First Night in the Grave - Dawat-e-Islami
First Night in the Grave - Dawat-e-Islami
First Night in the Grave - Dawat-e-Islami
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Qabar kī Peĥlī Rāt<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
This booklet was written by Shaykh-e-Tariqat Amīr-e-Aĥl-e-Sunnat, <strong>the</strong><br />
founder of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong> ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas<br />
Attar Qadiri Razavi ْﻪ<br />
َ<br />
ﻴـِ ﻟﺎـَﻌـ ْ ﻟا ﻢـُ<br />
ُ<br />
ﻬـُﺗﺎَﮐﺮـ َ َﺑ ْ ﺖَ ﻣاَد <strong>in</strong> Urdu. The Translation Majlis has<br />
translated this booklet <strong>in</strong>to English. If you f<strong>in</strong>d any mistake(s) <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
translation or compos<strong>in</strong>g, please <strong>in</strong>form <strong>the</strong> Majlis on <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g postal<br />
or email address with <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>tention of earn<strong>in</strong>g reward [Šawāb].<br />
Translation Majlis (<strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>)<br />
Alami Madani Markaz, Faizan-e-Mad<strong>in</strong>a, Mahalla Saudagran, Old Sabzi<br />
Mandi, Baab-ul-Mad<strong>in</strong>a, Karachi, Pakistan<br />
Contact #: +92-21-34921389 to 91<br />
translation@dawateislami.net
Maktaba-tul-Mad<strong>in</strong>a<br />
UK: 80-82 Bordesley Green Road, Birm<strong>in</strong>gham, B9 4TA<br />
Contact #: 07989996380 - 07867860092<br />
Email: uk@dawateislami.net<br />
USA: Faizan-e-Mad<strong>in</strong>a, P. O. Box 36216, Houston, Tx 77274<br />
Contact #: +713-459-1581, 832-618-5101<br />
INDIA: 19/20 Muhammad Ali Road, Opposite Mandvi Post Office<br />
Mumbai - 400 003<br />
Contact #: +91-022-23454429<br />
BANGLADESH: K.M Bhovan, 1 st Floor, 11, Andar Killa Chittagong<br />
HONG KONG: Faizan-e-Mad<strong>in</strong>a, M/F-75, Ho Pui Street, Tsuen Wan<br />
N.T.<br />
Contact #: +85-98750884 – 31451557<br />
SOUTH AFRICA: 61A, M<strong>in</strong>t Road, Fordsburg, Johannesburg<br />
Contact #: 011-838 9099<br />
KENYA: Kanz-ul-Iman, Near Al-Farooq Hospital, Tonoka Area<br />
Mvita, Mombasa<br />
Contact #: +254-721-521916<br />
TORONTO CANADA: 1060 Britannia Road Unit 20, 21 Mississauga<br />
ONT Canada<br />
Contact #: +141-664-82261<br />
ii
ـ ٰ <br />
ﻠ ـﻟ ﺪـ ۡ ﻤـ ﺤـ ۡ ﻟ ﻪ<br />
<br />
ۡ<br />
ﻤـ ﻠـ ٰ ﻌـ ۡ ٰ <br />
<br />
ةﻮـﻠـﺼـﻟ<br />
و<br />
ﻟ بر ۡ<br />
ـﻠـ ﺳ ۡ ﺮـ ﻤـ ۡ ٰ<br />
<br />
ﻟ ﺪـ ﻴـﺳ ـ <br />
ﻋ مﻹﻶـﺴـﻟو ـ ٰ <br />
ﻠـﻟﺎـﺑ ذ ۡ ﻮـ ﻋ ﺎـ ﻓ ﺪـ ۡ ﻌــ ﺑﺎـ ۡ<br />
<br />
ﺟ ﻪ<br />
ﻣ <br />
ﺮـﻟ ﻦ ٰ ﻄـ ۡ ﻴـ ٰ<br />
<br />
ـﻠـﻟ ﻢ ﺸـﻟ ﻦـ ﻣ<br />
ۡ ﺣ ﻪ<br />
ﺴـﺑ<br />
<br />
ﺮـﻟ ﻦ ٰ ﻤـ ۡ ﺣ ۡ<br />
ـ<br />
ﺮـﻟ<br />
Du’a for Read<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Book<br />
Read <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g Du’ā (supplication) before study<strong>in</strong>g a religious<br />
book or <strong>Islami</strong>c lesson,<br />
you study:<br />
َﺷ ْ نِا<br />
ﻪـ<br />
ﻠـﻟاَ<br />
ءﺂ<br />
َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َ ّﺰَ ﻋ , you will remember whatever<br />
ْ ﺢـﺘـ ْ ﻓا ﻢـﻬـ ٰ<br />
ﻠـﻟا<br />
ْﺮـ ﺸـ ْ ﻧاو ﻚـ<br />
ﺘـﻤ ْ ﻜ ﺣ ﺎﻨـ ْ ﻴـﻠـﻋ <br />
ماﺮـ ْ ْ<br />
ﻛﻻا و ل<br />
ﻼــ ﺠ<br />
ْ ﻟاا<br />
<br />
ذ ﺎـﻳ ﻚـ<br />
ﺘـﻤـ ْ ﺣر ﺎﻨـ ْ ﻴـﻠـﻋ <br />
Translation<br />
Yā Allah َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ! Open <strong>the</strong> portal of knowledge and wisdom for us,<br />
and have mercy on us! O <strong>the</strong> One Who is <strong>the</strong> Most Honourable<br />
and Magnificent!<br />
iii<br />
(Al-Mustaṭraf, Vol. 1, pp. 40)<br />
Note: Recite Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī once before and after <strong>the</strong> Du’ā.
Transliteration Chart<br />
A/a Ř/ř L/l<br />
A/a Z/z M/m<br />
B/b X/x N/n<br />
P/p S/s<br />
T/t Sh/sh<br />
iv<br />
V/v,<br />
W/w<br />
Ṫ/ṫ Ṣ/ṣ / / Ĥ/ĥ<br />
Š/š Ḍ/ḍ Y/y<br />
J/j Ṭ/ṭ Y/y<br />
Ch Ẓ/ẓ A/a<br />
Ḥ/ḥ ‘ U/u<br />
Kh/kh Gh/gh I/i<br />
D/d F/f Ū/ū<br />
Ḋ/ḋ Q/q Ī/ī<br />
Ż/ż K/k<br />
R/r G/g<br />
Ā/ā
Table of Contents<br />
Du’a for Read<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Book ....................................................................... iii<br />
Transliteration Chart ................................................................................ iv<br />
FIRST NIGHT IN THE GRAVE<br />
Excellence of Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī ........................................................... 1<br />
All graves appear similar, but from <strong>in</strong>side… .......................................... 6<br />
Everyone has to die one day...................................................................... 8<br />
We have come <strong>in</strong>to this world <strong>in</strong> a particular order, but… ................. 8<br />
You will never have experienced a night like this ever before ........... 10<br />
Wishes of A’lā Haḍrat <strong>in</strong> his will ............................................................ 10<br />
Wish of Sag e Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ (<strong>the</strong> author) <strong>in</strong> his will ................................... 11<br />
Tears of <strong>the</strong> Beloved of Allah .................................................................. 12<br />
The first stage of <strong>the</strong> afterlife is grave .................................................... 12<br />
Funeral is a silent preacher ..................................................................... 13<br />
Dark and frightful night .......................................................................... 13<br />
The frighten<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>cident of a splendid mansion .................................. 14<br />
Intoxicated with worldl<strong>in</strong>ess ................................................................... 15<br />
Deception of this world ........................................................................... 17<br />
Live <strong>in</strong> this world like a traveler ............................................................. 18<br />
The worldly life is particularly to cultivate for <strong>the</strong> afterlife ................ 19<br />
v
Return of <strong>the</strong> Shroud<br />
Announcement by <strong>the</strong> deceased ............................................................ 20<br />
Utterance by <strong>the</strong> dead .............................................................................. 20<br />
Call of <strong>the</strong> grave ........................................................................................ 21<br />
Garden of Paradise or ditch of Hellfire ................................................. 22<br />
The mercy of <strong>the</strong> grave for <strong>the</strong> compliant............................................. 22<br />
Call from <strong>the</strong> neighbor<strong>in</strong>g graves........................................................... 23<br />
Conversation with <strong>the</strong> deceased ............................................................. 23<br />
Where are those beautiful faces now? ................................................... 24<br />
Make preparations right now ................................................................. 25<br />
How did a s<strong>in</strong>ger jo<strong>in</strong> <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>? ................................................. 26<br />
Dreamt about 99 Asmā-ul-Ḥusnā (Glorious Names of Allah) .......... 30<br />
14 Madanī pearls about cloth<strong>in</strong>g ............................................................ 31<br />
Madanī appearance .................................................................................. 35<br />
Du’ā of ‘Aṭṭār ............................................................................................. 36<br />
vi
ـ ٰ <br />
ﻠ ـﻟ ﺪـ ۡ ﻤـ ﺤـ ۡ ﻟ ﻪ<br />
<br />
ۡ<br />
ﻤـ ﻠـ ٰ ﻌـ ۡ ٰ <br />
ةﻮـﻠـﺼـﻟ<br />
و<br />
<br />
ﻟ ب <br />
ر<br />
ۡ<br />
ـﻠـ ﺳ ۡ ﺮـ ﻤـ ۡ ﻟ ﺪـ ﻴـ ٰ<br />
ﺳ ـ ﻋ مﻹ ﻶـﺴـﻟو <br />
ـ ٰ <br />
ﻠـﻟﺎـﺑ ذ ۡ ﻮـ ﻋ ﺎـ ﻓ ﺪـ ۡ ﻌــ ﺑﺎـ ۡ<br />
<br />
ﺟ ﻪ<br />
ﻣ ﺮـﻟ ﻦ ٰ ﻄـ ۡ ﻴـ ٰ<br />
ـﻠـﻟ ﺸـﻟ ﻦـ<br />
<br />
ﻢ ﻣ<br />
ۡ ﺣ ﻪ<br />
ﺴـﺑ<br />
ﺮـﻟ ﻦ ٰ ﻤـ ۡ ﺣ ۡ<br />
ـ<br />
ﺮـﻟ<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong> *<br />
Satan will certa<strong>in</strong>ly tend to prevent you from read<strong>in</strong>g this<br />
alarm<strong>in</strong>g booklet that describes <strong>the</strong> first night <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave –<br />
please beat this trick of Satan.<br />
Excellence of Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī<br />
The Embodiment of Nūr, <strong>the</strong> Noble Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ<br />
has said, ‘Recit<strong>in</strong>g Ṣalāt upon me is Nūr (light) on <strong>the</strong> bridge of<br />
Ṣirāṭ. The one who recites Ṣalāt upon me eighty times on<br />
Friday, his s<strong>in</strong>s of eighty years will be forgiven.’ (Al-Jāmi’-uṣ-<br />
Ṣaghīr, pp. 320, Ḥadīš 191)<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
1<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
* Amīr–e-Aĥl-e-Sunnat<br />
َ ـَﻣاَد<br />
ﺑ ْ ﺖ ـ َﻛ َ ﺮ ـ ُﺗﺎ ـ َ ْ ـﻟا<br />
ﻢ<br />
ُ<br />
ـُﻬ<br />
ﻌ ـ ِ<br />
َ<br />
ـﻟﺎ<br />
ﻴ ـ ْﻪ delivered this speech <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> 3-Day Sunnaĥ-<strong>in</strong>spir<strong>in</strong>g congregation<br />
of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>, <strong>the</strong> global non-political movement for propagation of Quran and Sunnaĥ, on 27th Rabi-un-Nūr, 1431 A.H. (29-03-1990). It is be<strong>in</strong>g published with m<strong>in</strong>or amendments and additions.<br />
Majlis-e-Maktaba-tul-Madīna
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
Koī gul bāqī raĥay gā na chaman raĥ jāye gā<br />
Par Rasūlullāĥ kā dīn-e-ḥasan raĥ jāye gā<br />
No flower will stay beh<strong>in</strong>d, nor will any garden rema<strong>in</strong><br />
But <strong>the</strong> glorious religion of <strong>the</strong> Prophet of Allah will rema<strong>in</strong><br />
Ham ṣafīr-o-bagh me ĥay koī dam kā checĥaĥā<br />
Bulbulen uř jāye gī sunā chaman reĥ jāye gā<br />
Lo and behold- this chirp<strong>in</strong>g of birds is about to end<br />
<strong>Night</strong><strong>in</strong>gales will pass away, <strong>the</strong> deserted garden will stay beh<strong>in</strong>d<br />
Aṭlas kam-khuwāb kī poshāk par nāżān na ĥo<br />
Is tan-e-bay jān par khākī kafan reĥ jāye gā<br />
Do not become arrogant of your gorgeous garments<br />
Just shroud of dust on lifeless body is all that will rema<strong>in</strong><br />
Once, <strong>the</strong> famous Tabi’ī sa<strong>in</strong>t Sayyidunā Ḥasan Basrī ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ<br />
ی ِﻮَﻘﻟا<br />
was sitt<strong>in</strong>g at his doorstep when a funeral procession passed<br />
by. He also got up and followed beh<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> procession. In <strong>the</strong><br />
funeral procession <strong>the</strong>re was a young girl who was runn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
whilst cry<strong>in</strong>g hysterically and exclaim<strong>in</strong>g, ‘O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! The<br />
time which has come upon me today I have never had to face<br />
before.’ When Sayyidunā Ḥasan Basrī ی ِﻮَﻘﻟا ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ heard that<br />
grief-stricken voice he began to weep, his heart became restless,<br />
and he put his affectionate hand over <strong>the</strong> head of that sorrowful<br />
young orphan girl and said, ‘O daughter! In fact he is your<br />
deceased fa<strong>the</strong>r and not you, who is fac<strong>in</strong>g today such a time<br />
which he has never faced before.’<br />
2
3<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
The next day he saw <strong>the</strong> same little girl cry<strong>in</strong>g whilst go<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
graveyard. To learn lesson from <strong>the</strong> graves [i.e. to reflect on <strong>the</strong><br />
afterlife] Sayyidunā Ḥasan Basrī ی ِﻮَﻘﻟا ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ also followed her.<br />
Upon reach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> graveyard she embraced <strong>the</strong> grave of her<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r. Ḥasan Basrī یِﻮَﻘﻟا ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ concealed himself beh<strong>in</strong>d<br />
bushes. The little girl, weep<strong>in</strong>g, put her cheek on <strong>the</strong> soil and<br />
