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Al- Mi‘raj A Bi-Monthly Magazine of ISRA International

Islam – Iman -

Imam Abul Hassan Al (R.A.'A) Special Dul Qa’adah 1437.

The new and of Al Shadhili opened in 2014 in Humaythara

1 The new building covers an area of 4000 world. He was born in 571 Hijriyyah and meters and is built at a cost of 12 million passed away on Shawwal 12, in the year 656 Pounds. Shaykh Abul Hasan Shadhili is one of Hijriyyah in the valley of Humaythara a small the great Awliyya of the Ummah and a famous town near red sea in Egypt on his way to Sufi Master who is the founder of world perform Hajj in Mecca in the company of a famous Shadhili . Imam large number of his disciples. Included in the Shadhili is known by the titles of Arif Billah Hajj caravan was Shaykh Abul ‘Abbas Al Mursi (knower by ) and Al Aqtab (pivot of who performed his Janaza and became the pivots) by millions of Muslims around the the successor and the Khalifa of Imam Shadhi.

Introducing Al-Mi’raj: The bimonthly magazine of ISRA

It is with a deep of gratefulness to years or so. The Qur’an calls for “ Let there Allah (swt) and appreciation to the readers arise out of you a band of people inviting to of ISRA Newsletter; we (ISRA) are embarking all that is good, enjoining what is right and on a new journey of becoming a full-fledged forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones electronic spiritual Islamic magazine of ISRA. to attain felicity” (3:104).The ummah needs The magazine will speak for ISRA and will cleansing from the water of Tazkiyyah become the voice of the silent Muslim (purification), and Tasawwuf as expressions majority of the world insha Allah. At present of al-Ihsaan. this Muslim majority feels under siege from Tasawwuf is the heart of and its forces of extremism, violence, hate, foundation. It is based on Qur’an and rejection, intolerance, division, and Sunnah and is the way of purification of domination. and acquiring of Prophetic Akhlaq (or The condition of the Muslim Ummah comportment, manners, characteristics and resembles like a man who has fallen into behavior). The water of cleansing the soul is deep mud hole and has lost his . He formed by the combination of Zikr Allah emerges from the hole only to find that his (swt) and Salat ‘Ala Rasool Allah (saws). entire being is covered by deep layers of The carrier of this water after the Prophet dark mud making him look alike a scary (saws) was the Ahl Al Bayt, the Sahaba, their beast or a ferocious monster. In this followers, and then the followers of the condition it becomes the duty of followers. The Deen was practiced as one conscientious members of the community to unit, one message with dimensions of Islam pour buckets of water on him to wash off (Fiqh), Iman (Aqidah) and Ihsaan (Tazkiyyah- the mud and dress him up in nice and bright Tasawwuf). Later under the guidance and clothing. care of the Saliheen and Awliyya, spiritual The ummah in this condition is like the man guilds were organized known as . in mud and needs to wash off the ISRA was founded to revive totality of Deen blameworthy traits (mentioned earlier) it has and especially revive the lost third acquired gradually in the past two hundred dimension of Deen, namely Al-Ihsaan. During

2 the last 10 years ISRA had been publishing About Special Edition Remembering Imam ISRA Newsletter covering special days, Al-Shadhili (RAA) nights, festivals, events and matters related Historians disagree about the date of Wafath to , Fiqh, heritage and breaking (passing) of Imam Shadhili. Shadhili tariqa news. The contents and subjects of the adherents in South Asia consider Shawwal articles had already transformed it into more 12, as the date of Wafath of Imam Shadhili. than a newsletter. Many people called it a There are others however who consider Dul mini magazine. When the last Ramadan Qa’adah 1, as the date of his passing. There issue came out we had a great reception and is not much detail information available many well-wishers thought that we should about this date. However since Shawwal and convert it into a magazine. Agreeing with Dhul Qa’adah are both linked with claims of their wishes and acclamations and turning to Imam Shadhili’s passing, this ISRA newsletter Allah (swt) for guidance and help we are is dedicated to revive the memory of his humbly taking this step. The newsletter will blessed life, teachings and his immense now be a bimonthly magazine to be known contributions to Islamic spirituality and as Al-Mi’raj, the magazine of ISRA. illuminations of hearts to Ma’rifah. In this Al-Mi’raj intends to help the ummah to August – September edition we are trying to acquire the praiseworthy traits of give you a spiritual taste of his life and the knowledge, inward purity, love, sincerity, contributions of Shadhili Tariqa in reviving humility, patience, remembrance, reflection, the Ihsanic dimension of Islam through the compassion, generosity, and good character. science of Tasawwuf and the practice of The purpose will be to lift the ummah to Prophetic Akhlaq (comportment and Adab). spiritual perfection through Qur’an & It is our intention to introduce the founders Sunnah and the spiritual wisdom of Awliyya of all major Tariqas and their teachings and and Saliheen. services in the future issues insha Allah.

3 A Glance at the Life of Sayyidina Imam Abul Hasan Al- Shadhili (R.A. ‘A) Founder of The Shadhiliyyah Tariqah May his soul rest in peace: Rahmatullahi Alayhee Wa Quddas Allahahu Sirrahu

According to South Asian branches of Shadhiliyya Tariqah, Imam Shadhili had passed away on 12Th of Shawwal (1259 A.D.) 656 Hijri . in South Asia observed the Urs ceremony of Imam Shadhili on 12Th of Shawwal 1432 A.H. The following article is in memory of a great pole and founder of a major worldwide Tariqah namely, The Shadhilliyah.Taken fromThe Mystical Teachings of al-Shadhili by Ibn al- postulates on the meeting between al- Sabbagh's Durrat al-Asrar wa Tuhfat al Shadhili and Ibn Mashish by saying that, Abarar translation by Elmer H. Douglas "Early in Iife al-Shadhili went to [Ibn] sections from the book about his Life Mashish to take him as his spiritual guide. The book can be ordered from ISRA The venerable teacher recognized the www.IsraInternational.com 'saintly' qualities of the young man and gave through Kazi Books link him his final injunction to refrain from men Excerpts from the book and to depart to Tunisia:' Ibn Mashish "was by far the most important of al-Shadhili's Ibn al-Sabbagh gives the following teachers, one to whom he owed his biographical data about al-Shadhili. He was instruction in the Sufi way:' Ibn Mashish also born in the region of Ghumara, in today's laid the foundations of "the future life of , around A.H. 583 or A.D. 1187 .He Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili:' embarked on a spiritual journey in search of a genuine Sufi shaykh or the qutb [pillar]. As Al-Shadhili's stay in Tunisia marks the a result, he travelled to Baghdad which was beginning of his career as a saint and still famous as a theological and intellectual theologian. It is on the basis of lbn al- center. There, he was told by an lraqi Sufi Sabbagh's biography that we can determine shaykh to go back to the West, to his with some accuracy al-Shadhili's life in homeland, because the qutb was there. Abd Tunisia and his struggle to form an al- Salam Ibn Mashish (d. 622/1225) was this independent Sufi movement. The account qutb. Ibn al-Sabbagh says that Ibn Mashish given by lbn .Ata' Allah in his biography does was a strict follower of the Qur'an and the not shed as much light on the Tunisian phase Sunna. He applied them in his Iife and of al-Shadhili as does Ibn al-Sabbagh's encouraged his disciples to do so. Douglas writings. Later authors of Shadhiliyya's

