Hazrat Maroof Karkhi (RA)
Hazrat
Maroof<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8283502903234555"
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His name is Asad al-Din , famously known as Abu Mahfuz and Ma’roof
al-Karkhi (RA). His father’s name was Feroz. [Safinat al-Awliyah]. He is the
ninth Imam and Shaykh of the Silsila Aaliyah Qadiriyah Barakatiyah Razaviyah
Nooriyah. He was born in Karkh.
He attained all his knowledge under the watchful eye of
Hadrat Imam Ali (RA). [Tadhkirat al-Awliya]
EARLY LIFE:
At first, he was a non-Muslim, but even as a child, he had
great love for Islam. He used to always spend his time in the company of Muslim
children, and often talked to his parents about accepting Islam. His father was
not pleased with this, and enrolled him to study under a Christian Priest. The
first question the priest asked him was,
"Tell me my son, how many people are there in your
family?" He said, "Myself, my father and my mother." The priest
then said, "Very well, now say Esa Alaihis Salam is the third god of three
(trinity)." Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) says, "Even during my time as
a non-Muslim my heart did not accept to say what he commanded me to. When I
refused to say this, he began to beat me severely. The more he beat me, the
more I rejected his teaching. He finally became weary of me and asked my father
to imprison me. I was thus locked in a room for three days and every day, I was
given one bread, which I did not even touch. When I was taken out, I ran away.
As I was the only child to my parents, they were very sad and they sent a
message to me saying that I should return to them and I would have the right to
accept whichever faith I wished, and that they too will accept the same faith.
I then went to Hadrat Ali Rida (RA) and accepted Islam at his hands. I then
went home with this most valuable gift of Islam, and al Humdulillah, my parents
also accepted Islam." [Tadhkirat al-Awliya, Page 221]
Khalifat
He became mureed of Hadrat Habeeb Raa’ee (RA) and was
blessed with Khalifat from Hadrat Habeeb Raa’ee (RA), Hadrat Ali Rida (RA) and
Hadrat Dawood Taa’ee (RA).
HIS TUTORS:
He studied under the care of Hadrat Ali Rida (RA) and also
attained education from Hadrat Imam al-Aa’zam Abu Hanifa (RA). He attained
spiritual training in the care of Hadrat Habeeb Raa’ee (RA).
HIS DISTINCTION:
He was a very pious personality and one of the most
distinguished Aarifs of his time. He also served many great personalities such
as Hadrat Dawood Taa’ee (RA), who also blessed him with Khilafat. He used to
call out the Adhan with true love, and when he would reach the words Ash hadu
An Laa Ilaaha illa-Allah, the hair on his body would stand up and his entire
beard would become stiff and he would begin to tremble to such an extent in the
fear of Allah, that it seemed as if he would fall to the ground.
He would spend lengthy nights in the Masjid making ibaadat,
Istighfaar and weeping in the Court of Allah. Hadrat Sirri al-Saqti (RA) say,
"Whatever I have attained, is through the Sadqa of Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA)."
Sayyidi Abdul Wahab (RA) says, "I have not seen anyone
who divorced himself from the world, like Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi Radi Allahu
Ta’ala Anho . His excellence is such, that even his blessed grave is a means of
attaining blessings." [Kashf al-Mahjoob]
HIS HABITS AND
CHARACTER:
He possessed deep love for the poor and the orphans. Hadrat
Sirri al-Saqti (RA) says, "I once saw Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) gathering
dates on the day of Eid, so I stopped and asked the reason for this. He said,
’That young boy is crying because all the other children have new clothes and
he has nothing new on Eid day. I thus, decided to collect some dates, sell them
and then buy something for him, so that he is kept busy playing and does not
feel uncomfortable on the day of Eid.’" Hadrat Sirri Saqti (RA) says,
"I said, Huzoor there is no need for you to do this, I will make sure he
gets something on Eid. I then took the boy with me and bought him a new set of
clothes. After I did this, a Noor (light) entered my heart, which caused me
great pleasure and my condition became very different." [Masaalik
as-Saalikeen, Vol. 1, Page 287]<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8283502903234555"
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ALWAYS IN WUDHU:
Once, his wudhu
broke, so he immediately made tayammum. Those who saw him do this said,
"Huzoor! The river Tigris is right in front of you. Why did you make
tayammum?" He said, "It is possible that I may pass away by the time
I reach the river Tigris"
HIS REFRAINING FROM
THE WORLD:
Once one of Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi’s (RA) friends asked him
the following, "What is it that has caused you to abstain from the world
and from the creation of Allah, and remain in seclusion, remembering Almighty
Allah? Is it the fear of Death and the grave, or the fear of Hell, or the
enthusiasm of attaining Jannat?" Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) said, "O My Friend! You discuss such
minor things. What are all these worth in front of the creator Almighty Allah?
