To you be your celebration, and to me bemine

Introduction
Alamdu li 'Llaah. Indeed, all glory and praise is dueto Allaah. We
glorify and praise Him and we ask Him for help and forgiveness. In
Allaah we seek refuge from the evils in ourselves and from our wrong
doings. He whom Allaah guides shall not be misguided, and he whom He
misguides shall never be guided.
I bear witness that there is no [true] god except Allaah, alone
without anypartners, and I bear witness that Muhammad (S) is His Abd
(1) and Messenger.
Verily, the best words arethose of Allaah (T); the best guidance is
that of Muhammad (S); the worstmatters [in creed or worships] are
those innovated [by people], for every such innovated matter is a
bid'ah (2) , and every bid'ah is a misguidance which shall reside in
the Fire (3) .
To many people, celebrating eids (4) is a non-religious matter, andone
has the choice to participate in celebratingany eid, for any nation
orreligion, as long as that does not involve engaging in araam
(prohibited) actions. This view is the basis for whatwe witness
repeatedly of Muslims engaging in various celebrations and in sharing
in the holidaysof other nations. This article is meant to present,
based on the Quraan and the authentic Sunnah, guidelines for
evaluating holidays and other related practices. This should enable
one toreach a quick and sound conclusion when faced with such events.
Completeness of the Deen (5)
By Allaah's blessing and mercy, Islaam is complete, perfect, and
universal in nature. Allaah (T) said (what means): This day I have
perfected your religion for you, have completed my favor upon you, and
have chosen for you Islaam as your religion. [Al-Maa idah (5) 3] It is
narrated by Muslim that some mushrikoon (idol worshipers) tried to
mock of Islaam by saying,"It seems as if your prophet has taught you
everything, even how to defecate!" When Salmaan(R) heard this he
responded with the strong dignity of a true believer: "Yes indeed! He
prohibited us from turning our faces or backs to the Qiblah (6) when
defecating or urinating, from using theright hand to cleanse
ourselves, from using lessthan three stones to cleanse ourselves [in
the absence of water], and from using animal waste or bones to cleanse
with."
Allaah's mercy has required that people be informed of all what would
save them from the Fire and what would let them into the Gardensof the
Hereafter. This wasthe mission of all prophets, as declared by
Muhammad (S): There was never any prophet before me but that his duty
was to reveal to his people what he knew to be best for them, and to
warn them of what he knew to be evil for them. [Narrated by Muslim]
Andthis was certainly the mission of the Final Messenger (S) as he
said: Nothing of what would bring you closer to the Jannah (7) and
further away from the Fire but have been clarified [through me] to
you. [Authentic; narrated by Amad].
With His encompassing Wisdom, Allaah (T) made His Final Revelation,
Islaam, a universal message meant for all peoples, at all times,
without any distinction: We have not sent you [Muhammad] otherwise
than to mankind at large,to be a herald of glad tidings and a warner.
[Saba (34) 28]
Furthermore, this most important Message is preserved intact through
the centuries, as is clearlyobserved today by any impartial examiner.
This is in fulfillment of Allaah'spromise: It is We Ourselves who have
sent down the dthikr (the Message), and it is We who shall surely
guard it [from corruption]. [Al-Hijr(14) 9]
We conclude then that:
1. Islaam contains the complete and perfect guidance for humanity.
2. Islaam did not neglect any information that would be needed by
people to reach happiness and to avoid harm, in all matters, whether
minute or large.
3. Islaam is the only guidance tailored for all peoples at all times.
4. Islaam has been preserved, and will remain intact through the ages,
as the only true guidance capable of helping and saving people.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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HADRAT FARIDUDDIN GANJ-E-SHAKAR (R.A) - Sufism Biographies

The Reverend Pir of Hadrat Qutab Jamal
Shaikh Fariduddin was born in 569/1173-74 or 571/1175-76. His father
was a scholar, but it was his lengthy an exceedingly pious woman, who
prayed nightly at lengthy vigils, who exerted the greaterinfluence on
the future sufi saint. One story regarding the spiritual power of Baba
Farid's mother related is that a thief, entering the houseglanced at
the playing woman and was instantly blinded. The thief implored the
Swhaikh's mother to restore his eyesight. She did so, and the
blindnesswas removed. The following day, the thief returned with his
family to the Shailkh's house and was converted to Islam.
