11th Safar al-Muzaffar | Mufassir al-Aazam Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim Rida Jilani Miyan Alaihir raHmah

Mufassir al-Aa'zam Hadrat Allama Jilani Miyan
Muhammad Ibrahim Rida al-Qadiri Alaihir raHmah


 

Grand Son of AlaHadrat, Qamr al-Aarifeen, Umdat al-Mufasireen, Mufassir al-Azam Hind Jilani Mia Hadrat Allama Mawlana Muhammad Ibrahim Rida Khan was born on the 10th of Rabi ul Aakhir 1325 Hijri (1907) in Bareilly Shareef. His birth pleased his grandfather AlaHadrat Alaihir RaHma dearly. Ala Hadrat Alaihir RaHma called the Azaan and Iqaamah in his ears and chewed a date and placed it in his mouth. AlaHadrat’s Alaihir RaHma brother Ustaz-e-Zaman Hadrat Hassan Raza Khan Alaihir RaHma was also very pleased when he heard of his birth.

AQEEQA:

AlaHadrat Alaihir RaHma prepared a great feast for his Aqeeqah. All the students of the madrassa were fed according to their taste. In other words, those from Africa were fed according to their taste and those from India were fed according to their taste. AlaHadrat Alaihir RaHma made sure that all the students were very happy during this invitation.

NAME:

According to the family tradition, he was named Muhammad. His father then added the name Ibrahim. His mother always called him Jilani Mia, and his title was Mufassir-e-Azam Hind Alaihir RaHma.

HIS POSITION IN THE SILSILA:

Umdatul Mufassireen Hadrat Jilani Mia Alaihir RaHma is the forty second Imam and Sheikh of the Silsila Aaliyah Qaaderiyah Barakaatiyah Razviyah Nooriyah.

EDUCATION:

When he was four years, four months and four days old, then on a Thursday, the 14th of Shabaan 1329, AlaHadrat Alaihir RaHma held a programme for his Bismillah Khwaani (commencement of Islamic studies). AlaHadrat Alaihir RaHma also invited many people and Niyaz was distributed. He studied the Holy Quran and the Urdu language under the care of his beloved mother. When he was 7 years old, he was enrolled into the world renowned Darul Uloom Manzar-e-Islam in Bareilly Shareef. He studied under great Ulama such as Maulana Ahsaan Ali Saahib Muhadith Faizpuri, his father Hujjatul Islam Maulana Haamid Raza Khan and Hadrat Maulana Sardaar Ahmed Muhadith-e-Pakistan (Ridwanullahi Ta’ala Alaihim Ajmaeen). He qualified as an Aalim and Faadil at the age of 19 years and four months, in the year 1344 and Huzoor Hujjatul Islam Alaihir RaHma tied the turban on his head and blessed him with the Khilafat.

 

HIS HABITS & CHARACTER:

Hadrat was very kind and generous. His life was an example of the great Masha’ikh. He always oiled his hair and beard after taking a bath. He wore a loose Punjabi kurta. He sometimes wore a badami colored Kurta, but usually he wore white. His diet was roti, braised meat, Kalabash, herbs and Bhindi. He loved to use itar and if anyone gave him itar, he made sure that it was not some kind of contaminated perfume. He always used both his hands to apply the itar onto his chest and under his arms. He always slept on his right hand side. He never preferred anyone to lie flat on his or her face when sleeping.

HIS NIKAH:

Hadrat Mufassir-e-Azam Alaihir RaHma married the daughter of his uncle, Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind Alaihir RaHma. AlaHadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Alaihir RaHma arranged this marriage.

IJAAZAT AND KHILAFAT:

Once Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind Alaihir RaHma said,

“When Huzoor Hujjatul Islam Alaihir RaHma passed away, then Jilani Mia Alaihir RaHma was not here. When he returned, then some people had reservations about his Khilafat, so I said, that if some of them have reservations concerning wheter his blessed father gave him the Khilafat, and I too hereby bestow the Khilafat upon him. Now, none should have any objections. Because of my support for him, many people now supported him and the Madrassa was given into his control.”

ZIYAARAT OF HARAMAIN SHARIFAIN:

In 1372, he made Ziyaarat of Haramain Sharifain. The Ulama of Makkah al-Mukarrama and Madinah al-Munawwarah showed great respect to him, due to his relationship to AlaHadrat Alaihir RaHma and he was blessed with various Ijaazats, for Hadith, Dalaail-e-Khairaat and Hizbul Bahr etc.

 

 

AS A TEACHER:

He was a very well qualified and experienced teacher. After Fajr Salaah, he would spend some time reading his wazeefas etc. He would then take breakfast and go directly to his classroom. He always entered the Darul Uloom before the students prayed the Salaami to commence classes and he would join them in sending salaams to the Prophet ù. He would then make dua with great sincerity. He used to teach Muslim Shareef, Tirmizi Shareef and Mishkaat Shareef. He also presented the false beliefs of the Najdis and then refuted them with very bright proofs. When teaching Muslim Shareef, he often entered a very highly spiritual state. He used to speak most often in Arabic, and he encouraged the students to do the same.

A DYNAMIC ORATOR:

Hadrat was also a very dynamic orator. Once, there was a two-day programme. He delivered a very dynamic lecture on the first day, and then left. The next day, was the lecture of Hadrat Muhadith-e-Azam Kichauchwi Alaihir RaHma. He says, “In the morning, 20 wahabis, came to me and said that the lecture which was delivered the night before inspired them so much that they realized their beliefs were corrupt, so they made tauba and accepted the (true) Islam.”

MONTHLY ALAHADRAT MAGAZINE:

He started the monthly AlaHadrat Magazine for the propagation of the teachings of the Ahle Sunnat. This magazine gained great success. Alhumdulillah, this magazine is still in circulation even today.

HIS KARAAMATS:

Hadrat Mufassir-e-Azam Alaihir RaHma was also a very powerful Saahib-e-Karaamat. A few Karaamats are being presented for Barkat. Once a man was bought to Hadrat who was dumb since birth. Hadrat made dua for him, and he began to speak immediately. Many of the tableeghis in that town saw Hadrat’s karaamat and made tauba from their false beliefs.

