Is a court marriage permissible as per Islam?

Is a court marriage permissible as per Islam?

Along with the acquiescence of the guy and the girl, offer and acceptance in the presence of 2 adult and sane Muslims is also a condition for marriage. If a court marriage is with the acceptance of the girl and the guy and is in the presence of witnesses, then it is valid. If the dower has not been fixed then the customary dower of the girl’s family must be given.
· What if the girl’s parents are not present in the court at the time of marriage?
The acquiescence of the girl and the guy is enough. However, the acquiescence of the parents and/or guardians is a source of good and blessings.
· Normally what happens is that the lawyer makes all the arrangements. The girl and the guy simply go to the court and the Mullah solemnizes the marriage. Sometimes, the witnesses are not even present at the time of marriage. Simply their names are used. What does the Shariah say about this?
For the witnesses, it is necessary that they actually hear the offer and acceptance. Simply getting nominated and filling out forms does not fulfill the conditions of a marriage witness. In such a situation, the marriage is not valid at all. When conducting the marriages of Muslims, it is the moral and professional responsibility of the Qazi and the lawyer to make sure that these conditions are fulfilled. If these conditions are fulfilled in a court marriage then the marriage is valid. Otherwise, the guy and girl are still strangers for each other. As mentioned in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Kitaab Un Nikaah, Al Baabul Awwal.
· Sometimes the lawyer/s make the girl sign a paper saying that she is marrying out of her own free will. What about this?
If the girl acquiesces to the match and is proceeding out of her own free will, it is permissible but it is usually seen that those marriages which occur without the acquiescence and blessings of the parents are not steady. Out of their love for their wards, parents normally take those decisions which are best for the children. Thus, marrying with the parents’ wishes is always the best option.
· The girl and the guy establish physical relations with each other after this kind of marriage and sometimes even before it. Does Islam permit it?
Before the marriage, the guy and the girl remain absolute strangers (i.e. non-Mahram) for each other. Seeing and touching each other is nothing but sin. Both the guy and the girl should repent this sin. Even if the marriage is completed with all its conditions, the girl should practice Hijab against other men. Revealing the private relations of the husband and wife before others is a very disgusting example of moral regression. Islam has ordered the husband to provide a separate room for the wife. Establishing physical relations in the presence of others is against the principles of modesty and a violation of the Shariah rules of Hijab.
· Does the parent/guardian have any right to nullify this kind of marriage?
In marriage suitability is to be kept in mind. If an adult girl marries out of suitability (Ghair Kufu) then the parents/guardian has the right to nullify the marriage. If an adult girl marries within suitability, then the parents/guardian will have no right to nullify the marriage. In suitability lineage, Islam, profession, residence, honesty and wealth are considered. If an adult girl marries with suitability, then her marriage is valid as mentioned in the following
Hadith:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
A woman who had been married has more right over herself than has her guardian and a maiden will be asked about her wish and her assent is her silence (out of modesty).
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 3542; Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 2100; Sunan Nasaai, Hadith No. 321; Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1132; Muwatta Imam Malik, Hadith No. 1097]
This Hadith clearly shows that it is necessary to take the permission of the girl as well. Her acquiescence is enough for marriage.
As far as those Hadith are concerned which say that the acquiescence of the guardian is necessary, they are only about those cases in which the girl marries out of suitability.
To recap, the girl can marry as per her own wishes, although it is better to involve the parents as well. If she marries out of suitability (Kufu), the parent/guardian has the right to nullify that marriage. If she has married within suitability, then they have no right to do so.
In the marriage, if the witnesses were not actually present and didn’t hear the offer and acceptance, then the marriage is not valid at all. Similarly if no offer and acceptance was made and simply forms were filled out, even then the marriage is not valid at all.
And Allah knows best.

Answered by :
Shaykhul fiqh Zia-e-Deccan Mufi Zia-uddin Naqshbandi Sahab

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Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan Abul Hasanaat Syed Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri (May Allah shower His Mercy on him)

The Reviver (Mujaddid) of the 14th century, our Master A’arifbillah Maulana Abul Hasanaat Syed Abdullah Shah Sahib Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri (May Allah shower His mercy on him) does not need any introduction. He is the scion of a revered family of Naldurug. Not only his family but the whole country can be proud of him. Both of his parents are descendants of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). His forefather Hadhrat Syed Ali (May Allah shower His mercy on him) came to Bijapur, in the reign of Adil Shah, from Makkah on the orders of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

Naldurug was an important city in the reign of Adil Shah. Along with members of the royal family, many scholars and virtuous people also took up residence there. Among all those elite, Hadhrat Syed Shah Muhammad Qadri (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was also there. Seeing the piety of Hadhrat Syed Ali (May Allah shower His mercy on him), he betrothed his daughter to him. This family is from their progeny.

In light of their upright character and piety, even today they are respected and revered by all irrespective of religion and race.

The passing of time changed Naldurug. Neither the kingship of Adil Shah remained nor did that atmosphere, so the father of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him), Hadhrat Muzaffar Shah Sahib (May Allah shower His mercy on him) came to Hyderabadin his childhood for the sake of acquiring knowledge. He mastered not only the then-taught subjects, but also Fiqh, Hadith etc. Soon he was reckoned among the celebrated people of Hyderabad.

In those days, a pious elder used to live in Hyderabad. His name was Hadhrat Gul Badshah (May Allah shower His mercy on him). He had strived a lot in the path of closeness to Allah Most High and after living in seclusion for a large part of his life, had gained prominence as a saint in his last days. Not only the common populace, but also elite were included in his circle of students and disciples. He married his only daughter to Hadhrat Muzaffar Shah Sahib (May Allah shower His mercy on him). This pious lady was the mother of our master Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him).

Our master was born in Hyderabad on Friday, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah 1292 Hijri at 5 O’ clock in the morning. The mother of the Shaykh says that from the days of pregnancy itself, I was being given glad tidings of the birth of pious son. Before his birth, his elder brother had passed away in infancy. Because of this, his mother was very sad. During these days, a mystic came and said: Daughter, don’t be sad! You are getting the return of what you have lost. Look at the sky! Your child can be seen coming. She says: In my innocence and out of love of my deceased child, I thought that my dead son was being returned to me through the prayers of the mystic. The moment I looked at the sky, I saw a radiant lamp descending from the sky and entering my house. The radiance of it was such that till the limits of sight, the whole atmosphere became radiant and my eyes were dazzled by it. After this the period of pregnancy started.

As an infant, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan never troubled his mother like other children. There was a particular time for every need of his. This made things easy for his mother. From his birth itself, signs of piety were apparent in him. His Tasmiya Khwani (bismillah) was performed by Hadhrat A’aqibat Shah (May Allah shower His mercy on him). His piety was such that in his last age, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered him to come to Him. Hadhrat A’aqibat Shah (May Allah shower His mercy on him) left for Madina and died there.

After this, educational responsibilities were placed on the shoulders of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him). The Guide of today readied himself to traverse the highways of knowledge and learning under the direction of his teachers.

Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was raised in the best possible manner. His whole family was high-minded and pious. His childhood was spent hearing the blessed name of Allah Most High and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). On coming of age, he had seen his elders following the Shariah and spending their nights in the worship of Allah Most High.

His father was a pious person who followed the Shariah to the letter. His mother was the daughter of a saint and was herself a very pious lady. They spent their energies in raising their blessed son. His mother’s method was such that even though the whole family used to be present in the house, but there used to be no hullabaloo in the house. Once between Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) and his sister, there was some difference in dividing a fruit. Their mother came and threw that fruit out of the house and told them that if they were found fighting again, she would deal with them in the same manner.




The sister of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) says: In those days, whenever we would hear some hawker selling something, we would ask our mother about it and if what was being sold was not good, she would say: It is a bad thing, child. On hearing this, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) would say: La Haula Wala Quwwata Illa Billah. Mother, we don’t want that thing.

Whenever due to being extraordinary busy, any curry could not prepared, the Shaykh’s mother would serve him Supari along with chapatti and he would eat that and go to the Madarsa.

The introductory education of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was under his own father. He studied the logical sciences from Maulana Mansoor Ali Khan (May Allah shower His mercy on him). He studied Sharh Jami, Tafseer and other sciences under Shaykh Ul Islam Imam Muhammad Anwarullah Farooqui (May Allah shower His mercy on him), the founder of Jamia Nizamia. He studied Hadith and literature under Maulana Hakeem Abdur Rahman Saharanpuri (May Allah shower His mercy on him). All these teachers were considered masters in their respective fields. Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) completed his education and through his inherent ability and wide reading, came to be recognized as an erudite scholar of Hyderabad.

In the last days of his education itself, he had started teaching students without any charge. In Masjid Ali Aqa, oceans of knowledge would be emptied and not only the common people, even scholars used to attend and gain benefit from these sessions. For the sake of working class, late till midnight Islamic sciences Hadith, Tafseer, etc. would be taught. His method of explanation was such that after learning under him, the student would not be satisfied anywhere. He would explain complex matters and unravel them in such a manner that everybody would understand them easily.

