‘Tabaarak Ism Rabbaika Zu al-Jalaal wa al-Ikraam’
-Exalted is the name of thy Lord, He is of majesty and honour-
The majesty of this aayat shareefah from Surat Al-Rahman was apparent for all in today’s waaz mubarak. Its greatness and glory personified in the persona of al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, to whom al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Taher Saifuddin referenced this aayat shareefah twice, once in 1366 H in Mumbai and then in 1372 H when Syedna Burhanuddin RA was delivering waaz mubarak in Mumbai.
The waaz mubarak expounded on the importance of ‘name’ and how the names of Awliyaullah: Panjatan Paak, Aimmat Tahereen and Duat Mutlaqeen AS afford honour and respect to Mumineen while filling adversaries with awe and fear. These names, as Maula TUS explained, are derived from the names of Allah Ta´ala, and allude to the loftiness of their bearers. The name of Amirul Mumineen AS, Ali al-Aala was heard from the skies during the battle of Ohod ‘La Fata Illa Ali la Saif Illa Zulfaqar’. Similarly, the name of Maulatona Fatema AS indicates that she will be free her followers from hell fire on the day of Qiyaamat. The naming of Imam Hasan AS and Imam Husain AS was narrated in wondrous detail. When Imam Hasan was born, Maulatona Fatema AS named him ‘Harb’ and took him before Rasulullah SA, who enquired as to what name she had given him. Maulatona Fatema AS answered Harb, to which Rasulullah SA replied ‘this is Hasan’. The same took place when Imam Husain AS was born, but in this instance, Rasulullah SA replied ‘this is Husain’. The question most would be thinking, ‘why would Maulatona Fatema AS give the names without asking Rasulullah SA first?’ was answered before it was asked. Harb means ‘battle’ as well as ‘courage’ and Maulatona Fatema AS, by giving this name, was dedicating both sons in sacrifice to Rasulullah SA. However, by giving the names Hasan and Husain, Rasulullah SA indicated that their deeds would be such that their beneficence would remain for eternity.
The names of Panjatan Paak are derived from the names of Allah and similarly Jibraael conveyed to Rasulullah SA that the name Mumin is derived from the names of Allah. No one should belittle a Mumin and treat him with disdain, for this is tantamount to setting out in battle against Him.
Al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS stated that some writers mention that the reason behind the revelation of Surat Al-Rahman is that mushrikeen alleged that the Quran was revealed to Nabi Mohammed SA by another human. Hence, this surat commences with the ayat ‘Al-Rahman’ indicating the Quran’s divine origins. Maula then explained the difference between the word rahmaan and raheem. Rahmaan is one whose mercy has the ability to transform a state of decay to a state of correctness. However, raheem is one who may not always be able to bring about a lasting change in state. The rehmat (mercy) of Rahman, the Dai Mutlaq, has the potential to transform the state of a Mumin, elevating him from this material world to the spiritual one. Similarly, the rains of rehmat change the state of things, just as physical rain revives the earth, and brings about growth and greenery. Imam Sadiq AS showed that through mohabbat, walaayat, acceptance and affiliation with Maula, the life and afterlife of a Mumin becomes that of his Maula. Then Maula called upon each of us to lower our heads, and carry out half a minute of introspection over where we were and how Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA has completely changed us for the better.
Syedna al-Dai al-Ajal TUS narrated how the jalaal (majesty) of Imam Sadiq AS awed both Abu Haneefah and Abu Dawaaniq, who intended to slay him. Likewise, this name afforded honour and respect to the Mumin from Ahwaz in the south of Iran when faced with an exorbitant government tax.
Invoking the names of Awliyaullah brings each believer closer to Allah and helps him find the answer to his prayers. Thus, it is a custom to recite taqarrub after namaaz, with the meaning of taqarrub being to come near. Further, after every fajr namaaz we recite the names of Duat Mutlqaeen RA, by virtue of which we are safeguarded from any calamity and misfortune that were to befall us during that day.
