Duties of Children towards Deceased Parents

Duties of Children towards Deceased Parents
by AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Baraylawi Alaihir raHmah

 

A question was asked to the Great Mujaddid AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) regarding the Duties of Children towards deceased Parents... Over which HE stated the following points:

1. The first and foremost duty of the children after the death of the parent is that he should immediately arrange and take part in Ghusl, Salat al-Janaza (Funeral Prayer) and Burial which should be done in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, and hope for them to receive the Mercy of Almighty Allah.

2. He should always make Dua and Istighfar for them at all times and never be unconscious about it.

3. He should give out Sadaqah and Khayrat (Charity) and always send the rewards of good deeds (Aa'mal-e-Sawleh) to them in accordance to his personal capacity. When performing Salah and keeping Fast (Roza), do likewise for them. Actually, for any good deed performed, the Sawab should be forwarded to them and all deceased Muslims and this will not affect the benefits one will receive, in any way. On the contrary, the Sawab of such acts will be beneficial to himself, his parents and all the deceased of the Ummah.

4. If the parents left behind any kind of debts or credits it should be paid in full immediately from one's personal wealth, which should be regarded as blessings of this Duniya and Aakhirah. If you cannot afford to pay, assistance should be taken from the family, close friends or charitable Muslims.

5. If he has not performed Hajj, firstly, try to perform his Hajj-e-Badal for him personally, or send someone as a representative to do so. If he has any previous Zakah to be paid, do so immediately. If he has any Qada of Salat or Roza (Fasting) perform the Kaffarah for him. The children should, in all aspects, try their best to execute the duties of their parents which were left undone.

6. Whatever desires and wishes were made by the parent should be carried out even though it may displease you and the Shariah does not compel you to. For example, if he has made a Wasiyat (Wish) to give half of his wealth or belongings to a dear friend, non-inheritor or total outsider, even though in accordance to the Law of the Shariah, one-third of the wealth or belongings cannot be given to anyone without the consent of the heirs, it is best for the heirs to execute the Wasiyat and priority to the wishes and happiness of the deceased.

7. If he has taken an oath, carry it out after his death.If the parents had sworn an oath that their child must not do a certain thing or not meet with a certain person or must not go to a certain place, it must not be discarded after the death, saying :"Well, they are not alive so I can do certain things." Wrong! One should abide by it as he did while they were alive, as long as it does not conflict with the Shariah.

8. Visit their graves every Friday and recite Surah Yaseen at the graveside loudly and pass the Thawab of recitation to them. While travelling, never pass their graves without greeting and performing Fatiha.

9. As long as you live, be kind to their relatives.

10. Maintain friendship and respect for all their relatives.

11. Never, at any time, insult anyone's parents, so that they may not insult yours.

12. The most difficult duty is never to commit any sin and inflict harm to them in their graves. All deeds of the children are taken to their parents in the grave. On seeing the good deeds they are very pleased and their faces glitter with happiness. On the contrary, if they see the bad deeds or sins, they become very sad.

O! Merciful and Most Forgiving Allah! The Almighty and All Powerful! On behalf of your most Beloved Prophet, Mercy of the Universe (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), protect us from sins and grant us the guidance and courage to always do good. Fill the graves of our elders and deceased with Light and happiness. O Allah! You are the All Powerful, we are the weak. You are the Wealthy and we are the poor. Protect us... Aameen!!

Shajra-e-Tasawwuf of Sayyiduna AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Baraylawi Alaihir raHmah

Spiritual Allegiance and Successorship of AlaHadrat
Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Baraylawi Alaihir raHmah

In the year 1294 A.H., at the age of 22 years, Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) became the Mureed (Disciple) of Imam al-Asfiya, Sayyiduna Shah Aal-e-Rasool Mahrerwi (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). The incident surrounding the Bai'at (Spiritual Allegiance) and Khilafat (Spiritual Successorship) of A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) is as follows:

Once Hadrat Maulana Abdul Qaadir Badayouni (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) came to Bareilly Shareef. He invited A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) to go to Mahrera Shareef with him. Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) accepted his invitation and they both set off to Mahrera Shareef. When they arrived at the station in Mahrera Shareef, A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said,

"I am receiving the scent of my Murshid."

When they reached the Khanqah al-Barakatiyah and entered, Sayyiduna Shah Aal-e-Rasool (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) saw A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) and said,

"Come In!! I have been awaiting your presence for a long time."

Sayyiduna Shah Aal-e-Rasool (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) immediately made A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) a mureed and blessed him with Khilafat and Ijazat in all the Sufi Salasil (Spiritual Orders).

Hadrat Sayyadina Abul Hussain Noori Barakati (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu), who was also the Peer-o-Murshid of Mawlana Mustafa Rida Khan (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu), was also present in this spiritual gathering. He was also a great Wali Allah and needed no introduction to Sayyiduna A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu). For the benefit of the others who were present and to make them aware of the exalted calibre and status of A'la Hadrat (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu), he asked Hadrat Sayyiduna Shah Aal-e-Rasool (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) a question. He asked,

"Huzoor! The ritual here at Mahrehra Shareef is that if any person comes here, and after becoming Mureed desires to gain Khilafat and Ijazat, and then we ask him to perform Mujahida (Struggle in the Path of Allah). We also give him dried bread to eat as part of his Spiritual training. After this, if we find him worthy enough, then we grant him Khilafat and Ijazat of all Salasil, and even commanded him to look at and verify all the books that you have written, Why is this so?"

Sayyiduna Shah Aal-e-Rasool (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) answered with the following words:

"O People! You do not know Ahmad Rida. Others, who come here, need to be prepared before gaining Ijazat and Khilafat. But Ahmad Rida Khan has come prepared from Almighty Allah. All he needed was a link and this is why I made him Mureed... I always shed tears through the fear of Almighty Allah that if on the day of Qiyamah, He questioned me concerning what I had brought for him from the world, then I would have no answer. But today, that fear no longer exists. If one the day of Qiyamah the Almighty asks, 'O Aal-e-Rasool! What have you brought for me?' then, I will immediately present Ahmed Rida Khan (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) to my creator."

This highly spiritual incident alone explains the status of A'la Hadrat, Azeem al-Barkat, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu).

