Der Mythenspiegel

Mawlana spoke about a tradition by the Beloved s.a.s in the meaning of,

I have a face facing Allah, and a face facing creation.

لي وجه مع الله و وجه مع الخلق

The face towards the Divine must be one, facing the one God. However, the face towards the profane had as many sides to it as there are beings in creation.

The dual side of the Prophet s.a.s is present even in his blessed name. The two letters M found in, Mohamed s.a.s, represents the two faces. the Divine and worldly. He, peace be upon him, was the master of justice, addressing all creatures, human, animals, plants and rocks each one with their language. Heavens and earth, trees and pebbles, mankind and jinn, living and dead listened and communicated with the Beloved s.a.s.

Mawlana said;

لكل مقام مقال ولكل أرمان شقال

There is a language suitable for every station, and there is a donkey for every jungle.

Not every one can understand and receive the meaning in the same language, at the same time, and in the same place. It is from the human wisdom and flexibility that one can choose the right occasion and select the proper words to express his point of view and make sure to reach the right target with that audience.

Mawlana told this story;

There was once a prince who fell in love with the daughter of the head of the gipsy’s. The prince asked the grand minister to go and ask for that girl’s hand on his behalf. The minister went to the gipsy’s village and asked in a very royal manner if it was possible to arrange a meeting with their leader. No one was able to comprehend what he wanted.

Finally their head came out to see what this commotion was all about. The grand minister then asked him; your excellency the esteemed leader of the gipsy’s tribe, his highness the prince would be honored to propose for your most respectable daughter’s hand and request her to be his honorable wife.

What are you saying, shouted the leader. How dare you insult me in front of my tribe in such a stupid language. Stop mocking me, and If you don’t leave now I will make you regret you ever came here. The minister left in shock and totally confused. On the way back he met a wise man. The man asked him, why do you look so sad? He explained to him what happened. Oh this is just a simple miss understanding that I can fix easily. He went to the gipsy’s tribe and asked in the most provocative way to meet their leader.

Then he told the head; oh you idiot, where is your stupid and rubbish daughter. Hard words and heavy insults one after the other till the leader then said; oh my dear strong and courageous man. That fancy looking man came here spoke to me in a language, I couldn’t understand. Therefore, I felt insulted and I threw him out of here. If he used such clear language like you, I would never refuse his request. The wise man took the girl and went back to the palace and explained to the grand minister what happened and the prince got what he wanted.

Mawlana also explained to many lawyers what justice is: „to put everything in its right place“. He was receiving many people from various backgrounds and different cultures. Mawlana went up and down with his language and used the right topic for the right audience. When he was with the villagers he sounded completely different than when he was in the capital with the educated upper class elite. Some times Mawlana liked to joke and pulled many practical jokes with some of his followers. On other occasions he was very serious, sharp and angry. He knew how to address every one, at every time, in every place with the right tone of voice, selected the right vocabulary and made the perfect gesture to get his message through.

Due to our up-bringing and cultural backgrounds, we were exposed to many varying cultural, religious, economical, and ethnic influences. When eastern people move to live in the western world their heritage contradicts with the west. And, those who remained in their home land, had to face the invasion of the western language and culture.

This contradiction may give birth to complexity. The new generation if flexible enough may carry many faces in their personality. The familiar more ethnic face, they may use at home with their parents. Another more progressive, they have to bring out at school to achieve or at work. One face with friends, one for bargaining at the market. A romantic face can’t be used in a moment of stress, it will be of no use and may bring confusion. An angry face on the other hand, may be helpful to confirm a point of view with some one careless. A friendly face with a rude person may send a signal of weakness. An insecure, smart, funny, and courageous and so on, each can be worn at the moment of need.

It is normal to have to use different faces and different languages to address various situations. The problem is only when one uses the wrong face in the wrong context that misunderstanding happens.

Mawlana once said in a very clear and sharp way; the one who can carry and tolerate him self can carry the whole universe with all what is in it.

Therefore, to recognize ones positive and negative sides and accept them for what they simply are, your self. Not only that, but to use one’s attributes let it be good or bad, at the right time is even more crucial. Mawlana once said; if you hear that the mountain moved from its place, believe it. But, if you hear someone changed, don’t believe it. Therefore, Mawlana through training may help a person to utilize undesirable character, at the right time and place. Thus making use of it without changing his character.

In one tradition the Prophet s.a.s. said;

‎‎إنما بعثت لاتمم مكارم الأخلاق

I was sent to complete good manners.

Some one interpreted it as follows, Prophet s.a.s said;

I was sent not to change people’s manners but rather to take them to their full development. Mawlana once explained if a mureed completed the circle of spiritual training, he is dressed with the same personality he had on the first day he joined the path. However, this time he will use his negative attributes for a good purpose. For example, if he was backbiting before, now he does it to carry people’s sins deliberately.

One must recognize, know, and accept one self with as many faces it got, both positive and negative. Then he must use them sensitively and wisely. This will not only keep a balance and inner peace, but will enable you to communicate better.

The intention of knowing your self in full is,

من عرف نفسه فقد عرف ربه

The one who knows him self knows his lord.

انما الاعمال بالنيات ولكل امرئ ما نوي

Actions are measured by intentions and each one will be granted according to his intention.

To know your self is not to prove it, or improve it, and gain strength, no. Your ego is a link, a connection, a window to the created world. If you spend effort to know your self. To learn about who you are, where you are, where you came from, and why you were sent here. That window might open. You may learn your ego’s language.

من تعلم لغة قوم أمن مكرهم

If you learn the language of your enemy, you are safe from their deception.

Then there will be a connection to your real face, one facing the divine. The face of your soul, your Sheikh, your Prophet s.a.s, the creator. That link may allow you to realize the triviality and non existence of all your profane faces. Only then you will be zero in front of one, with one face, admitting to the only One in existence, Allah Almighty.