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An Account of Hudur Taajush Shari'ah's

2nd Blessed Journey to Syria
[29th April - 3rd May 2009]

Originally written in Urdu by: Maulana Muhammad Ijlal Tayyib Akhtar al-Qadiri
Translated into English with additional notes by: A Humble servant of Sayyidi Taajush Shari'ah, Mawlana Muhammad Kalim al-Qadiri, Bolton - UK

[This was published in a book in South Africa]

After completing Umrah and Ziyarah of the Blessed Rawda of the Beloved Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alayhi waSallam, Hadrat Taajush Shariah, Rahbar-e-Tareeqat, Qadi'l Qudat, Hadrat Allama Maulana Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan al-Qadiri al-Azhari (May Allah Most High preserve him) once again blessed al-Sham (Syria) with his five-day spiritual, propagational and scholarly journey.

This was Hadrat's second journey to Syria; the first journey being last year when Hadrat spent 4 days in total from the 22nd-26th August 2008.

Wednesday 29th April 2009

At 10.45am, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah arrived at Damascus International Airport in Syria. He was welcomed by representatives of the airport and given a VIP status. Shaykh 'Umaral-'Iraqi (Former Lecturer at Jamiat-ur-Raza University in Bareilly Shareef), Maulana Amir Akhlaaq Siddiqi, Sayyid 'Amir Ali Shah and Maulana Ijlal Tayyib Akhtar al-Qadiri were amongst those present at the airport to welcome Hudur Taajush Shari'ah.

After the Asr Salaah, numerous students from India and Pakistan studying in Damascus presented themselves to seek blessings from the Legend of this Age - Hudur Taajush Shari'ah. After spending valuable time in his holy presence, the students were blessed with having the opportunity of performing Maghrib Salaah behind Hudur Taajush Shari'ah. Thereafter, the students respectfully met with him, and were blessed with the opportunity to kiss his holy hands and departed to their respective residences.

Hudur Taajush Shari'ah then received an invitation from one of the greatest scholars of al-Sham, Shaykh 'Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabi who is approximately one hundred years old. He is regarded as one of the most knowledgeable scholars not only in Damascus but the whole of Syria and has been given the title “al-Imam al-A'zam at-Thaani” [The Imam Abu Hanifa of his age] by the learned scholars of Syria. Shaykh Wa'il al-Bazm, the son of Shaykh 'Abd al-Fattah al-Bazm - the Grand Mufti of Damascus (who last year journeyed from Syria to Bareilly Sharif for the annual Urs of A'la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan upon an invitation by Hudur Taajush Shari'ah), arrived to escort Hudur Taajush Shari'ah to Shaykh 'Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabi.

On this occasion, Shaykh 'Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh 'Abd al-Fattah al-Bazm and numerous other learned scholars and Masha'ikh honoured Hadrat with a grand welcome. The Mufti of Damascus gave an introduction to Hudur Taajush Shari'ah. Mufti-e-Dimashq (The Mufti of Damascus) Shaykh 'Abd al-Fattah al-Bazm said “When Hudur Taajush Shari'ah and Shaykh 'Abdal-Razzaq al-Halabi embraced each other it seemed as if two souls were meeting [embracing] and as if they had a very old acquaintance with one another”, whereas this was the first time they both had met. This gathering of knowledge and wisdom continued till late into the night.

Thursday 30th April 2009

At approximately 11 a.m., Hudur Taajush Shari'ah left for the city of Homs in Syria. On arriving there, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah first visited the Qadi'l Qudat of Homs, Shaykh Sa'id al-Kaheel. He welcomed Hudur Taajush Shari'ah with great splendour and honour. He embraced and kissed the blessed hands of Hudur Taajush Shari'ah.

During their meeting, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah gifted him a copy of the book "al-Amnu wa'l-'Ula li-Na'iti'l Mustafa bi-Da'fi'il Bala'" written by A'la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan RadiAllahu 'anhu [and translated by Sayyidi Taajush Shari'ah into Arabic], and also presented him with the book "Qawari'ul Qahharfi Raddi Mujassimatil Kuffar" [Originally written by A'la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan RadiAllahu 'anhu and translated into Arabic by Hudur Taajush Shari'ah including Hadrat's additional footnotes and commentary to the original work]. Hadrat introduced both the books to him and explained the research behind them and other matters related to these books.

He also bestowed books authored by himself - "Sadr al-Mashari'" and "As-Sahabatu Nujumul Ihtida'" to Shaykh Sa'idal-Kahil, together with a compilation of his own Arabic Qasidas. In response to receiving these gifts from Hudur Taajush Shari'ah, Shaykh Sa'id requested Hudur Taajush Shari'ah to make Du'a for him and gave Hudur Taajush Shari'ah a few books written by himself. Hudur Taajush Shari'ah granted the Shaykh the Ijazah (Permission) of Hadith-narration and also invited him to visit Bareilly Sharif.

