The Return of the Shroud- ENGLISH

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ŮŽ ŮŽ ŮŽ Ů? â€ŤŮˆا‏

Kafan kÄŤ WapasÄŤ

RETURN OF

THE SHROUD This booklet was written by Shaykh-e-Tariqat AmÄŤr-e-AÄĽl-eSunnat, the founder of Dawat-e-Islami ‘AllÄ maÄĽ MaulÄ nÄ Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Razavi     in Urdu. The Translation Majlis has translated this booklet into English. If you find any mistake in the translation or composing, please inform Translation Majlis on the following postal or email address with the intention of earning reward [Ĺ awÄ b].

Translation Majlis (Dawat-e-Islami) Alami Madani Markaz, Faizan-e-Madinah, Mahallah Saudagran, Old Sabzi Mandi, Bab-ul-Madinah, Karachi, Pakistan Contact: +92-21-34921389 to 91 Email: translation@dawateislami.net

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Duâ€™Ä for Reading the Book ead the following Duâ€™Ä (supplication) before you study a religious book or an Islamic lesson, you will remember whatever you study, ! " #   :

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ŮŽ ŮŽŮŽ ŰĄ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů° ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů? ŰĄ â€ŤŮƒ ŮŽŮˆان‏ ‍ش‏ â€ŤŘ­ŮƒŮ…ŘŞâ€Ź Ů? ‍الل Ů?ه ŮŽŮ‘Ů… ا٠ت ŰĄŘ­ ؚل ۥينا‏ ŰĄ ŰĄ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ ŮŽ ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ Ů?Ů„ Ůˆا!Ů?Ůƒعام‏#‍ؚلينا عحتŮƒ ŮŠŮ€ا ذاال‏ Translation YÄ Allah ! " # ! Open the door of knowledge and wisdom for us, and have mercy on us! O the One Who is the Most Honourable and Glorious! (Al-Mustaáš­raf, vol. 1, pp. 40)

Note: Recite ᚢalÄ t-‘Alan-NabÄŤ once before and after the Duâ€™Ä . ii

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS Du’ā for Reading the Book ............................................................ ii

RETURN OF THE SHROUD .................................. 1 Excellence of Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī ................................................. 1 Various names of Rajab and their relevance ................................ 2 َ َ The three letters of ‫[ رجب‬Rajab] ..................................................... 3 The month of sowing seeds ............................................................ 4 Rajab is the name of a heavenly brook.......................................... 6 A heavenly palace............................................................................. 6 Five blessed nights ........................................................................... 6 First fast of Rajab – an atonement for sins of 3 years ................. 7 Fasts were observed in the ark of Sayyidunā Nūḥ ....................... 7 Excellence of a single fast ................................................................ 8 The reward of fasts of 60 months .................................................. 9 The reward of fasts of 100 years ..................................................... 9 Excellence of lending a hand ........................................................10 iii

Return of the Shroud

One virtue equals a hundred year’s virtues ................................10 The fasts of Rajab-ul-Murajjab ....................................................10 A faith enlightening parable of respecting Rajab ......................12 Reward of two years.......................................................................13 Refulgent mountain .......................................................................14 Platter (Kūnḋay) in the month of Rajab .....................................15 Prophet’s companions would convey Šawāb .............................16 A companion donated the garden on behalf of his mother .....17 If 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab is not the day of demise… ...............18 Fixing the day .................................................................................19 A letter from Attar .........................................................................21 Excellence of fasts in first three days of Rajab ......................21 1. Angels ask for forgiveness .............................................22 2. When do the bones of a fasting person glorify Allah 23 Occasion of Mi’rāj-un-Nabī ..............................................26 A Madanī pearl for safeguarding the eyes .............................27 Madanī request .........................................................................27 Transliteration Chart.....................................................................28

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RETURN OF THE SHROUD No matter how lazy Satan makes you feel, read this booklet completely. You will admit its virtues yourself.

Excellence of ᚢalÄ t-‘Alan-NabÄŤ The Prophet of RaḼmaÄĽ, the Intercessor of UmmaÄĽ, the Owner * of JannaÄĽ + ! Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) has stated, ‘Whoever writes my name in a book, for as long my name remains therein, the angels will continue asking absolution (supplication of forgiveness) for him.’ (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsaáš­, vol. 1, pp. 497, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 1835)

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

At the time of her death, a pious lady in the city of Basra made a will to her son to shroud her in the clothes she used to wear whilst worshipping in the holy month of Rajab. After her demise, her son buried her, shrouding in some other piece of cloth. When he returned home from the graveyard, he was astonished to witness that the cloth in which he had shrouded his mother was at home. After anxiously searching for the clothes 1

Return of the Shroud

which she had instructed him to shroud her with, he found that those clothes had disappeared from their place. Suddenly, a voice was heard from the unknown, ‘Take back your shroud. We have shrouded her (in the cloth which she had willed); we do not leave the people who observe fast in Rajab to be stricken with grief in their graves.’ (Nuzĥa-tul-Majālis, vol. 1, pp. 208) May Allah ! " # have mercy on them and may He forgive us without holding accountable for their sake! َ ۡ ّ َّ َ ۡ ٓ ٰ َ َ ٰ َ ُ ّٰ َّ َ َّ ‫ عل ۡيهِ َوا ِل ِ َو َسلم‬4‫ ت َعا‬/‫ا‬ ‫م ۡي صل‬ ِ !‫ب ا‬ ِ ِ ‫ا ِمي ِباه ِ ال‬

Various names of Rajab and their relevance َ

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

[Rajab] has been derived from the word ‫[ تَ ۡر ِج ۡيب‬Tarjīb], which َ َۡ

means to pay respect. It is also known as ‫[ ا! َص ۡب‬Al-Aṣab], which means ‘fast flowing’, as the downpour of mercy is increased exponentially upon those who repent in this month and those who worship in this month are blessed with the light of َ َ َۡ acceptance. It is also called ‫[ ا!ص ّم‬Al-Aṣam], which means ‘the most deaf’ because war noise is not heard at all, in this month. (Mukāshafa-tul-Qulūb, pp. 301)

