understand this point. You know when an astronaut reach

9:58 ed to the Moon and descended on the surface of the Moon, so when he returned from the ed to the Moon and descended on the surface of the Moon, so when he returned from the

10:08 Moon, he said in an interview that, "At that time, when I was alone on the surface of Moon, he said in an interview that, "At that time, when I was alone on the surface of

10:18 the Moon, completely unknown, so in that loneliness, I experienced the Moon, completely unknown, so in that loneliness, I experienced

10:28 a very unique thing." He said that, "I felt the presence of God. a very unique thing." He said that, "I felt the presence of God.

10:39 I felt the presence of God." So what was this experience and why was this experience? I felt the presence of God." So what was this experience and why was this experience?

10:49 The secret behind this was that The secret behind this was that

10:59 at that time everything was reduced to Him. at that time everything was reduced to Him.

11:03 Everything became absent to Him. Everything became absent to Him.

11:08 So I can say that God is with us. So I can say that God is with us.

11:12 God is everywhere. God is everywhere.

11:16 God is omnipresent. God is omnipresent.

11:21 God is omnipresent. God is omnipresent.

11:25 God is everywhere. God is everywhere.

11:30 But how we fail to understand His presence? But how we fail to understand His presence?

11:33 Because there are some barriers, some walls between us and God. Because there are some barriers, some walls between us and God.

11:37 There are our buildings. There are our buildings.

11:41 There are our family. There are our family.

11:45 There are our children. There are our children.

11:49 There are our friends. There are our friends.

11:53 There are our business. There are our business.

11:57 All these things serve like a barrier, like a wall between us and God. All these things serve like a barrier, like a wall between us and God.

12:01 So when that astronaut was standing on the surface of the Moon, he was completely alone. So when that astronaut was standing on the surface of the Moon, he was completely alone.

12:08 There was no barrier, no business, no house, no motor car, no friend, no family. There was no barrier, no business, no house, no motor car, no friend, no family.

12:16 He was completely unknown. He was completely unknown.

12:23 So all those barriers were ab So all those barriers were ab

12:31 sent at that time. sent at that time.

12:41 So when all the barriers were absent, then he was face to face with God. So when all the barriers were absent, then he was face to face with God.

12:52 The only thing which is required to live with God is to remove all those barriers, remove all those barriers. The only thing which is required to live with God is to remove all those barriers, remove all those barriers.

13:03 So that astronaut, when he reached to the Moon, compulsively all those barriers became absent under compulsion. So that astronaut, when he reached to the Moon, compulsively all those barriers became absent under compulsion.

13:13 So at that time there were only two beings, he himself and God. So at that time there were only two beings, he himself and God.

13:24 So all those barriers were removed So all those barriers were removed

13:34 .

13:39 So he easily felt the presence of God. So he easily felt the presence of God.

13:44 This is the secret. This is the secret.

13:49 Already we are living with God because God is everywhere. Already we are living with God because God is everywhere.

13:54 God is omnipresent. God is omnipresent.

14:00 But at the same time you are living with some barriers, But at the same time you are living with some barriers,

14:05 some barriers. some barriers.

14:12 So if you are able to minus all these barriers, you are able to remove all those barriers, So if you are able to minus all these barriers, you are able to remove all those barriers,

14:20 then you will find that you are in the presence of God. then you will find that you are in the presence of God.

14:28 This happened with the Prophet when he was in the cave of Mount Thor. This happened with the Prophet when he was in the cave of Mount Thor.

14:35 At that time all those barriers were removed. At that time all those barriers were removed.

14:41 There was no barrier. There was no barrier.

14:47 He was alone. He was alone.

14:53 So because all those barriers were removed, so instantly he felt the presence of God and said, "Innallaha So because all those barriers were removed, so instantly he felt the presence of God and said, "Innallaha

14:59 maana, God is with us." I think this is the simple formula. Ever maana, God is with us." I think this is the simple formula. Ever

15:06 yone who wants to live with God, he must remove all those barriers, all those barriers. And again, it is not a mysterious thing. I think the very it involves a very simple formula. That is simple living, high thinking. Simple living, high thinking yone who wants to live with God, he must remove all those barriers, all those barriers. And again, it is not a mysterious thing. I think the very it involves a very simple formula. That is simple living, high thinking. Simple living, high thinking

15:36 is removing all those barriers. is removing all those barriers.

15:42 I have adopted this formula, simple living, high thinking. I have adopted this formula, simple living, high thinking.

15:48 So I always live in the presence of God. So I always live in the presence of God.

15:55 I always live with God because there is no barrier between me and between God. I always live with God because there is no barrier between me and between God.

