Tuesday 30 August 2011

EID MUBARAK


Beginning of the Ashur-ul-Hajj


Shawwal is the first of the three months named as "Ashhur al-Hajj" (i.e. the months of Hajj). Although the major acts of Hajj are normally performed in the first ten days of Zulhijjah, yet the whole period starting from the first of Shawwal up to the 10th of Zulhijjah is held to be the period of Hajj because some acts of Hajj can be performed any time during this period. For example, the Tawaf-ul-qudum, followed by the Sai' of Hajj cannot be performed before Shawwal, while it can be performed any day after the beginning of Shawwal. Similarly, an 'Umrah performed before Shawwal cannot be treated as the 'Umrah of Tamattu: while the 'Umrah performed in Shawwal can be affiliated to the Hajj, making it a Hajj of Tamattu: Moreover, ihram of Hajj should not be started before Shawwal, because it makruh. For these reasons these three months have been named as the 'months of Hajj' and the month of Shawwal has the distinction of being the first of these.


Eid-ul-fitr


The second meritorious aspect of Shawwal is that it has been chosen by Allah Almighty for the celebration of "Eid-ul-fitr", one of the only two annual festivals recognized by the Shari'ah. This happy day is designed by the Shari'ah as a sign of gratefulness by the Muslims on the accomplishment of Ramadan, and as an immediate reward by Allah for those who spent the month of Ramadan in fasting and performing other forms of 'ibadah.


Instead of commemorating an event from the past, the Shari'ah has prescribed the first of Shawwal as an annual festival for the Muslims at an occasion when they themselves accomplish a great 'ibadah. This approach reminds the Muslims that they should not rely only on the accomplishments of their ancestors, rather, they should themselves perform meritorious acts to please their Creator.


In prescribing the ways to celebrate the happy day, Islam has adopted another unique approach. The festivals of other religions or nations normally comprise of some acts of rejoicing and enjoyment. The whole happy day is normally spent in dancing, singing and playing.


In contrast, Islam has prescribed a simple yet graceful way to observe the happy day. First of all, it is mandatory on all the well-off Muslims to start their day by paying "Sadaqat-ul-fitr" to the poor of their society, so that they, too, may enjoy the day along with others, and may not be worried for earning their livelihood at least on that day of happiness.


After paying the "Sadaqat-ul-fitr", the Muslims are required to proceed to an open place where they can offer the Eid prayer collectively. In this way, they are supposed to present themselves before their Creator and offer two rak'ats of this special type of Salah, which makes them receive blessings from Allah and start their celebration by these divine blessings.


After the Salah also, they are supposed to rejoice the day in a responsible manner, without violating the limits prescribed for them and never indulging in the acts prohibited by Allah.


Keeping this point in view, we will now discuss specific rules prescribed for observing the day of Eid-ul-fitr.


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The Night Preceding 'Eid-ul-Fitr'


It had been the practice of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, that he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eid-ul-fitr. This night has been named in a Hadith as the Night of Reward (Lailatul Jaiza). Almighty bestows his rewards on those who have spent the month of Ramadan abiding by the dictates of Shari'ah, and all their prayers in this night are accepted. Therefore, it is desirable to perform nafl prayers in this night. The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is reported to have said:


Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die. (Ibn Majah)


To benefit from this opportunity, one should perform as much worship in this night as he can, and should pray for all his needs and desires.


Before Going to Eid Prayer


The following acts are prescribed as Sunnah at the beginning of the day of 'Eid-ul-Fitr before proceeding to the Eid prayer:
1. To wake up early in the morning.
2. To clean one's teeth with a Miswaak or a brush.
3. To take a bath.
4. To put on one's best available clothes.
5. To wear perfume.
6. To eat a sweet food, preferably dates, before the Eid prayer.
7. To recite the following Takbir in the low voice while going to the 'Eid prayer:
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd
Sadaqat-ul-fitr


Sadaqat-ul-fitr is an obligation for every Muslim, male or female, who owns 613.35 grams of silver or its equivalent, either in the form of money, ornaments, stock-in-trade, or in the form of some goods or commodities beyond one's normal needs. Every person who owns such an amount has to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr, not only on behalf of himself but also on behalf of his minor children. The prescribed amount of Sadaqat-ul-fitr is 1.75 Kilograms of wheat or its value in money. This amount is prescribed for paying Sadaqat-ul-fitr for one person only. If a person has some minor children, the same amount has to be paid on behalf of each one of them separately. The following points must be remembered concerning the payment of Sadaqat-ul-fitr.
1. Sadaqat-ul-fitr is obligated on each adult male or female separately, and the relevant adult person himself is responsible to pay it. The husband is not required to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of his wife nor is the wife supposed to pay it on behalf of her husband. Similarly, a father is not bound to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of his adult children or vice-versa. However, if the head of the family, by his own free will, wishes to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr for each one of the members of his family, he should seek their authorization for that purpose. In this case the Sadaqat-ul-fitr paid by him will be valid on their behalf. If he did not pay the Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of any of the members of his family, he will not be responsible for it. Rather, it is the duty of every adult member of the family to discharge his own obligation or to request the head of the family to pay it on his or her behalf.
2. It is a Sunnah that the Sadaqat-ul-fitr is paid before performing the 'Eid prayer. It can also be paid before the 'Eid day, but it is not advisable to delay it up to the performance of'Eid prayer. However, if a person has failed to pay on its proper time, he should pay it as soon as possible, whereby the obligation will stand discharged.
3. The Sadaqat-ul-fitr is not necessary on behalf of a child who was born after the break of dawn in the 'Eid day, nor is it necessary to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of a person who dies before the dawn of the Eid day.
4. Sadaqat-ul-fitr should be paid only to a person who is entitled to receive Zakah.
The 'Eid Prayer
The second obligation on 'Eid day is to perform the 'Eid prayer. Some rules in this respect are mentioned hereunder:
1. The Eid prayer is Wajib (obligatory) on every male Muslim.
2. The Eid prayer can be performed any time between the Ishraq and Zawal.
3. It is preferable that the 'Eid prayer is performed at an open field and not in a mosque. However, if, it is difficult for any reason to perform it in an open field, it can also be performed in a big mosque.
4. It is not advisable to hold the 'Eid prayer in every mosque, rather it is preferable that the people from several small mosques get together to either perform it in an open field or, in its absence, in a big mosque which can accommodate a large number of people.
5. No Nafl Salah can be performed before the 'Eid prayer, neither in one's home, nor at the place of' Eid prayer. Similarly, Nafl prayer cannot be performed after the Eid prayer at the same place. However, it can be performed after one comes back to his home.
6. The Eid prayer has neither Adhan nor Iqamah.
How to Perform Eid Prayer
The Eid Prayer has two rak'ah to perform in the normal way, with the only addition of six takbirs, three of them in the beginning of the first rak'ah, and three of them just before ruku' in the second rak'ah. The detailed way of performing the 'Eid prayer is as follows:
The Imam will begin the prayer without Adhan or Iqamah. He will begin the prayer by reciting takbir of Tahrimah (Allahu Akbar). You should raise your hands up to the ears, and reciting the takbir, you give a little pause during which you should recite Thana' (Subhanak Allahumma.......)· After the completion of Thana' the Imam will recite takbir (Allahu Akbar) three times, and after reciting each Takbir (Allahu Akbar) in a low voice, you should bring your hands down and leave them earthwards. But, after the third takbir, you should set them at the level of your navel as you do in the normal prayer.
After these three takbirs the Imam will recite the Holy Qur'an, which you should listen quietly. The rest of the rak'ah will be performed in the normal way.
After rising for the second rak'ah, the Imam will begin the recitations from the Qur'an during which you should remain calm and quiet. When the Imam finishes his recitation, he will recite three takbirs once again, but this time it will be before bowing down for ruku'. At each takbir you should raise your hands up to the ears, and after saying "Allahu Akbar' bring them down and leave them earthwards. After these three takbirs have been called and completed, the Imam will say another takbir for bowing down into the ruku' position. At this takbir you need not raise your hands. You just bow down for your ruku' saying, 'Allahu Akbar'. The rest of the Salah will be performed in its usual way.
Khutbah: The Address of 'Eid-ul-fitr
In this Salah, Khutbah is a Sunnah and is delivered after the Salah, unlike the Salah of Jumu'ah where it is Fard and is delivered before the Salah. However, listening to the Khutbah of 'Eid Salah is wajib or necessary and must be heard in perfect peace and silence.
It is a sunnah that the Imam begins the first Khutba by reciting takbirs 'Allahu Akbar' nine times and the second Khutbah with reciting it seven times.
Note: The way of 'Eid prayer described above is according to the Hanafi school of Muslim jurists. Some other jurists, like Imam Shafi'i, have some other ways to perform it. They recite Takbir twelve times before beginning the recitations from the Holy Qur'an in both rak'ah. This way is also permissible. If the Imam, being of the Shafi'i school, follows this way, you can also follow him. Both ways are based on the practice of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam.
Six Fasts in the Month of Shawwal
It is commendable to keep six fasts in the month of Shawwal. The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said:
Whoever completes fasts of Ramadan then adds to them the fast of six days in the month of Shawwal, it will carry the thawab of fasting for the whole year. (Sahih Muslim)
This hadith had described the great thawab of six fasts of this month. Therefore, the Muslims should take this opportunity of acquiring such an enormous reward from Allah. It is more preferable to start these fasts from the 2nd of Shawwal and keep fasting up to the 7th of it. However, if, they are kept in other days, it is hoped that the requirement of the above hadith may also be fulfilled.
COPY-WRITE RESERVED ONLY TO:MUFTI TAQI USMANI

