Taalibah, Naqshband66, the fake shaykh, Muadh_Khan, abu mohammed, elsirlanky, True Life, samah, Abdullah1, Abdullah bin Mubarak, rahmaniyyah, Abdur Rahman ibn Awf 1 guest appreciates this topic.
After Hamd and salaat.. and before beginning the work of Translating (read interpretation) from the Precious Malfuzaat of Hazrat Maulana Khaleefa Ghulam Rasool sahab رحمة الله عليه from the above book Dukaan e Ishq written by Hazrat Dr Abdus salam sahab db and compiled by Hazrat Maulana Usman sahab Madani db .. I send Isaal e sawab of Surah Fatiha .. Surah Ikhlaas and Durood sharif thrice to Khatim un Nabiyeen Sayyidil Mursaleen .. Mahboob Rabbul Alameen our Beloved Prophet .. all the Ambiya karam.. then Khulafa karam.. Hazrat Abubakr.. Hazrat Umar.. Hazrat Uthman and Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنهم.. and my mothers ummahatul Mu'mineen.. and Hazrat Fatima رضى الله عنها.. our Hazrat Imam Hasan and Hazrat Imam Hussain رضي الله عنهم .. the Ashra Mubashharat and all the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم .. Then Tabi'een.. Taba' Tabi'eeen..
Then Sultan ul Awliya Hazrat Shaikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani رحمة الله عليه ... Sultan ul Hind Hazrat Khwaja Syed Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri رحمة الله عليه.. Hazrat Khwaja Baqi Billah Naqshbandi رحمة الله عليه.. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Ahmed Kabeer Rifai رحمة الله عليه..and Hazrat Shaikh Shihabuddin Suharwardi رحمة الله عليه.. the Mashaikh of their silsila and the followers of these pious predecessors..
Then the Mashaikh who passed the lamp of Rushd and Hidayat through their chests from ages to the present day.. the Silsila of Shaikh ul Arab wal Ajam Hazrat Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki رحمة الله عليه. and My grand shaikhs Hazrat Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmed Madani رحمة الله عليه and Shaikh ul Hadith Hazrat Maulana Muhammed Zakariyya kandhelwi رحمة الله عليه.. my shaikh Hazrat Miyanji Abdur Rahman sahab db..Hazrat Shaikh Dr. Ali Malpa sahab db.. dearest Shaikh Omega sahab db.. my Parents.. Family.. Freinds and Sunniforum brothers and sisters..
The book Dukaan e Ishq was gifted to me by its compiler Hazrat Maulana Usman sahab Madani db .. about whom u can read in the thread A Trip to Holy lands..
So lets assemble in the Majlis of Hazrat Maulana Khalifa Ghulam Rasool sahab رحمة الله عليه and gain from his Precious Malfoozat (sayings).. and make dua that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala gives Ikhlaas in our amaal.. Ameen..
The first meeting of the Bondsman with Hazrat Dr. Abdus Salam sahab db , Khalifa Majaz of Imam At-Tasawwuf , Jami al Fadhail, Qutub e Waqt Hazrat Khaleefa Ghulam Rasool sahab Nawwar Allahu Marqadahu was in the Capital of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
That meeting was in connection with dawat o tableegh.. and the same meeting was the beginning of a strong & deep relationship later on with Hazrat Dr sahab db.
The Bondsman would then read about Awlia Allah..Ahl Ullah..Ahle Quloob..Sufiya Azzam and their Ta'lluq ma' Allah ( connection with Allah) and the highest degree of love for Allah and his Rasool they possessed .. their Tawajjuh and the effect of being in their company.., so after reading, a thought would recur in my heart.. time and again that in this corrupt age how could we sinners ever see such personalities and gain from their company..
Especially after reading about the conditions of early Sufiya and those connected with the branch of Tazkiya Nafs and Sulook wa Tasawwuf.. , my heart remained restless to meet such Ahl ullah and Ahle Tawajjuh people.. and often I would think that such men of Allah resided either in Jungles.. deserts.. remote villages.. or hidden in caves.. up in the hills or islands.. and that they are not easily accessible.
At times I even prayed to Haq Ta'ala that even though.. throughout the ages.. the world never remained empty of Ahl ullah.. and the ones present with us should be valued upon.. that showing neglect to them is only a great loss..