16:01 I have adopted a simple, I have adopted a simple,

16:07 a very simple mode of life. a very simple mode of life.

16:11 I have nothing except just bare needs. I have nothing except just bare needs.

16:16 I have no compassion. I have no compassion.

16:20 I have no passion. I have no passion.

16:24 I have nourge, except what is bare need. I have nourge, except what is bare need.

16:29 So this is simple living. So this is simple living.

16:33 So I think that this is the only formula for those persons who want to live with God So I think that this is the only formula for those persons who want to live with God

16:37 .

16:44 Adopt this formula, simple living, high thinking, and you will find yourself in the presence of God. Adopt this formula, simple living, high thinking, and you will find yourself in the presence of God.

16:50 Let us take another example. Let us take another example.

16:56 If someone is walking in the jungle, he is alone. If someone is walking in the jungle, he is alone.

17:02 He is alone. And suddenly He is alone. And suddenly

17:08 he notices that there is a tiger in the nearby bush. he notices that there is a tiger in the nearby bush.

17:19 So this experience is like a storm for him. So this experience is like a storm for him.

17:29 At that moment all of his attention At that moment all of his attention

17:40 is centralized. is centralized.

17:45 There is no focus other than tiger. There is no focus other than tiger.

17:50 There is no attention other than tiger. There is no attention other than tiger.

17:56 So this experience removes all those barriers. So this experience removes all those barriers.

18:01 So at that time he knows nothing but tiger, nothing but tiger. So at that time he knows nothing but tiger, nothing but tiger.

18:07 The same is required for The same is required for

18:12 the creator of tiger. the creator of tiger.

18:20 If you experience this kind of feeling when you see a tiger in a jungle, adopt this experience If you experience this kind of feeling when you see a tiger in a jungle, adopt this experience

18:29 by your contemplation that I am with God, I am with the creator of the tiger, then you by your contemplation that I am with God, I am with the creator of the tiger, then you

18:37 will experience the same feel will experience the same feel

18:45 ing. ing.

18:56 There is a Hadith, "Ta'budillah karna katra," worship, "Ta'budillah karna katra," worship with full concentration, worship with full There is a Hadith, "Ta'budillah karna katra," worship, "Ta'budillah karna katra," worship with full concentration, worship with full

19:07 concentration, and you will find concentration, and you will find

19:18 yourself in the presence of God. yourself in the presence of God.

19:26 In this Hadith you can find that concentration is the must. In this Hadith you can find that concentration is the must.

19:33 It is concentration that removes all those barriers. It is concentration that removes all those barriers.

19:41 When you concentrate your attention to a single point, then all barriers are removed as far as When you concentrate your attention to a single point, then all barriers are removed as far as

19:48 your thinking is concerned, as far as your feeling is concerned, as far as your mind is concerned. your thinking is concerned, as far as your feeling is concerned, as far as your mind is concerned.

19:56 At that point of time when you have concentrated to a single focus, at that point of time At that point of time when you have concentrated to a single focus, at that point of time

20:04 all these barriers are absent. all these barriers are absent.

20:12 They are removed. They are removed.

20:19 So it is highly possible to remove all these barriers by concentration. So it is highly possible to remove all these barriers by concentration.

20:29 And if you are able to remove all those barriers, then you will feel that you are living with God. And if you are able to remove all those barriers, then you will feel that you are living with God.

20:40 So it is an easiest task. So it is an easiest task.

20:50 There is no difficulty at all. There is no difficulty at all.

21:00 There is a very relevant verse in the Quran, "Innallaha ma's sabrin," "Innallaha ma's sabrin." God is with patient people. There is a very relevant verse in the Quran, "Innallaha ma's sabrin," "Innallaha ma's sabrin." God is with patient people.

21:10 God is with patient who God is with patient who

21:20 are people of patience. are people of patience.

21:27 God is with those who are people of patience. God is with those who are people of patience.

21:33 Why is patience so necessary? Why is patience so necessary?

21:40 Why is patience so necessary in this regard? Why is patience so necessary in this regard?

21:47 Because it is patience that makes you able to remove all those barriers. Because it is patience that makes you able to remove all those barriers.

21:53 You are living in a world where every you are living in a jungle of thought, in a You are living in a world where every you are living in a jungle of thought, in a

22:00 jungle of things. jungle of things.

22:06 Everywhere there is something around you. Everywhere there is something around you.

22:13 There are your family, there are your friends, there is your house, there is your car, there is There are your family, there are your friends, there is your house, there is your car, there is

22:19 society, there are institutions, so many things. society, there are institutions, so many things.