Imām Ahmad Rīdā’s (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) Spiritual Qādiriyyah Silsilā and Golden Chain of Mashā’ikh

 

1) Mujaddid Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida (1272-1340 /1856-1921) Murid of
2) Khatim al-Akabir Sayyid Shah Aal-e-Rasool Ahmadi al-Husani Qadiri (1209-1296/1795-1879) Murid & nephew of
3) Ghawth al-Waqt Sayyid Shah Aal-e-Ahmad Ache Mia al-Husani Qadiri (1160-1235/1747-1820) Murid and son of
4) Asad al-‘Arifin Sayyid Shah Hamza al-Husani Qadiri (1131-1198/1719-1783) Murid and son of
5) Burhan al-Muwahhidin Sayyid Shah Aal-e-Muhammad al-Husani Qadiri (1111-1164/ 1700-1751) Murid and son of
6) Sahib al-Barkat wa al-Darajat Sayyid Shah Barkat Allah al-Husani Qadiri (1070-1142/1659-1729) Murid of
7) Sayyid Jalil al-Shan Shaykh Fadl Allah al-Husani Qadiri (1111 Hijri /1700 AD) Murid and son of
8) Sayyid Mir Ahmad al-Husani Qadiri (1084 Hijri / 1673 AD) Murid and son of
9) Sayyid Jalil al-Qadar Mir Muhammad al-Husani Tirmidi Qadiri (1006-1071/1598-1661) Murid of
10) Hadrat Shaykh Sayyid Jamal al-Awliya al-Qadiri Jahanabadi (973-1047/1565-1638) Murid of
11) Qadi Diya al-Din Shaykh Jiya al-Qadiri Newtanwi (925-989/1519-1581) Murid of
12) ‘Arif Billah Muhammad Bhikari Sayyid Nizam al-Din al-Qari al-Qadiri (890-981/1485-1574) Murid of
13) Shams al-‘Arifin Maulana Sayyid Ibrahim Iraji al-Qadiri (953/1546) Murid of
14) ‘Arif Billah Hadrat Shaykh Baha al-Millat al-Din Shattari al-Qadiri (921/1516) Murid of
15) Shaykh Sayyid Ahmad al-Jilani al-Qadiri (853/1449) Murid of
16) Shaykh Sayyid Hasan al-Jilani al-Qadiri (781/1379) Murid of
17) Shaykh Sayyid Moosa al-Jilani al-Qadiri (763/1362) Murid of
18) Shaykh Sayyid ‘Ali al-Jilani al-Qadiri (739/1339) Murid of
19) Shaykh Sayyid Muhiyy al-Din Abu-Nasr Muhammad al-Jilani al-Qadiri (656/1258) Murid and son of
20) Shaykh Sayyid Qadi al-Imam Abu-Swaleh Habat Allah al-Jilani al-Qadiri (562-632/1167-1235) Murid and son of
21) ‘Arif al-Jalil al-Imam Sayyid Abu-bakr ‘Abd al-Razzaq al-Jilani al-Qadiri (528-623/1134-1226) Murid and son of
22) Ghawth al-Aghyath Sultan al-Awliya Taj al-‘Urafa Qutb al-Irshad Marja‘ al-Awtad Shaykh al-‘Alamin Ghawth al-Konayn Sayyid Abu-Muhammad ‘Abd al-Qadir Jilani al-Hasani al-Husaini (470-561/1078-1166) Murid of
23) Qadi al-Qodat Imam al-Ajal Shaykh Abu Sa‘id al-Mubarak al-Makhzoomi (513/1119) Murid of
24) Shaykh al-Islam Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali al-Qarshi al-Amawi al-Hakkari (409-486/1017-1093) Murid of
25) Al-Imam Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Abu al-Farah Tartusi (447/1055) Murid of
26) Al-Imam Shaykh Abu al-Fadl ‘Abd al-Wahid Tamimi (425/1033) Murid of
27) Taj al-‘Arifin al-Imam Shaykh Abu-Bakr Shibli (247-334/861-946) Murid of
28) Sayyid al-Ta’ifah al-Oliyah Abu al-Qasim Junaid al-Baghdadi (218-297/833-910) Murid and nephew of
29) ‘Arif al-Jalil Shaykh Sirr al-Din Abu al-Hasan Sirri al-Saqati (155-253/771-867) Murid of
30) Al-Imam al-Mutasarrif Abu-Mahfooz Shaykh Asad al-Din Maroof al-Karkhi (200/815) Murid of
31) Sayyid al-Ajal Ibn Rasoolillah al-Imam ‘Ali al-Rida (153-208/770-824) Murid and son of
32) Sayyiduna wa Maulana al-Imam Moosa al-Kazim (128-183/745-799) Murid and son of
33) Sayyiduna wa Maulana al-Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (80-148/699-756) Murid and son of
34) Sayyiduna wa Maulana al-Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (57-114/676-733) Murid and son of
35) Sayyiduna wa Maulana al-Imam al-Sajjad Zain al-‘Abidin (38-94/659-712) Murid and son of
36) Sayyid al-Shuhadah Sayyiduna al-Imam Husain Shahid al-Karbala (4-61/626-680) Murid and son of
37) Zoaj al-Batool Akh al-Rasool Bab al-Wilayah Amir al-Mu‘minin Sayyiduna wa Maulana al-Imam ‘Ali al-Murtudah. Murid and Son-in-Law of
38) Khatim al-Nabiyyeen Sayyid al-Mursaleen Rahmat al-‘Alameen Sayyiduna wa Maulana wa Shafi‘ina Abi al-Qasim Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah Rasool Rab al-‘Alameen Alaihi Afdalus Salati wat Tasleem [Ridwanullahi Tabaraka wa Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een]

Certificates of Khilāfah of various Silsilas Imām Ahmad Rīdā was bestowed with by his Murshid al-Kāmil:

1) Sisilah Tareeqah ‘Aliyyah Qadiriyyah Barkatiyyah Jadidah
2) Sisilah Tareeqah Qadiriyyah Abaiyyah Qadimah
3) Sisilah Tareeqah Qadiriyyah Ahdaliyyah
4) Sisilah Tareeqah Qadiriyyah Razzaqiyyah
5) Sisilah Tareeqah Qadiriyyah Munawwariyyah
6) Sisilah Tareeqah Chishtiyyah Nizamiyyah ‘Atiqiyyah
7) Sisilah Tareeqah Chishtiyyah Mehbobiyyah Jadidah
8) Sisilah Tareeqah Sohrawardiyyah Wahidiyyah
9) Sisilah Tareeqah Sohrawardiyyah Fadliyyah
10) Sisilah Tareeqah Naqshabandiyyah ‘Ula’iyyah Siddiqiyyah
11) Sisilah Tareeqah Naqshabandiyyah ‘Ula’iyyah (the chain linked to the illustrious Sufi Master Sayyid Moula Abu al-‘Ula Naqshabandi Akbarabadi)
12) Sisilah Tareeqah Badi‘iyyah
13) Sisilah Tareeqah ‘Uloh’wiyyah Manamiyyah

These also include the 4 Mystical Musafahas viz;

1) The Sanad of Musafaha Jinniyyah
2) The Sanad of Musafaha Khidriyyah
3) The Sanad of Musafaha Mu‘ammariyyah
4) The Sanad of Musafaha Manamiyyah

 

List of Ijazāt of all the Duas, Awrād (Litanies) and  Ash’ghāl that was bestowed by Spiritual Inspiration directly into his Heart from the Hearts of his Mashā’ikh

1) The Secrets of the Holy Quran
2) Asma-e-Ilahiyyah
3) Dalail al-Khayrat
4) Hisn-e-Hasin
5) Qasr-e-Matin
6) Asma-e-Arba‘inah
7) Hisb al-Bahr
8) Hisb al-Barr
9) Hisb al-Nasr
10) All the Ah’zab of Silsila Shazaliyyah
11) The Hirz of 104,000 Awliya
12) Hirz al-Amirayn
13) Hirze Yamani (also known as Du‘a-e-Saifi Sharif)
14) Du‘a-e-Mughni
15) Du‘a-e-Haydari
16) Du‘a-e-Izra’ili
17) Du‘a-e-Suryani
18) Qasidah Khamriyyah also famously known as Qasidah Ghawthiyyah
19) Salat al-Asrar or Salat Ghawthiyyah
20) Qasidah Burda
21) Du‘a-e-Bashmakh
22) Takbir-e-‘Ashikan
23) Nim Takbir
24) Irsal al-Hawatif

— — —
Extracted from:
Al-Ijazāt al-Matīnah li-‘Ulamā Bakkatā wa al-Madīnah
Compiled by Imām Ahmad Rīdā in 1324 Hijrī in Makka al-Mukarramā
on occasion of 2nd Hajj 1969 Edition Published by Maktabah Hāmidiyyah, Lahore, Pakistan.

My foot is on the necks of all the Awliya of Allah!!

There are many narrations of predecessor Masha'ikh approximately 100 years before the birth of Sayyiduna Ghawth al-A'zam Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho who foretold that shortly there will be born in 'Ajam [non-Arab state] a person who will announce that his foot is on the necks of all the Awliya-Allah. On his announcement, all the Awliya will place their heads under his feet and enter the shadow of his sacred feet.

AlaHadrat Imam Ash-Shah Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri have quoted many narrations and annotations in this regard from which 11 (Eleven) will be presented below in accordance to the Qadiri number (11) with a hope that the Sublime Lord SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala will bless us with the Barakaat of both the Worlds... in sha ALLAH!!

O Ghaus! You hold a place of prominence | Your feet are above others heads in eminence

NARRATION # 1 to 4:

Hadrat Imam Abul-Hasan 'Ali bin Yusuf Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho narrates from Abu-Muhammad Salim bin'Ali Damyati Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho and he narrates from six illustrious Mashi'ikh who were the Sufi Masters of Iraq. They were Hadrat Abu-Tahir Sar'sari, Shaykh Abul-Hasan Hafaf Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, Shaykh Abu-Hafs Buraydi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, Shaykh Abul-Qasim 'Umar al-Dardani Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, Shaykh Abul-Walid Zayd bin Sa'id Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho and Shaykh Abu-'Amar 'Uthman bin Sulayman Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho. They informed him that Hadrat Abul-Faraj 'Abdur-Rahim Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho and Abul-Hasan 'Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho both nephews of Sayyidi Shaykh Ahmad Rifa'i Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho related to them:

کنا عند شیخنا الشیخ احمد بن الرفاعی بزاویته بام عبیدة فمد عنقه وقال علی رقبتی، فسئلناه عن ذٰلک فقال قد قال الشیخ عبدالقادر الآن بغداد قدمی ھذه علی رقبة کل ولی الله
We were present in the Khanqah (School) with our Murshid, Sayyid Ahmad al-Rifa'i Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho in Umme-'Obayd. Suddenly our Shaykh al-Rifa'i Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho moved his neck forward and said: عَلَى رَقَبَتِي [“On my neck”]. We inquired from him about his action and declaration. He replied: “At this moment Hadrat 'Abd al-Qadir has declared in Baghdad that his foot is on the necks of all the Awliya of Allah.” [Bahjat al-Asrar, Published Mustafa Al-Babi (Egypt), Page 13]

Note: Three more Narrations of different narrators with almost the same wordings are also stated on Page 13 and 14 of Bahjat al-Asrar published by Mustafa Al-Babi in Egypt.

He who sees your personality’s halo | Actually sees our Prophet’s spiritual shadow

NARRATION # 5:

Imam Abul-Hasan Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho states that the great Jurist, Rizqullah bin Muhammad bin 'Ali bin Ahmad bin Yusuf Raqqi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho narrated to me that Shaykh Swaleh Abu-Ishaq Ibra'him Raqqi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho reported that Shaykh Mansur Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho narrated to him that Shaykh Imam Abu-'Abdullah Muhammad bin Majid Raqqi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho said to him. Likewise, I received a sound narration from Shaykh Abul-'Abbas Ahmad bin Isma'il bin Hamza Azji Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho who said that Shaykh Abul-Muzaffar Mansur bin Mubarak Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho and Imam Abu-Muhammad 'Abdullah bin Abil-Hasan Asbahani Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho informed him. All these personalities said that we heard the noble Sayyid, Shaykh Abu-Sa'id Qay'lawi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho saying that