4 Tabaqat base their narratives on Ibn al- first shaykh of the Tariqa after death of al- Sabbagh's biography. Al-Shadhili's departure Shadhili in 656/1258. Ibn"' Ata' Allah (d. to Egypt, as already mentioned, marks the 709/1309-1310), the famous author of The second phase in his career, which had an Book of Wisdom and Lata'if al-mínan, Iasting effect on the future development of became the second Shaykh of the order the Shadhiliyya order. after the death of aI-Mursi in 686/1287. Therefore, in its gestation phase, the During his stay in Tunisia, he attracted many Shadhiliyya order was formed against the followers, who perceived in him great background of 'an urban surrounding not human and spiritual qualities, and who necessarily in revolt against it but as an considered him to be on the side of the poor outcome of the existing patterns of politic- and downtrodden in society. This popularity, religious and economic Iife:' however, won him the envy and the hatred of Ibn aI-Bara' the chief qadi of Tunisia, who, The Shadhiliyya, as well as other renowned according to Mackeen, charged al-Shadhili orders in Islam such as Badawiyya and "with Fatimid Ieanings:' However, a modern Dasuqiyya, continued to expand and flourish biographer of al-Shadhili, Abd aI-Halim after the thirteenth century. The Shadhiliyya, Mahmud does not portray the Shadhiliyya in particular, assumed new organizational order as a dissident movement, but as a structures and won new adepts in both movement that was favored by the sultan, Egypt and . Abu Zakariyya aI-Hafsi (625/1228-64 7 /1249). In spite of the political support of the His Noble Lineage, Some Events of Travel sultan, however, al-Shadhili decided to move and Minifestation of his spiritual Rank to Egypt where his tariqa grew quickly. He With reference to his noble lineage, it is: ' Ali died in 656/1258 in Egypt. ibn ' Abd Allah ibn ' Abd al- Jabbar ibn Tamim ibn Hurmuz ibn Hatim ibn Qusay ibn Yusuf During his lifetime, al-Shadhili had disciples ibn Yusha ' ibn Ward ibn Battal ibn Idris ibn who were dispersed in North Africa, ibn 'lsa ibn Muhammad ibn al- especially in Tunisia and Egypt. The real Hasan ibn ' Ali ibn Abi Talib. strength of his movement was derived from the disciples whom he attracted in Egypt. Ibn [Imam Shadhili narrates Shaykh Ibn Masish 'Ata' Allah, for example, highlights the initiated him as his Mureed and] Then he emphasis which al-Shadhili laid on the said to me, "O 'Ali, depart to the Province disciples' training and intellectual growth. AI- Ifriqiya and dwell there in a place called Shadhili is reported to have said, '.My Shadhila, for will name you al-Shadhili. disciples are my books [that leave behind]:' After that you will move to the city of Tunis where charges will be brought against you Ibn al-Sabbagh recounts the life of a number before the authorities. Then you will move of important Shadhiliyya disciples who to the East where you will inherit the rank of became leaders in their own rights. One of qutb. them is the Spanish disciple of al-Shadhili, 3 Abu al-' Abbas aI-Mursi, who became the

5 I said to him, "O my master, give me your alchemy:' so I gave him my burus and small spiritual bequest:' so he replied, "0 ' Ali, God bag as a pawn on the price of the bread, and is God and men are men. Keep your tongue turned toward the gate. Right there by the from the mention of them, and your heart gate stood a man who said to me, "O ' Ali, from inclining before them, and be careful to where are the pieces of money?" So I gave guard the members (jawarih) and to fulfill them to him, and he shook them in his hand, the divine ordinances; thus the friendship then returned them to me, saying, "Pay (wilaya) of God is perfected in you. Have no them to the baker, for they are genuine:' So I remembrance of them except under paid them to the baker who accepted them obligation that duty to God imposes on you; from me, saying, "These are good:' I took my thus your scrupulousness is perfected. Then burus and bag and then looked for the man, say: 0 God, relieve me from remembrance of but did not find him. them and spare me disturbances from them. Save me from their evils, enable me to Consequently, I remained for some days dispense with their good through Thy good, inwardly perplexed until, on Friday, I went and as a special favor assume Thou care of into the Zaytuna mosque, near the reserved me among them. Verily, Thou art mighty section on the east side of the mosque, and over all things:' performed two cycles of the greeting of the mosque and pronounced the salutation. He related, when I entered the city of Tunis Suddenly, I saw a man on my right. I greeted as a young man, I found there a great him and he smiled at me, saying, "O ' Ali, you famine, and I came upon men dying in the say, 'Had I wherewith to feed these hungry market places. I said to myself, "Had I people, I should surely do it: You would wherewith to buy bread for these hungry presume to be more generous than God people, I would surely do it:' Then I was toward His creatures. Had He willed it, He instructed inwardly: "Take what is in your would surely have fed them, for He is more pocket:' so I shook my pocket and, lo, there cognizant of their welfare than you:' was silver money in it. So I went to a baker at Bab al-Manara and said to him, "Count up Then I said to him, "O my master, by God, your loaves of bread:' He counted them for who are you?" He replied, "I am Ahmad al- me. Then I offered them to the people who Khidr. I was in China and I was told, 'Go and took them greedily. I drew out the pieces of look for my saint ' Ali in Tunis: So I came money and handed them to the baker. He hurriedly to you:' When I had performed the found them to be spurious and said, "these Friday worship, I looked about for him, but are Moroccan, and you Moroccans practice did not find him. Dhun Nun Al-Misri & The Man Who spoke against the Sufis:

A certain young man always spoke aginst the tried to sell it in the market but no one Sufis. One day Dhun Nun took the ring from would offer more than one dinar. The man his finger and asked him to take it to the returned it to Dhun Nun reporting the news. market and sell it for Five Dinars. The man Dhun then told him to go the jewelers and

6 see how much they will pay? Jewelers much about the Sufis as the people in offered him 100 dinars. He told Dhun Nun market know about the ring. The man their price. Dhun Nun said you know as repented and stopped abusing Sufis.

Excerpts from "The Way of the Shadhdhuliyyah”

By: Shaykh

Shaykh of Shadhdhuliya Battawiyah Tariqa in America.

Thus the Way of the Shadhdhuliyyah, though it has many areas in common with the The mystical sciences are gathered treasures various Turuq, may Allah be pleased with and the lights are spiritual insights. Consider them all, is a unique Way unlike any other. the following drawn from Ibn Sabbagh's The Shaykh, may Allah preserve his secret, book, "The Pearl of Secrets" [Durrat al- said, "Of all the Ways there are two: the way Asrar}, of travelling {suluk} and the way of "So, oh voyager on the road of the attraction {jadhb}. Our Way is the Way of Hereafter, it is incumbent upon you to Jadhb. Our beginning is their end. Their accomplish what you have been Ordered beginning is our completion “Shaykh Ibn concerning your outward conduct. When 'Ata’ illah, whose books greatly aided in the you have done that, sit upon the carpet of diffusion of the teachings of our Shaykh, says watchfulness {} and render in the Kiatb al Hikam, "He who is illumined in sincere {takhlis} your inner life until there the beginning is illumined in the end." Thus remains nothing that He has forbidden. Give the Way of the Shadhdhuliyyah is firmly the prescribed limitations {huddud} their full based on the {haqiqah} that due. Diminish your attention to your outer Enlightenment or Illumination {-ishraq} is self if you desire the opening of the inner both in our beginning mid at our end with self to the secrets of the Kingdom of your the certain knowledge that both our Lord. Whatever thoughts come to hinder beginning and end are in His Presence and you from the object of your desire, be by His Grace." {see 7:172} aware, in the first place, of the Nearness {qurb} of your Lord, with a knowledge {'ilm}

7 which sets your heart to work in seeking of How excellent is the Turth. Allah those things which are beneficial to you and averting those things which cause "The Way is holding steady by four things". you harm. He who partakes of all of them is of the Confirmed {siddiqun}, he who partakes of "Reflect, 'Allah is powerful over everything. three of them is of the Friends of Allah Whatever Mercy Allah opens to men, none {awliya'}, he who partakes of two of them is a can withhold and whatever He withholds Witness [shahid} and who partakes of a single none can loose after Him. He is the All- one is of the upright Slaves of Allah {'ibad}. Mighty, the All-Wise. 0 humans remember The first of these is remembrance {}, the Allah's grace upon you; is there any creator extension of which is correct religious apart from Allah who provides for you from practice and the fruit of which is illumination the heavens and the earth?' {35:2-3}. From {'ishraq}; the second is {tafkir}, the earth is your self {} but from heaven the extension of which is perseverance {} is your heart {}. If anything descends and the fruit of which is knowledge {'ilm}; the from the heavens to the earth, who is he third is poverty {faqr}, the extension of which that will turn it away other than Allah? ‘He is thankfulness [} and the fruit of which knows what penetrates into the earth, and is increase; the fourth is love {mahabbah}, the what comes forth from it, what comes down extension of which is abhorrence of the world from sky and what goes up in it. He is with and its inhabitants and the fruit of which is you wherever you are and Allah sees what arrival [wusul] or attaining the goal of the you do.' {57:4} Beloved." "Give then watchfulness {muraqabah} its due by continuing in your absolute slavery to Our Shaykh was very concerned with the His commands and abstain from adherence precision of his teachings in the rearing up to lordship with respect to His creations. If {tarbiyyah} of his muridun. Unlike some of anyone contends with Him, he will suffer the Shuyukh of later times and, particularly, defeat, since, 'Have they not seen how We of our present time, he was very careful to destroyed before them many a generation fully know all the circumstances in the life of and we had established them in the earth the , often intimately and in great more firmly than we established you: {6:6} detail. Additionally many of the muridun lived and ' If Allah touches you with affliction with him, especially during his time in al- none can remove it but He; and if He 'Iskandariyyah, and he made use of travelling, touches you with good. He is powerful over especially the Hajj, both as a means to know all things. He is Omnipotent over His slaves. his muridun and also as a means of He is the All-Wise, the Knower: {6:17-18} instructing them. He once said, when visited by some scholars who enquired why a man of

