MIRACLES-ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE IN BRIEF-PART 12 Concluded.

From the Layman's (Nasir Ali) Desk-7: Miracles -Islamic Perspective in Brief- 
Concluding Part-12. 


Miracles after Death:



Short relevant observations were already made before to show the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam), as well as all other Prophets (a.s.) are alive in the Barzakh. I say “short” because this is a huge topic by itself and cannot be cited in detail in our subject. However, that can be recapitulated in fine words of the great Mufassir of Quran and commentator of Sahih Muslim Imam al-Qurtubi (rah) who writes:


Translation: Death is not something which brings a total end to something, it is rather transferring from one station to another, the proof of this is that martyrs remain alive after getting killed or dying and they also get happy. “This is the quality of the people who are alive in this world,” so when martyrs are alive then “PROPHETS ARE MORE DESERVING OF LIFE THAN THEM” and it has come in Sahih hadith that Allah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets, and on the night of Miraaj the Prophet (Peace be upon him) gathered with all Prophets in Masjid ul Aqsa and the Prophet (Peace be upon him) also “SAW MUSA (A.S) PRAYING INSIDE HIS GRAVE” plus the Prophet has also provided the information that “ANYONE WHO SENDS SALUTATION UPON HIM, THEN HE REPLIES BACK”.Other than this, other ahadith also establish “TO CERTAINTY” that the meaning of death given to Prophets is that “THEY DISAPPEAR FROM OUR EYESIGHTS BUT IN REALITY THEY ARE ALIVE AND PRESENT” and their condition is like that of Angels, because Angels are also alive and “PRESENT” and nobody from human beings is able to see them, “EXCEPT FOR THE AWLIYA WHO THROUGH THEIR KARAMAH CAN EXPERIENCE THEM” [al-Mafhim lima Ashkala min Talkhis Kitab Sahih Muslim Volume 006, Page No. 233-4].


Let’s straightway then, come to the Karamaat-e-Awliya after the veil of departure from this world:
There is no disagreement with the fact that the believer's souls in Paradise are capable of instantaneous connection with their graves, and the souls may meet and communicate with other souls of the dead and those sleeping.  It is commonly held by Sunni scholars and even Ibn Qayyim, (1292-1350 c.e.),    ibn Abid-Dunya, Ibn Abdul Barr and ash-Shanqeeti that the dead in their graves have the faculty of hearing a visitor's greetings, his speech, his supplications, et al.  The dead even know about the work of living amongst his relatives and brothers.   The power of the souls corresponds with their own strength and weaknesses, as pertaining to closeness with Allah.  The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) said ‘when you go to the graves of the dead, say ‘Assalamu alaikum ya ahlal quboor’ – meaning ‘peace be upon you O’ people of graves’.  Greetings are given to those who faculties are intact.  In short, there is overwhelming evidence on this subject in favour, but we need to get on with ours at the moment.   


Those who attribute the working of miracles to the Jinn should note that no doubt the Jinn manage to do great work. But they are not so perfect and strong as the souls and the angels. The soul being ethereal (Jism-i- Latifa) is not bound by space and time and comprehends events unperceived by sense organs. The souls are by their graves and are attached to their bodies in an unknown way. They are permitted to effect and dispose of their bodies and also be present in their graves. According to Khwaja Muhammad Hasan Jan Sahib in Tarikh an-Najaat (1976), Mufassareen (exegetes) such as al-Baidawi, has stated in his Tafseer regarding the fifth verse of Surah Naziaat: “(I take an oath) on Those who do hard work” that the souls being immaterial, do the hard work along with the angels by permission of Allah. This is also mentioned in its commentary by Shaykhzada in Tafseer-i-‘Azizi, as well as in Tafseer Ruh al-Bayaan, and in Tafseer-i-Hussaini.


In the prophetic tradition, Ja’far ibn Abi Talib ® after his martyrdom was seen among the angels and they were giving the glad tidings of the coming rains to the people of Beesha. According to another hadith, Ja’far ® came to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam)along with an angel and he had two wings which were blood-stained, and they were going to the valley of Beesha in Yemen. Then there is a long hadith that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) informed Asma’ bint ‘Umais how her husband, Ja’far, came to him (s) with Jibrail and Mikail (a.s.) and explained how he attained martyrdom; that he had two wings, and that Ja’far ® told him that he flies in and out of Paradise whenever he wished and he also eats the fruits of Paradise, and so on. Therefore, according to Imam Sayuti, the souls are permitted to attach to and dispose of their bodies while they are at ‘Illiyin’ (the Seventh Heaven in which there are believers' souls). These ahadith also reveal that Allah Subhana Ta'la permits his martyrs and pious souls to do the useful deeds for people.


Shah Wali-Allah ad-Dahlawi (rahmat allahi 'alaih), one of the great 'Ulama of India, wrote in his work Hujjatullahi 'l-baligha (vol. 1, p. 35), "When a human being passes away, no relation is left between his soul and the world of matter. The souls return to their origin, become like Angels, and, like them, give inspiration and help to men. They help in the dissemination and strengthening of Allahu Ta'ala's religion. They rush to help those who work for this path. It has been witnessed that they come to help in groups."

‘Abd al-Hakim Arwaasi, a great Islamic scholar and a Wali,  (R) points out that a Muslim who attaches his heart to a perfect (Kaamil) Wali will attain Allah’s “Faid” through the blessed heart of that Wali. Since the souls are not bound by time and place, the ‘kamaalaat’ (perfections) of the Wali do not depart from him even after his death. It makes no difference whether the Wali is alive or dead. The ‘tasarruf’ (disposal or personal initiative) of their souls is by Allah’s ‘tasarruf’ on them. Since the Awliya-Allah are able to perform miracles during their life, they able to do so even after leaving this material world.


Imam Abdullah an-Nasafi has written in Umdat al-Aqai’id that the soul does not change whether in sleep or in death. That is, in sleep as well as in death a Muslim remains a Muslim, a Prophet remains a Prophet. While commenting on the above, ‘Abd al-Ghani an-Nabulsi (Reh.) states in his Al-Hadiqa, that likewise an Awliya is an Awliya whether in sleep or in death, and they possess ‘karamaat’ after they die too.


‘Ali Ajhuri, an eminent Maaliki scholar of Egypt, said:  “A living Wai is like a sword in its scabbard. After his death, his influence becomes stronger in the manner of a sword that is out of its scabbard.”


The above statement is also quoted in Noor al-Hidaaya by Abu’Ali Sanji.


Therefore, the Mu’jizaat (miracles peculiar to prophets) and Karamah of Awliya do not cease after death.


According to Muhammad Thana’ullah al-Uthmani ad-Dehlvi, the author of Irshaad al-Talibeen, the emanation of a ‘Faid’ (benefits) from Awliya does not end but even increases when they die, though for a deficient person to receive such ‘Faid’ sufficiently may be seldom possible.


Muhammad Haadimi (Reh) of Konya (d.1176H/1762 c.e.) who quoted ‘Ali Ajhuri and Abu ‘Ai Sanji in his book Bariqa, maintains the continuance of Mu’jiza and Karamah after death, and that hundred thousands of these have been reported in many valuable books, and that it is permissible to pray to Allah Subhana Ta’la through Prophets and the Awliya.


According to Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti ® (530-627 Hijri/1135-1232 c.e.) the world-renowned Awliya of Ajmer in India, the miraculous performances of Awliya remain active and so also his benevolence to devotees after death in the same manner as they were during his lifetime. This is evident from the valuable sayings quoted in Khwaja-e-Aazam, a short biography by Sabri Ajmeri. In fact, in Spiritual Sovereign of India (by Syed altaf Hussein Chishti) it is mentioned that one of the British Viceroys of undivided India, Lord Curzon, has declared in his Memoirs: “There is a grave in India – which rules.” Perhaps he was bewildered by the throngs of hundreds of thousands devotees to Khwaja’s shrine each year and the miraculous power that Allah bestowed upon the spiritual sovereign of India even after his assuming the veil of departure from the material world.


