Chapter 3: VIRTUES OF THE THIRD KALIMAH

Translation: The virtues of the third Kalimah, i.e.

Translation: According to some narrations it is also followed by laahowla walaaquwwata illaa billah, as will be described in this chapter. These words are also known as Tasbihaat-e-Faatimah, because Rasulullah ﷺ had advised his most beloved daughter, Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , to recite these tasbeehs regularly, as will be described later on.

Translation: There are many Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef and several Ahaadith in respect of this Kalimah. This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part contains Aayaat from the Qur-aan Shareef and the second part the sayings of Rasulullah ﷺ .

SECTION 1 AAYAAT PERTAINING TO THE 3RD KALIMAH

This part includes Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef that relate to the Kalimah;

Translation: It is an accepted rule that the greater the importance of the subject matter, more stress will be laid on the method of explaining it, so that it is properly understood. Therefore, the meanings and significance of these words have been explained in various ways in the Qur-aan Shareef. The first of these phrases is Subhaanallah. It means that Allah Ta’ala is free from all defects and shortcomings and it is a declaration of firm belief in His being absolutely pure. Allah Ta’ala has ordered its recitation and has also informed us that the Malaaikah and all other creation remain busy in reciting it. It is also the case with the other words of this Kalimah in that their significance and importance is stressed in so many ways in the Qur-aan Shareef.

Translation: Aayaat of Tasbeeh (Subhaanallah)

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ .

(always) glorify You with Your praises and proclaim Your purity.” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 30)

submitted, “We proclaim Your purity! We have no knowledge except that which You have taught us; You are the All Knowing, the Wise.” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 32)

Translation: 4. (Wise men are those who remain busy in the zikr of Allah, and ponder over the wonders of Nature and say,) “O our Rabb! You have not created all this without any purpose, Glory be to You, so save us from the punishment of Jahannam.” (Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 191)

Hadhrat Isa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ whether he had preached the belief of Trinity to his people), he would say “I express Your purity! It does not befit me to say what I have no right to say.” (Surah Maaidah - Aayah 116)

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ .

could not withstand even a glimpse of the glory of Allah Ta’ala and became unconscious), “and when he recovered he said, ‘I declare Your purity. I repent to You and I am the first of the true believers (Mu’mineen).” (Surah A’araaf - Aayah 143)

The Sufis have written that not to be proud (i.e. getting rid of pride) is being mentioned before anything else. This indicates that to be free from pride is a requirement for constancy in ibaadah and that pride makes one neglectful in one’s ibaadah.

ascribe as partners (to Him).” (Surah Taubah - Aayah 31)

Allah! You are Pure’, and their greetings will be ‘Salaam (peace)’ and the conclusion of their dua will be ‘All praise belongs to Allah Ta’ala, the Rabb of the universe.’” (Surah Yunus - Aayah 10)

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ .

(Surah Yusuf - Aayah 108)

Him (Allah Ta’ala) together with glorifying Him, and the (other) Malaaikah also do so out of fear for Him.” (Surah R’ad - Aayah 13)

It is mentioned by the Ulama that if anybody, on hearing thunder, recites the following, will be protected from the harm of the lightening.

Translation: Subhannallazi yusabbihur R’adu bi hamdihi wal Malaaikatu min kheefatihi It is narrated in one Hadith, “Make zikr of Allah Ta’ala when you hear the thunder of lightening, because it cannot harm one who is making zikr.” It is narrated in another Hadith, “At the time of thunder say Subhaanallah and not Allahu-Akbar.

(distressed / hurt) by what they say. So glorify the praises of your Rabb and be of those who make sajdah (perform Salaah). And worship your Rabb until the certainty (i.e. death) comes to you.” (Surah Hijr - Aayah 97-99)

ﷺ ) by night from Masjidul Haraam to Masjidul Aqsa.”

(Surah Bani Israaeel - Aayah 1)

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ was commanded) “Say, ‘My Rabb is Pure! I am but a human and a Rasool.’” (Surah Bani Israaeel - Aayah 93)

(the kuffaar) say and glorify the praises of your Rabb before the rising of the sun and before it sets. And glorify Him during the hours of the night and at the ends of the day, so that you will become pleased. (because of the rewards you could expect).” (Surah Taahaa - Aayah 130)

عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and they all engage in the glorification of Allah Ta’ala.” (Surah Ambiyaa - Aayah 79)

Him.” (Surah Mu’minoon - Aayah 91)

Hadhrat Aaishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا ) is a great slander.”(Surah Noor - Aayah 16)

morning and evening, (these rightly guided men are) Men whom neither their trade nor commerce distracts them from the zikr (remembrance) of Allah Ta’ala, the establishment of Salaah and the paying of zakaat. They fear a day (the day of Qiyaamah) when the hearts and eyes will be overturned.” (Surah Noor - Aayah 36-37)

Allah Ta’ala, including the birds with their wings spread out? Each one knows its Salaah (mode of ibaadah) and method of glorification.

And Allah Ta’ala has knowledge of what you do.” (Surah Noor - Aayah 41)

Translation: 37. (On the Day of Qiyaamah when Allah Ta’ala will haul up the non-believers and those whom they worshipped, and enquire from the latter whether they had misled the former). They (the gods) will say, “You are pure (from having partners). It was not right for us to take (as gods) any friends besides You; but what happened was that You granted enjoyment (wealth, comfort and luxuries) to them and their fathers until they forgot to remember (You) and they were a destroyed nation.” (Surah Furqaan - Aayah 18)

Him.” (Surah Room - Aayah 40)

ZIKR are reminded of them (the aayaat), they fall into Sajdah, glorify the praises of their Rabb and they do not behave arrogantly.” (Surah Sajdah - Aayah 15)

Translation: 45. (On the Day of Qiyaamah, when the entire creation would be assembled, Allah Ta’ala will ask the Malaaikah whether they were being worshipped). “They (Malaaikah) will say, ‘You (O Allah Ta’ala) are pure, and You are our protecting friend, not them.’” (Surah Saba - Aayah 41)

(Surah Yaaseen - Aayah 36)

ZIKR they ascribe to Him.” (Surah Saaffaat - Aayah 159)

(Surah Saaffaat - Aayah 166)

Ta’ala with him (Hadhrat Dawood alayhis salaam) at nightfall and at daybreak. And We subjugated the birds to him, who all assembled together. They all turned towards Him (Allah Ta’ala).” (Surah Saad – Aayah 18)

will see the Malaaikah thronging around the Arsh, glorifying the praises of their Rabb. Then with justice, judgement will be made between the people and it will be said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah Ta’ala, the Rabb of the universe.’” (Surah Zumar - Aayah 75)

Translation: 56. “Those (Malaaikah) who carry the Throne, and all those who are around them, hymn the praise of their Rabb, believe in Him and ask forgiveness for all those who have Imaan. (They make dua) saying: ‘O our Rabb, Your mercy and knowledge encompass everything, so forgive those who repent and follow Your path, and save them from the punishment of Jahannam.’” (Surah Mu’min - Aayah 7)

Translation: 57.“And hymn the praise of your Rabb morning and evening.” (Surah Mu’min - Aayah 55)

Pure from whatever they ascribe (to Him).” (Surah Zukhruf - Aayah 82)

Translation: 63. “Therefore (O Muhammad ﷺ ) patiently bear whatever they (the kuffaar) say, and hymn the praises of your Rabb before sunrise and before sunset, and glorify Him during a portion of the night as well and after making sajdah (performing Salaah).” (Surah Qaaf - Aayah 39-40)

Him).” (Surah Toor - Aayah 43)

even after the stars have vanished.” (Surah Toor - Aayah 48-49)

Translation:

Translation: 66 & 67. “Therefore (O Muhammad ﷺ ), glorify the name of your Majestic Rabb.” (Surah Waaqi’ah - Aayah 74 & 96)

Ta’ala, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.” (Surah Hadeed - Aayah 1)

Him).” (Surah Hashr - Aayah 23)

Ta’ala, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.” (Surah Hashr - Aayah 24)

Earth glorifies Allah, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.” (Surah Saff - Aayah 1)

ZIKR earth glorifies Allah, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Mighty, the Wise.” (Surah Jumu’ah - Aayah 1)

Translation: 75 & 76. “The good one among them said. ‘Did I not tell you, why don’t you now glorify Allah Ta’ala?’ They said, ‘Glorified is our Rabb, indeed we were wrong doers.’” (Surah Qalam - Aayah 28-29)

(Surah Al-Haaqqah - Aayah 52)

(Surah A’alaa - Aayah 1)

Him.” (Surah Nasr - Aayah 3)

In the eighty Aayaat quoted above, there is either a clear commandment of Allah Ta’ala for hymning His glory or else its importance is stressed. What has been repeatedly mentioned and especially stressed in Qur-aan Shareef is undoubtedly most virtuous.

Aayaat of Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) Along with the commandment for glorification of Allah Ta’ala, it has been stressed in many of the above mentioned Aayaat to hymn His praise and recite Alhamdulillah. In addition to these Aayaat, there are other Aayaat as well, given below, which describe specifically the importance of hymning His praise and reciting Alhamdulillah. It is most significant that the Qur-aan Shareef starts with the Aayah Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen which indicates the excellence of this sacred phrase.

(Surah Faatihah - Aayah 1)

All praise is for Allah Ta’ala, the Rabb of the worlds.” (Surah An’aam - Aayah 45)

Ta’ala, Who has guided us to this, we would have never been rightly guided had Allah Ta’ala not guided us.’” (Surah A’araaf - Aayah 43)

Translation: 6. (While talking about the qualities of those who have sold their lives and wealth to Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala says) “Those who repent, those who worship (Allah Ta’ala alone), those who praise (Him), those who fast, those who bow down (make Ruku), those who fall prostrate (make sajdah), those who command (others to do) good and forbid (others from) evil, and those who maintain the limits set by Allah Ta’ala. Convey the good news (of an everlasting Jannah) to the Mu’mineen (believers).” (Surah Taubah - Aayah 112)

Ta’ala, the Rabb of the worlds (universe).’” (Surah Yunus - Aayah 10)

Ismaa’eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and Ishaaq عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ despite (my)

old age.” (Surah I’braaheem - Aayah 39)

(Surah Nahl - Aayah 75)

Translation: 10 “The day (i.e. the Resurrection day) when He will call you (from your graves), you shall respond by praising Him, and you will think that you have stayed only for a little while.” (Surah Bani Israaeel - Aayah 52)

(the Qur-aan) to His slave (Muhammad ﷺ ), and has not placed therein any crookedness (misguidance).” (Surah Kahf - Aayah 1)

ZIKR alayhis salaam) said, ‘All praise is for Allah Ta’ala, Who has favoured us more than many of his bondsmen who have Imaan.’” (Surah Naml - Aayah 15)

His aayaat (signs of Qiyaamah), which you will recognize.” (Surah Naml - Aayah 93)

(the Aakhirah). All command (control over everything) is His and to Him shall you all be returned.” (Surah Qasas - Aayah 70)

Independent, Most Worthy of praise.” (Surah Luqmaan - Aayah 12)

(Surah Faatir - Aayah 1)

Translation: 25.“And (in Jannah) they will say, ‘All praise is for Allah Ta’ala, Who has removed grief from us. Undoubtedly our Rabb is Most Forgiving, Most Appreciative. He (our Rabb) has settled us in an eternal home by His grace. Here (in Jannah) no difficulty will ever afflict us nor shall any tiredness touch us.” (Surah Faatir - Aayah 34-35)

Ta’ala, the Rabb of the worlds.” (Surah Saaffaat - Aayah 181-182)

(Surah Zumar - Aayah 29)

Ta’ala, Who has fulfilled His promise to us, made us inheritors of this land (Jannah) so that we may settle wherever we wish in Jannah. Excellent indeed is the reward of those who do good deeds.” (Surah Zumar - Aayah 74)

Rabb of the earth, the Rabb of the worlds. (Surah Jaasiyah - Aayah 36)

Translation: 30. (Talking of a kuffar ruler, who was oppressing the believers) “And they (the kuffar) found no fault in them (no excuse to kill the Mu’mineen) except that they believed in Allah Ta’ala, the Mighty, the Most Worthy of praise, to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth.” (Surah Burooj - Aayah 8-9)

Note: The aayaat above describe the attributes of Allah Ta’ala and the virtues of reciting His praises. They also contain encouragement and commandments for doing so. Those who hymn His praises have been specially praised in many Ahaadith. According to one Hadith, the first to be called for admittance into Jannah will be those who used to hymn His praise under all conditions, whether good or bad. It is stated in another Hadith that Allah Ta’ala likes the hymning of His praises and it should be so, because He alone is worthy of real praise. Nobody else (in reality) deserves any praise, because nobody has real control over anything, not even over his own person. It is narrated in one Hadith that the most virtuous of people on the Day of Qiyaamah will be those who hymn the praise of Allah Ta’ala excessively. According to one Hadith, recitation of the praise of Allah Ta’ala is the essence of expressing gratitude to Him, and one who does not recite His praise has not expressed his thanks to Him. It is stated in a Hadith that, when one receives any bounty, then reciting the praise of Allah Ta’ala acts as a safeguard against its loss. Rasulullah ﷺ is stated to have said, “Saying alhamdulillah by anyone from my Ummat is more beneficial to him than his getting possession of the whole world.” It is narrated in one Hadith that when Allah Ta’ala bestows a favour upon someone and that person recites His Praise, this act of his is more in value than that of the bounty, however big it might be. A Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , while sitting near Rasulullah ﷺ , happened to recite in a low voice;

ٱلْحَمُدُ لِلهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيْرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكَا فِيْهِ alhamdulillah hamdan kaseeran tayyiban mubaarakan feeh All praise is due to Allah Ta’ala, many pure blessed praises.

