Knaja Muhammad Arif Riwgani

 Muhammad Arif Riwgari (may Allah have mercy on him) was born in the village of Rigor approximately 7km from Ghujduwan in the north of Bukhara. He entered into the service of Abdul Khaliq Ghujdawani (may Allah have mercy on him) at a young age. He gave grea

t importance to worship and serving others. He would force himself to remain awake. Seeing this exceptional resolution and effort Khidr prayed that he become a gnostic. By the blessings of this prayer he did in fact become a great gnostic[1].

In his first talk Ghujdawani gave Khwaja Arif (may Allah have mercy on them both) the following advice:

“A traveller on the path to The Real should know the value of his time. He should frequently take himself to account and see what state he is in, as time passes him by little by little. If he spends a moment with his heart in a state of wakefulness and in peace, then he should know that this is a state that requires gratitude and he should give thanks to Allah.

However, if, your moment was passed in heedlessness then you should immediately make amends and seek Allah’s forgiveness”[2].

After the death of Ghujdawani (may Allah have mercy on him), Riwgari (may Allah have mercy on him) started on his own path of guidance and continued for many years. He showed great care in continuing in the same direction as his master.

Towards the last days of his life and because the times required it, he began to teach vocal dhikr, (dhikr jahri) and he allowed it. In this way, the people who had become very distant from dhikr began to hear it and vie for it.

Riwgari was known for his knowledge (‘ilm), wisdom (‘irfan), asceticism (zuhd), God-consciousness (taqwa), abstinence (riyadat), his worship (‘ibada) and his complete devotion to the Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

It was due to his particular care in following the Sunnah that he was raised to such a high rank.

Arif Riwgari, who knew the Sunnah of the prophet very well, and who struggled to teach it and live by it, generally began his talks with the following words: