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)]

Sunday, July 20, 2008

“You desire my presence, yet you stay in the company of the oppressors?”

Kutubur Rabbani Imam Sharani (rahmatullahi alaihe) writes that Syed Muhammad Ebne Zain was a great admirer and a devoted follower of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

Syed Muhammad Ebne Zain had the rare distinction of being blessed with the vision of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in the waking state.

Once an individual came to Syed Muhammad Ebne Zain and asked him to intercede to the emperor on his behalf.

When Syed Muhammad Ebne Zain came to the royal court, the emperor greatly honoured him and went on to seat him on the royal throne. From that day onward, Syed Muhammad Ebne Zain was deprived of the vision of the Beloved Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

Concerned and alarmed, Syed Muhammad Ebne Zain recited a special poem in praise of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). Soon afterwards, Syed Muhammad Ebne Zain saw something in the distance. During this time, he heard the blessed voice of the Beloved Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). The Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) stated: “You desire my presence, yet you stay in the company of the oppressors?”

It is not known if Syed Muhammad Ebne Zain was subsequently blessed with the vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Sheikh Abdullah Aref Billah Bodaunabi

Sheikh Abdullah Aref Billah Bodaunabi belonged to a non-Muslim caste in Punjab before he embraced Islam.

One day during his childhood, Sheikh Abdullah was reciting the work composed by the famous poet Sheikh Saadi. At one point, Sheikh Abdullah came across the following line which can be translated to mean:

It is not possible to strive in the spiritual path without following the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

Sheikh Abdullah asked his tutor about the Beloved Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). The tutor offered his pupil a brief description of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). Upon hearing the description, a change came over Sheikh Abdullah. He decided to embrace Islam and went on to become one of the most pious and learned scholars of his time.

Shortly before his death, Sheikh Abdullah Aref Billah Bodaunabi issued specific instructions to his followers with respect to his funeral prayer. He stated that only the individual who had never missed four rakah Sunnat of the Asr prayer would lead the funeral prayer. An individual came forward to lead the funeral prayer for Sheikh Abdullah just as his followers started to worry whether they would find anyone to lead the prayer.

Sheikh Abdullah also instructed his followers to bury him upon his death where the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) had placed his blessed cane and from which place water flowed when he was blessed with the vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). His followers had chosen this particular place for his burial. Sheikh Abdullah was buried at this very place in Bodayun.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

A long awaited dream

Maolana Muhammed Sayyid Gohanabi (rahmatullahi alaihe) once went to see Hazrat Khawza Muhammed Sayyid Quraish (rahmatullahi alaihe). During his visit, Maolana Gohanabi (rahmatullahi alaihe) stated that he has not been blessed with the vision of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream for a long time. Hazrat Khawza Quraish (rahmatullahi alaihe) advised Maolana Gohanabi (rahmatullahi alaihe) to recite some verses. The verses can be translated as follows:

Oh Rasul Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! Where are you?
My eyes, engulfed in darkness, do not behold your luminous appearance.

How much I long for your presence with fervent hope and anticipation.
How nice it would have been if I had been blessed with your magnificent appearance!

Wherever I am, I am still alive because of your blessed aroma.
I am eagerly awaiting your luminous appearance.
Oh Rasul Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)! Where are you?

Maolana Gohanabi (rahmatullahi alaihe) recited the verses at night and drifted off to asleep. He was blessed with the auspicious vision of the Beloved Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream.

In the morning, Maolana Gohanabi (rahmatullahi alaihe) went to see Hazrat Khawza Quraish (rahmatullahi alaihe) and narrated his dream. Hazrat Khawza Quraish (rahmatullahi alaihe) stated that one can verily see the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream when special amaal or invocation is performed.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

"I am very pleased with you."

Hazrat Khawza Muhammed Akel (rahmatullahi alaihe) was the most illustrious spiritual successor to Hazrat Khawza Noor Muhammed Moharavi (rahmatullahi alaihe).

Hazrat Khawza Muhammed Akel (rahmatullahi alaihe) dedicated his entire life in the strict observance of the Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).

A few days before his demise, Hazrat Khawza Muhammed Akel (rahmatullahi alaihe) was blessed with the auspicious vision of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) in a dream. In the dream, the Beloved Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) stated: “I am very pleased with you. You have revived all my Sunnah.”

According to Khawza Jalalpuri (rahmatullahi alaihe), Hazrat Khawza Muhammed Akel (rahmatullahi alaihe) is among the most dedicated and distinguished followers of the Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam).