Welcoming the Blessed Month of Rabi al-Noor Sharif!!

Blessed be the moment of Prophet's birth;
When unsurpassed glory spread over the earth!!

 

All praise is to Allah, the Lord of The Creation, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Owner of the Day of Recompense, Who blessed us with being the Ummah of His Beloved Rasool SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, Who sanctified our hearts with the Love and Affection towards His Beloved Rasool SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam, Who blessed us the with the most precious treasure of Iman (Faith). Countless Salutations, Peace and Blessings be upon the Cream of the Creation... Mercy for all Worlds... Seal of the Prophets Sayyiduna wa Mawlana MuHammadur Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam, His Blessed Parents, His entire Family, His Progeny, His Companions and His Followers!!

AlHamduLILLAH Thumma AlHamduLILLAH!! We are again blessed with the arrival and celebration of this Blessed Month of Rabi al-Noor. May ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala bless us all with the blessings of this holy month and give us an opportunity to explore and enjoy the blessings of this holy month in Madina al-Munawwarah, the city of HIS Habeeb al-Kareem Alaihi afDalus Salati wa al-Tasleem... Aameen!!

Dear Friends! After promising ourselves to quit the injurious company of the deviants on the 93rd Urs-e-Razawi, now it's time to make ourselves an example of the blessed teachings of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam! Today, it is a tragedy that we do not derive lessons and benefits from the teachings of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam as his faithful followers ought to do. The real and true method of celebrating the birth of the Beloved Habeeb SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam is by intensely concentrating on his actions and trying to benefit as much as possible from his words. We should also try to imitate the Noble Companions Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma'een — the model disciples and followers, in our homes and outside, in businesses and private and social gatherings.

We should celebrate the birth of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam with the same glow and serene devotion as that of the Companions of the Holy Prophet Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma'een and the early Muslims. We profess love for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam and express it by celebrating his birthday. However, our lives and outlook should bear remembrance in the true sense of the word. Now that we have the tremendous advantage of acquiring and spreading knowledge, there is no excuse on our part for not following the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam to reinforce and fasten our covenant with Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.

 

Let us make ourselves ready to welcome the Blessed Month of Rabi' al-Awwal Sharif with some special gifts and pleasant changes in ourselves. There are plenty of things we can do, for e.g.

1. We can try to recite the Holy Quran al-Kareem at least once in a day. Let it be One Ayah, One Ruku', One Chapter or as much as we can.

2. We must try our level best to offer all five (5) obligatory prayers at their particular timings and not to leave Jama'ah (Congregation), especially the FAJR Prayer.

3. Try observing a voluntary (nafl) fast on Monday for thankfulness because the Holy Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam himself fasted on this day.

4. My brothers who shave the blessed Sunnah of Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) i.e. the beard, can put their effort to beautify their faces with the beard. Sayyiduna Ibn 'Umar Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anhu reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, "Do the opposite of what the polytheists do; let the beard grow long and clip the mustache." A version has, "trim the mustache down and leave the beard."

5. My sisters who do not observe a proper Veil (Hijab) can protect themselves by observing the proper veil (Hijab), as it's also necessary for a Muslim woman. In Surah 33, Verse 59, Almighty Allah says: "O Prophet! Enjoin upon your wives, your daughters and women believers to draw their clothes around them. That is more proper, so that they may be recognized and not be molested." A newly converted Muslim woman when observed Hijab for the first time, said, "It feels more protected than having huge security of armed forces" – wa alHamduLILLAH

6. Let us delete all movies and songs saved in our PCs, laptops, iPods, cell phones or any other device and move the CDs, DVDs and cassettes to the trash bin. It is stated in Bayhaqi's Shu'ab al-Iman and Kanz al-'Ummal that Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said, "Songs (Music) cultivate Nifaq (evil) in the minds similar to water growing the crop"

7. We can make an attempt to feed the poor and destitute according to our own ability.

8. We can try making arrangements for clothes or other requirements of someone in need or of a widow.

9. We can make an effort and make arrangements for the fees and books of a poor or orphan child.

10. Try making arrangements for the medicines of a needy patient or at least helping his family with clothing and other requirements.

11. If a person in need has taken loan from us, we should either pardon the entire loan or a part of it based on our own ability, just for the sake of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. Also, the person can be given some more time to return the loan. 

12. Try meeting relatives, friends and neighbours and presenting them with authentic books on the biography of the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, admonishing them to be steadfast on the teachings of Islam and making them pay attention towards Salah, Sawm and other Islamic duties.

13. Those having an habit or I must say disease of swearing and using abusive slang language in their conversations must leave this act as it is detested by Almighty Allah and is taken as an unethical act even by the general public.

14. Another Beautiful Sunnah Mubarak of our Beloved Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him is to wear the blessed Turban. Wearing a turban is the tradition of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), especially during the prayers. The prayer that is performed wearing a turban carries more reward and according to another narration, the prayer performed wearing a turban carries 70 times reward than that of without the Turban.

15. Recite as much as Durood Sharif as we can. Apart from the virtues and blessings of reciting Durood Sharif described in Ahadith, this will also help us avoid unnecessary and unwanted talks and gossips and reward for avoiding useless conversation will be achieved as a bonus in sha Allah!!

16. We must try and make a paramount effort towards lighting up our homes and surrounding area and making the pathways clean.

17. We must keep our parents pleased and contented with ourselves at the extreme. We have to make sure that we don't give them a single chance to complain to any of our action that can possibly hurt them.

18. We must try transforming our internal conflicts into love and making a covenant to live and work together and that none amongst us will ever create conflicts. 

19. We have to respect our elders especially our parents, grandparents and teachers. Also, we should be kind, affectionate and loving towards our younger and give them sweets, toffees and other small gifts that please them.

20. Last but not the least, we must read and share the narrations of celebrating the blessed Birth of the Beloved Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him from the authentic books of our prominent Ahl as-Sunnah Scholars in sha ALLAH!!

To conclude,

If we ascetically act upon all the above said advices or even few of them, I am pretty sure that we would become eligible to be called a practical and true Muslim. May Allah give us the tawfeeq, increase our strength and keep us firm upon whatever good we intend to do.

Let us offer such special gifts in the August Court of the Master of the Mankind, King of the Creation of Allah Almighty, Our Master, Our Beloved Prophet MuHammad Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam on his Birthday. May ALLAH Azza wa Jall and His Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) accept our humble presents… Aameen!!

JazakALLAHu Khariah aHsan al-Jaza fid Daarain in anticipation and the Blessed Month of Rabi' al-Noor Mubarak to everyone once again!!

———
A Humble Request by:
Noori al-Qadiri & Najibullah Qadiri
Servants of Seekers of the Sacred Knowledge

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Preparing for Rabi' al-Awwal Sharif | An Advice by Shaykh Habib Umar bin Hafiz [Tarim, Yemen]

Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala sent his final and beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam to this world in the blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal. The arrival of the Beloved Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam to this world is the greatest gift from the gifts of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala. The Noble Qur'an, in several places, teaches us to mention the gifts of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala immensely and that we should express joy and happiness due to them and we should thank Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala for the gifts bestowed upon us. Thus, on the occasion of the blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal, Eid Milad of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is celebrated throughout the Islamic World. Let us also celebrate the birth of the Beloved Master SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and thus express joy and happiness for this great bounty that Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has bestowed upon us. 

 

Following are some advices regarding preparations for Rabi' al-Awwal Sharif from Shaykh Habib Umar bin Muhammad bin Salem Bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him) that he delivered while answering to the following questions:

Is any special formula of prayer upon the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that we should read during Rabi` al-Awwal?

He said that there is no doubt that this is the month of bestowing prayers upon the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Many of the pious of the Ummah are united with the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in this month. Any formula that we read is beneficial. You benefit according to the degree to which your heart is filled with the intention of obeying the command (to bestow prayers upon him) and love, longing and veneration for him. Read whatever formula you know and while doing so ask Allah to relieve the suffering of the Muslims.

Habib `Ali bin Salim al-Ada`j bin Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Salim saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) at the blessed shubbak (the grille in front of his grave) and asked him to teach him a formula to read. He told him to read:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ على سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ حَبِيبِ الرَّحْمَنْ عَدَدَ ما يَكوُن و ما قَدْ كَانْ
"O Allah, bestow Your prayers upon our Master Muhammad,
the Beloved of the Most Compassionate to the number of things that will be and that were."

