Huzaifa al-YamaanRA
RasulullahSA has stated, “My companions are like stars whoever you follow you will be guided to the right path.” One such companion who always guided the faithful towards the right path: Maulana AliSA was Huzaifa al-YamaanRA. Known for his knowledge, his counsel was often sought in difficult times and matters.He had the privilege to behold Dahyat al-Kalbi in whose form Jibra’eel used to appear before RasulullahSA.
When a popular uprising claimed an usurper, people approached Huzaifa al-YamaanRA and asked him to whom should they pledge their oath to. HuzaifaRA immediately replied, “Follow Ammar (Maulana Ammar bin Yasir) and give your oath to the one whom he gives oath to.” Following these events, Maulana AliSA wrote to HuzaifaRA, then the governor of Madaain, informing him about these events and of people pledging their oath of allegianceto him. HuzaifaRA gathered the people and delivered a sermon in which he said, “Today the rightful Amirul Mumineen has taken charge.” He repeated this sentence seven times, swearing in the name of Allah each time. A man stood up and asked him, “When did he (Maulana AliSA) become Amirul Mumineen? Today, or before this day? Your repeated stress, while swearing in the name of Allah leads ustobelieve that you no doubt have some prior knowledge regarding this matter.” HuzaifaRA replied, “If you want, I will tell you, or else between you and me is Maulana AliAS; for he is well aware of all that I am saying.” The man pleaded, “Do tell us.”
HuzaifaRA narrated, “RasulullahSA had directed his companions not to approach him whenever Dahyat al-Kalbiwas by him, as Jibra’eel used to frequent him in this form. Once, I went before RasulullahSA for salaam and found him resting in the lap of Dahyat al-Kalbi. Upon seeing him there, I immediately closed my eyes and turned back. While I was returning I met Maulana AliSA who asked me where I was coming from. I narrated the events following which Maulana AliSA said, “Come with me for today you will see something over which you will bear witness to the entire world.” I followed him towards Rasulullah’sSA house. I stopped by the door while he entered and offered salaam. Dahyat al-Kalbi responded, “O Amirul Mumineen, come here and take the head of your revered uncle’s son from my lap for you are more deserving than I.” He placed Rasulullah’sSA head in Maulana Ali’sSA lap and disappeared. Sometime later, RasulullahSA awoke and upon seeing Maulana AliSA asked him, “From whose lap did you take my head?” Maulana AliSA replied, “From the lap of Dahyat al-Kalbi.” RasulullahSA said, “From the lap of Jibra’eel, rather. What did you say when you saw him and what was his reply ?” Maulana AliSA informed RasulullahSA about the salaam and the words that were exchanged between them. RasulullahSA replied, “What he said is true. You are more deserving than him. O Ali, the inhabitants of the sky are pleased with you and they felicitate you as the Amir of Mumineen. My felicitations to you for this divine privilege.” When RasulullahSA came out of the house and saw me sitting at the door, he enquired, “Did you hear anything?” I replied, “Yes, I heard everything,” and narrated the entire event to him. He said, “Make sure that youtell others what you heard from Jibra’eel.”
Describing the pre-eminence of Maulana AliSA, HuzaifaRA once said, “If all the deeds of all the companions of RasulullahSA were placed in one pan of a scale and Maulana Ali’sSA deeds were placed in the other, Maulana Ali’sSA pan would outweigh them.” Some of those who heard him say this were reluctant to accept his words, to which he argued, “Where were all others when Amr bin Abdewad called them for combat? No one came forward except Maulana AliSA. Maulana Ali’sSA one deed on that fateful day is more significant than all the deeds of Rasulullah’sSA ummat till the Day of Qiyaamat.”
When Maulana AliSA proceeded towards Kufa for the Battle of Jamal, Huzaifa al-YamaanRA, returned to Madinah Munawwarah from Madaain due to severe illness and was unable to join Maulana AliSA. When he saw the people of Madinah Munawwarah gathered around him one Friday, he said, “The one who truly wants to be with Amirul Mumineen should go with Maulana AliSA.” Upon hearing these words,a great number of people journeyed towards Maulana AliSA. Mean while, HuzaifaRA did not live to see another Friday. May Allah’s mercy be upon him.
The above narration highlights the significance of the epithet of Amirul Mumineen. Al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Taher SaifuddinRA bestowed upon his mansoos al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA the title:
الجوهر الثمين من خزانة امام العصر امير المؤمنين
The Priceless Jewel from the Treasury of the Imam of this Age, the Commander of the Faithful.
The Imam of every age is known as Amirul Mumineen, and has inherited the traits and virtues of Maulana Ali AS. The Duat Mutlaqeen, and today the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq Syedna Abu Jafar al-Sadiq Aali Qadr Mufaddal SaifuddinTUS are the priceless jewels of Amirul Mumineen’s treasury: rare in their existence, emanating the lustre of angelic attributes and firm in the face of adversities.
Similarly, another attributeof praisebestowed by al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA upon al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA is:
الراجحة لمعاليه الموازين
The Scales of his Nobility and Excellence outweigh [that of all others].
The significance and far-reaching consequences of al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’sRA efforts and deeds would have all been lost on us were it not for al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal SaifuddinTUS explaining their importance to us. Especially, in his Risaalat al-Na´ye (A treatise formally announcing Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s seclusion), Syedna al-Dai al-AjalTUS narrates 102 shaanaat of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, allowing us to attempt to fathom his glories and demonstrating how his actions and deeds outweighed those of all others.
