Beliefs of the Ahle-Sunnah Wal Jamaat (20)

The Attributes of Almighty ALLAH

Allah Ta'ala is One. There is no one equal to Allah Ta'ala, either in being, qualities, actions, commands or names. Allah Ta'ala is "Waajibul Wujood", in other words, His Existence is compulsory. His destruction is impossible. Allah Ta'ala always was and always will be. The term used to define the continuous existence of Allah Ta'ala is "Qadeem". "Qadeem" means "that which always existed and will always exist".   Allah Ta'ala is not dependant upon anyone or anything. The entire universe depends on Allah Ta'ala.   Like Allah Ta'ala, His Qualities are also "Qadeem". With the exception of Allah Ta'ala and His Qualities, everything else is "Haadith". "Haadith" means "a creation or that which was created by Allah Ta'ala".   Any person who says that Allah Ta'ala's Qualities are "Haadith" or says that any creation is "Qadeem" is a misled person.   Allah Ta'ala is neither anyone's father, not is He anyone's son. Allah Ta'ala does not have a wife. Anyone who shows Allah Ta'ala to have a father or for Him to be anyone's son or to prove that Allah Ta'ala has a wife is a Kaafir (non-believer). If anyone thinks or imagines this to be possible, then that person he is misled and irreligious.   Allah Ta'ala is present and in existence. The term used to define this is "Hai". Everyone’s life and existence is in the control of Allah Ta'ala. He gives life and causes death to whomever He pleases.   It is also not necessary that everything in the power of Allah Ta'ala should come into existence even though it is possible for it to come into existence. An example of this is that if Allah Ta'ala wills, He may create a mountain made from solid gold, but there is no such mountain. However, if Allah Ta'ala wishes, then it will exist even though it does not exist at present.   Allah Ta'ala is the possessor of all excellence and all good. Allah Ta'ala is pure and free of all those things, which have shortages (defects). In other words, for Him to possess any defect is "Muhaal". "Muhaal" is "that which will never be possible, that which can never be". Allah Ta'ala is free from lies, tyranny, ignorance and shamelessness. These qualities are totally "Muhaal" for Allah Ta'ala. To accept that Allah Ta'ala has the power to lie is to show Allah Ta'ala to have a defect and to reject Allah Ta'ala.   Existence, Power, Hearing, Seeing, Speech, Knowledge and Intention, etc. are the Divine Qualities of Allah Ta'ala. The Hearing, Seeing and Speech of Allah Ta'ala, however, does not depend on ears, eyes or tongue, since these are all human organs and Allah Ta'ala is free from all human forms. Allah Ta'ala hears the softest of softest sounds and sees the smallest of smallest objects. He sees even that which cannot be seen under the lens of a microscope, but His sight and Hearing are not only limited to these things. He Sees and Hears everything.   Like His other Qualities, His Speech is also "Qadeem" and not "Haadith". Whosoever accepts the Quran-e-Azeem to be a creation, according to Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa (radi Allah anhu) and the other Imams (radi Allah anhum), such a person is a Kaafir (non-believer) and his infidelity is also proven from the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (radi Allah anhumul ajma'in).   Allah Ta'ala's Speech is free from sound. The Holy Quran that we recite and write is "Qadeem" and without sound. Our recitation, our writing and our voice is "Haadith". In other words, our recitation is "Haadith" and that which we recite is "Qadeem." Our writing is "Haadith" and that which we have memorised is "Qadeem."   The Knowledge of Allah Ta'ala encompasses everything, be it partial, complete, existing or non-existing. Allah Ta'ala always knew everything, knows everything and will always know everything. Objects change, but the Knowledge of Allah Ta'ala does not change. He has knowledge of the trouble and the fears of the heart and there is no limit to His knowledge.   Allah Ta'ala is aware of all that which is hidden and apparent. "I'lm-e-Zaati"(Divine Knowledge) is His unique Quality. Any person who proves I'lm-e-Zaati, be it hidden or apparent for anyone accept Allah Ta'ala is a Kaafir (non-believer) since such Divine Knowledge refers to that which was not given to anyone.   Allah Ta’ala is the Creator of everything, be it an object or its actions. He is the One who gives sustenance. Angels, etc. are only means.   Allah Ta'ala is free from space, place, time, shape, movement and stoppage. Allah Ta'ala is free from everything which is Haadith.   If Allah Ta'ala wishes, then He can make small objects large and large objects small. He gives respect to whom He wills and disgraces whom He wills. He gives and takes whatever He wishes. Whatever He does is totally fair and just. He is free and pure of tyranny. He is the Most Exalted and High. He engulfs everything and nothing engulfs Him. To give benefit and loss is in His Power. He is the Lord of everything. He answers the call of the oppressed and He punishes the tyrants and oppressors.   Nothing takes place without His will. He becomes pleased with the good and displeased with the bad. His Mercy is such that He does not command any work that is not in the capacity of the servants. Allah Ta'ala is the Lord. He may do as He pleases and commands whatever He wishes.   Allah Ta'ala has promised Jannat (Paradise) to the Muslims, and He has promised Jahannum (Hell) to the Kufaar because of their disbelief. His promises never change. With the exception of polytheism (associating partners with Allah Ta’ala) and infidelity, He may pardon any major or minor sin as He wishes.   Allah Ta'ala's every action consists of great wisdom whether we are aware of it or not. His actions are not dependent on any reason. He has, with His knowledge, created on the earth a means for everything.   Allah Ta'ala has created eyes to see, ears to hear, fire to burn and water to quench thirst. If Allah Ta'ala desires, then the eyes may hear, fire may quench thirst and water may burn. If He does not will, then a person may have a hundred thousand eyes and still not be able to see a mountain in bright daylight. There may be a million fires and even one straw of grass will not burn. An example of the above mentioned statement is when Hazrat Ibrahim(alaihis salaam) was thrown into the fire. What a great fire that was which the Kaafirs had prepared to put him into! The heat of this fire was so intense that nobody could go near it and they had to use a catapult to throw him into it. It was then that Allah Ta'ala commanded: "O Fire! Become cold and peaceful on Ibrahim." The fire immediately became cold on Hazrat Ibrahim (alaihis salaam).   To believe that Allah Ta'ala enquires from someone (His creation) is total Kufr and against the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Ahadith.   The Aqeeda of the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at is that the Knowledge of Unseen which is possessed by Allah Ta'ala is His Personal Knowledge and He does not gain it from anyone. ALMIGHTY ALLAH CANNOT LIE Some persons believe that Allah Ta'ala has the power to speak a lie. (Allah forbid)   The Aqeeda of the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at is that Allah Ta'ala does not lie and He does not possess the power of lying. This is proven by the Quranic verse: "Whose word is more truthful than that of Allah". (Part 5, Verse 15)   Imam Fakhrudeen Raazi (radi Allahu anhu) said that it is not permissible upon any Muslim to even think that Allah Ta'ala can speak a lie. He said that for one to think in this way would remove one from the folds of Imaan. (Tafseer Kabeer)   To tell a lie is a defect for the personality of Allah Ta'ala and for there to be a defect in the Power of Allah Ta'ala is "Muhaal" (Totally impossible). (Tafseer Kabeer)   Allah Ta'ala is pure from all defects. (Tafseer Baidhawi)   There is none more truthful than Allah Ta'ala and for Allah Ta'ala to tell a lie is impossible. (Tafseer Khazin)   Any person who shows Allah Ta'ala to possess a certain quality which is not worthy of His Being, or to show Allah Ta'ala to have a defect or impatience, then he is a Kaafir. (Fatawa Alamgiri)

What is Destiny (Taqdir)?

Within the Knowledge of Allah Ta'ala, He wrote what was going to happen in the world and whatever His servants were going to do.   Allah Ta’ala wrote good in some people's fate and wrote bad in another person's fate.   He did not make the person helpless by writing this down, but wrote down what the servant was going to do.   An example of this is that if Allah Ta’ala wrote bad for Zaid, then it was because He is aware that Zaid is going to do bad, and if Zaid was to do good, then He would have written good for Zaid, thus His Writing and His Knowledge did not make any person compelled.   After performing bad deeds you should not say that this happened because it was Allah Ta'ala's will and therefore it was in my destiny, but all good things are done with the Pleasure of Allah Ta'ala and all bad deeds are done with the pleasure of one's desires.   To believe yourself as totally without will or totally helpless is a misguided belief. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has referred to those who do not believe in Taqdir to be like fire-worshippers of his Ummah.   It is forbidden to discuss or debate the subject of destiny. A person should only think that they are not helpless like stones and therefore cannot do anything according to their will, but actually Allah Ta'ala has given humans the power to do as they please and the reward and sin is based upon this power of will. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique and Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (radi Allahu anhuma) were prohibited from discussing Taqdir.

The Prophets and Messengers of ALLAH

Messenger" or "Rasool" means he who brings the Message from Allah Ta'ala to the servants. A "Prophet" is he who received the "Wahi" (Revelation, a Message from Allah Ta'ala) for the guidance of mankind to show people the path to Allah Ta'ala. Many Prophets and many Angels are Messengers (Rasools). All Prophets were male. There has never been a Jinn as a Prophet nor a female Prophet. A Prophet becomes a Prophet who Allah Ta'ala wishes to be or whom Allah Ta�ala deems fit and a Prophet is born as a Prophet. A Prophet always stays away from sin even before becoming a Prophet. He is always attracted to good. There is never an aspect in a Prophet that people would hate. Those who believe that they can become a Prophet due to their effort are Kaafirs (non-believers) and those who believe that a Prophet's prophecy can be taken away from him is also a Kaafir. A Prophet's walk, conduct, looks, features, nobility, family, ways, manner, talk and conversation are all good and free from faults. A Prophet's intelligence is complete. A Prophet is the cleverest out of all people. The highest qualified doctor or philosopher's intelligence does not reach even a millionth part of a Prophet's intelligence. A Prophet or an Angel are Ma'soom, meaning they are completely immune from sin and therefore cannot commit a sin. Except for Prophets or Angels, if one believes that an Imaam or a Wali (Saint) are also Ma'soom, then they are misguided and have deviated from the right sect. Although there are Imaams and great Awliya who also do not commit sin, however, if sometimes they do commit a sin, then according to Shari�ah, this is not impossible. Those who say that the Message of Allah Ta'ala is sometimes not passed on by a Prophet due to the fear of people or some other reason, is a Kaafir. Prophets are better than all creations. In fact, they are better than those Angels who are Rasools. Regardless of how high a rank of a Wali is, he can never be equal to a Prophet. Those who show a non-Prophet to be better than a Prophet are Kaafirs. The respect of a Prophet is compulsory on every individual. The slightest disrespect of any Prophet is Kufr (infidelity). The Prophets are just as alive in their graves as they were when in this world. They eat, drink and go and come as they wish. They were given death for a moment and then were brought back to life so that Allah Ta'ala's promise would be complete. Their lives are better than those of Martyrs (Shaheeds). Allah Ta�ala gave the Prophets the Knowledge of the Unseen (I�lme-Ghaib).Every particle of the sky and earth are in front of the sight of all the Prophets. Therefore, this knowledge is "Given Knowledge" (Ataayi) and because Allah Ta'ala's Knowledge is not given to Him by anyone and, therefore, is "Self Knowledge" (Zaati). Any follower cannot, due to his will power, piety, worship, and willingness to follow Allah Ta'ala, be better than any Prophet. Prophets are always involved in the remembrance of Allah Ta�ala even while they are sleeping or awake. To talk about the mistakes that have been committed by the Prophets is Haraam (strictly forbidden), except for when praying about them in the Holy Quran and Hadith. It is improper and disrespectful to write abbreviation after the name of Nabi Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) or of any Nabi or Rasool. We must write "sallal laahu alaihi wasallam" or "alaihis salaam" in full. GRADES OF PROPHETS Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) is the first human. He is also the first Prophet. All humans are his children. Allah Ta'ala made Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) without the need of a mother or father. He was made from soil. Allah Ta�ala made him His Caliph. Allah Ta'ala gave him the knowledge of all things and their names. Allah Ta�ala ordered the Angels to prostrate to Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam).All the Angels performed the prostration except Shaitaan, who refused and was therefore evicted forever and became a Kaafir. There has come many Prophets from Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) to our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Hazrat Nooh (Noah), Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham), Hazrat Moosa (Moses), Hazrat 'Isa (Jesus) were Mesengers and also Prophets. Some other Prophets mentioned in the Holy Quran are: Hazrat Ismaeel, Hazrat Ishaaq, Hazrat Ya'qoob, Hazrat Yusuf, Hazrat Moosa, Hazrat Haroon, Hazrat Shu�aib, Hazrat Loot, Hazrat Hood, Hazrat Dawood, Hazrat Sulaiman, Hazrat Ayoob, Hazrat Ilyaas, Hazrat Yahya, Hazrat Yunus, Hazrat Idrees, Hazrat Zulkifl and Hazrat Saaleh (alaihimus salaam). The status of the Prophets varies from one another. Some are more superior to others and the most superior of all the Nabis is Hazrat Muhammadur Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The next most superior is Hazrat Ebrahim Khaleelullah (alaihis salaam), who is followed by Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam), and then Hazrat Esa (alaihis salaam), and Hazrat Nooh (alaihis salaam). These five Ambiya are known as "Mursaleen Ulul Azm". They are also superior to all other Prophets. Just as our leader Hazrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the greatest of all Prophets, (without comparison), his Ummah is the greatest of all the Ummats. An exact number of how many Prophets that have been sent into this world is not known, but is said to be approximately 124 000. The last of all Prophets and Messengers and the most virtuous of all creations is Allah Ta'ala's most beloved - our Master, Hazrat Ahmad Mujtaba Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Khaatimun Nabiyeen (The Final Prophet). After the beloved Prophet there has never been another Prophet nor will there be another Prophet. Whoever believes that there will be a Prophet or there has been a Prophet during our Prophet's era or after or actually believes it as a possibility of someone obtaining Prophecy is a Kaafir. OUR PROPHET'S UNIQUE VIRTUES AND EXCELLENCE Allah Ta'ala created from His Noor (light) our beloved Prophet, before any other thing. The Prophets, the Angels, the Earth, Skies, Heavens, etc. have all been created from the ray of the Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) light (Noor). Except for Allah Ta'ala or being equal to Allah Ta'ala, our beloved Prophet(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has been given whatever qualities there are, and whatever excellence exists, by Allah Ta'ala. In the whole universe, there cannot be anything or anyone with the same or greater quality than our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the most virtuous creation and a delegate of Allah Ta'ala. All the Ambiya (alaihimus salaam) were sent down to a particular group of people or a particular nation, but the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was sent to the entire creation. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Mercy unto the humans, Angels, Jinns, animals and all the other creations of Almighty Allah and his special blessings is upon the human beings. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Prophet of all the other Prophets and it is a necessity for everyone to follow the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Allah Ta'ala has gifted the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) with the keys of all Allah Ta'ala's treasures. All the world and religious gifts are provided and created by Allah Ta'ala and shared and given out by our beloved Prophet(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Allah Ta'ala gave our Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) the unique gift of Me'raj, meaning that Allah Ta'ala called him above the skies (Arsh) and showed him His Vision with the Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) own eyes. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam listened to Allah Ta'ala's Voice and was given a tour of Jannat (Paradise), Dozakh (Hell), Arsh (above the skies) and Kursi (Throne). On the Day of Judgement, our Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam will be the first to perform intercession, meaning that he will intercede for people in the Court of Allah Ta'ala. There are many other qualities, too much to mention in this short section. If someone treated any of the Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)quotations or actions or deeds or situations as not worthy or looked upon them with degrading value, then they are Kaafirs. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAUJIZAA AND KARAAMAT When a Prophet performs an action that is impossible to perform to prove his prophecy and it astonishes the Kaafirs, it is known as a "Maujizaa". For example, to bring back to life the dead or to split the moon into two with the movement of the finger. If these types of actions are performed by a Wali (Friend of Allah Ta'ala), then it is known as a "Karaamat". If they are performed by an ordinary person or wrongdoer or a Kaafir, then it is known as "Istidraj". When people see a Maujizaa, the truth of a Prophet is accepted. False liars who claim to be a Prophet cannot perform these types of miracles. Allah Ta'ala never gives the false claimants of Prophethood the power to perform Maujizaas, otherwise one would not be able to distinguish the difference between the true Prophets and false claimants.