Rasulullah ﷺ enquired as to who had recited that dua. Thinking that he had done something which he should not have done at that time, the Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ kept quiet. Rasulullah ﷺ assured that there was no harm in saying it, because it was not anything undesirable, after which the Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ admitted that the dua had been uttered by him. Then Rasulullah ﷺ said, “I saw thirteen Malaaikah, all of whom were trying to surpass each other in taking this dua to Allah Ta’ala.” There is the well-known Hadith, wherein it is stated that any great work that commences without the praises of Allah Ta’ala will be void of barkat (blessings). Therefore, it is for this reason that every book is commenced with the praises of Allah Ta’ala.

It is narrated in one Hadith that when somebody’s child dies, Allah Ta’ala asks the Malaaikah if they have taken out the soul of His servant’s child. On receiving the reply in the affirmative, He adds that they have taken out (so to say) a part of his heart. The Malaaikah reply in the affirmative. Allah Ta’ala then enquires “What did my servant say on that?” They say, “He praised You and recited

Translation: We belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.”

On this, Allah Ta’ala orders that a house should be built in Jannah for him, and that it should be named Baitul-Hamd (House of Praise). According to another Hadith, Allah Ta’ala is greatly pleased with a person who says الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ (alhamdulillah) when he eats a morsel of food or on getting a sip of water. The third part of this Kalimah is لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah) which has been described in detail in the last chapter.

Aayaat of Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) The fourth part is known as Kalimah Takbeer - اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar(which means acknowledging His greatness and affirmation of His grandeur and His splendour. The importance of this fourth part of the Kalimah has also been described in many of the Aayaat given already. There are other aayaat which specifically describe the greatness and grandeur of Allah Ta’ala. A few of these will be mentioned:

Great, The Most High.” (Surah Ra’d - Aayah 9)

Translation: 3. “Thus Allah Ta’ala has subjugated it (the Qurbaani animal) to you so that you may proclaim the greatness of Allah Ta’ala for the guidance that He has granted you. And (O Muhammad ﷺ ) convey good news (of Jannah) to those who do good.” (Surah Hajj - Aayah 37)

Translation: - 5.

Translation: 4 & 5. “And indeed Allah Ta’ala, He is The Highest, The Greatest.” (Surah Hajj - Aayah 62 & Surah Luqmaan - Aayah 30)

Translation: 6. (When the Malaaikah receive any command from Allah Ta’ala, they become overwhelmed with fear. They remain in this condition of fear) “until when the fear leaves their heart and they say, ‘What has your Rabb said?’ They say, ‘(He speaks) the truth and He is the Exalted, the Great.’” (Surah Saba’ - Aayah 23)

Greatest.” (Surah Mu’min - Aayah 12)

Pure, the Giver of peace, the Giver of security (shelter), The Vigilant, The Mighty, The Overpowering, the Glorious.” (Surah Hashar - Aayah 23)

Note: We have been encouraged and commanded in the above Aayaat to Glorify and proclaim the greatness of Allah Ta’ala. In many other Ahaadith we have been encouraged to glorify and proclaim the Greatness of Allah Ta’ala. It is stated in one Hadith, “When you see that fire has broken out somewhere, say اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar - Takbeer) excessively, which will put out the fire.” Another Hadith also states that the recitation of اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar) puts out the fire. It is said in one Hadith that when a person says اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar), its Noor (Light) covers everything between the earth and the sky. According to one Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “Hadhrat Jibreel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ ordered me to recite Allahu Akbar.” In addition to the Aayaat and Ahaadith given above, the greatness of Allah Ta’ala and His splendour has been described and recitation of it has been stressed under different headings and in different words at many places in the Qur-aan Shareef.

There are many other aayaat, which do not contain the specific words of these Kalimahs, but they imply these Kalimahs. Some of these Aayaat are as follows:

(Allah Ta’ala) pardoned him. Without doubt He (Allah Ta’ala) is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 37)

Note: There are different versions and explanations from the Hadith about the words referred to in this aayah. According to some of these versions, these words were as follows:

Translation: (a) There is no god except You. You are above all shortcomings and are worthy of all kinds of praise. O my Rabb! I have acted incorrectly and wronged myself, therefore forgive me, surely you are the best of forgivers. (b) There is no god except You. You are above all defects, you are worthy of all praise. O my Rabb! I have acted incorrectly and wronged myself. Kindly show mercy upon me, surely You are most Compassionate, most Merciful. (c) There is no god except You. You are above all defects and shortcomings, and are worthy of all praise. O my Rabb! I have acted incorrectly and wronged myself. Forgive me, as You are Most Forgiving and Merciful. There are other Ahaadith of a similar nature, as narrated by Allamah Suyuti رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ in Durrul Mansoor wherein words meaning glorification and hymning praise of Allah Ta’ala occur.

Note: Rasulullah ﷺ said, “There are two routines, which, if followed by a Muslim, will enable him to enter into Jannah. Both these routines are very easy to follow, but very few people act on them. One is to recite (subhaanallah, alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar) ten times after every fardh Salaah i.e. five times a day. In this way, one is able to glorify Allah Ta’ala 150 times and thereby earn 1500 rewards every day, because every good act is multiplied by ten. The second routine is to recite; لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ (Allahu Akbar) thirty four times, الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ (Alhamdulillah) thirty ZIKR three times, and سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ (Subhanallah) thirty three times at the time of going to bed every night. One glorifies Allah Ta’ala 100 times in this way, and thereby earns 1000 rewards. Thus, the virtues earned during the day total 2500. On the Day of Qiyaamah, when deeds will be weighed, will there be anybody who will have committed 2500 evil deeds every day, which can counter-act so many rewards?” Although there were none among the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , who could have committed 2500 evil deeds during a day, yet in this age, our daily misdeeds far exceed this number. Therefore, it was extremely kind of Rasulullah ﷺ to have told us the prescription for increasing our good deeds over our evil deeds. The prescription has been given and it is now for the sick to act on it. According to one Hadith, the companions of Rasulullah ﷺ asked him the reason why only a few people are able to act upon the above mentioned two things in spite of their being so easy. He replied that at night shaytaan makes one sleep before he has recited it and at the time of Salaah he reminds him of something which makes him get up and go away at once without having recited it.

According to one Hadith Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Is it not possible for you to earn 1000 virtues daily? Someone enquired, “How can we earn 1000 virtues daily O Rasulullah ﷺ ?” He replied, “Reciteلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (Subhaanallah(one hundred times, and you will have earned 1000 virtues.”

The lasting good deeds are best in the sight of your Rabb in terms of reward and best in terms of expectations.” (i.e. we should base our hope and expectations on good deeds instead of on our wealth and children). (Surah Kahf - Aayah 46)

Translation: 4. “Allah Ta’ala will increase the guidance (insight) of those who are rightly guided. And the lasting good deeds are best in the sight of your Rabb in terms of reward, and best in terms of consequences.” (Surah Maryam - Aayah 76) Note: Although لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Baaqiyaatus Saalihaat - good deeds which last forever) include all those good deeds whose reward continue for ever, yet according to some Ahaadith it implies these very Kalimahs. Rasulullah ﷺ has said, Hymn these لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (baaqiyaatus Saalihaat(excessively.” Somebody enquired what it was. Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “It is to recite Takbeer اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar), Tahleel لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah), Tasbeeh لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Subhaanallah), Tahmeed الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ (Alhamdulillah) and الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ (lahaw la walaquwwata illa billah(.” According to another Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Pay attention, سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ لَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ اللّهُ اكُبَرُ (Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, laailaha illallah, Allahu Akbar(constitute الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ (Baaqiyaatus Saalihaat - good deeds which last forever).” It is stated in one Hadith that Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “Beware, be on your guard.” Somebody enquired “O, Rasulullah ﷺ , is it against some future invasion by some enemy?” Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “No, arrange to guard yourself against the fire of Jahannam, through the recitation of سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ لَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ اللّٰه اكْبَرُ because these Kalimahs will go forward to intercede for you on the Day of Qiyaamah (or they will move you forward towards Jannah), these will guard you from behind, these will favour and benefit you and these are the لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Baaqiyaatus Saalihaat - good deeds which last forever).”

Similarly, there are many other Ahaadith on this topic, as given in ‘Durul Mansoor’, by Allamah Suyuti.

(Surah Zumar - Aayah 63)

Note: It is narrated by Hadhrat Uthmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that in reply to his enquiry about maqaaleedus samaawaati wal ardh (keys of the heavens and the earth), Rasulullah ﷺ had said that it was;

According to another Hadith, the keys of the heavens and the earth means الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ (subhaanallah, alhamdulillah, laailaaha illallaah and Allahu Akbar) which had been sent down from the treasure of the Arsh i.e. the Throne of Allah Ta’ala. This subject has been discussed in many other Ahaadith.

Him (Allah Ta’ala), and good deeds propel it.” (coupled with good deeds, a Muslim’s zikr is readily accepted by Allah Ta’ala). (Surah Faatir - Aayah 10)

Note: This aayah has already been mentioned under the section of Kalimah Tayyibah. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Masood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said, “Whenever I recite some Hadith, I also quote from the Qur-aan Shareef in support thereof. When a Muslim reads,

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ لَا اِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ اللّهُ اكْبَرُ تَبَارَكَ اللّهُ an angel carefully takes these words towards heaven in his wings and whichever sky he crosses, the Malaaikah there make dua for the forgiveness of the reciter.” This is supported by the above aayah. Hadhrat Ka’ab Ahbaar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had said that hymning of سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَهِ لَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَاللهُ اكُبَرُ goes buzzing round the Arsh, mentioning the name of the reciter. Another Sahaabi by the name of Hadhrat Numaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ has also narrated a similar Hadith from Rasulullah ﷺ .

SECTION 2 AHAADITH PERTAINING TO THE 3RD KALIMAH

This part deals with the Ahaadith in which Rasulullah ﷺ mentioned the rewards of these kalimahs and recommended their recitation. Hadith 1 – The virtue of reading لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ

Translation: said, “There are two kalimahs which are very light on the tongue (i.e.

Translation: ZIKR easy to utter) but very weighty in reward and very pleasing to Allah Ta’ala. These are لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Glory be to Allah Ta’ala with all praises, Glory be to Allah Ta’ala, the Majestic).”

Note: Light on the tongue means that these kalimahs are so brief that little time is spent in their recitation and no difficulty is experienced in memorizing them. In spite of their being so easy, they will be found very weighty when good deeds will be weighed. The fact that they are so dear to Allah Ta’ala more than anything else, surpasses all other advantages. Imam Bukhaari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ concluded his book ‘Saheeh Bukhaari’ with these two kalimahs and the above mentioned Hadith was given at the end of the kitaab. According to one Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “None of you should miss earning 1000 virtues daily. Recite سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ (subhanaalahi wa bihamdihi) 100 times and you will get 1000 virtues. Hopefully through the grace of Allah Ta’ala, your daily sins will be less than this number. Then the reward of your good deeds, other than reciting this kalimah, will be in addition.” According to another Hadith a person who recites سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ا (subhanallahi wabihamdihi) 100 times in the morning and in the evening has all his sins forgiven, even if they are more than the foam on the sea. It is stated in one Hadith that recitation سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ لَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَاللهُ اكْبَرُ causes the sins to fall off like the leaves of trees (during the winter season). Hadith 2 – The virtue of reciting لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Zar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrated that once Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “Should I tell you what speech is most liked by Allah?” “Do tell me”, said I. He said, “It is سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ (Subhanallahi wabihamdihi).” In another Hadith, it is لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Subhana Rabbi wa bihamdihi). Another Hadith relates, “The thing that Allah Ta’ala ordered His Malaaikah to hymn is undoubtedly the best one, and it is سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ (Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi).”سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ

Note: It is mentioned in several aayaat in Part 1 that those Malaaikah who are near the Arsh and all others, remain ever hymning the glory and praise of Allah Ta’ala, which is their sole duty. This is why, when Allah Ta’ala created Hadhrat Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ the Malaaikah submitted,

Translation: “We hymn Your praises and glorify You."

as given in the first aayah in Part 1. According to one Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “The heaven crackles due to the awe of the greatness of Allah Ta’ala, as does a bed under a heavy weight, and the Heaven is justified in doing so (due to the awe of Allah Ta’ala). I swear by Allah Ta’ala, Who controls my life, that in the heaven there is not an inch of space where some angel is not in sajdah and glorifying the praises of Allah Ta’ala.”

