الملفوظ الشريف

AL-MALFOOZ SHAREEF

 

 

ANECDOTES

OF

QUTBUL-AWLIA SHAMSUL-ORAFA TAAJUL--ULAMA BADRUL-FOQAHA SHEIKHUL-ISLAM WAL-MUSLIMEEN MUJADDID-WA-MUHAQQIQ IMAM-E-AHLE-SUNN­AT ALA'HADRAT IMAM AHMED RIDA AL-QAADIRI BARKAATI MUHADDITH BARELWI

t

 

 

COMPILED BY

AL-MURSHIDIL-KAAMAIL GHOUSUL-WAQT MUFTI A’ZAM QUTBE A'LAM IMAM MUSTAPHA RIDA AL-QAADIRI BARKAATI NOORI

t

 

Translated by

DURWESH ABU-MUHAMMAD ABD AL-HAADI AL-QAADIRI RADAWI

 

Published by

Imam Ahmad Rida Academy

 Durban, South Africa

 

 

A Barkaatur-Rida Publication

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

NEGLECTED GENIUS

 OF

THE EAST

 

An Introduction to the life and the works of

The Great Mujaddid Imam Ahmed Rida Al-Qaadiri t

Of Bareilly Shareef

(India)

1272/1856  - 1340/1921

by

Professor Dr. Muhammad Mas’ood Ahmad

M.A. Ph.D.

Yeut

Parentage

 

Imam Ahmed Rida Al-Qaadiri t was born at Bareilly (India) in 1272/1856.  His father Imam Muhammad Naqi Ali Al-Qaadiri t  (d. 1297/1880) and grandfather Imam Rida Ali Naqshabandi t  (d.1282/1866) were both great Sufis and celebrated theologians recognised as such by academic circles of the entire subcontinent [a].

 

Educational Career

 

Imam Ahmed Rida Al-Qaadiri t completed his educational career

under his father [b] as well as under famous scholars like;

1.      Ustaazul-Ulama Sheikh Ahmed bin Zaini Dahlaan Al-Makki t  (d. 1299/1881)[c]

2.      Qutbul-Ghous Sayyid Ale-Rasool Ahmadi t  (d. 1297/1879)

3.      Shamsul-Ulama Sheikh Abd al-Rahmaan Makki t   (d. 1301/1883)

4.      Ustaazul-Ulama Sheikh Husain bin Swaleh Makki t  (d. 1302/1884)

5.      Qutbul-Irshaad Sayyid Abul-Husain Ahmed-e-Noori Al-Qaadiri t  (d.1324/1906)

 

Scholarship

 

Imam Ahmed Rida t was astonishingly well versed in more than fifty branches of learning pertaining to Ancient Sciences[d], Modern Sciences[e], Current Sciences and Oriental Learning’s and left contributions in all these academic disciplines.  His Khalifa, Moulana Sayyid Zafar al-Deen Bihaari t  (d. 1392/1906) had compiled his chronological bibliography Al-Muh’jam al-Mu’addid li Taalifaat al-Mujaddid in 1327-1909 i.e. 12 years before the demise of Imam Ahmed Rida t. In this bibliography he has mentioned about 350 books and treatises on more than fifty sciences of knowledge[f].  His knowledge was indeed encyclopaedic [g].

 

Sufism

 

In 1294/1827 he went with his Father to Marehra Shareef to visit the Grand Master, Ghousus-Zamaan Khatimul Akaabir Sayyid Ale-Rasool Ahmadi Al-Husaini t (d. 1297/1879). He was admitted to the Qaadiriyyah Spiritual Order and was permitted to enrol and train Mureeds. He was also entrusted with similar authority in thirteen other Sufi Orders[h].

 

Pilgrimage

 

In 1295/1887 he went with his father for the first pilgrimage and received diplomas from famous Arab Scholars at Makkah Mukarrama[i]. In 1323/1905 he proceeded for his second Pilgrimage. During his stay at Makkah Mukarrama and Madina Munawwara he won the respect of noted Scholars who visited him and received from him Diplomas and Fatawa[j].

 

Master Jurist

 

On 14^th Shabaan 1286/1869 he started issuing Fatawa and gave verdicts on Muslim Jurisprudence [k]. At that time he was only a boy of less than 14 years old. 

[l]Afterwards he attained such eminence in his field that the scholars of the Indo-Pak subcontinent and also of the Islamic World acknowledged him as a great Jurist [m].  He had full command over Islamic Jurisprudence so much so that he differed in certain verdicts with the great Islamic Jurists like ‘Allama Shaami t, ‘Allama Tah’taawi t, Shah Wali’ullah t etc [n].   He had great insight in Fiqh.  The following Intellectuals, Scholars.  Philosophers and Journalists highly praised his scholarship and command over Muslim Jurisprudence.

The poet of the East Dr. Muhammad Iqbal remarked-:

“Such a genius and intelligent Jurist did not emerge.”[o]

 

The Great Mufti of India Shah Muhammad Mazharullah t commending Imam Ahmed Rida t writes:-

“I do think Imam Ahmed Rida Al-Qaadiri t was the genius and a great scholar of Ahle Sunnah Wa Jama’ah”[p].

The Theologian-cum-politician of Pakistan, Abu Al-A’la Maududi writes in his letter (dated 12 February 1974 addressed to the editor of The Monthly Tarjumaan-I-Ahle-Sunnah, Karachi):-

            In my eyes the late Imam Ahmed Rida t was the bearer of religious knowledge and insight and was a respectable leader of the majority of Muslims [q].     

 

(4) Dr. Abd-Allah (the chairman, Department of Encyclopaedia of Islam, University of Punjab, Lahore writes:

            A scholar is the mind and tongue of his nation.  And a Muslim Scholar whose, axis of thought is the Quraan and the Prophetic Tradition. He is the interpreter of science and learning; the proclaimer of righteousness and the benefactor of humanity.  It will be no exaggeration if I say that Imam Ahmed Rida t was the scholar of the same kind [r].

(5) Mr. Khurshid Ahmed while discussing the scholarship of Imam Ahmed Rida t, remarked: -

          “Imam Ahmed Rida t is one of the most important scholars of this era.  He had started writing in the last quarter of the nineteenth century A.D. and this continued till his death in 1921.  Apart from jurisprudence and Tafseer (commentary of the Holy Quraan) he was master in Philosophy and Mathematics.  The standard of his writings is very high.  Besides the translation of the Holy Quraan in idiomatic Urdu he had contributed several books in refutation of the Ahle-Hadith and the scholars of Deoband [s]. 

 

(6)     The editor of the monthly Ma’arif (a leading journal of India) observes:-

The late Imam Ahmed Rida t was a great scholar, writer and jurist of his time.  He wrote treatise pertaining to hundreds and thousands of minor and major problems concerning jurisprudence[t].

The editor of “Les Nouvellous” (Port Louis/ Mauritius) writes:-

      Imam Ahmed Rida t is a renowned writer of Islam.  Among his literary works of about 700 books, he wrote the famous Fatawa-e- Radawiyya in twelve volumes, each consisting of about 850 pages.  He had a profound knowledge of science too, for he was a Master of Mathematics, and Astronomy.  He dedicated his whole life to the religion of Allah Y and acted as a shield against those who wanted to assault the principles of the Ahle-Sunnah Wa Jama’ah, for he was truly a great defender to the Faith.  On his visit to Mecca Mukarrama and Madina Munawwara, he was greeted with great dignity and was conferred upon the title of “Imam-e-Ahle-Sunnah” by eminent theologians.  They hailed him as a “Reformer of this Century” (Mujaddid) and adopted him as their Spiritual Guide [u].

 

(7)     A well known author and critic of Indo-Pak Sub-Continent Mr. Niyaaz Fathepuri expressed his impressions regarding Imam Ahmed Rida t as under:-

              “I had a good opportunity to meet Imam Ahmed Rida t, who was an exceptionally gifted person.  His study was both varied and intensive and reflected its self in his demeanour.  In spite of humility and good–naturedness, he had a strange air of awe over his face (quoted in “Tarjuman-I-Ahle-Sunnah, Karachi, December 1975: pg. 27).

Lean and thin yet he possessed a gigantic personality.  He left a profound influence over his epoch.  None among his contemporaries was so powerful as to influence the majority of Muslim population of the Indo-Pak-Sub-Continent.  All alone from east to west and from north to south.”

 

Dr. S.M. Ikraam a renowned Pakistani scholar spotlights this influence as under:-

          “…But it is popular among the masses, and West Pakistan especially in the South West parts of Punjab, its hold is strong [v].

(8)     Mir Khaleel-al-Rahmaan, editor-in-Chief, Daily “Jang” Karachi (Pakistan) said in a Conference held in Pakistan that Imam Ahmad Raza t has left a rich treasure of knowledge for the Muslim Ummah. He commented,

          “Religious Scholars like Imam Ahmad Raza t, having full command over all faculties of knowledge (Sciences and Arts) are hardly born after many centuries. He led his whole life in following the Sunnah and for the Love of Sayyiduna Muhammad Mustafa e. Knowledge, religious and temporal, was unipersonal to his self. People, having thirst for knowledge, seek inspiration and instruction from the academic and thought-provoking treasure he left.

Millions of people belong to his School of Thought (Ahle-Sunnah-wa-Jama’at) throughout the world, practically the Indo-Pak Subcontinent[w].

Religious Services.

 

he religious turn of mind of Imam Ahmed Rida t was in creed and law unalterably determined by old traditional views.  Though he was well versed in scores of branches of knowledge yet in the later years he restricted his interest in the following branches of religious learning’s:

i)                    To support and defend the integrity of the Holy Prophet e.

ii)                   To uproot innovations prevalent in Muslim society.

iii)                 To issue Fatawa according to the Hanafi school of Jurisprudence [x].

 

He hit the targets in these fields with unshakable confidence and accuracy that none among his contemporary scholars could claim to be his equal.  This is not an exaggeration. His voluminous works, a hidden treasure to be explored by the orientalist of the world, will bear testimony to this fact.  He reviewed and revolutionized the Muslim society, especially the Muslims of the Indo-Pak sub-continent, that is why the Arab scholars like Sheikh Sayyid Isma’eel bin Khaleel t and Sheikh Moosa Ali Shaami t commended him as a Revivalist (Mujaddid) of the 14^th century A.H. If he was called the Revivalist of the century it will be right and true [y].

 

The Muslim Scholars and Saints all over the world appreciated his services to Islam and bore testimony to his extraordinary scholarship[z].

 

In 1322/1904 he founded Darul-Uloom Manzar-e-Islam at Bareilly (U.P India), which he played an important role, but the fame and prestige of Imam Ahmed Rida t was not indebted to this Darul-Uloom like others.  Scores of Darul-Uloom in India and especially in Pakistan are under his influence.

 

Imam Ahmed Rida t infused the zeal of preaching and missionary work to his Caliphs, disciples, and pupils.  Some of them rendered great services to Islam, which must be recorded in the history[aa].  His renowned Caliph Moulana Muhammad Abd al-Aleem Siddiqui t (d.1374/1954) toured all over the world, propagated Islam and made hundreds and thousands non-Muslim embrace Islam.  He met the world-renowned Irish dramatist and philosopher George Bernard Shaw on 17^th April 1935, during his visit to Mombassa and discussed the religious problems with him.  After the discussion when they parted Shaw expressed his feelings as under:-

       “I have been very pleased to make acquaintance and it will be the most precious of all memories of this trip of mine [bb]. 

Moulana Abd al-Aleem’s t son Moulana Shah Ahmed Noorani[cc] and his son-in-law, Dr. Fadl al-Rahmaan Ansaari[dd] (d. 1394/1974) also rendered great services to Islam.  The latter compiled a unique book in English with the title:-

“The Quraanic Foundations and Structure of the Muslim

 Society”. (Karachi, 1973) [ee].

 

Political Services

 

Mujaddid Ahmed Rida t, as stated earlier, was the grandson of Moulana Rida Ali Khan t (d. 1282/1866), the great theologian an warrior who fought with General Bakht Khan t against English invaders in 1250/1834.  General Hudson announced a reward of Rs. 500.00 for the one who could behead him.  An English historian writes that Rida Ali Khan t did his best against the English domination and supported the freedom fighters by fighting with them and contributing horses and weapons [ff].

Being the grandson of such a warrior he could not remain aloof from Freedom Movement.  Although he did not take any active part in the battlefield, yet he paved the way for freedom with his brilliant philosophy based on the Holy Quraan and Hadith Shareef.  It is his love of freedom that the personalities like Moulana Fazl-e-Haqq Khairabadi t (d. 1278/1861) [gg] and the Martyr poet Moulana Kifayat Ali Kafi t (d. 1275/1858)[hh] had been his favourite models.

He was against Hindu-Muslim Unity.  This was the basic idea, which can rightly be called the foundation of Pakistan.

 

In 1920, when the Islamia College, Lahore, was entangled in non-co-operation movement, with the suggestion of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal (the poet of the East) and the members of Anjuman-e-Himayat Al-Islam, Prof. Hakeem Ali the vice Principal of Islamia College, presented an Istifta (Islamic Inquiry) before Imam Ahmed Rida t.  He was seriously ill at that critical juncture but he gave his verdict undauntedly which was published as a treatise with the title of: -

  Al-Muhadjdja-al-Mu’tamina[ii]

This treatise can be called a precious and valuable document for freedom fighters.  It paved the way and changed the ideas of the great politicians like Dr. Muhammad Iqbal and Qa’id-e-Azam M.A. Jinnah.

 

His caliphs, disciples, and pupils took an active part in freedom movement.  They had discussions with Abul-Kalam Azad and Ali Brothers (i.e. Moulana Muhammad Ali and Moulana Shoukat Ali).

On the 13^th Rajab 1339/1920 a public meeting was held at Bareilly under the auspicious of Jamiyat-e-Ulama-e-Hind.  Moulana Abul-Kalam Azad, the first Minister of Education of Bharat (India) was on the stage.  Imam Ahmed Rida’s Caliphs Moulana Sayyid Sulaiman Ashraf t, Moulana Muhammad Zafrudeen t, Moulana Haamid Rida Khan t (eldest son of Imam Ahmed Rida t) Moulana Burhan Al-Haqq t, etc., were also invited.  They had open and free discussions on political issues publicly with Moulana Abul-Kalam Azaad and refuted Hindu-Muslim Unity [jj].

In 1946/1366 and ideal conference was held at Benares (India).  Hundreds and thousands Ulama (followers of Imam Ahmed Rida t) from all over Indo-Pak Sub-Continent attended this conference.  A resolution was unanimously passed in favour of Pakistan and thenceforward his caliphs and disciples and followers expanded and enhanced their political activities all over Indo-Pak Sub-Continent [kk].  Among them the following were prominent: -

 

1.      Moulana Sayyid Muhammad Muhaddith t (d. 1383/1963)

2.      Moulana Muhammad Na’eemudeen t (d. 1367/1948)

3.      Moulana Sayyid Muhammad Ahmed t (d. 1367/1961)

4.      Mufti Muhammad Omar t (d. 1385/1966)

5.      Moulana Muhammad Abd al-Aleem t (d. 1374/1954)[ll]

6.      Moulana Muhammad Shareef t (d. 1371/1951)

7.      Moulana Abd al-Haamid Badayuni t (d. 1390/1970)

 

Imam Ahmed Rida t had strong hold on Muslim masses and it was masses that made the movement in Pakistan a success.  The majority of the Muslim voters were under the influence of him, his caliphs, disciples, and pupils.  So the credit should go to him and his followers.  Historians of the world especially of Indo-Pak Sub-Continent should draw their attention to this most significant aspect of freedom movement [mm].

The love of the Holy Prophet e, is the summum bonum of Islamic politics and has played important role in the history of Muslim world.  Imam Ahmed Rida t was the torchbearer of this love in the Indo-Pak Sub-Continent.  The only motto of his life was the “Love of the Holy Prophet e” and he could leave no stone unturned in defending this love.  Throughout his life and in all his works he maintained this motto and in this respect he could not compromise with any.

His poetry totally depended on this love.  Hence it has great religion-political importance.  He awakened the Muslim Nation from a sound sleep, purified their hearts and kindled the fire of love in an atmosphere where the people tried their best to extinguish it.

 

Literary Service.

Imam Ahmed Rida t was a poet of high calibre.  He adopted Naat[nn], the most difficult of all branches of poetry, but all the same he reached at the highest pinnacles.  He was an unrivalled lover of the Holy Prophet e, a great scholar and a great saint.  These mental spiritual qualities elevated his poetry and made it highly ecstatic, lucid and profusely rich with rhetoric’s [oo].

It is regretted that the Urdu literature has been the target of sectarianism that is why he was deliberately neglected in Urdu literature by the latter historians and biographers.  And even today the scholars hesitate to appreciate his poetry with open hearts due to sectarian bias.

For the first time, after half a century, Moulana Kousar Niyazi the Minister of Religious Affairs, Government of Pakistan, and himself a brilliant Poet, publicly paid homage to Imam Ahmed Rida t, which is most daring and highly appreciable.  In a gathering at Karachi, on 13^th April 1975/1395 he expressed his feelings in his presidential address as under: -

          There was born a person is Bareilly who was the Imam (guide) of Naat writes and whose name is Imam Ahmed Rida Barellwi t.  It is possible that some might differ from him on some points or the difference may be on some dogmas, but there is no doubt that his Na’ats are completely full with the love of the Holy Prophet e[pp].

How astonishing it is that from 1920 to 1970 A.D he remained in darkness as a poet in literary circles.  But since 1970 the sincere efforts of some workers like Hakeem Muhammad Moosa (Lahore) etc. have turned the tables.  And it’s mainly due to his efforts that scholars of Pakistan have made the facts come to light.  A few facts about the poetry of Imam Ahmed Rida t are presented here, from which one can easily judge his rank among the poets of Urdu.

 

i)                    Mirza Dagh of Delhi (d. 1323/1905) was the teacher of Moulana Hasan Rida Khan t, the younger brother of Imam Ahmed Rida t.  One day he enjoyed a verse of Imam Ahmed Rida t by the lips of his younger brother.  He was overwhelmed by it and remarked:-

“Lo, a Molvi [qq], and such a fine verse!”[rr]

ii)                   The Qaseedah-e-Naatiyya (encomium in praise of the Holy Prophet e of Mohsin Kakorvi (d. 1323/1905) is considered to be the best in Urdu literature.  But when Mohsin himself called on Imam Ahmed Rida t to recite this Qaseedah before him and listened his Qaseedah Meh’raajiyya (encomium in praise of the Holy Prophet’s accession) [ss].  Mohsin has been so impressed that he folded his own Qaseedah and put it in his pocket [tt]

iii)                 Commenting on this Qaseedah-e-Meh’raajiyya the eminent poets of Lucknow expressed their view unanimously:-

           “Its language has been washed in “Kouthar” (name of a river in Paradise)[uu].     

iv)                 The well-known commentator of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, the poet of the east, Professor Yusuf Saleem Chishti commending the Salaam[vv] of Imam Ahmed Rida t says:-

               There is hardly any person who does not remember two or four lines of his Salaam by heart [ww].

v)                  The most eminent scholar of Pakistan Dr. Ghulaam Mustafa Khan, (Head of the Department of Urdu, University of Sindh, Hyderabad, Pakistan) discussing the poetry of Imam Ahmed Rida t explained his view about one of his Qaseedah’s as “unparalleled in the history of Urdu literature”.  He gave an extension lecture at the University of Karachi on “Urdu Sharee’ah and Tasawwuf.”

In this lecture he highly praised the poetry of Imam Ahmed Rida t especially a poem from his Diwan “Hada’q-e-Bakshish” (1325/1907) [xx].

He expressed: -

It will be advisable to refer to a Devotee of the Holy Prophet e, viz. Imam Ahmed Rida t (d. 1340/1921).  From whom our writers, continued to turn a deaf ear but perhaps he was the only Muslim Theologian who used countless Urdu idioms in his prose and poetry. And made Urdu poetry sublime by his scholarship- and for whom the love of the Holy Prophet e was the main stay of Sufism, (Photostat, and p9).

vi)                 Dr. Farman Fathepuri- a leading writer of Pakistan writes in his book “Urdu Ki Na’tiyyah Sha’iri (Lahore: 1394\1974, p. 86)

“The name of Imam Ahmed Rida Barellwi t is most prominent among Muslim Theologians as Naat writer”.

vii)           Niyaz Fathpuri, a renowned poet and critic of both India and Pakistan comments on the poetic art of Imam Ahmed Rida t as:-

Poetry and literature are my domains in particular.  I have gone through Na’atiyya poetry of Imam Ahmed Rida t with interest and attention.  The first impression, which one gathers from his poetry, is that of his devout love for the Holy Prophet of Islam e and secondly his vastness of knowledge, sublimate of thought and excellence of expression strike one.  His indiviDu’ality is also reflected but simply as a foil to his love for the Prophet e in his Naats.  This note of indiviDu’ality sounds like poetic exaggeration to those who are unaware of his poetic art.  In fact his ideas are full of realism.  Moulana Hasrat Mohani (a poet and freedom fighter) was also highly appreciative of Imam Ahmed Rida t… Imam Ahmed Rida t was also well versed in Arabic idiom and the art of scansion”.

(Quoted in “Tardjuman-e-Ahle-Sunnah, Karachi, December, 1975. P.28)

viii)              Recently Shafiq Barellwi has published a beautiful collection of selected Naats with the title of “Armughaan-e-Naat (Karachi,1975).  In this collection he has included the Naat of Imam Ahmed Rida t [yy].

 

Demise

 

mam Ahmed Rida t gave verdict (Fatawa) for more than half a century (from 1286/1896 – 1339/1921) fortified the faith of Muslim masses and showed the right path to the Muslim Politicians at that critical juncture of 1920.  Thus he completed his mission and now he was preparing for his last journey.  On Friday 25^th Safar 1340/1921, he left this mundane world for Heaven [zz].  His mausoleum is situated at Bareilly Shareef (U.P. India) and his death anniversary (Urs Shareef) is commemorated all over the World on the 24^th and 25^th of Safar, and special issues of newspaper and periodicals are published.

 

Descendants

 

mam Ahmed Rida t had two sons and five daughters.  His sons Hujjatul-Islam Moulana Haamid Rida t (d. 1362/1943) and Mufti Azam-e-Hind Moulana Mustafa Rida t (b. 1310/1892) are great Sufis and celebrated Scholars of Islam.  They rendered great services to Islam and the Muslim Ummah in general [aaa].

 

Caliphs

 

mam Ahmed Rida’s t Caliphs are spreading far and wide all over India and Pakistan and also in the Islamic world.  Nearly 35 in the Islamic world and 30 in Indo-Pak Sub-Continent [bbb].  These are the leading ones: -

1.      Sheikh Muhammad Abdal-Hayy t.

2.      Sheikh Ahmed Khaleel t.

3.      Sheikh Ahmed Khudravi t.

4.      Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abu-Bakr t.

5.      Sheikh Muhammad Saeed t, etc.

 

India and Pakistan

 

1.      Hujjatul-Islam Moulana Haamid Rida Al-Qaadiri t (d. 1362/1943).

2.      Malikul-Ulama Moulana Sayyid Muhammad Zafrudeen t (d. 1382/1962).

3.      Moulana Didaar Ali t (d. 1354/1935).

4.      Sadrush-Sharee’ah Moulana Amjad Ali t[ccc](d. 1367/1948).

5.      Sadrul-Afaadil Moulana Sayyid Muhammad Na’im al-Din t[ddd](d. 1367/1948).

6.      Moulana Shah Sulaiman Ashraf (d. 1352/1933).

7.      Moulana Sayyid Ahmed Ashraf t (d. 1344/1925).

8.      Moulana Muhammad Abd al-Aleem Siddiqui t[eee]

The following caliphs died in the eighties and were source of knowledge and spiritualism for prosperity: -

1.      Mufti A’zam Moulana Mustafa Rida Al-Qaadiri t (Bareilly, India), d.  1981

2.      Qutbe-Madina Sheikh Diya al-Deen Ahmad Siddiqui Al-Madani t (Madina Munawwara, Hijaaz), d.  1980

3.      Moulana Burhan al-Haq Qaadiri t (Jabalpur, India),

      d.  1980

4.      Moulana Sayyid Ahmed Abul-Barkaat t, (Lahore, Pakistan),                     d.  1980

 

Works

 

mam Ahmed Rida t was a genius writer.  He started writing from his early age.  His first book was the Arabic commentary of Hidaya al-Nahv, which, he wrote at the age of ten years.  The second book was Dau’al-Nihaya in Arabic, which he wrote in 1285/1868 at the age of thirteen.  He wrote numerous books and treatise in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu on diversified topics.  These are estimated more than 1000 on more than 50 branches of knowledge[fff].  In 1305/1887 at the age of 30 years he had completed 75 books and treatises[ggg].  In 1327/1909 this number increased up to 500[hhh].

Apart from these contributions he had written annotations[iii] and commentaries on more than 150 books pertaining to various branches of learning[jjj].  But it is deplorable that even scholars like Dr. S.M. Ikram was unaware of the correct number of Imam Ahmed Rida’s t writings, and their real value, that is why he writes: -

Molvi Ahmed Rida t wrote some fifty pamphlets on controversial subjects[kkk].  

But in this special branch the correct number is more than 500.  I have gone through some pamphlets and I can dare to say that each pamphlet is a research paper of high degree whose bibliography consists of innumerable books.  His books and treatises are lying unpublished at Bareilly.  Very few have been published at Bareilly, Muradabad, Lahore, Karachi, etc. so far.

 

Mr. Shams Al-Din a contributor to the voluminous history of literature of the Muslim of Indo-Pakistan confesses that Imam Ahmed Rida t: -

Wrote hundreds and thousands books on various controversial and scientific topics[lll].

The most voluminous work is the collection of Verdicts i.e. Fatawa-e-Radawiyya.  In 1324/1904, he had completed its 7 volumes, which afterwards increased up to 12 volumes of 26×  20 size each volume containing more than 1000 pages.

               

When Sheikh Isma’eel Khaleel, the curator of library in Mecca Mukarrama read the specimen of these Fatawa (verdicts) he was puffed up with joy and wrote to Imam Ahmad Rida:

By Allah if Abu Haneefa Nu’mai would have gone through these Fatawa undoubtedly it could have been his heart’s delight and granted its writer among his pupils [mmm].

A prominent figure from the opposition camp and a famous writer Hakeem Abda-Hayy of Lucknow (d. 1341/1923) admits: -

During his stay in Mecca Mukarrama and Madina Munawwara (1324/1906) he wrote several treatises and gave verdicts to dome questions received from the scholars.  They were dumb stricken to see his vast information on the text of books on Muslim Jurisprudence and disputed dogmas; his rapid writing and intelligence [nnn]. 

A renowned theologian and a great saint of Delhi, Hadrat Moulana Zayd Abu al-Hassan Farooqi (who completed his education at Al-Azhar, Cairo) acknowledged the unrivalled mastery of Moulana Ahmed Rida t over jurisprudence and other branches of learning in the following words: -

“None can deny the erudition of Moulana Ahmed Rida t in the field of Fiqh.  He was, no doubt the greatest Faqhi (jurist) of his time”.

He added: -

“Kifaayat al-Mufti of Moulana Kifayat-Allah (compiled and published by Moulana Hafiz Al-Rahmaan Wasif at Delhi) is simply of little value to me, as it provides no reference or citation.  Hence its validity is questionable.  On the contrary the Fatawa of Imam Ahmed Rida t are not only argumentatively convincing and rational but are supported by authentic reference.  They are unique in depth and magnitude and broaden ones horizons of vision.  They are assets to known and remember scores of reference.  One should not, however, look to that image of Imam Ahmed Rida t, which the pseudo-scholars have, envisages.  There was no equal to him in scholarship and the profound knowledge of jurisprudence among his contemporaries. 

(Quoted from a despatch of Moulana Muhammad Mukarrama, Fathpuri-Mosque Delhi, dated 18^th December 1975).

Even the antagonists of Imam Ahmed Rida t referred to these Fatawa.  For instance, the Mufti of his opposite camp Molvi Kifayat-Allah (d. 1327/1925), consulted and ratiocinated these Fatawa[ooo] and admitted that Moulana Ahmed Rida t had full command over the subtleties of Muslim Jurisprudence as stated by Mufti Muhammad Mehmood of Alwar (Hyderabad-Pakistan).

The second important work, which Imam Ahmed Rida t contributed towards religious knowledge, is the translation of the Holy Quraan in Urdu language.  It has its own characteristics. 

This translation was published under the title of Kanzul-Imam with marginal notes by his Caliph Moulana Muhammad Na’eem al-Din t under the title Khaza’n al-Irfan in 1330/1911.

There are many complete and incomplete translations of the Holy Quraan in Urdu language.  More than 25 translations had been compiled before Kanz al-Imaan while more than 50 have been compiled after its publication.  But in all these translations, Kanzul-Imaan seems to stand first.  The translator passes smoothly from such delicate places where it was impossible.

Among some of his works are included the following: -

 

Quraan Tafseer;

1   Al-Nofha Al –Faha                  (1315/1897)

2.  Jalib Al-Jinan                           (1322/1904)

3.  Kanzul-Iman                             (1330/1911)

 

Traditions

1.  Al-Nudjum al-Thawaqi            (1296/1878)

2.      Al-Raud al-Bahij                        

3.      Madarij-e-Tabaq at al-Hadith   (1313/1895)

 

Jurisprudence

1.  Rahiq al-lhqaq                          (1311/1893)

2.  Al-ka’s Al-Dihaq                      (1313/1895)

3.  Al-Shir’a al-Bahiyya                 (1317/1897)

4.  Rad al-Qudat                             (1323/1905)

5.  Djad al-Mumtar                        (1326/1908)

6.  Al-Ataya Al-Nabawi fi Al Fatawa al-Radawiyya  (1326/1908) in  12 volumes.

 

Sufism

1.  Bawariq-e-Taluh                        (1311/1893)

2.  Nika al-Sulafa                             (1319/1901)

 

Law of inheritance

1.  Al-Maqsad al-Nafi                      (1315/1897)

2.  Tib al-Imaan                               (1317/1899)

 

Scholasticism

1.  Al-Sa’I al-Mushkur                     (1290/1873)

 

Logic

1.  Maqam al-Hadid                         (1304/1886)

 

 

Fractions

1.  Ata’b al-iksir                               (1296/1878)

 

Geometry

1.  Al-Ishkal al-Uqlaydis                  (1306/1888)

2.  A’ali al-Ataya                              (1319/1901)

3.  Adjmal al-Dara                            (1320/1902)

 

Mathematics

1.  Azm al-Bazi                                 (1319/1901)

2.  Kalam al-Fahim                            (1319/1901)

3.  Jadawil al-Riyadi                          (1319/1901)

4.  Al-Mauhibat                                  (1319/1901)

5.  Al-Budur                                       (1323/1905)

6.  Kitab al-Arithmatic                       (1325/1907)

 

Astronomy

1.  Aqmar al-In-Shirah                         (1319/1901)

2.  Al-Sura al-Mudjaz                          (1319/1901)

3.  Al-Kalimat al-Mulhima                  (1338/1919)

4.  Fauz-e-Mubeen                                  (1339/1920)

5.  Nuzul-e-ayat-e-Furqan                    (1339/1920)

6.  Djada Al-Tulu                                  (1925/1907)

 

Timings

1.  Al-Andjab al-Aniq                           (1319/1901)

2.  Kashfal-Ula                                      (1324/1906)

3.  Dur al-Qubh                                      (1326/1908)

 

Horoscopes

1.  Musaffir ul-Matal                              (1324/1906)

 

Astrology

1.  Zaki al-Baha                                       (1325/1907)

 

Algebra

1.  Hal al-Muadilat                                   (1325/1907)

 

 

Cipher

1.  Al-Thawaqib al Radiwiyya                  (1321/1903)

2.  Al-Djadawil Al Radiwiyya                   (1321/1903)

3.  Al Adjwiba Al Radiwiyya                     (1321/1903)

 

Poetry

1.  Hada’q-e-Bakshish  (Two Volumes)    (1325/1907)

 

Phonetics

1.  Al-Djam al-Dad                                       (1317/1800)

 

Chemistry

1.  Al-Matr al-Sa’id etc.                   

 

N.B.

The above is a very short list of the Great Imam’s works. One may consult Mohjam al-Muaddid li-Talifaat al-Mujaddid[ppp] for a complete list of his works on numerous sciences.

 

Conclusion

 

Perhaps the world’s orientalists will be surprised to hear about this Genius of the East after the passage of half a century.  Undoubtedly it is most astonishing.  But unfortunately all the writings of Imam Ahmed Rida t none of the Muslim historians and writers of the Indo-Pak Sub-continent took the trouble to know about him.  Consciously or unconsciously they neglected him.  This negligence continued for about half a century. 

The Europeans and American historians working on the topics pertaining to the East, generally depend on secondary sources.  They have no access to the direct sources especially, which are written in Urdu.  Thus unconsciously they remained in darkness.

 

That is why they do not know even the name of Imam Ahmed Rida khan t.  Dr J.M.S Baljon, professor of Islamology in the University of Leiden (Holland) had written me that he did not know the name of Ahmed Rida t.

 

Imam Ahmed Rida t came across to many rivalries and hostilities at religious and political platforms.  Molvi Hussein Ahmed of Deoband (India) (d. 1377/1957) the most prominent figure of Darul-Uloom, Deoband and Jami’at-e-Ulama-e-Hind, was his opponent at religious platforms[qqq], while Moulana Zafar Ali Khan, the most prominent figure in journalism and politics, was on the political front[rrr], and there were many other antagonists.  This opposition from the opponents’ camp caused great havoc.  As a result the opponents prevailed in educated society while Imam Ahmed Rida t dominated among the Muslim masses as Dr. S.M. Ikram explained:

Owing to the absence of a major Madrassa like that of Deoband the influence of the Barellwi Group among the educated classes has not been very considerable[sss], but it is popular among the masses, and in West Pakistan especially in the Southern-Western parts of the Punjab, its hold is strong[ttt].

It is due to this lack of influence on educated classes that while referring to the followers of Imam Ahmed Rida t, Professor Azeez Ahmed contemptuously remarks:

Old rivalry between Deobandi and the even more fanatical and self-centred Barellwi Ulama was also transplanted to Pakistan[uuu]. 

Had Imam Ahmed Rida been in Europe he would have attracted the scholars of the world.  The survey of his writings requires incessant efforts.  A biography must be compiled in English to introduce him in the East and the West.

Professors of Islamology in the world universities should especially draw their attention to this genius of the East[vvv].

Recently (Feb. 1975/1395) Dr. Mukhtaar-ud-Deen Aarzu, Head of the Department of Arabic, Muslim University, Aligarh relayed a speech on Imam Ahmed Rida t from All India Radio.

I think the time has come and the scholars should unveil the facts;

The time of unveiling has come, the beloved Will be seen by all.

The secret which was Veiled by silence shall now become manifest.

*********

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mas’ood Ahmad (MA, Phd.)

Karachi, Pakistan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

خطبه

نحمده و نصلى على رسوله الكريم

احسن المكتوبات + و عمدة الملفوظات + حمد مبدع انطق الموجودات + بان لا اله الا الله ولا موجود الا الله و اخرج المحدومات + من العدم الى الوجود فشهدن ان لا مشهود الا الله فالحمد لله الذى خلق الانسان  + و علمه البيان + و انطقه بفصيح اللسان + والصلوة والسلام الاتمام الاكملان + على سيد الانس و الجان + عميم الجود الاحسان + شفيعنا يوم الجزع  و الفزع عند الملك الديّان + الذى على المؤمنين نمحض كرمه حنّان منّان + و قهّار على اجيال البغى والعناد والفساد و الكفران + جبّار على المرثدين و على من كفر به و برسوله  ديان + نبي الرحمة ذى الكرم و الغفران + حامى الايمان ، ماحى الطغيان + غافر الذنوب و الفسوق و العصيان + سيدنا و مولانا ناصرنا و ماوانا حامينا و ملجأنا السلطان + ابى القاسم محمد رسول ربنا الرحمان + و على اله و صحبه الذين صدقوه بالاذعان + و أمنوا بمولاهم بالتصيق و الاتقان + هم للدين اساس و بنيان و اركان + اللهم احشرنا معهم بكرمك  و ادخلنا بهم دار الجنان + برحمتك و مغفرتك يا كريم يارحيم  ياغفار يا سبحان + آمين آمين برحمتك يا ارحم الراحمين +

 

 

 

PREFACE

 

Alhamdulillah! The lives of the Awliya are indeed a great blessing of Almighty Allah Y. All hardships are removed by their august existence and all difficulties are solved by their presence. Subhaanallah! Their Divinely blessed status and authority dazzles the minds of the inspired. The Scales of Intelligence cannot weigh their intellect nor can it comment on it. Allahu-Akbar! Their every word, action, movement and intention is a living example and manifestation of the Secrets of the Sublime Lord Y. Their existence is a reflection of the Attributive Status of Almighty Allah Y. But only Allah Y is Eternal and will always live as stated in the Holy Quraan,

كل شئ هالك الا وجهه * كل من عليها فان و يبقى وجه ربك ذو الجلال و الاكرام *

Everything will perish in the universe besides His Glory

 

Only Allah Y alone is Eternal and no one else possesses this status. All creation will perish one day and He Y alone will exist. Therefore, the illustrious predecessors always compiled the anecdotes of the Elite Servants of Allah so that it will serve as a guiding light and benefit to the future generations. In it are found the treasures of great wisdom, advises, good conduct, love and secrets of the sacred Sharee’ah and Tareeqah and the wealth of Haqiqah and Maarifah. This is a gift left by the illustrious Awliya for the coming generations and will systematically continue till Qiyaamah. How true is the saying,

نه تنها عشق از ديدار خيزد      بساكين دولت از كفتار خيزد

Translation

 

In my early youth I did pay any attention to this reality. But as I grew up in the august company of this great Aarif of Allah Y, things certainly changed. It is true when it is said,

الصحبة مؤثرة  *

Company has great effect.

 

So it had been. The company was no ordinary company. It was the company of the senior representative of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r, the Master of the Ulama, the Crown of the Aarifs, the Imam of the Awliya and the Mujaddid of Islam. He was that personality, who was addressed by the illustrious Ulama of Haramain Shareefain as,

انه السيد الفرد الامام *

Verily he is the Unique master if the Leaders (Imams of Islam)

 

These Ulama took Bay’at on his hands and accepted him as their Ustaaz. They also took Sanads (Certificates) of Hadith Shareef and Khilafat from him. They also addressed him as Ala’ Hadrat. So the company of such an eminent personality certainly generated great Barkaat. Ala’Hadrat Imamul-Akbar Ahmad Rida Al-Qaadiri t was undisputedly a Mujaddid of the century and the most dignified Aalim and Aarif of his time. His inspiring company conditioned and enlightened my entire existence. I thank Almighty Allah Y for blessing me with this inspiration in my youth, as it is the most difficult period in the life of an individual. His company made me a true human (Insaan) and a sincere Muslim. I have no words to thank Allah Y for the great blessing. الحمد لله على ذالك !   This association made me fully aware of the reality of life and it removed all desires of youth. How true are the words of the great Aarif, Moulana Jalaludeen Rumi t,

صحبتِ صالح ترا  صالح كند *

The company of the Pious makes you Pious.

 

I personally experienced this truth of Moulana Jalaaludeen’s t words. On the same note, Sheikh Saadi Shiraazi t said some beautiful lines. I repeatedly recite them and every time I read them, I enjoy a new feeling. He says,

قطعه

1

 

 

May my life be sacrificed at the feet of this great Wali of Allah Y. From the moment I joined his inspiring company, I could differentiate between good and bad in a very young age. I became very conscious of the forbidden and kept away from them. I began spending most of my time in the company of Ala’Hadrat t engaged in fulfilling the commandments of Almighty Allah Y. The Imam’s company was indeed very beneficial because he solved intricate and fine problems of Sharee’ah and Tareeqah in a second while we remained entangled in them for years. I saw great Ulama being confused in issues for long periods of time and could not find a solution. But when they were presented to the Noble Imam, he instantly solved them as if it was a simple issue while other Scholars failed. We remained dumbfounded at his simplified answers.

 

These gems of wisdom were scattered and only benefited those who were close to Ala’Hadrat, so I decided to gather them so that the entire Ummah may benefit from them. Again, this was very difficult because I did not have enough time, and secondly, it was not an easy task. I made many attempts but pulled back because of lack of courage. One day I pulled myself together and made up my mind to undertake this important task. I remembered the saying,

السعي مني و الإتمام من الله *

I will make the effort and (trust that) Allah Y will complete it.

 

I read حسبنا الله و نعم الوكيل, picked up my pen and began beading this beautiful garland of wisdom. I trust that my Merciful Allah Y will bless me with salvation for this humble effort, Aameen.

اين دعا از من و از جمله جهان آمين باد !*

This Du’a is from me and (I request) the rest of the world to say Aameen.

والله تعالي وليّ التوفيق و هو حسبي و خير رفيق و صلي الله تعالي علي خير خلقه سيّدنا و مولانا محمّد و آله و صحبه أجمعين *

I intended to gather the anecdotes daily but other commitments became a problem. However, whatever I could gather, I present it to the Ummah for their reading pleasure and sincerely hope that the Merciful Lord Y will accept it.

و هو حسبي و ربي *

He Y is my Lord and He Y is sufficient for me.

 

I have hope that if Allah Y accepts my endeavour; it will be sufficient for my salvation in the Hereafter. I also request my Sunni brethren to make Du’as for me that Almighty Allah Y forgive me and grant me higher stations in Jannah, Aameen.  

بحرمة سيد المرسلين النبي الامين المكين صلي الله تعالي و بارك و سلم عليه و علي كل من هو محبوب و مرضى لربه *

 

Ghousus-Zamaan, Mufti A’zam  Hind

Imam Mustafa Rida Al-Qaadiri Noori t.

Bareilly Shareef,

India.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS ENTIRE MALFOZAAT SHAREEF IS BASED ON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.  THEREFORE, THE TEXT WILL APPEAR LIKEWISE.

 

Yrut

 

QUESTION: Moulana Abd al-Aleem Siddiqui Meeruti t was present and asked Ala’ Hadrat t this question, "What was the first thing created by Allah I?"

ANSWER: The Hadith Shareef[www] states:

يا جابر إنَّ الله قد خلق قبل الأشياء نور نبيك من نوره *

Oh Jaabir! Verily the very first thing Almighty Allah I created was the Noor of your Nabi from His Noor.

 

QUESTION: I mean the first creation pertaining to this world (دنيا).

ANSWER: Allah I created the skies in four days and the earth in two days, i.e. from Sunday to Wednesday, the skies and Thursday to Friday, the earth. He also created Sayyiduna Nabi Adam u between Asr and Maghrib on the same Friday.

 

QUESTION: What is the lowest stage of spiritual knowledge (علم الباطن)?

ANSWER: Sheikh Zun-Noon Misri t says, "Once I undertook a spiritual journey and came with the knowledge that was accepted by the general public (خواص و عوام). In my second travel I brought knowledge that was only accepted by the learned scholars (علماء) and rejected by the ordinary man.  On return from the third journey I brought knowledge that was rejected by both, the Ulama and the general public”. N.B.: - This travel does not refer to physical journeys but a spiritual travel undertaken by the heart (قلب). This is the situation of spiritual knowledge and the lowest degree of this knowledge is fully acknowledging it. One must accept the instructions given by a master of this science. Sheikh-e-Akbar Muhiyyudeen Ibn Arabi t states, “The lowest stage of Divinely Blessed knowledge is the affirmation and verification of those (عارفين) who possess it. One will surely reject it if one is ill-informed.” The Hadith Shareef reads:

اغد عالماً أو متعلماً أو مستمعاً أو محباً ولا تكن الخامس فتهلك *

Get up in the morning in a state that you be an Aalim or a seeker of knowledge. Or one who sits in the company of an Aalim or at least loves an Aalim. Do not be in the fifth state (i.e. other than the four mentioned) because you will go astray.”

 

Therefore, it is Haraam for a non-Aalim (ignorant of Islamic law) to lecture and preach the Deen to the people.

 

QUESTION: What is the meaning of Ilm (knowledge)?

ANSWER: The meaning of Ilm is that one be fully equipped with the Aqaa'id (beliefs) of Islam and this knowledge must be constantly fresh in the mind at all times. One must also have the capability of solving any question on Deen from Kitaabs without the assistance of any person.

 

QUESTION: Does one acquire Ilm by studying books only?

ANSWER: This is not sufficient. Sitting in the company of the learned and the pious also develops Ilm. Their company, talks and advice have a great bearing in obtaining knowledge.

 

QUESTION: What is the time period required for Mujahida? (i.e. spiritual struggle to gain Divine Presence to Almighty Allah I)

ANSWER: One requires 80 years of sincere devotion to perfect Mujahida.

 

QUESTION: Does a person start Mujahida at the age of 80 or is 80 years required for it?

ANSWER: The happenings in this world are attributed to reasons. It is very possible that the Divine Grace of the Merciful Lord I can bridge this huge gap. On the contrary, 80 full years consecutively is required for its perfection. But if the Divine Mercy of Allah I is focused on the Saalik (Devotee) then within seconds a non-believer is blessed with Imaan and transformed into an Abdaal  (high ranking Wali). If one totally devotes oneself in a sincere dedication to Allah I then certainly the mercies of Allah I will assist one as stated in the Holy Quraan:                             

والذين جاهدوا فينا لنهدينهم سبلنا *

And those who make Mujahida in the paths of Allah I, He (Allah I) surely guides them on the paths.

 

QUESTION: If one devotes oneself totally in Mujahida, how would it possible for one to earn a living?

ANSWER: Earning a living for such a person itself is Mujahida as long as his intentions are sincere and he executes his duties properly towards Allah I. Such person’s Mujahida is greater than that of the Hermits, if his intentions are sincere like that of Imam Abd al-Haqq Asfarani t.  This great Imam at the time of Fitna of the heretics went on the mountains and addressed the Awliya who were in Mujahida,

يا أكلة  الحشيش انتم هاهنا و أمة محمد صلى الله تعالى عليه وسلم في الفتن *

Oh you who eat dry grass! You are in seclusion here and the Ummah of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r is in a state of confusion!

 

They replied, “Oh Imam! That is your duty and it is not possible for us to do.” The illustrious Imam returned to the city and with the power of his vast knowledge silenced the heretics.

 

QUESTION: Does pain and grief of this world affect the purity of one’s heart?

ANSWER: It certainly does disturb the peace and spiritual concentration of the heart.

 

QUESTION: Which days are good for travel?

ANSWER: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. It is stated in the Hadith Shareef that if a person leaves before sunrise on a Saturday for travel then I (Holy Prophet r) am his security. Ala’ Hadrat t then states, “Alhamdulillah! My second trip for Hajj and my return were within these 3 days and by the Grace of Allah I I was born on a Saturday.”

 

QUESTION: What was the age of Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr Siddique t when he embraced Islam?

ANSWER: He was 38 years old.  Ala’ Hadrat t says, “With the exception of Sayyiduna Uthmaan Al-Ghani t who was 83 years old at the time of his Shahadah, the rest of the three Khulafa and Sayyiduna Ameer Muaa’wiyya t were 63 years old when they passed away. There was a difference in dates but their age was the same (i.e. 63 years). Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r was 63 years old also when he passed away.”

 

QUESTION: What was the Madhab (belief) of Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr As- Siddique t prior to him embracing Islam?

ANSWER: He never made Sajda to an idol. Once, when he was four years old, his father took him in front of an idol in the Kaabah and said to him,

هؤلاء الهتك الشم العلي فاسجد لهم *

This is your mighty Lord, so make Sajda to him.

 

When he heard this he said to the idol, “I am hungry, feed me. I am naked, cloth me. I will throw a stone at you, if you are the Lord then defend yourself.” There was no response from the idol. So he took a stone and hit the idol. The Divinely blessed power and force of the stone dropped the idol. On seeing this, his father became furious and slapped him on the face.  He then took him home and complained to the mother. She replied, "Leave him alone because when he was born I heard someone from the Unseen saying to me,

يا أمة الله بالتحقيق البشرى بالولد العتيق اسمه في السماء الصديق لمحمد صاحب و رفيق *

O servant lady of Allah! Glad tiding to you on the birth of this free child whose name in the skies is Siddique (Truthful) and he will be the close companion of Muhammad r.

 

At that time I did not know who Muhammad r was and what all this meant”. Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr Siddique t personally reported this incident to the Holy Prophet r. After he reported this, an Angel appeared and confirmed,

صَدَق أبو بكر و هو الصديق *

Abu-Bakr speaks the truth and he is Siddique  (Truthful).

 

This Hadith Shareef is recorded in عوالي الفرش إلي معالي العرش Awaliyul-Farsh ila Ma'aaliyul-Arsh and quoted by Imam Ahmad Qastalaani t in his commentary of Sahih Al-Bukhari. 

 

From the moment that Sayyiduna Siddique t joined the company of the Holy Prophet t, he was never absent from his side so much so that after Sayyiduna Siddique t passed away, he was buried at the side of Sayyidul Alameen t.  Once the Holy Prophet t took the left hand of Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr t in his right hand and the right hand of Sayyiduna Omar Al-Farooq t in his left hand and said,

هكذا نبعث يوم القيامة *

This is how we would be raised on the Day of Qiyaamah.

 

Imam-e-Ahle Sunnah, Imam Abul Hasan Ash'ari t states,

لم يزل أبو بكر بعين الرضا من الله تعالى *

Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr t was always accepted by the pleasure of Allah I.

 

Imam Ibn Asakar t and Imam Zahri t, both students of Sayyiduna Anas Ibn Maalik t, narrated this Hadith Shareef,

من فضل أبو بكر انه لم يشك في الله ساعة *

One of the qualities of Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr t is that he never had a doubt about Allah I.

Imam Abd al-Wah’haab Sharaani t in his famous Kitaab;

  اليواقيت و الجواهر في عقائد الاكابر Al-youwaqeet-wal-Jawaahir-fi-Aqaa’id-al-Akaabir records this Hadith Shareef that once Sayyiduna Rasoolullah t said to Sayyiduna Siddique t

اتذكر يوم يوم *

Do you remember that day?

 

Sayyiduna Siddique t replied, “Yes I remember that day and I also remember that you (The Holy Prophet t), were the first person to say بلى ‘yes’.” Sayyiduna Abu-Bakr As-Siddique t, from the first day of this covenant to the day of his birth, and from the day of his birth till his demise, and from his demise till eternity, is the chief and master of the Muslimeen and Siddiqeen. The state of Sayyiduna Ali Al-Murtuda t is the same. I (Imam Ahmed Rida t) have written a book specifically on this subject. If anyone wants more details on this topic can consult my Kitaab, which I named;

صويه المكانة الحيدريّة عن وصمة عهد الجاهلية

QUESTION: Is it permissible to eat food of Giyaarwi Shareef[xxx] at the home of a launderer (دهوبى) or one who washers' clothes?

ANSWER: There is no harm to eat at a launderer’s home. It is a practice held among the ignorant that his food is unclean. This is baseless and incorrect. Surely, it is not correct to eat food at the home of a prostitute and if she buys with her impure earnings, it is Haraam.  If one sells her anything and if she pays from her unlawful earnings, this is Haraam. But if she borrows the money and pays you, this is permissible. Allah I knows best.

 

QUESTION: What is the ruling of Sharee’ah if some of the milk of a woman enters the throat of an infant?

ANSWER: If the milk of a woman enters through the nostril or mouth of a child and reaches the stomach, then the law of foster-ship will apply and that child will be regarded as the women's foster child. This was the very first Fatwa I had answered on the 14^th Shabaan 1289 Hijri and on this date I was appointed a Mufti (Mansabe-Iftah). It was also on this day that Salaah became Fard on me (age of puberty).  I was born at the time of Zohr Salaah on Saturday 10 Shawwaal 1272 Hijri, which is 14 June 1856. My age was 13 years, 10 months and 4 days when I was blessed with the title of Mufti.  Alhamdulillah, till this day I am constantly engaged in the service of Deen N.B.: The Noble Imam  (May Allah I sanctify his soul), passed away on Friday 25 Safar 1340 Hijri/28 October 1921.

 

QUESTION: Is it sufficient to pause in Ruku and Sojood for the duration of reading one Tasbeeh (سبحان الله)?

ANSWER: Yes! It is Fard to pause in Ruku and Sajda for the duration of one Tasbeeh.  If one does not pause for this duration in Ruku and Sajda and performs Salaah for 60 years too, Allah I, in light of the Sharee'ah, does not accept such Salaah. It is reported in a Hadith Shareef,

انا نخاف لومتَّ على ذالك لمتَّ على غير الفترة أي غير دين محمد صلى الله تعالى عليه و سلّم

We fear that if you die in this state (ignoring the laws) then you will not die on the Deen of Muhammad t.

 

QUESTION.  Is it true that Allah I created everything that is possible for His Divine Power to created?

ANSWER: No, this is not so because there are numerous things that are possible for Him I to create but He I did not create them. For example, it is possible for Allah I to create a person so tall that his head touches the sky, but He Y did not create such a person.  

 

QUESTION: Oh Sheikh! Are Jinns and Parees (fairy) also Muslim?

ANSWER: Yes, one Pari embraced Islam on the hands of the Beloved Rasool of Allah t. Once she was absent for some time. When she returned, the Nabi of Allah r inquired about her absence. She replied, "Oh Prophet of Allah r! One of my relatives passed away in Hindustan so I went to attend the funeral. On my way, I experienced an amazing thing. I saw the Cursed Iblees (Satan) performing Salaah on a mountaintop. On seeing this abnormal act of the Shaytaan, I questioned him, ‘Your work is to keep people away from Salaah but you yourself are performing Salaah.’ The Cursed Devil replied, ‘I am performing my Salaah with the hope that Almighty Allah I may accept my worship and forgive my sin’”.

 

QUESTION: A person is a Mureed of a certain Murshid who passed away a long time ago. Now can this become the disciple (Mureed) of another Sheikh?

ANSWER: It is forbidden to change the Bay'at for no specific valid Islamic reason. Yes, it is permissible to renew one's Bay'at (تجديد). It is recommended to take Bay'at with another Murshid-e-Kaamil in the exalted Qaadiriyyah Spiritual order without breaking ties with one’s Sheikh. Such Bay’at will not be regarded as a new one but a renewal of the old one. This is so because all Silsilas (Spiritual orders) leads to the main stream Qaadiriyyah order.  

 

Ala’ Hadrat t said that once three Qalandars (Dervish extinct in Divine Love) humbled themselves in the presence of Sheikhul Mashaa’ikh Sultan Nizaamudeen Mehboob-e-Ilahi t. They requested for food and the Sheikh ordered the Khadim to give them whatever was present. He presented the food to them. The Qalandars looked at the food and threw it away. They demanded better food. The great Master did not get annoyed on their disgusting behaviour and ordered the Khadim to present them with better food. The guests were presented with better food. They looked at the food and threw it for the second time and demanded better food. The noble Sheikh still kept calm and ordered for better food. Better food was presented for the third time and the Qalandars threw it away again demanding better food. After the third time, Sheikhul Mashaa’ikh t called the Qalandars compassionately close to him and whispered in their ears, “At least this food is better than the dead ox you ate on your way to me.” The words of the Master changed their condition. (On their way they were without food for three days and were starving. Eventually, they came across a dead ox so they ate from it to survive).  The Qalandars fell on the feet of great Sheikh and cried.  Sheikhul-Mashaa’ikh t lifted them up and embraced them and blessed them with spiritual bounties. This embrace had such an impact on them that they began dancing in joy and repeatedly said, “Our Murshid blessed us with Neh’mah.” The disciples remarked at this comment, “Fools! You came here as a destitute and our Sheikh perfected you. Our Murshid gave you this honour. Your Murshid gave you nothing.”  They replied, “You are fools, because if our Murshid did not guide us here then why would your Murshid bless us?” On hearing this, Khaja Nizaamudeen t said, “They are speaking the truth. Oh my Brothers!  Learn from them the proper way to become a Mureed.”

 

COMPILER: One day after Asr Salaah the Noble Imam t returned home to an awaiting audience.  Moulana Amjad Ali Azami t was also present. He had with him the latest book published on two Fatawa written by Molvi Abd al-Hay Farangi Mehelli. The book

 فس الفكر في قربان البكر had Fatwas regarding the legality of sacrificing the cow for Qurbaani. Molvi Abd al- Hayy recorded that it is unlawful to sacrifice the cow because it was holy to the Hindus.  Ala’ Hadrat t said, “Molvi Sahib (Abd al-Hay) was misled by the Hindus and issued a Fatwa against the Muslim.  He was informed about his mistake and remained adamant. The same question was sent to me and at the first glance Almighty Allah I guided me. I immediately understood the plot of the Hindus and issued the correct Fatwa, (i.e. The right to sacrifice a cow for Qurbaani).”

 

QUESTION: It is clearly evident from Molvi Abd al-Hay’s Fatawa that he depended on his own feelings rather than the Sharee'ah.

ANSWER: Yes, he depended on his own whims and fancies and they all challenged the ruling of the illustrious Jurist of Islam.  He says,

واستدلوا لابي حنيفة بوجوه والكل باطل *

I have considered the proof of Imam Abu-Haneefa but found it baseless.

 

He also writes,

قال ابوحنيفة كذا والحق كذا *

Abu Haneefa said this while the truth is this.

 

He writes about Imam Muhammad t,

ههنا و آخر لصاحب الكتاب *

Here is found another fancy idea of the author.

 

One must always be aware of his condition and do not exceed the limits of one’s understanding. One must not be proud when praised and accept faults when corrected. Therefore, the Ulama commented on Ibn-Taymiyya,

علمه اكبر من عقله *

His knowledge was bigger than his brain.

 

Sound knowledge is that which has a good understanding of Fiqah

 (فقاهت). Molvi Sahib in his Kitaab نفع المفتى و السائل is both the Mufti and the inquirer. In one question he was asked if it was permissible for a husband and wife to have sex in a house where animals are present? He said, “It is not permissible.” This is what Ala’ Hadrat t commented on his reply, “According to Molvi Sahib's reply one has to remove all flies, bed bugs, mosquitoes, etc. from the house. This is baseless because the learned Fuqaha (Jurist) have clearly stated that if a child can understand and relate to others, then sex in the presence of such a child is Makrooh, otherwise there is no harm. If it is permissible in the presence of an unintelligent minor, who is human, then why would it be forbidden in the presence of an animal?”

 

QUESTION: Why have the respected Jurist placed the condition of “ability to relate to others”? Merely understanding is ample, otherwise the question arises that it is allowed in the presence of a dumb person. It is difficult to understand this condition.

ANSWER: There are two meanings of understanding: (1) To understand the movements and this comes before a child develops speech. (2) Then understanding the nature of an action whether it is a private act or otherwise.  This sense develops in a child long after speech. The pre-requisite of speech is understanding, and this is enough for the Sharee'ah to forbid sexual relation in the presence of an understanding and talking child. It does not matter whether the child understands what sex is or not, but the child can relate the actions to others who understands.

 

On the contrary, the other meaning of understanding is to fully understand everything personally and does not require it to be related to anyone. Hence, it is totally forbidden in the presence of someone who fully understands this act even though he cannot relate it (speechless, dumb).

 

QUESTION: Oh Imam! Is today the first day of the month (inquiring at night about the date)?

ANSWER: Yesterday was the first because the moon was sighted yesterday. The calculation of the beginning and end of dates is done by four methods. Firstly, the Christians calculate dates from midnight to midnight.  Secondly, the Hindus determine their dates from sunrise to sunset. Thirdly, the Greek philosophers calculate their dates from midday to midday. This is the method used in astronomy. The fourth and correct method is the Islamic calculation that is done from sunset to sunset. This method is welcomed by the mind because darkness comes before light.

 

COMPILER: The meat of the cow and its effects were under discussion and Ala’ Hadrat t said: Beef is absolutely Halaal and it is a dish of many poor. In some instances, it is more beneficial than mutton. Many connoisseurs love beef and regard mutton as the food of the sick. Its sacrifice is specifically mentioned in the Holy Quraan. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r personally made the Qurbaani (sacrifice) of the cow on behalf of his noble wives (ازواج  مطهرات).  In India it is Shi'aarul-Islam (Sign of Islam) to make Qurbaani of the cow and Waajib (compulsory) to keep this practice alive. Some corrupt Muslims in their greed for leadership and to please their Hindu friends regard the slaughter of the cow as forbidden.  They are in fact anti-Muslim. Surprisingly, no Hindu calls for Hindi-Muslim unity by forbidding the ringing of the bells and blowing of the horns in temples next to Musjids.  This baseless unity in one-sided and benefits such corrupt and squint leaders.

 

However, it is not established in the Hadith that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r ate beef. It does not agree with me (Ala’ Hadrat). Once a person invited me, and insisted that I come. At that particular time, Sheikh Sayyid Habeebullah Damishqi Jilaani t was my guest at home. He was also invited and both of us attended the invitation.  The meal served was beef kebab and puri.  There was no other dish. Sayyid Sahib said to me, “Beef does not agree with you, and there is no other dish. It will be best to inform the host that you do not eat beef.” I said that it is not my habit to do so and that I will eat whatever is presented. After eating beef that day, my gums and mouth began swelling.  It was so bad that I could not eat or talk. For days I survived on small quantities of milk poured down my throat. I could not even recite Qiraat aloud in my Salaah.  It was in these days that for the first time I experienced the legality of performing Sunnat Salaah with the Qiraat of the Imam according to the Hanafi Madhab. (This was only in severe circumstances as experienced by Imam Ahmed Rida). I had severe fever and could not speak a word, so I wrote down whatever I had to say. Glands developed behind by ears. My younger brother, Moulana Hasan Rida t, brought a physician to see me. At that time, a severe plague had struck Bareilly. The physician carefully looked at me and repeated several times, “It is the same thing (i.e. referring to the plague).”  I could not utter a word therefore; I was unable to answer him. I was certain he was wrong and that I did not have the plague. Inshallah, I will never have it because I repeatedly recite the Du’a for security from plagues prescribed by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r. The Hadith states, “If a person sees anyone in distress or sickness and reads the following Du’a, he will be protected from those calamities.  

الحمد لله الذي عافاني مما ابتلاك به و فضلني على كثير ممن خلق تفضيلا *

I always read this Du’a whenever I see any sick or distressed person. To this day, by the Grace of Allah I, I have never experienced such sickness or hardship. I have full trust in the Divine protection of Allah I that will always protect me from all evil and hardships. 

 

There was once an occasion in my life that I dearly regret. In my youth, I often experienced inflammation of the eye and due to my health. This was due to excessive book reading and was most uncomfortable. I was about 19 years old when I went to Rampur. There I saw a person with inflamed eyes and I read this Du’a. It was from then that I never suffered from this sickness to this day. I can remember only twice experiencing minor irritations in my eye. I regret this dearly because Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r states in a Hadith Shareef: “Do not regard three sicknesses as Makrooh (undesirable). One is colds, which destroys the roots of many ailments. Two, is itching of the skin which protects skin diseases and leprosy, and three, inflammation of the eyes which prevents blindness.”

 

Another incident occurred in Jamadiul-Awwal 1300 Hijri while I was busy compiling one of my books. This required so many references such that I had to read fine writing from books continuously for a month, day and night. It was mid-summer so I had to sit in the cooler area of the inner veranda of the house. There I was engrossed in reading and writing. I was 28 years old and my eye was over strained with continuous reading and writing without rest. One hot day while writing, I decided to take a cold shower. As soon as the water touched my head, I felt as if something descended from my brain into my right eye. I closed my left eye and looked with the right eye. I could see a black hole in the centre of my vision. The vision below the black hole was blurring.

 

There was a famous British eye specialist in Bareilly known as Dr. Anderson. My respected Ustaaz, Moulana Mirza Ghulaam Qaadir Begg cuda insisted that I consult him. The doctor examined my eye with some light apparatus in a dark room for a while. After some time he said, “This deficiency is caused due to excessive reading, which has damaged the tissue of the eye. You should not read any books for 15 days.” Let alone 15 days, I could not leave looking at Kitaabs for 15 minutes.

 

Moulana Sayyid Ashfaaq Husain Seswaani Marhoom was a deputy collector. He was also a Hakeem and my acquaintance. He also had a look at my eye and said,  “Allah I protect your eye! According to my assumption you will loose your eyesight in the next twenty years.” I said nothing to him, but read the same Du’a of the beloved Habeeb r with full confidence. 

 

In 1316 Hijri (16 years later) another famous Hakeem thoroughly examined my eye and said, “After 4 years you will loose that eye.” His calculation was exactly the same as the deputy collector.  I had no doubt in my faith nor did the report of this Hakeem have any effect on it. My trust in Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r grew even stronger. Let alone 20 years, it is now long beyond 30 years, and by the Grace of Allah I my eyesight has not deteriorated, and Inshallah, it will not. 

 

I have mentioned this personal experience to inform you of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah’s r true Moh’jizah (miracle), which can be observed and experienced by the Muslim today and till Qiyaamah. If I mention my personal experiences in this subject, it can be recorded in volumes.  However, I am fully confident on the Hadith Shareef and convinced that I was not affected by the plague. 

 

Late that night, the pain increased, and my heart cried to Allah I, 

اللهم صدق الحبيب و كذب الطبيب *

O Allah I! Let the words of the Habeeb be true and the Tabeeb (Doctor) be incorrect.

 

Just then I felt someone whispering in my ear, “Miswaak and black pepper”.  My conditioned was so bad that members of my family took turns around the clock to be at my bedside. I signalled to my attendant for my Miswaak and black pepper. I had great difficulty in explaining to him and he eventually understood.  With great difficulty I lodged the Miswaak between the teeth and put a pinch of ground black pepper on the gums.  After a short while, I vomited mouths full of blood but did not feel any pain or discomfort. A few minutes later, I spewed another mouth full of blood and by the Mercy of Allah I, I felt great relief.  My mouth opened normally and I thanked my Creator I for this relief.  I sent a message to the physician that the Mercy of Allah I had cured his so-called “diagnosed plague.”  Within three days the fever also subsided and I fully recovered.

 

QUESTION: Sadrush Sharee’ah, Moulana Amjad Ali t (student of Ala’ Hadrat) inquires, “Are plagues (i.e. epidemics etc.) Kuffaar Jinns?”

ANSWER: Yes! They are Kuffaar. It is stated in the Hadith Shareef,

الطاعون وجز أعدائكم من الجن *

Plague is an iron utensil of your enemy, the Jinn.

 

A person who dies with plague is regarded as a Shaheed (Martyr).  Commenting on the very subject the great Imam t said: Once I met Sheikh-e-Muhaqqiq Sayyidi Owlaqi Madani t, who said to me, “Once Sayyidi Sheikh Mohammed Yemeni t (a great Sufi) went to the Musjid to perform Fajr Salaah. He saw a child sitting on the Mimbar. No one besides the Sheikh saw this child. The Sheikh performed his Salaah and quietly left. He returned for Salaatuz-Zohr and found a young man sitting on the Mimbar.  He performed Salaah and went away. He returned for Salaatul Asr and found an old man sitting on the same spot. Then too, the Sheikh did not make a comment and returned home.  When he returned for Salaatul Maghrib he saw a cow sitting on the Mimbar. On seeing the cow he said to it, ‘What are you that I see changing into so many shapes?’ The cow said to him, ‘I am a plague. Had you spoken when you saw a child then there would have been no child left in Yemen (all would have died by the plague). If you spoke to me (when you saw) a young man then all the young would have died. The same would have happened to all the old people if you spoke when you saw an old man. Now that you have spoken to me in the disguise of a cow, then no cow in Yemen will survive the plague. All will die.’  On saying this, the cow disappeared. 

 

This was indeed the Mercy of Almighty Allah I on His servants that Sayyidi Mohammed Yemeni t did not speak to the plague in the first three states. Instead the human race was saved and the cows died.  All the cows in Yemen died. A plague came and destroyed all the cows in Yemen. It was so severe that if any healthy cow was slaughtered the meat tasted so bad that no one ate it.  The meat smelt like sulphur. 

 

Imam­­-e-Ahle Sunnat, Ala’ Hadrat t went on to say that the very Sheikh Sayyid Mohammed Yemeni t had a son who was born a Wali. This son, who was about 4 or 5 years old, came out of the house and sat down on the seat of his father.  The son then said to a person to write, فلان في الجنة “So and so will go to Jannah.” He listed many more names to be recorded. Then he ordered the same person to write,       فلان  في النار“So and so is in the Fire of Hell.” The writer hesitated to record this. The young Wali ordered for the second time to record that, but the writer refused again. When the young Wali ordered for the third time, the writer blankly refused to write. Then the Wali said, أنت في النار “You are in the fire.” The writer got terrified and ran to the father (Sayyidi Muhammad t) to explain what had happened. Sayyidi Muhammad t inquired if the son had said, “You are in the Fire or you are in Hell?” The writer replied that he said, “You are in the fire.”  The Sheikh replied, “I cannot change what he has said.  It is entirely up to you to choose the fire of this world or the Hereafter.” The writer chose the fire of this world. It is said that the very writer was later burnt to death. It is also recorded in the Hadith Shareef that if a person burns to death, he is a Shaheed.

 

QUESTION: Respected Master!  My nephew is born, please suggest a name for him.

ANSWER: The best names are those that are prescribed in the Hadith Shareef.  All my nephews, including my son were named Muhammad.  The Noble Imam then quoted a few Ahadith Shareef explaining the excellence of the sacred name Muhammad.  The Holy Prophet rt states, “If any person out of sheer love for me names his child Muhammad or Ahmed, then Almighty Allah I will forgive both the father and son.” Another Hadith Shareef states, “The Angels will announce on the Day of Qiyaamah that he whose name is Muhammad or Ahmed, proceed to Jannah.”  It is recorded in another Hadith Shareef, “Angels come and visit those homes in which lives a person by the name of Muhammad or Ahmed.” It is reported that if a person by this name is present in any consultative gathering, Allah I sends His Rahmah on such a meeting. Another narration states, “What will you loose if there are two or three persons in your home by the name of Muhammad?”

 

QUESTION: Can you wear shoes and perform Salaah?

ANSWER: No. It is recorded in Fatawa-e-Alamgiri that it is great disrespect to enter the Musjid with shoes.

 

QUESTION: The Ghair-Muqallideen[yyy] perform Salaah with shoes and claims that the Prophet of Islam r also did so.

ANSWER: There are some rules that change due to circumstances. I have written a book on this subject,جمال الأجمال لتوقيف حكم الصلوة  بالنعال  and its commentary كمال الاكمال.  Respect and disrespect depends on the environment, language and situation of a place (عرف).  In one time or place a thing may be regarded as respect and disrespect in another, or respect in one community and disrespect in another. For example in Arabia, the elders and small are both addressed with a single word أنت قلت “you said” and this, according to them, is not disrespect. But the situation is different in Hindustan. There are separate words used to address the young and elder.  The elders are addressed as آب “Aaph” and the young as تو “Thu.” If it is used the other way around then it is regarded as disrespectful. In Europe, the elders are shown respect by removing one’s hat and having one’s shoes on, but this is disrespect amongst the Muslims. When we meet our elders, we cover our heads with Amama (turban) or hat (topi) and remove our shoes.  If this is the case when meeting our elders then surely the respect for Almighty Allah I must be far far greater!

 

QUESTION: Can a person sit on a bench of a train and perform his Salaah? Some people perform their Fard or Witr in this manner. Is it correct?

ANSWER: It is not correct because the posture of Qiyaam is Fard. If the person is not sick or does not have a Sharee’ah  (valid reason) it is incorrect to perform your Fard, Witr, or Sunnah of Fajr in this manner.  (This law also applies in this modern age when one travels by plane etc.)

 

QUESTION: One seldom has the chance to perform one’s Salaah in the train.

ANSWER: I have undertaken long travels and by the Mercy of Allah I I have performed all five Salaahs with Jama’at. One can easily make Qiyaam and Sajda in a train. Only sometimes Sajda becomes difficult when the Qibla is towards the bench. Then too, by moving right or left, one can comfortably make Sajda under the bench.  Great precautions must be taken when moving left or right to avoid the bench for Sajda.  It must be within 45 degrees left or right.  Refer to diagram.

 

 

 

 

 

Assumed Qibla direction

West

A

                                        S/W                                         N/W

C                                        B

 

AC    AB

                                                CE                          BD

South  E                                                      D   North

F

East

 

In this diagram, the assumed Qibla direction A is West and F is East, which is our location. We will have D as North to the right and E as South to the left. Salaah will be valid if one is within the prescribed parameters of AC to the left and AB to the right, which is 45 degrees to either side if dead Qibla direction. Salaah will not be valid if one faces the directions of either CE or BD, because these sectors are more than 45 degrees from dead Qibla. CE and BD fall outside the prescribed limitations of the Sharee’ah.

 

QUESTION: Is it necessary to repeat all Salaah performed outside the 45degrees parameter because one was unaware of the ruling?  But, in future, it will be Fard on one to adhere to the rule.

ANSWER: Ignorance is no excuse for not repeating the Salaah correctly.  Ignorance itself is a sin. The illustrious Ulama have explained this rule in every era and the Holy Quraan also clearly states,

فاسألوا أهل الذكر إن كنتم لا تعلمون *

If you do not know then ask those who know (Ulama).

 

This is the fault of the ignorant. Why did he not inquire? All Salaah performed incorrectly must be repeated. 

 

QUESTION: How many Salaah should be repeated?

ANSWER.  As many as the heart is fully satisfied that one has covered all the incorrect Salaah.

 

QUESTION: Is Salaah valid if one’s Musallah is slightly off the direction of Qibla and one does not rectify this?

ANSWER: If the Musallah is within the 45 degrees parameter, then Salaah is valid, otherwise not. Most of the Masaajid in Bareilly are 2 degrees off, towards the north and most of the Masaajid in Bombay are 10 degrees off, towards the south. If the Sharee'ah did not allow the 45 degrees parameter then the Salaah of millions of Muslim would become invalid.  There is great wisdom in creating the forehead in an arch shape. If ever the forehead moves slightly (either side) from the Qibla direction, then it will still be within the 45-degree parameter. This would not have been possible if the forehead was flat. سبحا ن الله

 

Ala’ Hadrat also said: Some people think that if you face West with North on the right hand side, then the Qibla will be to the direction of the left hand (South). This is not the correct way to determine the direction of the Qibla. It can be applicable in Hindustan to give one a vague idea. This method cannot be applied in all parts of the world.

 

QUESTION: Can women perform Salaah with thin (see-through) clothes?

ANSWER: It is Fard for women to cover their bodies from head to toe.  But in Salaah the following portions can be open:

1.      The face from forehead to chin and one temple to the other.

2.      Both hands to the wrist and both feet to the ankles. 

There is a difference of opinion about the ankles but it is Fard to cover the rest of the body. If any part of the body is exposed intentionally or unintentionally for the duration of three Tasbeeh (duration of reading سبحا ن الله 3 times), then Salaah becomes invalid.  Salaah is invalid if one wears thin clothes through which the body or its complexion and the colour of the hair are exposed.

 

 

 

 

 

COMPILERS NOTE

 

A person, whose leaning was towards Wahabism, asked a question pertaining to the Knowledge of the Unseen (علم غيب) of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r.

ANSWER: Do you ask about the general Ilme Ghaib or the knowledge of Ma'yakoon (happenings in the future)?  I will answer you according to your question.

 

QUESTION: I accept that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r is the most high and excellent creation and I also believe that he is Roshan-Zameer[zzz] (), but I do not accept that he is aware of the intentions in the hearts of people.

ANSWER: Roshan-Zameer itself means to know the conditions of the heart. Allah I states in the Holy Quraan,

و ما كان الله ليطلعكم على  الغيب و لاكن الله يجتبى من رسله من يشآء *

And Oh people! It is not for Allah I to inform you of the Unseen (Ghaib).  Yes, He chooses from among His Prophets whom ever He desires.

 

 Another Ayah states,

عالم الغيب فلايظهر على غيبه أحدا إلا من ارتضى من رسول *

Allah I is the All-Knowing of all the Unseen, He does not expose His Ghaib on to anyone besides His chosen Prophets.”

 

He not only exposes it but also gives it to them. It is the consensus of the Ulama of Ahle Sunnat that whatever excellence was granted to other Prophets of Allah was all given in a higher degree to Sayyidul Alameen r.  Whatever excellence any Prophet possessed was actually granted to him by Sayyiduna Muhammad r. This he granted by the Divine Grace of Allah I.  Imam Bukhari and Muslim both narrate,

قال رسول الله صلى الله تعالى عليه و سلم إنما أنا قاسم والله يعطي *

Verily I am the distributor and Allah I the Provider."

 

Concerning Sayyiduna Ibraheem u, Allah I states,

و كذالك نرى إبراهيم ملكوت السماوات و الأرض *

And similarly We show the kingdoms of the skies and earth to Ibraheem.

 

The word “Nara” in Arabic refers to continuation. This means that the kingdom was not shown once, but is being shown continuously. If this is the case of Sayyiduna Ibraheem u then surely the condition and status of Sayyiduna Muhammad r is much greater. His observance is more comprehensive and clearer than all the noble Prophets u. Only the ignorant will reject this reality.

اعاذنا الله تعالى من هذه العقيدة الباطلة *

May Allah I protect us from such corrupt beliefs.

 

The word كذلك is used for comparison or similitude. Any student of the Arabic language knows that comparison (تشبيه) requires two objects, i.e. the object likened to (متشبّه) and that to which anything is likened, (مشبه به). The Quraan mentions the object likened to (مشيه), is Nabi Ibraheem u and that, to which anything is likened (مشبه به) is Sayyiduna Muhammad r. After understanding this, the meaning of the Ayah will thus read, “O My beloved Rasool r, as We show you the kingdoms of the skies and the earth, similarly by your blessings (Waseela) We are also showing it to your noble forefather Nabi Ibraheem u.” 

 

The Holy Quraan states in another Ayah,

وما هو على الغيب بضنين *

My beloved Rasool r is not a miser on revealing Ghaib.

 

He also exposes it to those whom he finds worthy. Obviously, a miser is he who has wealth and does not spend it. One who does not have wealth to spend cannot be called a miser. In the above Ayah, the Beloved Nabi’s r possession of Ilme-Ghaib refutes the quality of a miser. Therefore, it is said, “He is not a miser of Ghaib. He possesses Ilme-Ghaib and gives it to others.”  If he did not have Ilme-Ghaib to relate then what are the rejections all about? It is clear that the Nabi r is equipped with Ilme-Ghaib and informs his special servants about it.

 

Almighty Allah I states,

نزلنا الكتاب تبيانا لكل شئى *

We have revealed this Book (Quraan) on you with clear and detailed information of everything.

 

The word تبينا (exposure) was used and not بيانا (report).  This explains to us that the knowledge of things was so explicit that nothing was hidden. Imam Tirmidi t and others narrated this Hadith from ten Sahaba. The Sahaba state, “One morning we went to Musjid-e-Nabawi for Salatul Fajr. We all waited for the Beloved Nabi r to come. But he was delayed till almost sunrise,

حتى كدنا ان نتراى الشمس *

It was almost sunrise.

 

The Nabi r came and led the Salaah after which he addressed us and said, ‘Do you know why I was delayed?’  We answered, ‘الله و رسوله اعلم Allah I and His Rasool r knows best.’ He said,

أتاني ربى في احسن صورة *

My Lord appeared by me in a most beautiful sight (تجلى).

 

This means he was engrossed in some Divine Salaah (meditation) in the presence of his Sublime Lord, who was directly casting His Divine Light on him.  The Habeeb then said, ‘Allah I said to me,

يا محمد! فيما يختصم الملاء الاعلى ؟

Oh Muhammad! What are these angels arguing about?

 

I replied,

فقلت لا ادري

I would not know if You do not inform me.

 

فوضع كفه بين كتفى فوجدت بردا نامله بين ثديي فتجلى لي كل شيئ عرفت *

Then Almighty Allah placed His Divine Hands of Qudrat between both my shoulders and I felt coolness in my heart.  Thereafter, everything (in the universe) became clearly exposed to me and I recognised them.

 

This Hadith Shareef is explicit and no one can refute it by saying that  “everything” here refers to all that pertains to the Laws of Sharee'ah.  In fact, one Hadith states,

ما في السمآء و الأرض *

I recognised everything in the skies and earth.

 

Another narration reports,

فعلمت ما بين المشرق و المغرب *

I perceived everything between the east and the west.

 

All three Ahadith are correct and sound (صحيح). The words of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r are,

a.       Everything became exposed to me.

b.      I recognised everything in the skies and earth.

c.       I perceived everything between the east and west.

The Nabi r says that everything became exposed to him and he recognised them all.  He said this because,

a.       Sometimes a thing is known but not in your presence, e.g. an apple which is in the market or tree and not in your presence. Although it is absent from the eye, but you recognise them.

b.      Sometimes things are in your presence but you do not recognise them, e.g. sitting in the presence of many people and you see them but do not recognise them all.

In both these points the knowledge is limited or incomplete.

 

Sayyidul-Alameen r has removed all doubts from our hearts and minds and informed us that his knowledge is comprehending and unique. Therefore, he said, “Everything in the universe was presented to me and I recognise them all. Nothing in the universe is excluded from my knowledge or sight”.

الحمد لله رب العالمين

Dear Muslim brothers, baseless interpretation of Quraanic Ayahs is not accepted in Islam. Almighty Allah I states clearly, “We have revealed this Book to you with clear details of everything”, and the Beloved Nabi r confirms this, “Everything became clearly exposed to me and I recognised them.”  This recognition encompasses everything hidden in the Sacred Pen

(قلم) and recorded in the protected Sacred Tablet (لوح محفوظ). This in turn encompasses everything of the past and future, from the first to the last day.  Every concealed or exposed thing is included in this.

 

Hence, Imam Tabraani t, Imam Na'eem bin Hammaad t (Ustaaz of Imam Bukhari t) and others, all narrated from Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Omar t that the Nabi of Allah r said,

ان الله قد رفع لي الدنيا فأنا انظر إليها و إلى ما هو كائن فيها إلى يوم القيامة كأنما انظر إلى كفى هذه *

Verily Allah I raised the world in front of me.  So I saw it along with everything to happen in it till Qiyaamah as if I was looking at my palm.

 

By the blessings of Sayyiduna Muhammad r, Allah I has entrusted this unique quality to his beloved Nabi’s chosen servants. A Wali of Allah t states, “One is not a perfect man if one does not see then entire world like one sees one’s own palm.” He has spoken the truth and revealed his true status. 

 

Arife-Billah Sheikh Baha’udeen Naqshaband t states, “I say that one is not a perfect man if one does not see the entire world as if one sees the nail of one’s thumb.”

 

The illustrious son and descendant of the Glorious Prophet r and the true representative and inheritor of Prophetic Bounties, the great Ghous Sheikh Sayyid Abd al-Qaadir Jilaani t states,

نظرت إلى بلاد الله جمعاً                           كخردلةٍ على حكم التصالى *

I see all the cities of Allah I as I see a mustard seed in the centre of my palm.

 

This vision is not limited to a specific moment, but the world أتصالى refers to continuity. Which means that he sees it continuously. The grand Ghous t also states,

ان بؤبؤة عيني في لوح المحفوظ

The pupil of my eye is set on the Lohe-Mahfooz..

 

What is the Lohe-Mahfooz?  Allah I explains,

كل صغير و كبير مستطر *

Everything small or big is recorded on it.

 

Another Ayah states,

ما فرطنا في الكتاب من شئ *

We have not concealed anything from the Kitaab.

 

The Holy Quraan further states,

لا رطب ولا يابس إلا في كتاب مبين *

There is nothing dry or wet that is not mentioned in the Clear Book.

 

If this is the state of Lohe-Mahfooz, which holds the records of every event from the first to the last day, then one who possess this comprehensive knowledge will surely have the knowledge of the entire universe.

QUESTION: Until what time can one read Zohr Salaah?

ANSWER: According to Imam Abu Haneefa t, two shadow lengths and this is correct.

 

QUESTION: Would it not be excellent if Zohr is read in one shadow and Asr after two shadows. In this way, one would observe the ruling of all the Jurists (Fuqaha).

ANSWER: Yes, this would be good. One will make Amal on the ruling of Imam A’zam Abu Haneefa and Sa’hibain[aaaa]. It would be impossible to observe the rulings of all the Fuqaha.

 

QUESTION: (by Moulana Amjad Ali Azami t). Is it desirable to delay the Zohr Salaah in summer until it becomes cool? This is mentioned in the Hadith Shareef,

ابردوا بالظهر فان شدة الحر من فيح جهنم *

Perform Zohr when it cools down because the intense heat is caused due to the breath of Jahannam.

 

ANSWER: Yes, it does not cool off until the first shadow. This Sahih Hadith confirms the ruling of Imam Abu Haneefa t. Imam Bukhari t narrated a Hadith of Sayyiduna Abu-Zar Ghaf’faari t, “We were at a place and the Mu’ezzin gave the Adhaan for Zohr and came to the Nabi r. He then said, “ابرد Wait till it get cool.” The Mu’ezzin came back after some time and got the same answer, “ابرد Wait till it gets cool.” A little later he returned for the third time and got the same answer, “ابرد Wait till it cools off.”  The narrator says,

حتى ساوى الظلال التلول *

The Noble Prophet of Islam r performed the Zohr Salaah when the shadow of the hills became even.

 

The Shafa’ee Law holds that the shadow of the hills begin at the time when the Zohr time elapses. If the Zohr time elapses then what time would it be?  Surely the first shadow must have passed away long ago. Those who regard the first shadow, as the valid time cannot produce any answer to this Hadith Shareef. The leader of the Ghair-Muqallids, Nazeer Ahmed Dehlawi has mocked this Hadith in his book Mi’aarul-Haqq (معيارالحق). We have refuted him in Kitaab Haajizul-Bahrain (حاجز البحرين).

 

QUESTION: Would Asr be valid if it is read before the two shadows?

ANSWER: Yes, according to Sa’hibain (Imam Muhammad t and Abu Yusuf t).

 

QUESTION: Would it be compulsory to repeat the Salaah?

ANSWER: It would not be compulsory because a Fatwa of legality (consensus) was also given on this issue. Though the authentic ruling is that of Imam Abu Haneefa t.

 

QUESTION: Does the same rule apply to all the questions having difference of opinion?

ANSWER: No, in fact it only applies to those rulings, which the Fuqaha (Jurist) have passed a Fatwa on. It will be valid if one follows any of them.  This is because the Ulama of Fiqah differ in views. The Fatwa (ruling) was given on both views. So following any one of them will be correct. But the learned will still give preference to the ruling of Imam Abu Haneefa t. For some years now (early 1900), the Hanafi Musallah performs Asr Salaah in the Haramain Shareefain after the second shadow. The Hanafi Musallah is first to perform the other four Salaahs besides Fajr Salaah. The Shafa'ee complained that their time of Asr becomes very limited. So they moved the shadow to two lengths and the Hanafi Imam still maintained the first Jama’at. I experienced this new practice on my second trip to Hajj (around 1902). The illustrious Ulama of Makkah Mukarrama, namely Sheikh Sayyid Swaleh Kamaal t Mufti Hanafiyya, Sheikh Sayyid Isma'eel Effendi t, Director of the Library of the Haram Shareef, and myself along with others, joined the main Jama’at. We did this with the Niyyah of Nafil Salaah. After the time of two shadows (Hanafi time) we performed our Asr Jama’at. All these great Ulama insisted that I lead the Jama’at. I had no option but was forced to make Imamat.  الحمد لله على نعمة  الله

 

QUESTION: Will the Jum’ah Salaah be valid if it is read on Zawaal time?

ANSWER: No, all the authentic Kitaabs of Fiqah, namely Bahr etc. have clarified this and mentioned that the conditions of Jum’ah are similar to that of Zohr.

 

QUESTION: It is stated in the Hadith Shareef that the Fire of Hell is fuelled at the time of Zawaal. Is this the reason that Salaah is not permissible on this time?  But another Hadith states, “The Fire of Hell is not fuelled on the day of Jum’ah.” So according to the Hadith, Zawaal time should not be Makrooh on a Friday.

ANSWER: This rule can only be applied to Nafil Salaah. As far as the Fard Salaah is concerned, the Sharee'ah has fixed its time of commencement and ending. It is invalid to read before the fixed time and Qada if read after the fixed time, e.g. the time of Fajr begins after Subho Saadiq, so is not valid for anyone to read it before this time. One cannot legalise this by saying that it was not read in Makrooh time. The same applies to Friday when the Fire Hell is not fuelled. If it is proven that there is no Makrooh time (Zawaal) on a Friday, this does not justify Jum’ah Salaah to be read in time of Zawaal.  The valid Jum’ah time begins only after Zawaal and not before. Whether Zawaal time is Makrooh or not, Zohr or Jum’ah cannot be read in it. This rule can only be applied to Nafil Salaah if read before or on Zawaal time.  It is for this reason that Imam Abu Yusuf t does not regard Zawaal time Makrooh on a Friday. This view is recorded in Ish’baah as authentic and the compiler is a Muqal’lid (follower) of Imam Abu Yusuf t. He frequently says, "به نأخذ  " I have derived this from him, referring to Imam Abu Yusuf t.  The majority of our Ulama-e-Hanafiyya unanimously agree that Jum’ah or Zohr is incorrect at Zawaal, be it Friday or otherwise. This is the correct ruling.

 

 

 

 

COMPILER

 

Today Hadrat Moulana Wasi Ahmed Muhaddith-e-Surti t and Moulana Ahmadullah Pishawari t are guests of Ala’ Hadrat t.  Imam Ahmed Rida t addressed Muhaddith-e-Surti t as اسدّالاسدّالاشد. Moulana Amjad Ali t (Sadrush Sharee'ah) was also having lunch with them. Someone commented on the purity and refinement of the water of Bareilly. On this note the Imam said: Water is a great gift and blessing of Allah I. There are numerous places in the Holy Quraan where Allah I reminds man of water. In one place, He orders man to be thankful for it:

افرأيتم الماء الذى تشربون اانتم انزلتموه من المزن ام نحن المنزلون  ه   لو شآء جعلنه اجاجاً فلولا تشكرون *

Do you see the water you drink?  Did you bring it down from the clouds or do I (Allah I) bring it down? (Surely you my Lord!)  If I ordain I can make it exceptionally salty, then why are you not thankful."

(O my Lord! Glory is always for you).

 

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r never asked anyone for food or clothes.  But twice he asked for cold water. Once he asked for the stale water of the night. I have not tasted water anywhere more sweet and purer than Madina Munawwara. The caretakers fill clay containers with water and leave them for the visitors. The cool breeze of the sacred city cools the water over night as if it was kept in refrigeration.

 

Pure water has three qualities and all three are found in the highest order in the water of Madina Munawwara. The three qualities are:

1.      It be light.  Madani water is so light that all you feel when drinking it is its coolness and nothing else. If it is not cold then nothing is felt when drinking it.

2.      It be sweet.  Water of the sacred city is always sweet. I have not found this anywhere else.

3.      It be cool.  This water is always cool.

It is my habit to drink water in-between meals. I take my meals at home and go to the sacred Musjid to drink the beautiful cool, sweet and thirst quenching water. I do not drink water in-between meals because I go to Musjid-e-Nabawi, make Itikaaf Niyyah and drink as much water as I can.  It’s my habit to always make Itikaaf when entering any Musjid because it is forbidden for a non-Motakif to eat and drink in it. 

 

QUESTION: Can one make the Niyyah of Itikaaf to eat and drink in a Musjid?

ANSWER: Itikaaf is performed for the Zikr of Allah I and by doing so other benefits can be obtained, e.g. concerning Fasting the Hadith Shareef states,

صوموا تصحّوا  *

Fast and you will be cured (become healthy).

 

This does not mean that you must make the intention of keeping Fast so that you can get cured.  But the intention of observing Fast for Almighty Allah I and the secondary benefits of such Fast is health.  Similarly, it is stated in the Hadith Shareef,

حجوا تستغنوا *

Perform Hajj and you will become wealthy.

 

Likewise here too, one is not performing Hajj with the intention (Niyyah) to become wealthy. Instead perform Hajj for the pleasure of Allah I and one of its benefits and rewards is that Almighty Allah I will make you wealthy.  Any Ibadah is done solely for the pleasure of Allah I and health and wealth are both secondary benefits and rewards. Likewise, Itikaaf is done for Allah I and the rights of eating or drinking in the Musjid is a secondary benefit.  It is recorded in most of the authentic Kitaabs of Fiqah that if one intends to eat or sleep in the Musjid, one should make the Niyyah of Itikaaf, then for a short period engage in the Zikr of Allah I after which he may eat.

 

COMPILER

 

After lunch Ala’ Hadrat t asked for the post (letters) to be read. Moulana Hakim Amjad Ali (Sadrush Sharee'ah) read the letters. One letter came from Marehra Shareef sent by Makhdoom Sayyid Sha Noorul-Alam Mia Marehrawi t. He wrote, “I request of you to solve a problem for me. I am ashamed that it is not an Islamic problem and I will be taking up your valuable time. I refer all my Islamic problems to you for your scholastic solutions. I regard you as the highest authority to refer to and trust you will solve the problem. We have tried very hard to understand the problem, but failed. For you, there is nothing difficult to understand or solve. Members of my family were discussing and arguing about a couplet but reached no conclusion. The couplet in question is as follows,

2

هوا جب كفر ثابت هى يه تمغائى مسلمانى   نه توتى شيخ سى زنار تسبيح سليمانى

I tried very hard to understand this but in vain. I once more apologise for taking up your valuable time. You are the only one that has the capability too understand all matters because you are an Imam of all faculties. You are اعلم الاعلام (most wise amongst the learned). I pray that Allah I spare you for a long time and keep you in good health. 

انه على كل شئى قدير ه و بالاجابة جدير ه *

He (Allah I) has the power over everything and acceptance is His right.

 

Please note down a short explanation and word setting of this couplet with its correct meaning and send it back with any of your students. We are anxiously awaiting your reply. There were many intricate Islamic questions baffling great scholars and thinkers who remained startled and dumbfounded. It is you who solved them in an instant. So, understanding this couplet will not be a problem for you. Please honour us with happiness by replying.  Shukran, Was-Salaam.”

 

Moulana Amjad Ali Sahib t then asked, “Sir! What is the meaning of this couplet?” The noble Imam replied, “It is simple and obvious. Okay! Prepare to write the answer.”

 

Ala’ Hadrat t had the following answer recorded and sent off.

ANSWER: My honourable Makhdoom, may Allah I shower His infinite blessing upon you. The apparent meaning of the couplet the poet ought to have referred to, is to be understood as follows. Sulaimani beads (type of rosary) are kept by the Durwesh to read Tasbeeh. This is beaded in a string in the shape of a Zan’naar (roundish like an ordinary Tasbeeh/rosary). It is incorrect of the poet and probably he did not fully understand this. This reflects to a vulgar meaning. But coincidentally, his pen wrote such a word that authenticated this verse. That word is Thaabit (تابت).  The rosary worn by the Kuffaar is called Zanaar-e-Zaa’il (the weak or deficient rosary). This can break by a little jerk. On the contrary, the Sulaimani beads are regarded as Thaabit (strong and firm). The rosary will remain intact and firm as long as the Sulaimani beads are in them. Likewise, there are two types of Kufr (disbelief). One is called Kufr-e-Za’'il and this is the Kufr of the Kuffaar.  They will be punished permanently in Hell for this. Every Kaafir (disbeliever) will want to withdraw from this Kufr after death. The Holy Quraan states,

واتخذوا من دون الله الهة ليكونوا لهم عزّا ط كلا سيكفرون بعبادتهم ويكونون عليهم ضدا ط *

And they worshipped another deity besides Allah I so that they may achieve honour, but they did not (succeed).  Shortly they will commit Kufr with the idols by not worshipping them and they (Kuffaar) will become their (idols) rivals.

 

The other Kufr is called Kufr-e-Thaabit, which will manifest till eternity.  The illustrious Ulama classify this as a branch of faith (Imaan). The Holy Quraan speaks of this,

فمن يكفر بالطاغوت و يؤمن بالله فقد استمسك بالعروة الوثقى لا نفصام لها ط والله سميع العليم ط *

Those who make Kufr (reject) with Shaytaan and bring Imaan in Allah I, have indeed held fast to a strong knot which will never open.  And Allah I is All-Seeing and All-Knowing.

 

 Sayyiduna Ibraheem u said to his nation,

انا برّو منكم ومما تعبدون من دون الله كفرنا بكم *

I am disgusted with you and all your deities, besides Allah I.  I exercise Kufr against you and reject you.

 

It is recorded in a Sahih Hadith that when it rains, the Muslim (believer) says, “This rain is from the mercy and blessings of Allah I.”

Then Almighty Allah I replies,

مؤمن بي و كافر بالكوكب *

He has Imaan on Me and Kufr (rejection) of the stars.

 

Alhamdulillah!  The Kufr[bbbb] of believers will not change and their rejection of the Shaytaan, idols and all false deities will remain forever unlike the Kufr of the disbelievers, which will change on the Day of Judgement. The rejection of the Kuffaar of Allah I and His Rasool r will only last till Qiyaamah.  In fact, it remains only till Barzakh (grave) or when they see the Angels of punishment at the time of death.  What good would this be?

 

Now the couplet is clear. So, Kufr-e-Thaabit is the sign and distinction of a Muslim. In fact, it is a part of his Imaan.  Kufr-e-Zaa’il is the opposite. May Allah I protect us from this.

I received your blessed letter this moment and I present to you an instant reply, (letter ended).

 

COMPILER:

 

A Haafizul-Quraan brought a person to the noble Imam to clarify some of his incorrect beliefs. After a short discussion he got up, greeted the Imam and left. Later the same Haafizul-Quraan returned and reported to the Noble Imam, “Respected Sheikh! When that person left you, on his way back he said to me that his heart was satisfied with the explanation and guidance that you gave him. He then said that he will shortly, Inshallah, become your Mureed (disciple).”

 

ANSWER: Did you see the impact of kindness? If I were harsh to him, he would have become angry and stubborn. Always remember this golden rule. If any person is in a state of confusion about beliefs, always be patient with him and give him lots of attention, love and kindness. This will change him.  On the contrary, the hard core Wahabis were first met with kindness, but they reacted with arrogance. They refused to accept the truth. Therefore, Jihad with the pen was declared on them. Thus, Allah I commands in the Holy Quraan,

يا ايها النبي جاهد الكفار و المنافقين وغلظ عليهم *

" Oh Beloved Nabi! Declare Jihad on the infidels and hypocrites and be stern with them.”

Regarding the Believers, Allah I commands,

وليجدوا فيكم غلظة *

It is important (on them) that they find their direction in you (Holy Prophet).

 

A Sahaba came to the noble Prophet of Islam r and said, “Ya Rasoolullah! Make Zina (adultery) Halaal for me.” On hearing this the As’haab became furious and wanted to kill him, because he had uttered evil in the presence of the Holy Prophet of Allah r. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r forbade them from taking any action. He called the Sahaba close to him so much so that they touched one another’s knees. The compassionate Nabi r then said, “Do you desire that someone commit Zina with you mother?” He said, “No.” He then asked, “Would you like someone to commit Zina with your daughter or your sister? He said, “No.” “With your aunt?” The Nabi r asked. The Sahaba said, “No.” Then the noble Prophet r said, “The women with whom you intend committing this shameful act will also be either someone’s mother, daughter, sister or aunt. Why do you desire that for others that which you do not want for yourself?” After relating this to him, the Glorious Prophet of Allah r struck him on the chest and made this Du’a, “Oh Allah I! Remove the desire of Zina from his heart.”  The Sahaba t said, “When I came to the Holy Prophet r there was nothing more beloved to me then Zina. But now there is nothing (in the world) that is more detestable to me than Zina”.