The Books of ALLAH

Kitaabs were revealed to the Ambiya to teach and educate their nations. The big books are called "Kitaabs" whilst the small ones are called "Sahifas". Muslims believe in all the Books sent by Allah Ta'ala. The Tauraat was revealed to Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam); the Zaboor was revealed to Hazrat Dawood(alaihis salaam); the Injeel was revealed to Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) and the Holy Quran was revealed to our Nabi Hazrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The followers of these Prophets altered these books (Tauraat, Zaboor and Injeel), added or extracted statements and, therefore changed the Orders of Allah Ta'ala. The Holy Quran is such a unique book that no one can make another like it. Even if the whole world tried together to make one, they would not be able to. The Holy Quran is complete with all the knowledge and every aspect is enlightened. It is the same now as was fourteen hundred years earlier as it was when it was revealed, and will always remain the same. Those who say that someone has altered or increased or decreased the Holy Quran or that the true Quran is kept by the Imaam of the Unseen, then they are Kaafirs. The Holy Quran that we have today is the true Quran. It is necessary for all to bring faith on this Holy Quran. There will not come a new Prophet or a new book. Those who believe against this are not Muslims.

The Malaaikah (Angels) of ALLAH

Angels are the creation of Allah Ta'ala, made from "Noor" (Light).   Angels are "Masoom" (sinless). They are pure from all types of small and large sins.   Malaa�ikah are obedient servants of Allah Ta'ala. They do what Allah Ta'ala commands them.   They are countless in number. Only Allah Ta'ala knows how many Angels there are. Allah Ta�ala has also shown their exact numbers to his special servants like the Ambiya (Prophets) and Awliya (Saints).   Angels are neither male nor female.   They have been given the strength by Allah Ta'ala to turn into whatever shape or form they wish, whether it be of a human or of another creation.   Allah Ta'ala has given the Malaa�ikah many types of duties: some Angels have a fixed duty of taking out the soul, some to give rain, some have been given the task to create the face of a child in the mother's womb, some to write the deeds of an individual, writing our daily actions, attending Islamic functions like Zikr, Moulood-un-Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), Urs Shareef, sending Durood and Salaams upon our Nabi Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), and taking our Durood and Salaams to him. Some are in the constant position of Sajdah, Ruku, and Qiyaam and are busy remembering Almighty Allah Ta'ala all the time, etc.   There is a river in Heaven wherein whenever Jibraeel (alaihis salaam)submerges his wings and shakes it, small droplets of water drip from it. From each droplet, an Angel is created. Indeed, one cannot estimate the droplets of water that drip from the wings of Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam). Why? Simply, because Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) has 600 wings and each wing is so huge that when it spreads out, it casts a shadow over the entire sky.   Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) is the Leader of the Angels.   The names of the four famous Angels are: Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam),Hazrat Mikaaeel (alaihis salaam), Hazrat Izraeel (alaihis salaam), and Hazrat Israfeel (alaihis salaam).   The names of a few more Angels are: Kiraaman Khaatibeen, Munkar and Nakeer, Ridwaan and Maalik.   To believe that the Malaa�ikah as "Kadeem" (always have been in existence or always will be in existence) or to believe them as the creators is Kufr.   The slightest form of insult for an Angel is also Kufr.   Some people call their enemies or oppressors as "the Angel of death". To say such things is not allowed and close to Kufr (infidelity).   To reject the existence of Angels or to say that the strength of all good is known as Angels and that there are no such things as Angels are both acts of Kufr.

The Jinnaat

The plural of Jinn is Jinnaat. Jinnaat are the creation of Allah Ta'ala made from fire.   They are given the power to take whatever shape or form they wish.   The mischievous and evil one's are called "Shaitaan".   They are like human beings having wisdom and understanding.   They have a soul and a bodily form.   There are male and female Jinnaat.   Jinnaat eat, drink and sleep.   They also have children.   Jinnaat are invisible creation of Allah Ta'ala.   Among the Jinnaat there are Muslims, Mu�min (Believers) and Kaafirs (Disbelievers).   Jinn and human were created for the worship of Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quran: "And I have created the Jinn and the men only for this that they may worship Me". (Surah Zariyat: 56)   The Jinnat do not live forever. They eventually die.   The Jinnaat used to work at the command of Hazrat Sulaiman (alaihis salaam). The Masjid-ul-Aqsa, Baitul Muqaddas, was built by the Jinnaats under the command of Hazrat Sulaiman (alaihis salaam).   The good deeds performed by Jinnaat will earn them Sawaab (reward).   The disbelievers among them will go to Hell and the Believers among them will live nearby Jannat. The Jinnaat will not live in Jannat, because Jannat is the estate of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) and it will be distributed to his children (human). The Jinnaat will enter Jannat for Sair (sight-seeing).   He who disbelieves in the existence of Jinnaat becomes a Kaafir.

Death and the Grave

It is a well-known reality that everyone has to taste death. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quran: "Every soul shall have the taste of death". (3:185)   The time of death is fixed for everyone. Every single person's age is fixed. It cannot increase from its fixed time nor can it decrease. Nothing can save one from death. Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up high. When the time of death comes, nothing can delay it.   When a person�s life is ending, Hazrat Izraeel (alaihis salaam) comes to extract the dying person's soul.   The person dying looks to his left and right and sees Angels everywhere. The Angels of Mercy come to a Muslim and for the Kaafirs, the Angels of Punishment appear. At this time, even the Kaafirs believe the truth about Islam, but their faith at this time is not counted. This is because faith is the name of believing the Message of Allah Ta'ala and his beloved Messenger (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) without seeing proof. At this time one sees the Angels and then believes and this is therefore, not accepted as a Muslim.   A Muslim's soul is taken out with ease and is then taken with respect by the Angels of Mercy.   A Kaafir's soul is taken out with great pain and the Angels of Punishment take it with disgrace.   After death, the soul does not go into another body and is then reborn, but it stays in the world of "Barzakh" till the Day of Judgement. "Barzakh" means the interval between death and resurrection.   To believe in reincarnation - that the soul goes into another human body, or into an animal's body, or into trees or plants, etc. is wrong and is Kufr. WHERE DOES THE SOUL REMAIN AFTER DEATH? Death is when the soul comes out of the body.   According to the faith and deeds performed by that person, a different place is fixed for the soul to remain. It stays in that place until the Day of Resurrection. Some stay underneath the "Arsh" (above the skies), some remain at "Aala Illiyyeen" (the highest point), some remain at the well of Zam Zam, and some remain in their grave.   The souls of infidels are imprisoned. Some are imprisoned in the well of"Barhoot", some in "Sajeen" (the lowest point in Earth), and some at their place of cremation or burial.   DOES THE SOUL DIE? In any situation, the soul does not die nor does it disintegrate but it remains unchanged. Whatever it's position and whatever it's state is, it always remains connected to the body.   Those who believe that the soul can die and disintegrate are a "Bud Mazhab"(from a deviated sect).   If the body experiences pain, the soul also feels the pain. If the body is relaxed, then the soul is also relaxed.   When someone visits the grave, the soul sees the person, recognises him or her and listens to what they are saying.   In relation to the Muslim's soul, it is stated in the Hadith Shareef that when a Muslim dies, the soul�s path is opened and it can go wherever it pleases.   The dead also speaks. Animals, etc. except for normal humans and Jinn hear its voice. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BURIAL? After burial, the grave tightens up and presses the dead.   It presses the Muslim like a mother holds a child. It presses the Kaafir (infidel) to the extent of crushing them, like the left side bones end up on the right side.   When the people leave after burial, the dead hears the footsteps.   At that time, two Angels called Munkar and Nakeer come ripping through the earth. Their faces look very fearful and scary. Their bodies are black in colour. They have green and black eyes, which are very large in size popping out, like the Jinn's eyes and they are made of fire. Their hair is very scary and long from head to toe. Their teeth are very long with which they rip through the earth. They wake up the dead shaking and rattling them.   With great strength with a deep voice, they ask these three questions: "MAN RABBUKA" meaning "Who is your Lord?" "MAA DEENUKA" meaning "What is your religion?" "MAA KUNTA TAQUL FEE HAJAR RAJL" meaning "What did you use to say about this person?" If the dead person is a Muslim, he will reply as follows: "RABBALLAH" � "My Lord is Allah." "DEENIL ISLAM" � "My Religion is Islam." "HUWA RASOOLULLAHE SALLALHO ALAIHI WASSALLAM" �"This is Allah's Messenger, He has been embraced with Allah Ta'ala's Mercy, greetings to him."   Now, a Voice from the skies will be heard saying: "My servant has said the truth. Lay the tablecloth of Paradise for him. Give him clothes from Paradise to wear and open the doors of Paradise (Jannat) for him." The cool air and the sweet fragrance of Jannat will continue to come and wherever the eyesight can reach, the grave will be made wide and large. Angels will say:"Sleep like a groom sleeps". All this will be for the good pious Muslims.   For the sinful, there will be punishment according to their sins.   This punishment will continue for a time. Then from the prayers of the pious or from "Esaale Sawaab" (good acts performed by people for the dead's forgiveness) or from prayers for their forgiveness or simply from the Mercy of Allah Ta'ala, this punishment will stop. Then, there will be relaxation.   If the dead is a Kaafir, then he will not be able to answer the questions and will say "HAA HAA LADRI" meaning "Shame for I know nothing'". Now a caller will shout: "He is a liar, lay the table-cloth of fire for him, and give him clothes of fire to wear and open the doors of Hell (Dozakh) for him, from which the heat of Hell will reach him." There will be two Angels allocated to him to give him punishment and will hit him with great big hammers. Big scorpions and snakes will also bite him. All different kinds of punishment will continue until the Day of Resurrection. WHO WILL NOT BE ASKED QUESTIONS IN THE GRAVE? The Prophets will not be asked questions in their graves nor will their graves tighten.   Many followers will also not be asked the questions, like those Muslims who die on a Friday or in the month of Ramadaan.   The situation of relaxation and punishment in the grave is a fact. This punishment or reward is for both the body and the soul.   Whether the body disintegrates or burns or mixes in the soil, it's original parts remains until the Day of Resurrection. It will receive reward or punishment. On the Day of Judgement it will be reformed back to a body. These original parts are actually situated in the spine and cannot be seen by humans. It also cannot be eaten by the soil nor can they be burned. These are the seeds of the body and from these Allah Ta'ala joins the rest of the parts of the body, which have been spread by either being turned into ashes or soil and are reformed into the original body.   The soul then comes back into that body and is presented in the field of Resurrection. This day is known as "Hashr".   The questions will be asked at that place at which a person has been buried or has been left to rot. Punishment will also occur there. For example, if a tiger has eaten a person, the questions will be asked inside the tiger's stomach, and the punishment and reward will also happen there.   A person who rejects the fact of the punishment and reward of the grave is a misguided person. WHO'S BODY CANNOT BE EATEN BY THE SOIL? The Prophets, the Awliya (Friends of Allah Ta'ala), the Shuhada (Martyrs), a Hafiz of the Quran who also acts upon the instructions of the Holy Quran, a person who has never committed a sin and those who pray the Durood Shareef at all times, their bodies are not eaten by the soil.   Those who say that the Prophet's bodies "have died and eaten by the soil" is a misguided person, from the wrong sect, or an evil and an insulting person.

