The knower of God [1] is the one who, when he speaks, it is from God; when he is silent…

The knower of God [1] is the one who, when he speaks, it is from God; when he is silent, it is with God; when he is alone, it is with God; and when he is among people, it is with God. He is the one who sees God with his heart, and his heart is the throne of the All-Merciful [2]. He is the one who has annihilated his ego [3] and subsists through his Lord [4]. He is the one who has passed away from his own attributes and lives through the attributes of his Lord. He is the one who has become a pure vessel for the divine manifestation [5].

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. And may Allah bless our master and lord Muhammad, his family, and his companions, and grant them abundant peace. Its author, may Allah deal with him with His pardon and generosity and place him in His fortified fortress and the precinct of His sanctuary, said: When I had finished mentioning the prayer of the Prophetic piece, our lady Fatima al-Zahra ¹, which some of the knowers ² heard her praying upon her father, who is distinguished by complete care and the great intercession, and I appended to it prayers of exquisite structure and elegant meanings, and explained therein the meaning of his noble soul being the mihrab ³ of spirits, angels, and the cosmos, and his being the imam of the prophets and messengers, and the imam of the people of Paradise, the believing servants of Allah, and I concluded all of that with what increases joy and expansion in the heart of the believing lover, and clarifies and elucidates the meanings of its expressions most clearly—a brother of truthful speech and word, and praiseworthy conduct and action, informed me, saying: I heard a spiritual soul, while I was between wakefulness and sleep, praying with a prayer upon the imam of the prophets and the master of the noble messengers, which you should adorn the jewels of your book with, and make the most luminous of its expressions the preface of your speech and the purport of your address. So I turned the reins of my steed towards his statement, and said: Perhaps it matches my intention and agrees with my desire. And I renewed at that point my intention and mental faculty, and scrutinized that prayer with seriousness and sincerity, and said to myself: Perhaps you have omitted a pillar ⁴ of that meaning of illustrious lights and station. It said: Yes, the obligatory duty is made up by proximity, and forgetfulness is compensated by prostration after the salutation ⁵. So I returned to the place of abode and station, and made up that pillar, so that it might, Allah willing, be a completion for attaining the goal and aim. And I said: What Allah wills comes to pass, and when He wills a thing, He subjugates the pillars for it. And I mentioned that prayer in its wording as the informer informed me of it, and the seer and interpreter benefited me with its reality. And I began to append it according to what I understood from the informer's indication and the tongue of his speech, and what the purport of his address and the requirement of his state entailed. And I produced, praise be to Allah, what matches it in wording and meaning, and resembles it in origin and structure, as if it were heard from the highest station, and received from the presence of the distance of two bow-lengths or nearer ⁶. And it is this: O Allah, bless him from whom the spring of the soul of his essence gushed forth from such-and-such and settled in the enclosure of holiness, and the spring of the soul of his subtle relation gushed forth from such-and-such and settled on the carpet of intimacy, and they met in such-and-such. This is what I received from him orally. And this is the manner of another prayer I also received from him: O Allah, bless him whose Muhammadan soul's prestige spread upon the carpet of the elect and the great entities and luminaries, and because of that his soul became a mihrab for the souls of the people of faith and Islam and all the noble angels. And after it, another prayer similar to it in beauty and stature. O Allah, bless him whose Muhammadan soul was taken by night ⁷ to the carpet of might and honor, and was distinguished there with the noblest gifts and the highest presents, and because of that it became the mihrab of souls in the station of proximity and nearness. And this is the beginning of composing the jewels of the prayers heard in the world of sleep, completing them, perfecting the meanings of their elegant expressions, and appending them. And they are these: O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the mihrab of the mosque of prophethood, of wondrous form and craftsmanship, the treasure of the secrets of revelation and message, of pure origin and branch, whom some of the lovers heard the brides of spiritual souls and luminous persons praying upon with this prayer of great worth and lofty glory. And it is: O Allah, bless him from whom the spring of the soul of his noble essence gushed forth from such-and-such and settled in the enclosure of holiness, and the spring of the soul of his subtle relation gushed forth from such-and-such and settled on the carpet of intimacy, and they met in such-and-such. So I said: Perhaps it is in the barzakh ⁸ of union. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole ⁹ of sovereignty, high in rank and station, the moon of the sphere of happiness, illuminated by his light in the darkness of ignorance and the depths of gloom, whom some of the lovers heard the worlds of spiritual souls praying upon with this prayer of elegant style and order. And it is: O Allah, bless him whose Muhammadan soul's prestige spread upon the carpet of the elect and the great entities and luminaries, and because of that his soul became a mihrab for the souls of the people of faith and Islam and all the noble angels. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pearl of truth, the pure of elements, noble in later and earlier generations, whom some of the lovers heard the worlds of spiritual souls praying upon with this sanctified, unique prayer. And it is: O Allah, bless him whose Ahmadian ¹⁰ soul was taken by night to the place of might and honor, and was distinguished there with the noblest gifts and the highest presents, and because of that it became the mihrab of souls in the station of proximity and nearness. O Allah, bless him from whom the spring of the soul of his essence, the spiritual, gushed forth from the spring of the handful of the light of majesty and glorification, and settled in the station of proximity, nearness, conversation, and speech; and the sciences of his hidden stars shone in the sky of the intellects of the people of contentment and submission; and the evidences of his Ahmadian love appeared on the faces of those of sovereignty and honor; and the glad tidings of his Mustafawian ¹¹ care manifested in the assemblies of the people of disposal and judgment; and the spring of the soul of his prophetic relation gushed forth from the light of the beauty of the eternal Oneness, and settled in the rays of the splendor of the Uniqueness of the Master, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing; and it advanced in the processions of the companions of the presence of the lords of offices and teaching; and it was addressed with the tongue of the secret of holy love in His saying, exalted: "Ya Sin ¹². By the Wise Quran, indeed you are among the messengers, upon a straight path" ¹³; and it was singled out in the retreats of descents from the chosen one, the confidant, the friend, and the interlocutor ¹⁴; and they both ¹⁵ met with the totality of their perfections in the mihrabs of sovereignty and precedence; and they were clothed with the majesty of the Jabarutian ¹⁶ awe and adorned with the garments of the Ragbutian ¹⁷ secrets; and they prostrated under the leg of the Throne of the Great Master. O Allah, bless him from whom the spring of his Mustafawian soul's essence gushed forth from the spring of the gifts of favor and clear victory, and settled on the carpet of the presence of witnessing and determination; and he lit the lamps of his guidance in the niches of the hearts of the people of sincerity and certainty; and the buds of his message blossomed with the flowers of revelation and the secrets of the clear Book; and the spring of the soul of his Mawlawian ¹⁸ relation gushed forth from the east of the rising places of the lights of guidance, righteousness, and clarification; and it settled in the innermost secrets of the souls.

Of the spirituality (al-rūḥāniyyah) from among the people of firmness and establishment (ahl al-rusūkh wa al-tamkīn), and she was seated upon the throne of the sultanic kingdom (sarīr al-mamlakah al-sulṭāniyyah). And she was brought near by the glance of divine care (al-ʿināyah al-rabbāniyyah), and she was adorned with the jewels of solitary wisdoms (al-ḥikam al-fardāniyyah) (4), and she was honored with the treasures of merciful effusions (al-imdādāt al-raḥmāniyyah), and she was addressed with the tongue of the sciences of the Criterion (al-ʿulūm al-furqāniyyah) in His, exalted be He, saying: “Ṭā Sīn. These are the verses of the Qur’an and a clear Book, a guidance and glad tidings for the believers.” (Q. 27:1-2) And the two of them were united in the totalities of their perfections (kulliyyāt kamālātihimā) in the manifestations of the theophanies of beneficence (al-tajalliyāt al-iḥsāniyyah), and they were observed with the eye of affections and mercies of the Eternal (al-ʿawāṭif wa al-raḥamāt al-ṣamadāniyyah), and they were honored with the lights of openings and unveilings of direct vision (al-futūḥāt wa al-kushūfāt al-ʿiyāniyyah), and they were singled out for the benefits of wisdoms and divine secrets (al-ḥikam wa al-asrār al-rabbāniyyah), and they were embroidered with the praises of the heavenly books and the Qur’anic chapters (al-suwar al-qurʾāniyyah) in the sanctuaries of holiness (ḥaḍāʾir al-quds) and the highest of the highest (aʿlā ʿilliyyīn). O Allah, bless him from whom the eye of the spirit of his chosen essence (rūḥ dhātihi al-muṣṭafawiyyah) gushed forth from the “Kāf” of: “I was a hidden treasure and I loved to be known, so I created creation that they might know Me,” by the majesty of My most resplendent attribute, and settled in the expanse of: “My earth and My heavens do not contain Me, but the heart of My believing servant contains Me, and he is My beloved Muḥammad, the bridegroom of My most renowned kingdom,” and the eye of the spirit of his most excellent lineage (rūḥ nisbatihi al-sunniyyah) gushed forth from the eye of the element of the most glorious honor (ʿayn ʿunṣur al-sharaf al-afkhar), and settled in the copy of the greater world (nuskhat al-ʿālam al-akbar), and was presented upon the carpet of the most luminous might (bisāṭ al-ʿizz al-anwar), and was watered by the succor of the most radiant prophethood (al-nubuwwah al-agharr), and the two of them were united upon the carpet of the presence of the most brilliant messengership (ḥaḍrat al-risālah al-azhar), and were carried in the litter of the most pure and radiant love (hawdaj al-maḥabbah al-zāhī al-aṭhar), and were purified in the desire of the garden of the most flourishing beauties (bustān al-maḥāsin al-anḍar), and were crowned with the crown of the most luminous and noble sainthood (tāj al-wilāyah al-sunniyy al-agharr), and were seated upon the throne of the most pure and holy infallibility (kursī al-ʿiṣmah al-zakiyy al-aṭhar), and were advanced upon the path of the most blessed and praiseworthy happiness (minhāj al-saʿādah al-maḥmūd al-abarr), and were known among the prophets and messengers by bearing the banner of the greenest generosity (liwāʾ al-karam al-akhḍar). So bless him, O Allah, and bless his family, who have obtained the most abundant portion of the perfection of honor, and his Companions, who have triumphed by the beauty of uprightness and the most momentous station (al-jāh al-akhṭar), (5) with a blessing by which You cause us to inhale the fragrant breezes of his most fragrant meadows (rawḍātihi al-aʿṭar), and by which You bestow upon us His good pleasure and the vision of his radiant, moon-like face (wajhihi al-bahiyy al-aqmar), and by which You clothe us, from the weave of his love, with a divine robe (ḥullah rabbāniyyah) by which we may surpass the black and the red (al-aswad wa al-aḥmar), by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, bless him from whom the eye of the spirit of his Muḥammadan essence (rūḥ dhātihi al-muḥammadiyyah) gushed forth from the eye of the heart of the chapters of the Criterion (qalb al-suwar al-furqāniyyah) and the openings of the verses (fawātiḥ al-āyāt), and settled in the hidden realities of the Aḥmadī truths (ghaybiyyāt al-ḥaqāʾiq al-aḥmadiyyah) and the subtleties of holy allusions (daqāʾiq al-ishārāt al-qudsiyyah) and the delicate meanings of expressions (laṭāʾif al-ʿibārāt), and was designated in the manifestations of divine individuations (maẓāhir al-taʿayyunāt al-ilāhiyyah) and the witnessing-places of the manifested things (mashāhid al-muẓharāt), by His saying: “Ṭā Hā. We have not sent down the Qur’an upon you that you should be distressed, but only as a reminder for him who fears.” (Q. 20:1-3) And it was distinguished in the processions of the banners of knowledge (al-aʿlām al-maʿrifah) and the hidden things (al-muḍmarāt) and the beauties of the named things (maḥāsin al-musammayāt) by His saying: “Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah.” (Q. 48:29) And it was advanced in the results of the particulars and the universals (natāʾij al-juzʾiyyāt wa al-kulliyyāt) and the bearers of the directed things (maḥāmil al-muwajjahāt), by His saying: “Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you.” (Q. 3:31) And the eye of the spirit of his noble lineage (rūḥ nisbatihi al-sharīfah) gushed forth from the eye of the purest elements (aṭyab al-ʿanāṣir) and the most honorable channels (ashraf al-qanawāt), and settled in the courtyards of praise and gratitude (ʿaraṣāt al-ḥamd wa al-shukr) and the purposes of intimacy and seclusions (maqāṣid al-uns wa al-khalawāt), and was singled out for the highest ranks and the most honorable stations (asnā al-marātib wa ashraf al-maqāmāt), in His saying: “Indeed, Allah was well pleased with the believers when they were pledging allegiance to you under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with a near victory.” (Q. 48:18) And it was gifted with the most abundant gifts and the greatest honors (ajzal al-mawāhib wa aʿẓam al-karāmāt), in His saying: “Indeed, We have granted you a manifest victory, that Allah may forgive you your former and your later sins, and complete His favor upon you, and guide you on a straight path, and that Allah may help you with a mighty help.” (Q. 48:1-3) And the two of them were united in the totalities of their virtues and excellences (kulliyyāt faḍāʾilihā wa fawāḍilihā) in the beauties of beautiful attributes (maḥāsin al-awṣāf al-jamīlah) and the ultimate perfections (muntahā al-kamālāt) (6) in His saying: “Those messengers, We have favored some of them above others; among them are those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degrees.” (Q. 2:253) And they were raised in the heaven of the high stations of the holy presences (samāʾ maʿālī al-ḥaḍarāt al-qudsāniyyah) in His saying: “O you who believe, do not put yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Hearing, Knowing. O you who believe, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak loudly to him as you speak loudly to one another, lest your deeds become worthless while you are unaware.” (Q. 49:1-2) And they were adorned with the most complete excellences and the most honorable qualities (akmal al-mazāyā wa ashraf al-khiṣāl), and reference was made to the loftiness of their pride and the greatness of their rank (saniyy fakhrhimā wa ʿaẓīm qadrihimā) in the openings of the chapters of the Criterion (fawātiḥ al-suwar al-furqāniyyah) by His saying: “Kāf Hā Yā ʿAyn Ṣād” (Q. 19:1), “Ṭā Hā” (Q. 20:1), “Ṭā Sīn Mīm” (Q. 26:1; 28:1), “Ḥā Mīm ʿAyn Sīn Qāf” (Q. 42:1-2), “Nūn. By the pen and what they inscribe, you are not, by the grace of your Lord, a madman. And indeed, for you is a reward never-ending, and indeed, you are of a great character.” (Q. 68:1-4) And they were greeted in His saying: “Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings,” with the most excellent greetings (afḍal al-taḥiyyāt). So bless him, O Allah, and bless his family, with a blessing by which You send down the showers of mercies (shāʾābīb al-raḥamāt) and by which You pour down upon us the clouds of good things and blessings (saḥāʾib al-khayrāt wa al-barakāt), and by which You have mercy upon us in life and after death (baʿd al-mamāt), by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. * A niche of grace, and the light of grace is borrowed * From him, and his lights in the cosmos have never waned. * Yet he is a human, no human like him, * Who walked upon the earth, barefoot and shod. * His essence is the universal world, the very essence of wealth, * And a mercy sent to creation, never ceasing. * His face is the full moon, from whichever direction it appears, * It guides, by its radiance, light to the eyes. * His soul is the most exalted atom, relating * From the ornaments a resolve that rises above Saturn. * His heart, the most pure, the overflowing, is a sea of piety, * From which generosity is drawn and grace pours forth. (7) * His knowledge of the unseen, like the sun, from him appeared * The knowledge of the prophets, the angels, and the messengers. * And the sea of his forbearance, its streams have become * That they water the people with ailments after they had quenched. * And the fragrance of his breezes, the scent of his musk is fragrant, * Its wafts guide a perfume to the one who approaches. * The moon increases in beauty from his beauties, * And the sun acquired from him in the circle of Aries. * And glory is veiled in shame from his majesty, * And the cosmos shone from his light and from him was filled. * Upon him be the purest peace, fragrant, * Perfumed, whose rank is exalted, abundant, and overflowing.

O Allah, bless him whose noble essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of the secret of secrets ¹⁹ and the merciful Self ²⁰ of the Essence, and settled in the eye of the material of the materials of life ²¹ and the seas of the meanings of the Names and Attributes; and the spirit-eye of his exalted relation gushed forth from the eye of the shining lights of the Majestic and Beautiful manifestations ²², and settled in the eye of the enclosures of holiness ²³ and the hidden treasures of the unseen of the unseen ²⁴ and the inner realities of identities ²⁵; and they both met in the eye of the gifts of gnosis ²⁶ and the awareness of hidden things, and the secrets of secrets and the consciences of beings. O Allah, bless him whose chaste essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of the realities of realities and the results of righteous deeds and good words, and settled in the eye of the bestowals of good things and the gifts of "Indeed, your Lord has, in the days of your time, breezes [of mercy]" ²⁷; and the spirit-eye of his gentle relation gushed forth from the eye of the clear proofs and the shining signs, and settled in the eye of the breaking of norms ²⁸ and the challenge with dazzling miracles and the manifestation of wonders; and they both met in the eye of the gifts of divine descents ²⁹ and holy inspirations and glorifications ³⁰. And the spirit-eye of his pure relation gushed forth from the eye of the precedents of eternal mercy and the precedents of felicities, and settled in the eye of the overflowing of lordly supplies and the realization of the most perfect servitude and the best acts of worship; and they both met in the eye of divine openings ³¹ and the secrets of prophecies and messages. O Allah, bless him whose luminous essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of the interior of the Throne of stations ³² and ranks and the loci of manifestations, and settled in the station of "two bow-lengths or nearer" ³³ and the hearing of the address of Truth and the delight in the graces of intimate conversations and the divinely-bestowed wisdoms ³⁴; and the spirit-eye of his gnostic relation gushed forth from the eye of the treasuries of the unseen and the subtle secrets of the eternities, and settled in the eye of the gifted sciences ³⁵ and the unveiling of the meanings of intellectual and transmitted obscurities; and they both met in the eye of election and choice ³⁶ and the stations of might and honor and the secrets of particularities. O Allah, bless him whose beautiful essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of the blowing of the breezes of blessing and benedictions, and settled in the eye of the ascents of progression in the noblest ranks and the highest degrees; and the spirit-eye of his magnificent relation gushed forth from the eye of the opening of the doors of acceptance and the answering of prayers, and settled in the eye of the carpet of tenderness, compassion, and mercy, and the drawing down of the cause of mercies; and they both met in the eye of the station of pardon, forgiveness, and overlooking the wrongdoers, and the great intercession for the people of crimes and major sins. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, the shining stars, and his Companions, the champions of victory and the lions of the chiefs ³⁷, with a blessing by which You protect us in movements and stillness, and suffice us against the evil of sudden events and terrifying horrors, and guard us from the evil of the wicked, the plot of the immoral, and the overwhelming calamities, and forgive us for the sins we have committed, and have mercy on us in life and after death, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, bless him whose Muhammadan essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the heaven of pre-eternity ³⁸, and settled in the presence of bounty and generosity, and was nourished with the milk of knowledge, forbearance, and wisdom, and was raised in the lap of protection and fulfillment of covenants and observance of trusts, and his love was instilled in the natures of the cherubim ³⁹ and the holy ones ⁴⁰ and the aim of the eyes of those of high aspirations and pure perfection in character and disposition, and was clothed in the garment of asceticism, chastity, patience, trust, and gratitude for blessings, and was praised in the Hawamim ⁴¹ and the Tawasin ⁴² and Surah Nun and the Pen ⁴³, and was singled out for carrying the banner of praise and the great intercession among jinn, humans, angels, and all nations. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, the fragrant of sleeves and breath, and his Companions, the protectors of honor and sanctuary, with a blessing by which You protect us from all evils and afflictions, and remove from us worries and sorrows, and lift from us every harm and illness, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, bless him whose lofty essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every eye by which the rose of union ⁴⁴ is watered, and settled in the enclosure of every presence upon which shines the light of Majesty and Beauty. O Allah, bless him whose pleasing essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every eye by which the carnation of intimacy and coquetry ⁴⁵ is watered, and settled in the courtyards of every presence in which the name of Allah is mentioned at morning and evening. O Allah, bless him whose pure essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every eye by which the lily of right guidance and success for righteous deeds is watered, and settled in the basins of every fragrant garden whose scent wafts with the breezes of joy and acceptance. O Allah, bless him whose goodly essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from every eye by which the basil of blessing, felicity, proximity, and connection is watered, and settled in the manifestations of every goal whose light erased the traces of the people of deviation and misguidance. O Allah, bless him whose spotless essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every eye by which the jasmine of loyalty and perfection is watered, and settled in the gardens of virtues that gather the scattered beauties and the noblest qualities. O Allah, bless him whose pure essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every eye by which the narcissus of piety, veneration, and glorification is watered, and settled on the carpet of love that heralds victory, acceptance, and the pleasure of the Great and Exalted Lord. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, the necklaces of pearls, and his Companions, the horsemen of battle, the lions and heroes, with a blessing by which You suffice us against the assault of time and the dominance of men, and protect us from worry, grief, sorrow, and punishment, and make it for us a treasure with You whose blessing we find on the Day of Gathering, Resurrection, Presentation, and Questioning, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, bless him whose arrayed essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every eye and settled in the pupil of every eye. O Allah, bless him whose purified essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every eye, and settled in the unseen of the identity of every eye. O Allah, bless him whose illumined essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every hidden knowledge and settled in every guarded secret. O Allah, bless him whose radiant essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every servitude, and settled on the carpet of every belovedness. O Allah, bless him whose sanctified essence's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every infallibility ⁴⁶.

And it settled in the subtle realities ⁴⁷ of every wisdom. O Allah, bless the one from whose favored self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every blessing, and it settled in the affections of every mercy. O Allah, bless the one from whose pure self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every solicitude, and it settled in the stations of every sainthood ⁴⁸. O Allah, bless the one from whose perfect self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every eye of His servants, and it settled in the manifestations of every sovereignty. O Allah, bless the one from whose exalted self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every glory, and it settled in the meanings of every benefit. O Allah, bless the one from whose beloved self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every felicity, and it settled in the object of every will. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, a blessing by which You establish us upon the two words of testimony ⁴⁹ and seal for us with the best and more, by Your favor and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, bless the one from whose blessed self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every face, and it settled in the mirror of every witnessing. O Allah, bless the one from whose observed self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the portico of every veil, and it settled in the interior of every niche. O Allah, bless the one from whose auspicious self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every law ⁵⁰, and it settled in the soul of every obedient soul. O Allah, bless the one from whose infallible self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every truth, and it settled in every straight path and way. O Allah, bless the one from whose preserved self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every perfection, and it settled in the summit of every high station. O Allah, bless the one from whose divinely guided self's spirit-eye gushed forth from every majesty, and it settled in the delight of every beauty. O Allah, bless the one from whose supported self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every good and righteousness, and it settled in the presence of every success and triumph. O Allah, bless the one from whose connecting self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every nearness, and it settled in the highest of every rank. O Allah, bless the one from whose excellent self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every return, and it settled in the path of every right guidance. O Allah, bless the one from whose magnificent self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every praise, and it settled in the loftiness of every honor and glory. O Allah, bless the one from whose sublime self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every pure lineage, and it settled in the pillar of every noble descent. O Allah, bless the one from whose elevated self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every ancient might, and it settled in the pride of every honor and great standing. O Allah, bless the one from whose wondrous self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every beauty and splendor, and it settled in the gardens of every desirable sight. O Allah, bless the one from whose forbearing self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every expansion and joy, and it settled in the station of every obedience and piety. O Allah, bless the one from whose generous self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every absence and presence, and it settled in the place of every fame and manifestation. O Allah, bless the one from whose majestic self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the eye of every opening ⁵¹ and inspiration, and it settled in the honor of every station and rank. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, the leaders of Islam, and his Companions, the discerning luminaries, a blessing by which You repel from us the greatest of hardships and immense calamities, and suffice us thereby against the onslaught of the events of nights and days, and cure us thereby from apparent and hidden ailments and all sicknesses, by Your favor and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, bless the one from whose Muhammadan self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the meaning of Your Greatest Name ⁵², and He is Allah, there is no god but He, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful, and its secret permeated the presence of the people of 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,' the possessor of the straight path and the upright way. O Allah, bless the one from whose Muhammadan self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the meaning of Your Majestic and Most Glorious Name, and He is Allah, there is no god but He, the King, the Holy, the Peace, the Faithful, the Guardian, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme, and its secret permeated the presence of the people of 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,' the enwrapped in the garments of good pleasure and contentment, the enveloped. O Allah, bless the one from whose self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the meaning of Your Name, the Most Perfect Light, and He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names, and its secret permeated the presence of the people of 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,' the possessor of the great character and the beautiful attributes. O Allah, bless the one from whose Muhammadan self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the meaning of Your Generous and Most Generous Name, and He is Allah, the Loving, the Kind, the Compassionate, the Pardoner, the Forbearing, and its secret permeated the presence of the people of 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,' the possessor of the luminous body and the sound heart. O Allah, bless the one from whose Muhammadan self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the meaning of Your Eternal and Most Enduring Name, and He is Allah, the Tender, the Benefactor, the Bountiful, the Bestower, the Giver, the Generous, and its secret permeated the presence of the people of 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,' the intercessor of creatures on the Day of Gathering and Praise. O Allah, bless the one from whose Muhammadan self's spirit-eye gushed forth from the meaning of Your Ancient and Most Ancient Name, and He is Allah, the Forgiving, the Appreciative, the Powerful, the Omnipotent, the Protector, the Praiseworthy, and its secret permeated the presence of the people of 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,' the unique jewel of beauty and the extended shadow of prophethood.

O Allah, bless him from whose hamdian ⁵³ essence-spring the eye of the spirit gushed forth from the meaning of Your most majestic Name—the meaning of Allah, the High, the Great, the Wise Disposer, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing—and whose secret permeated the presence of the people of "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," who is preferred above the Prophet and the Intimate Friend ⁵⁴, the Speaker ⁵⁵. O Allah, bless him from whose hamdian essence-spring the eye of the spirit gushed forth from the meaning of Your great and greater Name—Allah, the Preserver, the Nourisher, the Majestic, the Reckoner, the Witness, the Watcher—and whose secret permeated the presence of the people of "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," the refuge of creatures and mercy to the far and near. O Allah, bless him from whose hamdian essence-spring the eye of the spirit gushed forth from the meaning of Your pure and purest Name—Allah, the Light, the Guide, the Rightly Guiding, the Hidden, the Manifest—and whose secret permeated the presence of the people of "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," the Opener, the Seal, the Eraser of the sins of the people of disobedience and enormities. O Allah, bless him from whose hamdian essence-spring the eye of the spirit gushed forth from the meaning of Your high and highest Name—Allah, the Near, the Answerer, the King of Sovereignty, Majesty, and Bounty—and whose secret permeated the presence of the people of "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," the Seal of the Prophets and the noble Messengers. So bless him, O Allah, and his noble eminent Family, and his Companions, the stars of guidance and lamps of darkness, with a blessing that seals for us with the seal of Islam, and thereby makes our feet firm on the Path on the day when feet slip, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. You are the witnessed of my heart, so if * You are absent from me, I remain in danger. In You, O kindler of beauty, yearn * The souls of the safe from distress. Nay, through You the worlds are annihilated— * This is not exclusive to human witness. From You the sun of beauties shines, * O wondrous one with the halo of the moon. You ever water our gardens * With a downpour of grace, pouring down bliss. To You I have performed pilgrimage, just as my spirit * Performed 'umra ⁵⁶ in the witness of forms. You are the unfolded scroll of Oneness, so * The sweetness of my intimacy is in the folding of the spread. O Allah, I, O my Master, by the sanctity of this spirit which You have honored above all other prophetic spirits, and raised its station above all high stations, and magnified its Muhammadan house above all houses, and made its Ahmadian ⁵⁷ light shine in all regions and directions, and made its remembrance the most desirable nourishment for spiritual souls—what an excellent nourishment and food it is—and by the sanctity of the spirits that prostrated to its might and bowed in veneration to it from the worlds of dominion and sovereignty, and by the right of what You have poured upon it from the seas of generosity and the concomitants of mercy, and by the sanctity of the pure and holy prophetic piece ⁵⁸ whose remembrance You caused to flow on its tongue in the presence of the purest spirits and the elite of its individuals, and You adorned its beautiful praise with the subtlety of its holy allusions and its elucidation, and our Lady Fatima az-Zahra', the mistress of the women of her time, the delight of the eyes of the Muhammadan community and the human essence of its individuals, whose luminous sun and radiance shone in Your holy precincts, and You informed her through the tongue of her father (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that You are angered by her anger and pleased by her pleasure—that You make my spirit among those who responded to You before creation and formation, and knew You in the 'Arafat ⁵⁹ of spirits among the people of witnessing and determination, and that You string the jewel of my essence in the necklace of the people of firmness and empowerment, and treat me as You treated Your perfect saints and Your chosen intimates, and honor me with what You honored them with of the secrets of speciality and the manifestation of perfect miracles and the dispensation of certainty, until I guide Your servants through You to You, and seek from You for them and revive them to You, and rejoice in their good-doers and intercede for their wrongdoers on the day of presentation before You and standing in Your presence. And do not, O Allah, cause me to be healed ⁶⁰ by knowing them, nor cause them to be healed by knowing us, nor veil us from them by our sins, nor veil them from us by their sins, nor give power over us and them because of that to one who will not have mercy on us, nor entrust us and them to one who will tear our veil and attack us. And place between us and those who wish us ill a wall of protection with which You protected Your righteous saints and Your beloved intimates. And purify us and them from the stain of others with Your holy light, and refine us and them from the impurities of turbidity with the elixir of Your most precious knowledge, and blend us and them in goodly blends in Your lordly love, and give us and them to drink from the cups of Your merciful gifts, and enamor us and them in the empowerment of Your beauty, and sanctify us and them in the attributes of Your perfection, and honor us and them with Your nearness and union, and make us and them yearn for the vision of Your Essence, and immerse us and them in the secrets of Your Names and the lights of Your Attributes, and delight us and them in the encompassment of Your knowledge, and teach us and them from the reality of a hidden secret.

