ummtaalib

Dajjal The emergence of the Dajjal is the most important sign as his trial and fitna will be the biggest ever seen on the Face of the earth and even those firm in faith will be shaken.] The Messenger of Allah said, "Between the creation of Prophet Adam and the coming of the last hour, their will arise no matter more serious than the Dajjal." (Imran-b-Hussain/ Muslim) Due to the severity of this turmoil, every Prophet from the first to the last warned and informed his people about, the Dajjal and his turmoil. (Anas / Bukhari, Muslim) The Dajjal will appear once the Muslim army, have conquered Constantinople and reached Syria. Emerging from the east, moving from city to city he will perform unusual feat and cause fitna wherever he goes. Before we move onto his trials many important questions need to be answered. 'Is he alive?' 'Which signs will precede him?' 'How will we recognise him?' and so forth. The story of Hadrat Tamim Dari and the Dajjal The story of Tamim Dari which follows, answers the first and most important question, is the Dajjal alive? and whether Hadrat Tamim Dari and his companions have seen him when they were thrown by the waves on to some remote Island. Fatimah-bint-Qais reported, "I heard the proclaimer of the Messenger of Allah proclaiming (for) 'Congregational Prayer'. I went to the mosque and prayed with the Prophet . When he finished his prayer, he sat upon the pulpit smiling and said, 'Let every man remain in his seat.' He then asked, 'Do you know why I have called you together?' They replied, 'Allah and his Messenger know best.' The Prophet said, 'By Allah, I have not called you together for hope or for fear, I have called you together because Tamim ad- Dari who was a Christian, came and embraced Islam. He narrated a story to me, which agreed with the account I had given to you about the Dajjal. He informed me that he had embarked upon a sea-boat with thirty men of Lakhm and Jozam. Then the sea waves played with them for a month and threw them on to an island when the sun was about to set. They sat in a small side boat and landed on the Island. A beast with very coarse hair met them. They could not tell its front from its back due to its excessive hair. They asked, 'Woe to thee! Who art thou?" It replied, 'I am a spy. Go to this man in the monastery, as he is eager to receive the information you bring. ' Tamim Dari said, 'When it named a man for us, we fled away from it lest it might be the devil. Then we hurriedly went on until we entered the monastery and found a big-bodied man whom we had never seen before. He was firmly tied up, his hands tied to his neck, the place between his knees, and joints tied up with iron chains.' We asked, 'Woe to thee! What are thou?' He replied, 'You have the power to get my information. Inform me about yourselves. ' They replied, 'We are people from Arabia, we embarked upon a sea boat, but the sea waves played with us for a month and threw us onto this island. A beast of coarse hairs met us and said, 'I am a spy. Go to the man in the monastery.' So we approached you hurriedly. He asked, 'Tell me about the trees of Baisan. Do they bear fruit?.' 'Yes' We replied. He said, 'Behold! Soon they will not yield fruit.' He asked, 'Inform me of the lake of Tiberias. Is there water in it?' We replied, 'It is full of water.' He informed us, 'Soon its water will disappear.' He then asked, 'Inform me of the fountain of Zugara. Is there water in it and do its inhabitants irrigate with the water of the fountain?' 'Yes, it is full of water and it's inhabitants irrigate from its water. He asked, 'Inform me of the Prophet of the illiterates. What does he do?' We said, 'He has just come out of Makkah and gone to Yathrib.' He asked, 'Have the Arabs fought with him?' 'Yes' We replied. He asked, 'How did he treat them' We informed him that he had got the upper hand of those of the Arabs who opposed him and they obeyed him. He said, 'Behold! It is better for them if they obey him. As for myself I am certainly the Anti-Christ and it is near that an order will be passed for me to come out. I shall then come out and travel the world. I shall leave no village at which I shall not land within 40 nights except Makkah and Taibah, which will be forbidden to me. Whenever I wish to enter one of the two, an angel with a sword in his hand will encounter me and prevent me therefrom. There will be angels on every side to guard it. The apostle of Allah struck his pulpit with his staff and said, 'This is Taibah meaning Madinah. Behold! Did I not tell you?' 'Yes' they replied. 'Behold, he is in the Syrian sea or sea of Yemen; no, rather he is from the eastern direction. He then pointed out with his hand to wards the East.' (Muslim) Signs that will precede him The coming of Imaam Mahdi In light of many Ahadith the Ulama of the Ahlus-Sunnah are of the opinion that Imaam Mahdi will come before the Dajjal and the Dajjal will appear in the later parts of Imaam Mahdi's reign. The Great Famine There will be a famine for three years before his appearance. In the first year of the famine the heaven will withhold one third of its rain and the earth one third of its crops. In the second year of the famine heaven will withhold two thirds of its rain and the earth will withhold two thirds of its crops. In the third year there will not be a single drop of rain and not a single thing will grow and thus all the animals with hoofs and biting teeth will die and the Tasbeeh will suffice the believers hunger. (Asma-b-Yauzeed-Mishkat) Dajjal's parents His father will be tall and thin and his nose will be pointed like a beak while his mother will be fat with two long hands. They will both remain thirty years without a child. After thirty years a one eyed son with biting teeth and of little benefit will be born to them whose heart will remain awake while his eyes will sleep. (Abu-Bakara-Tirmidhi) General signs that will precede Dajjal From the hadith of Umme Shareek which can be found in Muslim we could conclude the Arabs will be less in numbers. At the same time we can conclude from the hadith of Jabir-b-Abdullah which can be found in An-Nihaya that religious learning will be at a low and very few people will be aquainted with religious principles and doctrines and thus ignorance will prevail. Signs in the Dajjal Dajjal's Physical description The Dajjal is a young1 fat 2 man, wheatish3 in complexion with a broad chest 4 and biting teeth. Resembling Abdul Uzzah bin Qatad from the tribe of Khuza'a his head is covered7 with curly hair8 with the letters "Ka' "Fa" "Ra''9 written between his eyes which every believer will be able to clearly see and read literate or illiterate, he has a shining forehead10 and defect in both eyes. His left eye has a swelling pupil11 while he is blind12 from the right. He has a brisk walk13and no children14 Footnote: 1) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim 8) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim 2) Ibne-Umar / Bukhari /1 Muslim 9) Hudaifah / Muslim 3) Abdullab-b-Mugaffal / Kanzul-Ummal 10) Abu Huraira / Musnad Ahmad 4) Abu Huraira / Musnad Ahmad 11) Hudaifah / Muslim 5) Abu Bakara / Tirmidhi 12) Ibne Umar / Bukhari / Muslim 6) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim 13) Ubiadah / Abu Daud 7) Hudaifah / Muslim 14) Abu Saeed al-Khudri / Muslim Dajjal's Emergence Conquering Constantinople with Takbir, the Muslims will begin to take the booty. While they are distributing the war posses- sions a proclaimer will proclaim that the Dajjal has appeared and causing fitna in your homes. On hearing this cry the Muslims will leave the booty and head towards Syria1. It will come to their knowledge that this was a false rumour. However after reaching Syria the Dajjal will truly emerge. He will come out from a road between Syria and Iraq2 and his emergence will become known in Isfahan3 at a place called Yahoodah. Riding a white ass4, the two ears of which will be forty hands apart, 70,000 Jew's of Isfahan will follow him with hoods on their heads. Also accompanied by Devils6 and Jewish magicians7 he will first claim Prophethood8 and then God hood. Travelling as fast as those clouds which are driven by the winds he will travel to east and west entering every country, carrying out murders, pillage, devastation and performing unusual feats wherever he goes9. Footnote: 1) Abu Huraira / Muslim 2) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim 3) Anas / Al-Fathur-Rabbani 4) Abu Huraira / Baihaqi 5) Anas / Muslim 6) Jabir-b-Abdullah / An-Nihayah 7) Ibne Abbas / Kanzul-Umaal 8) Abu Umamah / lbn Majah Dajjal's Turmoil Dajjal's Deception Two angels resembling two Prophets, one on either side will accompany him. This will be to test mankind. Hence Dajjal will ask, "Am I not your lord? Do I not give life and death?" One of the angels will reply, "You are a liar." However nobody will be able to hear this reply besides the other angel. The second angel addressing the first angel will say, "You are speaking the truth." Every body will hear what this second angel said and will think that an angel is testifying that the Dajjal is Allah though in reality this second angel was addressing the first and agreeing with his reply that you are speaking the truth that the Dajjal is certainly a liar. (Narrated by Safeena-Musnad Ahrnad) He will come to a Bedouin whose parents have passed away and will say to him, "Will you believe that I am your Lord if I bring your parents back to life." He will reply, "Yes." The devils that are accompanying him will take the form of his parents and after resembling his parents will say to him, "Oh child believe in him and follow him, he is your Lord.' The Bedouin will be deceived and forced into believing him. (Abu Umamah/Ibne Majah) He will come to another Bedouin and say, "Will you believe in me as your Lord if I bring your camel back to life?" "Yes", he will reply. He will make a figure for him like his camel, which will have a beautiful odour and a big hump. (Asma-b-Yazeed /Mishkat) He will have water and fire with him. As for that which the people will see as water, in reality will be fire, which will burn and as for that which people will see as fire, in reality will be cold, sweet water. The Prophet's advice is: "Whoever meets the Dajjal and sees the water and the fire, he should fall in the fire and not the water, as the fire in reality is water and the water in reality is fire.'' (Hudaifah/Mishkat) Believers in Allah will face hardship while The believers in Dajjal will temporarily rejoice He will come to people and tell them he is Allah and they will believe him. The sky on his order will pour rain and the earth will grow crops for these people. Their animals will graze on his land and return to them in the evening with large udders and their flanks full. He will then proceed to some other people and call them but they will refuse to believe him. Without forcing them he will leave and carry on with his mission. However, when these true believers wake up in the morning they will find that they are penniless and all their properties have been destroyed. (Nawwas-b-Samaan/Muslim) The Earth will disclose treasure at his command Passing by a place in ruins, he will order it to take out its hidden treasure. The earth will immediately take out its hidden treasure. The earth will immediately take out its treasure and the treasure will literally follow him wherever he goes like bees following the queen bee. (Nawwas-b-Samaan/Muslim) Dajjal faces Opposition On hearing about the Dajjal a true believer will head towards him. However, on the way he will be stopped by Dajjal's soldiers and asked where he is intending to go. Replying that he is going to meet the person who claims that he is Allah, the soldiers doubting him will ask, ''Do you not believe in our Lord (Dajjal)?'' He will reply there is nothing hidden about our Lord Allah so how can I take Dajjal as my Lord. Angry at his reply they will decide to kill him. But all of a sudden one of them will say, ''Hasn't our Lord (Dajjal) prohibited us from killing anyone without his permission?" Thus they will take him to the Dajjal. On seeing the Dajjal he will shout, "O people this is the Dajjal the Prophet mentioned and warned the believers of". Dajjal will order to kill him. He will be placed on his belly and severely beaten. He will be asked, "Do you still not believe in him?" "No! You are the lying Dajjal" he will reply. The true believer will then be sawn into two pieces, the Dajjal will walk in between the two pieces and address him, "Stand up." The true believer will become alive and stand up in one piece. Yet again he will be asked, "Do you now believe in me?" He will reply, "It has only added to my insight concerning you that you are really the Dajjal." The believer will then proclaim, "O people he will not be able to do anything to any man after me." The Dajjal angry at his refusal will grab hold of him and place a knife between his neck and throat to slaughter him but he will be unsuccessful as Allah will place copper in that area and the knife will find no way to penetrate. The Dajjal will grab hold of his hands and legs and throw him into the fire. However, the fire will turn into a pleasant garden for him. This person will be the greatest martyr in the eyes of Allah and achieve the highest position due to his first death, which was caused by severance of the body in two pieces.(Abu Saeed al-Khudri /Muslim) Dajjal's Trickery Doctors and surgeons are not able to restore the eyesight of those born blind or cure the leper. Dajjal will be able to cure those born blind, restore their eyesight and cure the leper. (Abdullah-b-Mugaffal-Kanzul-Unimal) Dajjal's Greed He will have a mountain of bread with him but he will only give bread to those that believe and follow him. (Jabir-b-Abdullah-An-Nihaya) Dajjal Lures the Women The Dajjal will make a stop at a place called Markanat, near Taif. On hearing about his arrival the womenfolk will rush towards him, the men will be forced to tie their mothers, daughters, and sisters fearing they will believe in him and get caught up in fitna. (Ibne Umar-Musnad Ahmad) Safe Haven of Makkah and Madinah The Dajjal will remain on earth for 40 days, the first of which will be a year long, second a month , the third a week, and the remaining 37 days like our normal days, moving from city to another causing fitna1. Finally he will proceed towards Makkah and Madina2 but he will be unable to enter these holy cities, Masjid Tur and Masjid al-Aqsa3. Every time he tries to enter these holy places, angels guarding these holy cities with swords in their hand will encounter him and chase him away, leaving Dajjal stationed behind Uhud4. Meanwhile, earthquakes will hit Madinah thrice and all the hypocrites will be forced to leave5. Footnote: 1) Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim 2) Fatimah-b-Qais / Muslim 3) Junaid-b-umaiya / Al-Fathur-Rabbani 4)Abu-Huraira / Bukhari 5)Amr-b-Sufyan / Ad-Darrul-Manthur Death Losing hope of entering these holy places, Dajjal will turn towards Syria. Imaam Mahdi will already have arranged a Muslim army and will be on the verge of leading the Muslims in morning prayer when Prophet Jesus will descend and Kill the Dajjal. (Usamah / Ibne Majah) Protection from Dajjal Reciting of Surah - Kahf The recitation of Surah Kahf is a safe guard from the Dajjal's turmoil. The Prophet (s) said, "Whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Kahf will be safe from the Dajjal's Fitna." (Abu-Darda / Muslim) The Prophet said, 'Whoever meets the Dajjal amongst you then he should recite the opening verse of Surah Kahf onto him." (Nawwas-b-Samaan / Muslim) Seeking refuge in Allah Whoever seeks Allah's refuge and protection from Dajjal's fitna especially in Salah, Inshallah will be protected. The Prophet would pray in Salah, "Oh Allah protect me from the punishment of the grave and protect me from Dajjal's fitna." (Aisha / Bukhari / Muslim) Staying miles apart When the Dajjal appears one should stay as far away from him as possible. The Prophet said, "Those who hear about the Dajjal should stay far from him. By Allah! A person will approach him thinking him to be a believer, but on seeing his amazing feats he will become his follower." (Imran-b-Hussain / Abu Daud) Safe Haven of Makkah and Madinah One should try to migrate to Makkah or Madinah, as he will not be able to enter these two holy cities. Thus one will be protected from his fitna. (Fatimah-b-Qais / Muslim) Knowledge of Allah's Attributes One should seek Islamic knowledge especially knowledge of Allah's attributes. By possessing knowledge of Allah's attributes one will not be misled by the Dajjal. This knowledge teaches that Allah is perfect, can't be seen, and not in need of anything while the Dajjal is imperfect, can be seen by both believers and non-believers and in need of food and water.

