Tok Pulau Manis (1650-1736)

(Translated from “Syarah Kitab Hikam Ibn ‘Athoillah Tok Pulau Manis, proofread and commented by Haji Engku ‘Ali bin Engku Endut”)

His real name is Shaykh ‘Abdul Malik bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdul Qahhar bin Sharif Muhammad al-Baghdadi. He is also known as Tok Sheh Pulau Manis, Tokku Pulau Manis, Tuan Pulau Manis, and Sharif ‘Abdul Malik.

Among the earliest family of da’wah to setle in Terengganu, his father lived in Kampung Pauh, Hulu Terengganu. His great-grandfather Sharif Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah had been of noble lineage from Baghdad, Iraq. He later moved to Makkah, then Acheh in North Sumatra, then to the Malay Peninsula, where he settled near Batu Belah, Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu.

Tok Pulau Manis was born in Kampung Pauh in 1650 AD (1060 AH). After an early education by his own father, he set out to Acheh and studied under the great Shaykh ‘Abdul Rauf Singkel. After a brief stint in Java, he continued his pursuit of knowledge in Makkah al-Mukarramah, the center for knowledge and worship. Arriving in 1681, he spent 10-12 years at the feet of various ulama including Shaykh Ibrahim bin Hassan bin Shihabuddin ash-Shafi’I al-Kurdi al-Kurani (successor of Shaykh Ahmad al-Qushashi).

His peers in Makkah include Haji Muhammad Soleh bin ‘Umar Semarani, Dato’ Syed Abdullah, Faqih ‘Abdul Qadir Palembang, Faqih ‘Abdul Rahman Fatoni, Faqih ‘Abdul Samad Kedah, Haji Ibrahim, and Haji Muhammad Siantan.

Deeply interested in tasawwuf, he studied the works of imams Ibn ‘Athoillah, al-Ghazali, Ibnul ‘Arabi, Abu Tholib al-Makki, al-Qushairi, Abu Nasr as-Siraj at-Thusi, Ibn ‘Abbad, Ahmad Zarruq and others. He chose the path of Shaziliyyah as his tariqah. He busied himself in the study of usuluddin in the creed of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah, in Shafi’I fiqh, tafsir, hadith, history, and various disciplines of Arabic language.

Apparently a cream of the crops among his peers, Tok Pulau Manis was requested to translate the famous Ibn ‘Athoillah’s Hikam to Malay. The fame of his Hikam translation reached the Malay Peninsula even before his return to native land in 1690. He started teaching Hikam in his own village, later in Kampung Batu Hampar, then moved downstream to his new residence in Kampung Pulau Manis.

Renowned as a wali of Allah, many students from all over the Peninsula came to study under him in Pulau Manis. The students built small huts for residence, hence the pondok (hut) system. After his passing, his pondok system was administered by his descendants, and saw relocation and expansion to Beladau, Sungai Rengas, Kampung Midin, and Kampung Aur Cina.

Tok Pulau Manis was famous among the masses as well as the nobles. Besides the public, Sultan Zainal ‘Abidin I and many of the palace chieftains also counted as his students. He was the official Shaykhul ‘Ulama and Mufti.

He left behind 3 religious works besides the sharah of Hikam:

1. Kitab Kifayah on usuluddin and fiqh.
2. Risalah Naqal on the number of congregants valid to make a Friday solah.
3. Risalah Kaifiyyah an-Niyyah on fiqh and tasawwuf.

An islamic school has been named in his honor. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Shayk ‘Abdul Malik is located in the capital city Kuala Terengganu.

Wallahu a'lam

Lessons Update at Pondok Batu 10

On 24th May 2009 we started reading Hikam Tok Pulau Manis under Ustaz Zakaria Awang. Keeping up the tabs with lessons at Madrasah Diniah Ahmadiah Batu 10 Cheras, here is the list of texts read so far (start counting since mid-2006):

Mengenal Diri dan Wali Allah (khatam) by Mustafa Muhammad al-Jiasi
Munyatul Musolli (khatam) by Shaykh Wan Daud al-Fathoni
Muafiq dan Masbuq(khatam) by Hassan Ahmad
Risalah Tauhid by ‘Abdul Ghani Yahya and ‘Umar Yusuf
Sembahyang Musafir Jama’ dan Qasar by Jinal Sakiban al-Johori
Tajul ‘Arus by Ibn ‘Athoillah – translated by Uthman al-Funtiani
Wishahul Afrah wa Isbahul Falah by Muhammad bin Ismail Daud al-Fathoni
Sharah dan Terjemah Hikam Ibn ‘Athoillah by Tok Pulau Manis

All are welcome to attend, and we pray that Allah make us benefit from the shaykhs, amin.