The Coming of Qiyamat and Some Signs

One day the entire world, humans, animals, Jinns, Angels, earth, skies and whatever that is in them will come to an end or perish. There will be nothing left except for Allah Ta'ala. This is known as the coming of Qiyamat. Before the coming of Qiyamat, there will be some signs that will appear, out of which, we write some of them here: Khasf meaning that there will be three places where the earth will open up and men will be buried alive. One will be in the west, one in the east and one in Arabia.   The knowledge of religion will disappear, meaning the Ulema (scholars of religion) will be taken away.   There will be a large exploitation of illiteracy.   There will be great use of alcohol and adultery to such a shameful extent that it will be as common as donkeys eating grass.   There will be fewer males and more females. The ratio will be fifty women compared to one man.   There will be a lot of goods.   In Arabia, there will be green scenery such as green crops, parks and streams. The streams will open its treasures and there will be mountains of gold.   Men will listen to their women and not their parents. They will stay in close contact with their friends and stay away from their parents.   There will be great use of music.   People will curse their ancestors and speak ill of them.   The wrongdoers and non-capable will be made leaders.   Degraded people, who could not find cheap clothing, will own large mansions.   People will scream and shout in Mosques.   To stay in Islam will be so difficult as it is difficult to hold hot ash in the hand. Up till the extent that a person will go the cemetery and wish that they were in that grave.   There will be no quality in time. A year will be like a month. A month will be like a week. A week will be like a day. A day will be like as if an item has caught fire and quickly turns into ash, meaning time will go very fast.   Savage animals will speak to humans. The point of a whip and the heel of a shoe will speak and will inform you of what has happened in the home. In fact, a person's thigh will speak and inform him of things.   The sun will rise from the west. At this point, the doors of repentance will close. One can no longer bring faith into Islam.   Except for the big "Dajjal" (impostor), there will be thirty other impostors who will all claim to be Prophets whereas in fact Prophecy has finished. There will be no other Prophet after our Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Out of these impostors, there have already been some, for example, Mussailamma Kazzab, Taleeha Bin Khuwild, Asood Ansi, Mirza Ali Muhammad Baab, Mirza Ali Hussain Baha'ullah, Mirza Gulam Ahmed Qadyani, etc. and those that are left will certainly come. HOW THE DAJJAL WILL BE EXPOSED Dajjal will be Kaanaa (one-eyed) person.   He will make Dawaa (claim) to be Allah Ta'ala.   On his head, the letters "K, F, R" (Kaaf, Feh, Reh) will be written, meaning"Kaafir" (infidel), and this will be read by all Muslims, but it will not be seen by the Kaafirs.   He will travel very fast. In forty days he will travel the entire world except Haramain Sharifain (the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah).   Within these forty days, the first day will be the length of one year, the second day will be the length of one month, the third will be the length of one week and the rest will each be twenty-four hours long.   His mischief will be very strong. He will have with him one garden and one place of fire. He will call these Jannat and Dozakh and wherever he goes he will take them with him. His Jannat will really be fire and his Dozakh will really be a place for rest. He will order people to believe him to be the lord. Whoever believes him as the lord, he will put them into his Jannat, and whoever rejects him, he will throw them into his Dozakh.   He will bring back to life the dead. He will make rainfall. He will command the land and it will grow crops. He will go into areas of desolation. The treasures of these areas will be with him like bees are with flowers. He will show all kinds of miracles like these, which really will be nothing but magic and illusions. In reality, there will be nothing with him and that is why when he disappears everything will disappear with him and people with have nothing.   When he will wish to enter Haramain Sharifain, the Angels will force his face to another direction.   He will have a whole army of Jews with him.   There will be three earthquakes in Madinatul Munawwarah. The reason for this is that there will be people there behaving like Muslims but they will be Kufaar and Munafiqeen and through fear of the earthquakes they will leave Madinatul Munawwarah and join the army of Dajjal. HAZRAT �ISA DESCENDING FROM THE SKY After Dajjal travels the entire world, he will go to Shaam (Syria).   Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) at that time will descend from the sky on the East Minaret of the Jaame Masjid in Damascus during Suboh (morning).   The Iqaamat for Fajr Salaah would have been said.   Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) will command Hazrat Imam Mahdi to perform the Imaamat. Hazrat Imam Mahdi will lead the Jamaat in Salaah.   The cursed Dajjal will start melting from the beautiful fragrance given from Hazrat 'Isa�s (alaihis salaam) breath, just like salt starts melting with water. The fragrant smell of Hazrat 'Isa�s (alaihis salaam) breath will reach as far as one's sight can see.   Dajjal will be on the run. Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) will chase after him and throw a Nezah (spear) in Dajjal's back. Dajjal will be killed.   Then Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) will break the Salib (cross) and will kill the Khinzir (pig).   All the remaining Jews and Christians will bring Imaan in Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam). At that time there will only be one religion in the entire world - the religion of Islam.   Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) will marry and will have children.   He will live in this world for forty years and then pass away. He would be buried in Madinatul Munawwarah, under the Green Dome next to the Rauzah-e-Anwar. THE APPEARANCE OF HAZRAT IMAAM MAHDI Hazrath Imam Mahdi will be the descendant of Nabi Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He would be Hassani Sayyid.   He would be an Imaam and Mujtahid (Jurist entitled to independent opinion) of his time.   The only place that will be left as Qiyamat draws near when infidelity will spread to the whole world will be Haramain Sharifain.   All the Awliya, Abdaal and pious Scholars will migrate to the Haramain Sharifain.   While the Abdaals will be performing Tawaaf of the Holy Kaaba in the blessed month of Ramadaan, Hazrath Imam Mahdi would be present. The Awliya would recognize him and would want to take Bai'at by him, but the Imam would refuse. From the Unseen, a Voice would say: "Haaza Khalifatullah al Mahid fasma'oolahu wa Ati oohu" meaning, "This is the Khalifah of Allah, Mahdi! Listen to him and obey him." Then, all will make Bai'at at his blessed hands.   Thereafter, Hazrath Imam Mahdi would take everyone with him to Shaam (Syria). THE APPEARANCE OF YAJOOZ - MAJOOZ (GOG AND MAGOG) This is actually a tribe and they are from the children of Yafis Bin Nooh (alaihis salaam). They are very large in number.   They used to cause destruction on earth. They used to come out in spring and eat all the greenery.   They used to eat humans and also wild beasts, snakes and scorpions.   Hazrat Zulkarnain (alaihis salaam) made a wall of iron and enclosed them in it.   When Hazrath �Isa (alaihis salaam) kills Dajjal, then with the command of Allah Ta'ala, he would take all the Muslims on Koh-e-Thoor (Mount Sinai).   Then Yajooj Majooj will break the wall, come out and will create many fasaad (mischief) - robbing, looting, fighting, killing, etc.   With the Du'a of Hazrath 'Isa (alaihis salaam) Allah Ta'ala will cause a plague which will cause them to die. There will be no place left on the earth where their bodies will not be seen. Allah Ta'ala will send a bird which will clear their bodies and leave them where ever Allah Ta'ala commands.   Their spears and shields, etc. will take seven years to be burnt by the Muslims, after which Allah Ta'ala will send rain and that will leave the entire earth fresh again.   Thereafter, the earth and the skies will be commanded to open their treasures to the people of the earth. During this time, one entire congregation will be able to eat from one single pomegranate and ten people will be able to sit in the shade of the pomegranate peal. THE APPEARANCE OF THE DA'BATUL ARDH This is a strange-looking animal that will come out from the mountain of Safa and will travel the whole world in great speed.   It will speak clear and fluent Arabic.   In it's hands, it will have the Asaa (stick) of Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) and the ring of Hazrat Sulaiman (alaihis salaam).   With the stick, this animal will stamp the foreheads of all Muslims with a shining mark, and with the ring it will stamp the foreheads of all the Kaafirs with a dark black mark. At this point, all Muslims and Kaafirs will be clearly identified and recognised.   The Muslims will remain as Muslims and will pass away with Imaan, while the Kaafirs will remain as Kaafirs and pass away in that condition. WHO WILL QIYAMAT BE FOR After Hazrat �Isa (alaihis salaam) makes Wafaa'at (passes away), 40 years will remain for Qiyamat to occur.   A cool scented wind will blow which will pass from under the armpits of people.   As a result of this all Muslims will pass away and only the Kaafirs will remain alive. WHEN AND HOW WILL QIYAMAT COME? Qiyamat will occur on the Kaafirs. In that 40 years, nobody would have children and nobody�s age will be less than 40 years.   There would be no one to take Allah's Name. The Kaafirs would be busy in whatever work they would be doing.   Allah Ta'ala will command Hazrat Israfeel (alaihis salaam) to blow the Sur. Certain people will be busy painting their walls, while others will be busy eating food, etc. (engrossed in worldly activities). The sound of the Horn will first of all be very faint, and then it will start getting sharper and sharper. People will listen to the sound with great concentration, and they will become unconscious and die.   Thereafter, the sky, the land, sea, mountain, the Sur and Hazrat Israfeel(alaihis salaam) and all the Angels would be Fanaa (destroyed). At that time no one would be in existence but Allah Ta'ala.   After this, when Allah Ta'ala wishes, He will bring back to life Hazrat Israfeel(alaihis salaam) and re-create the Sur, and order Hazrat Israfeel (alaihis salaam) to blow it again.   As soon as the Sur is blown, all the people from the beginning to the end, all the Angels, humans, Jinn and animals will become alive again.   The first to rise will be the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) with Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) on his right and Hazrat Umar-e-Farouk (radi Allahu anhu) on his left. With them will rise all the Muslims of Jannatul Baqi and Jannatul Ma'laa, the two blessed graveyards of Madina and Makkah.   People will start coming out of their graves and their "Aamal-Naama" or "Book of Deeds" will be given to them in their hands. They will all start going to the field of Hashr. They will then stand and wait for their judgement and fate. The ground will be made of copper. The sun will be glowing in full strength and will be just above people's heads. With the extreme heat, people's brains will start boiling and their tongues will become as dry as thorns and it will drop out of their mouths. People will perspire tremendously. Some will perspire till their ankles, some will perspire till their knees and some till their faces. They will suffer depending upon their deeds. The perspiration will also be giving off a foul stench.   There will be great delay just in this position. The day will be equivalent to fifty thousand years, and half of the time will go by in this situation.   On this Day of Judgement, no person will be prepared to assist the next. Parents will not even recognise their own children. On this day, each person will be for himself.   People will start looking for an intercessor who would be able to relieve them of this problem and so that a quick decision could be made. All the people will take advice and go to Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) first. He will say them to go to Hazrat Nooh (alaihis salaam), who will say them to go to Hazrat Ibrahim(alaihis salaam), who will say them to go to Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam), who will send everybody to Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam). Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam)will send everybody to our Master Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   When the people go to our Huzoor (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and request him to intercede, our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) will say, "I agree and am prepared to do this". He will then perform prostration in the Holy Court of Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala will say: "O Muhammad, lift your head, say and it will be listened, ask and it will be given, and perform intercession and it will be accepted".   Now the judgement and accounting will begin. The deeds will be weighed in the "Meezan-e-Amal" or "Scales of Deed". Your own hands, feet and other parts will give witness against you. The part of the ground where a particular action took place will also be prepared to give witness against you. There will be no friends or helpers. A father will not help his son, nor will a son help his father. All the deeds will be unveiled. All the deeds that have been done will be in front of you. You will not be able to deny a sin nor will you be able to find a reward.   In this very difficult and appalling situation, the Beloved of Allah Ta'ala, Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) will help. He will perform intercession for his believers. DIFFERENT FORMS OF INTERCESSION The Holy Prophet's (sallal laahui alaihi wasallam) intercession will be in many different forms.   Many people, with the intercession of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), will go into Jannat (Paradise) without being judged.   Many people who should have been in Dozakh (Hell), will be saved from going into Dozakh with the assistance of the Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) intercession.   Those sinful Muslims who will have reached Dozakh will come back out with the assistance of the intercession of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) will also perform intercession for the Jannatis and raise their grades.   The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated that seventy thousand people will enter Jannat without questioning and each one of the seventy thousand will take another seventy thousand with them, and the latter will each take three huge groups with them but the amount per group has not been specified. WHO ELSE WILL PERFORM INTERCESSION? Except for the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the rest of the Prophets, the Sahabis (companions of the Holy Prophet sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the Ulema (Islamic Scholars), the Awliya (Friends of Allah), the Shuhadaa (Martyrs), the Huffaz-e-Quran (one who has learnt the Quran off by heart and follows it's orders) and the Hujjaz (those who have had their pilgrimage accepted by Allah Ta'ala) will all also perform intercession.   People will remind their Ulema of the deeds that are in connection with them. If someone gave water to an Aalim to perform Wudhu (ablution) then he will remind him or of it and ask for intercession in return. They will then perform intercession for him.   This Day of Qiyamat will be equivalent to fifty thousand years long. It's difficulties will be too much to withstand, but it will be made so light for the Prophets, Awliya and the pious, just as the same time it takes to pray a Fardh Salaah. For some, it will be even less, equivalent to a blink of the eyelid the whole day will finish!   The biggest gift that Muslims will be given on that day will be seeing Allah Ta'ala Himself. BELIEFS CONCERNING QIYAMAT Jannat (Paradise) and Dozakh (Hell) are facts and those who reject it are Kaafirs. Both Jannat and Dozakh have been made and are present at the moment. It is not so that they will be created after the Day of Resurrection.   Qiyamat (the Day of Destruction), Hashr (the Day of Resurrection), Sawaab (Reward), Azaab (Punishment), Jannat (Paradise) and Dozakh (Hell) are all true, as Muslims believe them. Therefore, those who believe them as facts but have a different definition for them, for example, to say that "reward" means to be happy when seeing your good deeds, and "sin" means to be sad when seeing your bad deeds, and "Hashr" will be only for souls and not the body, etc. then this is really rejecting all the above. Therefore, such persons are rejecters and those who are rejecters are Kaafirs.   Qiyamat will definitely happen and those who reject this belief are also Kaafirs.   Hashr will be for both the soul and the body. Those who say that only the souls will wake up and that the body will not come back to life are also Kaafirs.   Whichever soul belonged to whichever body will be reconnected. It is not true that a new body will be created and the soul will be put into that new body. If all the parts of the body after death have been spread everywhere or have become food for animals, Allah Ta'ala will join them again and it will come back alive on the Day of Resurrection.   "Hisaab" meaning Judgement or accounting of deeds is also a fact and those who reject this are also Kaafirs.

The Mizan, Sirat, Hauz-e-Kausar, Maqaam-e-Mahmood, The Liawa'ul Hamd

THE MIZAAN Mizaan is Haq (truth).   It is a scale that would be used to weigh a person's good and bad deeds.   The side on which your good deeds are, if it weighs more than the bad deeds, then it will rise in opposite to the scale of the world. THE SIRAAT Siraat is also Haq (truth).   This is an extremely narrow bridge. It is the only pathway to Jannat (Paradise). Siraat is above Jahannam (Hell).   It is thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword.   It will take a journey of 50 000 years to cross and everyone will have to walk across it.   Kaafirs will not be able to walk across it and will fall into Dozakh (Hell).   Muslims will be able to go across it. Some will go across it as fast as lighting, some like a gust of wind, and some like the speed of a fast horse. Some will go across it very slowly. Some will struggle, shake, tremble, crawl, etc. Depending upon their deeds, they will go across. If you have good deeds, you will cross quickly.   On the night of Me'raj, before Huzoor (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) mounted the Buraaq, he thought of his Ummat (followers) and of how they were going to cross the Pul Siraat. At that time, Allah Ta'ala gave glad tidings to our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), "O Beloved, do not worry about your followers. I will cross them so quickly that they won't know". On the night of Meeraj, at a place called "Sidratul Muntaha" (The Heavenly Tree), beyond which even Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) could not advance, Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) requested the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to ask Allah Ta'ala permission for him to spread his wings on Pul Siraat so that when the Ummat is going to cross it, they would be able to walk on his wings and enter Jannat. THE HAUZ-E-KAUSAR Hauz-e-Kausar is a Pond that has been given to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as a gift. This is Haq (truth).   Its length is the distance of one month's journey. Its breadth is the same.   Its banks (edges) are made from gold and they have arches made from pearls.   Its base is made from musk.   The water is whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and scented better than musk.   Whosoever drinks its water once will never become thirsty again.   The utensils for drinking water from Hauz-e-Kausar are even more than the number of stars in the sky.   Two streams, one of gold and the other of silver, flow down from Paradise into the Pond. THE MAQAAM-E-MAHMOOD Allah Ta'ala will give His beloved, Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Maqaam-e-Mahmood (The Place of Praise).   This is where the people from before and after him will praise Nabi Muhammad(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). THE LIWA'UL HAMD Liwa�ul Hamd is a Flag which will be given to our Nabi Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) on the Day of Qiyamat.   All Muslims from the time of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) until Qiyaamat will be gathered under this flag.

