ROMANTIC NATIONALISM (2)

Nationalism as an idea spread throughout Europe in the 18th century. Prior to that, people lived under the power of many feudal lords. Then, they came together under a single nation-state governed by a central administration. European countries such as France and England were among the first to espouse the notion of nationalism and to become a nation-state. By the 19th century, most of the nations of Europe had achieved national unity.

Only two countries did not participate in this development: Germany and Italy. In both these countries, the power of principalities or of small city-states lasted much longer. Italy achieved nationhood only in 1870, and Germany only a year later, in 1871. In other words, both these countries were later than other European countries in adopting and implementing the ideas of nationalism.

However, this particular situation was the cause of the development of a more radical brand of nationalism in these two countries than in the other countries of Europe. According to the widespread opinion of social scientists, the reason for the birth and accession to power in these two countries of the extreme forms of nationalism, Nazism and fascism, was the spread of fanatic nationalistic sentiments linked with the late formation of national unity.

In these two countries, and especially in Germany, those who promoted the idea of fanatic nationalism were known as "romantic nationalists." The basic features that characterise romantic nationalists are their exaltation of feeling to the detriment of reason, their belief that their nation is endowed with a mystical and mysterious "spirit," and that this spirit makes their nation superior to others. Towards the end of the 19th century, romantic nationalism was influenced by racist theories that were then gaining wide acceptance, and which led to the claim that European races were superior to the other races of the world, and therefore, had the right to rule them.

Romantic nationalism spread quickly, again, especially in Germany, during the first two decades of the 19th century. Writers such as Paul Lagarde and Julius Langbehn supported the idea of a kind of hierarchical world-order which Germans were to administer. They claimed this could be achieved due to the natural superiority of the "German spirit" and "German blood," and that, to this end, Germans must turn their backs on monotheistic religions, such as Christianity, and return to their pagan past.

Indeed, romantic nationalism's only contribution to humanity has been to have prepared the foundation for Nazism, one of history's most brutal and bloody regimes.

Because romantic nationalists believed they were to find truth through "feeling and intuition," and not through reason, they came to adopt a most confused view of the world, one which reflected their poor spiritual condition. The foundation of romantic nationalism was based on "feeling." This fanciful ideology produced individuals who were cut off from reality, lost in the confusion of their own minds. Romanticism, by enslaving people to their feelings, leads them to lose touch with reality, and in this manner, can be compared to the psychological disease of schizophrenia. (Those who suffer from schizophrenia are completely cut off from reality and live in a world created by their own imaginations.)
The disease of schizophrenia provides a poignant analogy of the spiritual condition of romantic nationalism, which is based on a number of errant ideas, chief among them being the notion of "blood" and "fatherland," which it then idolizes and turns into obsessions to be pursued blindly. In Germany, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the idea of "Blut and Boden" (Blood and Fatherland) gained momentum.

ccording to this notion, German blood and the German fatherland were holy, and those minorities within the country that did not belong to the German race, were seen as polluting German blood and sullying the German fatherland.

The type of attitude that regards blood and bloodshed as holy has been the cause of the bloodiest conflicts seen in human history. The first and second World Wars were but clashes between romantic nationalists. The current of romantic nationalism was most clearly seen in Germany, but it also had its influence at the same period in English, French and Russian societies, where it was also responsible for drawing those countries into war. It fanned into flames those problems that could otherwise have been solved through diplomacy, and ultimately inflicted the world with the massacre of millions of human lives.

To understand the outcomes of romantic nationalism, it is useful to study the developments of First World War. Although many countries participated in that war, only few of them played a pivotal part. On one side were England, France and Russia; on the other, Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At the outset of the war, all generals shared a common strategy: through a forceful attack, the enemy lines could be divided and routed and within a few weeks, victory would be attained. However, the war brought victory to no one.

In 1914, Germany suddenly invaded France and Belgium. After an initial advance, forces were engaged in battle, the front-lines of assault were drawn up, and for almost three and a half years, no further ground was gained. Each side attacked the other repeatedly in the hope of dividing the opposing front, but the situation remained unchanged. In the famous Battle of Verdun, initiated by a German attack, a total of 315,000 French and 280,000 German soldiers died, but the front was moved back only a few kilometres. Months later, the English and French launched a counter-attack at the Battle of the Somme and, as a result of the bloody engagement, 600,000 Germans, more than 400,000 English, and about 200,000 French soldiers died. Nevertheless, the German front was driven back only 11 kilometres. With their enthusiasm enflamed by romantic marching songs, and through moving poetry extolling the "German spirit," "English honour" and "French valour," military strategists and tacticians finally made unwise decisions, causing the slaughter of their own people. Most of those soldiers who survived the three and a half years in the muddy trenches, without being able to even raise their heads because of the continual bombardment, also suffered psychologically as a result of their experiences.

The same blood-lust mentality came to the fore again in World War II, but this time with even greater casualties. A total of 55 million people died as a result of the overweening ambition of psychopathic romantics such as Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin.

It is not only in global conflicts that romanticism plays a role; it also lies at the root of war and aggression between various countries, tribes and organisations. Without a clear understanding of the factors involved in the situation in which they were living, millions, influenced by emotional slogans, tales of heroism, stirring marching songs and poems, have taken up arms and shed, not only their own blood, but also the blood of those they considered to be the enemy, plunging with them the world into confusion and strife.

Sentimentality is a weapon used by Satan to divert humanity from the way of Allah (God), and to lead them into misery. This trap that Satan has set for humanity is clearly evidenced in romantic nationalism. In the Qu'ran, Allah relates how Satan submits those under his influence to a state of terror, confusion and hostility:

He (Allah) said, "Go! And as for any who follow you, your repayment is Hell, repayment in full! Stir up any of them you can with your voice and rally against them your cavalry and your infantry and share with them in their children and their wealth and make them promises! The promise of Satan is nothing but delusion." (Surat al-Isra’: 63-64)

The above verse relates how Satan, using those individuals under his control, will "entice any of them whom he can with his voice" and "rally against them his cavalry and his infantry"-the means to provoke romantic nationalism. (For further reading, see Romanticism: A Weapon of Satan by Harun Yahya)

FAZILATE DUROOD SHAREEF:

FAZILATE DUROOD SHAREEF:

Quraan Majeed mein hai Allah azw.gif or us k farishte Nabi Pak saw.gif per Durood baijhte hein.Ay Imaan walo tum bhe Aap saw.gif per Duroodo Salaam bejho".

Huzoor Pak saw.gif ne farnmaya "Jo Mera Naam sun kar Mujh per Durood na baijhe wo bakheel hai".

Hazrat Jabir(radi Allah Anhu) kahte hein ke Rasool Allah saw.gif ne farmaya "Jo sakhs subha or maghrib ki namazoon ke baad kalaam karne se pehle 100times durood Shareef parh lay to Allah us ki 100 zarooratein pori farmata hai.30 duniya mein or 70 aakhirat mein"

Rasool Allah saw.gif ne farmaya "Dua us waqt tak zameeno asmaan key darmiyaan rahte hai jab tak Mujh per Durood na baijha jae".

Aik or Hadees pak hai "Jo Mujh per aik baar Durood Pak parhata hai Allah Azawajal us k leye aik qiraat ajr likhta hai,or qiraat Ohad pahaar jitna hai."

Aik or Jadha per Nabiye Rehmat saw.gif ne Farmaya "Jis ne Mujh per 10 martaba darood pak parha Allah azw.gif us per 100 Rehmatein nazil farmae gaa".

Abu Horaira RadiAllah Anhu se marve hai ke Rasool Allah saw.gif ne farmaya: Jis ne Mujh per Aik martaba Durood parha Allah azw.gif Us per 10 martaba Durood baijhe gaa.Or Tirmizi ne in Ilfaaz ka izaafa kiya : Or Allah azw.gif is ke leye 10 naikiyaan bhe is(Durood parhane) ke badle mein likhe gaa".

Hazrat Abdul Masood Radi Allah Anhu se marvee hai ke Rasool Allah saw.gif ne Farmaya: "Qiyamat kay roz logon mein se Maire sab se qareeb wo ho ga jo (is duniya mein) kasarat se mujh per Darood baijhta hai."

Hazrat Abdullah (RadiAllah Anhu) se mrvee hai ke Rasool Allah saw.gif ne farmaya"bila shuba Allah azw.gif ke Farishte zameen mein phirte or Mujhe Omat ka Salaam pohonchate hein."

FAzail E Drood E Sharef

SALAWAAT-O-SALAAM

SALAWAAT-O-SALAAM

(Salat 'Alan Nabiyy Sall Allahu 'alaihi wa Sallim)



A) THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF FOR THE UMMAH AS EXPLAINED IN THE HOLY QURAN AND AHADITH

B) WHAT IS DUROOD SHAREEF AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF

C) THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF AS EXPLAINED IN THE AHADITH

D) RESPECT THAT SHOULD BE ACCORDED WHEN RECITING THE DUROOD SHAREEF

A) THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF FOR THE UMMAH AS EXPLAINED IN THE HOLY QURAN AND AHADITH


The message of Allah Ta'ala to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) has come down to us in the form of the Holy Quran and the teachings of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) have reached us in the form of the Ahadith. Let us see what both the Holy Quran and Ahadith say about Durood Shareef (Salawat):

"Innal llaha wa Malaa'ikatahu Yu salluna allan nabiyi.
Ya Ayyuhal lazeena aamanu sallu alaihi wasallimu tasleema." (Surah Ai-Ahzab, Verse 56)

Almighty Allah says: "Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). O you who believe! Send Blessings (Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with worthy Salutation". (Surah al-Ahzab: 56)

In this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah, His Malaa'ikah and the Muslims have been mentioned as sending Durood upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). So, Durood Shareef is actually "a Du'a in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim)."

Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said: "He who reads a single Durood upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages (internally). (Mishkaat)

Hazrat Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radi Allahu anhu) also narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said: "On the Day of Qiyamah, the closest to me from among the people will be those who have read the most amount of Durood Shareef". (Tirmidhi)

It is now evident that the recitation of Durood Shareef (Salawat) is in perfect obedience to the Divine Command and in complete conformity with the teachings of Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) of Islam. There is no scope to choose anything else when we have with us the words of Allah Ta'ala and His Apostle, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
The Commands of Allah Ta'ala and the Rasulallah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) to recite Salawat-o-Salaam is unconditional i.e. no where in Quran or Hadiths, Allah or His Messenger (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) mentioned in what position we have to send Salawat and Salam and how loud?. It is entirely up to believers in what position and volume he or she invokes Salawaat-o-Salaam, whether while sitting or laying on bed/floor or standing still or walking, it does not matter. Since we respect our beloved prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) the most after Allah Ta'ala, it is the demand of this respect that we stand up and send Salat-o-Salam to the Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim)

B) WHAT IS DUROOD SHAREEF AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF


Divine blessings on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is the highest and the most meritorious act in our Deen. This "Divine Blessings" is called Durood Shareef.

When Almighty Allah sends Durood and Salaams upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), He is actually blessing him. When the Malaa'ikah and the Muslims send Durood and Salaams to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), they are actually showing Almighty Allah their respect for the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
Muslims hope that, through the blessings of the Durood and Salaams, Almighty Allah will forgive them of their sins and increase their status in this world and in the Aakirah. The Malaa'ikah hope that Almighty Allah will increase their status.

Durood is a sure means of Allah Ta'ala granting blessings, peace, prosperity and favours of great magnitude on one who recites Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). The reciter of Durood Shareef receives all the benefits in this world and utmost gain in the next world with addition to the love of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).

The invocation of Blessings on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is styled in Arabic as "Salawat", in Persian as "Durood", and in Urdu as "Salawat-o-Salaam".

The regular recitation of Durood Shareef on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) lifts up our hearts on to a plane of comprehension where we gaze in our new found peace and moral armour.

The reciter of Durood Shareef will, after some time, come to realize by himself that it is the spontaneous outpouring of his heart before the Great Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) of Islam, whose love and attachment is needed to get all the present day problems solved and obtain mercy in the next world.

The more Durood Shareef we recite, the greater the gain and benefit will be achieved in both the worlds. Hazrat Shaikh-e-Akbar Mo'inuddin ibn Arabi (radi Allahu anhu) has stated that, "Those who claim to love and revere the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) should increase their recital of the Durood Shareef in patience and perseverance until, through the mercy of Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), they have the opportunity of witnessing his blessed countenance".

The special and exclusive aspect of this prayer is that Durood Shareef is immediately accepted by Allah Ta'ala. No one can doubt its acceptance, as Durood Shareef is being recited by Allah Ta'ala too. Not only this, but He has revealed this secret in the Holy Quran by saying:

"Wara fa'na laka zikrah " (Surah Al-Inshirah, V-4) ."
Translation: “And We have exalted for you your remembrance”

Muslims are a very fortunate people. Allah Ta'ala chose for them the name of Islam as a religion, declared to be comprehensive and final for mankind. The person chose to deliver this message in this specific form and extra-ordinary style of love and hope was the most beloved of Allah Ta'ala and became the Light of Divinity to be shed upon the entire universe. This Light devastated all the domains of darkness and depression. By reciting Durood Shareef (Salawat) we invite Light and drive away all darkness from our inner soul. Our mind becomes soft and love saturated. If there is softness in everything, it tends beauty to it. People become ugly owing to lack of this essential beauty of the inner part of the mind. This ugliness cannot be glossed over by any amount of cosmetics. It is the Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) which works wonders.

In the same manner, the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) taught us Durood Shareef to attain salvation, perfect peace and maximum gain in this world as well as the next. The soul is the soil where the faith of Allah is to be implanted firmly and faithfully which requires continuous recitation of Durood Shareef to thrive and flourish.

We have been told by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) that Durood Shareef is itself Light and when Light enters the soul every aspiration is achieved and every goal is won. Nothing remains thereafter to worry about.

Human spirit today is depressed everywhere and mankind has come to the edge of destruction, decay and devastation. Everyone is engulfed in untold miseries and tragedies of a very great magnitude. Troubles and tortures, pain, poverty, hunger, ill-health, frustrations and accidents have broken the back of a human being. All this can evaporate with the recitation of Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) who has clearly proclaimed that Durood Shareef is the panacea of all ills and that if any one comes across a calamity he should recite Durood Shareef in the maximum number. Allah Ta'ala has promised that if anyone recites Durood only once, He showers ten blessings on the reciter immediately.

It is narrated that once Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) walked a very long distance in the desert during summer at noon. He fainted due to thirst and hunger. After a while, when he regained his consciousness, Allah Ta'ala sent Hazrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to go and inquire from Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) if he was thirsty or not. Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) replied that he was thirsty. Allah Ta'ala told him that the thirst on the Day of Judgement will be a million times more than what Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) experienced. Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) was told that if he wished to get rid of that thirst on the hottest Day of Judgement, he would have to do one thing. When Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) enquired as to what should be done, Allah Ta'ala told him that he should recite Durood Shareef in abundance on His last Prophet, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) thanked Allah Ta'ala and immediately began reciting Durood Shareef on the Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).


From the above fact it is quite clear that Allah Ta'ala has given orders even to his Ambiya to recite Salawat on the last and final Prophet of Islam, and that Durood Shareef is not only panacea and a solution to the ills of this world but in the next too.
In another story, it is narrated that when Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) saw Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) he wanted to be close to her, but Allah Ta'ala sent Hazrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to stop him. Allah Ta'ala told him that if he wanted to take Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) as his wife, he should first pay Mahr (dowry). On his inquiry as to what the Mahr was, Allah Ta'ala told Hazrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to inform him that the best way of paying the dowry is for him to recite Durood Shareef 3 times on His last Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) did so, Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) was granted to him as his legal and legitimate wife.



The highest blessings which Islam has conferred on man is the concept of Tauheed or Unity of Allah in its purest form. This has been furnished to mankind through Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), the last of the Prophets. It is a cardinal duty of every Muslim man and woman, young and old to entertain the highest respect, regard, love and esteem for the Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) and his family. It should be clear that obedience to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is always to be charged with intense love and highest regard for him, for it is through love and esteem that truth can be comprehended and communion with the Creator can be vouch-safed. In fact, love is the motive force, reverence dissolves and implicit obedience to the Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) which is the natural outcome. It is therefore incumbent on those who love him, to pray to Allah Ta'ala and His Angels in wishing for him peace according to the Divine Command. This will reshape the life which is otherwise infested with turmoil. The reciter will get countless and matchless benefits in both the Worlds and can claim to be the lover of Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).

As Muslims we should recite Durood Shareef in the Arabic language. Islam seeks to create a unified outlook and it is in the Arabic language alone which welds all Muslims into one great brotherhood. Besides, Arabic is the language of Heaven, it is the language of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), it is the language of the Angels and it is the language of Hazrat Abu-Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman and Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu Anhumma).


The daily recitation of Durood Shareef has a tremendous effect on the human head, heart, mind and person. It purifies thoughts and intensifies actions. It makes passages for perfect peace and personal satisfaction.



C) THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF AS EXPLAINED IN THE AHADITH


"Hadith" is an Arabic word which means "Holy Sayings". It is the narration of all the affectionate words of advice uttered by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) from time to time. These sayings (Ahadith) are instructions offered for the guidance of mankind, and to follow them is as important as daily prayers.
The famous books of Hadith are the following: Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Muwatta, Nisaai', Ibn-Majah, Darmi, Baihaqi and Miskhaat Shareef.

Imam Bukhari (radi Allahu anhu), the compiler of Bukhari Shareef, took the greatest and painstaking precautions in making his collections of Ahadith and exerted to his utmost to achieve all accuracy and reliability as possible. Hence, Ahadith quoted by Imam Bukhari (radi Allahu anhu) and his work on Ahadith stands as one of the wonders of intellectual achievement in Islamic History. He wrote all Ahadith in the sacred Haram of Madina Munawwarah. It is, therefore, that most of the Ahadith have been taken from the book of Bukhari Shareef.


Important Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) have been included here for the betterment, benefit guidance and gain of the readers of this book. If followed, the reader of these sayings will receive a permit to Paradise even in this world. Every saying opens door to Divine favour and sure success.

1. For every Durood Shareef that you recite, ten sins are forgiven, ten good deeds are entered into your sheet of actions and ten position are upgraded.

2. Allah showers ten blessings on the man who recites a Durood. 3. The first man who will meet the Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) on the Day of Judgement will be that person who had recited the Durood maximum number of times in his life time.

4. Those who recite Durood in maximum number will be nearest and dearest to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) in the next world.

5. If any one is involved in a difficulty then he must recite countless number of Durood Shareefs.

6. Reciting Durood Shareef eradicates poverty and hunger.

7. If the Sawaab of the Durood Shareef is dedicated to another person, then that person will receive the Sawaab, while the Sawaab of the reciter will not be lessened.

8. Reciting excessive Durood Shareef brings purity.

9. Reciting maximum number of Durood Shareef is full compensation of all sins.

10. Any one who recites excessive Durood Shareef in this world will be safe and sound in the next world.

11. When a prayer is made to Allah it is never accepted unless praise of Allah Ta'ala and Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is first of all recited.

12. Those who recite Durood quite often will see Divine Light on the dark Day of Judgement.

13. Three persons will be under the cool shade and the favours of Allah Ta'ala on the Doom's Day. One who kept the Holy Prophet's (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) Sunnah alive, one who removed difficulty of a fellow being and one who recited maximum number of Durood Shareef in his life time.

14. When you forget anything and your memory fails to recollect it, then recite Durood, you will remember the forgotten thing.

15. Reciting Durood in this world is rewarding in the next.

16. The reciter of 10 Duroods in the morning and 10 in the evening will receive the help of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) on the Day of Judgement.

17. One who recites Durood Shareef near the shrine of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is heard by him there and then alone.

18. Any one who recites Durood is just as one who purchased a slave and freed him.

19. If a Durood is written in a book by someone Angels of Allah shower blessings on him till the Durood remains in that book.

20. The Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said that he himself recites blessings on one who recites Durood on him.

21. Any one who wants to meet his Allah with a happy face must recite countless number of Durood Shareef.

22. Reward equivalent to a big mountain (Uhud) is given to one who recites one Durood.

23. All people will be presented to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) with their habits, natures and distinct manner, so it is obligatory for a man to recite maximum number of Durood.

24. Allah is Great and Almighty to forgive all sins of the reciter during the day and night when he recites Durood Shareef.

