June 4, 2013

Asmaa Al-Husna


BISMILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IRRAHIM

La ilaha illallah. Wallah hu hullazi. La ilaha illah Hu
Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Al Malik, Al Quddoos
As Salaam, Al Muminul, Al Muhaimin, Al 'Azeez
Al-Jabbar, Al Mutakabbir, Al Khaliq, Al Bari,
Al Musawwir, Al Gaffar, Al Qahhar, Al Wahhab
Ar-Razzaq, Al Fattah, Al 'Aleem, Al Qabid
Al Basit, Al Khafid, Ar Rafee ', Al Mu'iz
Al Muzil, As Samee, Al Baseer, Al Hakam
al 'Adl, Al Lateef Al Khabeer, Al Haleem
Al 'Azeem, Al Gafoor, Ash Shakoor, Al 'Aliyy
Al Kabeer, Al Hafeez, Al Muqeet, Al Haseeb
Al Jaleel, Al Qareeb, Ar Raqeeb, Al Mujeeb
Al Wasi ', Al Hakeem, Al Wadood, Al Majeed
Al Ba'ith, Ash Shaheed, Al Haqq, Al Waqeel
Al Qawiy, Al Mateen, Al Waliy, Al Hameed
Al Musiy, Al Mubdee, Al Mu'eet, Al Muyiy
Al Mumeet, Al Hayy, Al Qayoom, Al Wajid
Al Majid, Al Wahid, Al Sunday, As Samad
Al Qadir Al Muktadir, Al Muqaddim, Al Muakhir
Al Awwal, Al Final, Az Zahir Al Batin,
Al Walee, Al Muta'alee, Al Barr, Tawwaab At
Muntaqim Al, Al 'Afu, Ar Ra'oof, Malikul Mulk, Dhul Jalali Wal caring, Al Muqsit, Al
Jami, Al Ghani, Al Mughnee, Al Mani ', The Dar An Nafi', An Nur, Al Hadi, Al Badi ', Al
Baqi, Al Warith, Ar-Rasheed, As Sabur

Qaseeda e Me’raj Verses---

Verse 1:
Woh sarwar e kishwar e risalat jo arsh per jalwah gar huye thay
Naye nirale tarab kay saaman Arab ke mehman kay liye thay.

When the supreme Prophet went to his journey to the Divine Throne of Allah,
There were very special arrangements made to welcome the unique guest from Arabia’

Verse 2:
Bahar hai shadiyan mubarak chaman ko aabadiyan mubarak
Malak falak apni apni lay main yeh ghur ana dil ka boltay thay

It was springtime; there were echoes of salutary greeting in the dales;
Then Angels and the skies were singing happy songs in their own way like the nightingales.

Verse 3:
Wahan falak per yahan zameen main rachi thi shaadi machi thi dhoomein
Udhar say anwar hastay aatay idhar say anwaar ooth rahay they.

On the Heavens above and the earth below there was festive celebration;
The dazzling lights came down smiling and the fragrant perfumes went up on this occasion.

Verse 4:
Yeh joot parti thi unkay rukh ki kay arsh tak chandni thi chhatki
Woh raat kiya jagmaga rahi thi jagah jagah nasab aainay they.

The light emitted by his radiant face created a moonlight near Allah’s throne;
The night was resplendently lit through a multitude of mirrors and brightly shone.

Verse 5:
Nayi dulhan ki phaban main Kaaba nikhar kay sanwara sanwar kay nikhra
Hajar key sadqay kamar key eik til main rang lakhoon banao key they.

The Kaaba dressed herself most immaculately to welcome her bridegroom with pride;
The black stone looked like a beautiful mole on her charming body’s side.

Verse 6:
Nazar main dulha key pyaray jalway haya say mehrab sir jhukaye
Siyah parday kay moun per aanchal tajaliye zaat e bahat say thay.

With bashful looks the niche lowered her upright head in sheer delight;
The covering black curtain gracefully moved, saturated with the Divine Light,

Verse 7:
Khushi kay badal umand kay aaye diloon kay taoos rang laye
Woh naghma e naat ka samaan tha Haram ko khud wajd aa rahe thay.

The clouds spontaneously advanced and the hearts engaged in a peacock dance;
To honour the Prophet in a creative stance the Kabaa gazed at him in a lyrical trance.

Verse 8:
Yeh jhooma Mizab e zar ka jhoomer kay aa raha kaan per dhalak ker
Phuhar barsi to moti jhar ker Hatim ki gaud mein bharay they.

The golden ornaments of Meezaab gently moved towards the ear from her forehead;
When it drizzled, the raindrops gathered like pearls on Hateem’s welcoming bed.

