عاشقان ر سول کی 130 ح کایات. Aashiqan-e-Rasool ki 130 Hikayaat. Including Holy Sites of Makkah and Madinah

Transcription

1

2 عاشقان ر سول کی 130 ح کایات Aashiqan-e-Rasool ki 130 Hikayaat 130 Parables of DEVOTEES OF RASOOL Including Holy Sites of Makkah and Madinah Shaykh-e-Tareeqat, Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, Founder of Dawat-e-Islami, Allamah Maulana Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Razavi Translated into English by Majlis-e-Tarajim (Dawat-e-Islami) i

3 Questions & Answers about Donations An English translation of Aashiqan-e-Rasool ki 130 Hikayaat ii ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright 2018 Maktaba-tul-Madinah No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Maktaba-tul-Madinah. Edition: First Date of publication: Jummadal Aakhir, 1439 AH - (February, 2018) Publisher: Maktaba-tul-Madinah Quantity: - Sponsorship Please feel free to contact us if you wish to sponsor the printing of a religious book or booklet for the Isal-e-Sawab of your deceased family members. Maktaba-tul-Madinah Aalami Madani Markaz, Faizan-e-Madinah Mahallah Saudagran, Purani Sabzi Mandi, Bab-ul-Madinah, Karachi, Pakistan maktabaglobal@dawateislami.net - maktaba@dawateislami.net Phone: Web:.net

4 Du a for Reading the Book Read the following Du a (supplication) before you study a religious book or an Islamic lesson, you will remember whatever you study, : Translation Ya Allah! Open the doors of knowledge and wisdom for us, and have mercy on us! O the One who is the most Honourable and Glorious! Note: Recite alat- Alan-Nabi once before and after the Du a. iii

5 Translator s Notes Dear Islamic brothers! Dawat-e-Islami s Majlis-e-Tarajim, a department responsible for reproducing the books and booklets of Ameer-e-Ahl-e- Sunnat founder of Dawat-e-Islami Allamah Maulana Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qaadiri Razavi into various languages of the world, is pleased to present the book Aashiqan-e-Rasool ki 130 Hikayaat in English under the title of. Although any translation is inevitably a form of interpretation, we have tried our level best to convey the thought of the author in its true sense. Terms of Islamic Jurisprudence have not been translated as a caution because in most cases, an English word cannot be a full substitute for an Islamic term. This translation has been accomplished by the grace of Almighty Allah, by the favour of His Noble Rasool and the spiritual support of our great Shaykh, the founder of Dawat-e-Islami, Allamah Maulana Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Razavi. If there is any shortcoming in this work, it may be a human error on the part of the Translation Majlis, not that of the author of the original book. Therefore, if you find any mistake in it, kindly notify us of it in writing at the following postal or address with the intention of earning reward (Sawab). Majlis-e-Tarajim (Translation Department) Aalami Madani Markaz, Faizan-e-Madinah Mahallah Saudagran, Purani Sabzi Mandi, Bab-ul-Madinah, Karachi, Pakistan UAN: Ext translation@dawateislami.net iv

6 130 Parables of DEVOTEES OF RASOOL (Including information about Holy Sites of Makkah and Madinah) No matter how lazy Satan tries to make you feel, read this book from beginning to end. Your faith will get refreshed and you feel anxious to visit Makkah and Madinah humbly. Excellence of Salat-Alan-Nabi Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna Ayesha Siddiqah has narrated that the Beloved Rasool has said, When someone recites Salat upon me, an angel goes upwards with the Salat and conveys it to the court of Allah. Allah says, Take this Salat into the grave of my bondman. It will continue to seek forgiveness for the reciter and he will feast his eyes on it. 1

7 51 Parables of those who humbly visited Madinah (These parables particularly contain information about humbly visiting Madinah) 1. Good news from inside the blessed grave of the Beloved Rasool Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyiduna Ali-ul-Murtada has said: Three days after the apparent demise of the Beloved Rasool, a Bedouin humbly visited the holy grave. Throwing himself on the blessed grave, he put the dust from it on his head, saying: We have heard from you whatever you heard from Allah. (And that also includes.) And if when they do injustice to their souls, then O Beloved! They should come to you and then beg Allah for forgiveness, and the Rasool should intercede for them, then surely, they will find Allah the One who accepts repentance the most, the Merciful. 2

8 O Rasoolallah! I have wronged myself (by committing sins) and I am now present in your blessed court so that you may seek forgiveness for me. A voice was heard from inside the blessed grave, i.e. undoubtedly, your sins have been forgiven. 2. One reverently visiting the blessed court of Holy Rasool was forgiven On page 308 of the 413-page book Uyoon-ul-ikayaat (part 2) published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami, Imam Abdur Rahman Bin Ali Jauzi has narrated: Sayyiduna Muhammad Bin Harb Hilali has stated, Once I was present near the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool when a Bedouin came and pleaded: O Rasoolallah! The truthful book revealed to you by Allah also contains: 3

9 And if when they do injustice to their souls, then O Beloved! They should come to you and then beg Allah for forgiveness, and the Rasool should intercede for them, then surely, they will find Allah the One who accepts repentance the most, the Merciful. O my Beloved Rasool! Repenting to Allah for my sins, I am present in your court. I beg you to intercede for me in the Divine court. Saying this, the devotee of Rasool started weeping and reciting these couplets: Translation: 1. O the best of the creatures whose blessed body has been buried in this ground! The beauty and sanctity of your blessed body has made fragrant the ground and the mounds. 4

10 2. May my life be sacrificed for this blessed grave in which the Beloved Rasool rests! It has a great treasure of modesty, generosity, forgiveness and benevolence! That devotee of Rasoolcontinued to recite the couplets. He then left, seeking forgiveness for his sins with tearful eyes. Sayyiduna Muhammad Bin arb Hilali stated, When I went to sleep, I was privileged to behold the Blessed Rasool in my dream. He said to me, i.e. Meet that Bedouin and give him the good news that Allah has forgiven him by virtue of my intercession. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 5

11 3. Forgiveness of those reverently visiting the blessed tomb When Sayyiduna Haatim Assam was present in front of the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool he prayed to Allah: O Lord! I have visited the blessed grave of Your Beloved Nabi. May I not return with my wish unfulfilled! A voice was heard: O bondman! We enabled you to visit the blessed grave of Our Beloved Rasool after we ordained that you be purified. You and your visiting companions have been forgiven. Indeed Allah is pleased with you and with those who beheld the blessed tomb of His Blessed Rasool. May Allah have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake! 4. You have reached Madinah! Ibrahim Khawaas has said, During a journey, I was so thirsty that I fell down. Someone sprinkled water on my face. As I 6

12 opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful personality sitting on a nicelooking horse. He made me drink water and said, Get on the horse with me. After the horse walked only a few steps, the saint said, Look! What is it? I replied, It is Madinah Munawwarah He said, Get off the horse and go; say Salam to the Beloved Rasool and say that Khizr has also said Salam to you. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 5. Green-horse Riders Sayyiduna Shaykh Abu Imran Wasti has stated that I travelled from Makkah to Madinah with the intention of beholding the blessed grave of the Beloved Rasool. On the way, 7

13 I was so thirsty that I felt as if I would meet my death. Extremely tired, I sat under a thorny tree. All of a sudden, a person appeared, dressed in green and riding a green horse with a green rein and saddle. The cup he was holding was also green with a green beverage in it. Giving the beverage to me, he said, Drink! I drank it in three breaths but nothing reduced from the cup. Then he asked, Where are you going to? I replied, Madinah Munawwarah in order to say my Salam to the Beloved Rasool and Shaykhayn-e-Karimayn, i.e. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar Farooq. He said, When you get there and say your Salam, so say to those three great personages that Ridwan (the angel who is the custodian of Heaven) has also conveyed his Salam to you. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 8

14 6. Holy Rasool Helps the Helpless A saint has stated: I left for Makka-tul-Mukarramah with the intention of performing Hajj from San a, a city in Yemen. A large number of people of the city accompanied me to the end of the city to bid me farewell. One of them requested me to convey Salam on his behalf in the respected court of the Holy Rasool, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna Umar and other blessed companions. (The saint goes onto say) I forgot to convey his Salam during my stay in Madina-tul-Munawwarah. When I reached Zul- Hulayfah and intended to put on Ihram, I recalled that I was to convey his Salam. Therefore, I explained to my travelling companions that I was to go back to Madina-tul-Munawwarah to carry out an important piece of work over there and requested them to take care of my camel until I return. My companions said that it was the time of the departure of the caravan and I would not be able to rejoin it if I missed it. I asked them to take my camel with them if I fail to return before the departure of the caravan. Thus, I returned to Madina-tul-Munawwarah and conveyed that person s Salam in the court of the Holy Rasool and the respected companions. By then, night had fallen. As I came out of Masjid-un-Nabawi, I came across a person who had come from Zul-Hulayfah. I asked him about my caravan; he informed 9

15 me that the caravan had left. Listening to it, I returned to Masjidun-Nabawi and made up my mind to join any other caravan. I fell asleep in the Masjid. In the later part of the night, I was blessed with beholding the Holy Rasool, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar in my dream. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr said, Ya Rasoolallah! This is the person (who missed his caravan for the sake of conveying Salam). Looking at me, the Holy Rasool said, Abul Wafa. I humbly said, O Rasool of Allah! I am Abul Abbas. He replied, You are Abul Wafa (i.e. one who is loyal). He then held my hand and instantly placed me in Masjid-ul-Haraam in Makkah. I stayed in Makkah for eight days before the caravan of my city arrived. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 10

16 7. Reply of Salam was heard from inside the blessed tomb Sayyiduna Shaykh Abu Nar Abdul Wahid Bin Abdul Malik Bin Muhammad Bin Abu Sa eed Sufi Karkhi has said: After I performed Hajj, I came to Madinah and visited the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool. I was sitting near the blessed Hujrah (i.e. room) when Shaykh Abu Bakr Diyar Bikri came and stood with his face towards the direction of the blessed face of the Beloved Rasool. He then said humbly,. I and all those present heard a voice from inside the blessed tomb. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 11

17 8. When Shaykh Sayyid Nooruddin Aeji visited the blessed tomb of the Noble Rasool; he said salam in these words,. All those present there at that time heard the reply from the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool. (i.e. and peace be upon you O my son!) May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake When Sayyiduna Makhdum Muhammad Hashim Thathvi came to Madinah Munawarrah, he humbly visited the blessed tomb, recited Salat and said Salam, so the beautiful and blessed voice of the Beloved Rasool was heard.

18 May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 10. Blessed hand emerged from luminous grave After performing ajj, Sayyiduna Shaykh Sayyid Amad Rifa i left for Madina-tul-Munawwarah. When he reached the sacred tomb of the Holy Rasool he recited two Arabic couplets whose translation is as follows: 1. When I was far away from your blessed court, I used to send my soul as my representative; it used to kiss your blessed court. 13

19 2. Now I am physically present in your court; please reveal and stretch your blessed hand so that my lips may have the privilege of kissing it. As soon as he finished the couplets, the blessed hand emerged from the sacred grave and he kissed it affectionately. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 11. I have come to Beloved Rasool Sayyiduna Dawood Bin Abi Salih has narrated that once the caliph Marwan visited the sacred tomb of the Holy Rasool where he saw a person who had placed his face on the blessed grave. Placing his hand on the person s neck, caliph 14

20 Marwan asked, Do you know what you are doing? Turning around, the person bluntly replied that he was well-aware of what he was doing. The caliph recognized the person who was a renowned companion, Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub Ansari. Then, he said, I have come to the sacred court of the Holy Rasool ; I have not come to see a piece of stone. I heard the Holy Rasool saying, Do not cry over religion if its Wali (leader) is capable but do cry if its leader is incapable. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 12. Beloved Rasool sent food Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr Bin Maqri has stated that once he and his two companions Sayyiduna abarani and Sayyiduna Abush-Shaykh were present in Madina-tul-Munawwarah. 15

21 They had not eaten anything for two days and were extremely hungry. At the time of Isha, Sayyiduna Imam Abu Bakr bin Muqri came to the sacred grave of the Holy Nabi and humbly said: O Rasool of Allah, hunger! He uttered nothing more and returned home. He goes onto say that thereafter he and Shaykh Abush-Shaykh went to sleep, whereas abarani began to wait for someone. Soon, there was a knock at the door. When they opened the door, they found an Alawi noble person accompanied by two servants with trays of food in their hands. That person said, Perhaps you have requested the Holy Rasool for food. He further explained, I had a dream in which I beheld the Holy Rasool who commanded me to provide you with food. He then ate food with us, gave us the remaining food and left. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 16

22 13. The Beloved Rasool gave his slaves food Dear Islamic brothers! Did you notice!, Our Holy Rasool always keeps his devotees in his merciful gaze, helps them when in trouble, and feeds them when hungry. Here is another parable in this context. Imam Yusuf Bin Ismail Nabhani has narrated that Shaykh Abul Abbas Ahmad Bin Nafis Tunisi has stated, During my stay in Madina-tul-Munawwarah, I once experienced extreme hunger. I humbly reached the blessed tomb of the Holy Rasool and I pleaded, Ya Rasoolallah! I am hungry. Suddenly, I fell asleep. Meanwhile, someone awoke me and asked me to go with him. I agreed, so he took me to his house. Serving me with dates, butter and wheat bread, he said, Eat until you are satiated because my blessed ancestor Sayyiduna Muhammad has commanded me to be hospitable to you. Come to me whenever you feel hunger in future. 17

23 14. Beloved Rasool bestowed Dirham Sayyiduna Ahmad Bin Muhammad Sufi has said that I kept on wandering in jungles for three months. Even my skin was damaged. Finally, I reached Madinah Munawwarah and said my Salam to the Beloved Rasool and Shaykhayn Karimayn (Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique and Sayyiduna Umar Farooq ). I then fell asleep. In my dream, I was privileged to behold the Beloved Rasool. He said, Ahmad! You have come. Look what your condition is! I said humbly, i.e. Ya Rasoolallah! I am hungry and I am your guest. The Beloved Rasool said, Spread [your] hand! When I spread my hand, there were few dirhams on it. Even after I woke up, I found those dirhams in my hand. I went to market and bought bread and Faludah 1 and ate them. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 1 A sweet and cold drink with dry fruits etc. in it 18

24 15. Beloved Rasool bestowed bread Sayyiduna Ibn-ul-Jala has said that I humbly visited Madinah Munawwarah where I remained hungry for a few times. I humbly reached the blessed tomb of the Holy Rasool and pleaded, Ya Rasoolallah!! Ya Rasoolallah I am your guest. Then I fell asleep. In my dream, I saw the Beloved Rasool who bestowed a piece of bread upon me. I started eating it. I ate half of it in the state of dream. Then I woke up and found the remaining half in my hand. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 19

25 16. When I woke up, half piece of bread was in hand! Sayyiduna Abu-ul-Khayr has said, When I reached Madinah the holy city of the Holy Nabi I had not eaten anything for five days. Saying Salam to the Beloved Rasool and to his companions Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique and Sayyiduna Umar Farooq Isaid humbly, i.e. Ya Rasoolallah! I am your guest. Afterwards, I went near the blessed Mimber 1 and fell asleep. As I closed my eyes, the eyes of my heart opened. In my dream, I was blessed with the privilege of beholding the Beloved Rasool who was accompanied by Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique, Sayyiduna Umar Farooq and Sayyiduna Ali Murtada. Sayyiduna Ali Murtada said, Get up! The Beloved Rasool has arrived. I stood up and kissed the luminous forehead of the Beloved Rasool in dream. The Beloved Rasool bestowed upon me a piece of bread. I ate half of it in the state of dream and found the remaining half in my hand when I woke up. 1 i.e. a pulpit-like raised structure. 20

26 May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 17. Thanks cannot be expressed for even a single favour Sayyiduna Abu Imran Musa Bin Muhammad Banzarti has stated: During my stay in Madinah, I once humbly visited the sacred tomb of the Holy Nabi. Faced with financial problems, I beseeched: Ya Rasoolallah! I am a guest of Allah and yours. Then, while sitting in wait for Salat-ul-Asr, I fell asleep. In the state of dream, I saw that the blessed Hujrah opened and three holy individuals came out of it. I wanted to stand up in order to say Salam to the Greatest Nabi, but the person sitting next to me said: Sit down. The Noble Rasool is going to bestow the gift of Salam upon Hajj performers and food upon those who have no provisions. I said: I am also one of them. 21

27 When the Holy Nabi came, Hajj performers were blessed with his Salam. I was also privileged to shake hands with him and to kiss his blessed hand. He then placed something like Halwah i.e. a type dessert onto my palm which I immediately put into my mouth. When I woke up, I was still chewing it and feeling its taste. After I exited, I came across a person who arranged for a conveyance for me without any fare. The same person also appointed a servant who served me until I reached Makkah. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 18. Ask for something special Someone has stated: During my stay in Madinah Munawwarah, I was once hungry and had nothing to eat. I humbly visited the luminous 22

28 tomb and said,! i.e. Ya Rasoolallah! I am hungry. Saying this, I sat down near the blessed Hujrah. A respected Sayyid came to me and said, Come with me. I asked, Where? He replied, Come to my home so that you may eat and drink something. I went with him; and he gave me a big bowl of Sareed [i.e. a meal] with sufficient quantity of meat and olive in it. I ate well and intended to return. He said, Eat more. I ate a little bit more. When I was about to return, he gave me some Madani pearls of advice in these words, O my brother! Just ponder! You people come from distant places, crossing jungles, deserts, oceans and leaving your family members behind. But when you are privileged to visit the blessed court of the Beloved Rasool, you are left with only one purpose, i.e. Ya Rasoolallah! Grant me a piece of bread! O my brother! If you had asked for paradise, forgiveness of sins, pleasure of Allah and His Beloved Rasool or any other great thing, you would have been granted them as well by the benevolence of the Holy Rasool. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 23

29 Dear Islamic brothers! Keep it in mind that there is no harm in asking the Holy Nabi for anything to eat. To do so is also a great privilege indeed. Several parables of scholars and Muhaddiseen [i.e. scholars of Hadees] in this context have already been described in the previous pages. However, the Madani pearls given by the respected Sayyid are also very important and excellent. In other words, the person who has humbly reached the blessed court of the Holy Nabi should avoid narrow-mindedness while asking him for anything. The Revered and Renowned Rasool who rests under the green dome fulfils the needs of everyone by Divinely-bestowed authority. One should ask him for a lot of blessings of the world and the hereafter such as protection of one s life and wealth, steadfastness in Islam and Iman, martyrdom in the blessed city of Madinah with peace, burial in Baqi, forgiveness without accountability and his [i.e. Beloved Rasool s] neighbourhood in Heaven. 24

30 19. A la Hadrat had a saint pray for forgiveness in Mina If you feel admiration for any pious person and think positively that he is a beloved bondman of the Almighty, you should request him to pray for your forgiveness without accountability rather than for the fulfilment of any worldly need only. My master A la Hadrat would request saints to make only prayer of forgiveness. He has stated: (During my first journey to Madinah, I was present in the Masjid of Mina whereas all other people had left.) In the interior part of the Masjid was a man with his face towards the Qiblah, reciting his invocations. I was sitting in the porch of the Masjid near the door. There was no other person. All of a sudden, I heard a buzzing sound like that of a bee. The following Hadees instantly occurred to me: A sound is produced by the heart of the Beloved bondmen of Allah like the buzzing sound of a bee. Discontinuing my invocations, I moved towards him to get him to pray for my forgiveness.! I have never requested any saint to fulfil any worldly need. Instead, I always requested them to 25

31 pray for my forgiveness. Well, I had walked only two steps towards him when he said three times with his hands raised towards the sky and his face turned towards me. (O Allah! Forgive this brother of mine! O Allah! Forgive this brother of mine! O Allah! Forgive this brother of mine!) I understood what he meant, i.e. he did what I wanted and he did not now want to be interrupted. Hence I returned. 20. Holy Nabi came to see his devotee Sayyiduna Abu Al-Hassan Bunan-ul-Hamal has said: Some friends of mine told me that in Makkah Mukarramah there was a saint known as Ibn-e-Saabit. He visited Madinah Munawwarah for consecutive sixty years with the intention of saying Salam to the Beloved Rasool. One year, he could not come to Madinah for some reason. One day, he was drowsing in a sitting position in his private room when he was privileged to behold the Beloved Rasool. The 26

32 Beloved Rasool said, Ibn-e-Saabit! You did not come to me, so I have come to you. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 21. I have accepted your excuse Sayyiduna Abu-ul-Fadal Muhammad Bin Naeem has stated, Sayyiduna Muhammad Bin Ya la Kinani would often humbly visit the blessed tomb of Blessed Nabi. He was also privileged to behold the Greatest Rasool quite often in the state of dream. One day, while travelling to Madinah with the intention of visiting the blessed tomb of the Noble Rasool, he suffered an injury to his foot. Unable to continue his journey, he 27

33 wrote a letter and handed it over to a Hajj-pilgrim, asking him to place the letter near the blessed tomb and say: Ya Rasoolallah! It is an entreaty [i.e. heartfelt request] from Kinani. You know what prevented him from visiting your court. The person did as was advised. Sayyiduna Kinani dreamt that the Holy Nabi said to him: O Kinani! Your letter has reached Madinah and I have accepted your excuse. 22. Son released from imprisonment Sayyiduna Abu Abdullah Bin Muhammad Azdi Andalusi has said that Romans imprisoned the son of a devotee of Rasool in Andalus, i.e. Spain. The devotee departed for Madinah Munawwarah with the intention of pleading with the Beloved Rasool. On the way, he met some of his acquaintances 1 and shared his problem with them. They suggested that one can plead with the Beloved Rasool even when staying at his home. Visiting the blessed tomb in person is not a condition for the 1 Someone you know. 28

34 [ fulfilment of this purpose. But the devotee continued his journey. Eventually, he reached Madinah and was privileged to visit the blessed court of the Beloved Rasool. After he said Salam, he expressed his wish. He was showered with blessings. At night, he saw the Beloved Rasool in his dream. The Beloved Rasool said, Go back to your city. Your wish has been fulfilled. When he returned to his country, he was greatly delighted to see his son who had really come back. When asked how he managed to return, his son replied, At some night, many prisoners including me were suddenly released from captivity in Rome! His father, the devotee of Rasool, made calculation and found out that it was the same night when he heard the good news in dream. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 29

35 23. Ghayb-knowing Rasool gave good news of rain in dream Imam Ibn-e-Abi Shaybah, who was a respected teacher of Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari,has stated: During the reign of Sayyiduna Umar Farooq A zam, drought 1 occurred. A person visited the blessed grave of the Beloved Rasool and said humbly, Ya Rasoolallah! Please pray that your Ummah be blessed with rain; people are dying. The person was privileged to behold the Beloved Rasool in the state of dream. He said, Go to Umar and convey my Salam to him and inform him that rain will fall. That person was Sayyiduna Bilal Bin Haris, a companion of the Beloved Rasool. Sayyiduna Imam Ibn-e-Hajr Asqalani 1 A long period of time without or very little rain. 30

36 has said, Imam Ibn-e-Abi Shaybah has quoted this narration with proved authenticity. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 24. Rescued from well Sayyiduna Ahmad Bin Muhammad Salawi has said, Once I was to undertake a journey. Before I began it, I visited the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool and said humbly, O the one who has been empowered to help his devotees in the world and the hereafter! I will pass through deserts and deserted places during my journey. If I get into any trouble, I will pray to Allah and seek help by mentioningyour blessed name. I then visited the blessed tombs of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna 31

37 Umar and made a similar prayer. Afterwards, I began my journey, travelling through jungles and deserted places for a week. During the journey, I fell into a well that had plenty of water it it. From the time of Salat-ul-Chasht to Salat-ul-Asr, I struggled hard to get out of it but could not succeed. My life was in danger. All of a sudden, I recalled what I pleaded with the Beloved Rasool and Shaykhayn-e-Karimayn 1 at the time of departure. I once again supplicated, O my Beloved! O Rasool of Allah! Fulfil my supplication and rescue me. I also made supplication in the courts of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar in a similar way. In no time, someone picked me up from the well and sat me on its top! In this way, with the help of the Beloved Rasool, I narrowly escaped death. 1 i.e. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar 32

38 12 Parables of Imam Maalik a renowned devotee of Rasool 25. Barefoot in Madinah The great leader of millions of Malikies 1, Sayyiduna Imam Maalik was a great devotee of Rasool. He would walk barefooted in the streets of Madinah. 26. Beholding Holy Rasool every night Sayyiduna Musana Bin Sa eed has narrated that Sayyiduna Imam Maalik stated: I did not spend any night without beholding the Beloved Rasool. 1 The Muslims who follow the school of thought founded by Sayyiduna Imam Maalik. 33

39 27. Avoided Riding in Madinah Sayyiduna Imam Shaafi i has stated, In Madinah, I saw that there were some Khurasanian or Egyptian horses tethered [i.e. tied] to the door of the house of Sayyiduna Imam Maalik. Those horses were gifted to him. I had never seen such beautiful horses before. Hence I humbly said: How nice these horses are! He said, I have gifted all of them to you. I said, At least keep a horse for yourself. He replied, I feel shy of riding a horse on the ground under which the Holy Nabi of Allah, the Beloved son of Sayyidatuna Aaminah rests (in his blessed tomb). 28. Complexion changed when hearing about Beloved Rasool Sayyiduna Mus ab Bin Abdullah has said that Sayyiduna Imam Maalik was a great devotee of the Beloved Rasool. Whenever anyone mentioned anything about the 34

40 Greatest Rasool, the complexion [i.e. the colour of the face] of Sayyiduna Imam Maalik would change. He would show deep reverence for the Beloved Nabi. One day, he was asked about it, so he replied, If you had seen what I see, you would not have asked about it. 29. Manner of teaching Hadees (Sayyiduna Imam Maalik started giving lessons of Hadees at the age of 17). Before coming to give a Hadees lesson, he would take a bath, wear nice clothing and apply fragrance. He would then humbly come out of his room and respectfully sit on a throne. (He did not even use to change his sitting posture throughout the lesson.) As long as Ahadees were taught and learnt during the gathering, aloe-wood 1 and frankincense were burnt to give a pleasant smell. 1 The Urdu word for aloe-wood is [Ood] which means a type of black wood which smells good when burnt. 35

41 30. Scorpion stung 16 times but he continued teaching Hadees Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Mubarak has narrated that a scorpion stung Sayyiduna Abu Abdullah Imam Maalik 16 times while he was giving a Hadees lesson. Due to the severity of the pain, his blessed face turned pale but he continued to give the lesson. (He even did not change his sitting posture.) After the lesson ended and people left, I [i.e. the narrator] asked: O Abu Abdullah! Today, something strange appeared on your face. I noticed it! He said, Yes! But I had patience showing reverence for the Hadees of the Rasool! 36

42 31. Sincerity of Imam Maalik A great devotee to Madinah, Sayyiduna Imam Maalik was the first to compile a technically excellent book on the knowledge of Hadees. The book is known as Mauta Imam Maalik. He was the embodiment of sincerity. Sayyiduna Shaykh Muhammad Abdul Baqi Zarqani has narrated: After Imam Maalik compiled the book Mauta, he put all the pages of its manuscript into water, saying, If any of these pages gets wet, I will no longer use them. Amazingly, none of the pages got wet. This was the proof of his sincerity and the fruit of his true intention. 32. Muhaddis who wept in devotion to Rasool! Somebody asked Sayyiduna Imam Maalik about his respectable teacher Sayyiduna Ayoob Sakhtiyani. He replied, He is one of the best narrators I narrate Ahadees from. I saw him two times during the Hajj-pilgrimage. Whenever anyone 37

43 mentioned anything about the Noble Rasool in his presence, he would weep so much that I felt pity for him. Impressed with his reverence and devotion to the Beloved Rasool I started narrating Hadees from him. 33. Punishment for blaspheming dust of Madinah In the presence of Sayyiduna Imam Maalik, someone said, The dust of Madinah is bad. Hearing this, Imam Maalik issued a Fatwa declaring that the insolent person be whipped 30 times and be imprisoned. 38

44 34. He would go out of Haraam for defecation Showing reverence for the earth of Madinah, Sayyiduna Imam Maalik never defecated 1 in Madinah. He would go out of the Haram of Madinah for this purpose. However, he was unable to do it during the period of his illness. 35. Lower voice in Masjid-e-Nabawi While conversing with Sayyiduna Imam Maalik in Masjid-un-Nabawi, the caliph Abu Ja far once raised his voice. Sayyiduna Imam Maalik cautioned him: O caliph! Do not raise your voice in this Masjid. Allah has praised those keeping their voices lower in the court of His Beloved Rasool. It is stated in the third Ayah of Surah Hujurat, part 26: 1 Passing stool 39

45 Verily, those who lower their voices in the presence of the Rasool of Allah, are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested for piety. For them is forgiveness and a great reward. On the contrary, those raising their voices were taken to task, i.e. condemned, as is stated in the fourth Ayah of the same Surah. Verily, most of those who call you from outside the compartments do not have intelligence. The respect and reverence for the Greatest Rasool is the same today as it was in his visible life. Listening to these pieces of advice from Imam Maalik, Abu Ja far became silent. 40

46 36. Make Du a facing the tomb of Rasool Caliph Abu Jaffer once asked Sayyiduna Imam Maalik whether he should face the Qiblah or the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool at the time of making Du a. Sayyiduna Imam Maalik said, How can you turn your face away from the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool? On the Day of Judgment, the Holy Nabi is the Waseelah of yours and that of your respected father Sayyiduna Adam afiullah. You beg for intercession turning your face towards the blessed grave of the Beloved Rasool. Allah will surely accept the intercession of his Beloved Rasool. Allah has said: And if when they do injustice to their souls, then O Beloved! They should come to you and then beg Allah for forgiveness, and the Rasool should intercede for them, then surely, they will find Allah the One who accepts repentance the most, the Merciful. 41

47 37. Die in Madinah, if possible Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn-e- Umar has narrated that the Beloved Rasool has stated: i.e. Whoever can die in Madinah should die in it, because I will intercede for those who die in Madinah. Commenting on the above Hadees, a renowned commentator, a great thinker Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated: Apparently, this good news and guidance were given for all Muslims, not for Muhajireen [i.e. migrators] only. If a Muslim wishes to meet his death in Madinah, he should also try to be blessed with this privilege. That is, he should reside in Madinah, especially in old age and should not go out of it unnecessarily so that he meets his death there and is also buried there. However, this 42

48 is only possible by the grace of Allah. Sayyiduna Umar would pray: O Lord! Grant me death and martyrdom in the city of Your Beloved! His prayer was wonderfully answered.! He was attacked during Salat-ul-Fajr in the Masjid, in the Mihrab and at the praying place of Nabi, which led to his martyrdom there. [The respected Mufti further stated] I have seen that some people have been living in Madinah for 30 or 40 years. They do not even go out of the city of Madinah in case they meet death outside Madinah. Sayyiduna Imam Maalik also followed the same practice. 38. Call to righteousness at time of demise in Madinah Sayyiduna Imam Maalik passed away either on the 10 th or 11 th or 14 th of Safar-ul-Muzaffar or Rabi -ul-awwal in 179 A H in Madinah. He was buried in Jannat-tul-Baqi. At the time of his demise, he delivered the call towards righteousness. Sayyiduna Yahya Bin Yahya Masmudi has said that Sayyiduna Imam Maalik has stated that Sayyiduna Rabi ah said, My viewpoint is that telling somebody the rulings of Salah is better than giving the entire wealth of the earth in charity. And removing somebody s religious confusion is better than performing 100 Hajj. Further, Sayyiduna Imam Maalik quoted Sayyiduna Ibn-e-Shahab Zuhri as saying, My viewpoint is that giving somebody a religious suggestion is better 43

49 than performing Jihad in one hundred Ghazwat (i.e. battles in which the Beloved Rasool participated). Sayyiduna Yahya Bin Yahya has stated that Sayyiduna Imam Maalik did not say anything afterwards and passed away. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 39. Unique ways of pleasing the Beloved During his stay in Madinah, Mahmood Ghaznawi was seen in the Masjid-un-Nabawi, dressed in the clothes of beggars with a water-bag hanging on his shoulder. He was serving the visitors of the Haram with water. A person asked him: Are you not 44

50 the king of Ghazni? Which type of get-up have you adopted here? He responded, Of course, I am the king of Ghazni but this is the court where even the kings are beggars. The person liked this reply very much. After a little while, the same person saw the Egyptian king, coming in the royal awe-inspiring manner. Going near him, the person asked: You have come to Madinah in this royal aweinspiring manner. Is it the way one should come here? The reply given by the Egyptian king is also worth being written in gold letters. The Egyptian king responded: O questioner! Tell who has bestowed this kingship upon me. Certainly, it is the Holy Nabi who has bestowed it upon me [by the Divinelybestowed authority.] I have come here with royal crown and clothing so that the Bestower sees his bestowment with his own blessed eyes. 40. Azan of Bilal Dear Islamic brothers! When one talks about Sayyiduna Bilal, one spontaneously thinks of him as being a great devotee of Rasool. After he embraced Islam and was freed from slavery, he 45

51 spent the beautiful days of his life serving the Greatest Rasool. However, after the visible demise of the Beloved and Blessed Rasool took place, Sayyiduna Bilal could not bear the grief of separation form him and migrated from Madinah to a Syrian town known as Daraiyyah. One night, after a period of time passed, Sayyiduna Bilal was privileged to behold the Noble Rasool in his dream. The blessed lips moved and the following words were uttered: i.e. O Bilal! How unfair it is! Has the time not yet come when you are supposed to come to see me? As soon as Sayyiduna Bilal, a great devotee, woke up, he left for Madinah carrying out the order given by his Master. He eventually entered Madinah the city held dearest by the devotees of Rasool and was being blessed with its pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. He then desperately reached the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool. Overwhelmed by feelings, he burst into tears, placing his face on the earth of the Blessed tomb. Hearing the news of the arrival of Sayyiduna Bilal the beloved grandsons of the Beloved Rasool, Sayyiduna Hassan and Sayyiduna Husayn also arrived. Sayyiduna Bilal spontaneously embraced them. They insisted, O Bilal! Deliver the Azan which you used to do in the visible life of our grandfather. How could he refuse now! Hence Sayyiduna Bilal went to the part of the roof of Masjid-e- Nabawi where he used to deliver Azan in the visible life 46

