Mahdaviah Insight (A Publication of Mahdavia Islamic Center of Chicago )

November 2019 (Rabi-I/Rabi-II, 1441 H) | Vol. 5, Number 5

Editorial: Knowing Prophet Muhammed SAS—The Messenger of Allah

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful, When Allah SWT created Adam, He commanded all the angels to prostrate before Adam. All the angels did prostrate Inside this issue: (obedience) except Iblis. He did not prostrate due to his arrogance. When Adam and Eve committed a mistake due to the Satan’s misguidance, Allah SWT sent Adam and Eve down to earth, Allah SWT forgave them due to their sincere repentance; and said: “We said: ‘Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.” (Al Qur’an, 2:38). Allah’s message (guidance) came through prophets and messengers from time to time and finally Prophet Muhammed SAS came as the last in the chain of prophets (Khatimun Nabiyeen). No prophet will come after him but two Caliphs of Allah viz., Editorial 1 Imam Mahdi ASWS and Isa ASWS. Knowing Prophet Mu- hammed SAS. The authenticity of the message lies with the authenticity of the Messenger. If you have a firm faith in the messenger then only you will accept and follow the message, if you do not know the messenger, you will not have much faith in the RZ Bibi Haleema Sadia 2 & message that he has brought in. Now let us see how much we (Muslim Ummah) know about our Prophet Muhammed SAS .The following (Ittibah) of the Prophet SAS is mandatory and it is the only way to show our love for Allah (3:31). 4

Unfortunately, the whole Muslim Ummah is divided into several groups and sub-groups even on the understanding of the noble personality of Prophet Muhammed SAS. Today, much of what we see is the corporal as against the spiritual TAQWA 3 Islam. Corporal Islam focuses on reason and rationality whereas the spiritual Islam focuses on love of Allah and His Prophet SAS. In fact, the West lost its spirituality due to its focus on reason. William Chittick, a renowned scholar on Ibn Arabi, wrote, “One result of this ongoing search for the lost intellectual and spiritual heritage has been the rediscovery of Urdu Poetry 4 the importance of imagination. In putting complete faith in reason, the West forgot that imagination opens up the soul of Qur’anic verse 2 certain possibilities of perceiving and understanding not available to the rational mind.” For instance, when Prophet 3 Muhammed SAS said, while explaining Ihsan, that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him. Although we may not be at the stage of seeking the vision of Allah, but we can have that imagination to bring us in the spiritual fold. When there is no Naql 3 such imagination, due to rationality or reason, we are completely missing the teachings of Ihsan, which is an integral part of Islam. On the other hand, when Allah SWT commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam, Satan (Iblis) refused and his refusal was based on reason. He said, "I am made from fire when Adam is made from clay. I am better than him”.

As a result of over reliance on reason, the Muslim Ummah has developed several doctrines such as, the Prophet SAS is

just a human being like us and he only got the revelation from Allah (ignoring the spiritual status of the Prophet when once he SAS said that I am the Prophet from the time when Adam was still in clay and dust.) Moreover, in yet another Hadith Prophet SAS said that the first thing that Allah has created is his SAS Noor (Awwala Noori Khalqihi). However, a large section of Muslim Ummah does not accept this Hadith. It is important to note that a set of Ahadith came to us from Muhadditheen. Apart from this, we also have another set of Ahadith that came from Awliya (friends of Allah). These are more spiritual in nature. Awliya believe in love of Allah and the Prophet, therefore, they are protected through disciple-to-disciple (Seena ba Zareen Syed Editor-in-Chief Seena). Rationalist do not believe in those Ahadith. Thus if you are following only the reason, you will have a different SAS SAS personality of Prophet Muhammed whereas if you believe in the love of Allah and the Prophet , you will have a different perspective of the personality of the Prophet SAS. MICC has an Editorial Team and a Review Board to Similarly, Muslim Ummah is divided on the issue of Mi’raj, whether Prophet Muhammed physically went to meet Allah SWT ensure the quality of the or it was just a dream. Those who focus on reason, are leaning towards an act of dream rather than a physical journey of publication. the Prophet, whereas those who are in the spiritual bond, would confidently say that Prophet SAS made a physical journey SWT The Newsletter is a collaborative to the heavens and also had the Vision of Allah . project of MICC and Mahdavia Foun- dation, it will also be available at: Moreover, some believe that using the Wasilah of the dead is prohibited and they even include Prophet Muhammed SAS in 1. www.miccusa.org, 2. www.promisedmehdi.com, this category. In other words, one should not use the Wasilah of the Prophet SAS. On the other hand, those who are on the promisedmehdi yahoo group, and spiritual path believe that one can seek not only the Wasilah of the Prophet but also other spiritual saints of different times. Promised Mehdi Facebook page. There could be several other examples that show how the Muslim Ummah is divided on the personality of Prophet The authors are responsible for the Muhammed SAS. The question is when the Ummah does not have a consensus on the personality of the Prophet, how they contents of their article; editorial board may or may not agree with the can claim that they are following (ittibah) Prophet SAS. opinions expressed by authors. Alhamdulillah, we Mahdavis, due to the blessings of the Tasdiq of Imamuna Mahdi al-Ma’ood ASWS, have no such conflicts and differences in opinion on the noble personality of Prophet Muhammed SAS and therefore, under the guidance of Mahdi ASWS SAS , we have no problem in following the Prophet for the sake of love of Allah. May Allah guide us and grant us His closeness, Ameen! Editorial Team

