The events that took place between Sultan Bayazid II and his brother Jem Sultan openly reflect the courage of faith of our forefathers and the beauty and virtue that Islam bestowed upon them:
Becoming a sultan in the year 1481, Bayazid II (who was even known as Bayazid the Saint due to his piety) spent the first 14 years of his sultanate dealing with the problems that arose as a result of his brother Jem Sultan’s claims to the Ottoman throne. This situation hindered Bayazid II from active participation in the Christian world. Jem Sultan proposed the following to Bayazid II:
“Let us divide our country into two. You rule over half and I will rule over the other half”
Bayazid II replied, rejecting his offer:
“My brother, this country is the property of the people. If we divide it, the government will lose power. We will become a series of weak principalities. This will have grave consequences. I would divide my body but the land of my people cannot be divided”.
A short time after that Jem Sultan was invited to Rhodes by the Knights of Rhodes. He was impressed by their polite words and heedlessly accepted their invitation. However the Knights broke the promises they had made and sold him to the Papacy like a slave. The Papacy were planning to use the prince in the next crusade against the Ottomans. However, realizing that he was not going to be successful in this, Pope Innocent suggested that Jem Sultan become Christian. This offer greatly offended Jem Sultan. Deeply saddened he said to the Pope:
“Even if you give me the whole world, and not just the Ottoman Sultanate, I would never change my religion”.
The supplication that Jem Sultan made to Almighty Allah when he realized that the Crusaders wanted to use him against Islam is sufficient to show the aspiration of his efforts for his religion:
“O my Sustainer! If it is the case that the unbelievers wish to use me as a tool to bring harm to the Muslim world, then do not let this slave of yours live any longer. Take my soul to your honorable abode as soon as possible…”
His prayers must have been answered for at the age of 36 he passed away in Naples. In his last days, his last testament he made to those near him was as follows:
“Make sure to announce the news of my death all over the land. Do this for certain so that the games that the unbelievers wish to play with the Muslims, using me as a tool, can be over. After that, go to my brother Sultan Bayazid. Request that, however difficult it may be, he transports my body back to our country.
I do not wish to be buried in the land of the unbelievers. Whatever has happened until now has happened. Make sure that he does not refuse this request of mine. Ask him to pay all of my debts. I do not want to go the Divine Presence in debt. Let him forgive
my family, my children and those who served me. Let him make them content according to their states”.His brother Bayazid II carried out his final testament.
These are the qualities that Islam bestows upon the human being. The reciprocal relationship between these two brothers displays their devotion to their faith and their love of their country. It is also a demonstration of sacrifice for the sake of the peace of
their people, and an example of tolerance, the accounting of the conscience that results after realizing one’s mistake, refraining from violating another’s rights, forgiveness and compassion amongst many other virtues.
Month: March 2019
Hazrat Imam Ali Al-Hadi (also Al-Naqi) (عليه السلام)
Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood RA
Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ)
Saiyyidina Abdullah bin Masud was very close to RasoolAllah ﷺ, RasoolAllah ﷺ used to ask Abdullah bin Masood to deliver a sermon. Abdullah ibn Masud is one of the greatest Companions who has narrated the most Hadees from RasoolAllah ﷺ. Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud & his Mother (ibn Ummi) used to visit the blessed house of RasoolAllahﷺ that the Companions used to think Abdullah bin Masud & His mother are part of the Ahl e Bait (Alaihi Salaam).
Hazrat Imam Abu Daud Tyalasi (RadiAllahu Anhu) narrated the event of the faith of Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (RadiAllahu Anhu), in his own words;
In my youth, I used to graze herds of Abu Mu’ayt in the outskirts of Makkah. One day, the Holy Prophetﷺ along with Hazrat Abu Bakr (RadiAllahu Anhu) called upon me and said, “O young man! Would you please favour us with some milk to drink?” “I have the milk.” I said, “but I am not to give it to you, for I am trustee over it and I dare not commit a mistrust.” The Holy Prophetﷺ asked as if there was an untouched she-goat with me.
