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MUSLIM SAINTS & MYSTICS (TADHKIRAT AL-AULIYA )

BY SHAIKH FARID AL-DIN ATTAR

INTRODUCTION SHAIKH FARID AL-DIN ATTAR IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE PREEMINENT MYSTICAL POETS OF THE PERSIAN LITERARY TRADITION. THE DURATION OF HIS LIFE IS UNCERTAIN, THOUGH HE CAN BE PLACED IN THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES C.E. BORN IN NISHAPUR IN WHAT IS TODAY IRAN, ATTAR APPARENTLY WAS A PHARMACIST, BUT LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT HIS PERSONAL LIFE IS KNOWN. DURING HIS LIFETIME HE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE WRITTEN APPROXIMATELY 9 BOOKS, INCLUDING SUCH FAMOUS WORKS AS THE MANTEQ AL-TAYR (THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS) AND THE ILAHI-NAMA (THE BOOK OF GOD) MUSLIM SAINTS AND MYSTICS IS CONSIDRED WORLD FAMOUS CLASSICAL BOOK OF PERSIAN LITERATURE WHICH PRINTED AND RE-PRINTED IN MANY COUNTRIES .AN ABRIDGEMENT, TRANSLATED BY A.J. ARBERRY, OF ATTAR'S ONLY KNOWN PROSE WORK: TADHKIRAT AL-AULIYA (THE MEMORIAL OF THE SAINTS), WHICH HE WORKED ON THROUGHOUT MUCH OF HIS LIFE AND WHICH WAS AVAILABLE PUBLICLY BEFORE HIS DEATH. ARBERRY'S TRANSLATION IS AN ABRIDGEMENT;

THANKS TO MR. DAVID E. ROSENBAUM OF NEW YORK TIMES

THE SECOND CHAPTER OWAISE AL-QARANI  WAS PUBLISHED ON THE FOLLWING WEB SITE  BY MR DAVID E. ROSENBAUM AS HE  WAS ALSO EDITOR OF THIS  WEB SITE.

2. Owaise of Qarni (PDF) will create 70,000 angels same as Owaise of Qarni (clone) and when ... Owaise of Qarni told him to stay there and he went away and ...

www.omphaloskepsis.com/ebooks/pdf/Owaise.pdf - 113k - View as html - More from this site -Save

ON THE Friday night of Jan. 6, 2006 in Northwest Washington, when New York Times reporter  MR David E. Rosenbaum was beaten, robbed and dispatched to his death. BUT IN THE COURSE OF HISTORY OF THE BOOK  MUSLIM SAINTS & MYSTICS  (TADHKIRAT AL-AULIYA ) BY SHAIKH FARID AL-DIN ATTAR  MR DAVID E. ROSEENBAUM  WILL BE REMEMBERED ALWAYS AS HE PUBLISHED THE ABOVE ARTICLE WITH   THE SPECIAL NOTE  WITH  THE FOLLOWING DETAILS.

1.	SOME DETAILS ABOUT THE LIFE OF SHAIKH FARID AL-DIN ATTAR. 2.	 THE   DETAILS OF  THE WORKS BY SHAIKH FARID AL-DIN ATTAR.

3.	HE INTRODUCED THE TRANSLATOR AND HIS WORK OF TRANSLATION OF SECOND MAIN CHAPTER OWAISE OF QARNI. FROM ABOVE THE BOOK.

THE ENTRY ON OWAISE AL-QARANI AND SOME OTHER 18 CHAPTERS TRANSLATED BY THE UNDERSIGNED  OMITTED IN ARBERRY'S TEXT,IS INCLUDED AT THE FOLLOWING LINK.

IN Tazkeratul Aoulia  Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints ) WROTE  MANY CHAPTERS BRIEFLY BUT IN THOSE CHAPTERS THERE IS FULL INFORMATION AND DETAILS ON THE TITLE  AND HIS STYLE OF WRITING IS MOST INTERESTING. FOR THIS REASON THE READERS  WILL  REMEMBER THE  ABOVE CHAPTERS  FOR A LONG TIME FROM  THE ABOVE  GREAT BOOK.

Muhammed A. Hafeez, B.COM. Email: hafeezanwar@yahoo.com H.NO. 16-11-16/1/21, AL-MADINA COTTAGE, FLAT NO. 3, AL-SULAIMAN APARTMENT Hyderabad-36, (India)

18 EPISODES from Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics)

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=============== Reference Books

1. Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics), Urdu translation published by Majedi Book Depot, Kanpur in the year 1383 A.H., India.

2. Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics), Urdu translation published by Anwar Book Depot, Delhi India.

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1. Imam Jafar Sadiq

His name was Ja’far al-Sadiq and his patronymic name was Abu Mohammed. If we start writing about his qualities and miracles then it is not easy to cover all of them. He inherited from Ali Bin Abi Talib (RA) and he is the real heir of the Prophet. Ja’far al-Sadiq’s greatness is such that we can call him the king of Muslim ummat (nation). He was the follower of truth and ascertainment and also the true follower of the pious persons. He was great among all the saints and successors of the Prophet. He was descendant of Ali Bin Abi Talib (RA) and the Prophet’s family. Due to his greatness, we all praise him. As already mentioned above that to write the details about the works and achievements of Prophet, their companions and members of the Prophet’s family is not easy and will need many volumes to describe. After seeking the blessings for writing this book, we are mentioning here the stories of pious persons who were passed away  after the family members of the Prophet. Here we are writing about Ja’far al-Sadiq. Ja’far al-Sadiq was ranked after the companions of the Prophet. He was member of Prophet’s family, hence many of his teachings about mystic knowledge and also his other narrations are available. We are mentioning here some of his sayings about good felicity. Those who follow his religion, in other words are following the religion of twelve Imams (religious leaders), as he was the successor of the twelve Imams. So it is one that is equal to twelve and also twelve that is equal to one. If we mention about his works and achievements then it will be equivalent to mention the works and achievements of twelve Imams. If we mention about his character, he was master in every kind of knowledge and wisdom. He was the leader of learned people and they all had full confidence in him. He was not only a great leader of mystic persons but he was also the follower of literary persons and lovers of Allah. He has written many books and in these books he has explained the controlling powers of Allah in the best possible manner. He has also narrated many of the sayings of Imam Baquer’s. The author explains as follows: “I am surprised to know that a group of persons due to their poor knowledge thought that Sunnat Jamat (followers of the Prophet) has enmity with the family members of Prophet. But the fact is that the members of Sunnat Jamat are the followers of the Prophet’s family members.” So we must remember that every one who has faith in the Prophet, he should also love and have faith in the Prophet’s family members. When Imam Al-Shafe’i was imprisoned on the charge of enmity with the Prophet’s family members, he uttered some couplets at that time. The meaning of one of the couplet is as follows: “I am friend of the holy Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and his family members so if this is enmity then all human beings and jins should be witness on this enmity.” Who is Sunni? In its real meaning Sunni is one who accepts the greatness of the Prophet’s family members. If it is not compulsory the rule of faith to know about the Prophet’s family members and his companions but it is good for everybody to know about them. As you know some other things and some unnecessary things. The importance of companions of the Prophet is very great because due to their sacrifices and great efforts as well as due to their Islamic knowledge which they learned from the Prophet and which helped the Muslims to spread the religion of Islam throughout the world. They set great examples of their sacrifices and efforts, which will guide the Muslims till the day of judgement. If we follow them then we can achieve real Islamic goal in our lives. So for you it is good to know about the king of this world and the world after the death, Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and his companions and their followers. The Prophet’s family members who made distinguished services and sacrifices for the Islam and Muslims. With the help of their teachings we can become a true Muslims. So for this reason one should respect and love for the followers of the holy Prophet and his family members. When some persons asked Abu Hanifa who is superior in the followers of holy Prophet. He said, “In the older Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) and Omar Farouq (RA), in the young men Osman Bin Affan (RA) and Ali Bin Abi Talib (RA), in the women Ayesha (RA) and in the girls Fatima (RA).” One night the caliph Mansur of Baghdad ordered his minister to bring Ja’far al-Sadiq before him for his killing so the minister told him, “Why did he want to kill such a noble and great person who is in loneliness in the house and busy in the worship of Allah and who left the worldly life and pleasure so it is against expedience.” Mansur angry when heard the reply from his minister and told him it is his duty to obey his orders. The minister tried his best in this matter but he was not successful so he went to call him helplessly. The caliph ordered his slaves to kill him upon his arrival to the palace at the time when Mansur takes down his crown from his head. But when he came to his palace Mansur stood before him and ran to receive him and gave him a most suitable place to sit him and he sat before him with sincerity and with great respect. The slaves were surprised when they saw the actions of Mansur. The caliph asked him if he need any thing from him. Then he told him that he should not be called again there to enable him to continue the worship of Allah. Mansur said good bye to him with great respect and at the same time Mansur’s body began shivering and became unconscious and he was in that condition for three days and some persons told he was in that condition in which his three prayers were lapsed. When he was all right then the minister asked him, “What was the matter with him?” Mansur told him, “When he entered his palace he saw a big python with him and his two lips were open and one was on the upper side and the other was below of the throne.” The python told him, “If you do any harm to Ja’far al-Sadiq I would swallow you with your seat.” So when I heard this I was afraid of python and I could not know what I was telling to him so I excused him and become unconscious.” When once Dawood Tai came to see him and asked him, “Oh! Son of the Prophet, pray for me as my heart become black.” Then Ja’far al-Sadiq told him, “Oh! Abu Suleiman, you are also pious person of the time so no need of my prayers.” Then Dawood Tai told him, “Oh! Son of the Prophet, Allah gave you a such greatness and it is obligatory for you to give advice to all Muslims.” He told, “Oh! Abu Suleiman, I am afraid that on the day of judgement my grand father will caught me and will ask me why I have not fulfilled my duties properly and Allah will not see the inheritance but see the good deeds.” Then Dawood Tai wept and told, “Oh! Allah, his inheritance is from the holy Prophet and his habits are superior and his grand father is the holy Prophet and his mother is batool (great woman) but he is still worried then who is Dawood and why he is so proudly on his deeds.” One day Ja’far al-Sadiq was sitting and he told his slaves to come and make a promise that on the day of judgement whoever will be successful then he should recommend the others. Then they told, “Oh! Son of the Prophet, why did you need our recommendations as your grandfather will recommend all the creatures?” Then he told them, “He is ashamed of his deeds so he is afraid to see the face of his grandfather.” Once Sufyan Thauri went to see Ja’far al-Sadiq when he discontinued going outside of the house and stayed alone in the house and he told him, “Oh! Son of the Prophet, people are not getting your grace as you are in the loneliness of the house.” Then he told him, “I think this is better for me” and recited these two couplets and the meaning of them is as follows:

“The faithfulness is not seen as the traveller on the journey will not see again and people are busy with their thinking and necessities. People express love for each other but their hearts are full of poison.”