The Mizan, Sirat, Hauz-e-Kausar, Maqaam-e-Mahmood, The Liawa'ul Hamd

THE MIZAAN Mizaan is Haq (truth).   It is a scale that would be used to weigh a person's good and bad deeds.   The side on which your good deeds are, if it weighs more than the bad deeds, then it will rise in opposite to the scale of the world. THE SIRAAT Siraat is also Haq (truth).   This is an extremely narrow bridge. It is the only pathway to Jannat (Paradise). Siraat is above Jahannam (Hell).   It is thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword.   It will take a journey of 50 000 years to cross and everyone will have to walk across it.   Kaafirs will not be able to walk across it and will fall into Dozakh (Hell).   Muslims will be able to go across it. Some will go across it as fast as lighting, some like a gust of wind, and some like the speed of a fast horse. Some will go across it very slowly. Some will struggle, shake, tremble, crawl, etc. Depending upon their deeds, they will go across. If you have good deeds, you will cross quickly.   On the night of Me'raj, before Huzoor (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) mounted the Buraaq, he thought of his Ummat (followers) and of how they were going to cross the Pul Siraat. At that time, Allah Ta'ala gave glad tidings to our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), "O Beloved, do not worry about your followers. I will cross them so quickly that they won't know". On the night of Meeraj, at a place called "Sidratul Muntaha" (The Heavenly Tree), beyond which even Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) could not advance, Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) requested the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to ask Allah Ta'ala permission for him to spread his wings on Pul Siraat so that when the Ummat is going to cross it, they would be able to walk on his wings and enter Jannat. THE HAUZ-E-KAUSAR Hauz-e-Kausar is a Pond that has been given to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as a gift. This is Haq (truth).   Its length is the distance of one month's journey. Its breadth is the same.   Its banks (edges) are made from gold and they have arches made from pearls.   Its base is made from musk.   The water is whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and scented better than musk.   Whosoever drinks its water once will never become thirsty again.   The utensils for drinking water from Hauz-e-Kausar are even more than the number of stars in the sky.   Two streams, one of gold and the other of silver, flow down from Paradise into the Pond. THE MAQAAM-E-MAHMOOD Allah Ta'ala will give His beloved, Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Maqaam-e-Mahmood (The Place of Praise).   This is where the people from before and after him will praise Nabi Muhammad(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). THE LIWA'UL HAMD Liwa�ul Hamd is a Flag which will be given to our Nabi Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) on the Day of Qiyamat.   All Muslims from the time of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) until Qiyaamat will be gathered under this flag.

Jannat (Paradise) and Jahannum (Hell)

JANNAT (PARADISE) Jannat is a very large and very beautiful place.   It has been made by Allah Ta'ala for Muslims.   It's walls have been made of bricks of gold and silver and its cement is made of musk.   The ground is made of saffron and ambergris (a wax-like substance).   Instead of gravel, there will be diamonds and pearls.   There are huge mansions made of pearls, diamonds and beautiful jewellery to house the residents of Jannat.   There are 100 ranks in Jannat. Each rank is as large in breadth as the sky to the ground. It's doors are so wide that a fast horse would have to run seventy years to get from one side to another.   There will be so many gifts in Jannat that you would not dream or think about.   There will be various types of fruits, milk, honey, wine (sweet smelling, non-alcoholic) and other delicious types of food for the Jannatis.   Jannatis will be given clothes so beautiful that nobody in this world will have ever had fate to wear.   For assistance, thousands of "Ghilmaan" or clean, pure servants will be available and for company, beautiful "Hoors" (princesses) whose beauty will be so intense that if one Hoor actually looked towards this world, the people would become unconscious just by looking at her beauty and shining.   No one will feel sleepy or fall sick in Jannat.   No one will be scared or taste death in Jannat.   There would not be any sort of trouble, difficulty, hardships or suffering but all kinds of comfort in Jannat.   Every wish, request and desire will be fulfilled in Jannat and the greatest Ne'mat (blessing) in Jannat is to make Didaar (see) of Allah Ta'ala. JAHANNAM (HELL) This place has been made for the Kaafirs (infidels), Munafiqs (hypocrites) and the sinful and wicked people to live. The Kaafirs will be imprisoned here forever.   This is also a place where there is complete darkness and strong black fire, which has no shine to it.   It's fire will continue to get hotter. The fire of Hell is so strong that if a pinpoint (equal to a tip of a needle) of it was thrown into this world every single person would die from its heat.   If one of the guards of Hell came to this world, people would all die just by seeing his frightening face. No one would survive.   The Jahannamis will be given many different types of punishment. Big snakes and scorpions will bite them. People will have their heads crushed by big hammers. People will suffer from extreme hunger and thirst. They will be given a boiling hot oil type of water to drink and poisonous thorny fruits to eat. When they eat this fruit it will get stuck in the throat, and to wash it down they will ask for water and will be given boiling hot water. When drinking this water, all their insides will break and wash away. The thirst will be so extreme that when drinking this water the lips will crumble away.   The Kaafirs will become so helpless from this punishment that they will wish for death, but death will not come. They will ask for each other�s advice and go to the guard of Hell, Hazrat Malik. They will ask him to speak to Allah Ta�ala of their fate. Hazrat Malik will not reply to them for a thousand years. After a thousand years, he will reply, "What are you telling me for, tell Him Whom you have disobeyed". Then for a thousand years they will call Allah Ta'ala by His Merciful Names, and for a thousand years He will not reply. After a thousand years, Allah Ta�ala will reply, "Stay away, remain in Hell, do not talk to Me". At this time, the Kaafirs will become completely hopeless of any kind of mercy and will start screaming and crying like the sound of donkeys. First they will cry with tears. Then, when the tears finish, they will cry with tears of blood. There will be big gaping gaps in their cheeks due to the effects of their crying. The amount of water and pus from crying will be so much that if boats were put into them, they would start sailing. The face of Jahannamis will be so bad that if a Jahannami were brought into this world, all the people would die by looking at his face and from the foul stench.   Finally, for the Kaafirs, the situation will be such that for every infidel a coffin will be prepared for them to the length of their height, and then they will be put into this coffin. Then, it will be set on fire and it will be locked with a padlock of fire. It will be then be put inside a larger coffin also made of fire and the gap between will be set on fire. A padlock with chains made of fire will also be put around it. It will then be put into another coffin and then also set on fire and again will be locked with a lock of fire. All this will be then put into a bonfire. Then all the infidels will think that they will never be able to withstand any other heat and that this punishment is above all punishment. There will always be punishment for them and it will never end.   After all the Jannatis enter Jannat, only the Jahannamis will be left in Jahannam forever. At that time, death would be placed in between Jannat and Dozakh in the form of a ram. Then a voice will call out to the Jannatis. They would peep with fear thinking that they would be taken out of Jannat. Then, the voice will call out to the Jahannamis. They would be happy while peeping thinking that they would be taken out from Dozakh. Then the voice would ask them if they recognise it (the ram). All will say, "Yes, this is death."Then the ram will be slaughtered. The voice will say, "O Jannatis, you will live forever and will not die". Then it would say, "O Jahannamis, you will live forever and will not die". From this, the Jannatis will be ever happy and the Jahannamis will be very sad.

What is Imaan and Kufr?

Imaan is to accept every word of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as the absolute truth and to testify whole-heartedly the reality and truth of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   One who observes the above would be called a Muslim, that is, if any of his words, actions or conditions does not reject, insult or falsify Allah Ta�ala and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   If you reject one aspect, which you know that to believe is part of Islam, then this is Kufr. For example, to reject Qiyamat, Angels, Jannat, Dozakh, Hisab, or not to believe that Salaah, Saum, Zakaah or Hajj is Fardh (obligatory) would make one out of the folds of Islam.   It is also Kufr not to believe that the Holy Quran is the Words of Allah Ta'ala.   To insult the Holy Ka'aba, the Holy Quran, or any of the Prophets or Angels is also Kufr.   To degrade any of the Sunnats (actions of the Holy Prophet sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), to make jokes of the orders of Shari'ah (Islamic law) or to reject or suspect it untrue any known and recognised aspects of Islam is also definitely Kufr.   To be a Muslim you have to, together with faith and belief, also pledge your status as a Muslim.   One must pledge his faith unless there is a difficulty, for example, you cannot speak, or to speak would mean to lose your life or would lose a part of the body, then it is not necessary to pledge your faith with your tongue. However, it is always best and a means of great reward not to say anything against Islam even to save your life.   To perform actions that are signs of Kufr and if you perform them you will be recognised as a Kaafir. For example, to wear a "Janeo" (a sacred thread worn by Hindus), or to have a lock of hair (plats for men) the same as Buddhists have, or to wear a cross are all actions of Kufr. WHAT ASPECTS MAKES A PERSON A MUSLIM For a person to become a Muslim it is necessary for him or her to believe Islam as the true religion and not to reject any of it's necessary aspects. A person should also not have beliefs contradictory or against the religion's necessary aspects (Zaroriyaat-e-Deen).   A Muslim must love and respect all those who are the beloved of Allah Ta�ala and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) even though that person may be his enemy.   He must disrespect and hate all those who disrespect and hate Allah Ta�ala and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) even if that person may be his beloved son.   Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) states: "One who loves for Allah, hates anyone because of Allah, spends for Allah and holds back for Allah, then, indeed, he has completed his Imaan."   If the person does not have the knowledge about all the religion's necessary aspect, i.e. even if he is a complete and utter illiterate, he must believe in Islam and in the Messenger of Islam (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and not have any beliefs against the necessary aspects of Islam (Zarooriyat-e-Deen).   Whether he cannot pray the Kalima (submission into Islam) properly he is still a Muslim and not a Kaafir. Therefore, if he misses Salaah, Saum, Hajj, etc. he will be a grave sinner, but will remain a Muslim. This is because deeds are not a part of faith.   Whatever is without doubt Haraam (forbidden) and to believe it as Halaal (allowed), and to believe something Haraam, which is no doubt Halaal, is Kufr, when there is no suspicion of a particular thing being Halaal or Haraam or the person knows this. THE VALUE OF IMAAN Until such a time a person does not love and respect the exalted Prophet(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), even though that person worships all his life, his worship is fruitless and rejected.   Numerous Jogees, Monks and Hermits take to seclusion and spend their lives in the Remembrance of Allah Ta�ala. Some of them even indulge in the Zikr of "La ilaha illal lah" (There is no god but Allah), but they do not respect and love Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). What benefit is such Ibaadah? Allah Ta�ala states in the Holy Quran: "Whatever deeds they have performed, I have destroyed them all." (Para 19: Ruku 1) THE VALIDITY OF IMAAN DEPENDS ON TWO IMPORTANT POINTS The validity of Imaan depends on two important points:   Respect for Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), and   To love him above all creation within the universe.   If, at any time, anybody shows the slightest disrespect for the station of Sayyiduna Muhammadur Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), then there must not remain an atom of love and respect for that person in your heart. It can be anybody whom you love and respect, for example, father, Ustaaz (teacher), children, brother, Murshid (Spiritual Guide), Molvi, Mufti, Hafez, lecturer, Imam, or friends, etc.   Such a person should be totally severed from family and community. His name should cause great discomfort to you. His knowledge or status should be absolutely rejected and discarded.   If you accepted or observed silence to his insult to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), kept good friends with him, did not regard him as a wretched and mean-spirited person, you should check where you stand in the test of Imaan! STEADFASTNESS IN BELIEF Salvation depends on the fact that every single belief of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah be so firm that one will remain firm even if the sky and the earth vanishes.   One must have great fear for his belief at all times. The Ulema of Islam state that: "One who does not fear that his Imaan may be taken away, would be stripped of his Imaan at the time of death."   Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu) states: "If a voice calls out from the sky that all the people of the earth are forgiven but one, I would fear that the one would be me, and if the voice calls out that all the people on earth are dwellers of Hell but one, I will hope that the one be me." The status of"Khouf" (Fear) and "Raja" (Hope) must have a balance as displayed by Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu). WHAT IS SHIRK - POLYTHEISM Shirk (Polytheism) is to believe someone else as lord except Allah Ta'ala or to believe someone else worthy of worship except Allah Ta'ala. This is the worst type of Kufr.   Except for Kufr, all other sins are at the will of Allah Ta'ala. Whatever He wishes, He will forgive.   A Muslim does not become a Kaafir if he commits a large sin, but remains a Muslim. If he dies without performing repentance then he will still obtain Jannah, whether it will be after fulfilling his punishment or gaining forgiveness. This forgiveness may be obtained at the Mercy of Allah Ta�ala�s will or from the intercession of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). THE ORDER OF SOMEONE ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS FOR AN INFIDEL Whoever performs a prayer of forgiveness for a dead Kaafir, or calls a Kaafir as one who is forgiven or a Jannatee, or if someone calls a dead Hindu a"Bekanth Baashi" (Jannatee), are themselves Kaafirs.

Imaamat and Khilafat

There are two types of Imaamats: Imaamat Sugra and Imaamat Kubra.   Imaamat Sugra is the Imaamat that is performed in Salaah.   Imaamat Kubra is in relation to representing the Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   To qualify in this category of Imaamat it is necessary that one has the following criteria: He is a Muslim, is free (i.e. not a slave), male, sane, adult, belonging to the tribe of Quraish and one who has power.   It is not necessary for one to be from the family of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), i.e. Hashmi, or from the family of Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) i.e. Alawi, or to be Ma'soom (immune from sin). It is also not necessary that one has to be the most virtuous from their nation.   It is obligatory on all Muslims to obey the Imaam when his orders are not against the Shari'ah (Islamic Law) because one cannot follow anybody's orders if they are against the Shari�ah.   An Imaam should be made only if he is courageous, a politician and an Islamic scholar (Aalim) or works with the help of Ulema.   A female or child's Imaamat is not allowed.

The Khulfa-e-Rashideen

After the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) his true Caliph and related Imaam is Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu).   After him in leadership is Hazrat Umar Farooque (radi Allahu anhu).   Hazrat Usman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu) followed him.   After him is Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) followed by Hazrat Imaam Hasan (radi Allahu anhu).   These leaders Khilafat is known as "Raashida" or "pious" because these great Sahabis (Companions) gave true representation of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   The true pious Khilafat as per the traditions of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) lasted thirty years, meaning it terminated after six months of the true Khilafat performed by Hazrat Imaam Hasan (radi Allahu anhu).   Thereafter, the leader of Muslims, Umar bin Abdul Aziz (radi Allahu anhu)performed the pious Khilafat, and Hazrat Imaam Mehdi will perform true Khilafat in the final era.   Hazrat Amir Mua'awiya (radi Allahu anhu) was the first king in Islam.   After the Prophets, and out of all of Allah's creations including Jinn, humans and Angels, the most virtuous are Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique, then Hazrat Farouk-e-Azam, then Hazrat Uthman Gani, then Hazrat Maula Ali (radi Allahu anhum).   Whoever believes that Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) is more virtuous than Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) or Hazrat Umat Farouk (radi Allahu anhu), such a person is a misguided person and from a bad sect.