All these are but humble subjects of Almighty Allah. Once you taste the
pleasure of his closeness, then you will not think of any of the other things
(you have mentioned)."
KARAMAAT:
Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) is also a Sahib-e-Karaamat Wali.
He has performed many charismatic wunderkinds, of which only a few are being
discussed.
·
Once there was a bandit who was captured by the
Governor and sentenced to being hanged. As per the command of the governor, the
bandit was hanged and died due to hanging. His body was still hanging from the
noose, when Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) passed by. When he saw this scene, he
was very troubled, and began to make dua for forgiveness of the deceased. He
said, "O Most Compassionate, Most Merciful! This person has attained his
punishment for his actions in this world. O Allah! If you forgive him and bless
him with respect in Deen, there it shall cause no shortage in Your Treasures of
forgiveness." Immediately an unseen voice was heard saying,
"Whomsoever prays the Janazah Salaah of the man on the noose, shall attain
an exalted status in the hereafter." This voice was heard by the people in
the entire town. On hearing this voice, people in town gathered quickly. They
removed him from the noose, and gave him proper ghusl and kaffan. Then with
much respect, they prayed his Janazah Salaah and buried him. That night a man
dreamt that it was the Day of Reckoning, and the man who was hanged, was
dressed in the best of clothing and was present in the ranks of the Namaazis.
He asked him, how he received such excellence and the man replied,
"Almighty Allah accepted the dua of Ma’roof Karkhi and pardoned me."
[Masaalik as-Saalikeen, Vol. 1, Page 288]
·
Hadrat’s uncle was the Governor of the city.
Once he was passing through the jungle, when he saw Hadrat Maroof Karkhi (RA) sitting
on the ground eating bread and there was a dog sitting not far away from him
also eating bread which he had thrown to it. His uncle saw this and said,
"Why are you having your bread so close to the dog?" On hearing this,
Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) looked up and saw a bird flying in the sky. He
commanded it to come and sit on his hand. The bird perched itself on his hand
but out of respect and modesty, it covered its face and eyes with its wings.
Hadrat said, "See, Everything is modest before a man who is modest before Allah."
·
Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) and some of his
disciples were passing by the River Tigris, when they saw a group of youth who
were engrossed in openly committing sin. On seeing this, some of Hadrat’s
disciples requested that he make dua for their destruction, so that they evil
habits do not pass over to others. Hadrat asked them all to lift their hands
and say Aameen to his duas. He then said, "O Allah! Like you have given
them the luxuries and freedom of this world, bless them with freedom and luxury
in the hereafter." Everyone was amazed at his dua. He then said, "Do
not be hasty. Wait a while and observe." The disciples saw that after a
while, the youth saw Hadrat Maroof Karkhi (RA) and immediately broke their
musical instruments and threw away their alcohol. They all began to weep and
came to Hadrat and repented sincerely at his hands. Hadrat then looked at his
disciples and said, "Did you see, that which I wished for was
fulfilled."
HIS KHULAFA:
Some of the names of His famous Khulafa are being quoted
below:
• Hadrat
Shaykh Sirri al-Saqti, • Hadrat Shah Muhammad, • Hadrat
Shah Qaasim Baghdadi,
• Hadrat
Uthman Maghribi, • Hadrat Hamza Khiramani, • Hadrat
Abu Nasr Abraar,
• Hadrat
Shah Musta’aani, • Hadrat Shah Abu Saeed, • Hadrat Abu Ibrahim Daloori,
• Hadrat
Abul Hassan Harooni, • Hadrat Shah Jaafar Khalidi, • Hadrat
Shah Muhammad Roomi,
• Hadrat
Shah Mansoor Aarif Abu Kaatib, • Hadrat Shah Abdul Haq Haqaaiq Agah
and
• Hadrat
Shah Ali Roodibaar (Ridwaanullahi Ta’ala Alaihim Ajma’een)
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LEFT THIS TEMPORARY REALM:
He passed away on a
Friday or Saturday, on the 2nd of Muharram, 200 Hijri. After his demise, Hadrat
Muhammad bin Abul Hussain (RA) says, that he saw Hadrat Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) in
his dream and he asked him how Almighty Allah had treated him. He said,
Almighty Allah pardoned me, not because of my piety but because of what I heard
from Hadrat Samaak (RA) in Kufa, when he said, ’He who leaves all ties and
turns towards Allah, then Allah Almighty Allah sends his Mercy towards him and
he turns all his servants in his direction.’ I followed this advice of his and
turned completely towards Allah, and with the exception of the Khidmat of
Hadrat Ali Rida (RA) I left everything else.