Verse 9:
Dulhan ki khushboo say mast kapray nasim e gustakh aanchloon say
Gilaf e mushkeen jo Oord raha tha ghazal naafe bassa rahay thay.

The bride’s body-fragrance intoxicated the surrounding breeze and her own garment;
When the perfumed curtain furled, the gazelles rushed to store its unique scent.

Verse 10:
Pahardiyoon ka woh husn e Taz’een woh oonchi choti woh nazo tamqeen
Saba say sabzah main lehrein aateen dupatay dhani chunay huye thay.

The happy hills smiled and their elegant tops stood out in space;
Like a maiden’s head-scarf the shoots of green grass rhythmically moved with grace.

Verse 11:
Naha kay nehroon nay woh chamakta libas aabay rawan ka pehna
Kay mauj e chardiyaan theen dhaar lachka habab e tabaan kay thal takay thay.

The fresh-looking and well-clad rivers ran through the well-trimmed bowers;
It was a rare visual feast of stormy waves, rushing waterfalls and bubbling showers.
Verse 12:
Purana purdag malgaja tha utha diya farsh chandni ka
Hajoom e taringah say kosoon qadam kadam farsh badily thay.

The old white-floor of moonlight was removed as it was not satin-free;
The new green-floor consisted of gardens and flowers as far as one could see.

Verse 13:
Ghubar ban ker nisaar jayein kahan ab uss rah guzar ko payein
Hamaray dil huriyoon ki aankhein farishtoon kay per jahan biche thay.

More precious to us than our lives! Where is the Blessed Prophet’s blessed pathway,
On which our humble hearts, the heavenly damsels and wings of the angels lay.

Verse 14:
Khuda hee day sabr jaan e purgham dikhaoon kyun kar tujhay woh a’alam
Jab unko jhurmat main lakay qudsi jinnah ka dulha bana rahay thay.

The moment was indescribably exciting, when the angels, pure and wise,
Gathered round him and dressed him as the bridegroom of Paradise.

Verse 15:
Utar ker unkay rukh ka sadqa yeh noor ka but raha tha bada
Kay chand suraj machal machal ker jabeen ki khairat mangtay thay.

The light emitted by his face was distributed among the beggars with generosity.
The moon and the sun begged most eagerly for this bright charity.
Verse 16:
Wohi to ab tak chalak raha hai wohi to joban tapak raha hai
Nahanay may jo gira tha pani katoray taroon nay bhar liye thay.

The same luminous water still shining in their bright path,
Which the stars had gathered in their cups from his overflowing bath.
Verse 17:
Bacha jo talwoon ka unkay dhouwan bana woh Jannat ka rang o roghan
Jinhoon nay dulha ki payi utran woh phool gulzar e noor kay thay.

With the surplus sole-washed water Paradise was painted bright,
Those who wore his used-clothes became flowers, of the garden of light.

Verse 18:
Khabar yeh tehweelay maher ki thi kay rut sunhani ghadi phiray gee
Wahan ki poshak zay-bay tan ki yahan ka jorha badha chukay thay.

The sun revealed the news that Allah Almighty’s beloved Messenger
Was soon expected to come back after meeting his Creator.

Verse 19:
Tajaliy e haq ka sehra sar per salat o tasleem ki nichawar
Do roya qudsi paray jama kar kharhay salami kay waastay thay.

The wedding crown of Allah’s light was on his head amidst a blissful prayer;
The Angels stood on both sides of his way to present a salute of honour.

Verse 20:
Jo hum bhi waan hotay khaq e gulshan lipat kay qadmoon say ley tay utran
Magar karein kiya naseeb main to yeh namuradi kay din likhay thay.

Had we been there, we would have sought for some charity;
How could that happen, when we were destined to live this life of poverty?

Verse 21:
Abhi na aaye thay pusht e zeen tak kay sir hui maghfirat ki shallak
Sada shafa’at nay di mubarak! gunaah mastana jhoomtay thay.

He had hardly sat on the saddle that the journey of salvation ended at a glance;
The salvation itself congratulated him and the sins engaged themselves in a dance.

Verse 22:
Ajab na tha rakhsh ka chamakna gizal e dam khurdasa bharhakna
Shuaein bukay urha rahi theen tadapte ankhoon pay saieqay thay.

It is understandable why the Prophet’s horse startled like a frightened deer;
The rays of light dazzled his eyes and the lightning flashed too near.

Verse 23:
Hujum e umeed hai ghatao muradein day kar inhein hatao
Adab ki baagein liye badhao malaika may yeh ghul ghule thay.

