India, Delhi ''Red Fort'', Lal Quila, Delhi

Indian history
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The king Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and
laid the foundation of the Red Fort or Lal Quila on the April 16,
1639. It took nineyears to build this strong city and I have ended
April16, 1648. It is said that about one crore rupees, anastronomical
sum in thosedays, was used for its construction. Half of this sum was
spent to build the exotic palaces within the fort. Built of red
sandstone, is octagonal, with two longer sides on the east and west.
The perimeter of the wallsis about 2.41 kilometers strong. Red Fort
stands at a height of 33.5 m on the side of the city and 18 m along
the River. Surrounded by a wide moat of the fortress, which was
originally connected with the river and was always full of water. The
two main entrances, known as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate(so named
because they face Lahore and Delhi, respectively) are three stories
high and are flanked by semi-octagonaltowers. They are located in
central west and south sides, respectively.
The main entrance of Lal Quila is through the LahoriGate. Beyond the
door there is a covered walkway, flanked by arcaded apartments leading
to the palace, known as Chhatta Chowk. These apartments are used as
shops. Besides these, there are three doors in other places, which are
locked now. Themaster builders of the RedFort were Hamid Ahmad.
Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort, as the army occupies
the restof it. Some of the main buildings inside the fort are:
Diwan-i-Am
Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience in the RedFort in Delhi.
Originally it had a patio in the front and was richly decorated with
gilded stucco. Heavy curtains hung in the main hall, which were three
bays in depth.
Hamam
Accompanying the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of selective hearing, the Hamam
(bath set) consists of three apartments connected by corridors. The
marble floors and are given floral designs inlaid with beautiful
colored stones.
Moti Masjid
The mosque Aurungzeb staff, Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque, located west
of Hamam. Situated on a level above the courtyard, the prayer hall of
the mosque with inlaid black marble contours of 'Musalla' (small
carpets for prayers) and is surmounted by three bulbous domes.
Mumtaz Mahal
One of the six main palaces along the river front, Mumtaz Mahal was
also known as' Chhoti Baithak. A beautiful water channel called
"Nahr-i-Bihisht '(ie, the Stream ofParadise) flew through these
palaces. However, this palace has been removed, probably because it
was totally ruined.
Naubat Naubat Khana Khana, or Naqqar Khana (which means House of the
drum), is located at the entrance of the palace area. Here the music
was played five times a day at fixed hours. It is a door called "Hathi
Pol (ElephantGate), where visitors dismounted from their elephants.

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A SHORT Story of Strong Faith:

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a 'Glass Jelly Jar' from
its hiding place in the closet.
Little girl poured the change out on the floor and counted it
carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No
chance here for mistakes.
Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twistingon the cap,
she slipped out the back door and made her way to 6 blocks to Rashid's
Drug Store with the big Red Indian Chief sign above the door. Little
girl waited patiently for the Pharmacist to give her some attention
but he was too busy at this moment. Little girl (Tasneem) twisted her
feet to make a scuffing noise; Nothing. Shecleared her throat with the
most disgusting sound she could muster; No good. Finally she took a
coin fromher Jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
"And what do you want?" the Pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of
voice. "I'mtalking to my brother from Lahore whom I haven't seen in
ages," he said without waiting for a replyto his question.
"Well, I want to buy an mmm..."
The Pharmacist stared backin the same annoyed tone.
"He's really; really sick.... and I want to buy a miracle."
"I beg your pardon?" said the Pharmacist.
"My brother name is Aslam and he has something bad growing inside his
head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save my brother now. So how
muchdoes a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help
you," the Pharmacist said, softening a little.
"Listen, I have the money to pay for miracle. If it isn't enough, I
will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs?"
The Pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man from Lahore. He
stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does
your brother need?"
"I don't know," Tasneem replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know
he's really sick and Mommysays he needs an operation. But my Daddy
can't pay for it, so I want touse my money."
"How much do you have?" asked the man from Lahore.
"Ten and half rupees. And it's all the money I have, but I can get
some more if I need to."
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "Ten and half rupees - the
exact price of a miracle for your little brother."
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her
hand and said: "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother
and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."
That well dressed man from Lahore was Dr. Ashraf Beg, a surgeon
specializing in Neuro-Surgery. The operation was completed free of
charge and it wasn'tlong until Aslam was homeagain and doing well.
Mom and Dad were happilytalking about the chain of events that had led
them to this place.
"That Surgery," her Mom whispered. "Was a real miracle. I wonder how
much it would have cost?"
Tasneem smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... Ten and
half rupees ...plus the faith of a little girl.
Noble Qur'an says: "And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me." (26:80)
And mom also knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... selfless
devotion to their profession by doctors like Ashraf Beg ...
Noble Qur'an says: "Those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and
hadadopted the Faith; they show their selfless love andaffection to
those (Muslims)who came to them for refuge, and they entertain no
desire in their hearts forthings they give out (to theneedy), but give
them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own
lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, - they
are the ones that achieve prosperity." (59:9)

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The Benefits of becoming a Murîd