22:25 So when you want to concentrate on a single focus, then it requires great patience. So when you want to concentrate on a single focus, then it requires great patience.

22:33 It requires great patience. It requires great patience.

22:41 Without patience you cannot concentrate to a single point. Without patience you cannot concentrate to a single point.

22:49 And concentration is the key formula to experience that kind of feel And concentration is the key formula to experience that kind of feel

22:57 ing. ing.

23:03 So "Innallaha ma's sabrin," this verse is repeated in the Quran several times. So "Innallaha ma's sabrin," this verse is repeated in the Quran several times.

23:09 God is with those who are people of patience. God is with those who are people of patience.

23:16 So patience is required. So patience is required.

23:22 Without patience you cannot attain this experience. Without patience you cannot attain this experience.

23:28 Patience is a must. Patience is a must.

23:36 "Innallaha ma's sabrin." Then there is a very relevant reference in the Quran. "Innallaha ma's sabrin." Then there is a very relevant reference in the Quran.

23:44 Here I would like to quote that reference. Here I would like to quote that reference.

23:52 According to the Quran, when God created Adam According to the Quran, when God created Adam

24:00 as the first man, so God settled him in Paradise, in Paradise. as the first man, so God settled him in Paradise, in Paradise.

24:10 And God said, "Live in this Paradise. And God said, "Live in this Paradise.

24:20 Enjoy everything, enjoy everything." But "La taqraba hadi shajara wa taquna minazalimin." In that Par Enjoy everything, enjoy everything." But "La taqraba hadi shajara wa taquna minazalimin." In that Par

24:30 adise there was a tree that was a forbidden tree. So God said that, "Don't eat the fruit of this tree. Everything is for you. You can enjoy everything, everything without any restriction." But there was only one tree that was a forbidden tree. So God said, "D adise there was a tree that was a forbidden tree. So God said that, "Don't eat the fruit of this tree. Everything is for you. You can enjoy everything, everything without any restriction." But there was only one tree that was a forbidden tree. So God said, "D

25:00 on't eat the fruit of this forbidden tree." So what was this forbidden tree? on't eat the fruit of this forbidden tree." So what was this forbidden tree?

25:08 The forbidden tree was just a symbol, a symbol of distraction, distraction. The forbidden tree was just a symbol, a symbol of distraction, distraction.

25:15 So it is required for a man who wants to live in Jannah, who wants to live with So it is required for a man who wants to live in Jannah, who wants to live with

25:23 God, to save himsel God, to save himsel

25:30 f from distraction. f from distraction.

25:36 That forbidden tree was a symbol of distraction. That forbidden tree was a symbol of distraction.

25:42 So at the beginning of history, it was the beginning of human history. So at the beginning of history, it was the beginning of human history.

25:48 So at the beginning of history God gave this lesson to man, this direction to man. So at the beginning of history God gave this lesson to man, this direction to man.

25:55 The most important thing for your development The most important thing for your development

26:01 is to save yourself from distraction, distraction. is to save yourself from distraction, distraction.

26:08 So that forbidden tree was a symbol of distraction. So that forbidden tree was a symbol of distraction.

26:16 This you can see in the Quran in a very clear manner. This you can see in the Quran in a very clear manner.

26:23 Now the Quran says that, "Allama adama al-asmaa kullaha, Now the Quran says that, "Allama adama al-asmaa kullaha,

26:31 " "Allama adama al-asmaa kullaha." By the help of God Adam learned the name of all things. " "Allama adama al-asmaa kullaha." By the help of God Adam learned the name of all things.

26:41 In other words God inculcated the name of all things in the mind of Adam. In other words God inculcated the name of all things in the mind of Adam.

26:51 And God inculcated the name of all things in the mind of Adam. And God inculcated the name of all things in the mind of Adam.

27:01 Now what were these names? Now what were these names?

27:07 It was I think that it was information particles. It was I think that it was information particles.

27:13 Now we know after scientific discoveries that the human mind contains billions, billions, billions of particles. Now we know after scientific discoveries that the human mind contains billions, billions, billions of particles.

27:19 So what are these particles? So what are these particles?

27:25 These are information particles, These are information particles,

27:31 wisdom particles. wisdom particles.

27:39 And these particles were put in the human mind at the very beginning. And these particles were put in the human mind at the very beginning.

27:48 So "Allama adama al-asmaa kullaha" means by birth man has information of all things. So "Allama adama al-asmaa kullaha" means by birth man has information of all things.

27:56 So potentially man is a knower of all things. So potentially man is a knower of all things.

28:04 Now what is required? Now what is required?