Hadith 3 – Entry into Jannah is Guaranteed

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Ishaaq ibn Abdullah bin Abu Talha narrates from his father ZIKR who narrates from his grandfather that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Whosoever says laailaaha illallaah, his admittance into Jannah is guaranteed, and whosoever hymns one hundred times, subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, is credited with 124 000 rewards.” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ said, “O, Rasulullah! ﷺ if such is the case, then none of us will be destroyed on the Day of Qiyaamah because the virtues are sure to outweigh the sins.” Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Some people will have so many virtues that a mountain may crumble under its weight, but these will be nothing in comparison with the favours of Allah Ta’ala. However, Allah Ta’ala, out of His extreme mercy and grace, will then rescue them.”

Note: The large number of rewards will look like nothing as compared with the bounties of Allah Ta’ala, shows that whereas rewards and sins will be weighed on the Day of Qiyaamah, a person will also be called to account for whether he had made proper use of the bounties of Allah Ta’ala and had shown gratitude to Him. As a matter of fact, everything we have is granted by Allah Ta’ala, and for everything we owe a duty, and it will be checked whether we have discharged this duty properly. Rasulullah ﷺ has said,

Translation: It is obligatory on a person to give sadaqah every morning in exchange of every joint and bone.

According to another Hadith, there are 360 joints in the human body, and it is obligatory on a person to give sadaqah for each joint. This is a token of gratitude to Allah Ta’ala that, after the night’s sleep (which is similar to death), Allah Ta’ala gave him life again, with each part of the body in good order. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked, “Who can afford to do so many sadaqahs every day?” Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “Saying subhanallah is a sadaqah, saying alhamdulillah is sadaqah, saying Allahu Akbar is sadaqah, saying laailaaha illallaah is sadaqah, removing some obstacle from the way is sadaqah (and so on).” In short, he enumerated several such items of sadaqah. There are other similar Ahaadith, wherein the bounties of Allah Ta’ala in one’s own body are enumerated, and then ZIKR there are, in addition, the bounties in respect of food, drink, comfort and so many other blessings of Allah Ta’ala also.

Appreciating the bounties of Allah Ta’ala This subject is mentioned in the Qur-aan Shareef in Surah at-Takaathur, that on the Day of Qiyaamah, one will be questioned about the bounties of Allah Ta’ala. Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا stated that one will be reminded about the health of his body, of his ears, of his eyes, that Allah Ta’ala had bestowed on him. All such bounties are purely because of His mercy. And a person will be questioned as to how he had used these for the service of Allah Ta’ala. Did he use them like the animals for his own desires or otherwise? Thus, in the Qur-aan Shareef in Surah Bani Israa-eel, Allah Ta’ala says,

Translation: “the hearing and the sight, and the heart of each person will be questioned” (Surah Bani I’sraaeel - Aayah 36), i.e. everybody will be required to give an account for the proper use of his ears, eyes, and heart. Rasulullah ﷺ remarked that the favours for which one will be questioned about include peace of mind, which is a great blessing and also physical health. Mujaahid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated that every worldly pleasure is a bounty, for which one will have to give an account. Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that security is also one of the bounties of Allah Ta’ala. A person asked Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ the meaning of the aayah,

Translation: “then on the Day, you will be questioned about the bounties.” (Surah Takaathur - Aayah 8)

He replied that one will be questioned about the wheat bread eaten and of cold water, as well as about the house in which he lived. It is stated in one Hadith that when this aayah was revealed, some Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ said, “O Rasulullah ﷺ , what are the bounties about which we shall be questioned? We get only half a meal and that too of barley ZIKR bread.” Then came the revelation, “Do you not wear shoes? Do you not drink cold water? These are also bounties of Allah Ta’ala.” According to one Hadith, when this aayah was revealed, some Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked, “O Rasulullah ﷺ ! About what bounties shall we be questioned? We get only dates to eat and water to drink, and we have to remain always with our swords on our shoulders, ready to fight some enemy (on account of which even these two things cannot be enjoyed by us in peace).” Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “The bounties are about to become available in the near future.” It is stated in one Hadith that Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “The first of the bounties to be accounted for on the Day of Qiyaamah, will be physical health, (i.e. whether we discharged our obligation in respect of it, and did any service for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala) and the other is the cold drinking-water.” Cold water is, in fact, a great gift of Allah Ta’ala and is realised as such where it is not (readily) available. It is indeed a great blessing of Allah Ta’ala, but we never acknowledge it to be as such; let alone speaking of thanking Allah Ta’ala for it and discharging our duty in respect of it. It is said in one Hadith, “The bounties to be accounted for include the piece of bread eaten to satisfy the hunger, the water drunk to quench the thirst, and the cloth used to cover the body.”

Once, at midday, when it was very hot, Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ felt extremely hungry and left his house and went to the Masjid. Soon after his arrival in the Masjid, Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ also reached there in a similar condition and asked him why he was there at that unusual time. “My hunger has become unbearable”, was the reply. Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said, “By Allah, the same thing has compelled me to also come out.” The two were talking thus, when Rasulullah ﷺ also came there and asked them how was it that they were there. They replied, “Hunger made us restless and compelled us to come out here.” Rasulullah ﷺ said, “I have come here for the same reason.” All three of them went to the house of Hadhrat Abu Ayoob Ansari رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ . He was not at home so his wife welcomed them. She was overjoyed to have them in her house. Rasulullah ﷺ enquired about Abu Ayoob رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . She replied that he had gone out for some need and would soon be back.

After a little while, Hadhrat Abu Ayoob رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ also came back. On seeing them, he was overwhelmed with joy, and cut a big bunch of dates to entertain them. Rasulullah ﷺ remarked, “Why did you cut the whole bunch? The raw and the half-ripe dates have also been cut thereby. You could have selected and plucked the ripe ones only.” He replied, “I plucked the whole bunch so that all kind of dates may be before you, and you may eat the kind you may like.” (Sometimes, one likes the half ripe dates in preference to the ripe ones). Leaving the dates before them, he slaughtered a small goat, roasted some of its meat, and cooked the rest. Rasulullah ﷺ took some bread and a piece of roasted meat and giving it to Abu Ayoob رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said, “Take this to Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . She also did not get anything to eat for several days.” Hadhrat Abu Ayoob رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ hastened to comply with the orders and then returned. All of them ate to their hearts content. Then Rasulullah ﷺ said, “See, these are the bounties of Allah Ta’ala. The bread, the meat, the raw dates and the ripe ones.” While uttering these words, tears began to flow from his eyes and he said, “By Allah! Who controls my life, these are the bounties about which one will be questioned on the Day of Qiyaamah.” Considering the circumstances under which these things had become available, the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ felt perplexed and worried that an account was required to be given for these things, which became available under such difficult conditions of helplessness. Rasulullah ﷺ said, “It is necessary to express our gratitude to Allah Ta’ala. When you put your hand on such things, say bismillah before starting to eat, and after eating recite,

Translation: All praise is for Allah who satiated us, and favoured us, and bestowed upon us plentifully Its recitation will suffice as your expression of shukr (gratitude). Many incidents of this nature are narrated under different headings in the books of Hadith. Rasulullah ﷺ said the same things when he happened to visit the house of Abul Haysam Maalik bin Tayhaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and once when he visited a Sahaabi whose name was Waqifi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ .

Translation: Once Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ came across a leper who was blind, deaf ZIKR and dumb. He said to his companions, “Do you see any bounties of Allah Ta’ala on this person?” “Apparently none,” they replied. “Can he not urinate easily?” asked Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said, “There will be three courts on the Day of Qiyaamah. In one of these, the accounts of virtues will be examined, in the second, the bounties of Allah Ta’ala will be counted, and in the third, the sins will have to be accounted for. The virtues will be counter-balanced by the bounties of Allah Ta’ala, so that the sins will remain outstanding and their disposal will depend on the mercy of Allah Ta’ala.” All this means that a man is duty bound to show his gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for His unlimited favours at all times and under all conditions. Therefore, he should strive his utmost to earn as many virtues as possible and should not be content at any stage, because it will be on the Day of Qiyaamah that he will realize how many sins had been committed through his eyes, nose, ears, and other parts of the body, much of which he was not even aware off. Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “Every one of you will have to appear before Allah Ta’ala, and will have to face Him, with no barrier in between. There will be no lawyer or interpreter to fight your case. There will be heaps of your deeds, good and bad, on either side of you. The fire of Jahannam will be in front of you. Therefore you should try your best to ward off this fire through sadaqah (voluntary charity), even if it be with a single date (or even a piece of a date).” It is stated in one Hadith, “On the Day of Qiyaamah, you will first be reminded about how you were blessed with good health and were given cold water to drink” (which implies, whether you showed gratitude for these favours). According to another Hadith, “You will not be allowed to move away from the court of Allah Ta’ala until you have answered five questions: a. How did you spend your life? b. How did you utilize your youth? c. How did you earn your wealth? d. How did you spend it? (i.e. whether earning and spending was in a lawful manner). e. How did you act upon the knowledge which you acquired?”

Hadith 4 – Planting trees in Jannah

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Masood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ says, “On the night of Me’raaj, when I met Hadhrat Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ he asked me to convey his salaams to my Ummat and tell them that the soil of Jannah is very fine and fertile and there is lots of water to irrigate it, but the land is all plain and its plants are سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَاللهُ اكْبَرُ subhanallah, alhamdulillah, laailaaha illallaah and Allahu Akbar (so that one can plant there as much as he likes).”

According to one Hadith, the above Kalimah is also followed by لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ laahawla wa laaquwwata illa billaah. According to another Hadith it was said, “A tree for every part of this Kalimah is planted in Jannah.” It is stated in one Hadith, “Whosoever recites سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ subhaanallaahil azeem wa bihamdihi, a tree is planted for him in Jannah.” It is stated in one Hadith, “Rasulullah ﷺ was going somewhere when he saw that Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was planting something. He asked him what he was doing, ‘I am planting a tree,’ was the reply. Thereupon Rasulullah,

ﷺ said, ‘Should I tell you about the best plantation? It is سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ اللّٰهُ اكْبَرُ subhanallah walhamdulillah wa laailaaha illallaah wallaahu akbar, the recitation of each of these Kalimahs causes a tree to grow for you in Jannah.’”

Note: Hadhrat Ibraahim عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ sent his salaams through Rasulullah ﷺ to this Ummat. The Ulama have written that ZIKR whosoever hears this Hadith, should say in return,

وَعَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ wa alyhis salaam warahmtullaahi wa barakaatuhu (May peace be upon him as well as Allah’s mercy and His blessings). The second thing mentioned in the Hadith is that the soil of Jannah is very fertile and its water very sweet. This can be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, it is the description of that place which is extremely fine, its soil (according to some Ahaadith) is of saffron and musk, and its water is very sweet, so that everybody loves to have a house there and as it has all facilities for recreation and for planting gardens, etc., nobody will like to leave it. The second interpretation is that wherever there is fertile soil and excellent water, there is always lush growth. In that case, it means that saying subhaanallah once will cause a tree to be planted and then by virtue of the fertile soil and excellent water, this tree will continue to grow by itself. Only the seed is required to be planted once, the growth afterwards is all automatic. In this Hadith, Jannah is stated to have a totally plain land. In other Ahaadith where Jannah has been described it is stated that there are all kinds of fruit trees in it, so much so that the literal meaning of the word Jannah is “garden”. There is thus a sort of outward contradiction here.

The Ulama explain that originally Jannah is a plain land without any trees, but when it will be handed over to the various people, they will find gardens and trees there in accordance with their deeds. The second explanation by some Ulama is that the gardens in Jannah will be awarded according to the deeds of good people and, as such, it is the deeds that are said to have caused these trees to grow for them. The third explanation is that the smallest Jannah that anybody will get will be bigger than the whole world. Some parts of it are covered with original gardens and other parts of it are without any growth, so that trees will get automatically planted there according to the Zikr and glorification done by its recipient. Hadhrat Moulana Gangohi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , a great Shaikh and Aalim, has stated in his book ‘Al-Kaukabud Durree’ that all the trees are available there in the form of seedlings and are planted according to the good deeds, after which they continue to grow.

Hadith 5 – More valuable than a mountain of gold

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Umaamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “One who is unable to toil at night i.e., he cannot keep awake and worship at night, or is too miserly to spend money, or is too cowardly to take part in Jihaad (fighting in the path of Allah Ta’ala) should say subhaanallaahi wa bi hamdihi excessively, because this action is more valuable to Allah Ta’ala than spending a mountain load of gold in His path.”

