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The Magnificence of at-Tahiyyat

Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani

14 June 2011 Jakarta, Indonesia

Suhbah after Fajr / Live at MNC TV

(Translated from Arabic)

We came to know each other, and that which comes to be is that we knew each other from the Day of “alastu rabbikum, am I not your Lord?” and we said, “yes verily!” and we knew each other from that Day, where the Prophet (s) said:

الأرواح جنود مجندة فما تعارف منها ائتلف و ما تناكر منها اختلف

al-arwaahu junoodan mujannadatan famaa t`aarafa minhaa a’talaf wa maa tabaaghada minhaa ’khtalaf.

Souls are like conscripted soldiers; those whom they recognize, they get along with, and those whom they do not recognize, they will not get along with. (Sahih Muslim)

And we are all knowing each other, one to the other, and this shows we were going along together on that Day, and for that reason we go along as one body, for the Prophet (s) said:

الا وان في الجسد مضغة اذا صلحت صلح الجسد كله، واذا فسدت فسد الجسد كله، الا وهي القلب‏.

alaa inna fi’l-jasadi mudghata idha saluhat salah al-jasad kullihi wa idhaa fusidat fasad al-jasad kullahu. alaa wa hiya al-qalb.

In the body there is a small piece of flesh; if that piece of flesh is rectified then the whole body will be rectified and if it becomes corrupt then the whole body will become corrupt, and truly that is the heart. (Bukhari and Muslim)

We are all united on love of the Prophet (s) the Chosen One and on love of his family and his noble lovers of which you are.

So we are Muslims from the Day of alastu bi-rabbikum. And for that reason therefore do not fear and do not be sad. Whoever was Muslim in the Presence of Allah,will be Muslim in every time and place. And these are secrets of that Day.

And the Prophet (s) said in his hadith:

كل مولود يولد على الفطرة فأبواه يهودانه أو ينصرانه أو يمجسانه

kulli mawloodin yulid `ala al-fitrah, fa abawaahu yuhawidaanihi aw yunasiraanhi aw yumajisaanihi.

Every child is born on purity and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian, or Zoroastrian.

Human beings are born on the natural disposition of Islam and the parents make them Jew or Christian or Zoroastrian. Alhamdulillah, since that day we are Muslim, we are from the totality of Muslims, as we said, “laa ilaaha illa-Llah,” and who says that will enter Paradise, so don't fear! Whoever says, “laa ilaaha illa-Llah Muhammadun Rasoolullah,” Jannat is waiting for him or her! And Paradise is in continuous love `ishk, towards those destined for her and we must thank Allah for that.

O Muslims! O Believers in Allah's Oneness! When did we say, “RabbunAllah.” Did we say it in dunya or did we say RabbunAllah in `Alam al-Mithal, the World of Archetypes? Whoever says it there, in the Presence of the Knowing King, it is there since that time and we have not left that Presence of Allah (swt)! We said, “laa ilaaha illa-Llah Muhammadun Rasoolullah!” and then we stood forth:

وَأَلَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاء غَدَقًا

wa alaw istiqaamoo `ala at-tareeqati la-asqaynaahum maa'an ghadaqaa.

Then that if they (who have heard Our call) keep firmly to the (right) path, We shall certainly shower them with blessings abundant. (Surat al-Jinn, 72:16)

Did we stand forth on that word here in dunya, or in the Presence of our Lord, the Most High? The true istiqama, standing forth, is in the Presence of Allah swt, the Divine Presence. There we knew the straight and correct path, and from there Allah directed us to His Path that He willed, that every Muslim man and woman travels and every unbeliever walks on. So that is great fortune for us who were granted to walk the Path of Truth. They will be driven on the Straight Path to Paradise without being asked anything, as they are always saying Rabbunallah, and they are always in the Presence of Allah, al-Haqq!

