Why didn't the sahabah (RAD) go into Seclusion ( aka 'chilla' or 'Khalwat' ) ?

Why the need for special spirtual practices ( wazifa ) of a Pir ?

How the Sahabah got spiritual illumination

Why chilla is needed for the people after the period of Rasulullah ( SAW )

The following extract is relevant to the aforementioned issues

##################################
Source : p. 92-95

Imdaadus Suluk ,by Hadhrat Rashid Ahmad Gangohi ( RA ) in Farsi trans.

Irshadul Mulook , by Hadhrat Aashiq Ilaahi Merathi ( RA ) in Urdu trans.

Risalah Makkiyyah , by Shaykh Qutbuddin Damashqi ( RA ) in Arabic ,orignal

http://www.muftisays.com/shop/product/books/21/irshaadul-mulook-(pb).html

########################

Know that the Mashaikh have many different methods for the tarbiyat ( training and reforming) of the
Salikeen. After the Sahabah-e-Kiram (radhiyallahu anhum), the majority of Mashaikh have adopted
the method of seclusion and renunciation for training the Salikeen in the path of sulook. As far as the
Sahabah-e-Kiram (radhiyallahu anhum) were concerned, the companionship of Rasulullah (SAW) was
adequate for their success and spiritual achievements. They achieved success without khalwat
(seclusion). In a single session in the company of Rasulullah (SAW) they would acquire such lofty
spiritual knowledge which others could not gain in even years of seclusion.

The underlying cause for this fruit ( of swift success acquired by the Sahabah) was their iradat. Iradat
means abstention from adat (habit). It is common knowledge that the adat of the sahabah was the
culture of Jahiliyyah which was their way of life prior to Iman. When a total transformation occurred
in their condition as a consequence of the spiritual illumination of Rasulullah (SAW) and they offered
absolute and wholehearted obedience, it meant in effect they had already been put to test. They had
emerged firm, truthful and solid.Allah Ta'ala then permeated their hearts with Iman. Allah Ta’ala aided
them with the Noor of His special Hidayat. Thus, inspite of association with their families and inspite
of involvement in earning their livelihood and participating in Jihad which occasioned the association
with even traders, munafiqs and kafirs, they reached the pinnacle of perfection (Kamal). Their entire
effort was expended in following Rasul-e-Kareem (SAW) and their total gaze was focused in
contemplation on the spiritual beauty and excellence of Rasulullah (SAW), the chief of that august
circle of Muhibbeen (Lovers of Rasulullah-SAW). Rasulullah (SAW) was the embodiment and
fountain of all virtue and excellencies.
When Rasulullah (SAW) discerned firmness in the iradat (resolve) of the Sahabah, he cast the
reflection of the light of his blessed heart on them and by a glance of Hidayat he transferred to
them the anwar (celestial illumination) and treasures of Nubuwwat. Thus, Shaikh Shuhabuddin
Suharwardi (rahmatullah alayh) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said:

“ Whatever Allah Ta’ala had inspired into my heart, I transferred it into the heart of Abu Bakr.”

Thus, the hearts of the Sahabah were illuminated with this Noor (emanating from the heart of
Rasulullah – (SAW) which made the lamps of their lives brighten up. Their base human attributes (i.e
the lowly attributes of animality, passion and temperament) vanished and they became high-ranking
worshippers, men of piety, men of knowledge and wisdom, men of divine perception, perfect
believers in Tauheed, thus acquiring thorough grounding and firmness in all branches of knowledge.

Thereafter, the illumination of the Ma-arif of the illustrious Sahabah was transposed to the Ta-
be’een, transforming their hearts and lives into an outstanding Noor. In this way was the
spiritual illumination transferred from one generation of illustrious souls to the other in
succession. Hence, Rasulullah (SAW) said:

“My Sahabah are like the stars. Whomever (of my Sahabah) you follow, you will attain guidance.”

This points to that Noor which originated in the heart of Rasulullah (SAW) and cast its reflection
like stars into the hearts of the various Sahabah in varying degrees of strength and power. In
turn, the reflected Noor was reflected from the hearts of the Sahabah to others, elevating them to
the celestial realms. In this way did they become Wasil (attaining the Goal of Divine Love.)

Thus, when even a single glance of this Sun of celestial Excellence and spiritual illumination
elevates one to the lofty realm of spiritual perfection, then there is no Khalwat ( seclusion) which
can be superior to this jalwat (mingling and association). Which intelligence can ever give
preference to any Khalwat in the presence of such suhbat (of Rasulullah-SAW)? Khalwat , in
fact, is adopted for the acquisition of the lofty state of excellence which the Sahabah had
acquired from the suhbat of Rasulullah (SAW).

However, whoever has not been fortunate to be blessed with this treasure (emanating directly
from the faidh of Nubuwwat), has necessarily to adopt the initial way of Khalwat and
renunciation practiced by Rasulullah (SAW) so that he may acquire the fragrance and breezes of
Allah’s benevolence. In this regard Rasulullah (SAW) said:

“In your age there are fragrances and breezes. Therefore, stand in the path of those breezes and their
fragrances.”

Standing in the presence of these celestial fragrances and breezes and acquiring their maximum benefit
are dependent on total and beautiful submission to the Ahkam of the Shariat. A man whose heart is
involved in worries will not be able to fulfil the Ahkam with excellence and perfection. He is,
therefore, constrained to adopt seclusion so that his internal state of agitation and anxiety dissipates
and he gains peace and concentration of heart, focusing his attention in only one direction.

The one who adopts seclusion for this aim, should be constant and not abandon it because , it is a
Ni’mat (a favour of Allah Ta’ala) which sets the heart free from the encumbrances of creation and
 solidifies the resolve in a matter pertaining to the Creator. It fortifies iradat and qasd (intention) and
produces a dislike for nafsani pleasures and worldly attachments. These effects of khalwat are on
account of the blocking of the external physical senses by seclusion. The vista of the eye is the
door of the heart. By way of this avenue all the calamities of the heart reach the external sphere,
resulting in the production of carnal pleasures and lust. But, when khalwat is adopted, these avenues of
physical senses are sealed, and in this way, the Salik is saved from the calamities of the heart. When
the eye does not see anyone, the heart will neither crave for wealth nor incline towards females.

Thus an intelligent and wise man can never deny the significance and value of seclusion ,
especially when there exists the clear basis for the validity of khalwat in Rasulullah's (SAW)
practice of seclusion in the cave of Hira. Repeatedly would he seclude himself in the cave of Hira
for engrossment in long spells of Ibadat.

Some Mashaikh have confined the duration of khalwat to forty days on the basis of the narration of
Hadhrat Ibn Abbas ( RAD) who reported that Rasulullah ( SAW ) said :

" Whoever, adopts ( the practice of ) Ikhlas for the sake of Allah Ta'ala for forty mornings (days),
fountains of wisdom will become manifest in his heart and on his tongue. "

According to some Mashaikh, the period of seclusion is one month. The basis for this view is the
narration of Hadhrat Jabir ( RAD ).

#############################

Now we need to remember why the elders advises us not to give any break during chilla or not to take
mobile phones during chilla etc.

If you can spend a chilla with a person whose spiritual radiance is as bright as Rasulullah ( SAW ),
then you do not need to go to a shaykh of Tasawwuf ( aka Pir ) . Then within a few days, your heart
will be illuminated and you will be elevated to a high spiritual station.

Of course, there are some rare persons like the father of Hazrat ILYAS ( RAH ) who attained the stage
of Ihsan without going to Tabligi Jamat or a Pir during his age. However, for the majority of the people,
a spiritual guide is highly recommended.