Here are some comments made by Ustaz Zakaria on Hikam, Ibn 'Athoillah (also spelled Ata'illah), and Tok Pulau Manis:

There are many commentaries on the original Hikam, each explained as per the author's understanding. Some that available in the Malaysian market:
- by Salim Bahreisy, Singapore.
- by Kiyai Muhibbudin al-Wali, Indonesia
- by Sa'id Hawa, originally in Arabic
- by Soleh Karimi, Sungai Merab
- and one by Tok Pulau Manis, a wali who has attained Allah in terms of 'ilmi and dzauqi.

The older generation liked to tell tales about their shaykhs, and they were proud of them. If the connection between shaykh/student is broken, then the barakah is broken, hence no benefit in the knowledge. This holds true to silsilah in tariqah as well. In certain gathering such as the Haul, people read manaqib - stories about past 'ulama - and Allah's mercy descends upon the participants.

'Ilm Haqiqah is not something you could acquire by going to schools or madrasah, it is a gift from Allah. Ibn 'Athoillah (rh) mastered both: Ilm Haqiqah and Shari'ah. We should start set our intention (qasad) to get a share of barakah from this great shaykh. In his earlier life though, he had misgivings about the sufis. Abu 'Abbas al-Mursi (rh) was the shaykh that made Ibn 'Athoillah's interest in tasawwuf to blossom.

Unfortunately, we have had no real master in Shazili tariqah here in Malaysia, and that is the reason the following is small compared to other tariqas.

The techniques used in tariqah zikir sessions are all proven and inherited from the past masters. Some physical movements are made to pull 'warid'. The murshid (shaykh) of tariqah - such as Haji Daud Bukit Abal (rh) - acts as a source of warid. Nabi (saw) himself had been a source of warid to his companions.

Wallahu a'lam

Al-Uluhiyyah (RT 11/1/09)

Risalah Tauhid 11th January 2009

Al-Uluhiyyah refers to qualities of God, where He is self-sufficient and all creatures depend on Him. The expression “La ilaha illallah” also refers this quality.

In respect to al-Uluhiyyah, the twenty sifaat divide into two categories:

إِسْتِغْنَاءُ عَنْ كُلِّ مَا سِوَاهُ

1. He is in no need of others (istighnaa’); and

إِفْتِقَارٌ إِلَيْهِ كُلِّ مَا سِوَاهُ

2. Everything else is in need of Him (iftiqar-ilaih).

11 sifaat are of 1st category (istighnaa’), namely Wujud, Qidam, Baqa, Mukhalafatuhu lil Hawadith, Qiyamuhu Binafsih, Sama’, Basor, Kalam, Kaunuhu Saami’an, Kaunuh Baasiron, and Kaunuhu Mutakalliman. They define self-sufficiency of God.

Said Ustaz Zakaria:

• When saying “La ilaha illallah” continuously, make sure you pronounce it right: “La ilaha illallahu La ilaha illallahu …”
• Sufis look for “madad” when reciting “La ilaha illallah”.
• Some lame excuses people give when we invite them to learn the 20 sifaat (Tauhid):
  They would say: This subject not high-level enough. We should tell them: Go climb a durian tree!
  They would say: This subject not hot enough. We should tell them: Turn off the fan!
  They would say: This subject not fiery enough. We should tell them: Then go fight with the brothers in Gaza!
• 11 + 9 = 20 sifaat of Allah. (20 in Malay slang: sekodi)

Wallahu a'lam

<<Previous [ All In This Category ] Next>>

Ta’luq of Kalam; Conclusions (RT 4/1/09)

Risalah Tauhid 4th January 2009

God's Kalam (speech) has ta'luq over all must, impossible, and possible subjects.
Considering the words of God are eternal and everlasting, we apply the 3 subjects as follows:

God's speech that of "must" (wajib) nature:

أَنَا اللهُ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ أَنَا

God's speech that of "impossible" (mustahil) nature, reiterating what the Christians falsely claim:

إِنَّ اللهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلاَثَةُ

God's speech that of "possible" (jaiz) nature:

وَاللهُ خَلَقَكُم وَمَا تَعمَلُونَ

Conclusion on Sifats and Their Ta'luq

Ta'luq is pertinence in regard of entity. If we place God as an entity, and every creation as another entity then we can classify ta'luq into 2:

1. Sifats that have ta'luq on both God and creations: Knowledge ('ilm) and Speech (kalam).
2. Sifats that have ta'luq on creations only: Power (qudrah) and Will (iradah).

From another angle we classify ta'luq of all the 20 sifats into 4:

1. Sifats that never has ta'luq whatsoever: all sifats nafsiyyah, salbiyyah, ma'nawiyyah, and sifat Hayah. These sifats are sufficient within themselves.
2. Sifats that has ta'luq on the possible: Power (qudrah) and Will (iradah).
3. Sifats having ta'luq over everything that ever exists: Hearing (sama') and Vision (basor).
4. Sifats having ta'luq over the wajib, mustahil and ja'iz subjects: Knowledge ('ilm) and Speech (kalam).

Said Ustaz Zakaria:

• I've personally heard a so-called "modern ustaz" saying this: "God has the will and power to create a second god". This is absurd and outside of our aqidah. Will and Power do not have pertinence over God's own self.
• The most important function of your intelligence ('aql) is to ponder the sifats of God.

