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2010-04-07T14:00:00.001-07:00

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Gai Eaton: Remembering UK's Eloquent Voice of Islam

2010-04-07T13:41:00.004-07:00

Gai Eaton,Martin Lings,Hamza Yusuf

Gai Eaton: Remembering the UK's Eloquent Voice of Islam ---- HA Hellyer, The National, April 7, 2010

In retrospect, it was a little bit peculiar to call his house after his passing. I was hoping to give my condolences to his family – instead, I got a chance to hear his voice one last time. On his answering machine, he still came through as the distinguished gentleman I had always known him to be. With the passing of Charles Le Gai Eaton, also known as Hassan Abdul-Hakeem, the last of a particular generation of remarkable western Muslims left this world – and certainly, he was one of the more influential of them, as attested by the numerous condolence messages from across the spectrum of British society and Anglophones everywhere.

Raised as an agnostic, Eaton received his education at Charterhouse (a renowned school in England), before going to study at Cambridge University. After working for some time as a teacher and journalist in Jamaica and Egypt, he joined the British diplomatic service in 1949. In 1951, he became Muslim, which irrevocably changed his world view, enabling him to become one of the pre-eminent writers on Islam for a British audience in the contemporary age. He was deeply engaged with the challenges facing Britain’s Muslims, and later served them at the Islamic Cultural Centre at Regent’s Park in London with distinction for many years.

Many people in the UK have become Muslims since 1951 – but Eaton made a particular contribution to all English-speaking communities. As a young university student researching Islamic thought, I looked hard for contemporary authors in that area of study, even if they were not religious authorities themselves. Much of what was available at the time, particularly in the English language, was infused with political undertones, and aimed at an activist lifestyle. While the call to action through faith isn’t wrongheaded as such, it has its limitations. Eaton’s works, such as King and the Castle and Islam and the Destiny of Man, were completely different, aiming at reorientating the reader towards a God-centered life, rather than a life aimed at success in this world.

He was empowered by his deep attachment to living a faithful life in the contemporary world, combined with a profound suspicion of what modernity really had to offer in the advancement of the human being. He wrote as a Muslim, but those who read his works were from all faith backgrounds and none. He insisted that he was not a classically trained authority of the Islamic sciences, but he had a unique way with the English language that few writers on Islam could match. His admirers did not always share his philosophical perspectives, but few could deny his profound eloquence and high culture.

As a young student, I met Eaton at an academic conference, and took the opportunity to tell him how impressed and touched I had been by his books. He was so utterly humble – although I was much younger than him, he seemed incredibly embarrassed when I made the very suggestion that his works were of any worth. Recognizing him as one of the last great spiritual writers of his generation, and a reminder of high culture, I kept in touch with him, although it was certainly a one-sided relationship. When I last visited him in his home in Surrey with a friend, he was the epitome of a gentleman – he should never have exerted himself, considering his advanced years, but he nevertheless treated us with the highest hospitality.

My companion was incredibly grateful just for the opportunity to encounter him in the flesh – and that was entirely appropriate. For all those who read him, he was a deeply spiritual author who reminded us how the English idiom ought to be used when speaking of the highest spiritual matters. He was keen to jog our memory as to the importance of correct language, refusing to be swept away by current trends to overuse words like “tolerance” and “terrorism”, both of which he felt were utterly abused and bereft of their proper meaning. In the aftermath of the July 7 bombings, he warned many against curtailing civil liberties in response, and cared little for the fact it was an unpopular position to take.

In his last days, I received a message from a friend who had tended to him in his old age. At that time, Eaton was stable, but appeared as though he was wholly resigned to what he knew was inevitable for every soul. He saw his last days not in despair, but in hope for the mercy of God, displaying for his family and friends an elegant resignation. The Prophet of Islam said: “Death is the only preacher you need” – and Eaton himself was a preacher in the way he lived and the way he died.

His death, as his life, was fortuitous. He died on a Friday, which is noted as a special day in Islam – but he also died on the birthday of the Prophet. Eaton was particularly drawn to the Sufi experience within Islam, and within that experience, the celebration of the birth of the Prophet, as the “mercy to the worlds”, is especially important. That he passed away on that day is not something he would regard as coincidence – for indeed, he loved the Prophet with his heart and soul.

The school Eaton attended in Surrey had a Latin motto: Deo Dante Dedi – “God having given [to me], I gave”. His life is a testament to that adage – he felt so grateful to God, he made it incumbent upon himself to give to others in the books he wrote and the service he provided. With his passing, it truly is an end of an era for Britain.

Charles Le Gai Hassan Abdul-Hakeem Eaton was born in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1921. He passed away in London, England on February 26, 2010.

HA Hellyer is the author of “Muslims of Europe”, a Fellow of the University of Warwick and the director of the Visionary Consultants Group

MAWLID AR-RASUL MUBARIK (IslamUnity.Net)

2010-03-01T10:31:00.005-07:00

Mawlid Ar-rasul Mubarak ----From IslamUnity.Net
Title : You Are With Those Whom You Love
Date/Location: July 2007 – Talk delivered in Rochdale, Jamia Chistia
Speaker: Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Yahya Al Ninowy.

The shaykh talked about the very famous Ayah in the quran:
“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which you fear a decline: or the dwellings in which you delight – are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His punishment: and Allah does not guide the fasiqeen.” [Surah At-Tauba Verse 24]
If we are to summarise this religion of Islam, then we can say that it is a religion of love.
Allah (subhanahu wa’tala) encourages us through the Quran to love our parents and informs us not to even say ‘uff’ to them [Surah Al Israa].
The Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) informs us about love of the family, where he says “The best amongst you is he who is best to his family and I am best to my family”. He (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) also teaches us about loving our daughters, when he says “Fatima is part of me”,(Radiallahu Anhum) ,when they are on his shoulders and he is kissing them and a man comes and says , “Do you love them? I have 10 sons, I don’t kiss any of them.” The Prophet (SallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) replied “What can I do if Allah has taken away mercy from your heart?”. showing his deep love and affection for her. He also expresses his love for Imam Hassan and Husayn
He also teaches us love for our neighbours, where he says “Gibreel keeps coming to me and keeps saying neighbours, neighbours, as though he is inheriting from the neighbours”.
Allah (subhanahu wa’tala) orders us Ihsaan (be good) towards our society by saying in the Quran… “Allah orders you to be just and to do Ihsaan …” We should be positive contributors to society, because our beloved (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) came as a Mercy to the Entire Worlds, therefore we should be an extension of his mercy to the entire creation of Allah.
The more you learn about his beautiful qualities (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam), the more hostage you become to his love and his beautiful qualities…
Furthermore, the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) also taught us about love of his companions. Loving the family of Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) is also talked about in the Quran where Allah says “Tell them , I am not asking of you any reward in return, expect that you are kind to my offspring”. This is the wasiyah of the beloved, so don’t neglect it. There are Hadith that also emphasize this.
The Quran also teaches us to love the mothers of the believers… One should love their mother. The Quran also teaches of love of Allah and his Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) . This is all contrary to the saying of those who say that Islam is a religion of violence and hatred, but in reality, it’s a religion of love and forgiveness. (Subhanahu Wa Ta Alaa)
Note that the verse which is the theme of the talk says “That if you do not love Allah and his Prophet more than your family, your parents etc…” you shall await the punishment of Allah. This is actually waajib and fard upon you. Allah finishes the ayah by saying “Allah does not love the Fasiqeen”. Fisq from a Fiqh point of view is a “major sin” not a minor sin…
We need to ask ourselves the question “What number on the list of your priorities is the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam)?” If he is not number one , then make him number one!
If you have hardships in life, in your marriage, in your work, in your rizk, then take a look at where the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) is in your list of priorities..
Allah says in the Quran “whoever avoids my Dhikr , then we will fill their life with difficulties… and in the akhira they will be assembled blind…”“I had my vision in the duniya? “. Allah will say, “Our ayahs came to you , you forgot them, so today you shall be forgotten”. The person shall ask
Dhikr is amongst the name of the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) as Allah says in the Quran “Zikran Rasoolan”…
Allah also puts his own name with the name of the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam), in the same verse that we are talking about, therefore, Allah is glorifying the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam). If you put the love of the Prophet second, that’s not good enough, because in a race, the one that comes number two, is the first looser followed by many others.
There is usually a sign for everything, similarly, there is a sign for his love. One of the signs for his love is “Shauk (yearning) ” which we will focus on today….
When you hear his name (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam), your heart moves, you think about him, you dream about him, he is in your heart, your mind, your thoughts all the time….
A poet says “If you are far away in distances to me, you are in my heart, present and with me. Your image is in my head, your dhikr is always on my tongue, your dhikr is in my heart, where will you go?” We need to check our hearts to see if we have the yearning for the beloved (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam).
The Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said “By the one who has the Nafs of Muhammad, there will be a time when one of you will not see me, then one of you will wish that you will give your whole family and everything you own , just to see me” [Sahih Muslim]
Lets look at some examples of Shauk, so that we can see the love of the Companions (Radiallahu Anhum) towards the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam).
In one of the battle, a woman was waiting, a man came to her and told her “Your husband was next to me in the battle, and he was martyred”… (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) instead and asked “How is he?”Another man came and said to her “I was next to your son and husband, both are marytred”… She asked “How is Rasoolullah? “Another man walked by and told her that her brother is also martyred. She just marched on and looked for the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam), and when she saw him eventually, she said “Every calamity happening to other than you is insignificant”. She asks about the Prophet
When Bilal (Radiallahu Anhu) was on his death bed and his family was next to him crying saying “how sad will we be when you are gone”. Bilal (Radiallahu Anhu) said “I have been waiting for this day for a long time, tomorrow I will be with Muhammad and his companions”.
A man from the Shawk of the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) every night before he went to bed, he repeated all the names of the Sahaba and then said the name of the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam). He then said “Those are my origin, oh Allah my heart falls for them, do not make me leave without seeing them .”
Abdullah Bin Zain (Radiallahu Anhu) was told that the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) passed away and he then made Sujood to Allah and said, “The last thing I saw was your Prophet, take my vision away, so I don’t see anyone other than him”… and Allah accepted his dua…
If there is no Shawk, then the heart does not move when you hear the name of the beloved sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam, then it’s time for resuscitation of the heart, otherwise it’s a sign of Fisq..
Why should we love him ?
1) You should love him because he loves you as Allah mentions in the Quran.
2) He guided us to the path of success, without him we would be perished. He did not leave a good single thing, but showed us how to do it and he did not leave a single bad thing, but showed us how to avoid it.
3) The Prophet recited the verses that Ibrahim (Alaihis Salam) recited and he cried “Oh my lord, my ummah , my ummah”… Allah sent Gibreel to ask him why he was crying after sending his Salams… Allah informed Gibreel “Go and tell Muhammad, that we will give you until you are pleased (Surah Ad-Duhaa) ” . Ask and you will be granted, interced and you will be granted…
4) Love him because he would have loved to be with you, he would have loved to meet you… He said “I loved to meet my brothers who believed in me, yet who did not see me”… Allah says in the Quran that he is caring about you more than you care about yourself. He use to say , “If any of the believers who die, and they owed people, tell them to come to me and I will pay them back on their behalf”.
5) Loving him in the world has a special effect on the believers. There is a Hadith where a companion asks him about how much time he should spend on making Salah and Salam on him, he said, “Then you will be sufficed from all your hardships in the duniya”.
6) He will benefit you on the day of judgement, his love will help you in the Akhira. As he said “those of you who have the closes seats to me on the day of judgement, will be the one who sends the most Salah and Salam on me”.
Anas (Radiallahu Anhu) said “Allah is my witness that I love Abu Bakr, Umar, the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam)
All the companions present said we have never been so happy about a Hadith, if you do your Faraid and you love the Prophet, you will be with him. We should check our heart and see who we love.
7) A Bedouin came and asked the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam) when the day of judgement is, he replied “What have you prepared for it?”. This is an important point and should give us the realisation that we should not waste our time on secondary non important issues and focus on preparing for the Akhira. Our priority list is confused, we are giving other things high priority, we indulge in secondary issues, indulging for the sake of argument. Your Qiyamah is when you die… The Bedouin replied, “Nothing, except I love Allah and his Prophet”. The Prophet then replied “You will be with those whom you love” and I pray that Allah assembles me with them..”
Ibn Ata’Allah said “The heart is either filled with Haqq or Batil, not both, the love of Quran and love of Shaytaan can not be in the same heart.”
The Quran will come as a witness for some, the Masjid will come as a witness for some on the day of judgement. It is natural to feel comfortable at your own house, regardless of where you are, the Awliya of Allah feel most comfortable in the house of Allah, the Masjid..
The lecture should enable us to understand the high status of the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasalam), so that we can remember him day and night, so that his image is in front of us all the time, so his Dhikr is on your tongues and in your hearts all the time…..
N.B If you have any questions regarding these notes, please contact the note taker on the e-mail address provided above. All credit and du’as should go to the note taker- I’ve just posted them on this blog in order for people to benefit from them.
http://sidramushtaq.wordpress.com/category/ibn-ataallah-al-iskandari/
COURTESY:ISLAMUNITY.NET

Poem: 12th Rabi'ul Awwal

2010-02-28T22:10:00.003-07:00

Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya RasoolAllah

Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya HabibAllah

Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya NabiAllah

Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya NoorAllah

I ask you whats the day today?

Twelfth of Rabbi-Ul-Awwal you say

What is special about this date?

Today was born Muhammad the Great!

Pray durood and send salaamupon the prophet of Islam

Remember Him in all you do

And remember his ways of life too

Just think of our pyare Nabi

And pray durood, its totally free

All you need is a loving heart

And praying durood is just the start

Nafl Namaz and verses of Qur'aan

Could help to strengthen your Iman

Think of the poor who you could feed

Meet your family, and REJOICE IN EID!!!

Coutesy: http://www.naqshbandiya.com/

GRAND MAWLID 2010

2010-02-23T15:12:00.002-07:00

Grand Mawlid Presents "The Power Of One"

http://www.grandmawlid.com/

Grand Mawlid Presents-A celebration of the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him)-The Power of One.How one sincere heart aligned with God can transform our world.