25. If any one meets in a tragedy, he should recite Durood Shareef in countless numbers.

26. Reciting Durood is like giving something in charity.

27. Reciting maximum number of Durood kills all hardships.

28. Recite Durood Shareef in countless number on Friday, as it is presented to me (the Holy Prophet).

29. Bad deeds of 200 years (equivalent) are obliterated if a man recites 100 Durood on Friday.

30. Anyone who recites Durood will overcome all their troubles.

31. If the name of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is mentioned and one who hears it but does not recite Durood Shareef, understand that he has forgotten the path to Paradise.

32. "I pray for all those who recite Durood on me", said the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).

33. If any one recites Durood Shareef from any place, any part of the world from any distance, it actually reaches the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) immediately. Allah Ta'ala has appointed several Angels who are given exclusive duty to collect all Durood Shareef and present the same before the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) immediately.


34. Angels of Allah shower 70 blessings on a man who recites Durood once.

35. Whenever you hear the call of prayers (Azaan) you should recite Durood.

36. Wherever you are, from any quarter of the world, you must recite Durood as it reaches the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).

37. Ablution is not complete if Durood is not recited on it.

38. The Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said to his wife that any one who hears the name of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) and does not recite Durood on him will not see the beautiful face of Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) on the Day of the Judgement.

39. Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) reports that Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said, "The real miser is he in whose presence I am mentioned and then he fails to recite Salat on me".

40. If a person recites 1 000 Durood Shareef daily, he will never die unless he himself sees his place in Heaven with his own eyes.

41. The Durood Shareef that is recited by the person is written with a Golden Pen on a Silver tablet by the Angels. The Angels then present this Durood Shareef to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) and proclaim, "O Habeeb of Allah! The son of such and such a person has presented this gift in your majestic court".

D) RESPECT THAT SHOULD BE ACCORDED WHEN RECITING THE DUROOD SHAREEF


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

How should one recite the Durood Shareef? What should be the persons condition and the conditions of his environment? The following points should be taken into account when reciting Durood Shareef:-

1. It should be read with utmost humility and respect.

2. The clothes of the reciter should be clean and free from all impurity.

3. The place where the Durood Shareef is to be read should be clean.

4. It is more superior to be in a state of Wudhu while reciting the Durood Shareef.

5. It is better to sit in the Tashahudd position as you would sit when in Salaah and recite the Durood Shareef with concentration and the respect due to it.

6. It is preferable to face Madinatul Munawwarah.

7. If possible, one should have sweet fragrance around the place.

8. The reciter should try and understand the meaning of the Durood Shareef.

9. One should possess a clean and untainted intention. One should read with the sole intention of pleasing Almighty Allah and Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).

10. The person should not be involved in worldly talks.

11. A person should try his level best to follow the example or Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).

12. When reading Durood Shareef, you should try and imagine that you are sitting in the august presence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). Utmost respect and reverence should be displayed.

13. Whenever one hears or recites the Durood Shareef, it should be read and written in full. It is also preferable to kiss one's thumb and rub them over one's eyes when hearing the name of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).

14. When the reading of the Durood Shareef is completed one should praise Allah Ta'ala that he has given you the opportunity of reading such a great Zikr as the Durood Shareef.

15. Whenever one takes the name of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), one should use titles of respect and reverence.

16. As an advantage one should count on one's fingers as Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) often encouraged this practice because on the Day of Qiyamah those same fingers will bear witness at the time when they are questioned.

17. Recite Durood Shareef wherever you are (not in the bathroom or toilet) and during any occasion.

A Guide to Paracitcal Living

J. A GUIDE TO PRACTICAL LIVING FROM THE BLESSEDS LIPS OF SAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAH (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)

Read a Hadith and light the way:

1. I leave with you two things; as long as you hold fast to them both, you will never be misguided – the Kitab (Book) of Allah and Sunnat of His Rasool (Messenger). (Muwatta)

2. He has tasted the sweetness of faith who is pleased with Allah as Rabb, with Islam as Deen and with Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) as Rasool (Messenger). (Sahih Muslim)

3. Blessed is he who is guided to Islam, and whose livelihood is just sufficient and who is contented therewith. (Tirmidhi)

4. Everyone of my followers will enter Jannat (Paradise) except he who refused. He (the Rasool of Allah) was asked: And who has refused (truth)? He said: Whosoever obeys me shall enter Jannat (Paradise) and whoever disobeys me has refused. (Sahih Bukhari)

5. The Pleasure of the Rabb is in the pleasure of the father, and the displeasure of the Rabb is in the displeasure of the father. (Tirmidhi)

6. A man asked: O Rasool of Allah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim): What are the rights of the parents over their children? He replied: They are your Jannat (Paradise) and your Jahannam (Hell). (Ibn-Majah)

7. No father can give a better gift to his son than good manners.(Tirmidhi)

8. Let no believing man hate a believing woman. If he hates one trait of her character, he should be pleased with another that is within her. (Sahih Muslim)

9.Whichever female dies while her husband was pleased with her, will enter Jannat (Paradise). (Tirmidhi)

10. The most perfect of the believers in faith is he who is the best of them in conduct, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives. (Tirmidhi)

11. If a young man shows honour to an old man on account of his age, Allah will create for him in his old age someone who will show him honour. (Tirmidhi)

12. You will see the believers in their mutual kindness, displaying love and sympathy just like one body. When a limb complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever. (Agreed)

13. You shall not enter Jannat until you believe; and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you a thing? When you will do it, you will love one another. Spread (Salaam) among you. (Sahih Muslim)

14. Be not happy over (the sorrows of) your brother, lest Allah shows mercy to the latter and tries you. (Tirmidhi)

15. The duties of a Muslim towards another Muslim are five: to return his greeting, to visit the sick, to follow the bier of a dead man, to accept his invitation, and to respond to one's sneezes. (Agreed)

16. Eat together and be not separate, because blessings is only with the united body. (Ibn-Majah)

17. If a Muslim is afficted with any trouble, continuous pain, anxiety, sorrow, harm, disaster, and even a thorn which he is pierced with - Allah expiates his minor sins thereof. (Agreed)

18. Allah is not kind to one who is not kind to men. (Agreed)

19. He who is devoid of kindness is devoid of good. (Sahih Muslim)

20. Be careful of (narrating) traditions from me except what you know. Whoso imputes falsehood to me intentionally, let him then seek his abode in the fire. (Tirmidhi)

21. When a man dies, all his actions are cut off from him except three: ever recuring charity; or knowledge from which benefit it derived; or virtuous son praying for him. (Sahih Muslim)

22. Whoso interprets the Quran according to his opinion, let him seek his abode in the fire. And in a naration: Whoso interprets the Quran without knowledge, let him seek his abode in the fire. (Tirmidhi)

23. Whoever guides towards good, will have a reward of one who acts up to it. (Hadith)

24. The dearest to me among you is he who is the best of you in conduct. (Sahih Bukhari)

25. Whoso gives up falsehood which is void, there is built for him a mansion in the corner of Jannat; and whoso gives up dispute while he has right (to it), there is built for him a mansion in the middle of Jannat; and whoso makes his conduct good, there is built for him a mansion in its loftiest part. (Tirmidhi)

26. One (on the Day of Judgement, before Allah) will not be able to move away until he has accounted for his:

a. Life, how it was spent,
b. Knowledge, to what use it was put,
c. Wealth, how it was acquired and spent,
d. Body, how it was utilised? (Hadith)

27. Avoid the seven deadly sins. The Companions asked: What are they, O Rasool of Allah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)? The Rasool of Allah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) replied:

a. Attributing partner to Allah,
b. Magic,
c. Murder,
d. Usury,
e. Misappropriating that which belongs to orphans,
f. Turning the back on the day of Jihad,
g. Levelling charges against chaste and innocent women. (Hadith)

28. An honest and trustworthy merchant shall be with the Ambiya (Prophets) and the Martyrs and the pious men. (Hadith)

29. Hazrat Abu Huraira (radi Allahu anhu) said: O Rasool of Allah! (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) I offer myself. Rasoollulah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) caught his hand and enumerated five advices:

a. Avoid what is unlawful, and you will be praying more than others,
b. Be satisfied with what Allah has allotted to you, and you will never feel any lack,
c. Be good to your neighbours, and you will attain the position of a Mu'min (Faithful),
d. Choose for others what you choose for yourself, and you will be a perfect Muslim,
e. Do not laugh too much, for laughter deadens the heart. (Hadith)

30. Be responsible for six things, and I shall be responsible for your entry into Jannat:

a. Speak always the truth,
b. Fulfil all your promises,
c. Return any article given to you in trust in its proper condition,
d. Guard the secret places of your body,
e. Keep your eyes down,
f. Hold off your hands (from tyranny and wrong doing). (Hadith)

31. Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) forbade blood sports, like the Bedouins. (Hadith)

32. Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said:

a. To gaze at a strange (ghair mahram) woman is the Zina (adultery) of the eyes,

b. To listen to passion-stirring words is Zina of the ears,
c. To converse with a strange women (and derive pleasure therefrom) is Zina of the tongue,
d. To touch a strange women is Zina of the hands,
e. To walk towards her is Zina of the feet,
f. The heart desires and craves; the sexual organs then either testify to these or deny them. (Sahih Muslim)

33. Allah Ta'ala will not cast a merciful glance towards the person that commits sodomy or anal sex with his wife. (Mishkaat)

34. (Part of) the beauty of a man's Islam is to leave what does not concern him. (Tirmidhi)

35. Don't be moved by anger. He (the man seeking advise) then repeated (i.e. his request) several times, but Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: Don't be moved by anger. (Sahih Bukhari)

36. Surely (for you) every Tasbih is an act of charity, everyTakbir is an act of charity, every Tahmid is an act of charity, the commanding of right actions is an act of charity, and your sexual intercourse (with you wives) is an act of charity. They asked, (in surprise), O Rasool of Allah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)! Can it be that anyone of us fulfils his passion, and be rewarded for it? Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: Do you see, if you got it (i.e. sexual satisfaction) through unlawful means, would there be sin in it? In the same manner, there is reward for him who performs it lawfully. (Sahih Muslim)

37. Whosoever among you sees an undersirable thing, he should change it with his hand. But, if he cannot, he should do it (i.e. change it) with his tongue. If he is not able to do that even, he should do it with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith. (Sahih Muslim)

38. Whoso kills a sparrow for nothing, it will cry loud to Allah on the Day of Resurrection, saying, O my Rabb! Such-and-such a man killed me for nothing: he never killed me for any good. (Nisaai)