After this, in the companionship of Shaikh Sa'id, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah presented himself at the distinguished Jami'a Masjid (Grand Mosque) of Homs known as "Jami'a Sayyidina Khalid Ibn al-Walid" where Shaykh Sa'id is the Imam and Khatib.

Hudur Taajush Shari'ah performed the ziyarah of the blessed mazaar of Sayfullah Hadrat Khalid Ibn al-Walid RadiAllahu 'anhu, situated inside the Masjid. At the Masjid, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah led the Zohr Salaah. During this occasion a large number of people were blessed to meet with Hudur Taajush Shari'ah and kiss his holy hands.

After this, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah went to 'Maqbarat al-Qadeef', one of the most famous cemeteries of Homs. It is well known that there are approximately 800 Sahaba-e-Kiraam resting in this holy cemetery.

Whilst at the cemetery, a pious personality from the Naqshbandiyya spiritual order came to meet Hudur Taajush Shari'ah. He spoke of how the excellence of the cemetery has been mentioned in the Hadith Sharif, and explained that it stated in the Hadith Sharif that seventy thousand of those resting in this cemetery will enter Paradise (Jannah) without any reckoning (and Allah knows best).

Thus ended this visit to Homs full of spiritual enhancement and dissemination of sacred knowledge and from here, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah returned to the city of Damascus.

After the Maghrib Salaah, numerous people arrived to visit Hadrat at his residence, and he blessed all of them with the opportunity to meet him. After the Isha Salaah, he went to 'Jami'at-ut-Tawbah' where he was invited to participate in the 'Majlis al-Wafa'. This gathering takes place at the Jami'ah on the first Thursday of every Islamic month. The Imam and Khatib of this Jami'ah is Shaykh Hishamal-Burhani, who was also Hudur Taajush Shari'ah's fellow student when studying in al-Jami'ahal-Azhar in Egypt [1963-66]. He gave Hadrat a splendid welcome and honoured Hadrat by asking him to sit on the pulpit (mimbar) there. Shaykh Hisham then presented books as gifts to the students who had qualified in Qirát-e-Hafs and Sab'a 'Ashara (17 canons of recitation) through the blessed hands of Hudur Taajush Shari'ah. Hudur Taajush Shari'ah also rendered his Arabic Qasidah in that gathering.

During this occasion many people were blessed with the good fortune of meeting with Hudur Taajush Shari'ah.

Friday 1st May 2009

In the morning, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah left to perform Ziyaarah of hallowed places. He first visited Bab as-Saghir, which is the holy cemetery of Damascus. It has been mentioned that numerous Sahaba-e-Kiraam and members of the Ahl al-Bayt are resting here. Amongst them are the mazaars of Hadrat Bilal al-Habashi, Ummul Mu'minin Sayyidah Hafsa, Ummul Mu'minin Sayyidah Umm-e-Salma, Hadrat Abdullah bin Jaafar Tay'yaar, Hadrat 'Abdullah ibn Umm-e-Maktum, Hadrat Amir-e-Mu'awiyah RadiAllahu 'anhum Ajma'in and many other great personalities rest at this holy place [the authenticity of some of the great personalities resting in this cemetery is subject to research and Allah the Most Exalted knows best].
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Afterwards, he went to 'Jami'a Umawi' The Grand Umayyad Mosque. This is regarded as one of the oldest mosques in the world. Here is the holy mazaar of Hadrat Yahya bin Zakariyyah (alaihimas Salaatu was Salaam). Hadrat entered the Masjid and then offered two rakaats of Nafl Salaah before presenting himself at the Mazaar Sharif.

Hadrat then went to Mount Qasyun to perform the ziyarah of the blessed Mazar Sharif of Sultan al-Mukashifin Hadrat Shaykh Muhyid'Deen ibn al-'Arabi (RadiAllahu 'anhu).

After the Maghrib Salaah, Hadrat hosted an invitation for the Ulama of Damascus. The gathering commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an, followed by the recitation of poems in praise of the Chosen one - al-Mustafa SallAllahu 'alayhiwa Sallam. Numerous 'Ulama and Masha'ikh were present in this mehfil; amongst them were:

1. Shaykh'Abd al-Hadial-Kharsa
2. Shaykh'Abd al-Fattah al-Bazm
3. Shaykh'Abd al-Jalilal-'Ata
4. Shaykh Nidal Aali Dalshi
5. Shaykh'Abd al-QadirTahir
6. Shaykh'Abd at-Tawwabar-Rozaan
7. Shaykh 'Ala ad-Deen Haa'ik
8. Shaykh Muhammad KhairTarshaan
9. Shaykh Isma'il Zabi
10. Dr' Abdar-Razzaq Ayman Shiwa

During this gathering, Shaykh 'Ala ad-Deen Haa'ik and Shaykh Muhammad Khayr Tarshaan, (both of whom visited Bareilly Shareef in 2008 on the occasion of Urs-e-Razvi, on the invitation of Hudur Taajush Shari'ah) introduced Hudur Taajush Shari'ah and explained Hadrat's services in the field of the sacred knowledge and spiritualism in India.