Imam Ghazali (reh) says in Ihya…the spiritual knowledge of the believer is everlasting as the soul of the believer has got no death. By “believers” he means those having great spiritual knowledge and not just the ranks of Muslims with outward faith.


'Allama Shams ad-din ibn an-Nuaym (rahmat-Allahi 'alaih), a Hanafi scholar, wrote in Kitab ar-Ruh, 'Souls may be in a different state other than when they are in their bodies. The souls of awliya' are at Rafiq al-ala and also have a relation with their dead bodies. If a person visits such a wali's grave and greets him, his soul at Rafiq al-ala anwers that person.' This is also noted in al-Imam as-Suyuti's Kitab al-Munjali. All these proofs show that awliya' have powerful tasarruf (disposal) and influence after their death in a way that we may not know.


Sayyid Ahmad al-Hamawi al-Misri [d.1686 c.e. ], a Hanafi alim and the annotator of the book Ashbah, noted in his book Nafakhat al-qurb wal-ittisal bi-ithbati 't-tasarrufi li awliya'i'llahi ta'ala wal-karamati ba'd al-intiqal that the ruhaniyya (spirituality) of awliya' was more powerful than their jismaniyya (physical existence), and they, therefore, could be seen in different places at the same moment. He quoted the following hadith ash-Sharif as a document for his words: 'There are people who will enter Paradise through every gate. Each gate will call them to itself,' upon which Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi-Allahu 'anh) asked, 'Will there be anyone to enter through all of the eight gates, oh Rasulullah?' and Rasulullah (sallal lahu alaihi wasallam) answered, “ I hope you will be one of them.” One can appear in different places at the same moment when his soul acquires the power of having a connection with his original position in 'alam al-amr. Since the soul's interest in the world decreases when a man dies, his soul becomes more powerful. It becomes easier for him to appear in different places at the same moment.  Jalal ad-din as-Suyuti, a Shafi'i scholar, says in his book At-Tabaqat al-Kubra, 'The twenty-second kind of karamat is that awliya' can appear in forms of different persons.   "Khalil ibn Ishaq al-Jandee (reh. death 1365 c.e.) a Maliki scholar and author of the book Mukhtasar, wrote, 'The ability to appear in various forms is given by Allahu ta'ala to a wali when he becomes perfect. This is not impossible, because the images that are seen in different shapes are non-material; the body is not seen. Souls are not material and do not occupy a place in space.' A tradition reported in Musnad of al-Bazzaaz with a fair (‘Hasan’) chain on the authority of Anas ® which is also cited by Sakhawi says that the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) said: “Allah has servants who know (the truth of  about people) through reading the signs (tawassum). The above hadith has been reported by others too.


According  to Shaykh ‘Ali Mahfooz (d.1361/1942), a scholar of Al-Azhar University, stated in his Al-Ibda’ that irrespective of the fact that the Awliya are dead or alive, Allah the Exalted blesses the ones whom He will, and through their ‘karamaat’ He cures the ill, rescues those who about to be drowned, helps those who are against the enemy and makes lost things found. He considers this not only logical but also supported by the teachings of the Holy Qur’an.


Imam Ghazali (reh) that a person who was made an intermediary and gave 'faid' could be made an intermediary and he could give 'faid'  after his death, too.   One of the superior great shaikhs said that he had seen four great Awliya who were active after death as well as when they were alive:  two of these were Hazrat Maruf-i Karkhi and Hazrat Abd-ul-Qadir Jilani ®.


I will have to conclude the topic at this stage since it will otherwise be stepping into the realm of Soul, Visiting the Graves, Wasila, istaghasa, and intercession all of which are interlinked and true, and which are huge topics by themselves.  However, do take care not to fall prey to those who belittle the Awliya-Allah and their miracles or those who say that no miracles were vouchsafed to the Sahaba and early Muslims, and those who belittle the miracles by explaining them as natural causation.     


Allah and His Rasool know best.


CONCLUDED


O Allah pray on our Master Muhammad a prayer by means of which we will be saved from every awe-inspiring harmful thing, 
and that will take care of all of our needs,
and purify us by means of it from all of our ugly qualities and characteristics
and raise us and purify us by means of it from all of our ugly qualities and characteristics
and raise us up by means of it in Your Presence to the highest of degrees,
and cause us to reach by means of it the extremes of all goodness in our life and after our death
and this prayer be upon his family and his companions
and may he be given safety and much salaam.


NASIR

MIRACLES-ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE-PART 11.

From Layman's (Nasir Ali)Desk 7: Miracles - Islamic Perspective in Brief- Part 11.
 Continued...


In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful.


SOME MORE MIRACLES:

Hadrat Imam Moosa Kaazim (128-183 A.H.) was the son of Hadrat Imam Ja’far Saadiq ® and a blessed personality and ‘Kaamil Wali’.  Whomsoever took his name as a wasila, they found that all their duas were accepted. It is for this reason, that the people of Iraq referred to him as Baabul Hawaa’ij (The Door at which all their problems were answered). Hadrat Shafeeq Balkhi who was a contemporary of Imam Moosa Kaazim says: "On my way to Hajj in 149 Hijri, I stopped over at a town called Qaadisiya. I was looking at the behaviour and the manner of the people living there when my sight fell upon a very handsome young man, who was wearing a Suf (blended woollen fabric) cloth over his clothes, and a pair of shoes. He sat away from the rest of the people. I began to think that he was a Sufi kind of person and wanted to be an obstacle in the way of the people. I thus went towards him to give him some advice. When he saw me coming towards him. He called my name and told me exactly what I was thinking. I then thought in my heart, that this is definitely a pious man, as he does not even know me, yet he called me by my name and said what was in my heart. I felt that I should meet with him and ask for his forgiveness. I rushed to find him, but he had already gone away. I searched for a very long time, but could not find him. We stopped at a place called Fida during our journey, and again I saw him. He was in namaaz, and he was trembling and weeping. I walked towards him again, with the intention of asking him to forgive me, when he said, "O Shafeeq Read! Verily I am Compassionate towards him who repented and brought faith and did good deeds and then walked the straight path." He read this verse and then walked away. I then began to think that he was from amongst the Abdaals (a station of Wilaayat), for he has read my heart twice already. Then we went to Mina, and I saw him again. He was standing at a well, with a huge bowl in his hand. He was intending to take some water. Then all of a sudden the bowl fell from his hands into the well. When this happened, he recited the following couplet: ‘You are my Sustainer when I am thirsty for water, and You are my strength when I intend to eat.’ He then said, ‘O Allah! O, my Creator! O, my Lord! You know that with the exception of this bowl, I have nothing else. Do not deprive me of this bowl.’ By Allah, I saw that the water in the well reached the top of the well and he stretched out his hand and filled his bowl with water. He then performed wudhu and read four rakaats of Namaaz. After Namaaz, he filled sand into his bowl of water and began to stir it. He then began to drink the mixture of sand and water. I went close to him and said salaam. He returned my salaam. I then asked if he would bless me with some of the blessings which he has attained. He said, ‘O Shafeeq! My Lord has always bestowed his hidden and apparent bounties upon me, so always intend good from your Lord.’ He then handed his bowl over to me. When I drank out of it, by Allah it was a sweet drink, and never have I tasted something so delicious. The Barkat of that meal was such, that I did not feel any hunger and thirst for many days. Then I did not see him until we entered Makkah Mukarramah. I again saw him late one night near the well of Zamzam, reading Namaaz, weeping and trembling. After his Namaaz he sat there for a long time and read tasbeeh. He then performed his Fajr Salaah and went to the Haram to perform the Tawaaf. As he left the Haram, I followed him, but I was amazed to see him in a completely different situation to which I had seen him during our journey. I saw his friends, disciples and servants all around him. They sealed off the entire area around him as he arrived and they began to make his khidmat. Each one of them was making salaam to him with great love and respect. On seeing this, I asked one person, ‘Who is this young man?’ He said, ‘he is Moosa bin Jaafar bin Muhammad bin Ali bin Hussain bin Ali bin Abi Taalib.’ [Jaami' al-Manaaqib, Page 226/230] There are many miracles attributed to this blessed personality.

