Permissibility of Celebrating Mawlid from Qur'an al-Karim & Ahadith!!

Permissibility of Celebrating Mawlidfrom Qur'an al-Karim & Ahadith!!

All Praises is due to Almighty Allah, Peace and Blessings be upon the most perfect of creations, His Beloved Habib, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and his Noble Family and the Illustrious Sahaba and all the pious servants of Almighty Allah!!
In the present era, we are suffering from sects and so-called scholars who baselessly impose verdicts of Shirk and Bid’ah on those who celebrate Mawlid an-Nabi (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) with great enthusiasm and integrity and due to which the gullible and simple people, who are less in knowledge of Quran and Hadith get nervous whether they are following the right path or not.
Here are ample proofs from Qur'an al-Kareem and Ahadith of Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) which shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that Celebrating Milad-un-Nabi (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is absolutely lawful and commendable.

..:: The Holy Qur’an Says ::..
قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيداً لأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِّنكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَEisa, the son of Maryam, said, “O Allah, O our Lord! Send down to us a table spread from heaven, so that it may become a day of celebration for us – for our former and latter people - and a sign from You; and give us sustenance - and You are the Best Provider Of Sustenance.” [Surah Al-Ma’idah, Verse 114]
The day when food is sent from skies is day of rejoicing (EID); then the day when soul of universe (Peace be with him) was born must be the delight for the day of rejoicing.
Look what Allah has said:
وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْAnd abundantly proclaim the favours of your Lord. [Surah Al-Duha, Verse 11]
Allah Himself commemorating Milad in Holy Qar’an as we do in our gatherings, Allah (SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala) says in the Holy Qur’an:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَكَفَى بِاللهِ شَهِيدًاIt is He Who has sent His Noble Messenger with the guidance and the true religion, in order to make it prevail over all other religions; and Allah is sufficient as a Witness. [Surah Al-Fatha, Verse 28]
وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌAnd remember when Eisa the son of Maryam said, “O Descendants of Israel! Indeed I am Allah’s Noble Messenger towards you, confirming the Book Torah which was before me, and heralding glad tidings of the Noble Messenger who will come after me – his name is Ahmed (the Praised One)”; so when Ahmed came to them with clear proofs, they said, “This is an obvious magic.” [Surah As-Saf, Verse 6]
لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌIndeed there has come to you a Noble Messenger from among you - your falling into hardship aggrieves him, most concerned for your well being, for the Muslims most compassionate, most merciful. [Surah Tauba, Verse 128]
لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللهُ عَلَى الْمُؤمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولاً مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُواْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلالٍ مُّبِينٍAllah has indeed bestowed a great favour upon the Muslims, in that He sent to them a Noble Messenger (Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him) from among them, who recites to them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom; and before it, they were definitely in open error. [Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 164]
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۔۔۔ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُواْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَO mankind! The advice has come to you from your Lord and a cure for the hearts - and guidance and mercy for believers. Say, “Upon Allah’s munificence and upon His mercy - upon these should the people rejoice”; that is better than all their wealth and possessions. [Surah Al-Yunus, Verse 57/58]
And this is what we do, we celebrate; we rejoice; we do spend our money to show gratitude to Allah Almighty on his greatest mercy and Blessing i.e. celebrations of Milad-un-Nabi (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) because Qur’an Says:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَAnd We did not send you (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him) except as a mercy for the entire world. [Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 107]

