The World Ashek-e-Rasul (Sm) Conference will be held at Babe Rahmat of Dewanbag Sharif in the capital on June 3, Friday with due solemnity and religious fervour.

The Great Reformer Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla has convened the conference to mark the 101th holy birth anniversary of Pirane Pir, Dastgir, Sultanul Mashaeikh, Imam of Sultania Mozaddedia Tariqa Syed Abul Fazal Sultan Ahmad Chandrapuri (Rh).

The programme will begin after Fazr prayers with recitation from the holy Qur’an.

In the conference renowned Islamic scholars, researchers and olama-e-keram will deliver their speeches including waz mahfil and milad mahfil. Representatives from home and abroad including India, Pakistan, Japan, Sweden, Malaysia, Italy, Korea, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Cyprus, UK and USA will attend the programme.

After Juma prayers Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi will deliver his valuable sermon and lead the Akheri Munajat seeking salvation of departed souls, and peace and prosperity for the welfare.

By Syed Golam Morshed

The Great Creator, Allah the Magnificent, having created the universe, has sent innumerable Prophets and Rasuls for preaching His Oneness. No prophet will come in the world after the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). So as the successors of Rasul (Sm), Awlia-e-keram (friends of Allah) will preach the message of peace on the earth.

By the grace of Allah Ta’ala, advent of such a great Wali-Allah (friend of Allah) took place in Bangladesh for upholding the ideals of Hazrat Rasul (Sm). He is the Great Reformer and Reviver of Mohammadi Islam, valiant freedom fighter Sufi Samrat Hazrat Mahbub-e-Khoda Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali i.e., May His blessings be upon us) Hujur Qibla.

To preach Islamic ideals he established many Darbar Sharifs (preaching centres) at different places around the country such as Babe Jannat in Narayanganj, Babe Rahmat in Dhaka, Babe Madina in Dhaka, Babe Najat in Rangpur, Babe Barkat in Mymensingh, Babe Niyamat in Chuadanga, Babe Morshed in Brahmanbaria, Babe Ferdous in Dhaka and Babe Magfirat in Chittagong.

He also established lots of and Khanqah (spiritual lessons centre) in different districts of the country as well as in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Sweden, Cyprus, the UK and the USA. With a vision for preaching the ideals of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) worldwide, he has formed World Ashek-e-Rasul Organization and Ashek-e-Rasul Parishad.

Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi by teaching mainly four lessons — self purification, activating dhikr in the qalb, concentration in prayers and to become Ashek-e-Rasul having an excellent character. Having generated the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah in the qalb (heart) of millions of people in this sinful world he has obtained their profound admiration and love; by taking his lessons numerous  people have attained ideal character to become Ashek-e-Rasul (lover of Rasul-Sm), and have been fortunate to have the didar (sight) of Rasul (Sm) either in dreams or during meditation; by coming to his close contact numerous people have miraculously received aid of Allah Ta’ala and got rid of great dangers and calamities.

His reforms at a glance…

Allah the Magnificent has sent Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla as the Great Reformer of this century. Therefore, he has upheld the real Islamic philosophy of the Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) for mankind by amending the erroneous concept prevalent in the Muslim society in the name of Islam, which was in fact beyond the holy Qur’an and the Hadith infiltrated into Islam by conspiracy of the heretics and ignorance of co-religious people. Sufi Samrat has made more than one hundred reforms which have been praised extensively at home and abroad; only a few important of them are given below:

1. Elm-e-Tasauf has been included in Islamic Studies of schools, colleges and universities in 1996.

2. Sufi Samrat, according to the Islamic method of land registration, sent the proposal saying: “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim (Praise to Allah, the most Gracious and the most Merciful). Allah the Magnificent is the real owner of the sky and the earth. Therefore, as His banda (slave), I, hereby, sell my right of possession of the land to some other person”. The government cordially accepted his proposal and the land registration in Bangladesh has been done following the method proposed by Sufi Samrat since 1991.

3. The time of Iftar used to vary from 14 to 18 minutes later than the sunset, which was a clear indication of defiance of the holy Hadith. In this circumstance Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla proposed the government for changing the timetable of Iftar just after sunset in conformity with the holy Hadith. The Government of Bangladesh has accepted his proposal and introduced the scientific timetable of Sehri and Iftar in 1993. Therefore, Muslims of this country have had the opportunity to end fasting on time and save them from taking Iftar later like the Jews and the Christians do.

4. Sufi Samrat made appeals to different subsequent governments of the country to declare Friday as the weekly holiday so the Muslims have an opportunity for offering Jum’a prayers with comfort. At last in 1982, the prevalent Government of Bangladesh has declared Friday as the weekly holiday.

5. Among the Muslims all over the world, there had been a wrong idea that the number of verses of the holy Qur’an, the complete Code of Life for mankind, was 6666. When Sufi Samrat Hujur Qibla proved that the actual number would be 6236 by launching a research on the holy Qur’an, the government of the country has accepted his findings after a scrutiny. Later, having corrected the previous wrong concept, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh has published the holy Qur’an again clearly mentioning a total of 6236 verses in its index in 1997.

6. With an intention to desecrate two holy places of the Muslims, Makkah and Madinah, the Jews and the Christians produced musalla (prayer mats) with the pictures of the holy Ka’ba (the holy house, facing which the Muslims say their prayers) and the holy shrine of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) (Final Resting Place of the Great Prophet [Sm]). The Muslims in good faith used to offer prayers sitting on them keeping those pictures below their feet. Sufi Samrat Hujur Qibla observed that offering prayers on such prayer mats with the pictures of these two holy places below one’s feet is disrespectful. Therefore, one should not say prayers on them. When the matter brought to the notice of all concerned, every pious Muslim agreed with it realizing the fact. Later, it was advised on Bangladesh Television (the National Television of Bangladesh) that the Muslims should not say prayers on these types of prayer mats.

7. Sufi Samrat says, “The qurbani must be performed in the name of Allah, not in the name of banda (slave). Therefore, taking the lessons of the Hadith, we must perform sacrifice in the name of Allah.” At his call all Muslims of the country have corrected the wrong practice and like this he saved them from committing the sin of shirk (partnership with Allah).

8. Muslims of the country had had an idea that the Holy Ashura, 10^th day of Muharram, was the religious festival of the Shiites (followers of Hazrat Ali [Ra] and Hazrat Imam Hussain [Ra]) but citing different Hadith and holy books Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi proved that, Allah ascended the Divine Throne and revealed himself before His creations on this holy day. Thus, on this holy occasion His immense blessings and bounties are showered on mankind. After Sufi Samrat had shed light on its significance, the Bangladesh government realized the importance of the day. Henceforth the Day of Ashura has been observed in a befitting manner officially.

9. 12^th of Rabiul Awal is the Holy Eid-e-MiladunNabi (Sm) but it had officially been observed as the Siratunnabi (Sm) in Bangladesh. By highlighting the importance of the Holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi (Sm), Sufi Samrat Hujur Qibla announced the day as the greatest Eid (festival) for all the creations. Later, the government has realized the significance of observing the day and taken an elaborate program to celebrate this day as the holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi (Sm) instead of Siratunnabi (Sm). Since then the 12th of Rabiul Awal or the Holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi (Sm) has been celebrated all over the country with pomp and grandeur.

10. It was the deep-rooted idea of all the people around the world that our beloved prophet Hazrat Rasul (Sm) was poor. People used to think that He had lifted water with a pail from the well in a garden of a Jew in exchange of dates and worn clothes with seventy patches. If we review history, we will find that during the last Hajj Hazrat Rasul (Sm) had sacrificed one hundred camels. Hence, the evidences from the holy Qur’an, the Hadith and the history have proved that Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) was not only rich but also the Ruler of the Two Worlds. He could never be poor. With the documentary and conclusive evidences given by Sufi Samrat Hujur Qibla, the whole nation has been able to rectify its misconception about Hazrat Rasul (Sm).

11. It is possible for mankind to attain deedar of Allah having close contact of a real Wali-Allah through practising Elm-e-Tasauf, has been published by the Bangladesh School Text Book Board in a chapter of the Islamic Studies for grades nine and ten.

12. Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla, with reference to the holy Qur’an and the Hadith, has proved that offering milad is obligatory for the Muslims. At his guidance, numerous people have had a sight of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) in dream and meditation after holding milad mahfils.

13. It is a matter of regret that, khutba is delivered in Arabic in Bangladesh which most of the Musallis (fellow people offering prayer) do not understand and fail to gain benefits from acting upon accordingly. Therefore, Sufi Samrat has expressed his opinion that the khutba should be delivered in our mother tongue to fulfil its purpose. Now, at his call, khutba is being delivered in Bangla together with Arabic in almost all the mosques of Bangladesh.

14. The issue can be solved easily if the Muslims all over the world observe their rituals, including the Eids, on the same day by following a uniform lunar calendar similar to that of their central-point, holy Makkah. In 1978, Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla prepared a model of lunar calendar and sent a proposal to all Muslim leaders for resolving this problem. Later, all subsequent governments of Bangladesh were requested to accept this proposal. The subject was also raised in the Parliament of Bangladesh where the members took it in cognizance. The proposal was even discussed at a seminar of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Acknowledging its necessity, all the 50 delegates of the organization praised the idea of Sufi Samrat. Presently the proposal is under active consideration of the Bangladesh government for its implementation.

15. Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) is the last and the greatest of all the prophets and apostles. He has given mankind a complete Code of Life. As a result, the name of the religion he introduced is Islam of Mohammad or Muhammadi Islam.

There are some difference between the Islamic Code of Life given by Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) and those by other Prophets. As we are the followers of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm), the name of our religion should be Muhammadi Islam.

That is why he (Sufi Samrat) has upheld the glory of Muhammadi Islam of the Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sm), which was lost by conspiracy of the heretics and ignorance of co-religious people, once again to the people around the world. Following his teaching and guidance, numerous people have been fortunate enough to realize the peace of Muhammadi Islam in their lives.

16. There is no prohibition of the holy Qur’an against photography and preserving a picture, we have to abide by its laws. Besides, there is no prohibition of the holy Hadith against photography. By following this reform, Bangladesh govt. introduced voter ID card.

Article By: S M Morshed

Allah the Magnificent is the Creator of this universe. And human beings are His greatest creations. So they are called ‘Ashraful Makhlukat’ or the best of creations. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala says in the holy Qur’an, “Among My creations there is a community who guides (others) with the truth and establishes justice therewith.” (Sura Araf, verse 181) From this universal message, it is crystal clear that among the whole creations there are two communities, one is guide and the other is their followers. Almighty Allah has sent one lakh twenty-four Prophets and Rasuls as the guide towards right path to uphold His Identity to the common people in the age of nabuwat (prophethood). They have preached Oneness or Uniqueness of Allah and Religion of peace, Islam. By going to the close contact with the greatest man in all ages Hazrat Mohammad (Sm), barbarous Arabs transformed into the greatest nation in the world through Elmul Qalb or Elme Tasauf. About his Sahaba-e-keram (Companions), Hazrat Rasul (Sm) says, my companions are like stars. After the demise of Hazrat Mohammad (Sm), no prophet will come in this world. But how people will get the identity of Allah in the next age? By whose close contact they will attain ideal in character like Allah’s character? In fact, after abolishing the age of nabuwat, Allah Ta’ala has introduced the age of belayet (friendship) to guide mankind towards right path (siratal mustakim). The age of belayet is called the age of friendship. In the age of friendship, those great men came in the world they are called Morshed. ‘Morshed’ is an Arabic word. It is called spiritual guide. Those who guide mankind towards right path. Morshed is that great man who hold Allah and Rasul (Sm) in his qalb and able to show how to communicate with Allah and Rasul (Sm). Allah says in the holy Qur’an, “He whom He sends astray, for him you will find no Morshed (Guiding friend-Wali) to lead him (to the right path). (Sura Kahaf, Verse-17) So, from this verse it is clear that without going to the close contact with morshed or Wali-Allah nobody will get right path and salvation. Because awlia-e-keram (friends of Allah) are glowing lamp. Irrespective of caste, creed and religion by going to the close contact with them all mankind can enlighten in their qalbs.

