Islamic Article, - Virtues of the Ahle Bayt

Share

All praise is to Allah, the Lord Of The Creation. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Owner of the Day of Recompense. Who blessed us being the Ummah of His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who sanctified our hearts with the Love and Affection towards His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who blessed us with the most precious treasure of Iman (Faith). Countless Salutations, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon the Cream of the Creation; Mercy for all Worlds; Seal of the Prophets Sayyiduna wa Mawlana MuHammadur Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam, His Blessed Parents, His entire Family, His Progeny, His Companions and all those who Follow Him!!
Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'an:
قل لا أسألكم عليه أجرا إلا المودة في القربى
say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him) “I do not ask any fee from you upon this, except the love between close ones”[Surah al-Shoora, Verse 23]
Sa'eed bin Mansur in his Sunan narrates from Sa'eed bin Jubayr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, He said:
قربى رسول الله صلى الله تعالىٰ عليه وسلم
In this verse close ones refers to the relatives of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam.[Jami' al-Bayan, Vol. 11, Page 144 | Zakhair al-'Uqba, Page 33, Durr al-Manthur, Vol. 5, Page 701 | Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Page 288]
This reveals that love for the Muslim relatives of the beloved Prophet through either blood or marriage is obligatory (Fard) upon each and every Muslim, neglect of which will prompt questioning by Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
Following are the few out of many sacred and blessed Ahadith containing the virtues of the Ahl al-Bait al-Kiraam Alaihim ar-Ridwan and thereby reveal the rank of the beloved Prophet’s Ahl al-Bait and relatives.
Virtues of the Ahl al-Bait al-Kiraam
— may Allah be well pleased with them all —
Imam Ahmad; Tirmidhi who denoted it sahih; Nisa'i and Haakim narrated it from Muttalib bin Rabee’a that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said to Sayyiduna Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
والله لا يدخل قلب امرئ مسلم إيمان، حتى يحبكم لله ولقرابتي
‘By Allah, Imaan (faith) will not enter the heart of a Muslim until he loves you for Allah and for my relationship.’[Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 1, Page 342, Hadith 1780 | Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Page 610, Hadith 3758 | Sunan Nisa'i, Vol. 5, Page 51, Hadith 8175 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 4, Page 85, Hadith 6960]
The Love of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam and his family is proven from this hadith because without it no Imaan is acceptable. Loving them because of Allah means that the love be based on faith and which one must have for another Muslim because of his faith whilst love because of their relationship with the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam means that the love be based on their relationship with the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam. This reveals that one should have double love for the Muslim relatives of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam; firsly because of their Imaan and secondly because of their relationship with the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam.
Muslim, Tirmidhi and Nisai narrated from Zaid bin Arqam that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
أذكركم الله في اهل بيتي
‘I remind you of Allah (to fear Him) about my Ahl al-Bait.’[Sahih Muslim, Vol. 4, Page 36, Hadith 1837 | Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Page 492, Hadith 18780 | Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Vol. 4, Page 62, Hadith 2357]
Tirmidhi, denoting it Hasan, and Tabarani narrated from Ibn Abbas the the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
أحبوا الله لم يغذوكم به من نعمه وأحبوني لحب الله وأحبوا أهل بيتي لحبي
‘Love Allah because of what He gave you from His blessings; Love me because of the Love of Allah and Love my Ahl al-Bait because of my Love.’[Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Page 622, Hadith 3789 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 162, Hadith 4716 | Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Page 46, Hadith 2638 | Bayhaqi in Shau'ab al-Iman, Vol. 2, Page 13, Hadith 1378]
The reason and causes of love have been described in this hadith. Love of Allah should be because He is our Creator and Nourisher; Love for the Prophet should be because he is Allah’s Prophet and Beloved and Love for the Prophet’s family should be because it is his family.
Tabarani and Haakim narrated from Ibn Abbaas that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
يا ابن عبد المطلب: اني سالت الله لكم تلاثاً ان يثبت قلوبكم وان يعلم جاهلكم ويهدي ضالكم وسالته ان يجعلكم جودآء نجدآء رحمآء فلو ان رجلاً صفن بين الركن والمقام فصلى وصام ثم مات وهو مبغض لاهل بيت محمد دخل النار
‘O Children of Abdul Muttalib, I asked Allah three things for you; that He keeps your hearts steadfast (upon Islam); that He teaches the Deen to your ignorant and illiterate and guides your astray, and that He make you kind, generous and affectionate to one another. So if a man prays, standing between the Rukn and Maqaam, and fasts but dies with malice for the Household of Muhammad he has entered Hell.’[Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 11, Page 142, Hadith 11412 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 162, Hadith 4712]
Tirmidhi, denoting it Hassan, and Haakim narrated from Zaid bin Arqam that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
إني تارك فيكم ما إن تمسكتم به لن تضلو بعدي: كتاب الله وعترتي أهل بيتي ولن يفترقا حتى يردا علي الحوض، فأنظروا كيف تخلفوني فيهما
‘Verily I am leaving in you that to which if you firmly hold onto you will not go astray after me; The Book of Allah and my family the Ahl al-Bait. These two will not be separated until they meet me at the Fountain (of Kawthar), so look (take care) at how you deal with them after me.’[Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Page 626, Hadith 3788 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 160, Hadith 4711]
Imam Torpashti Alaihir raHmah states that family here refers to the Prophet’s Pure wives and very closest relatives. Holding onto them means loving and respecting them, acting upon their narrated ahadith and trusting and relying upon their statements. This is also the station of the Prophet’s companions, it is important to love them, act upon their narrated ahadith and trust and rely upon their statements. The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said ‘My companions are like the stars, whichever of them you follow you will find guidance’ (Mirqaat).
