the return of the shroud

� ��

� وا� �

Kafan kī Wapasī

RETURN OF

THE SHROUD

This booklet was written by Shaykh-e-Tariqat Amīr-e-Aĥl-e-

Sunnat, the founder of Dawat-e-Islami ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā

Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Razavi ��

in Urdu. The Translation Majlis has translated this booklet

into English. If you find any mistake in the translation or

composing, please inform Translation Majlis on the following

postal or email address with the intention of earning reward

[Šawāb].

Translation Majlis (Dawat-e-Islami)

Aalami Madani Markaz, Faizan-e-Madinah, Mahallah Saudagran,

Purani Sabzi Mandi, Bab-ul-Madinah, Karachi, Pakistan

Phone: � +92-21-111-25-26-92 – Ext. 1262

Email: � [email protected]

ii

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Du’ā for Reading the Book

ead the following Du’ā (supplication) before you study a religious book or an Islamic lesson, you will remember

whatever you study, �� ! ��"�# :

�لل تح م� اف ه ا

نا ح ي عل

ك مت ك

ش وان

ا ذايـ ك ت نا رح ي عل

ال

ل وا!

#

رامك

Translation

Yā Allah �� ! ��"�#! Open the door of knowledge and wisdom for us,

and have mercy on us! O the One Who is the Most Honourable

and Glorious!

(Al-Mustaṭraf, vol. 1, pp. 40)

Note: Recite Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī � once before and after the Du’ā.

R

iii

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

Du’ā for Reading the Book ............................................................ ii

RETURN OF THE SHROUD ..................... 1

Excellence of Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī � ................................................ 1

Various names of Rajab and their relevance ................................ 2

The three letters of رجب [Rajab] ..................................................... 3

The month of sowing seeds ............................................................ 4

Rajab is the name of a heavenly brook .......................................... 6

A heavenly palace ............................................................................. 6

Five blessed nights ........................................................................... 6

First fast of Rajab – an atonement for sins of 3 years ................. 7

Fasts were observed in the ark of Sayyidunā Nūḥ ي ع ل

# مه الس� ......... 8

Excellence of a single fast ................................................................ 8

The reward of fasts of 60 months .................................................. 9

The reward of fasts of 100 years ..................................................... 9

Excellence of lending a hand ........................................................ 10

One virtue equals a hundred years’ virtues ................................ 10

The fasts of Rajab-ul-Murajjab .................................................... 11

A faith enlightening parable of respecting Rajab ...................... 13

Return of the Shroud

iv

Reward of two years....................................................................... 14

Refulgent mountain ....................................................................... 15

Platter (Kūnḋay) in the month of Rajab ..................................... 16

Prophet’s companions would convey Šawāb ............................. 17

A companion donated the garden on behalf of his mother ..... 17

If 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab is not the day of demise… ............... 18

Fixing the day ................................................................................. 19

•••

A letter from ‘Attar ..................................................... 21

Excellence of fasts in first three days of Rajab ...................... 21

1. Angels make Du’ā for forgiveness ...................................... 22

2. When do the bones of a fasting person glorify

Allah .................................................................................... 23

Occasion of Mi’rāj-un-Nabī � ............................................. 26

A Madanī pearl for safeguarding the eyes ............................. 26

Madanī request ......................................................................... 27

•••

Transliteration Chart..................................................................... 28

1

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RETURN OF THE SHROUD

No matter how lazy satan makes you feel, read this booklet

completely. You will admit its virtues yourself.

Excellence of Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī � The Prophet of Raḥmaĥ, the Intercessor of Ummaĥ, the Owner of Jannaĥ �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� % �! �� +�! has stated, ‘Whoever writes my name in a book, for as long my name remains therein, the angels will continue asking absolution (supplication of forgiveness) for him.’ (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsaṭ, vol. 1, pp. 497, Ḥadīš 1835)

الوا ,

. بي ب صل د صل� ا�1 مم�

,

تعا6

At the time of her death, a pious lady in the city of Basra made a will to her son to shroud her in the clothes she used to wear whilst worshipping in the holy month of Rajab. After her demise, her son buried her, shrouding in some other piece of cloth. When he returned home from the graveyard, he was astonished to witness that the cloth in which he had shrouded his mother was at home. After anxiously searching for the clothes


2

which she had instructed him to shroud her with, he found that those clothes had disappeared from their place. Suddenly, a voice was heard from the unknown, ‘Take back your shroud. We have shrouded her (in the cloth which she had willed); we do not leave the people who observe fast in Rajab to be stricken with grief in their graves.’ (Nuzĥa-tul-Majālis, vol. 1, pp. 208)

May Allah �� ! ��"�# have mercy on them and may He forgive us without holding accountable for their sake!

باه ال�ب ي م ا

ي م ا! صل� ا�1

علل يهتعا6

م وا

�وسل

Various names of Rajab and their relevance

It is stated in Mukāshafa-tul-Qulūb, ‘Actually, the name of رجب

[Rajab] has been derived from the word بي ترج [Tarjīb], which

means to pay respect. It is also known as صب ! which ,[Al-Aṣab] ا

means ‘fast flowing’, as the downpour of mercy is increased exponentially upon those who repent in this month and those who worship in this month are blessed with the light of

acceptance. It is also called صم ! which means ‘the ,[Al-Aṣam] ا

most deaf’ because war noise is not heard at all, in this month. (Mukāshafa-tul-Qulūb, pp. 301) It is stated in Ghunya-tuṭ-Ṭālibīn that

this month is also called رجم ر ه ش (the month of stoning), as the

satans are stoned in it so that they do not cause aggravation to

the Muslims. This blessed month is also known as صم ,[Aṣam] ا

which means ‘the most deaf’ because it has not been heard [or


3

recorded] that Allah �� ! ��"�# punished any nation in this month, contrary to other months in which Allah �� ! ��"�# has sent down punishment on the previous nations.