It is stated in Ghunya-tuṭ-Ṭālibīn that this month is also called

َ ‫‘ َش ۡهر‬the month of stoning’, as the Satans are stoned in it so ‫الر َج ۡم‬ ِ

that they do not cause aggravation to the Muslims. This blessed َ َ َۡ month is also known by ‫[ ا!ص ّم‬Al-Aṣam], which means ‘the 2

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most deaf’ because it has not been heard [or recorded] that Allah ! " # punished any nation in this month, contrary to other months in which Allah ! " # has sent down punishment on the previous nations. (Ghunya-tuáš­-ášŹÄ libÄŤn, vol. 1, pp. 319-320)

ŮŽ ŮŽ

The three letters of ‍[ ع؏ب‏Rajab] Dear Islamic brothers! ! " #   . ,% - + , what can be said about the wonderful virtues of the month of Rajab? It is stated in MukÄ shafa-tul-QulĹŤb that our pious saints ' %     / 0 have stated, ‘There are three letters in the word Rajab; ‍[ ع‏RÄ ], ‍[ ؏‏JÄŤm] and 1 [BÄ ]. The first letter ‍[ ع‏RÄ ] stands for the Mercy of Allah [RaḼmat of Allah], ‍[ ؏‏JÄŤm] stands for Crime (Jurm) of the person and 1 [BÄ ] stands for Kindness (Birr). In other words, Allah ! " # says, ‘Place my servant’s crime between My Mercy and My Kindness. (MukÄ shafa-tul-QulĹŤb, pp. 301) ‘IᚣyÄ n say kabÄĽÄŤ ÄĽam nay kanÄ rÄ na kiyÄ Par TĹŤ nay dil Ä zurdaÄĽ ÄĽamÄ rÄ na kiyÄ Ä¤am nay to JaÄĽannam kÄŤ baÄĽut kÄŤ tajwÄŤz Laykin TayrÄŤ raḼmat nay gawÄ rÄ na kiyÄ Sins, we have parted from them never, But You did not afflict our heart with sorrow Into the Hell, we did everything for entry, But what prevented from was Your Mercy

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏ 3

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

Return of the Shroud

The month of sowing seeds   2 / Shaykh SayyidunÄ â€˜AllÄ maÄĽ ᚢaffĹŤrÄŤ &  ' %   ( 0 has stated, ‘Rajab is the month of sowing the seeds, Sha’bÄ n for watering and Ramadan is the month for harvesting the crop. Therefore, if someone does not sow the seeds of worship in Rajab and does not water them with tears of remorse in Sha’bÄ n, then how will  2 / 0 he be able to harvest mercy in Ramadan?’ The Shaykh & ' %  ( has further added, ‘Rajab purifies the body, Sha’bÄ n purifies the heart and Ramadan purifies the soul.’ (NuzÄĽa-tul-MajÄ lis, vol. 1,

pp. 209)

Dear Islamic brothers! Affiliate yourself with the MadanÄŤ environment of Dawat-e-Islami to develop the mindset of worship and fasts in the month of Rajab-ul-Murajjab. Make yourselves a traveller in the MadanÄŤ QÄ filaļ’s for the propagation of SunnaÄĽ and partake in IjtimÄ â€™ÄŤ I’tikÄ f set up by Dawat-e-Islami in Ramadan-ul-MubÄ rak. ! " #   , your life will have a MadanÄŤ revolution. Here I present to you a MadanÄŤ marvel for your inspiration: An Islamic brother of Fatehpur Kamal (district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan) himself narrated that prior to adhering to the MadanÄŤ environment, I did offer my ᚢalÄ ÄĽ but despite that I was indulged in various sins such as: listening to songs, watching movies and dramas, playing cards, etc. Whilst attending college, I always used to place my bicycle in the shop of an Islamic brother. 4

Return of the Shroud

Those were the days of Rajab-ul-Murajjab when as usual I went to place my bicycle in the shop and the Islamic brother invited me to the Ijtimā’ of Żikr-o-Na’at on the account of Shab-e-Mi’rāj (the Night of Ascension). After building up the urge to attend, on that night I left from my village (which was a fair distance away) for the Ijtimā’ of Żikr-o-Na’at and stayed there for the whole night. I felt immense peace and pleasure from the Ijtimā’ of Żikr-oNa’at and for that reason, I started attending the weekly Ijtimā’ regularly. Meanwhile, the onset of the blessed month of Ramadan-ul-Mubārak had taken place. The Islamic brothers with their individual efforts had prepared me for observing I’tikāf. I was already impressed and therefore readied myself for I’tikāf. I learnt numerous pearls of Islamic knowledge in the 10-Day I’tikāf and ! " #    4 3 , I crowned my head with the ‘Imāmaĥ, adorned my face with the beard and I felt resentment from the sinful life. At the time of writing all this, I am struggling for Madanī activities bearing divisional level responsibility for Madanī In’āmāt. May Allah ! " # bestow me with steadfastness in the Madanī environment!

َ ُ ٰ َ ٰ َ ُ ّٰ َّ َ ‫ * م َّمد‬4‫ ت َعا‬/‫ا‬ ‫صل‬ 5

َ َ ۡ ُّ َ َۡ * ‫الب ِ ۡيب‬ ‫صلوا‬

Return of the Shroud

Rajab is the name of a heavenly brook SayyidunÄ Anas Bin MÄ lik 6 #  ' %     5 0 has narrated that the Beloved and Blessed RasĹŤl + !   Ů– % !  #  ' %     ) * has stated, ‘In Heaven, there is a brook called Rajab, its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey; whoever observes one fast of Rajab, Allah ! " # will make him drink with this brook’s water.’

(Shu’ab-ul-ÄŞmÄ n, vol. 3, pp. 367, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 3800)

A heavenly palace A Tabi’č saint, SayyidunÄ AbĹŤ QilÄ baÄĽ 6 #  ' %   (   5 0 has stated, ‘There is a palace in Heaven for those who observe fasts in Rajab.’

