Salawat Aab-e-Kausar (Drink of Kausar)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

والصلوة و سلام على سيد المرسلين 

Hazrat Hassan Basri رحمة الله تعالى عليه is reported to have said that whoever wants to drink water from the well of Kausar on the day of Judgement may recite this durood shareef.

Sunni Fiqah Questions and Answers Audio Library

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

والصلوة و سلام على سيد المرسلين 

JamiaturRaza - an islamic university has compiled an audio library of islamic fiqah related Questions and Answers asked by people from all around the world to the most esteemed and highly honoured Sheikh of Ahlussunnah Wal Jama'ah residing in India - Sayyidi Tajushshariah Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan. This audio library has most questions in Urdu and many in english (depending upon how the question was asked). 

Here is the link : 

http://www.jamiaturraza.com/component/option,com_ask/Itemid,142/view,search/

Questions related to Islamic Issues can be asked at AsjadRazaKhan@gmail.com. Live Radio Session is aired every Sunday between 7:30 to 8:30 pm (AbuDhabi Standard Time) 

http://www.jamiaturraza.com/live

Hamd by Huzoor Mufti Azam e Hind

Some couplets from Hamd by Mufti Azam e Hind Hazrat Mustafa Raza Khan

A Naat Couplet

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

A Naat couplet 

Visiting Guide to the Holy City of Madinah Al Munawwarah (Part I)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

والصلوة و سلام على سيد المرسلين و حبيب رب العلمين

Naat Couplet by Hazrat Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan 

Reaching There: 

By Air:
Madinah Al Munawwarah has an international airport. However only limited flights are scheduled. Most people arrive at Jeddah International Airport, perform Umrah and then go to Madinah Al Munawwarah. Many prefer to return back home directly from Madinah Al Munawwarah.

From Jeddah, a local flight is the fastest way to reach Madinah (takes about 30 - 45 minutes). Airlines that travel to Madinah are Saudi Arabian Airlines, Nas Air, Emirates, Fly Dubai and Air Arabia.

For further information please visit:

http://www.skyscanner.net/flights-to/med/airlines-that-fly-to-madinah-airport.html

By Taxi

Taxis can be taken either from airport in Jeddah or from Makkah, it take about 4 hours to reach Madnah Al Munawwarah.

For further information visit:

http://www.yadig.com/search/Jeddah/Transportation/Taxis_$_Vehicle_Reservation/ 

http://www.saudiayp.com/category/Taxis/city:Jeddah

By Bus

From Jeddah, local intercity buses like SAPTCO are the most economical means to reach the holy cities (SR 50 per person for Madinah Al Munawwarah and SR 10 for Makkah Al Mukarramah).  SAPTCO bus stations are directly next to the Holy Mosque (al Haram) in Madinah. 
 In Jeddah, the bus station is at the seaport in Balad. A SAPTCO bus leaves every two hours for Madinah and it takes about 5-6 hours to reach. It is important to carry passport and visa to buy the ticket.  There are other local buses that charge even lesser i.e. 35 per person. These are often located outside the bus stand in balad or in aziziyah area, vendors calling out Madinah… Madinah.  

For further information visit:

http://www.saptco.com.sa/bus_en.html

Rental Cars (with or without chauffeur)

Near the exit of the airport, Car Rental booths have been setup these include major companies with offices in many places (like Budget and Sahary Rent A Car). Cars with drivers can also be hired for the entire trip (Jeddah – Makkah – Madinah – Jeddah). 

For more information visit:

http://www.shary.com.sa

http://www.budgetsaudi.com/car-rental/car-rental-saudi-arabia.htm

http://www.saudiviplimo.com/car-rental-jeddah.html

By Train (Available in 2014)

InshaAllah, by 2014 the Haramain high-speed railway line between Makkah and Madinah Al Munawwarah will be completed and the train will be available for passenger convenience. 

Coming Next : Upon Reaching the Holy City (Part II)

Naat Couplet by Huzoor Mufti Azam e Hind

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Hazrat Mustafa Raza Khan (Huzoor Mufti Azam e Hind) wrote in the praise of Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم :

A couplet from the naat

Ardent Readers of Durood Shareef in the History: Part 1

Many successful muslims from the history were known to be passionate reciters of durood shareef. One such figure was Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni - a powerful king of his time ruling many countries of  Southeast Asia.

It is documented that he had great love and respect for Rasoolullah  صل الله عليه وسلم and read durood shareef 100,000 times daily. This left him with very little time for administrative duties.