Tabarani narrates from Ibn Abbas that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
بغض بني هاشم والانصار كفر وبغض العرب نفاق
‘Malice for the Bani Haashim (migrants) and Ansaar is kufr (heresy) whilst malice for the Arabs is hypocrisy.’[Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 11, Page 118, Hadith 11312]
Ibn Adee in Al-Kaleel narrates from Abu Sa'eed Khudri Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
من ابغضنا اهل البيت فهو منافق
‘He is a hypocrite who has malice for our Ahl al-Bait.’[Jawahir al-Aqdain, Vol. 2, Page 25]
Imam Samhoodi narrates this in Jawaahir ul Aqdain and related it to the musnad of Imam Delmi and reported that Sayyiduna Jaabir stated ‘We would recognise the hypocrites by their malice for Sayyiduna Ali’. This has been narrated by Imam Tirmidhi and Ahmad with his sanad.
Tabarani narrates from Imam Hasan bin Ali that he said to Muaawiyya bin Khudayj:
يا معاوية بن خديج اياك وبغضنا فان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يبغضنا احد ولا يحسدنا احد الا زيل يوم القيامة عن الحوض بسياط من نار
‘O Muaawiya Ibn Khudayj guard yourself from having malice for us because undoubtedly the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said ‘No one has malice for us and no one is envious of us except on the day of Qiyaamah he will be kept away from the fountain by whips of fire.’[Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Page 81, Hadith 2726 and Al-Awsat, Vol 3. Page 203, Hadith 4426]
Ibn Adee and Bayhaqi, in Shau'ab ul Imaan, narrated from Sayyiduna Ali the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
من لم يعرف حق عترتي والانصار فهو لاحدى ثلاث اما منافق واما لدينه واما لغير طهرو يعني حملته امه على غير طهر
‘Whosoever did not recognise the right of my family and Ansaar is one of three; either a hypocrite, born illegitimate or conceived by his mother whilst she was impure.’[Ibn Adee in Al-Kaamil, Vol. 3, Page 106 | Shau'ab al-Iman, Vol. 2, Page 232, Hadith 1614, Daylami in Al-Firdaws, Vol. 3, Page 662, Hadith 5955]
Tabarani in Awsat narrates from Hassan bin Ali that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
الزموا مودتنا أهل البيت فانه من لقي الله وهو يودنا دخل الجنة بشفاعتنا والذي نفسى بيده لا ينفع عبداً عمل عمله الا بمعرفة حقنا
‘Make the love of our Ahl al-Bait compulsory for whoever meets Allah having love for us shall enter paradise with our intercession and By He in whose Hand is my life no deed will benefit a servant except by recognizing our right.’[Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Vol. 3, Page 122, Hadith 2251 | Al-Shifa, Vol. 2, Page 48]
Ibn Shayba and Musadad in their respective Musnads; Hakeem Tirmidhi in ‘Nawaadir Al Usool’, Abu Ya’laa and Tabarani narrated from Salama bin Aku’ that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
الندم أمان لأهل السماء وأهل بيتي أمان لأمتي
‘The stars are the refuge for the people of the Heavans and my Ahl al-Bait is the refuge for my Ummah.’[Ibn Hajar in Matalib al-Aaliya, Vol. 4, Page 262, Hadith 3972 | Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 7, Page 22, Hadith 6260 | Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 101]
Tabarani narrates from Abu Dhar, who said: I heard the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam say:
مثل أهل بيتي فيكم كمثل سفينة نوح في قوم نوح من ركبها نجا ومن تخلف عنها هلك ومثل باب حطة في بني اسرائيل
‘The example of my Ahl al-Bait within you is the example of the Ark of Nuh within the nation of Nuh; whoever boarded it was saved and whoever stayed behind was destroyed. It is also the example of the ‘Hitha’ of the Bani Isra'eel.’[Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Vol. 4, Page 283, Hadith 3506 | Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 2, Page 427, Hadith 3312]
The Hitha is mentioned in Surah Baqarah. The Bani Israil were ordered to enter through the door of Bait al-Muqaddas proclaiming Hitha, meaning Oh Allah, forgive our sins. But instead of reciting Hitha some of them proclaimed ‘Hinta’ and so Allah destroyed those who proclaimed that. The relevance of this example is that the one who loves the Ahl al-Bait is (saved like those) proclaiming Hitha whilst those who do not will be destroyed like those proclaiming ‘Hinta’.
