Value Ilm
There are two ways of recognizing how to value and appreciate ilm,
(1) Become a seeker of knowledge (taalibe ilm).
(2) Do not restrict this knowledge to knowing only.
Mufti Mohammed Shafi (r.a.)
After Hajj
How fortunate are these souls who are blessed with the following words from Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam:
“Whoever performs Hajj for the Pleasure of Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall return from it (free from sin) as the day on which his mother gave birth to him.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)
“Verily there shall be no reward for a Mabroor Hajj except Jannah.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)
It is hoped that all the pilgrims were sincere in their intentions and had traveled thousands of miles only to secure the Pleasure of Allah by fulfilling the obligation laid down upon them. May Allah the Almighty grant all the pilgrims acceptance and grant them opportunity again and again to visit the Sacred bud. Aameen.
Nevertheless, we wish to draw the attention of the pilgrims towards certain points which are necessary and of utmost importance to observe and for which many pilgrims are seen neglectful of their significance.
1, the sincerity of intention should remain even after the performance of Hajj. There should be no pomp or show. One should not wish to be called or recognized as a Haajee.
Many people adopt the habit of talking frequently about their journey in order that people may come to know of their Hajj. They talk about the expenses incurred in the way of Allah, their charity amongst the poor and needy, their devotion and worship, their assisting the weak and old, etc.; and all is mentioned only with the intention of gaining fame. This is a deceit from Shaytaan who ruins the ibaadat without the person even knowing. It is therefore of great importance that the pilgrim does not talk about his Hajj without necessity as it may lead to ‘Riyaa’ (show, insincerity). However, if necessity arises and one must talk about his Hajj then he is at liberty to do so. But, he must not indulge in this type of conversation unnecessarily.
2, it is noted through experience, that many pilgrims return with only the bad side of the journey and make it a habit of talking about nothing except the hardships they have encountered during Hajj. The pilgrims should strictly refrain from this. On the contrary they should talk about the greatness of the sacred places, the spiritual gains, the enjoyment in devotions of Haramayn – Umrah, Tawaaf, Salaam on the Sacred Grave, Salaat in Masjid-ul-Haraam and Masjid-un-Nabawi etc. If one looks at his journey of Hajj carefully he will find that the good things far outweighs the bad. Every second spent in these sacred places is incomparable with anything in the world.
The journey of Hajj is a long journey; one has to travel by air, pass the immigrations, go through the customs, encounter people who speak foreign languages, etc. In these circumstances, difficulties are certain to arise. when we travel in our country do we always travel with comfort and ease? Do we never encounter difficulty? Do we not find ourselves held up in traffic for hours on a Motorway? Considering the fact that 2 – 3 million pilgrims perform the rituals of Hajj at one time, in one place and that they all come from different countries and backgrounds and that many of them have never before used or seen the facilities available to them. We think the difficulties encountered are insignificant. Moreover, the pilgrims are rewarded abundantly by Allah Ta’aala upon every difficulty encountered in their journey whereas the same is not the case whilst we are on another journey.
Those people who engage in these types of conversation become the cause of discouragement to others who have not yet had the opportunity to perform Hajj. These unfortunate pilgrims fall into the category … and who stop (men) from the way of Allah, and from the Sacred Masjid, … mentioned in Surah Hajj in the Qur’aan. They should take heed that if people are discouraged by their conversation and postpone their Hajj then those who have discouraged them will be equally responsible.
3, the sign of a ‘Mabroor Hajj’ or an ‘accepted Hajj’ is that upon one’s return, his life changes from worst to good. He becomes totally punctual in fulfilling the commands of Allah Ta’aala. His love and inclination towards the Hereafter increases and love for the worldly pleasures decline. Therefore, it is essential that the pilgrim is watchful over his actions and should try his utmost to instill in himself good characters and refrain from all types of evil. He should try his best to fulfill the obligations laid down by Allah and avoid all the things forbidden by Him.