When the persons saw him wearing a wealthy dress and they told him, “Oh! Son of the Prophet, it is not suitable for the Prophet’s family member to wear such a dress.” Then he caught his hand and took it inside of the dress of his shoulder and showed him the inside dress which was made of jute and it scratched his hand. He told him, “This dress is for the Allah and other is for the mankind.” Ja’far al-Sadiq asked Abu Hanifa, “Who is wise?” And he replied, “One who makes difference between good and bad.” Then he told him, “The animals could do these things. As they recognize who beat them and who love them.” So Abu Hanifa asked him to explain in this matter, “Who is wise?” He told him, “One who could make difference between two good things and two bad things and choose one good thing which is more good from the two goods things and one bad thing which is less bad from the two bad things.” When the persons told him, “You have all qualities of pious persons and have kindness and coolness of the family members of the Prophet but you have more proudness.” So he replied, “I am not proudly but my lord is great so when I discontinued proudness and greatness these things entered into me. So upon Allah’s greatness one can feel proud but one should not be proudly for greatness of his own.” Somebody lost his bag of dinars (money) so he caught Ja’far al-Sadiq and told him, “You have stolen my dinars,” as that man could not recognize him. He asked him, “How many dinars have you lost?” The man replied, “One thousand dinars.” He took that man to his house and gave him one thousand dinars. Later that man found his bag of money some where and explained him the whole event and made apology to him and requested him to take the money which he brought back for him and he also told him, “It was his mistake.” He told him, “He would never take back anything which he gives to anybody.” That man asked, “Who is this person?” And people told him, “He is Ja’far al-Sadiq” Then the man was very sorry for his mistake and went away. One day he was going on the road lonely and he was saying ‘Allah, Allah’, and one poor pious person was also following him and saying ‘Allah, Allah’. When he told, “Oh! Allah, I do not have trouser and dress with me” and at the same moment one clean pair of dress was appeared there and he wore the same. Then the poor pious person asked him, “Oh! Great man, I was also reciting ‘Allah, Allah’ behind you so please give me your old dress.” So he liked his idea and gave him his old dress. A man came to Ja’far al-Sadiq asked him, “He wanted to see Allah.” He told that man, “Have you not heard what Allah told Prophet Moses (PBUH) that you did not able to see him.” The man told, “Yes.” But this is ummat (followers) of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and among the followers of the Prophet in whom one person said, “His heart was seen Allah and other person is crying that he will not worship Allah until he could see Allah.” So he asked the persons to tie him with rope and throw him in the river Tigris. When he was thrown in the water and he was gone inside water but water brought him to the surface level and he called, “Oh! Son of the Prophet, help me, help me.” But he told the water, “Oh! Water, take him and hide him” and water took him inside. So that man was gone inside of the water many times and came on the water surface many times but he was crying for the help of Ja’far al-Sadiq. When he was tired and gone inside of the water and lost hope for the help from the mankind and at that time water brought him to the upper level of surface as he called, “Oh! Allah, help me, help me.” Then he told the persons to take him out from the water and he was taken out from the water. He sat for some time and he became normal. He asked him, “Have you seen Allah?” He replied, “When I was calling others then there was a veil but when I called Allah for his help with eagerness then I saw Allah in the window which opened in my heart. If there was no eagerness and passion then Allah will be not there.” Allah says, “Is somebody there who will reply the needy person’s call?” Ja’far al-Sadiq told him, “When he was calling others for His help then he was false and advice him to take care of the window in the heart.” Ja’far al-Sadiq told, “One who says, ‘Allah is on the things or Allah is from things’ and so for this saying he will become unbeliever.” And further he told, “One who commits sin with fear and seek Allah’s repentance and then he will become closer to Allah. When one who worships in the beginning for himself and in the last for the show and proud for this he will be kept him away from Allah. One who is proud for his worship then he will become a sinner. Sincere is one who will repent for his sins.” When persons asked Ja’far al-Sadiq, “Who is better either sincere pious person or wealthy person?” He said, “Pious person is better than other one because wealthy person always looks for the bags of money but pious person is always with Allah.” He further continued, “The worship is not right without repentance because Allah preferred repentance than worship. As Allah said, ‘Repentance seekers are worshipers.’ ” Refer to Qur’anic teaching in which it is clear that repentance is superior to the worship. The real remembrance of Allah is that in which one should forget all things because Allah is found for such things. He explained one verse of the Holy Qur’an in which Allah says, “He bestow His mercy on any one whom he likes.” So all sources are kept away as Allah’s blessing is given without any source. Ja’far al-Sadiq said, “The faithful is one who stands against nafs-i-ammara (inordinate appetites) and the pious is one who stands in the worship of Allah.” He said, “One who fight against nafs-i-ammara for the sake of himself then he will become the man of miracles.” He also said, “One who fights with nafs-i-ammara for the sake of Allah then he finds Allah.” He said, “Ilham (revelation) is a sign of Allah’s blessing for His accepted persons but when this matter is proved that it is nothing by logic and this is the work of unbelievers.” He said, “Allah is more hidden in the man than the movements of the black ants on the black mountains during the night. The love of Allah is neither good nor bad. The secret which I come to know when I became mad. It is good for a man if he has wise enemy.”

Ja’far al-Sadiq said to keep away from the friendship of the following five persons:

1.	Liar who will always deceive you. 2.	Foolish who always wish for your good but the result will be bad which he does not know. 3.	The miser who will spoil your time. 4.	Coward who will leave you when you are in danger. 5.	Sinful who will sell you for the sake of a morsel and also for his greed he will put you in the trouble for his gain which even it will be less than a morsel. Ja’far al-Sadiq said, “Allah’s heaven and hell are also in this world. When there are no worries it is heaven and when there are worries it is hell. It is heaven when we should approach Allah for all our works. It is hell when we surrender all our works to nafs-i-ammara.” If there will be effect of enemies on Allah’s men then there was effect on Asiya from the Pharaoh and if there was effect of Allah’s man on the enemies of Allah then there was benefit for the Lut’s wife and Noah’s wife.

His sayings are too many but we  have written the  above some of them only.

2. Owaise of Qarni

About Sohail Yemeni, the prophet says that he is superior to his followers due to his kindness and favor. When there is praise by the prophet then what else can I describe about him. Sometimes the prophet used to turn his face towards Yemen and said, “I feel the breeze of love from the Yemen.” the prophet told on the day of judgment that Allah will create 70,000 angels same as Owaise of Qarni (clone) and when Owaise of Qarni will come there in between them and will proceed to the heaven, no one will recognize him except Allah, because in the world he used to worship away from the mankind and so he will be kept away from the mankind on the day of judgment. It is mentioned that the friends of Allah will be kept hidden by him, so no one will be able to see them. On the day of judgment the prophet will come out of his palace and will say,        “ Where is Owaise, so that I can see him.” soon there will be a call in  which it will be heard that do not worry in this matter, you will not see him here as you did not see him in the world. The prophet told that there was a person in my followers and his recommendation was accepted which was equal to the hairs of the sheep of Rabiya and Mizer tribes of Arabia. There were two tribes in Arabia who had many sheep at that time. The companions asked the prophet, “Who that person is?” he said, “He is one among the slaves of Allah.” then they told the prophet that they were also slaves of Allah, but what was his name. The prophet told them, “His name is Owaise and he is from Qarni.” they asked him, “Where he is ?” He replied, “He is in Qarni.” then companions asked the prophet, “Have you seen him?” he replied that even though he did not see him physically but he was seen by the eyes of certainty. The companions asked that how such a lover did not come to see you. He said, “It may be due to two reasons, first due to his conditions and second is to respect my Shariat (Islamic law), because his mother is old and blind. He looks after camels and gets some money for the food and clothes for his mother. Then the companions asked could they see him. The prophet answered that Abu Bakr (ra) will not see him but Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) and Omer Farouq (ra) will see him. On Owaise Qarni’s body there are hairs and on his chest and on his palm there are small white marks, which are not of leprosy. The prophet said to Omer Farouq (ra) and Ali Ibn Taleb (ra), “ When you will meet him, convey my salam and ask him to pray for the Muslims.” the prophet told he is superior among the Allah’s men who are hidden. Then the companions asked that where could they find him ? The prophet replied, “ In Yemen there is a camel look after Owaise and you have to follow his foot steps.”

When the time of prophet’s death was nearer, the companions asked that to whom they should give his dress. He said, “ TO Owaise of Qarni.” After the death of prophet Omer Farouq (ra) and Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) went to Koofa (Baghdad) and at the time of delivering sermon Omer Farouq (ra) requested the people of Najd to stand and asked them, “Is there any person from Qarni.” they said, “ Yes.” then Omer Farouq (ra) asked them did they know about Owaise of Qarni? They replied, “ No, but there is a mad person who lives away from the people.” Omer Farouq (ra) asked where he lives. They replied, “He lives in Arna valley and looks after the camels, eats dry bread in the night, neither come to the village nor talk to the people.” he does not eat what we eat and he does not know sorrow and happiness. When people laugh he weeps and when people weep he laughs. Omer Farouq (ra) and Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) went to that valley and found that Owaise of Qarni was praying at that time. Allah has ordered his angels to look after his camels. When there was a sound he finished his prayer and said salam to Omer Farouq (ra). Omer Farouq (ra) asked him, “ What his name is ?” he replied, “A slave of Allah.” then Omer Farouq (ra) said, “We all are slaves of Allah but I am asking your proper name.” he replied, “Owaise.” Omer Farouq (ra) told him to show his left hand. He showed his hand and Omer Farouq (ra) saw the white mark on his hand, which was already described by the prophet. He kissed his hand and said, “The prophet has conveyed his Salam and has sent his dress for you and asked you to pray for the Muslims.” then Owaise of Qarni told them, “You are superior so you pray, as you are very close to the prophet.” Omer Farouq (ra) replied, “I will pray but you also pray according to the advice of the prophet. Owaise of Qarni requested Omer Farouq (ra) to please check some other person and that he is not the real one. Omer Farouq (ra) said that they have found all marks on him, which were explained by the prophet. Then Owaise of Qarni said, “Give me the dress so that I can pray.”Omer Farouq (ra) gave him the dress. Owaise of Qarni told him to stay there and he went away and poured the dust on his face and asked Allah, “ Oh Allah, I will not wear the dress until you accept my recommendation for all Muslims and for this the prophet has sent his dress and Omer Farouq (ra) and Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) have done their work, now your work is left.” then there was call in which it was heard, “I have forgiven some people due to your recommendation.” Owaise of Qarni replied, “I will not wear the dress until you forgive all Muslims.” then the call was heard again in which it was told, “I have forgiven many people.” when he was talking to Allah, at the same moment Omer Farouq (ra) and Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) came over there. When Owaise saw them there he asked them that why they have come over there because he was talking to Allah and that he will not wear the dress until he (Allah) accepts my recommendation for all the Muslims. Omer Farouq (ra) saw that Owaise of Qarni was wearing a rag dress, in which there was wealth of 18,000 worlds. Omer Farouq (ra) was very sad to see himself and his caliphate, so he said, “Anybody is there who can purchase his caliphate for a piece of bread.” Owaise said that foolish will purchase so throw it and anybody who likes it, will take it, so there is no need of selling and buying it. Then Owaise of Qarni wore the dress and said that Allah has forgiven the Muslims on his recommendation and due to this dress to equal number of the sheep of Rabiya and Mizer tribes. Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) was silent. Omer Farouq (ra) asked him, “Oh Owaise, why have you not met the prophet?” Owaise asked, “Have you seen the forehead of the prophet. If you have seen then tell me whether his eyebrows were close or scattered.” but he could not reply this. Owaise of Qarni told, “ Are you a friend of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh)?” he said, “yes.” if you were firm in the friendship then why you have not broken your teeth when the prophet’s teeth were broken in the battle of mount of Ohud in Madina and this is the rule of friendship. He showed his teeth and said that he had broken all his teeth in prophet’s love without even seeing him. When I broke a tooth, I was not sure of it as it might be the same tooth of the prophet or not and then I have broken all my teeth. Omer Farouq (ra) and Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) wept and said that your value of respect was great. He did not see the prophet but his respect for the prophet was admirable. We have to learn respect from him. Omer Farouq (ra) asked him to pray for him. Owaise of Qarni told him that there should be no desires and wishes when one has faith in Allah. In every prayer I used to pray for all men and women of Muslim world for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. If you die with faith then you will find result of my pray in your grave otherwise my pray will be spoiled. Omer Farouq (ra) asked him to give some advice. He said, “Oh Omer, do you know Allah?” Omer (ra) said, “Yes, I know.” He told Omer (ra) that except Allah he does not know anybody and it is better for you also. Again Omer (ra) asked for more pieces of advice. He said, “Oh Omer, does Allah know you.” He said, “Yes.” then it is better that Allah knows you more than others. Then Omer (ra) told him to please wait for some time, so that he can bring something for him. Owaise of Qarni took out two dinars from his pocket and said, “This is my earning from camel grazing. If you guarantee that these two dinars are enough for my entire life then I will accept the other things from you, otherwise I do not need anything.” then Owaise of Qarni gave thanks to them for coming over there to see him after facing many difficulties and asked them to leave the place. The Day of Judgment is near, where we can meet there and from there we will not separate at all. Now I am busy for the preparation for the life after death. When Omer Farouq (ra) and Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) left that place the people of that place started respecting Owaise of Qarni.

He left that place and reached Koofa. After that nobody has seen him, but Huban’s son Harm when he heard about the greatness of recommendation of Owaise of Qarni he was anxious to see him. He went to Koofa to see him, searched him and by chance he found him on the river Farat where he was doing ablution and washing his clothes. He said, “I recognized you due to your greatness and what I have heard about you.” He paid salam to him; he replied it and he looked at me carefully. I wanted to shake his hand but he did not give his hand. I said, “Oh Owaise, Allah has blessed you, granted his mercy and has forgiven you.” I wept in his friendship and on his weak condition, Owaise of Qarni also wept. Owaise said, “Oh Harm, the son of Huban, god bless you. What thing you have brought here and who showed you my address.” Harm replied him, “How do you know my name and my father’s name, as I have not seen you before.” Owaise said, “Allah told me, who knows everything. My soul recognized your soul, as soul of Muslim knows each other.” I asked him to narrate any saying of the prophet. He told that he did not met the prophet and has heard his qualities from others and do not want to become scholar of prophet’s tradition, as he has many pending things to do. Then he asked him to recite any verse from the Quran. He recited. “A‘oodhu billahi minash shaitan rajeem” and he started weeping. He said that Allah says in the Quran, “Wama khalaqtul jinna wal insa illa li-ya‘budoon.” he recited and he cried in loud noise so I thought that he had gone mad. He again asked me what had brought him there. I told him that I wanted your friendship and to become successful. He replied that one who knows Allah does not need the love and affection of others and gets comfort from others. I asked him to advise me. He told me that when you sleep, think that your death is under your pillow. When wake up, do not have many hopes and do not consider any sin smaller, but think it is big one. If you think any sin smaller then you think Allah small and will become a sinner. I asked him, “What do you say about my stay?” he told me to go to Syria. Then I asked how I would find my livelihood there? Owaise of Qarni said, “It is very sad that their hearts are full of doubts and suspicions and they do not accept the pieces of advice.” I asked him some more pieces of advice for me. He told, “Oh son of Huban, your father died. Adam (as), Eve (as), Noah (as), Abraham (as), Moses (as), David (as) also died. Abu bakr (ra) died who was the first caliph, my brother Omer (ra) also died.” then he said, “Oh Omer, god bless you.” Omer (ra) is still living. He says, Allah has informed him that Omer (ra) has passed away. He told me that, I and you are in between dead. He recite blessing and started praying. He advised me to follow the holy book and the right path and do not forget about death at any moment. When you reach your people then advise them and also advise mankind. Always follow the steps of the prophet, otherwise you will be out of the religion and be eligible for the hell. He then advised some prayers and asked me to go. He said, “Oh son of Huban, you will not see me and I will not see you again, but remember me in your prayers, because I to remember you in my prayers. You go on that way and I will follow this way.” I had desire to follow him for some time but he did not allow me. He wept and I also wept. I was watching him from the backside but after some time he disappeared. After that there was no news about him. The son of Huban said that Owaise of Qarni first told him about the four caliphs of the prophet.