..:: See in the light of Ahadith ::..
Let us have the opinions of Prophet (Peace be with him) who himself celebrated his Birthday. See Muslim Sharif:
عَنْ أَبِى قَتَادَةَ الأَنْصَارِىِّ رضى الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- سُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ الاِثْنَيْنِ فَقَالَ « فِيهِ وُلِدْتُ وَفِيهِ أُنْزِلَ عَلَىَّAbi Qatada Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (may Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.
References:
1. Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Vol. 7, Page 323, Hadith 28072. Musannaf Abd ar-Razzaq, Vol. 4, Page 296, Hadith 78653. Sunan Abi Dawood, Vol. 7, Page 255, Hadith 24284. Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 49, Page 195, Hadith 232005. Sunan al-Kubra lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 4, Page 2866. Usd ul-Gaabba fi Ma’arfat as-Sahaba, Vol. 1, Page 21-22, published in Lahore 1987
When beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon him) is commemorating his birthday not yearly but every Monday then how can it be labelled as Shirk or Bid’ah? Is it not a Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam)?
Beloved Prophet Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam himself commemorated about his birth in numerous Ahadith. Few of them are presented below.
ورأت أمي حين حملت بى أنه خرج منها نور أضاء له قصور بصرى من أرض الشامHoly Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said: “When my mother gave birth to me she saw a light proceeding from her which showed her the castles of Syria”
References:
1. Ibn Hisham; Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 4, Page 3602. Bayhaqi, Dala’il an-Nubuwwah, Vol. 1, Page 1103. Haythami, Zawa’i, Vol. 8, Page 2214. Ibn al-Jawzi ‘al-Wafa’5. Qadi Iyad, ‘al-Shifa’6. Musnad Ahmad Vol. 4, Page 127
أول ما خلق الله تعالى نوريThe Holy Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) has stated, "The very first thing which Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala created was my Noor."
References:
1. Tafseer Nashyapuri, Page 55, Vol. 82. Tafseer Araa'is ul Bayaan, Page 238, Vol. 13. Tafseer Roohul Bayaan, Page 548, Vol. 14. Zirkaani ala al-Mawahib, Page 37, Vol. 15. Madarij an-Nabuwwah, Page 6, Vol. 26. Bayaan al-Miladun Nabi li Ibn Jauzi, Page 24
Sharih al-Bukhari Imam Ahmad Qastalani (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) states in his most distinguished work "Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah" that narration has been made by Hadrat Imam Zaynul Abedeen (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) who narrates from His father Hadrat Imam Husain (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) who narrates from His father Hadrat Ali Mushkil Kusha (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) that the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) has stated,
كنت نورا بين يدى ربى قبل خلق آدم باربعة عشر ألف عام“I was a Noor (Light) by my creator 14000 years before the creation of Hadrat Adam (Alaihis Salaam)"
References:
1. Muwahib al-Laduniyah, Page 10, Vol. 12. Zirkani ala al-Mawahib, Page 49, Vol. 13. Jawahir al-Bihar, Page 7744. Anwaar al-Muhammadiya, Page 95. Tafseer Rooh al-Bayan, Page 370, Vol. 26. Hujjatullahi Ala al-Alameen
Pupil of Imam Malik and the teacher of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal and Hafizul Hadith Abdul Razzak Abu Bakr Bin Hamman, the teacher of the teachers of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, in his Book "Musannaf", has narrated from Hadrat Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari and his son (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhum), that he asked the Holy Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him)
روى عبد الرزاق -فيما قيل- عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال: "قلت: يا رسول الله بأبي أنت وأمّي أخبرني عن أول شىء خلقه الله تعالى قبل الأشياء؟ قال: يا جابر إن الله تعالى خلق قبل الأشياء نور نبيّك من نوره فجعل ذلك النور يدور بالقدرة حيث شاء الله ولم يكن في ذلك الوقت لوح ولا قلم ولا جنّة ولا نار ولا ملك ولا سماء ولا أرض ولا شمس ولا قمر ولا جني ولا إنسي، فلما أراد الله أن يخلق الخلق قسّم ذلك النور أربعة أجزاء فخلق من الجزء الأول القلم، ومن الثاني اللوح، ومن الثالث العرش، ثم قسم الجزء الرابع أربعة أجزاء فخلق من الجزء الأول حملة العرش، ومن الثاني الكرسي، ومن الثالث باقي الملائكة، ثم قسّم الرابع أربعة أجزاء فخلق من الأول السموات، ومن الثاني الأرضين، ومن الثالث الجنّة والنار، ثم قسم الرابع أربعة أجزاء فخلق من الأول نور أبصار المؤمنين، ومن الثاني نور قلوبهم وهي المعرفة بالله، ومن الثالث نور أنسهم وهو التوحيد لا إله إلا الله محمّد رسول الله...."O Prophet of Allah! My parents be sacrificed upon you, what did the Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala first create?" The Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) replied: "Allah first created my Noor (Light) of His Noor. This Noor traveled about according to the Will of Allah. At that time, there was no Heaven, Hell, Lawh (Divine Tablet), Pen, Earth, Skies, Sun, Moon, Jinn or Human Beings. When He decided to create, He divided that Noor into four parts. From one part He created the Pen, from the second, the Lawh and from the third, he made the Arsh (Throne). He divided the fourth part into a further four parts. From one, He created those Angels who carry the Arsh, from the second, the Kursi (Divine Chair) and from the third, He created the Angels. He again divided the remaining parts into a further four parts. From one, He created the skies. The second was used in creating the planets. From the third, Heaven and Earth were created. Once again, He divided the fourth part into a further four parts. From one part He created the power with which the believers see. From the second, He created in the hearts of the Believers the Noor of Marifat. From the third, He created Noor in the tongues of the Believers, so that they can read the Kalima of Tawheed.
References:
1. Muwahib al-Ladunniyah,Vol.1, Page 92. Zarqani ala al-Mawahib, Vol. 1, Page 463. Seerate al-Halabia, Vol. 1, Page 37
4. Mataali al-Masarraat Sharah Dalail Khayrat, Page 610
5. Afdal al-Qura by Imam Ibn Hajr Makki
6. Hujatullahu ala al-Alameen, Page 68
7. Anwaar al-Muhammadiya, Page 9
8. Aqidat ash-Shuhada, Page 100
9. Fatawa Hadithia, Page 51
10. Dalaa'il an-Nubuwwah By Imam Baihaqi
11. Khamees by Allama Dayar Bakri
12. Madarij an-Nabuwwat by Skaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlvi

Abu Lahab was an uncle to the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam). The event, which Imaam Qastalaani has referred to, is this. When a maid of Abu Lahab (Abdul 'Uzza) named Thuwaibah informed him of a son being born to his brother Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), he (Abu Lahab) was so delighted at herring this that he pointed his finger to her in a manner which signified her emancipation for carrying the good news to him But when the holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) declared his Prophet hood, he (Abu Lahab) did not accept him as a Prophet but became a most severe enemy to him and remained so all his life. In condemnation of him a whole Surah of the Holy Qur’an descended.
4. Mataali al-Masarraat Sharah Dalail Khayrat, Page 6105. Afdal al-Qura by Imam Ibn Hajr Makki6. Hujatullahu ala al-Alameen, Page 687. Anwaar al-Muhammadiya, Page 98. Aqidat ash-Shuhada, Page 1009. Fatawa Hadithia, Page 5110. Dalaa'il an-Nubuwwah By Imam Baihaqi11. Khamees by Allama Dayar Bakri12. Madarij an-Nabuwwat by Skaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlvi
Abu Lahab was an uncle to the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam). The event, which Imaam Qastalaani has referred to, is this. When a maid of Abu Lahab (Abdul 'Uzza) named Thuwaibah informed him of a son being born to his brother Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), he (Abu Lahab) was so delighted at herring this that he pointed his finger to her in a manner which signified her emancipation for carrying the good news to him But when the holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) declared his Prophet hood, he (Abu Lahab) did not accept him as a Prophet but became a most severe enemy to him and remained so all his life. In condemnation of him a whole Surah of the Holy Qur’an descended.
لَمَّا مَاتَ أَبُو لَهَب رَأَيْته فِي مَنَامِي بَعْد حَوْل فِي شَرّ حَال فَقَالَ : مَا لَقِيت بَعْدكُمْ رَاحَة ، إِلَّا أَنَّ الْعَذَاب يُخَفَّف عَنِّي كُلّ يَوْم اِثْنَيْنِ ، قَالَ : وَذَلِكَ أَنَّ النَّبِيّ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وُلِدَ يَوْم الِاثْنَيْنِ ، وَكَانَتْ ثُوَيْبَة بَشَّرَتْ أَبَا لَهَب بِمَوْلِدِهِ فَأَعْتَقَهَاAfter his death, people of Abu Lahab's household saw him in a dream, and asked him how he had fared. To this, Abu Lahab said that after departing from them he did not meet with any good but was being given water every Monday from the finger with which he had indicated the emancipation of Thuwaibah, and this water lessened his torment.
References:
1. Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Page 153, Hadith 5101, Kitaabun Nikah, Publisher: Darul Fikr – Beirut.2. Fathul Baari Sharha Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Page 118 by Imam Ibn Hajr Asqalani3. Musannaf of Imam Abdur Razzaq San'ani, Vol. 9, Page 9, Hadith 166614. Umdatul Qari Sharha Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 14, Page 44, Hadith 5101 by Allamah Badruddin Ayni
Allama Muhammad Bin Alawai al-Maliki have stated in his work, Houl al-Ihtifal bi Zikri Mawlid an-Nabawi Ash-Sharif:
Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam after announcing his prophet hood, did his Aqeeqa, not only this, he also stood on his mim’ber sharif (pulpit) and recited his Shajrah (Ancestral Tree), commemorated the birth of Hadrat Adam and Status of Hadrat Ibrahim, Hadrat Esa, Hadrat Moosa Alaihimus Salam. He ordered few of his companions to recite his praise; Many of the Companions offered poems in the prominence and praise of Syyiduna Rasoolullah, He was delighted hearing this and prayed for his companions. [Houl al-ih’tifal bi Zikri Mawlid an-Nabawi Ash-Sharif, Published in Lahore 1987]