Tabarani narrates from Ibn Abbas that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
لا تزول قدما عبد حتى يسأل عن أربع عن عمره فيم أفناه وعن جسده فيم أبلاه وعن ماله فيم أنفقه ومن ابن اكتسبه وعن محبتنا أهل البيت
‘On the day of Judgement the feet of the servant will not move from the grave until he is asked about four matters; His age, the matters in which he spent it; His body, how he expended it’s strength; His wealth, where he spent and how he earned it and about the love of the Ahl al-Bait.’[Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 11, Page 83, Hadith 11177 | Haytami in Majma' al-Zawa'id, Vol. 10, Page 346]
Ibn Najjaar in his ‘Taarikh’ narrates from Hasan bin Ali that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
لكل شيء أساس وأساس الإسلام حب أصحاب رسول الله وحب أهل بيته
‘Everything has a base and the base of Islam is the love of the Prophet’s companions and love of his Ahl al-Bait.’[Jami' al-Ahadith, Vol. 3, Page 457, Hadith 9778 | Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 11, Page 2319, Hadith 32523 | Al-Musannaf]
Tabarani in Al-Awsat narrates from Sayyiduna Jaabir who heard Sayyiduna Umar saying at the time of his marriage to Sayyiduna Ali’s daughter (Sayyida Umm Kulthoom):
إلا تهنئوني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله علي وسلم يقول: ينقطع يوم القيامة كل سبب ونسب إلا سببي ونسبي
‘Do you not congratulate me! I heard the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam say ‘On the Day of Qiyaamah all Sabab (relations through marriage) and Nasab (relations by blood) will break except my Sabab and Nasab.’[Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Vol. 6, Page 282, Hadith 5602 | Bayhaqi in Sunan al-Kubra, Vol. 7, Page 107, Hadith 13393]
Daylami narrates from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
أدبوا أولادكم على ثلاث خصال حب نبيكم وحب أهل بيته وعلى قراءة القرآن فان حملة القرآن في ظل الله يوم لا ظل إلا ظله مع أنبيائه وأصفيائه
‘Teach your children three things; Love of your Prophet; Love of his Ahl al-Bait and the recitation of the Quran. Verily the learned of the Quran will be with the Prophets and the pious (Awliyaa) in the shade of Allah’s mercy on the day (of Qiyaamah) when there will be no shade but His.’[Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 16, Page 456, Hadith 45409 | Kash al-Khifa, Vol. 11, Page 74, Hadith 34157]
The learned of the Quran are those of Correct Aqeedah (belief) who sought the knowledge of the Quran and taught it to others and also includes all those who helped them in this.
Daylami narrates from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
أثبتكم على الصراط أشدكم حباً لأهل بيتي وأصحابي
‘The most steadfast of you on the Bridge (on the day of Qiyaamah) will be the one with the most love for my Ahl al-Bait and my companions.’[Ibn Adee in Al-Kaamil, Vol. 2, Page 2304 | Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 96, Hadith 34157]
This hadith proves that the most steadfast on the bridge will be the one who combines in his heart the love of the Ahl al-Bait and the love of the Prophet’s Noble Companions. Praise be to Allah, this characteristic belongs to the Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
Daylmi narrates from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
اشتد غضب الله على من آذاني في عترتي
‘Allah’s most severe wrath (punishment) will be upon the one who pains me regarding my family.’[Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 93, Hadith 34143]
Based on this hadith the corrupt Yazeed and his aids, Ubaidullah bin Ziyaad, Shimar etc, who martyred and tormented Sayyiduna Imam Hussayn and the leading lights of his family, are worthy of Allah’s wrath’. In Zakhair ul 'Uqba, Page 83 Imam Tabarani narrates from Sayyiduna Ali ‘Allah’s most severe wrath, the wrath of the Prophet and the wrath of the Angels is upon the one who shed the blood of the Prophet and pained him over his household’
Ibn Asakir narrates from Sayyiduna Ali that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
من صنع إلى احد من أهل بيتي يداً كافأته يوم القيامة
‘Whoever does a good to one of my Ahl ul Bait (pure wives and respected children) I will return the favour on the day of Qiyaamah.’[Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 95, Hadith 34152]
Tabrani narrates from Sayyiduna Umar that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
كل بني أنثى فان عصبتهم لأبيهم ما خلا ولد فاطمة فاني عصبتهم فانا أبوهم
‘The Asba’ (tribe) of all the children of women is from the father except the children of Fatima because I am their Asba (tribe) for I am their father.’[Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Page 44, Hadith 6631 | Haytami in Majma' al-Zawa'id, Vol. 4, Page 224]
Daylmi narrates from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
