Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education

The Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education (NFIE) is a non-profit, tax exempt, religious and educational organization dedicated to serve Islam with a special focus on Tasawwuf(Sufism),

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Poem: 12th Rabi'ul Awwal

Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya RasoolAllah
Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya HabibAllah
Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya NabiAllah
Assalatu Wassalamu Alaika Ya NoorAllah
I ask you whats the day today?
Twelfth of Rabbi-Ul-Awwal you say
What is special about this date?
Today was born Muhammad the Great!
Pray durood and send salaamupon the prophet of Islam
Remember Him in all you do
And remember his ways of life too
Just think of our pyare Nabi
And pray durood, its totally free
All you need is a loving heart
And praying durood is just the start
Nafl Namaz and verses of Qur'aan
Could help to strengthen your Iman
Think of the poor who you could feed
Meet your family, and REJOICE IN EID!!!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

GRAND MAWLID 2010



Grand Mawlid Presents "The Power Of One"



Grand Mawlid Presents-A celebration of the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him)-The Power of One.How one sincere heart aligned with God can transform our world.

Speakers: Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, Imam Tahir Anwar & Ustadh Yahya Rhodus Featuring: Sidi Abdul Kareem & The Bay Area Munshidun Hosted by: Ali Ataie

Over 1,400 years ago the heavens and the earth celebrated the announcement of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They rejoiced in the arrival of the long awaited "Chosen One," who was to be the perfect manifestation of Allah’s mercy on earth and a beacon of light for humanity. He was and still remains the paragon of creation and is without question the greatest blessing and bounty that humanity has received from the Creator.
In recognition of this divine blessing, Muslims have celebrated his birth for centuries with reverence and gratitude. These celebrations, also known as Mawlid al-Nabi, vary in form, expression and duration across the many cultures of the Muslim world. In the Indian subcontinent, the Mawlid is celebrated throughout the city squares with melodious singing in praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him) accompanied by food and sweets.
In Indonesia, large processions involving hundreds of thousands of believers are held along the country’s main roads as an expression of love for the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Moroccans host large feasts and recite lines of classical poetry in his honor. Similar practices and traditions have developed throughout other parts of the Muslim world further infusing cultures and people with a deep-seated respect and reverence for him. No matter how these celebrations take place, one thing is certain, in celebrating his birth, his legacy and his life the Muslim community at large continues to strengthen its connection to him and thus God.
Please join us for a night of inspiration as we continue to carry on this timeless tradition. We look forward to seeing you for an evening filled with poetry, praise and reflections from our dear scholars!

CELEBRATE MERCY-GLOBAL MAWLID un NABI (saws)


CELEBRATE MERCY-GLOBAL MAWLID un NABI (SAWS)
Thousands of Muslims Worldwide to Attend Historic Online CelebrationOn Thursday, February 25, the website celebratemercy.com will host a global webcast celebration of the Prophet Muhammad; this first event of its kind has attracted unprecedented attention in the online community. Throughout the Islamic lunar month of Rabia al-Awwal, millions of Muslims worldwide commemorate the Prophet Muhammad, by remembering his life and character. This year, for the first time, an online celebration is being organized to facilitate people everywhere—both those who are Muslim and those who are not—to celebrate his life with prominent world figures, scholars, and performers. Titled “Celebrate Mercy” and hosted by the website celebratemercy.com, the event will feature well-known Muslim speakers and entertainers in both pre-recorded video/audio presentations and live webcam presentations. The program will include short talks, songs, and poetry, all on the subject of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. The program is expected to last three hours, beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST on February 25, with a global re-broadcast on Sunday February 28, at 10:00 a.m. GMT. Presenters at the event will include Yusuf Islam, the former Cat Stevens; Dalia Mogahed, a member of the Advisory Council to President Obama; the President of the Muhammad Ali Center; and several other notable Muslim scholars and artists. Marketing for the event began earlier this month through social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, and word of the event quickly spread across the online world. Within one week of the launch of celebratemercy.com, 3400 individuals became “fans” of the event on Facebook, representing over 60 countries, and over 400 people signed up to volunteer. As of this release, the event has garnered 500 paid registrants from 40 countries. Viewing centers are being set up in many communities, including cities in New Zealand, India, UK, Canada, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. The success of the event is a testament to the power of online social networking. In explaining his inspiration for the event, Tarek El-Messidi, founder of celebratemercy.com, stated: “Muslims consider the Prophet Muhammad to be the best of God’s creation. It made me sick to my stomach to think that many in the West associate the name Muhammad with the disgusting actions of some Muslim extremists. When people hear the name Muhammad, mercy should be their first thought; this event will explain why.” The Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca (in modern day Saudi Arabia) in 670 AD. Muslims believe that he was the last in a series of prophets chosen by God, and the teachings revealed to the Prophet Muhammad form the basis of the religion of Islam. Over one billion people worldwide commit to his teachings, and he is thought by many—Muslim and non-Muslim alike—to be one of the most influential people in history. Amjad Tarsin, one of the event coordinators, explained the significance of celebrating the Prophet’s life in today’s world: “[Prophet Muhammad] taught us that forbearance is greater than revenge; forgiveness more lofty than punishment; and compassion more effective than austerity. Above all, he taught us mercy. And in these difficult times, we are all in need of more mercy in the world.”Those who are interested can learn more about the event, including a full list of confirmed and invited presenters, and about the Prophet Muhammad at celebratemercy.com. Registration is currently open and will remain open until 12 PM EST on February 25. The cost for the event is $5.00 per person although those who are not Muslim are granted free guess access at www.celebratemercy.com/guest. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. Quick Facts: What? Global online celebration of the life of Prophet Muhammad. Why?To facilitate a celebration of the Prophet’s life for people everywhere, with prominent world figures, scholars, and performers. When? Thursday, February 25, 2010, 9:00 p.m. EST. Global re-broadcast on Sunday, February 28, 2010, 10:00 a.m. GMT. (Video footage also available upon request)Where?Participants can join the event online by registering at www.celebratemercy.com. Cost of the event is $5.00. Those who are not Muslim are granted free guest access at celebratemercy.com/guest.