His circle of students started growing. Every student of his would master at least one science and most of them were granted high government posts. On seeing all this, the management of Jamia Nizamia, Hyderabad sent him a wire when he was out of station to attend a function at the house of his younger sister. They wanted Hadhrat to take up a post as the dean of some science at Jamia Nizamia. The Shaykh, for whom being alone with the Ultimate One was most important, refused this politely saying that he had done all this only for the sake of Allah Most High and would keep on doing so for the rest of his life.

A student of the Shaykh who was an advisor to the king once mentioned the virtues of his teacher before the king. Others present there also agreed. The king expressed his desire to meet the Shaykh. When the student conveyed this to Hadhrat, he said: Child! What does a pauper (Faqeer, in Islamic mysticism, a person who depends only on Allah Most High) have to do with kings? If you desire my pleasure, never mention my name there again. The said student was really affected by this and never mentioned his name there again. This shows that pious people desire to gain the pleasure of their spiritual guides and teachers.

His pious father was a disciple and Caliph (i.e. authorized representative) of Hadhrat Miskin Shah Sahib (May Allah shower His mercy on him). Because of this, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) also gave his allegiance to Hadhrat Miskin Shah (May Allah shower His mercy on him). But because of educational responsibilities, Hadhrat could not fully benefit himself from the divine blessings of Hadhrat Miskin Shah (May Allah shower His mercy on him). After finishing his education, he turned his complete attention towards traversing the path (Sulook) to Allah Most High. By that time, Hadhrat Miskin Shah (May Allah shower His mercy on him) had passed away into the presence of Allah Most High. Those days were illumined with the radiance of Hadhrat Syed Muhammad Badshah Bukhari (May Allah shower His mercy on him). What else need be said about him except that if his disciple was like this, then what about the master? Hadhrat entered his circle of disciples and traversed the path to divine love and approval. The details of the striving and worship of those days, though not revealed by Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) himself, those who saw him during those days say that apart from the necessary activities, the Shaykh would spend his entire time in remembrance of Allah Most High (Dhikr). He would always be seen engaged in meditation (Muraqaba).

The Shaykh would offer Salaat Ul Fajr in the mosque of his master and sometimes in the mosque of Chowk and then he would walk 4 miles daily to the mosque of his master. After Fajr, he would remain busy in remembrance of Allah and gaining his master’s blessings, etc. From there, he would return at about 10 o’clock after offering Salaat Ul Ishraaq and Chaasht. Till Salaat Ul Zuhr, he would be busy in meditation. Then he would return from the mosque after Maghrib. After having dinner, he would go to the mosque and remain there busy in remembrance of Allah, meditation, etc. till midnight. He would return to his house and rest. He would again get up at 2:00 and offer Salaat Ul Tahajjud, recite the Holy Quran and spend the night in praying and crying before Allah. Just before Fajr, he would rest for sometime and then go to his master’s mosque to offer Salaat Ul Fajr. For 20 years, irrespective of season and situation, he used to be present in his master’s mosque in Fajr.

Hadhrat Bukhari Shah (May Allah shower His mercy on him) had innumerable disciples, but he would prefer Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him). Seeing his firmness on Shariah, following of the Holy Prophet’s (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Sunnah and his striving in the path of Allah Most High, Hadhrat Bukhari (May Allah shower His mercy on him) made him His Caliph (i.e. he authorized him to take disciples and teach/instruct them). He gave him his robe and headdress too, because of which, Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was overwhelmed with love and ecstasy of Allah Most High and slowly normalized with the divine attention of his master.

Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) did not start accepting disciples in the life of his master. If anybody requested him also, he would guide them to his master. After the passing away of his master, he started accepting disciples, as a result of which innumerable disciples of his in India, Pakistan have been drinking from Hadhrath’s river of divine guidance.

Many brothers of the Silsilah report strange events which led them to become disciples of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him). A brother said that he was really anxious about finding a master. He saw in a dream that Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him) was coming out of the shrine of Hadhrat Sa’adullah (May Allah shower His mercy on him), but because he did not know who he was, he could not give his Bait to him. He once saw him in Makkah Masjid and looking at his features understood that this was his master and then and there offered him his pledge (bait), which Hadhrat accepted and took him as a disciple.

After completion of both the Shariah and the Tareeqa sciences, Hadhrat started addressing people. His address would affect everybody hearts and nobody would be hurt through them. After the Friday Salaat in the Jame Masjid of Naldurug, there would be an address of Hadhrat for 2 to 3 hours where he would explain the Tafseer of the Holy Quran. Apart from this on special occasions, he would again address people. These addresses would not be mere words (Qal), but the spirit of the words (Haal) would also be included in them. Accordingly many people would be overwhelmed by his address. If all these addresses are collected, they would make a Tafseer of the Holy Quran like Tafseer Surah Yousuf.

There would be Hadhrat’s addresses in Bombay (present Mumbai) also, which was full of his disciples and lovers. There the address used to be in an open ground, which would be full of people. In spite of multitude of people, it was a miracle of Hadhrat that everybody would hear his voice. This was before modern facilities like microphone, etc.

Hadhrat would offer all the 5 Salaat with congregation (Jamaat). This was stressed so much that it was second nature to Hadhrat. Nothing, be it weather or ill health, would make him even waver from this habit. The Mustahab (commendable) time was maintained in such a way that the Salaat of Isha would be offered at 10:30. This arrangement in winter and rainy season was nothing short of a miracle. This was a living picture of the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) led the Salaat and told the Sahibah: You are the best Ummah, as you are the only creation on the face of the earth who worship Allah Ta’ala in the Mustahab hours.”

Hadhrat would offer the articles of Salaat with proper calmness. Hadhrat would enthusiastically offer numerous nawafil. For this reason, his feet would usually remain swollen.

For a long period of time, he led the Salaat (Imam) in Masjid ‘Ali A’aqa Hussaini A’alam only for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. As per the Sunnah, in Fajr and Isha, he would recite the lengthy Surah of the Holy Quran (Tawaal-e-Mufassal) and in Zuhr, moderately lengthy Surah and in ‘Asr and Maghrib, the short Surah. Each Salaat would be blissful and rejuvenating. This can be understood only by those who offered Salaat in his leadership.

This enthusiasm would reach its pinnacle in the month of Ramadhan. The weather would never interfere in Hadhrat’s fasting. The relish of listening to the Holy Quran was such that even in old age he would listen to the complete Holy Quran at least once or twice and he would instruct his Murideen (disciples) also to listen the complete Holy Quran at least once during Ramadhan.

Every aspect of Hadhrat’s life was molded by the rules of the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Each year, he would remain in Itikaaf (seclusion) for the last 10 days of Ramadhan. In those days, he would offer Tahajjud Salaat with Jamaat, in which at least 1 complete recitation of the Holy Quran would be recited. In these days, angelic qualities of Hadhrat would be unveiled. Once while ill, he was offering Salaat normally. He was requested to sit and offer Salaat. Hadhrat smiled and recited a Persian couplet, which meant:

Even though I have become old, weak-hearted and weak-bodied,
Whenever I hear the mention of my Beloved, I become fresh again.

The night preceding Eid-Ul-Fitr is one of the most auspicious nights of the whole year. Hadhrat would spend the whole night in the masjid, busy in worship. He would return to his house after offering the Fajr Salaat. Hadhrat would offer the Eid Salaat in Eidgah in the first row. It would be the same case with Juma’a Salaat. Hadhrat would be busy in recitation of the Holy Quran, Dhikr and other Awraad and he would go to Makkah Masjid at the earliest and offer Salaat behind the Imam in the first row.

Hadhrat (May Allah shower His mercy on him) went on Haj with his revered father. In that age, those blessed lands were under the rule of the Turks. The present facilities of transport were not present there. Caravans were looted on their way. There would be much financial and loss of life. In short, Haj in those days was fraught with dangers. In spite of all this, Hadhrat had the honor of performing Haj along with this father.

Hadhrat once told his disciple who was going on Haj: When I went on Haj, with the intention of performing the Sunnah, I specially went to Gar-e-Saur, (the Cave of Saur). The entrance of that cave is so narrow that the body of the person entering the cave anyhow touches the rim of the cave. I got this thought that though the blessed body of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has made contact with this blessed land, except the entrance of this cave, any other place could not be marked out with certainty. It is truth that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) entered this cave and it is also truth that the fire of Hell is forbidden for that body which makes contact with His blessed body. With this thought, I removed my kurta (tunic) and with my upper body bare, entered the cave taking care to rub my body with the rim of the entrance of the cave and prayed: O Lord Almighty! This humble person has, though indirectly, had the honor of rubbing his body with the body of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). For the sake of this, make the fire of hell forbidden for me.

In the stay in Madina Munawwarah, when Hadhrat would go to the Blessed Raudha of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and perform Muraqaba, an entirely different state would overwhelm him. Only those people can understand this who were with him, as mentioned above.

