سراج العوارف
في الوصايا و
المعارف
SIRAAJ-AL-AWAARIF
HORIZONS
OF PERFECTION
By
Qutbul-Irshaad
Siraajul-Awliya Sayyid Abul-Husain Ahmad-e-Noori Al- Husaini Al-Qaadiri Barkaati
Marehrawi t
TRANSLATED
BY:
SHEIKH
ABU-MUHAMMAD ABDUL HADI
AL-QAADIRI
RADAWI
Published
by
IMAM
AHMAD RAZA ACADEMY
Durban
South Africa
A
Barkaatur-Raza Publication
COPYRIGHT
All
rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior
permission in writing from the publisher.
Name
of Original Kitaab: Siraajul Awaarif-fil-Wasaya-wal-Ma’aarif
Subject:
Tasawwuf
Author: Qutbul-Waqt
Siraajul-Awliya Sayyid Abul-Husain Ahmad-e-Noori Al- Husaini Al-Qaadiri Barkaati
Marehrawit
Translator:
Durwesh Abu-Muhammad Abdul-Haadi Al-Qaadiri Radawi
First
edition:
Rajab 1422 (October 2001)
No.
of copies:
1 500
Publishers:
Barkaatur-Raza Publications
Design
and Typesetting:
Raza Graphics
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from:
Imam
Ahmed Raza Building
3rd
Floor, 20-22 Lorne Street
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Address:
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DEDICATION
This
Noble
Manual
is
dedicated to My
Master
and Murshid-e-Kaamil,
The
Ghous of his time, the Fountain
of
Knowledge, the Symbol of Love, the
Leader
of the Ulama, the Mufti of Sharee’ah, the
Murshid
of Tareeqah, the Aarif of Marifah, and
the
Ocean of Haqeeqah, the Nightingale
of
Madina, the Rose of Baghdad,
the
Fragrance of Ajmer and
the
Power of Marehra.
The
Son of the Mujaddid,
Qutbush-Shaheer,
Wali-e-Kabeer,
Aarife-Billah,
Imamut-Toqa, Badrul-Foqaha,
Taajul-Awlia,
Abul-Barkaat Muhiyyudeen Imam
Muhammad
Mustafa Rida Al-Qaadiri Barkaati Noori
t
CONTENTS
Foreword
xiii
Prelude
xvi
Acknowledgement
xix
About the Author
xx
Khutba,
Naat and Manqabat 1
The
four categories of Ahle-Baith
1st Fard: Salvation depends only on
following the Madhab of The Ahle-Sunnah-wa-Ja’maah.
2nd Fard: Haqeeqah never opposes the
Sharee’ah
3rd Fard: Good conduct is the biggest root
of Deen
4th Fard: What is the meaning of Tasawwusf?
THE FIRST LUSTRE
9
CONCERNING ADVISES AND WORDS OF WISDOM
1st Advice: To be steadfast on the path of
the Ahle-Sunnah-wa-Jama’ah
2nd Advice: The important qualities of a
Murshid
3rd Advice: Take Bay’ah
4th Advice: The importance of seeking
knowledge of Deen
5th Advice: To serve a Wali of Allah
6th Advice: Take all decisions according to
the Sharee’ah
7th Advice: Steadfast on Deen is a sign of
success and salvation
8th Advice: Showing Mercy to others
9th Advice: Objection on spending lavishly
in celebrations
10th Advice: Stress on importance of
performing Salaah with Jamaat in the Musjid
11the Advice: The importance of Taqleed of the Four Imams t & the declaration of قدمي هذه
على رقبة كل
ولى الله by Sayyiduna Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani t
The explanation of Mehboob-e-Elahi and
Mehboob-e-Subhaani – Answer to Objections
THE SECOND LUSTRE
29
CONCERNING THE BELIEFS OF THE AHLE-SUNNAH-WA-JA’MAAH
The Book of Perfection of Emaan
The Ilme-Ghaib of The Ambiya u
and Awliya
The Ahle-Baith t and Awliya are not Masoom
Any Kashf that is not in accordance to the Sharee’ah
is not recognized
The forbiddance of cursing the dead
The real meaning of the word Lah’nat (curse)
The excellence of Sheikhain (Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr t and Sayyiduna Omar t) and the Madhab of Imam
Abu-Haneefa t
No Wali can attain the status of a Nabi
The first condition of Tasawwuf
An answer to the Satanic Beliefs of ignorant Sufis
Angels are Masoom
