Post by hafeezanwar on Nov 19, 2007 21:53:31 GMT
IMAM Al-Shafe’i
He was master in both Islamic law and in the mystic knowledge (tariqat). He acquired the divine secrets. He was very intelligent and his sagacity is famous. In the Islamic law he was very famous. The world knows his qualities and conducts very well. In this chapter there is no coverage of his worship and miracles as they are so many that it requires many volumes to describe all of them.
At the age of 13 years he used to say in the harem (grand mosque of Makkah) that what ever question any body can ask him that he can reply. At the age of 15 years he started giving fatwa (legal opinions). Ahmed Bin Hanbal was leader of the world and memorised 300,000 sayings of the Prophet. He became his disciple and was always in his service without covering his head with headdress. So for this reason some group of persons objected him that being a great learned man it is not good for him to sit before one young man of 25 years old and to leave the company of teachers and learned mystic persons. Hanbal replied, “Al-Shafe’i knows the meaning of what ever knowledge we have and that which we possess with us. He knows meaning and explanation better than me and due to his service I came to know the meaning of Prophet’s sayings. If he was not born now then we would have left alone before the door of knowledge and the door of fiqh (Islamic law) would have been shut forever. Due to his studies he came to know the real meaning of Prophet’s sayings and Qur’anic verses in the best possible manner and he understood the same in the right direction as per the requirement of these two knowledges. He was a great benefactor of Islam during that period. We know only the sayings of the Prophet but he is a sun of knowledge for the world and was serving the humanity. Hanbal told, “The door of fiqh was closed at that time but Allah opened the door through him. He also described that he does not know any other person who did such a great favour to the Islamic religion.”
No one is equal to him in the following four knowledges:
Islamic law,
Rhetoric,
Philologist,
Dictionary.
Hanbal narrated the saying of the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), which is as follows:
“In the beginning of every century one person will be born and learned persons will get knowledge of religion from him.”
The beginning of the century started with Al-Shafe’i.
Sufyan Thauri told, “During the time of Al-Shafe’i there was no wise person other than him.” As per the saying of Bilal Khuwas when he asked Kizer’s (a name of Prophet immortalised by the fountain of life) opinion about Al-Shafe’i, he replied that he is among Outb (a category of saints comprising only four at any time in the world).
In the beginning he never attended any marriage function or party and he used to keep himself away from the mankind. He always used to be in grief and weeping condition. So since beginning (from his youth period) he was in the condition of old pious persons. He was always in the company of Alim Rae and from him he got innermost favour and gradually his status increased. He left behind other learned persons of his time.
Abdullah Ansari told, “Even though he is not his follower but he is ahead among all others and due to his great status he is among his admirers.”
Al-Shafe’i says, “He saw the Prophet in his dream and Prophet asked him who are you boy? He replied him that he is a person of his ummat (followers). Then the Prophet called him near, put his saliva in his mouth and told him to go. He told Allah will grant his mercy and blessing on him.” In the same night, in the dream Ali Bin Abi Talib Radi Allahu anhu took out his ring from his finger and put that ring in his finger. Due to this the knowledge of Ali Bin Abi Talib Radi Allahu anhu transferred to him.
At the age of six years he joined the school. His mother was a very respectable woman from the most respected tribe of Banu Hashim. So the persons used to keep their things with her. Once two persons came and kept with her one box of clothes. They asked her to keep the same with her. Later one person came and took that box. After some days another person came to see his mother and claimed for the box. So his mother replied him that other person has already collected the box from her. That person replied her that when two persons kept the box with her then why she gave the box to one person in his absence. We told you to give the box when we two come together. His mother felt very sorry for her mistake. But at the same time Al-Shafe’i entered the house, enquired the details and told that person that your box is in the house. He asked that person that why he came alone there and why he did not brought his friend with him. So he asked him to go and bring his friend. When that person heard his reply he was surprised. The qazi’s (judge) clerk was also with him and he was also surprised to hear his argument. Both of them left his house.