Source: Sunnah Organisation
Love for the Prophet
Day 5 of Hajj
5th day: 12th Zul Hijjah
Make Ramee, i.e. pelt all three Shaytaans after Zawaal. The Hajjees may now proceed to MAKKAH MU’AZZAM. Those who wish to remain in Mina on the l3th Zul Hijjah should pelt the 3 Shaytaans before proceeding to Makkah Mukarramah. The pelting on this day is permissible throughout the day (including the period before Zawaal).
Day 4 of Hajj
4th day: 11th Zul Hijjah
All three SHAYTAANS have to be pelted on this day and the night will be spent at MINA. RAAMEE, i.e. pelting time begins after ZAWAAL and ends before SUNSET.
Day 3 of Hajj
3rd day: 10th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-un-Nahr
After performing Fajr Salaah at Muzdalifah, the Hajjees proceed to Mina before sunrise. On this day four important rites have to be performed.
1. RAMEE of Jamaratul Aqabah (stoning the big Shaytaan).
2. ZABH (to sacrifice an animal).
3. HALQ or Qasr (shaving or trimming the hair of the head).
4. To perform TAWAAFUZ ZIYAARAH.
Day 2 of Hajj
2nd day: 9th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-ul-Arafah
Arafat Hajj
After sunrise the Hajjees proceed to ARAFAAT and make WUQOOF after ZAWAAL. Zohar and Asr Salaah will be performed here. Here they remain engaged in Du’aa, Zikr, Tilaawat, etc. until sunset. Immediately after sunset they proceed to Muzdalifah. Here they will perform Maghrib and Esha at the time of Esha. The night will be spent at Muzdalifah.
Muzdalifah Hajj
Day 1 of Hajj
1st day: 8th Zul Hijjah, Yaum-ut-Tarwiyah
After putting on their Ihraams for Hajj, the Hajjees proceed to MlNA after sunrise and perform 5 Salaahs there, i.e. Zohar, Asr, Maghrib, Esha and Fajr of the next day (9 Zil Hijjah).
Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi
(1244 AH – 1323 AH) (1826 AD – 1905 AD)
Hadhrat Maulana was known as Qutbul Irshad and Alim-e-Rabbaani. Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was an Ayyubi. He is from among the descendents of Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (Radiyallahu Anhu). When Nabi Kareem (Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) made Hijrah, Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (Radiyallahu Anhu) hosted him.
These Akaabir of Deoband were the children of Sahabah, one a Siddiqi, the other a Farooqi and now an Ayyubi. Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was born in 1244 AH (1826) and he passed away on 1323 AH corresponding with 1905. Hadhrat Maulana was approximately 79 years of age.
Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) acquired education at a very young age and many of his Asaatizah (teachers) were those who were also the Asaatizah of Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) and some were also the Asaatizah of Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi).
A common personality between them is Hadhrat Maulana Mamlook Ali (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). He was the father of Maulana Yaqub Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) who was the first Sadr Mudarris (head teacher) of Darul Uloom Deoband. Whilst discussing the life of Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), it has been mentioned already that both Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) and Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) studied hadith together under Sheikh Abdul Ghani Muhaddith Dehlawi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi).
It is important to mention that Hadhrat Maulana lost his father at a very young and tenderage of seven. So Maulana was actually raised as an orphan. The maternal uncles of Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) nurtured him and took great care of him. They were great Ulama.
When Hadhrat Maulana was 21 years of age, he married his cousin. Generally it is noticed that when a person gets married, his life before marriage is different from his life after marriage.
Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was not a Hafiz before marriage but surprisingly soon after marriage within a period of one year Hadhrat Maulana became a Hafiz all by himself. Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) memorized the Quran in approximately one year and in the following year, he performed Taraweeh.
Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) like Hadhrat Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) took bayat on the hands of Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). When he went to take bayat, his intention was to stay for a very short while but he remained there for forty-two days. He became very attached to Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi).
