belovedrasul

The essence of our entire religion and the Qur'aan is to fulfil our duty of becoming the ‘slave of Allah’ or ‘ibadullah’. In our attempt to ‘submit our will’ to Allah we reach conviction that none can be like our Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) who is ‘ibadullah’ in the most perfect and excellent manner. This adoration leads to love for him and aspiration to imitate him to the best of our ability. According to the Holy Qur'aan Sura al-Maida 5 Verse 48 Islam is combination of intellect and love.

The ‘law’ is the Shariah and the methodology of implementing the law i.e. Minhaaj or Tariqah is ‘love’. The best model personifying the implementation of the law with love is the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). To make the Shariah a cult is not what Islam demands. Islam is a revolt against the concept of cult. Islam is based on Tauhid or Unity hence the law and love should be blended with hiqmah or wisdom. If only one aspect is pursued it leads to imbalance and the production of religiously unbalanced personalities. The law leads to academic pursuit and contemplation on the creation (Fiqr) leading to knowledge of the creator with the ‘external eye’. Love leads to Zikr (remembrance of Allah), which leads to recognition or Marifah of Allah with the ‘internal eye.’ So Zikr and Fiqr take one to ones goal and the goal is Allah. Therefore one should create unison between love and intellect. The momentum on this journey is provided by an all-absorbing love (ishq) for the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), a love that acts as fuel to propel one on this path. Allah loves the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and he wants the Muslims to follow him with love, in order to obtain Allah’s love. Sura al-i-Imraan 3: Verse 31

" O Believers do not raise your voices above the pitch of the voice of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and do not talk with him in the fashion which you speak amongst yourselves. If you make even this slight unconscious mistake, remember all your namaaz, prayers, fasting, Hajj, Zakaat, and every act of virtue will be annulled totally and you will not even know it."

One should recognise the status of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) here in this world to remain with belief and obtain salvation in the hereafter.

The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "When Allah's slave is put in his grave and those that accompanied the funeral leave and the deceased hears their retreating footsteps. Two angels come to him and make him sit and ask, 'What you used to say about this man (i.e. Muhammad)?' The faithful believer will say, 'I testify that he is Allah's slave and His Apostle.' Then they will say to him, 'Look at your place in the Hell Fire; Allah has given you a place in Paradise instead of it.' So he will see both his places." (Qatada said, "We were informed that his grave would be made spacious." Then Qatada went back to the narration of Anas who said;) Whereas a hypocrite or a non-believer will be asked, "What did you use to say about this man?” He will reply, "I do not know; but I used to say what the people used to say." So they will say to him, "Neither did you know nor did you realise his status from guidance’ Then he will be hit with iron hammers once, that he will send such a cry as everything near to him will hear, except Jinn’s and human beings.

3. "What you used to say about this man, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)- "

“Mah kunta ta kulo fi haqi hazah rajulin Muhammad?”

The first two are short questions. The third question concerning the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would be a long question, because my love says that Allah loves to lengthen the beloved's Zikr or remembrance.

The third question is not, ‘what do you say,’ but ‘what you used to say.’ What was your Aqaid or belief about this personality? What you used to say in your lectures, on your pulpit (mimbar), in your gathering (Jamaat) and what did you write in your books? There you spoke as you willed, but now that you have seen him, speak!

Aaj leh un ki panah, aaj madad mangh un seh

Kal na manenge, qiyamat ku agar maangaye

Seek his favour in this world, obtain his help today

We will not accept if you accept him, after seeing his status, on the Day of Reckoning.

Belief or Aqida will change once one sees the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) but it will be too late.

The Holy Qur’aan says in Sura Ibrahim 14 Verse 27 that recognising the status in this world is a prerequisite for giving a successful answer in the grave.[2]

All disputes regarding the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)’s personality are due to not recognising (marifa) or not attempting to know his personality with love. It is only the ‘intimates of Allah’ or Aulia who have been ‘blessed by Allah with true recognition’ (Ahle Marifah) that can teach us to appreciate the personality that they have seen. Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) gives us an example of how opinions change after witnessing, in the Qur'aan in the narration of Yusuf and Zulaikha.