(Ghunya-tuṭ-Ṭālibīn, vol. 1, pp. 319-320)

The three letters of رجب [Rajab] Dear Islamic brothers! �+ � %, - � �.�� ! ��"�# , what can be said about the wonderful virtues of the month of Rajab. It is stated in Mukāshafa-tul-Qulūb that our pious saints � � ��

�/�0� � �� %&�� have stated,

‘There are three letters in the word Rajab; ر [Rā], ج [Jīm] and ب [Bā]. The first letter ر [Rā] stands for the Mercy of Allah �� ! ��"�# [Raḥmat of Allah �� ! �� [Jīm] stands for Crime (Jurm) of the ج ,[#�"person and ب [Bā] stands for Kindness (Birr). In other words, Allah �� ! ��"�# says, ‘Place my servant’s crime between My Mercy and My Kindness. (Mukāshafa-tul-Qulūb, pp. 301)

‘Iṣyān say kabĥī ĥam nay kanārā na kiyā

Per Tū nay dil āzurdaĥ ĥamārā na kiyā

Ĥam nay to Jaĥannam kī baĥut kī tajwīz

Laykin Tayrī raḥmat nay gawārā na kiyā

Sins, we have parted from them never,

But You did not afflict our heart with sorrow

Into the Hell, we did everything for entry,

But what prevented from was Your Mercy

الوا ,


,

تعا6


4

The month of sowing seeds

Shaykh Sayyidunā ‘Allāmaĥ Ṣaffūrī � �1� /�0� � �� # %&�� has stated, ‘Rajab is the month of sowing the seeds, Sha’bān for watering and Ramadan is the month for harvesting the crop. Therefore, if someone does not sow the seeds of worship in Rajab and does not water them with tears of remorse in Sha’bān, then how will he be able to harvest mercy in Ramadan?’ The Shaykh �� $ %&�� ' �1� / �0 has further added, ‘Rajab purifies the body, Sha’bān purifies the heart and Ramadan purifies the soul.’

(Nuzĥa-tul-Majālis, vol. 1, pp. 209)

Dear Islamic brothers! Affiliate yourself with the Madanī environment of Dawat-e-Islami to develop the mindset of worship and fasts in the month of Rajab-ul-Murajjab. Make yourselves a traveller in the Madanī Qāfilaĥs for the propagation of Sunnaĥ and partake in Ijtimā’ī I’tikāf (Collective I’tikāf) set up by

Dawat-e-Islami in Ramadan-ul-Mubārak. �� ! ��"�# , your life will have a Madanī revolution.

Here I present to you a Madanī incident for your inspiration: An Islamic brother of Fatehpur Kamal (district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan) himself narrated that prior to adhering to the Madanī environment, I did offer my Ṣalāĥ but despite that I was indulged in various sins such as: listening to songs, watching movies and dramas, playing cards, etc. Whilst attending college, I always used to place my bicycle in the shop of an Islamic brother.


5

Those were the days of Rajab-ul-Murajjab when as usual I went to place my bicycle in the shop and the Islamic brother invited me to the Ijtimā’ of Żikr-o-Na’at on the account of Shab-e-Mi’rāj (the Night of Ascension). After building up the urge to attend, on that night I left from my village (which was a fair distance away) for the Ijtimā’ of Żikr-o-Na’at and stayed there for the whole night.

I felt immense peace and pleasure from the Ijtimā’ of Żikr-o-Na’at and for that reason, I started attending the weekly Ijtimā’ regularly. Meanwhile, the onset of the blessed month of Ramadan-ul-Mubārak had taken place. The Islamic brothers with their individual efforts had prepared me for observing I’tikāf. I was already impressed and therefore readied myself for I’tikāf. I learnt numerous pearls of Islamic knowledge in

the 10-Day I’tikāf and �� 2 �,�� 3 �� ! ��"�# I crowned my head with the ‘Imāmaĥ, adorned my face with the beard and I felt resentment from the sinful life.

At the time of writing this, I am privileged to perform Madanī activities as responsible for Madanī In’āmāt at a division level. May Allah �� ! ��"�# bestow me with steadfastness in the Madanī environment!

الوا ,


,

تعا6


6

Rajab is the name of a heavenly brook

Sayyidunā Anas Bin Mālik � � �4�0� � �� # %&�� 5 has narrated that the Beloved and Blessed Rasūl � ��( �)� � �� # %&�� % �! �� +�! has stated, ‘In Heaven, there is a brook called Rajab, its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey; whoever observes one fast of Rajab, Allah �� ! ��"�# will make him drink with this brook’s water.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Īmān, vol. 3, pp. 367, Ḥadīš 3800)

A heavenly palace

A Tabi’ī saint, Sayyidunā Abū Qilābaĥ �# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 has stated, ‘There is a palace in Heaven for those who observe fasts in Rajab.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Īmān, vol. 3, pp. 368, Ḥadīš 3802)

الوا ,

. بي ب صل صل� ا�1

,

دتعا6 مم�

Five blessed nights

Sayyidunā Abū Umāmaĥ �# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 has narrated that the Beloved and Blessed Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! has said, ‘There are five nights in which Du’ā is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha’bān (Shab-e-Barā-at), the night between Thursday and Friday, the night of Eid-ul-Fiṭr and the night of Eid-ul-Aḍḥā (the 10th Żul-Ḥijja-til-Ḥarām).’