For us.. they are like our Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Thani رحمة الله عليه ..Hazrat khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri رحمة الله عليه..Hazrat Khwaja Shihabuddin Suharwardi رحمة الله عليه and Hazrat Khwaja Bahauddin Muhammed Naqshband رحمة الله عليه..
And those present with us shall be sought after even for a glimpse later on...just like Shaikh ul Islam Hazrat Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmed Madani رحمة الله عليه..,Uswatul Fuqaha Qudwatul Ulama Hazrat Maulana Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi رحمة الله عليه.., Founder of Darul Uloom Deoband.. Qasim ul Uloom al Khairaat Hazrat Maulana Muhammed Qasim Nanotawi رحمة الله عليه..,
And the shaikh of both.. Shaikh al Ulama wa Shaikh ul Arab wal Ajam Syed al Ar'fa Hujjat ullah fi Zamana wa Ayatullah fi Awanah Al Haj Muhammed Imdadullah Quddusirah .., and Hazrat Hakeem ul Ummat Mujaddid e millat Maulana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanwi رحمة الله عليه.., Mujaddid e Waqt Sahib e Maqamat Jaliliyah wa kamalaat Jaziliyah.. Mawrad Altaf Rabbaniya.. Hamil Uloom Samadaniya.. Ameer At Tableegh Al Hafiz..Al Haj.. Al Alamat Al Shaikh Muhammed Ilyas رحمة الله عليه.., Daee kabeer Hazrat Maulana Muhammed Yousuf رحمة الله عليه..etc..etc.. and desire to visit and see them..
With the Fadhl of Allah I have seen and gained from the company of my first shaikh Qutub ul Aqtab Hazrat Maulana Muhammed Zakariyya Kandhelwi رحمة الله عليه and my second Shaikh the third Hazratji Maulana Inamul Hasan sahab رحمة الله عليه and Hazrat Maulana Sayeed Ahmed Khan sahab Muhajir Madani رحمة الله عليه.. and still due to my incompetence could not benefit appropriately from them.
Those coming after us would long even to see them... owing to this, there was a craving in my heart to meet anyone from the Mutaqaddimeen ( archaic/early age) Sufia and Ahl ullah..
When I exchanged words with Hazrat dr sahab db and in the middle of conversation he brought forth a copy and started reading the Malfuzaat (sayings) and Majalis ( talks from gathering) of Hazrat Khalifa Ghulam Rasool sahab رحمة الله عليه - khalifa of Hazrat Maulana Ahmed Ali Lahori sahab رحمة الله عليه.. my heart bore witness that this is the very personality having semblance to the Mutaqaddimeen.. and that he was a thoroughly skilled physician in the art of Tazkiya and Sulook, an expert spiritual doctor well versed with modulation of Zikrullah..
I Listened to it late into the night and it would grasp firm in the memory... so I went on to get further astonished.. and the thirst to meet Hazrat Khaleefa Ghulam Rasool sahab رحمة الله عليه kept on increasing..
Such that it was decided with dr sahab db that a trip shall be planned after reaching Pakistan.. to visit him with dr sahab db as the guide..
After the long period of anticipation finally ticking away..Allah showed that day, when at Marzkaz Tabligh of Raiwnd.. we started off after Isha by bus from Lahore towards Dera Ismail Khan.
We prayed Fajr at Madrassa Naumaniya of Dera Ismail Khan and were honored with the nobility of meeting the Muhtamim of Madrassa Shaikh ul Hadith Hazrat Maulana Ala'uddin sahab db, student of Shaikh ul Islam Hazrat Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmed Madani sahab رحمة الله عليه. Hazrat arranged breakfast for us and then after a brief rest.. we set out for our destination.
I learnt that Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه lived away from the city in a village called Lal Mahida. We purchased some edibles.. on questioning I was told that Hazrat stayed in extreme poverty and austerity..this touched my heart further.. and his love kept growing even more..
we entered his village only to find the roads unpaved and his house extremely meager... we were even told of the possibility of the road being closed due to rains. at last we presented ourselves at his residence.
The restlessness and eagerness in which time was passing by in anticipation of his presence was rather strange in its own way. a unique feeling of endearment and captivation was developing towards Hazrat رحمة الله عليه.
In the middle of such ..Hazrat رحمة الله عليه appeared in the Majlis.. a weak and frail body supported by two men entered between us... i kissed his forehead and hands..