Blessings at the time of Imam Mahdi Once again the Quran and Sunnah will govern the people, this time by the rightly guided Khalifh, Imam Mahdi. Islam will gain an upper hand and will be firmly established in the land. The oppression, tyranny, and darkness that prevailed all over the globe will be replaced with justice, peace and equity. The smile, which was long forgotten, will be restored on the Muslim faces and the inhabitants of the Heaven and Earth will be pleased with him. Everybody will be happy to the extent that even birds an wild animals will rejoice in his rule. Heaven will end rain profusely, livestock will be in abundance, land will become fertile, the earth will become green and sprout with abundant fruit ad vegetation. (The above content has been taken from various hadith, which can be found in Abu-Daud and from the hadith narrated by Abu-Saeed al-Khudri in Musnad Ahmad.) Due to the booty gained from the various conquest everyone will have so much wealth that an eyebrow will not even be raised at somebody else's wealth. Callers will proclaim in the street, ''Is anybody in need of anything?'' Nobody will respond except one person. In the latter part of Abu-Saeed al-Khudri's hadith it is mentioned ''A caller will call 'Who is in need of wealth?' Only one person will stand (and response to the call and say I am in need of wealth) he will be told to go to the treasurer and tell him that the Mahdi orders you to give some wealth. 'Gather and take it', he will be told. (He will begin to put it in his lap, when he realized that nobody else has come and he was the only one) he will regret it and say 'I was the greediest from among the Ummah of Muhammed . The narrator says, he will return it but it will not be accepted and it will be said to him that we do not accept what we have given. (Ahmad) Abu-Saeed al-Khudri has also reported that the Prophet said regarding Mahdi; that a man will come to him and say, 'Give me, give me'. Then he will spread his cloth and put in it as much as he can carry. His Reign as a Khalifh There are different narration's regarding his reign as a Khalifh. Some traditions indicate that is reign will be seven years like the hadith of Umme Salama in Abu-Daud, ''He will remain seven years, then die, and Muslims will pray over him. '' (Abu-Daud) Other traditions indicate that his reign will last seven, eight or nine years like the Hadith of Abu Saeed in Mustadrak. Due to different traditions the period of Imaam Mahdi's reign is disputed. Many Scholars have taken seven years to be the period of his reign due to the fact that the Ahadith which indicate seven years are the most authentic. Other Scholars like Shah Rafiud-din, after careful analysis have concluded that the first seven years if his reign will pass without worry, he will spend the eight preparing to fight the Dajjal and spend the ninth with Prophet Isa (Jesus) He will thereafter die, Prophet Jesus will read his funeral prayer and bury him.

The First Battle His first battle will be against the tribe of Kalb. A short period after the eminent saints of Syria and Iraq have sworn allegiance; a man from the Quraish will rise whose maternal uncle's belong to the Kalb tribe and he will send an army to fight Imaam Mahdi. However this army will be overcome and defeated. This will be his first victory. The Great War (The author of al-Isha'ah has mentioned that this battle will take place in Imam Mahdi's time). Imam Mahdi will have to fight many battles, the most important and difficult being the battle against the Christians in which a large number of Muslims will be martyred. ' Yusayr bin Jabir said, "A red sandstorm erupted in the city of Kufah. Afterwards, a man came shouting and repeating the same words, 'O Abdullah bin Mas'ud! The hour has come.' He (Yusayr) then said that he sat up after he was leaning (on his side) and said, ''The hour will not arrive until no inheritance will be divided and no war possessions will bring about satisfaction. ''He pointed with his hands towards Ash-Sham saying, ''An enemy will gather its forces against the followers of Islam.''I said, ''Do you mean Ar-Rum? He said ''Yes.''Then, during this war, fierce fighting will occur. Muslim will ask for a volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night separates them. Both sides will return to their camps not yet victorious and the expedition will perish. Muslims will then (in the third day) ask for volunteer expedition that will vie to die or return victorious. They will fight until the night separates them. Both sides will return to their camp not yet victorious and the expedition will perish. In the fourth day, the rest of the Muslim forces will turn against them (the disbelieves) and Allah will defeat them (the disbelieves). They will suffer casualties never heard of before or he said, ''Never seen before, even birds flying near them will not pass without falling down dead. Afterwards, sons of the same fathers (from the Muslim side), who were near a hundred, will count the survivors and will find out only one of them survived. Therefore, what war possession will bring satisfaction and what inheritance will be divided? While they are doing this they will hear of an even bigger calamity; That is, a man will scream amongst them that the Dajjal has appeared among their families which they left behind. They will discard what they have in their hands and proceed. They will send ten horsemen as an expedition force. The Messenger of Allah said, ''I know their names and their fathers name and the colours of their horses. They will be the best horsemen on the face of Earth, ''or (he said) ''(They) Will be amongst the best horsemen on the face of Earth.'' (Muslim) The cause of this great battle will be the Christians. The Christians and Muslims as allies will conquer a third enemy. However, the Christians will act treacherously as they will claim the victory on the strength of their religion, thus the Muslims will be driven to arms and will fight them. Dhu Makhbar said, ''I heard the Apostle of Allah () say, ''You will make a secure peace with the Byzantines, then you will fight an enemy behind you, and you will be victorious, take the boot, and be safe you will the return and alight in a meadow with mounds and one of the Christians will raise the cross and say, 'The cross has conquered'. One of the Muslims will become angry and smash it, and the Byzantines will act treacherously and prepare for battle.'' Conquest of Constantinople The great war between the Christians and Muslims will result in the Muslims conquering Constantinople (which is modern day Istanbul) without army by the sheer force of Takbeer (Allahu Akbar). Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet said, ''Have you heard of a town of which a part is in the sea?'' ''Yes'' said they. He said: 'The last hour shall not occur till 70,000 of the children of Isaac shall attack it. When they come to it, they (Muslims) will not fight with arms, nor throw arrows. They will only say: There is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, and then on of its sides will fall down. They will recite for the second time : there is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, and then another of its side will fall down. After that they will say it for the third time: there is no god but Allah and Allah is the greatest, and then it will be opened for them and they will enter and acquire booty. While they will be dividing the booty, a proclaimer will come to them and proclaim: 'Verily Dajjal has come out. 'Then they will leave everything and return. ' (Muslim) It should be noted that the conquests will take place a very short period. Abdullah-b-Busr has reported that the Messenger of Allah has said: 'Between the Great War and the conquest of the city (Constantinople) there will be six years, and the Dajjal shall appear in the seventh year,' (abided)

The Signs of Imaam Mahdi 1) He will be from the progeny of the Prophet and descendent of Fatimah (R.A). Umme Salama (R.A) reported: I heard the Prophet of Allah () saying, "The Mahdi will appear from my progeny, from the descendants of Fatimah." (Abu Daud) 2) His name will be Muhammad or Ahmad and his father's name will be Abdullah. Ibne Masood (R.A) reported that the Prophet said, "If there remains in the world but a day, the mighty Allah will greatly prolong that day till he will send there in a man from me or from the members of my house. His name will be similar to my name and his father's name to my father's name." (Abu Daud) 3) He will resemble the Prophet in character. Hadrat Ali (R.A) once looked at his son and remarked, "This son of mine is Saiyid who was named by the Prophet and soon from his loins will come forth a man by the name of your Prophet and who will resemble him in conduct but not in appearance." (Abu Daud) 4) He will have a shiny forehead and a high bridge nose. Abu Saeed reported that the Prophet said, "The Mahdi will appear from me, shining of forehead, long of nose." (Abu Daud). 5) Once Hadrat Ali (R.A) was asked regarding his description. He replied, "He is a well built youth of average height and a handsome face, his hair reaches his shoulders and the light of his face is contrasted by the darkness of his hair and beard." (Al-Isha'ah) 6) He will be slow of speech (a slight stutter) and when he is delayed, he will strike his left thigh with his right hand." (Al-Isha'ah) 7) He will appear from the east. Thawban (R.A) reported that the Prophet said, "Three men will be killed at the place where your treasure is. Each of them will be the son of a Khalifah but none of them will get hold of the treasure. Then the black banners will come out of the east, and they will slaughter you in a way that has never been seen before. If you see him give him your allegiance, even if you have to crawl over ice, because he is the Khalifah of Allah, the Mahdi." (Ibne Majah) Only some of the signs that will precede Imaam Mahdi and of the Mahdi himself have been gathered in this book. The true Mahdi, the one referred to in the Ahadith of Prophet as one of the signs of Qiyamah, is the one in whom the pre-mentioned signs are found. His Emergence and the People's Bayat After the death of a Khalifh there shall be intense dispute and difference of opinion in whom should become the next Khalifh. Fearing he may get caught up in the dispute and made the Khalifh, Imaam Mahdi will flee from Madinah to Makkah. However, to his surprise on reaching Makkah, some Makkans will bring him out of his house against his will and take him to Masjid Haraam and 313 as has been mentioned in the hadith reported by Imam Hakim in Al-Mustadrak will force him to accept their Bayat between the Rukn (corner of the Ka'aba containing the black stone) and the place of Ibrahim. The news of his allegiance will quickly spread and thus an army from Syria will be sent to fight him. However no harm will come to Imaam Mahdi nor his followers who will be supported by Allah. The earth will swallow up this army before it can get near to the Imaam in a place called Baidah (a flat piece of land between Makkah and Madinah). After seeing and hearing about this extraordinary event and sign, the Awliya (pious saints) of Syria and Iraq will come to Imaam Mahdi and swear allegiance to him between the black stone and the Maqam (the place of Ibrahim which is near the Ka'aba). (The above content can be found in the Hadith of Umme Salama/Abu Daud)