8 his learning and knowledge did not write whom He loves and thus makes pure, the books, "My companions are my books,"re necessity for fervent and repeated Besides speaking extensively on such subjects supplication [ad-du'a }and repetition of as Qur'an, , Shari'ah, Fiqh and 'Aqidah, spiritual litanies {al-ahzab}. he taught at great length both by words and, more importantly, by actions, the following Thus our Shaykh, though he valued periods subjects: sincerity {al-ikhlas}, returning in of withdrawal {especially the last 10 days of repentance to Allah {at-tawbah}, intention Ramadan} and reflection, advocated a life {an-niyah}, seclusion {al-khalwah} {especially for his muridun which was lived, often in the sense of the seclusion of one's self and fiercely and always with focused family from the sources of agitation, concentration, in the very midst of the flow confusion, aggravation, illusion and desire as of life stressing that every event was well as the necessity for periods of physical specially prepared by Allah and offered a seclusion}, the necessity for remembrance of means for deepening awareness and Allah {adh-dhikr}, contemplation of Allah {al- understanding. He said, with reference to fikr} and watchfulness of the decrees of Allah those who are in the world yet not of it, {al-muraqabah}, worship and service of Allah "They are {al- mukhlisun} those whom Allah {al-'ubudiyyah} and service of people {al- has created for the beauty of slavery to Him, khidmah}, avoidance of worldliness and its the beauty of worshiping Him, and the attachments especially to power and beauty of contemplating Him. leadership unless under the mandate of Allah, worship of Allah {'ibadah} both Taken from: The school of the prescribed {fard } and voluntary {nafl}, Shadhdhuliyyah: Vol. 1 by By Shaykh obedience {at-ta'at} to the requirements of `Abdullah Nooruddeen Durkee: This and Allah, the understanding of degrees {ad- other books may be ordered darajat} and decrees {al-aqdar} as a means of from: http://greenmountainschool.org/ certification, and proof founded on principle rather than supposition, piety or Shaykh Nooruddeen Durkee scrupulousness {wara'}, contentment {ar-rida} with what Allah ordains, love {al-mahabbah} for Allah and that which He loves and those Shaykh Abdullah Nooruddeen Durkee is the several eminent scholars of the Muslim Khalifah of former professor of Al-Azhar world. Presently he is the Director of the University, Late Shaykh Ibrahim Muhammad Green Mountain School and The Islamic al-Battawi, founder of the Shadhdhuliyyah- Study Center of Charlottesville Virginia. He is Battawiyyah order for the Illumination of a prolific writer, author and editor of more Hearts and Tranquility of the Self in the than a dozen books the most recent of which Western Hemisphere. He holds Ijazahs from is The Transliterated Tajwidi Qur'an which

9 was published in Ramadan 2004. This work is Association) and participates in their Acclaimed as the most easy and activities and conferences in support of comprehensive transliteration and spreading the love of Allah (swt) and his translation of Qur'an for non- Messenger (saws). ISRA is a growing spiritual speaking Muslims. He regularly attends and movement in America to restore totality of speaks at major international deen by promoting a balanced and conferences. He also serves as an advisor to integrated vision based ISRA (The Islamic Studies And Research upon islaam, imaan and ihsaan

The brilliant contributions of Shadhili Tariqa in spreading the love of Allah (swt) and His Prophet Muhammad (saws)

The Shadhili Tariqa has been instrumental in by Imam Sharfuddin al-Busayri (raa). spreading the love of Allah and His The Shadhilis have also been in the forefront Messenger (saws) through its deeply of producing monumental Islamic literature touching Adi’yyah (du'as), Ahzab (Litanies), in the sciences of Aqidah, Fiqh, Tasawwuf, Adhkar, and most beautiful poetry and Sufi and Hadith. The brilliance of their aphorisms. The Shadhilis have produced scholarship is profusely manifested in the masterpieces of Islamic spiritual literature writings of Shaykh Jalauddin Al-Suyuti, which has spread beyond the Shadhiliyya whose monumental Tafseer, known as Tafsir Tariqa to become the symbol of Islamic ul- Jalalayn and Al Itqan Fi Uloom al-Qur'an spirituality and has been accepted and have become indispensable part of orthodox became part of Muslim devotional practice Sunni teachings, discourse and syllabus of all of the universal Muslim Ummah. These major Islamic universities to date. Al-Suyuti include Al-Hikam, the Aphorisms of Ibn belonged to Shadhili Tariqa and has Ata'illah al-Iskandari, the world famous authored about 1000 books which include a manual of Salawaat on the Holy Prophet book on Shadhili Tariqa and explanation of Muhammad (saws) known as Dala'il al- its teachings which has been translated by Khayrat, authored by al- al Kamil Imam Khalid Williams. ISRA magazine is pleased to Sulayman al-Jazouli (raa), The du'a and present brief information on some of these Litany of Hizb al-Bahr (Litany of Ocean) brilliant contributions of Shadhili Shayks and which was the gift of Prophet Muhammad Scholars to the service of the Muslim (saws) dictated directly to Imam Al-Awliyya Ummah and their immense effort to spread Shaykh Abul Hasan Al-Shadhili (Radi Allahu the love of Allah (swt) and His Prophet 'Anhu), and the most recited poem and odes Muhammad (saws). Please read and enjoy in the world known as Qasidah al-Burdah these articles in this issue.

10 The Prophetic Gift of Hizb –ul- Bahr – The Litany of the Sea

The world famous Shadhili Du’a of powerful divine ligh

Overview: The story behind Hizb Al Bahr is be berthed for safety. It was during the noon reported by many distinguished scholars and time when the Shaykh was half asleep in a authors. The main points are as follows. Muraqiba that he saw the Holy Prophet Imam Shadhili is reported to have said that Muhammad (saws) in a veridical dream. The he was commanded by Allah to make Hajj in Prophet dictated him a Du’a and asked him 715 H. The main Hajj convoy of Egypt had to recite, which he did. He then asked the already departed and there was very little Captain to unfurl the sails. The captain asked time left to make the journey. The Imam him is it to go back to Cairo? And he said no asked to find a ship to make the journey. we will depart for Mecca Allah willing. While Most ships had departed. What his people they were discussing this, a peaceful wind found was a ship owned by an old Egyptian started blowing and pushed the ship to Christian who had two young sons. One of move in the opposite direction towards the sons was the captain of the ship. The Mecca in an unprecedented speed. Seeing Shaykh told he would hire them. When his this miracle, the captain and his brother Murideen found about the Shayk’s intention accepted Islam. The older man grieved that a lot of them decided to go with the Shaykh. he had lost his two sons. The Shaykh said, They all boarded the ship and were on their No, you have gained them. That night the way when a ferocious wind storm hit the old man whose name was Mismar, had a ocean. The dangerous winds of the storm dream and he saw it was the day of and the related waves pushed the ship back resurrection and that the paradise and hell towards Cairo. There was fear and were present. He saw the Shaykh leading a nervousness among the pilgrims as they great crowd into paradise and among them realized that not much time was left to make his two sons. He wanted to follow them, but it to Mecca in time for Hajj. The ship had to was not permitted to do so. And he heard a