The status of Sayyidah Khadija t, Ayesha t, Faatima t and Maryam t
Excellence is according to the sequence of
Khilafat-Raashidah
It is Kufr to mock the Laws of Sharee’ah
Naturalists are misled and they mislead
Explanation of Moh’jiza and Karaamat
Why is Belief on the Unseen (Emaan-bil-Ghaib) excellent
Concerning cursing Yazeed
Concerning the battle of Jamal and Siffeen
Wilaayah is Wahbi
The Beloved Rasool r is unique and matchless
The difference between Qada-e-Mubram and
Qada-e-Mo’allaq
Malice towards Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyya t is a sign of heresy
The excellence of Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr As-Siddique t
A Prophet is never stripped of Prophethood
THE THIRD LUSTRE
51
CONCERNING TASAWWUF
The difference between Tasawwuf and Solook
Wahdatul-Wojood and Wahdatush-Shohood
The Qaadiri Stations of Solook
The Status of Ambiya u
and Awliya
The Quest for truth and falsehood
Karaamat is not a confirmation of
Wilaayat
Method of distinguishing between a real Wali and fake
Wali
Corruption of pretending ignorant Sufis
Shaikhain are nurtured by the Tree of Nubuwwah
The Stations of Taraqqi and Tanazzul
The Two Nisbas of the Aarifeen
The Completion of Sair-illah and the cursed Shaytaan
Refutation of the Awliya leads to Kufr
Evil human natures and its treatment
Barzakh-e-Sheikh is heart of Solook
The beams of the Sublime Lord
Explanation of Aalam-e-Barzakh
Three types of graves
Man experiences 3 deaths and 4 lives
The wisdom of Hashr and Nashr
The Khilaafat of Nabi Aadam u
and the pride of Shaytaan
The Nisbah of an Aashiq and Mashooq
Sincerity in Solook is never fruitless
A question and answer regarding the Majzoob
What is the Soul?
Salaah and its ommitance
Aalam-e-Sagheer and Aalam-e-Kabeer
Allah is the Indivisible One and not the mathematical
one
All Allah’s Attributive Qualities are Eternal
Some Mystical sayings of the Awliya
Humans Control 3 Souls
A Ghouse exists in every era
The Wilaayat of a Nabi is more excellent than his
Nubuwwat
The explanation of Qabt and Basth
It is impossible to see Allah with the physical eye in
this world
The qualities of the Awliya
The Malamati Foqara
Physical Meh’raaj in awakardness is the exclusivity
of
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r
Who are the people that qualify to listen to Sima
The elevated Station of Wilaayah
It is Fard on a Wali to hide his identity
The examples of sincere devotion in Ibadah
The chambers of the Heart also increases while awake
The examples of Nafs
The Maqaam of Talween and Takween
What is Soute-Sarmadi
The categories of Waasilaane-Haq
The conditions of dreams
The effects of Tajalli in Sair-Fillah
Sukr and Sahu
Ahle-Sahu and Ahle-Sukr
Conditions of Sahu and Sukr
The comments of the Sufiyyah regarding different Worlds
in the Universe
The reasons of Wajd and Haal
Wilaayate-Aamma and Wilaayate-Khaassa
The explanation of Fana and Baqa
The categories of Ahle-Wosool
There are 4 types of Wilaayat
Detailed categories of Awliya
Haidur-Rijaal
The Awaisi Nisbah
THE FOURTH LUSTRE
125
CONCERNING SOLOOK
The valuable Risaala of Amal wa Mamool
Dua after Meals
The Method of performing Salaatut-Tahajjud
The Method of increasing one’s Rizq
The Method of increasing one’s Maghfirah
The Ishraaq Salaah
The Chaasht Salaah
The Awwabeen Salaah
The Wazaa’if of Esha
The Wazaa’if at bed time
Zikre-Haq Chahaar Darbi
Zikre-Khawaas
Hindi Zikr of Baba Fareed t
The importance of performing Tahajjud Salaah
Make excessive Zikr that people regard you as Mad
Hypocrisy and boastfulness destroys all good deeds
The Stations of faults of Ahle-Solook
Do not trust your Kashf
The
quantity of daily food consumption
Always
be with Wudu
Always
seek protection from bad death
Puberty
and two Shaytaans
Wosool-Ilallah
does not depend on Zikr and Shaghal
What
is best, to be a resident or a traveler
Distribution
of time in 24 hours
The
method of reciting the Khandaani Shajrah
Panje-ganj-e-Sagheer
Panje-ganj-e-Kabeer
Awraade-Khamsa
Ashghaale-Khamsa
Method
of taking Bay’ah and Taalib
Renewal
of Bay’ah on the hands of another Sheikh
A
Mureed of one Silsila in another Silsila
What does a Mureed do when he is in the presence of the
Murshid
The
Qaadiri Mashaa’ik’s method of Tawajjah
A foreign (Ghair Mahram) still remains a foreign women even after taking
Bay’ah
The
Shaghal of the last Station of Solook
The
method of Istiqaamat in the Path of Solook
Some
most inspiring advices
Shaghale-do-Neem,
the Family Secret
The
reason for exposing the Family Secrets
Granting
Khilaafah before perfection
The
method of acquiring Barkaat and Faid from the Mazaraat of Awliya
Method
of inquiring the state of the deceased
Exposure
of the bad state of a deceased with corrupt beliefs
Anwaar,
Azkaar and Ashghaal
The
different conditions of Wajd and Haal
The
secret methods of kidnap of the Shaytaan
Emphasis
on acquiring Ilme-Deen
Peace
and Love between Husband and Wife
Etiquettes to observe when visiting the sacred graves of the Exalted
Awliya
The impact of Divine Tajalli in the inception of Sair-Fillah
The secrets of Solook
The states of Haymaan and Walhaan
The serious obstructions in the Path of Solook
Difficulties experienced in Zikr
A Present Heart in Tilaawat and Salaah
The Locations of the Darb of Zikr
The difference between the Zikr of Shaghal and Muraqibah
The 12 Ethics of the Saalik
The Stations of Fana
The Heart of an Aarif is similar to the Musjid
Awraad of Friday Night
The Khilaafat Coronation of the Author
THE FIFTH LUSTRE
182
CONCERNING FEW LAWS OF FIQAH
The Law of Khabare-Waahid
The Laws pertaining to greeting and associating with an open transgressor
Emphasis on Miswaak
Entering someone’s home without permission and greetings
Addressing Parents, Sutra and Mashaa’ikh by their names
Baseless jokes
Difference between smiling, laughing and laughing aloud
The punishment for forgetting the Holy Quraan
Two types of Sajdah
Tawaaf of anything besides the Holy Kaaba
Praising a Kaafir, Mushrik or Faasiqe-Moh’lin
Recite the Holy Quraan softly in public
Abstain from company of a foreign woman in private
To call a Muslim a Kaafir is worse than killing him
Regarding Halaal that which Allah has made Haraam
Hiding the Truth & False Testimony
Giving false evidence
Sins of minor children and their parents
Difference between Hijaab and Satr
The Sharee’ah and Hijaab of women
The face and voice of a woman
Tight an see-through clothing and the Sharee’ah
Women and blind Men
Hijaab and Kaafir Women
Who are the Mehram
Explanation of “No Nikah
between the two Eids”
Poetry
and Dignity
Period
of Mourning
Mourning
in the 10 days of Muharram
The
Fateha of Giyaarwi Shareef
The
Majlis of Mouloodun-Nabi r
Qiyaam
and Salaam
Mourning
over the dead
The virtue of Nikah with widows
Forbiddance of Nikah with Shias and Wahabis
Esaale-Thawaab on the Day of Ashoora
The method of deriving Faid and Barkaat from
Sayyidush-Shohadah Imam Husain t
The ruling of Sharee’ah of Taziya
Not fulfilling unlawful commands of Parents.