I replied yes and then I brought the one Heﷺ asked for. Hazrat Abu Bakr (RadiAllahu Anhu) got hold of its rope and whilst praying to Allah (S.W.T), Holy Prophetﷺ held its udder in his blessed Hands. The udder immediately filled with milk.
Beloved Prophetﷺ milked the she-goat and gave us the milk to drink. We drank milk first and then the Prophetﷺ. When we all filled our stomachs, Holy Prophetﷺ enjoined the udder to shrink and it shrank back as before.
Witnessing the miracle, I embraced Islam and requested the Holy Prophetﷺ to teach me. Rasoolullahﷺ turned his hand over my head saying, “Allah bless you, you shall be an educated and learned youth.”
By the blessings of the Holy Prophetﷺ, Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (RadiAllahu Anhu) excelled in learning amongst all the Companions of the Beloved Prophetﷺ.
He (RadiAllahu Anhu) was allowed to appear before the Holy Prophet ﷺ whenever he wanted. He (RadiAllahu Anhu) was also blessed to have served the beloved Prophetﷺ. Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (RadiAllahu Anhu) used to hold the curtain when the Holy Prophet ﷺ bathed, he helped him to put on and take off his blessed Shoes (Na’lain Paak). Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (RadiAllahu Anhu) also used to keep the Holy Prophetﷺ’s shoes under his (RadiAllahu Anhu) armpit when the Holy Prophetﷺ took them off. He would carry hisﷺ staff and his Siwak (toothbrush) and attend to his other personal needs. It was for these reasons that the Sahabah (RadiAllahu Anhum) took to calling him Saheb-e-Siwak (bearer of the siwak), Saheb-e-Nalaen (bearer of the slippers), Saheb-e-Mutahara (bearer of the water) and also Saheb-e-Wisadah (bearer of the bedroll).
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RadiAllahu Anhu) received a unique training in the household of the Prophetﷺ. He was under the guidance of the Prophetﷺ, he adopted his manner and followed his every trait until it was said of him, “He was the closest to the Prophetﷺ in character.”
Holy Prophetﷺ also gave Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (RadiAllahu Anhu) the glad tiding of being delivered, (i.e. being Janathi).
(Al-Syrat-ul-Halbia, Vol.I,p.266 and Al-Syrat-ul-Nabuwat, Ibn-e-Kathir, Vol. I, p.444
- Hazrat Hudhaifa (RadiAllahu Anhu) narrates RasoolAllah ﷺ said:
“Whatever Abdullah ibn Masud narrates to you, accept it”
(Jamia Tirmidhi, Kitab ul ilm, Volume 2, Page 1124 Hadith 1044)
- Narrated Abu Musa (RadiAllahu Anhu):
“My brother and I came from Yemen (to Medina) and remained for some time, thinking that Ibn Masud and his mother belonged to the family of the Prophet because of their frequent entrance (upon the Prophet) and their being attached to him.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 667 )
- ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (RadiAllahu Anhu) said: The Messenger of Allahﷺ commanded Ibn Mas’ood, so he climbed a tree to get something from the tree top for the Prophetﷺ. While climbing, his legs became exposed and the Companions saw how thin they were and this caused them to laugh. The Messenger of Allahﷺ said:
What are you laughing at? At the legs of ‘Abdullah that will heavier on the scale on the Day of Qiyaamah than the weight of mount Uhud?
(Musnad Ahmad, Abi Ya’la, Mu’jam al-Tabarani)
- Narrated by Masriq (RadiAllahu Anhu)
‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr mentioned ‘Abdullah bin Masud and said, “I shall ever love that man, for I heard the Prophet saying, ‘Take (learn) the Qur’an from four: ‘Abdullah bin Masud, Salim, Mu’adh and Ubai bin Ka’b.’ ”
(Volume 6, Book 61, Number 521 )
Hazrat Imam Ali Al-Hadi (عليه السلام)
Hazrat Imam Muhammad Bin Idrees Al Shafaei R.A
Imam Al-Shafi’ee, also known as ‘Shaykh Al Islam’, is one of the four great Imams of Sunni schools of law. He is also the author of several prominent works in the field. He has been titled ‘Nasir al-Hadith’ which means “defender of hadith”.