One day, while Imam 'Ali Rida ® [He was the eight of the twelve Imams and passed away in Tus, that is, Mashhad, in 203 A.H. (818 A.D.).] was sitting by a wall, a bird came flying and stood singing in front of him. "Do you understand what the bird is saying?" asked Hadrat Imam to the person sitting by him. "No," the person answered, "Allah, His Rasul and His Rasul's grandson know." Hazrat Imam said, "It complains that a snake has climbed close to its nest to eat its chicks. It wants us to rescue them from her enemy. You follow the bird and kill the snake." The person followed the bird and saw the snake as he was told.


The miracles of Hazrat Shaykh Muhiyuddeen Abdul Qadir Jilani are too many to recount here. We shall just mention a few, insha Allah. One of the major wonders was the role that Allah assigned Ghous-e-Paak for promoting Islam. In 1117 c.e., on a Friday, while on his way to Baghdad, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani ® was saluted by a frail and sick man in the customary Islamic greeting. As the Shaykh replied to the greeting, the frail man asked him to help him sit up. No sooner than the Shaykh helped him, that man started to grow tall in stature and informed him that he was the religion of his grandfather, adding that as a result of his help he stands revived. Later, at the Masjid where the Shaykh had gone to offer the Jummah Prayers, a man approached him and gave him a pair of shoes and addressed him as “Muhiyuddeen”, i.e. “Reviver of Religion”. Indeed, these incidents proved ominous and Islam received a great impetus owing to the guiding efforts of Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani ® .


Other well-known miracles include (1) Transforming the entire gang of thieves and robbers to the right path by virtue of his being truthful which placed him in the rank of ‘Siddiqeen’ at the age of 18 years; (2) Transforming a thief, who had come to rob his house, into an ‘Abdaal’ or a high-ranking saint; (3) Rescuing the 16-year old beautiful daughter of Shaykh Abu Sa’id Abdulla from the clutches of a mischievous Jinn by summoning the king of Jinns; (4) Rescuing the sinking ship from the sea by placing his hand inside his cloak at the time when he himself was delivering lessons in his convent in Baghdad; (5) His cloak that protected against illness (cloak was given to Shaykh Ali bin Haiti’s disciple who never fell sick thereafter; (6) Seeing the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) with his physical eyes at the time Shaykh Ali bin Haiti fell asleep in his Majlis and was seeing the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) in his dream; Tearing and killing of the Shaykh Ahmad Jaam’s lion by an old and lean stray dog that used to sit outside the home of Ghaus-e-Paak and the saint’s consequent submission before Ghous-e-Paak; On requests of the citizens of Baghdad, putting his staff in River Tigress (ad-Dijla) to keep it from flooding Baghdad; commanding the rain to stop as people had started leaving the Majlis; being clairvoyant and knowing the conditions of heart of others, etc. Many, many other miracles have been recorded by the biographers the readers are urged to refer them for details. There are a host of books in Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, English and other languages.


Hazrat Abu Sa’id Fazlullah ibn Abi’l Khayr ® , the “Shahbaz-e-tariqa’” was known chiefly for “Extraordinary power of reading men’s secret thoughts.” To cite just a few miracles among the many:


1. According to one of his disciples, Abdul Samad, when the Shaykh went to Sarakhs for spiritual guidance from his own Shaykh Abul Fadl, he usually flew through the air but this phenomenon was witnessed by persons of mystical insight.


2. While passing by a number of children standing together in the street of the Christians in Tus, the Shaykh is said to have pointed out to one of the boys saying, “If you wish to look at the Prime Minister of the world, there he is!” He was referring to the future, and the celebrated Persian poet and Vizier of the Seljuq Empire, Nizam ul-Mulk (1018-1092 c.e.) who became the Chief Administrator of the entire Khorasan province in 1058 c.e..


3. In Tus, while preaching to crowded gatherings, he moved them to tears. On one such occasion, an infant fell from the gallery that was occupied by women. Abu Sa’id said: “Save it” when a hand appeared and caught the infant in the air, placing it unhurt on the floor.


4. Once at Nishapur at his instance a feast was being prepared when large bundles of aloes-wood were burnt in the oven so that the entire neighbourhood could enjoy the perfume. A great number of candles were lighted though it was daytime. A powerful police inspector of rationalistic views who detested the Sufis came into the Khanqah (monastery) and said that burning a whole lot of aloes-wood and lighting candles during the day was against the law. The Shaykh told him that he did not know that.  He told him to blow out the candles. Though the inspector huffed and puffed at the candles, the flame flared over his face, his hair as well as his clothes. Most of his body got burnt. “When someone tries to blow out the candle that has been lighted by God, his mustache gets burnt,” said the Saint. The inspector thence onwards revised his opinions of the Sufiya.


5. Once two friends, a weaver and a tailor, wanted to test the Shaykh if he could identify their professions. According to them, the Shaykh was an imposter. Disguising themselves, they went to the Shaykh who at once recognized them and their profession. They soon repented and fell at his feet.


6. In Nishapur there was an ascetic woman, named Ishi, who had not gone out of her home in forty years and people used to come to her for seeking her blessings. She used to give eye-salves to the people. When Hazrat Abu Sa’id came to Nishapur, reports of his miracles reached her ears. So she sent her nurse to gather reports about his preachings. However, the nurse could remember nothing of the speech of the Shaykh but merely recited some verses of revelry hearing which Ishi told her to wash her mouth for she could not bring herself to believe that ascetics and divines could speak such words. That night onwards she began to have nightmares and her eyes began to ache and even her own eye-salves were of little avail. No physician could cure her and her pain went on increasing. One night she dreamed that if she wanted a cure she must win the favour of the Shaykh of Mayhana. The next day, she gave a thousand Dinars to her nurse and bade her to present them to the Shaykh after his sermon. After the sermon, it was customary with the Shaykh to have some bread and use a toothpick thereafter. So when the nurse had heard the sermon, she presented the purse to the Shaykh. When she was about to depart he called her addressing her as a nurse. He told her to take that toothpick of his to her lady who must stir some water with it and then wash her eyes with that water in order to cure her outward eye. He also bade her tell her that she must remove all doubts and suspicions about the Sufis so that her inner eyes may be cured too. Ishi did accordingly and was cured. In short, she gave up her house and brought all her dresses, ornaments and jewellery to the Shaykh who accepted her as a disciple on her repentance. She was conducted to the mother of his eldest son for donning of a khirqa (dress of a religious mendicant) and after serving the women of this fraternity she became a leader of the Sufis in her own right.


7. Now Hazrat Abu Sa’id was known for holding feast for the dervishes and for Sama'.  This invited the jealousy of his opponents who spared no efforts to complain to higher authorities.  However, their efforts always proved futile.  Often the feast and Sama' would even make some travelling Sufis come to erroneous judgments.  Once, an arrogant ascetic who knew nothing about the Shaykh’s forty years of initial austerities and strivings challenged him to a forty days’ fast for he assumed that the Shaykh had always lived like that. He wanted to shame the Shaykh by his challenge and at the same time rise in the esteem of others. The challenge was accepted with “May it be blessed”. While the ascetic used to break the fast as per the practice by eating a little amount of food, the Shaykh did nothing of the kind but yet seemed to growing stronger and fatter and ruddier. All the time the dervishes feasted under their gaze and indulged in Sama. The ascetic went on becoming paler, thinner and weaker, with the rich feast of the dervishes working more on him. As time went on, he could scarcely perform his obligatory prayers. He realized his folly and made repentance. After the forty days had passed, the Shaykh told him that he had complied with his request but he should now comply with his: namely, that while they fasted they had been going to the privy, and now they should sit and never go to the privy. Though the ascetic had doubts about this feat, the Shaykh proved him wrong and the ascetic became his disciple.