Signs That Will Precede Him 1) A General Sign There are many signs that will precede him; a general and very important sign is that he will come at a time when there is great confusion, intense disputes and violent death. When people are afflicted by disturbances and fear. Calamities will fall upon the people, so much so that a man shall not find shelter to shelter him from oppression. There will be many battles and fitnaas before his appearance. Every time a fitnaa has come to an end, another will start, spread and intensify. The people will be troubled to such extent that they will long for death. It is then that Imaam Mahdi will be sent. Abu Saeed al-Khudri has reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ''He will be sent at a time of intense disputes and differences among people and earthquakes.'' (Ahmad) 2) Note. The Double Eclipse In Ramadan statement quoted from Darequtni is NOT verified, indeed it's authenticity is questionable. It is NOT to be considered as authentic Hadith. 3) The Battle in Mina Before Imaam Mahdi emerges an inter-tribal fight will take place. In the same year Haji's will be looted and a battle will erupt in Mina in which many people will be killed. Amr-bin-Shuaib reported from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah said, ''In Dhul-Qada (Islamic month) the tribes will fight, Hajis will be looted and there will be a battle in Mina in which many people will be slain and blood will flow until it runs over the Jamara-tul-aqba. Their companions (referring to Imaam Mahdi) will flee to a point between the Corner and the Maqaam and will be forced to accept people's allegiance.'' (Al-Fitan Nuaim-b-Hammad) 4) The Euphrates Will Disclose Mountain of Gold The final hour will not come until the river Euphrates (which flows through Syria and Iraq and finally opens in the Gulf) will disclose a mountain of gold over which people will fight and die. It should be noted that this is a sign, which will precede Imaam Mahdi only according to some Ulama. Abu Huraira (R.A.) reported that the Messenger of Allah said, ''The hour shall not occur until the Euphrates will disclose a mountain of gold over which people will fight . Ninety- nine out of which hundred shall be killed and every one of them will say' Perchance I shall be the one to succeed. ''(Muslim) In another narration we have been told that whoever is present at the time when the Euphrates discloses a mountain of gold should not take the gold. 5) Emergence of the Suffyani The Suffyani (a descendant of Abu Sufyan) will emerge before Imam Mahdi from the depths of Damascus. According to some weak narration his name will be Urwa bin Muhammed and his Kuniya 'Abu-Utba'. The Ahadith regarding the Suffyani specify that he is a tyrant who will spread corruption and mischief on the earth before Imam Mahdi. He will be such a tyrant that he will kill the children and rip open the bellies of women. When he hears about the Mahdi, he will send an army to seize and kill him. However the Earth will swallow this army before it even reaches Imam Mahdi. Abu Huraira (R.A.) has narrated that the Prophet said, ''A man will emerge from the depth of Damascus. He will be called Suffyani. Most of those who follow him will be from the tribe of Kalb. He will kill by ripping the stomachs of women and even kill the children. A man from my family will appear in Haram, the news of his advent will reach the Suffyani and he will send forth one of his armies. He (referring to Imam Mahdi) will defeat them. They will then travel with whoever remains until they come to a desert and they will be swallowed . None will be saved except the one who had informed the others about them. '' (Mustadarak) 6) The Emergence of Haris-Al-Harrath and Mansur Hazrat Ali reported that the Prophet said, ''There will be a man from Transoxania who will be called Harith-Harrath and a man called Mansur will be at his vanguard. He will give abode to the family of Mohammad (referring to Imam Mahdi) just as the Quraish gave abode to the Prophet (Mishkat) 7) An army will perish in Baidah Once he has appeared an army that has come to fight him will perish in Baidah (a flat piece of land next to Madinah facing the direction of Makkah). Umme-Salama (R.A.) reported that the Prophet ''There shall be differences and intense dispute at the time of the death of a Khalifh. Then a man from the inhabitants of Madinah (referring to Imam Mahdi) will come out of the flee to Makkah (so that he does not get caught in the dispute and is not made the Khalifh). Some Makkans will come to him and take him out though he will be unwilling. They will then make him accept their Bayat between the Black Stone and the place of Ibrahim . An army will then be sent to fight him from Syria , however it will perish in Baidah, between Makkah and Madinah. When the people see and hear about this event ,the awliya (God fearing people) of Syria and Iraq will make Bayat with him.'' (Abu Daud) 8) A star with a luminous tail will rise from the east before his emergence. (Al-Iza'ah). 9) A voice in Ramadhan will awaken sleeps and alarm those that are awake (Ibid) 10) The emergence of al-A'hraj al-Kindi, Abqa and Ashab before Imam Mahdi (Ibid) 11) The earth will swallow a village near Damascus (Ibid) 12) An army with black banners will come from the East (Ibid) There are many other signs which will precede Imam Mahdi. For more information read the relevant Books

THE MAHDI The Coming of Imaam Mahdi is one of the signs of Qiyamah as is the belief of the Ahlus-Sunnah and he has yet to appear. Abdullah-bin-Masood has reported that the Prophet said, "The world will not pass away before the Arabs are ruled by a man (referring to Mahdi) of my family whose name will be the same as mine." (Abu Daud) However, many people in the past falsely claimed to be Imaam Mahdi. One of these false claimants was Mohd-bin-Tomart, a tyrant who spread corruption and even buried some of his companions because they didn't believe that he was the Mahdi described by the Ahadith of Prophet . Some believe it was Mohd-bin-al Askari who disappeared at the age of 5 and went into hiding and has been hiding for 10 centuries. Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (The Cursed) was also one of those who claimed to be the Mahdi as well as many other people. Besides those mentioned there were many others who claimed the office of Mahdi, the most recent being somebody from Manchester who claimed the position for himself. It should be noted that none of the above or anybody else who claimed to be the Mahdi in the past fulfilled the conditions laid down by the Prophet . A list of some of the signs which will precede Imaam Mahdi and some that describe him have been gathered in this book so that we Muslims are not misled to believe in somebody claiming to be the Mahdi who in reality is a blatant liar.

Major Signs before the Day of Judgement by Shaykh Ahmad Ali inter-islam All praises is due to Allah. We praise Him, ask him, and seek his forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from evils of ourselves and mischiefs of our deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, cannot be misguided. Peace and blessings be upon the Final Messenger Muhammed, on his family and his noble companions , Ameen Introduction Belief in Doomsday is one of the fundamentals and pillars of faith. It is the day when everyone is to get recompense and punishment for one's work and has to go to heaven or hell according to one's deeds. This is the reason each and every Prophet warned his people of the Day of Judgement. As for the knowledge of the time of Qiyamah (End of the World) , it has not been given to any angel or Prophet. Nobody besides Allah knows when the final hour is. The Quran states, O Prophet the infidels ask you about the time of Qiyamah. So tell them that it's knowledge is with Allah only. (Surah Luqman) However certain events are going to take place prior to the coming of the final hour. These events are known as the Signs of Qiyamah. All the Prophets informed their people of the signs of the final hour. Our Prophet Muhammed being the last and the seal of Prophets, knowing that Doomsday is to come upon this very ummah, explained clearly and in considerable detail the signs of the final hour to the extent that sometimes he would lecture his companions all day on this subject. Abu Zaid (R.A.) says, 'The Holy Prophet sat down on the pulpit after Fajar Prayer and began a deliver a long sermon until the time for Zohr prayer came. After saying the Zohr prayer he again sat on the pulpit and began the sermon, which continued till Asr prayer. After the Asr prayer he resumed the sermon so much so that the sun set. he related whatever happened in the past and also related in detail whatever is to happen in the future. Those amongst us who had good memories retained many things.' (Muslim) The signs of the final hour can be divided into two groups. 1) Minor signs Minor signs are events of normal nature prophesised by our Prophet Muhammed to take place before Qiyamah like the consumption of alcohol, lifting of knowledge and prevalence of ignorance and immorality and signs of this nature. The majority of the minor signs have appeared while some are occurring and some will appear with major signs. 2) Major signs Major signs ae events of extraordinary nature prophesied by our Prophet to take place before Qiyamah like all the events mentioned in the following hadith narrated by Hudhaifa ibn Usayd that the Prophet said, 'The last hour will not arrive till you have seen ten signs. He then mentioned the Smoke, Dajjal, Beast, Rising of the Sun from the place of it's setting, the Descent of Isa, Ya'juj Ma'juj, Three Landslides, one in the East , one in the West and one in the Arabian Peninsula after that a Fire would spread from Yemen and drive the people to their place of gathering.' (Muslim) This book written by the Ulama of the Institute is a concise summary of only the major events leading up to the Day of Judgement. Each of the following signs: Mahdi, Dajjal, Descension of Isa, Ya'juj Ma'juj, Landslides, Smoke, Rising of the Sun from the east, Beast and the Fire are explained in detail. The supporting evidences are written at the end of every section and have been taken from various authentic Hadith collections. All Praises belong to Allah, Lord of all the world.

Dajjal - The Dark Messiah By A Student of Darul Uloom, Bury, U.K. ‘…But I will tell you something which no Prophet has told his people. Verily he (Dajjal) is one-eyed and Allah is not one-eyed.’ (Bukhari) The change in the weather had been sudden and dramatic, tossing the small fishing vessel around like a piece of flotsam; until it was no more than that. Its crew, a group of Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum (the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad , peace & blessings be upon him), were washed up onto the shore of a foreign beach. When they regained consciousness, they found that they all had survived the wreck. They decided to explore the island to see whether they could find someone to help them, maybe supply them with a boat. It wasn’t long before they met a woman washing her hair in a rock pool. She directed them to a cave, managing to convey to them that there was someone there who wanted to speak with them. Intrigued, they entered the cave. Within, they found a short man with only one eye, chained to the cavern wall. Right away, he began to ask them questions, whether certain events had taken place or not. They answered truthfully because of their nature. They could feel the evil of this man like a physical presence. When they had confirmed all that he had asked, the man said, ‘Alas, my time is near.’ The companions managed to get off the island and returned home safely. Upon arriving, they told their story to the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him). It was then that they first heard of Dajjal, the Dark Messiah. There are three aspects of Dajjal: 1. The individual 2. A world wide social and cultural phenomenon 3. An unseen force. The latter two aspects of Dajjal have been explained and outlined brilliantly by Ahmed Thomas in his book ‘Dajjal - The King Without Clothes.’ Through intense research, he has managed to write a brilliant account of scary facts that bring home the full weight of reality. He explains the social and cultural phenomenon as a system that is being prepared by the minions and followers of Dajjal, through which he will operate and spread his evil. The Unseen Force is defined as the supernatural beings, such as Djinns and UFO’s, who abduct and posses humans to further his cause. Contemporary books such as ‘Omen’ and ‘Body Snatchers’, paint a frightening image of possibilities. In this article, I intend to unveil the first aspect; the individual. The Book of Revelations by John (New Testament) contains prophecies regarding the Anti-Christ. However, over the times, many alterations have occurred in the original text and the commentaries have deviated from the actual meanings. That and the lack of consistency have left it in doubt of reliability and accuracy. Hence, there only remains the Hadith of the Noble Prophet Mohammed (peace & blessings be upon him) as the only accurate source of information. In a Hadith narrated by Imran ibn Hussain radiyallahu anhum, the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) said, ‘Since the birth of Adam till the advent of Qiyaamah (Judgement Day) there is no fitnah (tribulation) much greater than that of Dajjal.’ (Muslim) In anyone’s book, Dajjal is the embodiment of evil. A wise man once said, ‘Know your enemies and keep them close to you. By knowing them, you know your weakness, thus neutralising their potency.’ There are many Hadith which describe Dajjal’s appearance, his height and his powers. Ubadah ibn Saamit radiyallahu anhu narrates that the Last Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) said, ‘I have explained Dajjal to you, but I fear that you might not have understood. Maseeh-ud-Dajjal will be short and his legs will be crooked. The hair on his head will be extremely twisted. He will have one eye, while his other eye will be flat. It will be neither deep, nor protruding.’ Ibn Umar radiyallahu anhuma narrates from the Last Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) regarding Dajjal, ‘…red complexioned, fat, curly haired man, blind in the right eye which looks like a bulging grape.’ (Bukhari) According to the many Ahaadith describing Dajjal, the most distinguishing feature of his face besides the bulging eye will be the Arabic letters Kaaf (k), Faa (f), Raa ®, on his forehead. These letters spell Kufr (disbelief). All believers, regardless of their literacy will decipher these letters. It has also been ascertained from the Hadith that he will emerge from between Syria and Iraq, and his emergence will become known when he is in Isfahaan, at a place called Judea. He will be of Jewish origin and the Jews of Isfahaan will be his main followers and they will refer to him as the Messiah. As he goes on through the world, Jews and a great number of non-Jewish women will flock to him upon witnessing his false miracles. Imran ibn Hussain radiyallahu anhu narrated from the Prophet Mohammed (peace & blessings be upon him), ‘Those who hear about Dajjal should stay away from him. By Allah! A person will approach him thinking himself to be a believer. But on seeing his amazing feat he will become his follower.’ (Abu Dawood) ‘The Beast was taken and with him the false prophet who wrought miracles before him with which he deceived them.’ (Revelation:19) The miracles and feats spoken of by the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) and John, the writer of the Book of Revelations, are further clarified by the Hadith narrated by Hadhrat Huzaifah radiyallahu anhu: ‘Dajjal will be blind in the right eye. He will have thick hair on his body and he will also have Paradise and Hell with him. Though his Paradise will appear as Jannah, in reality it will be Hell, and likewise, though his Hell will appear like Jahannnam, in reality it will be Paradise.’ (Muslim) Those who obey the Dark Messiah will enter his Paradise (and thus enter Hell), and those who denounce him will enter his Hell (and so shall in reality be entering Paradise). He will travel by means of a gigantic mule, at impossible speeds. He will cause droughts and famine upon those who reject him. But the remembrance of the true Lord will satiate them. Ubadah ibn Saamit radiyallahu anhu narrates from the Noble Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him), ‘If you still have any doubts regarding him (Dajjal), then remember, your Sustainer is not one-eyed.’ Ibn Umar radiyallahu anhuma narrates from the Noble Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him), ‘Allah is not one-eyed, while Maseeh-ud-Dajjal is blind in the right eye.’ (Bukhari) He will remain on the Earth for a period of forty days, of which the first day will be as long as a year, the second day as long as a month, the third as a week and the rest will be normal in length. He will try to gain entry to the two holy cities Makkah and Madinah, but the angels who guard them will bar him from them. From there, he will flee to Syria, where he will meet resistance from the forces of Imam Mahdi, the leader of the Muslims. Then shall the battle between Good and Evil begin in earnest. Imran ibn Hussain radiyallahu anhu narrates from the Noble Prophet Mohammed (peace & blessings be upon him), ‘There will always be a group of people upon the path of Allah, overpowering their enemies until the Order Of Allah comes and Isa alaihis salaam (Jesus - peace be upon him) descends.’ Finally, when the spirit of the Muslims begins to ebb, Isa (Jesus - peace be upon him) will be commanded by Allah to descend from the heavens. He will not descend as a prophet, but as a follower of the Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) and Islam. ‘Anti Christ in Christian Theology, the opponent of Christ. The appearance of the Anti Christ is believed to signal the Second Coming, at which Christ would conquer his opponent. The concept may stem from the idea of conflict between light and darkness, which is present in Persian, Babylon and Jewish literature and which influences early Christian Theology.’ (Hutchinsons Encyclopaedia) As before, through the medium of the Hadith, the event of Isa (Jesus - peace be upon him)’s return and all that follows has been accurately recorded. He will descend on Mount Afeeq, on the white Eastern Minaret of Damascus. He will descend from the heavens with his hands resting on the shoulders of two angels. His cheeks will be flat and his hair straight. When he lowers his head it will seem as if water is flowing from his hair, when he raises his head, it will appear as though his hair is beaded with silvery pearls. He will descend during the time of Fajr and the leader of the Muslims will address him thus, ‘O`Roohullah, lead the salat.’ Isa (Jesus - peeace be upon him) will decline with the words, ‘The virtue of this Ummah is that they lead each other.’ After the prayer, Isa (Jesus - peeace be upon him) will prepare himself to do battle and shall take up a spear. An army shall return from a campaign launched before the arrival of Isa (Jesus - peeace be upon him). They shall bring glad tidings of victory over India, granted to them by the Lord Almighty. Isa (Jesus - peeace be upon him) shall set out in pursuit of Dajjal. All those who embraced the evil of Dajjal shall perish even as the breath of Isa (Jesus - peeace be upon him) touches them. The breath of Isa (Jesus - peeace be upon him) shall proceed him as far as the eye can see. Dajjal will be captured at Lydda. The Dark Messiah shall begin to melt, as lead melts in fire. The spear of Isa (Jesus - peace be upon him) shall plunge into Dajjal’s chest, ending his dreaded reign. The followers of Dajjal will be rooted out, for even the trees and rocks will speak out against them. Then all battles shall cease and the world will know an age of peace. Then truly the sheep will lie in the shadow of the wolf without fear. The rule of Jesus will be just and all shall flock to him to enter the folds of the one true religion, Islam. inter-islam

