Murid and Murad

From a sister's email:

***
I was inspired to share this because of Imam Zaid's session
"Survival Guide: Nasiha for Muslim Women". His first advice was:
The first quality you must have to survive is the DESIRE to
survive as a Muslim Women. How to get that desire? To increase
your love for Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

Bismillah

The Difference between a Murid and a Murad

The travelers on the path of love are of two types. The first is
called a murid [seeker], and denotes one whose progress is based
on his own effort and worship. The second is called a murad [one
who is sought], and denotes a person whom the Beloved (subhana wa
ta'ala) Himself wishes to draw near to Him.

The difference between a murid and a murad may be understood by
comparing the lives of Prophet Musa (alayhis salaam) and the
blessed Prophet Muhammad (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam) . Prophet
Musa (alayhis salaam) was a lover of Allah [muhibbullah], while
the blessed Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam) was the
beloved of Allah [mabbubullah]. The distinction is hightlighted
by the following examples.

Example Number One

Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) was granted a meeting with Allah
(subhana wa ta'ala) at Mount Sinai. Allah (subhana wa ta'ala)
narrates:

And when Musa came to meet Us. (7:143)

However, when the blessed Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam)
was granted a meeting with Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) during the
Ascension [mi'raj], Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) stated:

Glorified is He who brought His slave for a journey at night.
(17:1)

The verb "came" [ja'a] is used for Prophet Musa (alayhis
salaam) whereas the verb "brought" [asra] is used for the
blessed Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam). Prophet Musa
(alayhis salaam) was told where to come for the meeting, whereas
the blessed Prophet (sallullahu alayhi wasallam) was sent an
angel to bring him to the meeting.

Example Number Two

Prophet Musa (alayhis salaam) prayed:

O my Lord, expand my breast for me. (20:25)

Whereas, regarding the blessed Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi
wasallam), Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) revealed:

Have We not expanded for you your breast? (94:1)

Example Number Three

Prophet Musa (alayhis salaam) had to climb Mount Sinai to
recieve revelation, whereas the Quran was sent to the blessed
Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam)

It is he (Gabriel) who has revealed (this scripture) upon your
heart by Allah's leave. (2:97)



The ways of love dictate that the lover [muhibb] hopes and
desires to meet the Beloved [mahhub] subhana wa ta'ala. Yet
sometimes the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala) also desires that the
lover come to meet Him. And when the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala)
also wishesd to meet, then it becomes easy to draw near to Him.

When the Most Beautiful One (subhana wa ta'ala) arranges a
meeting, then the true pleasure of love ['ishq] is attained.
When the lover knows the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala) loves him
well, then his happiness knows no bounds.

The love of the lover manifests in deep sighs of longing, whereas
the love of the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala) is subtle and
hidden. The love of the lover weakens his body, while the love
of the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala) invigorates the lover's body.

When Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) bestows His grace upon a servant,
He opens the way to reach Him. Then the remembrance [dhikr] of
Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) predominates.



****Quoted from "Love for Allah" A Translation of 'Ishq Illahi,
Faqir Zulfiqar Ahamda Naqshbandi, pg 111.

I have omitted the passages of poetry to keep the article
somewhat brief :)

Wasalaam.


"The total and lasting mistake is to have free time and not
betake yourself to Him, or the obstacles to be few, and not
journey to Him" : Ibn Ata Illah