The Islamic Post Blog


Remembering the Night of Ascension by Khalida
August 15, 2008, 11:53 pm
Filed under: August Volume 1 - 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Poetry, Religion | Tags: , ,

By Mubeen Khaleel, Islamic Post Staff Writer

Mimbar.

Ya Lail

If  I close my eyes,
I can remember
The thought of you.
You bring peace to my inner soul;
The stillness, the quiet…
I wonder how many Others are out there,
Ya Lail,
In wonderment of you.
The hours pass quickly,
But my love!
You share with me your love
Of the Beloved:
Of Mujtaba, Ha Meem, Ta Ha.

If I close my eyes, I can remember

The thought of you.

How lucky the night!
The day is jealous to witness Ascension.
The sun, bright of jalal, weeps
not to have beheld his travel to the Masjid far.
Even the moon felt apart.
Only the Lail
Enrobed Mustafa, Noorul Hudaa, Rasool e Khuda
Peace be upon you!
If my eyes do not weep for you,
it is because they haven’t seen through
The veils of the Lail
and how it accompanied you
with silent noor, angels wings,
bright and glistening of perfume were you,
on that night.



Mathnawi of Maulana Jami by Khalida
July 26, 2008, 1:39 am
Filed under: July Volume II - 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags:

In the book by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Virtues of Salaat ‘Ala-n- Nabi (peace be upon him), which has all but disappeared from the shelves of Islamic book stores,  the Mathnawi of Maulana Jaami r.a. is quoted, a display of affection and love for the Holy Rasool, peace be upon him. An excerpt is displayed here on the most honorable occasion of Lailatul Mi’raj, the Night of Ascension.
Bestow your generous attention, oh Seal of the Messengers, for greatly bereaved is the world since your demise, oh Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

You who are indeed the Last of the Messengers and their Seal, sal Allahu alayhe wa sallam, how can you ignore us when drowned in wretchedness and ill of fortune we are?

Through your evergreen freshness, oh dearest one, grace now this world, and from your restful sleep awake, to fill us with guiding light.

Lift now your countenance from within your Yemeni shroud, for your blessed face is the very life and light of day.

Turn for us the darkness of our sorrowful night into blessed light of day, and crown for us our day with successful accomplishments.

And now do don your fragrant smelling garments, and on your head the white turban do place.

Let your dark and precious locks of hair hang down, that their shade fall upon your blessed feet.

Wrap your feet in your shoes from mountainous Ta’if, and make their straps bind our souls to you.

This entire universe desires to be spread out for your feet, and sincerely wishes for the honor that you tread upon her.

Come forth from your sepulchre into the Nabawi Mosque, that we may kiss and lay our heads on the dust under your feet where you do tread.

Oh Messenger of Allah, sal Allahu alayhe wa aalihe wa sallam, grant refuge and help for the needy, and console the hearts of those filled with love for you.

Sinners are we, drowned in the sea of our iniquity. Yet great is the thirst of our endeavor to follow your way.

You are the rain cloud of mercy, and your generosity demands that succor be granted to the thirsty seeker in search of you.



Reflections On The Sacred Month Of Rajab by Khalida
July 26, 2008, 1:34 am
Filed under: July Volume II - 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags:

“Glory be to the One who travelled at night with His slave from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, whose precincts We have blessed that We might show him some of Our signs. He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” –Holy Qur’an, Surah 17: Ayat 1. (Masjid al Aqsa, Jerusalem, is shown below.)