Allah (swt) said in Holy Qur’an:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

In the case of those who say, "Our Lord is Allah, and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): "Fear not!" (they suggest), "Nor grieve, but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss) which you were promised! (Fussilat, 41: 30)

Thus we were given good tidings of Paradise when we were in `Alam al-Arwah, the World of Souls, because we accepted Allah’s Oneness by saying laa ilaha ill ‘Llah in that Divine Presence and we accepted Sayyidina Muhammad (s) that he is the Seal of Messengers and that he is the Chosen One (al-Mustafa) `alahyhi ’s-salaatu wa ’s-salaam.

Do the angels descend on Mankind in this life only, or did they descend in the Day of alastu bi-rabbikum, the Day where souls were gathered like gathered soldiers? Some commentators of Qur’an say the angels descend to the believers' souls and praise Allah and glorify Him, at that grand spectacle, where they greet believers. without being cut, and the angels descend with tahlil and tahani an tabarruk

The at-Tahiyyat du`a that we recite in prayers, at-tahiyaati wal mubarakaatu lillahi wa-salawaatu wa’t-tayyibaatu means we are giving all good thing, and our greetings to Allah (swt) from the Station of Witnessing Allah's Oneness and the Prophet’s messengerhood. We are entering from that station of ashadu an la ilaha ill ‘Llah.

Al-mubarakaat, are blessings, because those greetings are blessed in the Divine Presence, as are the fard prayers we have prayed, the salawaat we sent on the Prophet (s), and any nawaafil prayers. It is (a testimony) from you that, “O our Lord! We are coming with it in Your Presence, so open for us the Doors of Paradise!” Then those doors will open (as on) with greetings on the Day of Promises (yawm alastu bi-rabbikum qaaloo balaa, the day when we witnessed “Yes You are our lord!” In every prayer these doors open another time, when we recite greetings to Allah (swt) and praise on the Prophet (s)!

Therefore it is required to recite at-Tahiyyaat in our in our prayers without at-Tahiyyaat the prayer is not accepted. At-Tahiyyaat is the introduction to enter into the Station of Witnessing. The real testification of Divine Unity. They say, in this time, like a mantra, “tawheed, tahweed, tawheed.” But are we really witnesses to Allah’s Divine Unity? Who is the true monotheist? Are we truly muwahhidoon, monotheists, with true certainty? Yes, on the Day of Promises, yawma alastu bi-rabbikum we were really witnesses to Allah’s Oneness.

But in dunya, for us that Testimony of Oneness has evaporated from our hearts except for the Prophet (s) that never left; instead, he is the Single True Witness Allah's Oneness is Sayyidina Muhammad (s), where Allah raised the Prophet (s) to the Station of Witnessing and, in both dunya and akhira. “He saw His Lord with the eyes of his head,” as confirmed by both Imam Nawawi (r) and the late Imam Sha`rawi (r). So Sayyidina Muhammad (s) is the only true witness of Allah’s Unity.

Therefore, at-Tahiyyat to confirm the station of witnessing, and in good conduct (adab) with our Lord, we greet Allahw ith at-Tahiyyaat and His angels, and then we give salams on the Prophet (s) , in order to indicate there is no possibility of entering the Station of Unity except by greeting the Prophet (s).

Therefore, at-Tahiyyat is to confirm the descent of the angels with good tidings, we say at-tahiyyaatu lillaahi wa ’s-salawaat w ’at-tayyibaat, but then we confirm that there is no possibility to accept the shahadah we make without first greeting the Prophet (s) as there is no way to enter that Station of Witnessing without first entering the presence of Sayyidina Muhammad (s), by reciting, “as-salaamu `alayk, ayyuha ’n-Nabi, peace be upon you, O Prophet,” testifying that he is present, looking at us and specifically witnessing we who are greeting him, as we pray by saying, “We greet you! We are coming, and turning to you, Sayyidina Muhammad (s), in the Station of Witnessing!”