There are several benefits in becoming a murîd:
1. At times a person errs inthe different methods of reforming the
heart that were mentioned previously. The shaykh shows the correct
path in this regard.
2. At times the effect and benefit that one derives from a book is not
as great as that which one would have obtained fromthe guidance of a
shaykh. One gains the barakah of the shaykh. Furthermore, if the murîd
displays any shortcoming in carrying out a good act or commitsan evil
act, he will be ashamed of this in front ofthe shaykh.
3. The person develops confidence and love for the shaykh. Based on
this, he is inclined to follow and emulate the ways of the shaykh.
4. If the shaykh is strict in giving his advice or displays his anger,
the person does not feel offended and endeavours to act upon his
advice.
There are many other benefits which are acquired by those whom Allah
has favoured. These can only be known by acquiring and experiencing
them.
Qualities to be found in the Shaykh
If a person wishes to become a murîd, he should first consider the
following factors in the shaykh. If the latter does not possess these
qualities, do not become his murîd.
1. The shaykh must know the masâ'il of Dîn. He should not be ignorant
of the Sharî'ah.
2. He must not possess any quality that is contrary to the Sharî'ah.
His 'aqâ'id (beliefs) must be the same as those that have been
mentioned in Part One of Bahishti Zewar. He should not possess any
quality that is contrary to all the masâ'il and all those things
connected to reformation of the heart that have been mentioned in this
book.
3. He must not be carryingout this programme (of shaykh and murîd) as
a means of sustenance. (That is, he must not be doing it for financial
gain).
4. Become the murîd of a person who is regarded asa pious person by
the majority of good people.
5. Become the murîd of a person who is spoken highly of by good people.
6. His programme of instruction must be such that one develops a love
and inclination for Dîn. This can be gauged by looking at the
condition ofhis murîds. Even if fifty-sixty percent of his murîdsare
good, consider such a shaykh to be effective. Do not have doubts on
him by looking at the condition of a few murîds. You may have heard
that the pious persons have a lot of effect. This (looking at the
condition of his murîds) is the criterion whereby one gauges the
effect and power of a shaykh. Do not gauge the effect and power of a
shaykh through other means, such as something occurring exactly as he
mentioned it to you, someone getting cured by his mere touch, that a
ta'wîdh worked according to the reason for which hegave it to you or
that if he fixes his gaze on a person he becomes completely entranced
and at a loss. Never be deluded by theseeffects and powers.
7. The shaykh must be such that he does not takeinto consideration the
status of his murîds when giving them advice of the Dîn. (That is, he
does not favour his murîds when it comes to reprimanding them in
matters of the Dîn). He stops them from useless and foolish things.
Once you have found sucha shaykh, seek permission from your parents
(if you are unmarried) or from your husband (if you are married), and
become a murîd of such a shaykh solely for the purpose of putting your
Dîn in order. If your parents or husbanddo not permit you to become a
murîd, do not become one as it is not fard to become a murîd. However,
it is fard to treadthe path of the Dîn. You should therefore continue
treading this path even if you are not a murîd of a shaykh.
Rules connected to the shaykh and murîd
1. Be respectful to your shaykh. Remember the name of Allah in exactly
the way shown to you by your shaykh. Have the following belief with
regard to your shaykh: "The spiritual benefits thatI can gain from
this shaykh cannot be gained from any other shaykh."
2. If the murîd's heart has not been reformed properly as yet and the
shaykh passes away, he must become a murîd of another shaykh in whom
the above-mentioned qualities are found.
3. When you come across any wazîfah in any book or read about the
frugal life of someone, do not actupon it on your own accord. Ask your
shaykh about it first. If any good or evil thought enters your heart
or you decide to do something, first consult your shaykh.
4.Women should not remove their purdah in the presence of their shaykh.

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‘O Allah, O Allah. They have surely called You but You did not respond:

'Abdullah Ibn al-Mubarak: 'Iwas in Makkah when the people were
afflicted with a drought. So they all cameout to Masjid al-Haram for
Istisqaa' (prayer for rain) but they were not granted rain, and to my
side was a black slave. He said, 'O Allah, O Allah. They have surely
called You but You did not respond. I swear to You and take an oath by
You that You will indeed provide water for us.'
Ibn al-Mubarak said, 'By Allah, it was only a short moment before we
were granted rain.'
He continued saying, 'The black slave departed and I followed him
until he entered a house in Hanatin.I put a mark on it and in the
morning, I took some money and went to the house. A man came to the
door and I said to him, 'I want to see the owner of this house.' He
said, 'It's me.' I said, 'There is a slave of yours whom I wish to
purchase.' He said, 'I have fourteen servants, I'll bring them out to
you.' Ibn al-Mubarak said, 'but he was not amongst them.' SoI said to
him (the man), 'Anyone left?' He said, 'A sick boy.' He brought him
out and it was him. I said, 'Sell him to me.' He said, 'He is yours, O
Abu Abdur-Rahman.' So I gave him fourteen dinars and I took the
servant. When we had gone along the way, he said 'O master, what could
you want with me when I am ill?' I said to him, 'It's because of what
I saw yesterday evening (during the istisqaa').' The boy leaned
against the wall and said, 'O Allah! Do not cause me to become famous
but take me back to You!'
Ibn al-Mubarak: 'He fell down dead and the people of Makkah began to
surround him…'
[Sifat al-Safwah by Ibn al-Jawzi]

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