Is saying "Jumu'ah Mubarak" a Bid'ah?

Allah – beginning with the name of – the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise is to Him who guided the believers to the truth. And may His blessings and salutations be upon our master Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets and the coolness of our eyes.

A message is being widely circulated these days that it is impermissible to greet Jumu'ah Mubarak and that it is a bid'ah (May Allah Forbid). First and foremost, one should understand that the salaf of this ummah have explained bid'ah (innovation) as being of two fundamental types:

In the Sahih of al-Imam al-Bukhari, it is mentioned that Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) stated concerning the 20 rak'ats of tarawih prayer, in congregation, behind one imam:

"What a good bid'ah it is!"

Al-Hafidh al-Imam al-Bayhaqi (Alayhir Rahmah) narrates through a sahih isnad (authentic chain of transmission) in Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi'i, that Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Fadl narrated to us that Abu al-'Abbas al-Assam narrated to him that Rabi' ibn Sulayman narrated to him that al-Imam ash-Shafi'i informed him: 

"The newly-invented matters from the affairs are of two kinds: One of them is whatever is innovated contravening the Book, or the Sunnah, or a narration, or a consensus, then this is an innovation of misguidance (al-bid'atu al-dalalatu). The second is whatever is innovated of the good which does not contravene any of these, then this is an innovation which is not blameworthy (Ghayru Mazmumatin)."

Regarding congratulating one another on the day of 'Eid, al-Sayyid ibn 'Aabideen al-Shami (Alayhir Rahma) relates from al-Muhaqqiq ibn 'Aamir Haaj (Alayhir Rahmah) that he considered it: 'Ja'iz' (permissible) and 'Mustahabb' (commendable) in general. He also considered the wording popular in his time: 'Eidun Mubarakun Alayka' (a blessed Eid upon you) to take the same rule. He has mentioned: 

"Supplication for barakah (blessing) in many affairs has reached us, thus the commendability of supplication for it here (on the day of 'Eid) can be taken from that." [Radd al-Muhtar, Vol. 2, Page 169]

The barakah of Jumu'ah and its being a day of eid is clear in the Prophetic Ahadith such as in the hadith of the Sahih of Ibn Hibban where it is mentioned that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said regarding the day of Jumu'ah:

"Verily it is a day of Eid." [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith 3610]

In a further hadith of the Sunan of Ibn Majah it is mentioned that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

"Verily the day of Jumu'ah is the master of days." [Sunan ibn Majah, Hadith 1084]

The barakah of Jumu'ah is such that al-Hafidh Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (Alayhir Rahmah) has gathered 100 special qualities related to it with supporting evidences in his work al-Lumu'ah fi Khasa'is al-Jumu'ah.

If one greets his brother with salam and then supplicates for him on the day of Jumu'ah saying "Jumu'ah Mubarak", then there is nothing in that which goes against the principles of the shari'ah which would make it a reprehensible bid'ah. In fact it is established that from the blessings of Jumu'ah is a hidden time in which the du'a of a slave is answered as in the hadith of the Sahih of al-Imam Muslim:

"Verily there is a time in the day of Jumu'ah, that no Muslim coincides with it supplicating to Allah for good except that Allah bestows it upon him." [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 852]

The opinion of those who are not upon the Aqidah of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah is of no value in matters of Deen.

And Allah knows the best and His beloved Messenger knows the best.

— — —
Answered by
Mawlana Ibrar Shafi
www.seekerspath.co.uk

--
Shahzad Afzal
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..:: 101 AMAZING ISLAMIC FACTS ::..

1. The Divine Tablet is named as Al-Lawh al-Mahfudh (The Protected Tablet) because it is protected from Satan. (Jalalayn, Page 496)
2. The Divine Tablet is made from white diamond and is hanging above the seventh heaven. (Jalalayn, Page 496)
3. The length of Al-Qalam (Divine Pen) is one hundred years long. (Ibn Kathir, Surah Noon)
4. Allah Almighty sent down 104 revelations, 100 scriptures and 4 books. (Hashiya al-Jalalayn, Page 366)
5. 10 scriptures were revealed upon Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam, 50 upon Prophet Sheeth Alayhi's Salam, 30 upon Prophet Idrees Alayhi's Salam and 10 upon Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 2, Page 170)
6. The Torah was revealed on 6th of Ramadan. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 55)
7. Zaboor (Psalms) was revealed on 18th of Ramadan. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 55)
8. Zaboor was revealed 482 years after Torah.
9. Injil (Bible) was revealed on 13th of Ramadan (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 55) or on the 18th of Ramadan (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 2, Page 78)
10. Injil was revealed 1050 years after Zaboor. (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 2, Page 78)
11. The Holy Qur'an was brought down from the Divine Tablet to the Fragrant House (al-Bayt al-Ma'moor) on the 27th night of Ramadan. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 35)
12. There are six chapters of the Holy Qur'an which were revealed in the night; Surah al-An'am, Surah Maryam, Surah al-Munafiqoon, Surah al-Mursalat, Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 28)
13. The only Companion whose name is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an is Sayyiduna Zayd Ibn Harithah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu in Surah Ahzab verse 37. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 180)
14. The only woman to be mentioned in the Holy Qur'an by name is Sayyidah Maryam Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha (the mother of Prophet 'Isa Alayhi's Salam). (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 181)
15. There are 323,671 letters in the Holy Qur'an. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 89)
16. Adam means soil in Hebraic language thus, Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam was given such a name as he was made from earthly soil. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 175)
17. The first angel to prostrate to Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam was Jibra'il Alayhi's Salam. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
18. The time when angels prostrated to Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam was between Midday and 'Asar. (al-Sawi, Vol. 1, Page 49)
19. Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam gave forty years of his life to Prophet Dawud Alayhi's Salam. (Mishkat, Vol. 2, Page 400)
20. When Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam passed away, there were 100,000 humans living on earth. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 416) and in another narration 700,000. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah)
21. Sayyidah Hawwa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha was created a week after the creation of Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 313)
22. The name Hawwa' is derived from the word Hayy, which means living. This is because she was created from a living being (Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam). (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 313)
23. Prophet Idris Alayhi's Salam was born approximately one hundred years before the passing away of Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam. (Hashiya 'Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
24. Prophet Idris's original name was Akhnookh and in another narration, Khanoon (al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 175), but due to the constant studies (Dars) of the sacred texts he was named Idris. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
25. According to Imam al-Bukhari the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam saw Prophet Idris Alayhi's Salam on the fourth heaven. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
    
    
    
    
    
26. Prophet Nooh Alayhi's Salam was born 126 years after the passing away of Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam. His name is 'Abd al-Ghaffar. Nooh was his title which means 'lamentation'. He used to cry a lot thus, was given this title. (Al-Itqan, vol. 2, Page 183)
27. Allah sent angel Jibra'il Alayhi's Salam to Prophet Nooh Alayhi's Salam to instruct him on the building of the ship. (Al-Itqan, vol. 2, Page 183)
28. The building of the ship was completed in 2 years (Khaza'in al-'Irfan) and in another narration forty years. (Ibn Kathir)
29. 124,000 planks of wood were used to build the ship and a Prophet's name was written on each plank of wood. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Page 8)
30. The ship was 660 feet long, 330 feet wide and 33 feet tall. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 1, Page 71)
31. The coffin of Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam was placed inside the ship. On one side of the coffin, the men sat, and on the other side, the women sat. (Al-Malfoodh, Vol. 1, Page 73)
32. Prophet NooH Alayhi's Salam lived for 1050 years. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 175)
33. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam was born two thousand years after the passing away of Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 176)
34. There were in total 73 idols. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam destroyed 72 idols which were made from gold, silver, some from iron and copper and some from stones and wood. The biggest idol which he left was made from pure gold, which had a crown made from pearls. The eyes were made of emeralds which would shine in the dark. (Hashiya 'ala al-Jalalayn, Page 273)
35. To ignite fire in which Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam was to be thrown, wood was collected for a month, and the fire was heated for a week. (al-Jumal, Vol. 3, Page 163). The severity of the fire was such that the flames could be seen from hundreds of miles away. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 1, Page 98)
36. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam was thrown into the fire via a huge catapult and this was the first time a catapult was used. (Ibn Kathir)
37. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam was sixteen years of age when he was thrown into the fire. Some say he was twenty six years old. (Ibn Kathir and al-Jumal, Vol. 3, Page 163)
38. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam lived for two hundred years. (al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 176)
39. Isma'il is derived from two words, Isma', which means 'Listen!' and Il, which means 'Lord'. Because Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salamdid not have any children at the time, he used to supplicate to Allah for pious children thus,the child was named Isma'il ('O Lord! Listen to our prayers'). (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 820)
40. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam was 99 years old when Prophet Isma'il Alayhi's Salam was born.
41. Prophet Isma'il Alayhi's Salam was seven years old when he was taken to be sacrificed and in another narration he was 13 years old. (al-Jalalayn, Page 377)
42. Prophet Ya'qoob's original name was Isra'il. This, in Hebraic means 'The servant of Allah'. Isra means servant or slave, and Il means Lord. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 4, p 7)
43. Prophet Ya'qoob Alayhi's Salam smelt the fragrance of Prophet Yoosuf's shirt from the distance of a journey of eight days. (Al-Kamil Fi al-Tarikh, Vol. 1, Page 60)
44. Prophet Yousuf was twelve years old when he saw the dream, as mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
45. The brothers of Prophet Yousuf Alayhi's Salam sold him to the travellers of Egypt for twenty Dirhams. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
46. The number of people who believed in Prophet Salih Alayhi's Salam was four thousand. (Al-Jalalayn, Page 185)
47. Prophet Moosa Alayhi's Salam was born approximately seven hundred years after Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam. (Hashiyah 'ala al-Jalalayn, Page 138)
48. The word Moosa is derived from two Coptic words, Moo which means water and Sa which means wood. (Rooh al-Bayan, Vol. 1, Page 91)
49. Prophet Moosa's mother's name was Yuhaniz. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 188), his sister's name was Maryam (Khaza'in al-'Irfan), some have stated it was Kulthoom (al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 88) and his wife's name (the daughter of Prophet Shu'ayb Alayhi's Salam) was Safoora or Safuriya. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 188)
50. Prophet Moosa Alayhi's Salam was one year younger than Prophet Haroon Alayhi's Salam. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 177)
    
    
    
    
    