Hadhrat has been given the authorization in both the Qadri and Naqshbandi Tariqah from Hadhrat Syed Badshah Bukhari (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him). Like his other elite Shaykhs, Hadhrat would take special interest in the propagation of the Naqshbandi Tariqa. The other Shaykhs of the Naqshabandi Tariqa followed the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) to the letter. This is dominant in the life of Hadhrat Muhaddith-E-Deccan (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) also. There are many incidents, which show that Hadhrat would follow even the smallest of Sunnah. For the sake of brevity, only some are being mentioned here. It seems that nature itself would make arrangements for Hadhrat to follow the Sunnah easily.

Hadhrat relates an incident from his childhood that once he went to some place of play, but did not find any pleasure in it. As soon as he joined that session, sleep overtook him and he fell asleep. In this way, Allah Ta’ala made me follow that Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in which before declaration of Prophethood, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fell asleep when He attended such a session.
Once, Hadhrat came to the prayer mat for Salaat Ul Isha. Below the prayer mat, there was a scorpion, which stung him. Hadhrat became restless and lied down for some time and said: Alhamdulillah! I got a rare chance to follow a Sunnah and related the Hadith that once a scorpion stung the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also at the time of Salaat. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: This rogue neither leaves a person who offers Salaat nor a person who does not offer it. After this Hadhrat offered Salaat as was the custom.

Hadhrat would offer Salaat Ul Kusuf with Jama’at. He would perform Qiraat Bil Jahr (Loud Qiraat). People would come from far off places to join this Salaat. After the Salaat, Hadhrat would advise the people like this: Friends! The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would briefly advise the people after Salaat Kusuf. Today, to follow this, I want to address you all.

Nature had filled Hadhrat with humility and piety. Day in and day out these qualities would be expressed through him. For the sake of brevity, only one incident is being mentioned here. Once after Salaat Kusuf, in the course of the Dua, Hadhrat said in a very heartfelt manner: O Allah! These worshippers of yours have made me their Pir that tomorrow, on the day of Qiyamah, you forgive this sinner with your mercy, they can say that when you have forgiven such a great sinner, then please forgive us also. For this, my Master, my Lord, for the sake of your forgiveness and for the sake of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), forgive us all.

Once in summer, Taraweeh was being offered in the courtyard of the Masjid that it suddenly started raining. The prayer mats were removed. After the rain ended, it was decided to offer Salaat again in the courtyard of the Masjid. For the fear of the rain, the prayer mats were not laid. Somebody decided to lay a prayer mat for Hadhrat, he said: Those who came from outside Madina, would have to ask because of the uniformity of the gathering that who among you is the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), so we should also not distinguish ourselves.

He would always perform at the tank Wudhu facing the Qiblah, although looking at the location of the tank, it was difficult to do so. Even then, to follow the Sunnah, Hadhrat would always perform Wudhu from that side only. Thus, if we study the life of Hadhrat closely, we come to the conclusion that each and every action of his indicates some Sunnah or the other.

Hadhrat would perform the non-compulsory (Gair Moukkada) Sunnah also regularly. The 4 Raka’at before the Fardh of ‘Asr and Isha were also routine for him. These Sunnah are still greater, even a Mustahab would not be left by him.

The greatest miracle of our master is perfectly acting upon the Shariah and the Sunnah, which has been mentioned in their proper places. This is also a miracle of his that whoever becomes his disciple is established upon the Sirat Mustaqeem (straight path). We see this day and day out that people who had nothing to do with Salaat, fasts, as soon as they became his disciples not only became regular in their Salaat, fasts, etc. but even in their looks, dressing, etc., they became pious and regular in Dhikr and other spiritual practices. It is the experience of most of his slaves that as soon they enter his presence, the heart starts Dhikr and an affinity towards good deeds is developed. I have seen many of my brothers, who recited Kalima Tayyaba at the time of their death, which is a clear sign of their preserving their faith at the time of death. It was the custom of Hadhrat that whenever he heard that a disciple was in the throes of death, he would persuade them to recite the Kalima and after death, he himself would lead the Salaat Ul Janazah. After this, he would pray for them in the following words:

Allahummaghfirlahu warhamhu wa’afuanhu wa adkhilhul Jannah,

For women, the prayer would be:

Allahummaghfirlaha warhamha wa’afuanha wa adkhilhal Jannah

This Dua would be so heartrending that the hearts of those present would also be affected and death would appear before their eyes. The Talqeen (persuasion) after burial would also be such that all those present would be affected and some would be really affected. It would seem as if the angel (Munkir and Nakir) are asking the questions and Hadhrat is teaching the answers. Those people are lucky who had this honor. Whenever we see this, then our heartfelt wish is that, if only, Allah Ta’ala also grants this honor to us also.
Apart from this also, innumerable miracles of Hadhrat are seen and heard daily, but he elders of the Naqshbandi order of Tasawwuf have said that Kashf (divine visions), Karamaat (miracles) are commendable, but are not the aim, that is why no need was felt to include them in the biography of his blessed life. However, on the insistence of the brothers of the Tariqa, some are being mentioned.
One of his disciples says that he was with Hadhrat when he had travelled to the Northern parts of the country. He says that: After reaching Delhi, we first paid our respects to Hadhrat Khwaja Baqibillah (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on him) and it was decided that the next day, we would offer the Fajr prayer in the Jame’ Masjid Delhi and would visit the shrines of Hadhrat Mirza Mazhar Jane Janaan Shaheed and Hadhrat Ghulam Ali Shah Naqshbandi (May Allah Ta’ala shower His mercy on them). There was a Masjid adjacent to our residence was a Masjid, in which we would offer Salaat. We learnt from the Imam of the Masjid that the Dargah always remains closed and the visitors recite the Fatiha from outside and go away. After this, I could not bear it and I told Hadhrat about it. He said: We will see about this in the morning.
The next day, when we went there, we met a person, who went with us to the Dargah and opened the lock for us. When that person wanted to leave, as is the custom of Delhi, we tried to pay him something. He said: I have done what I was ordered to do, and he went away.

The Imam on listening to this, said: Many great people have come here and gone away without the Ziyarah, I would say that this is a miracle of your Shaykh.

When Nawab Yusuf Yar Jung was going the blessed lands, Makkah and Madina, he came to meet Hadhrat and after talking with Hadhrat for a long time, said: Your servant is going away, but as usual on the Day of Eid Ul Azha, the car will come for Hadhrat and Hadhrat can go to the Eidgah in this. Upon this Hadhrat said: By that time, you will be deceased and forgiven. After this, Nawab sahib started on his journey. In the course of his journey, he reached Baghdad and while reciting the Fatiha there, he passed away due to a heart attack and was buried near Hadhrat Pirane Pir Ghouse Ul A’adham Dastagir (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him). The order of fate for Nawab sahib was given from the blessed tongue of Hadhrat.
One disciple of Hadhrat says that due to the attention of a mystic (Majzub), he became unable to do Dhikr. He was very regretful of his state and thought that he would not be able to do worship of Allah Ta’ala (Riyazat/Mujahada). He thought gaining the Haal (Lit. state) is difficult, gain some Qaal (Lit. words/talk). In this worry, he went to sleep. In his dream, he saw Hadhrat. He first wiped his chest with his right hand, then wrote ‘Allah" on his heart with his right index finger. With this, his whole body started resonating with the “Allah." Hadhrat sad: Son! Now tell, is Haal better or Qaal. After this, the disciple was at ease and never got such a thought again.

Hadhrat was so forgiving that he would never get angry for his own sake, but when some rule of Shariah would be broken or somebody would disrespect the Auliya, his blessed face would turn red with anger. Once after Salaat Ul Zuhr, a degenerate started speaking ill about the Auliya. Even after a lot of explanation, when that person did not stop, Hadhrat could not bear it and, out of emotion, started crying. Hadhrat said: Allah Ta’ala is very lenient, He can bear everything for Himself, but if anybody disrespects the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and/or the Auliya, The Lord Almighty does not bear it.

Whenever anyone would complain about Hadhrat, he would say: I am even worse than that. No matter how insulting an act would be committed, Hadhrat would bear it. His blessed face would change, but he would not say anything. Once, when in Naldurug, Hadhrat was going for the Salaat Ul Zuhr, that a person, who was known to mentally unstable, came to Hadhrat, kissed his hand and tried to attack him, but there was no change in Hadhrat’s blessed countenance. He entered the Masjid and started preparing for Salaat. The followers of Hadhrat beat him and wanted to hand him over to the police, but Hadhrat said: How can he dare to insult me. Probably, some disrespect was committed by this sinner (i.e. Hadhrat) in the court of my Lord that is why, I was warned like this. If you desire to please me, then please don’t mistreat him in anyway.

Hadhrat would treat everyone with affection and this affection would be such that everyone would think that Hadhrat loves me the most.

