56. Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe!

Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect. [Al-Ahzab (33:56)]

Monday, April 30, 2007

Imam al-Shafi'i (rahmatullahi alaihe)

Imam al-Shafi'i (rahmatullahi alaihe) was the descendant of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

One night, Imam al-Shafi'i (rahmatullahi alaihe) was blessed with a very auspicious dream. He saw that the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) was offering his prayers at the sacred premises of the Holy Kaba. After finishing his prayers, the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) proceeded to distribute knowledge among the Muslims. In the dream, Imam al-Shafi'i (rahmatullahi alaihe) approached the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) and humbly asked: “Oh Rasool Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! Give me some knowledge.” At this, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) gave him a balancing scale and stated: “This is my gift for you.”

Learned Islamic scholars later interpreted this dream. They held that Imam al-Shafi'i (rahmatullahi alaihe) would one day become an acclaimed Islamic jurist to uphold and spread the sublime message of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

Sunday, April 29, 2007

A frightening dream

It was during the period of Caliph Harun Al-Rashid. A number of individuals once wrote a letter to the Caliph. The letter stated: “Oh Guardian of the Believers! We are your subjects. We hail from respectable families. Some of us are Islamic scholars; others have distinguished themselves by memorizing the Holy Qu’ran. Your ascension to power is based entirely on the extraordinary sacrifice and contribution of our forefathers. Yet today, we are poor because the Guardian of the Believers spends most of the public funds for his personal gratification. We will lodge complaint to Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wa Tala'a if we are further deprived of our rightful share of the public funds. Allah Subhanahu Wa Tala'a will appoint a Caliph who will be very kind to the Muslims.”

Caliph Harun Al-Rashid became extremely fearful and concerned after receiving this letter. His wife Zubaida asked the Caliph about his concerns. The Caliph mentioned the letter to her. The wife said that as the Guardian of the Believers, the Caliph should strictly follow the policy of his predecessors. The wife further stated that there was no doubt that the public funds rightly belonged to all Muslims and that the Caliph took more from such funds than was necessary.

During this time, both the Caliph and his wife had an amazing dream one night in which they saw that Qiyamah or The Day of Judgment had taken place. In the dream, everyone was entering Jannat at the intercession of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). The Caliph and his wife had been ordered not to enter Jannat because they used public funds for personal purposes and had deprived those who needed the money most.

After this frightening dream, both the Caliph and his wife distributed public funds amongst the Muslims. A canal called Nehar-e-Zubaida (Canal of Zubaida) was also constructed at this time.

Caliph Harun Al-Rashid breathed his last on 24th March, A.D. 808.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

"There has been a mistake in your wudhu"

Hazrat Khawza Fuzail Ibne Ayaaz (rahmatullahi alaihe) once forgot to wash his hands three times during wudhu and offered his salaat in this state.

Fuzail Ibne Ayaaz (rahmatullahi alaihe) dreamed the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) during the night. The Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) called Fuzail Ibne Ayaaz (radi Allah unhu) in the dream and stated: “Oh Fuzail! It is surprising that there has been a mistake in your wudhu.”

After this, Fuzail Ibne Ayaaz (rahmatullahi alaihe) woke up and performed his wudhu again. To make up for this mistake, he offered five hundred rakah of salaat.

Friday, April 27, 2007

A childhood dream

Ismail Bin Muhammed Bin Yazid Bin Rabiya Hamiri was a famous Muslim poet. He had an auspicious dream during his childhood.

One night, Rabiya Hamiri dreamed of an uncultivated land. The land contained a number of thorny trees. Just across the uncultivated land, there lay another plain land where the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) was standing. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) asked the poet: “Do you know to whom these trees and thorns belong?” At this Hamiri humbly replied: “Oh Beloved Prophet of Allah! (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam), no one knows better than you do.” The Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) then stated: “These belong to Imraul Kaees.” After this, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) ordered Hamiri to uproot the trees and to plant them on the spot where the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) was standing. Rabiya Hamiri woke up from his sleep as soon as he had carried out the task ordered by the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

Subsequently, poet Hamiri’s father narrated this dream to Ebne Sirin (rahmatullahi alaihe), the renowned dream interpreter of the day. Ebne Sirin (rahmatullahi alaihe) held that Hamiri would one day become an eloquent and famous poet and demonstrate his superior literary qualities in praise of the pious. This turned out to be true later on.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Dream prophecies come true

In describing the victory of Damascus, Syed Mullah Muhammad Wakedi writes that the Muslim forces endured extreme hardship during the war.