In the age of belayet (friendship) Allah the Magnificent has sent great awlia-e-keram like Hazrat Abdul Kadir Jilani (Rh), Hazrat Mozadded Alfesani (Rh), Hazrat Khawja Bahauddin Nakdnand (Rh), Hazrat Khawja Muinuddin Chisti (Rh) and Imam Syed Abul Fazal Sultan Ahmad Chandrapuri (Rh) to the earth. By going to the close contact with them having followed the ideals and teachings of Allah and Hazrat Rasul (Sm) people become ideal in character in the contemporary period. In the present age Allah Ta’ala has sent such kind of the great men to the earth Great Reformer, Reviver of Mohammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Mahbub-e-Khoda Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla, who guide mankind towards right path and rescued from sins and various calamities. Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla is a greatest Wali-Allah in the present age who has revived Islam of Mohammad (Sm), Mohammadi Islam, which was abolished by Yazid through the martyrdom of Imam Hossain (Ra) brutally. As a result people of the present age are realizing the taste of Mohammadi Islam i.e., ideals and teachings of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) by going to the close contact with Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla. He teaches mainly four teachings such as self-purification, activating Dhikr of Allah in human’s qalb, concentration in prayers and to become an Ashek-e-Rasul. By going to the holy association with him lakhs of people are attaining to meet Hazrat Rasul (Sm) through dreams, morakaba (contemplation) and reciting milad mahfil.

The Hadith narrates Hazrat Rasul (Sm) says-“Verily the Great, Powerful and Respectable Allah Ta’ala at the beginning of each century sends such a man for the community who uses to reform religion. (Abu Daud Sharif) Allah the Magnificent has sent Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbgai (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla as a great reformer in this century. Therefore, he has upheld the real Islamic philosophy of the Great Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Sm) for mankind by reforming the concept prevalent in the Muslim society in the name of Islam, which is beyond the holy Qur’an and the Hadith and has been established by the conspiracy of the heretics and for the ignorance of co-religious people. His reforms have been praised extensively at home and abroad. Sufi Samrat has made many reforms and some reforms have been implemented by the Govt. of Bangladesh.

As the teachings, reforms and socio-religious philosophy of Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla have been deeply impressed by mankind, side by side with that people have been surprised by his lakhs of miracles. This great man has made occurred many miraculous incidents during from staying till to date. By going to the close contact with him a dumb person got power of speaking, a blind man got eye’s sight and a dead man become alive. Whenever having fallen in danger a disciple of Sufi Samrat remembers him, in the mean time he has rescued them from that dangerous situation. Such types of incidents have been occurred by him thousands time. Where advancement of medical science is failure a couple is becoming father and mother. By the grace of Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi lots of couple are gaining child. By following his teachings lots of common people are attaining nearness to Allah and His Rasul (Sm) and becoming mumen by removing writing-kafir on their foreheads. Not only that many addicted people are getting their normal life and become ideal in character. In this way lakhs of miraculous incidents have been occurred among disciples of Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi.

The socio-religious philosophy of Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla is Sufism. Sufism is called the original science of creations. It is the science of direct knowledge of God. Sufism in that science by which one can learn how to communicate with Allah and can realize the existence of Allah in his qalb. Through the practicing Sufism or Elme Tasauf one can communicate with soul, know the identity of soul, speak with soul, get Allah’s help and attain the representative of Allah. Those who can acquire this teaching in their qalbs is called Sufi. But in our society there was an idea about Elme Tasauf that to be a Sufi or Wali-Allah one has to leave home giving up family life, go to jungle, eat leaves of trees and wear sack. But this idea is fully wrong. Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi proved that to be a Sufi by practicing Elme Tasauf one does not need to go to jungle renouncing family life.

Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi is the head of Hadi classes of Awila-e-keram. He is a great man with miraculous power. As a man needs a doctor for remedy his disease in body, similarly many diseases of Ruh remains in human’s soul. Diseases of soul are lust, anger, greed, illusion, passion and envy. Due to this six-instincts man engulfs with various vices and create unrest in society. Awlia-e-keram (friends of Allah) are doctor for remedy of diseases of soul. By going to the close contact with Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi, when a man practice morakaba (contemplation or deep meditation) according to his lessons regularly, in that situation, one kind of fayez i.e.,  spiritual power bestows on that man on behalf of Allah. This fayez is the great medicine to control the six-instincts. In this ways through practicing morakaba regularly, passions are totally controlled. Consequently no sins is not committed by that man. Basically, no man can control his passions without going to the close contact with an Wali-Allah. There are some diseases in human body, it is not possible to remedy through the medical science. But when that person came to contact with an Wali-Allah, Allah Ta’ala removes his disease.

In the present age in our society we can see a slogan “Want enlighten person”. But now the question arises – who are the enlightened person? And how to become an enlightened man. In fact, in the age of Nabuwat prophets and rasuls and in the age of belayet awlia-e-keram are the enlightened persons. By attaining the close association of awlia-e-keram common people can enlighten having an excellent character. Through the self-purification a society can be purified and through the purification of a society a state can be purified. But a misconception prevailed in our society that to practice the holy Qur’an, hadith and Shariah is enough, no need to follow the guide line of Wali-Allah. But this idea is totally baseless and wrong. Because, through the practicing holy Qur’an and Hadith, to know abut the religion and to active knowledge but not to attain ideal in character.

If we want to be an ideal Character, we have to go to the close contact with a man of excellent character. They are called Awlia-e-Keram. Attaining close contact with them are can realize the actual reality of the holy Qur’an and Hadith and through the practicing religion properly one can able to build himself an enlighten person. Awlia-e-Keram teach mankind hew to communicate with Allah. Allah Ta’ala does not live in book or in the sky. He lives at the Qalb of Mumen (believer). In this regad, “I (Allah) stay at your qalb, Allah says- do you not see Me.”

Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla is a great Wali-Allah and founder of modem Sufism of the 21st century. By following his teachings and ideals one can know how to communicate with Allah and peaceful life as well as getting help from danger, calamity and various diseases miraculously.

Article: Significance of holy Ashura  Allah established Himself on the Throne on this day

Article by:  Mahbub Morshed

The first month of the Islamic calendar is Moharram. Ashura falls on the 10th day of this month. It is such an important and significant day; the incidents of joy and sorrow, laugh and cry, rise and fall and creation and destruction took place. From the beginning of the creation, Allah the Magnificent has caused to happen such incidents that have proved the day greater than the other days. As a result it has become the holiest and bountiful day to mankind irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

If we review history, we see that Allah Ta’la has created His Throne and the Chair, the Louhe, the pen, the sky and the earth on this holy Ashura Day. He established Himself on the Throne also on the day. The original father of mankind Hazrat Adam (As) was created on this day. He was placed in Paradise, sent to the earth and chosen as the representative of Allah on the day. After Hazrat Nuh (As) had preached the Message of Uniqueness of Allah for nine hundred and fifty years when men of that age disobeyed the Commandment and Prohibition of Allah, a catastrophe descended on them. Consequently the disobedient community of Hazrat Huh (As) faced the Wrath. But among his followers who believed in the Uniqueness of Allah were saved. On the holy Ashura Day the ark of Hazrat Nuh (As) with his followers stopped at the foot of the Judi Hill during the Deluge. On this holy day Hazrat Ibrahim (As) was born. He was saved from the fire of Nomrud and subsequently sacrificed his beloved son Ismail in the name of Allah to assume the name ‘Kholilullah’ or ‘friend of Allah’ on this holy day. On this day Hazrat Ayub (As) recovered from disease, and Hazrat Isa (As) was born and lifted to the Fourth Sky. On the day Hazrat Daud (As) attained forgiveness of Allah; Hazrat Solaiman (As) restored his lost kingdom; Hazrat Yunus (As) came out from the stomach of the fish and Hazrat Yakub (As) got back his lost son Hazrat Yusuf (As) after 40 years. On this holy day Asya, the wife of Feraun, received the baby Musa (As). Hazrat Musa (As) crossed the river Nile along with his community members and on the other hand, Feraun drowned along with his friends and followers on this day. Two thousand Prophets were born on this day. Many historical incidents took place on this very day.

Later on the holy Ashura Day has become the most memorial and pitiful day to the world Muslims for the wicked forces of Yazid that had mercilessly butchered Hazrat Imam Hossain (Ra), a fearless soldier of Muhammadi Islam and the beloved grandson of Hazrat Muhammad Mostafa Ahmad Mostaba (Sm), the leader of the Prophets and the two Worlds; dear son of Ameerul Mu’meenin and Sher-e-Khoda Hazrat Ali (Ra) and Khatun-e-Jannat Hazrat Fatema (Ra). The barbarous forces also slaughtered the members of his family along with him at the desert of Karbala. Hazrat Imam Hossain (Ra) has established a great ideal of uncompromising struggle by embracing martyrdom having waged a jehad (holy war) against 22 thousand-strong forces of Yazid with only 72 companions.
After the painful incident of Karbala, the Muslims, who were the followers of Muhammadi Islam, have lost their own tradition and honour having been the victims of deep conspiracy. As a result, despite being the best nation of the world, the Muslims were oppressed and insulted by heretics. Being confined in the wall of conspiracy about one thousand and five hundred years ago, Tasauf (Spiritual Science), the great ideal of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm), has lost in the depth of time.

The holy Ashura has been accepted as the day of creation of the universe. Similarly on this day the earth will be destroyed when Dooms Day takes place. So, not only to the Muslims, it is the holiest and the most honoured day to mankind. There are many Hadith on the holy greatness of this day.

As Allah Ta’la has established Himself on His Throne on this day, there is an opportunity to attain Pleasure and particular Grace of Allah by celebrating the day in a befitting manner. The holy Ashura is the day on which the Installation of Allah the Lord of the universe took place. The day on which a king of a state sits on his throne is the memorial and honourable day for him as well as his subjects. The day is meant for the subjects to want and get something from the king. Similarly Ashura is the day for the banda (servant) of Allah to want and get something from Him. If a banda wishes to get something from his Great Lord, his desire is likely to be fulfilled. For not having a complete idea about the history of Ashura the people of our society cannot evaluate the day properly, or cannot achieve the desired good result by celebrating the day. For their ignorance somebody say: Ashura is the function of the Shiah (Shiite). But this idea is completely wrong. The Great Reformer and Revivor of Muhammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Mahbub-e-Khoda Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla has been trying his best to eliminate the prevailing wrong idea about Ashura from society. From the establishment of Dewanbag Sharif in 1985, Ashek-e-Rasul (Sm) Conference is being arranged here on the 10th Muharram every year. Innumerous people from home and abroad join this holy function and attain unlimited Blessings of Allah by realizing the significance of the holy Ashura. Mentioning the importance of the holy Ashura, an invaluable sermon of Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla is given below for our esteemed readers:
“Many Muslims think that the holy Ashura is a function of the Shiah. Is Ashura really a function of the Shiah? Allah Ta’la has kindly created the universe on this day. On the Ashura Day He established Himself on the Throne after creating Lauh, Pen, Throne and Chair. Bringing all ruh (souls) in His front, He asked, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ All of them replied: ‘Kalu Bala’— ‘Certainly You are our Lord.’ For that the holy Ashura Day is the day of Installation of Allah Ta’la; the day of exposing Himself to the world of creations as the Lord having been established on the Throne. Since Allah Ta’la exposed Himself to all creations as the Creator and Lord on this day, in His honour the problems of innumerable Prophets, Rasuls and great men had gone on this occasion. Through ages the world has been blessed with special Grace of Allah on this day.