39. Every good word is charity. (Hadith)

40. Almsgiving extinguishes the Wrath of Allah. (Tirmidhi)

41. That a man give a dirham in alms during his lifetime, is better for him than that he should give a hundred dirhams at his death. (Abu Dawud)

42. Cleanliness is one-half of faith. (Sahih Muslim)

43. To be alone is better that (to have) a bad companion; and a good companion is better than being alone; and dictating the good is better that keeping silence; and silence is better than dictating evil. (Baihaqi; Mishkaat Shareef)

44. Whoso curses a thing when it does not deserve it, - makes the curse to return upon him. (Abu Dawud)

45. All sins are pardoned of a Martyr except (his) debts. (Sahih Muslim)

46. I said: O Rasool of Allah! (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) I have so much hair upon my head, should I then comb it? The Rasool of Allah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: Yes, and also do it justice! (Nisaai)

47. Deliberation is of Allah, and haste is of Satan. (Tirmidhi)

48. The most hateful of (all) lawful thing, in the sight of Allah, is divorce. (Abu Dawud)

49. The women who seeks divorce from her husband, without being forced (to it due to unjust treatment), shall not smell the fragrance of Jannat. (Tirmidhi)

50. I never saw anyone smile more than the Prophet. (Tirmidhi)

51. No present or gift of a parent, out of all the gifts and presents to a child, is superior to a good education. (Tirmidhi)

52. The best part of faith is to say, There is no Allah but Allah, and the least of it is to remove all injurious things from the (public) road. (Sahih Bukhari)

53. Faith is a restraint against all unjust violence, let no Mu'min commit violence. (Abu Dawud)

54. Whoso brings up three daughters or three sisters, or two sisters or two daughters, and gives them a good education, and treats them well, and gives them in marriage, for him is Jannat.(Abu Dawud)

55. Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and free the captive. (Sahih Bukhari)

56. There are four qualities which being (found) in any make him a complete hypocrite; and whoever has one of these, has one hypocritical quality until he avoids it: perfidy when trusted, lying when speaking, leaving in the lurch when convenanting, and wickedness when quarrelling. (Sahih Bukhari)

57. Every deen has a distinctive virtue, and the distinctive virtue of Islam is modesty. (Malik)

58. Whoso walks in a path seeking knowledge therein, Allah will thereby make easy for him the path of Jannah. (Sahih Muslim)

59. Whoso goes forth in search of knowledge, engages himself in the cause of Allah until he returns (home). (Tirmidhi)

60. When the Rasool of Allah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) sent me as a Governor of Yemen, he said: Beware of leading a luxurious life for verily the servants of (Allah) never lead a luxurious life. (Ahmad)

61. When a servant (of Allah) tells a lie, (his) Angel goes away from him to the distance of a mile, because of the internal commotions of what it brings. (Tirmidhi)

62. When there are three men, let not two egage in a private discourse without the third, for that may grieve him. (SahihBukhari)

63. A woman is married for four qualifications: for her wealth, for her birth, for her beauty, and for Deen; but you look out for Deeni women; and if you do it for any other consideration, your hands will be rubbed in dirt! (Sahih Bukhari)

64. Allah is not merciful to him who is not merciful to men. (Sahih Bukhari)

65. Whoso shows (a way) to good, shall have a reward like that of the man who does it himself. (Sahih Muslim)

66. Eat and give alms and cloth yourselves without being extravagant or vain. (Sahih Bukhari)

67. In his journeys, Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) would remain in the rear, taking care of the weak, and seating them behind him, and he would also pray for them. (Abu Dawud)

68. A Mu'min does not eliminate, nor curse, nor is he a doer of filthy actions, nor is he an impudent fellow. (Tirmidhi)

69. He is not a Mu'min who eats his fill while his neighbour lies hungry by his side. (Baihaqi)

70. Seize five opportunities before the five (calamities): your youth before weakness in old age; your health before your sickness; richness before poverty; your leisure before business; your life before death. (Tirmidhi)

71. The worst of feasts are the marriage feasts in which the rich are invited and the poor left out. (Sahih Bukhari)

72. Send presents to one another, for verily presents take away the grudge of the heart; and let no neighbour despise the present of his neighbour, be it ever so little. (Tirmidhi)

73. Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) loved an action which could be performed regularly, although it was little. (Nisaai)

74. Whoso causes (others) to hear (of his virtues) Allah will disgrace him thereby; and whoso shows (himself) off, Allah will humiliate thereby. (Sahih Bukhari)

75. Whoso holds fast to my example during the corruption of my people, he shall have the reward of hundred Martyrs. (Baihaqi)

76. He who spends in the Cause of Allah will have his reward seven hundred times. (Tirmidhi)

77. Avoid all things doubtful for those that are not doubtful, verily truth brings quiet, and falsehood doubt. (Tirmidhi)

78. Moderation in expenses is half livelihood, and the love of men is half wisdom, and good questioning is half knowledge. (Baihaqi)

79. There are two traits which are never found together in a hypocrite: good conduct and the understanding of Deen. (Tirmidhi) 80. There is a trial for every people, and the trial for my people is wealth. (Tirmidhi)

81. The world is a provision, and the best provision of the world is a virtuous woman. (Sahih Muslim)

82. I have left behind me no more greater trial for men than woman. (Nisaai)

83. No man is alone with a strange woman, but Satan is the third among them. (Tirmidhi)

84. I asked the Rasool (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) with regard to a sudden glance cast on a woman. He said: Turn away your glance. (Sahih Muslim)

85. My companions are like stars, whosoever (from among them) you (choose to) follow, you will be guided. (Mishkaat)

86. All actions depend upon its intention. (Sahih Bukhari; Sahih Muslim)

87. Offering prayer in congregation carries twenty-seven times greater reward that offering it alone. (Sahih Muslim)

88. I am the last of prophets and there will be none after me. (Sahih Bukhari; Sahih Muslim)

89. When someone makes his Wudhu at home and walks to the mosque with the intention of discharging an obligation to Allah, then each (alternate) step cancels a sin while the other one adds to his virtues. (Sahih Muslim)

90. Narrate the virtues of the dead and refrain from revealing their sins. (Abu Dawud)

91. Remember often the terminator of pleasures (i.e. death). (Tirmidhi)

92. When your good deeds make you happy and your bad deeds make you sad, you have Imaan. (Ahmad)

A Golden page

H. A GOLDEN PAGE OF HUMAN HISTORY

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) occupies an exalted, everlasting and the most unique position in the religious history of mankind. Of all the Founders of Religion only Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is the first and the last to claim that the Message which he brought from Allah Ta'ala to mankind is absolutely complete and final, that his dispensation shall remain in force till the end of the world, and after him no Divine Messenger will come to modify, add, subtract or abrogate any of his teachings. In him, the institution of Prophethood attained its full, final and most perfect form.

History shows that the world from the beginning has not produced any other man who can rival the Prophet of Islam (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) in the field of his teachings, his actions, his deeds or practical way of life.

It was Hazrat Muhammad's (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) grandest contribution to the elevation of his fellow-men that he re-affirmed the sovereign principle of Monotheism and universal brotherhood of man transcending all barriers that people erect in ignorance and fear. Hazrat Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) arose in the midst of a society that was cruelly barbarious, which had no culture, no manners, no society and no civilisation. Humanity was coming very close to calamity. Imagine the same society is today the noble torch-bearer of a new and excellent civilisation. This is one of the main miracles the Prophet ofIslam (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) performed and world history bears testimony to this truth. In a short span of 23 years he brought under one banner a most barbarous tribe spread over 2 000 000 square miles of a very remote region of the world.

It is a universal fact that Hazrat Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is the only Prophet in whose honour praises have been sung by all other religious leaders and some have rather recommended to their followers to follow the path of this great Prophet. People like Guru Nanak, the spiritual head of Sikh sect, and George Bernard Shaw, the philosopher, are such personalities.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) accomplished what he undertook in his own short span of life with limited means and all round adversities, trials tortures and tribulations. The task that he accomplished, the work that he did, the manners and the character that he exhibited, and above all, the way in which he completed this stupendous task, is itself a clear proof of his being the last and the living Messenger of Allah whose religion is perfect, character blotless and complete, and teachings marvellous in all respects.

What he preached appealed to man's reasons and rational faculties rather than to mere sentimentalism, fanaticism, irrationality and superstition. He showed what was crystal clear.

Although he was apostle, philosopher, reformer, religious head, statesman, orator, commander, soldier, administrator, and the head of state, he never sat an inch above the place where his followers used to sit, or ate a morsel more than his Companions ate or wore what was superior than what others used to wear.He was a selfless and sincere friend, perfect guide, graceful companion, loving teacher, an impartial judge and above all a simple and straight forward person. He sat in such a simple attire and mixed up so freely and simply with all the common people that the foreign delegations visiting his capital used to inquire from others as to who the Prophet of Islam was. Can any head of the state or any religious head in any part of the world boast to possess such an amicable nature? Can any head of state be so courageous?

History has known many great and glorious civilisations. The main amongst them being the Chinese civilization, Greek civilization, Roman civilization, Marxism and the Imperialistic. None owes its origin and establishment to a single individual. Nor can it be counted as everlasting. Moreover, these civilisations of the world covered a certain field and certain part of the world. All the civilisations were basically collective efforts of many, but Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) gave Islamic civilisation single-handedly for all times to come.

I. UNIVERSAL FACTS ABOUT SAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAH (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)

Over the hills of Makkah, there was a heavenly glow. The birth of our Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) was an earth-shaking event in the year 570 A.D. Born in the most backward and uncivilized city of Makkah in the Middle East, lived only 63 years in this world, remained unlettered throughout, but changed the destiny of the entire humanity. The whole culture of humanity and the existence of human race was revolutionised during these 23 years of his Prophethood and throughout the world he was the only one single person with multiple capacities who could successfully carry out this stupendous task in such a short span of time and amidst untold adversities. He was the Prophet who uprooted Polytheism once for all.

His father, Hazrat Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu) and mother, Bibi Aaminah (radi Allahu anhu), passed away after his birth. His grandfather, Hazrat Abdul Mutallib (radi Allahu anhu), who took care of him, too soon passed away. He was thus an orphan. Dai Halimah (radi Allahu anha) took care of him for full five years in the desert. But no one knew at that time that this shy, sweet and sublime orphan will grow up to be the greatest and the last Prophet of Allah and show the world the real path to salvation in the most simple and straight-forward style. They never knew that he is Mercy for them as well as for all the worlds and all the generations and all ages so long as the world lasts. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quran: "We sent to you not but as a Mercy for all mankind".