Hazrat Abu Obaida (radi Allah unhu) dreamed the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) near the end of the war. In the dream, the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) declared: “Insha'Allah, the city will be conquered tonight.” After this, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) expressed his desire to leave. At this Hazrat Abu Obaida (radi Allah unhu) humbly stated: “Oh Prophet of Allah! (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam), you are leaving very soon.” The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied: “I have to attend the funeral prayer of Abu Bakr.”

The subsequent events confirmed the prophecies contained in the dream. Damascus was conquered on the very night Hazrat Abu Obaida (radi Allah unhu) dreamed the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). It also turned out that Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allah unhu) passed away on the same night.

In the morning, Hazrat Abu Obaida (radi Allah unhu) received the good news of the victory of Damascus from Hazrat Abu Huraira (radi Allah unhu). Hazrat Abu Obaida (radi Allah unhu) did not find it necessary to further confirm the victory of Damascus since he had already received the news earlier in his dream. Hazrat Abu Obaida (radi Allah unhu) entered Damascus on Monday, the 11th Jamadi-us-Sani in 13 Hijri.

News of the victory of Damascus and reference to the attendance at the funeral prayer of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allah unhu) makes it very clear that to the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam), there is no difference between this world and the hereafter. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) can overcome the limitations of time, space, and distance. Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wa Tala'a has given his Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) such remarkable abilities.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

"An invididual of remarkable beauty and radiance"

It is narrated in Futuhoshsham and Nasekhuttawarikh that Romanus was the ruler of Bosra, Syria during the Battle of Bosra. On the eve of the Battle, Romanus asked Muslim commander Khalid ibn Walid a few questions about Islam. Satisfied with the answers, Romanus embraced Islam and called upon his soldiers to do the same. The soldiers, however, refused to accept Islam. Instead, they installed an individual named Darejan as their new ruler. The Muslim soldiers vigorously fought the non-believers. With the help of Romanus, the Muslim warriors broke through enemy fortifications. In the ensuing battle, the newly installed ruler was killed. The Muslim forces conquered the Bosra region in the end.

The wife of Romanus came to Commander Khalid ibn Walid (radi Allah unhu) and narrated a dream from the previous night. She stated that she had seen an individual of remarkable beauty and radiance in her dream. The individual commented that Muslim forces would eventually conquer Syria and Iraq. When the wife asked about his identity, the individual replied: “I am Hazrat Muhammad Rasul Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).” After this, the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) invited wife of Romanus to accept Islam. The wife readily embraced Islam. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) then taught her two surahs from the Holy Qu’ran.

Commander Khalid ibn Walid (radi Allah unhu) asked the wife to recite the two surahs that she had been taught in the dream. She recited surah Al-Fatiha and surah Al-Iqlas. The wife, however, did not know that Romanus had already embraced Islam. She told Commander Khalid ibn Walid (radi Allah unhu) that Romanus had two options:

1) Accept Islam; or

2) Divorce his wife so that she could practice her new faith amongst the Muslims.

Commander Khalid ibn Walid (radi Allah unhu) smiled. He informed the wife that Romanus had embraced Islam before her. At this, the wife became very happy.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Dream of Caliph Usman Gani (radi Allah unhu)

Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Salaam (radi Allah unhu) narrates that he was with Caliph Hazrat Usman Gani (radi Allah unhu) when rebels surrounded his residence. Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Salaam (radi Allah unhu) proceeded to give his salaam to the Caliph. Amirul Momeenin Hazrat Usman Gani (radi Allah unhu) was happy to see Abdullah Ibn Salaam (radi Allah unhu).

The Caliph informed Abdullah Ibn Salaam (radi Allah unhu) that a short while ago he had been blessed with the vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream. In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) stated: “Usman! They have surrounded you.” After the Caliph agreed that he was surrounded by the rebels, the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) gave him a glass of water. The Caliph drank the water and felt its extraordinarily soothing effect in his bosom. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) then said to the Caliph: “If you want, you can be helped in confronting your enemies. You can also choose to come and break fast with me.” Hazrat Usman Gani (radi Allah unhu) replied: “I want to come to be at your service.” The Caliph was assassinated on the same day—a tragic event which took place in 35 Hijri.