Speakers: Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, Imam Tahir Anwar & Ustadh Yahya Rhodus Featuring: Sidi Abdul Kareem & The Bay Area Munshidun Hosted by: Ali Ataie

Over 1,400 years ago the heavens and the earth celebrated the announcement of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They rejoiced in the arrival of the long awaited "Chosen One," who was to be the perfect manifestation of Allah’s mercy on earth and a beacon of light for humanity. He was and still remains the paragon of creation and is without question the greatest blessing and bounty that humanity has received from the Creator.
In recognition of this divine blessing, Muslims have celebrated his birth for centuries with reverence and gratitude. These celebrations, also known as Mawlid al-Nabi, vary in form, expression and duration across the many cultures of the Muslim world. In the Indian subcontinent, the Mawlid is celebrated throughout the city squares with melodious singing in praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him) accompanied by food and sweets.
In Indonesia, large processions involving hundreds of thousands of believers are held along the country’s main roads as an expression of love for the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Moroccans host large feasts and recite lines of classical poetry in his honor. Similar practices and traditions have developed throughout other parts of the Muslim world further infusing cultures and people with a deep-seated respect and reverence for him. No matter how these celebrations take place, one thing is certain, in celebrating his birth, his legacy and his life the Muslim community at large continues to strengthen its connection to him and thus God.
Please join us for a night of inspiration as we continue to carry on this timeless tradition. We look forward to seeing you for an evening filled with poetry, praise and reflections from our dear scholars!

CELEBRATE MERCY-GLOBAL MAWLID un NABI (saws)

2010-02-23T14:53:00.004-07:00

CELEBRATE MERCY-GLOBAL MAWLID un NABI (SAWS)
Thousands of Muslims Worldwide to Attend Historic Online CelebrationOn Thursday, February 25, the website celebratemercy.com will host a global webcast celebration of the Prophet Muhammad; this first event of its kind has attracted unprecedented attention in the online community. Throughout the Islamic lunar month of Rabia al-Awwal, millions of Muslims worldwide commemorate the Prophet Muhammad, by remembering his life and character. This year, for the first time, an online celebration is being organized to facilitate people everywhere—both those who are Muslim and those who are not—to celebrate his life with prominent world figures, scholars, and performers. Titled “Celebrate Mercy” and hosted by the website celebratemercy.com, the event will feature well-known Muslim speakers and entertainers in both pre-recorded video/audio presentations and live webcam presentations. The program will include short talks, songs, and poetry, all on the subject of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. The program is expected to last three hours, beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST on February 25, with a global re-broadcast on Sunday February 28, at 10:00 a.m. GMT. Presenters at the event will include Yusuf Islam, the former Cat Stevens; Dalia Mogahed, a member of the Advisory Council to President Obama; the President of the Muhammad Ali Center; and several other notable Muslim scholars and artists. Marketing for the event began earlier this month through social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, and word of the event quickly spread across the online world. Within one week of the launch of celebratemercy.com, 3400 individuals became “fans” of the event on Facebook, representing over 60 countries, and over 400 people signed up to volunteer. As of this release, the event has garnered 500 paid registrants from 40 countries. Viewing centers are being set up in many communities, including cities in New Zealand, India, UK, Canada, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. The success of the event is a testament to the power of online social networking. In explaining his inspiration for the event, Tarek El-Messidi, founder of celebratemercy.com, stated: “Muslims consider the Prophet Muhammad to be the best of God’s creation. It made me sick to my stomach to think that many in the West associate the name Muhammad with the disgusting actions of some Muslim extremists. When people hear the name Muhammad, mercy should be their first thought; this event will explain why.” The Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca (in modern day Saudi Arabia) in 670 AD. Muslims believe that he was the last in a series of prophets chosen by God, and the teachings revealed to the Prophet Muhammad form the basis of the religion of Islam. Over one billion people worldwide commit to his teachings, and he is thought by many—Muslim and non-Muslim alike—to be one of the most influential people in history. Amjad Tarsin, one of the event coordinators, explained the significance of celebrating the Prophet’s life in today’s world: “[Prophet Muhammad] taught us that forbearance is greater than revenge; forgiveness more lofty than punishment; and compassion more effective than austerity. Above all, he taught us mercy. And in these difficult times, we are all in need of more mercy in the world.”Those who are interested can learn more about the event, including a full list of confirmed and invited presenters, and about the Prophet Muhammad at celebratemercy.com. Registration is currently open and will remain open until 12 PM EST on February 25. The cost for the event is $5.00 per person although those who are not Muslim are granted free guess access at www.celebratemercy.com/guest. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. Quick Facts: What? Global online celebration of the life of Prophet Muhammad. Why?To facilitate a celebration of the Prophet’s life for people everywhere, with prominent world figures, scholars, and performers. When? Thursday, February 25, 2010, 9:00 p.m. EST. Global re-broadcast on Sunday, February 28, 2010, 10:00 a.m. GMT. (Video footage also available upon request)Where?Participants can join the event online by registering at www.celebratemercy.com. Cost of the event is $5.00. Those who are not Muslim are granted free guest access at celebratemercy.com/guest.

http://www.celebratemercy.com/

A Rabi'ul Awwal Gift- Habib Umar bin Hafiz

2010-02-22T23:11:00.003-07:00

Interpreter's Path---the blog of AbdulKarim Yahya

A Rabi'ul Awwal Gift

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
وبعد فهذه صيغة صلاة على النبي محمد صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم للحبيب عمر بن حفيظ
وأوصى بالإكثار منها في شهر مولده صلى الله عليه وسلم
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
This is a formula of prayers (salat) on the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him, his folk and companions and grant them peace) by Habib Umar bin Hafiz. He advised us to read it a lot in the month of the Beloved’s birth (Allah bless him and grant him peace):
اَللَّهُمُّ صَلِِّ وَسَلِِّمْ وَبارِِكْ عَلى النُّورِِ المُبين، عَبْدِِكَ وَحَبيبِِكَ سَيِّدِِنا محمدٍ الأمين، وَعَلى آلِهِِ ِوَصَحْبِهِ
وَحَقِِّقْنا بِِحُبِِّهِ، وَأكْرِِْمنا بُِِقُرْبِِهِ، وَاجْعََْلنا مِِنْ رُفَقائِهِ يا رَبََّ العالَمين
Allahumma Salli wa Sallim wa Barik ‘ala al-Nur al-Mubin ‘abdika wa Habibika Sayyidina Muhammad al-Amin wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi wa haqiqna bihubbihi wa akrimna biqurbihi wa-j’alna min rufaqa’ihi ya Rabbal-‘alamin.
“O Allah send prayers, peace and blessings upon the Manifest Light, Your Slave and Your Beloved, our Liegelord Muhammad the Trustworthy, as well as his folk and companions, and make us true in his love, honor us with nearness to him, and include us among his entourage. O Lord of the Worlds.”

Courtesy---Interpreter's Path Blog

http://abdulkarimyahya.com/2010/02/19/a-rabiul-awwal-gift/

Mawlid-un-Nabi (saws) in Makkah al-Mukkarma

2010-02-21T01:17:00.007-07:00

Birthplace-Mawlid al-Nabi (saws),now a library

Mawlid-un-Nabi (saws) in Makkah al-Mukkarma
Celebrations of great happiness & joy were held in Makkah al-Mukkurma on the Birthday of Gracious Nabi (saws) and this day was called "Eid Youm-e- Wiladat-e- Rasul’Allah",Festival of Birhday of Prophet of God (saws). Beautiful carpets were laid down in the Haram Sharif behind Hanafi Musalla. Sharif of Mecca and Commander of Hijaz and their Staff who were appropriatly dressed for the occasion were present.They just returned after reciting Naats & Qasidas at the Birthplace of Prophet (saws).The lamps were lighted in two rows from Haram Sharif to the Birthplace, Mawlid al-Nabi (saws). The birthplace was illuminated with lights. Mawlid Celebration (Mehfil e Milad) was held in Haram Sharif after Isha Prayers on 11th Rabi al-Awwal.The Turkish Artillary gave 21 gun salute from Jiyad Fortress at the each prayer time from Maghrib of 11th Rabi al-Awwal to the Asr of 12th Rabi al-Awwal. A report of Mawlid Celebration in Mecca was published in March ,1917 issue of Monthly Journal “ Tariqat”, Lahore:
“Mecca and its surroundings echoed with loud noise of Gun Salute and the Adhan Caller (Mu'adhdin) started calling Allahu Akbar ,Allahu Akbar, for the Asr Prayers. The people started congratulating each other on the happy ocassion of Eid Mawlid un Nabi (saws) .Sharif Hussain offered Maghrib prayers with a large crowd at the Hanafi Musalla. After the prayers the Chief Justice (Qadi al Qudat) congratulated the Sharif of Mecca. Then all ministers, Government officials & City Notables left with a large crowd to the Birthplace of Prophet (saws).The entire pathway to the Mawlid un Nabi was illuminated and colorful lights at the Birthplace looked heavenly. The visitors stood with respect and the speaker started narrating the events about the life of Prophet (saws).All present listened with humility. After this Shaykh Fawad,Deputy Foreign Minister gave a speech , shedding light on the Greatest Human Revolution brought by birth of the Prophet(saws). After this another speaker recited devotional poetry in the honor of the Prophet (saws),then everyone visited the birthplace and returned to Haram Sharif for Isha Prayers. After Isha,all gathered in Haram Sharif to listen to the Mawlid Narratives. The speaker discussed Spiritual and Physical qualities & characteristics of beloved Prophet (saws).On the occasion of Mawlid un Nabi (saws) all the courts, offices and schools were closed.”
Many Islamic Scholars have mentioned about Celebration of Mawlid un Nabi (saws) in Mecca in their books,for example: Allama Ibn Jouzi (al-Milad al-Nabwi),Hazrat Shah Wali’Allah Dehlvi (Fayuth al-Harmaiyn),Shaykh Qutub al-Din al-Hanafi ( al-Aalam ba Alam Bait' Allah al-Haram), Jamal al-Din Muhammad bin Jarr’Allah bin Zaheer (in Minhaj al Quran Lahore.Nov,1987) ,Mufti Enayat Ahmad Kaukorvi ( TawarikhHabib’Allah ) and Shaykh Muhammad Misri ( Muhammad Rasul’Allah).The tradition of visiting Birthplace of Prophet (saws) has been practiced by People of Mecca for Centuries. Imam Abu al-Hussain Muhammad bin Ahmad popularly known as Ibn e Jubair Andalusi (d.614 AH) writes about tradition of visiting Birthplace of Prophet (saws) in his Travel Journal (Rihla Ibn e Jubair):
“Birthplace of Prophet (saws) is one of the Ziyara of Mecca. The ground of this site is honored because it has touched the holy body of Beloved of God (saws)as the first thing in this universe. This is the place where greatest personality was born and he is the Mercy for the Ummah. We rubbed our cheeks at this site as we entered because, at this place the most blessed (mubarik )and pure ( tayyab )child of this universe was born and we were graced with the blessings ( barakat) because of our visit.
Referring to the blessings of visiting the Birthplace (Barakat e Mawlid un Nabi (saws)),Imam Qutub al-Din Hanafi (d.988AD), writes “Birthplace (Mawlid e Pak) is a famous place. It is visited until now. Prayers are accepted here. The People of Mecca (Ahle Mecca) hold Remembrance of God ‘s Gathering (Mehfil-e-Dhikr ) every Monday and the Muslims visit this holy site every year during the night of 12th Rabi al-Awwal, ”
Source: Mawlid un Nabi (saws) in Urdu: Research, Analysis and History by Muhammad Muzaffar Javed Alam Siddiqui ( Pages-919),Publisher-Fiction House,18 Mazang Road,Lahore,Pakistan

Mercy Springs from Mustafa's Mawlid

2010-02-19T23:25:00.002-07:00

Mercy Springs from Mustafa's Mawlid
An exqusite reflection on the birth of the beloved, may God's blessings and peace be upon him. From Wayfarer's Rest
With a whisper of the wind appears the first new leafAnd the trees tremble as life returns anewLike a gentle breeze that grows to a tempestA new song enters in my heart,And lifts me on its wings.Spring is here again.The birds have begun to sing again. Looking out, I see tiny buds beginning to poke their way through the soil; branches bare all winter have dared to send forth their first green shoots. The wind blows warmer, the rain feels somehow fresher. It is unmistakeable – spring is here again.How fitting that, as we approach the month of lights, the blessed month of mawlid, we should find ourselves entering the season of spring. For what more fitting time could there have been for the one whose birth signified the dawning of new hope for mankind, a new spring of tauhid after the dark and cold winter of disbelief; for the one who loved all things green and who revived dead hearts to life, than the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal (lit: the first spring)?Shaykh Hamza Yusuf mentioned that the Prophet (s) was born in spring and loved green. He continued that green was the first colour that the eye could perceive, and the last that it could make out; the middle of the spectrum of light. Green is also the colour of chlorophyll, which mediates photosynthesis in plants – the conversion of pure light into energy and nourishment that ultimately allows our continued existence. The parallels are manifest but beautiful nonetheless: he (s) is from the light of Allah, the first Prophet and the last, the moderate and median way, neither too harsh nor too lenient; he is the source of all nourishment and the means of continuation for all spiritual life. He (s) is, as the commentaries of the Quran mention, the solitary flowering tree in the midst of a barren desert – from whose fruits all men feast, and beneath whose boughs all find shade and rest.The advent of spring fills one with gladness – a joy that the believer cannot but feel when he or she contemplates the arrival of the best and most beloved of all creation (s). Allah says in the Holy Quran: ‘In the blessings of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice,’ and, ‘make remembrance of the Days of Allah.’ al-Bayhaqi relates that the Prophet (s) said, ‘the Days of Allah are Allah’s Blessings and Signs, and the Prophet’s birth is a great bliss.’ For almost a millennium, Muslims have joyfully commemorated the arrival of our spiritual Spring with the celebration of mawlid.Mawlid has three meanings: the time of the Beloved’s (s) birth, the place of his birth and the fact of his birth. However, for hundreds of years, the word mawlid has been used to signify the celebration of the Prophet’s (s) birth. Mawalid have been – and still are – held wherever there are Muslims; from the Islamic heartlands of Arabia, Egypt and Syro-Palestine to the very borders of the traditional Islamic lands such as Indonesia, the Caucasus and Western Africa. In the 20th century, the globalization of the Ummah and mass migration has seen mawlid celebrated in the most unlikely of places – from the rain-swept streets of the UK to the snowy mountains of Canada to the tip of Southern Africa.It is beloved of the common folk of the community and cherished by the elect. Kings and rulers have used mawlid to connect to their followers; scholars have used it to educate the people. Such has been its popularity among the learned and the unlearned – so deeply has it touched the hearts of Muslims from every walk of life – that one would struggle to find a place that has not been graced by the celebration of the Beloved of Allah (s).Rabi` al-Awwal Mubarak, dear friends. May Allah enlighten all our hearts with the love of his Beloved (s), ennoble our eyes with his (s) vision in this world and the next, and fill our limbs with the strength to follow his blessed way.Oh Cherishing Lord! Through the honour of Sayyidina Muhammad in Your eyes, purify our hearts from every evil quality that distances us from Your witnessing, Your love and Your mercy, let us die as members of his (s) community and under his banner of praise, yearning for the encounter with You, Oh Lord of Majesty and Grace! Then peace and blessings upon the elect of creation, the Master of the children of Adam, the Beloved of the Lord of the Worlds, Sayyidina wa Habibina Muhammad, his family, companions, and all who light their hearts from his blessed lamp.