أهل بيتي والأنصار كٌرشي وعيبتي وصحابي وموضع مسرتي وأمانتي فاقبلوا من محسنهم وتجاوزوا عن مسيئهم
‘My Ahl ul Bait and the Ansaar are my wealth, my body, my household and my family, the locus of my happiness and my trust. So accept the good deeds of their good and overlook the mistakes of any of them (not from the Hudood of Allah).’[Daylami in Al-Firdaws, Vol. 1, Page 407, Hadith 1645]
Haakim, in his Taarkh, and Daylami narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
ثلاث من حفظهن حفظ الله له دينه ودنياه ومن ضيعهن لم يحفظ الله له شيئاً حرمة الإسلام وحرمتي وحرمة رحمي
‘Whoever safeguards three matters Allah will safeguard his Deen and Duniya and whoever loses them Allah will not protect anything for him; the sanctity (not openly opposing) of Islam (its commandments); my sanctity and the sanctity of my (muslim) relatives.’[Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Page 162, Hadith 2881 and Al-Awsat, Vol 1. Page 126, Hadith 205]
Ibn Hibban, in his sahih, and Haakim narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed Khudri that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
والذي نفسي بيده لا يبغضنا اهل البيت رجل الا ادخله الله النار
‘By He in whose Hand is my Life no man will have malice for my Ahl ul Bait except that Allah will put him in Hell.’[Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 126, Hadith 4717 | Sahih Ibn Hibban, Vol. 15, Page 435, Hadith 6978]
After mentioning this hadith Imam Haakim said that it is upon the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim but that they did not narrate it in their sahih.
Daylami narrates from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
أربعة أنالهم شفيع يوم القيامة المكرم لذريتي والقاضي لهم الحوائج والساعي لهم في أمورهم عند ما اضطروا إليه والمحب لهم بقلبه ولسانه
‘I will intercede (specifically) for four people on the day of Judgement ‘The one who respected my family; the one who fulfilled their needs; the one who ran and came to their aid when they were helpless and the one who loved them (my family) with (both) his heart and his tongue.’[Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 12, Page 100, Hadith 34180 | Zakhair al-'Uqba, Page 50]
Daylami narrates from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu that the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Baaraka wa Sallam said
خير الناس العرب وخير العرب قريش وخير قريش بنو هاشم
‘The best of the people are the Arabs; the best of the Arabs are the Quraysh and the best of the Quraysh are the Banu Hashim.’[Daylami in Al-Firdaws, Vol. 1, Page 178, Hadith 2892]
—Extracted from—
Ihya al-Mayyit bi Fadhai'l Ahl al-Bayt Alaihim ar-Ridwan
by Imam Abd ar-RaHman Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti Alaihir raHmah

PUBLISHER Najimudeen M

Islamic Article, - Concept of Mujaddid in Islam

Share

All praise is to Allah, the Lord Of The Creation. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Owner of the Day of Recompense. Who blessed us being the Ummah of His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who sanctified our hearts with the Love and Affection towards His Beloved Rasool Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Who blessed us the with the most precious treasure of Iman (Faith). Countless Salutations, Peace and Blessings be upon the Cream of the Creation... Mercy for all Worlds... Seal of the Prophets Sayyiduna wa Mawlana MuHammadur Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam, His Blessed Parents, His entire Family, His Progeny, His Companions and His Followers!!
Sayyiduna Abu-Hurayrah Radi ALLAHu Anho narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam said:
ان الله تعالى يبعث لهذه الامة على رأس كلّ مائة سنة من يجدد لها دينها
Verily Allah will send at the beginning of every century such a person for this Ummah who will rejuvenate and restore their religion (Deen).
Above stated Hadith is recorded by the following Hadith Masters:
Imam Abu-Dawood, and Imam Hakim in his Mustadrak, Imam Bayhaqee in his Al-Ma'rifah, reported by the great Hadith Master Imam Jalal al-Deen Suyootee in his al-Jama'e al-Sagheer fi Hadith al-Basheer wal-Nazeer, Imam Bayhaqee also narrates in his Al-Mudkhal and Imam Hasan bin Sufyan and Imam Bazar both in their Musnads, Imam Tabranee in his al-Mu'jam al-al-Awsat, Imam Ibn 'Adee in his Kamil and Imam Abu-Na'eem in his al-Hil'ya
Commenting on the authenticity of the above Hadith Shareef, Allama Imam Isma'il Haqqi records in his marginal notes of Siraj al-Muneer Sharh Jame'h al-Sagheer:
"My Shaykh said that there is a consensus of the Hadith Masters that this Hadith is Sahih."
Amongst the later Hadith Masters that verified this Hadith Sharif as Sahih are Imam Allama Abul-Fadl Iraqi and Imam Allama ibn Hajr and amongst the predecessor Masters, Imam Hakim author of Sahih al-Mustadrak and Imam Bayhaqee author of al-Mudkhal.