It is also narrated that after this dream, Hazrat Usman Gani (radi Allah unhu) woke up and commented to his wife: “My martyrdom is imminent. The rebel group will assassinate me soon.” When his distressed wife refused to accept the truth of such a painful event, the Caliph informed her that he had seen such a dream. Afterwards, the Caliph put on a dress that he had never worn before. The Caliph then freed 20 slaves and engaged himself in reciting the Holy Qu’ran. By this time, the rebels had already broken through the boundary walls and entered the residence. The Qu’ran was wide open when the Caliph was assassinated. The pages of the Holy Qu’ran became red with the blood of the Caliph. The following verses of the Holy Qu’ran became crimson with the blood of the Caliph:


فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللّهُ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ


137. So if they believe as ye believe, they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back, it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice thee as against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Surat Al-Baqara)

Hazrat Usman Gani (radi Allah unhu) embraced martyrdom during the Asr prayer on the Day of Jumu’a. Innalillahe wa inna ilaihe rajeun.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Battle of Yarmuk

In Futuhassham, Syed Mullah Wakedi writes at page 142 that during the Battle of Yarmuk, the Second Caliph of Islam Hazrat Omar (radi Allah unhu) became very concerned about the safety of Muslim warriors after receiving bad news from the war front.

During this time, the Caliph was blessed with an auspicious dream. He dreamed that the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) arrived at a garden accompanied by Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allah unhu). The Caliph gave salaam to the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) and humbly stated: “Oh Messenger Of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! I am very concerned for the Muslims. Only Allah knows their true conditions. I have received news that about 1 million and 60 thousand troops are confronting the Muslim army.” At this, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied: “Oh Omar! Be cheerful! Allah has granted victory to the Muslims. The Muslims have vanquished their enemies and many disbelievers have perished.” After this, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) recited the following Ayat from the Holy Qu’ran:


تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي

الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ


83. That Home of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth: and the end is (best) for the righteous. (Surat al-Qasas)

After the Fajr prayer, the Caliph Hazrat Omar (radi Allah unhu) narrated the dream to everyone and gave them good news of imminent victory of the Muslim warriors. The date of the dream was recorded. After a few days when Hazrat Huzaifa ibn Yaman (radi Allah unhu) came back from the battlefront with the news of victory, it became clear that the victory had taken place on the day that the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) gave the news to Hazrat Omar (radi Allah unhu) in the dream.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Dream of Maolana Mohammed Ahmed

Hazrat Maolana Qari Mohammad Taiyab (rahmatullahi alaihe) once narrated a dream of his father Hazrat Maolana Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) to Mohammed Abdul Majid Siddiqui, the author of Seeratunnabi B’ad aj Vesalunnabi.

Hazrat Maolana Qari Mohammad Taiyab (rahmatullahi alaihe) narrates that his father Hazrat Maolana Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) was initially a disciple of Hazrat Haji Imdad Ullah Muhajir Makki (rahmatullahi alaihe). Hazrat Maolana Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) subsequently became the disciple of Hazrat Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (rahmatullahi alaihe). Hazrat Haji Imdad Ullah Muhajir Makki (rahmatullahi alaihe) used to take a very liberal approach with regard to Mawlid Shareef, while as a Islamic scholar, Hazrat Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) used to take a very conservative approach regarding Mawlid Shareef.

One night Hazrat Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) was blessed with an auspicious dream. In the dream, he saw a large hall room. A long road led to the hall room. Both Hazrat Imdad Ullah (rahmatullahi alaihe) and Hazrat Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) were seated on a podium in the hall room. They were discussing the contentious issues surrounding Mawlid Shareef. The opinion of Hazrat Imdad Ullah (rahmatullahi alaihe) was contained in his treatise called “Faisla Haft Masla” and the opinion of Hazrat Mohammed Ahmed was based entirely upon the strict interpretation of Hadith and the Shariah. At one point Hazrat Imdad Ullah said: “Let it be decided now who is right.”

Immediately after this, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam), accompanied by the Companions, emerged from the road leading to the hall room. In the dream, the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) carried a cane in his blessed hand and was clad in a fine velvet dress. His blessed body was emitting a luminous radiance. His radiant countenance resembled the countenance of Hazrat Maolana Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (rahmatullahi alaihe).

In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) came to Hazrat Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) and, placing his blessed hand on his shoulder, remarked: “What this boy says is correct.” Hazrat Imdad Ullah (rahmatullahi alaihe) was standing by the doorway. Upon hearing this, Hazrat Imdad Ullah (rahmatullahi alaihe) said “certainly correct” seven times while each time lowering his head and body. Hazrat Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) became overjoyed and having gathered some courage, asked: “Oh Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! The Hadith contains a different description of your blessed physical characteristics.” At this, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied: “My physical characteristics as described in the Hadith are correct. Since Maolana Rashid Ahmed Gangohi is your mentor, I took on his appearance so that you can feel close to him.” Hazrat Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) states that the dream lasted about 3-4 minutes.

