ALMISKEENAH

….bringing them from darkness out into light, by His will, and guiding them to a straight path. (5:16)

We sent you as a witness, a bringer of good news and a warner, one who calls to Allah with His permission and a light-giving lamp. (33:46)

It is related from Jaabir RadhiAllahu anhu that he said: "I once saw Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam on the night of a full moon. On that night he wore red clothing. At times I looked at the full moon and at times at Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam was more handsome, beautiful and more radiant than the full moon."

 "If the illumination in the temple and sanctuary is through  the sun and moon, so what.
I desire you, what should I do with my sight."

Abu-Ishaaq RadhiAllahu anhu says: "A person once asked Baraa bin Aazib RadhiAllahu anhu, "Was the face of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam shining like a sword?" He replied: "No, but like a full-moon with its roundness." 

O Allah! O The Light of the heavens and the earth
Bestow blessings and peace on the one you created from Your Light
and forgive my sins and fill my heart with
the light of Your Knowledge and the knowledge that is with You,
and (bestow blessings and peace as well)
on his family and companions.

And every miracle that the noble prophets performed is derived from his SallAllahu alaihi wassalam’s light.

Finally his light dawned on the horizon,

And his radiant guidance suffused the world and brought life to

Countless civilizations.

Imam al-Busayri, Burdah

The Emissary of Allah Ta’ala SallAllahu alaihi wassalam said: "The Angels invoke blessing upon him who invokes blessing upon me, for as long as he invokes blessing upon me. So let him increase or decrease [blessing] by the Angels [upon himself as he pleases]

"The closest of people to me is he who invokes blessing upon me the most."

"Verily there are Angels hovering over the earth who carry to me the greeting for peace from my Ummah."

"No one asks for peace upon me but that Allah returns my spirit to me so that I may return the prayer to him."

Al_Ghazali

Ya Rabb! With the Waseela of Your chosen Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam, fulfill our goals and forgive our past sins. Ameen.

Photos taken this morning after Fajr.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

It is reported by Ka’ab RadhiAllahu anhu that 70,000 Angels descend on the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa’s SallAllahu alaihi wasallam Masjid daily, surround it and touch it with their heavenly wings, and continue reciting Durood Shareef and leave for the heavens in the evening. They are replaced by another 70,000 Angels who stay till dawn to be replaced by another 70,000 angels in the morning, and each Angel cannot return after its initial visit. This process will keep continuing until the Day of Judgement. A rough calculation reveals that to date almost 70 billion Angels have been sent by Allah Almighty to the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa’s SallAllahu alaihi wasallam Masjid to read Durood Shareef upon him. Allahu ‘Alum, and only Allah Almighty knows how many more will be sent until the Day of Judgement. This is indeed an indication of the utmost highest regard Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has for His Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Therefore we must not under-rate the significance, importance and the merits of reading Durood Shareef for our Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

O RABB, SHOWER SALAAT AND SALAAM FOREVER AND EVER UPON YOUR BELOVED, WHO IS THE BEST OF ALL CREATION.

The Ummah is indeed blessed because it has been given the opportunity to send Durood Shareef on the Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Durood Shareef is a special kind of Du’a, a special kind of Dhikr dear to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Therefore if we read Durood Shareef and ask of something from Allah Almighty, then what we ask for has a better chance of being accepted by Allah Almighty. Insha’Allah.

O RABB, SHOWER SALAAT AND SALAAM FOREVER AND EVER UPON YOUR BELOVED, WHO IS THE BEST OF ALL CREATION.

Hadrat Imam Shaf’i Rahmatullah alaihi has declared, ‘ What I love is that one should recite Durood Shareef abundantly under all circumstances.’

O RABB, SHOWER SALAAT AND SALAAM FOREVER AND EVER UPON YOUR BELOVED, WHO IS THE BEST OF ALL CREATION.

Ghawth Al-A’dham Sayyadina Abd ‘al-Qadir al-Jilani Rahmatullah alaihi has declared, ‘ O ‘ faithful make Mosques and Durood Shareef for the Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam incumbent on you.’

O RABB, SHOWER SALAAT AND SALAAM FOREVER AND EVER UPON YOUR BELOVED, WHO IS THE BEST OF ALL CREATION.

