43rd Dai-al-Mutlaq Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin Saheb(RA)

Birth Date: 9th Safar 1189 H
Date of Wafaat : 12th Zilqad 1233 H
Period of Dawat : 19 years , 4 months , 24 days….

Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin(RA) is known as “Moiyyed-e-Asger” because of his extensive work in the literary field and the vast number of ‘Qasidas’(Islamic poetry) written by him.

He erased the wrong notions that Majdu had spread about Imaan and got the mumineen back on the right path of Imaan. He succeeded as Dai at the age of 28 years. Many ‘Taameerat’ (constructions) were done in his era. Amongst them is Al-Masjid-ul- Aazam which was funded by his personal wealth and the famed Al-Darsus-Saifee which was later renamed as Al-Jamea-Tus- Saifiyah by Syedna Taher Saifuddin(AQ) . His zamaan witnessed many scholars who wrote books on many subjects which are still astutely referred to, and which were written under his guidance.
In 1228H, Jamnagar and Kutch fell prey to severe drought. 12,000 mumineen migrated from there and came under his shelter. Syedna(RA) looked after them for one year and helped them to become self-reliant. He did nass on Syedi Abdul Qadr Hakimuddin, but he expired. He was grief-stricken. The ‘munafeqin’ started taunting him that the person you had so proudly appointed and were counting on has passed away. Whom will you turn to now? He angrily retorted that it was not for him to worry but Imam-uz-Zamaan would guide him spiritually and he would do as he directed.

 
His son, Syedna Mohammed Badruddin, was born in the year 1232 H. The nasihat “Ilm na Moti Jaro” was written for him by Syedna(RA). He took ill after that and on the 7th of Zilqad, he called the Hudud Kiraam and did nass on Syedna Mohammed Ezzuddin(44th Dai) in their presence and later passed away

Article Courtesy of Abde Syedna Hussain

Editor ABurhani.com

Shibaam is at an elevation of 9000 feet, and it is the highest peak in Haraaz. On a clear day it is possible to see all the way to the Red Sea from the summit. It is a very strategically important mountain from a military perspective. From the time of Imam Mustansir Billah ^(SA) the fort at Shibaam had been under the control of Da’wat. After the shahadat of Syedna Ali bin Mohammed Alsulayhi ^(RA) it fell to the enemy. During the time of Syedna Hatim ^(RA) it was won back, and it became a center of the Fatemi Da’wat. Over time many situations arose and control of Shibaam fell once more into enemy hands.

During the reign of the 16^th Dai, Syedna Abdullah Fakhruddin ^(RA), his son and successor Syedna Hasan ^(RA) set out to conquer the fort once more. He marched with an army of seven thousand men. When Syedna drew close to a masjid near there, people began to urge him to reconsider his intention to conquer Shibaam.

Syedna Hasan’s ^(RA) purpose was unshakeable. He replied that when I descend from here it will only be after I have won Shibaam. For seven months, Syedna laid siege to the fort. By then the stores of food near the fort had nearly depleted. Still, Syedna ^(RA) did not waver from his goal. People were reduced to stripping and drying the skins from their animals, then soaking them in water to eat.

Finally after seven months had passed, in the month of Jamada Al Ula 794H Syedna Hasan emerged victorious and Shibaam was conquered once more. One month later his son and successor, Syedna Idris ^(RA) was born there. People joyously offered felicitations for both momentuous occasions: the victory and birth of Syedna’s son.

Article taken from www.misbah.info

Date of Birth : 27th Zilqad 1305H / 5th August 1888 AD
Date of Wafaat : 19th Rajab-ul-Asab 1385/1965 AD
Duration of Dawat : 53 years

Syedna Taher Saifuddin(A. Q) ‘Taher’ by name and virtue completed reciting Quran-e-Majid at the early age of six. His revered father, the 49th Dai al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb (R.A), conferred him Haddiyat in 1322H and granted him Laqab ‘Saifuddin’. Syedna Abdullah Badruddin (R.A) performed Nass upon him on 28th Safarul Muzaffar 1333H. Syedna Muqaddas (R.A) ascended the throne of Dawat at the young age of twenty-eight on 10th Rabiul Awwal 1333H.

A tireless itinerant, Syedna Muqaddas (R.A) traveled to most parts of the world where Mumineen were domiciled. Be it in remote villages or metropolitan cities, Syedna Muqaddas’ (R.A) visits changed entire lifestyles of Mumineen and uplifted their social and economical status. During the course of these traverses Syedna Muqaddas (R.A) met innumerable world leaders and prominent personalities who held him in high esteem for his benignity and scholarly personality. His charm was such that people of all faiths were attracted towards him.

Syedna Muqaddas (R.A), a scholar par excellence who mastered the Arabic language and literature, authored thousands of textual and poetic works which even today are internationally recognized as literal master pieces. In recognition of his erudite scholarly, Aligarh Muslim University unanimously elected thrice as Chancellor till his sad demise.

