النص المفهرس

12
Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
The Wife Of Musa Alayhis Salam
683
The Sister-In-Law Of Musa Alayhis Salam.
684
Asiyah
684
The Maid Of Pharaoh's Daughter
684
An Old Woman In The Army Of Musa Alayhis Salam
685
The Sister Of Haysur
686
The Mother Of Haysur
68
The Mother of Sulayman `alayhis salam.
687
Bilqis
687
A Slave-Woman From The Banu Israil
688
A Pious And Intelligent Woman From The Banu Israil
689
The Mother Of Maryam Alayhas Salam.
690
Maryam Alayhas Salam
690
The Wife Of Zakariyya Alayhis Salam
691
Khadijah Radiyallahu `Anha
692
692
`A'ishah Radiyallahu 'Anha
693
Hafsah Radiyallahu 'Anha.
693
Zanab Bint Khuzaymah Radiyallahu Anha
694
Umme Salamah Radiyallahu Anha.
694
Zaynab Bint Jahsh Radiyallahu Anha
694
Umme Habibah Radiyallahu Anha.
696
Juwayriyah Radiyallahu Anha.
697
Maymunah Radiyallahu Anha.
697
Saifiyyah Radiyallahu Anha
698
Zaynab Radiyallahu Anha
699
Ruqayyah Radiyallahu Anha
700
700
Fatimah Radiyallahu Anha
701
Halimah Sa'diyyah Radiyallahu Anha
702
Umme Ayman Radiyallahu Anha.
703
Umme Sulaym Radiyallahu Anha
703
Umme Haram Radiyallahu Anha
704
Umme Abd Radiyallahu Anha
705
The Mother Of Abu Dhar Ghifari Radiyallahu Anha.
705
The Mother Of Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu Anha
706
Asma'bint Umays Radiyallahu Anha.
706
The Mother Of Hudhayfah Radiyallahu Anha
707
Fatimah Bint Khattab Radiyallahu Anha.
707
An Ansari Woman Radiyallahu Anha
708
Umme Fadl Lubabah Bint Harith Radiyallahu Anha
708
Umme Sulayt Radiyallahu Anha
709
Saudah Radiyallahu Anha
Umme Kulthum Radiyallahu Anha

Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
13
Halah Bint Khuwaylid Radiyallahu Anha
709
Hind Bint `Utbah Radiyallahu Anha
709
Umme Khalid Radiyallahu Anha
710
Safiyyah Radiyallahu Anha
710
The Wife Of Abdul Haytham Radiyallahu Anha
711
Asma Bint Abi Bakr Radiyallahu Anha
711
Umme Ruyman Radiyallahu Anha
712
712
Barirah Radiyallahu Anha
713
Fatimah Bint Abi Hubaysh, Hamnah Bint Abi Jahsah Radiyallahu Anha
And Zaynab, The Wife Of Abdullah Bi Mas'ud Radiyallahu Anha
713
714
Hafid Bin Zahr At-Tabib's Sister And Niece
714
The Slave-Girl Of Imam Yazid Bin Harun
714
The Slave-Girl Of Ibn Simak
714
The Aunt Of Ibn Jauzi
715
The Mother Of Imam Rabi`Atur Ra'y
715
The Mother And Siter Of Imam Bukhari
716
The Sister Of Qadi Zadah Rumi
716
Mu` Adhah `Adawiyyah.
717
Rabi`Ah Adawiyyah
717
Majidah Qurashiyyah
718
`A`Ishah Bint Ja`Far Sadiq
718
The Wife Of Rabah Qaysi
718
Fatimah Naysapuri
719
Rayi`Ah Or Rabi`Ah Shamiyah Bint Isma'il
719
Umme Harun
720
Umrah The Wife Of Habib Ajmi
720
Amatul Jalil
720
Ubaydah Bint Kilab
721
Afirah Abidah
721
Sha Wanah
722
Aminah Ramliyah
722
Manfusah Bint Zayd Abil-Fawaris.
722
Sayyidah Nafisah Bint Hasan Bin Zayd Bin Hasan Bin Ali
Radiyallahu Anhum.
723
Maymunah Sauda
723
Rayhanah Majnunah
724
A Female Murid Of Suri Saqti
724
Tuhfah
725
Juwayriyah
726
The Daughter Of Shah Bin Shuja Kirmani
727
Umme `Atiyyah Radiyallahu Anha
The Female Teachers Of Imam Hati Ibn Asakir