His sympathy for human beings was such that Hadhrat could not bear to see anyone in any difficulty and would start crying. Hadhrat would console that person and help him as much as he could. His daily life shows that he spent his whole life for the service of the creation

Every person would acknowledge his courage. He would always try to keep his dependants happy. Hadhrat’s every act is full of wisdom and with a reason and his every word is full of affection. Anger has not been given to him at all. In short, he is the living embodiment of “Takhalluqu Bi Akhlaqillah”
The daily routine of Hadhrat was very taxing. After Fajr, his disciples were given Tawajjuh (attention). After this, without any distinction of religion or community, men, women, children, youth would come with their concerns. Hadhrat would listen to everybody, console them and give them Wazifa (something to be recited) or Taweez (amulet) as the case may be. This would go on until 9 o’clock. Then Salaat Ul Ishraaq would be offered and Hadhrat go home. He would not even have his breakfast properly that women would start coming. Some would come for Ba’yah (pledge of discipleship) and others would come with their concerns. This would go on until 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Then Hadhrat would come to the Masjid. After Salaat Ul Zuhr, Hadhrat would listen to the disciples about their Sulook and guide them as necessary.
After it, if there was still time, Hadhrat would listen to the sermons of Hadhrat Ghouse Ul A’adham or the Maktubat (letters) of Hadhrat Imam Rabbani (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with them). After offering Salaat Ul ‘Asr, Hadhrat would remain in Muraqaba until Maghrib. After Maghrib, Hadhrat would go to the house, have dinner and dictate replies to the letters of disciples. Hadhrat would take his devotees, who could not come to him, into his discipleship, through letters itself and instruct them in Dhikr and other spiritual practices. Then Hadhrat would go to the Masjid for Salaat Ul Isha and return around 12. Then he would rest for 3 hours and again get up at 3 o’clock for Tahajjud and remain busy in the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala until Fajr and just before Fajr, to follow the Sunnah, Hadhrat would rest for a while and then the routine would start again.

The set time for women to give the Ba’yah was from 11-2 for women and for men from Zuhr to ‘Asr, but whenever anyone would come, Hadhrat would take their Ba’yah. There were no customs or rituals for this. Then for granting the Nisbah, Hadhrat would instruct in the following manner:

Hadhrat would make the disciple recite: Astaghfirullah Rabee Min Kulli Dhambin Wa Atubu Ilaih. La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah and then He would say: I have given you in slavery of Syedi Abdul Qadir Jilani and Hadhrat Syedi Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with them). On this the disciple would say: I accept it. Then Hadhrat would say: I have made you a disciple in the Qadiri and Naqshbandiya Tariqah.

The first advice is, offer the 5 Salaat regularly. If it was a man Hadhrat would add, try to offer each Salaat in the Masjid, with Jama’at.

Salaat, Quran, etc. is recited with the tongue, but for Dhikr, recite Allah, Allah from the heart. The heart is 2 fingerbreadths, below the left nipple, to the left. For this, Wudhu is not necessary. It can be done with Wudhu, without Wudhu, in a state of Taharah, out of it, while walking, sitting, lying down, sitting, in every condition. If due to lack of habit, you forget it, no problem, when you are reminded it, start doing it.
Apart from this, whatever free time you get, sit in seclusion, close your eyes, perform the Dhikr of ”Allah-Hoo-Allah" 2000 times and along with this think of me, that the blessings (Faiz in Urdu) is coming out of my heart (i.e. Hadhrat’s heart) and coming into your heart. No need to say this with your tongue, this is also from the heart. This is the first lesson, it is called Latifa Qalb.

Recite Durud 200 times daily. You can recite any Durud you remember, but this Durud is better:
Allahumma Salle ‘Ala Sayyidina Wa Maulana Muhammadin Wa ‘Ala Aalihi Wa Sahbihi Afdhala Salawatika Wa ‘Adada Ma’aloomatika Wa Barik Wa Sallim.

In this way, first the disciple is made to traverse the Naqshbandi Sulook.

Hadhrat was a very great personality, a great scholar and a great saint. In spite of all this, he spent his whole life in the service of the creation. His whole life is a model of the commandments of Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

He passed away on Thursday, 18th Rabee’ Thaani, 1384 Hijri, 1964 AD at 8 AM.

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Miracles of Ghaus E Azam Shaikh Abd Al‑Qadir Al Jilani

The King of Jinns

Bushair bin Mahfooz states that once my daughter, Fatima, all of a sudden vanished from the roof of my house. I got worried and want to the blessed presence of Sayyed-e-na Ghouse-e-Pak and requested for help. He told me to go to Karkh, and during the night sit in a deserted place forming a fort (Hisar) around myself. Over there think about em and say:” Bismillah” During the darkness of night groups of Jinns will pass by you, their faces will be very strange, do not get scared by looking at them, at the time of sahari the KING OF JINNS will come to you and will ask you about your requirement. Tell him, “Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani has sent me from Baghdad (my requirement is that) you search my daughter.” Hence, I went to the ruins of KARKH and followed the instructions of Huzoor Ghous-e-Azam. During the silence of night, horrifying Jinns kept on passing outside my hisar. The faces of the Jinns were so horrifying that I could not look at them. At the time of sahari, the KING OF JINNS came on a horse back, there were Jinns surrounding him. He asked my demand from outside the hisar. I told him that Huzoor Ghous-e-Azam has sent me to you. As soon as he beard this, he got down the horse and sat on the ground. The other Jinns too sat outside the hisar. I narrated the incident of the disappearance of my daughter. He announced amongst all the Jinns, “Who has taken the girl?” Within moments the Jinns caught a Chinese Jinn and presented him as the culprit. The King of the Jinns asked him why did you pick the girl up from the city of the Highest Cadre in Spiritual Pivot (Qutub) of the time? He said, while shivering, Your Highness! After looking at her I fell in love with her. The King ordered the Chinese Jinn to be beheaded and returned my wonderful daughter to me. I thanked the King of the Jinns and said, as Allah will! You are an ardent lover of Sayyed-e-na Ghouse-e-Pak. He then replied, I SWEAR UPON ALLAH WHEN HUZOOR GHOUS-E-PAK LOOKS TOWARDS US, ALL THE JINNS START TREMBLING. WHEN ALL NOMINATES AS QUTUB OF TIME THEN ALL THE JINNS AND HUMANS ARE ORDERED TO FOLLOW HIM. (Bahjaa-tul-Asraar)

All the Jinns start trembling (with fear) on hearing your name. Your Have that majestic awe ‘O, Ghous-e-Azam Dastgir.

THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR PRESENTING THEMSELVES TO AL-GHAWTH AL-A’ZAM:
Hadrat Shaikh Abul Qaasim r.a. states that once Shaikh Abu Bakr, Shaikh Abul Khair, Shaikh Ibn Mahfooz, Shaikh Abu Hafs Umar, Shaikh Abul Aas Ahmad Imkaani, Shaikh Abdul Wahab r.a. and himself r.a. were all in the presence of the great al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. It was a Friday, the 30th of Jamadi-ul-Aakhir 560 A.H. During this time, Shaikh Qaasim r.a. states that a young handsome youth came into the blessed court of the great Saint. He sat with great respect, and then said: “O Friend of Allah! May there be Salaams upon you. I am the month of Rajab, and I have come to give you glad tiding that this is a good month for the people. They should thus do many good deeds in this month.” Shaikh Qaasim r.a. states that on another occasion, a youth again came to the Darbaar of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and with great respect said, “I am the month of Shabaan. I have not brought any glad tidings, but have come to inform you that in this month the people of Arabia will be in difficulty. There will be wars fought in Khurasaan and there will be sickness in Iraq through which many people will die.” Shaikh Qaasim r.a. states that after a few days, news reached Baghdad of these happenings in Arabia and Khurasaan and he states that during that time a disease spread in Iraq killing scores of people.

HIS SIGHT ON LAUH-E-MAHFOOZ (THE PROTECTED TABLET):

It is written in one narration that Shaikh Abul Hafs r.a. states: “Our Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir Jilani r.a. used to fly in the air and would say, ‘The sun does not rise before presenting Salaams in my court. By the Wrath and Honour of Allah! All the good and bad persons are before my sight. My eyes are fixed firmly on Lauh-e-Mahfooz. Time and again, I immerse myself in the sea of knowledge and wisdom blessed by Allah and I am the Sign (Nishaan) of Allah to the people, and the specially appointed representative of my forefather, Nabi Muhammad, s.a.w.s., and I am his viceroy on this earth.’”

A THIEF BECOMES AN ABDAAL (HIGH-RANKING SAINT):

Once a thief entered the house of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. with the intention of stealing. On entering the house, he became blind and could not see anything. He was unable to find his way out of the house and he eventually sat in one corner of the house. In the morning, he was caught and brought before Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. . When Al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. saw him, he placed his blessed hands on the thief’s eyes. The thief’s eyesight was immediately restored. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. then said, “He came to steal materialistic (worldly wealth), I will bless him with such a treasure that it will remain with him forever.” On saying these words, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. placed his blessed sight on the thief once and elevated him to the status of Wilayat (Sainthood). It was also during this time that one of the appointed Abdaals had passed away. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. took the thief, now a Wali, and sent him out as the replacement for the Abdaal that had passed away. Subhan-Allah!