His mother's influence helped to promote an extreme asceticism in
Shaikh farid. Unconcerned with food or clothing, he was constantly
occupied withmeditation in a place behind the mosque at Khtwal. The
townsfolk came to believe he was deranged, and they spoke so to Shaikh
Jalau'd-Din Tabrizi of Baba Farid and what to them were his strange
habits.
When Jalalu'd-Din Tabrizi went to see BabaFarid he had only torn
clothing to wear so he had great difficulty in presenting himself
respectably to his distinguished visitor. Jalalu'd-Din had with him a
pomegranate, andbroke it, offering it to Baba Farid. As the Baba was
fasting he refused to eat it, but after his guest had left he picked
up a seed and in the evening ate that. Instantly his heart was
illuminated and he lamented no having eaten the whole fruit. However
in Dehli KhwajaQubu'd Din consoled the Baba saying that in pomegranate
there was only one seed endowed with spiritual blessings and that he
had had it.
At the age of eighteen, Baba Farid settled in Multan to undertake
further studies and joined a seminary at the mosque of Maulana
Minhaju'd-Din Tirmizi. There he met Khwaja Qutbu'd-Din Bakhtiyar Kaki
and asked to become his disciple. According to Jamali, Baba Farid was
initiated into silsila by the Khwajaat Multan and was advised to
complete his education there. Shortly afterwards the Khwaja left for
Delhi. Jamali addsthat the Baba then visited Qandhar to acquire
further knowledge, but it is more likely that Baba Farid reached Delhi
shortly after the Khwaja arrival and was initiated into the
distinguished group of Sufis residing in the Khwaja's jama'at khana.
Baba Farid lived in a small cell near the jama'at-khana and, under
guidance, performed severe asceticexercises. His austerities so
impressed Khwaja Mu'inu'd-Din during his visit to Delhi, that he took
a special interest in Baba Farid, prophesied his later fame and asked
Khwaja Qutbu'd-Din to join him in prayer for hisdisciple's future
greatness.
The severities practiced by the Baba in his Delhi cell failed to
satisfy him and he asked his master if he could perform a chilla which
involved spiritual exercises and fasting for forty days. The Khwaja
finally permitted him to perform a chilla-I ma'kus(inverted chilla).
Ignorant of the details he asked Bdru'd-Din Ghaznawi to obtain them
from the Khwaja who replied that it required a man to tie a rope
around his feet andremain suspended in a well, head down, for forty
days and nights, while both fasting and praying. The Baba founda
lonely mosque in Uch and, talking the mu'azzin into his confidence
performed the chilla-ima'kus.
The reason why the Shaikh came to be known as Ganj-I Shakar (Store of
Sugar) is described in different stories in various hagiological
works. A more popular version is that, overpowered by incessant
fasting for three days, the Baba placed some pebbles in his mouth.
These immediately changed into sugar. Baba Farid, believing that this
had been the work of the devil, spat them out. At midnight, again
overcome by hunger, he repeated his actions, thestones became sugar
and he refused to eat them. Finally, overpowered by extreme hunger he
ate some pebbles which hadbecome sugar so that he could continue
praying. Khwaja Qutbu'd-Din approved his action, telling him that
whatever was received from the unseen world must necessarily be good.
After the Baba's fame in Delhi became an obstacle to prayer and
meditation, he left for Hansi in the Hisar district. He was therefore
absent from Delhi at the time of the Khwaja's death, arriving five
days after the event.In accordance with the khwaja's will, Qazi
Hamidu'd-Din Nagauri gave Baba Farid relics from the Khwaja including
his khirqa, turban, stick and wooden sandals. Although this implied
that the Baba was the Khwaja's successors in Delhi, the Baba's
asceticism and total withdrawal from the world precluded any conflict
with Shaikh Badru'd-Din who had also been extremely close to the
khwaja and who wished to be his spiritual successor in Delhi.
First going to Hansi, the Baba finally settled at Ajodhan, where the
remained from about 1236 until his death on 5Muharram 664/17 October
1265. His long stay on th Stalaj, along one of the main routes from
Multan to Lahore and Delhi, was a spiritually rewarding experience.
Although he selected a lonely place toreside, Baba Farid was harassed
by local officersof the Qazi of Ajodhan and by the rudeness of the
people of the town. This was prompted mainly by the Qazi's hostility
towards the sufimovement.
Through an example of sanctity and austerity, Baba Farid sought to
reform the Muslims in Punjab.