Once, a couple came to Hadrat and said that their brother-in-law had been false accused of murder and that he was the breadwinner of the family. They requested Hadrat to make dua for his release. Hadrat asked if he was Sunni and they answered in the positive. Hadrat took a piece of paper and wrote the following on it: “Allahu Rabbu Muhammadin Sal’laa alaihi wa sal’lama Nahnu Ibaadu Muhammadin Sal’laa alaihi wa sal’lama” Hadrat said that the prisoner should learn this Durood and recite it in abundance. Hadrat then said that he should tie the taweez with the Durood on his right arm and if Allah Wills, then he will be released. Ten days later, both of them returned with sweets and Niyaz. They also brought a third person with them. They told Hadrat that he was their brother-in-law and that he had been released as he was found not guilty, but the two others who were with him have been given the life sentence. Hadrat entered them both into the Silsila and then advised them to continue with their Salaah and Durood Shareef.

BOOKS AND TREATIES:

Some of the books written by him are:

• Zikrullah
• Nematullah
• Hujjatullah
• Fazaail-e-Durood Shareef
• Tafseer Surah Balad
• Tashreeh Qasida Nau’mania

 

HIS CHILDREN:

Almighty Allah blessed him with five sons and three daughters.

Hadrat Allama Rehan Raza Khan (Rahmatullah Alaih): Born on the 18th Zilhajj in Bareilly Shareef. He is the Mureed and Khalifa of Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind Alaihir RaHma. He was a great teacher, and a very powerful personality. He passed away on the 18th of Ramadaan 1405 (1985). And his Mazaar Shareef is in Bareilly Shareef.

Hadrat Allama Mufti Mohammed Akhtar Raza Khan Hafidhahullah: Taajush Shariah Allama Akhtar Raza Khan Qibla is the present Torch bearer of the Khandaan-e-AlaHadrat Alaihir RaHma. Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind Alaihir RaHma appointed him as his successor during his lifetime. Hadrat still lives in Bareilly Shareef (India).

Dr. Qamar Raza Khan: He lives in Bareilly Shareef and is a very kind and loving personality. He resembles Taajush Shariah Allama Akhtar Raza Khan very closely.

Mawlana Mannan Raza Khan Manaani Mia: He is a very well read personality and is the founder of Jamia Nooria, a Darul Uloom constructed in memory of Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam Hind Alaihir RaHma.

Hadrat Tanweer Raza Khan: He was older than Hadrat Akhtar Raza Khan, and was always in a very highly spiritual state even as a child. He disappeared (Mafqood-ul-Khabr) as a child and has never be seen or heard from since.

GEMS OF WISDOM:

His words were always full of knowledge and wisdom. Mufassir-e-Azam Alaihir RaHma always said:

• My own faults stop me from finding faults in others
• Slight Absence makes the heart grow fonder and an extensive absence kills the love.
• The respect of every nation depends on its Ulama
• Allah gave us two ears and one tongue, so that we listen more and speak less
• Piety is through good character and not through family ties
• One who is not the beloved of Allah cannot be your beloved
• Sabr (patience) is more bitter than poison and sweeter than honey
• Knowledge without practice is a burden to ones soul
• Allah gives comfort in the world, to one who does deeds for the hereafter
• When you have done everything, then you should still think that you have done nothing

WISAAL:

He passed from this world on a Monday, the 11th of Safar 1385 Hijri (12 June 1965). The next day, his Janaaza Salaah was prayed at the Islamia Inter College. Mufti Sayyid Muhammad Afzal Hussain performed the Janaaza Salaah Mufti Muhammad Afzal Hussain, Maulana Muhammad Ahsaan Ali, Maulana Sayyid Aarif Ali, Janaab Sayyid Ijaaz Hussain and Janaab Muhammad Ghaus Khan lowered Hadrat into his Mazaar.

MAZAAR SHAREEF:

His Mazaar Shareef is in the Dargah of AlaHadrat Alaihi raHma wa ar-Ridwan in Bareilly Shareef.

— — —
Extracted from
Tadhkira Mashaikh-e-Qadiriyah Barakatiya Ridawiyah
Urdu: Mawlana Abdul Mujtaba Ridawi | English: Mawlana Aftab Qasim

Read more »

6th Safar al-Muzaffar | The Rumi of Punjab -- Hadrat Baba Bulleh Shah Alaihir raHmah

Hadrat Sayyid Abdullah Shah Qadiri
Baba Bulleh Shah Alaihir raHmah

Hadrat Sayyid Abdullah Shah Qadiri also known as Hadrat Baba Bulleh Shah Alaihir raHma is universally admitted to have been the greatest of the Panjabi mystics. No Panjabi mystic poet enjoys a wider celebrity and a greater reputation. His kafis have gained unique popularity. In truth he is one of the greatest Sufis of the world and his thought equals that of Jalal al-Din Rumi and Shams Tabriz of Persia. As a poet Bulleh Shah is different from the other Sufi poets of the Panjab, and represents that strong and living pious nature of Panjabi character which is more reasonable than emotional or passionate. As he was an outcome of the traditional mystic thought we can trace some amount of mystic phraseology and sentiment in his poetry but, in the main, intellectual vedantic thought is its chief characteristic.

He was born in a Saiyyid family residing at, the village Pandoki of Kasur in the Lahore district, in the year A.D. 1680. This was during the twenty-first year of Emperor Aurangzeb’s reign. According to C. F. Usborne he passed away in A.H. 1171 or A.D. 1785 (i.e. in the short reign of Alamgir the Second) at the ripe old age of 78.

A large amount of what is known about Bulleh Shah comes through legends, and is subjective; to the point that there isn’t even agreement among historians concerning his precise date and place of birth. Some "facts" about his life have been pieced together from his own writings. Other "facts" seem to have been passed down through oral traditions.

Baba Bulleh Shah practiced the Sufi tradition of Punjabi poetry established by poets like Shah Hussain (1538 – 1599), Sultan Bahu (1629 – 1691), and Shah Sharaf (1640 – 1724) Alaihim ar-RaHmah.

Baba Bulleh Shah lived in the same period as the famous Sindhi Sufi poet , Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689 – 1752). His life also overlapped with the legendary Punjabi poet Waris Shah (1722 – 1798), and the famous Sindhi Sufi poet Abdul Wahad (1739 – 1829), better known by his pen-name, Sachal Sarmast (“truth seeking leader of the intoxicated ones”).