What is the most beautiful gift that someone can give to the Messenger of Allah in the month of Rabi` al-Awwal?

In reality we are unable to benefit him in any way but what pleases him is for us to understand his speech and his teachings and through that to attain high stations. He is thus content with that which benefits us.

One of the greatest of those things (as we understand from the Book and the Sunnah) is for us to be a means of guidance for someone. That person may be a non-Muslim who accepts Islam or a disobedient or heedless Muslim who repents and becomes upright.

Another thing is giving life to his Sunnah and establishing it. If we establish the Sunnah in our homes and teach it to our children this makes him happy because it us that benefit from this. He said in the hadith: "Whoever brings life to my Sunnah during the time of corruption of my Ummah will have the reward of a martyr" (or in one narration "one hundred martyrs").

Another thing is to do good to the creation in general, to the believers specifically, and the elite of the believers more specifically.

A further thing is to strengthen our love for the believers, for the people of the Prophetic Household and for the Companions.

Finally, we should make big intentions in Rabi' al-Awwal, such as gathering together with our brothers and attending or arranging lessons or courses.

How can we inspire people to long for the Messenger of Allah?

By mentioning his virtues, qualities and his life.
By embodying his character and his dealing.
By deepening our love, longing and veneration for him.

If such a person speaks he will have such an effect on those listening such that they begin to long for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

———
Translated by: Ustadh Amin Buxton
at Dar al-Mustafa on 27th Safar 1433 / 21st January 2012

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29th Safar al-Muzaffar | Hazrat Mujaddid Alf-e-Saani Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi Alaihir raHmah [URDU]

حضرت امام ربّانی مجدد الف ثانی
شیخ احمد سرہندی فاروقی علیہ الرحمۃ والرضوان

آپ کی ولادت ١٤ شوال ٩٧١ ھ /١٥٦٣ء ، جلال الدین اکبر بادشاہ کے دور میں سرہند میں ہوئی۔ علوم عقلیہ و نقلیہ میں سند فراغ ٩٨٨ھ میں حاصل کی ١٠٠٧ھ میں آپ کے والد ِ بزرگوار شیخ عبدالاحد علیہ الرحمۃ کا وصال ہوا ۔ سلسلہ عالیہ قادریہ میں حضرت شیخ کمال کیتھلی علیہ الرحمۃ (وصال ٩٨١ھ /١٥٧٣ء) سے نسبت حاصل کی ۔ ١٠٠٨ھ /١٥٩٩ء میں دہلی تشریف لا کر ، زبدۃ العارفین حضرت خواجہ باقی باللہ قدس سرہ، سے سلسلہ عالیہ نقشبندیہ میں بیعت ہو کر انتہائی کمال حاصل کیا اور اسی سال حضرت شاہ سکندر کیتھلی (نبیرہ شیخ کمال کیتھلی) نے حضرت غوثِ اعظم شیخ عبدالقادر جیلانی رضی اللہ عنہ، ( ف ۔٥٦١ھ /١١٦٤ء) کا خرقہ خلافت حضرت مجدد کو عطا کیا۔ عہد اکبری اور جہانگیری میں مسندِ اقتدار سے لے کر عوام کے انتہائی پسماندہ طبقے تک اور سری لنکا کے ساحل سے لے کر آسام تک ، بحیرہ عرب کے جنوبی مسلم علاقوں سے لے کر چین کی سرحدوں تک، حضرت مجدد الف ثانی علیہ الرحمہ نے جو رشد و ہدایت کی شمع فروزاں کی اس سے متذکرہ علاقوں کے علاوہ پورا عالمِ اسلام منور ہوا۔ سلطنتِ مغلیہ کے مقتدر ایوانوں اور عام مسلم گھرانوں میں آپ کے تجدیدی کارناموں کے باعث لاکھوں افراد کامیاب اور راہ یاب ہوئے ۔ آپ کی بے باکی، بے خوفی اور بے غرضی کو دیکھ کر قرونِ اولیٰ و ثانیہ کے مسلمان صحابہ و تابعین کی یاد تازہ ہوجاتی ہے۔ طویل عرصہ زنداں میں اسیر (جیل میں نظر بند) رہنے کے باوجود آپ کے پائے ثبات متزلزل نہیں ہوئے۔ آپ کا وصال پر ملال ٦٣ برس کی عمر میں بروز دوشنبہ (پیر) ٢٩ صفر المظفر ١٠٣٤ھ/١٦٢٤ء میں ہوا۔ اپنے وصال کی خبر آپ نے دس برس قبل ہی دے دی تھی، جوکہ آپ کی کرامت ہے۔ آپ کے زمانہ میں مشہور علماء حضرت محقق علی الاطلاق شیخ عبدالحق محدث دہلوی علیہ الرحمۃ ، پیر طریقت حضرت خواجہ حسام الدین نقشبندی علیہ الرحمۃ اور امام المتکلمین حضرت علامہ عبدالحکیم سیالکوٹی علیہ الرحمۃ تھے۔ 

شاعرِ مشرق ڈاکٹر محمد اقبال کا نذرانہ عقیدت

حاضر ہوا میں شیخ مجدد کی لحد پر
وہ خاک کہ ہے زیر فلک مطلعِ انوار

اس خاک کے ذروں سے ہیں شرمندہ ستارے
اس خاک میں پوشیدہ ہے وہ صاحبِ اسرار

گردن نہ جھکی جس کی جہانگیر کے آگے
جس کے نفسِ گرم سے ہے گرمیئ احرار

وہ ہند میں سرمایہ ملّت کا نگہباں
اللہ نے بر وقت کیا جس کو خبردار

عقائد و اعمال سے متعلق ارشادات

اہلسنّت ہی جنت میں جائیں گے:

نجات آخرت کا حاصل ہونا صرف اسی پر موقوف ہے کہ تمام افعال و اقوال و اصول و فروع میں اہلسنّت و جماعت (اکثر ہم اللہ تعالیٰ ) کا اتباع کیا جائے اور صرف یہی فرقہ جنتی ہے اہلسنّت و جماعت کے سوا جس قدر فرقے ہیں سب جہنمی ہیں۔ آج اس بات کو کوئی جانے یا نہ جانے کل قیامت کے دن ہر ایک شخص اس بات کو جان لے گا مگر اس وقت کا جاننا کچھ نفع نہ دے گا۔ (مکتوب ٦٩ جلد اوّل مطبع نو لکشور لکھنؤ ٨٦)

حبیب خدا صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم مقصود کائنات:

حدیث قدسی میں ہے کہ حضور سیدنا محمد صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے اللہ تعالیٰ سے عرض کی

اَللّٰھُمَّ اَنْتَ وَمَا اَنَا وَمَا سواک تَرَکْتُ لاَجَلِکَ
یعنی اے اللہ توہی ہے اور میں نہیں ہوں اور تیرے سوا جو کچھ ہے سب کو میں نے تیرے لئے چھوڑدیا

اللہ تبارک و تعالیٰ نے اپنے محبوب صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سے فرمایا

یَا مُحَمَّد اَنَا وَ اَنْتَ وَمَا سِوَاکَ خَلَقْتُ لاجَلِکَ
یعنی اے محبوب میں ہوں اور تو ہے اور تیرے سوا جو کچھ ہے سب کو میں نے تیرے ہی لئے پیدا کیا ۔ (مکتوب ٨ جلد دوم صفحہ ١٨)

معرفت ربّ العالمین کا سبب حقیقی:

اللہ تعالیٰ عزوجل نے اپنے محبوب صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سے ارشاد فرمایا۔

لَوْ لاکَ لَمَا خَلَقْتُ الافْلاک
یعنی تمہارا پیدا کرنا مجھے مقصود نہ ہوتا تو میں آسمانوں کو پیدا نہ کرتا

لَوْ لاکَ لَمَا اَظْہَرْتُ الرَّبُوْ بِیَّۃَ
یعنی تمہارا پیدا کرنا مجھے مقصود نہ ہوتا تو میں اپنا رب ہونا بھی ظاہر نہ کرتا۔ (مکتوب ١١٢جلد سوم صفحہ ٢٣٢)

مجدد صاحب کی زندگی کا مرکز و محور:

مجھے اللہ تبارک و تعالیٰ کے ساتھ اسلئے محبت ہے کہ وہ محمد مصطفی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا رب ہے ۔ (مکتوب ٢٢١جلدسوم صفحہ ٢٢٤)

نبی کریم علیہ الصلوٰۃ والسلام اللہ کے نور سے ہیں:

حضور اقدس صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی خلقت کسی بشر کی خلقت کی طرح نہیں بلکہ عالم ممکنات میں کوئی چیز بھی حضور اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے ساتھ کچھ مناسبت نہیں رکھتی ۔ کیونکہ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو اللہ عزوجل نے اپنے نور سے پیدا فرمایا ہے۔ (مکتوب ١٠٠ جلد سوم صفحہ ١٨٧)

رسول اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کاسایہ نہیں تھا:

عالم امکان کو (جو تحت الثریٰ سے عرش تک کی جملہ موجودات و کائنا ت کا محیط ہے) جس قدر دقت نظر کے ساتھ دیکھا جاتا ہے حضور انورصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا وجود پاک اسکے اندر نظر نہیں آتا ۔ سرکار دوعالم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم اس بزم امکان سے بالا تر ہیں۔ اسی لئے حضور اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا سایہ نہ تھا۔ (مکتوب ١٠٠ جلد سوم صفحہ ١٨٧)

عقیدہ علم غیب:

جو علم غیب اللہ عزوجل کے ساتھ مخصوص ہے اس پر وہ اپنے خاص رسولوں کو مطلع فرمادیتا ہے۔ (مکتوب ٣١٠ جلد اول ٤٤٦)

شیخ مجدد کا مسلک پرتصلّب و تشدد:

جو شخص تمام ضروریات دین پرایمان رکھنے کا دعویٰ کرے لیکن کفرو کفار کے ساتھ نفرت و بیزاری نہ رکھے وہ درحقیقت مرتد ہے۔ اس کا حکم منافق کا حکم ہے۔ جب تک خدا عزوجل اور رسول صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے دشمنوں کے ساتھ دشمنی نہ رکھی جائے اس وقت تک خدا و رسول صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے ساتھ محبت نہیں ہوسکتی ۔ یہیں پر یہ کہنا ٹھیک ہے ع 

تولّٰی بے تبرّ یٰ نیست ممکن (مکتوب ٢٦٦ جلد اول صفحہ ٣٢٥)

اہلبیت کی محبت کے بغیر ایمان مکمل نہیں:

حضور اقدس صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے اہل بیت کرام کیساتھ محبت کا فرض ہونا نصِ قطعی سے ثابت ہے ۔ اللہ عزوجل نے اپنے حبیب صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی دعوت الی الحق و تبلیغ اسلام کی اجرت امت پر یہی قرار دی کہ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے قرابت داروں کیساتھ محبت کی جائے۔ قُل لاَّ اَسْئَلُکُمْ عَلَیْہِ اَجْرًا اِلا الْمَوَدَّۃَ فِیْ الْقُرْبٰی۔ (مکتوب ٢٦٦، جلد اول صفحہ ٣٢٦)

اصحاب رسول سے محبت :

حضور اکرم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے تمام صحابہ کرام رضی اللہ عنہم اجمعین کو نیکی کیساتھ یاد کرنا چاہئے۔ اور حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ہی کی وجہ سے انکے ساتھ محبت رکھنی چاہئے ۔ ان کے ساتھ محبت حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کیساتھ محبت ہے، انکے ساتھ عداوت حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ہی کیساتھ عداوت ہے۔ (مکتوب ٢٦٦، جلد اول صفحہ ٣٢٦)

اصحابِ رسول کے درجات:

تمام صحابہ کرم میں سب سے افضل و اعلیٰ سیدنا ابوبکر صدیق رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ ہیں پھر ان کے بعد سب سے افضل سیدنا عمر فاروق رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ ہیں ان دونوں باتوں پر اجماع امت ہے اور چاروں آئمہ مجتہدین امام اعظم ابو حنیفہ و امام شافعی و امام مالک و امام احمد بن حنبل رضی اللہ عنہم اجمعین اور اکثر علماء اہلسنّت کا یہی مذہب ہے کہ حضرت عمر کے بعد تمام صحابہ میں سب سے افضل سیدنا عثمان غنی ہیں ، پھر ان کے بعد تمام امت میں سب سے افضل سیدنا مولیٰ علی کرم اللہ وجہہ، ہیں۔ (مکتوب ٢٦٦، جلد اول، صفحہ٣٣٠)

مولیٰ علی حق پر ہیں:

حضرت مولیٰ علی کرم اللہ وجہہ، کے ساتھ حضرت ام المؤمنین عائشہ صدیقہ رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہا و سیدنا طلحہٰ و سیدنا زبیر و سیدنا معاویہ و سیدنا عمر و بن العاص کی لڑائیاں ہوئیں۔ ان سب میں مولیٰ علی کرم اللہ تعالیٰ وجہہ حق پر تھے۔ اور یہ حضرات خطا پر ۔ لیکن وہ خطا عنادی نہ تھی بلکہ خطائے اجتہادی تھی۔ مجتہد کواسکی خطائے اجتہادی پر بھی ایک ثواب ملتا ہے۔ ہم کو  تمام صحابہ کے ساتھ محبت رکھنے ، ان سب کی تعظیم کرنے کا حکم ہے جو کسی صحابی کے ساتھ بغض و عداوت رکھے وہ بد مذہب ہے۔ (خلاصہ مکتوب ٢٦٦ جلد اول صفحہ٣٢٦ تا ٣٣٠)

روافض سے اجتناب:

جو لوگ کلمہ پڑھتے اور اپنے آپ کو مسلمان کہتے ہیں لیکن صحابہ کرام رضی اللہ عنہم اجمعین کے ساتھ دشمنی کرتے ہیں اللہ عزوجل نے قرآن میں ان کو کافر کہا ہے۔ لِیَغِیْظَ بِہِمُ الْکُفَّار مسلمان کہلانے والے بد مذہب کی صحبت کھُلے ہوئے کافر کی صحبت سے زیادہ نقصان پہنچاتی ہے۔ (مکتوب ٥٤ جلد اول صفحہ٧١)

اولیائے کرام کی فضیلت:

* انبیا و اولیاء کی پاک روحوں کو عرش سے فرش تک ہر جگہ برابر کی نسبت ہوتی ہے کوئی چیز ان سے نزدیک و دور نہیں۔ (مکتوب ٢٨٩ جلد ۱ صفحہ ٣٧١)
* حضور اقدس صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی امت کے اولیائے کرام کا طواف کرنے کیلئے کعبہ معظمہ حاضر ہوتا اور ان سے برکتیں حاصل کرتا ہے۔ (مکتوب ٢٠٩ جلد اول صفحہ ٢١١)
* اکمل اولیا اللہ کو اللہ عزوجل یہ قدرت عطا فرماتا ہے کہ وہ بیک وقت متعدد مقامات پر تشریف فرما ہوتے ہیں۔ (مکتوب ٥٨ جلد دوم صفحہ ١١٥)
* عارف ایسے مرتبہ پر پہنچ جاتا ہے کہ عرض ہو یا جوہر، آفاق ہو یا انفس تمام مخلوقات اور موجودات کے ذروں میں سے ہر ایک ذرہ اس کے لئے غیب الغیب کا دروازہ ہوجاتا ہے اور ہر ایک ذرہ بارگاہ الٰہی کی طرف اسکے لئے ایک سڑک بن جاتا ہے۔ (مکتوب ١١٠ جلد سومصفحہ٢١٠)

غوث اعظم تقدیر بدل سکتے ہیں:۔

حضور پر نور سیدنا غوث اعظم محی الدین عبد القادر جیلانی رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ کو اللہ نے یہ قدرت عطا فرمائی ہے کہ جو قضا لوح محفوط میں بشکل مبرم لکھی ہوئی ہو اور اس کی تعلیق صرف علم خداوندی میں ہو۔ ایسی قضا میں باذن اللہ تصرف فرما سکتے ہیں۔ (مکتوب ٢١٧ جلد اول صفحہ ٢٢٤)

