LOVE FOR ALMIGHTY ALLAH

The ultimate goal of every believer should be to attain the closeness of Almighty Allah. The closer one becomes to Allah Ta’ala the more one’s love for Allah Ta’ala grows, so much so that one will go to extreme lengths of patience and forbearance in the love of Allah. However, there is only one  road that leads to this closeness, as we will learn below.

Zulaikha became so in love with Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam) that she sacrificed all her wealth and beauty. She had seventy camel loads of diamonds and necklaces. Yet she sacrificed all her belongings for Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam).

Anyone who used to tell her that they had seen Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam), she used to give them an expensive necklace, so much so that
eventually she had nothing left. She had named everything ‘Yusuf’ and in her love of Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam) she had forgotten everything else. Whenever she looked at the stars, in every star she used to see the name of Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam).  

When Zulaikha brought Imaan and got married to Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam), she did nothing else but busy herself with Ibaadat and the remembrance of Allah. If Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam) called her during the day she would say she will come at night and if he called her during the night she would promise to come in the day. One day Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam) asked her, “O Zulaikha, you had become mad in my love, what has happened now?” She replied, “At that time I was not familiar with the worth of your love. Now I have recognised the Truth of your love and because of that I cannot bare anyone else in my love now.” Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam) said, “Allah has informed me that you will give birth to two sons and both of them will be bestowed with Prophethood.” Zulaikha replied, “If Allah has ordered this and in it is His Wisdom then I
obey.”

[Mukashifatul Quloob] Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) once passed by a young man who was watering the garden. The young man requested Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) to make Dua that Allah Ta’ala grants him an atom of His love. Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) replied, “You do not have the power within you to sustain an atom of His love.” The young man aid, “Okay then request half an atom of His love.” Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) then made Dua to Allah Ta’ala to grant the young man half an atom of His love, and then went away.
After a long time Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) passed by that road again and enquired about the young man.

People told him that that young man had  become insane and had gone to the
mountains. Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) made Dua to Allah Ta’ala to make him meet the young man. He then saw the young man standing on a mountain and looking towards the sky. Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) greeted him but he remained silent. Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) asked, “Don’t you recognise me, I am Isa.” Allah Ta’ala then sent a  revelation to Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) saying, “O Isa! That person who has even half an atom of My love, how can he listen to the voices of humans? By My Honour and Majesty! Even if you take a saw and cut him into two pieces he would not feel it.”

[Mukashifatul Quloob] Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) had kept her  faith a secret from her husband, Firaun. When Firaun came to know about her faith, he ordered for her to be given various forms of punishment so that she would abandon her faith, however, she remained steadfast in her belief in Allah.

Firaun then ordered nails to be pierced through her body and told her that there is still
time and she still has the chance to abandon her faith. Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) replied, “You might have control over my body but by heart is in the protection of my Rabb.
 
Even if you cut every part of my body, my love for Allah will continue to increase.” 
Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) was passing by that way and Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) asked him, “Is my Rabb pleased with me or not?” Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) replied, “Oh Aasiya! Angels in the heavens are waiting for you and Allah Ta’ala is praising you in front of them.

Ask for whatever you wish and it will be granted.” Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) made Dua, “Oh my Rabb, make for me a house in Paradise near You and release me from Firaun, his tyranny and the tyrant people.”  Hazrat Salman Farsi (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates  that Firaun used to punish Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) in the sun. When the people would leave after the punishment, the angels used to provide shade over her with their wings, and she used to see her house in Jannat.

 
[Mukashifatul Quloob]
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) states that when Firaun made Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) lie in the sun, got four nails to be driven through her body and a grinding wheel placed on her chest, Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) raised her gaze towards the sky and prayed, “O my Lord! Build a house for me in Paradise near You and deliver me from Firaun and his work and deliver me from the people unjust.” [Surah 66, Verse 11]

If we look closely at the incidents above we notice that Zulaikha attained such closeness to Allah Ta’ala through her love for Hazrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam); the young man attained his closeness due to asking help from Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam); and Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) attained her closeness due to her belief, love and obedience to Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam).

The common factor here is the Prophets of Allah; no one can reach closeness to Allah Ta’ala without the mediation of the Prophets and for us without the mediation of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).