Courtesy: Seeker of the Sacred-http://seekerofthesacred.blogspot.com/2007/03/mercy-springs-from-mustafas-mawlid.html

Virtues of month of Rabi ul Awwal

2010-02-19T11:09:00.003-07:00

VIRTUES of THE MONTH Rabi'- Ul - Awwal
It is mentioned in The Jawahar Ghaibi {Jewels of The Unseen} that in this month the Companions of the Beloved of Allah Hadrat Muhammad may Allah be pleased with them all, the Taba'een {those who saw the holy Companions} and Taba' Taba'een {the ones who saw the Taba'een} used to perform as a gift to the Blessed Soul of the Beloved of Allah Hadrat Muhammad, 20 Raka'h daily for 12 days. If one can not perform this Salah daily, at least it should be performed on the 2nd and 12th day and the gift passed on to the Soul of the Beloved of Allah Hadrat Muhammad ,because the Beloved of my soul came in the dreams of those who performed this Salah, and gave them the good news of Paradise. Seeing the Beloved of my soul, Hadrat Muhammad in the dream after his demise and giving the good news of Paradise just as if one saw him in real life.
It is mentioned in "Kitabul Awrad" that on the night the Hilal {visible moon} is seen, one should perform 16 Raka'h Nafl {voluntary} Salah, in sections of 2 Raka'ah and intentions {Niyyah} of 2 Raka'ah each and in each Raka'ah recite after Surah Al-Fatihah, Surah Ikhlas 3 times and after the completion of the 16 Raka'ah recite the following Salatul Nabi {Durood} on The Beloved of Allah, one thousand times:

Allahumma rabba hadhi-hid da'wa-tit-tamma wa-salatil qae-ma,Ati muhammadanil wasilata wal fadeela,Wab ath-hu maqamam-mahmuda-nil alladhi wa aadtha

O God, Owner of this perfect call and Owner of this prayer to be performed,Bestow upon Muhammad al waseelah (a station in Prardise) and al fadeelah (a rank above the rest of creation),And raise him to the rank you have promised him

The above Durood when continued to be recited daily for 12 days {one thousand times each day} after Salatul 'Isha, and then going to sleep in the state of wudu, the reciter will Inshaallah Ta'la see the Beloved of my soul, Hadrat Muhammad.
It is written in "Kitabul Mashaikh" that from the night on which the Hilal of Rabi-ul-Awwal is seen, if one recites the following Durood 1.025 times after Salatul 'Isha:

ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN KAMA SALLAITA ALA IBRAHEEMA WA ALA ALI IBRAHEEMA INNAKA HAMEEDUM MAJEED
he will see the Beloved of Allah Hadrat Muhammadin his dream.
In the same book it is written that any one who recites in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal one hundred and twenty five thousand times any one of the following 2 Duroods

Assalatu wassalamu ‘alayka Ya Rasulallah

Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam
he will certainly see the beloved of my soul Muhammad in his dream.

Courtesy: Daar-ul-ehsaan http://www.daar-ul-ehsaan.org/Rabi-Ul-Awwal.htm#themonth

Significance of Rabi al-Awwal by Shaykh Abdal Haqq Muhaddith Dehlavi (r.a)

2010-02-18T19:43:00.005-07:00

Islamic Months & Year (Ma sabata bilsunnah un amal as sunnah)
Shaykh Abdal Haqq Muhaddith Dehlavi (R.A)
Rabi al-Awwal

Blessed Birth of Prophet (saws)
1. Year of Prosperity & Joy
Dear Friends! Allah Taala guide you with light of Certainty (Nur al-Yaqeen) and illuminate your heart with remembrance of His beloved Prophet (saws), blessings on the Chosen Prophet (saws), his family & companions. As mentioned in the books of Sira & Ahadith, Hazrat Amina (r) witnessed unusual & strange events during her pregnancy. Quraysh of Makkah were suffering with severe famine and their land became green with trees bearing fruits after the blessed pregnancy. They became prosperous and therefore named 570 AD as “The Year of Prosperity & Joy”.
2. Blessed Birth in State of Prostration (Sajjada)
Abu Nuaym has narrated from Abdullah ibn Abbas (r) “Hazrat Amina, the mother of Prophet (saws) dreamed that someone said to her “You have conceived the best of humankind and master of the worlds, when you give birth to him, call him Muhammad and tell no one about your situation”. She said: “I saw a flock of birds that had come without my noticing from whence they came, until they covered my chamber. Their beaks were made of emerald and their wings of rubies. The veil was lifted from my sight and at that moment I saw the eastern and western regions of earth. I saw three banners raised a banner in the East, a banner in the West and a banner on the top of the Kabah.” “I gave birth to Muhammad (saws); when he came out of my belly I turned and looked at him, and lo and behold, I saw him prostrating himself with his Shahadah Finger raised like one who was pleading and supplicating. Then I saw a white cloud that had come from the sky, came down until it covered him and he was concealed from my sight; I heard a voice call out “ Take Muhammad (saws) around the East and West of the world; take him into all of the oceans, so that they will know his name, his description, and his form and they will know that he is called al-Mahi, the Effacer, because there is no polytheism but it will be effaced by him in his time.”
3. Last of the Prophets ( Khatim al-Nabiyeen)
Imam Ahmad,Bazar,Tibrani,Hakim and Allama Bayhaqi has narrated from Arbaz bin Sariya that Prophet (saws) said “ I am servant of Allah and last of the Prophets. I was Prophet when Adam was between water and mud and I will inform you of all events shortly. I am answer to the supplication of my father Hazrat Ibrahim, glad tiding of Hazrat Isa and I am dream of my mother which she saw. The mothers of Prophets see dreams about prophecy of their sons. The mother of Messenger of Allah (saws) saw a light emanating from her belly that reached to the castles of Syria. Hazrat Abbas bin Muttalib said about this
light in his poetry “Oh.Rasul! The earth became illuminated on your blessed birth and skies became bright with your light and we tread the path of guidance with your light.”
4. Seal of the Prophethood ( Muhr e Nabawwut)
Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (r) stated that a Jewish Resident of Makkah addressed the Quraysh on the day of the blessed birth of Prophet (saws): “Oh !People of Quraysh! Did you have a birth of a son in your family? Then he said “The Prophet of Ummah will be born this night and there will be a seal of Prophethood between his shoulders as a sign of Prophecy. Quraysh found out that Abdullah bin Abdal Muttalib had a son. He took few persons with him to visit Hazrat Amina and wished to see the seal. He fainted after witnessing the seal and then stated “ Oh.People of Quraysh ! Listen, Prophecy has finished in the house of Bani Israel. Now you will become prominent & dominant in the world through this Prophet(saws) and his message will spread from East to the West.” Yaqub bin Sufyan has written this tradition with hasan isnad and is also included in Fath al-Bari.
5. Date and Time of the Blessed Birth
There is difference of opinion about date and time of birth however 12th Rabi al-Awwal is most popular opinion. The People of Makkah visit the birth place of Prophet (saws) on this day and this tradition is practiced even today. Taibi states, there is a concensus amongst Muslims that Prophet (saws) was born on this date. I (Abdul Haq) agree with Taibi. It is popularly believed that day of birth was Monday Morning. Qatada Ansari states that Prophet (saws) used to fast on Mondays and when he was asked about this, he said “This is the day I was born and this is the day, I was given Prophethood”. (Sahih Muslim)
6. Superiority of Night of Mawlid
The night of Mawlid is superior to the night of Destiny (laylat al-qadar). The night of Mawlid is the night of Prophet’s coming to this world and Night of Power was given to him, that which was honored by the very existence of one for whose sake it is honored, is more honorable than that which is honored by reason of what was given to him.
Thuwayba, the slave girl of Abu Lahab gave the glad news of the blessed birth of Prophet (saws) and therefore he freed her out of delight. When Abu Lahab died, one of his relatives saw him in dream. He said to him,” What happened to you?”.Abu Lahab replied I am suffering in hell however on Mondays, there is some relief and then he pointed to his two fingers, by signaling which, he freed Thuwayba .I am able to drink water with these two fingers. Ibn al-Jauzi has written that if Abu Lahab, the unbeliever whose condemnation was revealed in the Quran, was rewarded in hell for his joy on the night of Prophet’s Birth (saws), what is the case of Muslims who delight in his birth and spend all that they can afford or love of him? By my life, his reward from the Allah Taala can only be that He graciously causes him to enter the gardens of bliss. The Muslims have always celebrated Mawlid un Nabi (saws) during the month of Rabi al-Awwal. They prepare food, give charity to poor, distribute gifts and express happiness. They spend generously, recite Quran and decorate their homes. Allah Taala continues to shower His blessing & baraka on them. The Muslims who celebrate Mawlid-un-Nabi (saws) remain in Allah’s Security and their needs are fulfilled. Allah Taala sends His mercy on the person who celebrates Eid on the night of Mawlid un Nabi (saws). May Allah Taala reward us for our sincere intensions and enable us to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (saws). Allah is enough for us and He is the Best Helper.
Shaykh Abdal Haqq Muhaddith Dehlavi (r.a)
He was born in 1551 (958 AH) in in Delhi, hence the suffix Dehlavi to his name. He went on become a noted writer in Arabic and Persian, who was respected &honored by Mughal Emperors Jahangir (r.1605-28) and Shah Jahan (r.1628-58), and in time became a respected,authentic & authoritative scholar of Islam. His ancestors were natives of Bokhara, and later while visiting Delhi was enobled and attached to the Mughal Royal Court at Delhi. His father was also a great Islamic Scholar.In 996 AH, 1587 CE, he made the pilgrimage to Mecca, where he stayed remained for the next two years studying the Prophetic Traditions ( Hadith) and Sufism under various noted scholars. Upon his return to Delhi, he taught for half a century, and authored more than 100 works, noted among them a History of Medina, a Biography of Prophet Muhammad (saws), and a work on the lives of saints. He died in Delhi, in 1642 (1052 AH), and has over 40 works to his name. His mausoleum, today exists at the edge ofHauz-i-Shamsi near Qutub Minar, Delhi.

His Works
"Akhbar al Akhyar", 16th Century. Urdu Edition 1990
Sharh Mishkat Shareef
Perfection of Faith (Translation), Adam Publishers.
Madarij e Nabuwwah
Tārīh-i Haqqī (The History by Haqq). General history of South Asia from the time of the Ğūrids to the 42nd year of Mughal Emperor Akbar’s reign (1005/1596-7).
Source Wikipedia
Brief Biography at nfie.com/blog
http://www.nfie.com/welcome/blog/2009/12/shaykh-abdal-haqq-muhaddith-dehlvi.html

Salawaat in Rabi'ul Awwal

2010-02-17T23:06:00.003-07:00

Salawaat in Rabi'ul Awwal
The month of Rabi’ul Awwal came by and has passed us. But let us keep the presence of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam fresh in every quantum of light that our eyes receive. And keep his spiritual essence alive in every breath we take.Don't you find it strange that some people (loudly claiming they are "purer" Muslims) look for excuses to not celebrate the prophet (saw) and critize fellow muslims who do celebrate? Get real! All Muslims should to celebrate Prophet Muhammad (saw), as had been done by the salaf and khalaf generations before us.

Part of Burdah of Imam Muhammad bin Said al-Busiri

As long as you do not follow the way of the Christians- who overly praise Jesus alaihissalam and turn him into god)-Praise him (Muhammad) the way you please(verse 43)

Salawat Khusus of Tariqah Ahmadiah

O Allah, send salutation, peace and blessings upon our master Muhammad and his family in every glance and breath, the count of which only known to Allah, whose Knowledge has no limit.

Part of Salawat ‘Azimiah of Sidi Ahmad bin Idris (rh)

I plea to Allah - by the Light of Allah the Magnificent, the Light that fills up the Pillars of the ‘Arash of Allah the Magnificent, with which the worlds come into being – that He send great salutation upon our master Muhammad. And great salutation upon the family of Nabi, a salutation fitting to the greatness of Allah......(until the end)

Salawat of Imam as-Shafi’i (rh) as found in Dala’il al-Khairat and elsewhere

O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, every time those who remember (az-zakirun) make remembrance (zakara) of You.O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, every time those who neglect (al-ghafilun) fail to make remembrance of you.

Part of the Ten Salawaat as given by a student of Madrasah Saulatiyyah, Makkah

O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, who walks under the sun and he has no shadow following him.O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, (so noble he is) that flies never set down on his person...(until the end)

Part of Dala'il al-Khairat as read on Saturdays

And may You (Allah) send salutation upon him (Muhammad) and his family. Send salutations as many times as the number of the creations - who glorify You, and who claim Holiness unto You, and who prostrate to You - since the the day you created this world up to the Day of Resurrection, and for each day you amplify 1000 fold...(until the end)

Salawat Shifa/Tibbiah

O Allah, send salutation upon Sayyidina Muhammad, the kind that cleanses the heart and becomes its healer, that remedies ailment and becomes health restorer, that lights up vision and becomes the illuminator.

Salawat Tafrijiyah

O Allah, send complete salutation and send perfect peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, with whom ceases all that binds, and ends all sadness, and fulfills all wishes, and attains all desires, and ends with goodness, and causes the pouring of rain, by his generous countenance, and upon his family and his companions, as much as glance of an eye and every breath that is made that is in Your Knowledge.

Salawat Munjiyat

O Allah, send salutation upon Sayyidina Muhammad, with which You release us from catastrophe and misfortune, and You fulfill all wishes, and You clear all our wrongdoings, and You elevate our rank by Your side, and You suffice us with kindness during our lifetime and after it, and please send our salutation as well to Muhammad’s family and his companions.