Killing dangerous animals and hunting
Photography and the Sharee’ah
Burying the dead in homes
Bury the dead in the city of his death
Forbiddance of exhuming bodies of the dead
When is exhuming permissible
Laws pertaining to plastering the inside of the grave
Those Sunnahs which have become obsolete in some places
It is Haraam to build imaginary graves
The observance of Majalis of Shahadat in the 10 days of
Muharram
Imitating a specific nation
Laws pertaining to Women visiting the Qoboor
Treatment in sickness
Insanity and the rules of Sharee’ah
Talaaq
Disagreement between Husband and Wife
The status of the Husband after the death of his Wife
Jadoo, witchcraft and its evils
THE SIXTH LUSTRE
212
CONCERNING GOOD CONDUCT AND ADVICE
Do not expose your secrets
Observe the words of an Aalim and not his actions
Imitate the habits and worship patterns of the
illustrious Mashaa’ikh
The method of advising the transgressors and sinners
Show mercy on the weak
Vulgarness is Haraam
Kindness and care to domesticated animals
Unnecessarily living in the Musjid
Rejecting the Awliya invites bad consequences
Hypocrisy and double standards
Reading others letters without permission
To revenge one who dislikes you
Breaking relations with Muslims
Kindness to those smaller than you
Conduct and favours on your family and neighbours
Do not be steadfast only on the advice of women
Good and bad anger
Hiding the faults of others is virtuous
What is sincere friendship
THE SEVENTH LUSTRE
218
CONCERNING A COLLECTION OF BENEFITS
Dua when seeing the new Moon
Dua when in hardship and problems
Jinns are dangerous
Dangers for those who deal with Jinns
Difference of status between Man and Jinns
Harmless benefits
Different methods of making the Khatam of Holy Quraan
Knowing the condition of the deceased
Leftover drinking water of fellow Muslimsss
Amazing beneficial incidents
FOREWORD
The author of this book, Hadrat Sayyid Shah Abul Husain
Ahmad-e-Noori t,
who was born in 1255 A.H., belonged to the famous chain of mystics of
Khanqah-e-Barkatiya of Marehra Shareef. He
was the son of Hadrat Sayyid Shah Zahoor Hasan t
and grandson of Hadrat Khatim al-Akaabir Sayyid Shah Aley Rasool Ahmadi t.
Hadrat Noori Mia’s t
mother was the daughter of Sayyid Shah Dildaar Haidar Zaidi t. He took
the oath of allegiance (Baith) at the hands of his grandfather, who also
appointed him as his Khalifa and successor.
He owed his education and spiritual upbringing to his grandfather and
Hadrat Sayyid Shah Ghulam Mohiyuddin t,
the youngest brother of his grandfather. After
the demise of his grandfather, Hadrat Noori Mia t
ascended the seat of Sajjadah Nashin of Khanqah-e-Barkatiyya.
The
present book originally written in Persian has great merits, the most
outstanding being the selection of themes and precision’s.
In his articles entitles “The Scholarly works and contributions of
the family of Barkaat”, Moulana Muhammad Irshad Ahmad Rizvi Barkaati t,
pays tribute to Hadrat Noori Mia t
in the following words:
“Siraaj-ul-Awaarif”
contains benefits and subtleties to such a degree that I have not found such
qualities described with brevity in any other book on Mysticism that I have
studied so far. The illustrious
Noori with amazing precision and simplicity has put the counsels necessary for
the Islamic life of a man together. (“Ahl-e-Sunnat Ki Awaz”, Marehra,
1999)
About
the Urdu translation of Siraaj-ul-Awaarif, Moulana Muhammad
Irshaad observes:
Two
translations of Siraaj-ul-Awaarif have appeared. The first
translation was done by Hadrat Moulana Mufti Khalil Ahmad Khan Sahib Barkaati t
of Marehra and the second by Dr. Sayyid Shah Muhammad Amin Mia, the successor of
Hadrat Ahsan-ul-Ulema t.
