Miracles in the Present Age

Bismillahi Arrahmani Arraheem

Assala'atu wa sala'am alaika ya Rasoolullah

(Blessings and Peace upon you O Messenger of Allah)

If you are reading this you might be wandering why I am giving my sala'am to the Holy Prophet; isn't he supposed to have passed away, and being dead how can he hear or know it? It is true that everyone must taste the bitter water of death, and so did our beloved master (sallallahu alaihi wa sala'am). However, this death is very short, and he is now alive in his grave, able to hear those who visit him. He even offers his sala'at in the grave. How is this possible, and doesn't it contradict the teachings of Islam? By all means no! Firstly the Holy Quran enjoins upon us to send blessings and salutations to the Messenger of Allah:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.

(Al-Ahzab 33:56)

This is truly one of my favourite verses, as it clearly shows the need for the Mumineen (Believers) to constantly send darood shareef, salawat, and sala'am upon the Holy Messenger (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am), which constitutes an integral part of our faith. The Holy Quran says that those who are slain in the cause of Allah are not dead, but rather they are alive:

وَلاَ تَقُولُواْ لِمَنْ يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبيلِ اللّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ بَلْ أَحْيَاء وَلَكِن لاَّ تَشْعُرُونَ

And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah. "They are dead." Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not.

(Al-Baqarah 2:154)

If even ordinary human beings are martyred and are considered to be alive, what than of the Prophets, whose status is so much higher? The following hadith will clarify why giving of sala'am to the Nabi (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am) is important, especially on Fridays (which is today):

Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: Apostle of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed? He replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets.

(Sunan Abu Dawud: Kitabus Sala'at)

The fact that the bodies of the Anbiya (alaihimus sala'am) do not decay or rot, but are kept alive in their graves until the Day of Judgment is unquestionably a great miracle. The subject of this entry is miracles in the present age. As a Muslim, I very strongly believe in miracles, and am against the heretic belief of some Muslims that a miracle is simply an unknown law of nature which dazzles the human eye. The spiritual ancestors of these "doubters", when they witnessed a Heavenly miracle, used to accuse the Prophets of sorcery (or witchcraft), of which our Prophet Muhammad (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am) was no exception. Miracles are the work of Allah, manifested through His chosen ones. Allah is the one who created and set in operation the laws which govern our universe, and He alone has the authority and power to defy that same law. Miracles should thus be distinguished from witchcraft (sihr), because witchcraft is not something unique or special, and those who witness it should not be amazed or in awe, unlike the witnessing of a true miracle. Once in the presence of the Holy Prophet (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am), and some other people, two men from the East began to speak in a strange and dazzling eloquence, so our Prophet (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am) used the opportunity to explain:

Some eloquence is sorcery.

(Muwatta of Imam Malik)

Consequently, the practice of a few radical Christian sects, such as the Pentecostals, of speaking in "tongues" in order to dazzle people, cloacked as a genuine religious experience, is perhaps a good example of sorcery which these misguided and astray people resort to.

Returning to the subject of miracles in the present age, many of you may be wandering how this is possible, since only Prophet's could show miracles. This is similar to the situation of revelation in that miracles are not restricted to only Prophets. In the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am), his own companions used to perform astonishing and marvelous miracles:

Some of the companions of the Prophet passed by some people staying at a place where there was water, and one of those people had been stung by a scorpion. A man from those staying near the water, came and said to the companions of the Prophet, "Is there anyone among you who can do Ruqya as near the water there is a person who has been stung by a scorpion." So one of the Prophet's companions went to him and recited Surat-al-Fatiha for a sheep as his fees. The patient got cured and the man brought the sheep to his companions who disliked that and said, "You have taken wages for reciting Allah's Book." When they arrived at Medina, they said, ' O Allah's Apostle! (This person) has taken wages for reciting Allah's Book" On that Allah's Apostle said, "You are most entitled to take wages for doing a Ruqya with Allah's Book."

(Sahih Bukhari: Kitabut Tib'a)

The hadith establishes, among other things, that non-Prophets can also do miracles, especially faith healings by using the Holy Quran, and Surah ash-Shifa (Surah al-Fatiha) especially, as an incantation. This episode also shows that our Holy Prophet (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am) approved of people taking wages in return for these faith healings and other beneficial miracles.