After completing his education, it is said that Baba Bulleh Shah went to Lahore. Of the two traditions, one says that, as was customary in those days, he came to Lahore in search of a spiritual teacher, while the other relates that he went there on a visit. Each of these two contradictory traditions has a legend to support it. The first relates that while he was busy searching the intellectual circles of Lahore to find out a competent master he heard of Shah Inayat’s greatness and decided to make him his Murshid. He turned his steps towards the house of the Shah, and found him engrossed in his work in the garden. Having introduced himself, Baba Bulleh Shah requested that he might be accepted a disciple and taught the secret of Lord Almighty. Thereupon Hadrat Shah lnayat Alaihir raHmah said:

Bullhia rabb da pan ai
edharo puttan odharo lan hai.

O Bulleh! the secret of Almighty Allah is this; on this side He uproots, on the other side He creates.

‘This’, says the tradition. ‘so impressed Baba Bulleh Shah that, forgetting his family and its status, he became Inyat Shah’s disciple.’

The second tradition says that Shah Inayat was the head gardener of the Shalimar gardens of Lahore. When in Lahore, Baba Bulleh Shah visited them, and as it was summer, he roamed in the mango-groves. Desirous of tasting the fruit he looked round for the guardian but, not finding him there, he decided to help himself. To avoid the sin of stealing, he looked at the ripe fruit and said; ‘ALLAHu Ghani’. On the utterance of these magic words a mango fell into his hands. He repeated them several times, and thus collected a few mangoes. Tying them up in his scarf he moved on to find a comfortable place where he could eat them. At this time he met the head gardener, who accused him of stealing the fruit from the royal gardens. Considering him to be a man of low origin and desirous of demonstrating to him his occult powers, Baba Bulleh Shah said ironically: ‘I have not stolen the mangoes but they have fallen into my hands as you will presently see.’ He uttered ‘ALLAHu Ghani’ and the fruit came into his hand. But to his great surprise the young Saiyyid found that Inayat Shah was not at all impressed but was smiling innocently. The great embarrassment of Bullhe Shah inspired pity in the gardener’s heart and he said: ‘You do not know how to pronounce properly the holy words and so you reduce their power.’ So saying, he uttered ‘ALLAHu Ghani’, and all the fruits in the gardens fell on the lovely lawns. Once again he repeated the same and the fruit went back on to the trees. This defeat inflicted by the guardian, whom the young Saiyyid Bullhe Shah considered ignorant and low, revolutionized his whole thought. Falling at the feet of Inayat Shah he asked to be classed as his disciple and his request was immediately granted.

 

The above two traditions, though different in detail, come to the same conclusion, that Baba Bulleh Shah, impressed by the greatness of Inayat, became his disciple. Bullhe Shah in his verse often speaks of his master Inayat Shah and thanks his good luck for having met such a murshid.

Bulleh Shah ve nic kamini
Shah inayat tari.

 Says Bulleh Shah, O Almighty the Lord Inayat has saved me, low and mean.

And:

Bullhe Shah di suno hakait
hadi pakria hog hadait
mera murshid Shah Inayat
Uh langhaai par.

Listen to the story of Bullhe Shah, he has got hold of the peer and shall have salvation. My teacher, Shah Inayat, he will take me across.

In an account of the Panjabi poets it would perhaps be out of place to speak at great length of Shah Inayat who wrote in Persian. But the influence exerted by him through his teachings and writings has linked him with Panjabi literature. Baba Bulleh Shah the Rumi of the Panjab, came most directly under his influence and, having learnt from him, was inspired to write his remarkable poetry. It will therefore, be proper to give a short account of this wonderful man.

Hadrat Shah Inayat Qadiri and his School

Hazrat Shaykh Muhammad Inayatullah, generally known as Shah Inayat Qadiri, was born at Kasur in the Lahore district, of Arais parents. The arias in the Panjab were gardeners or petty cultivators. They are known to be Hindu converts to Islam and are therefore considered inferior.

He was educated after the manner of his time and gained a good knowledge of Persian and Arabic. As he was born with a mystic disposition he became a disciple of the famous Sufi scholar and saint Muhammad Ali Raza Shattari. After he had finished his studies he was created a khalifa. Later on he received the khilafat of seven other sub-sects of the Sufi Qadiri. Soon after this event he left Kasur and migrated to Lahore .The author of Bagh-i-Awliya-e-Hind says that the great enmity of the Hakim Hussain Khan compelled him to migrate, but his descendants assert that it was the order of his teacher that brought him to Lahore. Here after having quelled the jealousy of his famous contemporaries, he established a college of his own. To this college came men of education for further studies in philosophy and other spiritual sciences of the time.

Inayat Shah was a well-known Qadiri Sufi of his time. From the historical point of view the Qadiri Sufis can be traced back to the Sufi Saint Abdul Qadri Jilani of Bagdad. Jilani is also known by the names Peer Dastgeer and Peeran-e-Peer. Bulleh Shah himself has also given a hint that his "Master of Masters" was born in Bagdad but his own Master belonged to Lahore:

My Master of Masters hailed from Baghdad,
but my Master belongs to the throne of Lahore.
It is all the same. For He himself is the kite
and He himself is the string.

Such was the man whom Baba Bulleh Shah made his Murshid. This action of Baba Bulleh Shah, however, was highly displeasing to his family. His relatives tried to induce him to give up Inayat and find another murshid. But Baba Bulleh Shah was firm and paid no attention to them or to their wailings. The following will sufficiently demonstrate the indignation of the family:

Bulleh nu samjhawan aiyaan bhena te bharjhaiyaan
Aal nabi ullad Nabi nu tu kyun leekaan laaiyaan
Manlay Bulleya sada kehna chad de palla raiyaan

To Bulleh sisters and sisters-in-law came to explain (advise). Why, O Bulleh, have you blackened the family of the Prophet and the descendants of Ali? Listen to our advice, Bulleh, and leave the skirt of the aria.

To this reproach Baba Bulleh Shah firmly but indifferently replies:

Jehra sanu saiyad akkhe dozakh miln sazaiya
Jehra sanu rai akkhe bahishti piga paiya
Je tu lore bag bahara Bullhia Talib ho ja raiya.

He who calls me a Saiyyid, shall receive punishments in Hell, he who calls me an arai shall in heaven have swings; O Bulleh, if you want pleasures of the garden become a disciple of the aria.