حضور پر نور سیدنا غوث اعظم محی الدین عبدالقادر جیلانی رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ کے زمانہ مبارک سے قیامت تک جتنے اولیاء ،ابدال ، اقطاب ، اوتاد، نقبا، نجبائ، غوث یا مجدد ہونگے ، سب فیضان ولایت و برکات طریقت حاصل کرنے میں حضور غوث اعظم رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ کے محتاج ہونگے بغیر ان کے واسطے اور وسیلے کے قیامت تک کوئی شخص ولی نہیں ہوسکتا۔ احمد سرہندی بھی حضور غوث اعظم رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ کا نائب ہے جس طرح سورج کا پرتو پڑنے سے چاند منور ہوتا ہے اسی طرح احمد سرہندی پر بھی تمام فیوض و برکات حضور غوث اعظم رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ کی بارگاہ سے فائز ہورہے ہیں۔ (مکتوب ١٢٣ جلد سوم صفحہ ٢٤٨) 

تقلید واجب ہے:۔

مقلد کو یہ جائز نہیں کہ اپنے امام کی رائے کے خلاف قرآن عظیم و حدیث شریف سے احکام شرعّیہ خود نکال کر ان پر عمل کرنے لگے۔ مقلدین کے لئے یہی ضروری ہے کہ جس امام کی تقلید کررہے ہیں اسی کے مذہب کا مفتی بہ قول معلوم کرکے اسی پر عمل کریں۔ (مکتوب ٢٨٦ جلد اول صفحہ ٣٧٥)

بد مذہبوں سے بچو!:

اللہ نے اپنے پیغمبر صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو جو خلق عظیم کے ساتھ موصوف ہیں، کافروں اور منافقوں پر جہاد کرنے اور سختی فرمانے کا حکم دیا۔ اسلام کی عزت ،کفر کی ذلت پر اور مسلمانوں کی عزت، کافروں کی ذلت پر موقوف ہے۔ جس نے کافروں کی عزت کی اس نے مسلمانوں کی ذلیل کیا۔ کافروں اور منافقوں کو کتوں کی طرح دور رکھنا چاہئے۔ ۔خدا عزوجل اور رسول صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے دشمنوں کے ساتھ میل جول بہت بڑا گناہ ہے۔ خدا اور رسول صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے دشمنوں کے ساتھ دوستی و الفت خدا عزوجل و رسول صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی دشمنی و عداوت تک پہنچا دیتی ہے۔ (مکتوب ١٦٣ جلد اول صفحہ ١٦٥)

گائے کی قربانی:

گائے ذبح کرنا ہندوستان میں اسلام کا بہت بڑا شعار ہے (مکتوب ٨١ جلد اول صفحہ ١٠٦)

ہندوؤں کے دیوتاؤں کو پیغمبر یا اوتار نہ سمجھواور خدا بھی نہ سمجھو:

ہندوؤں کے دیوتا مثل رام و کرشن وغیرہا کافر و بے دین تھے کہ لوگوں کو اپنی عبادت کی طرف دعوت دیتے تھے اور اس بات کے قائل تھے کہ خدا ان کے اندر حلول کئے ہوئے ہے۔ ہندو جس رام اور کرشن کو پوجتے ہیں وہ تو ماں باپ سے پیدا ہوئے تھے، رام وسرتھ کا بیٹا تھا، لچھمن کا بھائی اور سیتا کا خاوند تھا لہٰذا یہ کہنا کہ رام اور رحمان ایک ہی ہستی کے دو نام ہیں کسی طرح ٹھیک نہیں۔ (مکتوب ١٦٧ جلد اول صفحہ ١٧١)

میلاد و اعراس کی محافل جائز ہیں:

مجلس میلاد شریف میں اگر اچھی آواز کے ساتھ قرآن پاک کی تلاوت کی جائے اور حضور اقدس صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی نعت شریف اور صحابہ کرام و اہل بیت عظام و اولیائے اعلام رضی اللہ عنہم اجمعین کی منقبت کے قصیدے پڑھے جائیں تو اس میں کیا حرج ہے؟ ناجائز بات تو یہ ہے کہ قرآن عظیم کے حروف میں تغیر و تحریف کر دی جائے۔ اور قصیدے پڑھنے میں راگنی اور موسیقی کے قواعد کی رعایت و پابندی کی جائے اور تالیاں بجائی جائیں۔ جس مجلس میلاد مبارک میں یہ ناجائز باتیں نہ ہوں اس کے ناجائز ہونے کی کیا وجہ ہو سکتی ہے؟ ہاں جب تک راگنی اور تال سُر کے ساتھ گانے اور تالیاں بجانے کا دروازہ بالکل بند نہ کیا جائے گا ابو الہوس لوگ باز نہ آئیں گے۔ اگر ان نامشروع باتوں کی ذرا سی بھی اجازت دے دی جائے گی تو اس کا نتیجہ بہت ہی خراب نکلے گا۔ (مکتوب ٧٢ جلد سوئم صفحہ ١١٦)

بے ادبوں گستاخوں سے صلح جائز نہیں:

حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے کے ساتھ کمال محبت کی علامت یہ ہے کہ حضور صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے دشمنوں کے ساتھ کمال بغض رکھیں۔ اور ان کی شریعت کے مخالفوں کے ساتھ عداوت کا اظہار کریں۔ محبت کے اندر پالیسی اور چاپلوسی جائز نہیں۔ کیونکہ محب اپنے محبوب کا دیوانہ ہوتا ہے۔ وہ اس بات کو برداشت نہیں کرسکتا کہ اس کے محبوب کی مخالفت کی جائے۔ وہ اپنے محبوب کے مخالفوں کے ساتھ کسی طرح بھی صلح پسند نہیں کرتا۔ دو محبتیں جو آپس میں ایک دوسرے کی ضد ہوں ایک قلب میں اکٹھی نہیں ہوسکتیں ۔ کفار کے ساتھ جو خدا اور رسول صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے دشمن ہیں دشمن ہونا چاہئے اور ان کی ذلت و خواری میں کوشش کرنا چاہئے اور کسی طرح بھی ان کو عزت نہیں دینا چاہئے اور ان بدبختوں کو اپنی مجلس میں آنے نہیں دینا چاہئے اور ان سے اُنس و محبت نہیں کرنا چاہئے اور ان کے ساتھ سختی و شدت کا طریقہ برتنا چاہئے اور جہاں تک ہوسکے کسی بات میں ان کی طرف رجوع نہ کرنا چاہئے اور اگر بالفرض ان سے کوئی ضرورت پڑ جائے تو جس طرح انسان ناگواری اور مجبوری سے بیت الخلا جاتا ہے اسی طرح ان سے اپنی ضرورت پوری کرنا چاہئے۔ (خلاصہ مکتوب ١٦٥ جلد اول صفحہ ١٦٦ تا ١٦٩)

بادشاہ حکمراں کی حیثیت:

رعایا کے ساتھ بادشاہ کا تعلق ایسا ہے جیسا دل کا جسم سے ہوتا ہے، اگر دل ٹھیک ہو تو بدن بھی ٹھیک رہے گا، اگر دل بگڑ جائے تو بدن بھی بگڑ جائے گا، بالکل اسی طرح ملک کی بہتری بادشاہ کی بہتری پر منحصر ہے، اگر بادشاہ بگڑ جائے گا تو ملک کا بگڑ جانا بھی لازمی ہے۔

شہزادہ خرّم (شاہجہاں) کو بشارت دی:

ایک دن حضرت مجدد تنہا بیٹھے تھے کہ شہزادہ خرم آپکی خدمت میں حاضر ہوا اور عرض کیا! یہ عجیب بات ہے کہ میں نے ہمیشہ آپ کی طرف دار و حمایت کی مگر آپ نے میرے حق میں دعا کے بجائے بادشاہ کے حق میں دعا فرمادی آپ نے جواباً فرمایا! ''مت گھبرا، مجھے اللہ تعالیٰ کی طرف سے معلوم ہوا ہے کہ تو عنقریب تخت پر بیٹھے گا اور تیرا لقب شاہ جہاں ہوگا۔'' شہزادہ خرم نے استدعا کی کہ مجھے بطور تبرک اپنی دستار عطا فرمائیں تو امام ربانی نے اپنی دستار شہزادہ کو دی جو عرصہ تک مغل بادشاہوں کے پاس تبرکاً محفوظ رہی۔

— — —
تحریر: علامہ نسیم احمد صدیقی مد ظلہ عالی
پیشکش: انجمن ضیائے طیبہ، کراچی، پاکستان

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Shahzad Afzal
http://www.pakistanprobe.com

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Preparing for Rabi' al-Awwal Sharif | An Advice by Shaykh Habib Umar bin Hafiz [Tarim, Yemen]

Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala sent his final and beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam to this world in the blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal. The arrival of the Beloved Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam to this world is the greatest gift from the gifts of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala. The Noble Qur'an, in several places, teaches us to mention the gifts of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala immensely and that we should express joy and happiness due to them and we should thank Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala for the gifts bestowed upon us. Thus, on the occasion of the blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal, Eid Milad of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is celebrated throughout the Islamic World. Let us also celebrate the birth of the Beloved Master SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and thus express joy and happiness for this great bounty that Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has bestowed upon us. 