said, ‘O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Without any lamp <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> dark and without<br />
anyone to share your grief, how have you spent your first night<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Yesterday night I lit <strong>the</strong> lamp<br />
for you at home. Who lit <strong>the</strong> lamp <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave last night? O<br />
beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Yesterday night I laid out your bedd<strong>in</strong>g at home.<br />
Who laid out your bedd<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave last night? O beloved<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r! Yesterday night I massaged your hands and feet at home.<br />
Who massaged your hands and feet <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave last night? O<br />
beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Yesterday night I gave you water to dr<strong>in</strong>k. Who<br />
gave you water last night when you would have been thirsty? O<br />
beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Yesterday night I spread a shawl over your<br />
body. Who spread it last night? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Yesterday<br />
night I wiped <strong>the</strong> sweat off your face. Who wiped your sweat last<br />
night <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Until yesterday night I would<br />
come whenever you would call out for me. To whom you called<br />
out last night <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave, and who heard your call and attended to<br />
you? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Yesterday night when you were hungry I<br />
presented food to you. Who served you food last night <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave<br />
when you became hungry? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Until yesterday night<br />
I would prepare various types of food for you. Who fetched food<br />
for you <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> first night of <strong>the</strong> grave?
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
Hear<strong>in</strong>g those grief-stricken words of <strong>the</strong> sorrowful and<br />
distressed young girl, Sayyidunā Ḥasan Basrī ی ِﻮَﻘﻟا ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ began<br />
to cry, and after approach<strong>in</strong>g her, said, ‘O daughter! Do not say<br />
like that; say this, ‘O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! At <strong>the</strong> time of burial your<br />
face was turned towards <strong>the</strong> Qiblaĥ. Is it still <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same<br />
direction or has your face been turned <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> opposite<br />
direction? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! You were wrapped <strong>in</strong> a clean and<br />
unsoiled shroud and <strong>the</strong>n buried. Is it still clean and unsoiled?<br />
O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! You were placed <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> grave with your<br />
body sound and <strong>in</strong>tact. Is your body still <strong>in</strong>tact or have <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>sects eaten it away? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Scholars of Islam say<br />
that dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> first night of <strong>the</strong> grave, <strong>the</strong> deceased are asked<br />
questions about <strong>the</strong>ir faith, and some of <strong>the</strong>m will be able to<br />
answer whereas some will be <strong>in</strong> despair. Did you give <strong>the</strong><br />
correct answers to those questions or were you failed? O<br />
beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Scholars say that for some people <strong>the</strong> grave<br />
becomes spacious whereas for some it is narrowed. Has your<br />
grave become spacious or has it been narrowed? O beloved<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r! Scholars say that <strong>the</strong> shroud of some is replaced by a<br />
heavenly shroud whereas for some it is replaced by shroud of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Hellfire. Has your shroud been replaced with a heavenly<br />
one or with one made up of fire? Scholars say that <strong>the</strong> grave<br />
hugs some <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> way a mo<strong>the</strong>r hugs her lost child with affection,<br />
hold<strong>in</strong>g him to her chest, whereas it violently squeezes o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>in</strong><br />
such a way that <strong>the</strong>ir ribs smash and <strong>in</strong>tertw<strong>in</strong>e with each o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Did <strong>the</strong> grave hug you gently like a mo<strong>the</strong>r or did it crush and<br />
shatter your ribs? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Scholars say that when <strong>the</strong><br />
4
5<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
deceased is <strong>in</strong>terred, he feels regrets for one of two reasons. If<br />
he is pious, he regrets not do<strong>in</strong>g more virtuous deeds; and if he<br />
is s<strong>in</strong>ful he regrets committ<strong>in</strong>g those s<strong>in</strong>s. O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r!<br />
Were you regretful of perform<strong>in</strong>g less virtuous deeds or of<br />
committ<strong>in</strong>g s<strong>in</strong>s? O beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! Until yesterday when I<br />
would call out to you, you would respond to me. How<br />
unfortunate I am today that I am stand<strong>in</strong>g right next to your<br />
grave call<strong>in</strong>g out to you but I am unable to hear your reply! O<br />
beloved fa<strong>the</strong>r! You have parted from me <strong>in</strong> such a way that<br />
now we cannot meet until <strong>the</strong> Day of Judgment. O Most<br />
Merciful Rab َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ! Do not deprive me of meet<strong>in</strong>g my beloved<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r on <strong>the</strong> Day of Judgment.’<br />
Upon hear<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> words of Sayyidunā Ḥasan Basrī ی ِﻮَﻘﻟا<br />
ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ,<br />
<strong>the</strong> little girl said, ‘O my master! Your words of advice have<br />
awoken me from <strong>the</strong> sleep of heedlessness.’ After that, with tears<br />
flow<strong>in</strong>g from her eyes, she returned back with Sayyidunā Ḥasan<br />
Basrī ی ِﻮَﻘﻟا<br />
ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ.<br />
(Al-muā’iẓ al-‘asfūrīyaĥ, p. 118)<br />
Ankĥeyn ro ro key sujānay wālay, jānay wālay naĥ<strong>in</strong> ānay wālay<br />
Koī dīn ma<strong>in</strong> yeĥ sarā ūjař ĥay, are-o-cĥāonī cĥānay wālay<br />
Nafs! Mayn khāk huā tū na miṫā, ĥay mayrī jān ko kĥānay wālay<br />
Sātĥ lay-lo mujĥay mayn mujrim ĥūn, raĥ mayn parte ĥay thānay wālay<br />
Ĥo gaya dĥak say kalayjaĥ mayrā, ĥāye rukhṣat kī sunānay wālay<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
All graves appear similar, but from <strong>in</strong>side…<br />
Dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! All of you would have certa<strong>in</strong>ly visited<br />
graveyards at one or ano<strong>the</strong>r occasion. Did you ever reflect on<br />
<strong>the</strong> message of <strong>the</strong> mournful air and <strong>the</strong> grief filled atmosphere<br />
call<strong>in</strong>g out, ‘O those who are content with <strong>the</strong> luxuries of this<br />
world! Every s<strong>in</strong>gle one of you will have to come here <strong>in</strong><br />
solitude one day or ano<strong>the</strong>r and will have to go <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> deep<br />
ditch of <strong>the</strong> grave. Remember! These graves, which seem<br />
identical from outside are not necessarily same from <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>side.<br />
Yes! If <strong>the</strong> one buried under this pile of soil would have offered<br />
his Ṣalāĥ regularly, fasted <strong>in</strong> Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, performed<br />
I’tikāf for <strong>the</strong> entire month (of Ramadan) or at least <strong>the</strong> last 10<br />
days, would have been devotee of <strong>the</strong> month of Ramadan,<br />
given full Zakāĥ <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> case of it becom<strong>in</strong>g Farḍ on him, earned<br />
Ḥalāl <strong>in</strong>come, would have been contented with just sufficient<br />
amount of Ḥalāl <strong>in</strong>come, would have recited <strong>the</strong> Holy Qur`an,<br />
performed <strong>the</strong> Nawāfil of Taĥajjud, Ishrāq, Chāsht, and<br />
Awwabīn, would have been humble and possess<strong>in</strong>g good<br />
character, kept a fist length beard accord<strong>in</strong>g to Sharī’aĥ,<br />
adorned <strong>the</strong> crown of <strong>the</strong> Imāmaĥ (Sunnaĥ turban), was a<br />
devotee of <strong>the</strong> Sunnaĥ, obeyed his mo<strong>the</strong>r and fa<strong>the</strong>r, fulfilled<br />
<strong>the</strong> rights of people, had love for Allah َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ and His Beloved<br />
Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ , would have been devotee of <strong>the</strong><br />
Ṣaḥābaĥ, <strong>the</strong> Aĥl-e-Bait, and <strong>the</strong> Auliyā, <strong>the</strong>n by <strong>the</strong> grace of<br />
Allah and His Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ , his grave which<br />
appears to be just a heap of soil outwardly, might have been<br />
6
7<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
extended as far as <strong>the</strong> eye can see, with <strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>dow of Jannaĥ<br />
opened <strong>in</strong>side it, and underneath that apparent heap of soil <strong>the</strong>re<br />
might be a beautiful garden of paradise.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, if <strong>the</strong> one buried underneath similar heap of<br />
soil was such one who had not offered Ṣalāĥ, had <strong>in</strong>tentionally<br />
missed <strong>the</strong> fasts of Ramadan, had disturbed worship or sleep of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Muslims dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> nights of Ramadan by play<strong>in</strong>g night<br />
match, had been st<strong>in</strong>gy <strong>in</strong> pay<strong>in</strong>g Zakāĥ despite it be<strong>in</strong>g Farḍ<br />
(compulsory) on him, had earned Ḥarām <strong>in</strong>come, had taken<br />
part <strong>in</strong> deal<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terest and bribery, had not paid<br />
back his debts, had drunk alcohol, had been <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong><br />
gambl<strong>in</strong>g, had operated alcohol and gambl<strong>in</strong>g dens, had hurt <strong>the</strong><br />
feel<strong>in</strong>gs of Muslims without <strong>the</strong> requirement of Sharī’aĥ, taken<br />
<strong>the</strong> money of Muslims by scar<strong>in</strong>g and threaten<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m,<br />
kidnapped Muslims for ransom, committed <strong>the</strong>ft or robbery,<br />
had been fraudulent with public trusts, unlawfully grabbed <strong>the</strong><br />
land, oppressed helpless farmers, oppressed people whilst lost <strong>in</strong><br />
seek<strong>in</strong>g power, shaved <strong>the</strong> beard or trimmed it to less than a fist<br />
length, watched films and dramas, listened to music, habitual of<br />
swear<strong>in</strong>g, told lies, committed backbit<strong>in</strong>g, told tales, committed<br />
slander, thought ill of people and had been arrogant, or disobeyed<br />
his parents, <strong>the</strong>n it is possible that underneath this seem<strong>in</strong>gly<br />
serene heap of soil, he is be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> state of distress, with <strong>the</strong><br />
w<strong>in</strong>dow of Hell open, fire smolder<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>side <strong>the</strong> grave, snakes<br />
and scorpions cl<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g to his body, and he be<strong>in</strong>g scream<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and shout<strong>in</strong>g which we cannot hear.
