Visiting the Beloved (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam)

By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)

Bi Ismihi Ta’ala

There is an incident, which has been recorded, of a Bedouin who came to Madina Munawwarah, and on entering Masjidun Nabawi, presented himself before the Roudha-e-Mubaarak, and recited such beautiful couplets which are now engraved near the jhaalie (gold and green mesh/frame) of the Roudha-e-Mubaarak.

These verses are:

Ya khaira man dufinat bilqaa’e a'zhumuhu

O You, the best, whose (blessed) body has been buried in this plain (sand) 

'Fa Taaba min tiebihinna al qaa'u wal akamu

Due to the fragrance of the blessed body of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam), 
the surrounding sand (touching his kafan) and the hillocks have become fragrant.

The sand that is touching the blessed Kafan (shroud) of Rasulullah (Sallaahu alaihi wasallam). has thus become so honoured, so extremely blessed and sacred.

With regard to this sand, Imam Malik (Rahmatullahi ‘alaih) had said that the sand touching the Kafan of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) is more blessed than the Ka’aba Sharief and the Arsh of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu! SubhanAllah.

How blessed must these grains of sand be! …And how blessed the sand that is touching those grains of sand, and the sand and the ground we stand on, which has contact with that same earth, near the Roudha-e-Mubaarak? …SubhanAllah. This value is beyond any estimation; it is priceless.

From our side, we need to at least, recognize and appreciate this great  bounty, honour and privilege of Ziyarat. It is no ordinary experience.

When standing before Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), we should keep this in mind, and should present ourselves according to this honour and greatness. Both our inward and outward conditions should be in conformity to what would please Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!

Nafsil fidhaa li qabrin anta saakinuhu

My soul is sacrificed for the mausoleum you are in.

The real value of man is his soul. His body is just a container housing the soul. If there is no soul, the body has to be buried.  Without the soul, the body does not have value.

In this verse, one is sacrificing his soul for Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam).

However, the reality of this statement will only be proven and made manifest, when we give preference to his Sunnah – i.e. the lifestyle of Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) over everything else.

feehil afaafu wa feehil judu wal karamu

In it is purity, generosity and compassion.

These beautiful verses of poetry teach us the exalted, noble, honourable position of Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and the great favour and privilege of standing and being present at the Roudha-e-Mubaarak.

This bounty and blessing, and the rewards which would accrue on such a visit, should not be destroyed by negligence, unmindfulness, raising one’s voice, taking photographs, videoing, dressing immodestly or dressing in the garb of the enemies of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam), or presenting oneself to Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), clean shaven, etc. 

May Allah Ta’ala give us the understanding and the true appreciation of the priceless bounty of Ziyarat of our Beloved (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and accept our humble visit, despite our failings in being able to ever fulfil the rights of such a visit.

From : Journey towards Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu

Masjidun Nabawi (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam)

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

At the Waterfalls of Mercy

By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) 

Bismihi Ta'ala

Our Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) has taught us that one of the ways to make one's Ziyarat of Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) more valuable, is to meditate that Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu)'s mercy is pouring down upon Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam).

Meditating on this, make Dua:  ‘O Allah, let a few drops fall on me as well.’

In fact, this is one of the meanings of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) sending Durood on Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam).

When a person is at the Victoria Falls or Niagara Falls, he has to wear a raincoat so that his clothes do not get wet with the splashes from the falls. Even though the falls are at a distance from him, the spray of water from the falls is far-reaching.

Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu)'s Special Mercies are cascading down upon Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) more than all the waterfalls of the world together. And Allah Ta’ala has afforded us that great bounty of being so close to the Roudha-e-Mubaarak, whereby we can drench our hearts and souls with that torrential downpour of Rahmat and Noor. 

At the Roudha-e-Mubarak and Baitullah, we do not wear raincoats; rather we have to remove the raincoat - the raincoat of our sins! If we are wearing a raincoat of sins, we will not benefit from that splendid and boundless waterfall of the Mercy of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu).

All that is required, to remove this raincoat, which deprives us of this special mercy, is sincere Taubah from all our sins.

Another very important aspect is: If we place an upside down bucket, under the Niagara or Victoria falls, not a single drop of water will come into it.

If, however, we place a tumbler, the right side up, under a tap, where just a drop of water drips every hour, the tumbler will eventually fill up.

Similarly, if the vessel of the heart is kept upside down, we can spend ages at the Roudha-e-Mubaarak, but we will not draw and imbibe the great benefits and bounties that are found there.


If the vessel of the heart is the right side up, in a single Hudhoori (presence), the heart will not only fill up, it will overflow with Noor! 

It is for this reason that we need to go to the Ahlullah and Mashaa`ik, and spend time in their company. They will turn the spiritual heart, the right side up, and guide us as how to remove the raincoat of sins, that we may then benefit from every good deed, especially our presence at the Roudha-e-Mubarak!

Alhamdulillah, we see so many return with their hearts ‘full’ - great changes are witnessed in their outward appearances, and they themselves mention the great changes experienced within their hearts.

And we also find that there are others who go to the Mubarak lands, but sadly, return without change. Where one would expect spiritual regeneration, there is spiritual degeneration. For example: There was no punctuality on Namaaz, no Sunnat libaas (dressing), no beard; or for the ladies, there was no hijaab, and the person returns, still neglectful and heedless, sometimes, even more so.

May Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) protect us all, and grant us hearts which will absorb the Anwaar and Rahmat and Barakaat found in the Haramayn Shareefayn, which will be a means of improvement in our Deen and in our relationship with Allah Ta’ala and our Beloved Rasool (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). Aamien.


http://hameediyyah.blogspot.com/2013/01/at-waterfalls-of-mercy.html

General safety and well-being (79)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Dua for the general safety and well-being

79.) Sayyidina Jubayr Ibn Mut’im (RA) narrates that  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said to him: “O Jubayr, would you not desire to be in a better condition than your fellow travellers, and have more provisions than them?”

Jubayr (RA) said: “Surely, O Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam). May my parents be sacrificed for you.”

Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said to him: “Read the following five Surahs : Surah Kaafiroon, Surah Fath (or Nasr), Surah Ikhlaas, Surah Falaq and Surah Naas. Commence every Surah with ‘Bismillah’ and after completing them all, recite ‘Bismillah’ one more time.”

Jubayr (RA) says: “Previously, I always used to experience hardships in travel and was not well off. However, after reading these Surahs, the tables turned, and I always was better off than my companions.”

[Hisn Hasin]

Note : A person should frequently recite the above whilst still on a journey.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Inviting to a meal (78)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Inviting people to a meal upon returning from a journey

78.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) used to slaughter a camel or cow upon returning to Madina Tayyibah.

[Hazrat Jaabir Ibn Abdullah (RA) - Sahih Bukhari]

-       Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) also used to abstain from fasting after returning from a journey, so that he could have meals with those who came to visit him.

[Sahih Bukhari]

-      It is Sunnah to invite family members and associates to a meal after returning from a long period of absence such as Hajj, etc. This should not be done for the sake of name and fame. In actual fact, the invitation is given to express the happiness and joy of returning safely to one’s family.

-       This invitation, in the terminology of the Jurists, is called Naqi`ah.

-       Allamah Tibi (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) has written that a person should invite people to a meal according to his capacity, upon returning from a journey.

-       Mullah Ali Qaari (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) has also written that it is a Sunnah to do so.

-    Hafez Ibn Hajar (Rahmatullah ‘alayh) has written that the pious predecessors have regarded the above action to be mustahab.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Receiving Travellers (77)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

To receive travellers upon their return

77.)  Sayyidina Saa`ib Ibn Yazid (RA) says : “We went till Thaniyyatul Wada with the rest of the children, in order to receive and welcome Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam).”

[Sahih Bukhari]

Note : When departing for a journey, it is the duty of the traveller to meet his family, companions, and others. 

However, it is their obligation to go and meet him when he returns. This etiquette is deduced from the practice of Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) and the Sahabah (RA).

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Greeting and embracing (75 / 76)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Greeting and embracing upon return

   75.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said: “When two Muslims meet and shake hands, their sins are wiped away even before they part ways.”

[Hazrat Bara` Ibn Aazib (RA) - Sunan Abu Dawud]

Note: The Islamic term for a handshake is ‘musafaha’ and the term for embracing is ‘mu`aanaqah’.

76.)  Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) said : “When a Muslim meets another Muslim, and then takes his hand and clasps it and makes musafaha, their sins are shed like the leaves of  a tree.”

[Hazrat Huzayfah (RA) ]

-      Hazrat Anas Ibn Maalik (RA) narrates: “When the Sahabah  met one another, they would make musafahah and when any one of them returned from a journey, they would embrace one another.”

-        Hazrat Ja`far Ibn Abi Taalib (RA) narrates what when he returned from Abyssinia, Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) met him and embraced him.

-    Hazrat Ayesha (RA) narrates that when Sayyidina Zayd Ibn Harithah (RA) returned to Madina Tayyibah, Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) was at her home. Zayd (RA) came and knocked at the door. Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) rushed towards him, dragging his sheet along whilst his upper body was bare, and embraced him. Sayyidah Ayesha (RA) says: ‘I never saw Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) without his upper cloth before that day nor after it.”

[Mishkaat / Tirmizi]

Note: In the light of the above, it is Sunnah to make Musafahah and Mu`aanaqah with travelers upon their return.

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]

Meeting the Dearest (73 / 74)

Bismihi Ta’ala

Ahaadeeth and Sunnats of Traveling

Meeting the nearest and dearest first

73.)  When Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) returned from journey, he would initially perform two rakaats of Salaah. Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) would thereafter visit the home of [his daughter), Sayyidah Faatima Az-Zahra (RA), before visiting any of his wives.

[Hazrat Abu Tha`laba (RA) ]

-        Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) was extremely fond of his daughter, Hazrat Faatima (RA) and she, of him. This is why Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) visited her first. Sayyidah Faatima’s (RA) home was the nearest to the home of Sayyidah Ayesha (RA). Hence meeting her first was convenient as well.

-      It should be noted that Sayyidah Khadija (RA), the dearest wife of Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam), had already passed away, and Sayyidah Faatima (RA) was born from that special bond.

-     If such a situation applies to a person, that his wife and his married daughter live in the same town, he could, for the sake of following the Sunnah, follow the above procedure.

Meeting the nearest and dearest last, when departing

74.)  When Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) was leaving for any journey, he would meet Sayyidah Fathima (RA) last, and upon arrival, Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) would meet her first.

[Sayyidina Thawbaan (RA)]

Extracted from Ash-Shamaa`il al Kubra

[The Sublime Conduct of Nabi  (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam)  Volume 3]