1. His Name, Background and Family:
Imam’s full name is Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Idris Al-Shafi’ee ibn Al-Abbas ibn Uthman ibn Syafie bin Ubaid ibn Abdu Yazid ibn Hasyim ibn Al-Muttalib [father of Abdul Muttalib grandfather of the Prophet (S.A.W.)] bin Abd Manaf. He is the Only Imam who is related to Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) as he belonged to Qurayshi tribe of Banu Muttalib, which was the sister tribe of the Banu Hashim [tribe of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.)].
2. His Early Life and Early Education:
Imam Shafi’ee was born in the year 150 AH (767 AC) in Ghaza, Palestine. It was the same year in which the Great Imam Abu Hanifah had passed away. He lost his father during infancy and was raised by his mother under very poor circumstances. Fearing the waste of his son’s lineage, his mother decided to move to Mecca where their relatives lived. Imam was very young at that time. It is quoted by some scholars that he was two years old when his mother migrated to Mecca. Therefore, he spent his formative years acquiring religious education in the cities of Mecca and Medina. According to some sources, he memorized the Quran by the age of seven or nine.
3. His Journey to Seek Knowledge:
His early education was marked by poverty because of which his mother could not afford to pay the fees for his education. Consequently, instead of participating in the classes, the young Imam would just sit on the side lines and take it all in only by listening to what his teacher was teaching to other kids in the class. He became so adept at learning and storing knowledge even though just by listening, that on occasions when his teacher was unable to take a class, he the young Imam would step in and take the class teaching his fellow students. His Teacher was so impressed by his abilities that he took him on as a formal student on a complimentary non fees basis.
The Imam himself used to say:
“After I finished learning the Quran, I would go to the Mosque and sit with the Scholars the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and Islamic matters. I used to live in Makkah among tent dwellers in such a state of poverty that I could not even afford to by paper to write, so I would write on stones and bones instead.”
4. Him and Imam Maalik:
At the age of fifteen or eighteen, his teacher gave Al-Shafi’ee permission to issue judicial decisions (fatwas). While still studying in Makkah, Aa-Shafi’ee heard of the renowned scholar of Madinah, Imam Maalik Ibn Anas. He wanted to become a student of Imam Maalik yet he saw with his sharp intellect that he should not go to him unprepared. He memorized Imam Malik’s famous book “Al Muwatta” in only nine days. After that he went off to see Imam Maalik in his house in Madinah. Al-Shafi’ee spoke eloquently and politely with the Imam and told him that he wished to become his student. The Imam looked at the boy for a long time as the boy was telling his story of how he sought knowledge so far. The Imam had an astonishing physiognomy and a penetrating insight; he told him:
“My son! By the Will of Allaah, you will have a great future. Tomorrow come to me and bring with you someone who could read the ‘Muwatta’ well as I fear you would not be able to read it by yourself.”
Al-Shafi’ee responded with the same politeness
“Imam, I will read it myself from memory without a book.”
For a period of nine years, Al-Shafi’ee remained in Madinah until Malik’s death in the year 179 AH (790 AC).
5. Coming back to Makkah:
After the death of Imam Malik, Imam Al-Shafi’ee returned to Makkah with a great load of knowledge which had influenced his life.
6. His Marriage:
In Makkah he was wedded to ‘Hamidah Bint Naafi’, granddaughter of third Caliph ‘Uthman Ibn Afaan (R.A). He had three children, two sons Abu Uthman and Abul Hasan and a daughter Fatima.
7. His Persecution:
The governor of Yemen, while paying a visit to Makkah, met Al-Shafi’ee, discerned his unique abilities, and offered him an administrative post in Yemen but like his predecessor Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi’ee also suffered Political persecution and intrigues, but thankfully, unlike Imam Abu Hanifa, he was not subjected to torture.