(Shu’ab-ul-ÄŞmÄ n, vol. 3, pp. 368, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 3802)

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

Five blessed nights SayyidunÄ AbĹŤ UmÄ maÄĽ 6 #  ' %  (   0 has narrated that the Beloved 5 * and Blessed Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) has said, ‘There are five nights in which Duâ€™Ä is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha’bÄ n, the night between Thursday and Friday, the night of Eid-ul-Fiáš­r and the night of Eid-ul-Aá¸?á¸ĽÄ (the 10th Ĺťul-Ḥajja-tul-ḤarÄ m).’ (TÄ rÄŤkh Dimishq li-Ibn ‘AsÄ kir, vol. 10, pp. 408)  2 / SayyidunÄ KhÄ lid Bin Ma’dÄ n & ' %  ( 0 has stated, ‘There are 5 such nights in a year if one spends them in worship out of recognition with an intention of gaining reward, Allah ! " # will make him enter into the Heaven:

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1.

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

2.

the 15th night of Sha’bÄ n (i.e. Shab-e-BarÄ -at); worship during this night and observe fast during the day.

3.

the night of Eid-ul-Fiáš­r & Eid-ul-Aá¸?á¸ĽÄ (the night between the 9th and 10th Ĺťul-Ḥajja-tul-ḤarÄ m); worship during these nights but do not observe fast during the days (as it is impermissible to fast on the days of Eid festivals).

4.

the night of ‘ĀshĹŤrÄ (10th night of MuḼarram); worship during the night and observe fast during the day. (Faá¸?Ä il ShaÄĽr-e-Rajab lil-KhallÄ l, pp. 10) (Ghunya-tuáš­-ášŹÄ libÄŤn, vol. 1, pp. 327)

First fast of Rajab – an atonement for sins of 3 years SayyidunÄ â€˜AbdullÄ ÄĽ Ibn ‘AbbÄ s 3 6 #  ' %    5 0 has narrated that * the Beloved and Blessed Prophet + !   Ů– % !  & ' %  (   ) has said, ‘The fast of the first day of Rajab is atonement for three years, the fast of the second day is atonement for two years, the fast of the third day is atonement for one year and then the fast of each remaining day is atonement for one month.’ (Al-JÄ mi’-uᚣ-ᚢaghÄŤr,

pp. 311, Ḥadčť 5051)

Fasts were observed in the ark of SayyidunÄ NōḼ SayyidunÄ Anas 6 #  ' %   (   0 has reported that the Prophet of 5 * RaḼmaÄĽ, the Intercessor of UmmaÄĽ + !  Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) said, ‘Anyone who observes a fast in the month of Rajab; it will be

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like fasts of one year. Whosoever observes seven fasts, the seven doors of Hell will be closed for him, whosoever observes eight fasts, the eight portals of Heaven will be opened for him, anyone who observes ten fasts, whatever he beseeches before Allah ! " # , it will be granted to him. And, whosoever observes 15 fasts, a heavenly herald announces, ‘Your past sins have been forgiven; therefore you commence deeds afresh as your evil deeds have been replaced by good deeds.’ And whosoever does more, may   # !  6 7 - 8  %) # Allah ! " # grant him more.’ SayyidunÄ NōḼ <= > ! 9 :% ; stepped onto his Ark in Rajab; he himself observed fast and ordered his fellow-voyagers to observe fast too. His Ark travelled for six months until the 10th of MuḼarram-ul-ḤarÄ m.’ (Shu’ab-ul-ÄŞmÄ n, vol. 3, pp. 368, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 3801)

Excellence of a single fast The master of ḤadÄŤĹĄ, SayyidunÄ â€˜Abdul Ḥaq MuḼaddiĹĄ DiÄĽlvÄŤ has cited the following ḤadÄŤĹĄ of our Beloved * Prophet + !   Ů– % !  & ' %  (   ) , ‘Rajab is a month among the months of ḤurmaÄĽ (holiness) and its days are inscribed on the portal of the sixth Heaven. If a person fasts a day in Rajab and completes it with observing piety, then this fast and this day (when he fasted) will seek forgiveness for him from Allah ! " # and will say, ‘YÄ Allah ! " # , forgive this servant!’ If the person fasts without observing piety, that fast and that day will not make the plea for his forgiveness and they will say to him, ‘Your Nafs has betrayed you.’ (MÄ ĹĄabata bis-SunnaÄĽ, pp. 234) (Faá¸?Ä il ShaÄĽr-e-Rajab @: A ŰĄ     2 3 ? 0  #

lil-KhallÄ l, pp. 3-4)

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

The reward of fasts of 60 months SayyidunÄ AbĹŤ ĤurayraÄĽ 6 #  ' %  (   0 has stated, ‘Whosoever fasts 5 th on the 27 of Rajab, Allah ! " # will inscribe reward of observing fasts for 60 months.’ (Faá¸?Ä il ShaÄĽr-e-Rajab lil-KhallÄ l, pp. 10)

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

The reward of fasts of 100 years Words cannot quantify the magnificence of the 27th of Rajab. It * was the date when the Beloved Prophet + !  Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) was granted the wonderful miracle of Mi’rÄ j (Physical Ascension in the Exalted Court of Allah ! " # ). (SharḼ-uz-ZarqÄ nÄŤ ‘ala MawÄ ÄĽib-ulLadunniyaÄĽ, vol. 8, pp. 18)

Subsequently, there is a great virtue in the fast of the 27th of Rajab. Hence, SayyidunÄ SalmÄ n FÄ rsÄŤ 6 #  ' %  (   0 has narrated 5 * that the Noble Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) said, ‘There is a day and a night in the month of Rajab; if a person fasts during the day and stands (for worship) in the night, it will be as if he observes fasts for one hundred years. This is the 27th of Rajab.’ (Shu’ab-ul-ÄŞmÄ n, vol. 3, pp. 374, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 3811)