51. The staff of Prophet Moosa Alayhi's Salam was from Jannah. It was brought down by Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam and was approximately 10 to 12 hand-spans long. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 473)
52. The snake of Prophet Moosa Alayhi's Salam was yellow and one mile long. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
53. The number of magicians who challenged Prophet Moosa Alayhi's Salam was twelve thousand. (Hashiyah 'Ala al-Jalalayn)
54. Samuri used the soil touched by the hooves of the horse of Jibra'il Alayhi's Salam. This was to give life to the golden calf he made. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 429)
55. Prophet Khadir's name is Balya and his title is Abu al-'Abbas. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
56. Some say Prophet Dawud Alayhi's Salam ruled the kingdom for sixteen years and some say for forty years. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 178)
57. Prophet Dawud Alayhi's Salam would make an armour and would sell it for his livelihood. Iron would become malleable in his hands. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
58. He could read Zaboor in sixty different melodies. (Al-Bidayah, Vol. 2, Page 16)
59. Prophet Sulayman Alayhi's Salam was crowned king at the age of thirteen. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 178)
60. Prophet Sulayman Alayhi's Salam heard the words of the ant which was three miles away. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
61. The throne of Bilqees was made from gold, silver and large diamonds. It was thirty feet long, thirty feet wide and eighty feet tall. (Ibn Kathir)
62. Bilqees had three hundred ministers. Under each minister were 12,000 soldiers. (Ibn Kathir)
63. The words, "I am Allah, there is no deity except Me and MuHammad (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is My servant and My Prophet" were engraved on Prophet Sulayman's ring. (Kanz al-'Ummal, Page 498)
64. Prophet Ayyub's wife was the grand daughter of Prophet Yousuf Alayhi's Salam. Her name was Rahmah. (Hashiyah 'Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
65. Prophet Zakariyya Alayhi's Salam was 120 years old and his wife was 98 years old when they were given the good news of Prophet Yahya Alayhi's Salam. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
66. Prophet Yahya Alayhi's Salam was six months older than Prophet 'Isa Alayhi's Salam. (Hashiyah 'Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
67. There were four thousand Prophets who came in the period between Prophet Moosa Alayhi's Salam and Prophet 'Isa Alayhi's Salam, all of whom were upon the religion of Prophet Moosa Alayhi's Salam. (Hashiyah 'Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
68. Prophet 'Isa Alayhi's Salam was one day old when he spoke to the people. (Hashiyah 'Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
69. The food mat that came down from the heavens after Prophet 'Isa Alayhi's Salam supplicated was red. (Ibn Kathir)
70. Four thousand people would eat from the food mat daily. (Ibn Kathir)
71. Prophet 'Isa Alayhi's Salam was 33 years old when he was raised to the skies. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 179)
72. Prophet 'Isa Alayhi's Salam will descend upon the eastern Minaret of the Ummayad Masjid. (Bahar-e-Shari'at, Vol. 1, Page 23)
73. Sayyidah Maryam Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha was thirteen years old when she gave birth to Prophet 'Isa Alayhi's Salam. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
74. The Beloved Prophet MuHammad SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was born approximately 6750 years after the time of Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, vol. 2, Page 32)
75. The chest of the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was opened four times in his blessed life. (Tafsir Alam Nashrah, Page 10)
    
    
    
    
    
76. The words 'MuHammad Rasoolullah' were written on the seal of Prophethood, which was situated on the back between the two shoulders. (Shawahid al-Nubuwwah, Page 251)
77. The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam split the moon in two whilst standing on Mount Safa. One half was above Mount Abu Qubays and the other half was above Mount Qa'iqa'an. (Dala'il al-Nubuwwah, Page 244)
78. The time of Mi'raj was less than four hours. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 3, Page 150)
79. The prayer in Masjid al-Aqsa during Mi'raj was led by the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam. All the previous Prophets and Messengers prayed behind him standing in seven rows. In the first three rows stood all the Messengers and in the last four stood all other Prophets. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam was directly behind the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam in the first row. (Rooh al-Bayan, Vol. 5, Page 112)
80. There were nineteen white hairs in the blessed beard of the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam. (Tafsir Alam Nashrah, Page 199)
81. The last prayer led by the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was Salat al-Maghrib. (Ibn Kathir)
82. The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam left this world on Monday, and was laid to rest on Thursday. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 2, Page 749)
83. When the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was laid to rest in his grave, companions saw the blessed lips moving. They went closer and heard the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam saying, "Rabbi Ummati Ummati" (O my Lord! My Ummah, my Ummah). (Madarij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 2, Page 751)
84. The Holy Ka'ba has been built ten times. (Hashiya 'Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 281)
85. The Ka'ba built by Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam was nine feet tall. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 845)
86. 'Umar Ibn Lahiyy ibn Haritha was the first person to place an idol on top of the Ka'ba. The name of the idol was Hubul. (Tarikh al-Islam, Vol. 1, Page 68)
87. Abraha came to Makkah with an army that consisted of 40,000 elephants and 300,000 soldiers. The elephant he was sat on was called MaHmood and it was white. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Page 149)
88. The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam constructed his Masjid twice in his lifetime. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah)
89. The original Mimbar of the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was two feet long and one foot wide and had three steps. The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam would sit on the third step and would place his blessed feet on the second step. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 2, Page 545)
90. The dome was placed upon the blessed chamber in 678 A. H. (Wafa' al-Wafa', Vol. 2, Page 609). Initially it was white in colour, then, in 1255A. H. by the order of Sultan MaHmood it was painted in green.
91. The blessed Companion Umm 'Atiyyah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha used to bathe dead women during the time of the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam. (al-Bukhari, Page 168)
92. The beauty of Sayyidah Sara (wife of Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi's Salam) was matchless. Prophet Yousuf Alayhi's Salam inherited that beauty from her. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 840)
93. Jinns were created on Thursday (Ibn Kathir) and they came to this earth 60,000 years prior to the creation of Prophet Adam Alayhi's Salam. (Tafsir Na'imi, Vol. 1, Page 279)
94. Angel Jibra'il Alayhi's Salam has 600 wings. (Ibn Kathir) His horse's name is Hayzoom. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah)
95. The angel of death comes with 600,000 angels of mercy to take the soul of a believer, and comes with 600,000 angels of punishment to take the soul of a disbeliever. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 3, Page 105)
96. The gatekeeper of paradise is Ridwan and the gatekeeper of Hell is Malik. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 60)
97. Iblis's father's name was Khablith and his mother's name was Nablith. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Page 15)
98. Gog Magog (Yajooz Majooz) are from the children of Yafith ibn Nooh Alayhi's Salam. (Khaza'in al-'Irfan)
99. Initially sea water was sweet. When Qabil killed Sayyiduna Habil, the water became salty. (Hashiya 'Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 344)
100. The sky cried over the martyrdom of two people, Prophet Yahya Alayhi's Salam and Sayyiduna Imam Husayn Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. The crying here means turning red. (Ibn Kathir).
101. Six Companions were martyred during the battle of Khandaq. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Page 111)

— — —
Compiled By
Muhammad Hussain Qadiri
Al-Ihya Foundation [info@alihya.org.uk]

--
Shahzad Afzal
http://www.pakistanprobe.com

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2nd Month of Islamic Calendar | Safar al-Muzaffar [English]

Safar al-Muzaffar is the second month of the Islamic calendar. Literal meaning of Safar is empty. During this month the houses used to be empty and deserted because the ban on going to war in the month of Muharram came to an end and everyone proceeded towards the battlefield.