The ladies of Egypt mocked Zulaikha for falling in love with a slave i.e. Yusuf (Alaihis salaam). The Holy Qur’aan says in Sura Yusuf 12: Verse 31

They said he is“ not a human being” (bashar). Allah did not rectify them in the Qur’aan because Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) knows when you look beyond the human status you see much more. Therefore the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has a ‘human status’ (bashar), which was seen by the general population whilst the nur or light status was seen by "some" whose love had opened their internal eye or Basirah. The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said to Abu Bakr (Radiallahu anhu) as reported in Hadith,

Thus the Reality of his status or haqiqat (truth), only Allah knows. All saw the ‘Human Status’; some saw the ‘Nur Status’, whilst Allah alone knows ‘the Reality’.

After the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) when the beloved Sahaba, on the instruction of the Holy Prophet before his passing into the realm of Divine Beauty, visited Hazrath Uwais Qarni (Radiallahu anhu), he asked them many questions about the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) since he had never seen him in person. Amidst these questions, in a state of love and yearning he asked, “did you see my Rasul” or “did you see his reality?” There is another Hadith quoted by Great Aarifeen including Ghawth al-Azam Shaykh Abd al-Qadir Jilani (Rahmatullahi alaihi) in Sirr al-Asraar[3]; it is accepted by the entire Ulema in which he says:

“Li ma alahe waqtun, la yasowni fi him malakum, mukaarabum wala nabiyun mursal”

There is an aspect of my life when my personality is projected in that direction then I am with Allah and my time is with God. It is at a level where no angel brought near and no Prophet sent as a Divine Messenger could even witness it as to what it is. It transcends everybody.”

The report which stands behind the saying of the prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is Aisha Siddiqua (Radiallahu anha) his beloved wife, says

“One day I went into the room of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) where he was sitting. I went inside and I said, ‘Salutations to you My Beloved (‘as salaam mu alaikum - Ya Habibi’.) The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) raised his eyes towards her and asked, ‘who are you’? (“Man anti”). He is asking his own beloved wife as to whom she was! She says she replied, ‘I am Aisha, daughter of Abu Bakr’ (Aisha binti Abu Bakr). The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘who is Abu Bakr? (Man Abu Bakr). His closest, beloved friend is Abu Bakr but he is asking, “Who is Abu Bakr?” ‘The Mother of the Believers’ says that she replied’ Abu Bakr, the son of Kahafa (Abu Bakr ibn Kahafa). The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) asked, ‘Who is Kahafa’? (Man Kahafa). Aisha (Radiallahu anha) says, ”I shivered and trembled and immediately left.” She says that when she met the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) again she said, “Sir, do you remember I met you at such and such a place at such and such an hour? Then you asked me “who am I?” Why did you ask me that? Then you asked me “man Abu Bakr” why did you ask me that?” The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied,

“Ya Aisha! Li ma alahe waqtun la yasowni fi him malakum, mukarrabum wala nabiyun mursal”

How can I explain this status of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)? How could Abu Bakr (Radiallahu anhu)? So great, greatest among the Sahaba! How could Ali (Radiallahu anhu)? Yet you see little, little Molvi's, walking on their two legs, opening their mouths that the prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is just like our elder brother. What are you talking about? He is just our elder brother. It is an insult to human reason, it is an insult to the Holy Qur’aan, it is an insult to your Iman, and it is to lay eggs at your feet. You cannot damage the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and his status but you are going to damage yourself. Beware of it!

Ba Mustafa bi rasa khesh ra keh din hamahoost

Agar bahoo na rasidi tamaam boo lahabeest.

Take yourself to the feet of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) for he is the Deen

If you cannot reach him all else is flaming futility (you remain Abu Lahab)

The same report is taken one step further by the Urafa (people of recognition) who say that Aisha (Radiallahu anha) asked, seizing the opportunity, Who are you, O Prophet of Allah? (Man anta, Ya Rasulullah?) This is the divine secret known only to those whom it is made known, therefore Hazrath Mehr Ali Shah (Rahmatullahi alaihi) says,

In the narration of Yusuf and Zulaikha there is no Legal Lesson or Shari masla being conveyed by Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He), but a lesson of love is being conveyed in this narration or Bayaaneh Muhabbat.