28:09 Only to turn this potential into actual. Only to turn this potential into actual.

28:14 So the issue is the unfolding of your mind. So the issue is the unfolding of your mind.

28:19 Education or learning means unfolding your mind. Education or learning means unfolding your mind.

28:24 So it is an automatic process. So it is an automatic process.

28:29 It is an automatic process. It is an automatic process.

28:34 By nature this process is interwoven in our mind. By nature this process is interwoven in our mind.

28:42 Only distraction can become an obstacle. Only distraction can become an obstacle.

28:50 Distraction, save yourself from distraction and there is no obstacle. Distraction, save yourself from distraction and there is no obstacle.

28:58 The unfolding process will continue endlessly The unfolding process will continue endlessly

29:06 .

29:14 This I found in the Quran that every human being has all kinds of information in his mind. This I found in the Quran that every human being has all kinds of information in his mind.

29:22 So potentially we know everything. So potentially we know everything.

29:30 So what is required is only unfolding rather than inculcating. So what is required is only unfolding rather than inculcating.

29:38 So this process of unfolding requires non-stop continuity. So this process of unfolding requires non-stop continuity.

29:44 And what is an obstacle? And what is an obstacle?

29:50 That is distraction. That is distraction.

29:56 If you keep yourself from distraction then by nature your mind will be unfolded every time. If you keep yourself from distraction then by nature your mind will be unfolded every time.

30:02 You are born as a man You are born as a man

30:08 but after unfolding you become a superman, a superman. but after unfolding you become a superman, a superman.

30:14 Every man is potentially a superman. Every man is potentially a superman.

30:20 Every man is potentially a superman but it requires unfolding. Every man is potentially a superman but it requires unfolding.

30:26 It requires to turn your potential into actual. It requires to turn your potential into actual.

30:32 So when you become So when you become

30:38 a superman you are able to live in the presence of God. a superman you are able to live in the presence of God.

30:48 You are able to live in the neighborhood of God, neighborhood of God. You are able to live in the neighborhood of God, neighborhood of God.

30:58 Because there is a verse in the Quran that the wife of the Pharaoh, the wife of Pharaoh accepted Moses' Because there is a verse in the Quran that the wife of the Pharaoh, the wife of Pharaoh accepted Moses'

31:08 religion. religion.

31:13 And then Pharaoh, Pharaoh was the king of Egypt also. And then Pharaoh, Pharaoh was the king of Egypt also.

31:17 He was the husband of that lady. He was the husband of that lady.

31:21 Her name was Asiya. Her name was Asiya.

31:25 So Asiya accepted the religion of Moses. So Asiya accepted the religion of Moses.

31:30 So Pharaoh became angry. So Pharaoh became angry.

31:34 He said, "I will kill you. He said, "I will kill you.

31:38 " So at that time he prayed. " So at that time he prayed.

31:49 He said, "Oh God," "Oh God give me a home in your neighborhood, give me a house in He said, "Oh God," "Oh God give me a home in your neighborhood, give me a house in

31:59 your neighborhood." So this is your neighborhood." So this is

32:09 living with God. living with God.

32:19 In this world, in the pre-death period, you live with God, you live with God intellectually and in In this world, in the pre-death period, you live with God, you live with God intellectually and in

32:29 the hereafter you will be able to live with God physically in the actual sense. the hereafter you will be able to live with God physically in the actual sense.

32:39 And this is Paradise. And this is Paradise.

32:47 One Paradise is in this world and the other Paradise is in the hereafter. One Paradise is in this world and the other Paradise is in the hereafter.

32:54 When you are living with God in this world you are living in Paradise. When you are living with God in this world you are living in Paradise.

33:01 Because Paradise is the neighborhood of God. Because Paradise is the neighborhood of God.

33:08 So this is the crux of the So this is the crux of the

33:16 life of the philosophy of life. life of the philosophy of life.

33:21 This is the crux of the philosophy of life. This is the crux of the philosophy of life.

33:26 So that forbidden tree was a symbol, a symbol of distraction. So that forbidden tree was a symbol, a symbol of distraction.

33:31 So save yourself from distraction. So save yourself from distraction.

33:36 What are distractions? What are distractions?

33:41 When you focus your mind other than basic need When you focus your mind other than basic ne

33:46 eds that is distraction. eds that is distraction.

33:56 When you focus your mind to other than basic needs then that is distraction. When you focus your mind to other than basic needs then that is distraction.

34:06 So all those comforts, all those luxuries, all those shopping, all those outings, all those who have cultu So all those comforts, all those luxuries, all those shopping, all those outings, all those who have cultu

34:17 re, all these things are distractions. re, all these things are distractions.