— — —May we be sacrificed at this Merriment O blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal!Your joys surpass thousands of 'Eids; All in the world are rejoicing, except Shaytan

Special Thanks to: www.rehmat-e-alam.com 

Miracles that took place at the time of Beloved Prophet's Blessed Birth‏

The birth of our Beloved Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, together with Its miracles have been transmitted to us by his mother Sayyidah Aamina (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha) and those in attendance.

و كونه رافعاً رأسه عندما وضعته شاخصاً ببصره إلى السماء ، و ما رأته من النور الذي خرج معه ولادته ، و ما رأته إذ ذاك أم عثمان بن أبي العاص من تدلي النجوم ، و ظهور النور عند ولادته ، حتى ما تنظر إلا النور
As our beloved Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, was born a radiant light accompanied him and he lifted his head towards the heavens and the mother of Uthman's Abil-As's son witnessed stars lowering themselves and a light so bright appeared that she could see nothing other than light.

Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 1, Page 113
Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol. 4, Page 127

Abu Nu’aym reports from Abdullah bin Abbas (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhuma), who narrated that the mother of the Messenger (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam), Sayyidah Amina (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha) used to state,

لما خرج من بطني فنظرت اليه فاذا انابه ساجد ثم رايت سحابة بيضاء قد اقبلت من السماء حتى غشيته فغيب عن وجھي ، ثم تجلت فاذا انابه مدرج في ثوب صوف ابيض وتحته حريرة خضراء وقد قبض على ثلٰثة مفاتيح من اللؤلوء الرطب واذا قائل يقول قبض محمد على مفاتيح النصرة ومفاتيح الربح ومفاتيح النبوة ثم اقبلت سحابة اخرٰى حتى غشيته فغيب عن عيني ثم تجلت فاذا انابه قد قبض على حريرة خضراء مطوية واذ قائل يقول بخٍ بخٍ قبض محمد على الدنيا کلھا لم يبق خلق من اھلھا الادخل في قبضته
“When the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was born, he fell straight into prostration. Then I saw a white cloud from the sky appearing and covering the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) such that HE (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) disappeared from me. When the cloud appeared, I saw that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was covered in a white woolly shawl and there was a green mat spread on the floor. Within the hands of the Messenger (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) there were three keys made of diamonds and there was an unseen voice heard saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has grasped the key of giving victory, the key of giving benefit and the key of Prophethood.’ Then I saw another cloud which enclosed the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) such that he disappeared from my view and it became illuminated. I saw that the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is holding a folded piece of green silk in his blessed hands and an unseen voice was heard was saying, ‘How great! How great! The Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has grasped the whole world; all the creation has entered into his grasp, with none left out.’”

Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, narrated from ibn Mas’ud RadiAllahu Anhu, [Al-Maktab al-Islami, Beirut], Vol. 1, Page 386
Sunan al-Darimi, the chapter on Ma U’tiya al-Nabiyyu Min al-Fadl, [Dar al-Mahasin li al-Taba’ah, Cairo], Vol. 1, Page 30
Al-Khasais al-Kubra, the chapter on Ma Zahara Fi Lailat Moulidi, [Markaz Ahl Sunnat, Gujarat], Vol. 1, Page 48

Ash Shifa, the mother of Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf (Radi Allahu Anhuma) attended his birth and tells us,

لما سقط صلى الله عليه و سلم على يدي و استهل سمعت قائلاً يقول : رحمك الله ، و أضاء لي ما بين المشرق و المغرب حتى نظرت إلى قصور الروم 
"When he dropped into my hands he sneezed and I heard a voice saying, 'May Allah have mercy upon you!' The entire horizon became illuminated for me whereby I was able to see the castle of the Greeks." 

Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 1, Page 12Dalail an-Nabuwwah li Abi Nu'aym, Vol. 1, Page 136

On the authority of Abdullah ibn Abbas (Radi Allahu Anhuma) who narrates;

كان من دلالات حمل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن كل دابة كانت لقريش نطقت تلك الليلة وقالت : حمل برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ورب الكعبة ، وهو أمان الدنيا وسراج أهلها
“One of the signs of the birth of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was that all the animals of the Quraysh talked that night and said, ‘We swear by the Lord of the Ka’ba! That Prophet is coming who is the guardian/protector of the entire world and is the sun of its people” (shedding the light of guidance). [Al-Khasais al-Kubra with reference to Abi Nu’aym from ibn ‘Abbās Radi Allahu Anhu, the chapter on Ma Dhahara Fi Layla Moulidihi, (Markaz Ahl Sunnat, Gujarat), Vol. 1, Page 47]

 
Hafidh al-Iraqi mentioned in his book, Al-Mawrid Al-Haniyyu fi Mawlidis Saniyyi, from the route of Baqi Ibn Makhlad,

ومن الآيات التي ظهرت لمولده صلى الله عليه وسلم أن الشياطين رميت وقذفت بالشهب من السماء، وحُجب عنها خبر السماء كما ذكر بعض العلماء، لكن المشهور والمحفوظ أن قَذف الشياطين بالشهب عند مبعثه صلى الله عليه وسلم. ومنها أن إبليس حُجب عن خبر السماء فصاح ورنَّ رَنَّةً عظيمةً كما رنَّ حين لُعن، وحين أخرج من الجنة، وحين وُلد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، وحين نزلت الفاتحة
“Some scholars mentioned that another sign which accompanied the birth of the Prophet was that the devils were stricken with falling stars and were blocked from hearing any of the news exchanged by the angels in the sky. Among the signs is that Iblis, the forefather of the devils, was blocked from the news of the sky so he rang out a very loud scream. Likewise, he rang out when he was damned, when he was taken out of Paradise, and when the Chapter of the Fatihah was revealed.” [Al-Mawrid Al-Haniyyu fi Mawlidis Saniyyi]

Shaykh Abdullah Ibn Muhammad al-Harari records from Al-Bayhaqi in his book Ar-Rawaeh al-Zakiyya fi Mawlidi Khayiril Bariyyah:

ومنها ما سُمع من أجواف الأصنام ومن أصوات الهواتف بالبشارة بظهور الحق في وقت الزوال
Also among the signs are the sounds that were heard at the time of Zawal (beginning of noon time) coming from the interiors of the idols in Makkah announcing the good news of the arrival of Prophet Muhammad(SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). [Ar-Rawaeh al-Zakiyya fi Mawlidi Khayiril Bariyyah, Page 28]

Bayhaqi and Ibn Asakir and others narrated from Hani al-Makhzumi that he said: 

At the birth of the beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) every idol fell on its face; and the palaces of Chosroes, emperor of Persia, trembled, and fourteen of the towers fell; Lake Sawah that was worshiped disappeared; The Valley of Samavah, where for a number of years no water had been seen, now flowed with that element; The fire of Fars, which had not been extinguished for a thousand years, were quenched that night, on which likewise, the wisest of the Magian clerics dreamed that a number of strong camels led the horses of Arabia across the Tigris into their territory. On that night a light appeared in Hijaz filling the whole world and moving eastward; on the morning following, the thrones of all the kings were found reversed; the skill of the soothsayers (fortune-teller) departed, the magic of the sorcerers ended.

 

• The fourteen (14) fallen balconies from the palace of Kisra mentioned in the hadith was a sign that the ruler ship of the Persians would last for only fourteen (14) more Persian kings.  And this is what happened — the fourteenth (and last) Persian king ruled during the caliphate of Sayyiduna Uthman Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu.
  
• The fire of the Persians is in reference to a fire that they had kept burning day and night for one thousand (1,000) years. At the time of the birth of the Prophet, the Persians were fire-worshipers. They worshipped the fire unrightfully. On the night of the birth of the Prophet, this fire went out — a sign of the truthful call of Prophet Muhammad to worship Allah alone.
  
• The lake of Sawah/Sivah that was worshiped mentioned in the hadith was a lake so vast that ships used to sail in it. It dried up when the Prophet was born.

 

The blessed, radiant, honored, illuminated, fragrant, beautiful, sweet, admired, adored, esteemed, celebrated,
revered, respected, eulogized, delightful, angelic, elegant, beauteous, beloved, cherished, precious,
ambrosial, perfumed, lovely, magnificent, marvellous house where The Beloved Prophet
MuHammad [SallAllahu 'Alayhi wa Aalihi wa Sallam] was born.

Special Thanks to www.rehmat-e-alam.com

The Reviver (Mujaddid) of the 14th Century AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan (Alayhir Rahmah)

Penned by
Munawwar Ateeq Ridawi
[Birmingham — United Kingdom]

Imam Ahmed Rida Khan [d. 1340h/1921 CE] was a champion of the Sunni World in the twentieth century as he defended the belief system of Sunni Muslims and rejected the false and deviant ways head on with support from the greatest Ulama worldwide.

He restored the deen to its original state in India when falsehood was being mixed with the truth and people were confused about Sunni beliefs and practices. Such a person is known as a “Mujaddid”.

Hadrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said:

“There will always be in my Ummah a group who safeguard the truth until Qiyamah comes” [Hakim’s Mustadrak]

Hadrat Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Noble Prophet (upon him peace and blessings) said:

“Allah shall send for this Ummah at the head of every hundred years a person who shall revive their Deen for them” 

Family History

Imam Ahmed Rida son of Mufti Naqi ‘Ali son of Mufti Muhammad Rida. He was born in a scholarly family on the 10th of Shawwal (1856 CE) in Bareilly, India.

His forefathers were originally from Kandahar, Afghanistan, and migrated to and settled in India.
Studies & Discipleship

Imam Ahmed Rida studied twenty one traditional Islamic sciences under his father, and mastered over fifty traditional sciences most of which were poured into his heart from Allah Almighty as he mentioned in al-Ijaazat al-Mateenah.

He wrote his first ever fatwa on 14th Sha’ban 1286h on an issue of fostering (when he was only 13 years, 10 months and 4 days old!)
 
Imam Ahmed Rida took his spiritual pledge (bay’ah/ahd) and received khilafah in various Sufi pathways from his spiritual teacher , Sayyid Shah Aal-e-Rasul Ahmadi from Marehrah, India, in 1296H.

Travels to Hajj

First Hajj: In 1295h (1878 CE), at the age of 22, the great Imam traveled to perform Hajj with his father where he received Ijazahs (licenses to teach) in the traditional sciences from the great scholars of Makkah such as Sayyid Ahmad Zayni Dahlan and Mufti Abdullah bin Abd ar-Rahman Siraaj.