Hazrat رحمة الله عليه asked about myself and was pleased to know..especially listening to the name of Madinat ar Rasool he lowered his head..and began speaking on the love of Rasulullah ..
on this very meeting or the one later he said :
" Convey My salaam to the streets.. walls and Hills of Madina..because on these very hills my Master has cast his sights.. it's a sanctified place.. a holy city and land.. a very lovely nation.. May Allah سبحانه وتعالى give you Taufeeq for its Adab..consider the dogs of Madina better than yourself.. Maulana Qasim Nanotawi رحمة الله عليه had said Ya Allah count me amongst the dogs of madina..
Your station there is of the Muhajireen.. that you have made hijrat from Karachi to Madina.. do always remember me in your duas.. and whenever you present yourself in the Noble court of Nabi .. convey my Salaam.. also convey my salaam to friends.. people of Baq'i.. Azwaj e mutahharat Radhi allahu anhuma.... convey my Salaam to Shaikh ul Hadees Qutub ul Aqtab.. and also to As'haab e Uhud Radhi Allahu anhum.. and if the descent of Isa (alaihis salam) occurs in your lifetime then also convey my salaam to him .." ( the detailed conversation after this shall come in later in the book)
It was clearly felt from the manner of his discourse that it wasn't merely Qal...but also his Haal (spiritual condition). The love of Madina and Sahib e Madina was being deeply instilled in my heart... and it was affirming to our understanding that verily the Men of Allah are such that every word of theirs are in par with reality..
Hazrat narrated that "when the last moments approached Hazrat khwaja Hasan Sawaghi رحمة الله عليه , he asked for his grandson Ghulam Muhammed, bestowed khilafat upon him.. and advised him saying 'son..till you would not abandon the Tasbeeh (misbah) and Musalla (prayer mat).. Allah سبحانه وتعالى shall not disown you'
once he said "There resided a waliullah Buzurg in Delhi.. who once asked his Khalifa ..'have you ever seen the shops of love where love was sold..?'.. then he himself answered ' I have seen two such stores of love.. one of Khwaja Peer Pathan رحمة الله عليه and the other of Hazrat Shah Ghulam Ali Dehlvi رحمة الله عليه '..
Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه then said that even I have seen two shops of Love.. one of Hazrat Ahmed Ali Lahori رحمة الله عليه and the other of Hazrat Khwaja Ghulam Hasan Sawaghi رحمة الله عليه.. said that these people passed away throwing the keys of love into the ocean.. that they locked away the stores of love..if at all they exist.. they remain hidden.. upon this the bondsman replied 'Alhamdulillah the shop of love is open at Hazrat's place..'
Hazrat Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi رحمة الله عليه writes in the Muqaddama (Preface) of Tadhkirah Hazrat Maulana Fazlur Rahman Ganj Muradabadi رحمة الله عليه that once he asked Hazrat Maulana Muhammed Ali sahab Mongeri رحمة الله عليه "Have you ever seen a shop of love..? Maulana Muhammed Ali sahab رحمة الله عليه remained silent.. then himself answered: " I have seen two such stores.. one of Hazrat Shah Ghulam Ali sahab رحمة الله عليه and the other of Hazrat Shah Afaaq رحمة الله عليه that in these shops.. the merchandise of love was sold.."
In the dawn of this century even though materialism had gained foothold in our country with the advent of the Britons.. and the Ahle Dil ( People of heart/ Awlia) were lamenting..
Those selling medications of Heart.. departed away closing their shops..
Yet there were visible some shops of Ishq e ilahi (love of Allah) where the provisions of Jazb..and shauq (eagerness)..pain and Muhabbah was available.. and the bondsman states that one such store was open in a Village called Lal Mahida of Dera Ismail Khan..belonging to Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه.
Where from people looted away the love of Allah and his Rasool to their fill..
Generally, in our times.. due to weakening of self-will.. and physical languor, it is not permitted to do enormous amounts of specific forms of zikr.. but Hazrat was a protagonist of excessive zikr.. and would say 'engage in zikr with permission..iam the guarenter..'
Once he told me " Hazrat khwaja Baqi Billah رحمة الله عليه would say that if the saalik approaches the age of forty and daily performs Zikr Isme zaat for 40,000 times and recites Nafi Asbaat for 40,000 times.. if he doesn't attain Fana e Kamil after forty years .. he can so catch hold of me..