The clouds gave alms to the beggars and made sure there was enough room;
The angels held the reigns respectfully and welcomed the bridegroom.

Verse 24:
Uthi jo garde rahe munawar woh noor barsa kay raaste bhar
Ghiray thay badal bharay thay jal thal umand kay jangle ubal rahay thay.

The dust of the luminous path rose up like the clouds of light;
The space overflowed with rain and the whole way was exceptionally bright.

Verse 25:
Simat kiya kaisi mat kathi thi qamar! woh khak unkay rah guzar ki
Utha na laya kay miltay miltay

0 moon! You should have brought some dust from the Prophet’s way;
You would have got rid of your spots by rubbing it on them for a day.

Verse 26:
Burraq kay naqsh o sum kay sadqe woh gul khilaye kay saray rastey
Mehaktay gulban lehakte gulshan hare bhare lahlaha rahe thay.

The hoff-prints of the ‘Buraq’ filled the entire way with flowers;
In no time all over the place there were fragment orchards and bowers.

Verse 27:
Namaz e Aqsa main tha yehi seer ayan houn ma’ani awwal akhir
Key dast basta hain pichey hazir jo salatanat aagay kar gaye thay.

The divine wisdom of ‘Aqsa’ prayer was to unfold the secret of first and last;
All the Prophets prayed behind him, though they had actually lived in the past.

Verse 28:
Yeh unki aamad ka dabdaba tha nikhar her shaiy ka ho raha tha
Nujoom o aflak jam o mina ujaltay thay khangaltey they.

The dignity of his arrival brightened up everything immaculately;
The stars, the skies, the cups and the containers cleaned smartly.

Verse 29:
Naqab ultay woh mehr e anwar jalal o rukhsar garmiyoon per
Falak ko hebat say tap charhi thi tapaktay anjum kay aablay tha.

When he advanced, his unveiled sun-like face shone with glamour;
The sky felt over-awed and the stars became dimmer and dimmer.

Verse 30:
Yeh joshay noor ka asar tha key aabay gohar qamar qamar tha
Sifaey rah say phisal fisal kar sitare qadmon pay laut’tay thay.

The overflowing light filled the path with luminous water;
The stars slipped time and again and fell at the feet of Allah’s messenger.

Verse 31:
Barha yeh lehra kay behr o hidat key dhul gaya naam e raige kasrat
Falak key teloon ki kiya haqeeqat yeh arsh o kursi do bulbule thay.

The ocean of Unity surged forward and washed sands of Diversity;
Forget the dunes of the sky, just two bubbles were ‘Allah’s Arch and Kursi’

Verse 32:
Woh zill e rehmat woh rukh key jalwe ke taare chupte na khilne paate
Sunehri zarbaft udi atlas yeh than sab dhoop chaoon ke the.

His sun-like merciful face eclipsed the stars that shine;
The moonlight and starlight looked like shadows in his sunshine.

Verse 33:
Chala woh serve e chamaan khiramaan na ruk saka sidra say damaan
Palak jhapakti rahi woh kab kay sab aeno aan say guzar chuke thay.

When the unique bridegroom advanced even the lote tree failed to hold him back;
In the wink of an eye he went beyond this and that range of the track.
Verse 34:
Jhalak see eik qudsiyoon per aayi hawwaa bhi daman ki phir na payi
Sawari dulha ki dur pohnchi barat main hosh hi gaye thay.

The angels felt that a glimpse had flashed through their sight and mind;
The bridegroom went far ahead but his companions were left behind.

Verse 35:
Thakay thay ruhul amin key bazu chuta woh daman kahan woh pehloo
Rikab chooti ummeed tuti nigah e hasrat key walwaley thay.

Gabriel’s wings got tired and he could not accompany the divine guest;
The Prophet’s stirrup slipped out of his hands though he tried to hold it to his best.

Verse 36:
Ravish ki garmi ko jis ney socha dimag say eik bhabuka phoota
Khir’ad key jungle main eik phool chumka dahar daher paerdh jal rahe thay.

He, who reflected on the Prophet’s speed suddenly found his mind aflame;
All the trees in the woods of intellect started burning with shame.

Verse 37:
Jiloo main jo murgay a’qal uray thay ajab  booray haloon girtay partay
Woh sidrah hee per’rahay thay thak kar charha dam tewar aa gaye thay.

The birth of intellect flying ahead of the Prophet ended in a miserable plight;
They could not go beyond the lote tree in their insurmountable flight.

Verse 38:
Qavi they murgan e waham kay per uray to urdnay ko aur dam bhar
Utha’ee seenay ki aisi thokar kay khoonay andesha th’oo’ktay thay.