Note: How great is the grace of Allah Ta’ala that even those who cannot bear hardship in the path of Allah Ta’ala are not deprived from earning virtues and huge rewards. One who cannot keep awake at night, cannot spend in the path of Allah Ta’ala, because of miserliness, and cannot take part in Jihaad, because of cowardice, but still has value for Deen in his heart and is anxious to improve his life in the Aakhirah, is still eligible to earn the favours of Allah Ta’ala. It is one’s extreme misfortune if he cannot earn something even then.

Hadith 6 – Zikr is most liked by Allah Ta’ala

Translation: Hadhrat Samurah bin Jundub رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “The words most liked by Allah Ta’ala consist of four Kalimahs, viz; Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillaah, laailaaha illallaah and Allahu Akbar which may be recited in any sequence.”

Note: According to one Hadith, these Kalimahs are also mentioned in the Qur-aan Shareef. These Kalimahs occur very frequently in the Qur-aan Shareef, wherein there is the command and persuasion for their recitation as described in detail in Part one. It is stated in one Hadith, “Adorn the festivals of Eid with these words by their frequent recitation.”

Hadith 7 – The poor surpassing the wealthy

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that once a group of poor Muhaajirs came to Rasulullah ﷺ and said, “O Rasulullah ﷺ ! Only the rich attain the higher spiritual grades, and the eternal bounties of Allah fall only to their lot.” “How?” enquired Rasulullah ﷺ . They replied, “They offer Salaah and observe fasting in the same manner as we do, but, being rich, they are able to ZIKR perform other good deeds, like giving sadaqah and freeing slaves, which we being poor are unable to do.” Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Should I tell you something, by acting upon which, you may overtake your predecessors and surpass your successors and nobody may be better than you unless he also acts upon the same thing.” “Do tell us,” said the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ . “Recite Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar thirty-three times each after every Salaah,” said Rasulullah ﷺ . They acted upon his advice, but the rich of those days came to know of it and started doing the same. The poor again came to Rasulullah ﷺ and complained, “Our rich brothers have come to learn what you told us and are also acting upon it.” Rasulullah. ﷺ then remarked, “It is the favour of Allah Ta’ala which He bestows on whomsoever He likes. Nobody can stop Him.” According to another Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ is also reported to have said to them, “Allah Ta’ala has also favoured you with a substitute of sadaqah. Reciting Subhaanallah once is sadaqah, saying Alhamdulillah once is sadaqah, intercourse with one’s wife is sadaqah.” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ were astonished to hear this, and asked, “O Rasulullah! ﷺ indulgence with one’s wife is an act of satisfying one’s lust, and you say this is also sadaqah?” Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Would it not be a sin to indulge in the unlawful?”

Translation: “Yes”, said the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ . “In the same manner, engaging in halaal will amount to sadaqah and reward,” explained Rasulullah ﷺ .

Note: From this it is clear that to share the bed with one's wife in order to save oneself from adultery brings reward from Allah Ta’ala. In another Hadith, the reply of Rasulullah ﷺ to the query by the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ that sharing the bed with the wife is for the satisfaction of one’s lust was, “Just tell me, if a child is born as a result thereof, and when he grows up to youth and becomes the center of your expectations, and then he happens to die, will you then not hope for a reward from Allah Ta’ala in lieu of this loss?” Their reply was in the affirmative, and then Rasulullah ﷺ continued, “Why this expectation of reward? Did you create him? Did you guide him or did ZIKR you sustain him? On the other hand, it was Allah Ta’ala who created him, guided him and sustained him. Similarly, you put your semen in the lawful place, then it is up to Allah Ta’ala to make it into a child or prevent it from becoming a child.” In short, this Hadith implies that the reward from Allah Ta’ala is for one’s having become the cause of the birth of the child.

Hadith 8 – Tasbeehaat after the Fardh Salaah

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Whosoever reads 33 times Subhaanallah, 33 times Alhamdulillah, 33 times Allahu Akbar after every Salaah and then reads once the following لَا اِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَءٍ قَدِيْرٌ all his sins are forgiven, even though they may be (countless) like the foam in the sea.”

Note: “sins are forgiven” (by virtue of zikr) has already been discussed under several Ahaadith. According to the Ulama, it is only the minor sins that are forgiven. In this Hadith, it is stated that three Kalimahs should be recited 33 times each, and then Laailaaha illallaahu wahdahu la shareekalahu lahul mulku walahul hamdu wahuwa ‘alaa kulli shayin qadeer once. According to the next Hadith, two of the three Kalimahs should be recited 33 times each and the third one i.e. Allahu Akbar 34 times. Hadhrat Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ has narrated, "Rasulullah ﷺ had ordered us to recite Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu-Akbar thirty-three times each after every Salaah. An Ansaari Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ

ZIKR saw in a dream that a person advised reciting the three Kalimahs 25 times each and then laailaaha illallaah also 25 times. When Rasulullah ﷺ was told about this dream, he permitted him to recite it in that way". According to one Hadith, Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu-Akbar should be read 11 times each after every Salaah, and according to another Hadith it is ten times each. In one Hadith, the recitation of Laailaaha illallaah is ten times and that of the other three Kalimahs is 33 times each. According to one Hadith, each of the four kalimahs should be read hundred times each. All these Ahaadith are narrated in the book ‘Hisnul Haseen’. The apparent difference in these versions is due to the different circumstances of the persons who were advised by Rasulullah ﷺ . Those who were busy with other (important) work were advised the lesser number and those who were free were advised a greater number. The Muhaqqiqeen, religious authorities, however, advise that one should conform to the numbers narrated in the Ahaadith just as the quantity of a thing that is used as a medicine is also specified.

Hadith 9 – Tasbeehaat after every Fardh Salaah

Translation: Hadhrat Ka’b bin Ujrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “The following words are such that one who recites them is never disappointed. These are which should be recited, 33 times Subhaanallah, 33 times Alhamdulillah and 34 times Allahu-Akbar respectively after every fardh Salaah.”

Note: These Kalimahs have been termed as Mu’aqqibaat (things that will follow), either because these are recited after the Salaah or because the recitation of these after committing sins results in washing them off, or ZIKR because these are recited one after the other. Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrated, “We have been directed to recite Subhaanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahu-Akbar 34 times after every Salaah.”

Hadith 10 – Reward greater than mount Uhud

Translation: Hadhrat Imraan bin Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ once said, “Is there anybody amongst you who may be able to do good deeds every day which are equal to Uhud (a mountain near Madinah Shareef).” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ said, “O Rasulullah! Who has the strength to do that?” “Everybody has the strength to do it,” replied Rasulullah ﷺ , “How is it?” enquired the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . He explained, “The reward of Subhaanallah is greater than the mountain Uhud, that of laailaaha illallaah is greater than Uhud, that of Alhamdulillah is greater than Uhud and that of Allahu Akbar is greater than Uhud.”

Note: Therefore, the reward of each of these Kalimahs is greater than the mountain of Uhud, or rather it is even greater than many such mountains. It is said in one Hadith that the reward of Subhaanallah and Alhamdulillah fills all the Heavens and the Earths. It is said in another Hadith that the reward of Subhaanallah occupies half the pan of the scale (in which deeds will be weighed), the reward of Alhamdulillah occupies the remaining half, and the reward of Allahu-Akbar fills the space between the Earth and the sky. It is stated in one Hadith that Rasulullah ﷺ had said,

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ لَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ اللّهُ اكْبَرُ is more dear to me than all the things under the Sun.”

Mulla Ali Qari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ explained it to mean that it is more dear than spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala all that which this world contains. It is said that once Hadhrat Sulaymaan عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ was flying somewhere on his throne, when the birds spread their wings to protect him from the sun, and the armies of men and jinn were accompanying him. On seeing this, a pious person praised Allah Ta’ala for the grandeur of this vast kingdom. Hadhrat Sulaymaan عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ remarked, “The credit in the account of deeds of a believer for reciting Subhaanallah once is more than the whole kingdom of Sulaymaan Bin Dawood, because this kingdom is temporary but the reward of reciting Subhaanallah is everlasting.”

Hadith 11 – Five things are very weighty on the scales

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Salaam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Bakh! Bakh! How weighty in the scales are five things, viz. الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ (laailaaha illallaah, Allahu Akbar, Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillah) and the exercising of patience by the father (or the mother) over the death of his (or her) obedient child.”

Note: The subject-matter of this Hadith is narrated by many Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ in so many other Ahaadith. The words (Bakh! Bakh) are exclaimed at the time of extreme joy and pleasure. These things are of great joy and pleasure to Rasulullah ﷺ and are therefore, stressed so much by him. Is it not therefore, incumbent upon us, who claim to love him, that we should show extreme devotion to these Kalimahs, because doing so also amounts to showing respect, obedience and gratitude to Him.

Hadith 12 – The advice of Hadhrat Nooh عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ to his son

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Sulaymaan bin Yasaar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ narrates from an Ansaari Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Hadhrat Nooh عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ said to his son, “I will give you a piece of advice, and in order that you may not forget it, I will say it very briefly. I advise you to do two things and forbid you from doing two things. The two things which I recommend are such that Allah Ta’ala and His noble creation are greatly pleased with them, and both of these have easy access to Allah Ta’ala. One of the two things is laailaaha illallaah, which, if it were enclosed in the mighty sky, will break through it and reach Allah Ta’ala and if all the heavens and the earth were placed in one pan of the scale and this kalimah were put in the other pan, the latter would out weight the former. The second thing that I recommend to you is the recitation of subhaanallahi wabihamdihi which is the Ibaadah (form of worship) of all the creation and by virtue of which all the creation get their sustenance. There is none among the creation that do not make the tasbeeh of Allah Ta’ala but you do not understand their speech. And the two things from which I forbid you, are shirk (polytheism) and arrogance, because these two keep you away from Allah Ta’ala and His noble creation.”

Note: The subject matter of this Hadith has also been discussed before when describing the virtues of laailaaha illallaah. It is mentioned in the Qur-aan Shareef, that the entire creation hymns the glory of Allah Ta’ala. One of these aayaat is:

Translation: “There is none among the creation who does not hymn His glory.” (Surah Israa - Aayah 44)لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

Translation: It is narrated in many Ahaadith that on the night of Mi’raaj, Rasulullah ﷺ had heard all the heavens hymning the glory of Allah Ta’ala.

Translation: Once Rasulullah ﷺ happened to pass by a group of men who, though halted, were still sitting on the backs of their horses and camels. He said to them, “Do not use the backs of your animals as chairs and pulpits. Many a times they are better than their riders and make zikr of Allah Ta’ala more than their riders.” Hadhrat Ibn Abbas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that even the crops hymn the glory of Allah Ta’ala, and the owner gets the reward for it. Once, a bowl was presented to Rasulullah ﷺ , in which there was sareed (a special dish made with gravy, bread and meat). He remarked that the food was making the tasbeeh of Allah Ta’ala.

Somebody asked if he understood its tasbeeh. He replied in the affirmative, and then he asked that it be taken to a certain person. When the cup was brought to him, he heard it hymning the glory of Allah Ta’ala. In the same way, it was presented to another person who also heard it. Somebody requested that all those present should be allowed to hear it. Rasulullah ﷺ said, “If someone fails to hear it, others will think that he is a sinner.” This is known as kashf which the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ possessed to a highest degree. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , at times, also experienced it as a result of their nearness and company with Rasulullah ﷺ .

Kashf Hundreds of incidents can be cited as a proof thereof. Even the Sufis often develop this quality through their mujaahadah (spiritual exertion),

as a result of which they are able to understand what the rocks and ZIKR animals recite and speak. But according to the authentic Ulama, expertise in this line is not necessarily proof of one’s high spiritual attainment or nearness to Allah Ta’ala. Whoever makes mujaahadah (exerts himself) for this can develop it, irrespective of whether he attains nearness to Allah Ta’ala or not. Therefore, the Ulama do not attach any importance to it. On the other hand, they regard it as harmful for a beginner who may get so much absorbed and involved in it that it becomes a hindrance to his spiritual progress. Some mureeds of Moulana Khalil Ahmad Sahaaranpuri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ happened to develop a sort of kashf. In order to prevent its further progress, Moulana رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ stopped them from making all forms of zikr. Furthermore, the Ulama avoid development of kashf, because this leads to the sins of others being exposed, which according to them is a means of polluting the heart. Allamah Sha’raani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has related in his book Meezaanul Kubra about Hadhrat Imam Abu Hanifa رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ that when he happened to see somebody performing wudhu, he could also see the sins being washed away in the water, so much so that he could even distinguish whether the sins were major, minor or merely undesirable deeds, just as one is able to see the material things. Once he happened to go into the wudhu khana in the main masjid of Koofa, where a young man was making wudhu. After looking at the water used by him, he quietly advised him, “My brother! Make taubah from disobeying your parents,” which he did. Then he saw another person and said to him, “My brother! Refrain from adultery, it is a major sin,” and the man made taubah from adultery. He saw that the water used by yet another man indicated the sins of drinking and sinful amusement. He advised the man accordingly who also made taubah immediately. Afterwards, Hadhrat Imam Abu Hanifa رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ made dua, “O Allah! Take away this thing from me. I do not want to see the shortcomings of other people.” His dua was accepted by Allah Ta’ala, and he was relieved of this ability. It is related that it was during that period that he had declared the water once used for wudhu to have become impure. When he saw the dirt and bad smell of sins in it, he could not regard it as clean. After he was relieved of this power, he also retracted his view of declaring this water as impure. It is related of a mureed of our Shaikh Moulana Abdur Rahim Raipuri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , may Allah Ta’ala enlighten his grave, that ZIKR for many days on end, he could not go out to answer the call of nature, because he found spiritual light prevailing all over. Similarly, there are hundreds and thousands of incidents proving beyond any doubt that those who experience kashf can see hidden things, according to the degree of their attainment.