In the book Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth, by Hadrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, may Allah’s mercy be upon him, the manner in which to honor the 27th of Rajab, and the peculiarities of Rajab, Sha’baan, and Ramadaan, are all mentioned:
“Al Hasan al Basri, may Allah’s mercy be upon him, said: ‘When the 27th of Rajab came around, Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, would start the day as a mutakif (i.e., as someone who follows the practice called i’tikaaf, meaning withdrawal into a state of seclusion in order to concentrate on religious devotions, especially while fasting). He would devote the whole morning to prayer, up to and including the obligatory ritual prayer at noon. After performing the noon prayer, he would stroll about for a little while to stretch his legs.’”
Peculiarites of Rajab, Sha’ban and Ramadaan.
From the same text, the following are some of the many traditional sayings in which Rajab is mentioned along with Sha’baan and Ramadaan:
“‘Rajab is for giving up crude behaviour (jafaa’), Sha’baan is for good work and redemption (wafaa’), and Ramadaan is for honesty and candor (safaa).’
“‘Rajab is the month of repentance (tawba), Sha’baan is the month of loving affection (mahabba), and Ramadaan is the month of nearness (qurba).’
“‘Rajab is the month of sanctity (hurma), Sha’baan is the month of service (khidma), and Ramadaan is the month of blessed grace (ni’ma).’
“‘Rajab is the month of worship (‘ibaada), Sha’baan is the month of abstinence (zahaada), and Ramadaan is the month of enhancement (ziyaada).’
“‘Rajab is the month in which Allah multiplies good deeds (hasanaat), Sha’baan is the month in which atonement is made for bad deeds (sayyi’aat), and Ramadaan is the month in which gifts of grace (karaamaat) [miraculous manifestations] can be expected.’
“‘Rajab is the month of those who race ahead (saabiqeen), Sha’baan is the month of those who practice moderation (muqtasideen), and Ramadaan is the month of disobedient sinners (‘aaseen).’
“It was Dhun Nun al Misri (the Egyptian, may Allah bestow His mercy upon him) who said: ‘Rajab is for giving up things that cause harm (aafaat), Sha’baan is for the active practice of worshipful obedience (taa’aat), and Ramadaan is for the expectation of gifts of grace (karaamaat). So, if a person fails to abstain from things that are harmful; if he does not engage in the active practice of worshipful obedience; and if he does not wait expectantly for the gifts of grace; he must be one of those folk who are only interested in trivial pursuits (ahl at turrahaat).’
“He also said (may Allah bestow His mercy upon him): ‘Rajab is the month of sowing, Sha’baan is the month of watering, and Ramadaan is the month of the harvest. Everyone reaps what he sows, and everyone is recompensed for what he does.’
“If a person wastes the time he should devote to cultivation, he will regret it on his day of harvesting. He will realize in retrospect that he was sowing nothing but a bleak future for himself.”
Night of Ascension a Physical Occurrence.
Ash Shifaa, the Book of Healing, by Qadi ‘Iyad, was written on the premise that by coming to know and understand the most blessed qualities of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, a person’s worldly and next-worldly life is healed of all affliction, due to the love that the Almighty holds for our Master Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Qadi ‘Iyad writes: “Most of the early scholars agree, and the Muslims also believe, that the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, went on the Night Journey in his physical body while he was awake. This is the truth, and has been stated by (the holy personages of) Ibn ‘Abbas, Jabir, Anas, Hudhayfa, Abu Hurayra [and many more]…
“The true, sound position in this, Allah willing, is that the Night Journey was both in spirit and in body throughout the entire event. The ayaat (pl.), or signs contained in Holy Qur’an, the sound traditions and considered opinion all indicate this. One does not abandon the truth of the literal meaning [in Holy Quran] for interpretation [by analogy] except when nothing else is possible.
“That the Holy Last Messenger, peace be upon him, went on the Night Journey in body, while awake, is not impossible. If it had been a dream, Allah the Most High would have said, ‘with the spirit of His slave,’ instead of (here we quote the full ayat) ‘Glory be to the One who travelled at night with His slave from the Masjid al-Haram to the Further Mosque, whose precincts We have blessed that We might show him some of Our signs. He is the Hearing, the Seeing.’ (Surah 17: Ayat 1) Allah ta’ala also says, ‘The eye did not swerve, nor did it sweep away.’ (Surah 53:Ayat16)
“If it had only been a dream, then it would not have involved either a sign or a miracle. The unbelievers would not have thought it impossible and rejected it, and the weak Muslims would not have been doubtful about it and found it a test, since things like this are not unknown in dreams. This doubt only arose because they knew that the report of the Holy Last Messenger, peace be upon him, indicated it being his physical body, while awake…  Ibn ‘Abbas said, ‘It was a direct vision which he saw with his own eyes. It was not a dream.’”



Invitation: The Banaatun Noor International 2008 Ladies’ Summer Camp by Khalida
July 26, 2008, 1:23 am
Filed under: July Volume II - 2008, Magazine/ Culture, National, Religion, travel | Tags:

Under the auspices of His Eminence, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, an invitation is extended for you to please join us at the Banaatun Noor International, Incorporated,
2008 Ladies’ Summer Camp,

From August 2nd through August 30th, 2008 in Holy Islamberg, New York.

As Salaamu Alaykum
Here lies an opportunity to strengthen Iman, culti­vate the spiritual self, and in so doing effect change within and without.
The 22nd Annual 2008 Ba­naatun Noor Ladies Summer Camp [Invitation] has been, and contin­ues to serve as, a retreat through which ladies can discover, then be­queath, an enriched Islamic identity with confidence and without reserve.
Come partici­pate in strengthening the bonds of love and unity that can only be found in coming together for Allah’s pleasure, and learning His Deen and the sunnah of the Holy Last Messenger, Our Master, Syedina Muhammad, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.
Strength is Iman; and Iman is the foundation of life. We, the Banaatun Noor Staff, anticipate pro­viding a service that, Allah willing, will bring every participant success. Please take special care in preparing for this camp. Purify the inten­tions; open the heart and mind; and prepare to receive all that Allah, the Most High, has in store.
Make intentions clear to travel, study, and absorb the knowledge that will be made available to all for the pleasure of Allah, who is Glorified and the Most High. By seeking knowledge, one may then adhere to the commands of the Holy Quran, and sunnah of our Holy Master, Syedina Mu­hammad, peace be upon him and his family.
The BNI Camp Staff  sends its warmest regards, and is looking forward to your response.

For more information please contact Khadijah Smith or Tahirah Khaliq.



International Quranic Open University Sponsors Its Annual “Boys’ Summer Program” by Khalida
July 21, 2008, 3:41 am
Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, National, Religion | Tags:

For the graphic version, click here.

Attention neighbors, come join us at our annual summer program held in the Catskill Mountains for anyone coming with a positive attitude.

The International Quranic Open University (IQOU) is pleased to announce the Annual Boys’ Summer Program in the rural upstate New York village of Holy Islamberg. The Program is for all boys 15 years of age and older, and lasts for 30 days, beginning on the 5th of July, 2008. Participants are invited to attend with open minds, a positive attitude, and a willingness to follow the Ten Commandments.
Outdoor activities for the Program include: basic hiking and mountaineering; wrestling; swimming; boating; fishing; and basketball. The ancient sport of kabbadi will be featured as well for various levels of competition.
The standard IQOU curriculum includes: recitation of Holy Quran, to be completed by all within 30 days; studies from Bukhari Sharif and knowledge of Hadiths; research in Islamic Studies and Islamic Law;  the Sirah, or life study, of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him and his family); as well as Conversational Arabic, which will be taught beginning with Book One by the IQOU staff , including staff members who have recently returned from studies at The National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad , Pakistan .
Seniors may look forward to a curriculum including an in-depth study of Holy Quran, Islamic History, Islamic Calligraphy, and Modern English reading and writing.
To qualify as a senior one must have at least a High School Diploma; and must have graduated from three previous IQOU summer programs with the completion of the Holy Quran and its translation at least once.  Basic knowledge of Sharia, or Islamic Law, is also necessary to qualify.
The fee for the 30 day program is $125 per student participant, to be collected at the time of registration.
For further information, please contact IQOU staff members: Khalifa Khalid Ihsan (607) 624-3338, or M. Ahmed A. Mumin (434) 426-5083.