Whom none of Your creation can perceive, the command which You have approved from a messenger, for He makes a way before him and behind him a protection ⁶¹, so that He may know that they have conveyed the messages of their Lord. And honor us and them with the honor of Your dominion and the majesty of Your address. Inspire us and them with delight in Your remembrance and the sweetness of conversing with You. Send down tranquility into our hearts, and extend us and them with the extensions of Your gifts. Soften our limbs with fear of You. Fill our innermost beings with the jewels of Your oneness ⁶². Make our tongues speak with the secrets of Your wisdom. Extract us from the mires of oneness ⁶³ with the lights of Your eternity. Drown us in the eye of the sea of Your unity ⁶⁴. Crown us with the crown of Your self-subsistence ⁶⁵. Clothe us with the garment of honor, proximity, and nearness. Seat us on the carpet of love, success, and security, in the stations of purity, closeness, contentment, and good pleasure, and the pavilions of intimacy, repose, and fragrance, and the blessings of our spirits when we journey to You in the enclosures of holiness and the paradises of gardens. Gather our scattered selves to You upon the straight path. Make firm our feet before You upon the straight path. Be for us with Your kindness which You have been for us in Your eternal, ancient knowledge. Meet us with Your pardon, beneficence, and abundant grace. Bestow upon us Your bounty, generosity, and great favor. Grant us and them, in the abode of Your honor, the vision of Your noble face, all of us. Amen, O Lord of the worlds. My God, seal for us with goodness, and cause us to walk in the shade of the comprehensive saint ⁶⁶. Lead us and guide us, O Best of Guides, with Your light to the straight path. On the Day of Gathering, our Master, protect us with Your pardon from the sudden onset of Hell. Bring us to the waters of the Basin ⁶⁷. And make, by Your grace, our portion the Abode of Bliss. Settle us in its mansions so that we may attain the vision of the noble face, along with the fathers and children, all of them, and the people of sincere love and affection, and all those who have a right upon us, likewise the spiritual masters ⁶⁸ in the upright religion, and all Muslims in every region, in everlasting eternity, near the Chosen One ⁶⁹, the adornment of creation, the intercessor for mankind on the Great Day. Upon him, his family, and the Companions, successively, be the prayer of the One, the Benign, the Merciful, as a return and inclination, and fragrant blossoms of sweet basil and plucking, and jewels of harmonious rhymes that encompass the praise of the noble House of the Chosen Prophet, the Master of the Nobles, and the essence of the pure gold of perfect virtues and attributes, and added to that the excellences of his pure wives, safe from deviation from the path of truth and error, and the four Caliphs, and the ten full moons ⁷⁰, and the people of Badr ⁷¹, described with the highest merits and perfect justice and equity, and the People of the Suffah ⁷², and the Companions, and the clans renowned for compassion, ease, mercy, tenderness, sympathy, and harmony. And the honor of the Muhammadan community and its superiority over other communities, without dispute or disagreement. So bless, O Allah, him and his family, the nobles of Quṣayy ⁷³ and the sons of ʿAbd Manāf, and his Companions marked by asceticism, contentment, and chastity, a blessing by which we may be among the people of bowing, prostration, fasting, and seclusion ⁷⁴, and by whose blessing You make us among those led by the reins of guidance to the path of truth and succor, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O youths who have alighted at the protected sandy ground ⁷⁵ and have placed around our necks collars of longing, do you remember our bygone nights and do you preserve for us a covenant and a pledge? And do you know of the pain and burning that has set my entrails ablaze? Indeed, I have never ceased in your love, though time has become clouded with the leaves of distance. I do not lie to God: my longing cannot be contained by books, even if I filled the universe with pages. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muḥammad and to the family of our master Muḥammad, the master of the two worlds, the spirit of the body of the two weighty ones ⁷⁶, from whose family's honors with his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially given of complete nobility and high station with Him, is what was narrated from him: "When Fāṭima gave birth to al-Ḥasan, she said to ʿAlī, 'Name him.' He said, 'I will not name him except by a part [of revelation].' The Prophet ﷺ said to him, 'I would not precede the naming of my Lord.' Then Gabriel came and said, 'O Muḥammad, Allah congratulates you on this newborn and says to you: Name him after the son of Aaron, Shubayr ⁷⁷,' meaning al-Ḥasan. And when she gave birth to al-Ḥusayn, he said, 'O Muḥammad, Allah congratulates you on this newborn and says to you: Name him after the son of Aaron, Shubayr,' meaning al-Ḥusayn." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muḥammad and to the family of our master Muḥammad, the bearer of the banner of praise unfurled, the standard of guidance, supported and victorious, from whose family's honors with his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially given of complete nobility and high station with Him, is what was narrated from him that he said: "Al-Ḥusayn is from me and I am from al-Ḥusayn. May Allah love whoever loves al-Ḥusayn." Allah concealed the names of al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn until the Prophet ﷺ named them with them: my two sons, ʿAlī ⁷⁸ the blessed. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muḥammad and to the family of our master Muḥammad, the apple of the eye of every ecstatic ⁷⁹ and wayfarer ⁸⁰, and the model of every virtuous one, whether slave or master, from whose family's honors with his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially given of complete nobility and high station with Him, is what was narrated from him that he said: "Moses asked his Lord, Mighty and Majestic, about visiting al-Ḥusayn, may Allah be pleased with him and his parents, so he visited him with seventy thousand angels. And al-Ḥusayn resembled the Prophet ﷺ from the chest to the head, while al-Ḥusayn [resembled him] below that." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muḥammad and to the family of our master Muḥammad, the imam of guides and the elite of the chosen nobles, from whose cousin's honors—the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored by marrying his virgin daughter, the pure one—is what was narrated from Abū Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "I never saw al-Ḥasan without my eyes overflowing with tears, because one day he sat in the lap of the Prophet ﷺ, playing with his noble beard, and the Prophet ﷺ put his mouth in his mouth and said: 'O Allah, I love him, so love him and love whoever loves him,' three times." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muḥammad and to the family of our master Muḥammad, the ornament of ornaments, the crown of prophethood, protected from every defect and blemish, from whose family's honors with his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially given of complete care and high station with Him, is what was narrated from him: "Al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn, may Allah be pleased with them, wrote on two tablets, and each said, 'My handwriting is better.' They referred to their father, who referred the judgment to Fāṭima, who referred it to their grandfather. He said, 'None shall judge between you except Gabriel.' Gabriel said, 'None shall judge between you except the Lord of the worlds.' Allah said, 'O Gabriel, take an apple from Paradise and throw it upon the two tablets; upon whose handwriting it falls, that is better.' When he threw it, Allah said to it, 'Be two halves,' so half fell on al-Ḥasan's handwriting and half on al-Ḥusayn's."

O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the rising of good fortune and glad tidings, the possessor of vainglory and the greatest sign, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated that Gabriel (peace be upon him) descended with an apple from Paradise and gave it to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) while al-Hasan and al-Husayn were with him. Each of them asked for it, so Gabriel said: "Let them wrestle; whoever overcomes the other shall take it." So they wrestled, and Gabriel (peace be upon him) was with al-Husayn, while the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was with al-Hasan. Neither overcame the other, so another apple descended upon them. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of pure honor of two lineages, the bride of the angels, preferred over the two worlds and the two heavy ones ⁸¹, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "Whoever lacks the sun, let him hold fast to the moon; whoever lacks the moon, let him hold fast to Venus; whoever lacks Venus, let him hold fast to the two stars ⁸²." He was asked about that, and he said: "I am the sun, 'Ali is the moon, Venus is Fatima, and the two stars are al-Hasan and al-Husayn." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who wrapped themselves in the cloak of glory and encompassed it, the most noble of those who were uniquely distinguished by the highest virtues and bore them, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "Indeed, 'Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn are my family, and I am innocent of whoever humiliates them, Allah Almighty." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the model for every wayfarer and spiritual guide, the Ka'ba ⁸³ of every circumambulator and pilgrim, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "Love Allah for what He nourishes you with of His blessings, love me for the sake of Allah, and love my household for my love." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved, the Sovereign, the Judge, the refuge of the distressed seeker of protection, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "Raise your children upon three traits: love of your Prophet, love of his household, and recitation of the Qur'an." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the light of insights and eyesights, the opening of litanies and remembrances, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "Treat my household well, for I will argue on their behalf tomorrow, and whoever I argue against will enter the Fire." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the most grateful and praiseworthy of people, the most generous in giving and bestowing, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "I advise you to treat my progeny well; whoever honors me through my household has taken a covenant with Allah." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the light of our guidance, the cave of our security and protection, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "Adhere to love of us, the household, for whoever meets Allah Almighty while rejecting us will enter Paradise only through our intercession." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the possessor of the staff and turban, the Messenger of Mercy, specially distinguished with leadership, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "Whoever does a favor to anyone of my household, I will repay him for it on the Day of Resurrection." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose footsteps the righteous followed, and by whose guidance and conduct the guided were led, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "The stars are a security for the inhabitants of the heavens, and my household are a security for the inhabitants of the earth. When the stars depart from the heavens, what is promised to the inhabitants of the heavens will come; and when my household depart, what is promised to the inhabitants of the earth will come." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the most excellent of those who built the houses of honor and established their foundations, who manifested the secrets of subtleties and explained their meanings, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, it is narrated from him that he said: "I asked Allah not to admit anyone of my household into the Fire, and He granted me that." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the choicest of the purest secrets, the sea of effusion flowing with streams of mysteries, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of virtue over all other righteous Companions, it is narrated from him that he said: "If a servant worshipped Allah between the Corner and the Station ⁸⁴ for a thousand years but did not love the household, Allah would cast him on his nose into the Fire." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of every human, jinn, and angel, the pole ⁸⁵ of every encompassing cycle and sphere, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "Indeed, my household among you are like the Ark of Noah; whoever boards it is saved, and whoever lags behind perishes." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those through whose attributes and means creation sought blessings, and through whose radiant light the worlds shone, from whose noble household's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and lofty station with Him, it is narrated from him that he said: "The stars are a security for the inhabitants of the heavens, and my household are a security for the inhabitants of the earth. When the stars depart from the heavens, what is promised to the inhabitants of the heavens will come; and when my household depart, what is promised to the inhabitants of the earth will come."

In houses which Allah has permitted to be raised and in which His name is remembered, He is glorified therein in the mornings and the evenings. And a house for the nurturing mother adorned with the highest virtues, the lady Asiya bint Muzahim, when she said: 'My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise.' And the house of honor and purity, the place of intention and visitation, from which Allah brought forth abundant good and blessedness, and for which a luminous full moon shone in the sky of might and honor—and it is for our master and lord Muhammad, about whom the Exalted said: 'Allah only intends to remove impurity from you, O People of the House, and to purify you with a thorough purification.' So consider, may Allah grant you success, these houses—the highest in rank before Allah and the greatest—and their inhabitants, the most exalted and honored before Allah. There was none in these houses like the master of this house. Sufficient for you is a house whose foremost occupant is the great, supported master, the noble, glorified messenger, the beloved prophet, the intimate friend, the welcomed one, the chosen, the exalted, the beloved, the selected from the noblest tribes and the best of Arabs, the chosen for the message, adorned with prophethood and majesty—our master Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and honor and venerate him. Then know that every house has four corners; likewise, this lofty house—the house of the intercessor whose intercession is accepted—has four corners by which it is distinguished over other houses and uniquely possesses the most beautiful virtues and noblest attributes. In the first corner is the master of the nobles, the imam of the chiefs, the refuge of the saints, the qibla ⁸⁶ of the elite, the light of the pious, the sword of Muhammadan prophethood, specially honored with Muhammadan brotherhood, the scholar of the message, the mine of majesty, the door of wisdom, the master of the community, the ark of salvation, the spring of life, the light of suns, the sustenance of souls, the honor of moons, the delight of the righteous, the grief of the wicked, the destroyer of disbelievers, the cousin of the Chosen One, the lion of battalions, the piercing arrow, the treasure of the Banu Ghalib, the Commander of the Faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. In the second corner is the radiant flower, the green emerald, the mistress of women, veiled from the treasures of Paradise, described in the Gospel, characterized by joy and glorification, specially honored by the beloved master with his words: 'The dust of Fatima, for I am troubled by it,' she who was given glad tidings of the highest ranks, favored with the secret at the time of death, the fruit of prophethood, the excellent daughter, the virgin al-Batul ⁸⁷, daughter of Khadija and the Messenger, the great Siddiqa ⁸⁸, our lady Fatima al-Zahra ⁸⁹, may Allah be pleased with her and grant her contentment. In the third corner is the descendant of guidance, the rain of generosity, the suckling of piety, the branch of the firmest handhold, the tree of loyalty, the spring of purity, the spring of wisdom and love for the community, the jewel of guidance, the one who attains the utmost of every virtue, the possessor of truth, the mine of truthfulness, the revered grandson, the virtuous imam, the master, the saint, Abu Muhammad, our master al-Hasan ibn Ali, may Allah be pleased with him and grant him contentment. In the fourth corner is the master who is shown mercy, the martyred wronged one, the infallible imam, the possessor of the great gift, whose aspiration reaches Sirius, the lesson for the pious, the head of the truthful, the follower of Allah's pleasure, the avenger against Allah's enemies, the master of Islam, the refuge of mankind, the adornment of Paradise, the arrow of safety, the abode of trial, the one who attained the ultimate goal of martyrdom, the ornament of every ornament, Abu Abd Allah al-Husayn, may Allah be pleased with them all. These are the People of the House of Prophethood and Majesty, the place of revelation and the message, the frequented spot of angels, this mercy and tranquility, the descent of revelation, the treasuries of knowledge, the ultimate source of generosity, the leaders of nations, the guardians of blessings, the clan of the Chosen One, the progeny of the master al-Murtada ⁹⁰, purified from impurities, chosen from among races, those of sound judgment and abundant knowledge. Upon them be the best blessings of Allah, the purest greetings, the most abundant benedictions, and the highest mercies, as long as the breezes of fragrant breaths blow upon them from the enclosures of holiness, and the gifts of grace follow them in the evenings and mornings. And peace be upon them abundantly, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 'O People of the Prophet's House, you are good, so praise is good for me in you, and elegy is good. I am Hassan ⁹¹ in praising you, and if I lament over you, I am al-Khansa ⁹². You have ruled people through piety, while others have been ruled by silver and gold. Through Ali, the Prophet's son-in-law, and in my religion, my heart's love and prayer are for him. He is the vizier of his cousin in high matters, and among the family, viziers are blessed. The removal of the veil did not increase his certainty; rather, he is the sun with no veil. And by the mother of the two grandsons, Ali's wife and her sons, and those whom the servants encompass, security is in them. If my heart from sins I commit is empty, it has clung to your love, by the rope which the intercessors have held. And Allah refuses that evil should touch me in any state, for to You is my refuge.' The author, may Allah deal with him with His pleasure and grant him a spacious and lofty place in the gardens of Paradise, said: When I mentioned these seven houses which Allah mentioned in His Noble Book and praised them and their inhabitants with His eternal speech, I saw fit to conclude with the noblest of them in house, the highest in rank, and the most exalted in renown—that is his illuminated, noble heart, the purified, clean heart, which is the house of the Majestic Lord, referred to in His words: 'My earth and My heavens do not contain Me, but the heart of My believing servant contains Me.' Upon it descend the jewels of revelation and the Quran, and He swears by it in His words: 'So I swear by the positions of the stars'—and indeed it is a great oath, if you but knew. And I honor it with beautiful, excellent prayers, of exquisite workmanship and perfection, adorned with mention of some of the virtues of the best of the sons of Ma'add and Adnan. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of the Merciful, the place of compassion, tenderness, and affection. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of affirmation and faith, the place of blessing, prosperity, and security. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, as if he is the house of good pleasure and contentment, the place of generosity, munificence, and beneficence. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of spirit and basil, the place of gifts of grace and favor. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of revelation and the Quran, the place of sciences and the Criterion. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of proximity and nearness, the place of pardon and forgiveness. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of majesty and beauty, the place of intimacy and boldness. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of arrival and connection, the place of special distinction and perfection. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of the prophets and the sending, the place of glorification and veneration. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of the Furqanic ⁹³ light, the place of the Merciful address. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of divine opening, the carpet of the Eternal's might. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of luminous adornment, the mihrab ⁹⁴ of the spiritual world. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of the secret and wisdom, the place of happiness and mercy. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of prophethood and infallibility, the place of grace and blessing. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of honor and sanctity, the place of fulfilling covenants and preserving trust. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the positions of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of obedience and service, the place of divine care and high aspiration.

O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of knowledge and forbearance, and the locus of gnosis and understanding. So bless him, O Allah, and his family with a blessing whose blessing we find in the beginning and the end, and by which You preserve our hearts from satanic temptations and the accidents of doubts and illusions, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of awe and tawhid ⁹⁵, and the locus of spiritual retreats and tafrid ⁹⁶. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of divine success and right guidance, and the locus of asceticism and tajrid ⁹⁷. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of trust and prophethood, and the locus of dignity and majesty. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of divine lights ⁹⁸, and the treasury of the secrets of the malakut ⁹⁹. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of throne-like descents ¹⁰⁰, and the locus of holy receptions. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of witnessing and direct vision, and the encompassing sphere of all worlds. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of majestic theophanies ¹⁰¹, and the locus of the divine gaze. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of essential mercy ¹⁰², and the place of descent of the jewels of the Names and Attributes. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the house of the rising places of lights, and the locus of the unveiling of secrets. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the locus of the stars of His majestic Names and His beautiful Attributes. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the locus of the stars of the secrets hidden in the hearts of the elite who have attained union, and the care flowing in the innermost beings of the saints along with the perfect ones and the pious workers. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the locus of the stars of sainthood flowing in the hearts of the truthful gnostics and prophethood shining in the niches of the prophets and messengers. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the locus of the stars of the message shining in the malakut of the heavens and the earths, and the presences of the angels brought near and all the certain ones. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is the tablet of the spirit of the Trustworthy Spirit ¹⁰³, and the place of descent of the revelation referred to in His words: 'The Trustworthy Spirit descended with it upon your heart, that you may be among the warners, in a clear Arabic tongue' ¹⁰⁴. So bless him, O Allah, and his pure and good family, and his rightly guided companions, with a blessing by which You illuminate our hearts with the light of clear victory, and by which You cause us to descend to the stations of those firmly rooted and established, and by which You assign us a lofty rank in the paradises of gardens and the highest 'Illiyin ¹⁰⁵, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by His longing and love. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by His eternal speech and upright religion. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by the lights of His Attributes and the sciences of His Essence. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by hearing His address and the meanings of His Book. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by the precious gems of His remembrances and the gifts of His secrets. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by the preservation of His trust and the delivery of His message. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by the lamps of His sainthood and the lights of His guidance. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by the subtleties of His allusions and the intricacies of His expressions. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by the affections of His mercies and the increasing blessings. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by the unique gems of His words and the brilliant flashes of His signs. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house inhabited by gratitude for His blessings and the succession of His favors. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house protected from egoistic thoughts and satanic insinuations. O Allah, bless the one by whom the Truth swore by the settings of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house preserved from human follies and the dense veils of darkness.

His sacred house ¹⁰⁶ is free from illusions and passing thoughts, from inclination to desires, and from the deviation of changing circumstances. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the loci of the jewels of revelation ¹⁰⁷ descending upon his heart, for he is His house purified from the arenas of frivolity and heedlessness, and from committing what does not concern him of idle matters and engrossment in pleasures. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the loci of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house safe from the afflictions of caprice and the subtleties of hidden defects, and from plunging into sins and committing slips. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the loci of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house protected under the canopies of jealousy ¹⁰⁸ and the secrets of eternities, and His hidden secret in the innermost of innermost and the unseen of essences ¹⁰⁹. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the loci of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house distinguished by sincerity of acts of obedience and stations of proximity, and His door opened for raising means and answering supplications. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the loci of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house magnified among the inhabitants of the earths and heavens, and his station honored among the servants of the veils and pavilions ¹¹⁰. O Allah, bless him by whom the Truth swore by the loci of the jewels of revelation descending upon his heart, for he is His house ennobled among the masters of inspirations and illuminations, and his knowledge recognized among the people of miracles and wonders ¹¹¹. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, with a blessing by which You mark us with the noblest of signs, and raise us thereby to the highest ranks and loftiest stations, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. Then, when these excellent, majestic, beautiful, and surpassing blessings were concluded, it occurred to me to draw a diagram for these mentioned houses, and to inscribe for them in the scroll of the book's binding figures and forms, so that the lover may increase in veneration and exaltation, and attain through seeing them expansion, joy, and acceptance. And I make this Muhammadan house ¹¹² in the center of its sky to be a crescent among its stars, and its Ahmadine light ¹¹³ shines upon its horizons and glitters, for it is the core of the poem and the central pearl of the unique necklace of prophethood. So lights appear upon their sky, moons shine upon their stations, and his perfection of glory and pride over them becomes manifest, like the sun when it rises, before whose light the moons dwindle. And I make the station of the master of this house the highest in the middle of its four opposing corners, so that they may be surrounded by his great cloak and guarded by the might of his majestic dignity. And I populate each corner with its master ¹¹⁴ to complete its honor and loftiness, and its light and radiance shine in the sky of glory. Then I draw after that the likeness of his noble heart's house, illuminated, pure, and clean, facing these houses of exquisite craftsmanship and perfection, to be among them like the pupil of the eye in a human, for it is the intended object, the desire of the people of wills ¹¹⁵, and the mirror of the masters of unveilings and determinations ¹¹⁶. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, with a blessing by which You bestow upon us sincerity of intentions and righteousness of deeds, and forgive us thereby what we have plunged into of sins and committed of evil deeds, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. The ecstasies of the heart's intoxication in this beauty ◆ left my heart absent from every state. And the fervor of love penetrated, leaving no ◆ trace, no illusion, nor even the faintest fancy. And I remained, by the Most High Truth, expressing ◆ a descent that the lofty mountains testified. And His life, while He is God, is that ◆ He is the One I witnessed, with no veil and no likeness. From me is the yearning of the lover, and from Him to me ◆ is the union of the Beloved, without connection or separation. So enter the house of God stripped ◆ of the illusion of the people of conjecture and fancy. By God, no house that encompasses my Lord ◆ and delights the Most High is like a house empty of Him. And this is the description of what I mentioned in the inscription of these houses, perfect in beauty, majestic in attributes and qualities. This is the house of his noble heart, purified and clean. ¹¹⁷ O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made the highest of the houses of the prophets in structure, the mightiest in place, the firmest in pillars, and the greatest in sanctity and proof. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made the loftiest of the houses of the prophets in support, the finest in foundation, the most anchored in pegs, and the most excellent in regions and lands. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made the most blessed of the houses of the prophets as a place of visitation, the highest and most majestic in abode, the most protective of honor, and the most fortunate in neighborhood. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made the most spacious of the houses of the prophets in expanse, the mightiest in precinct, the widest in doors, the most joyful in prayer niche, and the most abundant in closeness and proximity. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made the noblest of the houses of the prophets in station, the greatest in piety and reverence, the most blooming in structure and stature, and the most beautiful in beginning and end. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made the noblest of the houses of the prophets in lights, the most fruitful in gifts and secrets, the greatest in rank and measure, and the highest in sublimity and pride. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the ruby among stones. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the rose among flowers. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the fragrant benzoin tree among trees. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the full moon among stars. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like variegated embroidery among inscriptions. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the lamp among lanterns. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like musk among fragrances. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the inlaid pearl on sheets of gold. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the delightful coral in houses of reed. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the precious jewel in a shell. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the brilliant star in honor. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the tender flower in the gardens of lovers. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You made among the houses of the prophets like the fragrant jasmine in the assemblies of the near ones.

His house among the houses of the prophets is like the radiant dawn in the sky of the unseen. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, whose house You have placed among the houses of the prophets like the brilliant lightning in the perceptions of the people of unveilings ¹¹⁸ and the masters of hearts. So bless him, O Allah, and his family with a blessing that opens for us the treasuries of Your bestowed knowledge, and conveys us through it to the utmost of desire and sought from Your pleasure and his pleasure, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. What a house of Allah it is, with its building raised, and Gabriel ¹¹⁹ as the tongue of its annihilation, and revelation as the scribe of its praise and eulogy, and proximity as the raiser of its supplication and prayer, and the Qur'an as the gatherer of the secrets of the realities of its unseen and its tidings. It encompasses the beauty and majesty of the Truth, and His most beautiful attributes and perfection. Allah has magnified its rank over all other manifestations and houses, and raised its mention in the highest assembly ¹²⁰ and the treasuries of the Omnipotent, and illuminated its lamp in the niches of lights and the enclosures of sovereignty and dominion. Its inward is wisdom, faith, and light; its outward is mercy, awe, majesty, and manifestation. The lights of prophethood and messengership shine upon it, and the gifts of the secret and speciality come and go in the gardens of its heart. The growing blessings and benedictions pervade its precincts and courtyards, and the springs of sciences and wisdoms swim in its seas. From the outpouring of its divine ¹²¹ sciences, lights and cognitions are kindled; from the secret of its Ahmadine ¹²² supply, secrets and subtleties are sought. What pride can boast or vie with this house? What honor can equal or match it in its divine gifts? No house among the houses of the prophets and messengers resembles or rivals it, nor any station in the enclosures of the near ones ¹²³ and the fields of paradise approaches or imitates it. If a glory manifests, Allah is its supporter; if praise vies, Allah is its patron and helper; if a house competes, Allah has removed from it all impurities and purified it from the whisperings of the soul's coverings and human follies, and purified it thoroughly. So bless him, O Allah, and his family with a blessing that grants us through its blessing abundant reward and great recompense, and bestows upon us in the highest paradises a great everlasting bliss, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. O nobles of the generous, O family of the best of creation, we are before you as poor ones, hoping for deliverance from the harm of sins, for its people are slow in sincerity. So intercede, and you will be rewarded, for we are the sinners and you are the intercessors. And pour upon sins sins that erase them, for your outpouring is erasure. O Prophet of guidance, for in you are blessings that heal from distresses. The adornment of the cosmos is their existence in it, for they are stars and he is the sky. Sufficient for us from their existence, if we see them, is our remembrance of them, and in it is sufficiency. And when they alight in a place, the station becomes sweet and the abode becomes pleasant. The setting of our west has departed when from you the lights shone. And truth spread in it after estrangement, and for its people there was permanence. Great, magnificent lineage, immense honor, mighty glory, noble book, by which Allah praised the family of His house in His saying: "Allah only desires to remove impurity from you, O people of the house, and to purify you thoroughly" ¹²⁴. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom the great ones followed in their words and deeds, and the greatest of those through whose rank the needy ones sought intercession in their supplication and request. Among the honors of his household with their Lord and with him, and what they were distinguished by of perfect honor and high station before Him, is what is narrated: A Bedouin said to al-Husayn ¹²⁵, may Allah be pleased with him: I heard your grandfather, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: 'When you ask for a need, ask it from four: either a noble Arab, or a generous patron, or a bearer of the Qur'an, or a person with a beautiful face.' As for the Arabs, they were honored by your grandfather; as for generosity, it is your conduct; as for the Qur'an, it was revealed among you; as for the beautiful face, I heard your grandfather say: 'When you wish to look at al-Hasan and al-Husayn.' So he said to him: What is your need? He wrote it on the ground. Al-Husayn said to him: I heard my grandfather say: 'A favor is according to the measure of knowledge.' And 'Ali ¹²⁶, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The value of every man is what he excels in. So I ask you about three questions: if you answer one, you have a third of this purse; if two, two-thirds; if three, all of it. He said: Ask. He said: Which deeds are best? He said: Faith in Allah. He said: What is the salvation of the servant from destruction? He said: Trust in Allah. He said: What increases the servant? He said: Knowledge. He said: If that misses him? He said: Then a thunderbolt that burns him. Al-Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, laughed and gave him the entire purse. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the sea of abundant generosity, favor, and grace, and the intercessor of nations sent with the Book and the Sunnah. Among the honors of his household with their Lord and with him, and what they were distinguished by of perfect honor and high station before Him, is what is narrated: A certain 'Alawid ¹²⁷ died in the city of Balkh and left his wife. She moved with her children to Samarkand and placed them in the mosque, then went out to seek food for them. She saw the governor of the city and said: I am an 'Alawid woman and I want food from you for my children. He said: Bring me proof that you are an 'Alawid. She said: I am an Arab. He turned away from her. A Magian ¹²⁸ saw her and she told him the story. He honored her. When night came, the Muslim saw in his dream the Resurrection and saw the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with a palace of emerald. He said: O Messenger of Allah, for whom is this palace? He said: For a Muslim man. He said: I am a Muslim monotheist. He said: Bring me proof. The man was perplexed. He said to him: An 'Alawid woman came to you and you said to her 'Bring me proof.' He woke up and asked about her, and found her with the Magian. He said: I want the 'Alawid woman, and you have a thousand dinars. The Magian said: I will not sell a palace before the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for a thousand dinars. I did not sleep last night until I embraced Islam, I and my household, and I saw the same as you saw, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to me: 'You and your household are in Paradise.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those from whose sea of generosity and munificence delegations drew, and the most generous of those whose blessing visitors sought.

And His pleasure, which is among the honors of the family of his House (Āl Baytihi) with their Lord and with him, and what they were specially endowed with of perfect nobility and lofty station before Him, is what was narrated: that one day a Magian prepared food, and there was a young girl from the People of the House (Ahl al-Bayt) among his neighbors. She said, "This Magian has troubled us with the smell of his food." This reached him, so he sent them some of his food. She said, "May Allah gather him with my grandfather." Then one of the righteous saw in his dream the Prophet (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam), who said to him: "Go to the Magian and say to him: 'The supplication has been answered.'" So he informed him of that, and he said, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the spirit of spirits and essences, and the master of those who have passed and those who are to come—he from whose family's honors with their Lord and with him, and what they were specially endowed with of perfect nobility and lofty station before Him, is what was narrated: that ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ṭāhir was seeking a thief in his kingdom, and his matter exhausted him (34). The thief entered the city with his companions, and they alighted in a hidden house. A ʿAlawī (ʿAlawiyyah) woman stopped at their door seeking something, not knowing who they were. One of them said to her, "Enter the women's quarters; they will give you something." So she entered, and they solicited her. She refused, and when the matter became severe for her, she said, "I am a ʿAlawī woman—what thing could happen?" The thief, meaning their leader, heard the speech, so he intervened between her and the man, kissed the edge of her garment, gave her some dirhams he had with him, and said to her, "Do not complain to your grandfather." The man said to his companions, "We have nothing but the intercession of her grandfather on the Day of Resurrection." After an hour, the sultan's spy went to him and informed him of his news, so he sent for them, seized them, and imprisoned them that night to crucify them the next day. ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ṭāhir saw the Messenger of Allah (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) in a dream, who said: "I have come to you as an intercessor, so accept my intercession." He said, "For whom?" He said, "For this thief." He awoke terrified. He said, "He came to him three times that night." When it was the next day, he brought them, questioned them, and said to their leader, "Are you so-and-so the thief?" He said, "Yes." He said, "Have you done any good deed in these days?" He said, "No." He insisted, so he informed him (35) of the story of the ʿAlawī woman. He said, "Rejoice, for her grandfather has interceded for you, and I have set you free." He wanted to bestow a robe of honor on him, but he did not accept it. Then he said, "O Lord, this much is not hidden from You—so how about those great sins I committed?" Then he devoted himself to worship until he died. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the mine of virtues and generosities, and the best of those through whose blessing profits and spoils are obtained—he from whose family's honors with their Lord and with him, and what they were specially endowed with of perfect nobility and lofty station before Him, is what was narrated: that a man from the People of the House (Ahl al-Bayt) came to a certain merchant, asked him for money, and said to him, "Write it against my grandfather." He did so. This was heard by others from the People of the House, and each one said, "Write it against my grandfather." The man became poor. Then he saw in his dream the Prophet (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam), who said to him: "O so-and-so, if you dealt with me for the world, I have repaid you; and if you dealt with me for the Hereafter, then I am an excellent source of wealth." The man awoke terrified. When he died, he was seen in a dream, and it was said to him, "What did Allah do with you?" He said, "Whoever deals with Muhammad (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) attains everlasting bliss." (36) O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who circumambulated the House (al-Bayt) and performed the pilgrimage (Ḥajj), and the most beloved of those who stood at those sacred sites and ascended—he from whose family's honors with their Lord and with him, and what they were specially endowed with of perfect nobility and lofty station before Him, is what was narrated from one of the righteous: that he used to perform the pilgrimage every year. One year, during the days of the pilgrimage, he went out to the market of Baghdad with five hundred dinars to prepare for the pilgrimage. A woman said to him, "I am a noblewoman (sharīfah), and I have orphans who have not eaten for four days." So he gave her all the dinars. When the people returned from the pilgrimage, he went out to meet them. Whenever he said to one, "May Allah accept your pilgrimage," the other said to him, "And may Allah accept your pilgrimage." He was amazed at this. That night he saw the Prophet (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam), who said to him: "Do not be amazed at the people congratulating you on the pilgrimage, for I asked Allah to create an angel in your form, and it performs the pilgrimage on your behalf every year. So if you wish, you may perform the pilgrimage, and if you wish, you may not." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad (37), the master of every slave and owner, and the best of those through whom the paths were made clear and the ways were elucidated—he from whose family's honors with their Lord and with him, and what they were specially endowed with of perfect nobility and lofty station before Him, is what was narrated from Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq al-Wāqidī: he was a judge, and a festival (ʿĪd) came upon him while he was in straitened circumstances. His wife said to him, "You are Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq, and your fame has spread..."