“The original father Hazrat Adam (As) was created on the Ashura Day. On this holy day he entered the Paradise and was sent to the earth. For disobeying the Command of Allah he was sent to the earth. Hazrat Adam (As) repented for this through 340, 360 or in another opinion 390 years to Allah. At this He had kindly forgiven his sin on the Ashura Day. Allah created the holiest Ruh of Rahmatallil A’lameen Hazrat Rasul (Sm) on this very day. On this holy day He had removed the difficult problems of the Prophets, Rasuls and great men who were born on the earth having sent by Him. If we go through history, we will see that Allah had sent 2000 or more Prophets to the earth on the Ashura Day. On this day rains and Blessings of Allah were showered on the earth for the first time.
“Because of preaching religion the Prophet (Sm) had to face oppression and harassment of his own clan. At last at the Command of Allah he migrated to Madinah overcoming the attachment to his birthplace. When his clan members were wildly chasing to kill him, the followers of Madinah came to the fringe of the town and climbing on the tops of date-trees were fervently waiting to see the camel on the horizon that bore Hazrat Rasul (Sm). The passionate waiting was for allowing all to receive him on getting the news of arrival of the Prophet (Sm). At last the day he reached Madinah, joyfulness knew no bound. The Prophet (Sm) watched that the Jews at Madinah were fasting on the day. It was known after collecting information that Ashura fell on the day. On this day in a year fasting was essential for the Jews. What an immense Greatness of Allah! In a favorable and peaceful atmosphere, which was contrary to that of Makkah, the Prophet (Sm) stepped in Madinah. It was the holy Ashura Day on which the soil of Madinah, the foster-land of Islam, was graced with the touch of the holy feet of the crownless emperor.
“Being ignorant of history, we have taken truth as falsehood, and vice versa (falsehood as truth). For mankind of the world of creations, Ashura is the most honoured and holiest day. Allah Tabaruku Ta’la has bestowed on ten Prophets the greatest honour on this day. Ashura is named after the word ‘ashara’, which means ten. As it is the tenth day of the month; moreover it is named Ashura for giving the good news to ten Prophets on the day. We are Muslims and our religion is Islam. Our Rasul is Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). Being Muslims and taking birth in Muslim families, we have forgotten the identity of the day on which Allah has established Himself on the Throne as the Lord of the universe and His installation took place. We think that the Christians will observe the day because Hazrat Isa (As) was born on this day. Jews will observe it as Hazrat Musa (As) crossed the Nile to save him from the torture of Feraon (Pharaoh). The Shia sect will observe it as Imam Hossain (Ra), the beloved son of Hazrat Ali (Ra), was martyred on this day in the desert of Karbala. Is Allah only the Lord of the Jews, Christians or Shias? If Allah is the Lord of mankind and all creations, what is the cause of non-observance of the day by the Muslims? For our ignorance on the history of the day we have gone far away from the truth. We have taken falsehood as truth. As a result we can’t free us from the impulse of passions and don’t have peace in life.

“In honour of the Ashura Day, innumerous Prophets and Rasuls could free them from difficult adversities. There are many descriptions of incidents to explain the bujurgi (highest honour) of this holy day. On this day if we cry to Allah for salvation by knowing Him and His Great Truth, will He not salvage us? If we can observe the day according to the guidance given by the friends of Allah having taken the day of His Installation as true, certainly He will shower Grace on us. We promised to Allah we accepted Him as our only Lord, do we remember that? What had we promised to Allah, but what are we doing in this world? We have utterly forgotten Him having come to the earth. We have lost His identity. In lieu of obedience to Allah, we have become submissive to passions. Being willful, we have gone far away from Him. We don’t even think about His place of existence and how to establish communication with Him. We have assumed that Allah exists over seven skies. We think that Allah will shower His Blessings from the seventh sky while we pray to Him by raising our hands. We didn’t even seek for once the real place where He exists. Allah says: “And also in yourselves (the Sign of Allah exists). Will you not then see?” (Surah Dhariyat, verse 21)
In another place He says: “And He is with you wherever you may be.” (Surah Haddid, verse 4)
Allah further says: “I am nearer to him (man) than his jugular vein.” (Surah Qaf, verse 16)
“Allah says, O banda (man)! I am in you; while banda looks for Him over the sky. How will he attain Allah? How can he go onto the seventh sky? While Allah says, I am in you; why have I gone onto the seventh sky looking for Him? We have fallen into confusion having lost the Right Path.

“The holy Hadith says, ‘After death man will be asked first— who is your lord?’ If you are asked after death, who is your Lord? What will you answer? Do you know Allah? Have you seen Him? Have you got His identity? Our idea is— if we see Him, iman (belief) will go. If iman goes to see Allah, will a man be imandar (believer) if he sees Satan? We have to be careful about the matter and we have to think over it. If there is no condition on knowing the identity of Allah in our course and meeting with Him is not included in our syllabus, after death why man will be asked first— who is your Lord? So, existing in the world one has to know his Lord. We have to attain the identity of Allah in our lifetime. From Hazrat Adam (As) to the Great Prophet (Sm), each of the Prophets and the Rasuls that came to the earth had to attain the identity of Allah remaining in the world, had got news from Allah and performed their respective religions by establishing communication with Allah. We have forgotten His identity and lost communication with Him. Consequently we do not get good results having performed religious activities. Despite having been more than 150 crore Muslims in the world today, we are being ruined by torture perpetuated on us. Seeing our condition, who will say that we have our Lord? If Allah is the Guardian of the Muslims, why are they being the most tortured community today? If you investigate, you will see that we have gone away from Allah; the communication between Him and us has severed. Allah says, ‘Allah is the Guardian of the believers.’ Be a believer and establish communication with Allah, you will see Him as your Guardian. When Allah becomes one’s Guardian, he has nothing to worry about any matter in the world and the Afterlife. We perform worship to attain Allah and by knowing Him end our lives with belief. If you see Allah through an ascetic practice, will your belief go away consequently? Does anybody’s belief go away if he sees Allah? Rather he becomes a firm believer. You have vowed belief in Him hearing from Hazrat Rasul (Sm): ‘There is no god but Allah.’ It is called the first Kalema (basic article of faith). Through a devoted practice when you will see Allah, you will say, ‘I testify that there is none to be worshipped but Allah.’ It is called the second Kalema. Can one testify having not seen anything? Will it be a testimony if one says something having heard it? In this way five Kalemas have come consecutively to five stages in the process of improving the soul. But we claim us as the believers by cramming these five Kalemas. For example it can be said that if anybody crams the names of classes from one to M.A., he doesn’t get Masters degree. To achieve M.A. degree he has to study from one to M.A. classes successively. So, we do not practise what exists in the holy Qur’an and the holy Hadith about the religion. In fact our idea about the religion is not correct and complete. We have learned the religion from our parents. We have thought that in our childhood with the learning about the religion from our teachers in the moktob (elementary religious school) the religion completes there. The person who is happy with his primary education; on the other hand, the person who has gained PhD degree with his devoted practice—will the knowledge of the both be equal? Is passing the primary class equal to gaining the PhD degree? Those, who have had complete knowledge about the religion, have attained the identity of Allah by practicing Tasauf (Spiritual Science). If you read the life-sketches of Awlia-e-Keram, you will find that each of them had to keep in touch with a Wali Allah to learn Elmul Qalb (knowledge from heart). Keeping in touch with the friends of Allah, they had to learn Elmul Qalb, Elme Tasauf (spiritual knowledge), Elme Moamela and elme mokashefa. These are the practical knowledge on how to establish communication with Allah. Only rendering servitude to Murshed (spiritual guide) one can understand what religion is; in which way observing religion peace can be attained in practical life; how religion makes good-character of a man; how it helps a man in his practical life and how it teaches mankind the method of living peacefully. So, on the holy Ashura Day our duty is to pray for the Grace of the Lord. We have to pray to Allah for His help to lead us to the path through which salvation and His pleasure will be attained.
“Today I am a high official, a big leader of the country. When the spirit will go out of my body, it will have no value. I will transform into a dead-body. So, during the lifetime efforts should be taken for my salvation. When asked about the performance of religion, we reply— As I am busy with various activities, I get no time for it. When Malakul Maut (Angel of Death) will come to take the ruh (spirit), what will be the state of our business? None shall be given time then. Allah has created us with self-respect. Despite the objection of the angels, He has created mankind by saying, ‘You don’t know that I know.’ Coming to the earth, we have sunken us in worldly affairs. We have forgotten that we have to go back to Allah and to be accountable to Him for our activities. We don’t want to die; we want to live in the world. We have exhausted all our time and labour in pursuit of worldly affairs. But have we lived in the world forever? Will we live here forever trying utmost? So, we should lead our lives at the will of Allah. As we have to die, it is better to lead our lives at His Pleasure by surrendering to Him. It will be the real Religion that will make our lives happy in this world and Afterlife.”

Highlighting the benefits of the holy Ashura, Great Reformer and Revivor of Muhammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla in 1985 first took an initiative to distribute a leaflet among the religious-minded people of our society so that they can find out the way of salvation by observing the day in a significant manner. But many people had cast an adverse reflection on his step to say: He is propagating the doctrine of the Shias; is he a Shia? Braving different adversities, this benevolent Great man has continued his efforts tirelessly. At this by the unlimited Grace of Allah, the wrong idea about the holy Ashura in society is going. People have become aware of this holy day on which Allah has established Himself on His Throne, the greatest creation. So, they think that this day should be observed respectfully and in befitting manner. There is no scope for hesitation among us on this matter.
Upholding the importance of the holy Ashura, the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh published a handout in 1995 accepting the proposal of Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla calling the nation to observe the day in a very significant way.

Article : Wrong idea about taking photograph dispelled: The correct information presented