The personality of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is the most perfect and profound in history. A personification of the moral code of life as enshrined in the Holy Quran, he created a moral society and a just State that blended the spiritual with the temporal in the most beautifully balanced synthesis. This was the only Prophet whose words and deeds were 100% alike. He preached what he and his Companions practised, he treated the King and commoner alike. He was sweet, simple, civil and kind to each and everyone. He never hurt the feelings of even his deadliest enemy.

Let us see how some great men, who were not Muslims, but fascinated by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), have described him before the World:

1. Lord Hadly, Sir Charles Archibald, Thomas Carlyle, H.G. Wells, Gibbon, George Bernard Shaw, Guru Nanak, Napoleon Bonaparte, Mahatma Gandhi, Bertland Russel, Dozy, Michael H. Hart and a countless number of historians, philosophers, authors, statesmen and orators have painted a marvellous picture of the Prophet's (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) personality and echoed to salute him, his preaching and his practices.

2. In a number of religious books of other religions, extraordinary record of the doings of the Holy Prophet of Islam (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) and prophecies about his birth can clearly be seen. For instance, in Sanskrit religious books the following description is vividly written: "O People! Listen to this sympathetically, the man of praise (Muhammad) will be raised amongst the people whose loftiness of position touch the Heaven and lowers it". (Sanskrit Holy book)

3. Socrates, the Greek philosopher, told his followers that a man will come from Arabian land, introduce a new religion of purity and peace. He will come earlier and bring prosperity to each and every one.

4. In the book "Prophet of East", the famous writer of Asia, Diwan Chand Sharma, writes that Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) was the soul of kindness and his influence was never at all forgotten.

5. British Prime Minister, Mr James Callaghan, said on the 5th of February 1979 in a programme "World this Week" on 1978 and events in 1979 in a television interview with B.B.C. that, "traditions, faith andbelief of Prophet Muhammad's religion, Islam commands great support and are indeed very worthy beliefs".

6. In the famous book, "The 100 Great", Sayyiduna Rasoolullah's (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) name has been selected to be first of all others. The writer, Mr Michael H. Hart, writes that he is the only one in the world who is the greatest in the worldly affairs as well as in the ecclesiastical affairs alike.

7. There are thousands of the authors of the world, including Russians, who have placed Sayyiduna Rasoolullah's (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) name on the top of the Law Givers of the World.

8. Prof. Muir writes: "All agree in ascribing to the youth of Muhammad (peace be on him) a modesty of truth and purity of manners rare amongst the people. Endowed with refined mind and delicate taste, reserved and humble, he lived much within himself. The fair character and honourable bearing of unobtrusive youth was the approbation of his fellow citizens and by common consent received the title of 'Al Amin' - The Trustworthy. Even those who opposed him agreed to this title".

9. Mr Marcus Dods writes in his book, "Muhammad, Buddha and Christ": "Certainly Muhammad had most important characteristics of the Prophetic order. He saw truth about God which fellow men did not see, and he had an irresistible inward impulse to publicise this truth. In respect of this latter qualification, Muhammad may stand first in comparison to most courageous of the heroic Prophets of Israel. For truths sake he risked his life, he suffered daily persecution for years and eventually banishment, the loss of the property, separation of his fellow citizens and of his friends, he suffered in short as much as any man can suffer short of death. No bribe, threat or inducement could silence him".

10. Arthur Gilman, in his famous book, "Saracens", writes: "The day Muhammad's (peace be on him) greatest triumph over his events was also the day of his grandest victory over himself. He freely forgave the Koraysh. Muhammad's victory was in very truth one of religions and not of politics, he rejected every token of personal homage and declined all legal authority and when the naughty chiefs appeared before him he asked, 'what you can expect at my hands? ' 'Mercy O generous brother.' 'Be it so. You are free', he exclaimed".

11. In the book, "The History of Intellectual Development", Mr John William Draper, says: "A Prophet was born at Mecca in Arabia, the man who of all men has exercised the greatest influence upon human race".

12. Sir Charles Edward Archibald was a Lieutenant in the British Royal Defence Corpse. He was also the President of the Royal Selsy Conservative Society of Britain. He was so much influenced by the life and works of Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), the Prophet, that he embraced Islam on 20th December 1923. Abdullah was his new name. He was a popular writer, thinker, statesman and was familiarly known as Sir Abdullah Hamilton. He has written volumes on Islam, and in praise of the Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).

13. John Davenport says: "There is no doubt that amongst all Lawgivers and Conquerors, there is not a single one whose life story is found in more details and authenticity than that of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)".

14. Dr A.K. Germanus, a well-known historian and author of Hungary, who was also for a few years in association with Rabindranath Tagore, embraced Islam and his new name was Abdul Karrim. This was all due to the influence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah's (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) teaching and his practical life which he studied thoroughly.

15. A number of other non-Muslim authors of Europe, Asia and Africa have also written volumes on the Prophet of Islam. Only a cursory glance at these books will show as to how minutely they have studied the life of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) and reached at a definite conclusion that he was the greatest of all. Some of them have declared the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) as the President of all the Prophets of Allah.

16. Dr Johnson paid his tribute to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) in the following words: "His purely historical character, his simple humanity, claiming only to be a man among men, his intense realism, avoiding all mystical remoteness; his rejection of miracle; the thoroughly democratic and universal form under which his idea of the Divine monarchy led him to conceive the relations of men; the force of his ethical appeal; ... all affiliate Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the modern world".

17. George Bernard Shaw opines: "I believe that if a man like Muhammad (peace be upon him) were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness".

The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) shed a brilliant light on all problems with which humanity has had to tackle and grapple. His sayings deserve to be studied by all those who want justice, equality and brotherhood established upon earth.

Let us inform our western world that their Prophet Jesus (I'sa alaihis salaam) declared in the most explicable terms to his followers, thus, "O Children of Israel, surely I am the Messenger of Allah to you verifying that which is before me of the Torah and giving the good news of a Messenger of Allah who will come after me his name being Ahmad (Muhammad)".

The historians of the world have whole-heartedly admitted that Prophet Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is that supreme model of human conduct and behaviour that we are enjoined to emulate and imitate. "As regards all standards by which human greatness is measured, we may ask, is there any one greater than Prophet Muhammad?" (Lamartine)

He lived 13 years at Makkah and 10 years in Madina Shareef. He lived the most simple life, he kept all his Companions close to him and all the 23 years were his years of hard toil and continuous exertion. He fought battles and wards, won them, managed the affairs of the State and gave justice to friend and the foe alike, and his words had a magical impact upon life action and behaviour of all humanity.

In only 10 years that he lived in Madina Shareef, he destroyed idolatry, uprooted all evils from the society, raised woman from the status of a chattel to a complete legal equality with man, eradicated drinking and immorality which had till then disgraced the human race, made men in love with faith sincerity and absolutely honest dealings, transformed tribes who had been for centuries content with all kinds of ignorance into a people with ever increasing thirst for knowledge, and for the first time in human history made universal human brotherhood a fact and principle of common law. The life of the Holy Prophet of Islam infact was a miracle in itself judging the above facts.

Writing on the personality of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), Sir Stanley Lane-Poole says: "In his habits he was extremely simple, although he bestowed great care on his person. His eating and drinking, his dress and his furniture retained, even when he had reached the fullness of power, their almost primitive nature. The only luxuries he indulged in were arms, which he highly prized, and a pair of yellow boots, a present from the Negus of Abyssinia. Perfumes, however, he loved passionately, being most sensitive to smells. Strong drinks he abhorred.

"He was gifted with mighty powers of imagination, elevation of mind, delicacy and refinement of feeling. He is more modest than a virgin behind her curtain, it was said of him. He was most indulgent to his inferiors, and would never allow his little page to be scolded whatever he did. Ten years, said Anas, his servant, I was about the prophet, and he never said as much as 'uff' to me.

"He was very affectionate towards his family. One of the boys died on his breast in the smoky house of the nurse, a blacksmith's wife.He was very fond of children; he would stop them in the streets and pat their little heads. He never struck anyone in his life. The worst expression he ever made use of in conversion was 'What has come to him? May his forehead become darkened with mud!' When asked to curse someone he replied, 'I have not been sent to curse, but to be a mercy to mankind'.

"He visited the sick, followed any bier he met, accepted the invitation of a slave to dinner, mended his own clothes, milked the goats, and waited upon himself, relates summarily another tradition.He never first withdrew his hand out of another man's palm, and turned not before the other had turned.

"He was the most faithfully protector of those he protected, the sweetest and most agreeable in conversation. Those who saw him were suddenly filled with reverence. Those who came near loved him; they who described him would say, 'I have never seen his like either before or after'. He was of great reservedness, but when he spoke, it was with emphasis and deliberation, and no one could forget what he did".

Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France says: "Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a prince; he rallied his compatriots around him. In a few years, the Muslims conquered half of the world. They snatched away more souls from false gods, pulled down more idols, demolished more pagan temples in fifteen years than the followers of Moses and Jesus did in fifteen centuries.Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a great man. He might have been, in fact, a god, if the revolution which he was instrumental in bringing about had not been prepared by circumstances. When he appeared, the Arabs had been, since many years, afflictedwith civil wars. All those nations that have achieved great things have done them when they came out of such ordeals that renewed equally their souls and their bodies. If the battles of Kadesia and (gap in the original MSS) which enabled the intrepid Muslims to plant the standard of the Prophet on the banks of the Oxus and on the frontiers of China; if those of Ajnadin and Yarmuk, which caused Syria and Egypt to fall under their dominion, were turned against them;if the Khalids, the Zerars and the Amrs had been defeated and repelled to the vast deserts, the Arabs would have gone back to their wandering life; they would have lived like their forefathers, poor and miserable; the names of Muhammad, Ali, and Omar would have remained unknown to the World".

The Prophet of Islam (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) attained eminence due to his excellence. He dispelled the darkness with his radiance. Very splendid are his qualities and on him and his family. May Allah Ta'ala shower His blessings in countless number. If we recite Durood in abundance, we are sure to enter Paradise safe and sound.