Hazrat Lahori رحمة الله عليه would daily recite Zikr Isme zaat for 10.5 lakhs times.. that on a brief slumber it appeared as if he had slept for ages together.. Hazrat sahab ! everything is accomplished by making effort.. mere talks shall go in vain.. nothing is achieved by just talking.."
At one Majlis wherein the bondsman was present, he said
" The aim of all the salasil is Talluq ma'Allah .. and the sign of which is that Razail ( vileness/bad qualities) are dispersed and noble character is infused.. and the second sign is that the attention of saalik is turned towards Allah.. excessive zikr is a harbinger of many a strange kaifiyat (spiritual conditions).. even kashf is acquired by excessive zikr.. chests are expanded and illuminated..and the saalik sails away in eagerness for more.. the beloved is ever present before him..and when it begins to pour from Arsh e Mualla then all the tiredness fade away..the saalik attains unprecedented progress.."
Listening to such words.. one can gauge the kaifiyat of Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه.. that Hazrat would remain in zikr and Muraqaba all night long.. but he bore secrecy in his temperament..and even personally he was'nt well known.. being a Faqeer himself he loved Fuqara very much..
I witnessed in his presence once that a poor villager came in during our conversation.. and Hazrat turned towards him inquiring of his well being.. every visitor was given his due.. nevertheless either he wore tatters or be covered in dust..
According to someone who had gone to visit Hazrat Khwaja Khan Muhammed رحمة الله عليه of Kundian.. on taking leave expressed his intention to visit Hazrat Khaleefa Ghulam Rasool sahab رحمة الله عليه he said :
" some Awlia Allah hide themselves after making dua as such.. khaleefa sahab is among them.." and asked him to convey salam.. and Hazrat khaleefa sahab would state that Hazrat Maulana Khwaja Khan Muhammed sahab db was a Wali e Kamil.. such was the love between them.. and had mutual respect and adulation for eachother.. which sets a sterling example for generations coming after..
Hazrat Khalifa Ghulam Rasool sahab رحمة الله عليه had a strong affinity from Ulema e karam and towards the final stages of his life.. the affluent folks began to line up.. and at last one of his wellwishers built up two rooms adjacent to his house... one for a khanqah and the other as a guest house... and water which was drawn from far away was made available nearby..but Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه spent his life in poverty, starvation and austerity.. and in return for his Mujahidaat..wished for the rewards in Aakhirah...
And looking at Hazrat's life reminds us of that Hadith which Hafiz Mundhiri رحمة الله عليه has recorded in his book 'At Targheeb wa'Tarheeb'..
(interpretation)
Hazrat Zaid bin Aslam رحمة الله عليه narrates from his father Hazrat Aslam رضي الله عنه that Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه once entered the Masjid and found Hazrat Ma'az رضي الله عنه crying at the grave of Nabi kareem .
Inquired upon "what it is that makes you cry.." Hazrat Ma'az رضي الله عنه replied "It is a hadith which has made me cry..that I heard from Nabi kareem ..that even a slight Riya is shirk..and the one who bears enmity with the friends of Allah.. then without doubt he has declared war upon Allah.., verily Allah سبحانه وتعالى is pleased with such people who are pious and observe Taqwa and remain hidden.. that when they are present.. are'nt searched for, and when present ..they aren't recognized.. their hearts are lamps of Hidaya.. and these people are saved from all fitnah.."
Once the bondsman journeyed from Raiwind to present himself at Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه's place.. some ulema e karam from Karachi were also present..Hazrat Maulana Umar farooq sahab db was present ..so also was Hazrat Maulana Asif sahab db of Abottabad with us.. Hazrat was coming in from his residence towards the guest house supported by his son... we immediately stood up on seeing Hazrat and rushed forwards to earn the honour of lending him support..
Along with hazrat رحمة الله عليه, there breezed in a light fragrance which definitely wasn't among the ordinary worldly scents.. which including me..even my respected brother perceived fair enough.. and when Hazrat settled himself on the cot.. the fragrance was exuding continuously..
My Respected brother inquired 'Hazrat what kind of fragrance is that..?' and Hazrat openly revealed the fact saying:
' it's the fragrance of Nisbat ( special connection with Allah) and is not incumbent upon everyone to sense it..'
Hearing this, all those Ahadith echoed in my mind which were connected with the fragrance emitted from the Batin of Nabi Akram ..
For eg, (interpretation):
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that I have never smelled any scent of Musk better that the Fragrance of Batin exuded from Nabi Kareem ..