Monday, February 22, 2010

A Rabi'ul Awwal Gift- Habib Umar bin Hafiz


Interpreter's Path---the blog of AbdulKarim Yahya

A Rabi'ul Awwal Gift

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
وبعد فهذه صيغة صلاة على النبي محمد صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم للحبيب عمر بن حفيظ
وأوصى بالإكثار منها في شهر مولده صلى الله عليه وسلم
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
This is a formula of prayers (salat) on the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him, his folk and companions and grant them peace) by Habib Umar bin Hafiz. He advised us to read it a lot in the month of the Beloved’s birth (Allah bless him and grant him peace):
اَللَّهُمُّ صَلِِّ وَسَلِِّمْ وَبارِِكْ عَلى النُّورِِ المُبين، عَبْدِِكَ وَحَبيبِِكَ سَيِّدِِنا محمدٍ الأمين، وَعَلى آلِهِِ ِوَصَحْبِهِ
وَحَقِِّقْنا بِِحُبِِّهِ، وَأكْرِِْمنا بُِِقُرْبِِهِ، وَاجْعََْلنا مِِنْ رُفَقائِهِ يا رَبََّ العالَمين
Allahumma Salli wa Sallim wa Barik ‘ala al-Nur al-Mubin ‘abdika wa Habibika Sayyidina Muhammad al-Amin wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi wa haqiqna bihubbihi wa akrimna biqurbihi wa-j’alna min rufaqa’ihi ya Rabbal-‘alamin.
“O Allah send prayers, peace and blessings upon the Manifest Light, Your Slave and Your Beloved, our Liegelord Muhammad the Trustworthy, as well as his folk and companions, and make us true in his love, honor us with nearness to him, and include us among his entourage. O Lord of the Worlds.”
Courtesy---Interpreter's Path Blog

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Mawlid-un-Nabi (saws) in Makkah al-Mukkarma