34:25 So if you need to live with God you have to save yourself from these distractions. So if you need to live with God you have to save yourself from these distractions.

34:33 Otherwise there is no other, there is no other formula, no other formula is available in this regard. Otherwise there is no other, there is no other formula, no other formula is available in this regard.

34:41 So distraction is very, very crucial in this journey. So distraction is very, very crucial in this journey.

34:49 Distraction is very, very crucial in this journey. Distraction is very, very crucial in this journey.

34:57 You have to be alert. You have to be alert.

35:05 You have to concentrate yourself every time to your goal and that is living with God. You have to concentrate yourself every time to your goal and that is living with God.

35:13 This is your goal. So concentrate This is your goal. So concentrate

35:20 on this point and save yourself from distractions. on this point and save yourself from distractions.

35:29 Then you will be able to live with God in this world in a psychological sense and you Then you will be able to live with God in this world in a psychological sense and you

35:38 will be able to live with God in the hereafter in a physical sense, in the neighborhood of God. will be able to live with God in the hereafter in a physical sense, in the neighborhood of God.

35:47 That is Paradise. That is Paradise.

35:55 So this is the key point. So this is the key point.

36:06 Then there is a chapter "At-Teen" in the Quran. Then there is a chapter "At-Teen" in the Quran.

36:16 It says that, "Laqat khalaqnal insaana fi ahsan taqveen summa radadhnaahu asfala saafilin." We created man It says that, "Laqat khalaqnal insaana fi ahsan taqveen summa radadhnaahu asfala saafilin." We created man

36:27 with the best moal. with the best moal.

36:35 Then we cast him down to the lowest of the low. Then we cast him down to the lowest of the low.

36:43 It means that man was created with great potentials, great potentials to live with God. It means that man was created with great potentials, great potentials to live with God.

36:51 Man was created with great potentials Man was created with great potentials

37:00 to live with God and then to live in Jannah, in Paradise. But due to distraction he failed. Here also what is crucial is distraction. "Laqat khalaqnal insaana fi ahsan taqveen summa radadhnaahu asfala saafilin." We created man, to live with God and then to live in Jannah, in Paradise. But due to distraction he failed. Here also what is crucial is distraction. "Laqat khalaqnal insaana fi ahsan taqveen summa radadhnaahu asfala saafilin." We created man,

37:30 we created man with the best mold. we created man with the best moal.

37:35 Then we cast him down to the lowest of the low. Then we cast him down to the lowest of the low.

37:40 So man is a very, very special creation of God. So man is a very, very special creation of God.

37:45 Man has all kinds of potential. Man has all kinds of potential.

37:50 Man has all kinds of potential. Man has all kinds of potential.

37:55 The only thing which is required is The only thing which is required is

38:00 to save yourself from distraction. It is distraction that kills you. It is distraction that makes you a case of failure. And at that time when man was created and put in Paradise so there was a forbidden tree. According to my study this forbidden tree was a symbol of to save yourself from distraction. It is distraction that kills you. It is distraction that makes you a case of failure. And at that time when man was created and put in Paradise so there was a forbidden tree. According to my study this forbidden tree was a symbol of

38:30 distraction. distraction.

38:41 God said, "La taqraba hadhi shajra." Don't go near to this tree. God said, "La taqraba hadhi shajra." Don't go near to this tree.

38:51 So it is very important, it is very easy to live with God, very easy to live with God. So it is very important, it is very easy to live with God, very easy to live with God.

39:02 Now I would like to add one more point. Now I would like to add one more point.

39:12 That already we are living in air and water, in sunlight and all those things. That already we are living in air and water, in sunlight and all those things.

39:22 What is required is only to live with What is required is only to live with

39:33 an active mind, with an active mind. We are already living with sunlight. So we have to remember the creator of sunlight. Then we find suddenly ourselves in the presence an active mind, with an active mind. We are already living with sunlight. So we have to remember the creator of sunlight. Then we find suddenly ourselves in the presence

40:03 of God. of God.

40:07 We are living with food. We are living with food.

40:11 But who is the creator of food? Remember this. But who is the creator of food? Remember this.

40:15 We are living with food but who is the creator of food? We are living with food but who is the creator of food?

40:20 It is God who has created all these foods. It is God who has created all these foods.

40:24 So remember this. So remember this.

40:28 And at once you will find yourself with God. And at once you will find yourself with God.

40:33 You are already living with what was created by God. You are already living with what was created by God.

40:39 It requires only to shift your focus, shift your focus to the creator. It requires only to shift your focus, shift your focus to the creator.

