Containing chapters translated from: Al-Jaami` Li Owsaafir Rasool By: Al-`Allaamah Ghiyaathud Deen Ibn Al-`Aaqoolee RA A translation of: M uhammad Luqmaan K agee A publication of: H abi bia Soofie M asji d
Copyright Prestige Networks كل احلقوق حمفوظة للمرتجم All rights reserved for the translator. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, including translation into any other language, without prior permission in writing from the translator. Please treat this book with respect, because it contains holy verses from The Noble Qur'aan. Name of Book: A Portrait of Perfection, Some Blessed Descriptions of The Best of creation و ص ف ك مال : ب ع ض خ ي ال ب ي ة ال م ب ار ك ة أ و ص ا ف Translated from: Translation & artwork by: All artwork and typing by: First Edition: Email: Al-Jaami` Li Awsaafir Rasool, by: Al-`Allaamah Ghiyaathud Deen, Ibn Al-`Aaqoolee Muhammad Luqmaan Kagee Prestige Networks Ramadaan 1429 AH / September 2008 info@prestigenetworks.co.za webmaster@muslimforyou.co.za 2
اإلهداء This Book Is Dedicated TO Sayyidunaa Muhammad The Best of all creation, The Seal of all Prophets, The Mercy to all the worlds, The Most Beloved of Allah, And Our Beloved Prophet م ت هلل م ا ح ل ت أ ن ث ى و ال و ض ع ت و ال ب ر ا هللا خ ل ق ا م ن ب ر ي ت ه م ن ال ذ ي ك ان ف ي ن ا ي س ت ض اء ب ه ص د ق ا ل لن ب ي ي وا ا ل ل سلف ي م ث ل الر س و ل ن ب ا ل م ة ا ل اد أ و ف ب ذ م ة ج ار أ و ب ي ع ا د م ب ار ك ا ل م ر ذ ا ع د ل و إ ر ش ا د ي وأ ب ذ ل الن ا س ل ل م عر وف ل ل جاد By Allah, no female has ever carried in its womb nor given birth to, someone like The Noble Messenger, The Prophet that guided his Ummah. Nor has Allah created amongst His entire creation, someone more loyal with a neighbour s rights or with a promise. Who was the one amongst us that 3
gave us light? He is blessed in all his affairs, and is one of justice and leadership. He is a Confirmation for the Prophets AS that came before him, and he is the most generous of people when doing favours, or in giving. (Sayyidunaa Hassaan Ibn Thaabit, a close companion and the poet of Rasoolullah.) الشكور 4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I offer my deepest and most sincere gratitude to Allah, The Creator, The One Who says: [If you are grateful to Me, I will indeed, increase My bounty over you]. Secondly, I send Choicest Peace and Salutations upon our Beloved Sayyidunaa Muhammad, and offer him my deepest and most sincere gratitude for teaching us the Deen of Islam and for the best of guidance after Allah. I acknowledge my respected and beloved parents, Goolam Sabier and Zainab Kagee, to whom goes my most sincere heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for educating me, giving me the opportunity and support to complete my studies, and for everything, they have done for me. I always reserve my sincere gratitude for my revered and beloved uncle Hazrath Moulana Goolam Qutboodien Kagee, for his guidance & proofreading, & my respected uncle Dr Shabeer Ahmed Kagee for all his support. Likewise, my deepest gratitude and appreciation goes to my revered Murshid Hazrath Shah Muhammad Saied Soofie, Sajjaada Nasheen of Soofie Saheb Darbaar in Riverside, Durban, for his spiritual guidance; and my beloved uncle Hazrath Shah Abdul-Aziz Soofie of Durban. Furthermore, I am grateful to my respected and beloved Ustaad, Sheikh Hafiz Mas'ood Kagee, for teaching me the Holy Qur'aan. To Hazrath Moulana Goolam Muhammad Soofie of Durban, I owe my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude; to Hazrath Moulana Muhammad Farouq Soofie of Durban for proofreading; to Hafiz Muhammad Ebrahim Soofie for his input regarding the title; and to Riaz Jawoodien for kindly editing the text. To the anonymous sponsor of this publication, who wishes not to be named, I owe my deepest and sincere gratitude for his generosity. To all those who contributed towards my studies financially, and in whichever way possible, I offer my deepest and sincere gratitude. I have not forgotten all my teachers over the years who taught me, and my sincere gratitude goes to them. This is especially true of Sheikh Fu`aad Gabier and Sheikh Dr Jamaal Mahmood Abu Hassaan for teaching, as well as of the latter for kindly accepting my request to write the foreword; and all the `Ulamaa of the Islamic Shari`ah Department at Zarqa Private University, Jordan. 5