Shaikh Faridu'd-Din livednear the Jaml' mosque, in a small house of
mud walls covered with a thatched roof. He had strictly forbidden the
useof burnt bricks for the building which, according to Chishti
tradition, were not simple enough for an ascetic's dwelling. The door
remained open until midnight as a welcome to visitors. Among his few
possessions, the Baba had a small rug which heused by night as a
blanket, but which hardly covered him. During the day it was used as a
sitting rug. Khwaja Qutbu'd-Din's stick rested behind his head as a
pillow. His food consisted of wild fruit and millet bread. Abstaining
from nourishment during the day, in the evening he broke his fast by
taking sherbet. A bowl of it would be brought to theBaba and often
mixed with dried grapes. Of this he drank never more than half,
dividing the rest among his visitors. After prayers, two pieces of
bread smeared with ghee weretaken to Baba Farid. One was given away,
the other he himself ate, sharing it with his favourite disciples.
The jama'at-khana consisted only of a thatched hall, used for communal
living and a separate cell was for the Shaikh's meditation.
The jama'at-khana contained not a single piece of furniture, every
member sat and slept onthe floor. On special occasions a bed was
provided for a new visitor. The Shaikh, followed the same practices as
his disciples. Once when ill and forcedto rest on the bed he
apologized profusely to those sitting on the floor.
The establishment was run by Baba's chief disciples. Fuel and wild
berries, which were then boiled, were collected from the forests. In
the early yearsof his stay at Ajodhan a zanbil (a basket made of palm
leaves hung round the neck) was carried by some members of the
jama'at-khana twice a day to the town and the offerings placed in it
were shared by everyone. The Baba also preferred to eat bread from the
zanbil, perhaps to be more fully integrated into the life of all
members of his jama'at-khana. Other Chishti Shaikhs, including his own
teachers, had permitted the borrowing of small amounts of money for
household needs, but the Baba strictly forbadethis practice. Anything
received as futuh if not used immediately was kept no longer than a
day and was distributed to the needy. To a sufi a new day ushered in
newhope in God, and a concern for future needswas seen as totally
opposed to a complete trust in Him.
The jama'at-khana, situated on a main route, attracted many visitors.
These included scholars, merchants, government servants, artisans,
Sufis and qalandars, in short, men from all classes and sections of
society. Some, disillusioned with a life of affluence and comfort,
became permanent members, others stayed for short periods to seek the
Baba's blessing and experience a spiritual rejuvenation. Some of his
eminent disciples who lived in other areas also visited the
jama'at-khana, but one such visitor, Maulana Badru'd-Din Ishaq, stayed
and became a steward of thejama'at-khana. Prestigious guests, and many
other people who came to the Shaikh werehumble. A large number
requested ta'wiz (amulets) and the demand for amulets became to
fulfill all requests, so often they would be written instead by
Maulana Ishaq.
The jama'at-khana received visitors who were often less than polite
and considerate to its inmates.
To Baba Farid, Sufism was a strenuous exerciseleading one to a pious
life within the society in which one lived. It demanded humility,
modesty , patience, fortitude and a cleansing of the heart from all
conceit. Self-abnegation involved careful concernfor any offence to
another, and in the event of such a situation,sincere and copious
apologies were demanded.
Baba Farid was him self a scholar and wrote excellent poetry in
Arabic, Persian and the local Hindawi dialect. He recited the Qur'an
perfectly, popularized the study of the 'Awarifu'l-M'aarif and
lectured on the subtle philosophy of the Lawa'ih of Qazi Hamidu'd-Din
Nagauri. Nevertheless, he did not pride himself on his intellectual
achievements and felt a genuine sense of humility. He encouraged
education in his disciplesand considered the 'ulama' to be nobler than
the common people, though he disliked their self-satisfied
indifference to others. The faqirs, he asserted, were superior to the
'ulama' and occupied the same place among them as the full moon
amongst a sonstellation of stars.
Baba Farid illustrated the difference between Shari's, Tariqa and
Haqiqa by using the zakat, an obligatory payment for all Muslims, as
an illustration. The zakat of Sharia'a was five dirhams our of 200,
the zakat of Tariqa omvolved the payment of 195 dirhams out of 200 and
the retention of only five dirhams and the zakat of Haqiqa entailed
the payment of everything, retaining nothing.
Five hundred aphorisms of Baba Farid were collected, of which the
following, selected by Amir Khwurd, give some insight into the Baba's
broadly based, humanitarian teachings.