In the cities, and you have nothing to spend on your family on the night of the Eid ¹²⁹. So he said to her: "You have spoken the truth. What do you advise me?" She said: "We have two neighbors, one a Hashimite ¹³⁰ and the other a Copt ¹³¹." He said: "Which of them do you want me to start with?" She said: "Start with the Hashimite, for if he fails you in wealth, he will not fail you in noble lineage." So he went to the Hashimite and told him his story. The Hashimite had one hundred dinars ¹³² and wanted to give him fifty, but he considered it too little, so he gave him the hundred in their purse. He took them, rejoiced, and went to his home. Then he met an Alawite ¹³³ who was in the same predicament as al-Waqidi ¹³⁴. He complained to him of his situation, and al-Waqidi gave him the hundred with its seal as he had taken them. Then the Hashimite, the owner of the hundred, went to the Alawite that night, and the Alawite took the purse as it was with its seal and handed it to him. When he saw it, he recognized it and said: "Did you take it from al-Waqidi?" He said: "Yes." So they sat down to divide the hundred among themselves. The news spread to al-Ma'mun ¹³⁵, and he gave each of them a thousand mithqals ¹³⁶ and gave the woman two thousand, saying: "This is for your saying: 'Start with the Hashimite, for if he fails you in wealth, he will not fail you in noble lineage.' So a created being gave this woman this great gift because she spoke well of the family of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace. How much more so for one who speaks and acts well and loves them, while the Creator of creation is the One who rewards for that." * If the people of piety are counted, they are their trustees, * Or if it is said: "Who are the best of the people of the earth?" it is said: "They." * Their mention comes after the mention of God, * In every matter, and it is the seal of the word. * No generous person can reach their limit, * Nor can any people approach them, however noble. * They are the rains when drought strikes, * And the lions of the thicket, and dignity is honored. * Hardship does not diminish their hands, * It is the same whether they are wealthy or destitute. * Their origin is derived from the Messenger of God, * Pure are their roots, and goodness and noble traits. * The light of guidance shines from the light of their house, * Like the sun, from whose radiance darkness is dispelled. * From their generosity, the excellence of the prophets is surpassed, * And the excellence of his community surpasses all nations. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the light of the eyes' darkness, the beloved specially honored with the high rank and the station of "two bow-lengths" ¹³⁷, from whose family's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and high station before Him, is what is narrated from him that he said: "Whoever does a favor to anyone of my family and is unable to repay him in this world, I will be the one to repay him on the Day of Resurrection." And he said: "The child is a fragrant basil from God, which He divides among His servants, and my fragrant basil from this world are al-Hasan and al-Husayn." And al-Hasan ibn Ali, may God be pleased with him, said: "My jewel is from a hidden pearl, so I am the jewel and the son of the two pearls." So bless him, O God, and his pure family of noble lineage, and his Companions, the brides of the two presences ¹³⁸, with a blessing that feeds us thereby from the fruits of the gardens of the two Paradises, and clothes us thereby with Your pleasure and His pleasure in the most honorable of the two garments, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. And for our master al-Hasan ibn Ali, may God be pleased with them both, and honor us with their love and pleasure, Amen. A jewel from a hidden pearl ❖ So I am the jewel and the son of the two pearls My father is the sun and my mother the moon ❖ So I am the star between the two moons My mother is truly al-Zahra' ¹³⁹ and my father ❖ The inheritor of knowledge and the master of the two weighty things ¹⁴⁰ The heroes roared when they advanced ❖ On the day of Badr, Uhud, and Hunayn God singled him out with the light of al-Mustafa ¹⁴¹ ❖ And he is the guide for him in the two horizons Who has a grandfather like my grandfather among mankind ❖ And like my lineage, so I am the son of the two uncles Who has an uncle like my uncle Ja'far ❖ To whom God gave two wings O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the path of guidance and uprightness, the best of those through whose hands the miracles of signs and wonders appeared, from whose family's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and high station before Him, is what is narrated from him that he said: "Whoever loves my Companions, my wives, and my family, and does not slander any of them, and leaves this world upon their love, will be with me in a rank on the Day of Resurrection." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the crown of virtues and the center of the necklace of order, the best of those through whom joys are completed and the noble leaders follow, from whose family's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and high station before Him, and what is narrated from him that he said: "O Khadija, this is Gabriel ¹⁴² conveying to you greetings from your Lord. She said: 'Indeed, God is Peace, and from Him is peace, and upon Gabriel be peace.'" O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the means of seeking, the qibla ¹⁴³ of the near ones, and the best of those adorned with the two ornaments of knowledge and good manners, from whose family's miracles upon his Lord and upon him, and what they were specially granted of perfect honor and high station before Him, is what is narrated concerning his noble minister, our lady Khadija, of high rank and lofty station, what is narrated from him that when she brought him a vessel containing food, he said to her: "Indeed, Gabriel conveys to you greetings from him and from his Lord, and says to me: 'Give her glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of hollow pearl, wherein there is no clamor nor fatigue.'" O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those crowned with the crown of prophethood and sovereignty, the most perfect of those through whom You guided the community from ruin and destruction, from whose family's miracles of his truthful and pure one, our lady Aisha, of great status and brilliant miracles, is what is narrated from him that he said: "My Lord married me to Aisha in heaven, and the angels publicized her contract, and the gates of Hell were closed, and the gates of Paradise were opened for forty mornings, as a dowry, then silk, and her fragrance is the fragrance of musk." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the best of those who trusted in God and had good opinion of Him, the most generous of those who raised the beacon of religion and revived the landmarks of the Sunnah ¹⁴⁴, from whose family's miracles of his truthful and pure one, our lady Aisha, of great status and brilliant miracles, is what is narrated from him that he said: "Gabriel came to me and said: 'Indeed, God has married you to the daughter of Abu Bakr, and the image of Aisha was presented to me.'"

Aisha, may God be pleased with her, said: "I do not care, since I learned that you are my husband in Paradise." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose fragrance perfumes gardens and wombs, and the best of those through whose blessing infants and fetuses thrive. Among the miracles ¹⁴⁵ of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that when he intended to divorce our lady Hafsa, Gabriel said to him: "Do not divorce her, for she is one who fasts and prays, and she is your wife in Paradise." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved of high rank and renown, and the best of those through whose blessing rain pours and the dead are revived by his supplication. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that when he informed Hasan, Husayn, and Fatima, may God be pleased with them, saying: "May the mercy and blessings of God be upon you, O people of the House ¹⁴⁶," Umm Salama wept, and he said to her: "O Prophet of God?" She said: "You singled them out and left me." He said: "Indeed, you and your Prophet are among the people of the House." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those through whom I hope for forgiveness of my sin, and through whom I seek intercession ¹⁴⁷ for the acceptance of my righteous deeds and my repentance. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that when he intended to divorce our lady Sawda bint Zam'a, she said to him: "O Messenger of God, do not divorce me, and you are free from my affair, for I wish to be gathered among your wives, and I have given my turn to Aisha." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole ¹⁴⁸ of the noble navel-strings, and the bride of processions and witnessed gatherings. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that when he proposed to Zaynab bint Jahsh, she said: "Until I ask permission from my Lord," and she entered into the state of prayer, and God revealed: "So when Zayd had fulfilled his need of her, We married her to you" ¹⁴⁹. The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, entered upon her, and she said: "Without a proposal or witnesses?" He said: "God is the One who marries, and Gabriel is the witness." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved of renowned virtue and miracles, and Your prophet of clear proofs and signs. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that he described our lady Zaynab bint Jahsh as "awwal" ¹⁵⁰, meaning the humble and supplicating one, and she used to boast over his other wives, saying: "Your families married you, but my Lord married me from above seven heavens." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom He chose, brought near to His holy presence, and selected. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated: that when the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, came as a suitor to his wife our lady Maymuna, she was on a camel, and she threw herself off it and said: "The camel and what is on it are for the Messenger of God." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those through whose hand God poured forth His goodness, granted him His might and acceptance, and answered his supplication for his noble community and His messenger. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that when he gave the Mother of the Believers, our lady Safiyya, the choice between freeing her so she could return to the remnants of her people, or embracing Islam so he would take her for himself, she said: "I choose God and His Messenger." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the elite of the noble messengers, and the imam of the leading guides. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that he said to our lady Safiyya when he took her: "Do you have any desire for me?" She said: "O Prophet of God, I used to wish for that in polytheism, so how about now that God has enabled me to have you in Islam?" O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the unique jewel of beauty, and the rising star of blessed fortune. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that when he intended to marry our lady Umm Habiba, he wrote to the Negus ¹⁵¹ proposing to her for him, and he sent his maidservant to her, who said: "The king says to you: appoint someone to marry you to the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace." She said: "May God give you glad tidings of all good," and she gave her an anklet and a bracelet, and appointed Khalid ibn Sa'id ¹⁵² as her proxy. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the fountainhead of spiritual knowledge and bestowed sciences, and the source of supply for the people of the secret and special station. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that when the Mother of the Believers, our lady Juwayriyya, came to him seeking his help in her manumission contract ¹⁵³, he said: "Or better than that: I will pay your manumission and marry you." She said: "Yes, O Messenger of God." The people heard of that and freed the captives in their hands because they had become his in-laws, may God bless him and grant him peace. No woman was ever seen more blessed for her people than Juwayriyya. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose lamp illuminates the worlds, and through whom the souls of lovers swim in the waves of his oceans. Among the miracles of his pure wives, whose bosoms are purified from the stains of filth and faults, is what is narrated from him: that he said: "By God, you will not believe until you love me, and you will not love me until I am dearer to the believer than his own soul, and his family ¹⁵⁴ are dearer to him than his family, and my children are dearer to him than his children, and my wives are dearer to him than his wives." So bless him, O God, and his family, a blessing that heals our hearts with the antidote of his remedy, and makes us follow the path of his upright religion and his way, and grant him abundant peace forever. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds. O my God, my means to You is the guide, Muhammad, the seal of the prophets. And to You, my God, my means is Ahmad, the guide, the seal of the prophets.

And by Jibril ¹⁵⁵, the strong, the obeyed, the supported, the possessor of revelation; by those who surround Your Throne and the Kursi ¹⁵⁶, all of them, and the inhabitants of every heaven; and by the rank of al-‘Abbas ¹⁵⁷, the uncle of our Prophet, and ‘Aqil ¹⁵⁸ and Ja‘far ¹⁵⁹, the exalted; and by the son of al-‘Abbas ¹⁶⁰, from the embrace of Taha ¹⁶¹, who met the dust with the black cloak; by al-Rida Ibrahim ¹⁶², the son of our Prophet, and by the rest of the daughters and sons; by Khadija ¹⁶³, to whom belongs the precedence, who provided for him when he secluded himself in Hira ¹⁶⁴, and gave him wealth and herself out of love, and treated him well in the beginning; and by ‘Aisha ¹⁶⁵, at whose side Taha died, and she rose above the dust; and by Fatima al-Batul ¹⁶⁶, who surpassed, through Ahmad ¹⁶⁷, the perfect women; and by his remaining wives, answer me, and by the rank of his foster brothers; and by the nurse of the Prophet, grant me chastity, or Ayman ¹⁶⁸, the best of advisors; and by his children whom the Mustafa ¹⁶⁹ loved, I have hoped in You, hear my call; and by the rank of the two grandsons ¹⁷⁰, fulfill my desire, and by the People of Purification ¹⁷¹, the people of worship; do not entrust me to other than You, my God, because of my sins, and do not reject my supplication; and rectify my religion, my worldly life, my afterlife, and my death, O Most Merciful of the merciful. And blessings and peace be upon the Guide, Your Beloved, the Master of the Chosen Ones. The Virtues of Our Master ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab ¹⁷², may Allah be pleased with him. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our Master and Lord Muhammad and upon the family of our Master Muhammad, the bearer of the banner of honor and victory, and the embroidery of the robes of glory and pride, from whose companion's ¹⁷³ miracles in the cave ¹⁷⁴ and what he was specially favored with over the rest of the righteous Companions, as narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "Jibril came to me, and I said to him: 'O Jibril, tell me about the virtues of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab in heaven.' He said: 'O Muhammad, if I were to tell you about the virtues of ‘Umar in the heavens, I would not have remained as long as Noah ¹⁷⁵ in his preaching of a thousand years, except that the virtues of ‘Umar are a general improvement, not unique; and ‘Umar is a good deed from the good deeds of Abu Bakr ¹⁷⁶.'" O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our Master and Lord Muhammad and upon the family of our Master Muhammad, O strength of composition and prose, and the brightness of the time and age, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and what he was specially favored with over the rest of the righteous Companions, as narrated that ‘Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, looked at the sky and the stars intertwined and said: "O Messenger of Allah, is there anyone in the world whose good deeds are as numerous as the stars of the sky?" He said to her: "Yes." She said: "Who is he?" He said: "‘Umar ibn al-Khattab." She said: "I wished that for Abu Bakr." He said: "‘Umar is a good deed from the good deeds of Abu Bakr. How great is he, with pure and righteous praise, revealed in the Remembrance: 'The elder of piety and asceticism, with a forehead that shines with belief like the full moon, and none attained truth towards guidance when He created except Abu Bakr.'" O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our Master and Lord Muhammad and upon the family of our Master Muhammad, the strength of the people of firmness and establishment, and the possessor of high rank and established status, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and what he was specially favored with over the rest of the righteous Companions, as narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "Jibril, peace be upon him, told me: 'O Muhammad, when Allah Almighty created me, He left me under the Throne for eight thousand years and did not address me. Then He said to me: "O Jibril, who am I?" I said: "You are Allah, the One, the Subduer, the King, the Compeller, the Worshipped night and day." Then He left me after that for ten thousand years without addressing me. Then He said to me: "O Jibril, who am I?" I said: "My Lord, You are my Creator, my Provider, my Life-giver, my Death-giver, my Resurrector, and my Inheritor." He said: "You have spoken truth, O Jibril. I am the Creator of creation, the Provider of provision, and I am the Resurrector of those in the graves on the Day of Resurrection." I said: "My Lord, have You created any creation before me?" He said: "Yes, O Jibril. Look ahead of you." So I looked and saw a light that took away my sight with its beauty, its loveliness, and its perfection. On its right was a light, on its left was a light, in front of it was a light, and behind it was a light. I said: "My Lord, what is this light that has taken away my sight with its beauty, its loveliness, and its perfection?" He said: "This is the light for whose sake I created you, and this is the light for whose sake I created the Throne, the Kursi, the Tablet, the Pen, Paradise, Hell, the heavens, the earth, the angels, and all things from the Throne to the dust. And he is My chosen one, My beloved, and the best of My creation: Abu al-Qasim Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace." I said: "My Lord, what is this light on his right, and what is this light on his left, and what is this light between his feet, and what is this light behind him?" He said: "As for the light on his right, it is Abu Bakr al-Siddiq. As for the light on his left, it is ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab. As for the light between his feet, it is ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan. And as for the light behind him, it is ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with them all.'" O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our Master and Lord Muhammad, the best of those whose love and affection hearts are molded for, and the most beautiful of those whose praise and glory tongues are accustomed to, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and what he was specially favored with over the rest of the righteous Companions, as narrated from Jubayr ibn Mut‘im ¹⁷⁷ that he said: "When Allah Almighty sent His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his affair became manifest in Mecca, I went out to Syria. When I was in Busra ¹⁷⁸, a group of Christians came to me and said: 'Are you from the people of the Sanctuary?' I said: 'Yes.' They said: 'Do you know this man who has claimed prophethood among you?' I said: 'Yes.' So they took me into a monastery of theirs, in which there were statues and images. They said: 'Look, do you see the image of this one who has been sent among you?' I said: 'I do not see his image.' So they took me into a larger monastery, in which there were statues and images. They said: 'Do you see his image?' Then I saw the image of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the image of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, holding onto the heel of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They said: 'Do you know this man who is holding onto his heel?' I said: 'Yes.' They said: 'Bear witness that this is your companion and that this is the caliph after him.'" O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our Master and Lord Muhammad and upon the family of our Master Muhammad, the best of those who exerted their utmost in Your obedience, and the most generous of those whose hope and intention reached Your pleasure, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and what he was specially favored with over the rest of the righteous Companions, as narrated from Rabi‘ ibn Khuthaym ¹⁷⁹, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "It is written in the first book: 'The likeness of Abu Bakr is like the rain: wherever it falls, it benefits.'" And it is narrated from al-Fadl ibn ‘Abbas ¹⁸⁰ that when he was named al-‘Atiq ¹⁸¹, it was because his mother was called Umm al-Khayr ¹⁸², and whenever a child was born to her, it died. When she gave birth to Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, she embraced him and carried him, and brought him to the Maqam ¹⁸³, and circumambulated the corners with him, then returned to the Maqam and said: "O Allah, You are not a Lord we have newly adopted, nor does any helper besides You assist You in our creation. O Allah, grant me this my son protection from death." Then a white hand came out...

From the most protected station ¹⁸⁴ for her, I seized the forelock of Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, while a caller said: (54) "O handmaiden of God, in truth, you have triumphed by carrying the ancient child ¹⁸⁵, the companion of the Messenger and the friend, and God has granted him to you from death and made him the caliph after him." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the light of my insight and my inspiration, and the best of those whose pure remembrance You have made my conclusion—he from whose companion's ¹⁸⁶ miracles in the cave ¹⁸⁷ and the special favor bestowed upon him above all the righteous Companions, there is what was narrated from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may God be pleased with him, who said: Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may God be pleased with him, informed us that he went to Yemen before the Prophet, the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, was sent. He said: I passed by an old man from the Azd tribe, a scholar who had read the scriptures and acquired much knowledge from people's knowledge, and he had lived four hundred years minus ten. When he saw me, he said to me: "I think you are from the Haram ¹⁸⁸." I said: "Yes." He said: "And I think you are Qurayshi." I said: "Yes." He said: "And I think you are Taymi." I said: "Yes, I am Abdullah ibn Uthman ibn Amir ibn Umar ibn Ka'b ibn Sa'd ibn Taym ibn Murra." He said: "One thing remains for me about you." I said: "What is it?" He said: "Uncover your belly for me." I said: "I will not do so unless you tell me (55) why." He said: "I find in the true, truthful, pure knowledge that a prophet will be sent in the Haram, and a youth and an elder will accompany him in his affair—a plunger into depths and a repeller of difficulties. As for the elder, he is white, thin, with a mole on his belly and a mark on his left thigh. What harm is there in showing me what I asked you about? For the attributes have been completed for me in you except what is hidden from me." Abu Bakr said: So I uncovered my belly for him, and he saw a black mole above my navel. He said: "You are he, by the Lord of the Kaaba! I am going to advise you in my matter." Abu Bakr said: "What is it?" He said: "Beware of inclining away from guidance, and adhere to the middle path, and fear God in what He has granted and given you." He said: Then I completed my business in Yemen for four [months?], then I came to the old man to bid him farewell. He said: "Convey from me some verses to that prophet." I said: "Yes." So the old man recited: "Do you not see that I have grown weary of my companions / and my soul, which has become in the tribe a soothsayer? / I have protected, and in days there is a lesson for man, / three hundred plus ninety years. / The spark of my strength has praised me, / and I have thrown down an old man who cannot bear burdens. / And you, by the Lord of the House, will come to Muhammad / in such a year, when he has established proofs. / So greet the Messenger of God from me, for I live / by his religion, even though I am a dweller." Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, said: So I memorized his poetry and came to Mecca, and the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, had been sent (56). Then Uqba ibn Abi Mu'ayt, Abu Jahl, and the chiefs of Quraysh came to me and said: "Has anything appeared among you?" They said: "O Abu Bakr, the greatest calamity and the most severe misfortune! The orphan of Abu Talib claims to be a prophet. Were it not for you, we would not have given him respite. Now that you have come, you are the ultimate and sufficient one." Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, said: So I asked about the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, and it was said to me: "He is in Khadija's house." So I knocked on his door, and he came out to me. I said: "O Muhammad, you have left the dwellings of your family and abandoned the religion of your fathers and forefathers." He said: "O Abu Bakr, I am the Messenger of God to you and to all people. So believe in God." I said: "What is your proof for that?" He said: "The old monk you met in Yemen." I said: "How many old men have I met?" He said: "Not that; I mean the old man who gave you the verses." I said: "Who told you that?" He said: "The trustworthy angel who used to come to the prophets before me." I said: "Extend your right hand; I bear witness that there is no god but God and that you are Muhammad, the Messenger of God." Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, said: Then I left, and there was none... more joyful at my Islam than the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad (57), the best of those whose praise You have made my emblem and description, and the most beautiful of those in whose virtues my heart and sight have delighted—he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him above all the righteous Companions, there is what was narrated from him that he said: "I never relieved myself in my expeditions under a sky except I found my name inscribed there: Muhammad, the Messenger of God, Abu Bakr ibn Khalaf." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose mention You have spread in the highest assembly and whose rank You have raised, and the most noble of those whom You sent as a mercy to creation and whose secret You have revealed—he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him above all the righteous Companions, there is what was narrated from Muhammad ibn Jubayr, may God have mercy on him, that Abu Bakr al-Siddiq heard the revelation being delivered to the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace: "Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided." ¹⁸⁹ And no one heard the revelation being delivered to the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, except Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, and he only heard it that one time. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad (58) and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose speech and deeds You have adorned, and the most majestic of those whose request and hope You have fulfilled with Your pleasure—he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him above all the righteous Companions, there is what was narrated from him that he forbade the Companions from standing up for him, then one day he stood up for him and said to his Companions: "I had forbidden you from standing for Abu Bakr, then I stood for him. Indeed, Gabriel, peace be upon him, was with me, and he stood for Abu Bakr, so I stood because Gabriel, peace be upon him, stood for him." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole of lordship, of great rank, and the mountain of generosity, of lofty pride—he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him above all the righteous Companions, there is what was narrated from him, may God bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "I entered upon Abu Bakr in the mosque and found him sleeping, so I woke him for prayer. He said: 'O Messenger of God, we want you to wipe for prayer.' So I went out hiding to look for water for him, but I did not find any. Then I was Gabriel (59), peace be upon him, and I followed him, and I am not from... He gave water in it. I said: 'What is this, O Gabriel?' He said: 'Indeed, God has sent to Abu Bakr. Know that whoever sweats from the Throne...' So I informed Abu Bakr of that." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the model of every worshiper and devotee, and the best of those who led his nation on the clearest paths and the best ways—he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him above all the righteous Companions, there is what was narrated from Ibn Abbas, may God be pleased with him, that he said: Gabriel, peace be upon him, descended upon the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, wearing a cloak. The Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: "O Gabriel, what is this?" He said: "Indeed, God Almighty looked and saw Abu Bakr wearing a Qitwani ¹⁹⁰ cloak, so He commanded the angels of the seven heavens to wear the like of it." So the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, informed Abu Bakr.

a virgin ¹⁹¹ with that. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad ⁶⁰, the best of those who openly declared his love and alluded, and the most excellent of those whom You made his praise my creed, my path, and my art; from the miracles of his companion in the cave ¹⁹², and the distinction with which he was favored over all other righteous companions, what was narrated from 'Ubayd ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: I saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, kissing Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, placing his mouth exactly upon his mouth. I said: O Messenger of Allah, do you kiss Abu Bakr like this? He said: 'Do not blame me; by Allah, I likened his front teeth only to a pearl I saw in Paradise.' I said: What is his rank with you, O Messenger of Allah? He said: 'His rank with me is like his rank with my Lord. I marvel at people who blame me for loving al-Siddiq. By Allah, Allah has honored my love.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the ocean of generosity, grace, and favor, and the best of those who clarified the paths of religion and the Sunna; from the miracles of his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored over all other righteous companions, what was narrated ⁶¹ from him that he said: 'I am the first to arrive at the Resurrection. By Him who sent me with the truth, the creation will be standing before Allah, Blessed and Exalted, when a caller calls: Where is Abu Bakr al-Siddiq? He will emerge from among the creation wearing two garments of light, wrapped in one and cloaked in the other, and he will stand before Allah Almighty. He will be given his book in his right hand, and on its heading is written: From Allah, Mighty and Majestic, to Abu Bakr. He will take it and read it, and in it are two lines of light: You are the first to believe in My Messenger and to come to Me; I have no grievance against you before you. If you wish, stand for good deeds, and if you wish, enter Paradise.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who raised the beacon of religion and elevated it, and the noblest of those who organized the unity of Islam and gathered it; from the miracles of his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored over all other righteous companions, what was narrated from al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: Allah Almighty reproached all people concerning the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, except Abu Bakr, for He excluded him from reproach in His words: {If you do not help him, Allah has already helped him when those who disbelieved expelled him, the second of two, when they were in the cave, when he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.'} ¹⁹³ And it was narrated from Sa'id ibn Jubayr concerning the words of Allah Almighty: {Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon him} ¹⁹⁴ that it was upon Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, because tranquility did not descend with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of free men, patrons, and kings, the imam of the leaders ¹⁹⁵ and the masters of attraction and conduct ¹⁹⁶; from the miracles of his companion ⁶² in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored over all other righteous companions, what was narrated that he witnessed Badr with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and all the battles, missing none, and he stood firm with the Messenger of Allah on the day of Uhud when the people fled, and the Messenger of Allah entrusted him with his great standard on the day of Tabuk. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who made a covenant and a pledge with You, and the most successful of those who led his community on a straight path and a right way; from the miracles of his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored over all other righteous companions, what was narrated from 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: The Messenger of Allah commanded us to give charity, and I had some wealth at that time. I said: Today I will surpass Abu Bakr, if I ever surpass him. He said: So I brought half my wealth. The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'What have you left for your family?' I said: The like of it. And Abu Bakr brought all that he had. The Messenger of Allah said: 'What have you left for your family?' He said: Allah and His Messenger. 'Umar said: I said: I will never compete with you in anything again. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who swam in the seas of secrets ¹⁹⁷ from those who are content, and the swiftest of those whose steed galloped in the field of spiritual knowledge ¹⁹⁸ and who were content; from the miracles of his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored over all other righteous companions, what was narrated from 'Urwa ⁶³ ibn al-Zubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: Abu Bakr embraced Islam while he had forty thousand [dirhams], all of which he spent on the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. And from Ibn 'Umar, he said: I was with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and with him was Abu Bakr, wearing a cloak which he had fastened on his chest with pins. Then Gabriel descended upon him and said: O Muhammad, why do I see Abu Bakr wearing a cloak fastened on his chest with pins? He said: O Gabriel, he spent his wealth on me before the conquest. He said: Allah, Mighty and Majestic, sends you greetings and says to you: Tell him: Are you pleased with Me in this poverty of yours, or angry? So the Messenger of Allah said to him: 'O Abu Bakr, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, sends you greetings and says to you: Are you pleased with Me in this poverty of yours, or angry?' Abu Bakr, may Allah Almighty be pleased with him, said: Should I be angry with my Lord? I am pleased with my Lord, I am pleased with my Lord, I am pleased with my Lord. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose mention delights tongues and lips, and the greatest of those before whom necks bowed and mountains humbled; from the miracles of his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored over all other righteous companions, what was narrated that when he sent the army of Syria under the command of Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan, he went out walking on his feet while Yazid was riding. Yazid said to him: O Caliph of the Messenger of Allah, either you ride or you permit me to walk with you, for I dislike riding while you walk. Abu Bakr said: You will not dismount, and I will not ride. I seek reward for these steps in the path of Allah. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, with a blessing that drowns us in the ocean of his generosity and munificence, and makes it a treasure for us whose blessing we find on the day when a person looks at what his hands have sent forth, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. ⁶⁴ O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the point of my secret ¹⁹⁹, the tongue of my wisdom, the aim of my sight, and the throne of my aspiration; from the miracles of his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored over all other righteous companions, what was narrated from him that he said:

The dearest of people to me, the most honorable to me, and the most beloved to me are my companions who believed in me and affirmed me. And the dearest of my companions to me, the best of them to me, the most honorable to them in the sight of Allah, and the most virtuous in this world and the Hereafter is Abu Bakr al-Siddiq ²⁰⁰, may Allah be pleased with him. For the people denied me, but he affirmed me; they abandoned me, but he kept ties with me; they made me feel lonely, but he comforted me; they left me, but he accompanied me; they withheld from me, but he spent on me; they married me, but he gave me in marriage; they turned away from me, but he desired me; and he preferred me over himself, his family, and his wealth. May Allah Almighty reward him on my behalf on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever loves me, let him love him; whoever desires my honor, let him honor him; and whoever desires closeness to Allah Almighty, let him listen and obey the command of the Caliph after me over my community. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of prophets, whose rank is exalted and whose virtue and excellence are manifested in the Praiseworthy Station ²⁰¹; he from whose companion's ²⁰² miracles in the cave ²⁰³ and the special favor bestowed upon him over all the other righteous companions, it is narrated that Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said to him: 'O Abu Bakr, by what did you attain this station such that you preceded us so greatly?' He replied: 'By five things: first, I found people to be of two types—seekers of this world and seekers of the Hereafter—and I was a seeker of the Lord; second, I have never been satiated with the food of this world since I entered Islam, for the pleasure of knowledge ²⁰⁴ occupied me from the pleasure of worldly food; third, I have never quenched my thirst with the drink of this world since I entered Islam, because the pleasure of love of Allah occupied me from the pleasure of worldly drink; fourth, whenever two deeds confronted me—a deed for this world and a deed for the Hereafter—I chose the deed of the Hereafter; fifth, I accompanied the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and I excelled in my companionship.' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved, of lofty rank and status, and the best of those by whose law and guidance the creatures are guided; he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all the other righteous companions, it is narrated from some scholars that he said: 'The Islam of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was like revelation, because he was a merchant in Syria and saw a dream. He related it to Bahira ²⁰⁵ the monk, who asked him, "Where are you from?" He said, "From Mecca." He asked, "From which tribe?" He said, "From Quraysh." He said, "If Allah makes your dream true, a prophet will be sent from your people, and you will be his minister in his lifetime and his successor after his death." Abu Bakr kept this secret in himself. When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was sent, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, came to him and said, "O Muhammad, what is the proof of what you claim?" He said, "The dream you saw in Syria." Then he kissed him between his eyes and said, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that you are Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah."' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, the essence of ancient glory and the imam of people of insight and verification; he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all the other righteous companions, it is narrated in the hadith: 'Indeed, the angels gathered beneath the Tree of Tuba ²⁰⁶ and one said, "I wish that Allah Almighty would give me the strength of a thousand like me and clothe me with the feathers of a thousand like me, so that I could fly around Paradise until I reach its end." Allah granted him that, and he flew for a thousand years until his strength failed and his feathers fell off. Then Allah gave him strength and wings, and he flew for another thousand years until his strength failed and his feathers fell off. Then Allah gave him strength and wings, and he flew for a third thousand years until his strength failed and his feathers fell off. He fell at the door of a palace within, and a houri ²⁰⁷ looked out at him and said, "O angel, why do I see you weeping? This is not a place of weeping and sorrow, but a place of joy and happiness." He said, "Because I challenged Allah regarding His power." Then he informed her of his offense. She said, "You have indeed risked yourself. Do you know how far you flew in these three thousand years?" He said, "No." She said, "By the might of my Lord, you flew only one part out of ten thousand parts of what Allah has prepared for Abu Bakr al-Siddiq."' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the pole ²⁰⁸ of sovereignty, of great rank, and the fragrant garden of virtues; he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all the other righteous companions, it is narrated that Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: 'I wish that all my deeds were like the deeds of Abu Bakr for one day, and I wish that I could see the stations of Abu Bakr in Paradise, and I wish that I were hairs on the chest of Abu Bakr.' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the beauty of the age and the era, who said: 'I am the master of the children of Adam, and I do not boast'; he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all the other righteous companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah be pleased with him, looked at the face of Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah honor his face, then smiled. Ali said to him, 'Why are you smiling?' He said, 'I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say...'

