Madani Qa’dah/ recitals of Salah

اَلۡـحَـمۡـدُ   لِـلّٰـہِ   رَبِّ    الۡـعٰـلَـمِیۡنَ   وَ  الـصَّـلٰـوۃُ    وَ   الـسَّـلَامُ  عَـلٰی   سَـیِّـدِ    الۡـمُـرۡ  سَـلِـیۡنَ   اَمَّـا   بَــعۡـدُ   فَـاَعُـوۡذُ   بِـا لـلّٰـہِ    مِـنَ    الـشَّـیۡـطٰنِ   الـرَّ جِیۡمِؕ    بِـسۡمِ   الـلّٰـہِ    الـرَّحۡـمٰنِ   الـرَّحِـیۡمِؕ

Lesson Number 1: Huroof Mufridat (Individual Letters)

C There are 29 Mufridat Letters i.e. Letters in the Arabic alphabets. C Pronounce the Mufridat Letters with the Arabic accent according to the rules of Tajweed and Qira`at; avoiding Urdu pronunciations, for example do not pronounce them at all as: ‘ظوئے, طوئے, خے, حے, ثے, تے, بے’. Instead pronounce them in the following way: ‘ظَا, طَا, خَا, حَا, ثَا, تَا, بَا’. C From these 29 letters, there are 7 letters that are always pronounced with a thicker voice; these letters are called ‘Musta’liyah Letters’. These 7 letters are: ‘خ, ص, ض, ط, ظ, غ  , ق’. Their combination (abbreviation) is: ‘قِـظْ ضَغْطٍ خُصَّ’.  C Only 4 letters are pronounced from the lips: ب, ف, م, و. Apart from these letters, do not let the lips move whilst pronouncing any other letter. C While pronouncing these 3 letters ز, س, ص a whistle-like high-pitched sound is created, that’s why these letters are called ‘Letters of Safeeriyah’ i.e. letters producing a whistle like sound.

 

Sana

سُبْحٰنَكَ  اللّٰهُمَّ   وَ بِحَمْدِكَ 
 وَ تَبَارَكَ   اسْمُكَ  وَ تَعَالٰی  جَدُّكَ   وَ لَاۤ   اِلٰـهَ   غَيْرُكَ ^ط 

Durood-e-Ibraheem

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ   عَلٰی  مُحَمَّدٍ  وَّعَلٰۤی   اٰلِ  مُحَمَّدٍ  كَمَا   صَلَّيْتَ  عَلٰۤی  اِبْرَاهِيْمَ   وَعَلٰی  اٰلِ  اِبْرَاهِيْمَ   اِنَّكَ  حَمِيْدٌ  مَّجِيْدٌ   ﴿﴾  اَللّٰهُمَّ  بَارِكْ عَلٰی   مُحَمَّدٍ  وَّ عَلٰۤی  اٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ  كَمَا    بَارَكْتَ  عَلٰۤی   اِبْرَاهِيْمَ  وَ عَلٰۤی    اٰلِ   اِبْرَاهِيْمَ   اِنَّكَ    حَمِيْدٌ   مَّجِيْدٌ   ﴿﴾

The method of performing Salah behind an Imam (for males)

Four blessed Ahadees

1. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Whoever performed Wudu well and went to perform Fard Salah, and then performed Salah behind the Imam, his sins are forgiven.’ (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Kitab-ul-Imamah Fis-Salah, vol. 2, pp. 373, Hadees 1489)
2. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘If the person who doesn’t come to perform Salah in congregation knew how much reward the one who comes to person Salah in congregation receives, he would definitely come, even if he had to come dragging himself.’ (Mu’jam-e-Kabeer, vol. 8, pp. 224, Hadees 7886)
3. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Does the one who raises his head before the Imam (in Ruku, Sajdah, etc.) not fear that Allah Almighty will make his head like the head of a donkey?’ (Muslim, Kitab-us-Salah, pp. 181, Hadees 963)
4. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘The Imam is to be followed, so when he says Takbeer, you should also say Takbeer, and when he recites Quran, you should remain silent.’ (Ibn Majah, vol. 1, pp. 462, Hadees 846)

4 Madani Pearls of Takbeer Tahrimah

2 Madani Pearls of Qiyam

Note: The Imam will not recite Quran out loud in Zuhr and ‘Asr Salah, but we will still remain completely silent.