Wallahu a'lam

<<Previous [ All In This Category ] Next>>

Pop Quiz! Anybody sleeping?

I know lessons are boring. Just to see if anybody is awake, here is a pop quiz:

3 brothers performing solah in jama'ah. Being recent reverts to Islam, they know only basic rules of solah. In the middle of solah a mouse ran by in front of the imam.

Imam: That was one big mouse!
Ma'mum #1 : Hey no talking in solah!
Ma'mum #2 : Good thing I didn't talk!

Note: Ma'mum #1 is correct in that talking disallowed during solah, but there are concessions...

Question: Whose solah just became invalid (batal)? Explain.
Be a sport will you? Voice out what you know by leaving comments below. And state your mazhab please.

I will provide answer according to Shafi'i fiqh next week insha Allah.

<<Previous [ All In This Category ] Next>>

Ta’luq of Sama’ and Basor (RT 30/11/08)

Risalah Tauhid 30th Nov 2008

Both Sama’ (Hearing) and Basor (Vision) are applicable only to existent subjects. Those that could exist/ take place but never did, would not be within ta’luq of Sama’ nor Basor since ta’luq of ‘ilm (knowledge) had already precluded them.

Example: God’s Sama’ and Basor never applies to supposition of Abu Lahab becoming a person of faith (mu’min). God indeed could have turned Abu Lahab’s heart to Islam, but His ‘ilm already precluded this possibility.

The two sifats has no ta’luq over ‘impossible’ subjects either because the impossible are not real. Ta’luq for Sama’ and Basor is defined in three phases:

• God hears and sees in eternity on any possible subject even before it is created.
• God hears and sees in eternity of Himself and his own sifats.
• God hears and sees possible subject after it came into existence.

Said Ustaz Zakaria:

• God’s being in itself is a ‘must’. Its existence is undeniable.
• God already hears an infant crying before it is even born.
• Tanjizi Qadim – phase of ta’luq applicable to the ‘must’.
• If you learn tasawwuf, have sincere intention that you doing it to cleanse your heart or to correct your faith. NEVER learn tasawwuf as means to ‘telescope’ wrongdoings of those around you.
• The correct aim in life is to be faithful to Allah and to ponder about Him. Nowadays we live to feed our stomach and to get rich. That is why life has become difficult.
• Modern education (even in higher Islamic institutions) do not teach us about God and how to know Him. This kind of education gives no benefit.
• At home, take a second look at things in the kitab you just learned. Sometimes God does not dispense immediate guidance (hidayah) while sitting in front of your shaykh.
• The mu’tazilah – by definition – are those who break away from teaching halaqahs. They formulate own opinion, they do not follow established position of ulama.

Wallahu a'lam

<<Previous [ All In This Category ] Next>>

Ta’luq of ‘Ilm (RT 23/11/08)

Risalah Tauhid 23rd Nov 2008

As opposed to qudrah and iradah - that has ta’luq on possible subjects only - God’s knowledge (‘ilm) transcends all must, possible, and impossible subjects. God’s ‘ilm should not be described in 3 phases like we did with ta’luq of iradah, because His knowledge comes in full.

God is aware of every particular subject such as its looks and its characteristics. God already knows how a subject will take shape – even before that subject is even created.

• God is aware of the ‘must be’. He knows His own self and sifats.
• God is aware of the ‘impossible’. He knows about something that He would never put into existence.
• God is aware of the ‘possible’ even if a subject is yet to be created. He is aware of every single thing in existence, and He is aware of the subjects that have ceased to exist.

Know that ta’luq of qudrah follows ta’luq of iradah, which in turn follows ta’luq of ‘ilm.

Said Ustaz Zakaria:
How do we apply the sequence of ta’luq (ta’luq of qudrah comes after that of iradah, after that of ‘ilm)?

Answer: God empowers Himself to create a subject after He wills it. This will comes after He has knowledge about that subject.

Wallahu a'lam

<<Previous [ All In This Category ] Next>>

Qudrah and Tabarruk

Ustaz Zakaria shared some more stories during last Risalah Tauhid lesson:

Yesterday I was in Kelantan to visit an acquaintance building a masjid. All has been completed except the floor. Trying to see if I could raise more fund to finish it. A person there showed me 3 small stones, all bearing natural marking representing the Arabic character “Lam-Alif”. Such stones don’t have power, but they may bring tabarruk to the owner:

• They (the enemy) shall NOT see you.
• They shall NOT argue against you.
• They shall NOT scheme against you.

This brings a story how after shaving his noble head, Nabi (saw) gave a strand of his hair to each sahabah as tabarruk. Once Khalid al-Walid (ra) remembered a shirt he had dropped in a battlefield contained Nabi’s hair.

He returned to battlefield and fought back just to get that very shirt and the hair in its pocket. This story related in a kitab by Kiyai Sirajuddin bin Abbas (rh), an Indonesian ‘alim who studied under Shaykh Wan Ahmad Fatani (rh).

