Some people find it strange that we put emphasis on the teachings of the present day or recent past Shuyukh only and appear to avoid the great luminaries, the founding saints of our tariq. They question: why no translations of maktoobat of Hazrat Shah Abdul-Qudoos Gangohi ra or malfoozat of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti Ajmeri ra or Hazrat Baba Fareed Shakarganj ra.

You only find teachings of Hazrat Hakeemul Ummat ra and his successors here.

This is a very relevant and good question.

There is no doubt that the works of the great luminaries, the founding members of the tariq are very important and indispensable.

However, one has to acknowledge that their settings, era in history, audience, addressees’ life style, cultural and social standards, education and level of piety etc., etc were completely unlike our times. They presented the teachings of Tasawwuf in a style suitable and more understandable to that specific audience.

Present day and recent past Shuyuk do the same. Being contemporary, they are aware of our social norms, economic constraints, educational limitations and cultural issues, etc. They descend to our level of intellect to present the very same teachings in more understandable and attractive style. Therefore, practically their teachings are more effective in bringing about the self-reformation (islah) in people like us.

Whereas, advanced level mureeds can benefit from the works of senior saints also.

‘aalum mein roshni shams o qamar sey ho to kiya
Mujh ko to tum pasand ho apni nazar ko kiya karoun