Safar also means to be yellow. When the names of the months were being given it was the season of autumn and the leaves of the trees were yellow.

 

Many people have erroneous beliefs regarding this month i.e. it is a month of misfortune and calamities. The teachings of Allah Ta'ala and His Most Beloved Rasool (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) gives us clear guidelines on such incorrect beliefs.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) says in the Qur'an al-Kareem:

ما أصاب من مصيبة إلا بإذن الله
"No misfortune befalls except by Allah's command..." [Surah Tagabun, Verse 11]

These erroneous beliefs have also been condemned in the context of the following Ahadith:

لا عدوى ولا طيرة ولا هامة ولاصفر
There is no superstitious owl, bird, no star-promising rain, no bad omen in the month of Safar. [Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5707]

لا عدوى ولا صفر ولا غول
There is no bad omen in the month of Safar and no Ghouls (evil spirits). [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2222]

The above Ahadith clearly refutes all incorrect beliefs and superstitions regarding the month of Safar. These incorrect beliefs flow from the pre-Islamic period of Jahiliyyah .

The Month of Safar during the Days of Ignorance

The Muhaddithin have recorded many of the superstitions harboured by the Arabs during the Days of Ignorance. A few are mentioned below:

1. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed Safar to be a snake which lives in the stomach of a human being and when hungry, bites the person. This is the discomfort one experiences when gripped by the pangs of hunger.

2. Some said Safar are worms which originate in the liver and ribs due to which the colour of the person becomes yellow, a condition we know today as jaundice.

3. According to some, the month of Safar flanked by Muharram and Rabi al Awwal is full of calamities and misfortune.

With the advent of Islam and the teachings of Sayyadina Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam), all evil and incorrect beliefs common in pre-Islamic times were discarded.

Incorrect Beliefs:

Today too, there are some Muslims who hold incorrect beliefs regarding the month of Safar.

1. A nikah performed in this month would not be successful.
2. This month is full of misfortune and calamities.
3. To commence any important venture, business etc. during this month will bring bad luck.
4. The first to the thirteenth of Safar is ill-fortune and evil.
5. The person who distributes food or money on the 13th of Safar will be saved from its ill-fortune.
6. To celebrate the last Wednesday of Safar and regard it as a holiday.

What to do:

1. To shun all types of erroneous beliefs regarding the blessed month of Safar.

2. To understand that the most unfortunate person is he who disobeys Allah Ta'ala's commandments e.g. does not perform the five daily salaah etc. It is narrated in a hadith that Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Pray, 0 Allah! Cause not anyone of us to be a wretched destitute." He then asked: "Do you know who is a wretched destitute?" Upon the request of the Sahabah (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum) he replied, "A wretched destitute is he who neglects his salaat."

3. We should understand that all conditions which befalls us, good or bad, favourable, or unfavourable are from Allah Ta'ala, (as a result of our actions). Allah Ta'ala says: " Whatever misfortune befalls you, it is due to the things your hands have wrought, and He forgives many a sin." (Surah 42 - Verse 30).

This can also be confirmed by the following Hadith:

Sayyadina Jabir (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) has said that, "I have heard Sayyadina Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) saying, the descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safar is untrue." 

 

 

Important dates and Anniversaries in the month of Safar

1st	Hadrat Haji Waris Ali Shah
1st	Hadrat Abul Qasim Shah Ismail Hasan Marehrawi
1st	Hadrat Khwaja Shah Muhammad Suleman Tonswi
5th	Umm al-Mu'mineen Sayyidah Maymoonah
6th	Hadrat Sayyid Abdullah Shah Qadiri (Baba Bulleh Shah)
7th	Sayyiduna Baha al-Din Zakariya Multani Suharwardi
9th	Sayyiduna Imam Ali Moosa
9th	Sayyiduna Imam Ali Rida
10th	Umm al-Mu'mineen Sayyidah Juwairiyah bint al-Harith
11th	Mufassir al-Aazam Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim Rida Jilani Miyan
11th	Shaykh al-Quran Allama Gulam Ali Ashrafi Okarvi
12th	Sayyidatuna Ruqaiyyah bint Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam
12th	Hadrat Mawlana Fadl al-Haq Khayrabadi
12th	Hadrat Shah Abd al-Latif Bhittai
13th	Hadrat Abu Abd ar-RaHman Ahmad Nisai (Compiler Sunan al-Nasai)
14th	Hadrat Sayyiduna Maalik Ibn Dinar
16th	Raees al-Qalam Allama Arshadul Qadiri
19th	Hadrat Sayyid Ahmed Kalpawi
20th	Hadrat Sayyiduna Yahya Ibn Bukayr
23rd	Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Baqir
23rd	Hadrat Sayyiduna Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi
23rd	Mawlana Muhammad Saleem Qadiri Shaheed
25th	Mujaddid al Aa'zam AlaHadrat ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan
26th	Hadrat Sayyiduna Hasan Jilani al-Baghadi
27th	Hadrat Imam Badr al-Din Al-Ayni [Shaarih al-Bukhari]
27th	Hijrat from Makkah of the Beloved Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam)
27th	Mujahid al-Kabeer Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi
27th	Birth Hadrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Awliya
28th	Martyrdom of Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Hasan Ibn Sayyiduna Ali
29th	Hadrat Imam ar-Rabbani Mujaddid Alf Thaani Shaykh Ahamd Sarhindi
29th	Hadrat Sayyiduna Pir Mahr Ali Shah Gilani Golarrwi
30th	Hafidh al-Hadith Imam Muhammad Haakim Nishapuri

Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma'een (May Allah be well please with them All)

 

--
Shahzad Afzal
http://www.pakistanprobe.com

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A Man Among the Men of Allah | Mufti Akhtar Rida al-Qadiri [may Allah preserve him]

A Man Among the Men of Allah
Shaykh Akhtar Rida al-Qadiri
[may Allah preserve him]

 

Shaykh al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen, Sultan al-Fuqaha, Faqeeh al-Asr, Taaj al-Shari'ah Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Rida Khan (may Allah preserve him) has produced a number of first-rate works/translations in various Islamic disciplines. Among them are (non-exhaustive list):

1) Mufti Akhtar Rida translated "al-Zulal al-Anqa Min Bahr Sabaqat al-Atqa" into Urdu which was written by Imam Ahmad Rida Khan in Arabic on the commentary of the verse "those who are most God-fearing will be far removed from it" (92:17). This scholarly commentary argues to establish that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddique is the most virtuous companion. It contains arguments against Tafdhili Shi'ites and requires an in-depth understanding of Usul al-Tafsir and Usul al-Din.

2) Mufti Akhtar Rida wrote an Arabic commentary to a selection of Hadiths to Sahih al-Bukhari which is titled "Namudhaj Hashiyat al-Bukhari". His strength and authenticity of arguments is very clear in the way he rebuts Ahmad Ali Saharanpuri in a number of Fiqh related issues.
 
3) He also wrote and excellent Usuli commentary to the Hadith of the intention "Actions are based upon intentions" which he called "Sharh Hadith al-Niyyah".

4) [Fiqh/Hadith] The Shaykh dictated the translation to Imam Ahmad Riza Khan's magnum opus work on the issue of combining prayers titled "Haajiz al-Bahrayn al-Waaqi an al-Jam bayn al-Salatayn" into Arabic. The work combines Fiqh with Hadith and perfectly illustrates how a faqih analyses Hadith evidences.

5) [Usul al-Hadith] Mufti Akhtar Rida fully dictated the Arabic translation to Imam Ahmad Rida Khan's "al-Haad al-Kaaf Fi Hukm al-Di'aaf" (The Sufficient Guide on Weak Hadiths). It was published by Dar al-Sananbil of Damascus and Dar al-Hawi of Beirut in 2009. The work uniquely examines the definitions of weak Hadith, and their application and usage in areas of Fiqh uncovering Wahhabi fallacies in their understanding of their acceptance and rejection. It is ample with scholarly discussions and is an outstanding gift for the student and teacher as its signatory Sayyid Yusuf al-Hashimi al-Beiruti (p. 139) clearly points in his endorsement,

فوجدته فريدا في بابه، يغني عن تطلابه، ثقيل المضمون، منكوز العلم،  مرصوص العبارة، دقيق المباحث، طويل النقول، يتعرض للعويصات والمشكلات. فبالجملة: إن الكتاب له قيمة علمية راقية

This book can be obtained from Dar al-Faqih in Abu Dhabi, Dar al-Dhiya lil-Nashr in Kuwait, Maktabah Tarim al-Hadithah in Tarim, Dar al-Salam in Cairo, Maktabah al-Tamam in Beirut and Dar al-Ulum al-Islamiyya in Indonesia. Six Ulama endorsed it with their remarks. They are: Abu Muhammad Musa Abduh Yusuf al-Is'haqi (from the Is'haqiyya Ashraf of Somali-Jeddah), Muhammad Anas Muhammad Saleem Murad who wrote the endorsement on behalf of his Shaykh Sa'd al-Din al-Murad (Jeddah), Sayyid Yusuf Muhammad Idris al-Hasani al-Husaini al-Hashimi (Beirut), Sayyid Yusuf Hashim Rifa'i (Kuwait), Shaykh Mahmud al-Huwt al-Nabhani (Halab, Syria) and Muhammad Nazim Ali Misbahi (Mubarakpur, India).
 
Sayyid Yusuf al-Rifa'i (p. 240-1) thanks the Shaykh for producing the translation of a work that was much needed in the Arabic language such that it now "fills an empty area in the library of the Ah al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah" and addressed him saying "al-Allamah al-Mukarram al-Akh al-Shaykh al-Mubajjal al-Shaykh Akhtar Ridha" and "al-Allamah al-Hafid al-Da'iyah".

Shaykh Mahmud al-Huwt (p. 244-5) refers to the Shaykh as "al-Imam" and "Taaj al-Shari'ah" and claims that "he has never seen a work of its kind" saying,

فما أن أحظيت بهذا الكنز، وبصرت في عنوانه، وتمنعت في مقدمته، حتى أسلمني أوله إلى اخره، فقرأته في رحلته هذه، والحق أقول: إنني ما رأيت مؤلفا نسج على منواله، ولا كتابا حوى بديع خصاله

Shaykh Musa Abduh Yusuf al-Is'haqi (p. 236) calls the Shaykh "Mawlana wa-Ustadhuna al-Fadhil" among other revering names. Here is the Arabic,

ولقد قام مولانا وأستاذنا الفاضل وسليل السادة الأفاضل، شيخنا الأكبر ومرشدنا الأنور، تاج الشريعة سماحة المفتي محمد أختر خريج الجامع الأزهر بترجمة "الهاد الكاف في حكم الضعاف" من اللغة الأردية إلى اللغة العربية، وأضاف إليها إضافات سنية ومرضية من معلومات فائقة وشائقة، مما كسا الكتاب رونقا وجمالا، وزاده روعة وكمال، فلله دره، وأطال الله عمره، ويسر الله أمره، ورفع الله قدره، وأجزل الله أجره، ونفع بعلومه الخاص والعام من أهل الإسلام