2 Madani Pearls of Ruku

2 Madani Pearls of Qawmah

2 Madani Pearls of Sajdah

2 Madani Pearls of Jalsah

2 Madani Pearls of the second Sajdah

Note: Wherever it says to read something 3 times, remember that if the Imam goes ahead in the Salah, then we will join the Imam without completing reading 3 times (even if we have only read once). It is Wajib to stay for as long as it takes to read one Tasbeeh; therefore, we will make sure to stay at least that long, even if the Imam goes ahead in the Salah.

1 Madani Pearl of getting up for the second Rak’at

Note: Now complete the second Rak’at like the first 

2 Madani Pearls of Qa’dah after the second Sajdah of the second Rak’at

Note: If we have not yet read At-Tahiyyat in full and the Imam goes ahead, even then we must complete At-Tahiyyat.

Madani Pearl: If we are performing a 3 or 4 Rak’at Fard Salah, such as Maghrib, Zuhr, Asr, or Isha, then we will perform the third and fourth Rak’at like the first and second.

Remember! The Imam will not recite Qur`an out loud in the third or fourth Rak’at of any Salah, but we will still remain silent. 

4 Madani Pearls of Qa’dah Akhirah

Note: We will not sit after the third Rak’at of a four Rak’at Salah (such as Zuhr, ‘Asr, and Isha)

2 Madani Pearls of doing Salaam

Note: If we have not yet read At-Tahiyyat in full and the Imam does Salaam, we will first complete At-Tahiyyat and then do Salaam. 

Note: Islamic sisters will perform Salah alone

Beautiful Teachings of Islam

Dear Islamic brothers! A beautiful distinction of Islam is that it provides complete guidance for us in all types of conditions and situations that occur in our lives. In order to stay alive, every human being definitely needs food. This need occurs for some people twice a day, for some people three times a day, and for some people even more than that. In today’s food, food culture is becoming more and more prevalent. New foods, different types of dishes, and various ways of eating them are being introduced every day. At the same time, there is also no shortage of ‘foodies’ i.e. people who are known for their interest in eating and drinking. In other words, these people don’t eat to live, they live to eat. The religion of Islam teaches us to adopt moderation in every matter. We have been permitted to eat every Halal thing (with its conditions), but alongside this we have also been commanded to look after our health. Every intelligent person knows that eating excessively and constantly is severely detrimental to health. This is why, as food culture becomes more and more prevalent in the world, new illnesses are also on the increase and along with food, the price of medicines is also on the rise. 

Medical knowledge in half an Ayah…

A Christian doctor once said to the renowned non-indulgent, Sayyiduna Ali Ibn Husain Waqid, ‘There is no medical knowledge in your Quran at all; therefore, the religion of Islam is not a complete religion.’ Upon hearing this, the pious non-indulgent said, ‘Allah Almighty has gathered all medical knowledge in half an Ayah of the Noble Quran, in which He said, (Translation) ‘and eat and drink, and do not cross the limit.’ (Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman) (Part 8, Surah Al-A’raf, Ayah 31) Hearing this, the Christian doctor was astonished and said, ‘Certainly, your Quran has not left any issue of medicine for Galen (the expert doctor of ancient Greece). (Ruh-ul-Bayan, Surah-tul-A’raaf, under verse 31, vol. 3, pp. 155, abridged)

Dear Islamic brothers! From this we learn that adopting moderation in eating and drinking protects a person from many diseases and gives a person a healthy life. Just as Allah has placed the preservation of our life in eating, He has placed various types of pleasures in it as well. How much and however we eat, as long as it is according to Shari`ah, it is not forbidden; however, If we take into consideration good intentions, the Sunnahs of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, and the etiquettes mentioned by the pious predecessors in this permissible action, we can attain great reward. In other words, eating and drinking can also become a rewardable action. So, for this reason, let’s hear about some Sunnahs and etiquettes.