TRANSPORTATION FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER:
Once whilst Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was delivering one of his spiritually enlightening lectures, a person by the name of Abul Mu’aali was present in this gathering. He was seated directly in front of the great Saint. During the course of the lecture, Abul Mu’aali found that he needed to answer the call of nature (relieve himself). He tried to suppress this need because he found it disrespectful to leave the gathering of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. He controlled the urge to the best of his ability, but when he could not do so any longer, he decided to leave. As he was about to stand, he saw the great Ghawth r.a. walking down the first stair of the pulpit (Mimbar) onto the second stair. As the Saint came to the second stair, Abul Mu’aali saw an image of the great Saint on the mimbar. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. came down to him and threw his shawl over him.

As this happened, Abul Mu’aali found that he was no longer in the gathering, but rather in a valley with beautiful lush vegetation. It was beautified even more by a stream, which flowed through it. He immediately answered the call of nature, performed Wudhu and then prayed two Rakaats Salaah. As he completed the Salaah, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. pulled the shawl off him. When Abul Mu’aali looked, he found to his amazement that he was still in the gathering of the great Saint r.a. and he had not even missed one word of the lecture of the great Saint. However, much later Abul Mu’aali discovered that he did not have his set of keys with him. He then remembered that when he was transported to the valley by Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., he had hung his key ring on the branch of a tree beside the stream. Abul Mu’aali states that some time after this incident, he had the opportunity to go on a business expedition. During this journey, Abul Mu’aali reached a valley and rested there. He then noticed, that the valley was the exact same place where the great Saint had transported him during his lecture. When he went beside the tree, he found that his missing keys were still hanging on the branch of the tree. Subhan-Allah! The business trip took fourteen days to complete. This miracle of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. shows that not only did he transport Abul Mu’aali spiritually, but also physically.

SHIP PROTECTED FROM STORM:

The students of the great Ghawth r.a. state that once he was delivering his lessons as usual to them when suddenly his blessed face turned red and beads of perspiration covered his blessed forehead. He then placed his hand into his cloak and remained silent for a short time. The students state that after he removed his hand from inside his cloak, drops of water began to drip from his sleeves. Due to his spiritual state, the students say that they did not ask him any questions but rather, they recorded the date, day and time of this astonishing event. The students say that two months after this incident, a group of traders, who had come by sea to Baghdad, arrived and presented various gifts to al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. The students were very confused by this as they had never seen these traders in Baghdad before. They asked the traders the reason for them bringing the gifts. The traders said that two months previously, whilst they were sailing to Baghdad, their ship was caught in a fierce storm.

When they realised that there was a real danger of sinking, they called out the name of “Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani” r.a. . When they called out his name, they found that from the Unseen a hand lifted their ship to safety. When the students compared this narration to the incident in the Madrassa, it was confirmed that it was the same date, day and time in which the great Saint r.a. had put his hand into his cloak. Suhban-Allah! This incident shows that although Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. seemed to be placing his hand into his cloak, but in reality, he was stretching his hand into the sea to assist those who called for his assistance!

DISAPPEARING INTO THE SUN:

The wet-nurse of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. states that when he was a child, she would carry him in her arms but would suddenly find that he was no longer there. She reports that she noticed that he used to fly into the sky and hide behind the rays of the sun. Once, when Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was much older, the wet-nurse s.a.w.s. went to him and asked if he still did as he used to do when he was a child, in other words, hide behind the sun. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. replied, “Then I was a child, and it was a time of weakness, and I used to hide in the rays of the sun. Now my strength and power is so immense, that if a thousand suns have to come then they would all be hidden in me rather than me being hidden by them.”

PROTECTION FROM ILLNESS:

Shaikh Ali bin Idrees Yaqoobi r.a. states that once his spiritual guide, Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. took him to al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and presented him in the court of the great Saint. Shaikh Ali bin Idrees r.a. states: “Al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was wearing a shawl during this time. He removed the shawl and placed it over me and said, ‘From now on, you will be protected from all illnesses’. From that day on until now, and I am 65 years old, I have never been ill.”

A LION OVERPOWERED:

Shaikh Abu Masood bin Abi Bakr Harimi r.a. reports that there was a very great Saint by the name of Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. He used to travel on a lion wherever he went. In every city that he visited, it was his habit to ask the people of the city to send one cow for his lion’s meal. Once, he went to a certain city and requested from the Saint of that city a cow for his lion. The Saint sent the cow to him and said, “If you ever go to Baghdad, your lion will receive a welcome invitation.”

Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. then journeyed to Baghdad Shareef. On arriving in Baghdad, he sent one of his disciples to al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and commanded that a cow be sent to him, as a meal for his lion. The great Ghawth was already aware of his coming. He had already arranged for a cow to be kept for the lion. On the command of Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. sent one of his disciples with a cow to him. As the disciple took the cow with him, a weak and old stray dog which used to sit outside the home of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. followed the disciple. The disciple presented the cow to Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. who in turn signalled the lion to commence feeding. As the lion ran towards the cow, this stray dog pounced on the lion. It caught the lion by its throat and killed the lion by tearing open its stomach. The dog then dragged the lion and threw it before al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a.

On seeing this, Shaikh Ahmed Jaam r.a. was very embarrassed. He humbled himself before the great Ghawth and asked for forgiveness for his arrogant behaviour. This incident shows the strength of a dog that only sat outside the stoop of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a.

This was due to its Nisbat to the blessed stoop of the great Saint. It also proves that even animals recognise and are loyal to the the Awliya Allah. A’la Hadrat, Shaikh Imam Ahmed Raza al-Qaadiri r.a. portrays the above-mentioned incident in one of his poetic stanzas. He says: “Kya Dab’be Jis Pe Himayat Ka Ho Panja Tera, Sher Ko Khatre me Laata, Nahi Kut’ta Tera”

Shaikh ALl BIN HAITI’S DREAM:

Once al-Ghawth al-A’zam Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. was delivering a lecture. Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. was seated in front of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. in this gathering. During the lecture of the great Ghawth, Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. fell asleep. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a., who saw this, descended from the Mimbar and stood in front of the sleeping Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. with both his hands folded in respect. After a while Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. awoke to find Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. standing in front of him. He immediately stood up in respect. Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. smiled and said, “The reason I am standing in front of him is because he was seeing the Holy Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w.s. in his dream and I was seeing the Prophet, s.a.w.s. with my physical eyes.”

MY FOOT IS ON THE SHOULDERS OF ALL THE SAINTS:

Once whilst he was delivering a lecture, Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. entered a spiritual state and said, “My foot is on the shoulders of all the Awliya Allah (Saints).” When he uttered these words there were many Awliya Allah in his presence. Each one of them immediately lowered their necks.

Shaikh Ali bin Haiti r.a. who was also present in this gathering, immediately went to Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and physically placed the foot of the great Ghawth on his neck. Shaikh Sayyidi Maajid r.a. states: “When al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. said these words, then every Wali on earth bowed his neck.” He also states, “There were 300 Awliya Allah and 700 Rijaalul Ghaib (Men of the Unseen) present in that gathering, and every one of them lowered their necks before him.”

Shaikh Makaarim r.a. states: “The day on which al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. made this statement, every Saint knew that the flag of Kingship was now planted before Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. . On this day, all the Saints from East to West lowered their necks on his command.” Sayyidi Shaikh Khalifatul Akbar r.a. states: “I saw the Beloved Rasool, s.a.w.s. in my dream and I asked him about the statement of al-Ghawth al-A’zam – ‘My foot is on the shoulders of all the Saints.’” He says that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s. )said, “Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. has spoken the truth and why should he not say this when he is the Qutb, and I am his Guardian”.

SULTANUL HIND KHWAJA MUEENUD’DEEN CHISHTI:

When Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said, “My foot is on the shoulders of all the Saints”, Shaikh Khwaja Mueenud’deen Chishti Hassani Sanjari Ajmeri r.a. was at this moment in the prime of his youth. He was deep in the remembrance of Allah on a mountain in Khurasaan. As soon as Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. said these words, Khwaja Mueenud’deen Chishti r.a. heard this and lowered his neck and said, “But your blessed foot is on my eyes and on my head.” It was through the blessing of this act of submission that r.a. Khwaja Mueenud’deen Chishti r.a. was made the King of the Saints of India and is known as “Sultaanul Hind”.


 MUFTI-E-A’ZAM HIND r.a.:

Mufti-e-A’zam Hind, Maulana Mustapha Raza al-Qaadiri r.a., the son of Imam Ahmed Raza al-Qaadiri r.a., says in one of his Manqabats, which he wrote in praise of the great Ghawth as follows: r.a. “Ye Dil Ye Jigar He Ye Aankhe Ye Sar He”- My Heart, My liver, My eyes and My head are all here, “Jahaa Chaaho Rakhlo Qadam Ghawth-e-A’zam” – O Ghaus! You may keep your blessed foot wherever you desire. This couplet of Mufti-e-A’zam r.a. shows that even though he was not born when the great Saint made this statement, but even after coming to this physical world, he showed his allegiance to al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. by accepting and confirming the command of the great Ghawth. This, and his immense love for Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. gained him the exalted status of “Ghaus-ul-Waqt” meaning “The Ghaus of the Time”.