Raeen saain sabhan thaain rab diyaan be parwaiyaan
Sohniyaan pare hataiyaan te khoojiyaan lay gall laiyaan

Arain and masters are born at every place, Lord Almighty does not discriminate against anyone.
Wise people don't care for such differences, only the ugly ones do

Je tu loorain baag baharaan chaakar hoo ja raiyaan
Bulleh Shah di zaat ki puchni shakar ho razaiyaan

If you seek to the gardens of heaven, become a servant to the ‘Arains’. Why ask about the caste of Bulleh Shah? Instead be grateful in Allah's will.

Baba Bulleh Shah seems to have suffered at the hands of his family, as he has once or twice mentioned in his poetry. In the end, being convinced of the sincere love and regard of their child for Inayat Shah, the family left him alone. It is said that one of his sisters, who understood her brother, gave him her support and encouraged him in his search for truth.

After the demise of Hadrat Shah Inayat, Baba Bullhe Shah returned to Kasur. He remained faithful to his Beloved and to himself by not marrying. The sister who understood him also remained single and kept him company in his last years. He died in A.D. 1758 and was buried in Kasur, where his tomb still exists.

May Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala elevate his Status and bless with a part from the Divine Love of Hadrat Sayyid Abdullah Shah Qadiri that he had for HIM (Almighty) and accept our remembrance of the Great Wali and the Sufi Master and make it a medium for us to receive his divine mercy and blessings… Aameen!!

Read more »

5th Safar al-Muzaffar | Umm al-Mu'mineen Sayyidah Maymoonah bint al-Harith Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha

Umm al-Mo'mineen Hadrat Sayyidah
Maymoonah bint al-Harith Radi Allahu Anha

Hadrat Umm al-Mo'mineen Sayyidatuna Maimoona Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha was the last wife of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). She was the daughter of Harith bin Huzn and Hind bint Awf. She belonged to the tribe of Banu-Hilala. The Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) had another wife from the same tribe. The other wife’s name was Sayyidah Zainab Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha, commonly known as Ummul-Masakeen (Mother of the needy and poor). Maimoona was her second adopted name. Her first name Barra was changed by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) and the new name Maimoona was given. Her father Harith bin Hazam was one of the respected chief of tribe Banu-Hilala and he had sixteen daughters. One of his daughters namely Umm al-Fadhl was the wife of Hadrat Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, who was the Holy Prophet’s uncle. His another daughter namely Umm-e-Salma was married to Hadrat Hamzah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, another uncle of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). Another daughter Lubaba was the mother of Hadrat Khalid bin Walid Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu (A renowned General of Muslims who fought against Iranians and was given the title of ‘Sword of Allah’ by the Holy Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). Harith’s some other daughters were later married to Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, the second Caliph and Hadrat Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, the fourth Caliph. Another daughter Asma was married to Hadrat Jafar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. Thus most of Hadrat Maimoona’s sisters were married to the pioneering revolutionary leaders of Islam.

Mazar Shairf of Hadrat Maimoona Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha in 1901 before Demolition.
Pilgrims would gather here on their way to perform Hajj and then to Madinah al-Munawwarah.

The Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was about sixty years old at the time of his marriage with Hadrat Maimoona. She lived three years’ married life with the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). Prior to her marriage twice. Her first marriage took place with Masood bin Amr. Masood divorced her and then she was married to Abu Rahim bin Abdul Aza. Abu Rahim died in the seventh year of Hijra. After Abu Rahim’s death the Holy Prophet’s Uncle Hadrat Abbas persuaded the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) to marry Sayyidah Maimoona.

Maymuna or Barra as she was then called, yearned to marry the Prophet. She went to her sister, Umm al-Fadhl to talk to her about that and she, in turn, spoke to her husband, Sayyiduna Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. Hadrat Abbas immediately went to the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with Maymuna’s offer of marriage to him and her proposal was accepted. When the good news reached her, she was on a camel, and she immediately got off the camel and said,

“The camel and what is on it is for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).”

They were married in the month of Shawwal in 7 AH just after the Muslims of Madinah al-Munawwarah were permitted to visit Makkah Sharif under the terms of the treaty of Hudaybiyya to perform Umrah. Allah Almighty sent the following ayah about this:

وامراة مومنة ان وهبت نفسها للنبي ان اراد النبي ان يستنكحها خالصة لك من دون المومنين
...Any believing woman who dedicates herself to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her, that is only for thee and not for the believers... [Surah al-Ahzab, Verse 50]

The Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was wearing Ihram (Ihram is the dress for performing Hajj or Umrah comprised of two sheets of cloth, one wrapped around the waist and the other around the shoulder. After putting on Ihram, one can not trim his hair, cut his nails, abuse or have intercourse etc.). In the same condition he sent five hundred Dirhams as Mehr to Hadrat Maimoona and the Nikah ceremony was Performed While on return after Umrah from Makkah Mukarramah to Madina Munawwarah, he stayed at a place called Saraf. This place is ten miles away from Makkah Sharif on way to Madina Munawwarah. At Saraf, the feast of Walima ( The feast, i.e. lunch or dinner offered to friends and guests on the next day of the marriage) was held.

A great event followed the marriage of Hadrat Maimoona’s to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). Hadrat Maimoona’s nephew Hadrat Khalid bin Walid embraced Islam. He was a very talented and brave man from the Quraysh tribe. He was also a great warrior and renowned soldier. After her marriage when Hadrat Maimoona went to Madina Munawwarah with the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam), Hadrat Khalid bin Walid addressed his tribe and declared, “I can no longer remain in your fold”. Thus a great force in the shape of Hadrat Khalid came to Islam’s side.

The Prophet gave her the name, Maimoona, meaning “blessed”, and Sayyidah Maimoona lived with the Prophet for just over three years, until his death. She was obviously very good natured and got on well with everyone, and no quarrel or disagreement with any of the Prophet’s other wives has been related about her. Hadrat Sayyidah ‘A’isha said about her,

“Among us, she had the most fear of Allah and did the most to maintain ties of kinship.”

It was in her room that the Prophet first began to feel the effects of what became his final illness and asked the permission of his wives to stay in Sayyidah Ayesha’s room while it lasted.

Hadrat Maimoona had a great love for teaching and preaching of Islam. She has narrated forty-six traditions and according to some, seventy-six traditions. People used to come to her for the solution of their various religious problems and she always guided them with intelligent replies to their questions.