When Al-Shafe’i became disciple of Imam Malik, he was 70 years old at that time. He used to stand at the door of his house with the intention of reading Imam’s letters of fatwas (legal opinions).If he find the letter not needed any correction then he would ask the person to go, otherwise he used to send back the person to Imam Malik for the corrections. Imam Malik was reconsidering his objections and corrected the defects if any. He was happy with the action of Imam Al-Shafe’i.
Once there were some differences between caliph Harun al-Rashid and his dear wife Zubaida. So she told him a hellish man. Harun al-Rashid replied her that if he is a hellish man then he will divorce her. He left her but due to his too much love for her he was worried to solve this matter and so he called all the learned persons of Baghdad in his court and asked them, “Is he a hellish man?” But no person answered this question and all of them told the caliph, “Allah knows only this matter.” Imam Al-Shafe’ i, even though he was very young at that time but he was also among the learned persons who were present in the royal court of Harun al-Rashid. He told Harun that if he permits him then he would reply his question. When all other learned persons heard his reply they were surprised. They thought that he might be a mad person because when all other learned persons were unable to solve the matter then what he will do? After the permission of caliph, Imam Al-Shafe’i asked the caliph whether he is in need of him or he is in need of caliph? The caliph told him that he needs him. So Imam Al-Shafe’i asked him to come down from the throne because the status of learned person is superior to kings. The caliph came down from the throne and asked him to sit on the throne. He sat on the throne and asked the caliph to reply his question first to enable him to solve his problem. “Have you got any chance for doing any sin? Even though you had power of doing it but due to the fear of Allah you escaped from it?”
The caliph replied swearingly, “Yes, I got many chances but I was always away from such sins.” Imam Al-Shafe’i told him, “You are not a hellish man.” When the ulemas (learned persons) asked him to give any proof for it, he told them that Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
“After determination of sin, any person who avoids it due to fear of Allah then his dwelling will be in the heaven.”
All the learned men praised his wise decision and commented that if he is so clever in the young age, then just imagine his status in the youth period.
It was reported that he never put any illegal morsel in his mouth during his life time. Once he camped before the army camp and for this mistake he prayed for 40 nights.
He always respected the children of sadat (descendents of Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) through his daughter Fatima). Once in the classroom he stood more than ten times to pay the respect to the boys of sadats who were playing there.
Once a wealthy person sent some money to be distributed among the pious persons in Makkah. From that money some amount was presented to him, so he asked them, “Who is the owner of this money and for whom this money was sent for distribution?” They replied him that it was for distribution among the pious persons and mendicants. He replied them that he is not a pious and mendicant person so he is not eligible for the amount.
It was reported that once he came from Sana to Makkah. At that time he had 10,000 dinars with him. Persons told him to buy a farm house or to buy sheep from that amount. But he camped outside Makkah and put the money on the ground. He distributed one handful of money to all the persons who came over there and by the time of noon prayer he had no money with him.
The Qaiser of Rome used to send some amount annually to Harun al-Rashid, but one year he sent some monks and put one condition that Islamic ulemas to have debate with monks. If they defeat the monks then he will continue to pay the annual amount to Harun al-Rashid otherwise he will stop the payment. After the arrival of monks, Harun al-Rashid called all the learned persons and asked Imam Al-Shafe’i to start the debate. Imam Al-Shafe’i put his prayer mat on the water and asked the monks to come on the water to have discussion with him there. The monks saw this and were surprised. They immediately accepted Islam on the spot. When this news reached to Qaiser of Rome, he told, “It was good that the person was in Baghdad. If that person would have been in Rome then all the Romans would have accepted the religion of Islam.”
It was reported that he was living in Makkah since the beginning of his youth period. He wore the dress of mystic person for a long time. Once he was studying the books in the moonlight near the harem, so the persons told him to go inside the harem and read the books in the light of harem. But he replied them; “These lights are especially for the harem so it is not good for me to use it for reading.”