1. Pray to God alone for everyone else takes away but He gives.
Whatever He gives cannot be taken away by anyone else.
2. Escaping from the carnal self should be deemed as a means of reaching God.
3. Do not satisfy the demands of the carnal self for its demands know no limit.
4. Do not regard the ignorant as amongst the living.
5. Avoid the ignorant who pose a though they were wise.
6. Do not utter a truth which resembles a lie.
7. Do not sell what people do not wish to buy.
8. Do not worry about position and wealth.
9. Do not eat every body's bread, but give bread to everybody.
10. Never forget death atany place.
11. Do not make a statement based on supposition.
12. Treat a calamity as the consequence of greed.
13. Do not boast of having committed a sin.
14. Do not make the heart a plaything of the devil.
15. Keep your internal self better than the external one.
16. Do not try to adorn yourself.
17. Do not lower yourselfin order to secure a position.
18. Do not borrow eitherfrom the helpless or from the upstart.
19. Protect the honour of old families.
20. Strive to obtain freshgrace everyday.
21. As far as possible prevent women for developing the habit of using
abusive language.
22. Consider good healtha divine blessing.
23. Be grateful but do not compel others to be grateful to you.
24. While doing good to others think that you arehelping yourself.
25. Give up immediately that which your heart finds evil.
26. Do not retain a slave who wishes to be sold.
27. Seek a pretext to perform a good work.
28. Always keep the doors of peace open in awar.
29. Consider levity and harshness signs of weakness.
30. Do not consider yourself safe from the enemy however conciliatory
he might appear.
31. Fear the man who fears you.
32. Do not rely on your own strength.
33. Self-restraint is neveras imperative as it is at the time of sexual desire.
34. Do not forget religion in the company of state dignitaries.
35. Glory and honour depend upon equity andjustice.
36. Be magnanimous to the righteous.
37. Do not consider anything a substitute forreligion.
38. There is no compensation for the (loss) of time.
39. Be magnanimous to the righteous.
40. Be arrogant to the stubborn.
41. Do not be extravagant in entertaining guests.
Make wisdom and solitude your 42. (main) provision.
43. Do not flee from calamity sent to you by God.
44. Consider the dervish who seeks riches as covetous.
45. entrust the government to the care of a God-fearing visor.
46. Annihilate the enemyby discussion and captivate the heart of
friends by hospitality.
47. Consider worldliness as unforeseen calamity.
48. Seek out your faults.
49. Acquire wealth honestly in order to be able to retain it.
50. Acquire knowledge through humility.
51. Do not be concerned by the bitter words of enemies.
52. Do not flee from the enemy.
53. If you wish to avoid disgrace, do not beg.
54. if you wish to make the whole world your enemy, be arrogant.
55. Keep your good and bad points secret.
56. Protect religion through knowledge.
57. If you wish to be great be humble.
58. If you want satisfaction, do not be jealous.
59. Accept affliction as a gift.
60. Try to become immortal by obliteratingyour carnal self.
The above sayings are profound, but the inner nature of the Baba's
mystical consciousness isbest expressed in the following verses which
he often recited while praying in solitude:
'I pray to live only for the sake of loving Thee,
I wish to become dustand dwell eternally under
Thy feet.
My principal expectation from both worlds in that,
I should die and live for Thee.'
According to the Shaikh, the initiation of a disciple should be
performed personally byhis preceptor. He was opposed to the
initiationcustoms involving head shaving rituals at the tombs of sufi
saints. When one of his own sons performed such a ceremony at the foot
of Khwaja Qutbu'd-Din Bakhtiyar's tomb, his father remarked that such
an initiation was invalid. True initiations involved the disciple
holding the Shaikh's hand, while it was usual for his Pir to offer
blessings and prayers forthe disciple's welfare.
Hadrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakkar died on 5th of Muharram 664 A.H.
corresponding to 17 October 1265 C.E. He was buried in Pak Pattan (135
miles off Lahore).

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
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Seeing Through Eyes ofHope

We all feel weary at times. We feel like we're fighting on so many
fronts and that we have no helpers. At times our passion drains away
and we feel like we're just going through the motions. This happens to
me. I think it happens to everyone.
At those moments, Shaytan (Satan) tries to push us into despair.