One day he had a vision of Rasoolullah  صل الله عليه وسلم in which he was ordained to recite another durood shareef (called durood e lakhi in southeast asia) which if recited once would result in reward equal to hundred thousand durood shareefs. After this incident, the sultan revealed this durood shareef to many people and its recitation is a regular practice among many. Read this durood shareef here.

Reading of Durood Shareef Recommended in the Holy Quran الكريم

Reading durood shareef /salawat is a deep rooted practise in Islamic Culture from the time of Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم . It is a way of remembering Allah سبحان و تعالى and Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم and is recommended by the Holy Quran as following :  

Ayah 33:56

Home in Heaven : Virtues of Reading Durood 1000 times

  بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Hadees on Reading Durood Shareef 1000 times on Friday

Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahman Jami : On the Way to Madinah Al Munawwarah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

والصلوة و سلام على سيد المرسلين و حبيب رب العلمين

Hazrat Maulana AbdurRahman Jami (رحمة الله تعالى عليه) - a great alim and poet who was devoted to love of Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم. (Born in Khorasan, 23rd Sha'aban, 817H). Hazrat Jami (عليه الرحمة) wrote many poems in praise and love of Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم. As time passed his yearning for the ziarah to the place of  Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم (Rawdah Mubarak) grew stronger and he composed a famous naat (Tanam Farsooda Jaa para...) which he vowed to recite in the presence of Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم in Madinah.  Finally, he gathered a group of companions and travelled for months in a caravan to reach the Holy city.

As the caravan reached near the city, a government officer riding  a horse came towards them and and asked: "Who amongst you is Jami?" Maulana Jami responded and asked the rider: Where have you come from? He replied: "From Madinah Al Munawwarah" Upon hearing this Hazrat Jami رحمة الله تعالى عليه overwhelmed with love and respect took off his turban( imamah shareef ) and placed it at the feet of the rider saying "“May I be sacrificed for these feet! They have arrived from the City of my Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم!”

Hazrat Jami asked him the reason for his coming, he said  “Jami, the Beloved Prophet صل الله عليه وسلم, has sent me to tell you that he has forbidden you from entering Madinah Al Munawwarah.” Upon hearing this Hazrat Jami رحمة الله تعالى عليه got shocked and lost consciousness. He cried bitterly after he regained consciousness and then asked the rider (who was waiting patiently) "Tell me why is my Beloved Master displeased with me? What wrong is it that I have done?” 

The man replied that the case was actually the opposite and  "Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم is highly pleased with you". This further confused Hazrat Jami : the man continued explaining, that Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم said "if he (Jami) comes to Madinah with such devotion and recites his naat with such intense love in his heart, I will feel a necessity to come out of my tomb and greet him in person – such would be the recompense for his love! So convey the message to him that he should not enter Madinah, and that I will meet him myself.” 

Rubayi of Sheikh Sa'adi Shirazi (عليه الرحمة)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

والصلوة و سلام على سيد المرسلين و حبيب رب العلمين

Hazrat Sheikh Sa'adi Shirazi (عليه الرحمة) was an alim-e-deen and a famous persian poet . One of his well known works involves an interesting incident. Once while the Sheikh was composing couplets about the Night of Acension (Me'raj) in honour of Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم, he began writing as follows :

بلغ العلى بكماله  

Balaghal u'la bi kamalihi

He reached the Highest Place by his Perfection

كشف أدجى بي جماله

Kashaf ad-duja be jamalihi

He dispelled darkness by his beauty

حسنت جميع خصاله 

Hasunat jamee'u khis'alihi

Excellent are all his attributes (compared to all the creation)

After this he stopped to think of the last line to complete the ruba'yi (as every couplet has 4 verses/lines). He kept on thinking until he fell asleep. In his dream, he saw the Blessed Prophet Rasoolullah صل الله عليه وسلم , who asked him to write the next verse as:

صلو عليه و آلهي

Sallu 'Aleihi wa Aalihi

Send Blessings to him and his family

Hence , this beautiful and famous ruba'yi became a form of salawat.

A beautiful frame of the rubayi as taken from urdudesigner.com

Solving Problems: the Spiritual Way

Read Durood with Love

Our Leader and wellwisher of mankind Rasoolullah صلي الله عليه وسلم loves every ummati,  this compassionate relationship is stated in Quran Al Kareem :

[Taubah 9:128] Indeed there has come to you a Noble Messenger from among you - your falling into hardship aggrieves him, most concerned for your well being, for the Muslims most compassionate, most merciful.

[Taubah 9:129] Then if they turn away, say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), "Allah suffices me; there is no worship except for Him; only Him have I trusted, and He is the Lord Of The Great Throne."