Preparation for Ramadhaan and the Evil of Pride (Highlights of Mufti Ebrahim Salejee’s majlis - Saturday 12th April) 1. With the approaching of the month of Ramdhaan, every person’s desire is that whatever he does must be accepted. Thus, for acceptance you require to ensure that the asbaab (means) of acceptance are also in place. The hadeeth speaks of a person’s fast being rejected when he breaks his fast with haraam, whether it is haraam food or food purchased with haraam wealth. The pain that you undertake does not deserve rejection, but one has brought into it something that has ruined it. Similarly, engaging in gheebat and vain talk causes the fast to be rejected. For many of us it is better to sleep and save ourselves from these ruining deeds. Some Mashaayikh say that if one has the urge to make gheebat then make gheebat of one’s parents and pass over your thawaab to them as they deserve it the most. The appropriate thing is that one should get into a routine before the month of Ramadhaan comes. One should get things in order, pay off all outstanding debts even if you are put into constraints. Likewise, covering up qadhaa namaaz, fasts etc. 2. One serious problem in our lives is the aspect of pride. We are speaking of gheebat, but why is it so serious, that it is considered worse than zina which we consider so filthy. The zina which we do not consider as zina is the porn that we watch or the novels that we read or the billboards that we look at. This is absolute zina, yet we do not consider it as zina. This is the nature of sin, gradually we become accustomed to it and the disgust for it is lost and it eventually becomes acceptable. The right way is to nip it in the bud. One should not go to such places where there is a chance to fall into sin. Yes, if there is a need to go to such places then just go to the extent of the need and return. Nowadays going to malls has become like a culture. We all know what happens there. In reality we acquire everything in the musjid and then we are dumping it there. The second wrong in gheebat is that the person is not there to defend himself. So this is a sign that one is a coward and speaking ill of the next person behind is back. Another point is that you make gheebat of someone who you feel inferior to yourself. You won’t hear someone making gheebat of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) or Sayyid Abdul Qaadir Jeelaani (rahmatullahi ‘alaih). So in gheebat you are despising someone. This pride was what had got shaitaan banished and rejected. He had pride and arrogance. 3. Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) had a debate with the king Namrood. Allah Ta‘ala says that this debate was because of his kingship. So he had ‘might’ therefore he felt that he was ‘right’. And this is how people think that if you have ‘might’ then you are ‘right’. So ‘might’ becomes ‘right’, since the one who has ‘might’ controls the education system. So they make you think as they want you to think. You begin to think that my child needs to gain education and a degree so that he can earn wealth and live a comfortable life, and these poor ‘Aalims and Moulanas have nothing. So my child should not acquire deeni knowledge. If this is going to be the manner in which we look at things then just think who will guide us to deen, who will perform our nikaahs etc. If they are not going to be around, then we should look at the situation in countries like America etc.; the daughter can marry a Hindu, the son can marry a Christian and there is nobody to guide. A university degree and more education does not necessarily make you more intelligent. You may have a better command over the language etc. but you cannot think correctly. If you look at the end result of these degrees, in a nutshell it is that you become a money making machine. 4. The incident of Shaikh Abu ‘Abdillah Anduloosi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) is quite famous. The reason for his temporary downfall was that the thought of greatness and pride had overcome him. Hence, one can never feel satisfied and think that this imaan and the rest of the bounties are one’s personal achievement. We do not know where we are going, whether to Jannat or Jahannum, yet we feel so comfortable and complacent. Right until the end one needs to feel that I do not know where I stand. The best is that we have a balance in our hope of Allah’s forgiveness and fear of Allah’s punishment. There has to be that continuous struggle within ourselves. Therefore, at the time of breaking our fast, we beg Allah Ta‘ala’s forgiveness, and this is taught to us in the masnoon du‘aa at the time of iftaar, for we do not know what may cause our fast to be rejected.

Q: Whilst fasting, if the nose begins to bleed, will the fast break? A: The fast will not break by mere nose bleeding. If the blood flowed down the nasal passage and entered the throat then it will be seen whether the blood was more than the saliva or less than it. If the blood was more than the saliva or equal to it then the fast will break. If the blood was less than the saliva then the fast will not break. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.436, Fataawa Raheemiyyah vol.7 pg.258, Bahishti Zewar vol.3 pg.13) ولو أكل دما في ظاهر الرواية عليه القضاء دون الكفارة لأنه مما يستقذره الطبع كذا في الظهيرية (الفتاوى الهندية ج1 ص203) وما وصل إلى الجوف أو إلى الدماغ من المخارق الأصلية كالأنف والأذن والدبر بأن استعط أو احتقن أو أقطر في أذنه فوصل إلى الجوف أو إلى الدماغ فسد صومه (بدائع الصنائع ج 2 ص 93) Answered by:Mufti Zakaria Makada Checked & Approved:Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

Gender Bias in Fiqh Rulings? Not Really By Areeba Baig al-balagh Is it possible that Muslim scholars and jurists throughout the centuries past have been gravely mistaken as far as the laws regarding women are concerned? While not many will make such a blatant statement, yet we frequently find people who are willing to discount Shariah rulings pertaining to women with the argument that these laws were established by male scholars and thus are flawed due to the inability of men to comprehend a woman's situation. Numerous rulings relating to women that have been, for centuries, accepted as God-revealed commands are being denied and reinterpreted by people, often with nothing to guide them but whimsical appeals to common sense. Issues like a woman’s role in family and society, and hijab have long been under scrutiny. But now, even seemingly innocent matters like that of women being considered ritually impure and thus excused from prayer during their monthly cycles is often questioned by people who claim it either a male ploy to limit women’s spiritual advancement or a mistaken ruling stemming from cultural bias and a lack of understanding. Regardless of the topic under dispute, the argument usually goes like this: Men have a minimal understanding of what it is like to be a woman so why should they be deemed authority to establish rulings on issues pertaining exclusively to her? How are they to decide when a woman can pray or not? How can they declare when a woman cannot enter the Masjid or where she should sit inside it? How can they decide what parts of a body a woman should cover? We can see the problem with this simplistic and dismissive approach to Islamic law by asking a simple question: If this logic is valid, then why stop here? The same arguments, after all, can be raised with regards to any issue. Who are men to decide all the other things that make a person ritually impure? Who are they to decide what we read in prayer and how we pray? Indeed, who are they to say that the Qur’an is the unchanged word of Allah? This might seem like exaggerating the issue, but both attacks are aimed at the same people. Everything we know about Islam, not just women issues, but issues universal to men and women--- and yes, in a way, even the text of the Qur’an itself -- have come to us through the same chains, the same sources, the same jurists and scholars. If the scholars proved to be biased and unreliable in some issues, who is to say the rest of the issues are safe? The confusion about women issues stems from an ignorance regarding fiqh and how it evolved. The vast majority of Islamic rulings are not declared explicitly in the Qur'an. The Qur’an wasn't revealed as line-by-line rule book on the do’s and don’ts of everyday life. The thousands of rulings that we need to guide our day to day life were derived from the Qur’an and Sunnah by the scholars. This does not mean that they are not divine rulings. Fiqh is not separate from the Qur’an or Hadith, it comes directly from the two. This confusion about women issues stems from an ignorance regarding fiqh and how it evolved. It reveals a lack of understanding of the role of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam in the scheme of the Shariah and consequent belittling of Hadith. It reflects an underestimation of the evolution and preservation of traditional Islamic knowledge and the integrity of the scholars. In other words the bold tendency to question Islamic injunctions betrays a serious illiteracy about the development of those injunctions. This is not to say that scholars are free from error; they were indeed only human. But the Islamic scholarly tradition is rich. It did not allow for just anyone to come up with anything out of whim and establish that as God-given law and undeniable truth. Everything declared to be part of religious law had to have evidence supporting it. For even minor issues, like whether to put the knees down first when going for sajdah in prayer or the hands, scholars would bring up numerous proofs from the Qur’an and Hadith. Only then were their opinions categorized as reliable scholarly opinions. This was all done to ensure that we are as close as possible to the truth. The unique and unprecedented science of Usul ul Fiqh (principles of jurisprudence) emerged for this very reason. It was formed to establish how rulings can be derived from religious sources and what makes a certain opinion stronger than another. Indeed, even a basic understanding of the mechanisms of development of Islamic law would show the ridiculousness of dismissing a unanimously accepted ruling as a "random man's opinion." Another thing at play here is an underestimation of the women in the previous eras. The underlying assumption is that women in the eras before were ignorant and oppressed, and thus bought into whatever men told them God was telling them. Only now women have finally woken up, started thinking for themselves, and are fit to save themselves from the injustice of the past. This is a result of reading histories of women from non-Muslim societies into Islamic history. The truth is, women from the early days of Islam were very learned regarding the teachings of Islam. The wives of the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, after all lived with him and saw his every action. The female companions of the Prophet, Sall-Allahi alayhi wa sallam, also had direct access to him and never hesitated to ask questions when they needed. They never hesitated to right a wrong as we see can in numerous incidents. They, in turn, related what they learned to the next generations, both men and women. The rulings of menstruation, etc., are all based on narrations by these women themselves. If men were being biased and unfair, these women would be the first to speak out. These women, especially the Ansari women, were known for being loud and bold, never hesitant to correct an error. And the men, too, were God-fearing and accepted the truth when shown it. The famous story of Umar (ra) declaring his intention to put a limit to the dowry and an old woman standing up in the masjid to question the validity of this proposal is a clear testament to this. Men may have been the most prominent scholars but that does not mean women had no role in the scholarly tradition. Classical fiqh rulings come from interpretations of both men and women. It was after all, Aisha, radi-Allahu anha, whom the female companions used to consult regarding menstruation and when to pray or not to. It is her and other female companions’ narrations (in particular Hamna bint Jahsh and Fatima bint Abi Hubaish) that form the basis of the fiqh rulings on this subject. Fiqh and Hadith books have pages of discussion on the many intricacies of this topic; indeed, it is often considered one of the most complex chapters of fiqh with regards to the variety of circumstances and rulings. It wasn’t something just invented and brought forward based on the whims of scholars without any basis. The same methods and level of scholarship was used in this subject as in any other subject of fiqh. There is a more fundamental issue at stake here. What was the purpose of Allah preserving the Qur'an if the religion was not meant to be preserved? Allah did not just promise to preserve the words of the Qur'an, He had promised to preserve the teachings, the practices, the entire religion forever. And that was done through the scholars. Religious knowledge and religious law has been protected, preserved, and passed down from generation to generation through the work of these scholars. In our move forward whatever steps are taken should be taken with a positive and respectful attitude towards the scholars of the past. We need to build upon our rich tradition, not break away from it. This protection is necessary for Islam to remain. It is simply not possible to accept Islam as the true unchanged religion and then to believe that scholars have been wrong or biased for so long and only now we have discovered it. The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself had promised, "My ummah will never agree on an error/misguidance, so stay with the majority..." Any stray opinions, opinions opposing the Qur'an and Hadith were quickly battled away before they became law. Scholars willingly suffered years of jail defending the truth instead of giving in to please rulers who wanted to bend religious law in their favor. It was Allah’s protection that protected this religion in this manner. The scholars were guided by the admonition of the Prophet SAW that this knowledge is a trust from Allah, and whoever invents something from himself in the matter of deen will be responsible. They remembered very well the hadith that states that whoever hides knowledge will be responsible. Of course there is room for differences of opinions and no one is infallible. And yes, some rulings are subject to circumstances and can change according to the times. We definitely need more research and reflection on women issues especially in light of modern issues, and we need women scholars in that field. But we must keep in mind that this work requires immense knowledge and deep understanding of the various Islamic sciences. To pass judgments and rulings requires a thorough knowledge in the science of forming judgments and rulings - a science that constitutes the most fundamental structural framework of Islam, a science that transcends subset issues of gender and circumstance. In our move forward whatever steps are taken should be taken with a positive and respectful attitude towards the scholars of the past. We need to build upon our rich tradition, not break away from it. If we start our journey by dismissing everything of the past, we have in essence cut ourselves off from the tradition of scholars, cut ourselves off from the chain which links us to the inheritance of the prophets. Areeba Baig graduated from Jamia Binoria lil Banat, Karachi.