Miracles Abound at the Banaatun Noor Third Annual Reunion by Khalida
July 21, 2008, 3:36 am
Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags: , ,

By Nafisah Begum & Zahidah Faruq, Islamic Post Staff Writers.

Above, the Holy Khanqah Gilaniya where many, including some reunion participants, have been blessed with beholding the blessed names of Allah and of the Holy Last Messenger Muahammad, sal Allahu alayhe wa sallam.

A few of the hundreds of ladies present at 2008 Banaatun Noor reunion.


Holy Islamville, SC– “This is your second chance at life, in this life.”
These divine words were spoken by his Eminence Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Jilani, prior to the blessed Third Annual Banaatun Nur Reunion. The reunion took place in Holy Islamville, SC on June 7-17, 2008. Holy Islamville is where the beautiful Holy Khanqa Gilania is located.  Many miracles have been revealed in this blessed Holy Khanqa of the Sufis. People have been spiritually healed, spiritually blessed and physical health conditions have been improved and/or  totally healed, just by entering into this blessed and revered place. Miracles do continue to happen, even during the Banaatun Nur reunion participants beheld the brilliant shining Nur of the Almighty Creator that turned into rainbows.
Ladies from all around the coun­try  traveled to Holy Islamville, South Carolina to attend the BanaatunNoor Reunion. The air crackled with excitement in the triple digit heat as ladies began to trickle in, in hopes of seeing fellow members of their individual chapters. All fall under the umbrella of BanaatunNoor (Daughters of Light) International, established in 1987 by his Eminence Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani. Some of the ladies had not seen each other in  the years since they had the unique op­portunity to travel abroad, where they each underwent extensive studies in Islamic educa­tion and culture, home econom­ics, and had the opportunity to live with our beloved Murshid, Pir Sahib Sultan Muhyuddin Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, Hash­mi, affording them an opportunity to see, breathe, and live the sunnah of the Beloved of Allah, Syedina Rasooli Akram (peace and blessing be upon his noble person).
They then returned home to their respective areas where they taught what they learned to their families, friends, and fellow countrymen.
Over the years there have been many other opportunities to educate other Muslim ladies at various camps. This reunion has allowed the members to continue their education and brush up on their various skills.
As the ladies set up the campsite, outdoor kitchen, and atrium where classes would be held, the camarade­rie, love, and kinship could be seen everywhere.
At the request of our Murshid, we came together as a group to make a special du’a (sup­plication) for El Sheikh’s dear friend, Mr.. Sher Khan, who was scheduled to have surgery during the reunion. We were honored to be given the privilege to aid our beloved in this way. This du’a was composed of 12,000 x’s Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem (in the Name of Allah, ArRahman, ArRaheem), twelve nawaful rakaats made in sets of two (to be made after every 1,000 x’s reci­tation of the Basmala); then the du’a was said and continued in this manner until its completion.
This du’a,  composed of words specifically requesting the Almighty Creator to grant good health, free­dom from calamities, prosperity, and long life for ourselves, community, participants, and the dear friend of  El Sheikh, was to be done over the course of three nights following the evening prayer.
On the second night of the pro­gram, over 60 ladies filled the Holy Khanqah Gilaniyah, to continue im­ploring Almighty Allah for the good health of Mr.. Sher Khan.
Upon the completion of the pro­gram, one of the ladies pointed to the foyer in the Holy Khanqah (the site of numerous miracles) where two rays of light could be seen. These rays were filled with rainbow colors, each color vibrant and distinct from the other; each ray was about 6 feet in length, going from the upper wall near the ceiling down to the floor and both were pulsating, swaying to and fro in dhikr. Some witnessed the name of Allah and the name of the Holy Last Mes­senger Muhammad (peace and bless­ings be upon his noble person) written in white noor (light), while many saw his Em­inence leading dhikr and guiding the program.
In an­other room of Bai­tun Noor (house of light), a lady had Almighty Al­lah’s name, and the name of the Beloved Holy Last Messenger written as Muhammad (peace and bless­ings be upon his noble person), and the face of our beloved Murshid on her right thumbnail and on the back side of the thumb. Many ladies gathered around her to see this blessed miracle.
The rainbows were witnessed by all present. Upon seeing this miracu­lous manifestation all went immedi­ately into sajdah, thanking Almighty Allah for this great benefit. The rain­bow gives assurance to the believers that Allah Almighty hears and answers the prayers of His sincere devotees.
At tahajjad on another morning, we did a spiritual program for Samia Begum and for our Jamaat. After a few days, we were informed that both people were doing very well and had sent their sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the programs for them. The reality of both of those programs is that the participants of this intensive ibadah were personally and spiritually invigorated themselves.
Our beloved Murshid Kamil personally refined and directed all of the essential aspects of this reunion. He was  in contact daily, sending messages regarding the program and changing the course outline as directed by Allah subhana wa ta Ala. He wrote a discourse on Adaab & Iklaq which was dictated by Dr. Jawwiriya A. Abdallah-Shahid. This discourse covered, in a condensed form, everything that a Muslim lady should know and do, regarding proper conduct in life. He continued to stress the importance of reading and understanding the Holy Quran. He said “at night, when your family has retired read the Holy Quran, this is your personal conversation with Allah subhana wa ta Ala.”
After our morning worship was performed, the following classes were given: Arabic, Surah  Baqarah DVD, 99 Names of Allah ta ‘ala, 40  Hadith Jami, On the Authority of the Sunna, Marriage, Gardening, Raising Chickens, Fish Farming, Canning, Hakimah Remedies, Ladies’ Health and Personal Beautification. After some time, our Murshid moved the Banaatun Noor Administrative office closer to the conference center and had a Hakimah Station set up to take care of the health needs of the participants. Our tasty meals were cooked on an outdoor fire and most of the conference attendees participated in the cooking and serving of each meal.
There were many smiling faces, warm salaams and loving arms that were continually engaging and embracing us. The faces of all the ladies were so beautiful and full of Nur, their eyes twinkling, sparkling and shining, as if secrets were being revealed to them at any given moment. There was a genuine feeling of true sisterhood; the differences of our ages merged into one. Respect and love replaced other emotions that were previously there. Everywhere we turned there were groups of ladies rehearsing inspirational stories, gems full of  Hikma and Ilm from the Holy Quran Majeed, Al Hadith, and from our guide on this blessed path of Tasawwuf, our  Murshid Kamil.
The grand highlight of the Banaatun Nur reunion was the conference call from our beloved Murshid to his American talibahs. His overall message was full of love and concern for our well being. His words were very clear; “become Mutaqeen, love your country, be good Americans;  you are American Muslims, be good neighbors. He said to become exemplary Muslim ladies, be kind, be merciful, be modest, help the poor and needy; take care of your person and your children. By following  the way of Nabi Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him,    everyone reaches back home. He also said, “Allah loves you and you must love Him with your heart and soul.”