Mawlid-un-Nabi (saws) in Makkah al-MukkarmaCelebrations of great happiness & joy were held in Makkah al-Mukkurma on the Birthday of Gracious Nabi (saws) and this day was called "Eid Youm-e- Wiladat-e- Rasul’Allah",Festival of Birhday of Prophet of God (saws). Beautiful carpets were laid down in the Haram Sharif behind Hanafi Musalla. Sharif of Mecca and Commander of Hijaz and their Staff who were appropriatly dressed for the occasion were present.They just returned after reciting Naats & Qasidas at the Birthplace of Prophet (saws).The lamps were lighted in two rows from Haram Sharif to the Birthplace, Mawlid al-Nabi (saws). The birthplace was illuminated with lights. Mawlid Celebration (Mehfil e Milad) was held in Haram Sharif after Isha Prayers on 11th Rabi al-Awwal.The Turkish Artillary gave 21 gun salute from Jiyad Fortress at the each prayer time from Maghrib of 11th Rabi al-Awwal to the Asr of 12th Rabi al-Awwal. A report of Mawlid Celebration in Mecca was published in March ,1917 issue of Monthly Journal “ Tariqat”, Lahore:
“Mecca and its surroundings echoed with loud noise of Gun Salute and the Adhan Caller (Mu'adhdin) started calling Allahu Akbar ,Allahu Akbar, for the Asr Prayers. The people started congratulating each other on the happy ocassion of Eid Mawlid un Nabi (saws) .Sharif Hussain offered Maghrib prayers with a large crowd at the Hanafi Musalla. After the prayers the Chief Justice (Qadi al Qudat) congratulated the Sharif of Mecca. Then all ministers, Government officials & City Notables left with a large crowd to the Birthplace of Prophet (saws).The entire pathway to the Mawlid un Nabi was illuminated and colorful lights at the Birthplace looked heavenly. The visitors stood with respect and the speaker started narrating the events about the life of Prophet (saws).All present listened with humility. After this Shaykh Fawad,Deputy Foreign Minister gave a speech , shedding light on the Greatest Human Revolution brought by birth of the Prophet(saws). After this another speaker recited devotional poetry in the honor of the Prophet (saws),then everyone visited the birthplace and returned to Haram Sharif for Isha Prayers. After Isha,all gathered in Haram Sharif to listen to the Mawlid Narratives. The speaker discussed Spiritual and Physical qualities & characteristics of beloved Prophet (saws).On the occasion of Mawlid un Nabi (saws) all the courts, offices and schools were closed.”
Many Islamic Scholars have mentioned about Celebration of Mawlid un Nabi (saws) in Mecca in their books,for example: Allama Ibn Jouzi (al-Milad al-Nabwi),Hazrat Shah Wali’Allah Dehlvi (Fayuth al-Harmaiyn),Shaykh Qutub al-Din al-Hanafi ( al-Aalam ba Alam Bait' Allah al-Haram), Jamal al-Din Muhammad bin Jarr’Allah bin Zaheer (in Minhaj al Quran Lahore.Nov,1987) ,Mufti Enayat Ahmad Kaukorvi ( TawarikhHabib’Allah ) and Shaykh Muhammad Misri ( Muhammad Rasul’Allah).The tradition of visiting Birthplace of Prophet (saws) has been practiced by People of Mecca for Centuries. Imam Abu al-Hussain Muhammad bin Ahmad popularly known as Ibn e Jubair Andalusi (d.614 AH) writes about tradition of visiting Birthplace of Prophet (saws) in his Travel Journal (Rihla Ibn e Jubair):
“Birthplace of Prophet (saws) is one of the Ziyara of Mecca. The ground of this site is honored because it has touched the holy body of Beloved of God (saws)as the first thing in this universe. This is the place where greatest personality was born and he is the Mercy for the Ummah. We rubbed our cheeks at this site as we entered because, at this place the most blessed (mubarik )and pure ( tayyab )child of this universe was born and we were graced with the blessings ( barakat) because of our visit.
Referring to the blessings of visiting the Birthplace (Barakat e Mawlid un Nabi (saws)),Imam Qutub al-Din Hanafi (d.988AD), writes “Birthplace (Mawlid e Pak) is a famous place. It is visited until now. Prayers are accepted here. The People of Mecca (Ahle Mecca) hold Remembrance of God ‘s Gathering (Mehfil-e-Dhikr ) every Monday and the Muslims visit this holy site every year during the night of 12th Rabi al-Awwal, ”
Source: Mawlid un Nabi (saws) in Urdu: Research, Analysis and History by Muhammad Muzaffar Javed Alam Siddiqui ( Pages-919),Publisher-Fiction House,18 Mazang Road,Lahore,Pakistan