He was not hafiz Qur’an (Koran-conner) so some people complained the caliph that Imam Al-Shafe’i is not Koran-conner. To check this matter, the caliph asked him to recite the Qur’an during Tarawih prayers (special night prayers) in the month of Ramadan. So during the day he used to memorise one part of the Qur’an daily and used to recite in the Tarawih prayer in the night. In this way he memorised the whole Qur’an in one month period.
During his time there was one beautiful woman. He wanted to see her. For this purpose he married her for mahr (dower) of 100 dinars. After the marriage with her and after seeing her face he paid her dower amount and divorced her.
According to the principles of Imam Hanbal, if a person has intentionally missed the prayer then he becomes an unbeliever. But as per principles of Imam Al-Shafe’i such persons will not become an unbeliever instead there is severe punishment for such persons.
When Imam Al-Shafe’i asked Imam Hanbal that if the person who has missed the prayer intentionally and has become an unbeliever, can such person will become Muslim again? Can he continue prayers? But Imam Al-Shafe’i told him, “The prayer of nonbeliever is not accepted.” Imam Hanbal was silent after hearing his reply. Many such things are secrets of fiqh and there are many questions and answers on Islamic law. But there is no need of mentioning them in this book. The persons who are interested in this matter should refer books of fiqh.
Once he said, “Many learned persons are interested in interpretation. He considers them as they do not know anything.” He also said, “He is slave of such persons who taught him good manners.”
It was reported that he told, “One who teaches knowledge to a foolish person spoils the rights of knowledge. One should teach knowledge to such person who is capable of it.” He told, “If they sell the world for a piece of bread without knowing its worth then they are not the right ones.”
One person requested him to advise, so he told him, “Do not try to accumulate wealth like others do but try to compete them in spiritual and moral aspects. Try to be a great worshipper of Allah. They will not get any benefit from their wealth whereas you will be benefited more because of Allah’s blessings. Their wealth will remain here in the world, they will not carry this to their grave. On the contrary, the reward of worship to Allah will help you to remain pious. We all will die one day. Let us worship Allah to have a pious soul.”
Once he left his place to find out his lost time (past time) and visited many ruined places, mosques, bazaars and schools but he could not find it. In his search he went to a monastery and found one group of mystic persons who were sitting there. One person told him that the past time would never come back again so take care of present time. Imam Al-Shafe’i turned towards his servant and told him, “I got my lost time so you also listen it carefully what they are telling.”
Sheikh Abu Saeed reported that what Imam Al-Shafe’i told, “I do not have complete knowledge of the world and my knowledge is not equal to the knowledge of mystic persons, and mystic person’s knowledge is not equal to their teacher’s one advice in which he told them that the present time is like a cutting sword.”
At the time of his last breath he wrote his testament and also told orally to the persons standing near him to tell one person (name suggested) to bath him. After long time that person came from Egypt after his death. The persons gave his testament to him and also explained him the details. In the testament it was written that he was in debt of 70,000 dinars so that person paid the debt amount to the relevant person and explained that the word bath in the testament refers to pay the debt amount on his behalf. Such a wise person he was.
Rabiya reported that before his death he saw a dream in which Adam (A.S.) died and persons were taking out his funeral when he wake up. He went to meet one person for explanation of his dream. That person told him that one great learned person will die soon and the knowledge is from Adam (A.S.). Allah says in Qur’an:
“We have taught Adam (A.S.) the names of all things.”
After his death Rafi Bin Suleiman saw him in his dream and asked him how Allah treated him? He replied him, “He was given a golden chair and pearls which were showered upon him. Allah gave him 700,000 dinars and granted His grace. He died in the year 204 A.H. at the age of 54 years.
19th EPISODE from Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics)
Translated from Urdu to English by
Muhammed A. Hafeez, B.COM.
Email: hafeezanwar@yahoo.com
HYDERABAD
INDIA
==============================
Reference Books
1. Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics), Urdu translation published by Majedi Book Depot, Kanpur in the year 1383 A.H., India.
2. Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics), Urdu translation published by Anwar Book Depot, Delhi, India.