Sunnahs and etiquettes of eating and drinking

Wash your hands up to the wrists before eating anything. Washing both hands and rinsing the mouth before eating is referred to as ‘the Wudu of eating’. This protects us from germs. When eating, lay out your left leg and sit on it, with the right knee upright. This protects us from obesity. Remove shoes or sandals, etc. before eating. Read بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْم before eating. By doing this, Shaytaan will not partake in our food, and there will be blessings in our food. If you forget to read بِسْمِ اللہِ at the start, then recite  بِسْمِ اللہِ اَوَّلَہ‘ وَاٰخِرَہ when you remember. Eat with your right hand and from in front of you. Do not pick out any type of fault with the food (e.g. complaining about its taste, etc.). Always drink water with the right hand, looking into it in good lighting, and after reading بِسْمِ اللہِ. Drink in three breaths and after each sip, move the glass away from your mouth and take a breath. Read اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہ after drinking. Even when drinking tea, etc., read بِسْمِ اللہِ before drinking and اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہ after. If possible, develop the habit of making good intentions before eating anything. اِنْ شَاءَ اللہ  you will become deserving of great reward. For this study the chapter ‘Islamic manners of eating’ from the book Faizan-e-Sunnat. (Taken from Sunnatayn aur Adaab, pp. 89-96)

Fornication / adultery

Definition of fornication/adultery: Fulfilling one’s lustful desire in a way that religion or nature (i.e. intellect) forbids is referred to as fornication/adultery. For example, a man establishing relations with a woman without Nikah.

Saying of Allah Almighty

And do not even go near Zina (fornication/adultery); it is indeed shamelessness, and a very evil way. (Part 15, Surah Bani Isra’il, Ayah 32)

The scholars state: Fornication/adultery has been regarded as the worst sin and crime in Islam, in fact, all Abrahamic religions. It is extreme immodesty and the root of trials, tribulations & chaos. In fact, now its other harms are also appearing in the form of the dangerous disease ‘AIDS’. AIDS is spreading rapidly in the countries where there is an increasing amount of fornication / adultery. It is as though this is a case of punishment from God in this world. (Taken from Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 4, pp. 454)

Two Ahadees related to fornication/adultery

3. It is the saying of the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, ‘My nation will remain upon goodness so long as illegitimate offspring are not common amongst them. When illegitimate offspring will become common amongst them, then Allah Almighty will inflict punishment upon them.’ (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 10, pp. 246, Hadees 26894)
4. Likewise, the following has been stated in a Hadees, ‘O youth! Whosoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing fornication / adultery), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual desire. (Bukhari, Kitab Al-Nikah, vol. 3, pp. 422, Hadees 5066)

Some rulings regarding fornication/adultery

Even thinking in the heart of committing fornication/adultery with a woman is Haraam, and this will be included in the fornication of the heart. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 5, pp. 435)

The harms of fornication/adultery

Dear Islamic brothers! Fornication / adultery is severely Haraam, and is an act of disobedience of Allah and His Messenger. Fornication / adultery is immodesty. The Devil becomes overjoyed with fornication / adultery. Fornication/adultery finishes the radiance of a face. Fornication / adultery makes one desperate & in need. Fornication / adultery ages a person. Fornication / adultery destroys family order. Fornication/adultery is a way of finishing the lineage of mankind. The offspring & family of the one who commits fornication/adultery are also not well-mannered. Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Leucorrhoea, Scabies, Perilous Boils, and even deadly diseases such as the likes of AIDS are caused by fornication / adultery. Fornication / adultery is poison for the lineage of mankind. Fornication / adultery finishes household peace. Fornication / adultery is the cause of the destruction of society. The limbs of the body will bear witness on the Day of Judgement against fornication / adultery. The dwellers of Hell will also curse those commit fornication / adultery. The one who commits fornication / adultery will be stopped from entering Paradise. Angels will severely punish the one who commits fornication / adultery.

If one has a habit of fornication/adultery, then how can one break it?

Truly repent whilst fearing Allah Almighty and make the supplication of remaining steadfast upon repentance. Always keep in mind the worldly and religious harms of fornication/adultery. Make arrangements for marriage in the case of there being no religious difficulty. Keep fasts in abundance. Immediately further yourself from any such friendship, gathering or environment that becomes a cause of fornication / adultery. Appreciate the great blessing of health, and protect yourself from doing anything contrary to Islam. Make the habit of keeping one’s gazes lowered, as the blessed gaze of the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would be lowered mostly. Keep away from any friendship or meeting of non-Mahram women. Instead of those who commit fornication / adultery, remain with devotees of the Prophet and learn Sunnahs, and busy yourself in spreading them. Always keep in mind that ‘Allah is watching’. Only use the internet & social media on a need-by-need basis.