 

After this, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r addressed the Sahaba t and said, “The example between you and myself is like the camel that breaks loose and runs away. The master (owner) of the camel then says, ‘Leave it! I know how to capture it’. The owner takes a bunch of lush green grass and waves it at the camel. The camel looks at the grass and stands still.  The master then slowly but carefully relaxes the disturbed camel and convinces it to sit down.  Thereafter, the master mounts the camel and guides it to its home.” The Beloved Nabi r then said to the companions, “If you had to kill this person then he would have ended up in the Fire of Hell.”

 

QUESTION: Sayyidi! A person had borrowed some money from me but refuses to return it. What should I do?

ANSWER: In these times, it is foolish to think that money given on loan will be returned. People owe me 1,400 Rupees and when I gave the loan I made an intention that if they return it, then good, but I will not ask for it.  Those persons who took the loan from me do not even speak of returning it.  I did not give the loan as a gift (Hiba) because the Hadith Shareef states, “If there is anyone who is owed money and the stipulated repayment period passes without being paid, the creditor will daily receive the rewards of Sadqa equivalent to the owed amount.” To obtain this great reward I gave the money as loan and not as Hiba (gift) because where am I going to find 1,400 Rupees to give daily Sadqah (charity)?

 

QUESTION: How many people will a Haafizul-Quraan save on the Day of Qiyaamah?  I heard about ten persons of his family.

ANSWER: Yes, that is correct. A crown, which will light up the east and west, will be placed on the heads of the parents of the Huffaaz on the Day of Qiyaamah. A Shaheed (Martyr) will intercede for 50 persons, a Haji for 70 persons, and the righteous Ulama will intercede for countless people. The Aalim-e-Deen will intercede for all those who have any sort of contact or relation with him. Some will say that he gave him water for Wudu, while some will say that he did certain work for him. These people will be judged accordingly and sent to Paradise (Jannah). People will give Hisaab (Judgement) along with the Ulama and sent to Jannah while the Ulama will be held back. They will inquire as to why they are held back from entering Paradise. Almighty Allah I will say to them,  “On this day you are like the Angels to me. Intercede for the sinners, because I (Allah I) will accept your intercession and forgive the sinners. All the righteous Sunni Ulama will be ordered to intercede for their students, even though they maybe as many as the stars in the sky. Allah I will accept their intercession”.

 

QUESTION: What is the revered personal name of the Prophet of Allah r?                 ANSWER: The Holy Prophet r has two personal names. He is known as Ahmad in the past scriptures and Muhammad in the Holy Quraan. There are countless attributive names of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r. Allama Imam Ahmed Khateeb t accumulated 500. Seerat-e-Shaami records another 300 and I (Ala’ Hadrat t) added another 600. This totals up to 1400.  Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r is known by a distinct name in different areas. Every area (skies, earth, oceans, mountains, etc.) knows him by a special name and he is addressed accordingly. 

 

QUESTION: Do these numerous names refer to different qualities?

ANSWER: Yes, they do.                                                       

 

QUESTION: Does this mean that every region addresses him with a different name and he manifests in every place with a different Splendour

(تجلّي)?  Are these names appropriate to the quality of his manifestations?

ANSWER: Yes! It is so. There were many Ayahs of praises in the original Injeel (Old Testament) that spoke of the excellence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r. The Christians altered some of these Ayahs of the Injeel and they totally removed them from places.  But who has the power to change or destroy the Will of Allah I?  Even in the modern modified version of the Bible, many Ayahs still remain which could not be detected by the unwary Kuffaar.  The same applies to the Torah and the Zaboor.

 

COMPILERS NOTE

A person from Shajahanpur asked a question to the Imam t, “I have heard and also read in some Kitaabs written by Deobandis that you say that Allah I and his Rasool r possess equal knowledge. Your claim of similarity does not make sense to me. Therefore, I have come personally to clarify this matter. How far is this true?”

ANSWER: The Holy Quraan has clarified this point,

لعنت الله على الكاذبين *

The curse of Allah I is on the liars.

 

My beliefs are explicit in my books. These books were written by me and published several times. Can anyone pin-point in any of my books of this baseless allegation? No one can prove from any of my Kitaabs that I have claimed similarity of knowledge between Almighty Allah I and His Beloved Rasool r! It is our belief (Ahle Sunnah) that the All-Knowing Almighty Allah I has blessed His Habeeb r with Ilme-Ghaib (Knowledge of Unseen).  Allah I states in the Quraan,

و ما هو على الغيب بضبين *

The Nabi r is not a miser in mentioning the Ghaib (Unseen).

 

Tafseer Ma’aalim and Tafseer Khaa’zin both state, “The Rasool possesses Ilme-Ghaib and also teaches it to you.” But the Wahabis and Deobandis reject that the Nabi r has Ilme-Ghaib. They go to the extent to say that he does not know what state he will pass away (Khatima) and what is behind the wall. They also say that if anyone believes that the Nabi r possessed Ilme-Ghaib, becomes a Mushrik (polytheist). They say that the extent of the knowledge of the Cursed Shaytaan is proven from the Quraan while this cannot be said for the knowledge of the Nabi r. They do not even accept that Allah I had blessed him with such knowledge, (refer to Baraheene-Qaa'tiya written by Khaleel Ahmed Ambetwi). I have never written in any of my books or claimed similarity of knowledge between Allah I and His Rasool r.  Let alone similarity, I have distinctly mentioned in my books that if you accumulate all the knowledge of the universe (Awwaleen and A’khireen) and compare it with the knowledge of Allah I, it will be of no comparison. This comparison will not be similar to a drop of water in comparison to a million oceans. How can one compare finite with infinite. (Refer to Imam Ahmad Rida's t masterpiece Ad-Doulatul-Makkiyyah for full details on this subject.)

 

QUESTION: Is it permissible to give a Sadqa of a live (without slaughtering) animal (goat, sheep, cow etc.) to a relevant cause?

ANSWER: If it is a Waajib Sadqa with the Niyyah of slaughter then it will not be permissible without slaughtering the animal. But if there was a specific time period for the slaughter and that time elapsed, e.g. the three days of Zil-Hajj Qurbaani (10th,11th,12th), in this situation it will be permissible to give the animal away alive.

 

QUESTION: Can the parents, grandparents, uncles and immediate families consume the Aqiqah meat of a child?

ANSWER: Certainly! They all can eat this meat. The type of Sadqa in which all can eat is categorically recorded in Oqoodud-Dariyyah. It is stated that the laws of Aqiqah are the same as Qurbaani.

P.S.: Many Muslims hold this as an incorrect belief that the parent of the child or the immediate families cannot eat the Aqiqah meat of the their children. This is an un-Islamic practice. There is absolutely no harm for them to eat it.

 

QUESTION: Is it permissible to perform Nikah in the months of Muharram and Safar?

ANSWER: Nikah is not forbidden in any month. This is a baseless belief that there are restrictions in certain months.

 

QUESTION: Can the adopted daughter of a person marry his own son?

ANSWER: Yes he can.

 

QUESTION: Can Nikah be performed in the days of Iddah (4 months, 10 days) after the death of one’s husband?

ANSWER: Let alone Nikah, it is totally Haraam to even send a proposal to women in these days.

 

QUESTION: What is the Islamic ruling concerning that Imam or Qaadi who had performed a Nikah in the days of Iddah? Does it affect his own Nikah and does he qualify to remain an Imam of a Musjid? Is there any Kaffara (payment) on him or not? What is the ruling of Sharee’ah on all those who attended such a Nikah? The Imam admits that he has erred and Muslims must forgive him. But a certain Moulana insists on the Imam to talk a lie that he was not aware that the woman was passing Iddah. What does the Sharee’ah say about such a Moulana?

ANSWER: If a person is aware that this Nikah is Haraam and still performs the Nikah, he is a great transgressor (فاسق) sinner and an agent of prostitution.  His personal Nikah is not nullified. If the Imam performed a Nikah in Iddah regarding it as Halaal then his own Nikah breaks as well as he leaves the folds of Islam (becomes a Kaafir), which obviously nullifies his Imamat.  He will not be accepted until he makes Touba and repents. The same applies to those who attended the Nikah.  If they were ignorant then there is no sin on them, and if they are aware and do not regard such Nikah as Haraam they are very great sinners. If the attendants were aware and regarded it as Halaal then they are all out of the pale of Islam. Concerning the Moulana who teaches lies, is a sinner and Touba is Fard upon him.

 

QUESTION: Nowadays, it is customary that at the time of Nikah the Wakeel (representative of the bride) goes to the bride without the two witnesses to seek her consent in Nikah.  The Imam or Qaadi, by the virtue of the power of the Wakeel and the public as witness, performs the Nikah. Is this method of Nikah acceptable in Sharee’ah or not? Furthermore, according to the Hanafi School of Law, is it not necessary that two witnesses be present with the Wakeel when the bride accepts and grants permission for her Nikah?  If Nikah is performed in the first method, will all involved be sinners or not?

ANSWER: There is no need for witnesses to be present with the Wakeel if the woman really grants permission to him to perform her Nikah. The Nikah will be valid. Yes, if the women later denies that she gave permission to the Wakeel for her Nikah, and then the Court of Law (Sharee'ah) will demand witnesses. However, this is no fault in the performance of Nikah. What certainly is incorrect (fault) is that the Wakeel is someone else and someone else performs the Nikah.  The correct procedure in Nikah is that only the appointed Wakeel may perform the Nikah and he does not have the authority to appoint another person to do this. There are numerous complications in this procedure, which are explained in my Fatawa. One can consult it for details. Therefore, when seeking permission from the woman, take permission from her by name of the representative or general permission for any Muslim.

 

QUESTION: Is it permissible to tie a Seh'ra (garland type flower arrangement) on the bridegroom at the time of Nikah and play music and bands, etc.?

ANSWER: She’ra made only from flowers is permitted and the evil of singing and dancing, music and bands is totally Haraam.

 

QUESTION: What is the Islamic status of Waleema? 

ANSWER: Waleema after the first night of Nikah is Sunnat and Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e used a tense of command in the Hadith Shareef. He stated to Sayyiduna Abd al- Rahmaan Ibn Auf t, “Make Waleema even if at least of one sheep or more. Both are permissible”.

 

QUESTION: If no person in an area or city perform Waleema and they just feed before or after the Nikah as is customary, what is the ruling concerning such people?

ANSWER: They are all neglecting the Sunnah. Since this Sunnah is Mustahab (recommended and desirable), therefore they will not be sinners as long as they respect Waleema.

 

QUESTION: Hinda's milk-suckling baby’s name is Amar. At the same time, she also breast-feeds a foster child named Bakr. They both drank Hinda’s milk for a full period (two years). Hinda later bore three sons, Saeed, Faadil, and Salem. Bakr later married and had a daughter. Now can Salem, the blood brother of Amar marry Bakr's daughter?

ANSWER: Bakr’s daughter is the real niece of all Hinda’s sons, therefore none of them can marry their real niece because her father, Bakr, is their foster brother.

 

QUESTION: Zaid and Bakr are first cousins and foster brothers. Can Zaid’s blood brother marry Bakr’s blood sister?

ANSWER: Yes, he can.

 

COMPILER

I was reading a volume of Tohfa-e-Hanafiyya and found a very interesting dialogue. I hereby present it for your reading pleasure. On the morning of Thursday, 25^th Jamadiul-Awwal 1316 Hijri, the following illustrious Ulama, Janab Sayyid Muhammad Sha Sahib, Deputy Principal of Nadwa, son of Molvi Sayyid Hasan Sha Muhaddith Rampuri, Respected Janab Sayyid Nausha Mia Sahib, Janab Molvi Sayyid Muhammad Nabi Sahib Mukhtaar and Janab Tasadduq Ali Sahib Wakeel, came to visit the eminent Mujaddid, Ala’ Hadrat Imam Ahmed Rida t.

N.B. : Imam will refer to Ala’ Hadrat t and Mia will refer to Deputy Principal of Nadwa and whatever in brackets, of the compiler, Ghousal Waqt Sayyidi Mufti A’zam t.

Mia: (After Salaams and introduction) I am the son of Hasan Sha Muhaddith.

Imam: I am aware of his pre-eminence and I also had the opportunity to once meet you.

Mia: I have come to you with the intention to ask a question. I am aware that you are ill and will certainly be uncomfortable with my question. But it is of great importance to me to get your views on the matter concerned.

Imam: I am present at your service. Although I am ill, I will provide you whatever my limited knowledge allows.

Mia:  My view is not to condemn anyone because Saa’ib (Kitaab) says,

3

دهن خويش بدشنام ميلا صائب     كين زر قلب بهر كس كه دهي باز دهد

Compiler:  (Mia Sahib made this comment because he had already received and read the book رساله سل السيوف الهنديه على كفريات بابا النجديه

Imam:  You are absolutely correct. This is so when minor differences exists between the illustrious Jurists, namely Hanafi and Shafa’ee etc. The Ahle Sunnat does not allow one to condemn the other because of these minor differences. It is also not ethical to be vulgar and sling mud at one another.

Mia: This rule is not limited only to minor differences (فروعي). Look at the Prophet’s period how the hypocrites intermingled with the Sahaba, performed Salaah with them and sat amongst them in meetings (مجالس) with the Nabi.

Imam: Yes, this was so in the early days of Islam. Later Allah I clearly declared:

وما كان الله ليذر المؤمنين على ما انتم عليه حتى يميز الخبيث من الطيب *

Allah I will not allow the inter-mingling of Believers in this manner. He will certainly segregate the impure from the pure.

 

What happened after this Revelation? The Musjid Shareef was full to capacity on the day of Jum’ah when Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r ascended on the Mimbar Shareef in the presence of the Sahaba and called out the hypocrites name by name and ordered,

اخرج  يا فلان فانك منافق  اخرج  يا فلان فانك منافق *

Get out so and so, verily you are a hypocrite. Get out so and so, verily you are a hypocrite.

 

He expelled all the hypocrites by name before commencing Salaah.  (This Hadith Shareef is reported by Tabraani and Ibn Abi Khaatim and narrated from Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Abbaas t). This is the conduct of the personality who is addressed by Allah I as Rahmatul-lil-Ala’meen (Mercy onto the Universe).  After the Mercy of Allah I, his mercy is the greatest in this universe.

Mia: What about the command of Allah I when he sent Nabi Moosa u to Fir’oun,

قولا له قولا لينا*

Speak softly to him?

Imam: But Allah I commands Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r in the Holy Quraan,

يا أيها النبي جاهد الكفار و المنافقين واغلظ عليهم *

O Nabi! Declare Jihad with the Kuffaar and hypocrites and be harsh on them.

 

Allah I orders this to someone who He addresses in the Holy Quraan as,

و انك على خلق عظيم *

Verily you have the most excellent conduct.

 

This proves that severity with the enemies of Deen is not a bad conduct. In fact, it is a Divinely prescribed praiseworthy conduct.

Mia: I do not refer to the Kuffaar (according to Mia, maybe Fir’oun is a Muslim).

Imam: Initially you made a general statement. Nevertheless, specify a limit.

Mia: If anyone makes a statement, we should say, “I regard the statement of my brother as Kufr.”

Imam: Alhamdulillah! No person who blurts out words of Kufr is my brother. There is no reason for sympathetic words when a person’s Kufr is established. Why must you say, “As far as I am concerned these words seem like Kufr.”? This attitude will confuse and mislead the public about the words of Kufr.

Mia: It is a must to say, “As far as I am concerned.”

Imam: It is necessary to be clear when the proofs of Sharee’ah are established.

Mia: Say it is the words of Kufr but do not say that he is astray (كمراه). This is a vulgar word.

Imam: Amazing! To you misguidance (كمراهى) is worse than Kufr.

Mia: In this way a person who shaves off his beard is a Faasiq (transgressor) and astray (كمراه).  But, generally, astray (كمراه) is a vulgar word.

Imam: A clean-shaven person knows that it is Haraam to shave off the beard, but he still does it. Such a person is a Faasiq (transgressor). He will not be regarded as astray (كمراه) because he knows the path of Sunnah and believes in it. For some reason or the other, he does not practice it. But on the contrary, acknowledgement of Kufr is surely misled and astray (كمراه).

Mia: Even though one acknowledges Kufr, but you have labelled a great Aalim and Muhaddith[cccc] as one who acknowledges Kufr. This man has spent his entire life in the service of Hadith.

Imam: Did you read my book Sal’lus-Suyoof?

Mia: Yes.

Imam: Did you find in this entire Kitaab any place where I had labelled him a Kaafir?

Mia: No! You did not label him a Kaafir.

(Alhamdulillah! This confirmation is a blessing because many Wahabis are spreading false rumours that Ala’ Hadrat had labelled him a Kaafir).

Imam: So, as much as I have written is surely clear. His service to Hadith is also known. But this service does not exempt him from erring. Almighty Allah I states,

اضلّه الله على علم *

Allah I has misled them with their knowledge.

 

Mia: But you have written that he said, “Do not accept anyone besides Allah I.”

Imam: Yes, his book has been published and I have a copy. He has mentioned this in numerous places.

Mia: Who will make such a statement as not to believe in the Nabi?

Imam: Sir! It is the Urdu language. You tell me what is the meaning of “accept” (ماننا).

Mia: If we did not believe in the Nabi, why would we have studied the Hadith and obtained a degree to get a job?

Imam: You speak for your self! At that time, there were no degrees or jobs.

Moulana Hasan Rida Khan[dddd] t commented: But Sir! Who gets a job after the age of 50 years?

Mia: Who can dare to insult the Holy Prophet r?

Imam: Allah forbid! Is it not an insult if one says that the Prophet died and turned to dust?

Mia: (in a negative tone) Hmmm …, who said this?

Imam: Isma’eel Dehlawi

Mia: No one can possibly say such a thing of the Rasool.

Imam: I have the published copy of Taqwiyatul Imaan. Have a look at it.

Mia: No one can say such a thing of the Rasool.

Imam: Exactly, this was said of the Rasool. Why do you not have a look at the comment?

Then Sayyid Mukhtaar Sahib commented: Janab Mia Sahib! These terrible words are found in this book. The heart aches when one reads them.  Therefore, he (Ala’ Hadrat) is upset.

Mia: Moulana Rumi states in his Mathnawi Shareef,  “O Allah I! You are a Zaalim (oppressor). Oppress me as much as You desire. Your oppression is more dearer to me than the justice of others.” 

Imam: Did Moulana (May Allah I sanctify his soul) say such a thing to Allah I?

Mia: Yes, Moulana Rumi said this.

Imam:  Bring the Mathnawi Shareef.

Moulana Muhammad Rida Khan t brought the Mathnawi Shareef and left it in front of Mia Sahib. He moved it away with his hand.

Imam:  Hadrat! Show me where is this written?

Mia: (moving the Mathnawi Shareef further away). It is somewhere in this book كه شهيدى ديدهء از Look for it with the words ‘khar khar shaheed’ etc.

Imam: This verse refers to the condemnation of Fisq (transgression). Allah I states in the Holy Quraan,

ذق انك أنت العزيز الحكيم *

It is recorded in the leader of this subject جان من را ديدى و كدو را نديدى.  Mia Sahib cannot see that the words of Moulana Rumi acknowledge our arguments. If there is severity exercised by the illustrious Ulama on a Faasiq, then what won’t they say about the corrupt and astray?

Mia: What about you who write Abd al-Mustafa (servant of Mustafa r) with your name?

Imam: This is the beauty of having good thoughts about a Muslim. Allah I states in the Holy Quraan,

وانكحوا الايامى منكم والصالحين من عبادكم و إماءكم *

And perform marriage of those amongst you who have not been married and of your suitable servants[eeee] and handmaids.

 

What do you say about this? Label this too as Shirk! (Ala’ Hadrat t has written in his Qaseedah-e-Ak’seer-e-A’zam[ffff] which is a commentary of Sharh-e-Mujeer-e-Mo’azzam that Sha Waliullah has recorded a Hadith Shareef in his Izalatul-Khafa.  Sayyiduna Omar Al-Farooq t refers himself in the sacred court of the glorious Prophet r in these words,

كُنْتُ عَبْدُهُ وَ خَادِمُهُ *

I was his (the Nabi) slave and servant.

 

Mia: However brother, it is up to you to speak bad and hear bad.

Imam: I will definitely call a Kaafir a Kaafir, a Rafdi a Rafdi, a Khariji a Khariji and a Wahabi a Wahabi. I do not care if they condemn me. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr t and Sayyiduna Omar t are our masters and leaders and they have passed away 1300 years ago, yet they are still insulted to this day.

Mia: They (referring to the other sects/cults) also say the same. What good does this serve?

Imam:  It certainly serves a purpose. The Hadith Shareef clearly orders:

أتَرعَونَ عن ذكرِ الفَاجرِ مَتى يعرفه الناسُ اُذكروا الفاجر َ بما فيه يحذرهُ الناسُ *

Do you wish to abstain from condemning a fornicator (فاجر)? When will the people recognize them? Expose the mischief and corruption of the Faajir so that people may abstain from them.

 

The following Muhaditheen in their Kitaabs record this Hadith Shareef,

1.      Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abi-Duniya in Dham'mil-Gheeba

   ذم الغيبه.

2.      Imam Muhammad bin Ali Tirmidi in Nawadirul Osool

 نوادر الاصول

3.      Imam Haakim in Kitaabul Kuna  كتاب الكنى

4.      Imam Shiraazi in Kitaabul Al'qaabكتاب الالقاب                                 

5.      Imam Ibn Adi in Kaamil                                             الكامل

6.      Imam Tabraani in Moh'jame Kabeer                      معجم كبير

7.      Imam Bay’haqi in Sunane Kubra                            سنن كبرى

8.      Imam Khateeb Baghdadi and Imam Ma'ooya bin Haydah Qusheeri in Rawat Maalik                                     رواة مالك

9.      and Imam Khateeb in Tareekh تاريخ all narrate from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra t

Mia: This Hadith refers only to the Faasiq (فاسق)

Imam: Incorrect belief (فسق عقيده) is much worse than incorrect actions

(فسق عمل)

Mia: Certainly!

Imam: Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r personally stated that all the groups with incorrect beliefs are residents of Hell besides one. كلهم  في النار الا واحدة  Now, would you not say that a Rafdi (Shia’) is misled and a Jahannami?

Mia: A Rafdi is not a Jahannami (dweller of Hell).

Imam: Then what is the meaning of this Hadith?

Mia:  (Silent with no answer)

Imam: According to you, all those who regard Sayyiduna Abu Bakr t and Sayyiduna Omar t as non-Believers are not Jahannamis?

Mia: No one says this.

Imam: The Rafdies certainly do.

Mia: No Rafdi says such a thing.

Moulana Sayyid Tasadduq Ali Sahib commented: There are books published by them, which are available, and you say that nobody says such things.

Mia: I know of about 10 to 12 thousands acquaintances and family members that are Raafdi’s but not a single one of them has ever confirmed or said anything like this in my presence.

Moulana Sayyid Mukhtaar Sahib then said: They certainly believe so, but they pretend in your presence (تقيّه).

Imam: Well people, now we understand the reason of support and laxity because Mia Saab has 10 to 12 thousand friends and family members!

Mia: Well brother, you condemn them and they condemn you.

Imam: That does not make any difference to me nor does it brother me because to this day they still condemn and insult Sayyiduna Abu Bakr t and Sayyiduna Omar t.

Mia: They also say the same.

Imam: Do you believe that the Yahood (Jew) and Nasara (Christian) are astray?

Mia: Maybe!

Imam: This is no answer. Is it Yes or No?

Mia: Maybe!  (Shocking! A doubt to confirm a basic belief).

Sayyid Mukhtaar Sahib said: Does this question also mean, “They also say the same thing to you.” (If the astray condemns the righteous as misled, then the righteous must also abstain from condemning the misled.)

Mia: The consequences of severity are evident. The Rafdies killed the Sunnis in the past and so did the Sunnis. As far as I am concerned, they both are Mardood (Rejected). 

Compilers comment:  Allah forbid! According to Mia Saab, one who speaks Kufr is not astray. So, do not call a Rafdi Jahannami. But a Sunni is certainly a Mardood!

 

Imam: This may be your belief, but the Ahle Sunnah does not subscribe to this.

Mia: If both are Muslims and they fight amongst themselves, then they are certainly Mardood. 

 

P.S. The Karijites used this very argument to condemn Sayyiduna Ali Al-Murtuda t and the participants of the Battle of Ja’mal and Siffeen.

 

Imam: What is your verdict concerning Sayyiduna Ali t? He killed

5 000 persons that recited the Kalima. They were not only Muslim but also Qurra and Ulama. Can you comment on this?

Sayyid Mukhtaar Sahib said: Mia Sahib! This discussion will never end.  Come, let’s terminate this meeting with a good note.

Mia: (While getting up to leave) Someone spoke ill of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr t in his presence. People got up to kill him. Sayyiduna Siddique t stopped them and said, “Do not kill anyone who speaks ill of me ….…”

The Hadith continues, “But kill those who insult the status of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r.” Mia Sahib was about to say this portion when Ala’ Hadrat intervened and said, “And those who say that the Nabi is dead and turned to dust.” On hearing this, everyone laughed besides Mia Sahib.

Imam: Alhamdulillah! We are the followers of Ameeril Moh'mineen Sayyiduna Ali t who never regarded the Karijites as brothers. He never allowed a misled or astray person near him.

Mia: As-Salaamu alay kum (and left).

The meeting ended in a good note الحمدلله.

 

The compiler, Ghousul Waqt, Sayyidi Mufti A’zam Qutbe-Alam t asked this question. It is stated in the Hadith Shareef,

اتقوا مواضع التهم *

Abstain from blameworthy places.

 

This command is not specific for anyone. It refers to everyone in general.  Obviously, the illustrious Awliya are no exception to this command. Then, how is it possible for some not to abide by this rule? In this situation, they confuse the public unnecessarily by not abstaining from blameworthy places. Is this not Haraam?

Imam: In Sharee’ah the rules of helplessness (حالت اضطرار) are different to the laws of choice (حالت اختيار).  Everyone knows that liquor and pork is absolutely Haraam, but the Law also says,

فمن اضْطرّ في مخمصة *

But whoso is forced by extreme hunger and thirst.

 

When life is at danger due to hunger or thirst and nothing besides the forbidden (liquor or pork) is available, then it is a sin not to consume these things to save one’s life. It will be a Haraam death if one dies by not consuming these things. In fact, it is Fard to eat or drink a little from it to save one’s life. Similarly, if something is stuck in the throat and nothing besides liquor is available to wash it down, one is ordered to drink a little to save one’s life. In such circumstances the basic formula of Sharee’ah will apply,

الضرورات تبيح المحظورات *

In certain circumstances the forbidden becomes allowed.

 

It is very important to control one’s heart when dealing with Allah I.  If for some reason of helplessness, one cannot fully control one’s heart, then the Law will descend from Fard to Waajib.  Here the ignorant fail to understand one’s action and condemn it as Haraam, while, in reality, this is Mabah (permitted) state. Due to ignorance and short sightedness, one evaluates the external actions of a person as wrong and accuses him of being in blameworthy places. But in reality, the person is actually executing a very big Waajib. Is it not Haraam to cut off a part of the body? But if one portion endangers the rest of the body, then it will by amputated (in the case of gangrene). This act will save the rest of the body.

 

Once Sheikh Abu Bakr Shibli t received 100 gold coins. A barber was trimming a man’s beard on the banks of the river Euphrates. The Sheikh offered the coins to this man who refused it. He then offered it to the barber who also refused it and said, “I have trimmed this man’s beard for the sake of Allah I. I will not take any payment for it.” The noble Sheikh then looked at the money and said to it, “You are such useless wealth that everyone refuses to take you.” He said this and threw the coins into the river.

The ignorant will say that this is a waste of wealth ((تضيع مال, which is Haraam. In fact, this is a wise protection of the heart (حفظ قلب), which at that moment demanded throwing it. Two persons present refused it so he had to keep it in his possession until he found a poor man to give it to. The period of finding someone will be in a state of sin because he will be carrying this money around. This will make one forget death and remember the pleasures of life.

The Awliya constantly fear death. The Sheikh also had death in front of him along with the fear of the Nafs to have the wealth for a period. One cannot ascertain when it will be passed on to someone else. What if death came to him while this wealth was with him? Therefore, he had to get rid of it immediately. This was for two reasons. One, to be empty-handed if death came and the other, to destroy the desire to possess wealth for a short period. This is the state of a pure heart filled with Divine Love. It is certainly more excellent than all the wealth of the universe. Will anyone regard this as waste if one buys a kingdom for 100 coins?  In fact, one would be praised for buying such a priceless item for such little money.  Intentions must always be considered in matters before reaching incorrect conclusions.

 

QUESTION: What is the meaning of Wahdadul-Wajood[gggg].?

ANSWER: The existence of the Sublime Being of the Almighty I is compulsory for Him and whatever else exists, is the manifestation of Allah I.  Thus, in reality, there is only one single existence (i.e. Allah I).

 

QUESTION: This sounds so simple to understand, then why is this topic said to be very intricate?       

ANSWER: To ponder over this matter leads either to spiritual amazement or absolute deviation from the right path. If I elaborate a little on this subject, your minds will be confused.

 

The compiler, Mufti A’zam Imam Mustafa Rida Al-Qaadiri t is the youngest son of the noble Imam. He states that Ala’ Hadrat t mentioned many examples pertaining to this subject but he only clearly remembers one of them. The great Imam said,  “Take for example light. The sun and lamp has its own light and the earth and moon do not possess its own light. Therefore, because of the sun, the entire earth is bright and due to the lamp, the whole room is lit up. The light of the earth and moon are actually the own light of the sun and lamp. Hence, if this light is cut off from the objects, it will remain absolutely dark. The same rule may be applied to the Sublime Creator and the universe”. 

 

QUESTION: Then why does a Wali of Allah see Allah I everywhere?

ANSWER: You can understand this by this example. If a person enters a room of mirrors, he will see himself everywhere. This is so because he himself is the original and the rest of the images are all his personal reflections. But these images will not be the attributive qualities of his personal self, i.e. they (images) will not have the same hearing, seeing and moving qualities, etc. like that of his personal self. This is so because the images on the mirror are a mere external manifestation (shadow) of himself, and not of his complete self (internal and external). The qualities of listening and seeing are those of the complete self and not of the shadow image.  Therefore, whatever qualities are found in the original can never be found in the image. On the contrary, the blessed creation of man (al-Insaan) is the manifestations of Almighty Allah I and therefore, Insaan is blessed with certain Divine attributive qualities according to its holding capacity.

 

N.B.: Almighty Allah I is One. All that He has created including the universe reflects His power, Beauty and Glory.

 

QUESTION: There was a dispute between Zaid and Bakr about some monies. The Chief of the village arbitrated and resolved it. Bakr owed Zaid money and he paid it to Zaid. It is the custom of the village to pay a fee to the Chief for resolving disputes. He is always paid a fee and he takes it.  After solving Zaid and Bakr’s dispute, he demanded his fee. Zaid refused to pay. When the chief insisted, Zaid gave him all the money. The Chief said, “All I want is my fee and nothing else.”  Zaid said, “I am happily giving it to you.” The Chief took it. After some time passed, Zaid lodged a complaint in the local Court, saying that he did not receive the money. He also produced two sworn affidavits of separate witnesses. These two witnesses were present when Bakr paid the monies to Zaid. What is the ruling of the Sharee’ah regarding this matter?

ANSWER: It is Haraam for the Chief to take the money, but there is no harm if it was given happily. It is Fard on the witness to make Touba for lodging a false claim with a false testimony on false oath.

 

COMPILER:

 

Sir!  Bribery is also happily given, but the Chief demanded his fee and Zaid refused to pay. When the Chief insisted, Zaid gave him all the money expressing his displeasure. It was a lie when he said, “I am happily giving it to you.” On the contrary, bribe is given without any demand for it. It is also Haraam if given by free will. But in this situation the Chief demanded his fee and why is it regarded as permissible? As you mentioned first, it is Haraam for the Chief to take the money. This must be due to the intention of bribery.

ANSWER: Human desires are acceptable as long as there are no Islamic restrictions found in them. The Sharee’ah condemns bribery as Haraam. It cannot be legalised because of anyone’s happiness. The Sahih Hadith Shareef states,

الراشى و المرتشى في النار *

The giver and taker of bribe are both in Hell.

 

The arbitrator who takes a fee for solving disputes is not bribery, but an illegal charge. In such cases, the ignorant demand these illegal dues using the word Haqq (meaning rightful or justified dues). Unfortunately, the taker of the bribe also says, “Give me my rights.” This is clear Kufr because he has made Haraam as Haqq (rightful). The status of piety is evaluated by one’s words. Giving all the money to the Chief clearly displays Zaid’s dissatisfaction, even though he says, “I happily give it to you.” The Sharee’ah governs the external state and declaration of man. That which you say “expression of dissatisfaction” is based on assumption. Fatawa Qaadi Khan, etc. state,

الصريح  يفوق  الادلالة *

Clarity overrules assumption.