Invaluable 90 Minutes... by Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh on one occasion spoke on the theme of valuing time. As part of the talk, Shaykh very beautifully explained how much loss is incurred through futile activities. He took the example of watching or listening to 90 minutes of football and questioned what benefit 90 minutes bring to a person. The fact is that we don’t gain anything! If we take into account alternative actions of virtue, we will very quickly realise the great loss. Let us look at a few alternatives Shaykh mentioned: • If you engage in reciting the Qur’ān for this length of time, you would on average recite 4 juz. Allāh ta‘ālā grants 10 rewards for every letter recited. Imagine how many letters you would recite in 4 juz and multiply that by 10! By reading 4 juz you could have earned yourself at least 400,520 rewards!!! • Recite ‘Subhānallāh walhamdulillāh’. The Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Subhānallāh walhamdulillāh fills the space between the skies and the earth.” Think for a moment how much reward you would gain from 90 minutes of reciting this. It is possible to gain the reward which will fill the space between the skies and the Earth 4,410 times!!! • Recite ‘Subhānallāhi walhamdulillāhi wa lāilāha illallāhu wallāhu akbar’. From a hādīth we learn that Jannah is a barren land and these glorifying words plant a tree for its reader in Jannah. During 90 minutes, you could prepare yourself a lovely forest of fruit trees. In fact you could have planted 1,260 trees in Jannah!!! • Recite Sūrah-Al-Ikhlās. In the hadīth it is mentioned that Sūrah Al-Ikhlās is equal to 1/3 of the Qur’ān. Hence, by reciting it 3 times you will earn the reward of reciting the full Qur’ān! Along with this, another hadīth explains that when a person recites Sūrah-Al-Ikhlās 10 times, Allāh ta‘ālā builds a palace for him in Jannah. In 90 minutes you could have earned the reward of 270 Qur’āns and built yourself 81 palaces in Jannah!!! • Recite durūd, the shortest version is ‘sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam’. In the hadīth it is stated that for every durūd a person sends upon the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam, Allāh ta‘ālā forgives 10 sins, grants 10 rewards and elevates the person 10 stages. In 90 minutes you could have had 40,500 sins forgiven, 40,500 rewards granted and 40,500 stages elevated in Paradise!!! So you thought it was just 90 minutes of harmless fun? Might be worth looking at the figures again and calculating how much loss you have incurred during every match.

Teaching and propagating should not only take place in front of a microphone or in public view, it should be done at every moment of our lives. Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

The Importance of Halaal and Haraam (Highlights of Mufti Ebrahim Salejee’s majlis - Saturday 8th March) The first hadeeth in the chapter of business in Bukhaari Shareef starts off with ‘al-halaalu bayyinun walharaamu bayyinun’. Halaal is clear and haraam is clear. Water is halaal and there is no doubt in it. Similarly, fish is halaal and you do not need to ask whether it is halaal. On the other hand, pork is haraam and this is clear. You will not ask whether you get halaal pork. However, between the both you get mushtabihaat, that which is unclear and doubtful. So what must you do in such cases? The hadeeth instructs us that we should refrain from doubtful areas. Had Allah Ta‘ala wished He could have made all things abundantly clear without anything being doubtful. However, this world is a place of test and thus in His wisdom Allah has allowed these doubtful areas to come about in order to test a person. The hadeeth says that the one who guards himself against doubtful areas then he has secured and safeguarded his deen and his respect and dignity. For example, you see a girl stranded on the side of the road. From one dimension, you would like to help her as she is stranded and in need, but from another angle sharee‘ah has prohibited men from being in seclusion with strange women. Hence, there is the element of doubt in this. And by leaving this out you will guard your deen and dignity, and you will not allow people to have suspicions about you. There are plenty illustrations of this nature. Aspects of halaal and haram are extremely important. Someone asked Imaam Muhammad (rahmatullahi ‘alaih), the leading student of Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) that why is it that you have written so many kitaabs but no kitaab on tasawwuf. He replied that the purpose of tasawwuf is to cleanse oneself and have that connection with Allah Ta‘ala, and this is based on one’s consumption of halaal and haraam. Hence, I have written a book on business dealings since every person is engaged in some type of business which then gets him involved in halaal and haraam. Thus how important it is to get our business dealings in order. Among the most important things for ensuring halaal is the aspect of contentment. With contentment, you will get barkat which will manifest at times in your very lifetime and sometimes after you leave this world. Therefore, lead a simple and basic life. One’s family members will complain that the whole world moves in good cars, goes on holidays, has this type of clothing for their children etc., and in order to appease them one puts himself into greater problems. Hence, instil the quality of contentment and there will be no problem. A major problem nowadays is that we have taken our lifestyles from others and then we follow them in their culture and ways. What we need to do is to think that what Islam wants of us. Islam is wealthy and is not short of anything. It does not require any outside help. Whatever Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has left is perfect. However, since it is not in vogue and not in the market we feel that the Islamic way is not workable. The mentality that we have is ‘just do it’. This is a Shaitaani mentality. We just rush and do things without thinking about it. However, when it comes to deeni matters, then we are very relaxed and casual about thing, whereas it is supposed to be the opposite. In deeni matters there should be no delay. If a suitable match is found for nikaah then the hadeeth says that we should not delay, if the time for salaah approaches then we should not delay. We want to rush in everything else but not deeni matters. Each person should work within his capacity to bring about the correct Islamic ethos. Others in other parts of the world are doing their jihaad, so we too should do our share of our jihaad. Our jihaad will be to stick to what is the Islamic ethos. There may be something that is permissible but it does not blend with what Islam wants of us. For example, for the salaah to be valid, a male is only required to cover from his navel to his knees. However, will we allow a person dressed just in a loincloth to go forward and lead the salaah. We will not, though his salaah is valid. So this should apply to all other facets of life as well. Then there will be no need to go out on holidays, get the latest cars, etc. When we add the ingredient of contentment to our lives then ‘enough’ is not enough, it will be more than enough.

The Cure for Jealousy Q: I feel very jealous of my near and close friends. When something bad happens to them, I feel satisfied. I always pray to Allah to give them more. How do I get rid of this jealousy? A: The meaning of jealousy is for one to wish bad for others and hope that the favours they enjoy should be taken away from them. Feeling jealous of people and wishing bad for them is a sign that one is displeased with the decision of Allah Ta’ala. This is a spiritual ailment and a major sin. The remedy for such a person is for him to understand that Allah Ta’ala is the one who is in supreme control and He decides that which is best for His servants. Through feeling jealous for people, one will only bring agony to oneself and become sinful in the sight of Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, "Jealousy consumes one's good deeds just as fire consumes wood". And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best. وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا مَا فَضَّلَ اللَّـهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبُوا وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّـهَ مِن فَضْلِهِ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا ﴿النساء: ٣٢﴾ حدثنا عثمان بن صالح البغدادي، حدثنا أبو عامر عبد الملك بن عمرو، حدثنا سليمان بن بلال، عن إبراهيم بن أبي أسيد، عن جده عن أبي هريرة، أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال:إياكم والحسد، فإن الحسد يأكل الحسنات كما تأكل النار الحطب - أو قال: العشب.(سنن أبي داود ، الرقم:4903) حدثنا محمد بن عباد المكي، حدثنا سفيان، قال: قلت لسهيل: إن عمرا حدثنا عن القعقاع، عن أبيك، قال: ورجوت أن يسقط عني رجلا، قال: فقال: سمعته من الذي سمعه منه أبي كان صديقا له بالشام، ثم حدثنا سفيان، عن سهيل، عن عطاء بن يزيد، عن تميم الداري أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: الدين النصيحة قلنا: لمن؟ قال: لله ولكتابه ولرسوله ولأئمة المسلمين وعامتهم.(صحيح مسلم ، الرقم: 95) حدثنا بشر بن محمد، أخبرنا عبد الله، أخبرنا معمر، عن همام بن منبه، عن أبي هريرة، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إياكم والظن، فإن الظن أكذب الحديث، ولا تحسسوا، ولا تجسسوا، ولا تحاسدوا، ولا تدابروا، ولا تباغضوا، وكونوا عباد الله إخوانا.(صحيح البخاري ، الرقم: 6064) قال عبد الله بن أحمد: حدثني محمد بن عبد الله الرزي أبو جعفر، قال: حدثنا روح بن عطاء بن أبي ميمونة، قال: حدثنا سيار ، أنه سمع خالد بن عبد الله القسري وهو يخطب على المنبر وهو يقول: حدثني أبي، عن جدي أنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: أتحب الجنة؟ ، قال: قلت: نعم، قال: فأحب لأخيك ما تحب لنفسك.(مسند أحمد ، الرقم: 16655) حدثنا مسدد، قال: حدثنا يحيى، عن شعبة، عن قتادة، عن أنس رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وعن حسين المعلم، قال: حدثنا قتادة، عن أنس عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يؤمن أحدكم، حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه.(صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 13) Answered by: Mufti Zakaria Makada Checked & Approved: Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