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
Everyone has to die one day<br />
O devotees of <strong>the</strong> Prophet! Look at <strong>the</strong> deserted scenes of <strong>the</strong>se<br />
graveyards and ponder over whe<strong>the</strong>r one of us, whilst liv<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
could spend just one night <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> graveyard? Perhaps none of us<br />
could pluck such courage. So, when we are afraid to spend one<br />
night <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> graveyard alone whilst liv<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong>n after death, when<br />
all our friends and relatives will leave us and our <strong>in</strong>tellect will be<br />
<strong>in</strong>tact, we will see and hear everyth<strong>in</strong>g, but we will be unable to<br />
move or speak; how will we be able to stay alone <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave <strong>in</strong><br />
such an alarm<strong>in</strong>g state? Ah! Our state is such that even if we were<br />
imprisoned alone <strong>in</strong> a beautiful, air-conditioned villa we would<br />
become scared!<br />
Dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! Believe me. The people of <strong>the</strong> graveyard<br />
are today advis<strong>in</strong>g us and call<strong>in</strong>g out: ‘O heedless people!<br />
Remember! Yesterday we too were <strong>the</strong>re (i.e. <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world), where<br />
you are today, and tomorrow you too will be here (i.e. <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
grave), where we are today.’ Certa<strong>in</strong>ly, whoever has been born<br />
<strong>in</strong>to this world has to die. Whoever picked <strong>the</strong> flowers of life was<br />
always wounded by <strong>the</strong> thorns of death. Whoever enjoyed <strong>the</strong><br />
pleasures of <strong>the</strong> world eventually got <strong>the</strong> displeasure of death.<br />
We have come <strong>in</strong>to this world <strong>in</strong> a particular order,<br />
but…<br />
Dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! Certa<strong>in</strong>ly we have come <strong>in</strong>to this world<br />
<strong>in</strong> a particular order, i.e. first <strong>the</strong> grandfa<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>n fa<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
8
9<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
son, <strong>the</strong>n grandson; however this order is not must for death.<br />
The old grandfa<strong>the</strong>r may be still alive, but <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>fant grandson<br />
might have embraced death, somebody’s adolescent might<br />
have suffered an accident lead<strong>in</strong>g to his death, someone’s<br />
paternal grandmo<strong>the</strong>r may have died and been taken away to<br />
<strong>the</strong> graveyard, and someone’s maternal grandmo<strong>the</strong>r may have<br />
passed away. Just like <strong>the</strong>se relatives of ours who have passed<br />
away, we too will have to leave this world suddenly some day.<br />
Dilā ghāfil na ĥo yak-dam yeĥ dunyā cĥor janā ĥay<br />
Baghīchay cĥor kar khālī zamīn andar samānā ĥay<br />
Terā nāzuk badan bhaī jo letay saīj pĥool-o-par<br />
Yeĥ ĥogā aik d<strong>in</strong> bay jān isay keeron ne kĥānā ĥay<br />
Tū apnī maut ko mat bĥūl kar sāmān chalnay kā<br />
Zamīn kī khāk par sonā ĥay eīton kā sirĥānā ĥay<br />
Na bailī ĥo sakay bhaī na betā bāp tay māī<br />
Tū kyūn pĥirtā ĥay sodāī amal ne kām ānā ĥay<br />
Kaĥān ĥay zor-e-Namrūdī! Kaĥān ĥay takht-e-Fir’awnī!<br />
Gaye sab cĥor ye fānī agar nādān dānā ĥay<br />
Azīzā yād kar jis d<strong>in</strong> ke ‘Izrāīl aye gay<br />
Nā jāvay koī teray sang akaylā tū nay jānā ĥay<br />
Jaĥān ke shagūl mayn shāgīl Khudā ke żikr se ghāfil<br />
Karay dawā ke yeĥ dunyā mayrā dāyam ṫĥikānaĥ ĥay<br />
Ghulām aik dam na kar ghaflat ḥayātī par na ĥo ghurraĥ<br />
Khudā ki yād kar har dam ke jis ne kām ānā ĥay
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
You will never have experienced a night like this<br />
ever before<br />
Sayyidunā Anas b<strong>in</strong> Malik َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ َ ر has stated, ‘Shall I not tell<br />
you of those two days and two nights? (1) one day is <strong>the</strong> day on<br />
which <strong>the</strong> one com<strong>in</strong>g from Allah will reach you with ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong><br />
glad-tid<strong>in</strong>gs of <strong>the</strong> pleasure of your Rab or with <strong>the</strong> message of<br />
His displeasure, and (2) <strong>the</strong> second day is <strong>the</strong> day on which you<br />
will be presented <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> court of Allah وَ َ ّﺰَ ﻋ َّﻞ<br />
ﺟ َ to take your record<br />
of deeds and that record of deeds will ei<strong>the</strong>r be given to you <strong>in</strong><br />
your right hand or <strong>in</strong> your left hand. And <strong>the</strong> two nights are: (1)<br />
one night is <strong>the</strong> night which <strong>the</strong> deceased will spend <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave<br />
and he will never have experienced a night like it ever before,<br />
and (2) <strong>the</strong> second night is <strong>the</strong> night on <strong>the</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g of which<br />
will be <strong>the</strong> Day of Judgment and <strong>the</strong>n after that no night will<br />
come. (Shu’ub-ul-Īmān, Vol. 7, pp. 388, Ḥadīš 10697)<br />
Wishes of A’lā Haḍrat <strong>in</strong> his will<br />
O liv<strong>in</strong>g people of today and deceased of tomorrow! O those who<br />
will perish! O frail people! O feeble people! O weak people! O<br />
children! O young people! O old people! Certa<strong>in</strong>ly, <strong>the</strong> first night<br />
of <strong>the</strong> grave is a serious night. Sayyidī Imām of Aĥl-e-Sunnat,<br />
Mujaddid [Revivalist] of <strong>the</strong> Ummaĥ, Reviver of <strong>the</strong> Sunnaĥ,<br />
Destroyer of Bid’aĥ, Scholar of Sacred Law, Guide of Spirituality,<br />
Founta<strong>in</strong> of Bless<strong>in</strong>g, ‘Allāmaĥ, Maulānā, Al-Ḥāj Al-Ḥāfiẓ, Al-<br />
Qārī Ash-Shāĥ Imām Aḥmad Razā Khān ﻦٰ ْﲪ َ<br />
ّ ﺮـﻟا ُﺔَ ْﲪ َ ر ِﻪ ْ ﻴَ ﻠـ َ ﻋ despite<br />
10
11<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
be<strong>in</strong>g a great Walī of Allah and a remarkable devotee of <strong>the</strong><br />
Prophet, wishes <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> his will:<br />
‘After burial and Talqīn, cont<strong>in</strong>uously recite Ṣalāt ‘Alan Nabī <strong>in</strong><br />
front of <strong>the</strong> side of my grave towards <strong>the</strong> face for one and half hours<br />
<strong>in</strong> such a volume that I can hear. Then entrust me to ۡ ﲔ ﻤ ﺣ ٰ<br />
ﺮﻟا ﻢ ﺣ ۡ را<br />
and leave. If you can take more pa<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong>n for three days and<br />
three nights, two relatives or friends should rema<strong>in</strong> present at my<br />
grave and recite <strong>the</strong> Holy Qur’an and Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī <strong>in</strong> such<br />
volume without any pause; ﻟاَءﺂَﺷ ْ نِا<br />
َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َ ﻪـ ﻠـ<br />
with <strong>the</strong> new abode.’ (Ḥayāt-e-A’lā Ḥaḍrat, Vol. 3, pp. 291)<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ my heart will get set<br />
Wish of Sag-e-Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ (<strong>the</strong> author) <strong>in</strong> his will<br />
ﻞَ ّ ﺟَ وَ َ<br />
ﻪـﻠ ـﻟ ِ ﺪـ ُ ﻤْ ﺤـ َ ْ ﻟَا<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ , comply<strong>in</strong>g to Sayyidī ‘Alā Ḥaḍrat<br />
ﻦٰ ْﲪ ﺮَ<br />
ّ ـﻟا<br />
ُﺔَ<br />
ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠـَﻋ,<br />
Sag-e-<br />
Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ has also written a similar will. In this regard it is stated<br />
on page 394 of ‘Discourses of ‘Attar’, <strong>the</strong> 436-page book published<br />
by <strong>the</strong> publish<strong>in</strong>g department of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>, Maktaba-tul-<br />
Madīnaĥ, which <strong>in</strong>cludes <strong>the</strong> chapter ‘Madanī Will’: ‘If possible,<br />
those who love me should sit beside my grave after <strong>the</strong> burial for<br />
12 days or for at least 12 hours and keep me delighted by<br />
recit<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Holy Qur’an, Na’ats, Ḥamd and Ṣalāt ‘Alan Nabī.<br />
ﻞَ ّ ﺟَ وَ َ<br />
ﻟاَءﺂَﺷ ْ نِا<br />
ّﺰَ ﻪـ ﻠـ<br />
ﻋ , I will get accustomed to my new abode. Offer<br />
Ṣalāĥ with Jama’at dur<strong>in</strong>g this period as well as on all o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
occasions.’<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
Tears of <strong>the</strong> Beloved of Allah<br />
Let’s reflect on <strong>the</strong> fear of Allah that our Beloved Prophet<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و ٖﻪِ<br />
َ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ had as regard to grave although he had been<br />
def<strong>in</strong>itely blessed with deliverance and <strong>in</strong> fact he ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ<br />
is means of deliverance for us. Sayyidunā Barā’aĥ b<strong>in</strong> ‘Āzib<br />
ﻋ َ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ َ ر has stated, ‘We participated <strong>in</strong> a funeral with <strong>the</strong> Noble<br />
Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ . The Holy Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ sat<br />
at <strong>the</strong> edge of <strong>the</strong> grave and cried so much that <strong>the</strong> soil became<br />
wet. Then, he ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ said, ‘Make preparations for<br />
this.’ (Sunan Ibn Mājaĥ, Vol. 4, pp. 466, Ḥadīš 4195)<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
The first stage of <strong>the</strong> afterlife is grave<br />
12<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
Whenever Amīr-ul-Mumīnīn Sayyidunā ‘Ušmān Ghanī ﻋ َ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
ُ<br />
َ َ ر<br />
used to visit some grave he would shed tears to such an extent<br />
that his blessed beard would become wet. It was asked of him,<br />
‘You do not cry when Paradise and Hell are mentioned, but<br />
you weep a lot at graves. What is <strong>the</strong> reason for this?’ He<br />
replied, ‘I heard from <strong>the</strong> Blessed Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ ,<br />
‘The first stage of <strong>the</strong> afterlife is <strong>the</strong> grave; if <strong>the</strong> deceased<br />
atta<strong>in</strong>s deliverance at this stage <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> subsequent matters<br />
are easy, and if he does not w<strong>in</strong> deliverance at this stage <strong>the</strong>n<br />
<strong>the</strong> matters after it are more severe.’’ (Sunan Ibn Mājaĥ, Vol. 4, pp.<br />
500, Ḥadīš 4267)
Funeral is a silent preacher<br />
13<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
ِ<br />
َ َ َ َ<br />
Dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! Do you see how much Sayyidunā ‘Ušmān<br />
Ibn-e-Affān ـ<br />