She was a kind and very pious lady. During her life, she set many slaves free. Once during the life of the Holy Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam, she set a slave free to enjoy the rights of a free citizen, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) praised her saying,

“Maimoona, Allah will reward you for this act”.

She was also a great scholar of religion. Even her nephew Ibn Abbas who later became a great scholar interpreter and commentator of the Holy Quran, was her pupil.

After the beloved Prophet’s passing away, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Sayyidah Maimoona continued to live in Madina Munawwarah for another forty years, passing away at the age of eighty, in 51 A.H., (may Allah be pleased with her), and according to Ibn Ishaq, She passed away in 63 A.H. being the last of the Prophet’s wives to pass away. She asked to be buried where had married the Prophet at Saraf and her request was carried out.

Hadrat Ibn-e-Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha led her funeral prayers. When her coffin was lifted and was carried towards the grave, Hadrat Ibn Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha said:

“Don’t shake her bed. Be respectful and carry her with ease. She is the wife of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam)”.

Qabr Sharif of Sayyida Maimoona Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anha after Demolition. The Tomb over the Blessed Grave of Sayyida was demolished and it was even planned to remove the Qabr Sharif as well to make the road over it but the Bulldozers went off whenever they try to bulldoze the Blessed Qabr Sharif of Sayyida Maimoona Radi Allahu Anha

Read more »

3rd Safar al-Muzaffar | Khalifa-e-AlaHadrat Mufti Mehmood Jaan Khan Qadiri Alaihir raHmah

Hadrat Allama Mawlana al-Haaj Shah Mehmood Jaan Khan
Qadiri Barakaati Ridawi Jamjodhpuri Peshawari (Alaihir raHmah)

Khalifa-e-AlaHadrat, Aalim-e-Jaleel, Fazil-e-Nabeel, Haami-e-Sunan, Maahi-e-Fitan, Hadrat Allama Mawlana Al-Haaj Shah Mehmood Jaan Khan Sahab Sunni Hanafi Qadiri Barakaati Ridawi Jamjodhpuri Peshawari (Alaihir raHmah) was born around the year 1820 in Peshawar. His father Hafidh Ghulam Rasool (Alaihir raHmah) was a distinguished Aalim and teacher of his time. Many would come from, Kabul, Qandahar, Baarqand and Samarkand by travelling lengthy journeys to sit respectfully at his feet and attain knowledge of Deen-e-Islam. Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) also attained his academic knowledge from his father, where upon completion of his Islamic studies, he migrated to Jamjodhpur (Katyawadh, Gujarat, India), where he served the Muslims. Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah), like his father Hafidh Ghulam Rasool (Alaihir raHmah) was also popular for his debating skills. He brought many Christian leaders to their feet during debates.

SPIRITUAL GUIDE

Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) did not become a mureed until he had reached an advanced age. He later became a Mureed of Sayyidi AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri (Alaihir raHmah). Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) narrates:

“For a long time, this thought was in my heart, that unless and until, I do not find a Kaamil and exalted Shaykh, I will not become a mureed. It was during this time, that I began reading the Islamic Magazine (Touf-e-Hanafiyyah) prepared by Hadrat Maulana Zia’ud’deen Sahab Pilibhiti (Alaihir raHmah), which was filled with gems of knowledge and wisdom and it was in this that I read about Sayyiduna AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah). My heart immediately said that in this Era to find such a great personality is not ordinary. Through divine guidance, I travelled to Bareilly Shareef where I presented myself in the Court of AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah). The moment I saw His bright face, my heart melted, my Imaan came to life and my heart blossomed like never before.

I had found a Peer (Spiritual Guide) even greater than I had ever imagined. I requested to be initiated into the Silsilah, and my Shaykh accepted me as His disciple (Mureed), blessed me immediately with Ijaazat and Khilafat, and then went into the house, removed what He was wearing at that time and blessed me with His Kurta, Paijamah, Amaama and Waistcoat. This was a great blessing from such a sea of generosity. He blessed this humble servant with the crown of Khilafat in the Silsila Aaliya, Qadiriyah, Barakatiyah, Ridawiyyah, Chishtiyah, Soharwardiyah, Naqshabandiyah and other Salasil. He showed great love and respect for me, and in that time, he bestowed so many titles upon me and showed such love to me, that I will never forget as long as I live.”

It must be noted that Hadrat Allama Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) did not make anyone mureed or give khilafat to anyone. It is related that when anyone came to him for the purpose of becoming a mureed, he would direct them towards Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah).

During 1339 Hijra, Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah) wrote a letter to Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah). In it he addressed him as ‘Haami-e-Sunan’ (The Helper of Sunnah) and ‘Maahi-e-Fitan’ (Eradicator of Fitna). He further wrote:

“Due to my busy schedule and my duties, I unintentionally left out your name, which should have been engraved in gold, in the list of names of my well wishers and supporters at the end of Qasidah Al-Istimdaad. I only realized this after it was published, and to this very day I regret my oversight.”

The letter sent to Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan sent by Sayyidi AlaHadrat.
This letter because of its age is quite fragile, hence the glass casing.

Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) commented on this blessed letter (which is still present to this day) by saying:

“Nine or ten months before AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah)’s Wisaal, he wrote a Blessed letter to me, in which He said that in His book Al-Istimdaad, He added the names of all His Khulafa, and my name was unintentionally left out in printing. I say that, by unintentionally missing out my name was a means of great blessings for me, since my Shaykh prayed for me on this occasion.”

LOVE AND FAITH IN HIS SHAYKH

Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) was drowned in the love of his Shaykh and had true faith in his Shaykh. During the forty days khatam of Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah), Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) went to the Mazaar Sharif of his Shaykh and made Dua to Allah Ta’ala, that through the wasila of his chosen servant, Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah), Allah Ta’ala bless him with a son. Alhamdulillah within the same year, Allah Ta’ala blessed Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) with a son, whom he named Ahmed Raza. However, Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) had so much respect for his Shaykh that he never called his son by his name, and always referred to him as Hadrat.