There are many more astounding miracles of Hazrat Abi’l Khayr , such as his meeting with Khidr (a.s.), reading thoughts and even anticipating events, but he never encouraged the writing of such anecdotes but told his disciples to become  such men that anecdotes be told of them.  He placed the hidden and unrecognized saints above the saints manifest and known. According to him, when people come to him renouncing wickedness, vowing penance, sacrificing wealth, and filled with burning love from the end of the world seeking God, what miracle could be greater than this! He said: “Whosoever belongs entirely to Karim (Giver), all his acts are gifts” (miracles).


Next, it is written in Farid ad-din al-Attar's (rahimah-Allahu ta'ala) Persian Tadhkirat al-Awliya that Ahmad ibn Hanbal attended the lectures of many mashayikhs, for example, Dhu'n-Nun al-Misri's and Bishr al-Hafi's (150-277). A crippled woman sent her son to Imam Ahmad and asked him to pray for her. The Imam performed an ablution (wudu) and salat and prayed. The son found his mother welcoming him at the gate when he returned home. She recovered her health through the blessing of Imam Ahmad's prayer.


Talking about Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, it is mentioned in the Kashful Mahjub that when the Mutazilites were in power at Baghdad they wanted him to say that the Qur’an was “created”. Though he was an old man by then, they put him in the rack and gave him thousand lashes to make him say that. But he would not. During the punishment, his ‘izaar’ became loose. Since his own hands were fettered he could not tie the ‘izaar’. At that time another hand appeared and tied it. Seeing this evidence they let him go.  Despite this, he said that he would not claim redress from them on the Day of Resurrection for “mere blows” since they had flogged him for Allah’s sake, thinking he was wrong. Such was his magnanimity!

At his tomb in Baghdad, Ibn Hanbal was heard continuing the recitation of the Qur’an when one of the visitors who were reciting had forgotten the wording.

[as-Shirazi in “Sadd al Hzar”, p.23]

Abu’l Abbas Muhammed al-Qassab ® (1126-1196 c.e.) the son of a meat-vendor, was one of those uneducated persons whom Allah by His bounties raised to such a status that he was able to answer any question that related to the principles of religion, including ‘Tauhid’ (Unification). His association with the leading Shaykhs of Transoxania benefitted him a lot. He was known for his ascetic practices, and lofty spiritual gifts and rose to great eminence in his time. He was also known for his abundant miracles one of which is given below: One day a boy with a heavily-laden camel was navigating the bazaar of Amul which used to be always filled with slime. The camel slipped and broke its leg. People who gathered there thought of unburdening the beast and the boy began to implore Allah’s help. Abu’l Abbas happened to pass by at that time. The people apprised him of the incident. He picked up the rein of the camel and prayed to Allah that the camel may become fit, adding “if You will not do so, then why have You let the heart of Qassab (i.e. a butcher) be melted by the tears of a lad?” No sooner had he finished his prayers than the camel immediately got up and moved on its way in a perfectly healthy condition. It may be noted that the Shaykh of Mayhana, Abu Sa’id, looked to Abu’l Abbas al-Qassab for spiritual guidance after the death of his own Shaykh, Abu’l Fadl.

According to Imam Metawalli ash-Sha'rawi's (1911-1998) "The Light of Ahl al-Bayt: My Spiritual Experiences Unveiled,"  Nafisa at-Tahira (145-208 Hijri) who was a descendant of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) has many miracles both while she was alive and after she passed away from this world.  (In fact, Imam ibn Hajar al-Asqalani too wrote about her miracles.) One of her miracles includes making the River Nile to overflow at a time (201H/816 c.e.) when the river had failed to flood as was its custom thus making it a bleak season for the crops.  When the people went to Nafisa at-Tahira (R) and asked her to pray so that Allah may cause the Nile to overflow its bank, she gave them the veil that used to cover her face, telling them to throw it into the Nile which "will flood by Allah's grace."  They followed her instructions, and by the grace of Allah, the River Nile began to overflow its banks.   Owing to one of her other miracles, the entire non-Muslim tribe in her neighbourbood entered Islam.  This was when the water of her wudhu cured the Christian girl who was paralyzed from the waist downwards.  Her miracles continued even after her death.

 Hasan al-Anwar was the father of Lady Nafeesa and the son of Zaid Al Ablaj, son of Hasan, son of Ali (May Allah bless them all). He was an extremely pious man and was blessed by Allah in a way that whatever he prayed for, Allah would accept his request immediately. It is narrated that while a woman was traveling in the desert, an eagle swooped down and snatched her baby from her lap. She came to Hasan and asked him to pray to Allah for the return of her baby. Hasan raised his hands in dua, and a little while later, the woman's child was thrown back into her arms, unharmed. Hasan was famous for his riches and wealth in Medina.
[ahl Al Bait Fi Misr  Maraqid Ahl Al Bait Fil Qaherah]

 Once a certain Shaykh passed by the sage, Habib al-Rai who was a companion of Salman Farsi (R).  He found him engrossed in prayers.  At that time, he saw a wolf guarding his sheep.  Since he wanted to know the reason, he resolved to visit him.  After the customary salutations, he  asked him the reason for the harmony of the wolf with the sheep.  Replied Habib al-Rai: "That's because the shepherd is in harmony with Allah."  Saying this he held a wooden bowl under a rock  whence two fountains gushed forth: one of  milk and the other of honey.  He bade him drink when the visitor again asked him the reason for his attaining to such a degree.  The sage answered:  "By obeying Muhammed the Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam)."  He further explained:  "My son, the rock gave water to the Ummah of Moosa (a.s.) despite the fact that they disobeyed him and although Moosa (a.s.) is not equal in rank to Muhammed (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam).    Since I am obedient to Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) who is superior to Moosa (a.s.) why should the rock not give milk and honey to me?"

When someone once recited the Surah al-Baqarah at the tomb of Abu ‘Umar Ibn Qudamah al-Hanbali (d. 607H) in Damascus, “the sheikh replied to me from his tomb. Fear befell me and I started to quiver and tremble and ran away’. This reciter died some days after that event, and all that is a famous story. On another occasion, someone recited the surah al-Kahf at al-Muwaffaq Ibn Qudamah’s tomb and then heard a voice from within the grave: ‘There is no God but God!'”

[Ibn Rajab in “Adh-Dhayl ‘alaa Tabaqat al-Hanabilah”, II p.60]

Citing miracles of Awliya-Allah can take up volumes. Also, even the miracles of the Awliya-Allah such as Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti (Ata-e-Rasool), Hazrat Khwaja Kutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (Qutubul Aqtaab), Hazrat Khwaja Fareedudin Masood (Ganj-e-Shakar) Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Awliya (Mehboob-e-Ilahi)  (May Allah be pleased with them all) of the Chishtiya Silsila, Hazrat Bu Ali Shah Qalandar,  Lal Shah Baaz Qalandar, and others  in the sub-continent of India and Pakistan too are very well known and therefore they are not being repeated here.