The strong-winged birds of superstition flew but soon lost their breath;
They sustained a fatal blow on their chests and fell down bleeding to death.

Verse 39:
Suna yeh itnay mein arsh e haq nay kay lay mubarak ho taaj waley
Wohi qadam khair say phir aaye jo pehle taaj e sharaaf tere thay.

At the moment of Allah’s throne heard the angels raising a salutary uproar;
How nice to welcome back the same auspicious feet, which graced us before.

Verse 40:
Yeh sunkay bay khud pukar utha nisar jaoon kahan hain aaqa
Phir unkay talwoon ka paoon bosa yeh meri aankhon kay din phire thay.

On hearing this, the devotee exclaimed, “Where is my master?
How lucky that my eyes will again kiss the soles of Allah’s Messenger!”

Verse 41:
Jhuka tha mujre ko arsh e aala gire they sajde may bazme bala
Yeh aankhein qadmoon say mal raha tha woh girde qurbaan ho rahay thay.

Allah’s throne knelt down to welcome, the angels fell again into a prostration’
It rubbed his eyes on his feet; they showed their utmost veneration.

Verse 42:
Ziyaein kuch arsh per yeh aaein kay sari qindileen jagmagayeen
Huzoor e khurshid kiya chamaktay chairagh moun apna dekh tay thay.

Such a bright light shone that all the candles flickered;
The lamps felt ashamed when the ‘sun’ itself appeared.

Verse 43:
Yehi sam’an tha kay paikay rehmat khabar yeh laya kay chaliye Hazrat
Tumhari khatir kushada hain woh jo kalim per band rastaay thay.

In this atmosphere the Messenger of Mercy came respectfully to say;
“Those ways are open for you today, which were closed for Moses one day.”

Verse 44:
Badh aie Muhammad [ Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam ] qareen ho Ahmed [ Sallallahou Alayhi Wasallam ]
qareeb aa sarwar e mamajad
Nisar jaoon yeh kiya nida thi yeh kiya samaan tha yeh kiya mazay thay.

“Move forward, O Muhammed! [Peace Be Upon Him ] Come nearer, O Ahmed, My beloved.”
What a lovely call it was and what a joyful atmosphere it created!

Verse 45:
Tabarakallah yeh shan teri tujhi ko zaiba hai bay niyazi
Kahin to woh josh e lan-tarani kaheen takazay visal kay thay.

“O Allah, all praise be to You; You are undoubtedly carefree;
Once Moses insisted to see you; here You became anxious to see.”

Verse 46:
Khirad say keh do kay sir jhukaye lay gumaan say guzray guzarnay walay
Pare hain yahan khud jaihat ko laalay kisay bataye kidhar gaye thay.

Let intellect bow its head, because it has traveled beyond imagination;
Direction itself is baffled and it cannot dare to imagine his destination.

Verse 47:
Surag aino mataa kahaan tha nishan e kaifo illa kahan tha.
Na koi rahi na koi sathi naa sang e manzil naa merhalay thay.

Who could answer where or when? Who could tell us what or how;
There was neither any companion nor any milestone between them and now.

Verse 48:
Udar say payham taqazay aana idhar say mushkil qadam barhana
Jalal o haibat ka saamna tha jamalo rehmat ubhartay thay.

Allah greatly encouraged him though his pace was humbly slow;
Grandeur checked him but Grace inspired him steadily to go.
Verse 49:
Barhay to lekin jhee-jhaktay dartay haya say jhuktay adab say ruktay
Jo qurb unhi ki ravish pay rakhtay to lakhoon manzil kay fasilay thay.

He advanced hesitantly with feelings of respect and humility;
Allah led him on this endless journey with an exceptional agility.

Verse 50:
Per unka barhna to naam ko tha haqeeq’tan fail tha udhar ka
Tanazuloon mein taraki afza dana tadalla key silsilay thay.

The Prophet’s motion was nominal; it was all done by divine will;
Whenever he slowed down, Allah commanded him to come nearer still.

Verse 51:
Hua yeh aakhir kay aik bajra tamojay bahrey hoo mein ubhra
Dana ki godi mein unko lekar fana kay langar utha diye thay.

At last a barge emerged from the ocean of His Personality;
It took him near Allah’s lap and untied the anchor of morality.

Verse 52:
Kisay milay ghat ka kinara kither say guzra kahan utra
Bhara jo misle nazar tarara woh apni aankhoon say khud chupay thay.

Who could see this ocean’s shore? It was all speed and surprise;
He leapt like sight and became hidden from his own eyes.

Verse 53:
Uthay jo Qasray dana kay parde koi khabar dey to kiya khabar day
Wahan to ja hee nahin duee ki na keh kay woh bhi na thay aray thay.