VISUALIZER OF THE DOME OF ALAHADRAT ALAIHIR RAHMAH

Very few people know that Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) is responsible for the design of the Gumbad of Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah). Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) presented his design - which he drew by burning match-sticks as he did not have a pen - to Hadrat Hujjat al-islam (Alaihir raHmah) and Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind (Alaihir raHmah) and said:

“Huzoor, Next to the Gumbad-e-Khazra of Aaqa-e-do Aalam (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) there is a Minaret, and on that Minaret there is white and black design, and since AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah) had spent His whole life trying to explain the Exaltedness of Sarkaar (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), by fighting against the enemies of Sarkaar (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), therefore it is my wish that the Gumbad of AlaHadrat, should contain that same black and white design that is on that Minarat next to the Gumbad-e-Khazra of the Madani Aqaa (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam).”

Hujjat al-Islam, Mufti-e-Azam, Sadr al-Shari’ah and all the other esteemed Ulama (Radi Allahu Anhum) of the time, had a liking for this design and decided that this design was most fitting for the Dargah Sharif of Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah). Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah), in those days contributed 10000 Rupees and stayed in Bareilly Sharif until the construction of the Dargah Sharif was completed. Hadrat used to say,

“Jaisa yeh Mujjaddid Anokha, waisa unka Mazaar bhi Anokha hona chahiye.”

 Some of the Blessed Relics that were given to Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah)
by Sayyidi AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan Qadiri (Alaihir raHmah)

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND BLESSED HABITS

Although it is almost impossible to pin point which quality or habit of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) was more beautiful, for the sake of Barakat, I will mention a few qualities that I have heard of.

One of the most blessed qualities of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) was that he was firm on Maslak-e-AlaHadrat. In other words he was steadfast on the blessed Shari’ah and did not allow anything to come between him and Islam.

Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah) said the following words with regard to Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) in his Khilafat Nama:

“Be Fadhlihi Ta’ala, Mawlana mausoof jumla Mazahid wa Masharib mein is Faqeer ke Qadam ba - Qadam hai. Tamam Biraderaan-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat ke, is Faqeer ke Muhib aur Hum-Mazhab ho! Mawlana ke Masa’ail wa Hidayaat wa Irshaadat pe be-Ta’amul, Amal farmaen”

Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) aslo used to remove Jinns from people. One incident that was accounted to me is as follows:

There was once a man who had consulted Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) for the removal of the Jinn within him. He had been brought to Hadrat by his mother. She complained that the Jinn was troublesome to them. Hadrat, after listening to her warned her that he would have to beat her son so much that he would bleed profusely. This had to be done in order to force the Jinn out of him. However even though her son would be beaten, he would not feel any pain. When she had agreed, Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) began to beat her son so much that he indeed began to bleed profusely, until the Jinn himself began to say that he would leave. Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) ordered the Jinn to leave the man immediately to go into a big bottle which was closed after the Jinn had entered it. Thereafter Hadrat would dig a deep hole and bury the bottle containing the Jinn.

One of the blessed habits of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) loved to recite Surah al-Quraish. He would read this Surah seven times and would blow it on any goods that he had for sale. He would also encourage his wife to read this surah and blow it on the food that she would prepare. He used to say that by reading this surah would bring barakat in the home. 

 The Blessed Amamah (Bottom left), Blessed Shawl (top) and Libaas Mubarak of
Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan Qadiri (Alaihir raHmah)

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

The family genealogy of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) is as follows: 

Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan Sahab Ibn Hafidh Ghulam Rasool Sahab Ibn Muhammad Isma’eel Sahab Ibn Muhammad Siddiq Sahab Ibn Umar Sahab Ibn Ramzan Ibn Saboor Sahab Meer Ibn Haji Muhammad Akbar Sahab Ibn Maulvi Haamid’duddin Sahab Ibn Maulvi Shahbaaz Sahab Ibn Khush-Haal Sahab Ibn Gohar Ibn Rehmatullah Sahab Ibn Khwaja Ubaidullah Sahab.

Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) was married thrice in his lifetime and had sixteen children in total:

First wife: Marhooma Maryam bai

1. Mawlana Ghulam Mustapha Raza Khan (during Sayyidi alaHadrat’s Alaihir raHmah last illness, when he used to be carried to the masjid on a chair, among the four people who used to carry the chair of sayyidi alaHadrat Alaihir raHmah on their shoulder, was Mawlana ghulam mustapha raza khan)
2. Ayesha bai
3. Ghulam Murtaza Raza (passed on at a young age)

Second wife: Marhooma Halima bai

4. Mawlana Ghulam Mujtaba Raza (buried in Malawi)
5. Hawwa bai
6. Ruqaiyyah bai

Third wife: Marhooma Amatullah bai

7. Raheema bai
8. Kareema bai
9. Hajiani khadija bai
10. Ayesha bai
11. Mawlana Ghulam Ahmed Raza Khan, He was granted khilaafat by Hadrat Mufti-e-Azam Hind . Hadrat Mufti Mehood Jaan used to say, “Hadrat mere Ilm ko jayb mein rakh ke Ghoomtay hain).”
12. Marhooma Jamila bai (passed away during childhood, after an incident that led to a short illness)
13. Mawlana Ahmed Jaan Khan
14. Hajiani fatima bai (Alhamdulillah, she is currently living in Zimbabwe)
15. Hajiani Amina bai (Alhamdulillah, she is currently living in Upleta)
16. Hajiani Jamila bai (it is said she was born when Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan Alaihir raHmah was at the age of 100. That was in 1935.)

 External view of Razvi Masjid in Jamjodhpur built by Mawlana Mehmood Jaan

KARAAMAAT

When I had asked the daughter of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) if she remembered any Karamat of her father, she replied simply by saying, “Thousands”. However, for the sake of Barakat, I will mention one karamat of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah).

A man named Muhammad, during his childhood had German measles. The doctors had no hope of his recovery and advised his parents to expect the worst. Hearing this Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) came to his parents home and asked them why they had not consulted him, as he was still Alive. Hadrat, put his blessed saliva on the child and prayed for him. He was cured in no time and went on to live a comfortable life.

BOOK CREDENTIALS

Two of the books written by Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) received great success namely:

1. Zikr-e-Raza: Khalifa of AlaHadrat, Malik al-Ulama, Hadrat-e-Allama Mawlana Zafar al-Din Bihari (Alaihir raHmah), mentions in his Sawaneh Hayaat of Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah), that the first Sawaneh Hayaat written on the life of Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah) was by Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) under the title of Zikr-e-Raza. The specialty of this book is that it has been written in the form of poetry. It has also been translated into the English language by Sayyid Shah Aulad-e-Rasool Qudsi Misbahi (Daamat Barakatuhum al-Qudsiyyah).