لما قال الشیخ عبدالقاد قدمی ھذه علی رقبة کل ولی الله تجلی الحق عزوجل علٰی قلبه وجاء ته خلعة من رسول الله صلی الله تعالٰی علیه و سلم علٰی یدطائفة من الملٰئکة المقربین والبسھا بمحضر من جمیع الاولیاء من تقدم منھم وما تاخر الاحیاء باجسادھم والاموات بارواحھم وکانت الملٰئکة ورجال الغیب حافین بمجلسه واقفین فی الھوأصفوفاحتی استد الافق بھم ولم یبق ولی فی الارض الاحناعنقه
When Hadrat Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho declared that his foot is on the necks of every Wali of Allah. At that time Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala beamed a Tajalli (lustre) on the Shaykhs' heart and Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam sent a sacred garb with a group of exalted Angels for the Shaykh. There was a gathering of every Wali of the past and present. The Awliya who were alive presented themselves physically and those who had passed on, their souls were present. It was in this splendid gathering that the Angels dressed the great Ghawth Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho with this consecrated garb. At that moment a huge crowd of Rijal al-Ghayb (Men of the Unseen) and Angels were also present. The birds in the skies tucked their wings in respect and absolute submission. All of them filled the horizons to witness this coronation. There was no Wali of Allah on earth that did not bend his neck in submission to the declaration of the Ghawth. [Bahjat al-Asrar, Published Mustafa Al-Babi (Egypt), Page 8-9]

Zehra’s son is blessed in your birth | Qadris enjoy your blessings on this earth

NARRATION # 6:

Imam Abul-Hasan 'Ali Shatnufi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho narrates from Shaykh Abu-Muhammad Hasan bin Ahmad bin Muhammad Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho and Shaykh Khalaf bin Ahmad bin Muhammad Harimi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, they heard from their grandfather Shaykh Khalifa Akbar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho who was often privileged of dreaming of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. He swears an oath that

رأیت رسول الله صلی الله تعالٰی علیه وسلم فقلت له یارسول الله لقد قال الشیخ عبدالقادر قدمی ھٰذه علٰی رقبة کل ولی الله ، فقال صدق الشیخ عبدالقادروکفی لاوھو القطب واناارعاه
One night he dreamt of the glorious Prophet of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. He inquired from him SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam about the declaration of Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho who said that his foot is on the necks of all the Awliya of Allah. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam replied: “Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir had spoken the truth and why not, because he is the Qutb and I am his shield .”

Imam Ahmad Rida al-Qadiri Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho says: Alhamdulillah! Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala ordered our Master to make this declaration and while declaring this, Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala beamed His Tajalli on his heart and Sayyiduna Raulullah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam sent him a sacred garb with the exalted Angels. He was clothed with this garb by the Angels in the presence of all the Awliya of the past and present. There was also a huge assembly of Angels and Rijal al-Ghayb bent in submission saluting the great Ghawth Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho.

Now it is up to the individual to accept or reject the elevated status of the great Ghawth. If one is happy with his status then one will be happy and if one is unhappy the one will certainly be unhappy. All that can be said about the unhappy is the command of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala:

موتوابغیظکم ان الله علیم بذات الصدور
Say: Perish in your rage: Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala knows well all the secrets of the heart.

In life, death and hereafter, my guide | Under your spiritual cover I want to reside

NARRATION # 7:

Imam Mullah 'Ali Qari Hanafi Makki Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho (d.1014/1606) in his Kitab, Nuzhat al-Khatir al-Fatir trajuma Sayyidi al-Sharif 'Abd al-Qadir states:

من مشائخه حمادالدباس رضی الله تعالٰی عنه روی ان یوما کان سید نا عبدالقادر عنده فی رباطه ولما غاب من حضرته قال ان ھذا الاعجمی الشریف قدماً یکون علٰی رقاب اولیاء الله یصیر مامورا من عند مولاه بان یقول قدمی ھٰذا علی رقبة کل ولی الله ویتواضع له جمیع اولیاء الله فی زمانه ویعظمونه لظهورشانه
Shaykh Hammad bin Muslim al-Dabbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho was amongst the very first Masha'ikh of Sayyid 'Abd al-Qadir Jilani Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho. One day in the absence of Shaykh al-Jilani Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho he said: “The foot of this young Sayyid will be on the necks of all the Awliya. Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala will order him to declare that his foot is on the necks of all the Awliya. Every Wali of his time will bend their heads in submission and due to his status, they will honour and respect him.” [Nuzhat al-Khatir al-Fatir trajuma Sayyidi al-Sharif 'Abd al-Qadir (Manuscript), Page 8]

This submission of the Awliya will be due to the Divine Appointment of Allah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho of the Ghawth. By the virtue of the fact that ALL the Awliya will acknowledge this, hence Sayyidi Shaykh Ahmad al-Rifa'i Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho will be no exception, and he too also bent his neck in acknowledgment and compliance.

 

The art of giving is you by inheritance | The Prophet bequeathed to you his pittance

NARRATION # 8:

It is also recorded in Nuzhat al-Khatir al-Fatir trajuma Sayyidi al-Sharif 'Abd al-Qadir that the announcement of Sayyiduna Ghawth al-A'zam Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, قدمی ھذه علی رقبة کل ولی الله, the bending of heads in submission of the present and absent Awliya, the acceptance of the sacred feet of the Ghawth on their heads and the rejection of one Wali who was stripped of his Sainthood is mentioned by the author. Thereafter, he comments as follows:

وھذا تنبیه بینة علی انه قطب الاقطاب والغوث الاعظم
This is a brilliant proof to undoubtedly confirm that Sayyiduna Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir Jilani Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho is the King of all the Qutbs and the Ghawth al-A'zam (most senior Ghawth). [Nuzhat al-Khatir al-Fatir trajuma Sayyidi al-Sharif 'Abd al-Qadir (Manuscript), Page 9-10]

Ocean or land, garden or desert, city or village | Which place does not hear your message?