Initially, Syedna Muqaddas’ (RA) period was one of much adversity and hard ship. Munafiqin (dissidents) , influential and affluent as they were, deviously endeavored to misguide Mumineen and vilify and denigrate Dawat and Dai through litigation and media propaganda as to create impediments in his noble causes. Facilitated with the benign Elham and Nazaraat of Imam-uz-Zaman (A.S), Syedna Muqaddas’ (R.A) with phenomenal audacity and resolution, humiliated and neutralized all offensives of Munafeqeen with remarkable endurance.

It was during Syedna Muqaddas’ (R.A) era that Fatemi art and architecture were revived, restored and adopted with much dynamism. A golden era in the annals of Fatemi history, Syedna Muqaddas (RA) constructed a large number of Masajid, Madrasas (moral and religious teaching institutes), Qubba (mausoleums) and low finance housing colonies for Mumineen all round the world. The most significant landmarks being the making of gold and silver Zarih Mubarak (sepulchre) of Imam Hussein (A.S) in Qahera, Egypt and of Maulana Ali (A.S) in Najaf, Iraq, building Mahal-us-Saify in Makkah and reconstruction and renovation of Dars-u-Saify in Surat, which he renamed as Al-Jamea-tus- Saifiah.

Apart from these achievements, he also had the opportunity to gift the inner curtains of Baitullah and contributed a large corpus towards the reconstruction of Masjid-e Aqsa in Baitul Maqdis.

Inspite of his extremely busy schedules, Syedna Muqaddas (RA) was always available to affectionately guide and console Mumineen in their worldly and spiritual aspects. He personally supervised the education and upbringing of his revered successor Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (T.U.S), a Hafiz-ul-Quran (one who has memorized the entire Quran) and declared Nass upon him.

Syedna Muqaddas (R.A) passed away on 19th Rajab-ul-Asab in 1385 H in the serene hill station of Matheran at the age of eighty. His Roza Mubarak (mausoleum), Raudat Tahera, [built by his revered son the 52nd Dai Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (T.U.S)] situated in Mumbai, India is an architectural marvel (the only structure of its kind in the entire Islamic World) . It constitutes the entire Quran-e-Majid inscribed in gold and precious stones.

This brief summary of the month of Rajab is an adaptation of the text written in the sahifa of the month, called “Sharafo shahre Rajabul Asab” written in 1414. This sahifa was produced by Al-muqaddasah, Busaheba, Amatullah Aisaheba, who gifted this book and many other useful ones to mumineen. The sahifa contains all the duas necessary to perform ibadat in Rajab. This text is written in the fragrant remembrance of Busaheba.

• Fazilat (Distinction) Of Rajab al-Asab
• Fazilat Of Fasting In The Month Of Rajab
• Milad of Amirul Mumineen (SA)
• Fazilat Of Ayamul Biz
• Ayyamul Barakaatil Khuldiyah
• Laylatul Me’raj - The Night Of Ascent
• Yawmal Mab’ath - The Day Of Elevation

Fazilat (Distinction) Of Rajab al-Asab

Rajab al-Asab is a month in which the pious engage in acts of piety. It’s title, “al-Asab“, means a “downpour”, indicative of the downpour of blessings that descend during that month. It is one of the four months that was honoured even in the pre-Islamic Arab culture as a month in which it was forbidden to engage in war. Rajab is commonly known as the month of Amirul Mumineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (SA). This is because Rasulullah (SAW) once said to Ali,

“Shaban is my month, Ramadan is the month of Allah and Rajab, O Ali, is your month“

For this month, Syedna Moayyad Shirazi (RA) has written in his qasida:

Ata Rajabun yuammimu minka shamsa
Assa` adati badruha badrululumi
O’ Rajab, with you comes the expectation of
Blessings akin to the sun’s radiance
And the spreading of knowledge (ulum)
As in the luminosity of the full moon.

And Syedi Abdeali Imaduddin (AQ) has written:
The days of prayers and fasting are here
Peace and repose are now for the pious
Whose countenance now glows like the moon
The understanding know, and the ignorant don’t.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (SA) recounts that Rasulullah (SAW) used to fast the months of Rajab, Shabaan and then Ramadan. That Rasulullah (SAW) would say the Prophet Nuh (SA) embarked on his ark on the 1^st of Rajab al-Asab and decreed that all aboard the ark fast that day.

Further, Rasulullah (SAW) has said that one may perform umrah in any month but there is special merit in doing so in Rajab. In the times of Aimmat Fatimeen (SA), there were four nights in which the empire’s masjids and places of ibadat were adorned. Amongst them were the 1^st and 15^th of Rajab as these nights had distinction.