Ibn Sa'ad رضي الله عنه narrates that when Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه performed the ghusl of Hazrat Nabi kareem .. a certain exquisite fragrance arose which was never perceived before..etc..etc..
On that day we realized how illuminated and fragrant the Batin of Awlia is.. and why should it not be that Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه bore such fragrance.. that the grave of his Shaikh Hazrat Maulana Ahmed Ali Lahori رحمة الله عليه emitted a fragrance for many days..
Hazrat also had a special bonding with Tableegh and people attached with Tableegh..
When I requested him for duas and Tawajjuh for the success of Raiwind ijtema..he said
" For the three days of the ijtema I shall keep aside all the Muraqabat and sit exclusively in dua and remain deeply attentive towards Allah for the ijtema.."
On this occasion I recalled the saying of Hazrat Maulana Umar sahab Palanpuri رحمة الله عليه that " owing to the tears of Ahl ullah shed during night vigils.., their duas and Tawajjuh.., the work of Dawat goes on.. make the habit of repeatedly being in their service and request them for duas and Tawajjuh."
Then I reached Raiwind and informed Hazrat Haji Abdul Wahhab sahab db of the meeting and the words spoken by Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه.. Hazrat Haji sahab replied " I know Hazrat Khaleefa sahab.. he used to be present with Hazrat Lahori رحمة الله عليه".
To each visitor Hazrat gave Batini Tawajjuh.. once I requested him to give Tawajjuh..and he replied "im here for that very reason.. and ofcourse iam giving Tawajjuh.." and said "You have arrived very late..i have aged now..my strength has drained..the power of Tawajjuh has weakened.. only had you come earlier.." and I said "Hazrat its only at the later stage that one gets everything.."
Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه was very fond of books..the translation of 'At'Targheeb wa'At Tarheeb' was being written by the name of 'Al Basheeru wa'n Nazeeru'.. every year I would present the volume which was ready. Hazrat رحمة الله عليه would say that I remain in anticipation and read it thouroughly.. And my method is that before reading any book... I send Isaal e sawab to the author such that I receive his faiz.. and before reading this book I make dua for the translator..
On the last year of his meeting when I presented him a volume he asked me.. "is it completed..?" And I replied that one more remains.. he said " I don't know if I would live to see it,..if only it was completed earlier.." then he spoke about his death.. "I shall die..." and pointing towards the old graveyard on a little distance from his house, he said "My funeral shall be raised from here..and passing through these lanes shall reach there (graveyard)"
A special effect of remembrance of death was evident upon Hazrat رحمة الله عليه.. listening to all this.. we can observe that these Ahl ullah are just not Sahib e Qaal but are Sahib e Haal.. what they utter is their Haal.. - a reflection of their inner self..
He was affectionate towards Ahle Ilm ba' Amal persons ( People imbibed with both ilm and Amal) ..once when I presented myself he asked 'when did you reach Madrassa Naumaniya..?'( located in Dera ismail Khan) and I replied ' At Fajr Salah..'
he said "when possible reach there at Tahajjud and witness my ustad Mohtaram Maulana Ala'uddin sahab pleading & crying before Allah, holding his white beard.. submitting in Allah's presence.. saying..My Allah..! Iam old.. and beg upon my white hairs.. do not punish me..and would cry so profusely that the onlookers would feel pity.."
The bondsman had carried for him water from the well of Rauha situated between Badr and Madinah Munawwarah.. he was overjoyed.. and said.. 'when you come next.. bring these along - soil from the date orchard of Hazrat Salman farsi , water from the well of Hazrat uthman , a stone from the cave of Jabal uhud, soil from the grave of Hazrat Amna , piece of Ghilaf covering Hujra Mubarak..'
I made the mention of a book - the Sharah of Bukhari Shareef containing selected Ahadith..
"Bahjatun Nufoos wa Tahliha bi Ma'arifata Ma'laha wa Ma Alaiha" authored by Muhaddith Abu Muhammed Abdullah bin Abi Hamza Al Azdi Al Andalusi رحمة الله عليه (died 699H). in which the shaikh has made the Sharah in the mode of Tawassuf and Sulook and has proven it from Ahadith.. he was very pleased to hear that.. said " im hearing the name of this book for the first time..do translate it..."
Alas..! how much shall I mention.. every word of Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه is fit to be written in gold..which the readers shall come across in this book. and that the khadim e khaas of Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه - Hazrat Dr. Abdus salam sahab db .. has collected as the core extract of his ten years of close association and service to Hazrat رحمة الله عليه..