Articles by: Mahbub Morshed

There is a dispute on taking photographs in the Muslim world whether it is legal or not. Because according to the prevailing idea, taking photographs is forbidden in the Shariah law. But on the backdrop of the present world, photos are very essential for different types of work. For example, photos are essential for mosques, madrasahs, schools, colleges, universities, offices, courts, travels and different types of work. Even at time of going to perform Hajj, photos are essential for passports and identity cards for the Hajis (pilgrims). Hanging the photo by the neck, a Haji has to perform every ritual of the Hajj. Besides, different Islamic functions are shown in television by taking photographs and those are published in newspapers. In this situation a sensible man may question, if taking photograph is forbidden, will worships like prayers, fasting, Hajj etc. be accepted (by Allah) keeping photos physically? To give solution to these types of question, the Great Reformer and Revivor of Muhammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Mahbub-e-Khoda Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla with his unlimited spiritual knowledge and profound scholarship in the holy Qur’an and the holy Hadith has proved that Allah the Magnificent had sent the pictures of the Prophets and Rasuls, who were sent to the earth subsequently, to original father Hazrat Adam (As) earlier. Hazrat Adam (As) kept those pictures with his descendants as a documentary proof of the Prophets and Rasuls yet to come. It is known that those (pictures) were preserved till the time of Kholafa-e-Rashedeen (the Caliphs in the Right Path). With the documents of the holy Qur’an and the holy Hadith and irrefutable arguments he has proved that as Allah Ta’la had sent the pictures of the Prophets and Rasuls to Hazrat Adam (As), taking photographs can’t be forbidden. Besides, if a man wants to live in the present civilized society, photo has become so essential that without it he is unable to move elsewhere. According to Islamic law, the Command of Allah is obligatory for a believer, and the Prohibition must be obeyed. The words, ‘photograph is prohibited’, are not mentioned anywhere in the verses of the holy Qur’an. So, the prevailing idea, i.e. taking photograph is prohibited, is baseless. In this situation by proclaiming prohibition Allah Ta’la cannot lay pressure on man. About it in the holy Qur’an He announces, “I haven’t imposed anything on you that shall be difficult to obey.” To inform our esteemed readers we hereby present the following documents on photographs from the holy Qur’an and the holy Hadith.
The verse of the holy Qur’an describes: “Their Prophet said to them: Verily! The sign of His kingdom is that there shall come to you ‘tabut’ (a wooden box), in which is peace and reassurance from your Lord and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind, carried by the angels. Verily! In this is a sign for you if you are indeed believers.” (Surah Baqarah, verse 248)
In this verse the word ‘tabut’ has been used. About it Tafsir-e-Jalalain describes: “The Bani Israil (descendents of Israil) wanted to see the sign of authority on the kingdom from their Prophet Hazrat Shamuil (As). Then he said to them— a tabut (chest) would come to you as the sign of my authority. In it the photos of the Prophets were preserved, which Allah Ta’la revealed to Hazrat Adam (As). Afterwards it had come to the Bani Israil. A community named Amalika snatched it from them after their victory. Through this medium the Israilis used to pray for the victory over the enemy. In the battlefield they used to place it in front of them. With it they would have attained ‘sakeena’ or mental peace.”
Tafssir-e-Kanjul Iman has described ‘tabut’ as follows: “It was a gold-ornamented chest made of Shamshad wood. It was three cubits long and two cubits wide. Allah Ta’la revealed it to Hazrat Adam (As). The photos of all Prophets were preserved in it. In it were the photos of their birthplaces and houses also. Towards the end a photo of the holiest house of Hujur-e-Sayidul Anbia-Sm (Leader of the Prophets) was in it.  This photo bore his standing position in the prayer along with the Sahaba-e-Keram (Companions) around him. Hazrat Adam (As) had seen those photos. The chest reached Hazrat Musa (As) by inheritance. He used to keep the Taurat (Divine Book) and his other special things in it. So, in this chest there were pieces of boards of the Taurat. The Stick of Hazrat Musa (As) and his dresses; the turban of Hazrat Harun (As) and his stick, and a little quantity of ‘manna’ that was revealed to the Bani Israil were kept in it.”
Hazrat Musa (As) used to place the chest in his front during battles. With it the Bani Israilis enjoyed mental peace. After him this tabut moved hereditarily among them. If they faced any complex problem, they used to place it in front of them to pray and gained success. Facing the enemy, they achieved victory by the blessing of this chest.
When the condition of the Bani Israil was worse and their evil activities had risen, Allah Ta’la made the ‘Amalikah’ community victorious over them. At that time the ‘tabut’ was snatched from the Bani Israil and kept at a dirty place near garbage. Thus they (Amalikah) disrespected it. For this impertinence they fell victim to different diseases and misfortunes. Five of their residential areas had destroyed. Then they were ascertained that disrespect to tabut was the cause of their destruction.
After that this community put the tabut on a bullock-cart and released the bullocks. Meanwhile the angels brought it to King Talut of the Bani Israil. In fact, coming of the tabut to the Bani Israil was the sign of Talut’s kingship. At this they accepted him as their king and without hesitation they were ready for a holy war (jihad). Because, getting the tabut they were confirmed of their victory. Talut picked up 70 thousand youths from the Bani Israil. Among them was Hazrat Daud (As). It was ascertained from the explanations of Jalalain, Ju’mal Khazin and Madarik that Allah the Magnificent had sent the holy photos of all Prophets and Rasuls to the original father, Hazrat Adam (As), and those photos reached the Bani Israil by inheritance.
In a holy Hadith we can get wonderful information about the photos of the Prophets including that of the Great Prophet (Sm). The book ‘Bishwanabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam-er Tinshata Mojeza’ (Three Hundred Miracles of the Great Prophet-Sm), written by Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Sayeed (Rh) and translated by Mohammad Khaled, on its page 237 narrates:
“During the rule of Hazrat Abu Baqr Siddiq (Ra), Noaaem Ibne Abdullah, Hisham Ibne Aas and another man were sent to the emperor of Rome. They said: we went to Jabala Ibne Aiham. He took us to the emperor. We found a gold- ornamented and aromatic chest there. In it there were a number of small chambers. The emperor brought out a black silk-handkerchief from a chamber. On it there was a photograph of Hazrat Adam (As).
“After that he opened the second chamber to bring out another silk-handkerchief. On it was the photo of Hazrat Nuh (As). Then he showed the photo of Hazrat Ibrahim (As). After that he showed the photograph of the Great Prophet (Sm) and said: ‘It was in the last chamber. I want to know about him from you. So, I have opened it earlier.’ Then he showed the photos of other Prophets including Hazrat Isa (As), Hazrat Harun (As), Hazrat Daud (As), Hazrat Musa (As), Hazrat Lut (As) and Hazrat Ishak (As) by opening the chambers. He said: Daniel made these pictures.”
A renowned researcher the late Maulana Abdul Jalil Mazaheri in his book ‘Toloare Noy Udarotai’ (Not Sword but Magnanimity Can Achieve) has written: “After receiving a letter from Dahia Kolobi, on one night Kaiser called the couriers in a secluded room. A big chest was brought to them. There were small chambers in it. Opening the chest, Kaiser brought out a black silk handkerchief from a chamber. There was a picture of a man on it. King Kaiser asked them, ‘Whose picture is it, can you say?’ The couriers said, ‘We couldn’t know him.’ Then Kaiser said, ‘It is the picture of the original man Hazrat Adam (As).’ Then from another chamber he brought out a black silk handkerchief. Showing a picture on it he said, ‘It is the picture of Prophet Hazrat Nuh.’ Then he brought out another picture from a chamber. The narrator said, ‘We were astonished to see that it was the exact picture of Hazrat Rasulullah (Sm).’ Kaiser asked, ‘Have you known this picture?’ We said, ‘Certainly we have known it. He is our last Prophet Muhammad Mostafa (Sm).’ King Kaiser asked again, ‘Is he your Prophet?’ We said, ‘Seeing this picture and seeing Hazrat Rasul (Sm) is the same thing.’ Hearing this King Kaiser stood up and then sat. For a while he observed the picture and said, ‘Certainly he is the last Prophet. There are many more pictures with me. Now I will open and show you them’.”
Maulana Abdul Jalil Mazaheri has further written: “He showed us the pictures of many Prophets including Hazrat Musa (As), Hazrat Isa (As) and Hazrat Solaiman (As). The couriers asked him, ‘How did these pictures reached you?’ The king replied, ‘Hazrat Adam (As) appealed to Allah, may He kindly give him the pictures of the Prophets from his descendents. At this Allah Pak had sent them to him. Hazrat Adam (As) kept these pictures at his house. King Zulkarnain rescued this chest while traveling and gave it to Daniel wherefrom my forefathers got it’.”
Maulana Mazhari has collected the aforesaid incident from page 101 of the first part of the book ‘Matharejunnabuot’ by Mohaddese Dehlovi that he narrated with the care of Baihaqi.
It is narrated from Mugira Ibne Sho’ba: When he went to Egyptian Emperor Mukaokis and Christian Emperor Iskandaria, they showed him the pictures of the Prophets including that of Rasule Karim (Sm). In no time he could know the dear Prophet (Sm).
Hazrat Zubair (Ra) said: “When Allah Pak sent His Prophet (Sm) to the earth and his fame spread across Makkah, incidentally I left for Syria. When I reached Basra, a group of Christians asked me, ‘Are you a resident of Herem?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ They asked me again, ‘Do you know the man who is claiming to be a Prophet.’ I replied, ‘Certainly I know him.’ They took me to a church. Some pictures were there. They said, ‘Look at them carefully if there is any picture like that Prophet. Observing all the pictures with deep attention, I said, ‘His no picture is here.’ Then they took me to a larger church. More pictures than the first one were preserved there. They said to me, ‘Just observe, whether there is any picture similar to your Prophet.’ I found an exact picture. Another one was like Hazrat Abu Baqr (Ra). In that picture I found him holding the holy feet of Rasulullah (Sm). They said to me, ‘Look at the picture very carefully if it is exactly his one.’ When I answered them affirmatively, they hinted at the picture of Rasulullah (Sm) to say, ‘Are you sure of it?’ This time I firmly replied, ‘Yes, I testify that this is his picture indeed.’ Then they asked, ‘Do you know the man who is holding his (Rasul-Sm) holy feet?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ This time they said, ‘Let all of us testify that he is your Prophet and the man who is holding his holy feet will be the Caliph after him.’
Imam Bokhari (Rh) in his history book has further described that the man who was showing pictures also said: After the demise of a Prophet certainly another Prophet had come; but after this Prophet none (Prophet) will come. (Joabe Sahih)
Citing various sources the historians have written: “Allah Pak sent Hazrat Adam (As) a tabut (box). In that box or chest were the pictures of the Prophets. It was made of wood. It was three yards long and two yards broad. During his lifetime Hazrat Adam (As) preserved the chest. After that through his descendents subsequently it came to Hazrat Yakub (As) and later to Hazrat Musa (As) hereditarily. This mu’jeza (miracle) was a firm proof of the identity, fame and above all the truth of the Prophethood of Rasul-e-Pak (Sm).”
About the existence of the holy picture of the Great Prophet (Sm), there is further information in other books. On page 20 of the book ‘Shaoahedun-Nabuot’, written by Allama Abdur Rahman Zami (Rh) and translated by Maulana Muhiuddin Khan, there is a description that follows:
“Hesham Ibnul Aas (Ra) said: ‘Ameerul Mu’mineen Hazrat Abu Baqr Siddiq (Ra) sent me to Emperor Heraclias along with a man. The objective was to reach him the invitation of Islam. When we reached Gota, Jabala Gassani, a governor of the emperor, was there. We told him about our meeting with Heraclias. In reply the emperor sent us a messenger and through him said: Whatever you want to tell me, say it to the envoy. We said: We won’t talk to him. Then the messenger took us to Jaabala. I talked to him and offered the invitation of Islam. I saw him in black clothes. I asked him: Why have you worn black dress? He said: I have sworn that until you are driven out of Syria, I won’t leave this dress. I replied: I swear on Allah to tell you that we will capture the soil on which we are sitting now. A large part of your country will come under us Insha-Allah (if Allah wills) as Allah Ta’la has sent our Prophet (Sm) good news of this victory.
The governor said: You are not that nation who can take over this country. Rather they comprise that nation, who performs fasting. Then Jabala wanted to know from us if we perform fasting. When we told him about our fasting, he looked pale. After that he requested us to get up. We got up. He gave us a messenger to take us to Heraclias. As we reached the outskirts of the city, the messenger said: The people in this city do not bring the conveyances as you have. If you want we may arrange other types of conveyance. We said: No. Swear on Allah, we will enter the city using these conveyances. Hearing about the exchange of words, the emperor permitted us to enter the city on our own conveyances with sheathed swords. Reaching there, we stopped our conveyances below the window. The emperor was observing us. When we uttered ‘La ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah’ [There is no god but Allah to be worshipped and Muhammad-Sm is His Rasul (Messenger)] the windows of the palace began swinging as date-trees do by the gust of wind.
The emperor sent us a message by a man: ‘You should not express your religious faith in a violent sound.’ Then he permitted us to go inside. Going there, we found him sitting on a floor-cover in red dress. The curtain of every window was red. A group of courtiers was near him. When we approached him, the emperor said to us smilingly, ‘What was the harm if you blessed me and paid regards according to the rules?’ We said, ‘We exchange regards and blessings mutually which is not, to our mind, lawful in your case. We do not take your mutual exchange of blessings as lawful.’ The emperor asked, ‘What type of blessings and regards do you pay?’ We said: We say, ‘Assalamu Alaikum.’ He asked again, ‘Do you pay regards and bless your king?’ We replied, ‘In the same manner we do. There is no separate rule for the king.’ The emperor asked, ‘How does the king reply to the regards?’ We said, ‘Using the same words.’ He again asked, ‘What is your greatest Kalam (Message)? We said, ‘La ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah.’ When we uttered it, the windows swung again. The emperor’s head was also swinging as he raised it. At this the emperor questioned, ‘When you utter this Kalema at home, do the windows of your home swing in this way?’ We said, ‘Swear on Allah, we didn’t see it anywhere but here.’ At this the emperor said, ‘It would be my pleasing matter if the place where you utter this Kalema would have swung. I would also like if some parts of my country were out of my control.’ When we wanted to know its cause, the emperor said, ‘If it were so, it would not have been by the assertion of prophethood; rather it would be a trick, deception and fraudulence of somebody.’
After this the emperor asked various equations and we answered them. He asked about prayers and fasting. We also gave their answers. Then he said: Get up. There is a nice house for you that has been decorated. All elements of entertaining the guests have been supplied there.
We stayed at the house for three days. Every night the emperor called us and asked the same questions he did earlier. We just repeated the answers. After this a quadrangular chest was brought. It was full of gems. There were many small squares in it. Every square had a door and a lock. The emperor unlocked a door and brought out a piece of silk cloth. After opening out the cloth, we saw on it a picture of a man having red complexion, wide-open eyes and long neck. We never saw such a long neck before. But it was a beardless picture of the man. His hairs were so nicely looked, it seemed that the nature had created them with its own hand. The emperor asked: Do you know him? We answered negatively. At this he said: He is Hazrat Adam (As). Then unlocking the second one the emperor brought out another piece of silk cloth. On it was a picture of a man with white appearance, red eyes and big head. He seemed to be unique in his own qualities. The emperor asked: Do you know him? We said: No. He said: He is Hazrat Nuh (As). After this he unlocked the third door and brought out another silk cloth. On it was a picture of a man with much white complexion, well-shaped body, bright forehead, artistic cheek and white beard. It seemed that he was alive and smiling. The emperor asked again: Do you know him? We said: No. He said: He is Hazrat Ibrahim (As). Then he unlocked another door and brought out another piece of silk cloth. On it was a white picture. Just seeing it, we could know that he was none but our dearest Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). We began weeping and stood up in his respect. Then we sat down. The emperor said: Swearing on the Cherisher, tell me truly, is he your Prophet? We said: Yes, he is our Prophet. Hearing this he stared at us for a while. Then said: It is the last square of the chest. But do you think that I have hastily shown it? Then he unlocked another door in which there was a picture of another prophet as he shown before. Last of all he showed a picture of a young man. He had a clear sign of saintliness. There were many black hairs on his body; but his appearance was nice. The emperor asked: Do you know him? We said: No. He said: He is Isa Ibne Maryam (As).
After this we asked Emperor Heraclias: Where did you get these pictures that have similarity to the appearances of the Prophets? He said: Hazrat Adam (As) appealed to Allah that might He show him the appearances of the Prophets who would come from his descendents. Accordingly the Sustainer sent him their pictures. These pictures were included in the deserted precious things of Adam (As) that remained near Western Hemisphere. King Zulkernain lifted them from there and handed over to Hazrat Danial (Daniel). Later, he painted them on black cloth. The pictures you see now were similar to those of the Prophets done by him (Danial).
Then the emperor said: I want to migrate and become your servant. When I will die, I should be treated well and my body be sent to my country.
Coming back home we went to Ameerul Mu’minin Abu Baqr Siddiq (Ra) and told him the incidents in detail. Hearing those episodes he wept and said: Allah Ta’la has willed to do good to him that he wished and He will fulfill his desire. Then he said again: Our Rasul-e-Pak (Sm) said that the Jews and the Christians see his (Rasul-Sm) praises and naat in the Tawrat and the Injil (Bible) as Allah Ta’la says: “They see him (his name written) in the Tawrat and the Injil.”
Islamic Foundation Bangladesh has published ‘Tafsir-e-Ma’areful Qur’an’ translated in Bangla. On page 460 of its 6th part a Hadith has been quoted from page 224 of Tirmiji Sharif: “Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (Ra) says, ‘Before her marriage with Rasulullah (Sm) the angel Zibrail went to him with my picture in a silk cloth and said: This is your wife.’ In another description it is said: Zibrail took the picture in his palm.”
From the aforesaid sayings it is clear that the holy picture of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) existed till the time of Khulafa-e-Rashedeen— there is no doubt about it. At that time the holy pictures of all Prophets and Rasuls including that of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm), which Allah Ta’la had sent to Hazrat Adam (As), existed. If photograph had been illegal, Allah Ta’la wouldn’t have sent the holy pictures of the Prophets and the Rasuls (to Hazrat Adam-As). So, there is no obstacle to photograph in Islam when necessary in human life. But it is undeniable that obscene pictures or other pictures, which drive mankind to sins, should be abandoned reasonably.
It mentionable that in some descriptions of the Hadith it is said that the angels of blessings do not enter the house where there are pictures and dogs. The opinion of the Islamic scholars about it is, if there is any difference of opinion between the holy Qur’an and the holy Hadith over a subject, the description of the holy Qur’an will be acceptable. In this situation as there is no prohibition of the holy Qur’an against photography and preserving a picture, we have to abide by its laws. Besides, there is no prohibition of the holy Hadith against photography.
A holy Hadith says, “Every object has its exoteric and esoteric aspects.” So, there are exoteric and esoteric meanings and explanations of the holy Qqur’an and the holy Hadith. In this situation explaining the holy Hadith “the angels of blessings do not enter the house where there are pictures and dogs”, the Sufis and Awlia-e-Keram say: If a man performs worship having been devoted to other being’s meditation avoiding Allah, the picture of that being devoid of Him (Allah) appears in his heart. As a result Allah doesn’t accept his worships and he is deprived of His Blessings. The Sufis and Awlia-e-Keram further say: We are men in the exoteric form, but not all are men in the spiritual form. The spiritual form of a man is similar to his character. So, those who have inner-eye see most people as dogs, foxes, hogs, goats, monkeys etc. in their spiritual form. In this situation if anybody’s spiritual form is of a dog or of any other cruel animal, the Blessings of Allah won’t enter that soul. For this reason Hazrat Rasul (Sm) has given the aforesaid Hadith. Besides, it is known that the dog named Kitmee, which was an association of Ashabe Kahaf, will enter the Paradise as described in the holy Qur’an. Regarding this if we take the exoteric meaning of the aforesaid holy Hadith, will the angels there go out if the dog enters the Paradise? Certainly, not.
In fact, we have to attain concentration of mind in the meditation of Allah by freeing us from thinking on the being devoid of Him, and we have also to attain the virtues of humanity by purifying our souls. Only then we will be able to attain unlimited Blessings and Bounties of Allah Ta’la.