Note: In order to make one’s mindset to protect oneself from fornication / adultery, please study these books of Maktaba-tul-Madinah: ‘Humayn kiya ho gaya hay’ and ‘Naykiyon ki Jaza’ayn and Gunahon ki Saza’ayn’.

Tale-Telling

The definition of tale-telling: Telling people things about others in order to cause conflict between them is referred to as tale telling. (Sharh-un-Nawavi, Kitab-ul-Iman, Part 2, vol. 1, pp. 128)

Example of tale-telling

A customer goes from one person’s shop to another’s and, to cause conflict between them, says to the second one about the first one, ‘That shopkeeper was saying your goods are faulty.’ 

Saying of Allah Almighty 

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: ‘The excessive slanderer, going about excessive slandering’ (Part 29, Surah Al-Qalam, Ayah 11)

Scholars say, ‘In this Ayah, two bad traits have been mentioned: (1) excessively mentioning people’s faults in front of them, or giving them taunts, (2) wandering around here and there spreading tales to cause conflicts. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 10, pp. 288, summarised)

Two Ahadees about tale-telling

3. The Final Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم warned, ‘A tale-teller will not enter Paradise.’ (Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Adab, vol. 4, pp. 115, Hadees 6056)
4. Once the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘The bad bondsmen of Allah are those who tell tales, cause separation between friends, and look for the faults of pious people.’ (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 6, pp. 291, Hadees 18020)

Things which make people tell tales

1. Having a bad intention about the person they are telling tales about. 
2. Having hatred for the person they are telling tales about. 
3. Having the habit of useless talk.

The harms of tale-telling

Dear Islamic brothers! Tale-telling destroys love. Tale-telling causes arguments. Tale-telling causes an atmosphere of enmity. Tale-telling destroys the honour of a Muslim. Tale-telling destroys families. Tale-telling can even lead to murder. Tale-telling leads to backbiting and lying. Tale-telling is a cause for disobedience to Allah and His Prophet. Tale-telling is an act that leads to Hellfire. Tale-telling is a means of violating people’s rights.

What has Islam given us by prohibiting tale-telling?

By prohibiting tale-telling, Islam has given society the gift of love. By prohibiting tale-telling, Islam has stopped arguments. By prohibiting tale-telling, Islam has opened the way to end enmity. By prohibiting tale-telling, Islam has established the atmosphere of respecting Muslims. By prohibiting tale-telling, Islam has protected families. 

Some cures to refrain from tale-telling

Supplicate to Allah Almighty that He protects you from committing or listening to tale-telling. As far as possible, keep yourself to yourself and avoid involvement in other people’s matters. Develop the habit of refraining from useless talk, and use as few words as possible in necessary conversation. End the desire of knowing about people’s affairs and worry about your own rectification. Keep the punishments of a tale-teller in mind and save yourself from being deprived of Paradise. Develop the habit of Salam and shaking hands, as this removes hatred and rancour, and increases love. Respect every Muslim, and do not destroy your Hereafter in destroying someone else’s world. Abandon friendship of tale-tellers and adopt the company of devotees of the Prophet who are solemn and speak cautiously. Instead of making people argue, end the conflicts and hatred between them, and play your role in establishing a peaceful society. 

Note: To learn more about tale telling, read pages 468-480 from the book Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, volume 3, published by Maktaba tul Madina. 

Patience

The definition of Patience

Patience is acting upon those things which the religion of Islam has commanded to be done, and to refrain from those things which the religion of Islam has forbidden. Likewise, patience is to do those things which the intellect says to do and to refrain from those things which the intellect says to leave. (Mufridaat Imam Raghib, pp. 273)

An Ayah of the Quran about patience

Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman: ‘O believers! Seek help from patience and Salah; indeed, Allah is with those who are patient.’ 