Coutesy: Islam is Every One of Us

http://islaminus.blogspot.com/2009/03/salawaat-in-rabiul-awwal.html

Rabi al Awwal Mubarik

2010-02-17T22:48:00.003-07:00

Worship/Waziafs for Rabbi ul Awwal
ASALATU WASALAMU ALAYKA YA RASULLALLAH Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam
First Rabi ul awwal
One should perform 16 Raka’h Nafl , in sections of 2 Raka’ah and intentions of 2 Raka’ah each and in each Raka’ah recite after Surah Al-Fatihah, Surah Ikhlas 3 times and after the completion of the 16 Raka’ah recite the following Durood one thousand times:
Allahumma Rabba haazihid dawatit tammatee wassalaatil qaaimatee aatee Muhammadanil wasilata wal fadhilata
The above Durood when continued to be recited daily for 12 days {one thousand times each day} after Salatul ‘Isha, and then going to sleep in the state of wudu, the reciter will Inshaallah Ta’la see the Beloved Rasool Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam
If any one who recites in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal one hundred and twenty five thousand times any one of the following 2 Duroods Will certainly see the beloved Rasool Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallamin a dream Inshallah.
Assalaatu Wassalaamu Alayka Ya Rasoolallah Sallal Laahu Ta’ala Alayhi Wa Sallam
Sallal Laahu Alayhi Wa Sallam
It is written in “Kitabul Mashaikh” that from the night on which the Hilal of Rabi-ul-Awwal is seen, if one recites the following Durood 1025 times after Salatul ‘Isha:
Ala’ Muhammadinw wa’ala Aali Muhammadin kamaa salaita Ala’ Ibrahima aa ala’ Aali Ibrahima innaka hamidummajeed
He/she will see the Beloved Nabi Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam in his dream
Fasting on the First of Rabi ul Awwal is also recommended.12th Rabi ul Awwal EID MILAD UN NABI Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam
After Zuhar namaaz read the follwing nawafils.
1) Offer two rakaat prayer, In first Rakaat after surah fateha recite Surah e Kafiroon three times, in second rakaat after surah fateha recite sura e Ikhlas three times
2)Pray 2 rakats nafil namaz. In each rakat after Surah Fateha, pray Surah Muzammil Sharif once. After the namaz, offer its sawab to our beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam. Then go into sijdah position and pray for fulfilment of your needs. Insha-Allah the wishes will be granted.
3) Pray 2 or 4 rakats (in 2 salams) nafil namaz. In each rakat after Surah Fateha recite Surah Ikhlas 25 times. After the namaz pray as in 1) above
Some acts to be carried out on 12th Rabi ul Awwal Eid Milad Un Nabi Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam.
* To perform Ghusal* Wear New Clothes* Wear Attar/perfume* Read Seerah of Nabi Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam* Greet Each other* Give Charity* Keep Fast* stay up all night and recite the Quran/ darood shareef and attend mehfils.
Throughout this month reciting of darood shareef in abundance carries great virtues/sawaab inshallah.

Coutesy: Ashiqe Rasool- http://madinasharif.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/worshipwaziafs-for-rabbi-ul-awwal/

Mawlid-Un-Nabi Conference 2010,Phoenix,AZ

2010-02-16T21:17:00.004-07:00

Mawlid-Un-Nabi Conference 2010

SATURDAY, MARCH 27th, 2010,3:00 – 9:00 pm
Chandler Community Center
125 Commonwealth Ave
Chandler, AZ 85225
Sponsored By
Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education
Celebrating The Prophet (pbuh) of Universal Mercy, Love & Beauty
Shaykh Abdullah Nooruddeen Durkee
Born in 1938 at Warwick, N.Y, became Muslim in early thirties.Studied with several Shayukh including Shaykh Ibrahim al-Battawi(al-Azhar),Shaykh Dr.Seyed Ali Ashraf (Cambridge,UK),Shaykh Umar Abdullah ( Comoro Islands) & Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal ar-Rifai (al-Quds). Founder, Dar al-Islam, Abiquiu, NM & Islamic Study Center (Flag Mountain),Director, an-Noor Educational Trust & Principal,Green Mountain School. Eminent American Muslim Scholar, Thinker, Author & Translator. One of his main contributions is”The Transliterated Tajwidi Quran”. Imam & Khateeb for various Muslim Communities on East Coast.
Mahmoud Sheikh-Khalil M.D
Imam & Director, Islamic Center of Northeast Louisiana, Monroe, LA
Imam Abdulbasir Ali Teacher Phoenix Metro Islamic School
Imam Didmar Faja Imam Albanian American Islamic Center, Quran Teacher at Arizona Cultural Academy

Na’ats,Nasheeds,Qasidahs
Al-Haj Noor Muhammad Jarral

FREE EVENT-Register for Conference+Dinner online, e-mail or phone
Please Donate Generously
Please make Checks Payable to: NFIE. (Tax ID: 37-1303679)

Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education
P.O.Box 2978,Gilbert Az 85296. E-mail info@nfie.com website www.nfie.com

The Birth Of The Prophet Muhammad(saws):Devotional Piety in Sunni Islam by Marion Holmes Katz

2010-02-16T19:32:00.007-07:00

The Birth Of The Prophet Muhammad(saws): Devotional Piety In Sunni Islam (culture And Civilization In The Middle East) by Marion Holmes Katz,Ph.D. 1997, University of Chicago,Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies
Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies,50 Washington Square South,New York, NY 10012
In the medieval period, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (the mawlid) was celebrated in popular narratives and ceremonies that expressed the religious agendas and aspirations of ordinary Muslims, including women.
This book examines the Mawlid from its origins to the present day and provides a new insight into how an aspect of everyday Islamic piety has been transformed by modernity. The book gives a window into the religious lives of medieval Muslim women, rather than focusing on the limitations that were placed on them and shows how medieval popular Islam was coherent and meaningful, not just a set of deviations from scholarly norms.
Concise in both historical and textual analysis, this book is an important contribution to our understanding of contemporary Muslim devotional practices and will be of great interest to postgraduate students and researchers of Islam, religious studies and medieval studies.

Editorial Reviews
Muslim World Book Review:
Wadham College, Oxford, Ahmed Weir
The Birth of The Prophet Muhammad: Devotional Piety in Sunni Islam. By Marion Holmes Katz. ISBN: 9780415771276.
In this work on devotional Sunni piety, Marion Jolmes Katz immerses herself, as a participant and observer, into the world of the mawlid, displaying an empathetic understanding of how the mawlid can touch the believers heart. It is a work of historical theology tracing the mawlid from its birth at some point in the eleventh century to its dead-hearted critics of the twentieth century.] [ Within her chapters on the historical development of the mawlid, Katz devotes considerable energy to the discussion of qiyam, or standing. In this she uncovers some gems. She traces the first recorded instance of standing to the Egyptian scholar Taj al-Din al-Subki. This happened in the Umayyad Mosque, Damascus in the fourteenth century during a public recitation of Al-Sarsaris ode, Writing in gold is but little for the praise of Mustafa.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments

Introduction

The emergence of mawlid narratives

An archaeology of mawlid narratives 6

Formal mawlid texts 50

Conclusion 61

Gifts and reciprocity in the celebration of the mawlid 63

Mawlid banquets 67

Pious utterances and the generation of merit 75

The exchange of merit and the economy of salvation 87

Conclusion 96

Emotion, law, and the celebration of the mawlid

Joy 104

Love 117

The salvific value of personal relationships 125

Standing as an expression of emotion 128

Conclusion 139

Time and merit in the celebration of the mawlid

The night of the mawlid and laylat al-qadr 146

Special times and their uses 147

Homogeneous and non-homogeneous time 153

Conclusion 164

Mawlids under attack

Wahhabi opposition 170

Modernist critiques 174

New rationales for the celebration of the mawlid 182

The marginalization of the mawlid in the late-twentiethcentury 184

The eclipse of the devotionalist model 188

Conclusion 206

Available from Amazon .Com

Realities of Sufism by Shaykh Abd al-Qadir Isa

2010-01-06T13:23:00.004-07:00

Realities of Sufism by Shaykh Abd al-Qadir Isa

http://www.sunnipubs.com/

Reveiw:
Written by Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise belongs to Allah as befits His Majesty and Perfection. And may prayers and salutations be upon our Master Muḥammad and his family.
He is our first teacher and Shaykh; the reliable pillar of those who arrived and the exemplar of the spiritual travellers; the possessor of splendid miracles and manifest spiritual allusions; the Shaykh of the Shadhilis in the blessed land of Aleppo; the reviver of the path of the esteemed ‘Alawi Darqawi Shadhilis in the Levant; the goal of the resolute and the qibla of the purveyors of spiritual divestment; and the possessor of radiant countenance and Muhammadan lights. He is the Shaykh of the noble and renowned Qadiri Shadhili spiritual path [Tariqa]; the spiritual guide and trainer: Sayyidi ‘Abd al-Qadir ‘Isa al-‘Azizi al-Husayni – may Allah have mercy upon him.
His biography resembles that of the rightly-guided Ummayad Caliph ‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz – may Allah be pleased with him.
He grew up wearing the finest of clothes and using the most expensive of scents – in fact, similitudes were struck among the people on the basis of his elegant style and handsome appearance. That was until, the people of Allah captivated him with love for Allah Most High and complete immersion in His remembrance. He journeyed from the created universe to the Creator and remained in that state until his soul returned – content with its love for its Lord – to its Maker. May Allah Most High reward him on our behalf with the best reward.
He left Syria for the Hijaz and then to Jordan and was subject to injuries and tests for the sake of Allah. He was confronted by foolish people and remained firm in the face of many types of tribulation. He later went to Turkey to pour out his noble soul to his Maker and was buried next to the esteemed Companion, our master Abu Ayyub al-Ansari – may Allah be pleased with him.
During his days of exile and tribulation he wrote this beautiful book Realities of Sufism. His intention behind the book was to refute the various misconceptions and false claims levelled against the esteemed path of the real Sufism; the Sufism that is confined to the Book and the Sunna and that follows the predecessors of this Umma: Ahl al-Sunna wa al-Jamā‘a.
In reality, the writings of our noble Shaykh – may Allah be pleased with him – are in fact his students, pupils, and loving well-wishers who filled the earth with light and knowledge. May Allah be pleased with him on our behalf and elevate his station in highest level of Jannat al-Firdaws.
Abu Yahya Muhammad b. Yahya al-Ninowy al-Husayni al-HalabiMay Allah forgive him, his parents, and the believers
Atlanta Georgia16 Ramadan 1430

Shaykh ul Islam Sayyid Muhammad Madni Ashrafi al-Jilani

2009-12-17T19:42:00.004-07:00

SYED ASHRAF JAHANGIR SIMNANI R.A
kichocha sharif
Muhammad Madani Miyan Ashrafee al-Jilani
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Muhammad Madani Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani is Chief caretaker (Sajjada Nasheen) of Makhdoom al Millat Muhaddith al A'zam al Hind (Rahm). His Silsila is Known as Ashrafia Silsila. He is a Sufi Scholar of Kichhocha Sharif U.P India. He extensively visits foreign countries in order to propagate Islam.He has written books on various topics of Islam, which have been published at various times during the last thirty five years. Some of the books authored by him are listed below :
Islam Ka Tassawure Ila Aur Maududi Sahib
Din Aur Iqamate Din
Masila Hazir O Nazir
Islamic Law
Khutbate Bartaniya
Islam Ka Nazriyae Ibadat Aur Maududi Sahib
Farizae Dawat O Tabligh
Video Aur TV Ka Shari Isatamal
Tafhim al-Hadith Sarrah Mhiskat Sharif
Islam Ka Nazriyae Khatme Nabuwwat Aur Tehzirun Nas
Kanz al-Iman Aur Digar Tarazum-e-Quran Ka Taqably Mutalia
Asri Takaze
Kitabatun Niswa
Muhabbate Rasul Ruhe Iman
Rasool-e-Akram Kai Tashreehi Iktiyaaraat
Islam Ka Nazriyae Ibadat
Khutbate Hyderabad
Roohai Namaz
Sharhe Hadeese Jibreel
Tafheem al-Hadees - Sharhe Shikwa
He was also the architect in publishing Ma'ariful Qur'an which is the translation of the Qur'an al-kareem into Urdu by Muhaddith al-Azam al-Hind Rehmatullahi alaih. This translation was published along with notes in Gujrati and Hindi languages.
He has written numerous Naats. When he first started writing naats he sent some of his work for perusal to the Indian poet Shafiq Jaonpuri who after reading his work replied that "poetry this complete and comprehensive does not require rectification or amendment."
He writes poetry under the pseudonym of Akhtar and a compilation of his work was made and published in the sub-continent titled 'Guldasta '.
Pilgrimage
His first visit to perform hajj took place in 1973 with his mother, wife, sister, younger brother Ghazi al-Millat Sayyad Muhammad Hashmi Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani, and nephew Sayyad Jahangir Ashraf. He has also visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as well as shrines of the Ahl al Bayt, Sahaba-al-Kiram, Sufiya al-Kiram, Awliya Allah in Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Pakistan and India and throughout the Middle East & Asia in order to pay his respect and to obtain their blessings.Shaykh al-Islam has recently just completed another Hajj (2004/2005) - one of many. A mureed has written a personal account of his journey to Mecca and Medina.
Titles:
He acquired the title of Shaykh al-Islam circa 1974 when the Ulema of India started addressing him as such. Among the Ulema present at the time were Mufti-e-Azam al-Hind Mawlana Mustapha Raza Khan Rehmatullahi 'ta'ala alaih of Bareilly Shareef son of Ahmad Raza Khan; and Hadrat's Pir-o-Murshid - Shaykh al-Mashaykh, Mawlana Sayyad Mukhtar Ashraf 'Sarkar-e-Kalan' Rehmatullahi alaih.
He was first addressed as Raees al-Muhaqiqin by His Holiness 'Gazzali-e-Doaran' Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Sayyed Ahmad Saeed Kazmi Rehmatullahi ta'ala alaih of Pakistan after he had sent for his perusal a fatwa on the Islamic use of television & video. Gazzali-e-Doaran Sayyad Ahmad Saeed Kazmi Rehmatullahi ta'ala alaih was so pleased with his ruling and the way that he had dealt with this subject that he addressed him as 'Raees-ul Muhaqiqin'. A letter confirming this was published in the monthly journal 'Al-Ashraf ' in Karachi in 1986.
Video Lecture : Hub e Rasul (saws)-URDU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBngiOPTcwE

Dr.Muhammad Masud Ahmed Naqshbandi Mujaddadi Mazhari (r.a)

2009-12-16T13:16:00.004-07:00

Fall 2008 Issue of Sufi Illuminations Journal is dedicated to Professor Dr. Mohammad Masud Ahmad Naqshbandi (r.a).