In both previous waaz mubarak, Maula stressed the importance of identity. Today, he stated that a Mumin expresses his identity through his allegiance, and this allegiance is evident in him writing Abde Syedna TUS before his name. He establishes himself as a follower of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS. A vivid recollection of the benefits of such an association was given through an incident involving Miyasaheb Fidahusain Yamani. During the Haj he was apprehended by police and taken into custody. After a delay he was questioned by the superintendent as to who he was, he replied ‘I am of the followers of Syedna Taher Saifuddin’. Upon hearing this, the officer immediately ordered ‘Let him go’.
The names of Awliyaaullah have the ability to dispel problems and show us the way to potential solutions. In this context, Maula spoke at length over the ways in which communication, medical and other technologies have advanced. Though this has brought about myriad benefits it has also led to its fair share of problems. Once, when a khidmatguzar complained to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA of a persistent headache, he immediately directed him to rid himself of his cell phone for 10 days and not make any calls.
Maula TUS further added that the advance of technology is a silent admission of the flaws of the previous version. Giving an example, he stated that every new iteration of technology, such as an Apple iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy smartphone is a recognition of the limitation of the previous models. Technology cannot attain perfection. Technology will forever have its limits and at the edge of those limits it is rendered ineffective. A Mumina with a tumour was set for subsequent scans. Her picture was placed before Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA for shifaa’ and duaa’ mubarak. Maula placed his mubarak hand on the picture asking where the tumour was located. Later when she went for a scan, the doctors could no longer find the tumour.
This miracle of transformation and transformative effect of Awliyaullah is seen at its apogee when they take our deficient souls and take them to such a level that we are deemed worthy of entering the khidmat of Imam al-Zaman AS. This is a truly remarkable feat, a feat that no technology can ever even consider accomplishing and one that Maula called upon us to ponder. Me? I can reach the khidmat of Imam ul Zamaan, with all my sins? Yes! He told us emphatically, if we invoke the hallowed name of our Maula.
Names have an influence on their beholder, whether that be a person or an entity. Maulana Hur AS was given the name Hur by his mother. Though it means ‘the free’, his freedom was only truly found when he sacrificed himself for Imam Husain AS. Cradled by Imam Husain, he placed the handkerchief of Maulatona Fatema AS on his wound which stemmed the flow of blood; Imam Husain stated ‘Your mother named you Hur; we too name you Hur, you are truly free in this world and the next’.
Invoking Allah’s name and those of his Awliyaa’ bring those change inducing influences on any matter they have been spoken on. Thus it is stated in the Quran that one should only eat meat that has been slaughtered while invoking the name of Allah. Then, and only then, can the meat be considered halal and suitable for our consumption. Failure to adhere to this key tenet has physical and spiritual consequences for a Mumin whose soul is to ascend to the divine realm. Others may consume meat with disregard to this prerequisite, but their purpose in this world differs greatly from ours.
We take Allah’s name prior to each of our undertakings, regardless of how routine and mundane they may be. By taking Allah’s name we hope to secure the successful conclusion of our ventures. However, there are those who hold that Allah’s name, the Bismillah, has been stolen by Satan and hence they do not pray it in their namaaz. For a Mumin, however, Allah’s name is everything in itself. It is the beginning, it is the end, to it we turn even when all avenues are open and it is this name we invoke when all doors seem shut. When we call upon Awliyaullah they never fail to respond. Even as his raas mubarak was placed atop a spear it was seen to shudder as Maulatona Sakina beseeched her beloved father to come and shield her from the unspeakable atrocities being inflicted upon her. Her earrings were being pulled from her lobes, while her hands were being clasped. Her prayers were answered in the form of veiled rider appearing, causing the oppressors to flee. Imam Husain’s haram though that he was Imam Husain AS but he revealed himself to be an angel. He submitted to Imam Ali Zainulabedin AS that if he were to command him he would annihilate the enemy. Imam AS replied that he still had far to go and many more brutalities to patiently endure. This caused the angel to weep so profusely that he fell unconscious. At that instant, a ‘Shaabaash’ was heard from the skies, indicating that the angel had achieved the purpose for which he had been sent.
Syedna al-Dai al-Ajal’s TUS name, Mufaddal, is unique amongst Duat Mutlaqeen, while his laqab mubarak Saifuddin, is the third in a most illustrious line. May we continue to invoke his name in each of our endeavours and thereby ensure their success. May Allah grant him a long and prosperous life till the day of Qiyaamat.