ر ّﻞ ﺟو ّﺰَ ﻋ! He is from<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َ would fear Allah َ<br />
amongst ‘Asharaĥ Mubasharaĥ ( ه هﺮﺸ<br />
ﻋ<br />
ۡ ﺮ ﺸ ﻣ )<br />
<br />
i.e. 10 fortunate<br />
companions ْنا ﻮَ ْﺿ ِﺮﻟا ّ ﻢِﻬْ<br />
ُ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠ ـَﻋ<br />
who were heralded with <strong>the</strong> glad-tid<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
of Paradise <strong>in</strong> particular from <strong>the</strong> blessed tongue of <strong>the</strong> Noble<br />
Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ himself. He is <strong>the</strong> one from whom even<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>nocent angels would feel shyness. Despite that, he would<br />
rema<strong>in</strong> so frightened of <strong>the</strong> horrors, <strong>the</strong> lonel<strong>in</strong>ess, and <strong>the</strong><br />
darkness of <strong>the</strong> grave, and on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, it is we who have<br />
completely forgotten our grave. Despite see<strong>in</strong>g funerals off and<br />
on, we never contemplate that one day our funeral will also take<br />
place. Surely funerals play <strong>the</strong> role of a silent preacher for us.<br />
The words <strong>the</strong>y say symbolically have been expressed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g l<strong>in</strong>es of poetry:<br />
Janāzaĥ āgay āgay keĥ raĥā ĥay aey jaĥān wālon<br />
Mere pīcĥay chalay āo tumĥārā reĥnumā mayn hūn<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
Dark and frightful night<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
O devotees of <strong>the</strong> Prophet! How regretfully sad! We see o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g lowered <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> grave but we forget that we too will be<br />
lowered <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> grave one day. Ah! Our fragility is such that if<br />
<strong>the</strong> electricity fails at night our heart becomes anxious, especially
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
when we are alone we become extremely afraid. But despite all<br />
this, we do not worry for <strong>the</strong> extreme darkness of <strong>the</strong> grave.<br />
We are fail<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> offer<strong>in</strong>g Ṣalāĥ, observ<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> fasts of Ramaḍānul-Mubarak,<br />
pay<strong>in</strong>g our full Zakāĥ despite it be<strong>in</strong>g compulsory<br />
on us, and fulfill<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> rights of our parents. Ah! Our days and<br />
nights are be<strong>in</strong>g spent <strong>in</strong> s<strong>in</strong>s, but undoubtedly <strong>the</strong> time of<br />
death is fixed and it is not possible to delay it. If we cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />
committ<strong>in</strong>g s<strong>in</strong>s like this and <strong>the</strong> call of death arrives suddenly<br />
to shift us <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> ditch of <strong>the</strong> grave, how will we get through<br />
<strong>the</strong> first night of <strong>the</strong> grave?<br />
Yād rakĥ ĥar ān ākhir maut ĥay<br />
Ban tū mat ānjān ākhir maut ĥay<br />
Martay jātay ĥayn ĥazāraun ādmī<br />
‘Āqil-o-Nādān ākhir maut ĥay<br />
Kyā khushī ho dil ko chanday zeest sai<br />
Ghamzadaĥ ĥai jān ākhir maut ĥay<br />
Mulk-e-fānī mayn fanā ĥar shay ko ĥay<br />
Sun laga kar kān ākhir maut ĥay<br />
Bārĥā ‘ilmī tujĥay samajaĥ chukay<br />
Mān yā mat mān ākhir maut ĥay<br />
The frighten<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>cident of a splendid mansion<br />
Man often makes long plans but his focus does not rema<strong>in</strong> on<br />
<strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> re<strong>in</strong>s of life are <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> hands of someone else.<br />
When <strong>the</strong> re<strong>in</strong>s will be pulled suddenly and he will have to die,<br />
14
15<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
all those plans will be destroyed. In this regard it has been said<br />
that a young man from Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ-tul-Auliyā, Multan left his<br />
homeland, his city, and his family to settle <strong>in</strong> a far away country<br />
<strong>in</strong> his quest for wealth. He would earn a lot of money and send it<br />
to his family members. Based on a mutual agreement, his family<br />
decided to have a splendid mansion built. The young man would<br />
send money year after year and his relatives would have work<br />
done on <strong>the</strong> construction of <strong>the</strong> house and its decoration up until<br />
<strong>the</strong> day when <strong>the</strong> splendid mansion was completed. When that<br />
young man came back to his home country, preparations to shift<br />
<strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> magnificent mansion were <strong>in</strong> full sw<strong>in</strong>g, but just a week<br />
before mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to that splendid mansion, <strong>the</strong> young man passed<br />
away and <strong>in</strong>stead of mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> splendid and luxurious<br />
mansion, he was shifted <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> dark and gloomy grave.<br />
Jaĥān mayn ĥayn ‘ibrat kay ĥar sū namūnay<br />
Magar tujĥ ko andĥā kīā rang-o-bū nay<br />
Kabhī ghor se bĥī ye dekĥā ĥay tū nay<br />
Jo ābād thay wo makān ab hayn sūnay<br />
Jagā jī lagānay kī dunyā nahī ĥay<br />
Yeĥ ‘ibrat kī jā ĥay tamāshā naĥī ĥay<br />
Intoxicated with worldl<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
It is regretfully sad that most of us have become <strong>in</strong>toxicated<br />
with worldl<strong>in</strong>ess and have forgotten to reflect on <strong>the</strong> afterlife.<br />
Some of those amongst us are so elated and blissful due to
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
be<strong>in</strong>g lost <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> pleasures of this perish<strong>in</strong>g world that <strong>the</strong>y<br />
have become unconcerned with <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>evitable destructions of<br />
this world, unaware of <strong>the</strong> concept of death, completely sunk<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> pleasures of this world. Some have become oblivious of<br />
<strong>the</strong> certa<strong>in</strong>ty of death and so engrossed <strong>in</strong> avail<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> luxuries<br />
and comforts of this world that <strong>the</strong>y have forgotten <strong>the</strong> horrors,<br />
<strong>the</strong> darkness, and <strong>the</strong> lonel<strong>in</strong>ess of <strong>the</strong> grave. Ah! Today, all of<br />
our efforts are be<strong>in</strong>g spent just to improve quality of our worldly<br />
lives; concern for <strong>the</strong> afterlife is seen rarely.<br />
Just ponder for a second: how many well off people have passed<br />
away from this world who had forgotten <strong>the</strong> solitude of <strong>the</strong><br />
grave be<strong>in</strong>g engaged <strong>in</strong> co<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> money, hanker<strong>in</strong>g after fame<br />
and status, occupied <strong>in</strong> expir<strong>in</strong>g joys of kith and k<strong>in</strong>, <strong>in</strong> shortlived<br />
friend circles and <strong>in</strong> rejoic<strong>in</strong>g flattery committed by<br />
subord<strong>in</strong>ates. However, <strong>the</strong> clouds of mortality came <strong>in</strong>to<br />
action, <strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>ds of death blew, and <strong>the</strong> hopes of stay<strong>in</strong>g long<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world burst like a bubble. Death deserted <strong>the</strong>ir houses. It<br />
dragged <strong>the</strong>m from <strong>the</strong>ir high mansions and palaces and<br />
shifted <strong>the</strong>m <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> dark and gloomy graves. Ah! Until<br />
yesterday, those people were happy and jubilant amongst <strong>the</strong><br />
bliss of <strong>the</strong>ir families but today <strong>the</strong>y are grief stricken and<br />
sorrowful with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> horror and lonel<strong>in</strong>ess of <strong>the</strong>ir grave.<br />
Ajal nay na Kisrā ĥī cĥořā na Dārā<br />
Isī say Sikandar sā fāteḥ bĥī ĥarā<br />
Ĥar ik lay kay kyā kyā na ḥasrat sidĥārā<br />
Pařā raĥ gayā sab yunĥī ṫhāṫĥ sārā<br />
16
Jagā jī lagānay ki dunyā naĥī ĥay<br />
Yeĥ ‘ibrat kī jā ĥay tamāshā naĥī ĥay<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
Deception of this world<br />
17<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
A person who is taken <strong>in</strong> by <strong>the</strong> deception of this mortal world<br />
and becomes completely heedless of death despite see<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
vulnerability of this world is surely regretful. Certa<strong>in</strong>ly, <strong>the</strong> one<br />
who falls prey to <strong>the</strong> deception of worldl<strong>in</strong>ess and forgets his<br />
death, <strong>the</strong> grave, and resurrection, and does not perform deeds<br />
to w<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> pleasure of Allah is worthy of condemnation.<br />
Warn<strong>in</strong>g us of this deception, our Creator َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ has stated <strong>in</strong><br />
verse 5 of Sūraĥ Fāṭir:<br />
ﺎ ﻴ ۡ ﻧ ٰ ۡ<br />
<br />
ٌ<br />
ﺪﻟ ةﻮﻴ ﻢﻜﻧ ﺗ ﻹﻶﻓ ﻖ ٰ ۡ <br />
<br />
<br />
ٰٓ ﺣ ﷲ ﺪﻋو ن سﺎﻨﻟ ﺎﻬﻳﺎﻳ <br />
و<br />
ۡﻢ ﻜ ٰ <br />
<br />
﴿ ﷲﺎﺑ<br />
ﻧ ﻳ ﻹﻵ ر ۡ و ۡ<br />
﴾٥<br />
ﻟ<br />
Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman<br />
‘O mank<strong>in</strong>d! Undoubtedly, <strong>the</strong> promise of Allah َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ is true, let<br />
never <strong>the</strong>n deceive you <strong>the</strong> life of <strong>the</strong> world, and let not <strong>the</strong> great<br />
deceiver (i.e. satan) deceive you regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> command of<br />
Allah َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ.’<br />
(Part 22, Sūraĥ-tul-Fāṭir, Verse 5)
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
O devotees of <strong>the</strong> Holy Prophet and dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! One<br />
who is well aware of <strong>the</strong> reality of death and <strong>the</strong> post-death<br />
proceed<strong>in</strong>gs can never hanker about worldl<strong>in</strong>ess. Have you<br />
ever seen anyone prepar<strong>in</strong>g furniture to be placed <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong><br />
grave of <strong>the</strong> deceased? Have you ever seen air condition<strong>in</strong>g<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g fitted <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> grave, a safe be<strong>in</strong>g placed <strong>the</strong>re to keep<br />
money, or cab<strong>in</strong>ets made <strong>the</strong>re to adorn trophies won <strong>in</strong> sports<br />
