A brief biography of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan

Citation preview

‫!"ھ‬

Brief Biography Biography of of AA Brief

‫!"ھ‬

Imam Ahmad Razā Raza Khān Khan Imām m Ahmad n Imā Khā

This booklet was written by Shaykh-e- arīqat Amīr-e-Aĥle-Sunnat, the founder of Dawat-e-Islami ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā ‫ﮐ‬ Mu ammad Ilyās ‘A ār Qādirī Razavī in Urdu. Urdu The translation Majlis has translated this booklet into English. English If you find any mistake in the translation or composing, please inform translation Majlis on the following postal or email address and gain reward [Šawāb].

Translation Majlis (Dawat (DawatDawat-e-Islami) Islami) Alami Madani Markaz, Faizān-e-Madina, Mahalla Saudagran, Old Sabzi Mandi, Baab-ul-Madina, Karachi, Pakistan Contact #: +92-21-34921389 to 91 [email protected]

Table of Contents Transliteration Chart .......................................................................... ii Du’ā for Reading the Book ................................................................ iii

______________________________________________ A Brief Biography of Imām Imām Ahmad Ahmad Razā Khān Glad Tidings of Intercession ............................................................ 1 Auspicious Birth .............................................................................. 1 An Event of Childhood .................................................................... 2 First Fatwā ....................................................................................... 3 A’lā a rat’s Expertise in Mathematics ............................................ 3 Amazing Power of Memory.............................................................. 5 Memorising the Qurān in Just One Month ...................................... 5 Love for the Holy Prophet

.......................................................... 6

Refraining from Flattering the Governors......................................... 7 Beholding of Mu afā

in Wakefulness ........................................ 8

Glimpses from Character ................................................................. 9 A Unique Way of Sleeping ............................................................. 11 The Train Kept Halted! ................................................................. 11 Books ............................................................................................. 12 Translation of the Holy Qurān ...................................................... 13 The Sad Demise ............................................................................. 14 Wait in the Court of the Holy Prophet

i

.................................... 15

Transliteration Chart A/a

Ř/ř

L/l

A/a

Z/z

M/m

B/b

X/x

N/n

P/p

S/s

T/t

Sh/sh

/

/

/

Š/š

/

Y/y

J/j

/

Y/y

Ch

/

!

A/a

V/v, W/w

"

/

#

‘

$!

U/u

%

Kh/kh

&

Gh/gh

'!

I/i

(

D/d

)

F/f

*+

Ū/ū

,

/

-

Q/q

*+

Ī/ī

.

Ż/ż

/

K/k

*+

Ā/ā

ii

Du’ā for Reading the Book Read the following Du’ā (supplication) before studying a religious book or Islamic lesson, , you will remember whatever you study.

+ + 01# $ %& ' (" )&* ,-./ 234 $ 53678 9 : %&

("

Yā Allah ! Open the portal of knowledge and wisdom for us, and have mercy on us! O the One who is the most honourable and glorious!

N ote: Recite Durūd Sharīf once before and after the Du’ā. iii

, ,

+!'!3 !#! $! !3 4* ! 12!0 ! ./!* '!-!

!: ! 7#* !: ! %& '! 0 !

,

,

+# !'!* ! () %& '! $!#!"!

! 79* ! !8 ! 7! %& '! ! 6/! !5 $! % !

A Brief Biography of

‫!"ھ‬

Imām A h mad Razā Khān Imā Imām Ahmed Razā Khā Kh ān Glad Tidings of Intercession The Prophet of mankind, the peace of our heart and mind, the most generous and kind '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? said, “Whoever recites ! " Durūd upon me, I will intercede for him.” #

$

%

&' ( )) *

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!?

Auspicious Birth A’lā a rat, Imām of Aĥl-e-Sunnaĥ, Reviver of Sunnaĥ, Eradicator of Bid’aĥ, Scholar of Sharī’aĥ, Guide of arīqaĥ, ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā Al- āj Al- āfi Al-Qārī Ash-Shaĥ Imām A mad Razā Khān 7*B CB) '‫ ﻋ‬was born on Monday, 10th Shawwāl, 1272 A.H. (14th June 1856) at the time of uĥr alāĥ in Jasūlī, one of the areas of Bareilly Sharīf, India. The name corresponding to the year of his birth is Al-Mukhtār. + )# # + ,

-

!./

%

01 * 1

#%

01 * $

2h

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

His birth name is Muhammad. His grandfather called him ‘A mad Razā’ and he became famous with the same name. 45 !