Fazilat Of Fasting In The Month Of Rajab

Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (SA) has narrated that,

“A person who fasts in the month of Rajab for one year, will be saved from the fire of Hell for one year. He who fasts for two years, will be saved for two years and so on. To one who fasts in the month of Rajab for seven consecutive years, the gates of Hell would close. And for the person who fasts for eight years, the eight gates of Heaven would be opened. To the one who fasts in the month of Rajab for ten consecutive years, it would be said that his deeds are now to be measured anew as all his past sins are forgiven. And beyond that, the reward for fasting for more years increases further.”

Amongst the many achievements of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ), one is that he fasted in the month of Rajab for 10 consecutive years whilst occupying the seat of the Dawat. He states in one of his Risala Sharifas:

“I am grateful to Allah that due to the blessings of Imam al-Zaman (SA), I was able to fast for the month of Rajab, consecutively for ten years. Following my example, mumineen, muminaat and their children also fasted all these years during the month of Rajab with me, gathering the countless blessings and bounties of Imam al-Zaman (SA).

His successor, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS), the 52^nd Dai, had completed 10 years of fasting before ascending the throne of Dawat. In 1410H, the year known as “Sanato N`ematis Sabigah“, at the age of 77, he declared his intention to fast for 10 years in the month of Rajab for a second time. As the news spread, thousands of mumineen joined him in this ibadat of fasting and prayer and were inspired by him to partake in the nemat of Rajab.

Rajab, 1419H, saw the completion of 10 years of fasting of Al-Dai al-Fatimi (TUS). The merits of having done so are enormous. Al-Dai al-Fatimi has not only completed this for himself, but has, by his example, given the resolve to thousands others to achieve an abundant reward with him. May Allah grant him a long life, and bestow upon him the choicest of blessings.

Milad of Amirul Mumineen (SA)

On the 13^th of Rajab al-Asab, the Lord of Wasiyyin, Ali ibn Abi Talib (SA) was born. His birth took place inside the House of Allah, the Kaaba. At the time of his birth, his mother, Mawlatena Fatema binte Asad was given a sign to enter the House Of Allah. After the birth, Mawlana Abu Talib (SA) placed a stone on the spot saying that this will be a site of ibadat of Allah.

On this day, mumineen gather in masjids to remember Mawla Ali (SA) and do his zikr with the qasida of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (SA) which begins:

Assamia zil-arshil azime aliya
Ma kunta illa nurahul azaliya

O’ One who is called by the name of the Host High.
Without doubt, you are nothing but that light divine.

Fazilat Of Ayamul Biz

It is said that a woman known as Umme Dawood lived in the time of Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (SA). Her son, Dawood was held captive by the oppressive Abbasid khalif, Abu al-Dawaniq. She came to the Imam in distress, narrating her woes. Imam al-Sadiq (SA) gave her the means to relieve her anguish. He told her to fast for the three days on 13^th, 14^th and 15^th of Rajab. Then, at zawal on the 15^th, she should pray 8 rakaats of namaz instead of the 6 of sunnat. Then, after the zohr faraz, 2 rakats of istiftah should be prayed. Then the rest of the zohr and asr prayers should be said as normal. After namaz, a tasbih and tilawat of 10 Surats of Qur’an Majid should be done, followed by a powerful dua written by the Imam himself. With this, the Imam said, “If Allah chooses to do so, He will bring your son back to you“. Umme Dawood did as the Imam said and no sooner had she finished, that her son walked in a free man.

This amal and dua was a gift of Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (SA) to mumineen. Today, it is our practice to do this each year. Those who have difficulties can perform this ibadat with the assurance that Allah will heed their dua and their difficulties will melt away.

Ayyamul Barakaatil Khuldiyah

On the 19^th of Rajab 1385, Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ) left this world for his permanent abode. His successor, the Dai of the time, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb (TUS) decreed that the event be marked by 3 days of ibadat and named them Ayamul Barakatil Khuldiyah (The days of heavenly blessings).

No other Dai had a term in office as long as Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ). He served Imam al-Zaman (SA) for 53 years. He made the star of Dawat rise above to its zenith. He gave mumineen and muminaat the benefit of the ilm of Ale-Mohammed (SA). He made them true adherents of Shariat Mohammediya Gharrah, despite the difficulties of a drastically changing world.

Those who benefited from a closeness to him, and they were a legion, remember him in reverence and fondness and often break down in grief at the loss of him. But such devotees take solace in Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS), whose radiant countenance reminds them of the face of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ). His help in need was so vast, it has left a debt impossible to repay. He spent his life resolving the difficulties of thousands of mumineen and even in death, he continues this by answering the pilgrims at his grave. And what is more, he left his son in his own image, equal in every respect, to care and nurture mumineen as he had done in his life.