Thursday 4 August 2011

Fazaaile-Durood


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Fadhaaile-Durood - Virtues of Salaat and
Salaam
by Hazrat Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalawi
Muhajir-e-Madani
Translated by Moulana Irfan Adalat
Darul-Uloom, Holcombe, Bury, U.K
http://www.inter-islam.org/index.htm
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Fazaaile-Durood
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
نَحْمَدُهُ وَنُصَلِّيْ عَلَى رَسُوْلِهِ الْكَرِيْمِ ، حَامِدًا وَّمُصَلِّيًا وَّمُسَلِّمًا ، اَلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ
الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ وَالصَّلَوةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى سَيِّدِ المَوْجُوْدَاتِ
الَّذِي قَالَ أَنَا سَيِّدُ وُلْدِ آدَمَ وَلا فَخْرَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ وَأَتْبَاعِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ
الْحَشْرِ ،
أَمَّا بَعْدُ
Through the benevolence and favour of Allāh and solely by His grace, and through
the affection of His pious servants, this humble and sinful servant has written
many books regarding virtues [of certain actions], which have also been
incorporated into the programme of the tablīghī movement in Nizamuddin.
Hundreds of letters from friends indicate that they have proven very beneficial.
This sinful servant has no part to play in this. Firstly, only by the grace of Allāh
has it been possible. Secondly, the blessings of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)ic sayings that have been translated in these books and thirdly, the
blessings of the pious elders upon whose order these books have been written, has
this book transpired. It is only through the grace of Allāh that the defects of this
sinful servant were not an obstacle in the path of these blessings. O Allāh, all
praise is due to You and all gratitude is due to You. O Allāh, I cannot enumerate
your praises. You are as You have praised Yourself.
The first book of this series, Virtues of the Qur’ān, was written in 1348 AH under
the instruction of respected Shāh Muḥammad Yāsīn Nagīnwī (may Allāh have
mercy on him), a representative (khalīfa) of Quṭb al- Ālam, shaykh of all
shaykhs, Mawlānā Rashīd Aḥmad Gangohī (may Allāh have mercy on him), as
stated in detail in the preface to the book. Shāh Muḥammad Yāsīn (may Allāh
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have mercy on him) passed away on the night of Thursday 30th Shawwāl 1360
AH. May Allāh illuminate his grave and elevate his ranks.
The Shaykh made a request at the time of his death, conveyed to me through his
eminent representative (khalīfa) Mawlānā Al-Ḥāj Abdul Azīz Du ājaw, that a
book regarding the virtues of blessings (ṣalāt) and salutations (salām) should be
written, in the same manner the Virtues of the Qur’ān was written. After the
demise of the Shaykh, Mawlānā Abdul Azīz constantly reminded me and
pressed upon me the need to fulfil this request and this humble servant was
desirous of attaining this great fortune too, despite his shortcomings. Other elders
besides Shāh Yāsīn (may Allāh have mercy on him) were also insistent upon this.
However, this humble servant was so overawed by the most glorious status of the
Leader of both worlds, Pride of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s , that
whenever I intended to write, I feared I might write something inappropriate to the
lofty status of the Messenger .
Whilst still in this state of evasion, I visited Ḥijāz last year upon the insistence of
beloved Mawlānā Muḥammad Yūsuf (may Allāh have mercy on him) and by the
grace of Allāh, I performed my fourth ḥajj. Upon arriving in Madīna after
completing the pilgrimage, it constantly crossed my mind as to why I had not
written regarding the virtues of ṣalāt. I made excuses for myself on more than one
occasion. However, this persistent questioning of my heart led me resolve to
complete this book upon my return, Allāh willing.
However, “one of bad habits makes many excuses” and so this task was evaded
further after my return. This desire has returned once again in this auspicious
month and so I finally begin writing on 25th Ramaḍān 1384 AH after the last
Friday prayer of the month. May Allāh, through His infinite grace, grant me the
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ability to complete this book and out of His mercy, overlook all the shortcomings
in this book, the books I have previously written and my Arabic works.
I intend to compile this book upon a few chapters, finishing with a conclusion. The
first chapter will discuss the virtues of ṣalāt and salām, the second chapter will
discuss the specific virtues of certain forms of ṣalāt and salām, the third chapter
will mention the warnings for not conferring salutations and blessings upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , the fourth chapter will be on miscellaneous
points and the fifth chapter will consist of stories. May Allāh grant people the
ability to conferṣalātand salām abundantly. By reading this book, every reader will
realise how great a treasure ṣalāt and salām is and how those who are negligent
therein deprive themselves of such an immense fortune.
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CHAPTER ONE: VIRTUES OF BLESSINGS AND
SALUTATIONS
The most important and foremost virtue is the command and order of Allāh
Himself. Allāh says in the Qur’ān:
(1)
إنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَئِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّوْنَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا صَلُّوْا
عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوْا تَسْلِيْمًا
Verily, Allah and His angels confer blessings on the Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam): O you who believe! Confer blessings on him, and
greet him with a goodly salutation. (Qur’ān 33:56)
Allāh has ordained many different commands in the Qur’ān such as prayer
(ṣalāh), fasting, pilgrimage (ḥajj) etc. He has also described the noble
characteristics of many blessed Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s and
honoured them. After creating Sayyidunā Ādam 􀂋, He ordered the angels to
prostrate towards him. However, nowhere has Allāh stated in any command or in
any honour that He is also a participant in this act and that the believers should
follow suit. This respect is solely for the Leader of both worlds, the Pride of the
World . Allāh first attributes the act of conferring ṣalāt towards Himself and after
attributing it towards His angels, finally orders the believers that they too should
also confer ṣalāt upon him.
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What virtue could be greater than Allāh and His angels also participating with the
believers in this act? Furthermore, those with knowledge of Arabic know that the
verse begins with the particle inna adding great emphasis to its meaning and the
future and present tenses have also been used, indicative of continuity. In other
words, it is most certain that Allāh and His angels are constantly conferring
blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes, “The verse, being in
the present and future tenses which denote continuity and permanence, establishes
that Allāh and His angels are always conferring blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .”
The author of Rūḥ al-Bayān writes, “Some scholars have written that the meaning
of Allāh conferring His blessings is raising the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) to the Praised Station (Al-Maqām al-Maḥmūd), which is the station of
intercession, and the ṣalāt of the angels is praying for the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam)’s status to be elevated and seeking forgiveness for the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s followers. The meaning of the believers
conferring blessings is following the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) ,
having love for him and mentioning his beautiful qualities. This honour granted by
Allāh to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is much greater than the
respect shown to Sayyidunā Ādam 􀂋 by means of ordering the angels to prostrate
before him, because Allāh Himself is engaged in this honour of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , whereas only the angels were ordered to
prostrate before Sayyidunā Ādam 􀂋.”
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The intelligent will realize that such an honour has been
bestowed upon neither any other Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam), nor his followers.
يُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ اللهُ جَلَّ جَلالُهُ بِهَذَا بَدَا لِلْعَالَمِيْنَ آَمَالُهُ
Allāh the Exalted confers blessings upon him. Thereby, his
excellence is manifest to all the creation.
The scholars have noted that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is
being addressed with nabī in this verse rather than with his name Muḥammad , as
in the case of other Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s who have been
mentioned by name. This is out of paramount respect and esteem of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . In one place where the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm 􀂋 have been
mentioned together, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is mentioned
by nabī and Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm 􀂋 is mentioned by name. Allāh says,
إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيْمَ لَلَّذِيْنَ اتَّبَعُوْهُ وَهَذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِيْنَ
آمَنُوْا وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ
Surely the nearest of mankind to Ibrāhīm are those who followed him
and this Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and those who believe.
And Allāh is the patron of the believers. (Āl Imrān 3:68)
Wherever the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) has been mentioned by
name, it is for a specific reason. Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on
him) has discussed this point in detail.
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It is worth noting at this point that the word ṣalāt which has been attributed
towards Allāh, His angels and the believers simultaneously is a synonymous word
with many different meanings and used for various purposes, as already mentioned
by the author of Rūḥ al-Bayān.
The scholars have expounded many meanings for the word ṣalāt in this verse, and
in each place the most appropriate meaning in relation to Allāh, His angels and the
believers will be meant. Some scholars have written that ṣalāt upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) means praise and respect of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) with mercy and affection. Furthermore, this
praise and respect will be according to the rank and status of whoever the act of
conferring ṣalāt is attributed to. For example, it is said that the father is kind to his
son and that the son is kind to his father, or that the brothers are kind to one
another. Now it is obvious that the kindness shown by the father to his son will
differ to that shown by the son to his father and that of the brothers to one another.
Likewise, Allāh’s conferring ṣalāt upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) means Allāh is praising and honouring him with mercy and kindness.
The angels are also conferring ṣalāt but their ṣalāt, blessings and respect will be
according to their own position. Thereafter, the believers are ordered to confer
blessings [which is also in accordance to their own status].
Imām Bukhārī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated from Abū Āliya
(may Allāh have mercy on him) that the meaning of Allāh conferring ṣalāt is to
praise the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in the presence of the
angels and the blessings of the angels are their prayers. Sayyidunā Ibn Abbās 􀁠
has interpreted yuṣallūna [in the verse] as yubarrikūna, meaning they pray for
blessings.
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Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allāh have mercy on him) states that this meaning complies
with Abū Āliya’s opinion, except it is more specific in context. Elsewhere, after
mentioning the various meanings of ṣalāt, he mentions that Abū Āliya’s (may
Allāh have mercy on him) opinion is the most preferred, namely that Allāh’s ṣalāt
is praising the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and that the ṣalāt of the
angels and others is requesting Allāh to confer ṣalāt. Furthermore, this request is
for an increase in the blessings already being conferred, not for the conferring of
blessings to be initiated.
It is mentioned in a narration that when this verse was revealed, the Companions
􀁠 said, “O Messenger of Allāh , we know how to convey salām (the salām in the
al-taḥiyyāt [in the five daily prayers]: As-salāmu alayka ayyuhan nabiyyu wa
raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuhu). Teach us how to confer ṣalāt.”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) then taught the following:
Allāhumma ṣalli alā Muḥammadin wa alā āli Muḥammad.
(This will be discussed in detail under the first ḥadīth of Chapter Two).
Allāh ordered the believers to confer ṣalāt upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) . The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) taught the
method thereto; request Allāh to eternally confer his infinite mercies upon him, for
the blessings and mercies of Allāh are boundless. This is also from the mercy of
Allāh that the further blessings he confers upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) due to our request are attributed to us, as though we had
conferred them, when in reality Allāh alone is conferring ṣalāt. Who possibly had
the ability to present the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) with the gift
of blessings, befitting his lofty status?
Shāh Abdul Qādir (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes, “Requesting Allāh to
shower His mercy and blessings upon His Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
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Wassalam) and his household is a great act of virtue. Mercy befitting the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s descends upon him and by conferring
once, tenfold blessings are conferred upon the suppliant. It is now the choice of the
suppliant how much he wishes to acquire.” (The ḥadīth Shāh Abdul Qādir (may
Allāh have mercy on him) is referring to will be mentioned under ḥadīth three).
We also understand from this that the objection some ignorant people raise that the
verse is ordering the believers to confer blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , whilst the believers say, “O Allāh, confer
blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) ,” is ridiculous.
[Their objection is that] the very action Allāh ordained upon the believers was
returned by the believers to Allāh.
Firstly, when the Companions 􀁠 asked the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) how to implement the Qur’ānic order after this verse was revealed,
this was the method taught by the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , as
mentioned above. Secondly, our requesting Allāh to confer His choicest blessings
is much greater than anything we could present to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) on our own part.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Al-Qawl al-Badī ,
“It is written in the book of Amīr Muṣṭafā Turkamānī Ḥanafī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) that if one asks what wisdom is there in Allāh ordering us to confer
ṣalāt when we counter this order by saying, ‘O Allāh, confer ṣalāt upon
Muḥammad ,’ asking Allāh instead to confer His ṣalāt (In ṣalāh we say, ‘O Allāh
confer blessings upon Muḥammad’, instead of ‘I confer blessings upon
Muḥammad’), the answer is that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
is faultless. On the contrary, we are full of faults and defects from head to toe. So
how is it possible for one full of defects to rightfully praise he who is pure from all
12
blemishes? Hence, we request Almighty Allāh that He personally confers ṣalāt
upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , so that the ṣalāt upon our
pure Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) emanates from the Lord most pure.”
Likewise, it is narrated from Allāma Nayshāpūrī (may Allāh have mercy on
him) in his book Al-Laṭā’if wa al-Ḥikam that a person should not say “I confer
blessings upon Muḥammad” in his ṣalāh, as the person is not worthy of this.
Instead, he should request his Lord to confer blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , in which case, Allāh is in reality conferring
blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and allegorically,
it is attributed towards us as a supplication.
Ibn Abī Ḥajalah (may Allāh have mercy on him) also mentions something to the
same effect. He says that when Allāh ordered us to confer blessings but our
blessings could not reach the due right, we made this request to Allāh; He alone
truly knows what befits the status of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
This is the same as in the supplication of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) : “O Allāh, I cannot fully praise You. You are as You have praised
Yourself.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “Once this point has been
established, one’s ṣalāt upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
should be conferred in the manner taught to us by the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) . This is how one’s ranks will be elevated. Confer blessings
abundantly, giving this act its due importance and with steadfastness, for an
abundance of ṣalāt is from amongst the signs of love for the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . Whoever loves something mentions it
frequently.”
13
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also narrated from Imām
Zayn al- Ābidīn (may Allāh have mercy on him) that conferring ṣalāt upon the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) abundantly is a sign of the People of
Sunna (ahl al-sunna).
Allāma Zurqānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Sharḥ al-Mawāhib,
“The purpose of conferring ṣalāt is to gain proximity with Allāh by obeying His
order, and to fulfil a portion of the rights of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) binding upon us.”
Ḥāfiẓ Izzuddin Ibn Abdus Salām (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “Our
conferring of ṣalāt is not an intercession for the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) , for how can we possibly intercede on his behalf? The fact is that
Allāh has ordered us to repay a benefactor for his favours, and there is no greater
benefactor than our beloved Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . As we were
incapable of repaying the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) for his
favours, Allāh pitied our weakness and taught us how to repay the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) by ordaining the conferring of ṣalāt. Since
we were incompetent of this too, we beseeched Allāh that He Himself should
reward the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in a manner that befits His
majesty.”
The aforementioned verse of the Qur’ān orders the believers to confer ṣalāt,
whereby the scholars have deemed the conferring of ṣalāt to be compulsory.
(This will be discussed in detail in Chapter Four under the first point).
Allāma Rāzī (may Allāh have mercy on him), in his Al-Tafsīr al-Kabīr, has
discussed an objection which may arise at this point; When Allāh and His angels
confer ṣalāt upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , what need is
14
there for us to do so? The answer to this is that our conferring of ṣalāt upon the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is not because he is in need of it in
any way. If this were the case, then the angels would not need to confer ṣalāt after
Allāh had conferred it. Our conferring of ṣalāt is rather an expression of reverence
for the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . Similarly, Allāh has
commanded the believers to remember Him, when Allāh is in no need of this
remembrance.
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written that some people
questioned him as to why the word ṣalāt has been attributed to Allāh in the
Qur’ānic verse and not the word salām. He replied that it maybe because salām
has two meanings: (i) supplication (ii) to follow and obey. Both meanings are
correct with respect to the believers, and thus they have been given this order.
However, the latter meaning is improper with respect to Allāh and His angels and
for this reason, salām has not been attributed to them.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has mentioned a very
frightening incident regarding this verse. He narrates that Aḥmad Yamāni (may
Allāh have mercy on him) said, “I was in San ā. I saw that a large gathering was
surrounding a person. Upon enquiring, people told me that this person used to
recite the Qur’ān in a most melodious voice. When he came to the verse yuṣallūna
ala ’l-nabiyy, he read yuṣallūna alā aliyy ’l-nabiyy, which means Allāh and
His angels confer blessings upon Alī 􀂍, the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam). (This person was most probably a rāfiḍī) [members of a sect which
insults the Companions 􀁠 and excessively praises Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍]. No sooner
had he read this that he became dumb, was struck with leprosy and was left blind
and paralysed.”
15
This story contains a severe warning. May Allāh protect us from disrespecting
Him, His Holy Book and His Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s. Out of
our ignorance and disregard, we are oblivious to what we utter. May Allāh save us
from His wrath.
(2)
قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَسَلاَمٌ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ الَّذِيْنَ اصْطَفَى
Say: Praise be to Allah, and peace on His servants whom He has chosen
(for His Message). (Qur’ān 27:59)
The scholars have written that this verse is like a sermon for the subject that
follows. In this verse, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) has been
ordered to praise Allāh and confer salutations upon His chosen people.
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Kathīr (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in his Qur’ānic exegesis
that Allāh has commanded His Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) to confer
salām upon His chosen servants. They are His Messengers and Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam)s (may Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon them), as narrated
on the authority of Abdurraḥmān bin Zayd bin Aslam that “His chosen servants”
are the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s, as substantiated by the Qur’ānic
verses:
16
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ الْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُوْنَ , وَسَلاَمٌ عَلَى
الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ , وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَلَمِيْنَ
Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from what they associate
to Him. And peace be upon the sent ones. And all praise to Allāh, Lord
of the worlds. (Al-Ṣāffāt 37: 180-182)
Imām Sufyān Thawrī, Suddī and others say it refers to the Companions 􀁠
and this has also been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Ibn Abbās
􀁠. There is no discrepancy between these two viewpoints, because the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s ( alayhimus salām) will most
definitely be included if the Companions 􀁠 are intended.
(3)
أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ قاَلَ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَوةً 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ
وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيهِ عَشْرًا
رواه مسلم وابوداؤد وابن حبان في صحيحه وغيرهم آذا في الترغيب
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 that the Messenger of Allāh said, “Whoever
confers one blessing upon me, Allāh confers ten blessings upon him.”
One blessing and mercy from Allāh is sufficient for the whole world, let alone ten
blessings in return for conferring ṣalāt once. What could be a greater virtue of
ṣalāt that one is granted ten blessings from Allāh for conferring one blessing?
How fortunate are those elders who confer one hundred and twenty five thousand
17
blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) on a daily basis,
just as I have heard regarding some of the elders of my family.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated on the authority
of Sayyidunā Āmir bin Rabī a 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers ṣalāt upon me once, Allāh confers ten mercies
upon him. It is at your discretion to confer as little or as much as you wish.” A
ḥadīth to the same effect has been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā
Abdullāh bin Amr 􀁠, with the addition that Allāh and His angels confer ten
blessings.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated ḥadīths of the
same subject on the authority of a number of Companions 􀁠. Elsewhere, he
writes, “In the same manner Allāh has mentioned the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s name alongside His own name in the declaration of faith (shahāda),
and stated obedience and love of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
to be His obedience and love, He has also coupled conferring blessings upon him
with His own blessings upon him. Thus, just as Allāh has said, ‘Remember me, I
shall remember you’, with regards to ṣalāt upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) , the person who confers one blessing upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , Allāh in return confers ten blessings.”
In Al-Targhīb, it is narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Abdullāh bin Amr
􀁠 that whoever confers ṣalāt upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) once, Allāh and His angels confer seventy blessings upon him.
One should understand at this point that if differing amounts of reward are
mentioned for a particular deed (eg. ten rewards are promised in one ḥadīth and
seventy in another), some scholars are of the opinion that because Allāh’s favours
on the followers of Muḥammad increased on a daily basis, the narrations which
18
mention greater reward are the latter ḥadīths. Thus, it is as though Allāh initially
promised ten rewards and then increased this to seventy. Other scholars have
interpreted this difference with respect to to various people, times and conditions.
(This topic has already been discussed in the Virtues of Ṣalāh under the difference
narrated in the reward of twenty five or twenty seven for congregational ṣalāh).
Regarding the ḥadīth which mentions seventyfold reward, Mullā Alī Qārī (may
Allāh have mercy on him) writes that this maybe specific to conferring blessings
on Friday, because in another ḥadīth it is narrated that the reward for good deeds
increases seventyfold on Friday.
(4)
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ قَالَ مَنْ ذُآِرْتُ عِنْدَهُ فَلْيُصَلِّ عَلَيَّ 􀂍 عَنْ أَنَسٍ
وَمَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ مَرَّةً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا وفي رواية مَنْ
صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَوةً وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرَ صَلَوَاتٍ
وَّحَطَّ عَنْهُ عَشْرَ سَيِّئَاتٍ وَّرَفَعَهُ بِهَا عَشْرَ دَرَجَاتٍ
رواه أحمد والنسائي واللفظ له وابن حبان في صحيحه آذا في الترغيب
Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “The person in whose presence I am mentioned
should confer blessings upon me. Whoever confers blessings upon me
once, Allāh confers ten blessings upon him.” In one narration, the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers one
19
blessing upon me, Allāh confers ten blessings upon him, forgives ten of
his sins and elevates his status tenfold.”
Allāma Mundhirī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also narrated a similar
ḥadīth on the authority of Sayyidunā Barā 􀂍 in Al-Targhīb with the addition that
the suppliant receives the reward of freeing ten slaves. In a ḥadīth recorded by
Ṭabrāni, it is narrated, “Whoever confers one blessing upon me, Allāh confers ten
blessings upon him. Whoever confers ten blessings upon me, Allāh confers one
hundred blessings upon him. Whoever confers one hundred blessings upon me,
Allāh writes ‘Freedom from hypocrisy and freedom from the Hellfire’ on the
suppliant’s forehead. On the Day of Judgement, this person will be resurrected
with the martyrs.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated on the authority
of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers ten blessings upon me, Allāh will confer one
hundred blessings upon him. Whoever confers one hundred blessings upon me,
Allāh will confer one thousand blessings upon him, and whoever confers more due
to love and devotion, I shall intercede for him on the Day of Judgement and be a
witness for him.”
This has also been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Abdurraḥmān bin
Awf 􀂍 with different wording. He says, “From amongst four or five of us, at
least one of us would always remain with the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) to attend to his needs. One day the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) went into a garden and I followed him. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) performe ṣalāh therein and prostrated for such a long time that I
feared the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) had passed away. I began
crying due to this fear and went close to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
20
Wassalam) to observe him. After the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
arose from prostration, he asked, ‘O Abdurraḥmān, what is the matter?’
I replied, ‘O Messenger of Allāh, you performed such a long prostration that I
feared you had passed away.’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘Allāh has bestowed a
favour upon me with regards to my followers. In gratitude for this favour, I
prostrated for so long. Allāh has informed me that whoever confers one blessing
upon me, He will record ten good deeds for him and forgive ten of his sins.’”
In a narration of the same incident, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
asked, “O Abdurraḥmān, what is the matter?” Sayyidunā Abdurraḥmān
􀂍 expressed his fear.
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “Jibrīl 􀂋 came to me a
short while ago and said, ‘Would it not please you that Allāh has said that whoever
confers blessings upon you, Allāh will confer blessings upon him and whoever
confers salutations upon you, Allāh shall confer salutations upon him?’” (Al-
Targhīb)
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also narrated a similar
ḥadīth on the authority of Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍.
Sayyidunā Abū Ṭalḥa Anṣārī 􀂍 narrates, “Once the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) came to us and he was extremely happy.
The Companions 􀁠 said, ‘O Messenger of Allāh, we see that you are very happy
today.’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘Yes, indeed. I have
received a message from my Lord. Allāh has said that whoever from amongst my
followers confers one blessing upon me, Allāh shall record ten good deeds for
him, forgive ten of his sins and raise his status tenfold.’”
21
In another narration of the same incident it is narrated, “Whoever from amongst
your followers confers one blessing, I shall confer ten blessings upon him.
Whoever confers salutations once, I shall confer salutations upon him ten times.”
Another narration of the same incident says, “One day the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s blessed face was radiant with happiness
and his pleasure was quite noticeable.
The Companions 􀁠 said, ‘O Messenger of Allāh, the happiness apparent on your
face today has never been seen before.’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘Why should it not be
so? A few moments earlier, Jibrīl 􀂋 came to me and informed me, ‘Whoever from
amongst your followers confers one blessing upon you, Allāh in return will write
ten good deeds in his book of deeds, forgive ten of his sins, raise his status tenfold
and an angel shall repeat to him what he said.’’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, ‘I asked Jibrīl 􀂋 regarding
this angel.’
Jibrīl 􀂋 replied, “Allāh has appointed an angel until the Day of Judgement whose
duty it is to pray for whoever confers blessings upon you by saying ‘May Allāh
confer blessings upon you too.’” (Al-Targhīb)
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has questioned that when
according to the Qur’ānic verse ‘Whosoever will come with a virtue, for him
there shall be ten like thereof’ (Al-Ancām 6:160) the reward of every good deed
is tenfold, what then is the special virtue of ṣalāt?
According to this humble servant, the answer is quite simple; the ten deeds
received as promised by the Qur’ānic verse are separate to the ten blessings from
Allāh as an an additional favour. Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on
22
him) has answered his own question by saying that Allāh’s ten blessings upon the
suppliant are much greater than the ten blessings the suppliant conferred upon the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . Furthermore, one’s status being
elevated tenfold, forgiveness of ten sins, ten good deeds in the book of good deeds
and the reward equivalent to that of freeing ten slaves are all additional rewards.
Ḥakīm al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf Alī Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him)
has written in Zād al-Sa īd, “In the same way we understand from the explicit
wording of the ḥadīth that by conferring one blessing ten mercies are revealed, the
Qur’ān indicates that disregarding the most lofty status of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) (We seek Allāh’s protection therefrom)
earns a person ten curses from Allāh. Thus, Allāh said the following ten words
regarding Walīd bin Mughīra in punishment for his mockery; Ḥallāf (swearer),
mahīn (dishonourable), hammāz (defamer), masshā’in bi namīm (spreader of
slander), mannā il lil khayr (hinderer of good), mu tad (trespasser), athīm
(sinner), utull (gross), zanīm (ignoble), mukadhib lil āyāt (belier of the Qur’ānic
verses) (The latter meaning ‘belier of the Qur’ānic verses’ is understood from the
following words: And thus, because he is owner of riches and children, when Our
revelations are rehearsed to him he says, “Fables of the ancient”).
The ten words which Ḥakīm al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf Alī Thānawī (may Allāh
have mercy on him) has mentioned are all in Surah Nūn of the twenty ninth juz of
the Qur’ān:
وَلاَ تُطِعْ آُلَّ حَلاَّفٍ مَهِيْنٍ هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيْمٍ مَّنَّاعٍ لِلْخَيْرِ
مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيْمٍ عُتُلٍّ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ زَنِيْمٍ أَنْ آَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَّبَنِيْنَ إِذَا تُتْلَى
عَلَيْهِ آيَتُنَا قَالَ أَسَاطِيْرُ الأَوَّلِيْنَ
23
And do not obey any dishonourable swearer, defamer, spreader abroad
of slander, hinderer of the good, trespasser, sinner. Gross and moreover
ignoble, and thus, because he is owner of riches and children, when Our
revelations are rehearsed to him he says, “Fables of the ancient.” (Al-
Qalam 68:10-15)
(5)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِيْ 􀂍 عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُوْدٍ
يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَآْثَرُهُمْ عَلَيَّ صَلَوةً
رواه الترمذي وابن حبان في صحيحه آلاهما من رواية موسى بن يعقوب آذا في
الترغيب وبسط السخاوي في القول البديع الكلام على تخريجه
Sayyidunā Abdullāh ibn Mas ūd 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of
Allāh said, “Indeed, those closest to me on the Day of Judgement will be
those who confer blessings upon me the most.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates in Al-Qawl al-
Badī from Al-Durr al-Munaẓẓam that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “He who confers blessings upon abundantly from amongst you
will be the closest to me on the Day of Judgement.”
24
In a ḥadīth of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍, it is narrated that at every stage on the Day of
Judgement, the closest person to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
shall be that person who confers the most blessings upon him.
(This topic will be discussed in Chapter two under the third ḥadīth).
It has also been narrated that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said,
“Confer blessings upon me abundantly, for you shall first be questioned regarding
me in the grave.”
In another ḥadīth, it is narrated, “Conferring blessings upon me shall be a source
of light on the Day of Judgement in the darkness of the Bridge. Whoever wishes
for his deeds to be weighed in a very large scale should abundantly confer
blessings upon me.” A ḥadīth on the authority of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 narrates that
the person most protected from the horrors of the Day of Judgement and the
various stages therein will be the person who confers the most blessings upon the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in this life.
In Zād al-Sa īd, it is narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 that the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers blessings
upon me abundantly shall be in the shade of the Throne.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates a ḥadīth of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) wherein three people are promised the shade
of Allāh’s Throne on the Day of Judgement, the day on which there will be no
shade except for His shade. The first is the person who removes a difficulty from a
person in affliction. The second is he who revives a practice of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . The third is the person who abundantly
confers blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
25
In another ḥadīth, Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates on
the authority of Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Beautify your gatherings with ṣalāt, for conferring blessings
upon me shall be a light for you on the Day of Judgement.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates from Qūt al-Qulūb that
conferring in abundance means at least three hundred times. The exalted Mawlānā
Rashīd Aḥmad Gangawhī (may Allāh have mercy on him) would also instruct his
disciples to confer blessings at least three hundred times, as we shall mention in
Chapter Three under the third ḥadīth.
Under the abovementioned ḥadīth, Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on
him) writes that Ibn Ḥibbān (may Allāh have mercy on him) has mentioned in his
Ṣaḥīḥ that this ḥadīth is evident proof that those closest to the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) on the Day of Judgement will be the ḥadīth
scholars (muḥaddithūn), since they confer the most blessings.
Abū Ubaydah (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also said that this virtue is
reserved for the ḥadīth scholars. The reason for this is that when they narrate or
write ḥadīths, they always confer blessings with the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam)’s auspicious name.
Khaṭīb (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also narrated from Abū Nu aym
(may Allāh have mercy on him) that this virtue is specifically for the ḥadīth
scholars. The scholars have written that the reason behind this is that whilst
reading, writing or narrating ḥadīths, they have the opportunity to confer or write
blessings with the auspicious name of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) abundantly. Muḥaddithūn does not only mean the imāms of ḥadīth,
26
but rather it includes all who study or teach the books of ḥadīth, irrespective of
whether these books are in Arabic or Urdu [or any other language].
In Zād al-Sa īd, it is mentioned that Ṭabrāni has narrated that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers blessings upon me
in a book (i.e. in writing), the angels shall continue conferring blessings upon him
as long as my name remains in this book.” Ṭabrāni also narrates that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers ten blessings upon
me in the morning and ten blessings in the evening shall be blessed with my
intercession on the Day of Judgement.”
It is narrated from Imām Mustaghfirī (may Allāh have mercy on him) that the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “The person who confers one
hundred blessings upon me daily, one hundred of his needs shall be fulfilled; thirty
in this world and the rest in the Hereafter.”
(6)
ئِكَةً 􀀄 عَنِ النَّبِيِّ قَالَ إِنَّ لِلهِ مَلا 􀂍 عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُوْدٍ
سَيَّاحِيْنَ يُبَلِّغُوْنِيْ عَنْ أُمَّتِيَ السَّلامَ
رواه النسائي وابن حبان في صحيحه آذا في الترغيب زاد في القول البديع أحمد والحاآم
وغيرهما وقال الحاآم صحيح الإسناد
Sayyidunā Abdullāh bin Mas ūd 􀂍 narrates that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Allāh has certain angels
who roam the earth and convey the salutations of my followers to me.”
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This has also been narrated on the authority of many other Companions 􀁠.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated on the authority
of Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 that some of the angels of Allāh travel the Earth and
convey the blessings of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s
followers to him.
In Al-Targhīb, a ḥadīth is narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Ḥasan 􀂍 that
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Confer blessings upon me
wherever you are. Indeed, your blessings reach me.” On the authority of
Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is reported
to have said, “Whoever confers blessings upon me, then indeed these blessings
reach me and in return, I confer blessings upon that person. Furthermore, ten good
deeds are written for him.”
In Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ it is narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra
􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Confer blessings
upon me, as your blessings reach me.”
(7)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَآَّلَ 􀁠 عَنْ عَمَّارٍ بْنِ يَاسِرٍ
بِقَبْرِيْ مَلَكًا أَعْطَاهُ أَسْمَاعَ الْخَلاَئِقِ فَلاَ يُصَلِّيْ عَلَيَّ أَحَدٌ إِلَى
يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلاَّ أَبْلَغَنِيْ بِاسْمِهِ وَاسْمِ أَبِيْهِ هَذَا فُلانٌ بْنُ فُلانٍ قَدْ
صَلَّى عَلَيْكَ
رواه البزار آذا في الترغيب وذآر تخريجه السخاوي في القول البديع
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Sayyidunā Ammār ibn Yāsir 􀁠 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh
said, “Verily, Allāh has appointed an angel at my grave to whom he has
granted the ability to hear the whole creation. Thus, until the Day of
Judgment there is no person who confers blessings upon me except that
this angel conveys to me the blessings of this person with his name and
his father’s name, saying, ‘The son of so-and-so person has conferred
blessings upon you.’”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also narrated this ḥadīth in
Al-Qawl al-Badī with the addition, “Such and such a person who is the son of
such and such has conferred blessings upon you.” The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) then said, “In reward for every blessing, Allāh confers ten
mercies upon him.”
Another ḥadīth narrates something similar; Allāh has granted one of the angels the
power to hear the speech of the whole creation. This angel will remain at the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s grave until the Day of Judgement
and whenever someone confers blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) , the angel mentions that person by his name and his father’s
name and informs the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) that this person
has conferred blessings upon him. Allāh has promised the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) that He shall confer ten blessings upon the
person who confers one blessing upon him.
In another ḥadīth wherein this angel is mentioned, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) is reported to have said, “I requested my Lord to confer ten
blessings upon whoever confers one blessing upon me. Allāh accepted my
request.”
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It is also narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Umāma 􀂍 that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Allāh confers ten blessings upon the
person who confers one blessing upon me. An angel is assigned to this blessing
who then conveys it to me.”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said is reported to have said on
the authority of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍, “Whoever confers blessings upon me on the
day or night of Friday, Allāh will fulfil one hundred of his needs, and appoint an
angel to convey it to me in my grave, just as you present gifts to one another.”
No objection should arise as to why this ḥadīth indicates that only one angel is
appointed upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s blessed grave to
convey everyone’s blessings and salutations to him, whereas the previous ḥadīth
stated that there are many angels of Allāh who travel the Earth to convey the
salutations of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)‘s followers. The
angel appointed at the blessed grave has the sole duty of conveying the salutations
of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s followers, and the angels who
travel the Earth search for the gatherings of remembrance and wherever they come
across blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , they then
convey these blessings to him.
It is common knowledge that if a message is sent to a senior (pious person) and
this message is mentioned in a gathering, each person present considers it a
privilege and honour that he should convey this message. I have witnessed this
many a time in the gatherings of my seniors and pious elders. Then what can be
said regarding the conveying of blessings to the Leader of Both Worlds and Pride
of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s ? Thus, however many angels convey
the blessings, it will be considered adequate.
30
(8)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ عِنْدَ 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ
قَبْرِيْ سَمِعْتُهُ وَمَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ نَائِيًا أُبْلِغْتُهُ
رواه البيهقي في شعب الإيمان آذا في المشكوة وبسط السخاوي في تخريجه
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh said,
“Whoever confers blessings upon me by my grave, I hear his blessings
and whenever blessings are conferred upon me from a distance, they are
conveyed to me.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated numerous ḥadīths
to the same effect in Al-Qawl al-Badī that when a person confers blessings from
a distance, an appointed angel conveys it to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) , and the blessings conferred upon him from near are heard by the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) himself . Regarding the person who
confers blessings from a distance, the previous narrations discuss in detail that an
angel is appointed to convey these blessings to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) . The second point mentioned in this ḥadīth, that the blessings
conferred close to the blessed grave are heard by the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) himself, is a matter of great pride, honour and pleasure for the
suppliant.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates in Al-Qawl al-Badī
that Sulaymān bin Suḥaym (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “I saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in a dream. I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allāh,
31
do you understand the salutations of those who come to your grave and confer
salutations upon you?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “Yes, I understand and I
also reply to their salutations.”
Ibrāhīm bin Shaybān (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “After completing the
ḥajj, I travelled to Madīna Munawwara and went to the blessed grave of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . I conferred salutations and heard
‘Salutations upon you too (wa alayka ’l-salām)’ from within the blessed
chamber.”