and certificates of worldly achievements? You have never seen<br />
this, and such acts are not permissible <strong>in</strong> Sharī’aĥ anyway. So<br />
when we will have to leave everyth<strong>in</strong>g here, what benefit will<br />
<strong>the</strong>se educational degrees be to us? How will <strong>the</strong> wealth for<br />
which we worked hard and struggled for our entire lives help<br />
us? In <strong>the</strong> end, how will <strong>the</strong> status, on <strong>the</strong> basis of which we<br />
displayed arrogance and conceit, ever come to our aid? Dear<br />
<strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! There is still time; come to your senses and<br />
prepare for <strong>the</strong> grave and <strong>the</strong> afterlife.<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
Live <strong>in</strong> this world like a traveller<br />
18<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
It is narrated by Sayyidunā ‘Abdullaĥ Ibn-e-‘Umar<br />
ﺎ ُﻬْ ﻨﻋ َ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ َﻤ<br />
َ رَ<br />
that <strong>the</strong> Noble Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ held my shoulder and<br />
said, ‘Live <strong>in</strong> this world as if you are a traveler’. Sayyidunā Ibn<br />
‘Umar ﺎ ُﻬْ ﻨﻋ َ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ َﻤ<br />
َ رَ<br />
used to say, ‘When even<strong>in</strong>g falls, do not<br />
wait for <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g morn<strong>in</strong>g, and when morn<strong>in</strong>g comes, do<br />
not wait for <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g. Prepare for illness whilst you are
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
healthy, and make preparations for death whilst you are alive.’<br />
(Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Vol. 4, pp. 223, Ḥadīš 6416)<br />
The worldly life is particularly to cultivate<br />
for <strong>the</strong> afterlife<br />
In <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al sermon of Sayyidunā ‘Ušmān Ghanī َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ َ ر,<br />
he<br />
said, ‘Allah َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َ ّﺰَ ﻋ has granted you this world for <strong>the</strong> sole purpose<br />
to cultivate for <strong>the</strong> afterlife through its means, and He َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َ ّﺰَ ﻋ did<br />
not grant it to you for you to become lost <strong>in</strong>to it. Without doubt,<br />
this world is dest<strong>in</strong>ed to perish, and <strong>the</strong> Hereafter is everlast<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Make sure that <strong>the</strong> perish<strong>in</strong>g world could not divert you and<br />
make you heedless of <strong>the</strong> everlast<strong>in</strong>g afterlife. Do not give<br />
precedence to <strong>the</strong> perish<strong>in</strong>g worldly life over <strong>the</strong> everlast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
afterlife because <strong>the</strong> world will be cut off, and without doubt we<br />
have to return to Allah َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َ ّﺰَ ﻋ. Fear Allah َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َ ّﺰَ ﻋ, because fear<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Him is a shield from His punishment and a means of<br />
approach<strong>in</strong>g Him.’ (Żamm-ud-Duniyā, Vol. 5, pp. 83, Ḥadīš 146)<br />
Ĥay yeĥ dunyā be wafā ākhir fanā<br />
Na raĥa is mayn gadā na bādshāĥ<br />
O devotees of <strong>the</strong> Prophet and dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! The<br />
example of this world is like that of a pathway, which is<br />
traversed only to reach <strong>the</strong> dest<strong>in</strong>ation. Now, <strong>the</strong> dest<strong>in</strong>ation is<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r Paradise or Hellfire! This all depends on how we have<br />
made this journey; <strong>in</strong> compliance to Allah َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
19<br />
ﻋ and <strong>the</strong><br />
Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ or <strong>in</strong> non-compliance. Therefore, if
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
we want to w<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> bounties of Paradise and stay away from<br />
<strong>the</strong> punishment of Hellfire <strong>the</strong>n we will have to strive to<br />
reform ourselves and <strong>the</strong> people of <strong>the</strong> whole world.<br />
Announcement by <strong>the</strong> deceased<br />
The Holy Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ has said, ‘I swear by <strong>the</strong><br />
One Who has my life <strong>in</strong> His control, if people were to see his<br />
(<strong>the</strong> deceased’s) abode and hear his speech, <strong>the</strong>y would forget<br />
about <strong>the</strong> deceased and would cry for <strong>the</strong>ir own lives. When<br />
<strong>the</strong> deceased is placed on <strong>the</strong> funeral bier and lifted, his soul<br />
sits on <strong>the</strong> bier desperately and calls out, ‘O my kith and k<strong>in</strong>!<br />
May <strong>the</strong> world not play with you as it has played with me! I<br />
hoarded lawful and unlawful wealth and <strong>the</strong>n left it for o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
Its benefit is for <strong>the</strong>m and its harm is for me. So fear from my<br />
suffer<strong>in</strong>g (i.e. take heed from it). (At-tażkiraĥ lil Qurṭabī, p. 76)<br />
Utterance by <strong>the</strong> dead<br />
It is narrated by Sayyidunā Abū Sa’īd Khudrī َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ رَ<br />
that<br />
<strong>the</strong> Beloved and Blessed Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ﷲا َ<br />
ُ<br />
ّ َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ has said,<br />
‘When a funeral is ready and people lift <strong>the</strong> deceased onto <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
shoulders, <strong>the</strong>n if <strong>the</strong> deceased is pious he says, ‘Take me<br />
quickly’, and if he is a wicked person he says to his relatives,<br />
‘Ah! Where are you tak<strong>in</strong>g me?’ Except humans, everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
else hears his voice, and if a human is to hear it, he would fall<br />
unconscious.’ (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Vol. 1, pp. 465, Ḥadīš 1380)<br />
20
Call of <strong>the</strong> grave<br />
21<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
It is narrated by Sayyidunā Abul Ḥujjāj Šumālī َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ َ ر that<br />
<strong>the</strong> Noble Prophet<br />
ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳ<br />
ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ و َ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ has said, ‘When <strong>the</strong><br />
deceased is <strong>in</strong>terred, <strong>the</strong> grave addresses him: O person! Woe<br />
to you! Why had you forgotten me? Did you not even know<br />
that I am <strong>the</strong> home of tribulation, <strong>the</strong> home of darkness? What<br />
was it that made you walk over me arrogantly?’ If <strong>the</strong> deceased<br />
was pious, a voice from <strong>the</strong> unseen will say to <strong>the</strong> grave, ‘O<br />
grave! If he is from amongst those who would <strong>in</strong>vite towards<br />
good and forbid from evil, <strong>the</strong>n? (i.e. how will you treat him?)’<br />
The grave <strong>the</strong>n says, ‘If this is <strong>the</strong> case, <strong>the</strong>n I become a garden<br />
for him.’ Then, <strong>the</strong> body of this person converts <strong>in</strong>to Nūr<br />
(light), and his soul ascends towards <strong>the</strong> court of <strong>the</strong> Rab َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ وَ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Worlds.’ (Musnad Abī Ya’lā, Vol. 6, pp. 67, Ḥadīš 6835)<br />
O devotees of <strong>the</strong> Prophet and dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! Contemplate<br />
seriously about that time when we will be left alone <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
grave, anxiety will have overcome us, nei<strong>the</strong>r will we be able to<br />
go anywhere nor will we be able to call anyone, and <strong>the</strong>re will<br />
be no option for escape. At that time, what will transpire us<br />
when we would hear that heart-ripp<strong>in</strong>g call of <strong>the</strong> grave!<br />
Qabr rozāna yeĥ kartī ĥay pukār<br />
Mujĥ mayn hayn keeřay makořay bey shumār<br />
Yād rakĥ mayn hūn andĥayrī koṫhřī<br />
Mujĥ may sun waĥshat tujĥay ĥogī bařī<br />
Meray andar tū akaylā aye gā
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
Ĥān magar ‘amal laytā aye gā<br />
Terā fan terā ĥūnar ‘uĥdaĥ terā<br />
Kām aye gā na sarmāyaĥ terā<br />
Dūlat-e-dunyā ke pīcĥay tū na jā<br />
Ākhirat mayn māl ka ĥay kām kiyā<br />
Dil say dunyā kī maḥabbat dūr kar<br />
Dil Nabī kay ‘ishq say mamūr kar<br />
London-o-Paris kay sapnay cĥor day<br />
Bas Madīnay ĥī say rishtaĥ joř lay<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
Garden of Paradise or ditch of Hellfire<br />
22<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
The Peace of our heart and m<strong>in</strong>d, <strong>the</strong> Most Generous and K<strong>in</strong>d,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Prophet of mank<strong>in</strong>d ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳ<br />
ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ و َ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ has said, ‘The grave is<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r a garden from <strong>the</strong> gardens of Paradise or a ditch from <strong>the</strong><br />
ditches of Hellfire.’ (Sunan-ut-Tirmiżī, pp. 208, vol. 4, Ḥadīš 2468)<br />
The mercy of <strong>the</strong> grave for <strong>the</strong> compliant<br />
Dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! In <strong>the</strong> grave, <strong>the</strong>re will be comforts for<br />
those who offer Ṣalāĥ and act upon <strong>the</strong> Sunnaĥs, and lot of<br />
agonies for those who adopt s<strong>in</strong>ful fashion that is aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong><br />
Sharī’aĥ. In this regard, ‘Allāmaĥ Imām Jalāluddīn Suyūṭī<br />
ی ِﻮَﻘﻟا<br />
ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ has stated, ‘It is narrated from Sayyidunā ‘Ubaīd<br />
b<strong>in</strong> ‘Umaīr ـ<br />
ِ رَ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َ that <strong>the</strong> grave says to <strong>the</strong> deceased, ‘If
23<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
you were obedient to Allah َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ <strong>in</strong> your lifetime <strong>the</strong>n today I<br />
will be merciful to you, and if you were disobedient to Allah<br />
َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ <strong>in</strong> your lifetime <strong>the</strong>n I am a torment for you. I am such a<br />
home, that <strong>the</strong> one who enters me be<strong>in</strong>g pious and compliant<br />
will exit from me happily and <strong>the</strong> one who was noncompliant<br />
and s<strong>in</strong>ful will exit me spoilt.’ (Sharḥ-uṣ-Ṣudūr, pp. 114) (Aĥwāl-ul-<br />
Qubūr li-ibn-e-Rajab, pp. 27)<br />