Rabiya narrates that he went to see Owaise of Qarni and he saw him while he was performing the morning prayer. After the prayer he was busy in the glorification of Allah until the time of noon prayer. He was busy with his work until the time of next prayer and in this way he was very busy until next morning prayer. For three days he did not eat or drink anything or even slept. On fourth night he slept for some time and then wake up and started hymns, in which he said, “ Oh Allah, keep me away from full sleep and full food in the stomach and it is enough for me and I have come back to you.” it is said that he never slept in the nights. He used to say that the night was for doing prostration, bowing and for standing before God. He used to keep every night alive. When people asked him, “How do they pray?” he told, “I want it will be dawn before I did not say ‘Subhan Allah’ in the prostration. As I want to do worship same as angels do in the sky.” When people asked him, “What is khudo (attention) in the prayers?” He told, “If there is wound of spear on your body but you did not notice it.” The people asked him, “How are you?” how he will be, when he wake up in the morning and the death will allow him to be alive or not upto night? When people asked him about his work, he replied, “Oh, the journey is long but no preparations at all?”

Owaise of Qarni said that if you worship of Allah  and if the same is equal to the worship of all creations of Allah in the   sky and earth but Allah will not accept the same unless you have faith in him. The people asked him further, how we have to keep faith in Allah. He said at the time of worship do not think for other things, which Allah have reserved for you. He said, “Whoever like the following three things, for him hell will be near to nerve of his neck.” 1.	Good food 2.	Good dress 3.	Sitting with wealthy people

People told Owaise of Qarni that there is one man who is sitting in the grave since 30 years and wearing shroud around his neck and weeping. He said, “Take me to that person so that I can see him.” the people took him to that person and he saw that man who has become thin by weeping. He told him, “Oh man, the shroud and the grave has kept you away from the Allah, and these two things are disturbing on your way.” Due to his divine appearance that person was able to see these things on him and his condition was revealed to him. He died in the grave. So think on it that if grave and shroud are seen then other things can also be seen. It is reported that Owaise has not eaten anything or drank even water for three days. On the fourth day he got a dinar on the way. He did not took that dinar and he thought that it belonged to some other person and he went ahead to eat grass. Then he saw a sheep and in her mouth there was hot bread and the sheep kept that bread before him. But he thought that it belonged to some other person. The sheep told him, “I am the slave of Allah like you.” then he took that bread and that sheep was disappeared. His praise and qualities are too many and great. In the beginning Shaikh Abul Qasim Gorgani was the follower of Owaise of Qarni. Owaise of Qarni says that one who knows Allah from Allah, and then he knows everything. He said, “Safety is in loneliness. The person who is single and alone and who do not think about others in his heart is safe and secured, because it is not good to think about others in loneliness. Satan (devil) will run away when two persons meet each other.” So he did not go there because he knew that no need to misguide them, as those persons are busy with each other and have forgotten Allah. Owaise of Qarni suggested keeping control on the heart so that other person (devil) may not enter into it.

Owaise of Qarni’s sayings

1.	When I asked for high respect, I got it in the service. 2.	When I asked for leadership and status, I got it in the people’s advice. 3.	When I asked for kindness and service, I got it in the truth and right path. 4.	When I asked for proud and greatness, I got it in poverty and misery. 5.	When I asked for link, I got it in goodness and in the fear of god. 6.	When I asked for fame, I got it in the worship. 7.	When I asked for carelessness, I got it in the trust of God.

It is reported that the neighbors of Owaise of Qarni told him that they thought him a mad man. They collected some money and constructed a house for him. He used to live in that house. There was nothing in the house to eat at the time of breakfast. He tried to earn money by collecting seeds of dates and by selling them. From that money he managed his food. If he collected dates, he used to sell them and that money was spent for the charity. His dress was old and not in the good condition. He made his dress from the horse skin which he used to clean himself. He used to leave the house at the time of morning prayer and to enter the house after night prayer. Wherever he went, the children threw stones on him. He requested the children to throw small stones on him to avoid bleeding from his body and not to spoil his ablution. He was not worried about his legs but he was worried about his prayers.

In his last days he met Ali Ibn Taleb (ra) and participated in the war of Seffin and died there. There is a group of people who consider themselves as Owaisia. For them there is no need of teacher and they do not have any source with them like Owaise of Qarni, but they are on the right path of religion due to the grace of god.

Owaise of Qarni has not seen the prophet but the prophet did his internal training and this is fact. His position is very high and it is difficult for anybody to attain such a high position. Such greatness is due to the kindness and mercy of God. Whom God likes, will be given such a great position. His grave is in a small village of Yemen, which is far away from capital Sana.

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5. Muhammed Ibn Wase

He was a leader of ascetics and worshippers and he was learned man who acted as per the   learning. So in this way he was a perfect pious personality of his time. He was always a content person. May Allah bless him and there was no person like him during his time. He served many followers of the holy prophet’s companions. He met  many pious personalities of his time. He has a great share in the tariqat ( mystic knowledge ) and Islamic law. He used to eat dry  bread with mixing in the water. He told  “ One who is content on the this  then he will not require any thing from the mankind. ” In the hymens he used  to say “ Oh  : Allah you used to  keep me hungry and naked like your  friends. But I do not know the reason that how I have  got such a great position similar to your friends.”

When he will be much hungry then he used to visit house of Hasan of Basra and eat what ever available there and Hasan of Basra will always welcome him at his house. He told that  “ A  man is successful  one who wake up hungry and sleep hungry but he should not forget the remembrance Allah in that condition. ”

One person requested him to advice him and he told him that “ I will advice you to become the king of this world and other world after death. So you should become ascetic in the world and do not  greed and temptation  with others and think that all creations are given every thing from Allah  and then he will be free from needs and resigned from all others. In this way he will become the king of the   two worlds.”

One day he has told Malik Bin Dinar that “ It is difficult to control the tongue than to look upon the world and dinars and never  say any bad thing to others.” One day he went to Qataiba bin Muslim and he was wearing a woolen dress  so he  asked him why he was wearing such a dress but he did not reply in this  matter. Upon asking second time  by Qataiba bin Muslim  then  he  told him  “ He want to explain about ascetic condition but could not explain the same because in which it will be  praise for him  or there will be complain against Allah.’’

One day he was saw his son in happy condition and so he told him “ Do you know that who are you ? And I have bought your mother in 200 dirhams and  your father is worst in the whole mankind. So why you are so much proudy ? ’’

When person have asked him do you know Allah? And he replied after silence of some time that “ One who know Allah then he should  get lost himself permanently in the condition of surprise.’’

“ Allah will give respect to that person who will not look other than Allah. But no body has authority on Allah. True person will not be called true unless he has no balance in between fear and hope.” As per the saying of the holy prophet that  “ In every thing the condition of  medium is better. ”

CHAPTER NO. 5

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7. Abu Hazem al-Makki

He was leader of sincere, pious and god fearing persons. He followed mashiq (learned persons) and lived a simple life. He was among famous   sufies of his time due to his worship and observation. He lived for a long period so he met many learned persons. Among them is one Abu Osman Makki who was his great admirer. His life and achievements are available in many books but for our guidance we are mentioning some short details of his life which  are  as follows.

He met many companions of the prophet like Ans Bin Malik and Abu Hurara.

His sayings are very famous and solution for any problem to solve the same.

Hisham Abdul Malik once asked him “ Which action will deliverance us ? He replied him.

“ For  the money we get and  for this money  we should see that it is coming  from halal ( right)  source  and it  should be spent for the  halal  purpose only.”  Hisham asked him “ How we can do this ?” He  replied  “ One who will desire of heaven and fear of hell and want the  pleasure   of Allah  then one should take care of it otherwise he will not be successful in the other world after  the death.”

Hezam makki’s sayings are  as follows.

“ Avoid the world because I have heard that the worshipper who likes the world and  for this reason on  the day of judgment the angels  will announce  that this  person is one who liked the thing which Allah does not like it. He further continued that there is nothing in the world which will not finish because in the world no such thing  made by Allah which will not met its end. In this World even some useless things attract the man so he neglects the big things  of  the heaven.”

He told  “  All things depend upon two things. First thing   that is made for  us     and other thing  which is  not made  for  us. So for first thing  whatever we  will try to avoid it  to get but it will reach us. For the other thing for which whatever we will try for it to get but it will not reach by us .” He  told if he will not pray then he will face many difficulties due to non acceptance of prayers.”  He   told “ Oh : person you are product of this time so you  prefer saying than actions and this is time for the proud of knowledge and there is no importance  of  leaving action. So you are bad people in the best time.” One person asked him “ What is your condition ?”. He replied that “  My condition  is to gain the favor of Allah and to keep away from the mankind. So one who gain favor of Allah will be not see the mankind .”

One day he was passing near the butcher’s shop and he saw  the fine meat in the shop so the butcher  asked him to take the fine meat. He replied him that “ He does not have money with him. “ The butcher told him “ To take on the credit.” He  told him that “ First I have to try to convince my mind for the credit then I will take it.”   The butcher   told him “ Due to his thinking his  body   become thin and bones  are visible on his body.” He told him “ Inspite of this condition  he is  enough for the insects  in the grave.”

One pious person who was on his journey for the hajj came to his house in Baghdad  and at that time he was sleeping. When he woke up and told that person “ The  prophet  came into his dream and conveyed his message that he should not over look his duties towards her mother which is better than performing the hajj.”  So he  requested that pious man to  return back to his  place and take care of his  duties for the pleasure of his  mother. So the man cancelled his trip to Makkah and went back to his place. AL-SULAIMAN APARTMENT 8. ‘Otba al-Gholam

He was among pious personalities of innermost qualities and who attained perfection. His teacher  was  Hasan of Basra. He was popular among the pious persons as well as in the general persons.

Once he was  walking with Hasan of Basra  on the bank of river and suddenly he  started walking on the water. Due to this Hasan of Basra was surprised and  asked him “ How he  got such a great position? ” then he     replied     him “ You are doing according to the sayings   but whatever I will do as per the will and pleasure  of Allah.”

After his penitent for  his love with a beautiful women to whom he  expressed his love  in some manner  to her. So that women sent her servant and asked him “ Which part of her body he was seen?”. He replied that ‘ He saw her two eyes and was fallen in her love .”   So that women when she come to know the details of his love then she  took out her two eyes and   sent the same through her servant to him and informed him that the things which he    liked   are sent for him. When he saw the eyes and got her reply  and due to this there was strange condition on Otaiba and  he went to see Hasan of Basra for his penetration  and due to  Hasan of Basra’s  innermost qualities  he   started  his worship.

He used to cultivate barley for himself and grind it for flour. Then he used to mix the water in the flour  and dry it  the wet flour  and after that he will  make the  tablets. He used to eat one piece of tablet  for one week and he will used to  engage  himself in the worship of Allah. He used to say that “ He is ashamed to go to toilet daily due to the presence of  two angels who are writing  men’s good and bad deeds. ”

Once people saw him in the winter in one simple shirt and his body was with sweat. So for this reason the people asked him “ Why it so?” He  replied that “ Long time ago  some guests were in his house  who took some soil   from the neghbour’s wall without the  permission of the owner. So from that time to up till now when ever I  look on the wall I regret  for the  act of my guests  and this is the  reason of my sweat even though the neighbour  already forgiven me for this mistake .”

Some persons have asked with Abdul Wahed Bin Zaid “ Do you know any  person who ignore others due to  his   frenzied condition .”  He replied “ Yes and ask them to wait for some time  as he will come soon there .”  At the same moment Otaiba  entered that place and the persons have asked him have you met any person on your way? And he replied “ I have not met  any person” but  even though  he was coming from the bazaar.

He never ate fine food or wore fine dress. Once his mother  asked him “ Oh Otaiba  be pity on your condition and he  replied her that “  I have desire for pity on me on  the day of  judgement which is good for always  for me  as  this  world is for some days. So if I  face the difficulties of this world is better than the  difficulties of  the day of judgement .”

After many nights he could not slept and he repeatedly told this sentence  “ Oh Allah if you punish me or forgive me and in the both conditions you are my friend.”  Once in his dream he saw  a  beautiful hourie who said to him that “ Oh Otaiba I love you so I have desire that you will not do any such thing which  will cause separation of us .” He told her that “ He divorced the world and at the time of meeting with you I  will not look at the world. ”

Once some body   told him that many persons  used to ask about your affairs. So please show me one of your   miracle. He asked him “ What do you need ? ” that person asked for the fresh dates and as there was no  season of  dates at that time. But at the same time he gave him a bag full of dates to him.

One day Sammak and Zanon Masri were present in the house of Rabiya of Basra and at that time Otaiba entered that place wearing new dress and he was walking proudly. So Sammak asked him how he is walking to day? He replied him “ His name is Ghulam Jabbar ( Slave of Jabbar) so he is walking proudly ’’and at the same time he became un-conscious and fallen on the ground. When they approached him to see  but he was already dead.