52 of the Holy Nabi. When Sayyiduna Bilal began Azan, uttering, there was excitement everywhere. When he uttered the words, people started crying. When he uttered the words again, people anxiously asked each other Has the Noble Rasool come out of his blessed tomb? After the visible demise of the Renowned and Revered Rasool, it was the day when the people of Madinah wept bitterly. Since then Sayyiduna Bilal one of the greatest devotees of Rasool humbly visited Madinah once every year and delivered Azan there. He followed this yearly routine until he passed away. 41. Patient suffering from disease declared incurable Abu Muhammad Ishbeeli has narrated: In Gharnata, I stayed at the home of a person suffering from a disease declared 47

53 incurable by doctors. Ibn Abi Khisal who was a servant of the ill person made a plea in writing in the court of the Holy Nabi, mentioning the disease of his master and requesting that he be blessed with cure. Abu Muhammad stated: A person from Gharnata reverently visited Madinah with the written plea. As soon as he read out the letter in the court of the Beloved Rasool, the ill person was cured in Gharnata. 42. Zamzam-serving great individual Shaykh Abu Ibrahim Warrad stated: I was once blessed with performing Hajj and reverently visiting Madinah. The caravan resumed the journey leaving me behind alone in Madinah as I did not have enough provisions. Humbly reaching the court of the Holy Rasool, I pleaded: Ya Rasoolallah! My companions have left me behind alone. When I went to sleep, I was privileged to behold the Greatest Rasool in my dream. He said: Go to Makkah where a person will be drawing water from the well of Zamzam and serving people with it near the Zamzam well. Say to 48

54 him: The Rasool of Allah has ordered you to take me to my home. Carrying out the order, I reached Makkah and went to the Zamzam well where a person was drawing water. Before I could say anything, he said: Wait. Let me serve people with water first. By the time he finished serving the water, night had fallen. He said: Perform the Tawaf of the Holy Ka bah first and then come with me to the highlying area of Makkah. Therefore, I performed Tawaf and started walking with him taking each and every step with him. As the morning drew near, I found myself in a valley where there were a lot of mature trees and water-springs. I thought to myself that it looks like my own valley, Shafshawa. When the day dawned, I carefully watched and found out that it was really the Shafshawa valley. I happily reached my home and related the whole story to my family members, describing how miraculously I reached home. All of them were astonished. People asked me about my caravan. I informed that they departed for the homeland leaving me behind alone in Madinah considering me to be a destitute person. Some of the people believed me while some others did not. After a few months, my caravan arrived and people became aware of the real situation.! All people then believed me. (As people used to travel by camels, mules etc. in past, the caravan probably reached after a few months for the same reason.) 49

55 May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake! 43. Multan to Madinah in an instant A long time ago, someone told me (i.e. the author) a parable which I have mentioned here from memory. A caravan of Hajj-pilgrims departed from Multan to Madinah. A devotee of Madinah was also present in the caravan. After they performed Hajj and humbly visited Madinah, they returned to Multan. Teasing the devotee, a Haji asked him: Was any letter bestowed upon you or not from the court of the Holy Nabi? He replied in the negative. Showing the devotee a letter which he had himself written, the Haji said: Look! I have been given this letter from the court of the Holy Rasool. The letter read: You have been forgiven. The devotee was anxious to have read it. He then started walking, crying 50

56 and saying: I will also get a letter of forgiveness from my Beloved Master. He reached a road in a pitiable condition and found a bus, standing. The conductor shouted out, Three rupees for Madinah! Three rupees for Madinah! The devotee rushed and got onto the bus. He paid three rupees to the conductor. The bus was running. After a little while, the conductor shouted out: The bus has reached Madinah! The bus has reached Madinah! The devotee got off the bus.! He was really in Madinah and was feasting his eyes on the blessed green dome. He moved forward desperately and entered the blessed Masjid Nabawi. Standing in front of the Golden Grilles, he burst into tears. Saying Salam, he humbly made a plea for a letter of forgiveness with tearful eyes. All of a sudden, a piece of paper fell on to his chest. Anxious and emotional, he saw the paper which read: You have been forgiven. Putting the paper into his pocket carefully, he came out happily. He saw the same bus with the conductor shouting out: Three rupees for Multan! Three rupees for Multan! The devotee got onto the bus and paid three rupees. The bus started running. Shortly afterwards, the conductor shouted again: The bus has reached Multan! The bus has reached Multan! The devotee got off the bus and went to his caravan companions. Since all this happened within a very short while, all the Hujjaj were still present over there. They were surprised to see the letter bestowed upon the devotee. They now treated him with great respect. The Haji who had made a fun of the devotee cried uncontrollably and repented of his misdeed. He also apologized to the devotee. The 51

57 Haji then made a firm intention that Unless I am granted the letter of forgiveness, I will perform Hajj and humbly visit Madinah every year seeking the letter of forgiveness. I am highly hopeful that my Beloved and Merciful Master will not disappoint me a sinner. The devotee was in an overwhelming condition and he passed away after only a few days. The Haji has been humbly visiting Haramayn every year until now. (Almost 35 years have passed since I heard this parable. For the time being, I have no knowledge about the Haji.) 44. Missing son found by the benevolence of the Rasool Shaykh Abul Qasim Bin Yousuf Iskandarani has stated: I was staying in Madinah. I once saw a devotee of Rasool who was pleading with the Holy Nabi in these words near the blessed tomb, Ya Rasoolallah! I use your Wasilah [intercession] so that I find my missing son. When asked, he told me, During my journey from Jeddah to Madinah, I needed 52

58 to go to the toilet. Meanwhile, my son went missing. After a few years, I came across the same person in Egypt and asked about his son, so he replied:! I have found my son. A tribe forcefully enslaved him and made him graze their camels. A pious woman who was a devotee of Rasool from the same tribe saw the Greatest and Noblest Rasool in the state of dream. What he said to him was like this: Get the Egyptian young man released and send him home. Therefore, the young man was freed by virtue of the intercession of the pious lady a devotee of Rasool. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us for his sake. 53

59 45. Weakness removed by invoking the Beloved Rasool Sayyiduna Abu Abdullah Muhammad Bin Salim Sijilmasi has stated: With the intention of beholding the blessed tomb of the Greatest Rasool, I joined a caravan travelling to Madinah on foot. During the journey, whenever I suffered from weakness, I would humbly say: i.e. Ya Rasoolallah! I am your guest. By the blessing of it, my weakness was removed. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us for his sake! 46. Meeting death while beholding green dome Maulana Hafiz Baseer Puri has stated in his Safar Nama Hajj. In 1972, I was blessed with spending the Holy month of Ramadan in Madinah. It was probably the second Friday of Ramadan. A devotee 54

60 of Rasool insistently brought his companions to Madinah from Makkah earlier than the time scheduled. He was not concerned about his luggage at all. He humbly reached the court of his Beloved Master. Saying Salam, he offered two Rak aat of Nafl Salah and exited from the Bab-e-Jibra`eel. Turning round, he looked at the blessed Green Dome and fainted, falling on to the ground. His mouth began to bleed and he passed away without writhing. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 47. Debt was paid The son of Sayyiduna Muhammad Bin Munkadir has narrated: A Yemeni man handed over 80 dinars, i.e. gold coins to 55

61 my father and said: If you need, you can spend them and give them back to me when I return. He then went to participate in Jihad. After a period of time, severe famine and drought occurred in Madinah. Hence my father distributed those dinars among people. After a period of time, the man returned and demanded his dinars. My respected father said: Please come tomorrow. My father spent that night in Masjid Nabawi. Sometimes, he would come to the blessed tomb of the Holy Nabi, wishing to be blessed with the merciful sight of the Merciful Nabi and sometimes he would engage himself in praying and pleading near the blessed Mimber, i.e. the pulpit-like raised structure. He continued to do so until the light of the early dawn began to appear. In the foggy weather, a person offered a small bag to my father, saying: O Muhammad Bin Munkadir! Take it. Stretching his hand, he took it. When he opened it, he found 80 dinars in it. On the morning, the person who had handed over 80 dinars to my father came. My father gave back 80 dinars to him. In this way, he was relieved of the burden of debt by the blessing of the merciful sight of the Greatest Rasool. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 56

62 48. Turkish patient cured In Madinah Munawwarah, there was a person who was severely injured. He was a Turk and had got a disease. Even after 15 years, his disease could not be cured in Turkey. Someone suggested that he use the curing earth of Madinah that cures diseases. The Turk patient acted upon the advice. chronic disease was cured within a year. The Turk man would relate his sad story with tearful eyes and would sing praises of the earth of Madinah.! Fifty percent of the Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see! By the bestowment of Allah, the earth of Madinah cures diseases. If a person has firm belief, he will not be disappointed,. Blessed Ahadees also contain the good news that the earth of Madinah cures diseases. Mentioned here are three sayings of Mustafa. 57

63 1. The earth of Madinah cures leprosy. Allamah Qastalani has stated: One of the particular features of Madinah is that its blessed earth cures leprosy, leucoderma and any other disease. 2. The earth of Madinah cures leucoderma. 3. By the one under whose omnipotence my life is! Indeed the earth of Madinah cures every disease. 49. Earth and fruits of Madinah cure diseases It is stated in the book Jazb-ul-Quloob : By the bestowment of Allah, the earth and fruits of Madinah cure diseases. Many Ahadees state that the earth of Madinah cures every disease. Some of the Ahadees contain the words, i.e. cure from leprosy and leucoderma, whereas some of the narrated sayings mention a particular place in Madinah called Suaib (generally known as Khak-e-Shifa). Some narrations state that the Greatest and Noblest Rasool advised blessed companions to treat fever with this earth. Saints have also narrated parables, mentioning that diseases were cured by the blessed earth of the particular place known as Suaib. 58

64 50. Year-long fever cured in a day Sayyiduna Shaykh Mujadudin Ferozabadi has stated: A slave of mine suffered from fever throughout the year. I took the earth of Madinah (from the place of Suaib i.e. Khak-e-Shifa), dissolved it in water in small amount and gave it to him to drink., he recovered the same day. 51. Cure of inflammation by curing earth Shaykh-e-Muhaqqiq Allamah Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dihlvi has stated: During my stay in Madinah Munawwarah, my foot had swollen due to some disease. Doctors declared it a deadly disease and discontinued the treatment. I took the blessed earth from the place called Su aib and started using it., I got rid of the swelling within a few days. Among the devotees of Rasool, the place Suaib is known as Khak-e-Shifa, i.e. the curing earth. Alas! That sacred place has now been hidden. Sometimes, the devotees of Rasool dig out the curing earth but the administration gets it covered again with tar etc. 59

65 Excellence of Salat Alan Nabi Salam from the Beloved Rasool to his devotee Sayyiduna Abu Al-Fadl Ibn-e-Zirak Qumasani has stated, A devotee of Rasool came to me from Khurasan and said:! While asleep in the Masjid-e-Nabawi, I was blessed with beholding the Beloved Rasool in dream. He said, When you go to Hamazan, say my Salam to Abu Al-Fal Ibn-e-Zirak. He humbly asked, Ya Rasoolallah! May I know the reason of this benevolence to him? The Beloved Rasool said, He recites 100 times upon me everyday. Sayyiduna Abu Al-Fadl stated that the Khurasani devotee asked me to tell him the Salat Alan Nabi (which I recite every day). I told him that I recite the following Alan Nabi hundred or more than hundred times daily: 60

66 That devotee of Rasool learnt the Salat Alan Nabi from me. He then said under oath that he neither knew me nor did he hear even my name before. The Beloved Rasool told him about me. Sayyiduna Abu Al-Fadl Ibn-e-Zirak further stated, I presented a gift to the fortunate devotee of Rasool so that I could hear anything else about the Beloved Rasool from him but he refused to accept the gift, saying: I do not accept anything from the world as a reward for conveying the sacred message of the Beloved Rasool. Sayyiduna Abu Al- Fadl Ibn-e-Zirak stated, Since then I never saw that devotee of Rasool again. Deceased father was blessed in Jungle Sayyiduna Sufyan Sauri has related: During Tawaf, I saw a devotee of Rasool who was reciting Salat Alan Nabi while walking every step. I asked him the secret behind reciting Salat Alan Nabi instead of reciting. At first, he asked my name. He then related his story in these words: I along with my father went on the Hajj pilgrimage. During the journey, my father fell seriously ill. We stayed at a place and my father received some treatment but could not recover and passed away. It was ordained by Allah. All of a sudden, his face blackened, eyes slanted and belly bulged out. Seeing this, I got scared and wept, reciting 1. 1 To Allah we belong and to Him we have to return. 61

67 I covered his face with a shawl. In the same situation, sleep overcame me. In my dream, I saw a very handsomepersonality dressed in extremely neat and clean clothing with fragrance coming from him. I had never seen such a handsome personality; nor had I smelled such a pleasant fragrance in my life. That personage came close to my deceased father, removed the shawl and stroked his luminous hand on the face of my father. All of a sudden, the blackness of the face of my deceased father turned to luminosity. His eyes and belly also normalized. When the luminous personality was about to return, I clung to his feet and said: Allah has sent you as a mercy for my father in this deserted place! Please, let me know who you are. That personage said, Don t you recognize me! I am the one to whom Quran has been revealed - Muhammad Bin Abdullah ( ). Your father was a sinner but he would recite Salat upon me abundantly. When he got into this trouble, he pleaded with me and I came to help him. Indeed I help those who recite Salat abundantly upon me. When I woke up, I saw that my deceased father s face had really become luminous and his belly had also normalized. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 62

68 53. Devotion to Rasool On the occasion of the Hudaibiyyah Truce, the Greatest and Noblest Rasool sent Sayyiduna Usman-e-Ghani as his envoy, i.e. a representative to Makkah Mukarramah in order to negotiate with the disbelievers. Actually, the disbelievers had decided not to allow the Beloved Rasool and his companions to enter Makkah Mukarramah that year. As Sayyiduna Usman-e-Ghani arrived in Haram-e-Ka bah, he was informed that the Muslims would not be allowed to perform Umrah that year. However, the disbelievers told Sayyiduna Usmane-Ghani that he could perform Tawaf since he had arrived there. Sayyiduna Usman-e-Ghani did not like to perform Tawaf without the Beloved Rasool. Hence 63 he said, i.e. I will not perform Tawaf of Ka bah until the Beloved Rasool performs Tawaf.

69 May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! Hajj Pilgrimage on foot 64 Sayyiduna Imam Hassan Mujtaba once said, I am deeply ashamed. Alas! How I would meet Allah! Alas! I have never gone to the Holy Ka bah on foot. Since then he travelled to Makkah Mukarramah from Madinah Munawwarah on foot for Hajj 20 times. It is narrated that once he performed the Tawaf of Ka bah, offered two Rak at Wajib alah of Tawaf at the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim, placed his blessed cheek on the Maqaam-e- Ibrahim and made Du a, weeping bitterly, O my Omnipotent Lord! Your inferior bondman is present in Your court. Your beggar is

70 present in Your court. Your helpless bondman is present in Your court. He repeated the same words and continued to weep. Afterwards he exited from the Masjid-ul-Haraam. On the way, he found some destitute people who were sitting and eating pieces of bread (given to them in charity). He said Salam to them. Replying to the Salam, they invited him to eat with them. Sitting with them unhesitatingly at their dining-mat, he said: If these pieces of bread had not been given to you in charity, I would certainly have eaten with you. Sadaqah is Haraam for us the offspring of the Rasool. He then brought the destitute people to his house with him and fed excellent food to all of them. At the time of departure, he also bestowed dirhams upon them. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 65

71 55. Privilege of Tawaf during rain Dear Islamic brothers! How wonderful it is to perform awaf in the rain! Sayyiduna Abu Iqal has said: I was once privileged to perform awaf with Sayyiduna Anas Bin Malik in the rain. After we offered two Rak at Salah at the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim, Sayyiduna Anas said to me: Start your deeds anew. Your previous sins have been forgiven indeed. The Beloved Rasool gave the same good news to us and we were privileged to perform Tawaf in the rain with him. 56. Take me to blessed Haram Maulana Abdul aq Ilah Abadi was an Indian national and a great Islamic scholar. He lived in Makkah Mukarramah for more than forty years and performed ajj every year eagerly and 66

72 enthusiastically. Once, on the occasion of ajj, he fell seriously ill and was bedridden. On the 9 th of Zul-ijjah, he said to his students, Take me to blessed aram! Several men picked him up and sat him in front of the blessed Ka bah. He asked for blessed Zam Zam water, drank it and made Du a, O Almighty!! May I not be deprived of ajj. Instantly, Allah bestowed upon him so much strength that he stood up and went to the plain of Arafat on foot and performed Hajj. Dear Islamic brothers! If one prays to Allah with a firm belief after drinking Zamzam water, whatever he prays will be answered. The Revered and Renowned Rasool has said: The purpose for which Zamzam is drunk will be fulfilled. 57. Zam Zam cured injury caused by needle in throat Hamzah Bin Wasil has narrated from his father: In the Holy Haram, there was a person who drank a beverage. There was a 67

73 needle in the beverage. The needle got stuck in his throat, endangering his life. Despite a lot of treatment, there was no improvement in his condition. Groaning with pain, he said: The last remedy for this difficulty is the Zamzam water. Make me drink it. I will get cured,. Therefore, he was made to drink Zamzam water.! By the blessing of drinking Zamzam water, he was blessed with cure. The narrator has narrated: After several days, my father saw the same person in the Holy Haram. He was quite relaxed and healthy. 58. Distended stomach cured and thirst removed by Zam Zam water A Yaman person suffered from a disease that caused his stomach to distend [i.e. bulge out] with intense thirst. The physicians of Yaman declared his disease incurable. He came to Makkah Mukarramah. Doctors in Makkah Mukarramah also declared his disease incurable. By the grace of Allah, a thought entered his 68

74 mind that he should drink Zam Zam water. Hence he drank Zam Zam water in sufficient quantity. By the grace of Allah, he recovered from these diseases. Wells of reward and torment Mujahid Bin Yahya Balkhi has said that there was a Khurasani person who had been living in Makkah Mukarramah for 60 years. Very pious and ascetic 1, he would recite the Holy Quran during the day and perform Tawaf the whole night. He had friendship with a righteous and pious person who entrusted 10 thousand dinars to the Khurasani person, his friend, and went on a journey. When he returned from his journey, he was informed that his Khurasani friend had passed away. He went to his heirs and asked for his dinars but they denied all knowledge about them. The pious person then mentioned this incident to Islamic jurists in Makkah Mukarramah. They said that they were hopeful that the deceased Khurasani would be a Heaven-dweller. They advised the 1 Uninterested in the worldly pleasures. 69

75 pious person to go to the well of Zamzam after midnight and to call his deceased friend in these words, peeping into the well of Zam Zam O Khurasani! I entrusted something to you. He would reply. The pious man did as was advised but received no reply from inside the Zam Zam well. He contacted the scholars of Makkah Mukarramah again and informed them of the situation. Expressing sadness, they said that perhaps the Khurasani person was not among those blessed with Heaven; otherwise his soul must have been in the well of Zam Zam. The scholars then advised the pious man: Now you go to Yemen where there is a well called Barhut. After you reach the well of Barhut, call him in the same way. That well lies at a corner of Hell. The souls of Hell-dwellers gather in it. Hence he went to Yaman and called him peeping into the well of Barhut, O Khurasani! I entrusted something to you. The pious man heard the crying of souls there. He asked one of them why he was being tormented; so he replied that he was a cruel person and would earn Haram sustenance. In consequence of it, the angel of death threw him there. Another soul said that it was the soul of Abdul Maalik Bin Marwan and was being tormented for tyranny 1. He then heard another voice which was the voice of his deceasedkhurasani friend. The pious person asked: Why have you been brought here? You were a pious person. The Khurasani person replied: There was a disabled sister of mine. I did not use to care for her and had 1 Unfair and cruel use of power. 70

76 broken off relations with her. This resulted in my entire acts of worship being ruined. And I am being punished for that now. The pious person then asked him of the dinars which he entrusted to him. The Khurasani replied that they were buried in the such-andsuch corner of his home. The deceased Khurasani asked him to go there and dig it out. Hence that pious person went to the home of the deceased Khurasani, dug his dinars out and then went to the home of the sister of the deceased Khuransi. He provided for 1 her, and she became happy. Afterwards, the pious person went to the Zam Zam well in Makkah Mukarramah and called his friend, peeping into the well. The deceased Khurasani replied:! I have been released of the well of Barhut and I am now in the well of Zam Zam in peace. 60. In front of Ka bah from Hind in an instant On ninth Zul-Hijjat-ul-Haraam, a grass-cutting elderly man in Hind suddenly thought that it was the day of Arafah and the 1 To give somebody the things they need to live. 71

77 fortunate Hujjaj would gather in the plains of Arafat. As soon as the thought occurred to him, he let out an extremely wistful sigh, saying, If only I had also been blessed with Hajj. Sayyiduna Shaykh Sayyid Ashraf Jahangeer Samnani was present near him. Hearing his wistful sigh, he said to the elderly man, Come here. The elderly man drew near. Then, without uttering any word, Sayyiduna Shaykh Sayyid Ashraf Jahangeer Samnani gestured for him to go. As soon as the gesture was made, the elderly man found himself in front of the Holy Ka bah in Masjid-ul- Haraam in Makkah Mukarramah. He performed the Tawaf with great pleasure, arrived in Arafat and performed other rites of Hajj. When the days of Hajj ended, the elderly Haji thought how he would return to his country. As the thought came to his mind, he saw that Sayyiduna Shaykh Jahangeer Samnani was standing in front of him, saying, Go! As soon as the elderly Haji lifted his head, he found himself in his home in Hind. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake! 72

78 61. Strange Leper Sayyiduna Abu Al-ussayn Darraj has said: I once went on the Hajj pilgrimage alone. Travelling fast, I reached Qadsiyah. I then reached a Masjid where I saw a leper. He greeted me and asked me if I had the intention to perform Hajj. Seeing him, I felt great disgust and replied in the positive in a very cold manner. The leper said: Take me also with you! Considering him a burden, I thought to myself that I do not like the company of even healthy people and he is a leper. Therefore, I flatly refused. He requested me humbly to take him with me but I said: By Allah! I would not take you with me at any cost. The leper said: O Abul Husayn! Allah blesses the weak people in such a way that even the healthy people are left astonished [i.e. surprised]. I replied that he was right but I could not take him with me. Having offered Asr Salah, I resumed my journey and reached a small town in the morning. Much to my astonishment, I met the same leper there. Seeing me, he greeted me and said that Allah blesses the weak people in such a way that even the healthy people are left astonished. Hearing this, strange 73

79 thoughts came into my mind about him. Anyway, I resumed my journey once again. When I arrived in Qar a and entered a Masjid, I found him sitting there once again. He uttered the same sentence: O Abul Husayn! Allah blesses the weak people in such a way that even the healthy people are left astonished. Deeply moved by hearing it, I sought forgiveness from Allah and requested him to forgive me as well. He asked me, Why are you talking to me like this. I said that I made a big mistake by not taking him with me during the pilgrimage. I then once again requested him to forgive me and join me during the rest of the pilgrimage. Reminding me of the oath I had taken, he said that he did not want me to break it. Then I requested him, Please let me behold you at every stop. It will be kind of you. He said that he would do it,. Then he disappeared and I also began my journey once again. By the blessing of this righteous bondman of Allah I did not feel hunger, thirst and tiredness during the rest of the pilgrimage. Atevery stop, I was able to see that saint. After being blessed with the fragrant atmosphere of Madinah Munawwarah, I reached Makkah Mu azzamah where I was privileged to meet Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Kattani and Sayyiduna Abu Al-Hassan Muzayyin. When I related this amazing story to them, they said, O unwise man! Do you know who he was? He was Sayyiduna Abu Jaffar Majzoom.We have prayed to Allah to enable us to see this saint. If you meet him again, do inform us. On the 10 th of Zul-Hijjah, as I performed Rami (i.e. threw stones at the big 74

80 Satan) somebody pulled me towards him and said: O Abul Husayn! As I turned round, I found the same saint i.e. Sayyiduna Abu Jaffar Majzoom standing behind me. Upon seeing him, I was deeply moved and fell to the ground, weeping. By the time I came to my senses, he had left. After I performed Tawaf-e- Rukhsat and offered two Rak at Salah at Maqaam-e-Ibrahim, I raised my hands to make Du a. Suddenly, someone pulled me towards him. He was Sayyiduna Abu Jaffar Majzoom.He said: O Abul Husayn! Don t worry and don t make a noise. I remained silent and made three Du as in the blessed court of Allah. He uttered Ameen after hearing all of three Du as and then disappeared. Since then I never saw him. My three Du as were as follows: (1) O my Lord! Make me love destitution (Faqr) so much that I do not love anything else more than it in the world. (2) May I not spend any night with anything saved for the morning! This was answered. Many years have passed but I have not saved anything. The third Du a was: (3) O my Lord! When You bless Your Awliya with the privilege of seeing You, so include me also among them. I hope that my Lord will certainly fulfil these prayers of mine because a perfect Wali said Ameen while I made them. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 75

81 62. Holy Rasool enabled devotee to pay expenses for Hajj Allamah Abu Al-Faraj Abdul Rehman Bin Ali Ibn-e-Jawzi has stated in his book Uyoon-ul-Hikayat that a pious man has related. Throughout last three years, I often prayed to perform Hajj but my wish was not fulfilled. When the beautiful season of Hajj approached the fourth year, I was anxious and eager to visit the Holy Haram humbly. One night when I fell asleep, fortune smiled on me and I was privileged to see the Beloved Rasool in dream. The Beloved Rasool 76 said, You go to perform Hajj this year. When I woke up I was extremely happy. It was as if the sweet voice of the Beloved Rasool was still echoing in my ears. You go to perform Hajj this year. The Beloved Rasool granted me the permission of Hajj. I was very delighted but suddenly I thought that I do not have travelling expenses. I became sad. The next night,

82 once again, I had the privilege of seeing the Beloved Rasool but I could not mention my poverty to him. Likewise, third night again I was privileged to see the Beloved Rasool who ordered me to go to perform Hajj. I thought that I will mention my financial situation to the Beloved Rasool if I am privileged to see him the fourth time in my dream. Fourth night once again, I beheld the Beloved Rasool [in dream]. The Beloved Rasool said, You go to perform Hajj this year. I humbly said: O my Master! I cannot afford to pay expenses. The Beloved Rasool said, Dig such-and-such place in your home, and you will find the armour of your paternal grandfather. Having said this, the Beloved Rasool left. When I woke up the next morning, I was overjoyed. Having performed Fajr Salah, I dug the place identified by the Beloved Rasool. I really found precious, neat and clean armour. It seemed as if it had never been used! I sold it for 4000 dinars and thanked Allah.!By the benevolence of the Beloved Rasool, I was able enough to pay my travelling expenses for the Hajj pilgrimage. 77

83 63. Humility of the pious Sayyiduna Ali Bin Muwaffaq has said that I was privileged to perform Hajj. After I performed the Tawaf of Ka bah, kissed Hajar-e-Aswad and offered two Rak at Salah of Tawaf, I started weeping, sitting near the wall of Holy Ka bah. I then humbly said in the court of Allah, Ya Allah! I moved around Your Holy House so many times but I do not know whether they have been accepted or not! Thereafter, I drowsed and heard a voice from Ghayb, O Ali Bin Muwaffaq! We have heard you. Do you not invite to your home only those you love? May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 78

84 64. Spring water from feet Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Hunaif has said: I went on the Hajj-pilgrimage. When I reached Baghdad, I had not eaten anything for forty consecutive days. In the state of extreme thirst, I reached a well where a deer was drinking water. Seeing me, the deer ran away. I peeped into the well and saw that the water level had dropped and it was very difficult to draw water without a mug. I started walking, saying: O my Lord! My status is not equivalent to even that of a deer! I heard a voice from behind me: We only tested you but you could not have patience. Now go back and drink water. As I came back, the well was full of water up to the top. I quenched my thirst and also filled my water-bag with water. I heard a voice from Ghayb, The deer had come without a water-bag but you have come with a water-bag. Throughout the pilgrimage, I drank water from the bag and made Wudu with that water. After I returned from the Hajjpilgrimage, I went to a Jami Masjid where Sayyiduna Junaid Baghdadi was present. As soon as he saw me, he said: If you had had patience for a moment, spring water would have appeared from your feet. 79

85 May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 65. Unique Du a of Tawaf-performing person A learned and pious saint, Sayyiduna Qasim Bin Usman said: I saw a man who was making only this Du a during the Tawaf: i.e. O Allah! You have fulfilled the needs of all the needy people but my need has not been fulfilled yet. I asked him the reason for this strange Du a, so he related his whole story to me in these words: Seven people including me went to do Jihad. The non-muslims arrested us. When brought into a plain in order to be killed, I lifted my head and saw that there were seven open doors in the sky with a Heavenly maiden standing at each door. As soon as a companion of mine was martyred, I saw that a Heavenly maiden descended down on the earth with a handkerchief in her hand in order to take the 80

86 soul of the martyr. Six of my companions were martyred in the same way and their souls were taken by Heaven maidens. When it was my turn, a courtier requested the king to hand me over to him as a servant. The king accepted his request, depriving me of the privilege of martyrdom. I then heard a Heavenly maiden say: O deprived one! Why were deprived of this privilege! All of the seven doors of the sky were then closed. O my brother! I greatly regret that I was deprived. If only I had also been blessed with the privilege of martyrdom! This is the need you heard during the prayer I made. Sayyiduna Qasim Bin Usman has further stated: In my opinion, he is the greatest of all those seven people. He was saved from murder and saw the faith-refreshing scene which others did not see. He remained alive and continued to perform virtuous deeds very eagerly and enthusiastically. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 81

87 66. Hidden Plan of Allah Sayyiduna Abu Muhammad has said that three Muslims went on the Hajj-pilgrim without provisions. They stayed at a Christian town during the pilgrimage. One of them happened to see a beautiful Christian woman and fell in love with her. Making some excuses, the lover stayed at the town while the other two pilgrims went on their journey. The lover shared his feelings with the father of the woman. Her father said that he [i.e. the lover] would not be able to pay the Mehr of his daughter. The lover asked about the Mehr. The father replied: You will have to become Christian. That unfortunate person accepted Christianity, married the woman and became the father of two children. At last, he died. Both of his companions once again passed through the same town during any journey. When they became aware of the whole situation, they became very sad. While passing the graveyard of the Christians, they saw a woman and two children weeping near the grave of the unfortunate lover. Those both Hajis also started weeping (fearing the hidden plan of Allah ). The woman asked them why they were weeping. They replied: When the deceased 82

88 was a Muslim, he would offer Salah, perform acts of worship and piety and was an ascetic person. When the woman listened to it, she was very impressed with Islam and became Muslim along with her two children. May Allah have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake! 83 Dear Islamic brothers! How crucial the situation is! A pious and virtuous pilgrim travelling to Haram suddenly indulged in unlawful love and ended up losing his faith. After he made merry for a short period of time, he eventually met his death and was buried in his grave. Learning a lesson from this parable, all of us should fear the Hidden Plan of Allah and should always pray to have a good end at the time of our death. We do not know what will happen to us! Do watch the audio-cassette speech or the VCD Allah Ki Khufiya Tadbeer released by Maktaba-tul-Madinah. You will tremble with Divine fear,.