Dedication to Dr. Muhammad Masud Ahmed (ra) (d. 28 April 2008 in Karachi)

Arthur F. Buehler

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Masud Ahmed (may Allah preserve his inner heart) was born in Delhi in 1930, and acquired his early education from his father, Mufti Muhammad Mazharullah (rahmatullah alayhi d. 1966), before attending Madrasa-yi Alia and then Oriental College, both located in Delhi.
He migrated from India to Pakistan in 1948, where he continued his education at Punjab University ( Lahore) and at Sindh University, Hyderabad, Sindh. Graduating with honours for his M.A. and M.Ed. at Sindh University, Dr. Masud Ahmed finished a Ph.D. dissertation on "Quranic translations and exegesis in Urdu" in 1971, supervised by the renown scholar and sufi shaykh, Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan (rahmatullah alayhi).
After this, Dr. Masud Ahmed continued researching the founder of the Barelvi school (Ahmad Rida Khan Barelwi, rahmatullah alayhi d. 1921), writing dozens of books and over one hundred articles on him after receiving his doctorate. He worked as lecturer, professor, and school principal, and examiner at Sindh University, Jamshoro; Khairpur University, Khairpur; and Punjab University, Lahore; as a paper setter for the Public Service Commission (Sindh); and as a supervisor of Ph.D. students at the University of Karachi and Khairpur University. He retired as Principal of the Government Degree College and Post-Graduate Studies Centre, Sukkur, Sindh, in 1992.
Dr. Masud Ahmed was initiated into both the Naqshbandiyya as well as Qadriyya lineages. His father, Mufti Shah Muhammad Mazharullah and Mufti Muhammad Mahmud Alwari (rahmatullah alayhi) from Hyderabad, Sindh are his two principal Naqshbandi shaykhs, while Zaynul�abidin Shah Qadiri (rahmatullah alayhi) from Nurai Sharif, Sindh and Mufti Shah Muhammad Mazharullah (rahmatullah alayhi) were his principal Qadiri shaykhs.
In 1992 the Government of Pakistan bestowed an award of excellence (Ijaz-i fadilat) upon him, the same year as he was recognised with an award from the Pakistan Intellectual Forum. Dr. Masud Ahmed founded the Idarah-i Masudia in 1992, which soon became a major centre of Islamic education and publications in Pakistan. In 2002, Jawid Iqbal Mazhari founded the Imam-i Rabbani Foundation in Karachi under the guidance of Dr. Muhammad Masud Ahmed. The aims of this foundation are:
1) To publish research articles on Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi (rahmatullah alayhi) who died in 1624 in Sirhind, India and is commonly known as the renewer of the second Islamic millennium, "Mujaddid Alf-i Thani."
2) To translate literature about Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi into Urdu from other languages.
3) To publish an encyclopaedia encompassing the biographies and teachings of the Naqshbandi-Mujaddidi lineages.
4) To hold an annual Imam-i Rabbani Conference and publish a journal Yadgar-i Majaddid.
5) To have communication with scholars studying the Naqshbandiyya- Mujaddidiyya on an international level.
At the time of Dr. Masud Ahmed's passing, the goals of the Imam-i Rabbani Foundation had manifested. His Jahan-i Imam-i Rabbani Mujaddid-i Alf-i Thani in eleven volumes had already been printed. The lifelong effort that Dr. Masud Ahmed has put into communicating the life and teachings of Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi is exemplified by this mammoth and unparalleled collection of scholarly materials.
All of the above indicates the tangible, worldly form of Dr. Masud Ahmed's magnificent contribution to Islamic education and research. It fails, however, to convey the more subtle formless qualities and aspects of his life and teachings. I had the honour of meeting Dr. Masud Ahmed eight years ago in Karachi. His calm, radiant being has left me with the lasting impression of a truly great man. The only way I can put it into words is to say that Dr. Masud Ahmed's being emanates the fragrance of the inner sunna of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him). If he had not published a word and if he had been totally unknown to the outside world, it would not have diminished his inner realisation at all. It is that realisation that can we can take with us when we return - as we all inevitably will - to our Lord.

Arthur F. Buehler
Senior Lecturer, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand
4 November 2008

Mufti-i-Azam Shah Muhammad Mazharallah Naqshbandi Mujaddadi (r.a)

2009-12-16T12:25:00.003-07:00

MUFTI-I-AZAM SHAH MUHAMMAD MAZHARALLAH
(d. 1386 / 1966 )By: Prof.Dr.Muhammad Mas'ud Ahmed, M.A. Ph.D (Gold Medalist)Translated by: Mrs. Sai’ma Faisal Mas‘udi IDARA-i-MAS'UDIA, KARACHIISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN

Mufti-i-Azam Shah Muhammad Mazhar Allah was the famous grand son of Shah Muhammad Mas‘ud Muhaddis Dehlavi (1309/1892) and the son of Maulana Muhammad Sa‘id (d. 1307 / l889). He was “Hanafi” and “Naqshbandi Mujaddidi”. He was born on 15th Rajab l 303 Hijri corresponding 21st April 1886 at Delhi. When he was just four years he lost the paternal affection, after one or too years the auspicious shelter of his mother also left. At the early stages of his life he became orphan & motherless. After the death of his parents he was brought up by his grand father Shah Muhammad Mas‘ud but he was also died after two years then he was brought up by his paternal uncle Allama Muhammad Abdul Majeed (d. l 364 / 1944). His paternal family was a centre of knowledge and bounty but his maternal were also distinguished. His maternal grand father Hafiz Abdul Aziz belonged to a reputed family of the state of Jahjar, His birth took place on 1246/1830. After the revolution of 1857, when the state dismembered he was migrated to the state of Patodi (India) and became the teacher of the Nawabs of the state & other after that posted on the distinguished post of secretary. Al1 these details have been written by a cousin of him. Late Mr. Abdul Rasheed (Magistrate Class 1, state of Patodi, India) in a preface of a manuscript.
1. EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE: Mufti-i-Azam started his education with the study of Qura‘an-i-Hakim and in a short period he learnt it by heart and attained the perfection in Tajwid and Qir’at (art of recitation of Holy Qura‘an). The national and traditional knowledge was gained by his uncle Allama Muhammad Abdul Majeed whose succession of Hadith (tradition) belongs to Shah Wali Allah. Besides him he also got education from other contemporary scholars and got the proficiency by personal study. He started verdict writing at the age of sixteen or seventeen. Mufti-i-Azam had great proficiency in different subjects for example Qura‘anic Commentary and Fundamentals of Commentary, Jurisprudence and Fundamentals of Jurisprudence, Logic, Philosophy, Mathematics, Geometry, Literature, Grammar, Tasawwuf (Islamic Mysticism), Knowledge of Inheritance, Poetry etc. But he devoted all his life to serve Islam.
2. DISCIPLESHIP & SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE :At the age of fourteen Mufti-i-Azam set off from Delhi with Maulana Shah Rukn al-Din Alwari in the service of sayyid Sadiq Ali Shah (d. 1317 / 1899) resident of district Gordaspur (India). Shah Sahib was the pupil of Shah Muhammad Mas‘ud and was the elder son of Sayyid Imam Ali Shah (d. 1282/1865). At that time Mufti-i-Azam was of fourteen years, when Sadiq Ali Shah had admitted him as a disciple in the Naqshbandiyya Mujaddidiya order. Since then after two years of discipleship his gracious guide died. Where upon his spiritual training was taken up by Shah Rukn al-Din Alwari. He granted him Ijaza or permission of Bay'a, allegiance in all four orders i.e. Qadiria, Chishtia, Naqshabandia and Suhrwardia. Mufti-i-Azam generally took Bay'a in the Naqshbandia order but some disciples also took Bay’a in the orders according, to their natural inclination and aptitude. A good number of devotees and followers of Mufti-i-Azam are spread in Pakistan and India. Mufti-i-Azam was a perfect man endowed with spiritual miracles, which have been recorded in a book entitled Karamat-i-Mazhari (Karachi 1995). Rukhsana Khan Ch. (London) has translated it into English. His religious, scientific and spiritual services are unforgettable.
3. IMAMAT (RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP) Mufti-i-Azam was the Royal Imam of Shah Jahani Mosque Fatehpuri, Delhi. That chain of Imamat has been transferred to him as a royal legacy from his grand father Shah Muhammad Mas‘ud Muhaddis Dehlavi to him. Mufti-i-Azam has been holding that legacy for seventy years and gave great bounty to the world. This chain of lmamat has been in vogue since the rule of Mughal Emperors. At present the grand son of Mufti-i-Azam, Allama, Dr. Mufti Muhammad Mukarram Ahmed is the Imam of Fatehpuri Mosque and Mufti (the jurist of Islamic law) in Delhi.
4. SUBMISSION TO SHARI'A Mufti-i-Azam followed the Sunna i. e. the tradition of Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) at every step. The love of Holy Prophet reflected as mirror on every aspect of his personal and practical life leaving no trace of any lacuna or void in his words and deeds. His prayers business, behaviour, and life all were transmitted full of love of Allah nd the Holy Prophet. He had performed the prayers of Tahajjud (midnight additional sunna prayers) since to age of fourteen till the last moment of his life. Fulfillment of obligations was well diffused by the Holy love. Though he was too old and physically infirm yet he never missed to keep fast in Ramdan al-Mubarak. More astonishing is that in those days special energy was observed in his physique. He offered the Tarawih prayers with congregation and seemed more active at the times of prayers than the ordinary days. Love of Allah and the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was on the peak when in 1945 he went for to Pilgrimage of Holy Ka‘aba and performed Hajj. Due to fascination and absorption of the Holy places, even the names of the children seemed to affaced from his heart, and he could not correctly identify and recognize his own sons. 5. DETERMINATION Mufti-i-Azam always acted on determination and resolution of will (Azimat). Determination and courage were the distinguishable qualities of his auspicious nature. Many incidents were observed; regarding his determination some incidents must be noted. 1. Nawab of Hyderabad Deccan (India) Mir Usman Ali Khan (d.1384 / 1967) invited him twice at his court (Darbar) but both the times he had refused the invitation and said, “If he wants to see me he may come but I have no need to see him”. These events are mentioned by Allama Akhlaq Hussain Dehlavi in Monthly ‘Aqidat (New Delhi, India) and Mr. Irtiza Hussain (Mulla Wahidi) in monthly Hamdard (Karachi). 2. In 1945 when he was present in the sacred place of Mecca to perform Hajj special invitations of royal banquet were presented to him by Shah Sa‘ud, but he had refused it by saying, “One who has come in the court of world's emperor doesn't need to attend any other court”. 3. During the time of British Rule Government invitations were often brought to him but Mufti-i-Azam never paid attention. After the partition of India he received official invitations many times but he did not attend and led his life fearlessly. 4. A splendid example of determination and extreme moral courage was witnessed when his scholarly charming young son Maulana Munawwar Ahmed expired in 1943 who took up the speck can feel its severity. When the dead body of Maulnna Munawwar Ahmed was shrouded and lied down Mufti-i-Azam stood on his head side kept on smiling and said, “O” Lord if you want to examine your servant will never feel afflicted, he is willing to abide your will”. Similarly the same unparalleled patience and perseverance were seen at the time of death of his young son Maulana Manzoor Ahmed who died at Hyderabad, Sindh (Pakistan) in 1949. 5. During the disturbance of 1947 he showed a marvellous determination and constancy which ought to be written with the letters of gold in the history of determination and moral valour. From 1947 to 1958 non-Muslim enemies hurled bounds and explosives on Fatepur Mosque approximately six or seven times but his firmness did not flinch at any stage. The most critical moments were in September 1947 when mosque was besieged by the enemies. At this critical juncture it was unexpectedly fear stricken people could be transferred to a secure place under the supervision of army. Mufti-i-Azam was requested to leave the mosque but he said “You all are permitted to go but leave me here. If Allah would say at the Day of Judgement that I had entrusted my house to you, on whose mercy and favour you left it? Then what answer shall 1 give”. Hearing this answer all the people were expressed their readiness and willingness to die in the House of Allah. Mufti-i-Azam had ascended to the pinnacles of glory where man becomes fearless and casts dangers and evils from his heart. 6. If the preaching of Islam Mufti-i-Azam proved himself so determined and courageous which hasn't any example. Before the partition of India he made thousands of non-Muslims embraced Islam with the same zeal and spirit he continued even after partition when no one had courage to do so due to Hindu domination. He preached and made the non-Muslims embrace Islam fearlessly in the midst of numerous hurdles and obstacles. Mufti-i-Azam had never been influenced or overawed by any superior authorities and never approached them for personal benefits with the result all respected him. Fatehpuri Mosque (Delhi) was the great centre of Ahl-i-Sunna i.e. Sunni. Scholars and saints call on him in a large number and paid reverence to Mufti-i-Azam. Before partition during their stay at Delhi, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Shaheed-i-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan gave him great respect and Dr. Zakir Hussain (President of Republic of India) also showed dignity and honour to him.
6. ARRIVAL IN PAKISTAN After partition he did not come to Pakistan for long time because in his opinion photography was unlawful according to Sharia’. Mufti-i-Azam came to Pakistan first time in October 1961. On his arrival at Karachi Airport thousands of followers and disciples accorded a zealous welcome. During his stay in Karachi there was always a crowd of visitors and homage payers at his residence. Thousand of people were blessed and benefited. His devotees proved their love by giving him invitations. Allama Abdul Hamid Badayuni (President Central Society of Tabligh al-Islam) invited him at a grand reception in Karachi and in this great congregation the scholars addressed in praise of him and appreciated Mufti-i-Azam’s religious, spiritual as well as educational services. Different people had presented the Manqaba (poems in praise of Mufti-i-Azam) in which the following names may be particularly mentioned: Maulana Ziya al-Qadri Badayuni, Aziz al-Mulk; Maulana Muhammad Yousuf Sulaymani Jaipuri, Maulana ‘Abd a1-Salam Bandvi and Qazi Muhammad Himayatullah. Mufti-i-Azam also went to Hyderabad at the invitation of Allama Mufti Muhammnd Mahmood Alwari and Lahore and had a warm welcome on both places. Scholars, spiritual leaders and saintly persons also attended the gathering, the following persons presented the Manqabat at Lahore. Hazrat Zeba Narvi, Maulana Muhammnd Ahmed Quraishi. After two months stay in Pakistan Mufti-i-Azam left for Delhi in the end of November 1961. In July 1964 he came again in Pakistan but it proved to be his last visit. At that time also warm welcome had witnessed everywhere. He visited several places like Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Bahawalpur, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Sharaqpur, Lahore, Rawalpindi Muree etc. At all these places many disciples and devotees were present in appreciable number.
7. SAD DEMISE A few years before his death Mufti-i-Azam had such an overwhelming domination of Allah's Love in his heart and mind that love of all creatures even of his children emptied. The last moment of departure reached and on 14th Shaban al-Mu‘azzam 1386 on Monday (28th November 1966) at the time of evening the sun of knowledge and wisdom set down once and for all.
“Inna Lillah-i-wa-Inna Llayh-i-Raji‘un”
The holy shrine of Mufti-i-Azam is in the courtyard of Fatehpuri Mosque.
It is the venue of visit for all people regardless of their caste and creed; certainly it is the reward for his determination, unparalleled constancy and firmness of faith and brief which he demonstrated for seventy years especially in the period of turmoil in 1947. The news of his death was announced by All India Radio on the same day and spread like a wild fee in Indo-Pak subcontinent. Many newspapers and periodical magazines also published this prominently upteen columns were written which shed light on his virtues and qualities. Some of them also published the chronogramic verses (Qat‘at-i-Tarikh). On this tragic Incident of demise, Azhar Dehlavi (Lahore), also had written a long dirge of mourning, various newspapers and magazines had written about Mufti-i-Azam details of which were published in Hiyat-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1974) and Tazkara-i-Mazhar-i-mas‘ud (Karachi, 1969).
8. FAMILY AND DESCENDANTS In respect of descendants Late Mufti-i-Azam were profusely blessed with bounty and grace of Allah. By mere a glance at his children and the children of his children and their offspring the famous verse of the Holy Qura‘an come unto the lips as if through a spontaneous utterance surging from the depth of the soul: Like a Holy Tree Whose Root isFirms standing and Branches are in the Heaven(Ibrahim: 24) The descendants of Mufti-i-Azam are spread in the different cities of Pakistan, India and abroad. The first wedding of Mufti-i-Azam was solemnized in 1903 but after few years his spouse expired, he married again in 1909. After two or three years his second wife also died in 1916 then he married third time but she too died in 1367 / 1947 in Delhi. He was blessed with seven sons and nine daughters by three wives. Among them four daughters and only one son are still alive by the Grace of Allah. The names of his sons are given below: Allama Mufti Muhammad Muzaffar Ahmed Karachi (d. 1970)Mufti Muhammad Musharraf Ahmed, Dehli (d.1981).Hafiz Qari Dr.Muhammad Ahmed, Delhi (d. 1970)Maulana Munawwar Ahmed, Delhi (d.1943)Maulana Manzoor Ahmed, Hyderabad, Sindh (d.1949)Prof Dr. Muhammad Mas‘ud Ahmed, Karachi (b.1930).Maulana Dr. Muhammad Sa‘id Ahmed, Delhi. (d. 1996).
CALIPHS & SPIRITUAL REPRESENTATIVES
The circle of his devotees is too vast and they are widely spread all over Pakistan and India. Some of his caliphs and spiritual representative are as follows: CALIPHS: 1) Allama Abdal-Majid, Ajmer, India2) Allama Mufti Hafiz Qari Muhammad Muzaffar Ahmed, Karachi, Pakistan. 3) Allama Hafiz Qari Mufti Muhammad Musharraf Ahmed, Delhi, India. 4) Alhaj Qari Hafiz Muhammad Hafiz Al-Rehman, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. 5) Maulana Qari Hafiz Dr. Muhammad Ahmed, Delhi, India. 6) Dr, Abu al-Khair Muhammad Zubair, Hyderabad, Pakistan. 7) Dr. Abd al-Karim Chittauri, India. 8) Mufti Maqbool al-Rehman Sevharvi, India. 9) Janab Muhammad Usman Tonki. India etc. SPIRITUAL REPRESENTATIVES: I. Hakim Muhammad Zakir, Karachi, PakistanII. Janab Bashir al-Din, Karachi, Pakistan.III. Janab Muhammad Yousuf, Karachi, PakistanIV. Hafiz Muhammad Saulihin, Karachi, PakistanV. Sufi Fazal-i-Ahmed, Karachi, Pakistan.VI. Janab Safdar Hassan, Lahore, Pakistan.VII. Mawlana Muhammad Ahmed Qureshi, Lahore, Pakistan.VIII. Prof Abul Kamal Shamsi Tehrani, Aligarh, India.IX. Sufi Muhammad Ibrahim, Karachi, Pakistan.X. Sayyid Nawab Ali, Hyderabad, Sindh.XI. Hakim Muhammad Aaqil Dhampuri, India.XII. Maulana Ghulam Ahmed Tonki, India etc. WRITINGS:Among the writings of Mufti-i-Azam, the Urdu translation of the Holy Qur‘an is the most prominent. It was published from Delhi before partition. Now the Zia al-Qur‘an Publication, Lahore is publishing its second edition in the near future. The top most among his writings are those verdicts, which he had been writing for nearly seventy years. These are unique in foresight and prudence and spread in the different parts of Pakistan and India. Its first and second volume had been published by the title Fatawa-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1970). Now the third volume has been included in the new edition (Karachi,1999). The academic and religious importance of his verdicts is admitted by the scholars of all schools of thought. The second great contributions are those letters which are preserved in India and Pakistan by many of his disciples and devotees. Its first volume has been published entitled Makatib-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1969). Now the revised edition has been published combined I and II volumes (Karachi, 1999). In addition to this some treatises are also included in his writings. The titles of some treatises are given below: Arakan-i-Din, printed by Hilali press, Delhi, 1331 / 1912.Mazhar al-Aqa‘id, printed by Hilali Press, Delhi, 1331 / 1912.Mazhar al-Aqa‘id, printed by Hilali Press, Delhi, 1331 / 1912.Kashf al-Hijab ‘an-Masa‘ala al-Bina al-Qubab,Printed by Jayyid Press, Delhi, 1344 / 1925. Tahqiq al-Haq, printed by A‘la Press, Delhi, 1346 / 1927.Risala Dar Ilm-i-Tauqit, 1350 / 193l.Khazina al-Kharyrat, Printed by A‘la Press, Delhi,1367/1947.lntifa al-Mihal fi Ruya al-Hilal, Printed by Jayyid Barqi Press, Dali, 1370 / 1980. Fatwa Ruya al-Hilal, Printed by Jayyid Barqi Press, Delhi 1378 / 1959. Qasd al-Sabil, Printed by A‘la Press Delhi, 1379 / 1959.Shajra-i-Manzum, Khandan-i-Aliya Naqshbandia Mujaddidiya Mazhariyya, Printed by Imperial Press, Delhi, etc. Treatise No. l to 3 have been published by Idara-i-Mas‘udia, Karachi, in 1998 in one volume entitled Zia' al-Islam, its English version will be published with the title of “Light of Islam” in the near future Insha Allah. Treatise no.5 published from Delhi in 1926, Abu al-Suroor Muhammad Masroor Ahmed has re-edited it and new edition has been published by Idara-i-Mas‘udia, Karachi, in 2000. Treatises No. 4, 8, 9 and 10 have been included in Fatawa-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1999).
EPILOGUE BY SA'IMA FAISALFor thorough and detailed study on Shaykh al-Islam Mufti-i-Azam Shah Muhammad Mazharullah of Delhi end his descendants please see the following references. Shah Muhammad Mas‘ud Muhadith Dehlavii) Fatwa-i-Mas‘udi (Karachi, 1987).Shah Muhammad Mazharullahi) Fatwa-i-Mazhariyya (Karachi, 1999)ii) Makatib-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1999)iii) Mawa‘iz-i-Mazhari (Karachi 1969)iv) Baqiyat-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 2002) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mas‘ud Ahmed Karachi, 1969)I. Tazkara-i-Mazhar-i-Mas‘ud (Karachi, 1969)II. Faqih al-Hind (Karachi 1996)III. Hayat-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1974)IV. Mah-o-Anjum (Sialkot, 1983)Dr. Abul Khar Muhammad Zubairi) Bazam-i-Janan (Hyderabad, 1988)ii) Sindh Key Sufiya-i-Naqshband (Hyderabad, 1997). Dr. Sayyid S.M. Arifi) Aashiq-i-Rasool (Bhawalpur 1997)Dr. Abd-al-Naim Azlz.i) Dr. Mas‘ud Ahmed Aur Nathr-i-Urdu (Karachi, 2002)R.B. Mazharii) Jahan-i-Mas‘ud (Karachi, 1 985) M. Abd-al-Sattar Tahiri) Manzil ba Manzil (Karachi, 1991)ii) Takhasussat-i-Mas‘ud-i-Millat (Lahore,1994)iii) Tizkar-i-Mas‘ud-i-Millat (Lahore, 1999).iv) Makatib-i-Mas‘udi (Karachi, 2002) Muhammad Masroor Ahmedi) Mas‘ud-i-Millat Kay Aathar-i-Ilmiyya (Karachi 1997)ii) Imam Ahmed Riza Aur Harat-i-Naqshbandia (Karachi, 1999).10. Dr. Ijaz Anjum Latifi i) Dr. Mas‘ud Ahmed life and works, Bihar University, India (Karachi, 2002) 11. Jawaid Iqbal Mazhari i) Malfoozat-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1990)ii) Manaqib-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1999) 12. Late Haji Muhammad Younus Barii) Anwar-i-Mazhariyya (Karachi, 1990) 13. Haji Muhammad Ilyasi) Karamat-i-Mazhari (Karachi, 1990) 14. Prof. Nabila lshaque Ch.i) Imam Ahmed Raza Aur Mas‘ud Millat (Karachi, 2000)