 

Following are some advices regarding preparations for Rabi' al-Awwal Sharif from Shaykh Habib Umar bin Muhammad bin Salem Bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him) that he delivered while answering to the following questions:

Is any special formula of prayer upon the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that we should read during Rabi` al-Awwal?

He said that there is no doubt that this is the month of bestowing prayers upon the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Many of the pious of the Ummah are united with the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in this month. Any formula that we read is beneficial. You benefit according to the degree to which your heart is filled with the intention of obeying the command (to bestow prayers upon him) and love, longing and veneration for him. Read whatever formula you know and while doing so ask Allah to relieve the suffering of the Muslims.

Habib `Ali bin Salim al-Ada`j bin Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Salim saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) at the blessed shubbak (the grille in front of his grave) and asked him to teach him a formula to read. He told him to read:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ على سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ حَبِيبِ الرَّحْمَنْ عَدَدَ ما يَكوُن و ما قَدْ كَانْ
"O Allah, bestow Your prayers upon our Master Muhammad,
the Beloved of the Most Compassionate to the number of things that will be and that were."

What is the most beautiful gift that someone can give to the Messenger of Allah in the month of Rabi` al-Awwal?

In reality we are unable to benefit him in any way but what pleases him is for us to understand his speech and his teachings and through that to attain high stations. He is thus content with that which benefits us.

One of the greatest of those things (as we understand from the Book and the Sunnah) is for us to be a means of guidance for someone. That person may be a non-Muslim who accepts Islam or a disobedient or heedless Muslim who repents and becomes upright.

Another thing is giving life to his Sunnah and establishing it. If we establish the Sunnah in our homes and teach it to our children this makes him happy because it us that benefit from this. He said in the hadith: "Whoever brings life to my Sunnah during the time of corruption of my Ummah will have the reward of a martyr" (or in one narration "one hundred martyrs").

Another thing is to do good to the creation in general, to the believers specifically, and the elite of the believers more specifically.

A further thing is to strengthen our love for the believers, for the people of the Prophetic Household and for the Companions.

Finally, we should make big intentions in Rabi' al-Awwal, such as gathering together with our brothers and attending or arranging lessons or courses.

How can we inspire people to long for the Messenger of Allah?

By mentioning his virtues, qualities and his life.
By embodying his character and his dealing.
By deepening our love, longing and veneration for him.

If such a person speaks he will have such an effect on those listening such that they begin to long for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

———
Translated by: Ustadh Amin Buxton
at Dar al-Mustafa on 27th Safar 1433 / 21st January 2012

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Pearls of Spirituality | Gleaned from the writings of Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

P E A R L S   O F   S P I R I T U A L I T Y  
Gleaned from the writings of Sayyiduna AlaHadrat
Imām Aḥmad Riḍā Khān al Qādirī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

 

 

I | Ignorant Ṣūfīs

The noble friends of Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala state – "an ignorant ṣūfī is shayṭān's joke." Similarly, a ḥadīth of the noble Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam informs us –

فقيه واحد اشد على الشيطان من الف عابدين
"A single jurist is severer upon shayṭān than a thousand worshippers." [Tirmidhī and ibn Mājah]

Those who remain ignorant yet strive hard in their worship are merely made to dance by shayṭān upon his fingers. He places bridles in their mouths and tangs in their noses, and thus drags them wherever he wishes, whilst they convince themselves that they are accumulating good deeds.

Sayyidunā Junayd al Baghdādī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu  states –

"my spiritual guide, Sayyidunā Sirrī Saqtī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu  supplicated for me thus – 'may Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala grant you the knowledge of ḥadīth and then make you a ṣūfī, and may He not make you a ṣūfī before granting you the knowledge of ḥadīth." [Iḥyā 'Ulūm ud-Dīn; Vol. 1; Page 13]

Sayyidunā Imām al Ghazālī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states – whilst explaining this statement – 

"here, Sayyidunā Sirrī Saqtī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu meant that the one who steps into the field of taṣawwuf armed with the knowledge of ḥadīth is victorious, whereas the one who ventures forth without knowledge is merely (– Allāh forbid! –) placing himself into destruction."

Sayyidunā Abu-l Qāsim Junayd al Baghdādī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states –

"the one who has neither memorised the Qurān, nor written ḥadīth (meaning the one who lacks the knowledge of the jurisprudence) shouldn't be followed by seekers of the path (of taṣawwuf,) nor should he be taken as a murshid [spiritual guide,] as all our knowledge of ṭarīqah is in obedience to the Book and sunnah."

Sayyidunā Sirrī Saqtī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states –

"taṣawwuf is the name of the coming together of three qualities: firstly, the light of his (meaning the spiritual traveller's) gnosis should not extinguish his light of asceticism. Secondly, he should not utter anything esoterically which exoterically contradicts the Qurān or noble ḥadīth. Finally, none of his miracles should be a means of him revealing that which Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has forbidden to be revealed." [Risālat ul Qushayriyah; Page 13]

Sayyidunā Shaykh Shihāb ud-Dīn as-Suharwardī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states –

"that 'ḥaqīqah' which contradicts the sharī'ah is not in reality ḥaqīqah, but rather plain heresy." [Awārif ul Ma'ārif; Vol. 1; Page 43]

 

II | The Definition of 'Ilm 

The definition of an 'ālim is that he –

• is aware of the correct 'aqāid in their entirety;
• has a firm, independent resolve;
• and is able to extract his necessities from the corpus of religious literature without the help of another.

('ilm is not merely attained through the study of books,) but rather is also attained by discussion with the people of knowledge.[Malfūżāt; Page 58]

III | The meanings of Bay'ah and ṭalab

In becoming ṭālib, one's intent is merely the acquisition of spiritual bounties, whilst the meaning of bay'ah is "to sell oneself entirely." [Malfūżāt; Page 228]

IV | Conditions of Bay'ah

The bay'ah should be upon the hand of such an individual who embodies the following four qualities – in the case of him lacking even one of these qualities, bay'ah will not be valid upon his hand –

• he must be a sunnī with the correct creed;
• he should possess at least such a level of knowledge that enables him to extract his necessities from the corpus of religious texts without the help of another;
• his chain back to the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam should be continuous and unbroken;
• and he should be free from open fisq (transgression.) [Malfūżāt; Page 228]

V | Bay'ah in our times

Nowadays, people take bay'ah only as a trend, remaining ignorant of its true meaning. Bay'ah can be understood by means of the following account –

A murīd of Sayyidunā Yaḥya al Munīrī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was once drowning in the ocean. Sayyidunā Khiḍr appeared to him and said – "give me your hand, I will rescue you."

He replied – "I have already given my hand to Shaykh Yaḥya al Munīrī, and will now not give it to anyone else."

Thus Sayyidunā Khiḍr disappeared, to be replaced by Sayyidunā Yaḥya al Munīrī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu who rescued him. [Malfūżāt; Pages 228/9]

 

VI | Renewing one's Bay'ah

The practice of renewing one's bay'ah dates from the blessed era of the noble Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, with the Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam himself taking bay'ah from Sayyidunā Salāmah bin Akwa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu three times during a single gathering. They when headed for jihād when bay'ah was taken the first time, and Sayyidunā Salāmah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu pledged his allegiance then.

After a short while, our Master SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said – "Salāmah, will you not take bay'ah?"

When Sayyidunā Salāmah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu replied – "my master, I have already done so," the Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said – "once more."