(Tārīkh Damishq li-Ibn ‘Asākir, vol. 10, pp. 408)


7

Sayyidunā Khālid Bin Ma’dān �� $ %&�� ' �1� / �0 has stated, ‘There are 5 such nights in a year if one spends them in worship out of recognition with an intention of gaining reward, Allah �� ! ��"�# will make him enter into the Heaven:

1. the first night of Rajab; worship during this night and observe fast during the day.

2. the 15th night of Sha’bān (i.e. Shab-e-Barā-at); worship during this night and observe fast during the day.

3-4. the night of Eid-ul-Fiṭr & Eid-ul-Aḍḥā (the night between the 9th and 10th Żul-Ḥijja-til-Ḥarām); worship during these nights but do not observe fast during the days (as it is impermissible to fast on the days of Eid festivals).

5. the night of ‘Āshūrā (10th night of Muḥarram); worship during the night and observe fast during the day. (Faḍāil

Shaĥr-e-Rajab lil-Khallāl, pp. 10; Ghunya-tuṭ-Ṭālibīn, vol. 1, pp. 327)

First fast of Rajab – an atonement for sins of 3 years

Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāĥ Ibn ‘Abbās � � �4�0� � �� # %&�� 5 ��2 has narrated that the Beloved and Blessed Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! has said, ‘The fast of the first day of Rajab is atonement for three years, the fast of the second day is atonement for two years, the fast of the third day is atonement for one year and then the fast of each remaining day is atonement for one month.’ (Al-Jāmi’-uṣ-Ṣaghīr

lis-Suyūṭī, pp. 311, Ḥadīš 5051; Faḍāil Shaĥr-e-Rajab lil-Khallāl, pp. 7)


8

Fasts were observed in the ark of Sayyidunā

Nūḥ ي ع ل

# مه الس�

Sayyidunā Anas �# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 has reported that the Prophet of Raḥmaĥ, the Intercessor of Ummaĥ, the Distributor of Na’maĥ, the Owner of Jannaĥ � ��( �)� � �� # %&�� % �! �� +�! �� said, ‘Anyone who observes a fast in the month of Rajab; it will be like fasts of one year. Whosoever observes seven fasts, the seven doors of Hell will be closed for him, whosoever observes eight fasts, the eight portals of Heaven will be opened for him, anyone who observes ten fasts, whatever he beseeches before Allah �� ! ��"�#, it will be granted to him. And, whosoever observes 15 fasts, a heavenly herald announces, ‘Your past sins have been forgiven; therefore you commence deeds afresh as your evil deeds have been replaced by good deeds.’ And whosoever does more, may Allah �� ! ��"�# grant him more.’ Sayyidunā Nūḥ �# � �-� 6 %(� � �� #�! ��5� �78% � ��9� �� : �; ��<��! stepped onto his Ark in Rajab; he himself observed fast and ordered his fellow-voyagers to observe fast too. His Ark travelled for six months until the 10th of Muḥarram-ul-Ḥarām.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Īmān,

vol. 3, pp. 368, Ḥadīš 3801)

الوا ,


,

تعا6

Excellence of a single fast

The master of Ḥadīš, Sayyidunā ‘Abdul Ḥaq Muḥaddiš Diĥlvī �#� = �0 �� 2 �1 �� > �8��?� � has cited the following Ḥadīš of our Beloved

Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! , ‘Rajab is a month among the months


9

of Ḥurmaĥ (holiness) and its days are inscribed on the portal of the sixth Heaven. If a person fasts a day in Rajab and completes it with observing piety, then this fast and this day (when he fasted) will seek forgiveness for him from Allah �� ! ��"�# and will say, ‘Yā Allah �� ! ��"�#, forgive this servant!’ If the person fasts without observing piety, that fast and that day will not make the plea for his forgiveness and they will say to him, ‘Your Nafs has betrayed you.’ (Māšabata bis-Sunnaĥ, pp. 234; Faḍāil Shaĥr-e-Rajab

lil-Khallāl, pp. 3-4)

Dear Islamic brothers! We have now learnt that remaining hungry and thirsty is not the sole purpose of observing fast, instead it is imperative that we prevent every organ from committing sin. If one continues to commit sins despite observing fast, this is an extreme deprivation.

The reward of fasts of 60 months

Sayyidunā Abū Ĥurayraĥ �# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 has stated, ‘Whosoever fasts on the 27th of Rajab, Allah �� ! ��"�# will inscribe reward of observing fasts for 60 months.’ (Faḍāil Shaĥr-e-Rajab lil-Khallāl, pp. 10)

الوا ,


,

تعا6

The reward of fasts of 100 years

Words cannot quantify the magnificence of the 27th of Rajab. It was the date when the Beloved Prophet �� +�! �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) was


10

granted the wonderful miracle of Mi’rāj (Physical Ascension in the Exalted Court of Allah �� ! ��"�#). (Sharḥ-uz-Zarqānī ‘ala Mawāĥib-ul-

Ladunniyaĥ, vol. 8, pp. 18) Subsequently, there is a great virtue in the fast of the 27th of Rajab. Hence, Sayyidunā Salmān Fārsī �# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 has narrated that the Noble Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! said, ‘There is a day and a night in the month of Rajab; if a person fasts during that day and stands (for worship) in that night, it will be as if he observed fasts for one hundred years and worshipped at nights for 100 years. This is the 27th of Rajab.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Īmān, vol. 3, pp. 374, Ḥadīš 3811)