Friday, February 19, 2010

Mercy Springs from Mustafa's Mawlid

Mercy Springs from Mustafa's Mawlid An exqusite reflection on the birth of the beloved, may God's blessings and peace be upon him. From Wayfarer's Rest With a whisper of the wind appears the first new leafAnd the trees tremble as life returns anewLike a gentle breeze that grows to a tempestA new song enters in my heart,And lifts me on its wings.Spring is here again.The birds have begun to sing again. Looking out, I see tiny buds beginning to poke their way through the soil; branches bare all winter have dared to send forth their first green shoots. The wind blows warmer, the rain feels somehow fresher. It is unmistakeable – spring is here again.How fitting that, as we approach the month of lights, the blessed month of mawlid, we should find ourselves entering the season of spring. For what more fitting time could there have been for the one whose birth signified the dawning of new hope for mankind, a new spring of tauhid after the dark and cold winter of disbelief; for the one who loved all things green and who revived dead hearts to life, than the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal (lit: the first spring)?Shaykh Hamza Yusuf mentioned that the Prophet (s) was born in spring and loved green. He continued that green was the first colour that the eye could perceive, and the last that it could make out; the middle of the spectrum of light. Green is also the colour of chlorophyll, which mediates photosynthesis in plants – the conversion of pure light into energy and nourishment that ultimately allows our continued existence. The parallels are manifest but beautiful nonetheless: he (s) is from the light of Allah, the first Prophet and the last, the moderate and median way, neither too harsh nor too lenient; he is the source of all nourishment and the means of continuation for all spiritual life. He (s) is, as the commentaries of the Quran mention, the solitary flowering tree in the midst of a barren desert – from whose fruits all men feast, and beneath whose boughs all find shade and rest.The advent of spring fills one with gladness – a joy that the believer cannot but feel when he or she contemplates the arrival of the best and most beloved of all creation (s). Allah says in the Holy Quran: ‘In the blessings of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice,’ and, ‘make remembrance of the Days of Allah.’ al-Bayhaqi relates that the Prophet (s) said, ‘the Days of Allah are Allah’s Blessings and Signs, and the Prophet’s birth is a great bliss.’ For almost a millennium, Muslims have joyfully commemorated the arrival of our spiritual Spring with the celebration of mawlid.Mawlid has three meanings: the time of the Beloved’s (s) birth, the place of his birth and the fact of his birth. However, for hundreds of years, the word mawlid has been used to signify the celebration of the Prophet’s (s) birth. Mawalid have been – and still are – held wherever there are Muslims; from the Islamic heartlands of Arabia, Egypt and Syro-Palestine to the very borders of the traditional Islamic lands such as Indonesia, the Caucasus and Western Africa. In the 20th century, the globalization of the Ummah and mass migration has seen mawlid celebrated in the most unlikely of places – from the rain-swept streets of the UK to the snowy mountains of Canada to the tip of Southern Africa.It is beloved of the common folk of the community and cherished by the elect. Kings and rulers have used mawlid to connect to their followers; scholars have used it to educate the people. Such has been its popularity among the learned and the unlearned – so deeply has it touched the hearts of Muslims from every walk of life – that one would struggle to find a place that has not been graced by the celebration of the Beloved of Allah (s).Rabi` al-Awwal Mubarak, dear friends. May Allah enlighten all our hearts with the love of his Beloved (s), ennoble our eyes with his (s) vision in this world and the next, and fill our limbs with the strength to follow his blessed way.Oh Cherishing Lord! Through the honour of Sayyidina Muhammad in Your eyes, purify our hearts from every evil quality that distances us from Your witnessing, Your love and Your mercy, let us die as members of his (s) community and under his banner of praise, yearning for the encounter with You, Oh Lord of Majesty and Grace! Then peace and blessings upon the elect of creation, the Master of the children of Adam, the Beloved of the Lord of the Worlds, Sayyidina wa Habibina Muhammad, his family, companions, and all who light their hearts from his blessed lamp.

Virtues of month of Rabi ul Awwal

VIRTUES of THE MONTH Rabi'- Ul - Awwal It is mentioned in The Jawahar Ghaibi {Jewels of The Unseen} that in this month the Companions of the Beloved of Allah Hadrat Muhammad may Allah be pleased with them all, the Taba'een {those who saw the holy Companions} and Taba' Taba'een {the ones who saw the Taba'een} used to perform as a gift to the Blessed Soul of the Beloved of Allah Hadrat Muhammad, 20 Raka'h daily for 12 days. If one can not perform this Salah daily, at least it should be performed on the 2nd and 12th day and the gift passed on to the Soul of the Beloved of Allah Hadrat Muhammad ,because the Beloved of my soul came in the dreams of those who performed this Salah, and gave them the good news of Paradise. Seeing the Beloved of my soul, Hadrat Muhammad in the dream after his demise and giving the good news of Paradise just as if one saw him in real life. It is mentioned in "Kitabul Awrad" that on the night the Hilal {visible moon} is seen, one should perform 16 Raka'h Nafl {voluntary} Salah, in sections of 2 Raka'ah and intentions {Niyyah} of 2 Raka'ah each and in each Raka'ah recite after Surah Al-Fatihah, Surah Ikhlas 3 times and after the completion of the 16 Raka'ah recite the following Salatul Nabi {Durood} on The Beloved of Allah, one thousand times:
Allahumma rabba hadhi-hid da'wa-tit-tamma wa-salatil qae-ma,Ati muhammadanil wasilata wal fadeela,Wab ath-hu maqamam-mahmuda-nil alladhi wa aadtha
O God, Owner of this perfect call and Owner of this prayer to be performed,Bestow upon Muhammad al waseelah (a station in Prardise) and al fadeelah (a rank above the rest of creation),And raise him to the rank you have promised him The above Durood when continued to be recited daily for 12 days {one thousand times each day} after Salatul 'Isha, and then going to sleep in the state of wudu, the reciter will Inshaallah Ta'la see the Beloved of my soul, Hadrat Muhammad. It is written in "Kitabul Mashaikh" that from the night on which the Hilal of Rabi-ul-Awwal is seen, if one recites the following Durood 1.025 times after Salatul 'Isha:
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN KAMA SALLAITA ALA IBRAHEEMA WA ALA ALI IBRAHEEMA INNAKA HAMEEDUM MAJEED he will see the Beloved of Allah Hadrat Muhammadin his dream. In the same book it is written that any one who recites in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal one hundred and twenty five thousand times any one of the following 2 Duroods
Assalatu wassalamu ‘alayka Ya Rasulallah
Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam he will certainly see the beloved of my soul Muhammad in his dream.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Significance of Rabi al-Awwal by Shaykh Abdal Haqq Muhaddith Dehlavi (r.a)