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Excellence of lending a hand Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāĥ Ibn Zubayr 6 #  ' %     5 0 has reported, ‘Whoever alleviates distress of some Muslim in the month of Rajab, Allah ! " # will grant him a palace in Paradise which will be as spacious as the farthest limits of sight. Honour Rajab, Allah ! " # will honour you with a thousand virtues.’ (Ghunya-tuṭ-Ṭālibīn,

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

One virtue equals a hundred year’s virtues There is a night in Rajab in which the one doing a good deed is granted with Šawāb of good deeds of 100 years and that night is the 27th of Rajab. Whoever offers 12 Rak’āt in this night reciting Sūraĥ Al-Fātiḥaĥ followed by any other Sūraĥ in each Rak’at; sits for Attaḥiyyāt after every two Rak’āt and having offered Salām

َ ۡ َ ُ ّٰ َ ُ ّٰ

َّ َ ٰ

َ َ ّٰ ُ ۡ ۡ َ ّٰ

َ ٰ ُۡ

َ ‫ِ و‬/‫سبحن ا‬, after 12 Rak’āt, invokes: ‫ اكب‬/‫ وا‬/‫ ِ ول ا ِل ا ِ! ا‬/ِ ‫المد‬ Istighfār, and Ṣalāt-‘Alan-Nabī each a hundred times and then asks Du’ā for whatever thing belonging to worldly life or afterlife and fasts the next day, Allah ! " # will accept all his supplications except those that were made for sin.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Īmān, vol. 3, pp. 374, Ḥadīš 3812)

The fasts of Rajab-ul-Murajjab Dear Islamic brothers! Four months bear distinguished Ḥurmaĥ (holiness) in the court of Allah ! " # ; hence Allah ! " # has said in Sūraĥ At-Taubaĥ: 10

Return of the Shroud

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Ů° ۤ ŰĄ ^\][ N @ ZK 6 45 1 ŰĄ (LI&XY /ŰĄ RT UŰĄ V Q#N G # A I&XY A8 9 Indeed the number of months before Allah ( ! " # ) is twelve in the Book of Allah, since the day He ( ! " #) created the Heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred; this is the straight religion; so do not wrong yourselves in those months and constantly fight against the polytheists as they constantly fight against you and know well that Allah ( ! " # ) is with the pious. [Kanz-ul-ÄŞmÄ n (Translation of Quran)] (Part 10, SĹŤraÄĽ At-TaubaÄĽ, Verse 36)

Dear Islamic brothers! In the aforementioned blessed verse, the months mentioned are those based on the lunar calendar. The rulings under the Islamic law are based upon the lunar months. The fasts of Ramadan, rulings of ZakÄ ÄĽ, and the rites of Hajj; Islamic festivals such as MawlĹŤd-un-NabÄŤ, Eid-ul-Fiáš­r, Eid-ul-Aá¸?á¸ĽÄ , Night of Mi’rÄ j, Shab-e-BarÄ -at, the Auspicious GiyÄ rÄĽwÄŤn1, ‘Urs of saints of Islam, etc. are all solemnized according to the lunar calendar. Alas! Nowadays, when Muslims are going afar from the SunnaÄĽ, they are also disconnecting themselves from the Islamic calendar. 1

The 11th of Rabč’-ul-Ä€khir; widely known as GiyÄ rÄĽwÄŤn is attributed to the ‘Urs of His  2 / Excellence, Shaykh ‘Abdul QÄ dir JÄŤlÄ nÄŤ & ' %  ( 0 .

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If a question is posed to a gathering of one lac Muslims, ‘What is the Islamic date, month and year today?’ Probably a hundred Muslims would be able to give a correct reply. Remember that it is obligatory to pay consideration on lunar months in various relevant matters such as obligation of ZakÄ ÄĽ, etc. Commenting on the aforementioned verse, Shaykh SayyidunÄ Na’čmuddÄŤn MurÄ dÄ bÄ dÄŤ @ ŰĄ    2 3 ?ŰĄ 0   # has stated in KhazÄ in-ul‘IrfÄ n, ‘[Among the four months of ḤurmaÄĽ are] three are consecutive months i.e. Ĺťul-Qa’daÄĽ, Ĺťul-ḤijjaÄĽ, MuḼarram, and the fourth one is that of Rajab. Even in the times of ignorance, the Arabs considered killing (war) to be ḤarÄ m in these months. In Islam, the ḤurmaÄĽ and sanctity of these months has been further emphasized.’

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

A faith enlightening parable of respecting Rajab This parable relates to the sacred times of SayyidunÄ â€˜ÄŞsÄ A person fell in love with a woman. One day he managed to take hold of her. From the commotion of the people around, he concluded that they were sighting the moon. He asked the woman, ‘Which month’s crescent are the people looking at?’ She replied, ‘The month of Rajab.’ Although that person was a KÄ fir [unbeliever], upon hearing the sacred name of Rajab, he immediately moved away from the woman out of respect and refrained from committing the wrongful act.

<= >   # !  6 7 - 8  %) # . ! 9 :% ;

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  # !  6 - 8  %) # was commanded by Allah ! " # SayyidunÄ â€˜ÄŞsÄ <= > ! 9 :% ;   # !  6 - 8  %) # went to to visit that person. SayyidunÄ â€˜ÄŞsÄ <= > ! 9 :% ; visit that person. He told the commandment of Allah ! " # and the purpose of his visit. Upon hearing this, that person’s heart became enlightened with the NĹŤr (light) of Islam and eventually he embraced Islam. (AnÄŤs-ul-WÄ â€™iáş“ÄŤn, pp. 177)

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you notice the virtues of the Holy month of Rajab? An unbeliever was blessed with the treasure of ÄŞmÄ n because of the respect he paid to Rajab. So if a Muslim paid respect to Rajab, who can estimate the great benefits and rewards he would deserve in return. Muslims ought to respect the month of Rajab very much. The Holy Quran also prohibits the people from oppressing their own souls in the months of ḤurmaÄĽ.