Hazrat Dr sahab has mentioned his introduction and first meeting with Hazrat رحمة الله عليه in the book.. and remained in Hazrat رحمة الله عليه's company to gain for ten years.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى bestowed his fadhl upon Hazrat dr sahab db to avail the golden opportunity of recording the Majalis and passing through the Manazil of sulook with Hazrat .
For four years Hazrat رحمة الله عليه spent some days and nights of Ramadhan Mubarak at Dr sahab db's residence.. where he had the chance to draw very close to him.. and those who witnessed this exemplary service of his Shaikh cried out "what has befallen upon this doctor..?" "he has turned insane pursuing a faqeer.."
And in lieu of this service Allah conferred spiritual rewards upon him.. and twice he brought Hazrat رحمة الله عليه for umrah and served him well on both trips..and today he distributes the Faidh of Hazrat رحمة الله عليه.
I envy upon Hazrat Dr Sahab db that he derived a great benefit from Hazrat رحمة الله عليه and tended him very well. And even today according to the will of Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه he looks after Hazrat رحمة الله عليه's family.. .and the result of which he is gaining the spiritual faidh with each passing day.. Allahumma zid fa zid..
And It is a nobility to be presented upon with the pages of the book by dr sahab that I pen down a foreword as well as compile the book appropriately, also to explain the necessary Istilahat of Tasawwuf and present the required dalail.
I accepted the burden of this heavy Amanah with the hope that with its barakah the Ruh of Hazrat رحمة الله عليه would be pleased and intercede for me on the day of Judgement.. and be a means for my salvation..
Else.. what is my position and where does Tasawwuf stand.. im not even familiar with its Alif and Ba..and I attribute it to the Ruhani Tawajjuh (spiritual attention) of Hazrat رحمة الله عليه that Allah's succor descended time to time and the road ahead began to open up..
Such that this blind-of-heart even perceived this Tawajjuh and also viewed some dreams. May Allah سبحانه وتعالى accept it with his Fadhl and karam.. and give dr sahab db khair al jaza from all..(Ameen)..
that he granted a favor upon us by recording Hazrat رحمة الله عليه's conversations and writing these pages....and especially he is my benefactor that he introduced me to such a hidden ascetic personality, that if I hadn't met him.., forever would I have been longing to catch a glimpse of Mutaqaddimeensalaf..
Moreover, I'm filled with remorse that i could not gain as much I should have from Hazrat رحمة الله عليه . Since this book is written with the purpose to colligate the Majlisi discourses.. wherein Hazrat Khaleefa sahab رحمة الله عليه had at times touched upon his life and conditions.. but it wasn't organized.
Since an attempt was made ardently to arrange topics and begin with his biography.. and then to collect material under specific headings.. but it should not be conceived as a detailed biography.
Such that it be would taken as his sayings..instructions and letters.. which in reality bears its aspiration that it glows as a beacon of light for the coming generations and Salikeen in particular. I feel it is necessary to write briefly on Shariat and Tareeqat before beginning with the book.. so that students are acquainted and that they do not assume Tasawwuf or Tareeqat or Tazkiya to be something isolated away from Shariat..
Allah سبحانه وتعالى says :
"Hua alladhee ba'atha fil-ummiyyina Rasulan minhum, yatlu 'alayhim ayaatihi wa yuzakihim wa yu'alimuhum al-kitaba wal-hikmah."
He is the One who raised amidst the unlettered people a messenger from among themselves who recites to them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the wisdom.
This Ayah explains the three objectives of Apostleship of Nabi kareem :
The first objective of Apostleship:
Recitation of the Qur'an- the implication of which is dawat e Ilallah (calling people towards Allah ). Since the conduct of Nabi kareem was to recite the Qur'an and give dawah, and this dawah was given selflessly among the dispassionates.
The second objective of Apostleship:
Taleem Kitab wa Hikmah - Teaching Kitab and Hikmah to those who have evolved passion for deen.
The Third objective of Apostleship:
Tazkiyah Nafs - to purify & cleanse the Zahiri and Batini aspects of Nufoos..
These three obligations of Nubuwwah are also binding upon the ummah as Kifayah, such that in every passing era the Akabir of ummah expended their salutary efforts & absorption in discharging all the three obligations.