He went with a very sincere quest to gain the recognition of Allah Ta’ala, treading the path of sulook, piety, taqwa, tahaarah, and on the eighth day Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki made a statement that “Whatever Allah Ta’ala has bestowed upon me, Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) has all of that.”
On the forty second day when Maulana was leaving, Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) also walked with him and instructed him, “If anyone requests to take bayat upon your hands then don’t refuse him.” basically appointing him as a khilafah.
Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) said, “Hadhrat, who will come to me?” Hadhrat Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) told him, “What are you worried about who will come to you? All I am telling you is that when anyone comes to you, you must not refuse him. You don’t worry about who will come to you and who won’t come to you. Do what I am telling you to do.” Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) used to say, “Within myself, I don’t like to give bayat to anyone, but what can I do? Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) told me that I should not refuse anyone.”
There’s so much to mention about Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) that require volumes upon volumes but for the sake of brevity we will only mention a few points.
His Ilmi Maqaam (status in knowledge):
His depth and insight in Ilm was very great and very high. Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) stated that Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) is Abu Hanifa al Athar, (the Abu Hanifa of this time).
Hadhrat Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was a miracle from the miracles of Allah Ta’ala. He was known as Chalta Pirta Kutub Khana (a rotating library). Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) states that if Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) is not higher that Allamah Shami then he is not lesser either. Any Alim who knows Shaami will know what is the maqaam of Shaami otherwise known as Raddul Muhtar.
Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri’s statement shows the great Ilmi maqaam of Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). Whenever the Ulama were stranded and had any Ilmi ishkaals (questions), they would present it to Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). He would give them such answers that would satisfy them. One very great Alim, Maulana Fazlur Rahman Ganj Muraadabaani (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) said that Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) is such a personality that he has taken in oceans of Ma’rifat (recognition) of Allah but he doesn’t even belch.
One day someone asked Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) “Hadhrat, if during the day if someone had some zikr to make, and he was unable to do that during the day and did it during the night, would he get the same reward as doing it during the day?” Hadhrat Maulana mentions, “Why not?” and immediately his tongue went to the verse,
“He (Allah) is the one who has made the night and the day as deputies for he who intends to remember Allah or express gratefulness.”
How apt and adequate is this proof! Allah Ta’ala says that Allah has made the night a deputy of the day. What he forgot to do in the day he can do it in the night for that person who wants to make zikr or for that person who wants to express shukr.
One of his famous compilations is Fataawa Rashidiyyah. Hadhrat Maulana served the line of Fataawa very diligently and responsibly. When anyone used to ask him a question, he would give him the answer quickly as that person is in need of some guidance in Shariah.
Hadhrat Maulana’s Akhlaq:
Hadhrat Maulana used to be very tolerant. Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan Barelwi was a contemporary of Hadhrat Maulana. In his writings, very often he would condemn Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) with very rude and harsh words.
The friends and associates of Hadhrat Maulana were waiting for the order or instruction of Maulana to reply to Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan. They just waited an indication and they were prepared to give a detailed answer to Ahmad Raza Khan.
One can imagine that if he was put in the same situation where someone is attacking him, attacking his personality and his integrity as though he is the worst of creation. This was the expression of Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan’s about Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) through his writings. Despite this, all Maulana would say is “Don’t respond.”
Normally, when a person condemns one, he has the fervor to show a point to that person. Thereafter he would take out all the time apply all his energies to give a word for word response to that person. But what is that for? It is only to cool the nafs down and to satiate the nafs.
Hadhrat Maulana’s approach was different. In spite of his hurt he said, “Don’t respond”. In fact he even said that by responding, you are wasting your time as well because Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan would not listen.
When one person is condemning another and he will not listen to the response, then what is the point in responding? The enemy will be even more cheerful. He will be doing all this to pierce the heart of the enemy and yet it doesn’t even prickle him.