Event: It is narrated that Imam Ahmed Rida was near Maqam Ibrahim after Maghrib salah one evening that the Shafi’I Imam of Masjid al-Haraam Shaykh Salih Jamal al-Layl Makki (d.1320h/1884) greeted him and said: “I swear by Allah, I can see the light of Allah shine in your forehead” and presented Ijazahs to him.

Second Hajj: In 1323h (1950 CE), Imam Ahmed Rida travelled to the Two Holy sanctuaries for the second time in company of his brother, Mawlana Hassan Raza Khan and son, Mawlana Hamid Raza Khan.

Event: He wrote a book called “Al-Dawlah al-Makkiyyah” in Arabic in this journey in just over eight hours without using any books on a question proposed to him by the Sharif of Makkah on the Noble Prophet ‘s (may Allah give him peace and blessings) knowledge of the unseen (ilm al-gayb). This work received a tremendous acceptance in its recital gathering in the presence of the Sharif which was attended by the prominent scholars of the time.

In the same journey, he had numerous meetings of knowledge and circles with the great Ulama who were either teaching, living or traveling in Hijaz. He produced a number of books in Arabic due to these sittings and circles, among them are:

Hussam al-Haramayn (Sword of the Two Holy Sanctuaries on the throat of disbelief and falsehood) – his famous work in defence of the Sunni beliefs and refutation of deviant groups that had blasphemed Allah and His Messenger.

Al-Ijaazat al-Mateenah – His licenses to the scholars of Makkah and Madinah and letters to them

Kiflul Faqih – Fatwa on the legal status of the bank note in Islamic law

All three of the above mentioned books made Imam Ahmed Rida very popular in the holy lands of Hijaz, Syria and Yemen.

 

What his contemporary Arab scholars said about Him?

Major scholars of Makkah and Madinah praised him lavishly for his knowledge and piety. He was called:

“The absolute Shaykh of all teachers” by Shaykh Ismail Makki, Libarian of Makkah Haram Library

“The encyclopaedia of all sciences” by Shaykh ‘Ali bin Hassan Maliki, Mufti of Makkah city

“A giant Imam and well learned man who is an expert in the sciences” by Shaykh Yusuf Nabhani, Mujaddid of Sham & Mufti of Lebanon.

[See: Al-Dawlah al-Makkiyyah & Hussamul Haramayn for more]

His Principles (Manhaj)

1. Love of Allah and His Messenger is before anything & everything 

He said “If my heart was ever divided into two parts, one of them would have written on it “laa ilaaha illAllah” and on the other “Muhammadur Rasulullah”!! 

2. Defending the Honour of the Noble Messenger (upon him peace & blessings) 

He did not tolerate blasphemy (disrespect) of the Noble Messenger or of the pious companions or Awliya and stood strongly against the corrupted groups of his time for this reason. 

3. Education and transmission of authentic knowledge 

He was a dedicated teacher and some of the greatest Ulama of India were his students, among them are: 

• His two sons, Hujjatul Islam (Proof of Islam) Hamid Rida Khan & Mufti-e-Azam Hind (the grand Mufti of India), Mustafa Rida Khan
• Sadrus Shariah (Front line scholar of Islamic Law): Amjad Ali al-A’zami
• Malik al-Ulema (King of the Ulama): Zafaruddin Bihari
• Sayyid Muhammad Muhadith-e-Kachouchwi
• Qutb-e-Madina: Ziya’uddin Ahmad al-Madani & others

4. Self-Purification 

He followed the spiritual path (tariqa) of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani and loved all the Sufiya (Awliya). He made thousands repent from sins in his gatherings  and his entire life was spent purifying hearts and summoning people to Allah Almighty 

5. Praise of the Messenger through writing and poems 

His Durood-o-Salam is recited all over the world after Jum’ua and at the ends of religious events in mosques and homes like the Qasidah Burdah. His most famous book of Na’ats is called “Hada’iq-e-Bakshish” containing some of the finest praises of Allah and of His chosen people.
 
6. Following the Sunnah of the Messenger (upon him peace & blessings) to the smallest detail 

The character of the Noble Messenger (upon him peace & blessings) was imprinted in Imam Ahmed Rida’s life. He staunchly practised the Sunnah and so did his disciples and students. 

7. Uncompromising defence of the Ahlus-Sunnah beliefs and practises 

He authored more than two hundred books on the teachings of the Ahlus-Sunnah and their defence. 

His Books

Imam Ahmed Rida wrote more than a thousand books and commentaries in more than 55 sciences. A list of about 350 books is available titled “al-Mujmal al Mu’addid”. A bulky 12 volume Hanafi fatwa collection: “Fataawa-e-Ridawiyyah” in Urdu/Arabic was recently published in Lahore (Pakistan) with an index in 33 volumes! His Fataawa are an ocean of knowledge and wisdom.

The Sunni Muslims of the sub-continent (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan) remember the great Imam for his service to the Ahlus-Sunnah and consider him a saviour when the Sunni-way was at threat.

 

His Demise and Burial

Imam Ahmed Rida passed away on 28th October 1921 CE (25th Safar 1340h) at the age of 65, in his home at Jumu’ah time when the mu’adhin was saying “come to success” leaving behind two sons, Mowlana Hamid Raza and Mufti Mustafa Raza, and five daughters.

People from all over the world visit his blessed shrine in Bareilly Shareef every year on 25th Safar and attend the annual khatam (Blessed URS).

The great grandson who takes care of the affairs of the school of Imam Ahmed Rida in Bareilly is Mufti Akhtar Rida Khan, a fine scholar and graduate of al-Azhar University in Egypt. He is now visually impaired yet still teaches and dictates translations to books in Arabic and English, with good knowledge of English. May Allah preserve him and grant health.

