 "Maulana Ahmad Ali Badarpuri is a great gift of Allah Ta'ala and a man of extreme virtue and piety (taqwa) like him shall be found nowhere even if you search with a flambeau or light."- Hussain Ahmad Madani (RA)
Qutub-ul 'Alam, Sultanul 'Arifeen, Mujahid-e-Millat Hazrat Maulana Shaykh Ahmad Ali Badarpuri (Ra), also known as Ahmad Ali Assami or Ahmad Ali Banskandi and popularly as Banskandi Huzur, was one of the greatest or legendary Sufi saints ever born. He was an Indian Islamic scholar, a freedom fighter and an educationist.He served as the president of Assam State Jamiat Ulama-e Hind for 44 years. He dedicated his life to the poor, the downtrodden, and particularly for the orphans. He tried to maintain peace in society by spreading the message of love and social harmony. He was a man of great personality occupying profound love and honor in the hearts of millions of people all over the country. Birth and Early life Shaykh Ahmad Ali (Ra) was born in 1915 in Badarpur town of Assam into a sufi and respectable family. His parents were highly pious and God-fearing persons. They attained him by praying to Allah for twelve years. Thus, he was a born saint whose noble lineage reaches back to Hazrat Manowar Khadim Yemeni, the attendant of Sikandar Khan Ghazi (ra), a distinguished colleague of Shah Jalal Yemeni (ra). He lost his mother at an early age and was raised by his step mother with special care and attention. He was not like the other children who spent their time in play and amusement. Rather, he used to spend his time listening to the Qur'an recitation by a local Hafiz. Education and bai'ah Ahmad Ali completed his primary education in Badarpur and then enrolled at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa (now in Bangladesh). From there, he appeared in the Matriculation Examination in 1938 and came out in first position securing high marks in all subjects. In 1940, he completed his graduation (Daura-e-Hadith) in Islamic studies and took the oath of allegiance (bai'ah) at the holy hand of Hazrat Madani (ra). In the same year, he went to the greatest Islamic university, Darul Uloom Deoband, to re-complete his graduation and to study Daora-e Tafsir in accordance with the will of his Shaykh. There, he surprised all the teachers and students with his extraordinary scholarship on Hadith and relentless pursuit. He was constant in offering salat. He placed himself as the most favorite of Hazrat Madani (RA) and the other teachers, overcoming all the students. He achieved the titles of Jinne Mumin and Imam Bayhaqi for his life practice, devoutness, and memory power. He completed his Hifz-e-Quran only in two and a half months. Participation in the freedom struggleDuring that time, the freedom struggle was at its peak, and Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib participated in the movement being inspired by the saying of the Prophet (saws), "Love of your own country is a part of your faith." He was arrested and imprisoned in various jails for his anti-British activities. He always opposed the partitioning of India and stood in support of Madani's composite nationhood. He also took a bold step to get Sylhet into India during the Sylhet Referendum. Though India gained independence in 1947, its partition brought with it a scourge of violence that swept many parts of India, including Assam. During that critical period, Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib stood before the minorities as a barrier of protection and tried to maintain peace among the different sections of the people. For his lifelong effort to spreading the message of peace, many of his contemporaries called him Messenger of Peace. Spiritual training and khilafat In 1952, Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib went to Harmain-Sharifain for the enrichment of his Elm-e Ma'rifat. He spent one year near the Roza Mubarak of the Prophet (saws) and then returned to his own country with the treasure of knowledge and gnosis (ma'rifat). Arriving in India, he directly met Hazrat Madani (ra) who gave him the sabak on Muraqabah. Through this spiritual striving, he went on attaining the last sufi maqams one after another and ultimately the pinnacle of spiritual glory. In 1954, he achieved spiritual successorship (khilafat), or the authority to initiate others on the Sufi path from Shaykhul Islam, in a large meeting held at his own home. Service to Masjid-e Nabawi His staying in the holy city of Madina gave him a great opportunity to serve Masjid al Nabawi. In 1953, King Saud ascended the throne of Saudi Arabia and paid a visit to the holy cities of Makkah and Madina Sharif. Upon arriving in Madina, he arranged a meeting with a view to extending Masjid-e Nabawi and laid the foundation stone for it. The meeting was concluded with a du'a program where Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib was present too. Later, he brought stones along with the labourers on a daily basis for the construction of the mosque. Career Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib started his career as a teacher at Darul Uloom Banskandi. In 1955, Hazrat Madani (ra) selected him for Banskandi Madrasa, declining all other offers for him from the reputed madrassas of India and Pakistan. He then sent him there from Madina Sharif without any invitation from the institution. Thus, Ahmad Ali reached Banskandi Madrassa as an uninvited guest. The madrassa authority refused to appoint him as a teacher. However, they later accepted him after they had obtained a letter from Madani (RA). Soon after, he had to take over the charge of the institution. Thereafter, Hazrat Madani (ra) spent there his last two Ramadhans and inaugurated the Prophetic Tradition (Hadith). In 1957, he was appointed to the post of Shaykh al-Hadith. Under his patronage, the institution went up in leaps and bounds and turned into an Islamic university from a simple cottage. He was just like the director general of the seminary and controlled all sides remaining on the post of Shaykh al-Hadith. He retained the position until his last breath. Thus, his glorious teaching career at Darul Uloom Banskandi lasted for over 45 years. Jamiat president and fight against injustice In 1957, he was unanimously elected the president of Assam State Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind and continued in the same office for 44 years until his last breath. He worked day and night and proved his exceptional leadership quality by placing the state Jamiat as the strongest branch in all India level.As a Jamiat leader, he took bold steps against the so-called Pakistani Deportation Movement, also known as the Bongal Kheda Movement which intensified in the 1960s and continued into the 1970s and 1980s. Thousands of minorities including male, female, and children were inhumanely driven away to East Pakistan in the name of foreigners under the scheme, Prevention Of Infiltration from Pakistan. Muslim houses were looted, burnt and the occupants were beaten up, knifed, and driven out. In fear, they had to leave home and take shelter in jungle. The minority Muslims of Dhubri, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Cachar, and Nowgaon districts were mainly the victims of this torture. During that critical period, it was only Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib who along with his Jamiat strongly protested against this inhumane torture and persecution. He along with his Jamiat companions Maulana Abdul Hoque Sahib, Abdul Jalil Rageebi Sahib, Kafiluddin Qasmi Sahib, Maulana Sikandar Ali Sahib, and some others, created an intense agitation against the government holding a series of protest meetings in different parts of Assam. He frequently met ministers like Moinul Hoque Choudhury, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, Debakanta Barua, Sarat Chandra Singha, and many others and forced them to protest against it on the floor of the assembly. Thus, his five year continuous protest compelled the then Chaliha government to stop this inhumane torture and to declare in assembly that there was no foreigner in Assam. In 1969, the state government even wrote a letter to Hazrat Shaykh (RA) with a solemn promise that this type of inhumane torture upon the legal Indian citizens would never happen again. Thus, he was able to save the minorities from catastrophic danger. Remembering his strong leadership quality, former president Mr. Fakruddin Ali Ahmed Saheb once said in a public meeting, "If Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib had not protested against the Bongal Kheda Movement, it might have endangered the Muslims in Assam." However, the