To view the print version of this page, click here.



Hate-Mongers Posing As Christians Visit Holy Shrine by Khalida

Will the Hate Campaign Ever Stop?

By Islamic Post Staff Writers
The Christian Action Network (CAN), a racist faction of hate mongers, has selected the Holy Shrine in the Village of Holy Is­lamville, York, South Carolina, one of the holiest places in America and the world, as a target for their cam­paign of hate and religious preju­dice.

This obsessed group of anti-social misfits greatly maligns Jesus, son of the chaste Mary, by calling themselves Christians. Their sinis­ter, terrorist type tactics range from throwing bundles of hate pamphlets out of low flying planes over Mus­lim villages, to obstructing traffic and agitat­ing and harassing Muslim women and children. Their literature and posters are crammed with rambling hateful venom and their public ad­dress system spews out inflamma­tory anti-Islam propaganda. It is obvious their underlying intent is to incite a clash between the fol­lowers of these two great religions.
In the serene Muslim village of Holy Islamville, thousands of people, of different faiths, have visited the Holy Shrine from around the world.  They have beheld the miraculous manifesta­tions. Some have been cured of  ailments and so-called “incurable” diseases.

(Right) People of all faiths are welcome anytime at Baitun Noor, the Holy Khanqah of the Sufis. The Muslims of the Americas are working to prepare for the return of Christ Jesus who will unite our two great reli­gions into one (Herald photo).

Local newspaper and other media have visited the Holy Shrine on numerous occasions, and reported what they beheld. Photographs and video recordings that support the miraculous manifestations are available for public viewing.
It was on the 13th of Shabaan 1416, of the Hijri calendar, the 5th of January 1996, at the Banaa tun Noor, Ladies Retreat, held in Holy Islamville, York, South Carolina, USA, that those present were in­formed that a special dua, to be re­cited on the 15th of Shabaan-Shab-e-Bara’at, (the mid of the month that precedes the fasting month of Ramadan) was being faxed. Joyous cries of “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) were heard when the fax ma­chine came to life. The sheet with the dua (prayer) on it appeared to have become jammed while emerging, but when it was retrieved, the mes­sage was completely intact.
While the ladies began read­ing the fax, Afifa Begum looked up at the ceiling and noted a spe­cial sight. “I looked and yelled, ‘Look! There’s a rainbow on the ceiling.” Adeelah Ahmed went to the sink to see if the light reflect­ing off the water was causing the rainbow and found that the rainbow was not caused by any reflection. However, she did find something else: she found the name of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), appearing on the wall in vivid, shimmering and brilliant colors of green, yellow, blue and streaks of red. For a good 25 minutes the name of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) appeared on the right and on the left; a viv­id rainbow appeared on the wall. Each time someone tried to take a picture with a camera, both would disappear. When the camera was put down, both reappeared. When some of the ladies tried to block the miraculous manifestations with their hands the name still appeared on the wall.
Amira Najah remarked, “Each letter was clear and easy to see and easy to trace. It was written as though it were a staircase and the meem was the highest step and the dal was the first step.” Ladies kept coming in and out and the joy, ec­stasy, and excitement were beyond compare.
The dua was faxed to the la­dies by His Eminence, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, El Hashmi, Al Hassani wal Hussaini, the Vice Chancellor of the Intl Quranic Open University with per­mission to recite it, along with the correct method of recitation. The dua was to be recited on the Nifs of Shabaan (middle night of Sha­baan) and was written by El Sheikh Gilani’s direct ancestor, Ghausul Azam, Muhayyuddin, Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani of Baghdad.
There were at least 125 la­dies on that blessed night (the 15th of Shaban, the Night of Predesti­nation) at the Holy Shrine where much worship, dhikr and recitation took place. It was then that the prayer was recited in Arabic. The English version of the prayer fol­lows:
Ya Allah, Thou favor all and needs the favor of no one. O most Exalted and Supreme and Be­stower of Rewards, there is no De­ity save Thee, O the “backbone” of those who seek Thy help. Thou art the Refuge of those who seek Thy protection and Thou art the Abode of Peace for those who are stricken with terror.
O, my Allah, if Thou hast writ­ten my name in Thy Book (Loh-e-Mahfooz) as unlucky, miserable or destitute or deprived of Rizq (pro­visions) in abundance, then Ya Allah delete that.
O, my Allah, for the sake of Thy Fadl (Favor) may my misery, my depravity, my destituteness and shortness of rizq (provisions ) be changed in Thy Book (of destiny) and be written as lucky, bestowed with rizq in abundance and may I be the one granted com­petency to do virtuous deeds because (Ya Allah) Thou hast spoken and Thou speakest the HAQQ (the truth) in Thy Revealed Book (Holy Quran) and Thy Messenger hast also spoken that, “Allah deletes whatever He willeth and pre­serves whatever He willeth and with Him is the Book of Destiny (Holy Quran).”
Ya Allah, for the sake of Thy greatest Tajjaly [Divine manifestation of His Noor (Light), Names or Words] during the mid-half night of Shaaban in which the Al­mighty, All Wise gives judg­ment on every issue (to be­fall until next Shaaban) and fulfills it as well, we beseech and implore Thee (Ya Allah) to save us from all adversities, miseries, trials about which we know and don’t know but indeed Thou art the Best Knower, the most Exalted and Supreme One. Blessings be upon our Lord the Last Mes­senger Muhammad and upon his descendents, companions and walees (friends).
Mrs. June, a Christian lady, began a conversation at a local shopping mall with a couple of Muslim ladies that reside in Holy Islamville. She disclosed that her husband’s health was failing and was encouraged by the Muslim ladies to visit the Holy Shrine where others had been cured of numerous ailments. Short­ly thereafter, Ms. June and her husband, Muhammad Najjar, who was diagnosed with can­cer, by doctors at Piedmont Medical Center, made a visit to the Holy Shrine to pray for a cure. The personal name of Allah appeared before her on the walls of the room she was in but Ms. June could not read Arabic and did not realize what it was that she saw. It wasn’t until Ms. June embroi­dered a tapestry to commemo­rate her visit that she was told and shown what she had seen. On her tapestry was embroi­dered the very name of Allah in Arabic script. When her husband returned to Piedmont for further examination and treatment his doctors were amazed that the cancer was gone! No doubt this was done by the permission of the One Almighty Creator.