14
Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
Sattul Muluk
728
The Slave-Girl Of Abu ` Amir Wa`Iz
728
THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF
WOMEN FROM THE QURAN AND HADITH.
729
Quranic Verses
729
Ahadith
729
A Selection Of Ahadith From Kanzul Ummal.
732
Additional Ahadith From Mishkat.
736
ADVICES FROM THE QURAN AND HADITH
AS REGARDS CERTAIN SHORTCOMING OF WOMEN
737
Quranic Verses
737
Ahadith
738
SUPPLEMENT (A) TO BAHISHTI ZEWAR
741
The Noble Characteristics And Habits Of Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi
Wa Sallam.
741
SUPPLEMENT (B) TO BAHISHTI ZEWAR.
754
The Story Of Unuq
754
The Story Of Wa'ilah
755
The Wife Of Lut Alayhis Salam
756
The Story Of Saduf
756
The Story Of Arbil.
758
The Story Of Na ilah
759
The Story Of The Wife Of Bal' Am Ba'Ur
759
The Story Of The Women Who Killed Yahya Alayhis Salam
760
The Story Of Shamsun's Wife
761
The Story Of The Woman Who Accused Jurayj
761
A Merciless Woman From The Banu Israil
762
An Immoral Woman From The Previous Ummahs
763
A Deceitful Woman From The Banu Israil
764
The Story Of Umme Jamil
765
The Story Of The Women Who Were Killed On The
Day That Makkah Was Conquered
765
The Story Of Zaynab Bint Harith
766
The Story Of Labid's (A Jew) Daughters
766
The Story Of Salma Bint Malik.
767
The Story Of Qatamah.
767
The Story Of Ju'dah Bint Ash Ab
768
The Story Of Zulaykha
768
The Story Of A Woman Who Was Deluded By Qarun
769
The Story Of A Woman Who Admitted Her Sin
769
The Story Of A Woman who repented For Stealing
770
The Story Of Sajdah
771

15
Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
A Precautionary Note
771
Points To Remember
772
BAHISHTI ZEWAR - PART EIGHT - HEALTH MATTERS
780
Air
780
Food
781
Water
785
Work And Relaxation
786
Medical Treatment And Tawakkul
788
Factors To Be Taken Into Consideration When
789
SUPLEMENT TO BAHISHTIZEWAR
793
The Islamic Responsibility Of The Sick And Those
Tending To The Sick
793
Substances That Are Used For Medical Treatment
794
Inorganic Bodies.
796
Intoxicants
799
Plant Life
803
Animal Life
803
Miscellaneous Masa'il
811
Tabdeel-E-Maahiyat .
812
BAHISHTI ZEWAR - PART NINE.
INTRODUCTION
Matters Of Etiquette And Comfort
821
Matters Of Experience And Organization
832
Precautions With Regard To Children.
839
A Few Words Of Advice
841
The Importance Of Handicrafts
846
SUPPLEMENT (A) TO BAHISHTI ZEWAR
849
A Few Important Masa'il
849
A PRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF HAKIMUL UMMAH
MAULANA ASHRAF ALI THANWI RAHMATULLAHI ALAYH
GLOSSARY
859
821
821
A Few Shortcomings Of Women
827
Seeking Medical Treatment

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Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
After the vast array of Quranic and Hadith literature, Bahishti Zewar is
probably the most popular book in the Indo-Pak Subcontinent. Apart from
the comprehensive nature of the book, its popularity is largely due to its
simplicity in style and language.
Bahishti Zewar has already been translated into English in India and these
translations are quite easily available. However, the main draw-back for
English-speaking readers is that the English is of a very poor standard,
thereby making it difficult to understand and frustrating to read. An urgent
need was therefore felt for a completely new translation of the book.
Apart from a completely new translation, many useful and informative
footnotes have been added. A supplement to the Bahishti Zewar has also
been incorporated. The purpose of the supplement, as mentioned by the
author himself, is to create an urge and yearning for jannah, and a fear and
dread for jahannam.
Another distinguishing feature of this translation is that articles and chap-
ters that are in the Bahishti Gauhar (Part 11 of Bahishti Zewar) have been
incorporated into the relevant chapters of Bahishti Zewar. In this way, all
masa'il relating to a particular chapter will be found in one place, thereby
saving the reader from time-consuming turning of pages. Furthermore, all
chapters which are connected to Kitaabut Tahaarah have been included in
Part One of the book, e.g. the chapters on Haid, Istihaadah, Nifaas, etc.
which were originally in Part Two have now been included in Part One. In
this way, Part One of Bahishti Zewar comprises of all matters relating to
Kitaabut Tahaarah. The chapters have also been re-arranged to comply
with the arrangement and order that is generally found in the books of
Islamic jurisprudence.
There are certain matters and masa'il that do not really apply in the South
African context. However, these have also been translated so as not to leave
out anything from the original text. There is a glossary of Islamic terms at
the end of the book in order to facilitate an easy understanding of Islamic
terminology.
We pray to Allah Ta'ala that He accepts this humble effort of ours, and may
it be a means to our salvation. (Aameen)
M. Mahomedy
12 0November 1993.