Mullā Alī Qārī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that without a doubt, it is
better to confer blessings close to the blessed grave than conferring from a
distance, as the humility and presence of mind and heart when conferring at close
proximity is not found at a distance.
The author of Maẓāhire Ḥaqq (may Allāh have mercy on him) commenting on
this ḥadīth says, “I personally hear the blessings of the person who is close [to the
grave] without any intermediary and the blessings of the distant suppliant
conveyed through the traveling angels. However, I reply in every case. From this,
we learn the virtue of conferring salutations upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) and the honour granted to the suppliant, especially one who
confers salutations abundantly. If a person were to receive a reply to even one of
the salutations conferred in a whole lifetime, it would be sufficient privilege, let
alone a response to every salutations.
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I do not expect a response for my every salutation. Even one reply to a
hundred salutations is sufficient.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has expressed this point by
saying, “It is sufficient for the honour of any person that his name be mentioned
with goodness in the presence of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .”
The following verse of poetry has been said regarding this point:
وَمَنْ خَطَرَتْ مِنْهُ بِبَالِكَ خَطْرَةٌ حَقِيْقٌ بِاَنْ يَسْمُوَ وَاَنْ
يَتَقَدَّمَا
One who is blessed with as much as his thought crossing your
mind has every right to pride himself and to proceed in happiness.
My mention is better than my own being, for I have been mentioned in such a
great gathering.
The fact that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) hears the blessings
personally is not a point of question, as the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s
(blessings and salutations be upon them) are alive in their graves.
Allāma Sakhāwī has written in Al-Qawl al-Badī , “We believe and confirm that
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is alive in his grave and that the
earth cannot decompose his blessed body, and there is a consensus (ijmā ) on this
point.”
Imām Bayhaqī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written a book in discussion
on the life of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings and
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salutations be upon them) [after death]. Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 narrates in a ḥadīth
that the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings and salutations be upon
them) are alive in their graves and they perform ṣalāh therein. Allāma Sakhāwī
(may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated this through many different chains of
narration. Imām Muslim (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated on the
authority of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “On the Night of Ascension, I passed by Mūsā 􀂋 who was
standing in prayer in his grave.” Imām Muslim also narrates that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “I saw myself amongst a group of
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings and salutations be upon them),
and I saw Īsā 􀂋 and Ibrāhīm 􀂋 standing in prayer.”
After the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) departed this world,
Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀂍 came close to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) , removed the cloth that was covering his blessed face, and then
addressed the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) saying, “May my
mother and father be sacrificed for your sake, O Messenger of Allāh! May Allāh
not collate two deaths upon you! The one death which was destined for you has
passed.” (Bukhārī)
Allāma Suyūṭī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written a book discussing the
life of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings and salutations be upon
them) [after death].
(This topic will also be discussed under the third ḥadīth of Chapter Three, wherein
it will be explained that Allāh has forbidden the earth from decomposing the
bodies of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings and salutations be
upon them)).
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Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Al-Qawl al-Badī ,
“It is commendable to confer blessings abundantly when one sights the trees and
buildings of Madīna Munawwara. As one approaches nearer the blessed city, so
should one increase the conferring of blessings, for these are the places of
revelation and wherein the Qur’ān was revealed. Sayyidunā Jibrīl 􀂋 and
Sayyidunā Mīkā’īl 􀂋 frequented this place and the blessed soil of Madīna
contains the Leader of Mankind . From here the religion of Allāh and the way
(sunna) of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) spread. This is the
home of all good and virtue. One should fill one’s hearts with respect and awe
upon arrival, as though you are going to meet the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) , for it is definite that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
will hear one’s salutations. Arguments and futile talk should be avoided.
Thereafter, one should approach the blessed grave from the direction of the qibla,
stand at a distance of four arm’s length from the grave keeping one’s gaze lowered
and then confer the following salutations with utmost humility, respect and
sincerity:
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ اَلسَّلامُ
عَلَيْكَ يَاخَيْرَةَ اللهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَاخَيْرَ خَلْقِ اللهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ
عَلَيْكَ يَا حَبِيْبَ اللهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَاسَيَّدَ الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ ، اَلسَّلامُ
عَلَيْكَ يَاخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّيْنَ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُوْلَ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ ،
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَاقَائِدَ الْغُرِّ الْمُحَجَّلِيْنَ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَابَشِيْرُ ،
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَانَذِيْرُ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ
35
الطَّاهِرِيْنَ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى أَزْوَاجِكَ الطَّاهِرَاتِ أُمَّهَاتِ
الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى أَصْحَابِكَ أَجْمَعِيْنَ ، اَلسَّلامُ
عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى سَائِرِ الأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَسَائِرِ عِبَادِ اللّهِ
الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، جَزَاكَ اللهُ عَنَّا يَارَسُوْلَ اللّهِ أَفْضَلَ مَا جَزَى
نَبِيا عَنْ قَوْمِهِ وَرَسُوْلاً عَنْ أُمَّتِهِ وَصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْكَ آُلَّمَا
ذَآَرَكَ الذَّاآِرُوْنَ وَآُلَّمَا غَفَلَ عَنْ ذِآْرِكَ الْغَافِلُوْنَ ، وَصَلَّى
عَلَيْكَ فِي الأَوَّلِيْنَ وَصَلَّى عَلَيْكَ فِي الآخِرِيْنَ أَفْضَلَ وَأَآْمَلَ
وَأَطْيَبَ مَا صَلَّى عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِّنَ الْخَلْقِ أَجْمَعِيْنَ آَمَا اسْتَنْقَذَنَا
بِكَ مِنَ الضَّلاَلَةِ وَبَصَّرَنَا بِكَ مِنَ الْعَمَى وَالْجَهَالَةِ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ
لآ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ وَأَمِيْنُهُ وَخَيْرَتُهُ مِنْ
خَلْقِهِ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ الرِّسَالَةَ وَأَدَّيْتَ الأَمَانَةَ وَنَصَحْتَ
الأُمَّةَ وَجَاهَدْتَّ فِي اللهِ حَقِّ جِهَادِهِ ، اللهُمَّ آتِهِ نِهَايَةَ مَا يَنْبَغِيْ
أَنْ يَّأْمَلَهُ الآمِلُوْنَ
(قلت وذآره النووي في مناسكه بأآثر منه)
Salutations upon you, O Messenger of Allāh.
Salutations upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) of Allāh.
Salutations upon you, O Allāh’s chosen servant.
36
Salutations upon you, O Best of Allāh’s creation.
Salutations upon you, O Beloved of Allāh.
Salutations upon you, O Leader of all the Messengers.
Salutations upon you, O Seal of all Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)s.
Salutations upon you, O Messenger of the Lord of all the worlds.
Salutations upon you, O Leader of those of radiant faces, hands and feet
(a distinguishing sign of the believers; the parts of the body washed in
ablution shall be extremely radiant on the Day of Judgement).
Salutations upon you, O Bearer of the glad-tidings of Paradise.
Salutations upon you, O He who warned of the Hellfire.
Salutations upon you and your most virtuous household.
Salutations upon you and your chaste wives, the Mothers of the
Believers.
Salutations upon you and all your Companions.
Salutations upon you and all the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s,
all the Messengers and all of Allāh’s pious bondsmen.
O Messenger of Allāh, may Allāh reward you on our behalf, greater
than the reward he bestowed upon any Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) on behalf of his people and any messenger on behalf of his
followers.
May Allāh confer blessings upon you whenever those engaged in your
remembrance remember you and whenever those who neglect your
remembrance are in their negligence.
May Allāh confer blessings upon you amongst those who have already
passed.
May Allāh confer blessings upon you amongst those who are yet to
come, blessings better, more pure and perfect than that Allāh has ever
conferred upon anyone in His whole creation, just as He saved us from
37
deviation through you and granted us the ability to see after blindness
and ignorance, through your guidance. I bear witness that there is none
worthy of worship besides Allāh and I bear witness that you are the
servant of Allāh, His Messenger, His Trusted One and the most
honoured from amongst all His creation. I bear witness that you have
conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, truly fulfilled the right of
wishing good for your followers, and you have strived in the path of
Allāh as is the right to do so.
O Allāh, grant him more than anything those who aspire should wish
for.
(Imām Nawawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has mentioned this with more
wording in his Manāsik).
After this, supplicate for yourself and all believing men and women. Thereafter,
confer salutations upon the two respected Shaykhs, Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀂍 and
Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍 and pray for them too. Beseech Allāh to grant them the
best reward and recompense for their efforts in assisting the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , and their endeavour in fulfilling his rights.
Know that conveying salutations at the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s grave is more virtuous than conferring blessings (saying as-salāmu
alayka yā rasūlallāh is better than saying aṣ-ṣalātu alayka yā rasūlallāh)
According to Allāma Bājī (may Allāh have mercy on him), conferring blessings
at the grave is more virtuous.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that the first opinion is
more correct, as is the opinion of Allāma Majduddīn (may Allāh have mercy on
him) the author of Al-Qāmūs, because the wording of the ḥadīth is:
ما من مسلم يسلم علي عند قبري
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Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) is indicating towards the
ḥadīth recorded by Abū Dāwūd and others on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū
Hurayra 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “When a
person confers salutations upon me, Allāh returns my soul to me, so that I may
reply to the salutations.”
However, according to this humble servant the word ṣalāt (blessing) has also been
mentioned in numerous narrations. Ḥadīth eight mentions that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) hears the blessings (ṣalāt) of the person who
confers blessings close to his grave, and this has been narrated in many other
ḥadīths.
Thus, my opinion is that it is preferable to confer both blessings (ṣalāt) and
salutations (salām) together. In other words say, “May blessings and salutations be
upon you O Messenger of Allāh, May blessings and salutations be upon you O
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) of Allāh (aṣ-ṣalātu wa ’s-salāmu alayka yā
rasūlallāh, aṣ-ṣalātu wa ’s-salāmu alayka yā nabiyyallāh),” instead of just,
“May salutations be upon you O Messenger of Allāh, May salutations be upon you
O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) of Allāh (as-salāmu alayka yā
rasūlallāh, as-salāmu alayka yā nabiyyallāh).” Likewise, it is better to add the
word aṣ-ṣalātu with as-salāmu throughout. In this manner, the opinions of
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and Allāma Bājī (may Allāh
have mercy on him) will be acted upon at once.
In Wafā al-Wafā, it is mentioned that Abū Abdullāh Muḥammad bin Abdullāh
bin Ḥusayn Sāmurī Ḥanbalī (may Allāh have mercy on him) wrote in Al-
Mustaw ib after mentioning the etiquettes under the chapter on visiting the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s grave, “Come close to the blessed grave
39
and face it, keeping the pulpit to your left side.” Thereafter, Allāma Sāmurī
Ḥanbalī (may Allāh have mercy on him) explains the method of salutations and
supplication and writes that one should say:
اللهُمَّ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ فِي آِتَابِكَ لِنَبِيِّكَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ وَإِنِّيْ قَدْ أَتَيْتُ
نَبِيَّكَ مُسْتَغْفِرًا فأَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تُوْجِبَ لِيَ الْمَغْفِرَةَ آَمَا أَوْجَبْتَهَا
لِمَنْ أَتَاهُ فِي حَيَاتِهِ ، اللهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِنَبِيِّكَ
“O Allāh, You have said to Your Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in the Qur’ān, ‘If they, when they had wronged
their souls, had come to you and begged the forgiveness of
Allāh and the Messenger had begged forgiveness for them,
they would surely have found Allāh to be Relenting, Most
Merciful.’ (Al-Nisā 4:64) I have come to Your
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) seeking Your forgiveness,
thus I beseech You that You make Your forgiveness compulsory
for me, just as you made it compulsory for he who came to the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in his lifetime. O
Allāh, I turn to You through the intermediary of Your
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .”
(9)
قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ إِنِّيْ أُآْثِرُ 􀂍 عَنْ أُبَيٍّ بْنِ آَعْبٍ
الصَّلَوةَ عَلَيْكَ فَكَمْ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ مِنْ صَلَوتِيْ فَقَالَ مَا شِئْتَ ،
40
قُلْتُ الرُّبْعَ قَالَ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَّ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ ، قُلْتُ
النِّصْفَ قَالَ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَّ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ ، قُلْتُ فَالثُّلُثَيْنِ
قَالَ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَّ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ ، قُلْتُ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ
صَلَوتِيْ آُلَّهَا قَالَ إِذًا تُكْفَى هَمُّكَ وَ يُكَفَّرُ لَكَ ذَنْبُكَ
رواه الترمذي زاد المنذري في الترغيب أحمد والحاآم وقال صححه وبسط السخاوي في
تخريجه
Sayyidunā Ubayy ibn Ka b 􀂍 says, “I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allāh,
I wish to confer blessings upon you in abundance. How much of my time
set aside for supplication should I devote to this purpose?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘As much as
you wish.’
I asked, ‘A fourth?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘As much as
you wish, and if you make an increase therein it shall be better for you.’
I further enquired, ‘A half?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) again said, ‘As much
as you wish, and if you make an increase therein it shall be better for
you.’
I asked, ‘Two thirds?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘As much as
you wish, and if you make an increase therein it shall be better for you.’
I said, ‘I shall devote all my time to conferring blessings upon you.’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, 'In that case, all
41
your worries will be removed and your sins will be forgiven.’”
The meaning of the ḥadīth is apparent. Sayyidunā Ubayy 􀂍 had set aside some
time for supplication and he wished to confer blessings in abundance, so he
enquired as to how much of this time he should dedicate to conferring blessings
(for example, out of two hours set aside for supplications and litanies, how much
time should be dedicated to conferring blessings and salutations?)
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates from Imām Aḥmad
(may Allāh have mercy on him) that a person asked, “O Messenger of Allāh, how
would it be if I were to dedicate all my time to conferring blessings upon you?”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “In that case, Allāh shall
suffice you for all your needs in this life and the Hereafter.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated the same request
being made by a number of Companions 􀁠, and there is no objection in many
Companions 􀁠 making this request.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that because conferring
blessings and salutations consists of the remembrance of Allāh and honouring the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , it is in reality similar to the ḥadīth
wherein the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) says that Allāh says,
“Whoever is unable to supplicate because of remembering me excessively (i.e. he
does not have time to supplicate as he is constantly remembering Allāh), I shall
grant him more than I grant the supplicators.”
The author of Maẓāhire Ḥaqq (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written that the
reason behind this is that when a person channels his desire into what pleases
Allāh and gives Allāh’s pleasure precedence over his own pleasure, Allāh suffices
42
for him in all his needs. Whoever is for Allāh, then Allāh is his (man kāna lillāhi
kān ’ allāhu lahū). When Shaykh Abdul Wahhāb Muttaqī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) bid farewell to Shaykh Abdul Ḥaqq (may Allāh have mercy on
him) before his visit to Madīna Munawwara, he advised, “Know that on this
journey there is no worship after the completion of your compulsory duties greater
than conferring blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
Try to spend all your time therein and do not engage in anything else.” Shaykh
Abdul Ḥaqq (may Allāh have mercy on him) asked him to fix a number for him.
The Shaykh replied, “It is not necessary to fix an amount; confer with such
profusion that your tongue is always moist, and you become totally dyed in its
colour and absorbed therein.”
One should not think that this ḥadīth proves that it is more beneficial to confer
blessings instead of all other supplications and litanies. Firstly, there is a clear
indication in the ḥadīth that he [Sayyidunā Ubayy 􀂍] had fixed this time for
himself as a time for supplication and decided to allocate a time within this period
for conferring blessings. Secondly, this differs according to varying times and
conditions as discussed in the Virtues of Remembrance (in Chapter Two under the
twentieth ḥadīth), wherein some narrations stated that Alḥamdulillāh is the best
supplication whilst other narrations elucidate that seeking forgiveness (istighfār) is
the best supplication. Similarly, different deeds have been described as the best of
deeds in other ḥadīths. This difference revolves around difference in individuals
and situations, as mentioned in Maẓāhire Ḥaqq that Shaykh Abdul Ḥaqq
Muḥaddith Dihlawī’s shaykh advised him on his visit to Madīna to devote all his
time to conferring blessings. Our elders also stress upon the importance of
conferring blessings whilst staying in Madīna Munawwara.
In Al-Targhīb, Allāma Mundhirī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated
additional wording before the abovementioned narration of Sayyidunā Ubayy 􀂍;
43
When a quarter of the night would pass, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) would stand and proclaim, ‘O people, remember Allāh. Remember
Allāh (He would repeatedly say this). The rājifa has come and the rādifa is
coming. Death is coming with all that it accompanies. Death is coming with all
that it accompanies. (He used to say this twice also).” The words rājifa and rādifa
are an indication towards the verses in Surah al-Nāzi āt, wherein Allāh says:
يَوْمَ تَرْجُفُ الرَّاجِفَةُ تَتْبَعُهَا الرَّادِفَةُ قُلُوْبٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَّاجِفَةٌ
أَبْصَارُهَا خَاشِعَةٌ
A Day shall come when the quaking will quake. And there will follow it
the next blast. Hearts that day will be throbbing. Their looks will be
downcast. (al-Nāzicāt 79:6-9)
(10)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ
حِيْنَ يُصْبِحُ عَشْرًا وَّحِيْنَ يُمْسِيْ عَشْرًا أَدْرَآَتْهُ شَفَاعَتِيْ يَوْمَ
الْقِيَامَةِ
رواه الطبراني بإسنادين أحدهما جيد لكن فيه انقطاع آذا في القول البديع
Sayyidunā Abū Dardā 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh said,
“Whoever confers blessings upon me ten times in the morning and ten
44
times in the evening will gain my intercession on the Day of
Judgement.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated many ḥadīths
containing the glad-tidings of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s
intercession for one who confers blessings. Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀁠 narrates that
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers blessings
upon me, I shall intercede for him on the Day of Judgement.” In this ḥadīth, the
promise of intercession is not exclusive to a fixed number of blessings.
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 narrates the following words after narrating the
blessings conferred in prayer [in the final sitting], “On the Day of Judgement, I
shall be a witness for him and intercede for him.”
Sayyidunā Ruwayfi bin Thābit 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) said, “My intercession will become incumbent upon whoever
confers the following blessings:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّأَنْزِلْهُ الْمَقْعَدَ الْمُقَرَّبَ عِنْدَكَ يَوْمَ
الْقِيَامَةِ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and bestow upon him the
station of proximity with You on the Day of Judgement.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated on the authority
of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀁠 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
said, “Whoever confers blessings upon me by my grave, I hear his blessings, and
whenever blessings are conferred upon me from a distance, Allāh appoints an
angel to convey these blessings to me. All the worldly needs of this person and all
45
needs of the Hereafter shall be sufficed for, and I shall be a witness for him or
intercede for him on the Day of Judgement.”
This ḥadīth shows that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) shall be a
witness for some and intercede for others. For example, the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) shall be a witness for the residents of
Madīna and intercede for others, or be a witness for the obedient and intercede for
the sinful, as Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has mentioned.
(11)
قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ 􀁠 عَنْ عَائِشَةَ
صَلَوةً إِلاَّ عَرَجَ بِهَا مَلَكٌ حَتَّى يُحَيِّيَ بِهَا وَجْهَ الرَّحْمَنِ عَزَّ
وَجَلَّ فَيَقُوْلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى اِذْهَبُوْا بِهَا إِلَى قَبْرِ عَبْدِيْ
تَسْتَغْفِرُ لِقَائِلِهَا وَتَقَرُّ بِهَا عَيْنُهُ
أخرجه أبو علي بن البناء والديلمي في مسند الفردوس وفي سنده عمر بن خبيب ضعفه
النسائي وغيره آذا في القول البديع
Sayyidatunā Ā`ishah 􀁠 narrates that the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “No servant confers blessings upon me except that an
angel ascends with these blessings presenting them before Allāh. Our
Lord most Exalted then orders, ‘Take these blessings to the grave of my
servant, who shall seek forgiveness on behalf of the suppliant and who
shall be pleased with this.’”
46
In Zād al-Sa īd, it is narrated from Al-Mawāhib al-Ladunniyya that on the Day of
Judgement, a certain believer will have less good deeds. The Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) will place a small piece of paper the size of
a fingertip on the scale, whereby the pan of good deeds will become heavy. The
believer will say, “May my parents be sacrificed for your sake. Who are you? How
beautiful your appearance and character are!”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) will reply, “I am your
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and these are the blessings you conferred
upon me. I have recompensed them in your time of need.”
One should not question how a parchment the size of a fingertip can weigh down
the scale, because sincerity is of significance to Allāh. The more sincerity in one’s
action, the more it shall weigh. In the ḥadīth commonly known as ḥadīth albiṭāqa,
a piece of paper with the declaration of faith (shahāda) written upon it will
outweigh ninety nine books of bad deeds, each book so big that it stretches out as
far as the eye can see.
I have discussed the abovementioned ḥadīth in detail in Chapter Two of the
Virtues of Remembrance [the fourteenth ḥadīth]; refer to it for more detail.
Therein is the extra wording, “Nothing can be heavier than Allāh’s name.” Other
narrations in the Virtues of Remembrance all prove that sincerity is of weight in
the eyes of Allāh.
(In Chapter Five, this will be discussed in more detail under the twentieth story).
(12)
عَنْ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ أَنَّهُ قَالَ أَيُّمَا 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِيْ سَعِيْدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ
47
رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدَهُ صَدَقَةٌ فَلْيَقُلْ فِيْ دُعَائِهِ اللهُمَّ صَلِّ
عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُوْلِكَ وَصَلِّ عَلَى المُؤْمِنِيْنَ
وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُسْلِمِيْنَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتِ فَإِنَّهَا زَآَوةٌ وَقَالَ لاَ
يَشْبَعُ الْمُؤْمِنُ خَيْرًا حَتَّى يَكُوْنَ مُنْتَهَاهُ الْجَنَّةَ
رواه ابن حبان في صحيحه آذا في الترغيب وبسط السخاوي في تخريجه وعزاه
السيوطي في الدر إلى الأدب المفرد للبخاري
Sayyidunā Abū Sa īd Khudrī 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh
said, “Whichever Muslim does not have anything to give in charity
should say, ‘O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad, your servant
and your Messenger, and confer blessings upon the believing men and the
believing women, the Muslim men and Muslim women.’ This shall be a
charity for this person.” He further said, “The believer is never satiated
with acts of righteousness until Paradise becomes his abode.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written that Ḥāfiẓ Ibn
Ḥibbān (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written the following chapter-heading
on this ḥadīth: ‘Chapter regarding the conferring of blessings being equivalent to
charity when not having money in one’s possession.’
There is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars as to whether giving charity
is more virtuous or conferring blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) . Some scholars have said that conferring blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) holds more virtue than charity, because the
48
obligation of charity is only binding upon people whereas Allāh and His angels are
also engaged in the act of conferring blessings on the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) . Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) differs with
this view.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated on the authority
of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀁠 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
said, “Confer blessings upon me, for conferring blessings upon me is like giving
charity.” In another ḥadīth, it is narrated, “Confer blessings upon me in
abundance, for it is a charity for you.”
Furthermore, it has been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 that the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Your blessings upon me are a
source of protection for your supplications, a means of pleasing your Lord and a
charity for your deeds (i.e. a means to cleanse and increase them).” Sayyidunā
Anas 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said,
“Confer blessings upon me, for your blessings upon me are an expiation for your
sins and are an act of charity.”
As for the final portion of the ḥadīth (the believer does not become satisfied…),
the author of Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ has narrated this under the virtues of
knowledge, and the author of Mirqāt al-Mafātīḥ and others have interpreted khayr
(goodness) to mean knowledge, despite the word khayr holding a wider meaning
which encompasses every good deed.
The meaning is clear. A true believer is never content with his good deeds. He is
always striving to perform any act of virtue by employing any possible method.
Thus, if he does not have any monetary charity, he will earn the virtue of charity
by conferring blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
49
According to this humble servant, it is better to interpret khayr in its wider context
so as to include knowledge and other good deeds. However, the author of
Maẓāhire Ḥaqq in following with the author of Mirqāt al-Mafātīḥ and has taken
khayr to mean knowledge. Thus he writes, “A believer is never satiated with khayr
i.e. knowledge. In other words, he remains in search of knowledge until he dies
and eventually enters Paradise as a result. This ḥadīth contains glad-tidings for one
who seeks knowledge that he shall depart this world with faith, if Allāh wills. In
trying to secure this virtue, some of the friends of Allāh continued seeking
knowledge until the end of their lives, despite having already learnt a substantial
amount of knowledge. Furthermore, the field of knowledge is extensive. One may
be engaged in teaching or writing but in reality, such a person will be earning the
reward of seeking knowledge.”
CONCLUSION
I briefly conclude this chapter, having discussed two verses of the Qur’ān and ten
ḥadīths. The narrations discussing the virtues of conferring blessings and
salutations are many and to mention all of them in this concise book is an arduous
task. Moreover, even if there were not a single virtue, the favours of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) (May Allāh confer blessings upon him, his
family, his Companions, his followers, and may He bless them and send
salutations upon them) upon his followers are such that they are neither countable
nor is it in our capacity to fulfil these rights. Therefore, regardless of how much
the suppliant were to be engaged in this blessed act it would still be less, let alone
the fact that Allāh out of His grace grants countless rewards and favours for
fulfilling this obligation.
50
To begin with, Allāma Sakhāwī briefly mentioned the rewards promised for
conferring blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . He
writes, “Chapter Two pertaining to the reward of blessings on the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) : Allāh’s conferring of blessings upon the
suppliant, conferring of blessings by the angels and by the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) himself, an atonement of the suppliant’s
sins, purification of his deeds, increase in his status, forgiveness for his sins, the
blessing itself seeking forgiveness on behalf of the suppliant, reward equivalent to
one carat (equivalent to Mount Uḥud) being recorded in his book of deeds, the
deeds of the suppliant being weighed in an extremely large scale, all needs of the
person who confers blessings in place of other supplications being sufficed for (as
mentioned in the ninth ḥadīth narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Ubayy 􀂍),
sins of the suppliant being wiped out, reward greater than that of freeing slaves,
being saved thereby from difficulty, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s being a witness for him on the Day of Judgement and his
intercession being incumbent for the suppliant, attainment of Allāh’s pleasure,
descending of His mercy, immunity from His displeasure, the shade of His Throne
on the Day of Judgement, the pan of good deeds weighing heavier, being present
at the Pool (Al-Kawthar), protection from the thirst of the Day of Judgement,
freedom from the Hellfire, swift crossing over the Bridge (al-Ṣirāṭ), seeing one’s
abode in Paradise before death, many wives in Paradise, reward greater than
engaging in jihād twenty times and a substitute for charity for the destitute.
Conferring blessings is a charity, a means of purity, and one is granted blessings in
wealth thereby. It is a means of fulfillment for more than a hundred needs. It is
indeed an act of worship and the most beloved of deeds to Allāh. It is the
adornment of all gatherings, removes poverty and a means whereby the sources of
all goodness are sought. The suppliant of blessings will be the closest to the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) on the Day of Judgement and the suppliant
along with his children and grandchildren derive benefit, and likewise the person
51
to whom the reward of blessings has been gifted (īṣal al-thawāb). It is a means of
proximity with Allāh and His Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . Indeed,
it is a light and a means of overpowering one’s enemies. It cleanses the hearts of
hypocrisy and rust, instills one’s love in the hearts of man and is a means of seeing
the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in one’s dream. The suppliant is saved
from people backbiting about him. It is from the most blessed and virtuous of
deeds and the most beneficial in one’s religion and worldly life. In addition, there
are other virtues all of which encourage one of understanding to engage therein, he
who is eager to make provision of good deeds and who seeks to enjoy the fruit of
such provisions.”
After briefly mentioning this at the beginning of the chapter, Allāma Sakhāwī
(may Allāh have mercy on him) discusses the narrations of each point in detail,
some of which have already passed in Chapter One and some of which will be
discussed in Chapter Two.
After writing these narrations, Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him)
says, “In these ḥadīths, there is clear evidence for the nobility of this worship.
Allāh’s blessings upon the suppliant are tenfold and his good deeds increase, his
sins are atoned and his status is elevated. Thus, confer as many blessings and
salutations as possible upon the Leader of all Leaders and the Fountain of
Prosperity , for he is the means of attaining happiness and the best of bestowals,
and a means of protection from all harm. In return for your every blessing upon
him are ten blessings from the Almighty Lord of the Earths and Heavens and
blessings from His noble angels.”
Elsewhere, he reports that Iflīshī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “What could be a
greater means of gaining the intercession [of the Noble Messenger ] and which deed
could be more beneficial than conferring blessings and salutations upon the Noble
52
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , upon whom Allāh and His angels also confer
blessings? Allāh has chosen him for His proximity in this life and the Hereafter.
Blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) are an immense light and
a trade wherein there is no loss. Conferring blessings and salutations has remained the
daily practice of the friends of Allāh. Thus, be as steadfast as possible in conferring
blessings and salutations upon him. As a result, you will be freed from the path of
deviation, your deeds will be purified, your hopes will be fulfilled, your heart will be
illuminated, you will attain the pleasure of Allāh and you will be at peace on the horrific
and terrifying Day of Judgement.”
CHAPTER TWO: VIRTUE OF CERTAIN FORMS OF
BLESSINGS AND SALUTATIONS
(1)
􀂍 عَنْ عَبْدِالرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِيْ لَيْلَى قَالَ لَقِيَنِيْ آَعْبٌ بْنُ عُجْرَةَ
فَقَالَ أَلاَ أُهْدِيْ لَكَ هَدِيَّةً سَمِعْتُهَا مِنَ النَّبِيِّ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى فَأَهْدِهَا
لِيْ فَقَالَ سَأَلْنَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ فَقُلْنَا يَارَسُوْلَ اللهِ آَيْفَ الصَّلَوةُ
عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ عَلَّمَنَا آَيْفَ نُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْكُمْ قَالَ
قُوْلُوْا اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ
عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَّجِيْدٌ ، اللهُمَّ
بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ
53
وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَّجِيْدٌ
رواه البخاري وبسط السخاوي في تخريجه واختلاف لفظه وقال هكذا لفظ البخاري على
إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم في الموضعين
Abdurrahmān bin Abī Laylā (raḥimahullāh) narrates, "I met
Sayyidunā Ka b ibn `Ujrah 􀂍 who said to me, ‘Shall I not give you a
gift which I heard from the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) ?’
I replied, ‘Indeed.’ He thus bestowed me with this gift.
He said, ‘We asked the Messenger of Allāh , ‘O Messenger of Allāh,
how do we confer blessings upon you and your household, for Allāh has
already taught us the method of conferring salutations?’’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, ‘Say O Allāh
confer your blessings upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad
just as you conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm 􀂋 and the family of Ibrāhīm
􀂋. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, Majestic. O Allāh, bless Muḥammad
and the family of Muḥammad just as you blessed Ibrāhīm 􀂋 and the
family of Ibrāhīm 􀂋. Indeed You are the Praiseworthy, Majestic.’”
The meaning of giving a gift is that the Companions 􀁠 considered the blessed
remembrance of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , his sayings and
making mention of him to be the greatest gifts and presents for guests and friends
rather than different food items. Their lives bear witness to the fact that they held
these in much greater esteem than any material item. This is why Sayyidunā Ka b
􀂍 referred to this as a gift. This blessed ḥadīth is renowned and is recorded in all
the books of ḥadīths on the authority of many Companions 􀁠, both with abridged
and lengthy wording.
54
Allāma Sakhāwī has narrated its many chains of narrations and differing
wording in Al-Qawl al-Badī . He narrates on the authority of Ḥasan (may Allāh
have mercy on him) through a mursal chain [a chain without mention of the
Companion] that when the verse ordaining blessings and salutations was revealed,
the Companions 􀁠 asked, ‘O Messenger of Allāh! We know the method of
conferring salutations but how do we confer blessings?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) taught the following:
اللهُمَّ اجْعَلْ صَلَوَاتِكَ وَبَرَآَاتِكَ الخ
In another ḥadīth, Sayyidunā Abū Mas ūd Badrī 􀂍 narrates, ‘We were seated in
the gathering of Sa d bin Ubāda 􀂍 when the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) came. Bashīr 􀂍 said to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) , ‘O Messenger of Allāh, Allāh has instructed us to confer blessings;
teach us its method.’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) remained silent until we began
wishing that he had not asked this question. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) then said, ‘Say:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الخ
Muslim, Abū Dāwūd and others have recorded this ḥadīth. The reason why they
wished he had not asked this question was that the Companions 􀁠, intense in their
love and reverence for the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , would fear
that their question was against the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s
approval whenever he remained silent in reply or hesitated in answering.
It is also possible that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) was
unaware of the answer, due to which he paused before answering the question.
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Some narrations support this point. Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allāh have mercy on
him) narrates on the authority of Ṭabarī (may Allāh have mercy on him) that the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) remained silent until he received
revelation.
Ibn Ḥibbān, Aḥmad in his Musnad and others have narrated that a Companion
􀂍 came to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and sat in his
presence. The narrator of the incident says, “We were seated in the gathering. This
person asked, ‘O Messenger of Allāh! We know the method of salutations, but
how should we confer blessings upon you in our prayer (ṣalāh)?’ The Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) remained silent until we began wishing he
had not asked this question. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) then
said, ‘When you perform your prayer read the following:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الخ
In another narration, Sayyidunā Abdurraḥmān bin Bashīr 􀂍 narrates that a
person said, “O Messenger of Allāh, Allāh has ordered us to confer blessings and
salutations. We know the method of salutations, but how should we confer
blessings?”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Say:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ.
In the narrations of the Musnad of Aḥmad, in Tirmidhī and Bayhaqī, it is
mentioned that when the verse of blessings and salutations was revealed, a
Companion 􀂍 asked, “O Messenger of Allāh, we know how to confer salutations
upon you, but what is the method of conferring blessings upon you?” The Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) then taught the method of conferring
blessings.
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Many other ḥadīths also narrate the same subject with different forms of blessings,
as is common in different narrations. There are many reasons for these differences.
In this instance, it is obvious that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
taught different Companions 􀁠 various forms of blessings to ensure that no
particular wording becomes obligatory. The incumbency of conferring blessings
itself (as will be discussed in Chapter Four) and that of a certain wording of
blessings are two separate issues, thus no specific wording is incumbent. The
wording in the ḥadīth at the beginning of this chapter is has been recorded by
Imām Bukhārī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and is the most authentic wording.
According to the Ḥanafī school, it is preferred to confer this wording in prayer.
Allāma Shāmī writes that Imām Muḥammad (may Allāh have mercy on him)
was asked how one should confer blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) , and he taught this very wording (in the first ḥadīth of the
chapter) and it is also in accordance with the narrations of the Ṣaḥīḥayn (Bukhārī
and Muslim). Allāma Shāmī has taken this from Sharḥ Munya al-Muṣallī
wherein it is stated, “This is in accordance with what is narrated on the authority
of Sayyidunā Ka b bin Ujra 􀂍 in the Ṣaḥīḥayn (the narration at the beginning
of the chapter).”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes, “Through the ḥadith of
Sayyidunā Ka b 􀂍 and others, we determine the blessings the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) taught to the Companions 􀁠 in fulfilling the
Qur’ānic command and many scholars have narrated this to be the best form.” In
another place, he writes that this was what the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) taught when the Companions 􀁠 said they knew the method of
salutations and requested to be taught the method of conferring blessings, proving
this the best form of blessings.
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In Rawḍa al-Ṭālibīn, Imām Nawawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has gone to
the extent of saying that if a person was to take an oath to confer the best form of
blessings, he will be absolved of his oath by reading this wording.
It is written in the footnotes of Al-Ḥiṣn al-Ḥaṣīn from Al-Ḥirz al-Thamīn that this
is the most authentic and best wording of blessings, and one should confer it both
in prayer and out of prayer.
It is important to note that in some copies of Zād al-Sa īd, the scribe has erred in
ascribing this text of Al-Ḥirz al-Thamīn to a different wording of blessings and not
under the relevant wording.
This ḥadīth contains a few points worthy of discussion:
Firstly, the Companions 􀁠 expressing their knowledge of the method of
conferring salutations is referring to the salutations in the final sitting. Allāma
Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes that this was the most apparent
meaning according to his teacher, Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allāh have mercy on him).
This same opinion has also been narrated in Awjaz al-Masālik on the authority of
Imām Bayhaqī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and many other scholars.
Secondly, a common question is that when comparing one thing to another, the
item one is comparing to is usually better. For example, saying that such and such
person is as generous as Ḥātim Ṭā’ī would indicate that Ḥātim is more generous.
Thus in this ḥadīth, the blessings conferred upon Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm 􀂋 would
seem greater [than those conferred upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) ].
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Various answers haven been given to this in Awjaz al-Masālik and Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar
(may Allāh have mercy on him) has given ten answers to this in Fatḥ al-Bārī.
Scholars can refer to this themselves and others may ask a scholar if they wish to
know the answer. The simplest answer is that the general principle is as mentioned
above. However, this priniciple is defied at times due to other reasons. For
example, Allāh says regarding His light in Surah al-Nūr:
مَثَلُ نُوْرِهِ آَمِشْكَوةٍ فِيْهَا مِصْبَاحٌ
The likeness of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. (Al-Nūr
24:35)
In this case, how can Allāh’s light possibly compare to the light of a lamp?
Thirdly, another common question is why specific mention is made of the
blessings upon Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm 􀂋 from amongst all the other
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s and Messengers (blessings and salutations
be upon them). This too has been answered in Awjaz al-Masālik.
Shaykh Ashraf Alī Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has given many
answers to this in Zād al-Sa īd. The best answer according to this humble servant
is that Allāh has declared Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm 􀂋 as His close friend (khalīl):
Thus, the blessings Allāh confers upon Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm 􀂋 are of great love and
everything that emanates from love is of the highest standard. Hence, the blessings
conferred with love will surely be the most pleasing and most exalted. Allāh has
declared the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) His beloved (ḥabīb) and
the Beloved of Allāh (ḥabībullāh), which is why the blessings conferred upon
both of them are similar to one another.
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A ḥadīth on the authority of Sayyidunā Ibn Abbās 􀁠 in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ
narrates that a few Companions 􀁠 were seated and mentioning the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings and salutations be upon them).
They said that Allāh had chosen Ibrāhīm 􀂋 as His khalīl (friend). He spoke to
Mūsā 􀂋, and Īsā 􀂋 was the Word of Allāh and His spirit. Ādam 􀂋 was the ṣafī
(chosen) of Allāh. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) came and said,
“I heard your conversation. Indeed, Ibrāhīm 􀂋 was the khalīl of Allāh, Mūsā 􀂋
was the najī (one granted salvation) of Allāh and likewise, Īsā 􀂋 was the Word
of Allāh and His Spirit. Ādam 􀂋 was the ṣafī of Allāh. Listen carefully! I am the
ḥabīb (beloved) of Allāh and I do not boast about it. On the Day of Judgement, the
Banner of Praise shall be in my hand and beneath this flag will be Ādam 􀂋 and all
the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s, and I do not boast about it. On the Day
of Judgement, I shall be the first to intercede and the first whose intercession shall
be accepted, and I do not boast about this. I shall be the first for whom the door of
Paradise will be opened, and I along with the destitute amongst my followers will