Let us say Salawat in abundance and get the maximum benefit and blessings of Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), his love, worldly success, and in addition to all this, salvation of the next world.

Darood e Shareef

F. FEW DUROOD SHAREEFS FROM DISTINGUISHED PERSONALITIES

1. Hazrat Royafai (radi Allahu anhu), a very close companion of the Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) has revealed that once Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: "There is a Durood which if anyone recites, then I shall definitely come to his help on the final Day of the Judgement".

That Durood is the following:
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIW WA ANZILHUL MAQADAL MUQARRABA INDAKA YAWMAL QIYAMAH.

"O Allah! Shower Thy blessing on Muhammad and make him enter the highest place which is the greatest before You on the Day of Resurrection".

2. It is written in "Bukhari Shareef" that after hearing the prayer call, Azaan, if anyone recites the following Durood then he will certainly receive the Holy Prophet's (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) mercy and assistance on the Day of Judgement.

In another narration, Hazrat Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) says that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) himself used to recite this Durood Shareef after hearing the Azaan. He says that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) used to read this in such an audible voice that those sitting besides him used to hear it.

The Durood is the following:
ALLAHUMA RABBA HAZIHID DA'WATIT TAAA MATTI WAS SALAATIL QAA'IMATI AATI MUHAMMADINIL WASILATA WAL FADEELATA WAB'ASHU MAQAMAM MAHMUDANIL LAZI WA 'ADTA'U.

"O Allah! For the sake of this call of prayer and for the sake of this prayer, give Thy assistance to Muhammad, our master, and make him seated on the most exalted place which You had promised, i.e. the Maqaam-e-Mahmood".

3. Hazrat Saeed Ahmed Savi (radi Allahu anhu) says there is one Durood Shareef which is just like actual light. In fact, it is light in itself. If recited once, the reciter obtains the reward for 100 000 Duroods.

Whenever a person is faced with trouble, he or she should recite it 1 500 times daily and all his or her troubles are bound to disappear.

Hazrat Abu Abideen (radi Allahu anhu) says that if a man recites this Durood daily, the love of Allah Ta'ala and a very high position will be given to him.

Hazrat Shaikh Ahmed Malool (radi Allahu anhu) says that this single Durood Shareef is equivalent to 100 000 Duroods.

The Durood is the following:
ALLAHUMMA SALLI WA SALLIM WA BAARIK ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN NURIZ ZAATI WA SIRRIS SAARI FI SAAA'IRIL ASMAAA'I WAS SIFAAT.

"O Allah!Send actual blessings and grace on Muhammad, our master, who is light and this secret is spread up in all things in every corner and in every name and fame".

4. Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu), a companion of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), says that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said that if a man recites the following Durood Shareef once, then for the coming 1 000 days the Angels of Allah Ta'ala will be busy in writing reward for the reciter of this Durood. This Durood Shareef is a very rewarding one. By reciting it only once, the Angels go on writing good deeds in the account sheet of the reciter for full 1 000 days. What a great reward and what a great return?

The Durood is the following:
JAZZALLAHU ANNA MUHAMMADAM MA HUWA AHLAHU.

"O Allah! Give reward to our Hazrat Muhammad the reward which is benefitting as he deserves".

5. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) taught this Durood Shareef to Hazrat Qabisa bin Mukharib (radi Allahu anhu) on a particular occasion. If any Muslim man or woman recites this Durood Shareef once, then Allah Ta'ala opens all the four Doors of Heaven for him. The reciter is at a liberty to enter into Heaven from any door he chooses. Hazrat Qabisa (radi Allahu anhu) used to only recite this Durood.

The Durood is the following:
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIW WA ALA AALI SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIW WAH DINI MIN INDIKA WA AFYID ALAYYA MIN FADLIKA WA ANSHUR ALAYYA MIR RAHMATIKA WA ANZIL ALAYYA MIM BARAKAATIKA.

"O Allah! Shower your blessings on our Master Muhammad, and his Family, and give me exclusive guidance and shower grace and favours, and spread your kindness on Muhammad and favours on him."

G. MIRACLES ATTRIBUTED TO READING THE DUROOD SHAREEF AND SALAAM

1. Once in India an Aalim had passed away and it was observed that for one month sweet fragrance used to arise from his bed and from his entire house. People enquired about this mystery. His son-in-law said that the Aalim used to recite Durood Shareef every Friday night in his house. The fragrance was as a result of the recitation to the Durood Shareef.

2. In another incident, a calligrapher died. His family members saw him, who was a great sinner, after his death in their dream sitting in Heaven with full pomp and dignity. On enquiry, he said that he gained all these benefits because he used to write Durood whenever the name of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) used to appear.

3. Shaikh Zardaq (radi Allahu anhu) says that when the writer of the book of Durood Shareef died, for one month the fragrance of flowers used to arise from his grave.

4. It is reported in "Rahhatul Quloob" that once there was a Sultan who became very ill. Six months passed by without any cure in sight. A few people went to the Sultan and told him that Hazrat Sheikh Abu Bakr Shibli (radi Allahu anhu) had arrived in the city. The Sultan requested the great Saint to visit and and to make Du'a for his health. Sheikh Abu Bakr Shibli (radi Allahu anhu) visited the Sultan on his request for he knew that the Sultan was very generous to his subjects and that he was also a very pious person. When Sheikh Abu Bakr Shibli (radi Allahu anhu) sat next to the bed of the Sultan, he assured the Sultan that he would recover very soon. Sheikh Abu Bakr Shibli (radi Allahu anhu) then recited a few Durood Shareefs and passed his hands along the body of the Sultan. A few minutes later, the Sultan awoke as if from a dream. He felt as if he had never been sick.

5. In Egypt, there lived a pious man whose name was Abu Said Khayyat. He used to remain isolated from the rest of the world. After some years, people saw him sitting in the company of a great person, Hazrat Ibni Rashiq (radi Allahu anhu). The people of the town were astonished and enquired about his presence. He disclosed that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) told him in a dream to associate himself with the meetings of Hazrat Ibni Rashiq since in quite a large number of Durood Shareef was recited in his meetings.

6. One day a person from among the Bani Isra'il passed away. The people refused to bury him. They threw his body on a rubbish heap. They all considered him to be a great sinner.

At that moment, Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) received the Revelation from Allah Ta'ala, "O Musa! One of my chosen slaves has passed away. The Bani Isra'il have thrown his body on a rubbish heap. Command your people to retrieve the body. Bath him and give him a proper burial".

What Hazrat Nabi Musa (alaihis salaam) saw that person, he immediately recognised him. Obeying the Commands of Almighty Allah, Nabi Musa (alaihis salaam) then proceeded to give the person a proper bath and burial. Upon completion of this task, he asked Allah Ta'ala the reason for such an unusual command. Allah Ta'ala said: "O Musa! You are correct when you say that this person was a sinner. According to My Divine Command he was entitled to punishment. However, one day, while he was reading the Taurah, he came across the name of My beloved Habeeb Muhammad. He then kissed the name and sent salutations upon My Habeeb. It is due to this action of his, O Musa, that I have blessed him with Jannah".

7. Hazrat Sufyan bin Aienna (radi Allahu anhu) says that Hazrat Khalaf (radi Allahu anhu) had a friend who was a student of Islamic Law. One day, all of a sudden, he died and Hazrat Khalaf (radi Allahu anhu) saw him in his dream on the same night. It was seen that this student of Islamic Law was sitting on the throne of honour, pomp and dignity, clad in beautiful golden clothes.

Hazrat Khalaf (radi Allahu anhu) inquired about this exclusive and extraordinary honour. The student said that this was all because of his loud recitation of Durood Shareef at the time when the Prophet's (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) name was mentioned during the tuition of his Islamic Law studies. Allah Ta'ala counted the Durood Shareef as well as the sins. Every Durood Shareef that was recited loudly was millions of times bigger and heavier than all the sins. So the Salawat (Durood) won all this.

8. Hazrat Abi Sulaiman (radi Allahu anhu) says that he saw his father, who was a great sinner, in a dream after his death. Much to his great surprise, his father was in an excellent position in Heaven. When Hazrat Abi Sulaiman (radi Allahu anhu) inquired about that great reward, his father told him that it was all due to the recitations of Durood Shareef over the name of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) at a time when the name was written in the books.

9. Hazrat Kaab Ahbar (radi Allahu anhu), a great scholar of the Taurat says: "Allah revealed to Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) saying, 'O Musa, if on this earth there were no such people to glorify and praise Me, I shall not cause one drop of water todescend from the Heavens, and I shall not cause one seed to grow ...' and he mentioned several other things and then said, 'O Musa, do you desire to be nearer to Me than speech is to your tongue, or thought is to your heart, or nearer than your soul to your body, or nearer than your eyesight to your eyes?' Musa (alaihis salaam) replied: 'Yes, indeed, O Allah!'. Allah Ta'ala said: 'Then recite much Salawat on the Rasool Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)'."

10. It is written in "Nuzhat-ul-Majalis" that a man fell sick and was about to die. He was shivering and fearing the tortures of the grave and the tortures of the Day of Judgement. All of a sudden, a pious man caught hold of his hand and told him that he should be perfectly at ease as the Durood Shareef which he had recited in abundance during his life time is certainly to come to his rescue. The man, thereafter, died very peacefully.

11. Once, a passenger bus travelling from Mir Purkhas to Hyderabad, Pakistan, collided with a truck loaded with heavy machinery tools. About 120 passengers were travelling in that bus and all but one of the passengers was badly injured. That one man was reciting Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) at the time of the collision. When the journalist and the members of the police team later interviewed this man, he disclosed that he was constantly reciting Durood on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) and Allah Ta'ala saved him. A similar incident took place in a bus travelling from Karachi to Hyderabad.

12. Abu Hafs Samarqandi (radi Allahu anhu) writes in his book, "Rownaqul Majaalis": In Balkh there lived a merchant of great wealth and substance. When he passed away, his two sons divided his estate among themselves equally. Among the inheritance there were three hairs of Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). Each one took one. The elder brother suggested that they cut the third one in half, each then taking one piece. This suggestion filled the younger brother with distress and he exclaimed, "That shall never be done. The blessed hair of Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) shall not be cut". The elder then suggested, "Will you be satisfied that these three hairs come to you as your portion of inheritance, while I take the rest of the estate?" The younger brother agreed to this with great pleasure and satisfaction. The elder brother then acquired all that the father had left behind. The younger brother had the three hairs. He kept those hairs on his person at all times. Very often he took them out, looked at them and recited Salaat upon the Nabi (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).