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Mahdaviah Insight November 2019 page 2

BiBi Haleema Sadia RZ.

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent; Most Merciful. from the goodness I owe my parents I should present to them after their death?” He replied, “Yes, four things: In every religion the parents hold an esteemed status. In Islam Pray and ask forgiveness for them. Fulfill their pledg- they have a lofty position and status. There are ahadees and es. Be kind to their friends. And maintain the ties of ayaths in the about the rights of the parents and about kinship that come from only their direction”. (Ahmad, Abu (Quote from PBUH the respect and obedience towards them. The Quran says: Dawood &ibn Majah) The Prophet said, “When a person “And We have enjoined upon man concerning his parents--his dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: Ongoing the Article) mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his charity, beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind), weaning is in two years--Give thanks unto Me and unto your or a righteous child who will pray for him.” (At Tirmidhi) parents. Unto Me is the journeying. But if they strive with you to make you ascribe unto Me as partner that of which you These privileges and the edicts for respect and dignity “By God, I do not like the have no knowledge, then obey them not. Consort with them in extend to the foster relatives also (Foster in the sense, idea of returning with my the world kindly, and follow the part of him who repents unto those related with suckling of milk). These parents and friends without a suckling; I siblings are also MEHRAM as the real ones. If a child is will go and take that Me. Then unto Me will you return, and I shall tell you what you used to do." (Quran 31:14-15) Your Lord has decreed that you suckled by a woman other than the real mother, she is orphan.". Must have been the accorded the status of an additional mother called Umm most fortunate decision for worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. her and her family, she Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say Ridah (foster mother, or milk mother; Rizaai Maa in decided to be the wet nurse not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but ad- Urdu); her husband is treated as the father of the child, and foster mother to our dress them in terms of honor. (17:23) In the Quran Allah has and her children real brothers and sisters prohibiting PBUH beloved Prophet PBUH, not used the word OOF, don't even say oof to them."We have marriages with them. Our beloved Prophet also had knowing that she is going to enjoined on humankind kindness to parents." (29:8) "And foster parents and siblings. be the foster mother of the serve Allah. Ascribe nothing as partner unto Him. (Show) most important person in the When our beloved Prophet PBUH was born, his father whole of humanity.” Kindness unto parents... " (4:36) and so on. Hazrath Abdullah had already passed away. And his There are ahadees about the status and respect towards mother Bibi Amina, who passed away when he was only parents. Islam teaches us that respect for parents comes six years old, was a widow. At the time of his birth, there ———— immediately after praying to Allah and before jihad (struggle was a custom in Arabia among the urban dwellers, peo- and striving in the way of Allah), obedience and serving the ple living in the cities like , to send their newborn parents is more important than the jihad. In this respect, the to the countryside, in the desert, to live with a wet nurse Prophet PBUH said the following: Narrated by Abi Abdur Rah- or foster mother to learn the culture and correct unblem- man, Abdullah bin Masoud Rz saying: I asked the ished Arabic language, uncorrupted by urban influences. PBUH Prophet , "which deed is more liked by Allah?" He replied, The wet mothers from the countryside would visit the city "Prayers on time." Then I asked, "Which one is next?" He of Mecca to pick the newborn babies. Their objective said, "Goodness to parents." Then I asked, "Then which one was to make money from the wealthy parents, for taking is next?" He said, "Jihad in the way of Allah." (Agreed) Al-Qur’an