MUSJIDUL HAQ

مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوۡلُ اللہِ ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ مَعَہٗۤ اَشِدَّآءُ عَلَی الْکُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَیۡنَہُمْ تَرٰىہُمْ رُکَّعًا سُجَّدًا یَّبْتَغُوۡنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللہِ وَ رِضْوٰنًا ۫ سِیۡمَاہُمْ فِیۡ وُجُوۡہِہِمْ مِّنْ اَثَرِ السُّجُوۡدِؕ ذٰلِکَ مَثَلُہُمْ فِی التَّوْرٰىۃِ ۚۖۛ وَ مَثَلُہُمْ فِی الْاِنۡجِیۡلِ ۚ۟ۛ کَزَرْعٍ اَخْرَجَ شَطْاَہٗ فَاٰزَرَہٗ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوٰی عَلٰی سُوۡقِہٖ یُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِیَغِیۡظَ بِہِمُ الْکُفَّارَؕ وَعَدَ اللہُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ مِنْہُمۡ مَّغْفِرَۃً وَّ اَجْرًا عَظِیۡمًا ﴿۲۹﴾٪

  Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah and those with him are hard against the infidels and tender among themselves you will see them bowing and prostrating themselves in prayer seeking grace of Allah and His pleasure.  Their mark is on their faces from the traces of prostrations.  This description of theirs is in Taurah and their description is in Enjeel.  As a cultivated field which puts forth its sprout, then strengthened it, then it became thick, then stood straight upon its stem, it looks pleasant to the cultivators that through them the hearts of the infidels may burn.  Allah has promised unto those of them who are believers and do good, forgiveness and a great reward.

(Al-Fat’h 48, Verse 29)

Mufassiroon (scholars who specialize in the faculty of explaining the intricate meaning of Quranic verses, also known as exegesis) say that the phrase “تَرٰىہُمْ رُکَّعًا سُجَّدًا” (you will see them bowing and prostrating) refers to Sayyiduna ‘Ali – may Allah be pleased with him.

His Blessed Birth:

He was born on the 13^th Rajab in the Holy Ka’bah.  It is for this reason that he is bestowed the title “Mauloodu Ka’bah”.  His blessed mother Sayyidah Fatimah bin Asad – may Allah be pleased with her – was the first to bring Iman and migrated.

Hadeeth:

The beloved Prophet – may Allah send peace and blessings upon him – has stated:

عَلِیٌّ مِنِّیْ وَاَنَا مِنْہُ، وَ ھُوَ وَلِیُّ کُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ

Ali is from me and I am from him, and he is the master of every believer.

(Mishkaat p. 264)

In another Hadeeth, he has stated:

مَنْ کُنْتُ مَوْلَاہُ فَعَلِیٌّ مَوْلَاہُ

To whom I am the master, Ali is his master as well.

(Mishkaat p. 565)

Everyone is aware that there were five people in the blessed house of Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him.  They were himself, his blessed wife, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain and Haarith – may Allah be pleased with him.

Once, they had not eaten for three days and because they were so poor Sayyidah Fatimah – may Allah be pleased with her –  gave Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – a shawl of hers and told him to sell this so that he could purchase some food. He took this shawl and sold it for six Dirhams.  Instead of buying anything for the house, he distributed this among the poor and needy.

At that moment, Hadrat Jibra’eel Ameen appeared in the form of a human and he had a camel with him.  He asked Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him, “O Abal Hasan! Will you like to purchase this camel from me?”

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – asked him the price of the camel and he replied that it was a hundred Dirhams.

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – agreed and took the camel from him.  As he walked further, Hadrat Mika’eel appeared in front of him in the form of a Bedouin and asked him, “O Abal Hasan! Will you like to sell this came?”

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – replied that yes, he will like to sell this camel. Hadrat Mika’eel then asked him how much he had purchased the camel for, he replied that he purchased it for a hundred Dirhams. Hadrat Mika’eel then informed him that he will offer him one hundred and sixty Dirhams.