 

6) Mufti Akhtar Rida dictated the complete Arabic translation of Imam Ahmad Rida Khan's "al-Amnu wa al-Ula li-Naa'iti al-Mustafa bi-Daafi al-Bala" (Protection and Eminence for the Person who Praises the Chosen One as an Eliminator of Calamity) which was published Dar al-Nu'man, Damascus, 2009. This work is a scholarly refutation of Muftis that considered the "Salat Taajiyah" shirk on the basis that is impermissible to call anyone other than Allah "Daafi al-Balaa". It categorically refutes the Wahhabi stance using numerous verses of al-Qur'an al-Karim and its commentaries and two hundred and eighteen Hadiths of the Noble Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) with their sources on the topic making it an encyclopaedic work. The muqaddima contains an excellent explanation to the types of Isnad and Nisbah highlighting the correct usage of this title for the Noble Prophet (may Allah bless him ad give him peace). The Shaykh put excellent Hadith notes to this work and his student created its bibliographical references.

It contains a three page endorsement by the great fadhil and adeeb, Abdul Jaleel Ata in which he addresses the Shaykh with titles such as "Fadilat al-Allamah al-Jalil al-Shaykh Muhammad Akhtar Rida Khan", "Taaj al-Shari'ah", "Fadilat al-Shaykh al-Jalil al-Murabbi al-Fadil" and praises the scholarly activities of the Shaykh saying,

فاهنأ يا فضيلة الشيخ الجليل المربي الفاضل وأنت تنعش اثارا جليلة تحيي به وفاء واداء بعض ما أنت به قمين لنشر العلوم الغزيرة التي أنبتها روضكم العامر، وأثمرتها أشجاركم الباسقة. يناعة وغذاء للألباب والعقول   والأفكار! ولا زلت كما مرّ أسلافك الكرام منارات  اهتداء وأسنة مشرعة في الدفاع عن حصن الشريعة الغراء بكل عزة وشموخ وكبرياء. ولا زالت جهودنا الوضيعة في خدمة علومكم الغزيرة فتوة، وتمكّنا بفضل ما طوقتمونا به من ثقة وحسن ظن! فلنكن عند حسن ظنكم، ودام ظلكم الوارف لمزيد من إحياء اثار الجد الجليل، ولتدم منكم الهمة القعساء للنهوض بالأجيال القادمة تربية وتعليما وإرشادا، وحلما وتسديدا. وفقكم الله للمزيد، وفر أعينكم بكل محب مريد، وأدام عطاءكم بلا تحديد

7) Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan dictated the full translation of Shah Fazl al-Rasul Badayouni's "al-Mu'taqad al-Muntaqad" from the Arabic into Urdu, and its commentary "al-Mu'tamad al-Mustanad" by Imam Ahmad Rida Khan. Those teaching Aqidah know how difficult of a text this work is. It contains many intricate discussions on Asma wa-Sifaat yet the Shaykh has effectively translated the work which when read in Urdu seems as though it was originally written in Urdu! The Shaykh translated this work throughout the car and aeroplane journey to Sri Lanka in 2003 and completed it within six months. This single example is sufficient to establish to our readers the immensity of the Shaykh's knowledge and determined efforts to teach.

8) [Asma wa-Sifat] The Shaykh has dictated the translation to Imam Ahmad Riza Khan's "Subhan al-Subbuh an Ayb Kadhib Maqbuh" into Arabic. I sat in one of awe-filling majalis to listen to the Shaykh's mastery in the subject and translation of the text. This will be the largest known work on establishing the sifah of truth (sidq) for Allah Most Sublime and refuting the view of Imkan al-Kadhib. It shall shatter - by the aid of the Most Truthful - the Deobandi stance in Arabic when released. The work is a masterpiece in Asma wa-Sifat containing a wealth of rational and transmitted proofs. The translation is near completion, wal-hamdulillah. None other than an expert can embark such a task.

9) [Hadith/Aqidah] The Shaykh dictated the translation of "Shumul al-Islam li-Usul al-Rasul al-Kiram" by Imam Ahmad Rida Khan into Arabic on the Iman of the parents of our Noble Prophet (upon him peace and blessings). This was published along with the Shaykh's study on the Father of Sayyiduna Ibrahim in Arabic titled "Tahqiq Anna Aba Ibrahim Tarih wa-laysa Azar". These works were endorsed by the following Ulama:

Sayyid Abdullah Fad'aq Hashimi (Da'iyah of Makkah and student of the late Sayyid Muhammad Alawi Maliki), who referred to the Shaykh as "Fadilat al-Imam al-Shaykh Muhammad Akhtar Ridha Khan al-Azhari al-Mufti al-Azam fi al-Hind"

Shaykh Isa Mani al-Himyari (Muhadith of Dubai) who referred to the Shaykh as "al-Shaykh al-Aarif billah al-Muhadith Muhammad Akhtar Ridha al-Hanafi al-Qadiri al-Azhari"

Shaykh Waathiq Fu'ad Ubaydi (Baghdad) who called him "Shaykhuna al-Jalil, Sahib al-Radd al-Qati, Murshid al-Saalikeen, al-Mahfouz bi-Rabb al-alameen, al-Aalim al-Fadhil" and "Taaj al-Shari'ah"

Mufti Jamal Abdul Kareem al-Dabban (Baghdad) who referred to him as "al-Imam al-Allamah al-Qudwah Sahib al-Fadhilat al-Shaykh"

10) [Qasaid/Madih] During my stay in Jeddah in Dhul Hijjah (2009) after the completion of Haj, I visited Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan in Jeddah and witnessed his knowledge and piety. He gave his daily commentary on Qasidah Burdah (verses 90-91) fluently in Arabic which was being recorded (I personally possess 3 unedited audio cds).
 