(Right) the distinguished Dr. Syed Malik Hamid Hussain Qadri, Member of the Sudanese Parliament, showed utmost respect before miraculous manifestations in the Holy Khanqah Gilaniyah. which he visited at the behest of His Eminence Al Imam Sheikh Syed Mubarik ‘Ali Shah Gilani.

Sudanese Ambas­sador, Syed Dr. Malik Hus­sein Hamid, President of the Sudanese Data Bank, member of the Sudan National As­sembly and candidate for the Presidency of Sudan (2000) accepted the invitation of His Eminence, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani and arrived at the Holy Shrine on the 16th of December 2003 and engaged in vigorous prayer, dhikr and contempla­tion. He dozed off and beheld beautiful man­ifestations. It impacted him so much that he dictated his account which was printed in both the U.S. and the Sudan and reads in part:
“I saw with my own eyes the following. Accom­panying the witness of Al­lah ta’ala before whom I am responsible and will hold so, until I see Him on the Day of Judgment Insha Allah.
I saw a cluster of rainbows spread over the eastern and southern walls of the house in such a way that indicated independence from presence of water in the area. These rainbows were of simi­lar essence, but different from all those rainbows which I saw since I was young and associated with rainy days, clouds, and light. But these rainbows made me feel that they are associated with ex­traordinary happenings and they remained there even during dark and that was the amazing thing about it. They never changed their places which indicate their disasso­ciation to other factors.
This observation was then followed by the big cul­minating miracles and that was the presence of the light at quite a number of places manifesting Arabic letters composing the Name of Allah (Jallah Jallalahoo) very clearly displayed in a consistent and organized handwriting fol­lowed by the name of Rasulullah Muhammed (sal Allahu alayhe wa sallam).
On the corresponding wall, I saw the two names for­warded by Shah Mubarak Gi­lani to be used for zikr by the followers. Later on we came after dark to find the same rainbow and Allah’s name also showed on the walls. We all gathered and I gave a lec­ture about the issue which is already documented on tape and can be included with this statement since it was inspired by the scene itself. I was cher­ishing my heart and mind in a unique blend when I went to my bed and saw the whole scene again. When I came for Fajr prayers, I saw the same. During a short nap which I had in the shrine, I saw my son Hussein (10 years old) asking me why you did not take me to see these Karamat. While I was there a Christian came to see the miracles and he confirmed the same. My whole visit to this shrine was instigated, inspired, and or­dered by the Maulana Shah Mubarik Gilani who made his orders to his followers to re­ceive me and take me around. They really did it with Islamic generosity and love.
These accounts are not contrived stories but are in fact divine manifestations and are a sign of the divine mission of our blessed Sheikh…His Eminence El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani El Hashmi, El Hassani wal Hussaini and the Almighty’s Love and Favor for this jamaat.

FBI Special Agent in Charge, Leslie Wieser (right), Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Columbia,  felt very welcomed addressing a  Muslim Scouts of the Americas graduating class in Holy Islamville, SC.