NARRATION # 9:

Imam Ahmad ibn-Hajr Makki Shafa'i Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho (d.853/1448) records in his Fatawa Hadithiyya:
 

انھم قد یؤمرون تعریفا لجاھل اوشکرا وتحدثا بنعمة الله تعالٰی کما وقع الشیخ عبدالقادر رضی الله تعالٰی عنه انه بینما ھو بمجلس وعظه واذا ھو یقول قدمی ھٰذه علٰی رقبة کل ولی الله تعالٰی فاجابه فی تلک الساعة اولیاء الدنیا قال جماعة بل واولیاء الجن جمیعھم وطأطئوارء وسھم وخضعواله واعترفوابماقاله الارجل باصبھان فابٰی فسلب حاله
Sometimes the Awliya are ordered to make lofty statements to inform those who are unaware of their high status. Sometimes these statements are made to thank Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and publicize his favours on an individual. This is similar to the sudden declaration made by Sayyiduna Ghawth al-A'zam Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho made in his majlis that his foot is on the necks of all the Awliya of Allah. They all instantly reacted by bowing their heads in confirmation besides one person in Asbahan who was then stripped of all dignity and Spiritual Powers. [Fatawa Hadithiyya, Dar al-Ihya al-Turath al Arabi (Berut - Lebanon), Page 414]

Control over hearts is yours from above | Please make my heart a treasure of love

NARRATION # 10:

Imam Ibn Hajr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho lists some of the senior Awliya, who bent their heads in submission, as follows:

§ The patron Saint of the Suhrawardi Sufi Order, Hadrat Sayyidi 'Abd al-Qahir Abu-Najib Suhrawardi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho who bent his head and said:

علٰی رأسی علٰی رأسی
“ On my head, on my head.”

§ Sayyidi Shaykh Ahmad al-Rifa'i Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho bent his head and said:

علی رقبتی
“This small Ahmad is also amongst them on whose neck is the foot the Master.”

When he was asked about his strange action and comment, he replied:

الشیخ عبدالقادر الآن بغداد قدمی ھذه علی رقبة کل ولی الله
“At this moment, Shaykh Sayyid 'Abd al-Qadir Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho has announced in Baghdad that his foot is on the necks of all the Awliya of Allah, therefore I too, humbly said that this small Ahmad is also amongst them .”

§ Hadrat Sayyidi Abu-Madyan Shu'ib Maghribi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho also bent his head and said:

وانا منھم اللھم انی اشھدک واشھدملٰئکتک انی سمعت واطعت
“I am also amongst them. O Allah! I make You and all the Angels a witness that I heard the command of 'Qadami' and obeyed.”

§ Hadart Sayyidi 'Abd al-Rahim Qanawi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho bent his neck to the ground and said:

صدق الصادق المصدوق
“The truthful has spoken the Truth.”

[Fatawa Hadithiyya, Dar al-Ihya al-Turath al Arabi (Berut - Lebanon), Page 414]

Raza! Do not crawl, you may be small | But your renowned master is the best of all

NARRATION # 11:

After recording the above, Imam Ibn Hajr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho then comments that Shaykh Najibudin Suhrawardi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, Shaykh al-Rifa'i Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, Shaykh Abu-Madyan Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho and Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahim Qanawi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho and many other exalted 'Arifin elaborated that Sayyiduna Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir Jilani Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho did not make this statement on his own accord but he was commanded by Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala to do so.

فلم یسع احدًا التخلف
“Therefore no Wali had the courage to disobey this command. (Hence, they bent their heads and gladly took the foot of the Ghawth on their necks)”

There are many narrations of predecessor Masha'ikh approximately 100 years before the birth of Sayyiduna Ghawth al-A'zam Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho who foretold that shortly there will be born in 'Ajam [non-Arab state] a person who will announce that his foot is on the necks of all the Awliya-Allah. On his announcement, all the Awliya will place their heads under his feet and enter the shadow of his sacred feet. [Fatawa Hadithiyya, Dar al-Ihya al-Turath al Arabi (Berut - Lebanon), Page 414]

I hope that these few lines will suffice for the just and pious. May the Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala grant every Muslim the Tawfiq to accept the truth and exercise Adab with the Awliya of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala. May the Merciful Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala grant us decorous respect for his Beloved Servants and give us death in their ardent Love and raise us on the Day of Judgement amongst their dignified and pure company... Aameen!!

Mazar Sharif of Gawth al Aazam Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho in 1950s

— — —
Excerpted from
The Pre-Eminence of Sayyid Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
by AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida al-Qadiri Alaihir raHmah
Rendered into English by Shaykh Abd al-Hadi al-Qadiri

Description of the Beloved Prophet's Blessed Physic

It is impossible to turn a blind eye to the fact that Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Praise and Peace be upon Him) is by far the most worthy and the greatest of all mankind, and that he is the most perfect of all, adorned with the most excellent virtues and qualities.

وأحسن منك لم تر قط عيني
I haven’t seen the lovely personality like you

وأجمل منك لم تلد النساء
And no mother have given birth to such a wonderful personality

خُلِقْتَ مبرءاً من كل عيب
You are created free from every fault

كأنك قد خُلِقْتَ كما تشاء
You were created, as you wanted to be

His physical description and character have been reported by many of his Companions and we are told that he was the most handsome man ever created, surpassing Prophet Yousuf Alaihis Salam for whom the women of the city cut their hands,

فلما سمعت بمكرهن ارسلت اليهن واعتدت لهن متكا واتت كل واحدة منهن سكينا وقالت اخرج عليهن فلما راينه اكبرنه وقطعن ايديهن وقلن حاش لله ما هذا بشرا ان هذا الا ملك كريم
And when she heard of their secret talk, she sent for them and prepared cushioned mattresses for them and gave a knife to each one of them and said to Yusuf, "Come out before them!" When the women saw him they praised him and cut their hands, and said, "Purity is to Allah - this is no human being; this is not but an honorable angel!"  [Surah al-Yousuf, Verse 31]

A Green Turban Shaped round a Kullah, A Stick and A cotton Mantle or Cloak attributed to
Sayyiduna wa Mawlana Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam

Beloved Prophet's Physical Description

• His complexion was radiant.
• His eyes were black... deep... widely set and naturally mascaraed with a slight tinge of pink... accentuated by long eyelashes.
• His nose was distinctive.
• His teeth evenly spaced.
• His face was round with a broad forehead.
• His beard was thick and reached his chest.
• As for his chest and abdomen they were equal in size.
• His shoulders were broad as was his chest.
• His bones were large as were his arms.
• The palms of his hands were thick as were the soles of his feet.
• His fingers were long and his skin tone fair.
• The hair between his chest and navel was fine.
• He was of medium stature... however, when a tall person walked by his side the Prophet (Praise and Peace be upon Him) appeared to be the taller.
• As for his hair it was neither curly nor straight.
• When he laughed his teeth were visible like a flash of lightning or they have been described as white as hailstones.
• His neck was balanced, neither broad nor fat, as for his body it was firm and did not lack firmness.