Shaykh Fatih al-Kattani also came to meet Hadrat during this mehfil. Shaykh Fatih al-Kattani is a Sayyid and is approximately one hundred years old. Regarding Shaykh Fatih al-Kattani, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah said, “I should have been the one to have gone to make his Ziyarah”.

The Grand Mufti of Damascus Shaykh 'Abd al-Fattah al-Bazm, Shaykh Isma'il Zabi and Shaykh Nidal 'Aali Dalshi delivered lectures during this gathering. During his lecture, the Mufti of Damascus said, “By Hudur Taajush Shari'ah coming here, our Syria has become bright and radiant [once again]”.

Whilst explaining his visit to Bareilly Sharif, he further said, “When I saw the manner in which those who love him display their love for him [Hudur Taajush Shari'ah], then my memory of the love that the Sahaba possessed [for the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alayhi waSallam] became refreshed so much so, that my Imaan says that this is how we should respect our Ustaads (Islamic teachers) and our Masha'ikh (Grand Spiritual Masters).”

The mehfil ended with Hudur Taajush Shari'ah rendering the Salaam in Arabic, followed by Du'a by him. His books were then presented to the Ulama that were present.

Saturday 2nd May 2009

At approximately 11 a.m., a delegation of Ulama from Deruz Zawr (a city of Damascus that is located close to the Iraqi border) arrived to meet with Hadrat. After this the Shaykh, who is also the Chief-editor of the Damascus based Ma'had ad-Duwalili-Ta'limil Lughatil 'Arabiyyah wash-Shari'ah, also came to meet Hudur Taajush Shari'ah. Numerous religious and scholarly issues were discussed during this meeting.

At 4.30 p.m. the son of the Mufti of Damascus, Shaykh Wa'il al-Bazm, arrived to escort Hudur Taajush Shari'ah to a meeting with Shaykh Ramadan Sa'id al-Buti (regarded as a great Imam in the gatherings of sacred knowledge in Syria). Also during this meeting, many religious issues were discussed and Shaykh Ramadan Sa'id al-Buti was very pleased to have met with Hudur Taajush Shari'ah. Both blessed personalities exchanged books written by one another.

After returning to where he was residing, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah met individually with students that were waiting in much anticipation to greet him and attain his blessings and Dua's. Those students who wished to take Bay'at (the oath of allegiance) at the hands of Hudur Taajush Shari'ah were blessed with this as well and they then performed their Isha Salaah behind his eminence.

After the Isha Salaah, Shaykh 'Ala ad-Deen Haa'ik escorted Hadrat to his home for dinner. The Mufti of Damascus was also present at this invitation. After dinner, Hudur Taajush Shari'ah went to meet with Shaykh Abu'l Huda al-Ya'qubi at his home. Shaykh Abu'l Huda al-Ya'qubi is a Hasani Sayyid and a very learned scholar of Syria, who holds gatherings to issue ijazah of Hadith-narration and also gives ijazat in the famous collections of Ahadith such as the Siha-Sittah etc. after listening to those requesting. Here too, many religious issues were discussed and they also exchanged books with one another.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ya'qubi presented to Hadrat a frame which had an Arabic Qasidah in it.

As Hadrat was about to leave, Shaykh Abu'l Huda al-Ya'qubi requested Hadrat to make Du'a for him and his family. Hadrat blessed him with his Dua's and recited some holy verses and thence blew on water which was then presented Shaykh al-Ya'qubi.

Sunday 3rd May 2009

At approximately 12 p.m., Shaykh Abul-Khayr as-Shanaar arrived. He presented his knowledgeable views regarding Hadrat's books and also presented his own books to Hadrat. After this, numerous students arrived and met Hadrat and sought blessings from him. They also requested his autograph, which he gave and also blessed them with his words of advice. Also on this occasion, many students took Bay'at at his hands whilst others refreshed their Bay'at or became Taalib.

This trip of much blessings, spiritual upliftment ended when Hudur Taajush Shari'ah, the Majma' al-Bahrayn [Merging of the Two Oceans of Shari'ah and Tariqah], the Legend of this Age, Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan departed at approximately 3 'clock in the afternoon to the airport for another spiritual and scholarly journey to enlighten and bless Egypt and its inhabitants.