No one shall pass the Path ²⁰⁹ except for whom Ali ibn Abi Talib has written a pass. Ali said: And I heard him say: 'A pass is written only for one who loves Abu Bakr.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the sword of might and victory, of abundant fortune and reward, among whose companion's ²¹⁰ miracles in the Cave ²¹¹ and the distinction He bestowed upon him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what was narrated from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him: A Jew came to Abu Bakr and said to him: 'By Him who sent Moses as a speaker, I love you.' But Abu Bakr did not raise his head to him, belittling him. Then Gabriel, peace be upon him, descended and said: 'O Muhammad, Allah sends you greetings and says: Tell the Jew: Allah has turned away from him two handfuls of Hellfire; shackles shall not be placed on his feet nor a collar on his neck.' So the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, informed him of that, and he said: 'I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah. By Him who sent you with the truth as a prophet, I have only increased in love for Abu Bakr.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to him: 'Congratulations, congratulations! Allah has turned away Hellfire with its hooves from you and admitted you to Paradise through love of Abu Bakr.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your prophet of great station and importance, Your trusted beloved over Your revelation in secret and public, among whose companion's miracles in the Cave and the distinction He bestowed upon him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: He wrote to the Jews of Khaybar, inviting them to Islam, establishing prayer, giving alms, and lending Allah a goodly loan. A man among them said: 'Allah is poor; He asks us for a loan.' So Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, slapped him on his face and said: 'By Him in whose hand is my soul, were it not for the covenant between us and you, I would have struck your neck.' Then Abu Bakr went to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and informed him of that. The Jew denied it, and then the words of the Exalted descended: 'Indeed, Allah has heard the statement of those who said, "Allah is poor, while we are rich"' ²¹², confirming Abu Bakr. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the Imam of the Sunnah and the Community, the best of those adorned with the two ornaments of asceticism and contentment, among whose companion's miracles in the Cave and the distinction He bestowed upon him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what was narrated from him: He said: 'Allah has a knowledge of light upon which you should write: There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr the Truthful.' And he said: 'O Allah, You made Abu Bakr my companion in the Cave, so make him my companion in Paradise.' And he said: 'O Abu Bakr, Allah has given me the reward of whoever believes in Him from among His creation and gives [charity] if He sends me, and He has given you the reward of whoever believes in me until the Hour is established.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the firm pillar of religion, who is truly worthy of all virtues and perfections, among whose companion's miracles in the Cave and the distinction He bestowed upon him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: He prepared food and invited his Companions, and fed them with his own hand, morsel by morsel, and said: 'The master of a people is their servant.' And he fed Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, three morsels. Al-Abbas asked him about that, and he said: 'When I fed him the first morsel, Gabriel said to him: "Congratulations to you, O Freed One ²¹³!" When I fed him the second, Michael said to him: "Congratulations to you, O Companion!" When I fed him the third, the Lord of Might said to him: "Congratulations to you, O Truthful One!"' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose due right the worlds have acknowledged and whose miracles have testified to the proofs of his prophethood and truthfulness, among whose companion's miracles in the Cave and the distinction He bestowed upon him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: He said: 'Love of Abu Bakr is obligatory upon me.' And he said: 'It will be said: "Where are the foremost [in faith]?" And it will be said: "Who?" Then it will be said: "Where is Abu Bakr?" Then Allah will manifest Himself to him specifically and to the people generally.' And he said: 'Abu Bakr did not excel you by much fasting or prayer, but by something settled in his heart: love of Allah and sincerity to His creation.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole of sainthood ²¹⁴ of lofty station, the crown of divine care, blessed in the beginning and the end, among whose companion's miracles in the Cave and the distinction He bestowed upon him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: He prayed the morning prayer, and when he finished he said: 'Where is Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him?' He said: 'At your service, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Did you catch the first rak'ah with me?' He said: 'I was with you in the first row, but something whispered to me about purification, so I went out to the door of the mosque. Then a caller called out to me: "O Abu Bakr!" I turned and there was a golden basin, its water whiter than snow and more fragrant than musk, with a cloth on it inscribed: "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr the Truthful." So I performed ablution, then I placed the cloth back in its place.' He said: 'O Abu Bakr, you had not finished the recitation when I took hold of my neck and could not bow until you came. Indeed, the one who detained you was Gabriel, and the one who detained you was Michael, and the one who took hold of my neck was Israfil, peace be upon them.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the path of conduct for the people of intention and affirmation, the light of insight for the people of unveiling and verification, among whose companion's miracles in the Cave and the distinction He bestowed upon him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: He said: 'Everything greeted me on the Night of the Ascension ²¹⁵ except the sun. I greeted it and asked it about its eclipse. Allah the Exalted made it speak, and it said: "Allah the Exalted has made for me a wheel that runs wherever He wills. I looked at myself with an eye of wonder, and the wheel descended with me, and I fell into the sea. There I saw two persons: one saying "One, One" and the other saying "Truth, Truth." I sought intercession through them to Allah to rescue me from the eclipse. I said: "O Lord, who are they?" He said: "The one saying "One, One" is My beloved Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the one saying "Truth, Truth" is Abu Bakr the Truthful."'

The truth of truth is Abu Bakr al-Siddiq ²¹⁶. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose love hearts have agreed upon and whose landmarks souls yearn to visit and whose dust they kiss, he from whose companion's ²¹⁷ miracles in the cave ²¹⁸ and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "On the night of my Ascension ²¹⁹, I saw in Paradise a tower whose top was silk and whose bottom was silk. I said: 'O Gabriel, for whom is this tower?' He said: 'For Abu Bakr.' And I saw in every heaven an angel in the form of Abu Bakr. I said: 'O Lord, will You bring out Abu Bakr before me?' He said: 'No, but out of My love for him, I created in every heaven an angel in his form.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose origin and virtue are noble, he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated from Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "A woman from the Ansar ²²⁰ came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I saw in a dream that the palm tree in my courtyard had fallen, and my husband is on a journey.' He said: 'You must be patient, for you will not be reunited with him on the Day of Resurrection.' The woman left weeping and saw Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and told him her dream without mentioning the Prophet's words. He said: 'Go, for you will be reunited with him.' She returned to her home pondering the words of the Prophet and Abu Bakr. When night came, her husband arrived. He looked at her for a long time, and then Gabriel, peace be upon him, came and said: 'O Muhammad, what you said is the truth, but when al-Siddiq said, "You will be reunited with him this night," Allah Almighty was too shy to let falsehood proceed from his tongue, because he is a Siddiq ²¹⁶, so He revived him as a miracle for him.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the tongue of my wisdom, the secret of my benefit, the path of my guidance, and the way of my happiness, he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated that a man died in Medina and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, wanted to pray over him. Gabriel descended and said: 'O Muhammad, do not pray over him.' So he refrained. Then Abu Bakr came and said: 'O Prophet of Allah, pray over him, for I know nothing but good from him.' Gabriel descended and said: 'O Muhammad, pray over him, for the testimony of Abu Bakr takes precedence over my testimony.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those You created with Your kindness and mercy, and upon whose heart You poured the gifts of Your secrets and knowledge, he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave his ring to him, may Allah be pleased with him, and said: 'Write on it: There is no god but Allah.' Abu Bakr gave it to the engraver ²²¹ and said: 'Write: There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.' He wrote it. When Abu Bakr brought it to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, he found: 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.' He said: 'What is this addition, O Abu Bakr?' He said: 'I did not want to separate your name from the name of Allah. As for the rest, I did not say it.' Then Gabriel, peace be upon him, descended and said: 'Allah, glorified and exalted, has written the name of Abu Bakr and said: Because he was not pleased to separate your name from My name, I am not pleased to separate his name from your name.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the station of the secret of prophethood, the magnificent, and the ruby of the crown of the great message, he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated that Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: 'Who is the bravest of people?' They said: 'You are.' He said: 'I never faced anyone without getting the better of him, but the bravest of people is Abu Bakr. On the day of Badr ²²², we set up a canopy for the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said: Who will be with the Prophet so that none of the polytheists may reach him? By Allah, no one came near us except Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, brandishing his sword over the head of the Messenger of Allah.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of honor and pride, the mine of forbearance and patience, he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "No one has a favor upon us for which we have not recompensed him, except Abu Bakr. He has a favor upon us for which Allah will recompense him on the Day of Resurrection. No one's wealth has ever benefited me as much as the wealth of Abu Bakr. If I were to take a close friend ²²³, I would take Abu Bakr as a close friend. I never presented Islam to anyone without him hesitating, except Abu Bakr." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the renewer of spirit and thought, the builder of heart and breast, he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Love of Abu Bakr is obligatory upon my community. Allah never poured anything into my breast except that I poured it into the breast of Abu Bakr." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the possessor of the tied banner ²²⁴, the one specially granted the great intercession ²²⁵ in the Praised Station ²²⁶, he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "On the night when Abu Bakr was born, your Lord manifested Himself over the Garden of Eden ²²⁷ and said: 'By My might and majesty, I will not admit into it anyone except those who love this newborn.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom his Lord chose, preferred, crowned with the crown of His message and prophethood, and perfected, he from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "A man will appear to you whom Allah has created after me as none better or more excellent, and he will have the intercession of the prophets." Then Abu Bakr appeared, and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stood up to him and kissed him. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the most generous of those through whose blessing good things flow and increase, and the most excellent of those whose mention makes gatherings pleasant and flourish,

Of the miracles of his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored above the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: "O 'A'ishah, shall I not inform you?" She said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Indeed, your father's name is written upon the heart of the sun, and the sun faces the qiblah (direction of prayer) every day, and it refrains from passing over it, so the angel entrusted with it rebukes it and says: 'By the truth of what is in you of the name, you must pass,' and so it passes." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, possessor of the highest station, and of true insight and vision, of whose miracles concerning his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored above the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: "I said to Jibril (Gabriel) when I was taken by night to heaven: 'Will my community be held to account?' He said: 'All of your community will be held to account, except Abu Bakr. When the Day of Resurrection comes, it will be said to him: "Enter Paradise." He will say: "I will not enter it until those who loved me in the abode of this world enter."'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad (75), the full moon of noble prophethood, and the essence of ancient honor, of whose miracles concerning his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored above the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: "No sun has risen nor set upon anyone after the prophets and the veracious (siddiqin) more excellent than Abu Bakr al-Siddiq." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose worth You magnified and whose station You raised, and the most perfect of those through whom You manifested the religion and spread its banners, of whose miracles concerning his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored above the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that when al-Siddiq was with him in the cave, he said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, you have known your station from Allah through prophethood and messengership, but by what thing shall I know my station?" So he said to him: "I am the Messenger of Allah, and you are my veracious one (siddiqi), my wing, my intimate companion, and you are my successor after me. You will advance among the people as I advance, and you are my bedfellow. And indeed, Allah has forgiven you and those who love you until the Day of Resurrection." And the best of Allah's creation after Muhammad ❖ is 'Atiq (the freed one), the Commander of the Faithful, Abu Bakr. Who else but him has Allah made clear his virtue ❖ in the Surah of al-Fath (The Victory), of great status? And in the Surah of al-Anfal (The Spoils) His virtue was made clear ❖ likewise in Bara'ah (Repentance) and in the Surah of al-Hashr (The Gathering). And who else but him did Jibril come, intending ❖ to the Chosen One (al-Mustafa) from Allah with glad tidings? He said: "Who is the elder who interposed himself in the cloak?" ❖ The Messenger of Allah said: "That is Abu Bakr." He said: "Indeed, Allah is pleased with his action, ❖ Is he then pleased with Him in a state of poverty?" So he fell prostrate to the face of Allah at that moment ❖ out of modesty before the Most Merciful, the One, the Unique (76). And he continued weeping, with tears flowing ❖ praising his Lord and acting without seeking thanks. And he said repeatedly, out of envy for Muhammad ❖ "I am content with Allah's decree in hardship and ease." So he said to him: "Rejoice, for you have attained your desires, ❖ And whoever has attained what you have attained, O Abu Bakr." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the greatest of people in love for You, and the most generous in the sanctity of Your perfection, who strove for what pleases You, of whose miracles concerning his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored above the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated that 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) about the virtue of her father over the rest of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and he said to her: "O 'A'ishah, indeed Allah Almighty has favored him over all my Companions. My term has drawn near, and he is the caliph after me. Do not doubt this, for if you doubt, you will not see my face on the Day of Resurrection." Then he said: "O 'A'ishah, when I depart this world, Allah will command Jibril (peace be upon him), and he will say: 'Bring Me the black standard which I created for the sake of Abu Bakr seventy thousand years before I created the heavens and the earth, and it is beneath the Throne, inscribed upon it in white: "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."' Then Allah will command that a proclamation be made in the seven heavens, informing them that Muhammad has departed this world and appointed Abu Bakr as his successor, and commanded his allegiance. Then He will send an angel to the jinn, humans, all wild beasts, and predators, that they should pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr. And He will command those... and finally to the seas and those within them, that they should pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr." 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "And what is done with that standard, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "It is folded and placed beneath the Throne until the Day of Resurrection. When the Day of Resurrection comes, and the Trumpet is blown, the earth splits open, and all creatures come forth barefoot and naked, Allah Almighty will command Jibril to bring the standard and spread it in the plains of the Resurrection. Then Jibril (peace be upon him) will proclaim: 'Behold! Whoever loves Abu Bakr, let him take cover and seek shade beneath this standard.' So everyone who loves him will take cover beneath it. This is no jest, O 'A'ishah—such is the virtue of your father." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the treasure of guardianship and protection, the tongue of recitation and remembrance, of whose miracles concerning his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored above the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: "Indeed, the person most entitled to my companionship and his wealth is Abu Bakr. If I were to take a close friend (khalil), I would have taken Abu Bakr as a close friend, but rather it is the brotherhood of Islam. And let no door remain except the door of Abu Bakr." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who stood for You in fulfilling the obligatory and the sunnah, and the most generous of those who trusted in You and had good opinion of You, of whose miracles concerning his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored above the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: "Who among you is fasting today?" Abu Bakr said: "I am." He (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Who among you followed a funeral procession today?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." He said: "Who among you fed a poor person today?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." He (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "These qualities have never been combined in a single man except that he entered Paradise." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the fortress of security and protection, the sword of defense and might, of whose miracles concerning his companion in the cave, and the distinction with which he was favored above the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said:

Whoever spends two kinds ²²⁸ in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Paradise: 'O servant of Allah, this is good.' Whoever is among the people of prayer will be called from the gate of prayer; whoever is among the people of jihad will be called from the gate of jihad; whoever is among the people of charity will be called from the gate of charity; and whoever is among the people of fasting will be called from the gate of fasting. Abu Bakr said: 'O Messenger of Allah, no distress will befall one who is called from all those gates. Will anyone be called from all those gates?' He said: 'Yes, and I hope that you will be among them.' And it was said to him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: 'Who is the most beloved of people to you?' He said: 'Aisha.' He said: 'I am not asking about women.' He said: 'Her father,' meaning Abu Bakr. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose companionship and meeting men have boasted, and the most beautiful of those whose noble countenance and beautiful face eyes have gazed upon, from whose companion's miracles in the cave ²²⁹ and the special favor bestowed upon him over all other righteous companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'On the night of the Isra' ²³⁰, I said: O Allah, make all creation my sight. The heavens trembled and the angels spoke, saying: Recite. I said: What shall I recite? They said: Recite, "And you do not will except that Allah wills, Lord of the worlds" ²³¹. And I am amazed at people who blame me for loving Abu Bakr, while Allah loves him more than I do. The proof of that is His saying, the Exalted: "The second of two when they were in the cave, when he said to his companion: Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us" ²³². So Allah mentioned Abu Bakr in this verse five times out of love for him.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the bride of the fragrant angels, the lamp of the angels by which light is sought on land and sea, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all other righteous companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'Indeed, in Paradise there are houris ²³³ created for Allah, the Exalted, from saffron, called the Saffron Maidens; none marry them except a prophet, a siddiq ²³⁴, or a martyr. And Abu Bakr will have four hundred of them.' Guidance, success, clear path and way, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all other righteous companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'On the night of the Isra' to heaven, I entered Paradise and saw a bird there, its head of a jewel, its eyes of a red ruby, its chest of a yellow leaf, its wings of a green emerald, and its legs of pearl, flying like the blowing wind. I said: O Gabriel, what is this bird? He said: O Muhammad, on the day Allah created Paradise, He created this bird and commanded it to fly across this Paradise. If you ask it, it will speak to you. So the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, raised the bird and said: By Him who commanded you to fly in this Paradise, unless you tell me what your Lord has left ²³⁵. It said: O Muhammad, indeed Allah, the Exalted, created Paradise and created me in it, and commanded me to fly in it until the day the Trumpet is blown. And my Lord, Mighty and Majestic, has left seven hundred thousand builders building palaces according to the extent of my flight until the day the Trumpet is blown, and all that is for Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the choicest of the pure, the delight of suns and moons, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all other righteous companions, it is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'When the Day of Resurrection comes, a pulpit will be set up, and an angel will ascend one of them and say: O assembly of creatures, do you know me? Whoever does not know me, I are Ridwan ²³⁶, the keeper of Paradise. My Lord commanded me to give the keys of Paradise to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and Muhammad commanded me to give them to Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, so that he may admit his lovers and the lovers of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, into Paradise. Then another pulpit will come, and another angel will ascend the second pulpit and say: O assembly of creatures, do you know me? Whoever does not know me, I are Malik ²³⁷, the keeper of Hell. My Lord, Mighty and Majestic, commanded me to give the keys of Hell to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and Muhammad commanded me to give them to Abu Bakr, so that he may admit those who hate him and those who hate Aisha into Hell.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You have given to drink from the cups of Your love abundantly, and whom You have granted lofty honor and sovereignty among Your prophets, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all other righteous companions, it is narrated from Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded us to give charity, and that coincided with some wealth I had. So I said: Today I will surpass Abu Bakr if I surpass him. So I brought half of my wealth. He said: O Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, what have you left for your family? I said: The like of it. And Abu Bakr brought all that he had. He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to him: What have you left for your family, O Abu Bakr? He said: I have left for them Allah and His Messenger. So I said: I will never compete with you in anything. 'Atiq ²³⁸ is Abu Bakr, and the father of Bakr ²³⁹ has remembrance with glorification in the clear Remembrance ²⁴⁰. The caliph of the best of messengers, Muhammad, and the first pious one who verified the word from the pious, with all that his wealth contained, he came to the truthful guide, the intercessor on the Day of Gathering, and said: For my family, I have left the Guardian as a guarantor for them in times of hardship and ease. Thus should be whoever is devoted to Allah and remains sincere in secret and in public. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose worth the praiser has exalted and magnified, and whose love the lover has concealed in his heart and resolved, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all other righteous companions, it is narrated that: There was something between Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, and Umar was harsher in speech to Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him. So Umar came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said: O Messenger of Allah, I complain to you and to my erring soul. There was something between me and Abu Bakr, and I was harsh to him in speech. He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'Leave my companion to me, for the people said: You have lied, and Abu Bakr said: You have spoken the truth. And he spoke kindly on his face, as if he were none other than Bakr, who had not learned.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole of majesty, lofty in rank and station, the seal of prophethood and messengership, sent with the Sunnah and the Book, from whose companion's miracles in the cave and the special favor bestowed upon him over all other righteous companions, it is narrated that: On the night of the cave, Abu Bakr said: O Messenger of Allah, let me enter first; if there is a snake or something in it, it will be for me before you. He said to him: Enter. So Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, entered and began to feel with his hand. Whenever he saw a hole, he tore a piece from his garment and then plugged it.

...the hole until he had done that with all his garment, and there remained (79) one hole, and his garment was finished, so he placed his heel over it. Then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) entered. When morning came, he said to him: "Where is your garment, O Abu Bakrah?" So he informed him of what he had done. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) raised his hands and said: "O Allah, place Abu Bakr with me in my station in Paradise." Then Allah revealed to him that Allah had answered (the prayer). O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and patron Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the ocean of gifts and secrets, the sphere of the rising of suns and moons, he from whose companion's (Abu Bakr's) miracles in the cave, and what he was distinguished with of virtue over the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from him that he gave a sermon one day and said: "Is there among you anyone who can recite Surah Bara'ah (al-Tawbah)?" A man said: "I can, O Caliph of the Messenger of Allah." He said to him: "Recite." So he recited until he reached the saying of the Exalted: "The second of two when they were in the cave, when he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us.'" (Quran 9:40) Then Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) began to weep and said: "By Allah, I am his companion in the cave." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and patron Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those to whom You granted guidance and success, and the most virtuous of those for whom You made Jibril (Gabriel) a companion and friend, he from whose companion's (Abu Bakr's) miracles in the cave, and what he was distinguished with of virtue over the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated: "When he was in the cave with the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), he became extremely thirsty. The Prophet said to him: 'O Abu Bakr, go to the front of the cave.' He said: 'I went to the front of the cave and found a spring sweeter than honey and more fragrant than musk, upon the whiteness of camphor. I drank until I was quenched. Then I came to the Chosen One (al-Mustafa) (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). He said: 'O Abu Bakr, have you drunk?' I said: 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Do you know what you have drunk?' I said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said: 'O Abu Bakr, indeed when Allah the Exalted knew of your thirst, He commanded an angel to cause a spring from al-Kawthar (the River of Paradise) to flow for you into the cave.' Then Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) wept and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, do I have this station with Allah?' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: 'O Abu Bakr, by Him Who sent me as a prophet with the truth, no one who hates you will enter Paradise, even if he has the deeds of seventy siddiqin (truthful ones).'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and patron Muhammad, the ultimate goal of our intention and the limit of our hopes, and he whose Sunnah and Book we follow in our words and deeds, he from whose companion's (Abu Bakr's) miracles in the cave, and what he was distinguished with of virtue over the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated from Dabbah ibn Mihsan who said: Abu Musa al-Ash'ari was an amir (governor) over us in Basra. When he gave a sermon, he would praise Allah and extol Him, then send blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), then begin to supplicate for 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). This angered me, so I stood up to him and said: "Where is that compared to his companion (Abu Bakr) and his superiority over him?" He wrote to 'Umar complaining about me, saying: "So-and-so objects to me in my sermon." 'Umar wrote to him: "Send him to me." So he sent me to him. When I arrived in Medina, I knocked on his door seeking permission to enter. He said: "Who are you?" I said: "Dabbah ibn Mihsan." He said: "No welcome and no greeting." I said: "As for welcome, it is from Allah; as for greeting, I have no family or wealth. For what reason, O 'Umar, have you deemed it lawful to summon me from Egypt without any sin I have committed?" He said: "What was the dispute between you and my agent? Shall I not inform you? He gave us a sermon, praised Allah and extolled Him, sent blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), then began to supplicate for 'Umar ibn al-Khattab. This angered me, so I stood up to him and said to him: 'Where are you from his companion and his superiority over him?' So he wrote to you complaining about me, saying: 'So-and-so objects to me in my sermon.'" He ('Umar) said: Then 'Umar wept until I felt pity for him due to his weeping. Then he said: "By Allah, you are more correct and rightly guided than him. Will you forgive me my sin? May Allah forgive you." I said: "May Allah forgive you, O Commander of the Faithful." 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "One night of Abu Bakr is better than 'Umar and the family of 'Umar. Would you like me to tell you about his night and his day?" I said: "Yes, O Commander of the Faithful. As for his night: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) fled from the people of Mecca, he left at night. Abu Bakr followed him, walking sometimes in front of him, sometimes behind him, sometimes to his right, and sometimes to his left. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said to him: 'What is this, O Abu Bakr?' He said: 'O Messenger of Allah, "And remember the Most Merciful" (Quran 19:44)... so that I may be behind you and sometimes to your (80) right and sometimes to your left, so that nothing may come upon you.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) walked until his feet became sore. So (Abu Bakr) placed him on his shoulders and carried him until he came to the cave. He made him dismount and said: 'By Him Who sent you with the truth, do not enter it until I enter it first. If there is any harm in it, it will befall me instead of you.' So he entered the cave. There was a hole in it, so he tore his cloak and plugged that hole with it. Then he (continued) with his feet. There was a crevice in the cave containing snakes and vipers, and he feared they might harm the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). So he placed his foot in the crevice, and it struck him, and he (the snake) bit him, while the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was saying: 'O Abu Bakr, do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us.' (Quran 9:40) As for the day of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) passed away, the Arabs apostatized. Some people said: 'We will pray but not pay zakat.' Others said: 'We will pay zakat but not pray.' I came to him as an advisor and said: 'O Caliph of the Messenger of Allah, be gentle with them.' He said: 'I hoped for your support, but you come to me with your abandonment. With what shall I win them over? With fabricated poetry or with something falsely attributed? The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has passed away and revelation has ceased. By Allah, if they withhold from me a hobbling rope (i.e., the least thing) that they used to give to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), I will fight them for it.' So I fought alongside him, and Allah granted victory through his hands. The people of apostasy said: 'By Allah, we did not disbelieve after our Islam, but we were stingy with our wealth.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and patron Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those upon whose tongues You have caused the creatures to mention and praise him, and the most fortunate of those whom You sent as a caller to You, and by whose guidance You guided the creatures, he from whose companion's (Abu Bakr's) miracles in the cave, and what he was distinguished with of virtue over the rest of the righteous Companions, is what was narrated that Allah the Exalted distinguished him with characteristics from what He distinguished His prophets (peace be upon them) with. He said concerning His prophet Adam (peace be upon him): "Indeed I am going to place a vicegerent (khalifah) on earth." (Quran 2:30) And He said concerning him (Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him): "Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession (khalifah) on the earth just as He granted it to those before them." (Quran 24:55) So he was the Caliph (Khalifah) of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). And He said concerning His prophet Idris (Enoch) (peace be upon him): "And mention in the Book" up to "a prophet." (Quran 19:56-57) And He said concerning him (Abu Bakr):

And He who brought the truth and those who believed in it ²⁴¹ — he is Abu Bakr. And He said concerning His prophet Ibrahim: "And indeed, among his followers ²⁴² is Ibrahim" up to "sound ²⁴³." And He said concerning Abu Bakr: "And follow the way of those who turn to Me ²⁴⁴." And He said concerning His prophet Yusuf, peace be upon him: "And thus We established Yusuf in the land ²⁴⁵." And He said concerning Abu Bakr: "And He will surely establish for them their religion which He has approved for them ²⁴⁶." And He said concerning His prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: "And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied ²⁴⁷." And He said concerning Abu Bakr: "And he will be satisfied ²⁴⁸." And He said: "And Allah is the possessor of great bounty ²⁴⁹." And He said concerning Abu Bakr: "And let not those among you who have bounty and wealth swear not to give ²⁵⁰" up to His saying: "in the way of Allah." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who believed in Him from fear and terror, and the most noble of those through whom You made Islam dominant and through whom You obliterated disbelief; from the miracles of his companion in the cave ²⁵¹ and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what has been narrated: that he led the people in prayer during the illness of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in which he died after nine days, and that the last prayer the Prophet prayed was behind Abu Bakr. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who knew and acted, and the most excellent of those whose goodness encompassed and included all servants; from the miracles of his companion in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what has been narrated: that when Abu Bakr's illness in which he died became severe and he grew heavy, he sent for Uthman, Ali, and some men of the early precedence and virtue among the Emigrants and Helpers and said: "You see what has come to pass; there must be someone to take charge of your affairs, to unite you in times of discord, to prevent the oppressor from oppressing, and to restore the weak their rights. If you wish, I will put forward someone for you; if you wish, you may leave it to me. By Allah, I will not fail to choose what is best for you and myself." They said: "We are satisfied with whomever you choose for us." He said: "I choose Umar." And he said to Uthman: "Write: This is what Abu Bakr has covenanted at the end of his time in this world, departing from it, and at the beginning of his time in the Hereafter, entering into it, at a time when the wicked repents, the disbeliever believes, and the liar affirms: he bears witness that there is no god but Allah, that Allah's promise is true, that the messengers have spoken the truth, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the Seal of the Prophets, may Allah bless him and grant him peace and all His prophets and messengers. And I have appointed Umar ibn al-Khattab as my successor." Then he paused until Abu Bakr regained consciousness and said: "Did you write something?" He said: "Yes, I wrote Umar ibn al-Khattab." He said: "May Allah have mercy on you. If you had written yourself, you would have been worthy of it. Write: I have appointed Umar ibn al-Khattab as my successor over you, and I am pleased with him for you. If he acts justly, that is my expectation of him and my opinion of him, and that is what I intended. My success is only from Allah. If he changes, then every soul earns what it earns and bears what it acquires. I intended good, and I do not know the unseen. And those who have wronged will soon know to what return they will return ²⁵²." Then Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, hesitated to accept Abu Bakr's appointment and said: "I cannot bear the responsibility of the people's affairs." Abu Bakr said to his son Abd al-Rahman: "Lift me up and hand me the sword." Umar said: "Will you excuse me?" He said: "No." Then Umar accepted. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the best of those who fulfilled his covenant and accomplished his promise, the most generous of those who bestowed his kindness upon those who ask, and the most noble of those who received delegations; from the miracles of his companion in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what has been narrated from Asma bint Umays: she said: "When Abu Bakr felt his end approaching, he sent for Umar, may Allah Almighty be pleased with him, and said to him: 'O Umar, I have entrusted you with what I have entrusted you. You accompanied the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and saw his conduct, and you preferred yourselves over him and your families over his family, to the extent that we used to give him from the surplus of what came to us from him. And you accompanied me and saw me; I only followed the path of those before me. By Allah, I did not sleep and then dream, nor did I become full and then imagine. I am on the path; I have not deviated. The first thing I warn you against is your own self, for every soul has a desire; if you give it its desire, it will persist in it and desire more.' In another narration: 'Take this milch camel, for it is from the camels of charity; I have set it aside for the messengers when they come, so they may drink its milk. Take this cloak, for I used to adorn myself with it for delegations. Take this waterskin and this bowl, for they are from the equipment of the charity camels. And there are eight thousand dirhams' — or he said six thousand — 'which I took for the messengers and for those who used to visit us; I have paid them from my own wealth.' Then Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, went out carrying the cloak under his arm, carrying the waterskin and the bowl, leading the milch camel, weeping and saying: 'May Allah have mercy on Abu Bakr; he has exhausted those after him.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom the surahs and verses have praised, the most noble of those through whose hands dazzling miracles and extraordinary events appeared; from the miracles of his companion in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what has been narrated: that the cause of his death, may Allah be pleased with him, was a consumption illness that afflicted him due to his intense grief over him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when he died; and he continued in that state until he died. It is also said that he was consumed by grief over his death, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his body continued to waste away until he died. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those to whom mounts bow in their distance and proximity, the most merciful of those whom criminals trust and seek refuge in for the erasure of their burdens and the forgiveness of their sins; from the miracles of his companion in the cave and the special favor granted to him over the rest of the righteous Companions is what has been narrated: that the cause of his death, may Allah be pleased with him, was a consumption illness that afflicted him due to his intense grief over him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when he died; and he continued in that state until he died. It is also said that he was consumed by grief over his death, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his body continued to waste away until he died.