Event Date: 17th December, 2010

The Ashek-e-Rasul (Sm) Conference will be held on December 17 (Friday) at Motijheel, Babe Rahmat of Dewanbag Sharif on the occasion of Ascension Day of Allah the Magnificent and the 26th founding anniversary of Dewanbag Sharif.
Lakhs of Asheks-e-Rasul and salvation-seekers from different parts of the country will attend the conference with the hope for improving their fates and getting blessings and kindness of Allah. On this occasion a grand preparation has already been taken for celebrating the programme peacefully and in discipline. The great reformer, Revivor of Muhammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Mahbub-e-Khoda Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla has convened this grand congregation highlighting the Ascension Day of Allah on the Throne.
To make the conference a success, Ashek-e-Rasul mahfils, milad mahfils, preparatory meetings and personal invitations have been continuing in the capital, district towns and remote rural areas of the country.
In fact, Allah the Magnificent ascended the Throne on this day having created universe. On this day Allah rescued many nabi-rasuls from various catastrophes. Anybody can get blessing and kindness of Allah by observing the Day of Ashura with due honour and religious fervour as well as crying to Allah.
The programme will begin at 7am with the recitation from the holy Qur’an. On the occasion Olama-e-keram will deliver their speeches.
After Juma prayers, the convenor of the conference will deliver his valuable sermon and conduct akheri munajat seeking divine blessings, peace and prosperity of the world people.

A 12-day long photography exhibition on the Great Reformer, Reviver of Mohammadi Islam, Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla has begun from December 4 at Drik gallery, Dhanmondi in the capital.

The exhibition will continue at Drik gallery from December 4 to December 15. Everyday gallery will be open from 3pm to 8pm.

Thousands of people are witnessing the exhibition of various portraits of Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla.

Eid-ul-Adha Congregation prayers at Babe Rahmat

On the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Adha, three congregation prayers will be held on 8am, 9am and 10am respectively at Babe Rahmat of Dewanbag Sharif in the capital, the press release said.

The Great Reformer, Revivor of Muhammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Mahbub-e-Khoda Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla will offer the first Jamat of Eid-ul-Adha prayers and lead the special munajat seeking salvation of departed souls, and peace and prosperity for the welfare.

What is the Haqiqat (Reality) of Hajj?

Article by: Mahbub Morshed

As Ka’ba is the Qibla of the Muslims, it is the holiest place for them. Its sacred history is long. Its description will be found in the holy Qur’an. It says: “Certainly the first House of worship appointed for mankind was at Makkah; full of blessings and guidance for the universe.” (Surah Ale Imran, verse 96)

The history of the House of Allah at Makkah encompasses the holy reminiscence of the Prophets coming before Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) including the original man and first Prophet Hazrat Adam (As) and Hazrat Ibrahim (As), the ancestor of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm).

Ka’ba has become the most respected House having been recognized as the Qibla of the last and the greatest of all Prophets sent by Allah, Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) and his followers, i.e., the Muslims. Centering this Ka’ba, the Muslims observe Hajj (pilgrimage) every year. The objective of performing different rituals of Hajj is — to create obedience to Allah and His dear friend Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) and deep love for them, having remembered the great men, who were involved with Ka’ba and Hajj, to have inspiration for doing honest work by achieving spiritual power to create respect and attachment for them, to be imbibed with establishment of world Muslim fraternity and the ideal of equality through offering prayers by the Muslims altogether, to take vow to make life pure and immune from sins having followed the messages of the great men selected by Allah and accordingly building up oneself as a good Muslim. But it is to be regretted that although the outer formalities are performed with pomp and ceremony, the inner significance of Hajj in rectifying character and improvement of soul of the Muslims is not seen.

The Great Reformer of the Age and Revivor of Muhammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Mahbub-e-Khoda Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla has given a clear explanation of real Hajj and Ka’ba following which a man can attain nearness to Allah through performing real Hajj.

Regarding this Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla says: Kitabul Iman of Bokhari Sharif citing Ubaidullah Ibne Musa-Ibne Umar  (Ra) as saying that Rasulullah (Sm) has said: “The foundation of Islam has been laid on five issues — (1) there is no god but Allah and to swear the testimony that Muhammad (Sm) is the Rasul (Messenger) of Allah; (2) to establish regular salat (prayers); (3) to distribute zakat (charity for the poor); (4) to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) and (5) to observe Roza (fasting) of Ramadan. So the holy Hajj is one of the main foundations of Islam.”

The word ‘Hajj’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘Hajjun’. Its literal meaning is to be determined. In the view of Islamic Shariah, with the swearing of Ehram (preliminary ritual to performing Hajj) on 9 Zilhaj some rituals have to be performed by praying for the salvation of the departed souls at the holy Ka’ba and then having gathered on the Field of Arafat a solemn vow has to be taken to lead one’s life according to the Islamic code, and that is called Hajj. The Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mostafa (Sm) performed Hajj in the 10^th Hijri. During that Hajj he congregated all his followers on the Field of Arafat on Zilhaj 9 to describe the basic principles of Islam and wanted to know from them if he had performed his long eventful activities of life perfectly. Everybody acknowledged that he had performed his duty accurately. At that time a good Message from Allah came to him: “Today I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour to you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Surah Al Ma’idah, verse 3)

After that Hazrat Rasul (Sm) upholding the basic principles of Islam asked all, ‘Will you be able to carry out them?’ Having agreed everybody firmly said they would carry out. The Rasul (Sm) of Allah directed the present pilgrims to reach the said principles and ideals the people who were absent there. From then the world Muslims use to perform the holy Hajj with due importance. The Muslims every year congregate on the Field of Arafat on Zilhaj 9 to take solemn vow to lead them to the path guided by Hazrat rasul (Sm)—that we call Hajj. Generally circling round (tawaf) the holy Ka’ba after the swearing of Ehram is called ‘Umrah’. After tawaf having gathered on the Field of Arafat on Zilhaj 9, remembrance of the speech (Khutba) given by Hazrat Rasul (Sm) in his last pilgrimage and to take vow to lead one to the path guided by him (Rasul-Sm) is called Hajj. We can know from history that Hazrat Rasul (Sm) with 114,000 Muslims went to Makkah from Madinah and he had 100 camels for sacrifice. While delivering his Farewell Hajj address, Prophet (Sm) announced—I am leaving the Messages of Allah and the ideal character of His Rasul (Messenger) as your guide. So long you will lead your life according to the ideals of my character having followed the rules of the holy Qur’an, you will not be strayed.