Despite his numerous travels, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) always returns to Bombay for the urus. He performs the ziyarat of Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ) on his behalf and on the behalf of mumineen all over the world and remembers Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ) in these days as follows:

Laylatul Me’raj - The Night Of Ascent

On the 27^th night of Rajab, Allah bestowed upon His servant, Mohammed Rasulullah (SAW), the sharaf of isra and me’raj. Isra is the name of the night journey from Masjid al-Haraam (Kaaba) to Masjid al-Aqsa, in Jerusalem. There, 124,000 anbiyya (prophets) awaited his presence and he led these, the best of creation in prayers to the Creator of the Worlds.

Then, the Prophet ascended to the heavens, a journey that is called me’raj, and witnessed what there was in each heaven, including a firishta in the form of Amirul Mumineen, Ali (SA). Jibrail, his companion, was asked to halt at Sidratan Muntaha, beyond the 7th Heaven, whilst Rasulullah went further still to be in the presence of Allah. It is said metaphorically, that Rasulullah was made so close to Allah that it was as if he was within the pupil of Allah’s eyes.

Rasulullah descended to Masjid al-Aqsa again, having seen what was beyond the experience of ordinary mortals and returned with many gifts, one of which was the number of prayers believers would recite per day.

Of this me’raj, Syedna Taher Saifuddin says, in one of his qasidas:

Great was his honour amongst the messengers
On the night that he undertook that blessed journey
From one sacred place (Kaaba) to another (Al-Aqsa)In al-Aqsa, this Messanger of Allah,
The pride of the prophets, led them all in prayer

On this night, mumineen pray a namaz that is 22-rakat long.

Yawmal Mab’ath - The Day Of Elevation

On the 27^th day of Rajab, 9 years before me’raj, a noble and trustworthy man named Mohammed ibn Abdullah al-Mustafa (SAW) was elevated to prophethood. Jibrail came to the Rasulullah (SAW) in the cave of Hira with the first verse of revelation:

Read! In the name of your Lord (Al-Quran: 96)

And from then on to his departure from this world, divine inspiration and revelation continued to descend upon his pure heart.

This is the day when all mumineen, even the youngest of babies fast in the prayer that Allah would also elevate their station in His path. The fast is also commonly known as “Motius Sawalaat“, which means “Answerer of prayers”, in supplication to Allah.

The Du’at Mutlaqeen (AQ) observed a tradition of doing a waaz on this day, describing the eminence of Rasulullah’s me’raj and mab’ath. Syedna Taher Saifuddin followed this tradition and held waaz majlis on this day. During the course of one such majlis in 1352H, he designated his son as his successor.

The 52^nd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) has continued in this tradition and delivers a profoundly moving waaz each year on this day.

Edited by: Shaikh Mustafa Abdulhussein

Article taken from Mumineen.org

http://www.mumineen.org/archive/miqat/rajab-al-asab/rajab/

ENVIRONMENTALLY conscious Muslims have created Manchester’s first eco-mosque in the heart of Levenshulme.

With solar panels, underfloor heating, wood from renewable sources, low energy bulbs, and walls built from reclaimed stone, you could be forgiven in thinking you were reading specifications for a contemporary environmentally- friendly pad.

But this is not the latest high-profile housing development, it is a £3.5m eco-friendly mosque.

Until recently, the old Al-Markaz Al-Najmi mosque, on Woodfold Avenue, was housed in the former Maternity and Child Welfare centre, which started off life as a methodist chapel 80 years ago.

Mustafa Abdul Hussein, vice president of the mosque, said: “We had been using the building as a makeshift mosque for many years, then about five years ago we started thinking about building a new structure.

“The eco-element arises out of what a mosque is meant to be. It is meant to be friendly in every aspect, which includes being friendly to the environment. We should set an example and having eco-friendly features makes those congregating there aware of the issues.

“It hasn’t really been any more costly than if we were to do it any other way and there is a much greater gain to have with a mosque which creates its own energy.”

Not only is Al-Markaz al-Najmi ‘green’, it also fuses contrasting architectural styles to compliment both eastern and western influences.

Mr Hussein added: “The building is two completely different architectural styles – one side is inspired by modern Mancunian architecture, with glass and zinc, and the Mecca-facing side uses traditional materials like stone. We’ve tried to make it as light as possible as not to rely on artificial light.”

However, mosque leaders are open about the fact al-Markaz al-Najmi cannot fully be classed as an ‘eco-mosque’. It will not run solely on renewable energy and, due to the cost, designers have used Indian pink stone, reclaimed from a quarry in Jaipur.

Mr Hussein said: “The stone was much cheaper than if we had bought locally, unfortunately not everything is easy to source in an environmentally friendly way.”

Leading the way in the advancement of green mosques, Fallowfield social enterprise, Regenesis Squared, is currently working on Manchester’s fully efficient EcoMosque.

Costing around £10million, the construction will take form at Salford University, where the mosque will be run using ambient radiant energy, solar panels, a bio-garden for recycling and geo-thermal energy.

Regenesis Squared’s Zahid Hussein is currently putting together planning proposals. He said: “It’s still in the early stages, but the idea is bringing together faith, the environment and economic factors too.

“In the past great eco-friendly buildings have been created, but they can’t be run because it costs too much. We hope to bring together different eco-features which will mean the mosque doesn’t have to rely on any energy but that which it creates itself.”

Al-Markaz al-Najmi was officially opened with a special religious ceremony by Indian leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin on Sunday, July 6.

Laura Thistlethwaite
3/ 7/2008
Article Link:

http://www.southman chesterreporter. co.uk/news/ s/1056667_ muslims_put_ faith_in_ 35m_ecomosque

O ft one wonders,
  of sojourns framed into time,
N estling with neighbours,
  far away from all the grime,
C hivvied towards love,
  from songs of birds up above,
E ncased in lore and fable,
  of Peace being indivisible…

I n these times,
  of such & such an evil,
N ethered are the grimes,
  of their ersatz struggle,

A llayed was i by a heavenly will,
  from crvices of such & such a peril.

L ife is lived but once,
  in trust, companionship and happiness,
I n epideictic non chalance,
  and freedom in times replaceless,
F ettled to a heart,
  of Peace and serenity,
E ffusively in the start,
  in Eve’s garden of Serendipity…

T hese amidst the tides of time,
  are but verses to Peace written in rythm & rhyme,
I mplacable is her will of reason,
  for what we see, they see through their sanction,
M ellifluently one thus wonders,
  in a land so arable,
E ncased in Lore and Fable,
  of Peace being indivisible.

By Huzefa Sh Asgarally.
15th April 2007.

[Writer of community-specific
and topical theme acrostic
poetry]

A mumin must strive to pray namaz with absolute focus and concentration because he is in the presence of Allah. However, it is inevitable that he will sometimes forget or make mistakes; mistakes in namaz are of two kinds:

1.      He may forget one of the arkaan (ruk‘u, sujud etc) and be certain that he has forgotten it. This is known as sehw.

      2.    He may believe he has forgotten something but is not sure of it. This is known as shak.

Syedna Hatim bin Ibrahim ^(RA), the third Dai-al-Mutlaq, ascended to the arsh of dawat in Yemen in the year 557 H. Followers flocked towards him, for he was widely recognized for his greatness, eloquence and his learned discourses. The tribes of Himiar and Hamdan pledged loyalty to him and handed him sovereignty of Hisn-e-Kaukabaan.

Ali bin Hatim, the ruler of Sanaa and much of the surrounding provinces, was very disturbed by the fact that more and more people were becoming followers of Dai Hatim ^(RA). He began to fear for his throne, for he craved worldly possessions and power above all else. Syedna Hatim ^(RA) meanwhile did not care for worldly possessions, and urged his followers to seek the rewards of the hereafter.

Consumed by jealousy and pride, Ali bin Hatim undertook a campaign of attempting to turn people away from the Dai ^(RA), by dispensing great amounts of money and buying away the loyalties of the people. He succeeded in corrupting Ahmed bin Jabeer Al Hibri, who had been a trusted follower of Syedna Hatim ^(RA). Ahmed and his cohorts, buoyed by the money that was being pumped to them by the Sultan, began to incite unrest and revolt within Kaukabaan.

The battle between Syedna Hatim ^(RA) and Sultan Ali was long drawn out. The sultan had laid siege to the fort. Finally they were about to call for peace, for the Sultan had no knowledge of the resources at the disposal of Syedna Hatim ^(RA). The traitor Ahmed informed him that the Dai’s supplies were running low due to the long battle. He demanded to be put in charge of the troops and march upon Hamdan. The sultan agreed. He attacked fiercely, and briefly, for less than an hour and came out victorious. Syedna Hatim ^(RA) quickly reclaimed lost ground. He emerged from the fort and approached the sheikhs of Hibra in Hamdan. The Sultan resumed his attacks, targeting them all.

Syedna Hatim ^(RA) feared that Hamdan would be split into factions at his hands, for there were people both for and against him. To avoid this, he left Hamdan and went to his son in law in Bait Radm near Sanaa. He was received with great honour, and his son in law entreated him to stay with them. Syedna ^(RA) declined and asked to be escorted to Haraaz.

They reached Al shaaf, where the people, once followers of Abdul Majeed, flocked towards Syedna Hatim ^(RA) seeing his azeem shaan, his knowledge and his eloquence. They climbed further to Al Zahra. Al Hajr was acceded to the Dai ^(RA). He remained in Hajr until the fort of Al Hutaib, high up in the mountains of Haraaz, was acceded to him also. Saba bin Yousuf was their leader. They gave their allegiance and devotion to Dai Hatim ^(RA). He brought Shibam into the fold, and gathering horsemen from Hamdan and Haraaz, he conquered Lahab and the fort of Hamedah on the highest tip of Lahab.