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Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
TRUE STORIES
First Story
Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is reported to have said: "A person
was in a jungle when all of a sudden he heard a voice in a cloud saying:
"Go and water the orchard of so and so person." On hearing that voice, the
cloud moved and poured heavily on a stony place. All the water collected in
a drain and began to flow. This person began following the water and saw
that a man was standing in his orchard and was sprinkling water with a
spade. This person asked the gardener: "O servant of Allah! What is your
name?" He gave the same name which this person had heard in the cloud.
Thereafter, the gardener asked this person: "O servant of Allah! Why are
you asking me my name?" He replied: "I heard a voice in that cloud whose
water this is taking your name and asking it to pour water onto your
orchard. What do you do in it that it is so acceptable?" He replied: "Now
that you have asked, I will have to inform you. I look at its total produce
and from there I give one third to charity. Another third I keep for myself
and my family, and the last third I re-invest into this orchard."
Lesson: Glory be to Allah! How merciful He is that the person who obeys
Him has all his work done through unseen ways without him even knowing
about it. Without doubt, the person who becomes Allah's, Allah becomes
his.
Second Story
Once Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam related that there were three
men from the Banu Isra'eel. One of them was a leper, the other bald, and
the third blind. Allah Ta'ala wanted to test them, so He sent an angel to
them. The angel first went to the leper and asked him: "What would you
like best?" He replied: "I would like a nice complexion, a beautiful skin,
and that this sickness goes away from me whereby people do not allow me
to sit with them and which they hate." The angel passed his hand over the
body of that person. He was immediately cured and a nice skin and
beautiful complexion appeared. The angel then asked him: "What type of

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Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
wealth do you like the most?" He replied: "Camels." So he gave him a
pregnant camel and told him: "May Allah Ta'ala give you barakah in this."
The angel then went to the bald person and asked him: "What would you
like best?" He replied: "That my hair grows nicely and that this sickness
which people dislike goes away from me!" The angel passed his hand over
his head, he was immediately cured and beautiful hair began to grow. He
then asked him: "What type of wealth do you like the most?" He replied:
"Cows." So he gave him a pregnant cow and told him: "May Allah Ta'ala
give you barakah in this."
Eventually, the angel went to the blind person and asked him: "What would
you like most?" He replied: "That Allah gives me back my sight so that I
may be able to see everyone." The angel passed his hand over his eyes and
Allah gave him back his sight. He then asked him: "What type of wealth do
you like the most?" He replied: "Goats." So he was given a pregnant goat.
The animals of all three delivered their babies. In a short time, the jungle
was filled with his camels, his cows, and his goats.
Thereafter, under the orders of Allah Ta'ala, that angel went in his previous
form to the leper and said to him: "I am a poor person. All my provisions
for my journey are finished. Today I have no means of reaching home
except through Allah and then through your help. In the name of that Allah
who has blessed you with a nice skin and a beautiful complexion, I ask you
for a camel which I could ride and reach my home." He replied: "Get far
away from here! I have a lot of other commitments to fulfil. I do not have
anything to spare which I could give you." The angel said: "I think I
recognize you. Were you not a leper, for which people despised you? Were
you not very poor, and then Allah blessed you with so much of wealth?" He
replied: "What are you talking? I inherited this wealth from my ancestors."
The angel said: "If you are lying, may Allah return you as you were
before."
The angel then went to the bald person in his previous form and asked him
the same questions and he also replied in the same way. So the angel said to
him: "If you are lying, may Allah return you as you were before."
Eventually he went to the blind person in that same original form and said
to him: "I am a traveller and all my provisions are finished. Today I have no
means except Allah and then you. In the name of that Being who returned
to you your eye-sight, I ask you for a goat with which I could do my work
and complete my journey." He replied: "Without doubt, I was blind. It was

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Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
only out of His mercy that Allah Ta'ala gave me back my eye-sight. Take as
much as you want and leave behind as much as you want. By Allah, I will
not stop you from taking anything." The angel replied: "Keep your wealth
with you, I do not want anything. I had only come to test you three. Now
the test is over. Allah is pleased with you and displeased with the other
two."
Lesson: Just imagine, that because of the ungratefulness of those two, all
those bounties were taken away and they were left as they were before.
Allah became displeased with them and they are forsaken both in this world
and in the hereafter. Due to his gratefulness, that person's bounties
remained intact, Allah was pleased with him, and he is contented both in
this world and in the hereafter.
Third Story
Once some meat from somewhere came to Hadrat Umme Salamah
radiallahu anha. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam liked meat a lot. She
therefore asked her maid to keep the meat on the shelf. Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam will perhaps come and partake of it. So she kept
it on the shelf. Just then a beggar came, and while standing at the doorway,
shouted: " Give in the name of Allah, He will give you barakah!" A reply
from the house came: "May Allah also give you blessings!" These words
are used to show that there is nothing in the house which could be given.
That beggar went away. Just then Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
arrived and asked: "O Umme Salamah! Do you have anything to eat?" She
replied: "Yes" and said to the maid: "Go and get that meat." She goes to
bring the meat, but there's no sign of that meat over there. Only a piece of
white stone was kept there. Upon this Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam remarked that because she did not give it to the beggar, that piece of
meat turned into a stone.
Lesson: Just think, that due to not giving in the name of Allah, this
misfortune occurred that the form of the meat changed and turned into a
stone. In the same way, the person who deceives the beggar and yet eats
himself, is actually eating a stone. The result of this is that mercilessness
and hard-heartedness increases. Since Allah Ta'ala has a lot of kindness and
mercy on the family of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, He changed

