Shaykhul Hadith Zakariyya Kaandhlawi
Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had said, “Almighty Allah will, on the Day of Resurrection, resurrect certain groups of people in such a state that their faces will be radiant with light, they will be sitting on pulpits of pearls and others will envy their lot. They will neither be from among the prophets nor from among the martyrs.” Somebody asked the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) to let him have more details about these people, so that he may be able to recognize them. Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied, “They will be the people who belong to different families and different places, but assemble at one place for the love of Almighty Allah and are engaged in His zikr.” (Related by Tabarani with a sound chain)
It is said in another Hadith, “In paradise there will be pillars of emerald supporting balconied houses made of rubies and with open doors on all four sides. These will shine like brilliant stars and will be occupied by those people who love each other for the Sake of Allah and who assemble at a place and meet each other only for His pleasure.”
Nowadays, the religious devotees are criticized and ridiculed by every body. The people may reproach them today as much as they like, but the reality will dawn on them in the hereafter, when they realize how these humble persons have been able to earn high fortunes and occupy such grand pulpits and such flats whereas those who criticized and ridiculed them earned nothing but misery and despair:
“Soon the dust cloud will clear away and it will be seen whether you are riding a horse or an ass.”
How blessed, in the eyes of Almighty Allah, are the Khanqahs (places where zikr is practiced), which are the targets of abuse from all quarters can best be judged from this Hadith in their favour. It is mentioned in one Hadith that the houses where zikr is practiced shine unto the dwellers of the Heaven, as do the stars shine the inhabitants of the Earth. According to another Hadith sakeenah (a very special blessing) descends on the gathering engaged in zikr, the angels surround them, the divine Mercy covers them, and Almighty Allah mentions them on His Throne. (Faza'il-e-A'maal “Virtues of Zikr”, Hadith No. 12, pg 50)
Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is reported to have said, “Practice Zikr so excessively that the people may regard you as a maniac.” (Related by Ibn Hiban) It is stated in another Hadith “Practice zikr so much that the hypocrite may regard you as insincere.” (Tabarani)
It is clear from this Hadith that the taunts of madness and hypocrisy by the munaafiqs and by the foolish people should not make one give up the spiritual wealth of zikr. On the contrary it should be done with such rapture and abundance that the people take you to be actually mad and let you alone. They will consider you mad only if you practice zikr excessively and loudly, and not if you do it quietly.
Ibn Katheer (Rahmatullah alaih) has narrated on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (Radhiyallaho anho), “Nothing has been made obligatory by Allah without fixing maximum limit for it and excusing shortcomings in respect of it, except His zikr, for which no limit- has been fixed and no person, as long as he is sane is exempted from it.” Almighty Allah ordered in the Holy Quran:
“Practice zikr of Allah excessively.”
A person should do zikr under all circumstances, whether by day or night; whether in the jungle or at sea; whether traveling or halting; whether in affluence or poverty; whether in sickness or health; whether loudly or quietly.” (Faza'il-e-A'maal “Virtues of Zikr”, Hadith No. 15, pg 56)
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