I take this opportunity of only mentioning the names  of the Walis in my hometown of Mumbai and around such as Hazrat Haji Abdul Rehman “Dulha” Malang Shah Baba whose origin is lost in antiquity but probably the Sufi saint had arrived about 700-800 years ago;  Hazrat Makhdoom Shah Baba (1372-1431 c.e.)  Hazrat Bahauddin Shah Asfahani (over 300 years old Dargah) , Hazrat “Pedro” Shah Baba, Hazrat Bismillah Baba, Hazrat Shaykh Hasan Shah Ghazali, Hazrat Shaykh Momin Shah Ghazali, Hazrat Haji Ali Baba Bokhari,  Hazrat Abdul Rehman Shah Baba, Hazrat Shakrullah Baba, Hazrat Ghaiban Shah Baba, Hazrat Chand Shah Wali, Hazrat Abdullah Shah Qadri commonly known as Pedro Shah Baba, Hazrat Gulab Shah Baba, Hazrat Noor Ali Shah Baba, Hazrat Ishaq Shah Baba, and many others,  where supplications are accepted by Allah and His 'Faid' (favours and bounties)  is received.

To Conclude …isha Allah.

NASIR.

MIRACLES - ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE IN BRIEF-PART 9

From the Layman's (NASIR ALI) Desk:7 - Miracles, Islamic Perspective in Brief: Part 9

continued....

In the Name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful.

Those slain in Allah's Path are alive:

In addition to the Karamaat of Awliya-Allah that have been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, ‘Mutwatir’ (recurrent) accounts have come down to us by truthful and reliable narrators of the prophetic traditions, Islamic literature, and eye-witnesses about the bodies of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the way of Allah. Their bodies did not decompose and the colour of the skin did not change. Their bodies still bled and when positions of their hands went back to their original position if it were changed. The smell of musk emanated from graves. The bodies were growing beards too, and were not devoured by animals or birds and remained intact despite remaining in the desert and being exposed to the harsh climatic conditions for years.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: ‘They are dead’. Nay, they are living though you perceive it not.” (2:154)

This is further emphasized to wipe out any doubt about their “living”, by the fact of their being provided for: “Think not of those slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance from their Lord. They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah” (3:169-170).The martyrs in the cause of Truth are not dead. They are alive in a much beautiful and joyous life than that on this material earth. The general idea of decomposition of the dead bodies do not apply to the Martyrs and other notable exceptions that are above the rank of the Martyrs generally, namely, the Prophets, the Truthful or the Awliya-Allah whose isthmus life is stronger than that of the Martyrs. Thus they are also alive in body and soul. Allah categorically states: “you perceive it not” (2:154) which means that we are unable to comprehend the life in Barzakh (lit. “Partition between the material life on earth and the Day of Resurrection” or the world of grave) where every person has a special kind of life receiving punishment for sins or enjoying rewards of good deeds.

In fact,  we noted before that Allah states Surah Nisa, verse 69 of the Holy Qur’an that whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be in the company of those whom Allah has shown favour, namely, prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the Saliheen. Remember, this companionship is not of Paradise alone but rather it begins in the Barzakh itself. According to ibn Qayyim, the companionship is established in this ‘Dunya’ and is resumed in the Barzakh and in the Hereafter. Therefore, it is impossible that while the Martyrs remain alive and receive sustenance from their Lord, the prophets (Ambiya), who are of the highest rank and much nearer to Allah, should be deprived of it. Similarly, the rank of Awliya-Allah too is higher than the general category of the martyrs.  Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (Reh.) states in his monumental commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari, Fath al-Bari: "When the life of the martyrs is proven from the text of the Qur’an, then this is also proven from an analogical point of view. And the Prophets are superior than the martyrs" (Fath al-Bari, Volume 006: Page No. 379).  Also, Qadi Shawkawni writes: "In the Qur'an, it is mentioned that martyrs are alive and food is provided for them.  The Prophets and righteous people are a lot higher in status than them so what will be their place?  It has been proven through Ahadith that Prophets are alive in their graves.  Both Imam at-Tirmidhi and Imam al-Bayhaqi have said that these are authentic Ahadith" (Nayl al-Awtar, Volume 003, Page No. 82). No doubt, Allah has stated: Every soul must taste of death (Qu’ran 21:35. But that’s momentary. After the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) had assumed the veil of departure from this material world, Hazrat Abu Bakr ® while kissing his cheek said: You have tasted the death which God had decreed: a second death will never overtake you.

Insha Allah, we shall discuss this when we begin a new subject sometimes in the future. For the moment, suffice it to say that Prophetic traditions, as well as the annotator of the Tahawi Belief, mentioned that: “Allah orders the earth not to decompose the Prophets’ bodies and that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) is alive in the grave has been proven beyond doubt by the Sunni Shaykhs and Righteous Ulema. According to Mulla Ali Qari (d.1014 c.e.) since the bodies of the prophets have been made ‘Haraam’ to the earth, there is no difference in the conditions pertaining to life and death of the prophets. He further says that this means that ‘Salawaat’ (benedictions) are presented to both the soul and body of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam). Regarding “nourishment” he clarifies that it can mean both material and spiritual one, which cannot be seen or felt by the ordinary senses .

The Martyrs of Uhud:

The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) said: “When your brethren were martyred at Uhud, Allah placed their souls inside green birds which drink from the rivers of Paradise, eat of its fruits and seek shelter in gold-lamps that are suspended in the shade of the ‘Arsh’ (Throne). When they saw how beautiful their food, drink and the abode was, they pleaded, ‘Who will tell our brothers about us, that we are alive in Paradise and being amply provided for, so that they will not turn away from Jihad or abandon the battlefields. Allah ta’la said: ‘I shall tell them!’ The verse was then sent down:  “Think not of those slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance from their Lord. They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah” (3:169-170)In his series (Story of the End) Dr. Tariq Suwaidan mentioned that Sheikh Muhammad As-Sawwaf, one of the scholars who were chosen to rebury the martyrs of Uhud after the flood that had uncovered the bodies, told him that their bodies did not change, decompose, or rot even after 1400 years from their death. Sheikh Muhammad As-Sawwaf said: “Among the bodies was that of Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him). He was big and his nose and ears were cut. His abdomen was ripped apart and he put his hand on it. When we took his hand up, blood flew down as if he had died one hour ago.

The Messenger of Allâh [pbuh] supervised the martyrs’ burial and said: "I bear witness that anyone who is wounded in the way of Allâh, Allâh will resurrect him with his wound bleeding a liquid which is blood-like in colour but musk-like in scent." [Ibn Hisham 2/98]


A similar instance had also occurred as we noted before that when the bodies of the martyrs of Uhud were being relocated forty years after their burial, the foot of Hamzah bin 'Abd al-Mutalli b ® was scratched in the process of being moved, and it started gushing blood. ['al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah'; 4/43]

The above incident is also evident from a hadith shareef in Sahih Muslim where it was mentioned that Muslim historians had reported when Ameer-e-Mu’awiyah ruled, he was planning for a water canal to be built in Madinah. In order for this development to be achieved, the canal had to be routed through the middle of the Madinah cemetery. Therefore, he ordered the remains of the dead in the graves to be transferred to another place. In the midst of the dismantling and relocation process, the people found that the corpses were still in their original states. When one of the shovels they used accidentally hit and slashed the leg of Hamzah bin Abdul Mutalib, blood was seen flowing from the cut. Whereas, that occurrence had already surpassed the Battle of Uhud by 50 years.

At the same time, in Sahih Al-Bukhari, it was mentioned that ‘Amr bin Jamuh and Abdullah bin ‘Amir, both from the Ansar, had been buried in one grave during the Battle of Uhud, and when once the area was hit by a big flood due to very heavy rains, their grave was washed away by the current. The people of Madinah were forced to take the grave apart in order to relocate it to a safer place and the moment their grave was taken apart, the people discovered that the conditions of their corpses had not changed at all, as though they had only died the day before. In actual fact, when they were digging up the grave for the relocation, it had already been 46 years since the corpses were buried in the grave, ie. since the Battle of Uhud.

It so happened that one of them was found placing his hand over the wound of which he had died but he was buried in the same position. When the grave had given way, people noticed that his body was still in the same position with the hand over the wound. When some of them tried to reposition the hand, the hand came back to the original position over the wound.