89 67. If only I were among the weeping ones! When ujjaj started weeping and crying during the Du a in Arafat, Sayyiduna Bakr said, If only I were also among the weeping Hujjaj. Overcome with Divine fear, Sayyiduna Mutarrif also said showing humility, O Allah! Do not reject these Hujjaj due to my disobedience. May Allah have mercy on them and forgive us without any accountability for their sake. 84

90 Those who stayed at Arafat were forgiven Sayyiduna Muhammad Bin Munkadir had the privilege of performing ajj 33 times. While praying in the plains of Arafat on the occasion of his last Haj, he said, Ya Allah! You know that I have stayed at this Arafat 33 times. I performed one Hajj for me and one for my father and mother each. O Lord! Making You Witness, I gift the remaining 30 Hajj to the person who stayed here in Arafat but his Hajj was not accepted. When he reached Muzdalifah from Arafat, he heard a voice in his dream: O Munkadir! Do you want to bestow grace upon the One who has created the grace? Do you want to show generosity to the One who has created it? Your Lord says to you, I swear by My greatness and glory! I forgave those staying at Arafat even two thousand years before I created Arafat. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 85

91 69. Great grace to the person performing Hajj on behalf of Beloved Rasool Sayyiduna Ali Bin Muwaffaq performed ajj many times on behalf of the Beloved Rasool. He said that he had the privilege of beholding the Beloved Rasool in dream. The Beloved Rasool asked, O Ibn-e-Muwaffaq! Have you performed Hajj on my behalf? I replied, Yes. The Beloved Rasool said, Did you say Talbiyah on my behalf? I replied, Yes. The Beloved Rasool said, I will give you reward for them on the Judgment Day and I will take you to paradise holding your hand, while people will be facing the severity of accountability. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 86

92 70. Hajj sixty times On the occasion of his sixtieth Hajj, Sayyiduna Ali Bin Muwaffaq was present in the Holy Haram. Suddenly, a thought came into his mind: For how long would you continue to travel through jungles and deserted places to perform Hajj? After a short while, sleep overtook him. While sleeping, he heard a voice from Ghayb, Good news is for the one who became the friend of his Lord and was called to His house by his Lord and was bestowed upon a high rank by Him. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 87

93 71. Good news for Salah-offering young man Near the Holy Ka bah, Sayyiduna Zu-Nun Misri saw a young man who was continuously offering Salah. Somehow, he found an opportunity to ask the young man, What is the matter! Why are you offering Salah continuously instead of returning? The young man replied, How can I go back without being granted the permission to return? I am waiting for the permission. Sayyiduna Zu-Nun Misri further stated: We were still conversing with each other when a letter fell on to the young man. The letter read: This letter is from Almighty Allah for a thankful and sincere bondman. Go back! Your past and future sins have been forgiven. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 88

94 72. Hopeful Haji Sayyiduna Maalik Bin Dinar narrated that a worshipper has said: I had the privilege of performing ajj for many years consecutively. Every year, I saw a respectable man holding the door of the Holy Ka bah. When the man said, a voice was heard from Ghayb:. I asked him: Are you deaf? He replied in the negative. I further asked, Why do you bear this hardship? He replied: O Shaykh! I say under oath that I will not leave this door even if I remain alive for 14 thousand years and even if I hear this reply one thousand times every single day instead of hearing it only once a year since 14 hears. We were still conversing with each other when a piece of paper fell onto his chest from the sky. He gave the paper to me. The paper read: O worshipper! You want to take My bondman away from My court. You think that I have not accepted many Hajj he performed. That is not the case. Instead, I have accepted the Hajj of all those performing Hajj during this period by the blessing of his calling out Labbaik so that nobody gets deprived in My court. Wisdom behind prayer not being answered Dear Islamic brothers! The above parable offers a very beautiful Madani pearl to us. No matter how long time our prayer takes to be answered, we should not lose heart. We do not know the wisdom behind the delay in our prayer being answered. Even if our prayer 89

95 remains unanswered for a long time or the effect of the prayer being answered does not occur at all, it is still beneficial to us. Mentioned here is a summary of what the respected father of A la Hadrat, Allamah, Maulana Naqi Ali Khan has stated: At times, you ask Allah for something out of your unwisdom but He does not fulfil your Du a with His infinite wisdom and mercy because the thing you are asking for will cause you harm if granted to you. For example, you might seek wealth, but it will endanger your Iman or you may seek good health but it is harmful to your Hereafter. This is the reason why He does not answer your prayer. It is stated in Ayah 216 of Surah Al-Baqarah in part 2: It is likely that you may like a thing which is bad for you. 90

96 73. Divine court is ultimate destination No matter our prayer is answered or not, we should not show negligence in praying to Allah. To continue to invoke our Lord is also a great privilege and an act of worship. Mentioned here is another parable in this context. An elderly saint along with a young man went on the Hajj pilgrimage. As soon as he said having put on Ihram, a voice was heard from Ghayb,, i.e. your presence is not accepted. The young Haji said to the elderly Haji: Have you heard the reply? The elderly Haji replied: Yes. I have been hearing this reply since last 70 years. I humbly say but I receive the reply each time. The young man asked again: Why do you then come here bearing the hardships and tiredness of the journey. The elderly Haji replied, crying: Where should I go then? Whether rejected or accepted, I have to come here. There is no other refuge. A voice was heard from Ghayb: Go! All of your presences in this court have been accepted. i.e. I am present 91

97 ajjaj Bin Yusuf and Bedouin Once, during the pilgrimage of Hajj in extremely hot weather, ajjaj Bin Yusuf stopped at a place between Makka-tul-Mukarramah and Madina-tul-Munawwarah. At the time of breakfast, he ordered his servant to bring a guest. The servant came out of the tent and saw a Bedouin sleeping near a mountain. Wakening him up by kicking him, the servant said, Come, Hajjaj Bin Yusuf is calling you. When the Bedouin came, Hajjaj Bin Yusuf said, Eat meal with me. The Bedouin replied, I have already accepted the invitation of the One who is more gracious than you. ajjaj Bin Yusuf asked, Who is he? The Bedouin replied, Allah. He invited me to keep a Sawm and hence I have observed Sawm today. ajjaj asked, You have observed Sawm in such scorching heat! The Bedouin replied, Yes, in order to save myself from the blazing heat of the Judgment Day. ajjaj said, All right, but do not keep Sawm tomorrow and eat meal with me. The Bedouin immediately replied, Can you guarantee me that I will remain alive till tomorrow? ajjaj replied, I m afraid I can t. The pious Bedouin said, I wonder that you are seeking the world despite being powerless regarding your afterlife. Hajjaj said: This food is very wonderful. The Bedouin replied: Neither you nor the cook has made it wonderful. Instead, the quality of it being good for health has made it wonderful. In other words, a patient does not enjoy the taste of food but a healthy person enjoys a lot. And it is 92

98 the Lord of the universe who grants health and protection. Therefore, one should observe Siyam accepting the invitation given by the Omnipotent Lord. 75. Those whose Hajj were not accepted were also rewarded Sayyiduna Ali Bin Muwaffaq has said that I performed more than 50 Hajj. Except one Hajj, I made Isal-e-Sawab of all the Hajj to the Beloved Rasool, the four blessed companions and my parents. Only one Hajj was left (whose Isal-e- Sawab I had not yet made to anyone). I saw the people present in the plain of Arafat and heard their voices. I humbly said in the blessed court of Allah, Ya Allah! If there is a person among them whose Hajj has not been accepted, so I make Isal-e- Sawab of my Hajj to that person. That night, I went to sleep at Muzdalifa. I saw Allah in my dream. Allah said to me, O Ali Bin Muwaffaq! Are you showing generosity to Me? Not only have I forgiven all those people present in Arafat but also the people in as many number as were present in Arafat. I have also forgiven 93

99 two-fold more people. I have accepted the intercession of every person on behalf of his family members and neighbours. Best companion on pilgrimage of Hajj A person said to Sayyiduna Haatim Asam, I have intended to go on the Hajj-pilgrimage. Whom would you like to recommend as my travelling companion so that I could be blessed with his company and reach the Divine court to receive the Divine mercy? He said: O brother! If you need a companion, keep the company of the Holy Quran by reciting it. If you want a comrade, make angels your comrades. If you need any friend, remembrance of Allah is sufficient for His friends. If you need provisions, belief in Allah is the best provisions. Then, considering the Holy Ka bah to be in front of you, perform Tawaf of it happily. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake 94

100 Meaning of Couplet: Showing imagination in this stanza, the poet has expressed a very nice idea. The miracle of the splitting of the moon in two pieces has been associated with the word Madinah. If we combine the first and the last letter of word Madinah, i.e. and, it will become Mah i.e. the moon. In between and is the word Deen, forming the complete word Madinah. It is as if Deen, i.e. religion has been centered in Madinah! Treating Nafs strictly Sayyiduna Abu Muhammad Murta ish has said, I have performed many ajj, mostly without provisions. Later on, I became aware that it was all the deception of my Nafs. I realized it when my mother ordered me to fill a pitcher with water and to bring it; my Nafs considered it a burden. Hence I understood that my Nafs made me bear the hardships of the Hajj-pilgrimage just to gain pleasure for 95

101 itself, deceiving me. If my Nafs had become absolutely obedient, it would not have considered it a great burden to fulfil a Shari ahdeclared right (i.e. obeying the mother.) Pleasure of desire for fame and respect makes it easy to bear the hardship of worship Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see? Our pious predecessors had excellent Madani mindset and were greatly humble. Some people meet and treat others with gentleness and politeness but deal with their own parents, siblings, wife and children with harshness and hardness, misbehaving towards them and hurting their feelings. What may be the reason for it? Showing good manners among others makes a person famous but there is only a faint hope that one will become famous by treating his own family members with good manners. This might be the reason why these types of people appear to be very nice among people. Similarly, this parable contains a great lesson for those Islamic brothers who enthusiastically participate in Mustahab deeds but show carelessness in Fard and Wajib deeds such as obeying parents, providing children with Shariah-complying upbringing and gaining Fard knowledge. It s a fact that the virtuous deeds that earn the doer fame are performed easily despite being difficult to be performed. This is because pleasure of fame and respect converts even the most difficult task into an easy one. Remember! Love for self-respect leads to doom. 96

102 Mentioned here are two sayings of the Revered and Renowned Rasool, giving a great piece of advice. 1. Avoid mingling (i.e. mixing) obedience to Allah with love for being praised by [His] bondmen in case your deeds get ruined. 2. Two hungry wolves do not cause as much destructiveness to a herd of goats as much destructiveness is caused by love for wealth and fame, to the religion of a Muslim. Important Madani pearls about love for self-respect Here are some Madani pearls about love for self-respect; presented with the help of the book Ihya-ul-Uloom (page 616 and 617 volume-3): Love for self-respect and ostentation is one of the deadliest inner deceptions, leading to doom and destructiveness. Scholars, worshippers and those treading the path of the hereafter are made to indulge in it. At times, these people perform acts of worship with great efforts, suppress the desires of their Nafs, refrain from apparent sins and even avoid doubtful things but they want to gain the pleasure of their Nafs by informing people about their pious and religious 97

103 activities and about their efforts to promote the call to righteousness. These types of people say, for example, I have done this and that; I have delivered speeches at so many places; I have already been booked for so many speeches or Na ats; I attended the Madani Mashwarah till late night; I am very tired and my voice is hoarse; I am a traveller of a Madani Qafilah, I have travelled with so many Madani Qafilahs or I have travelled to so many cities or countries to perform Madani activities, etc. These people inform others about their knowledge and deeds so that they gain respect, honour, fame and pleasure. When they become famous, their Nafs insists that they inform more and more people about their knowledge and deeds so that they gain more and more respect among people. Hence they try to find further ways to inform people about their knowledge and skills. They are not satisfied with the fact that the reward-granting Creator is aware of their deeds. Instead, they get pleased when praised by others. They are not satisfied with the praise given by the Creator. The Nafs of such a person knows very well that people will sing his praises and treat him with respect and honour when they become aware that so-and-so person suppresses the desires of his Nafs, refrains from doubtful things, spends a lot of money in the Divine path, bears severe hardships in performing acts of worship, sheds tears in fear of Allah and devotion to Mustafa, promotes Madani activities, expresses deep and desperate yearning for the reform of people, 98

104 travels and inspires others to travel with Madani Qafilahs frequently, observes the Madani lock of the tongue, the eyes and the stomach, delivers many Dars from Faizan-e-Sunnat every day, regularly attends Madrasa-tul-Madinah (for adults) and punctually participates in Sada-e-Madinah, Madani Daurah. Impressed with such a person, people will consider it a privilege to see and to meet him for the betterment of their afterlife. They will humbly request him to come to their shop or home, to make Du a there for blessings, to take tea or to have a meal with them. They will consider it a means of blessings in the worldly life and in the afterlife to follow his advice. Wherever they see him, they will serve him and say Salam to him. They will be eager to eat or to drink his leftover thing. In order to get the gift offered by him or the thing touched by him, they will try to get ahead of each other. They will kiss the thing given by him. They will kiss his hands and feet. They will talk to him in low tone using the titles such as your grace; my master etc. showing humility and honour to him. With their hands folded and head bowed, they will beseech him to pray for them. If he comes to attend any gathering, they will stand showing respect for him. They will request him to sit at a respectable place. They will stand in front of him with their hands folded, i.e. with great respect. They will not start eating unless he does. They will present gifts and money to him with humility. In his presence, they will demean themselves by humbly saying that they are his servants or slaves. They will show favour to him when selling anything to or purchasing anything 99

105 from him or when discussing any matter with him. They will either sell good quality item to him at a low price or will give it to him for free. They will help him do his work, showing respect for him. When people show reverence for anyone in these ways, his Nafs derives great pleasure from it. And this is the pleasure that dominates all other pleasures. In order to derive this pleasure from the reverence shown by people, he considers it very easy to give up sins. Even the Nafs of this person who has got the disease of love for respect asks him not to commit sins; otherwise, his admirers will no longer admire him. Hence, in order to continue to enjoy prestige among his admirers, he considers it very easy to bear the hardships of worship. His Nafs also encourages him to do so. This is because he gains immense inner pleasures, i.e. the pleasure of being revered by people. On the other hand, he has the wishful thinking that he is leading his life to please Allah. In fact, he is leading his life to gain the concealed pleasure of (love for respect and fame). Even extremely wise people are unable to detect this concealed pleasure. He is under the impression that he is sincere in worshipping Allah and in refraining from Divinely-declared Haram deeds. This is not correct. In effect, he is gaining great pleasure by means of beautification and sophistication. He is very much pleased with the respect and fame he is gaining. This results in the reward of worship and pious deeds 100

106 being ruined and his name being recorded among hypocrites. And this unwise person assumes that he has gained the closeness of Allah!. Madani pearls for those Hujjaj blowing their own trumpet Some wealthy people perform Hajj and Umrah again and again and they keep in mind the number of Hajj and Umrah they have performed. Without being asked and without any need, they inform others that they have performed Hajj and Umrah and have visited Madinah so many times. They do not realize that they may fall prey to ostentation. Entering the blessed Hateem is just like entering the Holy Ka bah and everyone can be blessed with it but nobody mentions that he entered Hateem. On the other hand, if anyone is blessed with entering the Ka bah through its door or with going beyond the Golden Grilles along with the prime minister of any country, he blows his own trumpet. Some people praise themselves by saying, we were granted whatever we asked for; every wish was fulfilled; we wished to meet so-and-so person, and we found him after a short while, etc. These people may get under the impression 101

107 that they will enhance their prestige by blowing their own trumpet in these ways, whereas it is not necessary. Some may have the impression that this type of Haji is describing his own miracle besides talking about sacred places. However, with the intention of expressing gratitude for a Divine bounty or motivating others, there is no harm in mentioning others Divinely-bestowed bounties. Anyway, it is necessary for everyone to ponder over his intention before he talks about anything. If talking brings about betterment in his afterlife, he should talk or else he should remain silent. The Beloved Rasool has said: One who believes in Allah and the judgment day should talk about something good or should remain silent. Is it sin to tell that one has performed Hajj and Umrah so many times? Telling that one has performed Hajj and Umrah certain times is not a sin in every case. It is stated in a Hadees Deeds are dependent upon intentions. With the intention of expressing gratitude for a Divine favour bestowed upon a person, if he informs others that he has performed Hajj and Umrah certain times, there is no harm in it. However, in the present era, it is very difficult to rectify one s intention and to avoid the danger of ostentation due to lack of religious knowledge and of the company of righteous people. Suppose! Without being asked, 102

108 you inform anyone that you have performed two Hajj. He asks you, Why did you tell it to me? If you nervously tell him that you have informed him to express gratitude for a Divine bounty, he may get silent but you should ponder whether you had really intended to express gratitude for a Divine bounty or not while telling that you performed two Hajj. If you had this intention, then it is fine; otherwise, you will end up committing the sin of lying. Furthermore, it may also lead to hypocrisy because of saying something that is contrary to [against] one s feelings and thoughts. If he had the intention of ostentation in his heart while telling it, he will be charged with double ostentation because of declaring an ostentatious act to be a means of expressing gratitude for a Divine bounty. Anyway, it is a Madani request that everyone should observe the Qufl-e-Madinah of the tongue because an apparently minor-looking slip of the tongue may lead to Hell. Two Hajj unnecessarily revealed A renowned Muhaddi Sayyiduna Sufyan Sauri was invited by a person to his home. He accepted the invitation and reached his home. The host said to his servant: Bring food in the pots which I brought on the occasion of my second ajj. Listening to him, Sayyiduna Sufyan Sauri said: O Miskeen (i.e. a destitute person)! You have lost two ajj by saying one sentence. 103

109 Hide your good deeds There is a matter of concern for those who unnecessarily inform others about the number of Hajj and Umrah they have performed, about the recitation of the Holy Quran they have made, about Salat Alan Nabi and other Awrad they have recited. (The seekers of sincerity should listen to the audio cassette Hide your good deeds released by Maktaba-tul- Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami.) Those who unnecessarily call themselves aji, Qari, Hafiz should also ponder what they want to gain by announcing that they have performed ajj or that they have gained expertise in Qirat or that they are Hafiz. However, if people themselves call such people aji, Qari or Hafiz, so there is no harm in it. It is also noteworthy that one should think positive about the number of Hajj performed by blessed saints. Either their respected servants narrated these things or they may have themselves mentioned it in order to express gratitude for a Divine bounty. The intention of these saints, who are the embodiment of sincerity, is definitely not to earn fame or to enhance their prestige. It should 104

110 also be kept in mind that if a Haji mentions the number of the Hajj etc. he has performed, we are still not allowed to call him an ostentatious person because Allah knows the intention of his heart. We must have a positive opinion about such people. 77. Dialogue between saint and Satan On the day of Hajj, a saint saw Satan in the form of a human being in the plain of Arafat. Weak and pale-faced, Satan was weeping with his back broken. When asked by the saint about the reason of his weeping, Satan replied: Since these Hajis have gathered here for the pleasure of Allah, they will not be humiliated by Him. I am afraid that all of them may be forgiven! He said that the reason of his weakness was the neighing of the horses of the people who travelled in the path of Allah. He also said regretfully, If these travellers (of the Divine path) were following my path (that is full of negligence and sins), I would like it very much. Telling the reason of his pale face, he said that the help people give to each other in performing acts of worship has turned his pale. When the blessed saint asked him how he had broken his back, Satan replied, When a person makes Du a to Allah : Ya Allah! Bless me with a good end at the time of my death, so I am 105

111 shocked to hear it. I wish that he would consider his pious deed to be important, bragging and boasting about it so that he get doomed. I also fear that he might realize that one should not be proud of their good deeds and should be humble seeking the mercy of Allah. 78. Humiliation of the person desiring for high rank A saint said: I saw a mule-rider in Makkah Mukarramah between Safa and Marwah. Some of his slaves were shouting out: Make way! Make way! After some period of time, I saw the same person in Baghdad, long-haired, barefooted and sad. I asked him in surprise, What did Allah do with you? He replied, I desired for greatness in that place (i.e. Makkah Mukarramah) where people desire humbleness, so Allah humiliated me in that place where people achieve greatness. 79. I wish for Hajj, not money Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz once said to his slave Muzahim, I wish to perform Hajj; do you have any money? He replied that he had a little more than 10 dinars. Sayyiduna Umar 106

112 Bin Abdul Aziz said, How can Hajj-expenses be met with so little amount? After a few days, Muzahim said: O Ameerul-Mu`mineen! Get ready; we have got 17 thousand dinars (gold coins) from the wealth of Banu Marwan. He said, Deposit them in the Bait-ul-Mal [i.e. the treasury]. If these are Halal, we have already taken as many as we needed. If these are Haraam, we do not need anything out of them. Feeling that it was disappointing to Muzahim, Ameer-ul- Mu`mineen said, Muzahim! Look! If I do anything for the pleasure of Allah, you should not consider it a burden. My Nafs prefers to have the best thing. Even after achieving any rank, it made its efforts to get a higher rank than that. Among the official positions, the highest is Khilafat that my Nafs has already obtained. Now it is only desirous for paradise. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 107

113 Dear Islamic brothers! The above parable contains a lesson for those who accumulate wealth through unfair means such as bribes, interest, gambling, fraud and lying when doing business etc. They perform ajj with the same wealth, assuming that they have achieved something very great. Beware! This is not an achievement but rather it is a matter of great concern which may result in catastrophic 1 consequences. It is stated in a Hadees, When the person who has come to perform Hajjwith araam earnings, utters, Allah says to that person, Neither your is accepted nor is your effort acknowledged, and your Hajj is thrown onto your face, unless you return the Haraam earnings that are in your possession, to the deserving people. 80. Popular caliph Renown and popularity are a big honour. Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz obtained it by virtue of his good manners and justice. On the occasion of ajj, when Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz arrived at the plain of Arafat, he became the 1 i.e. disastrous 108

114 centre of attention. Sayyiduna Suhail Bin Abi Salih was also present in the crowd. He said to his father in a humble manner, By Allah! I think Allah loves Umar Bin Abdul Aziz. His father asked the reason for it. He replied that people respect him from the bottom of their heart. He then mentioned a Hadees: The Beloved Rasool said, When Allah loves a person, so He says to Jibra`eel that I love so and so person; therefore you also love him. Hence Jibra`eel loves him. He [i.e. Jibra`eel ] then announces among the skydwellers that Allah loves so and so person, so you also love him. Hence the sky-dwellers start loving him and then Allah makes him highly popular in the world. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 109

115 81. Female Bedouin It is stated on page 339, 340 and 341 of the 397-page book Questions and Answers about Islamic Veil published by Maktabatul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: Sayyiduna Sulayman Bin Yasar was a very pious, Almighty-fearing and extremely handsome young man. During Hajj-pilgrimage, he was alone in his tent in Abwa - a place. His travelling-companion had gone out to get some food. Suddenly a Burqa1 -wearing female Bedouin entered his tent and removed her face-veil. Her beauty was causing great mischief. She said, Give me something. At first, he thought she was asking for some bread, but then she said, I want what a wife wants from her husband. He trembled with fear of Allah and said, The devil has sent you to me. After saying this, he cried loudly with his head on his knees. The veiled female Bedouin rushed out of the tent in fear. When his companion returned and saw that his eyes were swollen and throat was sore due to excessive crying, he asked him what had happened. At first, he hesitated but on his companion s constant insistence, he told him the whole story. His friend also burst out crying. He asked, Why are you crying? The friend replied, I should cry even more, because if I were you I would perhaps not be patient (and would perhaps commit the sin). 1 A type of veil that covers the entire body from head to feet. 110

116 Both of them continued to cry. Eventually, they reached Makka-tul-Mukarramah. After completing Tawaf and Sa ee, Sayyiduna Sulayman Bin Yasar sat in the Hatim of the Ka bah with his shawl wrapped around his knees. He dozed off and had a dream, in which he saw an incredibly handsome personage who was of considerable height and was dressed in beautiful clothing. Sayyiduna Sulayman Bin Yasar asked, Who are you? He answered, I am (the Nabi of Allah ) Yusuf. He said, O Nabi of Allah ( ) your story with Zulaykha is very strange. He replied, Your incident at Abwa with that Bedouin woman is even stranger. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. Dear Islamic brothers! You must have noticed! How cunningly Satan plots to pull Hajj-pilgrims towards the mire of sins during the blessed Hajj-pilgrimage. Indeed very pure and pious is the character of those devotees of Rasool who turn the attack of Satan into a failure; as is shown in the above parable. Sayyiduna Sulayman Bin Yasar rejected a female Bedouin who had herself come to 111

117 seduce him. He even burst out crying in Divine fear, as a result of which Sayyiduna Yusuf encouraged him in the state of dream. Anyhow, goodness of both worlds lies in avoiding the devil s tempting trap. Even if a man or woman seduces anyone, and tempts them to sin a thousand times, no matter what happens, one should protect oneself from satanic deception and should reap rich rewards. 82. Abundantly weeping Haji Sayyiduna Mukhawwal stated: Sayyiduna Buhaym Ijli told me that he intentioned to go on the ajj-pilgrimage and wanted someone to travel with him as a companion. Therefore, I persuaded a neighbour of mine to travel with him during the Hajjpilgrimage. The next day, my neighbour came to me and said that he could not travel with Sayyiduna Buhaym. I said in surprise, By Allah! I have never seen a man of such a good character in entire Kufa city; why do you want to deprive yourself of his company? He replied that he had heard that he [i.e. Sayyiduna Buhaym ] often weeps and he [i.e. my neighbour] would 112

118 not be able to have a pleasant pilgrimage with him. I advised him that Sayyiduna Buhaym was a very good saint and his company would be extremely beneficial for him. Anyway, my neighbour agreed. When luggage was being loaded onto the camels at the time of departure, Sayyiduna Buhaym Ijli started weeping, sitting near a wall. Even his blessed beard and chest got wet with tears falling onto the ground. My neighbour nervously said to me, You can see his condition! It is just the beginning of the pilgrimage. What would happen later on? Allah knows it better! Making an individual effort, I said to him: Don t worry! He may be weeping because of being away from his family during the journey. He may feel relieved after the journey starts. Sayyiduna Buhaim Ijli heard what I had said. So he said: By Allah! There is no such problem. In fact, this journey made me think of the journey of the hereafter. Saying this, he began to cry once again, screaming. Confused, my neighbour once again said: How will I be able to travel with him. He should travel with Sayyiduna Dawood Tai and Sayyiduna Abul Akhwas because these two individuals also weep a lot. They will enjoy the company of each other and will weep together. I encouraged my neighbour once again and finally they went on the pilgrimage. Sayyiduna Mukhawwal related: After they 113

119 returned from Hajj, I went to meet my neighbour who had now become a Haji. He remarked, May Allah bless you! I have never seen such a person before. I am wealthy and he is poor but still he spent a lot of money on fulfilling my needs. He is old and I am young, but still he would observe Sawm and cook food for me. He would look after me very much. I [i.e. the narrator] said, You were worried about his weeping. What do you say now? He replied: In the beginning, I and other members of the Qafilah would get afraid of his weeping but we also gradually started weeping by the blessing of his company. We all would weep along with him. Sayyiduna Mukhawwal said that he then went to meet Sayyiduna Buhaym Ijli and asked him about his neighbour Haji. He said, He was a very good companion. He would recite the Holy Quran, remember Allah abundantly and shed tears very quickly. May Allah bless you with a reward! May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 114

120 83. Amazing well-wishing of Hajis A renowned saint Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn-e-Mubarak intended to perform Hajj. Many devotees of Rasool also got prepared to get the privilege of Hajj with him. Receiving expenses from all of them, he put them into a box, saving them. He then hired carriages for everyone from his own pocket and the caravan travelled towards the Holy Haram. He would serve delicious meal to the members of the caravan from his own pocket. When the caravan arrived in Baghdad, he bought very nice dresses and plenty of food for everyone. The caravan eventually arrived in Madinah Munawwarah travelling through various places. He bought things from Madinah and gave them to each companion, fulfilling the wish of their family members. The Qafilah then reached Makkah. They performed the rites of Hajj. After the Hajj, he bought holy relics etc. from his own pocket and gave them to all of his companions. Even when returning, he spent huge amount of money serving the devotees of Rasool all the way. After the Qafilah returned to its country, he had their homes plastered and painted wherever there was a need for it. After three days, he invited all the Hajis of his Qafilah and gave them elegant dresses as souvenirs 115

121 (gifts). After all of them ate food, he had the box brought. Opening the box, he gave each and every Haji the full amount deposited by them. 84. Generosity of Imam Shaafi i during pilgrimage to Haram Dear Islamic brothers! You must have noticed! Our saints were extraordinarily generous. The Greatest and Noblest has stated: Allah has bestowed good Rasool manners and generosity upon His every Wali. It is narrated: When Sayyiduna Imam Shaafi i came to Makkah Mukarramah from San a (a city in Yaman), he had dirhams. He set up his camp outside Makkah Mukarramah. Then, spreading his shawl, he put all the money on it. Picking up a handful of dirhams, he gave to anyone who came. Having performed Zuhr Salah, he shook out his shawl and there was no dirham on it. 116

122 85. Why shouldn t I weep? Sayyiduna Imam Muhammad Baqir came to to perform Hajj. Entering the Masjid-ul-Haraam, he took a glance at the Holy Ka bah and wept bitterly and loudly. Someone said to him, Your grace! People are looking at you in surprise; please do not weep so loudly. He replied, Why should I not weep! Perhaps, I would be blessed with divine mercy and absolution on the Day of Judgment because of this weeping. Performing Tawaf, he then offered Salah at Maqam-e- Ibrahim. When he lifted his head from Sajdah, the place of Sajdah was wet with his tears. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake 117

123 86. Falling unconscious whilst reciting Labbayk ( ) When Sayyiduna Imam Zayn-ul- Aabidin put on Ihram with the intention of performing Hajj, his face turned pale and he could not utter Labbayk ( ). People asked him, Why don t you recite Labbaik? He replied, I fear that I get the reply La- Labbayk ( )! People said, It is necessary to recite Labbayk after putting on Ihram. As he recited Labbayk, he fell from his carriage and became unconscious. He remained in the same condition throughout the pilgrimage of Hajj. Whenever he recited Labbayk, he would get unconscious. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 118

124 87. Disabled Haji Sayyiduna Shaqeeq Balkhi has stated, On my way to Makka-tul-Mukarramah, I saw a disabled person dragging himself on the ground. I asked him where he was coming from. He replied that he was coming from Samarqand. I further asked him how long he had been travelling in this way (for Hajj). He replied, For more than ten years. I looked at him in amazement. Seeing me in amazement, he asked, O Shaqeeq! What are you looking at? I replied, It amazes me that how you would be able to cover such a long journey in this state of weakness. Listening to this, he said, O Shaqeeq! My enthusiasm will shorten the distance of the journey and my Creator will remove my weakness. O Shaqeeq! You are amazed at the condition of this weak slave; the Creator of this slave is leading him to his destination. Having said this, he recited two couplets whose translation is as follows: 119

125 1. 2. O my Lord, I am coming to behold You. Although the journey of love is indeed very difficult, eagerness helps the person whom wealth does not assist. He is indeed not a true devotee who fears the danger of the journey and neither is he a true lover who has been prevented from travelling because of the hardship of the journey. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 88. Sacrifice of life in path of Allah Sayyiduna Maalik Bin Dinar has stated: While on my way to Makka-tul-Mukarramah for ajj along with a caravan, I came across a young man who did not have any conveyance, and was travelling on foot without any provisions. 120

126 Approaching the young man, I said Salam which he replied. I then asked him, O young man! Where have you come from? He replied, I am coming from Him (i.e. Allah ). When I asked where he was going to, he replied the same, I am going towards Him (i.e. Allah ). I asked: Where are your provisions? He replied: Fulfilment of my needs depend upon the mercy of Allah. I said, You would not be able to cover such a long journey without water and other provisions; do you have anything to meet your needs during the journey? He replied, I took five letters as my provisions for the journey while leaving my home. Sayyiduna Maalik Bin Dinar goes onto say, I asked him Which letters? He replied, The Quranic letters Kaf, Ha, Ya, Ain and Saad ( ). When I asked what is meant by these letters, he replied, Kaf means Kafi (i.e. fulfiller of needs), Ha means Hadi (guider), Ya means the one who gives refuge, Ain means Alim (the one who knows) and Saad means Sadiq (truthful). Therefore, the one whose companion is the fulfiller of needs, guider, provider of refuge, knower and truthful, how can he fear the dangers and hardships of the journey and why should he bother to carry the burden of food and water! 121 Sayyiduna Maalik Bin Dinar stated, Impressed by what he said, I presented him my Qamees [i.e. a long, loose and full

127 sleeved shirt] which he refused to accept and said, O Shaykh! Remaining naked is better than wearing the shirt of this (mortal) world because one will face accountability for availing its Halal things and torment for indulging in its Haraam things. When night fell, he looked at the sky and began to plead in these words, O the One who gets pleased with the good deeds of His bondmen and who can never be harmed by their sins! Bless me with that which makes You pleased and forgive that which cannot cause any harm to You. Putting on Ihram, when people uttered Labbayk ( ), he remained silent. I asked him why he did not utter Labbayk, he replied, I fear that my Labbayk will not be accepted, depriving me of good fortune; I also fear that Allah would neither listen to me nor look (mercifully) at me. He then left and I could not see him throughout the way. When I reached Mina, I found him reciting some Arabic couplets whose translation is as follows: 1. Without doubt, my Beloved likes sacrifice; therefore, my life is ready to be sacrificed for Him within and outside aram. 2. By Allah, if only my soul knows whom it loves, it will stand on its head instead of its feet. 122

128 criticizer! Do not criticize me just because of my devotion to Him. If you see what I see, you would never ever criticize me. On the day of Eid, people are sacrificing goats, sheep and camels, while my Beloved will sacrifice me on this day. People have performed Hajj, whereas my Hajj is to meet my Beloved. People have offered Him their sacrifices, while I have offered Him my life and blood as a sacrificial gift. He then began to supplicate in a beseeching manner, O Allah, people have offered You their sacrifices, gaining Your closeness. I have nothing except for my life which I can offer as a sacrifice to attain Your closeness. Please accept my sacrifice. Then, uttering a loud cry, he fell on the ground and passed away. Sayyiduna Malik Bin Dinar stated that a voice was heard from Ghayb, He is a beloved bondman of Allah. He has been killed by the sword of Divine love. Then, Sayyiduna Malik Bin Dinar performed his funeral rites. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 123

129 89. Mysterious Haji Sayyiduna Bishr Hafi has stated that he saw a person in Arafat who was reciting some Arabic couplets crying with extreme humility and sadness. The translation of the couplets is as follows: The One who is free of all shortcomings. If we make our eyes perform Sajdah on thorns and hot needles, even then, we will never be able to fulfil even the slightest right of Your favours. The One who is Pure! I committed a lot of mistakes; I remained heedless while committing these mistakes and misdeeds. Yet, O Lord, You have remembered me. I exposed my faults committing countless sins in ignorance many times, but You always blessed me with Your kindness hiding my faults. Sayyiduna Bishr Hafi has stated that the person then disappeared from his sight. When he asked people who the pious person was, they replied that he was Sayyiduna Abu 124

130 Ubaydah Khawas. One of his pious attributes was that he had not looked at the sky for the past seventy years out of fear from Allah. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 90. Haji without performing Hajj Sayyiduna Rabi Bin Sulayman has stated: I and my brother were on our way to Makka-tul-Mukarramah along with a caravan to perform Hajj. Having reached Kufa, I went to the marketplace to purchase things for the journey. Meanwhile, I noticed a deserted place where a dead animal was lying and a woman dressed in tattered clothes was cutting off meat from the carcass of the animal with a knife. She was cutting the meat into pieces and placing them in her basket. Considering her an innkeeper and suspecting that she would feed people the meat of this carrion, I followed her to see as to what she would do with the meat. 125

131 She reached a home and knocked at the door. A voice came from inside the home, Who s at the door? She replied, Open the door, it is me, your destitute mother. When the door opened, there were four girls in extremely poor and miserable condition. Keeping the basket of meat in front of the girls, she said whilst weeping, Cook this meat and thank Allah who has omnipotence over His bondmen as well as over the hearts of people. Cutting the meat into smaller pieces, the girls began to cook it over the fire. Saddened by observing this pitiable condition, I said, O the servant of Allah! Do not eat this meat. Listening to my voice, the woman asked, Who are you? I replied, I am a foreigner. She said, O man! We are at the mercy of our fate; there has been no breadwinner at our home since the last three years; what do you have to do with us? I replied, Eating the meat of carrion is not permissible in any religion except for a sect of the fire-worshippers. She said, We are the descendants of the Holy Rasool. The father of these girls was very pious and wanted to marry them to pious men but his dream did not come true as he passed away. We have run out of the bequest which he left. We are fully aware that eating the 126

132 meat of carrion is not permissible, but it gets permissible in the state of Idtirar 1. We have not eaten anything for four days. Listening to the heartrending story of the descendants of the Holy Rasool, I began to weep spontaneously. I returned weeping anxiously and informed my brother that I no longer had the intention of going to perform Hajj. He tried to persuade me, reminding me of the excellence of Hajj such as the Haji returns in such a state that all of his sins are forgiven etc., but my intention had changed. I went to the marketplace along with my clothing, Ihram shawls and 600 dirham, bought flour for 100 dirhams, clothes for another 100 dirham and hid the rest of 400 dirhams in the flour. Thereafter, I went to the home of that lady and gave all the things to her. She thanked Allah and made this Du a for me: O Ibn-e- Sulayman! May Allah forgive all of your past and future sins, 1 It is stated on page 373 of the 3 rd volume of the book Bahar-e-Shari at : Ruling 1: If a person is faced with Idtirar, i.e. his life is in danger and he cannot find something Halal to eat, he must save his life by eating anything Haram or carrion or anything that belongs to any other person. He will not be questioned about eating these things in this case. In fact, if he does not eat and dies as a result, he will be questioned. However, he will have to pay fine in case of eating the thing belonging to any other person. Ruling 2: If a person fears death due to thirst, it is Fard for him to save his life by drinking anything. If water is not accessible but alcohol is available and he knows that his life will be saved by drinking alcohol, he must drink it as much as the fear of death is dispelled. 127