Regarding effort and do’a:

A few years Cikgu ‘Abdul Rahman, Committee Member (CM) #1, CM #2, and myself started voluntary project to construct a masjid in Kampung Bahagia, Kemboja. Finding it difficult to raise RM200k, eventually CM#1 dropped out, and CM#2 later did the same. Cikgu ‘Abdul Rahman said no way he would back out, him being married to a local woman.

Nothing short of miracle, a generous man lather phoned up and pledged RM50k, and he promised to give more bit by bit. We eventually completed the masjid, and we currently on our 5th project!

Wallahu a'lam

<<Previous [ All In This Category ] Next>>

Ta’luq of Iradah(RT 28/9 - 2/11/08)

Risalah Tauhid 28th Sept – 2nd Nov 2008

Like qudrah, God’s will (iradah) also holds pertinence only on ‘possible’ subjects.

Say God is about to create Zayd into being. His will with Zayd’s destiny happens in 3 phases:

1. God determines how long Zayd will live, how he will sustain himself and his family etc.
2. God affirms the destiny he has in store for Zayd.
3. God fulfills Zayd’s destiny on the day Zayd is created.

There is a general misconcept that once God has made up his iradah on us, then our life will be beyond our control. We thus become fatalists and refuse to improve our destiny.

Know that in ta’luq matters - for qudrah and iradah - God has written our destiny in Loh Mahfuz, yet there is chance that He will later change them. All these based on our own effort, supplication, and tawakkal. Never sit back and passively accept bad luck. Practice faith correctly, you can still work to increase your wealth, health, and good behavior – as long as you are content with God’s will should things turn out badly.

Remember that ta’luq for both qudrah and iradah are valid only on ‘possible’ subjects. It never transgress the boundaries of haqiqi (ultimate).
(In other lessons, Ustaz Zakaria had said: Qudrah is not applicable to those that negate God’s supreme characteristics. It is impossible that God has the power to create a second God – this would contradict the principle of oneness - wahdaniah.)

Said Ustaz Zakaria:

• Iradah is the cause to turn a concept into being. While Qudrah empowers it. Iradah is takhsis and qudrah is ta’sir. When we say “the pot is boiling” we actually mean “the content of the pot is boiling”.
• There is qada and qadr, but Allah Himself asks us to make effort to change our qadr from bad to good. There are 2 types of qada and qadr written on the Loh Mahfuz:
  Mu’alat – destiny that still is subject to change
  Mubram – destiny that is unchangeable.
• Before you open your store in the morning, don’t forget to recite surah al-Waqi’ah. However, it is Allah’s iradah that you make a good sale or not. Surah al-Waqi’ah does not control your destiny.
• Mistakes of muslims today:
  - They think religious lessons are exclusively for those interested.
  - They pursue fard kifayah too much while neglecting the all-important fard ‘ain.

Wallahu a'lam
<<Previous [ All In This Category ] Next>>

Ta’luq of Qudrah (RT 6/9/08)

Risalah Tauhid 6th September 2008

Qudrah holds ta’luq on everything mumkin (possible), while never holds ta’luq on subjects of haqiqi (ultimate).

Consider a mumkin – Zayd - about to come into existence. Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (rh) broke down this ta’luq into 2 phases:

1. God’s power to determine Zayd’s existence.
2. God’s power to realize Zayd.

Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari was of opinion there has to be a 3rd phase:

3. God’s power to prolong Zayd’s existence or non-existence.

From here we can convince ourselves that a man is always governed by the power of God before he is created, during his lifetime, in his grave, and even in the heaven or the hellfire. With this in mind, it is hoped everyone be induced to correct his or her ways so that one acts according to one’s faith. That is iman.

Said Ustaz Zakaria:

• Men live in eternity after being raised from the grave. This eternity is of type ‘arodi (temporary) while God’s eternity is of type haqiqi (ultimate).
• You have to be Islamic in both faith and practice.

Wallahu a'lam

<<Previous [ All In This Category ] Next>>

Sifats Ma’nawiyyah, Ta'luq (RT 31/8/08)

Risalah Tauhid 31st August 2008

Sifats Ma’nawiyyah
Ma’nawiyyah as a word derives from ‘ma’ani’. It shows the state of God respective to Sifats Ma’ani. Example: God has power (qudrah) therefore the state of Allah at all times is all-powerful (Arabic: kaunuhu qadiran).

• Qudrah -> Kaunuhu Qadiran
• Iradah -> Kaunuhu Muridan
• ‘Ilm -> Kaunuhu ‘Aaliman
• Hayah -> Kaunuhu Hayyan
• Sama’ -> Kaunuhu Sami’an
• Basor -> Kaunuhu Basiran
• Kalam -> Kaunuhu Mutakalliman

As opposed to Sifats Ma’ani, Sifats Ma’nawiyyah are perceptible only to our intelligence.