20
Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
the form of the meat in front of their very eyes so that they may be saved
from partaking of it.
Fourth Story
It was the noble habit of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that after
the Fajr salaat he used to turn and face his companions and ask them: "Did
anyone of you see any dream last night?" If anyone saw a dream, he would
relate it to him and he would give some interpretation to it. As was his
habit, he once asked them if any one of them had seen any dream. They all
said that they had not seen any dream. He then said: "I saw a dream last
night that two people came to me, took hold of my hand and led me
towards a sacred place. I saw a man sitting and another standing with
pincers in his hand. He was tearing open the sitting man's cheek until it
reached his neck. He then did the same with the other cheek. In the
meantime, the first cheek came back to its normal position, so he did the
same to it again. I asked the angels: "What is this?" They replied: "Carry on
further."
We continued further until we passed by a person who was lying down and
another person was standing at his head-side with a heavy boulder in his
hand. He took the boulder and, with full force, he burst his head. Once the
boulder struck him, it fell and rolled away to a far distance. When he went
to pick up that boulder and by the time that he returned, this person's head
became normal again. So he burst it again. I asked them: "What is this?"
They replied: "Carry on further."
We carried on further until we reached a cave which was like an oven. It
was very wide at the bottom and very narrow on top. A fire was burning in
it and it was filled with many naked men and women. When the flames
rose, all of them rose with it until they were about to fall out. When the
flames subsided, they all also went down with it. I asked them: "What is
this?" They both replied: "Carry on further."
We proceeded further until we reached a river of blood. A person was
standing in the centre of the river, and on the bank another man was
standing with many boulders in front of him. The man in the centre walked
towards the bank and when he was about to come out, the person on the
bank threw a boulder on his face with such force that he returned to his
original place in the centre. When he tried to come out again, he threw a

21
Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
boulder at him and sent him back. I asked them: "What is this?" They
replied: "Carry on further."
We proceeded further until we reached a green and luscious garden. There
was a huge tree and under it an old man and many children were sitting.
Near the tree there was another man sitting. There was a fire burning in
front of him which he was blowing. Thereafter my two companions lifted
me up and took me on top of the tree. Within the tree, a beautiful house was
being constructed. They took me inside it; I had never seen such a beautiful
house. There were many old and young men and women, and many
children inside. After taking me outside, we went to an even higher place.
Over there was a house which was better than the first one. They took me
inside; there were also young and old people in it. I said to those two
persons: "You took me around throughout the night, now tell me about all
these mysteries."
One of them said: " The one whose cheeks you saw being torn apart is a
liar. He used to speak lies until they used to become famous everywhere.
They will continue doing this to him right until qiyaumah. As for the one
whose head you saw getting smashed, he was a person whom Allah had
given knowledge of the Quran. He was negligent of it at night and did not
practise on it during the day. He will be punished right until qiyaamah in
this way. As for those whom you saw in the cave of fire, they were all
adulterers. As for the one in the river of blood, he was a devourer of usury
(interest). The old man under the tree is Ibrahim alayhis salaam and all the
children around him are the infants of other people. The person blowing the
fire is the Guardian of Hell. The first house which you entered is for the
general Muslims. The second house is for the martyrs. I am Jibra'eel and
this is Mika'eel." He then said: "Lift your head." I lifted my head and saw a
white cloud above me. He said: "This is your house." I said: "Let me enter
my house." He replied: "Your life is not completed yet. There's still some
time left. If it was complete, you would have entered it now."
Lesson: It should be known that dreams of prophets are revelations. All
these incidents are true. Several things are learnt from this Hadith: (a) the
severe punishment for speaking lies, (b) the fate of an aalim who does not
practise on his knowledge, (c) the punishment for adultery, (d) the
punishment for devouring interest. May Allah Ta'ala protect all Muslims
from all these sins.