Seeing and believing is a lower level of belief than accepting without seeing. To expound what I am saying I will narrate a story to you,

Once the Caliph, Harun ar-Rashid and his wife Zubaida Khatoon were walking along the riverbank when they saw the Madjzoub Saint Behlol Dana making little clay houses, by poking his foot into the clay. These Madjzoubs hide their intelligence behind acts of insanity and it is only a few that recognise them. Some reports say that Behlol, who always taught the Caliph some lesson, was the half-brother of Harun Rashid. Zubeida asked Behlol what he was doing and he replied that he was making houses for Heaven. She asked him if she may purchase one and he said it would cost her ten dinars. She promptly gave him the money, which he threw into the river. He told her that she might leave since she has her house in Jannah. As they walked home Harun laughed and said that she had been fooled. That evening Harun dreamt that he was in heaven. In front of a house with a sign saying that this was Zubeida’s House. As he tried to enter the house the angels stopped him. He told them that this was his wives house but they protested saying that only in the earthly life the wife's house can be utilised by the husband. They said that in heaven each one gets what he earned in the earthly life. He awoke in a cold sweat and he told his wife that he had to see Behlol first thing in the morning. They found Behlol at the same place that morning, doing exactly what he did the previous day. Harun told him that he wished to purchase a house. Behlol told Harun that it would cost him ten thousand dinars. Harun asked him why the price had escalated since yesterday and he replied that yesterday's customers had bought without seeing.

The Holy Qur’aan wants us to learn ishq (true love) and directs us to associate with those who have this love, which is an infectious love.

Kareeb jalte huwe dil keh, apna dil kar deh

Yeh aag lagti nahi, lagayi jahti heh.

Associate with those who have a heart burning with love

This fire of love cannot be ignited on its own. Those who possess the fire light it.

Na kissi keh dil meh jaga milli

Na kissi keh dil ki talash heh

Mujhe dil jalloh seh heh waasta

Kissi dil jalle ki talash heh

Neither am I in any heart

Nor do I seek one

I have a motive with hearts ablaze with love

I seek a heart ablaze with love

Coming back to the Hadith that I quoted at the very beginning, it says the person depending on how successful one is on answering the questions will be shown his place in heaven or hell. Therefore the acquisition of heaven is dependent on having the right belief concerning the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). There is a big difference between knowing and recognising. E.g.

Everyone has knowledge or Ilm of who the ex-President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, is, but if the President dresses simply and sits among a group of people without his entourage, very few will recognise him. The few who recognise him will point him out to the rest. If it is difficult to recognise the seen, how difficult it must be to recognise the unseen. Therefore the association with those who know Allah is the only way to know Allah. The Awliya point the way to Allah and take us close to him. All those who recognise the President also do not have the liberty of associating with him. It is only those who have a friendship with him, who may shake his hand, associate and have a conversation with him. The level of association also differs according to the relationship and intimacy. Those who have recognition of Allah or Marifa don’t necessary possess a relationship or Ta'alluq with him. The level of relationship or Ta'alluq is also dependant on the intimacy or Nisbat. It is also those that possess Ta'alluq and Nisbat that can take us close to Allah. All those that have a relationship and association with the President cannot enter his Office or private chamber until they are invited. It sometimes happens that whilst waiting for an audience the ministers notice that a shabbily dressed individual, with ruffled hair, riding a bicycle is allowed into the private presidential chamber, without any delay. On enquiry they learn that this is the Presidents barber for whom the President has been waiting. The sneak a look into the room and are surprised to see the President allowing this man to hold a jack-razor to his neck. They hear the President asking him why he was late and him explaining that he was facing eviction from his council home due to certain difficulties. They hear the President telling him that since he is one who serves him he will resolve the problem with the council. He then tells the President that he is not alone in this plight since seventy of his neighbours also have the same problem. The President tells him not to worry since he will sort all those people’s problems on account of them being his barbers neighbours. Therefore it is those that serve or make khidmat that have a very intimate relationship or Nisbat. Allama Iqbal has stated,

Tamana darde dil ki hoh toh kar khidmat fakiro ki

Nahi milti heh yeh gohar badashawo ki khazano meh

If you wish to attain your hearts yearning then serve the faqirs or intimates of Allah,

This jewel cannot be attained from the treasures of kings.