Imam Jalal al-Din Suyooti in his Mirqat al-Saud's marginal notes of Sunan Abu-Dawood records:
اتفق الحفاظ على تصحيحه
It is a consensus of the Muhadditheen (Hadith Masters) that this Hadith is Sahih.
In other the words, when there comes a period in which there is a shortage of knowledge and a deterioration in following of the Sunnah; when there is an increase in false innovations and ignorance; then Almighty Allah will send a person at the beginning or end of every century who will show the difference between Sunnah and Bid'at. He will refute and destroy false innovations and will fear none but Almighty Allah. He will very bravely and sincerely hoist the flag of Deen-e-Muhammadi (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). Such a person is known as a "Mujaddid" (Reviver) of Deen.
The author of the book, "Siraj al-Munir Sharh Jame'h al-Saghir", has explained who a Mujaddid is in the following words:
"In other words, to revive the Deen is to revive those teachings of the Quran and Sunnah that are being destroyed and to give command according to the Quran and Sunnah."
Allamah Munaadi (Alaihir raHma) states:
"A Mujaddid is one who separates Sunnah from Bid'ah and one who degrades the status of the Ahle Bid'ah."
Why does a Mujaddid come after 100 years?
A Mujaddid is sent after every 100 years because after every century the surroundings, the environment, the manner of thinking and ways of the people tend to pass through a massive transformation. It has been stated in the Hadith of Bukhari Shareef that during the latter stages of the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) physical life, one night, after performing Esha Salaah, he stood up and said,
"Should I inform you of the importance of this night? From this night onwards, right up to the end of a 100 years, that person who is alive on the earth (presently) will not be alive."
The concept of Tajdeed (Revival) of Deen
The correct meaning or concept of Tajdeed (Revival) is that one or more qualities are found in a person through which Ummat-e-Muhammadiyya benefit religiously e.g. imparting Islamic education, lecturing, and propagation, informing and forbidding people of evil and assisting the truthful.
The Shaykh of Shaykhs, The axis of the human race [Qutb al-Anaam], The upholder of the Sunnah,
The suppressor of heretical innovation, The pillar of the Shari'ah, The mainstay of the Haqiqah,
The signpost of the Tariqah, The chief of the saints, The leader of the pure,
Shaykh Muhyi ‘d-Din Abu Muhammad ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, the Mujaddid of 5th Century
The Qualities of a Mujaddid
*.It is not necessary that a Mujaddid be from the Ahle-Bayt as claimed by the Shias and other sects.
*.It is not necessary that a Mujaddid be a Mujtahid.
*.What is absolutely necessary is that he be a Sunni with correct beliefs according to the Ahle-Sunnah wa Jamah.
*.He be profound Aalim of Deen.
*.He be a Master and embodiment of most of the Sciences of Knowledge.
*.He be an outstanding Scholar of his time.
*.His services for the Deen be purely for the pleasure of Allah and His Rasool and not for greed of wealth and other worldly gain.
*.He be fearless of opposition and rulers of his time.
*.He will not act or give verdicts to please any person besides Allah and His Rasool.
*.He will not fear speaking or advocating Truth in all circumstances.
*.He will not use Religion to gain worldly fame.
*.He will be a very pious and Allah fearing person.
*.He will perfect mixture of the Shari'ah and Tari'qah.
*.He will not tolerate any opposition to the Shari'ah.
*.And according to 'Allama Imam Isma'il Haqqee, it is necessary for a Mujaddid that both in the last portion of the century he was born in and the beginning of the century he passes away in, he be famous and be a fountain and focal authority of religion for the Ulama of his time.
*.It is also necessary for a Mujaddid that the Scholars (Ulama) of his time observe, benefit and be convinced of his impeccable lifestyle and profound knowledge and hence acknowledge and announce in public that he is a Mujaddid.
*.Therefore it is important that a Mujaddid be a perfect embodiment and Alim of both the external (Shari'ah) and internal (Spiritual) sciences of Knowledge promoting the protecting the Sunnah and fighting and destroying Bid'ah.
Sultan al-Hind, the Great Master, the Helper, the Patron of the Poor, Hadrat Sayyiduna Khwaja
Mo'in al-Din Chishti Ajmeri Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, the Mujaddid of 6th Century
Identification of a Mujaddid
Shaykh al-Islam Imam Badr al-Deen Abdal states in his book, Risalah Mardiyyah fi al-Nusrat Madhab al-Ash'riyyah:
"A Mujaddid is recognized by the strong opinion of his contemporary noble Ulama who greatly benefit from his condition and prolific Knowledge. He will be an embodiment of both external and internal sciences of Knowledge supporting and defending the Sunnah and challenging and defeating Bid'ah."
Can their be more than one Mujaddid to a century?