ŰĄ

ŰĄ

Commenting on the verse /ŰĄ R" ST , 3 ŰĄ & ŰĄ PQ !& (so do not wrong yourselves in those months) it is stated in NĹŤr-ul-‘IrfÄ n, ‘Abstain from sins especially in these four months.’ (NĹŤr-ul-‘IrfÄ n, pp. 306)

Reward of two years SayyidunÄ Anas 6 #  ' %  (   0 has reported that the Most Dignified 5 * Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) said, ‘The one who observes fasts for three days i.e. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the months of

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ḤurmaÄĽ, reward of two years of worship will be registered for him.’ (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsaáš­, vol. 1, pp. 485, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 1789) Dear Islamic brothers! The months of ḤurmaÄĽ meant in the aforementioned ḤadÄŤĹĄ are the same four i.e. Ĺťul-Qa’daÄĽ, ĹťulḤijjaÄĽ, MuḼarram, and Rajab. If you observe fasts in specified three days in any of these four months, ! " #   you will gain the reward of worship of two years. Tayray karam say ay KarÄŤm MujÄĽay kaun sÄŤ shay milÄŤ naÄĽÄŤn JÄĽaulÄŤ ÄĽÄŤ mayrÄŤ tang ÄĽay Taray yaÄĽÄ n kamÄŤ naÄĽÄŤn O the Most Merciful, from the things You’ve endowed, What have I not got! My capacity is limited, But Your endowments are unlimited

Refulgent mountain   # !  6 - 8  %) # passed by a refulgent Once, SayyidunÄ â€˜ÄŞsÄ <= > ! 9 :% ; mountain. He <= >   # requested in the court of Allah ! " # , # ‘YÄ Allah ! " ! Grant this mountain the faculty of speech.’ The   #  mountain then spoke, ‘O RōḼullÄ ÄĽ (<= > !   9:% ; !  6 - 8  %) # )! What do you want?’ The Prophet <= >   # replied, ‘Reveal to me your account.’ The mountain said, ‘A person lives inside me.’ SayyidunÄ â€† # !  6 - 8  %) # requested in the court of Allah ! " # , ‘YÄ â€˜ÄŞsÄ <= > ! 9 :% ; Allah ! " # ! Reveal him before me.’

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All of a sudden, the mountain split up and a saint with a face refulgent like the moon emerged from it. The man said, ‘I am   # !  follower of SayyidunÄ MĹŤsÄ (<= > ! 9 :% ; 6 - 8  %) # ). I asked Duâ€™Ä to Allah ! " # to keep me alive until the advent of the Last * Prophet Muhammad + !  Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) , so that I may behold him and I may get the honour of getting inducted into his UmmaÄĽ. ! " #   4 3 , , I have been worshipping Allah ! " # in this mountain for 600 years.’   # !  6 - 8  %) # requested in the court of SayyidunÄ â€˜ÄŞsÄ <= > ! 9 :% ; Allah ! " # , ‘YÄ Allah ! " # ! Is there anyone more honourable to You on this earth than this servant of Yours?’ Allah ! " #   # !  6 - 8  %) # )! Whoever amongst the replied, ‘O â€˜ÄŞsÄ (<= > ! 9 :% ; * UmmaÄĽ of Muhammad ( + !  Ů– % !  & ' %  (   ) ) fasts a single day in the month of Rajab is more honourable to me than this person.’

(NuzÄĽa-tul-MajÄ lis, vol. 1, pp. 208)

May Allah ! " # have mercy on them and may He forgive us without holding accountable for their sake! Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ Ů‘ŮŽ ‍ َؚل ۥيهŮ? ŮŽŮˆا Ů?Ů„ Ů? ŮŽŮˆ َسلم‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŰĄ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘ Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů? Ů“ ‍ب ا! Ů?مي‏ Ů? Ů? ‍امي Ů?باه Ů? ال‏

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

Platter (KĹŤnḋay) in the month of Rajab On 22nd of Rajab-ul-Murajjab, Muslims cook KÄĽÄŤr and PĹŤrÄŤ (which is called ‘KĹŤnḋay’) for conveying Ĺ awÄ b to SayyidunÄ 15

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ImÄ m Ja’far áš˘Ä diq 6 #  ' %   (  5 0 . There is no reason for declaring this ritual sinful or impermissible. However on this occasion, some women read ‘Story of 10 Ladies’ or ‘Story of a Woodcutter’, that is impermissible as these stories and ‘Story of JanÄ b-e-Sayyidaļ’ are unfounded. So avoid reading these stories. Instead, recite SuraÄĽ YÄ sÄŤn as it will bring the Ĺ awÄ b of reciting the Holy Quran ten times.

Remember that it is not a binding to serve KÄĽÄŤr in some platter only; it may be served in any type of crockery and it may be distributed outside the home as well. In fact, the basis of NiyÄ z and FÄ tiḼaÄĽ is ÄŞášŁÄ l-e-Ĺ awÄ b1, and serving KĹŤnḋay in the month of Rajab is a sort of ÄŞášŁÄ l-e-Ĺ awÄ b. ÄŞášŁÄ l-e-Ĺ awÄ b is proven from the Holy Quran and ḤadÄŤĹĄ. ÄŞášŁÄ l-e-Ĺ awÄ b may be performed by means of supplications and also by FÄ tiḼaÄĽ on cooked food.