When the secrets of Nearness were unveiled, who knows what the Reality was?
There was no room for otherliness; don’t say he wasn’t; he really was.

Verse 54:
Woh baag kuch aisa rang laya kay guncha o gul ka faraq uthaya
Girah mein kal’liyoon ki baag phoolay guloon kay takmay lagay huay thay.

The garden so blossomed that the buds and the roses looked very charming
The unblown and the fully-blown flowers became equally inviting.

Verse 55:
Muhito markaz mein faraq mushkil rahe na faasil khutoot e wasil
Kamaan e hairat mein sir jhukaye ajeeb chakar mein da’eray thay.

To differentiate between the circumference and the centre was difficult;
The arches bowed and the circles felt giddy as a result.

Verse 56:
Hijab uhnay mein lakhoon parde har aik parday main lakhon jalway
Ajab ghari thi kay waslo furqat janam kay bichray galay milay thay.

Millions of veils disappeared revealing endless oceans of luminosity;
It was strange Union of Lights which symbolised diversity in Unity.

Verse 57:
Zabanein sukhi dikha kay mojein tarap rahi thien kay pani paein
Bhanwar ko yeh zofay tashnagi that kay halqay aankhoon mein par gaye thay.

The waves showed their parched tongues and wriggled in search of water;
The whirlpool fainted with thirst and its eye stared farther and farther.

Verse 58:
Wohi hai awwal wohi hai aakhir wohi hai batin wohi hai zahir
Usi kay jalway usi say milnay usi say uski taraf gaye thay.

He is the First and the Last; He lives in the Absence and the Presence;
His own hidden light went to see His own visible existence.

Verse 59:
Kaman e imakan kay jhutay nukto tum awwal akhir ki phair mein ho
Muhit ki chal say to pucho kidhar say aaye kidhar gaye thay.

O dots on the arch of probability! Why do you guess the first and last?
Ask the track of the circumference, where did the process begin in the past?


Verse 60:
Udhar say theen nazray shah namaz’ain idhar say inaam e khusravi mein
Salam o Rehmat kay haar gundh ker glue e pur noor mein paray thay.

Here Allah gave His beloved Messenger a gift of formal and ritual prayers,
He also honoured him with garlands of durood, and salaam’s regal flowers.

Verse 61:
Zabaan ko intezar guftan to gos ko hasrat e shunidan
Yahan jo kehna tha keh liya tha jo baat sun’ni thi sun chukay thay.

The tongue was anxious to speak and the ear was eagerly to go very near;
Mysteriously and silently he said what he wanted to say and heard what he wanted to hear.
Verse 62:
Woh burj e batha ka mahpara bahishat ki sair ko Sidhara
Chamak pay tha khuld ka sitara kay iss qamar kay qadam gaye thay.

Then the distinguished guest was taken to Paradise soon;
The stars of Paradise felt honoured to see the glory of their Arabian moon.

Verse 63:
Suroor e maqdam ki roshni thi kay tabishoon say mah e arab ki
Jina kay gulshan thay jhaar farshi jo phool thay sab kanwal banay thay.

The Arabian moon was accorded a glorious welcome joyfully;
All the heavenly flowers became daffodils and the chandeliers shone more brightly.

Verse 64:
Tarab ki nazish kay haan lachakiye adab woh bandish kay hill na sakiye
Yeh josh e ziden tha keh poday kasha kish e arah kay talay thay.

The spirit of ecstasy edged him on but the sense of humility checked him modestly;
A real conflict of emotions: “To advance or just to stay there reverently.”

Verse 65:
Khuda ki qudrat keh chand haq kay karoroon manzil mein jalwa kar kay
Abhi na taroon ki chaoon badli keh noor kay tarkay aa liye thay.

Allah’s omnipotence be praised! His truthful moon shone at millions of stations on his way;
Even when he returned home by dawn before the starlight faded away.

Verse 66:
Nabi E Rehmat Shafi E Ummat RAZA pay Lillah ho inayat
Isay bhi unn khal’atoon say hisa jo khas rehmat kay waan bate thay.

Take pity on Raza, O our Intercessor and Allah’s Messenger of Mercy!
Grant him a small share from the gifts distributed during the Meraj journey.


Verse 67:
Sana e Sarkar hai wazifa qabool e Sarkar hai taman’na
Na shayari ki hawas na parwah radi thi kiya kaisay kafiye thay.

My mission is to praise the Prophet; my aim is to achieve his pleasure;
The poetic rhymes and refrains have no value; Mustapha’s Love is my true treasure.

DuA...