Islamic Months & Year (Ma sabata bilsunnah un amal as sunnah)
Shaykh Abdal Haqq Muhaddith Dehlavi (R.A)
Rabi al-Awwal

Blessed Birth of Prophet (saws)
1. Year of Prosperity & Joy
Dear Friends! Allah Taala guide you with light of Certainty (Nur al-Yaqeen) and illuminate your heart with remembrance of His beloved Prophet (saws), blessings on the Chosen Prophet (saws), his family & companions. As mentioned in the books of Sira & Ahadith, Hazrat Amina (r) witnessed unusual & strange events during her pregnancy. Quraysh of Makkah were suffering with severe famine and their land became green with trees bearing fruits after the blessed pregnancy. They became prosperous and therefore named 570 AD as “The Year of Prosperity & Joy”.
2. Blessed Birth in State of Prostration (Sajjada)Abu Nuaym has narrated from Abdullah ibn Abbas (r) “Hazrat Amina, the mother of Prophet (saws) dreamed that someone said to her “You have conceived the best of humankind and master of the worlds, when you give birth to him, call him Muhammad and tell no one about your situation”. She said: “I saw a flock of birds that had come without my noticing from whence they came, until they covered my chamber. Their beaks were made of emerald and their wings of rubies. The veil was lifted from my sight and at that moment I saw the eastern and western regions of earth. I saw three banners raised a banner in the East, a banner in the West and a banner on the top of the Kabah.” “I gave birth to Muhammad (saws); when he came out of my belly I turned and looked at him, and lo and behold, I saw him prostrating himself with his Shahadah Finger raised like one who was pleading and supplicating. Then I saw a white cloud that had come from the sky, came down until it covered him and he was concealed from my sight; I heard a voice call out “ Take Muhammad (saws) around the East and West of the world; take him into all of the oceans, so that they will know his name, his description, and his form and they will know that he is called al-Mahi, the Effacer, because there is no polytheism but it will be effaced by him in his time.”
3. Last of the Prophets ( Khatim al-Nabiyeen)Imam Ahmad,Bazar,Tibrani,Hakim and Allama Bayhaqi has narrated from Arbaz bin Sariya that Prophet (saws) said “ I am servant of Allah and last of the Prophets. I was Prophet when Adam was between water and mud and I will inform you of all events shortly. I am answer to the supplication of my father Hazrat Ibrahim, glad tiding of Hazrat Isa and I am dream of my mother which she saw. The mothers of Prophets see dreams about prophecy of their sons. The mother of Messenger of Allah (saws) saw a light emanating from her belly that reached to the castles of Syria. Hazrat Abbas bin Muttalib said about this
light in his poetry “Oh.Rasul! The earth became illuminated on your blessed birth and skies became bright with your light and we tread the path of guidance with your light.”
4. Seal of the Prophethood ( Muhr e Nabawwut)
Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (r) stated that a Jewish Resident of Makkah addressed the Quraysh on the day of the blessed birth of Prophet (saws): “Oh !People of Quraysh! Did you have a birth of a son in your family? Then he said “The Prophet of Ummah will be born this night and there will be a seal of Prophethood between his shoulders as a sign of Prophecy. Quraysh found out that Abdullah bin Abdal Muttalib had a son. He took few persons with him to visit Hazrat Amina and wished to see the seal. He fainted after witnessing the seal and then stated “ Oh.People of Quraysh ! Listen, Prophecy has finished in the house of Bani Israel. Now you will become prominent & dominant in the world through this Prophet(saws) and his message will spread from East to the West.” Yaqub bin Sufyan has written this tradition with hasan isnad and is also included in Fath al-Bari.