Prophet’s companions would convey Ĺ awÄ b Shaykh ‘AllÄ maÄĽ JalÄ luddÄŤn SuyĹŤáš­ÄŤ @: A ŰĄ    2 3 ? 0  # has reported that the companions 6 #  ' %   (   0 would feed others on behalf 5 of the deceased Muslims up to seven days. (Al-á¸¤Ä wÄŤ lil-FatÄ wÄ lisSuyuáš­ÄŤ, vol. 2, pp. 223)

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏ 1

Conveying the reward of good deeds

16

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

Return of the Shroud

A companion donated the garden on behalf of his mother When SayyidunÄ Sa’d Bin ‘UbÄ daļ’s mother passed away; he 6 #  %   (   5 ' 0 presented himself in the court of the Beloved * Prophet + !  Ů– % !  & ' %  (   ) and inquired, ‘My mother has died in my absence; if I donate something in charity on her behalf, will * it benefit her?’ The Noble Prophet + !  Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) replied, ‘Yes.’ The companion 6 #  ' %  (   0 said, ‘So, I testify making you 5 a witness that I donate my garden in charity on her behalf.’ (ᚢaḼčḼ BukhÄ rÄŤ, vol. 2, pp. 241, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 2762)

Hence it became evident that conveying Ĺ awÄ b by feeding meals and by donating garden that is money is permissible. ‘KĹŤnḋay’ is in fact spending money for conveying Ĺ awÄ b. My master A’lÄ á¸¤aá¸?rat ImÄ m AḼmad RazÄ KhÄ n .%/   2 / 0  # has stated: Having cooked the meals and donating as charity on behalf of deceased Muslims is undoubtedly permissible and commendable, and doing FÄ tiḼaÄĽ on such meals for the purpose of conveying Ĺ awÄ b is second commendable act; combining the two (good) things is nothing but an increase in the goodness. (FatÄ wÄ RazawiyyaÄĽ, vol. 9, pp. 595)

For every Muslim, it is commendable that whatsoever good deeds he performs, he should convey their Ĺ awÄ b to all the preceding and succeeding Muslims, whether dead or alive (i.e. starting from SayyidunÄ Ä€dam <= >   # to all the Muslims that 17

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will come till the onset of Doomsday). The Šawāb will reach every Muslim and the one conveying the Šawāb will be rewarded with the Šawāb equivalent to that of all those. (Fatāwā Razawiyyaĥ, vol. 9, pp. 617)

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

َ ُ ٰ َ ٰ َ ُ ّٰ َّ َ ‫ * م َّمد‬4‫ ت َعا‬/‫ا‬ ‫صل‬

َ َ ۡ ُّ َ َۡ * ‫الب ِ ۡيب‬ ‫صلوا‬

If 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab is not the day of demise… Evil whisper: It is said that 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab is not the death anniversary of Sayyidunā Imām Ja’far Ṣādiq C D ۡ    2 3 ? 0  # , in fact he passed away on 15th Rajab-ul-Murajjab; therefore Kūnḋay should not be arranged on 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab. (Shawāĥid-un-Nubūwwaĥ, pp. 245)

Answer to the evil whisper: Ok. Let’s assume that there is some contradiction in date of demise of Sayyidunā Imām Ja’far Ṣādiq C D ۡ     2 3 ? 0  # , but since it is a long lasting tradition among the Muslims to arrange Kūnḋay for his Īṣāl-e-Šawāb on the 22nd Rajab-ul-Murajjab and since Īṣāl-e-Šawāb is permissible whenever it is done throughout the year, therefore, declaring 18

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KĹŤnḋay as impermissible is a false blame on Sharč’aÄĽ. Such false accusers should read Verse 87 in Part 7 of SuraÄĽ Al-MÄ idaÄĽ and take heed to the commandment of Allah ! " # where it is stated:

Ů° d eŮ° f ŰĄ ' bc C ŰĄ aK , ŰĄG` #3 G #GŮ°Ů“ ŰĄ Ů°

ٰ ۤ ^kl[ , ۥG @ ۥ ? b j C 6 45 1 ( ۥ @ ۥ Q C /ۥ h i 6 45 g0 #'

O People who believe! Do not forbid the pure things, which Allah ( ! " # ) has made lawful for you, and do not cross the limits; indeed Allah ( ! " #) dislikes the transgressors. [Kanz-ul-ÄŞmÄ n (Translation of Quran)] (Part 7, SĹŤraÄĽ Al-MÄ idaÄĽ, Verse 87)

Fixing the day Evil whisper: Why has the 3rd and 40th day after death, 12th of Rabč’-un-NĹŤr, 11th of Rabč’-ul-GhauĹĄ, etc. have been fixed for ÄŞášŁÄ l-e-Ĺ awÄ b? Answer to the evil whisper: As per Sharč’aÄĽ, it is neither essential to fix a time or duration for ÄŞášŁÄ l-e-Ĺ awÄ b nor there is any harm in fixing the time for conveying Ĺ awÄ b. The fixing of days is of two kinds: 1.

Shar’č: Where Sharč’aļ has specified the time for doing something such as animal sacrifice, Hajj, etc.

2.

‘UrfÄŤ (customary): Where Sharč’aÄĽ has not specified the time but people fix a time at their own for the sake of 19

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mutual convenience or for remembrance or for some other benefit. For example, in these times, the fixing of time for congregational ᚢalÄ ÄĽ in the MasÄ jid is customary whereas in the past era, there was no such time fixing; congregational ᚢalÄ ÄĽ was offered whenever people would * congregate. In fact, the Blessed Prophet + !  Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) himself fixed time for several things and similar practice of fixing the time can be seen in the lives of the companions 6 #  %  ( ' 0 and the saints of Islam, for example:  5 1.

* The Holy Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) scheduled the annual visit to the holy shrines of martyrs of UḼud in the last part of the year. (Dur-re-ManĹĄĹŤr, vol. 4, pp. 640)

2.

* The Beloved and Blessed Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) used to visit Masjid-e-QubÄ on Saturdays. (ᚢaḼčḼ Muslim, pp. 724,

Ḥadčť 1399)

3.

The morning and evening time was set for religious counselling with SayyidunÄ áš˘iddÄŤq Akbar 6 #  ' %   (   0 . 5 (ᚢaḼčḼ BukhÄ rÄŤ, vol. 1, pp. 180, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 476)

4.

SayyidunÄ â€˜AbdullÄ ÄĽ Bin Mas’ōd 6 #  ' %   (   0 fixed the 5 day of Thursday for delivering the sermons. (ᚢaḼčḼ BukhÄ rÄŤ,

vol. 1, pp. 42, Ḥadčť 70)

5.