Not long thereafter, the elder brother had squandered and exhausted all his wealth, while the younger one became very wealthy. After some time the younger one died, someone from among the saintly ones saw a dream wherein Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) appeared to him and said, "If there be anyone with any kind of need, let him proceed to the grave of this person, sit down there and beg of Allah his need". (Qawlu Badee)

The same story is told in "Nuzhatul Majaalis", but with a slight addition. The story there says that when the elder brother became a pauper and saw Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) in a dream. He complained to Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) of great poverty. Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) told him: "O unfortunate one, you turned away from my hair and your brother accepted them and whenever he looked at them, he recited Salawat on me. For this reason, Allah had made him most fortunate, both in this world and in the Hereafter". When the elder brother awoke, he went forth and became one of the servants of his younger brother.

13. In "Nazhatul Majaalis", it is narrated that Hazrat Abu Haa'mid Qazwaini (radi Allahu anhu) said: A man and his son were on a journey. On the way, the father died and his face was transformed to that of a swine. The son, seeing this, cried bitterly and prayed to Allah. Soon the son fell asleep and saw a man telling him, "Your father used to consume interest (usury) and it is for this reason you see his face thus. But rejoice for Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) interceded on his behalf because whenever he heard his holy name he recited Salaat on him. Through the intercession of the Rasool (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), he has been made to return tohis original form".

14. Once while Hazrat Fareeduddin Data Ganj-e-Shakr (radi Allahu anhu) was explaining the excellence of Durood Shareef, a few Faqirs came to him. They told him that they were travelling to perform the Hajj and that they had no money for food and for the journey. The great Saint then offered them a few seeds of eaten dates upon which he recited the Durood Shareef. When the Faqirs looked at the date seeds, they were surprised to see that it changed into pieces of gold.

15. It is reported in "Al-Qolul Badi" that a lady once approached Hazrat Sheikh Hassan Basri (radi Allahu anhu) and asked him whether it was possible to see her deceased daughter in a dream or not. The great saint ordered her to go home. Before sleeping, she was asked to read four Rakaah of Salaah and in each Rakaah, after Sura Fatiha, she was to recite Sura Kaafirun once. She was told to continue reading the Durood Shareef after the Salaah till she fell off to sleep.

When she did all this, that night, she saw her daughter in her dream. She was shocked to see her daughter in terrible pain and anguish. She also saw that her daughter was locked by chains of fire and was completely surrounded by fire.

She told Hazrat Hassan Basri (radi Allahu anhu) about her dream and he advised her to give some Alms. After a few days, Sheikh Hassan Basri (radi Allahu anhu) himself dreamt of a young girl sitting on a throne and wearing a gold crown. When she asked the great Saint whether he recognised her or not, he replied that he did not. She then said: "I am the daughter of that woman who had related to you her dream". Sheikh Hassan Basri (radi Allahu anhu) then told her that according to her mother, she was in the pit of Hell and asked her how she reached that position.

The girl replied: "O Friend of Allah! About 70 000 others and myself were being punished by Almighty Allah by His Justice. But one day, a lover of Nabi Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) was walking by. As he passed by our graves, he recited the Durood Shareef and then conveyed the Sawaab of the Durood Shareef to us. Almighty Allah accepted the Durood Shareef. As a result of this, all of us who were in punishment were saved and granted Jannah".

Darood E Shareef

17. DUROOD-E-ROOHI
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIM MA DAAMATIS SALAWAATU WAS SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIM MADAAMATIR RAHMATI WA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIM MADAAMATIL BARAKAATU WA SALLI ALA RUHI MUHAMMADIN FIL ARWAAHI WA SALLI ALA SURATI MUHAMMADIN FIS SUWARI WA SALLI ALA ISMI MUHAMMADIN FIL ASMAAA'I WA SALLI ALA NAFSI MUHAMMADIN FIL NUFUSI WA SALLI ALA QALBI MUHAMMADIN FIL QULUBI WA SALLI ALA QABRI MUHAMMADIN FIL QUBURI WA SALLI ALA RAWDATI MUHAMMADIN FIR RIYAADI WA SALLI ALA JASADI MUHAMMADIN FIL AJSAADI WA SALLI ALA TURBATI MUHAMMADIN FIT TURABI WA SALLI ALA KHAIRI KHALQIHI SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIW WA ALA ALIHI WA ASHABIHI WA AZWAAJIHI WAZURIYAATIHI WA AHLI BAYTIHI WA AHBABIHI AJMA'INA BIRAHMATIKA YAAA AR HAMAR RAAHIMEEN.

"O Allah! Shower Thy blessings on Hazrat Muhammad ever and ever until Thy blessings are to be showered. Grant Thy bounty and mercy on Muhammad until Thy bounty is granted and mercy is showered. The most selected favours on the Spirit of Muhammad amongst all persons, on the name of Muhammad amongst all names, on the heart of Muhammad amongst all hearts. Thy most bountiful favours on the grave of Muhammad amongst all graves, on the tomb of Muhammad amongst all the bodies, on the clay of Muhammad (tomb) amongst all clays. May Allah shower His blessings on Muhammad the best of all that and on the descendants of Muhammad, on the Companions of Muhammad, on the friends of Muhammad, and on all his family members, O! Merciful Almighty Allah and Great Merciful".

This Salawat is usually recited in the graveyard while paying homage to the deceased. When it is recited, Allah showers His blessings on the deceased. When the sons go to the graveyard they should recite the above Durood Shareef on the graves of their father and mother, and all the parents who have passed away.

18. DUROOD-E-SHIFA
ALLAHUMMA SALLI WA SALLIM WA BAARIK ALA RUHI SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN FI ARWAAHI WA SALLI WASALLIM ALA QALBI SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN FIL QULUBI WA SALLI WA SALLIM ALA JASADIMUHAMMADIN FIL AJSAADI WA SALLI WA SALLIM ALA QABRI SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN FI QUBUR.

"O Allah! Shower Thy blessings on the soul of Muhammad amongst all Souls, on the heart of Muhammad amongst all hearts, and on the body of Muhammad amongst all bodies, and on the grave of Muhammad amongst all graves".

A poor man complained to Hazrat Shahabuddin Ibn Arslan (radi Allahu anhu) about his illness. The disease was incurable. No doctor or physician could even suggest any medicine for his disease. Hazrat Shahabuddin (radi Allahu anhu), who was a very great Saint, listened patiently to this poor man and then told him to recite the above Durood Shareef. The poor man immediately did so and his illness disappeared so quickly as if it was never present. The poor man gladly returned to his house.

19. DUROOD-E-INAAM
ALLAHUMMA SALLI WA SALLIM ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIW WA ALA AALIHI ADADA IN'AAMIL LAAHI WA IFDAA LIHI.

"O Allah! Shower Thy blessings and peace on Muhammad, our Master, and on his progeny according to the number of Thy rewards and Thy bounties".

Those who wish to visit Madinah Shareef and pay respects to the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) must read this Salawat for 313 times before going to bed. This Durood is the jewel of all Duroods. Its reward is unimaginable.

20. DUROOD-E-AWAL
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN AFDALI AMBIYAAA'IKA WA AKRAMI AS FIYAAA'IKA MAN FAA DAT MIN NURIHI JAMI'IL ANWAARI WA SAAHIBIL MU'JIZAATI WA SAAHIBIL MAQAAMIL MAHMUDI WA SAYYIDIL AWWALINA WAL AKHIREEN.

"O Allah! Shower Thy beneficence on our Master Muhammad, the most favoured of Thy Prophets and the most honoured of Thy chosen persons, whose radiant life is the source of all light and who is the conferee of miracles and conferee of the most glorious place (Maqaam-e-Mahmood), and who is the leader of the previous and the later".

Those who recite this Durood Shareef reach the first place before Allah Ta'ala. It is for this reason that this Durood is called Durood-e-Awal (First). Those who read this Durood Shareef daily are rewarded abundantly and all their bad habits evaporate. This Salawat fetches the reciter nearer and nearer to Allah Ta'ala and brings forth all kinds of delight.

21. DUROOD-E-MUQADDDAS
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN HATTA TARDA WA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN BA'DAR RI DA WA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN ABADAN ABADAN.

"O Allah! Shower Thy blessings on our Master Muhammad, in such a measure that earns Thy pleasure, and shower Thy blessings on our Master Muhammad exceeding that measure which has earned Thy pleasure, and shower Thy blessings on our Master Muhammad forever and forever".

This is the best Salawat, and if recited regularly, brings one nearer and nearer to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) in this world as well as in the next.

22. DUROOD-E-TAAJ
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA WA MAULANA MUHAMMADIN SAAHIBIT TAAJI WAL MI'RAAJI WAL BURAAQI WAL ALAM. DAA FI'IL BALAAA'I WAL WABAAA'I WAL QAHTI WAL MARADI WAL ALAM. ISMUHU MAKTUBUN MARFU'UN MASHFU'UN MANQUSHUN FIL LAWHI WAL QALAM. SAYYIDIL ARABI WAL AJAM. JISMUHU MUQADDASUN MU'ATTARUN MUTAHHARUN MUNAWWARUN FIL BAYTI WAL HARAM. SHAMSUD DUHAA BADRIT TUJAA SADRIL ULA NURRIL HUDA KHAFIL WARA MISBAAHIZ ZULAM. JAMILISH SHIYAMI SHAFI'IL UMAM. SAAHIBIL JUDI WAL KARAM. WAL LAAHU AASIMUHU WA JIBREELU KHAADIMUHU WAL BURAAQU MARKABUHU WAL MI'RAAJU SAFARUHU WA SIDRATUL MUNTAHA MAQAAMUHU WA QAABA QAWSAYNI MATLUBUHU WAL MATLUBU MAQSUDUHU WAL MAQSUDU MAWJUDUHU SAYYIDIL MURSALEENA KHA TAMIN NABIYYINA SHAFI'IL MUZ NABINA ANEESIL GHARIBEENA RAHMATIL LIL AALAMEENA RAAHATIL AASHIQEENA MURAADIL MUSHTAAQEENA SHAMSIL AARIFINA SIRAAJIS SAALIQEENA MISBAHIL MUQAR RABINA MUHIBBIL FUQARAAA'I WAL GHURABAAA'I WAL MASAAKINA SAYYIDIS SAQALAINI NABIYYIL HARAMAINI IMAAMAL QIBLATAYNI WASILATINA FID DAARAINI SAAHIBI QABAA QAWSAYNI MAHBOOBI RABBIL MASHRIQAYNI WA RABBIL MAGHRIBAYNI JADDIL HASSANI WAL HUSSAINI MAULANA WA MAULAS SAQALAYNI ABIL QAASIMI MUHAMMADINIBNI ADBILAAHI NURUM MIN NURIL LAAHI YAAA AYYUHAL MUSHTAAQUNA BI NURI JAMAALIHI SALLU ALAIHI WA AALIHI WA ASHABIHI WASALLIMU TASLIMAN.