5. Date and Time of the Blessed BirthThere is difference of opinion about date and time of birth however 12th Rabi al-Awwal is most popular opinion. The People of Makkah visit the birth place of Prophet (saws) on this day and this tradition is practiced even today. Taibi states, there is a concensus amongst Muslims that Prophet (saws) was born on this date. I (Abdul Haq) agree with Taibi. It is popularly believed that day of birth was Monday Morning. Qatada Ansari states that Prophet (saws) used to fast on Mondays and when he was asked about this, he said “This is the day I was born and this is the day, I was given Prophethood”. (Sahih Muslim)
6. Superiority of Night of MawlidThe night of Mawlid is superior to the night of Destiny (laylat al-qadar). The night of Mawlid is the night of Prophet’s coming to this world and Night of Power was given to him, that which was honored by the very existence of one for whose sake it is honored, is more honorable than that which is honored by reason of what was given to him.
Thuwayba, the slave girl of Abu Lahab gave the glad news of the blessed birth of Prophet (saws) and therefore he freed her out of delight. When Abu Lahab died, one of his relatives saw him in dream. He said to him,” What happened to you?”.Abu Lahab replied I am suffering in hell however on Mondays, there is some relief and then he pointed to his two fingers, by signaling which, he freed Thuwayba .I am able to drink water with these two fingers. Ibn al-Jauzi has written that if Abu Lahab, the unbeliever whose condemnation was revealed in the Quran, was rewarded in hell for his joy on the night of Prophet’s Birth (saws), what is the case of Muslims who delight in his birth and spend all that they can afford or love of him? By my life, his reward from the Allah Taala can only be that He graciously causes him to enter the gardens of bliss. The Muslims have always celebrated Mawlid un Nabi (saws) during the month of Rabi al-Awwal. They prepare food, give charity to poor, distribute gifts and express happiness. They spend generously, recite Quran and decorate their homes. Allah Taala continues to shower His blessing & baraka on them. The Muslims who celebrate Mawlid-un-Nabi (saws) remain in Allah’s Security and their needs are fulfilled. Allah Taala sends His mercy on the person who celebrates Eid on the night of Mawlid un Nabi (saws). May Allah Taala reward us for our sincere intensions and enable us to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (saws). Allah is enough for us and He is the Best Helper.
Shaykh Abdal Haqq Muhaddith Dehlavi (r.a)He was born in 1551 (958 AH) in in Delhi, hence the suffix Dehlavi to his name. He went on become a noted writer in Arabic and Persian, who was respected &honored by Mughal Emperors Jahangir (r.1605-28) and Shah Jahan (r.1628-58), and in time became a respected,authentic & authoritative scholar of Islam. His ancestors were natives of Bokhara, and later while visiting Delhi was enobled and attached to the Mughal Royal Court at Delhi. His father was also a great Islamic Scholar.In 996 AH, 1587 CE, he made the pilgrimage to Mecca, where he stayed remained for the next two years studying the Prophetic Traditions ( Hadith) and Sufism under various noted scholars. Upon his return to Delhi, he taught for half a century, and authored more than 100 works, noted among them a History of Medina, a Biography of Prophet Muhammad (saws), and a work on the lives of saints. He died in Delhi, in 1642 (1052 AH), and has over 40 works to his name. His mausoleum, today exists at the edge ofHauz-i-Shamsi near Qutub Minar, Delhi.
His Works
"Akhbar al Akhyar", 16th Century. Urdu Edition 1990
Sharh Mishkat Shareef
Perfection of Faith (Translation), Adam Publishers.
Madarij e Nabuwwah
Tārīh-i Haqqī (The History by Haqq). General history of South Asia from the time of the Ğūrids to the 42nd year of Mughal Emperor Akbar’s reign (1005/1596-7).
Source Wikipedia
Brief Biography at nfie.com/blog
http://www.nfie.com/welcome/blog/2009/12/shaykh-abdal-haqq-muhaddith-dehlvi.html