enter Paradise first and I do not boast about this. I am the most dignified with
Allāh from amongst all who have passed and all who are yet to come and I do not
boast about this.”
Many other narrations elucidate the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s
being the beloved of Allāh. The association between close friendship (khulla) and
love (maḥabba) is obvious, and this is why the blessings upon one are compared
with the other. Furthermore, Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm 􀂋 is the forefather of the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and resemblance with one’s forefathers is
praiseworthy (man ashbaha abāhu famā ẓalama).
It is written in the footnotes of Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ from Lam āt that the title
Beloved of Allāh (ḥabībullāh) is the greatest title. The author says, “The title
ḥabībullāh is comprehensive to close friendship (khulla), to being the kalīm of
60
Allāh and the ṣafiyy of Allāh, rather to more favours not granted to other
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings and salutations be upon them).
This quality is the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s being loved by
Allāh with a level of love exclusive to him.”
(2)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يُكْتَالَ 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ
بِالْمِكْيَالِ الأَوْفَى إِذَا صَلَّى عَلَيْنَا أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ فَلْيَقُلْ اللهُمَّ صَلِّ
عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ أُمَّهَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ
وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَّجِيْدٌ
رواه أبو داود وذآره السخاوي بطرق عديدة
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh
said, "Whoever desires that the reward for his ṣalāt upon me and my
household be measured in the fullest measure should confer the
following blessings; O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad the
unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and upon his wives, the
Mothers of the Believers, upon his progeny and his household just as you
conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm 􀂋. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy,
Majestic."
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The title ‘unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’ (ummiyy) is a specific
appellation of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and has been
mentioned in the Bible, Torah and all the divine books. (Maẓāhir)
Why is the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) called ummiyy? There
scholars have many different opinions, which are mentioned in detail in Mirqāt
and other commentaries of the ḥadīth texts. The most common answer is that
ummiyy means illiterate, and it was a remarkable miracle that an illiterate person
taught a message as eloquent and articulate as the Qur’ān to mankind. It is most
probably for this reason that this title is mentioned in the previous divine books.
The orphan who was unable to read, brought a book which abrogated
all the books of other religions.
The mere indication of my beloved who neither studied in any school
nor learnt how to write made him the teacher of hundreds.
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The Shaykh of all shakyhs Shāh Waliyyullāh (may Allāh have mercy on him)
writes in Al-Ḥirz al-Thamīn, “My father taught me to confer blessings with the
following words:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ نِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَ آلِهِ وَبَارِكْ وَسَلِّمْ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad the unlettered
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and upon his family, and bless
him and confer peace on him.
When I read these blessings to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in
my dream, he approved of them.”
It was customary amongst the Arabs to measure dates, grain and other foods in
containers of fixed measure, just as we commonly buy and sell these items by
weight in our country. Thus, the meaning of “full measure” is a very large scale,
and so the ḥadīth means that if a person wishes for his blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) to be weighed in a large scale (it is obvious
that only items of substantial weight are measured in a large scale), he should
confer the abovementioned blessings.
Mullā Alī Qārī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and Allāma Sakhāwī (may
Allāh have mercy on him) have both written that items of little weight are usually
weighed on a scale and heavier items are usually measured in containers, as it is
difficult to measure them on a scale.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated the same ḥadīth
of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) on the authority of Sayyidunā
Abū Mas ūd 􀂍. It is also narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 that
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever wishes for his
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blessings to be measured in the fullest measure (i.e. large container) when he
confers blessings upon me and my household should say:
اللهُمَّ اجْعَلْ صَلَوَاتِكَ وَبَرَآَاتِكَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ
وَأَزْوَاجِهِ أُمَّهَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ آَمَا
صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَّجِيْدٌ
O Allāh, confer your ṣalāt and blessings upon Muḥammad the
unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam), his wives who
are the Mothers of the Believers, his progeny and his household
just as you conferred your blessings upon the family of Ibrāhīm
􀂋. Indeed, You are the Praiseworthy, Majestic.”
Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated that whoever wishes to
drink to his fill from the Pool of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) should
confer the following blessings:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ وَأَوْلاَدِهِ وَأَزْوَاجِهِ
وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَأَصْهَارِهِ وأَنْصَارِهِ وَأَشْيَاعِهِ وَمُحِبِّيْهِ
وَأُمَّتِهِ وَعَلَيْنَا مَعَهُمْ أَجْمَعِيْنَ
O Allāh, confer your blessings upon Muḥammad, his family, his
Companions 􀁠, his children, his wives, his progeny, his
household, his relations by marriage, his helpers, those who love
him, his followers and upon us with all of them, O Most Merciful
of those who show mercy.”
(This has also been narrated by Qāḍī Iyāḍ (may Allāh have mercy on him) in Al-Shifā)
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
64
(3)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ أَآْثِرُوْا مِنَ الصَّلَوةِ 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ
عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَإِنَّهُ يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُوْدٌ تَشْهَدُهُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَإِنَّ أَحَدًا
لَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَيَّ إِلاَّ عُرِضَتْ عَلَيَّ صَلَوَاتُهُ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْهَا
قَالَ قُلْتُ وَبَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ أَنْ
تَأْآُلَ أَجْسَادَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ عَلَيْهِمُ الصَّلَوةُ والسَّلاَمُ
رواه ابن ماجة بإسناد جيد آذا في الترغيب زاد السخاوي في آخر الحديث فنبي الله حي
يرزق وبسط السخاوي في تخريجه وأخرج معناه عن عدة من الصحابة وقال القاري وله
طرق آثيرة بألفاظ مختلفة
Sayyidunā Abū Dardā 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh said,
"Confer blessings upon me abundantly on Friday, for it is a day in
which the angels are present. Nobody confers blessings upon me except
that his blessings are presented to me as soon as he has conferred
them."
Abū Dardā 􀂍 asked, "O Messenger of Allāh, will this happen after
you have passed away too?"
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, "Verily, Allāh
has forbidden the earth from decomposing the bodies of the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s." In another narration, there is
an addition of the wording, "The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
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of Allāh is alive and granted sustenance."
Mullā Alī Qārī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “Allāh has forbidden the
earth from decomposing the bodies of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s
(blessings and salutations be upon them). Thus, there is no difference for them
between the states of life and death. There is also indication in this ḥadīth that
blessings are presented upon both the blessed soul and body of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)ic
saying, ‘The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) of Allāh is alive and is granted
sustenance’ may refer to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) himself
and it is evident that every Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is intended,
because the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) saw Sayyidunā Mūsā 􀂋
standing in prayer in his grave and likewise, he saw Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm 􀂋 as
mentioned in the ḥadīth of Muslim. Furthermore, the ḥadīth narrating the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s being alive in their graves and their
performing ṣalāh therein is authentic. Sustenance could be taken in the figurative
sense and there is no objection in taking it to mean physical sustenance, and it is
this which seems to be the most apparent meaning.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated this ḥadīth
through many different chains of transmission. He narrates on the authority of
Sayyidunā Aws 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said,
“The best amongst your days is Friday. On this day Ādam 􀂋 was born and on this
day he passed away. It is on this day that both the first blowing and the second
blowing of the Trumpet will take place. Thus, confer blessings upon me
abundantly on this day, for your blessings are presented to me.”
The Companions 􀁠 asked, “How will our blessings be presented to you when you
will have become decomposed by then?”
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The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Allāh has forbidden the
earth from decomposing the bodies of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s
(blessings and salutations be upon them).”
Sayyidunā Abū Umāma 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Confer blessings upon me abundantly on Friday, for the
blessings of my followers are presented to me every Friday. Whoever confers the
most blessings upon me the most shall be the closest to me on the Day of
Judgement.” (The fact that the person who confers ṣalāt abundantly shall be
closest to the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) on the Day of Judgement has
already been discussed under the fifth ḥadīth of Chapter One).
Sayyidunā Abū Mas ūd Anṣārī 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Abundantly confer blessings upon me on Friday, for
when a person confers blessings upon me on Friday, they are presented to me
immediately.”
It has also been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍 that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Confer blessings upon me abundantly
on the luminous night and the luminous day (the night and day of Friday), for your
blessings are presented to me and I supplicate and seek forgiveness on your
behalf.” Likewise, it has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar 􀁠, Ḥasan
Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him), Khālid bin Ma dān (may Allāh have
mercy on him) and others that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
said, “Confer blessings upon me abundantly on Friday.”
Sulaymān bin Suḥaym (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream. I asked, ‘O Messenger of
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Allāh, are you aware of the people who present themselves before you and confer
salutations upon you?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘Yes, and I reply to their
salutations.’”
Ibrāhīm bin Shaybān (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “After completing the
ḥajj, I travelled to Madīna Munawwara and went to the blessed grave of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . I conferred salutations and heard
‘Salutations upon you too (wa alayka ’l-salām)’ from within the blessed
chamber.”
It is related in Bulūgh al-Masarrāt that Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Qayyim (may Allāh have mercy
on him) said, “The virtue of conferring blessings on Friday is because Friday is the
leader of all days and the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is the leader
of all the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings and salutations be upon
them). Thus, Friday has a strong bond with conferring blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) which no day other has.” Some people have
also said that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) was conceived on
this day.
Allāma Sakhāwī says that the virtue of conferring blessings on Friday has been
narrated on the authority of Abū Hurayra 􀂍, Anas 􀂍, Aws bin Aws 􀂍, Abū
Umāma 􀂍, Abū Dardā 􀂍, Abū Mas ūd 􀂍, Umar 􀂍, Ibn Umar 􀂍 and others.
He then narrates these ḥadīths.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(4)
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قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ الصَّلَوةُ عَلَيَّ نُوْرٌ 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ
عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ وَمَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ ثَمَانِيْنَ مَرَّةً
غُفِرَتْ لَهُ ذُنُوْبُ ثَمَانِيْنَ عَامًا
ذآره السخاوي من عدة روايات ضعيفة بألفاظ مختلفة
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh
said, "Conferring blessings upon me will be a light on the Bridge.
Whoever confers blessings upon me eighty times on Friday, eighty years
of his sins are forgiven."
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated this ḥadīth
through many different chains of narration that have been declared weak (ḍa īf).
The author of Itḥāf (a commentary of Iḥyā ūlūm al-Dīn) has also narrated this
ḥadīth through different chains of narration. It is a principle of the ḥadīth scholars
that a weak narration, especially when reported through varying chains of
narrations, is acceptable when pertaining to virtues. It is most probably for this
reason that this ḥadīth has been indicated as sound (ḥasan) in Al-Jāmi al-Ṣaghīr
on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍. Mullā Alī Qārī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) has also narrated this ḥadīth from Ṭabrānī and Dāruquṭnī.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that this ḥadīth has also
been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍. In a ḥadīth of Sayyidunā Abū
Hurayra 􀂍, it is narrated that whoever confers the following blessings eighty times
before getting up from his place after aṣr prayers on Friday, eighty years of his
sins will be forgiven and he will be granted the reward of eighty years of worship:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلِّمْ تَسْلِيْمًا
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O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad , the unlettered
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam), and upon his family and
confer salutations.
Dāruquṭnī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated in a ḥadīth that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers blessings upon me
eighty times on Friday, eighty years of his sins will be forgiven.”
A person asked, “O Messenger of Allāh, how should we confer blessings?”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَنَبِيِّكَ وَرَسُوْلِكَ
النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad , Your servant, Your
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and Your Messenger, the
unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam).
“Close one finger after saying this (count using your fingers).”
The ḥadīths encourage one to count using one’s fingers. The Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Count using your fingers, as they
shall be given the power to speak on the Day of Judgement and shall be
questioned.” (This subject has been discussed in detail under ḥadīth eighteen of
Virtues of Dhikr, Chapter Two).
We use our hands to commit hundreds of sins. On the Day of Judgement when the
hands and fingers will enumerate the thousands sins committed during one’s life,
they should also be able to enumerate some good deeds carried out by them or that
were counted with their aid. Ḥāfiẓ Irāqī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has
declared this ḥadīth ḥasan (a good chain of transmission).
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Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 has narrated that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers one hundred blessings upon me on Friday will
be accompanied by such light on the Day of Judgement that it would suffice the
whole creation were it to be distributed amongst them.”
It is narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Sahl bin Abdullāh 􀂍 that whoever
confers the following blessings eighty times after aṣr ṣalāh on Friday will have
eighty years of his sins forgiven:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ نِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلِّمْ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad , the unlettered
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam), and upon his family and confer
salutations.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates elsewhere on the
authority of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Whoever confers blessings upon me once that are subsequently
accepted, eighty years of his sins are forgiven.”
In Zād al-Sa īd, Shaykh Ashraf Alī Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him)
has narrated this ḥadīth of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 on the authority of Al-Durr al-
Mukhtār from Iṣbahānī. Allāma Shāmī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has
discussed at length whether blessings on the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) are always accepted or not. Shaykh Abū Sulaymān Dārānī (may Allāh
have mercy on him) is reported to have said that acts of worship have the
possibility of being either accepted or rejected. However, blessings upon the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) are always accepted. Other ṣūfīs have
also mentioned the same point.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
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(5)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ مَنْ قَالَ اللهُمَّ 􀂍 عَنْ رُوَيْفِعٍ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ
صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ أَنْزِلْهُ الْمَقْعَدَ الْمُقَرَّبَ عِنْدَكَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
وَجَبَتْ لَهُ شَفَاعَتِيْ
رواه البزار والطبراني في الكبير والأوسط وبعض أسانيدهم حسن آذا في الترغيب
Sayyidunā Ruwayfi bin Thābit 􀂍 narrates that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “My intercession will
become incumbent upon whoever confers the following ṣalāt: O Allah,
confer blessings upon Muḥammad and bestow upon him the station of
proximity to You on the Day of Judgement.”
The scholars have differed regarding the meaning of Al-Maq ad al-Muqarrab.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says it could possibly mean the
wasīla, the Praised Station (al-Maqām al-Maḥmūd), the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam)’s being seated upon the Throne or his lofty rank that is greater
than all other ranks. It is written in Al-Ḥirz al-Thamīn that this position has been
described as muqarrab, as whoever is granted this position is muqarrab [in
proximity with Allāh]. For this reason, this position itself is declared muqarrab.
Apart from the abovementioned meanings narrated by Allāma Sakhāwī (may
Allāh have mercy on him), being seated upon the Chair (Kursī) has also been
mentioned.
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Mullā Alī Qārī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that Al-Maq ad al-
Muqarrab is the Praised Station, because ‘on the Day of Judgement’ has been
mentioned in the narration. In other narrations, the wording is ‘the station of
proximity with You in Paradise (al-muqarraba indaka fī’ l-janna)’. Based upon
this it will mean the wasīla, the highest status in Paradise.
Some scholars have noted that there are two separate positions for the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . One is his station to the right of the Throne
at the time of intercession, upon which the whole creation will be envious. The
other is his station in Paradise above which there is no station.
At the end of a lengthy ḥadīth in the Ṣaḥīḥ of Bukhārī relating the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s lengthy dream wherein he saw Paradise,
the Hellfire and the abodes of the adulterators, usurers and others, the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “The two angels then took me to a
house. I had not seen a house more beautiful before this point, and there were
many elderly, young women and children inside. After leaving this place, I was
taken to a tree where there was a house more beautiful than the first one. Upon
enquiry, the angels told me that the first house was that of the common believers
and that this was the house of the martyrs. I was then told to lift my gaze. When I
looked up, I saw something resembling a cloud. I asked to be shown that too. The
two angels told me, ‘You are yet to live. When your age is complete, you will
come here.’”
Intercession has been promised upon certain wording of blessings mentioned in
different ḥadīths, a point already discussed and which will be discussed later on
too. If a criminal or prisoner were to become aware of a certain person’s influence
with the leader and that his intercession is very effective, imagine how much
73
trouble this person will undertake to flatter this interceder! Who amongst us is not
a perpetrator of great sins? Who could be a greater interceder than the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , the beloved of Allāh and Leader of all the
Messengers and the entire creation, and how simple is that upon which he is
promising his intercession, emphasising that his intercession will become
incumbent? If despite this, a person does not take benefit, what greater loss can
there be?
We waste our time in futile issues and destroy our precious time in pointless
conversations and even in backbiting and other sins. If this time were utilised to
confer blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , one would
reap countless benefits.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(6)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ مَنْ قَالَ جَزَى اللهُ 􀁠 عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ
عَنَّا مُحَمَّدًا مَّا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ أَتْعَبَ سَبْعِيْنَ آَاتِبًا أَلْفَ صَبَاحٍ
رواه الطبراني في الكبير والأوسط آذا في الترغيب وبسط السخاوي في تخريجه ولفظه
أتعب سبعين ملكًا ألف صباح
Sayyidunā Ibn Abbās narrates that the Messenger of Allāh said,
"Whoever says: May Allāh reward Muḥammad on our behalf with a
reward befitting what he deserves, will put seventy angels to trouble in
writing its reward for one thousand days."
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In Nuzhat al-Majālis, it is narrated from Ṭabrāni on the authority of Sayyidunā
Jābir 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever
confers the following ṣalāt ten times morning and evening will put the angels who
write its reward to difficulty for one thousand days.”
اللهُمَّ رَبَّ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّاجْزِ
مُحَمَّدًا مَّا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ
O Allāh, Lord of Muḥammad , confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon
the family of Muḥammad and reward Muḥammad with a reward he
deserves.
‘Put them to difficulty’ means they will become tired of writing its reward over a
period of a thousand days. Some have narrated ‘the reward which befits the
greatness of Allāh’ instead of ‘the reward which the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) deserves.’ In other words, grant him reward befitting Your
exaltedness, and it is evident how reward befitting Allāh’s greatness with respect
to His Beloved Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) will be limitless.
It is narrated under the wording of a lengthy form of blessings that Ḥasan Baṣri
(may Allāh have mercy on him) would also say the following words:
وَاجْزِهِ عَنَّا خَيْرَ مَا جَزَيْتَ نَبِيا عَنْ أُمَّتِهِ
Reward him on our behalf with the best reward You have ever
granted a Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) on behalf of his
followers.
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In another ḥadīth, it is narrated that whoever confers the following blessings seven
times for seven consecutive Fridays, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s intercession will become incumbent upon him:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَوةً تَكُوْنُ لَكَ
رِضًا وَّلِحَقِّهِ أَدَاءً وَّأَعْطِهِ الْوَسِيْلَةَ والْمَقَامَ الْمَحْمُوْدَ الَّذِيْ
وَعَدْتَّهُ وَاجْزِهِ عَنَّا مَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ وَاجْزِهِ عَنَّا مِنْ أَفْضَلِ مَا
جَزَيْتَ نَبِيا عَنْ أُمَّتِهِ وَصَلِّ عَلَى جَمِيْعِ إِخْوَانِهِ مِنَ النَّبِيِّيْنَ
وَالصَّالِحِيْنَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad,
blessings which You are pleased with, which fulfil his rights, and grant him
the wasīla and the Praised Station You have promised him. Reward him on
our behalf with a reward he deserves. Reward him on our behalf with the
best You have ever rewarded any Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) on
behalf of his followers. Confer blessings upon him and all his brothers from
amongst the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s and the pious, O Most
Merciful of those who show mercy.
Ibn Mushtahir (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “Whoever wishes to praise
Allāh better than anyone from His creation has ever praised Him from the first and
the last, from the angels close to Allāh and the dwellers of the heavens and earth,
and likewise he wishes to confer upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
blessings better than all blessings ever conferred on him, and he also wishes to
beseech Allāh for the best anyone has ever asked of Him should say the following:
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اللهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ آَمَا أَنْتَ أَهْلُهُ فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا
أَنْتَ أَهْلُهُ وَافْعَلْ بِنَا مَا أَنْتَ أَهْلُهُ فَإِنَّكَ أَنْتَ أَهْلُ
التَّقْوَى وَأَهْلُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ
O Allāh, for You is all praise as is the right for You to be praised.
Confer blessings upon Muḥammad as befits Your exaltedness and
behave with us in a manner most befitting Your greatness, for You
are the One worthy of being feared and the Forgiver.”
Abū Faḍl Qawmānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates that a person came to
him from Khurāsān and said, “I was in Madīna Munawwara. I saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream and he said to me, ‘When you
go to Hamdān, convey my salutations to Abū Faḍl ibn Zayrak [i.e. Abū Faḍl
Qawmānī].’ I asked the reason for this. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, ‘He confers the following blessings upon me more than a
hundred times daily:
أَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الأُمَّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ جَزَى
عَنَّا مَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ 􀁌 اللَّهُ مَحَمَّدًا
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad the unlettered
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and upon the family of
Muḥammad. May Allāh reward Muḥammad on our behalf as he
deserves.’”
Abū Faḍl Qawmānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “This person swore that
he neither knew me nor had he ever heard my name before the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) informed him in his dream. I tried to give
him some food but he refused saying, ‘I am not going to sell the message of the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) (I am not going to take anything in
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exchange for conveying this message).’ I never saw this person after this.’” (Al-
Qawl al-Badī )
(A similar story will be related under story thirty-nine of Chapter Five)
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(7)
أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ يَقُوْلُ 􀁠 عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو بْنِ الْعَاصِ
إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ فَقُوْلُوْا مِثْلَ مَا يَقُوْلُ ثُمَّ صَلُّوْا عَلَيَّ فَإِنَّهُ
مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَوةً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيهِ عَشْرًا ثُمَّ سَلُوْا اللَّهَ لِيَ
الْوَسِيْلَةَ فَإنَّهَا مَنْزِلَةٌ فِيْ الْجَنَّةِ لاَ تَنْبَغِيْ الاَّ لِعَبْدٍ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللهِ
وأَرْجُوْ أَنْ أَآُوْنَ أَنَا هُوَ فَمَنْ سَأَلَ لِيَ الْوَسِيْلَةَ حَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ
الشَّفَاعَةُ
رواه مسلم وأبو داود والترمذي آذا في الترغيب
Abdullāh ibn Amr ibn al- Āṣ 􀁠 narrates that he heard the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) saying, "When you hear the caller
to prayer proclaiming adhān, repeat what he says. Then confer blessings
upon me, for whoever confers blessings upon me, Allāh will confer ten
blessings upon him. Then ask Allāh to grant me the wasīlah. It is a
station in Paradise which is reserved for only one bondsman from the
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bondsmen of Allāh and I hope that I am this one bondsman. Whoever
asks that I be granted wasīlah, my intercession will become incumbent
upon him."
The meaning of the ḥadīth is that intercession will become incumbent for this
person, as mentioned in other ḥadīths too.
In a narration of the Ṣaḥīḥ of Bukhārī, it is narrated that the intercession of the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) becomes incumbent for the person
who hears the call to prayer (adhān) and then says,
اللهُمَّ رَبَّ هِذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ والصَّلَوةِ الْقَائِمَةِ آتِ مُحَمَّدًا
الْوَسِيْلَةَ وَالْفَضِيْلَةَ وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُوْدًا الَّذِيْ وَعَدْتَّهُ
O Allāh, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer being established, grant
Muḥammad wasīla and virtue and raise him to the Praised Station that You
have promised him.
Sayyidunā Abū Dardā 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) would recite the following supplication after the adhān. He would
read it so that it was audible to the person next to him.
اللهُمَّ رَبَّ هِذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ والصَّلَوةِ الْقَائِمَةِ صَلِّ عَلَى
مُحَمَّدٍ وَآتِهِ سُؤْلَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
O Allāh, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer being established, confer
blessings upon Muḥammad and grant him his prayers on the Day of
Judgement.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated this subject
through many other narrations. He narrates on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū
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Hurayra 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “When you
confer blessings upon me, supplicate that I be granted wasīla too.”
A person asked, “What is wasīla?”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “It is a lofty station in
Paradise granted to only one person, and I hope I am that one person.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “The lexical meaning of
wasīla is that whereby a person gains proximity in the court of a king or someone
of standing, but here it means a lofty rank as the ḥadīth itself says it is a rank in
Paradise. The commentators of the Qur’ān have two opinions regarding the verse,
وَابْتَغُوْا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيْلَةَ
And seek approach to Him (Al-Mā’idah 5:35)
One opinion is that it is the same proximity mentioned above. This has been
narrated from Ibn Abbās 􀁠, Mujāhid, Aṭā and others. Qatādah says, ‘Gain
proximity to Allāh by that which pleases Him.’ Wāḥidī, Baghawī and
Zamakhsharī have all said that wasīla is every such thing through which one gains
proximity, regardless of whether it is a tie of relation or a good deed. To gain
proximity through the means of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is also
included in this.”
Allāma Jazrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Al-Ḥiṣn al-Ḥaṣīn under
the etiquettes of supplication:
وَأَنْ يَتَوَسَّلَ إِلَى اللهِ تَعَالَى بِأَنْبِيَاءِهِ (خ و مص) وَالصَّالِحِيْنَ
مِنْ عِبَادِهِ (خ)
(From amongst the etiquettes) is to supplicate unto Allāh through
the intermediary of His Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s
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(according to the narrations of Bukhārī, the Musnad of Bazzār and
Ḥākim) and His pious servants (according to the narration of
Bukhārī).
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “The other meaning of
the word wasīla in this verse is love i.e. become beloved to Allāh, just as Māwardī
(may Allāh have mercy on him) and others have narrated on the authority of Abū
Zayd (may Allāh have mercy on him). The meaning of faḍīla is the rank greater
than that of the whole creation. It may also mean a different position or a
clarification of the word wasīla.”
The Praised Station (Al-Maqām al-Maḥmūd) is that which has been mentioned in
Sura Banī Isrā’īl:
عَسَى أَنْ يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَحْمُوْدًا
Perchance your Lord will raise you up in a station praised (al-Isrā
17:79)
The scholars hold various opinions on the meaning of the Praised Station; the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s being a witness for his followers,
the Banner of Praise (liwā al-ḥamd) on the Day of Judgement, the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s being seated on the Throne or the Chair
(Ibn Jawzī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated the latter two opinions
from a multitude of scholars), and some say it is the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam)’s intercession, as the first and last will praise him on this
station.
In conformance with the opinion of his teacher Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allāh have
mercy on him), Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “There is
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no discrepancy between all these narrations. It is possible that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s being seated on the Throne or Chair is a
sign of permission to intercede and thereafter, he will be granted the Banner of
Praise and he will then proceed to bear witness for his followers.”
Ibn Ḥibbān (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated on the authority of
Sayyidunā Ka b bin Mālik 􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Allāh will resurrect mankind on the Day of Judgement. He will
then clothe me in a pair of green garments and I will say that which Allāh wishes
for me to say. This is the Praised Station.”
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that the meaning of the ‘I
shall say that which Allāh wishes for me to say’ is the praise and glorification of
Allāh by the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) before the Intercession
and Praised Station is a collective name for all the stages which will take place at
the time.
The explanation of ‘I shall say that which Allāh wishes for me to say’ has been
narrated by Bukhārī, Muslim and others in the lengthy narration regarding the
Intercession. It is narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “When I meet Allāh, I shall fall into
prostration. I will remain in prostration for as long as Allāh wishes. Thereafter,
Allāh will say, ‘O Muḥammad , lift your head. Ask, for you shall be granted.
Intercede, for your intercession shall be accepted. Supplicate, for your supplication
shall be answered.’ I will lift my head thereafter and praise Allāh in words with
which He will inspire me. I shall then intercede for mankind.” This lengthy
narration is also in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ.
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Yes, you have been granted permission. Come forward, for honour
is for you today. Intercession befits you well. Verily, this is your
rightful share.
It is worth noting that the words: وَالدَّرَجَة الرَّفِيْعَةَ are commonly read after وَالْفَضِيْلَةَ
The ḥadīth scholars (muḥaddithūn) say that this is unproven. However, the
following addition has been recorded in Al-Hiṣn al-Haṣīn [at the end of the
supplication]:
إنَّكَ لاَ تُخْلِفُ الْمِيْعَادَ
Verily, You do not go against Your promise.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(8)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِيْ حُمَيْدٍ أَوْ أَبِيْ أُسَيْدٍ السَاعِدِيِّ
إِذَا دَخَلَ أَحَدُآُمُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ثُمَّ لْيَقُلْ اللهُمَّ
افْتَحْ لِيْ أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ وَإِذَا خَرَجَ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ عَلَى
النَّبِيِّ ثُمَّ لْيَقُلْ اللهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِيْ أَبْوَابَ فَضْلِكَ
83
أخرجه أبو عوانة في صحيحه وأبو داود والنسائي وابن خزيمة وابن حبان في
صحيحهما آذا في البديع
Sayyidunā Abū Ḥumayd 􀂍 (or Abū Usayd 􀂍) narrates that the
Messenger of Allāh said, "When a person from amongst you enters the
masjid, he should confer blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) and then say, ‘O Allāh, open for me the doors of Your
mercy.’ When he leaves the masjid, he should confer blessings upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and say, ‘O Allāh, open for me
the doors of Your grace.’”
The reason why the doors of mercy are opened when entering the masjid is
because one is about to worship Allāh, and thus one is more in need of Allāh’s
mercy so that He grants one the ability to worship Him and then accept it. The
author of Maẓāhire Ḥaqq writes, “Open the doors of mercy due to the blessing of
this auspicious place, or by granting the ability to perform prayer or by unveiling
the reality of prayer. The meaning of grace (faḍl) is pure income, for this person
will leave the masjid after ṣalāh to earn his living.”
This is an indication towards the Qur’ānic verse:
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَوةُ فَانْتَشِرُوْا فِي الأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِ
اللهِ
Then when the prayer is ended, disperse on the land and seek of
the grace of Allāh. (al-Jumu ah 62:10)
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Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates from the ḥadīth of
Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 that one should confer blessings on the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) when entering the masjid. Sayyidatunā
Fāṭima 􀁠 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) would
confer blessings upon himself when entering the masjid and then say,
اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْلِيْ ذُنُوْبِيْ وَافْتَحْ لِيْ أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
O Allāh, forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your mercy.
When leaving the masjid, he would confer blessings upon himself once again and
then say,
اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْلِيْ ذُنُوْبِيْ وَافْتَحْ لِيْ أَبْوَابَ فَضْلِكَ
O Allāh, forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your grace.
Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 narrates that the upon entering and leaving the masjid, the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) would say,
بِسْمِ اللهِ اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ
I begin in the name of Allāh. O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad .
Sayyidunā Ibn Umar 􀁠 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) taught his grandson Sayyidunā Ḥasan 􀂍 to confer blessings upon
him and then to read the following supplication when entering the masjid:
اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْلَنَا ذُنُوْبَنَا وَافْتَحْ لَنَا أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
O Allāh, forgive our sins and open for us the doors of Your mercy.
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For leaving the masjid, he taught the following supplication:
اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْلَنَا ذُنُوْبَنَا وَافْتَحْ لَنَا أَبْوَابَ فَضْلِكَ
O Allāh, forgive our sins and open for us the doors of Your grace.
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Whenever one of you enters the masjid, he should confer
blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and say,
اللهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِيْ أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
O Allāh, open for me the doors of Your mercy.
When leaving the masjid, he should confer blessings and then say,
اللهُمَّ اعْصِمْنِيْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْمِ
O Allāh, protect me from the accursed devil.
Sayyidunā Ka b 􀂍 narrates that Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 said to him, “I am
going to inform you of two things; do not forget them. When you enter the masjid,
confer blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and then say,
اللهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِيْ أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
O Allāh, open for me the doors of Your mercy.
When you leave the masjid, confer blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) and say,
اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْلِيْ وَاحْفَظْنِيْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْمِ
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O Allāh, forgive me and protect me from the accursed devil.”
These supplications have been narrated on the authority of many Companions 􀁠
and Followers (tābi ūn). The author of Al-Ḥiṣn al-Ḥaṣīn has narrated many
supplications for entering and leaving the masjid from different ḥadīths. He has
narrated the following supplication from the Sunan of Abū Dāwūd:
أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ الْعَظِيْمِ وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيْمِ وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيْمِ مِنَ
الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْمِ
I seek refuge in Allāh, the Great and by His blessed countenance and His eternal
kingdom from the accursed devil.
In Al-Ḥiṣn al-Ḥaṣīn, the author has only recorded the supplication. However, the
narration of Abū Dāwūd’s Sunan mentions that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) said, “When a person says this supplication, the devil says,
‘This person shall be protected from me till evening.’”
The author of Al-Ḥiṣn al-Ḥaṣīn continues to narrate the following supplications:
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُوْلِ اللهِ
I begin in the name of Allāh. Peace be upon the Messenger of Allāh .
In one ḥadīth:
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُوْلِ اللهِ
وَعَلَى سُنَّةِ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ
And (I enter) upon the sunnah of the Messenger of Allāh .
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In another ḥadīth, the following supplication is narrated:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad .
After entering the masjid read:
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللّهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ
Peace be upon us and upon the pious servants of Allāh.
When leaving the masjid, confer blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) and say,
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُوْلِ اللهِ
In the name of Allāh. Peace be upon the Messenger of Allāh .
In another ḥadīth, the following supplication has been narrated [when leaving the
masjid]:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ اللهُمَّ اعْصِمْنِيْ مِنَ
الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْمِ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad .
O Allāh, protect me from the accursed devil.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(9)
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Which Muslim is there who does not yearn to see the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream? Every Muslim has this desire. However, this
desire increases according to one’s level of love and intense devotion. The elders
and saints have written their own experiences regarding many different deeds and
blessings, whereby they were fortunate to see the Leader of both worlds in their
dreams.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated in Al-Qawl al-
Badī that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever
confers blessings upon the soul of Muḥammad amongst all souls, upon his body
amongst all bodies and upon his blessed grave amongst all graves shall see me in
his dream. Whoever sees me in his dream shall see me on the Day of Judgement
and I shall intercede on behalf of whoever sees me on the Day of Judgement.
Whoever I intercede for will drink from my Pool and Allāh will make his body
forbidden on the Hellfire.” Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him)
says that Abū Qāsim Bastī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated this
ḥadīth in his book but that he was unable to trace its source of origin. Elsewhere,
he writes, “Whoever wishes to see the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
in his dream should confer the following blessings:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا أَمَرْتَنَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ اللهُمَّ صَلِّ
عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا تُحِبُّ
وَتَرْضَى
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad just as You have
commanded us to confer blessings upon him. O Allāh, confer blessings
upon Muḥammad as he deserves. O Allāh, confer blessings upon
Muḥammad as You love and as pleases You.
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Whoever reads this an odd number of times will see the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream.
The following words should be added to:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى رُوْحِ مُحَمَّدٍ فِي الأَرْوَاحِ اللهُمَّ صَلِّ
عَلَى جَسَدِ مُحَمَّدٍ فِي الأَجْسَادِ اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى قَبْرِ
مُحَمَّدٍ فِي الْقُبُوْرِ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon the soul of Muḥammad amongst all
souls. O Allāh, confer blessings upon the body of Muḥammad amongst
all bodies. O Allāh, confer blessings upon the grave of Muḥammad
amongst all graves.
Ḥakīm al-Umma Mawlānā Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Zād
al-Sa īd that the greatest and most pleasing speciality of conferring blessings is
that the lovers have been granted the vision of the Luminous Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) in their dreams thereby. The saints have proven some forms of
blessings very effective for this purpose.
Shaykh Abdul Ḥaqq Muḥaddith Dihlawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes
in his book Targhīb Ahl al-Sa āda that whoever reads two rak āts of
supererogatory prayers on the night of Friday and reads Āyat al-Kursī (2:255)
eleven times and Sura Ikhlāṣ eleven times in each rak āt, and then confers the
following blessings one hundred times after completing the prayer, three Fridays
will not pass except that he will see the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in his dream:
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اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الأُمَّيِّ وَآلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ
وَسَلِّمْ
O Allāh, confer blessings and salutations upon Muḥammad, the
unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and upon his family
and his Companions 􀁠.
He also writes that whoever reads two rak āt of prayer and reads Sura Ikhlāṣ
twenty five times after Sura Fātiḥa and then confers the following blessings one
thousand times after the prayer will be honoured with seeing the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream:
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ
Allāh confer blessings upon the unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
He says that conferring the following blessings seventy times before retiring to
bed is also very effective:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمّدٍ بَحْرِ أَنْوَارِكَ وَمَعْدِنِ أَسْرَارِكَ