133 bless you with the reward of performing ajj, an abode in Paradise and such a recompense that become obvious to you! The eldest daughter prayed: May Allah bless you with double recompense and forgive your sins! The second daughter supplicated: May Allah grant you a lot more than what you have given to us! The third daughter made supplication: May Allah raise you on the Day of Judgment in the company of our maternal grandfather (i.e. the Holy Rasool )! The youngest daughter prayed: O Allah! Bless him with a better and quicker recompense and forgive his past and future sins! I then returned. The caravan of ujjaj left for Makka-tul- Mukarramah and I had to stay in Kufa. Having performed ajj, people returned. I wished to request any Haji to make supplication for me hoping that his prayer may be answered for me. As I saw the caravan of Hujjaj approaching, I was extremely sad on remaining deprived of performing Hajj, and tears welled up in my eyes. When I met Hujjaj, I prayed for them, May Allah accept your Hajj and bless you with a better recompense for the money you spent in His path! One of the Hujjaj asked me expressing surprise, Why this supplication? I replied, It is the supplication of the one who remained deprived of getting to his destination even after approaching it. He said, It is certainly very strange that you are denying being there. Were you not with us in Arafat? Did you not 128

134 throw stones at Satan with us? Did you not perform Tawafwith us? Listening to all this, I thought that it is the bounty and mercy of Allah. Meanwhile, the caravan of my city also turned up. Welcoming them warmly, I wished them the acceptance of their Hajj and efforts, but they also asked me in surprise, What has happened to you and why are you talking like this! Were you not with us in Arafat? Did you not perform Rami of Jamarat with us? One of them approached me and said, Brother! Why are you denying now? What is the matter? Were you not with us in Makkah and Madinah? Look! It is the pouch which you entrusted to me due to crowd while coming out of Bab Jibra`eel after visiting the blessed court of the Holy Rasool ; it is written on the pouch ( ) He who makes a deal with us, gains benefit. Saying this, he handed over the pouch to me. Sayyiduna Rabi stated, By Allah! I had never seen the pouch before. Anyway, I took it. Having offered Isha alah and recited my invocations, I lay down; lost in thought about the situation. In the same condition, I fell asleep and was blessed with beholding the Holy Rasool in my dream. I presented my Salam to the Beloved Rasool and got the privilege of kissing his hand. The Holy Rasool replied my Salam, smiling. 129

135 Then, the Holy Rasool said, O Rabi! How many witnesses should I send to you to prove that you have performed Hajj; you do not yet believe! Listen! The thing is, when you sold your provisions and postponed Hajj in order to assist the lady who is one of my descendants, I prayed to Allah that He give you its recompense. Allah created an angel resembling you and commanded him to perform Hajj on your behalf every year till the Day of Judgment. As for your worldly recompense, Allah has given you 600 dinar (gold coins) in exchange for your 600 dirham (silver coins). Thereafter, the Holy Rasool uttered the same words written on the pouch ( ) He who makes a deal with us, gains benefit. Sayyiduna Rabi has stated, When I awoke and opened the pouch, I found 600 gold dinars in it. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake! 130

136 91. ajj of Shaykh Shibli When Sayyiduna Shibli reached Arafat, he remained silent altogether. He did not utter even a single word till sunset. When he passed Milain Akhdarain during Sa ee, tears welled up in his eyes and he recited the following couplets in Arabic, crying. The translation of the couplets is as follows: 1. I am walking in such a state that I have set the seal of Your love on my heart so that no one else can enter it. 2. If only I were able enough to keep my eyes closed until I would see You! 3. When tears well up in the eyes and stream down the face, it becomes obvious who is really weeping and who is just acting. 131

137 May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake! 92. Only Six out of six hundred thousands Sayyiduna Abu Abdullah Jauhri has stated that one year he was present in Arafat. He fell asleep and had a dream in which he saw two angels who had come down from the sky. One of the angels asked the other how many people performed Hajj that year. The other angel replied that six hundred thousand people performed Hajj that year but only six persons Hajj was accepted. (Sayyiduna Abu Abdullah Jauhri stated) listening to it, I got extremely sad and wanted to cry bitterly. Meanwhile, the other angel asked what Allah did with the people whose Hajj was not accepted. The first angel replied, Merciful Allah has graced all of them, accepting the ajj of six hundred thousand people for the sake of the accepted Hajj of these 132

138 six Hajis. It is grace of Allah. He graces and blesses whomsoever He wants. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake. 93. Grapes bestowed from Ghayb Sayyiduna Lays Bin Sa d has stated, In 113 A.H., I reached Makka-tul-Mukarramah on foot in order to perform ajj. After Salat-ul- Ar I climbed up the mountain Abi Qubays 1 where I found a saint making supplication. He uttered so many times. Then, he uttered. (O Creator) 1 Mountain Ab Qubays is situated outside Masjid-ul-arm opposite Rukn-e-Aswad. It is said that it is the very first mountain of the world and it is also said that the miracle of Shaq-qul-Qamar (splitting of the moon) also took place on it. 133

139 Similarly, he uttered in one breath. He then uttered after which he uttered and then he uttered. After that, he said, Ya Allah! I desire to eat grapes; provide me with grapes, my shawls have also become old. Sayyiduna Lays stated, By Allah! At the very same moment, I saw a basket full of grapes beside him despite the fact that grapes were perhaps not available anywhere in the world at that time. Further, I also saw two new shawls near him. When he started eating the grapes, I requested him to let me also eat. He asked Why? I replied that I uttered Amin while he was making supplication. Therefore, he let me eat but forbade me to take any grape with me. Therefore, I also started eating with him. The grapes were seedless and were so tasty that I had never eaten before. I ate grapes till I was full; but surprisingly, the basket was still full of grapes. Then, he offered me one of the shawls which I did not accept as I did not need it. He then asked me to go aside so that he 134

140 could put on the shawls. I went to a side and he wore one of the shawls as Tahband 1 and the other on his arms and back. Thereafter, taking the old shawls in his hands, he descended from the mountain; I also followed him. When we reached in between afa and Marwah, a needy person said to him, O the son of the Rasool! Give this clothing to me; may Allah bless you with heavenly clothing! He gave both the shawls to the needy person. I approached that person and asked him who the saint was. The person replied that the saint was Sayyiduna Imam Ja far Sadiq. Listening to it, I ran towards him so that I could seek advice from him and gain benefit but regretfully, I could not find him again. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! Tahband is a piece of shawl worn to cover the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles.

141 Four Parables of Ladies 94. A female devotee of Rasool passed away, crying A woman came to Sayyidatuna Ayesha Siddiqah and requested her to let her see the blessed grave of the Beloved Rasool. Sayyidatuna Ayesha Siddiqah opened the sacred Hujra (room) and that female devotee of Rasool saw the blessed grave. She then wept so much that she passed away. May Allah have mercy on her and forgive us without any accountability for her sake. 136

142 95. Mother of Believers refused to perform Nafl Hajj The mother of believers, Sayyidatuna Sauda had already performed the Fard Hajj. When asked whether she wanted to perform Nafl Hajj and Umrah so she replied, I have performed the Fard Hajj. My Lord has commanded me to stay at home. By Allah! Now only my bier 1 would come out of my home, not me. The narrator stated: By Allah! Since then, she never came out of her home until her demise. The above parable contains countless Madani pearls of precaution for Islamic sisters. Sayyidatuna Sauda lived in a great era of Islam when veil used to be observed everywhere. Even then she did not like to come out of her home with veil. On the other hand, these days, non-observance of veil is widespread. How great care should be taken in these circumstances can be realized by every wise Islamic sister. These days, even during Hajj and Umrah, the mingling of men and women is quite common. Therefore, those ladies willing to travel to perform Umrah and Nafl Hajj should greatly ponder over it. 1 i.e. a frame on which a dead body is placed or carried at a funeral. 137

143 96. Hajj of all was accepted by blessing of female ajjperformer Sayyidatuna Rabi a Adawiyyah went on the Hajjpilgrimage barefooted. She would give others the food Allah bestowed upon her. As she came near the Holy Ka bah, she fell, unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she touched her cheek to the blessed Ka bah and said humbly, Ya Allah! This is a refuge for Your bondmen You love. O my Lord! There are no more tears in my eyes now. She then performed Tawaf and Sa ee. When she intended to go to Arafat, her periods started. She humbly said, crying: O My Lord and Creator! If anyone else except You had made me suffer from it, I would certainly have complained to You of it. But I have suffered from it because You ordained it. Hence I can never complain. She heard a voice from Ghayb: O Rabia! We have accepted the Hajj of all Hajis because of you. We have also forgiven their shortcomings by virtue of this shortcoming of yours. May Allah have mercy upon her and forgive us without accountability for her sake! 138

144 97. Blind old woman travelled on foot for Hajj Sayyiduna unnun Miri has said that Sayyidatuna Umm-e-Dab was a righteous worshipper. She would travel to Makkah Mu azzamah from Madinah Munawwarah for Hajj on foot every year. At the age of ninety, she lost her eyesight. When the beautiful season of Hajj started, some female Hajjpilgrims came to meet her before departure. Overwhelmed and anxious, she beseeched in the court of the Forgiving Lord: O Allah! I swear by Your Glory! I lost my eyesight but I have not lost enthusiasm for Your house. I wish to be present in Your court. Then, making the intention of Ihram, she went on the Hajjpilgrimage along with the Hajj-caravan, reciting. She would walk ahead of other women and would surpass them. Sayyiduna Zunnun Misri stated: I was very much amazed to see her enthusiasm. Suddenly, a voice from Ghayb was heard: O Zunnun! Are you amazed to see the old woman who is enthusiastic about humbly visiting the House of her Lord? Allah 139

145 enabled and empowered her to reach His house, bestowing grace upon her. May Allah have mercy on her and forgive us without any accountability for her sake. 98. Father of A la Hadrat was particularly invited The father of A la Hadrat Maulana Shah Imam Amad Raza Khan Allamah Maulana Mufti Naqi Ali Khan was a great scholar, a brilliant Mufti and a sincere devotee of Rasool. It is true that there is a difference between going to Madinah and being invited to Madinah. He was one of those fortunate ones who were especially invited to Madinah. In his dream, he once saw the Revered and Renowned Rasool who ordered him to 140

146 come to Madinah. Therefore, despite the fact that he was ill and weak, he made preparations and travelled towards Haram along with a few friends. Considering his illness, some of his admirers suggested that he postpone the pilgrimage until the next year but he refused, saying: Let me just step out of my home with the intention of going to Madinah; no matter my soul then leaves my body. Showing affection for his sincere devotee, the Beloved Rasool bestowed upon him medicine in a bowl in the state of dream. He took the medicine and his condition was improved so much that nothing could prevent him from performing the rites of Hajj. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 141

147 99. Real wish is to visit the blessed court After A la Hadrat Shah Imam Amad Raza Khan performed the rites of his second Hajj, he became severely ill. He stated: During my prolonged illness, I was concerned about humbly visiting the blessed court of the Blessed Rasool rather than about my illness. When I noticed that my fever had prolonged, I intended to visit the blessed court in the same condition but scholars tried to prevent me, saying: How will you be able to complete such a long journey in this condition? A la Hadrat replied, If you ask me to express my feelings, I will tell you that the main purpose of my pilgrimage is to behold the blessed court of the Blessed Rasool. I started my pilgrimage both times with the same intention. Allah forbid! If there is no such intention, then there is no bliss and spirituality in Hajj. They insisted once again, reminding me of my illness. I described the Hadees: The one who performed Hajj and did not behold me is unfair to me. They said: You beheld the blessed court last time. I responded: In my opinion, this Hadees does not mean that one should behold the blessed court of Blessed Rasool only once even if he performs Hajj many times in his lifetime. Instead, I consider it necessary to behold the blessed court each time a person performs Hajj. You now pray that I reach the blessed 142

148 court of my Master. If only I catch a glimpse of the blessed court; no matter I then meet my death Imam Ahmad Raza and beholding the Beloved Rasool Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, Mujaddid-e-Deen-o-Millat Maulana Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan was a sincere devotee of the Holy Rasool and a great Islamic scholar who possessed expertise in more or less hundred branches of knowledge. Acknowledging the great religious services of A la Hadrat, the eminent scholars of Makkah and Madinah gave him the title of the Mujaddid (i.e. reviver) of religion in the fourteenth century. He made a vital contribution by purifying Islamic beliefs from corrupt beliefs and worked tirelessly to revive Sunnah. 143

149 Furthermore, the candle of devotion to Rasool was flickering. He brightly lighted it once again in the hearts of people. No doubt, he held the spiritual rank of Fana-fir-Rasool 1. When he was privileged to perform Hajj and to humbly visit Madina-tul-Munawwarah for the second time, he continued to recite Salat- Alan-Nabi the entire night in front of the sacred Muwajahah with a desperate wish to behold the Holy Rasool in wakefulness. On the first night, he was not predestined to be blessed with this privilege. On the second night, he humbly came in front of the sacred Muwajahah where the grief of separation made him anxious. He presented a Na at. Some of the couplets of the Na at are as follows: 1 One who has devoted his life to obedience, reverence and affection for Rasool. 144

150 (In the last couplet, A la Hadrat has used the word dog for himself, expressing humility in the blessed court. In place of it, the admirers of A la Hadrat write and say the word Mangta i.e. seeker or Shayda i.e. devotee in respect. Following them, I have also written the word Shayda in respect and this is quite correct.) Anyway, he continued to recite Salat and Salam in the court of the Beloved Rasool. At last, wait ended and his fortune smiled on him. The Revered and Renowned Rasool showed great benevolence to his true devotee who was blessed with beholding his Beloved Master with his eyes in the state of complete wakefulness. May Allah have mercy upon him forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 145

151 Dear Islamic brothers! We should all foster love for the Holy Nabi in our hearts with a strong wish to behold him.! A time will come when our fortune will also smile on us and he will show benevolence to us Manner in which Allamah Yusuf Bin Isma il Nabhani respected blessed tomb of Rasool The caliph of A la Hadrat Allamah Abu Yusuf Muhammad Shareef Muhaddis Kotlavi has said: I was once privileged to perform Hajj. During my stay in Madinah, I was beholding the Green Dome when I saw a white-bearded and a bright-faced saint near the Bab-us-Salam. He was sitting respectfully [as one sits in 146

152 Qa dah during Salah] facing the Green Dome and was reciting something. When I asked about him, I was informed that he was Sayyiduna Shaykh Yusuf Bin Isma il Nabhani - a renowned Islamic scholar and a great devotee of Rasool. Impressed with his respectable personality and luminosity of his face, I sat close to him and tried to converse with him but he did not pay attention towards me. I then said to him, I have come from India and I have read your books and. I am an admirer of yours. Listening to this, he stretched his hand towards me and shook hands with me. I said humbly to him, Your Highness! Why are you sitting so far away from the blessed grave? He replied with tearful eyes, I am not able enough to go near the blessed grave. Thereafter, I would go to his home occasionally. He granted me the permission to narrate Hadees. Allamah Shaykh Ziyauddin Ahmad Madani said, The wife of Allamah Yusuf Nabhani was privileged to behold the Beloved Rasool 84 times. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake! 147

153 102. Pr Maher Ali Shah sahib saw Beloved Rasool at the amra valley Pr Maher Ali Shah sahib has stated: During the pilgrimage to Madinah, I missed the Sunnah Salah of Salat-ul-Isha at the Hamra valley for fear of being attacked by robbers. Discontinuing his teaching activities at Madrasah Saulatiyyah, Maulvi Muhammad Ghazi who had a good opinion of me also travelled with me in order to serve me. On one occasion, I went to sleep. I saw in my dream that the Holy Nabi dressed in a beautifully darkcoloured Arabian robe has come. With his majestic beauty, he refreshed my life. It appeared to me as if I was absorbed in meditation, sitting in a Masjid in a manner in which one sits in Qa dah during Salah. Coming near me, the Greatest Rasool said: A descendant of Rasool should not miss Sunnah. Firmly holding his blessed shins which were more delicate than silk, I began to recite, weeping. In an overwhelming condition, I humbly and tearfully asked who he was. In reply, he said the same sentence, i.e. A descendant of Rasool should not miss Sunnah. I humbly asked the same question three times and received the same reply each time. The third time, I thought that he was obviously the Holy Nabi because he did not prevent me from calling: i.e. 148

154 O Rasool of Allah. If any other saint were him, he would certainly prevent me from calling him O Rasool of Allah. Words cannot simply express his majestic beauty! How excited and delighted I was and how greatly I was blessed cannot be expressed; neither verbally nor in writing. However, it seems appropriate to make a brief mention of it. This is just like pouring a mouthful into the throat of those who like to drink the beverage of love for the Holy Rasool; or it is like giving a little bit of musk from its container to those like to use it. 149

155 Pir Mahar Ali Shah mentioned that incident in his famous poetical work as well. Here are some of its couplets. 1 1 Pir Mahar Ali Shah has used the word Gustakh showing humility but, in honour of him, I have used the word Mushtaq as is recited by most Na at-reciters. 150

156 103. Affection for dog of Madinah A renowned saint and a devotee of Rasool from Punjab (Pakistan), Pir Sayyid Jama at Ali Shah Sahib Muhaddis Ali Puri went to Madinah Munawwarah. One of his disciples threw a clod at a dog in Madinah Munawwarah. The dog screamed in pain. Somebody informed Shah Sahib that so-and-so disciple of his had thrown a clod at a dog of Madinah Munawwarah. Anxious to have heard it, he ordered his disciples to find the dog and bring it. The dog was brought. Shah Sahib stood up and started talking to it, weeping, O the one who lives in the city of my Beloved Master! Forgive this mistake of my disciple. He had roasted meat and milk brought and fed the dog. Then he said to it, Jama at Ali makes an apology to you; accept his apology for the sake of Allah. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 151

157 104. If Beloved Rasool calls, one should go instantly Maulana Abu Al-Noor Muhammad Bashir was a son of the caliph of A la Hadrat Allamah Maulana Abu Yusuf Muhammad Shareef Muhaddis Kotlavi.Maulana Abu Al- Noor Muhammad Bashir has said: Pr Sayyid Jama at Ali Shah Muhaddis Ali Puri performed many ajj. Almost every year, he was blessed with this privilege by virtue of his devotion to Madinah Munawwarah. One year, he decided to go on the Hajj-pilgrimage by air. When my father ( Allamah Maulana Muhammad Sharif Muhaddis Kotlavi ) became aware of it, he came to Ali Pur along with me [i.e. the narrator] and went to meet Pr Sayyid Jama at Ali Shah Muhaddis Ali Puri was already talking about Madinah. Seeing the respected father, he became very happy and said, I am going to humbly visit the Blessed court of the Beloved Rasool again. His father asked him, Your grace! I have heard that you are going by plane this time. replied, Maulvi Sahib! If one s beloved calls, one should reach by flying. He said this sentence in such a manner that tears welled up in his eyes and those present also experienced the same condition. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 152

158 105. Maulana Sardar Amad s devotion to dates of Madinah Love for the city of one s beloved is also a sign of devotion. A great devotee of Rasool Maulana Sardar Ahmad had great devotion to Madinah Munawwarah. The streets of Madinah were mentioned quite often in his gathering. If anyone who has humbly visited Madinah came to meet him, so he would ask him about the circumstances of Madinah and about the Sunni dwellers of Madinah. If somebody offered him a relic, he would accept it with great pleasure. Once a Haji offered him the dates of Madinah Munawwarah while he was teaching Hadees to students. He distributed the dates of Madinah among the students, and put one date in his mouth, saying: I have put a date of Madinah in my mouth; now my faith will continue to get refreshed unless I finish it. 153

159 106. Nails and hair buried in Madinah Maulana Sardar Ahmad has said: At the time of departure from Madinah, I buried some of my hair and nails in Madinah. I then humbly pleaded in the court of the Holy Rasool: Ya Rasoolallah! I do not have the power to die in Madinah. However, I am leaving Madinah after I have buried some of my hair and nails. Even this is a great privilege for the miserable people like me Now I remember nothing but Madinah Maulana Qazi Maar-ul-aq Jahlami visited sacred places such as Zahidan, Baghdad and Madinah Munawwarah via Quetta. He then came to meet Maulana Sardar Ahmad. When the Qazi Sahib was introduced (and it was mentioned that he had returned from Madinah), Maulana Sardar Ahmad held the hand of Qazi Sahib with tears streaming from his eyes. Although severely ill, he sat up and engaged in conversation about Madinah with Qazi Sahib. He asked about the Sunni dwellers of Madinah and was lost in imagination about the streets of Madinah, luminous Green 154

160 Dome, Golden Grilles and blessed tomb of the Revered and Renowned Rasool. He got lost in the valley of imagination, reminiscing about the city of the Beloved of the Almighty. All those present experienced a spiritual condition, as is mentioned in the following couplet: 108. Pilgrim of Madinah reached Madinah from India Allamah Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Na eemuddin Muradabadi was a great devotee of Rasool. His son-in-law (late) Hakeem Sayyid Ya qoob Ali related this faith-refreshing parable to Sag-e-Madinah 1 about him: Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan went on the Hajj-pilgrimage. When he humbly visited the blessed court of the Beloved Rasool in Madinah Munawwarah, he saw near the golden grilles that Sadr-ul-Afadil was also present in the crowed. He did not dare meet him because the respectful people do not talk there. After he finished Salat and Salam, he looked for him outside but could not 1 i.e. the author 155

161 find him. He then went to the court of Sayyiduna Ziauddin Ahmad Qaadiri Razavi All the Arab and non- Arab rightly-guided scholars particularly come to the court of Sayyiduna Ziauddin Ahmad Qaadiri Razavi during their stay in Haramayn-e-Sharifayn. Even there, he could not get any sort of information about Sadr-ul-Afadil. Surprised, he thought where Sadr-ul-Afadil had gone if he has come! In the meantime, a letter arrived at the residence of Shaykh-ul-Failat 1 from Murad Abad (India) informing that so-and-so day and time, Sadr-ul-Afadil Maulana Na eemuddin Murad Ābad. Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan made a calculation and found out that the day and the time of his demise was the same when he saw Sadr-ul-Afadil near the golden grilles. He immediately realized that as Sadr-ul- passed away in Afadil passed away, he came to the blessed court of the Beloved Rasool to say Salat and Salam. 1 Sayyiduna Ziauddin Amad Qaadiri Razavi 156

162 109. Pain of Madinah in my Heart Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan was privileged to perform Hajj and to visit Madinah in 1390 A.H. Relating a faith-refreshing parable of his stay in Madinah, he stated: In Madinah Munawwarah, I once slipped and fell down, breaking the bone of my right wrist. When the pain increased, I kissed my wrist and said: O the pain of Madinah! You live in my heart as I have found you from the court of the beloved. My pain disappeared the very same moment but my wrist was not functioning. After 17 days, I had the x-ray of my wrist done at a government hospital. The x-ray revealed that the wrist bone broke into two pieces with some gap between them. Anyway, I did not receive any medical treatment. Then the hand gradually started functioning. Noticing this, a doctor of Madinah Munawwarah named Dr. Ismail remarked that it was a real miracle because it was medically impossible that a broken hand function normally. I still have that x-ray which reveals that the bone is still broken. I am writing commentary with the same broken hand. I received only one treatment. I stood in front of the blessed court of the Holy Nabi and said humbly: Your Grace! My hand has broken. O the one who 157

163 joined the broken shin of Abdullah Bin Atiq! O the one who joined the broken arm of Ma az Bin Afra! Please join my broken hand. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake Exchange of dead bodies in Jannat-ul-Baqi Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has said: I once performed Hajj along with a saint from Punjab whose name was Sufi Muhammad Hussain. He told me that he once humbly met Shah Abdul Haq Muhajir Ilah Abadi and said to him that a blessed Hadees states, Our Madinah is a furnace. As a furnace removes rust from iron, the earth of Madinah also throws the undeserving people out of it. So what is the meaning of this Hadees because we see that even 158

164 Murtad 1 and hypocrites also die in Madinah and are also buried there? Shah Sahib had me turned out. Unaware of my fault, I was surprised at being treated like this. At night, I dreamt that the Jannat-ul-Baqi, the graveyard in Madinah Munawwarah, was being dug. Camels-loaded corpses were being brought here from outside and corpses were being taken out from the Jannat-ul-Baqi. Going near the corpses-shifting individuals, I asked them what they were doing. They replied that they were carrying away the undeservedly buried people from here and were bringing here the devotees of Madinah who were buried at other places. The next day, I went to meet Shah Sahib again. Seeing me, he said: Have you understood now what the Hadees means? Yesterday, you asked about secret matters in the presence of strangers, which resulted in you being punished like that. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake Murtad is the person who had embraced Islam or was already a Muslim but then denies anything which is from the essentials of Islam, i.e. uttering words of disbelief without any valid justification. Similarly, if a person does certain acts such as prostrating in front of idols or throwing the Glorious Quran at filth, he becomes disbeliever.

165 111. Favour of Beloved Rasool upon Ghazali Zaman and Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Once a Milad gathering was held in Madinah Munawwarah at the residence of Shaykh Ali Husayn Madani who was the father of Shaykh Alawuddin Al-Bikr Al-Madani. It was a wonderful gathering, and the Noor of the Nabi brightened the gathering. At the end, a type of Asian sweetmeat called Jalaybi was distributed for blessings. The gathering-holding individual said, Those who are eating the Jalaybi of Milad, will be blessed with beholding the Beloved Rasool tonight,. Tomorrow in the early morning after Salat-ul-Fajr in Masjid-e-Nabaw, everybody should tell how he was blessed with this privilege. Late Haji Ghulam usayn narrated:! I also ate the Jalaybi and was privileged to behold the Beloved Rasool in such a state that Sayyid Ahmad Sa eed Kami Shah Sahib was presentat the right side of the Beloved Rasool and at the other side the Beloved Rasool was holding the hand of Mufti Amad Yar Khan. 160

166 May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake Allamah Kazmi and thorn of Madinah Allamah Sayyid Ahmad Sa eed Kazmi has said: On the occasion of my first visit to Madinah, I pricked my foot on a thorn, causing me severe pain. As I was about to take it out, I recalled the devotion of A la Hadrat to the thorn of Madinah, so I stopped on the spot and did not take it out. After a few days, the pain was relieved itself. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 161

167 113. After Demise, A la Hadrat in the court of Beloved Rasool (Relating a parable that took place after the demise of A la Hadrat ), Allamah Maulana Ziauddin Ahmad Qaadiri Madani has stated: once I entered through the Bab-us-Salam of the Masjid-e-Nabawi in order to be present at the sacred Muwajahah. I saw A la Hadrat standing facing the blessed Muwajahah and reciting Salam. As I approached A la Hadrat, he disappeared from my sight. I went towards the sacred Muwajahah and, presenting the gift of Salat and Salam, I said humbly, Ya Rasool! May I not be deprived of beholding my Shaykh (i.e. spiritual guide Imam Amad Raza Khan). Sayyidi Qutub-e-Madinah said: As I looked down towards the blessed Muwajahah, sitting over there. Running towards him, I kissed his feet and was privileged to behold him. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 162

168 114. Qutub-e-Madinah and poor beholder of Madinah Muhammad Musa Amr Tasri has stated: During my stay in Madinah Munawwarah, I used to go to meet Maulana Ziauddn Ahmad Qaadiri. At mealtime, a poor person would come, eat and walk away. One day, I thought that the person is an unwelcome guest and comes at mealtime everyday, putting a burden on the Qutub-e-Madinah! The same day, after the gathering ended, Sayyidi Qutub-e-Madinah asked me to meet him before I leave. I went to him. He said, Hakim Sahib! The destitute person, who comes here to have meal every day, is an ordinary employee at a mill in La il Pur (i.e. Sardarabad, Faisalabad), Pakistan. He is privileged to behold the blessed court of the Beloved Rasool every year. He is very fortunate and humbly visits Madinah Munawwarah. Hence I serve him with food. 163 May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake.

169 115. Female jinnsperforming Tawafof Holy Ka bah A renowned companion Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Zubayr has said: One night, I was surprised to see a few women performing the Tawaf of the Ka bah (because they were not like ordinary women). When they completed the Tawaf, they exited. I also followed them. They kept walking until they entered a deserted jungle. Some elderly people were sitting there. They asked me, O Ibn-e-Zubayr! How have you come here? Instead of replying, I asked them a question, Who are you? They said, We are jinns. I explained the reason of following the women. They said, These are our women (female jinns). O Ibn-e-Zubayr! What would you like to eat in meal? I replied: Fresh ripe dates. Although fresh dates were not available in Makkah Mukarramah at that time, they served fresh 164

170 ripe dates to me. After I ate them, they asked me to take the remaining dates with me. Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Zubayr said that he picked the leftover dates and returned to his home. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake Sparkling Snake Sayyiduna Ata Bin Abi Rubah has said that Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Amr was present in the Masjid-e-Haraam when a white and black sparkling snake came. Performing the Tawaf of the Ka bah, it came to the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim and it seemed as if it was offering Salah. Going near it, Abdullah Bin Amr stood and said, O snake! Perhaps you have completed the rites of Umrah. I am afraid that the unwise people here would harm you (i.e. they may kill you considering you a real snake. Hence you 165

171 should leave as soon as possible.). Therefore, it turned back and flew towards the sky. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake Jinns in form of snake kissed Hajar-e-Aswad Sayyiduna Abu Zubayr has said: Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin afwan was sitting near the Holy Ka bah when a snake suddenly entered through the Iraqi Door and performed the Tawafof the Holy Ka bah. It then came close to Hajar Aswad and kissed it. Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Safwan said to him, O jinn! Now you have performed your Umrah. Our children are afraid of you. Hence you should return. Therefore, it went back where it had come from. 166

172 May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake Jinn guided towards water During the reign of Sayyiduna Usman Ghani, a caravan of the devotees of Rasool went on the pilgrimage of Hajj.On the way, they felt thirst. They found a well but its water was salty. Therefore, they went ahead. Evening fell but they could not find water. The caravan continued to travel the whole night and reached a palm tree. All of a sudden, a dark-skinned fat man appeared and said, O the people of the caravan! I heard the Beloved Rasool say, The person who believes in Allah and the Judgment Day should like the thing for his Muslim brother that he likes for himself and should dislike the thing for his Muslim brother that he dislikes for himself. 167

173 Go ahead. You people will reach a mound. Then, turn right, and you will find water. One of the members of the caravan said, By Allah! I think he is Satan. Another person argued, Satan does not talk about such things; he could be a Muslim jinn. Anyway, they started walking and reached the water, as was identified by the jinn A mysterious person of the Hajj -caravan of Ghaus-e- A zam is grace Ghaus-e-Azam once went on the Hajj-pilgrimage along with his disciples. Wherever the caravan arrived at a stop, a mysterious young man dressed in white would come from somewhere. He did not eat and drink anything with them. is grace Ghaus-e-A zam instructed his disciples not to talk to the young man. The caravan entered Makkah Mukarramah and stayed at a house. When the Hujjaj exited from the house, he would enter it and when they entered it, he would exit. One day, all people went out while one person was in the washroom. In the meanwhile, the mysterious young man entered the house and did not find anyone. 168

174 He opened a bag and started eating a semi-ripe date. When the Hajji came out of the washroom and saw the mysterious young man, he [i.e. the mysterious young man] left the house. Afterwards, he never came to the caravan. When that Hajji gave this surprising news to is grace Ghaus-e-Pak so e said, The mysterious young man was one of the jinns who heard the Holy Quran from the Beloved Rasool May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake Jinns of orchard Sayyiduna Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Khawas stated: Our caravan was on its way to Haram. For some reason, I was separated from the caravan and continued to walk for three days. During this period, I neither felt hungry and thirsty nor did I need to pass urine 169

175 etc. During the journey, I entered a lush green garden in which there were many fruitful trees with fragrant fruits hanging everywhere. There was also a small pond in the middle of the garden. I thought to myself that it was as if I had entered paradise. Suddenly, a group of well-dressed people with turbans on their heads arrived. They greeted me and I also greeted them. It seemed to me as if they were jinns because it was a very strange place. Then one of them said, We are jinns. There is a difference of opinion among us about a ruling. We were privileged to listen to the sacred Word of Allah in Layla-tul-Jinn in the blessed voice of the Beloved Rasool. By virtue of the sacred Word, we have been relieved of all the worldly responsibilities. By the grace of Allah, this pond has been made our abode. I asked them how far the place was where I was separated from my Hajj-caravan. Hearing this, one of them smiled and said, O Abu Ishaq! Only Allah knows secrets. Except a young man, no one came to the place where you are present at the moment. That young man also died here. Then, pointing towards a side, he said, Here is the tomb of the young man. The tomb lay at the edge of the pond and was surrounded by such beautiful and fragrant flowers that I had never seen before. Carrying on his conversation, the jinn said, Between you and your caravan is a great distance which would take months to be covered. 170

176 Sayyiduna Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Khawas stated, I then asked them to tell me something about the late young man. One of them replied, We were once having a discussion about love sitting near the edge of the pond. During the conversation, a young man suddenly arrived here and greeted us. We also greeted him and asked him, O young man! Where did you come here from? He replied, from a city of Nisha Pur. We asked him, When did you leave the city? He replied, seven days ago. We further asked him the reason for departing from his country? In reply, he recited the following commandment of Allah : And turn to your Lord and submit to Him before the torment comes upon you, then you shall not be helped. We again asked him some more questions. While replying to our questions, he suddenly gave a loud cry and his soul left his body. We buried him here and this is the tomb of his. (May Allah be pleased with him.) Sayyiduna Ibrahim Khawas said: I was very impressed by listening to the qualities of the young man. I went close to his tomb in admiration and saw a very big bouquet of 171

177 narcissi [i.e. flowers] near the head-side of his tomb. This line was inscribed on it: i.e. this is the grave of a friend of Allah. He was killed by 'modesty'. There was also a piece of paper with the meaning of the word written on it. Jinns then asked me the commentary of that Ayah, so I explained it to them. They were very pleased and their difference was removed. They said that they had found a very satisfactory answer to their query. Sayyiduna Ibrahim Khawas said that I then fell asleep. When I woke up, I found myself at the place of Tan eem near the Masjid of Sayyidatuna Ayesha Siddiqah in Makkah Mukarramah. I had a bunch of flowers with me that remained fresh the whole year. After some period of time, it disappeared. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 172