— — —

Imam Ahmad Raza (Alayhir Rahmah) and His Taqwa

Written by:Mawlana Muhammad Ahmad Misbahi
(Principal, al-Jami’at al-Ashrafia, Mubarakpur)Translated by Abu Hanzalah  [Released by www.aqdas.co.uk]
_________________________________________________________
AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida’s entire life was adorned with meticulous following of the Shari’ah and Sunnah of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and his taqwa had reached an elevated level. I shall present some incidents from his life that show that he not only had taqwa but had also attained the rank of wara’a . In accordance to the verse, No men can be its guardians except the pious, he was a perfect muttaqi and a gnostic.

 

1. The last Ramadan in his life was in 1339 AH. The weather in Bareilly was very hot and he was weak and ill, as these were his final years. The Shari’ah exempts an old man [Al-Shaykh al-Fani: an old man who cannot fast now, and cannot hope to expiate in the future either] from fasting and expiate by charity instead and for the ailing, they are allowed to expiate when they are healthy again . Despite these dispensations, AlaHadrat’s taqwa demanded otherwise. This was not his fatwa but his taqwa. He said:

The hot weather in Bareilly will not allow me to fast but the weather in mountainous regions is cooler. Nainital is not far from here and I can fast in the mountains of Bhowali [83 miles north of Bareilly]. And I am able to go there; hence, it is obligatory for me to do so.

He spent the whole of Ramadan there and fasted the whole of Ramadan.

2. He passed away on the 25th Safar 1340 AH. He was ill for months and in the last months, he could not even walk. The Shari’ah permits that in such conditions, one can pray at home but AlaHadrat would pray in the congregation. Four men would carry him on a chair to the masjid and he continued to participate thus as long as he was physically able to do so.

3. I have narrated the following incident in the marginalia of Jumal al-Nur fi Nahyi al-Nisa’ ‘an Ziyarat al-Qubur [AlaHadrat’s monograph on the impermissibility of women traveling to shrines] from my teacher, Hafiz-e-Millat Shah Abd al-Aziz Muradabadi.

At one time, there was no one to take him to the masjid and it was time for the congregation. He was disturbed by this and eventually, he came to the masjid, staggering and dragging himself and offered his prayer in the congregation.

In our times, in spite of good health, strength and the means, people carelessly miss the congregation; this incident should serve as an eye opener to such people.

4. AlaHadrat was away from home and staying in one of his lands. He would periodically suffer from severe bouts of tormina [Acute, colicky pains; gripes]. One day he was all alone by himself; and describes that incident himself thus:

The pain started during the time of Dhuhr. I performed the ablution howsoever I could and then stood up for prayer but was unable to do so. I supplicated to Allah and sought help from the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Allah surely hears the call of the distraught. I intended to pray the sunnah and the pain disappeared. As soon as I concluded the prayer with the salam , the pain came back and when I made intention for the fard, it went away again. When I concluded the prayer with the salam, it came back again. I prayed the sunnahs after fard and the pain stopped, and came back yet again after the salam. I now expected the pain to stay until Asr. Just as I feared, I lay on the bed tossing and turning but the pain remained.

It can both be said that the pain was relieved during the prayers or that he was so attentive towards Allah and absorbed in worship that he would not feel it. Regardless, it is proof of AlaHadrat’s divine acceptance and his gnosis.

Imam Abu Hanifa Alaihir raHmah would spend his whole day in academic pursuits and systemising and organising fiqh; he would still perform supererogatory worship at night and resting for some part in the night. He was once going somewhere when there was someone pointing towards him saying: “This person worships all through the night.” Thereon, he began worshipping all through the night.

5. Similarly, someone wrote to AlaHadrat and alongside various epithets, he also wrote Hafiz. At the time, AlaHadrat was not a Hafiz al-Qur’an even though most verses were on the tip of his tongue (and pen) and he had the ability to derive rulings from them at will. Mawlana Hashmat Ali Khan gives an eyewitness account from 29th Sha’ban 1337 AH that when AlaHadrat saw a letter with the title Hafiz used for him, his eyes welled up and the fear of Allah caused his heart to pound. He said:

I am fearful that on the day of judgement, I will be amongst those people for whom the Qur’an says, love to be praised for what they have not done. [3:188]

Thereafter, he made the intention to memorise the whole Qur’an. He would make ablution for Isha and before the congregation, someone would recite one part to him and he would repeat it. He began on the 29th of Sha’ban and finished memorising the whole Qur’an by the 27th of Ramadan and he also led the tarawih prayers.

This incident closely follows that of Imam Abu Hanifa. The Imam began praying the whole night because someone had a good opinion of him; and for AlaHadrat, someone called him Hafiz while he did not qualify to be called a Hafiz. When one has fear of Allah, such things are not difficult and the heart accepts these things fully and finds rest only when they are fulfilled.

 

There are many such incidents of his gnosis, fear of Allah and abstinence. Below are some more anecdotes that exemplify these traits within him. They show various types of taqwa. All these incidents should be viewed with the subject of taqwa in mind.

1. AlaHadrat’s heart was always heedful of rights of men [Huqūq al-‘Ibad]. He even wrote a monograph entitled A’ajab al-Imdad fi Mukaffarati Huquq al-‘Ibad. Mawlana Ja’far Shah Phulwari recounts an event from a few days before AlaHadrat’s demise. He writes:

After Juma’ prayer, in a state of illness and weakness, he spoke in moving and saddening voice. He said something like this: Convey my salam to all Sunni Muslims and if I have wronged anyone, then I seek their forgiveness with utmost humility. Forgive me for the sake of Allah or seek recompense from me.

His Wasaya also has an account of words he spoke a few months before his demise to a gathering of people. In the end, he said:

None of you has ever caused me any discomfort. You did my work for me and did not allow me to do it myself. May Allah reward you all. I am hopeful that in my grave, I will not face any discomfort because of any of you. I have forgiven all Sunnis and my rights upon them. I ask you with folded hands [In the subcontinent, a mark of humility and an idiom to say: ‘I implore’] and implore you to forgive me; and forego any of your rights that I did not fulfil; and it is necessary for all those present here to seek for my forgiveness from those who are absent.