This is in fact what they have been sent to mankind for, as Huzoor Mufti-e-Azam
Hind Maulana Mustafa Raza Khan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) states in a Naath Shareef:

Ye Seedha Raasta Haq Ka Bataane Aaye Hain 
Rasoolullah ﷺ   has come to show the straight path of Truth; 
Ye Haq Ke Bando Ko Haq Se Milaane Aaye Hain
Rasoolullah ﷺ

   has come to unite the servants of Allah with Allah
In this day and age we sometimes hear people saying that we should not ask anyone but Allah, and we must not have excessive love and praise for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as this is for Allah alone. Firstly, where did Allah Ta’ala stipulate the amount of love and praise for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that should not be exceeded, and secondly, have they not heard the saying of the Beloved friend of Allah, Hazrat Sufyaan Sauri (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh)

 
who said, “The person who loves the one who loves Allah, in reality loves Allah. The person who respects the one who respects Allah, he actually respects Allah.” [Mukashifatul Quloob]

Therefore the more love and respect one has for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), in fact is more love and respect for Allah Ta’ala. Furthermore, the  young man could have asked Allah Ta’ala himself for an atom of His love, yet he chose to use Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salaam) as a Waseela (mediation) and indeed Allah Ta’ala was pleased with his action and granted him His love and closeness.

 
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the Taufeeq to recognize our ultimate goal and to work towards it, instead of wasting our precious and limited time in chasing after the Dunya, Ameen.

Pearls of Wisdom by Sayyiduna Imam Jaafar as-Saadiq Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

..:: Golden Words of Wisdom ::..
by Sayyiduna Imam Jafar as-Sadiq
Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

1. He would often make the following dua : "O Allah bless me with respect which is in your obedience and do not disgrace me due to my shortcomings. O Allah let me assist him through your grace and Mercy, whose sustenance you have decreased, for you have blessed me in abundance."
2. There is not provision greater than piety. There is nothing better than silence, and there is no enemy more dangerous than ones ignorance and there is no disease worse than lies.
3. He who has attained the closeness to Allah divorces himself from everything in the world.
4. There is no Ibaadat without repentance, since Allah has caused repentance to be above Ibaadat.
5. He who sits in the companionship of all types of people will not be safe.
6. One who walks on the wrong path will always arouse suspicion.
7. Whoever attacks a matter without knowledge cuts off his own nose.
8. Intellect is the guide of the believer.
9. The perfection of intellect is in three (things): Humbleness for Allah, Good certainty, and silence except for good.
10. Ignorance is in three (things): Arrogance, the intensity of dispute, and the ignorance about Allah.
11. Certainly, knowledge is a lock and its key is the question.
12. When the believer becomes angry, his anger should not take him out of the truth; and when he becomes satisfied, his satisfaction should not bring him into falsehood.
13. Some manners of the ignorant are: the answer before he hears, the opposition before he understands, and the judgment with what he does not know.
14. One who cannot keep his tongue in control will always be disgraced.
15. Stay away from five kinds of people: 1. A liar, as he will also betray you, 2. A witless person, as he will try to benefit you, but will always cause you harm, 3. A miser, for he will cause you intense loss in order to gain even the slightest benefit, 4. A coward who will leave you in distress during a difficult situation, 5. A man who is involved in illicit dealings, for he will sell you for one morsel and will still be hopeful of even less than that.
16. Dishonest and untruthful people never find favor while jealous people never find content. Rude and vulgar people never find acceptance and brotherhood in leadership or amongst citizens.
17. Whosoever holds affection towards the creator then he is horribly frightened of the creation.
18. For the sake of the creator save yourself so that you may become a true worshipper ('Aabid) and that which fate had decreed, has occurred then accepts that as well.
19. Do not keep the company of an open sinful person since you would be overcome by sin and disobedience. Consult and seek advise from only those who are constantly obeying Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
20. To seek forgiveness is simple but to leave sin is difficult.
21. The concealment of sins is the direct consequences of mans destruction.
22. Not to show greed to somebody else’s wealth is also a form of charity.
23. The eye of the heart opens with ibadat (prayers) and its access is infinite (La Makan – up in the 'Arsh and beyond) and nothing in the entire World remains a secret to him.
24. Man has also such power that he can gaze into the future and it only awakens when the 5 other senses are asleep and the mind is free from observations.
25. Changing perceptions in this World. Somewhere clouds are forming or pearls. At others tears are changing the rays into darkness while still darkness is changing into light.
26. A man has freedom of deeds and actions but these are also restricted because according to his comprehension he may be suspicious or doubtful of its might or force.
27. Too much credence and ecliance is destructful and excessive criticisms unfortunate.
28. Holding the power of revenge yet drinking up ones anger is an excellent form of Jihad.

    

29. Strokes of misfortune or temptation are a rank, therefore the specific of truth are involved with it.
30. Nafs (desires) are in direct conflict with Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala therefore the best opposition to you nafs is becoming friends with Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
31. The reality of Taqwa is this, that if you have expose what’s in your heart, place it on a tray and take it to the market then you should not be ashamed of a single item you have displayed.
32. Jihad with ones wealth is better than Jihad with a sword.
33. Food is the sustenance of the body while contentment comforts the soul.
34. Fortunate is he whose heart becomes knowledgeable, whose body becomes patient and he is content with what he has present.
35. Respect the young for they have lesser sins to their name because of their age in comparison to you.
36. Revelation is not made for destruction but as an examination.
37. Kindness or favors is incomplete without these 3 things – If you regard it as minor it becomes great – or you keep it hidden or concealed this it becomes whole and sufficient or by doing it quickly one finds pleasure in it.
38. Sin is a sore; if it is not stopped it spreads.
39. To complain is to stop being patient.
40. The person who keeps the company of all types of people is not safe. The person who traverses upon the wrong path is accused and suspicion descends upon him. The person who cannot control his tongue becomes disgraced.
41. A criminal and a remorseful sinner become submissive.
42. Flatterers are the origin of pride and arrogance.
43. Someone once asked who is better, a patient dervish or a grateful wealthy person? He said: The patient dervish because the heart of the rich is stuck in his pocket while the heart of the dervish is stuck on Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
44. Prayers without repentance are not appropriate for Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has made repentance the preamble upon prayers.
45. Imam Abu Hanifa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was once asked who is an intelligent and wise person. Imam Abu Hanifa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu answered: That person who can differentiate between good and bad. Imam Ja‘afar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu said that the ability exists in animals as well because they can distinguish between those that hit it and those that feed it. Imam Abu Hanifa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu requested to be told who it is. Imam Ja'afar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu said: A wise and intelligent person is he who can distinguish between 2 good and 2 bad so that he may choose the better from the 2 good or 2 bad.
46. One sin is one too many and one thousand good is one thousand too few.
47. Besides the fervor of Sufism there is no other road to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah.
48. The poverty of the 'Ulema is by choice while that of the ignorant is forced or uncontrolled.
49. A mans fortunes are also in his enemy being clever.
50. A boastful worshipper is a sinner and a sinner is he who finds every possible excuse not to worship.
51. It is happiness for him who, though he sees a pleasurable thing yet he does not desire it with his heart.
52. Our religion is completely respected. That person who does not consider this will be very disappointed.
53. A very great Zahid (One who remembers Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala excessively) is he who withdraws from the people.
54. Although there is excellence in congregation there is safety in seclusion.
55. Complete satisfaction of the stomach and starving are both hindrances of worship.
56. To openly display your animosity is better than to hypocritically agree.
57. In difficult times the search for rest and peace enhances that difficulty.

Who is Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan?

..:: Who is Imaam Ahmad Rida Khan? ::..

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 practises. 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 Maarharah, India, in 1296H.

Travels to Hajj
First Hajj: In 1295h (1878 CE), at the age of 22, the great Imam travelled 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 Saaj.
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 travelling 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 gatehrings  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 600 books is available titled “al-Mujmal al Mu’addid”. A bulky 12 volume Hanafi fatwa collection: “Fataawa-e-Ridwiyyah” 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.

- Courtesy -

Shakil Qadiri Ziaee