11 voice saying to him ‘you cannot join them The following account is taken from Ibn al until you enter into their religion.’ He told Sabbagh’s “Durratu al- Asrar wa Tuhfat al – the Shaykh about his dream and accepted Abrar”. (The Mystical Teachings of al- Islam. It is reported later that the elderly Shadhili” translated by Elmer H. Douglas) man became a great Wali Allah and built a Shadhili Zawiyyah in Upper Egypt and many The worthy Shaykh Abu al-'Aza'im Madi ibn miracles were granted to him. The Shaykh Sultan related to me in the city of Tunis, may said that ‘By Allah I received this Litany from God the Exalted watch over it, as did also the none other than the Messenger of Allah who worthy and blessed Shaykh Sharaf al-Din, dictated to me directly. (Compiled by ISRA son of the Shaykh (al-Shadhili) in the city of Magazine). Damanhur al-Wahsh of Egypt in the year A.H. 715 that Shaykh was on the point of Shaykh Al-Bistami said “Invoke Hizb al-Bahr setting out from Cairo to perform the and it will show you wonders, Give you ease pilgrimage to Mecca a short time after the in your affairs, and lend you strength. You departure of the pilgrims. will find the sea obedient and wind submissive; you will find gentleness quickly, He said, ''I have been divinely ordered to go and your time will be joyful” (From Sh. on pilgrimage this year. So find for us a Nile Zarrouq’s Sharah of Hizb al-Bahr; Translated vessel in which to make the journey by way by Khalid Williams) of Upper Egypt:' They looked about for a vessel, but found only one belonging to The Shaykh spoke on his dying day when he Christians on which was an elderly Christian gathered all of his Murideen together to man with his sons. continue (reading) with Hizb al-Bahr, teach it to your children. It contains the Greatest He said, "Let us get on board:' We entered Name (al-ismul-‘adham). It is an “instrument the vessel and set sail from Cairo and of Protection and Preservation”, and if it is traveled for two or three days. Then the read in any place that place is preserved wind shifted so that we were sailing into it. from harm, the fearful is made secure, sick So we tied up to the bank of the Nile at an cured, anxious made peaceful. uninhabited spot. We remained there about a week within sight of the hills of Cairo. Shaykh Ahmad Zarrouq said: “He that reads at sunrise Allah will satisfy his need, cause One of the pilgrims accompanying us asked, him to reach his goal, remove his grief, raise "How is it that the Shaykh says that he was his grade, cause him to be respected by ordered to perform the pilgrimage this year people, increase his faith, and facilitate his when the time for it has passed? And how affairs in this life and the next. And protect long will this journey take? , In the middle of him from evil whether by day or night” the day the Shaykh slept and awoke, and (From: The School of Shaddhuliyyah: Volume then offered this prayer [known as Litany of 1: Produced with notes by Shaykh the Sea]. "Where is the captain of the Nooruddeen Durkee) vessel?" he inquired.

12 "Yes" he answered, "here I am:' "What is sons. He wanted to follow them, but he was your name?" the Shaykh asked. "Mismar:' prevented. He was told, "You are not of "O blessed Mismar, unfurl the sail:' the them until you enter their religion:' Shaykh ordered. "O my master:' the captain objected, "[lf I do that], we shall come again The Christian related that to the Shaykh, and to Cairo by sailing before the wind:' "We he [the Christian] converted to Islam. Then shall again become travelers:' the Shaykh the Shaykh told him, "The people whom you replied, "if God wills:' saw with me are my companions to the day of resurrection.”We continued our journey Again the captain objected, "This wind will easily and successfully with incidents the drive us back to Cairo before the end of this telling of which would consume a long time. day, and, furthermore, with the wind as it is, They finished the pilgrimage that year. My to get the ship under sail will be absolutely master, Madi, related, according to a report impossible:' from the Shaykh, The Christian became one of the great saints of God. "Unfurl the sail;' the Shaykh ordered him, "with the blessing of God:' So we unfurled Consequently, he sold his vessel and the sail, and God [He is exalted] commanded performed the pilgrimage with us, along the wind so that it shifted and filled the sail with his sons. He had a (worship [so quickly that they] were unable to cast off place) in Upper Egypt and was one of those the rope from the stake. They cut it and we who were endowed with charismatic departed under a gentle breeze. The captain powers. This blessed journey was an converted to Islam, both he and his brother. occasion for the manifestation of such a power. May God have mercy on him and be Their father did not cease to lament and say, pleased with him. The Shaykh said, By God, I "I have lost my two sons on, this journey:' did not utter it [the Litany of the Sea] except "On the contrary;' the Shaykh said to him, as it came from the Prophet of God, from "you have gained them:' That night the whose instruction I learned it. "Guard it;' he Christian had a vision in which the day of said to me, "for it contains the greatest resurrection, as it were, had come, and he name of God:' was beholding the Garden and the fire. He witnessed the Shaykh (al-Shadhili) It is not recited in any place without security conducting to the Garden a large crowd of reigning there. If it had been with the people. Among them were the Christian's inhabitants of Baghdad, the Tatars would not have taken the city.

Online resources for Hizb al-Bahr:

For complete Arabic text, English translation and transliteration please go to: https://salawaat.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/hizbul-bahr-arabic-english-translit.pdf

13 For explanation of Hizb Al Bahr, watch video by Shayakh Nooruddeen Durkee below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHnj6spWCQw

______The Hikam of Ibn Ata’illah Al-Iskandari: A scholar and Shadhili Shaykh Precious Guidance from Al-Hikam of Ibn Ata’illah al-Iskandari Do not despair when, in spite of intense supplication, there is a delay in receiving the expected gift. He has guaranteed that He will respond in what He chooses for you, and not what you choose for yourself, and at the time He chooses, not the time you desire.

*Allah responds to the yearning Du`as and calls from a sincere heart. Calls for help are caused by His decree that we return to Him, thus the time and way of His response is in His loving hands. What is expected of creation is that it calls upon, depends on and trusts in the perfect ways of the Creator, for He always knows our true state and the appropriate remedy and provisions for the journey unto Him. ______

14 Qasidah Burdah Sharif: A Masterpiece poem in Praise of Prophet Muhammad (saws) by a Shadhili Shaykh.

The author of Qasidah Burdah Sharif (The Rasool Allah (saws) in a ru’ya or true dream. poem of Mantle) was the great poet and a The Prophet (s) in the dream put his blessed Wali Allah Imam Sharfuddin Abu Abdullah hands rubbing parts of his body (affected by Muhammad Bin Hassan Al-Busayri paralysis). When he woke up he found that Rahmatullahi Alayhee. He was born in Egypt his paralysis was completely gone and he and was a Shadhili Shaykh (1211-1296). He was fully healed by Allah (swt) by the was a mureed of Shaykh Abul Abbas Al Mursi (blessing) of the Holy Prophet the Khalifa of Imam al- Shadhili. In the prime Muhammad (saws). time of his life he was afflicted with severe Next day in the morning when he went out illness and half of his body became lifeless to the market for his needs he met a Darvish due to paralysis. He tried all kinds of on his way who told him I would like to hear medicines, doctors and treatments with no the Qasidah in which you have praised the success. When he lost complete hope in Prophet. Imam Busayri asked him which finding a cure, in a state of extreme Qasidah you are talking about as I have disappointment and hopelessness he started written many. The Darvish told the one writing a poem in the honor and praise of which begins with the words “Amin Holy Prophet Muhammad (saws). Making it Tadakkiru Jeeranin Bi dhi Salami”. The as a mean to seek Allah’s Mercy to cure his Shaykh was shocked as no one had heard illness. He secluded himself in a house where that Qasidah before. He asked the Darwish I he started reading his newly written poem implore you in the name of Allah, from or odes with full concentration, focus, whom have you heard this? The Darwish dedication and depths of his heart and spirit. said By Allah I heard it from you when you After a while sleep overtook him and he saw were reciting in your dream in front of the

15 Prophet. The Prophet was so absorbed in Turkish, English, French, Punjabi, Sindhi, listening to it that due to its blessings you German and Dutch languages and the list is got complete cure and healing from your growing. The number of commentaries sickness. The Shaykh then gave this Qasidah written for explanation in different to the Darvish and its secret was revealed to languages has reached 100 or more. everyone and its blessing spread among people. In another version Holy Prophet Some Powers and Benefits, Muhammad (saws) appeared to Imam related by the Saliheen Busayri in a dream and asked him to read the ode that the he wrote for him. When he 1. For the removal of difficulties recite 71 said, "O Messenger! I wrote many poems for times. you; which one do you want me to read?" 2. Whoever recites it daily or has someone the Prophet indicated the last poem he else recite it 9 times and thereafter blows on wrote by reciting the first verse of that him, will be safeguarded from all hardships. poem. While Busayri recited the ode, the 3. Whoever reads it once daily on rosewater Prophet listened in full absorption even for 7 days and gives it to someone to drink, joyfully swaying from side to side. Then as a that person's memory will increase sign of his acceptance and reward, the tremendously. Prophet wrapped his famous mantle around 4. Whoever is afflicted with a great calamity the poet. When the dream ended and Imam or hardship, should fast for 3 days and daily Busayri woke up to find his paralysis recite it 21 times. It will remove difficulties disappeared and he was completely cured 5. The house, in which it is read 3 times and healed. That was the reason the ode daily, will be protected from most difficulties became known as the Ode of Mantle. and hardships. The fame of the Qasidah spread around the 6. On a journey if recited once daily, one will world. Its popularity and recital has be protected from ail hardships of travel. expanded beyond Shadiliyyah Tariqa to 7. If someone reads it 41 times, or has become the most recited poem of Muslim someone else read it for him on the night of world. And today it is recited from Morocco Jumuah, for a certain aim or purpose, will to Indonesia and from Russia to South Africa. have his aim or purpose fulfilled. It has been translated into Urdu, Persian,

Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZxYvISdgMk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diNCiPP1B5k

16 ______Become a partner of ISRA in spreading the Love of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'allah) and His Messenger Sayyidina Muhammad (Sallal-lahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)

Following are four ways you may become a partner in ISRA's work for Allah (swt) & His Rasool (saws): 1. *Give your time 2. *Make Du'a 3. *Make a contribution 4. *Do all of the three above for the sake of Allah Contact us at: [email protected] ______

The Story of Dalail al-Khayrat:

subject of Tasawwuf. It is reported that he had more than 20,000 students who studied, learnt and narrated Hadith from him. They also acquired the knowledge of Fiqh and Tafseer from him. He stayed for a long time in Fez from where he completed his education and then busied himself in teaching the Islamic sciences there. From there he migrated to Reef, where he met his Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdullah from whom he received the knowledge of the inner dimension of Deen. Then he The life of Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad entered into a long Khalwah of 14 years and bin Sulayman Al-Jazouli is penned by many engaged in Zikr and Muraqiba. He came out authors. Prominent among them are Imam of to guide the masses. His call was Muhammad Al-Mahdi bin Ahmed of Fez, so attractive that 12,665 people made Morocco and Shaykh Zarrouq (RAA), the repentance from sins and made Bayah on his author of the Sharah of Dalail al hands to live a life of and Ihsaan. Khayrat. Accordingly Imam Al-Jazouli is a They acquired knowledge of Deen from him descendant of Sayyidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib and became true 'abideen (worshippers of RadiAllahu ‘Anhu through Imam Husayn Radi Allah). Allahu ‘Anhu. He belonged to Shadhilyia Tariqa and most of his writings were on the

17 Several Karamaats are attributed to him. He O my daughter, I implore you in the name of was dedicated to following the book of Allah Allah and all of His prophets and His and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Messenger Muhammad (saws) whose (saws) in all aspects of his life. He was always intercession you seek, please tell me how busy in abundance of Zikr Allah and the did you reach this rank? She answered by recital of Du’as and Wazifas. He used to saying had you not implored in the name of travel from village to village delivering Allah and His Messenger I would have never Islamic guidance to people. It was during his told you this. But now I tell you that I got this travels that when he reached a village near rank by reciting a particular Salawaat Fez the time of Zuhr prayer entered. And the (Durood) of which I do a every day. The story behind Dalail Al Khayrat unfolded as Shaykh then got the permission from her to reported below. The Shaykh found a well, recite that Salawaat and determined firmly but no rope or bucket to fetch water. As the in his heart to write a book which will time elapsed the Shaykh got worried and contain all the Salawaats written in the best started walking around the well. A little girl words recited by the salaf and reported in of about 8 or 9 years old was watching him Ahadeeth of the Prophet (saws) and included from the window of her house situated close the girl’s Salawaat in it. to the well. He authored the book in Fez and named it The girl came out of the house and asked the “Dalail Al Khayrat”. The Shaykh passed away Shaykh, what he was worried about? The on Rabi ul- Awwal 1, 870 Hijri. The book he Shaykh said, I am Sulayman Al Jazouli, and wrote became universally popular and was the time of Zuhr is about to expire and the accepted for recital in many other Tariqas water is not available (due to the absence of worldwide beyond Shadhili Tariqa. Today it rope bucket). She said you are a famous is recited by hundreds and thousands of person and what is the reason of your Muslims throughout the world. A Tariqa helplessness? She then asked him to be known as Shadhilyia Jazouliyya was founded patient and offered to help. Then he in his name and exits today in North Africa proceeded to the well and spat in it. and the Middle East. The Shaykh’s resting Suddenly the water in the well started to place in Marrakesh is visited by a huge swell and gushed over the walls of the well. number of people every day for the whole The water started flowing down from all year. Jazouli Fuqara perform group recital at sides of the well. The Shaykh made wudu the Maqam of Al Jazouli, continuously every and prayed as the girl went back to the day. Many miracles are also attributed to the house. The Shaykh finished the prayer and Maqam of Imam Jazouli Radi Allahu ‘Anhu. went to the house and knocked at the door. When the girl came out the Shaykh told her,

18 Following books have been used in writing this article:

1. Mutali Al- Mussaraat 2. Sharah of Dalail by Shaykh Ahmad Zarrouq 3. Shaykh Yusuf Al Nabhani as quoted in Dar Al Hadith article Online Resources:

https://sufipathoflove.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/dalail-khayrat-arabic.pdf

http://www.deenislam.co.uk/dalail-khayrat-english.pdf

The ways of reading the Dalail al- Khayrat The author has divided the book into 8 Hizbs or parts and should be started on Sunday night which is actually Monday in Islam and Finish on the following Sunday thus this becomes 8 Days

Manners of reading Dalail al- Khayrat and some Benefits

One who intends to read the book should purify his/her heart from enmity, jealousy, self-praise, arrogance, show off, prejudice and then find a clean place where one should sit after donning clean clothes and making perfect wudu, brush teeth, use , put on some perfume and start reading. One should face the Qibla and free his/her and heart from all worldly thoughts and with full focus of heart (Muraqiba). Begin reading with the intention of pleasing Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saws).Reading regularly every day will result in descending of Allah’s mercy and granting of Allah and His Messenger’s pleasure and acceptance. It will remove poverty and illness and expand one’s livelihood, provisions and bring prosperity and acceptance of Du’a for any need. Compiled by: ISRA Nexus: www.Israinternational.com

Discovering the Shadhiliyya Path By: Daniel Amin Colman

I am a revert to Islam born and raised in reverts from the United States I was not Los Angeles, California. Unlike many born and raised in a Christian household

19 but I was actually raised as a Buddhist. My deeply impressed with the depth, beauty father came from a Jewish family and my and wisdom of Sufi teachings that I mother came from a Greek Orthodox encountered there. Although Buddhism Christian family, but both had converted had a very strong emphasis on to Buddhism at a young age. Therefore compassion, I could feel the authentic my upbringing was quite unique from my compassion and love radiating from the friends growing up who were teachers of this tradition. It was tangible predominantly Christian or Jewish. During and authentic. I was to learn later that the holidays I would attend family this was a Shadhiliyya Sufi order based on gatherings with my extended family. I one the great saints of Islam, Abu al- was therefore also exposed to Jewish and Hasan ash-Shadhili. One of the focuses of Christian religious traditions which this Sufi lineage was on spiritual healing allowed me to have a broad using the sacred Arabic language from the understanding of various faiths. Although . I really enjoyed my Buddhist faith, I had The workshop I attended was experiential always kept an open mind to other and encouraged participation from all the spiritual practices and I explored attendees in the recitation of the sacred numerous traditions including , that we were learning. Since I had Taoism, Shamanism and other a background in and chanting . Despite my open in other languages, the idea of doing Zhikr mindedness to experiencing other faiths, or "remembrance" was quite familiar to Islam was probably the last religion on my me. However, I could feel the sacred list that I felt called to explore, primarily Arabic language penetrating layers of my because of the negative way that Islam is heart to a depth that I had never portrayed in the west. experienced before. I immediately In college at the age of 22 and I was realized that I had found something invited to attend a Sufi workshop on special here. It felt as if my heart had spiritual healing with a great Sufi Shaykh cracked that day at the workshop, and from Palestine. I was intrigued by the after leaving my heart was thirsty for the idea of spiritual healing because I had water of love and truth that it felt from explored this concept through various reciting the Arabic . Once the new age disciplines such as Reiki and heart has been exposed to a deeper chakra energy healings, but I had very of the truth, it is no longer little exposure to Sufi teachings prior to sufficed by that which is lesser. that. I recalled reading poems by After the workshop I began to delve the great Persian mystic of Islam, which I deeper into the teaching of the had found amongst the plethora of books Shadhiliyya path and I discovered that in in my mom's spiritually eclectic book fact there is no difference between Islam collection, but other than that I did not and . You could say that Sufism is really know much about Sufism. I the spiritual of Islam that decided to attend the workshop and I was contains both the outer manifestation of