The miracles of non-Prophets and the Awliya (Saints) are known as karamat. Many of the extraordinary Saints of the past performed special miracles which were bestowed upon them by the power of Allah. It is a well known historical fact that many of the eminent saints of this ummah, such as Hadhrat Ghaus-ul-Azam Abdul Qadir Jilani (rahmatullah alaih), Hadhrat Ghareeb Nawaz Moinuddin Hasan Chishti (rahmatullah alaih), and a multitude of others were bestowed countless miracles, including even the raising of the dead back to life. Regarding the present age, or modern history, those who were in the company of the twentieth century exemplary saints and scholars, 'Ala Hadhrat Imam Ahmad Ridha Khan Barailwi (rahmatullah alaih) and Hadhrat Peer Mehr Ali Shah Golarvi (rahmatullah alaih), also witnessed extraordinary miracles.

In the latter days, which we are living in, we are about to enter a new era of miracles. It it of utmost importance that the Muslims of this age understand the reality of miracles.

The Blessings of Khilafat

Bismillahi Arrahmani Arraheem

The Muslim ummah in this day and age is in an utter state of dissaray, being attacked from all sides as well as from within. There is no such thing as real Muslim unity, because if there were, Islam at this moment would be triumphant, and our enemies defeated. There are multitudes of Muslims, but quantity without quality is meaningless. Though it is true that religion in general is on the decline, while secularism and irreligion is on the rise, Islam which stands out as the one true religion is also, unfortunately, in a state of weakness and vulnerability. We have lost our honour and dignity, we are under the curse of Allah for our idolatry and insolence towards our Lord. The Holy Quran has repeatedly warned us against this state of ours, by mentioning the example of the Israelites, who were also cursed for rejecting the glad tidings and commandments brought by their Prophets. Allah favoured the Children of Israel over all other nations, bestowed upon them the greatest blessing of all - Prophets - so much so that when one Prophet died, another would succeed him. The Muslims have also been given a great blessing because our dispensation has the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am). I am afraid, however, that this generation has failed to show its gratitude and appreciation towards Allah for giving us this religion. Nevermind the minor commandments and adhering the sunnat, the Muslims of this age have even forsaken the fundamentals of Islam, such as sala'at and zaka'at. Why should it be surprising, therefore, that everywhere in the world Muslims are suffering immensely at the hands of our enemies? Did not Allah punish the insolence of Bani Israeel by having their enemies, the Babylonians, pillage their land, destroy their temple, and take them into captivity? History is doubtless repeating itself, and this dispensation of Muslims must take heed.

إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ

Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls).

(Ar-Ra'd 13:11)

The burden is on the Muslims as a collective ummah to revive our observance of Islam and rekindle our search for knowledge. It is not a major effort to do so individually, but when a Muslim corrects his attitude and committs himself to the cause of Allah, the Heavenly bounties and blessings will pour forth so quickly and abundantly that one will be amazed, and one's faith will increase manifold.

Zealous Muslims of this age, though they are marginal and even demonized, have taken it upon themselves to work for the restoration of the khilafat, the leadership of the ummah. However, they should realize that of their own efforts, however noble, they can never succeed in restoring something which is a bounty of Allah, and which is solely His perogative - the khilafat. The khalifa is not appointed by mere men, the coming of a khalifa is like the coming of a Prophet - He is sent by God. Our Nabi (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am) said:

Allah never sends a prophet or gives the khilafat to a khalifa but that he (the prophet or the caliph) has two groups of advisors: A group advising him to do good and exhorts him to do it, and the other group advising him to do evil and exhorts him to do it. But the protected person (against such evil advisors) is the one protected by Allah.

(Sahih Bukhari: Kitabul Ahkaam)

In the time of the Children of Israel, a certain Prophet, Samuel (alaihi sala'am), was commissioned by Allah to announce to the Israelites that Allah had appointed a king, Talut (Saul) over them:

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا

Their Prophet said to them: "(Allah) hath appointed Talut as king over you."