Allama Qustulani Rahmatullah alaihi interpreter of Sahih Al-Bukhari has stated, ‘ The best, the most sublime, the most excellent, the most exquisite, the most consummate recital is the recital of Durood Shareef for the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

O RABB, SHOWER SALAAT AND SALAAM FOREVER AND EVER UPON YOUR BELOVED, WHO IS THE BEST OF ALL CREATION.

Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq RadhiAllahu anhu has narrated that, ‘Reciting Durood Shareef upon the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam erases sins in the same manner that water extinguishes a fire’.

O RABB, SHOWER SALAAT AND SALAAM FOREVER AND EVER UPON YOUR BELOVED, WHO IS THE BEST OF ALL CREATION.

Story 35 from "Virtues of Salaat Alan Nabi, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam" by Shaikhal Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi.

Abu Hafs Samarqandi Rahmatullah alaihi writes in his book, ‘Rownaqul Majaalis’, "In Balkh there lived a merchant of great wealth and substance. When he passed away his two sons divided his estate among themselves equally. Among the inheritance there were also three hairs of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Each took one hair and the elder brother suggested that they cut the third one in half, each then taking one piece. This suggestion filled the younger brother with distress and he exclaimed, ‘No never shall that be done, the blessed hair of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam shall not be cut.’ The elder then suggested, ‘Will you be satisfied that these three hairs come to you as your portion of inheritance, while I take the rest of the estate?’ The younger brother agreed to this with great pleasure and satisfaction. The elder brother then acquired all that the father had left behind. The younger brother had the three hairs. He kept those hairs on his person at all times. Very often he took them out, looked at them and recited Salaat on the Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Not long afterwards the elder brother had squandered and exhausted all his wealth, while the younger brother became very wealthy. When after some time the younger one died, someone from among the saintly ones saw a dream wherein Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam appeared to him and said, ‘If there be anyone with any kind of need, let him proceed to the grave of this person, sit down there and beg of Allah Ta’ala his need."

This same story is told in ‘Nuzhatul Majaalis’, but with a slight addition. The story there says that when the elder brother became a pauper and saw Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in a dream, he complained to him of great poverty. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam told him, ‘O unfortunate one, you turned away from my hair and your brother accepted them and whenever he looked at them he recited Salaat on me. For this reason Allah Ta’ala has made him most fortunate, both in this world and in the Hereafter.’ When the elder brother awoke he went forth and became one of the servants of his younger brother."

O RABB, SHOWER SALAAT AND SALAAM FOREVER AND EVER UPON YOUR BELOVED, WHO IS THE BEST OF ALL CREATION.

Story 36

A woman came to Imam Hasan al-Basri Rahmatullah alaihi and said to him, "O Imam my young daughter has passed away. My desire is to see her in a dream, show me how this is possible." He told her, "When you have performed Esha Salat, perform four nafl rakaats. Recite in each of then Surah Fatihah and Surah At-Takaathur, then lie down to sleep, and continue to recite Salaat on the Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, until you fall asleep."

The woman did as she was advised and that night she saw he daughter in a dream, and she was very mush distressed to see her suffering great torment. She was pathetically covered in tar, her hands bound, and the feet tied in hot chains of fire. When she woke she hastened to Hasan al-Basri Rahmatullah alaihi and in great anguish told him what she had seen. He told her to give charity on behalf of her daughter, and perhaps Allah Ta’ala would pardon her through your Sadaqah.

The following day Hasan al-Basri Rahmatullah alaihi saw the girl in a dream. He saw a most beautiful garden and therein on a throne of great splendour he saw a very attractive maiden sitting with a shining crown on her head. She asked him, "O Hasan, do you recognize me?" he replied, "No, I do not." She said, "I am the daughter of that lady whom you advised to continue reciting Salaat alan Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam until she falls asleep." Hasan said, "But your mother had told me of your condition and what she had said is the very opposite of this." She replied, "yes, that was my situation, as explained by my mother." Hasan asked, "How did you reach this rank?" She replied, "Seventy thousand of us were in that torment, then a saintly man passed our graveyard. He recited salaat on the Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam once and bequeathed the reward thereof to us. That salaat on Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was so much appreciated by Allah Ta’ala that he set us all free from the torment and punishment, and it is though the blessings of that saintly man that this rank has been attained."