 

Numerous Masaa’il in Fiqha are based on this rule. It is recorded in Khaniyya, Hindiyya, Durre-Mukhtaar and all other books of Fiqha that everything is based on apparent circumstances and not the intentions of the heart. If one sews a garment by a tailor without a quotation then the payment becomes Waajib because the tailor’s profession itself is the proof of payment. If the tailor said he would sew the garment free of charge, then its not permissible for him to charge labour even though he may have said it in friendship or perhaps not from his heart. It must have been said in a kind gesture or humility. However, it is Waajib on one to have good thoughts about a fellow Muslim. Intentions should be considered. Zaid spoke a lie when he said that he gave the money happily. There are three major sins to this. Firstly, for speaking a lie. Secondly, for deceit.  He is unhappy at heart but pretended to be happy. Thirdly, for giving money in circumstances when it is Haraam to give and also Haraam to take. Therefore, his words will be judged according to the understanding and information present.

 

QUESTION: Is there any payment (Kaffara) for a Qasam (oath)?

ANSWER: In this case, there is no Kaffara, but Touba. Kaffara is applicable when one does the opposite of an oath, which is taken to be or not to be done in the future. There is no Kaffara for swearing an oath on events of the past.

 

COMPILERS NOTE:

 

It is Friday night and the youngest brother of Ala’ Hadrat t, Moulana Muhammad Rida Khan t came in and said, “The City of Bukhara was under Russian control. According to today’s newspaper, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire has recaptured it.” Ala’Hadrat t replied, “This is an ancient Islamic empire where many great Imams and Mujtahids lived. The Barkaat of these great personalities still exists to this day. The Adhaan is called at one specific time collectively from the minarets of all the Masaajid.  All businesses comes to a standstill and everyone performs Salaah with Jama’at.”

 

Ala’ Hadrat t then related a personal experience with the Rijaalul-Ghaib, (Men of Unseen). He said that once he was going to the home of Hakeem Wazeer Ali. It was about 10 a.m. and he was young as the age of Jilaani Mia[hhhh] . A saintly person with a long white beard confronted him. He was an exceptionally handsome man with striking features. This saintly man said to me, “Nowadays, I hear that children are Abd al-Azeez, then later Abd al- Hameed and finally Abd al- Rasheed.” He said this and disappeared before my eyes. The comment of the unknown Saint correctly befitted that time of my youth. Similarly, I met another saintly person around the same age near a Musjid who kept on staring at me for a long time. He the questioned me, “Who are you to Rida Ali Khan?” (This was the Grandfather of Ala’ Hadrat and a Qutub of his time), I replied, “His grandson.”  The Saint then said, “No wonder!” and walked away.

 

Translators Note: The Saint must have seen the glow of Imaan of the young man who was to be a future Mujaddid of the century. Therefore, he carefully inspected him and then inquired, “What are you to Rida Ali Khan?” It must have been announced in the spiritual world that Rida Ali’s grandson would be the next Mujaddid. Thus he exclaimed, “No wonder.”  How true was his comment!

 

QUESTION: If one does not get to perform his Sunnats before the Fard of Salaah, would these Sunnats be regarded as Qada?

ANSWER: They would be regarded Qada of their time and not generally as Qada of Fard or Waajib Salaah times. Sunnat Salaah is unlike the Fard or Waajib Salaahs. They are to be read in their specific times, i.e. before or after any Fard Salaah.

 

QUESTION: Is there any conflict between the A’imma-e-Arba’ah-e-Mujtahideen that some tie their hands on the chest while others on the navel?

ANSWER: Eat the melon and do not question the peel. (Meaning, do not enter in this matter). Whatever the four Imams say is all in accordance to the Sharee’ah. If they disagreed with the Sharee’ah, then why were they called Imams?  It is the duty of every Muslim to obey and follow the Imams.

 

QUESTION: What is the method of achieving the blessed Ziyarah (vision) of the Beloved Master Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r?

ANSWER: Recite Salawaat (Darood Shareef) excessively at night. Also continue reading Darood Shareef during the day, in fact, at all times. The following Darood Shareef has been proven most effective for the Ziyarah.  Recite this Salawaat 100 times or more daily without fail after Salaatul Esha.

اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد كما آمرتنا أن نصلى عليه *

 اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد كما تحب و ترضى له *

 اللهم صل على روح سيدنا محمد في الأرواح *

 اللهم صل على جسد سيدنا محمد في الأجساد *

  اللهم صل على قبر سيدنا محمد في القبور * 

صلى الله على سيدنا محمد و مولانا محمد*

There is no better Salawaat than the above to receive the Blessed Ziyarah of Sayyidul Alameen r. Bear in mind that this Salawaat (Darood Shareef) must not be read with the intention of Ziyarah, but purely for the love and respect of the Holy Prophet r.  Let the rest lie in the beautiful favours and blessing of the glorious Habeeb r.

 

After this discussion another question was forwarded to the noble Imam t.  Since it was a very simple question therefore, he ordered that the answer be extracted from the relevant Kitaab of Fiqah and sent to the questioner.  Then Ala’ Hadrat t stated,  “At the time of the noble Sahaba, Islamic questions (Fatawa) were also posed to them and they answered them. No Kitaabs existed at that time and the only reference was the Holy Quraan and the Sunnah. But, nowadays, inquiries request for detailed references of authors, publishers, line and page numbers, etc. though the inquirer knows nothing about the Laws of Fiqah.

 

QUESTION: Respected Master! I wish to present an Islamic inquiry (Fatawa).  Is there any specific day prescribed for this?

ANSWER: There are no specific days for this purpose. Of course, in the Hadith Shareef it is mentioned that if any person that leaves his home before sunrise on a Saturday morning for a (legal) personal purpose, then I (Holy Prophet e) will be the guarantee for the fulfilment of that purpose.

 

QUESTION: Did the Holy Prophet r mean any purpose or need?

ANSWER. Yes, only for a legitimate (Jaa’iz) purpose or need.

 

QUESTION: In the first chapter of the Holy Quraan, the Ayah is reads عذاب عظيم . If one reads عذاب اليم instead, will his Salaah be valid or not?

ANSWER: Yes, it is valid because this mistake does not change the meaning or concept of the Ayah. It is a general rule of Sharee’ah that if the pronunciation of a letter changes the meaning of a word or distorts the meaning of the context, then Salaah is nullified[iiii].

 

QUESTION: What is the ruling in Fiqha Hanafi if one mistakenly recites Tasmiyyah (Bismillah) loudly before a Sura in Salaah?

ANSWER: If one mistakenly reads it aloud, then there is no harm. But if it is read intentionally, then it is Makrooh (undesirable).

 

QUESTION: There are two Masaajid very close to each other. One gets totally destroyed by a storm while the other gets slightly damaged. Can the Muslims utilise goods from the destroyed Musjid to repair the damaged Musjid?

ANSWER: It is certainly not permissible. In fact, it is not permissible to utilise a single brick from one Musjid for another. It is compulsory on the Muslims to restore both the Masaajid and also frequent them for Salaah.  What was the necessity to build two Masaajid in such close proximity?

 

QUESTION: What is the ruling of the Sharee’ah on a person who collects monies in the name of a Musjid but uses it for himself?

ANSWER: His abode is the Fire of Hell.

 

QUESTION: Can a person pre-dig his grave and keep it ready to be buried in it?

ANSWER: Almighty Allah I states,

و ما تدرى نفس بأيّ ارض تموت *

No one knows where he will die on this earth.

 

This is not a correct thing to do. One can by all means prepare his Kafan and carry it around with him (travel). How is it possible for him to carry his grave wherever he goes?

 

QUESTION: Can a Khateeb recite Bismillah (Tasmiah) in the Jum’ah and both Eid Khutbas?

ANSWER: Read it softly with Ta’ooz before the Khutba.

 

QUESTION: Is it in order if one ties his Amama (Turban) for his Fard Salaah and remove it for the remaining Sunnah or other Salaah. One does this because of constant headaches. What does the Sharee’ah say about this?

ANSWER: There is no harm in doing so but it is preferable and excellent to leave it on. One Jum’ah Salaah with Amama is equivalent to 70 Jum’ahs without Amama. The noble Imam went on further to say that headache and fever are blessed ailments, which were experienced by all the Prophets of Allah. Once a Wali of Allah experienced a headache. He was so overjoyed that Allah I had blessed him with the ailment of the Prophets. He then spent the entire night in Nafil Salaah to thank Allah I for this mercy.  Allahu Akbar! But, today, if someone gets a mild headache then he wants to perform his Salaah quickly and sometimes not perform it at all. The rule is that pain becomes Kaffara (expiation of sins) for that specific part of the body in which it is found. This is not so in the case of fever. This ailment penetrates the entire body and therefore, fever is a Kaffara for the sins of the entire body. Indeed, this is a great blessing of Allah I on this Ummah. This sickness cleanses one of sins. Alhamdulillah! Almighty Allah I is exceptionally merciful on me because I often experience headaches and fever.

 

QUESTION: Did the Wahabis exist in the time of the Khulafa-e-Rashideen?

ANSWER: It was this very Sect that Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Abbaas t requested permission from Ameeril Moh’mineen Sayyiduna Ali Al-Murtuda t to confront. They were 10,000 in number. Ameeril Moh’mineen granted him permission and he went to them and asked, “What was it about Ameeril Moh’mineen that you so greatly disagree with?” They replied, “Why did the Ameer appoint Sayyiduna Abu Moosa Ash’ari t as a judge (Hakam) in the event of Siffeen?”  This is Shirk, because Allah I states in the Quraan,

إن الحكم إلا لله *

Judgement is from none, but Allah I

 

Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Abbaas t replied, “Is it not in the very same Quraan that Allah I states,

 و إن خفتم شقاق بينِهِما فابعثوا حكماً من أهله و حكماً من أهلها ط  إن يريد إصلاحاً  يّوفّق الله بينهما ط إن الله كان عليماً خبيرا ً *

And if you fear a dispute between husband and wife, then appoint an arbiter from the side of the family of the man and an arbiter from the side of the family of the woman (to solve the problem). If these two will desire reconciliation then Almighty Allah I will cause unity between them. Undoubtedly, Allah I is All-Knowing, Aware.

 

Remember that this is the same format of argument used by the present day Wahabis. They turn a blind eye to the differences between bestowed and personal knowledge and also reject the legality of seeking assistance from anyone other than Allah I. It is an Islamic belief that Allah I has entrusted His elite servants with this science of knowledge and powers. This knowledge and power is purely Ata’ee (bestowed) and not Zaati (personal).  But, the Wahabi rejects this reality and says such beliefs are Shirk.

 

However, after quoting the above Ayah, Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Abbaas t then asked them, “What type of belief do you hold that you claim Imaan with all the Ayahs of negation (na'fee), and Kufr with the Ayahs of affirmation (Ith'baat)?” On hearing this scholastic statement of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbaas t, half of this group (5,000) repented and joined Ameeril Moh’mineen t. The remainder of the group (5,000) were stubborn and held fast to their false beliefs. After this dialogue, the noble Ameeril Moh’mineen t issued the order to the Muslim army to kill the remainder. 

 

Sayyiduna Imam Hasan t, Sayyiduna Imam Husain t and many other eminent personalities hesitated because this group spent the entire night in Ibadah and recited the Holy Quraan during the day. They protested, “How could we raise our swords on such people who are soaked in Ibadah?” Meanwhile in the past, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e had already informed Sayyiduna Ali t about this Sect. The Nabi e said, “These people will revolt against Islam and they will be very staunch in their external duties of Salaah and fasting, etc. They will leave the Deen as an arrow leaves the bow for its target never to return again. They will recite the Holy Quraan but it will not proceed below their throats.” Eventually the Muslim army was compelled to execute the command of Ameeril Moh’mineen t.  Hence, the battle commenced. In the course of the Jihad, the Ameer was informed that the enemy had retreated to the banks of a river. On hearing this Sayyiduna Ali Al-Murtuda t said, “By Allah! Not even 10 if them will cross the river and all will be killed on this side.” So it did happen. Every one of the 5 000 were killed before crossing the river.

 

Since the army of the Ameer t was impressed by the piety of the enemy, he had to clear their minds and hearts of their mis-concept. To do this, the Ameer ordered his army to search the corpses of the enemy and find one named Zul-Thadiyya. Sayyiduna Ali t also gave some physical description of this person to make it easy to find him. The Ameer said, “If you find him dead, then you have verily killed the most evil of men on earth. But if you do not find him amongst the dead, then you have killed the best of men on earth.” The search began and every corpse was inspected. This cursed person was found below a pile of bodies.  His one hand was shaped like the breast of a woman. When Ameeril Moh’mineen t saw him he glorified Allah I and shouted the Takbeer (Allahu-Akbar). The entire Muslim army was convinced and satisfied by the Karamah (Ilme-Ghaib) of the Ameer. They too praised Allah I and thanked Him for cleansing the earth of this filth. Then, the illustrious Ameer t addressed the army and said, “Do you think that this cursed following is totally cleansed? Certainly not! Some of them are still in the womb of their mothers and others are in the sperm of their fathers. When one of these groups are exterminated, another will rise with Fitna and this will continue till the last group emerges with the cursed Dajjaal!”

This is the very Sect that will emerge in every era with different names and disguise. Now, in this last period of time, the very following has emerged as “Reformers of Deen” and called themselves Wahabis. Their signs and descriptions are foretold in the Sahih-Ahadith Shareef, which clearly befit the present day Wahabis.

 

Some of the Prophecies are as follows,

تحقّرون صلاتكم عند صلاتهم و صيامكم عند صيامهم و أعمالكم عند أعمالهم *

If you compare your Salaah with their Salaah you will regard yours as insignificant and insufficient. Likewise will be the situation of your fasting and good deeds.

يقرؤن القرآن لاتجاوز طراقيهم  *

They will recite the Holy Quraan but it will not go below their throats (not enter their hearts).

يقولون من قول خير البريّة  *

Their words and speech will be very sweet and appealing and they will quote the Hadith Shareef in every thing they say.

يموقون من الدين كما يموق السهم من الرميّة *

They will leave the (boundaries) Deen as an arrow leaves the bow for its target (never to return again).

سيماهم التحليق *

One of their signs is that most of them will have shaven heads.

مشمّرى الإزار *

Their pants will be raised high above the ankles.

 

N.B. It is known that the father of the present day Wahabis is Ibn Abd al- Wah’haab Najdi. It is said that he exercised the shaving of the head so strongly that if any woman accepted Wahabism, he ordered the hair on their heads to be shaven off.  This was done because he said, “This is the hair of the period of Kufr and therefore it must be shaven off.” The hair shaving of females carried on for some time until one frustrated lady confronted him and said, “Why do you not order the beards of your new recruits to be also shaven off when they enter you Deen? That is also the hair of the Kufr period.” It was after this objection that he stopped this shameful and disgusting practice.

 

Look at the present day Wahabis.  The majority of them shave off their hair and lift their pants high above their ankles. How true are the Prophecies of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e? They perfectly fit the pattern of the present day Wahabis. 

 

Once the Holy Prophet e was distributing booty after the Battle of Hunain. A person objected to the manner of the Holy Prophet’s e distribution. This disrespectful person remarked, “I don't find justice in your distribution because some persons are getting more while others less.” On hearing this absurd remark, Sayyiduna Omar Al-Farooq t was outraged. He drew his sword and said, “Ya Rasoolullah e!  Grant me permission to behead this Munafiq (hypocrite).” The loving Habeeb e replied, “Leave him because such and such type of people will be from his off springs.” Then the Holy Prophet of Allah e further said, “Unfortunately, if I don’t exercise justice with you, then who will be just to you? May Allah I have mercy on my brother Moosa u who was oppressed more than me!”

 

The illustrious Ulama state that the distribution of the Holy Prophet e on this single day was more than a lifelong charity of generous kings. The jungle was full of booty and the Sahaba came in huge numbers to collect their share. The Nabi of Allah e distributed the booty to them moving backwards as it got lesser until all of it was given out. While this virtuous distribution was carrying on, a Bedouin came up to the Noble Prophet e and excitedly pulled away his mantle (Rida) from his blessed shoulders.  The force of that snatching left marks on the shoulders and back of the Beloved Nabi e. This did not annoy him, instead he compassionately said, “Oh people! Do not hasten, by Allah! You would never find me a miser at any given time.” Certainly, by the Lord of Power who has sent his beloved Rasool e with truth and ultimate guidance, the most esteemed Khalifa of the Almighty Allah I is Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e. Whatever bounties and mercies are received in this universe, are indeed his blessings. In fact, his blessings in this universe are not equal to an atom in of his Divine Rahmah.

 

Arife-Billah, Imam Sharfudeen Boosiri t states in his famous Qaseedah Burdah Shareef,

فانّ من جودك الدنيا و ضرّتها                      ومن علومك علم اللوح و القلم

Verily the mercies of this Duniya and Akhirah are but a trace of your  blessings (Beloved Nabi e) and the Knowledge of the Unseen (Ilm-e-Ghaib) is but a glimpse of your knowledge.

 

One day the eminent As’haab were assembled around the Holy Prophet e and a person came by and stood at the edge of the Majlis Shareef. He glanced at the Majlis Shareef and proceeded to the Musjid. The Holy Prophet e said to the Sahaba, “Who amongst you will go and kill him?”  Sayyiduna Abu Bakr As- Siddique t got up and went towards this person. He found him engrossed in Salaah.  He could not kill someone engrossed in Salaah and therefore, returned to the Holy Prophet e and explained the situation. The Beloved Nabi of Allah e again said, “Who is it that will kill him?” Sayyiduna Omar Al Farooq t got up and went towards him. He too found him in the same situation and returned. For the third time, the Holy Prophet e stated, “Who is it that will kill him?” Sayyiduna Ali Al Murtuda t got up and said, “I will kill him.” The Holy Prophet e said, “Yes you would, if you find him. He will not be there.” When Sayyiduna Ali t went into the Musjid Shareef, he found nobody there. The man had already left as predicted by the Glorious Prophet e.  The exalted Master e remarked, “If you had killed him, then verily a very great Fitna (problem) would have been removed from this Ummah.”

 

This man was the father of Wahabism whose off-springs are found today.  They are soiling this earth and causing Fitna in this Ummah. That rude person stood on the edge of the Majlis Shareef and looked at everyone present there. His sinister heart told him that there is no one in this Majlis better than he is. He was very proud and boastful of his Salaah and piety.  Least did he realise that Salaah or any other virtue is nothing but the mercy of the Glorious Prophet of Allah e.  One can never be a devout servant of Allah I until one sincerely pledges one’s allegiance to the Beloved of Allah e. Allah I places great emphasis in the Holy Quraan concerning the respect and honour of His Beloved Nabi before His worship. Therefore, Allah I states,

لتؤمنوا بالله و رسوله وتعزّروه و توقرّوه و تسبّحوه بكرة وّ أصيلا *

So that you bring faith on Allah I and his Rasool, and respect and honour his Rasool, and glorify Allah I day and night, (reference to Salaah)..

 

The first and foremost factor of Imaan is respect for the Rasool. Salaah or any form of Ibadah is useless without respect for the Rasool.  There are many Abd-Allahs (servants of Allah I) in this world, but the true and sincere Abd-Allah is he, who is Abde-Mustafa (servant of the Holy Prophet e). If it is not so, then he is surely an Abde Shaytaan (servant of the cursed Devil).  May the merciful Allah I save us all from this curse!

 

QUESTION: Sir! People generally place the Holy Quraan safely in a box or bag and travel in a train. Sometimes the rush is so heavy that there is barely place for the passengers to sit. In this situation, can one keep the box or bag with the Quraan on the floor?

ANSWER: Certainly not! Man himself creates problems. Otherwise, there are no difficulties. If a man has the love and honour of the Holy Quraan at heart, he will always have in mind the love and respect for it.

 

QUESTION: What is not a good time of Asr Salaah?

ANSWER: There is no harm if Asr is read 20 minutes before sunset. There should be 20 minutes left for sunset after completing your Asr Salaah. This 20-minute period is regarded as Makrooh (not good) time. In this period, one is able to stare at the sun without any problems.

 

QUESTION: Respected Sir! Worldly transactions have held me so much so that I cannot perform my past Qada Salaah. I intend to do it daily but I fail.  Can I first pray all my Fajr Qada, then Zohr, then Asr? Is there any harm in performing them in this order?  I also cannot recall how many of my Salaah are Qada. What should I do in this case?

ANSWER: It is compulsory to perform all Qada Salaah as quickly as possible. One cannot say when death will come. There is no difficulty in performing 20 Rakaats daily (2 Fajr, 4 Zohr, 4 Asr, 3 Maghrib, and 7 for Esha, i.e. 4 Fard and 3 Witr.)  One can perform this Salaah anytime of the day after sunrise, sunset and Zawaal.  One has the option to read all the Fajr Qada first, then Zohr, Asr, and Maghrib and Esha, or each one for a day. A maximum estimate record of all the Qada must be made and performed accordingly. It is better to read more than the estimated Rakaats, but not less. If one daily reads in this manner then all Qada will eventually be completed. So, do not delay or be lazy to complete them. No Nafil Salaah is accepted if one has Qada of any Fard Salaah.

Niyyah for Qada Salaah can be performed in the following manner. Say you have 100 Fajr Qada. Every time you perform one Qada, say, “I intend to perform my first Fajr Qada.” In this way you will perform them all. The same method may be used to complete all Qada Salaah. If one has a lot of Qada to complete, then one must perform them quickly. One may recite Subhaan-Allah (سبحان الله) 3 times instead of Sura Fateha only in the empty Rakaats (the third and fourth Rakaats in 4 Rakaat Fard (i.e. Zohr, Asr and Esha) or the third Rakaat in 3 Rakaat Salaah (Maghrib). There is no harm if one reads one Tasbeeh instead of three in the Ruku and Sojood. The Fard will be completed. One may read this Darood Shareef (Salawaat)

 اللهم صل على سيّدنا محمد و آله  in Tashahod instead of the complete Darood-e-Ibraheem. In Witr, read رب  اغفري once instead of the complete Du’a-e-Qonoot. 

 

One can read Qada Salaah 20 minutes after sunrise and 20 minutes before sunset. It is not permissible before or after these times. One must also perform this Salaah in secrecy, as the exposure of sins in public is not permissible.

 

Say if one has about 40 or 50 years Qada, one has to give up his entire daily routine to complete this important task. If such a person has to die within a month or so in this engagement, then the ultimate Mercy of the Compassionate Lord will complete the remainder of one’s Salaah. The Merciful Allah I states,

و من يخرج من بيته مهاجرا إلى الله و رسوله ثمّ  يدركه الموت فقد وقع اجره على الله *

One who leaves (migrates) his home for the sake of Allah I and His Rasool e and then death comes upon him, it is on the Merciful

Allah I to repay him.

 

The general rule is mentioned in this Ayah. Even if one takes a single step out of his home and dies, then complete Thawaab will be noted in one’s Book of Records. Here the intention will be taken into account. Every action is based on good intentions. The Hadith Shareef states,

إنما الأعمال بالنيات *

Indeed, all actions are based on one’s intentions.

 

QUESTION: Respected Imam! If all Prophets and Angels are Masoom (sinless) then why is Thawaab sent to them by saying,

 عليه الصلوة والسلام “Peace and blessing be upon them?"

ANSWER: Firstly, عليه الصلوة و السلام is not Esaal-e-Thawaab (sending rewards).  It is an expression of respect to them and if sending peace and blessing as Du’a upon them is intended, then the Angels and Prophets are not exempted from peace and blessings. Once Sayyiduna Ayyob u was bathing.   Almighty Allah I rained gold on him. He spread out his mantle and picked up the gold. Allah I called out to him, “O Ayyob! Did I not make you wealthy and independent of wealth?” He replied, “Undoubtedly my Lord! You have made me wealthy, but I am never independent of your Rahmah.”

 

Ala’ Hadrat t then said: A Sayyid always visited me and complained about his hardships in poverty. Once he came to me in a very depressed state complaining of his poverty. I asked him if one could marry his mother after the father divorces her. He said, “Never!” I then said, “You are a descendant of Ameeril Moh'mineen Sayyiduna Ali Al Murtuda t.” One day, in privacy, he rubbed his palms over his face and said, “O Duniya! Fool someone else. I have given you such a Talaaq (divorce) that can never be revoked.” “No one should be amazed at the poverty of the Sa’daat”. The Sayyid heard this and said, “By Allah! I am now fully satisfied.”  He never complained after that day.

 

QUESTION: Moulana Abd al-Rahmaan Sahib Jabal’puri said: Oh Imam! Haji Abd al--Jab’baar suffers from constant depression and distress. Is there any cure for this?

ANSWER: Ask him to constantly recite:

لا حول  و لا قوّة  إلا بالله العلي العظيم *

This has cure and treatment for 99 different calamities and misfortunes. Distress is the lowest degree amongst them. Recite this Kalima Shareef 60 times daily. Then blow into some water and drink it. It will greatly ease the depression.

 

QUESTION: One person present said: Nowadays I am very depressed because of great debts.  Can you suggest some Du’as to be recited so that my debts can be paid off?

ANSWER: Once a Sahaba t came to the Beloved Rasool r and complained that the world has turned its back on him (referring to poverty).  Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r said to him, “Do you not know that Tasbeeh which is also the Tasbeeh of the Angles of sustenance? It is due to this Tasbeeh that Allah I gives sustenance.  The needs of this Duniya will come to you in abundance. Recite this Tasbeeh 100 times daily at the rise of early morning (just after Sobho-Saadiq). This is the sacred Tasbeeh of the Angels,

سبحان الله و بحمده سبحان الله العظيم و بحمده استغفر الله *

Seven days passed and the Sahaba t returned to the Holy Prophet r and said: “Ya Rasoolullah r! The Duniya (wealth) is coming to me so abundantly that I do not know how to carry it or where to put it. I am absolutely amazed and astonished as to what to do with it.” 

 

Ala’ Hadrat t then said to the person, who complained,  “You also recite this Du’a daily bearing in mind the time, i.e. immediately after Sobho Saadiq or else before Fajr Salaah. If you are late and the Jama’at of Fajr had started, join the Jama’at and complete the recitation after Salaah. Always try to complete the recitation of this Du’a before sunrise.” 

 

QUESTION: While seated one day, someone mentioned the ancient Pyramids of Egypt. The illustrious Imam commented as follows.

ANSWER: These buildings were constructed about 14 000 years before the appearance of Sayyiduna Adam u.  It was the first of Rajab when Allah I sent the storm on the Ummah of Nabi Nuh u. It was raining from the skies as well as water was bubbling out of the earth.  By the command of Allah I Nabi Nuh u built the Ark (boat) which began floating on the tenth of Rajab.  There were 80 people aboard this Ark, including two Prophets, one being Nabi Nuh u and the other, the body of Nabi Adam u.  The females were placed on one side of the Ark, while the males on the other side. The water level had risen to 30 yards (+- 27.6 meters, 90 feet) above the highest mountain peak on earth. The storm subsided after six months and on the 10th of Muharram (Youme A’shoora) this blessed ship safely stopped on the peak of the Jodi Mountain. Everyone disembarked and inhabited the first city. It was named Souquth-Thama’neen (سوق الثمانين). This settlement was near mount Nihawand, alongside the city of Mousul (now Iraq). All that survived this global storm were buildings shaped like domes or minarets.  Nothing besides these structures existed on earth. 

 

Ameeril Moh’mineen Sayyiduna Ali Al Murtuda t commented about these very minarets when he said:

بنى الهرمان النسر في السرطان *

The period when these buildings were erected, the star Nasr had entered the Cancer constellation.

 

Nasr is the name of two stars, one Altar (الطائر) and the other Vega (واقع). When Nasr is mentioned in Astronomy it generally refers to the Vega star.  At the entrance of this building there is a figure of a falcon[jjjj] holding a crab in its claw. This refers to the actual date of its construction. (If one understands these signs then one can calculate the exact date of its construction). This means that the building was constructed when the Vega star moved into the Cancer constellation. If one calculates this, one will get 12,640 years 8,5 months, because a star takes 64 years 7 months, and 27 days (Lunar) to travel 1 degree. Now, the Vega star is in the Capricorn constellation, which lies at 16 degrees. Hence, from the time of construction to now, the Vega star has travelled more than 6 stations and 15,5 degrees.  So the construction took place some 5,750 years before the creation of Nabi Adam u. Nabi Adam u appeared on earth more than 7 000 years ago.  This construction was certainly the work of the Jinns who had already inhabited the earth 60 000 years before the physical appearance of Nabi Adam u.

 

QUESTION: Did the entire human race spread from the 80 people aboard this Ark?

ANSWER: None of the 80 members survived with the exception of Sayyiduna Nuh u therefore, the entire human race are his descendants.

و جعلنا ذريته هم الباقين *

And we made his off-springs the only survivers.

 

The Holy Quraan speaks. It is for this reason that Nabi Nuh u is known as Adam the second (آدمِ ثاني).

 

QUESTION: Is it true that Nabi Nuh u lived on this earth for 1000 years?

ANSWER: No! In fact he lived for 1400 years (refer to Quraan and Commentary).

 

QUESTION: Was Hajj Fard (compulsory) on all the Prophets?

ANSWER: As for Hajj being Fard on them, this Allah I knows best, but various Prophets did perform Hajj. Once the Noble Prophet Sayyiduna Sulaymaan u was flying on his throne over the Holy Kaaba. The Holy Kaaba cried to Allah I and said, “Oh Allah I! A Prophet from Your Prophets and an army from Your armies flew over me but did not descend on me nor did they perform Salaah in me.”  Almighty Allah I replied, “Don't cry, I will make Hajj Fard on My servants who will hasten towards you as the birds hastens towards its nest. They will come to you and cry bitterly as a she-camel cries ardently in search of its lost baby.  I will send to you the seal of Prophets who will be the most beloved of all Prophets”.

 

QUESTION: What is the difference between these two words Gha’roor and Gho’roor?  One is pronounced with a Fat’ha and the other with Damma.

ANSWER: Gha’roor with the Fat’ha means “deceitful”, and Gho’roor with the Damma means “deceit”.

 

QUESTION: A person leaves his wife and children under the care of his nephew and goes out of town for a period of time. In his absence, the wife gives birth to a child. He was informed about the birth but did not comment.  When he returned home, he remained silent and did not investigate or express any suspicion. He then left home for the second time to continue his business. He was again informed that his wife had given birth to a second child. On hearing this, he commented to the informer, “People are wrongfully accusing my wife of committing adultery  (Zina).” What is the ruling of Sharee’ah on the above-mentioned incident? Are his children legitimate or not?

ANSWER: Four trustworthy adults will have to give eyewitness testimony in the court of the Sharee’ah of the wife committing adultery. If no such evidence is available then the wife cannot be accused of adultery.

 

QUESTION: Were there any such cases at the blessed time of The Holy Prophet r?

ANSWER: In that blessed time, no proof of Zina was presented with witnesses. In fact, twice the violators personally presented themselves in the court of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r and admitted their guilt. In one case, a male Sahaba, Sayyiduna Maa’ghar t, and the other, a female (Sahabiyyah t), both in different incidents came up to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r and requested Islamic punishment for their crime so that they could be purified.  Both were stoned to death. 

 

When Sayyiduna Maa’ghar t was being stoned, he began running, but the people caught hold of him and stoned him to death. They reported this incident to the Holy Prophet of Allah r.  He said, “Why did you not leave him when he was fleeing? At the time of fleeing, he made such sincere Touba that if it had to be distributed amongst this entire city, it would have sufficed for everyone.” After this incident, someone made bad comments about Sayyiduna Maa’ghar t and Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r reprimanded him with the following words, “Don’t speak ill of him because I see him bathing in the streams of Jannah.” 

 

Similarly, when the female Sahabiyyah t personally admitted to her crime, she requested purification by the punishment of Sharee’ah. The Holy Prophet r replied, “You are pregnant, come back after your confinement.”  (This is one example of the Holy Prophet's r Knowledge of the Unseen[kkkk]. Allah I blessed him with knowledge that he could see what was in the womb of the mother.)  After her confinement, she returned with the child to the Holy Prophet r and inquired about the caring of the child. The Holy Prophet r replied, “Go back and breast feed the child.”  She returned after two years. The child was holding a piece of bread in the hand. She said, “Ya Rasoolullah r! Now this child can hold bread in its hands and eat by himself.” The child was given for adoption and the mother was stoned to death.

 

QUESTION: Does the punishment of the Holy Sharee’ah purify

a person?

ANSWER: Yes, by Rajm[llll], but not by Qisaas[mmmm].  This is so because murder has three rights. Firstly, of the family of the murdered. Secondly, of the murdered, and thirdly, of Almighty Allah I.  Qisaas only fulfils the rights of members of the murdered family. The other two rights will still remain till the Day of Judgement.

 

QUESTION: Will Salaatul-Janaza be performed on a person who is executed by Qissas?

ANSWER: Yes, but there is no Salaatul-Janaza for one who commits suicide, murderer of parents, a traitor of an Islamic state and a robber killed while robbing.

 

QUESTION: What is the ruling of the Sharee’ah on a person who performed the Salaatul Janaza of a Wahabi that prescribed to anti-Islamic beliefs? 

ANSWER: There is no Salaatul Janaza for Wahabi, Rafdi, Qadiyani and all heretics. Salaatul-Janaza is for a Muslim who holds Islamic beliefs and not for the Kuffaar or apostate. After knowing this fact and still reading Salaatul Janaza for such a person is Kufr.

 

QUESTION: Is there anything harm if an Imam does not ascend the Mimbar (Pulpit) and deliver the Jum’ah Khutba? Is such Salaah valid?