The residents of Holy Islamville, other villages of International Quranic Open University, and Mus­lims of the Americas Inc. are neither soldiers nor terrorists. Rather they are American citizens who are dedicated lovers of the One Almighty Creator and the Holy Last Messenger, and adhere to the Ten Commandments as do our good Christian brothers. We are working diligently to join forces with our Christian brethren through increased dialogue and cooperation and are helping and preparing for the return of Christ Jesus who will unite our two great reli­gions into one.
The campaign of hate against our leader and our organizations has been launched by the same ones who conspired and manipu­lated America into WWII by allowing the tragedy of Pearl Harbor despite having prior knowledge of the attack. The same culprits allowed thou­sands of Christians and Mus­lims to die while knowing full well what was planned for the 11th of September, 2001; they also knew about the planned bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon before it was carried out and did noth­ing to warn America of the impending danger.
Whatever the case, they will not be able to deter Mus­lim/Christian unity. Prepara­tions and readiness are being made for the return of Jesus, born of the chaste Mary, and on his return he will settle things and expose the wrong­doers. Those terrorist hate mongers may do what they will but they won’t be able to stop the inevitable. They should remember the wrath of God comes in many forms; floods, fires, earthquakes and tornadoes, etc. “You reap what you sow.” Our work to bring Muslims and Christians together is divinely inspired and we will not be stopped. We don’t fear anything or any­one, nor will we be intimidat­ed or provoked. Nothing can stop us; nothing will change our goal for we are Sufis, and that is what makes us differ­ent. The hate mongers will not goad us into a confrontation of their making. We will use every legal means to address them and avoid their scheme which is to wreak havoc and to destroy this nation. We know well who they are… These culprits are none other than the ADL and the JDL. This cult of vipers, (CAN), in lamb’s clothing have noth­ing to do with Christ Jesus and shouldn’t even call them­selves Christians. When Jesus returns he’ll expose their evil and give them their just due and about that there is abso­lutely no doubt!



Basic Neighborly Needs by Khalida
July 21, 2008, 12:02 am
Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags: , ,

By Umm Yahya & Noora Begum
Islamic Post Staff Writers

“How is it possible for a mu’min to fill his stomach while his neighbor is hungry?”- Arbaeen Jami

Deposit NY residents celebrate the survival of the 2006 flood with Islamberg neighbors. The doctor at the local clinic in Deposit, John Giannone, now fasts during the holy month of Ramadan out of respect for the Islamberg community’s beliefs and has maintained a relatively close relationship with the Islamic village. When his house was devastated by flooding that nearly wiped Deposit off the map in June 2006, volunteers from Islamberg came down and helped him clear out the debris. Giannone says they even did the dishes.

The above hadith sherif is heard, recited and memorized all over the Muslim world. While the every day interpretation of the text is accepted by most as, “I should feed my neighbor if he is without food,” the wealth of Islamic information available makes the understanding even clearer.
Before clarifying what the treatment of the neighbor should be, one should first understand exactly who is the neighbor that is being referred to.
Al Adab Al Mufrad, a collection of hadith shareef from Imam Bukhari, quotes Al-Hasan (may Allah ta’ala be pleased with him) as having been asked who is the jaar, or neighbor. Al Hasan said, “The term ‘neighbor’ includes the forty houses in front of a person, the forty houses behind him, the forty houses on his right and the forty houses on his left.”
Thus, it can be said that the term “neighbor” actually refers to a person’s entire neighborhood.
For those living in an un-Islamic society, this may seem to limit the donor to whatever Muslim neighbors may be at hand. Not so.
Also from Al Adab Al Mufrad there is a hadith reported by Mujahid who said: A sheep was slaughtered for ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr. He asked his servant, “Have you given any to our Jewish neighbor?? I heard the Messenger of  Allah (peace be upon him) say, ‘Angel Jibril kept on recommending that I treat my neighbors well, until I thought that he would order me to treat them as my heirs.’”
Therefore, the neighbor’s right of honor, help, and hospitality, is meant for all neighbors, regardless of their religious or cultural background.
This point was made very clear by El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, in the video commentary of the book Kashful Israar, which was written by Hadrat Ali Hajweri. El Sheikh narrated an incident, during the discourse, in which Hadrat Ali Hajweri spiritually assisted the Hindus who lived near  his holy tomb, by praying for the well-being of the family’s dying son, who was brought back to health by virtue of Hadrat Ali Hajweri’s presence and supplication. He said, “You are my neighbor.”
In line 36 of Sura Nisaa’ in the Holy Qur’an, Allah ta’ala (the Most High) says, “Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to neighbors who are related to you and neighbors who are not related to you.”
Ibn Kathir related that Mujahid was reported to have said that Allah ta’ala’s statement, “the neighbors who are not related to you” also refers to one’s companion during travel.
Thus we are left with a clear definition of jaar. All the people who live in one’s neighborhood or village, be they Muslim or non-Muslim, family or not; or, a traveling companion would be understood as such.
This being the scope of the word neighbor, it then becomes necessary for Muslims to broaden their perspective  in order to conform to the teaching and life pattern of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon he and his family).
Everyone knows that the Holy Last Messenger, (peace be upon him), preferred the next life to this one, and was in no way attached to worldly wealth and charm. We hear the stories of his sleeping on a simple mat, tying a stone to the tender side of his stomach to alleviate hunger, and of his wives fasting and giving away their evening meal, which would be used to break the fast. Why all of this? The Holy Last Messenger and his blessed Ahle Bait, or members of his household, could not stand to see others suffer and go hungry, whether the afflicted persons were Muslim, Christian, Jew or polytheist.
It is not that the Honored and Beloved Messenger, (peace be upon him), was without wealth, but the Holy Last Messenger (Allah’s peace be upon him) made it a point to never keep wealth in his hands. Once, the Holy Last Messenger, peace be upon him, gave a man “so much gold that he could not carry it,” as related in Ash Shifa of Qadi ‘Iyad. The narration continues to say that in another instance, 90,000 dirhams were brought to the Holy Last Messenger, (peace be upon him), who placed them on a mat and then got up and distributed them, not turning away anyone who asked until he had given it all away. “It is mentioned that Mu’awwidh ibn ‘Afra’; said, ‘I brought the Holy Messenger, (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), a plate of fresh dates and cucumber [as a gift], and he gave me a handful of jewelry and gold.’”
In this, we see the true spirit of Islam in the overwhelming generosity of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, (peace be upon him), who not only honored, helped, and gave great hospitality to his neighbors, but also condemned those who were crude, disrespectful and hurtful to their own neighbors.
Muslim reported that the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, said “Taqwa is here!” pointing to his breast three times, “It is enough evil for man to scorn his Muslim brother.”
People with little understanding of the way of Islam, are quick to scorn those who are impoverished as somehow undeserving of the bounty of Allah ta’ala. Yet Allah ta’ala speaks of this very mentality in Sura YaSeen. Ibn Kathir comments, on line 47 of Sura YaSeen: “And when it is said to them, ‘Spend of that with which Allah has provided you,’’’ means that when they are told to spend of that which Allah ta’ala has provided to them on the poor and the needy, they say, “Shall we feed those whom, if Allah willed, He (Himself) would have fed)?” (Holy Quran) In ignorance, such people feel that if Allah ta’ala had wished, He would have fed the poor people. Thus they fail the test which was created to “see who amongst you performs the best deeds.” (Holy Quran)
What is more sad is that these people, while discarding the magnanimous pattern of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him), think that they are united with the will of Allah ta’ala in His dispensation of provisions to the people. Allah ta’ala save us from becoming ignorant and hard-hearted, as this is a plague that is left over from the days before Islam.
How is it that in one home there is an abundance of food with every luxury and amenity of life, while just next door, or up the road, another home eats at the bottom of the food pyramid, if at all, and has no running water, nor even electricity?
In another noble tradition (hadith), Ibn ‘Umar said, “There was a time when no one was more entitled to a person’s money than his Muslim brother. Now people love their dirhams and dinars more than their Muslim brother. I heard the Holy Last Messenger, (may Allah  bless him and grant him peace), say, ‘How many a neighbor will be brought together with his neighbor on the Day of Rising! He will say, ‘Lord, this man closed his door to me and refused to show me common kindness!’”
In Riyadhus Saaliheen, Abu Hurayra reported that the Holy Last Messenger, (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), said, “By Allah, he is no mu’min! By Allah, he is no mu’min! By Allah, he is no mu’min!” It was asked, “Who is that, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Someone whose neighbor is not safe from his mischief!”
In Al Adab Al Mufrad, Thawban said, .”..There is no man who wrongs his neighbor, to the extent that he forces him until he makes him leave his home, who is not destroyed.”
In such a situation, those people whose hearts are dead as such to the needs of their neighbors, have traded their iman for their comforts and riches. For this bad neighbor, his salat and ibadah to Allah ta’ala is not accepted until he helps his neighbors, according to the commentary of El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani on the Arbaeen Jami hadiths. “[Helping one’s neighbor] is the very gist of ibada in Islam.”
El Sheikh has said elsewhere that the purpose of ibada, or worship, is  to cultivate the true spirit of sacrifice in a human being. Therefore, if there is no spirit of sacrifice, one may clearly see that the worship of such a miser helps him not at all.