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Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
BELIEFS
Beliefs concerning Allah Ta'ala
1. In the beginning, the entire universe was non-existent. Through the
creation of Allah, it came into existence.
2. Allah Ta'ala is One. He is not dependent on anyone. He has not given
birth to anyone, nor was He begotten. He does not have any wife. There is
no one equal to Him.
3. He has been since eternity and will remain till eternity.
4. There is nothing similar to Him. He is unique.
5. He is alive. He has power over everything. There is nothing that is
beyond His knowledge. He sees and hears everything. He speaks, but His
speech is not like ours. He does whatever He wishes and there is no one to
stop or reprimand Him. He alone is worthy of being worshipped. He has no
partner. He is merciful to His servants. He is the lord. He is free of all
blemishes. He is the one who saves His servants from all calamities. He is
the possessor of honour and greatness. He is the creator of all things;
nothing has created Him. He is the forgiver of sins. He is all-powerful.
He gives in abundance. He is the one who gives sustenance. He decreases
the sustenance of whoever He wishes and increases the sustenance of
whoever He wishes. He humiliates whoever He wishes and elevates
whoever He wishes. He gives honour to whoever He wishes and disgraces
whoever He wishes. He is just. He is extremely tolerant and forbearing. He
values and rewards service and worship rendered to Him. He accepts duas
(supplications). He is all-encompassing. He is the ruler over everyone and
no one is a ruler over Him. No work of His is devoid of wisdom. He fulfils
the needs of everyone. He is the one who created everyone and He is the
one who will bring all back to life on the day of qiyaamah. He is the one
who gives life and He causes death.
Everyone knows Him through signs and attributes. No one can know the
essence of His being. He accepts the repentance of the sinners. He punishes
those who deserve punishment. He is the one who gives guidance.
Whatever happens in this universe occurs under His order. Without His
order, even an atom cannot move. He does not sleep nor does He slumber.
He does not get weary of protecting the entire universe. He is the one who
is keeping everything in control. He has all good and beautiful qualities.

23
Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
There is no bad or defective quality in Him, nor is there any blemish in
Him.
6. All His qualities are from eternity and will remain till eternity. No
quality of His can ever disappear.
7. He is free from the qualities of the creation. Wherever such qualities
have been mentioned in the Quran or Hadith, we leave the meanings of
them to Allah. He is the one who knows the reality of these things. We
believe in these things without delving into them and have the conviction
that whatever their meanings may be, they are correct. And this is the best
way of looking at these things". Alternatively, we could give them some
appropriate meaning with which we could get an understanding of them.
8. Whatever good or evil that takes place in the world, Allah Ta'ala knows
of it from eternity; and according to His knowledge He brings it into
existence. This is what is meant by taqdir (pre-destination). There is a lot of
mysterious wisdom in creating even evil things. Everyone is not aware of
this wisdom.
9. Allah Ta'ala has given man an understanding and the power of choice
with which he chooses between good and evil. However, man does not
have the power to bring anything into existence of his own accord. Allah
Ta'ala is pleased with good deeds and displeased with evil deeds.
10. Allah Ta'ala has not ordered man to do anything which is beyond his
power.
11. Allah Ta'ala is not bound by anything. Whatever mercy He shows is
solely out of His kindness and virtue.
Beliefs concerning the Prophets
1. Allah Ta'ala has sent down many prophets to guide mankind onto the
right path. They are all free from sins. Their actual number is known to
Allah alone. In order to establish their truthfulness, Allah caused new and
difficult acts to happen through them which others cannot do. Such acts are
called miracles (mu'jizaat).
For example reference to "the hand of Allah" is made in the Quran. It is best to leave the
meaning of this to Allah Ta'ala and to keep silent about it. If something is said, then some
appropriate meaning should be given, eg. "hand" over here refers to power. One should not regard
this meaning as the true or only meaning because this is based on conjecture. Instead, one should
regard this meaning as a possible explanation. Giving explanations to words of this sort is not the
work of everyone, but should be left to the learned scholars of Islam.