Hadith 13 – An easy zikr for old and weak people رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا :،: مَرَبِىْ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقُلْتُ :عَنْ أَمَ هَانِيٍ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: مَرَبِئْ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُوْلَ اللّهِ اِنِّيْ قَدْ كَبُرْتُ وَضَعُفْتُ اوْ كَمَا قَالَتْ فَمُرْنِيْ بِعَمَلٍ اعْمَلْهُ وَانَا جَالِسَةٌ قَالَ

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Umme Haani رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا related that once when Rasulullah ﷺ visited her, she said to him, “O Rasulullah ﷺ ! I have grown very old and weak. Tell me something that I may be able to do while sitting.” Rasulullah ﷺ said to her, Recite Subhaanallah 100 times and you will get a reward as if you set free 100 Arab slaves, recite alhamdulillah 100 times, which will fetch you a reward as if you present 100 horses, fully equipped, for the Jihaad, say Allahu Akbar 100 times, which is as if you sacrificed 100 camels for the sake of Allah Ta’ala; and say laailaaha illallaah 100 times, the reward of which will fill all the space between the earth and the sky. There is no other commendable action that can surpass it.”

Hadhrat Salma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the wife of Abu Raafe’ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , had also requested Rasulullah ﷺ to prescribe for her some zikr which may not be very lengthy. Rasulullah ﷺ advised her, “Recite Allahu Akbar ten ZIKR times, because Allah Ta’ala says in reply, ‘This is for Me,’ recite Subhaanallah ten times, because Allah Ta’ala says in reply, ‘This is for Me’, and then recite Allahummaghfirli (O Allah! forgive me) ten times, because then Allah Ta’ala says, ‘Yes, I have forgiven you.’ If you recite Allahummaghfirli ten times, Allah Ta’ala will also say to each time, ‘I have forgiven you.’”

Note: What a brief and easy zikr has been taught by Rasulullah ﷺ for old and weak people, especially women. It is very brief and involves no effort or going about, and yet what a tremendous reward is promised for it. It is really a pity if we fail to earn this great reward. Hadhrat Umm-e-Sulaim رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا has narrated that she also requested Rasulullah ﷺ to prescribe for her something that she should recite before her dua to Allah Ta’ala at the time of Salaah, and that she was told, “Recite Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu-Akbar ten times each, and then make dua for whatever you like.” In another Hadith, Allah Ta’ala will say; “Yes, Yes, I accept it.” How simple and common are these words, that no effort is required to memorise them. We engage in such useless talk throughout the day but if, whilst doing our business or sitting in the shop or working on the field, we make this zikr as well, then along with our work for the worldly life we can also earn lots of wealth and reward for the next life of the Aakirah.

Hadith 14 – The Malaaikah go out in search of people making

Translation: :

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :فَمَا يَسْالُوْنَ فَيَقُوْلُونَ: يَسْالُوْنَكَ الْجَنَّةَ فَيَقُوْلُ: وَهَلْ رَاوْهَا فَيَقُوْلُوْنَ: لَا فَيَقُوْلُ: فَكَيْفَ لَوْ رَآرْهَا فَيَقُوْلُوْنَ: لَوْ انَّهُمْ رَآوْهَا كَانُوْا اشَدّ عَلَيْهَا حِرْصًا وَأَشَدّ لَهَا طَلَبًا وَٱعْظَمَ فِيْهَا

Translation:

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَوْ انَّهُمْ رَاوْهَا كَانُوْا اشَدَّ مِنْهَا فِرَارًا وَاشَدَّ لَهَا مَخَافَةً فَيَقُوْلَ :

Translation: الشْهِدُكُمْ انِيّْ قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ فَيَقُوْلَ مَلَكٌ مِنَ الْمَلَابِكَةِ :تَهُمْ فَيَقُوْلُ مَلَكٌ مِنَ الْمَلَابِكَةِ: فُلاَنٌ لَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ اِنَّمَا جَاءَ لَقَوْمُ لا يَشْقَى بِهِمْ جَلِيْسُهُمْ راه البخارى ٦٤٠٨

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “There is a class of Malaaikah who keep moving about on the pathways and wherever they find some people engaged in the zikr of Allah Ta’ala, they call each other and gather around them and pile up over each other right up to the sky. When that assembly for zikr is over, the Malaaikah ascend to the Heavens and then Allah Ta’ala, dispite knowing everything, asks them where they had come from? They say that they have come from such and such group of His servants who were busy in making zikr of tasbeeh (Subhaanallah), takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and tahmeed (alhamdulillah). Allah Ta’ala askes, “Have those people seen Me?” “No, our Rabb”, confirm the Malaaikah? “How would they have acted if they had actually seen me?” says Allah Ta’ala. “They would have busied themselves with even greater zeal in worshiping You and in hymning Your praise and Glory,” reply the Malaaikah. “What do they desire for?” “They want Jannah”, reply the Malaaikah. “Have they ever seen Jannah?” asks Allah Ta’ala. “No our Rabb” say the Malaaikah. “If they had seen it, how would they have acted?” says Allah Ta’ala. “Their zeal, yearning, and their duas for it would have been even greater,” reply the Malaaikah. “What were they seeking refuge from?” says Allah Ta’ala. “They were seeking refuge from Jahannam”, say the Malaaikah. “Have they seen Jahannam?” “They have not seen it.” “How would they have acted if they had seen it?” says Allah. “They would have been more scared of it, and would have tried more for protection against it,” say the Malaaikah. Then Allah Ta’ala says, “Alright then, all of you bear witness that I grant forgiveness to all those present in that assembly.” One angel says, “O Allah! A person happened to be there only by chance; he had come for some other purpose and had not taken part in what they did.” Allah Ta’ala says, “That group was so blessed that whosoever sat with them, even by the way, is not deprived of the blessings (and thus he ZIKR is also forgiven).”

Note: It is described in several Ahaadith that there is a group of Malaaikah who go about in search of gatherings and individuals engaged in zikr, and wherever they find them, they sit near them and listen to their zikr. This subject matter is already included in Hadith No. 8 in Chapter 1, wherein it is also explained why Allah Ta’ala praises these people in the presence of the Malaaikah. The enquiry by an angel that there was a person in that assembly who had come there for his personal work was only a statement of facts, because on that occasion those Malaaikah were acting as the witnesses that those people were engaged in Ibaadah and zikr of Allah Ta’ala. That is why they had to clarify the position, in case there should be any objection. But it is the extreme benevolence of Allah Ta’ala that, because of the blessed people engaged in zikr, a man who is just sitting with them coincidently, is not deprived of blessings. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan Shareef:

Translation: “O you who believe! Fear Allah Ta’ala and be with the truthful.” (Surah Taubah - Aayah 119)

The Sufis say, “Remain with Allah Ta’ala, and if this is not possible, then be in the company of those people who remain with Allah Ta’ala.” Remaining with Allah Ta’ala is a reference to the Hadith in ‘Bukhaari Shareef’ where in it is mentioned that Allah Ta’ala says, “By means of nafl Salaah, My servants keep on getting nearer and nearer to Me, till I make him My beloved. And at that stage, I become his ears with which he listens, his eyes with which he sees, his hands with which he holds, his feet with which he walks and whatever he begs of Me I grant it to him.” Allah Ta’ala becomes his hands and feet, etc., means that he performs his actions for earning the pleasure and love of Allah Ta’ala and that he does not do anything against the will of Allah Ta’ala. The books of history relate the lives of many sufis of this level. A booklet, known as ‘Nuzhatul Basaateen’ is specially devoted to the account of such Sufis. Shaikh Abu Bakr Kattaani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ related, “Once, at the time of Hajj, there was a gathering in Makkah Mukarramah of some Sufis, the youngest among whom was Junaid Baghdadi (rahmatullahi ZIKR alayh). In that gathering, there was a discussion on the subject of the Love of Allah Ta’ala and as to who is the lover of Allah! Many of them expressed their views on the subject, but Junaid Baghdadi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ remained silent. He was pressed to say something. With his head bowed down and tears in his eyes, he said, ‘A lover (of Allah Ta’ala) is he who forgets his own self, remains engaged in the zikr of Allah Ta’ala with due regard to all its requirements; sees Allah Ta’ala with the eyes of his heart, which is burnt by the heat of the fear of Allah Ta’ala, the zikr of Allah Ta’ala intoxicates him like a cup of wine, he speaks the word of Allah Ta’ala as if Allah Ta’ala speaks through his mouth. If he moves he does so under the command of Allah Ta’ala. He derives peace of mind only through obedience to Allah Ta’ala and when such a stage is reached, his eating, drinking, sleeping, awaking and, in short, all his actions are for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. He neither pays any heed to the worldly customs, nor does he attach any importance to negative criticism by the people.”

Incident of the son-in-law of Sa’eed bin Musayyib رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ Hadhrat Sa’eed bin Musayyib رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was a well-known Tabi’ee, and is counted amongst the great Muhadditheen. A person by the name of Abdullah bin Abi Widaa-ah, who used to go to him very often, related as follows: “I could not go to him for a few days, and when I went to him, Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ asked me where I had been. I told him that my wife had passed away and that I remained busy getting work done. He said, “Had you informed me, I could have also joined the funeral.” When, after a little while, I got up to leave he said, “Have you married again?” I replied, “Who would marry a penniless person such as I?” He said that he would arrange it, and immediately he read out the marriage sermon and made my nikaah (marriage declaration) with his own daughter, fixing the mehr at a minimal sum of eight or ten aanas.” (This small amount as mehr may be permissible according to them, as it is according to some Imaams, but according to Imam Abu Hanifa رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ a sum less than two rupees and eight annas is not permissible). After the nikaah, I left the place. Only Allah Ta’ala knows how overjoyed I was. In my happiness, I was thinking where to borrow the money from for expenses to bring the wife ZIKR to my house. I remained absorbed in these thoughts till it was evening. I was fasting, and I broke my fast at sunset. After the Maghrib Salaah I reached home and lighting the lamp, I started eating my bread with olive oil, when somebody knocked at the door. “Who is there?” I asked, “Sa’eed”, came the reply. I started thinking which Sa’eed it was. It did not occur to me that it could be Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , because for forty years, he had never been to any place except the masjid and his own house. I was surprised to see him standing outside, and said to him that he should have rather called for me. He replied, “It was proper for me to come. I thought that since you have been married, you should not spend the night alone in your house. I have, therefore, brought your wife to live with you.” Saying this, he sent his daughter in, closed the door and went away. The girl, being overwhelmed with modesty, fell down on the ground. I bolted the door from inside, removed the bread and olive oil from near the lamp lest she should see it, climbed up on the roof of my house and called out to my neighbours. When people gathered, I told them that Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ had given his daughter to me in marriage and that he had himself brought her and left her in my house. They were all greatly surprised, and exclaimed, “Is it true that she is already in your house?” “Yes”, I confirmed. The news spread and also reached my mother, who at once came there and said, “If you touch her within three days, I will not see your face. In three days we will make all the preparations.” After three days, when I met the girl, I found her extremely beautiful. She was a Haafizah of the Qur-aan Shareef, very conversant with the Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ and well acquainted with her obligations to her husband. For one month, neither Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ came to me, nor did I go to him. After one month, when I went to him, there was a big gathering. After making salaam to him, I sat down. When all the others left, he asked me how I found my wife. I replied, “She is most excellent, so much so that friends become happy for me and foes become envious.” He further said, “If you find anything undesirable, you may rectify her.” After I returned from there, he sent me through a special messenger a gift of 24 000 Dirhams (which comes to about five thousand rupees). This girl had been demanded by King Abdul Malik bin Marwaan for marriage with his son, Waleed, who was the crown prince,

but Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ had declined the offer. In this way, he had earned the wrath of King Abdul Malik, who, on some other excuse, got him punished with a hundred lashes in the bitter cold weather and then had a utensil of cold water poured on him.”