حملتويات Contents Dedication Acknowledgements Contents Foreword by Sheikh Dr Jamaal Abu Hassaan A Brief Biography Of The Author Author's Introduction Translator's Note Chapter One: His Noble Names & His Lineage The explanation of Rasoolullah's names The lineage of The Noble Prophet and his prime The marriage of `Abdullah to Aaminah The pregnancy of Aaminah Chapter Two: His Blessed Physical Attributes & Characteristics The blessed hair of Rasoolullah The blessed face of Rasoolullah The blessed mouth of Rasoolullah The speech of Rasoolullah The blessed voice of Rasoolullah The length of the index-finger of Rasoolullah The Seal of Prophethood The walking of Rasoolullah The shadow of Rasoolullah The goodness of the pure scent of Rasoolullah The sweat, blood and bodily matter of Rasoolullah 03 04 05 07 09 10 13 15 16 20 21 22 24 31 33 34 34 35 35 36 37 37 37 37 6
Chapter Three: His Manner Of Dressing & The Clothes he used to wore The white colour of his clothes The black colour of his clothes The red garb The yellow garb The green scarf His qamees His scarf The Jubbah of Rasoolullah The cloak of Rasoolullah His waist-wrap The Holy Prophet once wore a silk garment Wearing new clothes on Friday His leather socks His ring Conclusion Symbols Used In This Book 39 39 39 40 40 41 41 41 42 42 43 44 44 45 45 47 50 Sayyidunaa Abu Bakr would recite this verse, on seeing Rasoolullah : أ م ي م ص ط ف ى ب ل ي ي د ع و ك الظ لم ز اي له ال ب د ر ض وء "He is the faithful, chosen by Allah, and calls for forgiveness. He shines like the full moon while it is far from darkness!" 7
FOREWORD Prestige Networks كلمة متهيد In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and Peace and Salutations upon he who was sent as a Mercy to all the worlds, Sayyidunaa Muhammad Rasoolullah, his pure, righteous family, and upon all those who walk their path until the Day of Qiyaamah. My noble brother, Muhammad Luqmaan, has honoured me, by asking me to write a few lines, as a foreword to his humble work, through which he wants to deliver a special message to our brothers in Islam. This work that he has compiled is about some of the significant traits of the Noble Prophet, who Allah has commanded us to take as our role model, just as He commanded the Noble Prophet to follow those Prophets (Peace and Salutations of Allah be upon them all) who preceded him. This is so that the rope of Allah can remain connected from beginning to end, in a perfect chain throughout the different eras, so that mankind can find its true humanity that has long been absent, in the exemplary personality of this Noble Prophet. How can this be possible for a human being who desires to find his true humanity and his true entity, if he does not know something important about whom he can take as a role model? Indeed, the one who walks a certain path should not have his eyes closed, so that he does not fall into something whose outcome is not praiseworthy. To Allah belongs all Praise, for surely, the life history of the Blessed Prophet is more clear and understandable than the life history of anyone else, for all who walk on his path. 8
It is an important step for my brother Muhammad Luqmaan to publish this humble work, by transmitting some significant traits with its attributes of the Noble Rasoolullah, to our Muslim brethren, so that walking behind this Noble Prophet and the Noble Shari`ah of Allah, can be enlightening. Verily, this work of his, even if it is a translation from part of an old book, is without a doubt, complex and difficult. I ask Allah to reward brother Luqmaan with the best of rewards, and to elevate his status in this world and the Hereafter, through the blessings of the Noble Prophet, and through his sincerity. I ask Allah to grant him the best of luck and steadfastness; and all Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Sheikh Dr. Jamaal Mahmood Abu Hassaan A participating teacher of `Uloomul Qur'aan & Tafseer Amman, Jordan 9
A BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR ترمجة املؤلف Imaam Muhammad Ibn `Abdullah Al-Waasatee Al-Baghdadi Ghiyaathud Deen Abul Makaarim Ash-Shaafi`ee, the author of the chapters of this publication was known as Imaam Ibn Al- `Aaqoolee. Imaam Ibn Qaadi Shuhbah states about Imaam Ibn Al-`Aaqoolee in his book, At-Tabaqaat, He is the heart of Iraq, the teacher of Baghdad, its scholar, and the heart of `Ulamaa in the east. The Imaam was born in the year 733 AH, during the month of Rajab and grew up in Baghdad. He learnt his Islamic studies from his father and a group of highly learned `Ulamaa. Another group of `Ulamaa gave him permission to narrate and write about the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the Holy Qur'aan and other academic sciences of Islam. Furthermore, Imaam Shihaabud Deen Ibn Hajar writes about the Imaam, He was the teacher of all those who seeked help and knowledge in Baghdad, like his father and grandfather. He was brilliant in the sciences of Hadeeth, its meanings and interpretations. He explained the book Al-Minhaaj of Imaam Al-Baydaawi. Imaam Az-Zarkalee, in speaking about the Imaam, mentions the vast amount of scholarly work produced by Imaam Ibn Al- `Aaqoolee, in his book The Titles. Some of these works are: Demonstration of what is appropriate for propagating Islam in the world; Al-Minhaaj; Explanation of Imaam Baghawi s book, Lamps of The Sunnah; Insight in recognising narrations; Adequacy of the devotee in recognising the rites of prayer; and the information of Makkah and the city of the Beloved Rasool. 01