40:45 Every day we see green, green, green trees. Every day we see green, green, green trees.

40:52 They are very beautiful. They are very beautiful.

40:58 They provide a very beautiful scene. They provide a very beautiful scene.

41:04 But who is the creator of these trees? But who is the creator of these trees?

41:10 Who is the creator of these green trees? Who is the creator of these green trees?

41:16 So remember this, contemplate this. So remember this, contemplate this.

41:22 Only through contemplation you can find the presence of God. Contemplation. Only through contemplation you can find the presence of God. Contemplation.

41:28 So when you see green trees contemplate, think, So when you see green trees contemplate, think,

41:34 go to tadabbur and tafakkur and you will discover that it is God who created all these green trees. go to tadabbur and tafakkur and you will discover that it is God who created all these green trees.

41:42 And at once you will feel that you are living with God. And at once you will feel that you are living with God.

41:49 Previously you are living with a creature. Previously you are living with a creature.

41:57 Now you will feel that now I am living with the Now you will feel that now I am living with the

42:04 creator that is God. creator that is God.

42:09 So what is required? So what is required?

42:14 Only a state of mind, only contemplation, only thinking, only concentration. Only a state of mind, only contemplation, only thinking, only concentration.

42:19 Otherwise we are living with God. Otherwise we are living with God.

42:24 Already we are living with God. Already we are living with God.

42:29 God is everywhere but we God is everywhere but we

42:34 fail to contemplate, we fail to understand, we fail to activate our mind. fail to contemplate, we fail to understand, we fail to activate our mind.

42:45 It is only the awakened mind that can be blessed with this experience. It is only the awakened mind that can be blessed with this experience.

42:56 Only the awakened mind can be blessed with this unique experience. Only the awakened mind can be blessed with this unique experience.

43:07 So I think that awakening of the mind is the most important thing. So I think that awakening of the mind is the most important thing.

43:18 Awakening of the mind is the most important thing in this regard. Awakening of the mind is the most important thing in this regard.

43:29 Then there are Then there are

43:40 God's words, scriptures. All these things are helpers, all these things are supporters to you. So you have to read the Quran, you have to study the Quran. Then you have to read Hadith literature. Then you have to read the Prophet's lif God's words, scriptures. All these things are helpers, all these things are supporters to you. So you have to read the Quran, you have to study the Quran. Then you have to read Hadith literature. Then you have to read the Prophet's lif

44:10 e. Then you have to read the life of the companions. So when you study all these things, these people have attained this experience. The Quran is an ideology that gives you direction. The Quran is a book of e. Then you have to read the life of the companions. So when you study all these things, these people have attained this experience. The Quran is an ideology that gives you direction. The Quran is a book of

44:40 ideology. ideology.

44:46 The Quran gives you the direction, the formula, the principle. The Quran gives you the direction, the formula, the principle.

44:52 And the Prophet and his companions were those who attained this experience. And the Prophet and his companions were those who attained this experience.

44:59 They were living with God. They were living with God.

45:05 So when we read their life we find models, we find practical examples. So when we read their life we find models, we find practical examples.

45:12 So at one side we have to read the scriptures and on the other side we have to So at one side we have to read the scriptures and on the other side we have to

45:18 read these models. read these models.

45:24 The Prophet and companions are models. The Prophet and companions are models.

45:30 They have attained this state of living. They have attained this state of living.

45:36 They were those people who successfully attained this kind of They were those people who successfully attained this kind of

45:42 experience. experience.

45:48 So we have to read the scriptures to know the ideology, to know the principles, to know the So we have to read the scriptures to know the ideology, to know the principles, to know the

45:54 framework, to know the theoretical framework. framework, to know the theoretical framework.

46:01 Then we have to study the life of the Prophet, the life of the companions. Then we have to study the life of the Prophet, the life of the companions.

46:07 Here we will find Here we will find

46:13 models or examples of those persons who attained this experience. models or examples of those persons who attained this experience.

46:19 They were those persons who were living with God. They were those persons who were living with God.

46:25 So this will inspire us. So this will inspire us.

46:31 It is very important. It is very important.

46:37 According to my experience there are three sources According to my experience there are three sources

46:43 of finding this kind of experience. First is your own inner ability. According to the Quran, "Everyone in everyone's personality it is instilled, all these th of finding this kind of experience. First is your own inner ability. According to the Quran, "Everyone in everyone's personality it is instilled, all these th

47:13 ings are instilled." So we unconsciously were aware of all these things. ings are instilled." So we unconsciously were aware of all these things.