2. AlaHadrat did not tolerate pictures or photographs in the house. At the time of his demise, he even asked for currency notes and coins to be removed; so that no doubt remains that angels of mercy have entered.

3. His modesty and humility were such that a train was once delayed when traveling to Pilibhit [33 miles north-east of Bareilly] so he was given a chair to sit upon. He said:

Sitting on this chair comfortably would be in the fashion of the arrogant and haughty .

He sat on the chair but did not lean on it and remained engrossed in his litanies.

4. In one of AlaHadrat’s gatherings, a man had to sit next to a barber; so he stopped coming to his place. AlaHadrat remarked:

I too have no liking for such arrogant folk.

5. It is difficult to find an exemplary son in his duty and obedience to his parents. After the demise of his father [Mawlana Naqi Ali Khan (1246-1297 AH), one of the foremost scholars of his era], AlaHadrat handed over the charge of his affairs to his mother . He did not even perform a supererogatory hajj without her permission. Whatever money he had, he would hand it to her and would not even purchase books without her consent. 

 

6. He was immensely respectful to Islamic scholars and did not show irreverence in any way. He disagrees or comments with opinions of intellectual giants such as Imam Ibn ‘Abidin Shami but does so with utmost respect and self-effacing manner; whereas today, people point fingers at such luminaries as if they are schoolchildren even though these people have not a fraction of AlaHadrat’s knowledge.

For example, in Radd al-Muhtar, Imam Shami remarks somewhere that he could not figure out the answer to a particular objection. Upon this, AlaHadrat wrote in his Jadd al-Mumtar [Supercommentary to Radd al-Muhtar in 5 volumes]:

وظهر لنا ببركة خدمة كلماتكمThe answer occurred to me, by the blessings of serving your words

AlaHadrat wrote an ode [In praise of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir Badayuni and his father Fadl ar-Rasul] in which he writes about the rank of scholars:

اذا حلو تحصرت البرادیاذا راحو افصار المصر البیدا
When they pass by deserted stead, they turn it into dwellingsWhen they depart from towns, they cause them to be deserted

Malik al-‘Ulama Mawlana Zafar al-Din Bihari said, this seems to be poetic exaggeration, but AlaHadrat said:

It is reality. When Mawlana Abd al-Qadir Badayuni came to a city, there would hustle and bustle therein and a strange feeling of tranquility and happiness could be felt; and when he left, it would seem as though there was desertion even though apart from him, everyone else would still be present.

7. There are many examples of his truthfulness and staunchness upon the religion. He once attended the ‘Urs of Mawlana Fadl al-Rasul Badayuni during which he heard a speech by Maulawi Siraj al-Din Anolwi, who was a Mawlid reciter. During his speech he said, Firstly, the angels will put the soul in the body of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). As these words of his were against the unanimously agreed upon belief of Sunnis that prophets are alive in their graves [Hayat al-Nabi], the expression on the face of AlaHadrat changed and he said to Mawlana Abd al-Qadir:

If you permit me, I will take him off the pulpit.

Mawlana Abd al-Qadir stopped the speech and said to Mawlana Abd al-Muqtadir, Do not allow such ignorant people to lecture in the presence of Mawlana Imam Ahmad Rida, because anyone who speaks in front of him has to keep a close eye on his knowledge and be careful in his speech.

AlaHadrat said in this regard:

These are the reasons why I have stopped attending the speeches of today’s speechmakers and Mawlid reciters.

AlaHadrat said about Shah Ali Husain Ashrafi Miyan Kichochawi:

Hadrat is from amongst those people whose speech I listen to with pleasure.

8. When a person serves the religion, the praise of friends can cause vanity and self-admiration; the calumny of foes would result in anger and thirst for retribution. But AlaHadrat was above such feelings as he has says:

By Allah, I do not strut at the praise of senior scholars and saints, nor am I angered at the castigation and slander of the enemies of Allah and His Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). I thank Allah that He has made this lowly person able to tolerate their insults for protecting the honour of His beloved (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Because, as long as they keep swearing at me, they do not speak against my master (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam).

The motto of his life, in his own words, was:

ںہ مرا نوش ز تحسیں نہ مرا نیش ز طعن
نہ مرا گوش بہ مدحے نہ مرا ہوش ذمے
I flatter none, nor others deride
No praise I heed; no curse or chide

It is not easy to describe all his habits, character and strict adherence to the Shari’ah in a short article. Another eyewitness account is by Mawlana Sayyid Abu Salman Muhammad Abd al-Mannan Qadri, who was initially an opponent of AlaHadrat. He writes that AlaHadrat was, a living example of the manners of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). It was when I saw him that it was well and truly evident that the praise is deserving, and not enough.

9. He took so much care in his speech that if a certain answer contained even the slightest mistake, he would abstain from deeming it Sahīh. Sayyid Ayyub Ali sent the prayer timetable for Ramadan 1339 AH to AlaHadrat which he returned after ten or fifteen minutes with corrections. Wherever there was a mistake, he marked it incorrect and whatever was correct, he marked it as such. In one cell, instead of Sahīh, it said Khayr [Satisfactory, acceptable]. When analysed, the timing in this cell was out by a thousandth of a second which did not affect the prayer timing at all but a mistake is nevertheless a mistake; hence, AlaHadrat did not write Sahīh but only Khayr.

10. He once went with Muhaddith Surati to meet a famous sage in Pilibhit, known as Shah Ji Muhammad Sher Miyan Alaihir raHmah. AlaHadrat saw that Shah Ji was taking bay’ah from women without veil and neither any partition in between. Due to his extreme scrupulousness in observing the Shari’ah, he came back without meeting Shah Ji. Anyone other than Shah Ji would have been offended by this but he was a humble man and readily accepted the truth; it was therefore that he accompanied AlaHadrat to the train station and the following morning, he expressed regret over the incident and said, Mawlana, in the future, I will only take bay’ah from women behind a veil. AlaHadrat shook hands and embraced him. 