Hazrat Maulana Syed Sulaiman Nadwi رحمة الله عليه writes in the foreword of " Maulana Muhammed Ilyas and his deeni Dawah" that -
" Rasulullah conducted these three obligations with sublime beauty & totality. He recited to them Ayahs of the Rabb and addressed the people commandments of the Almighty... and taught them words of divine Hikmah and kitab e Ilahi.
He did not stop short at this.. but with his suhbah (company), effect of Faidh and strategic nuances.. cleansed and purified them as well. He made Tazkiyah of Nufus..treated the (inward) diseases of the heart.. and effacing away the rust of sins and vileness.. polished the virtues of humanity.
Both these Zahiri (outward) and Batini (inward) obligations were carried out with equal emphasis. such that up till the Sahaba followed by Taba'een then Taba' Taba'een, the dual charge of Zahiri and Batini tasks remained committed to by the three generations in continuum.
The Ustad was also the Shaikh and the Shaikh was also the Ustad. Those who radiated the seats of dars were also the ones who were vigilant in the nights of seclusion. They were also responsible for the Tazkiyah and Tasfiyah of their companions. In all the three generations there wasn't a visible difference between a Shaikh and a Ustad.
The divergence of Ta'leem and Tazkiyah
Thereafter an era dawned when the seats of dars e Zahir turned empty of Batin and the illuminated hearts of Ahl e Batin were devoid of Zahir.. and with passing of time the gulf between Zahir and Batin also widened.
Ultimately the uloom of Zahir were bound by the walls of Madrassah.. and Taleem, Tazkiyah Batin were confined by building Khanqah's and hospices. And the Masjid Nabawi where these two lived in unison, now manifested itself separately as Madrassa and Khanqah. The aftermath it bore was that Ulema from Madaris passed out more as Ulema e duniya than Ulema e Deen, and the claimants of Batin remained ignorant towards the subtleties and excellence of Shar'iah.
Success lies in unity of both
Note that even after this period there continued to appear such exceptional personalities illuminated with the Prophetic radiance of both these shades. So when we observe closely, it comes to our understanding that the pious elders who spread their Faidh in Islam were only those who were an amalgam of both.
Hazrat Imam Ghazzali رحمة الله عليه from whom Uloom Ma'qool (excogitated /perceived by intellect) & Manqool ( narrated / handed down by tradition) attained splendor or Ilm e Haqiqat also manifested through him,
Hazrat Shaikh Abu Najeeb Suharwardi رحمة الله عليه on one hand is a Shaikh of Tareeqat and on the other is a Mudarris of Madrassah Nizamiyah, Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani رحمة الله عليه is an Imam of his time as well as a Shaikh e Tariqat of his period.
Whereas people who are known to be ulema e Zahir like the Muhadditheen, Imam Bukhari رحمة الله عليه, Ahmed Bin Hanbal رحمة الله عليه, Sufiyan Thauri رحمة الله عليه etc..etc where also crowned with this Jami'yyat (collectivity).
Among the moderates, Allamah Ibn Taymiyyah رحمة الله عليه and Hafiz Ibn Qayyim رحمة الله عليه are assumed to be desolate of Batin by the uninitiated.. whereas their life and conditions were filled with Barakah of Batin. After reading "Masalik As-Salikeen" etc of Ibn Qayyim رحمة الله عليه, one can gauge that he was ornamented by Zahir as well as adorned by Batin.
The Light which spread by the advent of such pious elders in Hindustan were infact those very people whose essence had the Jami'yyat of Madrassah and Khanqah and they had proximity to Uswa Nubuwwah. That was the reason for their Faidh to disseminate farther and yonder..
The Sun, Moon and Stars of the Delhi sky , from Shah Abdur Rahim رحمة الله عليه to Shah Ismail رحمة الله عليه, when studied individually, illustrates a picture of people possessed with union of uloom e Zahir and uloom e Batin. this itself unfolds the reality of their ilmi and Spiritual vastness.
They imparted dars of uloom manifesting the splendor of Yu'allimuhum ul kitaba wal Hikmah and confined in quarters to manifest Yuzakkihim. Thereafter, the ones who followed them bearing their Fuyuz and Barakat, needless to point them , their Faidh reached the world.
The propagation of Deen and Tableegh and the work of Tazkiyah & Tasfiyah of hearts conducted by them bear the mirror image of the same Jami'yyat of Zahir and Batin. Even in future, in accordance with divine sunnah, those who shall spread the Faidh of Deen would be the very ones who would flow as a stream converging the twin brooks of Madrassa'iyyat and Khanqah'iyyat.