Despair is one of Shaytan's greatest weapons. If we are in debt,
Shaytan tries to get us to despair of getting out of debt. If we're
ill, he tries to convince us to despair of getting well. Ifwe have
committed sins, he whispers to us to despair of Allah's mercy and the
possibility of forgiveness. He tries to make us despair of our
futures, despair of our salvation, and fail to see the beauty in our
lives.
Believers must resist Shaytan's whispers. Believers must be people of
hope, and must see the world through eyes of hope. Believers make life
choices that are rooted in hope.
"Shaytan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality,
while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him andbounty. And Allah is
all-Encompassing and Knowing." – Quran, Al-Baqarah, 2:268
So we have two differentcalls echoing in our ears. Shaytan calls us to
fear, and grasping attachmentto this material world.
Allah the Almighty, on theother hand, offers us forgiveness and true
blessings. Allah offers us hope. Hope is not wishing on a star, or
daydreaming. Hope is a real thing, because it's a part of trusting
Allah. After all, prayer is all about hope.
The Quran tells us that with every difficulty comes ease. Hope is an
acknowledgment of that reality, that things will get better, and a
time of ease will come.
When life becomes hard, we need to see through eyes of hope, not eyes
of despair.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Haazir O Naazir - Present and Witnessing

According to the Holy Quran every thing has todie as Allah almighty says:
"Every soul is to taste thedeath" (Sura Al-Imran)Like this prophets of
Allah almighty were also passed through the process of death. They
were given death but it was for a very short time. And at the same
time they were brought to life as same as before.
Now all of the prophets (Alaihis salam) of Allah almighty are alive.
Allama Baihaqi (Rahmatullah Alaih) has collected a number of
narrations in the proof of the life of the prophets (Alaihis salam)
after death.
Such as Allama Jalaluddieen Sayuti (Rahmatullah Alaih) also written a
book on this topic and there are so many scholars of ummahwho have
written very much about this topic. Now I prove it from the Quran and
Hadith. Allah Almighty says:
"And say not those who are killed in the path of Allah as dead, but
they are alive yes, you are unaware." (Sura Al Baqara, Verse 154)
According to the Holy Quran pious people are of four categories. The
Prophets (Alaihis Salam) are of the highest grade and then comes the
number of truthful and then martyrs and righteous people stands fourth
in grade. And all four kinds are blessed according to their grades. As
the Holy Quran says: "Those who have been blessed by Allah viz., the
Prophets, and the truthful, and martyrs and righteous." (Sura Al Nisa,
Verse 69)
According to the generalpractice of the people we see that an officer
of grade "B" is provided all facilities which is provided to the
officer of grade "C". But the officer of B grade is given more than
the officer of C grade. Like this is the case of the officer of grade
"A". He is not only provided all the facilities of the officer of
grade B but also more than that of"B" grade. Now we believe that a
martyr gets the life after death by practicing the teachings of his
Prophet (Alaihis Salam) although he comes in third grade of the pious
peoples, so what is about the position of the Prophet (Alaihis Salam)
who is highest of all in his grade. Surely He is the most deserve able
of all others to be alive after death. It is a logical proof.
Secondly the Prophet of Allah almighty is a martyr because he died due
to the eating of piousness food. As Imam Bukhari and Baihaqi
(Rahmatullah Alaih) narrated by Aiysha (Allahalmighty is well pleased
with her) that the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him)
said in his mortal disease, " I always felt the pain of food which I
ate in Khaibar, now that poison is killing me." (Al Havi Lilfatawa.
Printed from Bairut. Vol. 2, P 149)
So the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace beupon Him) is also alive
according to the Quranicverse.
Proof of the life of Prophets (Alaihis Salam) after death by
narrations of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon Him)
1) Qazi Shaukani writes that the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace
beUpon Him) in saheeh hadith that the Prophets (Alaihis Salam) of
Allah almighty are alive in their shrines. And Baihaqi (Rahmatullah
Alaih) has rectified it andwrote a book on this topic.
(Nail-ul-Qwatar. Vol.5, Page 108)
Abu Darda (Radi Allaho Unho) narrates that the prophet of Allah
said,"Send salutation (Durood) upon me againan again on Friday.