Burda Sharif (Cloak) of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam stored under three beautiful Pure Gold Boxes and a Mantle having embroidery done with the threads of Gold placed in One Large Separate Room at Topkapi Museum, Istanbul, Turkey

Sayings of the N0ble Companions
about the beloved Prophet's blessed Physic

The following sayings are but a fraction of the multi narrations of the Companion's description of the Prophet (Praise and Peace be upon Him) although they are but a sampling, they are sufficient to convey the perception of his handsomeness. Everyone who met him said they had never seen anyone like him.

When the Companion Sayyiduna Bar'a Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho saw a lock of the Prophet's hair resting on his red robe he commented,

ما رأيت من ذي لمة في حلة حمراء أحسن من رسول
"I have never seen anyone with a more beautiful lock of hair than his resting on a red robe."

Sunan Darimi, Vol. 1, Page 35
Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 1, Page 315
Shamail Tirmidhi, Page 3

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho said,

ما رأيت شيئا أحسن من رسول الله ، كأن الشمس تجري في وجهه ، وإذا ضحك يتلألأ في الجدر
"I have never seen anyone more handsome than the Messenger of Allah, it was as though the sun was shining upon his face and when he laughed it reflected from the wall."

Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol. 2, Page 350
Ibne Hibban, Vol. 8, Page 74
Muwahib al Laduniyah, Vol. 1, Page 271
Anwaarul Muhammadiyah, Page 133
Hashia Shamail Tirmidhi, Page 16
Sharha Shifa Mula Ali Qari, Hashia Naeemur Riyadh. Vol. 1 Page 338
Madarijun Nabuwwah (Persian) Page 12
Hujatullahi Ala al-Alameen, Page 689

The Blessed and Fragrant Hairs of Beloved Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam

The beloved companion of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) Hadrat Anas (Radi Allahu Anhu) states,

لما كان اليوم الذى دخل فيه رسول الله المدينة أضاء منها كل شىء
"The day on which Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) arrived in Madinatul Munawwara. It was His Noor through which every thing in Madinatul Munawwara became bright."

Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 2, Page 202, Hadith 3978
Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 5, Page 201, Hadith 1700Mishkaat al-Masabih, Page 547
Tabqaat ibn Sa'ad, Vol. 1, Page 221
Muwahibul ladaniyah, Vol. 1, Page 68
Anwaar al Muhammadiyah, Page 38
Seerate Halbia, Vol. 2, Page 234
Jawahir al Bihar, Page 60
Khasaisul Kubra, Vol. 1, Page 471
Madarijun Nabuiwah, Vol. 2, Page 81
Mustadrik, Vol. 3, Page 12

Ibn Asakir narrates from the Mother of the Believers, Sayyidah Ayeshah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha:

كنت أخيط في السحر فسقطت مني الابرة فطلبتها فلم أقدر عليها فدخل رسول الله فتبينت الإبرة بشعاع نور وجهه
"I was sewing when the needle fell. Despite searching, I was unable to find it. It was just then that the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) came. From the light emanating from the Prophet's blessed face, I was able to see the needle.." [Khasais al-Kubra, Vol. 1, Page 109 | Sharha Shifa Hashiya Naseem ar-Riyadh]

Someone asked Jabir Ibn Samura Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho,

كان وجهه مثل السيف ؟ فقال : لا ، بل مثل الشمس ، والقمر ، وكان مستديرا
"Was his face like a sword?" He replied, "No, it was like the sun and the moon, and round." [Sahih Muslim, Vol. 4, Page 1823]

Your face is as bright as the full moon
Let your grace and light fall on me soon

Umm Ma'bad Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha, the lady from whom the description of the Prophet (Praise and Peace be upon Him) was more profuse, said,

أجمل الناس من بعيد ، وأحلاه ، وأحسنه من قريب
"Even from a distance he was the most beautiful of people, and as he drew near it was apparent that he was the most handsome." [Dalail an-Nabuwwah lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 1, Page 279]

Abi Hala's son said,

يتلألأ وجهه تلألؤ القمر ليلة البدر
"His face glowed like the full moon." [Shamail Tirmidhi, Page 21]

AsSalatu wa asSalamu Alaiku Ya Sayyidi Ya Habeebi Ya RasoolALLAH
SallAllahu Alaihi wa Aalihi wa SaHbihi wa Baraaka wa Sallam

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu states,

إذا تكلم رئى كالنور يخرج من بين ثناياه
"When the Beloved of Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to speak then noor could be seen emerging from between his blessed teeth."

Dalail an-Nabuwwah, Vol. 1, Page 162, Hadith 141Sunan Darimi, Vol. 1, Page 70, Hadith 59
Shamail Tirmidhi, Vol. 1, Page 16

The fourth khalifa of Islam, Hadrat Sayyiduna Mawla Ali al-Murtuda may Allah honor his face, said at the end of his description of the Prophet (Praise and Peace be upon Him)

من رآه بديهة هابه ، ومن خالطه معرفة أحبه ، يقول ناعته : لم أر قبله ، ولا بعده مثله
"Anyone who came upon him by chance became filled with timidity towards of him and those who kept company with him loved him." [Shamail Tirmidhi, Page 21]

None like you was ever seen or created;
Authority stands in your person consummated.

May Allah illuminate my heart and yours, and increase our love for this Noble Prophet Praise and Peace be upon Him and keep us firm on the Maslak-e-Haqq Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah... Aameen!!

And Allah Most high alone gives guidance!!

The Ahl-e-Sunnat wa Jama'at has reached the consensus (Ijma') that after Prophets (Alaihim as-Salam) the best of creation are the four rightly guided Khalifas (Khulafa-e-Arba'a i.e. Hadrat Abu Bakr, Hadrat Umar, Hadrat Uthman and Hadrat Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma'een).

Their sequence of excellence is that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddique is the most excellent, then Sayyiduna Umar, thereafter followed by the excellence of Sayyiduna Uthman and Sayyiduna Ali (Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een). Here I present few proclamations of the Classical Scholars and Jurists in this regard.