الوا ,


,

تعا6

Excellence of lending a hand

Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāĥ Ibn Zubayr � � �4�0� � �� # %&�� 5 has reported, ‘Whoever alleviates distress of any Muslim in the month of Rajab, Allah �� ! ��"�# will grant him a palace in Paradise which will be as spacious as the farthest limits of sight. Honour Rajab, Allah �� ! ��"�# will honour you with a thousand respects.’ (Ghunya-tuṭ-Ṭālibīn,

vol. 1, pp. 324; Mu’jam-us-Safar lis-Salafī, pp. 419, Ḥadīš 1421)

One virtue equals a hundred years’ virtues

There is a night in Rajab in which the one doing a good deed is granted with Šawāb of good deeds of 100 years and that night is the 27th of Rajab. Whoever offers 12 Rak’āt in this night reciting Sūraĥ Al-Fātiḥaĥ followed by any other Sūraĥ in each Rak’at; sits


11

for Attaḥiyyāt after every two Rak’āt and having offered Salām

after 12 Rak’āt, invokes: مد و سبحن ا�1 ال �1

ال ول

� ا! و ا�1 كب ا�1

ا ,

Istighfār, and Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī each a hundred times and then asks Du’ā for whatever thing belonging to worldly life or afterlife and fasts the next day, Allah �� ! ��"�# will accept all his supplications except those that were made for sin.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Īmān, vol. 3, pp. 374,

Ḥadīš 3812)

The fasts of Rajab-ul-Murajjab

Dear Islamic brothers! Four months bear distinguished Ḥurmaĥ (holiness) in the court of Allah �� ! ��"�#; hence Allah �� ! ��"�# has said in Sūraĥ At-Taubaĥ:

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� A �� [\]^ Indeed the number of months before Allah ( �� ! ��"�#) is twelve in the

Book of Allah, since the day He ( �� ! ��"�#) created the Heavens and the

earth, of which four are sacred; this is the straight religion; so do not

wrong yourselves in those months and constantly fight against the

polytheists as they constantly fight against you and know well that

Allah ( �� ! ��"�#) is with the pious. [Kanz-ul-Īmān (Translation of Quran)]

(Part 10, Sūraĥ At-Taubaĥ, verse 36)


12

Dear Islamic brothers! In the aforementioned blessed verse, the months mentioned are those based on the lunar calendar. The rulings under the Islamic law are based upon the lunar months. The fasts of Ramadan, rulings of Zakāĥ, and the rites of Hajj; Islamic high days such as Mawlūd-un-Nabī �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! , Eid-ul-Fiṭr, Eid-ul-Aḍḥā, Night of Mi’rāj, Shab-e-Barā-at, the Auspicious Giyārĥwīn1, ‘Urs of saints of Islam, etc. are all solemnized according to the lunar calendar.

Alas! Nowadays, when Muslims are going afar from the Sunnaĥ, they are also disconnecting themselves from the Islamic calendar. If a question is posed to a gathering of one lac Muslims, ‘What is the Islamic date, month and year today?’ Probably a hundred Muslims would be able to give a correct reply. Remember that it is obligatory to pay consideration on lunar months in various relevant matters such as obligation of Zakāĥ, etc.

Commenting on the aforementioned verse, Shaykh Sayyidunā Na’īmuddīn Murādābādī �#� � � �� 0 =� �2� �1� � �� > has stated in Khazāin-ul-‘Irfān, ‘[Among the four months of Ḥurmaĥ are] three are consecutive months i.e. Żul-Qa’daĥ, Żul-Ḥijjaĥ, Muḥarram, and the fourth one is that of Rajab. Even in the times of ignorance, the Arabs considered killing (war) to be Ḥarām in these months. In Islam, the Ḥurmaĥ and sanctity of these months has been further emphasized.’ (Khazāin-ul-‘Irfān, pp. 309)

1 The 11th of Rabī’-ul-Ākhir; widely known as Giyārĥwīn is attributed to the ‘Urs of His

Excellence, Shaykh ‘Abdul Qādir Jīlānī �� $ %&�� ' �1� / �0.


13

A faith enlightening parable of respecting Rajab

This parable relates to the sacred times of Sayyidunā ‘Īsā �# � �-� 6 %( �#�! ��5� �A� �78% � ��9� �� : �; ��<��! . A person fell in love with a woman. One day

he managed to take hold of her. From the commotion of the people around, he concluded that they were sighting the moon. He asked the woman, ‘Which month’s crescent are the people looking at?’ She replied, ‘The month of Rajab.’ Although that person was a Kāfir [unbeliever], upon hearing the sacred name of Rajab, he immediately moved away from the woman out of respect and refrained from committing the wrongful act.

Sayyidunā ‘Īsā �# � �-� 6 %(� � �� #�! ��5� �� 78% � ��9� : �; ��<��! was commanded by Allah �� !��"�# to visit that person. Sayyidunā ‘Īsā �# � �-� 6 %(� � �� #�! ��5� �78% � ��9� �� : �; ��<��! went to visit that person. He told the commandment of Allah �� ! ��"�# and the purpose of his visit. Upon hearing this, that person’s heart became enlightened with the Nūr (light) of Islam and eventually he embraced Islam. (Anīs-ul-Wā’iẓīn, pp. 177)

الوا ,


,

تعا6

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you notice the virtues of the Holy month of Rajab? An unbeliever was blessed with the treasure of Īmān because of the respect he paid to Rajab. So if a Muslim paid respect to Rajab, he would indeed deserve immeasurably great rewards. Muslims ought to respect the month of Rajab very much. The Holy Quran also prohibits the people from oppressing their own souls in the months of Ḥurmaĥ.