! 6 7

h #8 %

2 1

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

z

)# : h

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!?

An Event of Childhood Sayyid Ayyūb ‘Alī '‫ ﻋ‬CB) says that when A’lā a rat '‫ ﻋ‬CB) was a child, a teacher used to come to his house to teach him the Holy Qurān. One day, while teaching, the teacher asked A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) again and again to utter a word from a Qurānic Ayah but he '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) could not utter it as his teacher asked him to do. The teacher would pronounce the word with a Zaber but A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) pronounced the same word with a Zaīr. When A’lā a rat’s grandfather Maulānā Razā ‘Alī Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) noticed this situation he called A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) closer and asked for the Holy Qurān so that the correct word could be seen. On seeing the Holy Quran, he discovered that the scribe had mistakenly written Zaber in place of Zaīr, i.e. what A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) uttered was correct. His grandfather '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) asked, “A mad Razā! Why did you not utter the word as your teacher did?” A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) politely replied, “I tried to utter as the teacher did but I felt as if I did not have control over my tongue.” When similar incidents took place many times, the teacher asked A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) in solitude, “Son! Be honest with me; I promise I will not tell anybody, are you a human being or a Jinn?” 2

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) replied, “All praise be to Allah ,I am a human being, however, I have been blessed with the Benevolence and Bounty of Allah .” + )# #+ , !;/

%

01 * $

2h

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!?

First Fatwā At the age of 13 years, 10 months and 4 days, a Dastār (certification of the completion of Islamic studies) was conferred on A’lā a rat '‫ ﻋ‬CB) as he had completed all the traditional Islamic disciplines from his respected father Maulānā Naqī ‘Alī Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB). On the very same day, he '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) wrote a Fatwā in reply to a query. Finding the Fatwā correct and accurate, his exalted father Maulānā Naqī ‘Alī Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) delegated to him the office of Muftī and A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) continued the services of Iftā till his demise. + )# #+ , -

! !& '! 4!?

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!? 4

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

Amazing Power of Memory Abū āmid, Sayyid Muhammad Kacĥocĥawī '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) says that when people felt exhausted in search of the articles of jurisprudence for the completion of their answers, they went to A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) who provided the correct references immediately. A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) would promptly give such replies as this clause is present with so and so wording in so and so line of so and so page of so and so volume of Rad-dul-Mu tār; that clause is present in so and so line of so and so page of Durre-Mukhtār; this wording is available in so and so line /page/volume of ‘Ālamgīrī. Likewise, he '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) would tell exact wording with accurate page and line number of the books of Islamic jurisprudence such as Ĥindiyaĥ, Khaīriyaĥ, Mabsū etc. When the original books were referred to, the same wordings, lines and pages as uttered by A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) were found. All we can say is that he had memorized the last 1400 years books by virtue of divinely bestowed power of memory. + )# #+ , - !< % 01 * #% 01 * $

2h

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!?

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

Memorising the Qurān in Just One Month Sayyid Ayyūb ‘Alī '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) states that one day A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) said, “Some unaware people write the title of ‘ āfi ’ with my name whereas I don’t deserve it as I am not a āfi of 5

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

the Holy Qurān.” Sayyid Ayyūb '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) further says that A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) started memorising the Qurān from the very same day. Probably, the duration for this memorization was from having made the Wu ū for alā-tul-‘Ishā to the commencement of Jamā’at of alā-tul-‘Ishā. A’lā a rat '‫> *= ﻋ‬ CB) memorised one Pāraĥ (section) every day and he finished the 30th Pāraĥ on the 30th day. On one occasion, A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) said, “I have memorized the Holy Qurān in sequence making efforts. I have done so in order that the utterance of the people who write ‘ āfi ’ as a title with my #+ , - !< / name may not turn out wrong.” + )# %

01 *

#%

01 * $

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

2h

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!?