"O Allah! May Thy grace and peace rest upon Hazrat Muhammad, our Master and our patron, the Wearer of Holy Cap, the one who ascended the Heavens, the rider of the Heavenly Steed and holder of the Flag of Divine Unity, the remover of calamity, epidemic, famine, disease, and pain. His name is written in Divine edict, exalted authorised for intercession and inscribed in the Tablet and Pen.

"He is the leader of Arabs and non-Arabs. His body is the most holy, pure, fragrant, full perfected in purity and luminous in the sanctuary of Kaaba and its precincts. He is the sun of the glorious morning light, and the (full beautiful) moon of the dark night, the chief occupant of the highest seat in Heaven, light of guidance, refuge for the creatures, and lamp in the darkness. Of excellent manner, is the intercessor for mankind, one gifted with generosity and magnanimity. Allah is his protector and Angel Jibrael attends on him frequently. The Heavenly Steed is his conveyance and the glorious ascension to Heavens (to meet his Allah) is his last station in his march onwards, his object is to come in the closest company of his Allah, and this object was successfully achieved the point of destination reached and the goal covered.

"He is the most prominent amongst all the apostles, and the last in the line of the Prophets (no Prophet will come after him. I'sa will come in the capacity of his ambassador), the intercessor of Sinners, Mercy indeed for all the domains of existence, comfort for the lovers and the desired object for the yearning souls, the sun of the gnostics, and the shining lamp for those who travel on the road leading to Allah, the lover of the poor and needy, the leader of the Jinns and all mankind, Prophet of the twin sacred centres (Makkah and Madinah), leader of the two exalted positions (Qiblas, the Kaaba of Mecca and of Jerusalem), our Supporter in both the worlds, honoured with Kaaba Kausaine, the beloved of the two east and the west, the grand father of Hazrat Hassan and Hussain, our Patron and the patron of the Jinns and mankind, father of Hazrat Qassim (his son) Muhammad, son of Abdullah, who is the light of Allah's Light. Therefore, O lovers of light and beauty of Hazrat Muhammad, invoke blessings on him and salute him with worthy salutations."

If anyone wants to see Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) in his dream, then he should recite Durood-e-Taaj on eleven Friday nights continuously and that too on the advancing stages of the moon. The pre-requisites of the Revision of the Durood are as below:

a. Make Wudhu.
b. Put on clean scentful clothes.
c. Face the Qibla and recite Durood for 170 times, then go to bed.

For the sanctity of the soul, one should recite the Durood seven times after Salaatul Fajr, three times after Salaatul Asr and Esha, each day.

And for overcoming the cruel Rulers and enemies, and to come out of the misery of poverty, one should recite Durood for 40 days continuously, 41 times each day. One who wishes to enhance the avenues of economy in abundance, he or she must make it a routine to revise the Durood seven times each day after Salatul Fajr.

Besides all this, Durood-e-Taaj is panacea of all the present day ills and will enable the reciter to pass a happy and peaceful life for ever.

23. DUROOD-E-DA'IM
ALLAHUMMA SALLIALA MUHAMMADIW WA ALA AALI MUHAMMADIN SALAATAN TAKUNU LAKA RIDAW WALIHAQQIHI ADAAA'AW WA A'TIHIL WASILATA WAL MAQAAMAL MAHMUDAL LAZI WA AD TAHU WAJ ZIHI ANNA MA HUWA AHLAHU WA AJ ZIHI ANNA MIN AFDALI MA JAZAITA NABIYYAN AN UMMATIHI WA SALLI ALA JAMI'I IKHWAANIHI MINAN NABBIYINA WAS SAALIHEEN.

"O Allah! Send blessings upon Muhammad and upon his family the mercy which will be for You a pleasure of fulfilment of Your Right and grant him Wasila and the highest position which You promised him and reward him from us what his is according to his status and reward him from us the highest what You rewarded any Prophet, any Messenger, from his Ummat and send Your blessings for all his brothers from the Messengers and pious people".

The Hadith of Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) says that if a man recites the above mentioned Durood Shareef 7 times, for 7 Fridays, then the mercy of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) will reach him. (The name "Da'im" means "permanent". Thus, this Durood Shareef should be recited by every Muslim permanently).

24. DUROOD-E-HAQ
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIW WA ABLIGHUL WASILATA AD DARAJATAR RAFI'ATAL JANNAH.

"O Allah! Shower peace upon our Chief Muhammad and endow him with the means and high status in Heaven".

This is the highest Durood Shareef and if recited after every prayer and in every prayer, it brings a great deal of reward.

25. DUROOD-E-RADAWIYYA
SALLAL LAAHU ALAN NABIYIL UMMIYI WA AALIHI SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM. SALAATAW WAS SALAAMAN ALAIKA YA RASOOLALLAH.

The above Durood Shareef should be read 100 times after every Salaah if possible. Especially after Jummah Salaah, the men should stand together facing Medina Shareef and recite this Durood Shareef with absolute respect.

The following benefits are derived from reciting Durood-e- Radawiyya:

1. The reciter is blessed with 300 Mercies of Almighty Allah.
2. Allah Almighty sends peace on him 2 000 times.
3. 5 000 good deeds are written in his Naama-e-Amaal.
4. 5 000 of his sins are forgiven.
5. His status is eleated by 5 000 times.
6. It will be written on his forehead that he is not a Hypocrite.
7. It will be written on his forehead that he is free from the Fire of Jahannum.
8. On the Day of Qayamah, he will be amongst the Shuhadaa (Martyrs).
9. He will gain Barakah in his wealth.
10. There will be Barakah in his children.
11. He will be strong over his enemies.
12. People will have love in their hearts for him.
13. He will see the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) in his dream.
14. He will leave this world with Imaan.
15. On the Day of Qiyaamah, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) will shake hands with him.
16. The intercession of Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) will be compulsory on him.
17. Almighty Allah will be pleased with him in such a way that he will never be displeased.

26. DUROOD DIDAAR-E-MUSTAPHA
ALLAHUMMA SALLI WASALLIM WA BAARIK ALA SAYYIDINA WA MAULANA MUHAMMADININ NABIYYIL UMMIYIL HABEEBIL AALIL QADRIL AZEEMIL JAAHI WA ALA AHLIHI WA SAHBIHI WASALLIM.

"O Allah! Send your Mercy and Blessings upon our master Muhammad who is the beloved and most exalted, and upon his Companions and family."

The pious people and the Awliya Allah said that whoever recites this Durood Shareef regularly every Thursday night, at least once, then at the time of his or her death, he or she will see the blessed countenance of Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) and when he or she enters the grave, that person will make the Ziarat of Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). They will see Rasool-e-Paak (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) with his own blessed hands taking him or her in their Qabr.

27. DUROOD SALAATUL SA'AADAT
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA WA MAULANA MUHAMMADIN ADADA MAA FI 'ILMI LAAHI SALAATAN DAAA IMATAM BI DAWAMI MULKILLAH.

"O Allah! Send Your Mercy and Blessings upon our master Muhammad the number which is in the Knowledge of Allah and mercy forever".

Hazrat Sayed Ali bin Yusuf Madani (radi Allahu anhu), Sheik-ul-Dala'il, narrated from Imam Suyuti (radi Allahu anhu) that he who recites this Durood Shareef once gets the Sawaab of 600 000 Durood Shareefs. He who recites this Durood Shareef everyday one thousand times, will be blessed in both worlds, this world and the Aakirah.

28. DUROOD-E-ISME AZAM
ALLAHU RABBU MUHAMMADIN SALLA ALAIHI WASALLAMA, NAHNU IBBADU MUHAMMADIN SALLA ALAIHI WASALLAMA.

"Allah is the Lord of Muhammad, mercy and blessings upon him. We are the slaves of Muhammad, may mercy and blessings be upon him and Salaams".

One should make it a habit to recite this Durood Shareef for at least one hundred times daily so that one will be able to see the results of the recitation in this world and in the Hereafter. You will be prosperous and you will never be overcome by your enemies.

29. DUROOD: VIRTUES OF 1 000 DAYS
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA WA MAULANA MUHAMMADIW WA ALA AALI SAYYIDINA WA MAULANA MUHAMMADIN KAMA TUHIBBU WA TARDALAHU.

"O Allah! Send Your Mercy and Blessings upon our master Muhammad and upon the family of our master as You love and like for him".

That person who recites the above Durood Shareef once will be fortunate to be rewarded with virtuous deeds for 1 000 days. Several Angels of Allah Ta'ala keep on writing good deeds for 1 000 days in the person's mark sheet.

30. DUROOD-E-MALWAAN
ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIM MAKHTALAFAL MALWAANI WA TA 'AAQABAL ASRAANI WAKARRAL JADIDAANI WAS TAQALLAL FARQADAANI WABALIGH RUHAHU WA ARWAAHA AHLI BAYTIHI MINNAT TAHIYATA WAS SALAAMA WA BAARIK WA SALLIM ALAIHI KASEERAN.

"O Allah! Send blessings upon our leader Muhammad as long as there is the interchange of night and day, as long as the morning and the evening follow one behind the other, as long as the night and day repeat themselves jointly, and as long as the two bright stars (of Ursa Minor) remain fixed in their places, send from us our gift and peace on his soul and the souls of his family members and send peace and blessings on him abundantly".

By reciting this Durood Shareef once, one gets the Sawaab as reciting 10 000 Durood Shareefs. It will take you only 30 seconds to read this Durood Shareef, and you will get the Sawaab for 10 000 Durood Shareefs. By reciting one Tasbeeh of this Durood Shareef 100 X 10 000 = 1 million Duroods! In Ramadaan X 10 = 10 million Duroods!

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