O RABB, SHOWER SALAAT AND SALAAM FOREVER AND EVER UPON YOUR BELOVED, WHO IS THE BEST OF ALL CREATION.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

Durood

The following is from "The Key to Arriving at The Door of The Messenger" by Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi, Volume 2.
Published by Dar al Hawa 2006 Damascus.
This delightful publication was recently presented as a gift, SubhanAllah, from a lover of Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Please remember the giver, the author, all mentioned in this book, all involved in the publishing, the recipient and our Beloved Messenger, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in your Du’a. May Allah Ta’ala make us all worthy to receive the key to enable us to arrive at his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam door. Ameen Ameen Ameen.

Qasidia: Ya Rasul Allah Ya Ahl al-Wafaa.

O Messenger of Allah, the one who fulfills trusts, by Qutb u’l Irshad Sayyiduna Imam al-Habib ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad RahmatuLlah alaihi.

Imam al-Haddad’s famous poem was written during a drought at the end of the month of Jumada al-Ula in 1192AH. In it he seeks the intercession of the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and by his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam blessing, Allah Ta’ala sent rain. The Imam said: "If one has need, then they should recite it with the intention of fulfilling their need, for surely it will be granted, if Allah, Exalted be He, wills. Before reciting the Qasida begin with the recitation of Surah Ya Sin."

He, RahmatuLlah alaihi would recite this Qasida every night, in times of drought, and continue to do so until there was relief; thereafter he would recite

"O Mercy of Allah visit me, and honour us with your presence and heal my people who are living in constriction and difficulty."

And he would say: "I have experienced the receiving of rain and received more of that which precedes it; hidden mercy."

O Messenger of Allah, the one who fulfills trusts,

O one of great character, O ocean of purity.

You are, after Allah, the blessing that is inspired for

And a refuge O chosen one, O Mustafa,

O seal of the messengers, O best of mankind,

O the one who is swift in help, come to those who have fallen into error.

Your guilty servant, who has incurred sins

By distractions and turning away.

And had thrown him into the oceans of grief,

Its waves rise up from every direction.

He comes to you, fleeing from his sins

And from the era that has aggrieved.

And from the period in which states have changed

In which, one’s direction is seized.

And from the suffering that has destroyed

And from the sorrow that has surrounded.

And the tribulations and the worries from

Which there is no relief except for your care and sufficiency.

So help me with an aid that is swift,

And to see me, O the most noble of the noble.

See to my faults and rectify me,

And aid me, O Imam of those who declare the Oneness of Allah,

And protect me of everything that I should be cautious of

In livelihood and for the Hereafter, that is near.

And solicit ar-Rahman for me and my needs

That have burdened the soul.

You are the door to Allah, from whom the hopeful ones receive,

And there is protection for the one who stands by it

You are the rope of Allah, for those to hold fast,

Who are victorious with blessings and promises fulfilled.

O messenger of Allah, O sun of guidance,

By you, every harm is removed.

O messenger of Allah, O ocean of generosity

Every kind of generosity from you is known.

O messenger of Allah, (by whom) barrenness, drought

And distress on the earth is removed.

O messenger of Allah, the excessiveness has destroyed

The feeble ones, the abstinent and the poor.

The years of emaciation have destroyed them

They are all seeking therein a cure.

Amongst them, the affluent and the rich,

Were extremely miserly, reprehensible and bad.

Their miserliness did not invite them to spend

In the way of Allah, a donation that remains.

So the needy ones remained,

Like fish in a sea that has become dry.

The One Who determined all of this

Deterred from them due to the excessive sins.

So seek forgiveness for them O my master

Your Lord, the All-Compassionate is more generous

To the one who is free from sins.

Pray to Him that He may send down rain for them,

And for their forgetfulness of Him.

And that the people love righteously in it

Thanking Allah openly and in secret.

Intercede O Messenger of Allah for

Relief from this distress, until He removes it.

As you have an exalted rank with Him

And you have immense and encompassing glory.

Lord, be kind to us by the honour of Mustafa

Send us rain, as we are weak.

We have disobeyed, pardon us

And accept from one who is guilty and confesses.

Remove the barrenness from the earth

Together with the sins and the injustice that has intensified.

Give victory to the religion and guide its people

And the people of authority.

O Generous, O Bountiful and Glorious

O Merciful, O Kind, favour us.

O Knower, O Forbearing and Excellent

O Compassionate, Whose compassion is known.