minorities could remain no longer in peace. In 1979, AASU started another movement known as the Assam Movement or Assam Agitation which peaked in 1983 with the massacres of Nellie, Gahpur, Chaulkhowa, Bahbari, and some other places where more than 3,000 minority people including men, women, children and infants were brutally killed. During this critical time, Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib and his Jamiat again came out in protest of this massacre. He along with his followers rushed into the affected areas and stood by the victims providing immediate relief to them. He forced chief minister Hiteswar Saikia and law minister Abdul Muhib Mazumdar to discuss the matter with the then prime minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi and also to arrange a meeting where he would present himself. Mr. Saikia then accompanied Hazrat Shaykh (RA) and Mazumdar Saheb in a discussion with Indira Gandhi. There, the Maulana Saheb demanded them to provide some special protections against undue harassment to the minority Muslims and Bengali Hindus affected by Assam agitation. Mr. Mazumdar also made a proposal for a new legislation instead of the Foreigners Act, 1946, to detect illegal immigrants. The result was the IMDT Act, 1983. After the Assam Agitation, the minority people of lower Assam fell a victim to the cruelty of the Bodo Movement. Though it began in the 1960s, it intensified in the early 1990s. Autonomous Bodoland was the main claim of this movement. Initially, all the non-bodos were mostly targeted. But later, the movement turned into an anti-Muslim agitation. In October 1993, the Bodo mob attacked Muslim settlements and killed more than hundreds of Muslim people. Houses belonging to the Muslims were burned, looted, and vandalized. During this crucial period, Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib (RA) was the first person to stand by the victims. He intensely protested against this cruel massacre from his Jamiat platform and raised the demand to the government for their security and rehabilitation. He even shouldered the burden of six hundred (600) homeless orphans affected by this movement and sheltered them in Banskandi Madrasa with food, lodging and education. His enthusiasm for work had never come down till his last breath. In 1998, he protested against the report of Governor S. K. Sinha regarding illegal migration which was full of misinformations. Of course, many other parties, organizations, and intellectuals accompanied him in this protest. As a result, the report could not harm the minority people of Assam. Shortly after that, the then chief minister of Assam made a communal remark in a press conference at Guwahati where he called the Islamic institutions stations of ISI. Soon after this remark, new harassment came down upon the Ulama in different places of Assam. In protest of it, Hazrat Shaykh (ra) arranged a large Jamiat meeting at Guwahati on 1st April, 2000. Amirul Hind Hazrat Maulana Syed As'ad Madani (RA) also accompanied him. Through this historical meeting, he warned the government against their communal remarks describing the unimaginable sacrifices of the Islamic scholars in the Freedom Struggle. His revolutionary cry, just three months before his death, compelled the government to stop their false propoganda and the harassment on Ulama. Thus, he sacrifices his entire life for the interests of minorities which will be long remembered. He seems to be happy in their happiness and sad in their sadness. Imprisonment in Tihar Jail Hazrat Shaykh (RA) and Maulana Syed As'ad Madani (RA) used to work together for the interests of minorities whenever they were in distress. In 1979, he was imprisoned in Tihar Jail for some days along with his colleagues due to his participation in "Mulk O Millat Bachaw Tahreek" (Save the country and the nation movement), led by Fida-e-Millat Hazrat Maulana Syed As'ad Al Madani Saheb (ra). Badarpuri as Amir-e-Shariat In 1990, he was selected unanimously as Amir-e-Shariat of North East India and continued on the post till his death. He visited many places and founded 34 Mahqamay-e shariahs (Islamic Lower Courts) in different parts of the North-Eastern Region to handle cases related to Islamic shariah such as marriage, talaq (divorce), jumma prayer, etc. Being satisfied with his works, Maulana Habibar Rahman Azmi (ra), the then president of All India Imarat-e-Sharia, made a high remark on him and called his works 'an unparalleled deed'. Religious and Qaumi services Hazrat Shaykh (ra) spent his entire life in the service of his qaum (nation) and Islam. His Islamic mission is able to affect Europe, Africa, and the continent of America by crossing India. He travelled to various cities and villages with a view to reforming people and founded thousands of mosques, khanqahs, madrasas, and maktabs for their religious education. He created a new era, spreading the message of the Holy Qur'an and Hadith in the time of great deterioration in the following of the Sunnah. He also opposed the hypocrisy and deviance (gumrahi) of the Qadianis and warned people not to be tempted by their satanic doctrines. He even wrote a book named "Irrefutable Proofs of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat and the Deviances of the Qadianis" and proved Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam as the last in the series of prophets. To eradicate Qadiani blashphemy, he visited many places, including Barpeta, time and again. He kept a sharp eye on the so-called Ahle-Hadith too. As soon as he saw any criticism from them, he replied to it and saved people from their gumrahi. Foundation of Gauhati Khanqah In 1996, Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib (Ra) founded a permanent khanqah at Dispur (Hatigaon), the capital city of Assam, where millions of people from all over the country and outside India visited him to take spiritual guidance during every Ramadhan. Under his expert guidance, many people became sufi, pious, virtuous, true and practicing Muslims. He taught his visitors to strengthen their relationship with Almighty Allah. Upon hearing his sweet voice, any sitter in his Majlis could feel that he was hearing the words of a true successor (Naib-e-Nabi) of the Prophet (saws). His pursuit and ibaadatHe proved the Quranic āyah "Wa maa khalaqtul-jinna wal-insa illa liya'budūn" in his own life. He used to remain absorbed in deep meditation and worship of Almighty Allah, and thus reached the highest peak of spirituality. Zikr ran with his respiration. Nafl prayers, recitation of the holy Quran, and zikrullah were ornaments of his life. He even performed Salat-ut-tasbih every night during his youth. His continuous awakening of nights in prayers led a great sufi of Deoband to ask Madani (ra): " Is Maulana Ahmad Ali a jinnat or an insaan?" His backbone bent for performing excessive salaat. After Isha, he got some sleep and stood up before Allah for tahajjud which he never missed in life. He surprisingly carried on his spiritual pursuit until the last day of his life. Salah in congregation Hazrat Shaykh (ra) never performed his obligatory salah without congregation (jama'ah) in his whole life. Sometimes he performed it at home with two or three persons if he could not go to the mosque due to his physical illness. Many times he went to the mosque for a congregation supported by others. Hospitality Hospitality was one of the outstanding qualities of Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib (ra). He used to offer respect, love, peace, and cordiality to his guests and take special care of them himself. None of his visitors could come back without taking any food or drink. Dislike of worldly possessions The main feature of his life was - his dislike of worldly possessions. His contemporary people knew that he transacted billions of rupees in his lifetime but nobody had ever seen him being tempted for the slightest of any earthly possession. He was self-sufficient and generous. He never felt a shortage of anything in his personal life. All of his needs were unknowingly generated by the grace of Allah. Whatever he received, he gave it away to the poor and needy. He was seen completely indifferent to this material world. He directly rejected the memberships of the Assam Assembly (MLA) and Indian Parliament (MP), though he was offered these ranks time and again. Former law minister Abdul Muhib Mazumdar has said about this in his article on Hazrat Shaykh (ra). His piety (taqwa) He was a man of extreme virtue and taqwa (fear of Allah) which he maintained at every moment of his life. Some events of his taqwa are mentioned below.
He was a true lover of the Prophet (saws) and could never tolerate any work contrary to sunnah. His life was an exact picture of the sunnah of Rasulullah (saws). He was blessed with the ziyarat (spiritual meeting) of the Prophet (pbuh) whenever he wished to have it. He had profound love for the country of the Prophet (S.A.W.). He never used slippers or shoes on the holy land of Hijaz because he considered it an act of disrespect to the Prophet (pbuh). Eyewitness Hafiz Hikmat Ullah Sahib Muradabadi said that in 1955, Maulana Ahmad Ali Badarpuri (ra) went to Makkah with Shaykhul Islam Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmad Madani (ra) for the performance of Hajj. As soon as their ship reached Jeddah Seaport, he took his slippers off and threw them to the sea before entering Makka Sharif. During his days in Saudi Arabia, he used to walk barefooted across the hot desert for which his legs scaled off. Badarpuri: A Caller to Allah Preaching Islam and calling people to the way of Almighty Allah was an essential part of Hazrat Rahimahullah's life. He prevented the spread of apostasy through his speeches and writings and rooted out the irreligious practices people performed in the name of religion. He will be long remembered as a reformer of the masses and an exemplary spiritual guide (shaykh). According to the ulama, he was the flag-bearer of Islam and sacrificed every second of his life for the revival of the spirit of Iman. His luminous (Noorani) appearance also worked like a magnet and attracted people of different sections to Islam. Ocean of Ma'rifa Hazrat Shaykh (ra) was a sound practitioner of the tasawwuf that the other scholars of Deoband, such as Syed Hussain Ahmad Madani (ra), Maulana Rashid Ahmad Ganguhi (ra), Shaykh-ul-Hind (ra), and Haji Imdadullah Makki (ra), advocated. In spite of being a swimmer in the ocean of Ma'rifa, he was able to keep himself under complete control. In the world of Suluk, he was the Paramount Emperor of his time. Mufti Bashir Ahmed Saheb of Banskandi Madrasa who was known as Mufti-e-Azam has been called the Junayed Baghdadi of the modern world in the field of tasawwuf. Hazrat Shaykh (ra): A rare example Those acquainted with Hazrat Shaykh (ra) will bear ample testimony to his sincerity, piety, strength of worship and spiritual exercises, generosity, modesty, patience, firm belief, good will, sublime character, abstention from worldly pleasures, compassion, human value, knowledge, as well as many other amazing qualities. The combination of all these great qualities in a single body—Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib (ra)—is a rare example in the world. His literary composition Quaid-e Millat Maulana Shaykh Ahmad Ali Sahib (ra) was not only a great Sufi saint but also a writer. He wrote a number of books on religion, Jamiat, and the history of Harmain-Sharifain. The main feature of his books is that they speak little but express much. These are:
His major contribution His greatest contribution to the Muslim ummah is Darul Uloom Banskandi which is called the Shantiniketan (abode of peace) of north-east India. The institution has gained a widespread reputation through him and flourished in his hands. So, he is called the maker of this seminary which is blessed with the Ruhani visit of the Prophet (saws) every day. Regarding this madrassa, Hazrat Madani (ra) predicted, "A ray of ilm would come up from here that would shine the world very soon." Hakimul Islam Qari Muhammad Tayyib Qasmi Sahib (ra), the former vice chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband, remarked, "I visited Darul Uloom Banskandi on March 23, 1974. The institution was founded by Haji Akbar Ali Sahib, a pious disciple of Haji Imdadullah Makki (ra) and is run by Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib, Khalifa of Hazrat Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmad Madani (ra). It seems to me that the other picture of Darul Uloom Deoband. Actually, it is Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib who can be called the second founder of the institution." His visitors Besides his disciples, a large number of people irrespective of caste, creed, communities, parties, high and low, the rich and the poor, were after him and visited him. As per the narration of eyewitnesses, political leaders of different levels, such as Hiteswar Saikia, Prafulla Kr Mahanta, Abdul Muhib Mazumdar, Debakanta Barua, Tarun Gogoi, Shohidul Alom Choudhury, Nurul Hussain, and many more ministers, MPs, and MLAs, often visited him and waited for his duwa. Mr. Kanak Sen Deka, editor of Dainik Agradoot, has also written that great political leaders like Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, Sarat Chandra Singha, Moinul Hoque Choudhury, Smt. Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi also met him seeking his duwa and valuable advice. Former Vice President of Karimganj District Jamiat Mujir Uddin Saheb said in his article that among the visitors of Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb (Ra), the eminent surgeon of the continent of Asia like Anil Kumar Deshmukh was also there. He respected Hazrat Shaykh (ra) and felt proud calling him Baba. To him, people of all classes and communities were equally welcomed. They got mental peace after coming into contact with him. Demise: Badarpuri grew physically much weaker and got infected with various diseases due to his immense hard work and lifelong struggle against injustice. For his increasing kidney and heart disease, he entrusted the responsibility of teaching Bukhari Sharif to Hazrat Maulana Shaykh Abdul Bari Sahib. One night, he predicted with tears in his eyes to Maulana Bashir that I might be no more and have to be brought back in a coffin from Bombay. After a few days, he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, though he expressed his extreme unwillingness to go there. Tilawat-e Quran and du'a were continued for his recovery in every mosque and madrasa, and the Hindus did prayer in their temples. He remained in the same state for fifteen days and passed on to the mercy of his Lord on June 11, 2000, at the age of eighty-six. (Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon.) Funeral prayer (Janaza) The news of his death spread immediately all over the country and outside India. In a moment, the whole world had stunned. Millions of people had become speechless, and tears came down from their eyes. His dead body was flown to Guwahati, and from Guwahati, it was brought by road. The people of Badarpur were preparing to engrave him at Badarpur. On the other side, the students and the people of Banskandi were demanding for taking his dead body and engraving at Banskandi within the campus of Darul Uloom where he spent his whole life with full of activities. Thus, there was a great tussle among the people of Badarpur and the people of Banskandi pulling the dead body of this untiring Mujahid. At last, a meeting was held to finalize his burial place, and it was decided that he would be buried within the campus of his alma mater, Darul Uloom Banskandi. Accordingly, his dead body was brought from Badarpur to Banskandi. Shaykh Maulana Yahya Sahib (db) performed his second funeral prayer (the first one was done at Badarpur) attended by more than five lakhs grieved people. Then, this great son of Assam and darling of millions was buried there on June 13, 2000. May Allah offer him Jannatul Firdous, the best abode of paradise. The late Maulana is survived by one son and four daughters, among whom Shaykh Maulana Yahya Sahib (db), Amir-e Shariat of North-East India, is seen as his successor. Hazrat's death is a great loss to the Muslim community as well as the nation, which seems difficult to fill. Comments and condolences The status of a person and his acceptance amongst the people can easily be gauged from the tributes offered by people after his death. The amount of tribute offered by the various press departments is a clear proof of the acceptance Hazrat Shaykh (ra) had amongst the masses. Articles in his praise were published in various magazines and papers. Besides, many great personalities expressed deep shock in their condolence letters shortly after his death on June 11, 2000. A few comments from those letters and articles are mentioned below: Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson, writes in her condolence message, In the death of Maulana Ahmad Ali Sahib, the country has lost a great religious leader, a freedom fighter, and an educationist. He was the founder of Banskandi Madrassa, a well-known Islamic cultural institute. He has dedicated his life to the poor, the downtrodden, and particularly for the orphans. His contributions in maintaining peace and social harmony among different sections of people would be long remembered." Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the then chief minister of Assam, remarked in his condolence letter (12 June 2000) that Jamiat president Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb was a great freedom fighter and in actuality, a symbol of peace, love, and social harmony. He spent his whole life spreading madrassa education in Assam and for the unity and sovereignty of our country. In his death, the people of north-east India have lost a real well-wisher of them. Shohidul Alam Choudhury, the then minister of panchayat and rural development, Assam, said that Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb was very popular among the people irrespective of caste, creed, and community. He expressed his deep shock in Dainik Sonar Cachar (2000, June 12), terming him a great humanitarian and an ideal person. In his condolence message to the family members of Hazrat Shaykh (ra), Mr. Alam writes that the people of Assam, especially the minorities, would be indebted to him forever due to his selfless service. He says that the vacuum created by his demise will not be filled. Sri Tarun Gogoi, former president of the Assam State Congress (I) Committee, remarks: "Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb, president of Assam State Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, was really a symbol of social harmony. His death is a loss to Assam that seems difficult to fill." Mr. Santosh Mohan Dev, Indian politician and former union minister of state for Home Affairs, opined in Dainik Sonar Cachar (2000, June 12) that the death of Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb was a loss not only to Barak Valley and north-east India but also to the whole country. Abdul Muhib Mazumdar, former minister of law and justice, Assam, wrote in his article that Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb was such a person who used to render selfless service to human society and stand by the persecuted. Victims of the Bongal Kheda movement (1960s), victims of the Nellie massacres, and the BTAD riot are living witnesses to it. Sarat Chandra Singha, former chief minister of Assam, wrote in his article, "It is very hard to evaluate the depth of his knowledge, extra-ordinary working skills, and gigantic personality. While holding discussions on different issues, we became very close to each other." Irabat Singha, advocate and social worker, District Bar Association, Cachar, said in Dainik Sonar Cachar how he was impressed by the great personality and kind-heartedness of Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb who possessed the authority of conquering the hearts of people. He called him a man of milk-heartedness. Haidor Hussain, chief editor, Asomiya Pratidin, said that Peer Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb (ra) was a man of rare personality and a humanitarian who used to stand by the minorities whenever they were in dire need and trouble. Homen Borgohain, eminent intellectual, author, and former editor of the Assamese daily Amar Asom, said, "In the death of Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb, the Muslims of north-east India have become perplexed. His acceptance amongst the masses was so much that it has become difficult to find out a substitute for him." Kanak Sen Deka, eminent journalist, wrote in the Dainik Agradoot, "The Muslims of Assam seem to lose their father in the death of Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb who used to try to strengthen social harmony among different sections of people." Dr. Sujit Kumar Nandi Purkayastha, former principal of Silchar Medical College and Hospital, called him a humanitarian and a man of great personality, expressing his condolences in Dainik Sonar Cachar. Abdul Malik Arif, President, Bangla Muslim Sahitya Parishad & Zakiganj Press Club, Dhaka, Bangladesh, says that the contribution of Maulana Ahmad Ali Banskandi (Ra) touches not only India but also Bangladesh where thousands of his disciples are there His death is a loss to both countries that seems difficult to fill. He tried to develop the relationship between the two countries. The members of Jamiatul Ulama, South Africa, also praised the foresight of Shaykhul Islam Hazrat Madani (ra) and the dedication of Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Ali Saheb (ra) after paying a visit to this great center of learning, Darul Uloom Banskandi. All India Radio, Delhi, also termed Hazrat Shaykh (ra), a prominent Islamic scholar, a great sufi of the spiritual world, a patriot and a freedom fighter. His death has created a great vacuum in the entire Northeast that is difficult to fill. Various Newspapers: Almost all the newspapers of north-east India and also of West Bengal, such as The Assam Tribune, The North-east Daily, Dainik Janambhumi, Dainik Agradoot, Amar Asom, Sonar Cachar, Gana Shakti, Gati Dainik, Ananda Bazar Patrika, and many more, called him a great sufi, a scholar, and an eminent freedom fighter. Amirul Hind Hazrat Maulana Syed As'ad Madani (ra), former president of All India Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, called him a great Sufi saint whose uloom was so deep and sturdy that it is difficult to explain in language. He termed his death the greatest tragedy of the 20th century. Kashf and KaramatsHis full life, right from his birth until his death, was full of events of kashf and karamats. A few of his miracles are mentioned below:
Composed by Amjed Ali References
 By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi*
Bravery and courage is such an admirable quality and attribute that everyone wants to be attributed to it. This quality doesn’t depend on a man being powerful and physically strong; rather this attribute is based on the strength of one’s heart. There are many incidents of the bravery, courage, valour and boldness of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) which prove that he (SAWS) was a very brave and courageous person. The polytheists were standing at mouth of the cave, searching for him and he was resting in it calmly. When there is a scary sound in the night in the town, he goes alone outside town to follow it. When the flames of war flare up; he is present in the first line to fight the enemies. By raising the slogan “I am a prophet, who doesn’t speak a lie, I am son of Abdul Muttalib”, he warns the enemies that he is not going to run and flee away from the battlefield; rather, he is going to fight the enemies with courage. Some examples of his bravery and courage are being presented here in this write-up. When the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him!) left Makkah with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him!) for Madinah migrating; the polytheists of Makkah set a reward of one hundred camels for the one who arrests him (SAWS). Being greedy to receive this reward, many polytheists were wandering here and there for hunting for Rasulullah (SAWS). Searching in every possible direction, they reached the “Cave of Thaur”, where the Prophet (SAWS) and Abu Bakr (RA) had sought refuge with the will of Allah the Almighty. The footsteps of the polytheists were visible to Abu Bakr Siddiq from the mouth of the cave. Abu Akbar (RA) addressed the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) and said: “O Prophet of Allah! If one of them has to lower his gaze, he is certainly bound to spot us.” Hearing the worry of Abu Bakr (RA), the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) replied expressing his courage and bravery like this: “What is your opinion, O Abu Bakr, of those two people amongst whom the third is Allah.” In a form of an interrogative sentence, this satisfactory answer of the Prophet was enough to end Abu Akbar’s worry and apprehension. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) describes this incident as follows: “I looked at the feet of the idolaters above our heads when we were in the cave, and I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah (SAWS), if one of them were to look down at his feet, he would see us beneath his feet.’ He (SAWS) said: ‘O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two, of whom Allah is the third of them?” (Sahih Muslim: 2381) Allah Ta’ala has described this incident in the Glorious Qur’an as follows: “If you do not help him, (it makes no difference to the Prophet, because) Allah has already helped him when the disbelievers expelled him, and he was the second of the two, when they were in the cave, and he was saying to his companion, “Do not grieve. Allah is surely with us.” So, Allah caused His tranquillity to descend on him, and supported him with troops that you did not see, and rendered the word of the disbelievers humiliated. And the word of Allah is the uppermost. Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (Surah Taubah: 40) Allama Shabbir Ahmad Usmani writes in the commentary of this verse: “Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) was worried that the enemy should not see the one who is more beloved than his life, for whom he had sacrificed everything. Being afraid he said, O Messenger of Allah (SAWS)! If these people look down at their feet bowing down a bit, they will be able to see us. At that time, the Almighty placed a special kind of situation, tranquility and assurance in the blessed heart of the Prophet (SAWS), and with his blessing, in the heart of Abu Bakr (RA) and they were protected and supported by the troops of angels. It was the charisma of this unseen support that the spider’s web, which is described as “the weakest of houses” became, a source of protection, more than a big, strong and stable fortresses. (Tafseer Usmani) At the time of the Prophet’s returning from the “Battle of Zaatur Raqqa”, the incident, that took place due to a villager, is very faith-inspiring and instructive regarding the Prophet’s confidence, faith, patience, courage, bravery and trust in Allah the Almighty. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) went towards the region of Najd along with his companions (May Allah be pleased with them!) for Jihad. While returning, the time of the afternoon nap overtook them when they were in a valley full of thorny trees. The Prophet (SAWS) and the companions dismounted at that place. The companions dispersed amongst the thorny trees, seeking the shade of the trees for resting for a while. The Messenger of Allah (SAWS), hanging his sword on a Samura tree, took shelter under that tree for a nap as well. Suddenly the companions heard Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) calling them. When they went to him (SAWS), they found a bedouin sitting with him. Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) inform them, “This (Bedouin-Ghaurath bin la-Harith) took my sword out of its sheath; while I was asleep. When I woke up, the naked sword was in his hand and he said to me, ‘Who can save you from me?’ I replied, ‘Allah.’ Now here he is sitting.” Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) didn’t punish him (for that and let him go freely).” (Bukhari: 4135) A blood-thirsty enemy is standing in front with a naked sword in his hand, despite this dangerous situation; there was no fear and panic observed at the blessed face of the Prophet (SAWS). He replied to the question of the villager with great satisfaction. That villager was awestruck and frightened by the patience, courage and bravery of the Prophet (SAWS) and the sword fell down from his hand. This incident is one of the best examples of the courage and bravery of the Prophet (SAWS) and his trust in Allah the Almighty. Then, not taking revenge from the villager, forgiving him and releasing him without any punishment, is a great example of the forgiveness of the Prophet (SAWS). Sayyiduna Anas (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAWS) was the best among the people (both in looks and character) and was the most generous of them, and was the bravest of them. (Then Sayyiduna Anas mentions an incident regarding his bravery.) Once, during the night, the people of Madinah got afraid (of a sound). So the people went towards that sound. But the Prophet (SAWS) already had gone to that sound before them (alone, ridding a saddleless horse and carrying a sword slung in his neck). He (SAWS) met them while he was saying (to them while returning), “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.” (because he was returning after seeing from that side, there was nothing to worry.) (Sahih Bukhari: 6033) Sayyiduna Ali (May Allah be pleased with him!) says: “When the flames of war flared up and one nation fought against another nation, we used to save ourselves through the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!). None of us was closer to the enemy than the Messenger of Allah (SAWS).” (Musnad Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal: 1347, Sunanul Kubara Lil-Nasai: 8585) Imran bin Haseen (RA) says: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) faced an army, he was the first among those who attacked.” (Akhlaqun Nabi wa Adaba by Abu Sheikh Asbahani 1/327) Sayyiduna Ali (May Allah be pleased with him!) reports: “On the day of Badr, we used to seek refuge from the polytheists under the protection of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!). On that day, he (SAWS) fought a very fierce and intense battle and no one was closer to the polytheists than him (SAWS).” (Subalul Huda and al-Rashad in Seerah Khair al-Abad 7/46) The story of the battle of Hunain shows also the bravery and courage of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). On that day, when the Muslims turned and fled the battlefield, the Prophet (SAWS) remained alone in the battlefield and challenged the enemy. Sayyiduna Abbas (RA), uncle of the Prophet (SAWS), says: I was present with the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) on the day of (of the battle of) Hunain. Abu Sufyan bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib and I stayed close to the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) and did not leave him. The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) was riding his white mule that had been gifted to him by Farwah bin Nufaathah Judhaami. When the Muslims and the Kuffar met, the Muslims turned and fled, but the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) spurred his mule (so that it can go fast) towards the Kuffar. Abbas (RA) said: I was holding on to the reins of the mule of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) checking it so that it did not go too fast, and Abu Sufyan was holding on to the stirrup of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). Then the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “O Abbas, call the people of Samurah”(this is the same tree beneath which the companions swore the Baitur Rizwaan). Abbas (RA) –who was a man with a loud voice– said: I said at the top of my voice: Where are the people of Samurah? He said: By Allah, when they heard my voice, they came back like cows coming back to their calves, saying: “Here we are, here we are!” They fought with the Kuffar. Then the call went out to the Ansar: O Ansar, O Ansar! And the last to be called were Banu Harith bin Khazraj. They said: O Banu Harith bin Khazraj, O Banu Harith bin Khazraj! The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) seated on his mule, craned his neck to watch the fighting, and the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “Now the battle is raging.” Then the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) took some pebbles and flung them at the faces of the Kuffar, then he said: “They are defeated, by the Lord of Muhammad!” Then I went and looked, and saw that the fighting was as it had been before. He said: By Allah, all he did was throw some pebbles at them. Then their force was spent and they began to retreat. (Sahih Muslim: 1775) The incidents and stories which have been presented here, there are several other incidents like them about the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). These incidents proved undoubtedly that the Prophet (SAWS) was a very brave and courageous person. He did not feel any fear. He (SAWS) presented different examples of his courage and bravery on various occasions so fearlessly that no realistic person can deny his courage and bravery. •••• *Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi*