وَلِسَانِ حُجَّتِكَ وَعُرُوْسِ مَمْلَكَتِكَ وَإِمَامِ حَضْرَتِكَ وَطِرَازِ
مُلْكِكَ وَخَزَائِنِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَطَرِيْقِ شَرِيْعَتِكَ الْمُتَلَذِّذِ بِتَوْحِيْدِكَ
إِنْسَانُ عَيْنِ الْوُجُوْدِ وَالسَّبَبُ فِيْ آُلِّ مَوْجُوْدٍ عَيْنُ أَعْيَانِ
خَلْقِكَ الْمُتَقَدِّمُ مِنْ نُوْرِ ضِيَاءِكَ صَلَوةً تَدُوْمُ بِدَوَامِكَ وَتَبْقَى
بِبَقَاءِكَ لاَ مُنْتَهَى لَهَا دُوْنَ عِلْمِكَ صَلَوةً تُرْضِيْكَ وَ تُرْضِيْهِ
وَتَرْضَى بِهَا عَنَّا يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ
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O Allāh, confer blessings upon our leader Muḥammad, the ocean of Your light,
the mine of Your secrets, the spokesman of Your ḥujjah, the beauty of Your
kingdom, the leader of Your assembly, the adornment of Your sovereignty, the
treasure of Your mercy, the path of Your religion, the one who derives pleasure in
solely worshipping You, the epicentre of all life and the cause of the entire
creation, the greatest of all leaders, the foremost from Your light. Confer such
blessings which remain as long as You exist and for as long as You preside,
blessings which have no bounds except in Your knowledge, blessings which please
You and please him and which cause You to become pleased with us, O Lord of
the universe.
Shaykh Abdul Ḥaqq (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written that one should
also confer the following blessings a number of times before sleeping in order to
see the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in one’s dream:
اللهُمَّ رَبَّ الْحِلِّ وَالْحَرَامِ وَرَبَّ الْبَيْتِ الْحَرَامِ وَرَبَّ الرُّآْنِ
وَالْمَقَامِ أَبْلِغْ لِرُوْحِ سَيِّدِنَا وَمَوْلاَنَا مُحَمَّدٍ مِّنَّا السَّلامَ
O Allāh, Lord of the Sacred Haram and the land beyond the Haram, Lord of the
Sacred House, Lord of the Pillar and the Station [of Ibrāhīm 􀂋], convey our
blessings and salutations upon the soul of our Leader and Master Muḥammad .
However, the greatest requirement to attain this immense blessing is for the heart
to be brimming with yearning, and to refrain from all inner and outer sins.
In Al-Nawādir, the Shaykh of all shaykhs Quṭb al-Irshād Shāh Waliyullāh
Dihlawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written many different practices of
Sayyidunā Khiḍr 􀂋 from numerous shaykhs of taṣawwuf and the Abdāl. Although
these practices are disputed through the ḥadīth perspective, they are not a matter of
jurisprudence wherein proof or evidence is needed; they are merely glad-tidings
and dreams.
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From amongst these, he writes that one of the Abdāl requested Sayyidunā Khiḍr
􀂋 to inform him of a practice he can perform at night. Sayyidunā Khiḍr 􀂋 told
this saint, “Remain engaged in supererogatory prayers between maghrib and
ishā prayers and do not talk to anyone during this time. Perform these prayers in
sets of two rak āts, reciting Surah Fātiḥa once and Surah Ikhlāṣ three times in
each rak āt. Return home after ishā prayers without talking to anyone and
perform two rak āts at home. In each rak āt, read Surah Fātiḥah once and
Surah Ikhlāṣ seven times. After completing the prayer, go into prostration, read
istighfār seven times, confer blessings seven times and read the following seven
times:
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَاللهُ أَآْبَرُ وَلاَ حَوْلَ
وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ
Glory be to Allāh, all praises are due to Allāh. There is none worthy of worship
besides Allāh. Allāh is the greatest, and there is neither power to do good nor
strength to refrain from evil except through Allāh Most Great.
Then lift your head from prostration, raise your hands in supplication and then say:
يَاحَيُّ يَاقَيُّوْمُ يَاذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِآْرَامِ يَاإِلَهَ الأَوَّلِيْنَ وَالآخِرِيْنَ
يَارَحْمَانَ الدُّنْيا وَالآخِرَةِ وَرَحِيْمَهُمَا يَارَبِّ يَارَبِّ يَارَبِّ يَااللهُ
يَااللهُ يَااللهُ
O Ever-Living, Self-Subsistent, O Owner of Majesty and Nobility! O Deity of the
first and last! O Most Beneficent and Most Merciful in this life and the Hereafter!
O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord! O Allāh, O Allāh, O Allāh!
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Thereafter, stand up whilst having your hands still raised and repeat this
supplication. Return to prostration and say this supplication once more. Lie on
your right side facing the qibla and continue conferring blessings until you fall
asleep. Whoever is steadfast on this practice with conviction and sincerity will
surely see the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream before
death.”
Some people have found this to be very effective. They have seen themselves
entering Paradise and seeing the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s
(blessings and salutations be upon them) and the Leader of Both Worlds 􀁠, being
fortunate enough to converse with them too.
This practice has many other virtues, which we will not mention for the sake of
brevity. Various other practices have been narrated from Pīrane Pīr [Shaykh
Abdul Qādir Jīlānī] (may Allāh have mercy on him).
Allāma Damīrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Ḥayāt al-Ḥaywān that
whoever writes the following on a piece of paper thirty five times after Friday
prayers in the state of ablution and keeps this paper with him, Allāh will grant him
the ability to do good, aid him with blessings and save him from the whisperings
of the devil. If he looks carefully at this piece of paper at the time of sunrise daily
whilst conferring blessings at the same time, he will see the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream frequently.
مُحَمّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ أَحْمَدُ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ
Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh . Aḥmad is the Messenger of Allāh .
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Two important points: Seeing the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in
one’s dream is undeniably an immense fortune. However, two important points
must be borne in mind. The first is that which Shaykh Thānawī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) has mentioned in Nashr al-Ṭīb.
Know that for the person not privileged to have seen the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in the state of being awake, seeing him in a dream instead is a source
of solace from Allāh, and this in itself is a great favour and immense treasure.
One’s own effort has no part to play in attaining this fortune; it is purely a gift.
How aptly does the poet say:
This fortune cannot be achieved through one’s own strength, as long as Allāh does
not bestow this favour.
The lives of thousands ended in this pity. However, in most cases this does occur
through abundantly conferring blessings, complete emulation of the Sunna and
overwhelming love. On the other hand, because it is not guaranteed one should not
become upset or aggrieved if one does not see him. Wisdom for some lies in not
seeing him. The lover is only concerned with the pleasure of the beloved,
irrespective of whether this in communion with the beloved or in . The poet says:
أُرِيْدُ وِصَالَهُ وَيُرِيْدُ هَجْرِيْ فَأَتْرُكُ مَا أُرِيْدُ لِمَا يُرِيْدُ
I seek his communion whereas the beloved wishes to remain distant from me.
Thus, I leave my desire for what my beloved desires.
The knower of Allāh, Sheyrāzi (may Allāh have mercy on him) says:
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What are communion and separation when it is the pleasure of the beloved you
seek? It is unjust to seek anything besides the beloved’s pleasure.
This also clarifies that it is insufficient to see the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in one’s dream if one is not pleasing him through obedience. Were
there not countless people who physically saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) but who were in reality separated whereas others like Uways Qarnī
(may Allāh have mercy on him) were physically distant but spiritually close?
Many people used to see the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) all the
time but were destined to the Hellfire due to their disbelief and hypocrisy.
Uways Qarnī (may Allāh have mercy on him) was a famous Follower and from
the prominent ṣūfīs. He accepted Islam during the era of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) but was unable to meet him since he was
preoccupied in serving his mother. Despite this, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) made mention of him to his Companions 􀁠 and instructed that
they request him to seek forgiveness on their behalf were they to meet him.
In one narration, Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) said regarding Uways (may Allāh have mercy on him), “If he
takes an oath upon something, Allāh will definitely fulfil it. Ask him to seek
forgiveness on your behalf.”
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Although Uways (may Allāh have mercy on him) was distant, he became near to
the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
Abū Jahl was physically close but became distant from the Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam)’s proximity.
The second point to be noted is that whoever sees the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream has most certainly and without doubt seen him. It
is established through authentic narrations that Allāh has not given Satan the
ability to make himself appear in a person’s dream as the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) in any way, neither by saying that he is the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) nor can the person seeing the dream be led
to believe that Satan is (Allāh forbid) the Messenger of Allāh . This is out of the
question.
However, if the person seeing the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
does not see him in original appearance but rather sees him in a state unbefitting
his auspicious status, this is a defect on the part of the person seeing the dream. If
a person wears glasses of red, green or black-coloured lenses, everything seen
through will appear in the same colour. Likewise, a person who has cross-vision
will see everything as double. If a person looks at his reflection in something
distorted, his face will seem extremely long or extremely wide to the extent that
this person will laugh at his own reflection.
In the same way, if one hears the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
saying something contrary to the Sharī a in a dream, it will need correct
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interpretation. It is impermissible to act accordingly in defiance of the Sharī a,
regardless of how great a shaykh and leader has seen the dream.
If a person sees the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) instructing or
consenting to an impermissible action, it is in reality a reprimand and not an order,
just as a father prevents his child from a wrong action when the child does not take
heed by saying, “Carry on doing it.” In other words, the child shall be reprimanded
if he persists. Understanding this i.e. the science of dream interpretation (ta bīr)
is an intricate skill.
It is written in Ta ṭīr al-Anām fī Ta bīr al-Manām, “A person saw an angel in
his dream who was telling him, ‘Your wife is attempting to poison you with the
help of one of your friends.’ Someone interpreted the dream to mean his wife was
committing adultery with his friend and it turned out to be true.” Many incidents
are mentioned in the books of this science.
It is written in Maẓāhire Ḥaqq that Imām Nawawī (may Allāh have mercy on him)
has said that the truth is that the one who sees the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in his dream has undoubtedly seen him, regardless of whether the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is seen in his original appearance or
otherwise. The difference in his appearance will be according to the perfection or
deficiency of the person seeing the dream. Whoever sees the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in a pleasant form has seen so due to his
perfection in faith. Whoever sees the opposite is defective in his faith. Likewise,
seeing him as old, young, pleased or unhappy all depend upon the condition of the
person seeing the dream. Thus, seeing the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) is a measure to determine the state of the person seeing the dream.
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This contains a beneficial principle for the seekers whereby they can discern their
inner condition and seek treatment thereafter. On this basis, some scholars say that
whatever one hears the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) saying in
one’s dream should be weighed against the established sunna. If it complies with
the sunnah, it is correct. If it contradicts the sunna, it is due to a deficiency in this
person’s hearing. Thus, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s vision
in one’s dream and all that one hears or sees is true; any inconsistency therein is
from you.
Shaykh Alī Muttaqī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates that a ṣūfī from
Morocco saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream
instructing him to consume alcohol. In order to dispel this objection, he consulted
many scholars to ascertain the reality of the matter. Every scholar explained a
possible meaning to the dream.
Shaykh Muḥammad Arāt (may Allāh have mercy on him) was a scholar of
Madīna who meticulously acted upon the sunna. When this question was posed to
him, he said, “It is not as he has heard. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said to him, ‘Do not drink alcohol.’ He mistook this as an order to
drink.” (I have written this with conciseness).
Just as it is possible that the person seeing the dream misheard the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and took his prohibition to be an order, it is
also quite possible (as I previously mentioned) that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) did actually say, “Drink alcohol,” and that this was a
reprimand. This kind of difference due to a change in tone of speech is quite
common.
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The eighth station on the railway line between Saharanpur and Delhi is Khatawli. I
vividly remember that when I used to pass this station during my initial studies of
syntax (naḥw) and etymology (ṣarf) as a child, the many possible meanings to this
name would occupy my thoughts for a long time.
(This has previously been mentioned in brief in the Virtues of Ḥajj and Khaṣā’ile
Nabawī, the Urdu commentary of Shamā’il al-Tirmidhī)
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(10)
Ḥakīm al-Umma Shaykh Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written
forty ḥadīths of blessings and salutations in Zād al-Sa īd, and he has also written
them in Nashr al-Ṭīb without reference to their source of origin. These ḥadīths are
being related in this book with their translation, in order to attain the blessings
which Shaykh Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has mentioned.
He writes in Zād al-Sa īd, “There are hundreds of different wordings narrated
from the scholars. Dalā’il al-Khayrāt is an example of this. However, I am only
writing forty of those that are narrated in the marfū ḥadīths (directly ascribed to
the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) ), be they the direct words of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) or those of a Companion 􀂍 [which will
still be considered as marfū where it is inconceivable that a Companion related it
on his own part]. Twenty-five of them are of blessings and fifteen of salutations.
Thus, this collection of blessings and salutations is also a compilation of forty
ḥadīths. There are glad-tidings for a person who conveys forty ḥadīths on matters
of religion to the followers of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) that
this person shall be resurrected with the scholars on the Day of Judgement and the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) will intercede on his behalf.
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It is evident that conferring blessings and salutations is a matter of religion since it
is an order of Allāh. Thus, twofold reward is hoped for in this collection; reward
for blessings and salutations and reward for propagating the ḥadīths. Two verses
of the Qur’ān, the general wording of which comprises blessings upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , shall be written before the ḥadīths in order
to gain the blessings of the Qur’ān. If a person reads these daily, he shall receive
all the virtues and blessings that are narrated for each individual blessing and
salutation.”
(صيغ قراني)
١] سَلامٌ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ الَّذِيْنَ اصْطَفَى ]
٢] سَلامٌ عَلَى الْمُرْسَلِيْن ]
(صيغ صلوة)
١] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ عَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ أَنْزِلْهُ الْمَقْعَدَ الْمُقَرَّبَ عِنْدَكَ ]
٢] اللهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ الْقَآئِمَةِ وَالصَّلَوةِ النَّافِعَةِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَارْضَ ]
عَنِّى رِضًا لاَ تَسْخَطُ بَعْدَهُ أَبَدًا
٣] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُوْلِكَ وَصَلِّ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ]
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وَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ وَ الْمُسْلِمَاتِ
٤] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ]
وَّارْحَمْ مُّحَمَّدًا وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ وَبَارَآْتَ وَرَحِمْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى
آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
٥] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ ]
حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى آلِ
إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
٦] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ ]
حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ
إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
٧] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ ]
مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ
حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
٨] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَ عَلَى ]
آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ
عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
٩] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَ بَارِكْ ]
عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
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١٠ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ ]
حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى آلِ
إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
١١ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَ ]
بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ فِي الْعَالَمِيْنَ
إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
١٢ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ أَزْوَاجِهِ وَ ذُرِّ يَّتِهِ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ ]
وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّأَزْوَاجِهِ وَ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ
مَجِيْدٌ
١٣ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ ]
إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ
إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
١٤ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ وَأَزْوَاجِهِ أُمَّهَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ وَ أَهْلِ ]
بَيْتِهِ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
١٥ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى ]
آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ
وَتَرَحَّمْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا تَرَحَّمْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ
إِبْرَاهِيْمَ
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١٦ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى ]
آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا
بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ تَرَحَّمْ عَلَى
مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا تَرَحَّمْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ
مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ تَحَنَّنْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا تَحَنَّنْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ
وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ سَلِّمْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا
سَلَّمْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
١٧ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ بَارِكْ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ عَلَى ]
آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّارْحَمْ مُّحَمَّدًا وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ وَ بَارَآْتَ وَ تَرَحَّمْتَ عَلَى
إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ فِي الْعَالَمِيْنَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
١٨ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَ عَلَى ]
آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ ، اللهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا
بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
١٩ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُوْلِكَ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ ]
وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ
٢٠ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى ]
إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ
مَجِيْدٌ
٢١ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُوْلِكَ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ، ]
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اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَوةً تَكُوْنُ لَكَ رِضًى وَلَهُ جَزَآءً وَّلِحَقِّهِ
أَدَآءً وَّ اَعْطِهِ الْوَسِيْلَةَ وَالْفَضِيْلَةَ وَالْمَقَامَ الْمَحْمُوْدَ الَّذِيْ وَعَدْتَّهُ وَ اجْزِهِ عَنَّا مَا
هُوَ أَهْلُهُ وَ اجْزِهِ أَفْضَلَ مَا جَازَيْتَ نَبِيا عَنْ قَوْمِهِ وَرَسُوْلاً عَنْ أُمَّتِهِ، وَ صَلِّ
عَلَى جَمِيْعِ إِخْوَانِهِ مِنَ النَّبِيِّيْنَ وَ الصَّالِحِيْنَ يَاأَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ
٢٢ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى ]
إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
٢٣ ] اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ آَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ ]
حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَيْنَا مَعَهُمْ، اللهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ آَمَا
بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ، اللهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَيْنَا مَعَهُمْ، صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ
وَصَلَوَاتُ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ
٢٤ ] اللهُمَّ اجْعَلْ صَلَوَاتِكَ وَرَحْمَتَكَ وَبَارَآَاتِكَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا ]
جَعَلْتَهَا عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ، وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ عَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
آَمَا بَارَآْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَجِيْدٌ
٢٥ ] وَصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ ]
(صيغ السلام)
105
٦٢ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلهِ وَ الصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ ]
وَ بَرَآَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ
٢٧ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ ]
بَرَآَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ
٢٨ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلهِ الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ ]
اللهِ وَبَرَآَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ
وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ
٢٩ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الْمُبَارَآَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلهِ ، سَلامٌ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ ]
وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَآَاتُهُ، سَلامٌ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ
إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ
٣٠ ] بِسْمِ اللهِ وَ بِاللهِ، اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلهِ وَ الصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا ]
النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَآَاتُهُ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ
لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ، أَسْأَلُ اللهَ الْجَنَّةَ وأَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ
النَّارِ
٣١ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الزَّاآِيَاتُ لِلهِ الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ ]
وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ بَرَآَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ
إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
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٣٢ ] بِسْمِ اللهِ وَبِاللهِ خَيْرِ الأَسْمَاءِ، اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلهِ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ ]
لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ ، أَرْسَلَهُ
بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيْرًا وَّنَذِيْرًا، وَأَنَّ السَّاعَةَ آتِيَةٌ لاَّ رَيْبَ فِيْهَا ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ
وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ بَرَآَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْلِيْ
وَاهْدِنِي
٣٣ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالْمُلْكُ لِلهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ ]
وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَآَاتُهُ
٣٤ ] بِسْمِ اللهِ، اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلهِ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلهِ الزَّاآِيَاتُ لِلهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ]
وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَآَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، شَهِدْتُّ أَنْ لاَّ
إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ شَهِدْتُّ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُوْلُ اللهِ
٣٥ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الزَّاآِيَاتُ لِلهِ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ ]
لا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ
وَ بَرَآَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ
٣٦ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الزَّاآِيَاتُ لِلهِ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ ]
أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُ اللهِ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَآَاتُهُ ،
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ
٣٧ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَآَاتُهُ، ]
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ
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٣٨ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلهِ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ، ]
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ
مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
٣٩ ] اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ الْمُبَارَآَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلهِ ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ ]
وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَآَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْنَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلَهَ
إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُوْلُ اللهِ
٤٠ ] بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُوْلِ اللهِ ]
FORTY ṢĀLĀT AND SALĀM TRANSLATION
(Qur’ānic Verses)
(1) Peace be upon His chosen servants.
(2) Peace be upon the Messengers.
(Aḥādīth of Ṣalāt)
(1) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad and grant him the station of proximity with You.
(2) O Allāh, Lord of this lasting call and this beneficial prayer, confer
blessings upon Muḥammad and become pleased with me so that You are
never displeased with me thereafter.
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(3) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad, Your bondsman and Your
messenger and confer blessings upon the believing men and women, and the
Muslim men and women.
(4) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad, and bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad, and
shower Your mercy upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad, in the
manner You conferred blessings, blessed and showered mercy upon Ibrāhīm
and the family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(5) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon the family of
Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O Allāh, bless
Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed the
family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(6) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon the family of
Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. And bless
Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed the
family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(7) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm. Verily,
You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O Allāh, bless Muḥammad and the
family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are
the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(8) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm and the
family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. And bless
Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed
Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
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(9) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm. And bless
Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed
Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(10) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm. Verily,
You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O Allāh, bless Muḥammad and the
family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed the family of Ibrāhīm.
Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(11) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon the family of
Ibrāhīm. And bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner
You blessed the family of Ibrāhīm in all the worlds. Verily, You are the
Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(12) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad, his wives and his offspring
in the manner you conferred blessings upon the family of Ibrāhīm. And bless
Muḥammad, his wives and his offspring in the manner You blessed the
family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(13) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon his wives and his
offspring in the manner you conferred blessings upon the family of Ibrāhīm.
And bless Muḥammad, and bless his wives and his offspring in the manner
You blessed the family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the
Majestic.
(14) O Allāh, confer blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) Muḥammad, his wives who are the Mothers of the Believers, his
offspring and the people of his household in the manner you conferred
blessings upon Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
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(15) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm and the
family of Ibrāhīm. And bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in
the manner You blessed Ibrāhīm. And shower Your mercy upon Muḥammad
and the family of Muḥammad in the manner You showered mercy upon
Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm.
(16) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm and the
family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O Allāh,
bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed
Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the
Majestic. O Allāh, shower Your mercy upon Muḥammad and upon the
family of Muḥammad in the manner You showered mercy upon Ibrāhīm and
the family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O
Allāh, shower Your compassion upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You showered Your compassion upon Ibrāhīm
and the family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
O Allāh, bestow peace upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You bestowed peace upon Ibrāhīm and the family
of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(17) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad and bless and bestow peace upon Muḥammad and upon the
family of Muḥammad. And shower Your mercy upon Muḥammad and the
family of Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings, blessed and
showered mercy upon Ibrāhīm and upon the family of Ibrāhīm in all the
worlds. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(18) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the family of
Muḥammad in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm and the
family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O Allāh,
bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed
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the family of Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the
Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(19) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad, Your bondsman and Your
messenger, in the manner You conferred blessings upon the family of
Ibrāhīm. And bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner
You blessed the family of Ibrāhīm.
(20) O Allāh, confer blessings upon the unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) Muḥammad and upon the family of Muḥammad in the manner
You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm. And bless the unlettered
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) Muḥammad in the manner You blessed
Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(21) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad, Your bondsman and Your
messenger, the unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and upon the
family of Muḥammad. O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon
the family of Muḥammad, blessings which please You and which are a
reward for him and which truly fulfil his rights. And grant him al-Wasīla
and al-Faḍīla and al-Maqām al-Maḥmūd which You have promised him.
Reward him on our behalf with a reward he is deserving of and reward him
with the best You have ever rewarded a Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) on behalf of his people and a messenger on behalf of his
followers. Confer blessings upon all his brothers from amongst the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s and the righteous, O Most Merciful of
those who show mercy.
(22) O Allāh, confer blessings upon the unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) Muḥammad and upon the family of Muḥammad in the manner
You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm and upon the family of Ibrāhīm. And
bless the unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) Muḥammad and
the family of Muḥammad in the manner You blessed Ibrāhīm and the family
of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
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(23) O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and upon the people of his
household in the manner You conferred blessings upon Ibrāhīm. Verily, You
are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O Allāh, confer blessings upon us
together with them. O Allāh, bless Muḥammad and the people of his
household in the manner You blessed Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the
Praiseworthy, the Majestic. O Allāh, bless us together with them. May the
blessings of Allāh and the blessings of the believers be upon the unlettered
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) Muḥammad.
(24) O Allāh, bestow your blessings, mercy and abundance upon
Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner you bestowed
upon the family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
And bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad in the manner You
blessed Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm. Verily, You are the
Praiseworthy, the Majestic.
(25) May Allāh confer blessings upon the unlettered Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam).
Aḥādīth of Salām
(26) All verbal forms of worship are for Allāh, and all bodily worship and
all monetary devotions. Peace be upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon us and
the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. I bear witness that there is none worthy of
worship besides Allāh and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His bondsman
and His messenger.
(27) All verbal forms of worship, all monetary devotions and all bodily
forms of worship are for Allāh. Peace be upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon
us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. I bear witness that there is none
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worthy of worship besides Allāh and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His
bondsman and His messenger.
(28) All verbal forms of worship are for Allāh, and all monetary devotions
and all bodily forms of worship are for Allāh. Peace be upon you, O
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His
blessings. Peace be upon us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. I bear
witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allāh, Alone without
partner, and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His bondsman and His
messenger.
(29) All verbal forms of worship, most blessed, all bodily worship and all
monetary devotions are for Allāh. Peace be upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon
us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. I bear witness that there is none
worthy of worship besides Allāh and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His
bondsman and His messenger.
(30) I begin with Allāh's name and with Allāh's assistance. All verbal forms
of worship, all bodily worship and all monetary devotions are for Allāh.
Peace be upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of
Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon us and the righteous bondsmen of
Allāh. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allāh and
I bear witness that Muḥammad is His bondsman and His messenger. I ask
Allāh for Paradise and I seek His refuge from the Hellfire.
(31) All verbal forms of worship and all pure actions are for Allāh. All
bodily worship and all monetary devotions are for Allāh. Peace be upon you,
O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His
blessings. Peace be upon us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. I bear
witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allāh and I bear
witness that Muḥammad is His bondsman and His messenger.
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(32) I begin with the name of Allāh and with Allāh’s assistance, whose
name is the best of all names. All verbal forms of worship, all monetary
devotions and all forms of bodily worship are for Allāh. I bear witness that
there is none worthy of worship besides Allāh, Alone without partner, and I
bear witness that Muḥammad is His bondsman and His messenger. He has
sent him with the truth as a bearer of glad-tidings and as a warner. And I
bear witness that the Final Hour is coming without a doubt. Peace be upon
you, O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His
blessings. Peace be upon us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. O Allāh,
forgive me and guide me.
(33) All verbal forms of worship and all monetary devotions are for Allāh.
And all bodily worship and total dominion belongs to Allāh. Peace be upon
you, O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His
blessings.
(34) I begin in the name of Allāh. All verbal forms of worship are for Allāh,
all bodily worship is for Allāh, and all pure actions are for Allāh. Peace be
upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam), and the mercy of Allāh and
His blessings. Peace be upon us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. I have
borne witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allāh and I have
borne witness that Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh.
(35) All verbal forms of worship, all monetary devotions, all bodily worship
and all pure actions are for Allāh. I bear witness that there is none worthy of
worship besides Allāh, Alone without partner, and that Muḥammad is His
bondsman and His messenger. Peace be upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon
us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh.
(36) All verbal forms of worship, all monetary devotions, all bodily worship
and all pure actions are for Allāh. I bear witness that there is none worthy of
worship besides Allāh and I bear witness that Muḥammad is the bondsman
of Allāh and His messenger. Peace be upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
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Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon us and
the righteous bondsmen of Allāh.
(37) All verbal forms of worship and all forms of bodily worship are for
Allāh. Peace be upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and the
mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon us and the righteous
bondsmen of Allāh.
(38) All verbal forms of worship are for Allāh, and all forms of bodily
worship and monetary devotions are for Allāh. Peace be upon you, O
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh. Peace be upon
us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. I bear witness that there is none
worthy of worship besides Allāh and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His
bondsman and His messenger.
(39) All verbal forms of worship, most blessed, all bodily worship and all
monetary devotions are for Allāh. Peace be upon you, O Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. Peace be upon
us and the righteous bondsmen of Allāh. I bear witness that there is none
worthy of worship besides Allāh and I bear witness that Muḥammad is the
Messenger of Allāh.
(40) I begin in the name of Allāh, and peace be upon the Messenger of
Allāh.
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CHAPTER THREE: WARNINGS FOR NOT CONFERRING
BLESSINGS AND SALUTATIONS
(1)
قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ اُحْضُرُوْا الْمِنْبَرَ 􀂍 عَنْ آَعْبٍ بْنِ عُجْرَةَ
فَحَضَرْنَا فَلَمَّا ارْتَقَى دَرَجَةً قَالَ آمِيْنَ ثُمَّ ارْتَقَى الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَالَ
آمِيْنَ ثُمَّ ارْتَقَى الثَّالِثَةَ فَقَالَ آمِيْنَ فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ قُلْنَا يَارَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ
قَدْ سَمِعْنَا مِنْكَ الْيَوْمَ شَيْئاً مَا آُنَّا نَسْمَعُهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ جِبْرِيْلَ
عَرَضَ لِيْ فَقَالَ بَعُدَ مَنْ أَدْرَكَ رَمَضَانَ فَلَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ قُلْتُ
آمِيْنَ فَلَمَّا رَقِيْتُ الثَّانِيَةَ قَالَ بَعُدَ مَنْ ذُآِرْتَ عِنْدَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ
عَلَيْكَ فَقُلْتُ آمِيْنَ فَلَمَّا رَقِيْتُ الثَّالِثَةَ قَالَ بَعُدَ مَنْ أَدْرَكَ أَبَوَيْهِ
الْكِبَرُ عِنْدَهُ أَوْ أَحَدَهُمَا فَلَمْ يُدْخِلاَهُ الْجَنَّةَ قُلْتُ آمِيْنَ
رواه الحاآم وقال صحيح الإسناد والبخاري في بر الوالدين وابن حبان في صحيحه
وغيرهم وذآرهم السخاوي
Sayyidunā Ka b ibn Ujra 􀂍 says, "The Messenger of Allāh once
said, 'Come close to the pulpit.'
We gathered around the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . When
the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) ascended the first step of the
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pulpit, he said, 'Āmīn.'
He then ascended the second step and said, 'Āmīn.' He finally ascended
the third step and said, 'Āmīn' once again. Once he had finished the
sermon and descended the pulpit, we said, 'O Messenger of Allāh ,
today we heard you say something which we have never heard you say
before.'
The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, 'Jibrīl 􀂋 came to me
and said, 'May that person be destroyed who witnesses the month of
Ramaḍān and does not have his sins forgiven.'
I said, 'Āmīn.'
When I ascended the second step, he said, 'May that person be
destroyed in whose presence you are mentioned and who does not
confer blessings upon you.'
I said, 'Āmīn.'
When I ascended the third step, Jibrīl 􀂋 said, 'May that person be
destroyed who finds both of his parents or either one of them in old age
and they do not gain him entry into Paradise.'
I said, 'Āmīn.'"
This narration has been discussed previously in the Virtues of Ramaḍān. Therein,
it was written that Sayyidunā Jibrīl 􀂋 cursed three people and the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said āmīn upon all three curses. Firstly, the
curse of an angel as great as Sayyidunā Jibrīl 􀂋 was sufficient in itself and the
intensity of the curse through the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s
āmīn is quite evident. May Allāh, by His grace, grant us the ability to refrain from
all three accursed acts and protect us from these sins, for what uncertainty can
there possibly be in destruction [through these actions]? Some narrations of Al118
Durr al-Manthūr say that Sayyidunā Jibrīl 􀂋 instructed the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) to say āmīn to which he then said āmīn,
showing even more emphasis.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated numerous ḥadīths
of the same subject. Sayyidunā Mālik bin Ḥuwayrith 􀂍 narrates that the Noble
Messenger once ascended the pulpit. When he placed his foot on the first step of
the pulpit, he said āmīn. On the second step, he repeated āmīn and on the third
step, he said āmīn once again. He then said, “Jibrīl 􀂋 came to me and said, ‘O
Muḥammad ! May Allāh destroy the person who witnesses the month of Ramaḍān
and does not attain forgiveness.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’
Jibrīl 􀂋 then said, ‘May Allāh destroy the person who finds both of his parents or
one of them in old age and despite this, enters the Hellfire (by displeasing them).’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’
He then said, ‘May Allāh destroy the person in whose presence your blessed name
is mentioned and who does not confer blessings upon you.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’”
This has also been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍. He narrates that
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) ascended the first step of the
pulpit and said āmīn. He then ascended the second step and said āmīn and on the
third step, he said āmīn once again.
The Companions 􀁠 asked, “O Messenger of Allāh , why did you say āmīn?”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “Jibrīl 􀂋 came to me
and said, ‘May that person be disgraced (literally ‘may his nose rub in soil’) who
finds both of his parents or one of them in old age but they do not enter him into
Paradise.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’
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Jibrīl 􀂋 said, ‘May that person be disgraced who witnesses the month of
Ramaḍān and is unable to attain forgiveness for his sins.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’
He then said, ‘May that person be disgraced in whose presence your blessed name
is mentioned and who does not confer blessings upon you.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’”
The same incident has also been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Jabir 􀂍.
After the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said āmīn thrice on the
pulpit and the Companions 􀁠 enquired regarding this action, the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Jibrīl 􀂋 came to me and said, ‘May
that person be struck with misfortune who witnesses the month of Ramad}ān and
does not attain forgiveness by the end of the month.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’
He then said, ‘May that person be struck with misfortune who finds both of his
parents or one of them in old age and they are unable to enter him into Paradise.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’
He went on to say, ‘May that person be struck with misfortune in whose presence
your blessed name is mentioned but fails to confer blessings upon you.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’”
Sayyidunā Ammār ibn Yāsir 􀂍 also narrates the same ḥadīth except that after
every curse, Sayyidunā Jibrīl 􀂋 instructed the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) to say āmīn. Sayyidunā Ibn Mas ūd 􀂍 also narrates the same
ḥadīth.
Sayyidunā Ibn Abbās 􀁠 also narrates the same incident with more severe
wording. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Jibrīl 􀂋 came to
me and said, ‘He in whose presence you are mentioned but does not confer