There can be more, and there has already been more than one Mujaddid to a Century. In the Hadith, the Arabic word that is used to explain the coming of the Mujaddid is in the singular tense, but according to the meaning, it is a plural as it has been explained in the Kitaabs of Usool-e-Fiqh. Allamah Mulla Ali bin Sultan Qaari (Alaihir rahmah) who is also said to be the Mujaddid of the 11th Century says,
"From the words, not only one single person is implied, but the implication is towards a group of people, from amongst whom each one is reforming a single type of knowledge or all types of knowledge in his city."
So, Sometimes a single Mujaddid is born in a century and sometimes there are two or a group in one given century when a consensus cannot be reached on one person. There are time when an Alim be in the middle of century who may be more knowledgeable and excellent than the Mujaddid, but he will not be classified as a Mujaddid because he did not get the early stages of the century. This is so because generally when the century ends many of the great Ulama also pass away and great dissension and Fitna engulfs the Ummah. Bid'ah and religious corruption creeps into the masses who tend to deviate from the pristine teachings of Islam. At this crucial period there is a great need for revival and renaissance in matters of Deen. At this critical time Allah sends such an Aalim who removes all evil and religious corruption from the Ummah by publicly announcing and refuting them. He will be the best of people and most awesome amongst the dignitaries of his time.
Blessed Shrine of Imam ar-Rabbani, Mujaddid Alf-e-Thani Shaykh Ahmad Sarhindi
Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, the Mujaddid of 11th Century
List of Possible Mujaddids (Revivalists)
First Century (after the Prophetic period) [August 3, 718]
Ameer al-Mu'minin Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (682 - 720)
Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa an-Nu'man (699 - 767)
Ibn Sireen (8th century)
Second Century [August 10, 815]
Imam Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi`i (767 - 820)
Imam Hasan al-Basri (642 - 728 or 737)
Imam Malik ibn Anas (715 - 796)
Imam Muhammad bin Hassan Shaibani
Third Century [August 17, 912]
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780 - 855)
Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari.
Fourth Century [August 24, 1009]
Imam al-Bayhaqi
Imam Tahtaawi
Imam Isma'eel bin Hammaad Ja'fari
Imam Abu Jaafar bin Jareer Tibri
Imam Abu Haatim Raazi
Fifth Century [September 1, 1106]
Hudrat Ghawth al Azam Shaykh Abdul-Qadir Gilani
Imam Al-Ghazali (1058–1111)
Imam Abu Naeem Isfahani
Imam Abul Hussain Ahmad bin Muhammad Abi Bakr-il-Qaadir
Imam Hussain bin Raaghib
Sixth Century [September 9, 1203]
Hadrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Garib Nawaz
Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi
Shaykh Ahamd Kabir Rifa'ee
Allamah Imam Umar Nasfi,
Imam Qaazi Fakhrud'Deen Hassan Mansoor,
Imam Abu Muhammad Hussain bin Mas'ood Fara'a
Seventh Century [September 5, 1300]
Imam Taqiyuddin As-Subki
Imam Shaykh Shahbuddeen Suharwardi
Imam Shaykh Akbar Muhi'yuddeen Muhammad ibn Arabi
Allamah Imam Abul Fadhl Jamaaluddeen Muhammad bin Afriqi Misri
Imam Abul Hassan Uz'zuddeen Ali bin Muhammad Ibn Atheer,
Eighth Century (September 23, 1397)
Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani
Imam Taaj'uddeen bin Ata'ullah Sikandari
Kwaja Nizaamuddeen Awliyah Mahboob-e-Ilahi
Imam Umar bin Mas'ood Taftazaani
Ninth Century [October 1, 1494]
Imam Hafiz Jallaluddeen Abu Bakr Abdur Rahmaan Suyuti
Imam Nooruddeen bin Ahmad Misri
Imam Muhammad bin Yusuf Karmani
Imam Shamsuddeen Abul Kheyr Muhammad bin Abdur Rahmaan Sakhawi,
Allamah Imam Sayed Shareef Ali bin Muhammad Jarmaani
Tenth Century [October 19, 1591]
Imam Shahabuddeen Abu Bakr Ahmad bin Muhammad Khatib Qistalaani
Imam Muhammad Sharbini,
Allamah Sheikh Muhammad Taahir Muhaddith
Eleventh Century [October 26, 1688]
Imam-e-Rabbani Mujaddid Alf Sani Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi
Sultaanul Arifeen Imam Muhammad Baahu
Imam Ali bin Sultaan Qaari
Twelfth Century [November 4, 1785]
Sultan al-Azam wal Khaqan al-Mukarram Abul Muzaffar Muhiyy al-Din Muhammad Aurangzaib Alamgir
Imam Abdul Ghani Naablisi
Sheikh Ahmad Mulla Jeewan
Al-Qutb Abd Allah al-Haddad
Allamah Mawlana Imam Abul Hassan Muhammad bin Abdul Haadi Sindhi,
Thirteenth Century [November 12, 1882]
Allamah Imam Ahmad bin Ismaeel Tahtaawi
Allamah Shah Abdul Azeez Muhaddith-e-Delhwi
Imam Abdul Ali Luckhnowi
Imam Sheikh Ahmad Saadi Maaliki
Fourteenth Century [November 21, 1979]
Shaykh al Islam wal Muslimeen, Mujaddid al-Aazam AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri
Shaykh Yusuf bin Ismail bin Muhammad Nasir al-Din an-Nabhani
Muhaddith al-Akbar Shaykh Badr al-Din al-Hasani