(Al-Baqarah 2:247)

Some might question that according to history, the khulafa rashideen (rightly-guided caliphs), were given their positions through consultation and concensus of mere men, or otherwise appointed to their office by their predecessor. Such a notion comes from not understanding the way which Allah works. He fulfills His will through the agency of ordinary men. Does He not say in the Holy Quran:

وَلَوْلاَ دَفْعُ اللّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الأَرْضُ وَلَـكِنَّ اللّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief: But Allah is full of bounty to all the worlds.

(Al-Baqarah 2:251)

Here Allah has explained that He fulfills His divine plan through the deeds and actions of ordinary people, though they realize it not. In fact, Allah extracted retribution against His own people - the Children of Israel - by means of their foreign, idolatrous enemies. Though the enemies of the Children of Israel acted according to their own free will, and doubtless transgressed against Allah, the conditions were set by Heaven in such a way for this to occur in order to unfold the divine will.

The agenda of the Muslims should be to regain favour with Allah, as the most grassroots level, through tabligh and preaching the very basics and fundamentals of Islam which have been abandoned by the masses. Prayer is most pleasing to Allah, and one of the priorities of each and every Muslim while offering His prayers and supplications should be to beseech Allah to restore the blessings of khilafat upon this community. May Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala hear our earnest prayers and see us as worthy once again for Him to commence such abundant blessings that will fall like rain, among them being the khilafat. Ameen.

The World of Dreams

Bismillahi Arrahmani Arraheem

Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala says in the Holy Quran:

يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلآئِكَةَ بِالْرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَى مَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ أَنْ أَنذِرُواْ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنَاْ فَاتَّقُونِ

He doth send down His Angels with inspiration of His Command, to such of His servants as He pleaseth, (saying): "Warn (Man) that there is no god but I: so do your duty unto Me."

(An-Nahl 16:2)

This verse makes clear that Allah sends His inspiration and revelation to such of His servants (aibadihi) as He pleases. There is a common myth among Muslims that only the Prophets can be recipients of revelation, however, the Holy Quran and authentic ahadeeth testify otherwise. The example of the mother of the Promised Messiah, Maryam (alaihi salaam), who was not a Prophet, but nonetheless a pious and God-fearing lady possessing highest virtues and chastity, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, is an example of Allah bestowing revelation to non-Prophets:

وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللّهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَى نِسَاء الْعَالَمِينَ

Behold! the Angels said: "O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee - chosen thee above the women of all nations."

(Al-Imran 3:42)

Prophethood has culminated to a glorious end in the person of the Mercy for the Worlds, Hadhrat Sayyidina Muhammad Mustafa (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am), who is the embodiment of all moral perfections and spiritual excellences. However, by our beloved master's (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am) own testimony, revelation will not end with prophethood. Rather there are forty-six parts of prophethood, all of them have been terminated except for one - the mubashirat, or the inspired dreams which Allah bestows upon His righteous servants, a glad tiding for the Believers of this age:

When the Day of Resurrection approaches, the dreams of a believer will hardly fail to come true, and a dream of a believer is one of forty-six parts of prophethood, and whatever belongs to prothethood can never be false.

(Sahih Bukhari: Kitabut T'abeer)

In this respect there are three classifications of dreams: i) the nafsani dream, which is the natural reflection of one's day or inner thoughts which becomes manifested in a dream. This is the most common type of dream which everyone experiences, ii) the shaytani dream, an evil dream caused by Satan which it intended to make one despair of the Power and Mercy of Allah, and iii) the roohani dream or mubashirat, which is one of the forty-six parts of nabuwat, a form of revelation, which gives glad tidings from Allah.

As the Day of Resurrection (Yaum-ul-Qiyamat) hastens towards us, the inspired dreams that descend upon the Believers will become numerous and will almost always prove to be true. They will doubtless be prophetic in nature, and it becomes important to understand their true meaning and act accordingly. Because Allah can reveal matters to His ordinary servants through dreams, He also uses such dreams to make commandments and ordinances, though they are not through prophets. For example, the words of the Adhan, the call to prayer, which are an integral part of the Sunnat and of Islam, were not revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am). The words of the Adhan were revealed to a companion of the Prophet, Abdullah ibn Zaid (radhi Allahu anhu), in the form of an inspired dream. Though Islam was completed in the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (alaihi sala'atu wa sala'am), what we have inherited as the beliefs and commandments of Islam were not specifically vouschafed to the Prophet, but also his illustrious companions, as demonstrated by the example of adhan.