Sifats and Ta’luq

All of sifats ma’ani except ‘hayah’ not only stand on their own, but has ta’luq over other subjects. In other words, those sifats have ‘degrees of pertinence’.

For example, God stands on His own with qudrah (power). But with qudrah also God exerts control over everything else. With it God has the power to make everything else into existence.

Inherent with this concept, God’s will (iradah) has ta’luq over every creation. If He wills that a certain subject to be, then it should come into being. In contrast if He wills that the subject not to be, then it would be impossible to be.

Wallahu a'lam

<<Previous [ In This Category ] Next>>

Donate To the Madrasah

Help little Mustaqim and his friends with their Islamic studies, and you will be rewarded as per Allah’s promises in the Qur’an and hadith.

Your donations will be used to pay for :

• Food
• Textbooks
• General maintenance of the madrasah
• Building other madrasah / masjid / other projects for the cause of Allah

Donations are LHDN income-tax deductible. Upon your request , we can produce MOF-approved receipt to help you with income-tax filings. Donate to Madrasah Diniah Ahmadiah either as zakat or sadaqah. Or as a payment for your kifarat or fidyah.

-> You can leave some $$$ into the madrasah safe box.

-> You can also email pondokbatu10 (at) gmail.com, or contact the principal Ustaz Zakaria Awang at 013-6331347.

-> You can inquire by leaving comment on this blog (click comments below and leave your name/email/phone number).

http://pondokcheras.multiply.com/photos/album/4/Madrasah_Diniah_Ahmadiyyah
http://pondokcheras.multiply.com/photos/album/5/Majlis_Berbuka_Puasa_24907
http://pondokcheras.multiply.com/photos/album/6/Edarkan_Kitab_Ziarah_Pantai_Timur

Wallahu a'lam

Salawaat in Rabi'ul Awwal

The month of Rabi’ul Awwal came by and has passed us. But let us keep the presence of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam fresh in every quantum of light that our eyes receive. And keep his spiritual essence alive in every breath we take.

Don't you find it strange that some people (loudly claiming they are "purer" Muslims) look for excuses to not celebrate the prophet (saw) and critize fellow muslims who do celebrate? Get real! All Muslims should to celebrate Prophet Muhammad (saw), as had been done by the salaf and khalaf generations before us.

Part of Burdah of Imam Muhammad bin Said al-Busiri
As long as you do not follow the way of the Christians
- who overly praise Jesus alaihissalam and turn him into god)-
Praise him (Muhammad) the way you please(verse 43)

Salawat Khusus of Tariqah Ahmadiah
O Allah, send salutation, peace and blessings upon our master Muhammad and his family in every glance and breath, the count of which only known to Allah, whose Knowledge has no limit.

Part of Salawat ‘Azimiah of Sidi Ahmad bin Idris (rh)
I plea to Allah - by the Light of Allah the Magnificent, the Light that fills up the Pillars of the ‘Arash of Allah the Magnificent, with which the worlds come into being – that He send great salutation upon our master Muhammad. And great salutation upon the family of Nabi, a salutation fitting to the greatness of Allah......(until the end)

Salawat of Imam as-Shafi’i (rh) as found in Dala’il al-Khairat and elsewhere
O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, every time those who remember (az-zakirun) make remembrance (zakara) of You.
O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, every time those who neglect (al-ghafilun) fail to make remembrance of you.

Part of the Ten Salawaat as given by a student of Madrasah Saulatiyyah, Makkah
O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, who walks under the sun and he has no shadow following him.
O Allah, send salutation and peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, (so noble he is) that flies never set down on his person...(until the end)

Part of Dala'il al-Khairat as read on Saturdays
And may You (Allah) send salutation upon him (Muhammad) and his family. Send salutations as many times as the number of the creations - who glorify You, and who claim Holiness unto You, and who prostrate to You - since the the day you created this world up to the Day of Resurrection, and for each day you amplify 1000 fold...(until the end)

Salawat Shifa/Tibbiah
O Allah, send salutation upon Sayyidina Muhammad, the kind that cleanses the heart and becomes its healer, that remedies ailment and becomes health restorer, that lights up vision and becomes the illuminator.

Salawat Tafrijiyah
O Allah, send complete salutation and send perfect peace upon Sayyidina Muhammad, with whom ceases all that binds, and ends all sadness, and fulfills all wishes, and attains all desires, and ends with goodness, and causes the pouring of rain, by his generous countenance, and upon his family and his companions, as much as glance of an eye and every breath that is made that is in Your Knowledge.

Salawat Munjiyat
O Allah, send salutation upon Sayyidina Muhammad, with which You release us from catastrophe and misfortune, and You fulfill all wishes, and You clear all our wrongdoings, and You elevate our rank by Your side, and You suffice us with kindness during our lifetime and after it, and please send our salutation as well to Muhammad’s family and his companions.