Blessings of Hifz: A Mother's Story Umm Sarah Posted: 5 Sha'ban 1435, 03 June 2014 When my older brother finished memorizing the Qur'an and started leading taraweeh back in the late 90s, it wasn’t all that common for children born in the US to have completed hifz, especially without going overseas. An LA Times reporter interviewed my family for a story on his accomplishment. She asked me, then 11 years old, if I was also planning to memorize the Qur'an like my brother. I told her I wasn't sure yet and then she asked me, "Do you feel that boys are encouraged to memorize the Qur'an more than girls?" "No," I replied. I didn't want the story to take an "Islam's treatment of women" turn, especially by someone who wasn't aware of the whole picture. But my answer was only half true. I had started memorizing the Qur'an with my older brother, but then paused after memorizing only two of the thirty juz. He was more dedicated and continued. But it would be exaggerating to say the issue was only about dedication. Although my parents encouraged all of us children to memorize and study the Qur'an, the general belief then was that memorizing the Qur’an was not a thing girls needed to do. Most of the few hifz schools that existed then only catered to boys. "A girl can't lead taraweeh," I would often hear people saying. "How will she keep the Qur'an memorized afterwards? Especially since she won't be able to read during times of the month. So what's the use of doing hifz anyway?" There was no need to burden a girl with this responsibility of reviewing the Qur’an for the rest of her life. Especially when she couldn’t use it to benefit the community by leading taraweeh prayers or the like. Despite this, I started memorizing again at home. This was an unconventional way to memorize, as children interested in this achievement usually go to a hifz school and follow a rigid routine. I took it one surah at a time, with no clear end goal in mind. I wasn't sure whether I was going to complete memorizing the entire Qur'an or stop before that. I had pauses here and there, but eventually, by the grace of Allah, I finished in 2004. I loved having the relationship with the Qur'an that memorizing the Qur'an gave me, but there were no practical benefits or uses of my hifz in sight then. By the next year both my older and younger brother were leading taraweeh at the masjid and everyone in the community appreciated the fact that they had memorized the Qur'an. As far as me though, most people didn't even know I had memorized the Qur'an and even if they did, it made no difference. But, ironically, I only truly started appreciating what a great, great blessing hifz is after becoming a mother. The first time I found myself really appreciating my hifz was when I went to Pakistan to study Islamic sciences. That is also the first time I learned that it's not an uncommon thing at all for a girl to have memorized the Qur'an. About one third of my classmates were hafizas and I was fortunate to be among them. There were many advantages of having memorized the Qur'an while studying Arabic and Islam. While other students had to struggle to remember ayahs that teachers quoted for daleels, look up the proper wording of ayahs, etc. hafizas had a headstart. The Qur'an, the base of all Islamic knowledge, was in our hearts. Just a simple reference to an ayah was all we would need to understand and remember an issue. Often, teachers would ask us to help quote an ayah they couldn't recall. The subjects of Arabic and tafseer, especially, became easy. Needless to say, having memorized the Qur'an helped me excel in my studies. When I returned and started teaching classes, the benefits of hifz were obvious in everything. I could quote ayahs easily without having to look them up, something that was especially useful in tafseer. But, ironically, I only truly started appreciating what a great, great blessing hifz is after becoming a mother. And I say ironically because most people thought the "burden" of hifz would be most difficult to carry then. Instead, only after motherhood I realized the great value of this treasure. And as the blessings of hifz come to color every day in my and my daughters' lives, my appreciation for hifz grows more and more. Although there is no minimum limit for recitation in taraweeh and it can be easily prayed individually at home, for most people the only opportunity they get to listen to the recitation of the entire Qur'an in prayer is by praying taraweeh at the masjid. And in north America, unlike Pakistan, this includes women who regularly attend taraweeh prayers in nearly every masjid, where spaces are provided for them. But with Ramadan being in the summer now and taraweeh starting after 10 PM and ending near midnight, attending taraweeh at the masjid is not an easy thing for mothers of young children. Last year, I also realized that I would not be able to attend taraweeh at the masjid. But unlike most other mothers I knew, I had a better option. And that was to complete the recitation of the Qur’an in taraweeh by myself. This had always been a dream of mine ever since I completed my hifz, and something that many hafizas, including my classmates in Pakistan,actually do every year. But for me, it remained a goal that I never actively worked towards. Most years, I was too tempted to pray in the masjid with the community than stay at home and pray by myself, even though it would give me the much needed opportunity to review my hifz. But last Ramadan, when my second daughter was just two months old and my first one not yet two, I decided that this would be the year that I would finally attempt to accomplish this dream. I would spend as much time as I could during the day---in between nursing and changing diapers and chasing after a two year old---reviewing the part for the night, and reading it to my husband. At night when everyone else left for taraweeh, the best part of my day would start. The girls would sleep; I would pray. If they were feeling fussy or woke up, I could adjust. I’d take a break between rakahs or perhaps start praying later. Sometimes, they'd just play or watch as I prayed. I didn’t have to worry about missing rakahs, or about my fussy baby bothering others. And at the end of the month I had accomplished my goal. I had recited the entire Qur’an by heart in prayer. It was the most empowering and fulfilling experience in my life, not to mention how it helped me strengthen my relationship with the Qur’an, or how it saved my Ramadan at a time when motherhood chores were too taxing for me to use my time the way I would have liked to in Ramadan. Often, people use motherhood and the responsibility of looking after kids as an excuse for girls NOT to do hifz. How will she be able to review the Qur’an and keep it memorized with all those other responsibilities? But this experience led me to feel that motherhood should be counted among one of the many reasons for a girl to DO hifz. True, it is a bit more challenging to keep reviewing the Qur'an during this busy period of life. But having an excuse to review the Qur'an is a good thing. I would hear fellow moms complaining about their lack of ability to attend taraweeh, about missing out on the recitation of the Qur'an. And I felt incredibly blessed to not have to worry about this at all, to have had my own awesome solution. This isn't the only way hifz has benefited me as a mother. Being a hafiza means the Qur’an is automatically your constant companion, something that is very comforting to me as I navigate the ups and downs of motherhood. Being a hafiza also means I am able to give my daughters a lot more exposure to the Qur'an. As they accompany me when I go to the masjid to teach the Qur'an, or when I'm just reading the Qur'an myself I feel blessed that I am able to put them in such an environment and pass on the Qur'an to them directly without having to depend on others. It's too early to see much result but I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said my nearly three year old daughter is more fluent in juz amma than most of my much older students. A lot of this is because of the blessings of hifz. And I pray to Allah that He increases their love for the Qur'an as they grow older. As far as not being able to read the Qur'an during certain times, something that people often bring up when explaining why they don't encourage their daughters to memorize, that's not really as big an issue as it seems. Sure, it might make hifz a bit more challenging. But the break from Qur'an often provides a chance to recharge interest and return with even more excitement and motivation, something that (to-be) huffaz are often in need of. For any girl who might have been having doubts about whether doing hifz is really worth it, I assure you it absolutely is. I am sharing this to show that memorizing the Quran is a means of great blessings and goodness for everyone, male or female, mother or not. Not everyone needs to use this blessing in the same way. There are different ways huffaz can benefit their community. For me, to read the Qur'an to my daughters is much more fulfilling and beneficial in the long run than leading thousands of people in prayer or being on stage and reading for an audience. It is heartening to see more and more girls memorizing the entire Qur'an. We have come a long way from the time that families would train their sons to be huffaz while leaving their daughters struggling with basic Qur'an reading, let alone memorization. For any parents who might be wondering whether they should encourage their daughters to memorize the Qur’an, I guarantee you that this is the most valuable gift you can give any child. For any girl who might have been having doubts about whether doing hifz is really worth it, I assure you it absolutely is. And the older you grow and the more entangled you get in life's challenges, whatever you may be facing, hifz is the anchor that will keep bringing you back to the Qur'an and ensure that the Qur'an remain your lifelong companion. Al-Balagh

Imam Bukhari - His Life & Works By Shaykh Ahmad Ali ImamBukhari-HisLifeWorksshaykhAhmadAli.pdf

Chronological Order of Major Hanafi Jurists The importance of knowing the dates of birth/death of the scholars cannot be stressed enough. For one, it saves a researcher from obvious blunders and inaccurate referencing. Many a times, several scholars or books share the same name but are from entirely different eras. Thus, when a scholar like Ibn ‘Ābidīn quotes “al-Lubāb,” for example, it is obvious that he is referring to a book other than that of his student, ‘Abd al-Ghanī al-Ghunaymī. The following is a chart of the names, birth/death dates, and works of major Hanafī jurists, starting from the Imām of the Madhhab until the jurists of the present century. In this chart, we have sufficed on the relatively prominent jurists; as otherwise, there would be no end to the list. Many other Hanafī scholars could be added, but were omitted due to their prominence in fields besides Fiqh. Wherever possible, both the dates of birth and death were mentioned. Otherwise, only the date of death is mentioned, preceded by the abbreviation, “d.” When an approximate date is mentioned, it is preceded by “ca.” (circa). The abbreviation “p.” means “post.” It should be noted that the purpose of this chart is to serve as an easy reference for those searching for the names, birth/death dates of major Hanafī jurists. Those who are interested in detailed biographical entries of these jurists should refer to the relevant works, such as Tarīkh Baghdād of al-Khatīb al-Baghdādī, al-Jawāhir al-Mudiyyah of al-Qurashī, Tāj al-Tarājim of Qāsim ibn Qutlūbughā, al-Fawā’id al-Bahiyyah of al-Lakhnawī, and al-A‘lām of al-Ziriklī etc. The references for the information of each entry alongside additional information is provided in the Arabic chart. I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who have assisted me in compiling this list, in particular my beloved teacher Mufti Husain Kadodia and my fellow colleague Mawlana Zameelur Rahman. Readers are requested to notify the compiler of any errors or necessary changes Click here to download the English chart english-list-of-hanafi-jurists4.pdf Arabic-Chronological Order of Major Hanafi Jurists arabic-fuqaha-list.pdf ahadithnotes

The three forms of intention There are three possible forms of an intention during an action 1) To act with an excellent praiseworthy intention 2) To act with an evil intention 3) To act without any sort of intention The ulama have written that that this ummah hasn't suffered as much due to acting with evil intentions but rather the ummah has suffered great losses by acting without forming an intention. If we focus on our lives, We will note that we perform many actions without any intention. If we performed these same actions with an intention, We can accumulate reward. Therefore, We should turn our habits into worship and obedience (In urdu, humein chahiye ke hum apni aadat ko ibaadat banayein) Mahboob ul Ulama wa Sulaha Hazrat Maulana Peer Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Mujaddidi (d.b.) Source

Another advantage of Bai'ah Maulana Muhammad Rafi Usman Rahmatullah Alayh describes another advantage of the Baiah which he had heard from Dr. Abdul Hai Aarefi who said: “An authorized transmitter of Prophetic Ahadith is he who has learnt the Ahadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam from an authorized professor of Ahadith, and that professor had given him the permission of narrating Hadith.” This is the way in which we have received Ahadith from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. When a professor relates a Hadith, he describes the uninterrupted chain of authorities on which that Hadith is based, that I have received it from that professor, and he had received it from such and such, until the chain of narrators reaches up to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Then that Hadith is also regarded as reliable. In this manner, that student or pupil is also included in the chain of transmitters of that Hadith which is a great blessing, because in transmission of Hadith his relation with Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam is properly inter-linked and becomes authoritative. This is why the famous leading personalities of Ahadith used to travel far and wide to make their narrated Hadith highly authoritative. The same is true for the system for the Baiah that it is interlinked with all the famous personalities, and finally reaches the greatest benefactor of humanity, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Thus, we are also included in this system of the Baiah and our relations is established with all religious divines up to the greatest Prophet, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. All the stages of a saintly path are traversed smoothly with spiritual illumination, and one achieves his object with a little labour and attention. You can understand it by means of an example. Look at the bulb in front of us, which is directly related with the powerhouse by means of continuous electrical poles, which are interlinked by means of electrical wires. The electricity starting from the powerhouse is being transmitted to this bulb through all those wires and electrical poles. Similarly, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam who is the treasure house or source of all gnosis and spiritual blessings, we receive Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam's spiritual emanation through the chain of these religious divines. By taking a Baiah properly in any Saintly order, the affinity one establishes with its famous personalities, in fact, becomes a source of receiving blessing and spiritual emanation from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam provided one ~s a true adherent, and he continuously informs his spiritual master about his various states of inner consciousness, and carefully acts on the advices of his spiritual master. (Vide: “Al-Balagh” Aarefi pg. 154) After the death of the Murshid: Some people have not been able to reform themselves completely and the treatment of their spiritual diseases has not been completed when the death of their Murshid occurs. Among them, some continue their spiritual journey by attaching themselves to some other remaining spiritual guide. But some do not attach themselves to anyone, and thus remain deprived of the spiritual progress. Shah Waliullah Rahmatullah Alayh has described many kinds of the Baiah, as mentioned above, out of which three types are mentioned here: Baiah for repentance Baiah for blessing or benediction Baiah with a firm determination to traverse the spiritual path. Reforming one's inner self, to achieve nearness of Allah, is called traversing the spiritual path towards Allah. The one who traverses the path is called “Salik”. A Salik can fall into three categories, the beginner, the intermediate and the one who has reached the highest degree. It is written in the book “lmdadus Suluk”, “a person who has no spiritual guide, his guide is satan.” During the treatment of physical diseases, if your medical doctor dies, then you refer your case to some other doctor. The same is true for the diseases of the heart or spiritual ailments, that until you are cured, or reach such a point where you do not need the help of spiritual doctor, up to that time, you must attach yourself to some living spiritual guide. Some people think that the emanation of their Shaikh continues even after his death hence we do not need to go to another Shaikh. This idea is based on a misunderstanding. This can be true only for those who have completed the spiritual training and because of the strength of their relation with the previous Shaikh can continue to derive benefit from it, but those who have not completed their spiritual training, for them a living spiritual, guide is very necessary. The treatment and reformation can only be provided by the living. Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed says: “It should be known that death is a bridge which takes the intimate and close friends of Allah, the Exalted, up to their Beloved, and such spiritual rewards are bestowed on them, which the living one can rarely get. For this reason, they can be called living, but according to the material condition of this world, undoubtedly they are dead. They cannot have that power and capability which the living ones of this world possess. If such power and ability could be achieved by remaining in proximity of the graves, then all the people would have gone to the grave of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, which is in Madinah, and the whole system of spiritual training would have become useless and meaningless. Hence, it is clear that in the spiritual training of the people, the Divine procedure is that inner spiritual Insight should be achieved by remaining in the company of the living Saints.” (Vide: Serat-e-Mustaqeem) Hence, those people whose Shaikh has died, without giving them permission of administering the Baiah or if the permission was given~ on the condition that the disciple should establish his relation with such a person, such disciples should go to a living saint. If their late Shaikh had assigned someone as their next teacher after his death, then they should go to him. If no one was assigned, then the disciple should select someone from the Deputies (Khalifahs) of his late Shaikh or any other true Saint compatible to him, who possesses all the requisites, which are required for a spiritual guide, and should traverse the spiritual path with his guidance and supervision. Some people commit this mistake, that they want to attach themselves to another Shaikh, but they search for the same qualities, which were in their previous Shaikh, and when they do not find those qualities in others, they do not become their disciple, hence their spiritual journey is stopped. It is clear that a man does not always remain in one condition, either he will make some progress or recede, but as their progress is stopped such people show marked decline without even feeling it. My Shaikh and spiritual guide, Maulana Mohammad Zakariyya Rahmatullah Alayh writes: “There is a necessary warning that those who were being benefitted by the company of great Saints, fall in extreme deprivation after their death, because they try to compare other living Sheikhs with the personalities of those who have passed away. This is a great mistake; hence they cannot be benefitted by the blessed company of the then, living Saints. Thus, the most Important warning, advice, or testament is that my friend should not compare the living spiritual guides with those who passed away, but should look at the living ones with the perspective that if they die, even their equal will be difficult to find. It is evident that even other Prophets had no comparison with Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, then how can it be in Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam's Sahaba Radiallahu anhum, or the followers of the Sahaba Radiallahu anhum and so on. It is unjustified to seek the qualities of the by-gone Saints, in those who are living. It is a famous saying of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam: “That none of the coming, year will be such that it would not be more deteriorating than the previous one.” (Vide: Aap Beti (Autobiography) Vol.Vl pg. 435) One more important advice: If you are selecting someone for taking Baiah, that person should have all requisites of becoming a spiritual guide, as well as be compatible with your nature, and it should be easy to avail of his company and be benefitted from him, even if he is not a very great Saint. Some people always search for a great Saint, whether they have compatibility with him or not, whether they can avail his company nor can be benefited by him with out undergoing difficulties. Maulana Abdul Qadar Raepuri Rahmatullah Alayh had become a disciple of Maulana Gangohi's deputy, Maulana Abdul Raheem Raepuri Rahmatullah Alayh, while Maulana Gangohi was still alive. Similarly, during the lifetime of Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki, Maulana Khaleel Ahmad Saharanpuri, and Shaikhul Hind Mahmoodul Hasan Rahmatullahi Alayhi, and others had become the disciple of Haji Imdadullah's deputy Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi Rahmatullah Alayh. Such examples abound in the lifetime of great Saints. Many people became disciples of Saints of lower grade, and Allah the Exalted bestowed on them high degrees of spiritual blessings. As a matter of fact, the Absolute Divine Guide is only Allah the Almighty, all others are ways and means to receive Divine blessing from Allah Ta'ala. Some ignorant people mistakenly take Baiah from more than one Saint at a time. This is unlawful and harmful for them. There should be only one spiritual guide at a time and one must not take Baiah from any other Saint, as long as the previous one is alive, provided that, that Saint is the real and authentic one and has all the qualifications to perform the Baiah. Praise be to Allah that by His grace most of the necessary things connected with the Baiah have been recorded. The readers are requested to inform me about those errors which may have crept in these pages, so that they may be rectified in the next revision. I will be greatly indebted to them for this kindness. I conclude with the call and close with the words “Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the universe, and peace and blessings of Allah be on Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, the best of creation and on his descendants and on all his Companions Radiallahu anhum. Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