The chapter, apart from the rest of the righteous Companions, is based on what was narrated from Aisha, may God be pleased with her, that she said: When Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, became gravely ill, he said: "What day is this?" We said: "Monday." He said: "On what day was the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, taken?" We said: "Monday." He said: "Then I hope for what is between now and nightfall." She said: He was wearing a garment with stains and a tear, so he said: "When I die, wash this garment of mine, add two new garments to it, and shroud me in three garments." We said: "Shall we not make them all new?" He said: "No, for it is only for the sake of the living." In another narration: "The living are more in need of new clothes than the dead, and this is only for the sake of the living." He instructed that his wife Asma bint Umays should wash him, and she did so. Umar ibn al-Khattab, may God Almighty be pleased with them, prayed over him in the mosque of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace. Umar, Uthman, Talha, and his son Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr, may God be pleased with them all, descended into his grave. He was buried at night in the house of Aisha, may God Almighty be pleased with her, alongside the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace. His head was placed at the shoulders of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, and they joined his grave ²⁵³ to the Prophet's grave. They made his grave flat ²⁵⁴ like the Prophet's grave, may God bless him and grant him peace, and sprinkled water over it. (82) They did not differ that he died at the age of sixty-three and that his caliphate after the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, completed the years of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, at which God took him. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of noble qualities, the pure of character, the lamp of the worlds, abundant in radiance and illumination, from whose Companion's ²⁵⁵ miracles in the cave and the distinction he was granted over the rest of the righteous Companions is what was narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God be pleased with him, that he said: I witnessed al-Siddiq ²⁵⁶, may God be pleased with him, at his death. He called me and seated me at his head and said: "My beloved, O Abu al-Hasan, death has come and the term has drawn near. When I die, wash me, embalm me, and shroud me with the same shroud with which the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, was shrouded. Pray over me, then carry me to the grave of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace. Greet and ask permission for me, and let one of you stand at the door and call out: 'O Messenger of God, this is God's servant Abu Bakr; he has passed away. Will you permit him to enter upon you?' If the door opens without a key, then bring me in and bury me next to the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace. Otherwise, return me to al-Baqi' ²⁵⁷ among the graves of the Muslims. Verily, we belong to God and to Him we shall return." Ali, may God be pleased with him, said: When he passed away, may God's mercy be upon him, I washed him, shrouded him, then carried him to the prayer niche ²⁵⁸ of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace. I hastened with a group of Muslims to the door, and I was the first to knock. I called out: "O Messenger of God, this is Abu Bakr." By God, I had not finished my speech when the door opened without a key, and a caller called out: "Bring the beloved to the Beloved; indeed, the beloved yearns for the Beloved." * And you were called al-Siddiq, while every other emigrant * is called by his name, without denial. * You preceded in Islam, and God is witness, * and you were the companion of the purified Prophet. What a great al-Siddiq he is, how honored by God and His Messenger! What a beloved to God and His Chosen One and Intimate Friend! He was the truth of Muhammadan prophethood and its vizier, he supported the Ahmadine message and was its caliph and commander, he manifested the truth and raised its beacon, he refuted falsehood and subdued its supporters and helpers. His virtues, may God be pleased with him, are mentioned in the Book of God and recorded and well-known in the pages of the people of Islam. He has the four stations ²⁵⁹ that are higher and loftier than any station after prophethood: the three days of the cave ²⁶⁰, which are honored above all days; the day of al-Saqifa ²⁶¹, by which God protected the religion and united the community of Islam; the morning of the Night Journey ²⁶², in which he affirmed the one who brought the truth; and the day of al-Arish ²⁶³, in which he supported his beloved, may God bless him and grant him peace, until God humbled the throne of the people of misguidance and granted victory to the people of truth. He is the mine of pride, the treasure of dignity, the companion in the emigration and the cave, the elder of the Emigrants and Helpers, the one preferred over all the righteous Companions, the foremost in responding, the one described as penitent, the truthful companion, the one supported by verification, the compassionate caliph, the one extracted from the purest deep-rooted origin, the one nicknamed Atiq ²⁶⁴, the one with the kunya ²⁶⁵ Abu Bakr al-Siddiq. His name, may God be pleased with him, among the believers is Abu Bakr, among the polytheists Atiq, in heaven al-Siddiq, among the bearers of the Throne ²⁶⁶ Dhu al-Sa'a ²⁶⁷, in Paradise Dhu al-Fadl ²⁶⁸, in the Torah Mu'ti ²⁶⁹, in the Gospel Mughni ²⁷⁰, in the Psalms Saduq ²⁷¹, in the Quran Sahib ²⁷², and on the Day of Resurrection Shafi' ²⁷³. May God be pleased with him and make him pleased, and make his resting place and abode in the Holy Enclosure ²⁷⁴. * I have a covenant with you, O most faithful of people in covenants, * perhaps on the Day of Recompense and Presentation you will intercede for me, * So that we may see, secure from terror in the Gathering, * in a seat from the gardens of the Throne in the shade, * And in the neighborhood of Abu Bakr, and whoever is * in the neighborhood of the people of high rank in the most honorable of dwellings. Far be it that the neighbor should fear in his presence, and that He is your most pious caliph, exalted and high, He is your companion on the day of the cave when appeared to you He is your companion on every path when He is your vizier on the day of al-Arish and on He is the one who affirmed the Night Journey when came By God, no sun has risen nor set Your hands of hope from him are not empty A rank to him, so the Companions attained it not (83) Signs of God's victory hastily You emigrated calling people to the most just path On the day of al-Saqifa he surpassed every man He said: "You have spoken truthfully," and did not incline A day like him after you, and the messengers. Virtues of our master Umar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the imam of the elite of the individuals and the poles ²⁷⁵, and the secret of the meanings of the Quranic chapters and the Opening of the Book ²⁷⁶, from whose vizier's ²⁷⁷ miracles, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of religion and the Sunnah, is what was narrated from him, may God bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "I entered Paradise and came to a palace. I said: 'Whose palace is this?' They said: 'For an Arab man.' I said: 'I am an Arab. Whose palace is this?' They said: 'For a man from Quraysh.' I said: 'I am from Quraysh. Whose palace is this?' They said: 'For a man from the community of Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace.' I said: 'I am the best of the community of Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace. Whose palace is this?' They said: 'For Umar ibn al-Khattab.'" In another narration: "I saw a young woman performing ablution beside the palace. I said: 'Whose is this?' They said: 'For Umar ibn al-Khattab.'" O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the light of intellects and understandings, the manifestation of the self-disclosures of revelation and inspiration, from whose vizier's miracles, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of religion and the Sunnah, is what was narrated from him, may God bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "The first person whom the Truth ²⁷⁸ will greet on the Day of Resurrection is Umar ibn al-Khattab."

One day he looked at him, smiled, and said: "O son of al-Khattab, do you know why I smiled in your face?" He said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "Indeed, Allah looked upon you with compassion and mercy on the night of Arafat and made you the key of Islam." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your truthful and trustworthy beloved, and Your Messenger supported by victory and clear conquest, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "While I was sleeping, I saw people being presented to me wearing shirts, some reaching the chest and some below that, and Umar ibn al-Khattab passed by wearing a shirt that he was dragging." They said: "What did you interpret that as, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "The religion." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose praisers have extolled the mention of his virtues and described him, and the most excellent of those whose lovers have plucked the flower of his gnosis and gathered it, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A caller will call on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where is al-Faruq?' Then he will be brought to Allah Almighty, Who will say: 'Welcome, O Abu Hafs. This is your book; if you wish, read it, and if you wish, do not, for I have forgiven you.' Then Islam will say: 'O Lord, this is Umar; he honored me in the abode of the world, so honor him in the plains of the Resurrection.' At that point, he will be mounted on a she-camel from Yaqsa ²⁷⁹, wearing two garments; if one of them were spread out, it would cover the world and thirty more. Then he will proceed between seventy thousand angels. Then a caller will call: 'O people of the standing, this is Umar ibn al-Khattab, so forgive him.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the delight of the worlds and the table of the ways of grace and favor, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "If Umar becomes angry, then Allah becomes angry when Umar becomes angry. Whoever loves Umar has loved me, and whoever hates Umar has hated me. Whoever loves Umar has entrusted his heart to Allah with faith." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the tongue of the Sharia and wisdom, and the full moon of prophethood that dispels with its light the darkness of doubt and conjecture, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "While I was sleeping, I was brought a cup of milk, and I drank from it until I saw the satiation flowing in my nails. Then I gave my leftover to Umar ibn al-Khattab." They said: "What did you interpret that as, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Knowledge." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the light of insight and sight, and the noble of character, praised in the verses and chapters, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, that he said: "When Umar embraced Islam, the polytheists said: 'He has taken half of us.' Then Gabriel, peace be upon him, came and said: 'O Muhammad, the inhabitants of heaven have rejoiced at Umar's Islam.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the possessor of the great rank and the lofty station and the exalted status, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated from Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "I saw in a dream as if I were praying the dawn prayer behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Then a young girl came to him with fresh dates. He took a date and put it in my mouth, then took another and did likewise. Then I woke up with longing for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and the sweetness of the date in my mouth. So I went to the mosque, and we prayed the dawn prayer behind Umar, may Allah be pleased with him. I wanted to speak about the dream, when suddenly a young girl was at the door of the mosque with dates. She placed them before Umar. He took a date and put it in my mouth, then took another and did likewise. Then he distributed them among his companions. I desired some more from him, so he said: 'If the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, had given you more last night, we would have given you more.' I was amazed at that, so he said: 'O Ali, the believer sees with the light of the religion.' I said: 'You have spoken the truth, O Commander of the Faithful. Thus I saw, and thus I found its taste and pleasure from your hand as I found from the hand of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the secret of the revealed revelation, and the possessor of lofty glory and established honor, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, that he said: "Gabriel came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and said to him: 'Convey greetings to Umar and inform him that his pleasure is honor and his anger is forbearance, and let Islam be manifest through the strength of your reliance on the strength of Umar.' He said: 'O Gabriel, tell me about the virtues of Umar and his rank with Allah.' He said: 'O Muhammad, if you were to sit and reflect for the length of Noah's stay among his people, I would not be able to tell you of the virtues of Umar and his rank with Allah Almighty.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose praiser has elaborated in his praise and exalted, and the most generous of those whose grace has poured upon creatures and continued, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated that the people of Egypt said to Amr ibn al-As, may Allah be pleased with him: "The Nile needs every year a virgin girl to be thrown into it; otherwise, it will not flow." So Amr wrote to the Commander of the Faithful Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, informing him of that. He said: "Islam erases what came before." Then he sent him a paper with: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. To the Nile of Egypt from the servant of Allah, Umar ibn al-Khattab. To proceed: If you flow by yourself, then we have no need of you; but if you flow by the command of Allah, then flow in the name of Allah." And he ordered him to throw it into the Nile, and it flowed by the permission of Allah Almighty. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of the people of earth and heaven, and the essence of noble character and names, from whose miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, it is narrated from him, may Allah be pleased with him, that he sent an army to the cities of Kisra ²⁸⁰. When they reached the bank of the Tigris, they found no boat. So Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, who was the commander of the detachment, and Khalid ibn al-Walid, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "O sea, you flow by the command of Allah Almighty. By the sanctity of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and the justice of Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, grant us safe passage." So they crossed with their horses and camels, and their hooves were not wet with water.

O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the treasurer of the hidden secret of divinity ²⁸¹ and the tongue of the discourse of the firm Sharia ²⁸², from whose vizier's ²⁸³ miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—is what was narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him: When he intended to emigrate, he girded his sword and his horse, circumambulated the Kaaba seven times, prayed two rak'ahs, while the nobles of Quraysh were looking at him, and said: "Whoever wants to make his wife a widow and his child an orphan, let him meet me behind this valley." But no one followed him, may Allah be pleased with him. In al-Bukhari, it is narrated that he emigrated before the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the sultan of the awe-inspiring kingdom and the pole ²⁸⁴ of high-ranking sovereignty and dignity, from whose vizier's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—is what was narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "Allah placed the truth on the tongue of Umar, and indeed the Islam of Umar was a conquest, his emigration was a victory, and his caliphate was a mercy. Nothing after Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, gave refuge to anything." And it is related that he would bring his hand near the fire and say to himself: "O Umar, do you have patience for this?" And the people of the Sunnah and the people of faith have agreed that the best of the Companions after Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, is Umar ibn al-Khattab. (85) * Abu Hafs ²⁸⁵ encompassed the virtues of the predecessors, * Therefore the scholars, those of scrutiny, examine them. * They look at them in the pages of their books * To follow them, a pious one eager for guidance. * He is the chosen one, al-Faruq ²⁸⁶, and the master whose * Virtues were perfection without defect. * And the taste of truth was like honey to him, * And by the truth, before the Truth, Abu Hafs excelled. * And asceticism in this world, may Allah be pleased with him, * So he did not accept softness in food or clothing. * His virtues were inscribed by the Seal of the Messengers, * And the decree came according to his desire in a text. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole of majesty, the preferred, and the crown of the message, the glorified and honored, from whose vizier's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "Today is the race, tomorrow is the contest, the goal is Paradise, the perished is the one who enters the Fire, and the first to enter Paradise is I, then Abu Bakr, then Umar, the one who prays, and the people after us, the first then the first." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the locus of Your obedience, Your goodness, and the best of those who performed Your Umrah and Hajj, from whose vizier's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—is what was narrated from Muhammad ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "Umar sought permission to enter upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while there were women from Quraysh with him, speaking to him and asking him for more, raising their voices. When Umar sought permission, they hurried to veil themselves. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave him permission, laughing. Umar said: 'What makes you laugh? May Allah keep your teeth laughing, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'I marvel at these women who were with me; when they heard your voice, they hastened to veil themselves.' Umar said: 'You are more deserving that they should be in awe, O Messenger of Allah.' Then Umar said: 'O enemies of yourselves! Do you stand in awe of me but not of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?' They said: 'Yes, you are harsher and more severe than the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'By Him in whose hand is my soul, O Umar, Satan has never met you walking on a path without taking a different path from yours.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the locus of nearness and proximity, and the best of those who clarified the paths of the Sunnah and the Book, from whose vizier's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "When I entered Paradise, I saw in it a palace of red gold, its foundation beneath the seventh earth and its pinnacles beneath the Throne, its expanse like the world seventy thousand times. In it are seventy thousand houses of white pearl, in each house a thousand houses of red ruby and green emerald, in each house seventy thousand couches, on each couch seventy thousand beds of silk and brocade, and on each bed a hourî ²⁸⁷ created by Allah Almighty from pure musk; the marrow of her shin is visible from behind her garments as red wine is seen in a white glass; the light of her face is like the sun in the daytime, and the lashes of her eyes are like the wing of a crow; on her feet are two sandals of moist pearl, and around her neck are seventy thousand different colors of pearl, ruby, and emerald; each of her veins is better than the world and what is in it. I said to the hourî: 'Who are you, O maiden?' She said: 'For the one who speaks the truth, acts with truth, gives truth, takes truth, and dies upon truth.' I said: 'And who is that?' She said: 'Umar ibn al-Khattab.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who clarified the paths of the religion and established the Sunnah, and the most generous of those whom the lover yearns for his noble stations and longs for, from whose vizier's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—is what was narrated from Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "My Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, agreed with me in three matters. I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, if only you would take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.' So Allah Almighty revealed: 'And take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.' And I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, both the righteous and the wicked enter upon you; if only you would screen your wives with a veil.' So Allah Almighty revealed the verse of the veil. And it reached me that the wives of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, were annoying him, so I entered upon them and began to rebuke them, saying: 'By Allah, you will either desist, or Allah will replace you with better wives.' I continued until I came to Zaynab bint Jahsh, who said: 'O Umar, does not the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, have enough to admonish his wives that you admonish them?' So Allah Almighty revealed: 'It may be that if he divorces you, his Lord will give him in exchange wives better than you.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the elite of the noble chiefs and the dear one of the family and companions, from whose vizier's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—is what was narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar that he said: "Never did a matter befall the people and they said something about it and Umar said something about it, except that Allah Almighty revealed the Quran in accordance with what Umar said." And from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "There were among the nations before you inspired ones ²⁸⁸; if there is any among my nation, it is Umar ibn al-Khattab." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those through whom the lover seeks blessing and benefits, and through whom he seeks intercession with his Lord, from whose vizier's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—

The lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah—it is narrated that when he assumed the caliphate, he ascended the pulpit, praised God, and then said: "O people, I am about to supplicate, so say 'Amen.'" Then he said: "O God, I am harsh, so make me gentle; I am miserly, so make me generous; I am weak, so strengthen me." One night he went out in the darkness of the night, and Talha saw him and followed him. He entered a house, then came out and entered another house. In the morning, Talha went to the first house that 'Umar had entered and found a blind, crippled old woman. He said to her: "What is the matter with this man who comes to you?" She said: "He has been taking care of me for such and such time; he brings me what I need and removes harm from me." Talha said: "May your mother lose you, O Talha! Are you seeking out 'Umar's missteps?" O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the key to the doors of grace and favor, the best of those who clarified the path of religion and the Sunnah. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, is what is narrated from Suwayd ibn 'Alqama: He said: "One night I left the city of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, heading for Mecca. When I was on the road, I saw an old man approaching, wearing a woolen cloak, with a waterskin on his shoulder, and his legs were almost buckling from weakness. I said to myself: 'By God, I will go to this old man and help him carry this waterskin.' When I drew near to him, it was 'Umar ibn al-Khattab. I said: 'Commander of the Believers?' He said: 'Commander of the Believers.' I said: 'May God forgive you, carrying on your shoulder?' He said: 'O Suwayd, last night I reflected on what God has opened through my hands of the cities of Chosroes, Caesar, and the kings of Himyar, and some self-admiration entered me. Then I remembered the saying of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace: "Whoever is affected by something of self-admiration, let him hasten to do good deeds and increase in seeking forgiveness." So I set out to carry this waterskin to humble myself thereby, to please my Lord, to anger Satan, and to give drink to widows and orphans, that perhaps God Almighty may forgive me.' Then he said: 'O Suwayd, from here to Paradise there is a steep path, a thousand years descending and a thousand years ascending, and the son of al-Khattab does not know whether he is destined for Paradise or the Fire.' Then he said: 'Ah, for a day when no excuse is accepted and I am called to account for my sin! Ah, for a day when a man will flee from his brother, his mother, his wife, and his children!' Then he walked to Medina and came to a house of the Ansar. He knocked on the door, and an old woman came out with a vessel in her hand. He poured water for her, then said: 'O old woman, do you have any need?' She said: 'Yes, give me a drink from the mouth of this waterskin, for I have been thirsty for three days.' He said: 'Woe to 'Umar's mother if God holds 'Umar accountable for your thirst!' Then he cried out at the top of his voice: 'Acquit me! Who will take this [waterskin] with what is in it?' Then a voice said from the far end of the city: 'May God not acquit us if we acquit you!' We looked, and it was 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God be pleased with him. Then he came quickly until he stood before him, embraced him to his chest, kissed him between his eyes, and said: 'Rejoice, O Commander of the Believers, for you are upon good; no one has preceded you in this. I heard the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, say: "On the Day of Resurrection, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab will stand before God Almighty, and he will gather his lovers as a bird gathers sesame seeds, and he will admit them into Paradise."' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who invoke Him morning and evening, the most generous of those who take Him as provision for the day of my arrival and my grave. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, is what is narrated from him, may God be pleased with him: One night he was patrolling Medina when he came upon a woman in the middle of her house, with children crying around her, and she was lighting a fire under a pot. He approached her from the door and said: 'O maidservant of God, why are these children crying?' She said: 'From hunger.' He said: 'What is this pot?' She said: 'I put water in it and made them think there was something in it, and I distracted them until they fall asleep.' 'Umar, may God be pleased with him, sat down and wept for a long time. Then he went to the charity storehouse, took a sack, and put in it flour, clarified butter, meat, dates, clothes, and dirhams until he filled it. Then he said: 'O Aslam, carry it for me.' Aslam, his freed slave, said: 'O Commander of the Believers, let me carry it for you.' He said: 'No, may you have no mother, I will carry it, for I am the one responsible for them in the Hereafter.' So he carried it on his shoulder until he came to the woman's house. He took the pot and put in it flour and some fat, and he stirred and blew under the pot. Aslam said: 'I saw smoke coming out from between the hairs of his beard until he cooked for them. Then he began to ladle out with his hand and feed them until they were full. He kept at it until the children played and laughed. Then he said: 'O Aslam, do you know why I did this?' I said: 'No, O Commander of the Believers.' He said: 'I saw them crying, and I disliked leaving them while they were crying until I saw them laughing. When I saw them laughing, I left.'"

My soul is at peace. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom individuals have followed in their piety and asceticism, and by whom the masters of invocations have sought blessing in their litanies and daily recitations. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of religion and the Sunnah, is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he went out on one of his journeys, and when he returned, a black slave-girl came to him and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I vowed that if Allah returns you safely, I would beat the tambourine before you and sing.' He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to her: 'If you made a vow, then beat it; otherwise, do not.' So she began to beat and say: 'The full moon has risen upon us from the mountain passes of Wada'; gratitude is incumbent upon us as long as any caller calls to Allah.' Then Abu Bakr entered while she was beating, then Uthman entered while she was beating, then Umar entered, and she threw the tambourine under her and sat on it. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'Indeed, Satan fears you, O Umar; whenever he sees you in a valley, he takes another path. This one was beating, and these entered while she was beating, but when you entered, she threw the tambourine from her hand.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose star has risen in the constellation of prophethood and settled, and the most excellent of those who called creation to Your eternal religion and guided. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of religion and the Sunnah, is what was narrated from him, may Allah be pleased with him, that one day he was walking in the alleys of Medina when he saw a young man speaking to a woman. He struck him with the whip and made him enter a house or behind a wall. The young man said: 'You have wronged me, O Commander of the Faithful.' So Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, walked until he stopped at the door of Ubayy ibn Ka'b. He came out to him, welcomed him, and brought him in. He threw him a cushion stuffed with palm fibers and said: 'Sit, O Commander of the Faithful; you are only a disciplinarian.' Umar said: 'I have come to you to undo a knot for me.' Then he told him and said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the scrolls fly to the right and left, a caller will call: No one's book will be raised before Umar ibn al-Khattab. His book will come with a light like the light of the sun, and a handsome man will meet you and intercede for you. You will say to him: Who are you? He will say: I am Islam; I praise you for what you have done for me. Then Abu Bakr al-Siddiq will be brought and escorted to Paradise with honor."' Umar said to Ubayy: 'Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?' Ubayy said: 'Yes.' Umar said: 'I have twelve slaves; they are free for the sake of Allah Almighty.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole of sainthood who connects, and the unique pearl of perfect prophethood. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of religion and the Sunnah, is what was narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, that he said: 'I asked Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him: Why were you named al-Faruq? He said: Hamza embraced Islam three days before me. Then Allah opened my breast to Islam, and I said: Allah, there is no god but He; to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. There was no soul on earth more beloved to me than the soul of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. I said: Where is the Messenger of Allah? My sister said: He is in the house of al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam near al-Safa. I came to the house, and Hamza was sitting with his companions in the house, while the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was in the room. I knocked on the door, and the people gathered. Hamza said to them: What is the matter with you? They said: Umar ibn al-Khattab. He said: Then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came out, took hold of my garment, and shook me so violently that I could not control myself and fell on my knees. He said: "Will you not stop, O Umar?" I said: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. The people of the house shouted the takbir so loudly that the people of the mosque heard it. I said: O Messenger of Allah, are we not upon the truth whether we die or live? He said: "By Him in whose hand is my soul, you are upon the truth whether you die or live." I said: Then why the concealment? By Him who sent you with the truth, you will go out. So we brought him out in two rows, Hamza in one and I in the other, until we entered the mosque. Quraysh looked at me and at Hamza, and they were struck with a gloom they had never experienced before. That day the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, named me al-Faruq, meaning the one who distinguishes between truth and falsehood.' So embrace Islam, whose matter became great; the people of the house all shouted the takbir and hummed. And he said to him: O best of those who tread the pebbles, their falsehoods appear while your truth is hidden. Arise now and manifest your Lord's religion openly, and leave me to them; no, and do not fear them. So the Messenger of Allah stood, with him in front, And the assembly of polytheism darkened when they advanced. His virtues are too great to be confined or limited; Among them is what I have mentioned to you. Upon him be the peace of Allah as long as a downpour pours, And as long as the ringdove coos and the night is dark. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the seal of the prophets and messengers, and the choicest of the chosen among Your servants who are certain. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of religion and the Sunnah, is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: 'O Allah, guide Umar; O Allah, strengthen Islam through Umar ibn al-Khattab.' Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: The supplication from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was on Wednesday, and Umar embraced Islam on Thursday. He said: 'O Prophet of Allah, why do you hide our religion while we are upon the truth and they are upon falsehood?' He said: 'We are few.' He said: 'By Him who sent you with the truth as a prophet, no assembly in which I sat for disbelief will remain except that I will sit in it for faith.' Then he went out and circumambulated the House, openly pronouncing the two testimonies. The polytheists attacked him, and Umar attacked one of them, sat on his chest, and inserted his fingers into his eyes. The man screamed, and the people fled from Umar. Then the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, no assembly remains except that I have manifested faith in it.' So he left the house, with Umar in front of him and Hamza behind him, until he circumambulated the House and prayed Dhuhr aloud. Thirty-nine men and one woman had embraced Islam with him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Then Umar embraced Islam, and they became forty. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the opening of every reader and listener, and the means of every seeker and follower. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise and the supporter of religion and the Sunnah, is what was narrated from him, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: 'I went out with the intention of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and found that he had preceded me to the mosque. I stood, and he began reciting Surah al-Haqqah. I began to marvel at the composition of the Quran and said: This is poetry. He recited: "Indeed, it is the word of a noble messenger, and it is not the word of a poet; little do you believe." I said: A soothsayer. He said:

«And no soothsayer says, ‘Little do you remember.’ A revelation from the Lord of the worlds.» «And if he had fabricated against Us some sayings, We would have seized him by the right hand,» to the end of the surah. Then Islam settled in my heart completely. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the firmest handhold of the religion, the essence of honor, glory, and piety—he from whose minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, is related, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: Shall I not tell you how my Islam came about? We said: Yes. He said: I was at midday in one of the outskirts of Mecca when a man from Quraysh met me and said to me: O son of al-Khattab, you claim to be such-and-such, yet the matter has entered your own house. I said: What is that? He said: Your sister has embraced Islam. So I returned angrily until I knocked on the door. It was said: Who is this? I said: ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab. Then the people who were there hurried and hid from me, and they were reading a scroll (ṣaḥīfah) before them, so they left it in the middle of the house. My sister stood up and opened the door. I said to her: O enemy of herself, have you deviated? And I struck her with something that was in my hand on her head, and blood flowed. When she saw the blood, she wept and said to me: Whatever you are going to do, do it, for I have embraced Islam. So I entered angrily until I sat on the bed. Then I looked at the scroll in the middle of the house and said to her: What is in this scroll? Give it to me. She said: You are not among its people until you perform ablution (wuḍū’), for none touch this scroll except the purified. I kept insisting until she gave it to me. I looked at it, and behold, in it was: «In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Ṭā Hā. We have not sent down the Qur’an to you to cause you distress.» Praise be to Allah, the Possessor of favor, to whom are due * favors upon us, all of which are lessons. He created us, but we denied, so a prophet told us * the truth of speech, one who has the news. I wronged the daughter of al-Khattab, then my Lord guided * me on an evening when they said: ‘Umar has deviated. I regretted the slip that occurred * through my injustice to her, while the surahs were being recited by her. When she called upon her Lord, the Possessor of the Throne, praising * while tears in her eyes flowed swiftly. I was certain that the One she called was her Creator * and pearls of tears almost preceded me. So I said: I bear witness that Allah is our Creator, and that Aḥmad (Muhammad) among us today is renowned. A prophet who spoke truth, brought the truth with certainty, fulfilled the trust, with no weakness in his covenant. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who clarified the religion and explained it, the most noble of those who made Islam famous through his mission and his adornment—he from whose minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion and the Sunnah, is related, on the authority of Ḥudhayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: The knowledge of all people was as if placed in a container alongside the knowledge of ‘Umar. And on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ūd, may Allah be pleased with him: If the knowledge of all living Arabs were placed on one scale of a balance, and the knowledge of ‘Umar on the other, the knowledge of ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, would outweigh it. And they considered that he had taken nine-tenths of knowledge. And a single sitting I had with ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was more reliable in my view than a year’s work. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who were sincere to Allah and turned in repentance, the most exalted of those who raised the religion and acted according to the requirements of the Sunnah and the Book—he from whose minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion and the establisher of the Sunnah, is related, on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: Indeed, the Islam of ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was a conquest, his emigration (hijrah) was a victory, and his leadership was a mercy. We were unable to pray at the Ka‘bah until ‘Umar embraced Islam. When he embraced Islam, he fought Quraysh until he prayed at the Ka‘bah, and we prayed with him. And on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: «O Allah, strengthen Islam through the one of these two men who is most beloved to You: through ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab or through Abū Jahl ibn Hishām.» And the one most beloved to Him was ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those You chose from Your creation and selected, the most noble of those You adorned with the jewels of Your prophethood and entrusted with the secret of Your revelation—he from whose minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion and the establisher of the Sunnah, is related, that the Islam of ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, according to what they narrated from him, he used to say: I was far from Islam, and we had a gathering where I met with men from Quraysh. One night I went out intending to join my companions, but I found none of them. I said: If only I went to the Ka‘bah and circumambulated it seven or seventy times. So I went intending that, and behold, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was standing in prayer. When he prayed, he would face Syria (al-Shām) and place the Ka‘bah between him and it, and his prayer place was between the two corners—the Black Stone (al-Rukn al-Aswad) and the Yemeni Corner (al-Rukn al-Yamānī). When I saw him, I said: By Allah, if only I listened to Muhammad tonight to hear what he says. I said: If I approach him, I will surely frighten him. So I came from the direction of the Ḥijr (the semicircular wall) and entered under its covering, and I walked slowly while the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stood praying, until I stood in his direction of prayer (qiblah), facing him, with nothing between me and him except the covering of the Ka‘bah. When I heard the Qur’an, my heart softened, I wept, and Islam entered me. I remained standing in that place until the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, finished his prayer. Then he departed, and when he departed, he would exit toward the house of Ibn Abī Ḥusayn, then take a path between the house of ‘Abbās ibn ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib and the house of Ibn Azhar. I followed him until, when he entered between them, I caught up with him. When he heard my sound, he recognized me and thought that I was only following him to harm him. So he rebuked me, then said: «O what has brought you, O son of al-Khattab, at this hour?» I said: I have come to believe in Allah, His Messenger, and what has come from Allah. So the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, praised Allah, then said: «Do you realize Allah, O ‘Umar?» Then he wiped my chest and prayed for me. Then I departed from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he entered his house. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who aimed in the processions of honor and advanced, the most clear of those who spoke in Arabic (al-Ḍād) and articulated—he from whose minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion and the establisher of the Sunnah, is related, on his authority, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said to Abū Bakr: O best of people. So Abū Bakr said: As for you saying that, I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: «No sun has risen upon a man better than ‘Umar.» And he (the Prophet), may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sought permission from him for the ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage) and said: O my brother, include us in your righteous supplication and do not forget us. And he ( ‘Umar), may Allah be pleased with him, emigrated (hijrah) and witnessed Badr, Uḥud, and all the battles with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who attained the prize of precedence in honor before the amulets called out to him, the most excellent of those who challenged with miracles and through whose hands extraordinary wonders and all kinds of favors appeared—he from whose minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion and the establisher of the Sunnah, is related...