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Heavenly Ornaments (Behishti Zewar)
The first prophet is Aadam alayhis salaam and the last is Muhammad
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. All the others came in between these two.
Some of them are famous, such as: Nuh alayhis salaam, Ibrahim alayhis
salaam, Is'haaq alayhis salaam, Ismail alayhis salaam, Yaqub alayhis
salaam, Yusuf alayhis salaam, Daud alayhis salaam, Sulayman alayhis
salaam, Ayyub alayhis salaam, Musa alayhis salaam, Harun alayhis salaam,
Zakariyyah alayhis salaam, Yahya alayhis salaam, Isa alayhis salaam, Ilyas
alayhis salaam, al-Yasa' alayhis salaam, Yunus alayhis salaam, Lut alayhis
salaam, Idris alayhis salaam, Zul Kifl alayhis salaam, Salih alayhis salaam,
Hud alayhis salaam, and Shuayb alayhis salaam.
2. Allah Ta'ala did not show the exact number of prophets to anyone. We
should therefore have this belief that we have faith in all the prophets that
Allah sent down; those that we know of and those that we do not know of
as well.
3. The status of some prophets is higher than that of others. The highest
status is that of our Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. No
new prophet can come after him. He is the prophet of all mankind and jinn
right until the day of Qiyamat.
4. Allah Ta'ala took our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam physically
while he was awake, from Makkah to Baitul Maqdis, and from there to the
seven heavens, and from there to wherever Allah wanted. He then sent him
back to Makkah. This journey is known as the Mi'raj.
Beliefs concerning angels and jinn
After creating certain creatures from light, Allah Ta'ala concealed them
from our sight. These creatures are called angels. A lot of work has been
given to them. They never do anything contrary to the orders of Allah
Ta'ala. They continue doing whatever work they have been assigned to do.
Among them, four angels are very famous. They are: Hadrat Jibra'eel
alayhis salaam, Hadrat Mika'eel alayhis salaam, Hadrat Israfeel alayhis
salaam, and Hadrat Izra'eel alayhis salaam.
Allah Ta'ala created certain creatures from fire. We cannot see them as
well. They are called jinn. There are all types of jinn; both good and bad.
They also have children. The most famous among them is the accursed
Iblis, i.e. Shaytaan.

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Beliefs concerning the auliya (friends of Allah)
1. When a Muslim engages in an abundance of ibaadah, abstains from sins,
does not become attached to the world, and follows the Prophet sallallahu
alayhi wa sallam in every way, he becomes the friend and beloved of Allah
Ta'ala. Such a person is called a wali. At times, a wali does certain acts
which cannot be done by others. These acts are called karamaat (miracles,
or noble and excellent deeds).
2. No matter how high a stage a wali may reach, he will never be equal to a
prophet.
3. No matter how beloved to Allah a wali may become, as long as he is in
his senses, it will be incumbent upon him to follow the Shariah. Salaat,
fasting, and any other act of worship is not forgiven. Acts which are sinful
do not become permissible for him.
4. The person who acts contrary to the Shariah cannot be a friend of Allah.
If he does some miraculous act, then it is either magic or something enacted
through the influence of the soul or satan. These things should not be
believed in.
5. At times, a wali comes to know of certain mysterious things either in his
sleep or while awake. This is known as kashf or ilhaam (manifestations or
inspirations). If these things are in conformity with the Shariah, they are
acceptable, if not, they have to be rejected.
6. Allah and His Rasul sallallahu alayhi wa sallam have shown all the
matters pertaining to the Deen in the Quran and Hadith. To bring some new
thing into the Deen is not permitted. Such new things are known as bid'aat
(innovations). An innovation is a major sin.
Beliefs concerning heavenly books
Allah Ta'ala has sent down many small and large books through the angel
Jibra'eel alayhis salaam to the prophets so that they may teach the matters
of Deen to their respective communities. Among these books, four are very
famous: the Torah which was sent to Musa alayhis salaam, the Zabur
which was sent to Daud alayhis salaam, the Injil which was sent to Isa
alayhis salaam, and the Quran which was sent to our Prophet Muhammad
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The Quran is the last of the books. Now, no
new book will be sent from the heavens. The instructions of the Quran will

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remain valid right until the day of qiyaamah. Misguided people changed a
lot of things in the other books. But Allah Ta'ala has promised the
protection of the Quran. No one can change it in any way.
Beliefs concerning the Sahabah (Companions)
1. Those Muslims who have seen our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
and have died as Muslims, are known as Sahabah. Very great virtues have
been mentioned with regard to them. We have to love and think good of all
of them. If we hear of any dispute or conflict among them, we should
regard it as a misunderstanding or a miscalculation. We should not speak
any ill of them.
The greatest among them are four Companions: Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq
radiallahu anhu. He took the place of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
and supervised the matters of the Deen. He is therefore called the first
Khalifah. He is the best person in the entire ummat. After him comes
Hadrat Umar radiallahu anhu. He is the second Khalifah. After him is the
third Khalifah, Hadrat Uthman radiallahu anhu. After him is the fourth
Khalifah, Hadrat Ali radiallahu anhu.
2. The status of the Sahabah is so high that even the greatest of walis
cannot reach a stage equal to the lowest Sahabi.
3. All the children and wives of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam are
worthy of respect. Among his children, Hadrat Fatima radiallahu anha has
the highest status. Among his wives, Hadrat Khadija and Hadrat Aisha
radiallahu anhuma have the highest status.
General Beliefs
1. One's Imaan (faith) is only complete when one regards Allah and His
Rasul sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as true in everything and accepts
everything from them. To have a doubt regarding any aspect of Allah and
His Rasul sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, or to reject it, or to find faults with it,
or to mock at it will cause the Imaan to go away.
2. To reject the clear meanings of the Quran and Hadith, and to twist their
meanings by concocting one's own meaning amounts to disbelief.
3. By regarding a sin to be permissible, one's Imaan goes away.