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Salawaat in Rabi'ul Awwal


Salawaat in Rabi'ul Awwal
The month of Rabi’ul Awwal came by and has passed us. But let us keep the presence of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam fresh in every quantum of light that our eyes receive. And keep his spiritual essence alive in every breath we take.Don't you find it strange that some people (loudly claiming they are "purer" Muslims) look for excuses to not celebrate the prophet (saw) and critize fellow muslims who do celebrate? Get real! All Muslims should to celebrate Prophet Muhammad (saw), as had been done by the salaf and khalaf generations before us.

Part of Burdah of Imam Muhammad bin Said al-Busiri

As long as you do not follow the way of the Christians- who overly praise Jesus alaihissalam and turn him into god)-Praise him (Muhammad) the way you please(verse 43)

Salawat Khusus of Tariqah Ahmadiah

O Allah, send salutation, peace and blessings upon our master Muhammad and his family in every glance and breath, the count of which only known to Allah, whose Knowledge has no limit.

Part of Salawat ‘Azimiah of Sidi Ahmad bin Idris (rh)

I plea to Allah - by the Light of Allah the Magnificent, the Light that fills up the Pillars of the ‘Arash of Allah the Magnificent, with which the worlds come into being – that He send great salutation upon our master Muhammad. And great salutation upon the family of Nabi, a salutation fitting to the greatness of Allah......(until the end)

Salawat of Imam as-Shafi’i (rh) as found in Dala’il al-Khairat and elsewhere

O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, every time those who remember (az-zakirun) make remembrance (zakara) of You.O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, every time those who neglect (al-ghafilun) fail to make remembrance of you.

Part of the Ten Salawaat as given by a student of Madrasah Saulatiyyah, Makkah

O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, who walks under the sun and he has no shadow following him.O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, (so noble he is) that flies never set down on his person...(until the end)

Part of Dala'il al-Khairat as read on Saturdays

And may You (Allah) send salutation upon him (Muhammad) and his family. Send salutations as many times as the number of the creations - who glorify You, and who claim Holiness unto You, and who prostrate to You - since the the day you created this world up to the Day of Resurrection, and for each day you amplify 1000 fold...(until the end)

Salawat Shifa/Tibbiah

O Allah, send salutation upon Sayyidina Muhammad, the kind that cleanses the heart and becomes its healer, that remedies ailment and becomes health restorer, that lights up vision and becomes the illuminator.

Salawat Tafrijiyah

O Allah, send complete salutation and send perfect peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, with whom ceases all that binds, and ends all sadness, and fulfills all wishes, and attains all desires, and ends with goodness, and causes the pouring of rain, by his generous countenance, and upon his family and his companions, as much as glance of an eye and every breath that is made that is in Your Knowledge.

Salawat Munjiyat

O Allah, send salutation upon Sayyidina Muhammad, with which You release us from catastrophe and misfortune, and You fulfill all wishes, and You clear all our wrongdoings, and You elevate our rank by Your side, and You suffice us with kindness during our lifetime and after it, and please send our salutation as well to Muhammad’s family and his companions.

Coutesy: Islam is Every One of Us

Rabi al Awwal Mubarik

Worship/Waziafs for Rabbi ul Awwal ASALATU WASALAMU ALAYKA YA RASULLALLAH Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam First Rabi ul awwal One should perform 16 Raka’h Nafl , in sections of 2 Raka’ah and intentions of 2 Raka’ah each and in each Raka’ah recite after Surah Al-Fatihah, Surah Ikhlas 3 times and after the completion of the 16 Raka’ah recite the following Durood one thousand times: Allahumma Rabba haazihid dawatit tammatee wassalaatil qaaimatee aatee Muhammadanil wasilata wal fadhilata The above Durood when continued to be recited daily for 12 days {one thousand times each day} after Salatul ‘Isha, and then going to sleep in the state of wudu, the reciter will Inshaallah Ta’la see the Beloved Rasool Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam If any one who recites in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal one hundred and twenty five thousand times any one of the following 2 Duroods Will certainly see the beloved Rasool Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallamin a dream Inshallah. Assalaatu Wassalaamu Alayka Ya Rasoolallah Sallal Laahu Ta’ala Alayhi Wa Sallam Sallal Laahu Alayhi Wa Sallam It is written in “Kitabul Mashaikh” that from the night on which the Hilal of Rabi-ul-Awwal is seen, if one recites the following Durood 1025 times after Salatul ‘Isha: Ala’ Muhammadinw wa’ala Aali Muhammadin kamaa salaita Ala’ Ibrahima aa ala’ Aali Ibrahima innaka hamidummajeed He/she will see the Beloved Nabi Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam in his dream Fasting on the First of Rabi ul Awwal is also recommended.12th Rabi ul Awwal EID MILAD UN NABI Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam After Zuhar namaaz read the follwing nawafils. 1) Offer two rakaat prayer, In first Rakaat after surah fateha recite Surah e Kafiroon three times, in second rakaat after surah fateha recite sura e Ikhlas three times 2)Pray 2 rakats nafil namaz. In each rakat after Surah Fateha, pray Surah Muzammil Sharif once. After the namaz, offer its sawab to our beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam. Then go into sijdah position and pray for fulfilment of your needs. Insha-Allah the wishes will be granted. 3) Pray 2 or 4 rakats (in 2 salams) nafil namaz. In each rakat after Surah Fateha recite Surah Ikhlas 25 times. After the namaz pray as in 1) above Some acts to be carried out on 12th Rabi ul Awwal Eid Milad Un Nabi Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam. * To perform Ghusal* Wear New Clothes* Wear Attar/perfume* Read Seerah of Nabi Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam* Greet Each other* Give Charity* Keep Fast* stay up all night and recite the Quran/ darood shareef and attend mehfils. Throughout this month reciting of darood shareef in abundance carries great virtues/sawaab inshallah.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Mawlid-Un-Nabi Conference 2010,Phoenix,AZ