-[Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een]-
Mujaddid al-Din wa al-Millah, Faqih al-Ummah, Mufassir al-Islam, Muhaddith al-Zaman,
Shaykh al-Islam, Hujjat al-Muhaddithin, Sanad al-Muhaqqiqin, Imam al-Mutaqqin,
Imam Ahl as-Sunnah, AlaHadrat ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan
Alaihir raHmah wa ar-Ridwan, the Mujaddid of 14th Century

PUBLISHER Najimudeen M

Islamic Article, - Pearls of Spirituality

Share

I | Ignorant Ṣūfīs
The noble friends of Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala state – “an ignorant ṣūfī is shayṭān’s joke.” Similarly, a ḥadīth of the noble Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam informs us –
فقيه واحد اشد على الشيطان من الف عابدين
“A single jurist is severer upon shayṭān than a thousand worshippers.”[Tirmidhī and ibn Mājah]
Those who remain ignorant yet strive hard in their worship are merely made to dance by shayṭān upon his fingers. He places bridles in their mouths and tangs in their noses, and thus drags them wherever he wishes, whilst they convince themselves that they are accumulating good deeds.
Sayyidunā Junayd al Baghdādī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states –
“my spiritual guide, Sayyidunā Sirrī Saqtī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu supplicated for me thus – ‘may Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala grant you the knowledge of ḥadīth and then make you a ṣūfī, and may He not make you a ṣūfī before granting you the knowledge of ḥadīth.”[Iḥyā 'Ulūm ud-Dīn; Vol. 1; Page 13]
Sayyidunā Imām al Ghazālī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states – whilst explaining this statement –
“here, Sayyidunā Sirrī Saqtī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu meant that the one who steps into the field of taṣawwuf armed with the knowledge of ḥadīth is victorious, whereas the one who ventures forth without knowledge is merely (– Allāh forbid! –) placing himself into destruction.”
Sayyidunā Abu-l Qāsim Junayd al Baghdādī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states –
“the one who has neither memorised the Qurān, nor written ḥadīth (meaning the one who lacks the knowledge of the jurisprudence) shouldn’t be followed by seekers of the path (of taṣawwuf,) nor should he be taken as a murshid [spiritual guide,] as all our knowledge of ṭarīqah is in obedience to the Book and sunnah.”
Sayyidunā Sirrī Saqtī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states –
“taṣawwuf is the name of the coming together of three qualities: firstly, the light of his (meaning the spiritual traveller’s) gnosis should not extinguish his light of asceticism. Secondly, he should not utter anything esoterically which exoterically contradicts the Qurān or noble ḥadīth. Finally, none of his miracles should be a means of him revealing that which Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has forbidden to be revealed.”[Risālat ul Qushayriyah; Page 13]
Sayyidunā Shaykh Shihāb ud-Dīn as-Suharwardī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states –
“that ‘ḥaqīqah’ which contradicts the sharī'ah is not in reality ḥaqīqah, but rather plain heresy.”[Awārif ul Ma'ārif; Vol. 1; Page 43]
II | The Definition of 'Ilm
The definition of an 'ālim is that he –
*.is aware of the correct 'aqāid in their entirety;
*.has a firm, independent resolve;
*.and is able to extract his necessities from the corpus of religious literature without the help of another.
('ilm is not merely attained through the study of books,) but rather is also attained by discussion with the people of knowledge.[Malfūżāt; Page 58]
III | The meanings of Bay'ah and ṭalab
In becoming ṭālib, one’s intent is merely the acquisition of spiritual bounties, whilst the meaning of bay'ah is “to sell oneself entirely.”[Malfūżāt; Page 228]
IV | Conditions of Bay'ah
The bay'ah should be upon the hand of such an individual who embodies the following four qualities – in the case of him lacking even one of these qualities, bay'ah will not be valid upon his hand –
*.he must be a sunnī with the correct creed;
*.he should possess at least such a level of knowledge that enables him to extract his necessities from the corpus of religious texts without the help of another;
*.his chain back to the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam should be continuous and unbroken;
*.and he should be free from open fisq (transgression.)[Malfūżāt; Page 228]
V | Bay'ah in our times
Nowadays, people take bay'ah only as a trend, remaining ignorant of its true meaning. Bay'ah can be understood by means of the following account –
A murīd of Sayyidunā Yaḥya al Munīrī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was once drowning in the ocean. Sayyidunā Khiḍr appeared to him and said – “give me your hand, I will rescue you.”