Love for the Holy Prophet The personality of A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) was a symbol of profound love for the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. The intensity of the love of A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) for the Holy Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? may be realized by reading his poetic masterpiece ‘ adāiq-e-Bakhshish’ in which every line on every page is an obvious proof of his immense love for the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. Every single line which he '‫ ﻋ‬CB) has written in praise of the Holy Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? from the bottom of his heart testifies to his immense love & admiration for the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. He never wrote any poem in flattery of any worldly lord because he had 6

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

adopted obedience and devotion to the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? with heart and soul. He '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) expressed his sentiments in the following couplet: '1* )1 >#1# '1* )1 (#1# 1

*# 6h )

:

)

*

+ ( ( )1

1 )#

) #(

(#1 6 )#

Refraining from Flattering the Governors Once, various poets composed poems in the praise and compliment of the Count of Nan-Para (district Behraich-UP, India). Some people requested A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) to compose a poem in praise of the count. In reply to this, A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) wrote a hymn in praise of the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? with the following opening couplet: ? *

(# @ 1

B *0 h4 h#

+ ,4 * )

) 4 * ) ) *0 h (

And in the closing couplet, A’lā word “Nān Pāraĥ” so beautifully! $ 41 ( )1 6

) 6 (#1

@

*

#*

1

a rat

C z# ! D ) 1 ) $ 0(

* )

1 8A > *#1 1 * ) * '‫> *= ﻋ‬

#1 1 * C B)

put the

% # ( )1 ( 0 % #

( # 01 #

1#1 1 *

A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) says, “Why should I compliment the rich? I am a beggar of the court of the Benevolent Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. My religion is not ‘Para-e-Nān.” ‘Pāraĥ’ means a 7

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

piece and ‘Nān’ means bread, which implies, “It is none of my !& '! $!#"! I business to gain pieces of bread by flattering lords; am not a puppet of the worldly lords.”

Beholding of Mu afā

in Wakefulness

When A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) went to perform Hajj for the second time, he kept reciting Durūd & Salām in front of the sacred tomb till late night with the desire of beholding the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? but, in the first night, he was not predestined to be blessed with this privilege. On this occasion, he wrote a famous lyric1 in whose opening couplet he expressed the hope of attachment with the merciful Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. ? h 4 ) # * z#

*

) * )1

E ) ) 1 ) % *#

*

) * )1

In the closing couplet, he sadly expressed his worthlessness in this way: $ 0 ) 1 E >*

2* ) ) 0 %# C z#

) h 0 # * z#

*

) * )1

(In the second line of the above written couplet, A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) humbly used the word ‘dog’ for himself, however, Sag-e-Madīnaĥ has written ‘Shaīdā’ (meaning: one who is deeply in love) in honour. 1

A type of poem

8

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

Having presented the lyric, while he was sitting reverentially waiting for beholding, his fortune smiled as he was blessed with beholding the Holy Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? with open # + , - !=< % eyes in wakefulness. + )# 01 *

#%

01 * $

2h

%& '! 7!" * D!3!

May we be sacrificed on those eyes that beheld the beloved Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? in wakefulness! He was deservedly blessed with this privilege as he was devoted to the Holy Prophet and engrossed in his love, which is evident from his poetry.

Glimpses from Character A’lā

a rat

'‫> *= ﻋ‬

C B)

said, “If someone split my heart into inscribed on one piece and

two pieces, he will see

on the other.” F #1 @ '(#( @( C z# !=; G4

C z

%

0)) * F

Tājdār-e-Aĥl-e-Sunnat, Shaĥzādaĥ-e-A’lā a rat, u ūr Muftīe-A’ am Hind Maulānā Mu afā Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) says in Sāmān-e-Bakhshish: $h #

h 6

8 %

h (( 1#

!# *

'3 ; *

'‫> *= ﻋ‬

4?