The Companions of the Prophet and his Family

A Sahabi (Companion) is that Muslim who has assisted in the holy court of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) - in the Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) presence - and has passed away from this world with faith.   All Sahabis are of praise and are pious. They are also sincere in their Islamic judgement and in their Islamic actions. When there is talk of a Sahabi, it is compulsory that it be with praise.   To have bad beliefs for any of the Sahabis is mis-guidance and belonging to the wrong sect.   To speak ill of the dignity of Hazrat Amir Mua'awiya, Hazrat Amr Bin Aas, Hazrat Wahshi (radi Allahu anhum), etc. is to curse them and this is a Shi'ite belief.   According to Islamic Jurists, to insult Hazrat Shaikhain (Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Farouk-e-Azam � radi Allahu anhum) or to reject their position as Caliphs is infidelity.   Regardless of how high a rank a Wali is, they would never reach the grade of a Sahabi.   The battle between Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) and Hazrat Amir Mua'awiya(radi Allahu anhu) was a mistake in the interpretation of Islamic Law and, therefore, is not a sin. Therefore, to call Hazrat Amir Mua'awiya (radi Allahu anhu) cruel, treacherous, etc., is all strictly forbidden and not allowed. This is in fact a curse and the person is a Shi'ite.   Even among the Sahaba, some of them are more excellent in status than others.   After the Ambiya, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) holds the greatest status, then Sayyiduna Umar-e-Farouk, Hazrat Usman-e-Ghani and Hazrat Ali-e-Murtaza (radi Allahu anhum).   After these Khulafa-e-Raashideen come the rest of the Ash-harah Mubasharah (those who were given glad tidings of Jannah by the Prophet sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), then Hazrat Hasnain Karimain, Ashaab-e-Badr and Ashaab-e-Baitur Ridwaan. All of them will go to Jannah. WHO IS AHL-E-BAIT? The Ahl-e-Bait are the Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) wives and children.   To love the Sahabis and Ahl-e-Bait is to love the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   Hazraat Hasnain (Imaam Hasan and Hussain � radi Allahu anhuma) are of the highest grade of Martyrs. Those who reject any of their Martyrdoms is a misguided person and from a bad sect.   Those who call Hazrat Imaam Hussain (radi Allahu anhu) a traitor or show Yazid as correct is a rejected person and a Kharji and therefore rightful of the Fire of hell. There is no doubt in Yazid being wrong, however, one is not supposed to call Yazid a Kaafir or a Muslim, but remain quiet.   Those who do not love the Sahabis or Ahl-e-Bait are misguided and from the wrong sect.   To get involved in the details of disagreements between the Sahabis is forbidden and strictly forbidden. To hold them against their mistakes or because of this, blame them or show them as no longer evident on faith is not allowed and is against the order of Allah Ta'ala or His Messenger (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

What is Wilaayat?

A Wali is a pious Muslim, who due to his knowledge and closeness to Allah Ta'ala, has been given a specific position.   Usually this grade is given to a Wali due to his strict followance the Shari'ah and also his devotion and his worship.   Wilaayat is, however, sometimes given to a person from birth and, therefore, without devotion and effort.   From the Awliyah-e-Ummat-e-Muhammadi, the most superior Awliyah are the four Khulafa, namely Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman and Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhum) and then all the Sahaba-e-Kiraam. All the Sahaba are also Awliyah. The source of the blessing for the Awliyah after these is Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu). In other words, they are all blessed with Wilayah through the blessing of Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu).   From the Awliyah of all the Ummah, the greatest Awliyah are from the Ummah of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   There have been Awliya in every era and there will always be Awliya in every era, however, their recognition may be difficult.   There are four famous Silsilas (Spiritual Orders) in the world of Spiritualism."Qaaderiyah", whose Imam is Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi Allahu anhu), "Chishtiyah", whose Sheikh is Hazrat Khwaja Mu'eenudeen Chishti (radi Allahu anhu), "Suharwardiyah", whose Sheikh is Hazrat Khwaja Shahabudeen Suharwardi (radi Allahu anhu) and "Naqshabandiyah", whose Sheikh is Hazrat Khwaja Baha'udeen Naqshbandi (radi Allahu anhu). To follow the Holy Quran and the Hadith is the real aim of each one of them. Islam is one huge sea, and these four Silsilas are its rivers. From these four Silsilas' Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi Allahu anhu) is very great.   Their knowledge is extensive, till the extent that many give information of"Makaana Wamaayakoon" or what has happened and what will happen and on Lauhe Mahfooz. CONCERNING THE AWLIYA Allah Ta'ala has given the Awliya great strength. Whoever asks for their help is given that help even though they may be a great distance away.   After the demise of the Awliya their power and strength increases.   To visit the Mazaars (shrines, tombs) of the Awliya is to gain virtue, prosperity and blessing.   To present them with Esaale Sawab is a very good thing and a way of gaining blessings.   To perform the Urs (death anniversary) of the Awliya-e-Kiram, meaning that every year to recite the Quran, perform Fateha, speech ceremony, Esaale Sawab and send the Sawaab to the Awliya are all good things and are worthy of reward.   However, as regard to bad acts and non-permissible actions like, dancing, playing music, etc. are all sinful deeds and are even more sinful when performed near Mazaars.   To make Sajdah-e-Tazeem (Prostration of Respect) to anyone other than Allah Ta�ala is totally Haraam. To make Sajdah-e-Ibadah (Prostration of Worship) to anyone other than Allah Ta�ala is undoubtedly and certainly Shirk and open Kufr. Sajdah-e-Tazeem for one's Peer-o-Murshid or Mazaar of a Wali is not permitted, but is a grievous sin and also Haraam.   Any ignorant person or a person of a Cult Sect (Wahabi, Shi'ite, etc) can never be a Saint.   Cleansing of the heart and to accept and follow the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) physically and spiritually and to follow the commands of Shari'ah is known as Tassawuf.   The Awliya can still assist us, traverse miles on end, listen and see things far and near with the Permission of Allah Ta�ala.   A Sahaba once pitched his tent on a plot of ground without realizing that he was doing so over a grave. After a while, he realized that his tent was over a grave for he could hear the recital of the Surah Mulk. He related the entire episode to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), who replied that the recital of Surah Mulk indeed assists the person within the grave and protects him from pain and punishment. (Tirmidhi Shareef) From this episode, we see that the beloved servants of Allah are still alive within their graves, or else the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) would have merely disregarded the entire incident. But he did not do so. Rather, he commented on the excellences of the Sura Mulk, which means that he also accepted that the beloved servants of Allah Ta�ala are still alive within their graves.   It is recorded that in the period of Hazrat Mu'awiya (radi Allahu anhu) a canal was dug between Mecca and Medina. Co-incidentally, the canal passed through that plot of land where the Shuhada (Martyrs) of Uhud lay buried. A person while digging accidentally cut the foot of a Shaheed with a spade. As a result of this, blood began to flow from the blessed foot. We learn from this incident that aside from their souls, even the bodies of these great and beloved servants of Allah are alive. (Jazbul Quloob, Sharahus Sudur)   Imam Abu Na'eem (radi Allahu anhu) in his book, "Hilyatul Awliya", narrates from Hazrat Sa'eed (radi Allahu anhu). The great Saint states, "By Allah, Hameed Taweel (radi Allahu Anhu) and myself were burying Hazrat Thaabit Nibhaani (radi Allahu anhu). As we were setting the final rocks, one rock accidentally fell into the grave. As I peeped into the grave, I saw that Hazrat Thaabit Nibhaani (radi allahu anhu) was about to perform the Salaah and he was imploring Allah in the following manner, 'O Allah, You have given certain of Your creation the permission to perform their Salaah within the grave, give me also the same permission'. It was indeed beyond the Mercy of Allah to refuse him." Hazrat Thaabit bin Aslam Nibhaani Basri (radi Allahu anhu) was a Taabi'in. He used to complete the recitation of the Holy Quran in one day and night. He also used to fast during the day. This proves that the Awliya are alive in their graves and perform Ibaadah as when they were alive in the physical world.   It is reported in the Hadith-e-Qudsi that Allah Ta�ala has stated: "When My slave, becomes My beloved, then his words and attributes become the mirror of My Words and Attributes. Whatever he pleads for, I bestow it upon him. If he seeks refuge in Me, I protect him."   As we have seen, all these gifts are still found in the beloved servants of Allah even after they have departed from this world. It is due solely to this that the believing Muslims visit the graves of the Saints for they are indeed people who have been promised the mercy and assistance of Allah Ta�ala. We derive from these proofs, that if an individual goes to the Mazaar of a great Saint and implores to him in this manner, "O beloved servant of Allah, you are indeed the beloved slave of Allah. Please ask the Almighty on my behalf,"how, we ask of you, can this be termed Shirk, when the Allah Ta�ala Himself has promised them all these gifts?   After considering these facts, if any person feels that he cannot achieve any help and assistance by visiting a Mazaar of a great Saint, then he has not in any way insulted the Saint, rather he has doubted the promise of Allah Ta�ala whereas Allah Ta�ala has promised His slaves His assistance.   The Beloved of Allah are Ayat Rahmah (Signs of Mercy). They take into their fold of mercy all those who remember and honour them and also focus their beams of mercy on them. Someone asked the King of the Awliya, Sayyiduna Ghousul Azam (radi Allahu anhu): "If any person takes your name in respect and honour though he may not be your Mureed or not initiated by you personally, would he be counted as your Mureed?" The great Ghous replied: "Allah will accept those who have any form of relation or connection with me and notes his name in my spiritual office. If such a person adopts any desired path, Allah will bless him with guidance and repentance. He will be under my spiritual banner. Verily, my Rabb, the All Powerful and Almighty, has promised me that all my Mureeds, all those who love me and all those who follow the path I am on, will enter Jannah (Paradise)". (Bahjatul Asraar) MIRACLES PERFORMED BY THE AWLIYA Saints perform miracles at times, however miracles are not necessary a condition of Sainthood. The Saints (Awliya) regard obeying the Shari�ah conscientiously as the biggest miracle. GhouSal A�zam (radi Allahu anhu)said: "The miracle of a Wali is his complete compliance to the teachings of Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)".   Sheikh-e-Akbar, Muhayyuddin Muhammed Ibnul Arabi (radi Allahu anhu)explains the phenomenon of miracles:-   One type of miracle is the Hissi (apparent) miracle, that is, it is evident and clearly seen by the general public. For example, flying in the air, walking on water, foretelling the future, traversing hundreds of miles in one step, etc..   Another type of miracle is the Ma�nawi (spiritual) miracle, which can only be seen and perceived by special people. For example, control of carnal desires, adopting virtues by Divine Guidance, refraining from bad habits, and practicing all Waajibaat (compulsory acts) punctually and diligently. These types of miracles do not contain any connivance while it is probable those Hissi miracles to contain connivance. (Futuhaate Makkiyah)   The steadfast adherence to the Shari�ah is the best Karaamat. A true Saint is righteous and follows the path laid down by the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   Hazrat Bayazid Bustaami (radi Allahu anhu) cautions us: "If you see a person sitting cross-legged in the air, don�t be fooled by his act! Observe his approach/attitude to the compulsory acts (Fardh, Waajib) and prohibited acts (Haraam, Makruh Tahreemi) and detestable acts (Makrooh) and other restrictions and etiquette�s of the Shari�ah". (Risaalah Qushayriya)