The Hajj is obligatory only for the able Muslims. It means, he who has the physical, mental and monitory ability to perform Hajj by going to Makkah Muazzema, for him it is obligatory at least once in his life. The cause of making Hajj obligatory for the rich is that they generally remain very busy with the worldly affairs. As a result they become somewhat indifferent to observing religion. But by following the rules of the Hajj they get the opportunity of attaining physical and mental training to make their mind attractive to religion. For example, at the time of the swearing of Ehram, wearing two pieces of unstitched white cloth and being bare-headed and bare footed, thoughts about death arise in the mind of the pilgrims. There is a rule that during the Ehram they have to remain meditated only to Allah by giving up all sorts of passion and desire.

Hazrat Rasul (Sm) says: “Die before your death—behave like a dead (man) or be free from all kinds of worldly addiction.”

Ehram is the training on behaviour like a dead. A dead man can’t kill a living being. During the Ehram killing of a living being is prohibited. If anybody does it, changing of his living instincts into dead will fail. So as its penalty he has to sacrifice another animal. During the circling of the holy Ka’ba mind becomes attracted to Allah. On going to the Field of Arafat remembrance of the incidents of forgiveness from sins of the First Father creates repentance in the minds of the pilgrims for forgiveness of their sins and they use to pray for it. Disobeying the commands of Allah Hazrat Adam (As) and Bibi Hawa tasted the fruit of the forbidden tree. For this offence he was separated from Bibi Hawa and after 360 or 390 years’ prayer for forgiveness, Allah forgave his sins through Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). Hazrat Adam (As) received this good news on the Field of Arafat and the reunion with Bibi Hawa took place there after a prolonged suffering of separation from her.

At the time of coming and going to and from Safa-Marwa the pilgrims remember the incidents involving Bibi Hazera and baby Hazrat Ismail (As) and their minds become overwhelmed with respect to them. Having remembered the incidents happened to the persons beloved by Allah, love for them is created in us. By following their custom and behaviour, our obedience to them is expressed. Building the holy Ka’ba, Hazrat Ibrahim (As) stayed there. Expressing respect and obedience to him, his followers used to go round it. By going to the Hajj, the pilgrims use to go round it for seven times till today. The principal cause of it is to express respect and loyalty to the friends of Allah by following the behaviour of Hazrat Rasul (Sm). Having gone to Mina, the pilgrims have to sacrifice animals. Sacrifice of animal is Sunnat-e (religious ceremony of) Ibrahim. As Hazrat Rasul (Sm) had sacrificed animal, being his followers the pilgrims having gone to Mina express respect and loyalty to their Prophet and his forefathers Hazrat Ibrahim (As) and Hazrat Ismail (As) through the sacrifice. On the way they have to throw pebbles at a stone-built plank. Hazrat Ismail (As) threw pebbles at Satan. Satan gave instigation to him while he was going to Mina with his father for being sacrificed. When he acknowledged his father about it, Hazrat Ibrahim (As) advised his son to throw pebbles at Satan. As Hazrat Rasul (Sm) followed the behaviour of Hazrat Ismail (As), having gone to perform Hajj, we also throw pebbles aiming at Satan. The objective of this action is to express honour and loyalty to our Prophet (Sm). Simultaneously, it teaches us to exceed the obstruction if anybody’s passions’ Satan stands in the way to following his (Rasul-Sm) ideals. Offering prayer by visiting the holy Rowaza (Mausoleum) of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) at Madinah awakens deep love for him in the heart of a pilgrim.

In fact, the objective of the rules on the rich to perform the Hajj is to train them for making religion attractive. Having performed real Hajj a rich Muslim learns to lead a peaceful life by obeying the fundamental principles Islam. The main teaching of the Hajj is to take a vow to lead the rest of one’s life in Islamic way having molded his character accordingly. To implement this teaching, the rich have to look for the means of reaching nearness to Allah on their coming back home from the Hajj. They have to keep in touch with the Awlia-e-Keram (friends of Allah) who bear the light of guidance and gives lessons on the ideals of Hazrat Rasul (Sm).

Besides the Hajj of the affluent Muslims, there is other kind of Hajj for all, irrespective of the rich and the poor. Those who have no means to go to the holy House of Allah or to Madinah Monoara to visit the holy Rowaza of Hazrat Rasul (Sm), on their Hajj Hazrat Jalaluddin Rumi (Rh) said, “If you can love a friend of Allah, it will be better and more fruitful than the Akbari (Great) Hajj.” The Hajj that falls on Friday is called ‘Akbari Hajj’. The Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) performed the Farewell Hajj on Friday. To narrate the dignity of Akbari Hajj Hazrat Rumi (Rh) has said, “The dignity of the pure heart which has had Allah in it is more than a lakh of Ka’ba.” The cause of it is said, “The holy House of Allah (Ka’ba) has been built with stone and water. But the Heart-Ka’ba of a faithful is built with the pure Light of Allah.” He again said, “In this Ka’ba lived Hazrat Ibrahim (As), but in the Heart-Ka’ba of a faithful lives Allah Himself.” The holy Hadith says: “The heart of a faithful is the Throne of Allah.” So the dignity of the House where Allah lives in is more than that of the house where Ibrahim (As) lived in. Hazrat Rasul (Sm) says: “A faithful (person) is more honourable than the House of Ka’ba.” (Abu Daud)

On visiting the holy House of Allah and after performing the fundamental principles of the Hajj, a love for the religion is created in us; but if we love the friends of Allah, it will be more than that love. If love for Allah and Hazrat Rasul (Sm) is created in you, and if you can be an Ashek (lover) of the Great Prophet (Sm), certainly a communication between you and him will be established. And when you will be acquainted with Hazrat Rasul (Sm), he will make a communication between you and Allah. So if you wish to attain Allah, you have to follow and keep in touch with the person who has attained Him. The holy Qur’an says: “O believers! Fear Allah, and be with those who are truthful.” (Surah At Taubah, verse 119)

As Allah Ta’la lives in a believer, to respect him means to respect Allah; to move at his command means to move at the command of Allah. Allah Ta’la says: “He who obeys the Messenger, (in other words) obeys Allah.” (Surah An Nisa, verse 80)

After Hazrat Rasul (Sm) one has to obey his spiritual successor, the Wali-Allah having the responsibility of giving guidance. Because Allah Ta’la has further said: Obey Me, My Messenger and My selected person who is guiding you. He, who has attained the identity of Allah through ascetic practice, will act at His command getting through elham (Divine Message). He, who has not been able to attained perfection, will act at the command of the Messenger and he, who has not attained the Messenger, will act at the command of the Wali Allah who has got the responsibility of  giving guidance—this is the prescript (law) of Allah. There is a specific syllabus to be a Wali-Allah. One who can establish friendship with Allah through the practice prescribed in that syllabus keeping in touch with a perfect morshed (spiritual guide), he becomes a Wali Allah. For example, once the emperor of Balkh Hazrat Ibrahim Bin Adham (Rh) intended to go to perform Hajj. It is described in books that he walked for 14 years at a stretch to go to the Hajj. Through divine insight he saw holy Ka’ba and offered optional prayer every step. In this way from Balkh he reached holy Ka’ba and found no Herem Sharif there. At this he felt distressed. Being prostrated he prayed to Allah, “O Lord! I have come to perform Hajj taking so much pain; but I don’t find Ka’ba.” Divine Message came—“O Ibrahim Adham! Wait.” He prayed again, “O Lord! For what I would wait, please tell me” Again the Divine Message came, “Wait, Ka’ba has gone to receive My beloved friend Rabeya Basri. She is My friend. She intended to perform Hajj. So to show her respect is My duty. For this I have ordered Ka’ba to bring Rabeya Basri here having received her.” Later on when Rabeya Basri (Rh) came with Ka’ba, Hazrat Ibrahim Adham (Rh) asked her, “O Rabeya! I have come to perform Hajj taking so much pains; but I din’t find Ka’ba.” Hazrat Rabeya Basri (Rh) replied, “O Ibrahim! Tell me, whom have you come to visit and pray?” Ibrahim Adham (Rh) said, “I have come to visit and pray to Ka’ba.” Hazrat Rabeya Basri (Rh) said, “I have come to visit and pray to Allah, the Lord of Ka’ba. As I have come to visit and pray to my Lord, so Ka’ba went to receive me.” From this incident it can be imagined that how best the honour of a faithful is.

An incident happening to Hazrat Mojadded Alfesani (Rh) has been described in the book ‘Halat-e-Mashayekh’. Once he intended to perform Hajj. His heart was passionate to visit the holy Ka’ba and the holy Rowaza of Hazrat Rasul (Sm). One day he sat in a morakaba (meditation) after the Magrib (evening) prayers. In this situation he saw that all men and jins were prostrating him as the qibla. At this sight Hazrat Mojadded Alfesani (Rh) gave up meditation. Again he sat in meditation and saw the same scene. In this way after seeing the same three times, he cried out to Allah for help to say, “O Lord! Have I become a polytheist? Forgive me!” At this a Divine Message came from Allah, “O My friend! You intended to perform Hajj. As you are My friend, I have commanded Ka’ba to reach you for the visit. So, Ka’ba is now present at your visit. As men and jins are prostrating Me aiming at Ka’ba, you are seeing that their qibla is at you.” Then Hazrat Mojadded Alfesani (Rh) called an attendant to show a place (25 feet x 40 feet) and told him to surround it with a wall. After its construction the protected place is named ‘Baitul Ka’ba’. But it is a matter of regret that we go to perform Hajj by spending lakhs of taka opposing the Awlia-e-Keram and oppressing the servants of Allah having misappropriated their wealth. In fact, to attain Allah one has to go to the friends of Allah and implement the region in personal life by sacrificing himself for the service of creatures of Allah having been guided to the path shown by them. Then only the Haqiqat-e-Hajj (true pilgrimage) will be performed. If you can purify your heart through ascetic practice, Allah Himself will stay there. The holy Hadith corroborates: “The heart of a faithful is the home of Allah.” In that situation by attaining the character of Allah, you will have unlimited peace.