care of the newborns for two years until they wean away. PBUH The Messenger of Allah said: “Every righteous child who Bibi Haleema Sadia was one of the poorest rural wom- (Following (Ittibah) of the casts a look of mercy and affection upon his parents shall be Prophet SAS) en from the tribe of Banu Sa'd, who had an old and fee- granted, for every look of his, rewards equivalent to that of an ble she camel that was not lactating. and a donkey she accepted Hajj.” Those around the ProphetPBUH questioned: “O’ Say, [O ], "If Prophet of Allah! Even if he were to look at them a hundred was riding to Mecca was also slow and old, and fortu- nately for her, she reached Mecca last of all in the cara- you should love Allah, times a day?” The Messenger of Allah PBUH replied: van. All the other women had already got hold of the rich then follow me, [so] “Indeed! Allah is the Greatest and Most Kind.” One can imag- babies in the community and had not accepted our Allah will love you and ine that nobody in the whole world can even match this lofty status. Just looking at the parents gives the reward equivalent Prophet PBUH because he was an orphan and was not forgive you your sins. to one accepted hajj. And in Islam the mother holds a loftier from a rich family. The family of our Prophet PBUH, though And Allah is Forgiving status than the father, at least three times higher than the very prominent, influential and respected in Mecca was and Merciful." father. A hadees says: Abu Huraira reported: A man asked not rich, and his father having passed away, he was (Al Qur’an, 3:31) the Messenger of Allah PBUH, “Who is most deserving of my under the guardianship of his grandfather Hazrath Abd al good company?” The Prophet PBUH said, “Your mother.” The -Muttalib. They did not have much to offer as compensa- PBUH man asked, “Then who?” The Prophet said, “Your moth- tion for nursing their baby. Bibi Haleema consulted with PBUH er.” The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet said, her husband and told him, "By God, I do not like the idea “Your mother.” The man asked again, “Then who?” The of returning with my friends without a suckling; I will go Prophet PBUH said, “Your father.” - Muslim 2548). and take that orphan.". Must have been the most fortu- nate decision for her and her family, she decided to be And the rights of the parents and the responsibility towards the wet nurse and foster mother to our beloved Prophet them does not cease even after they pass away. The Muslims PBUH, not knowing that she is going to be the foster moth- are enjoined to pray for the deceased parents and to behave er of the most important person in the whole of humanity. nicely with their relatives and friends. A man from among the companions asked the ProphetPBUH, “Is there anything left (Continued on page 4) Email: [email protected] | www.miccusa.org

Mahdaviah Insight November 2019 page 3 TAQWA

In the Name of Allah, the Most High. This ayath says that just turning one's face towards Hadith east or west (for prayers, Salat) is not enough TAQWA is an Arabic word meaning forbearance, fear or and describes the al-muttaqoon (the piteous) as ‘Abdullah b. Umar reported: abstinence. The linguistic meaning of Taqwa is “a those who spend their wealth, out of the love of Al- I went to Allah's shield, or protective barrier”. It is to protect oneself from lah. This ayath also describes some of the categories Messenger in the what angers Allah. Some scholars define Taqwa as of people who deserve the charity. morning and he heard placing a protective barrier between yourself and Allah’s the voice of two persons punishment. Taqwa also means doing that which Allah Hazrath Bandagimian Malik Burhanuddin Rz, who who had an argumentation with has enjoined and avoiding that which He has forbidden. was a high-ranking noble of the Sultan of Gujarat In Islamic terminology. Taqwa has vast meaning and each other about a Mahmood Begarah, is one of the eminent compan- verse. Allah's Apostle interpretation. There are said to be about 260 mentions ions (sahabi) of Imamuna AS. When Imamuna AS came to us (and) the related to Taqwa in the Quran. was at Ahmedabad, Malik Rz attended one of his (signs) of anger could be