Coutesy : Idara Masudia http://www.almazhar.com/bio_hazrat_shah_mazharullah.php

Hazrat Syed Imam Ali Shah Naqshbandi Mujaddadi (R.A)

2009-12-15T23:07:00.003-07:00

HAZRAT SYED IMAM ALI SHAH R.A.
By Prof. Munawar Hussain
The great Hazrat Aboul Barkat Imam Ali Shah was borne at Rattar Chattar in 1212 A.H. His birthplace is presently known as Makkah Sharif. His father, Syed Haider Ali Shah was a herbal physician (Tabeeb). He was yet a child when he lost the benign shelter of his father. He received his basic religious education from Moulana Faqeer Allah Din Koti and was trained in his ancestral field of medication by Hafiz Muhammad Raza and Moulana Noor Muhammad Chishti. He was very intelligent and he surpassed his fellow students in every discipline. However, from his very child-hood, he possessed a sensitive nature and was inclined towards poetry. Even during the days, when he as a student, he could compose verses with felicity and ease.
In those days when he was quite young, he happened to visit the holy shrine of Hazrat Baba Fareed Gunj-e-Shakr where he met a fortune-teller who, by dint of his knowledge of physiognomy, read the promising signs of saintlihood on the face of the young saint and predicted: "This lad will command a sublime position in future and will be favoured by an elderly person of his family." Hazrat Sahib became anxious on hearing this prophecy and tried to visualize that particular person of his family, who was destined to lead and guide him on the Divine Path. In this respect, faces of all the members of his family flashed across his mind but he could not identify that special personality.
That special personality was that of Syed Hussain Shah who was the pride of his family. As the Providence had already set it. Hazarat Imam Ali , soon met his spiritual godfather who, at once, noticed the brilliance radiating from his blessed face and asked him, "My boy, which book do you read?". Before Hazrat Imam Ali Shah could manage an answer, Shah Sahib advised him. "You should read "Masnavi of Moulana Room. Its reading will benefit you a lot. It will reform your deeds, enlighten your heart and enrich your soul". This was the lesson that Syed Hussain Shah taught to the young boy who was going to occupy a prominent position as a spiritual leader of excellence among the Muslim saints. According to a tradition, the Holy Prophet Sallalho Alyho Wasalam had given special instructions to Hazrat Syed Hussain regarding the training and spiritual upbringing of Hazrat Imam Ali Shah
Next day Hazrat Syed Hussain Shah called him and explained to him a few verses of the "Masnavi Shrif". The words of his teacher stirred the very heart of Hazrat Ali Shah The very first lesson produced in him a great desire and urge to learn more of it. His interest rose to such a pitch that he started regular readings of the book. Whereas he proved himself a devoted student, his teacher, too, was not less devoted.The method of teaching of Hazrat Shah Sahib was superb. The manner in which he explained the difficult verses of the "Masnavi" was matchless and unique. When he spoke, the listeners were charmed and infatuated by the spell of his beautiful oration.
The more Hazrat Imam Ali Shah learnt from Syed Hussain Shah the more he was inspired by his great and sublime personality. Hazrat Imam Ali Shah himself narrated that once, during his education, he had to visit Hafiz Mahood at Jehlum, along-with Hazrat Shah Sahib He witnessed strange phenomenon at the meeting of the two great personalities of that time. People from the surrounding areas were present to show their allegiance to Hafiz Sahib. Hazrat Imam Ali Shah also requested him to shower his spiritual blessings upon him. At this Hazrat Hafiz Mahmood said, "Allah will bless you with the love of your mentor". In fact, he was referring to Hazrat Syed Hussain Shah Hazrat Imam Ali Shah said: "From that day, my heart was filled with love of and affection for my mentor. When we returned, I requested my mentor to grant me asylum in his spiritual regime. He was gracious enough to accede to my humble request and admitted me to his spiritual circle. He advised me to indulge in "ZIKAR" (remembrance of Allah).
Within a short span of time, by virtue of of his own diligence and hard work, and by the special attention with which his mentor treated him, he rose to such an eminence of spiritual status for which divine seekers endeavour for many years. Allah had blessed him with such miraculous powers as could purge the hearts of astray men at a single glance. He used to stay at the bank of a pond called "Dholi Dhab" for many consecutive nights. The pond was far from human habitation and was an ideal place for meditation and contemplation. He faithfully followed the routine, which his mentor had prescribed for him, throughout his life. He had a great respect for his mentor and held him in high esteem and reverence. He left no stone unturned to rise to the expectations of his mentor and served him to the best of his capacity. His love for his mentor had implanted in him a rare and special kind of humility as well. He crossed all limits in expressing this humility. He himself used to collect the excrement of his mentor as well as that of his horse in an earthen pot, carry it on his head and dispose it of into the river. This, indeed exhibited the humblest expression of his love and respect for his mentor. This is why Syed Hussain Shah had a great regard for him and held him very dear. Allah had bestowed upon him many blessings and a beam of light always sparkled on his face.
Even after the demise of his mentor, Hazrat Imam Ali Shah kept the sentiment alive. A famous incident happened in his family. Once he got annoyed with his son Sahibzada Sadiq Ali Shah Sahib on some thing. All the well-wishers tried to resolve the matter but in vain. At last the Sahibzada made a request to God at the tomb of Hazrat Syed Hussain Shah in the following manner: "If a father gets annoyed with a son, the latter has no place in the whole world to resort to. My father is not only my parent but also my spiritual guide. For God's sake, help me in my predicament and helplessness". When Hazrat Imam Ali Shah learnt of it, he called his son and asked. "What appeal have you made to Hazrat Hussain Shah ?. The Sahibzada replied, "The secret is open to you". Hazrat Imam Ali Shah , at once mellowed down and said." Since you have approached the higher court, I forgive you".
It is said that Hazrat Shah Hussain had permitted Hazrat Imam Ali Shah even during his lifetime, to take oath of allegiance from those people who were anxious to enter his spiritual circle. After the grant of this permission, he promoted the Naqshbandia School of Spiritual Order a great deal. A brief account of the valuable places of advice that he gave to his disciples is given as under:
Emphasizing the respect of mentor he said: "A 'Mureed' (follower) must cherish respect from his mentor to such a degree that, so long as he is present in his company, he should not speak without his permission; should not daringly make an eye to eye contact with him. He should prefer his mentor to all other things in the world. "Treeqat" is, in fact, just another name for respect. A disrespectful person remains deprived of the blessings of his world as well as those of the hereafter".
At another point he said: "Be all ears to listen to what your mentor says because to hear his advice is better than to read thousands of books. Perform whole-heartedly what your mentor enjoins you to do."
Defining the word, 'Mureed' (disciple) he said; "A 'Mureed' is one whose carnal of desires have been burnt down by the fire of Divine Love. When he gets up in the morning, tears flow from his eyes on account of sorrow and regret at the life he has wasted. He is humble and un-resourceful. He feels sad at his past sins and aspires for Divine favour in future. He is time-bound for deeds upright and bears all hardships with patience. He always confesses his fault and is a candidate for the forgiveness of Allah. He does not waste away even a single breath without remembering Allah; rather at every breath, he thinks that he is taking his last breath". Regarding spiritual benefits he said: "The bounties and blessings that descend upon a mentor also descend upon the follower, but a follower can not get benefit directly from the Divine Court because four basic elements of his existence and his carnal desires obstruct his exaltation. Since a mentor is free from these shackles, and remains attached to Allah Almighty; therefore a follower can also get benefit from his mentor." He further said: "Repent is such a manner that you may never think of committing a any sin again".
Describing the merits of 'ZIKR' "There are innumerable benefits of "ZIKR'. The heart of a person, who remembers Allah and remains busy in 'ZIKR', leaves no space in it for any other thing except Allah. That is why every object in this world is in his control".
Talking of Spiritual maladies, he said: "Allah Almighty disapproves that the followers of the beloved Prophet Sallalaho Alyhe Waslam may be condemned in any way (as earlier people were condemned). However, those, who do not fear or do not obey Allah are condemned for they blacken their hearts and do not refrain from sin'.
He advised his followers that they should never become idle. They should always remain busy in work and contented with their lot, and cherish the belief that God is the Sustainer and that He alone provides food to His creatures under all circumstances. However, it is impossible to get more than their due share. Therefore they should not disobey Almighty Allah by making complaints because disobedience causes damage in this world as well as in the hereafter.
Allah Almighty had especially blessed and gifted Hazrat Imam Ali Shah with two great qualities which he had acquired by dint of his great obedience to the Holy Prophet Sallalaho Alyhe Wasalam. One of the quality was his healing look and the other one was his brilliant fact. Many non-Muslims embraced Islam at his hands and many misled Muslims reformed themselves and got the real spirit of the Faith. Such was a little show of the stupendous miraculous powers he possessed.
It is that sick people got rid of their illness at his hands. Once a Sikh, who was a chronic patient of paralysis was brought for Hazrat Sahib. As soon as the patient had a look at the glowing face of the great saint he got up, embraced Islam, remained in his company throughout his life as a servant. It is stated that even in the season of winter, the said person used cold drinks in order to keep himself normal. He used to say: "Since the day Hazrat Sahib has cast his benign and kind glance at me, nothing soothes me down except cold drinks. It seems as if my whole body is on fire". Many lepers got rid of their disease by applying to their bodies, the wasted water used by him for ablution. Once a man brought his only son, who was blind, to Hazrat Sahib and requested him to help the boy, Hazrat Sahib put a little saliva into the eyes of the blind boy and prayed for him. In a couple of visits, the eyesight of the blind boy was restored.
This account of Hazrat Imam Ali Shah's spiritual perfection and miraculous powers will remain incomplete if we fail to mention his highly appreciated and lovable book "Mura-tul-Mohaqqeen". The book is in the Persian language and is reckoned as a masterpiece of brevity and concision. It depicts the artistic qualities of the author in a superb manner. It has been written in such a captivating and attractive style that one likes to read it time and again. The book has been divided into two parts. Its first part deals with the life history of Hazrat Shahbaz-e-Toheed Hussain Shah, while its second part consists of the sayings and quotations of Hazrat Imam Ali Shah In the following extract Hazrat Sahib has explained how we can get rid of the charms and attractions of this moral world. He says:
All material things that exist in this world impress the human heats very much and the impression is like a screen or veil between man and his Master. This impression gets deeper into the heart of man by adopting bad company, by seeing colorful shapes of different things and by indulging in idle pursuits. Therefore, to wipe out this impression, man should strive to get away from them. The other thing that strengthens this impression is the study of immoral books and man's participation in musical gatherings and idle talks. All these things widen the distance between man and Allah Almighty. It is, therefore, necessary to shun them and to become attentive towards Allah. Only then man can get his heart purified. The purification of the heart can not be achieved without giving up carnal desires and without negating physical demands."
At another place he says: "Let it be known to man that the real comfort lies in heaven. So, he should bear the hardships of this world where his stay is only for a few days so that he may find eternal peace and comfort in the next world. In all cases, whatsoever, he should follow the examples set by his forefathers in religion. He should always offer his regular prayers in congregation (JAMAT) and acquire the knowledge of Hadith. He should not run after popularity and worldly fame as these things cause a great trouble. He should not be proud of having a high rank; rather should spend his days in anonymity."
In his last days Hazrat Sahib fell ill. He breathed his last on 14th Shawal 1282 A.H. and embarked on his way to heaven. He was buried at Ratat Chatar (Makan Sharif India). He is spiritually alive till today and his valuable teachings will remain a source of guidance for the seekers of truth for all times to come. After his demise his son, Sahibzada Sadiq Ali Shah, succeeded him.
REFERENCEKhazina-e-Marfat by M. Ibrahim Kasuri, Sher-e-Rabbani Number Monthly Noor-e-Islam Sharqpur Sharif by Sahibzada Mian Jamil Ahmed Sharqpuri Naqshbanid
Note: Above matter extracted from Sher-e-Rabbani Digest.