Call from <strong>the</strong> neighbor<strong>in</strong>g graves<br />
It is said, ‘When <strong>the</strong> deceased is <strong>in</strong>terred and he is tormented,<br />
<strong>the</strong> deceased <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> neighbor<strong>in</strong>g graves call out to him and say,<br />
‘Did you not learn lesson from our death? Did you not see how<br />
our activities f<strong>in</strong>ished? And you had <strong>the</strong> chance to perform<br />
deeds, but you wasted <strong>the</strong> time.’ Every part of <strong>the</strong> grave calls out<br />
to him and says, ‘O you who walked on <strong>the</strong> earth arrogantly!<br />
Why did you not learn lesson from those who died? Did you not<br />
see how people lifted your dead relatives one after <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r to<br />
take <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> graves?’ (Sharaḥ-us Ṣudūr, pp. 116)<br />
Conversation with <strong>the</strong> deceased<br />
It is mentioned <strong>in</strong> ‘Sharḥ-us-Ṣudūr’, ‘Sayyidunā Sa’īd b<strong>in</strong><br />
Maṣaib َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ رَ<br />
has stated, ‘Once we went to <strong>the</strong> graveyard<br />
of Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ Munawwaraĥ with Amīr-ul-Mum<strong>in</strong>īn, Sayyidunā<br />
Alī-ul-Murtaḍā ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ ا ﻢْ ﻳِﺮَﮑْ ﻟا ﻪُ َﻬﺟْ و َ م<br />
َ<br />
ﺮَﮐ َّ<br />
. Sayyidunā Maulā ‘Ali َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ َ ر<br />
greeted <strong>the</strong> people of <strong>the</strong> graves with Salām and said, ‘O people<br />
of <strong>the</strong> grave! Will you give your news to us, or shall we give
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
news to you?’ Sayyidunā Said b<strong>in</strong> Musayyab َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ رَ<br />
said,<br />
‘We heard <strong>the</strong> words of مﻼ ﺴﻟا ﻚ<br />
ۡ ﻴﻠ ﻋو ٗ<br />
ﻪ ﺗﺎﻛ ﺮﺑو ﷲا<br />
ﺔﻤ ۡ ﺣرو from <strong>the</strong><br />
<br />
grave, and somebody was say<strong>in</strong>g, ‘O Amīr-ul-Mum<strong>in</strong>īn! Give<br />
us <strong>the</strong> news about what happened after our death.’ Sayyidunā<br />
Maulā ‘Ali ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ ا ﻢْ ﻳِﺮَﮑْ ﻟا ﻪُ َﻬﺟْ و َ م<br />
َ<br />
ﺮَﮐ َّ<br />
<strong>the</strong>n said, ‘Listen! Your assets have<br />
been divided, your wives have remarried, your children were<br />
<strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> orphans, and your enemies are liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
houses which you made so strong. Now tell us what happened<br />
with you.’ Listen<strong>in</strong>g to that, reply came from a grave, ‘O Amīrul-Mum<strong>in</strong>īn!<br />
Our shrouds have been ripped to shreds, our hair<br />
wi<strong>the</strong>red away, our sk<strong>in</strong> worn <strong>in</strong>to pieces, our eyes poured out<br />
onto our cheeks, and pus is flow<strong>in</strong>g through our nostrils. We<br />
have got whatever we had sent forward (i.e. <strong>the</strong> deeds we<br />
performed), and we have <strong>in</strong>curred loss <strong>in</strong> whatever we left<br />
beh<strong>in</strong>d.’’ (Sharḥ-us-Ṣudūr, pp. 209); (Ibn-e-‘Asākir, Vol. 27, pp. 395)<br />
Where are those beautiful faces now?<br />
Sayyidunā Abū Bakr as-Ṣiddīq َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
َ رَ<br />
would say dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
sermon, ‘Where are those with beautiful faces? Where are<br />
those who were arrogant about <strong>the</strong>ir youthfulness? Where have<br />
those k<strong>in</strong>gs gone who had magnificent cities constructed and<br />
had those fortified with giant forts? Where are those who were<br />
victorious <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> battlefields? Without doubt, time degraded<br />
<strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong>y are now ly<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> darkness of <strong>the</strong> grave. Hurry<br />
up! Advance <strong>in</strong> perform<strong>in</strong>g good deeds and seek salvation!’<br />
(Shu’ab-ul-Īmān, Vol. 7, pp. 365, Ḥadīš 10595)<br />
24
Make preparations right now<br />
25<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
Dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! Sayyidunā Abū Bakr as-Ṣiddīq َﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ﷲا ِ<br />
ُﻪْ ﻨ ـ<br />
ُ<br />
َ َ ر<br />
is wak<strong>in</strong>g us up from <strong>the</strong> deep slumber of heedlessness through<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g us realize <strong>the</strong> vulnerability of this world, its deceptions,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> darkness of <strong>the</strong> grave. He is giv<strong>in</strong>g us <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>dset of<br />
prepar<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> grave and <strong>the</strong> Day of Resurrection. In reality,<br />
<strong>the</strong> truly <strong>in</strong>telligent person is he who, whilst prepar<strong>in</strong>g for death<br />
before onset of death, ga<strong>the</strong>rs a treasure of good deeds and<br />
arranges for illum<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>in</strong> his grave by tak<strong>in</strong>g with him <strong>the</strong><br />
Madanī lamp of <strong>the</strong> Sunnaĥ. Be warned! The grave will not pay<br />
regard for who is <strong>in</strong>side it- whe<strong>the</strong>r he is rich or poor, a m<strong>in</strong>ister<br />
or his counsellor, a ruler or a subject, an officer or a secretary, an<br />
employer or an employee, a doctor or a patient, a landowner or<br />
a laborer, whoever he be; if he is deficient <strong>in</strong> preparations for <strong>the</strong><br />
afterlife, if he has deliberately missed his Ṣalāĥ, not observed <strong>the</strong><br />
fasts of Ramadan without any valid Shar’ī excuse, not given<br />
Zakāĥ despite it be<strong>in</strong>g Farḍ on him, not performed Hajj when it<br />
was Farḍ on him, not enforced veil<strong>in</strong>g prescribed by Sharī’aĥ<br />
despite hav<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> authority to do so, disobeyed his parents, had<br />
a habit of tell<strong>in</strong>g ly<strong>in</strong>g, backbit<strong>in</strong>g, and tale-tell<strong>in</strong>g, watched films<br />
and dramas, listened to music, shaved his beard or trimmed it to<br />
less than a fist length, <strong>in</strong> short, if he has committed excessive<br />
s<strong>in</strong>s, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> case that Allah and His Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ<br />
are displeased with him, he will suffer great regret and sorrow.<br />
The one who would have regularly offered Nawāfil (supererogatory<br />
Ṣalāĥ) <strong>in</strong> addition to fulfill<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Farḍ Ṣalāĥ, kept supererogatory
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
fasts <strong>in</strong> addition to <strong>the</strong> fasts of Ramadan, went from street to<br />
street and town to town <strong>in</strong>vit<strong>in</strong>g towards righteousness, not<br />
only learnt knowledge of <strong>the</strong> Holy Qurān himself but also did<br />
not shy away from giv<strong>in</strong>g Dars to o<strong>the</strong>rs, established Dars at<br />
his home, travelled <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Madanī Qafīlaĥ <strong>in</strong> order to learn <strong>the</strong><br />
Sunnaĥs for at least 3 days every month and also encouraged<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r Muslims to travel, filled <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Madanī In’āmāt booklet<br />
every day and handed it <strong>in</strong> to <strong>the</strong> relevant responsible <strong>Islami</strong>c<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>r with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> first 10 days of every <strong>Islami</strong>c month, if by<br />
<strong>the</strong> grace and favour of Allah and His Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ<br />
he left this world with his faith <strong>in</strong>tact, ﻪـ ﻠـﻟاَءﺂَﺷ ْ نِا<br />
ﻞَ ّ ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ <strong>the</strong> bless<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
will overwhelm his grave and <strong>the</strong> founta<strong>in</strong>s of <strong>the</strong> Nūr of <strong>the</strong><br />
Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to illum<strong>in</strong>ate his grave.<br />
Qabr mayn leĥrāyen gey tā ḥashr chashmay Nūr kay<br />
Jalwaĥ farmā ĥogī jab ṭal’at Rasūlullāĥ kī<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
(Ḥadāiq-e-Bakhshish)<br />
How did a s<strong>in</strong>ger jo<strong>in</strong> <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>?<br />
26<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
O devotees of <strong>the</strong> Prophet! Stay attached to <strong>the</strong> Madanī<br />
environment of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong> all <strong>the</strong> time,<br />
َﺷ ْ نِا<br />
ﻪـ<br />
ﻠـﻟاَءﺂ<br />
َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَﻋ<br />
you<br />
will atta<strong>in</strong> success <strong>in</strong> both <strong>the</strong> worlds. In order to persuade you,<br />
I will present to you a faith-refresh<strong>in</strong>g Madanī marvel. In this<br />
regard, an <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>r (aged approximately 27) from Malīr<br />
(Bāb–ul-Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ, Karachi) said, ‘I was fond of recit<strong>in</strong>g Na’ats <strong>in</strong>
27<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
my childhood, and sometimes I would fulfill song requests and<br />
s<strong>in</strong>g songs at family functions. As my voice was good, I would<br />
receive great praise for that, which would <strong>in</strong>flate my ego. When I<br />
got a little older, I became ambitious to learn strumm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
guitar and I even enrolled myself <strong>in</strong> an academy to learn how to<br />
s<strong>in</strong>g. After learn<strong>in</strong>g, I took part <strong>in</strong> many s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g competitions<br />
for many years, and I even sang on various television channels.<br />
As time went on, I ga<strong>in</strong>ed more and more fame. Then I got <strong>the</strong><br />
opportunity to perform at a massive show <strong>in</strong> Dubai. From<br />
<strong>the</strong>re, I travelled to India, where I took part <strong>in</strong> various s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g<br />
competitions for approximately 6 months. I sang at large<br />
functions and <strong>in</strong> films and ga<strong>in</strong>ed name as well as a lot of<br />
wealth. Then I went on a tour of different countries with a team<br />
of s<strong>in</strong>gers <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Canada (Toronto and Vancouver), 10 states<br />
of America (Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco etc.), and<br />
England (London). When I returned to my homeland for a<br />
short period, my family members and <strong>the</strong> people of my<br />
neighborhood applauded me. Even though my Nafs (lower self)<br />