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4. No matter how serious a sin may be, as long as it is regarded as a sin,
Imaan will remain. However, it (Imaan) does get weaker (diminish).
5. To be absolutely fearless of Allah Ta'ala, or to despair of His mercy
amounts to kufr.
6. To ask someone of unseen things (ghayb) and to have conviction in them
is kufr.
7. No one knows the unseen except Allah Ta'ala. However, certain things
are made known to prophets through revelations (wahi), to walis through
manifestations and inspirations (kashf and ilhaam), and to ordinary people
through signs.
8. To call a person a kafir by name or to curse him is a major sin. However,
we can say in general terms: Allah's curse be on the oppressors, or Allah's
curse be on the liars. If Allah and His Rasul sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
have cursed someone specifically by name, or informed us of them being
kafir; it will not be a sin for us to call them kafir or mal'un (accursed).
9. When a person dies and if he is buried, then after he is buried; and if he
is not buried, then in whatever state he may be in; two angels come to him.
One's name is Munkar and the other is Nakeer. They come and ask him:
"Who is your creator? What is your Deen?" and pointing to Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, "Who is this person?" If the deceased was a
strong believer, he will answer all the questions correctly. Thereafter there
will be all sorts of comforts for him. They will open a window towards
jannah from which a cool and fragrant breeze will continue blowing and he
will continue sleeping peacefully. As for the one who was not a believer, to
all the questions he will reply that he does not know anything. Thereafter,
he will be subjected to great hardships and punishment right until the day of
qiyaamah. Allah Ta'ala exempts some people from this test, but all these
things are known to the deceased only. We cannot see these things, just as a
sleeping person sees everything in his dream, while a person sitting next to
him remains totally unaware.
10. After death, the deceased is shown his abode every morning and
evening. A jannati (dweller of paradise) is given glad tidings by being
shown his abode in paradise, while a jahannami (dweller of hell) is shown
his abode in hell and thereby made more despondent and wretched.
11. By making dua for the deceased and giving in charity on his behalf,
rewards reach him and is very beneficial to him.

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12. All the signs of qiyaamah as foretold by Allah and His Rasul sallallahu
alayhi wa sallam will definitely occur. Imam Mahdi will appear and will
rule with absolute justice. The one-eyed Dajjal will appear and cause a lot
of corruption in the world. Hadrat Isa alayhis salaam will come down from
the heavens in order to kill him and will succeed in killing him. Yajuj and
Majuj is a very powerful nation. They will spread throughout the earth and
create a lot of disturbance. Then through the power of Allah they will be
destroyed. A strange animal will come out from the ground and converse
with people. The sun will rise from the west. The Quran will be raised and
within a few days all the Muslims will die and the world will be filled with
kuffar. Apart from this, many other incidents will take place.
13. When all the foretold signs are fulfilled, preparations for Qiyamat will
commence. Under instruction from Allah Ta'ala, Hadrat Israfeel alayhis
salaam will blow the trumpet. This trumpet will be in the shape of a very
large horn. On the blowing of the trumpet, the earth and skies will be blown
into smithereens. All the creatures will die, and those that have already
died, their souls will become unconscious. But those whom Allah wishes to
protect, will remain as they are. A specific period will pass in this condi-
tion.
14. When Allah wishes the entire universe to arise again, the trumpet will
be blown a second time. By the blowing of the trumpet, the entire universe
will be re-born. All the dead will be brought to life and they will all gather
in the field of resurrection. In apprehension of all the difficulties of
qiyaamah, they will all go to the prophets for intercession. Eventually, our
Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam will intercede. The scales will be raised
and all good and bad deeds will be weighed and accounted for. A few
people will enter paradise without reckoning. The pious people will be
given their book of deeds in their right hands while the sinners will be
given in their left hands. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam will make
his followers drink water from the Haud-e-Kauthar (the fountain of
abundance). The water of this fountain will be whiter than milk and sweeter
than honey. Everyone will also have to cross the Sirat. Those who were
pious, will cross it and enter paradise. Those who were sinners, will fall
down into hell.
15. Hell has already been created. It has snakes, scorpions and many other
types of punishments. Among the dwellers of hell, those that have even an
iota of Imaan will be taken out of hell and admitted into paradise after