20 the path which is adherence to the Law Quran, “Verily, in the remembrance of (Shari’ah) as well as the inner essence of Allah do hearts find rest." (13:28). i the path which leads to the Reality of Walking on the path requires a balancing Allah (). A year later I ended up the heart and the intellect, however I feel taking my Shahadah and became Muslim it is important to lead first with the heart. officially, however my real Shahadah Once the heart has tasted, we can then happened that day at the workshop which allow the mind to catch up and was the Shahadah of the heart. understand what that heart already Upon reflection of my own journey to knows. Islam, there are some important lessons Lastly, we need to practice the most that I feel will allow us as a community to important Sunnah of our beloved Prophet be more effective in sharing the beauty of Muhammad, May the blessings and peace Islam with others, inshallah. The first of Allah be upon him; this is the Sunnah of a as sent was ﷺ Prophet The mercy. to how learn to have we that is thing combat peoples preconceived notions mercy to mankind and if we want to about what Islam is. For example, if you follow in his footsteps then we too should grew up as a child and someone told you be a mercy to mankind. The Muslim every day that ice cream was the most community has become so focused on the disgusting thing in the world, you would lesser Sunnah’s such as how we should probably never try it. However, if I said dress and we have become lost in the try this delicious cold desert and you were nuances religious doctrine that we have able to taste it without and prejudice as to forgotten how to simply care for others. what it might taste like, you would As it has been said, "Nobody cares how discover how delicious it is! I think this much you know until they know how was this wisdom of my Shaykh in the way much you care."ii This is how the Christian that he presents Islam to the west. community has been so successful in their Sometimes we have to modify our outreach to people. They lead with love language to speak the language of the and this attractive to people who would people we are trying to reach, without otherwise be turned off by their religious modifying the message. doctrine. As Muslims, we need to The second lesson is that Islam has to be establish that we care about all people, experienced, not just learned about from not just people of our Ummah. The care the mind. Every religion claims it is the we give should be without agenda. We true religion. If we try to approach people should not care for people for the purpose through the intellect alone, it will be very of inviting them to Islam. We should care difficult to explain why our religion is the for people for the sake of caring for them. ultimate culmination of all the prior Once that is established, only then can we prophetic messages. However, if we begin to invite them to the Deen. Caring invite people to join us in prayer and Zhikr for others in this way is a manifestation of we can allow them to taste the peace of Ihsan, or spiritual excellence. It was the Islam for themselves. As it says in the

21 care and gentleness of the Prophet's Sidi Muhammad al Jamal, Rahimahullah. an with practitioner coach life a is He to people attracted that ﷺ character Islam and if we are to be successful in emphasis in spiritual and emotional combating the image of Islam as a violent healing. He is currently working on his and radical religion, we must return to the Masters of in Peacemaking at the beautiful simplicity of our prophet's University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism. example. He is the author of the upcoming book on Islamic Spirituality called "The Awakened About the Author: Daniel Amin Colman is Muslim." He can be reached at a student of Islamic spirituality of Shaykh [email protected]

1 Translation: THE MEANING OF THE GLORIOUS QURAN by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall Hyderabad-Deccan: Government Central Press [1938]

1 This quote is often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, but no known source can be found to verify the attribution

The Tariqa in a Few Words

Sidi Ali al-Jamal

All existence is like a single man, and you dominating and conquering you whether are like a single finger of this man. If you you like it or not. All of existence will do gain power over this finger (which is your with you whatever it pleases; however it soul), you will gain mastery over all of pleases. If you gain mastery over your soul, existence, conquering and overpowering it all of existence becomes your slave; if your whether it likes it or not. You will then be soul gains mastery over you, you become able to act in existence however you please, the slave of existence. Now mastery over and nothing will happen therein unless you the soul can only be achieved by gaining please. If you are overpowered by this knowledge of ‘those who know through finger (which is your soul), however, then God’ (al-‘arifin bi-Llah), and by keeping their all of existence will overpower you,

22 company constantly. (Courtesy: Murid’s Log Blog)

Sidi Al-Jamal (D-1194 H) is a famous Shaykh and Wali belonging to Shadhili Tariqa. His Zawiya is in Fez, where fuqara and intellectuals have been meeting for over 200 years till now to study and apply the famous book he authored known as “The Meaning of Man”. His legacy was preserved by Shaykh Arabi Ad-Darqawi who produced 40 Shaykhs from whom Darqawi Tariqa branches spread all over the world.

The Ummah needs to act: Silence is not an option

1. Raise your voice against violence, acts of terror and injustice in the name of Islam.. Call your community leaders like , Presidents, Shaykhs, and Directors to forcefully and openly condemn these criminal acts of attacks on Muslim lives sacred sites of cultural and spiritual heritage. 2. Build strong and unified public opinion in the Ummah rejecting senseless destruction, killing and division of Muslims and calling them Kafirs. 3. Make Du’a for those suffering from these barbarian attacks asking Allah (swt) for granting them peace and healing of their wounds. For details keep checking www.IsraInternational.com

______

Tathir, Tanwir, Ta‘mir.

The Daily Practice of Shadhiliyya

By: Khalid Williams

the testimony of the Oneness of God; that is, The daily wird of the various branches of the to say Astaghfiru’llah, Allahumma salli ‘ala Shadhili tariqa is generally composed of a sayyidina Muhammad, and La ilaha illa certain number of repetitions of three ‘Llah or some variant thereof. Some years formulas: the petition for forgiveness, the ago Haddad in Fes explained to me sending of prayers upon the Prophet, and that these three formulas perform

23 respectively the functions of tathir, more since the house is clean and lit, it is tanwir and ta‘mir; that is, ‘purification, ready to be occupied: the faqir invites God illumination, and saturation.’ into his heart by invoking His Oneness. In principal it would be enough to do this only To understand this, we must first ask what it once; but since we are prone to bad is that is being purified, illuminated and housekeeping and allow our hearts to be saturated or filled. The answer is the heart, cluttered up again and again with foreign which the faqir seeks to turn into a ‘house objects and impure artificial lights, we for God’. repeat over and again the process of purifying, lighting and filling. In order for the house to be fit for God to The hadith says: ‘The believer’s heart is the live in, it must first be emptied of all other Throne of the Most Merciful.’ Or again: ‘My occupants, since ‘He hath no partner’ and heaven containeth Me not, nor My earth; ‘God hath not given a man two hearts in his yet the heart of my faithful servant doth breast.’ The house must be emptied of ‘all contain Me. that is other than God’ (ma siwa Allah) and Courtesy: Murid’s Log cleansed of all its idols as the Kaaba was cleansed after the conquest of Mecca. To ask Note: Wird means a unit forgiveness of God means to ask God to of dhikr constructed to contain in it, certain perform this cleansing for us or aid us to patterns of knowledge and self-awakening’ perform it, since we are too weak to do it on The daily wird of the various branches of the our own. Shadhili tariqa is generally composed of a certain number of repetitions of three Once the house is clean it must be lit, since formulas: the petition for forgiveness, the no one likes to live in a dark house. We sending of prayers upon the Prophet, and illuminate our hearts by invoking prayers the testimony of the Oneness of God; that is, and blessings upon the Prophet; after having to say Astaghfiru’llah, Allahumma salli ‘ala emptied the house of all that is ‘other than sayyidina Muhammad, and La ilaha illa God’, we fill it with a light which, although ‘Llah or some variant thereof. Some years not God, is not ‘other than God’ either: ‘He ago Sheikh Haddad in Fes explained to me took a piece of His Light and said unto it, Be that these three formulas perform Muhammad!’ And again: ‘There hath come respectively the functions of tathir, unto you from God a light.’ When someone tanwir and ta‘mir; that is, ‘purification, asked the sheikh to elaborate on this, I illumination, and saturation.’ remember, he simply asked one of us to turn on the light in the room in which we were sitting, and once it was done he said no