ANSWER: The Imam must be explained that it is contrary to the Sunnah.  In the sacred time of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e, the Mimbar was made after many years. Prior to the Mimbar, the Holy Prophet r delivered his Khutba by resting his back on a date tree stump.

 

QUESTION: After what distance can one cross over a person engaged in Salaah?

ANSWER: Perform Salaah as the Khashi’een [nnnn] and focus your sight on the spot of Sajda. It is the nature of the sight that it exceeds the spot that it is focused on. By my personal experience that excessive area ahead of the spot of focus is approximately 9 feet (2.8 meters). It is absolutely forbidden to cross this area of a worshipper. Yes! One may cross over beyond this area. This is only possible in a big Musjid with a large area and not possible in a small Musjid.

The Noble Imam t went on to explain which Musjid is known as a big Musjid in Fiqah. According to the honourable Jurists (Fuqaha) of Islam there are no big Musjids. The other is Musjid-e-Haraam Shareef in Makkah Mukarrama and Tawaaf in front of the worshipper is permissible because Tawaaf is also Ibadah like Salaah.

 

Ala’ Hadrat t further commented, If a person is performing Salaah alone at home or in a Musjid and if someone knocks on the door or wants to cross over in front of him, it is permissible for him to say سبحان الله loudly to make them aware that he is in Salaah. While performing Salaah, a child comes and sits in front of you. It is permissible to move the child and continue Salaah. If you are performing Salaah with a child on a platform or high place and there is a possibility that the child may fall, it permitted to place the child on your lap and continue Salaah. The Holy Prophet e personally took Sayyadah Amama bint Zainab[oooo] t on his holy lap and performed his Salaah. If a child has impurities on its body or clothes that will not soil your body or clothes, then it is permissible to carry that child and perform Salaah. Because the child is the carrier of impurities, Salaah will not be permissible if it soils your body or clothes, because then you will become the carrier of impurities.

 

QUESTION: Can one demand a miracle from a fake prophet (impostor)?

ANSWER: If one intends to disgrace and embarrass a fake by demanding a Moh’jizah, then it is in order. But if one wants to establish or verify if the impostor can or cannot show a Moh’jizah, then immediately he will become a Kaafir.

 

(Ala’ Hadrat t went on further to say): People make conditions in debates that one will accept the others religions if one cannot answer any question. This is absolutely Haraam and sheer ignorance. It happens sometimes that one forgets the answer. This forgetfulness of an individual is no proof of weakness in the religion. The truth of Islam does not depend on an individual. We are human and one of the natures of human is forgetfulness. Maybe at that specific moment the answer did not come to mind.

 

The composer of Malfozaat Shareef, Ghousul Waqt Ash Sha Mustafa Rida Mufti A’zam Hind t states about a meeting: Sadrul-Afaadil Moulana Sayyid Na'eemudeen Muradabadi, Maliqal-Ulama Moulana Sayyid Zafruddeen Qaadiri Bihaari, Sadrush Sharee’ah Moulana Amjad Ali Qaadiri A'zami, Hadrat Moulana Sha Ahmed Mukhtaar Siddiqi Meerati, Hadrat Moulana Ahmad Ali Meerati and Hadrat Moulana Sha Raham-Elahi Qaadiri were all assembled around the great Imam. These were all senior students and celebrated Khulafa of Ala’ Hadrat Imam Ahmad Rida t. They had just returned victoriously from a debate with the Hindu Shaytaan Arya Nariya Ramchandar and were reporting the entire procedures of the debate. They were speaking about the arrogance of the Shaytaan. He is so ignorant and stupid that he understands nothing of the debate. He ignorantly goes on speaking nonsense. Ala’ Hadrat t then stated that it is a big mistake to have a verbal dialogue with a Kaafir. All they do is blurt out defamatory statements. The audience is fooled by his speech and thinks that he is a man of knowledge. This is so because he constantly speaks and always says something about all questions, though his comments are nonsensical. One man does not have the power to shut the mouth of another. On the Day of Qiyaamah the shameless Kuffaar will also not shut their filthy big mouths in the Court of Almighty Allah I. They will continue speaking until the Divine Command seal their mouths. The other organs of the body will be ordered to speak as mentioned in Sura Yaseen,  “Today we shall seal all mouths and the hands will talk to us and their feet will testify of their actions.”

 

It is foolish to have verbal debates with the Wahabies. Debate in writing leaves no room to escape or lie. It is also foolish of those who have debates with the Wahabi Cults on side issues (Moulood, Fateha and Urs etc). This is what they want. They prefer to confuse the unwary Muslim that there is no serious problem between the Sunni and Wahabi. They always deceitfully hide the fundamental issues of Kufr and Imaan. The actual problem and points of debate are their insults of Allah I and His beloved Rasool. If a debate ever arises, never entertain these side issues. Ask them to first establish their Imaan, which they fail to do.  

 

QUESTION: Is there a prohibition in shaking hands at the time departure?

ANSWER: No. When the Sahaba met, they shook hands and when they departed they embraced each other.

 

QUESTION: Is embracing done on both sides (right and left) or on one side?

ANSWER: It is correct on one side but the original residents of Hijaaz Shareef embraced on both sides.

 

QUESTION: Is it permissible to shake hands after the daily Salaah, Jum’ah and both Eids?

ANSWER: Yes, it is permissible. It is recorded in Naseemur-Riyadh

الأصح انها بدعة مباحة *

This is a good practice.

 

QUESTION: Can one turn his face towards the sacred Rouda Shareef of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e when taking his blessed name in the Adhaan?

ANSWER: No, this is contrary to the Sunnah. One is only allowed to turn one’s face when saying the words  حي على الصلوة and حي على الفلاح in Adhaan and also remain silent when the Khateeb mentions the names of Allah I and His Rasool e in Khutbah. To do the opposite of this is contrary to the Sunnah.  True love is when all actions are within the framework of the Sharee’ah. Any action outside this is not regarded as love for Allah I and His Beloved Rasool e. When the Khateeb mentions the sacred name of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e in the Jum’ah Khutba, people generally say “Sallallahu- alayhi-wasallam” loudly. This is incorrect. No personal feelings can be classified as an act of love if they are contrary to the Laws of Sharee’ah. Nevertheless, there is no harm to raise ones forefinger (Shahadah) when the Khateeb reads the Kalima Shareef in the Khutba.

 

QUESTION: What is the difference between a minor sin and a major sin?

ANSWER: There are about 700 different types of major sins whose explanation is very lengthy. Any sin against the Almighty Allah I is a major sin. If you categorise the major and minor sins separately, then people will disregard a minor sin, which will then become more than a major sin. If one regards any minor sin as unimportant, then it will become a major sin. For the purpose of differentiation and a guideline, all that is important to know is that omission of a Fard duty is a major sin and a Waajib is a minor sin. If anyone commits any sin without fear, then it becomes a major sin.

 

QUESTION: Which women can go to the home of a foreign man

(غير محرم)?

ANSWER: A sick woman (for treatment), a washerwoman (to bathe the sick or deceased), and a very old woman (unable to bear children or does not have the feeling of sex).

 

QUESTION: What is the procedure of converting a non-believer into Islam?

ANSWER: Make him recite the Kalima Shareef لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله and repeat the following: “Allah I is one He has no partners whatsoever. He is one who sends down rain from the skies and germinates the crops from the earth. There is only one Allah I who gives life and takes it. He gives sustenance to everyone. Allah I is the Sovereign and the Unique One who is worthy of worshipped. No one else is worthy of worship.  Worship to any deity other than Allah I is Kufr. Almighty Allah I had sent for guidance of mankind His chosen and pious servants known as Nabi and Rasool (Prophets). Whatever they say is nothing but the truth. I testify and bring Imaan on all His Prophets, Kitaabs, and Angels and the Day of Judgement.  The greatest Prophet amongst then is our Master Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e.  Whatever He brought from Allah I and taught mankind is true and Divine.  My religion is the religion of the Muslims (Islam). The religion of the Muslim is the true religion. All religions besides the religion of Islam are false.” Thereafter, explain to the new revert about the pillars and principles of Islam, and how they will govern his future life. Also teach him the method of Salaah and other duties.                                          .

 

QUESTION: What can be done to overcome the temptation of evil

(وسوسه)?

ANSWER: Recite:

آمنت بالله و رسوله هو الأول و الآخر و الظاهر والباطن و هو على بكل شيي عليم *

and it will stop immediately. In fact, if you just recite آمنت بالله و رسوله it will go away.

 

QUESTION: Would the Fard duty be executed if one performs Salaah and observes Fasting just to boast or put up an exhibition?

ANSWER: Allah I forbid! The Fiqhi (external) Fard of Salaah and Fasting will be executed because he fulfilled the duty. He will not get any reward for it. In fact, he will be punished in the Fire of Hell for boasting to impress creation. On the Day of Qiyaamah, he will be told, “Oh transgressor! Oh disbeliever! Oh mischievous! Oh boastful! Your worship has been rejected. Seek the reward of your actions from for whom you performed it.” This single example is sufficient for boastfulness and pride.

 

QUESTION: Can one recite Sura Mulk while he is alive or can someone recite for him after his demise for the protection in the Qabar? What quantity of bread must be given in charity to the poor?

ANSWER: Perform this virtuous act every year of your life for the purpose of Esaale-Thawaab. There is no specific quantity stipulated for Sadqah in Sharee’ah. Whenever possible, give charity with clean earnings (bread or naan). It is not a good practice to do it continuously and then omit it. 

 

There are numerous benefits mentioned in the Hadith Shareef concerning this Blessed Sura. There are no other Suras or virtue equivalent to the recitation of Sura Mulk for the evasion of the punishment of the grave and tranquillity in it. When the Angels of Punishment try to approach the reciter of this Sura from all sides in the grave, this Mubarak Sura rebukes the Angels, “Do not come close to this person. He recited me regularly.” The Angels will reply, “We are sent by Allah I whose speech you are.” The Sura will say, “Wait till I return. Do not go near him.” This Sura will rush off to the Divine Presence of Allah I and dispute with Him in such a manner that no creation will have the courage to do so. So much so that there will be a delay in the pardoning of the reciter.

 

The sacred Sura will again request Allah I for pardon by saying, “Oh Allah I! This person regularly recited me and You do not forgive him. Oh Allah I! If I am not your Kalaam then remove me from Your Kitaab (Quraan).”  Then the Merciful Lord I will reply, “Go back, I have forgiven him.” Sura Mulk will immediately proceed to Jannah and get silk clothes, a comfortable pillow, flowers and fragrance. It will return with all these gifts to the grave.  It will then console the reciter very lovingly saying to him, “I hope you did not feel frightened and uncomfortable in my absence.” The sacred Sura will lay the comfortable bedding on the floor of the grave for the reciter to relax. Allah I will order the Angels of Punishment to return at once.

 

QUESTION: Respected Imam! A man dreamt of his daughter several times. He sees her sick and naked.  What must he do?

ANSWER: Recite Kalima Tayyaba Shareef لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله 70,000 times with Darood Shareef in one sitting and offer the Thawaab for the deceased daughter. Inshallah! It will be an effective means of salvation for both the reciter and the deceased. The calculation of this virtuous works is as follows: if one offers the Thawaab of the recitation to one person (deceased), then the reciter will get double Thawaab (reward). If offered to two persons (deceased), the reciter will receive triple rewards.  Likewise, he may offer it to millions and rewards for him will be calculated accordingly.  And if he offers the rewards to the entire believers (Muslimeen) then his rewards will be infinite. 

 

Once Sayyidul Makashifeen, Sheikh-e-Akbar Muhiyyudeen Ibn Al-Arabi t was invited for a meal at someone’s home. Others were also invited there. While they were eating, a young person suddenly started crying. When he was asked the reason for crying he replied, “My mother was ordered to be taken to Jahannam and the Angels are now taking her there.” In that city, this young Saint was famous for his spiritual perception known as Kashf[pppp].  Sheikh-e-Akbar, Muhiyyudeen Ibn Al-Arabi had in the past recited the Kalima Shareef 70,000 times and had it ready to be offered, and he secretly offered it to the mother of the young Wali. Immediately after this the young Wali became happy and smiled. When he was asked the reason for smiling he replied, “Oh Great Sheikh! Now I see the Angels taking my mother to Jannah.” Sheikh-e-Akbar t states, “I have received the confirmation of the Hadith Shareef from this youngster’s Kashf and the confirmation of his Kashf from the Hadith Shareef.”

 

QUESTION: Is punishment inflicted only on the soul or also on the body?

ANSWER: It is inflicted on both, the soul and body. Likewise are the rewards. It is reported in a Hadith Shareef that a crippled person, who without hands and feet, was lying in front of an orchid. He watched the beautiful fruit, but could not reach it. By chance, a blind man, who could neither go inside the orchid nor see the fruit, came by. The crippled suggested to the blind person that both of them go into the orchid and eat the fruit together. So the blind person carried the crippled person on his shoulders and went inside. The crippled broke the fruit and both ate it. In this situation, who is the criminal?  Obviously both are, the blind is the “body” while the cripple is the “soul”.

 

QUESTION: How many souls are there with each person? 

ANSWER: Only one. If he is a Muslim, his soul will live in the upper region of mercy (Illi'yeen) and the soul of a Kaafir (will live) in the lower region of punishment (Sijjeen). Those who go to visit the graves are observed, recognised and heard by this soul. The powers of the soul are greatly increased after death, immaterial if one is a Muslim or a Kaafir.  Sha Abd al- Azeez Muhaddith Dehlawi t states that the distance or the closeness of place is no criteria for the soul. Can one imagine the sight of the soul that can see the stars in the sky from the floor of a well?  When it looks up into the sky it can clearly see the fixed stars in the Heavens, which is approximately 8,000 years journey from earth.  In the Hadith Shareef, a bird was given as an example for the Ruh of a live and a dead person, meaning that when a bird is caged, its performance is restricted because of limited space, and when it is released from captivity, then its flight is unlimited.

 

QUESTION: A grave was dug and some human bones were found. What must be done with them?

ANSWER: If there is place elsewhere to dig up a grave, then that grave must not be used and closed up.  If no place is available besides that one, then bury those bones on one side of the grave and use the other side for another burial.  If there remains no sign of a grave, but it is known that this was a grave, then it is not permissible to dig it up.  Yes, if there is no other place and that grave is an old one, then in this case, it is permissible to dig it up for re-burying purposes.

 

QUESTION: Is it a major or a minor sin to shave off or cut the beard very short?

ANSWER: To shave off completely or trim the beard very short once is a minor sin and to habitually do so is a major sin. This continuous act will make you a Faasiq-e-Moh’lin (certified transgressor) and the Court of Sharee’ah will reject you as a valid witness. To perform Salaah with Jama’at behind such a person is forbidden and if Salaah performed, it will be incumbent to repeat that Salaah. If one does not do so, then one will be a great sinner.

 

Once Hadrat Moulana Sayyid Ahmed Ashraf Kachochawe came to visit the great Imam. On his departure he requested,  “I would like to send my nephew Molvi Sayyid Muhammad (Muhaddith-e-A’zam) to you. I leave it entirely upon you to educate him as you desire.”

 

The Noble Imam replied: Certainly, do send him, he can write Fatawa and teach in the Madrassa.  Refutation of Wahabism and Iftah[qqqq] are similar faculties to Tibb (medicine). One cannot master them by merely reading books. One has to sit in the company and supervision of a Master to perfect this science. I also sat for 7 years in the company of a Master[rrrr] to perfect Iftah. I clearly remember those questions, senders, and places where they came from.  Once I spent many hours of hardship to answer a question and ended up writing an eight page detailed reply. I then presented it to my honourable father for correction. He mentioned one phrase that refuted my entire 8-page reply. I will never forget that phrase. I still feel the impact of it in my heart. Self-praise is not allowed, but at times, the exposure of reality is mentioned as gratefulness to Allah’s I bounties.  Sayyiduna Nabi Yusuf u said to the King of Egypt,

اجعلني على خزائن الأرض إني حفيظ عليم *

Entrust in my hands the treasures of the earth and verily I am the protector and knowledgeable

.

By the grace of Allah I and blessings of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r, in entire the Hindustan, he will not find these two important sciences of Fiqah and Radde-Wahabiyyah[ssss] better than here. I cannot speak of overseas or other countries. It will be a great pleasure to teach anyone. Sayyid Muhammad Ashraf is my prince. Everything that I have is the blessing of Sayyiduna Ghousal A’zam t.  Tafaqqoh[tttt] (تفقه) is found in all my students. You will find this more in Moulana Amjad Ali Sahib[uuuu].  This is because he reads all the questions to me and records my answers.  He is intelligent and has an absorbent nature. He has understood the manner and art of Fatawa. Similarly, is the Science of Timings (علم توقيت).  There are very few Masters left on earth. Though the great Jurists of Islam regard the seeking of this knowledge, as Fard-e-Kifaaya, but some of the present day Ulama cannot even correctly calculate the sunrise and sunset of any given day. However, the greater part of my life has elapsed and very little time is left. If there is anyone who wishes to learn anything from me, must do so now.  Sayyiduna Ali Al-Murtuda t states,

سلوني قبل أن تفقدوني *

Ask me now before I depart from you.

 

How true is the comment of Sheikh Sa’adi Shiraz t,

قدر نعمت يس از زوال بود *

The value of Nehmah is realised after its departure..

 

There is a rule for one who wishes to learn something from another. No matter how learned one may be, one must be humble outside the door of the Master. Surely, only an empty vessel can be filled. On the contrary, if one regards oneself full of knowledge then where will one keep the knowledge of the Master? Nothing can be put into a full vessel. Unfortunately, such is the state of today’s students. They regard themselves as Masters when they come to learn from the true Master. 

 

I was living in the home of my younger brother, Marhoom Hasan Mia. It had a stairway from outside that led to the rooftop.  In those days, a teacher (Mudarris) was given Hida’ya-A’khirain (Kitaab of Fiqah) to teach in the Madrassa. This is not an easy Kitaab to teach. When this teacher experienced difficulties in teaching, he approached me to teach him this Kitaab. He also put a condition to this that he must be called secretly via the outside stairway and taught. In this way nobody will know about it.  I said to him, “Moulana Sahib! The lesson of Hida’ya-A’khirain is no theft that requires to be hidden. I cannot fulfil your condition.”

 

There was another Moulana Sahib who worked in my Darul-Iftah. He first prepared his answers and sent it to me for correction. I corrected them and sent them to him. One day I said to him, “Moulana! I correct your answers and send them to you but you are not aware why I had changed your words or added others to them. It will be wise if you personally come to me after Salaatul Asr so that I may explain to you the wisdom and principles of Fiqha as I correct your answers.” He said, “There are too many people present at that time. I will be very embarrassed to be corrected in their presence.” People from all over the world send inquiries addressed to him because he personally signs the answers. No one is aware that his answers are first rectified and verified by me.

 

The Director of the Library of Haram Shareef, Allama Moulana Sayyid Isma'eel Efendi Makki t was my guest in those days. He travelled all the way from Makkah Mukarrama to meet me. I was very honoured by his esteemed presence. However, this incident was mentioned to him. The great Aalim said, “Such a person will be stripped of the Barakaat of Ilm.” How true were the words of the illustrious Sayyid! It happened as he had commented. The said Moulana Sahib resigned from the services of Deen and enrolled himself in the college for BA degree.  

 

Ala’Hadrat t further said: Once Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Abbaas t went to Sayyiduna Zaid Ibn Thaabit t to seek knowledge. On reaching the home of the Master, he found that the doors were closed. Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Abbaas t did not knock on the door. He instead placed his head on the doorstep and waited.  The desert wind blew sand particles on his face. After some time Sayyiduna Zaid Ibn Thaabit t came out and found the beloved cousin of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e lying on his doorstep with dust on his face. He said to him, “Oh son of the uncle of the Prophet of Allah! Why did you not inform me of your arrival?” He replied, “It was not appropriate for me to disturb you by knocking at your door.”  The Holy Quraan verifies the respect displayed by Sayyiduna Ibn Abbaas t.                                                                 

ان الذين ينادونك من وّرآء الحجرات أكثرهم لا يعقلون ه و لو انهم صبروا حتى تخرج إليهم لكان خير لهم ه والله غفور الرحيم *

And those that call out to you from outside the rooms, most of them have no manners.  It will be better for them to be patient until you come out, and Allah I is Most Forgiving and Kind.

 

Once Sayyiduna Zaid t was sitting on horseback and Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Abbaas t grabbed hold of the saddle. Sayyiduna Zaid t said, “Oh son of the uncle of the Prophet of Allah! What are you doing?” He replied, “I was taught to exercise Adab with the Ulama”. On hearing this, Sayyiduna Zaid t got off the horse and kissed the hand of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbaas t and said, “And this is what we are commanded to do with the sacred family (Ahle-Bayth) of the Prophet of Allah e.”

The mighty Khalifa, Haroon Rasheed, requested Imam Kasa’ee[vvvv] t to teach his son, Mamoon Rasheed. The Imam was the maternal cousin brother of Imam Muhammad t. He was one of the seven great Imams of Qiraat-e-Sab’ah. The Imam said, “Your son must come to my home for studies. I cannot come to the Palace to teach him.” The Khalifa replied, “Certainly, he will come to your home but you must take his lesson first.” The Imam said, “This is also not possible. It will be based on first come first served.” However, the Khalifa agreed and Mamoon Rasheed began his studies at the home of the great Imam. Co-incidentally, once Haroon Rasheed passed by the home of the Imam and saw him washing his feet while Mamoon Rasheed was pouring water. The Khalifa became furious at this sight. He went up to his son, whipped him and said, “Oh disrespectful! Why did Allah I give you two hands?  Pour water with one hand and wash the Masters feet with the other.”

 

Once Haroon Rasheed invited Sheikh Abu Muaa’wiyya Azeez t to his palace. He was blind and a great Wali of Allah. The servants came with a container to wash the hands of the Sheikh. Khalifa Haroon Rasheed took the container from the servants and personally poured water over the hands of the Sheikh. After the Sheikh had washed, the Khalifa asked if he knew who washed his hands. The Sheikh replied, “No.” The Khalifa said, “It was me, Haroon.” The Sheikh made this Du’a for the Khalifa, “As you showed respect to knowledge, may Allah I likewise bless you with respect.” The Khalifa replied, “Oh Wali of Allah! I performed this duty to earn this very Du’a from you.”

 

It is said that whenever an Aalim came to the Khalifa he used to leave his throne and stand up in respect to honour the Aalim. This was a unique practice of Khalifa Haroon Rasheed. Once his advisors said to him, “Oh Ameeril Moh’mineen! The honour and dignity of the kingdom is decreasing due to such practices.” The eminent Khalifa replied, “If the dignity of this Kingdom decreases by respecting the Ulama of Deen, then such dignity must go.” It is due to this respect that all mighty Kings and Kingdoms feared and honoured him.

 

It is said that all Christian Kingdoms and countries of Europe were absolutely terrified of Haroon Rasheed. At that time, a Christian woman was ruling Constantinople. She sent annual taxes and tributes to the honourable Khalifa. When she died, her son succeeded her throne and he refused to pay the taxes. An official reminder was sent to him from Baghdad Shareef. The new ruler sent a reply with his messenger that said, “The women is dead who was barefoot and scared of you.” The note was then handed to the Minister to be read in the presence of the Khalifa. He trembled with fear and said to the Khalifa, “Your Majesty! I don't have the courage to read this message to you.” The Khalifa ordered him to bring the note.

 

After reading, the Khalifa became so furious that on seeing his rage all beside the Minister and the Christian messenger ran away from the Royal Court. In this anger, he ordered his Minister to compile a reply. The atmosphere was very tense and the Minister could not reply because of fear.  The Khalifa then took the pen and wrote the following, “This letter is from the servant of Allah I, Ameeril Moh’mineen Haroon Rasheed to the Dog of Rome. Oh! Offspring of a Kaafira! The answer is not what you hear but what you shall see.” This royal order was handed to the messenger and a second order was given to the army to prepare themselves. Both were then dispatched to Constantinople. The Christian ruler was captured on arrival and imprisoned. He started crying and pleading to be pardoned and promised to send the regular taxes. He was pardoned and his throne returned to him. On the way back, the Khalifa was informed that the King of Constantinople had gone back on his pledge. The army then recaptured him, and this time he again fell on his knees and sought forgiveness. He was once again pardoned, for such was the respect and dignity of this powerful and mighty Khalifa who greatly honoured and respected the Ulama of Islam.  May Almighty Allah I shower His Mercies on them! 

 

QUESTION: Can the servant of Allah I obtain the station of intimacy (مقام قرب) by any other way besides Salaah?

ANSWER: Yes. He gets close to Allah I in every Sajda (prostration).  There are four types of Sajda, Sajda of Salaah, Sajda of Tilaawat, Sajda of Sahow, and Sajda of Shukr.

 

QUESTION: Is Sajda of Shukr a Sunnah or Mustahab?

ANSWER: It is Sunnat-e-Mustahab. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e performed Sajda-e-Shukr when the head of the cursed Abu Jahl was cut and brought to him.

 

QUESTION: Did the cursed Abu-Jahl cause great pain to the blessed heart of the Holy Prophet r?

ANSWER: He certainly did. He was amongst those twelve-cursed Kuffaar who constantly plotted against the Beloved Habeeb r and his mission. They were all destroyed[wwww]. Some were struck on the head by lightening while falling stones destroyed others. Various types of punishment destroyed them. Once, one of them went on a journey. He was very tired and placed his head on a tree to relax. Allah I, commanded Sayyiduna Jibreel u to crush his head against the tree. He began screaming and asked who was bashing his head against the tree. His companions said that they could not see anyone. The bashing continued till he died.

 

On the Day of Qiyaamah, the condition of this Kaafir will be totally different. This heretic claimed that he was Azeez and Kareem[xxxx]. The caretaker of Jahannam will be ordered to strike them on the head with a weapon. This will create a huge hole in his head, which one cannot imagine. The size of one split of the head will be the size of Mount Uhud.[yyyy]  By this one can imagine the size of the hole that will be created. This hole will then be filled with boiling water from Jahannam.  It will be then said to him,

ذق انك أنت العزيز الكريم *

Taste this! For you are the powerful and magnificent.

 

The Kuffaar will be given this boiling water to drink. Their mouths will melt when this water will be taken to them. This water will burn their stomachs and intestines to pieces. The Kuffaar will drink this water the same way as a hungry and thirsty camel quenches its thirst. They will be given hot, thorny cactus boiled in a copper pot to eat. When this cactus reaches their stomach, it will bubble like boiling water and their hunger will never end. They will be also given many types of painful punishments and death will approach them from all sides, but they will never die, nor will their punishment be less. 

 

The same will be the condition of others such as the Rafdi, Qadiyani, Wahabi and Atheist, etc. The astray will protest to Allah I that certain person had misled them. Almighty Allah I will order the Angels to inflict double punishment on all those corrupt persons who misled people. The bodies of the dwellers of Jahannam will be so big that each tooth will be the size of Mount Uhud. (May the Almighty Allah I save us all from this punishment. Ameen).

 

QUESTION: Is it permissible to sew clothes in a Musjid?

ANSWER: If one sews and charges, then it is forbidden, otherwise it is permissible.

 

QUESTION: What is the Sunnah way of eating food?

ANSWER: To sit on the floor with the right leg upright and the left leg lying flat across you. Hold the bread with the left hand, break and eat with the right. To break and eat bread (or anything) with just one hand is the practice of proud people.

 

QUESTION: The Wahabies forbid us to recite Sura Fateha in Du’as. Is there more Thawaab in this recitation?

ANSWER: Whatever is found in the 30 chapters of the Holy Quraan is found in just Sura Fateha. Concerning this, the Hadith Shareef states,

إني قسمت الصلوة بيني و بين عبدي نصفين *

I (Allah I) have distributed Sura Fateha between My servants and Me.

 

“The first half is for Me and the second half is for My servant. When the servant recites the first three verses, then Allah I states, ‘My servant glorified Me.’ When he recites the middle Ayah, i.e. إياك نعبد و إياك نستعين then Allah I states, ‘Half of this is for me and the other half for my servant.’ And, finally when the last three Ayahs are recited, Allah I states,

هذا لعبدي وبعبدي ما سأل  *

This is for My servant and My servant gets whatever he asks for.

 

Therefore, it is said that the first three Ayahs till مالك يوم الدين are absolutely praises and glorification of Allah I (حمد وثنا). The last three Ayahs beginning from اهدنا الصراط المستقيم are for one’s personal Du’as and the middle Ayah إياك نعبد و إياك نستعين is emphasis on worship and seeking Divine help. Worship is for Allah I and help is for the benefit of His servants. What can be said about the ignorance of the Wahabi who forbids the recitation of such a sacred Sura!

 

QUESTION: Were the 30 chapters of the Glorious Quraan already established in the sacred era of the Sahaba?

ANSWER: Imam Jalaaludeen Suyuti t, in his famous Kitaab, Al-Itqaan fi Uloomil-Quraan, has compiled all the relevant Ahadith and narrations pertaining to the compilation of the Holy Quraan. It is not mentioned anywhere in this Kitaab of the distribution of the chapter which tells us that it was done in that sacred era. Yes, the Rukus existed.  Eight years later, the Mashaa’ikh and the Ulama have allocated 540 Rukus in Taraweeh, excluding Sura Fateha. If one Ruku is recited in one Rakaat then the entire Quraan Al Kareem will be completed on the 27th Night of Ramadaan, i.e. Laylatul-Qadr, (20 Rakaats daily for 27 nights with 1 Ruku per Rakaat will total 27 x 20 = 540 Rukus).

 

QUESTION: How did the grouping of the Holy Quraan begin (أحزاب)?

ANSWER: Ahzaab (أحزاب) and Ah’shaar (أعشار) existed in the sacred era of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e. Ah’shaar means groups of 10 Ayahs. The eminent Sahaba used to recite 10 Ayahs to the Holy Prophet e and then learnt from him the secret sciences according to their indiviDu’al capacity.  Then they studied another 10 Ayahs. This is how they learnt the Holy Quraan. Ameeril Moh’mineen, Sayyiduna Omar Al Farooq t spent 8 years under the tutorship of the Holy Prophet e to complete Sura Baqarah. On completion, he sacrificed a camel and fed the Muslims of Madina Munawwara. His illustrious son, Sayyiduna Abd-Allah Ibn Omar t, spent 12 years at the feet of the Nabi e to study Sura Baqarah.

 

QUESTION: Is this correct that the Sheikh-ul-Mashaa’ikh, Khaja Nizaamudeen Mehboob-e-Ilahi t stood bare-headed in his grave and cursed the singers and musicians (Qawwaal)?

ANSWER: This is the incident of Qutbul-Aqtaab, Khaja Qutbudeen Bakhtiyaar Kaaki t. There was a Majlis of Qawwali with music taking place at his Mazaar Shareef. The people had introduced many un-Islamic practices. The even danced at the graveside of the Awliya. All these undesirable things, including musical instruments, did not exist in the Majlis of Qutbul-Aqtaab t.

 

Taajul-Ulama-wal-Arifeen, Khaja Sayyid Ibraheem Eraji t is one of the grand Masters of my (Ala’ Hadrat) spiritual Silsila. He also was present outside the Mazaar Shareef at that time. A saintly person came up to him and requested of him to join the Majlis of the Qawwali. Khaja Sayyid Ibraheem Eraji t replied to him, “You are a man of spiritual perception and qualities. Go to the Mazaar Shareef of Qutbul Aqtaab and communicate with him. If he is happy then I will join you at once.”  This Wali performed Muraqiba in the presence of the grand Sheikh.  While in that state, he saw Hadrat Qutbul Aqtaab t standing distressed in his grave and pointing out towards the singers (Qawwals) saying,

اين بدبختان وقت ما را يريشان كرده اند *

These wicked people are ruining my good time!

 

The Wali immediately returned to Khaja Ibraheem and before he could utter a word, Khaja Ibraheem said to him, “Did you see?”

 

QUESTION: What is the meaning of “Kaaki” and why was this title attributed to Qutbul Aqtaab t?

ANSWER: Once some visitors came to Hadrat Khaja Qutbudeen Bakhtiyaar t. There was no food available at home to feed the visitors.  Suddenly some bread (kaak) appeared from the Unseen. This was then served to the guests. Everyone ate a full meal.  From then, he became known as “Kaaki”. 

Ala’ Hadrat t further said that once Hadrat Taajul Fohool, Moulana Fadlur Rasool Qaadiri Badayuni t and my Peer-o-Murshid, Khatimul-Akaabir, Sayyidi Sha Ale Rasool Marehrawi t went to a function of the famous Wahabi Molvi, Isma’eel Dehlawi in Delhi. They were both students of Hadrat Moulana Noor Sahib t. This function was famous for holy bread (kaak) and dried dates (chohara) raining from the sky. It was said that this fell from Jannah. However, this kaak and dates began falling. One kaak and date also happen to fall on Hadrat Moulana Fadlur Rasool t.  He broke the date and a worm emerged. The bread was burnt on one side. On seeing this, he smiled and addressed the people in a loud voice, “Gentleman! It is said that Angels are faultless and never make a mistake. How is it they forgot and burn the bread?  It is also said that the fruit of Jannah never rots. How is it that the date falling from Jannah is rotten and has a worms in them?”  This announcement caused chaos in the Majlis. Moulana Fadlur Rasool became furious and went towards the curtain where these dates and bread were coming from. He ripped it down and everyone was amazed at what they saw. They saw the servant of Molvi Isma’eel Dehlawi (i.e. the father of Wahabism in the Indo-Pak Sub-continent). He had two bags from which he was throwing the so-called “heavenly kaak and dates” into the crowds. The servant’s name was Abd al-Latief. Hadrat Moulana exposed this Wahabi trick. They then returned to Lucknow for their studies. 