There are numerous Ahadees which further talk of this compassionate relationship. Therefore, it is recomended that while reading durood shareef/Salawat one must feel (or try to inculcate) deepest feelings of respect, compassion, warmth and love for his Noble Loving Leader Rasoolullah  صلي الله عليه وسلم.

Reading Durood In Times of Trouble

Hazrat Syed ibn Abideen (Rehmatullahi Ta'ala Aleih) narrates that "I read this at a time when a great upheaval and chaos began in Damascus, I hadn't finished reading 200 times when a person informed me that this trouble had been overcome الحمدلله . (An excerpt from Afdulussalawat ala Sayyedis Saadat pg. 154)

Durood e Hazarah /Alfi with English Translation

{O Allah, bestow your blessings on Our Master Muhummad (Peace be upon him) and his family for every atom thousand thousand times and give blessings and send peace.}

Popular amongst the Chishti circle, this durood is a source of immense spiritual blessings. It is documented that reciting this once gives the reader blessings (sawaab) worth thousand good deeds. Hence the name Hazari. Also, 100 needs of the reciter will be met. For worldly benefits, reading 11 times after every salah is recommended.

Those who have read this in Ramadan at the time of Tahajjud for 1000 times have been blessed with the vision of Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alehi Wasallam) in dream.

For easing difficulties it is advisable to read 100 times after Fajr. 

For payment of debts and increase in sustenance, it should be recited 313 times after Isha everyday and if read 1000 times every friday, reciter goes to Jannah.

Qasida Al Burdah by Imam Sharafuddin Boseiri

Qaseedah refers to poem written in praise while burdah is a shawl/mantle. This poem was written by Sheikh Sharafuddin Abu Abdullah Muhammad Bin Saeed Bin Hammad Al Boseiri of Egypt (1212-1296 AD). When Imam Boseiri was suddenly affected by paralysis, friends and relatives left his company. Medicines by doctors turned ineffective, his condition weakened and the disease increased to half his body. He sought help for his condition by Dua and engaged himself by composing couplets in love and praise of  RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Aleihi Wasallam).

A seasoned poet, he composed a poem with 160 couplets. He recited it regularly with hope until one day he fell asleep crying. In his dream, he saw himself reciting this Qaseedah in the august presence of RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Aleihi Wasallam) - who was pleased by the recital and upon reaching a couplet (kam abra'at...) swept His Blessed Hand over the disease inflicted body and bestowed upon him a yemeni shawl. When he woke up, he found himself perfectly healthy with no sign of disease, and the shawl given to him was on his body. The Sheikh thanked Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) for His Blessing.

In the morning as Sheikh was passing through the market, a pious elderly man met him and requested him for the permission to copy the Qaseedah. Sheikh Boseiri inquired, which Qaseedah? (as he had written many poems) He said the one that begins with "Amin Tazakkuri...". Astonished, the Sheikh said, I haven't informed anybody about this Qaseedah, how did you come to know? The elderly man replied, that he too, was in the presence of RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Aleihi Wasallam) last night, while the Sheikh was reciting it and narrated the Sheikh's dream exactly. Hence, the Sheikh (Rehmatullahi Ta'ala Aleih) gave him a copy of the Qaseedah Burdah and its blessings and popularity spread far and wide. 

A verse of Qasida Burdah (regarding intercession) on the door lock is still present inside Masjid un Nabwi. Many other couplets that previously adorned the masjid have been removed during renovation.

This poem can be divided into 10 chapters based on content:

1. Love of RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Aleihi Wasallam)  
2. Evils of Self (Nafs)
3. Praise of  RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Aleihi Wasallam) 
4. Events occuring upon birth of  RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Aleihi Wasallam) 
5. Miracles of  RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Aleihi Wasallam) 
6. In the Honor of Quran Al Kareem
7. Isra and Mi'raj
8. Battles involving RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Aleihi Wasallam)
9. Repentance for sins and pleading for intercession
10. Supplication (Dua)

Faithful and loving reciters over the world have experienced and documented various blessings and benefits spiritual and material -  such as the vision of RasoolAllah (Sall Allahu Aleihi Wasallam), fulfillment of wishes (rightful), improvement in health, solving of problems and easing of difficulties. 