Proclamations of the Classical Scholars and Jurists

1. Imam al-Aazam Abu Hanifa gave one of the pithiest definitions of Sunnism in Islam:

"The doctrine of Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama'a consists in preferring the Two Shaykhs (tafdil al-shaykhayn) [i.e. Abu Bakr and 'Umar over the rest], loving the Two Sons-in-law (hubb al-khatanayn) [i.e. 'Ali and 'Uthman], and wiping on leather socks (al-mas-h 'alal-khuffayn) [i.e. all three contrary to Shi'is]." [Khulasat al-Fatawa, Vol. 2, Page 381]

Narrated by Ibn 'Abd al-Barr in al-Intiqa' bi-Manaqib al-A'immat al-Thalathati al-Fuqaha' through several different chains. The same is also related from Sufyan al-Thawri by al-La'laka'i in his I'tiqad Ahl al-Sunna, Vol. 1, Page 152.

2. Imam al-Aazam Abu Hanifah in Fiqh Al-Akbar:

"The most superior and the best of all men after prophets – blessings and peace upon them – is Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. And then, Umar ibn al-Khattab al-Faruq. And then Uthman ibn Affan Dhu’n Nurayn. And then ali ibn Abu talib al-Murtada. May Allah be well pleased with them all; they were worshippers and steadfast on Truth and sided with Truth. We love all of them." [Fiqh Al-Akbar]

3. Imam al-Nawawi said in his Fatawa:

"Know that each of Abu Bakr and 'Umar is better than 'Ali according to the Consensus (ijma') of Ahl al-Sunna. The proofs for this in well-known sound hadiths are too famous and countless to be listed." [Fatawa Imam Nawawi, Page 264]

4. Imam al-Haytami said in his Fatawa Hadithiyya:

"The preferability of Abu Bakr over the other three and that of 'Umar over the  ther two is agreed upon by Consensus (mujma' 'alayh) of Ahl al-Sunna and there is no disagreement among them concerning this." [Fatawa Hadithiyya, Page 155]

5. Ali al-Qari in MinaH ar-Rawd al-Az’har, SharH Fiqh al-Akbar:

"The best of humans after prophets is Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu"... "The superiority of Abu Bakr and Umar is an unanimous agreement in the Ahl as-Sunnah." [Sharh Fiqh al-Akbar]

6. Mulla 'Ali al-Qari said in Sharh al-Fiqh al-Akbar:

"It is patent that to prefer 'Ali to the Two Shaykhs contravenes the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama'a according to what the totality of the Salaf follow." [Sharh al-Fiqh al-Akbar, Page 140]

7. Imam al-Daraqutni was once asked to arbitrate between two groups in Baghdad who differed whether 'Uthman was preferable to 'Ali or vice-versa. He relates:

"At first I withheld from taking any position and considered reserve best. But then I reached the conclusion that Religion dictated other than silence. So I said: 'Uthman is better than 'Ali with the agreement of the assembly of the Companions. This is the position of Ahl al-Sunnah, and it is the first knot of the Rafida one cuts loose." [Siyar A'lam al-Nubala', Dar al-Fikr Edition. Vol. 12, Page 483]

8. Al-Dhahabi quotes the above in his chapter on al-Daraqutni in Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' then comments:

"...Both 'Uthman and 'Ali possess great merits and precedence and are among the foremost shuhada'. However, the vast majority of the Community agree to give precedence to 'Uthman, and this is our position also; and better than both of them without doubt are Abu Bakr and 'Umar. Whoever differs with this is a hardened Shi'i." [Siyar A'lam al-Nubala', Dar al-Fikr Edition. Vol. 12, Page 483-492]

9. Imam Abu Jaafar Al-taHawi in Al-aqidah at-taHawiyyah:

"We affirm the succession after RasulAllah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam first for Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu – on account of his superiority upon the entire ummah and being paramount among them. Then, Umar ibn al-Khattab Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. Then, Uthman ibn affan Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. Then, ali ibn Abu talib Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. For they are the Rightly Guided Successors [khulafa ar-rashidun] and The Guiding Leaders [ayimmah al-muhtadun - in another version ayimmah al-mahdiyyun]." [al-Aqida at-Tahawiyyah]

10. Saad ad-Din Taftazani in his SharH al-MaqaSid, In the Fifth Discussion:

"The Imam (leader of Muslims) after RasulAllah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam is Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. The Shiah say: ali. And we say: There is a unanimous agreement (ijmaa) of every person of importance (the ahl al-Hill wa’l aqd – from the council, prominent ones, nobles etc.) on this matter." [SharH al-MaqaSid]

11. In the Sixth Discussion, Saad ad-Din Taftazani says:

"Superiority, according to us [ahl as-sunnah] is according to the order of succession (of Khalifahs)." [SharH al-MaqaSid]

12. Ali al-ushi in Bad-yi’l Amali and ali al-Qari in its commentary: daw al-Maali

وللصديق رجحان جلي ... على الصحاب من غير احتمال
And Siddiq has a prominence and superiority
Upon all companions without any doubt

وللفاروق رجحان وفضل ... على عثمان ذي النورين عالي
And Faruq has prominence and superiority
Upon Uthman – he of the two lights, the lofty

وذو النورين حقا كان خيرا .... من الكرار في صف القتال
And Dhu’n Nurayn has the right, that he is superior to
al-Karrar, the brave and unflinching in the face of battle

وللكرار فضل بعد هذا .... على الأغيار طرا لا تبال
And superiority is due to ali the brave, after this
Upon everybody else without any hesitation

13. Jawharah at-TawHid, Ibrahim al-Laqqani and its commentary TuHfatu’l Murid, Ibrahim al-Bajuri.

وخيرهم من ولي الخلافة .... وأمرهم في الفضلك الخلافة
And the best of them are the successors to khilafah
And the order of their superiority is like the khilafah.

14. Ibn al-Jawzi in Manaqib Ahmad relatedly said:

"Whoever prefers 'Ali to Abu Bakr maligns the Prophet; whoever gives 'Ali preference over 'Umar maligns the Prophet and Abu Bakr; and whoever gives 'Ali preference over 'Uthman maligns the Prophet, Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and the Emigrants. Nor do I believe that the deeds of such a person are accepted." [Manaqib Ahmad, Page. 162]

15. In the very beginning of his Kashf Mushkil Hadith al-Sahihayn in four volumes, in print, Ibn al-Jawzi mentions the anecdote of a Rafidi asking a Sunni:

"Who is nobler than five under a cloak, the sixth of whom is Gibril?" (in reference to the established hadith wherein the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, gathered Sayyida Fatima, her two sons and her husband under his cloak) whereupon the Sunni replied: "Two in the cave, the third of whom is Allah" (in reference to the verse of Qur'an and hadith of the Prophet and Abu Bakr in the cave on the way to Madina).