At-Tahiyyat

At-tahiyyaatu lillaahi wa ’s-salawaat w ’at-tayyubat as-salaamu `alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyu wa rahmaatullahi wa barakatuhu, as-salaamu `alayna wa `ala `ibaadullahi ‘s-saaliheen!

Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illa-Llah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasooluh!

What is our situation when we say, “As-salaamu `alayk ayyuha ’n-Nabi,” we are addressing the Prophet (s) directly (according to the rules of Arabic) and the Prophet (s) is present and hearing. The ‘kaf’ in `alayk infers direct addressing to the Prophet (s), present and hearing, and even if we don't see him yet he sees us. That is our belief. If we are advanced in worship, we may see and hear him, but even if we don't see:

and who is blind in this life, then we will also be blind in the next life.

We ask Allah (swt) to not let us be blind in this life nor in the next!

And with our entrance into the presnce of Sayyidina Muhammad (s) and what is it that guidance for that person. What is the guidance that person will receive from the Prophet (s) who is giving salaam to the Prophet (s)? Yes, there is a special, personal guidance for that person when the angels who are continuously descending on the Prophet (s), whenever the name of the Prophet (s) is mentioned, especially in salaat. They take him from that place where he is praying in his presence, to the station of those who are continuously standing at that door, meaning the honored awliyaullah.

Allah (swt) said:

أَلا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاء اللّهِ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

Alaa inna awliyaullahi laa khawfan `alayhim wa laa hum yahzanoon.

Behold! Verily on the friends of God there is no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Surat al-Anbiya, 10:62)

It means nothing harms them. Those awliyaullah are given permission from Allah from Allah and from His Prophet. They don't fear or grieve, and they enter and say, “as-salaamu `alayna wa `ala `ibaadullahi ‘s-saaliheen!” When they give salaam to the Prophet (s) and he returns it, and when he returns our salaam, it is higher and more powerful; that is not salaam, but it is mercy! Because he is Rahmatan li ‘l-`Alameen, “the Gift of Mercy to the Worlds,” and he (s) is not just the prophet of human beings, but he is the Prophet of all Creations, from human beings and from other creations. And they know Sayyidina Muhammad (s) is their prophet, and Allah (swt) knows them but we don't know them.

Who recites at-Tahiyyaat takes the barakah from the holy presence of the Prophet (s). They then go the Door of the righteous servants in the presence of awliyaullah, where they are at the Station of Witnessing and there they take that barakah.

Ahlu ‘l-`Ilm, the People of Knowledge, and Ahlu ‘l-Haqiqat, the People of Realities, say the Station of Oneness is really two stations. One is Wahdaniyyah, “the Station of Oneness,” and every different Creation shows the Reality of Oneness of the Creator. Contemplating the mountains and stars is to be in the Station of Oneness.

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَاطِلاً سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Al-ladhina yadhkuroon Allaha qiyaaman wa qu`udaan wa `ala junoobihim wa yatafakkaroona fi khalqi ‘s-samawaati wa ‘l-ard. Rabbana ma khalaqta hadha baatilan subhaanaka faqina adhaab an-Nar.

Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) Creation in the Heavens and the Earth, (with the thought), "Our Lord! Not for naught have You created (all) this! Glory to You! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire.” (Ali Imran, 3:191)

“Subhaanak! Glory to You!” But what shows the Station of Witnessing Allah's Absolute Unity, where one does not see, as the Prophet (s) related:

وما يزال عبدي يتقرب إلي بالنوافل حتى أحبه فإذا أحببته كنت سمعه الذي يسمع به وبصره الذي يبصر به ويده التي يبطش بها ورجله التي يمشي بها

Ma zaala `abdee yataqaraboo ilayya bin-nawaafil hatta uhibah. Fa idha ahbaabtahu kuntu sama`ulladhee yasma`u bihi wa basarahulladhee yubsiru bihi, wa yadahulladhee yubtishu bihi wa lisanahulladhee yatakallama bih.