His vizier ²⁸⁹ is the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah. It is narrated that he was the first to write the calendar for the Muslims, the first to gather people for the night prayers of Ramadan, the first to compile the Qur'an into a single volume, the first to tithe in his work, to carry the whip and discipline with it, and the first to appoint judges. It is also narrated that he was the first to be entrusted by Abu Bakr with any of the Muslims' affairs, for he appointed him as judge, and he was the first judge in Islam. He said to him: 'Judge between the people, for I am occupied.' He was also the first to assume the caliphate after Abu Bakr, who bequeathed it to him over all the Companions, may God be pleased with them. So he assumed the caliphate, managed affairs, and followed the best conduct. He regarded himself, with regard to God's wealth, as just one of the people, fearing no one's blame in God's cause. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of the realms, jinn, and humans, the best of those whose mention has spread throughout the domains of existence and become widespread. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, it is narrated that Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan said to him: 'O Commander of the Faithful, we have abundant clothes and mounts, a high standard of living, low prices, and the condition of the Muslims is easy as you desire. If you would wear these white clothes, ride these fine mounts, and feed the Muslims from this abundant food, it would increase your fame, strengthen your authority, and magnify you in the eyes of the non-Arabs.' He replied: 'O Yazid, no, by God, I will not abandon the state in which I parted from my companion ²⁹⁰, nor will I adorn myself for people with something that I fear will disgrace me before my Lord. I do not wish for my authority to be magnified in the eyes of people while it is diminished before God.' So 'Umar, may God be pleased with him, remained in the same state as he was during the time of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, and during the life of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may God be pleased with him, until he left this world, humble, rough in dress, wearing a patched woolen cloak, wrapping himself in a coarse garment, carrying a waterskin on his shoulder, despite his awe-inspiring presence, may God be pleased with him, which He had granted him strongly in God's cause. His governors followed him in all his traits and manners, each imitating him, whether absent or present. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of every group, tribe, and clan, and the best of those for whom one closes one's ears to love and folds one's heart around it. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, it is narrated from Ka'b, may God be pleased with him, that he said to him upon his departure from Syria: 'O Commander of the Faithful, it is written in God's Book that these lands where the Children of Israel dwelt and were its inhabitants will be conquered by a man from among the righteous, merciful to the believers, severe against the disbelievers, whose secret is like his public and his public like his secret, whose words do not contradict his deeds, the near and far are equal to him in truth, and his followers are monks by night and lions by day, merciful, mutually advising, and mutually generous.' 'Umar said: 'May your mother lose you! Is what you say true?' He said: 'Yes, by Him who revealed the Torah to Moses and who hears what you say, it is the truth.' So 'Umar, may God be pleased with him, said: 'Praise be to God who has honored us, ennobled us, favored us, and had mercy on us through Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, through His mercy which encompasses all things.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those upon whose tongue You have sent Your praise and commendation, the most noble of those who have followed the path of Your guidance and been guided by Your guidance. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, it is narrated that he, may God be pleased with him, prayed for rain for the people, and they were watered at that very moment. Some Bedouins entered and said: 'While I was in a desert land, a cloud came upon us, and we heard a speaker from it saying: 'O Abu Hafs ²⁹¹, relief has come to you, relief has come to you.'' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who have upheld the Sunnah and the obligatory duties for You, and the greatest of those who have been completely absorbed in Your love, both wholly and partially. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, it is narrated that the earth obeyed his command. For the earth quaked during his days, may God be pleased with him, and he said: 'You have committed innovations; I will not dwell among you unless you repent.' So they all repented. Then the earth quaked again after that, and 'Umar struck it with his whip and said: 'Do you quake while they have repented?' So the earth became still. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who have praised and thanked You, and the most noble of those who have communed with You in the darkness of night and the depths of dawn. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, it is narrated that a dead person heard his speech and that he heard the speech of a dead person. This is that during the time of 'Umar, may God be pleased with him, a young man was returning from the mosque when a girl appeared to him and offered herself to him. He was tempted by her, and she went away, so he followed her and stopped at her door. Then he remembered God and recited: 'Indeed, those who fear God, when a touch of Satan afflicts them, they remember, and then they see clearly.' ²⁹² He fell unconscious, and the woman looked at him as if he were dead. She and her maidservant kept helping him until they threw him at the door of his house. He was carried inside until he regained consciousness. His father asked him what had happened to him. He said: 'Do not ask me, father.' He kept insisting until he told him what had befallen him with the woman. Then he recited the verse, gave a gasp, and died. He was buried, and 'Umar, may God be pleased with him, was informed. He said: 'Why did you not inform me?' He came to the young man's grave and said: 'And for those who fear the standing before their Lord are two gardens.' ²⁹³ The young man answered him: 'My Lord has given them to me, O 'Umar.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of the prophets and the seal of the messengers, the most honored of those who have clarified the paths and explained the ways. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, it is narrated the blessing of his food. That is, al-Nu'man ibn Muqarrin said: 'I came to the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, with four hundred horsemen adorned, asking him for food. He said to 'Umar, may God be pleased with him: 'Go and give them.' He said: 'Hearing and obeying.' So 'Umar took the key from his chamber and opened the door, and there was something like a resting camel of dates. Each one took some, and I was the last of the people, and I did not miss a single date from it. Indeed, four hundred men carried from it.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved, pure in law and creed, the most beloved of those through whose blessing every harm and ailment is cured. Among the miracles of his vizier, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, it is narrated from more than one that he was delivering the Friday sermon and said: 'O Sariyah ²⁹⁴, the mountain!' three times, then he resumed his sermon. When he finished the prayer, some people fell and said: 'We think he has gone mad.' 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf entered upon him and said: 'No doubt, I do not blame them for what they say about you. While you were delivering the sermon, you shouted: 'O Sariyah, the mountain!'' He said: 'By God, I could not help it. My heart saw while I was delivering the sermon that they were fighting near a mountain, being attacked from front and back, and the mountain was a refuge. So I could not restrain the shouts that were heard.'

Then came the messenger of Sariyah al-Fath ²⁹⁵ and said: "We met the enemy on Friday, on such and such day of the month"—meaning that very day on which 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, had said what he said. "We fought from morning until the sun declined and prayer time came, while we were near a mountain. Then we heard his voice calling out, 'O Sariyah, the mountain!' three times. So we leaned our backs against the mountain, and we continued to overpower our enemy until Allah Almighty defeated them." Then the people who were present said: "Leave this man alone, for he is divinely aided ²⁹⁶." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the Imam of the learned scholars ²⁹⁷ and the lamp of the arriving saints ²⁹⁸, from whose minister's ²⁹⁹ miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah—it is narrated that he, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "I agreed with my Lord, Almighty and Majestic, in three matters: I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, if only we could take the Station of Ibrahim ³⁰⁰ as a place of prayer,' so the verse was revealed: 'And take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer' ³⁰¹. And I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, your wives are visited by both the righteous and the wicked; if only you would command them to veil themselves,' so the verse of hijab ³⁰² was revealed. And the wives of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, united in jealousy, so I said: 'Perhaps his Lord, if he divorces you, will give him in exchange wives better than you' ³⁰³, and it was revealed accordingly." In another narration: "My Lord agreed with me in four matters," and he mentioned these three, and the fourth: he said: "And Allah Almighty revealed: 'And indeed We created man from an extract of clay' ³⁰⁴, the verse, so I said: 'So blessed is Allah, the best of creators' ³⁰⁵." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved of high rank and station, and Your blessed saint of visitation and tomb, from whose minister's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah—it is narrated that he, may Allah be pleased with him, one day addressed the people from the pulpit of Medina and said in his sermon: "Indeed, in the Gardens of Eden there is a palace with five hundred doors; at each door are five hundred thousand houris ³⁰⁶; none shall enter it except a prophet." Then he looked at the grave of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said: "Congratulations to you, O occupant of this grave!" Then he said: "And a truthful one ³⁰⁷." Then he turned to the grave of Abu Bakr and said: "Congratulations to you, O Abu Bakr!" Then he said: "And a martyr." Then he turned to himself and said: "And how can you attain martyrdom, O 'Umar? He who brought me out of Mecca to my emigration to Medina is able to bring martyrdom to me." Then Ibn Mas'ud said: "And Allah brought it to him at the hands of the worst of His creation, a Roman Christian, a slave owned by al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the rarity of existence and things, and the best of those whose love has penetrated the innermost secrets of hearts and entrails, from whose minister's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah—it is narrated from 'Awf ibn Malik al-Ashja'i that he saw in a dream as if the people had gathered, and among them was a man who towered over them by three cubits. He said: "I asked, 'Who is this?' They said: ''Umar.' I said: 'Why?' They said: 'Because he possesses three qualities: he does not fear the blame of any blamer in the cause of Allah; he is a caliph appointed as successor; and he is a martyr destined for martyrdom.'" So he went to Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and told him the dream. Abu Bakr sent for 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, to give him glad tidings. He said: "When 'Umar came, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, said to him: 'Relate your dream.' He said: 'When I reached the part about a caliph appointed as successor, 'Umar rebuked me and scolded me, saying: 'Be quiet! Do you say this while Abu Bakr is alive?' Later, when 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, became caliph, I passed through Syria while he was on the pulpit. He called me and said: 'Relate your dream.' So I related it. When I said to him that he does not fear the blame of any blamer in the cause of Allah, he said: 'I hope that Allah will make me among them.' When I said 'a caliph appointed as successor,' he said: 'Allah has appointed me as successor, so we ask Him to help me in what He has entrusted to me.' When I mentioned 'a martyr destined for martyrdom,' he said: 'How can I attain martyrdom while I am among you? You go on expeditions, but I do not.' Then he said: 'But Allah will bring it, if He wills; Allah will bring it, if He wills.'" O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the season of new goodness, the possessor of surpassing beauty and unique grace, from whose minister's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah—it is narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he saw 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, wearing a white shirt and said: "Is your shirt new or washed?" He said: "Rather, washed." He said: "Wear new, live praiseworthy, die a martyr, and may Allah grant you delight of the eyes in this world and the next." He said: "And you too, O Messenger of Allah." And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "For one who trembles with fear (or is shaken), either a prophet, a truthful one, or a martyr is upon you." And with him were Abu Bakr and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, so he stood up, otherwise a martyr." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the honor of family and homeland, the best of those whose love has settled in hearts and dwelt, from whose minister's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah—it is narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "If there were to be a prophet after me, it would be 'Umar ibn al-Khattab." And he said: "While I was sleeping, I saw myself at a well with a bucket on it. I drew from it as much as Allah willed. Then Ibn Abi Quhafah ³⁰⁸ took it and drew one or two bucketfuls, and in his drawing there was weakness—and Allah forgive him. Then it turned into a large bucket, and 'Umar ibn al-Khattab took it, and I have never seen a mighty man among the people draw water like 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, until the people were satisfied." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the support of the pious and the devout, and the model of the attracted ³⁰⁹ and the wayfarer ³¹⁰, from whose minister's miracles—the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah—it is narrated from 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: ''Umar ibn al-Khattab is the lamp of the people of Paradise.'" When this reached 'Umar, he said: "Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Write it in your own hand." So he wrote after the Basmalah ³¹¹: "This is what 'Ali ibn Abi Talib guaranteed to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, from Jibril ³¹², peace be upon him, from his Lord, Almighty and Majestic: that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab is the lamp of the people of Paradise." Then 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, took it.

And he said: 'Place it in my shroud so that I may meet my Lord with it,' and they did so. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the possessor of guidance and uprightness, the best of those who established the pillar of religion and raised it. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, is what is narrated from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib ³¹³, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 'Umar ibn al-Khattab ³¹⁴, may Allah be pleased with him, went out to a mound of sand in the plain of Mecca, then threw the edge of his garment over it and lay on his back. He raised his hands to the sky and said: "O Allah, my age has increased, my strength has weakened, and my subjects have spread out, so take me to You without negligence or waste." And it was heard from him, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "O Allah, do not let my killing be at the hand of a servant who has prostrated to You a prostration ³¹⁵ with which he will argue against me before You on the Day of Resurrection." In another narration: "Do not let my killing be at the hand of a man who has prayed to You one rak'ah ³¹⁶ with which he will argue against me before You on the Day of Resurrection." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose proximity and closeness brought happiness to delegations, and the most beneficial of those whose soil and wall pilgrims seek blessing by kissing. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, is what is narrated from al-Miswar ibn Makhramah ³¹⁷ from Umm 'Atikah bint 'Awf ³¹⁸, who said: 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, went out one day to walk through the market. He was met by Abu Lu'lu'ah ³¹⁹, the slave of al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah ³²⁰, who was a Christian. He said: "O Commander of the Faithful ³²¹, help me against al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah, for I have a heavy kharaj ³²²." He said: "How much is your kharaj?" He said: "Two dirhams ³²³ every day." He said: "What is your craft?" He said: "A carpenter, engraver, and blacksmith." He said: "I do not see your kharaj as excessive given the work you do." Then he said: "It has reached me that you say, 'If I wanted to make a mill that grinds by wind, I would do it.'" He said: "Yes." He said: "Then make a mill for me." He said: "If I am safe, I will make for you a mill that will be talked about by those in the East and the West." In another narration: 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The 'ilj ³²⁴ has just threatened me." He said: "Then 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, returned to his home. The next day, Ka'b al-Ahbar ³²⁵, may Allah be pleased with him, came to him and said: "O Commander of the Faithful, you will die in three days." He said: "What makes you know that?" He said: "I find it in the Book of Allah, in the Torah ³²⁶." 'Umar said: "By Allah, do you find 'Umar ibn al-Khattab in the Torah?" He said: "No, by Allah, but I find your description and your likeness, and that your term has expired." He said: And 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, felt no pain or ache. The next day, Ka'b came to him and said: "O Commander of the Faithful, one day has passed and two remain." Then he came the next day and said: "O Commander, two days have passed and one day and one night remain, and it is yours until its morning." When morning came, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab went out to the prayer. He used to appoint a man to oversee the rows, and when they were straight, he would enter and say the takbir ³²⁷. Abu Lu'lu'ah entered among the people, holding a dagger with two heads, its blade in the middle. He struck 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, six blows, one of which was below his navel, and that was the one that killed him. He also killed Kulayb ibn Wa'il al-Laythi ³²⁸, who was his ally. When 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, felt the heat of the weapon, he fell and said: "Is 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf ³²⁹ among the people?" They said: "Yes, here he is." He said: "Lead the people in prayer." He said: So 'Abd al-Rahman led the prayer while 'Umar was lying down. Then he was carried and taken to his house. (94) O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the choicest of Your chosen ones, the sincere, and the imam of Your honored saints. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, is what is narrated: When he was stabbed and carried to his house, he said: "O 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar ³³⁰, go to 'A'ishah ³³¹ and ask her to permit me to be buried with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace." In another narration: "Say to her: 'Umar sends you greetings of peace, and do not say 'Commander of the Faithful,' for today I am not a commander for the believers. And say: 'Umar ibn al-Khattab seeks permission to be buried with his two companions.'" So 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, went to 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, and found her weeping. He mentioned that to her, and she said: "Yes, I had wanted it for myself, but today I will give him preference over myself." 'Abdullah returned to him while he was looking out for him. He said: "What did she say?" He said: "She permitted?" He said: "Praise be to Allah, there was no matter more important to me than this. When I die, wash me, then carry me, and repeat the request for permission. If she permits, then [bury me there]; otherwise, take me to the graves of the Muslims." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the sun of prophethood, truthful in words and deeds, the crown of the message, beautiful in character and states. Among the miracles of his minister, the lamp of the people of Paradise, the supporter of the religion, and the establisher of the Sunnah, is what is narrated: When he was on his deathbed, he said to his son 'Abdullah: "Look at what debts I have." They calculated them and found eighty-six thousand or thereabouts. He said: "If the wealth of the family of 'Umar suffices to pay it, then pay it from their wealth; otherwise, ask..."

The Banu 'Adi ibn Ka'b ³³²; if their wealth is insufficient, then are there among Quraysh ³³³—and do not go beyond them—so pay this wealth on my behalf. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who passed in bygone ages and departed, and the most noble whose star shone in the horizon of honor and sovereignty and radiated; from whose miracles of his vizier ³³⁴, the Lamp of the People of Paradise ³³⁵ and the Supporter of the Religion and the Establisher of the Sunna ³³⁶, it is narrated regarding his abundant humility, may Allah be pleased with him, that when he was on his deathbed and his head was in the lap of his son 'Abd Allah, he said to him: "Place my cheek on the ground; are my cheek and the ground not equal?" And it is narrated that when he was washed, shrouded, and carried on his bier, 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, stood over him and said: "By Allah, there is no man on the face of the earth whom I would love more to meet Allah with his record than this one covered with this cloth." His governorship lasted ten years, six months, and four nights, and he died at the age of sixty-three years, the age of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. His description, may Allah be pleased with him, was: white with a ruddy complexion, tall, bald, with a receding hairline, intensely red-eyed, with slight thinness in his cheeks. It was also said he was dark-skinned, intensely dark, with a thick beard, ambidextrous ³³⁷, dyeing with henna and katm ³³⁸. This is the most common description of him. The engraving on his seal was: "Sufficient is death as a admonisher, O 'Umar." Kind to the near, harsh to the foe, A brother of trusts in calamities, noble. Whenever he says something, his action does not belie his word, Swift to good deeds, not frowning. What an excellent trustee he was, how blessed for the believers, and how honorable before the Lord of the worlds! His virtues in heaven cannot be counted or enumerated, and on earth they are endless and cannot be fully pursued. He had great conquests, magnificent and sublime merits, noble and cherished deeds, and famous and immense qualities. He is the fierce lion ³³⁹ in great matters; he manifested Islam and stood for the command of Allah in the best manner. By his resolve, he humiliated the people of polygamy and transgression, and by force he conquered Caesar and the palace of Anushirwan ³⁴⁰. He placed the crown of Kisra ³⁴¹ and his bracelets on Suraqa ibn Ju'shum ³⁴² to thereby honor Islam and to facilitate matters for those present among the eminent Companions. Thus he strengthened the pillars of the religion, demolished the edifice of disbelief, raised high the beacon of truth, and extinguished the fire of disbelief, until Islam became mighty through him and the banner of the worshippers of idols and statues was inverted. He removed from truth the adornment of falsehood and its rejection, untied its rope and its breaking, and drew the sword of his resolve against the army of ignorance, diminishing it. He shot the taghut ³⁴³ with the arrows of obedience, striking it down. He married his pure daughter Hafsa to his Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the Prophet described him as al-Faruq ³⁴⁴ and singled him out. He continued to hover over the religion and its people, not fearing the blame of any blamer in the matter of Allah. He was, may Allah be pleased with him, just in judgment, upholding the testament, the founder of cities ³⁴⁵, the adornment of pulpits and the highest minarets. He is the companion of Muhammad al-Mukhtar ³⁴⁶ until the Day of Presentation before the Almighty. He is the one clad in the cloak of modesty and jealousy; whenever he took a path, Satan took a different path. He was short of hope, abundant in deeds, whose actions were free from deviation, fear, or error. He spoke with truth, was victorious on the Day of the Confederates ³⁴⁷, inspired with decisive speech, and will be the first on the Day of Resurrection to take his book in his right hand. He is the Commander of the Faithful, Abu Hafs ³⁴⁸, our master 'Umar ibn al-Khattab. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave him glad tidings of Paradise, and that is sufficient as a glad tiding from him. He testified that Allah Almighty placed truth on his tongue and heart, that his pleasure and anger were forbearance, that Satan flees from him, that Allah strengthened the religion through him, that the inhabitants of heaven rejoiced at his conversion to Islam, and that the Prophet called him 'Abqari ³⁴⁹ and the Lamp of the People of Paradise. He called him the master of the millstone of war management, and said that he would live happily and die a martyr. The Prophet informed that if there were to be a prophet after him, it would be 'Umar. Thus, may Allah be pleased with him, he attained lofty glory, pride, sublime honor, victory over enemies, and triumph. His name, may Allah be pleased with him, among Muslims is 'Umar, among the disbelievers Abu Hafs, in heaven al-Faruq, in the Torah Nasir ³⁵⁰, in the Gospel Siraj ³⁵¹, and on the Day of Resurrection 'Aziz ³⁵². May Allah be pleased with him and grant him His pleasure, and may He be pleased with us through his pleasure, and make his abode and resting place in the highest Paradise. Whenever I mention the righteous and their virtue, I conclude with the virtue of the pure, God-fearing 'Umar. Thus said Ibn Mas'ud ³⁵³, may he be pleased, And who is like 'Abd Allah in knowledge and tradition? He is the just al-Faruq, the sincere one through whom Islam appeared on earth and spread. When Allah bestowed upon him the virtue of His servants, They saw from him fairness and justice when he commanded. The vizier of the Chosen Prophet and his companion, And his mentioner in virtue whether absent or present. He had strength in religion when it pleased his God, And he was forbearing when he had power. He spoke the truth persistently and had no Fear in speaking the truth among people. He adorned himself with the fear of Allah and asceticism in the world, On coarse garments and poverty he patiently endured. Through him Allah opened the lands, and he traversed them; He had what no king had stored up. The kings of Rome and Persia were humbled, Through whose might the Hanifite religion ³⁵⁴ appeared. When people slept, he stood at night For the revelation of what Allah had sent down in the surahs ³⁵⁵. As for the accursed filth, when he saw The form of Abu Hafs, he fled in cowardice. Ahmad ³⁵⁶ gave him glad tidings of eternal abode in a palace, And a beautiful maiden from the most beautiful houris ³⁵⁷. She came to him without witness upon him; She honored him in Paradise as the best abode. Virtues of our master Abu Bakr and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose mention tongues and lips have uttered, and whose dust faces and foreheads have wiped. From the miracles of his two noble companions and his two illustrious viziers is what has been narrated from al-Hasan ibn 'Ali ³⁵⁸, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, looked at Abu Bakr and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, and said: "Indeed, I love you both, and whoever loves you both, Allah loves him. And indeed the angels love you both for Allah's love of you both. Whoever loves you both and hates those who hate you both, and whoever connects with you both, Allah connects with him; and whoever cuts you both, Allah cuts him off." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the garden of virtues, fragrant and blooming, the essence of the prophets, preferred over angels, jinn, and humans. From the miracles of his two noble companions and his two illustrious viziers is what has been narrated from 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: I saw the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with these two eyes of mine—otherwise may they go blind—and I heard him with these two ears of mine—otherwise may they go deaf—saying: "The two viziers of Islam, the most worthy and purest, Abu Bakr and 'Umar." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole ³⁵⁹...

The pure ones, the knowers, the sustenance of spirits, and the saints who remember, from whose miracles ³⁶⁰ of his two noble companions ³⁶¹ and his two majestic viziers ³⁶² is what was narrated by Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: I entered upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while Abu Bakr was on his right and Umar on his left. He placed his right hand on the shoulder of Abu Bakr and his left on the shoulder of Umar and said: 'You two are my viziers in this world and the Hereafter, and by your rank the earth will split open for me and for you, and by your rank I and you two will visit the Lord of the Worlds.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the model of the speaking scholars and the ultimate desire of the arriving imams, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: 'Abu Bakr and Umar are the best of the inhabitants of heaven and earth, and whoever remains until the Day of Resurrection, except the prophets and messengers.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the elite of the generous secrets and the imam of the merciful lovers, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: 'The best of my community after me are Abu Bakr and Umar. Allah has adorned them with the adornment of angels and placed their names with His prophets and messengers in the register of heaven.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of every knower and saint, the possessor of high status and lofty rank, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated by Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: I was with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, appeared. He said: 'These two are the masters of the mature inhabitants of Paradise from the first and the last, except the prophets and messengers. Do not inform them, O Ali.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the talisman of glory and victory, the master of the desert dwellers and city dwellers, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: 'Paradise and Hell boasted. Hell said to Paradise: I am greater than you in abode because in me are the greatest pharaohs and tyrants. So Allah Almighty revealed to Paradise: Say: Rather, I have the merit, for He has adorned me with Abu Bakr and Umar. And on the Day of Resurrection, Allah will contend that no one will raise his book before Abu Bakr and Umar.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the path of my guidance and righteousness, the end of my hope and the goal of my intention, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated by Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: We were with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the mosque when Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, entered. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stood up. It was said: O Messenger of Allah, we have been forbidden to stand for one another except for three: for parents, for a scholar who acts on his knowledge, and for a just ruler. He said: 'Gabriel was with me, and when he left, Gabriel stood up, so I stood up, then Gabriel.' And from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that when he built the mosque, he placed a stone, then said: 'Let Abu Bakr place a stone next to my stone.' Then he said: 'Let Umar place a stone next to Abu Bakr's stone.' Then he said: 'Let Uthman place a stone next to Umar's stone.' Then he said: 'These are the caliphs after me.' Then he said to Abu Bakr and Umar: 'Let no one command you after me.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those to whom a person clings for his high status and seeks protection, the most noble of those to whom a lover takes refuge in his lofty presence and belongs, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: It was said: O Messenger of Allah, whom shall we appoint as leader after you? He said: 'If you appoint Abu Bakr, you will find him trustworthy, ascetic in this world, desiring the Hereafter. If you appoint Umar, you will find him trustworthy, strong, not fearing the blame of any blamer in Allah. If you appoint Ali—and I do not think you will do so—you will find him a guide, rightly guided, taking you to the straight path.' And he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'I did not pair Abu Bakr and Umar, but Allah paired them.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose law the lover holds fast and follows, the most excellent of those who led his community on a straight path and a right way, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated by Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said: 'By Allah, the leadership of Abu Bakr and Umar is in the Book of Allah. And when the verse was revealed: "When the Prophet confided to one of his wives a matter" ³⁶³, he said to Hafsa: Your father and the father of Aisha are the guardians of the people after me, so beware not to inform anyone of it.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your truthful and believed beloved, Your chosen one distinguished with virtue over every creature, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated by Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'On the night of my Ascension, I saw the sun rising from the east to the west, and on its forehead were two lines written. I asked Gabriel about them. He said: The first line: There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr the compassionate. The second: There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Umar the distinguisher.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose secret appeared and became manifest, the most noble of those whose star shone in the horizon of high stations and blossomed, from whose miracles of his two noble companions and his two majestic viziers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: 'I entered Paradise on the night of my Ascension and was given a quince. It split open, revealing a houri. I said: To whom do you belong? She said: On this river are seventy thousand trees, on each tree seventy thousand branches, on each branch seventy thousand leaves, on each leaf a houri like me. Allah created them for the lovers of Abu Bakr and Umar.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those

His fame spread throughout the cosmos and became renowned, and his fragrance diffused and spread throughout the realms of the Malakut ³⁶⁴. Among the miracles of his two noble companions and venerable ministers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "When I was taken on the Night Journey ³⁶⁵, I saw in the heaven horses that were bridled, saddled, and caparisoned, which neither defecate nor urinate, their heads of ruby, their hooves of green emerald, their trappings of yellow gold, and they had wings. I said: 'O Gabriel, for whom are these?' He said: 'For the lovers of Abu Bakr and 'Umar, upon which they will visit Allah on the Day of Resurrection.'" And he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Indeed, Allah will send down to me from the people of heaven: Gabriel and Michael, and from the people of the earth: Abu Bakr and 'Umar." O Allah, bless our master and lord Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad, the beloved of the Most Merciful Lord, the comfort of the soul and the cure of the sick heart. Among the miracles of his two noble companions and venerable ministers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said to Abu Bakr and 'Umar: "Shall I not inform you of your likeness among the angels and your likeness among the prophets? Your likeness, O Abu Bakr, among the angels is that of Michael, who descends with mercy, and your likeness among the prophets is that of Abraham, who said: 'So whoever follows me, then he is of me; and whoever disobeys me, indeed You are Forgiving, Merciful.' ³⁶⁶ And your likeness, O 'Umar, among the angels is that of Gabriel, who descends with glad tidings and vengeance upon the enemies of Allah, and your likeness among the prophets is that of Noah, who said: 'Noah said: My Lord, leave not upon the earth from among the disbelievers any inhabitant.' ³⁶⁷ And your likeness among the prophets is that of Moses, who said: 'Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment.' ³⁶⁸" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad, the master of the people of the desert and the city, and the best of those who have passed in the past centuries and beyond. Among the miracles of his two noble companions and venerable ministers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "For everything there is a cure, and the cure of hearts is the love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar." And it was narrated: "When it is the Day of Resurrection, Allah Almighty will command a group to be taken to the Fire, and when they are about to be thrown in, Allah Almighty will say to the angels of mercy: 'Bring them back.' So they will bring them back, and they will stand before Allah Almighty for a long time. Then He will say: 'O My servants, did you see yourselves being taken to the Fire for sins you committed? Yet I have granted you and bestowed upon you for the love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad, the lamp of knowledge and gnosis, the elite of the great ones and the noble masters. Among the miracles of his two noble companions and venerable ministers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "Indeed, I hope for my community, for the love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar, what I hope for the saying 'There is no god but Allah.'" And he said: "I am the first from whom the earth will split open, then Abu Bakr, then 'Umar." And it was said to 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him: "Who will be the first people to enter Paradise after the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?" He said: "Abu Bakr and 'Umar." It was said: "Before you, O Commander of the Faithful?" He said: "Yes, by Him who created the seed and created the soul, they will eat from its fruits and recline on its couches." And it was narrated that the righteous predecessors used to teach their children the love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar just as they taught them a sura of the Qur'an. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who followed his Sunnah among the ascetic gnostics and were guided by his guidance among the righteous saints. Among the miracles of his two noble companions and venerable ministers is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "Love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar is faith, and hatred of them is disbelief." And it was narrated that a man said to 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him: "I hear you say in your sermon: 'O Allah, reform us with that with which You reformed the Rightly Guided Caliphs.' Who are they?" So he wept and said: "They are my two beloved ones, the imams of guidance and the shaykhs of Islam: Abu Bakr and 'Umar. Whoever follows them is protected, and whoever follows their traces is guided to a straight path, and whoever holds fast to them is of the party of Allah, and the party of Allah are the successful." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who pardoned and forgave, and the most generous of those who were harmed for Your sake and were patient. Among the miracles of his two noble companions and venerable ministers is what was narrated from some of their servants that he said: "I was residing in Taybah ³⁶⁹ when some of my companions came to me, and hunger had severely afflicted them. So I went out seeking sustenance for them, and I found a group of Rafidites ³⁷⁰ at the dome of al-'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him. I asked them, for the love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, for food for my companions. One of them said: 'Come with me.' So I went with him to a large house, and there were two black slaves. He ordered them to beat me severely, then he cut out my tongue. When night came, they threw me onto the roadside. I felt some relief in myself, so I turned towards the grave of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and complained to him of my state. Sleep overcame me, and I woke up healthy. When the next year came, some poor people came to me and asked me for food. So I went to the dome of al-'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and found the Rafidites. I asked them for the love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar, and a young man said: 'Sit down.' So I sat. When they finished their business, I followed the young man to his house. He gave me food, then brought out a monkey. I said: 'What is this?' He said: 'My father had a poor man come to him last year, and he asked him for the love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar, so he cut out his tongue and ordered his slaves to beat him.' I said to him: 'I am that poor man.' The young man said: 'Keep this secret, for I have announced to the people that my father has died, and I have repented from reviling Abu Bakr and 'Umar.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those by whose guidance creatures are guided, and the most generous of those from whose sea of generosity and munificence delegations draw. Among the miracles of his two noble companions and venerable ministers is what was narrated from some of the servants...

The Prophetic Chamber (al-ḥujrah al-nabawiyyah) — upon its inhabitant be the most excellent prayers and the purest greetings — that he said: I had a companion who used to frequent the Amir. One day he came to me and said: A great matter has occurred. A group of people came from Aleppo, offered the Amir wealth, and asked him to enable them to open the Chamber and remove Abu Bakr and 'Umar. He agreed to their request. This caused me immense distress. Then the Amir's messenger came to summon me, so I responded to him. He said to me: When the people come tonight, open the door of the mosque for them and do not interfere with what they intend. So I came to the noble Chamber, and no tears flowed from me. When night fell, behold, the door of the mosque was knocked after the people had left from the 'Isha' prayer. I opened it for them, and forty men entered, carrying nails, candles, and tools for digging and demolition. They made for the noble Chamber. By Allah, they had not reached the noble pulpit (al-minbar al-sharīf) when the earth swallowed them, along with everything they had. When the Amir awaited their news in vain, he summoned me and asked me about them. I informed him of what had befallen them of wrath. He said to me: Conceal this and tell no one about it. We seek refuge with Allah from Allah's wrath. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the pole of pure sovereignty and the mountain of revered and noble glory, from whose two noble companions and two venerable ministers (ḍajīʿayhi al-karīmayn wa wazīrayhi al-jalīlayn) are such miracles as what is narrated from some of the righteous: that he entered Baghdad intending the Hajj and deposited some of his wealth with a man from the ascetics of Baghdad. The ascetic said to him: When you reach Medina, greet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and say to him: "So-and-so the ascetic sends you greetings of peace, and were it not for your two companions, he would visit you every year." When that righteous man reached Medina, he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a dream, with Abu Bakr and 'Umar. The Prophet said to me: Deliver the message. So I delivered it. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: Bring the man. So he brought him. He said to him: Strike his neck. Three drops of his blood flew onto my garment. I awoke terrified and found the drops on my garment. When I returned to Baghdad, I saw a young man resembling the man. I asked about him, and he said: He is my father. He was sleeping in his house, and he was snatched from among us, and we know nothing of him. I told him his story, and he wept and repented from [speaking ill of] Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), and he gave me the deposited wealth that was with his father. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who performed Hajj and 'Umrah, and the most excellent of those who circumambulated the House and kissed the Black Stone, from whose two noble companions and two venerable ministers are such miracles as what is narrated from al-Sammak: he said: I had a neighbor who reviled Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). Words passed between us until he attacked me and I attacked him. I returned to my home distressed. Then I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a dream and mentioned that to him. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Take this knife and slaughter him with it. So I slaughtered him, and I awoke hearing screams in his house. When morning came, I looked at him on the washing-place and saw the mark of the knife on his neck. And from him (peace and blessings be upon him) it is narrated that he said: "Indeed, in the lowest heaven there are eighty thousand angels seeking forgiveness for those who love Abu Bakr and 'Umar." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the garden of fragrant and sweet-scented virtues, and the essence of noble qualities, chosen from the purest lineages, from whose two noble companions and two venerable ministers are such miracles as what is narrated from 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): he said: I, Abu Bakr, and 'Umar are as one soul. Whoever loves us all, I will intercede through our love. Whoever separates between us will meet Allah with no proof, and love for me and hatred for them cannot coexist in the heart of a believer. A man said to 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): You are the best of people. He said: Have you seen the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)? He said: No. He said: Have you seen Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)? He said: No. He said: Have you seen 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)? He said: No. He said: If you had seen the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), I would have killed you; and if you had seen Abu Bakr and 'Umar, I would have flogged you — meaning because they are the best of people. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who prayed at night in the darkness and stayed awake, and the most excellent of those whose heart is filled with love for him and for 'Umar, from whose two noble companions and two venerable ministers are such miracles as what is narrated from some of them: he said: I was traveling with a group, and they spoke about Abu Bakr and 'Umar. I rebuked them for that. Then a lion came out upon us and carried me away from among them. I said to myself: These Rawafid have certainly gloated over me. Then it threw me among its cubs. They approached me, then fled and said in a clear tongue: O our father, we have starved for three days, and then you bring us one who loves Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them)? And it is narrated from Sufyan al-Thawri (may Allah be pleased with him): he said: I saw in Basra a ferocious dog blocking the road. I passed by it and feared it. It said to me: O Abu Sa'id, no harm shall come to you. Indeed, Allah Almighty has empowered me over [ILLISIBLE].

