12/12/2024
What is the True Meaning of Company (Sohbat)?
Company (صحبت) is not merely sitting physically in the presence of someone. It is not about being physically seated in front of a Murshid (spiritual guide). True company is when your heart connects with the heart of the Murshid. This connection is the essence of sohbat.
Merely sitting in the physical presence of a Murshid does not guarantee spiritual benefit. While it can have some effect, the real benefit comes only when your inner self connects with the inner self of the Murshid.
For instance, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, many people sat in his company. Among them were sincere believers, but there were also hypocrites. Not everyone benefited from his blessed company. The ones who gained benefit were those whose inner selves connected with the Prophet’s ﷺ heart.
The connection with a Murshid has two aspects: external (zahir) and internal (batin). If the internal connection is strong, it can even compensate for external shortcomings. However, if the internal connection is absent, then even physical proximity holds little value.
I heard from my teacher, who learned from his Murshid, that if Murshid is upset with you externally but is pleased with you internally, the internal satisfaction can eventually heal the external discord. However, if the inner connection is broken, no amount of external harmony can compensate.
The essence of sohbat lies in awakening your spiritual heart (qalb) and establishing a connection with the heart of the Murshid. Some individuals, despite being in the company of a Murshid, do not awaken spiritually. In such cases, it is the Murshid's discretion to form a personal spiritual bond with the individual. This bond is not automatic but is entirely dependent on the Murshid's will.