178 121. Strange small bird Every year, on the occasion of Hajj, Sayyiduna Wahhab and Sayyiduna Hasan Bari would meet each other inside Masjid-e-Khayf. One night, after the crowd dispersed and many Hujjaj fell asleep, some Hujjaj were still conversing with these saints about religious things. All of a sudden, a small strange bird came and sat near Sayyiduna Wahb in the gathering and said Salam. Sayyiduna Wahhab replied to its Salam and asked the bird who it was. The bird replied that it was a Muslim jinn. Sayyiduna Wahhab asked, Why have you come here? The bird replied, We sit in your gathering to gain knowledge. Do you not like it? There are many jinns among us who convey narrations to others after hearing them from you. We participate in many activities with you such as Salah, Jihad, visiting the sick, funeral Salah and ajj etc. Further, we gain knowledge and listen to the recitation of the Holy Quran from you. May Allah have mercy on him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 173

179 122. Beast Became Obedient Sayyiduna Sufyan Sauri and Sayyiduna Shayban Ra i went on the Hajj-pilgrimage. A beast appeared in front of them. Sayyiduna Sufyan Sauri asked Sayyiduna Shayban Ra i, Do you not look at this beast? He replied, Do not get afraid. Then Sayyiduna Shayban Ra i held its ear and pressed it, so it started wagging its tail. He held its tail. Seeing this, Sayyiduna Sufyan Saur said, Is it not fame? So he replied, If I were not afraid of fame, I would make it carry my Hajj-provisions to Makkah Mukarramah on its back. May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 174

180 Important clarification Dear Islamic brothers!! Even beasts are obedient to Allahfearing people. In the aforementioned parable, a renowned saint Sayyiduna Sufyan Sauri asked the question in order to save people from having bad opinion about Sayyiduna Shayban Ra i regarding love for respect. Sayyiduna Shayban Ra i also answered the question beautifully. Anyway, this was a discussion between great people who were the embodiment of sincerity and were careful about the inner reform of each other Lion showed the way During Jihad in Rome, Sayyiduna Safinah went missing. He was running in search of the Islamic army when a lion appeared in front of him from the jungle. He said loudly: O Abu Al-Haris 1! I am a slave of the Beloved Rasool and I have been separated from the Islamic army. I am in search of it. Hearing this, the lion came near him and stood waging its tail. It continued to accompany him until he reached the Islamic army. The lion then returned. 1 It is a patronymic name of the lion. 175

181 124. Monkey that respects Quran It is stated on pages 477 and 478 of the 561-page book Malfuzaat-e- A la Hadrat published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: Once Nannhay Miyan (i.e. the youngest brother of A la Hadrat, Allamah Muhammad Raza Khan ) was reciting the Holy Quran sitting on the roof. A monkey was sitting in front of him on the wall. He went away for some piece of work. The monkey came running, trying to cross the wall. As it reached in front of the Holy Quran, it prostrated itself and went away. 176

182 125. Entreaty for Help in the court of Beloved Rasool A Pakistani Hajihumbly visited Madinah and resided in a house in which a cat also lived. The cat would come to him every day and he would stroke it. The Haji liked that cat of Madinah so much that he intended to take it with him to Pakistan. He also bought a cage for the cat so that he could take it with great care. When the sad time of separation from Madinah approached and his last night in Madinah began, he made his farewell Salam in the blessed court of the Beloved Rasool. Having returned to his home, he lay [on his bed]. In his dream, he saw the Holy Rasool. The Holy Rasool said, You will depart from Madinah quite easily but do not take my cat with you. It has been coming to me for several days, begging: Save me! I am being separated from Madinah Doe begged Beloved Rasool For Help Sayyidatuna Umm-e-Salamah has narrated that the Beloved Rasool was once in a desert. Suddenly, someone called out: Ya Rasoolallah The Beloved 177

183 Rasool looked but there was no one. He then looked towards the other direction and found a doe [i.e. a female deer] tied. The doe begged: : i.e. Ya Rasoolallah! Please come towards me. The Beloved Rasool came to it, asking:? What do you need? The doe said, My two babies are in that mountain. Please untie me; I will return to you after I have suckled them. The Beloved Rasool said, Will you do it? The doe said humbly, May Allah give me the punishment of Ishar if I do not do it! ( Ishar is a pregnant female camel who does not give birth to its baby even after the passing of 10 months. Hence a weight is placed on it, causing it to feel severe pain, screaming.) So the Beloved Rasool untied the doe. It went towards the mountain, suckled its babies and then returned. The Beloved Rasool tied it again. Afterwards, the Bedouin woke up. Seeing the Beloved Rasool, he humbly said, Ya Rasoolallah Is there anything I can do for you? The Beloved Rasool said, Yes, free this doe. He freed the doe. That doe was going away, leaping and saying: (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and undoubtedly you are the Rasool of Allah ). 178

184 127. Camel performed Tawafof Ka bah In 815 AH, a camel ran away from its master, reached Makkah Mukarramah and entered Masjid-ul-Haraam. People ran after the camel to catch it but nobody could do. The camel moved around the Holy Ka bah seven times and then placed its lips on the Hajar-e- Aswad. Then it stood in front of the Mizab-e-Rehmah with tears falling from its eye. Crying in the same way, it fell down and died. People lifted it with great respect and buried it between Safa and Marwah. (In that era, the situation was not like as it is today. Burial was possible there. Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddis Dihlvi has stated on page 298 of the book Bustan-ul- Muhaddiseen: a renowned Muhaddis Sayyiduna Imam Nasai is buried between Safa and Marwah.) May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive us without any accountability for his sake. 179

185 128. Camels prostrated themselves in front of Beloved Rasool Ghilan Bin Salamah Saqafi has said: We accompanied the Beloved Rasool during a journey. On the way, we noticed something very strange. At a stop, we got off the animal. Meanwhile, a man came and said, Ya Nabi Allah! I have an orchard that is the only means of earning a living for me and for my family. I have two camels that used to draw water out of the well. Both of them have now got out of control. They neither let [me] come near them nor do they enter the orchard. No one is strong enough to go near them. The Beloved Rasool along with his companions stood up and went to the orchard of the person. He asked the person to untie the camels. That person said humbly, O Nabi of Allah Beloved Rasool said, Untie them. As soon as they were untied, they rushed towards the door, making a noise. As they saw the Beloved Rasool they immediately prostrated themselves. The Beloved Rasool held them by their heads and handed them over to their master and said, Make them do work and feed them well. The people who were present there asked humbly, O Nabi of Allah! Animals prostrated! They are very dangerous. The 180

186 themselves in front of you. You are a means of the Divine grace being bestowed upon us. Allah showed us the right path and protected us from the destructiveness of the world and the hereafter by sending you to us. Will you allow us to prostrate ourselves in front of you? The Revered and Renowned Rasool said: There is no prostration for me. Prostration is for the only alive Being who will never die. If I had ordered anyone in my Ummah to prostrate, I would have ordered the wife to prostrate herself in front of her husband Two animals died of grief over visible demise of Beloved Rasool When the visible demise of the Beloved Rasool took place, not only humans and jinns but animals also became very sad: (i) There was a donkey the Beloved Rasool would often ride. When the visible demise took place, it was anxious and grief-stricken. And it sacrificed its life by jumping into a well. (ii) There was also a she-camel of the Beloved Rasool. Unable to behold the Beloved Rasool, it was anxious and gave up 181

187 eating and drinking anything. In the same state, it also died of hunger and thirst Devotion of Pigeons of Haram to court of Beloved Rasool Maulana Ziauddin Ahmad Madani has said: In order to keep the Haram of the Masjid-e-Nabawi neat and clean, the administration once decided to not feed pigeons so that they migrate to any other area in search of their feed. The decision was implemented and pigeons were not fed for many days. The pigeons loved the green dome so much that they were starving to death but were not leaving the court of the Beloved Rasool. The dwellers of Madinah saw this scene of devotion themselves. Then this news spread quickly throughout the world. People sent letters to the government and insisted that it should not be done. At last, the government resumed feeding the pigeons. 182

188 183

189 Excellence of Salat Alan Nabi The Beloved Rasool has said: When those, who love each other for the pleasure of Allah, meet each other and shake hands and send Salat to the Beloved Rasool so the past and future sins of both of them are forgiven before they get separated. Sacredness of Makkah Mukarramah Makkah Mukarramah is an extremely sacred, holy and glorious city. Every Muslim wishes to visit it. If anyone wishes to behold Makkah Mukarramah with the intention of earing reward, it will also be considered an act of worship indeed. Before we learn about the detailed description of the holy sites in Makkah, let s first read about the excellence of this beautiful city of Allah so that we develop even more reverence for it in our heart. 184

190 Makkah Mukarramah is a city of peace: Makkah Mukarramah has been mentioned many times in the Holy Quran, as is stated in Surah Al- Baqarah, Ayah 126, part one: And when Ibrahim requested, O my Lord! Make this city a peaceful one. It is also stated in the first Ayah of Surah Balad in part 30: I swear by this city Ten names of Makkah Mukarramah Dear Islamic brothers! Many names of Makkah Mukarramah have been mentioned in books. Ten of them are as follow: 185

191 Ramadan in Makkah Mukarramah: The Beloved Rasool has said: i.e. spending Ramadan in Makkah is better than spending one thousand Ramadan out of Makkah. Commenting on the above Hadees, Allamah Abdul Rauf Manawi has stated: Observing Siyam in Makkah during the month of Ramadan is preferable to observing the Siyam of one thousand Ramadan at any other place. This is because Allah has chosen Makkah for His house [i.e. the Holy Ka bah] and created places in it for His bondmen to perform Hajj there. Allah made it the Haram of peace and blessed it with many qualities. 186

192 Holy Nabi holds Makkah dear Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Adi has narrated: I saw that the Beloved Rasool was sitting on his she-camel at Hazwarah, i.e. a pla. He said: By Allah! You are the best land among all the lands of Allah and I hold you dearest among all the lands of Allah. By Allah! If I had not been forced to leave this place, I would definitely not have left it. Commenting on the above Hadees, the commentator of the book Bukhari, Mufti Sharif-ul-Haq Amjadi has stated: The Holy Rasool said it at the time of migration. Until then Madinah had not been blessed with the arrival of the Holy Nabi and hence Makkah was the greatest of the entire earth. However, after the Holy Rasool came to Madinah, it was blessed with this honour. 187 Similarly, commenting on the above Hadees, Mufti Amad Yar Khan has stated in the book Mirat-tul

193 Manajih : Most scholars hold the opinion that Makkah is greater than Madinah and that the Greatest Rasool like Makkah the most. They mention the same Hadees as proof. However, Imam Maalik is of the opinion that Madinah is greater than Makkah. Commenting on this Hadees, he mentioned that it refers to the previous state. Later on, the Holy Nabi held Madinah dear. Anyway, according to the Fatwa, Makkah is greater than Madinah but, in the eyes of devotees, Madinah is greater because it is the place where the Beloved Rasool rests. Makkah Mukarramah is greater or Madinah Munawwarah! It is stated on page 236 of the 561-page book Malfuzaat-e- A la Hadrat published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: 188

194 Question: Your Highness! One Salah, offered in Madinah, is equivalent to 50 thousand Salah but in Makkah Mukarramah one Salah is equal to 100,000. Is Makkah Mu azzamah greater than Madinah for this reason? Reply: Many Hanafi scholars are this opinion. However, Imam Maalik held the opinion that Madinah is greater. Leader of believers Sayyiduna Farooq-e-A zam also held the same opinion. A companion said, Makkah Mu azzamah is greater. (Sayyiduna Farooqe-A zam ) said, You say that Makkah is greater than Madinah! He said,. Leader of believers said, I do not say anything about Baytullah and Haramullah. But do you say that Makkah is greater than Madinah? He repeated his words, By Allah! The House and the Haram of Allah. Sayyiduna Farooq-e- A zam said, I do not say anything about the House and the Haram of Allah. Do you say that Makkah is greater than Madinah? That companion continued to say the same thing and Leader of believers also continued to repeat the same wording. I (i.e. A la Hadrat) also hold the same belief that Madinah is greater. It is stated in an authentic Hadees that 189

195 the Beloved Rasool said,, Madinah is better for them if they know. Another Hadees stated, i.e. Madinah is greater than Makkah. Why is there difference in reward? As for the issue of the difference of reward for virtuous deeds in Makkah and Madinah, Shaykh Muhaqqiq Abdul Haq Dihlvi has given an excellent reply to it. He stated: The reward is greater in Makkah in terms of quantity but it is greater in Madinah in terms of worth and value. (Summarized from page 18 of the book Jazb-ul-Quloob ) Try to understand it with the help of an example: Tell me whether one hundred thousand rupees is large amount or fifty thousand gold coins. In terms of quantity, one hundred thousand rupees are definitely double but in terms of worth and value, fifty thousand gold coins are greater ten-fold. As one good deed is equivalent to a hundred thousand deeds in Makkah, one sin is also equivalent to a hundred thousand sins there. Similarly, as the intention of good deed earns the intending person reward, the intention of sin also causes the intending person to be questioned. On the other hand, there is no punishment for the intention of sin in Madinah but 190

196 there is reward for the intention of a good deed there. If a person commits a sin in Madinah, it will be considered only one sin. If he performs a good deed, it will be considered fifty thousand good deeds. The words of Hadees, i.e. (i.e. good for them) may refer to the same thing, i.e. Madinah is better for them. On page 711 of the 10 th volume of the referenced Fatawa Razawiyyah, my master A la Hadrat, Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, Mujaddid-e-Deen-o-Millat, Maulana Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan has stated: The blessed tomb, i.e. the part of the earth which is touching the blessed body [of the Holy Nabi] is greater than the Holy Ka bah and even the Arsh. The upper part of the sacred mausoleum is not included in it. The Holy Ka bah is greater than Madinah. However, there is a difference of opinion whether Madinah - excluding the place of the blessed tomb - is greater or Makkah - excluding the Holy Ka bah - is greater. Most scholars are of the opinion that Makkah is greater and I am of the opinion that Madinah is greater. Sayyiduna Farooq-e-A zam also held the same opinion. It is clearly stated in Tabarani: (Madinah is greater than Makkah.) 191

197 Land of Makkah Mukarramah is Haram until Judgment Day Sayyidatuna Safiyah Bint-e-Shaybah has said: The day when Makkah was conquered, the Beloved Rasool delivered a sermon and said, O people! Allah made this city Haram (sacred) the day when the earth and the sky were created. Hence it will remain Haram until the Judgment Day because Allah has declared it Haram. Commenting on the above Hadees, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated: Not only was it considered Haram (sacred) in Islam but it was also considered sacred by every religion even before Islam. No doubt it was mentioned in the chapter Haram-e-Madinah that Sayyiduna Ibrahim made Makkah Mukarramah Haram. But it actually means that Sayyiduna Ibrahim declared that it is Haram. When the Bayt-ul-Mamur was lifted towards the sky during the storm 192

198 of Nuh, people became heedless of showing reverence for it. At that time, Sayyiduna Ibrahim made declaration for its reverence. (It is stated in a Hadees) (until the judgment day) i.e. reverence for it will never be cancelled. Dajjal would not enter Makkah and Madinah The Beloved Rasool has said, i.e. Dajjal will not be able to enter Makkah and Madinah. Excellence of enduring heat of Makkah The Beloved Rasool has said, i.e. Whoever has patience with the heat of the day for a while in Makkah, hellfire gets away from him. 193

199 Reward for being ill in Makkah Sayyiduna Sa eed Bin Jubayr has said, Whoever remains ill for a day in Makkah, Allah bestows upon him the reward of the good deed which he had been performing for seven years (but can no longer perform it due to illness). If he (i.e. ill person) is a traveller, so Allah will grant him double reward. No accountability for the person who passes away in Makkah The Beloved Rasool has said, Whoever had the intention of performing Hajj or Umrah and met his death in the same state in Haramayn i.e. Makkah or Madinah, so Allah would resurrect him on the Judgment Day in such a state that he would neither face accountability nor would he be tormented. It has been narrated in another narration: i.e. he would be resurrected among safe people on the Judgment Day. 194

200 Be cautious in Makkah 195 The rain of blessing showers all the time in Makkah. The door of the Divine grace is never closed. Nobody returns empty-handed. A single good deed is equivalent to one hundred thousand good deeds in Haram-e-Makkah; but it should also be kept in mind that a single sin in Makkah is also equivalent to one hundred thousand sins. Regretfully, despite being aware of it, sins are committed without hesitation. For instance, passing urine or stool with one s face or back towards the Qiblah within the angle of 45 degree is Haraam. Furthermore, a number of people commit other sins such as unlawful gazing, shortening the beard, tale-telling, backbiting, lying, breaking promises, hurting the feelings of Muslims without a Shar i reason, venting anger in a sinful way, arguing with others in a way that unlawfully hurts their feelings etc. Most of them do not even realize that they are actually committing the deeds that lead to Hell. Alas! In Haram-e- Makkah, if someone tells a lie only once, hurts anyone s feelings without a Shari reason only once, commits the sin of tale-telling or backbiting only once, so it means that he has committed each of these sins one hundred thousand times at any other place! Perhaps no one will commit these sins one hundred thousand times each in his lifetime in his country! It does not mean at all that one should

201 commit sins in his country. Certainly, committing any sin in one s country also causes the person to become deserving of hellfire. Undoubtedly, a small flame of fire is sufficient to burn the entire warehouse. How is it to reside in Makkah? If it is highly likely that he will be able to conform to manners in Makkah and to refrain from sins, he should live there. The leader of millions of the followers of the Hanafi school of thought, Sayyiduna Imam Azam Abu Hanifah lived in the golden era of the blessed companions and was a Taba i saint. Even in that era of piety and blessing, he observed that people were committing undesirable deeds, so he declared it Makruh to reside in the Haram (of Makkah). Commenting on the above saying of Imam Azam, one of his followers, a great Imam of the Hanafi school of thought in the eleventh century A H, Sayyiduna Mulla Ali Qari has stated: Sayyiduna Imam Azam declared it Makruh to reside in the Haram (of Makkah) considering the condition of people in his era. Today, we witness even a worse situation. People earn unlawful money and do not respect the sacred place. If Sayyiduna Imam Azam had observed this situation, he would have certainly declared it Haraam to reside permanently in the 196

202 Haram of Makkah. Those worthy of living in Makkah Sayyiduna Mulla Ali Qari gave these comments in the eleventh century, i.e. almost 325 years ago. Today, the situation must have been changed even more. Regarding reverence for Makkah Mukarramah, Imam Ahmad Raza has stated in Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah, volume 10, page 689: Shaykh Abdari has narrated that some eminent saints lived in Makkah for forty years but they did not pass urine in the Haram of Makkah (that covers the area of many miles). They would not also lie down there. He also said that residing in Makkah permanently is Mustahab for these types of people; or only they can be given permission for this. Those doing job or business in Makkah should ponder Makkah Mukarramah is the place where one good deed is equivalent to one hundred thousand good deeds. Likewise, one sin is equivalent to one hundred thousand sins. A common man is usually unable to refrain from sins. Hence he should not stay in Makkah for a job or business etc. 197

203 Sayyiduna Ibn-e-Abbas was certainly deserving of living in Makkah but he migrated to Ta if for fear of indulging in sins. A la Hadrat Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan has narrated in Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah, volume 10, page 693: Imam Hasan Basri has defined the word Faqih in this way: He should avoid the world, be interested in afterlife and be aware of his faults. These types of people are certainly capable of living in Makkah permanently. By Allah! Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas is greater than even these capable people but the righteous people always consider themselves to be inferior, showing humility. Ponder how great difference is there. One who does not make mistakes fears being tormented and one who does not refrain from sins claims that he will remain safe and sound. Long stay in Makkah may result in less reverence for Ka bah It is feared that those staying in Makkah for a long time and committing sins there may be doomed. Similarly, it is also feared that those cautious people who refrain from sins may end up having less reverence for the Holy Ka bah. Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan has narrated in Fatawae-Razawiyyah, volume 10, page 688: After the leader of 198

204 believers Sayyiduna Umar Farooq-e-A zam performed Hajj, he would go to people and say, O the people of Yamen! Go back to Yamen. O the people of Iraq! Go back to Iraq. O the people of Syria! Go back to your country Syria so that you may continue to have great reverence for the House of your Lord. I (i.e. A la Hadrat said) This is the situation of the era of the companions and Tabieen who would show great respect and reverence. What will be the situation in the present era? May Allah enable Muslims to rectify their deeds! May my heart be attached to Makkah and Madinah no matter wherever my body is! A la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan has said in Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah, volume 10, page 690: (The author of the book Madkhal has quoted from the book) Qu-tul- Quloob written by Sayyiduna Imam Abu Talib Makki : some pious predecessors have said, Many people living in Khurasan (Iran) are closer to the Holy Ka bah than those who perform its Tawaf. Some said, If a person lives in his native city but his heart is attached to the House of Allah (i.e. the Holy Ka bah) so it is better for him than to be in the Ka bah with his heart attached to any other city. After giving sufficient proofs in reply to the question about permanently living in Haramayn Tayyibayn, Shah Imam 199

205 Ahmad Raza Khan stated: In short, it is not allowed at all in our era to stay permanently. A wise person always chooses a safe path, avoiding all types of dangerous paths that involve the risk of destruction. One who considers his Nafs to be truthful (thinking that nothing will happen) actually trusts a liar. And he will experience it himself. (In order to have detailed information about permanently staying in Haramain, study Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah, volume 10, page 677 to 698). 19 Features of Makkah Mukarramah (Out of countless features of Makkah Mukarramah, only nineteen are mentioned below.) The Beloved Rasool was born in Makkah Mukarramah. The Beloved Rasool preaching of Islam in Makkah. 200 began the

206 The Holy Ka bah is located here. Tawaf of Ka bah is performed here and Muslims all over the world face the direction of Ka bah during their Salah. Masjid-ul-Haram is situated here in which the reward of one Salah is equivalent to one hundred thousand Salah. The well of Zam Zam water is located here. is present here. Maqaam-e-Ibrahim is present here. Safa and Marwah are located here. Those who come to Makkah from outside Miqat cannot enter Makkah without Ihram. Muslims from all over the world visit Makkah so that they may have the privilege of Hajj. The person who enters this sacred city will be protected. The person who endures heat (for some time during the day) will be freed from Hellfire. Cave Hira lies here in which the Holy Rasool received first revelation. Fruits of every season are available here. 201

207 The miracle of Mairaj-un-Nabi [i.e. the Ascension] emerged in this city. The miracle of the moon being split into two pieces occurred in this city. The first mountain of the world Jabal-e-Ab Qubays lies here. The Beloved Rasool spent 53 years of hisblessed life here. Sayyiduna Imam Mahdi will appear in Makkah Mukarramah. Interesting information about Ka bah The greatest holy site of Makkah Mukarramah is the Holy Ka bah. Every Muslim is eager to behold and to perform Tawaf of it. Some interesting pieces of information are being given about the Holy Ka bah. Ka bah has been mentioned 202

208 many times in the Holy Quran. Allah says in part one, Ayah 125, And recall! When We made this house (Ka bah) a focal point for the people and a place of safety. Beasts do not chase their prey in Haram Commenting on this blessed Ayah, Sayyiduna Muhammad Na eemuddin Muradabadi has stated in Khazainul- Irfan: The word Bait ( ) refers to the Holy Ka bah and includes the entire sacred Haram. To make it Haram means killing and violence are Haraam in Haram of Ka bah; or it implies that even prey is safe there. Lions and wolves do not chase their prey and return without attack. It is also narrated that a believer is safe from torment as soon as he enters Haram. Haram is called Haram because murder and hunting are Haraam and prohibited in it. Even if a criminal enters Haram, he will not be apprehended. 203

209 Ka bah is guide for entire world Indeed the first house which was appointed as a place of worship for the people, is the one which is in Mecca (the Holy Ka bah), blessed and a guidance to the whole world. Commenting on the above Ayah, a renowned commentator Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated: O Muslims or O all humans! Know it for sure that the first and the best house which has been created and made on the earth for people s religious and worldly benefits is that which is situated in blessed Makkah, not Bait-ul-Muqaddas that is second to the Holy Ka bah in rank and excellence. 12 Madani pearls about Holy Ka bah A renowned commentator Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan has stated that there is great excellence of Ka bah. Some pieces of information in this regard are mentioned here. 1. The famous founder of Bait-tul-Muqaddas is Sayyiduna Sulayman. He had it constructed by jinns but 204

210 the famous founder of Ka bah is Sayyiduna Ibrahim Khalilullah At the Holy Ka bah, there are some signs of Divine omnipotence such as Maqaam-e-Ibrahim, Hajar-e- Aswad etc. that do not exist in Bait-tul-Muqaddas. Birds do not fly over the Holy Ka bah; instead, they slightly move away from it while flying. A lion and a goat may drink water at the same place in Haram of Ka bah. Even beasts of prey do not hunt other animals here. Battle and killing are Haraam until the Judgment Day. Ka bah is the source of livelihood for all the Hijazis, especially for the inhabitants of Makkah. Although this place is uncultivated with no source of livelihood, the inhabitants of Makkah are still more prosperous than others. In short, it is the place where acts of worship are performed. 7. Allah protected the Holy Ka bah by sending birds that killed the people of elephants. Hajj of Ka bah has always been performed but Hajj of Bait-tul-Muqaddas was never performed 205

211 9. The last Nabi of Allah was born in Makkah at a place near the Holy Ka bah. 10. Allah declared the city of Ka bah to be the city of peace by saying. He also swore by it: And I swear by this city of peace. 11. A single good deed is equivalent to one hundred thousand good deeds in Ka bah and fifty thousand good deeds in Bait-tul-Muqaddas. 12. Ka bah - not Bait-tul-Muqaddas - has been the Qiblah of angels and many Ambiya. Birds get cured by wind of Ka bah Commenting on Ayah 97 of Surah Al-e-Imran in part 4 In it are clear signs. Sayyid Muhammad Na eemuddin Muradabadi has stated in Khazain-ul- Irfan: 206

212 Some of the signs that prove its sanctity and excellence are as follows: Birds neither sit on the Holy Ka bah nor do they fly over it but rather they slightly move away from it while flying. The birds that fall ill, get cured by flying through the air near the Holy Ka bah. Wild animals do not hurt each other in Haram. Even dogs do not run after deer on this sacred place and do not hunt other animals there. People have great attachment to the Holy Ka bah in their hearts and they start weeping as they behold it. The souls of saints gather around the Ka bah every Friday night [i.e. the night between Thursday and Friday]. If someone intends to desecrate [i.e. disrespect] it, he gets ruined. Beholding Ka bah is worship It is stated in a blessed Hadees: beholding the Holy Ka bah is worship; beholding the Holy Quran is worship; beholding the face of an [Islamic] scholar is worship. It is also narrated, Beholding Zam Zam water is worship. Ka bah is Qiblah Sayyiduna Ibn-e-Abbas has said: When the Beloved Rasool entered the Holy Ka bah, he made Du a in the corners of it and did not 207

213 offer Salah. After he came out of the Holy Ka bah, he offered two Rak at in front of it and then he said, This is Qiblah. Commenting on the part of the Hadees This is Qiblah, a renowned commentator, a great thinker of Ummah Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated: The Holy Ka bah has been declared the Qiblah for all Muslims until the judgment day. This declaration will never be cancelled. It also gives a gentle hint that every part of the Ka bah is Qiblah. It is not necessary for the Salah-offering person to be in front of the entire Ka bah. Which direction to face during Salah inside Holy Ka bah? It is stated on page 487 of the 1250-page first volume of the book Bahar-e-Shari at, published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: Ruling number 50, if someone is offering Salah inside the Ka bah, he can face any direction. Salah may be performed even on the roof of the Ka bah but it is prohibited to climb its roof. 208

214 Hadees with interpretation about travelling to three Masajid only Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah has narrated that the Beloved Rasool said, Do not put saddles towards any direction (i.e. do not travel anywhere) except three Masajid (i) Masjid-e-Haraam (ii) Masjid-e-Nabawi and (iii) Masjid-e-Aqsa. A renowned commentator Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated: Travelling to any other Masjid except these three Masajid assuming that greater reward for Salah will be granted there is forbidden. Some people used to travel to the Jame Masjid of Dehli from Badayun in order to offer Salatul-Jumuah assuming that they will be granted greater reward there. This is wrong. (Except for three Masajid) the reward for Salah is the same in every Masjid. This interpretation is clearly proved by the above Hadees. Some people misunderstood it. They assumed that it is Haraam to travel to any other Masjid except for these three. The very same misconception led them to declare it Haraam to go on a journey for attending Urs and visiting graves. If this is the meaning of the Hadees, then journey for doing trade, receiving treatment, meeting friends, gaining religious knowledge etc. will all be considered Haram. And this 209

215 Hadees will contradict the Quran and many other Ahadees. Allah says: Say you (O beloved): Travel on the land and see what the end of those who belied was. It is stated in the book Mirqat under the same topic as well as in the book Shami in the chapter Visiting Graves : As reward is the same in all Masajid except these three Masajid, it is forbidden to travel to other Masajid (with the intention of gaining more reward). As the graves of the Awliya of Allah are different in terms of blessings and benefits, it is permissible to travel for visiting graves. Virtue recorded and sin forgiven for every step Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah has said: I heard Abul Qasim Muhammad Rasoolullah say, If a person gets on a camel with the intention of travelling to the Holy Ka bah, Allah records one virtue for him and removes 210

216 one sin and raises one rank in return for every step the camel lifts and places. When he reaches the Holy Ka bah and performs Tawaf and performs Sa ee between Safa and Marwah and gets his head shaved or gets his hair cut, he will be as free from sins as he was on the day when his mother gave birth to him. Sayyiduna Adam and Ka bah When Sayyiduna Adam ;came into the world from Paradise, he implored Allah to remove his fear and loneliness. Allah commanded him to construct the Holy Ka bah and perform Tawaf of it. The very same Ka bah continued to exist until the age of Sayyiduna Nuh Najiullah.During the storm, this Ka bah, in the straightness of its dimension, was lifted towards the seventh sky. Now angels worship Allah over there in that house. Flag on Ka bah in happiness of birth Sayyidatuna Aaminah has said: I saw that three flags were planted; first in the East, second in the West, third on the roof of the Holy Ka bah and the Beloved Rasool was born. 211

217 Ka bah has one tongue and two lips The Beloved Rasool said: Undoubtedly, Ka bah has one tongue and two lips. It humbly complained, O Lord! The number of those who frequently came to me and beheld me has decreased. Allah sent revelation, saying: I will create human who will perform prostration with concentration and humility. He will be as fond of you as a female-pigeon is fond of its eggs. Army of Sulayman and Ka bah It is stated on page 130 of the 561-page book Malfuzaat-e- A la Hadrat published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: The throne of Sayyiduna Sulayman was flying in the air. When it passed the Holy Ka bah, the Ka bah cried and humbly said in the Divine court: A Nabi from among Your Ambiya and an 212

218 army from among Your armies passed over me but neither they came down towards me nor did they offer Salah. Allah said: Do not cry! I will declare Hajj obligatory for My bondmen who will flock to you, as birds flock towards their nests. They will run to you crying as a she-camel [runs towards] its baby eagerly. In you [i.e. in your city], the last Nabi will be born who is the dearest to Me among all Ambiya. Ka bah will be brought in plains of judgment day, tied with gold chains Sayyiduna Wahb Bin Munabbeh saidthat it is stated in the Holy Tawrah: On the Day of Judgment, Allah will send seven hundred thousand angels who have special ranks in His court. Each of them will have a gold chain in his hand. Allah will say to them, Go and bring the Ka bah in the plains of the Day of Judgment after you have tied it with these chains. The angels will go and chain it. While pulling it, an angel will call out, O Ka bah! Come! The Holy Ka bah will reply, I will not come unless my request is granted. An angel from the sky will say, O Ka bah! Make your request. The Ka bah will then humbly say in the Divine court, O Allah! Accept my intercession for those Muslims buried in my neighbourhood. The Ka bah will hear a voice, I have granted your request. Sayyiduna Wahb bin Munabbah 213

219 has stated, Then those buried in Makkah will be resurrected with their faces brightened. They will all gather around the Holy Ka bah in the state of Ihram, reciting Talbiyah. The angels will again say, O Ka bah! Come now! The Holy Ka bah will say, I will not come unless my request is granted. An angel from the sky will say, O Ka bah! Ask for anything. You will be granted whatever you ask for. The Ka bah will say, O Allah! Your sinful bondmen came to me together from far-flung places with dust on their bodies. Leaving behind their family members and relatives, they performed the rites of Hajj as per Your commandment in obedience to You and in eagerness to behold me. I beg You to accept my intercession for them. Grant peace to them and remove fear from them on the Day of Judgment. And make them gather around me. An angel will call out, O Ka bah! Among them will be the people who will have committed sins after performing Tawaf around you. They may have made Hell Wajib for them by committing sins repeatedly. The Ka bah will say, O Allah! Accept my intercession even for those sinners whom Hell has been Wajib for. Allah will say, I have accepted your intercession for them. The same angel will call out, Those who beheld the Ka bah should move away from other people. Allah will make all of them gather around the Ka bah. Bright-faced with no fear from Hell, they will perform Tawaf, reciting 214

220 Talbiyah. The angel will then say, O Ka bah! Come! So the Ka bah will recite Talbiyah (in thesewords):. The angels will then drag it to the plains of resurrection. Ka bah will be lifted like a bride on the Day of Judgment It is narrated that Allah promised the Ka bah that six hundred thousand people will perform its Hajj every year. If the number of Hajj-performers is less than it, Allah will make the angels make up the deficiency. On the Day of Judgment, the Holy Ka bah will be lifted in the form of a bride on her wedding-night. Those who performed Hajj of it will be hanging to its curtains and will be performing Tawaf around it. It (i.e. the Ka bah) will then enter Heaven along with those people. 215

221 Excellence of Tawaf Allah has said in part 17, Ayat 29 of Surah ajj And (they should) perform the Tawaf of the free House How Tawaf originated A renowned commentator, a great thinker of Ummah Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated in the book Tafseere-Naeemi : The author of the commentary book Ruh-ul- Bayan and that of the book Azizi have stated that there was water everywhere before the creation of the earth. Two thousand years before the construction of the Ka bah, white froth naturally appeared at the site of the Ka bah. Within a few days, it was made to spread, turning into the earth. When Allah gave the news of the birth of Adam to angels, they claimed that they were deserving of Khilafah and asked the wisdom behind the creation of Adam. However, apologizing for it, they performed the Tawaf of the Arsh-e-A zam for seven years with the intention of repentance. Allah commanded: Make a mark on the earth at the place of the very same froth so that those bondmen of Mine who commit misdeeds may 216