1 ( )1

In the eyes of the eminent and respected scholars and saints of his time, A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) was fully captivated in the love of the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. He was often 9

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

found gloomy due to being away from the Holy Prophet '3 ; * '‫> *= ﻋ‬ 4?. When A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) read the blasphemous statements written by the ‘paid blasphemers’, tears would well up in his eyes. He '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) forcefully refuted them so that they may be diverted to writing against him in reaction rather than against the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) often felt proud that Allah has made him a shield for the protection of the glory of the Noble Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? in his era. He would refute their blasphemous statements forcefully and bitterly so that they become engaged in using their energy against him and, for that span, they would not blaspheme the beloved and blessed Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. He says in adāiq-e-Bakhshish: $

1 ) ) 1#(

G# % $

A’lā a rat

>#1

) >#1 > *#1

# #

> *#1

) %*0 1 * >0 %* #

1 )

D D 1 > *#1 1 *

never let the poor go empty handed. He would always help them. Even in the last moments of his life, he made a will to his relatives to look after the poor, serve delicious food to them and never rebuke them. '‫> *= ﻋ‬

'‫> *= ﻋ‬

C B)

C B)

A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) often remained busy with writing and compiling books. He '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) offered alāĥ with Jamā’at (Congregation) throughout his life. He '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) would consume very little amount of food, and sleep for only one and 10

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

a half or two hours daily. + )# 01 *

#%

01 * $

#+ ,

- !=;

%

2h

A Unique Way of Sleeping At the time of sleeping, Ala a rat

'‫> *= ﻋ‬

C B)

would place his

thumb on his index finger forming the word ‘ ’. He '‫ ﻋ‬CB) would never stretch out his legs while asleep. He would sleep on his right side with both hands combined and placed under his head. He '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) would then bend his legs. In this way his body would portray the word ‘ !==

%

01 *

#%

01 * $

’. H )

#+ ,

-

2h

These are the unique manners of the devotees of Allah and the lovers of His noble Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?. G#(

$h # *

* ) *# h ( )1 1#(

Jh #(0 * )

D0

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

* )*

G %

* ) I# ( )1

) * )1 1#(

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!?

The Train Kept Halted! Once, A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) was travelling from Peeli-Bheet to Bareilly by train. During the journey, the train stopped at Nawāb-Ganj train station for two minutes. Since the time of Maghrib- alāĥ had started, A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) came out of the train along with his companions to offer alāĥ on the platform. The companions were worried as to what they would 11

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

do if the train departed, but A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) was very calm. He '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) got the Azan uttered and started the congregational alāĥ of Maghrib. On the other hand, the driver turned the ignition on, but mysteriously, the train did not move at all. Senior officers, the station master and other people assembled to look into the problem. The driver told them that there was no engine trouble. Suddenly, a Pundit (Hindu priest) yelled, “Look over there! A ‘Darvesh’ is praying, perhaps that’s the reason why the train is not moving!” A’lā a rat '‫ ﻋ‬CB) was mobbed by a lot of people. Having completed his alāĥ, as soon as A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) boarded the train along with his followers, the train started moving. It’s true that the one who devotes himself to divine commandments, everything abides by his commands.

Books A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) wrote approximately 1000 books on different topics. He '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) wrote millions of ‘Fatāwā’ (legal rulings) from the period 1286 A.H. to 1340 A.H., but unfortunately, all of them could not be recorded. Those which were copied have been compiled under the title ‘Al-‘A āyā-eNabawiyyaĥ fil Fatāwā-e-Razawīyyaĥ.’ The latest edition of ‘Fatāwā-e-Razawīyyaĥ’ consists of 30 volumes, 21656 pages, # # C z 0)) * 6847 questions-answers and 206 booklets. An G K 1 -7 ! C z# 1 1 z )# : h ocean of argumentation is turbulent in each Fatwā. His thorough 12

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

knowledge of Qurān, A adiš, Fiqĥ, Mantiq (logic) etc. can be judged only by a deep study of his Fatāwā. An introduction of some of his other books: + =D; *= ﻋ‬CB) is superior to all other Urdu translations of % G the present era. F #1 @ '(#( @( C z# !7"7 The translation written by A’lā a rat CB) C z 0)) * F '‫ > *= ﻋ‬is called ‘Kanz-ul-Īmān.’ A’lā a rat’s spiritual successor, Maulānā Sayyid Na’īm-ud-dīn Murādābādī '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) has written a brief exegesis of Kanz-ul-Īmān. 13

