CHAADAR AND SUNDAL PROCESSION
Chaadar and Sundal
procession is a public event designed to show ones love and, respect to
the soul of the Wali. In this event homage is paid to the Wali upon his
success in the hereafter. Trays laiden with Ghilaafs, Flowers, Itr etc.
which are prepared by the mureedeen are carried on the heads to the
Mazaar of the W ali as a sign of utmost respect to him. This by no means
constitutes worship in any way. During this procession, Durood Shareef
devotional poetry in praise of Allah, His Rasool and the Aulia are
recited.
PLACING OF CHADAR, FLOWERS AND ITR ON THE GRAVE
The graves of the
Aulia- Allah are from amongst the signs of Allah, and showing reverence
and respect to the signs of Allah is an order from the Quran. It is also
stated that the heart of a believer is the throne of Allah, therefore in
showing respect to them, to place chadar, flowers etc. are permissible.
The placing of flowers on a grave whether it be a grave of a W ali or
not, is permissible because this is an act of the Holy Prophet. It is
reported that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wassallam) once passed
by two graves upon which punishment was being served to its inmates. The
Holy Prophet (Salallahu alaihi wasallam) broke a branch in two pieces
and placed them on either grave and he stated that as long as these
branches remain fresh, the punishment will be decreased in the graves
due to the Tasbeeh of the branches. Since there is no punishment in the
grave of a Wali, the Tasbeeh of the flowers help increase his status
further and increases the mercy of Allah upon the soul of the Wali.
Chadar is placed upon the grave of a Wali to make it distinct from the
grave of the ordinary people. It shows a person that here lies a friend
of Allah where the mercies of Allah are constantly flowing. The placing
of Chadar on the graves of the commonfolk is not permitted.
After the demise of
the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wassalam) a Sahabiya came to Sayyida
Ayesha Siddiqa (Radi allahu anhaa) and requested her to show the grave
of the Holy Prophet (Sallallah alaihi wasallam). Sayyida Ayesha Siddiqa
(Radi Allahu anha then raised a sheet of fabric from the grave of the
Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wassalam). The Sahabiya became very
emotional, wept and finally collapsed and passed away (Baihaqi Shareef).
The Kaaba is covered with Ghilaaf to show honour and respect towards it
and to make it distinct from other places of worship. This practice was
conducted during the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi
wasallam) and he did not forbid it. In Tafseer Roohul Bayaan it is
stated that to place Chadar on the grave of the Aulia and Pious is
permissible so that the public may respect those graves and not think it
to be of no value.
Attar or Perfume is
sprinkled on the grave of the pious. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi
wasallam) loved perfume. Attar represent the sweet state that the Wali
is in. The sprinkling of attar is for our benefit. Since the precincts
of a Wali is highly spiritualised, Itr is sprinkled so that it helps us
purify our thoughts and usher us into a state of serenity and calmness.
THE LISTENING
OF SAMA (OAWALLI)
The listening of Sama
is among the practices of the Chistia Order. Hazrat Khwaja Jalaluddeen
Thanseri Chisti Sabiri (Radi Allahu anhu) states in the Maqtoobat that
his Murshid Qutbe Alam Hazrat Khwaja Abdul Qudoos Gangohi Chisti Sabiri
(Radi Allahu anhu) stated "To celebrate the Urs of the Saints and the
practice of Sama, in accordance with the traditions of the Saints
should be maintained". It is also stated that the Murshid of Hazrat
Khwaja Abu Ishaq Chisti (Radi Allahu anhu), the Grand Master of the
Chistia Order, Hazrat Khwaja Mamshad Ali Dinwar (Radi Allahu anhu) used
to celebrate the Urs of his Murshid and on that day he used to listen to
Sama. The people asked him as to what was the secret of him listening to
Sama on the day of Urs. Hazrat Khwaja Mamshad Ali Dinwar (Radi Allahu
anhu) replied, “Our Mashaaikh listened to Sama and today is the day of
Urs. Today is my Murshid’s day of meeting with his beloved. Death is a
bridge that unites the lover with the beloved. In rejoycement of my
Murshids meeting, I listen to Sama and just as he has become united with
his loved one, there is a possibility that by my Murshids blessings and
through listening to Sama on this happy occasion, I may get a glimpse of
that beloved."
THE
DISTRIBUTION OF LANGAR (FOOD)
Our Pir-O-Murshid, Sajjada Nasheen Hazrat
Sayed Muhammad Shah Chisti Sabiree
distributing langar at the Urs of Hazrat Sayed Muhammad Khalid Shah
Chisti Sabiree
(Radi Allahu Anhu)
The distribution of
food is a virtuous act. This is done with the sole intention of sending
the sawaab (rewards) to the soul of the Wali. Hazrat Hajee Imdaadullah
Muhajir Makki Chisti Sabiree (Radi Allahu anhu) in his Faisala Haft
Masala has stated “It is the practice of this Faqeer as regards to this
issue that annually I celebrate the Urs of my Murshid Hazrat Noor
Mohammed Chisti Sabiree (Radi Allahu anhu). Quraan is recited and time
permitting Moulood is recited, food is served and the reward forwarded
to the departed soul.”
Hazrat Sayed Shah
Sharfuddeen Ahmed Yahya Muneeri (Radi Allahu anhu) has written in Fathul
Ma'ani that there was a difference of opinion after the demise of the
Holv Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wassallaam) as to which companion should
be made Khalifa and in what way and where the Holy Prophet’s' grave
should be made. Accordingly, it was decided after a great deal of
discussion. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radi Alllahu Anhu) prepared a great
deal of food on the 12th day and on reading fateha he entertained the
people of Madina with it. He had so much of food prepared that it was
enough for the people of Madina Munnawara. People began to enquire,
"What is today?” Those who knew replied "Today is the Urs of the
Messenger of Allah, Today is the Urs of the Messenger of Allah"
From the above
explanations it can clearly be gathered that Urs is an Islamic and
recommended act as it was celebrated by the great Aulia themselves.
Muslims must remember that to worship a thing is one act, and to respect
and honour a thing is just another. Shirk (polytheism) is concerned with
beliefs and we do not ever regard the person in the grave (whether he be
a prophet or a wali) to be equal or a partner with Allah. We love,
respect and honour them as being the close friends of Allah. Visiting
their graves and using them as intercessors in the court of Allah can
never be called grave worship or Shirk.
|