Thus Sayyidunā Salāmah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu took bay'ah again. When all others present had finished pledging their allegiance, the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said once more – Salāmah, will you not take bay'ah?"

He Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu replied – "my Master, I have already done so twice."

The Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said – "once more," and thus he took bay'ah for the third time in that gathering. [Kashūl Faqīr Qādirī; Pages 48/9]

VII | Bay'ah from more than one Shaykh

(It is possible to leave a shaykh and take bay'ah upon the hand of another) in the case of there being some discrepancy (with regards the pristine sharī'ah) in the first shaykh. Otherwise it is not permissible, though one can always renew bay'ah.

'Adī bin Musāfir Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu says – "whoever comes to me, I accept his bay'ah regardless of his silsilah [spiritual lineage,] with the exception of those pledged in the Qādirī way, for no one leaves the ocean for the river."

VIII | Acquiring the rank of fanā fis-Shaykh

(The rank of fanā fis-shaykh is attained by the following spiritual practice –)

Envisage that your shaykh is present in front of you, and that your heart is situated below his. Visualise that the spiritual bounty and luminosity of the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is descending upon the heart of your shaykh and from there, cascading upon your heart. After a period, one will reach such a state where he will clearly see his shaykh upon every surface he sets his eyes upon, to such an extent that he will not be separated even during ṣalāh. Thus, your shaykh will remain with you in every state. [Malfūżāt; Page 234]

IX | Benefits of reciting one's Shajrah

Amongst the benefits that will be attained by reciting one's shajrah are –

• memorisation of the continuous spiritual chain which reaches back to the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam;
• invoking the mention of the pious, which brings about the descent of Divine mercy;
• conveying the rewards of one's deeds to each Spiritual Master individually, which brings about their generous spiritual focus;
• the mentioning of such luminaries in times of safety will ensure they in turn come to his aid when times of calamity strike. [Aḥkām e Sharī'at; Vol. 1; Page 80]

 

X | The Acceptance of Ważāif

To achieve the effect of ważā'if and a'māl , (the fulfilment of) three conditions is essential –

1. Confident Expectancy

For the heart to be free from such anxiety where one is constantly deliberating whether it has had an effect or not. Rather, one must trust wholly in Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala that He will definitely accept (this action).  It is mentioned in ḥadīth that the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam stated –

ادعوا الله وانتم موقنون با لاجابة
"Supplicate to Allāh in such a state that you remain certain of its acceptance." [Sunan at Tirmidhī; Vol. 5; Page 292; Hadith 3590]

2.  Patience and Forbearance

For one not to become fearful with the passage of time, where one thinks – "even after so many days, no effect has become apparent!" This itself will come to be the cause of (the action) not being accepted! Rather, embrace the mindset that without doubt, Allāh and His Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam are about to generously favour you! Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala states –

ولو انهم رضوا ما اتاهم الله ورسوله وقالوا حسبنا الله سيوتينا الله من فضله ورسوله انا الى الله راغبون
If only they were content with that which Allāh and His Messenger have given them, and say, "Allāh is enough for us – He will give us some of His bounty and so will His Messenger – to Allāh alone we turn in hope." [Sūrah al Tawbah; Verse 59]

یستجاب لاحدکم ما لم يعجل فیقول قد دعوت فلم یستجب لي
"Your supplications are accepted as long as you do not hastily say – 'I supplicated but it is yet to be accepted.'" [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim; Page 1563; Hadith 2735]

3. With regards permission (to act upon) the entirety of my (meaning 'Ālā Ḥaḍrat's Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) ważā'if , A'māl and Ta'wīżāt [amulets,] I have stipulated the condition that one must remain regular in offering the five daily ṣalāh with the congregation in the Masjid. And with Allāh is Tawfīq. [Fatāwā Raḍawiyyah; Vol. 23; Page 558]

— — —
Compiled and Translated by
Yusuf Rida and Najibullah Qadiri
Servants of Sacred Knowledge at Kutubic
Download PDF version from TheSunniWay.com

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Mujaddid of the 14th Century | AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Baraylawi Alaihir raHmah

The Reviver (Mujaddid) of the 14th Century
AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan Alaihir raHmah
 

Imam Ahmed Rida Khan [d. 1340h/1921 CE] was a champion of the Sunni World in the twentieth century as he defended the belief system of Sunni Muslims and rejected the false and deviant ways head on with support from the greatest Ulama worldwide.

He restored the deen to its original state in India when falsehood was being mixed with the truth and people were confused about Sunni beliefs and practices. Such a person is known as a "Mujaddid".

Hadrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said:

"There will always be in my Ummah a group who safeguard the truth until Qiyamah comes" [Hakim's Mustadrak]

Hadrat Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Noble Prophet (upon him peace and blessings) said:

"Allah shall send for this Ummah at the head of every hundred years a person who shall revive their Deen for them" 

Family History

Imam Ahmed Rida son of Mufti Naqi 'Ali son of Mufti Muhammad Rida. He was born in a scholarly family on the 10th of Shawwal (1856 CE) in Bareilly, India.

His forefathers were originally from Kandahar, Afghanistan, and migrated to and settled in India.

Studies & Discipleship

Imam Ahmed Rida studied twenty one traditional Islamic sciences under his father, and mastered over fifty traditional sciences most of which were poured into his heart from Allah Almighty as he mentioned in al-Ijaazat al-Mateenah.

He wrote his first ever fatwa on 14th Sha'ban 1286h on an issue of fostering (when he was only 13 years, 10 months and 4 days old!)
 
Imam Ahmed Rida took his spiritual pledge (bay'ah/ahd) and received khilafah in various Sufi pathways from his spiritual teacher , Sayyid Shah Aal-e-Rasul Ahmadi from Marehrah, India, in 1296H.

Travels to Hajj

First Hajj: In 1295h (1878 CE), at the age of 22, the great Imam traveled to perform Hajj with his father where he received Ijazahs (licenses to teach) in the traditional sciences from the great scholars of Makkah such as Sayyid Ahmad Zayni Dahlan and Mufti Abdullah bin Abd ar-Rahman Siraaj.

Event: It is narrated that Imam Ahmed Rida was near Maqam Ibrahim after Maghrib salah one evening that the Shafi'I Imam of Masjid al-Haraam Shaykh Salih Jamal al-Layl Makki (d.1320h/1884) greeted him and said: "I swear by Allah, I can see the light of Allah shine in your forehead" and presented Ijazahs to him.

Second Hajj: In 1323h (1906 CE), Imam Ahmed Rida travelled to the Two Holy sanctuaries for the second time in company of his brother, Mawlana Hassan Raza Khan and son, Mawlana Hamid Raza Khan.

Event: He wrote a book called "Al-Dawlah al-Makkiyyah" in Arabic in this journey in just over eight hours without using any books on a question proposed to him by the Sharif of Makkah on the Noble Prophet 's (may Allah give him peace and blessings) knowledge of the unseen (ilm al-gayb). This work received a tremendous acceptance in its recital gathering in the presence of the Sharif which was attended by the prominent scholars of the time.

In the same journey, he had numerous meetings of knowledge and circles with the great Ulama who were either teaching, living or traveling in Hijaz. He produced a number of books in Arabic due to these sittings and circles, among them are:

Hussam al-Haramayn (Sword of the Two Holy Sanctuaries on the throat of disbelief and falsehood) – his famous work in defence of the Sunni beliefs and refutation of deviant groups that had blasphemed Allah and His Messenger.

Al-Ijaazat al-Mateenah – His licenses to the scholars of Makkah and Madinah and letters to them

Kiflul Faqih – Fatwa on the legal status of the bank note in Islamic law

All three of the above mentioned books made Imam Ahmed Rida very popular in the holy lands of Hijaz, Syria and Yemen.

 

What his contemporary Arab scholars said about Him?

Major scholars of Makkah and Madinah praised him lavishly for his knowledge and piety. He was called:

"The absolute Shaykh of all teachers" by Shaykh Ismail Makki, Libarian of Makkah Haram Library

"The encyclopaedia of all sciences" by Shaykh 'Ali bin Hassan Maliki, Mufti of Makkah city

"A giant Imam and well learned man who is an expert in the sciences" by Shaykh Yusuf Nabhani, Mujaddid of Sham & Mufti of Lebanon.