If one only knew that all of his energies have been exerted to hurt his enemy and later he comes to know that it never even pierced him, he just took the paper and threw it in the dirt bin, how would one feel then? This is just the right thing to do and this is exactly what Hadhrat Maulana did.
He did not follow his nafs. He exercised restraint. This is a very good and beautiful example for us. At one stage, he mentioned when a person asked him permission to respond to Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan, “Instead of responding to Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan on my behalf and giving him answers, you rather sit in one corner and make zikr. That time that you will use making zikr of Almighty Allah will be more beneficial in relation to responding to Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan where you will not even benefit at all.” How appropriate an answer! How often do we abuse our time in things that do not benefit us?
Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan became ill with leprosy. Many people became happy and they felt that this was the azaab and punishment of Allah Ta’ala upon Ahmad Raza Khan for swearing at Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). However, when Maulana heard that Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan became ill with leprosy, there were signs of sadness on his face.
One should sit back and think that if he were to hear bad news regarding his archenemy, how would he respond? Immediately he would think, very good very good. However, this was not the response of Hadhrat Maulana. Hadhrat Maulana showed signs of displeasure and disappointment on his face. He further mentioned to his friends and associates “When someone is in pain and difficulty, one shouldn’t get happy.” He even said, “Only Allah knows what our final hour and end will be.” What is the point of laughing at someone? Will one be certain that at the end he will laugh? What if his condition is worse than his enemies? It would be premature to laugh at someone even though one disagrees with that person.
Hadhrat Maulana’s was also a Hakeem:
It would be surprising to know that apart from Hadhrat Maulana being a very powerful Alim, and a person who reached the heights of spirituality, he was also a hakeem and doctor.
Once a woman from his family got sick and she told to Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) that “You are a learned person, I want you to look at some books and see if there is any cure for me.” All the doctors and hakeems had failed.
Then Hadhrat Maulana started searching the books of medicine. One of his uncles was also a hakeem. When Hadhrat Maulana felt that he had diagnosed what the sickness was and what the cure was, he went and presented his findings to his uncle. His uncle knew the insight and the wittiness of Hadhrat Maulana. When he looked into what Maulana had presented he said, “ Yes this is the cure.” Then they gave the cure to the woman. Alhamdulillah the woman was cured.
This message spread far and wide and people would come to Maulana for cure. His son, Hakeem Masood followed his footsteps and became a renowned hakeem in India as well.
Various points regarding Hadhrat Maulana:
Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) was a close friend of Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi). He would assist Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) in issues of Darul Uloom Deoband.
He also had a hand in establishing Mazaahirul Uloom Saharanpur. Both of these Darul Ulooms were blessed with the guidance of these two great luminaries of Islam. It has been mentioned previously that Maulana Qasim Nanotwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) had passed away at a young age and then the head of Darul Uloom Deoband was Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi).
Darul Uloom Deoband and Sahranpour were very close to the heart of Hadhrat Maulana and he was always excited to see the success and prosperity of these two Darul Ulooms.
Hadhrat Maulana performed several Hajj and after his third Hajj Hadhrat Maulana decided to conduct lessons of Sihah Sitta, the six famous books of Hadith. In one year he would teach all six books himself and great Ulama would participate in this. The last lessons were conducted in 1895 due to him losing his eyesight.
In 1905 he had passed away. It was in the last lesson that Hadhrat Sheikh Zakariya’s (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) father Hadhrat Maulana Yahya Kandalwi (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) participated and compiled Maulana’s talks of Tirmizi Shareef and Bukhari Shareef in Kaukabi Durri and Laamiu Daraari.
Hadhrat Maulana passed away in Gangohi in 1905 at a very blessed time on a Friday after the Jumuah Azaan.
Source: Al Mahmood
Virtues of performing Hajj
Hazrat Abu Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) said:
“Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of pleasing Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall remain from it as free from sin as the day on which his mother gave birth to him.’
