Over the course of a century, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA and Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA dedicated their entire lives — heart and soul — toward the protection of the faith that Allah Ta’ala entrusted Nabi Mohammed Rasulallah SAW to cultivate: Islam. Both Dai RA have done so by gathering us to mourn Panjatan Pak AS, especially Imam Husain AS, and to draw us closer to them by extolling their virtues, deeds, and sacrifices to protect us in this world and the hereafter. The 6th of Moharram marks the zikr of Nabi Mohammed Rasulallah SAW, and both Dai RA focused their bayaan on Rasulallah’s SAW countless virtues, the tenets of Islam, and the promulgation of Islam’s shariah.
Allah Ta’ala has granted us the dual honor of being both mumineen and muslimeen, for we are followers of the faith among which Rasulallah SAW himself was the first. Allah Ta’ala, in two aayats, instructed Rasulallah SAW, “Say: verily, my salaat, prayer, sacrifice, life, and death are for Allah, who is the leader of all worlds. He has no counterpart/equal, so I have been commanded, and I am the first Muslim.” Mathematical logic dictates that the number 1 is the first natural number, and that every subsequent number can only be created by adding the number 1 to the previous one. No numbers can logically exist without it. In stating this principle, Maula RA emphasized Rasulallah’s SAW foundational role in Islam and among muslimeen, stating that Rasulallah SAW was indeed the first, and Maulana Ali AS was always right beside him.
In one of Rasulallah’s SAW profound hadith, he stated, “He who proclaims, “لا إله إلا الله” with ikhlaas will enter jannat.” When asked what ‘ikhlaas’ means in this context, Rasulallah SAW replied that those who possess a deep understanding and acceptance of their hudud and fulfill the requirements [of Islam’s shariah]. Good deeds multiply tenfold in Islam, while sins are worth only their weight. Rasulallah SAW explained to his followers in a separate hadith that good deeds lie in mohabbat (of Awliyaa Kiraam AS), whereas bad deeds exist in hatred.
Aimmat Tahereen AS and Doat Mutlaqeen RA have sacrificed their lives and souls, and suffered countless hardships all in the name of the protection of Islam. For if Islam is a fruit-bearing tree, and the fruit are its mumineen, then ensuring its survival is paramount. Burhanuddin Maula RA expressed that Maulana Ali’s AS efforts in this regard are manifold. Once, two wives of one man were brought before Maulana Ali AS. Both had given birth; one to a daughter, the other, a son. Both wives claimed the son was hers. To determine the truth, Maulana Ali AS called for his executioner to bring a basket and a knife, and bring the son forward. Upon doing so, the baby’s true mother was revealed. She forfeited her claim to the son to protect him from the knife. In countless similar occasions, Awliyaa Kiram AS have safeguarded Islam.
Rasulallah’s SAW virtues, and those of Islam are grand and limitless. The sixth day of the week, Friday, is dedicated to Rasulallah SAW. Allah Ta’ala granted Rasulallah SAW the honor of being his Habib (beloved). Four verses in the Quran explicitly mention ‘Mohammed,’ which Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA explained allude to his divinely ordained status. Speaking of fours, Maulana Ali AS stated that in Islam, whoever is granted four things will not be deprived of four things:
- Whoever is granted the ability to pray (dua) will not be deprived of a response. Syedna RA expanded on this to say that if one’s dua is not heard, his dua may have mistakes or he is not beseeching Allah through wasail.
- Whoever is granted the ability to seek forgiveness (istighfar) will not be deprived of pardon.
- Whoever is granted repentance (tawbah) will not be deprived of its acceptance.
- Whoever is granted gratitude will not be deprived of an increase in one’s blessings. Syedna RA affirmed that the Quran promises this, for He states, “If you are grateful, I will increase [your blessings].
Allah Ta’ala endowed Rasulallah SAW with the ultimate and preeminent virtue. He was the leader of all Prophets, and brought Allah’s final shariah. Rasulallah SAW fought 28 battles throughout his lifetime to spread Islam’s doctrine, and he himself entered the battlefield during nine of them. After his final Hajj, Rasulallah SAW proclaimed Maulana Ali AS as his successor in Ghadeer-e-Khum, having already done so at each step of the way. He was bequeathed an exalted progeny — Panjatan Pak AS and Aimmat Tahereen AS — and Doat Mutlaqeen RA, who would ensure that his faith endures until the Day of Judgement.
Before his passing, Panjatan Pak AS and his closest ashaab — Salman al Farasi, Ammar bin Yasir, Miqdad, Abuzar — gathered around him, and described their unsettling dreams from the night before. Rasulallah SAW listened to each one and explained their inner meaning: Rasulallah SAW will ascend to jannat. Imam Husain AS recounted that in his dream, a river of cold, fresh water ran dry, signifying that after Rasulallah SAW, the flow of knowledge will cease. Abuzar saw that a lantern shining with the light of the stars was extinguished, signalling that upon Rasulallah’s SAW passing, the world will be drowned in darkness. Rasulallah’s SAW every effort up until the time of his passing was dedicated to his muslimeen, for when Malak ul Mawt approached, Rasulallah SAW prayed not for own soul, but for his ummat.