The Shaykh has memorised the entire Qasidah Burdah and Dalai'il al-Khayrat by heart. Every morning after Fajr, he recites the entire Burdah till sunrise. After every Asr prayer, he recites a section from Dala'il al-Khayrat. This has been his wird-occupation since teenage years. I witnessed this on the 13th morning of Dhul Hijjah in Mina and after Asr in Jeddah. The Shaykh has a Diwan to his name titled "Safinah-e-Bakhshish" which contains several qasaid and mada'ih on the Noble Prophet (upon him peace and blessings) and the chosen people, some of which are in Arabic too. One of his famous Qasidahs is which he recited in his majlis with the Ulama of Damascus in August 2008 and in Jeddah 2009 (partial):

الله الله الله ۔۔۔ ما لي رب إلا هو
يفنى الكل ويبقى هو ۔۔۔ ليس الباقي إلا هو
من كان دعاه أن يا هو ۔۔۔ ذاك حميد عقباه
من كان لربي دنياه ۔۔۔ ذاك سعيد اخراه
من كنت الهي مولاه ۔۔۔ كل الناس تولاه
تنسى ربك يا فاني ۔۔۔ دم إن شئت بذكراه
ترجو الناس لجدواهم ۔۔۔ إن الحدوى جدواه
ربي رب الأرباب ۔۔۔ ليس يضاهى حاشاه
كن لنبي الله رضى ۔۔۔ تحظ لديه بزلفاه
وهذا أختر أدناكم ۔۔۔ ربي أحسن مثواه

When the Shaykh recited the last verse, Sayyid Abdul Aziz Khatib (Damascus) began profoundly saying (as heard from students that were present):

أختر سيدنا وابن سيدنا

 
Expressing his yearning for the Noble Habib (may Allah give him peace and blessing) Mufti Akhtar Rida writes (partial):

رسول الله يا كنز الأماني
على أعتابكم وقف المعاني
بهذا الباب يعتز الذليل
لهذا الباب يأتي كل عان
لهذا الباب انتدب الرحيم
ذوي الأوزار من قاص ودان
رسول الله إني مستجير
لدى أعتابكم من كل جان
لكم جاءت رواحلنا حفافأ
وكم صدرت محملة عواني
فداكم مهجتي أنتم عمادي
مرادي بغيتي كنزي أماني
ألا تحيون من قلبي مواتا
ألا تأتون مندرس المكان
ولا زالت بحارك تفيض
وأمطار الندى مر الأوان
اما للشمس في ليلي شروق

ألا ما يجلو محياكم كياني

A Notice: The reader must keep in mind that Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan is visually impaired and cannot read or write. He listens to a text and dictates the translation and those occupied in translating know how difficult of a task this is especially when translating difficult texts in Islamic disciplines!

Acclaim Among Contemporary Arab Ulama:

1) Shaykh Abdul Jaleel Ata (Damascus) recited the following qasidah in praise of the Shaykh in Damascus in the presence of numerous scholars and students who gathered to join the Shaykh, every letter of which lustres with love and truth,

یا کوکب من بھاء الدین ذاألق ۔۔۔ ومنھا من دقیق العلم متسق
اقدام قولک في التحقیق مصدرہ ۔۔۔ اھل التمکن في النبراس کالشفق
 
ولو تباھی رسول اللہ في أحد ۔۔۔ مثل طلعتکم یا فاتح العبق
محمد أختر جاء الرضا به ۔۔۔ فمر حبافي منبع الحصن الدرق

This majlis was attended by Shaykh Abdur-Razzaq Halabi, Shaykh Hussam al-Din Farfour, Shaykh Abdul Aziz Khateeb, Shaykh Hisham Burhani, Shaykh Abdul Hadi Kharsah and many others.

2) In his first-rate work on the defining the manhaj of Imam Ahmad Rida Khan titled "Insaf al-Imam", the Egyptian author Shaykh Muhammad Khalid Thabit (p. 114-5) speaks of his encounter with Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan in Egypt in the following words,

منذ أيام – وأنا أكتب هذه السطور- استنارت مصر بزيارة الشيخ الكبير محمد أختر رضا القادري الأزهري المعروف بتاج الشريعة المفتي الأعظم بالهند، حفيد الإمام أحمد رضا خان البريلوي والقائم على جماعته، ورأيت حديثه عن جده الإمام اكثر من حديثه عن نفسه، واعتزازه بجده الإمام الأعظم من اعتزاز بنفسه، ورأيت تمسكه بما أرساه جده من القواعد ومن الثبات على الحق مما يثير الإعجاب حقا...نظرت إلى وجه الشيخ الكبير محمد أختر والبهاء يكسوه، والسكينة والوقار يجللانه، واستمعت إلى كلماته –بلغة عربية صحيحة-تخرج من فمه في قوة وثقة تصدق بالحق المبين فوجدتني أقول: سبحان الله...ذرية بعضها من بعض

3) The Azhar Journal titled "Sawt al-Azhar" (May Issue 2009) referred to the Shaykh as "Mufti al-Hind". In this visit, the Shaykh met with Shaykh al-Azhar in his office for an hour and who presented him an Azhar award for his scholarly achievements and activities.

Among Those Who Visited Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan in Bareilly:

1) The late Muhadith of Makkah, Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki (may Allah have mercy on him) travelled to Bareilly in April 2004 during Rabi' al-Awwal. They engaged in a number of scholarly discussions with Shaykh Akhtar and in his talk addressed Shaykh Akhtar with the title "al-Mufti al-A'zam bil-alam". When he studied the Shaykh's Arabic Hashiya on Sahih al-Bukhari titled "Namudhaj Hashiyat al-Azhari" he regarded the Shaykh as "Muhadith Hanafi" before those that were present.