ga<strong>in</strong>ed great pleasure from that, <strong>the</strong> core of my heart was not at<br />
peace and I felt that someth<strong>in</strong>g was miss<strong>in</strong>g. My heart was<br />
seek<strong>in</strong>g spirituality. I started go<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> Masjid to offer Ṣalāĥ<br />
and I ga<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>the</strong> honour of tak<strong>in</strong>g part <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Dars of Faizan-e-<br />
Sunnat that took place <strong>the</strong>re after Ṣalāt-ul-‘Ishā. The Dars<br />
impressed me, so I began to sit <strong>in</strong> it from time to time. However,<br />
<strong>the</strong> vision of go<strong>in</strong>g abroad to s<strong>in</strong>g, earn wealth, and ga<strong>in</strong> fame<br />
was repeatedly overwhelm<strong>in</strong>g my heart and m<strong>in</strong>d. As soon as
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs would start <strong>in</strong>dividual effort on me after<br />
<strong>the</strong> Dars, I would make excuses and get away.<br />
One night, I went to sleep and saw a preacher of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong><br />
who was stand<strong>in</strong>g at a high place call<strong>in</strong>g me towards him. It was<br />
as if he was encourag<strong>in</strong>g me to get out of <strong>the</strong> swamp of s<strong>in</strong>s that I<br />
was sunk <strong>in</strong>. When I awoke <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g I reflected and<br />
contemplated for a short while on <strong>the</strong> way I was liv<strong>in</strong>g my life,<br />
but I stayed <strong>in</strong> that s<strong>in</strong>ful state. After some time, I saw ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
dream which left me totally shaken! What did I see? I saw that I<br />
had died and my body was be<strong>in</strong>g given Ghusl (ritual bath). Then<br />
I found myself <strong>in</strong> Barzakh 1 . At that po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>the</strong> feel<strong>in</strong>gs of<br />
hopelessness that I was experienc<strong>in</strong>g were like no feel<strong>in</strong>gs ever<br />
before. I said to myself, ‘You wanted to be really famous?! Now<br />
look at your state!’ In <strong>the</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g when my eyes opened I was<br />
sweat<strong>in</strong>g profusely and my entire body was shak<strong>in</strong>g. It felt as if I<br />
had been sent back <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> world with ano<strong>the</strong>r chance.<br />
Now <strong>the</strong> mission of s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g and fame had completely obliterated<br />
from my m<strong>in</strong>d. I repented s<strong>in</strong>cerely for my s<strong>in</strong>s and I vowed that<br />
I would never s<strong>in</strong>g songs aga<strong>in</strong>. When my family members found<br />
out about that <strong>the</strong>y reacted and opposed my decision strongly,<br />
but by virtue of <strong>the</strong> grace of Allah and His Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ﷲا َ<br />
ُ<br />
ّ َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّ<br />
ﻠﺳَ و َ I<br />
had established Madanī m<strong>in</strong>dset, <strong>the</strong>refore I rema<strong>in</strong>ed firm on<br />
my decision. I was <strong>the</strong>n blessed with see<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> same preacher<br />
1 Barzakh is an <strong>in</strong>termediate world where people have to stay after death till <strong>the</strong> onset of <strong>the</strong> Resurrection<br />
Day<br />
28
29<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong> <strong>in</strong> my dream who I had seen previously. He<br />
encouraged me. I ga<strong>in</strong>ed steadfastness <strong>in</strong> <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
accordance with <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g verse of <strong>the</strong> Holy Qurān:<br />
<br />
ﺎ و<br />
ﻨ ﻠ ﺒ ﺳ ۡ ﻨﻳ ﺪ ۡ ﻬ ﻨ ﻟ ﺎ ﻨ ۡ ﻴﻓ ۡ و ﺪ ﻫﺎ ۡ<br />
ﺟ ﻦﻳ ﺬ <br />
ﻟ<br />
<br />
ن ﴿ و<br />
ۡ<br />
ﻨ ﺴ ۡ ﺤ ﻤ ۡ ﻟ ٰ ﴾٦٩<br />
ﻤﻟ ﷲ<br />
Translation from Kanz-ul-Imān<br />
And those who strove <strong>in</strong> Our way - We shall surely show <strong>the</strong>m Our<br />
paths; and <strong>in</strong>deed Allah is with <strong>the</strong> virtuous.<br />
I began offer<strong>in</strong>g Ṣalāĥ regularly, adorned my face with <strong>the</strong><br />
blessed beard, and adorned my head with <strong>the</strong> green Imāmaĥ<br />
(Sunnaĥ turban). Before, I used to read song lyrics, but now it<br />
became a part of my rout<strong>in</strong>es to read <strong>the</strong> books and booklets<br />
published my Maktaba-tul Madīnaĥ.<br />
One night, when I fell asleep read<strong>in</strong>g a book, my fortune awoke<br />
and I was blessed with see<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Beloved Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ﷲا َ<br />
ُ<br />
ّ َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ<br />
<strong>in</strong> my dream, for which I cannot pay apt gratitude to my Rab<br />
َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ. My heart ga<strong>in</strong>ed great support from that. Then, when <strong>the</strong><br />
blessed grave of Muftī-e-<strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>, al-‘Allāmaĥ, al-Ḥafiz,<br />
al-Muftī Muḥammad Fārūq Aṭṭārī ﲎﻐﻟا ِﷲا<br />
ُﺔَ<br />
ْﲪ ر ِﻪ َ ۡ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ uncovered due<br />
to persistent heavy ra<strong>in</strong>, I was overjoyed upon see<strong>in</strong>g that his<br />
body was still safe and sound, his shroud still <strong>in</strong>tact, and upon<br />
see<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> sight of his green Imāmaĥ and his hair (still sound
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
and <strong>in</strong>tact). I was delighted to see <strong>the</strong> grace and favour of Allah<br />
َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ and His Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ upon those attached to<br />
<strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>. After cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g with Madanī work, <strong>the</strong><br />
s<strong>in</strong>ger of <strong>the</strong> past, Junaīd Sheikh, is today a preacher and Nā’t<br />
khwān of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong> by virtue of <strong>the</strong> Madanī environment.<br />
ﻪـ ﻠـﻟ ِ<br />
ُ ﺪـْ ﻤ َ ﺤـ ْ ﻟَا<br />
َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَﻋ<br />
, at <strong>the</strong> time of this writ<strong>in</strong>g, fortunately I use to<br />
deliver Dars from Faizan-e-Sunnat, to call Sadā-e-Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ<br />
(i.e. wak<strong>in</strong>g Muslims up for Fajr Ṣalāĥ), and to partake <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
‘Alāqāī Daura Barā-e-Naykī kī Da’wat (<strong>the</strong> regional tour to call<br />
towards righteousness) as <strong>the</strong> Nigrān of a Zelī Mushāwarat of<br />
<strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>. May Allah َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ grant me steadfastness <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Madanī environment until my last breath.<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
ﻢﻠﺳو ٖ <br />
ٰ او ﻪ<br />
ۡ ﻴﻠﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ ﷲا <br />
<br />
ﺻ<br />
<br />
30<br />
ۡ<br />
ﲔ ﻣ ۤ هﺎﺠﺑ<br />
ا<br />
ۡ ْ<br />
ﲔ ﻣ ﻻا <br />
ﻨﻟا <br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
Dreamt about 99 Asmā-ul-Ḥusnā (Glorious<br />
Names of Allah)<br />
O devotees of <strong>the</strong> Prophet and dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! A few<br />
days after hav<strong>in</strong>g had this Madanī marvel written down, <strong>the</strong><br />
world’s famous former s<strong>in</strong>ger Junaīd Sheikh told Sag-e-Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ<br />
(<strong>the</strong> author), ‘ ﻪـ ﻠـﻟ ِ<br />
ُ ﺪـْ ﻤ َ ﺤـ ْ ﻟَا<br />
َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ recently I was blessed once more<br />
with dream<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Beloved Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ and was<br />
h<strong>in</strong>ted towards learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> 99 Asmā-ul-Ḥusnā of Allah َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ,
31<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
and َّﻞ<br />
ﺟ ﻪـﻠ ـﻟ ِ<br />
َ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﺪـ ُ ﻤْ ﺤـ َ ْ ﻟَا<br />
ﻋ I have now memorized <strong>the</strong>m.’ ﻟا َ ﻦـٰ ﺤْ ﺒـ ُ ﺳ<br />
ـ ﻪ ﻠ<br />
َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ , <strong>the</strong><br />
excellence of learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> 99 Asmā-ul-Ḥusnā has been<br />
mentioned <strong>in</strong> Ḥadīš, but it is high fortune that <strong>the</strong> Beloved<br />
Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ himself came <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> dream of his<br />
devotee and specifically encouraged him to do that. Listen to<br />
<strong>the</strong> virtue of <strong>the</strong> 99 Asmā-ul-Ḥusnā and rejoice. The Prophet<br />
of mank<strong>in</strong>d, <strong>the</strong> Peace of our heart and m<strong>in</strong>d, <strong>the</strong> Most<br />
Generous and K<strong>in</strong>d ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ has stated, ‘Allah has 99<br />
names; whoever memorized <strong>the</strong>m will enter Paradise.’ (Ṣaḥīḥ<br />
Bukhārī, Vol. 2, pp. 229, Ḥadīš 2736), (For details, see page 895 to<br />
898 of Nuzĥa-tul-Qārī, <strong>the</strong> commentary on Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī)<br />
Dear <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs! Whilst clos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Bayān, I will ga<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
honour of mention<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> excellence of <strong>the</strong> Sunnaĥ and present<strong>in</strong>g<br />
some Sunnaĥs and manners. The Distributor of Bounties, <strong>the</strong><br />
Most Beloved Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ has stated, ‘Whoever<br />
loved my Sunnaĥ loved me, and whoever loved me will be with<br />
me <strong>in</strong> Paradise.’ (Mishkāt-ul-Maṣābīḥ, Vol. 1, pp. 55, Ḥadīš 175)<br />
Sunnatayn ‘ām karen, Dīn ka ĥam kām karen<br />
Nayk ĥo-jāye Musalmān, Madīnay wālay<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
14 Madanī pearls about cloth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ ﻮﻠﺻ ْ ﻟا ﻋ ا<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
<strong>First</strong> consider three say<strong>in</strong>gs of <strong>the</strong> Beloved Prophet :
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
1. The veil between <strong>the</strong> eyesight of <strong>the</strong> j<strong>in</strong>n and <strong>the</strong> Sitr<br />
(body) of a person is to recite ﷲا ﻢ ۡ ﺴ when he is about to<br />
take off his clo<strong>the</strong>s.’ (Mu’jam Awsaṭ, Vol. 10, pp. 173, Ḥadīš<br />
10362) The renowned commentator, Ḥakīm-ul-Ummaĥ,<br />
Muftī Aḥmad Yār Khān ﻦٰ ْﲪ َ<br />
ّ ﺮـﻟا ُﺔَ ْﲪ َ ر ِﻪ ْ ﻴَ ﻠـ َ ﻋ has stated, ‘That is, <strong>the</strong><br />