Ya Rab! Dil-e-Muslim Ko Woh Zinda Tamana De
Jo Qalb Ko Garma De, Jo Rooh Ko Tarpa De

Lord, fill the Muslim’s heart with a desire so fervent
That it will set his heart aflame and stir his soul.

Phir Wadi-e-Faran Ke Har Zarre Ko Chamka De
Phir Shauq-e-Tamasha De, Phir Zauq-e-Taqaza

Light up again every speck of dust in the Valley of Faran.
Make us long again for beautiful sights, and create in us the urge to make demands.

Mehroom-e-Tamasha Ko Phir Dida-e-Beena De
Dekha Hai Jo Kuch Mein Ne Auron Ko Bhi Dikhla De

Give piercing vision to those deprived of sight,
and show to others what I have seen.

Bhatke Huway Aahu Ko Phir Soo’ay Haram Le Chal
Iss Sheher Ke Khugar Ko Phir Wusaat-e-Sehra De

Lead the stray gazelle back to the Sanctuary.
It has grown used to the city ‐ Give it back the vastness of the desert.

Paida Dil-e-Weeran Mein Phir Shaurish-e-Mehshar Kar
Iss Mehmil-e-Khali Ko Phir Shahid-e-Laila De

Stir up again the ruins of the heart with a commotion like judgment Day.
Let this empty litter once again seat a sweetheart ‐ a Layla!

Iss Dour Ki Zulmat Mein Har Qalb-e-Preshan Ko
Woh Dagh-e-Mohabbat De Jo Chand Ko Sharma De

In the darkness of this age give to every troubled heart
Scars of love that would shame the moon.

Riffat Mein Maqasid Ko Humdosh-e-Surraya Kar
Khuddari-e-Sahil De, Azadi-e-Darya De

Let the goals be as high as the Pleiades.
Give us the calm and poise of the shore, But the freedom of the sea.

Be Lous Mohabbat Ho, Bebak Sadaqat Ho
Seenon Mein Ujala Kar, Dil Soorat-e-Meena De

Let love be selfless and truth fearless;
Let our breasts be flooded with light‐Make our hearts clear as crystal. 

Ehsas Anayat Kar Asaar-e-Mosibat Ka
Amroz Ki Shuarish Mein Andesha-e-Farda De

Enable us to foresee the calamity that is coming;
In the midst of today’s upheaval give us a vision of tomorrow.

Main Bulbul-e-Nalan Hun Ek Ujre Gulistan Ka
Taseer Ka Saa’il Hun, Mauhtaj Ko, Data De!

I am a nightingale making my lament, I am from a garden which has been ravaged.
I wish that my prayer would have effect—Give to a beggar, bounteous Lord!

Shab-e-Meeraj The Night Of The Celestial Ascension Of The Prophet (PBUH)

Akhtar-e-Shaam Ki Ati Hai Falak Se Awaz
Sajda Karti Hai Sahar Jis Ko, Woh Hai Aaj Ki Raat

This call of the evening star is coming from the sky
This is the night before which the dawn prostrates

Reh-e-Yak Gaam Hai Himmat Ke Liye Arsh-e-Bareen
Keh Rahi Hai Ye Musalman Se Meeraj Ki Raat

“For courage, the Arsh‐i‐Barin is only a pace away”
The Mi’raj’s night is saying this to the Muslim

June 2, 2013

WHO ARE THE AWLIYA (FRIENDS OF ALLAH) ?

Introduction Wilayat (Sainthood) is a very special rank and position of acceptance
 given by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) to His beloved servants.  A Wali is a pious Muslim
who attains this position of wilayat.  Wilayat is deduced from the root word
“Wila”, which means closeness.  Some attain this position due to their sincere
devotion and worship.  Some attain this position from birth, but ultimately, it
depends on Allah’s mercy and kindness.  Wilayat is a shadow of Nabuwat
(Prophethood).  A Wali, no matter how great his status, cannot reach the status
of a Prophet or a Sahaabi (companions of the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu
ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam
).  All the Awliya Allah belong to the Ahl as-Sunnah
wal Jama’at, and anyone belonging to any other sect cannot be Awliya because
they have beliefs contrary to the teachings of Sayyadina Rasoolallah (Salla
Allahu ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam
).  The following narration explains the status
of the Awliya: 

Hadrat Umar (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu) said:
“I heard the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam) saying
that there will be certain worshippers of Allah who will not be Prophets, nor
martyrs, but the Prophets and martyrs will envy them on the Day of
Judgement.”

The Companions then asked, “O Prophet of Allah, who are these people?”