Some translations I took from these sites, thanks to the owners:

http://superdervish.blogspot.com/2006/05/salawat-nariyyahtafrijiyyah.html
http://al4mien.wordpress.com/category/dienul-islam/page/2/
http://www.deenislam.co.uk/dalail.htm
http://bewley.virtualave.net/dalail1.html

Wallahu a'lam

Hadith On Love

al-Awaail az-Zamzamiyyah al-Malikiyyah wa Ba’du al-Musalsalaat al-Mashhurah 25/10/2008

This is the second hadith musalsal I got ijazah from Ustaz Fahmi Zamzam al-Banjari an-Nadwi al-Malikito practise. The first hadith already been posted in November 2008. I regret not being able to post exactly as written in the kitab, but I have to save space :(

This hadith al-Musalsal bil-Mahabbah can be recited as part of after-solah wirid.

Anytime after salam, say "Allahumma a'inni 'alaa zikrika wa shukrika wa husni 'ibaadatik"

Ustaz Fahmi Zamzam said:It has been narrated by our shaykh the knowledge of al-Hijaz, the fragrance of the land of al-Haram as-Sayyid Muhammad bin ‘Alawi al-Maaliki al-Hasani (rh) – he has said: It has been narrated to us by many shaykhs, among them:

My father as-Sayyid ‘Alawi bin ‘Abbas al-Maliki, as-Shaykh Hasan bin Sa’id Yamani, as-Shaykh Hasan bin Muhammad al-Mashath, as-Shaykh Muhammad Nur Sayf, as-Shaykh Muhammad Yasin al-Fadani, as-Shaykh Ibrahim al-Khattani al-Bukhari al-Madani, as-Shaykh Muhammad al-Hafiz at-Tijani, as-Shaykh Soleh bin Muhammad al-Ja’fari, as-Sayyid ‘Abdul ‘Aziz bin as-Siddiq al-Ghumari, al-Habib Salim bin Jindan aali Shaykh abu Bakar bin Salim, al-Habib Shaykh bin Salim al-‘Attas, al-Habib ‘Umar bin Ahmad bin Sumait,
and many others that I have mentioned in a separate document.

As-Sayyid Muhammad bin ‘Alawi further said: I mention here the chain (common to) of my father, al-Mashath, and al-Fadani.

Each of them has said to me:

إني أحبكم فقولو: اَللهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
في دبر كل صلاة

Truly I have love for you all, so after each solah say: " O Allah I plea that You make me always remember You, grateful to You, and be of good service to You".

Each of the 3 shaykhs had been narrated the same way by Shaykh ‘Umar Hamdan.

And Shaykh ‘Umar Hamdan himself had been narrated the same way by Shaykh Falih az-Zohiri and Sayyid Muhammad ‘Ali al-Watiri. Shaykh Falih had been narrated similarly by as-Sharif Muhammad bin ‘Ali as-Sanusi, who had received from al-Jamal ‘Abdul Hafiz al-‘Ajimi, from Muhammad Hashim bin ‘Abdul Ghafur, from ‘Id bin ‘Ali an-Namrisi al-Barlisi, from al-Mu’ammar Muhammad al-Bahwati al-Hanbali, from ‘Abdul Rahman al-Bahwati, from Najmuddin al-Ghiiti, from al-Hafiz Jalaluddin as-Suyuti.

As-Suyuti from Abu at-Toyyib Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Hijazi, from the judge of all judges (Qadhi al Qudaat) Majduddin Isma’il bin Ibrahim al-Hanafi, from al-Hafiz Abu Sa’id al-‘Ala’I from Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Armu’I from ‘Abdul Rahman bin Makki from Abu at-Tohir as-Salafi, from Muhammad bin ‘Abdul Karim, from Abu ‘Ali ‘Isa bin Shazan al-Qasar al Basri, from Ahmad bin Sulaiman an-Najad, from Abu Bakar bin Abi ad-Dunya, from al-Hasan bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al-Jarwi, from al-Hakam bin ‘Abdah, from Haiwah bin Shuraih, from ‘Uqbah bin Muslim, from Abu ‘Abdul Rahman al-Habli, from as-Sonabihi:

From Mu’az bin Jabal (ra), Rasulullah (saw) had said:

يا معاذ، إني أحبك فقل
اَللهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

O Mu’az, truly I have love for you, therefore you should say: "O Allah I plea that You make me always remember You, grateful to You, and be of good service to You.”

Abi Daud has a slightly different narration, but to the same effect.

And Ustaz Ahmad Fahmi Zamzam al-Banjari an-Nadwi al-Maliki said: My shaykhs: Musnid ad-Dunya as-Shaykh Muhammad Yasin bin ‘Isa al-Fadani al-Makki and the fragrance of the land of al-Haram as-Sayyid Muhammad bin ‘Alawi al-Maliki al-Hasani have said:

إني أحبكم فقولو اَللهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ في دبر كل صلاة

Said Imam as-Suyuti: both isnad and tasalsul are sahih. Said as-Shaykh Muhammad ‘Abid: all matan, tasalsul, and isnad are sahih.