Hadith 15 – Ten virtues for each letter of this kalimah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :سَمِعْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُوْلُ :عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِىَ اللّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُوْلُ: مَنْ قَالَ: سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَاللهُ اكْبَرُ كُتِبَتْ لَهُ بِكُلِّ حَرْفِ عَشْرُ

Hadhrat Ibn Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Whosoever recites سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ وَاللهُ اخْبَرُ (Subhanallahi walhamdulillaahi walaailaaha illallaahu wallaahu Akbar) will be rewarded with ten virtues for each letter thereof. Whosoever supports an unjust party in a dispute incurs the wrath of Allah Ta’ala until he repents and makes taubah. Whosoever intercedes to prevent infliction of punishment according to Islamic law is considered to oppose Allah Ta’ala and whosoever slanders a Muslim man or woman will be imprisoned in the Aakhirah in Radghatul Khabaal (a deep part of Jahannam), until he gets forgiven from this sin, which will hardly be possible there.”

Note: Backing an unjust cause has nowadays become our second nature. In spite of knowing that we are at fault, we become unjust and bias for the sake of our relatives and our party. We are not afraid of the anger, displeasure, and punishment of Allah Ta’ala when our relatives and friends are involved. Let alone telling them that they should abstain from committing wrong, we cannot even keep quiet and remain neutral, but we go to the extreme in supporting them. If anybody puts up a claim against them, we try to oppose him. If a friend of ours commits theft,

oppresses somebody, or indulges in adultery, we encourage and help him ZIKR in all possible ways. Is this according to the dictates of our Imaan and our Deen? Is this according to the Islam that we feel proud of? Do we not thus degrade our Islam in the eyes of others, and degrade ourselves before Allah Ta’ala? It is stated in one Hadith that the one who deals or fights with somebody on the basis of race (sectionalism) is not one of us. According to another Hadith, sectionalism means to help one’s own people in their wrong cause. “Radghatul Khabaal” is the mud formed by the blood and pus of those in Jahannam. How dirty and horrible would be that place where such people, who slander the Muslims, will be imprisoned. In this life, we take it very lightly to make accusations against whosoever we like, but we will realise the seriousness of our offence in the Aakhirah when we will be required to justify and prove whatever we have said here, and the proof to be given there will have to be what was acceptable from the Shariah point of view. Flowery talk based on lies will be of no help there. What we said here and what the consequences were, will all be known there. Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “Sometimes one talks merely to amuse others, but, because of it, he is thrown into Jahnnam to a depth which exceeds the distance between the earth and the sky. A slip of the tongue is worse than the slip of the foot.” It is said in one Hadith, “Whosoever mocks somebody else for his sin will find himself involved in it before his death.” Imam Ahmad رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ explained that this Hadith refers to such sins from which the sinner has made taubah. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to hold his tongue and say, “Because of you, we fall into trouble.” Ibnul Munkadir رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , a famous Muhaddith and a Taabi’ee, was seen weeping when he was about to die. Someone asked why he wept. He replied, “I do not remember to have committed any sin, but I might have said something which, though insignificant in my sight, may turn out to be something very serious before Allah Ta’ala.”

Hadith 16 – Dua to recite at the end of a meeting عَنْ ابِىْ بَرْزَةَ الْأَسْلَمِيّ رَضِىَ اللّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ :د: كَانَ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُوْلُ

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

Translation: “Hadhrat Abu Barzah Aslami رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that during the last period of his life, whenever Rasulullah ﷺ got up from a meeting, he used to recite,

Translation: (Glory be to You O Allah, with the highest of Praises; I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except You, I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You.)”

Someone said, “You have begun reciting this recently and you had not been reciting in the past.” Rasulullah ﷺ said, “It is the kaffaarah (atonement) of the sitting.” According to another version Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “These words constitute the kaffaarah of the sitting and were taught to me by Hadhrat Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ .”

Note: Hadhrat Aa-ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ also related, “Whenever Rasulullah ﷺ got up from a meeting, he would recite:

Translation: When I asked him the reason for reciting this dua so often, he said, ‘If a person recites it at the end of a meeting, then all his mistakes and shortcomings during the meeting are forgiven.’” We are all likely to do some irrelevant and useless talk during a meeting. This dua is very brief, but whosoever recites either of the two versions of this dua will get saved from the adverse results of that meeting. Allah Ta’ala has provided so many facilities for our benefit.

Translation: Hadith 17 – Your name mentioned in the presence of Allah Ta’ala عَنِ النَعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيْرٍ رَضِىَ اللّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللّهِ صَلّى اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ :عَنِ النُعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيْرٍ رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللّهِ صَلَّى اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ٱلَّذِيْنَ يَذْكُرُوْنَ مِنْ جَلَالِ اللّهِ مِنْ تَسْبِيْحِهِ وَتَحْمِيْدِهِ وَتَكْبِيْرِهِ وَتَهْلِيْلِهِ يَتَعَاطَفْنَ حَوْلَ الْعَرْشِ لَهُنَّ دَوِىٌّ كَدَوِيِ النَّحْلِ يَذْكُرُوْنَ بِصَاحِبِهِنَ الَا يُجِبُ ٱحَدُكُمْ ان لَا يَزَالَ لَهُ

Translation: Hadhrat Numaan bin Basheer رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “When a person hymns the greatness of Allah, i.e.

Translation: recites سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ ٱللّهُ اكُبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ these kalimahs revolve round the Arsh (throne of Allah Ta’ala) with a low humming tone, and mention the name of the reciter. Do you not wish that there should be somebody near Allah Ta’ala to mention and recommend you before Him?”

Note: People who try to get close to the rulers or hanker after positions, get overwhelmed with joy and feel so proud if they are praised before a governor, not to speak of even the viceroy or the minister or the king, even though such a recommendation does not benefit them in Deen or dunya. It is quite clear that this brings no Deeni benefit to them. In dunya also they have no benefit because if there is some benefit in these recommendations, the harms are far more greater than the benefits. In order to approach high officials, some people squander their property, get involved in debt, earn the enmity of others and thus disgrace themselves in so many ways. All this is experienced during the election period. On the other hand, just imagine the blessings and honour of one’s name being mentioned before the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala, the Rabb of all Rabbs, who controls this world as well as the Hereafter and in fact everything in the universe, Who controls the hearts of the kings, Who grants success or failure, gain or loss; so that, all the people of the world, including the rulers and the ruled, the kings and their subjects, cannot harm or help anybody against His will. They cannot give even a drop of water to anybody if He does not will it. No worldly wealth or honour can be compared to this blessing that one’s name should be mentioned with favour before such a Supreme Rabb. If a person attaches more importance to any worldly honour, he does a great wrong to himself.

Hadith 18 – Counting on ones fingers

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :نَهِ وَسَلَمَ: عَلَيْكُنَ بِالتَّسْبِيْحِ وَالتَّهْلِيْلِ وَالتَقْدِيْسِ وَاعْقِدْنَ بِالْأَنَامِلِ فَإِنَّهُنَ مَسْتُوْلَاتٌ مُسْتَنْطَقَاتٌ وَلَا تَغْفُلْنَ فَتَنْسَيْنَ الرَحْمَةَ ر اء الترمذى ٣٥٨٣

Translation: Hadhrat Yusayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , one of the Muhaajir women, related that Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “Make it a point of reading Subhaanallah, Laailaaha illallaah, Taqdees (Subhaanal Malikil Quddoos; Subbuhun Quddusun Rabbul Malaaikati war rooh) and counting on your fingers, because the fingers will also be questioned on the Day of Qiyaamah about the deeds performed by them and will speak out what they did. You should not neglect doing zikr of Allah Ta’ala, otherwise you would get deprived of His Mercy.”

Note: On the Day of Qiyaamah, not only the body of a person, but even his hands, feet, and every limb will be questioned about the good and bad actions performed by them, as stated in the Qur-aan Shareef at so many places. At one place, it is stated,

Translation: “The day when their tongues, hands and feet will stand witness against them about the sins they committed.” (Surah Noor - Aayah 24)

At another place, it is said:

Translation: At this place, the subject matter is described in several aayaat, which are translated as follows: “On that Day (Day of Qiyaamah), the enemies of Allah Ta’ala will be driven towards Jahannam. Then they will be checked at one place, till they have all reached near Jahannam. At that time, their ears, eyes, skin, etc., will bear witness against them, (and will speak out about the sins committed through these by each person). At this, those people will (in utter surprise) say to them, “Why do you give witness against us?” (it was for you that, in the worldly life, we indulged in sins?) These organs will reply, “Allah Ta’ala has given us the ability ZIKR of speech, as He gave the ability of speech to all things. It is He Who created you the first time, and unto Him you have returned.” (Surah Haa meem Sajdah - Aayah 19)

There are many Ahaadith that describe this sort of testimony. In one Hadith, it is stated, “On the Day of Qiyaamah, the non-believer, in spite of knowing his own sins, will deny that he had ever committed them. He will be told that his neighbours stand witness against him. He will reply that the neighbours speak lies out of enmity against him. He will be told that his own family testify against him, but he will say that they are also false. Then his own limbs will be made to give evidence against him. According to one Hadith, the thigh will be the first to testify the evil deeds committed by it. It is stated in one Hadith, “The last one to cross the Siraat Bridge will pass stumbling to this side and that side, just as a child does when his father gives him a beating. The Malaaikah will ask him whether he would confess to his sins if he were helped to cross it with ease. He will promise that he will confess the truth, and he will swear by Allah that he will not hide any fact. The Malaaikah will make him stand erect and pass the Siraat Bridge. When he has crossed over, he will be asked by the Malaaikah to give his statement. Thinking that, if he confesses, he may be sent back to Jahannam, he will flatly deny having committed any sin.

The Malaaikah will tell him that they can produce witnesses against him. He will look around and as there will be nobody, he will think that since everybody has now reached their destination, no witness can be available against him, and therefore, he will agree to face the witnesses. His own limbs will be asked to speak the truth, and when they start speaking he will be left with no option but to accept. Then he will say, “There are many serious sins that are still to be told.” Allah Ta’ala will then say that he has been granted forgiveness. Therefore, it is necessary for us that we should make our limbs do as many good acts as possible, so that they may give witness in our favour. It is for this reason that Rasulullah ﷺ had ordered (his followers) to make zikr on the fingers. For the same reason, it is mentioned in another Hadith that we should attend the masjid very frequently, so that the foot-steps will bear witness in our favour, and reward will be granted for these.

How fortunate are those people against whom there is nobody to stand witness, either because no sins were committed or because they were washed off through taubah etc., and who (on the other hand) have hundreds and thousands of witnesses to testify to their good deeds and virtues. The easy way to become one such person is: Firstly, if a sin is committed, it should be wiped out at once by means of taubah (because in this way the sin is wiped away, as stated in Hadith No 33 of Section 2, Chapter II) and secondly, the virtues should be accumulated in the account of deeds and there should be witnesses to testify to them. The limbs used for good deeds will all stand witness in one’s favour. Counting (of zikr) on the fingers by Rasulullah ﷺ himself is mentioned in various words in several Ahaadith. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ related that Rasulullah ﷺ used to make zikr by counting on his fingers. In the Hadith under discussion, there is warning against neglecting the zikr of Allah Ta’ala, which deprives one of His Mercy. It is learnt from this that people who neglect zikr are ignored in respect of the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala. It is said in the Qur-aan Shareef, “You remember Me, then I will remember you (with My Mercy).” Allah Ta’ala has thus made making His zikr a condition for granting His favours. The Qur-aan Shareef says:

Translation: “And a person who intentionally blinds himself to the of zikr Allah Ta’ala (which may be recitation of the Qur-aan or any other zikr), We appoint a shaytaan on him, who remains with him all the time and who (with other such shaytaans) keeps on misleading all such people (who have become blind to the zikr of Allah Ta’ala), and yet they feel they are rightly guided.” (Surah Zukhruf - Aayah 37)

It is stated in one Hadith that a shaytaan is appointed to remain with every person. In the case of a non-believer, he takes part in everything he does; he is with him even when he eats, drinks and sleeps. In the case of a believer, he remains at some distance, but is always on the lookout for a chance to attack him unawares when he is not making the zikr of Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala says at another place in the Qur-aan Shareef:

Translation: “O, you who believe! Let not your wealth or your children (and other similar things) distract you from the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala. Those who do so are the losers. And spend of that wherewith We have provided you, before death overtakes one of you and then he says, ‘My Rabb: if only You would give me respite for a little while, then I would give charity and be amongst Your pious ones,’ But Allah Ta’ala will never give respite to any soul when its time has come and Allah Ta’ala is aware of all that you do.” (Surah Munaafiqoon - Aayah 9-11)

There are some people who are mindful of the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala at any given time. Hadhrat Shibli رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes, “I happened to see a lunatic on whom some boys were throwing stones at. I scolded the boys, who said, “This man claims that he sees Allah.” I went near him and found that he was murmuring something. On listening to him attentively, I heard him saying, “You have done so well to have set these boys after me.” I said to him, “These boys accuse you of something.” “What do they say?” he enquired. I said, “They say that you claim to see Allah Ta’ala.” He yelled a shriek and said, “O Shibli, I swear by Him, who has afflicted me with His Love and Who keeps me wandering restlessly sometimes near Him and at times away from Him. If I were to lose sight of Him even for a while, my heart would burst into pieces on account of the pangs of separation.” Saying this, he turned and ran away from me reciting the following couplet:

Translation: Your appearance is constantly before my eyes, your remembrance is always on my tongue, your abode is in my heart, then where can you hide from me.