Because these salutation(Durood) are observed by angles. No one sends
salutation but it is presented to me before his getting free from
salutations". I asked him,"What is about after death?" He (Allah's
Grace& Peace be Upon Him) said "Allah almighty has made unlawful upon
earth to spoil prophet's bodies and the Prophet of Allah is alived and
he is given food." (Sunnan-e- Ibne Maja, Printed Noor Muhammad, P 118)
There are so many narrations which are found in proof of the lifeof
Prophets (alaihis salam) after death, thosecan't be written this is
why I stop my pen at thisbecause it is enough for a reasonable man.
What does the Holy Quran say ?
Before we quote the Holy Quran let us define and understand the
terminology of this subject matter. The terms used for the
omnipresence are"Haazir" and"Naazir"and these terms need to be
clarified and understood from the outset.
The meaning of Haazir and Naazir is explained below:
HAAZIR-To be present (physically or spiritually, i.e. in being)
NAAZIR-To see or behold with ones own eyes (from near or afar)
Note very carefully, that to be truly present and seeing one must be
'Aware' and 'Understand'what one sees.
To illustrate, a person named Zaid is in his home watching the live
Jum'a broadcast from Mecca. Then it follows that Zaid is Haazir
(physically), at his home, and Zaid is Naazir (seeing events) in his
home and in Mecca. NowZaid saw with his own eyes the Imaam lead the
Jum'a prayer in Mecca, although Zaid was sitting in
London.
Added to the fact that, while sitting in London Zaid observed the
eventsin Mecca, Zaid needs twomore abilities to becomea WITNESS to
this event, i.e. Zaid must be AWARE of what he sees & hears, as well
as UNDERSTAND the event fully. Therefore, when Zaid satisfies the
conditions of being present and seeing,together with theability to
comprehend the event in front of him, Zaid may be called upon as a
WITNESS to that event.
Now, it would follow that, if Zaid were blind or deaf, Zaid could not
be called upon as a reliable witness, since Zaid does not fulfill all
the requirements of being are liable witness. Therefore, a WITNESS is
someone who is HAAZIR& NAAZIR at an event andfully understands the
event. Be it that the witness was at the eventphysically or was able
to observe the event LIVE from afar spiritually or in the case of Zaid
electronically!
It must also be apparent that one cannot be NAAZIR without being
HAAZIR, the two abilities go hand in hand.
This is a very important point to understand. Now, bearing in mind the
definition of HAAZIR& NAAZIR together with the definition of being
aWITNESS to an event, payfull attention to what the Holy Quran says
about the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam).
1) " 'O' Nabi (communicator of the unseen) we have sent you as a
witness." (S33 V45)
2) "Then how shall it be, when We bring up a witness from each nation
(of each Prophet)and 'O' beloved
Messenger We will bring you as a witness and guardian against all
those." (S4 V41)
Observe that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) is
beingcalled a WITNESS to all the nations that Allah has put upon this
Earth. Therefore, the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) must
have been present before his Earthly appearance and is still present
after this Earthly demise, otherwise he cannot be called upon asa
witness in the true sense of the word. Thereare many other verses
ofthe Holy Quran that call upon the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam)to be a witness. And a witness can only be someone who is
Haazir & Naazir.
A Technical Point
The following Quranic verses are often quoted to show that the Holy
Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) was notpresent and seeing
before his Earthly appearance :
"And you ('O' Prophet) were not with them (present) when they
casttheir pens(to decide) which of them should be
Mary's guardian." (S3 v44)
"The Prophet was not present when Musa was called upon Tur" (S28 V46)
Yes, the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) was notpresent
(physically speaking) at these events, but this is not to say that he
was not seeing (Naazir) these events. On the contrary, he must have
been seeing these events, otherwise how can he be a witness to all the
events as mentioned in the previous Quranic Verses. And since he was
seeing (NAAZIR) he must have been present(HAAZIR), be it spiritually
and from afar.
Read the following verses of the Holy Quran:
3)" ('O' Prophet) Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the
owners of the Elephant." (S105 V1)
This event took place many days before the birth of the Holy
Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam).
4)" ('O' Prophet) Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with (the
people) of Aad. " (S89 V9)
Now the people of Aad lived many centuries before the advent of the
Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) on this Earth.
So, how could the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) 'SEE'
these events? Allah only knows how, but, since it is clear from the
verses of the Holy Quran,that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) did SEE these events, then you must admit that the Holy
Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) was present and seeing (HAAZIR
& NAAZIR) at these events. Furthermore, the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu
Alaihi Wasallam) witnessed these events before his Earthly advent.
Note that Allah did not say, "have you not HEARD..." or "have you not
been TOLD..". No, Allah says to the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) "did you not SEE"!