The Meaning of Bai'at

The meaning of Bai'at or pledging spiritual allegiance is to totally surrender yourself to a Spiritual Master (Murshid) to guide you to Allah Ta�ala.   One who helps you to walk on the path of Shari'ah and Tariqah is known as aPeer-o-Murshid and Sheikh.   One who walks on this path and follows this pious person is known as aMureed (Disciple).   It is of great benefit to become a Mureed and is worthy of much blessing.   To become followers of Awliya and to become involved with them is a worthy action to gain reward in both worlds. It is, therefore, necessary for these four qualifying aspects to be necessary in a Peer, for one to perform Bai'at (take oath). These qualitiies are:   He must be a Sunni with the correct beliefs, otherwise you may actually lose your faith.   He must have enough knowledge so that he can complete his necessary actions by looking at books, otherwise he will not be able to differentiate between forbidden and acceptable, allowed and not allowed.   He must not be a Fasiq (wrongdoer, one who does not follow Shari�ah) as it is necessary to disrespect a Fasiq and it is important to respect a Peer.   His tree of virtue must be connected to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) otherwise he will not gain virtue from the top.   People, today, consider Bai'at to be some kind of fashion. They are ignorant of the reality of Bai'at. An example is given here to give you an idea of what Bai'at really is. Once a Mureed (Disciple) of the great Sheikh Sayyiduna Yahya Maneri (radi Allahu anhu) was drowning. Sayyiduna Khidr (alaihis salaam)appeared and said to the Mureed, "Give me your hand and I will save you".The Mureed replied, "This hand has already been given in the hands of Sayyiduna Yahya Maneri (radi Allahu anhu) and since it belongs to him I cannot give it to anyone else". Sayyiduna Khidr (alaihis salaam) disappeared and, instantly, Sayyiduna Yahya Maneri (radi Allahu anhu) appeared and saved him.   Tajdeed or renewal of Bai'at used to take place in the time of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Once the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) personally took Bai'at thrice from Sayyiduna Salmah bin Akwah(radi Allahu anhu) who was preparing to leave for Jihad. Therefore, one is allowed to renew his Bai�at with his Peer. BAI'AT AND ITS BENEFITS There are two types of Bai'at: A. BAI'AT-E-BARAKAH: This is to initiate one's self for the mere Barakah (Blessing) of joining a Silsila and this is the general idea or reason of today's Bai'ats. This should, at least, be done with a good intention.   If Bai'at is taken for mere worldly gain or any reason other than spiritual upliftment, then such Bai'at is Baatil (null and void).   Sheikh Imam Ahmed Raza (radi Allahu anhu) states: "The above Bai'at is not useless, but beneficial, in fact, very beneficial and profitable in Deen and Dunya. At least, his name would be recorded in the books of the Beloved of Allah (Mehboobaan-e-Khuda). By just having a link with a spiritual order (Silsila) is by itself a great fortune and blessing".   A divine link is connected with the Awliya and Saleheen. Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) says that His Rabb, the All Powerful and Almighty Allah says. "There are those people who, by merely sitting with them, one will never become a Kaafir". (This refers to the Awliya) B. BAI'AT-E-IRADAH: This means to totally abolish one�s desires and intentions and surrender one's self at the hands of a true Guide or Spiritual Master.   You have to sincerely obey and execute all his orders and methods entrusted on you by him.   Never take a step without his consent even though some laws and orders may not suit you or make sense to you. The Murshid's commands may cause great discomfort to you and at such moments the Mureed must regard this as the interference of the Cursed Shaitaan. Your every hardship and difficulty must be presented to him. In conclusion, the Mureed must totally hand himself over to the Sheikh like a corpse in the hands of a person performing Ghusal. This is known as Bai'at-e-Salikeen. Such Bai'at leads one to Allah Ta�ala. It was Bai'at-e-Salikeen that was taken by the Ashaabs at the hands of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   Sayyiduna Obadah bin Samat (radi Allahu anhu) states: "We had taken Bai'at (at the hands of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) on the following principles: We will await his command and execute it in times of every ease and difficulty, every form of ecstasy or displeasure. And when the Master commands us we will never disobey or cross question him".   The command of the Murshid is the command of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and his command is the Command of Allah, the All Powerful, Who nobody dares disobey.   In "Awariful Ma'arif" Sheikh Shahaabudeen Suhrawardi (radi Allahu anhu)states: "To be under the command of the Sheikh is to be under the Command of Allah and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and is the revival of a Sunnah - Bai'at. This is only applicable on those persons who imprison themselves in the hands of the Sheikh, discard all desires and dissolve themselves in the Sheikh (Fana-fi-Sheikh)".   Sheikh Suhrawardi (radi Allahu anhu) also states: "Abstain from criticizing the Sheikh for it is a deadly poison for the Mureed. It is extremely rare for a Mureed who criticise his Sheikh to find serenity and success. In any action of the Sheikh, which does not seem correct to the Mureed, he should remember the events of Sayyiduna Khidr (alaihis salaam). This is because the actions performed by Sayyiduna Khidr (alaihis salaam) were apparently questionable (e.g. making a hole in the boat of the poor and killing an innocent child), but when the reasons for these actions were explained then it became obvious that the Sheikh should not be questioned".   Sayyiduna Imam Abul Kaasim Kasheeri (radi Allahu anhu) states in his Kitaab,"Risalah", that Sayyiduna Abu Sahal Sahlooki (radi Allahu anhu) states, "Any person who says 'why' to any word of his Sheikh will never achieve success." THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MUREED AND THE MURSHID The Mureed should not harbour any objections against the Murshid. This would cause the Mureed destruction if the Mureed has some doubt about the Murshid. He should keep in mind the example of Hazrat Khidr (alaihis salaam)because he did things that were apparently quite objectionable, for example, making a hole in the boat belonging to poor people and taking the life of an innocent child. It later became apparent that these actions were justifiable. Similarly, the Mureed should be convinced that even if some of the Murshid�s deeds do not seem appropriate, the Murshid knows better and he has justifiable reasons for his actions.   The Mureed will not benefit from his Murshid unless he (the Mureed) is convinced that from all the Saints of the time, his Murshid is most advantageous to him.   One should become a Mureed for the sole purpose of purifying one�s heart. To achieve Faiz (Grace) from one�s Murshid, one�s intentions and heart must be clear.   If a fellow Mureed gains more spiritual benefit from the Murshid then one must not envy or grudge him. This will lead him or her to Jahannam. Allah Ta�ala endowed Nabi Adam (alaihis salaam) with such a high status that he asked all the Angles to prostrate to him. Shaitaan, due to his jealousy refused and was thrown into Jahannum. If someone has more worldly possessions than we do, we should be thankful that we have fewer burdens than he does. If someone is greater than you are spiritually, you should recognize his greatness by reverence. Envy is actually an affront to Allah Ta�ala Who has given him more grace.   All doubts and hesitations must be revealed to the Murshid because the Murshid is a spiritual healer. To conceal any illness from the doctor (healer) would result in self-destruction.   It is incumbent upon the Mureed to regard his Murshid with utmost respect and reverence. If one attends the Majlis (gathering) of his Murshid, but does not really respect him, he will be punished. Allah Ta�ala will render the heart of such a person devoid of truth and he will becomes oblivious of Allah Ta�ala. According to some Saints, it is said that when a Mureed is disrespectful towards his Murshid, then the Noor (light) of Imaan (Faith) is snatched away from him.   It is recommended that the Mureed kiss the Murshid�s hands, feet, hair, clothing, etc. The Ahadtih and the conduct of the Noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) support this practice. Hazrat Zar�ah (radi Allahu anhu), who was from the delegation of Abdul Qais, narrates: "When we arrived in Madina we hurried from our transport so that we could kiss Nabi�s (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) feet and hands". (Mishkaatul Masaabih)   A Mureed should not expect to see any miracles from his Murshid. Diligent obedience/observance of the Shari�ah and his continuous authentic Silsila (chain) is a sufficient requirement for the Murshid. Karamat is not a precondition for Wilaayat.   The Mureed should be like a deceased (corpse) in front of his Murshid. As a lifeless person is completely at the mercy of those performing his bath/Ghusal, so should the Mureed place himself before the Murshid. The Murshid has to guide his disciple through the thorny path of Tariqah. If the Mureed is "alive" he is actually interfering in the tasks of the Murshid.   When the Mureed is in the company of his Murshid, he should maintain an order similar to that when one is amongst sharks and beasts. The Mureed must not look at the poverty of the Murshid or think low of his lineage. He must not doubt the Ibaadah (worhsips) of the Murshid since he cannot see the heart of the Murshid or cross any limitation set by the Murshid. (Al Fathur Rabbani)   In Tariqah, it is necessary that the Mureed conduct himself with his Murshid in the most dignified manner. Then only will he gain the benefit of the Murshid�s attention. If the Mureed is enriched either in knowledge or spiritually he must not credit himself, but accept it as the Murshid�s grace (Faiz).   The Mureed must strive to achieve the status of "Fana-Fish Sheikh" or immersing oneself into the Sheikh. A�la Hazrat, Imam Ahmed Raza (radi Allahu anhu) has explained the way to achieve this. He said: "The Mureed must imagine the Murshid in front of him and place his heart below the Murshid�s heart. He must imagine that Faiz (grace) and Barakah (blessing) is flowing from Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) into the Murshid�s heart and then flowing into his own heart. After a while he will see his Sheikh�s image everywhere. It will not disappear; even at the times of Salaah the Mureed will always find the Sheikh with him". (Malfoozaat A�la Hazrat)   The daily Wazaa�if (special prayers) prescribed by the Murshid must be read diligently and the Mureed must not object to anything the Murshid has advised. As far the rest of the Shari�ah Laws are concerned, he (Mureed) may learn them from any Ahlul Fatwa Sunni Aalim. In fact, these commandments can be learnt from any Murshid. The Murshid too can learn from any Aalim, from another Murshid or from his own Mureed.   After pledging allegiance (Bai�at) with a Murshid, the Mureed can only change the Bai�at if he finds any Shari� faults in his Murshid. However, renewal of Bai�at with his Murshid or Bai�t-e-Taalab (becoming any Sheikh�s student while having one�s own Sheikh) with any Murshid is permissible. Sheikh Ibnul Arabi (radi Allahu anhu) said: "Just as the world is not between two Gods, the Mukallaf (duty bound with Shar�i laws) is not between two different Shari�ahs of two Rasools. A wife is not between two husbands. A Mureed cannot be between two Sheikhs (Murshids) as well".   If the Murshid commands the Mureeds to disobey the Shari�ah, for example, not to read Salaah, or not to fast, or if he tries to diminish the important of the Shari�ah and its practices, the Mureed should immediately disassociate from such a Murshid. The Mureed does not even need to consult anyone prior to his disassociation from such a false Murshid.   After the Murshid�s demise, the Mureed should visit the Qabr (grave) of the Murshid and conduct himself in the following manner. He should stand four hand lengths away from the grave facing it with one�s back towards the Qibla and read Fateha. He must be just as respectful as he was prior to the demise of the Murshid. He must enter the Mazaar from the front. He must visualise the Murshid�s face and visualise that the Murshid is seated in front of him. Keep in mind that the Faiz (grace) received previously is being received now too, since a Wali is alive and transmits grace even after his demise. This reality is explained by Ghausul Aa�zam (radi Allahu anhu) who said: "Those remembering Allah Ta�ala are eternally alive. They merely pass from one life to another and except for one moment, they do not die. Their death is a formality which is fulfilled by Allah". (Al-Fathur Rabbani)   The Mureed should always conduct himself ethically and morally. A Mureed is a reflection on his Murshid. If a Mureed is a sinner, people will cast doubt and unwarranted suspicion on the Murshid.   The Mureed should always respect the Sheikh, his family and friends. Such (civil) conduct is pleasing to the Sheikh. A true lover even respects everything related to the beloved.   In the gatherings of the Murshid, the Mureed must sit with respect. He should not sit at a place higher than the Murshid or raise his voice above that of the Sheikh. He must avoid unnecessary chatter and queries. He must listen attentively when the Murshid speaks and spread the message amongst others. He should also seek advice from the Murshid.   When the Murshid is a guest of a Mureed, the Mureed should not take him to visit worldly people or engage the Murshid in hosting others. If there is an Aalim, Murshid or Islamic organisation present in the city the Murshid should be taken to visit them if he is willing.   A Mureed must not speak ill of other Murshids, as it may invoke the Mureeds of the other Murshid to retaliate. This is not a practice of Islam. THE EXCELLENCE OF RECITING ONE'S SAJRAH There are many virtues in reciting one's Sajrah of which a few are mentioned below: Memorising the chain of Awliya up to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   The Zikr and remembrance of Saleheen (Awliya) is the means of receiving Allah's Rahmah (Mercy).   Performing the Esaal-e-Sawaab for all the Spiritual Masters, which is a cause of receiving their spiritual guidance.   When the Mureed remembers them in times of ease the Awliya of the Silsila will remember him in times of hardship and will also be of assistance to him or her.

Taqleed or The Following of the Imams

After the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the Sahaba-e-Kiraam and the Taabi'in, the most excellent are the four Imams of the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jamaat. They are such great Imaams that they are known as "Mujtahideen Fi Shara�". They are Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa, Imam Maalik, Imam Shafi'i and Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhum).   Taqleed means to follow one of the four Imaams of religion concerning the commandments of Islamic Law (Shari�ah).   Today, Muslims throughout the world follow the Taqleed of these four Imaams. In the Masa'ile Furoo'iya, there is no other fourth Madhab. The difference of opinion of the four Imaams is only in the laws of Furoo' (actions) and not in beliefs (Aqaa'id).   The followers of the four Madhabs are commonly known as Hanafi, Maaliki, Shafi'i and Hambali.   It is necessary (Waajib) to follow one of them, eg. to perform Salaah, or perform Saum, Zakaah, etc. as per what they have prescribed. This is known as Taqleed Shakhshi.   These Imams have not made a rule on their own accord but have explained the meaning of the Holy Quran and Hadith, which a normal person or even an Alim could not understand. Therefore, to follow these Imaams is really following the Holy Quran and Hadith.   Whoever follows one Imaam cannot follow another Imaam, for example, to follow some rules of one Imaam and other rules of another Imaam is not allowed. It is necessary to firmly follow only one Imaam.   A person is not allowed to change from one Imaam to another, e.g. to become a Hanafi after following the Shafi�i way. You have to follow your Imaam and continue following him.   It is also a joint agreement by all Ulema that you cannot follow another Imaam or a Mujtahid (religious director) except for one of these four Imaams.   The following verses are proofs from the Holy Quran on Taqleed:   The Holy Quran says: "Guide us on the Right Path, the Path of those on whom you have showered blessing". (Surah Fateha: 5) The verse may be taken as the argument in favour of Absolute (Mutlaq) Taqleed as well as the Taqleed of Mujtahids. Those on the Right Path are the Mufassirin (Commentators of Quran), Muhaddiseen (Scholars of the Ahadith), Jurists, Awliya Allah, Ghaus, Qutub, Abdal, etc. They were all Muqallids proving there by that Taqleed is the Right Path.   The Holy Quran says: "Allah does not put burden on a person which he cannot bear." (Surah Baqarah: 286) This verse shows that Allah does not cause hardships to a man which he cannot endure. It means that the man who is incapable of Ijtihad, is unable to extract problems (masail) from the Qur'an as it amounts to over-burdening him if he is restrained from Taqleed and to expect him to derive problems from the Qur'an is not justifiable.   The Holy Quran says: "And the first and foremost among the Muhajireen and Ansar and those who followed them with good intentions these are those with whom Allah was pleased and they were pleased with Allah." (Surah Tauba: 100) It means that Almighty Allah is pleased with those who followed the footstepe of the Muhajirs and the Ansar. This is nothing but Taqleed.   The Holy Quran says: "Obey Allah the Almighty and obey the Holy Prophet and those who wield authority in the land." (Surah Nisa: 59) In thise verse there is the command to obey Almighty Allah (Holy Quran) the Holy Prophet (Hadith), the person holding authority to command the Ulama versed in Fiqah (Jurisprudence) and Istimbat (Knowledge of deriving problem from the Quran and Hadith).   The Holy Quran says: "Ask (enquire) from the persons of learning if you do not know." (Surah Nahal: 43) The verse points to seeking advice and knowledge from the persons of learning if the common men do not know the real meaning or nature of any command. The men of learning explicitly refer to the Mujtahids.   The Holy Quran says: "And follow the man who leads (people) unto Me." (Surah Luqman: 15) The verse indicates that the following (Taqleed) should be done of those persons who have devoted themselves to Almighty Allah. Here there is no restriction on the nature of matters in which guidance is needed.   The Holy Quran says: "And those who say: O our Lord! Provide us the coolness of our eyes from our wives and children and make us the leader of the right ous people." (Surah al-Furqan: 25) The verse also demands that the Taqleed or following the men of Almighty Allah is on obligation.