If the educational and literacy rate is evaluated fairly, it will become clear that in any town, city and country, the Muslim community and nation is far behind in comparison to the other communities and nations in the world. If we assess specially the situation of the Muslim and Arab countries in the field of education, we will not find their situations different as well. Amongst so many Muslim and Arab countries, there is no such institute or university found, which has any international reputation and recognition. Any university of a Muslim or Arab country has not yet discovered or invented something remarkable and noteworthy after the research in its own campus. We are followers of Islam, which gave much importance to education. We believe in the Prophet and Messenger (Muhammad SAWS), in whose eyes the learners, teachers and scholars had great status and position. While on the one hand, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) was sent as the last and final Prophet and Messenger for the entire universe, he was sent as a great teacher, outstanding instructor and extraordinary educator for the humanity on the other. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said on an occasion, “Verily I have been sent as a teacher.” The occasion on which the Prophet (SAWS) gave this statement is mentioned as follows. “The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) came out of one of his apartments one day and entered the mosque, where he saw two circles. One was reciting the Qura’an and supplicating to Allah and the other learning and teaching. The Prophet (SAWS) said: ‘Both of them are good. These people are reciting Qur’an and supplicating to Allah, and if He wills, He will give them, and if He wills He will withhold from them. And these people (of the other circle) are learning and teaching. Verily I have been sent as a teacher.’ Then he sat down with them (busy in learning and teaching).” (Sunan Ibn Majah: 229) From the above Hadith, it is understood that the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) not only referred to himself as a teacher to indicate the great status of a teacher; rather, he further highlighted the importance of circle of teachers and learners by sitting in their circle. He (SAWS) made it clear that in his eyes, the rank and status of those who teach and learn Qura’an, Sunnah and Islam is great and superior. In addition to this, the several sayings and teachings of the Prophet (SAWS) are preserved in the books of Hadith, from which the status of the scholars and teachers in the eyes of the Teacher of Humanity, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is known well. According to a narration, the Prophet (SAWS) describing the status and greatness of those who are learning and teaching mentioned them similar to those who fight in the cause of Allah. The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) says: “Whoever comes to this mosque of mine, and only comes for a good purpose, such as to learn or to teach, his status is like that of one who fights in Jihad in the cause of Allah. Whoever comes for any other purpose, his status is that of a man who is keeping an eye on other people’s property.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: 227) The Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) while describing the greatness and excellence of those who learn, said that whoever sets out to seek the knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him. Those who are engaged in learning and teaching, the peace and equanimity will descend on them and so on. This Hadith is long one. Here a part of it is being quoted: “Whoever follows a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make a path to Paradise easy for him. No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it together, but tranquillity will descend upon them, mercy will overshadow them, the angels will surround them and Allah will mention them to those who are with Him.” (Sahih Muslim: 2699) The Messenger of Allah (SAWS), describing the status, significance and virtue of the person equipped with knowledge, said: “Whoever travels a road seeking knowledge thereby, Allah will cause him to travel one of the roads of Paradise. The angels lower their wings in approval of the seeker of knowledge. Those who are in the heavens and on earth, and the fish in the depths of the water, pray for forgiveness for the knowledgeable person. The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like the superiority of the moon, on the night when it is full, over all other heavenly bodies. The scholars are the heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets did not leave behind Dinars or Dirhams, rather they left behind a heritage of knowledge, and the one who acquires it acquires an abundant portion.” (Sunan Abu Dawood: 3641) Many people used to come to the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) to acquire knowledge and learn the rulings of Islam. He (SAWS) welcomed them happily. Sayyiduna Safwan bin Assal (RA) once also attended the service of Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) to gain knowledge. At that time, he (SAWS) was reclining on his cloak in the mosque. When he stated his aim and goal to seek knowledge, Allah’s Messenger (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) said: “I welcome the student. The angels shade the student with their wings. Then they spread over one another, until they reach the heavens and the world, due to their love for the seekers of knowledge.” (Al-Mujam Al-Kabeer Lil-Tabarani: 7347) Whoever came to Sayyiduna Safwan bin Assal (RA) to learn knowledge, he would also welcome them with a smiling face, just like the Prophet (SAWS) welcomed him. Then he would also recite the said Hadith to the student, which has glad tidings for a learner. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) also instructed the scholars of his Ummah that in the future when people would come to them to learn knowledge, how should they treat with them? Abu Sa’eed Khudri (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “The people will come to you seeking knowledge. When you see them, say to them, ‘Welcome, welcome,’ in obedience to the injunctions of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) and instruct them in knowledge.” (One of the narrators said) I asked Hakam: “What is ‘Iqnuhum (Arabic phrase mentioned in the Hadith)?” He replied: “Instruct them.