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Grand Shaykh Ibrahim Muhammad Al- Battawi: A Life Truly Spent Entirely For Allah By: Ibrahim Hakim Al Shaghouri

compassion, of piercing knowledge, of impeccable character, of deep Praise belongs eternally to Allah, the One, contemplation, of generous hands to the and the Irresistible Conqueror. May blessings point of being brave with his generosity, and peace perpetually of genuine care and concern for those under Shower our ultimate Beloved, the jewel of his training and for the Muslims in general, creation Sayyidina Muhammad, as well as fierce against falsehood and unbridled lust his household and progeny and companions. for the Dunya, preferring the simple and "Indeed - the Friends (Awliya) of Allah, no elegant over the extravagant and vulgar, and fear is upon them, nor do they grieve" one who was fully pleased and content with (Q10:62) Allah being Allah. It's with great heaviness that i'm sharing this I personally learned so much from him, and recent news that a few hours ago, this 14th there is still so much that I wanted to ask day of the holy month of Rajab, our grand him and gain from him. We plan (I planned shaykh passed away into the Mercy and on spending a month in Egypt this Ramadan Pleasure of Allah Most High and His Loving to be with him), and Allah plans, and it is my Care, due to liver complications in the hope from Allah that I will still benefit from hospital... inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un! him and maintain my connection with him after his passing. If a number of you have not heard of him, it is because he chose to live a life based on I remember his face becoming lit up when I the principle of hiding and erasing yourself asked him privately how I could obtain the to instead show a reflection of Allah's vision of the Prophet (alayhi salat wa Attributes, and indeed anyone who came salam), and him then going into the Burdah into contact with the gentle tranquility and of Imam Busayri. I remember spending the effacing humility of his being knew that he night with him in the same room, and him was one of those that Allah chose to guard seeing the blanket off of me tucking me under His veils of jealousy. His entire life - inside the blanket, as a true grandfather from when he was conscious of his would, and then later that night praying surroundings until his passing away at an age tahajjud and reading Qur'an with him. I exceeding 80 years - was truly spent entirely remember him correcting my mistakes and for Allah. He was a man of gentle focusing me on the fundamentals when I

25 wanted to delve into the higher details. I Allah while ignoring the orphans; like the remember him praying over the young girl Prophet alayhi salat wa salam, he was who was having an asthma attack, and she always looking out for new opportunities to immediately becoming better under his make du'a for someone; he preferred that blessed hand. I remember him teaching me people know Allah more than knowing him, to never say or claim anything unless I knew because "Allah is greater and more 100% that it was the truth, and not waste everlasting" as the Qur'an says, and because my words guessing or estimating... because of this his whole being and demeanor was he loved the truth and upholding the truth subtle and limpid. When he one time saw my and giving victory to the truth. I remember large Moroccan style tasbih, he showed me the many times when he called me "my son" his tiny unnoticeable tasbih. and "my beloved", when I was worried and had little hope in myself, and his He never extended his feet, even when he confirmation being all the fuel I needed. sat alone, because he never felt himself absent from Allah's vision. He slept very little His last words of teaching and advice to me during the night, and regularly spent his was "Realize that there is NO distance when nights reciting Qur'an and having intimate it comes to the Ruh (soul)", when I told him I conversation with Allah, even into his old felt I had to physically be next to the graves age. of the righteous to feel their presence. He was a of the Qur'an, as well as He will be missed for all of the above, as well numerous ahadith; he was a master in the as for many other deeper spiritual aspects of fiqh of the Maliki and Shafi'i madhhabs; he his being, spiritual aspects which even many was a master in the Arabic language, and Muslims would find confusing and distant, admired universally for his unique ability to being unfortunately so tied up with the always choose the right exact word, and for material world while being unfamiliar with his subtle supplications (du'aa) to his Lord; the matters of the soul. I ask Allah to rest his as well as being a gifted trainer and uplifter graceful soul firmly on the carpet of His of , shortening the way for them to be Presence and Nearness, and I also ask each with Allah in a pure state. of you to recite a "Fatiha" on his behalf, and feed an orphan in his name. He loved orphans, and said many times that Al-Fatiha! no one can build a sound connection with Sidi Ibrahim is an author, translator and a contributing Editor of Al-Mi’raj Magazine

Shaykh Ibrahim passed away on 14 Rajab 1430 H [1924 - 2009 ~ 1342 – 1430

Translation: THE MEANING OF THE GLORIOUS QURAN by Hyderabad-Deccan: Government Centra, but no known source can be fo

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The Light Of Shadhili Tariqa Branches

The Spread of Darqawi Shadhili Branches The founder of Darqawiyyah Shadhiliyya Tariqa, The Celebrated Friend of Allah, the Marvelous Sharif, Moulay al-Arbi ibn Mohammed Darqawi al-Idrissi al-Hassani, led a dynamic movement of the revival of tasawwuf in the nineteenth century. His efforts led to the formation of nearly 72 branches of Darqawiya Shadhilia across the globe. A few prominent branches known more in the West are briefly introduced below. Darqawiya Path is a branch of the great Shadhiliya which was itself founded by the Shaykh Sidi Abul Hassan Shadhili (d. 656/1241) in the seventh/thirteenth century. It is said that 40 students became scholars at his hand and he trained 40,000 mureeds who practiced and spread Darqawi tariqa. This brought about a sudden great flowering of Sufism in the and beyond. It spread to many parts of the world. We intend to learn more about other Shadhili branches and will present our findings in the future issues.

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1. One of the first tariqas to be established in the West was the 'Alawiya branch of the Darqawiyya, which was named after Shaykh Ahmad ibn Mustafa al-'Alawi al-Mustaghanimi, popularly known as Shaykh al-Alawi. "A significant book about him, written by Martin Lings, is “A Sufi Saint of the Twentieth Century. 2. Tariqa Al-Bassiriyyah headquarter is based in Bani ‘Ayaat, Morocco. It is named after its founder Shaykh Ebrahim Al-Bassir (d.1945) who is connected to Shaykh Al- Darqawi through Shaykh Muhammad Abdullah Al-Marakshi. After his death his son Shaykh Habib became the Shaykh of Tariqa. Upon his passing Shaykh Mustafa Bassir took over the Tariqa and made it a center of Islamic and Qur’anic teaching. He expanded and turned its Zawiya into thriving institution. He also expanded the Tariqa to open new branches and Zawiyas in many parts of Morocco and also in France, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria. A branch was also opened by one of his student in South Africa. Sidi Mustafa died in 2006. His son Shaykh Isma’il Bassir is now the Shaykh of Tariqa. The Tariqa and its Zawiya are expanding and it has become a thriving center of spirituality. 3. Shadhilia-Batawia was founded by Sheikh Ibrahim al-Batawi, former professor at al-Azhar University. He was a confrere of Sheikh Abdu-l-Halim Mahmud, Shaikh of al-Azhar, who was very influential in the revival of Sufism in Egypt. Sheikh Ibrahim’s student, Sheikh Abdullah Nooruddeen Durkee has established the Shadhdhuliyyah-Battawia order in the US. Sheikh Nooruddeen has translated and transliterated the Qur'an and has compiled two definitive books on the Shadhdhuliyyiah, Orisons and Origins. The order is based in Charlotesville Virginia. 4. Fassiyatush Shadhili Sufi order was established by Qutbul Ujud Ghouthuz Zamaan Ash Sheikh Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Mas'ood bin Abdur Rahman Al Makki Al Magribi Al Fassi Ash Shadhili (Imam Fassi) who was a Moroccan by origin and born in Makkah.[3] Fassiyatush Shadhiliyya is practised in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Mauritius and Indonesia. The descendants of Imam Fassi who are Sheikhs of Fassiyatush Shadhiliyya who live in Makkah and in Jeddah visit to these countries frequently to train the Murideen. Fassia Tariqa has large centers in Tamilnadu, India and in Sri Lanka. 5. Another well-known branch in Morocco was led by an eminent Sufi Shaykh, Scholar and spiritual poet, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Al Habib known as Habibi Darqawi Tariqa. it was instrumental in spreading Tasawwuf in the West. It was through the tireless efforts of Shaykh Abdul Qadir As-Sufi, a Scottish national who had embraced Islam and took the lineage of Shadhili-Darqawi Tariqa through Shaykh Ibn al- Habib. He started a movement and an order in the West known as the Murabitun. At other times his order has been known as the Darqawiyya Habibiya. The Murabitun played a prominent role in spreading the literature on Tasawwuf and Islam in English. Many scholarly translations of classical Arabic books were rendered into English by Aisha Bewley,and her husband, Shaykh Ali Laraki and others contributed and defended Tasawwuf. At its peak the movement was very vibrant in America and England. Now it has diversified and has spread out to South Africa, Spain, Mexico and other parts of the world. The name Murabitun is not used any more. Shaykh Abdul Qadir Sufi has appointed Shaykh Mortada Alboumashouli of Morocco as his Khalifa to guide his Tariqa members. Another contemporary order deriving, in part, from Qadir al-as-Sufi is the al-Haydariyah al-

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Shadhiliyah, headed by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri. Of Shi'ite descent,Shaykh Fadhlallah teaches within neither a Shi'i nor a Sunni framework. Currently he is also based in South Africa.