Warnings Incidents of this type have been written in connection with the Ahadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and from the biographies of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam's, Sahaba Radiallahu anhum, and other notable spiritual leaders and guides. But such type of unusual occurrence and miraculous performance is not necessary for every Murshid or spiritual guide and for every disciple all the time. Some spiritual guides never display any miraculous performance. But, the Baiah at the hands of a Sheikh and his companionship is always fruitful to a greater or to a lesser degree. It is not necessary for a Sheikh to show miracles. The thing, which is necessary for a Sheikh, is following Islamic Canonical Law and valid practices of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Then he is a true spiritual leader, even if he does not show miracles. On the other hand, if a person does not follow Islamic Canonical Law, and opposes the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam even if he performs unusual or supernatural jugglery, he is himself lost and is misleading others. This is why Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Rahmatullah Alayh writes: (1) When a true spiritual guide is available, and one tries to become his disciple, he should first understand the object of discipleship, as people become disciples because of various personal ends.” (2) Some want to discover things, which are not known to others. It has been already emphasized that it is not necessary for a Shaikh himself to show miracles or to get the power of disclosure of unrevealed things, then how can a disciple get such power. (3) Someone thinks that by becoming a disciple of a spiritual leader, his Murshid will be responsible for his forgiveness. And on the Day of Judgement, he would not go to hell inspite of all his sins. This is completely incorrect, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam warned his daughter Fatimah (Radiallahu anha) by saying: “0! Fatimah save yourself from hell fire (by doing virtuous actions).” (4) Some think that one glance from a spiritual leader will change him altogether without any labour or struggle against bad tendencies. If this had been the case, then the sacrifices which the Sahaba Radiallahu anhum of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam made for upholding Islam would not have been necessary. No one can be more perfect than Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, but Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam laboured hard to establish Islam. In exceptional cases, someone might have been changed by a miraculous glance of a spiritual guide. But miracles do not occur all the time, nor does every spiritual leader necessarily display miracles. It is a great mistake to become a disciple Just for this reason. (5) Someone says a discipleship should create a great fervour and enthusiasm, uttering loud spiritual slogans. This will curb sinful tendencies, and will eliminate and minimize the desire to commit sin, and doing good deeds may become involuntary acts. The heart would then be free from all bad thoughts and we would be immersed in a spiritual-unconsciousness. Outwardly this idea looks better than others, but this is based on ignorance. Such conditions are Sufistic spiritual stages, which are not under the control of a human being. Such thoughts and states are no doubt good, but they are not the be-all and the end-all. The real object is to achieve something, which is under your control. On thinking seriously you would realize that such desires are a hidden deceit of your ego. Your ego loves rest, comfort and renown. These conditions are based on these things. A person who is dedicated to please Allah, he has nothing to do with such desires. His condition will show that he is saying: “Separation or union is not important, the main thing is to earn the pleasure of the beloved, because one cuts a sorry figure by asking his beloved to fulfill a desire which is not according to the pleasure of the beloved.” In other words, separation and union are only the phases; the main thing is to earn the pleasure of the beloved. Asking the Almighty for a thing which is other than Allah is regrettable: “Passing of the days is of no value. The remembrance of Allah should remain with us, because there is none other Holier that Allah.” In other words, there is of no importance if different spiritual states come and go. Our relation with Allah should be strengthened because nothing is Holier than Allah: “0! My heart you are still under delusion if you differentiate between good luck and misfortune. In other words, the heart is still dominated by vicious thoughts, if it distinguishes between comfort and calamity.” Such a person suffers double anguish, because either he will undergo these phases or not. If he has undergone these phases and has achieved some spiritual insight, he regards himself a perfect sufi, ends up there and neglects piety and worship of Allah, leaves Salaat and does not regard it necessary for himself and does not attach any value to them. On the other hand, if he is unable to achieve any spiritual insight, then he pines away in sorrow. And this is not only the characteristic of such a person, but any one who would desire such things which are beyond his control will always suffer from sorrow and grief. (6) Someone says that the spiritual leader knows many efficacious spiritual practices, an amulet may be requested from him whenever needed, or the Sheikh's supplications are always granted, in worldly affairs and court matters. A request may be made to the Shaikh for a special invocation and every problem will be solved accordingly, as if the spiritual guide or Shaikh or the saint is controlling the whole universe. Or we will learn such a thing from him, as to become a holy, blessed person, and our touch or breath will cure all patients suffering from different ailments. Such people regard such performances as the sign of being a saint. But such actions have nothing to do with sainthood. Such intentions are based on worldly desires hence it is a compound mistake. (7) Someone thinks that by continuous spiritual exercises he will be able to discern some kind of divine light, or an angelic sound. This is also incorrect and an illusion. Because It is not necessary that by spiritual exercises one may perceive some illumination, or hear some thing unusual, as this is not the main object. More over, if during spiritual practices, any light or sound or colour is perceived then it might be a reaction of the mind of the disciple. It has nothing to do with Invisible forces. If for this sake of the argument, let us say that one saw something or heard an unusual voice, what purpose was served by it? No one can achieve the nearness to Allah by such things. One can only achieve nearness to Allah by obeying and worshipping Allah sincerely. Even the accomplices of satan also see angels sometimes, but they remain as satans. And it is clear that after death even the disbelievers would see invisible realities. Hence, a thing, which can be known to a disbeliever, is not miraculous achievement. It becomes obvious that according to what has been stated above, none of it is the primary aim of becoming a saint or a spiritual personality. Therefore, all such thoughts should be discarded, and for a Mureed the real aim should be to earn the pleasure of Allah, which can only be achieved by obeying all the Divine Commandments and to keep His remembrance always alive in the heart. This is what is taught by a spiritual guide and the disciple acts upon it, whether one discerns one spiritual state from another or not or whether one achieves a miraculous power or not, even then, the real advantage of remembering Allah, and obeying His Commands, which results in achieving the pleasure of Allah, will accrue in the life hereafter, and he will enter Paradise as Allah is well pleased with him, and he will have a beatific Divine vision of Allah the Exalted, and will be saved from Hell. (Vide: Tasheel Qasdus-Sabeel pg. 17)

Advantages of Bai'ah Shaikhul Islam Husain Ahmad Madni Rahmatullah Alayh says that Sayyid Ahmed Shaheed states that when a person takes a Baiah at the hands of a chosen servant of Allah or saint then the honour and dignity which is accorded to him in the majestic Court of Allah the Exalted, supports the man who becomes his disciple, and Allah's blessings begin to shower on the disciple, and guards him in one of the two ways. (1) If the spiritual guide has achieved a high station or rank in the eyes of Allah the Exalted, then if the disciple of the spiritual guide is going to fall in a pit of sinful activities, then Allah the Exalted informs the spiritual teacher of the condition of his disciple, and the teacher is ordered to pull him out from the pit of degradation, then the teacher adopts ways and means to save his disciple from the situation. Some times, Allah the Almighty Himself saves that disciple from falling into the abyss of sins, or either orders some angel or some spiritual, invisible force to guard the disciple from going astray, but these forces assume the shape of disciple's spiritual guide. An example of this is the situation, which has confronted Prophet Yusuf Alayhis Salaam. Zulaikha tried to seduce Yusuf Alayhis Salaam, closed all doors, and took him in a private room, to satisfy her carnal desires. Yusuf Alayhis Salaam avoided her but she continued to insist and asked Yusuf Alayhis Salaam to comply with her wishes, so much so that there was a possibility of Yusuf Alayhis Salaam committing some mistake, at that juncture, Allah the Exalted appointed the angel Jibraeel Alayhis Salaam to guard Yusuf Alayhis Salaam. Jibraeel Alayhis Salaam came to Yusuf Alayhis Salaam assuming the form of his father Yaqoob Alayhis Salaam and standing before him, pressed his finger with his teeth, and warned him not to make such a mistake. Actually, Yusuf Alayhis Salaam's father Yaqoob Alayhis Salaam, had no knowledge of it, but it appeared so to Yusuf Alayhis Salaam, who was stopped and saved from a critical crisis. This is why Sayyid Ahmed Shaheed says that some time when a disciple of a spiritual guide is ready to fall towards a sinful path, then Allah the Almighty guards him by means of an angel or invisible forces. (Vide Shari status of Baiah pg. 25). Numerous incidents of this type are stated in the books of Saints. For example, I relate an incident from “Tazkeratur Rasheed” Maulana Aashiq Elahi Rahmatullah Alayh writes: A man, Zakir Shaghil (devoted in remembrance of Allah) used to remain in the service of Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi Rahmatullah Alayh. His meals were taken care of by a man who was a resident of Gangoh. He used to lead prayers in a Mosque. We know full well that satan is always on the look out to seduce a Muslim. That man fell in love with a woman and the mutual relation reached such a point that a time was fixed for meeting together. There was no possibility of acquainting anyone with this satanic engagement. So no one knew how the satan was ruining the character of that person. On the night of the appointment with that lady, the man after Ishaa served his master (Maulana Gangohi Rahmatullah Alayh) and thinking that the master had fallen asleep, he quietly walked out, the sky was quite clear, but after a few steps, he found the sky was suddenly overcast with dark clouds. He went ahead and the clouds continued to move with him, till he reached the wall of that house where the woman was standing according to her promise. Before he could talk to her, there was such great thunder and lightning, that both of them were terrified. That woman ran to her house thinking that if the family members of her house were awakened by the thunder, and did not find her there, it would be very detrimental for her character. On the other hand, the man ran back fast, knowing that the bed of his master was outside, and that he slept near the bed and if his master was to call him, and would find him absent, his service will be at stake. So he ran as fast as he could to the Khanqah, without fulfilling his desire of meeting the woman. When he entered the Khanqah, the sky became quite clear. He went towards his master, peeped and found that his spiritual master was sitting near the bed, head downcast, hands resting on the bamboos of the bed in a position as if he was in deep meditation like a spiritual Sheikh. He quietly reached his own bed, which was a little away from his master's bed under a tree. When he reached there, then his master raised his head and lay down. In the morning, his spiritual master gave him advices indirectly, and described the excellences of controlling one self from baser desires, which are a test of a man's moral character. After hearing his master's advices, his heart was so much overwhelmed by shame and remorse, that he used to weep over that incident when ever he recollected it, and used to repent whole heartedly. After a few months, Allah the Exalted strengthened his spiritual relation with his master, who invested him with the honour of making him his deputy (Khalifa). Then he returned to his native place. (Vide: Tazkeratur-Rasheed Vol.11 pg. 149)