Because we are rapidly approaching the latter days of this world, and the tribulations which will consequently be a part of it, ordinary Muslims must become intimately aware of Allah's plan, and prepared to accept even divine communication from their Maker in the form of dreams.

A Sketchy Vision

Bismillahi Arrahmani Arraheem

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude towards my Maker who by His pure Grace and Mercy has made me a Muslim, and has bestowed such immense blessings and bounty on me, an unworthy sinful young man, in this very life. I fervently pray and supplicate to Him, and try to do so consistenty on a daily basis, that He may open the glorious gates of Paradise for me in the next life. Ameen.

Allah Most High says in the final revelation to mankind:

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ

He it is who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse.

(At-Tauba 9:33)

The objective of my blog, relying solely on the help of Allah Most High, is to therefore contribute to the fulfilment of this ayat of the Holy Quran. The promise of Allah is to cause Islam to prevail over all other religions, and the promise of Allah never fails. This is indeed a great and ambitious challenge which I, a humble, unknown college student from Canada have taken upon myself. But what I clearly hope to demonstrate is that it is not I who deserve any credit or praise for what will be accomplished. This endeavor cannot and will not prove to be successful if it is not the commission of my Lord. No matter how talented and skillful we human beings may become, no matter how advanced and intelligent we are, we can accomplish nothing if it is not the will of God. And so it has been a recurring Sign in the history of humanity that Allah has intervened in our affairs, caused great spiritual and moral revolutions, through the hands of men of humble livelihoods and no worldly ambitions - the Prophets and the Saints (Helpers of Allah). These were without a doubt ordinary human beings, in most if not all cases in disadvantaged circumstances, positioned in the lower rungs of their respective societies, yet even academic historians are baffled and marvel at how such unknown men changed the course of human history forever. The historians are in awe at how simple shephards and herdsmen raised among the most backwards and primitive societies have so contributed to our modern intellectual and philosophical schools of thought, and set in motion our current standards of ethics that have guided and cultivated the flourishing of civilization for many centuries. The answer to their mystery, the unknown in their equation is the Hand of God. He is the one who established communion with His righteous servants, and dictated to them their actions in order to unfold His will and divine plan for humanity.

I am by no means a Prophet or Saint, or for that matter even an authoritative scholar of my religion. I do not dare claim that I possess even a viable level of knowledge with regard to the intricate details of Islamic belief (aqeeda) and jurisprudence (fiqh), or the sciences of hadith and tafseer.Yet having read the Holy Quran at a deep and intimate level, and answering the call from Heaven to fulfill my personal religious obligation of spreading my faith (tabligh), I feel that I can, with the empowerment of Allah, share some of my insight into the beauty of Islam and present its essential message in a new light. What I mean by "new light" is that I particularly want to focus this blog on some of the neglected, yet nevertheless extremely important aspects of Islam. The Holy Quran is truly a casket of gems, its divine wisdom enlightens every particle of man's heart and intellect. It addresses every issue of the individual as well as society at large relevant to their prosperity and salvation. In particular, I wish to shed light on the eschatology of Islam, the prophecies and signs of the Day of Decision, which is fast approaching, the path to which is being paved quickly by current world events and developments. Somewhat related to this subject is Islam as an alternative political idealogy and system of governance; the untapped potential of divinely revealed law (shariat) curing the disease of secularism which has contributed most significantly to our moral and spiritual decline. The third major topic which I hope to concentrate my efforts on is a comparative analysis of Islam, and its greatest adversary and challenge - Christianity.

Having outlined a brief list of my goals and objectives that I pray to achieve with this blog, I ask the reader to join me at this moment in sincerely imploring Almighty Allah Ta'ala to bless this noble project and bestow upon it abundant fruits which we can taste and be satisfied with. Ameen, thumma ameen.