222 please Me by performing its Tawaf. Ten virtues for every step during Tawaf Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Umar has said that he heard the Beloved Rasool say: If a person performs seven rounds of Tawaf counting them and offers two Rak aat Salah afterwards, it is equivalent to [the act of] freeing a salve. And ten virtues are recorded for every step the Tawaf-performing person takes. Ten of his sins are erased and his ten ranks are raised. Reward equivalent to the act of freeing slave The Beloved Rasool has said, If a person performs seven rounds of the Tawaf of the House of Allah and does not say anything indecent during it, so it is equivalent to [the act of] freeing a slave. Excellence of freeing slave The Holy Nabi has said: If a person frees a Muslim slave, Allah will free every part of the body of the 217

223 freeing person from Hell in return for every part of the body of the slave. Sayyiduna Sa eed Bin Marjana said: when I mentioned this Hadees to Sayyiduna Zayn-ul- Abidin, he freed a slave for whom Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Jafar had offered to pay ten thousand Dirhams. 120 Mercies Everyday Sayyiduna Ibn-e-Abbas has narrated that the Beloved Rasool has said, Allah showers 120 mercies everyday on those performing the Hajj of the Baitul-Haraam. He showers 60 mercies on the Tawaf-performing ones, 40 on the Salah-offering ones and 20 on the glancing ones. Remember! The excellence described in the above Hadees is about Hajjperformers only. Great excellence of performing Tawaf 50 times Sayyiduna Ibn-e-Abbas has narrated that the Beloved Rasool has said, One who performs Tawaf for 50 times will be as free from sins as he was on the day when his mother gave birth to him. 218

224 Tawaf is like Salah Sayyiduna Ibn-e-Abbas has narrated that the Beloved Rasool said, Performing Tawaf around the House of Allah is like Salah. However, you can engage in conversation during it [i.e. Tawaf]. So whoever engages in conversation should engage only in good conversation. Commenting on the part of the Hadees Tawaf around the House of Allah is like Salah, a renowned commentator, a great thinker of Ummah Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated: Like Salah, Tawaf is also an excellent act of worship. Scholars have said that offering (Nafl) Salah is preferable to offering (Nafl) Tawaf for the dwellers of Makkah. Whereas, offering (Nafl) Tawaf is preferable to offering (Nafl) Salah for the foreigners because they can have the opportunity of Tawaf during their stay in Makkah only. Wudu is Wajib for Tawaf of Ka bah It is Fard to be in the state of Wudu while one is offering Salah, performing the Sajdah of Tilawat [i.e. prostration of recitation of Quran] and touching the Holy Quran. It is Wajib to be in the state of Wudu while one is offering the Tawaf of the Holy Ka bah. 219

225 Excellence of Tawaf in extremely hot weather Sayyiduna Allamah Muhammad Hashim Thathwi has narrated that the Beloved Rasool said, If a person performs Tawaf in extreme heat while staying silent [i.e. avoiding useless talking] and making Divine remembrance in such a way that he neither talked nor hurt anyone and performs Istilam with every round; so in return for every step he takes, seventy thousand virtues will be recorded for him, seventy thousand sins will be erased and seventy thousand ranks will be raised. Excellence of Tawaf in rain It is stated in a blessed Hadees that whoever performs seven rounds of Tawaf in the rain, his (previous) sins will be forgiven. Tawaf in rain and forgiveness of sins Sayyiduna Abu Iqal has said: I was once privileged to perform Tawaf with Sayyiduna Anas Bin Malik in the rain. After we offered two Rak aat Salah at the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim, Sayyiduna Anas said to me: Start your deeds anew. You have been forgiven. The Beloved Rasool gave the same good news to 220

226 us and we were privileged to perform Tawaf in the rain with him. A la Hadrat performed Tawaf in rain It is stated on page 209 of the 561-page book Malfuzaat-e- A la Hadrat published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: By the grace of Allah, I was blessed with health near the end of the month of Muharram. There is a Sultani bathroom in the blessed Haram. I took a bath there. As I exited, I saw a cloud. By the time I reached the blessed Haram, rain had started. The Hadees spontaneously occurred to me that the one performing Tawaf in the rain floats in the Divine mercy. Immediately, kissing the Hajar-e-Aswad, I performed Tawaf completing seven rounds. Afterwards, fever recurred. Maulana Sayyid Ismail said to me, You did not care about your body just to act upon a weak Hadees. I replied, The Hadees is weak but the hope is great, by the grace of Allah. I enjoyed a lot during this Tawaf. The Tawaf-performers were in small number due to rain. Difficulties when performing Tawaf in rain Dear Islamic brothers! Hujjaj were in a small number in the era of A la Hadrat but these days the number of Hujjaj has 221

227 greatly increased. There is a large crowd during Tawaf in the rain. Men and women mingle with each other without observe veil due to carelessness, run towards Hatim in order to take bath in the water falling from Mizab-e-Rahmah and even end up exposing Satr. Therefore, on this occasion, Hujjaj should greatly ponder in case they end up committing sins in an effort to perform a Mustahab deed. If it is impossible to perform Tawaf in the rain without one s body touching women, those who do so deliberately will be sinner instead of deserving reward. However, if one gets the opportunity of performing Tawaf in the rain during the days when there is no crowd, he should get this privilege. Safa and Marwah Both of these mountains are among the signs of Allah. Allah says in part 2, Ayah 158: 222

228 Without doubt, afa and Marwah are from amongst the signs of Allah, whosoever performs Hajj or Umrah of this house, there is no sin on him for taking rounds of these two. And whoever performs a good deed at his own will, undoubtedly Allah is the most rewarding and all knowing. Man and woman turned to stone Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated that long time ago, there was a man named Isaf and a woman, Nailah. Both of them touched each other with a bad intention in the Holy Ka bah. As a result, they were punished by the Almighty and were turned to stone (i.e. idol). Isaf was placed on the mount Safa and Nailah was placed on the mount Marwah so that people could learn a lesson and refrain from even sinful thoughts at this sacred place. After some time, there was widespread ignorance. People started worshipping these idols by touching them with reverence while running between Safa and Marwah. Muslims (the companions) did not like the act of running between Safa and Marwah as it appeared to them the imitation of idol worshipers. At that time, the 223

229 above Ayah was revealed, comforting and informing the Muslims that this act of theirs (i.e. performing Sa ee) is for the pleasure of Allah, and there is no harm in it. Faith-refreshing parable of Sa ee of Sayyidatuna Hajirah Following the Divine commandment, Sayyiduna Ibrahim took Sayyidatuna Hajirah and his infant baby Sayyiduna Ismail to a deserted place. Giving her a basket of dates, some loaves of bread and a water-bag, he returned, leaving them behind. A renowned commentator, a great thinker of Ummah Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated: As long as Sayyidatuna Hajirah survived on dates and water, she lived there with peace and suckled her son. When she ran out of water, she became thirsty and her beloved son started crying. Although she was not very much concerned about herself, she was extremely anxious for her son. Standing up, she climbed the mount Safa in search of water but could not find it. Disappointed, she climbed down and went to the mount Marwah with her gaze fixed on her son. While walking, she lost sight of her son for a while. Hence she ran to cover the distance quickly. After she was able to see her son again, she started walking slowly again until she reached the mount Marwah. 224

230 Climbing it up, she searched for water but could not find it. She then went towards the mount Safa again. She walked and ran between Safa and Marwah in this way for seven times. (Sa ee between Safa and Marwah is performed in remembrance of it). As she climbed the mount Marwah for the last time, she heard a horrible sound. Frightened, she ran to her son and saw that he was rubbing his heels against the ground, causing spring water to flow on the ground. She became very happy and began to put earth around the water, saying: O water! Stop, stop. This is the reason why it was named Zam Zam. Maqaam-e-Ibrahim Maqaam-e-Ibrahim has been mentioned in the Holy Quran. It is stated in part one, Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 125: 225

231 And make the standing place of Ibrahim a spot for (offering) Salah. Maqaam-e-Ibrahim is a stone brought from Paradise. Sayyiduna Ibrahim Khalilullah stood on it three times and his daughter in law (i.e. the wife of Sayyiduna Ismail ) helped him wash his blessed head. (2) When the height of the walls of the Ka bah increased while being built, Sayyiduna Ibrahim asked Sayyiduna Ismaeel to bring any stone so that he could further build the wall standing on the stone. Sayyiduna Ismail went to the Jabal-e-Ab Qubays in search of the stone. Sayyiduna Jibra`eel met him on the way and said, Let me show you a stone that came into this world with Sayyiduna Adam. And Sayyiduna Idrees buried it in this mountain for fear of it being lost during the storm of the nation of Sayyiduna Nuh. There are two stones buried here - one is small and the other is big. Fix the small one in the wall of Ka bah near the door so that every Tawaf-performing person may kiss it i.e. the Hajar-e-Aswad. And Sayyiduna Ibrahim may stand on the big stone to build the Ka bah. Therefore, he brought both the stones 226

232 and conveyed this message of Allah [to his father Sayyiduna Ibrahim ]. Following the Divine commandment, Sayyiduna Ibrahim fixed the Hajar-e-Aswad at one corner and continued to build the Ka bah, standing on the big one. As the height of the building increased, the height of the stone also continued to increase until he completed the construction. Hajar-e-Aswad It is a stone brought from Paradise. It is stated in a blessed Hadees, Rukn (Hajar-e-Aswad) and Maqam-e-(Ibrahim) are two rubies brought from Paradise. In the past, they were very luminous. Allah concealed their luminosity. If it had not happened, it would have brightened the East and the West. It is stated in another narration: when the Hajar-e-Aswad was fixed into the wall of Ka bah, its light reached a long distance away in 227

233 all the directions. As far as its light reached, it was declared the limits of Haram where hunting is forbidden. The colour of the Hajar-e-Aswad was completely white, but it turned dark when touched by sinners. The Beloved Rasool kissed it. Sayyiduna Farooq-e-A zam said, O! I know you are a stone. You cannot bring benefit or cause loss. If I had not seen the Beloved Rasool kiss you, I would have never kissed you. The Holy Rasool said, This stone will be raised on the Judgment Day. It will have two eyes by which it will see. It will have a tongue by which it will speak and will bear witness in favour of those who kissed it. Four features of Hajar-e-Aswad Touching removes sins: This blessed stone used to say Salam to the Beloved even before he declared Rasool Nubuwwah. This blessed stone will be turned into its original shape again. 228

234 On the Judgment Day, it will be as huge as Jabal-e-Ab Qubays. Masjid-ul-Haraam Masajid of Makkah Mukarramah The most famous Masjid of Makkah Mukarramah is Masjid-ul-Haraam. The Holy Ka bah is situated in it. It has been clearly mentioned in many blessed Ahadees that one Salah in Masjid-ul-Haraam is equivalent to one hundred thousand Salah in any other Masjid. Masjid-ul-Haraam has been mentioned in many places in the Holy Quran. For example, it is stated in the beginning of part 15: 229

235 Glory be to Him Who took His (illustrious) bondsman on a visit by night from Masjid-ul-Haraam to Masjid Al- Aqsa. 70 Blessed tombs of Ambiya in Masjid-ul-Haraam A la Hadrat Ahmad Raza Khan has narrated in Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah, volume 7, page 303 and 304: There is no harm in building a Masjid near the tomb of a Nabi or saint as well as in offeringsalah beside his blessed grave. One doing so must not have any of the two intentions (i.e. he must neither intend to revere the tomb by offering Salah nor must he face the tomb while offering Salah and nor must he intend to face the tomb). Instead, he may offer Salah so that he will be helped by them and his act of worship will be perfect. It is stated that the blessed tomb of Sayyiduna Ismaeel is situated in the Hatim under the Mizab-e-Rahmah. Similarly, there are the blessed tombs of 70 Rusul in the Hatim and between the Hajar-e-Aswad and the well of Zam Zam. And none of the Islamic scholars prohibited offering Salah there. 230

236 11 places where Beloved Rasool offered Salah in Masjid-ul-araam Inside the sacred Ka bah Behind the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim At the end of Mataf in the straightness of the Hajar-e- Aswad In between the Hatim and the door of the Holy Ka bah near the Rukn-e-Iraqi At the Maqam-e-ufrah which is located between the door of the Ka bah and the Hatim at the base of the wall of the Ka bah. This place is also called the Maqam-e- Imamat-e-Jibra`eel. The Beloved Rasool bestowed the privilege of leading five Salah upon Sayyiduna Jibra`eel at this place. At the same place, Sayyiduna Ibrahim Khalilullah prepared clay-mortar [i.e. a mixture of clay, water etc.] while constructing the Ka bah. Facing the direction of the sacred door of the Holy Ka bah. (To offer Salah facing the direction of the door of Ka bah is preferable to all other directions.) 1 1 It is said that Pakistan and India are situated in the direction of the door of the Holy Ka bah. 231

237 Facing the direction of the Mizaab-ur-Rahmah. (It is said that the blessed and luminous face of the Beloved Rasool is facing this direction in the sacred tomb.) In the entire area of Hatim, especially under the Mizaab-ur -Rahmat In between the Rukn-e-Aswad and the Rukn-e-Yamani Near the Rukn-e-Shami: The Beloved Rasool would offer Salah with his blessed back towards the Bab-ul-Umrah, whether he offered Salah inside or outside the Hatim. The spot where Sayyiduna Adam Safiullah would offer his Salah, that is located either on the left or the right side of the Rukn-e-Yamani. It is also said that the place where Sayyiduna Adam offered Salah is Mustajar. Masjid-e-Jinn This Masjid is situated near Jannat-ul-Ma ala. Listening to the recitation of the Holy Quran from the Beloved Rasool 232

238 during Fajr Salah, a group of jinn embraced Islam in this Masjid. Old Jinn Sayyiduna Sahel Bin Abdullah saw an old jinn dressed in a beautiful expensive robe. The Jinn was offering Salah, facing the blessed Ka bah. After the jinn finished Salah by performing Salam, Sayyiduna Sahel Bin Abdullah said Salam to him which he replied and said, You are surprised to see this robe! I have had this robe for 700 years. Dressed in the same robe, I have beheld Sayyiduna Isa Ruhullah. With the same robe put on, I have got the privilege of beholding the Beloved Rasool. Listen more! I am one of the jinns Surah Jinn has been revealed about. 233

239 Masjid-ur-Rayah This Masjid is situated near the Masjid-e-Jinn on the righthand side. The word (Rayah) in Arabic refers to a flag. It is the historical spot where our Beloved Rasool planted his blessed flag on the occasion of the Conquest of Makkah. Masjid-e-Khaif This Masjid is situated in Mina. On the occasion of Hijjatul-Wida, the Beloved Rasool offered Salah here. The Holy Rasool has stated, i.e. 70 Ambiya have offered Salah in Masjid-e-Khaif It is stated in another narration, i.e. there are the graves of 70 Ambiya in the Masjid-e-Khaif. This sacred Masjid has now been expanded and these blessed tombs can no longer be visited. Beholders should visit the sacred Masjid with great respect and reverence and should offer Salam to the Ambiya in this wording: 234

240 . They should also make Isal-e-Sawab and Du a. Masjid Ji irranah This Masjid is located about 26 kilometres from Makkah on the road to aif. You should put on Ihram for Umrah here as the Beloved and Blessed Rasool also put on Ihram for Umrah here on his return after the conquest of Taif. Yusuf Bin Mahak has said, Three hundred Ambiya put on Ihram for Umrah at Ji irranah. The Beloved Rasool drove his blessed staff [i.e. sacred stick]into the ground, causing very sweet and cold spring water to gush out! It is generally believed that there is a well here. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas has said: On his return from Taif, the Holy Rasool stayed here and distributed spoils of war here. He put on the Ihram of Umrah here on 28 Shawwal-ul-Mukarram. This area is named after a Qurayshi woman who was 235

241 known as Ji irranah. People call it Bara Umrah, i.e. the place of big Umrah. This is indeed a very sacred place. Sayyiduna Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dihlvi has narrated in Akhbar-ul- Akhyar that his Murshid Sayyiduna Abdul Wahhab Muttaqi has strongly advised him to put on the Ihram of Umrah at Ji irranah, if possible. His Murshid has further stated that Ji irranah is such a sacred place that he once spent a night there, and was blessed with beholding the Holy Rasool a hundred times in his dream within that single night. It was a routine of Sayyiduna Abdul Wahhab Muttaqi that he used to walk all the way to Ji irranah in the state of Sawm in order to put on the Ihram of Umrah there. Masjid Tan eem This magnificent Masjid is located almost 7 kilometre away from the Masjid-ul-Haraam outside the limits of Haram at the place called Tan eem. It is also called the Masjid-e- Ayesha. Fortunate pilgrims put on the Ihram of Umrah here. 236

242 People call this place small Umrah. Here is a historical background of this Masjid. In 9 AH, the Beloved Rasool accompanied by Sayyiduna Ayesha Siddiqah came to perform Hajj. She could not perform due to menses. The Holy Rasool came and found her sad. He said, Ayesha, do not worry. It has been ordained that the daughters of Adam (i.e. ladies) must experience this condition. The Beloved Rasool then said to her brother Sayyiduna Abdul Rahman Bin Ab Bakr, Take Ayesha with you so that she get into the state of Ihram at Tan eem and perform Umrah. Graves of Abu Lahab and his Wife Ibn Jubair has stated in his book Safar Nama i.e. the descriptions of journey : some distance away from Tan eem at the left side, there are the graves of Abu Lahab and his wife Umm-e-Jameel with heaps of stones on them. While travelling, people still stone these cursed graves. ( ) It is now not known whether they are still visible or have sunk into the ground or any building has been made on their site. Anyway, 237

243 it is not a holy site at all. They have been mentioned just for admonition. Construction of Masjid Tan eem Muhammad Bin Ali Shaafi i was the first to get a Masjid constructed at the historical place of Tan eem. Then Abu Al-Abbas, the chief of Makkah, had a dome constructed. Later on, an old woman had a beautiful Masjid built. Masjid-e-Nimrah This magnificent Masjid is located at the western edge of the Arafat plain. It has two more names: (1) Masjid-e- Arafah (2) Masjid-e-Ibrahim Masjid Zi-Tuwa This Masjid existed at a site of the route leading from Masjid-ul-Haram to Tan eem. During his blessed pilgrimage of Umrah or Hajj, the Greatest Rasool stayed at this sacred 238

244 Masjid at night. Following the Blessed Nabi, Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Abbas also did so during his blessed pilgrimages. Masjid Kabsh Masjid Kabsh is located beside the mount Sabir. At the same sacred place where Sayyiduna Ibrahim Khalilullah received the revelation: Verily, you have fulfilled your dream. This is how We reward the pious. It is said that Sayyiduna Ismail Zabihullah was made to lie down at the same place to be slaughtered. The ram sent from Paradise was also slaughtered here. It is the site where Du as are accepted. This Masjid can no longer be seen. This site exists at a 239

245 distance of 70 to 80 steps from the right side of the Big Satan on the way towards Makkah Mukarramah. Mursalat cave The Mursalat cave is situated on a mountain that is towards the north side of the Masjid Khayf in Mina. This mountain is situated at the right side of the path leading from Arafat to Mina. The Beloved Rasool received the revelation of Surah Al-Mursalat in this sacred cave. It is also said that as the Beloved Rasool sat in this sacred cave, his blessed head touched the stone; so the stone became soft and the impression of the blessed head formed on it. Devotees of Rasool touch their heads to the blessed impression in order to gain blessings. 240

246 Birthplace of Beloved Rasool Allamah Qubuddin has said that the Du a that is made at the birthplace of the Beloved Rasool is accepted. An easy way to get to this place is to exit through any of the adjacent doors of the mount Marwah. In the front, there is very big space for Salah-offering people. This sacred house is situated across the space and willappear from a distance,. The mother of Caliph Haroon Rashid had a Masjid constructed here. Nowadays, there is a library in place of this sacred house and a board with the inscription Maktaba Makka-tul-Mukarramah has been displayed. Jabal Abu Qubays This is the first mountain of the world. It lies outside Masjid-ul-Haraam near Safa and Marwah. The Du a that is made on this mountain is accepted. The people of Makkah when affected by drought would come here and make Du a. It is stated in a blessed Hadees that Hajar-ul-Aswad descended onto it from Paradise. This mountain is also referred to as Al-Amin as Hajar-e- Aswad remained intact over it during the storm of 241

247 Sayyiduna Nuh. On the occasion of the construction of the Holy Ka bah, this mountain called out to Sayyiduna Ibrahim and said humbly, Hajar-e-Aswad is present over here. It is also reported that this is the spot where the Beloved Rasool came and split the moon in two pieces. As Makka-tul-Mukarramah is surrounded by mountains, people used to climb this mountain for sighting the moon. (The moon that appears on the first, second and third night is called Hilal). Therefore, as a remembrance, a Masjid named Masjid Hilal was built here which used to be called Masjid Bilal by some people. A royal palace has been built on the mountain, because of which it is no longer possible to behold this holy Masjid. During the Hajj of 1409 A H, a bomb exploded near the palace, martyring many Hujjaj. As a result, it is now a high security zone. In view of the security of the palace, the Wudu area that existed in the tunnels of the mountain have also been demolished. It is reported that Sayyiduna Adam Safiullah is buried in the cave Kanz situated on the very same mountain Abu Qubays. According to another authentic narration he is buried in Masjid Khayf in blessed Mina. 242

248 House of Khadija-tul-Kubra 243 As long as the Noble Rasool lived in Makkah, he stayed in this sacred house. Except for Sayyiduna Ibrahim all other offspring of the Holy Rasool including Sayyidatuna Fatimah were born in this sacred house. Many a time, Sayyiduna Jibra`eel came to the court of the Holy Rasool in the same sacred house. The Beloved Rasool also received many Quranic revelations in this house. After Masjid-ul-Haraam, there is no other place in Makkah greater than this house. Regretfully, it has now been obliterated completely, and a walkway has been made here. Exiting through the adjacent door of the mount Marwah, you can only behold the atmosphere of this house with wistful eyes towards the left side.

249 Cave of mount Saur This blessed cave is situated in the mount Saur that lies on the right side of Makkah towards Masfalah approximately 4 kilometres away. This is the sacred cave that is mentioned in the Holy Quran. This is the sacred cave where the Holy Rasool and his beloved companion Sayyiduna Abu Bakr iddiq spent three nights on the occasion of migration (Hijrah). When the enemies reached the mouth of the cave in search of them, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr iddiq became sad and humbly said, Ya Rasoolallah! Our enemies have approached so close to us that they can see us if they look down. Comforting him, the Holy Rasool said, Grieve not, no doubt Allah ( ) is with us. This is the mountain on which Qabeel martyred Sayyiduna Habeel. 244

250 Cave of Hira This is the place where the Holy Rasool would do worship and meditation 1 before declaring his Risalat. This cave faces the direction of the Qiblah. This is the place where the Beloved Rasool received the first revelation (i.e. first five Ayahs of Surah Al- Alaq). The sacred cave is situated in the mount Hira towards the eastern side of Masjid-ul-Haraam about 3 kilometres away. This sacred mountain is also called Jabal Noor. The cave of Hira is greater than the cave of Saur as the Holy Rasool spent only 3 nights in the latter while he lived for a longer period of time in the former. Dar-e-Arqam Dar-e-Arqam was located in the vicinity of the mount afa. When the risks from disbelievers increased, our Beloved 1 i.e. the act of pondering 245

251 Rasool sought refuge in this sacred house. Several eminent people embraced Islam in this house such as Sayyiduna Hamzah, Sayyiduna Umar etc. It is the house where the Ayah was revealed. At this site, the mother of caliph Haroon Rasheed had a Masjid constructed which was renovated by many succeeding caliphs during their reign. No sign of this house exists now and it has been included in Masjid Haram. Masfalah This is indeed a very historic locality. Sayyiduna Ibrahim used to live here. Eminent companions like Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna Umar and Sayyiduna amzah also lived here. This area lies in the direction of Mustajar (wall of the Holy Ka bah). 246

252 Jannat-ul-Ma ala After Jannat-ul-Baqi, Jannat-ul-Ma ala is the world s holiest graveyard. Sayyidatuna Khadija-tul-Kubra, Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Umar, many companions, Tabieen, saints (Awliya ) and pious people rest here. The sacred graves and their domes have been demolished for making roads. Hence it is better to stand outside the graveyard and say Salam from distance in these words: Salam be upon you, O the believers from amongst Mu mineen and Muslims living here in these graves! We will also meet you,. We beg Allah for your safety and ours. Make Du a of forgiveness for yourself, your parents and the entire Ummah. Particularly make Isal-e-Sawab for those buried in Jannat-ul-Ma ala. Du a is accepted in this graveyard. 247

253 Shrine of Sayyidatuna Maymunah 248 The Beloved Rasool performed Nikah with Sayyidatuna Maymunah in the state of Ihram.It is situated on Madinah road at the place called Sarif near the area called Nawariyah. Although this sacred shrine is outside Makkah Mukarramah, ujjaj can visit it if they attempt to do. The blessed shrine of Sayyidatuna Maymunah is being mentioned here in order to gain blessings. By the time of providing this information (i.e. 16 Sha banul-mu zzam 1433 H), a way to visit this blessed grave is that you take Bus 2A or 13 that passes by Taneem i.e. Masjid Ayesha on Madinah road and goes ahead. The last stop of this bus is Nawariyah that is about 17 kilometres from Makkah. Get off the bus here, turn back and start walking on the same side towards Makkah. After you have walked for about 10 to 15 minutes on the same side of the road, you will see a checkpoint ahead of which lies Mawqif Hujjaj [i.e. a place for Hujjaj to stay]. A little distance ahead of it is an enclosed area where the sacred shrine of Sayyidatuna Maymunah is situated. This sacred shrine is located in the middle of the road. It is said that when attempts were made to demolish the sacred tomb, the bulldozerturned upside down. Eventually it was enclosed by walls. How great the Karamat (miracle) of our mother Sayyidatuna Maymunah is!

254 Sayyidatuna Maymunah bestowed grapes after demise Here is the description of a saintly miracle that took place after the demise of the mother of believers Sayyidatuna Maymunah. Read it and refresh your faith. Mentioned here is a parable in the words of a visitor who humbly visited her blessed shrine during the days when its apparent door used to be opened for visitors. He has related: At midnight, we reached the area called Sarif that lies on the path leading from Makkah to Madinah. The blessed shrine of Sayyidatuna Memuna is situated here, i.e. at Sarif. By chance, I had not eaten anything that day. I was too hungry to do anything. I tried hard to get bread but could not find it. At last, I went inside the blessed mausoleum. Standing in front of her blessed tomb, I said Salam, recited Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Al-Ikhlas and conveyed its reward to her blessed soul. I then called out like a beggar: O dear mother! I am your guest. Please bestow upon me something to eat, show generosity to me and do not let me go, deprived. I was sitting when I suddenly found two bunches of fresh grapes in my hand! It was sustenance bestowed upon me by the Absolute Provider of sustenance, i.e. Almighty Allah. The odd thing was that it was winter 249

255 and fresh grapes were not available anywhere. I was surprised. I ate one bunch at the very same place. Then I exited the mausoleum and distributed one grape each among my companions. 250

256 Holy Sites of Madinah Excellence of reciting Salat Alan Nabi The Beloved Rasool has said, Whoever recites Salat upon me one thousand times in a day, will not die unless he sees his abode in Paradise. Excellence ofmadinah Munawwarah! Remembrance of Madinah is the peace and comfort of devotees of Rasool. Devotees of Madinah grieve over separation from it and are always extremely fond of beholding it. So many couplets in so many languages of the world were or are recited in separation from and in love for beholding Madinah that they were not recited or are not recited about any other city or part of the world. One who has beheld Madinah even once considers himself to be a fortunate one. He always remembers the pleasant moments he spent in Madinah. A devotee of Rasool has excellently said: 251

257 252 Before we learn about the details of the holy sites of Madinah, let s first read the excellence of the city of the Beloved Rasool so that our reverence and love for Madinah further grows. Madinah was mentioned in Quran Madinah was mentioned at several places in the Holy Quran. For example, Ayah 8 of Surat-ul-Munafiqun states: They say: If we return to Madinah, indeed the more honourable one will banish therefrom the disgraceful one. And honour belongs to Allah and His Rasool, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know. Twelve names of Madinah Munawwarah Islamic scholars of Madina have listed almost 100 names. No other city of the world has so many names. Only twelve blessed names have been mentioned here for blessings: 1. Madinah 2. Madinah-tur-Rasool 3. ayyibah 4. Dar-ul-Abrar 5. abah 6. Mubarakah 7. Najiyah 8. Aimah 252

258 Shafiah 10. asanah 11. Jazir-tul- Arab 12. Sayyid-tul-Buldan Excellence of dying in Madinah Munawwarah The Beloved Rasool has said, Whoever among you can die in Madinah, should die in Madinah because I shall intercede for the one who dies in Madinah and I shall give witness in his favour. Dajjal cannot enter Madinah The Beloved Rasool has said: There are angels at all the entrances (roads) of Madinah; plague and Dajjal will not enter it. 253

259 254 Madinah is safe from every calamity The Beloved Rasool has said, I swear by the One under whose omnipotence my life is! In Madinah, there is neither any ravine nor any path but there are two angels at it who are guarding it. Imam Nawavi has stated: Excellence of Madinah Munawwarah has been mentioned in this narration. It was guarded in the blessed age of the Beloved Rasool. A large number of angels would guard [it]. They have surrounded all ravines in reverence for the Beloved Rasool. Fresh fruits of Madinah Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah has narrated: When people saw the first seasonal fruit [in marketplaces], they would bring it in the court of Beloved Rasool. After he accepted the fruit, he would make Du a like this: O Allah! Bestow blessing upon our fruits for us and bestow blessing upon our Madinah for us and bestow blessing upon our Sa and Mud (which are names of measurements tools). O Allah! Undoubtedly, Ibrahim is Your bondman and Your Khalil and Your 254

260 255 Nabi. And undoubtedly, I am Your bondman and Nabi. He made Du a to You for Makkah and I make a similar Du a to You for Madinah and I make one more similar Du a for Madinah (i.e. I ask You to bestow two-fold blessings upon Madinah, compared to Makkah). Then the Beloved Rasool would call any small child, present near him, and would bestow the fruit upon him. Madinahwill purify people The Beloved Rasool has said, I have been commanded to migrate to the town which will eat [i.e. dominate] all other towns. It is called Yarb but it is Madinah. It will clean and purify people as a furnace removes rust from iron. It is sin to call Madinah Yasrib Dear Islamic brothers! Calling Madinah Yasrib has been prohibited in this narration. It is stated on page 116, volume 21 of Fatawa-e- Razawiyyah: It is impermissible, prohibited and a sin to call Madinah Yasrib. The person saying so will be a sinner. The Beloved Rasool has said, Repentance is Wajib for those who call Madinah Yasrib; Madinah is Taba; Madinah is Taba. Commenting on the above Hadees, Allamah Manawi has stated in the book Tayseer Sharah Jami-us-Sagheer : This Hadees 255

261 256 shows that it is Haraam to name Madinah Yasrib because he commanded that the one calling Madinah Yasrib must repent of it. And repentance is made only for sins. Why is it forbidden to say Yasrib? It is stated on page 119, volume 21 of Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah: Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dihlvi has stated in the book : The Beloved Rasool named it Madinah because people stayed and gathered there and because he loved this city. He forbade to call this city Yasrib as it was the name used in the pre-islamic era or it has been combined by the word Sarb, meaning death and violence and by the word Tasreeb, implying rebuke and reproach. Or, as Yasrib was the name of an idol or a cruel and defiant [i.e. disobedient] person, he may have forbidden it for the same reason. Imam Bukhari has mentioned a Hadees in his book Tareekh : Whoever utters the word Yasrib once, should say Madinah ten times (in compensation). The words (i.e. O the people of Yasrib) have been mentioned in the Holy Quran. It is, in fact, a saying of the hypocrites who intended to desecrate Madinah by calling it Yasrib. It is stated in one more narration that the person who utters Yasrib should repent to Allah and seek forgiveness. Some have said that the person who calls Madinah Yasrib should be punished. It is very surprising that some renowned people have used the word Yasrib in their couplets. Allah knows the best. And Allah Who is Great and Glorious has perfect and complete knowledge. 256

262 257 Intercession for the one enduring hardships in Madinah The Holy Rasool has said, If anyone from my Ummah endures the troubles and hardships in Madinah, I will intercede for him on the Judgment Day. Commenting on the above Hadees, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan has stated: This means special intercession. In fact, the promise that those dying in Madinah deserve intercession of the Holy Nabi has been made for the entire Ummah. Keep in mind that it was better to live in Makkah Mu azzamah before the Beloved Rasool migrated but, after the migration and before the Conquest of Makkah, Muslims were forbidden to live in Makkah Mu azzamah and migration was declared Wajib. Living in Makkah became permissible after the Conquest of Makkah, but living in Madinah was declared preferable because one can gain the closeness of the Beloved Rasool here. Hence most narrations in excellence of living in Madinah have been mentioned. 257

263 258 Madinah is better The Beloved Rasool has said, A time will certainly come upon the dwellers of Madinah when people will move from here to pastures 1, seeking prosperity. After they have achieved prosperity, they will return and will try to convince the dwellers of Madinah to move towards [the areas of] prosperity. Whereas, Madinah is better for them if they know. Glad tidings of intercession for one who endures deprivation in Madinah Munawwarah The leader of believers Sayyiduna Farooq-e-A zam has said that the prices of commodities increased in Madinah and circumstances became unfavourable. So the Beloved Rasool 1 Land covered with grass used for feeding animals on 258

264 259 said, Be patient and be happy because I have made your Saa [ ] and Mud [ ] full of blessing. And eat together because the food of a person will be sufficient for two and that of two will be sufficient for four and that of four will be sufficient for five and six people. And without doubt, blessing lies in gathering. If a person bears deprivation and hardship in Madinah, I will intercede for him on the Judgment Day or I will give witness in his favour. And if anyone leaves Madinah due to its circumstances, Allah will make better people reside in it. And if anyone intends to cause harm to the dwellers of Madinah, Allah will make him dissolve as salt is dissolved in water. Excellence of bearing hardships in Madinah It is stated on page 116 of the 243-page book Bahisht ki Kunjiyah, i.e. Keys to Paradise published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: The Holy Nabi has said, The person who willingly comes to behold me will be protected by me on the day of judgment. And if a person resides in Madinah bearing hardships in Madinah, I will give witness for him and will intercede for him on the Day of Judgment. And the person who dies in any of the Haramayn (i.e. Makkah and Madinah) will be 259