As he walked further, again Hadrat Jibra’eel Ameen appeared and asked him whether he sold the camel and he replied that he had sold it for one hundred and sixty Dirhams.  Hadrat Jibra’eel Ameen then asked him for his hundred Dirhams.

After this, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – returned home with sixty Dirhams.  He then placed this in front of his blessed wife, and she asked him where he had received this money from.  He replied that he had entered into an agreement for six Dirhams with Allah Almighty and in return, he had received sixty Dirhams.  In other words, for every single Dirham spent in the Path of Allah, he had received ten Dirhams in return.

He then approached the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and mentioned what had happened.  The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – replied, “O Ali! The person who offered you the camel was Hadrat Jibra’eel Ameen and the person who purchased the animal from you was Hadrat Mika’eel.  That will also be the same camel on which Fatimah will ride on the Day of Judgement.”

After this, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – said to him, “O Ali! There are three things in you which Allah Almighty has not given to anyone else.  The first is your wife who is the leader of the females in Jannah.  The second are your two sons who are the leaders of the young people in Jannah and the third is your father-in-law who is the leader of all the Prophets. Therefore, you should give thanks to Allah Almighty for this Immense Divine Grace.”

(Nawaadir Al Qalyubi)

Hadrat Ali’s Advice on Knowledge

Hadrat Sayyiduna Kameel bin Ziyad – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that, “Once, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – held my hand and took me outside.  After making me sit on one side, he took a deep breath of regret and then said, ‘O Kameel! The heart is like a container.  The best is those who readily accept good advice. Therefore, whatever advice I give you, remember it well.’

He then mentioned, ‘O Kameel! People are of three types. The first is an Aalim-e-Rabbani, the second is one who searches for religion, and the third type are those who can be considered as idiots and who listen to all and sundry.  They bend in front of every breeze.  They are never brightened with the Nur of knowledge and neither have they made something which is strong as their support.

‘O Kameel! Remember that knowledge is far superior to wealth.  Bear in mind that knowledge is something which protects you while you, must protect and safeguard wealth. Wealth becomes less through spending while knowledge increases through spending.  Knowledge is the true leader while wealth is merely an ordinary subject.

‘O Kameel! Love for an Alim is actually religion.  Due to this, immense reward will be given to you.  Knowledge is something which encourages a person to do good in this world and after he passes away, it is the best of possessions. As for wealth, this also dies with a person.

‘O Kameel bin Ziyad! Many who are rich are actually dead, in spite of their wealth.  As for the ‘Ulama, even though they have left this world, but they remain alive as long as time exists.  Even though their eyes are closed, yet their greatness and stature are still alive until the present day.’

‘Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – then pointed to his blessed chest and declared, ‘It is a pity that much knowledge is found in this place and if only I could find someone to whom I could give this to.  Someone who is fit and able to whom I can give everything to.  Yes, I have met a few but I was not pleased with them.  They wish to use religion to acquire the world.  Through this Divine Gift (which is knowledge) they hope to show off among people and through their knowledge they hope to change the actual Divine Decree of Allah Almighty.  There are some people whom I have met and who are obedient to the people of truth, but they lack inner vision and wisdom.  Merely a little doubt shakes their heart.  With the result, they are neither here nor there.  They follow their carnal desires and are busy gathering material wealth.  They have no interest in spreading religion.  They are like domestic animals and because of this, when the real ‘Ulama pass away, actual knowledge will also be taken away.

‘However, there are still such people who continue to remain in the world who hold fast to the Divine Limits of Allah Almighty.  They do so, so that the Divine Signs of Allah Almighty remain visible for all to see.  Some of them become famous and others remain hidden.  However, the latter are very few indeed.  Such people have a mighty status with Allah Almighty and through them, the Divine Signs of Allah Almighty continue to remain protected.  These people then pass this on to those who are like them.  This is firmly established in their hearts.  The various parts in the world become easy for them to travel which makes the ignorant fear. These rightly-guided ‘Ulama do not fear anything. They live among the common people, but their hearts are with their Divine Creator. O Kameel! These are the true Khalifah of Allah Almighty on earth and the people who truly spread the religion.  I only wish to meet such people.’”