In the morning, Hazrat Mohammed Ahmed (rahmatullahi alaihe) wrote down his dream and sent it to Hazrat Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (rahmatullahi alaihe). Upon reading the dream account, Hazrat Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (rahmatullahi alaihe) was overcome with emotions. Hazrat Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (rahmatullahi alaihe) remarked that he certainly would have arranged to place the dream account in his grave if the Shariah did not prohibit placing anything in the grave.

Hazrat Maolana Mohammed Ahmed passed away in 1929 in Deobond, India.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

A boy is transformed overnight

Qari Abdur Rahman was born in the distinguished Ansari family in Panipath, India in 1227 Hijri. He lost his father at the age of 13. He had no one to look after him except his mother. Over time, Abdur Rahman became addicted to hunting where his only activity was to travel through the jungles in search of prey. Abdur Rahman became so much engrossed in hunting that he started to miss reciting the Holy Qu’ran in the Tarwabi prayer in the holy month of Ramadan.

His pious mother became alarmed at this and tried to discourage him from hunting through a combination of gentle and harsh words. She resorted to crying when everything failed. However, the mother’s prayers were soon answered.

One night, Abdur Rahman dreamed of his father. In the dream, his father took hold of his hand and took him straight to the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). The father said: “Oh Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! Let my parents be sacrificed for you. Abdur Rahman is at your service!” At this, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) pulled Abdur Rahman to him and hugged him.

Abdur Rahman woke up in the morning completely transformed. He became profoundly thoughtful and started to show superior knowledge and understanding. Abdur Rahman started to understand and master even the most difficult of texts with complete ease. What is amazing is that he received great love and affection from all of his teachers. In 1250 Hijri, he went to Hazrat Shah Mohammed Ishak Dehlavi (rahmatullahi alaihe) and became one of his most beloved disciples. He also studied several subjects under the renowned Islamic scholar Maolana Mamluk Nanutabi (rahmatullahi alaihe).

Subsequently, many renowned Islamic scholars went to Qari Abdur Rahman in search of knowledge and wisdom. The list of his disciples is long. Among the most prominent of his disciples are Khwaja Altaf Hossain Hali (rahmatullahi alaihe), Syed Pir Jamaaat Ali Shah Alipuri (rahmatullahi alaihe), Maolana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (rahmatullahi alaihe), Sheikul Hind Hazrat Maulana Mahmudul Hasan (rahmatullahi alaihe), Hazrat Maolana Yakub Nanutabi (rahmatullahi alaihe), Habibur Rahman Khan Sherwani (rahmatullahi alaihe), and Sadriar Jang (rahmatullahi alaihe).

Qari Abdur Rahman passed away on the 15th day of Rabi' al-awwal, 1314 Hijri in Panipath, India. In the Gregorian calendar, it was the 13th day of December, 1896.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

“Come to me in Madinah Shareef”

Hazrat Maolana Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri (rahmatullahi alaihe) wrote an outstanding book in the Arabic language entitled “Bazlul Mazhud Fi Halli Sunane Abi Daud.” The book, containing five volumes, is a highly useful reference and commentary on the Daud Shareef. Saharanpuri
(rahmatullahi alaihe) started the book on the 11th day of Rabi' al-awwal in 1330 Hijri. He completed the book in 10 years 5 months and 10 days on the 21st of Sha'aban in 1345 Hijri. The book contained some two thousand pages.

Maolana Khalil Ahmed Saharanpuri (rahmatullahi alaihe) was blessed with the vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream in 1345 Hijri. In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) said to him: “Come to me in Madinah Shareef.”

Maolana Khalil Ahmad (rahmatullahi alaihe) left for Madina al Monawara the next day from Saharanpur, India. He completed the rest of the book in Madinah and invited Islamic scholars of the city to celebrate the completion of the book. On the 15th day of Rabi' al-thani in 1345 Hijri, exactly six months from the completion of the book, Maolana Khalil Ahmad (rahmatullahi alaihe) left this world after the Asr prayer. He was buried in the Jannatul Baki.

Hazrat Maolana Khalil Ahmad (rahmatullahi alaihe) was the spiritual disciple of Hazrat Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (rahmatullahi alaihe). Hazrat Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (rahmatullahi alaihe) was the disciple of Hazrat Haji Imdad Ullah Muhajir Makki (rahmatullahi alaihe).

