FORWARD
FOREWORD
By
Mowlana Muhammad Arshad Misbahi. Manchester. UK
Khalifah of Gazi-e-Millat, Sayyad Madani Mia.
Khalifah of Allamah Sayyad Aleemuddeen Asdaq Misbahi.
Khalifah of Peer Sayyad Ma’roof Hussain Naushahi.
Khalifah of Allama Qamaruz Zamaan Aazmi.
Poetry is one of the best tools to enhance and spread the golden teachings of Islam. In all ages, it has worked wonders. As a blessing of Allah, Aala’hadrat rahmatullahi alayhi says;
Mulke Sukhan Ki Shahi Tum Ko Raza Mussallam
Jis Samt Aagayai Ho Sikke Bita Diye Hai
This is no exaggeration. It is in fact a world-renowned reality. Anyone who knows Arabic, Persian and especially Urdu is truly amazed after reading the unique poetry of Imam Ahmad Raza Qaderi Barelwy. Qaseedah Mi’rajiyah and the Salaam of Aala’hadrat are a manifest proof of this claim.
Alhamdo lillahi, a great amount of academic and research work is taking place throughout the world on the books and writings of the Imam. Many of his na’ts have been successfully translated into English. This book is the hard work and an excellent effort by honourable brother Abdul Mannaan. He has done very well in his translations. I wholeheartedly appreciate and congratulate him. The translation of any work into another language is in itself an arduous task. Moreover, to translate poetry is even more difficult.
In this work, seven beautiful na’ts:
•Gham ho gae beshomaar aaqa
•Lutf unka aam ho hi jaaega •Mohammad mazhare kaamil hay
•Lam ya’ti nazeeroka fina Nazarin
•Ne’matayn baant’ta jis Samt
•Hay kalaame Ilaahi me shamso Doha
•Jo’bano par hay bahaare chaman
have been rendered into English. This will go a long way to introducing the English speaking world to the works of the Imam. I am a firm believer that reading and studying the books and na’ts of Aala’hadrat are a unique means of increasing our love for Allah and His beloved sallallaho alayhi wasallam. The Imam was once asked how to increase the love of Allah and His beloved sallallaho alayhi wasallam. He replied: by reading the glorious Qur’aan and listening to na’ts in melodious voices. I have experienced this in numerous people in UK and in my religious travels globally. Even those who disagree in Aqeedah (belief, creed, doctrine) with the Imam have paid the greatest tribute to his works. Reflecting on the books of Aala’hadrat the likes of Allamah Iqbal have said: Imam Ahmad Raza Qaderi Barelwy is the Imam A’zam of his times. The ink of the mighty pen of the Imam was always flowing in defending the pristine authority and status of Allah’s messenger sallallaho alayhi wasallam. He says
Karu Madhe Ahle Duwal Raza Pare Is Bala Mai Meri Bala
Mai Ghada Hoon Kareem Ka. Mera Deen Para-e-Naan Nani
Kilke Raza Hai Khanjare Khukhar Barkbar
Ada Sai Kehdo Khair Manaye Na Shar Kare
The entire team and supporters of Aala’hadrat Foundation International pay the heartiest congratulations to the translator for this tremendous work. Allah reward him abundantly in both worlds. May he continue successfully in spreading the message of Islam.
Mohammad Arshad Misbahi Manchester UK
Founder:
Aala’hadrat Foundation International
FOREWORD
By
Mowlana Muhammad Aqdas Qadri
Manchester. UK
‘Truly, in some poetry, there is wisdom.’ [Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud]
From the time of RasulAllah htob ni صلى الله عليه وسلم tehporp devoleb rieht desiarp evah smilsuM , صلى الله عليه وسلم prose and poetry. Not just an implicit sunnah, praise of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم in poetic form was an exhortation by the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم himself, therefore reaching the level of a verbal sunnah (qawli).
Writing poetry is one thing, but doing so eloquently and effectively that it’s recited day in, day out, by millions, in every corner of the world without ever sounding old or repetitive; that is achieved by very few. The Burdah of Imam Busiri enjoys this rank more than any other.
The sahabah praised RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم in Arabic. As Islam spread, so too the languages in which he صلى الله عليه وسلم was praised grew. Urdu is the language of hundreds of millions of Muslims and it is perhaps the language in which most poetry about RasulAllah neeb sah صلى الله عليه وسلم penned, bar Arabic.
It was in the fourteenth century of Islam that Urdu produced its most renowned poet – whose poems reverberate melodiously more often than any other. He is the imam of Ahlu’s Sunnah Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan Baraylawi whose anthology Hadāyiq e Bakhshish (gardens of forgiveness) is the heartbeat of Urdu speaking Sunni Muslims the world over.
His ability to move listeners to ecstasy is due to his immense love for RasulAllah .صلى الله عليه وسلم Whatever he wrote in praise of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم was borne out of veneration for everything connected to RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم. His poems never age and sound as fresh and nourishing as the day they were written.
Someone with a good grasp of a language can often second guess upcoming words in rhythmic poems. But Alahazrat was such a wizard of language and his love for RasulAllah sa tsuJ .smeop sih ni os od ot elbissopmi tsomla s’ti taht sthgieh hcus dehcaer صلى الله عليه وسلم geniuses think differently, those who love RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم see creation differently. They see the beauty of the beloved صلى الله عليه وسلم in everything. Alahazrat’s Qasidah Miyrajiyyah is perhaps the finest example of this among his poems.
They also say, geniuses think metaphorically. Aristotle considered metaphor a sign of genius. He believed that the individual who had the capacity to see similarities between two separate areas of existence and link them together was a person of special gifts. Now consider the star of Bareilly, who has metaphors on tap when praising RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
That powerful pen whose even prose reads like poetry, then what will be of his poetry itself? As for the success of a poet, the true measure of this is, how often his poetry is read. So, we may ask, is there any Urdu poem recited more than the soul coruscating, Mustafa jān e rahmat pe lakhon salam?
Abdul Mannan has translated and annotated seven poems of Alahazrat to English. This is a fruitful endeavour as English is the language of the internet and amongst the most widely spoken languages in the world. If the entire corpus of Alahazrat were in English, he would certainly be heralded as the greatest mind of his century. His poems are perhaps the greatest expression of his love for RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم and presenting this before Anglophones will go a long way in introducing the imam to those devoid of Urdu, Allah Willing.
Personal experience tells me that one of the most effective methods of understanding the rank of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم for Urdu speakers is the poetry of Alahazrat. As love for RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم is the essence of faith, we pray that these translations will serve to inculcate the same within the hearts and minds of everyone who has the pleasure to peruse them.
And Allah ta’ala alone gives success.
Muhammad Aqdas
10 Shawwal 1439
On Alahazrat’s 167th birthday
FOREWORD
By
Mowlana Muhammad Naveed Ashrafi.
Blackburn. UK
The Supreme Messenger Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam is a translation and explanation to the poetry of A’la Hazrat, Imam of Ahle Sunnat Ahmad Raza Khan Alayhirrahmah Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish. A book which I believe is a tool that will assist the non-Urdu understanding people in understanding the praise of the final Messenger of Allah Sayyidina Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam; which if read with understanding can with the grace of Allah enable one to become a true devotee of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam.
The poetry in Haqdaiq-e-Bakhshish can be conclusive in increasing the love for our Master (Nabi Alayhissalaam) which is the essence of Imaan and in the absence of which, one is faithless (is without Imaan).
Every believer should aspire to increase his love for his Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam, as there is no greater treasure than this. Imam Ahmad Raza Khan’s poetry is a unique scholarly piece of work and unique in this contemporary period and encompasses and reflects the beliefs of the Ahle Sunnah.
It’s translation much needed book and is available for the first time for the English speaker in the English language.