The language of the latter is more simple and fluent as compared to the
first translation. (Ahl-e-Sunnat Ki Awaz, Marehra, 1999)
The
original book is in Persian accompanied by the versified commendation in Arabic
and Persian by Imam Ahmad Raza Khan t.
The
book is divided into seven sections and each section has been called
“Lustres” (source of light or lustre). Each Lustre is further sub-divided
into several “Noor” (Light) explaining different subjects. A summery is as
follows.
First
Lustre is about Wills
and contains eleven Noor.
Second
Lustre is about the
Beliefs of the Ahle-Sunnat and contains twenty-eight Noor.
Third
Lustre deals with
Tasawwuf and comprises sixty-seven Noor.
Fourth
Lustre is on Sulook
(conduct) and includes fifty-two Noor.
Fifth
Lustre is devoted to
the questions regarding Fiqh and it is divided into forty-nine Noor.
Sixth
Lustre concentrates on
Counsels and Morality and the subject is dealt with in twenty-three Noor.
Seventh
Lustre is devoted to
Miscellaneous Benefits and it is divided into seven Noors.
At
the theoretical level, Hadrat Noori Mia t
has presented the themes related to Faith, Beliefs, Mysticism, Ethics and
Morality with remarkable simplicity and precision.
During the course of discussion he has given his own definition of the
basic concepts of Tasawwuf. In my
opinion Siraaj-ul-Awaarif makes an appeal to both heart and mind.
I
congratulate Moulana Abdul Haadi Al-Qaadiri for
rendering Siraaj-ul-Awaarif into English and seek the indulgence
of our readers.
KHHANQAH-E-BARKAATIAH
MAREHRA
SHAREEF
11 Rajab 1422 A.H. (29 September 2001)
PRELUDE
For
how long will the Rose conceal its beautiful, refreshing fragrance from those
priviledge and honoured to be in the garden?
When the Rosebud comes into full bloom, it cannot but release its sweet
fragrance to inspire and enthrall those fortunate to walk into the garden.
Sheikh
Abu-Muhammad Abdul Haadi Al-Qaadiri Barkaati Radawi
is, in my humble opinion, this Rose and the sweet fragrance of this Rose has
been captured in the messages contained in this recent book, HORIZONS OF
PEFECTION.
It
was my singular honour and priviledge to read the manuscript before final
printing and offer a Prelude.
The
central theme in this book offers guidelines and suggestions for those aspiring
to live this earthly life with Imaan and to depart from this world with Imaan
and stand before Allah Y,
The Creator of all the Universes with their faces shining with triumph and
success.
The
subject matter, which deals largely with Tassawuff and Sufism and its related
branches, is a subject not adequately understood or appreciated by the masses,
largely because much of the available information is in Urdu or Persian.
The
writer, through his vast, intensive knowledge of Tassawuff and Sufism and his
enviable penmanship has made this English version available, Alhamdulillah!
HORIZONS
OF PERFECTION,
through it informative and valuable guidelines for Muslims, describes how
interested and aspiring persons could achieve real success in this world and the
Hereafter. Through his depth and insight into Tassawuff and Sufism, the writer
has discussed matters relating to the necessity and importance of Bay’at
(placing your hand into the hand of a Spiritual Guide or Pir-o-Murshid and
thereby becoming his Mureed or Disciple). The
book discusses in detail what the relationship ideally should be between the
Murshid and the Mureed and what purpose this relationship serves.
Spiritual
exercise of genuinely pious persons are quoted and simplified for the aspiring
reader so that he or she may read it, understand its contents and benefit and
implement these exercises that would deepen and strengthen the Love between Pir
and Mureed and lead ultimately to deep and sincere Love for Allah Y
and His most Beloved Rasool r.
If the purpose of our life on this earth is to acquire the Love of Allah Y
and His Rasool r
through our good deeds, then the information and suggestions expressed in this
book is of paramount importance.
Tassawuff
and Sufism demands the uprooting of all violent passions of the soul, the
extirpation from it of all avaricious desires so that the heart is detached from
all things non-God, creatures and creations, and lodged in self-loss, is
constantly contemplation on Allah Y,
dwelling in sublime ecstasy.