47:21 Unconsciously everyone, every man and woman are aware of all these things. Unconsciously everyone, every man and woman are aware of all these things.

47:29 Now what is required? Now what is required?

47:36 It is introspection, introspection. It is It is introspection, introspection. It is

47:44 thinking in ourselves. thinking in ourselves.

47:54 It is contemplating in ourselves to find out, to find out, to find out our inner treasure, the spiritual treasure. It is contemplating in ourselves to find out, to find out, to find out our inner treasure, the spiritual treasure.

48:04 Then the second source is Then the second source is

48:14 God's creature. God's creature.

48:21 All this nature is God's creature. All this nature is God's creature.

48:27 God has created this nature, this world. God has created this nature, this world.

48:33 And in everything there is His sign. And in everything there is His sign.

48:39 An Arabic poet saidrightly, "Wafi kulli shayin lahu ayatun tadullu An Arabic poet saidrightly, "Wafi kulli shayin lahu ayatun tadullu

48:45 ala annahul wahidu." In everything there are signs. ala annahul wahidu." In everything there are signs.

48:52 In everything there are signs that God is one. In everything there are signs that God is one.

49:00 There is no God but one God. There is no God but one God.

49:08 When we observe this nature, when we contemplate in the nature When we observe this nature, when we contemplate in the nature

49:15 we discover all these signs, all these signs of God. we discover all these signs, all these signs of God.

49:20 This is the second source of this experience. This is the second source of this experience.

49:24 We have an inner source. We have an inner source.

49:29 There is our soul, our mind. There is our soul, our mind.

49:33 At the same time we have an external source. At the same time we have an external source.

49:38 There is nature. There is nature.

49:42 And then the third source is And then the third source is

49:47 scriptures and the Prophet's life and companions' life as I have already said. scriptures and the Prophet's life and companions' life as I have already said.

49:52 So anyone who wants to live with God he must avail all these opportunities. So anyone who wants to live with God he must avail all these opportunities.

49:57 He must contemplate in nature. He must contemplate in nature.

50:02 He must study the scriptures. He must study the scriptures.

50:07 He must know the life of the Prophets and companions. He must know the life of the Prophets and companions.

50:12 So anyone who wants to live with So anyone who wants to live with

50:17 God he must study all this literature, all these signs. God he must study all this literature, all these signs.

50:28 Then he will discover all those things. Then he will discover all those things.

50:40 Here I would like to refer to one thing. You know Here I would like to refer to one thing. You know

50:51 in olden days it was held that God are millions and millions. in olden days it was held that God are millions and millions.

50:59 There are millions and millions of gods. How? There are millions and millions of gods. How?

51:06 Man observes that there are different things like sun, moon, river, mountain, trees. Man observes that there are different things like sun, moon, river, mountain, trees.

51:14 So he observes that there are different kinds So he observes that there are different kinds

51:21 of things. of things.

51:29 So he inferred, so he reached this conclusion by inference that if there are different kinds of things So he inferred, so he reached this conclusion by inference that if there are different kinds of things

51:37 in the universe then there are many, many gods. in the universe then there are many, many gods.

51:45 So this observation led man to polytheism, that God is So this observation led man to polytheism, that God is

51:53 gods are millions and billions of gods. gods are millions and billions of gods.

52:03 Then after observation then we reached to the scientific era. Then after observation then we reached to the scientific era.

52:13 When man reached to the scientific era then again there was observation with modern scientific methods. When man reached to the scientific era then again there was observation with modern scientific methods.

52:24 Then Newton discovered that there are four forces that basically rule the universe. Then Newton discovered that there are four forces that basically rule the universe.

52:30 Four forces, not many, not millions and billions. Four forces, not many, not millions and billions.

52:36 Only four forces govern the whole universe. Only four forces govern the whole universe.

52:42 But this was not the end of the research. But this was not the end of the research.

52:48 After 300 years of research now we know that New After 300 years of research now we know that New

52:54 ton's formula is discarded. ton's formula is discarded.

53:04 And now you know that a British scientist has discovered that a single force is mainly responsible to And now you know that a British scientist has discovered that a single force is mainly responsible to

53:14 rule the to control all the universe. rule the to control all the universe.

53:24 He has named it single string theory, single string, single string. He has named it single string theory, single string, single string.

53:34 So now after a long, long study we came to know that God is only one. So now after a long, long study we came to know that God is only one.

53:44 This theory provides us a base, a base This theory provides us a base, a base

53:54 of monotheism. of monotheism.

54:02 This scientific theory that is called single string theory it is a scientific base to believe that God is one. This scientific theory that is called single string theory it is a scientific base to believe that God is one.