Hazrat Maolana Khalil Ahmad (rahmatullahi alaihe) was well known for his piety and devout worship. His prayers were always answered. Maolana Khalil Ahmad (rahmatullahi alaihe) once said that he specifically prayed for three things:

(1) The establishment of Islamic rule in Arab countries

(2) Completion of a commentary on Daud Shareef; and

(3) His burial in the Jannatul Baki close to the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

Hazrat Maolana Khalil Ahmad (rahmatullahi alaihe) witnessed the fulfillment of the two of his most innermost prayers in his lifetime, while eagerly awaiting the realization of his last wish.

Alhamdulillah! The third prayer of Hazrat Maolana Khalil Ahmad (rahmatullahi alaihe) was also answered after he was buried in the Jannatul Baki in Madina Al Monawara after his death.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Dream reveals true identity

Hazrat Maolana Rafiquddin Deobondi (rahmatullahi alaihe) was the second principal of the Darul Uloom Deobond Madrasah. One day while the principal was standing at the premises of the Madrasah, one student of Hadith threw food in front him and remarked with great insolence: “Is this your management? Look at the food--they have neither spice nor any butter in them.” The student went on to make many such remarks. Other students became very enraged at this but Rafiquddin Deobondi (rahmatullahi alaihe) showed great patience and preferred to remain silent. The principal, however, glanced at the student three times from head to toe. After the student had left, the principal asked other students whether he was a student of the Madrasah. Other students affirmed that he was a student of the Madrasah. The principal, however, maintained that the individual could never be a student of the Madrasah.

After thorough investigation, it was revealed that the individual was not a student of the Madrasah. It turned out that the individual, who was not registered at the Madrasah, was fraudulently using the name of another student to obtain food and drink from the Madrasah. When all this became known, the students asked the principal how he knew for certain that the individual was not a student of the Madrasah.

The principal replied that he once dreamed that the well of the Madrasah was overflowing with milk. In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) arrived at the well and was distributing milk amongst the students. The students came one by one and took milk from the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). According to the principal, the well represented the Madrasah while the milk represented knowledge. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) was the distributor from whom the students received knowledge according to their individual capacity. The principal added that he knew each and every student of the Madrasah well and had seen every one of them take milk from the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). However, the insolent student was not present in the dream. Since the principal did not see the individual in the dream, he was certain that the individual was not a student of the Madrasah.

From this, it can be inferred that students of this Madrasah are chosen by Allah subhana wa ta'ala. The Madrasah does not advertise to enlist students, yet it receives students from many corners of the globe. Only individuals whom Allah subhana wa ta'ala inspires to seek knowledge come to this Madrasah.

It should be noted that Hazrat Maolana Rafiquddin (rahmatullahi alaihe) was the principal of the Darul Uloom Deobond Madrasah for almost 19 years. He passed away in Madina Al Monawara in 1890 and was buried in the Jannatul Baki. What is astonishing is that although Hazrat Rafiquddin (rahmatullahi alaihe) was unlettered, he attained a high level of spiritual knowledge and performed many miracles. He was the spiritual successor of Hazrat Shah Abdul Gani (rahmatullahi alaihe). Hazrat Shah Abdul Gani (rahmatullahi alaihe) succeeded Hazrat Shah Abdul Aziz (rahmatullahi alaihe). Hazrat Shah Abdul Aziz was the eldest son of Hazrat Shah Waliullah Dehlavi (rahmatullahi alaihe).

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe)

Hazrat Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe) was a true devotee of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). He is well known for his great love and devotion for the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe) held a special fondness and attachment for Madina al Monawara. Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe) was born in 93 Hijri and passed away in 189 Hijri in Madina al Monawara. He was buried in the Jannatul Baki.

Hazrat Musanna ibn Syed (rahmatullahi alaihe) narrates that he had heard Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe) to say: “Not a single night passes by in which I do not dream the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).” After this, Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe) started to cry.

Al-Muwatta

Hazrat Muhammad ibn Abissiri Askalani (rahmatullahi alaihe) states that he once saw the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream and asked: “Oh Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! Give me some advice so that I can convey to others. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied: “Oh Askalani! I have given Malik ibn Anas a treasure which he is distributing amongst you. This treasure is “Muwatta.”