The above is clear examples of the fact that Imaam Ibn Al-Aaqoolee was recognised as a great `Aalim, respected and acknowledged for his knowledge and his contribution to Islam, by profound scholars like Imaam Ibn Hajar. May Allah elevate his status. 00
Prestige Networks j In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful Author's Introduction مقدمة املؤلف [And my guidance cannot come, except from Allah.] All praise is due to Allah, The One Who sent the Holy Prophet Muhammad as a mercy to humanity, as a blessing that suffices more than the water of clouds, as a light that put to shame the glow of flowers and removed the Ummah from darkness. He is The One Who sent His Prophet as a witness over all nations. The Holy Prophet delivered the message of Allah, and is the messenger of glad-tidings for what Allah has prepared in the Abode of Peace. He came as a Warner and admonished the people about the Day of Resurrection, when the hearts of humanity will be at their throats because of overwhelming astonishment. The Noble Prophet was an inviter to the path of Allah and with The Almighty's permission sat at the table of honour, and as an illuminating lamp free from darkness. I praise Allah and only through His guidance, which is from the greatest of His many blessings, and I am grateful to Allah with gratitude that guarantees more provisions of His blessings. I bear witness that there is no one Worthy of worship except Allah alone, He has no partner, a Deity in the instinct of the minds Worthy of 02
worship, and being far above the characteristics of impurities and faults. I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger, a Noble Prophet that Allah chose for inviting His creation to Islam. Peace and salutations upon Rasoolullah and his family and companions, who are role models and symbols of courage, and that, inspired us as ordinary people to drink knowledge from their hands. They were heroes in the depths of battle; upon them be eternal salutations that will remain as long as Rasoolullah s name is together with Allah's name in the Athaan and Iqaamah, the sermons and the testimony of Islam; and may Allah send abundance of peace upon them. This is a summarized book that compiles much of the characteristics of Rasoolullah, his actions, and much of his sayings. This requires knowledge about him so that our belief can recall his status, and the completion of this takes place through remembering his name, lineage, attributes, actions and sayings. As for a person s name, it is a characteristic that provides proof about the person it refers to, and when it is implied, that person is understood. Allah says, [Do you know of any who is worthy of the same name as Him.] 1 As for the family lineage, it is because Allah has divided the children of Nabi Adam into nations and tribes, thus Allah says, [And We made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other.] 2 1 Surah Maryam, v 65 2 Surah Al-Hujuraat, v 13 03
As for the attributes of Rasoolullah, it is because they remove what remains of ignorance after defining the name and lineage, and these attributes make the one who is described like the one who is in front of us; hence, because his attributes are beautiful, he is loved in the centre of the heart. As for the actions of Rasoolullah, it is because people have witnessed it. In this manner, the `Aalim is the one that is capable of defining The Creator. As for the sayings of Rasoolullah, it is a clear definition of knowing the person who said it and how complete he is; and for this, it is said, "Man is hidden under his tongue." As for his deeds, we have not found anyone who has compiled it in detail before this book of ours, but rather, the `Ulamaa mention it amongst the ahadeeth. The sayings in the ahadeeth prove more than the deeds, except that the deeds of Rasoolullah increase in affirmation the righteous characteristics of the Holy Prophet that the sayings by itself, do not always highlight. Indeed, Rasoolullah is reported to have said, as narrated by Imaams Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Sayyidah `Aa-ishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "What is wrong with people that do not do what I do, for verily, by Allah, I am the most learned of them about Allah, and the strongest of them in fear of Him." Amongst the books that compile the Sunnah, we have relied on the following: 1. The compilation of Sheikh Al-`Allaamah Ath-Thiqah Majdud Deen Mubarak Ibn Al- Atheer Al-Jazariy, in his book Jami`ul Usool. We have narrated from him most of what we have mentioned. 2. Al-Jam`u Baynas Saheehayn, the writing of Sheikh Diyaa'ud Deen Abu Hafs `Umar Ibn Badr Ibn Sa`eed Al-Moosalee. 3. Sunan of Imaam Abu `Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Yazeed, who is known as Imaam Ibn Majah. 04