Courtesy : Idara Masudia http://www.almazhar.com/bio_imam_ali_shah.php

Video Makan Sharif http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTUIJrGaJeM

Khwaja Abdul Ahad Naqshbandi Mujaddadi (RA)

2009-12-15T22:24:00.003-07:00

Dergah,Mazar-Imam Rabbani & Family

Khwaja Abdul Ahad, known as Khwaja Wahdat (Q), was the fifth son of Khwaja Muhammad Saeed (Q) and commonly known as Shah Gul Sa'di(Q). He got his early education from his father. Later he joined the disciples of his uncle Khwaja Muhammad Masoom(Q) and completed under his benevolent guidance and became a pole of spiritualism.Khwaja Abdul Ahad (Q) was a strict observer of religious obligations and Sufi rituals proposed by Imam-e-Rabbani (Q). Besides he had contributed substantially for preaching Naqshbandia order. He had written a number of letters to Mughal elite and impressing upon them to correct their faith. His deputies were many in number who travelled far and wide and initiated The Naqshbandia order in Arabia and Africa. He had good sense of poetry also. 'Wahdat' was his penname in his verses. His poetic works include a Dewan and Mathnavi Chahar Chamman, besides a number of books on religion and Sufism.In his last days, he went to Shahjehanabad saying that Sikhs would attack Sirhind. In fact, after two or three months Sikhs attacked Sirhind. Khwaja Abdul Ahad (Q) passed away on Dhul Hajj 27, 1127 AH., December 24, 1716 A.D. His body was taken to Sirhind and was laid to rest near the hermitage of Khwaja Imam-e-Rabbani (Q). He was succeeded by his son Khwaja Muhammad Hanif (Q).
Courtesy : Luari Sharif-http://www.luarisharif.net/predecessors.html

Khwaja Muhammad Saeed Naqshbandi Mujaddadi (RA)

2009-12-15T21:59:00.005-07:00

Shrine-Imam Rabbani
Khwaja Muhammad Saeed (Q) was the second son of Imam-e-Rabbani (Q). He was born in Sha'ban 1005 AH or March-April 1597 A.D. He learned his early and higher education in both secular and spiritual sciences from his father Imam-e-Rabbani (Q). At the age of 10 years, he not only graduated in secular sciences, but also reached the zenith of spiritualism.Khwaja Imam-e-Rabbani (Q) used to say: "My Son Muhammad Saeed is a perfect scholar." Many notable scholars like Molana Abdul Hakim Sialkoti, Mula Sa'adullah, minister of then sultan of India, were among his pupils. He had, on a number of occasions, arguments relating to altercations in the religion, but no one could stand before his grip over the references and diversity of knowledge.Khwaja Muhammad Saeed (Q) had also authored a number of books on Sufism and jurisprudence. A compilation of his letters is equally important to Maktoobat-e-Mujadidia of Imam-e-Rabbani (Q). His other works include a book on those Hadith on which the Hanafi jurisprudence is based. He also had written an antithesis about raising forefinger during prayers.About his spiritual attainment, Khwaja Imam-e-Rabbani (Q) said: "Muhammad Saeed (Q) has written about his affairs, all are true and noble. These affairs are not divulged on any of the friends with the peculiarity."He also used to say "anyone who would enter into the heaven, but by the stamp of Muhammad Saeed." Khwaja Muhammad Saeed (Q) also performed Hajj along with his younger brother Khwaja Muhammad Masoom (Q). It is related in his various accounts that when he went to pay respects at the Shrine of Prophet (PBUH) a celestial voice was heard, "Quickly, quickly; I am desirous of you."His name and fame Prevailed far and wide. Even the ruler of India king Alamgir also heard a lot about his marvels. He summoned him in Shahjehanabad. Khwaja Muhammad Saeed (Q) went to him, but fell sick. He took permission of the king and proceeded back, but bode adieu to the mortal world at Sanbalakh, 36 miles away from Shahjehanabad, on Jumadi-al-Sani 8, 1070 AH., January 15, 1665 A.D. His sacred body was taken to Sirhind. His brother Khwaja Muhammad Masoom (Q) ordered to lay him to rest in the shrine of Khwaja Imam-e-Rabbani (Q). Though initially, there was no space available there, but later it happened. He was succeeded on the Seat of The Naqshbandia order by his son Khwaja Abdul Ahad (Q).
Courtesy : Luari Sharif http://www.luarisharif.net/predecessors.html

Sayyid Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi Qadri (r.a)

2009-12-15T17:19:00.003-07:00

Abul Hasanat Sayyid Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi Qadiri ( محدث دكن ابلحسنات سيد عبدالله شاه نقشبندى قادرى‎), popularly known as Hadrat Abdullah Shah Sahib, was one of the celebrated scholars of Islam and spiritual reformer. He is more particularly known as a Muhaddith (one who specializes in Hadith literature), honorifically as Muhaddith-e Dakkan (the Muhaddith of the Dakkan) in the Islamic circles of knowledge all over the world. A prolific writer of Islamic Sciences, he wrote extensively on Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and compiled his best-known work Zujajat al-Masabih in five volumes. A unique and comprehensive collection of Hadiths pertaining to the Hanafi School of Law, the book is considered[by whom?] a magnum opus in Hadith and Fiqh literature. An erudite Mufassir (Qur'anic exegite) and expounder of other Islamic religious texts, he was more importantly one of the most celebrated Sufis produced by India in the 20th century. He is popularly considered to be one of the Saint scholars among the masses of South India, particularly Hyderabad.

Birth
The Shaykh was born in Husaini 'Alam, Hyderabad, on 10th of Dhu'l Hijjah, 1292(A.H) or 6th of February 1872 (A.D). His father was Mawlana Sayyid Muzaffar Husain Ibn Sayyid Yaqub of Naldrug. Since the migration of his ancestor, Hazrat Sayyid Ali, this family has been the recipient of land grant from Adil Shah I, the ruler of Bijapur. The daughter of Hazrat Gul Badshah was his mother.

Education
In keeping with the traditions of the then society, this young sufi didn't attend any formal school for his education and training. He received his elementary education and lessons in Persian from his father; Logic and philosophy from Mawlana Mansur Ali Khan; the Qur'anic sciences and other subjects from Shaykh al-Islam Hafiz Anwarulla Khan Faruqi, the founder of Jamia Nizamia, jurisprudence from Mawlana Habibur Rahman Saharanpuri, and the science of Hadith and literature from Mawlana Hakim Abdur Rahman Saharanpuri.

Teaching
Even while a student, he started teaching, in both formal and non-formal ways. At times this was in the form of adult education. Most of his audience consisted of elite and common people. He began his teaching career at the mosque named Ali Aqa at Husaini Alam, Hyderabad, and continued it uninterrupted till his last breath.
The well known Syrian scholar Shaykh Abdul Fattah visited Hyderabad and took ijazahs and asnad from Shaykh al-Allamah Abul Hasanat Abdullah Shah.

His Tasawuf
At first he became the disciple of Hadrat Miskin Shah a famous Sufi of Hyderabad, India. Later, on the death of the latter, he approached Hadrat Sayyid Muhammad Badshah Bukhari, popularly known as Bukhari Shah Sahib, who was a renowned spiritual personality of that time. The latter practiced both the Qadiriyyah and the Naqshbandiyyah Sufi Tariqahs or paths. So long as his spiritual mentor was alive, whatever the climate would be, he would see him on daily basis walking about 4 miles to serve him in his mid-night special ritual prayers, the Tahajjud, assisting his spiritual master in performing the ablution and other prayer rituals. This practice went on for about 20 years until the death of his shaykh, Sayyid Badshah Bukhari. During the life-time of his spiritual master, Hadrat Abdullah Shah did not like to have his own spiritual disciples Murids. The number of disciples Murids in his own life time, however, reached in hundreds and thousands. He consistently followed the Hanafi school of jurisprudence and the practices of his spiritual master by initiating his disciples both in the Qadiriyyah and Naqshbandiya Orders.Hadrat Abdullah Shah took immense care to adhere to the Sunnah in all his actions, sayings and writings. He was always eager to put into practice the teachings of the Prophet, recorded in the Sunnah.

Daily Schedule
His emotional attachment and sincere commitment to Allah and His Messenger was remarkably evident in all he did. He would spend most of his time in the service of Allah's creations. He would begin his day early in the morning from the Fajr prayer. He would then patiently listen to his disciples. Next he would meet the public and attend to individual grievances till 9 o'clock in the morning. After Ishraq prayers, for breakfast and other personal needs, he would spare a few minutes. From almost 10 A.M to 2 P.M, he would have a separate session for women who either approach him for guidance or spiritual consolation. At 2 P.M he would return to the mosque for midday Zuhr prayer and until late afternoon Asr prayer he would be engaged in giving instructions and individual attention to his disciples, responding to miscellaneous requests for help, and so on. The time between Asr and sunset Maghrib followed by the Awwabin prayers, he would have dinner, attend to the letters addressed to him and dictate letters of advice. At 10 P.M he would go to the mosque for nightfall 'Isha' prayer and return home at around midnight. He would sleep for three hours. From 2 A.M till Fajr prayer he would be busy again with Tahajjud prayers. In short, he would rest for three hours and the rest of the 21 hours he would devote his time to the remembrance of the Lord and His creatures.