================
He was master in both Islamic law and in the mystic knowledge (tariqat). He acquired the divine secrets. He was very intelligent and his sagacity is famous. In the Islamic law he was very famous. The world knows his qualities and conducts very well. In this chapter there is no coverage of his worship and miracles as they are so many that it requires many volumes to describe all of them.
At the age of 13 years he used to say in the harem (grand mosque of Makkah) that what ever question any body can ask him that he can reply. At the age of 15 years he started giving fatwa (legal opinions). Ahmed Bin Hanbal was leader of the world and memorised 300,000 sayings of the Prophet. He became his disciple and was always in his service without covering his head with headdress. So for this reason some group of persons objected him that being a great learned man it is not good for him to sit before one young man of 25 years old and to leave the company of teachers and learned mystic persons. Hanbal replied, “Al-Shafe’i knows the meaning of what ever knowledge we have and that which we possess with us. He knows meaning and explanation better than me and due to his service I came to know the meaning of Prophet’s sayings. If he was not born now then we would have left alone before the door of knowledge and the door of fiqh (Islamic law) would have been shut forever. Due to his studies he came to know the real meaning of Prophet’s sayings and Qur’anic verses in the best possible manner and he understood the same in the right direction as per the requirement of these two knowledges. He was a great benefactor of Islam during that period. We know only the sayings of the Prophet but he is a sun of knowledge for the world and was serving the humanity. Hanbal told, “The door of fiqh was closed at that time but Allah opened the door through him. He also described that he does not know any other person who did such a great favour to the Islamic religion.”
No one is equal to him in the following four knowledges:
Islamic law,
Rhetoric,
Philologist,
Dictionary.
Hanbal narrated the saying of the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), which is as follows:
“In the beginning of every century one person will be born and learned persons will get knowledge of religion from him.”
The beginning of the century started with Al-Shafe’i.
Sufyan Thauri told, “During the time of Al-Shafe’i there was no wise person other than him.” As per the saying of Bilal Khuwas when he asked Kizer’s (a name of Prophet immortalised by the fountain of life) opinion about Al-Shafe’i, he replied that he is among Outb (a category of saints comprising only four at any time in the world).
In the beginning he never attended any marriage function or party and he used to keep himself away from the mankind. He always used to be in grief and weeping condition. So since beginning (from his youth period) he was in the condition of old pious persons. He was always in the company of Alim Rae and from him he got innermost favour and gradually his status increased. He left behind other learned persons of his time.
Abdullah Ansari told, “Even though he is not his follower but he is ahead among all others and due to his great status he is among his admirers.”
Al-Shafe’i says, “He saw the Prophet in his dream and Prophet asked him who are you boy? He replied him that he is a person of his ummat (followers). Then the Prophet called him near, put his saliva in his mouth and told him to go. He told Allah will grant his mercy and blessing on him.” In the same night, in the dream Ali Bin Abi Talib Radi Allahu anhu took out his ring from his finger and put that ring in his finger. Due to this the knowledge of Ali Bin Abi Talib Radi Allahu anhu transferred to him.
At the age of six years he joined the school. His mother was a very respectable woman from the most respected tribe of Banu Hashim. So the persons used to keep their things with her. Once two persons came and kept with her one box of clothes. They asked her to keep the same with her. Later one person came and took that box. After some days another person came to see his mother and claimed for the box. So his mother replied him that other person has already collected the box from her. That person replied her that when two persons kept the box with her then why she gave the box to one person in his absence. We told you to give the box when we two come together. His mother felt very sorry for her mistake. But at the same time Al-Shafe’i entered the house, enquired the details and told that person that your box is in the house. He asked that person that why he came alone there and why he did not brought his friend with him. So he asked him to go and bring his friend. When that person heard his reply he was surprised. The qazi’s (judge) clerk was also with him and he was also surprised to hear his argument. Both of them left his house.