(Uyunul Hikaayah)

The Bravery of Sayyiduna Ali

During the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq) one of the greatest missions of the non-Muslims, was to completely destroy Islam from its root.  However, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – stood in between the Jews, the Christians and Mushriks and all these people joined forces to destroy the religion of Islam once and for all.  While all these forces were gathering against the small Muslim nation in Madina Shareef, there were two groups who completely went against their promise of helping the Muslims.  One group were the Jews and the other group were the Munafiq.

Prior to anything happening, suddenly one of the most powerful men among the Kuffaar, Amar bin Abd Wudee, stood up and decided to challenge the Muslims. Facing the Muslims, he shouted, “O Muslims! Who among you is prepared to do battle with me?”

Obviously, the Muslims knew the strength of this person and they were extremely cautious on who should go forward.  Again, this man shouted out to the Muslims to send someone to challenge him.  No one was prepared to come forward. However, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – considered a challenge of this nature against the poor Muslims as a direct insult to Islam.  He then shouted that he was prepared to fight this man alone.

There is no doubt that there was never a second when the blessed companion was not prepared to come forward in the name of Islam and there was never a moment when he displayed any fear whatsoever.  He was a symbol of the fact that these blessed companions had in fact placed their life on their palms and were ever ready to sacrifice this in the path of Allah Almighty.

When the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – saw the immense courage, which was being displayed by Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – he said, “O Ali! This is Abd Wuddee. (In other words, he was not considered an ordinary person but someone who was famous for his strength and power).”

However, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “O Prophet of Allah! Even if it is this person.”

In his bravery, he felt no fear for this person.

Both, then came face to face in the battlefield.  As the sword fight continued, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – was making special Du’a for success of the blessed companion.  Suddenly everyone could see a puff of sand and dust and after it had cleared, they could see the blessed companion, Hadrat Sayyiduna – may Allah be pleased with him, standing up with the head of this powerful person in his hand.  When the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – saw this, he read the Takbeer and all the other Muslims also joined him in reading the Takbeer. (Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah by Ibn Katheer and Seerat-e- ibn Hishaam)

This clearly teaches us that the blessed Ashaab were never prepared to stand down against the greatest of odds.  They clearly understood that this life was something which belonged to the Allah Almighty and eventually, He would take it back.  In other words, they were convinced that the purpose of their lives was to give it in the Path of Allah Almighty and for the mission of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

Sadly, in the present age, people would question the idea of spending twenty meagre coins for Islam, and yet, it does not belong to them and will never belong to them. If it did, they would take it to their grave and it will never go to the grave with them. So, what is the wisdom of hoarding of something which does not belong to you? Remember that on the Day of Judgement, the Allah Almighty will not ask you, ‘what did you do with your money’, He will ask you, ‘what did you do with My money’. Every action of the blessed Ashaab was a clear indication that they knew perfectly well that nothing belonged to them in this world.

His Islam:

Sayyiduna ‘Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – said:

The Holy Prophet – may Allah send peace and blessings upon him – proclaimed his Prophethood on Monday and I accepted Islam on Tuesday (the next day).  At the time I embraced Islam I was ten years old.

His age is said to be 9 and in some narrations 8.

He narrated 586 Ahadeeth in total.

(Tareekh al-Khulafa)

Sayyiduna Ali cured his Hand

It is mentioned that Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – once had an Abyssinian slave.  This person was also found guilty of stealing. The people caught him and presented him to the great Muslim leader.  Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – asked him, “Did you steal?” He replied that he had indeed stolen.