14

Commenting on the verse 0�R ��ST� � ( �3 �' � ��P

� Q �� ' (so do not wrong yourselves in those months) it is stated in Nūr-ul-‘Irfān, ‘Abstain from sins especially in these four months.’ (Nūr-ul-‘Irfān, pp. 306)

Reward of two years

Sayyidunā Anas �# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 has reported that the Most Dignified Prophet %&�� ' ��( �) �� % �! �� $ �� +�! said, ‘The one who observes fasts for three days i.e. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the months of Ḥurmaĥ, reward of two years of worship will be registered for him.’ (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsaṭ liṭ-Ṭabarānī, vol. 1, pp. 485, Ḥadīš 1789)

Dear Islamic brothers! The months of Ḥurmaĥ meant in the aforementioned Ḥadīš are the same four i.e. Żul-Qa’daĥ, Żul-Ḥijjaĥ, Muḥarram, and Rajab. If you observe fasts in specified

three days in any of these four months, �� ! ��"�# you will gain the reward of worship of two years.

Tayray karam say ay Karīm

Mujĥay kaun sī shay milī naĥīn

Jĥaulī ĥī mayrī tang ĥay

Taray yaĥān kamī naĥīn

O the Most Merciful, from the things You’ve endowed,

What have I not got!

My capacity is limited,

But Your endowments are unlimited

الوا ,


,

تعا6


15

Refulgent mountain

Once, Sayyidunā ‘Īsā �# � �-� 6 %(� � �� #�! ��5� �78% � ��9� �� : �; ��<��! passed by a refulgent mountain. He �;� ��<�� #: requested in the court of Allah �� ! ��"�#, ‘Yā Allah �� ! ��"�#! Grant this mountain the faculty of speech.’ The mountain then spoke, ‘O Rūḥullāĥ (: �; ��<��! � 78% � ��9�� # �! ��5�� -� 6 %(��#)! What do you want?’ The Prophet �;� ��<�� #: replied, ‘Reveal to me your account.’ The mountain said, ‘A person lives inside me.’ Sayyidunā ‘Īsā �# � �-� 6 %(� � �� #�! ��5� �78% � ��9� �� : �; ��<��! requested in the court of Allah �� ! ��"�#, ‘Yā Allah �� ! ��"�#! Reveal him before me.’

All of a sudden, the mountain split up and a saint with a face refulgent like the moon emerged from it. The man said, ‘I am follower of Sayyidunā Mūsā ( �# � �-� 6 %(� � �� #�! ��5� �78% � ��9� �� : �; ��<��! ). I made Du’ā to Allah �� ! ��"�# to keep me alive until the advent of the Last Prophet Muhammad �� +�! �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �), so that I may behold him and I may get the honour of getting inducted into his

Ummaĥ. �� 3� 2 �,� �� ! ��"�# , I have been worshipping Allah �� ! ��"�# in this mountain for 600 years.’

Sayyidunā ‘Īsā �# � �-� 6 %(� � �� #�! ��5� �78% � ��9� �� : �; ��<��! requested in the court of Allah �� ! ��"�#, ‘Yā Allah �� ! ��"�#! Is there anyone more honourable to You on this earth than this servant of Yours?’ Allah �� ! ��"�# replied, ‘O ‘Īsā ( �# � �-� 6 %(� � �� #�! ��5� �78% � ��9� �� : �; ��<��! )! Whoever amongst the Ummaĥ of Muhammad ( �� +�! �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �)) fasts a single day in the month of Rajab is more honourable to me than this person.’ (Nuzĥa-tul-Majālis, vol. 1, pp. 208)


16

May Allah �� ! ��"�# have mercy on them and may He forgive us without holding accountable for their sake!



علل يهتعا6

م وا

�وسل

الوا ,


,

تعا6

Platter (Kūnḋay) in the month of Rajab

On 22nd of Rajab-ul-Murajjab, Muslims cook Kĥīr and Pūrī (which is called ‘Kūnḋay’) for conveying Šawāb to Sayyidunā Imām Ja’far Ṣādiq �# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 . There is no reason for declaring this ritual sinful or impermissible. However on this occasion, some women read ‘Story of 10 Ladies’ or ‘Story of a Wood-cutter’, that is impermissible as these stories and ‘Story of Janāb-e-Sayyidaĥ’ are unfounded. So avoid reading these stories. Instead, recite Suraĥ Yāsīn as it will bring the Šawāb of reciting the Holy Quran ten times.

Remember that it is not a binding to serve Kĥīr in some platter only; it may be served in any type of crockery and it may be distributed outside the home as well. In fact, the basis of Niyāz and Fātiḥaĥ is Īṣāl-e-Šawāb1, and serving Kūnḋay in the month of Rajab is a sort of Īṣāl-e-Šawāb. Īṣāl-e-Šawāb is proven from the Holy Quran and Ḥadīš. Īṣāl-e-Šawāb may be performed by means of supplications and also by Fātiḥaĥ on cooked food. 1 Conveying the reward of good deeds


17

Prophet’s companions would convey Šawāb

Shaykh ‘Allāmaĥ Jalāluddīn Suyūṭī Shāfi’ī �#� = �0 �� 2 �1 �� > �8��?� � has reported that the companions � � �4�0� � �� 5��# %&�� would feed others on behalf of the deceased Muslims up to seven days. (Al-Ḥāwī lil-