True Nature of Bai'ah Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi Rahmatullah Alayh, a great scholar writes that the nature of Baiah and the relation between Murshid (the spiritual guide) and his disciple is that the Murshid promises to instruct how to perform Zikr or keep alive the remembrance of Allah, and act upon Divine orders. He also tries to diagnose the spiritual diseases of his disciples and prescribes remedies for their treatment. The disciple gives an assurance that he will act upon the advices and instructions of his Murshid. This reformation may be achieved without the customary method of taking Baiah. But becoming a disciple (Mureed) of a spiritual guide in the customary manner has an advantage that the spiritual teacher pays more attention to his disciple, and In turn the disciple takes special care in obeying his spiritual teacher. It is said that you should have only one Murshid at a time, and that you should regard him as the most beneficial of all contemporary guides. This is because in such a situation, mutual relationship are enhanced (which is necessary for reformatory progress). Putting your hand above the hand of the disciple, or allowing the woman to hold the cloth behind the curtain when she is there, it is a tradition of religious divines, which is good and is according to the customary method (Sunnah) of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. It strengthens the covenant, which is made between the Murshid and his disciple. The covenant can also be made on both sides even without it. This is why, a person who is far away, but desires to become a disciple of some Murshid can be made to enter the fold of that spiritual teacher without actually placing both the hands above one another. The Ahadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam show that giving your hand in the hand of the Murshid is a good method. It is also proven from the Ahadith that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam used to take the hand of his followers in his hand whenever he took the Baiah from them. Giving a cloth in the hand of a woman is regarded as equivalent of giving one's hand. (Tasheel Qasdus-Sabeel Pg. 21). Really speaking, a man is composed of two things: one is the body, and the other is the soul. There are ways and means of maintaining both of them in a healthy state. As material food is necessary for the maintenance of the body, similarly, the soul requires spiritual sustenance, which is the remembrance of Allah and perfect obedience to Him. As there are physical diseases of the body, similarly, there are spiritual diseases, which are called internal diseases or the diseases of the heart, such as pride, vanity, conceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, hatred, love of wealth, love of fame or glory. If medical treatment is not sought for the diseases of the body it leads to physical death. Similarly, if the spiritual ailments are not cured then the health of the heart and soul can be ruined. The death of the heart is more dangerous than physical death. The Holy Qur'aan and the sayings of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam emphasize the maintenance and well being of the heart, and great warning has been given about the diseases of the heart and its death. This is why Allah the Almighty says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 10: “In their hearts is a disease and Allah increaseth their disease.” In Surah 22 Ayah 46, Allah, the Almighty says: “For indeed it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts, which are within the bosoms that grow blind.” “The day (when for your salvation) neither wealth will be of any use, nor children, but (that one will achieve salvation) who will bring before Allah, a pure (perfect, sound and flawless) heart.” In one of the sayings of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam the following supplication by him is quoted: “0! Allah open the pores of my heart for your remembrance.” In another Hadith, these words of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam have been stated: “Truly in the body there is a piece of flesh, when it is sound, the whole body is sound, when it is diseased, the whole body is diseased. Truly it is the heart.”(It was related by Al Bukhari and Muslim). The main difference between physical diseases and the spiritual disease is that physical diseases can be felt such as a fever, headache, stomach pain, etc., but spiritual diseases go un-noticed. Therefore no attention is paid to their treatment. For those diseases a spiritual physician called a Murshid or spiritual guide is required, so that he may diagnose the disease and may suggest efficacious treatment. The Holy Qur'aan and Ahadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam are filled with the warnings of specific diseases of the heart, and their injurious effects. For example, a man who has pride in his heart equal to a particle of a mustard seed, he would never be able to get the fragrance of Paradise. Some times our actions are not accepted because of hypocrisy, and hypocrisy has been called minor polytheism. Regarding jealousy it has been said that jealousy destroys good deeds in the same manner as fire destroys wood. It is said that those who are not forgiven, even in the Night of Acquittal (Shab-e-Barat 15th night of the month of Shaabaan), are those people who bear hatred in their heart. Similarly, other diseases have been mentioned. Hence, it is necessary that a person should see a spiritual doctor for effective treatment. The example of the Baiah is as if someone has a chronic disease, or many diseases, then postponing other worldly affairs, he would find out which doctor or medical expert is most suitable for getting treatment. He would search out thoroughly. Finally when he would know that such and such a specialist is most suitable, he will go to him, and will promise to act on his medical instructions. The specialist would say: “The treatment of your disease would require a long time. You would have to take medicine according to my prescription, and you would have to act on those precautions which I suggest.” The patient would promise to fulfill those conditions. The specialist would say: “You have to come bi-monthly for a medical checkup.” If the patient accepts all these conditions, then it is a kind of Baiah. If the patient would act carefully on the advices of the specialist, then lnsha-Allah, Allah the Almighty will provide a cure. Similarly. We have to consult a spiritual doctor for the spiritual diseases, and we have to act upon his recommended prescription, and the precautions which he would ask to take (against unlawful, forbidden, or permitted things) we would have to guard against them. And off and on we would have to see the spiritual doctor to inform him about our condition. This is called Baiah “Oath of Allegiance” or becoming a disciple. If the patient suffering from the spiritual diseases (or the disciple) will act on his promise of following the instructions of his spiritual doctor, then Allah, the Exalted, will cure the diseases by divine grace and he would be included in the list of popular, accepted and revered servants. As in physical diseases one has to remain in the hospital, similarly, for the treatment of spiritual diseases, a necessary element is to spend a considerable time in the company of the Murshid. This treatment has no fixed time. The more you pay due attention to the rules of honour and obedience to your spiritual guide, the quicker you will achieve your aim. The more you are negligent in carrying out the instructions, the more it will be delayed. Most of the people think that becoming a friend of Allah, and achieving close proximity to him is not so easy. This is an idea put into their mind by satan, who does not want them to go on this path, although getting the treatment of the spiritual diseases is necessary for every Muslim. Hence a thing, which is so incumbent, cannot be regarded as something, which is impossible to achieve. In ancient times the people were stalwart: they were asked to perform difficult spiritual exercises and they used to reach their destination after hard labour. These days mankind has become feeble, so Allah the Exalted has made this path easy. Sufi Muhammad lqbal Muhajir Madani writes in his journal “Achievements of Love”, “Because our organs have become weak, our calibre of courage has waned, the Day of Judgement is near, hence a little labour is accepted, and even if one strives a little without vigorous effort, he is regarded as successful. It has been said about the last days of this world, that if one acts upon one-tenth of what is required by Islam he is rewarded equal to the deeds of 50 Sahaba (Radiallahu anhum) of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. (Vide Mishkat- pg. 437). Similarly traversing the spiritual path towards Allah has become easy today, just like going to the Ka'aba has become easy. In earlier times people had to travel on camel's back for months or for years to reach Makkah. At present, the distance of thousands of miles in reaching Makkah has been reduced to that of a few hours. But the condition is that a person should be capable of going on a Journey, should have a valid passport, a ticket and his vehicle Is fit for the passage and must be moving towards the direction of Ka'aba. If any of these conditions is not fulfilled, then even if a person makes his voice hoarse by crying Makkah, Makkah all the time to show his love of the House of Allah (Ka'aba) he can never reach there. Having this ease means, that in this path, no such work will be taken which Is beyond the toleration quotient of a person. As the ages of the people are becoming shorter, hence the period required to traverse the spiritual path towards Allah has also been reduced. For example, instead of many years, only four months are required and regarded as sufficient. Some times only 40 days or less than that are sufficient.” The Need of a Spiritual Guide: - Maulana Ashraf All Thanvi Rahmatullah Alayh says that one needs a teacher even for learning how to perform outward religious requirements with their accompanying problems. Religious actions can go wrong without the direction of a teacher. But there is a greater need for a teacher for acquiring the knowledge of and acting upon spiritual and hearty actions some of which are compulsory injunctions, some semi-compulsory ones. Technically the teacher of these spiritual branches of knowledge is called MURSHID (spiritual guide). Understanding your inner baser motives, and treating yourself of libidinal disease is not possible without a Murshid. Hence, anyone, who steps on this path, needs to search for a Murshid. When he has found him, then he should follow his teachings and should act on his orders with full submission. He would realize that even making repentance requires guidance of a spiritual teacher; otherwise he would not know how to make repentance properly. (Tasheel Qasdus-Sabeel pg. 15)

Kinds of Bai'ah Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had taken the Baiah at different times on different occasions. He had taken such covenants, at the time of accepting Islam, or for performing actions according to all the Commandments of Islam. Some times, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had taken the Baiah for abstaining or avoiding certain sins, or for doing particular deeds. Thus there are different kinds of Baiah: Bai'ah for Islam: Is defined as when an infidel or a polytheist discards his previous convictions, seeks repentance and makes a covenant to accept Islam, it is called Baiah in Islam. Bai'ah for Jihad: This was done at the time of Be'it Ridwan In Hudaibiyah when Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had taken Baiah from his Sahaba Radiallahu an hum, that if there would be a need of fighting against the enemies of Islam, then they would not desert the battlefield, but would face the enemy until the end. Bai'ah for Caliphate: This is the Oath of Allegiance accepting a Vying person as the Caliph of the Muslims, who would rule over them. After the death of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam the Sahaba Radiallahu an hum of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam unanimously accepted Abu Bakr Siddiq Radiallahu anhu as their Caliph and took the Oath of his Allegiance, and this system continued in this manner. Baiah against committing major sins: As has been stated above with reference to Ayah 12 of Surah 6O. There are many incidents in the Ahadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam that he took an Oath of Allegiance from men and women that they would not make NOHA*. Taking an Oath for performing Islamic deeds: Auf bin Malik AshJaee Radiallahu anhu relates that there were 8 or 9 persons sitting in the company of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam when he asked, “Why do you not take an Oath of NOHA.” Allegiance on the hand of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam?” “We extended our hands, and asked him what was the issue on which we were to take the Oath of Allegiance; 0 Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam?” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “On these issues: Worship only Allah and do not Join partners with Him, perform 5 daily prayers and hear and obey all commands.” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam also added some thing in low tones, which was “Do not beg anything from anyone”. The narrator says that he had observed the Companions of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam to the extent, that if the whip of a horse had dropped from their hands, they would not ask anyone to pick it up for them, but would dismount and would pick up the whip themselves. (Hayatus Sahaba, Tabrani, Abu Nuaim, AlHakim, Al-Baihaqi and lbn Asakr etc.) In this manner, there are clear proofs that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam took Baiah on the occasion of migration, victory, on death and on other deeds and occasions. Saintly Oath of Allegiance: Regarding this Shah Waliullah Rahmatullah Alayh writes in the book Al-Qaulul Jameel, the Baiah which is inherited from the Saints (mystics) can be given for many purposes. The Baiah to avoid committing sins and to make sincere repentance. The Baiah for blessing or benediction, which means to enter the fold of the righteous people to attain auspiciousness, which is proved by a chain of authoritative sayings of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. The Baiah for leaving overt or covert forbidden things, and making a firm intention to act sincerely on Divine Commands, and attaching your heart to Allah the Exalted and Sublime. This third kind, Is most fundamental. In the first two kinds, the aim is to leave all major sins without insisting on minor ones, and to practice all the ways of ordained obedience, such as “Sunnat Muakkedah”. The breaking of this Oath will involve persisting on committing major or minor infractions against ordained Commandments of obedience. In the third one, fulfilling the Oath means continuous steadfastness for migration, or striving in the path of Allah, or performing spiritual exercises, until one attains a light of satisfaction, and it becomes his instinctive voluntary habit. In such a condition, he is allowed to enjoy certain things which are permitted in the Canonical Law of Islam; or to keep himself busy in certain activities, the completion of which requires a long time, such as courses of religious sciences or judicial matters. The breaking of Oath refers to the condition of making it defective before achieving any enlightenment of the heart. (Shariat-u-Tariqat Ka Talazum Pg. 124) This type of Baiah can be continuously traced since the days of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. In Quranic terminology it is called TAZKIYAH, and in the tradition of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam it is called IHSAN which is mentioned in the “Hadith of Jibraeel”. Later, it was entitled as Tasawwuf or Mysticism. The order of spiritual leaders and their disciples is an offshoot of this system. The four major tasks for which Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam was responsible, which are mentioned in 4 places in the Holy Qur'aan. One of them Is Tazkiya (the purification of self) as Allah the Almighty says: It is He, who sent a Prophet for the illiterate people (of Arabia) who was from their own (nation), and who recites before them the Aayat of Divine Revelation, and purifies them (from false convictions, and immoral practices) and teaches them the “Book” (Al-Qur'aan) and words of wisdom (which include all internal or external branches of religious sciences). (Surah 62 Ayah 2) Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam used to train and purify his Sahaba Radiallahu anhum. If he detected any special (spiritual) disease, he would pay special attention for its reformation, and adopt different methods for its elimination. After the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam the Sahaba Radiallahu anhum used to take Baiah and this system was continued by their followers, and the disciples of the followers. These spiritual leaders then give permission to some to take the Baiah who in turn then can administer this oath to others provided he is granted authority. It is not permissible that everyone should administer the oath. This privilege is reserved for those who have been given permission by a true spiritual leader.

Definition of Bai'ah Mufti Muhammad Shafi Rahmatullah Alayh writes: The words Baiah in fact means to take a promise for performing some special deed. Its customary method according to the practical way Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam Is to place the hands of both persons one on top of the other, although placing the hands above one another is not compulsory. If you make a promise to do something, then it becomes religiously incumbent on you to keep it, and breaking your promise is unlawful. (Ma'areful Qur'aan)