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: 247) Islam has preferred politeness and easiness in comparison to strictness, difficulty. The Prophet (SAWS) has guided the preacher, the teacher and the educator to be gentle and kind. In a Hadith, the Prophet (SAWS) commands to create ease with the teaching of knowledge: “Teach the people knowledge, create ease, do not create hardship, when one of you is angry, let him be silent.” (Musnad Ahmad: 2136) Imam Bukhari mentioned a Hadith in his book under the “Book of Knowledge” where the Prophet (SAWS) said: “Make things easy for the people, do not make things difficult for them and give them glad tidings and do not repel them. (Sahih Bukhari: 69) According to the Islamic teaching, the status of a teacher to a student is like of a father. The Prophet (PBUH) used to present himself to his companions (May Allah be pleased with them!) like a father. The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “I am to you like a father to his son and I teach you. So, when you go to relieve yourselves, do not face the Qiblah or turn your backs towards it.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: 313) One who teaches the people to do good deeds and guides them, even the creature like the ant in its hole makes Duaa of mercy for him. Abu Umamah Bahili (RA) reports: “Two men were mentioned before the Messenger of Allah (SAWS): one of them being a worshipper and the other being a scholar. So the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: ‘The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like my superiority over the least of you.’ Then the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: ‘Indeed Allah, His Angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earths – even the ant in his hole, even the fish – make Duaa for the one who teaches the people to do good.” (Sunan Tirmidhi: 2685) A teacher who educates the people the religious education, this act of teaching has been described as the best of charity by the Prophet (SAWS). The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “The best of charity is that when a Muslim man gains knowledge, then he teaches it to his Muslim brother.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: 243) If a person learns even one word of religion and teaches it to others, the Prophet (SAWS) has given such person the glad tidings of entering Jannah. The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Whoever learns one thing, two things, three things, four things or five things that Allah the Exalted has made obligatory for him to learn, then he learns them and continues teaching them, he will enter Jannah.” Dhaeef Al-Targheeb Wa Al-Tarheeb: 56) During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), the red camel was of the great importance among the Arabs. It was considered as the best wealth. Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) addressing his son in law, Sayyiduna Ali (RA) said: “By Allah, even if a single man is led on the right path (Islam) by Allah through you, then that will be better for you than the nice red camels.” The actual story is that on the day of the battle of Khaibar, one fort namely “Qamoos” was not being conquered. Then the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “Tomorrow I will give this flag to a man through whose hands Allah will give us victory.” Next day, the flag was given to Sayyiduna Ali (RA). The Prophet (SAWS) guided him; while Ali (RA) was going to conquer that fort. “Proceed, and do not hurry. When you enter their territory, call them to embrace Islam and inform them of Allah’s Rights which they should observe, for by Allah, even if a single man is led on the right path (Islam) by Allah through you, then that will be better for you than the nice red camels.” (Sahih Bukhari: 4210) The Prophetic messages which have been presented here so far, they reveal the excellence and greatness of those who have acquired religious knowledge and teach it. It does not mean that Islam has not given any importance to worldly sciences apart from the religious sciences; rather, any knowledge that can benefit humanity, wherever and by whomever it can be gained, must be gained. The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said as a principle: “The wise statement is the lost property of the believer, so wherever he finds it, then he is more worthy of it.” (Sunan Tirmidhi: 2687) In the light of this Hadith, it becomes clear that Muslim should learn any knowledge. Yes, it is necessary that the science should be useful for the humanity and the intention of the learner should be correct. In today’s world, those countries who invested in establishing educational institutions and those nations who equipped themselves with education, their situations are not hidden from anyone. They are ahead in every field. They lead the world. Today, several countries have become dependent on those countries and nations. Those countries and nations are ruling the world today. Those people who remained behind in education are the mental slaves of these countries. If we pay attention to education even today, very soon we can control our deteriorating situation, In Shaa Allah. ●●●● *Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa, By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi*
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) was sent as a mercy for all the worlds. Each and every one benefited from his favours and blessings. The people are indebted to so many favours done to them by the Prophet (SAWS). Allah’s all creations: humans, jinns, animals, plants etc. were blessed with his favours and mercy. Allah the Almighty says: “And We have not sent you but as mercy for all the worlds.” The Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) is the greatest benefactor and well-wisher of this Ummah. He (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) has innumerable favors on the Ummah. There are several rights of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) over this Ummah. It is the right of the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) that the people should believe in his prophet-hood and messenger-hood. They should obey his instruction. They should follow his Sunnah. They should abide by his command and order. They should love him more than anyone. They should respect and honour him. One of the rights of the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) is that the Ummah send Salaah and Salaam upon him abundantly. The word: “Salaah” is an Arabic word. It has several meanings. Here it is used to convey the sense of Mercy (Rahmah), prayer (Dua) and praise (Madh and Thana). When “Durood” is used in a technical meaning, at that time, “It is a prayer and a greeting that is sent upon the Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!)”. Command of Salaah in the Glorious Qura’an: Allah the Almighty has commanded to send Salaah upon the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) in Surah Al-Ahzab of the Glorious Qur’an. This verse clearly shows that Allah the Almighty Himself and His angels send Salaah (Durood) and Salaam (salutation) to His beloved Prophet. After that, Allah, the Exalted, has ordered all the believers to send Salaah upon the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!). It should be clear that attributing Salaah to Allah the Almighty means showering and sending of mercy on the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!). When Salaah is attributed to the angels, at that time, it means their prayer for the Prophet. When Salaah is on behalf of the common believers, at that time, it means the combination of Duaa (Prayer) and Thana (praise). The verse wherein Allah has commanded us to send Salaah is this one: “Surely, Allah and His angels send blessings to the Prophet. O you who believe, do pray Allah to bless him, and send your Salam (prayer for his being in peace) to him in abundance”. (Surah Ahzaab: 56) Mufti Muhammad Shafi (1897-1976) Rahimahullah writes under the commentary of the above verse: “The real purpose of the verse was to obligate Muslims to send Salah (Durood) and Salam upon the Holy Prophet (SAWS). But the command was given in a manner that, first of all, Allah Ta’ala pointed out that He Himself and His angels perform the act of Salaah for the Holy Prophet (SAWS). After that, common Muslims were ordered to follow suit. By doing so, it is indicated