Saba bin Yousuf continued forth against the enemies of the Dai like a lion in battle, supported fully by his tribe, until he was treacherously captured and killed by the Bani Hakam. A great deal of bloodshed ensued as Saba bin Yousuf’s tribe sought revenge. Syedna Hatim ^(RA) intervened, counseling them towards patience to achieve their end. Bani Hakam retreated to their territory, Hauzan. There was a long drawn out period of bloodshed, until the Bani Hakam were reduced to a handful. To this day, the area remains desolate. There ensued an era of peace and prosperity under Syedna Hatim ^(RA).

Shababul Eidiz Zahabi Colombo is organizing a tour of Umrah & Yemen in Rajab ul Asab. 28 mumineen will inshallah get the azeem sharaf & sawab of ziyarat of Syed Hatim Bin Syedna Ibrahim (R.A). Group will depart on July 3^rd 2008

Article courtesy of misbah.info

Surat ul Maedat is the 5th surat of the Quran e Majeed. A maedat is a thaal laden with varieties of food. The surat is so named for the ayats within it relating the narrative of the hawariyeen (disciples) of Maulana Isa ^(AS). Rasulullah ^(SAW) once listed important events such as his wiladat, mab’ath and hijrat; they all had occurred on a Monday. Surat ul Maedat too was revealed on a Monday.

A humble request

The hawariyeen of Maulana Isa ^(AS) humbly requested him that a maedat be sent down to them from the heavens. Maulana Isa ^(AS) counseled them to the seriousness of the request. Again they humbly beseeched “we would like to eat from it that our hearts be relieved and we know that you have been truthful to us.”

Isa Nabi ^(AS) prayed for a maedat to be sent down; a maedat that would be Eid and an ayat (miracle) for people forever to come. The maedat descended with a warning: if anyone dared disbelieve after this mojeza, then indeed azaab would be severe.

The shaan of Fatema^(SA)

Maulatuna Fatema ^(SA) is the syeda of the women of aalameen. Maulatuna Mariam ul Azra, mother of Isa Nabi^(AS), wished to do khidmat of Maulatuna Fatema ^(SA)

One day Rasulullah ^(SAW) was fasting, Jibraeel came to him with the message to have iftar at the house of Ali^(SA) and Fatema^(SA). Fatema saw Rasulullah ^(SAW) approach the house with Amir ul Mumineen ^(SA). Knowing there was no food in the house, Fatema^(SA) entered her mehrab and prayed 2 rak’at namaz. In her sajda Maulatuna Fatema ^(SA) beseeched Allah to send down a maedat upon her as he had upon the hawariyeen. No sooner did Fatema ^(SA) lift her head, but a thaal abundant with steaming plates of fragrant food was sent down. Mohammed^(SAW) Ali ^(SA) Fatema^(SA) Hasan^(SA) and Husain^(SA) partook of this maedat together.

Mawaid of Ale Mohammed ^(SA)

Imam ^(SA) states when the mawaid of Ale Mohammed are laid out malaikat flock upon them performing istighfar for those who partake of them.

It is the ehsaan of Duat Kiram ^(RA) that they have fed mumineen from the mawaid of Ale Mohammed. Aqa Maula ^(TUS) once advised, “I would that I feed you morsels from the mawaid of Ale Mohammed with my own hands.” Ashara Mubaraka is an occasion when mumineen experience both the barakaat of the ‘ilm of Ale Mohammed and partake of food that Aqa Maula ^(TUS) describes as faakhir. Indeed these mawaid nourish the soul, feed the body and fill the very being with barakaat.

Article taken from www.misbah.info

Allah). Allah may He be praised and may His transcendence be affirmed, the Merciful the Compassionate, the Alive and the Everlasting, is the creator. He is unique, and has no associates. To Him only is the Call of the Dawat made and to him is ta’at (obedience) due.
Muhammad (SAW) is Rasul Allah (the Messenger of Allah). He is Sayyid al-Mursalin (Lord of the Messengers) and Khatam al Nabiyyin (Seal of the Prophets). To him was revealed the Qur’an, a perfect guide and a clear discriminator between right and wrong. It was he who brought the final Risalat of Allah to mankind and through him Allah established the religion of Islam.
Ali (SA) is Wali Allah (the Chosen of Allah). He is Sayyid al Wasiyyin (Lord of the Legatees) and Amir al Mu’minin (commander of the Faithful) appointed by Muhammad (SAW) to be his Wasi (Legatee) and successor after him.
Ali (SA) was succeeded by a line of Imams of which the first was Imam Hasan (SA). He was succeeded by his brother Imam Husayn (SA), Sayyid al-Shuhada, (Lord of the Martyrs) through whose sulb (loins) the tasalsul to the Imamat has continued and will continue, until the Day of Judgement. Each imam is appointed by nass (investiture) from father to son. The 21st Imam, Tayeb, went into seclusion and his descendants, one after the other, continued to function in that manner. During the Satr (seclusion) of the Imam, the Imam, by his command and sanction, is represented by al-Dai al-Mutlaq. The Dawat, a noble trust of the Imam, is headed and governed on behalf of the Imam by Dai al-Mutlaq, who acts and holds office as the Imam’s representative and na’ib (vicegerent) and exercises his rights and authorities. Al Dai al-Mutlaq selects and appoints his successor to the office by nass (investiture). The tasalsul (chain of succession) of al Du’at al-Mutlaqin will uninterruptedly continue until the Zuhur of the Imam or until the Day of Judgement.
Today Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin is the 52nd incumbent to the office of al Dai al-Mutlaq. He succeeded to this position of al Dai al-Mutlaq in 1385H/1965AD through the appointment by his illustrious father and predecessor, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin (AQ), the 51st al Dai al-Mutlaq.

Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin, al Dai al-Fatimi.
Dr. Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin has always guided his followers to act upon sharia’at Muhammadiya in all aspects of life, be it regarding matters of din or matters concerning daily life. Examples of this are ample and can be observed clearly in his order that, as the Qur’an has clearly stated that khamr (alcoholic beverage), any form of intoxication and riba’ (interest) are haraam (banned) and all his followers should stay away from them. Through his guidance, followers of His Holiness have been able to live their everyday lives, be it in any country in the world, refraining from the above mentioned.
His Holiness has always said that al Qur’an is our book and everyday life revolves around the Qur’an. Its memorisation and recitation is obligatory on all his followers and for this reason he has made numerous schools and educational

centres, including Al Jamea-tus-Saifiyah, two Arabic Academies, to ensure that both his followers and other Muslims get that opportunity. Amongst all these centres, the Mahad al-Zahra is a special institution for the hifz (memorisation) and teachings of Qur’an and is unique to itself.
As mentioned in the Qur’an regarding Qarzan Hassana, Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin has established Qarzan Hassana projects, which are loans sanctioned without interest, for the social and economic upliftment of his followers, in many different countries throughout the world.
Along with the above mentioned, Qat is a hazardous epidemic in Yemen, ruining the lives of all those who are associated with it. Not only should it be not chewed and uprooted, but should not be dealt with in any sort of way. In all of his ten visits to Yemen, he has always emphasised these issues, stressing how important it is to refrain from chewing Qat at all times. After a long and hard struggle, the followers of Syedna, under his guidance, have managed to uproot more than two hundred thousand trees in the province of Haraaz. But the fight against this problem has not stopped there. Under directions of Syedna, three alternatives for the welfare of the farmers are provided for those who uproot the Qat tree.
1. A nursery project has been successfully established in the Haraaz province which offers farmers coffee, olive and various other fruit plants for their land.
2. A honey project which enables farmers to own honey bee boxes for the production of honey, which can then be sold.
3. Animal husbandry schemes which allow farmers to own their own livestock.
The Sultan al-Bohra has time and time again instructed his followers to act upon Muhammad Rasul Allah’s (SAW) saying, that the love and loyalty for the country and government in which you live in, is a part of your faith. He has also said that one should take part in the charitable and welfare projects the government takes on.
To live in peace, harmony and brotherhood with ones neighbours, is a Muslims quality and all followers of His holiness are taught these qualities by himself personally. It is for the above virtues that both his father Syedna Taher Saifuddin and himself are known as the ‘Ambassadors of Peace’, throughout the world.
Syedna has preserved and restored historically important Islamic monuments, Mausoleums and Masjids world over, including the Masjid of Ali bin Abi Talib (AS) in Kufa, Iraq and the grand Masjid, Jame ul Anwar in Cairo, Egypt, which is a designated UNESCO heritage site. Along with these and other restoration work, His Holiness has made over three hundred masajids (mosques) worldwide.

Written by Janab Salman Bhai Saheb

Amil Saheb Yemen

 “Nau’so warass lagan chale’, ehni zikr Quran ma’
hoveej joiye’”Dr. Seyedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb TUS.
******************************************

“Jaha’ lagan d’am ma’ d’am rehay, ek ragh halti rehay,
waha’ lagan Imam uz Zaman ni Khidmat karjo”

Dr. Seyedna Tahir Saifuddin Sahib RA; of revered
memory.
*******************************************************

Nine Centuries of Successive Benevolence,

N ine novel centuries secluded an Imam
 by his vicegerent,
 recent times depict their rule
 as almost a novel reminiscence,
I ntensive intelligible leadership,
 benevolent & munificent,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq of each era
 is etched in resonating reverence,
N umerous nights of solitude
 and seeking solace,
 bereft of the Imam and his empire,
 and Islam’s highest office,
E ngaging every enemy standing guard
 at Islam’s palace,
 a Dai ul Mutlaq ventured to salvage,
 and patiently suffice.