Jabir bin Abdullah ® whose father had attained martyrdom in the Battle of Uhud wanted to dig out the remains of his father Abdillah for relocation to another place. He also noticed that the body of his martyred father was in the state as if it had been buried days before.

'Umar bin Abdul Khattab:

In an article submitted by one “Mujahid” to a website, we are informed that “In one genuine incident, from the people of Madinah it was related that during the rule of Khalifah Al-Walid bin Abdul Malik, one shocking incident occurred unexpectedly when one of the walls retaining the grave of Rasulullah SAW caved in. A lot of people were shocked in this incident when they saw a pair of legs popping out from one of the areas in the burial site. They were worried if they were the legs of Rasulullah SAW. Sa’id bin Al-Musaiyib immediately came forward and narrated a hadith that mentioned that the bodies of the Prophets were not let by Allah SWT to remain in the grave for more than 40 days since the day of the burial, they were raised by Allah SWT thereafter. Then, Salim bin Abdillah bin Umar bin Khattab arrived and informed the crowd that the legs belonged to his grandfather, Umar bin Al-Khattab RA.”

The amazing incident about Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah and Hazifa Yamani (R):

Thirty kilometers east of Baghdad there is the Salman Park where there are the tombs of Hazrat Abdullah bin Jabir, Hazifa Yamani, and Salman Farsi, may Allah be pleased with them all. Actually, the bodies of the first two companions of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) have been relocated during the reign of Shah Faisal 1 (1885-1933) of Iraq. Iraq was carved out in 1920 by the British from the Ottoman Empire in 1920 after Turkey’s defeat in World War 1.

The article about the relocation I had read many years ago and I came across the same article on websites, which I reproduce below. This too goes to show without a shadow of doubt again that by Allah’s grace, the bodies of martyrs remain intact even centuries after their burial.

“In 1932 A.D. (1351 A.H.) the then ruling King of Iraq Shah Faisal I, dreamt that he was being addressed by Hudhaifa al-Yamani, who said: "O king! Remove Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari and me from the bank of river Tigris and bury us at some safe place because my grave is already water-logged, while Jabir's grave is slowly getting water-logged." This dream was repeated again the next night but King Faisal I, did not pay attention to it on account of his preoccupation with state affairs. On the third night, Hazrat Hudhaifa was seen in the dream by the Grand Mufti of Iraq. Hazrat Hudhaifa said to the Grand Mufti:- 'I have been directing the king for two nights to transfer our Bodies but he has not paid any heed. Tell him emphatically to arrange for the transfer of our graves!'

"So after discussing this matter, the King, his Prime Minister, and the Grand Mufti decided to carry out this work. It was decided that the Grand Mufti should issue a fatwa(religious ruling) on this matter and the Prime Minister will issue the fatwa to the press, so that the public may know about this great event. It was declared that on 10th Zilhajj afternoon prayers the graves shall be opened and the holy bodies shall be transferred to another place.

"As it was Hajj season, pilgrims had gathered in Mecca. They requested King Faisal to postpone the event for a few days so that they all could attend the event after performing the Hajj. Hence, the King postponed this event to 20th Zilhajj.

"Afternoon prayers, on 20th Zilhajj 1351 A.H. a large number of Muslims and non-Muslims gathered in Baghdad, and the city was heavily crowded. First when the grave of Hazrat Hudhaifa was opened water was found inside. The body was lifted with a crane in such a way that it safely came on a stretcher. Then the stretcher was lifted by the King, the Grand Mufti, the Prime Minister and Prince Farooq of Egypt and brought to a glass coffin box made especially to keep the holy bodies. The body of Hazrat Jabir was also transferred to the glass box in the same scrupulous manner.

"The most marvelous spectacle was now seen by the huge crowd that had gathered to witness this great event. Both the holy bodies of these true companions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) were fresh and intact while their open eyes issued forth such divine light that the spectator's eyes were dazzled. Furthermore, their coffin, clothes, kaffan (shroud)  were also intact and at first glance, it appeared as if these heroes of Islam were alive. The two bodies were then taken away and buried afresh near the grave of another great hero of Islam, Salman-e-Farsi, in Salman Park which is 30 miles from Baghdad. This miracle amazed the scientists, philosophers, and doctors. They were all bewildered and spellbound to witness this great miracle.

"A German physiologist who had been showing a lot of interest in this was so impressed by the conditions of the bodies, which had been buried for more than a thousand years, that he immediately came to the Grand Mufti, held up his hands and said, "What more evidence can there be in support of Islam. I embrace Islam so teach me about it!" Thus before thousands of people, this German doctor became a Muslim. His example was followed by many Christians and Jews and for a long time it continued in Baghdad and a large number of people became Muslims as a result of this miracle.

"Some of the material above was published in a Pakistani newspaper, "Daily Jung" on 7th June 1970.”

To continue …Insha Allah.

NASIR

MIRACLES -ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE IN BRIEF:PART 8.

From the Layman’s (Nasir Ali) Desk-7: Miracles –Islamic perspective in brief:

Part 8 – Continued….


In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful.


From Shawahid an-Nabuwwa of Noorudin al-Jami (d.1492 c.e.) also, we learn of the karamaat of Sahaba al-Kiraam and the Tabiian, and a few of which are mentioned below:


1. Abu Bakr ® the first Caliph of Islam, willed at the time he was about to leave the world that his children would be looked after by Aisha ®. He said: My son and two daughters, I entrust them to you.” Now other than Aisha ® he had only one daughter named Asma. Aisha ® asked: “ I have only one sister, who is the other sister of mine?” He said, “My wife is pregnant. I think she will have a baby-girl.” Indeed, after his demise, a baby girl was born to his wife as he had said. [This is also reported by ash-Shatibi in 'al-Muwafaqat' (4/85), and Ibn Taymiyyah in 'Majmu' al-Fatawa' (11/318)]

2. When he was about to die, Hazrat Ali ® instructed his son, Husain ®: “Take my coffin to a place called ‘Arnanin where you will see a luminous white rock. Dig up a grave and bury me there.” They carried out the instruction and actually saw what Hazrat Ali ® had told.

3. While travelling with ‘Abdullah ibn Zubair ®, Hazrat Hasan ® stopped to take rest at a date grove. The date palms having withered, ibn Zubair ® said: “How nice it would have been if there were dates on the tree!”  Thereupon, Hazrat Hasan ® supplicated to Allah. Soon a palm bloomed into clusters of dates. Seeing this, the people around him said: “This is magic”! Hasan ® said: “No, it is not. Allah the Exalted created it because of the supplication of the grandson of the Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam)”. 

 4. Abdullah ibn Umar ® while travelling once met some wayfarers who were waiting on the road. He asked them what had held them there. A traveler replied: “We’ve heard that there is a lion on the way. That’s why no one can traverse further. Abdullah ibn Umar ()R) went up to the lion and patting its back, removed it away from the road.

5. According to an account stated by Safina ®, an ex-slave having been set free by the Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam), he was travelling by ship when a tempest set in and the ship was wrecked. He clung to a log and was driven ashore by waves. He now had to cross a forest on his inland. A lion came out of the forest. He told the lion that he was a Companion of the Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam). The lion bowed its neck and led him out of the forest. The lion murmured something at the time of parting. He understood that the murmuring as bidding a farewell to him.

6. Once Ali ibn Husain (also known as Zain al-Abidin ®) was dining in the countryside along with the members of his household. A gazelle approached and stood waiting. He said: “O gazelle! I’m Ali ibn Husain ibn Ali, and my mother is Fatima the daughter of Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam). Come and eat too.” The gazelle did eat after which it went away. The children begged him to call the gazelle again. He said: “I shall, only if you will not disturb it.” The children agreed. He called out the gazelle again. The gazelle came up to them and ate its fill. Only when one of the children patted its back, that it shied away from them.