The scholars of Islam fixed the day of Wednesday for commencement of new lessons. (Ta’lÄŤm-ul-Muta’allim, pp. 72) (FatÄ wÄ RazawiyyaÄĽ, vol. 9, pp. 585-586)

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A letter from Attar

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

ُ َ ّٰ ُ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َ ُ َ َّ َ ‫ِ َو َب َركت ُه‬/‫حة ا‬ ‫م عليكم ور‬#‫الس‬ ٰ ّ ُ َ َ َ ۡ َ ٰ ۡ ّ ‫ِ َر‬/ّٰ ِ ‫ل ۡم ُد‬ َ ۡ َ‫ا‬ ‫ال‬ ٍ ‫كح‬ ِ ِ * ‫ب العل ِمي‬ ! " #   4 3 , !

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

َ ُ ٰ َ ٰ َ ُ ّٰ َّ َ ‫ * م َّمد‬4‫ ت َعا‬/‫ا‬ ‫صل‬

َ َ ۡ ُّ َ َۡ * ‫الب ِ ۡيب‬ ‫صلوا‬

Excellence of fasts in first three days of Rajab O those who value Rajab-ul-Murajjab! Be ready to observe fasts in all days of three continuous months or of as many days 21

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as you can, provided it does not affect efficiency of teaching/ learning or job performance. Also Nafl fasts should be avoided if parents refuse to do so. Apply Qufl-e MadÄŤnaÄĽ by eating less at the time of SaḼarÄŤ and Ifáš­Ä r. May the blossoming of fasts prevail in every home and in all my JÄ mi’a-tul-MadÄŤnaÄĽs and Madrasa-tul-MadÄŤnaÄĽs! So let’s start observing the fasts from the very 1st day of Rajab-ul-Murajjab. What a great excellence fasts of first three days of Rajab-ul Murajjab bear! SayyidunÄ â€˜AbdullÄ ÄĽ Ibn ‘AbbÄ s 3 6 #  ' %     5 0 * has narrated that the Noble Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) has said, ‘The fast of the first day of Rajab is atonement for three years, the fast of the second day is atonement for two years, the fast of the third day is atonement for one year and then the fast of each remaining day is atonement for one month.’ (Al-JÄ mi’-uᚣ-ᚢaghÄŤr, pp. 311, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 5051)

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

NaflÄŤ (supererogatory) fasts bring wonderful blessings. In this context, two Aá¸ĽÄ dÄŤĹĄ are being presented:

1. Angels ask for forgiveness SayyidatunÄ Umm-e-‘UmmÄ raÄĽ 6#  ' %   (   0 has reported, ‘The 5 Prophet of mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the * Most Generous and Kind + !   Ů– % !  & ' %  (   ) visited my home and

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I served some food in the blessed court of the Holy Prophet * * Ů– + !   Ů– % !  & ' %  (   %  (   ) . He + !   % !  & ' ) said to me, ‘You eat too.’ I replied that I am observing fast. The Prophet of RaḼmaÄĽ * + !   Ů– % !   &  ' %   (   ) said, ‘As long as the food is eaten in front of one observing fast, the angels keep on asking forgiveness for him.’ (Sunan-ut-Tirmişč, vol. 2, pp. 205, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 785)

2. When do the bones of a fasting person glorify Allah Once SayyidunÄ BilÄ l 6 #  ' %  (   0 came into the blessed court of 5 * the Beloved Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) when the Holy Prophet * + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) was taking breakfast. The Noble Prophet * + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) said, ‘O BilÄ l! Have breakfast.’ SayyidunÄ BilÄ l Ů– 6 #  %   (   5 %   (   ) * )! I am ' 0 said, ‘YÄ RasĹŤlallÄ ÄĽ ( + !   % !  &  ' Ů– * + !   !  &  '

  (   ) % observing fast.’ The Great Prophet % replied, ‘We are eating our sustenance while BilÄ l’s sustenance is escalating in the Paradise. O BilÄ l! Are you aware of the fact that as long as the food is eaten in front of a person observing fast, his bones continue to glorify Allah ! " # and the angels supplicate for him.’

(Shu’abul ÄŞmÄ n, vol. 3, pp. 297, ḤadÄŤĹĄ 3586)

The renowned exegete of the Holy Quran MuftÄŤ AḼmad YÄ r Khan 6 3   2 3 ? 0  # has stated: It is evident from this that if a guest arrives whilst you are taking food, asking him to eat is a SunnaÄĽ. But this offer should be from the core of the heart and not superficial. 23

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

ŮŽ

ŮŽ َ‍ب‏ does not feel desire to eat then he should say /‍ـاعŮƒ ا‏ . It was also revealed that one need not to conceal his good deeds from the * Beloved Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) , instead these should be * revealed so that the Noble Prophet + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) may bear witness for these deeds. This revealing does not fall in the category of ostentation. Whatever was said having heard about BilÄ l’s fast has been explained as:

We are eating our today’s sustenance here, whereas SayyidunÄ BilÄ l 6 #  ' %   (   0 will avail his sustenance in lieu of this in 5 Paradise and that recompense will be better in quality and more in quantity. However, this ḤadÄŤĹĄ conveys clear message. Certainly every bone and joint and even every fibre of the body of the person observing fast glorify Allah ! " # at that time, of which that person is unaware, but the Beloved and Blessed Prophet * + !   Ů– % !  & ' %  (   ) listens to it. (MirÄ t-ul-ManÄ jčḼ, vol. 3, pp. 202) Even if you have studied earlier, re-read both booklets i.e. Return of the Shroud detailing the Blessings of Rajab-ul-Murajjab and * the Month of My Prophet + !   Ů– % !  & ' %  (   ) . Also, go through the chapter Blessings of Ramadan from FaÄŤzÄ n-e-Sunnat every year in the month of Sha’bÄ n-ul-Mu’aáş“áş“am. If possible, distribute 127 or 27 booklets in relation to 27th of Rajab i.e. the festival of * Mi’rÄ j-un-NabÄŤ + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) , or distribute Blessings of Ramadan according to your capacity to earn immense Ĺ awÄ b. 24