The One Who gives most generously, and favours,

Who is known for this and is described by it.

May the blessings of Allah encompass Ahmad

The one for whom the fire of idolatry and disbelieve has been

extinguished.

Together with the peace of Allah and His blessings

May it also be upon his noble and honourable family,

And the Companions and their followers, forever.

May You spread from it a sweet and gentle breeze which cures and

Relieves a diseased heart.

Transliteration of one of the Salutations of Imam ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi Al-Haddad RahmatuLlah alaihi on the photograph of Rowdha Shareef:
Alluhumma Salli ‘alaa Sayyidna Muhammad wa ‘alaa Aali Sayyidna Muhammad ‘adada kulli dharRatin alfi marRatin.
Translation: O Allah send blessings upon our master Muhammad and upon the descendants of our master Muhammad by the number of each atom a thousand times.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

 An online rendition of this Qasida kindly sent by http://hquk.wordpress.com/

 

Salawaat and Salam.

hardened words

with a glint of steel thrash about

trapped

in the hollow vault of the mind.

relentlessly

jack hammering,

pounding,

the thinking process.

gnashing hashing.

synapses flare.

a wild fury

igniting

a cantankerous vacuum.

a cataclysmic explosion

shatters this false obsession.

replaced by

HIS PRESENCE

burnishing the heart

with silk from the Tooba Tree.

ecstasy fashions the tangible

into nothingness.

existence reduced to HIM

and HIS Master on the path towards His Divine Presence,

the beloved whose whole being is light,

the truthful inviter to the truth with the truth.

SallAllahu alaihi Wasallam.

Allahumma Salli ‘alaa Sayyidina Muhammad-in-i’l-Hameedi’l Mahmood
Wa’s-sirri’l ladhee laa yanqati’u madaduh
Wa laa yanhasiru ‘adaduh
Ashrafi maujood
Wa a’zami maulood
Allazee sharrafa kullu maulood
Ashrafi’l mursaleen
Wa aqrabi’l muqarrabeen
Wa afdhali’l khalqi ajma’een
Ashrafi’l mukammaleen
Wa afdhali’nnaasi ajma’een
As-sirrillazee saraa fi’l arwaahi wa’l-masaami’a
Laa tahya’l quloobu illa bi zikrih
Laa ba’eeda illaa qarrabahu
Aqraba kulla qareeb
Wa ahabba kulla habib
Hayaati kulli rooh
Baabi’l fadhli wa’l futooh
Wa baabi’l azeemi’l maftooh
Sirri’l asraar
Wa nuri’l anwaar
Wa miftaahi baabi’l yasaar
Wa jaami’i'l kamaal
Hayaat-i’r-roohi wa’l baal

O Allah! Shower blessings on Sayyidina Muhammad,
the praiseworthy and the praised one,
the help of whose secret is never cut off
and is uncountable;
who is noble in his presence;
whose birth was the most significant
and the best among all births;
the best among the Messengers of Allah,
the nearest among those drawn near
and the best in all creation,
the best among all those who are perfect
and the best in all humanity
whose sacred mystery was that he sojourned
into the realm of souls and hearers.
One’s heart does not become alive except with his zikr (rememberance).
There is no one who is far away, except he brings him near.
He is closer to one than everyone else who is close
and most beloved of all those loved.
He is the life of all souls,
the door of graciousness and victories;
and indeed a big open door (of magnanimity),
the secret of secrets, and the light of lights,
and the key to the gate of ease and abundance
and the one who combined in himself all wonderful qualities;
the life of souls and hearts.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen. 

Allah and His Angels bless the Prophet, so you who believe, bless him too, and give him greetings of peace. (33:57)

Durood. Such a Divine practice, as Allah Ta’ala Himself acts upon this command. This is the Suunah of Allah Ta’ala. As the glory of Allah Ta’ala is the highest and most exulted, so His Sunnah is also the highest and most exulted. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is the most cherished devotee of Allah Ta’ala, the most revered amongst all of creation. Sending Salat and Salam, blessings and greetings upon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, being the Sunnah of Allah Ta’ala, is deemed to be the most glorified and esteemed act compared to others. A Divine practice that Insha’Allah, we are never neglectful of, and which the heart is aspiring to ever increase.