IMAM AHMED BIN HAMBAL:

Shaikh Sayyidi Baqaa r.a. states that once he accompanied Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. to the tomb of Imam Ahmed bin Hambal r.a. . He says: “I saw Shaikh Imam Ahmed bin Hambal’s r.a. grave split open, and I saw him emerge from his blessed grave. He embraced al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and then said, ‘Even I am dependent on you in Tariqah’”.


SHAR’IAH AND TARIQAH:

Once Shaikh Bataa’ihi r.a. presented himself in the court of Shaikh Ahmed Kabeer r.a. He states that Shaikh Ahmed Kabeer r.a. said, “Do you know anything about the condition of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. ?” Shaikh Ahmed r.a. states: “On hearing this, I began to praise al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and say what I knew concerning him. I said as much as I knew and then remained silent.” Shaikh Ahmed Kabeer ( r.a. ) then said: “On his right is the Sea of Shari’ah and on his left is the Sea of Tariqah. From this, he gives whom he desires. In this era, there is none equal to him.”

ONE HUNDRED JURISTS HUMBLED:

It is well known that the lectures of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. attracted scores of scholars to Baghdad from all over the world. Once, a hundred Jurists formed a group and each one chose a difficult question. They all decided to present themselves in the gathering of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. and each would ask his question during the lecture in an attempt to cause Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. to be confused. The one hundred Jurists chose what they thought to be the most difficult question and travelled to Baghdad. They sat in the gathering of Shaikh Abd al-Qaadir al-Jilani r.a. waiting for the appropriate time to ask their questions. It was during this gathering that a bright ray of light emerged from the blessed chest of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and travelled into the heart of each of the one hundred Jurists. This light could only be seen by them and to those whom Almighty Allah desired to see. As this light entered their hearts, each one of them entered a state of spiritual ecstasy. Each one of them fell at the feet of al-Ghawth al-A’zam r.a. and repented from their improper intentions. The great Saint, with great compassion, embraced each one of them, filling their hearts with Noor, and at the same time answering every one of their questions, even though they had not asked.
The Spouted Jug Turned Towards The Qibla

Once a group of the great saints of Jilan Shareef visited the grand blessed presence of Huzoor Sayyed-e-na Ghous-e-Azam, they found the pot shareef of His not in the direction of Qibla (so they drew His attention towards it, hence) He looked at his servant wrathfully. He could not tolerate the wrath and fell down and trembled to death. Now He looked at the pot, it itself turned towards the Qibla. (Bahjaa-tul-Asraar)
For the sake of Allah! Give the ointment of dust which touched your feet. My liver is injured and heart is wounded ‘O, Ghouse.

Keep The Pot Facing Towards The Qibla

‘O, The livers of the King of the Baghdad! It is a fact that the upper most degree of love is that we open heartedly adopt each and every motion of our loved one. Therefore, if possible always keep the pot’s spout facing the Qibla, Huzoor Muhaddis-e-Azam (the Greatest scholar of tradition of the Holy Prophet of Pakistan Hazrat-e-Maulana Sardar Ahmed Sahib apart from the pot used to also keep his shoes facing the Qibla. Thanks to Allah Sagh-e-Madeenah as far as possible follows the ways of these two saints by keeping the pot and shoes facing the Qibla. But in fact, the desire of Sagh-e-Madeenah is that every thing remains facing the Qibla. (Bahjaa-tul-Asraaq)

Even though I am disgraced and friendless. Immoral and bad charactered. I am Your’s I am Your’s ‘O, Ghous-e-Azam Dastgir.

Freedom From The Punishment Of Grave

One distressed young man came to the presence of Ghousiyat and presented his desire, “Huzoor! I saw my late father in my dream last night, he was saying, “Son! I am involved with punishment in the grave, you go to the presence of Sayyed-e-na Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani and request Him to pray for me. After listening to this. The King of Baghdad inquired, did your father ever pass by My Madrasah?
He replied, yes Then He became silent. That young man went away. The next day he came back very happy and said, ‘O, Murshid! Last night my late father came in my dream wearing a green dress (garment worn in paradise), he was very happy, and was saying, “Son! By the blessing of Sayyed-e-na Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani the punishment has been dispelled and I got this green dress also. My dear son! You should remain in His presence.” After listening to this He said, My Allah has promised me that muslim who passes by our Madreash his punishment will be reduced. (Bahjaa-tul-Asraar)


During the last Breath, in the Grave, on the Balance Scale, on the Bridge (providing) lest May the grip on the sublime support of Your’s not be loosened.

A Dead Body’s Screams And Shoutings

Once some people came to the presence of the Ghous and requested, Your Highness! There are sounds of screams of a dead person coming out of a grave in the “Bab-ul-Azj” graveyard. Huzoor! Please bestow some mercy on the unfortunate so that his punishment is abolished. He asked, did he receive the saintly dress of caliphate from me? The people replied we don’t know. He asked, did he ever attend my congregation? People showed ignorance. He asked, did he ever eat my food? People again showed ignorance. He asked, did he ever perform prayers behind me? The people gave the same answer. He lowered His blessed head down a bit, signs of anger and prestige were seen on His face. After sometime He said, the angels just now told me that “he had visited you and he had a firm belief in you, therefore Allah bestowed mercy upon him”. Thanks to Allah the sounds that were coming out of his grave stopped. (Bahjaa-tul-Asraar)

Even though bad, thief, culprit and useless. No matter how He is, He is Your’s ‘O, merciful.
What Wonderful A Greatness Of Ghous-E-Azam

Someone narrated an incident, which took place in Kutiyana (India), the ancestral village of Sagh-e-Madeenah, that one person used to live there, who was an ardent lover of Ghous-e-Pak. He used to celebrate Gyarhavin Shareef (the eleventh day of the Islamic month and offering is made on this day for sunni saint Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani very enthusiastically. One another quality which was present in him was that he used to give a lot of respect to Syeds (The generation of The Holy Prophet, he used to be so kind/caring towards young Syeds that he used to life them up and move around, and would buy sweets for them. On his death, a sheet was placed on the body, the people who came to grieve were present when suddenly the lover removed the sheet and sat upright. People got scared and started running, he cried out, don’t be scared, just listen to me! When people came close he started saying, “the thing is that just now my Mentor of eleventh, the helpful Mentor, the One pure of heart, the Qutub (the highest Cadre in spiritual pivot of Allah, the dear One of Allah, the divine Ghous, the Candle of light, the Mentor of the mentors, the Leader of the leaders, Al-Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani had come. He Kicked me and said “BEING MY DECIPLE YOU DIED WITHOUT REPENTING! GET UP AND REPENT”. Therefore, the soul re-entered my body so that I could repent. After saying this the lover asked for forgiveness of his sins and started reciting the Kalima-e-Pak. Suddenly, his head went on one side and he died.

Raza will die with his faith alive. If your mercy is with he ‘O, Ghous.

Congratulation to the lovers and deciples of Huzoor Ghous-e-Pak that the King of Baghdad has said : “My deciple no matter how sinful he is, will not die till the time he does not repent”. (Al Akhbaar-ul-Akhyaar)
Even if someone calls me notorious it will be casually. That notorious beggar of your’s.

The Hearts Are In The Fist

Hazrat-e-Sayyed-e-na Umar bin Bazzaz has stated, one on a Friday I was going towards Jam’I Mosque along with Huzoor Ghous-e-Pak, a thought came in my heart that it is strange that whenever I go to the mosque on Friday with my Mentor people gather around either to say salaam or to shake hands and it becomes difficult to pass through them, but today no one is even looking. As soon as this thought came in my heart Huzoor Ghous-e-Pak looked towards me and smiled and then, what happened was! People started leaping quickly to shake hands with the Lord of Baghdad. There were so many people that there was a huge crowd between me and my merciful Mentor. I thought in my heart that it was much better before. As soon as this thought came in my heart

He told: ” O UMAR! YOU WERE THE ONE WHO WANTED THE CROWD, DON’T YOU KNOW THAT THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE ARE IN MY FIST, IF WANT I CAN PULL THEIR HEARTS TOWARDS ME AND IF I WANT I CAN PUSH THEM AWAY FROM ME”. (Zubda-tul-Aasar)

Allah gave You the keys to the hearts something. That this heart becomes the treasure of Your Love.
‘O, Ghous Help


 Hazrat-e-Bishr Qarazi narrates that I was travelling with a group of traders along with fourteen camels carrying sugar. We stopped for the night in a dangerous jungle. In the early hours of the night my four loaded camels disappeared, which were not found even after a lot of search. The group also departed. The camel driver stayed back with me . In the morning I suddenly remembered that my Mentor, The King of Baghdad Huzoor Ghous-e-Pak had told me that whenever you get stuck in any problem then call me (my name), Allah willing that problem will be solved, hence I requested this way: YA SHAIKH ABDUL QADIR! MY CAMELS ARE LOST. All of sudden I saw a saintly man dressed in white clothes on a sand dune towards east, who was signaling me to come to him. As soon as I along with my camel driver reached over there the saintly Man disappeared from vision. We were strangely looking here and there when we suddenly spotted those four lost camels sitting under the sand dune. Then what happened was that we caught the camels and re-joined the group.