It
is not difficult to see that a lack of a higher vision of life has resulted in
an over-emphasis on comparatively less important aspects of our worldly
existence, what fact in its turn has been the root cause of all our strife’s
and spiritual bankruptcy. This
book, HORIZONS OF PERFECTION, will open the eyes of the reader to
that higher vision and lessen the heat of ruinous competition in the field of
material acquisition.
This
book has rendered a great much needed service to Islam.
How refreshing it is to see in this book evidence of awakening and
reactivation of this spirit which Islam, the foremost champion of natural
religion of reasonableness in religion, has nurtured through the centuries!
It
is necessary for each individual to understand the nature and range of his
potential gift. Only then can he
know his actual relationship with the universe and his Creator Y
and fulfill his trust, the function of vicegerency that he has accepted. This
book has been designed to render assistance to those seeking guidance to
accomplish this function.
I
humbly invite all Muslims to enter this Rose garden, inhale its sweet fragrance
and be inspired to greater spiritual heights.
May
Allah Y,
Most Merciful bestow greater Wisdom and Knowledge upon Sheikh Abdul Haadi
Al-Qaadiri so that he could continue to inspire, motivate and enlighten
us in the path of Islam, Inshallah.
SAYYID
MUHAMMAD HABIB CHISHTI
VERULAM,
SOUTH AFRICA
11
Rajab 1422 A.H.
29
September 2001
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This
book could not have been possible without the contributions of a number of
people. In the first place I want to express my gratitude to my family and
especially my beloved wife Faatima
Barkaati for being exemplary patient and co-operative in the long months of my engrossment in this
difficult but challenging translation. My dedicated wife had indeed removed an
enormous task from my mind by typing this entire book from my hand-written
script at which she spent long and laborious hours, but with enthusiasm and joy.
Special
thanks go to Hafiz Abubakr Wali-bhai and Sayyid Muhammad Habeeb
for their excellent proof reading of the manuscript and the special way in which
they edited the work for the typesetting. I am also grateful for the kind words
that Brother Sayyid Habeeb penned in his beautiful Prelude.
To Brother Yunus Abdul Kareem Qaadiri Radawi
(Secretary-General, Raza Academy, South Africa) for his long hours spent in the
layout and preparation of this book. To Nazeer Ahmad Qaadiri, Qaasim
Muhammad and Faizal Muhammad Vanker, special thanks for all the
suggestions, technical assistance and hours spent in the computer hardware and
software support. To Mufti Naseem Ashraf Qaadiri Habibi for being a
pillar of support in solving some intricate aspects in this Sufi Manual and
proof-reading the Arabic and Farsi Text.
And finally, a respectful acknowledgement to my Makhdoom
and Mohtaram, the Sajjadah of The Noble Barkaati Khanqah in
Marehra Shareef, Professor Sayyid Sha Muhammad Amin Mia al-Husaini
Barkaati (Phd), for his valuable Urdu translation of the original
Farsi Text of Siraajul-Awaarif and constant encouragement
to complete this mammoth translation task.
May Allah I
the Most High, with the Waseela of the Beloved Habeeb r and His
Elite Servants (Awliya Allah t), bless
them and all these outstanding members of the Ummah of Sayyiduna
Rasoolullah r,
with His choicest blessings and grant them the highest place in Jannah.
.امين ثمّ
امين و الحمد
لله رب
العالمين
Faqeer Sheikh Abu Muhammad Abdul Haadi Al-Qaadiri
Radawi
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
The author, Qutbul-Irshaad, Siraajul-Awliya, Sayyid Abul-Husain Ahmad-e-Noori Al-Husaini Al-Qaadiri Barkaati t was born on Thursday, 19 Shawwaal 1255 Hijri (26 December 1839) in Marehra Shareef, U.P., India. He was the eldest son of Qutbush-Shaheer, Asadul-Arifeen, Sayyid Sha Hamza Al-Husaini Al-Qaadiri Barkaati t. He is a direct descendent of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e in the 38th generation via the noble Husaini Zaidi Sa’daat t chain. His ancestors migrated from Madina Munawwarah to Iraq be