 

Hadrat Moulana Fadlur Rasool t went to meet his illustrious Ustaaz. The Khadim informed him that the Ustaaz refuses to meet him and he was not to enter the house. Hadrat Moulana sat at the doorstep crying. He requested as to what was his crime and whether it was pardonable or not. After some time, Hadrat Moulana Noor Sahib t came out and angrily said to him, “Did I educate you so that you sit in the Majlis of Wahabies?” Moulana breathe a sigh of relief. He knew that his crime was pardonable. He explained the entire episode to his Ustaaz. Finally, he said, “Respected Master! I did this to expose the Wahabi fraud because they were misleading thousands of people.” The Master was very happy to hear this and his mood and attitude changed towards the beloved student. Hadrat Moulana Abd al-Qaadir Badayuni t narrated this incident to Ala’ Hadrat t in the year 1309. They were travelling together to Lucknow to check references from some books. Hadrat Moulana Abd al-Qaadir Badayuni t was the son of Taajul Fohool, Moulana Fadlur Rasool t.

 

QUESTION: After the demise of a Mureed’s Sheikh (Peer), how must he respect the Qabar (grave)?

ANSWER: Stand humbly about six feet away from the grave and respect him as you used to do when he was alive. Approach the grave from the front (feet-side) and not the head side because the Sheikh will have to turn around by which he will be disturbed. 

 

Ala’ Hadrat t further said: Once a Wali of Allah had passed away. His daughter visited his grave daily and recited the Holy Quraan. After some time, her enthusiasm dwindled and she neglected those daily visits. One night the father came in her dream and said, “Do not do this (stay away). Come and stand in my presence so that I may see you to my satisfaction.  After making Du’as of Rahmah for me, you may go away so that the Mercy of Allah I may remain as a curtain between us both.” 

 

In another incident a pious lady came in the dream of her son and said to him, “My Kafan has become so bad that I feel ashamed in the company of my companions. In two days, a certain person is coming to us so please place in his Kafan some nice cloth for my Kafan.” When the son awoke, he inquired about the person his mother had mentioned. He was fine and in good health. On the third day, a message came that the very same person had passed away. The son immediately prepared a very nice of Kafan, and placed it in the Kafan of the deceased and said, “Please give this to my mother.” The very same night, the son saw his pious mother in his dream saying, “May Allah I reward you for sending me such a nice Kafan.”

 

In another incident of an eminent Sahaba, Sayyiduna Oh’baan Ibn Saifi t, an extra piece of cloth was mistakenly left in his Kafan when he was buried.  He appeared in the dream of his son and said, “Take this piece of cloth.” He said this and left it on the washing line. When his son got up, he found the extra piece of Kafan hanging on the washing line.

 

Once a person went into a graveyard and sat next to a grave. He felt drowsy and slept away. He dreamt that a lady from the very same grave telling him, “Oh servant of Allah! Save me from the disaster that is to befall me in a short while.” The man immediately jumped up from his sleep and looked around. He saw some men digging a grave next to the one he was sitting in front of. In a distance, he saw a Janaza approaching. It was of a very wealthy man. The man then tried to convince the diggers that the ground that they were digging was not good. He convinced them to dig a grave in another spot. They agreed and dug a grave at a distance. The same night the man again dreams of this lady. She said to him, “May Almighty Allah I reward you because you moved fire away from me.”

 

COMPILER’S NOTE:

Sadrush Sharee’ah, Hadrat Moulana Amjad Ali t was a beloved student and disciple of Ala’ Hadrat t. He presented the great Imam his third volume of Bahaar-e-Sharee'ah for correction. While reading this volume to the Imam, a question arose. The question was,  “Will Salaah be nullified if one uses a feminine tense to Allah I while reciting the Holy Quraan in Salaah?”

ANSWER: Salaah will be nullified if such tenses are used. Once Sayyiduna Abu Sa’eed t suddenly got up from sleep and cried very bitterly. When he was asked the reason for crying, he said, “I saw my Creator I saying to me, ‘You attribute Layla and Salma to Me in your poetry! Had I not known that you love me, I would have punished you with such severe Azaab (punishment) that no one would have ever experienced.’” 

N.B. Layla and Salma were Arabic poets. They used such tenses and pronouns in their poetry.

 

QUESTION: What is the situation if one covers his hands (with a blanket or put it in his pocket) at the time of Du’a due to cold weather?

ANSWER: If I am correct, it was Hadrat Sheikh Zun Noon Misri t who once lifted one hand in Du’a because of the cold.  Allah inspired (الهام) him as follows, “You only lifted one hand and I (Allah I) have placed in it whatever I wanted. Had you lifted the other one, I would have also filled it.”

 

QUESTION: Do Du’as get accepted all the time?

ANSWER: It is stated in the Hadith Shareef that Almighty Allah I is very modest and generous. He is very unhappy if His servants lift up their hands towards Him and get nothing. Allah I is very displeased with those who do not make Du’a to Him.

 

QUESTION: Is it true that there are more rewards in performing Salaah in the first Saf of the Jama’at?

ANSWER: It is recorded in the Hadith Shareef that if people knew of the magnitude of rewards for performing Salaah in the first Saf, then they would certainly put it a raffle. This means that all will rush to stand in the first Saf because there is limited space there. The mercies (Rahmah) first descend on the Imam then, on the person behind the Imam, then to the right of him and then to the left of him. This pattern carries on till the last Saf.

 

COMPILER’ S NOTE

 

One day I was sitting in the company of Ala’ Hadrat t.  He was discussing the Barakaat (virtues) of the Awliya-Allah.

 

He said: Once the great mystic, Sayyidut-Taa’ifa,, Sheikh Junaid Al Baghdadi t fell sick. His urine was taken to a Christian physician for analysis. When this physician carefully examined it he suddenly cried out, اشهد ان لا اله إلا الله و اشهد ان محمد عبده و رسوله  and embraced Islam. The people asked him why had he embraced Islam. He said, “This urine is of such a person whose liver is burnt in the love of Allah I”. (Allahu Akbar!). The urine of these Awliya has such great impact that is not found in words of others.

 

Once, in Yemen, a Christian heard this Sahih Hadith Shareef,

اتقوا فراسة المؤمن فانه ينظر من نور الله *

Beware of the perception of a true believer because he sees with the Noor of Allah I

 

He decided to test a Muslim whether this saying and the religion was true or not. The Christians of this region used to wear a cross around their necks as a symbol of Christianity. He hid the cross inside to disguise himself by wearing the Muslim garb, with a turban on his head. He then set out to the gathering of various Awliya questioning them about the meaning of this Hadith Shareef. The Awliya explained him but he was not satisfied. He then went to the Majlis of Sayyiduna Sheikh Junaid Al-Baghdadi t and asked the same question. The great Sheikh replied, “This Hadith Shareef means that you break the hidden cross, abandon the religion of Christianity and embrace Islam.” He was so astonished and moved by the answer that he immediately read the Shahadah and embraced Islam. He then asked, “Oh Sayyidi! I visited so many Mashaa’ikh and Awliya but none of them recognised me?” The Sheikh answered, “They recognised but your Imam was in my hands.”

 

QUESTION: What is the meaning of Mujahida (Spiritual Struggle)?

ANSWER: The entire concept of Mujahida is enclosed in this Ayah,

و أمّا من خاف مقام ربّه و نهى النفس فانّ الجنّة هي المأوى *

And those who tremble with fear in the presence of their Lord and abstain from the desires of Nafs.  Verily their abode is Jannah.

 

This is actually known as Jihad-e-Akbar (the great struggle in spiritualism).  It is stated in the Hadith Shareef that after returning victoriously from Jihad with the Kuffaar, the Holy Prophet of Allah e said,

رجعنا من جهاد الأصغر إلى جهاد الأكبر *

Now we return from the minor battle to the major battle.

 

A certain Wali of Allah spent three years in worship struck by the desire of eating pomegranate. He dreamt of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e who said to him,

إن لنفسك عليك حقا *

There are also certain rights of your Nafs upon you.

 

The next morning he got up and ate one. Now he desired to drink milk, but he said to himself, “Be patient for 30 years. Perhaps Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e will appear again with Divine advice. He may say that patience is better than this desire!” This mere thought instantly removed the desire for milk from his heart.

 

Both these desires can be easily identified. Satanic desires are very demanding. They want things done without delay. On the contrary, the desire of the heart is patient and constant about the thing it desires. It does not change its taste to something else because it is sincere about a specific thing. On the other hand, satanic desires are different. If it cannot get what it wants immediately, then the greed is so great that it will crave for the second thing, and if that is not obtained quickly it will desire for the third, and it will continue on and on. Thus, a person with satanic influence is very greedy and desires for anything. This is so because the Devil’s intention is to mislead, irrespective of how he does it.

 

Once a person visited a devout Sufi. He saw a container of drinking water kept in the sun. He said to the Sufi, “Oh Sheikh! This drinking water was left in the sun and it must have now become hot”. The Sufi replied, “In the morning, there was shade on it, but as the sun rose, its rays fell on it. I am now embarrassed to ask Allah I to move my legs from His devotion to satisfy my personal desire.”

 

Sheikh-ul-Mashaa’ikh, Arife Billah Sayyidi Sheikh Sirri Saqti t was once Fasting. So he kept a container of water on the shelf of the wall to get cold. He intended to drink it at the time of Iftaar. While engrossed in his Asr Muraqiba (meditation) he saw Virgins of Paradise (Hoors) passing one by one in front of him. As one approached him, he inquired, “For whose service are you.” She replied, “A certain person.” Likewise, he questioned each one of then and they all gave various names until one of them replied, “I am for him who does not desire cold water at the time of fast.”  The Sheikh then said to her, “If what you say is true then drop my container of cold water.” As she dropped it down, the noise distracted the Sheikh from his Muraqiba. He saw the broken container lying on the floor of his room.

 

Once two Angels met. One asked the other where he was going. He answered, “There is a Wali, who has a cup of milk in his hand and is about to drink it. I am ordered to go and flap my wings so that I drop the cup from his hand”. He then asked, “Where are you going?” He said, “A sinner has placed his fishing gear for a long time in a river and caught no fish, I am ordered to go and hook up a fish in his gear.”  (Allah I tests His Beloved servants and gives abundantly to the transgressors so that they may remain astray).

 

The Great Imam went on further to say that if 40 days passes without experiencing mishaps or calamities, then fear that Almighty Allah I may have abandoned you. It is stated in the Hadith Shareef that when a beloved servant of Allah I lifts his hands and cries to Allah I pleading, then Allah I orders the Angel Jibra’eel u not to grant him his request because He (Allah I) loves his crying and pleading. On the contrary, when a transgressor (sinner) lifts up his hands and asks Allah I for anything then Allah I orders Sayyiduna Jibra’eel u to grant him his request quickly because Allah I dislikes the face of a Faasiq lifted towards Him. There is a great lesson taught in this Hadith Shareef, if the Angel Jibra’eel u can grant desires and requests, then which Muslim will question the favours of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e?

 

QUESTION: What is Khilafate Raashidah and who were those that held this seat and who in the future will qualify for it?

ANSWER: Khilafate Raashidah is that Khilafat which is on the path of Nubuwwah (Prophet-hood) like the Khulafa-e-Rashideen, Imamain Hasnain Kareemain (Imam Hasan t and Imam Husain t) and Ameeril Moh’mineen Omar Ibn Abd al-Azeez t.  All of these great personalities were on the seat of Khilafate-Raashidah. According to my knowledge, such honourable Khilafat will be established by Sayyiduna Imam Mehdi t. (Allah I knows best).

 

QUESTION: When will Qiyaamah (Day of Judgement) be established and when will Sayyiduna Imam Mehdi t appear?

ANSWER: As far as this is concerned, Almighty Allah I knows best and by His Divine Blessing and information, His Beloved Rasool e knows.  Hence, this fact is explained in the Ayah of Holy Quraan,

عالم الغيب فلا يظهر على غيبه أحدا ط   إلا من ارتضى من رسول *

Allah I knows the Knowledge of Unseen. He does not expose this Ghaib to anyone except His chosen Prophets.

 

Imam Ahmad Qastalaani t and others have commented that the above-mentioned Ghaib refers to Qiyaamah. Some Ulama before Imam Jalaaludeen Suyuti t calculated that this Ummah would not exceed beyond 1000 Hijri. Hence, Imam Jalaaludeen Suyuti t wrote a Kitaab on this subject,

الكشف عن تجاوز هذه الامة الألف

He refuted their calculation. He has proven that this Ummah will exceed 1000 years. Imam Jalaaludeen t passed way in 911 Hijri and said that Qiyaamah will be around 1300 Hijri. By the Grace of Allah I, 26 years[zzzz] have passed since then, and let alone Qiyaamah, not even the great signs of Qiyaamah have appeared.

 

There are many Ahadith Shareef pertaining to Imam Mehdi t but nothing is mentioned about the date or year of his appearance. By the virtue and calculations of certain science of knowledge[aaaaa], I (Ala’ Hadrat) assume that there will be no Islamic rule on this earth in the year 1837 Hijri and in 1900 Hijri, Imam Mehdi t will appear.

 

Moulana Sheikh Abd al-Haqq Muhaajir-e-Makki t compiled a beautiful Kitaab. In it, he proved and established from the Holy Quraan and Hadith Shareef that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e possessed the Knowledge of Unseen (علم غيب). In this Kitaab, he accumulated many Ahadith Shareef pertaining to the signs of Qiyaamah. But he has not mentioned anywhere anything about a specific time. The Hadith Shareef states, “The age of this Duniya is seven days and I (The Holy Prophet e) was sent to this world in the latter day."  Another Hadith Shareef states, “I trust that Almighty Allah I will grant my Ummah another half a day.” According to the above two Ahadith Shareef, the age of this Ummah adds up to 1500 years. This calculation is made according to this Ayah of the Holy Quraan,

إن يوما عند ربّك كالف سنة مما تعدّون *

According to your Lord, the calculation of one day is equivalent to 1000 years.

 

The above Hadith Shareef confirms my calculation because the Holy Prophet e requested Allah I to increase the life span of his Ummah to another half a day. It is entirely on the Will of Allah I to increase the period to as much as He pleases. This assumption is similar to the Battle of Badr when Almighty Allah I promised to send 3 000 Angels to assist His Beloved Rasool e and the honourable Sahaba t. Allah I states,  

ألن يكفيكم ان ّيمدّكم ربّكم بثلاثة الآف من الملائكة منزلين *

Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord sent 3000 Angels to assist you?

 

On this promise, Allah I increased the numbers of the Angels. Thus He states,

بلى أن تصبروا و تتقوا يأتوكم من فودكم يمددكم بخمسة الآف من الملائكة مسوّمين *

Why not, if you are patient and stay steadfast and if shortly the Kuffaar attack you, then your Lord will send 5000 skilled (in warfare) Angels that will assist you.

 

QUESTION: Respected Imam, did you calculate all these dates through the science of Jafr?

ANSWER: Yes.  (Then with a very low tone he said) Eat the mangoes and do not count the trees (this remark means not to ask too many questions). 

 

He continued on this subject by saying: I calculated both these dates from the leads of Sayyidul Makashifeen Sheikh-e-Akbar Muhiyyudeen Ibn Al Arabi t. Allahu Akbar! What powerful and precise Kashf (spiritual insight) did Sheikh-e-Akbar possess!  He passed away long before the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Uthmaan Pasha, but he foretold the names of all the Sultans and their Ministers. He mentioned all these prophecies discreetly and briefly in his works. He pointed out to big events that were to take place during the rule of the Ottoman Empire. He also used soft words for a certain Sultan and temperamental words for others.  This pointed out to the attitude and events of different Sultans in the period of their rule. It was from these prophecies that I calculated that no Muslim rule will exist on earth around the year 1837 Hijri and Sayyiduna Imam Mehdi t will appear 63 years later, around 1900 Hijri. 

 

Concerning his own grave, he said, “For a number of years my grave will be hidden from the people.”  He further said,

اذا دخل السّين في الشّين ظهر قبر محي الدين *

When “Seen” will enter “Sheen”, the grave of Muhiyyudeen will be exposed.

 

Hence, when Sultan Salem entered Shaam (Syria), Sheikh Ibn Arabi t informed the Sultan of his grave in a dream. The first letter of “Salem” is Seen (س) and the first letter of “Shaam” is Sheen  (ش). So this was what Sheikh-e-Akbar t referred to in the above prophecy. However, Sultan Salem found his grave and built a beautiful Mazaar Shareef on it. Now the Muslim world knows his sacred grave and go there to pay their tributes and reap spiritual benefits from him. Subhaanallah! How powerful and precise is the knowledge and perception of these Awliya of Allah.

                   

QUESTION: Should you feel pity on every beggar even though he is a Kaafir because the Holy Quraan orders:

و أمّا السائل فلا تنهر *

And do not turn away a beggar.

 

ANSWER: The beggar must be genuine. It is stated in Bahrur-Raa’iq (A very authentic manual on Fiqha) that giving alms to a Harbi Kaafir is not at all permissible. Allah I states, أقم الصلوة Perform Salaah! Does this mean that it can be performed without Wadu? Never generalise the commands of Allah I. They have conditions linked with them. The great Jurists of Islam state, “A man is in a jungle and has just enough water to save one person’s life. It happens so that he finds a dog and a Kaafir both dying of thirst. He is ordered to give the dog the water instead of the Kaafir.” 

 

It is also stated in the Hadith Shareef that a person will be brought to Almighty Allah I on the Day of Qiyaamah for questioning. He will be asked, “What have you brought back from the Duniya?” He will answer, “Oh Allah I! I have performed many optional Salaah besides my Fard Salaah. I have kept many Fasts besides Ramadaan. I gave lots of charity besides my Zakaat and I have performed many Nafil Hajj beside my Fard Hajj, etc”.  Then Almighty Allah I will state,

هل ولّيت لي وليا و أديت لي عدوّا؟ *

Did you ever love for me my beloved servants and hate for me my enemies?

 

The Hadith Shareef states that Allah I will further say, “Allah I will reject your Ibadah and all good deeds because you did not love His beloved servants and hate His enemies.” This goes to show that one cannot compare one’s devotion and good deeds with the love for Allah I and His Rasool e. A wasp is capable of inflicting a very minor sting on you. But, if you have to see it stumbling on the ground with a broken leg or wing, then no mercy will be shown to it. Instead it will be trampled to death. Likewise, is a person worthy of respect if he shows disrespect to Allah I and His Rasool e? Absolutely not! Nowadays, the condition of the general public is very sad. They regard every poor man in the street as worthy of mercy and assistance immaterial who or what he is. He may be an enemy of Allah I and His beloved Rasool e, or one who just simply hates Islam and the Muslims.

 

Ghousal-Waqt, Sayyidi Abd al-Azeez Dabbaagh Al-Maghribi t states, “Allah cuts all ties with one who gives the slightest assistance to a Kaafir. The example of little assistance is to show him the way if he is lost (not guiding him on the path of Islam). This little help will cut off one’s links with Allah I and obviously lead to total destruction.”

It is permissible to assist a (Zimmi) Kaafir who lives in a Muslim state. Such a Kaafir is under Muslim protection. The Sharee'ah has set laws pertaining to such situations and always stands firm by its convictions to fulfil them.

 

QUESTION: Respected Imam! In which Kitaab is it recorded that once Sultaanul Arifeen, Sheikh Junaid Baghdadi t said, “Ya Allah I” and walked over the river? I cannot remember the entire story. Could you please enlighten me?

ANSWER: This incident is probably recorded in the famous Kitaab  Hadiqatun-Nadiyyah by Aarife-Billah Imam Abd al-Ghani Nablusi t. Once, Sheikh Junaid Baghdadi t came to the shores of river Tigris and began the Zikr of “Ya Allah”. He then walked over the water as if he was on solid ground and crossed the river. Before he crossed, a man was also waiting for transport to go across. When the man saw the Sheikh crossing, he said, “Oh Sheikh! I would also like to go across.” The Sheikh said, “Say Ya Junaid! Ya Junaid! And follow me.” The man did that and began walking on the water. As he reached the middle of the river, the Shaytaan affected his mind by saying, “Who is greater, Allah or the Sheikh? The Sheikh himself is saying ‘Ya Allah, Ya Allah’ but orders you to say ‘Ya Junaid, Ya Junaid’. This is Shirk. Why do you not follow the Sheikh and also say ‘Ya Allah, Ya Allah?’"

 

The cursed Shaytaan misled the man and he switched to saying “Ya Allah”. As soon as he invoked the Name of Allah I, he began drowning, He screamed for help. The noble Sheikh t watched this and shouted to him, “Say ‘Ya Junaid Ya Junaid’ as I ordered you to say!” The man did so and was amazed to feel the water under his feet as hard as the ground. He crossed over to safety. When he reached the banks, he inquired from the Sheikh, “O Sheikh! I cannot understand this puzzle. You said ‘Ya Allah, Ya Allah’ and crossed over safely. But when I invoked His Glorious Name, I began drowning?” The Noble Wali t replied “O ignorant! You have not as yet reached or understood Junaid and you have dreams of understanding and reaching Allah I!” Subhaanallah! What great powers and deep spiritual wisdom do the Awliya possess!

 

Two Awliya lived on opposite sides of the banks of a river.  One of them cooked Kheer[bbbbb] and ordered his disciple to give some Kheer to his friend who lived on the opposite side of the river.  The disciple said to his Sheikh, “There is no means of transport to cross the river so how is it possible to take the Kheer across?” The Master replied, “Go to the bank and say to the river, ‘I have been sent by that person who until this day has never gone to his wife.’” On hearing this, the disciple became confused as the Sheikh had children. Nevertheless, out of absolute respect and devotion, he proceeded to the riverbank and uttered the words as commanded by his Sheikh. Immediately, the river split and a path was formed for him to cross. He presented the Kheer to the Wali who ate it up and ordered the disciple to convey his Salaams to his Master. The disciple then said, “I can only convey your Salaams if I cross over the river”. The Wali replied,  “Go to the banks and say, ‘I came from that person who has never consumed any food for 30 years.’”

 

Once again, the disciple was very confused, as he had personally witnessed the Wali consume the Kheer, but again out of respect and obedience, he remained silent. He then went to the bank and uttered the words of the Wali.  And again the river gave way for him to cross. On reaching the other side, he became restless and inquired from his Master about the words of both of them, “Oh Master, I am terribly confused. Please explain to me this mystery.”  The Master then replied, “The fact is that we never do anything to satisfy our own ego or desire. Everything is done solely and discreetly for the pleasure of Almighty Allah I.”

 

QUESTION: Can one leave the Jama’at led by a Wahabi and perform it alone?

ANSWER: Their Salaah is not valid nor is their Jama’at.

 

QUESTION: What about the Musjid built by Wahabies? Is it not a Musjid?

ANSWER: The Musjid built by the Kuffaar is similar to a house.

 

QUESTION: If a Wahabi gives Adhaan, must it be repeated?

ANSWER: As their Salaah is invalid likewise so is their Adhaan.  Nevertheless, when they utter the name of Allah I and the Holy Prophet e, say “Jalla-Jalaaluhu” and “Sallallahu-alayhi-wa-sallam” out of sheer respect.

 

QUESTION: Is this a correct Hadith, that one day a Kaafir was the guest of the Holy Prophet r and he ate up all the food with the intention of keeping the sacred family of the Noble Nabi r hungry? Since he was the Prophet's e guest, therefore he was put in the room of the Prophet r. Sometime during midnight the guest felt pain in his stomach. He started experiencing diarrhoea. He felt very embarrassed because he could not control his motions, and messed the room and bed. So early that morning he secretly left. 

 

When the Beloved Nabi of Allah r came to check on his guest the next morning, he found that the room was messed and the guest had left. The Prophet of Allah r began cleaning the room. The Sahaba were furious on the disgusting act of the guest. Since this guest left in a hurry he had forgotten his expensive sword. So he returned to collect his sword and saw Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r cleaning up the room. Ameeril Moh’mineen Sayyiduna Omar Al-Farooq t intended to punish him but was stopped by the Holy Prophet r who said, “Do not harm my guest”. He then said to the guest, “You had forgotten your sword. Take it from where you had left it.” The guest was tremendously moved by the amazing conduct of the Holy Prophet r. He immediately embraced Islam. So does this Hadith mean that we should also be kind and merciful to the Kuffaar?

ANSWER: A similar narration is recorded in the Mathnawi Shareef.  Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r expressed politeness and mercy only on those Kuffaar who were to embrace Islam. This is evident from the above incident. In general, he always exercised severity on the Kuffaar. It is recorded in the Hadith Shareef that the Prophet of Allah r ordered the eyes of some Kuffaar to be pieced, and others’ hand and feet to be severed. They were not given water if they requested for it. This attitude was adopted for those whose hearts were sealed from accepting Islam. 

 

Once Ameeril Moh’mineen Sayyiduna Omar Al- Farooq t was on his way to Masjudun-Nabawi Shareef. A traveller requested him for some food.  The Ameer t took him home and ordered the servant to give him food. While eating, he uttered some irreligious statement. The noble Ameer t heard this and snatched the food from him. He then ordered his Khadim to chase him out of the house.

 

Ala’ Hadrat t states: No matter how much a heretic disguises himself, but when he approaches me, my heart automatically develops a hatred for him.  Once in my youth, a lecturer from Delhi came to my illustrious father.   Moulana Abd al-Qaadir Badayuni t was also present. He spoke harsh words against Isma’eel Dehlawi (father of Wahabism in India) and the Wahabis.  He also gave great assurances that he was a sincere Sunni. When he left I said to my father, “This man is a thorough Wahabi.” Moulana Abd al-Qaadir Badayuni t said to me, “Did you not hear him insulting?”  I replied, “But my heart tells me that he is a liar and he is putting up a false pretence to get permission from my father to lecture in the Jamiah Musjid.  He knows that only my father has the authority to grant permission to lecture in the Musjid. Therefore, he has adopted this attitude.” The next afternoon he returned. I asked him a few questions regarding the corrupt beliefs of the Wahabies. He was caught out and proved to a staunch Wahabi. He was chased away and left very embarrassingly.

 

I was confronted by many such incidents.  All praises to Almighty Allah I who always guided my heart. Oh Muslim Brothers! Turn your attention towards Allah I and His Rasool r. What will be your reaction of one makes it a daily habit to insult your parents? Would you be happy with them? Would you associate yourself with them? Obviously not!  If you respect your parents and honour them, then you will at all times safeguard their integrity. You will protect them in all possible ways. You will totally break all relations and contact with such people.

 

It this is your attitude towards the enemies of your parents, then the sincerity must be greater towards those who insult Almighty Allah I and His Beloved Rasool r. If this is not so, then your love and dedication, in fact, your Imaan is not sincere. For, if your love and Imaan was sincere then you should adopt the attitude of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr t and Sayyiduna Omar Al-Farooq t. This attitude is the demand of sincere Imaan.  The more you love someone, the greater the sincerity of dedication will be for the beloved.  Nowadays, one becomes furious if someone insults one’s mother. One is prepared to kill him.

 

On the contrary, if someone insults the Holy Prophet r, then people are asked to exercises tolerance.  What sort of justice is this?  Such unjust and hypocritical attitude is nothing but the manifestation of the corrupt and unscrupulous. But a sincere and devout Moh’min will stand up in arms to defend the integrity of Almighty Allah I, His beloved Rasool r and the Awliya of Allah. Why do we forget that such hypocrites were expelled by name personally by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r from Musjidun-Nabawi Shareef. Allah I commands His Beloved Prophet r in the Holy Quraan,

يا أيها النبي جاهد الكفار و المنافقين واغلظ عليهم *

Oh Nabi! Declare Jihad on the Kuffaar and Hypocrites and exercise severity on them.

 

Allah I states in another Ayah,

محمد رسول الله و الذين معه أشداء على الكفار رحماء بينهم *

Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah and those that are His companions are severe on the Kuffaar and kind amongst themselves.

 

The Holy Quraan states,

وليجدوا فيكم غلطة *

And certainly the Kuffaar will find severity in you (Holy Prophet).

 

These Ayahs clearly proof that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r expressed a hard and severe attitude towards the disbeliever's (Kuffaar).

 

QUESTION: What must one do if one coughs phlegm in Salaah?

ANSWER: Wipe it out on one side of your kurta or handkerchief (later after Salaah wash it out).

QUESTION: One’s Satr (those portions of the body, which is compulsory to cover at the time of Salaah) opens and someone sees it.  Does the Wudu of both persons break?

ANSWER: Wudu does not break by seeing or touching anything. There are 30 portions of a woman that are Satr, while there are 9 of a man. Salaah becomes invalid if a quarter of any one of these is exposed unintentionally in Salaah for duration of a Rukun (equivalent to reciting ‘Subhaanallah’ 3 times). Salaah is also broken if there is an intentional exposure of any Satr for a mere a moment.

 

QUESTION: Sir, what is the meaning of Wahdatal-Wojood

 (وحدة الوجود)?

ANSWER: It means that the Divine Existence and Presence of Almighty Allah is One. The rest of the universe is His manifestation.

 

QUESTION: How should one regard Isma’eel Dehlawi? (Father of Wahabism in the Indo Pak Sub-continent)

ANSWER: My view for him is the same as Yazeed. I will not forbid anyone who calls him a Kaafir, but I will not call him a Kaafir. However, Ghulaam Ahmed Qadiyani, Sayyid Ahmed Rai Barelli, Khaleel Ahmed Ambetwi, Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi and Ashraf Ali Thanwi are all certainly Kaafirs.  Their Kufr is clearly exposed, and therefore, doubting their Kufr and punishment is also Kufr. The Sharee’ah says,

من شكّ في كفره  و عذابه  فقد كفر *

It is indeed Kufr to doubt the Kufr and punishment of a Kaafir.

 

QUESTION: Are all Kaafirs cursed and rejected?

ANSWER: Yes, as far as the law of Almighty Allah I is concerned, all Kaafirs are cursed and rejected.

 

QUESTION: What is the position of a Kaafir who makes Touba at the time of death and becomes a Muslim?

ANSWER: If the question is about a specific Kaafir then surely he will not be regarded as cursed because his Touba could have been accepted. But if the question is asked about the general Kuffaar, then surely they are cursed and rejected by Allah I.

 

QUESTION: What should one do to attain the love of Allah I and His Rasool e in one’s heart?

ANSWER: One can achieve this by excessive recitation of the Holy Quraan and Darood Shareef [ccccc] on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e. Listening to correct Ash’aar of Naat Shareef and Qaseedah in praise of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e recited in a very melodious voice further enhances this Divine Love. One must also ponder over the mercies and favours of Almighty Allah I and His Rasool e.

 

QUESTION: Can the words Shahar (شهر) be used with every Islamic month? E.g. Shahar Rajab-al -Murajjab etc?

ANSWER: No. The word Shahar is only used for three months, Rabiul-Awwal, Rabiul-Aakhir and Ramadaan-ul-Mubarak,

شهر ربيع الأول * شهر ربيع الأخر * شهر رمضان المبارك*

 

QUESTION: Respected Imam, is it permissible to address the Almighty Lord I as “Allah Mia”?

ANSWER: Certainly Not! In the Urdu language, the word “Mia” has three meanings. Two of which are disrespectful to Almighty I and one will be correct to use. Therefore, if a word has more than one meaning with applications of good and bad, then it not permissible to attest such a word to Almighty Allah I. The one good meaning of the word “Mia” is “master” and certainly Allah I is the Master. But it is also used as “a husband” and “an agent of a prostitute”.

 

QUESTION: Is it waste or abuse of wealth to decorate a venue of celebrating the Moulood of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r with chandeliers and carpets?

ANSWER: The righteous Ulama of Islam state,

لا إسراف في الخير و لا خير في الإسراف *

There is no virtue in waste and no waste in virtue.

 

Anything that is honourable to the sacred Zikr of the Beloved Prophet of Allah r is not forbidden. Imam Ghazaali t in his famous Ahya-ul-Uloom Shareef quotes Sayyidi Abu Ali Roodbaari[ddddd] t who said that once a pious man organised the sacred Moulood Shareef of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r. He lit up the venue with a thousand lanterns. A short-sighted (weak Imaan) person came to the venue and saw the extravagance of the function and turned back. As he was leaving, the host grabbed hold of his hand and brought him inside. The host then said to him, “Extinguish all the lanterns that I lit up for other than Allah I.”  The guest tried to extinguish the lanterns but could not put a single one off”!

 

QUESTION: What are the benefits and excellence of Tahayyatul-Wadu?  (Two Rakaats Nafil performed after making Wadu).

ANSWER: Once the Holy Prophet of Allah e said to Sayyiduna Bilaal t, “Oh Bilaal! What is the reason I heard you walking ahead of me in Jannah (on the night of Meh’raaj)?” He humbly replied, “Ya Rasoolullah e when I complete Wadu, I perform two Rakaats Nafil.” The Prophet of Allah e agreed, “It is due to the same reason.”