16. In Nazm al-Mutanathir min al-Hadith al-Mutawatir, al-Alim al-Rabbani, al-Sayyid Muhammad Jafar al-Idrisi al-Kattani (d. 1927) mentioned:

"The Ahadith on the Afdhaliyya of Abu Bakr over the Sahaba are mutawatir by meaning." [Nazm al-Mutanathir min al-Hadith al-Mutawatir Page 202]

He quotes Qastallani's Irshad al-Saari Baab Tafadhul Ahl al-Iman fi al-A'man from the Book of Imaan who quotes Ijma' of Ahl al-Sunnah on this. He also quotes Ibn Hajar from al-Sawa'i al-Muhriqa and Ibn Taymiyya from al-Wassiyyat al-Kubra who mention that it the reports are mutawatir.

17. al-Sayyid Yusuf al-Nabhani quotes Fatawa Ibn Hajar, in his al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, who says in its khatima:

"It has been soundly narrated from Ali himself: the best of people after the Prophet is Abu Bakr then Umar and then someone else... it is from this that the Ahl al-Sunnah from the Sahabah and Tabiun and those after them agree (ijma) that Abu Bakr is absolutely excellent among all Sahabah and then Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both)." [al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, Page 207]

18. Imam Yusuf bin Ismail an-Nabhani mentions that Ibn Hajar was questioned on another occasion whether the excellence of one over the other among the four was qat'iyya or Ijtihadiyya to which he replied that

"The excellence of Abu Bakr over all is Mujma' alayh among Ahl al-Sunnah and there is no dispute in this, and consensus implies qata'." [al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, Page 208]

19. Imam Sha'rani quotes Abu Bakr al-Ayyash in his Minan who said:

"If Abu Bakr, Umar and Ali ever came to me for something, I would attend Ali first for his close relation with the Messenger of Allah, and I would prefer falling from the sky to the earth over giving Ali preference (in fadhila) over the two". [al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, Page 209]

20. Shaykh Nabhani quotes a hadith from Musnad al-Bazzar from Usayd bin Safwan in which the demise of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him and Ali's words in his manaqib are narrated. Sayyiduna Ali directly speaking to the former on his deathbed after his demise calls him

"most excellent of the Sahabah in his Manaqib",
"greatest of them in his rank",
"most noble of them in his station", and
"most honoured among them in the Messenger's court"!! [al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, Page 193]

 

 

21. It is written in renowned Islamic Fiqh books, Fatawa Khulasa and Khazanat al-Musannifin, that:

“Anyone, who claims that Hadrat Mawla Ali (Karam Allahu wajh al-Karim) is superior to all companions, is a heretic, and a wrongdoer.”

a. Fatawa Khulasa, in ‘Kitab al-Salat’ (chapter of Salah) Section: 15
b. Khazanat al-Musannifeen, in the chapter of ‘Kitab al-Salat’ (Book of Salah) in the section ‘To follow a Rafidhi in Salat, is it right or wrong’?

22. It is stated in Fateh al-Qadeer, Sharah “Hidaya” and Hashiyyah on “Tabi’een al-Salamah” that:

“Anyone, who prefers Mawla Ali above the other three rightly guided Caliphs, is a misled.”

a. Fateh al-Qadeer, Sharah (a commentary) on the most renowned and reliable Fiqh book “Hidaya”, Printed in Egypt, Vol 1, Page 248
b. Hashiyyah (a commentary) on the Fiqh book “Tabi’een al-Salamah”, by Allama Ahmad as-Salabi, Printed in Egypt, Vol 1, Page 135

23. It is also written in the following Fiqh books “Bada’eh”, “Bazaziyyah”, “Asabah”, “Fan al-Sa’ani”, “al-Haf al-Abrar wal-Basair”, “Fatawa Qurwiyyah” and “Waqiat al-Muftiyyin”, and all these books have quoted references from another most authentic and renowned Fiqh book “Fatawa Khulasa”, that:

“Anyone, who prefers Hadrat Mawla Ali (Karam Allahu wajh al-Karim) over them (Shaykhain) is a misled and heretic.”

a. Bada’eh, Vol 3, Page 264
b. Bazaziyyah, Vol 3, Page 319
c. Asabah - Printed in Egypt, Page 187
d. Fatawa Qurwiyyah - Printed in Egypt, Vol 1, Page 25
e. Waqiat al-Muftiyyin - Printed in Egypt, Page 13

24. It is mentioned in another authentic and most renowned Fiqh book “Majma al-Anhar”, Sharah (a commentary) on the book “Multaqi al-Abhar”, that:

“Tafdhili, those who prefer Hadrat Mawla Ali Radi Allahu Anhu above the other three Caliphs are misled. [Majma' al Anhar - Printed in Istanbul, Vol 1, Page 105]

25. Sayyiduna Meer Abdul Wahid Hussayni Zaidi Wasti Bilgraami has written in his ‘Sabaa Sanabil Sharif’:

After Hadrat Abu Bakr comes the excellence of Hadrat Umar, then Hadrat Uthman and then Hadrat Ali. He who does not accept Hadrat Ali as the Khalifa is from the Kharijees and he who regards him (Hadrat Ali) to be more excellent than Hadrat Abu Bakr and Umar is from the Raafdhis. [Sab'a Sanabil, Page 10]

Conclusion

There is an Ijma' of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah on the fact that Sayyiduna Abu Bak Al-Siddiq is the most superior amongst the companions of our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon Him and Allah is pleased with them all). After him comes the excellence of Hadrat Umar, then Hadrat Uthman and then Hadrat Ali Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een. They all were pious worshippers and steadfast on Truth and sided with Truth and we love all of them.

He, who believes that Sayyiduna Ali or any other companion is more superior above Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, is misguided from the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. The true Love for Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu will only and only be valid and beneficial when his teachings, Aqida and Iman is also followed. The Ahl al-Bayt should themselves talk more often about the tafhdil of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr  as-Siddiq Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu as this is mass-narrated from Sayyiduna Ali Karram Allahu Wajh al-Kareem himslef, and a sunnah of his.

--
And Allah Most high alone gives guidance!!