2. Eezah-e-Sunnat: This kitaab was based on the eight questions posed by the Bud-Muzhabs. In this book Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) answered all their questions by providing authentic proof from the Holy Qur’an and the blessed Ahadith. This book was certified and verified by sixty three distinguished scholars by their blessed words and blessed seals, such as Sayyidi AlaHadrat, Hujjat al-Islam, Mufti-e-Azam Hind, Sadr al-Shari’ah, and many other learned Ulama of that time (Radi Allahu Anhum Ajma’een).

Sayyidi alaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah)’s verification was as follows:

“O ALLAH, for YOU is ALL Praise! This Blessed book which has been written by my companion and my Beloved Brother in Islam, the Helper of the Sunnah, and Eradicator of the Fitnah, Respected Mawlana Moulvi Mehmood Jaan Saahib Qadiri Barakaati Peshawari, has passed before Me. I found it adorned with great attributes and I have found it to be complete and concise. I thanked ALLAH for blessing the author with such Taufeeq to support the Deen in such a difficult and corrupt time. Verily the Blessing of ALLAH and HIS Rasool (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) is upon this Learned Faadhil and Insha-ALLAH, His reward for this effort, through the Blessing of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) is closeness to ALLAH and a blessed place in the Blessed Paradise. WA ALLAHU AA’LAM.”

This book too, has been translated into the English language by the khalifa of Hadrat Taaj al-Shari’ah and Muhaddith al-Kabeer, Mawlana Aftaab Qasim Qadiri Ridawi (Hafidhahullahu Ta’ala), and is available in three volumes.

 The Blessed Seal of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah)

CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS ISLAM

Hadrat Taaj al-Shari’ah, Allama Mawlana Mufti al-Haaj Shah Muhammad Akhtar Rida Khan, Sunni Hanafi Qadiri Barakaati Ridwi Noori Azhari (Daamat Barakatuhum al-Aaliyah), during the 61st Urs-e-Razvi Mehmoodi Sharif in Jamjodhpur Sharif said the following words:

“...AlaHadrat ke Sache Khulafa, jin mein Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan Sahab, ek the aur laakhon mein ek the, aur Jamjodhpur ke log aur Jamjodhpur ke Atraaf-o-khoob-o-Jawar ke log, Unki Istiqamat aur Maslak-e-AlaHadrat par sakhti se kaarbandhi aur uski tarweej-o-isha’at mein Unki jo zindagi guzri, woh yahan ke log toh usse waakif hai hi, Africa ke mumalik mein bhi reh kar yahin kaam kiya aur AlaHadrat Azeem-ul-Barkat ke Silsile se, aur Unke Khanwaade se, Unke Gharane se aur subse badi baat yeh hai ke Unke Maslak se logon ko wabista kiya...”

The blessed month of Muharram is celebrated the world over, and in many instances there are many elements in which some of the followers of Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah), forget his teachings. However, due to the teachings of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah), the inhabitants of Jamjodhpur shareef celebrate muharram according to the Maslak of alaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah). It is said that Hadrat used to burn the ‘Taajias’ that were made.

In gujrat, there is a Muslim clan known as the Meer. In the past the people of this caste used to be looked down upon by the inhabitants of the area. This carried on until Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) had decided to include them in his Jama’at. A little while after, some of these people wished to be initiated into the Silsila Aaliyah Qadiriyyah Barakaatiyyah Ridawiyyah and hence Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (alahir rahma) decided to take them to Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah). When they were introduced to Sayyidi alaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah), he exclaimed that their dress and appearance did not resemble (they were clad in their traditional gujrati attire) that of a muslim. Sayyidi alaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah) then inquired the name of one of the men present which coincidently was Raju. Sayyidi alaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah) then proceeded to re-name the man as Ghulam Muhammad and he was initiated into the Silsila. However since he had no beard, Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah) advised him to first go and look at himself in the mirror and then, grows a beard according to the Sunnah and if he thought the beard to be fine, then he should not shave it. Alhamdulillah, the Meer left their orthodox ways and began living as the Muslims that they truly were.

 Interior view of Razvi Masjid in Jamjodhpur Sharif built by Mawlana Mehmood Jaan

WISAAL SHARIF

Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) left this mundane world on the 3rd of Safar-al-Muzaffar 1370 Hijri {14th of October, 1950} at the blessed age of 130. In his last days, he suffered from diabetes and other ailments and his advanced age did not alleviate his situation.

On the morning of the Wisaal of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah), he rose early and asked his son, Mawlana Ghulam Ahmed Raza to make him Paak and Saaf while his wife cleaned his bed and laid new sheets. After this he requested his son to purify himself and come and read Yaseen Sharif for him. However, when Mawlana Ghulam Ahmed Raza returned to recite the Yaseen Sharif he found that his blessed father had already read the Yaseen Sahrif. When Shah Sahab from Dhoraji had come to visit Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah), he related to him and his son Hadrat Mawlana Ghulam Ahmed Raza, that he had been blessed with the sight of Ssayyiduna Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and Sayyidi AlaHadrat (Alaihir raHmah) in his dream, in which they had asked him to come along with them. After while Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) requested Shah Sahab to move to another room as he wished to be surrounded by his children.

He called upon each of his daughters who stood at the foot of his bed by their name and advised them to look at him until their hearts were content as his time to leave was near. He told them even though he had surpassed the age of 100 his Nafs still had to taste death.

Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan made Du’a for all his children and when he noticed his children had began to cry, Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) told them that he was not dying, but he was only transferring his home. He also told them that his youngest son, Mawlana Ahmed Jaan was going to be married soon and he would be present at his marriage, however they would not see him but he would see them.

After saying all this Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) told his son that there is book on top of the cupboard in which there were some taweez for some of the people who had requested them and he told his family that due to his illness he had made three obligatory fasts and a certain amount of Salaah Qazah, for which the kaffarah must be paid for before his Janazah Salaah was to be performed. He told his son that his son-in-law, Mawlana Abdul Qadir (Alaihir raHmah) was to perform his Janazah Salaah. Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah) then recited his Shahadat and just after the Aadhaan of Zuhar he left this world towards the hereafter and like this the light that had brightened the hearts of many by removing the darkness of Kufr and Shirk, had come to rest in the love of the Master. His blessed Mazaar Sharif is in the small town of Jamjodhpur, Saurashtra, Gujarat, India. – Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’oon!!