Mawlid-Un-Nabi Conference 2010 SATURDAY, MARCH 27th, 2010,3:00 – 9:00 pm Chandler Community Center 125 Commonwealth Ave Chandler, AZ 85225 Sponsored By Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education Celebrating The Prophet (pbuh) of Universal Mercy, Love & Beauty Shaykh Abdullah Nooruddeen Durkee Born in 1938 at Warwick, N.Y, became Muslim in early thirties.Studied with several Shayukh including Shaykh Ibrahim al-Battawi(al-Azhar),Shaykh Dr.Seyed Ali Ashraf (Cambridge,UK),Shaykh Umar Abdullah ( Comoro Islands) & Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal ar-Rifai (al-Quds). Founder, Dar al-Islam, Abiquiu, NM & Islamic Study Center (Flag Mountain),Director, an-Noor Educational Trust & Principal,Green Mountain School. Eminent American Muslim Scholar, Thinker, Author & Translator. One of his main contributions is”The Transliterated Tajwidi Quran”. Imam & Khateeb for various Muslim Communities on East Coast. Mahmoud Sheikh-Khalil M.D Imam & Director, Islamic Center of Northeast Louisiana, Monroe, LA Imam Abdulbasir Ali Teacher Phoenix Metro Islamic School Imam Didmar Faja Imam Albanian American Islamic Center, Quran Teacher at Arizona Cultural Academy Na’ats,Nasheeds,Qasidahs Al-Haj Noor Muhammad Jarral FREE EVENT-Register for Conference+Dinner online, e-mail or phone Please Donate Generously Please make Checks Payable to: NFIE. (Tax ID: 37-1303679) Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education P.O.Box 2978,Gilbert Az 85296. E-mail info@nfie.com website www.nfie.com

The Birth Of The Prophet Muhammad(saws):Devotional Piety in Sunni Islam by Marion Holmes Katz



The Birth Of The Prophet Muhammad(saws): Devotional Piety In Sunni Islam (culture And Civilization In The Middle East) by Marion Holmes Katz,Ph.D. 1997, University of Chicago,Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies
Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies,50 Washington Square South,New York, NY 10012
In the medieval period, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (the mawlid) was celebrated in popular narratives and ceremonies that expressed the religious agendas and aspirations of ordinary Muslims, including women.
This book examines the Mawlid from its origins to the present day and provides a new insight into how an aspect of everyday Islamic piety has been transformed by modernity. The book gives a window into the religious lives of medieval Muslim women, rather than focusing on the limitations that were placed on them and shows how medieval popular Islam was coherent and meaningful, not just a set of deviations from scholarly norms.
Concise in both historical and textual analysis, this book is an important contribution to our understanding of contemporary Muslim devotional practices and will be of great interest to postgraduate students and researchers of Islam, religious studies and medieval studies.

Editorial ReviewsMuslim World Book Review:
Wadham College, Oxford, Ahmed Weir
The Birth of The Prophet Muhammad: Devotional Piety in Sunni Islam. By Marion Holmes Katz. ISBN: 9780415771276.
In this work on devotional Sunni piety, Marion Jolmes Katz immerses herself, as a participant and observer, into the world of the mawlid, displaying an empathetic understanding of how the mawlid can touch the believers heart. It is a work of historical theology tracing the mawlid from its birth at some point in the eleventh century to its dead-hearted critics of the twentieth century.] [ Within her chapters on the historical development of the mawlid, Katz devotes considerable energy to the discussion of qiyam, or standing. In this she uncovers some gems. She traces the first recorded instance of standing to the Egyptian scholar Taj al-Din al-Subki. This happened in the Umayyad Mosque, Damascus in the fourteenth century during a public recitation of Al-Sarsaris ode, Writing in gold is but little for the praise of Mustafa.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
The emergence of mawlid narratives
An archaeology of mawlid narratives 6
Formal mawlid texts 50
Conclusion 61
Gifts and reciprocity in the celebration of the mawlid 63
Mawlid banquets 67
Pious utterances and the generation of merit 75
The exchange of merit and the economy of salvation 87
Conclusion 96
Emotion, law, and the celebration of the mawlid
Joy 104
Love 117
The salvific value of personal relationships 125
Standing as an expression of emotion 128
Conclusion 139
Time and merit in the celebration of the mawlid
The night of the mawlid and laylat al-qadr 146
Special times and their uses 147
Homogeneous and non-homogeneous time 153
Conclusion 164
Mawlids under attack
Wahhabi opposition 170
Modernist critiques 174
New rationales for the celebration of the mawlid 182
The marginalization of the mawlid in the late-twentiethcentury 184
The eclipse of the devotionalist model 188
Conclusion 206
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