The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat

WHO ARE THE AHLE SUNNAT WAL JAMAAT? The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat is the largest group of Muslims and the only group whose beliefs and teachings are truly in accordance with the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   The beliefs of this group are the same as the beliefs of the Sahaba or noble companions of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and the Salf-e-Saliheen (our great pious predecessors).   In many Ahadith, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) strongly advised the Muslims to follow his Sunnah and to remain steadfast upon the path of his Sahaba, the Salf-e-Saliheen and the majority of Muslims to remain steadfast upon the way of the Ahle Sunnah.   The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "I have left two things behind me for you (the Ummah). You will never go astray as long as you follow these two things. One of these two things is Allah's Holy Book (the Holy Quran) and the other is the Sunnah of his Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)." (Muwatta Imam Malik)   The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that after he passes away his Ummah should remain firmly steadfast upon his Sunnah and upon the way of his four Muslim Caliphs. He advised us to follow this path alone and to be beware of innovations, which contradict the Holy Quran and his Sunnah.(Abu Dawud; Tirmizi)   The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Follow the way of the largest group of Muslims! For, he who deviates from this group will be thrown into Hell!" (Ibn Majah) REMAINING WITH THE AHLE SUNNAT WAL JAMAAT The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) advised us to remain firm with the largest group of Muslims and remain steadfast upon their way in beliefs and in actions.   The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Allah will never allow my Ummah to unite upon misguidance and incorrect beliefs. Allah's mercy, blessings and protection are with the largest group of Muslims. And he who deviates from this largest group of Muslims will be thrown into Hell." (Tirmizi)   The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "He who deviates from the largest group of Muslims, even as much as a hand span, has himself cut off his connection with Islam". (Abu Dawud) ABSTAINING FROM MISGUIDED GROUPS The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) clearly warned his Ummah to completely abstain from joining in the gatherings of or listening to the words of any of the other misguided groups that will appear amongst the Muslims, whose beliefs will contradict the beliefs of the largest group of Muslims.   The beliefs of the largest group of Muslims will be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the beliefs of the Sahaba and the Salf-e-Saliheen.   The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "In the period prior to the Day of Judgement, false and deceitful groups will emerge. They will say things to you, which neither you nor your forefathers will have ever heard before. Stay away from these deceitful people and do not let them come near you! Do not be misguided by them and do not let them cause strife amongst you!" (Sahih Muslim) DIVISIONS IN THE UMMAH The concept of the Muslim nation separating into 73 sects, is taken from authentic Ahadith such as the following related by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu): "The Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: 'The Jews separated into 71 sects, and the Christians into 72, and my nation will divide into 73 sects.'" (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)   The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Seventy-two (of the 73 sects of the Muslim nation) will be in the fire, and only one will be in Paradise; it is the Jama'ah (i.e. Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah)." (Abi Dawud, Ad-Darimi, Ahmad)   There is another narration which states: "The Companions asked: 'Which sect will triumph (i.e. achieve salvation)?' The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied: 'The sect which adheres to that (set of beliefs and practices) which I and my Companions adhere to.'"   It should be clear from these Ahadith that the one sect, out of the 73, which is to gain salvation, is the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah, the only segment of the Muslim community which adheres to that which the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and his Companions (radi Allahu anhum) adhered to. OPINION OF GREAT SCHOLARS AND SAINTS Ghousal Azam, Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (radi allahu anhu) states:"There are 73 groups as foretold by Sayyiduna Rasoolallah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and (bear in mind that), the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat was the rightful group". (Ghunyatut Taalibeen)   Imam Ghazzali (radi Allahu anhu) writes: "The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat is the successful Firqah (group) and it is this Firqa which weighs or determines its thoughts and its according to the scales of the Holy Quran". (Mujarribaate Imam Ghazal)   Hazrat Sha Wali'ullah Muhaddith Dehlawi (radi Allahu anhu) states: "As Rasoolallah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated, follow this 'Sawad-e-Azam', and when the four Madhabs are within the Sawad-e-Azam then the following of any one of them, is followance of the Sawad-e-Azam. Therefore, refuting any one of them is refuting the Sawad-e-Azam". (Aqdul Jayyad)   Imam Sufyan Souri (radi Allahu anhu) states: "By Sawad-e-Azam is meant those who are called the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat". (Al Mizaanul Qubra)   Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dehlawi (radi Allahu anhu) states in his book "Fatawa Azeezi" (Vol. 2, pg. 4) that: "The various parts of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat in Aqaa'id such as the Ash'ariya, the Maaturadi, in Fiqh such as the Hanifa, the Shafi'i, the Hambali, in Tassawwaf such as the Qaaderi, the Chisti, Naqshabandi, the Suhurwardi, this servant considers all of them to be the truth".   Imam Rabbani, Mujaddid Alif Thaani (radi allahu anhu) states in the second chapter, page 67 of his "Maktubaat Shareef" that: "The way of salvation is followance of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. May Almighty Allah Ta'ala bestow blessings upon the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, in their speech, in their actions, laws, for this is the successful group. Besides this, all other groups have become victims of deception. Today, nobody realises how much these misled groups will be punished, however, on the Day of Qiyamah this secret will become apparent. Even though at that time this knowledge will be of no benefit to the misled."

The Major Different Groups and their Believes

Now that we know who the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah are, we will look at the beliefs of the other groups [(irqahs). Note that all their beliefs are against their beliefs of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah. Some of the major sects or cults are as follows: -MU�TAZILITES : The Mu�tazilites have been divided into 20 groups and among their corrupted beliefs are: A person is a creator of his own actions. On the Day of Judgement nobody will be able to see Allah. It is Fard and Waajib upon Almighty Allah to reward good and punish evil. SHIAS: The Shias have been divided into 22 groups and from them many off shoots or branches. Due to their erroneous beliefs in connection with the personality of Sayyiduna Ali Murtadha (radi Allahu anhu) they have been expelled from the fold of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah.KHAARIJITES: This group was divided into 20 groups. Their beliefs were contrary to that of the Shias for they hated and made false allegations against Sayyiduna Ali Murtadha (radi Allahu anhu). The Deobandis /Wahabis /Najdi group are also considered as one of the offshoots of the Khaarijites. Some beliefs of the Deobandi /Wahabi /Najdi group are: Allah can speak a lie. (Fatawah Rashidiyah, byRasheed Ahmed Gangohi)Allah does not know beforehand what His creations would do. He only comes to after they have done something. (Bulghatul Hairaan, by Hussain Ali) Shaitaan and the Angel of Death are more knowledgeable than the Prophet. (Baraaheen-e-Qaati�ah, by Khalil Ahmed Ambethvi) The amount of Knowledge of the Unseen possessed by the Prophet, has also been given to animals, lunatics and children. (Hifzul Iman, by Ashraf Ali Thanvi) The Prophet is not the only Rahmatul-lil Aalameen (Mercy to the Worlds). (Fatawah Rashidiyah, by Rashid Ahmed Gangohi) It is possible for another Nabi to appear after the Holy Prophet.(Tahzeerun Naas, by Qasim Nanotvi) The Holy Prophet learned the Urdu language from the Ulema of Deoband. (Baraaheen-e-Qaati�ah, by Khalil Ahmed Ambhetvi) MARJIYAHS: They were divided into 5 groups. They believed that if a person possessed Imaan, then there was no such thing as sin. In other words, they say that man is sinless.NAJAARIYAHS: They were divided into 3 groups. Although certain of their actions were in accordance with the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jaamah, yet, they declared that the Holy Quran was a creation, thereby excluding themselves from the majority of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah. JABARRIYAHS: They considered man to be absolutely helpless without even having the power to do good. MUSHABBAHS: This group was famous for associating one thing with the other. They believed that Almighty Allah was similar to the human in physical attributes. They also believed that it was possible for Almighty Allah to be imprisoned within a human body. We seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah for reproducing such utterances even though our sole purpose in doing so is to warn Sunnis about such corrupted groups. TWELVE SECTS TO BE AVOIDED A�la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelwi (radi Allahu anhu) has identified 12 Cults or sects which he said have Shaitaan as their Murshid. Muslims should avoid such groups, as taking guidance from them will invite the Wrath of Allah Ta�ala. The Cults identified by A�la Hazrat (radi Allahu anhu) are: The evil jesters who mock the Ulama and jeer at the teachings of the Shari�ah. They (falsely) claim that the Ulama and the Fuqara have always been at odds with each other. These ignorant idiots cast doubts over the most eminent Ulama and question their integrity. They slander them by calling them (Ulama) "pundits" and say that the Ulama should exhibit/perform miracles like those of the Prophets of Bani Israel.   Heretics who are self-proclaimed Faqeers and Walis (Saints). They claim that Shari�ah is a path, which is no longer needed once the destination is reached.   Those who are actually unlettered, uncultivated and uneducated. They skim through a few books and feign to be most knowledgeable. They disregard the Imams of Fiqh like Imam Abu Hanifa, Imaan Shafi�i� and consider themselves more learned than them and find faults with their rulings and decrees. They consider themselves greater scholars of the Quran and Hadith than the Imams. Such persons are misguided - Ghair Muqallids.   Worse than the first three cults are those who believe in the Book"Taqwi�atul Imaan" by Ismail Dehlawi and have turned their backs on the Quran and the Hadith. According to their principles and beliefs contained in the afore-mentioned text, even Allah and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) are Mushriks! The text "Taqwi�atul Imaan" is the source text and root of Deobandism.   Worst than all those are the Deobandis who have rationalized Kufriah teachings of Gangohi, Nanotwi and Thanwi, etc, and colouring it in as an Islamic context. They have transgressed to such an extent that they have accepted insults of Allah Ta�ala and the beloved Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).   Qadiyanis   Nechri (atheist)   Chakraalwi (Ahle Quran or Quraani group)   Rawaafiz (Shi�te dissenting sect)   Khawaarij (a sect dissenting from Hazrat Ali radi Allahu anhu)   Nawaasib (a sect dissenting from Hazrat Ali radi Allahu anhu and Ahle Bait)   Mo�tazelah, etc. (rationalistic sect of dissenters) (Fatawa Afriqa) SOME FALSE BELIEFS ANSWERED To think according to principle, to possess true faith and believe and accept the true Commands of Islam is known as "Aqeeda". It is also understood as one's intention, concept and path that one follows. It must also be understood that the basis of one's action is one's Imaan and that the basis of one's Imaan is one's Aqeeda. If one's Aqeeda is corrupt, then one's Imaan is improper and if one's Imaan is not proper, then his Amaal (actions) are useless. In other words, Aqeeda is the soul, Imaan is the body and Amal is the garb. To have good and strong Imaan, one must have the proper Aqeeda. It is for this reason that we quote a few un-Islamic beliefs together with the proper Islamic answers, so that we may, after reading about them, repent from any false and corrupt beliefs that we may hold and, thereafter, hold firmly to the proper Islamic beliefs. To hold improper per Aqeeda leads to Kufr, whereas proper Aqeeda is strength for Imaan. The un-Islamic beliefs which we have quoted below are quotations from those individuals who possess such beliefs and by writing them in this book, we have no intention of Kufr. FALSE BELIEF 1:"Allah can speak lies". ("Barahine Qaatia" by Khaleel Ambetwi; "Yakrozi" by Ismaeel Dehlwi; "Fatawa Rasheedia" by Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi). PROPER BELIEF: Lies is a defect which is not worthy of the Zaat of Almighty Allah and is totally Muhaal (Impossible) for Almighty Allah. Allah is free from all shortages and defects thus making lies Muhaal for Almighty Allah. FALSE BELIEF 2:To say that Allah is free from place, space, direction and time, etc. is to be misled. ("Izaahul Haq" by Ismaeel Dehlwi)PROPER BELIEF: Time and space have been created and will be eventually destroyed. Almighty Allah is Qadeem (Always Is and Always Will Be). If one accepts Allah to be in a fixed place and in a fixed time zone, then one will have to accept, Ma'az-Allah, that Allah is a creation and can be destroyed, whereas it is well known that, that which is Haadith (non-Eternal) and can be destroyed can never be Allah. The Being of Allah is Eternal and anything that is non-Eternal cannot be Allah. It is, thus, necessary to accept Almighty Allah to be free from time and place. FALSE BELIEF 3:The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had died and is mixed in the sand. ("Taqweeyat-ul Imaan" by Ismaeel Dehlwi)PROPER BELIEF: It has been stated in the Hadith: "Verily, Almighty Allah has made it Haraam upon the earth to eat the bodies of the Ambiya". It has also been stated that Ambiya are alive and are blessed with Sustenance from Almighty Allah. FALSE BELIEF 4: Every creation, no matter how big or small, is equivalent to a cobbler before Allah. ("Taqweeyat-ul Imaan" by Ismaeel Dehlwi)PROPER BELIEF: The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the most beloved Nabi of Almighty Allah. Almighty Allah took Qasm (Oath) even on the city of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He is the greatest of the creations of Almighty Allah. His every word is accepted in the Court of Allah. He is a perfection in the Attributes of Almighty Allah and Allah has not created any unique being besides Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). FALSE BELIEF 5: Ambiya are not totally free from lies. To say that it is not possible for Ambiya to lie or to say that they are totally sinless is false. ("Tasfiyatul Aqaa'id" by Qasim Nanothwi)PROPER BELIEF: Ambiya and Malaa'ikah are Masoom (Sinless). It is Muhaal for them to commit sin. Committing a sin is not a quality of Ambiya. Ambiya are free from all small and big sins and all defects even before and after their Nubuwat. FALSE BELIEF 6: The Ummah sometimes supercede the Ambiya in A'maal (Good deeds). ("Tahzeerun Naas" by Qasim Nanotwi)PROPER BELIEF: A Kaafir can never be equal to a Muslim. An ordinary Muslim is not equal to a practising Muslim. A practising Muslim can never be equal to a non-Aalim, who is not equal to an Aalim. An Aalim is never equal to a Wali, a Wali can never be equal to a Tabbe Taabi'ee. A Tabbe Taabi'ee can never be equal to a Taabi'ee. A Taabi'ee can never be equal to a Sahaba. A Sahaba can never be equal to the Khulafa-e-Arbaa. None from the Khulafa-e-Arbaa can be equal to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique. He in turn can never be equal to a Nabi. No Nabi can be equal in any way to the King of Prophets, Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). How then can a Ummah supercede Nabi Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in good deeds? Ma'az-Allah! FALSE BELIEF 7: To think of an ox and donkey in Salaah is permissible, but to think of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in Salaah is Shirk (Polytheism). ("Seerate Mustaqeem" by Ismaeel Dehlwi)PROPER BELIEF: For a Muslim to perform any Ibaadat accepting that it is a noble action of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the true sense of Ibaadat. If one reads Namaaz thinking of it as the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), then, without doubt, one will think of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). This belief creates in the mind of the performer the thought of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Not only is the thought of the Prophet in Namaaz permissible, it is also the demand of Shari'ah that one must remember the Holy Prophet (salall laahu alaihi wasallam) at the time of Tashahud. According to the Fuqaha (Jurists) it is Waajib to believe that the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is observing you and that he is aware of your actions. FALSE BELIEF 8: Any person who says the Nabi to be Haazir and Naazir is a Kaafir. ("Jawaahirul Quraan" by Ghulaamullah Khan)PROPER BELIEF: Until and unless we do not accept Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as being Haazir and Naazir, the concept of Risaalat will be incomplete. Our Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Shaahid, Mubashir and Nazeer. FALSE BELIEF 9: Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is our elder brother and we are his younger brothers. ("Taqweeyatul Imaan" by Ismaeel Dehlwi)PROPER BELIEF: The Holy Quran has commanded us that the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) cannot be regarded as the father of anyone of you. How then can he be regarded as the elder brother? Then, to call him elder brother is disrespect and against of Quranic command. We are the Ummati, he is the Nabi. We are sinners, he is the Masoom most pure. We are believers, he is the source of Imaan. The difference here is enormous. It must be understood, that if the husband takes his wife as his mother, then his Nikah will be nullified. Likewise, if one takes the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as the elder brother, then one's Imaan will be nullified. FALSE BELIEF 10: To respect the Prophet deeply is Kufr. ("Ad Durrun Nadheed" by Qazi Shaukani)PROPER BELIEF: The respect and reverence of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is not only waajib, but is an obligation upon every Muslim. Unless a person does not love the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) more than anyone and anything in the world, his Imaan will not be perfected. The love of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the first condition of Imaan. FALSE BELIEF 11: The grave of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is an idol and to respect it is Kufr and Shirk. ("Ad Durrun Nadheed" by Qazi Shaukani)PROPER BELIEF: Madinah is more exalted than Makkah; the Roza-e-Anwar more than the Kaaba; and the actual Qabr-e-Anwar is even more exalted than Jannat. The Qabr-e-Anwar is a sign from amongst the signs of Allah and to respect it is a sign of Imaan and Taqwa. FALSE BELIEF 12: Any person who says, "As Salaatu Was Salaamu Alaika Ya Rasoolallah", is a Bid'ati and sinner. ("Akhbaar Ahle Hadith Amritsar")PROPER BELIEF: Bukhari and Muslim narrate on the authority of Hazrat Uthman bin Haneef (radi Allahu anhu) that a Sahabi who was blind by birth was once taught a special Du'a by the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), which he was to recite after every Salaah. The Du'a is as follows: "O Allah, I ask from you, and turn towards you through the Wasila of Your Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), who is indeed a prophet of mercy. O Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)! with your Wasila, I turn towards Allah for my need so that it may be bestowed. O Allah, accept the Prophet's intercession for me". To say "Ya Nabi" and call to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), and to send salutations upon him, is the Sunnah of Almighty Allah, the Angels, the Prophets and the Sahaaba-e-Kiraam. Almighty Allah has commanded us to send salutations upon the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in abundance. To send Durood at least once in one's life is Fard and in Namaaz it is Waajib. It is also Waajib to send salutations out of Namaaz, for the fist time the name of the Prophet is mentioned. Even if the name is mentioned continuously, then to send salutations is Sunnah. FALSE BELIEF 13: To ask assistance from the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)is the work of Shaitaan and Shirk. ("Kashfush Shubhaat" by Abdul Wahab Najdi; "Taqweeyatul Imaan" by Ismaeel Dehlwi)PROPER BELIEF: "Ya Rasoolallahi Unzur Haalana, Ya Habeeballahi Isma Qaalana, Innani fir Bahri Hammim Mughriqun, Khuz Yaddi Sahhil lanaa Ishkaalana", has been the Wazeefa of the great predecessors and is accepted as a means of asking from the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). To seek assistance from the Prophet (salall laahu alaihi wasallam) and seek Wasila of Awliya and Saaliheen is permissable. FALSE BELIEF 14: To use the Ambiya, Awliya and Malaa'ikah as a means of Wasila (Mediation). ("Tohfa-e-Wahaabiya" by Ismaeel Dehlwi)PROPER BELIEF: We did not enter this world without means, and we will not leave this world without means. With the exception of the verse of the Quran commanding mediation, the following verses of Sheikh Bouseeri and Sheikh Saadi(radi Allahu anhuma) are always in the Du'as of Muslims: "Ya Rabbi bil Mustapha Baligh Maqasidana, Waghfirlana Ma Madaa Ya Waasi al Karami", and "Ilahi bahaqe bani Fathima, ke Barqaul Imaan Qunni Khatima, Agar Daawatam rad Kunni War Qabool, Manno Dast Damaane Aale Rasool". FALSE BELIEF 15: Anyone who accepts the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)to be an intercessor for him on the Day of Qiyamah, is a Mushrik equal to Abu Jahl. ("Taqweeyatul Imaan")PROPER BELIEF: When the intercession of a Hafizul Quran, according to the Hadith Shareef, and of an Aalim ba Amal is accepted, then why not that of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)? On the Day of Qiyamah, the doors of intercession will be opened by none other than the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). It is also very rewarding to recite Durood-e-Taaj. FALSE BELIEF 16: "Rahmatul Lil Alameen" (Mercy unto the Worlds) is not a special title of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), but the Ummati are also"Rahmatul Lil Alameen". ("Fatawa Rasheedia")PROPER BELIEF: "Rahmatul Lil Alameen" is the unique quality of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as stated in the Holy Quran. FALSE BELIEF 17: To say that if Allah and His Rasool wills, then only will a certain thing happen, is Shirk.PROPER BELIEF: That which Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) wants, is what Allah wills. Almighty Allah will not will anything without the pleasure of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). FALSE BELIEF 18: Those persons whose names are "Muhammad" or "Ali" have no control over anything. ("Taqweeyatul Imaan")PROPER BELIEF: Almighty Allah has blessed the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) with the keys to the treasures of both the worlds and Hazrat Ali's (radi Allahu anhu) name is the means of assistance in problems, why then can they not have any control? FALSE BELIEF 19:  To keep the names: Rasool Baksh, Nabi Baksh, Abdun Nabi, Abdul Mustapha, Abdur Rasool, Abdul Ali, Ghulam Nabi, Ghulam Mustapha, Ghulam Nabi, Ghulam Husain, Ghulam Muhiyyudeen and Ghulam Mu'eenudeen, or to like such names, is Shirk. ("Taqweeyatul Imaan")PROPER BELIEF: All these names are allowed and are very exalted and blessed names. FALSE BELIEF 20: The knowledge of the Prophet is like children and animals. The knowledge of Shaitaan is more than the Prophet. To say that the Prophet possessed 'Ilm-e-Ghayb or Knowledge of the Unseen, is Shirk. ("Hifzul Imaan" by Ashraf Ali Thanwi; "Barahine Qaatia"; "Fatawa Rasheedia")PROPER BELIEF: The meaning of the word "Nabi" alone is "one who knows and shows the Unseen". What position does the knowledge of an ordinary person hold in front of that of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)? It is even less than a drop in front of an ocean or a grain of dust compared to all the sand in the world. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has been blessed with all the knowledge by Almighty Allah. FALSE BELIEF 21: If Allah wills, then he may create a million Muhammads. ("Taqweeyatul Imaan") A Prophet can even come after Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). ("Tahzeerun Naas")PROPER BELIEF: The doors of Prophethood have been sealed. Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Seal of Prophethood. The Prophet also said that no Prophet shall come after him. Any person who claims Nabuwat after the Prophet(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is a Liar, Dajjal Kazaab and a Shaitaan. FALSE BELIEF 22: To commemorate the Meelad is like commemorating the function of the Hindu deity. ("Baharine Qaatia" by Khaleel Ambethwi)PROPER BELIEF: Meelad is a means of gaining blessings and closeness to Almighty Allah. It is the practice of all the great predecessors. Many sources of Shari'ah are available to prove it's authencity. FALSE BELIEF 23: The illusion of illusionists are greater than the Miracle of Prophets. ("Mansab-e-Imaamat")PROPER BELIEF: The Miracles of Prophets are to show proof of their Prophethood and it is that which is from Allah, whereas the illusions of illusionists are from Shaitaan. FALSE BELIEF 24: Anyone who says the Sahaba to be Kaafirs is not out of the Sunnah Jamaat. ("Fatawa Rasheedia")PROPER BELIEF: By one calling an ordinary Muslim a Kaafir, he himself becomes a Kaafir. How then can those who call the Sahaba Kaafirs not be Kaafirs? FALSE BELIEF 25: To call oneself "Qaaderi", "Chishti", "Naqshabandi", etc. is Bid'at and words of Kufr. ("Tazkeerul Ikhwaan")PROPER BELIEF: To call oneself by these titles are totally allowed and is a means of recognition of ones spiritual order. Examples of these are: Siddiqi, Alawi, Uthmaani, Farooqi, Hanafi Shafa'i, etc. FALSE BELIEF 26: To put lights, carpets, to give water and food, or arrange Wudhu water at the Mazaar of Awliyah Allah are Shirk.PROPER BELIEF: If carry out all the above mentioned practices at other places are permissible, then it should be a means of blessing to do so at the Darbaar of Wali where there are a gathering of Muslims. FALSE BELIEF 27: To eat and drink the Tabarukaat (Niyaz) of the Saints causes the heart to die (spiritually). ("Fatawa Rasheedia")PROPER BELIEF: Eating the Niyaz of the Awliya brightens the heart and one's life and is a means of great blessing. FALSE BELIEF 28: To call the Prophet "Shafi'ul Muznibeen", to recite Khatam, to imagine the blessed face and the Tomb of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), to think that he has authority - all these qualities, even with the granting of Allah Ta'ala - is all Shirk, so much like the Shirk of Abu Jahl. (Kitaabut-Tauheed by Ibne Abdul Wahab Najdi)PROPER BELIEF: According to authentic sources of Islamic Shari'ah, to belief that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is interceder, mercy, authority, helpful, and to imagine his blessed face and Tomb with respect, is regarded as a great and rewarding action. To recite Khatam Shareef is also permissable and rewarding as well. A person who denies this, his belief is like Abu Jahl. Note: To believe all these above mentioned false "Islamic" beliefs makes a person a hypocrite, Shia, Rafazi, Khaarijite, Qadiani, Ghair-Muqallid (Ahle Hadith), Tablighi, Deobandi, Maudoodi, Ahle Quran (People of Quran), etc. which are totally out of Islam. Any person who falsely claims to be the true Mahdi is misguided and a Faasiq. Any person who says that Almighty Allah can lie, that the Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) knowledge are like those of animals, that the Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is not the Final Messenger, that the swearing of the Sahaba does not make one a criminal, that the Prophet's knowledge is less than Shaitaan, etc. is a KAAFIR (totally out of the folds of Islam). We should not perform Salaah or associate with such persons as their companionship is detrimental to our Imaan.