Imam Shafi’ee was arrested and charged with the offense of political interference in Yemen. The Caliph of that time, Haroon-al-Rasheed examined him and found him to be innocent of all charges and discharged him with honour.
Soon after that, he met Muhammad bin Hasan Al-Shaibaani who was one of Imam Abu Ḥanifa’s most important pupils. His contact and discussions with Al-Shaibaani increased and by which he strengthened his knowledge. Moreover, Al-Shafi’ee had the opportunity to study the books of Al-Shaibaani and other Iraqi scholars in Baghdad. After his travels, he returned to Makkah. During these travels, in every place he visited, he arranged meetings and organized study circles attended by many including great scholars such as Abu-Thawr, Al-Zafarani, AlKarabisi. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal also attended his circle and studied with Al-Shafi’ee.
The last station for Al-Shafi’ee was Egypt where he remained until his death. He was welcomed with great honor and respect by the people and scholars of Egypt due to his being as a pupil of Imam Malik and due to his reputation in fıqh.
8. His Teachers:
Imam Shafi’ee learned from the scholars in various places such as Makkah, Madinah, Kufa, Basrah, Yemen, Syria and Egypt. Following are some prominent scholars who had teached Al-Shafi’ee:
- Muslim bin Khalid Al-Zangi (in Makkah)
- Sufyaan bin Uyainah Al-Hilaali (in Makkah)
- Ibrahim bin Yahya (in Madinah)
- Imam Maalik bin Anas (in Madinah)
- Wakee bin Al-Jarraah bin Maleeh Al-Kofi (in Kufa)
- Muhammad bin Hasan Al-Shaibaani (in Basrah)
- Hammaad bin Usama Al-Haashimi Al-Kofi (in Kufa)
- Abdul-Wahhab bin Abdul-Majeed al-Busri (in Basrah)
9. His Students:
Al-Shafi’ee had a lot of talented students, some of whom become prominent masters. Among his best students are:
- Imam Abu Yaqub Al-Buwayṭi
- Abu Ibrahim Isma’il ibn Yahya Al-Muzani
- Rabi bin Sulayman Al-Muradi
- Abu Ali Al-Karabisi
- Ibrahim bin Khalid Abu ThawrH
- He also met Imam Ahmad bin HambaI and took mutual knowledge between the two. Imam Ahmad bin Hambal once said: “Had it not been for Ash-Shafi’ee, we would not have known the understanding of Hadith.”
10. His Writings and Books:
He authored more than 100 books. Some of which are as follows:
- Kitab al-Umm
- Al-Risalah
- Ikhtilaf Al-Hadith
- Al-Imla
- Ikhtilaf Al-Iraqiyani
- Jima Al-Ilm
- Ikhtilaf Malik wa Al-Shafi’ee
- Kitab Al-Hujjah
11. His last days and death:
Imam Al-Shafi’ee remained to follow his daily routine until illness forced him to retire and stop teaching. In his last days before his death, Imam said:
“I feel that I am traveling away from this world, away from the brothers, drinking from the cup of death, and approaching Allah the Glorious. By Allah I do not know if my soul will go to heaven so that I may congratulate it, or to hell so that I may lament.”
Then he went into crying. He became very sick at the end of his life. Imam Al-Shafi’ee kept the company of learned people till the very end of his life, and he is reported to have spent his last days in the company of Abdullah Ibnul Hakam, a well-known scholar of his time. He is thought to have died on a Friday in the Islamic calendar month of Rajab aged 54 in the year 204 AH (820 AC). The Governor of Egypt of that time acknowledged his academic excellence by not only just attending his funeral but actually leading those prayers. His two sons Abul Hasan Muhammad and Uthmaan were present for the funeral rites.
12. His Burial Place:
Imam Al-Shafi’ee was buried in the vault of the Banu Abd Al-Hakam at the foot of Muqattam Hills in Cairo, Egypt.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 