My servant does not cease to approach Me through voluntary worship until I will love him. When I love him, I will become the ears with which he hears, the eyes with which he sees, the hand with which he acts, and the tongue with which he speaks. (Hadith Qudsee)

That believer will see and hear and feel and taste and move in a way that normal people do not. That is the station that Sayyidina Bilal (r) entered when he was tortured by the unbelievers, when he said, Ahad, Ahad, “You are One! You are One!” He did not see anything but Allah's Reality and Divine Presence, and he did not feel their torture. From the Station of Greeting Allah and greeting the Prophet (s), and sending salaat and salaam on him, and then to the station of awliyaullah, all that is from the Station of Witnessing.

Furthermore, if we don't actually see or sense the presence of Allah (swt) it is not real shahaadah: we must sense the presence of Allah (swt) and say, “You are Our Lord and the Prophet (s) is our Prophet whom You sent, Rahmatan li ‘l-`Alameen, a Mercy to all the Worlds.” That is real shahaadah; otherwise is it imitational salaam and shahaadah. So we are in the “Station of Imitation,” and we follow what is our duty, as Allah (swt) said:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

qul 'in kuntum tuhibboona Allaha fa `attabi`oonee yuhbibkumu Allahu wa yaghfir lakum dhunoobakum wa Allahu Ghafooru 'r-Raheem.

Say (O Muhammad), "If you (really) love Allah, then follow me! Allah will love you and forgive your sins, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ('Ali Imraan, 3:31)

“If you seek to love Allah then follow Me.” The Prophet (s) is the one who conducts us to the Presence of our Lord! Don't think the Prophet (s) is doing nothing in his grave!

عن أمتي السلام قال : وقال رسول الله (ص) حياتي خير لكم تحدثون وتحدث لكم ووفاتى خير لكم تعرض على أعمالكم ، فما رأيت من خير حمدت الله عليه وما رأيت من شر إستغفرت الله لكم ، رواه البزار ورجاله رجال الصحيح.

hayaatee khayrun lakum tuhadiththoon wa tuhadditha lakum wa wafaatee khayrun lakum, tu`radu `alayya aa`maalakum famaa raa’ita min khayrin hamadtallah wa maa raa’ita min sharrin astaghfarta lakum.

The Prophet (s) said, “The deeds of the ummah are displayed to me (in the grave) and if I see good I thank Allah, and if I see other than that I ask forgiveness on your behalf.”

In fact, he is asking for forgiveness for the ummah and Allah ordered us to come to the Prophet (s) and seek istighfaar of Allah in Prophet’s presence! So that shahaadah in the presence of Sayyidina Muhammad (s) is as the poet Imam al-Busayri (r) wrote, “We send our souls to greet the Prophet (s) and that is the true Station of Witnessing.” And that enters the five rukn of Islam: shahaadah, salaat, sawm, zakaat, and hajj.

Host: No one can reach what he has said as that is from the words of awliyaullah and the level they reached is coming from the presence of the Prophet (s), and he is taking from that station. It might be someone will speak with words that cannot be counted, and it is not from his own power or intelligence, but from the blessings pouring down on him.

May Allah make us able to derive the blessings from these words, and able to receive from the Prophet’s (s) presence, as he is in Mi`raaj, and as mentioned by Mawlana Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani that Prophet (s) is always in a new Mi`raaj, always ascending higher and higher. We hope to be in the presence of those awliyaullah that can take us on that Mi`raaj behind the Prophet (s), and that Allah (swt) helps us against our selves, about which the Prophet (s) said, “We came from the smaller jihad of military battle and returned to the bigger jihad against the ego.” That fight against the enemy is one or two hours long, but the jihad against the ego, love of dunya and desires is incessant and does not stop.

We say, “Bismillah wa ‘l-hamdulillah and (du`a). We send our greetings to our beloved Prophet (s), as-salaat was-salaam `alayk, yaa Sayyidee, yaa Rasoolullah! You are present in our hearts and in our minds, and if you were to leave us for an hour we would be finished!

(Du`a)

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