When Sayyed-e-na Shaikh Ab-ul-Hasan Ali Khabbaz was told the incident of the lost camels He said that Hazrat-e-Shaikh Ab-ul- Qassim has said that I have heard Sayyed-e-na Shaikh Muhi-ud-Din Abdul Qadir Jilani saying:

“THE ONE WHO CRIES OUT FOR MY HELP DURING SOME PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM GETS SOLVED, THE ONE WHO CALLS OUT MY NAME IN ANY HARDSHIP, THAT HARDSHIP; GETS DISMISSED, THE ONE WHO USED ME AS A SOURCE TO ASK ALLAH FOR SOME NEED, IT WILL BE FUFILLED. THE PERSON WHO PRAYES TWO RAK’AT OF NAFL AND IN EACH RAK’AT AFTER SURAH FATIHA RECITIES SURAH IKHLAS ELEVEN TIMES, AFTER SAYING SALAAM i.e AFTER FINISHING THE PRAYER, SENDS DUROOD-O-SALAAM ON THE KING OF MADEENAH AND THEN WALKS A DISTANCE OF ELEVEN STEPS TOWARDS BAGHDAD SHAREEF AND CALLS OUT MY NAME AND PRESENTS HIS NEED, ALLAH WILLING, THAT NEED WILL BE FULFILLED’.

Why should I go from door to door when I have a mentor like You. I received every thing from you ‘O, Ghous-e-Azam Dastgir.

Dear Islamic Brethern! It is possible that in someone’s mind a thought may arise that we should only ask Allah for any help and no one else, because when Allah is the One who helps then why should we ask anyone else for help? The answer to this is that this is the way he makes an unknown number of people go astray. When Allah has not refrained from asking for help from someone else then how can someone get the right of saying that don’t ask for help from anyone but Allah. Look in the Holy Quran, where Allah has in various verses allowed asking for help from someone else, but even though being the Omnipotent in every way,. He has asked for help from His beings. Therefore it is stated: Translation: If you will help the religion of Allah, Allah will help you. (Part-26, Sura: Muhammad)

Hazrat-e-Sayyed-e-na Issa Rooh-hul-lah while asking for help from His desciples states: Translation: Issa son of Maryam has said to his desciples, who may help me being towards Allah? The desciples said, we are the helpers of the religion of Allah”. (Part-28 Sura: Al-Saff)

When Hazrat-e-Sayyed-e-na Moosa Kalee-mul-lah was ordered to go to Fir’on for preaching, He asked for the help of a human being and requested Allah: Translation: And make a minister for me from my family (He) May brother Haroon. Strengthen may loin by him. (Part-16 Verses-29 to 31)

Allah has stated in another place: Translation: Then undoubtedly, Allah is his helper, and Gibrael and the righteous believers and after that the angels are his helpers. (Part-28 Sura: Al-Tahrim)

Dear Islamic Brethern! Did you see? The Holy Quran very openly, in clear words, announces that Allah is the Sustainer, but by the grace of Allah even Gibrael Amin and the dear ones of Allah (the Prophets ) and the Saints and even the angels are the ones who help. Now, Allah willing, this satanic thought that no one can help except for Allah, would be demolished from its roots. The interesting thing is that the ones who migrated to Madeenah-e-Munawwarah from Macca-e-Moazzamah are called Refugee (muhajir) and the ones who helped them are called Ansaar and every sensible person knows that the meaning of the word Ansaar is the helper. (May Allah influence the hearts with my words.)

Now may be the satan might put this evil thought in the heart that it is alright to ask for help from those who are alive but after their death you should not ask them for help. If you carefully study the following verse and the topic after it then Allah willing this satanic thought will be uprooted from its roots. It is stated: Translation: And say not those who are killed in the path of Allah as dead; but they are alive yes, you are unaware. (Part-2 Sura: Al-Baqara)

It is proved by the Holy Quran that the ones martyred are alive. Now if these people are accepted as being alive who were killed by an iron sword in the path of Allah, then what are you going to say about the Prophets, but about the Leader of the Prophets Muhammad-e-Mustafa? It is stated in ROO-HUL-BAYAN that those people who died by the sword of the love of Allah are also included in this (meaning even they are alive like the ones martyred). Anyway, the Prophets are the Saints are alive, and we don’t ask for help from the dead but from the ones alive and by the grace of Allah we accept them as the ones who fulfill the needs of the needy and the ones who help in the troubled times. Indeed, without Allah’s bestowal no Prophet or Saint can neither give anything as small as t he smallest thing (particle atom) to anyone nor can they provide any sort of help. Sayyed-e-na Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa has, while requesting for help from the Holy Prophet, requested in QASEEDA-E-NOMAN: Which means that ‘O, the One better than humans and jinns, and the One who is the treasure of the Bounty of Allah Please also give me from what Allah has bestowed on You and how Allah has satisfied you.

You also make me satisfied. I am a candidate of Your shower of generosity. There is no one for Abu Hanifa in the entire creation except you.

Sayyed-e-na Imam Sharaf-ud-Din Busairi has requested for help from the Lord of Madeenah in the famous QASEEDA-E-BURDA by requesting: The One better than all creations, there is no one of mine except for You. The One whose shelter I can take in the time of trouble

Imdad-ullah Muhajir Makki has requested in NAALA-E-IMDAD: I am sleeping day and night on the pillow of sins. Wake me up from the dream of ignorance Ya Rasool Allah.

Hazrat-e-Shah Wali-ullah Muhaddis Dehlawi has written about the grand supremacy of Ghous-e-Pak that: That is Sheikh Mohi-ud-din Abdul Qadir Jilani, therefore says that even in His Grave Sharif he has authority like the ones alive.

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Milad-un-Nabi (booklet)

Milad Un Nabi Booklet by Syed Akbar Hussain

BOOK : Milaad-un-Nabi (Sallahu Alaihi wasallam)

Topic: Celebration of Milaad-un-NABI in the Light of QURAAN and HADITH

LINK : Read and Download Instantly On Blogspot



DOWNLOAD - Milad-un-nabi -booklet

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Burqa (Hijaab)- Safeguard of women? chastity and honor

This is a not a new topic, but every passing day increases its importance. Some anti-Islam organizations and people who follow their own base desires oppose it and in the name of “freedom for women” and “equal rights for women,” women are being forced to leave their home and hearth. They are told, how long will you remain imprisoned within the 4 walls of the houses? You should leave your houses and walk alongside men in every phase and walk of life. Under these and such deceiving slogans, women have been removed from the safe and secure walls of their houses and are dragged into the nightclubs and dancing houses, they are forced to work in the offices and different departments and they are made playthings in of men. The crown of chastity and the robe of modesty which Allah SWT granted them has been removed, the chador of honor which Islam had given has been torn to shreds and women are turned into showpieces and puppets. It is strange that when a women serves her family, when she busies herself in caring for her husband and her children, it is called as servitude, but when she washes dishes for a stranger or serves meals to a customer, caters to whims and caprices of a passenger and pampers the ego of her boss, that is called as “freedom”.

Renaming wisdom as madness and madness as wisdom
you are a miracle-worker, you can do anything.

All this is being done in the name of women’s rights. Women have been removed from the secure nature of Purdah and turned into a plaything, showpiece for men. This has turned this into a burning topic for the present time.

Surely Islam never wants that women should remain a slave. It also does not want their chastity and honor to be disturbed. This is not possible without Purdah. It is a common occurrence that 20 men may pass but no one even raises their head to see them, but let 1 woman pass, then she becomes the center of attention. Allah SWT has placed a certain power of attraction in women. If there is no system in place to protect women, then the sky-high structures of “culture” will be razed to the ground in the twinkling of an eye.

Islam explains the fact that men are women are all slaves of Allah SWT and both of them are the progeny and children of Hadhrat Adam and Hadhrat Hawwa (Eve) (Peace be upon them). They are not slaves of one another. In the society they are both equal and they are different from the viewpoint of creation. For this reason, their areas of work are different. They are both equally responsible for the development and the smooth running of the society. The men takes care of work outside the house and the women takes care of work inside the house. Islam says that the real place of a woman is her house:

And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. Surah Ahzaab (33:33)

This shows that leaving the house for mere display and show. But it is perfectly allowed to leave the house for any valid reason.

It is given in Sahih Bukhari:

Translation: Allah SWT has given you permission to leave your houses for your (valid) needs. (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Un Nikah, Hadith No:4836)

Separate and complete rules have been given to be followed when the women leave the house. Purdah is the safeguard of a woman’s chastity and honor.