(Part 2, Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 153)

Scholars say that seeking help from patience means to be patient on fulfilling acts of worship, refraining from sins, and not fulfilling carnal desires. Also, since Salah is the essence of all acts of worship, the Mi’raj (ascension) of believers, and an excellent support of patience; therefore, the command was given to seek from this also. Furthermore, both of these things (patience and Salah) were particularly mentioned because the most difficult spiritual deed (i.e. deed of the heart) is patience, and the most difficult outward deed is Salah. (Sirat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 1, pp. 245)

A Hadees about patience

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said that, ‘Allah said, ‘When I afflict a bondsman of Mine with regards to his body, his wealth or his children, and he welcomes the affliction with beautiful patience (i.e. without complaining, objecting or wailing), then I will have Haya in placing the scale for him or from opening up his book of deeds (i.e. neither will I place the scale for him, nor will I open up his book of deeds).’ (At-Tayseer Bi Sharhi Jami’-us-Sagheer, vol. 2, pp. 187 – Nawadir-ul-Usool, vol. 2, pp. 700, Hadees 963)

 

Some Madani pearls for developing the habit of patience

Study the virtues of patience and try to act upon it. Humbly supplicate to Allah that He enables you to be patient. Develop humbleness in order to abstain from impatience, and protect yourself from arrogance. Develop the habit of refraining from hastiness, because a hasty action is an action of Shaytaan. Develop the habit of forgiving, as this will help you to remain steadfast on patience and it will stop you from taking revenge. Seek the blessings of Allah in calamities. The world is a place of trials and test, and patience is the key to success. Trials and calamities would even present themselves in the Blessed Court of the Prophets, and they too were patient. Remember the calamities that befell Imam Husain and his family in the plains of Karbala, and be patient.

Note: To learn more about patience, study pages 184-239 of Maktaba-tul-Madina’s book Ihya-ul-‚Uloom, volume 4. 

The favours of Allah 

Dear Islamic brothers! If we ponder carefully about this world, then we will realise that this world is like a home in which every blessing we need is present. The sky is like a roof, the earth is like bedding, the stars are like lamps, and there are plentiful treasures in the depths of the earth. We also observe all types of greenery, grains, and plants, as well as all types of land and sea animals all fulfilling all the needs of mankind. Just reflecting on the sky, we see that it has so many types of blessings: 

Allah Almighty has granted the sky such a beautiful colour that is good for the vision and strengthens the eyesight. If the sky had been made of light, it would have caused harm to the eyesight of the one looking at it. When a person looks at the length of the sky, he becomes amazed. Especially when the sky is adorned with an array of stars and the moon is sparkling in all its glory, at that time the sky is a wondrous sight to be witnessed. 

Allah Almighty says: (Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman:) ‘So, did they not see the sky above them, how We made it and adorned it, and there is no crack (i.e. no fault nor defect) in it?’ (Part 26, Surah Qaaf, Ayah 6)

When the kings of various empires build the ceilings of their palaces, they adorn them with great embellishment, but a person gets bored of looking at those decorated ceilings over and over again; however, look at the power of Allah that whenever a person looks up at the sky, he is refreshed and overjoyed. A person never gets bored of that amazing sight. Furthermore, his appreciation for the greatness and Majesty of Allah also increases in his heart. It is a saying of wise people: ‘You attain blessings and comforts in accordance with the amount of the sky that is visible from your house.’ Another special feature of the sky is that it has not only contained countless sparkling stars, planets, and the sun and moon inside it, but they all orbit inside it as well, without the pathways of these orbits being fully known. Allah says: (Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman:) ‘Do you not see how Allah has created the seven heavens, one above the other? And in them, He has illuminated the moon, and made the sun a lamp?’ (Part 29, An-Nuh, Ayah 15-16)

It is said that there are 10 benefits of looking at the sky: (1) It removes sadness. (2) It reduces Satanic whispers. (3) The state of fear disappears. (4) The remembrance of Allah is refreshed. (5) The appreciation of Allah’s Majesty increases in the heart. (6) Bad thoughts are wiped out. (7) It reduces insanity. (8) It grants comfort to those who yearn to see Allah Almighty. (9) It grants comfort to those who remain engrossed in the love of Allah Almighty. (10) The Qiblah of supplication is the sky (i.e. during supplication, the palms are opened up to face the sky)

(Taken from Majmu’a Rasa’il Imam Ghazali, Al-Hikmat Fi-Makhluqatillah, pp. 8)