After that some body saw him in the dream in which he saw his half face  black  so he asked the reason for it ? . He told him that “ Once in his student life he saw a beautiful boy with long  beard and moustaches .”

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================ 18. Abu Hanifa

His name is Noman and his father’s name is Thabit. His position is very high in the mystic knowledge (tariqat) and in the Islamic law (Shariat) and in both these knowledges no one could be compared to him as he acquired great knowledge and experience during his time.

Abu Hanifa met many pious persons and  companions of the holy prophet (pbuh) which are mentioned as follows.

Ans bin Malik Jaber bin Abdullah Ibn abi Owafi, Wasla bin Asqata Abdulla Zubari and Imam Jaffer.

He was teacher of the following well known pious and learned persons. Fazil ibn Ayaz Abu bin Adham Bashir Hafi Dawood Tai

How he got  his   patronymic name  Abu Hanifa.

Once some women asked him  “As per Islamic law the  men are allowed to marry four women so the women may also be allowed to marry at least two men ”? . Abu Hanifa could not reply the question of the women at the same moment so he told them that he will reply later and come to the house with great worry and trouble due to the above question which  was asked by the women. When his daughter Hanifa saw him in that condition and asked him “ The reason of his worry ’’?. When his daughter come to know the details she told her father that “ She will reply the question of  the women but he should use her name as his patronymic  name as Abu Hanifa.” So he promised in this matter. She called   the women before her. When the women came there she gave a cup to each woman and asked them to put some  milk in that cup. When they put their milk  in the cups then Hanifa mix   the milk of cups into another big cup and asked the women to take back their milk into their cups and they replied that it  is impossible. Hanifa explained them “ If they have children upon marriage with two husbands then how they will recognized that who is the father of child?.” Upon hearing the answer, the  women  were greatly surprised and they have got the reply of their question  and  from that day imam’s name  was called as Abu Hanifa. Allah granted  fame to his patronymic  name  than his original name.

There is strange story that when he visited the prophet’s  tomb and said “As salaam alaikum ” and he   heard reply from there   “ Walaikum salaam oh: the Imam of Muslims.’’. So please note how he was fortunate to get such position. After that he went into the loneliness.

It was reported that when he turned towards Allah and left the worldly life and pleasure. He wore a woolen dress and saw in his dream that he was collecting the bones from the prophet’s grave and sorted them from each other. He waked up in the horror of this dream and asked the explanation of his dream with Ibn Sirin who was prophet’s companion and he explained him  “ He will reach to high position in the knowledge of the prophet and his Sunnah (the prophet’s (teachings) and he  will take precautionary measures and will   differentiate between the false and true of sayings of the prophet.”

Once he saw the prophet in his dream who told him “ Oh: Aba Hanifa you were given life to show my Sunnah. So leave your loneliness. ’’

He was very careful one and once the caliph Mansur   called all the learned people of Baghdad before him but  Shabi who was teacher of Abu Hanifa was absent in that meeting due to his old age. Caliph Mansur sent an agreement with his servant to Shabi to sign it as witness as he was the qazi (judge) of the city of Baghdad and so he signed and stamped it. All other learned people also signed it. When the paper was brought before Abu Hanifa for his signature as witness on it. So he asked him where is  Mansour and the servant replied he is in the palace. So he was told him the caliph should to come over here or we should go to the palace then the witness would be correct. The servant forced him to sign it as the qazi and other learned people  already signed it as witnesses and why he is avoiding for signing it. So he told him the action of all persons will not be the same. That matter was reached to caliph Mansour and he called Shabi in his court and asked him whether presence is necessary for the witness? .He told yes. The caliph asked him then why did you sign it when you did not find my presence. Shabi replied because I know you and I do not want to give you the trouble. The caliph told him this is not correct and against the rules of qaziat  (justice) and it is better you to leave the post of qazi. The caliph  asked his advisors for  the suitable one for the post of qazi and they  told him the following four persons who are  most suitable  for the post of qazi of Baghdad.

1. Abu Hanifa 2. Sufiyan 3. Sheri 4. Mashrin

The caliph called the above four persons to his court and when they were going to the court  and   on the way Abu Hanifa told them  that I want to tell you one  wise thing in this matter that I will try to avoid this post so for Sufiayan it is better for  you to run away from here and Mashir you pretend as a mad man so Sheri will become qazi. Sufiyan ran from the way and was hid in the boat and asked the crew of boat to hid him there and told them if the  caliph  will catch him then he  will cut his head. As per the saying of the prophet (pbuh) in which he was has told  “ One who becomes a qazi, he will be slaughtered without a knife.” So they  hid him there.

The three persons went to the palace of Mansur and the caliph first  asked Abu Hanifa to accept the post of qazi? and he replied that he is not from Arabs but he is slave of them so they will not accept his legal decisions.

Imam jaffer was present there and he told there is no link for the post from inheritance but it is required knowledge. Abu Hanifa told mansur   “ He is not eligible for the post of qazi  and the logic for it is that firstly his statement that he is not eligible for the post is enough. This argument is having two points whether it true or false. If it is true  then  I am  not eligible or if it is false then also I am not eligible for the post. He told him “ Oh: caliph that a false person is not eligible for the post of qazi to decide the cases of Muslims ”. And in this way he was escaped from there. Mashair then caught caliph’s hand and asked him how you are? and how is your son ? So Mansur asked him to send out as he seemed a mad person.

Then the caliph asked Shireh to take the job? and he told “ His mind is weak ”. Then Mansur told him to cure it and asked him to take the post of qazi. When Shirah become qazi and  Abu Hanifa  kept away from him and never saw him.

It was reported that a group of boys were playing with ball and by chance the ball fell before Abu Hanifa and no boy dare to come over there to pick up the ball. One boy told the other boys if they ask he will go and pick up the ball from there and he was gone there and rudely collected the ball from that place. Abu Hanifa told “ This boy is not halali.” (legal). The people were enquired into the matter and it was right. The people asked him  “ Oh: the leader of Muslims how do you know that? ” He told “ If he was halali then there was shyness in him.”

It was reported that one person was his debtor and in his place Abu Hanifa’s disciple was died so he went there  for his funeral prayer and  at that time the weather was very hot and there was no shadow any place but  it was available under the wall of his debtor’s house. The persons asked him to take shelter there but he replied them  “  The house owner is his debtor so it is not right to stay in the shadow of his house wall. Because the prophet told  the benefit from the loan is interest. If I get benefit from this wall then it will be calculated as interest.”

It was reported that once he was imprisoned by a fire worshiper. When he was in the jail a cruel person came to him and asked him to shave the sides of  his head   but he refused to do the same. So that person asked him why? He replied “ If he does this then he will become a member of that community. As Allah will tell on the day of judgement to bring  those persons who did sins with their helpers and who  worshiped other than him so he will put them into the hell.’’ So Abu Hanifa told him he does not want to become his helper.

It was reported by Chelao that he used to pray 300 rakats (one rakat is equal to one set of standing, genuflexion and prostration in prayer) in every night. When Abu Hanifa was going some where and one woman who saw him and told another woman that this person used to pray 500 rakats in every night. When he heard this and he decided to pray 500 raktas in every night as per the saying of that woman.

Another day when he was going on the way and the boys told themselves that this man used to pray 1000 rakats in every night and so he decided to pray the same. One day one of his disciples told him that the people told about him that he never sleep in the nights and so he decided not to sleep in the nights from that night. When he was asked why? He told “ Allah says  persons like praise of the things  which are  not in  them and for this reason they will not be  free from the punishment. So I will never sleep in the nights from that night so that I may not be from that community.” He used to pray the morning prayers for 30 years with the ablution of Isha ( evening ) prayer.

It was reported that due to too much prostration corn developed on his knees like the corns of the  camel’s knees. It was reported that once he welcomed a rich man due to his wealth so far this mistake he read the Quran for 1000 times. It was said that for any problem he used to read the Quran for 40 times  and due to  its blessing  he used to get the solution of the problem.

It was reported that Mohammed Bin Hasan was most beautiful person and one day he looked at him and so asked him to sit behind a pillar and never saw him again.

It was reported by Dawood Tai that he was in his company for a period of 20 years and he never saw him without covering his head and sitting  him  with legs stretched out in the loneliness or in the congregation. So he asked “ Oh: the Imam of Muslims what is matter if we stretched out our legs in the loneliness. ’’ and he replied  “ It is good thing to respect Allah in the loneliness also.”

It was reported that when he was going somewhere and he saw a boy in the mud and he asked him to walk carefully otherwise he would fell down. The boy replied  “  Oh:  Imam of Muslims I am alone if I slip I will control myself but  you should take care of your legs so that you  may not slip and if it so then all Muslims who follow you will be fallen and then it is the difficult situation to control them.”  The imam was surprised when he  heard the boy’s wise talk and he wept and asked his diciples “ To be careful about any doubt if they find in any problem and without clear proof do not follow him and do not overlook his finding and this is sign of justice.” There are many sayings of  Imam Abu Yousuf  and Imam Mohamed and they were differed with him in some problems.

It was reported that a rich man has enmity with Caliph Osman Bin Afan and he used to say him un-believer. When he heard this and asked to see him. When that man came over there he told him “ to marry his daughter to one un-believer. ” When he heard this he replied him  “ You are  Imam of Muslims and talking to marry a Muslim’s daughter with a un-believer and I think it is not good.” Imam told him “ Nothing would happen if you think like this as the prophet (pbuh) have married his two daughters to an un-believer.” Then that rich person understand the matter and he  corrected his opinion of Caliph Osman Bin Afan and this was happened due to blessing  of Imam’s  prayer.

It was reported that one day Imam was in a public bath room and a man entered there. The persons told about him that he is a false and un-believer of god. When he entered he was naked so the Imam closed his eyes. That person asked him when did you lost your eye sight. The Imam replied him “ At the time when you have lost your dress.”

The Imam told if you have discussion with un-believer person then keep in your mind two things that you will become kafir (unbeliever) or away from the religion. Because if he would say if Allah wills his knowledge will guide them and it will equal to the knowledge that is known. When that man would say no then you will become kafir and if you say yes then you will be away from the religion.

It was reported that Imam told he would not consider the miser and his witness due to his miserliness as he will require more and will take more than what he deserve it.

It was reported that for the construction of a mosque  persons  asked him or some amount from him as benediction (saintly gift). So he felt un-easiness for it. So the persons asked him to offer any amount as benediction. And he gave  one dinar un-willingly. His disciples told him you are very kind and great learned man and your generosity is well known to all so what is reason for such a small amount you were un-willing to give for the construction of mosque. He replied them that he was not worried for the amount but he was sure that halal (legal) amount will not be used for the construction and he thought his money is halal and by giving the  amount then  there will be doubt about his money and for this reason he was very sad for it. After some time they returned back his one dinar and they  told him  that the dinar is not original and for this reason he was happy to take it back.

It was reported that once he was going in the bazaar and a small   amount of soil was flown and fell on his dress so he went to the river Dajla (Tigris) and he washed it carefully. So the persons asked him  “You have told them that small filth if it is fallen on the dress is permissible but why you was washed small amount of soil? ’’ He replied  “ You are right that is legal opinion (fatwa) and this is piety or fear of god (taqwa). As the prophet (pbuh) has not permitted Bilal to store half bread but he  stored food for his wives for the period of one year.”

When Dawood Tai become his disciple and asked him what to do? He replied him  “  To act upon your knowledge because the knowledge which is not acted upon is like a body without a soul.”

It was reported the caliph saw the angel Israel in his dream so he  asked him how much his life is left. He showed him his five fingers. The caliph asked the explanation of his dream with many persons but no body explained him clearly. He called Abu Hanifa and he explained him that the angel told him about the five knowledges, which no body knows. Allah has mentioned it in the Quran and the meaning is as follows.

It is fact that no body knows when the day of resurrection will take place.

The knowledge about the rain

The knowledge about what is there in the womb of the pregnant women.

The knowledge about the activities of tomorrow.

The knowledge when a person will die and the place.

It was reported by Sheikh Bu Ali Bin Osman Aljali that when he was slept on the grave of Bilal and he saw himself in Makkah and he watched the prophet  (pbuh)  entered from the gate  of Bani Shaiba and  there was  one old person with him. He was ran towards him and kissed his feet and was surprised to see that old person. The prophet (pbuh) by his hidden knowledge   understood my surprise and told me his is the Imam (leader) of Muslims and he is from your country and he is called as Abu Hanifa.

It was reported by Nofil Bin Hayan that when Abu Hanifa was died and he saw in his dream a plain of the  day of judgement and where all creatures were ready in the accounting place. The prophet (pbuh) was present on the fountain or river Kauser and on his right and left side all pious person were standing. An old man who was very beautiful and his hairs and head were like snow was standing by the side of the prophet (pbuh). I said salaam to him and asked for the water from him .The old man replied unless the prophet (pbuh) did not permitted he will not give the water. Then the prophet (pbuh) asked him to give water to me so he gave me a cup of water. All my friends and I drank water from that cup but it was still full. I asked who is  that person standing on the right side of  him. The prophet (pbuh) replied me he is Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) and on the left side is Abu Baker (r.a.). In this way I have asked him about seventeen  persons.

It was reported by Yahiah Mazrazi that he saw the prophet (pbuh) in his dream and he asked him where he should see him and he  replied near Abu Hanifa.

His praise and endeavors are numerous are well known and so no need to mention all of them.

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================             Imam shafe’i.

He was master in the Islamic  law and as well in msytic  knowledge (tariqat). He acquired the divine  secrets. He was very intelligent and his sagacity is famous. In the Islamic law he was very famous. The world knows his qualities and conducts very well. But in this chapter there is no coverage of his worship and miracles as they are so many which required a lengthy book to cover all of them.

At the age of 13 years he used to say in the grand mosque of Makkah (harem) that what ever  question any body can ask with him  so that he  can   reply him. At the age of 15 years he started giving fatwa (legal opinions). Imam Ahmed Hanbil who was leader of the world and he  memorised 300,000 sayings of the prophet. He became his disciple and he was always in his service without covering his head dress. So for this reason some group persons  objected him that   being a great learned man it is not good for him to sit before  one young  man of 25 years old and to leave the  company of teachers and learned mystic persons. Imam Hanbal replied “  Imam Al Shafai  knows  the meaning of what ever knowledge  that  we  possess with us. He knows meaning and explanation  better than myself and due to his service I come to know the meaning of prophet’s sayings. If he was not born then we left stand before the door of knowledge and the door of fiqa (Islamic law) will  have been  shut for always. Upon his study he knew the real meaning of prophet’s sayings and Quranic verses in the best possible manner  and he understood  the same in the right direction as per the requirement of these two knowledges. He is a great benefactor of Islam during this period. We know only sayings of the prophet but he is a sun of knowledge  for the world and serving the humanity. Imam Hanbal told “ The door of fiqa (Islamic law) was closed at that time but Allah has opened the door by him  and he also told that he does not know any other person who has done such  great  favor to  the  Islamic religion than him .” There is no person equal to him in the following four knowledges.

Islamic law, Rhetoric Philologist Dictionary

Imam Hanbal narrated the saying of the holy prophet  which is as follows.

“ In the beginning of every century one person will be born and learned persons will get knowledge of religion from him. ”

The beginning of the century was started with Imam Shafai.

Sufiyan Suri told that during the time of Imam Shafai there was no wise person than him. As per the saying of Bilal Khuwas when he asked Kizer’s (a name of the prophet who immortalized by the foutain of  life) opinion  about Imam Shafai  and he  replied he is among Outad  (  a category of saints comprising only four at any time in the world).

In the begining period he does not attend any marriage  function or party and he used to kept away from the mankind and  he was always used to be  in grief and weeping. So since the beginning (from his youth period ) he was in the condition of old pious persons. He  was always in the company of   Alim Rae and from him he got innermost favour and gradually his status  increased and he left behind  other learned persons of his time.

Abudllah Ansari told that even though he is not his follower but   he  think that he is ahead among  all others and due to his great status he is among his admirers.

Imam Shafai says “ He saw the prophet in his dream and the  prophet  asked him  who are you boy ?. And he replied him   he is a person of his ummat (followers). Then the prophet called him to come near and put his saliva in his mouth  and told him to go  and Allah will grant   his   mercy and blessing  on him.” And in the same night in the dream Ali Ibn Taleb took out his ring from his finger and put  the ring  on his  finger. Due to this the knowledge of Ali Ibn Taleb transferred into him.

At the age of six years old he joined the school. His mother was a very respectable woman from the most respected tribe of Binu Hashim. So the persons used to keep their things with her. Once two persons came and gave her to keep one box of clothes. Later one person came and took that box. After some days another person came to see his mother and claimed for the box. So his mother  replied him that another person already collected the box from her. That person replied her that as the two persons kept the box with her then why she has given the box to one person in his absence and we have told you that to give the box when two persons come together. So his mother was very sorry for her mistake. But at the same time Imam Shafai entered the house and enquired the details and told   that person your box is in the house and asked that person why he  came alone there and why he has not brought his friend with him. So go and bring your friend. When that person heard his reply he was surprised. The qazi (judge)’s clerk was also with him and he was also surprised to hear his argument and both of them left his house.

When Imam Shafi became disciple of  Imam Malik  and   he was  70 years old  at that time and  he used to  stand at the door of his house with the intention of reading imam’s letters of fatwas ( legal opinions )  and if he find no need of correction  then he will ask the person to go otherwise if he find any corrections in them  then he will used to  send back the person to Imam Malik for the corrections. Imam Malik used to re-consider his objections and correct the defects if any and he was happy with the action of Imam Shafai.

Once there were some differences of caliph Haroon Al Rashid with his dear wife Zubaida  so she  told him a hellish man. Haroon Al Rashid  replied her that if he is  a hellish man then he will divorce her. And he left her and due to his too much love for her he was worried to solve this matter and so  he  called all learned persons of  Baghdad in his court and asked them is he a hellish man or not ? But no person able to answer for this question and all of them had agreed and told the caliph that the Allah knows only in this matter. Imam Shafai even though he was very  young at that time  but he was among the learned persons  who were present in the court of Haroon Al Rashid. He told Haroon that if he permits him then he will reply his question. When all other learned persons heard his reply they were surprised and they told he may be a mad person as all other learned persons were unable to solve the matter then what he will do ? . After the permisson of caliph Imam Shafai asked the caliph whether he is   in need of him or he  is in need of  caliph.? The caliph told him that he needs him. So Imam Shafai asked him to come down from the throne because the status of learned persons is superior than kings. The caliph came down from the throne and asked him to sit on the throne. He sat on the throne and asked the caliph to reply him his question first to enable him to solve his problem. Have you got any chance for doing any sin even though he has  power of doing  it  but  due to the fear of Allah he  escaped from it. The caliph replied by swearing that yes he has got many chances but he was away from such sins. Imam Shafai told him you are not hellish man. When the ulemas (learned persons)  asked him for any proof for it  and  he told them that Allah says in holy Quran “ After determination of sin any person who avoids it due to fear of Allah then his dwelling will be in  the heaven.’’

So all learned men  praised his wise decision and told that in the young age he is so clever so in the youth period what will be his status.?

It was reported that he did not put  ever illegal morsel in his mouth during his life time. Once he has camped before the army camp and for this mistake he prayed for 40 nights upto the morning  time.

He used to respect the children of sadat (decendents of holy prophet through his daughter Fatima). Once in the class room he  stood more then ten times for the  respect of boys of sadats who were playing  there.

Once a wealthy person sent some money to distribute among the pious  persons in Makkah. From that money some portion of amount was presented to him so he asked  them who is owner of this money and for whom this money was sent for distribution. They replied him for the distribution among the pious person and medicants. So he replied them that he is not pious and medicant so he is not eligible for the amount.

It was reported that once he came from Sana to Makkah at that he has 10,000 dinars with him so persons  told him to buy a farm house or  to buy sheep from that amount. But he was camped out side of Makkah and had put the money on the ground and he  distributed one handful of money to all persons who came over there and by the  time of noon prayer nothing was left there.

The Kaiser Rome used to send some amount annually to Haroon Al Rashid but one  year he   sent some  monks  and put one condition that Islamic ulemas (learmed persons)  to have dialogue with monks and if they defeat them then he will continue to pay the annual  amount to Haroon  Al Rashid otherwise he will stop the  payment. Upon the arrival of monks Haroon Al Rashid  called all learned persons  and asked Imam  Shafai to start the dialogue. Imam Shafai  put his prayer mat on the  water and asked the monks to come over on the water to have dialogue with him there. When the monks saw that situation they immediately accepted Islam on the spot. When this news reached to Kaiser of Rome and he told that it was good that the person is in Baghdad  and  if that person was   in  Rome then all persons  of Rome would  have accepted  the religion of  Islam.

It was reported that he was living in Makkah since the beginning of his youth period. He wore the dress of mystic persons for a long time.Once he was studying the books in the moon light in the harem ( grand mosque of Makkah ) so the persons have told him to go inside the harem and read the books in the lights of harem. But he replied them the lights are   speically for the harem    so it is not good for him  to use for his reading.

He was not hafiz quran ( koran-conner )  so some person have complained the caliph that Imam Shafai is not koran-conner. To check in this matter the caliph asked him  to recite the Quran during Taraweh prayers ( special night prayers)  during the  month of Ramazan. So during the day he used to memorise one part of the Quran  daily and used to recite in the Taraweh prayer in the nights. In this way he has memorised the whole Quran in one month period.

During his time there was one beautiful women  so he wanted to see her. For this purpose he was married her  for miher  ( dower ) of 100 dinars  and upon his marriage with her after seeing  her face he   paid  her dower amount  and divorced her.

According to the principles of Imam Hanbal if one person intentionally miss the prayer then he becomes un-believer. But as per principles of Imam Shafi such person will not become un-beliver but there is sever punishment for such persons.

When Imam Shafai asked with Imam Hanbal when one person miss the prayer intentionaly and bcome non-muslim so how such person will become Mulsim again? He replied to continue prayers. But Imam Shafai told him that the prayer of non-muslim is not correct. So Imam Hanbal was silent when he heard his reply. Many such things are secrets of fiqa ( Islamic law). There are many question and answers. But there is no need of mention them in this book. The persons who are interested in this matter   should refer books of fiqa. It was reported that he told “ Many  learned persons are interested in interpretation  so for this he  think that they do not know any thing.” He told “ He is slave  of such person who has taught him with manners.”

It was reported that he  told “ One who teaches knowledge to a foolish person  then he spoil the rights of knowledge. One should teach knowledge to such person who take care to like it.” He told “ If they sell the world for a piece of  bread then he will not buy it.” One person requested him to advice so he told him “ Do not feel sorrow  for the  accumulation of wealth of others but try to compete them in the matters   worship. As they will not find any benefit from their wealth so you wish that you would have worship  equal to worship of others. Because they will left their wealth in the world with regret but the  worship is the friend of the grave. Do not be  jealousy with any dead man because all men come into the world for the death. So we all  will  die  one day surely.

Once he left to find his lost time and visited  the  ruined palces , mosques, bazaars and schools but he could not find it. And in his search he went to a monastery and find one group of mystic persons  who were sitting there. One persons  told them that  the passed time never come back again so take care of present time. So Imam Shafai pointed his servant and told him “ I got my lost time so you also listen it carefully  what they are telling .”

Shaik Abu Saeed reported that Imam Shafi told “ I do not have knowledge of all world and  my knowledge is not reach  to the knowledge of  mystic persons. And mystic person’s knowledge will not  reached    to their teacher’s one advice which he  told  them that the present time is like a cutting sword  .”

At his breath he has wrote  his testament  and also told orally to the persons to tell  one person to bath him. After long time that person  came from Egypt after  his death so the persons gave   his testament to him also explained him the details in this matter. In the testament it was written that he was in debt of 70,000 dirhams so that person paid the debt amount to the relevant person and explained that the word bath in the testament refer to pay the debt amount on his behalf.

Rabiya  reported that before his death I saw a dream in which Adam (ra) was died and persons were taking out his  funeral  and he  wake up and went to see one person for explanation of his dream  and that person  told him  one great learned person will die and knowledge is from Adam (ra) and Allah says in Quran “ we  have  taught Adam (ra) the  names of all things”

After his death Rafi Bin Sulaiman saw him in his dream and asked him how Allah have treated with him. He replied him that he was given a golden chair and pearls were showered on him and Allah gave  him  700, 000 dinars  and granted his grace. He died in the year 204 A.H. at the age of 54 years old

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================ 20. Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal

His status in the worship and in the fear of Allah is very great.

He was clever and very intelligent and he had a keen intelligent and memory and who’s prayers are always accepted by Allah. Some of his enemies made the accusations against him which were found false and baseless later.

Once his son was explaining the tradition that Allah has knead Adam’s leaven by his hands and explaining this he spread out his hands. So Imam Hanbal prohibited him to do so and ask him when explaining the hands of Allah do not spread out his hands.

Imam Hanbal met many leading pious personalities of his time like Zanoon, Bashr Hafi, Sirri Saqti, Maruf Karqi. Basher Hafi told that he was better than me because I used to try for right food for me but he  struggled for his entire family. Sirri Saqti told that at the time of his death he was free from all the false accusations of Mutzala.

It was reported that when Mutzala of Baghdad became very powerful and     created  a big problem before him and asked him to accept that Quran is creature and for this he was given severe punishments by the caliph’s court.

When he was taken to the caliph’s court and a policeman was standing at the gate and he told him “ Oh leader do not say Quran is a creature and be brave like me when I did robbery and was  caught and   flogged by cane   for 1000 times but  did not accepted my crime and left free from there. As I was successful for my falsehood due to my patience. But you are on right path so you must be  successful in this matter due to your patience. Imam Hanbal told “ He remembered the policeman’s advice.” when he was whipping 1000 times by court’s men by chance his waist belt was opened but at the same two hands were appeared there  and tied his belt and they  disappeared suddenly. When they seen this miracle they freed him instantly. After some days he was died.

Inspite of hard punishments and hardships he did not accepted that Quran is a creature. When he was freed from the royal court some persons  asked him “  What is your opinion about those enemies who  caused you such severe punishments .” He told   “ They think  that  I am  not on the right path. So all hardships were given to me for sake of Allah, so  on the day of judgement I will not ask any  revenge for  those enemies .” It was reported  that one young man approached him and  told him that his mother’s hand and legs were paralyzed and asked him for his prayers for her. When he heard the details he started prayers after back him house and he saw his mother was all right and she opened the door by herself.

Once he was doing ablution and one person was sitting there and doing ablution and he was on the height and due to his respect he  came down. On that person’s death some one  asked him how are you? He replied Allah  blessed him due to his respect of Imam Hanbal.

He used to say that once he missed the way in the jungle and so he asked one Bedouin to show  the way then he began weeping loudly so Imam Hanbal thought that he was hungry and want to give some food to him but he was very angry with him  and he told : “ Oh Imam Hanbal  you have no faith in Allah? So you are giving me food like Allah. But actually you are  away from the way. So upon this Imam Hanbal thought that Allah kept hidden pious persons every where. The Bedouin  realized his thought and told him that the pious persons are those “ If they say to become gold to the whole world then it will changed into the gold.’’ when he look there the entire desert was converted into the gold and there was divine  call in which it was heard  “ This is our dear friend and if he wants  to ruin  the entire world then we can do the same. So you should be grateful for this  meeting  with such a great friend of me. But after this  you will not see him again.”

During his stay in Baghdad he never eat bread there and he told this land was given for trust of ghazies (Muslim soldiers). He used to bring flour from Mosil and eat bread made from that  flour.

His son Saleh was qazi (judge ) of Isfahan for a period of one year. He used to observe fasting during the day and busy in worship during the nights. He never slept more than two hours  during the nights. He constructed one room before his house door and he used live in that room. Because any needy person will see the door of the house closed and returned back. So he was very pious judge.

once Imam Hanbal’s servant prepared bread by taking some   yeast from  his son’s kitchen and presented the breads to Imam Hanbal so he told him why it so soft then the servant  explained him all  details in this matter. Imam Hanbal told the servant why you taken yeast from the kitchen of  qazi of Isfahan. So this bread is not good to eat for me. So present this breads to any beggar  and tell  them that  these breads  are made from  yeast of qazi’s kitchen and flour of  Hanbal is included it  so if you like then you can take it. But even after 40 days passed no beggar collected those breads and there was odour  in them and for this reason the servant    thrown breads in the river Tigris. Imam Hanbal’s fear of Allah was great so he did not eat fish of Tigris from that day. Imam Hanbal used to say “ Do not sit with person even he posses a silver collyrium”.

Once Imam Hanbal went to Makkah to see Sufiyan Suri to hear traditions (sayings of holy prophet) from him. He used to visit him daily to hear the traditions from him. But one day he was absent in his meeting so Sufiyan Suri  sent his servant to his house to know the  reason of his absent. When the servant reached his house and he seen he was naked as he gave  his dress to the washer man. The servant told him to take some money from him and purchase a new dress but he did not accepted his idea and told him to sell his hand written book and bring ten yards of jute so that he can prepare one dress for himself. The servant asked whether he can accept silk but Imam Hanbal did  not accepted this and asked him to bring jute only.

It was reported that one of his disciple came to his house as guest so he brought a pot of water before him and it was kept in the same condition  till morning. In the morning he asked him why it is kept in the same condition. The man replied him what I do with this water pot. He told him this was kept before for you for ablution and praying during the night. So why you have learned the knowledge. ?

One labour who used to work for him and  at the time of Maghrib prayer when was  leaving his house so he asked his disciple to give him some  more money than his daily wages and the disciple given more money to  the labour  but he   refused to take it and accepted his daily wages amount only. So Imam Hanbal told his disciple to follow him and give him on his way so that he will accept it as before there was not greed in him  for the more money   but now he will accept the  more amount.

It is reported that one of his old disciple took some soil  and  used for his house wall from the high way which belongs to Muslims so for this mistake he dismissed him from his circle of disciples. Once he  kept mortgage  his basin with the shop keeper and at the time of release the shop keeper  kept before him two basins  and asked him to take any one which ever he like as he  forget which was his basin ?. Upon hearing this Imam Hanbal kept silent and left the place without collecting his basin even though he cleared his dues to the shop keeper. This was due to his fear of Allah that he did not collected the basin which the shop keeper forget the real one.

Imam Hanbal was anxious to see Abdulla Ben Mubrak and one day by chance he visited his house and  so upon his arrival his  son Saleh   informed him  about his arrival but  he  become silent and  did  not came out of house to see him. When his son asked him the reason why he did not met him as since long time he had a desire to see him. He replied him that because I thought that after meeting with him it will be difficult for me for the  separation  from him  due to his politeness  so I  decided to meet him at a place from where there will be no separation from him.

He used to explain about Islamic laws but for the matters of mystic knowledge he used to ask the persons to see Basher Hafi. He used to say always  t  “ He  asked Allah for his fear so Allah  gave him too much fear and for this reason there was fear of loss of  his  wisdom and he would become mad ”. He told  “ Allah told him that he can come near to him  due to  reading of Quran .” Persons asked what is sincerity and he told  “  To keep away from the difficulties of action is called sincerity .”  And “ The trust is to keep firm confidence in Allah. What is pleasure and he replied “ To hand over all the affairs to Allah is called pleasure .”

When the persons asked him the meaning of love then he told them to ask with Basher Hafi. During his life he   not replied  this question.

He was asked what is asceticism? . Imam Hanbal explained the general person’s asceticism is to keep away from haram (illegal ) things and pious person’s asceticism to desire  for more and more halal (legal) things. To keep away from any thing which keeps away a man from Allah and this is asceticism of mystic persons.

When he was asked about  ignorant mystic persons who are sitting in the mosques in trust of Allah. He explained them that they are mistaken because the knowledge caused them to  sit in the mosques. When the persons told him further that they are sitting in the mosques  for the sake to get livelihood  for them. So he replied “ There is no group in the world which is not seeking for the livelihood. ’’

At the time of his death his son asked him “ How are you?” He  replied “ There is no time to reply so pray for me  to end my life with faith because the Satan is telling me that any body who leaves   the world with faith is most sorrowful  thing for him. So I am not confident till my last moment of life that I will leave this world with faith in Allah. Oh Allah bless me ’’ and by saying this he left this world.

When his funeral procession  was started then many birds came over there and fallen on it and died. By seeing this 2ooo persons of fire worshippers and other have accepted Islamic religion and this happened due to his prayers in favor of non-believers. One pious person told that Imam Hanbal prayed for two things   during   his life  which is as follows.

“ Oh : Allah give faith to the non-believers ’’

“ Oh : Allah do not take back faith from the believers.’’

The effect of his second  prayer was seen during  his life time as Allah did not take back  faith from believers  and effect of first prayer was seen upon his death.

Muhammad Bin Khuzema explained that he saw him  in his dream and he was crippling so he asked him where he is going and he  replied to Dar Salam. Then he asked him further that how Allah blessed him ? He told him “ In his life he had undergone many hard ships and punishments to say Quran as creature but he never said it and due to this reason Allah blessed him  and Allah gave   him great rewards. Allah asked me to recite the prayer which Sufiyan Suri taught him  and  he   recited that prayer there. The meaning of prayer  is  as follows.

“ Oh Allah every thing is in your control and you are having command of all things with you so allow me these things and do not ask what I need.’’Then Allah told me “ Oh : Ahmed this is heaven and enter into it.” so he   entered into   the heaven.” ==============

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23. Abu Solaiman al-Dara’i

He was famous saint who was master in Islamic law and mystic knowledge. Due to his kind nature he was called rehan khuloob which means sweet basil of hearts. He was from Dar al Malik so he was called Dara’i.

One of his disciple Ahmed Hawari narrates that  one night he prayed in the private place and he felt very peace with it and when he  explained this to his teacher Abu Sulaiman Darai  then he told him “ Oh :  you are  so old but you do not know the condition of worship in the  private  or  public place and in  both these places there is nothing  which  will stop  the worship of Allah.”

He used to say that one night after Eisha prayer he could not raise his one  hand  due too much cold in that night  so he  put one of his hand in the armpit.

In that night he heard a divine voice in his dream  in which  Allah told him “ He  awarded  for raising one of his  hand and if he  raised the  another one then we will have given the reward for that hand also.” After that he had made his habit to pray with two hands during the winter seasons. He told that one night due to drowsiness his time for daily round of recital  was over  and he  saw  in his dream a  hourie which told him  “ Since 500 years she was adorn  for you  but you are in condition of negligence.” After that sound he wake up and completed his   daily round of recital. He told one night he saw a hurie   in his dream. Hurire’s forehead was illuminated. So I asked why there it is bright and shining? She replied him that “ One night due to fear of Allah you were weeping and due to weeping  there were tears  in  your eyes. These tears have put on my face as powder  and  for this reason from that day there is brightness  and shining on my forehead.” He told he used to eat bread with spread of salt on it but one day he ate bread with salt and   sesame was also with it. For this he got punishment for one year and due to this punishment there was no peace in his worship. He told that he used to borrow some amount from his friend for his daily expenses of life and one day that friend   told him  when your  desires will  be end.? Since from that day he  stopped asking any thing from the  mankind. He told “He thought caliph a bad man but he  never told this  to the people in this matter. So that people may not think me sincere and truthful and for this  I will   leave this world in insincere condition.”

He told that there was person in Makkah who did not drink other than Zam Zam water so I ask him “ If the well of Zam Zam will dry then which water  he will drink.?” He replied “ Allah will reward you for giving me advice. Since many years I have great respect  for Zam Zam  water. So I will finish this respect  from today onwards. ”

Some persons asked with Saleh bin Abdul Karim which thing is good in the following.

Hopefulness and fear.

He replied  “both are good but hopefulness is  better than fear. When this saying was reported to Abu Sulaiman then he told “ He thinks that the foundation of  worship is on the  fear because hopefulness will keep away us  from worship. The foundation of religion and world is on the fear. So when there is control of hopefulness on fear    then hearts will not  work properly. If there will be  increase of fear then the worship will also increases.”

He told  Luqman    advised  his son   “ Fear Allah in such extent that there will be no disappointment from the grace of Allah and  do not keep too much hopefulness for which you will be out of fear from  the punishment.”

Wet dream is curse  due to too much eating of food. Too much eating food will cause the following six problems.

There will be no interest in the worship. Matters of wisdom will not be remembered. There will be no kindness. The worship will become burden. There will be increase of human desires. There will be no time for worship in the mosques due to too much visit of toilets.

One who have control on hunger and this is good habit    and Allah  grants this habit  to  his friends only. Because the hunger is fill of next world and key of this world. The hungry man’s all needs of his religion and necessities of this world are fulfilled.

Self-denial  and humility causes softness in the heart   and on that person  there will be revelation of  heavenly knowledge. One loaf of right ( halal) food in the night   is better than the  whole day’s worship. He told “ The man whose heart is  bright   will not like worldly desires. Because that light will separate him from this world and take him towards Allah.” He told “ One who will return back  from the goal will not  be successful. One who gets some sincerity in the life then he will feel happiness. The sincere people will be kept away from doubts. The true people when they want to explain the condition  of their hearts  but their tongues will not  help them. There are some persons who are in agreeable condition of Allah  but feel endurance as repentance for themselves. Because in that condition the man will claim for the repentance. But the  agreeable condition relates the willingness of Allah so the repentance relates with the man and agreeable condition relates with Allah.”

The meaning of agreeable condition is that there should be no desire of heaven and no fear of punishment. He told that “ I like too much agreeable condition  so if Allah sends every body to hell then all will go there with helplessly  but I will accept it with happiness.”

To leave egotism is called humility.

The person who is called mystic will ignore the things which keep him away from Allah. Sign of mystic person  is that who will not desire costly things comparing to the cheaper things. The world only creates all  problems. He told the mysticism teaches that all problems are from Allah so leave all things except Allah. He told that hunger is must for the worship. He told that to think over worldly matters will bring difficulties in the next world. If we take lesson then our knowledge will be increased. Thinking will increases our fear of Allah. The need of other world is to shed tears from our eyes and deliberation of our hearts. He told the loss of wasting of life is such that if we weep all our lives then it will not cover the loss. He told Momen (faithful) is one who keeps away his heart from hardships of the world and busy himslef in the worship of Allah and  who shed tears  in the fear of Allah.

He told till if a  man busy himself  in the worship then  in the meadows of  heaven the   angels will plant trees for his  each and every worship. When the man ceases his worship then they also finish their work there. One who leaves truly all his human desires then he will deserve for the reward from the Allah.

One who will not find pleasure in his worship in this world then there will be no reward for such worship in the next world. Because the sign of acceptance is the pleasure of worship. The last stage of mystic saint is equal to the first of stage saints who  re-signed themselves to the  fate. He told Allah grants such grade  to the pious persons in the dream which non pious person will not find in their prayers. When the inside sight of pious men works then the outside sight will be ceased. So he will not see except Allah. If we leave both the worlds to Allah then there is possibility of nearness of Allah. Mystic knowledge is near silence. He told if our heart is bright with remembrance  of Allah then there will be no need of desires for us. One who suffers difficulties in the worship then the same source will become salvation for him. He told nothing is better than endurances. There are two kinds of endurances.

One is to be content for the things which we do not desire for us and

second to be content for the things which we desire for us. For this Allah has prohibited for us. He told I ruined myself to such extent that the world could not distress me. One who have control over his sole then he will get nearness of Allah and he will deserve for the heaven. He told the person who feel repentance  for him then Allah will keep his secrets.