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

The Sad Demise Deriving the year of his demise from a Qurānic Ayah, A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) gave the news of his demise four months and twenty days before. That Qurānic Ayah is as follows:

( /!K CI J!57! CI ! !H* ! G! !'! F 9!E Translation from Kanz-ul-Īmān Rounds of silver utensils and goblets will be there for them. F

1 h '(#( @(

C z# !7/

% G

C z

0)) * F

Ala a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) passed away on 25th Safar-ul-Mu affar 1340 Ĥijrī (1921) on Friday at 2:38 p.m. (according to Indian Standard Time). As soon as the Mūażżin uttered ?36`C VT a+ b, A’lā a rat Imām-e-Aĥl-e-Sunnat, Mujaddid of Ummaĥ, revivalist of Sunnaĥ, eradicator of Bid’aĥ, scholar of Sharī’aĥ, guide of arīqaĥ, ‘Allāmaĥ Maulānā Al- āj Al- āfi Al-Qārī Ash-Shaĥ Imām A mad Razā Khān 7*B CB) '‫ ﻋ‬departed this life.

c+ @ d ‫ !"ھ‬C # $ +

#

Even today, his blessed shrine is the focal point for visitors in Bareilly Sharīf.

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!? 14

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

Wait in the Court of the Holy Prophet On 25th Safar-ul-Mu affar (1340 A.H.), a Syrian scholar dreamed in Baīt-ul-Muqaddas that he was present in the great court of the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?; Holy Prophet’s Companions GM =* > L) and Awliyā (Allah’s friends =* > N& GB)) were also present and there was total silence. It seemed as if they were waiting for someone. The Syrian scholar humbly asked the beloved Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?, “O Prophet of Allah '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?! May my parents be sacrificed on you! Who is being awaited?” The beloved Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? replied “We are waiting for A mad Razā.” The scholar asked, “Who is A mad Razā?” The beloved Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? replied, “He is an inhabitant of Bareilly in India.” When the saint awoke, he immediately journeyed from Syria to Bareilly Sharīf to meet A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB), but to his dismay, he learnt that A’lā a rat '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) had passed away on the same day (i.e. 25th Safar, 1340 A.H.) when he had seen the Holy Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4? in the dream waiting for % G “A mad Razā.” F #1 @ '(#( @( C z# !7= C z

0)) * F

B# ' #*0

> % C z# $h

% 0 # & h8

#%

A

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

#

6 #1 '3 ; *

'‫> *= ﻋ‬

)

*#) 4?

# #**

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!? 15

A Brief Biography of Imām A mad Razā Khān '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB)

A’lā a rat

'‫> *= ﻋ‬

CB)

and Cucumber

Imām A mad Razā Khān 7*B CB) '‫ ﻋ‬was once invited for a meal. The food had been served but all the people present over there were waiting for Imām A mad Razā '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) to begin eating. He '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) picked up a piece of cucumber and ate it. Then he '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) ate the second and the third. Following suit, all the guests stretched their hands out towards the container of cucumber, but the Shaykh '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) stopped them and asked for all the cucumber to be given to him. Hence, he ate all the cucumber on the dinning-mat. The Shaykh '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) was known to eat very little, therefore, when he '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) ate all the cucumber, the guests were astonished. The guests inquired as to why he ate all the cucumber. The Honourable Shaykh '‫ > *= ﻋ‬CB) replied that the first piece was bitter, and so were the second and the third. Since eating cucumber is a Sunnaĥ of the Exalted Prophet '3 ; * '‫ > *= ﻋ‬4?, and this cucumber was bitter, he did not want anyone to spit out the bitter cucumber. May Allāĥ >*

bless him and forgive us for his sake!

0h )

A

!&'!

%

#

'3 ; *

'‫> *= ﻋ‬

4?

> h#1 ( )1

Sunna s of the beloved Prophet In both worlds

!&'!

$#!"! 4* ! =* ! !> !& '! 4!?

'3 ; *

%

0

11

1

)

)# h )

1# % )D# # h ) '‫> *= ﻋ‬

4 ?,

I love them all

I will not fall

@ A!"! 4‫ ﻋ‬/'!? 16