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having been punished for their evil deeds, and after the intercession of the
prophets and pious servants of Allah. This is irrespective of how great
sinners they may have been. As for the disbelievers and polytheists
(mushrikeen) they will abide therein forever and will not even die.
16. Paradise has also been created. It has various types of comforts and
luxuries. The dwellers of paradise will have no sort of fear or concern
whatsoever. They will abide therein forever. They will not come out of it,
nor will they die.
17. Allah Ta'ala has the full right to punish over minor sins or to forgive
over major sins and not to punish at all.
18. Allah Ta'ala does not ever forgive kufr or shirk. Apart from this,
whatever other sins there may be, He will forgive whoever He wishes out
of His mercy.
19. Apart from all those whom Allah and His Rasul sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam have taken by name that they will enter paradise, we cannot say with
certainty in regard to anyone else that they will enter paradise. However,
after looking at good signs, it is necessary to be optimistic and hopeful of
His mercy.
20. The greatest bounty in paradise is seeing Allah Ta'ala. This will be
given to the dwellers of paradise. In comparison to this pleasure, all other
bounties will appear insignificant.
21. While awake, no one has seen Allah with his very eyes in this world,
nor can anyone see Him.
22. No matter how good or bad a person may have been throughout his life,
he will be recompensed according to the state in which he dies.
23. Whenever a person repents or accepts Islam, his repentance or Islam
will be accepted by Allah Ta'ala. However, at the time of death, when he is
breathing his last and he sees the angels of death, neither repentance nor his
accepting Islam will be acceptable.
INCORRECT BELIEFS AND ACTIONS
After this, it seems appropriate to mention a few incorrect beliefs, evil
customs, and major sins which are committed quite often and which cause a
shortcoming in one's Imaan. In mentioning these things, it is hoped that
people will guard themselves from them. Some of these are absolute kufr

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and shirk, some are very close to kufr and shirk, others are innovations and
delusions, while others are sins. It is therefore necessary to safeguard one's
self from all of them. After mentioning these things, a few worldly harms
of sinning and worldly benefits of good deeds will be mentioned. Since
people tend to give more attention to worldly gains and losses, it is hoped
that in this way there will be the desire to do good and abstain from evil.
Kufr and Shirk
This chapter deals with those aspects that have a special connection with
kufr and shirk either because these aspects necessitate kufr and shirk, or
because they are customs and habits of the kuffar and mushrikeen, or they
have traces of shirk, or because they lead to kufr and shirk.
The following are forbidden in the Shariah:
1. To like kufr, to appreciate the things of kufr, and to make someone else
commit an act of kufr.
2. To express regret or remorse at one's own Imaan due to some reason or
other, e.g. by thinking that if he were not a Muslim, he could have attained
such and such a thing.
3. To say the following things out of grief on the death of one's children or
close ones: "Allah wanted to kill him only", "he was the only person left in
the world for Allah to kill", "Allah should not have done this", "No one
perpetrates such brutality as You have done."
4. To think ill of or find fault with any order of Allah and His Rasul
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
5. To scorn at any prophet or angel, or to find fault with them.
6. To have the belief that a particular saint or pious person has full
knowledge of all our conditions at all times.
7. To ask about unknown matters or to cause events to be foretold from an
astrologer or person under the influence of a jinn, and then to believe in
what they say.
8. To take omens from the speech of a pious person and then to regard them
as true.
9. To implore someone from a great distance and to think that he must have
definitely come to know of it.
10. To regard someone as having the choice of benefitting or causing harm.

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11. To ask someone for the fulfilment of one's needs, sustenance and
children.
12. To fast in someone's name.
13. To prostrate to someone.
14. To release an animal in someone's name or to make an offering in
someone's name.
15. To make a pledge in the name of someone.
16. To make tawaaf around the grave or house of someone.
17. To give priority to other things or customs over the orders of Allah
Ta'ala.
18. To bow in front of someone or to stand motionless like a statue in front
of him.
19. To make an offering of a goat to a jinn, etc.
20. To sacrifice an animal in the name of someone.
21. To make an offering or sacrifice a goat, etc. in order to rid one's self of
a jinn, ghost, or evil spirit.
22. To worship the navel-cord of the child so that it may live.
23. To cry out to someone (other than Allah) for justice.
24. To respect and revere any place as one would do for the Ka'bah.
25. To pierce the ears or nose of a child and to make him wear an ear or
nose-ring in the name of someone.
26. To tie a coin on the arm, or a string around the neck in the name of
someone.
27. To make children wear garlands, wreaths, to keep locks of hair over
their heads, or to make them beggars.
28. To keep names such as Ali Bakhsh (given by Ali), Husayn Bakhsh
(given by Husayn), Abdun Nabi (slave of the prophet), etc.
29. To attach the name of a particular saint on an animal and to respect it
thereafter.
30. To believe that the affairs of the world are under the influence of the
stars.
31. To ask about auspicious and inauspicious days and dates and to take
omens from them.
32. To regard certain months and dates as unlucky.
33. To recite the name of a particular saint in the form of remembrance or
incantations.