54:09 This is what it is this which is called what is called in Islam, which is called in This is what it is this which is called what is called in Islam, which is called in

54:17 the Quran tadabbur and tafakkur or contemplation. So through the Quran tadabbur and tafakkur or contemplation. So through

54:24 contemplation you discover, through contemplation we discover all these things. contemplation you discover, through contemplation we discover all these things.

54:35 So I think that living with God needs contemplation, tadabbur and tafakkur. So I think that living with God needs contemplation, tadabbur and tafakkur.

54:46 Through contemplation we become able to remove all those barriers between us and God Through contemplation we become able to remove all those barriers between us and God

54:56 .

55:04 And when we are able to remove these barriers we find ourselves that we are already living with God. And when we are able to remove these barriers we find ourselves that we are already living with God.

55:11 There is no distance between man and God. There is no distance between man and God.

55:19 There is a very, very beautiful line of a Urdu poet, "Tum mere pas hote ho goya, There is a very, very beautiful line of a Urdu poet, "Tum mere pas hote ho goya,

55:26 jab kooi dusra nahi hota." This is a line of a Urdu poet, "Tum mere pas hote ho jab kooi dusra nahi hota." This is a line of a Urdu poet, "Tum mere pas hote ho

55:37 goya, jab kooi dusra nahi hota." It means that when I am able to remove all those barriers goya, jab kooi dusra nahi hota." It means that when I am able to remove all those barriers

55:47 then I find, then I discover that there is only you then I find, then I discover that there is only you

55:58 and I discover your presence when I am able to, when I am able to minus all those barriers. and I discover your presence when I am able to, when I am able to minus all those barriers.

56:08 "Tum mere pas hote ho goya, jab kooi dusra nahi hota." So this is the key formula, key formula. "Tum mere pas hote ho goya, jab kooi dusra nahi hota." So this is the key formula, key formula.

56:18 And you can attain this state of mind only through contemplation, only through tadabbur, only through And you can attain this state of mind only through contemplation, only through tadabbur, only through

56:28 tafakkur. tafakkur.

56:35 So I would like to say that the highest state of living is living with God. So I would like to say that the highest state of living is living with God.

56:43 The highest state of living is living with God. The highest state of living is living with God.

56:51 And living with God is a very easy task because And living with God is a very easy task because

56:58 we are already living with God. we are already living with God.

57:04 There is no distance between us and God. There is no distance between us and God.

57:10 What is required? What is required?

57:17 To concentrate on one focus, to save ourselves from distraction, to adopt simple living, high thinking, to abandon To concentrate on one focus, to save ourselves from distraction, to adopt simple living, high thinking, to abandon

57:23 all those luxuries, all those comforts, all those luxuries, all those comforts,

57:29 all those hooha culture, all those shopping and all those outings. all those hooha culture, all those shopping and all those outings.

57:36 All these things are distractions. All these things are distractions.

57:42 So save yourself from distractions and you will find that you are living with God. So save yourself from distractions and you will find that you are living with God.

57:49 There is no distance. There is no distance.

57:55 This is the simple formula, "Tum mere pas hote ho goya, jab kooi dusra nahi hota." This is the simple formula, "Tum mere pas hote ho goya, jab kooi dusra nahi hota."

58:02 This is the simplest formula. This is the simplest formula.

58:09 And those who were able to attain this state of living they will be blessed, they will be rewarded. And those who were able to attain this state of living they will be blessed, they will be rewarded.

58:17 Paradise in the hereafter. Paradise in the hereafter.

58:24 Living with God in this world psychologically, in this world you will live Living with God in this world psychologically, in this world you will live

58:32 with God psychologically. with God psychologically.

58:38 Then you will live with God physically in the hereafter. Then you will live with God physically in the hereafter.

58:44 And that is the greatest blessing for anyone. And that is the greatest blessing for anyone.

58:51 So you have to sacrifice temporary so that you find eternity. So you have to sacrifice temporary so that you find eternity.

58:57 This world is a temporary world This world is a temporary world

59:03 . And the other world is the eternal world. So you have to sacrifice the temporary world so that you may attain the eternal world. This is the only formula. This is the only formula to attain that high kind of experience. "Aqul qawli haza, wa astaghfirullah li wal ikum ajma'in." . And the other world is the eternal world. So you have to sacrifice the temporary world so that you may attain the eternal world. This is the only formula. This is the only formula to attain that high kind of experience. "Aqul qawli haza, wa astaghfirullah li wal ikum ajma'in."

Living with God | April 18, 2007 | Maulana Wahiduddin Khan