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It is further requested to all Islamic brothers and earnestly requested to the teachers/administrators/students of Jāmi’a-tulMadīnaĥ and Madāris-ul-Madīnaĥ, that (whilst I am alive and even after my demise) please take effective part in collecting Zakāĥ, Fiṭraĥ, skins of the sacrificed animals and collecting other donations. (Islamic sisters should convince other Islamic sisters and their near kin for donations), I swear by Allah ! " # I feel so happy when I hear of those teachers and students who forgo departure to their villages and spend the holy month of Ramadan-ul-Mubārak in the Jāmi’aĥ complying their Majlis by bearing the responsibility of collecting donations. However, those teachers and students who show lack of interest but out of negligence or laziness make my heart weep. Special Madanī pearl: Those Islamic brothers or sisters who want to collect donation, it is Farḍ for them to learn required rulings. It is emphasised to everyone to again read the book ‘Chanday kay bāray mayn Suwāl Jawāb (Questions and Answers regarding Charity)’ consisting of 107 pages, published by Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami. Yā Allah ! " # ! Those devotees of Rasūl who collect donations in Ramadan-ul-Mubārak and the skins of sacrificed animals on Eid-ul-Aḍḥā make my heart happy, You ( ! " # ) stay happy with them forever and for their sake, be pleased with me (the leader of the sinners) forever! 25

Return of the Shroud

Those Islamic brothers and sisters (when there is no valid exemption) who observe fasts for three months every year and read or listen to the books ‘Return of the Shroud’ in JumÄ dal UkhrÄ , ‘the Month of My Prophet’ in Rajab-ul-Murajjab and ‘Blessings of Ramadan’ (completely) in Sha’bÄ n-ul-Mu’aáş“áş“am, YÄ Allah ! " # ! Bestow me and them with Your blessings in this worldly life as well as in the afterlife, forgive us without any accountability and congregate us in the neighbourhood of * Your Beloved Prophet + !   Ů– % !  & ' %  (   ) in Paradise. Ů° ŮŽ ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ Ů‘ŮŽ ‍ ؚل ۥيهŮ? ŮŽŮˆا Ů?Ů„ Ů? ŮŽŮˆ َسلم‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŰĄ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘ Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů? Ů“ ‍ب ا! Ů?مي‏ Ů? Ů? ‍امي Ů?باه Ů? ال‏

Occasion of Mi’rÄ j-un-NabÄŤ Partake in the IjtimÄ â€™ of Ĺťikr-o-Na’at organized by Dawat-eIslami on the 27th Rajab-ul-Murajjab in relation to the occasion * of Mi’rÄ j-un-NabÄŤ + !   Ů– % !  &  ' %   (   ) . In addition, observe the th fast of the 27 Rajab-ul-Murajjab and become deserving to the Ĺ awÄ b for fasts of sixty months. Rajab kÄŤ baÄĽÄ raun kÄ ášŁadaqaÄĽ banÄ day Ĥamayn â€˜Ä shiq-e-Mustafa YÄ IlÄ ÄĽÄŤ For the sake of blessings of Rajab Make us the true devotee of RasĹŤl, YÄ Rab

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏ 26

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

Return of the Shroud

A MadanÄŤ pearl for safeguarding the eyes After five times ᚢalÄ ÄĽ, put right hand on forehead and invoke Ů? ‍ ŮŠŮŽŮ€ا نـ ŰĄŮˆ Ů?ع‏eleven times in single breath, blow on all fingers of both hands and wipe the fingers over the eyes. ! " #   , it will safeguard from blindness, weakness of the eyesight and all eye related diseases. Relief from blindness may also take place by virtue of the blessings of Allah ! " # .

MadanÄŤ request Please read out this epistle every year on the last Thursday of every month of JumÄ dal UkhrÄ in the weekly SunnaÄĽ-Inspiring IjtimÄ /JÄ mi’a-tul-MadÄŤnaÄĽ/Madrasa-tul-MadÄŤnaÄĽ.

ŮŽ Ů? Ů° ŮŽ Ů° ŮŽ Ů? Ů‘Ů° Ů‘ŮŽ ŮŽ ‍ * Ů… َّمد‏4‍ ŘŞ ŮŽؚا‏/‍ا‏ ‍ؾل‏

ŮŽ ŮŽ ŰĄ Ů‘Ů? ŮŽ ŮŽŰĄ * ‍الب Ů? ŰĄŮŠب‏ â€ŤŘľŮ„Ůˆا‏

Give this booklet to someone else after reading it yourself Distribute booklets published by Maktaba-tul-MadÄŤnaÄĽ during weddings, times of grief, IjtimÄ â€™Ä t and other such occasion and earn reward. Make it a habit of keeping booklets in your shop to give to customers for free. Give booklets to the newspaper delivery person or to children and have them distributed in your neighbourhood. Give a new booklet each time and earn reward for calling towards righteousness. 27

Transliteration Chart

‫ء‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ب‬ ‫پ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ٹ‬ ‫ث‬ ‫ج‬ ‫چ‬ ‫ح‬ ‫خ‬ ‫د‬ ‫ڈ‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫ر‬

A/a A/a B/b P/p T/t Ṫ/ṫ Š/š J/j Ch Ḥ/ḥ Kh/kh D/d Ḋ/ḋ Ż/ż R/r

‫ڑ‬ ‫ز‬ ‫ژ‬ ‫س‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ط‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ك‬ ‫گ‬

Ř/ř Z/z X/x S/s Sh/sh

‫ل‬ ‫م‬ ‫ن‬

M/m

‫و‬

V/v, W/w

‫ۃ‬/ ‫ ہ‬/‫ھ‬ ‫ى‬ Ḍ/ḍ ‫ے‬ Ṭ/ṭ ◌َ Ẓ/ẓ ◌ُ ‘ ◌ِ Gh/gh ‫و ﻣ ّﺪہ‬ F/f ‫ى ﻣ ّﺪہ‬ Q/q Ṣ/ṣ

K/k G/g

28

‫ا ﻣ ّﺪہ‬

L/l N/n

Ĥ/ĥ Y/y Y/y A/a U/u I/i Ū/ū Ī/ī Ā/ā

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