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blessings upon you shall enter the Hellfire. May Allāh destroy and annihilate such
a person.’
I said, ‘Āmīn.’”
The same is reported regarding displeasing one’s parents and not attaining
forgiveness in Ramaḍān. Abū Dharr, Buraydah and Abū Hurayra 􀁠 also narrate
ḥadīths of the same subject. The narration of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 also
states that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Jibrīl 􀂋 told me
to say āmīn to which I said āmīn.”
This has also been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Jābir bin Samura 􀂍.
Sayyidunā Abdullāh bin Ḥārith 􀂍 also narrates the same ḥadīth in which this
curse is repeated. Sayyidunā Jibrīl 􀂋 said therein, “May Allāh destroy that person
in whose presence your name is mentioned and who does not confer blessings
upon you. May Allāh destroy such a person.”
Sayyidunā Jābir 􀂍 narrates in another ḥadīth that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever hears my name being mentioned and does not
confer blessings upon me is most wretched.” There are many more grave warnings
mentioned in the ḥadīths.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has summarised the ḥadīths
warning those who fail to confer blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) when hearing his name. He says, “Such a person has been
cursed with destruction and been forewarned of misfortune, having strayed from
the path to Paradise and of entry into the Hellfire. This person is also an oppressor
and the most miserly of people. Many warnings have been mentioned for
gatherings in which blessings are not conferred upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) . The person who does not confer blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is not unsound of faith and will be unable to
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see the luminous face of the Noble Messenger .” Thereafter, he narrates all the
ḥadīths containing these warnings.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(2)
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ قَالَ الْبَخِيْلُ مَنْ ذُآِرْتُ عِنْدَهُ فَلَمْ 􀂍 عَنْ عَلِيٍّ
يُصَلِّ عَلَيَّ
رواه النسائي والبخاري في تاريخه والترمذي وغيرهم بسط طرقه السخاوي
Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh said, "The
miser is he in whose presence I am mentioned and who fails to confer
blessings upon me."
How beautiful a couplet Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him)
narrates:
مَنْ لَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ ذُآِرَ اسْمُهُ فَهُوَ الْبَخِيْلُ وَزِدْهُ
وَصْفَ جَبَانِ
He who fails to confer blessings upon him when his blessed name is mentioned is
surely a miser and indeed, most cowardly.
The subject of the aforementioned ḥadīth has been narrated on the authority of
many Companions 􀁠 in many ḥadīths. Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy
on him) narrates on the authority of Sayyidunā Ḥasan 􀂍 that the Noble
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Messenger said, “It is sufficient for the miserliness of a person that he does not
confer blessings upon me when I am mentioned in his presence.”
Sayyidunā Ḥusayn 􀂍 also narrates that the Noble Messenger said, “The miser is
he who does not confer blessings upon me when my name is mentioned.”
The same ḥadīth has been narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra
􀂍 wherein it is said, “The absolute miser is he in whose presence I am
mentioned and then fails to confer blessings upon me.” Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 also
narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “The miser is
he who does not confer blessings upon me when my name is mentioned.”
In another ḥadīth, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is reported to
have said, “Shall I not inform you of the greatest miser? Shall I not inform you of
the most helpless person? It is the person in whose presence my name is
mentioned but who does not confer blessings upon me.”
Sayyidatunā Ā’isha 􀁠 narrates an incident, at the end of which the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is reported to have said, “Destruction is for
he who will not see me on the Day of Judgement.”
She enquired, “Who will not see you on the Day of Judgement?”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “The miser.”
She further asked, “Who is the miser?”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “He who hears my name
and does not confer blessings upon me.”
Sayyidunā Jābir 􀂍 also narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “It is sufficient for a person’s stinginess that I am mentioned in
his presence and he does not confer blessings upon me.” Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh
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have mercy on him) also narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “It is sufficient for a person’s miserliness that I am mentioned in
his presence and he does not confer blessings upon me.”
Sayyidunā Abū Dhar Ghifārī 􀂍 narrates, “I was once present in the gathering of
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) asked the Companions 􀁠, “Shall I not inform you of the
stingiest amongst people?”
The Companions 􀁠 replied, “Yes, indeed.”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “The person in whose
presence my name is mentioned and does not confer blessings upon me is the
stingiest of all people.”
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(3)
عَنْ قَتَادَةَ مُرْسَلاً قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ مِنَ الْجَفَاءِ أَنْ أُذْآَرَ
عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ فَلاَ يُصَلِّيْ عَلَيَّ
أخرجه النميري ورواته ثقات قاله السخاوي
Qatāda (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates that the Messenger of
Allāh said, "It is an act of oppression that I am mentioned in a person's
presence and this person then fails to confer blessings upon me."
What doubt can there be in the oppression of he who does not confer blessings upon the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in spite of his countless favours? It is written
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in Tadhkira al- Rashīd, the biography of Quṭb al-Aqṭāb Mawlānā Gangohī (may Allāh
have mercy on him), that he would usually instruct his disciples to confer blessings upon
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) at least three hundred times daily and no
less than one hundred times if this was not possible. He would say, “The favour of the
Noble Messenger of Allāh is immense. It is then indeed an act of disloyalty that a person
is miserly in conferring blessings upon him.”
The respected Shaykh preferred the blessings conferred in prayer the most, followed by
those words of blessings and salutations narrated in the ḥadīths. He did not generally
approve of those written by others such as Durūd Tāj, Durūd Lakkhī etc. He even
declared some of them to be impermissible, since the wording could possibly imply an
incorrect meaning.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that the meaning of jafā’ [in the
ḥadīth narrated by Qatāda] is to disregard keeping good relations, callousness of
temperament and it is used to denote distance from the Noble Messenger .
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(4)
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ قَالَ مَا جَلَسَ قَوْمٌ مَجْلِسًا لَمْ 􀂍 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ
يَذْآُرُوْا اللَّهَ تَعَالَى فِيْهِ وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوْا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ إِلاَّ آَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ
مِنَ اللَّهِ تِرَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَإِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُمْ وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ
رواه أحمد وأبو داود وغيرهما بسطه السخاوي
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah 􀂍 narrates that the Noble
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Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, "No people assemble in any
gathering wherein they do not remember Allāh and confer blessings
upon their Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) except that this
gathering will be a burden for them on the Day of Judgement. If Allāh
wills, He will punish them and if He wills, He will forgive them."
In a similar ḥadīth, Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 narrates that whenever people
congregate and end their gathering without the remembrance of Allāh and without
conferring blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , they
shall be regretful until the Day of Judgement.
In another ḥadīth, whenever people congregate and blessings are not conferred
upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in this gathering, it shall be
a burden for them.
Sayyidunā Abū Umāma 􀂍 also narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “Whenever people congregate and arise from their gathering
without remembering Allāh and conferring blessings upon the Messenger , they
shall find this gathering to be a burden on the Day of Judgement.”
Sayyidunā Abū Sa īd Khudrī 􀂍 also narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whenever a people sit in a gathering and end their
gathering without conferring blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) , they shall be remorseful on seeing the reward of these blessings even
though they may enter Paradise (as a result of their other good deeds).” Even
though they may enter Paradise through their other good actions, they shall have
regret over why they had not conferred blessings in this gathering.
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Sayyidunā Jābir 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
said, “When a people stand up from a gathering without remembering Allāh and
conferring blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , it is as though
they have stood up after having sat around a decaying animal (they shall perceive
impurity similar to the stench of a rotting animal, which pollutes the mind).”
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(5)
قَالَ بَيْنَمَا رَسُوْلُ اللهِ قَاعِدٌ إِذْ دَخَلَ 􀂍 عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ
رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى فَقَالَ أَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْلِيْ وَارْحَمْنِيْ فَقَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ
عَجِلْتَ أَيُّهَا الْمُصَلِّيْ فَإِذَا صَلَّيْتَ فَقَعَدْتَ فَاحْمَدِ اللَّهَ بِمَا هَوَ
أَهْلُهُ وَصَلِّ عَلَيَّ ثُمَّ ادْعُهُ قَالَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَجُلٌ آخَرُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ
فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَصَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِيِّ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ أَيُّهَا الْمُصَلِّيْ
اُدْعُ تُجَبْ
رواه الترمذي وروى أبو داود والنسائي نحوه آذا في المشكوة
Sayyidunā Faḍāla ibn Ubayd 􀂍 says, "The Messenger of Allāh was
seated in a gathering when a man entered the mosque and performed
ṣalāh. He then said, 'O Allāh, forgive me and have mercy on me.'
The Messenger of Allāh said, 'You have been hasty, O person
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performing ṣalāh. When you have performed your ṣalāh, begin by
praising Allāh as is the right of Allāh to be praised, then confer
blessings upon me and finally supplicate unto Allāh. Another man
entered the mosque after this and performed ṣalāh. After completing
his ṣalāh, he praised Allāh and then conferred blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said to him, 'O person performing ṣalāh! Supplicate, for
your supplication will be answered.'"
This subject has been narrated in many ḥadīths. Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh
have mercy on him) says that blessings should be conferred in the beginning,
middle and in the end of one’s supplications. The scholars have unanimously
declared it laudable (mustaḥab) that the supplication begins with the praise and
glorification of Allāh as befits Him, followed by conferring blessings and
salutations upon the Noble Messenger , and that the supplication ends in the same
fashion.
Iqlīshī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes, “When you beseech Allāh, begin
by praising Him and then confer blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) . Confer blessings upon him in the beginning, middle and end.
When you confer blessings upon him, mention his excellent virtues. As a result,
your every supplication shall be accepted and the veil between you and Allāh will
be lifted.”
Sayyidunā Jābir 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Messenger said, “Do not treat me like
a traveller’s bowl.”
The Companions 􀁠 asked, “What do you mean by a traveller’s bowl, O
Messenger of Allāh ?”
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The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “The traveller fills his
bowl with water. If he needs to drink or perform ablution, he uses the water;
otherwise, he throws the water away. Remember me in the beginning of your
supplications, in the middle and at the end.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that the similitude to a
traveller’s bowl is because a traveller hangs his bowl at the back of his mount. The
Noble Messenger is saying that he should not be remembered only at the very end
of the supplication. The author of Itḥāf, the commenatary of Iḥyā, has also written
that the traveller hangs his bowl at the back of the mount i.e. the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) should not be mentioned only at the very
end of the supplication.
Sayyidunā Ibn Mas ūd 􀂍 says, “When a person intends to ask Allāh for
something, he should firstly begin by praising and glorifying Allāh in a manner
which befits His greatness. Thereafter, he should confer blessings upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and then supplicate unto Allāh. It is close
that he will be successful and will attain his goal.”
Sayyidunā Abdullāh bin Yusr 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of Allāh said,
“All supplications remain suspended unless they are preceded with the praise of
Allāh and blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . If the
supplication is done after this, it will be accepted.”
Sayyidunā Anas 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
said, “Every supplication remains suspended until blessings are conferred upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .”
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Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
said , “Your conferring of blessings upon me is a protection for your supplications
and a means of your Lord’s.”
Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍 says, “I have been informed that supplications remain
suspended between the heavens and the earth and do not rise up to the heavens
until blessings are conferred upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .” In
another ḥadīth, the same subject has been narrated in the following words:
“Supplications are stopped from reaching the heavens and it is not possible that
any supplication reaches the heavens unless blessings are conferred upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . When blessings are conferred upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , the supplication then reaches the heavens.”
Sayyidunā Abdullāh ibn Abbās 􀁠 says, “When you supplicate unto Allāh,
confer blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , for your blessings
are definitely accepted. It is inconceivable that Allāh will accept one portion and
reject the other.”
Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
said, “There is no supplication except that there is a veil between Allāh and this
supplication, as long as blessings are not conferred upon the Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) . Once blessings are conferred upon him, this veil splits and the
supplication enters the place of acceptance; otherwise, it is rejected.”
Ibn Aṭā (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “Supplication has some pillars,
wings, means and times. If the supplication has pillars, it becomes strong. When it
has wings, it ascends to the heavens. When it corresponds to its times, it is
accepted and when it is strengthened by its means, it is successful. The pillars of
supplication are presence of mind, softness of the heart, humility, serenity and a
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strong connection of the heart with Allāh. Its wings are sincerity. Its time is the
latter portion of the night. Its means are conferring blessings upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .” Many other ḥadīths also contain the same;
supplications remain suspended unless blessings are conferred upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
Sayyidunā Abdullāh ibn Abī Awfā 􀂍 narrates that the Noble Messenger once
came out of his house and said, “Whoever has a need from Allāh or from any
person should perform ablution in the best manner possible, perform two rak āts
of prayer and then praise and glorify Allāh, confer blessings upon the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and read the following supplication:
لآ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ الْحَلِيْمُ الْكَرِيْمُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيْمِ
وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ أَسْأَلُكَ مُوْجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَعَزَاءِمَ
مَغْفِرَتِكَ وَالْغَنِيْمَةَ مِنْ آُلِّ بِرٍّ وَالسَّلاَمَةَ مِنْ آُلِّ إِثْمٍ لاَ تَدَعْ
لِيْ ذَنْبًا إِلاَّ غَفَرْتَهُ وَلاَ هَ  ما إِلاَّ فَرَّجْتَهُ وَلاَ حَاجَةً هِيَ لَكَ
رِضًا إِلاَّ قَضَيْتَهَا يَاأَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ
There is none worthy of worship besides Allāh, the Clement, Most Kind.
Glory be to Allāh, the Great Lord of the Throne. All praises are due to
Allāh, Lord of all the worlds. I ask of You that which assures Your mercy,
those actions which secure Your forgiveness, a share of every act of virtue
and protection from every sin. Do not leave any sin of mine except that You
forgive it, no worry except that You remove it and no need in which Your
pleasure lies except that You fulfil it, O Most Merciful of those who show
mercy.”
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
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CHAPTER FOUR: MISCELLANEOUS POINTS
(1)
In Chapter One, the order of Allāh regarding the conferring of blessings and
salutations has been discussed. An order necessitates obligation and hence,
according to the majority of scholars it is compulsory to confer blessings at least
once in a lifetime. Some scholars have even narrated a consensus (ijmā ) on this
point. However, due to the warnings mentioned in Chapter Three for failing to
confer blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) i.e. the
person who does not confer blessings upon mention of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is a miser, an oppressor and misfortunate,
some scholars are of the opinion that it is compulsory to confer blessings
whenever the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s auspicious name is
mentioned.
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated ten different views
on this point in Fatḥ al-Bārī, and this point has been discussed in more detail in
Awjaz al-Masālik. Therein, it is written that some scholars have narrated
consensus on it being obligatory upon every Muslim to confer blessings at least
once in his or her lifetime, and there is a difference of opinion in the ruling of
conferring blessings thereafter. Even within the Ḥanafī school, there are two
opinions. According to Imām Ṭaḥāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and others,
it is compulsory to confer blessings whenever the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s name is mentioned, on the basis of the narrations mentioned in
Chapter Three. Imām Karkhī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and others say it is
necessary only once and thereafter, it is laudable (mustaḥab) whenever one hears
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s blessed name.
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(2)
Adding the title sayyidunā before the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s name is laudable (mustaḥab). It is written in Al-Durr al-Mukhtār
that adding sayyidunā is laudable, because adding that which is in fact true is sheer
respect, just as Ramalī Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said.
Indeed, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) was a sayyid (leader).
Hence, there is nothing wrong in this addition, rather this is true respect. However,
some people disallow this, most probably due to a misconception arising from a
ḥadīth recorded in the Sunan of Abū Dāwūd (may Allāh have mercy on him). Abū
Dāwūd narrates that Sayyidunā Muṭarrif 􀂍 said, “I came with a delegation to
visit the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . We said, ‘You are our leader
(sayyid).’
The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘The true leader (sayyid) is
Allāh.’”
This saying is completely true. In reality, true and absolute leadership is for Allāh.
However, this does not mean it is impermissible to add sayyidunā to the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name, especially when in the ḥadīth of
Bukhārī and Muslim in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū
Hurayra 􀂍, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “I will be the
leader of mankind on the Day of Judgement.” In another ḥadīth of Muslim, “I will
be the leader of the progeny of Ādam 􀂋 on the Day of Judgement.” Tirmidhī
narrates on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Sa īd Khudrī 􀂍, the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “I will be the leader of the progeny of
Ādam 􀂋 on the Day of Judgement, and I do not boast about this.”
The meaning intended by the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in the
abovementioned ḥadīth of Abū Dāwūd is absolute leadership. Similarly, it is
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narrated in the Ṣaḥīḥ of Bukhārī on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra
􀂍 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “The destitute
person is not he who begs from door to door for the sake of one morsel, rather the
destitute one is he who neither has any provision nor does he beg off people.”
Likewise, in the Ṣaḥīḥ of Muslim on the authority of Sayyidunā Abdullāh bin
Mas ūd 􀂍, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is reported to have
asked, “Who do you regard as a strong person?”
The Companions 􀁠 replied, “O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) of Allāh, he
who cannot be brought down by another person.”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “He is not a strong
person, rather the strong person is he who controls himself when angered.”
In this same ḥadīth, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is reported to
have asked, “Who do you regard as a ruqūb (one who has no offspring)?”
The Companions 􀁠 said, “A person who has no children.”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, “He is not a ruqūb; the
true ruqūb is he who has not made any of his young children a provision for the
Hereafter (i.e. a person whose child has not passed away before puberty).”
Now it is obvious that nobody will consider it impermissible to refer to the person
who begs as a beggar. Likewise, a wrestler who defeats his opponents but cannot
control his anger will be considered a wrestler all the same. Similarly, it is narrated
in the Sunan of Abū Dāwūd that a Companion 􀂍, upon seeing the Seal of
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)-hood on the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s back, requested that he be allowed to examine this protruding piece
of flesh and cure it, as he was a doctor. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) replied, “The doctor (ṭabīb) is Allāh alone who created this.”
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Who will consider it impermissible to use the word doctor to refer to those who
treat illnesses? Furthermore, the author of Majma has written that ṭabīb is not of
one of the Allāh’s. Similarly, you will find in many ḥadīths that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) negated the meaning of absoluteness, not the
reality of the word.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates that the author of Al-
Qamūs, Allāma Majduddīn (may Allāh have mercy on him), writes (the
summary of which is) that many people say, ‘O Allāh, confer blessings upon our
leader (sayyidunā) Muḥammad ,’ and there is a discussion difference of opinion in
the ruling of this addition. It is evident that one should not say this in prayer.
Outside of prayer, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) reproached the
person who addressed him as sayyidunā, as narrated in the famous ḥadīth (of Abū
Dāwūd as mentioned above). However, the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s
censure could possibly be due to humility, because he disapproved of flattery,
because this was a pre-Islamic practice or due to this person’s exaggeration. This
person said, “You are our leader. You are our father, you have excelled us in
virtue, you are the greatest of those who bestow upon us, and you are jafna algharrā
(this was also a famous title from pre-Islamic times used for leaders who
would feed people meat in large dishes and ghee-filled utensils) and you are soand-
so.” The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) disliked all these things
and said, “Do not let the devil make you exceed the limits.”
In contrast, it is established in an authentic ḥadīth that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “I am the leader of the progeny of
Ādam 􀂋.” Furthermore, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said
regarding his grandson Sayyidunā Ḥasan 􀂍, “This son of mine is a leader
(sayyid).” The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said to the people of
Sa d 􀂍, “Stand before your leader.” Imām Nasa’ī (may Allāh have mercy on
him) has reported in his book Amal al-Yawm wa al-Layla that Sayyidunā Sahl
bin Ḥunayf 􀂍 addressed the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) as
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sayyidī (my leader). Furthermore, the wording of Sayyidunā Abdullāh bin
Mas ūd’s 􀂍 blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمّدٍ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon our leader Muḥammad .
All these points are clear proof that it is permissible to use this word, and whoever
refutes this must provide evidence other than the abovementioned ḥadīth. It cannot
be used as evidence due to the many possibilities mentioned.
As previously mentioned, it is clear that absolute leadership is the quality of Allāh
but there is nothing to substantiate the impermissibility of using this word for
anyone besides Allāh. The Qur’ān itself says regarding Sayyidunā Yaḥyā 􀂋:
وسيدا و حصورا
It is narrated in the Ṣaḥīḥ of Bukhārī that Sayyidunā Umar used to say, “Abū
Bakr 􀂍 is our leader (sayyid) and he freed our leader (sayyid) i.e. Bilāl 􀂍.”
Allāma Aynī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in the commentary of the
Ṣaḥīḥ of Bukhārī that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s command
to the Helpers (Anṣār) to stand before Sayyidunā Sa d 􀂍 (qūmū ilā sayyidikum)
can be used to prove that a person cannot be prevented from saying my leader
(sayyidī) or my master (mawlāya). The connotation of leadership (siyāda) is
superiority over one’s subjects and providing for them, and thus the husband is
also called sayyid in the Qur’ānic verse:
والفيا سيدها
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A person asked Imām Mālik (may Allāh have mercy on him) whether anyone in
Madīna [from amongst the scholars] considered it reprehensible to address one’s
leader with ‘O my leader (yā sayyidī)’. He replied in the negative.
Imām Bukhārī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also used the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s saying ‘Who is your leader? (man
sayyidukum)’, which is part of a longer ḥadīth narrated by Imām Bukhārī (may
Allāh have mercy on him) in Al-Adab al-Mufrad, as proof of its permissibility.
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) asked the tribe of Banū Salama,
“Who is your leader?”
They replied, “Jadd bin Qays.”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Rather your leader
(sayyidukum) is Amr bin Jamūḥ.”
Likewise, many Companions 􀁠 have narrated the well-known ḥadīth recorded in
most ḥadīth books including the Ṣaḥīḥ of Bukhārī and others:
إذا نصح العبد سيده الخ
It is also narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 in the Ṣaḥīḥ of
Bukhārī that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) forbade the usage of
the word rabb for one’s master and said, “Say my leader and my master (wa ’l
yaqul sayyidī wa mawlāya)”. This is an explicit command to say sayyid and
mawlā.
(3)
In the same way, some people disapprove of the title mawlānā for the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . Despite searching for proof of
impermissibility, this humble servant has not found anything up till now.
However, in the battle of Uḥud, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is
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reported said to Abū Sufyan, “Allāh is our patron and there is no patron for you
(Allāhu mawlānā wa lā mawlā lakum).”
In Surah Muḥammad, Allāh says,
ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ مَوْلَى الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا وَأَنَّ الْكَفِرِيْنَ لاَ مَوْلَى لَهُمْ
That is because Allah is the Patron of those who believe, and the infidels! No
patron is theirs! (Muḥammad 47:11)
However, this does not prove the usage of this word impermissible for others
besides Allāh. Absolute patronage is meant; He alone is the true guardian. Allāh
says,
مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ مِنْ وَّلِيٍّ وَّلاَ نَصِيْرٍ
And for you there is, besides Allāh, no guardian or helper (al-Baqarah 2:107)
In another place, Allāh says,
وَاللهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِيْ
And Allāh is the patron of the believers (Āl `Imrān 3:68)
In the Ṣaḥīḥ of Bukhārī, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is
reported to have said,
من ترك آلا او ضياعا فانا وليه
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) has referred to himself as waliyy
in this ḥadīth. The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)ic saying, “Say my leader
and my master (wa ’l yaqul sayyidī wa mawlāya)” was narrated previously.
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Similarly, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is reported to have said,
“The mawlā (freed slave) of a people is considered amongst them.” Allāh has said
in the Qur’ān:
ولكل جعلنا موالي مما ترك الخ
Furthermore, the books of ḥadīth and jurispudence contain chapters regarding
awliyā.
The ḥadīth of Bukhārī and Muslim in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ reports that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said to Sayyidunā Zayd bin Ḥāritha 􀂍, “You
are our brother and our mawlā.” The ḥadīth of Aḥmad’s Musnad and Tirmidhī on
the authority of Sayyidunā Zayd bin Arqam 􀂍 narrates that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever I am mawlā of Alī 􀂍 is
also his mawlā.” This ḥadīth is well known and narrated on the authority of many
Companions 􀁠.
Mullā Alī Qārī in commentary of this ḥadīth narrates from Al-Nihāya that mawlā
is used for many different meanings; lord (rabb), owner (mālik), leader (sayyid),
benefactor (mun im), one who frees slaves (mu tiq), helper (nāṣir), lover
(muḥibb), follower (tābi ), neighbour, paternal cousin and ally, alongside many
other meanings he enumerated. Thus, the most appropriate meaning will be meant
in each place. In “Allāhu mawlānā wa lā mawlā lakum”, rabb will be meant and
when referring to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) as in the ḥadīth,
“Whoever I am the mawlā of, Alī 􀂍 is also his mawlā”, helper and assistant
will be meant.
Regarding the circumstances behind this ḥadīth, Mullā Alī Qārī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) writes that Sayyidunā Usāma bin Zayd 􀂍 said to Sayyidunā Alī
􀂍, “You are not my mawlā (helper). My mawlā is the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
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Wassalam) .” Upon hearing this, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
said, “Whoever I am a mawlā of, Alī 􀂍 is also his mawlā.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and Allāma Qasṭalānī (may
Allāh have mercy on him) have written in Al-Qawl al-Badī and in Al-Mawāhib
al-Ladunniyya respectively that mawlā is one of the blessed names of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
Allāma Zurqānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes, “Mawlā means leader
(sayyid), benefactor (mun im), helper and beloved, and is one of Allāh’s names
and shortly, the author i.e. Qasṭalānī will substantiate this name through the
ḥadīth, ‘Ana awlā bikulli mu’min (I am the closest to every believer).’”
Thereafter, Allāma Zurqānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) in explaining
Allāma Qasṭalānī’s (may Allāh have mercy on him) text discusses the names of
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) says, “Waliyy and mawlā are both
names of Allāh and both of them mean helper. The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) has said as reported by Bukhārī on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū
Hurayra 􀂍, ‘I am the helper of every believer.’ In another narration reported by
Bukhārī, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “There is no
believer except that I am the closest to him in this life and in the Hereafter. Thus
whoever leaves any wealth, it should be given to his heirs, and whoever leaves a
debt or something which is going to waste, then they should come to me. I am his
mawlā.’ The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) has also said, ‘Whoever
I am mawlā of, Alī is also his mawlā.’ Imām Tirmidhī (may Allāh have mercy
on him) has narrated this and declared it sound (ḥasan).”
Allāma Rāzī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes under the aforementioned
verse of Surah Muḥammad, “If it is asked how it is possible to collaborate
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between this verse and “Then they shall all be taken back to Allāh their true
Master (mawlāhum ’l-ḥaqq)” (al-An ām 6:62), it will be said that mawlā has
many meanings eg. Leader, lord and helper. Thus, the first verse will mean that
they have no helper and the word mawlā in the second verse will mean the Lord
and Owner.”
The author of Tafsīr al-Jalālayn has explained the word mawlā in mawlāhum ’l-
ḥaqq (al-An ām 6:62) to mean owner (mālik). The author of Jamal [an
annotation of Tafsīr al-Jalālayn] writes that the word mawlā is interpreted as
owner (mālik), because this verse is regarding both believers and unbelievers. In
the verse of Sura Muḥammad, Allāh says, Both verses are reconciled by taking the
word mawlā in the first verse to mean owner, creator and deity, and helper in the
second verse. Thus, there remains no incongruity.
Besides this point, there are many other points that prove that when mawlā is used
in the meaning of lord (rabb) and owner (mālik), it will be specific to Allāh and
when used in the meaning of leader and similar meanings, it will not be specific to
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) but rather can be used for any
elder. (The ḥadīth in which the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
instructed servants to address their masters as sayyid and mawlā was discussed in
the point before this).
Mullā Alī Qārī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates from Aḥmad on the
authority of Rabāḥ (may Allāh have mercy on him) that a group of people came to
Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 in Kufa. They said, “Peace be upon you, O Mawlānā.”
Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 replied, ‘How can I be your mawlā when you are Arabs.’
They replied, ‘We heard the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) saying,
‘Whoever I am mawlā of, Alī is his mawlā.’’
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When these people departed, I (Rabāḥ) followed them and asked, “Who are these
people?” I was told that they are a group of Helpers (Anṣār) and Sayyidunā Abū
Ayyub Anṣārī 􀂍 was amongst them too.
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Fatḥ al-Bārī, “The word
mawlā is closer to not being reprehensible than the word sayyid. This is because
the word sayyid is only used for one of higher standing, whereas the word mawlā
is used for both higher and lower.”
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(4)
It is from amongst the etiquettes that blessings be written wherever the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name is written. When writing ḥadīths, the
ḥadīth scholars (muḥaddithūn) were extremely strict in ensuring no such word was
written which they did not hear from the teacher. Even if the teacher were to have
made a mistake in a word, it was still considered necessary to write it exactly as it
was heard from the teacher and the student was not allowed to correct it. Likewise,
if they thought it necessary to add an extra word to elucidate the words of the
teacher, they considered it imperative to distinguish this from the teacher’s words
so as not create a doubt that these too are the the teacher’s words.
Despite this, all the ḥadīth scholars (muḥaddithūn) explicitly state that blessings
should be written when the name of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) is mentioned, even though it is not in the original text of the teacher.
Imām Nawawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written this point in the
foreword to the commentary of the Ṣaḥīḥ of Muslim. Likewise, Imām Nawawī
(may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Al-Taqrīb and Allāma Suyūṭī (may
Allāh have mercy on him) writes in its commentary [Tadrīb al-Rāwī], “It is
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important when the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name is
mentioned that the tongue and hands collectively confer blessings i.e. the tongue
should confer blessings verbally and the hand in writing. Do not adhere to the
original book in this aspect, albeit some scholars have said that the original text
should be followed in this too.”
Many ḥadīths mention this point. Although these ḥadīths are questionable, some
of them even being declared as fabricated (mawḍū), the large number of narrations
of this subject, agreement of all the scholars and their acting upon this all prove
that there is some narrations do hold some weight.
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Al-Qawl al-Badī ,
“In the same way you confer blessings verbally when mentioning the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s blessed name, write blessings with your
hands too. Therein lies great reward for you and it is a virtue whereby those who
write ḥadīths attain success. The scholars say it is laudable (mustaḥab) to write
blessings whenever the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name is
mentioned, writing them completely and not sufficing upon abbreviated forms
such as ṣal am [or SAW] reminiscent of imprudent and ignorant people.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) then narrates some ḥadīths on
this subject. He writes that Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍 narrates that the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Whoever writes my name in a book,
the angels continue conferring blessings upon him for as longs as my name
remains therein.”
Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀂍 also narrates that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “He who conveys any matter of knowledge from me in writing
and also writes blessings alongside it shall continue receiving its reward for as
long as this book is read.” It is also narrated on the authority of Sayyidunā Ibn
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Abbās 􀁠 that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “He who
writes blessings upon me in a book shall continue receiving reward for as long as
my name remains in this book.”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also narrated from many
ḥadīths that on the Day of Judgement, the scholars of ḥadīth will come carrying
inkpots in their hands (with which they used to write ḥadīths). Allāh will order
Sayyidunā Jibrīl 􀂋 to ask them who they are and what they desire. They will
reply, “We were the people who used to read and write ḥadīths.” They shall
receive a reply from Allāh, “Enter Paradise, for you abundantly conferred
blessings upon my Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .”
Allāma Nawawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Al-Taqrīb and
Allāma Suyūṭī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in its commentary that
one should pay attention to writing blessings whenever the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name is mentioned. One should not
become tired of writing it time and time again, for it contains many benefits and
whoever displays indolence in this regard is deprived of much goodness.
The scholars say that the fifth ḥadīth of Chapter One () is referring to the ḥadīth
scholars (muḥaddithūn), because they abundantly confer blessings. They have also
mentioned the following ḥadīth of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
under this point, wherein the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said,
“Whoever writes blessings upon me in a book, the angels continue to seek
forgiveness for him for as long as my name remains in this book.”
Even though this ḥadīth is weak (ḍa īf), it is appropriate to mention it at this
point. Ibn Jawzī’s (may Allāh have mercy on him) declaring this ḥadīth fabricated
should not be taken note of, because this ḥadīth has many chains of narration that
remove it from the category of fabrication and indicate that there is support to this
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ḥadīth. Ṭabrānī has narrated this on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Hurayra 􀂍,
Ibn Adī on the authority of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀂍, Iṣbahānī on the authority of
Sayyidunā Ibn Abbās 􀁠 and Abū Nu aym on the authority of Sayyidatunā
Ā‘isha 􀁠.
The author of Itḥāf has also discussed its chains of narration. He says that
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said this ḥadīth has been
narrated on the authority of Ja far Ṣādiq (may Allāh have mercy on him) as a
mawqūf narration [not directly from the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) ].
Ibn Qayyim (may Allāh have mercy on him) says that this is more correct. The
author of Itḥāf says that the students of ḥadīth should not omit the writing of
blessings out of haste. He then says that he has seen many blessed dreams
regarding this, and he subsequently narrates many dreams related to this point.
Sufyān ibn Uyayna (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “A friend of mine
passed away. I saw him in a dream and asked him, ‘What happened to you?’
He replied, ‘Allāh forgave me.’
I asked him, ‘For which action?’
He said, ‘I used to write ḥadīths and whenever I came across the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name, I would write . I was forgiven
because of this.’”
Abūl Ḥasan Maymūnī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I saw my teacher
Abū Alī (may Allāh have mercy on him) in a dream. There was something
written in gold or saffron on his fingers. I asked him, ‘What is this?’
He replied, ‘I used to write upon the ḥadīths.’”
Ḥasan bin Muḥammad (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates, “I saw Imām
Aḥmad bin Ḥanbal (may Allāh have mercy on him) in a dream. He said to me, ‘If
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only you were to see how illuminated and radiant our writing of blessings upon the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) is!’” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
Many similar dreams have been mentioned. More shall be narrated in Chapter
Five.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
(5)
Ḥakim al-Umma Mawlānā Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has dedicated
a chapter in Zād al-Sa īd to various etiquettes of blessings. Although certain
points have been mentioned before, they are mentioned here collectively due to
their importance.
1) When writing the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name,
blessings and salutations should be written in full (). Laziness should not be
shown in this; one should not suffice upon writing ṣād or ṣal am.
2) A person used to write ḥadīths but would not write blessings with the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name due to miserliness. As
a result, his hand was struck with an illness, causing his hand to become
paralysed.
3) Shaykh Ibn Ḥajar Makkī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated that
a certain person would only write ṣallallāhu alayhi without writing
wasallam. The Luminous Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said to him
in a dream, “Why do you deprive yourself of forty virtues?” In other words,
the word wasallam is made up of four letters and upon every letter, a
person receives ten rewards; wasallam thus comprises forty virtues.
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(A similar story will be narrated in Chapter Five under the twenty-sixth
story).
4) When conferring blessings, one’s body and clothes should be pure and
clean.
5) Adding the title sayyidunā before the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s blessed name is laudable and more virtuous.
The abovementioned stories (two and three) have been narrated by Allāma
Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) in Al-Qawl al-Badi . Mawlānā Thānawī
(may Allāh have mercy on him) has also written a chapter on the rulings of
blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . It is appropriate to
add this chapter at this instant too:
1) Conferring blessings once in a lifetime is obligatory, due to the [Qur’ānic]
order of “confer blessings” that was revealed in Sha bān 2 AH.
2) If the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name is repeatedly
mentioned in one gathering, Imām Ṭaḥāwī’s (may Allāh have mercy on
him) view is that it is necessary upon both the speaker and listener to confer
blessings each time. However, the accepted verdict is that it is necessary
once and laudable (mustaḥab) thereafter.
3) It is reprehensible (makrūh) to confer blessings in any posture of prayer
besides the final tashahhud sitting.
4) When the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name is mentioned
in the sermon (khuṭba), or the orator recites the verse ordaining blessings,
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confer blessings in your mind without verbally saying it. (Al-Durr al-
Mukhtār)
5) It is permissible to confer blessings when not in the state of ablution, and
conferring blessings in a state of ablution is a “light upon light”.
6) Besides the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s and angels (blessings and
salutations be upon them), blessings should not be conferred upon anyone
individually. However, there is no harm in conferring blessings upon
someone alongside the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings
and salutations be upon them). For example, one should not say, “O Allāh,
confer blessings upon the family of Muḥammad,” rather one should say, “O
Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad.”
(Al-Durr al-Mukhtār)
7) It is written in Al-Durr al-Mukhtār that is forbidden to confer blessings
when displaying one’s merchandise or a similar circumstance, where the
conferring of blessings is not the objective but it is being utilised for an
ulterior materialistic motive [to make an impact on someone by conferring
blessings].
8) It is written in Al-Durr al-Mukhtār that to move one’s body when
conferring blessings and to raise one’s voice whilst doing so is an act of
ignorance. From this, we understand that the practice of forming a circle
after prayer and conferring blessings at the top of one’s voice should be
refrained from.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
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CHAPTER FIVE: STORIES PERTAINING TO CONFERRING BLESSINGS
AND SALUTATIONS
After discussing the order of Allāh to confer blessings and salutations and the