Masjid Abi Dhar, also known as Masjid Sajdah, is approximately 900 metres north of Masjid Nabawi. At the time of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam it was a garden of the Baitul-Maal. It is narrated that Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Auf RadhiAllahu anhu was praying behind Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam, when he went into a very long prostration. After Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Auf RadhiAllahu anhu said to the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam: "Oh prophet of Allah you prostrated for so long that I feared Allah Ta’ala had taken your soul." The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam said: "Jibrael Alaihi Salam came with a message from Allah Ta’ala: "he who sends salutations and peace upon you, I shall send mercy and blessings upon him," I prostrated in gratitude of this bounty of Allah Ta’ala."

Visiting such sacred places one if full of awe and reverence, tears fill the eyes, with the knowledge that our Most Blessed of the blessed SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam’s noble head was touching this very ground for his love of The Creator and for his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam for his Ummah. May our Iman be forever on the increase reliving over and over again the life of the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wasallam.

Sayyiduna Anas RadhiAllahu anhu said: "Every Du’a is prevented from reaching the court of Allah Ta’ala until the person making Du’a sends Durood upon Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and upon the family of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam."

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Ma’sud RadhiAllahu anhu also narrates that Sayyiduna Rasulullah  SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: "On the Day of Qiyamah, the closest to me from among the people will be those who have read the most amount of Durood Shareef". (Tirmidhi) 

Sayyiduna Umar Radhiallahu anhu said: "Surely Dua’ remains suspended between the heaven and the earth. It does not ascend and nothing is accepted until you send Salawaat upon your Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam."

Our Sacred Knowledge resources enumerate numerous Ahadith expounding the virtues of a heart which is steadfastly occupied with sending Durood to our Beloved Master, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Sheikhul Dalail Syed Ali bin Yusuf Madani Rahmatullahi alaihi, narrated from Jalaluddin Suyuti Rahmatullahi alaihi, that reciting the following Durood once will earn the thawab of reciting Duroods equal to 600,000. This Durood is known as Salatus Sa’adat.
The thawab is unimaginable, for Allah Ta’ala is capable of increases beyond our comprehension, in unlimited numbers.

O Allah send blessings on our Master, our Liege Lord, Muhammad, as much as Allah’s knowledge, eternal blessings; lasting as long as Allah’s Kingship.

This needy greedy humble speck is hoping that all who read this entry will instill in their heart the intention to recite Durood more frequently, more passionately, more earnestly, more emotionally, more fervently, more glowingly, more deliriously, more exhilaratingly, more lovingly, more ecstatically, more more more more!

Insha’Allah, as you look at the photo above, allow the "wings" of your heart to transport your yearning to be near to our Beloved Habibul Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Permit all senses of the heart to be submerged in the radiance of the light, the fragrance of the breeze, the sacredness of the earth, the velvety air, pleasing the ears with the delights of being so near.

Allah Ta’ala knows our longing. He is The Glorious, The Aware, The Enricher, giving sustenance to the wayfarer. Travel now, entering a new realm of intimacy with Muhammad, the Praised One, the Most Praised, The Praiser, The Best of Creation The Mercy to the World, our Master on the journey towards His Divine Presence, our Intercessor on the Day of Judgement. SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

O Allah, bless the soul of our master Muhammad among the souls, and bless his body among the bodies, and his grave among the graves and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

O Allah, bless our master Muhammad whenever those who do dhikr mention him.

O Allah, bless our master Muhammad whenever those who neglect his dhikr neglect it.

O Allah, bless our master Muhammad, the Unlettered Prophet and his wives, the mothers of the believers, and his offspring and the People of his House with a blessing and peace whose quantity is not counted and whose help is not cut off.

O Allah, bless our master Muhammad in quantities great as what Your knowledge encompasses and Your Book contains with a blessing which is Yours as a pleasure and his as payment, and give him the means of mediation and virtue and high degree, and raise him up, O Allah, to the praiseworthy station which You promised him and reward him from us what he deserves, and bless all his brothers, the Prophets and truthful ones, martyrs and righteous.

O Allah, bless our master Muhammad and put him in the closest position on the Day of Rising.

O Allah, bless our master Muhammad.

Dala’il al-Khayrat by Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Sulayman ibn Abi Bakr al-Jazuli al-Simlali  (d. 870/1465)

Ameen Ameen Ameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Bless all readers.