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Magazine: Blessed Syed Beholds the Holy Last Messenger, sal Allahu alayhe wa aalihe wa sallam by Khalida
July 19, 2008, 11:48 pm
Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags:

A copy of the card made in honor of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad upon the occasion of the honored beholding of Syed Noor ul Hussain Shah, may be viewed here; the text of which is as:

This is the explanation of the incident and also in gratitude to the Holy Last Messenger  (peace be upon him) who, when the Ummi of Syed Noor ul Hussain Shah cried to him for help, and asked him to come and heal her son from the terrible pain he was suffering, he did come.
The Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) helps those in distress who call out to him for his help.
He is the Rahmatillil ‘Aalameen, and this is the proof that he is Haazir and Naazir.
The Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) knows all of his descendants by name and he helps them when they are in need and cry to him for help and mercy.
My son, Syed Noor ul Hussain Shah was feeling very sick for most of the evening and complained that his stomach was hurting him.
At first I thought he wanted my attention and it was not serious. I gave him an herbal stomach powder; but he didn’t feel better and eventually fell asleep.
I could not sleep most of the night. Noor Shah was rubbing his stomach and crying. I felt very bad because I could not make his stomach stop hurting. I looked around for medicine to give him.
Eventually he woke up at about 2 am and was complaining of severe pains. I told him to lay down and recite Durood Shareef. He did. Then I began to recite Durood Shareef and I wrote with my index finger three times on his stomach (Meem Ha Meem Dal) Muhammad in Arabic.
Then I said, “Ya Rasulullah (peace be upon him), you saved this boy many times before and you always help me. Please, remove the pain from his stomach. No, ya Rasulullah (peace be upon him) not only remove the pain but whatever is the cause ailing his stomach, remove that cause, take it out of his stomach please. Ya Rahmatillil Aalameen, I cannot help Noor Shah but you can and you always do. Please help him.”
Then I prayed some more for my son and began to recite Durood Shareef again.
After a few minutes Noor Shah jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. He vomited and vomited whatever was in his stomach and then he instantly felt better. He went back to sleep reciting Durood Shareef.
When he woke again he narrated to me word for word the account below.
Shukr Alhamdulillah li Rahmatil lil Aalameen (peace be upon him), who solves our problems when we are in distress and who mends the hearts which are broken with grief. May Allah continue to shower His choicest Barakah, Salaam and Salawaah upon the Master of Man and Jinn, Muhammad Mustafa.

The following is a true account in the exact words of Syed
Noor ul Hussain Shah.

“Ummi, I saw Rasulullah (peace be upon him). First a bright light came into this room and I fainted. Then Rasulullah (peace be upon him) and his wife (or a blessed lady) came in. He was very beautiful with a nice beard. He said, ‘As Salaamu alaykum, ya Noor ul Hussain.’ He was speaking in Arabic. He said, ‘Noor ul Hussain, make all of your salaah, read Holy Quran and do dhikr. Rasulullah (peace be upon him) left the room and then came back. He said, ‘you are a very special boy.’”