265 260 resurrected by Allah in such a state that he will have no fear of the Judgment Day. How is it to reside in Madinah? Remember! Only those who can revere and respect Madinah are allowed to reside in it. Those who cannot do so are not allowed to live here permanently or for a long time. It is stated on page 695 of the tenth volume of the referenced Fatawa Razawiyyah: (The author of the book Fath-ul-Qadeer has stated), In Madinah, there is great mercy, kindness, benevolence and quick forgiveness. This is tried and trusted, Despite that, it is feared that one might feel boredom and end up showing less respect and reverence for it. And this is also a reason for the prohibition of permanent stay there. However, those individual who are as pious as angels can reside permanently or for a long time. It is, of course, a great privilege for these types of people to meet their death in Madinah. Parable about defecation in Madinah On page 689 of the tenth volume of Fatawa Razawiyyah, Ala Hadrat has narrated a parable from the book Al-Madkhal. It is said that Abu Abdullah Al-Qazi once needed to defecate 1 in Madinah. Going to a side in the city, he intended to defecate but he heard a voice from Ghayb, preventing him from doing so. He said, All Hujjaj do so. He heard a reply three times, Which type of Hujjaj? Which type of Hujjaj? Which type of Hujjaj? Hence he went out of the city, defecated and then returned. 1 i.e. to pass stool. 260

266 261 Acting upon the commands of Holy Nabi is the real stay in Madinah It is also narrated from the same book Al-Madkhal : In actual fact, acting upon what is commanded by the Holy Nabi and refraining from what is prohibited by him is the real stay in his city no matter a person lives anywhere in the world. 17 features ofmadinah Munawwarah (There are many features of Madinah but only 17 have been mentioned here in order to gain blessing.) Except for Madinah, there is no other city in the world which has so many names. Some Islamic scholars have recorded 100 names. Madinah is the only city for which most number of couplets in most number of languages were written, are being written and will be written expressing reverence for it and grief at separation from it. This is the only city of the world with such a unique level of reverence. 261

267 262 The Beloved Rasool migrated to Madinah and resided here. Allah named it Taaba. Returning from a journey, when the Beloved Rasool approached [Madinah], he would speed his carriage up in fondness for Madinah. The Beloved Rasool felt inner peace in Madinah Munawwarah. The Beloved Rasool would not wipe the dust of Madinah from his blessed face and would also forbid his companions from it. He would say that there is cure in the earth of Madinah. Sayyiduna Saad Bin Abi Waqas has narrated: While the Beloved Rasool was returning from the Battle of Tabuk, some companions who could not participate in Battle of Tabuk met him on the way. They caused the dust to fly in the air. A person covered his nose. The Beloved Rasool removed the cloth from his nose and said, I swear by the One under whose omnipotence my life is! There is cure for every disease in the earth of Madinah. 262

268 263 When a Muslim comes to Madinah with the intention of beholding it, so angels welcome him with gifts of mercy. The Beloved Rasool has provided motivation for dying in Madinah Munawwarah. The Beloved Rasool will intercede for the person who dies in Madinah. The person who enters Masjid Nabawi in the state of Wudu and performs Salah in Masjid Nabawi will get reward of one Hajj. The space between the blessed Hujrah [i.e. room] and the blessed Mimber [i.e. pulpit-like raised structure] is one of the orchards of paradise. To offer one Salah is equal to 50,000 Salah in Masjid-e-Nabawi. In Madinah Munawwarah, the blessed tomb of the Beloved Rasool is situated where 70 thousand angels come every day in the morning and evening each. In Madinah, the blessed part of the land where the blessed body of the Holy Nabi rests is greater than 263

269 264 every place including even the Holy Ka bah, Bait-ul-Mamur, Arsh, Kursi and Heaven. Dajjal will not be able to enter Madinah Munawwarah. The person who intends to cause harm to the dwellers of Madinah will be tormented. Jannat-tul-Baqi - the graveyard of Madinah - is greater than the graveyards of the entire world. More or less 10 thousand companions, family members of the Holy Nabi, countless Taba een, saints and other fortunate Muslims have been laid to rest here. Land for Masjid Nabawi The plot (i.e. land) of Masjid-e-Nabawi was the property of two orphan children named Sahl and Sohail. There were the graves of unbelievers here. The land was also uneven. Both of these children were under the guardianship of Sayyiduna Asad Bin Zurarah. Dates used to be dried on this land. The Beloved Rasool said to the children, Sell this plot to us so that a Masjid can be constructed here. The children replied with great 264

270 265 respect and reverence, O our Master! Accept this plot from us as a gift. The Beloved Rasool did not accept their gift. Finally, the plot was bought. Sayyiduna Siddique Akbar paid 10 thousand Dinars. It is also narrated that this plot belonged to Banu Najjar. The Beloved Rasool wanted to buy this plot from them, but they said that they would get the price (reward) of this plot from Allah. The size of the plot is approximately 100 square yards. Sayyiduna Jibra`eel came to the court of Beloved Rasool Sayyiduna Hasan Basri has narrated: When the Beloved Rasool intended to construct Masjid-e-Nabawi, Sayyiduna Jibra`eel came and said humbly: Y Rasoolallah! Keep its height up to seven arms (i.e. 3 and a half yards); there should be no sophistication in its decoration. It was the style of construction at that time. Masjid did not have arch-like Mihrab, tomb and minaret etc. However, due to change in circumstances, magnificent Masajid can now be built. Stated on page 106 of the eighth volume of Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah is a part of the jurisprudential clause described in the book Durr-e-Mukhtar : (There is no harm in carving inscriptions on other parts of Masjid except Mihrab.) This is because the inscription and decoration of Mihrab may distract the Salah-offering person. Moreover, too much decoration and inscription in the Masjid, especially on the Qiblah-side wall is Makrooh. 265

271 266 Construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi The date palm trees standing on the plot were cut. The graves of unbelievers were removed. (In the month of Rabi -ul-awwal in 1 AH, i.e. October 622, the foundation of Masjid-e-Nabawi was laid) The Beloved Rasool along with his companions brought the bricks and said these blessed words:. O Allah! Reward of hereafter is better. Have mercy upon the Ansar and the Muhajireen. Beloved Rasool participated in construction of Masjid Nabawi Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah has said that the Beloved Rasool was carrying bricks. Seeing this, I said humbly: Y Rasoolalla! Please give me these bricks; I will carry them. The Beloved Rasool said, There are many other bricks; fetch them! I am carrying these. Masjid Nabawi was constructed with unbaked bricks and its roof was made of date-palm branches; and its pillars were trunks of date-palm tree. 266

272 267 Excellence of Salah in Masjid Nabawi Three sayings of the Beloved Rasool The person who offers 40 Salah consecutively in Masjid Nabawi, salvation from hell and hypocrisy will be recorded for him. The person who comes to my Masjid in the state of purity and cleanliness with the only intention of offering Salah, and then he offers Salah into it, so he will get the reward equivalent to a Hajj. One Salah in my Masjid is equal to 50,000 Salah. Interesting information about sacred mausoleum of Blessed Rasool The Green Dome is the apple of everyone s eye and the solace of everyone s heart. Every devotee of Rasool wishes to be privileged to behold the Green Dome the Minaret at least once throughout his lifetime. The most blessed and the greatest holy site of Madinah and even the entire earth is the mausoleum of the Holy Nabi. How beautiful couplet has been written by devotee of Rasool: 267

273 268 Sacred House of Beloved Rasool Towards the eastern side of the Masjid-un-Nabawi is a blessed piece of land where the Holy Nabi rests. At the time of the very first construction of the Masjid-un-Nabawi, this blessed room was constructed for the Greatest Nabi to reside in. This is the very same place where Sayyidatuna Aeysha lived with the Revered and Renowned Rasool for about nine years. This is the reason why it is also called the Hujra-e-Aeysha. With its walls made of clay and its roof made of the branches and leaves of datepalm trees, this small-area-covering house was perhaps the simplest house in Madinah at that time. The height of the roof of this great house was equivalent to the height of a human and half a yard more. Later on, similar rooms were made around it one after another for other mothers of believers. Allamah Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dihlvi has stated: Some of the houses were made of the clean branches of date-palm tree and were covered with blankets. Blankets were also used as curtains at the door. All houses faced the direction of the Qiblah, the east and Syria. None of the houses faced the direction of the west. Some of the houses were made of clay bricks. The devotees of Rasool who consider their homes small and feel uncomfortable in it should ponder about the sacred house of the Beloved Rasool and should have patience. 268

274 269 Demise and burial in sacred Hujrah The Greatest and Noblest Rasool departed this life in the same Hujrah-e-Ayesha. He was laid to rest in the same blessed part of the land of his house where he passed away. This part has been privileged to touch his blessed body. The mother of believers Sayyidatuna Ayesha Siddiqah lived in the same sacred Hujrah until her demise. Burial of Shaykhayn-e-Karimayn in sacred Hujrah When the time of demise of the leader of believers Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique approached, he made a will that the bier 1 with his blessed body after his demise in it be placed in front of the blessed mausoleum of the Holy Rasool and then the request be made: i.e. Ya Rasoolallah! Abu Bakr is present. If the door opens itself, then take me inside. Otherwise, bury me in Jannat-ul-Baqi. After his demise, his bier was placed in front of the blessed mausoleum and the request was made as per his will, i.e. i.e. Ya Rasoolallah! Abu Bakr is present. Instantly, the lock opened itself and a voice was heard: i.e. Bring a friend closer to his friend because the friend is fond of his friend. Therefore, he was laid to rest at the side of the Holy Rasool. His grave was dug in such a way that his blessed head was in the straightness of the blessed shoulders of the Holy Nabi. Almost ten years later, 1 A frame on which the dead body is placed and carried at a funeral. 269

275 270 Sayyiduna Umar Bin Khattab was martyred and was buried at the side of the leader of believers Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique inside the same blessed Hujrah. Sacred Hujrah was divided into two parts The sacred Hujrah of the mother of believers Sayyidatuna Ayesha Siddiqah was divided into two parts: there were the blessed tombs in one part and there was the other part where she lived. There was a wall in between both the parts. She said, I used to enter the part of my home in which the Beloved Rasool and my respectable father rest in such a way that I would not pay careful attention towards observing veil, thinking that one is my husband and the other is my father. But after the leader of believers Sayyiduna Umar Farooq A zam was buried beside them, so by Allah! I would enter that part with my whole body fully covered with clothes, from Sayyiduna Umar Farooq A zam It became obvious that Sayyidatuna Ayesha and her beloved father Sayyiduna Akbar were watching her from inside their blessed tombs after departing this life. She also had the same belief about Sayyiduna Umar Farooq A zam.this is the reason why she would particularly observe veil after his burial in the blessed mausoleum; though there is no commandment to observe veil in this way near graves had no doubt in the fact that the Beloved Rasool

276 271 No one was buried here after Shaykhayn Karimayn After Shaykhayn Karimayn no one was buried in the sacred Hujrah. Although Sayyiduna Usman Ibn-e- Affaan was martyred in Madinah Munawwarah, a violent sect did not let him be buried inside the sacred Hujrah. Hence he was buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi. Sayyiduna Ali was martyred in Kufa which is far away from Madinah. Hence he was not also buried in the sacred Hujrah. When the grandson of the Beloved Rasool Sayyiduna Imam Hassan Mujtaba was poisoned, resulting in his martyrdom, an effort was made to bury his blessed body in the sacred Hujrah but Marwan - the then governor of Madinah Munawwarah who was anti-ahl-e- Bat, prevented it threatening to use the armed force. Therefore, Sayyiduna Imam Hassan was buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi in order to avoid a bloody clash. 271

277 272 There is now no entrance to Sacred Hujrah When Sayyidatuna Ayesha passed away, she was buried in Jannat-tul-Baqi. Thereafter, a strong wall was erected outside the door of the blessed Hujrah, sealing the entrance. The place where the mother of believers used to reside also became vacant after she passed away. Hence the site of the fourth grave is now vacant in the blessed Hujrah. Near the judgment day, Sayyiduna Isa will descend down and be buried in the blessed Hujrah after his demise. Construction of walls of sacred Hujrah In the blessed era of the Holy Nabi, the walls of the blessed house were made of unbaked bricks. It was Sayyiduna Umar Farooq A zam who first had strong walls built. Later, Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz the revivalist of Islam in the first century had the Masjid Nabawi reconstructed in the first century and got black-stone walls built (with no door in it) around the actual area of the Hujrah of Ayesha. A five-cornered wall around it was also built with no door in it. History of sacred grilles There is a blessed grille, made of iron and brass, installed around the five-cornered wall which was built around the blessed graves by Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz. This blessed grille is called the holy Maqsurah. An Egyptian king, Ruknuddin Baybras first had a grille-type blessed wooden structure installed in 668 AH. At that time, its height was equivalent to the height of two men. In 694, King Zaynuddin Katbugha got the height of the blessed structure increased which touched the roof. In 886, this blessed wooden structure was lost in a fire incident. Thereafter, King 272

278 273 Qayitbai had iron and brass grille made. The brass grille was installed in the direction of the Qiblah whereas the iron grilles were installed in the remaining three directions. The holy Maqsura has many doors. One door, named the Bab-ut-Tawbah, is fixed in the Qiblah-wall. Another door, called the Bab-ul-Wufud, is fixed in the west side wall. One more door, called the Bab-e-Fatimah, is fitted in the east side wall. Another one, known as the Bab-ul-Tahajjud, is fitted in the north side. Except the Bab-e-Fatimah, all doors remain closed. The Bab-e-Fatimah is opened only when any foreign guest of the government or any delegation pay a visit. Though these people enter through the blessed grille, they cannot go beyond the five-cornered wall because there is no door for entrance in it. There are big curtains around the five-cornered wall. Fake pictures of three graves These days, the frames of the picture of three graves are sold in markets. One of the graves is described as being the blessed tomb of the Holy Nabi while the other two as being the tombs of Shaykhain. In fact, this is a fake picture because all the three blessed graves are surrounded by the five-cornered wall with no entrance in it. When it is impossible to behold these blessed graves with apparent eyes, then how can it be possible to take a photograph of them? 273

279 274 Construction of Blessed dome on blessed mausoleum In past, there was no dome over the blessed Hujrah. On the roof, there was only a four-cornered wall as high as the height of half a man. This wall was made so that anyone climbing on to the roof of the Masjid Nabawi for any purpose may realize that he is present at a highly sacred place and must not climb on to it even forgetfully. It is interesting to mention that the trend of making domes over the mausoleums of government officials started during the initial period of the Abbasi caliphate. Gradually, the dome became a part of the mausoleums of religious personalities in Baghdad and Damascus. In Baghdad, a Saljuqi king Malik Shah had a dome constructed over the mausoleum of the Imam Azam in the fifth century. Afterwards, this trend of construction greatly grew in Egypt where domes were constructed over many mausoleums within a short period of time. During the Qalawoon dynasty, domes had been common almost all over the Muslim world. This type of construction was very famous in Egypt. When King Mansur Qalawoon decided to have a dome constructed over the blessed mausoleum of the Revered and Renowned Rasool for the first time, he appointed Egyptian architects and builders who skilfully built a beautiful dome over the blessed Hujrah with the help of wooden planks in 678 AH. By the blessing of being constructed over the sacred mausoleum of the Holy Rasool, this blessed dome is so beautiful that it is the apple of everyone s eye. 274

280 275 Construction of big and small blessed dome For the period of more or less a century, devotees of Rasool feasted their eyes on the first dome. As time passed, some of the wooden planks that had been strengthened with lead became fragile. Hence Sultan-un-Nasir Hassan Bin Muhammad Qalawun served the blessed dome, i.e. had it renovated. In 765 AH, Sultan Ashraf Sha ban Bin Husayn Bin Muhammad also had the privilege of serving it. After almost a century, the need for large-scale renovation or reconstruction of the blessed dome was felt. Moreover, construction work around and within the blessed fivecornered wall, built by Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz, was also humbly suggested. In the initial stage, Sultan Ashraf Qayitba i assigned a representative to carry out an inspection. The report presented by the representative showed that there was a serious need for the service i.e. renovation of the walls of the blessed Hujrah, especially the eastern side of the blessed five-cornered wall as it began to crack at some places. Therefore, on 14 th Sha ban, 881 A.H., the affected parts of the sacred five-cornered wall were removed. In addition, the old roof of the sacred Hujrah was also removed and one third part of it roofed over towards the eastern side, which made it appear like a basement. Whereas, the other two parts were left unroofed and a dome, which was small in size but great in sanctity and reverence, made of carved stones, was constructed on the blessed Hujrah towards the blessed head-side of the three sacred graves. Then white marble was fixed on the entire dome and a model of brass-made moon was installed on it. Then the height of the roof of the Masjid Nabawi was further increased, so the blessed roof was higher than the dome with the model of the moon. Thereafter, a big dome was constructed over it. 275

281 276 On 17 Sha ban 881 AH, reconstruction work of the sacred Hujrah started and was completed on 7 th Shawwal-ul-Mukarram, 881 AH. Sultan Qayitba i humbly visited Madinah Munawwarah on 22 nd Zul-Hijjah-tul-Haraam 881 AH. In the blessed mausoleum, he humbly stood where general people stand and say Salam (i.e. in front of the blesse grille and the blessed Muwajah). When he was requested to enter through the blessed grille, he said: I am not worthy of it! If it were possible, I would say salam standing away even from the blessed Muwajah. Mu azzin struck by lightning during Azan On 13 th Ramadan 886 AH, the weather of Madinah was cloudy. The Mu azzin had just climbed on the minaret to deliver Azan when he was struck by lightning, and was martyred on the spot. The minaret collapsed inside the Masjid Nabawi where fire broke out. Fire and stampede etc. claimed ten more lives. The blessed dome was also affected, causing some debris to fall devotedly into the sacred Hujrah. However, the sacred Hujrah was intact. Though immediate renovation was made, a message with considerable detail was sent to King Qayitba i on 16 th Ramadan. The King sent necessary material and more than one hundred builders, skilful people, and labourers to Madinah from Egypt. The work started. The outer 276

282 277 dome which was affected the most was removed completely. In 892 AH, a new outer dome was constructed on the command of King Qayitba i. This new dome continued to exist for centuries. When was Green dome Built? For a certain need, the Turkish King Mahmood Bin Abdul Hamid Khan had martyred the blessed dome constructed by King Qayitba i and had a new dome constructed in 1233 A.H. It was painted green in 1253 AH, i.e. in 1837 AD. For this reason, it is called Gumbad-e-Khazra, i.e. the Green Dome. It has 67 skylights. Some are round-shaped and others are rectangular-shaped. Both domes have small openings An opening was made in the lower dome so that the blessed grave is open to the sky. However, a thin grille was fixed to it so that pigeons etc. do not enter through the opening. In a quite similar manner, exactly above it, another opening had been made in the Green Dome towards the south and below the model of the moon. When confronted with famine, the dwellers of Madinah would uncover this opening. As the sun s rays passed through the opening and humbly reached the blessed Hujrah, clouds would move towards Madinah and heavy rain would start there. This opening has now been sealed. 277

283 278 Different colours of blessed dome In different times, the blessed dome had different colours and was famous with the same colour in had in a certain period of history. For example, when it was white, it was called ; when it was blue, it was called. In 1253 AH (1837A.D.) it became and is still famous as (Green Dome). It is extremely attractive and beautiful and is the apple of the eyes of the devotees of Rasool. Devotees of Rasool from all over the world like it very much. Around the globe, green domes are now constructed at countless Masajid in remembrance of the blessed Green Dome. Some of the domes constructed at other Masajid have close resemblance to the blessed Green Dome in shape and colour. One example of it is the green dome constructed at the Kanz-ul-Iman Masjid situated at Babri Chowk Bab-ul-Madinah, Karachi. 278

284 279 Eight blessed pillars of Masjid Nabawi Eight pillars of the Masjid-un-Nabawi are particularly sacred. The name of each pillar is also inscribed on it. Inside the Raudat-ul- Jannah, i.e. Orchard of Paradise, it is possible to behold six pillars. The other two pillars are situated inside the blessed Hujrah and hence it is difficult to behold them. In Arabic, a pillar is called Ustuwanah. Details regarding eight pillars are as follows: 1. Ustuwanah-e-annanah This sacred pillar is adjacent to the Mihrab [i.e. arch] of the Masjid Nabawi on the right side. Before the blessed Mimber [i.e. a pulpit-like structure] was constructed, the Beloved Rasool used to deliver the sermon, leaning against a trunk of the date-palm tree. When the blessed Mimber was made, the Beloved Rasool sat on it and delivered the sermon, so the trunk cracked in the grief of separation from the Beloved Rasool and started crying loudly and screaming like a pregnant female camel. Seeing this, all the people present there also started weeping bitterly. The Beloved Rasool stepped down the Mimber and stroked his blessed hand over the trunk of the date-palm tree, saying, If you wish, I will send you where you were in your previous condition; and if you wish, I will place you in Paradise so that the dwellers of Paradise may eat your fruit. After a few moments, the Beloved Rasool turned towards his companions and said: It chose paradise. That trunk was named Hannanah due to its crying. When Sayyiduna Hasan Basri heard this parable, he would weep bitterly and say, O people! If a non-living trunk of the date-palm tree can 279

285 280 cry in grief of separation from the Beloved Rasool, why can t you cry? 2. Ustuwanah Ayesha This is the third pillar both from the blessed grave and from the blessed Mimber. The Holy Rasool and his companions often used to offer their Salah at this place and he used to often sit here. If people know, they will draw lots The mother of believers Sayyidatuna Ayesha Siddiqah once quoted a saying of the Revered and Renowned Rasool : In the Masjid Nabawi, there is a place that is extremely sacred. If people get aware of it, they will draw lots to offer Salah there due to crowd. The blessed companions asked Sayyiduna Ayesha Siddiqah about the place but she avoided disclosing it. Later on, Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Zubayr insisted, so she pointed out the place. Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Zubayr immediately went there and engaged in offering Nafl Salah. Thus blessed companions also became aware of this sacred pillar. This is the reason why it is called Ustuwanah Ayesha. It is also narrated that prayers are answered at this place. 280

286 Ustuwana Taubah This is the second pillar from the blessed tomb and fourth from the blessed Mimber. The Rasool of mankind, the peace of our heart and mind, the most generous and kind would often offer Nafl Salah at this place. Visitors and guests would also stay here. The Holy Rasool used to preach poor and destitute people about Islam and Quran here. This pillar is also called Ustuwanah Abu Lubabah. Abu Lubabah had himself tied to this pillar for the acceptance of his repentance for a mistake he committed. He swore, Unless the Holy Nabi released me with his own blessed hands, I would neither eat nor drink anything. I would remain tied here. I would either die or my sin will be forgiven. He would only be untied for Salahs and bodily needs such as going to toilet etc. He remained tied for almost seven days without eating and drinking anything. At last, Allah accepted his repentance and the Rasool of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah untied him with his own blessed hands. 4. Ustuwanat-us-Sareer Situated towards the eastern side of the Ustuwana Tawba, this sacred pillar is adjacent to the blessed grille. This is the place where the Holy Rasool would stay in the Masjid during I tikaf on his 281

287 282 bedstead made of date tree wood. At night, he would often rest at mat. In Arabic, bedstead is called. 5. Ustuwanat-ul-ars It is called Ustuwanat-ul-ars and Ustuwanah-e-Ali. Sayyiduna Ali would often offer Nafl Salah here and would guard the Beloved Rasool at night. 6. Ustuwanah Wufud This sacred pillar is situated behind the Ustuwana Hars. Whenever Arab delegations from suburban areas came to the court of the Holy Nabi in order to embrace Islam, he would often sit here with respectable companions around him. 7. Ustuwanah-e-Jibra`eel This is the place where Sayyiduna Jibra`eel often used to appear to deliver divine revelation. This blessed pillar is adjacent to the room of Sayyidatuna Fatimah, and is situated exactly 282

288 283 in front of the platform of Ashab-e-uffah, i.e. in the direction of the Qiblah and inside the Green Grille. 8. Ustuwanah-e-Tahajjud At this place, the Beloved Rasool offered Tahajjud several times. Located inside the green grilles, this blessed pillar is just opposite uffa in the direction of Qiblah towards north side behind Hujrah Fatimah. It is difficult to behold it due to the racks in which copies of Holy Quran are kept. Other pillars are also sacred No doubt, the above-mentioned eight pillars of the Masjid Nabawi are absolutely sacred, other pillars and the entire Masjid is also sacred. The blessed eye of the Holy Rasool must have fallen on each and every pillar of the ancient Masjid. There is not a single pillar where any of the blessed companions may not have offered Salah. It is stated in the book Sahih Bukhari that Sayyiduna Anas has stated: I have seen the great companions of the Greatest Rasool rush towards pillars at the time of Maghrib. 283

289 284 Orchard of Jannah The space between the blessed Hujrah (where the blessed tomb of the Holy Nabi is situated) and the sacred Mimber (where he would deliver sermon) is an orchard of Paradise. Its length is 22 meters and its width is 15 meters. The Holy Rasool has stated, The space between my house and the Mimber is an orchard from amongst the orchards of Paradise. In everyday conversation, people call it Riyad-ul-Jannah but the actual word is Roda-tul-Jannah. Mihrab-e-Nabawi According to the information received until now, there are four Mihrabs (i.e. arches) in Masjid-un-Nabawi. (i) Mihrab-un-Nabi (ii) Mirab-e- Usmani (iii) Mihrab-e-Tahajjud (iv) Mihrab-e-Sulaymani. Only Mihrab-un-Nabi is mentioned here. After the revelation about the changing of the Qiblah, the Beloved and Blessed Rasool 284 started leading Salah standing near Ustuwanah Ayesha. He continued to do so for 14 or 15 days. On 15 th Sha ban-ul

290 285 Mu azzam in 2 AH, he started leading Salah near Usuwanah Hannanah. This Mihrab is built at this place in the direction of Mizab-e-Rehmah of the Holy Ka bah. The presentstyle Mihrab did not exist in the time of the Holy Rasool and his Khulafah Rashideen (righteous caliphs). It was the revivalist of Islam in the first century - Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz - who introduced it on the instruction of caliph Walid Bin Abdul Malik in 88 AH, i.e. 706 AD. In fact, this is a Bid at Hasanah (a good innovation) which the entire Ummah accepted without any objection. Today, by virtue of the good innovation made by Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz, almost all Masajid all over the world have this type of Mihrab. This has also made it clear that a thing cannot be declared impermissible just for the reason that it did not exist during the era of the blessed companions. There are many things that did not exist in the blessed era of companions but they are permissible. Some of these things include, for example, the aforementioned present Mirab, marble Mimbers (i.e. pulpit-like structures), dome and minarets of Masajid, green dome and minaret, mausoleums of saints with dome, Khatm-e-Bukhari, delivering sermon and Azan using mike, recitation of Salat Alan Nabi before Azan, celebration of the birth of the Beloved Rasool every year, Giyarween and Urs of saints etc. 285

291 286 Mimber-e- Rasool Two sayings of the Beloved Rasool 1. i.e. The Rasool of mankind, the peace of our heart and mind, the most generous and kind has stated, My Mimber is on my Hawd (i.e. Kawsar). (In order to gain blessings), companions used to stroke their hands on the round-shaped top of the column on which the Holy Rasool used to place his blessed hand. 2. i.e. My Mimber is an orchard from amongst the orchards of Paradise. The first Mimber was made of wood The first blessed Mimber for the Beloved Rasool was made in 8 AH. It had three steps. The Beloved Rasool would sit on the third step and place his blessed feet on the second step. The length of the blessed Mimber of the Beloved Rasool was equal to the length of two arms, width one arm and the height of every step was one hand-span (i.e. the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended.) The middle part against which the Beloved Rasool would lean was one arm in length and the parts on which the Beloved Rasool would place his blessed hands while sitting in order to deliver the sermon was almost one hand-span and almost two inches high. There were five pieces of wood fixed around the three sides of the blessed Mimber. The same 286

292 287 type of blessed Mimber continued to exist in the blessed age of Sayyiduna Siddique-e-Akbar, Sayyiduna Farooq-e-A am, Sayyiduna Usman-e-Ghani and Sayyiduna Ali-ul-Murtada. The marble Mimber of the present age are permissible, though they did not exist in the age of the companions. Place where Sayyiduna Bilal delivered Azan cannot be identified Dear Islamic brothers! Supported by 8 pillars and constructed just opposite the blessed Mimber in the Orchard of Paradise of the Masjid Nabawi, there is a beautiful marble porch called Mukabbiriyyah where the Mu azzin and the Mukabbir deliver Azan and Iqamah standing respectively. Remember! It is not proved whether Sayyiduna Bilal abshi delivered Azan, standing on it or not. Where Sayyiduna Bilal abshi would stand in order to deliver Azan is difficult to be located. Mentioned here is the history of it: after the implementation of the commandment of Azan, Sayyiduna Bilal Ibn-e-Rabah would climb on to the roof of a tall house near Masjide-Nabawi and deliver Azan. Later, a wooden stool was made on which he would stand while delivering Azan. This continued until he intended to leave for Damscus. This stool was 287

293 288 then kept on the roof of Sayyiduna Hafsah Bint-e-Umar Farooq and Azan was delivered, standing on it. Afterwards, the descendants of Sayyiduna Umar Farooq took care of it regarding as a relic of Sayyidatuna Bilal Ibn-e-Rabah Habshi and hence it remained intact for centuries. In his book Tareekh-e- Madinah, i.e. History of Madinah, Qubuddin anafi (who passed away in 990 AH) verified that during his time the stool remained intact as a relic of Sayyiduna Bilal Habshi. Even when the house of the descendant of Sayyiduna Umar was converted into a Madrasa, that relic remained intact but it was lost in the beginning of the 20 th Century. Sacred uffa uffa means a shade or a shady place. If you enter Masjid-e-Nabawi through the door of Jibra`eel and walk only a few steps towards the right side, you will see uffa. half a meter, length is 12 meters and width is 8 meters. Around it, there is a beautiful brass fence about two feet in height. Visitors recite the Holy Quran and offer their Salah here. This is the place where a group of destitute companions, who had migrated, used to stay day and night for the acquisition of Islamic knowledge and purification of their inner being. They ranged from 70 to 400 in number. If any Sadaqah was sent to the Noble Rasool, he used to send it to them and if any gift was sent to him, he would send it to them and would eat himself from it as well. Very simple and destitute, they were extremely keen to gain Islamic knowledge. One of them is Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah. He 288

294 289 has stated: At Suffa, I have seen 70 companions who did not even have a shawl. They only had a Tahband 1 or a blanket which they would tie to their neck and wrap around their body. It was short and would cover their body up to half of the shin or up to the ankles. They would hold it in case their Satr gets exposed. Sayyiduna Mujahid has narrated that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah has said: I swear by the One except whom there is no other Almighty! Sometimes, I would place my stomach and chest on the ground due to extreme hunger and would tie a stone to my stomach so that I could stand upright. Appreciating and encouraging these enthusiastic seekers of Islamic knowledge, the Greatest and Noblest Rasool said to them, If you knew what rewards have been stored for you by the Lord of the universe, you would wish if only your destitution and deprivation would prolong. 1 Tahband is a piece of shawl worn to cover the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles. 289

295 290 Masajid of Madinah In and around Madinah, there are several such Masajid which are linked with the beloved Rasool. Most of them have been demolished completely. In order to gain blessings, some of them are being mentioned here so that devoted pilgrims may find out these Masjid and offer Nafl Salah there, wherever possible. If no sign of any Masjid appears to them, they should only behold the air with wistful eyes, gaining its blessings. They should also say prayer as prayer is answered at every such place where the beloved Rasool arrived. A researcher of Islamic sciences, a leading scholar of Hadees, Allamah Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dihlvi has stated enthusiastically and ecstatically: The people of inner insight know that the beauty and perfection of the Beloved and Blessed Nabi have greatly illuminated the mountains and valleys (of Makkah and Madinah). Indeed the reason for it is that the Holy Nabi must have seen each and every particle of these places which were blessed with beholding him. 1. Masjid-e-Quba About 3 kilometres from Madinah lies an ancient village called Quba where this Masjid is situated in south-western direction. The excellence of this Masjid has been described even in the Quran and 290

296 291 authentic Ahadees. Devotees of Rasool can reach the Masjid Quba from the Masjid Nabawi within almost 40 minutes by walking at a medium pace. It is stated in the book Bukhari : Every Saturday, the Holy Rasool used to go to this Masjid either walking or riding. Reward equivalent to Umrah Two sayings of the Beloved Rasool To offer Salah in Masjid-e-Quba is equivalent to an Umrah. The person, who performs Wudu at his home and then goes to Masjid-e-Quba and offers Salah, will be granted the reward of an Umrah. Farooq-e-A zam and Masjid-e-Quba The leader of believers Sayyiduna Farooq-e-A zam entered Masjid Quba and said, By Allah! I like offering one Salah in this Masjid more than offering one Salah and four more Rak at in Bayt-ul-Muqaddas. And if this Masjid were situated at some far-flung area, we would still come here by travelling on camels. Abdullah Bin Umar and Masjid-e-Quba Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn-e-Umar would come to Masjide-Quba every Saturday. 291

297 292 Masjid-e-Fadikh This Masjid is situated one kilometre away from Masjid-e-Quba towards east. When Islamic army besieged Bani Nudayr, the blessed camp of the Beloved Rasool was set here and he offered Salahs during six days at the same place. This Masjid was built in remembrance of it. Some people mistakenly call it Masjid Shams. This sacred Masjid was demolished in August The holy debris remained there for some time; then it was also removed. The ground was leveled and a parking area for the locals was made! Khamsa or Sab a Masajid In the north-western side of Madinah, there are five Masajid in close proximity to each other near a mountain called Sal a. In actual fact, there were previously seven Masajid at this place. In Arabic, Sab a means seven. Hence this area used to be called Sab a Masajid. Some years ago, two Masajid were demolished and a bus station, shops and a parking area etc. were made on the site of those two Masajid. There are now five Masajid. In Arabic, Khamsa means five. Hence this area gradually became famous as Khamsa Masajid. One of the Masajid is situated at the cliff and special stairs have been built to get to it. This Masjid is called Masjid Fat. At the time of the battle of trench, the Rasool of Ramah, the Intercessor of Ummah made Du a for the victory of the Muslims 292