sermons, along with thousands of other people. seen on his face. He There are quite a few ayaths in the Quran, extolling the Imamuna did the bayaan e Quran of the ayath, Lan said: Verily, the faithful towards taqwa. The gist of all those ayaths is (peoples) before you that Allah loves those who adopt taqwa as a way of life. tanaloo albirra hatta tunfiqoo mimma tuhibboona were ruined because of It is basically going an extra mile and going above and wama tunfiqoo min shayin fainna Allaha bihi their disputation in the beyond the normal observance of the faith. Taqwa has Aaleemun. (3:92) By no means shall you attain Al- Book. been defined in various terms and with various exam- Birr (piety, righteousness, etc.; it means here Allah’s ( # 2665) ples. Taqwa (piety) has been mentioned in the holy Reward), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that Quran in more than 60 locations, and the derivatives, which you love; and whatever of good you spend, have been mentioned in more than 190 locations. We Allah knows it well. Imamuna explained the Mu- Naql: hear it mentioned all the time in speeches and sermons. radullahi meaning of the ayath, that the word Al-Birr refers to Allah Himself, and one cannot achieve piety, The ulama again asked, An incredible example that demonstrates this, is when “You are convinced of the righteousness, etc. without sacrificing or giving into increasing and decreasing Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) charity the most beloved thing for Allah, one cannot of iman (faith), although asked Ubay Ibn Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him) attain Him. Mian Malik Burhanuddin Rz was very Imam AzamRA has said that about Taqwa. Ubay said, “Have you ever taken a thorny much inspired by this bayaan e Quran, iman does not increase or path?” Umar replied, “Yes I have.” Ubay then asked, AS and presented his sword and his horse to Imamuna decrease.” Imam Mahdi “So how did you travel along this thorny path?” Umar said in reply, “Allah says in replied, “I rolled up my garment and was cautious as to AS. Imamuna AS enquired of the Malik as to why Quran, ‘They alone are where I would tread to avoid being pricked by the these two things were dear to him. Malik Rz replied believers whose hearts thorns.” So Ubay responded and said, “This is Taqwa.” that, because these two things are helpful in protect- thrill with the thought of ing his life. Imamuna AS explained to him that in Allah whenever His name is mentioned, and whose faith This example explains the meaning of Taqwa. It illus- such a case, his life is dearer to him than these two in Him increases as His trates how the people of Taqwa are cautious and care- things; hence, Allah wants him to present his life to revelations are recited…’ ful with where they tread, not out of fear of stepping on Him. Imamuna AS also told him that he has not come 27 Whatever Imam AzamRA a thorn, but out of fear of stepping into what Allah SWT to collect horses and swords, and that Allah is in no has said, he has in reality has prohibited. They are aware of Allah SWT with every need of horses and swords either. Malik Razz imme- given information about his action and step they take. Of the several ayaths in the diately renounced the world, and joined the holy iman, because his iman had reached the top notch Quran about Taqwa, the following ayath details the company of Imamuna AS. characteristics of the muttaqoon, the people with Ta- of perfection. After qwa. So, in the Mahdavia parlance Taqwa would be not perfection, iman does not increase or decrease.” just the observance of the religion just for the fear of

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards Allah but also for theMarag love of is Allah a Hyderabadi to achieve the spe- goal Naqlilyat Bandagi Mian east or west; but it is righteousness - to believe in Allah of Vision of Allah (Deedarcialty commonlye Ilahi), which found is the inbasic Abdur-Rasheed RZ # 17) and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and message of Imamunaweddings. AS. It is the observance of the the Messengers; to spend wealth, out of love for Him, edicts and commands of Allah and His Prophet for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, (phub). Ateeullah WA Ateeur rasool (obey Allah and for those who ask, and for setting the slaves free; to obey the Prophet) at it's utmost. and eventually sacri- establish prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill ficing everything for the sake of Allah and for the love the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and of Allah. patient in tribulation and adversity, and in times of panic (or stress). Such are the people of truth and they are al- muttaqoon. (2:177)

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Mahdaviah Insight November 2019 page 4

BiBi Haleema Sadia RZ. , (Continued from page 2)