“As Salaatu Was Salamu Alaika Ya Rasulallah

YA ALLAH!!

YA MUHAMMAD !!!

Ya Rasulallah ,

I thank you a million times over, for when I was crying in terrible pain and my Umi and I cried to you for help you came last night and put your hand on me and I was relieved of pain. And I thank you for telling me I am a special child and guiding me to study the Islamic curriculum.

With Sincerest Gratitude,

Your Son,

Syed Noor ul Hussain Shah Gillani

Hashmee Hasnee wal Hussainee

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IP Magazine: Writing of Love…and Hope by Khalida

By Maryam A. Latif,

the Dominican Republic
el-islamenlaisla.blogspot.com


(Click on the original link above for the Spanish of this post.)

Sometimes, I have thought…
Here with the most humble remembrance,
that awakens during the night, when I’m sleepy;

He soothes me, He overwhelms me, matchless,
covering more than half my thoughts, those that
turn around in my mind and finally turn to You…

I hold on, in hope of some sign that will end
the uncertainty of that longing, for You, and what
You represent to me.

You love me with a pure love, sincere and with
compassion, and this is in what I hope.

You make me happy with each small thing, You give me
everything and at the end, after finding You and
knowing You, I will not have to hope nor desire,
for You are here.

You turn my shadow, in the light it travels, and
returns to me filling me with hope, an immense
serenity of peace that clothes my being, my soul
flaming to have found You, and to be taught by
You.

What happiness is this which overwhelms
the uncertainty, arriving at Your path and coming
to know You?

So I come to understand that You are the
most pure and beautiful, all that I hoped for.

Never does it matter the stones, rocks, voids in
my path, every pain is worth you in the end. I
will come back to You and I place my hope in you
because You have filled me with life and flashes
of light, having fallen upon a dry earth, which
made me into Spring, for You.

For You are who I love in truth, Who has made me happy, so…
Can I live my life to Your desire, because
of You and for You, and renounce that which I
thought at one time was happiness?

Can I accept a way of living created by You which will bring me
nearer to You?
The answer is, yes, ya Allah
From me to Thee, oh Merciful One.

AP photo

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IP Magazine: Rosebush – Poetry Corner June Vol. 1 by Khalida
June 16, 2008, 4:50 am
Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Poetry, Religion | Tags: , , , , ,

Poem by Baji Halimah

I have a rosebush and each flower is a friend,
And through the years this bush keeps growing, and some new flowers begin.

Among these are my close companions, who’ve grown roots here in my heart,
And every day I love them more, even though in earthly miles, some are apart.

But the “Bond” of Bonds unites us. And all across the universe,
For the love of Him, who loves us most, our beams of love are sent forth.

And on occasions, when we are all together again, the joyfulness of our union is great!
O my sisters! My brothers! True family are we! We are one, all for Allahu’s sake.

And just to let you know how special you are,
Upon each of you beautiful roses, I have placed a bright shining star.

For, my love for you overflows, my sisters, my brothers, my friends.
Our bounding grows stronger and stronger as we approach this life’s journey’s end!

And to my many beautiful children, I’ve attended some of you in birth and watched you grow
Into very fine adults and Muslims. Please! Keep the faith in every seed that you sow.

For it is for you we’ve paved the roads. And you or yours must shield the banner.
Through you Islam shall prevail. Its victory will come in like manner.

Many of us have grown old together, and together yet we still strive,
As the fingers of “Maut” come closer to carry us over to the other side.

To those whom I have wronged, I ask forgiveness, in case I haven’t managed in the past.
The same for you I have already sent forth; my forgiveness you don’t have to ask.

You know the path of Deen-ul-Islam is so awesome and splendid to me,
And I hope to ride the rainbow across to eternity.

Here’s hoping we all make it to Heaven’s gate, and that its doors be open wide
To receive all of you, my friends and me, when we are home on the other side..

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IP Magazine: Did You Know? June Vol. 1 by Khalida

“If there is much misunderstanding in the West about the nature of Islam, there is also much ignorance about the debt our own culture and civilisation owe to the Islamic world. It is a failure, which stems, I think, from the straight-jacket of history, which we have inherited. The medieval Islamic world, from central Asia to the shores of the Atlantic, was a world where scholars and men of learning flourished. But because we have tended to see Islam as the enemy of the West, as an alien culture, society, and system of belief, we have tended to ignore   or
erase its great relevance to our own history.”- Prince Charles, during a lecture at Oxford University, October 1993.

The Prince of Wales in traditional Islamic clothing.

Text Source: Prince of Wales government website

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From the Desk, June Vol. I by Khalida

From the Desk of Sultan Muhyuddin El-Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani Hashmi Al Hassani Wal Husseini:
A selection of one of the Forty Pearls from the ocean of Wisdom of the Holy Last Messenger Hazrat Muhammed
(may peace and blessings be upon him).
The Holy Last Messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“Whoever is not thankful to the people is not thankful to Allah.”
To show ingratitude to one who has done a favor is considered the worst kind of crudeness and lack of proper adab (manners). In contrast, paying thanks to someone who has done a favor to you, amounts to thanking Allah, because it is Almighty Allah who is, in fact, the real Bestower of bounties and favors though these reach us through others. Many ignorant people, when given something, have thanks for Allah only and rudely disregard the donor.

Source: Arba’een Jami (Maulana Abdur Rehman Jami’s 40 Hadiths*, translation and commentary by Vice Chancellor IQOU

See the About page tells more about El Sheikh Gilani.

*Hadiths=sayings of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammd, may peace and blessings be upon him.

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