Hazrat Abu Huraira (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) said:
“Verily there shall be no reward for a righteous pilgrimage except Jannah”
Hazrat Ayesha (radhiyallahu anha) reports that Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said:
“There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafaat. And on that day Allah draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His pride remarks to the Angels: “What is the desire of these servants of mine.”
“Hazrat Talhaa (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said:
“Apart from the day of the battle of Badr there is no day on which the Shaytaan is seen more humiliated, more rejected. More depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of Arafaat, and indeed all that is only because of beholding the abundance of descending mercy (on that day) and Allah’s forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.” (Mishkaat)
Hazrat Ibn Shimaastah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports we were present around Hazrat Amr Ibn al-Aas (radhiyallahu anhu) before he passed away. He cried for a long time and then related the story of his embracing Islam. He said: “When Allah caused Islam to enter my heart, I came to Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and said: ‘O messenger of Allah, put forth your hand that I may swear allegiance. ‘When Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) stretched forth his hand, I withheld mine. Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) inquired: “What troubles you ‘O Amr?” I said: I went to make a condition that Allah shall forgive my previous sins”. Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) replied: ‘O Amr, do you then not know that Islam washes away all sins committed in disbelief, and that the Hijrat (migration) washes away all sins committed before Hajj?”
Hazrat Sahl bins Sa’ad (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said:
“When a Muslim shouts Labbaik, then verily every stone, tree and all the ground to his right and to his left recites the same, and this continues till that cry reaches the end of the earth,”
Hazrat Abu Moosa (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said:
“The Hajji shall intercede on behalf of four hundred families or he said four hundred people from his family, and verily does he return from Hajj (sinless) as on the day his mother gave birth to him.”
Hazrat Ibn Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) report that Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said:
“When you meet a Hajji (on his way home) then greet him, shake hands with him and ask him to beg forgiveness of Allah on your behalf before he enters his home, for his prayer for forgiveness is accepted since he is forgiven by Allah for his sins.”
Hazrat Buraidah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said:
“The expenses incurred during Hajj is like that incurred in Jihaad; rewarded seven hundred times.”
Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said:
“A Hajji never becomes poor and destitute.”
Hazrat Aayesha (radhiyallahu anha) reports that she once sought permission from Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) to go for Jihaad. Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) replied: “Your Jihaad is Hajj.”
Hazrat Ibn Abbaas (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said:
“Whoever desires to perform Hajj, should hasten towards performing it.”
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said:
“Whoever sets forth in a journey to perform Hajj and passes away on route, for him shall be written the reward of a Haaji until the day of Qiyaamah; and whoever sets forth to perform Umrah and passes away on route, for him shall be written the reward of a Mu’tamir until Qiyaamah; and whoever sets forth on a journey to fight in the way of Allah and passes away on route, for him shall be written the reward of a Mujaahid until the day of Qiyaamah.”
Hazrat Ibn Abbaas (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that a Sahabiyah (a Muslim lady who saw Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) once said to Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam):
“O Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaihi Wassallam), the obligation of Hajj has come at a time now when my father is a very old and weakly man. He is unable to remain seated on a camel (or horse). Can I then proceed to perform Hajj on his behalf?”
Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) replied: “Yes, you can.”
Another Sahabi (radhiyallahu anhu) also came with a similar request: “O Rasullullah (Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam), my sister made vow that she would perform Hajj. Now she has passed away. What should we do?”
Rasullullah(Salallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) replied: “Should she have passed away while she owed someone something, would you have settled that debt?”
The man replied: “Yes indeed.”
Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alaiyhi Wassallam) said: “This is a debt due to Allah. Settle it.” (Mishkaat)
Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhu) reports:
“Verily Allah causes three people to enter into Paradise through one Hajj; The deceased, (on whose behalf this Hajj is being performed) the Haaji performing it and he (the heir or others) who makes possible its performance (by financial aid).”
Source: Al-Islaah publications