 

QUESTION: Some people have the habit to lift their pants before going to Sajda. What is the Law of Sharee’ah concerning such practice?

ANSWER: It is Makrooh. According to some Jurist, one’s Salaah breaks if it is done with both hands.

 

P.S.: Someone mentioned the following dream and requested an interpretation: I dreamt of a medium size Musjid and it was time for Salaah.  I recognised the person who was giving the Adhaan.  He had strong Wahabi beliefs. He read the Adhaan till the name of the Holy Prophet e. Then, the Mukabbir gave the Takbeer for the Fard Salaah to commence and he did the same as the Mu’ezzin. (On hearing this, I said, “This is a weird style created by the Wahabis.”) I entered the Musjid when the Imam was already on the Musallah to commence the Jama’at.  I said, “As salaamu alaikum” loudly and this startled the Imam.  He turned around, looked at me, and then moved back away from the Imam’s Musallah. I proceeded to the Imam’s place and led the Jama’at. When I concluded with the Salaam, I got up from my sleep and it was time for Fajr Salaah.

ANSWER: Inshallah! The Wahabi movement will soon end and the true and pristine Maslak of Ahle Sunnat wa Jama’at will gain strength.

 

Once, I (compiler) presented a Fatwa to Sayyiduna Ala’ Hadrat t. While answering, it he noticed the Glorious Name “Allah” written on a post card. At this, he said, “Remember that I never write three things on a postcard.  Firstly, the Personal and Exalted Name of Allah I. Secondly, the name Muhammad or Ahmad, and thirdly, any Ayah of the Holy Quraan.  If I am compelled to write the name of the Holy Prophet e, then I will instead write Hodoor-e-Aqdas. Similarly, instead of writing the Exalted Names of Almighty Allah I, I would write Moula-Ta’ala”.

 

QUESTION: How must one make Sajda while sitting and performing Nafil Salaah?

ANSWER: Bend the head so much so that it is in line with the knees. 

 

QUESTION: How does one perform Ruku?

ANSWER: Do not bend your knees in Ruku if you are standing and performing Salaah. Place your palms on your knees with the fingers apart as if an eagle holds it prey.

 

The noble Imam said: I once saw a person performing Ruku with his back virtually upright and his face lifted up. After he completed, I asked him about his style of Ruku as it was contrary to the correct posture. The Sharee’ah orders one to bend the back flat like the back of a sheep and not like the hump of a camel while the eyes should be focused to the point of Sajda. The man replied. “I make Ruku in this manner so that my face is in the direction of the Qibla.” Then I said to him, “So you must be making Sajda on your chin.” The man understood my point and rectified his error.

 

QUESTION: Is it permissible for a woman to travel without a Mahram for Haj when she is sick and has limited funds for herself only?

ANSWER: It is not permissible for a female to perform Hajj without a Mahram.

 

QUESTION: Can one address the Holy Prophet e as “Khudawande-Arab”?

ANSWER: Yes, this means the Master and Messiah of the Arabs.

 

QUESTION: Sir! Does the word “Ajam” mean “an illiterate foreigner”?

ANSWER: Ajam means “dumb” and “speechless” and Arab means “eloquent” and “fluent”.

 

QUESTION: Sir! Do the Awliya of Allah possess the power of being present at many places at the same time?

ANSWER: Yes! If they so desire then they can be present in a thousand cities at the same time.

 

QUESTION: (by the Compiler) Sir! This means that the image of Alame Mithaal (World of Copies) is under the control of the Awliya for one person to be seen in many places. If it is so, then a doubt is created because replica (images) of a thing is not original. Hence, the presence of a replica is not the presence of the original.

 

QUESTION: The copies or replicas are of the body and the Soul focuses itself with all these replicas and controls them wherever they may be.  According to the reality of the Soul, it is one person present in numerous places. This too, is as far as external intelligence or understanding is concerned because it is recorded in Sab’ah Sanabil Shareef that Aarife-Billah Sayyidi Fathe-Muhammad t used to be present at ten different gatherings at the same time. Someone remarked at the Sheikh when he accepted ten different invitations from separate individuals to be present at their functions at same time. They said that this was not possible.  The illustrious Sheikh replied, “Krishan Kanayya (a Hindu Deity) was a Kaafir and could present himself in hundreds of places at the same time. So why there be a problem if Fathe Muhammad is present in a few places at the same time?”

 

Then Ala’ Hadrat t stated: Do you still doubt that the great Sheikh was present only in one place? No, never! In fact the Sheikh was personally present at all the places. The secrets of spirituality are far beyond the comprehension of man. To doubt and ponder over this matter will certainly affect your Imaan.

 

QUESTION: Respected Imam! Did Islam spread in Hindustan (India) from the time of Sayyiduna Khaja Mo’eenudeen Ghareeb Nawaaz t?

ANSWER: No. Islam was introduced in India many hundreds of years before Sayyiduna Khaja Ghareeb Nawaaz t. It is acclaimed that Sultan Mehmood Ghaznawi t made seventeen attempts to conquer India.

 

QUESTION: What is the meaning of this verse: “When the people of spiritual perception observe carefully, they saw the Kaaba bending towards Madina Munawwara”?

ANSWER: On the night of the scared birth of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e the Kaaba bent towards Maqaam-e-Ibraheem (which was the direction of the House in which the sacred birth took place) and said, “All Praise and Glory to the Magnificent (Allah I) who has purified me (Kaaba) of the idols.”

 

QUESTION: Is there a Ghous (Highest ranking Wali of Allah) present in every era?

ANSWER: Yes, the earth and skies cannot exist without a Ghous. 

 

QUESTION: Are the transactions of his world exposed to the Ghous in his meditation (مراقبه)?

ANSWER: Not only in his Muraqiba, in fact, every thing is exposed to him like a mirror at all times and conditions.  (The literal meaning of Ghous is a “helper”.)

Then Ala’ Hadrat t said: The Ghous has two viceroys (وزير). The title of a Ghous is Abd-Allah. His right hand assistant is called Abdur-Rabb and his left-hand assistant is called Abd al-Malik. The assistant on the left side is greater than the one on the right. The spiritual world is unlike this world where the right hand person enjoys greater status than the one on the left.  This is so because the heart is situated on the left side and this kingdom controls the hearts of people.

 

The greatest Ghous and the Ghous of every Ghous is Sayyiduna Rasoolullah e. His left-hand side assistant was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr As Siddique t and the right hand assistant was Sayyiduna Omar Al-Farooq t.  After this, the first Ghous in this Ummah was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr As Siddique t whose left viceroy was Sayyiduna Omar Al-Farooq t and right viceroy was Sayyiduna Uthmaan Al-Ghani t.  After him, the next was Sayyiduna Omar Al-Farooq t whose left assistant was Sayyiduna Uthmaan Al-Ghani t and right assistant was Sayyiduna Ali Al-Murtuda t. The next Ghous was Sayyiduna Uthmaan Al Ghani t whose left viceroy was Sayyiduna Ali Al- Murtuda t and the right assistant, Sayyiduna Imam Hasan t.  Next was Sayyiduna Ali Al- Murtuda t and the two viceroys were Sayyiduna Imam Hasan t and Sayyiduna Imam Husain t. After this, Sayyiduna Imam Hasan t was Ghous whose two viceroys were Imam Husain t and Imam Hasan Askari t. Finally, after Imam Hasan Askari t the next Ghous A’zam was Sayyiduna Abd al-Qaadir Jilaani t. All these personalities were certainly Ghous. 

 

From Imam Hasan Askari t to Sayyiduna Abd al-Qaadir Jilaani t all were assistants to the Ghous, which means that they were under the Ghous.  Sayyiduna Abd al-Qaadir Jilaani t occupied the stage of Ghousiyat-Al-Kubra (the highest stage of Sainthood) as well as the Master of the Afraad fraternity. After him, all others will be under him until Sayyiduna Imam Mehdi t who will be the final Ghous-e-A’zam.

 

QUESTION: Sir!   Who are the Afraad?

ANSWER: They are very high ranking Awliya of Allah I. There are stations in Sainthood. After the rank of a Ghous is the rank of the Afraad. 

 

Once a very great Wali was asked if Sayyiduna Khidar u was alive. He said that he had just met him a short while ago. Sayyiduna Khidar u related an incident to him. He said that while travelling in a jungle, he saw a bright light on a hillock. He approached the light to investigate and discovered that the light was coming out from a blanket, which was covering a person who was asleep. He then shook the feet of this person and said to him, “Get up and engage yourself in Zikrullah.” The man replied, “You carry on with your work and leave me as I am”. Sayyiduna Khidar u then said to him, “I will make it known to everyone that you are a Wali.”  He replied, “Then I will make it famous that you are Khidar.” Sayyiduna Khidar u said, “Make Du’a for me.” The man replied, “Du’a is your share and rights”. Sayyiduna Khidar u replied, “You will have to make Du’a.”  He replied, “وفر الله حزك منه May Allah I in His Divine Dignity increase your status.” He then said to Sayyiduna Khidar u, “Do not be sad if I vanish in front of you.” He said this and immediately vanished.

This was amazing because no Wali has the power to disappear from my sight. However, I proceeded further on and saw another similar light. As I got nearer, I found someone asleep and the light was appearing from the blanket covering the person. As I moved forward to hold the leg and get the person up, a voice from the Unseen said, “Oh Khidar! Be careful.” A lady moved the blanket, opened her eyes and said to me, “Sir! You stopped until you were asked to!” Sayyiduna Khidar u said to her, “Get up and engage yourself in the Zikr of Allah I.” The lady replied. “You carry on with your work and leave me in my condition.” Nabi Khidar u said, “I will make it known that you are a Wali of Allah.” She replied, “Then I will then make it famous that you are Khidar!” Sayyiduna Khidar u requested her to make Du’as for him and the lady replied, “Du’a is your right to make.” He insisted. She then said, " وفر الله حزك منه May Allah I in His Divine Dignity increase your status”. Then, she said, “Do not be sad if I disappear from your vision.” Before she vanished, I asked her if she was the wife of the person I had just met and what was she doing here. She replied, “Yes” and said, “A Waliyya (Female) had passed away in this vicinity and we were ordered to perform the Ghusal, Kafan, Salaah and Burial.” After informing me of this, she too disappeared. Sayyiduna Khidar u was asked as to who were these people. He replied, “They are the Afraad.”  This great Wali then asked Sayyiduna Khidar u if they turn to anyone for instructions. He replied, “Yes! Only to Sheikh Abd al-Qaadir Jilaani t.”

 

QUESTION: When a Ghous passes away who takes his place?

ANSWER: The seat of the Ghous is replaced in the following sequence: -

                 1.       The seat of Ghous is replaced by one of the Imamain.

                 2.       The seat of Imamain is replace by one of the Awtaad-                                           e-Arba’ah.

                 3.       The seat of Awtaad-e-Arba'ah is replaced by one of                                              the Budala.

                 4.       The seat of Budala is replaced by one of the Abdaal-                                             e-Sab’een.

                 5.       The seat of Abdaal-e-Sab’een is replaced by one of                                                the 300 Noqabah.

                 6.       The seat of Nuqaba is replaced by one of the Awliya.

                 7.       The seat of Awliya is replaced by any one of the                                                        Moh’mineen.

Sometimes this sequence is not followed and if Almighty Allah I ordains then He transforms a Kaafir to a Moh’min and replaces the seat of Budala (No.4) whose status is higher than that of the Abdaals.

 

QUESTION: Are there pores or air sacs in water?

ANSWER: No, because water has a self-characteristic to fill pores and air sacs. If one assumes that there are air sacs or pores in water then water from above with definitely fill all gaps and pores that are situated below it.  Modern scientist believes that water has pores because they say that when sugar is put into water it dissolves and the volume of the water does not increase. This conclusion is not acceptable because the water volume does increase but it is so small that the increase is not visible to the naked eye. 

 

Another proof also comes to mind, is that one person stands on the top of a pool and another dives inside. If the person outside screams and if there are air sacs in the water then the person underwater must hear him and he does.  Therefore, water does contain air sacs because sound travels in water. On the contrary, if one enters a soundproof glass room and stands in front of another person outside the room and screams, the person outside will not hear him. This argument too, is not valid because sound requires an in-between air for the waves to travel. Sound does not require air sacs. Yes, where there are no sound waves, then air sacs will convey the sound.

 

All these arguments are not correct because there is no echo transmission in glass not air sacs, therefore sound will not travel. There is no billowing of sound waves in a closed solid or prefabricated structure, instead there are air sacs and vacuum, and sound travels. Hence, sound travels through water and air because both these factors have in themselves the quality of transmitting sound waves. They are conductors of sound and produce sound waves. This is in fact the correct and original means of transmission of sound. Air produces greater sound waves in comparison to water. If two persons dive under water or on opposite direction of a pool and one knock two bricks together, the person on the opposite side will hear the knocks. This sound will be heard underwater, but not as audible as on land.

 

END OF  VOL. ONE

 

FOOT NOTES

[1] For the detailed biography see Rahmaan Ali Tazkera-e-Ulama-e-Hind (Karachi, 1318/1961) pp.58. 193, and 531; Ahmed Rida Khan t, Jawahir al-Bayan fi Asrar-al-Imkan, (Bareilly 1382/1962).

2,3 Moulana Haamid Rida t, Al-Ijazat al-Matina Le ‘Ulema-e-Bakkata Wa Madina (1324/1906) M.S.P.32.

(a)                 For Biographical details see.

Darus min Madi al-Ta’llum wa Hadrohu ba al-Masjid al-Haram’.

 

4 In 1339/1920 he compiled a book Faud-e-Mubin dar radde Harkat-e-Zamin, in refutation of ancient philosophy about the rotation of earth.

5 In 1357/1938, when he had left the study of Philosophy for about 45 years, his caliph Muhammed Zaffar al-Din Bihari drew his attention to the forecast of an American astronomer and mathematician Prof. Albert about gathering of certain stars on 17^th December, 1919 and creating tremendous chaos in the world.  Imam Ahmed Rida refuted this forecast on mathematical grounds and the refutation came true.  Afterwards he compiled a book in 1338/1918 with the title:-

Al-Kalimat al-Mulhima fi-al-Hikmat al-Muhakama Le Wiha-e-Falsafa al-Mash’mah

This book has recently been published at Meerut (India) 1395/1975 (probably it is the first edition).  Sir Diya al-Din, the former Vice Chancellor of the Muslim University, Aligarh, and an outstanding mathematician of India (PH. D. Contingen and D.Sc. Calcutta) puzzled over a sum but when consulted Imam Ahmed Rida the sum was solved in no time.  (The Minaret, Karachi, August, 1394/1974)

In 1338/1919 he proved the futility of the forecast of an American astronomer Professor Albert. (Zafar al-Din, Hayat-e-A’la Hadrath, Karachi 1938, p. 15).

6 This rare biblography has been published by Markazi Majlis-e-Rida, Lahore in 1394/1974.

7 See Mahmud Ahmed Qaadiri, Al-Ifadat Al-Radawiyyah (M.S.)

8 See Moulana Haamid Rida Khan, Al-Idjazat Al-Matina (M.S.)pp.40-41;

9 Mahmud Ahmed, Murshid-e-A’la Hadrath (M.S.) During his stay in Makkah al-Mukarrama he wrote a commentary in Arabic of the book: Al-Daulat al-Makkiya.

At the request of its author Shiekh Hussein Swalleh (d. 1302/1882) with the title of

Al-Nayyirat al-Wadiyya (1295/1878).

At that time he was only 21 years old.  (Rehman Ali, Tadhkara-e-Ulema-e-Hind (Lucknow 1332/1914) pp. 16-17

10 See Muhammed Mas’ud Ahmed, Fadil-e-Bareilli Ulema-e-Hidjaz ki-Nazar main, (Lahore 1395/1973): Haamid Rida Khan, ibid; Imam Ahmed Rida, Al-Daulat al-Makkiyya (1323/1905) Karachi; Imam Ahmed Rida, Husam Al-Haramayn (1324/1906), Lahore),  Imam Ahmed Rida, Al-Fuyudat Al-Malakiyya (1326/1908) Karachi; Imam Ahmed Rida, Fatawa Al-Haramayn (1316/1998).

11 Imam Ahmed Rida, Fatawa-e-Radawiyyah, (1328/1910) vol. 1, p. 191. These verdicts were issued without any remuneration to the ‘requests’ for formal legal opinion received from India, China, Africa, America, and Arabia.  These were counted 400 at a time (Fatawa-Radawiyyah, lll, Azamgarh 1318/1961, p. 230).

12 Zafar Al-Din op. Cit. p.280

13 See Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, op.cit.

    1.  Imam Ahmed Rida, Fatwa al-Haramayn Bradfi Nudwat al-Main (1317/1899) included in Rasa’l-   e-Ridawiyyah, edited by ‘Abd al-Hakim Akhtar (Lahore 1394/1974).

14 Ghulam Rasul, Fadil-e-Bareilly ka Fiqhi Maqam, (Lahore 1394/1974).

15 Abid Ahmed Ali, statement, 1 August 1968. (Photostat copy); Rahim Bakhsh Shahim, Aauraq-e-Gumgashta (Lahore; 1395/1975) p. 185

16 Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, Mawaz-e-Mazhari (Karachi; 1390/1970).

17 Tardjuman-e-Ahle-Sunnah.

(May, June 1975), photostat copy p. 13

18 Ghul Muhammad Faydi, Azadi ki an-Kahi Kahani (Sargodha, 1974) p. 148 quoted in Paighamat-e-Rida (Lahore).

19 Fayyad Muhmood, Tarikh-e-Adabiyyat-e-Musalmanan-e-Pakistan-o-Hind, (Lahore 1972) vol.X Chap.IX, p. 342, see also volume II, Chap. VII, p. 407.

20 Ghul Muhammad Daydi, ibid. p. 147.

21 Les Nouvellous, (Dimanche 26 Janvier 1969, Port Louis, Mauritius) p. 5.

22 S.M. Ikram, Mordern Muslim India and the Bith of Pakistan (Lahore, 1390/1970) p. 117.

23 Imam Ahmed Rida, al-Idjazat Al-Radawiyyahle Mabdjal al-Makkat al-Bahiyyha (M.S.) pp. 37-38

24 Imam Ahmed Rida,Husam al-Haramayn, (1324/1906), Lahore, pp. 140-142.

25 For details see Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, op.cit;

Abd al-Hakim, Maarif-e-Rida (Lahore 1395/1975): Ghulam Rasul, Fadil-e-Bareilvi ka Fiqhi Maqam, (Lahore 1394/1974): Sher Muhammad, Mahasin-e-Kanz al-Iman, (Lahore 1394/1974), etc.

26 The service of the following Caliphs and pupils are noteble:

Prof. Sayyid Sulayman Ashraf; Sayyid Muhammad Muhaddith; Na’im al-Din Murad Abadi, Sayyid Didar Ali; Amdjad Ali; Zaffar al-Din; Mufti Diya al-Din; Burhan al-Haqq; Sayyid Ahmed Abu al-Barakat, etc.

27 K.S. Anwari and M. H. Zuberi; A Shavian and a Theologian, (Karachi; 1970) p. 32.

28 President, International Islamic Missionaries Guild (Headquarters at Karachi, Pakistan).

29 President, World Federation of Islamic Mission, (Headquarters at Karachi, Pakistan).

30 Dr. I.H. Quraishi reviewing this book expressed:

“One of the finest contributions that had ever been made to the understanding of Islam”.

(Book launching ceremony held at Hotel Inter-Continental, Karachi, Pakistan, in December 1973).

31 Asad Nizami, Hadrat Moulana Shah Rida Ali Sahib, Ilham, (Bahawalpur: 21 November, 1974).

32 Moulana Fadi-e-Haq born at Khairabad on 1212/1797.  He was a great servant and philosopher.  He stimulated and encouraged freedom fighters in 1857 at

Delhi and was exiled to Indeman where he died on 20^th August 1861.(for details see Al-Thaurat  al-Hindiyya (Lahore; 1394/1974) ed. Abd al-Shahid and Abd al-Hakeem Sharf.

33 Moulana Kifayat Ali Kafi was a scholar, a poet and a warrior.  He fought against British invaders in 1857 at Delhi, etc. and was crucified at Murad Abad (UP India) on 30^th April 1958, (Ghul Muhammad Faydi, Azadi ki un Kahi Kahani, (Sarghodha, 1974) pp.112-113 quoted in Tazkara-e-Ulema-e-Hind.

34 Nur Muhammad Qadiri, Ala’ Hadrat Kay Ta’luqat Muasirin kay Saath, Illham, (Bahawalpur 14 June 1975); Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed Fadil-e-Bareilvi Aur Tark-e-Muwalat, (Lahore, 1390/1970)

35 Tarikh-e-Munazara (Illham, Bahawalpur; June, 1975) p.2

Note: Mufti Muhammad Mazhar Allah of Dehli (d. 1386/1966) gave his verdict against Hindu Muslim Unity. (See Rais Ahmed Ja’fari, Aauraq-e-Gumgashta (Lahore 1968 Mufti Muhammed Mazhar Allah, Fatawa-e-Mazhari (Karachi; 1391/1971).  Moulana Ashraf Ali of Thana Bhawan also gave his verdict against Hindu Muslim Unity but the majority of his adherents acted against his verdict.

36 See Fayyad Mahmood etc.  Tarikh-e-Adabiyyat-e-Musalaman-e-Pakistan-o-Hind, (Lahore 1972) vol.ll Chap. Vll, pp.413, 423.  In 1350/1930 his caliph Moulana Naim al-Din seconded the partition of India on Hindu Muslim majority basis (Al-Sawas-al-Azam, Muradabad 1350/1931, pp.13-15).

37 In 1947, after the birth of Pakistan, delegations under his leadership called on Qaid-e-Azam and had detailed and frank discussions with him on problems and the future constitution of the State (K.S. Anwari, pp.cit. p.9).

38 For details of Imam Ahmed Rida and his adherents political achievements see (i) Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, Fadil-e-Bareilvi Aaur Tark-e-Muwalat (Lahore; 1390/1970), (ii) Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, Rida Bareilvi t, Encyclopaedia of Islam (Urdu), Punjab University, Lahore, Vol. 10, Fasc. 5. (iii) I.H. Qureshi Ulema in Politics, Karachi (1393/1973)p. 270; (iv) Ghulam Muin al-Din, Hayat-e-Sadr al-Afadil (Lahore), (v) Abd al-Nabi Kaukab. Maqalat-e-Yaum Rida. Vol. I, iii, (Lahore 1968/1971) (vi) Ibid, Tarik-e-Pakistan ki Bunshuda Karyan, (vii) Ibid, Fadil-e-Bareilvi aur Tahrik etc.  tarjuman Ahl-e-Sunnah (Karachi, Feb, 1975, p. 58-61) Main Abd Rashid, Bartanvi Daur Main Pak-o-Bharat ki Muslim Siyasat, (Nawa-e-Waqt, Lahore 8^th May 1975).

39 Encomium on the Holy Prophet e .

40 In 1348/1929 in a public meeting at Sailkot, Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal versified four lines after the style of Imam Ahmed Rida in extempore (Illahm Bahawalpur; June 1395/1975), quoted in Abd al-Ghaffar Shakil, Nawadir-e-Iqbal) page30.  It shows the importance of Imam Ahmed Rida’s poetry.  In 1325/1907 Imam Ahmed Rida t compiled a collection of his verses Hadai-q-e-Bakshish in two parts.  They consist of all sorts of rhetories and all kinds of poetry.  Recently Madina Publishing Company in Karachi has published the parts 1 and 2.  Both parts contain poems written between 1296 and 1325.

41 Farrukh Shafiq, Taqrib-e-Isha’at Armughan-e-Na’at, (Karachi, 1975) p.29

42 Muslim Priest, Muslim Theologist.

43 Abd al-Hakim, Yad-e-Ala’Hadrat, (Lahore 1975)p.36

44 In 1929, at the suggestion of Dr. Sir Diya al-Din, the late Vice Chancellor of the Muslim University, Aligarh, this Qasida was published.  (see Takuddus Ali

45 In 1929, at the suggestion of Dr. Sir Diya’ad-Deen the late Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, this Qaseedah was published. (see Taqaddus Ali, Mera Pasandida Adeem (Faid-e-Rida, Laallpur) April 1391/1971)

46 Muhammad Saabir Nasim, Mujaddid-I-Islam (Chawnpur 1959) p.164.

47 Poetic Salutation to The Holy Prophet.

48 Nida-e-Haqq 9 June, 1960) p. 31.

49 Collected odes of a single poet with all pieces alphabetically arranged according to last letter of couplets.

50 For details of Imam Ahmed Rida’s t poetry see:

(a)                 Imam Ahmed Rida t, Hadai-q-Bakhshish, Part 1, 2 and 3.

(b)                 Sher Muhammad A’wan, Moulavi Ahmed Rida ki Na’tiyya Shari (Lahore 1973)

(c)                 Nur Muhammad Qaadiri, Ala’Hadrat ki Na’tiyya Sha’ri par ek Nazar (Lahore 1975)

(d)                 Anwar Ali, Hadrat Rida Bareilvi ki Na’tiyya Sha’ri, Sa’adat, (Lahore 19 March 1975), p.11, Col.3-8

(e)                 Shams Bareilvi has written a research article on the poetry of Imam Ahmed Rida with the title of :

“Ala’Hadrat Fadil-e-Bareilvi kay Na’tiyya Kalam ka Adambi aur Tanqidi Dja’za”.

 This article contains 300 pages.  The writer has thoroughly surveyed the poetry of Imam Ahmed Rida t and presented literary and critical review scholastically.  Madina Publishing Company Karachi, along with the poetical works of Imam Ahmed Rida will shortly publish the article.

(vi)        Muhmood Ahmed, Imam Ahmed Rida aur Unka ‘Arabi Kalam (M.S.);  Haamid Ali Khan, Hindustan kay Arabi Shura (M.S.) Doctoral dissertation, Muslim University, Aligarh (India)

(vii)       In 1900/1318 A.H. Moulana Ahmed Rida wrote a Qaasidah (poetic eulogy) comprising of 160 ines in Arabic under the title of Amal-al-Abrar.  The same is to be found in Rida Library, Rampur (India) and is being edited by Moulana Mahmood Ahmed Qaadiri.  This editor is also compiling 1145 Arabic verses of Imam Ahmed Rida.

(Quoted in “Tardjuman-e-Ahle-Sunnah, Karachi, December (1975, p.26,1, 28)

51 For details see Hasnain Rida, Wasaya Sharif (Lahore); Badr al-Deen, Swanih Ala’Hadrat (Lahore 1382/1963), pp.361, 362, 366, 368).

52 Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed. Fadil-e-Bareilvi Ulama-e-Hidjaz ki Nazar Mein..9  (Lahore 1393/1973), pp. 87-88.

53 For details see Badr al-Deen, ibid, p. 306; Moulans Haamid Rida t ibid; Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, ibid., pp. 88-90.

54 In 1922 he assisted the authorities of Muslim University, Aligharh in formulation the curricular (Ma’arif, Azamgar, Feb. 1926).

55 In 1926 the Government of U.P (India) consulted him in connection with some problems pertaining to divorce and marriage (Ma’arif, Nov. 1926).

56 In 1935 he met with George Bernard Shaw at Mombassa and in 1947 he called on M.A Jinnah at Karachi (K.S Anwari, ibid).

Note: - for detailed biographies of the caliphs see Muhammad Saadiq Qusuri, Khulafa-e-Ala’Hadrat (Lahore M.S 1395/1975).

57 For chronological details of his writings see:-

(a)                 Muhammad Zafar al-Deen, ibid. Vols. I and II

(b)                 Muhammad Zafar al-Deen, al-Mujmal al-Mu’adid le Talifaat al-Mujaddid, 1327/1909, (Lahore 1974)

(c)                 Rahmaan Ali, ibid, (Lucknow 1914/1327), p. 18

(d)                 Nizami Badayuni, Qamus al-Mashahir, Vol. I, p.66.

(e)                 Abd al-Haqq, Qamus al-Kutub, (Karachi; 1961) Vol. I, pp. 146, 218, 382, 463, 883, 910, 924 and 1063.

The complete list of his published works is available at Khanqah-e-Barakatiyya Mahrehra (India).

58 Rahmaan Ali, ibid, p. 18.

59 Muhammad Zafar al-Deen, al-Mujmal etc.

60 Recently his Annotation al-Mustanad al-Mu’tamad Bena Nadj at al-Abad (1320/1902) on the book;

Al Mu’taqid al-Munta qid (1270/1853) by Shah Fadl-e-Rasul) has published along with the text from Istanbul (Turkey) 1976.

61 Muhammad Mas’ud, ibid, p. 83 (marginal note by Abd al-Hakim Akhtar).

62 S.M Ikram, ibid, p. 116.

63 Fayyad Mahmood and Ibadat Bareilvi, Tarikh-e-Adabiyyat-Musalmanan-e-Pakistan-o-Hind (Lahore 1972) Vol. IX, Chap. I, p.29.  Also see Imam Ahmed Rida Fatawi-e-Radiwiyya Vol. I, p.4.

64 Haamid Rida, ibid, letter dated 16 Dhil Hidj 1325/1907.

65 Abd al Hayy, Nuzhat al-Khawatir, (Hyderabad Deccan 1390/1971) Vol. VIII, p.39.

66 Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed Mawa’z-e-Mazhari, (Karachi 1969) p. 31.

67 Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, op.cit. (Preface).

See Hasnain Ahmed, Naqsh-e-Hayat, (Deoband 1374/1954).

Ibid, Al Shihad al-Thaqib Ala’ at-Mustariq al-Kazib, (Deoband 1325/1907) Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed, Fadil-e-Bareilvi Ulama-e-Hidjaz etc. pp. 169-206.

68 See Baharistan (Lahore) under the captions (a) Dar-al-Takfir (1344/1925), p.514.  (b) Bareilviyyai  p. 518. (c) Shiddat aur Bareilvi (13471926) p. 524 also see Nigaristan, (Lahore 1973) p. 65.

69 But from 1970 due to the sincere effort of Markazi Madjlis-e-Rida Lahore, he became popular among the educated classes too, on which the monthly Khuddam al-Din (Lahore 2 May 1975, p. 12) expressed its deep concern.  Usually the educated classes are under the influence of Deoband, Aligarh, Delhi, and Lucknow and the movements at these places had been the targets of Imam Ahmed Rida’s t criticism.

70 S.M Ikram, Modern Muslim Indian and the Birth of Pakistan, (Lahore, 1970).

71 Aziz Ahmed, Activism of Ulama in Pakistan included in Nikki R. Keddi, Scholars, Saints and Sufis Muslim Religion Institution since 1500, (Chicago 1963).

72 (a)    There are institutions working in different parts of the world for his mission.  The following are notable:-

(a)                 Idara-e-Tehqeeqat-e-Imam Ahmed Rida (Regd.) Karachi (Pakistan).

(b)                 International Islamic Missionaries Guild, Karachi, (Pakistan).

(c)                 World Federation of Islamic Mission, Karachi.

(d)                 Markazi Majlis-e-Rida, Lahore (Pakistan).

(e)                 Imam Ahmed Rida Research Academy, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, (India).

(f)                  World Islamic Mission, Bradford (England).

(g)                 World Islamic Mission, Durban (South Africa).

(h)                 Rida Academy Lahore (Pakistan).

(i)                   Rida Academy Bombay (India).

(j)                   Imam Ahmed Rida Academy Durban (South Africa).

(k)                 The Sunni Razvi Society, Port Louis (Mauritius).

(l)                   Bazme-Ghulaaman-e-Rida, Durban (South Africa).

(m)                Imam Ahmed Rida Academy, Harare (Zimbabwe).

(n)                 Imam-ul Akbar Academy, Cairo (Egypt).

 

(b)    The following references can be consulted for the detailed biography of Imam Ahmed Rida,

         Abd al-Hay, Nuzhat al-Khawatir, Hyderabad Deccan (1390/1971), vol. III.

         Badr al-Deen, Sawanih Ala’Hadrat (Lahore 1382/1963).

         Haamid Rida Khan, Al-Idjazat al-Matinah (M.S 1324/1906)

         Muhammad Sabir, Mudjaddid-e-Islam, (Cawnpur 1379/1959)

         Muhammad Idris Nigrami, Tatyib al-Imaan be Zikr-e-Ulama al-Zamn, (1315/1897)

         Mahmood Ahmed, Tazakar-e-Ulama Ahle Sunnah (Cawnpur India. 1319/1972)

         Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmed Fadil-e-Bareilvi aur Tark-e-Muwalat (Lahore 1970),

         Ibid, Fadil-e-Bareilvi Ulama-e-Hijaz ki Nazaar Mein (Lahore 1973) ibid, Rida  Khan Bareilvi,

         Encyclopaedia of Islam (Urdu), Lahore.  Vol.X Fasc. V;

         Ibid, Imam Ahmed Rida Khan. Encyclopaedia of Islam, supplement volume to vols. No.I, II,

         (Lieden);

         Rahmaan Ali Tazkar-e-Ulama-e-Hind (Lucknow 1332/1914) Karachi, Vol. I, Vol. II, IV (M.S).

         The four volumes of Hayat Zafa al-Deem Bihari, Hayat-e-Ala’Hadrat (1357/1938)

         Ala’Hadrat (M.S) is available with Mahmood Ahmed Qaadiri, Cawnpur (India).

Besides these references there are scores of pamphlets and articles.  Some of them have been mentioned in the text in this biography.