Whoever insults Abu Bakr and 'Umar. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the precious jewel of beauty and the full moon of radiance, his bride in the arenas of glorification and sanctification, from whose noble companions and venerable ministers it is narrated that a jinn woman believed in the Prophet (peace be upon him), then disappeared for days and then returned. He asked her about her absence, and she said: 'I visited some relatives of mine at Mount Qaf ³⁷¹ and saw something wondrous there. I saw two persons; one of them said: "O Allah, cause me to die upon the love of Abu Bakr and 'Umar." And the other said: "O Allah, do not punish me with a fire with which You punish the hater of Abu Bakr and 'Umar." So the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The first is al-Khidr ³⁷² and the second is Iblis ³⁷³."' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those to whom You have granted a high rank and invincible might, and the most excellent of those upon whom You have bestowed great dominion and a noble station, from whose noble companions and venerable ministers it is narrated that the first of the caliphs to appoint a successor was Abu Bakr; he appointed 'Umar. When Abu Bakr was on his deathbed, he called 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and said to him: 'Fear Allah, O 'Umar, and know that Allah has deeds done at night that He does not accept during the day, and deeds done during the day that He does not accept at night. No supererogatory act is accepted until the obligatory act is performed. Indeed, those whose scales are heavy are heavy because they followed the truth, and it is fitting that a scale in which truth is placed should be heavy. And those whose scales are light are light because they followed falsehood, and it is fitting that a scale in which falsehood is placed should be light.' (100) O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the path of guidance, the sound in tradition, and the lamp of sainthood, clear in its brilliance, from whose noble companions and venerable ministers it is narrated that a man entered upon Abu Bakr during his final illness and said: 'O Abu Bakr, I remind you by Allah and the Last Day: you have appointed over us a harsh man, and the people are distressed, and he has authority over them. Indeed, Allah will question you.' Abu Bakr said: 'Do you know me? I say that if my Lord asks me, I appointed the best of them over them.' And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The sun has not risen nor set upon anyone after the prophets and messengers better than Abu Bakr and 'Umar.' Section: O Allah, bless him and his family, the masters of the desert and the city, and his noble companions, praised in the morning and evening, a blessing by which we become honored by his praise and proud, and known for his love among those who claim it, and grant him abundant and precious peace. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. This is Abu Bakr, the companion of Muhammad in the great emigration; his companions rose high. This is Abu Bakr, his caliph who, after the Prophet, outstripped all in race. This is Abu Bakr, the greatest caliph; his generosity spread his excellence to us. This is Abu Bakr, who sacrificed himself for him; in every state, his compassion never ceased. This is Abu Bakr, the greatest of all his companions; by consensus, his superiority is established. This is Abu Bakr, who carried the Beloved on his back; how excellent are his companions! This is Abu Bakr, who came forward when he [the Prophet] turned away and his eyes were bewildered. This is Abu Bakr, the companion, his tears like embers flowing on his cheeks. This is Abu Bakr; his death is distant; the heart is grieved, its longing fluttering. This is Abu Hafs ³⁷⁴, the most honored of his prophet; from the time he embraced Islam, his canopy extended. This is Abu Hafs, the Commander of the Faithful; the truth is that separation from him is painful for us. This is Abu Hafs, the imam of the strong; his rancor never returned in his religion. This is Abu Hafs, severe in his religion, even against a son he tightens his bonds. This is Abu Hafs, the unveiler of his secret; he sees the distant even if its horizons are far. This is Abu Hafs, always in agreement; the knowledge of the Book has become clear, and his superiority. This is Abu Hafs, truthful in speech; the heart is steadfast, and he is in harmony with guidance. This is Abu Hafs, the greatest commander after al-'Atiq ³⁷⁵; he conquered lands with his steeds. This is Abu Hafs, the hero; how many disbelievers did he conquer, with ropes around their necks? This is Abu Hafs, who followed his prophet; how excellent is his course after al-'Atiq! The virtues of our master 'Uthman ibn 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him). O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those through whose hands the gifts of giving flow, and the most majestic of those through whom the veil is lifted from the hearts of the people of insight, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn ³⁷⁶, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Uthman ibn 'Affan is the most similar of people to me in creation and character. He is Dhu al-Nurayn; I married my two daughters to him, and he is my companion in Paradise like these two,' and he moved his index and middle fingers. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose words and deeds are purified, and the most generous of those whose honor and virtue You have manifested among creation, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by his two daughters (101), it is narrated from Usama (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent me to 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) with a plate containing meat. I entered upon him while he was sitting with Ruqayya (may Allah be pleased with her). I have never seen a more beautiful couple than them. I kept looking at 'Uthman and then at Ruqayya. When I returned to the Prophet (peace be upon him), he said: 'Did you see a more beautiful couple than them?' I said: 'No.' And they recited: 'The most beautiful couple a person has seen: Ruqayya and her husband 'Uthman.' He (may Allah be pleased with him) was white-skinned, and it is said he was brown, of medium height, delicate skin, handsome face, large joints, broad-shouldered, with abundant hair on his head, a large beard, which he dyed yellow, and on his cheeks were smallpox marks. His hair covered his forearms. His name (may Allah be pleased with him) remained 'Uthman in both the Jahiliyya ³⁷⁷ and Islam. He was called Abu 'Amr and titled Dhu al-Nurayn because Allah the Exalted will give him two lights on the Day of Resurrection, while giving each person one light. It is also said because he was noble in Jahiliyya and noble in Islam, and because he married two daughters of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), which was not granted to anyone else before him. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the model of the noble leaders and the most generous of the prophets and noble messengers, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

O 'Uthman, this is Jibril informing me from Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, that you are the light of the inhabitants of heaven and the illumination of the inhabitants of earth and the people of Paradise. Asma' bint Abi Bakr, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: When 'Uthman migrated with his wife Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, he said: 'By Him in Whose hand is my soul, he is the first to migrate after Ibrahim and Lut, peace be upon them.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those by whom You raised the beacon of religion and established its foundations, the most perfect of those by whom You brought forth the dawn of truth and manifested its proofs. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn ³⁷⁸, and his specially honored vizier, who was given in marriage to his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated: When his wife Ruqayyah died, he wept, and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to him: 'O 'Uthman, this is Jibril who informed me that Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has married you to Umm Kulthum, and that I should make her dowry like that of her sister. No prophet's two daughters have been married to one man since Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, created Adam, peace be upon him, until the establishment of the Hour, except 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, may Allah be pleased with him. That is a virtue with which Allah honored him.' As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'Indeed, Allah, Blessed and Exalted, revealed to me that I should marry my daughter—or my noble one—to 'Uthman ibn 'Affan.' And it was heard from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he used to say: 'If I had forty daughters'—and in another narration: 'a hundred daughters—I would marry them to 'Uthman one after another until none of them remained.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole of majesty, lofty in rank and station, the most glorious of those You sent with guidance and by whom You erased the traces of worshippers of idols and statues. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn, and his specially honored vizier, who was given in marriage to his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated: He, may Allah be pleased with him, was one of the foremost in faith and one of the six who embraced Islam at the hand of Abu Bakr from the ten who were promised Paradise. He was a frequent faster and prayerful, fasting continuously and standing in prayer at night except for a brief sleep at its beginning. He would revive the entire night in a single rak'ah ³⁷⁹ in which he would recite the entire Qur'an. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who perfumed the cosmos with his fragrance and the most noble of those whose light of sovereignty and dominion shone with the light of his radiance and the beauty of his countenance. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn, and his specially honored vizier, who was given in marriage to his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated from al-Hasan ibn Abi al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 'Uthman used to take a midday nap in the mosque while he was the caliph, and he would get up with the marks of pebbles on his side, and he would say: 'This is the Commander of the Faithful, this is the Commander of the Faithful.' He was humble, conciliatory, chaste, forbearing, content, and ascetic. I saw him sleeping in the mosque with his cloak under his head, and then a man would come and sit with him as if he were one of them. May Allah be pleased with him and grant him His pleasure. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those for whom divine care preceded in pre-eternity, the most just of those who judged by what Allah revealed in His Book and ruled. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn, and his specially honored vizier, who was given in marriage to his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated: He was invited to a people who were engaged in an evil matter, so he went out to them but found that they had dispersed. He praised Allah, Exalted, for not encountering them, and he freed a slave for that and spent his wealth in the way of Allah. The well of Rumah ³⁸⁰ was a cistern belonging to a Jew who sold its water to the Muslims. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'Who will buy the well of Rumah and make it for the Muslims, and he will have a reward in Paradise?' So 'Uthman went to the Jew and negotiated with him for it, but he refused to sell it entirely. So 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, bought half of it for twelve thousand [dirhams] and said: 'If you wish, you may place two water skins on my share, or if you wish, one day for me and one day for you.' He said: 'Rather, one day for me and one day for you.' So when it was 'Uthman's day, the Muslims would draw enough water to suffice them for two days. When the Jew saw that, he said: 'You have ruined my cistern, so buy the other half from me.' So he bought it from him for eight thousand dirhams. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the string of pearls of lofty prophethood, the best of those who commanded prayer, pilgrimage, and fasting. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn, and his specially honored vizier, who was given in marriage to his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: 'Who will add to our mosque?' So 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, bought five columns of stone for the mosque and equipped the Army of Hardship ³⁸¹ in the expedition of Tabuk with nine hundred and fifty camels, and completed the thousand with fifty horses, may Allah be pleased with him. When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, urged [contributions] for the Army of Hardship, 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, stood up and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, upon me are three hundred camels with their saddles and packsaddles in the way of Allah.' So the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, descended from the pulpit saying: 'Nothing will harm 'Uthman after this deed, nothing will harm 'Uthman after this deed.' In another narration, 'Uthman came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with a thousand dinars when he equipped the Army of Hardship, and he poured them into his lap. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, began to turn them over in his lap and said: 'Nothing will harm 'Uthman after today, whatever he does.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the nourishment of the body and the life of the soul, the possessor of great station and the praised name. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn, and his specially honored vizier, who was given in marriage to his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated: He, may Allah be pleased with him, was at the utmost perfection in generosity, nobility, magnanimity, and spending for both near and far. His governors and many of his contemporaries followed his path and emulated him in his actions. He built his house and constructed it, so they built their houses and constructed them. He acquired wealth, so they acquired it. He expanded, so they expanded and earned. He had conquests on land and sea. He was the first to wage war at sea and conquered there, such as Dhat al-Sawari ³⁸² and Cyprus, and conquered on land, such as Ifriqiya ³⁸³ and others, and he reconquered everything that had rebelled after the death of 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, which had been conquered during his caliphate.

…until the matter was firmly established and the conquests spread. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad ³⁸⁴, the locus of mercy, tenderness, patience, and goodness, whose name is written at the beginning of the openings and the line. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn ³⁸⁵, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated about his compilation of the Great Qur’an and his completion of what Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, had begun. This is because Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him, was campaigning with the people of Iraq against the people of Syria, and their disagreement over the Qur’an alarmed him. He said to ‘Uthman: “O Commander of the Faithful, save this nation before they differ about the Book of Allah as the Jews and Christians differed.” So ‘Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, summoned Zayd ibn Thabit, ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, Sa‘id ibn al-‘As, and ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Harith, and ordered them to copy the sheets into codices. He said to the Qurayshi group: “Whatever you and Zayd disagree about, write it in the tongue of Quraysh, for it was revealed in their tongue.” They did so until, when they had copied the sheets into the codices, ‘Uthman sent every sheet or codex to be burned or torn. When he finished what he was guided to in compiling the codices and sheets and arranging them—which, by divine guidance, he and all the Companions agreed upon—he made four copies from it and sent them to the regions. Every region where a copy settled had countless copies written from it, branching out and succeeding one another over the days, following the succession of hours, months, and years, until they became mutawatir ³⁸⁶ beyond need for verification, and the divine care fulfilled its promise of preserving it and ensuring its survival until the end of time. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom visitors seek and caravans travel to, the supporter of forgiveness, the bringer of glad tidings of attaining happiness and forgiveness. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated from Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: “Gabriel, peace be upon him, descended with an apple from Paradise. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, smelled it and greeted Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, with it. He smelled it, then returned it to the Messenger of Allah, who smelled it and greeted ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, with it. ‘Umar smelled it, then returned it to the Messenger of Allah, who smelled it and then greeted ‘Uthman with it. ‘Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, smelled it and intended to…” …from a light written beneath it: “From Allah to ‘Uthman” (from the speech of ‘Abdullah ibn Salam). O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of the sons of Ma‘add, Lu’ayy, and Ghalib, and the most noble of those whom You protected from the assault of every transgressor, oppressor, and plunderer. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated: that ‘Abdullah ibn Salam said: “O assembly of Quraysh, Muhajirun, and Ansar who are present at the house of ‘Uthman, those upon whom Allah has bestowed Islam, do not kill ‘Uthman. For by Allah, his right over every believer is like the right of a father over his child. By Allah, upon the walls of this city there are twelve thousand angels. By Allah, if you kill him, you will certainly anger your Lord, His angels will certainly flee from you, His sword will certainly be unleashed upon you, and by his killing there will certainly be killed peoples who are still in the loins of men and wombs, not yet created. Indeed, I find him written in the Torah that Allah revealed to Moses son of ‘Imran, in Hebrew and Arabic: ‘Your caliph, the oppressed caliph, the martyr.’ (What happened to our master ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, may Allah be pleased with him.) By Him in Whose hand is my soul, if you kill him, no obedience will be rendered thereafter except out of fear.” They said to him: “Fill your belly and clothe your back. By Allah, no two goats will butt heads over it, nor two roosters crow over it.” He said: “As for the two roosters and the two goats, you have spoken truthfully. But the two greater signs are butting heads.” So they pelted him with pebbles and threw stones until they wounded his head. He turned to ‘Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, and said: “They claim that you have filled my belly and clothed my back. Be patient, O Commander of the Faithful. For by Him in Whose hand is my soul, I find you in the revealed Book of Allah as the oppressed caliph, the martyr.” Then they shot him with arrows from every side. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the imam of the noble and eminent celestial beings, and the best of Mudar, the sons of Ma‘add, and ‘Adnan. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated from ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, who said while on the pulpit: “Shall I not inform you of the best of this nation after its Prophet?” They said: “Yes.” He said: “Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.” Then he said: “Shall I not inform you of the second?” They said: “Yes.” He said: “‘Umar ibn al-Khattab.” Then he said: “Shall I not inform you of the third?” They said: “Yes.” So he descended from the pulpit, saying: “‘Uthman, ‘Uthman, ‘Uthman.”

O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the garden of radiant beauties, the brilliant forehead and face, the pure gold of noble mines, of exalted rank and essence. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn ³⁸⁷, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: "We spent four days without tasting any food. Then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to us and said: 'O Aisha, have you obtained anything from a place called Ari?' I said: 'No.' So he performed ablution and went out to pray here and there, and he was grazing. Then Uthman came with the news of the day, and I told him the news. He wept, may Allah be pleased with him, then said: 'Where is the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?' I told him what he had said to me. So Uthman went out and sent us a leather bag and dates and other things. Then he said: 'This is slow for you.' So he sent bread and roasted meat. Then the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came and said: 'Have you obtained anything?' I told him what Uthman had done. He did not sit down until he went out to the mosque, raised his hands, and said: 'O Allah, I am pleased with Uthman, so be pleased with him. O Allah, I am pleased with Uthman, so be pleased with him. O Allah, I am pleased with Uthman, so be pleased with him.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the presence of grace and favor, the key to the doors of contentment and pleasure. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "May Allah forgive you, O Uthman, for what you have done before and after, what you have concealed and what you have revealed, what you have hidden and what you have shown, and what will happen until the Day of Resurrection." And from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "I saw the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, from the beginning of the night until dawn, supplicating for Uthman." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the possessor of dazzling miracles and wonders, the best of those whose merits and glories were manifested among the messengers. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, regarding the saying of the Exalted: "Indeed, those for whom the best [reward] has preceded from Us" ³⁸⁸ — he is Uthman ibn Affan. And from Jabir ibn Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him: "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was in a house with a group of the Muhajirun ³⁸⁹, including Abu Bakr, Umar, Ali, Talha, and al-Zubayr. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'Let each of you rise to his companion.' Then he rose to Uthman, embraced him, and said: 'You are my friend in this world and the Hereafter.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the light of insight and sight, the lamp of understandings, sound in opinion and vision. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from him, may Allah be pleased with him, that he brought flour and honey, mixed them together, and brought them to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Then he called for a cooking pot, set it on the fire, and put in it flour, clarified butter, and honey until it was cooked. Then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "This is something that the Persians call 'khabis' ³⁹⁰." And from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said: "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'Uthman will intercede for seventy thousand of those who have deserved the Fire, until they enter Paradise.' And he said: 'Uthman will intercede on the Day of Resurrection for the likes of Rabi'a and Mudar ³⁹¹.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose mention You raised in the highest assembly, the most excellent of those whom You granted honor and glory in both abodes. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "I said: 'O Prophet of Allah, who will be the first to be called to account on the Day of Resurrection?' He said: 'Abu Bakr.' I said: 'Then who?' He said: 'Umar.' I said: 'Then who?' He said: 'Zayd.' I said: 'Then where is Uthman?' He said: 'I asked Uthman for a favor in secret, and he fulfilled it in secret, so I asked Allah not to call him to account in secret or in public.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose hearts have agreed upon obedience and love, the most excellent of those whose souls yearn for his proximity and nearness. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said to him: "O Uthman, you are Dhu al-Nurayn." He said: "O Messenger of Allah, why did you call me Dhu al-Nurayn?" He said: "Because you will be killed while reciting Surah al-Nur ³⁹²." And Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, sneezed three consecutive times in the presence of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He said to him: "Shall I give you glad tidings?" He said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "This is Jibril, peace be upon him, informing me from Allah the Exalted that whoever sneezes three consecutive times, faith will be firmly established in his heart." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the fresh shoot of the moist tree of glory, the master of every chosen one and beloved. Among the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from Sahl ibn Sa'd, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, described Paradise to us one day. It was said: 'O Prophet of Allah, which part of Paradise shines?' He said: 'Yes, by Him in whose hand is my soul, Uthman ibn Affan moves from one dwelling to another, and Paradise shines for him.'" And he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "On the Day of Resurrection, Uthman and his wives will be brought, bleeding water, the color the color of blood, the scent the scent of musk. Two garments of light will be spread out, and a pulpit will be set up for him on the Sirat ³⁹³. The believers will pass by his light, and those who hate him will have no share in it." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole ³⁹⁴

Of the great station ³⁹⁵, lofty in rank and status, and the path of guidance ³⁹⁶ clear in evidence and proof, from the miracles ³⁹⁷ of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn ³⁹⁸, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: 'I entered Paradise, and Gabriel handed me an apple, which split open to reveal a wide-eyed hour ³⁹⁹, such that the wings of eagles would be insufficient to cover her eyes. I said, "To whom do you belong?" She said, "To the caliph who was killed unjustly, Uthman ibn Affan."' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those by whom the sacred and the profane were honored, and the most noble of those crowned with the crown of lordship and virtue, from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from him (may Allah be pleased with him) that he used to fast perpetually and stand in prayer at night except for a brief rest at its beginning. His wife said, 'He would revive the entire night in a single rak'a ⁴⁰⁰, in which he would recite the entire Quran.' He would feed people the food of rulers, yet he himself ate oil and vinegar. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the moon of radiant beauty, and the best of those by whom glories are honored and elements purified, from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Aisha that she said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said during his illness in which he passed away: 'I saw that my lifespan was with some of my companions. I said, "Abu Bakr?" He said, "No." I said, "Umar?" He said, "No." I said, "Uthman?" He said, "Yes." When Uthman came, he gestured with his hand, so I moved aside, and he whispered to him while Uthman's face changed. When they besieged him, they said, "Shall we not fight with you?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "A covenant has been made with me, so I am patient."' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose companionship and lineage men boast, and the most majestic of those whom the virtuous emulate in generosity and honor, from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated that it was said to him: 'O Uthman, will you not circumambulate the House ⁴⁰¹?' He said, 'I would not circumambulate it before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).' This was from his etiquette. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the chosen one of Your honored prophets and the imam of Your elite pious ones, from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) purchased Paradise from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) twice: when he dug the Well of Rumah ⁴⁰², and when he equipped the Army of Hardship ⁴⁰³—meaning in the Expedition of Tabuk—with nine hundred and fifty camels, completing a thousand with fifty horses. He purchased the Well of Rumah for twenty thousand dirhams and endowed it for the Muslims.' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the string of pearls of prophethood, the most eloquent speaker of the jewels of wisdom, from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: 'Uthman is the most beloved and most honorable of my community.' And he said: 'The most modest of my community is Uthman ibn Affan.' And Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'I never touched anything forbidden with my right hand, because I touched with it the hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the elixir of transcendent secrets and the tongue of speaking states, from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: 'I entered upon Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), and I had met a woman on the road and looked at her, contemplating her beauty. When I entered upon him, he said to me: "One of you enters upon me with the trace of adultery apparent in his eyes. Do you not know that the adultery of the eyes is the look? You must repent, or I will punish you." I said to him: "Is there revelation after the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?" He said: "No, but insight, proof, and true discernment."' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the most merciful of the merciful, the master of the generous and the forbearing, from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was lying down in my house, uncovering his thighs—or she said: his shins—when Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked permission to enter. He gave him permission while in that state, and he conversed. Then Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked permission, and he gave him permission while still in that state. Then Uthman asked permission, and he gave him permission, but he sat up and straightened his clothes. When he left, Aisha said: "O Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr and Umar entered while you were in your state, but when Uthman entered, you sat up?" He said: "I feel shy of one whom the angels of heaven feel shy of."' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad. Who is like Dhu al-Nurayn in generosity and piety? Who has such virtue that Uthman excelled? He appears in two cloaks of modesty and chastity, like a garden that delights the eyes. Who is such that the angels of heaven feel shy of him? He was granted abodes in the Holy Presence. And his chosen spouse [married] his two daughters, so he became, and those below him in the loftiness of the cave ⁴⁰⁴ are like Saturn. He equipped for Islam, in a time of hardship, armies from the best of his wealth. He gave drink to people from the Well of Rumah with his generosity, and all of them were quenched from its sweet water. His merits were born upon the shooting stars and pebbles—can pebbles and stars be counted? His face shone with a radiant light of virtue, and in his heart was forbearance, patience, and faith. To you, O martyr of the house ⁴⁰⁵, I turn as a praiser, for your goodness is guaranteed and your generosity is captivating. I have a tongue made fluent in praise of you, and a heart wakeful with sincere love, so that you may receive a reward from your bounty that will be remembered when the heart is distraught from fear of the Resurrection. Do not forget, O son of the noble, for I have a heart that never forgets the mention of your virtue. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the sun of guidance and the criterion ⁴⁰⁶, the manifestation of the jewels of revelation and the sciences of the Quran, from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he went out to the Festival of Sacrifice ⁴⁰⁷ and left nothing white or yellow in his house, nor anything to break his fast. Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was a wealthy man. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) finished the Eid prayer, Uthman went to his house and took nine loads of flour, nine rams, nine skins of clarified butter, and nine...

Platters of dates, and the Prophet ﷺ had nine houses, so he placed in each house a load of flour, a ram, a skin of clarified butter, and a platter of dates. When the Prophet ﷺ returned from the place of prayer, he found in the house of Aisha a load of flour, a ram, a skin of clarified butter, and a platter of dates. He said, 'Where did you get this, O Aisha?' She said, 'Uthman ibn Affan sent it.' He said, 'Has he taken control of our clan?' She said, 'Yes.' So the Prophet ﷺ walked to the houses and found the same in each of his nine houses. He returned to the house of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, raised his hands to the sky, and said, 'O Allah, my companion Uthman ibn Affan has fulfilled a need for me today, so I ask You by the light of Your noble face not to take him to account tomorrow on the Day of Resurrection, neither in secret nor in public.' Then Gabriel, peace be upon him, descended upon the Prophet ﷺ and said to him, 'Peace be upon you. The Peace [Allah] sends you greetings and says to you: Give glad tidings to Uthman ibn Affan that Allah will not take him to account tomorrow on the Day of Resurrection, neither in secret nor in public.' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the model of Your righteous saints and the elite of Your certain servants, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn ⁴⁰⁸, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated that His statement, the Exalted: {Is one who is devoutly obedient during the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord...} ⁴⁰⁹ was revealed concerning him, and likewise His statement, the Exalted: {Not upon those who believe...} ⁴¹⁰ up to His words: {And Allah loves the doers of good.} O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the foundation of truth with firm pillars, and the envoy of the infallible pole ⁴¹¹ in secret and in public, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: I passed by the Prophet ﷺ while he was building his mosque in Medina, and with him were Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman, may Allah be pleased with them all. I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, do you have no one else besides these three?' He said, 'Yes, they are the rulers of the caliphate after me, and they are my bliss in Paradise.' And the Prophet ﷺ said: 'There is no prophet except that he has a companion in Paradise, and my companion in Paradise is Uthman ibn Affan.' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those You sent as a guided guide, and the most generous of those You granted a great character and praiseworthy description, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from him ﷺ that he said: 'The prophets and saints will not be taken to account, except Uthman, and he will enter Paradise without reckoning.' And the Prophet ﷺ said: 'On the night of my Ascension, I reached the Throne, and behold, on the leg of the Throne was written: There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman will be killed as a martyr.' * Grief for the one of modesty, generosity, and nobility * And the gatherer of remembrance for verses and wisdom * Uthman, whose lineage is exalted and purified * By forbearance, knowledge, and virtues with blessings * He is the sanctified one, Dhu al-Nurayn, whose * Goals, when recited, are beautiful, the choicest of words * How often he spent the night reciting the Book of Allah, his speech * While people slept in the darkness of the night * When you mention Abu Amr ⁴¹² and what the * Tyrants did to him, my eye weeps blood for him. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of noble honor, pure in branch and kind, and the bride of the kingdom, extolled in the paradises of gardens and the enclosures of holiness, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated that a drought afflicted the people in the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, so prices rose and hunger increased. Then a caravan belonging to Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, arrived from Syria. The people heard of it, met it, and asked him to sell it as he wished. He said, 'Let it be at my house.' When he placed the food, he said, 'Appoint your merchants for me.' They appointed them for him. They entered upon him, looked at the food, and said, 'We will give you a dirham profit per dinar.' He said, 'I have been given more.' They said, 'Who gave you what you mention, when no one has seen the food except us?' He said, 'My Lord, Almighty and Majestic, said in His Mighty Book: {Whoever comes with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof} ⁴¹³. And I make you witnesses that I have given it in charity to the Muslims.' So he opened his door and allowed the people to divide it equally among themselves. Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: When night came, I slept and saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ riding a mule from Paradise, wearing garments I cannot describe, and the angels surrounded him. I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, where are you going?' He said, 'O Ibn Abbas, Uthman ibn Affan is the most knowledgeable of my community in recognition, and Allah, Almighty and Majestic, has married him tonight to a hour, and we have been invited to attend the wedding.' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the fortress of contentment and pleasure, and the support of happiness and glad tidings of attaining pardon and forgiveness, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ went into one of those gardens, when a man came and knocked on the door. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Open for him and give him glad tidings of Paradise, along with a trial that will befall him.' And behold, it was Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him. So I informed him, and he said: 'Allah is the One whose help is sought.' O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the caller to success and the model of the people of goodness and righteousness, from whose son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, it is narrated from Abd al-Rahman ibn Mahdi that he said: Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, had two qualities that neither Abu Bakr nor Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, had: his patience in being killed until he was killed unjustly, and his gathering [of the Quran].