Then the Most Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam)
explained to them the qualities of the Awliya.  The Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala
Alayhi wa Sallam
) read to them the verse:

“Beware, verily on the friends of Allah, there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.”
(Surah Yunus, Verse 62)

There are two types of Wilayat:

1)   Wilayat-e-Amma (general closeness to Allah) – This is the closeness
of Allah to every believer, as Allah declares in the Qur'an al-Kareem:
“We are closer to him, than his own jugular vein.” 
(Surah Al-Kaaf, Verse 16)

2)  Wilayat-e-Khaas (special closeness to Allah) – This closeness is
exclusive to the Awliya.  This is a speciality of those who have traveled
on the path of Tasawwuf, and attained nearness to Allah.  This is
declared in a Hadith-e-Quddsi, where Allah says to the Most Beloved
Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam), “Among the things
that bring My servant close to Me, the ones I love best, are the things
that I have made fard (compulsory).  When My servant does nafil
ibaadat (optional prayer), he gets very close to Me.  So much so, that
I love him very much.  When I love Him, I become his hearing ear,
seeing eye, holding hand, and walking foot.  I give him whatever he
wishes.  When he invokes Me for help, I protect him.”

Allah’s closeness is not like material closeness that can be understood by
reason, or perceived through the sense organs.  It can only be comprehended
through the knowledge of Ma’rifa (gnosis) bestowed by Allah upon the Awliya.
From the Awliya of all the ummahs (of the previous Prophets), the greatest
Awliya are from the ummah of Sayidina Rasoolallah (Salla Allahu ta'ala Alayhi
wa Sallam
).  There have been Awliya Allah in every era and there will always be
Awliya Allah in every era.  However, their recognition may be difficult. 

The Qur'an al-kareem divides those that are favoured by Allah into 4 groups:

a)  The Prophets – This cycle has ended after the appearance of Sayyadina
Rasoolallah (Salla Allahu ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam).

b)  The Siddeeq (The Truthful) – This rank is next after the Prophets.  The
greatest Siddeeq was Hadrat Abu Bakr (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu).  The
meaning of Siddeeq is Truth. Such a person recognizes truth in all its
manifestations.

c)  The Shuhada (Martyrs) – One need not actually be killed in the
battlefield to prove one’s self as shaheed (martyr).  One in this stage
feels satisfied by sacrificing everything that he has for the Creator.

d)  The Salih (Pious) – This is the lower grade that one can attain by
devotional activities.  In this stage, one cleanses himself from all
spiritual impurities such as jealousy, hatred, hypocrisy etc.

From the Awliya of the ummah of Sayyadina Rasoolallah (Salla Allahu ta'ala
Alayhi wa Sallam
), the most superior Awliya are the four Khulafa-e-Rashideen
(The Righteously guided Caliphs), namely Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi
Allahu ta'ala Anhu)
, Hadrat Umar Farooq (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu), Hadrat
Uthman Ghani (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu), and Hadrat Ali Murtaza (Radi Allahu
ta'ala Anhu)
, and then all the other Sahaba.  All the Sahaba were Awliya, BUT
all Awliya are not Sahaaba.
 
Amongst the Awliya are the following groups:

  • At any given time, there are 4000 Awliya living on Earth.  They are not
    recognized by the general public.  In fact, amongst them, one does not
    know the other, and they themselves are not aware of the validity of their
    actions and devotion.
  • 300 from this group are statesman, involved in the administration of this
    world.  They control all transactions that take place. They are known as
    the “Akhyaar”.
  • Amongst these 300, 40 are known as “Abdaal”.
  • Amongst the 40, 7 are “Abraar”.
  • Amongst this 7, 4 are “Autaad”.
  • Amongst these 4, 3 are “Noqabah”.
  • From these 3, 1 is the “Ghaus” or “Qutub”.  He is the most senior of them
    all, and head of the spiritual assembly.

In reference to the Abdaals, Imam At-Tabarani (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu)
quotes a Hadith Shareef in which the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala
Alayhi wa Sallam
) declares, “There will always exist 40 persons on the Earth,
each of whom is blessed like Hadrat Ebrahim (Alaihis Salaam).  It rains because
of their barakah.  Allah appoints another when one of them dies.”

In another Hadith Shareef, Abu Naeem (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu) reports that
the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam) said, “There
always exist 40 persons among my ummah.  Their hearts are like that of Hadrat
Ebrahim (Alaihis Salaam).  Allah Ta’aala redeems His human servants from
disasters for their sake.  They are called Abdaal.  They do not attain to that
degree by performing salaah, fasting, or giving zakaah.”

Ibn Mas’ud (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu) asked, “Ya Rasoolallah (Salla Allahu
ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam
), by what means do they attain that degree?”