Hazrat Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe) collected Al-Muwatta. Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe) is also known as “Najm” or the star. Imam Shafi'i (rahmatullahi alaihe) described Muwatta as one of the most purest books in the world. Hazrat Ibn Arabi (rahmatullahi alaihe) stated that Muwatta is the source and Shahih Bukhari is the second source. Hazrat Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddese Dehlavi (rahmatullahi alaihe) described Muwatta as the core foundation of both Bukhari Shareef and Muslim Shareef.

Dream of Sahal ibn Mojahem

In “Holiatul Aulia”, Hafiz Abu Naeem Isfahani (rahmatullahi alaihe) discusses Imam Malik (rahmatullahi alaihe). Sahal ibn Mojahem was one of the most pious men of his time whose company included Abdullah Ibn Mubarak (rahmatullahi alaihe).

Sahal ibn Mojahem narrates that one day he saw the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream. He asked: “Oh Rasool Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! Your auspicious time has left us. Whom should we turn to if we have questions regarding Islam?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied: “If you are confronted with any question, then go to Malik ibn Anas for an answer.”

Friday, April 13, 2007

A man becomes free of debt

A man once came to see Sultan Mahmood of Ghazni. The man informed the Sultan that for a long time he wanted to see the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in dream to explain his conditions.

One night, the man was blessed with the vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in his dream. In the dream, the man presented his conditions at the august court of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam): “Oh Rasool Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! I have a debt of a thousand dinars. I am afraid that I will die without paying off my debts.” The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied: “Go to Mahmood Sabuktigin and accept one thousand dinars from him.” In the dream, the man asked the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam): “What if the Sultan does not believe my words? What if he requires proof?” The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied: “Tell Sultan Mahmood that he recites Duroods thirty thousand times before going to bed and thirty thousand times after arising from bed.”

Sultan Mahmood started to cry as soon as the man finished narrating his dream. The Sultan gave the man two thousand dinars. The Sultan’s attendants became puzzled at this and asked the Sultan why he believed the man. The attendants remarked that they stayed with the Sultan all the time and yet had never seen him recite sixty thousand Duroods in a day. Sultan Mahmood replied that he had heard from the learned Islamic scholars that whoever recites a particular Durood once will be considered to have recited ten thousand Duroods. The Sultan made a habit of reciting three particular Duroods in the morning and three in the evening with the belief that he had recited sixty thousand Duroods in a day. The Sultan explained that he cried out of joy because the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) confirmed the statement of the learned Islamic scholars regarding the virtue of the particular Durood.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Dream of Sultan Mahmood

It is narrated that Sultan Mahmood of Ghazni had doubts about three particular things. The Sultan doubted: 1) whether the learned Islamic scholars were the successors of the Prophets and the Messengers as mentioned in the Hadith; 2) whether the Day of Judgment was inevitable; and 3) whether he was related by blood to Amir Nasiruddin Sabuktigin.

One evening, while traveling with an attendant carrying a lamp made of gold, Sultan Mahmood saw that one particular student of a Madrasah, engulfed in darkness, was struggling to read a book with the scant light that was coming in from the lamps of a nearby store. The Sultan became very saddened at this scene and immediately proceeded to donate the gold lamp to the student.

In the same night, Sultan Mahmood saw the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) said to Sultan Mahmood: “Oh son of Amir Sabuktigin! May Allah honour you in this world and in the hereafter as you have honoured a successor of my mine.”

The dream dispelled all doubts held by the Sultan. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) addressed the Sultan as the descendant of Amir Sabuktigin. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) prayed for the success of Sultan Mahmood both in this world and in the hereafter. The reference to life after death also corroborated the existence of the Day of Judgment. Lastly, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) confirmed Islamic religious scholars as his successors, ending all doubts about the accuracy of this particular Hadith.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

"I do not know you"

A man was neglectful in reciting Durood upon the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

One night, the man saw the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream. However, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) did not look at the man. In the dream, when the man arrived in front of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam), the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) turned his face away. Bewildered, the man asked: “Oh Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! Are you displeased with me? The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied that he was not displeased with the man. The man then asked why the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) did not look at him.

In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) stated: “I do not know you. How shall I look at you?” The man stated in response: “I am one of your followers. I have heard from learned Islamic scholars that you love your followers more than a father loves his children. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) replied: “This is true. But you do not remember me through greater recitation of Durood. I know those of my followers well who recite Durood upon me the most”.