Amongst the possessors of recognition (Sahibe Irfaan) also their are gradations, since all recognisers do not have a ‘close personal relationship’ or Ta’alluq. Ilm progresses into irfaan, which in turn leads to Ta’alluq. Khidmat or service of Sahibe Irfaan develops Ta’alluq and Nisbat. It is mentioned in the Hadith,

Remember those who associate with those who have ta alluq also benefit. The Hadith says,

The Prophet's role as intercessor between creation and Creator is demonstrated by his position as the one whom Allah consults with regard to his Community. The following authentic Hadith establishes this:[6]

Hazrath Hudhayfa said: "The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was absent and he did not come out until we thought that he would never come out again. When he did come out, he fell into such a long prostration that we thought that his soul had been taken back during that prostration. When he raised his head he said: 'My Lord sought my advice (istasharani) concerning my Community, saying, "What shall I do with them?" I said, "What You will, my Lord, they are Your creation and Your servants!" Then He sought my advice again (fa istasharani al-thaniya), and I said to Him the same thing, so He said, "We shall not put you to shame concerning your Community, 0 Muhammad.'"

Then He informed me that the first of my Community to enter paradise will be seventy thousand, each thousand of whom will have seventy thousand with them [four billion, nine hundred million], and none of them shall incur any accounting…

There is a Hadith in which it is stated that Hazrath Rabbiya bin Kaab (Radiallahu anhu) used to serve the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Once the Holy Prophet asked him sal Rabbiya to ask for whatever he wanted.

I was with Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) one night, and I brought him water and what he required. He said to me: Ask me (salni) anything you like. I said: I ask your company in Paradise. He (the Prophet) said: or anything else besides it. I said: That is all (what I require). He said: Then help me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration.

The report that stands behind this Hadith is as follows. Hazrath Rabi'ah ibn Ka'b (Radiallahu anha) says, “At that time, I was a young man and poor. I had neither family, nor wealth, nor place of abode. I used to shelter in the Veranda (Suffah) of the mosque with other poor Muslims like myself. I thought carefully as to what I should ask. O! Messenger of God (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam),' I said, 'I ask you to implore Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) on my behalf to make me your companion in Paradise.' He in effect said, “Ya Rasulallah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) I want to serve you in the next world as I am serving you now.” The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) remained silent for a long while and then asked: 'Any other request besides that, Rabi'ah?' 'No, O Messenger of God, Nothing can match what I have asked you.' 'Then, in that case, assist me for your sake by performing much prostration to God.' Imam Sharani states the Holy Prophet said salni (ask me). This reveals that only he, who could deliver, could say, ‘ask me anything’.

There is a difference between ‘knowing and recognising’ (jaan aur pechaan). The Ulema have knowledge of Allah and his beloved Rasul (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) which they pass on verbally [Ilme qaal] but the ‘possessors of recognition’ (aarifs) know the state [Ilme haal] therefore one has to establish a relationship (ta alluq) with the Aulia Allah who are ‘possessors of Allah's recognition’ [Sahibe Irfaan] E.g. Maulana Rumi (Rahmatullah-alai) sought recognition of Allah from Shams Tabrez (Rahmatullah-alai). Abu Hanifa (Rahmatullah-alai) counts Behlol Majnu a.k.a. Behlol Dana (Rahmatullah-alai), as one of his teachers since he sought recognition of Allah from his teachings. Imam Shafi'ee (Rahmatullah-alai) sought recognition of Allah from Shaibaan Rai (Rahmatullah-alai). Imam Hambal (Rahmatullah-alai) sought recognition of Allah from Bishar Hafi (Rahmatullah-alai). Why did all the great Imams of Islamic Law seek out these Intimates of Allah? They could never have been seeking advise on the Shariah. They were definitely seeking that Being whose Shariah they implement from those that had attained His recognition and proximity.