ḥadīths of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s , stories are not of
much significance. However, people tend to be more encouraged by the stories of
the pious elders. Thus, it has also remained the practice of the elders to mention
relevant stories. Shaykh Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has dedicated a
whole chapter to stories in Zād al-Sa īd, which I am relating exactly in this book
too. Thereafter, I shall narrate other stories, and many stories have been narrated in
the Virtues of Ḥajj, authored by this humble servant.
1. It is narrated in al-Mawāhib al-Ladunniyya from Tafsīr al-Qushayrī that on
the Day of Judgement, the good deeds of a certain believer will weigh less
in the Scales. The Messenger of Allāh will take out a parchment the size of
a fingertip and place it in the pan of good deeds, causing it to outweigh the
bad deeds of this believer. The believer will exclaim, “May my parents be
sacrificed for your sake. Who are you? How beautiful you are in
countenance and in character!”
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) will reply, “I am your
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and this is your conferring of
blessings and salutations upon me. I have repaid it in this time of need.”
(Footnotes of Al-Ḥiṣn al-ḥaṣīn. This story has previously been mentioned
with more discussion in Chapter One under the eleventh ḥadīth)
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2. Umar bin Abdul Azīz (may Allāh have mercy on him) was a
prominent Follower (tābi ī) and a rightly-guided caliph. He would send a
special messenger from Syria to Madīna to convey his salutations at the
grave of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . (Footnotes of Al-
Ḥiṣn al-ḥaṣīn from Fatḥ al-Qadīr)
3. It is related in Rawḍa al-Aḥbāb that Imām Isma īl bin Ibrāhīm Muzanī
(may Allāh have mercy on him), one of the prominent students of Imām
Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “I saw Imām Shafi ī (may
Allāh have mercy on him) in my dream after he had passed away. I asked
him, ‘How did Allāh treat you?’
He replied, ‘Allāh pardoned me and ordered that I be taken to Paradise with
great honour and dignity. This was all in reward for a certain form of
blessings I used to confer.’
I asked, ‘What was it?’
Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آُلَّمَا ذَآَرَهُ الذَّاآِرُوْنَ وَآُلَّمَا غَفَلَ عَنْ
ذِآْرِهِ الْغَافِلُوْنَ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad whenever those engaged in his
remembrance remember him and whenever those who are negligent of his
remembrance are in their neglect. (Footnotes of Al-Ḥiṣn al-ḥaṣīn)
4. It is related in Manāhij al-Ḥasanāt from Ibn Fākihāni’s (may Allāh have
mercy on him) Al-Fajr al-Munīr, “There was a saint called Musā Ḍarīr
(may Allāh have mercy on him) who related his personal experience to me.
He said, ‘I was travelling in a boat which began to sink. Suddenly, I was
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overcome by drowsiness and in this state, I saw the Messenger of Allāh .
He taught me these blessings and then instructed that all aboard the boat
should confer them one thousand times. We barely recited it three hundred
times that the boat was saved from sinking.’”
The ṣalāt is as follows:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَوةً تُنْجِيْنَا بِهَا مِنْ
جَمِيْعِ الأَهَوَالِ وَالآفَاتِ وَتَقْضِيْ لَنَا بِهَا جَمِيْعَ
الْحَاجَاتِ وَتُطَهِّرُنَا بِهَا مِنْ جَمِيْعِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَتَرْفَعُنَا
بِهَا أَعْلَى الدَّرَجَاتِ وَتُبَلِّغُنَا بِهَا أَقْصَى الْغَايَاتِ مِنْ
جَمِيْعِ الْخَيْرَاتِ فِيْ الْحَيَوةِ وَبَعْدَ الْمَمَاتِ
It is also desirable to add the following words at the end:
إِنَّكَ عَلَى آُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon our leader Muḥammad , blessings whereby
You will save us from all worries and calamities, whereby You will fulfil all
our needs, purify us from all sins, raise our ranks to the most lofty of
stations, convey us to the furthest heights in all acts of goodness in this life
and the Hereafter. (Verily you have power over everything).
The author of Al-Qāmūs, Shaykh Majduddīn (may Allāh have mercy on
him), has also narrated this story through his own chain of narration.
5. It is related in some books that Ubaydullāh bin Umar Qawārīrī (may
Allāh have mercy on him) said, “A neighbour of mine, who was a scribe,
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passed away. I saw him in a dream and asked him how Allāh had treated
him. He told me that Allāh had pardoned him. I asked him the reason
thereto. He said, ‘It was my habit that whenever I wrote the blessed name
of the Messenger of Allāh , I would add (). Allāh granted me bounties that
no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard and the thought of which has
never crossed the mind of any person.’” (Gulshane Jannat)
6. The incident which inspired the author of Dalā’il al-Khayrāt to write his
book is famous. The author was in need of water for ablution whilst
traveling but was perturbed as he had no rope or bucket [to draw water with
from the well]. A girl who was observing all this came and inquired of the
Shaykh and then spat in the well. As a result, the water brimmed to the top
of the well. The author was shocked upon seeing this and asked how she
had done this. The girl replied that this was the blessing of conferring
blessings and salutations. The Shaykh then compiled Dalā’il al-Khayrāt.
7. Shaykh Zarrūq (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes that the grave of the
author of Dalā’il al-Khayrāt emanates with the fragrance of amber and
musk and this is all due to the conferring of blessings and salutations.
8. A reliable friend of mine informed me regarding a scribe of Lucknow. He
would begin his daily work after writing blessings on a sheet of paper he
had reserved for this very purpose. At the time of his death, he was
overcome with fear of the Hereafter saying, “What will become of me after
I depart this world?” On saying this, a majdhūb (saint constantly engaged in
the remembrance of Allāh) appeared and said, “Why are you so worried?
The sheet of paper [upon which blessings were written] is with the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and is being adorned.”
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9. The son-in-law of Mawlānā Fayḍ al-Ḥasan Saharanpuri (may Allāh have
mercy on him) narrated to me that the house wherein the respected
Mawlānā passed away emanated with fragrance for one month after his
demise. This was related to Mawlānā Qāsim Nānawtwī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) who said, “This is due to the blessings of conferring
blessings and salutations. The Mawlānā would stay awake on the night of
Friday and confer blessings and salutations upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .”
10. Abū Zur a (may Allāh have mercy on him) saw a person in his dream who
was performing prayer with the angels in the heavens. He asked him how
he achieved this status. He replied, “I have written one million ḥadīths.
Whenever I came across the blessed name of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) , I would write blessings. I achieved this status through this
action.”
This story has been narrated likewise in Zād al-Sa īd. This humble servant
thinks that the scribe has made a mistake in writing this story and that the
correct account is that a person saw Abū Zur a (may Allāh have mercy on
him) in a dream, as will be mentioned in story twenty-nine.
11. Another story regarding Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) is
that someone saw him in a dream after his demise and asked him how he
was forgiven. Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) replied, “I
used to confer the following five blessings on the night of Friday:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ بِعَدَدِ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيْهِ وَصَلِّ
عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ بِعَدَدِ مَنْ لَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ وَصَلِّ عَلَى
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مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا أَمَرْتَ بِالصَّلَوةِ عَلَيْهِ وَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ
آَمَا تُحِبُّ أَنْ يُّصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ وَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آَمَا
يَنْبَغِيْ أَنْ يُّصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad as the number of people who
confer blessings upon him. Confer as many blessings upon Muḥammad as
the number of people who fail to confer blessings upon him. Confer
blessings upon Muḥammad as You have ordained that blessings should be
conferred upon him. Confer blessings upon Muḥammad as You like that
blessings should be conferred upon him. Confer blessings upon him as is
the right of blessings to be conferred upon him.
These are referred to as the Five Blessings (al-ṣalawāt al-khamsa).
(Other stories regarding Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) will
be discussed under the thirtieth story).
12. Shaykh Ibn Ḥajar Makkī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates that a
person saw a righteous man in his dream and asked him how he was. He
said, “Allāh had mercy on me, forgave me and entered me into Paradise.”
When he was asked the reason thereto, he replied, “The angels counted my
sins and my blessings, and the blessings outnumbered the sins. Allāh said,
‘That is enough. Do not continue his reckoning and take him to Paradise.’”
(This story will also be narrated from Al-Qawl al-Badī under the
nineteenth story).
13. Shaykh Ibn Ḥajar Makkī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has written that a
certain righteous person had made a habit of conferring a fixed number of
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blessings at bedtime. He saw in a dream one night that the Messenger of
Allāh came to his house, causing the whole house to become illuminated.
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, “Bring forward that
mouth which confers blessings and salutations upon me, so that I may kiss
it.” Overcome with shyness he put his cheek forward. The Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) kissed his cheek. He then awoke to
find that his house was filled with the fragrance of musk. (This story will be
mentioned with more detail under the thirty-eighth story).
14. Shaykh Abdul Ḥaqq Muḥaddith Dihlawī (may Allāh have mercy on him)
has written in Madārij al-Nubuwwa that when Sayyidatunā Ḥawwā was
created, Sayyidunā Ādam 􀂋 moved towards her. The angels said, “Be
patient until you are married and paid the dowry.”
He asked, “What is the dowry?”
The angels replied, “To confer blessings and salutations upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) three times.” In another narration,
twenty times is mentioned.
These stories are narrated in Zād al-Sa īd. Other scholars have been narrated
some of these stories too. Besides these, the scholars have written many incidents
and dreams regarding this topic. A number of them are being narrated in this book
in addition to the stories mentioned in Zād al-Sa īd.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
15. Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes on the authority
of Rashid Aṭṭar who said, “There lived in Egypt a saint called Abū Sa īd
Khayyāṭ (may Allāh have mercy on him). He led a life of solitude and
remained totally aloof from people. He suddenly began attending the
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gatherings of Ibn Rashīq (may Allāh have mercy on him) very frequently
and with punctuality. People were quite amazed at this and asked him the
reason behind this change. The Shaykh replied, “I saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream who told me to attend
his gatherings, because he confers abundant blessings and salutations upon
him in his gatherings.”
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
16. When Abū Abbās Aḥmad bin Manṣūr (may Allāh have mercy on him)
passed away, one of the residents of Shiraz saw in a dream that he was
standing in the niche (miḥrāb) of the main mosque of the city, wearing a
beautiful garment and a crown laden with jewels and pearls. The person
seeing the dream asked him about this. He replied, “Allāh pardoned me and
treated me with great dignity. He granted me this crown. This was all in
reward for conferring blessings and salutations upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) abundantly.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
17. A saint from amongst the ṣūfīs says, “In my dream, I saw a man named
Misṭaḥ who had passed away and who did not pay any attention to acting
upon the Dīn i.e. he was a very sinful person. I asked him, ‘How did Allāh
treat you?’
He said, ‘Allāh pardoned me.’
I asked, ‘Upon which action?’
He said, ‘I was narrating ḥadīths in the presence of a ḥadīth scholar
(muḥaddith), who conferred blessings and thus I too conferred blessings
very loudly. On hearing me, everyone present in the gathering also
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conferred blessings. Allāh forgave everyone present in the gathering.’” (Al-
Qawl al-Badī )
A similar story in Nuzhat al-Majālis narrates from a certain saint that, “I
had a neighbour who was very sinful. I always pressed upon him the need
to repent but he would not listen. After he passed away, I saw him in
Paradise. I enquired as to how he had reached Paradise. He said, ‘I was
present in the gathering of a ḥadīth scholar (muḥaddith) who said, ‘He who
confers blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
loudly will be guaranteed Paradise.’ I conferred blessings loudly and others
followed too. Thus, we were all pardoned by Allāh.’”
This incident has been narrated in Rawḍ al-Fā’iq with more detail. It is
mentioned that a saint from the ṣūfīs said, “I had a very sinful neighbour
who always remained intoxicated from drinking and could not even
differentiate between day and night. I would counsel him but he would not
take heed, and I would ask him to repent but he would not listen. After his
demise, I saw him in a dream in an exalted position in Paradise and wearing
the most beautiful of garments. He had been honoured greatly. I asked him
how he had attained this.” The answer was the same as in the previous
story.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
18. Abū ’l-Ḥasan Baghdādī Dāramī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I
saw Abū Abdullāh bin Ḥāmid (may Allāh have mercy on him) many
times in my dreams after he had passed away. I asked, ‘What happened to
you in the Hereafter?’
He replied, ‘Allāh pardoned me and had mercy on me.’
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I asked, ‘Inform me of an action whereby I can gain direct entry into
Paradise.’
He said, ‘Perform one thousand rak āts of prayer, reciting Surah Ikhlāṣ a
thousand times in each rak āt.’
I said, ‘This is a difficult task.’
He said, ‘Then confer blessings a thousand times every night.’ I thus made
it my daily practice.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
19. A person once saw Abū Ḥafṣ Kāghidhī (may Allāh have mercy on him) in a
dream after his demise. He asked him, “What happened to you?”
Abū Ḥafṣ (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “Allāh had mercy on me
and pardoned me. He ordered that I be entered into Paradise.”
This person then asked, “How did this happen?”
Abū Ḥafṣ (may Allāh have mercy on him) replied, “When I was presented
before Allāh, the angels were ordered to count the blessings I had conferred
and to count my sins. The number of blessings I had conferred
outnumbered my sins, so my Lord said, ‘O angels, stop! Do not continue
with his reckoning. Take him to my Paradise.’” (Al-Qawl al-Badī - This
has previously been narrated with brevity under the twelfth-story on the
authority of Ibn Ḥajar Makkī (may Allāh have mercy on him)
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
20. Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates from some
books of history that there lived a very sinful person from the Banū Isrā’īl.
When he passed away, people left him at the place of his death without
tending to his burial. Allāh sent revelation to Sayyidunā Mūsā 􀂋 to bathe
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him and perform his funeral prayer, as He had forgiven this person.
Sayyidunā Mūsā 􀂋 asked, “How was this person forgiven?”
Allāh Most High said, “He once opened the Torah and saw the name
Muḥammad therein. He conferred blessings upon reading his name and
thus I forgave him.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
There is no point of objection in these stories. Neither do these stories mean that
by conferring blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
once, all major sins and the rights of servants (ḥuqūq al- ibād) are forgiven nor
do they contain any exaggeration or falsehood. It all depends on the Master
accepting an action. If He decides to accept even the minutest of a person’s deeds
such as the saying of the kalima once (as in ḥadīth eleven of Chapter One) it is
sufficient for all sins to be pardoned.
Allāh says in the Qur’ān:
إِنَّ اللهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُّشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُوْنَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ
Surely Allah will not forgive that anyone be joined with Him, and He will
forgive all else to whom He will (al-Nisā 4:48)
For this reason, there is no doubt in this story and others of a similar nature as to
how Allāh can pardon all sins if He is pleased by the mere conferring of blessings
once, as He has absolute power. If a person is owed thousands of pounds and he
becomes pleased with an action of the recipient and thus decides to absolve the
debt, or he does even without any reason, what objection can anybody else have?
Likewise, if Allāh out of His infinite grace and mercy wants to pardon someone,
what objection can there possibly be?
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We certainly understand from these incidents that conferring blessings is
instrumental in the pleasure of the Sovereign. Thus, confer blessings abundantly.
Who knows which ṣalāt of his He becomes pleased with? If He becomes pleased
with even one, it is enough for one’s salvation.
Even one of our pleas is enough if it is accepted by Him,
Although we may plea and call out to Him in abundance.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
21. A saint once saw a very disfigured and ugly form in his dream. He asked,
“Who are you?”
It replied, “I am your evil deeds.”
The saint asked, “How can I remain safe from you?”
It replied, “Confer blessings and salutations abundantly upon Muḥammad
the Chosen One .” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
Who is there amongst us who is not involved in sins day and night? Conferring
blessings and salutations is the best means of atonement. One should confer
blessings upon him as much as possible at all times and not lag behind for this is
the greatest antidote.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
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22. The Shaykh of all shakyhs Shiblī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “A
neighbour of mine passed away. I saw him in a dream and asked, ‘What
happened to you?’
He replied, ‘I faced severe difficulties and I was about to falter at the time
of questioning in the grave. At that time, I thought to myself, ‘O Allāh,
where have these hardships come from? Did I not die in the state of Islām?’
I heard a voice from the unseen saying, ‘This is the punishment for your
carelessness in speech.’ When the two angels intended to inflict punishment
on me, an extremely handsome person appeared and got in the way of the
angels. His body was emanating with the best of fragrances. He told me
what answer to give to the angels and I was thus able to answer their
questions instantly. I asked this person, ‘May Allāh have mercy on you.
Who are you?’
He replied, ‘I have been created from your abundance of conferring
blessings. I have been ordered to help you in the face of every difficulty.’”
Good deeds and bad deeds will have their respective forms in the Hereafter. In the
second part of Virtues of Charity, it is mentioned under the conditions faced after
death that when the corpse is placed in the grave, prayer stands to the right, fasting
to the left, the remembrance of Allāh and the recitation of the Qur’ān at the head
side and so forth, and they defend the deceased from punishment from all sides.
Similarly, sins will appear in the ugliest of forms. The Qur’ān and ḥadīths mention
many times that if zakāh was not fulfilled, the outstanding money will take the
form of a large serpent and be made into a shackle around the neck. May Allāh
keep us in His protection from this.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
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23. Sayyidunā Abdurraḥmān bin Samura 􀂍 narrates that the Messenger of
Allāh once came out and said, “I saw a strange spectacle last night. I saw a
person on the Bridge who at times was dragging himself across and at other
times, he was crawling or unable to continue. In this state, his conferring of
blessings upon me came to his assistance and helped him to his feet
enabling him to cross with ease.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī from Ṭabrānī)
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
24. Sufyān bin Uyayna (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates that Khalf
(may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “I had a friend with whom I used to
study ḥadīths. He passed away. I saw in a dream that he was wandering
freely wearing a new pair of green clothes. I asked him, ‘We used to study
ḥadīths together, so how then did you reach this high station of honour and
dignity?’
He replied, ‘Yes, we did write ḥadīths together but whenever I came across
the blessed name of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , I
would write (h) underneath. In return for this deed, Allāh granted me this
honour that you are witnessing.’” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
25. Abū Sulaymān Muḥammad bin Ḥusayn Ḥarrānī (may Allāh have mercy on
him) relates, “We had a neighbour called Faḍl. He spent most of his time
engaged in prayer and would fast regularly. He told me that he used to
write ḥadīths but fail to write blessings. He saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream, who said to him, ‘When
you write or mention my name, why do you fail to confer blessings upon
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me?’ (Thereafter, he became punctual in acting upon this). A few days
later, he saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in his dream.
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, ‘Your blessings and
salutations reach me. When you say my name, say 􀁌.’” (Al-Qawl al-
Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
26. Abū Sulaymān Ḥarrānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates his own
experience. He says, “I once saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in my dream. He said, ‘O Abū Sulaymān! When you come
across my name in ḥadīths and confer blessings upon me, why do you not
say wasallam? This word consists of four letters and each letter carries ten
rewards. By omitting this, you are losing forty rewards.’” (Al-Qawl al-
Badī - A similar story has been narrated in the section on etiquettes in
Chapter Four from Zād al-Sa īd)
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
27. Ibrāhīm Nasafī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I once saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream but found him to be
distant from me. Thus, I quickly went forward, kissed the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s hand and said, ‘O Messenger of
Allāh, I am from the servants of the ḥadīths. I am from amongst the People
of Sunna and I am a traveller.’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) smiled and asked, ‘When
you confer blessings upon me, why do you not also confer salutations upon
me?’ From this point onwards, I began writing h.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
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يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
28. Ibn Abī Sulaymān (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I saw my father
in a dream after his demise. I asked, ‘How did Allāh deal with you?’
He replied, ‘Allāh forgave me.’
I asked, ‘Due to which deed did He forgive you?’
He answered, ‘I used to write blessings after the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam)’s name in every ḥadīth.’” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
29. Ja far ibn Abdullāh (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I saw Abū
Zur a (the famous ḥadīth scholar) in my dream. He was in the heavens and
leading the angels in prayer. I asked him, ‘How did you attain this lofty
status?’
He replied, ‘I have written one million ḥadīths with this hand. Whenever I
wrote the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name, I also wrote
blessings and salutations, and the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, ‘Whoever confers blessings upon me once, Allāh confers
ten blessings and mercies upon him.’” (Al-Qawl al-Badī `)
Thus, Allāh’s blessings and mercies equal one billion. Even one mercy from Allāh
is sufficient, let alone one billion.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
30. A few stories were related regarding Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy
on him) from Zād al-Sa īd. Many similar stories have been narrated
regarding Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy on him).
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Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) relates in Al-Qawl al-
Badī that Abdullāh bin Abdul Ḥakam said, “I saw Imām Shafi ī
(may Allāh have mercy on him) in a dream and asked him how Allāh had
treated him. He said, ‘Allāh had mercy on me, forgave me and Paradise was
adorned for me in the same manner a bride is adorned. I was showered with
bounties as a bride is showered (with money and presents, as is the custom
in weddings with the bride and bridegroom).
I asked him, ‘How did you reach this status?’
Someone told me that he reached this status in reward for the blessings
written in Al-Risāla [Imām Shafi ī’s book]. I further enquired as to what
these blessings were. I was told they are:
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمّدٍ عَدَدَ مَا ذَآَرَهُ الذَّاآِرُوْنَ
وَعَدَدَ مَا غَفَلَ عَنْ ذِآْرِهِ الْغَافِلُوْنَ
May Allāh confer blessings upon Muḥammad as much as those who
remember him make mention of him and as much as those who are
negligent are in their negligence.
When I awoke in the morning, I saw that the blessings were exactly the
same as in Imām Shafi ī’s Al-Risāla.”
Numayrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and others have narrated this
story from Imām Muzanī (may Allāh have mercy on him) who says, “I saw
Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) in my dream. I asked, ‘How
did Allāh deal with you?’
He replied, ‘Allāh pardoned me in return for the blessings I wrote in my
book Al-Risāla.’”
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The blessings are:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آُلَّمَا ذَآَرَهُ الذَّاآِرُوْنَ وَصَلِّ
عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آُلَّمَا غَفَلَ عَنْ ذِآْرِهِ الْغَافِلُوْنَ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad whenever those who remember
him make mention him and confer blessings upon Muḥammad whenever
those who are negligent are in their negligence.
Bayhaqī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated that Abū ’l-Ḥasan
Shafi ī’s (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “I saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in a dream. I asked, ‘O Messenger of
Allāh, what reward have you given Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have mercy
on him) for the blessings he has written in his Al-Risāla?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘My reward for
him is that he will not be stopped on the Day of Judgement to account for
his deeds.’”
The blessings are:
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمّدٍ آُلَّمَا ذَآَرَهُ الذَّاآِرُوْنَ وَغَفَلَ
عَنْ ذِآْرِهِ الْغَافِلُوْنَ
May Allāh confer blessings upon Muḥammad whenever those who
remember him make mention of him and whenever those who are negligent
are in their negligence.
Ibn Banān Iṣbahānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream. I asked, ‘O Messenger
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of Allāh, Muḥammad ibn Idrīs (Imām Shafi ī) is from the progeny of your
paternal-uncle (his lineage of meets the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)’s lineage at Hāshim, one of the forefathers of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . Imām Shafi ī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) is a descendant of Abd Yazīd, son of Hāshim). Have you
reserved any special privilege for him?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘Yes. I have asked
Allāh not to take him to account on the Day of Judgement.’
I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allāh, through which action did he earn this
privilege?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said, ‘He conferred
blessings and salutations upon me with words nobody had ever used
before.’
I further enquired, ‘What are those words, O Messenger of Allāh?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said,
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آُلَّمَا ذَآَرَهُ الذَّاآِرُوْنَ وَصَلِّ
عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ آُلَّمَا غَفَلَ عَنْ ذِآْرِهِ الْغَافِلُوْنَ
O Allāh, confer blessings upon Muḥammad whenever those who remember
him make mention of him and confer blessings upon Muḥammad whenever
those who are negligent are in their negligence.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
31. Abū Qāsim Marwazī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “My father and
I would sit at night to study ḥadīths. It was seen in a dream that a pillar of
light is extending from the place we used to sit in and study all the way to
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the heavens. Someone asked, ‘What is this pillar of light?’ The reply was,
‘These are the blessings they conferred when sitting to study the hādīths:’
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَشَرَّفَ وَآَرَّمَ
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
32. Abū Isḥāq Nahshal (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I used to write
hādīths in a book and I would write in this book,
“The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) 􀁌 تَسْلِيْمًا said….”
I saw in a dream that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
looked at this book and said, ‘This is excellent (most probably indicating
towards the addition of the word taslīma).’”
Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has narrated many dreams
wherein people were seen in a pleasant state after their demise. When asked the
reason for this honour, they all said it was due to writing blessings with the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name in every ḥadīth. (Al-Qawl al-
Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
33. Ḥasan bin Mūsā Ḥaḍramī (may Allāh have mercy on him), commonly
known as Ibn Ujaynah, says, “I used to write ḥadīths but would omit the
writing of blessings to save time. I saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in my dream. He said to me, ‘Why do you not write blessings
when you write ḥadīths in the same way Abū Amr Ṭabarī does?’ When I
woke up, I was overcome with extreme anxiety. From that point onwards, I
resolved to always write h when writing ḥadīths.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
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يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
34. Abū Alī Ḥasan bin Alī Aṭṭār (may Allāh have mercy on him) says,
“Abū Ṭāhir gave me a few manuscripts of ḥadīths. I noticed that wherever
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name was written,
alongside it was written
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيْمًا آَثِيْرًا آَثِيْرًا آَثِيْرًا
I asked him, ‘Why do you write blessings in this manner?’
He said, ‘When I was young, I used to write ḥadīths but not write blessings
alongside the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name. I once
saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream. I went
into his noble presence and greeted him with salutations, but he turned his
face away. I came to him from the other direction, but he turned his face
away again. On the third occasion, I sat in front of him and asked, ‘O
Messenger of Allāh, why are you turning your face away from me?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘When you write
my name in your book, you do not care to write blessings upon me.’
Since then, I have made it a practice to write
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيْمًا آَثِيْرًا آَثِيْرًا آَثِيْرًا
whenever I write the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s name.”
(Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
35. Abū Ḥafṣ Samarqandī (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Rawnaq
al-Majālis that there was once a wealthy tradesman in Balkh. He passed
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away and left behind two sons. His wealth was distributed equally between
his sons. However, his inheritance also included three blessed hairs of the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . Each brother took one hair.
Regarding the third hair, the elder brother said that it should be halved too.
The younger brother said, “Never, by Allāh! The blessed hair of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) will never be cut.”
The elder brother said, “Are you pleased to give all your wealth to me in
exchange for the three hairs?”
The younger brother readily accepted the offer. Thus, the elder brother took
all the wealth and the younger brother took the three blessed hairs. He
would keep these three blessed hairs in his pocket and every so often, look
at them and confer blessings upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) .
Only a short period elapsed that the elder brother lost all his wealth and the
younger brother became very affluent. When this younger brother passed
away, one of the pious saints saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in his dream saying, “Whoever is in need from amongst you
should sit at the grave of this person and beseech Allāh.” (Al-Qawl al-
Badī )
This story has been mentioned briefly in Nuzhat al-Majālis. Therein, it is
also mentioned that the elder brother who took all the wealth became poor.
He saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in a dream and
complained to him of his poverty. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, “O deprived one! You were indifferent to my hairs and
your brother has now taken them. Whenever he gazes upon them, he
confers blessings upon me. Allāh has granted him prosperity in this life and
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the Hereafter.” When he woke up, he went and became a servant of his
younger brother.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
36. A woman once came to Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) and
said, “My daughter has passed away and I wish to see her in my dream.”
Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “Perform four rak āts
of supererogatary (nafl) prayers after ishā prayers and recite Sura
Takāthur in each rak āt after Sura Fātiḥa. Thereafter, retire to bed and
continue conferring blessings upon the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) until you fall asleep.”
The woman did as instructed and saw in her dream that her daughter was
being punished severely. She was wearing garments of pitch, both her
hands were tied with shacles and her feet were bound with chains of fire.
The woman returned to Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) in the
morning and informed him of what she had seen.
Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “Give charity on her
behalf. Allāh may possibly forgive your daughter due to this charity.”
The next day, Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) saw a
magnificent throne in one of the gardens of Paradise. Sitting on the throne
was an extremely beautiful young girl wearing a crown of light.
She asked, “O Ḥasan, have you even recognised who I am?”
He said, “No, I have not recognised you.”
She said, “I am the same girl whose mother you instructed to confer
blessings (after ishā until she falls asleep).”
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Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) then said, “The condition your
mother told me is totally different to what I am witnessing.”
She said, “I was in the very state my mother described to you.”
Ḥasan Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) asked, “Then how did you
attain this status?”
The young girl replied, “Seventy thousand of us were being punished in the
very same manner my mother described to you. It so happened that a pious
person passed by the graveyard. He conferred blessings once and bestowed
its reward to all the inhabitants of the graveyard. His conferring of
blessings was so accepted by Allāh that we were all freed from this
punishment were granted this lofty status through the blessings of this pious
saint.”
(Al-Qawl al-Badī )
A similar story has been narrated in Rawḍ al-Fā’iq. A woman had a son
who was very sinful. His mother always gave him good counsel but he
never took heed and died in this very state. Since he had died without
repenting, his mother was grief-stricken and greatly wished to see her son
in a dream. When she eventually saw him in her dream being punished, it
only increased her grief and distress.
A short time passed before she saw her son once again in her dream, but
this time in a most pleasant state. The mother asked, “How did this
happen?”
He said, “A very sinful person passed by this graveyard. Seeing the graves
caused him to stop and reflect, and he began crying upon his life of sin and
sincerely repented. He recited a portion of the Qur’ān and conferred
blessings twenty times, granting its reward to the deceased of the graveyard
in which I am also buried. The pleasant state in which you are now seeing
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me is a result of the share I received from that reward. My dear mother,
conferring blessings upon the Noble Messenger is a light for the hearts,
expiation for one’s sins and a mercy for both the living and the deceased.”
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
37.Ka b Aḥbār (may Allāh have mercy on him), who was well-versed in the
Torah, says that Allāh sent revelation to Sayyidunā Mūsā 􀂋 saying, “If
there were not on the face of the earth people who praise and extol me, I
would not send down a drop of water from the skies and no seed would
grow from the earth.” He mentioned other things besides this.
Allāh then said, “O Mūsā 􀂋, if you wish to be closer to me than the
proximity of your speech with your tongue, more close than your heart is to
its thoughts, than your body is to your soul and than your eyes are to your
vision.”
Sayyidunā Mūsā 􀂋 quickly replied, “O Allāh, please do inform me.”
Allāh said, “Confer blessings upon the Messenger of Allāh abundantly.”
(Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
38. A pious saint, Muḥammad bin Sa īd bin Muṭarrif (may Allāh have mercy
on him) says, “I had made it a habit to confer a fixed number of blessings
upon the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) before retiring to bed
at night. I once retired to bed in the upper chamber of my house after
conferring my fixed number of blessings when I saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in a dream. He entered through the
door of the upper chamber whereby the whole upper chamber instantly
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filled with light. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) then
came towards me and said, ‘Bring forward that mouth which confers
blessings upon me in abundance so that I may kiss it.’ I felt ashamed to
present my mouth before the blessed mouth of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) and so I turned my cheek towards him. The Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) then kissed me on my cheek. I
suddenly woke up overcome with anxiety and this caused my wife who was
lying next to me to suddenly awake too. The whole upper chamber was
emanating with the beautiful fragrance of musk and this fragrance remained
on my cheek for eight days.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
39. Muḥammad bin Mālik (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I travelled to
Baghdad to study under Qārī Abū Bakr bin Mujāhid (may Allāh have
mercy on him). Some of us were present in his gathering and the Qur’ān
was being recited when an elderly man joined the gathering, wearing an old
turban, shirt and shawl. On seeing him, Shaykh Abū Bakr stood up and
seated him in his own place. He asked him regarding his well-being and
that of his family. The elderly man said, ‘A child was born to me last night
and my wife has requested that I bring some ghee and honey.’
Shaykh Abū Bakr became very perturbed upon hearing this [as he had
nothing to give to the elderly man] and fell asleep in this state of distress.
He saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in this state, who
said to him, ‘Why are you so worried? Go to the minister, Alī bin Īsā,
and convey my greetings to him. Then tell him that you know he does not
retire to bed on Friday night until he confers one thousand blessings upon
me. Last Friday night, he conferred blessings seven hundred times when the
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messenger of the king came to call him. He went to visit the King and
completed the remaining number of blessings after having returned. After
informing him of this sign, tell him to give the father of the newborn child
one thousand coins so that he can spend it on his necessities.’
Qārī Abū Bakr (may Allāh have mercy on him) then left with the elderly
man and they both arrived at the Minister’s residence. Qārī Abū Bakr (may
Allāh have mercy on him) said, ‘The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) has sent this elderly man to you.’
The Minister stood up, seated them in his place and requested them to relate
the whole story. Qārī Abū Bakr (may Allāh have mercy on him) explained
the whole series of events to the Minister. The Minister was delighted to
hear this story and ordered his servant to bring a bag containing ten
thousand coins. From this bag, he took out one hundred coins and gave it to
the father of the newborn child. He then took out a further one hundred
coins to give to Qārī Abū Bakr (may Allāh have mercy on him) but he
refused to accept them. The Minister insisted that he take this amount, for it
was in return for the great glad tiding he gave him regarding this incident,
as this practice of his was a secret which only Allāh knew. He took out a
further one hundred coins to give to the Shaykh for giving him the glad
tiding that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) was also aware
of his practice. He then took out another one hundred coins and offered it to
the Shaykh in return for the great trouble he underwent in coming to meet
him. In this manner, he continued until he had taken out a thousand coins
but the Shaykh was adamant in refusing to take any more than the initial
hundred coins the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) had ordered
them to take.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
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يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
40. Abdurraḥmān bin Abdurraḥīm (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I
once fell in the bathroom, hurting my arm quite seriously and causing it to
swell. I spent the night in great unease. When I eventually fell asleep, I saw
the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream. I just said, ‘O
Messenger of Allāh…’ when the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) said, ‘Your abundance of conferring blessings has made me
distressed [i.e. upon seeing you in this state].’ I woke up to find that there
was no pain and the swelling had also disappeared.” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
41. Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “A reliable
student of Shaykh Aḥmad bin Raslān (may Allāh have mercy on him) told
me that he saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in his
dream. This book Al-Qawl al-Badī fī ’-ṣalāti alā al-ḥabīb al-shafī
(the famous work of Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) regarding
blessings and salutations and which is the source for most of the content of
this book) was presented to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
and he accepted it. It was a very long dream, which was a source of great
happiness for me. I am hopeful from Allāh and His Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) that it is accepted and I hope for
utmost reward in both worlds, if Allāh wills. Thus, constantly remember the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s noble characteristics and
abundantly confer blessings upon him with your heart and tongue, because
your blessings upon him reach his blessed grave and are presented to the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) with your name.” (Al-Qawl
al-Badī )
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صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَأَتْبَاعِهِ وَسَلَّمَ
تَسْلِيْمًا آَثِيْرًا آَثِيْرًا آَثِيْرًا آُلَّمَا ذَآَرَهُ الذَّاآِرُوْنَ
وَآُلَّمَا غَفَلَ عَنْ ذِآْرِهِ الْغَافِلُوْنَ
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
42. Allāma Sakhāwī (may Allāh have mercy on him) relates that Abū Bakr
bin Muḥammad (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “I was seated with
Abū Bakr ibn Mujāhid (may Allāh have mercy on him) when the Shaykh of
all shaykhs, Shiblī (may Allāh have mercy on him) came. On seeing him,
Abū Bakr ibn Mujāhid (may Allāh have mercy on him) stood up, embraced
him and kissed him on his forehead. I asked, ‘O my master, you behave in
this manner with Shiblī whilst on the other hand, you and the scholars of
Baghdad consider him a madman.’
Abū Bakr (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, ‘I only did what I saw the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) doing.’
He then related his dream to me, saying, ‘I saw Shiblī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) attending the blessed gathering of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) stood and kissed him on the forehead. When I asked the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) regarding this, he told me, ‘He recites
the following verse after every prayer and confers blessings upon me
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thereafter.’ (In another narration, he would recite this verse after every
obligatory (farḍ) prayer and the following blessings three times thereafter)
لَقَدْ جَاءَآُمْ رَسُوْلٌ مِّنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ الخ
(Tawbah 9:128-129)
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْكَ يَامُحَمَّدُ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْكَ يَامُحَمَّدُ
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْكَ يَامُحَمَّدُ
Abū Bakr (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, ‘After seeing this dream, I
asked Shiblī (may Allāh have mercy on him) which blessings he confers
after prayers and he told me the very same blessings.’”
A similar incident has been narrated by another person. Abū Qāsim Khaffāf
(may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “Shiblī once went to the mosque of
Abū Bakr bin Mujāhid (may Allāh have mercy on him). Abū Bakr (may
Allāh have mercy on him) stood up on seeing him. News of this spread
amongst Abū Bakr’s (may Allāh have mercy on him) students. They asked
their teacher, ‘You did not stand when the king came to you yet you stood
for the sake of Shiblī (may Allāh have mercy on him)?’
Abū Bakr (may Allāh have mercy on him) replied, ‘Should I not stand in
honour of that person whom the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) respects?’ Thereafter, he related his dream saying, ‘I saw the
Noble Messenger in my dream. He told me that a person of Paradise will
come to me tomorrow and that I should honour him.’ A few days later, I
saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) again. He said, ‘May
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Allāh honour you in the same way you honoured a resident of Paradise.’ I