2) Sayyid Muhammad Umar ibn Saleem al-Mahdi al-Dabbagh of Baghdad was appointed as the Head of Arabic literature at Jamiat al-Ridha in Bareilly in 2007. He showed immense love for the Shaykh and wrote a qasidah in his praise which he publicly recited on the Imam Ahmad Rida Conference in Bareilly on the 24th Safar, 2007.

3) The Mufti of Damascus, Shaykh Abdul Fattah Bizm visited Mufti Akhtar Rida at his residence twice during the last Hajj season (2009) in Jeddah and in Madinah Tayyibah. I personally witnessed the amount of love these Shuyukh had for one another on both occasions. In his talk in Jeddah, Mufti Abdul Fattah expressed his feelings about the Shaykh and spoke of his previous meetings with him in Syria and Bareilly. He said, "When the Shaykh came to Damascus the first time round, I heard about him and wanted to visit him. Some people prevented me but I went to meet him and at the first sight Allah made me realise that he is from the people of Allah (Ahlullah)".

He then added, speaking of a miracle he experienced, that when the Shaykh invited him to Bareilly he was in two minds about travelling even to the moment of submitting his passport. For some reason, the visa was not issued. Upon collecting the passport, he mentioned that Shaykh Akhtar rang him and said, "If you make a firm intention, Allah will make the means easy". Mufti Abdul Fattah said, "This struck my heart and I came to realise that the Shaykh is aware of the state of my heart". Thereafter, I made a firm intention and re-submitted my passport and received the visa".

He also said, "When I travelled to Bareilly and saw the thousands of people that are attached to Shaykh Akhtar, it brought joy to my heart that the people of India are still connected with their shuyukh and illustrate immense love and respect for them". This is what I remember from his comments. If anyone requires an audio recording of this talk, Insha Allah, I can try to facilitate it and perhaps others too.

Acclaim in Indo-Pakistan:

Bareilly, as all of us know, has a massive Sunni following in and around the world. Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan has been the Shaykh of the silsilah and head Mufti there for many years. The claim that he is not known among India's people is clearly a lie intended to discredit the Shaykh. A 700 page book has been compiled on the life, works and activities of the Shaykh titled "Tajalliyaat Taaj al-Shariah" containing the comments, letters, articles of hundreds of ulama from around the world to the Shaykh and their views about him. Majority of these articles, letters, qasa'id are in Urdu by scholars of India and Pakistan. It includes articles on the Shaykh's travels within India and meetings with its people that shatter the false notion. Mufti Abdul Fattah Bizm has witnessed the annual urs event at Bareilly in the month of Safar whose remarks I presented above

The Manhaj of Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan in Love and Hate:

It would be not be a hyperbolic comment if I were to assert that Mufti Akhtar Rida is an embodiment of the Hadith "Love for the sake of Allah and Hate for the sake Allah". He loves the awliya of the entire world and hates the enemies of Allah and His Messenger (upon him peace and blessings). He does not unite with those who "offend" Allah and His Messenger with comments that are by nature "repulsive", "repugnant", "below the standards of scholarly discourse", "indefensible breaches of proper respect" and thus "unacceptable to Muslims around the world" and neither does he have compassion for those who shamelessly destroy the graves of the companions and Ahlul Bayt, demolish Muslim sites and heritage whilst preserving Jewish landmarks and relics of their Kings in their museums, and speak with minimal respect about the Noble Habib (may Allah bless him and give him peace), his companions, kin, and the majority of the Ummah whom they consider misguided. He has no love for those who consider it permissible to shout out Shirk and kufr slogans to those who recite the Burdah and Dalai'il. He has written and spoken against such people and their beliefs as this is the duty (wajib dini) of every upright scholar from Ahlus-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah, and is not a hobby as some may assert, to warn people from wavering and falling into the trap of the Shaytan.

As for the claim that the Shaykh makes takfir of everyone other than himself and those affiliated with him is another exaggeration, rather, a lie that stems from animosity. The Shaykh has replied to this accusation in Arabic in his "Mira'at al-Najdiyyah" published by the name "Haqiqat al-Barelwiyyah", which is the reply to Qadhi Atiyyah's endorsement to Ihasan Ali Zahir's "al-Barelwiyyah" (Published in Egypt by Dar al-Muqattam, 2009) asking him to produce a single nas of our ulama in which they have made takfir of Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn Abdul Wahhab and their followers. Rather, it is these people who make takfir and tadlil of the entire ummah. This accusation is the popular one found in "Nuzhat al-Khawatir" and "al-Barelwiyyah" about Barelwis and is false.
 
Conclusions:

On these premise, our conclusions therefore are that Shaykh Akhtar Rida Khan

a) is a scholar, a Mufti and one who possesses immense knowledge "Allamah" of the Shari'ah.
b) is a tireless teacher of the Islamic sciences, valuing time and teaching throughout his travels.
c) has excellent command on the Arabic language and translation skills.
d) is beloved to the Ulama of the Arab world and has been received with warm hearts and love.
e) produces works in various scholarly disciplines which have brought immense benefit to the Ahlus-Sunnah.
f) is not just a scholar of the outward sciences but a man of Allah whose presence is awe-filling and a person of karaamat.
g) is on the manhaj of the Ahlus-Sunnah Wa al-Jama'ah.
h) is well-known in India and its people of the Ahlus-Sunnah.

And to hold otherwise leads to the falsification of popular accounts by ulama and awliya on the basis of a solitary report lacking proper adab of discourse which appears biased to anyone who reads it with a sound mind. Supporting false notions attributed to the Shaykh such that he is not an "alim", he is "unknown" and that he makes "takfir of everyone" is unlawful when there are clear signs to the contrary. Beware too of having animosity towards the awliya as its consequence from Allah is devastating! And alone gives guidance.

 
———
Penned by
Shaykh Munawwar Ateeq
[Birmingham - United Kingdom]

--
Shahzad Afzal
http://www.pakistanprobe.com

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