6. There is another branch of the Shadhili-Darqawi Order known as the Shadhili-Darqawi-Hashimi branch, which is firmly established in both Damascus and Jordan. This branch of the Shadhili tariqa was established through Sheikh Muhammad al-Hashimi al-Tilmisani who, as a young man, migrated from North Africa to Damascus with his spiritual guide, who was a disciple of Sheikh Ahmad al-'Alawi (see above Martin Lings). Sheikh Muhammad al-Hashimi received his authorization (ijaza) to be a murshid of the Shadhili tariqa from Sheikh Ahmad al-'Alawi when the latter was visiting Damascus in the early 1920s. *One of the most well-known spiritual guides (murshid) in the West of this branch of the Shadhili tariqa is Sheikh . He is a student of the spiritual guide and Shadhili Sheikh Abd al Rahman Al Shaghouri. Sheikh Abd al Rahman was a student of Sheikh Muhammad al-Hashimi al- Tilmisani. Sheikh Nuh is an American Muslim who lives in in Amman, Jordan. He has written and translated books and articles and has followers in many countries. *Sheikh Muhammad al- Yaqoubi, traces his lineage in the tariqa through his father and grandfather. He is from Syria and his Sufi lineage is Madiniyyah. Shaykh Yaqoubi is also a descendant of the Prophet (saws) from Imam Hasan (raa). He has also stayed in America, where he worked with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and taught at the Zaytuna Institute in California.. He has many students and followers in America and the West. After the Start of Syrian civil war, it is reported that he has moved to Morocco. One his Khalifa in North America is Shaykh Faisal Abdul Razzak who is based in Canada. 7. Madaniya Tariqa of Tunisia traces its link to Abu al-Hasan al-Shâdhili (who received this name in Tunisia, where he found the Shadhiliyya tariqa). In the nineteenth century, the Shadhiliyya tradition was given new strength by the Sheikh al-Darqawî (in Morocco) and by his disciples, among them Muhammad al-Buzaydî – who was the connection with Ahmed ibn ‘Ajiba (Morocco) and Ahmed al- ‘Alawi (in Algeria). In 1909, the tradition of Shadhiliya-Darqawiya was established in Tunisia by Sidi Mohammad al-Madani (1888-1959), who had received a deep education in the university-mosque of Zaytouna (Tunis) and who was a disciple of M.al-Sâdiq al-Sahrawî, the Moqaddam of Zafir Madani (d. 1905) in Tunisia. Sheikh Zafir was the son of Sheikh Hasan Hamza al-Madani, one of the important disciples of Sheikh Al- Darqawi So, the Sufism of Madanyia tariqa (with its base in Tunisia) is connected to the Alawiya tradition (al-Alawi), Madanyia (al-Sahrawi, Zafir Madani), and also to the renewal of Darqawi and the tradition in Sufism that has its bases on the teachings and practices of Imam al- Shadhili and his disciples. The Tariqa is flourishing in Tunisia, France and Western Europe. 8. The Maryamiyya branch of the Shadhiliyya Order was founded by 'Isa Nur al-Din Ahmad or Frithjof Schuon (1907–1998), a European disciple of Ahmad al-Alawi, who established the Order in Europe and North America. Some of Schuon's most eminent students included Dr. , Titus Burckhardt (1908–1984) and Martin Lings (1909–2005), author of the aforementioned text, A Sufi Saint of the Twentieth Century and the universally acclaimed biography the Islamic prophet, Muhammad:

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His Life Based on the Earliest Sources. Schuon also wrote several outstanding books on Islam, including Understanding Islam, Dimensions of Islam, and Sufism: Veil and Quintessence, as well as a number of books on the Perennial . 9. The Shadhili Yashruti branch of Darqawiya is based in the areas of Al-Sham (Syria, Jordan and Palestine). It is best known in the West by Sheikh Muhammad Sa'id al-Jamal al-Rifa’i, who worked from the Haram al-Sharif or The Temple Mount in Jerusalem and was the mufti of the Hanbali Madhab and Qadi (judge) based at Masjid al-Aqsa, He was also a student of the spiritual guide and Shadhili Sheikh Abdur Rahman Abu al Risah of Halab in the land of Syria of the Shadhili Yashruti line. He was a direct descendent of Prophet Muhammad (saws). He passed away in San Francisco, California on Wednesday November 11, 2015, after Asr prayer, where he was visiting his Mureeds. His body was taken to Jerusalem, where he was laid to rest

The Rakb or Spiritual Gathering of Sheikhiyah Shadhiliyah order In the town of El Abyadh Sidi Sheikh, Algeria A massive Event recognized by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage Event By: Mohamed Bokreta

The of Sidi Sheikh Abdul Qadir Bin Mohamed, founder of Sheikiyah-Shadiliyah order in Algeria

“Behold! The friends of Allah will indeed have no fear nor will they grieve” Holy-Qur’an 10-62

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“Whoever has written up the biography of a believer it is like he had him resurrected, and whoever has read this biography it is like he paid him a visit while attaining God’s pleasure and obviously the visited Person should be generous towards his Guest”

*Les Chorfa, Les Nobles du Monde Musulman, P.20, Publisud-1995.*Sidi Ali Hachlaf.

It would be so important to stress that both the nostalgic and lofty event of the annual Rakb or Spiritual gathering that takes place in the town of Elabiodh Sidi Cheikh 110 km south of El Bayadh and 710 km south west of Algiers every year is a landmark event, true to admit that this attended by hundreds of followers of the Sheikhiyah-Shadiliyah order as well as many followers from different Sufi orders.

This event, also known as the Rakb (Spiritual gathering) of Ouled Sidi Sheikh (descendants of Sid Sheikh Abdul Qadir Ben Mohamed), annually attracts visitors from across the country including the west and the Touat area who flock to make the Ziyarah at the mausoleum of saint Sidi Abdel Qadir Ben Mohamed.

The "Selka", also included in this Rakb is to recite the Holy Qura’n in chorus throughout the night from Thursday to Friday in response to an early morning ceremony called "El Khatima".

Furthermore, within this event, there are equestrian games “fantasia” also animated in the courtyard adjacent to the mausoleum, as such, for the occasion, the inhabitants of Labyadh Sidi Sheikh offer guests’ lunch and dinner, and a couscous dish is served to the visitors for three consecutive days. As tradition dictates this visit is also marked by the recitation of "El Yakouta," a poem of Sidi Abdel Qadir Ben Mohamed (founder of the Sheikhiyah order) to instill faith in later generations.

Moreover, the origins of Sidi Abdelkader Ben Mohamed Ben Slimane (1533-1616), founder of the brotherhood "Sheikhiyah" go back to the companion of the Prophet Muhamad (PBUH), Abu Bakr Essediq. The brotherhood “Sheikhiyah” is prevalent in the southwestern region of the country and to the east of Morocco, no wonders the magnitude of such a huge cultural and spiritual event impelled UNESCO to rank this Rakb of Ouled Sidi Sheikh as an intangible Cultural heritage in 2013.

Surely, Sidi Abdel Qadir Ben Mohammed ‘s devotion to his faith is a paramount constitution of those same ideals meant for the service to God and to humanity in the path of truth , endowed with such Divine Grace (Baraka). This great Erudite and Sufi had certainly played an immense role in the Maghrib area at that time and vigorously shaped South West Algeria and Eastern Morocco for centuries and that’s why he is still living in the memory of many people and loyal disciples.

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The sincere presence of Spiritual yearning and practice and the recognition of the inseparability of Shariah and Tariqah all together embodied the depth and the breadth of the genuine Islam within the vision of this great Man. *Mohamed Bokreta is a contributing Editor of ISRA's Al-Mi'raj Magazine. He is a prolific freelance writer and author based in Algeria, specializing in Spiritual, Religious, Cultural and Historic Islamic subjects

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Board of Editors:

Sayyed Zayn Al Abedin

Dr. Faizy Ahmed

Ibrahim Hakim Shaghouri

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs or point of view of Al-Mi’raj Magazine. Al-Mi’raj Magazine no responsibility for the information submitted by authors. The copyright for each article including photos belongs to the respective author. Copyright for the Newsletter as a whole belongs to ISRA. If you re-use the material in other publications (except for news feeds), please cite Al-Mi’raj Magazine as the original source of publication.

The information contained in some the articles has been partially collected and adapted by the Magazine staff with courtesy of the websites mentioned as source of the article. Copyright 2016: Al- Mi’raj Magazine

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