“They attain it by being generous, and by advising muslims,” said the Beloved
Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala Alayhi wa Sallam).

Do remember that although all the Awliya Allah are equal as far as Wilayah is
concerned, they differ as far as status is concerned.


THE KARAMAT OF THE AWLIYA

A supernatural act, or miracle, performed by a Wali, is known as karamat. 
One must understand that the performing of miracles, is not a necessary
condition of sainthood.  There are some people, when they read or hear
about the Awliya, he/she immediately looks for miracles.  They think that
since they have not heard of any miracle, that person cannot be a Wali.
This is totally incorrect.  To deny the karaamat of a Wali is a sign of
ignorance and misguidance, as this is proven in the Qur’an.  The Qur’an
al-Kareem relates that karamat of Hadrat Asif (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu),
who was a Wali from the ummah of Hadrat Sulayman (Alaihis Salaam). 
Before a blinking of an eye, Hadrat Asif (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu)
presented the throne of Bilqees, which was in a very distant place, before
Hadrat Sulaiman (Alaihis Salaam).  (Surah 27, Verse 10) 

Another narration is when Hadrat Zakariya (Alaihis Salaam) questioned Hadrat
Bibi Maryam (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhaa), the mother of Hadrat Isa
(Alaihis Salaam), about the fruit which were out of season, that he saw in
her place of worship.  She said that they had come from Allah.  (Surah 3, Verse 37).  
The mothers of the Prophets are Waliyas.

HOW TO RECOGNISE A WALI

The method of recognizing a Wali and a non-Wali is to rectify one’s heart
and mind, and to adopt his company.  Thereafter if you find that his
company generates the thought and love of Allah in your heart, then he
is a Wali.  On the contrary, if the heart indulges in worldly thought, then
he is not a Wali, because it is said, “The heart is a mirror of another heart”.

Imam Nawawi (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu), and also Ibn Maja (Radi Allahu
ta'ala Anhu)
 report that when Sayyadina Rasoolallah (Salla Allahu ta'ala
Alayhi wa Sallam
) was asked about the characteristics of the Awliya, he
declared, “Allah is remembered when they are seen.”

ALLAH DECLARES WAR ON THE ENEMIES OF THE AWLIYA

In Bukhari Shareef, Hadrat Abu Huraira (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu) reports
the following Hadith-e-Quddsi:

The Most Beloved Prophet ( Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi Wa Sallam ) has said
That Allah said, "Whoever shows enmity to a friend of mine, I shall be at war
with him. "

Who has the courage to be at war with Allah?  Certainly, they will be
destroyed!  Therefore, it is important that the Awliya should be respected
and honoured.  Whoever disrespects, and insults the Awliya, will without a
doubt, receive Allah’s wrath.

Hadrat Khawaja Gharib Nawaaz Mu’inuddin Chisti (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu)
narrated:

“There was a man who hated the Awliya.  When he died, and was placed in
the grave, the people tried to turn his face toward the Qibla, but it would
always turn away from that direction.  The people were astonished at this
action.  There was a voice from nowhere announcing, ‘It would be a futile
exercise to try to turn his face toward the Qibla, because he used to turn
his face away at seeing the Awliya, and that he who would turn his face in
disgust from My friends, I will turn My face on him.  He is a condemned
soul, and on the day of judgement, such people will appear with faces of
donkeys.’” 


IMPORTANCE OF LOVING THE AWLIYA

Allah revealed to Musa (Alaihis Salaam), “What actions have you done for
my pleasure?”  He said, “O Allah, I have prayed to you, kept fast, and paid
charity.”  Allah said, “Prayer is a clear proof for you, fast is a shield for you,
and charity is your shade.  But what have you done for me?”  Hadrat Musa
(Alaihis Salaam) then asked, “O Allah, show me as action which is only for
you.”  Allah said, “O Musa, have you loved someone for My sake, and hated
anyone for My sake?” 
(Ihya Uloom al-id-deen, Vol II)

From this, we can say that although we have never seen many of the great
Awliya, but we only love them, because they love Allah, and Allah loves
them.  Therefore, we love them for the sake of Allah, and we should distance
ourselves from those who dislike the friends of Allah, as we will be hating
them for Allah’s sake.

Hadrat Baba Farid Ganje Shakar (Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu) has narrated:

“A sinful young man died in Multan.  Someone asked him in a dream as to
what was his condition.  He replied that Allah had pardoned him.  He
explained that one day, when Khawaja Baha-ul-Haq Zakarriya Multani
(Radi Allahu ta'ala Anhu) was walking, he had kissed his hand with utmost
respect.  Because of this respect, he had been pardoned.”