The Holy Prophet (Salallaho Alaihi Wasallam) is Noor

Some persons believe that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is only a human being and not Noor (light). They say so based on the reason that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had wives, had children, and he used to eat and drink.   The Aqeeda of the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at is that he is both Noor and a human being.   The being and existence of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is even before that of human beings, but when he came into this world he came in the garb of a human being.   The Sahaba of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) lived with him and observed him with his wives and children. They saw him eating, drinking, talking, etc. but still accepted him to be Noor.   We know that Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) is made of Noor but when he used to appear before Hazrat Maryam (radi Allahu anha) he used to appear in the form of a human being. Allah Ta'ala states in the Holy Quran: "Thus he used to appear before her in the form of a healthy (well-built) man." (Part 16, Ruku 5)  Hazrat Umar Farouk (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that once a person came before them. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) asked him if he knew who that person was, he replied: "Allah Ta'ala and His beloved Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) know better." The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that it was Jibraeel (alaihis salaam). (Mishkaat; Bukhari Shareef) This Hadith proves that although the Sahaba referred to Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) as a man since they saw him in the form of a human being, yet they accepted that he was in actual fact an Angel made from Noor. On many instances, he came in the form of Sahabi-e-Rasool named Hazrat Wahia Kalbi (radi Allahu anhu).   The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated, "The very first thing which Almighty Allah created was my Noor." (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan; Madarijun Nabuiwat)   Once Hazrat Jaabir (radi Allahu anhu) asked the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) whom Allah Ta'ala created before anything else. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stated: "O Jaabir! Verily, before the creation of anything else, Almighty Allah created the Noor of your Nabi from His Noor." (Muwahibul Laduniya; Zirkani Shareef)   Sayyida Halima Sa'adiya (radi Allahu anha), the wet-nurse of the Holy Prophet(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), believed the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to be Noor. She said that when she used to feed the Holy Prophet(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) milk in his infancy, she never felt the need for a light in her house. (Bayaanul Miladun Nabwi; Tafseer Mazhari).   Sayyida Safiya (radi Allahu anha), the aunt of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) states that on the eve of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) she was present in his house. She said that she saw his Noor became more powerful than the light from the lamp. (Shawaahidun Nubuiwat)   Hazrat Ali Murtuza (radi Allahu anhu) said that when the Beloved of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) spoke, Noor (light) used to be seen emerging from between his blessed teeth. (Muwahibul Laduniya; Anwaarul Muhammadiyah)   Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) states that when the beloved Prophet(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) smiled, then the walls use to glow with his Noor.(Muwahibul Laduniya; Shifa Shareef)   Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) states that the day in which the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) arrived in Madinatul Munawwarah, everything in Madinatul Munawwarah became bright through his Noor. (Tirmizi Shareef; Ibn Majah)   Ummul Mo'mineen, Sayyida Aisha Siddiqa (radi Allahu anha) is recorded to have said: "In total dark nights, I used to put the thread into a needle with the help of the Noor of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)." (Shara Shifa Bar Hashia Naseemur Riaz)   Hazrat Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa (radi Allahu anhu) praises the Holy Prophet(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in the following poem: "You are that Noor that the full Moon is brightened by your Noor and you are with your beauty and elegance a shining sun." (Qasidaul Nu'maan)   Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari (radi Allahu anhu) reports: I asked: "O Prophet of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), What did the Almighty Allah first create?" The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied: "Allah first created my Noor (Light) of His Noor. This Noor travelled about according to the Will of Allah. At that time, there was no Heaven, Hell, Lawh (Divine Tablet), Pen, Earth, Skies, Sun, Moon, Jinn or Human Beings. When He decided to create, He divided that Noor into four parts. From one part He created the Pen, from the second, the Lawh and from the third, he made the Arsh (Throne).  "He divided the fourth part into a further four parts. From one, He created those Angels who carry the Arsh, from the second, the Kursi (Divine Chair) and from the third, He created the Angels.  "He again divided the remaining parts into a further four parts. From one, He created the skies. The second was used in creating the planets. From the third, Heaven and Earth were created.  "Once again, He divided the fourth part into a further four parts. From one part He created the power with which the believers see. From the second, He created in the hearts of the Believers the Noor of Marifat. From the third, He created in the tongues of the Believers, Noor, so that they can read the Kalima of Tauheed". (Dalaa'il-un-Nubuwwat, Imam Baihaqi)   This astonishing Hadith Shareef proves that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the life of this world and everything in it. When he is the life of this world, then everything that happens in it is clear to him and nothing is concealed from him. Who then can deny that he is not Noor (light)?