Please apply a little common sense. Is there not a difference between
seeing an event and being told about an event.
Mu'adh(RA)reports that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)
said, "I saw Allah. He put His hand between my shoulders. I felt the
coolness of His hand in my breast which enlightened me about
everything. And I recognized Him." (Tirmidhi Sharif)
Even a lifetime would not be enough to contemplate on this Hadith, if
only Allah would open our minds to contemplation and understanding.
Sayyidina Umar (RA), states "In one Friday sermon, the Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) informed us about everything which has
happened or will happen from the very beginning of time until the
Hereafter when some will inhabit Paradise while the others Hell."
(Bukhari Sharif)
Is it not clear, that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)
isa witness to all that has happened and will happen!
Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) said, "I know everything which is in the Heavens and
theEarth, from the East to the West."(Tirmidhi Sharif)
How can the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) know everything
in the Heavens and the Earth and their constant changing conditions,
without beholding the conditions of the Heavens and the Earth
continuously !
The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) had elevated some of
hiscompanions to such a state of being, that even those selected
companions were ever seeing the Heavens and the Earth.
Imaam Al Azam, Imaam Abu Hanifa writes that Haaris Ibn La'man and
Haarisa bin Na'man havestated, "Once I went to the Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam). The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) asked me a question, 'O Haaris in what state did you pass
the day?' I replied 'as a true Muslim'. Then the Holy Prophet(Sallal
Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked me the state of my faith.
I replied 'I see the Throne of Allah and the people of Paradise
helping each other and the people of Hell lamenting in Hell. I see
infront of me Eight Heavens and Seven Hells as clear as idol
worshippers see their Idols. I can recognize each individual just like
a miller can recognize Wheat from Barley, evenwho is to go to Paradise
and who is to be found in Hell. In front of me people are like fish
and ants. Shall I stay silent or continue to speak?'
The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) told him to stop and
say no more. (Fiqah-Al-Akbar)
All it takes is a little common sense, if a companion of the Holy
Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) can behold Allah's creation in
such detail, then whatremains to be said aboutwhat the Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) beholds of Allah's creation.
Allama Ahmed Qustulani (RA) commentator of Bukhari Shareef, writes in
his book Mawahib-ladunya and Imam Muhammad Ibni Hajar Makki (RA)
writes in his book Madkhal: "There is no difference between the states
of life and death of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam),
in his seeing his entire ummahand his recognizing of their states,
their intentions and their minds, and all this is clear to him; there
is no secret thereof to him." (Mawahib p.32, Madkhal p.21).
Qadi Ayyaz(RA) the well-known author of Shifa, writes "Whenever there
is nobody present in the home and you enter the home recite"Assalamo
Alaika Ayyohannabi Warahmatullah Wa Barakatahoo" Meaning"Peace be upon
you 'O' Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) of Allah and
Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you." (Shifa Sharif)
The point to note is that we are saluting the Holy Prophet(Sallal
Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the present tense i.e. accepting him as
Haazir& Naazir.
Mulla Ali Qari (RA): Substantiating on the above, the great Islamic
scholar, Mulla Ali Qari(RA)in his Shareh Shifa writes, "The reason(
for saluting the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the
present tense) is that theHoly Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam's)
soul is HAAZIR (present) in every Muslim home". (Shareh Shifa)
There are a billion Muslim homes throughout the world, and according
to the Islamic scholars, the HolyProphet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)
is present in everyMuslim home, does this not prove that the Holy
Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) is Haazir in many places at the
same time and Naazir as well.
Imaam Ghazali (RA) the seal of Islam, a great scholar and a Sufi
Masterwrites, "When you go into a mosque then say salaam to the Holy
Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) becausethe Holy Prophet (Sallal
Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) ispresent (Haazir) in mosques." (Mirqat -
Shareh Miskat)
There must be millions of Mosques situated around the world and inall
mosques the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) is present
spiritually. Whenthe Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)
isHaazir then he must be seeing and therefore he must be Naazir as
well.