Hadrat Sirri al-Saqti (RA) says, "I dreamt that Hadrat
Ma’roof Karkhi (RA) was seated totally absorbed in the love of Allah, under the
Arsh and Almighty Allah said, 'O Angels! Who is this?’ the Angels said, O Allah
You are All Knowing. There is nothing hidden from You.' Almighty Allah said,
'This is Ma’roof Karkhi who is drowned in My love and closeness and until he
does not make my Deedar he will not regain his consciousness and neither will
he gain contentment without my Deedar.'"
His Mazaar Sharif is in Baghdad Sharif. Hadrat Sirri al-Saqti
(RA) says, "When you are faced with any difficulty, then say, "O
Allah! Assist me through the Sadqa of Ma’roof Karkhi (RA)." All your
problems shall be solved (inshaALLAH).
GEMS OF WISDOM:
Some of Hadrat’s words of great wisdom:
• There are
three signs of a true man
1.
to fulfill ones promise,
2.
to praise without a motive and
3.
to give without being asked to give.
• Even
though an Aarif does not keep the bounties, but he is always engulfed by it.
• Without
deeds to hope for paradise is a sin. Without the completion of your sunnah to
wish for intercession is a betrayal and boastfulness and without being
subservient to have expectations of mercy is ignorance and foolishness.
• Those
that are hungry for wealth will never attain complete satisfaction.
• To
elaborate on a topic that benefits nobody is signs and proofs of being astray.
• Just as
you find it distasteful to listen to bad, so too you should safeguard yourself
from singing praises.
• Whenever
the creator wishes well upon his servant he opens the doors of good deeds upon
him.
• Close
your eyes to everyone especially never ever look with ill intent towards
anybody.
• Love is
such a thing that cannot be shown or taught.
• When you
forsake this World, leave behind everything for if you have in your heart but
even an atom of what belongs to the World then even in prostration you should
not be able to forget it.
• Whatever
afflicts you from misfortunes and calamities its success is in its secrecy?
• Open
shirk is devotion to speech and hidden shirk is to rely on the creation.
Protect the tongue from self-praise, like you protect it
from sinning.
• He who is
not a faqeer, is not a man of tasawwuf.
• Close
your eyes from all angles even if there is something in front of you.
• Love is
not attained through education and training, but is bestowed by Allah.
• The
solution to hardships and difficulties is to keep it hidden.
• Humbleness
is when you meet anyone then regard that person as better than you, whether he
be big or small, an 'Alim or a Jahil (ignorant) or a Muslim or a Kafir.
• An
intelligent person is he who would do on the first day that which he would do
on the third day when he is struck by misfortune.
• It had
been asked, “What is the remedy for the troubles of the World?” It was said:
“Stay far away from the creation and be close to the creator.”
• It has
been said a dervish never is greedy for anything. If somebody gives without
asking them he never refuses. When he takes he never hoards or stores.
• A woman’s
mentor is her husband, in the search of truth although he himself is not a
seeker of the truth.
• If
anybody betrays or cheats me in the name of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala then I
will accept the betrayal.
• Even if
you see an innovator of religion fly in the air then too you should never
accept him.
• Even if a
pious person is found committing a sin then too it does not become lawful or
permissible.
• The
destruction caused by associating with the rich are beyond the boundaries of
writing, safeguard yourself! Safeguard yourself!!
• Knowledge
is male while action is its opposite i.e. female. Religion is obtained by doing
work in the World.
• The
person who does a good deed with the intention of rewards in the hereafter is a
merchant. The person who does a good deed because of the fear of hell is a
slave, just as a slave out of fear of a whipping continues to work. The person
who does a good deed for ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala alone is noble and free.
• To
associate with a sinner is to sanction his sins, and to sanction sins is
equivalent to committing it.
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• Worship
is useless without firm belief.