Fatāwā lis-Suyūṭī, vol. 2, pp. 223)

A companion donated the garden on behalf of

his mother

When Sayyidunā Sa’d Bin ‘Ubādaĥ’s mother passed away; he � � �4�0� � �� # %&�� 5� �� presented himself in the court of the Beloved

Prophet �� +�! �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) and inquired, ‘My mother has died in my absence; if I donate something in charity on her behalf, will it benefit her?’ The Noble Prophet �� +�! �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) replied, ‘Yes.’ The companion ��5��# %&�� ' � �4�0 said, ‘So, I testify making you a witness that I donate my garden in charity on her behalf.’ (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, vol. 2, pp. 241, Ḥadīš 2762) Hence it became evident that conveying Šawāb by feeding meals and by donating garden, that is money, is permissible. ‘Kūnḋay’ is in fact spending money for conveying Šawāb.

My master A’lā Ḥaḍrat Imām Aḥmad Razā Khān .% / �� 1� / �0 �� # has stated: Having cooked the meals and donating as charity on behalf of deceased Muslims is undoubtedly permissible and commendable, and doing Fātiḥaĥ on such meals for the purpose of conveying Šawāb is second commendable act; combining the two (good) things is nothing but an increase in the goodness. (Fatāwā Razawiyyaĥ, vol. 9, pp. 595)


18

For every Muslim, it is commendable that whatsoever good deeds he performs, he should convey their Šawāb to all the preceding and succeeding Muslims, whether dead or alive (i.e. starting from Sayyidunā Ādam : �;� ��<�� # to all the Muslims that will come till the onset of Doomsday). The Šawāb will reach every Muslim and the one conveying the Šawāb will be rewarded with the Šawāb equivalent to that of all those. (Fatāwā Razawiyyaĥ,

vol. 9, pp. 617)

The act of conveying the Šawāb should be done with good intentions rather than out of ostentation or for the sake of earning remunerations; otherwise it will not bear Šawāb and obviously conveying of Šawāb will be meaningless in such cases i.e. when Šawāb has not become due then how can it be conveyed to the deceased? (Baĥār-e Sharī’at, vol. 1, pp. 201)

If 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab is not the day of demise…

Evil whisper: It is said that 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab is not the death anniversary of Sayyidunā Imām Ja’far Ṣādiq �#� = �0 �� 2 �1 �� B �� C� � , in fact he passed away on 15th Rajab-ul-Murajjab (Shawāĥid-un-

Nubūwwaĥ, pp. 245); therefore Kūnḋay should not be arranged on 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab.

Answer to the evil whisper: Ok. Let’s assume that there is some contradiction in date of demise of Sayyidunā Imām Ja’far Ṣādiq �#� = �0 �� 2 �1 �� B �� C� � , but since it is a long lasting tradition among the Muslims to arrange Kūnḋay for his Īṣāl-e-Šawāb on


19

the 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab and since Īṣāl-e-Šawāb is permissible whenever it is done throughout the year, therefore, declaring Kūnḋay as impermissible is a false blame on Sharī’aĥ. Such false accusers should read verse 87 in part 7 of Suraĥ Al-Māidaĥ and take heed to the commandment of Allah �� ! ��"�# where it is stated:

�#_E �(E �

� # �3� E ��a �J �� H � "

�b�c � �$ �de �

�f

# �$

� g �1� �7 56 0 �h�i �� H � �� A��Q ./ � 2 � �7

56 �� H � @�b �j �(E �� A� �� [kl^

O People who believe! Do not forbid the pure things, which Allah

( �� ! ��"�#) has made lawful for you, and do not cross the limits; indeed

Allah ( �� ! ��"�#) dislikes the transgressors.

[Kanz-ul-Īmān (Translation of Quran)] (Part 7, Sūraĥ Al-Māidaĥ, verse 87)

Fixing the day

Evil whisper: Why has the 3rd and 40th day after death, 12th of Rabī’-un-Nūr, 11th of Rabī’-ul-Ghauš, etc. have been fixed for Īṣāl-e-Šawāb?

Answer to the evil whisper: As per Sharī’aĥ, it is neither essential to fix a time or duration for Īṣāl-e-Šawāb nor there is any harm in fixing the time for conveying Šawāb. The fixing of days is of two kinds:

1. Shar’ī: Where Sharī’aĥ has specified the time for doing something such as animal sacrifice, Hajj, etc.


20

2. ‘Urfī (customary): Where Sharī’aĥ has not specified the time but people fix a time at their own for the sake of mutual convenience or for remembrance or for some other benefit. For example, in these times, the fixing of time for congregational Ṣalāĥ in the Masājid is customary whereas in the past era, there was no such time fixing; congregational Ṣalāĥ was offered whenever people would congregate. In fact, the Blessed Prophet %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! �� % �! �� $ himself fixed time for several things and similar practice of fixing the time can be seen in the lives of the companions �# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 and the saints of Islam � �/ �0� �� ; ��<: , for example:

i. The Holy Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! scheduled the annual visit to the holy shrines of martyrs of Uḥud in the last part of the year. (Durr-e-Manšūr, vol. 4, pp. 640)

ii. The Beloved Prophet �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� % �! �� +�! used to visit Masjid-e-Qubā on Saturdays. (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, pp. 724, Ḥadīš 1399)

iii. The morning and evening time was set for religious counselling with Sayyidunā Ṣiddīq-e-Akbar ��5��# %&�� ' � �4�0. (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, vol. 1, pp. 180, Ḥadīš 476)

iv. Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāĥ Bin Mas’ūd ��5��# %&�� ' � �4�0 fixed Thursday for delivering the sermons. (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, vol. 1, pp. 42, Ḥadīš 70)

v. The scholars of Islam fixed Wednesday for commencement of new lessons. (Ta’līm-ul-Muta’allim, pp. 72)