On performing Hajj the pilgrims kiss the stone named ‘Hazre Aswad’ kept in the House of Allah. The conventional notion is if any pilgrim kisses the stone, his sins are forgiven. It is said that once this stone was white. By sipping sins of men it has become black. Hazre Aswad means ‘black stone’. So it was white—this notion is unnecessary. From the biography named ‘Nirbasita Hazrat Hazera (Ra)’ we can know—when Hazrat Bibi Hazera (Ra) was exiled to the desert of Arabia, Hazrat Ibrahim (As) once made up his mind to visit her. Hearing this, his another wife had given a condition—if you intended to go there, you might go; but you won’t land from the back of your camel. Hazrat Ibrahim (As) conceded. When he reached Makkah, Bibi Hazera came there to meet him with her baby boy Ismail (As). ‘Mom, who is he?’ The baby Ismail (As) asked his mother. Bibi Hazera replied, he is your father. Ismail (As) requested his father Hazrat Ibrahim (As) to get down from the camelback. But remembering the promise given to Bibi Sarah, his other wife, he didn’t land. He was shedding tears to affectionate son. At this Bibi Hazera asked him, “O friend of Allah! Are you pledge-bound not to land here?” He said, “Yes.” Then Bibi Hazera gave him a black stone and requested to land on it. Hazrat Ibrahim (As) got down on it. Bibi Hazera and Ismail (As) with etiquette, love and much respect kissed the holy feet of the Prophet of Allah and washed them with the waters of Zamzam Well. Bibi Hazera wiped his holy feet with her hair. She gave him dates to eat and waters of Zamzam Well to drink. Hazrat Ibrahim (As) was very pleased with the services of his exiled wife and the son. He rode the camel again and before leaving prayed to Allah for their wellbeing. After Hazrat Ibrahim (As) had left them, Bibi Hazera and Ismail (As) put the stone at a high place carefully. When they remembered Hazrat Ibrahim (As), the Prophet of Allah, they used to kiss that stone. When the House of Ka’ba was built at the command of Allah, this ‘Hazre Aswad’, the stone bearing the memory of Hazrat Ibrahim (As), was placed in it with due respect. At that time there was a belief that on kissing the stone, which had become holy with the touch of the legs of the friend of Allah, He would forgive all sins of mankind through the medium of Hazrat Ibrahim (As). For this reason the descendents of Hazrat Ibrahim (As) have been kissing ‘Hazre Aswad’ from the very beginning. As the Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mostafa (Sm) was a descendent of Hazrat Ibrahim (As), he used to kiss the stone. About kissing of ‘Hazre Aswad’, Hazrat Omar (Ra) said, “Certainly I know that you are mere a piece of stone; you have no power to do wellbeing or harm to anybody. Therefore, if I wouldn’t have seen my Prophet (Sm) to kiss you, I never would have kissed you.” But today we make our lives endangered having jostled to kiss that stone opposing the friends of Allah.

We see all over the world today—openly opposing the friends of Allah, misappropriating money and wealth of others, many of us are trying to be Haji (pilgrim) through performing Hajj. But we do not think for once at least that to attain Allah one has to go to the friends of Allah and has to love man. A teacher is necessary for worldly education. But on attaining Allah—the notion goes—nobody’s help is necessary. In fact, every thing has external and internal aspects. Similarly the Hajj has its external and internal aspects. If with the external rules the internal aspects of the Hajj are performed properly, it will be Haqiqat-e-Hajj or actual Hajj.

You know that an inhabitant of Yemen named Abdullah Ibne Moafeq, a poor butcher, was saving his hard-earned money for 30 years to perform Hajj. When he would go to the Hajj, a day before his wife said to him, “I will eat meat.” He said, “I have no extra money to buy meat. If I buy it from the money saved for the Hajj, I won’t be able to go to the Hajj.” Then he went to the neighbouring house to bring meat to meet her request. He said to his neighbour, “A smell of cooking-meat is coming out of your house. Please give me a little bit. I have decided go to Hajj. My wife wishes to eat meat. If I buy meat from market, the money for my Hajj will lessen.” The house-owner said, “O brother! This meat is lawful for us but forbidden for you. Because, we are starving for seven days. At last I could not forbear the weeping of my children and brought the meat of a dead ass floating on the river. We are cooking that. So it is legal for us but forbidden for you.”

At this the man wished to go to Hajj had become stunned and thought, ah! Leaving the servants of Allah starving, what benefit shall I have on performing Hajj? So, not going to Hajj, he gave away all his saved money to the members of that family. After the completion of the Hajj, a Wali Allah dreamt that Allah Ta’la accepted only one person’s Hajj that year. And he was none but that butcher. So the holy Hadith says: “Allah doesn’t see the wealth and appearance of man, He sees the mind and intent of man.” So, to have Allah’s favour, one has to love man. The holy Hadith further says: “He who is kind to a creation, the Superior Being (Allah) is kind to him too.” (Meshqat Sharif)

Allah in the holy Qur’an has taught the method of prayer for guiding oneself by possessing the ideals of His friends—“Lead to that path to which You dear ones have gone.” Man can attain pleasure of Allah and nearness to Him easily by following the footprints of His dear ones. Through observing the rules of Hajj, recalling the memories of the great men of the past and achieving determination and inspiration of following them, and leading the real life becomes easy to follow the successors of Hazrat Rasul (Sm). Inspiration and determination to lead life in this way are achieved by performing Hajj, which ultimately makes a man able to become dear one of Allah. In fact, to attain nearness to Allah we must have to learn spiritual knowledge keeping in touch with the great men by performing the actual Hajj. Because, performance of actual Hajj is possible by achieving purification of heart through practising spiritual knowledge.

The great Reformer of the Age and Revivor of Muhammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla has given the correct concept on Hajj and Ka’ba, so that the salvation-loving man can realize the actual significance of Ka’ba and nearness to Allah in real life being firm for self-purification through proper practice.

Rasulullah (Sm) in a holy Hadith says: “A man will not be a faithful, until he loves me more than his wealth, father and son, and even his life.” (Bokhari Sharif and Muslim Sharif)

We didn’t see the Prophet of Allah, only have heard his words. Suffering painful oppression he propagated religion. He was passionate for man’s emancipation. Although visiting holy Rowaza of Hazrat Rasul (Sm), according to Shariah Law, is not a part of Hajj, yet the pilgrims do it to have the golden chance of going to Makkah for Hajj crossing thousands of miles. Hazrat Rasul (Sm) is the immortal Prophet. In a holy Hadith he says: “After my demise he who visits my Rowaza as if he meets me alive.” (Tirmizi Sharif) In the light of this Hadith it is understood that in the lifetime of Hazrat Rasul (Sm), going to his touch the light of belief has been created in one’s heart through spirit. Similarly the light of belief enhances by visiting his holy Rowaza with respect and love.

To make the belief firm through achieving love of Hazrat Rasul (Sm), visit of his holy Rowaza is much beneficial. If anybody recites Darud and Salam in the name of Hazrat Rasul (Sm), Nabiji uses to give its reply. In a Hadith he says: “The Darud and Salam that you recite for me, by the Grace of Allah I receive that and give their reply.”

No follower will get salvation without the recommendation of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) on the Day of Judgement. By achieving his love we can make the path of having his recommendations easy to access.

From distance hearing of the words of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) or thinking on them and visiting his holy Rowaza is not the same. So every pilgrim should avail the golden opportunity of visiting the holy Rowaza of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) and pray there for achieving his love.

How the rules of Hajj are to be observed, why those are to be observed, what benefit a pilgrim attains after observing them correctly—if a Muslim performs Hajj with devotion after knowing these matters elaborately, his Hajj will not go in vain; rather it will be accepted by Allah. If we look at the process of observing religion in any Prophet’s Age, we will see that all activities of religion rotated centering the Prophet. It means, the theme of observing a religion lies with properly following the great man who is the founder of that religion. The observer of religion has to maintain respect, faith and love for the friend of Allah. He attains pleasure of Allah to obey him (friend of Allah) and becomes faithful with the spiritual support and favour of the Prophet. In the Age of Friendship the successor of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) the Great Reformer Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla teaches the rules of observing religion correctly. There are many persons who have been successful in performing Hajj according to the method given by him. In reality, if the rich become able to perform Hajj correctly, the spiritual power showers on their heart as the favour of Allah. But that is not enough. After a shower of rain on dry land it becomes favourable to sow seed. To reap crop seed must be sown on that land. Reaping of crop can’t be expected without sowing seed. Similarly the rich can prepare their heart favourable for holding the light of faith in it through performing Hajj correctly. On return home after completion of Hajj, they have to keep in touch of a Wali-Allah, the successor of Rasul (Sm) and a guide, to be complete believers by sowing the light of faith in their hearts through ascetic practice. Then only their performance of Hajj will be fruitful. Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi Hujur Qibla teaches men in society to be believers in this way.

What is the reality of Kalema in human life?

Article by:  Mahbub Morshed

Iman and Kalema take the first rank in the five principles or pillars of Islam. Man possessing ignorance and superstition, and involved in sinful activities has joined the followers of the Great Prophet (Sm) or the Muslims after reciting the ‘Kalema-e-Taiyeba’ which means ‘Words of Holiness’. The essence of Kalema bears two aspects. The first is — There is no god but Allah. It means, the Uniqueness of Allah Ta’la and complete loyalty to Him are admitted with it. But it is Him Whose identity is not known or with Whom the medium of communication is not in anybody’s control, how can his loyalty be expressed? Its reply or solution lies with the second aspect of the essence of the Kalema — Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) is the Messenger or Rasul.

Through 15 years of deep meditation in the Cave of Hera, dear Prophet (Sm) made communication with Allah to have His identity. To guide mankind on behalf of the Lord he got the responsibility of a Prophet. Accepting him as the Prophet chosen by Allah, following his guidance as he received it from Him and swearing loyalty to him (Prophet-Sm) the followers have driven out stains of sin from their hearts, and blooming the light of faith (Iman) a thorough change in man’s character has been attained. Achieving deep love of Allah Ta’la and His Rasul (Sm), man has transformed himself into a believer by swearing loyalty to Hazrat Rasul (Sm) and finally knowing the identity of Allah. In this way having been guided to the right and peaceful path of Islam, the barbarous people of then Arabia were able to attain the nearness to Allah and His pleasure.

In fact, without having faith in Rasul (Sm) one cannot have faith in the Uniqueness of Allah and without being obedient to Hazrat Rasul (Sm) one’s being obedient to Allah is not possible. So those who have denied Hazrat Rasul (Sm) have been included in the group of unbelievers. The holy Qur’an clearly says: “(O Rasul!) Tell them: O mankind! I am the Rasul (Messenger) of Allah to you all. There is no god but Him to Whom belongs the Sovereignty of the space (sky) and the earth. He gives life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His Words (Messages) and follow him so that you may be guided to the right path.” (Surah Al A’raf, verse 158)

Obeying Rasul (Sm), the dearest friend of Allah, and following him are obligatory for the believers. He will be included in the group of the unbelievers who denies it. So Allah the Greatest in an unambiguous term says in the holy Qur’an: “(O Rasul!) Tell (Mankind): If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins — because Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Tell (them further): Obey Allah and His Messenger; but if you turn away, (have in mind) certainly Allah does not love the unbelievers.” (Surah Ale Imran, verse 31-32)

Those who embraced Islam having kept in touch with Hazrat Rasul (Sm), it was not impossible for them to follow him or swear loyalty to him. But how can a Muslim be loyal to Allah? Allah the Magnificent has taught His servants to be loyal to Him through the following verse of the holy Qur’an: “He, who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah.” (Surah An Nisa, verse 80)

In our prevailing social system it is observed that in spite of being elected by the people’s vote, one cannot hold the elected post until he takes oath to an official authorized by the government. Similarly nobody can be taken as a member of a political party or a social organization just wishing it in mind, he has to take oath under its rules and regulations formally to get the membership. So, like the rules of life the provision of Islam is—to be a Muslim one has to formally swear loyalty to the Prophet chosen by Allah having recited Kalema. How a man becomes an Imandar (believer) by obeying and following Hazrat Rasul (Sm), the Great Lord Allah Ta’la has set forth a nice simile for it in the holy Qur’an: “(O Rasul!) Have not you seen how Allah sets forth a simile—a Word of Holiness like a holy tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches reach the sky, gives its fruit in every season by the permission of its Lord? Allah sets forth similes for mankind in order that they may receive advice.” (Surah Ibrahim, verse 24-25)

A seed of a tree sprouts with the touch of soil wherefrom it collects a watery substance. From the sprouted seed root comes out and enters into soil to firmly fix the tree. Meanwhile branches of the tree go upward to collect sunlight and elements of air for nourishing and making it fruit bearing. Similarly possessing the light of belief in heart, if anybody tries repeatedly to achieve spiritual power through obeying and following Hazrat Rasul (Sm), the impulse of passions weakens. On the other hand, the dormant light of Allah in heart awakes to make communication with the Heaven possible. This kind of heart immune from egoism gets command from Allah and is able to fully submit to Him. Even it attains the opportunity to meet Allah. Allah’s love and mercy are always being bestowed on this type of pure heart that maintains communication with the Heaven. Allah has always compared this type of heart, achieving perfection, with the fruit-producing holy tree.