11. It is impermissible to drop used ablution water is the masjid even if it is just dripping from the limbs. At one time, the weather was extremely cold and the rain was pouring heavily. AlaHadrat was mu’takif [Secluding oneself in the masjid, I’tikaf] and he could not go out to make his ritual ablution. Hence, he folded a quilt blanket four times and performed ablution sitting on it and did not let a single drop of water fall in the masjid. And now because the blanket was wet, he spent the whole night shivering in the cold.

12. He always entered the masjid, with his right foot first. He would even step on every row with his right foot first and thus reach the mihrab . He would never perform the obligatory prayers without a turban on his cap.

Discharge from ailing eyes nullifies ablution. AlaHadrat once suffered in his eyes, and he would get someone to inspect his eye and check whether there was discharge immediately after prayer; if it did, he would say, he would have to repeat the prayer.

AlaHadrat literally followed the Divine Command, And walk not upon Earth in arrogance [17:37 , 31:18] to an extent that often, it would be difficult to hear his footsteps. Many a time, people would only know of his arrival when he came very close and saluted himself.

He used to sleep in the fashion that his body would spell the letters of the name Muhammad(SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He always paid special attention to make the poor happy. He never rejected invitations of sincere and poor people nor would he complain of anything afterwards. People used to wonder how he could eat such food but he would say:

If I am invited sincerely, I will accept them; even if it is every day. When combing his beard, he would use his own scissors and a mirror.

He would not stretch his legs towards the Qiblah nor spit in that direction.

Indeed, such habits are reminiscent of great predecessors like Imam Abu Hanifah Alaihir raHmah.

13. In compliance with the hadith, he would abstain from places that would lead to suspicion and slander. Since Kerosene [Paraffin. Known colloquially as ‘Mitti ka teyl’] gives off a bad smell, it is forbidden to burn it in a masjid. Once, Haji KifayatAllah [AlaHadrat’s attendant] filled a lantern with castor oil [Colloquially, ‘Arandi ka teyl’] and lit it. AlaHadrat said:

Haji Sahib! Either take it outside or keep telling people that it is not kerosene but castor oil. People walking past will think that we forbid others to burn it (Kerosene) in their masjids but we burn it in our own.

Thereafter, Haji Sahib removed it from the masjid.

A scholar once stayed in the masjid with the intention of performing I’tikaf.

He ate betel leaves and also had a spitting vessel . Some people who were unaware of his intention of I’tikaf objected. AlaHadrat was sent a question. He gave the ruling to the objectors and whilst explaining the rank of a scholar, he wrote:

Even if they have a correct intention, scholars should abstain from performing certain actions in front of the public that would cause them to be confused. This causes two problems: The one who is not an admirer will object and fall into backbiting and deprive himself from the blessings of the scholar. Secondly, the admirer will begin to do the same action without the proper intention. This scholar is not from the Malamatiyya sect [Believing in the value of self-blame, that piety should be a private matter, and that being held in good esteem would lead to worldly attachment, they concealed their knowledge and made sure their faults would be known, reminding them of their imperfection] that see benefit in making the public dislike them. He is on the seat of guidance [Masnad-e-Hidayat] and it is beneficial for him to draw the public towards himself as the hadith commands: 

رأس العقل بعد الإيمان بالله التودد إلى الناس
After professing faith, it is capital sense, to be endearing with people

Another hadith says:

بشروا ولا تنفروا

by giving glad tidings, not by making them despair

In the case that performing such actions is necessary, he should announce his intention to the public and also tell them the ruling of Shari’ah upon it.

14. Hadrat Mahdi Miyan [Miyan: an informal title of respect, to mean ‘master’.] had good relations with Hamid Ali Khan, the Nawab of Rampur. Once, he was travelling with the Nawab on a train and he wanted him to meet AlaHadrat. He sent the aide de camp [Madar-ul-Muham] from the railway station to AlaHadrat with a gift of Rs.1500 [Rs.1500 equates to approximately Rs.75,000 today] and a message that Miyan sahib had sent this gift and wishes you to meet the Nawab. In reply, AlaHadrat stood at his doorstep and said:

After conveying my salam, ask him, why the converse gift? It is I who should present a gift to Miyan sahib and not vice versa. Take back whatever you have brought to me. The home of this lowly person is not worthy to host a ruler [hence, he is not welcome;] and nor am I aware of the etiquette of conducting oneself in the presence of rulers, so I cannot visit him.

15. A man joined the spiritual order and asked for a litany. His beard was shorter than the minimum requirement in the Shari’ah so AlaHadrat said:

When your beard is of the right length, a litany will be granted.

After some days, he again requested a litany and AlaHadrat said:

There is no need to ask. When your beard is according to the Shari’ah, a litany will be granted automatically. That is, Wajib comes before Nafl.

The opinion of neighbours towards a person is an important indicator of his character. People have discord with their neighbours from time to time. Therefore, it is seen that if people suffer some worldly loss, they begin to speak ill of their neighbours, even without a reason and even if they are good. Yet, AlaHadrat’s neighbours had nothing but praise for him.

16. Muhammad Shah Khan, known as Haji Muntahan Khan, was a respected land owner and AlaHadrat’s neighbour and he was also older than AlaHadrat. One day, Sayyid Ayyub Ali Shah and Sayyid Qana’at Ali saw that despite his old age and his respectable standing as a landlord, he was sweeping the yard of AlaHadrat’s residence. Sayyid Qana’at Ali could not bear this and rushed to snatch the broom from his hands. Haji Sahib refused to let go and said:

“My son! It is a matter of pride for me to sweep at the residence of my Shaykh [Sayyid Ayyub Ali and Sayyid Qana’at Ali were yet unaware that he was part of the silsila 44 An honourific Arabic title used to honour a person]. I am older than the Shaykh . I have seen his childhood, his youth and now I am seeing his old age. At every juncture, I found him to be unique and therefore pledged allegiance on his hand . Everyone becomes pious in their later years but I have seen AlaHadrat to be exemplary and unique even in his childhood.” 

Wa’l Hamdu Lillah. We ask Allah Ta’ala to forgive us and make us pious and righteous for the sake of his beloved ones.

والحد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد الأنبیاء والمرسلین