(Fatāwā Razawiyyaĥ, vol. 9, pp. 585-586)


21

A letter from ‘Attar

Having whirled around the Holy Ka’baĥ, having kissed the Grand Green Dome, laden with the blessings of those who observe fasts in Rajab, Sha’bān and Ramadan, this is Salām from Sag-e-Madīnaĥ Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Razavi towards all Islamic brothers, Islamic sisters, teachers and students of Madrasa-tul-Madīnaĥ and Jāmi’a-tul-Madīnaĥ:

م عل

# لس�

ة رح و يكم ا وبر ا�1

◌ هت ك

ل د م ا �1

م رب ال ي عل

,

حال ك

�� 3� 2 �,� �� ! ��"�# ! The delightful days are once again at onset. The holy month of Rajab-ul-Murajjab is about to start. The seed of worship is sowed in this month, watered with the tears of repentance in Sha’bān-ul-Mu’aẓẓam and the crop of blessings is harvested in the month of Ramadan-ul-Mubārak.

الوا ,


,

تعا6

Excellence of fasts in first three days of Rajab

O those who value Rajab-ul-Murajjab! Be ready to observe fasts in all days of three continuous months or of as many days

﷽


22

as you can, provided it does not affect efficiency of teaching/ learning or job performance. Also Nafl fasts should be avoided if parents refuse to do so. Apply Qufl-e-Madīnaĥ by eating less at the time of Saḥarī and Ifṭār. May the blossoming of fasts prevail in every home and in all my Jāmi’a-tul-Madīnaĥs and Madrasa-tul-Madīnaĥs! So let’s start observing the fasts from the very 1st day of Rajab-ul-Murajjab.

What a great excellence fasts of first three days of Rajab-ul-Murajjab bear! Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāĥ Ibn ‘Abbās � � �4�0� � �� # %&�� 5� �2 has narrated that the Noble Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! has said, ‘The fast of the first day of Rajab is atonement for three years, the fast of the second day is atonement for two years, the fast of the third day is atonement for one year and then the fast of each remaining day is atonement for one month.’ (Al-Jāmi’-uṣ-Ṣaghīr

lis-Suyūṭī, pp. 311, Ḥadīš 5051; Faḍāil Shaĥr-e-Rajab lil-Khallāl, pp. 7)

Naflī (supererogatory) fasts bring wonderful blessings. In this context, two Aḥādīš are being presented:

1. Angels make Du’ā for forgiveness

Sayyidatunā Umm-e-‘Ummāraĥ %&�� ' � �4�0��5�# has reported, ‘The Beloved and Blessed Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! visited my home and I served some food in the blessed court of the Holy Prophet

�� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! . He �� ' ��( �) �� % �! �� $ %&� �� +�! said to me, ‘You eat too.’ I replied that I am observing fast. The Prophet of Raḥmaĥ

�� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! said, ‘As long as the food is eaten in front of


23

one observing fast, the angels keep on asking forgiveness for him.’ (Sunan-ut-Tirmiżī, vol. 2, pp. 205, Ḥadīš 785)

2. When do the bones of a fasting person

glorify Allah

Once Sayyidunā Bilāl ��5��# %&�� ' � �4�0 came into the blessed court of the Beloved Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! when the Holy Prophet

�� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! was having breakfast. The Noble Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! said, ‘O Bilāl! Have breakfast.’ Sayyidunā Bilāl

�# %&�� ' � �4�0� ��5 said, ‘Yā Rasūlallāĥ ( � ��( �)� � �� # %&�� % �! �� +�!� �� )! I am observing fast.’ The Great Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! replied, ‘We are eating our sustenance while Bilāl’s sustenance is increasing in the Paradise. O Bilāl! Are you aware of the fact that as long as the food is eaten in front of a person observing fast, his bones continue to glorify Allah �� ! ��"�# and the angels supplicate for him.’ (Shu’abul Īmān, vol. 3, pp. 297, Ḥadīš 3586)

The renowned exegete of the Holy Quran Muftī Aḥmad Yār Khān �#� = �0 �� 2 � �1� �2��5 has stated: It is evident from this that if a guest arrives whilst you are taking food, asking him to eat is a Sunnaĥ. But this offer should be from the core of the heart and not superficial.

The guest should not tell a lie saying that he has no desire to eat. Instead, if the guest observes that there is less food or if he

does not feel desire to eat then he should say ا�1 بـارك (May

Allah �� ! ��"�# grant you blessings). It was also revealed that one


24

need not to conceal his good deeds from the Beloved Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! , instead these should be revealed so that the

Noble Prophet �' ��( �) �� % �! �� $ %&�� +�! may bear witness for these deeds. This revealing does not fall in the category of ostentation. Whatever was said having heard about Bilāl’s fast has been explained as:

We are eating our today’s sustenance here, whereas Sayyidunā Bilāl � � �4�0� � �� # %&�� 5� �� will avail his sustenance in lieu of this in Paradise and that recompense will be better in quality and more in quantity. However, this Ḥadīš conveys clear message. Certainly every bone and joint and even every fibre of the body of the person observing fast glorify Allah �� ! ��"�# at that time, of which that person is unaware, but the Beloved and Blessed Prophet

�� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! listens to it. (Mirāt-ul-Manājīḥ, vol. 3, pp. 202)

Even if you have studied earlier, re-read both booklets i.e. Return of the Shroud detailing the Blessings of Rajab-ul-Murajjab and the Month of My Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! . Also, go through the chapter Blessings of Ramadan from Faizān-e-Sunnat every year in the month of Sha’bān-ul-Mu’aẓẓam. If possible, distribute 127 or 27 booklets in relation to 27th of Rajab i.e. the festival of Mi’rāj-un-Nabī � ��( �)� � �� # %&�� % �! �� +�!� �� , or distribute Blessings of Ramadan according to your capacity to earn immense Šawāb.