4. From the books that discuss Rasoolullah s blessed qualities, are: Dalaa'ilun Nubuwwah, the writing of Imaam Al-Mujtahid Abu Bakr Al-Bayhaqi ; and Ash-Shifa, the writing of Al-Qadi As-Sa`eed `Iyaad Ibn Musa Al-Yahsabi. Furthermore, the books An-Na`t, written by Imaam Abu `Abdullah Muhammad Ibn `Ali Ibn Al- Hasan Al-Hakeem At-Tirmithi ; and the book At-Tabaqaat, written by Imaam Abu `Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Sa`d Ibn Munee` are also books that discuss his qualities. These books are the original sources that all `Ulamaa of this field rely upon, and are acknowledged and received with acceptance. Al-Haafidh Al-`Allaamah Abul Makaarim Muhammad Ibn `Abdullah Al- Waasatee Al-Baghdadi Ghiyaathud Deen Ibn Al-`Aaqoolee مقدمة املرت جم 05
TRANSLATOR S NOTE In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful All Praise is due to Allah, The Lord of the worlds, The Creator, The One, The Eternal Absolute, He Who was not begotten nor begets, He unto Whom there is no one similar. Eternal Peace and Salutations upon the Best of creation, the Seal of all Prophets, the Mercy to all the worlds, the reason for creation, he whose Noor is the first of creation, Our Beloved Leader and Prophet, Muhammad, and upon his family and companions. Allah says in the Holy Qur aan: [Indeed, We have sent you (Oh My Beloved Prophet ) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner.] 1 The following hadeeth is mentioned in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, for the Tafseer of the above-mentioned verse: ( Allah says in the Torah: Oh My Beloved Prophet; verily, We have sent you as a witness over creation, as a bearer of glad tidings for those who follow, as a warner for those who oppose, and as a protection for the unlettered ones. You are My beloved servant and My Messenger. I have named you as the one who puts his complete trust in Me. You are neither impolite nor harsh-hearted, nor are you someone that causes inconvenience amongst people. You do not eliminate an evil act with another evil act, but you overlook the faults of people and forgive them. Allah will not take you away from the life of this mortal world, until He has annulled all other forms of worship, and people will declare that, There is no one Worthy of worship, but Allah. In 1 Surah Al-Fath (48), v 8 06
this way, Allah will open eyes that are blind, ears that are deaf and hearts that are sealed. ) 1 Through His Infinite Mercy and Wisdom, Allah had sent the Noble Prophet to humanity. The Noble Prophet is the best guide that anyone can have after Allah. He is of such a high character and yet he was so humble. The Noble Sahaabah (the blessed companions ) used to teach their children about the history of the life of the Noble Prophet. They noted and recorded everything concerning him, even the minutest of things. Many books have indeed, been written and compiled on the history of the life of the Noble Prophet in English. In today s world, where the Beloved of Allah, Rasoolullah is being insulted in the worst manner possible, many people are uninformed about him. We ourselves, that did not have the privilege of living with Rasoolullah, and did not see him, need something to relate to. I have decided to compile a booklet on the noble names, lineage, physical attributes and the manner of dressing of the Noble Prophet. This has been translated from the book "Al-Jaami` Li Awsaafir Rasool ", by Al-`Allaamah Imaam Muhammad Ibn `Abdullah Ghiyaathud Deen, known as Imaam Ibn Al-`Aaqoolee. I hope Insha-Allah, that we will be able to understand the superiority of Rasoolullah over the rest of creation. In this way, we will realise the significance of his noble names and other exceptional traits of him. I am very grateful to Allah for granting me the opportunity to complete my studies, and compile this booklet. I hope that this 1 Saheeh Al-Bukhari, book 65, chapter on Tafseer 07
booklet instils in its readers the necessary recognition of the distinguished character and beauty of Rasoolullah, so that they can realise the true splendour of the Noble Prophet and his welldeserved status. Muhammad Luqmaan Ibn Goolam Sabier Ibn `Abdul-Kareem Kagee 08