It means, once a man would have recited Kalema obeying and believing Hazrat Rasul (Sm), he used to sow the seed of belief or its light. The imperceptible Spiritual Power has come to the heart of a follower from Allah through the heart of Hazrat Rasul (Sm) having obeyed him and followed his ideals. After dominating the bad instincts in a man’s heart through continuing devotion for attaining this Spirit, the love for Allah and Rasul (Sm) has grown. In this way he has known the identity of Allah, reached His nearness, and even he has achieved the ability to meet Him. Thus a man’s belief has got fullness. From the stage of recitation of the Kalema a man after attaining improvement of his belief through perseverance has got its proof in reality. Then he became able to testify fearlessly—I testify that there is no god but Allah; I further testify that Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) is His obedient Messenger. Thus ‘Kalema-e-Shahadat’ has originated.

We have to deeply look into the sentence and the meaning of Kalema while discussing it. Thus our idea about it will be further transparent and more wonderful information will come out. We will be able to realize that every Kalema indicates a stage in the way to achieving spiritual development or completion of belief. For example — to pass M.A. one has to cross the phases from class one to two and thus in a school, college and university. Similarly the Kalemas are separate phases of progress in learning spiritual education through ascetic practice for achieving completion of belief. Another matter is particularly noticeable that in the Kalema the Rasul’s (Messenger’s) name is connected with the name of Allah. Recitation of Kalema on being a Muslim is called promise or swearing in or announcement or acceptance—whatever we may call it—despite being the servant of Allah once His Oneness is accepted, immediately afterwards His representative should be accepted — What does it mean? What does the relationship the representative has with Allah that his acceptance bears such an importance? If we conduct research on the subject, we will find that he is the representative who holds Allah in his pure heart. As Allah is the purest Being in the imperceptible world, it is not possible for Him to manifest in the perceptible world directly nor has He left such a scriptural prescript. For giving the prescript to manifest Himself through the representative he had created Adam. Without the medium of the representative common man will not be able to have the trace of Allah. For this the name of every Prophet was related in the Kalema in his Age.

Although Allah has breathed His Spirit in every man, by the impulse of the bad instincts the waywardness of our passions has made It dormant and weak. As the hit of fire remains dormant in a piece of dried wood, once it gets the touch of fire it radiates or manifests. From a piece of burning wood or coal fire can transfer to a flammable matter. Fire cannot be created by reciting darud, merely praying or reading books. To ignite a thing from fire does not have prerequisite for being a scholar by learning any external science. To be a believer it is indispensable for one to go to the touch of such a man who holds belief in his heart. Connecting the name of the representative in the second part of the Kalema proves that. Now we will discuss how Kalema takes man towards completion step by step.

The first Kalema is: La Ilaha Illallahu Mohammadur Rasulullah” .It means, ‘There is no god but Allah and Muhammad (Sm) is His (Allah’s) Messenger.’

Though the meaning of this Kalema is very brief, yet its guiding principal lies in it. For example — Do you wish to obey One Allah? Then go to Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). He is the Messenger of Allah or legitimate representative. To reach the goal you need not know or understand other (person) than Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). He is enough to reach Allah. So, leaving other faith and thinking and all sorts of indecision, devote your mind to only Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). You believed to hear these words of the Kalema. Then you went to Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) to formally express loyalty to him. After that, what will be you duty? It will be your bounden duty to follow that, with full respect and faith and without protest, which the Messenger of Allah commands you. Therefore, ‘Kalema-e-Taiyeba’ is — I swear my faith on hearing at first. You can say it blind faith. Then I started trying to have its real testimony. If there is no lapse in my mind on the faith and if there is no negligence in my activities in accordance with the command of the Messenger of Allah, certainly I will get some of its real testimonies. ‘Kalema-e-Shahadat’ is the testimony of getting something real. The ‘Kalema-e-Taiyeba’ wherefrom our faith has started, we have learned a very clear subject from that. The subject is, without the Messenger there is no opportunity to reach Allah Ta’la directly. From the beginning of the creation through all Ages people of the world have got the identity of Allah given by such a man with whom He (Allah) had a direct link. Books cannot give mankind guidance. Those who have given importance to books not giving importance to that person (messenger), Allah Ta’la has rebuked them as ‘ahle kitab’ or ‘followers of books’. Neglecting the person selected by Allah, the followers of books in all Ages had been strayed and will remain the same. Because, a book is a constitution and the person selected by Allah is a teacher to guide man to the right path in daily life. He teaches man the method to achieve the result of observing religion in reality. By reading a constitution crop cannot be grown on the land. For this different process has to be learned. He who denies the importance of the medium or the messenger in the way of being a believer, denies the basic philosophy of Kalema. In this way he can never be a believer. May Allah the Magnificent protect us from the audacity to underestimate His Messenger.

‘Kalema-e-Shahadat’ is: “I testify that there is no god but Allah; He is One, He has no partner, and I further testify that (Hazrat) Muhammad is His obedient Messenger.”

The remarkable aspect of this Kalema and its difference with ‘Kalama-e-Taiyeba’ is bearing the testimony. To testify a thing one has to directly see and know it. So we find that ‘Kalema Taiyeba’ is ‘know first and then accept it’. About Allah and His Messenger I came to know first. After knowing it one should not remain silent or accept that in thought. The next step is—he has to go to the touch of the Messenger and formally accepting him he has to begin the process of following him. I came to know that a certain school was good. After knowing it if I recall this information from dawn to dusk, my children will not be educated. Having gone to that school I have to know the process of admission and arrange it according to the rules of the school to make an opportunity of my children’s education there. This is the explanation of ‘know first and then follow (accept) it’. Having followed it if my children really start making good results, I will empathetically say that the school imparts good lessons, there is no doubt about it. I have got its proof and I am the witness.

So, when the field of being a witness or bearing the testimony was made? It was made after getting the actual proof. This is completely logical that the question on announcement of ‘Kalema-e-Shahadat’ may come after getting the actual result of the practice following ‘Kalema-e-Taiyeba’. But we do not get actual result. We do not even hear that anybody has got it. So it is difficult for us to believe even if this opinion becomes true. If anybody, who did not see any Symbol about Allah in reality, bears this sort of testimony it will be a false one. ‘Kalema-e-Taiyeba’ is—Without seeing or without getting any proof about Him to obey Him through following His Messenger. And ‘Kalema-e-Shahadat’ is—having seen Him and getting visible proof about Him to follow the command of Allah.

Now, let us try to understand the mystery of ‘Kalema-e-Tawheed’. This Kalema is: “(O Allah!) There is no god but you, You are One and Absolute (Second to None). Muhammadur Rasulullah is the leader of the believers and the Messenger of the Lord of the universe.”

The remarkable aspect of this Kalema is having addressed Allah directly talking to Him. It means, after seeing Allah the devotee has attained His nearness to converse with Him; love for Him has also been created. But the distance between Allah and the banda did not go. So conversation with Him is done all but formally. In fact, this Kalema is the announcement of submission to Allah having got Him in presence. Its earlier condition was, the devotee had seen Allah but no opportunity was created to talk to Him. After the improvement of belief, when the condition for talking to Allah is created for the devotee, ‘Kalema-e-Tawheed’ becomes the truth for him. The proof on seeing Allah and talking to Him originates from this Kalema.

The fourth Kalema ‘Kalema-e-Tamzeed’ is: “(O Allah!) There is no god but You. You are Luminous. With Your Own Light (You) draw to You anybody You Like. Muhammadur Rasulullah is the leader of the Messengers and the last Prophet.”

When a devotee gets Allah before him, being attracted and charmed, he as a lover of Allah devotes himself to Him. He starts attaining such self-condition from the time of practice of ‘Kalema-e-Tawheed’. Love is not one-sided. Being charmed at the self-devotion of a devotee, Allah Ta’la at a certain time gives him love as a gift in return. The gift of love is, enkindling the light of love in the heart of a devotee by Allah Ta’la as a sign of His love. Getting the light of love from Allah the heart of the devotee becomes satisfied and cold. Fascinated by the love of Allah the devotee devotes him to singing the Glory of his Beloved in return. Then from his heart the holy and virtuous words or ‘Kalema-e-Tamzeed’ are pronounced. This Kalema is the proof of Allah’s return gift when His lover calls Him lovingly.

The next Kalema is ‘Kalema-e-Rodde Kufor’ or the Kalema (words) for repealing Kufor (disbelief). The words of this Kalema are: “O Allah! I seek Your shelter for not making anybody a partner of You. I repent for committing sins knowingly or unknowingly and beg for Your Forgiveness. Being free from disbelief, making Your partner and all sins I submit (to You) and swear belief (in You). And without hesitation I proclaim that there is no god but Allah and Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) is His (Allah’s) Messenger.”

If we give special attention to the meaning of this Kalema, we will see here the words of freeing oneself from disbelief and making partner (of Allah). When a devotee reaches this stage after having complete belief, there is no apprehension of his making partner and disbelief. This is the last stage of achieving complete believe. The one cannot claim him as an MA. There are the proper authorities in a university to recognize it. Regarding complete belief a devotee gets recognition from Allah the Magnificent. Then he can express his thanks (to Allah) through the fifth and last Kalema.

In conclusion it can be said that Kalema is not only the matter of verbal pronunciation. I am an MA. Only pronouncing this word a man cannot be an MA. To get recognition he has to cross certain classes under certain rules to prove his qualification having passed MA. After this his claim as an MA will be valued. The same is with belief—while a devotee undergoes spiritual practice for crossing various phases towards completion of belief by obeying the Messenger of Allah, these Kalemas will be humming and resounding in his heart from factual realization. The practice of Kalema will be completed in four phases. In the first phase, the devotee has to believe in Oneness of Allah and His Messenger on hearing it to obey the Messenger. In the second phase, the proof of Oneness of Allah will be achieved and He will be seen. In the third phase, the conversation with Him will begin and the relations of love will be created. In the fourth phase, Allah Ta’la will give return gift to His devotee and he will remain fully devoted to Allah in His love. In this way, the heart of the devotee will be filled up only with the love for Allah having been freed from making of His partner, disbelief and addiction to sins. His belief will achieve completion and after its recognition from Allah, the devotee will gratefully utter the fifth Kalema. Mentioning the obedience to Muhammadur Rasulullah (Sm) from the first to the fifth Kalema, the devotee uses to utter his realization of truth repeatedly. He has attained completion of belief with the spiritual help and power of the Messenger of Allah by knowing Him, achieving His nearness and love. Memorizing the names of classes from class one to MA, none can pass MA degree. One has to persevere to achieve qualification for crossing every class and pass MA. Similarly having memorized five Kalemas, one cannot be fully believer. For this he has to be a complete believer having been freed from making (Allah’s) partner, disbelief and all sins by improving his soul step by step and filling his heart with love for Allah. On completion of belief Kalema will not remain as a matter of mere utterance, the pronouncement of Kalema will come out from the heart of the devotee.

Allah Ta’la in the holy Qur’an proclaims: “Allah has endeared the faith to you, and has made it firm in your hearts, and (He) has made disbelief, sinful activities and disobedience hateful to you. By the Grace of Allah such people are rightly guided. And He is All-knowing, Wise.” (Surah Al Hujurat, verse 7 &

By the Magnanimity of Allah the Companions had been believers having truly exercised the teaching method of Hazrat Rasul (Sm). The faith of the Companions had attained completion step by step after the introduction of the Kalemas. After driving out the dirt from the heart of man, the process for enlightening it with the light of faith step by step is more reasonable. He who has been a real believer, it will be truth for him with experience. But we didn’t know this truth. As a result we were satisfied with the knowledge from books. The Great Reformer and Revivor of Muhammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla having unveiled the mystery of Kalema has given its correct explanation which has given us guidance for being real believers.