It is further requested to all Islamic brothers and earnestly requested to the teachers/administrators/students of Jāmi’a-tul-Madīnaĥ and Madāris-ul-Madīnaĥ, that (whilst I am alive and


25

even after my demise) please take effective part in collecting Zakāĥ, Fiṭraĥ, skins of the sacrificed animals and collecting other donations. (Islamic sisters should convince other Islamic sisters and their near kin for donations), I swear by Allah �� ! ��"�# I feel so happy when I hear of those teachers and students who forgo departure to their villages and spend the holy month of Ramadan-ul-Mubārak in the Jāmi’aĥ complying their Majlis by bearing the responsibility of collecting donations. However, those teachers and students who show lack of interest but out of negligence or laziness make my heart weep.

Special Madanī pearl: Those Islamic brothers or sisters who want to collect donation, it is Farḍ for them to learn required rulings. It is emphasised to everyone to again read the book ‘Chanday kay bāray mayn Suwāl Jawāb (Questions and Answers about Donations)’ consisting of 96 pages, published by Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami.

Yā Allah �� ! ��"�#! Those devotees of Rasūl who collect donations in Ramadan-ul-Mubārak and the skins of sacrificed animals on Eid-ul-Aḍḥā make my heart happy, You ( �� ! ��"�#) stay happy with them forever and for their sake, be pleased with me (the leader of the sinners) forever!

Those Islamic brothers and sisters (when there is no valid exemption) who observe fasts for three months every year and read or listen to the books ‘Return of the Shroud’ in Jumādal


26

Ukhrā, ‘the Month of My Prophet’ in Rajab-ul-Murajjab and ‘Blessings of Ramadan’ (completely) in Sha’bān-ul-Mu’aẓẓam, Yā Allah �� ! ��"�#! Bestow me and them with Your blessings in this worldly life as well as in the afterlife, forgive us without any accountability and congregate us in the neighbourhood of Your Beloved Prophet �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! in Paradise.



علل يهتعا6

م وا

�وسل

الوا ,


,

تعا6

Occasion of Mi’rāj-un-Nabī � Partake in the Ijtimā’ of Żikr-o-Na’at organized by Dawat-e-Islami on the 27th Rajab-ul-Murajjab in relation to the occasion of Mi’rāj-un-Nabī �� % �! �� $ %&�� ' ��( �) �� +�! . In addition, observe the fast of the 27th Rajab-ul-Murajjab and become deserving to the Šawāb for fasts of sixty months.

Rajab kī baĥāraun kā ṣadaqaĥ banā day

Ĥamayn ‘āshiq-e-Mustafa Yā Ilāĥī �� ! ��"�#

For the sake of blessings of Rajab

Make us the true devotee of Rasūl, Yā Rab �� ! ��"�#

A Madanī pearl for safeguarding the eyes

After five times Ṣalāĥ, put right hand on forehead and invoke

ر و ـن يـا eleven times in single breath, blow on all fingers of both


27

hands and wipe the fingers over the eyes. �� ! ��"�# , it will safeguard from blindness, weakness of the eyesight and all eye related diseases. Relief from blindness may also take place by virtue of the blessings of Allah �� ! ��"�#.

Madanī request

Please read out this epistle every year on the last Thursday of every month of Jumādal Ukhrā in the weekly Sunnaĥ-Inspiring Ijtimā/Jāmi’a-tul-Madīnaĥ/Madrasa-tul-Madīnaĥ.

الوا ,


,

تعا6

Give this booklet to someone else after

reading it yourself

Distribute booklets published by Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ during weddings, times of grief, ‘Urs and procession of Mīlād, Ijtimā’āt and other such occasions and earn reward. Make a habit of keeping booklets in your shop to give to customers for free. Give booklets to the newspaper delivery person or to children and have them distributed in your neighbourhood. Give a new booklet each time and earn reward for calling towards righteousness.

28

Transliteration Chart

L/l ل Ř/ř ڑ A/a ء

M/m م Z/z ز A/a ا

N/n ن X/x ژ B/b ب

,V/v و S/s س P/p پW/w ت T/t ش Sh/sh

/ ہ /ۃ Ṣ/ṣ ص Ṫ/ṫ ٹ ھ Ĥ/ĥ

Y/y ى Ḍ/ḍ ض Š/š ث

Y/y ے Ṭ/ṭ ط J/j ج

Ẓ/ẓ ◌ A/a ظ Ch چ

U/u ◌ ‘ ع Ḥ/ḥ ح

Gh/gh ◌ I/i غ Kh/kh خ

مدہ و F/f ف D/d د Ū/ū

ى مدہ Q/q ق Ḋ/ḋ ڈ Ī/ī

مدہ ا K/k ك Ż/ż ذ Ā/ā ر R/r گ G/g

the return of the shroud

Documents

fasts of rajab

month of rajab

fast of rajab

letters of rajab

translation majlis dawate

reward of fasts

various names of rajab

reward awb