that the station of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) is so high that the act asked to be done by common Muslims in his respect is something already done by Allah Ta’ala Himself as well as angels with Him. Now then, common believers who are indebted to so many favours done to them by as their noble Prophet should certainly give high priority to making this act their essential concern. Then there is yet another good outcome of this modality of expression. It proves the great merit accredited to Muslims who send Salah and Salam as Allah Ta’ala makes them share in doing what Allah Ta’ala Himself does and so do His angels.” (Ma’ariful Qura’an: 7/228) Most Virtuous Durood Sharif: Durood Sharif is found in different words and forms in the books. In this regard, we have to keep in mind that every Durood in which the words of Salaah and Salaam are found, will fulfill the requirement and obligation of sending the Durood and Salaam upon the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) and the sender will be rewarded for it. Durood-e-Ibrahimi (Salaah wherein Ibrahim (AS) has been mentioned) contains the best words compared to other Salaahs. The Prophet (SAWS) chose Durood-e-Ibrahimi for prayers. It is the most virtuous and the best Durood. “…. many different forms of Salah (Durood), have been authentically reported from the Holy Prophet himself. The requirement of sending Salah and Salam can be fulfilled by every such sentence that has the words of Salah and Salam in it. Then, it is also not necessary that those words should have been reported exactly as said by the Holy Prophet (SAWS). In fact, the obligation may be discharged and the reward of sending Salah may be achieved by any style of address that conveys the words of Salah and Salam. But, it is obvious that the exact words reported from the Holy Prophet are certainly much more blessed and are the cause of bringing many more rewards. It was for this very reason that the noble Sahabah had asked the Holy Prophet (SAWS) himself to determine the words of Salah.” (Ma’ariful Qura’an: 7/230) It is narrated by Ahdur Rahman bin Abi Laila that Ka’b bin ‘Ujra met me and said: “Shall I give you a present? Once the Prophet (SAWS) came to us and we said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (SAWS)! We know how to greet you; but how to send Salah (Durud) upon you (let us know)? He (SAWS) said: Say: Allahumma Salli Alaa Muhammadin, Wa Alaa Aali Muhammadin Kama Sallaita Alaa Aali Ibrahima, Innaka Hameedum Majeed. Allahumma Barik Alaa Muhammadin, Wa Alaa Aali Muhammadin, Kama Bdrakta Alaa Aale Ibrahima, Innaka Hameedum Majeed.’ (Bukhari: 6357) Virtues of Sending Durood: A few Hadiths are quoted regarding the virtues of sending Durood here. Various glade tidings and good news have come in different Hadiths for those who send Durood. In the following Hadith, it is stated that whoever sends Durood once, Allah will shower ten blessings upon him. It is narrated from Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas (RA) that he heard the Prophet (SAWS) saying: “When you hear the Mu’adhdhin (calling Adhaan), say what he says, then send Salaah upon me, for whoever sends Salaah upon me once, Allah will send Salaah upon him tenfold. Then ask Allah to grant me Al-Waseelah, for it is a station in Paradise which only one of the slaves of Allah will attain, and I hope that I will be the one. Whoever asks for Al-Waseelah for me, (my) intercession will be permissible for him.” (Sahih Muslim: 384) The one who sends the most Salaah upon the Prophet (SAWS), he will be closest to him on the Day of Judgment. Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) said: “The person closest to me on the Day of Judgement is the one who sent the most Salaah upon me.” (Sunan Tirmidhi: 484) Friday is the chief of the remaining six days of a week. Friday is said to be the best day of the week in Islam. In the Hadith, there is an instruction to read Durood upon the Prophet (SAWS) on Friday abundantly. Aws bin Aws (RA) said: The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Friday is of the best of your days, so increase your Salaah upon me on it, for indeed, your Salaah is presented to me.” (Sunan Abu Dawood: 1531) If a person sends Durood once; so there are four kinds of rewards for him from the Almighty Allah. Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) said: “Whoever from among my Ummah sends Durood upon me once with sincerity from his heart, so Allah sends down ten blessings upon him for it, Allah raises him ten ranks, He writes ten good deeds for him and he forgives his ten (minor) sins”. (Al-Sunan al-Kubra LilNasai: 9809) Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) said: “Do not make your houses into graves, and do not make my grave an ‘Eid (a regular place of visitation), and send your Salaah upon me, for your Salaah will reach me wherever you might be.” (Sunan Abu Dawood: 2042) Wrath upon those not Sending Durood: According to a Hadith, if the people sit in a gathering and they don’t remember Allah the Almighty and they don’t send Durood upon the beloved Prophet (SAWS), that gathering remains without the mercy of Allah. Such gathering is harmful and it will be source of regret for those who sat there in that gathering. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAWS) said: “No group gathers in a sitting in which they do not remember Allah, nor send Salaah upon their Prophet (SAWS), except it will be a source of remorse for them. If He wills, He will punish them, and if He wills, He will forgive them.” (Sunan Tirmidhi: 3380) A person who doesn’t like to spend his money where required, lives very poorly in order to store up wealth, such person is called “a miser or stingy”. In the following Hadith, our beloved Nabi (SAWS) regarded a person as a stingy when he doesn’t send Durood upon him, whereas he is mentioned before him. In brief, it is enough for a person to be miser that the beloved Nabi (SAWS) is mentioned before him and he does not send Durood upon him (SAWS). Ali bin Abi Talib (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “The stingy person is the one before whom I am mentioned and he does not send Salaah upon me.” (Sunan Tirmidhi: 3546) Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “May the man before whom I am mentioned, and he does not send Salaah upon me, be humiliated. (Sunan Tirmidhi: 3545) This following Hadith makes it clear that when a person sit for ‘Tashah-hud’ in Salaah, firstly he should express his gratitude to Allah the Almighty and praise Him. Then he should send Salaah upon the Prophet (SAWS). When he has expressed his gratitude and sent Durood, then he should supplicate whatever he wishes. Amr bin Malik Al-Janbi (RA) narrated that he heard Fadalah bin Ubaid saying: “The Prophet (SAWS) heard a man supplicating in his Salaah, but he did not send Salaah upon the Prophet (SAWS) so the Prophet (SAWS) said: ‘This one has rushed.’ Then he called him and said to him, or to someone other than him: ‘When one of you performs Salaah, then let him begin by expressing gratitude to Allah and praising Him. Then, let him send Salaah upon the Prophet (SAWS), then let him supplicate after that, whatever he wishes.” (Sunan Tirmidhi: 3477) A Few Issues Related to Durood: It is obligatory upon a Muslim to send Durood upon the beloved Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) once in his lifetime. If the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) is mentioned several times in a gathering; so it is obligatory to recite Durood at least once and it is better and virtuous to send Durood every time. (Raddul Muhtaar: 1/ 516) It is Sunnah Muwakkidah to send Durood in Salaah. If you are writing something and the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him!) is mentioned; so, instead of a short form, one should write “Durood”, in full form like: “Sallallahu Aleihi Wa Sallam”. ●●●● *Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in |
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