He told to his disciple that if your friend in anger will say some thing against you then you do not be angry with him and reply harshly because it is possible that your friend will be harsher than you. Upon his experience the disciple told him that his saying was correct and practical.

Junaid Baghdadi told that he was very carefull when he hears some sayings of mystic saints and unless he will not check two references from the Quran and traditions he will not act upon them.

He also got some knowledge from Mazlijat. He used to say in hunger “ Oh ; Allah such person is not good for your service unless who will not act on your commandments.”  At the time of his death the persons  told him you are going to see Allah who is most beneficent and merciful so please advice us. He told I am going to see Allah who counts our small sins and also who punish us for our greater sins and by saying this he left this world.

Somebody asked him in the dream how Allah has blessed  him ? . He replied Allah  granted his  mercy and blessing but my fame in that world was not good for me.

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24. Mohammad Ibn Sammak

He was great worshiper and mystic saint as well a great preacher and he was popular in the public as well as in the private people. Maruf Karqi was his great admirer of his good preaching. The caliph Haroun was also his great admirer. He told him “ Oh : Haroun, honor of mysticism is great honor. He used to say that the meaning of humility is  “ The man should think himself low and he also   told the example of persons  who have  passed away from the world are like medicine from which the persons  were used   to get cure but  the example of present persons  are  like pain who are  making healthy  persons un-healthy.” He   told  “  In the past time  in which the preachers think preaching a difficult task  same like the persons of present time find difficulty to act upon the knowledge. In the present time there is shortage of learned people like the shortage of preachers in the past.”

Ahmed Huwari told that once I took his urine to the doctor when he was ill and the doctor was a fire worshiper. When I was returning back from him and met a pious person on the way and that person asked me from where I was coming back? When I explained him all the details then that person told me;  “ It is very strange that Allah’s beloved person is taking help from his enemy. So tell him to put the hand on place of pain and recite this verse.

“ Awouze Billah Min Shaitan Nirjaim Wa Bilhaqe Nazalna Wa Bilhaque Nazal. ”

So when I came back to him and explained him all the details which happened on the way. He recited the verse and put the hand on the place of pain and he was recovered from the illness at once and told him he was Khizer ( as).

At his last time he told “ Oh  :Allah at the  time of doing sin I used to love your beloved friends so for this reason help me and forgive me.”

When the persons asked him to marry then he replied it was  difficult for him    to face two  Satans ( devils). Upon his death the persons asked him in the dream how Allah blessed him and he replied them that  “ Allah blessed him but he could not got the position of persons who  married in that world and suffered difficulties to maintain them.”

25. Aslam al-Tusi.

He was famous saint and he did great  worship  and devoted much attention to mystic exercises during his time. He used to act upon the tradition strictly so he was called Lisan Rasool which means tongue of the prophet.

Once he was going on the camel and Isaque Bin Zaheriya was holding the camel’s bridle and in that condition they  reached Naishapur. He was wearing a  shirt  of woolen  cloth  and a felt cap was  on his head   and a bag of books  he  was  carrying on his shoulder. His preaching was so impressive that 50,000 persons left their lives of sins   and followed the right path.

He was imprisoned and punished severally for the period of complete two years on the  charge of not  saying  Quran a creature. In the prison he used to take bath on every Friday and  he used to  go to the  jail gate but he was  returned back by the jail guards so upon his return he used to say “ Oh ; Allah  I  have fulfilled my duty so you do whatever you like.”

When he was released from the jail and at that time the ruler Abdullah Bin Zaher was in Naishapur and all courtiers were present in his court to pay him their respect. The ruler asked the courtiers is any famous persons not come over there to pay their respect to him. The persons replied him two persons were absent and they are Ahmed Harab and Muhammed Aslam. Because both are great learned men and worshipers and they never visit the court to pay their respects to the ruler. Upon hearing this the ruler told the courtiers that he will visit them and pay   his respect to them. When he first visited Ahmed Harabi’s house and he was in the condition of engrossment   and he  raised his head and told him  “ Oh ; Abdullah you are very handsome so don’t waste your youth and handsomeness in the disobedience of Allah. ’’ After that he reached the house of Muhammed Bin Aslam but due  to the Friday prayer preparations  work he  did  not called  him into  his house  but Abdullah  Bin Zaher stayed outside  of his house on his horse back waiting for him till the end of  his Friday prayer. When he came out side of his house Abdullah Bin Zaher get down from his horse and kissed his feet and told “ Oh ; Allah as I am very bad so your beloved friend is my enemy. As he is your beloved friend to whom I love him so for his sake forgive me.” He left Tosi and  settled down in Naishapur and the mosque in which he used to worship  become holy one. As he resided in Tosi for many years so for this reason he is called Tosi. But he is from Arabic origin

One pious person  saw him in Rome  in his dream that Satan fallen down from the sky and due to his fall the earth where he was fallen was pressed down. So that pious person asked the Satan “Why it was happened to him?.” The Satan replied him that “ Due to expectoration of Aslam Tosi who made this   after ablution and this sound made me fear and  so I  fell down from sky to the ground.”

There was a canal of water in front of his house but he never used the water from there as he thought that it was constructed for the public purpose. When the water of canal was dried up and he pulled the water from the well and filled the canal and he collected only one bottle of water from there.

He used to help beggars by taking money on loans from others. Once a jew demanded his loan amount suddenly and at that time he did not have any amount with him. But at that time he sharpened his pen and its one part was laying there on the ground   so he  given the same to the jew and asked him to go. When the jew saw the same and  it  converted into the gold. For this reason the jew thought in the religion of Islam such great saints are there so it will be not  wrong religion  and he  became Muslim immediately due to his above thought.

Some body asked with Abu Ali  Farmedi  during his preaching time   that learned persons are heirs of the holy prophet so mention the names of such great personalities. He then pointed towards Aslam Tosi and told him they are like him.

When he was ill in Naishapur and   his neighbor saw him in his dream and  he told him in the dream “  To day I will be free from the wordly grief and sorrow ’’. When he was wake up and he went to his house to know interpretation of his dream till then he   already left this world.

Upon his death the persons  covered his dead body with his blanket which he used to cover  his body during  life time. At the same time two women who were walking on the way and they told “ Oh ; sorrow today Muhammed Aslam left this world and this world could not deceive him and he took with him excellence and qualities.”

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31. Fath al-Mauseli

He belongs to great category of saints and he used to love the worship of Allah and hate the mankind. Some body told to one saint  Fatahe Mauseli is ignorant. That saint replied him “ As he left over the worldly  affairs  so there   is no such great learned person like  him.”

Once in the late night Siree Saqti went to see him  but  the royal policemen   thought him a thief and caught him. In the morning all prisoners were ordered for the execution. When he came near the executioner for the execution but the executioner stopped his hands and when he was asked the reason for it. He told them “ An old man is standing before me and prohibiting me in this matter and he is Fatah Mouseli”. So Siree Saqti was freed from there and he went away with Fateh Mouseli.

Once he put his hand in  the blacksmith’s furnace and took one hot piece of iron  from there  and  told   “  This is called truth .”

Once in his dream he asked Ali Ibn Taleb (ra)  to advice him so he told him “ For the sake of charity it is good for the rich persons for the   humility  of poor persons but it  more better that the poor persons should hate the rich persons.”

One poor young man met him in the mosque and he told him “ I am  a traveler so I have right over the local residents  and  for  telling this  I have come over here  that on such a place I will die  by tomorrow so please arrange for my convalescence bath and bury me in these old clothes .”  So next day he went to that place and he find   the youngman ’s dead body  there so as per the advice of the young man he buried him in the grave yard and at the time when he was leaving the place he heard a  call from the grave in which it was told  “ Oh : Fathe Mousali if I got the nearness of Allah then I will give you reward for your service for me.’’  He also told  “ To live in the world in such a way   that life  should become eternal.”

When once he was weeping the blood passed from his eyes instead of tears. So the persons asked  him why he  weeps  so much. He told them “ Due to fear of sins.”

Some body sent him fifty dirham as present for him and told him “  As per tradition of the prophet  if some body get some thing without his desire then he should accept it otherwise it will be regarded as ungratefulness of Allah’s grace. ” When he heard this then he took one dirham so that there will be no ungratefulness.

He told “ He acquired knowledge from Abdals (an order of saints)   for a period of 30 years and they advised me to keep away from the mankind and eat less.’’  “ As the patient dies if we stop him giving  food and water. So in the same way without knowledge, wisdom and the advice of saints, the hearts of mankind will die.”

He asked with a clergy man which way that goes to god? He replied search it with attention  any where  and you will find it every where.

The mystic person’s every talk and action is from Allah. He will seek help only from Allah. One who act against his sole then he will become friend of Allah. One who is a seeker of   the Allah then he will not be  a  seeker   of  the world.

Upon his death some body saw him in the dream and asked him  “ What Allah  done with him? He replied  “ Allah  blessed him with his mercy and told him as you were afraid of sins and for this reason you used to weep  so much, so we have ordered the angles not to write any of your sins.”

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32. Ahmad ibn Abi ‘l-Hawari

He was famous saint of Islamic law and mysticism. He possessed many other qualities in him and as per the saying of writer he was sweet basil of Syria. He was disciple of Suleiman Darai and he also acquired knowledge from Suafian Bin Ayena. There was so much effect in his preaching. After attaining knowledge he used to busy in the study of books but afterwards he was thrown all books in the river and he  told “ After obtaining the goal there is no need of logic and guides”.

But some persons say his knowledge is due to  ecstacy. He agreed with his teacher Suleiman Darai that both should not disagree in any matter. Once Suleiman was in the condition of ecstacy and he went to him and told that oven is  hot and  so it  will be done as per his order?. But Suleiman was in that condition of ecstacy and  told him to go and sit there in the oven. So as per the agreement he went there and sat in the oven. After some time when Suleiman was remembered that he told him in the condition of ecstacy to go there and sit. So when he  searched  him and the persons found him in the oven. When Suleiman asked him to come out then he left that place but fire  not affected  him.

He told “If a person not regretted by heart and if it is oral then it is useless. If there is no efforts in the worship and in  mystic exercise  then there is no escape from the sins.” After this act there will possibility of friendship and one will  get  the sight  of Allah. Mystic knowledge increases as per the wisdom. The persons  who have fear of Allah will depend upon hopefulness. It is good to weep for the waste of time .The mystic person’s enemy is  the love of world. One who does  not knows his soul  then he will become  proudy. There is no big   problem  than  carelessness  and hard heartedness  .The prophets thought   that death  is not good thing  because it will  discontinue the remembrance of Allah. One who likes worship and such person will become beloved of Allah. One who love Allah to get his  undeserved favor   then he will become  polytheist. One who love Allah without any desires then he will become his beloved one.

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34. Abu Torab al-Nakhshabi

He was great pious personality from Khorasan and not only this but he also performed forty hajjs and for long time he did not taken any rest. Once in the condition of prostration he  slept in the holy Harem Makkah ( grand mosque of Makkah )  and saw many hurries in the dream who were interested in him but he told them  “ He is too much  busy in the worship of Allah  so how  he will look at  them.”  But the hurries replied him  “ If other hurries will know this matter that  he is not interested in them then they will make  fun of them.”  Upon hearing this  Redwan ( the guard of heaven)  told them  “ He will not see all of you now but on the day of judgement we can meet him there.”

Ibn Jla told  “ He  acquired knowledge from many pious personalities and  met 300 pious persons but I think that there  are  only four of them are great pious persons  and among them are  Abu Torab is on the top of them.”  When he  reached holy Makkah he was very happy there when I  asked him “ What is the arrangement of eating there ?”. So he replied   “Some time he eats at Basra or at Baghdad and some time  he used to eat  in Makkah.”

When he will see any defects in his friends then he used to pray for their repentance  and used to start more   efforts. He used to say  “ Due to  his unluckiness such defects  find in them.” He told his disciples  “ Do not do any work of hypocrisy.” Once a period of one month of starvation passed on his disciples so in the condition of impatience, one of his disciples  forwarded his hand towards the  skin of melon   so he told him  “ You will not get mysticism. Because I have promised with Allah that I will not put forward my hands toward haram  ( illlegal) things.”

In my entire life I desired in the jungle to eat bread and egg and once I forget the way and reached a place where the people of caravan  were crying. when they saw me they caught me and told that I was stolen their  goods and they started to attack me with their knives. But one old person was there who recognized me and told them “ He will not steal the goods as he is a great pious person.” When they heard this then all of them asked me to forgive them. Then I told them “ I have no objection for this trouble because my sole was undergone severe punishment of shame today ’’. Then the old man took me to his house and presented egg and bread. When I was reluctant to eat the above food then I heard a divine call in which it was told  “ As you  got the punishment for your desire so now you can eat this. But the desire of your sole will be fulfilled after it will be punished.”

Once he was traveling in the jungle with his disciples and there was need of water for them for drinking and ablution. So all of them requested him in this matter. Hence he marked a line on the ground and from that place immediately a canal started.

Abbas reported that he was with him in the desert and one of his disciple desired water for drinking so he hit his foot on the ground then a spring of water appeared there. Another disciple told him that he needs a cup to drink the water   so he  hit  his hand on the ground then a white cup appeared there  and that cup was with us  till we reached  Makkah. He asked  with Abbas “ What is  your opinion about revelation and miracles  of your disciples.? He replied that “ Very few people believe in this matter.” He further told  “ One who will not  believe this then he will become disbeliever.”