298 293 at this very spot on three consecutive days: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On the third day, he was given the news of victory between the timing of Zuhr and Asr. This was such a complete victory that the disbelievers were totally dominated. Sayyiduna Jabir has said, Whenever I experience a problem, I go to Masjid-e-Fattah and make Du a, my problem is resolved. The names of other six Masajid besides Masjid Fattah: (i) Masjid Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique (it is actually Masjid Ali Bin Ab Taalib.) (ii) Masjid Sayyiduna Umar Bin Khattab (It has been demolished) (iii) Masjid Sayyiduna Ali it was known as Masjid Abu Bakr Siddique in the recent past but now has been demolished. (iv) Masjid Sayyidatuna Fatimah (this Masjid did not exist in the age of the blessed companions; no date has been mentioned in narrations. It is said that it was built after 1329 A.H. (i.e. 1911A.D.) (v) Masjid Sayyiduna Salman Farsi (vi) Masjid Abu Zar Ghifari (it has been demolished). Masjid Gamamah While coming from Makkah or from Jeddah to Madinah, you may see this magnificent Masjid on the way to Masjid Nabawi. It is a very beautiful Masjid with high domes. In 2 AH, our Beloved Rasool offered Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha Salah for the first time at this place in an open plain. Further, he once prayed for rain here. Immediately, clouds gathered and it began to 293

299 294 rain. The Arabic word for cloud is (Ghamamah), hence this Masjid is called Masjid Ghamamah. There was an open plain here. The revivalist of Islam in the 1st century, leader of believers Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz, had a Masjid constructed here. Masjid Ijabah This sacred Masjid is one of the nine oldest Masajid of Madinah Munawwarah. It is located on Shaari-e-Malik Faisal (previously called Shaari-e-Sitteen) towards the north east of Jannat-ul-Baqi. Once our Beloved Rasool offered 2 Rak at Salah at this place and made three Du as; two were accepted whereas he was prevented from the third one. Those three Du as are as follow: 1. Ya Allah! Let not my Ummah be destroyed by draught. (accepted) 2. Ya Allah! Let not my Ummah be destroyed by drowning. (accepted) 3. Ya Allah! Let not my Ummah fight each other. (He was prevented from it.) 294

300 295 Masjid-e-Suqya This Masjid is located within the premises of the railway station of Madinah Munawwarah near a museum. It was built on the historical spot where the Beloved and Blessed Rasool made Du a for the dwellers of Madinah: Sayyiduna Ali. has said, We departed from Madinah in the company of the Beloved Rasool. When came near the Harra-tus-Suqya of Saad Bin, the Beloved Rasool had Abi Waqqas water brought, performed Wudu and then stood facing Qiblah and made Du a of blessing and safety for the dwellers of Madinah: O Allah! Ibrahim was Your bondman and friend; he made a Du a of blessing for the dwellers of Makkah and I am Your bondman and Rasool. I make Du a to You for the dwellers of Madinah to bestow two-fold blessing upon their Mud and Saa (these are the names of two measuring tools) as compared to the dwellers of Makkah. Masjid-e-Sajdah This Masjid is situated at a sacred place where the Holy Nabi performed a long Sajdah in which he was given the good news of Divine mercy for those reciting Salat upon him. It is stated on page 496 of the 743-page book Jannat Mayn Lay Janay Walay A maal, i.e. Deeds leading to Heaven published by Maktaba-tul- Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: 295

301 296 Sayyiduna Abdul Rahman Bin Awf has narrated that the Beloved Rasool once came out. I followed him. He entered an orchard and performed a so long Sajdah that I feared that he has departed this life [i.e. passed away]! Therefore, getting closer, I watched carefully. When the Beloved Rasool lifted his blessed head, he said, O Abdul Rahman! What happened? I mentioned my fear to him. The Beloved Rasool said that Jibra`eel told me that Allah has said Are you not pleased that whoever recites Salat upon you, I will grant mercy to him and whoever sends Salam to you, I will grant protection to him. In remembrance of it, the Masjid Sajdah was built at this blessed place. This Masjid has now been constructed in a modern style and still exists but with a different name, i.e. Masjid Abu Zar. Masjid-e-ibab (or Masjid Rayah) At the left side of the way leading from Saniyyat-ul-Wada to the Uhud mount and towards north from Madinah, there is a mountain called Zibab. While returning from the Battle of Tabook or on the occasion of the Battle of Khandaq, as is reported in some narrations, the sacred tent of the Beloved Rasool was set up on this Zibab mountain. It is narrated that the Holy Rasool offered Salah at the Zibab mountain. In remembrance of it, the leader of believers Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz had a Masjid built on this sacred mountain. It is called 296

302 297 Masjid-e-Zibab or Masjid-e-Rayah. In the past, it used to be called Masjid-e-Qarin and Masjid Zaviya. Masjid-e- Ainayn This Masjid was constructed on the Jabal-ur-Rumat located opposite the door of the mausoleum of Sayyiduna Hamzah towards the direction of Qiblah. On the day of the battle of Uhud, the bowmen of the Islamic army stood on it. It is said that Sayyiduna received a spear wound on the same spot. Hamzah Sayyiduna Jabir has narrated that the Holy Nabi along with his companions offered there, armed with weapons. Masjid-e-Mashrabah Umm-e-Ibrahim This blessed Masjid was constructed in an orchard of date-palm trees near Harrah Sharqiyyah. Mashrabah means an orchard and Umm-e-Ibrahim refers to Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna Mariya Qibtiyyah. She was the owner of the orchard. The beloved son of the Beloved Rasool, Sayyiduna Ibrahim was born in the same orchard. It is also proven that the Holy Nabi offered Salah here. These days, this sacred Mashrabah, i.e. orchard has been converted into a graveyard and surrounded by walls. Devotees of Rasool are not allowed to enter it. In the middle of the graveyard is a small and ancient Masjid. In the courtyard of the Masjid is a well in a very 297

303 298 poor condition. A historian has stated: Whenever I succeeded in entering it, I found burial things in this Masjid! Outside the boundary wall, an old-type Masjid without a roof has been constructed. A researcher has declared that it is historically inaccurate. The actual Masjid is situated inside the Mashraba (i.e. the orchard). Masjid Bani Qurayzah This blessed Masjid was situated between Masjid Fideeh and Mashrabah Umm-e-Ibrahim near Harrah Sharqiyyah at a considerable distance from Masjid Shams towards the east side. During the siege of Banu Qurayzah, the Holy Nabi ordered that Salah be offered there. According to one more narration, Masjid Bani Qurayzah was built at the sacred site where a shade was fixed for the Beloved Rasool in 5 AH (627 Ad) during the battle of Banu Qurayzah. In accordance with another narration, there was the home of a lady in the nearby area. The Revered and Renowned Rasool offered Salah at her home. While the Masjid Nabawi was being expanded, Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz had this blessed home included in the blessed Masjid. That Masjid of Banu Qurayzah can no longer be seen. Alas! This sacred place has now been converted into a workshop. Kiss the air of that area with wistful eyes and with a heavy heart. 298

304 299 Masjid-un-Noor Once Sayyiduna Usayd Bin Hudayr and Sayyiduna Ubadah Bin Bishr once departed from the court of the Holy Nabi to their respective homes at very late night. They were unable to find their way due to darkness. Suddenly, the stick of Sayyiduna Usayd Bin Hudayr brightened and both of them continued to walk in its light. When both of them went their own ways, the stick of Sayyiduna Ubbad bin Bishr also brightened. Thus both of them reached their homes in the light of their own sticks. The revivalist of Islam in the 1 st century AH, the leader of believers Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz had the Masjid-e-Noor constructed at the point where both of these companions got separated i.e. towards the northern east of Masjid-e-Nabawi on the other side of Jannat-tul-Baqi where Tribe Bani Abdul Ashhal resided. This Masjid can no longer be seen. The devotees of Rasool may only kiss its air and gain blessings. Masjid-e-Fash There is a small Masjid at the foot of the Uud mountain towards Sha ab-e-jarrar. A renowned young Mujahid of the battle of Uud Sayyiduna Raf i has narrated, The Beloved Rasool offered few Salah here. An Islamic scholar Matari has stated that the Beloved Rasool offered uhr and Ar Salah here. Some historians are of the 299

305 300 opinion that the blessed wounds that the Beloved Rasool received in the battle of Uhud were washed here. Hence it was also known as Masjid-e-Ghusl. A long time ago, Sag-e-Madinah [i.e. the author] saw a ruin of a Masjid surrounded by barbed wire at this place. Probably it was Masjid Fas. The ruins of the blessed Masjid make a devotee shed uncontrollable tears as it is a monument 1 of the place where our Beloved Rasool performed Sajdah. Allah knows whether even the ruin of the Masjid exists or not now! Masjid-e- Bani Zafar (or Masjid-e- Baghla) There was a tribe called Tribe Bani Zafar which was a branch of the tribe Aus. This tribe inhabited an area towards the east of Jannat-ul-Baqi near Harrah Sharqiyyah. This Masjid Bani Zafar was situated there. It is also called Masjid-e-Baghla. Sitting on a rock there, the Beloved Rasool listened to the recitation of the Holy Quran from Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Mas ood and wept so much that the blessed beard got wet with tears. That blessed rock was placed in the Masjid as a holy relic. The devotees of Rasool would feast their eyes on it. Some historians have stated that childless women would make Du a sitting on it and would be blessed with children. There were also some other sacred relics including a blessed stone which had on it the impression of the blessed hoof of the mule the Beloved Rasool 1 Something that reminds of an important event or famous person. 300

306 301 rode. There were also the impressions of the sacred elbow and sacred fingers of the Beloved Rasool upon a sacred stone. Regretfully, now neither the building of that Masjid exists nor sacred relics. The devotees of Rasool should behold the air of that place with a heavy heart and tearful eyes, if possible. 15. Masjid-e-Maida Masjid-e-Maida was located near Masjid-e-Bani Zafar. It is narrated that it was constructed at the place which the Beloved Rasool chose for Mubahala with the Christians of Najran. Moreover, it is the same place where Sayyiduna Salman Farsi provided the Beloved Rasool with shade by setting sticks in the ground and by tying his shawl to them. The Revered and Renowned Rasool came there along with his family members. According to a historic narration, meal was sent in five cups from Paradise for the Blessed Rasool and his family members. Hence it is also known as The Masjid of Five Cups. In remembrance of it, devotees of Rasool had domes built here. In 1400 AH, Sag-e-Madinah [i.e. the author] saw the ruins of this sacred site. There were no more domes there. Devotees of Rasool can only behold the air of that place with a heavy heart in devotion to the Holy Rasool. It is also a great privilege for them. Masjid-e-Bani Haraam A devotee of Rasool, Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz had this Masjid built at the site of the great house of Sayyiduna Jabir 301

307 302 Bin Abdullah where these three miracles of the Beloved Rasool occurred: (i) the meat of one goat sufficed for a large number of companions (who were1500 in number; as is reported in a narration) (ii) the Beloved Rasool read something placing his blessed hand on the bones, and the goat rose from the dead. (iii) Two deceased Madani children of Sayyiduna Jabir rose from the dead by virtue of the Du a of the Beloved Rasool (the detail of these faith-refreshing parables can be read on pages 345 to 349 volume 1 of the book Faizan-e-Sunnat). The Beloved Rasool offered a Salah in this sacred house. This sacred Masjid is situated in a locality near the mountain Sil a in the area called As-seeh on the right side of the road leading from Masjid Nabawi to Khamsa Masjid. In 1409 AH, a splendid Masjid was built on the foundations of the ancient Masjid but foreign Hajj and Umrah pilgrims often remain deprived of beholding it because it is difficult to find this Masjid in the populated area. Masjid-e-Shaykhayn One can behold this sacred Masjid from a distance while on his way from Masjid Nabawi to the tomb of Sayyiduna Hamzah. Many Madani events are linked with this sacred spot; such as (i) On the way to the battlefield of Uhud, the Beloved Rasool first stayed here and spent some part of the night here. (ii) The Beloved Rasool offered one or two Salah here. (iii) At the same place, the Beloved Rasool wore a suit of armour and carried weapons. (iv) This is the 302

308 303 place where preparations for the battle were overseen and Mujahidin were chosen. Many Madani children were sent back. (v) At the same place, a Madani child Sayyiduna Rafi stood on his toes with his heels off the ground in order to look adult and the Beloved Rasool granted him the permission. Seeing this, another Madani child Sayyiduna Samurah Bin Jundab said humbly that he was stronger than Rafi. Then a wrestling match was played between both of them and Samurah won it, obtaining the permission to go with them. This sacred Masjid is called Masjid Shaykhayn because there were two forts here one owned by an old blind Jewish man and the other by an old blind Jewish woman. In Arabic language, Shaykh means an old person. Hence this area was known as Shaykhayn because of those two old people. This sacred Masjid has some other names as well. (i) Masjid Dir (ii) Masjid Badaya (iii) Masjid Adavi. This Masjid has now been reconstructed in modern styles and has been named Masjid-e-Khayr by the Awkaf of Madinah. Masjid Mistarah This sacred Masjid is situated on the roadside towards blessed Uud Mountain at a short distance from Masjid-e-Shaykhayn. In the early days of Islam, it used to be called Masjid Bani Harisah as the tribe Bani arisah (belonging to the tribe Aus Arabic) lived here. According to a narration, a companion (Sayyiduna ariš Bin Saad Bin Ubayd-ul-arisi ) has said, The Beloved Rasool offered Salah in our Masjid. 303

309 304 The Beloved Rasool took a rest for a while on his return from the Battle of Uud. Therefore, it is called Masjid-e- Mistara. Nowadays, a splendid Masjid has been built here. Masjid Misbah (or Masjid Bani Unayf) Opposite the Masjid Quba is a service road with a populated area nearby. Only a very short distance away from inside the populated area, there was the boundary wall of an unroofed Masjid in a very awful condition with heaps of debris around it. This is Masjid Misbah. (Allah knows what the present condition of the Masjid is!) The people of the tribe Bani Unayf lived here. This is the place where blessed companions would wait for the Revered and Renowned Rasool to arrive from Makkah. At last, their wish was fulfilled and the Holy Nabi migrated to Madinah. This is the place where the Greatest and Noblest Nabi offered the first Salat-ul-Fajr after the migration. Masjid Bani Zuraiq Having embraced Islam on the occasion of the first Bait that took place at Aqaba, Sayyiduna Abu Rafay Bin Mlik Zurayq had this Masjid constructed even before the Beloved Rasool arrived in Madinah. Believers would offer Salah there and recite the part of the Holy Quran revealed until that time and taught to Sayyiduna Abu Rafeh Bin Malik Zureeq by the 304

310 305 Holy Rasool. The Beloved Rasool entered this Masjid. Masjid Zurayq was located somewhere between Masjid Gamama and the present court of law. Alas! This historical and the very first Masjid of Madinah has now been wiped out. Devotees of Rasool behold the air with good intentions andkiss it in the imagination, gaining blessings. Masjid Katibah The first Ansari companion of Madinah, Sayyiduna Abu Rafi Bin Malik Zurayq was martyred in the battle of Uud. His blessed dead body was buried in his sacred house. Later on, his family members had a Masjid constructed on the site of this sacred house in such a way that his tomb was located in the courtyard. Sano Sia a famous Order of Tariqah in Sufism was initiated by his offspring. Turks had temporary barracks built near this sacred Masjid. In Arabic, Katibah means battalion or army unit. Hence the area was called Katibah and the sacred Masjid was called Masjid Al-Katibah. This Masjid with its ancient minaret existed until a few years back [i.e. the time of the writing of this piece of information]. Five-times Salahs also used to be offered there. But, regretfully, the tomb as well as Masjid has been demolished and ground has been levelled. Masjid Bani Dinar After the migration, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique married a woman from the family of Bani Dinar Bin An-Najjar in Madinah. Once he humbly invited the Beloved Rasool 305

311 306 to come to his home and to offer Salah there so that his home be blessed. His request was granted. The Beloved Rasool went there and also offered a Salah there. In remembrance of it, Sayyiduna Umar Bin Abdul Aziz had the Masjid Bani Dinar constructed on the site of the house. Later on, the area Bani Dinar was inhabited by washer-men. Laundries were started and the area became famous as Ghasalin Area and this Masjid was called Masjid-e-Ghasalin. Nowadays, this Masjid is called Masjid-e-Mughaysalah. Here is the detail of the new location of this Masjid: It is located approximately half a kilometre inside the residential area behind Mahalla-tul-Maliha, Madrasa Askariyyah. Now a big Masjid with modern facilities has been built near this sacred historical Masjid, causing people s attention to be distracted from it. Fewer people now tend to visit that historic Masjid. Masjid-e-Minaratayn Sayyiduna Haraam Bin Saad Bin Muhaiyyisah has narrated that the Beloved Rasool offered Salah at this place. In remembrance of it, devotees of Rasool had Masjid Minaratayn constructed. The detail of the location of this Masjid is as follows: Go towards the valley of Aqiq from Masjid Nabawi following Shar-e-Anbariyyah (Old name 306

312 307 Shar-e-Makkah. After you have travelled about half a kilometre, you will see a petrol pump. A little ahead of it on the right side is an open plain where this Masjid lay in ruins which used to appear from a distance before the time of writing this piece of information. A modern historian has stated that the construction of a very big Masjid at the site of the previous Masjid has been planned. The new Masjid will also be called Masjid Minaratayn. But it is deeply regrettable that according to new but improper construction plan the apparently small Masjid where the Greatest and Noblest Nabi performed Sajdah will be converted into the area where people take their shoes off near the main entrance, (This information was obtained some years ago. The new Masjid may now have been built.) Dead goat This famous incident also occurred while the Beloved Rasool was passing through the locality of the Masjid Minaratayn along with his companions. On the way, the Beloved Rasool saw a dead goat with foul smell coming from it. The companions covered the nose with a piece of cloth. Seeing this, the Beloved Rasool said, Do you think this goat can have any effect on its master? They said humbly: Ya Rasoolallah! What effect can it cause? The Beloved Rasool said, This world is worthless to Allah more than even this goat is worthless to its master. 307

313 308 Masjid-e-Jumuah This sacred Masjid is situated on the right side of the way leading from Masjid-e-Quba to Masjid-e-Nabawi. On the occasion of migration, after visting sacred Quba, the Beloved Rasool along with his companions departed for Madinah. When this blessed procession reached the area of Bani Salim, the locals requested them to stay for a while. Their request was accepted. Meanwhile, the time of Jumuah Salah started, so the Beloved Rasool along with the offered first Jumuah Salah with Jama at here. A Masjid has been built at the place where this Salah was offered. companions Masjid-e-Mi ras This Masjid was situated towards the Qiblah-direction of Zul- Hulayfah i.e. the Miqat for the dwellers of Madinah. It was located at the place where the Revered and Renowned Rasool spent a night and took a rest after he had returned from Makkah. This Masjid can no longer be seen! Masjid Zu-Hulayfah This Masjid is situated at the south-west side of Masjid Nabawi at a distance of almost 9 kilometres. These days, this place is known as Beer-e-Ali or Abyar-e-Ali and is the Miqat for the dwellers of Madinah. The old name of the Masjid Zul-Hulayfah is Masjid 308

314 309 Shajarah. Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Umar has narrated that the Rasool of mankind, the most Generous and Kind, the Peace of our heart and mind would go out of Madinah taking the rout Shajarah and would come to Madinah taking the rout Muarras. While on his way to Makkah, he would offer Salah in Masjid Shajarah and while on his way back from Makkah, he would offer Salah at Zul-Hulayfah in a low-lying area. He would stay there the whole night till morning. Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Umar has said that the Beloved Rasool spent a night in Zu-Halayfa and offered Salah in its Masjid. When the Beloved and Blessed Rasool reached Zul-Hulayfah during the journey of Hujjatul-Wada, he offered two Rak at Salah in the Masjid there. Now a splendid Masjid named Masjid-e-Zu-Halayfa has been built here. Masjid-e-Qiblatayn This sacred Masjid is located near a plain named Al-Arsa of Valley of Aqeeq in ( ). Five Masajid are also situated nearby. The well of Sayyiduna Usman Ghani (well of Roma) is located towards the right side of this Masjid on the way leading from Madinah to this Masjid. The Holy Rasool offered Zuhr Salah here. It was previously known as the Masjid of the Ban-u-Salaym because it was inhabited by the Ban-u- Salaym. On 15 Rajab-ul-Murajjab 2 AH (i.e. January 624) Saturday after 16 months had passed since migration the Holy Rasool had completed just two Rak at of uhr alah when the 309

315 310 commandment for the changing of the Qiblah was given. The remaining two Rak at were offered facing the Ka bah. Hence the Masjid became famously known as Masjid Qiblatayn (the Masjid of two Qiblahs). In remembrance of it, devotes of Rasool had made a mark of the Qiblah in the wall towards Bait-ul-Muqaddas and had the Ayahs of the changing of the Qiblah inscribed on it. Respectful pilgrims used to touch this mark gaining blessings. That blessed wall has now been removed and a praying place has been inscribed on the ceiling towards the main door, indicating the direction of the first Qiblah. Jabal-e-Uhud This blessed mountain is situated in the northern part of Madinah. Sayyiduna Abu Abs Bin Jabr has narrated that the Beloved Rasool said, i.e. This Mountain Uud loves us and we love it. He has also stated, It is upon a door of Paradise. Whereas, the mountain Aeyr (Arabic) has enmity towards us and we consider it enemy. It lies at one of the doors of Hell. The mountain Aeyr is located opposite the mountain Uhud in the south on the way leading to Makkah. The Holy Nabi declared it to be his enemy. This narration shows that even non-living things can have love and enmity. Shrine of Sayyiduna Haroon The sacred grave of Sayyiduna Haroon is also situated on the mountain Uud. Alas! It is now very difficult to be present at this holy grave. Stand at the foot of the blessed mountain and say 310

316 311 Shrine of Sayyiduna Hamzah Sayyiduna Hamzah was martyred during the battle of Uud in 3 A.H. His blessed grave is also situated near this holy mountain. The graves of Sayyiduna Mu ab Bin Umayr and Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Jahsh are also situated here. During the battle of Uhud, seventy companions were martyred. Most of the martyrs also rest inside the boundary wall. Identification of the tombs of some martyrs of Uhud On the other side of Sayyid-us-Shuhada Ameer Hamzah School near the place where Sayyiduna Amir Hamzah was martyred, there is a narrow valley where the graves of some of the companions martyred during the battle of Uhud are located. The Turks had a boundary wall constructed around the graves. The height of the boundary wall has recently been further increased. It is a small graveyard where the blessed graves of Sayyiduna Amr Bin Jamuh, that of his slave and his nephew are located. At first, Sayyiduna Amr Bin Jamuh and Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Amr Bin Haram were buried together in the single grave. Later on, they were buried in separate graves. Waqdi, an Islamic scholar, has stated that Sayyiduna Kharija Bin Zaid, Sayyiduna Saad Bin Rabee, Sayyiduna Nu man Bin Malik and Sayyiduna Abdah Bin Has-haas are also buried here in this graveyard. In addition, two more companions Sayyiduna Abul-Yaman and Sayyiduna Khallad Bin Amr bin Jamuh also rest there. 311

317 312 In the beginning of every year, the Greatest and Noblest Nabi would come to the graves of the martyrs of the battle of Uhud and say: (i.e. May peace be upon you for the patience you had! How excellent the house of the afterlife is!) Excellence of Making Salam to Martyrs of Uud Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dihlvi has stated, Whosoever passes by the graves of the martyrs of Uhud and makes Salam to them, the martyrs, in reply, keep making Salam to him till the Day of Judgment. Many people have heard reply to Salam from these martyrs, especially reply to Salam from Sayyiduna Hamzah has been heard many times. Salam in court of Sayyiduna Hamzah Translation: Salam be upon you, O Sayyiduna Hamzah Salam be upon you, O the uncle of Rasoolullah 312!! Salam be upon you, O the uncle of the Nabi of Allah! Salam be upon you, O the uncle of the beloved of Allah! Salam be upon you, O the uncle of Mustafa. Salam be upon you, O the leader of the martyrs and the lion of Allah and His Rasool! Salam be upon you also, O Abdullah Bin Jahsh! Salam be upon you, O Mus ab

318 313 Bin Umayr! Salam, mercies and blessings of Allah be upon all of you, O the martyrs of Uhud. Collective Salam to Martyrs of Uhud Salam be upon you all, O martyrs, O pious ones, O virtuous ones, O leaders, O the truthful and the loyalists! Salam be upon you all, O the ones who fought in the path of Allah for a truthful cause! Salam be upon you who fought with full spirit and for you is a great status in the Hereafter. (May peace be upon you for the patience you had! How excellent the house of the afterlife is!) Salam, mercies and blessings of Allah be upon you all! 313

319 Du a for Reading the Book... iii Translator s Notes... iv 130 PARABLES OF DEVOTEES OF RASOOL... 1 Excellence of Salat-Alan-Nabi PARABLES OF THOSE WHO HUMBLY VISITED MADINAH Good news from inside the blessed grave of the Beloved Rasool 2 2. One reverently visiting the blessed court of Holy Rasool was forgiven Forgiveness of those reverently visiting the blessed tomb You have reached Madinah! Green-horse Riders Holy Rasool Helps the Helpless Reply of Salam was heard from inside the blessed tomb Blessed hand emerged from luminous grave I have come to Beloved Rasool Beloved Rasool sent food The Beloved Rasool gave his slaves food Beloved Rasool bestowed Dirham When I woke up, half piece of bread was in hand!

320 Thanks cannot be expressed for even a single favour Ask for something special Holy Nabi came to see his devotee I have accepted your excuse Ghayb-knowing Rasool gave good news of rain in dream Rescued from well PARABLES OF IMAM MAALIK A RENOWNED DEVOTEE OF RASOOL Muhaddis who wept in devotion to Rasool! He would go out of Haraam for defecation Weakness removed by invoking the Beloved Rasool Debt was paid Turkish patient cured Earth and fruits of Madinah cure diseases Year-long fever cured in a day Cure of inflammation by curing earth PARABLES OF HAJIS Excellence of Salat Alan Nabi Deceased father was blessed in Jungle Devotion to Rasool Hajj Pilgrimage on foot Privilege of Tawaf during rain Take me to blessed Haram Zam Zam cured injury caused by needle in throat Distended stomach cured and thirst removed by Zam Zam water 68 Wells of reward and torment

321 In front of Ka bah from Hind in an instant Holy Rasool enabled devotee to pay expenses for Hajj Spring water from feet Unique Du a of Tawaf-performing person Hidden Plan of Allah If only I were among the weeping ones! Great grace to the person performing Hajj on behalf of Beloved Rasool Hajj sixty times Good news for Salah-offering young man Hopeful Haji Wisdom behind prayer not being answered Divine court is ultimate destination Those whose Hajj were not accepted were also rewarded Treating Nafs strictly Pleasure of desire for fame and respect makes it easy to bear the hardship of worship Important Madani pearls about love for self-respect Madani pearls for those Hujjaj blowing their own trumpet Is it sin to tell that one has performed Hajj and Umrah so many times? Two Hajj unnecessarily revealed Hide your good deeds Dialogue between saint and Satan I wish for Hajj, not money Popular caliph Amazing well-wishing of Hajis Why shouldn t I weep?

322 Falling unconscious whilst reciting Labbayk ( ) Disabled Haji Sacrifice of life in path of Allah ajj of Shaykh Shibli Only Six out of six hundred thousands Grapes bestowed from Ghayb FOUR PARABLES OF LADIES A female devotee of Rasool passed away, crying Mother of Believers refused to perform Nafl Hajj Hajj of all was accepted by blessing of female ajj-performer Blind old woman travelled on foot for Hajj SEVENTEEN PARABLES OF SCHOLARS OF AHL-E-SUNNAT Father of A la Hadrat was particularly invited Real wish is to visit the blessed court Imam Ahmad Raza and beholding the Beloved Rasool Manner in which Allamah Yusuf Bin Isma il Nabhani respected blessed tomb of Rasool Pr Maher Ali Shah sahib saw Beloved Rasool at the amra valley Affection for dog of Madinah If Beloved Rasool calls, one should go instantly Nails and hair buried in Madinah Now I remember nothing but Madinah Pilgrim of Madinah reached Madinah from India

323 Pain of Madinah in my Heart Exchange of dead bodies in Jannat-ul-Baqi Favour of Beloved Rasool upon Ghazali Zaman and Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan After Demise, A la Hadrat in the court of Beloved Rasool Qutub-e-Madinah and poor beholder of Madinah SEVEN PARABLES OF JINNS Female jinnsperforming Tawafof Holy Ka bah Jinns in form of snake kissed Hajar-e-Aswad Jinn guided towards water A mysterious person of the Hajj -caravan of Ghaus-e-A zam Jinns of orchard Strange small bird TEN PARABLES OF ANIMALS Beast Became Obedient Important clarification Lion showed the way Monkey that respects Quran Entreaty for Help in the court of Beloved Rasool Doe begged Beloved Rasool For Help Camel performed Tawafof Ka bah Camels prostrated themselves in front of Beloved Rasool Two animals died of grief over visible demise of Beloved Rasool

324 319 HOLY SITES OF MAKKAH Excellence of Salat Alan Nabi Sacredness of Makkah Mukarramah Makkah Mukarramah is a city of peace: Ten names of Makkah Mukarramah Ramadan in Makkah Mukarramah: Holy Nabi holds Makkah dear Makkah Mukarramah is greater or Madinah Munawwarah! Land of Makkah Mukarramah is Haram until Judgment Day Dajjal would not enter Makkah and Madinah Excellence of enduring heat of Makkah Reward for being ill in Makkah No accountability for the person who passes away in Makkah Be cautious in Makkah How is it to reside in Makkah? Those worthy of living in Makkah Those doing job or business in Makkah should ponder Long stay in Makkah may result in less reverence for Ka bah May my heart be attached to Makkah and Madinah no matter wherever my body is! Features of Makkah Mukarramah Interesting information about Ka bah Beasts do not chase their prey in Haram Ka bah is guide for entire world Madani pearls about Holy Ka bah Birds get cured by wind of Ka bah Beholding Ka bah is worship Ka bah is Qiblah

325 320 Which direction to face during Salah inside Holy Ka bah? Hadees with interpretation about travelling to three Masajid only Virtue recorded and sin forgiven for every step Sayyiduna Adam and Ka bah Flag on Ka bah in happiness of birth Ka bah has one tongue and two lips Ka bah will be lifted like a bride on the Day of Judgment Excellence of Tawaf How Tawaf originated Ten virtues for every step during Tawaf Reward equivalent to the act of freeing slave Mercies Everyday Great excellence of performing Tawaf 50 times Tawaf is like Salah Excellence of Tawaf in extremely hot weather Excellence of Tawaf in rain A la Hadrat performed Tawaf in rain Difficulties when performing Tawaf in rain Safa and Marwah Man and woman turned to stone Faith-refreshing parable of Sa ee of Sayyidatuna Hajirah Maqaam-e-Ibrahim Hajar-e-Aswad Four features of Hajar-e-Aswad Masjid-ul-Haraam Blessed tombs of Ambiya in Masjid-ul-Haraam places where Beloved Rasool offered Salah in Masjid-ul- araam Masjid-e-Jinn

326 321 Old Jinn Masjid-ur-Rayah Masjid Ji irranah Masjid Tan eem Graves of Abu Lahab and his Wife Masjid-e-Nimrah Masjid Kabsh Mursalat cave Birthplace of Beloved Rasool Jabal Abu Qubays House of Khadija-tul-Kubra Cave of mount Saur Cave of Hira Dar-e-Arqam Masfalah Jannat-ul-Ma ala Shrine of Sayyidatuna Maymunah Sayyidatuna Maymunah bestowed grapes after demise HOLY SITES OF MADINAH Excellence of reciting Salat Alan Nabi Excellence ofmadinah Munawwarah Madinah was mentioned in Quran Excellence of dying in Madinah Munawwarah Dajjal cannot enter Madinah Madinah is safe from every calamity Fresh fruits of Madinah Madinahwill purify people

327 322 It is sin to call Madinah Yasrib Why is it forbidden to say Yasrib? Madinah is better Glad tidings of intercession for one who endures deprivation in Madinah Munawwarah How is it to reside in Madinah? Parable about defecation in Madinah Acting upon the commands of Holy Nabi is the real stay in Madinah features ofmadinah Munawwarah Sayyiduna Jibra`eel came to the court of Beloved Rasool Construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi Beloved Rasool participated in construction of Masjid Nabawi. 266 Excellence of Salah in Masjid Nabawi Interesting information about sacred mausoleum of Blessed Rasool Sacred House of Beloved Rasool Demise and burial in sacred Hujrah Burial of Shaykhayn-e-Karimayn in sacred Hujrah Sacred Hujrah was divided into two parts History of sacred grilles Fake pictures of three graves Construction of Blessed dome on blessed mausoleum Construction of big and small blessed dome Mu azzin struck by lightning during Azan Different colours of blessed dome Eight blessed pillars of Masjid Nabawi Ustuwanah-e-annanah Ustuwanah Ayesha

328 Ustuwana Taubah Ustuwanat-us-Sareer Ustuwanat-ul-ars Ustuwanah Wufud Ustuwanah-e-Jibra`eel Ustuwanah-e-Tahajjud Other pillars are also sacred Mihrab-e-Nabawi Mimber-e-Rasool The first Mimber was made of wood Place where Sayyiduna Bilal delivered Azan cannot be identified Sacred uffa Masajid of Madinah Masjid-e-Quba Reward equivalent to Umrah Farooq-e-A zam and Masjid-e-Quba Abdullah Bin Umar and Masjid-e-Quba Masjid-e-Fadikh Khamsa or Sab a Masajid Masjid Gamamah Masjid Ijabah Masjid-e-Suqya Masjid-e-Sajdah Masjid-e-ibab (or Masjid Rayah) Masjid-e- Ainayn Masjid-e-Mashrabah Umm-e-Ibrahim Masjid Bani Qurayzah Masjid-un-Noor

329 324 Masjid-e-Fash Masjid-e- Bani Zafar (or Masjid-e- Baghla) Masjid-e-Maida Masjid-e-Bani Haraam Masjid-e-Shaykhayn Masjid Mistarah Masjid-e-Minaratayn Dead goat Masjid-e-Jumuah Masjid-e-Mi ras Masjid Zu-Hulayfah Masjid-e-Qiblatayn Jabal-e-Uhud Shrine of Sayyiduna Haroon Shrine of Sayyiduna Hamzah Identification of the tombs of some martyrs of Uhud Excellence of Making Salam to Martyrs of Uhud Salam in court of Sayyiduna Hamzah

330