Comments by Ustaz Fahmi Zamzam:

• I had the opportunity to study under Shaykh Yasin Fadani for a few months before he passed away. He had lived to a very old age.
• Shaykh Soleh bin Muhammad al-Ja’fari – tariqah Ahmadiah Idrisiah Ja’fariah named after him.
• Ustaz Fahmi received tariqah Ahmadiah Idrisiah from Sayyid Muhammad bin ‘Alawi from the latter's father from Sanusi as-Saghir from Sanusi al-Kabir from Sidi Ahmad bin Idris.
• Sanad is important. If not for sanad, anybody could have freely said this and that.
• Haiwah bin Shuraih - a personal confidant of Khalifah Sulaiman bin 'Abdul Malik.

Wallahu a'lam

2 charms of Langkawi

A few days before the maulud of Prophet Muhammad (saw) I had a chance encounter with a student of hadith in Langkawi.

The gentleman did not admit it, but I am under impression that he has memorized most – if not all - of the ahadith in the 6 major hadith books (Kutub as-Sittah). A graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband in India, he related a curious story on how in the early days, the upper floor section of the Darul Hadith building was reserved to jinn-students only. I mean, humans studied downstairs, and jinns upstairs. Now the jinn section is open to human, and people study Quranic tafseer there.

Darul Uluoom Deoband is world-famous for hadith studies. Many ulama graduated from this madrasah.

I have great respect for this young brother for his ability, humbleness, and respect to Islam and the Prophet (saw). He is the imam of masjid, Hanafi by mazhab, yet paused after the 2nd ruku’ in Subuh solah to recite dua qunut in respect of Shafi’i followers behind him. He is of Chishti tariqah, and makes a habit of walking about town reciting Allah’s name at least 6000 times a day. He recites al-Quran several juzu everyday so that he can khatam all 30 juzu in 8 days. He very recently – from 10pm until 5am - debated a deviant visitor from Penang (of Qadiani sect) on legitimacy of Prophet Muhammad (saw) being the final messenger (khatam nubuwwah).

Reflecting on this I wonder how some of us only after reading a few quotes of ahadith, get big-headed and start to attack authority of established ulama. Really these misguided ones have been beguiled by ignorance and nafs-ammarah. How dare they say that we – the followers of mazhab – blindly follow the past ulama, instead of follow the sayings of the Prophet? Do they think none of us study hadith? Get real! I have met a few hadith masters, ALL of them follow one mazhab or another.

If you happen to be in Langkawi, look for Imam Mohammed Khaled of Masjid India (Riadhul ‘Abidin) in Kuah town. Make a visit to this man, maybe there is something good Allah will bestow you. Langkawi at least has charmed me twice: the beauty of the beaches and the encounter with a hadith master. Alhamdulillah.

Kutub as-Sittah: The six famous hadith books comprising of Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, the Sunans of an-Nasa’i, Abu Dawud, Tirmidzi, and Ibn Majah.
The brother mentioned they also studied Muwatta’ of Imam Malik and Muwatta’ Imam Muhammad in Darul Uloom.

Wallahu a'lam

Habib Umar's Advise

I was home re-shelving books yesterday when this old note fell down. On 16th February 2008 Habib Umar bin Hafiz came from Hadramaut, Yemen to Subang Jaya in celebration of Maulud Nabi (saw) and gave his discourse. Habib Ali Zainal Abidin translated for us.

Tariqah Sufiyyah

(After the customary hamdalah and salawat to Rasulullah s.a.w)

Allah had destined us to gather here today. He had our names written in His Attendance List even before we got here. There are people out there who are unmindful of the maulud. But think not you are superior over them. Keep yourself low - this is the manners of Islam.

There are no man-made laws that you can compare with laws brought to us by the prophets. Recommendations made by men cannot solve problems that we do not see.

Moses (as) was sent to the Pharaoh to correct his ways. Remember that Pharaoh at that time was strong, and had solid hold over his sovereignty. Moses asked him: “don’t you need to cleanse your heart?” There’s something we can learn from this story.

In surah TaHa, Allah said: “go to Pharaoh, indeed he has transgressed”. But Allah ordered Moses to go with courtesy, not with military force.

The people of tasawwuf –the Sufis – take care to preserve good manners (akhlaq) as shown by Moses. Said Junaid al-Baghdadi (rh): “Akhlaq is tasawwuf. Increase in akhlaq means increase in tasawwuf”. Nothing weighs the mizan heavier than akhlaq. Only those with akhlaq can come near to Rasulullah (saw).

Among the characteristics of sufis are tawaddhu’ and ikhlas. Tawaddhu’ is humility, where you do not want to stand out among those around you. Hasan Basri (rh) said he would never backbite because he cannot stand giving away his own rewards (to those he backbites).