7. A blind Muslim came to Abdullah ibn Mubarak (d.181H/797 c.e.) and begged him to pray for his sight. Abdullah prayed long, and soon the blind man gained his sight. Many people witnessed this incident. Among those who saw the blind man coming to Abdullah ibn Mubarak was al-Fudhail bin Iyadh.

8. Hamid at-Tawil narrated: A brick fell when closing the grave of Thabit al-Banani (rahimah-Allahu ta'ala)after his burial. They saw al-Banani performing ‘salaat’ (the ritual prayer or Namaaz) in the grave. Thereupon, they went to his house and inquired from his daughter about her father. She informed them that her father performed salaat late every night for fifty years and habitually supplicated before dawn: “O my Allah! If you have granted the performance of salaat in the grave to anyone besides the prophets, let it fall to my lot too.”

9. Once Ayyub as-Sahtiyani (rahimah-Allahu ta'ala) had a hard time in the desert with his friend who was so thirsty that his tongue hung from his mouth. "Do you have a problem?" he asked. "I am about to die of thirst," his friend said. "If you will not tell anybody, I may find you water," he said. His friend swore that he would not. Then, he stamped his foot on the ground and a spring gushed out. They drank to their fill. His friend did not explain the event to anybody until Ayyub died.


Let us now turn to Yusuf an-Nabhani (1849-1932 c.e.) who wrote forty-seven valuable books has also documented the Karamaat of fifty-four as-Sahaaba, corroborated by eye-witness account, in his book two-volume Jami’ al-Karamat-al- Awliya [Compendium of Miraculous Gifts of Friend of Allah]. Some of these Karamaat are in fact well known:

1. During the time of Caliphate of Hazrat ‘Umar ® the Muslim army was engaging a huge army of the Persians who outnumbered them five to one. Sariya, the commander of the Muslim army, engaged the Persians on the plain of Nehavend (A.H.23). Just at the time when the Persian army was about to encircle the Muslim army, Hazrat Umar ® who was delivering a ‘Khutba’ (sermon) on the minbar of the Masjid at al-Madinah, came to know about the condition of the Muslim army. He cried out: Ya Sariya! To the hill! To the hill! Sariya and his companions heard the Caliph’s voice and backed off to the hill. Reorganizing themselves from there, they attacked the enemies on the plain, completely routing the Persians. (This incident is also reported in Bayhaqi’s Irshaad at-Taalibin on the authority of ibn Umar ®, and also by Ibn Katheer in Taareekh). It may be noted that when Sariya had heard the voice of Umar ® he was at a distance of two months’ journey from Madinah the Radiant, and the Muslim army was, in fact, outnumbered to the ratio of 1:5.


2. During the time of Hazrat ‘Uthman ® caliphate, Anas ibn Maalik ® visited him, and seeing him Hazrat Uthman ® remarked “I see there is a sign of ‘Zina’ (fornication) in your eyes. On his way to the Caliph, Anas had cast glances on a woman. This fornication of the eye became apparent to Hazrat ‘Uthman ® and hence constitutes a miracle. (This incident is also mentioned in Maktubat III, 19th letter, of Muhammad Mathum al-Farooqi).


Briefly, there are more miraculous incidents involving the Sahaba or Tabiian and others:


1. Hadith al-Ghaar: Story of three friends who were blocked in a cave by a huge rock, and how the rock shifted gradually on its own each time one of them narrated his good deeds, and finally they were freed when the rock moved completely aside.


2. A tradition related by Abu Huraira ® of infants who were miraculously endowed with speech (i.e. other than Jesus): A child who exculpated the monk Jurayj (Gregory) when he was falsely accused by a harlot; a child who divined the characters of a horseman and a woman.


3. The story of Khalid b. Waleed ® who said “Bismillah” and drank a deadly poison which did not harm him.


4. Hazrat Umar ® being saved by two lions when a Persian assassin was about to kill him.


5. The fire refusing to burn Abu Muslim al-Khawlani who was thrown into a burning fire when he had refused to acknowledge al-Aswad al-Ansi of Yemen as prophet. After being banished, Abu Muslim came to Madinah the Radiant and met Hazrat Umar ® who praised Allah for letting him see the man who had performed the same miracle as Ibrahim a.s. (recorded by Shaykh Abdullah Ayad al-Qarni).


To Continue, Insha Allah….


NASIR

MIRACLES - ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE IN BRIEF-PART 7

Miracles - Islamic Perspective in Brief - Part 7.
Continued...


IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST BENEFICIENT, MOST MERCIFUL. 

Regarding the Awliya-Allah, one of the Islamic doctrines mentioned in Tahawi’s Aqida is: “We believe in what has appeared regarding their marvels and such narrations of them as having been authentically reported from trustworthy persons. In order to deny the Karamaat, some ignorantly claim that the Sahabas did not work any miracles. Nothing could be further from the truth as the following examples from the prophetic traditions will show:




1. 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud ® narrated: "A man from among the humans went out and was met by a man from among the jinn, who said: "Will you wrestle with me? If you throw me to the ground, I will teach you a verse which, if you recite it when you enter your house, no devil will enter." So, he wrestled with him and threw him to the ground. He said: "I see that you are very small and your forearms are like the front paws of a dog. Are all the jinn like this, or only you?" He said: "I am strong amongst them. Let us wrestle again." So, they wrestled again and the human threw him to the ground. So, the jinn said: "Recite Ayat al-Kursi, for no one recites it when he enters his house except that Satan leaves, passing wind like a donkey."" It was said to Ibn Mas'ud ®: "Was that man 'Umar ®?" He said: "Who else could it have been, other than 'Umar?"
['Majma' az-Zawa'id'; 9/71]


2. When the bodies of the martyrs of Uhud were being relocated forty years after their burial (during the reign of Mu'awiyah), the foot of Hamzah bin 'Abd al-Muttalib ® was scratched in the process of being moved, and it started gushing blood. ['al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah'; 4/43]


3. Ibn 'Abbas ® died in at-Ta'if, and a bird, the likes of which had never been seen before, was seen at his funeral. The bird entered the hole in the ground where Ibn 'Abbas was to be buried. So, we looked and waited to see if it would come out, and it didn't. When his body was finally placed in the ground, we could hear the verse {"O, the one in rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord, Well-pleased and well-pleasing!"} [al-Fajr; 27-8] being recited from the edge of his grave, but we were unable to find out who had recited it. (Authentically reported by al-Hakim in 'al-Mustadrak' 3/543)


4. Khayshamah narrated: "Khalid bin al-Walid ® came to a man carrying a jug of alcohol, so, he said: "O Allah! Turn it into honey!" So, it turned into honey."
[Reported by Ibn Hajar in 'al-Isabah fi Ma'rifat as-Sahabah'; p. 414]


5. The Romans imprisoned a son of the Companion, Abu Qurfasah ®. So, whenever it was time for prayer, Abu Qurfasah would climb the wall of 'Asqalan (in Syria) and call out: "O, son! It is time to pray!" And, his son would hear him all the way from the land of the Romans." ['Majma' az-Zawa'id' (9/396)]


6. When Sa'd and the Muslim army arrived at the Tigris River during the battle of Qadisiyyah, Salman stopped and said: "A river from the rivers of Allah. Will it not carry the soldiers of Allah?" So, he took Sa'd by the hand and stepped onto the water, leading all 30,000 soldiers across the Tigris River on foot. The Persians saw this and escaped, saying: ‘The demons have arrived! The demons have arrived!’"
[Reported by at-Tabari in 'at-Tarikh' (3/123), and Ibn Kathir in 'al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah' (7/64)]


7. During the khilafah of 'Umar ®, the governor of Egypt wrote to him asking for help as the river Nile had failed to flood. 'Umar ® wrote a letter in return, addressing the Nile itself. This was then placed in the Nile, and no sooner this was done, than the Nile's water began to flood. [Tarikh Ibn Kathir, volumes 1 and 8, the chapter on Rivers and chapter on Khilafah of 'Umar, ®