Translation: When Junaid Baghdadi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was about to die, someone advised him to recite the kalimah. He said, “I have never forgotten it at any time.” (you should remind it to someone who may have neglected it).

When Hadhrat Mumshaad Dinwari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was about to ZIKR die someone made dua to Allah Ta’ala for granting of such and such blessings to him in Jannah. He smiled, and said, “For the last thirty years, Jannah with all its blessings has been appearing before me, but I have not even once diverted my attention from Allah Ta’ala towards it.” When somebody reminded Hadhrat Ruwaym رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ at the time of his death, to recite the kalimah, he said, “I have no acquaintance with anyone except Allah Ta’ala.” When Hadhrat Ahmad bin Khadhrawayh رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was about to die, somebody asked him something. With tears in his eyes he said, “For the last ninety-five years, I have been knocking at a door which is now about to open. I am not aware whether it will be a good or a bad fortune for me. I am too absorbed to talk to anybody at this time.”

Hadith 19 – A special zikr taught to Hadhrat Juwayriyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Juwayriyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا related, “When Rasulullah ﷺ left my house for the Fajar Salaah, I was sitting on the musalla (busy in the zikr of Allah Ta’ala). When he came back after Chaasht Salaah (just before midday), I was still sitting in the same position. He asked me whether I had continued in that position right from the time he left in the morning. I replied in the affirmative. He then said, “After I left you, I recited four kalimahs three times which, if compared to all that you have recited since the morning, will be found to outweigh it. These kalimahs are:

Translation: (Glory and praise be to Allah Ta’ala equal in number to His creation, according to His will and pleasure, equal in weight to His Arsh and equal to the ink of his words).”

Translation: It is mentioned in another Hadith that Hadhrat Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ accompanied Rasulullah ﷺ to the house of a Sahaabi woman رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , who had before her some date seeds and pebbles, on which she was counting her zikr. Rasulullah ﷺ said to her, “May I tell you something which may be easier (or better) than this?” (i.e. easier than counting zikr on the stones)

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ عَدَدَ مَاخَلَقَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَسُبْحَانَ اللّهِ عَدَدَ مَا خَلَقَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَسُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ عَدَدَ مَا بَيْنَ ذٰلِكَ وَسُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ عَدَدَ مَا هُوَ خَالِقٌ وَاللهُ اكْبَرُ مِثْلَ ذٰلِكَ وَالْحَمْدُ الِلهِ مِثْلَ ذٰلِكَ وَلَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مِثْلَ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ

I glorify Allah equal to the number of His creation in the Heaven, I glorify Allah equal to the number of His creation on the earth, and I glorify Allah equal to the number of His creation in between the two (i.e. between the Heaven and the Earth), and I glorify Allah equal to the number of things He is to create. And likewise Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulillaah, Laailaaha illallaah and laahawla walaa quwwata illaa billaah.

Note: Mulla Ali Qari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has written that the zikr in the words mentioned above is more rewarding because one concentrates ZIKR on the attributes of Allah Ta’ala mentioned therein, and then meditates over them. It is evident that the more one meditates and contemplates over the zikr one does, the better it is. It is for this reason that the recitation of even a few aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef, with proper contemplation on what is read, is far better than considerably more recitation done without proper understanding. Some Ulama consider that this zikr is superior because there is in it an expression of one’s utter helplessness in respect of counting the praises and favours of Allah Ta’ala, which is the best form of submission to Him. It is for this reason that some Sufis say that we commit countless sins, but we recite the name of Allah Ta’ala a limited number of times by counting. This does not mean that we should not count zikr. If it were so, then counting in particular cases would not have been stressed in the Ahaadith. In many of the Ahaadith, special rewards are promised for doing a particular zikr a specific number of times. It really means that one should not feel satisfied after completing the specified number, and that after completing the zikr specified for particular timings of the day, one should still remain engaged in other various forms of zikr in one’s free moments, because zikr is such a precious wealth that it should not be confined to any number or any other limitation.

The Tasbeeh These Ahaadith also indicate the permissibility of using a tasbeeh (i.e. a string of beads) for keeping a count of the zikr. Some people think this to be a bidat (innovation), but this is not correct, because its source is found in the time of Nabi ﷺ . Rasulullah ﷺ saw others counting on pebbles and date-seeds whilst making zikr, but did not object to it, which proves its justification. Stringing or not stringing these beads together does not make any difference in its ruling. Therefore, all Ulama and Fuqahaa have been using it. Moulana Abdul Hay Saahib رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ wrote a book named Nuzhatul Fikr on this subject. Mulla Ali Qari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “This Hadith provides a valid proof for the commonly used string of beads, because Rasulullah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ saw his companions counting on date-seeds and pebbles, and did not disapprove of it, which proves its justification, and stringing or not stringing the beads does not make any difference. Therefore, the ZIKR statement of the people who call this practice a bidat (innovation) is not reliable. In the terminology of the Sufis, the string of beads is called a whip for Shaytaan”. Someone once saw a tasbeeh in the hands of Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ at a time when he was at the height of his spiritual glory, and questioned him about it. He replied that he could not give up a thing by means of which he had attained nearness to Allah Ta’ala. It is narrated about many Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ that they kept date-seeds and pebbles for counting zikr. It is related about a Sahaabi named Abu Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا that he used to do zikr whilst counting on small pebbles or stones. It is related about Hadhrat Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that he used both date stones as well as pebbles. Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is also reported to have used pebbles for counting zikr. It is mentioned in Mirqaat that Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to count on a string with knots on it. It is mentioned in ‘Sunan Abi Dawood’, a book of Ahaadith, that Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to keep a bag full of date-seeds and pebbles for counting zikr and that when the bag would get empty, his servant would put the date-seeds and pebbles back into the bag and place it near him again. The bag would get empty because the stones were placed outside the bag whilst counting the zikr, till all the stones would be placed outside the bag. The servant would then put the same stones back into the bag and place it near him. It is also narrated about Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that he had a bag containing ajwah date-seeds, on which he would commence zikr after the Fajar Salaah and would continue till all the seeds were emptied from the bag. Hadhrat Abu Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , a slave of Rasulullah ﷺ , used to spread a piece of skin with pebbles on it before him and he would count his zikr with these pebbles from morning to midday. When this skin with pebbles used to be removed from there, he would then attend to his other needs. After the Zuhr Salaah, the skin was again spread before him and he would continue with his zikr on the pebbles till the evening. The grandson of Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrated that, his grandfather used to have a string with two thousand knots in it, and he would not go to bed until he had completed making zikr on these.

Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , the daughter of Hadhrat Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , also ZIKR had a string with knots on which she used to count her zikr. In the language of the Sufis, the tasbeeh is also known as muzakkirah (that which reminds), because when it is held in one’s hand, there is a sort of urge for doing zikr, and therefore, it is termed as such. In this connection a Hadith is also narrated through Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “What a good muzakkirah (reminder) is the tasbeeh.” In this regard, a Hadith is narrated by Moulana Abdul Hay رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ ; “Every Shaikh (teacher) in my line right up to a pupil of Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ had bestowed a tasbeeh on his pupil and recommended him to make zikr on it.” The pupil of Hadhrat Junaid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ had stated, “On seeing a tasbeeh in the hand of my Shaikh, I enquired if he still needed the tasbeeh after having reached such a spiritual height.” He replied that he had seen this tasbeeh in the hand of his Shaikh, Sirri Saqati رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ and had put the same question to him, and Hadhrat Sirri Saqati رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ had also replied that on seeing a tasbeeh in the hand of his Shaikh, Hadhrat Ma’roof Karkhi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , he had put the same question to his Shaikh Hadhrat Bishr Haafi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , who said that he had also put the question to his Shaikh Umar Makki رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , who had also stated that he had asked the same question from his Shaikh Hadhrat Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , as to why he kept a tasbeeh in his hand in spite of his having attained such spiritual heights, to which the Shaikh replied, “It had proved very useful in my initial stages of tasawwuf and I had made progress because of it. I do not want to leave it in the last stage when I want to use my heart, tongue, hands and everything in making the zikr of Allah Ta’ala.” There is some discussions in the field of Hadith in this regard.

Hadith 20 – Tasbeeh-e-Faatimah

Translation:

Translation:

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ :

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said to one of his students, “May I tell you a story relating to me and my wife, Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , the daughter of Rasulullah ﷺ and the most beloved one in his family?” “Do tell us,” replied the student. Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said, “Most definitely I will tell you. She used to grind the corn herself, as a result of which there were marks of calluses on her hands. She used to fetch the water in a skin bag, the strings of which left marks on her chest. She swept the house herself as a result her clothes remained dirty. Once Rasulullah ﷺ received a few slaves, both men and women and I persuaded Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا to go to her father and ask for a servant who could help her in her work. She went, but on seeing a big crowd with Rasulullah ﷺ , she came back. The next day, Rasulullah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ came to our house and asked her why she had come to him the previous day. She kept silent (out of modesty), so I said, ‘O Rasulullah! ﷺ , her hands have become rough on account of working the grindstone, the skin bag used by her for fetching water has left marks on her chest, and her clothes remain dirty because of sweeping the house. Therefore, I had sent her to ask for a slave so that she would get some relief in her work.’ Rasulullah ﷺ said, ‘O Faatimah! Keep fearing Allah Ta’ala, discharge your obligatory duties to Him, do all the work in the house yourself and at the time of going to bed recite Subhaanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillaah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 34 times, which totals 100, because this is better for you ZIKR than a servant.’ She said, ‘I submit to the Will of Allah Ta’ala and the advice of His Rasool ﷺ .’

According to another Hadith, a similar story is related of two cousins of Rasulullah ﷺ who, along with his daughter, Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , went to him and told him of their hardships and asked for a servant. Rasulullah ﷺ replied to them, “As for giving you a servant, the orphans of the Battle of Badr deserve preference over you but I can tell you something that is better than a servant. After every Salaah, recite these three Kalimahs (i.e. Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar) thirty-three times each and then recite once,

Translation: This will be more useful than a servant.”

Note: Rasulullah ﷺ recommended this zikr especially to members of his family and his relatives. According to one Hadith, he would advise his wives to recite Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillaah and Allahu Akbar thirty-three times each at the time of going to bed. In the Hadith under discussion, he recommended this zikr to be beneficial for worldly labour and hardship. The reason is obvious that worldly labour and hardship is not a matter of serious consequence for a Muslim. He is always anxious to provide for the comforts and joys in the life after death. It was therefore that Rasulullah ﷺ diverted the attention of his dear ones from the hardships and worries of this life to making provision for the comforts in the Aakhirah. That this particular zikr is most rewarding in the Aakhirah has been described in the Hadith given in this chapter. The other reason why Rasulullah ﷺ recommended these tasbeehaat for zikr is that, in addition to spiritual and religious gains, these tasbeehaat bring many worldly benefits as well. There are many things in the Book of Allah Ta’ala and in the sayings of Rasulullah ﷺ which result not only in spiritual benefits but also in worldly benefits. Thus, it is said in one Hadith that during the time of Dajjaal the food of the believers will be the same as that of the Malaaikah, i.e. reciting Subhaanallah, etc.. Allah Ta’ala will satisfy their hunger. This Hadith proves that in this life one can also live upon the zikr of Allah Ta’ala without eating and drinking anything. When a common believer can acquire this at the time of Dajjaal, it is no wonder that the pious servants of Allah Ta’ala can attain this blessing even in present times. Therefore, one should not deny or refute that on certain occasions there were some Buzroogs who had lived without (or on insufficient) food for days on end. It is stated in one Hadith that when a fire breaks out anywhere, Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) should be recited excessively, because it will help in extinguishing the fire. It is written in the book ‘Al-Hisnul Haseen’ that if somebody feels difficult or tired in doing some job and requires additional strength to overcome his shortcoming, he should recite Subhaanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillaah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 34 times, before going to bed, or each of the three tasbeehaat should be recited 33 times or any one of the three may be said 34 times. Hafiz Ibn Taymiyah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has deduced from the Ahaadith in which Rasulullah ﷺ , instead of giving a servant to Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , advised her to recite these tasbeehaat, that one who does this zikr with constancy will not get tired while doing difficult jobs. Hafiz Ibn Hajar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated that even if he feels a little tired, it will not harm him in any way by reading these tasbeehaat. Mulla Ali Qaari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has mentioned that it had been experienced that the recitation of this zikr before going to bed removes tiredness and increases one’s strength. Allamah Suyuti رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has written in his book ‘Mirqaatus-Sa’ood’ that the recitation of these tasbeehaat is better than a servant is true in respect of the life in the Aakhirah. Because the benefits that will add up in the Aakhirah as a result of this zikr cannot be compared to the small benefit and usefulness of a servant in this world. Even from the worldly perspective it is also better, because the strength that will be acquired through doing this zikr enables one to accomplish more than is possible even with the help of a servant. According to one Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “There are two routines which, if followed by a Muslim, will enable him to enter Jannah. Both these routines are very easy to follow, but very few people will act on them. One is to recite these three tasbeehaat ten times each after every Salaah. In this way, one glorifies Allah Ta’ala 150 times and thereby earns 1500 rewards every day. The second routine is to recite Subhaanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillaah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 34 times before going to bed every day. In this way, one does 100 good deeds but actually earns 1000 rewards. Someone asked the reason why only a few people will be able to act upon this? Rasulullah ﷺ said, “At the time of Salaah, shaytaan comes and reminds him of something, which makes him get up and go away, and at night shaytaan reminds him of other work, which makes him neglect the recitation of this zikr.” In these Ahaadith there is one thing especially noteworthy that Hadhrat Faatimah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , who will be the leader of women in Jannah, and the daughter of the leader of mankind in both the worlds, used to grind the corn flour herself, as a result of which her hands developed calluses on them, would herself fetch the water in the skin water bag, which left impressions on her chest and would sweep the house herself, so that her clothes remained dirty and did all other household duties like cooking meals and preparing bread, etc. Do our womenfolk do this much work or even half of that with their own hands? If it is not so and our lives have little resemblance with the lives of those whom we profess to be our leaders, then it is a matter of great shame. It ought to have been that we, who claim to be their servants, should put in more labour than our masters, but it is a matter of great disappointment that the actual position is quite the opposite.