Prediction of His Own Passing
When his contemporary Shaykh Hadrat Sayyid Muhammad Badshah Husaini departed from this world on 25th of August, Hadrat Abdullah Shah predicted that he too would leave this mortal world in two days. His prediction came true. With his death on 18th of Rabi' al-Thani, 1384 A.H or 1964 A.D, at the age of 92 years, the world lost a great spiritual leader and an eminent scholar. The funeral procession was the largest of its kind in the history of Hyderabad, attended by more than two hundred and fifty thousand people. He is buried in Naqshbandi Chaman, Misri Gunj, Hyderabad.

Works
Apart from Zujajat al-Masabih, he has written various books on diverse subjects, right from Salaat to Sulook. The following is a list of his works:
Fadhail Namaz- On the excellence and blessings of Salaat.
Yousufnama- Known as Guldasta-e-Tareeqat as well. This is an exegesis (Tafseer) of the Surah Yousuf of the Holy Quran.
Qiyamatnama- On the trials and tribulations of the Day of Judgment.
Merajnama- On the heavenly journey (Meraj) of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
Miladnama- On the Milad of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
Gulzar Auliya- A brief introduction of the Elders of the Naqshbandi order of Tasawwuf.
Mawaiz Hasana, Volumes 1 and 2- The sayings and teachings of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan.
Suluk-e-Mujaddidiya- A treatise on the teachings of the Naqshbandi Mujaddidi order of Tasawwuf.
Fadhail Ramadhan- On the excellence of the month of Ramadhan.
Kitab ul Muhabbat- A treatise on the love of Allah.

His Legacy
His spiritual and intellectual legacy is being carried forward by his disciples and students. After him, his spiritual lineage was carried forward in the following way:
His eldest son, Abul Barakaat Syed Khaleelullah Shah Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri.
Hadhrat Khaleelullah's son, Hadhrat Syed Anwarullah Shah Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri.
Now, the last son of Hadhrat Abdullah Shah, Abul Khair Hadhrat Syed Rahmatullah Shah Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri.
Apart from his sons, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan has also authorized other persons to spread the teachings of Islam, who are carrying forward his legacy in their own way.
Under the guidance of Hadhrat Abul Khair, Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri, Naib Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia started a research center, by name, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center, which runs and manages the website Ziaislamic.com, which is gradually uploading the works of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan on the net and thus fulfilling a long-felt need.And Still the Legacy Continues through his son's.

"Tazkarah Hazrat Muhaddith e Deccan" Swanih,Aqaid,Amal" in Urdu by Dr.Abul Khairat Muhammad Abdul Sattar Khan Naqhbandi Qadri,M.A.,Ph.D, Khalifah Hadrat Abdullah Shah ,Sabiq Sadar Shubah e Arabi,Jamia Osmania,Hyderabad Deccan,India,published by Al-Mumtaz Publications,Lahore,Pakistan

Coutesy : Wikipedia

Hazrat Khalid al-Baghdadi (r.a)

2009-12-14T22:04:00.005-07:00

Tomb in Damascus
Hazrat Khalid ibn Husayn al-Baghdadi al-Uthmani [d.1242 H - 1826 CE] 'alayhir ar-rahman w'al ridwan
Khalid al-Baghdadi was a Naqshbandi shaykh and founder of the Khalidi branch of the Naqshbandi order. He was born [in the year 1193 H./1779 CE] in Shehrezur, Karadag an area near to Sulaymaniye in northern Iraq. His full name was Khalid ibn Husain taking the nickname "Ziyauddin" and al-Baghdadi later.
His grandfather was Par Mika'il Chis Anchit, which means Mika'il the Saint of the six fingers. His title is 'Uthmani because he is a descendant of Sayyidina 'Uthman ibn 'Affan Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu, the third caliph of Islam. He studied the Qur'an al-kareem and its explanation and fiqh according to the Shafi'i school. He was famous in poetry. When he was fifteen years of age he took asceticism as his creed, hunger as his horse, wakefulness as his means, seclusion as his friend, and energy as his light.
Young Khalid studied with the two great scholars of his time, Shaykh 'Abdul Karam al-Barzinji and Shaykh 'Abdur Rahim al-Barzinji [Allah be pleased with them], and he read with Mullah Muhammad 'Ali. He studied the sciences of mathematics, philosophy, and logicas well as the principles of jurisprudence. He studied the works of Ibn Hajar, as-Suyuti, and al-Haythami. He memorized the commentary on Qur'an by Baydawi. He was able to find solutions for even the most difficult questions in jurisprudence. He memorized the Qur'an according to the fourteen different ways of recitation, and became very famous everywhere for this.
He then entered seclusion, leaving everything he had studied behind, coming to Allah's door with all kinds of pious actions and much dhikr, both loud and silent. He no longer visited the sultans, but kept to himself and to his murids, until the year 1220 H./1806 CE, when he decided to make the Pilgrimage and to visit the Beloved Prophet . He left everything and went to Hijaz through the cities of Mosul and Yarbikir and ar-Raha and Aleppo and Damascus, where he met its scholars and followed its Shaykh, the master of both the ancient and the modern knowledge and the teacher of hadith, ash-Shaykh Muhammad al-Kuzbara. He received authorization in the Qadiri Tariqat from Shaykh al-Kuzbari and his deputy, Shaykh Mustafa al-Kurdi, who travelled with him until he reached the city of the Beloved Prophet .
He praised the Prophet in Persian poetry in such a way that people were astonished at his eloquence. He spent a long time in the City of the Beloved Prophet . He reported,
"I was looking for someone of rare piety in order to take some advice when I saw a Shaykh on the right-hand side of the Blessed Gravesite (Rawdatu-sh-Sharifa). I asked him to give me advice, counsel from a wise scholar to an ignorant person. He advised me not to object when I enter Makkah to matters which might appear to be counter to the shari`a, but to keep quiet. I reached Makkah, and keeping in my heart that advice, I went to the Holy Mosque early on the morning of Friday. I sat near the Ka’ba reading Dala'il al-Khayrat, when I saw a man with a black beard leaning on a pillar and looking at me. It came to my heart that the man was not showing the proper respect to the Kacba, but I didn't say anything to him about the matter.
"He looked at me and scolded me, saying, 'O ignorant one, don't you know that the honor of the heart of a believer is far more than the privilege of the Ka`ba? Why do you criticize me in your heart for standing with my back to the Ka`ba and my face to you. Didn't you hear the advice of my Shaykh in Madinah who told you not to criticise?' I ran to him and asked his forgiveness, kissing his hands and feet and asking him for his guidance to Allah. He told me, 'O my son, your treasures and the keys to your heart are not in these parts, but in India. Your Shaykh is there. Go there and he will show you what you have to do.' I didn't see anyone better than him in all the Haram. He didn't tell me where to go in India, so I went back to Sham and associated with its scholars."
He then returned to Sulaymaniyyah and continued his teachings of self-denial. He was always looking for someone to show him the way. Finally, there came to Sulaymaniyyah the Shaykh Mawlana Mirza Rahimullah Beg al-M'aruf, known by the name of Muhammad ad-Darwish 'Abdul 'Azim al-Abadi, one of the khalifs of the spiritual pole, Qutb al-A'zam, 'Abdullah ad-Dehlawi (q). He met with him and gave him respect and asked him about the perfect guide to show him the way. He told him, "There is one perfect Shaykh, a Scholar and a Knower, showing the seeker the way to the King of Kings, expert in this delicate matter, following the Naqshbandi Way, carrying the Character of the Beloved Prophet , a guide in the Knowledge of Spirituality. Come back with me to his service in Jehanabad. He had told me before I left, 'You are going to meet someone, bring him back with you.'"
After travelling to India where he studied under revivalist Naqshbandi Sufi Shaykhs he returned to Syria where he engaged himself in teaching his students. He died in 1242 after Hijri [1826 Common Era]. His funeral was performed at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.
Coutesy : Spiritual Foundation http://www.spiritualfoundation.net/sufisshaykhs5.htm#111014245
Belief & Islam by Mawlana Khalid (r.a)
http://www.hizmetbooks.org/Belief_and_Islam/

Shaykh Abd al Ghani al- Nablusi (r.a)

2009-12-14T21:53:00.007-07:00

Abdal al Ghani al Nablusi's Autograph
Shaykh al Islam 'Abd al-Ghani al-Nablusi [d. 1143A.H/1733C.E]
'alayhi al-rahmah wa'l-ridwan
'Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi radi Allahu anhu was born in Damascus in 1641[C.E] into a family of Islamic scholarship. His father, Isma'il 'Abd al-Ghani, was a jurist in the Hanafi school of fiqh and contributor to Arabic literature. 'Abd al-Ghani showed diligence in the pursuit of Islamic knowledge and before the age of twenty he was both teaching and giving formal legal opinions (fatwa). He taught in the Umawi Mosque in Damascus and the Salihiyya Madrasa, his fame as an accomplished Islamic scholar spreading to all neighbouring Islamic cities. He died in 1733[C.E] at ninety years of age, having left behind hundreds of written works in virtually all the Islamic sciences.
His status as a scholar and wali (friend of Allah) is also unstintingly acknowledged by Islamic scholars who came after him. As a prolific contributor to Hanafi fiqh, there is hardly a work in the school that appeared after him that does not depend on or discusses his legal opinions. In the well known and most depended upon work in Hanafi fiqh, Radd al-Muhtar, commonly known as The Hashiya of Ibn `Abidin, the author and Imam of the school in his time, Muhammad Amin ibn 'Abidin (d.1836), frequently quotes the legal opinions of Shaykh 'Abd al-Ghani, referring to him with a reverence and respect that is not apparent in the mention of other scholars quoted in his work. Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Tahtawi (d.1816), the al-Azhari Shaykh of the Hanafi Jurists, in his well known Hashiya of Maraqi al-Falah, when discussing a legal opinion of Shaykh 'Abd al-Ghani refers to him as "The knower of Allah, my master 'Abd al-Ghani (al-arif billah Sayyidi 'Abd al-Ghani)". It is unthinkable that such eminent scholars should lend such respect to and depend on the scholarship of an individual who might remotely be accused of heresy. Nor is it thinkable that the numerable godfearing scholars who came after them and use and quote their works would find that acceptable (Ibn 'Abidin's work in particular has been used since it was authored by Islamic rulers implementing the shari'a in government, by judges, muftis, jurists and students of Islamic Law). This is particularly true in view of his book Wujud al-Haqq (On True Being), which details his Sufi ontology and which he taught in public seminars to hundreds of contemporary scholars in his own lifetime.

I believe that a valid point can be made here; namely, that in the time of such scholars as Ibn 'Abidin and al-Tahtawi Islamic culture was a great deal more integrated and balanced than it is today, such that Sufism was understood by shari'a specialists and even considered necessary for a complete understanding and practice of the Din. In the time in which we live Muslims have been engulfed by a civilization that is completely materialistic in its outlook. I believe that this saturation of the worldly has had the adverse effect on the Muslims of making it difficult for them to comprehend anything beyond the physical, which is why the words and experience of the Sufis seem alien to them. This over emphasis on the material also seems to be the reason that modern day reform minded Muslims have found the concept of an anthropomorphic god acceptable as well as the focus of religion being limited primarily to the outward manifestations of the shari'a only, such as salat and hijab for example, without there being any emphasis on internal development. It is not uncommon to find that such an attitude leads to a spiritual crisis of stagnation and meaninglessness, when after several years of practice the initial sense of euphoria of faith fades and one no longer feels the forward motion of increasing in closeness to Allah Most High.
Regarding the scholarship of Shaykh 'Abd al-Ghani radi Allahu anhu, one need only read his works to understand how truly brilliant this man was. In whatever subject he addressed, he wrote as an authority, whether Hanafi fiqh, hadith, Islamic ontology and metaphysics, Arabic literature, Quranic readings or other. Some of his works have been published, while the majority are still in manuscript form. Any skeptic could avail himself his works and make an honest investigation.

Coutesy : Spiritual Foundation http://www.spiritualfoundation.net/sufisshaykhs5.htm#111014245

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shaykh Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi (March 19, 1641—March 5, 1731), an eminent Muslim scholar and Naqshbandi Sufi, was born in Damascus in 1641 into a family of Islamic scholarship. His father, Isma'il Abd al-Ghani, was a jurist in the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam and a contributor to Arabic literature. Abd al-Ghani traced his descent to the city of Nablus in Palestine, hence his surname Nabulsi ("of Nablus").[1]
Abd al-Ghani showed diligence in the pursuit of Islamic knowledge and before the age of 20 he was both teaching and giving formal legal opinions (fatwa). He taught in the Umawi Mosque in Damascus and the Salihiyya Madrasa, becoming renowned throughotu the region as an accomplished Islamic scholar.
He died and was buried in Damascus in 1731 at 90 years of age. He left behind hundreds of written works in virtually all the Islamic sciences.
His works
Idâh al-Maqsud min wahdat al-wujud (Clarifying What is Meant by the Unity of Being)
Sharh Diwan Ibn Farid (Commentary on Ibn Farid's Poem)
Jam'u al-Asrâr fi man'a al-Ashrâr 'an at-Ta'n fi as-Sufiyah al-Akhyar (Collection of the secrets to prevent the evils castigate the pious Sufis)
Shifa' al-Sadr fî Fada'il Laylat al-Nisf Min Sha'bân wa Layllat al-Qadr (Curing the heart on the Vitues of the night of Nisfu Sha'ban and The Night of Qadr), private manuscript collection, unpublished.
Nafahat al-Azhar 'Ala Nasamat al-Ashar
al-Sulh bayn al-ikhwan fi hukm ibahat al-dukhan, ed. Ahmad Muhammad Dahman (Damascus, 1924).
Ta‘tir al-anam fi tafsir al-ahlam, ed. Taha ‘Abd al-Ra’uf Sa‘d, 2 vols. (Damascus, n.d.)
al-Haqiqa wa al-majaz fi al-rihla ila bilad al-sham wa misr wa al-hijaz, ed. Ahmad ‘Abd al-Majid al-Haridi (Cairo, 1986).
Nihayat al-murad fi sharh hadiyat Ibn al-‘Imad, ed. ‘‘Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabi (Limmasol, 1994).
al-Hadiqa al-nadiyya: Sharh al-tariqa al-muhammadiyya, 2 vols. (Lailbur, 1977).
Hillat al-dhahab al-ibriz fi rihlat Ba'albak wa-al-Biqa' al-'aziz.
Kitab 'ilm al-malahah fi 'ilm al-falahah.
References
Islamic Cultural Centre. (1970). The Islamic Quarterly. Islamic Cultural Centre, p.86.
Barbara von Schlegell, "Sufism in the Ottoman Arab World: Shaykh ‘‘Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi" (Ph.D. diss., University of Pennsylvania, 1997.
Smoking and "Early Modern" Sociability: The Great Tobacco Debate in the Ottoman Middle East (Seventeenth to Eighteenth Centuries)
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