Links for Qaseedah Al Burdah with English Commentary and translation:

http://www.alahazrat.net/library/englisharticles/qasida/

Dalail ul Khayrat Shareef

Dalail ul Khairat means ' Waymarks to Benefits'. It is a revered book of Durood shareef from early 15th century, written and put together by Hazrat Muhammad ibn Sulaiman Al Juzuli - a Moroccan Aalim e Deen, Sufi and Wali. It is a collection of various already known durood shareefs including, Durood e Ibrahimi, Durood e Tunajjina, Durood e Juma'a and many other durood shareef along with those lovingly composed by Hazrat Muhammad Al Juzuli (Alaihir Rahmah). The book gained popularity in islamic countries from North Africa to Southeast Asia. It was commonly read on daily basis , carried to Hajj by piligrims and its copies were made and sold in Makkah and Madinah Al Munawwarah.

The book commences with a description of Rawdatul Mubarak ( Masjid un Nabwi Shareef). Next is a chapter on the excellence of durood shareef detailing various Ahadith on the topic. However, these parts are not included in daily recitation. The recitation part (includes, dua iftitah, Names of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala, Names of Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) is practiced as follows:

• Monday: (The birthday of Holy Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam)  : Recitation of Dua e Iftitah, Names of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala, Names of Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam and Chapter 1. 
• Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday,Friday and Saturday: Names of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala, Names of Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam and Chapter 2,3,4,5 and 6 respectively.
• Sunday: Names of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala, Names of Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam and Chapter 7,  and Dua e ikhtetam (This dua was added later by Allama Sheikh Ahmed Nakhli  Alaihir Rahmah.) 

It is recommended practice to seek permission (ijazah) from a Sheikh once before beginning the first time. Regular recitation of this book is a source of immense blessings in this world and hereafter. Many reciters have been blessed with the vision of Blessed RasoolAllah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) in their dream. 

A 15th Century copy of Dalail ul Khayrat depicting pictures of Haramayn Wal Shareefain.

Dalail ul Khayrat can be read/downloaded from

http://www.rehmani.net/library/Dalail-ul-Khairat/index.php

Reading Durood Shareef on Thursday and Friday

 According to Ahadith if anybody reads Durood Shareef on Thursday evening 100 times then 70 needs will be met in this life and 30 in the Hereafter. On every Thursday Allah Almighty sends Angels to the earth in the afternoon. They have silver leaves and golden pens which they use to record the Durood Shareef of the reciter from that afternoon of Thursday till the sunset of Friday. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) informed the Ummah, that reading Durood Shareef on Thursday night and Friday is presented to him.  The Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also informed us the best way to have our prayers answered, and that is to start with and end with Durood Shareef. (As taken from The Power of Durood Shareef , 2006)

It has been narrated by Hazrat Sahl Bin Abdullah (Radi Allahu Anhu) that Rasool Allah SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam has said that  reciting the following durood sharif 80 times after Asr prayer on Juma'ah (Friday), erases 80 years of sins.

Manners and Respect for the recitation of Durood Shareef

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Without doubt, there is an Angel of Almighty Allah whom Allah has given power to listen to the voices of all the people. Whenever any person reads the Durood Shareef, this Angel delivers the Durood Shareef to me. I then plead to Almighty Allah for the person to receive ten blessings for reading a single Durood Shareef". (Jami'us Sagheer)

According to raza.org.za,  the following should be considered while reciting Durood Shareef:-

1. It should be read with utmost humility and respect.
2. The clothes of the reciter should be clean and free from all impurity.
3. The place where the Durood Shareef is to be read should be clean.
4. It is more superior to be in a state of Wudhu while reciting the Durood Shareef.
5. It is better to sit in the Tashahudd position as you would sit when in Salaah and recite the Durood Shareef with concentration and the respect due to it.
6. It is preferable to face Madinatul Munawwarah.
7. If possible, one should have sweet fragrance around the place.
8. The reciter should try and understand the meaning of the Durood Shareef.
9. One should possess a clean and untainted intention. One should read with the sole intention of pleasing Almighty Allah and Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
10. The person should not be involved in worldly talks.
11. A person should try his level best to follow the example or Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
12. When reading Durood Shareef, you should try and imagine that you are sitting in the august presence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Utmost respect and reverence should be displayed.
13. Whenever one hears or recites the Durood Shareef, it should be read and written in full. It is also preferable to kiss one's thumb and rub them over one's eyes when hearing the name of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). This is the blessed practice of Hazrat Sayyiduna AbuBakr Siddique (radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu)
14. When the reading of the Durood Shareef is completed one should praise Allah Ta'ala that he has given you the opportunity of reading such a great Zikr as the Durood Shareef.
15. Whenever one takes the name of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), one should use titles of respect and reverence.
16. As an advantage one should count on one's fingers as Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) often encouraged this practice because on the Day of Qiyamah those same fingers will bear witness at the time when they are questioned.
17. Recite Durood Shareef wherever you are (not in the bathroom or toilet) and during any occasion.