 The Blessed Mazaar Sharif of Hadrat Mawlana Mehmood Jaan (Alaihir raHmah)

— — —
Penned by:
Muhammad Akhtar Raza Abd al-Qadir [Harare – Zimbabwe]
The Great Grandson of Hadrat Mufti Mehmood Jaan Qadiri Alaihir raHmah

Read more »

2nd Month of Islamic Calendar... Safar al-Muzaffar [English]

Safar al-Muzaffar is the second month of the Islamic calendar. Literal meaning of Safar is empty. During this month the houses used to be empty and deserted because the ban on going to war in the month of Muharram came to an end and everyone proceeded towards the battlefield.

Safar also means to be yellow. When the names of the months were being given it was the season of autumn and the leaves of the trees were yellow.

 

Many people have erroneous beliefs regarding this month i.e. it is a month of misfortune and calamities. The teachings of Allah Ta'ala and His Most Beloved Rasool (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) gives us clear guidelines on such incorrect beliefs.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) says in the Qur'an al-Kareem:

ما أصاب من مصيبة إلا بإذن الله
"No misfortune befalls except by Allah’s command..." [Surah Tagabun, Verse 11]

These erroneous beliefs have also been condemned in the context of the following Ahadith:

لا عدوى ولا طيرة ولا هامة ولاصفر
There is no superstitious owl, bird, no star-promising rain, no bad omen in the month of Safar. [Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5707]

لا عدوى ولا صفر ولا غول
There is no bad omen in the month of Safar and no Ghouls (evil spirits). [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2222]

The above Ahadith clearly refutes all incorrect beliefs and superstitions regarding the month of Safar. These incorrect beliefs flow from the pre-Islamic period of Jahiliyyah .

The Month of Safar during the Days of Ignorance

The Muhaddithin have recorded many of the superstitions harboured by the Arabs during the Days of Ignorance. A few are mentioned below:

1. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed Safar to be a snake which lives in the stomach of a human being and when hungry, bites the person. This is the discomfort one experiences when gripped by the pangs of hunger.

2. Some said Safar are worms which originate in the liver and ribs due to which the colour of the person becomes yellow, a condition we know today as jaundice.

3. According to some, the month of Safar flanked by Muharram and Rabi al Awwal is full of calamities and misfortune.

With the advent of Islam and the teachings of Sayyadina Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam), all evil and incorrect beliefs common in pre-Islamic times were discarded.

Incorrect Beliefs:

Today too, there are some Muslims who hold incorrect beliefs regarding the month of Safar.

1. A nikah performed in this month would not be successful.
2. This month is full of misfortune and calamities.
3. To commence any important venture, business etc. during this month will bring bad luck.
4. The first to the thirteenth of Safar is ill-fortune and evil.
5. The person who distributes food or money on the 13th of Safar will be saved from its ill-fortune.
6. To celebrate the last Wednesday of Safar and regard it as a holiday.

What to do:

1. To shun all types of erroneous beliefs regarding the blessed month of Safar.

2. To understand that the most unfortunate person is he who disobeys Allah Ta'ala's commandments e.g. does not perform the five daily salaah etc. It is narrated in a hadith that Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Pray, 0 Allah! Cause not anyone of us to be a wretched destitute." He then asked: "Do you know who is a wretched destitute?" Upon the request of the Sahabah (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum) he replied, "A wretched destitute is he who neglects his salaat."

3. We should understand that all conditions which befalls us, good or bad, favourable, or unfavourable are from Allah Ta'ala, (as a result of our actions). Allah Ta'ala says: " Whatever misfortune befalls you, it is due to the things your hands have wrought, and He forgives many a sin." (Surah 42 - Verse 30).

This can also be confirmed by the following Hadith:

Sayyadina Jabir (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) has said that, "I have heard Sayyadina Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) saying, the descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safar is untrue."

 

Important dates and Anniversaries in the month of Safar

1st	Hadrat Haji Waris Ali Shah
1st	Hadrat Abul Qasim Shah Ismail Hasan Marehrawi
1st	Hadrat Khwaja Shah Muhammad Suleman Tonswi
5th	Umm al-Mu'mineen Sayyidah Maymoonah
6th	Hadrat Sayyid Abdullah Shah Qadiri (Baba Bulleh Shah)
7th	Sayyiduna Baha al-Din Zakariya Multani Suharwardi
9th	Sayyiduna Imam Ali Moosa
9th	Sayyiduna Imam Ali Rida
10th	Umm al-Mu'mineen Sayyidah Juwairiyah bint al-Harith
11th	Mufassir al-Aazam Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim Rida Jilani Miyan
11th	Shaykh al-Quran Allama Gulam Ali Ashrafi Okarvi
12th	Sayyidatuna Ruqaiyyah bint Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam
12th	Hadrat Mawlana Fadl al-Haq Khayrabadi
12th	Hadrat Shah Abd al-Latif Bhittai
13th	Hadrat Abu Abd ar-RaHman Ahmad Nisai (Compiler Sunan al-Nasai)
14th	Hadrat Sayyiduna Maalik Ibn Dinar
16th	Raees al-Qalam Allama Arshadul Qadiri
19th	Hadrat Sayyid Ahmed Kalpawi
20th	Hadrat Sayyiduna Yahya Ibn Bukayr
23rd	Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Baqir
23rd	Hadrat Sayyiduna Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi
23rd	Mawlana Muhammad Saleem Qadiri Shaheed
25th	Mujaddid al Aa'zam AlaHadrat ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan
26th	Hadrat Sayyiduna Hasan Jilani al-Baghadi
27th	Hadrat Imam Badr al-Din Al-Ayni [Shaarih al-Bukhari]
27th	Hijrat from Makkah of the Beloved Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam)
27th	Mujahid al-Kabeer Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi
27th	Birth Hadrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Awliya
28th	Martyrdom of Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Hasan Ibn Sayyiduna Ali
29th	Hadrat Imam ar-Rabbani Mujaddid Alf Thaani Shaykh Ahamd Sarhindi
29th	Hadrat Sayyiduna Pir Mahr Ali Shah Gilani Golarrwi
30th	Hafidh al-Hadith Imam Muhammad Haakim Nishapuri

 

Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma'een (May Allah be well please with them All)

 

Read more »