It has been reported in the famous book 'Tafseer-e-Roohul Bayan'that
Imaam Ghazali (RA) stated, "the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) and his companions' souls have been given the right to
travel the world and many Awliya Allah have seen the Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)."(Tafseer-e-Roohul Bayaan - SurahMalak
)
Again Imaam Ghazali (RA), referring to the position of sitting
(Tashahudd) during Salat and reciting 'At-Tahiyyatu..', says that on
reciting the words 'Ayyohannabi'('O' Prophet) the reciter must behold
the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) as Haazir. Imaam
Ghazali (RA) says, ''And believe inyour hearts that the HolyProphet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) is present (Haazir) and then say
Assalamo AlaikaAyyohannabi'' (Ihya ' ul -Uloom Vol. 1 Section 3)
How strange, when we put the above argument forward to a
Deobandi(Wahhabi) mullah in South London, the Deobandi mullah said,
"we only recite 'Ayyohannabi' because itis stated in the Hadith,
otherwise reciting 'Ayyohannabi' has no special significance". Who
should we believe, the seal of Islam Imaam Ghazali(RA) or a 'square
head' Deobandi mullah. Perhaps our Deobandi mullah needs more proof.
Let us give him and other 'square heads'more proof.
Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Haqq Muhaddith Dehlvi (RA), the 30th in line of
the Golden Naqshbandi Sufi Order, and someonewhom Deobandis' are very
fond of quoting, says, ''In Attahiyat, the reason for reciting
'Ayyohannabi' is that Haqqiqat-e-Muhammadi (Reality (light) of the
Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)) is present in every
little thing. Therefore, it is present in the people praying Salat,
and those performing the Salat should be fully aware of this fact and
should not pay attention to anything except for the Holy
Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam's) presence (Haazri)''.
(Madarijun Nabuwat Vol.1 part 4 - Zikreh Fazaalileh Nabi )
Imaam Jalaluddin Suyuti (RA) says, "To keep watch of his own
followers' work and to pray for their forgiveness; to pray for their
abstention from bad deeds; to come and go in all parts of the world to
give auspiciousness; if one pious person dies from his followers then
to come and attend his janazah (funeral), all thisis done by the Holy
Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)" (Intibahul Azkiyya)
Imaam Suyuti (RA) further states, ''If someone believes, that, while
performing Milad Sharif, or at the end of Ramadan or while reciting
Qasida(Naat) Sharif, that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam's) soul is present on these occasions, then to believe this
is perfectly acceptable" (Shareh Sudoor)
By now any reasonable minded Muslim must, at least, accept that the
Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) has been granted the
ability of being in several places at the same time, be it
spiritually. However, some Muslim believe that the Holy Prophet(Sallal
Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) can even present himself physically.
Sheikh Abdul Haqq Muhaddis Dehlvi(RA) states, ''Allah Ta'ala has given
the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) the strength and power
to go anywhere he likes, he can go with his own body or only in soul.
On the earth, in the sky, in the grave and the Holy Prophet(Sallal
Laahu Alaihi Wasallam's) connection stays with his own shrine.''
(Madarigun Naboowat Vol.2 Part4 Wasleh Hayaateh Ambiya)
Abdul Karim Ibn Ibrahim Al Jili (RA) is a descendant of the great
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani(RA). Sheikh Jili (RA) gives us a
mind-blowing insight into the reality ofthe Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu
Alaihi Wasallam) in his book "The Perfect Man". However, we shall stay
with the subject matter and quote SheikhJili (RA) on this subject
alone. He writes "His original name is Muhammad (Sallal LaahuAlaihi
Wasallam), his name of honor is Abu'l Qasim, his description Abdullah,
and his title Shamsuddin. In every age he bears a name suitable to his
guise in that age. I once met him in the form of my Sheikh". He
further writes, "The truth of the matter is that the Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) has the power of assuming every form
(In every age)." (Al Insanul Kamil)
Sheikh Jili(RA) relates how the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) took the bodily form of Sheikh Shibli (RA). He writes,
"Thus, when he appeared in the form of Shibli, Shibli said to his
murid, 'Bear witness thatI am the Messenger of Allah'; and the murid,
being of insight, recognized the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam)and said, 'I bear witness that thou art the Messenger Allah.'
" (Al Insanul Kamil)
Finally, take heed of what the saint of saints has said on this subject.
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani(RA) writing about the Holy Prophet (Sallal
Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) says, "He is called the Total Intellect,
because he saw and understood everything." (Sirr al-asrar)
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani(RA) further writes, "The soul of the Holy
Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam), is watching you. He is pained,
at seeing your state." (Sirral-asrar)
What more proof does anyone require. If our feeble minds are unable to
understand the omnipresence the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) then that is our own weakness. However, to deny something
when irrefutable proofs are presented is pure foolishness.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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