He used to tell that once in the jungle in the dark night upon seeing one dangerous and tall gipsy I asked him are you jinn or man? But that person told me “ Are you a  believer or non-believer ? When I told him that I am a Muslim then he told me “ A Muslim will not afraid other than Allah?”. Then I thought that it was warning from Allah.

Once I saw a man in the jungle who was traveling without any conveyance and  nothing was with him and so I  thought that there is no such great person than him as he  has  complete faith in Allah. When I asked him about    lack of things with him   then he replied me  “ One who has faith in Allah will not require any thing with him.” He told “  For a period of thirty years he did   not borrowed  any thing from others or not given any thing to any body.”

When the persons have asked to explain in this matter further then  he told them  “ One person  invited him but he did not accepted his invitation and for this punishment he did  not ate any thing for fourteen days.”  He told  “ A true person is one who feels pleasure of action before action is done. Sincerity is an action in which there is pleasure of worship.” He told to love the following three things is not good.

The sole The life The wealth

We can get peace and pleasure only in the  heaven. For realization of Allah there are seventeen stages among them the higher  one  is trust in Allah and lowest one  is acceptance. The meaning of trust in Allah is to be grateful for the religion of Allah and if any thing one could not get then he should be grateful for it. But one should always get lost in the remembrance of Allah. He told Allah  created the learned men for the guidance of the mankind. The meaning of richness is that not to desire any thing. The meaning of fakher (indigence) is a  needy person.

Some body asked him if you have any desire for you? He replied “  I do not have any desire with Allah so I am happy for his approval   and so  Allah can keep me  in any condition which ever he likes.”

What ever darwesh (mystic person)  gets is  his food and   which  ever  thing  that cover his body is  his  dress. The place where he resides is his house.

He was died in the desert of Basra and after many years a caravan  passed from there and  noticed that a man is standing with his staff and looking   in the direction of  Makkah   and his lips were dried but no animal passed near him.

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39. Hamdun al-Qassar

He was jurist of Islamic law as well as scholar of prophet’s traditions and also he was great saint of mysticism. In mysticism he attained a great position. His teacher was Abu Torab Al-Nakhshabi  but he himself   was   teacher of Sufiyan Suri and Abdulah Bin Mubarak. His followers are called Qasari. The condition of his taqawa ( fear of Allah) was great and once he was  with   his friend when  was dying in the night  and upon his death he put out  the lamp and told   “Deceased was  the  owner of lamp in his life but now after his death his heirs are owners so it is not good to lit the lamp without their permission”.

In Neshapur he met one young man named  Saleh and asked him the question  “ What are requirement of  bravery and courage  ? So he (Saleh) replied him  “ My bravery demands  me  to wear the dress of mysticism and follow their ways. The bravery  which require  from you is  to take down the dress of mysticism and in this way by remembrance of Allah  you can attain good position. So that world may not attract you.”

Upon attaining great fame the persons asked him for the  preaching  so he replied them  “ His preaching  will not be good for the mankind because he is a lover of the world and the preacher  must  have effect to guide the mankind then he should preach. He should have sequence in his preaching  and in his condition  there should be divine  help for him  .” The persons  asked him “ Why were   so effective the styles  of preachers who were passed away from the world.” He  replied  “Because they want to propagate   Islam and want to control the sole in their  preaching .” He   told  “ The love of Allah is better than  the mankind. Do not disclose the secret matters. Always sit in the company of pious persons. Keep away from the company of ignorant persons and sit in the company of learned persons”. He  told “ Asking for more will cause difficulties. To think sole as better will create proud. If one who  follows his sole  then he will become blind so he will be away from the right path. Always think yourself as worst and due to fear  do not look at sottis person because  there will be affected from him. Always aim at hopefulness and fear. With humility you will have indigence. The meaning of humility is that not to think others   lower  than yourself. Over eating is cause of diseases and will make  problem for religious deeds. He told “ One should  think  himself  lower so that world may respect you .”

Abdullah Bin Mubrak told that he advised him  “ He  should not be  angry with  any body for the sake of  matters of the world.” Some body  asked him “ What is definition of servant  ?. He told   “ To love  Allah and his worship. ”The meaning of zahed (mysticism) is to be content for what ever  one gets   and do not desire more than that. The meaning of trust is to look at Allah  for settlements of  his debts other than mankind. But before surrendering all our affairs to Allah one should also try his level best and see all his means and sources, so he should check in this matter. ’’

The following three things with which the Satan will be  happy.

For the murder of pious person. For the death of some person in the condition of disbelief. For the escape from darweshi.(mysticism)

Abdallah Bin Mubrak says he requested him in his illness to advice his  ( Hamdum AL Qassar’s) children ? And he  told    “ He is afraid of  their condition of darweshi (mysticism) and  so he is much concerned about this  as they follow it properly or not  than their  wealthy condition.”

He advised  Abdullah Bin Mubrak at the time of  his death to bury him among the women and he told this and died.

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40. Mansur ibn ‘Ammar

He was from Iraq and a great saint who was famous for revelation and preaching. For this  reason many of saints described his qualities.

The reason of his fame is that once he got a paper on the way on which it was written  Bis Milla Irrehman Nirrahim.( In the name of Allah the most beneficent  and merciful ) .For the sake of respect he   made a pill from the paper and swallowed it and in the same night he heard  in his dream in which Allah told him  “ He will widen the means for  his wisdom  and sagacity  as he    respected his  name.” After that for a long time he was busy in preaching  and propagation of Islam.

A wealthy person sent his slave to the bazaar to bring some thing for him from there but the slave was joined the meeting in which he was preaching. There was a poor derwesh ( mystic) person so Mansur  told the gathering to pay four dirhams to that darwesh and for this he will pray for them for their  four wishes. The slave who was going to the bazaar with four dirhams and he was given four dirhams to that darwesh. Upon this Mansur  asked the slave “ Which  prayers he wanted.”

The slave  told  him   “ First he wanted to be free and Second may Allah grant   repentance for his master, and

third he should get reward for the helping the  darwesh person  so he may get returned back  his four dirhams.

Fourthly Allah may bless him and the persons who were  present in this meeting.

So accordingly Mansur  prayed  for the above wishes of the slave. When the slave reached back to the house of his master  and he was very angry and asked him the reason of his delay.? So the slave  told him all the details and upon hearing the story he  freed him and paid him also  four hundred dirhams and he was repent. In that night the master saw in the dream in which Allah told him “ Inspite of your bad characters I have blessed you and your slave and the persons who were present in that  meeting and Mansur Amer.”

During his preaching meeting   some body presented him  some lines of poetry  and the meaning of which is as follows.

That one who is not pious one but he is advising others for the pious path is like a doctor who himself is patient but he is treating the other patients.

One night he was passing from a house and heard a voice of hymns “ Oh : Allah I have committed sins not due to  disobedience  but due to  fraud of the Satan and sole so forgive me due to your grace and kindness.” When he heard this he  read the following  Quranic verse in the un-controlled condition  “ Oh :  the people of faith  protect yourself,  your   family members  and your   sole from the fire of hell. The men and stones  are  the fuel of the  hell. ’’ In the next  morning when he was passing from that house and  he   heard some body was weeping so asked the reason for it. They told that some body recited one verse at the door during the night and when the boy heard the same and due to fear of Allah he was died. When he heard this he   told “  He was killer of  that boy.”

Caliph Haroon Al- Rashid asked him “ Who is great learned person  in the mankind.? And who is a great ignorant man ?”. He  replied   “ The great learned person   is one who is obedient   and having  fear of Allah. The greatest ignorant man is one who is a poor and sinner .”  “ The heart of mystic saint is the  center of remembrance of Allah. The heart of a person who loves the world  will be  the centre of greed and desires. He  told further that “ There are two kinds of mystic persons. “

First one who himself takes interest in efforts and mystic exercise.

Second one is that person who for the   pleasure   of Allah  joins  the way of rightness and do worship.

How the wisdom acts in the following persons.

1. He told wisdom  speaks  the language of affirmation   in the heart of mystic persons.

2. The wisdom speaks  the  language  of explanation in  the heart of  ascetic person.

3. In the worshipper’s heart it speaks the language of    guidance.

4. In the heart of followers  it speaks the language of thinking.

5. In the heart of learned persons it speaks the language of  remembrance of Allah.

The best person is one whose occupation is worship and his wishes and desires are darweshi (mysticism) and loneliness and   he will think  about  death and life after the  death and who always think for repentance.

He  told   “ The heart is source of light and if the  desire of the world enters into one’s  heart then that  light will finish in him  and darkness will  cover it.’’ One who follows his sole then he will kill himself in this way. One who is not patient on his difficulties then he will face difficulties in the next world. One who left this world it means worldly matters and  loves   Allah  then he  will never face any grief and the silent man will not face any apology. We should keep away from any sin and  it is better for us otherwise we will become a great sinner.

Upon his death Abu Hasab Sherani saw him in his dream and asked him how Allah blessed him.? He told “  Allah  blessed him  and asked  him  to do praise and eulogy for him  in presence of angels same as he used to praise and  eulogy for him in the other world.”

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41.Ahmed Ben Al-Antaki

He was among famous learned personalities  and  he firm believer  in Allah. Due to his long life he   met many saints and he saw  the period of many pious persons. He was famous for his wisdom and physiognomy. So great pious person Suleiman Dari called him the detective of heart. He left behind many of his sayings.

Some body asked him “ Do you have fondness of Allah”. He replied  “ Fondness is required for the absent one but Allah is present for every moment.” He   told there are three stages for the  knowledge of Allah”.

First is to prove the oneness of Allah. Second to leave every thing except Allah. Third to think that no body can fulfill the duties of Allah because unless Allah  grants the light of knowledge no body  can not get  the light of knowledge.

The sign of love of Allah is that to reduce his worship but to increase more thinking about Allah and to sit silently in the loneliness. Not to feel joy for the happiness and also not to be dis-hearted for any grief. He  told  “ Prophet Younus (pbuh)  thought  that Allah will not be angry with him but for him  Allah  sent a great difficulty on him.” One should seek the company of pious persons with great respect. He  told   “ There are four ways of mysticism. ”

To have faith in Allah To be away from the mankind To speak sincerely To bear the  endurance of hardships for the right way.

A person will have fear and shyness  according  to  his level of knowledge of  Allah.The silence is tool of cleanliness for the  heart. The wise person is one who is grateful for the grace of Allah. He told  “ Belief is  the gift  of light of Allah with which one can observe the affairs of the next world as there will be no curtains for him. He advised for the worship of Allah by keeping away from the mankind and while thinking the presence of Allah.’’ For the cleanliness of heart the following five things are required.

To seek company of pious persons. To read holy Quran. Starvation. Night prayers Weeping in the morning time.

The name of justice is firmness. One, the justice   which is done   with mankind and second,  justice which we do with Allah. It means to obey Allah’s orders with firmness. He told Allah says “ Your wealth and children are problems for you ’’. But we ourselves are more problems makers  than wealth and children.”

He used to teach his followers in the best possible way. One night suddenly his 29 disciples  came over to his house. So he asked to put cloth on the ground for eating  of bread for them  and put pieces of bread   on it as there was shortage of bread in the house at that time. Then he asked them to sit and eat the bread and  he took  away the lamp from there. After some time he brought the lamp and saw  that the pieces of bread were there  before every person   and no body ate  any piece of bread due to selflessness.

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42. ‘Abd Allah ibn Khobaiq

He was from Kofa but he  settled down  in Anatoliya (Turkey). He was among great pious darwesh (mystic person) of his time. He  left   many of his sayings after him.

Fathe Mouseli says when he met him he told him  “ Due to the blessing of Allah man  got following the four things.”

Eyes Tongue Heart Air

For thanks of eyes we should not see any thing which Allah prohibited us. For thanks of tongue we should not ask any thing. One who will not take care of these things  then will face difficulties. Allah created the heart for his worship. One who has fear of  Allah   will not follow the desires of his sole.

He told   “ To live in the world without greed and lust and to live with broken heart is  good  for  the next world.”  He   told   “  To acquire any thing which is not good for the next world is useless.” “ The best desire is that which will solve our problems.”  “ Those who leave the sins and then they can hope from Allah for his grace. But others who repent  and continue doing  the sins so they will have fear  that Allah   will forgive them or not ? . So such hope is false in which one who continuously commits the sins and seek forgiveness of Allah. The wrong doers have more fear than hope from Allah. ’’

Truth is free from all conditions and  true persons know  the nature of all things. He told   “ If you want to  become  more important than others  so for this  thing leave every thing   and then you  can keep   trust   in  Allah   so  that   you can see all others standing in need of you.”

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18 EPISODEs from Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics)

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================ Translated from Urdu to English by Muhammed A. Hafeez, B.COM. Email: hafeezanwar@yahoo.com H.NO. 16-11-16/1/21, SALEEMNAGAR COLONY, AL-MADINA COTTAGE, Hyderabad-36, (India)

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================ Reference Books 1. Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics), Urdu translation published by Majedi Book Depot, Kanpur in the year 1383 A.H., India.

2. Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics), Urdu translation published by Anwar Book Depot, Delhi India.

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