He replied – “I have already given my hand to Shaykh Yaḥya al Munīrī, and will now not give it to anyone else.”
Thus Sayyidunā Khiḍr disappeared, to be replaced by Sayyidunā Yaḥya al Munīrī Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu who rescued him.[Malfūżāt; Pages 228/9]
VI | Renewing one’s Bay'ah
The practice of renewing one’s bay'ah dates from the blessed era of the noble Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, with the Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam himself taking bay'ah from Sayyidunā Salāmah bin Akwa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu three times during a single gathering. They when headed for jihād when bay'ah was taken the first time, and Sayyidunā Salāmah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu pledged his allegiance then.
After a short while, our Master SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said – “Salāmah, will you not take bay'ah?”
When Sayyidunā Salāmah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu replied – “my master, I have already done so,” the Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said – “once more.”
Thus Sayyidunā Salāmah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu took bay'ah again. When all others present had finished pledging their allegiance, the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said once more – Salāmah, will you not take bay'ah?”
He Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu replied – “my Master, I have already done so twice.”
The Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said – “once more,” and thus he took bay'ah for the third time in that gathering.[Kashūl Faqīr Qādirī; Pages 48/9]
VII | Bay'ah from more than one Shaykh
(It is possible to leave a shaykh and take bay'ah upon the hand of another) in the case of there being some discrepancy (with regards the pristine sharī'ah) in the first shaykh. Otherwise it is not permissible, though one can always renew bay'ah.
'Adī bin Musāfir Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu says – “whoever comes to me, I accept his bay'ah regardless of his silsilah [spiritual lineage,] with the exception of those pledged in the Qādirī way, for no one leaves the ocean for the river.”
VIII | Acquiring the rank of fanā fis-Shaykh
(The rank of fanā fis-shaykh is attained by the following spiritual practice –)
Envisage that your shaykh is present in front of you, and that your heart is situated below his. Visualise that the spiritual bounty and luminosity of the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is descending upon the heart of your shaykh and from there, cascading upon your heart. After a period, one will reach such a state where he will clearly see his shaykh upon every surface he sets his eyes upon, to such an extent that he will not be separated even during ṣalāh. Thus, your shaykh will remain with you in every state.[Malfūżāt; Page 234]
IX | Benefits of reciting one’s Shajrah
Amongst the benefits that will be attained by reciting one’s shajrah are –
*.memorisation of the continuous spiritual chain which reaches back to the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam;
*.invoking the mention of the pious, which brings about the descent of Divine mercy;
*.conveying the rewards of one’s deeds to each Spiritual Master individually, which brings about their generous spiritual focus;
*.the mentioning of such luminaries in times of safety will ensure they in turn come to his aid when times of calamity strike.[Aḥkām e Sharī'at; Vol. 1; Page 80]
X | The Acceptance of Ważāif
To achieve the effect of ważā’if and a'māl , (the fulfilment of) three conditions is essential –
1. Confident Expectancy
For the heart to be free from such anxiety where one is constantly deliberating whether it has had an effect or not. Rather, one must trust wholly in Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala that He will definitely accept (this action). It is mentioned in ḥadīth that the Messenger of Allāh SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam stated –
ادعوا الله وانتم موقنون با لاجابة
“Supplicate to Allāh in such a state that you remain certain of its acceptance.”[Sunan at Tirmidhī; Vol. 5; Page 292; Hadith 3590]
2. Patience and Forbearance
For one not to become fearful with the passage of time, where one thinks – “even after so many days, no effect has become apparent!” This itself will come to be the cause of (the action) not being accepted! Rather, embrace the mindset that without doubt, Allāh and His Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam are about to generously favour you! Allāh SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala states –
ولو انهم رضوا ما اتاهم الله ورسوله وقالوا حسبنا الله سيوتينا الله من فضله ورسوله انا الى الله راغبون
If only they were content with that which Allāh and His Messenger have given them, and say, “Allāh is enough for us – He will give us some of His bounty and so will His Messenger – to Allāh alone we turn in hope.”[Sūrah al Tawbah; Verse 59]
یستجاب لاحدکم ما لم يعجل فیقول قد دعوت فلم یستجب لي
“Your supplications are accepted as long as you do not hastily say – ‘I supplicated but it is yet to be accepted.’”[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim; Page 1563; Hadith 2735]
3. With regards permission (to act upon) the entirety of my (meaning 'Ālā Ḥaḍrat’s Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) ważā’if , A'māl and Ta'wīżāt [amulets,] I have stipulated the condition that one must remain regular in offering the five daily ṣalāh with the congregation in the Masjid. And with Allāh is Tawfīq.[Fatāwā Raḍawiyyah; Vol. 23; Page 558]

PUBLISHER Najimudeen M