[See: Al-Dawlah al-Makkiyyah & Hussamul Haramayn for more]

His Principles (Manhaj)

1. Love of Allah and His Messenger is before anything & everything 

He said "If my heart was ever divided into two parts, one of them would have written on it "laa ilaaha illAllah" and on the other "Muhammadur Rasulullah"!! 

2. Defending the Honour of the Noble Messenger (upon him peace & blessings) 

He did not tolerate blasphemy (disrespect) of the Noble Messenger or of the pious companions or Awliya and stood strongly against the corrupted groups of his time for this reason. 

3. Education and transmission of authentic knowledge 

He was a dedicated teacher and some of the greatest Ulama of India were his students, among them are: 

• His two sons, Hujjatul Islam (Proof of Islam) Hamid Rida Khan & Mufti-e-Azam Hind (the grand Mufti of India), Mustafa Rida Khan
• Sadrus Shariah (Front line scholar of Islamic Law): Amjad Ali al-A'zami
• Malik al-Ulema (King of the Ulama): Zafaruddin Bihari
• Sayyid Muhammad Muhadith-e-Kachouchwi
• Qutb-e-Madina: Ziya'uddin Ahmad al-Madani & others

4. Self-Purification 

He followed the spiritual path (tariqa) of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani and loved all the Sufiya (Awliya). He made thousands repent from sins in his gatherings  and his entire life was spent purifying hearts and summoning people to Allah Almighty 

5. Praise of the Messenger through writing and poems 

His Durood-o-Salam is recited all over the world after Jum'ua and at the ends of religious events in mosques and homes like the Qasidah Burdah. His most famous book of Na'ats is called "Hada'iq-e-Bakshish" containing some of the finest praises of Allah and of His chosen people.
 
6. Following the Sunnah of the Messenger (upon him peace & blessings) to the smallest detail 

The character of the Noble Messenger (upon him peace & blessings) was imprinted in Imam Ahmed Rida's life. He staunchly practised the Sunnah and so did his disciples and students. 

7. Uncompromising defence of the Ahlus-Sunnah beliefs and practises 

He authored more than two hundred books on the teachings of the Ahlus-Sunnah and their defence. 

His Books

Imam Ahmed Rida wrote more than a thousand books and commentaries in more than 55 sciences. A list of about 350 books is available titled "al-Mujmal al Mu'addid". A bulky 12 volume Hanafi fatwa collection: "Fataawa-e-Ridwiyyah" in Urdu/Arabic was recently published in Lahore (Pakistan) with an index in 33 volumes! His Fataawa are an ocean of knowledge and wisdom.

The Sunni Muslims of the sub-continent (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan) remember the great Imam for his service to the Ahlus-Sunnah and consider him a saviour when the Sunni-way was at threat.

 

His Demise and Burial

Imam Ahmed Rida passed away on 28th October 1921 CE (25th Safar 1340h) at the age of 65, in his home at Jumu'ah time when the mu'adhin was saying "come to success" leaving behind two sons, Mowlana Hamid Raza and Mufti Mustafa Raza, and five daughters.

People from all over the world visit his blessed shrine in Bareilly Shareef every year on 25th Safar and attend the annual khatam (Blessed URS).

The great grandson who takes care of the affairs of the school of Imam Ahmed Rida in Bareilly is Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan, a fine scholar and graduate of al-Azhar University in Egypt. He is now visually impaired yet still teaches and dictates translations to books in Arabic and English, with good knowledge of English. May Allah preserve him and grant health.

———
Penned by
Munawwar Ateeq Ridawi
[Birmingham — United Kingdom]

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Concept of Revivalist [Mujaddid] in Islam

All praise is to Allah, the Lord Of The Creation. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Owner of the Day of Recompense. Who blessed us being the Ummah of His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who sanctified our hearts with the Love and Affection towards His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who blessed us the with the most precious treasure of Iman (Faith). Countless Salutations, Peace and Blessings be upon the Cream of the Creation... Mercy for all Worlds... Seal of the Prophets Sayyiduna wa Mawlana MuHammadur Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam, His Blessed Parents, His entire Family, His Progeny, His Companions and His Followers!!

Sayyiduna Abu-Hurayrah Radi ALLAHu Anho narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam said: 

ان الله تعالى يبعث لهذه الامة على رأس كلّ مائة سنة من يجدد لها دينها
Verily Allah will send at the beginning of every century such a person for this Ummah who will rejuvenate and restore their religion (Deen).

Above stated Hadith is recorded by the following Hadith Masters:

Imam Abu-Dawood, and Imam Hakim in his Mustadrak, Imam Bayhaqee in his Al-Ma'rifah, reported by the great Hadith Master Imam Jalal al-Deen Suyootee in his al-Jama'e al-Sagheer fi Hadith al-Basheer wal-Nazeer, Imam Bayhaqee also narrates in his Al-Mudkhal and Imam Hasan bin Sufyan and Imam Bazar both in their Musnads, Imam Tabranee in his al-Mu'jam al-al-Awsat, Imam Ibn 'Adee in his Kamil and Imam Abu-Na'eem in his al-Hil'ya

Commenting on the authenticity of the above Hadith Shareef, Allama Imam Isma'il Haqqi records in his marginal notes of Siraj al-Muneer Sharh Jame'h al-Sagheer:

"My Shaykh said that there is a consensus of the Hadith Masters that this Hadith is Sahih."

Amongst the later Hadith Masters that verified this Hadith Sharif as Sahih are Imam Allama Abul-Fadl Iraqi and Imam Allama ibn Hajr and amongst the predecessor Masters, Imam Hakim author of Sahih al-Mustadrak and Imam Bayhaqee author of al-Mudkhal.

Blessed Grave of Ameer al-Mu'mineen Hadrat Sayyiduna Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz
Radi Allahu Anhu, the Mujaddid of 1st Century (After the Prophetic Period)

Imam Jalal al-Din Suyooti in his Mirqat al-Saud's marginal notes of Sunan Abu-Dawood records:

اتفق الحفاظ على تصحيحه
It is a consensus of the Muhadditheen (Hadith Masters) that this Hadith is Sahih.

In other the words, when there comes a period in which there is a shortage of knowledge and a deterioration in following of the Sunnah; when there is an increase in false innovations and ignorance; then Almighty Allah will send a person at the beginning or end of every century who will show the difference between Sunnah and Bid'at. He will refute and destroy false innovations and will fear none but Almighty Allah. He will very bravely and sincerely hoist the flag of Deen-e-Muhammadi (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). Such a person is known as a "Mujaddid" (Reviver) of Deen.

The author of the book, "Siraj al-Munir Sharh Jame'h al-Saghir", has explained who a Mujaddid is in the following words:

"In other words, to revive the Deen is to revive those teachings of the Quran and Sunnah that are being destroyed and to give command according to the Quran and Sunnah."

Allamah Munaadi (Alaihir raHma) states:

"A Mujaddid is one who separates Sunnah from Bid'ah and one who degrades the status of the Ahle Bid'ah."

Blessed Shrine of Sayyiduna Imaam MuHammad Ibn Idris al-Shafa'ee
Radi Allahu Anhu, the Mujaddid of 2nd Century

Why does a Mujaddid come after 100 years?

A Mujaddid is sent after every 100 years because after every century the surroundings, the environment, the manner of thinking and ways of the people tend to pass through a massive transformation. It has been stated in the Hadith of Bukhari Shareef that during the latter stages of the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) physical life, one night, after  performing Esha Salaah, he stood up and said,

"Should I inform you of the importance of this night? From this night onwards, right up to the end of a 100 years, that person who is alive on the earth (presently) will not be alive."

The concept of Tajdeed (Revival) of Deen

The correct meaning or concept of Tajdeed (Revival) is that one or more qualities are found in a person through which Ummat-e-Muhammadiyya benefit religiously e.g. imparting Islamic education, lecturing, and propagation, informing and forbidding people of evil and assisting the truthful.