The greatness of my Prophet 

The son of the Holy Prophet’s uncle, and very special Sahabi, Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Abbas رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا says, ‘In his childhood, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was once separated from his grandfather, Sayyiduna Abdul Muttalib in the mountains of Makkah. After much searching, Sayyiduna Abdul Muttalib went back to Makkah, and clung to the cloth of the Holy Kaaba, weeping in supplication for the Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to be found. Meanwhile, the famous disbeliever Abu Jahl was returning on his camel with his herd of goats when he saw the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Abu Jahl made his camel sit down and had the Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم sit behind him. When he tried to make the camel get up, it didn’t get up. Then when he had the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم sit in front of him, it got up, and it was as though it was saying to Abu Jahl, ‘O idiot! He is the leader, how can he behind a follower! (I.e. his status demands that he be in front, so how could he be put behind?!)’ Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Abbas رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا says further, ‘Just as Allah Almighty made Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام return back to his mother through the means of the Pharaoh, Allah Almighty made the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم return back to his grandfather by the means of Abu Jahl.’ (Ruh-ul-Ma`ani, part 30, pp 532)

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see the power of Allah?! Allah Almighty made his Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم reach his grandfather through the means of Abu Jahl. Verily, Allah Almighty does whatever He wills. We also learnt that even animals regard the respect of the Prophet as an obligation. 

اپنے مولیٰ کی ہے بس شان عظیم جانور بھی کریں جن کی تعظیم

سَنگ کرتے ہیں ادب سے تسلیم پیڑ سجدے میں گِرا کرتے ہیں

(Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, pp. 112)

I.e. look at the incredible status of the Holy Prophet! Even animals revere him, stones respectfully greet him (giving Salaam), and trees prostrate in front of him. 

 

The great rank of the honourable Awliya (saints)

(Note: Wali is the singular of Awliya)

‘Wilayah’ is a very special status which Allah Almighty grants to his special bondsmen. Wilayah is only attained through the Grace and Bounty of Allah; it is not attained through strenuous acts of worship. Some Awliya receive Wilayah in childhood (such as Ghaus-e-Pak Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani). Wilayah is not given to any ignorant person; it is only an Aalim (person of knowledge) who is made a Wali. Previous nations also had Awliya, but the Awliya of this nation are greater in rank than the Awliya of previous nations. Every Wali is confined by the Shari`ah. No Wali is permitted to oppose the Shari`ah. Anything which is Fard in any way upon common Muslims is also Fard in the same way upon the Awliya. A Wali is in reality the successor of the Prophet, and Allah gives the Awliya powers and authority through the means of the Prophet (for example, Sayyiduna Ali کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم reattached the severed hand of a slave (Tafseer Kabeer, vol. 7, pp. 434), when water mixed with the blessed saliva of Sayyiduna Imam Husain رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ was put into a well, the water of the well rose (Tabaqat-ul-Kubra Li-Ibn-e-Sa`d, vol. 5, pp. 110), likewise, once the pious saint of the Qaadiri Sufi order, Sayyiduna Ma’roof Karkhi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه desired to perform Tawaf, so he went from his town to Makkah, performed Tawaf, and returned to his town all within space of one night (Jami’ Karamaat-il-Awliya, vol. 2, pp. 491), and similarly, another pious saint of the Qaadiri Sufi order, Sayyiduna Junaid Baghdadi رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ reached into the air with his hand and saffron came into his hand which he then placed in front of the people. (Jami Karamaat-il-Awliya, vol. 2, pp. 12) Through the means of the Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, Allah grants knowledge of unseen things to his Awliya by His Grace (for example, Sayyiduna Umar رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ once was giving a sermon in Madinah, and he called out to Sayyiduna Saariyah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ who was in Nahawand in Iraq, saying: ‘یَاسَارِیَۃُ الْجَبَل’ ‘O Saariyah! Watch out behind the mountain!’ In this way, he informed him of the enemy who was hiding behind the mountain waiting to ambush. This was his Karamah (saintly miracle) that he was able to know the state of a battle taking place so far away in a region of Iraq, and from so far away he was able to inform Sayyiduna Saariyah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ).