8. Abu Hurairah narrated: "al-'Ala' al-Hadrami supplicated for rain, and it then began to rain in the middle of the desert. In another incident, he supplicated, and we were able to walk over the water in the Arabian Peninsula (near Bahrain), without even the bottom of our feet getting wet. When he died, we buried him, and after a while, we opened up his grave to find that he was not there."
('Majma' az-Zawa'id'; 9/276)


9. During the Caliphate of Hazrat of 'Umar ®, a fire was noticed in the desert. Hazrat 'Umar ®, asked Tamim al-Dari ® to assist him. They approached the area of the fire when Tamim al-Dari ® began to gather the fire with his hands and started shoving the fire into a hole in the ground. This was a karamah of Tamim al-Dari ®. (Tarikh Ibn Kathir, Vol. 6, the chapter on Miracles, and Sirat un-Nabi, Ibn Kathir, chapter on Mu'jizat)


10. Sa'id bin al-Musayyib, a famous Tabi, narrated: "Zayd bin Kharijah al-Ansari died during the reign of 'Uthman bin 'Affan. When he was wrapped in a shroud in preparation of the burial, a gurgling sound was heard coming from his chest. Then Zayd got up and said: "Ahmad! Ahmad! He is in the first Book! Abu Bakr has spoken the truth! 'Umar has spoken the truth! 'Uthman has spoken the truth!" [Authentically reported in 'al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah'; 6/293]


11. Sa'id then said: "Then, another man died shortly thereafter. When he was wrapped in a shroud in preparation for the burial, a gurgling sound was heard coming from his chest. The man then got up and said: "Zayd bin Kharijah has spoken the truth!”
['Majma' az-Zawa'id'; 8/230]


12. A Sahaba once pitched his tent on a plot of ground without realizing that he was doing so over a grave. After a while, he realized that his tent was over a grave for he could hear the recital of the Surah Mulk. He related the entire episode to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), who replied that the recital of Surah Mulk indeed assists the person within the grave and protects him from pain and punishment. (Tirmidhi Shareef)


From this episode, we see that the beloved servants of Allah are still alive within their graves, or else the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) would have merely disregarded the entire incident. But he did not do so. Rather, he commented on the excellences of the Sura Mulk, which means that he also accepted that the beloved servants of Allah Ta'ala are still alive within their graves.


13. It is recorded that in the period of Ameer-e-Mu'awiya (R) a canal was dug between Mecca and Medina. Co-incidentally, the canal passed through that plot of land where the Shuhada (Martyrs) of Uhud lay buried. A person while digging accidentally cut the foot of a Shaheed with a spade. As a result of this, blood began to flow from the blessed foot. We learn from this incident that aside from their souls, even the bodies of these great and beloved servants of Allah are alive. (Jazbul Quloob, Sharahus Sudr)

Imam an-Nawawi was a wali and a great scholar who authored many works. A karamah of his states that when the lantern extinguished for want of oil, Allah illuminated his finger for him at night so he could see and continue writing about the Religion. Imam Nawawi has mentioned some miraculous incidents of the Sahaba in his Riyadh as-Saliheen (Meadows of the Righteous):




1. Quraish ordered ‘Uqbah bin Al-Harith, whose father had been killed by Khubaib ® himself, to execute him. They also appointed someone to guard his corpse.   Al-Harith’s daughter reported that shortly before his execution, Khubaib ® was seen eating a bunch of grapes when no fruit was available in Makkah at that time. [In fact, it was nothing but sustenance bestowed upon him by Allâh.]


2. ‘Asim ibn Thabit, who had previously slain one of the Chieftans of Quraysh in the Battle of Badar. When the Quraysh were told that he had been slain, they sent a few of their men to bring something that might identify him. To their disappointment, they could not reach his corpse because a large swarm of hornets had been shielding him against any malicious mutilation. ‘Asim had already sought his Lord’s pledge to protect his body from mutilations by the polytheists. He had also kept aloof from any contact with the enemies of Allâh. On hearing this piece of news, ‘Umar ® exclaimed, “Allâh verily protects His believing slave after death just as He does during his lifespan.” ( from al- Bukhari)


3. Ibn Umar ® said that he never heard from ‘Umar say about anything that I conceive to be thus and thus, but that it turned out to be in accordance with what he had conceived.


4. Jabir bin Abdullah ® related that his father called him on the eve of Uhad and said: ‘I believe I’ll be the first among the Sahaba to be killed, and after the Holy Prophet (s) you’re the one most dear to me. Discharge my debts and treat your sisters well. The next morning, he was among the first to be killed and I buried him along with another in the same grave. Thereafter, I was not happy that I should leave him with another in the same grave. So I dug up his body after six months, and he was in the same condition as he was on the day I had buried him but for his ear. Then I buried him in a separate grave. (Bukhari)

5. Anas related that Holy Prophet’s (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) two companions (Usaid ibn Huzair and Abbad ibn Bishar) left the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wassallam) late one dark night and perceived as if there were two lights in front of them. And, when they separated each had one light before him till the time he reached home.

6. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "In the nations, before you,  there were people who were spoken to (by Allah). If there was to be such a man in my community, it would be 'Umar." [al-Bukhari. Muslim transmits it from 'A'isha.]


7. 'Urwa ibn az-Zubayr reported that Sa'id ibn Zayd ibn 'Umar ibn Nufayl had litigation instigated against him by Arwa bint Aws before Marwan ibn al-Hakam. She claimed that he had taken some of her land. Sa'id said, "Would I take any of her lands after what I heard from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?" He said, "What did you hear from the Messenger of Allah?" He said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Anyone who wrongfully takes a hand's width of land will wear it around his neck down through seven earths.'" Marwan said to him, "I will not ask you for evidence after this." Sa'id said, "O Allah if she is lying, make her lose her eyesight and kill her in her land!" He said, "She did not die before her eyesight had gone, and while she was walking in her land, she fell into a pit and died." [Agreed upon] A variant of Muslim from Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar has something to the same effect and says that he saw her blind, groping for the wall, saying, "The invocation of Sa'id has struck me." She passed by a well in the house regarding which she had litigated and fell into it and it became her grave.

Bayhaqi and others quoted 'Abdullah ibn 'Ubayullah al-Ansari: "I was present when Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammas was buried after being martyred during the Battle of Yamama. As he was being buried, 
people heard him say: 'Muhammad is God's Messenger, Abu Bakr is truthful, 'Umar is a martyr, and 'Uthman is pious and merciful.' We opened the grave only to find him dead." Thabit thus predicted 
'Umar's martyrdom even before 'Umar became caliph.
(Shifa', 1:320.)

Imam Tabarani and Abu Nu'aym in Dala'il al-Nubuwwa (Proofs of Prophethood) report from Nu'man ibn Bashir: "Zayd ibn Kharija died unexpectedly at the market. We took his body home. Women cried
around him for some time between the evening and the late evening prayers, when he was heard to say: 'Silence, silence!' and continued fluently: 'Muhammad is God's Messenger. Peace be upon you, O Messenger.' We examined him, and found that he was dead."

Traditionists also report, through authentic narrations having the certainty of mutawatir (a large chain of narrations in hadith) in meaning, that Companions often saw Gabriel with God's Messenger as Dihya, a very good-looking Companion. For instance, 'Umar, Ibn 'Abbas, Usama ibn Zayd, Harith, 'A'isha, and Umm Salama report: "We
frequently saw Gabriel with God's Messenger in the form of Dihya." Would they have said this if they could not see Gabriel?

(Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 1:212; Bukhari, 4:250; Bayhaqi, 7:52, 87.)

The Readers are reminded that we are not discussing the evidentiary miracles of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam, but only the karama (miracles or marvels of the pious and holy persons). 

To continue, Insha Allah…

NASIR