Guzar jah aql seh aageh, yeh nur chirage raah heh manzil nahi heh....

Dayaare ishq meh apna maqaam payda kar

Proceed beyond intellect, the light of intellect only illuminates the road it is not your destination

Establish your state in the circle of intense love.

Qurb or closeness of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is closeness to Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He).

To attain Allah’s Forgiveness the Holy Qur’aan says in Sura al Nisaa 4: Verse 64

To pledge allegiance to Allah, the Holy Qur’aan says in Sura al-Fath48: Verse 10

The Holy Qur’aan says in Sura al-i-Imraan 3 Verse 31 how to obtain Allah’s love.

Meh toh Malik hi kahoga keh heh Malik keh Habib

Mahboob o Muhib meh nahi mera tera

I will call him my Master, because he is the Master's Beloved

Between the Beloved and the Lover there is no mine and yours.

This concept is elaborated by Ibn-i-Taimiyyah, a renowned Muslim scholar followed by the Wahabbi School of Thought says: [7]

"Certainly, Allah has appointed the holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as His stand-in at His own place in case of command of commission, command of omission, disclosure of the facts' 'and interpretation of the laws. Hence, discrimination between the status of Allah and that of the Prophet (peace be upon him) with reference to any of these issues is absolutely prohibited in Islam.

Understanding the basic concept and legislative status of Prophethood in Islam, one can properly appreciate the reason, why, in Qur’aan single indicative has been used for two nouns one signifying the name of God and second that of the Holy prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in Sura at-Tauba 9 Verse 62

Her ‘hu’ is the indicative, signifying the sense of one, but has been used to indicate both Allah and His Beloved Rasul (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) .

How does one establish a relationship with the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)?

The only method is to continuously greet him. Salaam creates a relationship. E.g.

If you have a little store and notice a rich person driving pass daily without looking at your shop, and you wish to secure him as a customer then you have to attract his attention. The first few days you will gesture with your hand and make salaam to him. Eventually he will return the gesture. As the relationship develops he may open his window and reply to your greeting. As time progresses he may stop to make your acquaintance. As the friendship develops, eventually he looks for you as he drives pass. If he does not see you on a certain day he may stop and enquire as to your whereabouts. If perchance you are ill he may come to your house to visit. Salaam developed the friendship to such a level that the once, stranger has concern for you and your well-being.

Sending salaam daily on the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) will, Insha-Allah develop your relationship with him. One-day Insha-Allah, he may come into your dream. Or like Imam Bosiri (Rahmatullahi alaihi) the composer of Qasida Burda he may come to your home. Your may even be fortunate like Imam Bosiri's, Spiritual Guide. Sheikh Abu l Abbas Marsi (Rahmatullahi alaihi) who said,“

Low hujbi anni Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) tar fattu ainin ma additu nafsi min zumratil muslimeen “

“ My state is such that if I don’t see the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) even for a blink of the eye I do not consider myself a Muslim. “

May Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) colour us all with the true love of Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

Inspired by an Urdu lecture Prof. Allama Tahir -ul-Qadri called More Pritum jaisa aur na Kohi

[1] Alim computer software See also 2:422.

[2] Alim computer software: Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 6.221 Narrated by al- Bara bin Azib

Allah's Apostle said, "When a Muslim is questioned in his grave, he will testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and that is what is meant by Allah's Statement:

"Allah will keep firm those who believe with a Word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter." (14.27)

[3] The Book of the Secret of Secrets: Shaykh Abd al-Qadir Jilani: al-Baz Publishing Fort Lauderdale, Florida Section Fifteen, page 76

[4] Alim computer software

[5] Alim computer software

[6] Narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad (5:393), and Haythami said in Majma al-zawaid (10:68) that its chain was fair (hasan).

[7] Ibn-i-Taimiyah As-Sarim-ul-Maslool, p.41

International Sufi Order

3. "What you used to say about this man, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)- "

“Mah kunta ta kulo fi haqi hazah rajulin Muhammad?”

When you threw (a handful of dust), it was not your act, but Allah's.