Then blessings started happening for her. The old and feeble she cam- el, which had stopped lactating, was wet again, and her donkey was also running ahead of the caravan, and everyone was naturally astonished. Bibi Haleema also had a suckling son, and due to poverty, she did not have enough milk in her bosom to feed the child, her breast became full of milk, Kids Section: enough to nurture both the babies. Our newborn Prophet PBUH would suck- le only one breast and would leave the other for the foster brother, and Bibi Haleema noticed this and was astonished. The flock of sheep of Bibi Haleema's family started flourishing, healthy and producing milk even during the famine, while the other flocks were dying. Even in the famine, her flock of sheep would go out to graze and come back fully fed, and they would milk them as much as they wanted. while the other flocks would not give a drop of milk. All these blessings did not go unnoticed, even her daughter, the foster sister of our Prophet PBUH, Bibi Shayma Rz, who was young realized that our beloved Prophet PBUH was the source of all these blessings, and she also loved him and cared for him.

At the end of the customary two years, when the children were returned to their real parents, Bibi Haleema and her family were very sad and reluc- tant to return him to his mother. They however brought the child back to Bibi Amina in Mecca. But they succeeded in convincing her to allow them to keep the baby for a few more years and did not relent until Bibi Amina agreed to it. They wanted those blessing to be continued for their family. Our beloved Prophet PBUH spent first five years (some narrations say four years) of his life in the desert in the loving care of Bibi Haleema and her family, then she was reunited with his mother in Mecca.

Our Prophet PBUH had immense respect and love for her foster mother, when she visited him, hePBUH would spread his own cloak (chador) as a sign of respect, for her to sit. It is said that, the companions were surprised to see this, and hePBUH explained to them that she is his foster mother. HePBUH would address her with respect and deference and would always honor her and be kind to her. HePBUH would fulfill her needs. When there was famine in her region, she visited our Prophet PBUH, and Bibi Khadija Rz. gave her forty sheep and a camel, to fend off the famine conditions.

At the battle of Hunain, the tribe of Banu Sa'd fought against the Muslims and were defeated. Six thousand people were made captive in the battle. Among them, Bibi Shayma Rz., the foster sister of our Prophet PBUH, also became a captive slave of the Muslims. She asked to meet and talk to the Prophet PBUH and could do so. She was in her sixties, and Prophet PBUH did not recognize her. When she introduced her, hePBUH spread his cloak for Apoll fish is a Hyderabadi her to sit. HePBUH asked her if she wants to stay with him or go back to her specialty. Marinated fish fil- lets are dp fried and lightly people. She accepted Islam, and desired to go back to her place and was tossed in a masala seasoning. sent back with all due respect and dignity. Eventually, through the clout Social Media: Join the Official MICC Channel on Telegram Serve as an etizer or with the (Waseta) of this foster relationship, all the 6000 captives of this battle were main course. PBUH set free when a delegation came and pleaded with the Prophet with reference to his relationship to their tribe through Bibi Haleema Sadia. If Ingredients: you want to get all the information and updates from MICC, it is important

When Bibi Haleema Sadia accepted to foster Prophet PBUH, he was a few that you sign up for MICC Channel on Telegram. Fish 250gms days old, maybe about eight days old and during this brief period, he also had two other wet-nurses who fed him for those few days. The first one MICCA cupis currently of curry using leaves Telegram (application available on Android, IOS, and 4 - 5 green chillies, chopped was Bibi Thuwaybah al-Islamiah. She accepted Islam and passed away in other operating systems) to send quick and instant messages to the 7 Hijri. The second one was Bibi Ummu Ayman RZ, she also accepted 1 teaspoon chopped garlic Islam. He PBUH also respected these two foster mothers immensely and community.¼ tsp turmericpowder We urge the community to join official channel of MICC on took care of their needs, even though they fed himPBUH for a very few times Telegram.1 tsp chilli Please powder refer our email dated August 27 for details. You can contact 1 tsp ginger garlic paste and for a very brief period. us at [email protected] 1 egg Bibi Haleema and her husband accepted Islam and she was laid to rest at 1 tablespoon all-purpose flourfor any question. the Jannat ul Baqi cemetery. (Contributed by Mr. Abu Naimath Shahab) 1 tsp corn starch 1 ½ tsp chilli paste

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