asked, ‘O Messenger of Allāh, how did Shiblī (may Allāh have mercy on
him) gain this privilege?’
The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) replied, ‘He reads this
verse after all five daily prayers and this has been his practice for eighty
years.’” (Al-Qawl al-Badī )
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
43. Imām Ghazālī (may Allāh have mercy on him) narrates in his Iḥyā that
Abdul Wāḥid ibn Zayd Baṣrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “I
was travelling for the pilgrimage (ḥajj). Another person joined me as a
travel companion and he would confer blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) all the time. I asked him the reason
for his abundant conferring of blessings. He replied, ‘I was with my father
on my first journey for pilgrimage (ḥajj). On our return, we stopped at a
certain place to sleep. In my dream, I saw someone saying to me, ‘Wake
up. Your father has passed away and his face has turned black.’ I woke up
in alarm and saw that my father had really passed away and his face was
slowly turning black. This whole series of events made me extremely
worried and frightened. I fell asleep again and saw that four black men with
clubs in their hands were standing by my father’s head when suddenly an
extremely handsome saint wearing two green garments came and moved
these men out of the way. He then passed his hand over my father’s face
and said to me, ‘Wake up. Allāh has illuminated your father’s face.’
I said, ‘May my parents be sacrificed for your sake. Who are you?’
He replied, ‘I am Muḥammad .’
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I have never been negligent in conferring blessings upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) since that day.”
A similar incident has been narrated in Nuzhat al-Majālis by Abū Ḥāmid
Qazwaynī (may Allāh have mercy on him) who says, “A father and son
were on a journey. The father passed away and his face began to resemble
that of a swine. The son cried profusely and implored Allāh with great
humbleness. He fell asleep and saw in his dream that someone is saying to
him, ‘Your father used to deal in usury, which is why his face has become
disfigured. However, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) has
interceded on his behalf, as he would always confer blessings upon him on
hearing his name. His original appearance has been restored due to the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s intercession.”
Another similar story has been narrated in Rawḍ al-Fā’iq. Sufyān Thawrī
(may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I was performing ṭawāf when I saw
a person conferring blessings only upon his every step and not any other
form of dhikr. I asked him the reason behind this.
He asked me, ‘Who are you?’
I replied, ‘Sufyān Thawrī.’
He answered, ‘Were you not the unique personality of this age, I would not
disclose my secret to you. I was travelling with my father on the pilgrimage
(ḥajj). On arriving at a certain place, my father became ill. I was seeing to
my father’s treatment when suddenly he passed away and his face became
black. Seeing this caused me great distress, and I read innā lillāhi wa innā
ilayhi raji ūn and covered his face with a cloth. I fell asleep and saw in
my dream the most handsome of all men I have ever seen, wearing
extremely clean clothes and whose body was emanating with the most
pleasant fragrance I have ever smelt. He quickly came forward, removed
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the cloth and passed his blessed hand over my father’s face, causing it to
become radiant. He began to head back towards where he had come from
but I grabbed onto him and said, ‘May Allāh have mercy on you. Who are
you? Allāh has favoured my father through you in this journey.’
He replied, ‘Do you not recognise me? I am Muḥammad bin Abdullāh ,
upon whom the Qur’ān was revealed. Your father was very sinful but he
would confer blessings upon me abundantly. When this hardship befell
him, I came to his assistance and likewise, I am of assistance to every
person who abundantly confers blessings upon me.’”
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O Ye who accepts the prayers of the distressed in the darkest of times,
Remover of all calamities and illnesses.
Accept the intercession of Your Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
on behalf of my weakness and humbleness and conceal my faults, for
indeed You are the bountiful Lord, Most Graceful.
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Forgive and pardon my sins out of Your Grace and Your favour, O
Lord of Bounty and favours.
If you do not assist me with your pardon, O my source of hope, how
ashamed I shall feel and how regretful I shall be!
O My Lord, send your blessings upon the Guide, Bearer of Gladtidings,
he who shall intercede for the sinful and the remorseful.
O My Lord, send blessings upon the chosen one from the tribe of
Muḍar, most pure from amongst all the creation, be they Arab or non-
Arab.
O My Lord, send blessings upon the best of the creation, leader of all
nations in lineage and virtue.
May the being who granted Muḥammad the highest station send
blessings upon him, for he is indeed the best of all people.
May He who elevated his status send blessings upon him, who the
Creator of all has chosen as His beloved.
May his Lord send infinite blessings upon him, upon his Companions
and his family.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
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44. It is written in Nuzhat al-Majālis that a person went to visit someone in the
final moments before death. He asked him, “How are you finding the
bitterness of death?”
He replied, “I cannot feel anything, because I heard the scholars say that
whoever abundantly confers blessings and salutations upon the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) will be saved from the pangs of
death.”
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
45. It is written in Nuzhat al-Majālis that a certain saint was suffering from
urine retention. He saw the knower of Allāh ( ārif billāh) Shaykh
Shihābuddīn bin Raslān (may Allāh have mercy on him), a great ascetic
and scholar, in his dream. He complained about his illness to the Shaykh.
The Shaykh said, “How is it that you are oblivious to the tried and tested
antidote? Recite the following:
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى رُوْحِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ
فِي الأَرْوَاحِ وَصَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى قَلْبِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ
فِي الْقُلُوْبِ وَصَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى جَسَدِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ فِي
الأَجْسَادِ وَصَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى قَبْرِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ فِي
الْقُبُوْرِ
O Allāh, confer blessings and salutations upon, and bless the soul of our
leader Muḥammad from amongst all souls. Confer blessings and
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salutations upon the heart of our leader Muḥammad amongst all hearts.
Confer blessings and salutations upon the body of our leader Muḥammad
amongst all bodies. Confer blessings and salutations upon the grave of our
leader Muḥammad amongst all graves.”
After seeing this dream, he began conferring these blessings in abundance
and thus his illness was cured.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
46. Ḥāfiẓ Abū Nu aym (may Allāh have mercy on him) relates that Sufyān
Thawrī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said, “I was once leaving my house
when my gaze fell upon a youth who was reading
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
with every step he took. I asked him, ‘Is there any proof for your action (or
is it just based on your own opinion)?’
He asked, ‘Who are you?’
I replied, ‘Sufyān Thawrī.’
‘Sufyān of Iraq?’ he asked. I replied in the affirmative.
He asked, ‘Do you have the cognisance (ma rifa) of Allāh?’
I replied in the affirmative.
He asked, ‘How did you attain it?’
I said, ‘He takes the night out of the day and the day out of the night, and
He fashions the child in the mother’s womb.’
He said, ‘You have not truly recognized Him.’
I asked him, ‘So how have you come to recognize Him?’
He replied, ‘I firmly decide on doing something, but I end up having to
cancel it. I resolve to do something but find that I am unable to fulfill it.
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Through this, I have realised that there is another being who is governing
my affairs.’
I asked him regarding his conferring of blessings. He said, ‘I went for the
Pilgrimage (ḥajj) with my mother. My mother passed away during the
journey. Her face turned black and her stomach bloated whereby I realised
that she had committed a grave sin. As I lifted my hands towards the sky to
beseech Allāh, I saw a cloud coming from Tihāma (Ḥijāz) from which a
man appeared. He passed his hand over my mother’s face making it
luminous and over her stomach, causing the swelling to disappear. I asked
him, ‘Who are you? You have allieviated me and my mother of this great
affliction.’
He replied, ‘I am your Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam), Muḥammad .’
I asked him for some advice. The Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
instructed, ‘Whenever you take a step, read
اللهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
(Nuzhat al-Majālis)
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
47. The author of Iḥyā has written that after the demise of the Messenger of
Allāh , Sayyidunā Umar was crying and he was saying, “O Messenger of
Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. The trunk of the date
tree you would lean upon and deliver the sermon (khuṭba) before the
erection of the pulpit cried after you ascended the pulpit, saddened by your
separation. You passed your hand over it and comforted it (This is a famous
ḥadīth). O Messenger of Allāh, your followers have more reason to cry
over your separation than this date tree (They are more in need of your
attention and comforting upon your separation).
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O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. Your
status with Allāh is so exalted that your obedience has been declared
obedience to Him. Allāh says, “He who obeys the Messenger has indeed
obeyed Allāh.” (al-Nisā 4:80)
O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. You are
so great in the eyes of Allāh that your mistakes were excused before you
even requested forgiveness. Hence, Allāh says, “Allāh pardon you! Why
did you give them leave?” (al-Tawbah 11:43)
O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. Your
lofty rank with Allāh is such that you have been mentioned foremost in the
covenant taken from the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s (blessings
and salutations be upon them), even though you are the last
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) to be sent. Allāh says, “And recall
when we took a bond from the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s
and from you, and from Nūḥ and Ibrāhīm and Mūsā and `Īsā, son of
Maryam. And we took from them a solemn bond.” (al-Aḥzāb 33:7)
O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. You are
so great in the eyes of Allāh that the unbelievers in the Hellfire will be
regretful for not obeying you, saying, “Ah! That we had obeyed Allāh
and the Messenger.” (al-Aḥzāb 33:66)
O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. Indeed,
Allāh granted Sayyidunā Mūsā 􀂋 the miracle of making rivers flow from
stone but it is no more extraordinary than Allāh making water gush forth
from your fingers.
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O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. If the
wind was subjected to Sayyidunā Sulaymān 􀂋 and would transport him in
the morning over a distance covered in one month and likewise in the
evening, it is not more amazing than your surpassing the seven heavens on
the Burāq and returning to Makkah by morning. May Allāh confer
blessings upon you.
O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. If
Sayyidunā Īsā 􀂋 was granted the miracle of bringing the dead back to
life, it is not more amazing than a goat cut into many pieces and roasted,
speaking to you and telling you not to eat it because it has been poisoned.
O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake.
Sayyidunā Nūḥ 􀂋 supplicated against his people, “My Lord! Leave not of
the infidels any inhabitant upon the earth.” (Nūḥ 71:26)
Had you supplicated against us, nobody from amongst us would have
survived. The unbelievers placed the intestines of a camel on your back
whilst you were in prostration. In the Battle of Uḥud, they caused your face
to be covered in blood and broke your tooth. Despite this, you did not curse
them. Instead, you supplicated, “O Allāh, forgive my people for they know
not.”
O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. Within
a short period of your life (twenty three years as a Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)), more people accepted Islām than those who accepted during
the lengthy lifetime (approximately one thousand years) of Sayyidunā Nūḥ
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􀂋 (At the time of the Farewell Pilgrimage (ḥajja al-widā ), one hundred
and twenty four thousand Companions 􀁠 were present. Only Allāh knows
how many had entered the fold of Islām and were unable to attend).
The number of people who brought faith upon you is great (In the ḥadīth
narrated by Bukhārī in his Saḥīḥ, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) says that he saw his followers in such a great number that they
had covered the horizon). Very few people brought faith upon Sayyidunā
Nuh 􀂋. Allāh says in the Qur’ān, “And these had not believed with him
save a few.” (Hūd 11:40)
O Messenger of Allāh, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. If you
were only to entertain and meet those of the same standing as you, you
would never have sat with us. If you were not to marry except a woman of
the same status as yourself, never would you have married any of our
women. If you were to feed only those who were as exalted as you, never
would you have fed anyone amongst us. Indeed, you sat with us, married
our women, allowed us sit and eat with you, wore clothes made of hair,
mounted a donkey and sat on the floor and ate. You would lick your fingers
after eating and all this was out of humility. Allāh confer blessings upon
you.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
48. It is narrated in Nuzhat al-Basātīn that Ibrāhīm Khawwāṣ (may Allāh have
mercy on him) said, “I experienced extreme thirst once whilst travelling, so
much so that I fell unconscious. Someone sprinkled water on my face. I
woke up to see a most handsome man on horseback. He gave me some
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water to drink and told me to stay with him. A short while passed before he
asked me, ‘Look, what do you see?’
I replied, ‘This is Madīna.’
He said, ‘Dismount. Convey my salutations to the Messenger of Allāh and
inform him that his brother Khiḍr 􀂋 conveyed salutations.’”
Shaykh Abūl Khayr Aqṭa (may Allāh have mercy on him) says, “I went
to Madīna Munawwara. I stayed there for five days but did not experience
any enjoyment or pleasure. I went to the blessed grave and conferred
salutations to the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) , Sayyidunā
Abū Bakr and Sayyidunā Umar 􀁠 and then said, ‘O Messenger of Allāh,
I am your guest.’ Thereafter, I went to sleep behind the pulpit. In my
dream, I saw the Noble Messenger . Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀂍 was standing
to his right and Sayyidunā Alī 􀂍 was standing at the front. Sayyidunā
Alī 􀂍 nudged me saying, ‘Stand up. The Messenger of Allāh is
coming.’ I stood and kissed the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
on his forehead. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) granted
me a piece of bread. I ate one half in my dream and found the other half in
my hand when I woke up.”
This story of Abūl Khayr (may Allāh have mercy on him) has also been
narrated in Al-Qawl al-Badī . However, the wording of Al-Qawl al-Badī
shows that there is a mistake in the translation of Nuzhat al-Majālis. The
wording of Al-Qawl al-Badī is aqamtu khamsata ayyāmin mā dhuqtu
dhawāqan (I stayed in Madīna for five days and did not taste anything). To
translate this as not experiencing any pleasure or enjoyment is inaccurate.
This story has previously been narrated in the Virtues of Ḥajj under the
eighth story and a similar story has been narrated by Ibn Jalā on the
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authority of Wafā al-Wafā under the twenty-third story. Numerous similar
incidents were experienced by the pious elders as narrated in Wafā al-Wafā.
The Shaykh of all shaykhs Leader of the Believers in the science of ḥadīth
(Amīr al-mu minīn fī al-ḥadīth) Shāh Waliyullāh (may Allāh have mercy
on him) wrote Al-Ḥirz al-Thamīn fī mubashirāt al-Nabiyy al-Amīn, a short
treatise in which he has recorded forty dreams or manifestations in wherein
he or his father saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
He writes, “I was once extremely hungry (only Allāh knows how many
days passed in this state). I implored Allāh and thus saw that the blessed
soul of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) has come down
from the heavens and he was carrying a piece of bread. It seemed that Allāh
had instructed the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) to give me
this bread.” (Number twelve)
He further writes, “I did not have anything to eat to eat one night. A friend
of mine gave me a glass of milk, which I drank and then went to sleep. I
saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream. He said,
‘I was the one who sent you this milk (I directed my attention towards your
friend and as a result, it came into his heart that he should give you this
glass of milk).’”
When the effect of the spiritual attention of the saints is accepted and well
known, what question could arise in respect to the power of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s spiritual attention?
Shāh Waliyullāh (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes under number
fifteen, “My father told me that he once became ill and in this illness, he
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was blessed with seeing the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in
his dream. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) asked, ‘How
are you feeling, my son?’ Thereafter, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) ensured him that he will recover and granted him two hairs
from his blessed beard. When my father woke up, he found both hairs in his
hand and he granted me one of these hairs.”
Shāh Waliyullāh (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes under number
eighteen that his father told him, “When I was in the early days of my
education, I considered fasting everyday but was uncertain due to the
differing opinions of scholars regarding its permissibility . I saw the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) in my dream. He granted me a piece
of bread. Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀂍, Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍 and other
Companions 􀁠 were also present. Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀂍 said to me,
‘Al-hadāyā mushtaraka (Gifts are to be shared).’ I thus placed the bread
infront of him and he tore some off. Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍 said the same. I
placed the bread before him too, and he tore a portion off. When Sayyidunā
Uthmān 􀂍 said the same thing, I replied, ‘If this continues on the basis
of Al-hadāyā mushtaraka, this piece of bread will finish in this manner.
What will this destitute one be left with?’”
In Al-Ḥirz al-Thāmīn, this story is as above. In another book of Shāh
Waliyullāh (may Allāh have mercy on him), Anfās al- Ārifīn, more detail
has been mentioned. His father said, “When I woke up, I pondered as to
why I presented the bread to the Shaykhayn 􀁠 upon their request but did
not do the same for Sayyidunā Uthmān 􀂍. I concluded that my
Naqshbandiyya connection meets Sayyidunā Abū Bakr 􀂍 and I am a
descendant of Sayyidunā Umar 􀂍, so I was unable to refuse them. As for
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Sayyidunā Uthman 􀂍, I am neither related to him in taṣawwuf nor in
lineage, and thus I plucked up enough courage to speak up.”
The authenticity of the ḥadīth ‘Al-hadāyā mushtaraka’ has been criticised
by the ḥadīth scholars. I have mentioned two stories regarding this at the
end of the Virtues of Ḥajj; one story is regarding a pious elder and the other
regarding the Jurist of the Umma (Faqīh al-umma) Imām Abū Yūsuf (may
Allāh have mercy on him). A discussion on this ḥadīth is not the purpose at
this point. The point to be clarified is how materialistic blessings are also
showered upon the followers of the most generous from amongst
humankind, the Leader of both worlds, Muḥammad .
Shāh Waliyullāh (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes in Al-Ḥirz al-
Thāmīn under number nineteen that his father related, “I was travelling in
the blessed month of Ramaḍan. It was extremely hot and I was undergoing
great difficulty. I fell asleep and saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) . The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) granted me a
most delicious sweet dish containing rice, saffron, sugar and ghee. I ate to
my fill. Thereafter, the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) gave
me some water. My thirst and hunger were totally quenched and when I
woke up, I could smell the fragrance of saffron on my fingers.”
One should not question such stories, for the basis of these stories is present
in the ḥadīths of continuous fasting in which the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) said, “My Lord feeds me and gives me to drink.”
As for the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s saying, “I am not
the same as you”, this will be in reference to the common people.
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Otherwise, if someone is fortunate to be given this as a miracle, there is no
reason to object. It is the creed of the Ahl al- Sunna wa ’-l Jamā a that the
miracles of the friends of Allāh are true.
The Qur’ān relates the story of Maryam as follows:
آُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَآَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِنْدَهَا رِزْقًا
Whenever Zakariyya entered the apartment to see her, he found
provision by her. He said, “O Maryam! Whence have you this?” She
said, “This is from Allāh.” Surely, Allāh provides for whom He wills
without stint. (Āl Imrān 3:37)
In the narrations of Al-Durr al-Manthūr, this sustenance is said to be
baskets filled with grapes out of season. In the winter, one would find fruits
only available in summer months and vice versa.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
49. In Nuzhat al-Majālis, an amazing story has been narrated regarding a
debate that took place between Night and Day, each one of them trying to
prove its virtue over the other.
Day said to Night, “I am greater than you. Three obligatory prayers take
place performed in me whilst only two take place in you. I contain the
moment of acceptance on the Friday wherein no person asks Allāh for
anything except that it is granted (as mentioned in an authentic ḥadīth). The
fasts of Ramaḍan are observed in me too. You are just a time for sleep and
wherein people are absentminded. I am accompanied by wakefulness and
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being active, and there are great blessings in being active. The sun also
rises in me and brings light to the whole world.”
Night replied by saying, “If you pride yourself over the sun, then I consider
the hearts of those who stand in prayer at night and the hearts of those who
ponder over the wisdom behind Allāh’s creation much greater than the sun.
How can you ever reach the pinnacle of ecstasy the lovers experience when
they are in solitude with me? How can you compare yourself to the Night
of Ascension? What reply do you have to Allāh’s order to His Messenger ,
when He the Almighty said, ‘And of the night keep the vigil therein as
an act of supererogation for you.’ (al-Isrā 17:79)
Allāh created me before you. I contain the Night of Decree in which the
Sovereign bestows countless favours. Allāh calls out in the latter portion of
the night, ‘Is there anyone who asks of me that I may bestow upon him? Is
there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him?’ Are you not
aware that Allāh has said ‘O you enwrapped! Keep vigil all night save a
little?’ (al-Muzammil 73: 1-2)
Have you not heard Allāh say, ‘Hallowed be He who took for a journey
His bondsman in a night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest
Mosque.’? (al-Isrā 17:1)”
Indeed, the Mi rāj holds a distinguished and focal point in the miracles of the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) . Qād}ī Iyād} (may Allāh have
mercy on him) writes in Al-Shifā that the miracle of the Mi rāj is one of the great
virtues of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and holds numerous
points of virtue; conversing with the Almighty, seeing Allāh, leading all the
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s in prayer and visiting the Lote Tree of the
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Utmost Boundary. “Assuredly, he beheld of the greatest signs of his Lord.” (al-
Najm 53:18)
The story of Mi rāj and the lofty stations mentioned in the Qur’ān and authentic
ḥadīths regarding this incident are all from amongst the virtues specific to the
Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
This story has been briefly narrated in the Qaṣīda Burdah (poem of the scarf) and
Shaykh Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has noted this with its
translation in Nashr al-Ṭīb. We present this story here:
سَرَيْتَ مِنْ حَرَمٍ لَيْلاً إِلَى حَرَمِ
آَمَا سَرَى الْبَدْرُ فِيْ دَاجٍ مِّنَ الظُّلَمِ
You travelled by night from the Masjid Harām to the Masjid Aqṣā (despite the
fact that the distance between the two normally takes forty days to travel) just as
the full moon pierces the veil of darkness at night with its light.
وَبِتَّ تَرْقَى إِلَى أَنْ نِلْتَ مَنْزِلَةً
مِنْ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ لَمْ تُدْرَكْ وَلَمْ تُرَمِ
You spent the night continually ascending until you reached such proximity to the
Almighty that none of His chosen servants have ever attained. So lofty was this
station that nobody has ever sought to reach it.
وَقَدَّمَتْكَ جَمِيْعُ الأَنِبِيَاءِ بِهَا
والرُّسْلِ تَقْدِيْمَ مَخْدُوْمٍ عَلَى خَدَمِ
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All the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s appointed you as their leader
and guide at the Masjid Aqṣā, in the same manner the master is preferred over his
attendants.
وَأَنْتَ تَخْتَرِقُ السَّبْعَ الطِّبَاقَ بِهِمْ
فِيْ مَوْآَبٍ أَنْتَ فِيْهِ صَاحِبُ الْعَلَمِ
You surpassed the seven heavens, one above the other, accompanied by a large
group of angels (out of your great honour and esteem), you being the leader and
standard bearer amongst them.
حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ تَدَعْ شَأْوًا لِمُسْتَبِقٍ
مِنَ الدُّنُوِّ وَلاَ مَرْقًا لِمُسْتَنِمِ
You continued ascending towards your lofty rank, passing through the heavens
until you reached the pinnacle of proximity, beyond which nobody seeking
closeness can strive for, nor can anyone wishing to advance exceed.
خَفَضْتَ آُلَّ مَكَانٍ بِالإِضَافَةِ إِذْ
نُوْدِيْتَ بِالرَّفْعِ مِثْلَ الْمُفْرَدِ الْعَلَمِ
You made the station of everyone inferior in comparison to the status bestowed
upon you by the Almighty (when your ascension reached its utmost limit) and
when He said to you, “Come close,”
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آَيْمَا تَفُوْزُ بِوَصْلٍ أَيَّ مُسْتَتَرٍ
عَنِ الْعُيُوْنِ وَسِرٍّ أَيَّ مُكْتَتَمِ
This was so that you succeed in your meeting with Him, totally hidden from any
of His creation, and that you are successful in the secret concealed from all.
Mawlānā Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) has taken the story of Mi rāj
from the Qaṣīda Burdah and the Urdu translation was taken from Iṭr al-Wardah,
written by Mawlānā Zulfaqār Alī, father of Shaykhul Hind Mawlānā Maḥmudul
Ḥasan Deobandī (raḥimahumallāh). Thereafter, the honourable Shaykh wrote the
last verse and followed it with his own verse:
ولنختم الكلام على وقعة الإسراء بالصلوة على سيد أهل
اصطفاء
وآله وأصحابه أهل الإجتباء ما دامت الأرض
والسماء
We finish our discussion with the story of Isrā, by conferring ṣalāt upon the
Leader of all the chosen ones,
And upon his family, his Companions 􀁠 who were selected for his company, for
as long as the heavens and earth exist.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ دَائِماً أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ آُلِّهِمِ
50. Whilst writing these series of books regarding the virtues of certain deeds,
this humble servant as well as others saw many glad-tidings and good
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dreams. Whilst in the process of writing this book, I once saw in a dream
that I was being ordered to write a poem in this book. The poem was not
specified. However, whilst this humble servant was awake between the two
dreams (I saw this dream twice) or in my dream, it crossed my mind that
the famous qaṣīda of Mawlānā Jāmī (may Allāh have mercy on him) was
being referred to, which is in the beginning of Yūsuf Zulaykhā.
I was around ten or eleven years of age when I studied this book by my father in
Gangoh. At that time, I heard my father relate a story regarding the qaṣīda and it
was this story which led my attention to be drawn towards this qaṣīda in my
dream.
The story was that Mawlānā Jāmī (may Allāh have mercy on him) went for the
Ḥajj pilgrimage after composing this poem and intended to stand at the blessed
grave and recite this poem. Upon completing the Ḥajj and before heading towards
Madīna, the Governor of Makkah saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) in his dream. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) told
him in his dream, “Do not let him go to Madīna.” The Governor of Makkah
stopped him from proceeding to Madīna. However, his intense love and yearning
for the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) was so intense that he secretly
left for Madīna.
The Governor of Makkah saw the same dream. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu
A’lihi Wassalam) said, “He is heading towards Madīna. Do not let him come.”
The Governor of Makkah sent two men in his pursuit and he punished and
imprisoned him.
The Governor saw the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) for a third time
in his dream. The Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) said to him, “He is
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not a criminal that he should be imprisoned. He has composed a few verses of
poetry which he intends to read at my grave. If he does so, my hand will come out
of my grave to shake his hand and this will become a means of people falling into
tribulation.” Thus, he was released from prison and treated with great respect and
dignity.
I have no doubt as to having heard this story and I clearly remember its details.
However, due to weak eyesight and illness, I am unable to search the books for its
source of origin. If any of the readers find it in any book in the lifetime of this
humble servant, I will be most grateful if you would inform me. If it is after my
demise, then it should be added to the footnotes. It was due to this very story that
my mind went towards this qaṣīda and it has been in my mind since, and there is
nothing far-fetched about this.
Sayyid Aḥmad Rifā ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) is amongst the famous
saints of the ṣūfiyā and his story is famous. In 555 AH, he presented himself at the
blessed grave of the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) and as he neared
the grave, recited two verses of poetry. The blessed hand of the Noble
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) came out of the grave and Sayyid Aḥmad
Rifā ī (may Allāh have mercy on him) kissed it.
The Virtues of Ḥajj, compiled by this humble servant, contains this story under the
chapter of visiting Madīna under story number twelve. It has been discussed in
detail on the authority of Allāma Suyūṭī’s (may Allāh have mercy on him) book,
Al-Ḥāwī. Many other stories in the Virtues of Ḥajj narrate how people received a
reply to their salutations at the blessed grave.
Some of my friends think that my dream is referring to the Qaṣīda Burdah, which
is why I firstly presented a few verses from the Qaṣīda regarding the Mi rāj.
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Others think it is referring to one of the poems of Ḥujjat al-Islām Mawlānā Qāsim
Nānawtwī (may Allāh have mercy on him). Hence, I thought it appropriate to
relate a few verses from the Qaṣā’id Qāsmiyya and conclude the book.
The qaṣīda of Mawlānā Jāmī (may Allāh have mercy on him) is in Persian and the
principal of our madrasah Mawlānā Al-Ḥāj As adullāh (may Allāh have mercy on
him) is proficient in Persian, alongside his interest in poetry. He is also one of the
prominent disciples of Shaykh Thānawī (may Allāh have mercy on him), making
his love for the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) even more intense.
For this reason, I requested the respected Mawlānā to translate these verses in the
most befitting manner. He accepted the request. After these verses, the translation
will be presented, followed by the Qaṣā’id Qāsmiyyah.
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202
Every particle of the universe is bereaved upon your parting. Bestow us with your
look of favour, O Messenger of Allah. Be merciful, O Seal of all messengers.
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Indeed, you are a mercy to the worlds, so how can you neglect us misfortunate
ones who are suffering from ill-fate?
O beautiful flower, grace the world with your vibrant fragrance and awake from
your restful sleep to illuminate the hearts of those in need of guidance.
O ye who rests in his grave in Madina. Awake, for the whole Earth has become
corrupt.)
Show us your blessed countenance from within your Yemeni shroud; your
luminous face is the dawn of all life.
Bring daylight upon our long nights of grief, and make our days blossom with
success and prosperity with your beauty.
Adorn your body with your fragrant amber-emanating garments, and crown your
head with the turban, fragrant with the scent of camphor.
Let your fragrant locks of hair flow, shedding shade upon your blessed feet (an
indication towards the fact that the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)
did not have a shadow).
Wear the sandals of Ṭā’if as you once did wear and let their laces be made of our
deep heartfelt conviction for you.
Each and everything has spread itself out before you, eagerly awaiting to kiss your
blessed feet.
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Come forth from your blessed chamber into the courtyard of the ḥaram. Place
your feet on the heads of those who lie in your path, desirous of kissing the dust
you tread on.
Take the helpless by the hand and assist them. Console the hearts of your sincere
lovers.
Indeed, we are drowning in our ocean of our sins, but we wait on your path for our
thirst to be quenched.
Verily, you are the cloud, which rains with mercy and it befits your compassion
that you shower the thirsty with your generosity.
(Before proceeding with the translation of the remaining verses, it is important to
note that most people are of the opinion that Mawlānā Jāmī (may Allāh have
mercy on him) is describing a previous visit. Others are of the opinion that he is
imagining a visit in the future. The honourable Shaykhul Ḥadīth is of the latter
opinion and thus, this has been borne in mind in the translation.)
How wonderful will it be when we arrive in your presence and apply the dust of
your blessed city in our eyes!
(May Allah grant us that day when we shall go to Madinah, and make collyrium
out of the dust of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)’s city)
And how beautiful will that time be when after performing two rak āt in gratitude
and prostrating thankfully, my grievous soul circles the blazing lamp of your
blessed chamber like a butterfly!
205
Overwhelmed with love and restless for your communion, I shall walk to and fro
to your blessed chamber, your burning love tearing my heart into pieces.
How glorious that day will be when the clouds of my sleepless eyes shall rain with
tears and I shall sprinkle those tears over the threshold of your Ḥaram and your
blessed grave!
At times, I shall gain the honour of sweeping the dust of the ḥaram and to remove
the dust and litter from your blessed mosque.
Dust maybe harmful for our eyes, we know, yet the dust of your city is a light for
our eyes. Although our wounds will be harmed by litter, it is the only cure for the
wounds of our distressed hearts.
We would proceed towards your blessed pulpit thereupon rub our faces pale out of
longing for you, painting our faces with its dust.
In your exalted miḥrāb and where you did perform ṣalāh would we stand in
prayer, fulfilling the desires of our hearts and succeeding in all our goals. The
place where your blessed feet stood would I bath with tears of blood, shed in
yearning for you.
We would stand with humility before every pillar of your mosque, beseeching
Allāh to elevate us to the ranks of the righteous.
Out of extreme pleasure, the great desires and yearning in our hearts will brightly
light every candle on earth.
206
I may not be physically present in your sacred ḥaram, but all gratitude to Allāh,
that my soul is most certainly there.
Perturbed I am over the state of my selfish desires, so assist this helpless one in his
despondency and turn towards him your benevolent gaze.
If your loving generosity does not come to our aid, we will remain no more than a
paralysed limb, unable to continue our lives.
Our wretchedness is diverting us from the straight path, the way of Allāh. We
earnestly plead you to supplicate on our behalf.
Pray that the Almighty makes our lives successful through strong faith and
conviction, and that we always remain firm in implementing His divine
commands.
And when the Day of Judgement arrives with its horrific terrors, the Owner of the
Day of Retribution, the Most Merciful protects us from the Hellfire, saving us
from disgrace.
Despite all our sins and wrongdoings, He should grant you permission to intercede
on our behalf, for none can intercede except with His permission.
And pray that your head does not lower in shame due to our crimes, but that you
arrive saying, “O my Lord, show mercy on my followers.”
Through your relentless effort and the intermediary of the chosen bondsmen of
Allāh is the needy Jāmī hopeful of salvation.
207
(I have heard that on the Day of Judgement, Allah will forgive the sinners through
the intercession of the righteous.)
All praise is due to Allah. Through the blessing of Haḍrat Shaykh, this defective
translation has been completed on the morning of 26 Zil Qa dah 1384 AH.
(Haḍrat Mawlānā As adullāh Sahib)
From the Qaṣā’id Qāsmiyyah of Ḥujjat al-Islām Mawlānā Qāsim Nānawtwī (may
Allāh have mercy on him) the founder of Darul Uloom Deoband, I present before
you a few verses of the famous Qaṣā’id Bihāriyah. It consists of over one hundred
and fifty verses and to write all of them is difficult. If you wish to read all of them,
refer to the original book. I am relating just over sixty couplets, which clearly
display Mawlānā Qāsim Nānawtwī’s (may Allāh have mercy on him) profound
and ecstatic love for the Noble Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
208
209
210
Why should the nightingale of the garden not sing,
When every garden blossoms with spring?
It gives everything its due share;
To some a leaf, to some a flower and to others it bears fruit.
In happiness do the birds dance and sing.
The trees are applauding with their leaves.
You have put out the blazing heat of the fire, O Lord!
Your benevolence you do not even deny your enemy.
This is nothing, for the true joy is that of the lovers now rejoicing,
Whose hearts were once always filled with the pain of separation!
This is the status of the meadow, the tree of Mūsā 􀂋,
Where the light of Your splendour shines with brilliance.
Thus, the colour of henna is evident in the garden,
Even though the leaves are green.
211
Can Ṭūbā (tree of Paradise) ever reach the status of the tree of Ṭūr?
Can the abode of a stranger ever equal the abode of the beloved?
Why should there not be a difference between the earth and the sky,
When the earth bears the weight of everything and the sky is a weight upon
everyone?
Indeed, a mere particle of dust from the path of Muḥammad has belittled
The sun and stars of the sky, putting the night and day to shame.
Indeed, ‘Īsā 􀂋 and Idrīs 􀂋 are present in the heavens.
But the majesty of Muḥammad the Chosen One does shine upon the Earth.
The heavens may contain everything, but none can compare to Aḥmad .
The Earth may have nothing, but our Muḥammad is present therein.
O Qāsim, praise him alone and leave the praise of all others.
Why look towards the greenery, the garden and the spring?
O Lord, Who can possibly praise him adequately,
He who is showered with your special affection?
Had you not created him,
Never would this universe have been brought into existence.
How can our limited minds possibly comprehend his status?
How is it possible for our eyes to truly perceive the light from Allāh?
212
The light of our intellect is extinguished before the light of his splendour.
Our tongues are unable to duly express words in his praise.
If even the wings of Jibrīl 􀂋 begin to burn at such heights,
How possibly can my thoughts reach such loftiness?
But if the Holy Spirit 􀂋 assists me,
I shall also pen down a few couplets in his praise.
If Jibrīl 􀂋 comes to my aid, I shall step forward,
Saying “O Leader of the Universe!”
You are the Pride of everything, the Essence of this world and for all time,
Leader of the Caravan of Messengers, King of the Righteous.
You are the scent of the flower, if all other Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s
are likened to flowers.
If they are compared to the sun, indeed you are then the very light of the sun.
The very spirit of life you are, if they are the life of all the creation.
Indeed, you are the pupil if they are likened to the eye.
Through your blessing was the universe created.
Wrong we are not in calling you the beginning of all life.
Everything was granted life from non-existence due to you.
Indeed your rank and spiritual progress were unparalleled.
All perfection has been placed in your being.
213
Your noble qualities are but a few in others.
No Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) has ever reached your status.
Even the great Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam)s who worked miracles were
unable to achieve your rank.
O Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) of Allāh, all the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam)s take pride in calling themselves your follower.
The Hand of the Lord would not have touched the form of Adam
If your coming was not destined at the end.
Sayyidunā Mūsā requested the vision of Allāh
But Allāh Himself called you to His presence.
Can the pinnacle of Ṭūr possibly compare with the heights of your Nightly
Ascension?
Has the Earth ever been comparable with the heavens?
How can the beauty of Yūsuf 􀂋 reach your beauty?
Zulaykhā was entranced by his beauty whilst Allāh Himself called you to His
presence.
Your true beauty was concealed in your human form.
Allāh alone knows your reality.
No angel or Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) could possibly infringe your
seclusion with Allāh, nor would Allāh allow it. Indeed, you are his beloved and
others are outsiders.
214
The moon never attained your beauty even for one night,
Even though it makes it appearance on countless occasions.
But how can I ever deserve this good fortune,
For I am sinful as much as you are most perfect.
But even my sins though they may be great in number,
Cannot reach the number of your perfect qualities, O Leader of Both Worlds, King
of the Righteous.
It is not inconceivable that due to your proximity to Allāh,
The sins of your followers will be counted as virtues on the Day of Judgement.
The wrongdoings of your followers will be such
That forgiveness unlimited shall rain upon even the smallest of sins.
Relying upon you do I tread the path of obedience,
For the sins of Qāsim are most heinous, and he is surely one of evil ways.
If sins are apprehensive of the wrath of the Almighty,
Then upon your intercession are the lovers hopeful of pardon.
I have committed sins greater than mountains,
But I have heard you will intercede for the sinners.
So greatly esteemed you are by the Almighty,
That whilst mankind commit sins, the angels seek forgiveness on their behalf.
Allāh holds your supplication in such esteem,
215
That for your prayers does He change the affairs decreed by fate.
Sinful and bad though I am, I am still yours.
Yes, I am insignificant, but despite this, I am still your servant.
Indeed it is an insult that my name be attached to the dogs of your city,
But honour for me lies in my being attributed to your noble being.
You are the best of all the creation, and indeed I am the worst.
Whilst you are the leader of both worlds, I am nothing but a worthless servant.
For many days have I yearned to express my feelings to you,
If I could possibly find a way to your blessed presence.
But where the sky is even lower than the doorstep
How can the destitute Qāsim even pass by there?
Allāh has bestowed you with the most exalted status.
Leader of all has He crowned you.
Who is there to care for us if even you do not give us your attention?
Who else can we turn to, to listen to our grief?
The dog of Satan pursues me,
My lowly desires hang around my neck like a snake.
Amidst the waves of hope and fear do I cling to the ship of hope,
That I also be considered amongst the dogs of Madīna.
216
I pray my life passes with the dogs of Madīna,
And that the insects of your blessed city decompose my body after I die.
May the wind blow my ashes after I die,
And scatter them around the Blessed Grave of the Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi
Wassalam) .
But how can even the remains of Qāsim attain this rank,
That they reach your holy city even in the form of dust?
No hope does there remain for this either,
I solely desire that my heart burns with the love of Allāh and in your love.
May the arrow of your love pierce my heart,
Shedding it into countless pieces, filling my blood with the intoxication of your
desire.
May such a burning fire of your love strike my soul,
That were its one spark to touch the sky, it would turn it to ashes.
May I cry profusely in yearning for you, making me weak.
Let my eyes shed fountains of tears until my eyes remain no more.
Let not the desire of being the greatest of all shaykhs remain,
Nor should my heart long for the adornment of this life.
The moon was split into two by the gesture of your finger.
May my heart also be cleft asunder in such a way.
217
Stay within your bounds and compose yourself.
Control yourself and think carefully before you speak.
This is the place where utmost respect is to be upheld, so remain quiet. Leave it to
him and don’t persist in your request.
Leave everything else and just conferṣalātupon him and his family,
Pleasing him thereby and his pure household.
My Lord, confer upon him and all his family
Blessings that cannot be counted.
As mentioned in the beginning, I began writing this book on 25th Ramaḍān. Due to
my commitments during the holy month, I was unable to pen down more than the
first few lines. Even after this, I had very little time to write due to the great
number of guests and the commitments of the new madrasah term. Despite this,
the work carried on slowly.
When the leader of the tablīghī jamā at Al-Ḥāj Mawlānā Muḥammad Yūsuf
Kandahlawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) passed away last Friday, it crossed
my mind that if this humble servant was also to pass away suddenly, the few pages
I have written until now will remain unfinished and go to waste. Thus, I have
decided to suffice upon whatever little I have written and I finish this book on the
morning of Friday 6th Zil Ḥijjah 1384 AH. May Allāh forgive any shortcomings
therein through His infinite grace and through the intermediary of His
Prophet(Sallallahu A’lihi Wassalam) .
Muḥammad Zakariyyā Kandhalawī
Madrasah Mazāhire Ulūm
Fazaaile-Durood