A man from the Israelites worshipped Allah relentlessly for 60 years. He supplicated for some favor but Allah rejected. He criticized himself “if only you had worshipped more, surely Allah would have fulfilled your supplication”. Allah sent a prophet to this man saying “The moment you criticized yourself, Allah values more, than the whole 60 years of your worship. Now supplicate to Allah and ask whatever you want”.

Ikhlas is sincerity. Saidina ‘Ali (ra) brought down an enemy in combat, but stopped short of killing him, being afraid his killing due more to personal revenge than to divine causes. On our part, we should be afraid to commit sin, as much as we are afraid of being thrown into the hellfire.

We are living in an era of fitnah, therefore stay away from useless debates. Remind ourselves that we are being tried with prevalent pseudo-da’wah, breakup of ummah, and digression from sunnah.

Part of a hadith qudsi: “How many of Allah’s servants who take sins lightly, yet those small sins are the cause for him to get su’ul khatimah”.

Wallahu a'lam

Maulud of Prophet Muhammad (saw)

Salawat and salam upon Prophet Muhammad. And upon his family and companions.

We celebrate his birthday today, on 12th of Rabi'ul 'Awwal.

He is the ultimate example for mankind, no doubt.
There is no denying our love for him.
Such a deep love for this noble person is the reason
that we look for every excuse to celebrate him.

We celebrate his birth by reciting more salawat, or recite specific poems such as the Qasidah Burdah of Imam Muhammad bin Sa'id al-Bushiri. The imam said:

How could I hide my love
if that love is manifested in my
tears and suffering
(verse 6)

As long as you do not follow the way of the Christians
(who overly praise Jesus alaihissalam and turn him into god)
praise him (Muhammad) the way you please
(verse 43)

Let me utter the virtues of Muhammad
and make them shine like a beacon
on a hill, greeting the arriving wayfarers

Pearls, beautiful they are stringed together
still they radiate beauty scattered and unpolished
(verse 88-89)

O Allah pour mercy upon Sayyidina Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad,
just like you have poured mercy upon Sayyidina Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. For all the worlds, really You are the Most Praiseworthy and the Most Honorable.

Wallahu a'lam

Dala'il al-Khayrat - Ibn Sulaiman al-Jazuli

Baba Aziz gave us general ijazah to practise salawat Dala'il al-Khayrat of Shaykh Ibn Sulaiman al-Jazuli last night. The host - Ben Alawi - an extremely generous gentleman he has been, gave us a copy of Shaykh Nuh Keller's edition of Dala'il al-Khayrat. It was not free, but at a very _steeply_ discounted price. May Allah reward them both.

Baba Aziz got his ijazah from two shaykhs:
1. Shaykh Soleh bin Awang Besar al-Kelantani from Shaykh 'Alawi al-Maliki.
2. Shaykh Idris al-Fatoni from Shaykh Bukhari al-Madani.

Words of wisdom from Baba 'Abdul Aziz the night before:

Hadith: Rasululah (saw) has said:

Truly I have been sent to make the noble manners perfect.

Education in Islam leans more towards tarbiyyah - nurturing oneself towards good behavior. This is achieved under supervision of a murabbi or a murshid, a concept alien to many modern Islamic schools and universities. Believe me, education tailored towards worldly benefits will never achieve the goal Islam has set for all of us.
Learning tasawwuf is like looking into a mirror that has that refelective coating behind. You see your own self.
Learning fiqh, on the other hand, is like looking into a mirror without that same coating. All you see is other people around you.
Students of tasawwuf correct thier own shortcomings. Students of fiqh busy themselves trying to correct others.

Subahanallah, how true.
Wallahu a'lam

Islaminus is 1 year old

Islaminus is 1 year old

Blog Islaminus will never see a 1-year anniversary since it got created on 29th February 2008.

BUT IT IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE ITS MAULID 1 WEEK SHORT OF MAULID OF THE BELOVED PROPHET MUHAMMAD (saw).

Alhamdulillah. We are grateful that Allah The Most High sent us his messenger as a rahmah to the worlds. And He sent him to set a good example for all of us to follow.

Wallahu a'lam

Schedule and Directions

Schedule and Directions

http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pondokbatu10%40gmail.com&ctz=Asia/Kuala_Lumpur

Click to see detailed events scheduled for a particular day. Classes are open to the students and public alike: men, women, children. Weekend classes are tailored more towards working adults.



How to get to Madrasah Diniah Ahmadiah a.k.a Pondok Batu 10 From Middle Ring Road (Or Jalan Loke Yew):

1. Take Jalan Cheras towards Kajang until you see Plaza Phoenix on the right
2. Continue on Lebuhraya Cheras - Kajang 4.1 km
3. Take the exit toward Jalan Hulu Langat 0.4 km
4. Turn left at Jalan Hulu Langat 88 m
5. Sharp right at Jalan Cecawi 1 0.4 km
6. Turn left at Jalan Puyuh 0.3 km

Zoom into the google map clicking the '+' button on upper left. You can move around by click-and-drag the mouse.


View Larger Map

Do not worry, with a sincere intention, Allah will bring you there :)

Wallahu a'lam