After this dream, the man started to recite Durood one hundred times a day on a regular basis. After some time, the man was blessed again with the vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream. In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) stated: “Now I know you well and I will intercede for you on the Day of Judgment”.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Khaled Latif Gauba gets bail

Barrister K.L. Gauba was born in 1899. He was the son of Lala Harikrishna Lal Gauba. Barrister K.L. Gauba started working as a clerk under the Deputy Commissioner of Multan, India. Over time K.L. Gauba accumulated great wealth and eventually became the Minister of Education in Punjab, India. K.L. Gauba was a very kind-hearted person. Later in life, K.L. Gauba became the target of ruthless persecution of the British Government in India. The British Government sold all of his assets at auction and K.L. Gauba died virtually a pauper.

K.L. Gauba converted to Islam in 1932 and changed his name from Kania Lal Gauba to Khaled Latif Gauba. Even after converting to Islam, he would write K.L. Gauba while signing his name in English. After becoming a Muslim, K.L. Gauba wrote a book in English about the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). The book was entitled “Prophet of the Desert.” The book, which was reprinted several times, was widely acclaimed by readers.

In his autobiography “Friends and Foes”, K.L. Gauba describes how he became the target of systematic persecution of the British government. K.L. Gauba states that for some reasons, he incurred the wrath of Sir Douglas Young, the then Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab. K.L. Gauba was implicated in a case and was jailed for a period of time. The Lahore District and Session Judge fixed K.L. Gauba’s bail at 1,50,000.00 in local currency. Despite repeated appeals by two Muslim dailies "Daily Jamnidar" and "Ehsan" for financial contributions, no local Muslim could come up with the amount required to free K.L. Gauba on bail. As a result, K.L. Gauba had to stay in jail for several weeks.

During this time, Alhaj Malek Sardar Ali, a contractor by profession in Sialkot, Pakistan was blessed with the vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream. In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) said: “Sardar Ali, rise and go to Lahore in the morning to free a neo-Muslim Khaled Latif Gauba with 1,50,000.00 in bail money. He has written about me in the book "Prophet of the Desert" which I have liked very much.”

Malek Sardar was delighted at the unexpected and yet auspicious vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). Without delay, he carried out the orders of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) and went to the court to certify the necessary papers to free K.L. Gauba. At the court, the deputy commissioner Mr. Chandra sought to instill fear in Malek Sardar by telling him that in the event K.L. Gauba escapes on bail, Malek Sardar would lose all of his security deposits. Malek Sardar remained adamant and replied that he would be happy to even sacrifice his own life to carry out the orders of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) even though he neither saw nor knew Latif Gauba before.

The deputy commissioner Mr. Chandra refused to certify the papers of Malek Sardar. Malek Sardar borrowed from friends and deposited 1,50,000.00 at the British Session Judge Court in Lahore, Pakistan to free Latif Gauba.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Hazrat Shibli is honoured

Allama Sakhabi (rahmatullahi alaihe) narrates that he was with Qari Abu Bakr Ebne Mujahid when Hazrat Abu Bakr Shibli (rahmatullahi alaihe) came in. Hazrat Abu Bakr Ebne Mujahid welcomed Hazrat Shibli (rahmatullahi alaihe) and hugged and kissed his forehead. Upon witnessing this, Allama Sakhabi (rahmatullahi alaihe) asked Qari Abu Bakr Ebne Mujahid why he had accorded such a warm welcome to Hazrat Shibli (rahmatullahi alaihe) when most of the learned scholars of Baghdad did not think so highly of Hazrat Shibli (rahmatullahi alaihe). Qari Abu Bakr Ebne Mujahid replied that he had done precisely what he had seen the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) to do in a dream.

Qari Abu Bakr Ebne Mujahid went on to say that in his dream he saw Hazrat Shibli (rahmatullahi alaihe) was at the august court of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) stood up and kissed the forehead of Hazrat Shibli (rahmatullahi alaihe). In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) remarked that for many years after every prayer, Hazrat Shibli (rahmatullahi alaihe) had been reciting the last two verses of the Surah At-Tawba of the Holy Qu’ran. When asked about it, Hazrat Shibli (rahmatullahi alaihe) acknowledged reciting the particular two verses on a regular basis.

The following are the last two verses of the Surat At-Tawba of the Holy Qu’ran:

(128)

لَقَدْ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ · رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

(129)

· فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ


128. Now hath come unto you an Apostle from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that ye should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful.

129. But if they turn away, Say: "Allah sufficeth me: there is no god but He: On Him is my trust, - He the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme!"