When Al-Shafe’i became disciple of Imam Malik, he was 70 years old at that time. He used to stand at the door of his house with the intention of reading Imam’s letters of fatwas (legal opinions).If he find the letter not needed any correction then he would ask the person to go, otherwise he used to send back the person to Imam Malik for the corrections. Imam Malik was reconsidering his objections and corrected the defects if any. He was happy with the action of Imam Al-Shafe’i.
Once there were some differences between caliph Harun al-Rashid and his dear wife Zubaida. So she told him a hellish man. Harun al-Rashid replied her that if he is a hellish man then he will divorce her. He left her but due to his too much love for her he was worried to solve this matter and so he called all the learned persons of Baghdad in his court and asked them, “Is he a hellish man?” But no person answered this question and all of them told the caliph, “Allah knows only this matter.” Imam Al-Shafe’ i, even though he was very young at that time but he was also among the learned persons who were present in the royal court of Harun al-Rashid. He told Harun that if he permits him then he would reply his question. When all other learned persons heard his reply they were surprised. They thought that he might be a mad person because when all other learned persons were unable to solve the matter then what he will do? After the permission of caliph, Imam Al-Shafe’i asked the caliph whether he is in need of him or he is in need of caliph? The caliph told him that he needs him. So Imam Al-Shafe’i asked him to come down from the throne because the status of learned person is superior to kings. The caliph came down from the throne and asked him to sit on the throne. He sat on the throne and asked the caliph to reply his question first to enable him to solve his problem. “Have you got any chance for doing any sin? Even though you had power of doing it but due to the fear of Allah you escaped from it?”
The caliph replied swearingly, “Yes, I got many chances but I was always away from such sins.” Imam Al-Shafe’i told him, “You are not a hellish man.” When the ulemas (learned persons) asked him to give any proof for it, he told them that Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
“After determination of sin, any person who avoids it due to fear of Allah then his dwelling will be in the heaven.”
All the learned men praised his wise decision and commented that if he is so clever in the young age, then just imagine his status in the youth period.
It was reported that he never put any illegal morsel in his mouth during his life time. Once he camped before the army camp and for this mistake he prayed for 40 nights.
He always respected the children of sadat (descendents of Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) through his daughter Fatima). Once in the classroom he stood more than ten times to pay the respect to the boys of sadats who were playing there.
Once a wealthy person sent some money to be distributed among the pious persons in Makkah. From that money some amount was presented to him, so he asked them, “Who is the owner of this money and for whom this money was sent for distribution?” They replied him that it was for distribution among the pious persons and mendicants. He replied them that he is not a pious and mendicant person so he is not eligible for the amount.
It was reported that once he came from Sana to Makkah. At that time he had 10,000 dinars with him. Persons told him to buy a farm house or to buy sheep from that amount. But he camped outside Makkah and put the money on the ground. He distributed one handful of money to all the persons who came over there and by the time of noon prayer he had no money with him.
The Qaiser of Rome used to send some amount annually to Harun al-Rashid, but one year he sent some monks and put one condition that Islamic ulemas to have debate with monks. If they defeat the monks then he will continue to pay the annual amount to Harun al-Rashid otherwise he will stop the payment. After the arrival of monks, Harun al-Rashid called all the learned persons and asked Imam Al-Shafe’i to start the debate. Imam Al-Shafe’i put his prayer mat on the water and asked the monks to come on the water to have discussion with him there. The monks saw this and were surprised. They immediately accepted Islam on the spot. When this news reached to Qaiser of Rome, he told, “It was good that the person was in Baghdad. If that person would have been in Rome then all the Romans would have accepted the religion of Islam.”
It was reported that he was living in Makkah since the beginning of his youth period. He wore the dress of mystic person for a long time. Once he was studying the books in the moonlight near the harem, so the persons told him to go inside the harem and read the books in the light of harem. But he replied them; “These lights are especially for the harem so it is not good for me to use it for reading.”