Translation: Salaatut Tasbeeh Now I will describe something that is really very important and thereby conclude this section of this book. The tasbeehaat mentioned above are very important and very useful from a worldly as well as a spiritual point of view as mentioned in the Ahaadith given above. As these tasbeehaat are very important and rewarding, Rasulullah ﷺ prescribed a special Salaah, which is known as Salaatut Tasbeeh (i.e. Salaah of these ZIKR tasbeehaat). It is called Salaatut Tasbeeh, because these kalimahs are recited 300 times during this Salaah. Rasulullah ﷺ greatly stressed this and encouraged us to offer this Salaah as is evident from the following Ahaadith;

Translation: 1) Once Rasulullah ﷺ said to his uncle, Hadhrat Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , “O, Abbaas, my uncle! I want to make a special gift to you i.e.

Translation: to tell you something special, so that if you act upon it, Allah Ta’ala will forgive all your sins, whether past or present, intentional or unintentional, minor or major, open or secret. That action is to offer four rakaats of nafl Salaah and during each rakaat, after you have recited Surah Faatihah and one more Surah, then you should say:

Translation: 15 times, while standing, then repeat it 10 times when you are in ruku, 10 times when you stand up from the ruku, 10 times in the first sajdah, 10 times when you rise from the first sajdah, 10 times in the second sajdah, and 10 times when you sit up after the second sajdah. The total in each rakaat comes to 75. If possible, you should offer this Salaah once every day and if you cannot do it daily, then offer it every Friday, or once a month, or once a year or at least once in your lifetime.”

Translation: 2) A Sahaabi narrates, “Once Rasulullah ﷺ said to me, ‘Come to me tomorrow morning, I will grant you something. I will give you a special gift.’ I thought that I would be given something of material value. When I went to him he said to me, ‘Offer four rakaats of Salaah after midday.’ Then Rasulullah ﷺ explained the method of offering this Salaah (as given in the above Hadith). Rasulullah ﷺ also told me that even if I were more sinful than all the people of the world, my sins would be forgiven. I asked him what I should do if for some reason, I am not able to offer this Salaah at the given time. He told me to offer it whenever I could during the day or night.”

عَنْ نَافِعٍ رَحِمَهُ اللّهُ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِىَ اللّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ :عَنْ نَافِعٍ رَحِمَهُ اللهُ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: وَجَّةَ رَسُوْلُ اللّهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ ابِ طَالِبٍ رَضِىَ اللّهُ عَنْهُ إِلَى بِلَادِ الْحَبَشَةٍ فَلَمَّا قَدِمَ اعْتَنَقَهُ وَقَبَّلَ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ الَا ٱهَبُ لَكَ الَا أبَشِرُكَ الَا امْنَحُكَ الَا اتْحِفُكَ قَالَ نَعَمُ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللهِ قَالَ تُصَلِّع أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَهُ ( اء الحاضم ١١١٩٦

Translation: (3) Rasulullah ﷺ had sent his cousin, Hadhrat Ja’far, رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ to Ethiopia. When he returned from there and reached Madinah Shareef, Rasulullah ﷺ embraced him, kissed him on his forehead, and said to him, “Shall I give you something, give you good tidings, give you a gift, grant you a present?” He replied in the affirmative and then Rasulullah ﷺ asked him to offer four rakaats of Salaah in the manner explained already. In this Hadith the four tasbeehaat are also followed by,

لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِ الْعَظِيْمِ laahawla walaa quwwata illaa billaahil a’liyyil a’zeem.

Translation:

Translation: (4) Hadhrat Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrated, “Rasulullah ﷺ said to me ‘Should I grant you a present, give you a gift, bestow something on you?’ I thought that he wanted to give me some material thing which had not been given to anybody else. Then he taught me the method of offering four rakaats, as explained above. He also told me that when I sit for at-tahiyyaat, I should repeat this tasbeehaat before reciting at-tahiyyaatu...”

Translation:

Translation: سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ وَاللهُ اكْبَرُ ثُمَّ يَتَعَوَّذُ وَيَقْرَا :سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ وَاللهُ اكْبَرُ ثُمَ يَتَعَوَذُ وَيَقْرَا: بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ وَفَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَسُوْرَةً ثُمَّ يَقُوْلُ عَشْرَ مَرَاتِ: سُبُحَانَ اللّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا

Translation:

Translation: 5) Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubaarak رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ and many other Ulama, while narrating the virtues of Salaatut Tasbeeh, also narrate the following method of offering this Salaah. “After reciting sanaa and before starting Surah Faatihah repeat these kalimahs 15 times. Then start with ta’awwuz and tasmiyyah and, after completing Surah Faatihah and some surah, these tasbeehaat should be repeated ten times before the ruku, ten times during the ruku, ten times after rising from the ruku, ten times in each sajdah and ten times while sitting between the two sajdahs. This completes seventy-five times in one rakaat (so that these tasbeehaat do not have to be read in the sitting position after the two sajdahs). In the ruku subhaana rabbiyal azeem and in sajdah subhaana rabbiyal a’ala should be recited before reciting the tasbeehaat.” (This method is also narrated to have been advised by Rasulullah ﷺ ).

Note: (1) Salaatut Tasbeeh is a very important Salaah as is evident from the Ahaadith given above. Rasulullah ﷺ enjoined it as a matter of great kindness and favour and stressed its importance. As such, the Ulama, Muhaddiseen, Fuqaha and Sufis, throughout the past centuries, have been particular in offering this Salaah. Haakim رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , who is an authority on Hadith, has written that the authenticity of this Hadith is supported by the fact that, from the Tab-e-Taabi’een (The second generation after the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ ) to our times with continuity, all the great Ulama of Deen have been offering this Salaah constantly and have been advising people to do so. Amongst such great people was Abdullah bin Mubaarak رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . He was the teacher of the teachers of Imaam Bukhaari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . Imaam Bayhaqi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ stated that even before Ibnul Mubaarak, Abul Jauzaa رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , a great Taabi’ee (one who had seen the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ ) and whose narrations are considered to be reliable, used to be very particular in offering this Salaah. As soon as he heard the azaan for the Zuhr Salaah, he would go to the Masjid and would complete this Salaah before the Zuhr Salaah daily. Abdul Aziz bin Abi Rawwaad رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , who was the teacher of Ibnul Mubaarak رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , and who was a great devotee, buzroog and pious man, stated that one who desires to go to Jannah should be very constant in offering Salaatut Tasbeeh. Abu Usmaan Hayree رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ who was a great buzroog stated that nothing is as effective as Salaatut Tasbeeh in providing relief from misfortunes and sorrows. Allama Taqi Subki رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ stated, “This Salaah is very important and one should not get misled if some people happen to deny its importance. One who ignores it even after learning about its reward, is negligent in Deeni matters, fails to act like virtuous people, and should not be considered as a reliable person.” It is stated in Mirqaat that Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to offer this Salaah every Friday. (2) Some Ulama do not accept this Hadith to be authentic, because they cannot reconcile that there could be so much reward, especially forgiveness of major sins, for offering only four rakaats of Salaah. But since it has been narrated by many Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , its authenticity cannot be denied. However, according to many Aayaat and other Ahaadith, taubah remains an essential condition for the forgiveness of major sins. (3) In the Ahaadith given above, two slightly different methods of offering this Salaah have been described. The first method is that;

سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَهِ لَا إِلْهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ اللّٰهُ اكُبَرُ should be recited fifteen times while standing, after reciting Surah Faatihah and one surah, ten times after reciting subhaana rabbiyal azeem in the ruku, ten times after rising from ruku, ten times, after reciting subhaana rabbiyal a’ala in each sajdah, ten times while sitting between the two sajdahs; and ten times after the second sajdah, when after saying subhaana rabbiyal a’ala one should repeat it ten times before standing after the first and third rakaats and before reciting At-Tahiyyaat in the second and fourth rakaats.

According to the second method of offering this Salaah, the tasbeehaat should be recited fifteen times after reciting sanaa and before reciting Surah Faatihah, ten times after reciting Surah Faatihah and a surah, and the rest is like the first method, except that it is not necessary to recite this tasbeehaat after the second sajdah in any rakaat. The Ulama have stated, “It is better if this Salaah is offered sometimes according to the first method and sometimes the second method.”

Masaail of Salaatut Tasbeeh As this Salaah is not a general practice, a few rules are mentioned below for the ease of those who offer it: (1) In this Salaah, no surah is particularly specified. Any surah may be recited. But some Ulama have stated that four out of the five surahs, namely Hadeed, Hashr, Saf, Jumu’ah and Taghaabun should be recited. According to some Ahaadith, at least twenty aayaat should be recited. According to some, it should be any of the following surahs, Zilzaal, Aadiyaat, Takaasur, Asr, Kaafiroon, Nasr, and Ikhlaas.

2) Counting should not be done verbally as this act will break or nullify the Salaah. Counting on the fingers or by means of a string of beads is permissible but Makrooh (not desirable). The best way is that the fingers should be kept in their position, but should be pressed on the hand or body one by one for counting.

(3) If one forgets to recite the tasbeeh at any stage, he should make up the number in the next act of Salaah, except that no such deficiency should be made up after rising from ruku, between the two sajdahs or after the second sajdah. In these three positions, one should recite the tasbeehaat as specified and then make up the deficiency in the next position. For instance, if one forgets recitation of the kalimah in the ruku one should make up this deficiency in the first sajdah. Similarly, the deficiency of the first sajdah should be made up in the second sajdah and that of second sajdah in the second rakaat while standing or, if one forgets to do so, then in the last rakaat while sitting and before reciting at tahiyyaat. (4) If, for some reason, sajdatus sahw becomes necessary, the tasbeehaat should not to be recited then, because the number of 300 has already been completed. However, if the total has been less than 300, the deficiency can then be made up in sajdatus sahwu as well.

(5) According to some Ahaadith the following dua should be recited ZIKR after at-tahiyyaat and before the salaam:

Translation:

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ #

Translation: O Allah! I ask of you to grant me taufeeq (ability) like that of the people of guidance, actions like that of the people of yaqeen (conviction), sincerity like those who make taubah for their sins, courage like those who make sabr (patience), sacrifice like those who have fear, aspirations as possessed by those who are endowed with Your love, ibaadah (worship) like that of the pious and recognition like that of the Ulama. And allow all of these (blessings) to remain with me till I meet with You. O Allah! I beg of You to bless me with such fear which would prevent me from committing sins so that I may do acts of obedience for You in a way that I will receive Your pleasure, and I may make taubah sincerely before You out of fear for You, that I may be encouraged to do acts of ibaadah (worship) out of special regards for You, and I may rely purely on You in all matters and hope for the best from You, O The Unblemished Creator of light. You are above all defects. O our Sustainer! Grant us complete light (noor) and forgive us; no doubt You have complete control over everything. O! You, the Most Merciful, grant my dua out of Your Mercy. (6) Except the three forbidden times, this Salaah can be offered at any time of the day or night. However, the preferred time is after Zawwaal (midday), then any time during the day and thereafter any time during the night. (7) According to some Ahaadith, the third kalimah should also be followed by lahawla wal quwwata illa billah as also stated in Hadith No.

Translation: three given above. It is, therefore, better to recite it sometimes in addition ZIKR to the third kalimah.

Translation: (Hadhrat Shaikh) ZAKARIYYA KANDHALVI Friday Night 26th Shawwal 1358 (A.H.)