The Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship

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The Meaning of His Name

A from the newly published book, The Tree That Fell To The West: Autobiography of a Sufi.

The Tree That Fell To The WestBawa means father, a title given to someone who is the father of wisdom for all mankind. Muhaiyaddeen is a name given to the Qutb (Ral.), the being who brings the divine explanation, who has perfect wisdom. The name Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen is a name of light which was given to the Qutb (Ral.), it is just one of his titles. Muhammad Raheem is the name of the being who uncovers the primal Light and reveals it. This means that Bawa is the primal father of mankind emanating from the primal Light which is then made manifest. Muhaiyaddeen is the name given by Allah to one who has received the pure Light of God. He is the one who gives the clear light of wisdom, the clarity of iman, of faith, certitude and determination to the heart of man.

That is the meaning of the names which are given only to someone who has the qualities of these names. The names must be appropriate for that person and that person must be a father for all mankind. He must have the capacity to give peace to the hearts of his children, he must guide these children along the right path with the benevelonce of the din, the path of perfect purity, and he must make them understand the difference between halal and haram, what is premitted and what is not.

When all the names work together in unity, with perfect qualities, the name Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen is appropriate for that person.

- M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
July 25, 1983

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