He was not hafiz Qur’an (Koran-conner) so some people complained the caliph that Imam Al-Shafe’i is not Koran-conner. To check this matter, the caliph asked him to recite the Qur’an during Tarawih prayers (special night prayers) in the month of Ramadan. So during the day he used to memorise one part of the Qur’an daily and used to recite in the Tarawih prayer in the night. In this way he memorised the whole Qur’an in one month period.
During his time there was one beautiful woman. He wanted to see her. For this purpose he married her for mahr (dower) of 100 dinars. After the marriage with her and after seeing her face he paid her dower amount and divorced her.
According to the principles of Imam Hanbal, if a person has intentionally missed the prayer then he becomes an unbeliever. But as per principles of Imam Al-Shafe’i such persons will not become an unbeliever instead there is severe punishment for such persons.
When Imam Al-Shafe’i asked Imam Hanbal that if the person who has missed the prayer intentionally and has become an unbeliever, can such person will become Muslim again? Can he continue prayers? But Imam Al-Shafe’i told him, “The prayer of nonbeliever is not accepted.” Imam Hanbal was silent after hearing his reply. Many such things are secrets of fiqh and there are many questions and answers on Islamic law. But there is no need of mentioning them in this book. The persons who are interested in this matter should refer books of fiqh.
Once he said, “Many learned persons are interested in interpretation. He considers them as they do not know anything.” He also said, “He is slave of such persons who taught him good manners.”
It was reported that he told, “One who teaches knowledge to a foolish person spoils the rights of knowledge. One should teach knowledge to such person who is capable of it.” He told, “If they sell the world for a piece of bread without knowing its worth then they are not the right ones.”
One person requested him to advise, so he told him, “Do not try to accumulate wealth like others do but try to compete them in spiritual and moral aspects. Try to be a great worshipper of Allah. They will not get any benefit from their wealth whereas you will be benefited more because of Allah’s blessings. Their wealth will remain here in the world, they will not carry this to their grave. On the contrary, the reward of worship to Allah will help you to remain pious. We all will die one day. Let us worship Allah to have a pious soul.”
Once he left his place to find out his lost time (past time) and visited many ruined places, mosques, bazaars and schools but he could not find it. In his search he went to a monastery and found one group of mystic persons who were sitting there. One person told him that the past time would never come back again so take care of present time. Imam Al-Shafe’i turned towards his servant and told him, “I got my lost time so you also listen it carefully what they are telling.”
Sheikh Abu Saeed reported that what Imam Al-Shafe’i told, “I do not have complete knowledge of the world and my knowledge is not equal to the knowledge of mystic persons, and mystic person’s knowledge is not equal to their teacher’s one advice in which he told them that the present time is like a cutting sword.”
At the time of his last breath he wrote his testament and also told orally to the persons standing near him to tell one person (name suggested) to bath him. After long time that person came from Egypt after his death. The persons gave his testament to him and also explained him the details. In the testament it was written that he was in debt of 70,000 dinars so that person paid the debt amount to the relevant person and explained that the word bath in the testament refers to pay the debt amount on his behalf. Such a wise person he was.
Rabiya reported that before his death he saw a dream in which Adam (A.S.) died and persons were taking out his funeral when he wake up. He went to meet one person for explanation of his dream. That person told him that one great learned person will die soon and the knowledge is from Adam (A.S.). Allah says in Qur’an:
“We have taught Adam (A.S.) the names of all things.”
After his death Rafi Bin Suleiman saw him in his dream and asked him how Allah treated him? He replied him, “He was given a golden chair and pearls which were showered upon him. Allah gave him 700,000 dinars and granted His grace. He died in the year 204 A.H. at the age of 54 years.
19th EPISODE from Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics)
Translated from Urdu to English by
Muhammed A. Hafeez, B.COM.
Email: hafeezanwar@yahoo.com
HYDERABAD
INDIA
==============================
Reference Books
1. Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics), Urdu translation published by Majedi Book Depot, Kanpur in the year 1383 A.H., India.
2. Tazkeratul Aoulia by Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Attar (Book of Muslim Saints and Mystics), Urdu translation published by Anwar Book Depot, Delhi, India.
================