The Shaykh of Shaykhs, The axis of the human race [Qutb al-Anaam], The upholder of the Sunnah,
The suppressor of heretical innovation, The pillar of the Shari'ah, The mainstay of the Haqiqah,
The signpost of the Tariqah, The chief of the saints, The leader of the pure,
Shaykh Muhyi 'd-Din Abu Muhammad 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, the Mujaddid of 5th Century

The Qualities of a Mujaddid

• It is not necessary that a Mujaddid be from the Ahle-Bayt as claimed by the Shias and other sects.
• It is not necessary that a Mujaddid be a Mujtahid.
• What is absolutely necessary is that he be a Sunni with correct beliefs according to the Ahle-Sunnah wa Jamah.
• He be profound Aalim of Deen.
• He be a Master and embodiment of most of the Sciences of Knowledge.
• He be an outstanding Scholar of his time.
• His services for the Deen be purely for the pleasure of Allah and His Rasool and not for greed of wealth and other worldly gain.
• He be fearless of opposition and rulers of his time.
• He will not act or give verdicts to please any person besides Allah and His Rasool.
• He will not fear speaking or advocating Truth in all circumstances.
• He will not use Religion to gain worldly fame.
• He will be a very pious and Allah fearing person.
• He will perfect mixture of the Shari'ah and Tari'qah.
• He will not tolerate any opposition to the Shari'ah.
• And according to 'Allama Imam Isma'il Haqqee, it is necessary for a Mujaddid that both in the last portion of the century he was born in and the beginning of the century he passes away in, he be famous and be a fountain and focal authority of religion for the Ulama of his time.
• It is also necessary for a Mujaddid that the Scholars (Ulama) of his time observe, benefit and be convinced of his impeccable lifestyle and profound knowledge and hence acknowledge and announce in public that he is a Mujaddid.
• Therefore it is important that a Mujaddid be a perfect embodiment and Alim of both the external (Shari'ah) and internal (Spiritual) sciences of Knowledge promoting the protecting the Sunnah and fighting and destroying Bid'ah.

Sultan al-Hind, the Great Master, the Helper, the Patron of the Poor, Hadrat Sayyiduna Khwaja
Mo'in al-Din Chishti Ajmeri Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, the Mujaddid of 6th Century 

Identification of a Mujaddid

Shaykh al-Islam Imam Badr al-Deen Abdal states in his book, Risalah Mardiyyah fi al-Nusrat Madhab al-Ash'riyyah:

"A Mujaddid is recognized by the strong opinion of his contemporary noble Ulama who greatly benefit from his condition and prolific Knowledge. He will be an embodiment of both external and internal sciences of Knowledge supporting and defending the Sunnah and challenging and defeating Bid'ah."

Can their be more than one Mujaddid to a century?

There can be more, and there has already been more than one Mujaddid to a Century. In the Hadith, the Arabic word that is used to explain the coming of the Mujaddid is in the singular tense, but according to the meaning, it is a plural as it has been explained in the Kitaabs of Usool-e-Fiqh. Allamah Mulla Ali bin Sultan Qaari (Alaihir rahmah) who is also said to be the Mujaddid of the 11th Century says,

"From the words, not only one single person is implied, but the implication is towards a group of people, from amongst whom each one is reforming a single type of knowledge or all types of knowledge in his city."

So, Sometimes a single Mujaddid is born in a century and sometimes there are two or a group in one given century when a consensus cannot be reached on one person. There are time when an Alim be in the middle of century who may be more knowledgeable and excellent than the Mujaddid, but he will not be classified as a Mujaddid because he did not get the early stages of the century. This is so because generally when the century ends many of the great Ulama also pass away and great dissension and Fitna engulfs the Ummah. Bid'ah and religious corruption creeps into the masses who tend to deviate from the pristine teachings of Islam. At this crucial period there is a great need for revival and renaissance in matters of Deen. At this critical time Allah sends such an Aalim who removes all evil and religious corruption from the Ummah by publicly announcing and refuting them. He will be the best of people and most awesome amongst the dignitaries of his time.

Blessed Shrine of Imam ar-Rabbani, Mujaddid Alf-e-Thani Shaykh Ahmad Sarhindi
Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, the Mujaddid of 11th Century

List of Possible Mujaddids (Revivalists)

First Century (after the Prophetic period) [August 3, 718]

Ameer al-Mu'minin Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (682 - 720)
Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa an-Nu'man (699 - 767)
Ibn Sireen (8th century)

Second Century [August 10, 815]

Imam Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi`i (767 - 820)
Imam Hasan al-Basri (642 - 728 or 737)
Imam Malik ibn Anas (715 - 796)
Imam Muhammad bin Hassan Shaibani

Third Century [August 17, 912]

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780 - 855)
Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari.

Fourth Century [August 24, 1009]

Imam al-Bayhaqi
Imam Tahtaawi
Imam Isma'eel bin Hammaad Ja'fari
Imam Abu Jaafar bin Jareer Tibri
Imam Abu Haatim Raazi

Fifth Century [September 1, 1106]

Hudrat Ghawth al Azam Shaykh Abdul-Qadir Gilani
Imam Al-Ghazali (1058–1111)
Imam Abu Naeem Isfahani
Imam Abul Hussain Ahmad bin Muhammad Abi Bakr-il-Qaadir
Imam Hussain bin Raaghib

Sixth Century [September 9, 1203]

Hadrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Garib Nawaz
Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi
Shaykh Ahamd Kabir Rifa'ee
Allamah Imam Umar Nasfi,
Imam Qaazi Fakhrud'Deen Hassan Mansoor,
Imam Abu Muhammad Hussain bin Mas'ood Fara'a

Seventh Century [September 5, 1300]

Imam Taqiyuddin As-Subki
Imam Shaykh Shahbuddeen Suharwardi
Imam Shaykh Akbar Muhi'yuddeen Muhammad ibn Arabi
Allamah Imam Abul Fadhl Jamaaluddeen Muhammad bin Afriqi Misri
Imam Abul Hassan Uz'zuddeen Ali bin Muhammad Ibn Atheer,

Eighth Century (September 23, 1397)

Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani
Imam Taaj'uddeen bin Ata'ullah Sikandari
Kwaja Nizaamuddeen Awliyah Mahboob-e-Ilahi
Imam Umar bin Mas'ood Taftazaani

Ninth Century [October 1, 1494]

Imam Hafiz Jallaluddeen Abu Bakr Abdur Rahmaan Suyuti
Imam Nooruddeen bin Ahmad Misri
Imam Muhammad bin Yusuf Karmani
Imam Shamsuddeen Abul Kheyr Muhammad bin Abdur Rahmaan Sakhawi,
Allamah Imam Sayed Shareef Ali bin Muhammad Jarmaani

Tenth Century [October 19, 1591]

Imam Shahabuddeen Abu Bakr Ahmad bin Muhammad Khatib Qistalaani
Imam Muhammad Sharbini,
Allamah Sheikh Muhammad Taahir Muhaddith

Eleventh Century [October 26, 1688]

Imam-e-Rabbani Mujaddid Alf Sani Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi
Sultaanul Arifeen Imam Muhammad Baahu
Imam Ali bin Sultaan Qaari

Twelfth Century [November 4, 1785]

Sultan al-Azam wal Khaqan al-Mukarram Abul Muzaffar Muhiyy al-Din Muhammad Aurangzaib Alamgir
Imam Abdul Ghani Naablisi
Sheikh Ahmad Mulla Jeewan
Al-Qutb Abd Allah al-Haddad
Allamah Mawlana Imam Abul Hassan Muhammad bin Abdul Haadi Sindhi,

Thirteenth Century [November 12, 1882]

Allamah Imam Ahmad bin Ismaeel Tahtaawi
Allamah Shah Abdul Azeez Muhaddith-e-Delhwi
Imam Abdul Ali Luckhnowi
Imam Sheikh Ahmad Saadi Maaliki

Fourteenth Century [November 21, 1979]

Shaykh al Islam wal Muslimeen, Mujaddid al-Aazam AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri
Shaykh Yusuf bin Ismail bin Muhammad Nasir al-Din an-Nabhani
Muhaddith al-Akbar Shaykh Badr al-Din al-Hasani

-[Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een]-

Mujaddid al-Din wa al-Millah, Faqih al-Ummah, Mufassir al-Islam, Muhaddith al-Zaman,
Shaykh al-Islam, Hujjat al-Muhaddithin, Sanad al-Muhaqqiqin, Imam al-Mutaqqin,
Imam Ahl as-Sunnah, AlaHadrat ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan
Alaihir raHmah wa ar-Ridwan, the Mujaddid of 14th Century

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Shahzad Afzal
http://www.pakistanprobe.com

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