The degrees of Purdah:

The first degree:

Islam has given guidelines for women to be followed when she is in her house and when she leaves her house. The first degree of Purdah is Purdah against people in that women and their actions should not be seen by men. They should remain in their house and the eyes of men should not fall even on their clothes. This is a high degree of Purdah. Allah SWT says:

And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. Surah Ahzaab (33:33)

Allah SWT also says:
And when ye ask (his c) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Surah Ahzaab (33:53)

There is a Hadith in Jame Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Dawood and Musnad Ahmed:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Umme Salma (May Allah be well pleased with her) that she and Hadhrat Maimoona (May Allah be well pleased with her) were in the presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and Hadhrat Abdullah bin Maktoom (May Allah be well pleased with him) entered. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Veil yourselves from him. Hadhrat Umme Salma (May Allah be well pleased with him) says I said: O Prophet of Allah SWT! He is blind, he can’t see us. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Are you also blind? Can you not see him?

(Jame Tirmidhi, Hadith No: 2702, Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No: 3585, Musnad Imam Ahmed, Hadith No: 2702)

There is a Hadith in Kanzul Ummal and Majma Uz Zawaaid:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) that I was in the presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). He told the Sahabah: What is better for a woman? The Sahabah remained silent. Then when I went to my house, I asked Hadhrat Fatima (May Allah be well pleased with her) about this. She said: It is better for women that they do not see men and men don’t see them. When I conveyed this reply to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: She has said the truth. Verily! She is a piece of My heart.
(Majma Uz Zawaaid, Vol. 4, Pg No: 255, Kanz Ul Ummal, Hadith No: 46012)

The second Degree:

When women are allowed to leave the house for any valid need of theirs, then they are ordered to cover themselves in a long chador or the like that no part of their body should be visible. She should not use any kind of scent, fragrance etc. She should not wear any jewelry which makes sound. She should walk at the sides of the road and she should not enter a crowd of men. As Allah SWT says in Surah Ahzaab:

O prophet! tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Surah Ahzaab (33:59)

The third degree:

In the house, there is no prohibition on relatives, servants etc. entering the house and collective living, eating etc. with them. Broad guidelines have been given in this regard.

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah that ye may attain Bliss. Surah Noor (24:31)

As far as male relatives are concerned, there are some relatives who themselves safeguard the chastity of women. They are called “Maharim” with whom marriage is prohibited forever. And there are some other relatives with whom marriage is not prohibited and allowed and permissible. They are the not included in the Maharim. The Maharim are those who safeguard the chastity of women. About others Islam has ordered Purdah against them.

In the Holy Quran the Purdah for women has been dealt with in 7 verses. 3 verses of Surah Noor and 4 verses of Surah Ahzaab. There are about 70 Hadith in which the rules of Purdah have been described.

With the husband, there is no Purdah. The husband can see the wife from head to toe and vice versa. It is mentioned in etiquettes (aadaab) that they should not see each other’s private parts. As given in Mausu’atul Fiqhiya, Vol. 1, Pg No: 53). About other relatives like father, brother etc., the rule is that from a woman’s navel to her knees, nobody can see. Nobody from the Maharim can see this area of a woman’s body. Other parts like face, ankles, arms etc can be seen provided there is no fear of corruption, as given in Hidayah Kitab Ul Karahiya, Pg No: 461. Allah SWT says about seeing the Maharim in verse 31 of Surah Noor:

that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers,……….

According to this verse, it is allowed to reveal one’s beauty before them and revealing one’s beauty means revealing the areas of beauty. The wrists, ears, neck, feet are all included in this. These are called the areas of beauty i.e. the areas where beauty is expressed. If there is any fear of any corruption, then even the face should be covered. If there is no such fear, then there is no problem in keeping the face and palms uncovered. As said by Allah SWT:

that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof;
As given in Hidayah in Kitabul Karahiya, Pg No: 452 that according to Hadhrat Ali and Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) that except “what (ordinarily) appear thereof” means the Kohl of the eyes and the ring.

Hadith: Translation: Hadhrat Asma bint Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with them) came to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and she was wearing thin clothes. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) turned His face away from her and said: O Asma! When a woman comes of age, then her body parts being visible is not correct, excepting this and He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) gestured towards His face and His palms.

The most attractive part of the human body is the face and it is this body part which has the abilities of seeing, hearing and talking which may lead a person to immodesty. For this reason, the Shariah has commanded the woman to cover her face and not allow any unrelated person’s eyes to fall on her face.

There are strict warnings in Hadith about seeing an unrelated woman’s face with desire. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Whoever looks at the beauty of a woman with desire, on the Day of Judgment, molted lead will be poured into his eyes.

The face is not included in Satar (those body parts covering whom is compulsory) but because of the general corruption of the times, the Fuqaha (Hon’ble Jurists) have made it compulsory to cover the face and not reveal before an unrelated male, so while wearing the Burqa, it is necessary that a woman cover her face, her ankles, and her palms as well. As given in Durre Mukhtaar, Vol. 5, Pg No: 261.
It is universally agreed upon that seeing an unrelated face with desire is forbidden.

According to the Fiqh Hanafi, the Hanafi school of Fiqh, it is allowed to reveal the face of a woman, but in this age of corruption it is better to cover it. It is allowed for a woman to reveal her face to a Qazi, a witness. It is allowed to see the face of the woman whom you desire to marry, as it is a means to develop love. It is allowed for a doctor to see the diseased part of the body. Those parts of a woman’s body which are to be covered cannot be seen even when they are separated from the body. This is the ruling about the hair, nails of a woman.

The parts which cannot be revealed cannot be touched or felt as well. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has said: whoever touches the palm of a woman with whom he had no valid relation, on the Day of Judgment, fire will be placed on that palm. (Takmila fath ul Qadeer, Hidayah, kitabul Karahiya, Vol. 4, Pg No: 459)

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also said:

Translation: No man should see the Satar of another and no woman should see the Satar of another. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No: 512)

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also said: May Allah SWT curse those women who are naked in spite of wearing clothes.

Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) said: Do not clothe your women in such clothes which are so tight that they outline their whole body. (Al Mabsut Kitabul istihsaan)

Burqa is only an improved kind of Purdah. The Niqab of the Burqa also fulfils the same reason for which the command for covering the faces with chador is given. . There are numerous reports daily of criminals snatching chains and other jewelry from women going on the road, but there is no report which says that this has happened to a Burqa-wearing woman as well. Skin diseases are common nowadays because of pollution and more often than not, it is the women who keep their faces uncovered who contract them. It is a blessing of the Purdah that apart from prying eyes, it saves from skin diseases as well. Nowadays, people are trying to defame Islam and Muslims in some way or the other. Sometimes, by disrespecting the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and sometimes by making fun of the Shariah. Sometimes by portraying Islamic divorce in a bad light and sometimes by comparing the Purdah to a prison. The aim is to defame the Muslims and spread immodesty among them. The remarks of Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of France, are against wisdom and common sense. If any person wants to lead a peaceful life, then there is no other go other than Islam.

It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Uqba bin Amir (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said avoid going to women. A Sahabi (May Allah be well pleased with him) said: What do you say about the husband’s brother? He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The husband’s brother is death. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No: 4831, Sahih Muslim, 4037).

There is a Hadith in Jame Tirmidhi: Woman should remain in Purdah, when a woman leaves the house without Purdah, Satan starts eying her and increases her beauty and displays it. Verily! A woman is closest to Allah SWT when she is in her house. (Jame Tirmidhi, Hadith No: 1093, Mojam Kabeer Tabarani, Hadith No: 9368).

In Ihraam (in Haj, Umra) women should save their face from other cloths. If a woman runs into non-Maharim, she should cover her face and when they pass uncover it again.

Hadith Translation:

Ummul Momineen Hadhrat Ayesha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with him) says: Riders would cross us when we were with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in Ihram. We would cover our faces when they came near us and uncover it when they went. (Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No: 1562)

Old women are excused from the rules of Purdah which are for young women. As given in Surah Noor:

Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage― there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things. Surah Noor (24:60)

The summary of all these rules is that safeguarding chastity and honor should be most important to women, so that the society holds her in high esteem. In light of the needs of the society, Purdah has been classified into degrees. The whole body should be hidden from male view and when necessary, the face and hands can be revealed. The face, hands, arms, feet etc. can be revealed before the Maharim. Even here, doing it without a reason is not liked. For her husband, a woman can dress herself up and adorn herself as much as she likes. Islam permits them to leave their houses for a valid reason with the above guidelines.

Human society is not only through men but women are also an integral part of it. All kinds of family and household issues are related to them alone. The daughters of Islam can acquire Islamic sciences and worldly education and play an important role in purifying and improving the society. Within the parameters set by the Shariah, they can even perform social service as the need arises.

There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari: 

Translation:

It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Rabe’ea (May Allah SWT be well pleased with her), she says that along with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), we would provide drinking water, and provide first-aid to the injured and take the martyrs to Madina. (Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1, 403).

To summarize, the daughters of Islam should acquire Islamic and worldly sciences and master all disciplines and serve the society both directly and indirectly and most of all they should pay attention to that specialty of medicine which deals with women’s diseases (OB/GYN) and specialize in them.

It is necessary for building a pure, virtuous society that the sources from where corruption spreads should be covered otherwise the whole society will go up in flames. For this reason and to protect the women, the Islamic Shariah has given the women, the Purdah (Burqa) and has given various guidelines for its use. If these are followed, then the whole society will turn into a garden of peace.

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