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – asked him this question on three occasions and on every occasion, he admitted that he had stolen.  Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – then ordered that his hand be severed.  After his hand was severed, this person then took his severed hand and walked outside.

On the way, he met Hadrat Sayyiduna Salman Farsi – may Allah be pleased with him – and this eminent companion asked him, “Who had your hand severed?”

This slave replied, “The arm of strength for Islam, the blessed son-in-law of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, the blessed husband of Hadrat Sayyidah Fatimah -may Allah be pleased with her – and the beloved cousin of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, namely Ameerul Mo’mineen, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – ordered that my hand be severed.”

Hadrat Sayyiduna Salman Farsi – may Allah be pleased with him – asked him, “He is the person who had ordered that your hand be severed and yet, you praise him to such a degree?”

He replied, “Yes, for the sake of a mere hand, he has protected me against the Fire of Hell”.

Hadrat Sayyiduna Salman Farsi – may Allah be pleased with him – then informed Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – about what he heard from this slave.  Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – then called this person and after this person had presented himself, he placed this hand in its position and then covered it with a piece of cloth.  He then made Du’a and through the Divine Command of Allah Almighty the hand of this person was again healed.  This is one of the many miracles displayed by the eminent Imam.

Hadrat Ali left in charge of Madina Shareef

It is reported that when the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – left for the expedition of Tabuk, he left Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him – in charge in Madina Shareef.  Bear in mind that this was one of the bravest Muslims on earth and when standing in front of his enemy the word fear meant nothing.  It also meant that he was left among the poor and feeble and the old people in Madina Shareef.  All the fit and able Muslim men had departed with the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.  He was left in charge in Madina Shareef.

However, the ugly head of the Munafiqeen arose to try and confuse this eminent companion.  They approached and said to him, “O Ali! There is no doubt that you seem to have become a burden on the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.  Therefore, thinking of you as an immense burden, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – had decided to leave you in Madina Shareef.  Therefore, he has departed for Tabuk without you.”

Look at the evil of the Munafiq.  This is one of their main strategies to turn Muslims against Muslims.  We see it in the formation of the Shia, the Wahhabi, and the Deobandi sects.  They do nothing but sow discord and disunity among the Muslims.  Their mission is to make Muslims fight against each other.  But all Praise is due to Allah Almighty, all of these Munafiqeen who have appeared in different names over the years will be gathered on the Day of Judgement and thrown into the Fire of hell.

These Munafiq had forgotten that this is the same cousin of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – whom he had taken care of from a little age.  This was that blessed Muslim who had lived the most of his young life within the blessed house of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him-.  This was that blessed Muslim who was blessed with marrying the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

All these things seemed to have been forgotten by the Munafiq.  When the blessed companion heard the remarks of the Munafiq, he was obviously extremely upset. He then gathered his weapons and decided to go and join the Muslims and the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.  When he finally reached the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, he mentioned what had been told to him by the Munafiqeen.  When the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – heard this, he smiled and declared, “O Ali! Are you not happy that you are with me, you are in the same state as Nabi Harun – peace be upon him – was with his brother Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him – except that after me, there will be no other Prophets?”

Look at the blessed words of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and the filthy words of the Munafiq.  Here is someone who is been described as one of the most beloved servant of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – while the Munafiq is describing him as a burden to the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. (Sahih Bukhari Shareef; Sahih Muslim Shareef)

Again, the mission of the Munafiq has also been to distance the true Muslims from the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.  They realized, that when a person begins to doubt the blessed words and stance of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – that person would become an easy target for their father, the Satan.  As obedient sons of their father, they spend their entire lives questioning the greatness of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – with the hope that this poison enters the heart of an innocent Muslim somewhere in the world.

Of course, prior to making him swallow this bitter poison they make sure that they wrap it in a beautiful packaging which is called Salaah.  In this manner, the Muslim has no idea that the gift he is accepting has a hidden evil within it. Bear in mind that you will be questioned about the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – in your grave and not your Salaah, therefore be extremely cautious.