manner <strong>in</strong> which a wall or a curta<strong>in</strong> becomes a barrier to <strong>the</strong><br />
vision of people, similarly this <strong>in</strong>vocation of Allah’s name<br />
will be a barrier to <strong>the</strong> vision of j<strong>in</strong>ns such that <strong>the</strong> j<strong>in</strong>ns will<br />
not be able to see him. (Mirāt-ul-Manājīḥ, Vol. 1, pp. 268)<br />
2. Whoever puts his clo<strong>the</strong>s on and <strong>in</strong>vokes <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g, all<br />
of his preced<strong>in</strong>g and succeed<strong>in</strong>g s<strong>in</strong>s will be forgiven.<br />
ا ﷲ ﺪ ۡ ﻤﺤ ۡ ﺬ ﻟا<br />
ٰ ﻫ ﺎ ۡ<br />
ﺴﻛ ۡ ﻪ ﻨ<br />
<br />
ﻗز<br />
وا<br />
ي <br />
<br />
ر<br />
<br />
ۡ ٍةﻮ ﻴ<br />
ۡ ﻗﻻ و<br />
ۡ ﻣ<br />
لٍ ۡ ۡ<br />
ﻮﺣ ﲑ<br />
ﻏ<br />
ۡ ﻦ ﻣ<br />
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Vol. 4, pp. 59, Ḥadīš 4023)<br />
Translation of this Du’ā: All praise is for Allah َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ who has<br />
clo<strong>the</strong>d me <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>se clo<strong>the</strong>s and granted it to me without any<br />
power or might of my own.<br />
3. Whoever abandons wear<strong>in</strong>g elegant clo<strong>the</strong>s out of<br />
humbleness despite hav<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> capacity to do so, Allah<br />
َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ will clo<strong>the</strong> him with <strong>the</strong> cloak of majesty. (Sunan Abī<br />
Dāwūd, Vol. 4, pp. 326, Ḥadīš 4778)<br />
Terī sādgī pe lākĥaun Teri ‘ājizī paĥ lākĥaun<br />
Ĥo Salām-e-‘ājizānaĥ Madanī Madīnay wālay<br />
32
33<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
4. The sacred attire of <strong>the</strong> Noble Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ was<br />
usually of white cloth. (Kashf-u-li-Iltibās fīs-tiḥbābil-libās, pp. 36)<br />
5. Cloth<strong>in</strong>g should be from Ḥalāl earn<strong>in</strong>gs, and no Ṣalāĥ-<br />
Farḍ or Nafl, is accepted whilst wear<strong>in</strong>g cloth<strong>in</strong>g obta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
from Ḥarām earn<strong>in</strong>gs. (Kashf-u-li-Iltibās fīs-tiḥbābil-libās, pp. 41)<br />
6. It is narrated, ‘Whoever ties his Imāmaĥ whilst sitt<strong>in</strong>g, or<br />
wears his lower garment whilst stand<strong>in</strong>g, Allah َ<br />
ّﻞ َ ﺟ َ و َ<br />
ّﺰَ ﻋ will<br />
<strong>in</strong>flict such a disease upon him for which <strong>the</strong>re is no cure.’<br />
(Kashf-u-li-Iltibās fīs-tiḥbābil-libās, pp. 39)<br />
7. When putt<strong>in</strong>g clo<strong>the</strong>s on, start from <strong>the</strong> right. For<br />
example, when putt<strong>in</strong>g on a kurtā (over shirt), put your<br />
right hand <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> right sleeve and <strong>the</strong>n your left hand<br />
<strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> left sleeve. (Kashf-u-li-Iltibās fīs-tiḥbābil-libās, pp. 43)<br />
8. In <strong>the</strong> same way, when putt<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> lower garment, put<br />
your right foot <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> right leg first and <strong>the</strong>n your left<br />
foot <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> left leg, and when you are tak<strong>in</strong>g your clo<strong>the</strong>s<br />
off, do <strong>the</strong> opposite i.e. start with <strong>the</strong> left.<br />
9. On page 52 of part 16 of Bahar-e-Sharī’at, <strong>the</strong> 312-page<br />
publication of Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ, <strong>the</strong> publish<strong>in</strong>g<br />
department of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>, it has been stated, ‘It is<br />
Sunnaĥ to have <strong>the</strong> length of <strong>the</strong> kurta up to halfway<br />
down <strong>the</strong> sh<strong>in</strong>, and <strong>the</strong> length of <strong>the</strong> sleeve up to <strong>the</strong><br />
f<strong>in</strong>gers at most, and its width one span. (Rad-dul-Muḥtār, Vol.<br />
9, pp. 579)
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
10. It is Sunnaĥ for males to keep <strong>the</strong> bottom of <strong>the</strong>ir trousers/<br />
sarong above <strong>the</strong> ankles. (Mirāt-ul-Manājīḥ, Vol. 6, pp. 94)<br />
11. Men should wear only mascul<strong>in</strong>e cloth<strong>in</strong>g and women<br />
should wear only fem<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>e cloth<strong>in</strong>g. This dist<strong>in</strong>ction should<br />
also be taken <strong>in</strong>to account when dress<strong>in</strong>g small children.<br />
12. On page 481 of volume 1 of Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, <strong>the</strong> 1250page<br />
publication of Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ, <strong>the</strong> publish<strong>in</strong>g<br />
department of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-<strong>Islami</strong>, it has stated, ‘The part of<br />
<strong>the</strong> man’s body from below <strong>the</strong> navel up to <strong>the</strong> knees is<br />
Awraĥ i.e. conceal<strong>in</strong>g it is Farḍ. Navel is not <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> it<br />
and <strong>the</strong> knees are <strong>in</strong>cluded. (Durr-e-Mukhtār); (Rad-dul-Muḥtār,<br />
Vol. 2, pp. 93) These days many people wear <strong>the</strong> lower<br />
garment below <strong>the</strong> navel <strong>in</strong> such a way that some part<br />
below <strong>the</strong> navel rema<strong>in</strong>s unconcealed. If <strong>in</strong> this state <strong>the</strong><br />
Kurta (over shirt) etc. covers that area such that <strong>the</strong><br />
colour of <strong>the</strong> sk<strong>in</strong> is not visible <strong>the</strong>n it is f<strong>in</strong>e, o<strong>the</strong>rwise it<br />
is Ḥarām (forbidden) and if ¼ of such part rema<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
unconcealed <strong>in</strong> Ṣalāĥ, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> Ṣalāĥ will not be valid.<br />
(Baĥār-e-Sharī’at)<br />
13. Nowadays, many people roam around wear<strong>in</strong>g shorts that<br />
expose <strong>the</strong>ir knees and thighs which is Ḥarām. Look<strong>in</strong>g<br />
towards <strong>the</strong> exposed knees and thighs of such people is also<br />
Ḥarām. Specifically, such scenes are found at <strong>the</strong> seaside, at<br />
sports venues, and at gyms; <strong>the</strong>refore one must observe<br />
extreme caution if has to visit such places.<br />
34
35<br />
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
14. Cloth<strong>in</strong>g worn with spirit of arrogance is prohibited.<br />
Discrim<strong>in</strong>ation whe<strong>the</strong>r or not it is out of arrogance can<br />
be done through reflect<strong>in</strong>g on whe<strong>the</strong>r you f<strong>in</strong>d your state<br />
of m<strong>in</strong>d after wear<strong>in</strong>g those clo<strong>the</strong>s to be <strong>the</strong> same as<br />
before wear<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>m or not; if it is same, <strong>the</strong>n arrogance is<br />
not beh<strong>in</strong>d that attire. If that previous state does not<br />
rema<strong>in</strong>, <strong>the</strong>n arrogance has crept <strong>in</strong>. Therefore, refra<strong>in</strong><br />
from wear<strong>in</strong>g such cloth<strong>in</strong>g, as arrogance is a very bad<br />
trait. (Bahar-e-Sharī’at, Vol. 16, pp. 52), (Rad-dul-Muḥtār, Vol. 9,<br />
pp. 579)<br />
ﻪـ<br />
<br />
ا ﺻ<br />
ٰ<br />
ﺪﻤ ﺤﻣ <br />
ﻠـﻟ<br />
ٰ ﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ<br />
Madanī appearance<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺒﺤ اﻮﻠﺻ<br />
ْ ﻟا ﻋ<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺐﻴ<br />
The Madanī appearance is to keep a beard, to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><br />
Zulfayn (<strong>the</strong> Prophet’s hairstyle), to put on green turban (<strong>the</strong><br />
green colour should not be dark), to wear a white Kurtā up to<br />
halfway down <strong>the</strong> sh<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> length comply<strong>in</strong>g to Sunnaĥ with <strong>the</strong><br />
sleeves a hand span wide, with Miswak visible on <strong>the</strong> chest<br />
pocket at <strong>the</strong> side of <strong>the</strong> heart, and <strong>the</strong> lower garment above<br />
<strong>the</strong> ankles. (If <strong>the</strong>re is also a white Chādar [shawl] over <strong>the</strong><br />
head and a brown one to do Parday mayn Pardaĥ [veil with<strong>in</strong><br />
veil act<strong>in</strong>g upon <strong>the</strong> Madanī In’amāt] <strong>the</strong>n it is Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ-<br />
Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ!) When I see any <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Madanī<br />
appearance described above, my heart is overjoyed and it<br />
blossoms like a garden- <strong>in</strong> fact it becomes garden of Mad<strong>in</strong>aĥ!
<strong>First</strong> <strong>Night</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Grave</strong><br />
Du’ā of ‘Aṭṭār<br />
O Allah َّﻞ<br />
ﺟَ وَ َّﺰَ<br />
ﻋ! Grant me and to all those <strong>Islami</strong>c bro<strong>the</strong>rs who<br />
adopt <strong>the</strong> Madanī appearance, martyrdom under <strong>the</strong> shade of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Grand Green Dome, burial <strong>in</strong> Jannat-ul-Baqī, and closeness<br />
to Your Beloved َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَ ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا<br />
ّﻠ َ ﺳ َ و <strong>in</strong> Jannat-ul Firdaus.<br />
ﻢﻠﺳو ٖ <br />
ٰ او ﻪ<br />
ۡ ﻴﻠﻋ ﺎ ٰ ﻌ<br />
<br />
ﺗ ﷲا <br />
<br />
ﺻ<br />
<br />
Un ka dīwāna ‘Imāmaĥ aur zulf o rīsh mayn<br />
Lag raĥā ĥay Madanī ḥulyay me kitnā shāndār<br />
ۡ<br />
ﺎﺠﺑ ﲔ<br />
<br />
ﻣ ۤ ه ا<br />
ۡ ْ<br />
ﲔ ﻣ ﻻا <br />
ﻨﻟا <br />
In order to learn thousands of Sunnaĥs, read <strong>the</strong> two<br />
publications of Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ, ‘Baĥār-e–Sharī’at (part<br />
16)’, consist<strong>in</strong>g of 312 pages, and ‘Sunnatayn aur Ādāb’,<br />
consist<strong>in</strong>g of 120 pages. A marvellous method for acquir<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
knowledge of <strong>the</strong> Sunnaĥ is to travel with <strong>the</strong> Madanī Qāfilaĥs<br />
of <strong>Dawat</strong>-e-Islāmī <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> company of <strong>the</strong> devotees of <strong>the</strong><br />
Prophet ٖﻪِ ﻟٰ او ِﻪ َ ْ<br />
ﻴَ ﻠَ ﻋ ٰﱃﺎ َﻌَﺗ ُ<br />
ﷲا َّ<br />
َ ﺻ<br />
ﻢَّﻠﺳَ<br />
و َ .<br />
Sīkĥnay sunnatayn Qāfilay mayn chalo<br />
Lūṫnay raḥmatayn Qāfilay mayn chalo<br />
Ĥongī ḥal mushkilayn Qāfilay mayn chalo<br />
Pāo gay barakatayn Qāfilay mayn chalo<br />
To learn <strong>the</strong> Sunnaĥs, travel with <strong>the</strong> Qāfilah,<br />
To atta<strong>in</strong> mercies, travel with <strong>the</strong> Qāfilah<br />
Your difficulties will be solved, travel with <strong>the</strong> Qāfilah<br />
You will receive great bless<strong>in</strong>gs, travel with <strong>the</strong> Qāfilah<br />
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