C entury after century would reveal
 the most resounding battle,
 the sentiments of Islam
 and its revelations kept closely secure,
E ntailing, emancipating, endowing
 and educating the faithful,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq dedicated
 their life towards the soul’s cure,
N one necessitated a dedication
 seen in the likes of them,
 eschewing worldly ambition
 bringing fertility to Allah’s final deen,
T antamount to the call to faith
 from the Imam’s veritable realm,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq stood guard
 on duty as none could ever have been,
U nseen and yet endowing endlessly,
 the Imam’s hand lay on their shoulder,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq pledged to maintain
 this office come whatever….
R epeatedly persecuted by
 unscrupulous kings of their era,
 they saught patience in remembering
 the house of sorrows of Ma Fatema,
I ndicted dissidents demanded
 deplorable warrants of arrest,
 they ventured to erase Hussains name
 from the faithful’s chest,
E ndowed by a nine hundred year old office
 of sentiment and wisdom,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq faught
 for righteousness and its freedom,
S priritually and secularly
 their work is benevolent and undying,
 choosing capable successors
 the office never ceased functioning.

O fficiating their duties,
 authority and jurisdiction,
 a community of believers
 turned towards a Dawoodi Bohra tradition,
F orming a community of
 steadfast faith and belief,
 gathering believers to mourn
 thy matchless martyrdom in grief,

S warms of busy bees converged
 to soothing sermons,
 a clear path to eternal freedom
 sprung from Ilmi fountains,
U nilaterally declaring this community
 one which doubts not,
 a cradle of human beings, rare gems,
 secured from Satan’s plot,
C onstantly craving the preambles
 of the secrets of creation,
 ameliorated and endowed by
 the Dai’s “laagni” and benediction,
C reating credible and creditable
 enterprises and companies,
 the community engaged themselves
 in business and its philosophies,
E mbattled by the ways of the world
 and who held the stakes,
 bohras venturing overseas
 came to be known as enterprising sheikhs,
S ervice to the community and mankind
 revealed their philanthropy,
 astute businessmen generous and kind
 to people and community,
S o strengthening sufficiently
 a vohra identity of entrepreneurs,
 pridefilled they chose to be their beloved Aqa
 Maula’s believers,
I ntuitively incumbent
 lay memories of the Creator,
 mumineen were re addressed to their identity,
 value and culture,
V eritably vohras were given verity
 addressed as mumineen ni jamaat,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq revealed
 a destiny to heaven and its one true path,
E nlightened yet enchained in sin,
 they sought the mercy of the Almighty,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq teached each believer
 who to remember in solemnity.

B uilding bonds of goodwill
 with rulers and emperors,
 the sole aim of the Dai
 was temporal peace for his believers,
E nraged enemies foraged
 for new ways to trample the mission,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq and his ruling rights
 they wantonly question,
N ine centuries of gathering wisdom
 about the people of this world,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq’s immaculate knowledge
 and learning was unfurled,
E recting Mausoleums and Mosques
 with true Fatimid architecture,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq ventured to
 lay a strong foundation in each believer,
V alidating with value to velvet
 the fabric of this close knit community,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq’s task is tiring
 and can never be proclaimed easy,
O rdained aamils with oratory wisdom
 to spread and inculcate Islam,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq commends
 their mundane and temporal charisma,
L aying layer upon layer of noorani garb,
 sheltering followers from harm,
 never forgetting Hussain and his camp
 on the burning sands of Karbala,
E nticing eloquently utilising
 oratorical powers and insight,
 Islamic scriptures and revelations
 were mesmerisingly braught to light,
N ominating and preparing each successor
 with immaculate care and attention,
 the Dai ul Mutlaq paid heed
 to their Imam’s secretly given Ilham,
C reating such ambience and joy
 amongst their followers to jubilation,
 that they are regarded a
 Royal family protecting the faith of Islam,
E ven today Kings and Queens fondly remember,
 with a Dai ul Mutlaq their brief yet amicable
 encounter…

By Huzefa Sh Asgarally.

“Bawaji Saheb ye’ Africa si wada’ thati waqt aa’misl
farmayu’thu, e’j misl aa’j me’ kahu chu:

Ma’thu nichu’ kari ne’, a’nkh masi a’nsu nikali ne’,
ikhlaas si mane’ yaad karse’, t’o me’ ehni’ madad ma’
aa’wis. Jo’ em na’ karu, t’o me’ Imam uz zaman nu Dai nahi’.” Read the rest of this entry »

With joyous sticks, drummed the Yemeni
The pleasant music which soothed souls
The chorus that played all day long, a harmony
Moods of happiness celebrated Meelad of Maula

Yemeni dance whilst women melodiously trumpeting
A sound made like the Red Indians, a divine yell Read the rest of this entry »