Awliya display Karamat (saintly miracles) by the Grace of Allah i.e. they do things which are beyond the norm of common human beings, for example, reviving the dead, giving sight to the born blind, traversing hundreds and thousands of miles in just a few moments, etc. Remember! A Wali has great power, but however much power he has, it is all given to him by Allah, and the power of Allah is the greatest of all. Allah’s power is such that it is His own i.e. it has not been given to Him by anyone else. It is narrated regarding the teacher of Madrasah Shaamiyah, Sayyiduna Shaykh Zaynuddeen Shafi`i رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه that through the blessings of his supplication, a child who had fallen from a roof and died came back to like. (Hujjatullahi Alal Aalameen, pp. 609, summarised) It is famously known that there were four saints in Baghdad who, by the command of Allah, would cure the born blind and those suffering from leprosy, and who would revive the dead through their supplications. One of them was Sayyiduna Ghaus-e-Pak Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه. (Bahjat-ul-Asraar, pp. 124) It is narrated that once a Wali was sitting in the Jami Masjid of Tarsus. He wished to see the sanctuary of the Kaaba, so he put his head inside the opening of his upper garment and took his head out after a few moments, at which point he was in the sanctuary of the Kaaba. (Hujjahtullahi Alal ‘Aalameen, pp. 609) By the bestowal of Allah and through His Grace and Bounty, the honourable Awliya can help and assist us as well. Visiting the blessed shrines of the Awliya is an act full of goodness and good fortune. By the bestowal of Allah, the honourable Awliya can hear those who call them from far away. People of previous times would also call out to the Awliya in times of difficulty, for example when an Islamic warrior in Rome called out to the respected Companion of our Holy Prophet, Sayyiduna Umar رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, who heard his call from Madinah and replied by saying ‘Labbayk’ (i.e. I am present) twice. (Izala-tul-Khafa an Khilaafah til Khulafaa, vol. 4, pp. 109) Likewise, a woman once called out to Sayyiduna Ghaus-e-Pak Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه when she saw that her chastity was in danger. Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was in his Madrasah at that time performing Wudu. He heard her cry for help and came to her aid as well. (Tafreeh-ul-Khatir, pp. 37) The Awliya hearing from far away and helping people is all in actual fact the help of Allah and His Grace. In reality, no one other than Allah can help anyone; the honourable Awliya are merely a means of Allah’s help. Allah Almighty is not dependent on anyone to help; however, Allah Almighty has commanded us in the Holy Quran to seek a means towards Him, for which reason Muslims seek help from the Awliya. The Awliya are alive in their graves and are given sustenance. Their knowledge and their ability to see and hear in the grave become even greater than the ability they had in the world. Therefore, no one should fall for the satanic whisper, ‘Why call out to the dead?’, because they are alive by the command of Allah and they help, as Allah Almighty has even declared the martyrs to be alive in the Holy Quran. (Story: Sayyiduna Abu Ali says, ‘I lowered a pious person into the grave. When the shroud was opened, and his head was placed onto the soil so that Allah would have mercy on his helplessness. The pious person suddenly opened his eyes and said, “O Abu Ali! You dishonour me in the Majestic Court of the Gracious Lord who bestows His special Grace on me!” I said, “O my master! Is there life after death?’ He said, “I am alive, and everyone beloved to Allah is alive. Indeed, I will help you on the day of judgement from the honour and nobility that will be granted to me on that day.’ (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 9, pp. 433)) Doing a good deed and conveying the reward to the Awliya, or feeding people or sacrificing an animal in order to convey reward to them is an act of great reward and blessing. This is also referred to as ‘Nazr-o-Niyaz’, such that the animal is sacrificed by saying the Name of Allah, and the reward of the food prepared is conveyed to the Awliya. In particular, doing Niyaz and reciting Fatihah to convey the reward to the leader of the Awliya, Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilaani (a practice known as Giyarwheen Shareef) is an act of especially great honour and blessings. Remember, by conveying reward our own reward does not diminish; rather, it increases even more. Arranging the Urs (i.e. yearly commemoration) of the Awliya and arranging for reward to be conveyed to them by reciting Fatihah, reciting Quran, and reciting Naats, etc. is an act of great reward (however, no act against Shari`ah should take place in this. It is not permissible to go to those people who do acts against Shari`ah, however we should still visit the shrines and gain blessings.) (Taken from Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 264-277)