The Noor of eyes augments by night vigils and the effect of speech amplifies by excessive zikr, only the ascetics of night have proven to be soldiers of Deen, centuries old chronicles of biographies and translations bear a witness to this Dawah.
The flow of speech... acumen of penmanship... without the luminance of the heart, exceeds nothing more than the reflection of a mirage. Nevertheless he may appear exuding with brilliance... but remains barren in the realm of competence and everlasting consistency." End.
The writer of these lines was Hazrat Maulana Syed Sulaiman Nadwi رحمة الله عليه who at the very instance is a Muhaddith, Mufassir, Mu'arrikh (historian) and also a Da'ee of Allah.
The lines he wrote as Muqaddama (foreword) was on the biography of Hazratji Maulana ilyas sahab رحمة الله عليه about whom Hazrat Maulana Syed Sulaiman Nadwi sahab رحمة الله عليه writes:
" The Maternal grandfather of Hazratji Maulana Ilyas sahab رحمة الله عليه - Hazrat Maulana Muzaffar Hussain sahab رحمة الله عليه was a favorite student of Hazrat Shah Muhammed Ishaq dehlvi رحمة الله عليه and a Majaz (khalifa) of Hazrat Shah Muhammed Yaqub sahab Dehlvi رحمة الله عليه.
The Paternal uncle of Hazrat Maulana Muzaffar Hussain sahab , Hazrat Mufti ilahi Baksh Kandhelvi رحمة الله عليه was amongst the prominent students of Hazrat Shah Abdul Aziz sahab رحمة الله عليه and also his Mukhlis Mureed. Later he did bayat with the Khalifah of his Shaikh Hazrat Sayyid Ahmed Shaheed رحمة الله عليه. Both these personalities were renowned for their Dars and Fatawa and were people of Zuhd and Taqwa...whose barakah spread into many of their family members.
Hazratji Maulana Ilyas sahab رحمة الله عليه's father and his two brothers were pious individuals and acetic preachers.. . Maulana's father was the foremost individual towards whom people of Mewat developed affection and after his passing away, Maulana Muhammed Yahya sahab رحمة الله عليه, his elder brother seated on this chair of preaching... bound with austerity, devotion and resignation to divine will.
The bearer of the biography, Maulana Ilyas sahab رحمة الله عليه was the third ascetic in line of this legacy. Hazrat Maulana Ilyas sahab رحمة الله عليه carried the three objectives of Apostleship in totality. Beyond Dawah ila Allah which was his special pursuit, Maulana also taught kitab and Hikmah. With reference to Tazkiyah Nafs, Hazrat Maulana Syed Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi sahab رحمة الله عليه writes:
"Generally, Hazrat Maulana Gangohi رحمة الله عليه would not take bayat from children or students. Only after graduation they were permitted to do so. But upon observing the extra ordinary condition of Maulana Ilyas sahab رحمة الله عليه he considered his request and took bayat. The spark of love was contained in the nature of Maulana since the beginning. he had developed such a deep affinity towards Hazrat Maulana Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi sahab رحمة الله عليه that he felt restless without him.
He used to narrate that at times he woke up during the night only to catch a glimpse of Hazrat Maulana رحمة الله عليه and then retired back to sleep. Even Hazrat Gangohi رحمة الله عليه showered intense affection on Hazrat Maulana Ilyas sahab رحمة الله عليه.
also Hazrat gangohi رحمة الله عليه had similar affinity towards him. once he asked his brother that if Hazrat Gangohi رحمة الله عليه permits... could he study near Hazrat رحمة الله عليه...? Maulana Muhammed Yahya sahab رحمة الله عليه conveyed the words to Hazrat رحمة الله عليه. Upon which he said "That doesn't matter! , the presence of Ilyas shall not disturb my privacy or disperse my solitude"
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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.. all the Ambiya karam.. then Khulafa karam.. Hazrat Abubakr.. Hazrat Umar.. Hazrat Uthman and Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنهم.. and my mothers ummahatul Mu'mineen.. and Hazrat Fatima رضى الله عنها.. our Hazrat Imam Hasan and Hazrat Imam Hussain رضي الله عنهم .. the Ashra Mubashharat and all the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم .. Then Tabi'een.. Taba' Tabi'eeen..