A new construction site for the Madrasah

Darul Ulum Madrasah is an institution of religious and spiritual learning. Construction of the Madrasah started on 17 Muharram, 1283 of the Islamic calendar or on 30 May, 1866 according to the Gregorian calendar. Construction of the buildings of the Madrasah commenced soon after suitable land was found.

Maolana Rafiquddin (rahmatullahi alaihe), the then Superintendent of the Madrasah, dreamt of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) just as the construction work for the buildings was about to begin. In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) arrived at the premises of the Madrasah with a stick in his blessed hand and, looking at Maolana Rafiquddin, remarked: “The planned construction of the buildings at north will narrow the premises of the Madrasah.” Afterwards, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) drew a straight line with his stick further north of the original construction site and remarked: “The construction of the buildings should start at this point.”

Immediately after the Fajr prayer, Maolana Rafiquddin (rahmatullahi alaihe) went to the very spot that he had dreamt about and was overwhelmed to see the presence of a new line drew by the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in the dream. Accordingly, the construction of the buildings started at the new line.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

The Dream of a Warrior

It was the period of the Abbasian rule in Baghdad under the Caliphate of Walid Ibne Abdul Malik. Under the leadership of Tareque, some seven thousand Muslim warriors had landed on the shores of Spain which eventually led to the conquest of the Mediterranean country. Soon after the conquest of Spain, Tareque ordered complete destruction of the fleet that had brought the Muslim warriors to Spain in the first place. While everyone seemed surprised, Tareque maintained that it was the duty of all Muslims to have unfailing faith in Allah since they all had come to Spain to convey the message of Allah. It was on the Spanish soil that the Muslims would live and die.

This bold and revolutionary step was inspired by a dream that the Muslim commander had seen on his voyage. One night in his dream, commander Tareque saw the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) accompanied by a large entourage of the Companions and the Helpers. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) said to the Muslim commander in his dream: “Go forward with your expedition. Be gentle with the Muslims and make good on the promises that you make at any cost.” In his dream, Tareque saw that the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) was entering Spain as a victor and the Muslim commander was following the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

This auspicious dream explains the extraordinary heroism and faith of the Muslim commander. With only twelve thousand Muslim warriors, commander Tareque defeated the then Spanish King Rodriquez with an army of about one hundred thousand.


Maolana Jami (rahmatullahi alaihe)

Once Hazrat Maolana Abdur Rahman Jami (rahmatullahi alaihe) composed some verses eulogizing the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). Subsequently when Maolana Jami (rahmatullahi alaihe) was in Makkah al-Mukarramah to perform the Hajj, it was his earnest desire to recite the self-composed verses at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah al-Munawara.

Just as Maolana Jami (rahmatullahi alaihe) was about to start for Madinah al-Munawara, the ruler of Makkah al-Mukarramah dreamt the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). In the dream, the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) said to the ruler: “Do not let Jami come to Madinah.” As a result, the government issued an injunction prohibiting Maolana Jami (rahmatullahi alaihe) to enter Madinah al-Munawara.

Overwhelmed by his desire, Maolana Jami (rahmatullahi alaihe) proceeded towards Madinah al-Munawara in total secrecy. At this time, the ruler of Makkah al-Mukarramah again dreamt the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). The ruler was told: “He is coming, do not let him come.” After this, the ruler of Makkah al-Mukarramah arrested Maolana Jami (rahmatullahi alaihe) from his journey and put him in jail where he was treated harshly by the authorities. Again the ruler of Makkah al-Mukarramah saw the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream where he was told: “Jami is not guilty of any offence. The real situation is such that Jami has composed some verses which, if he is allowed to recite at my grave in Madinah, will cause my hand to come out of the grave to shake hands with him. This is will lead to great commotion and will result in the disruption of the public order. That is why Jami was prohibited not to come to Madinah in the first place.”

Immediately afterwards, Maolana Jami (rahmatullahi alaihe) was released from jail and was shown great respect and deference by the authorities.

The Dream of Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaihe)

Once Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaihe) saw the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in his dream. Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaihe) saw that he was driving away few flies that were hovering around the blessed beard of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). The learned Islamic scholars of the time interpreted this dream and said that in future Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaihe) would identify and discard inaccurate Hadith and dedicate his life to the compilation of authentic Hadith.

In fact, Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaihe) carried out the responsibility entrusted to him by the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in dream with great dedication and perseverance.

The utmost care and perseverance that Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaihe) demonstrated in compiling authentic Hadith is almost unparalleled in the history of mankind. Such dedication and perseverance has made Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaihe) one of great and extraordinary scholars in the Islamic world.