The people are upon the Mushaf (the written copy of the Qur'an), and from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "Three from Quraysh, the most eminent in countenance among Quraysh, the best in character, and the most steadfast in modesty—if they speak to you, they do not lie to you, and if you speak to them, they do not rebuke you: Abu Bakr, 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, and Abu 'Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the mine of eloquence and clarity, and the best of those whom the scriptures have mentioned and the monks have given glad tidings of; from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn (the Possessor of Two Lights), and his minister, specially honored by the marriage of his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated from him that he said: "Indeed, a people desire that I withdraw from authority, but to be crucified is more beloved to me than to be stripped of the honor of Allah and His caliphate after the saying of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: 'O 'Uthman, indeed Allah will clothe you with a garment (of caliphate); if the hypocrites seek to make you remove it, do not take it off until you meet Me.'" And he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, informed of his being killed wrongfully, and that on that day he would be upon guidance and complete faith. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose origin and distinction are honored, and the most generous of those whose generosity and virtue have been manifested to creation; from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by the marriage of his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated about the blackening of the face of one who reviled him, as narrated from 'Ali ibn Zayd ibn Jud'an that he said: Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab said to me, "Look at the face of this man." So I looked, and behold, his face was blackened. He said, "Ask him about his matter." So I said, "It suffices me; you tell me." He said, "Indeed, this man used to revile 'Ali and 'Uthman, may Allah the Exalted be pleased with them both. I rebuked and forbade him, but he did not desist. So I said, 'O Allah, this is a man (who reviles) two men whose precedence You know. O Allah, if what he says about them displeases You, show me a sign in him.' So his face blackened as you see." And likewise, what has been narrated about a thunderbolt burning one who disparaged him, as narrated from Abu Nasrah who said: We were in Medina, and a man disparaged 'Uthman, may Allah the Exalted be pleased with him. We forbade him, but he refused to desist. Then a thunderbolt came and burned him. And likewise, what has been narrated about the madness of the group who marched to kill him, may Allah be pleased with him, as narrated from Zayd ibn Habib, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: It has reached me that most of the group who marched to 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, went mad. And likewise, what has been narrated about the affliction of gangrene (al-akalah) in the knee that was broken— O Allah, send blessings and peace upon his staff, may Allah the Exalted be pleased with him, as narrated from Sulayman ibn Yasar that Jahjah al-Ghifari took his staff, with which he used to strut, and broke it over his knee, so gangrene (al-akalah) set in his knee. O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the master of the free and the kings and sultans (108), and the garden of spiritual knowledge and divine graces, the opener of blossoms and sweet basil; from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by the marriage of his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated from Sa'id ibn Zayd that he said: "If anyone were to diminish (the status of) what was done to 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, he would be deserving of being diminished." And Ibn 'Abbas said: "If the people had united upon killing 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, they would have been pelted with stones as the people of Lot were pelted." And 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "They violated against him three sanctities: the sanctity of the Sacred Land (al-Balad al-Haram), the sanctity of the Sacred Month (al-Shahr al-Haram), and the sanctity of the Caliphate. And he did not sever ties of kinship more than others, and he feared his Lord more than them, and he was killed while reciting from the Mushaf (the Qur'an). A drop of his blood fell, and drops (fell) upon His, the Exalted, saying: {So Allah will suffice you against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing} [Qur'an 2:137] And that was on Friday, the thirteenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, in the year thirty-five (AH). O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose countenance's beauty has captivated the eyes, and the most excellent of those whose fragrance and sweet scent have perfumed the worlds; from the miracles of his son-in-law, titled Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, specially honored by the marriage of his two noble daughters, is what has been narrated from Jabir ibn 'Abdillah, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: A funeral was brought to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he refused to pray over it. They said, "O Messenger of Allah, we have not seen you abandon prayer except over this man." He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Indeed, he used to hate 'Uthman, so Allah hated him." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad, and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who bore the burdens of the message and prophesied, and the most generous of those whose remembrance You have made a healing and medicine for hearts; who—

Among the miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn ⁴¹⁴, and his minister, who was specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from him: he said, 'I have never taken my private parts with my right hand since I pledged allegiance with it to the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, nor have I committed adultery in the pre-Islamic period or in Islam, and I have only increased in love for Islam.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, possessor of high status and exalted rank, and the sultan of the majestic and revered kingdom, from whose miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, who was specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from him, may God be pleased with him, concerning the reason for his conversion to Islam: he said, 'One day I was sitting with Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may God be pleased with him, and I had a seat with him. He said to me, "O Uthman, you are a resolute man; the truth is not hidden from you as opposed to falsehood. What are these idols that our people worship? Are they not deaf stone that neither hears nor sees, nor benefits nor harms?" I said, "Yes, by God, they are indeed like that." He said, "This is Muhammad ibn Abdullah, may God bless him and grant him peace; God has sent him with the message to His creation. Would you like to go to him and hear from him?" He said, I said, "Yes." By God, it was not long before the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, passed by us, and with him was Ali, may God be pleased with him, carrying a garment. When Abu Bakr saw him, he stood up to him and whispered in his ear. Then the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, came and sat next to me and said, "O Uthman, respond to God for His Paradise, for I am the Messenger of God to you and to His creation." By God, I could not control myself when I heard his words; I embraced Islam and testified that there is no god but God alone, with no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Then I did not delay before marrying Ruqayyah.' * God guided Uthman ibn Affan with guidance * And directed him, and God guides to the truth * He pledged allegiance with sound judgment to Muhammad * And he saw that he should not turn away from truth * The one sent with truth married him to his daughter * So he was like a full moon mingling with the sun on the horizon O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who forsook beds and abandoned sleep, and the most excellent of those who strove in worship and persisted in fasting, from whose miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, who was specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from Abdullah ibn Salam, may God be pleased with him: he said, 'I entered upon Uthman ibn Affan, may God be pleased with him, on the day he died, and he was laughing. I said, "O Commander of the Faithful, at a time like this you laugh?" He said, "I just slept and saw from that window"—and he pointed to a window in his house—"the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, with his hand in the hand of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and Umar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with them both. He said, 'O Uthman, they have besieged you.' I said, 'Yes, O Messenger of God.' He said, 'They have made you thirsty.' I said, 'Yes, O Messenger of God.' He said, 'They have fought you.' I said, 'Yes, O Messenger of God.' He said, 'God Almighty gives you a choice between two matters: either you will be victorious over them, or you will break your fast with us tonight.' So I chose to dine with the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace.' He said, 'Then he died that day.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pupil of the eye of the most eminent secrets, the sea of generosity, the precious in virtue and favor, from whose miracles of his son-in-law, known as Dhu al-Nurayn, and his minister, who was specially honored by marrying his two noble daughters, is what was narrated from him: that when he died, a caller ⁴¹⁵ was heard saying, 'Bury him and do not pray over him, for God Almighty has prayed over him,' and he was given glad tidings of what he received of the bounty of the Most Merciful, the Compassionate. He said, 'Rejoice, O son of Affan, with rest and fragrance; rejoice, O son of Affan, with lightning without anger; rejoice, O son of Affan, with forgiveness and pleasure.' What an imam! His pure virtues, lofty excellences, beautiful qualities, sublime merits, and bestowed gifts are exalted. He migrated twice ⁴¹⁶, prayed toward two qiblas ⁴¹⁷, the Messenger married him to his two noble daughters, he was given a double reward, and he was called Dhu al-Nurayn. He is the trustworthy in heaven and earth, the preserver of the Sunnah and the obligatory duties, the collector of the Qur'an, the one who stood by it when eyes were closing, the one who prayed during the darkness of the night, the one who gave much charity, prayer, and fasting, the one favored by the saying of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace: 'O God, do not forget this day for Uthman.' Then he, may God bless him and grant him peace, added, saying to the guided scholars among his Companions: 'Be shy of (the one from whom the angels of heaven are shy).' He strengthened the pillars of faith, and the hand of the Chosen One acted on his behalf in the Pledge of Good Pleasure ⁴¹⁸. He is the third of the caliphs, adorned with the two garments of truth and loyalty. He was the imam of the righteous, the best of the best, gentle, merciful, compassionate, generous. The Messenger of God called him 'the Trustworthy,' testified to his Paradise, gave him glad tidings of martyrdom, and prayed for forgiveness for him. In that, he was for God and His Messenger, victorious through Him. The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, honored and revered him, and mentioned that the angels are shy of him and serve him. His name, may God be pleased with him, is Abu 'Amr ⁴¹⁹ among the Muslims, Uthman, and in heaven among the angels, 'the Shy One,' and among the bearers of the Throne, 'the Generous One,' and in Paradise, 'Dhu al-Nurayn,' and in the Qur'an, 'the Devout,' and in the Torah, 'the Praiseworthy,' and in the Hereafter, 'the Rightly Guided,' and in the Psalms, 'the Happy,' and on the Day of Resurrection, 'Sayhal' ⁴²⁰. May God be pleased with him and make him pleased, and look upon his face. Leave for praising poetry the praise of Abu 'Amr, the companion of modesty, the chosen one, of generosity and pride. Generous with what his right hand possesses; his virtues surpass the shining stars. When he appears on a day of distress with his face, a crescent moon shines from him upon the full moon. He stands during the nights after fasting his day, and completes the Qur'an until dawn. Upon him be the peace of God as long as a light shines, and as long as days pass with hardship and ease. End of the virtues of Abu 'Amr, our master Uthman, in this book. ⁴²¹ Virtues of our master Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God be pleased with him. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the delight of the seeing eyes and the joy of the radiant faces, from whose miracles of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his minister and beloved, specially honored by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul ⁴²², is what was narrated from Anas ibn Malik, may God be pleased with him: he said, 'The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, made brotherhood among the Companions, but did not make brotherhood with Ali. So Ali's eyes, may God be pleased with him, shed tears, and he said, "O Messenger of God, you have made brotherhood among your Companions, but you have not made brotherhood between me and anyone." So he, may God bless him and grant him peace, said to him, "O Ali, you are my brother in this world and the Hereafter."'

My guidance, my right path, my utmost hope, and my ultimate goal. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon ⁴²³, his vizier, his beloved, uniquely honored with brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure ⁴²⁴, is what is narrated: that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) left him behind in one of his expeditions, and he said: 'O Messenger of God, you leave me with women and children?' The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: 'Are you not content to be in relation to me as Aaron was to Moses, except that there is no prophet after me?' ⁴²⁵ O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the garden of beautiful virtues, of noble and pure origin. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier, his beloved, uniquely honored with brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure, is what is narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: 'Tomorrow I will give the banner to a man who loves God and His Messenger, and God and His Messenger love him, and God will grant victory through him.' So the people spent the night discussing which of them would be given it. Then the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Where is Ali ibn Abi Talib?' They said: 'O Messenger of God, he is complaining of his eyes.' He said: 'Send for him.' So he was brought, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spat into his eyes and prayed for him, and he was healed instantly as if he had never felt pain. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave him the banner. Ali said: 'O Messenger of God, shall I fight them until they become like us?' He said: 'Proceed calmly until you reach their courtyard, then call them to Islam and inform them of what is obligatory upon them of God's rights. For by God, if God guides a single man through you, it is better for you than red camels ⁴²⁶.' And he (may God be pleased with him) did not return until he had conquered Khaybar. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the sea of generosity and grace, the best of those whose full moon rose in the sphere of prophethood and shone. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier, his beloved, uniquely honored with brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure, is what is narrated from al-Hasan ibn Ali (may God be pleased with them both) that he said: The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Bring me the master of the Arabs.' Aisha (may God be pleased with her) said: 'Are you not, O Messenger of God, the master of the Arabs?' He said: 'I am the master of the children of Adam, and Ali is the master of the Arabs.' When Ali (may God be pleased with him) came, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent for the Ansar ⁴²⁷, and they came. He said: 'O company of Ansar, shall I guide you to one whom if you hold fast to, you will never go astray after me?' They said: 'Yes, O Messenger of God.' He said: 'This is Ali. Love him with my love, and honor him with my honor, for Gabriel (peace be upon him) commanded me from God Almighty with what I have said to you.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved, the guide, the rightly guided, Your Meccan, Tihami, Najdi ⁴²⁸ messenger. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier, his beloved, uniquely honored with brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure, is what is narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may God be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: 'O Anas, pour me water for ablution.' Then he stood and prayed two rak'ahs ⁴²⁹. Then he said: 'O Anas, the first one to enter upon you from this door is the commander of the Muslims, the master of the believers, the leader of the bright-faced ones ⁴³⁰, and the seal of the rightly guided caliphs.' Anas said: I said, 'O God, make him a man from the Ansar,' and I kept it secret. Then Ali ibn Abi Talib (may God be pleased with him) came. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Who is this, O Anas?' I said: 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.' He stood up joyfully, embraced him, then began to rub his face with his face and wipe Ali's sweat with his face. Ali (may God be pleased with him) said: 'O Messenger of God, I have seen you do something you have never done to me before.' He said: 'What prevents me, when you convey from me, make them hear my truth, and clarify for them what they differ about after me?' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those You sent as a bearer of good news and a warner, a witness, and the most generous of those who stood for You in the depths of the night bowing and prostrating. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier, his beloved, uniquely honored with brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure, is what is narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: 'God did not reveal any verse containing "O you who believe" except that Ali is its head and its chief.' And he said: 'I am the house of wisdom, and Ali is its door.' And he said: 'Wisdom was divided into ten parts: Ali was given nine parts, and all the people one part.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the overflowing sea of generosity, the bearer of the fluttering banner of praise. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier, his beloved, uniquely honored with brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure, is what is narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: 'Ali is from me, my secret from my clay. Whoever loves Ali loves me, and whoever hates Ali, upon him be the curse of God.' Or he said: 'My curse. If the heavens were placed in one scale and the faith of Ali in the other, the faith of Ali would outweigh.' And Ali (may God be pleased with him) said: 'By Him who splits the seed and creates the soul, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made a covenant with me that none loves me but a believer, and none hates me but a hypocrite.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose mention makes gatherings and assemblies fragrant, and through whose blessing affairs and desires are fulfilled. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier, his beloved, uniquely honored with the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure, is what is narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may God be pleased with him) that he said: There was a bird in the hand of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), and he said: 'O God, bring me the most beloved of Your creation to You to eat it with me.' Then Ali (may God be pleased with him) came and ate it with him. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Whoever wishes to hold fast to the red rod ⁴³¹ which God Almighty planted in the Garden of Eden, let him hold fast to the love of Ali ibn Abi Talib.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of Ahmadine ⁴³² lordship, the possessor of good conduct and pleasing character. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier, his beloved, uniquely honored with the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure, is what is narrated from Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may God be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'I enjoin you to prophethood, and there is no prophet after me. And you are distinguished among people by seven qualities, in which none surpasses you: you are the first of them in faith in God, the most faithful to God's covenant, the most fulfilling of God's command, the most equitable in distribution, the most just among the subjects, the most discerning in judgment, and the greatest in merit before God.' O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of...

Adorned by him are the scenes and processions, and the most excellent one by whom both the distant and the near are honored. He from whose cousin’s (ibn ‘ammihi) miracles—the stallion of stallions (faḥl al-fuḥūl), his vizier (wazīrihi), and his beloved (ḥabībihi), specially distinguished by his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-batūl)—is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), that he said: “Verily, Allah Most High (ta‘ālā) made a covenant with me, and I said: ‘O Lord, clarify it for him.’ He said: ‘Listen.’ I said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Verily, ‘Ali is the banner of guidance (rāyat al-hudā); whoever loves him loves Me, and whoever hates him hates Me. So give him glad tidings of that.’ Then ‘Ali came, and I gave him glad tidings of it. He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am a servant of Allah and in His grasp. If He honors me, He honors me; and if He completes for me what you have given me glad tidings of, then Allah is more worthy of me.’ So I said: ‘O Allah, make his heart and his mark faith (al-īmān).’ Allah, Mighty and Majestic (‘azza wa jalla), said: ‘I have done so.’ Then, verily, it was conveyed to me that something of trial (al-balā’) would cause him to be hated, which He had not specifically assigned to any of my Companions. So I said: ‘O Lord, my brother and my companion.’ He said: ‘Verily, this is a matter that was decreed: he will be tried and tried by it.’” And he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), said: “By Him Who sent me as a prophet with the truth, none of my community (ummatī) shall cross the Bridge (al-ṣirāṭ) except with a pass from (112) ‘Ali ibn Abī Ṭālib.” My heart is enraptured with love for Abū al-Ḥasan, ‘Ali, father of the two grandsons (abī al-sibṭayn), possessor of guidance and the prophetic way (al-hudā wa al-sunan). And he whose love is an obligation (farḍ) upon every Muslim, and his love is nothing but salvation (najāh) from trials (al-miḥan). The eloquent one (faṣīḥ), to whom Allah gave knowledge and wisdom, and the virtue of speech (khaṭṭāb) with clarity (al-bayān) has been joined. And the Chosen One (al-Mukhtār) said to him a saying that honored him, and he traveled the path of the sun in every land. Indeed, O ‘Ali, you are a honor (karāmah) like Hārūn from Mūsā, and sufficient is the one from whom. And he made him a brother (ākhāhu) among the Companions (al-ṣaḥābah) in elevation, and he had the honor (al-tashrīf) in that time. O Allah, bless and grant peace (Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim) upon our master and lord (sayyidinā wa mawlānā) Muḥammad and upon the family (āl) of our master Muḥammad, the drawn sword of truth (sayf al-ḥaqq al-muntaḍā) and the best of those whose star shone in the horizon of lordship (al-siyādah) and illuminated. He from whose cousin’s (ibn ‘ammihi) miracles—the stallion of stallions (faḥl al-fuḥūl), his vizier (wazīrihi), and his beloved (ḥabībihi), specially distinguished by the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-batūl)—is what was narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), that he said: “Verily, my Lord honored me (wa‘azzanī) on the Night of the Ascension (laylat al-mi‘rāj) concerning ‘Ali with good.” A man from the Anṣār said: “Did your Lord honor you concerning ‘Ali, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “He honored me that He would give him on the Day of Resurrection the atom of Israel (dhurrat Isrā’īl) until he is able to carry the banner (liwā’).” Then it is said to him: “Raise, then say and ask.” The sun of highness (shams al-ghalā) says: “I have longing for her.” O Allah, bless and grant peace (Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim) upon our master and lord (sayyidinā wa mawlānā) Muḥammad and upon the family (āl) of our master Muḥammad, the best of those whom You honored with Your nearness and union, and preferred over all Your prophets and messengers. He from whose cousin’s (ibn ‘ammihi) miracles—the stallion of stallions (faḥl al-fuḥūl), his vizier (wazīrihi), and his beloved (ḥabībihi), specially distinguished by the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-batūl)—is what was narrated from ‘Alī ibn al-Ḥusayn, from his father, from his grandfather ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib, may Allah be pleased with him (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu), who said: “I went out with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), one day in the pathways of Medina (ṭuruqāt al-Madīnah), when we passed by a palm tree (nakhlin) from its palm trees. One palm tree called out to its sister: ‘This is Muḥammad the Chosen (al-Muṣṭafā) and ‘Alī the Well-Pleased (al-Murtaḍā).’ Then we passed by, and a second called out to a third: ‘This is Mūsā and his brother Hārūn.’ Then we passed by, and a fourth called out to a fifth: ‘This is Nūḥ and Ibrāhīm.’ Then we passed by, and a sixth called out to a seventh: ‘This is Muḥammad, the master of mankind (sayyid al-bashar), and ‘Alī, the master of the chosen ones (sayyid al-aṣfiyā’).’ Then he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), smiled and said: ‘O ‘Alī, name the palm trees of Medina (nakhla al-Madīnah) “Ṣayḥānī” (ṣayḥāniyyan), because they cried out (ṣiḥna) concerning my merit (faḍlī) and your preference (tafḍīlik).’” O Allah, bless and grant peace (Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim) upon our master and lord (sayyidinā wa mawlānā) Muḥammad and upon the family (āl) of our master Muḥammad, the follower of prophethood and messengership (tābi‘ al-nubuwwah wa al-risālah), the majestic and magnified (al-jalīl al-mu‘aẓẓam), and possessor of high rank (al-qadr al-rafī‘) and the honored station (al-janāb al-mufakhkham). He from whose cousin’s (ibn ‘ammihi) miracles—the stallion of stallions (faḥl al-fuḥūl), his vizier (wazīrihi), and his beloved (ḥabībihi) (113) specially distinguished by the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-batūl)—is what was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbās, may Allah be pleased with him (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu), that he said to ‘Alī, may Allah be pleased with him (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu): “Four qualities (khisāl) are not for anyone other than him: He is the first Arab and non-Arab (‘ajamī) to pray with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam); he is the one whose banner (liwā’uhu) was with him in the battle (al-zaḥf); he is the one who remained patient with him on the day when others fled from him; and he is the one who washed him (ghassalahu) and placed him in his grave (qabrahu), may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam).” O Allah, bless and grant peace (Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim) upon our master and lord (sayyidinā wa mawlānā) Muḥammad and upon the family (āl) of our master Muḥammad, the best of those whom his Lord placed (ṣaffahu) at His side (janābihi) and sheltered him (‘āwāhu), and the most excellent of those whom He called to the carpet of His presence (bisāṭ ḥaḍratihi) and summoned him (nādāhu). He from whose cousin’s (ibn ‘ammihi) miracles—the stallion of stallions (faḥl al-fuḥūl), his vizier (wazīrihi), and his beloved (ḥabībihi), specially distinguished by the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-batūl)—is what was narrated from Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhā), that she said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), say to ‘Alī, may Allah be pleased with him (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu): ‘None loves you except a believer (mu’min), and none hates you except a hypocrite (munāfiq).’” And from ‘Ā’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhā), she said: “I never saw a man more beloved to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), than ‘Alī, nor a woman more beloved to him than his wife, may Allah be pleased with her (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhā).” And when he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), returned from the Farewell Pilgrimage (ḥajjat al-wadā‘), he took the hand of ‘Alī, may Allah be pleased with him (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu), and said: “Allah is my protector (tawallānī), and I am the protector (tawlā) of every believer. Whoever I am his protector (tawlāhu), then ‘Alī is his protector (tawlāhu). O Allah, befriend (wāli) whoever befriends him (wālāhu), and be hostile (‘ādi) to whoever is hostile to him (‘ādāhu).” O Allah, bless and grant peace (Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim) upon our master and lord (sayyidinā wa mawlānā) Muḥammad and upon the family (āl) of our master Muḥammad, the best of those whom Allah chose (ikhtārahu) for His prophethood (nubuwwatihi) and selection (ijtibāhu), and loved from among those He selected (intaqāhu) for His honored presence (ḥaḍratihi al-musharrafah) and chose (iṣṭafāhu). He from whose cousin’s (ibn ‘ammihi) miracles—the stallion of stallions (faḥl al-fuḥūl), his vizier (wazīrihi), and his beloved (ḥabībihi), specially distinguished by the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-batūl)—is what was narrated from him, may Allah be pleased with him (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu), that he said: “Ask me, for by Allah, you will not ask me about anything except that I will inform you. And ask me about the Book of Allah (kitāb Allāh), for by Allah, there is no verse (āyah) except that I know whether it was revealed at night or by day, and on a plain or a mountain.” And it was narrated from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), that he supplicated (du‘āhu) on the Day of Ṭā’if (yawm al-Ṭā’if), and he confided (intajā) with him. The people said: “He has prolonged his private conversation (najwāhu) with his cousin.” So he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), said: “I did not confide in him (mā intajaytuhu), but rather Allah confided in him (Allāh intajāhu).” O Allah, bless and grant peace (Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim) upon our master and lord (sayyidinā wa mawlānā) Muḥammad and upon the family (āl) of our master Muḥammad, Your beloved (ḥabībika), the high in rank (al-‘alī al-qadr) and positions (al-manāṣib), and Your chosen one (ṣafiyyika), renowned for miracles (al-karāmāt) and virtues (al-manāqib). He from whose cousin’s (ibn ‘ammihi) miracles—the stallion of stallions (faḥl al-fuḥūl), his vizier (wazīrihi), and his beloved (ḥabībihi), specially distinguished by the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-batūl)—is what was narrated: that he, may Allah be pleased with him (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu), had a decisive molar (ḍirs qāṭi‘) in knowledge (al-‘ilm), and he had the basin (al-ṭast) among the clan (al-‘ashīrah), precedence (al-qadam) in Islam (al-Islām), kinship by marriage (al-ṣihr) with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), jurisprudence (al-fiqh) in the Sunnah (al-sunnah), valor (al-najdah) in war (al-ḥarb), and generosity (al-jūd) in assistance (al-mā‘ūn). And Mu‘āwiyah, may Allah be pleased with him (raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu), used to write to him and ask him concerning what befell him. When news of his death reached him, he said: “Jurisprudence (al-fiqh) and knowledge (al-‘ilm) have perished with the death of Ibn Abī Ṭālib.” O Allah, bless and grant peace (Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim) upon our master and lord (sayyidinā wa mawlānā) Muḥammad and upon the family (āl) of our master Muḥammad, the best of those through whom the community (al-ummah) seeks blessing (tatabarraku) in its address (khitābihā) and response (jawābihā), and the most beautiful of those for whom the veiled ones of the cosmos (mukhadarāt al-kawn) have unveiled their face-cover (lithāmihā) and veil (niqābihā). He from whose cousin’s (ibn ‘ammihi) miracles—the stallion of stallions (faḥl al-fuḥūl), his vizier (wazīrihi), and his beloved (ḥabībihi)

The one specifically honored with marrying his virgin, pure daughter ⁴³³—what has been narrated from him, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said: "I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate; so whoever desires knowledge, let him come through its gate." Another narration: "I am the repository of wisdom, and Ali is its gate; so whoever desires it, let him come through its gate." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You sent as a prophet and messenger, and the most honored of those whose hand You extended in Your kingdom and granted lofty glory and acceptance. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon ⁴³⁴, his vizier and beloved, the one specifically honored with marrying his virgin, pure daughter, is what has been narrated from him, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said: "An angel came to me and said: 'O Muhammad, ask those We sent before you of Our messengers: for what were they sent?' I said: 'For what were they sent?' He said: 'For your guardianship ⁴³⁵ and the guardianship of Ali ibn Abi Talib.' And he said: 'O Ali, indeed Allah has commanded me to befriend you ⁴³⁶ and teach you so that you may remain.' And concerning this was revealed: 'That an attentive ear may retain it' ⁴³⁷." And Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "No verse was revealed except that I knew concerning what it was revealed and where it was revealed. Indeed, my Lord, mighty and majestic, granted me an understanding heart and an inquiring tongue." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of virtues and glories, the noble of qualities and merits. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier and beloved, the one specifically honored with marrying his virgin, pure daughter, is what has been narrated from him, may Allah be pleased with him, that he used to say: "Ask me before you lose me, for between my sides there is abundant knowledge." And Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, used to ask him and say: "I seek refuge with Allah from a dilemma that Abu al-Hasan ⁴³⁸ is not present for." And he said: "Were it not for Ali, Umar would have perished." And Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "Indeed, he is the most knowledgeable of people in the Sunnah." And Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, was given nine-tenths of knowledge, and by Allah, he shared with you in the remaining tenth." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the unique pearl of the necklace and the embroidery of the garment of honor and glory. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier and beloved, the one specifically honored with his brotherhood and marrying his virgin, pure daughter, is what has been narrated from him, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, sent me to the people of Yemen, I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, you have sent me to a people who will ask me, and I have no knowledge.' So he placed his hand on my chest and said: 'Indeed, Allah, mighty and majestic, will guide your heart and make your tongue firm. When two litigants come before you, do not judge until you hear from the second as you heard from the first, for that is more likely to make the judgment clear to you.' I said: 'I continued as a judge, and I never doubted my judgment thereafter.'" O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those to whom creatures seek refuge through his great status and highness, and the most generous of those to whom sinners seek refuge in his mighty presence and protection. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier and beloved, the one specifically honored with his brotherhood and marrying his virgin, pure daughter, is what has been narrated from him, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said to the delegation of Thaqif when they came to him: "You will either submit to Islam, or I will send a man from me—or he said: like myself—who will strike your necks, take your children captive, and seize your wealth." Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "By Allah, I never desired leadership except on that day, and I thrust out my chest for him, hoping that he would say 'This is he.' But he turned to Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, took his hand, and said: 'This is he, this is he.'" And al-Hasan al-Basri ⁴³⁹, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "Ali was a piercing arrow from Allah's archery against His enemy, the spiritual master ⁴⁴⁰ of this community, its most virtuous, its foremost, and the closest relative of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. He was neither blameworthy concerning Allah's command nor reproachable in Allah's religion." O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the elite of noble leaders and the imam of Taybah ⁴⁴¹ and the Sacred Sanctuary. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier and beloved, the one specifically honored with his brotherhood and marrying his virgin, pure daughter, is what has been narrated: that revelation used to come to him, peace and blessings be upon him, while his head was in the lap of Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, and he did not pray the afternoon prayer until the sun had set. So he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "O Allah, indeed he was in Your obedience and the obedience of Your Messenger, so cause the sun to return for him." He said: "I saw it set, then I saw it rise and fall upon the mountains and the earth, and that was at al-Sahba' ⁴⁴² in Khaybar." And he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "O Ali, Gabriel descended upon me and said: 'O Muhammad, indeed Allah, blessed and exalted, and the bearers of His Throne and His three hundred heavens send greetings of peace upon Ali ibn Abi Talib.'" O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the model of noble leaders and the refuge of widows and orphans. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier and beloved, the one specifically honored with his brotherhood and marrying his virgin, pure daughter, is what has been narrated from Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, fell ill, so Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, went to him in the darkness of dawn, for he loved that no one should precede him to him. And behold, he was in the courtyard of the house with his head in the lap of Dihyah al-Kalbi ⁴⁴³. He greeted him, and he returned the greeting and said: 'Indeed, I love you, and you have with me a pleasant thing that I will convey to you.' He said: 'Say: You are the Commander of the Faithful ⁴⁴⁴, and you are the leader of the white-faced, bright-limbed ones ⁴⁴⁵. Successful is he who follows you, and failed is he who abandons you. By the love of Muhammad, I inform you, and by hatred of you, they will never attain his intercession. Go to the chosen one of Allah, your brother and cousin, for you are most entitled to him.' So he looked at me, took the head of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and placed it in his lap. When he awoke, peace and blessings be upon him, he said: 'O Ali, what is this whispering?' So he informed him, and he said: 'That was not a revelation, but it was Gabriel, peace be upon him.'" O Allah, send blessings and peace upon our master and lord Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You made a trustee over Your revelation and the most honored of those whom You granted mighty victory and clear conquest. Among the miracles of his cousin, the supreme paragon, his vizier and beloved, the one specifically honored with his brotherhood and marrying his virgin, pure daughter, is what has been narrated: that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "O Ali ibn Abi Talib, take the door today, and let no one enter upon me, for I have visitors from the angels who have sought permission from their Lord to visit me. So close the door for me." Then Umar came and said: "O Ali, seek permission for me to enter upon the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him." Ali said to him: "There is no permission for him." That distressed Umar, and he thought it was displeasure from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, so he returned but could not bear it until he came back and said: "O Ali, seek permission for me to enter upon the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him." He said: "There is no permission for him." So he returned angry and sad, then came back again and said: "O Ali, seek permission for me to enter upon the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him." He said: "There is no permission for him." He said: "Why?" He said: "Because there are visitors from the angels who have sought permission from their Lord to visit him." He said: "And who are they?"

He said: 'Three hundred and sixty angels.' He said: 'Then the soul of 'Umar was pleased at that.' Then the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, ordered the door to be opened, and 'Ali and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, entered. 'Umar informed him of what 'Ali had said: 'O Messenger of Allah, he told me their number.' He said: 'Three hundred and sixty angels.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'O 'Ali, did you inform 'Umar of the number of angels?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'And who informed you of that?' He said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I heard three hundred and sixty tones ⁴⁴⁶, and I knew that for each tone there was an angel.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, struck his chest and said: 'May Allah increase you in knowledge and certainty.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the desire of the family and companions, and the best of those who draw near to You with righteous deeds and repent, from whose miracles ⁴⁴⁷ of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul ⁴⁴⁸, is what is narrated from some of the Companions that he said: 'The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, led us in the noon and afternoon prayers. He remained in the first bowing until we thought he would not raise his head. Then he raised his head, and we raised after him. When he finished the prayer, he stood in his prayer niche and called out: "Where is my brother and cousin 'Ali ibn Abi Talib?" 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, answered from the back rows: "At your service, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to him: "Come closer to me, O Abu al-Hasan ⁴⁴⁹." He kept drawing him near until he seated him before him and said: "O Abu al-Hasan, do you not know that Gabriel descended to me concerning the first row and the first takbir ⁴⁵⁰? Did the love of al-Hasan and al-Husayn occupy you?" 'Ali said: "Would their love occupy me from Allah, mighty and majestic?" He said to him: "Then what occupied you from that?" He said: "O Messenger of Allah, Bilal gave the call to prayer while I was in the mosque, and I performed some rak'ahs ⁴⁵¹. Bilal established the prayer, and I said the takbir with you. Then something about the matter of ablution whispered to me, so I left the mosque to your daughter Fatima and called out: 'O Hasan, O Husayn, O Fatima!' But no one answered me. While I was like a bereaved woman and like one bewildered in the frying pan, seeking water for ablution, suddenly a caller called out to me from my right: 'O Abu al-Hasan, look to your right.' So I looked, and there was a vessel of red gold covered with a green handkerchief. I uncovered the handkerchief, and in it was water whiter than milk, sweeter than honey, and colder than snow. I purified myself for prayer, dried myself with the handkerchief, placed it on the vessel, and it disappeared. I did not know who placed it nor who removed it.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, smiled and said: And he said: 'Whoever dies loving you after your death, Allah will seal for him with security and faith.' * Describe 'Ali to me, for in praising him I have a wondrous matter that cannot be matched in description. * Pure, content, Hashimite ⁴⁵², purified, he has precedence in Islam, generosity, and beneficence. * If you ask about his description and attributes, he is a sun, but eclipse does not befit it. * When he appears and war heats its crucible, the cloud of harm disperses and the tremor ceases. * No one remains when he shouts a shout, and who remains when death clangs? * So woe to the people of disbelief from him, and woe to whoever opposes him in war when he does not forgive. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who took the lead in the processions of honor and advanced, and the most excellent of those who acted on the carpet of the spiritual kingdom and ruled, from whose miracles of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what is narrated from Muhammad ibn 'Afif that he said: 'My father told me that he was with al-'Abbas in Mecca before the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, appeared. Then a young man came and faced the Ka'ba, praying. Then a boy came to his right, then a woman came and stood behind them. Al-'Abbas said: "Do you know this young man?" I said: "No." He said: "This is Muhammad, my nephew, and this is 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, and this is Khadija, his wife, may Allah bless him and grant him peace."' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose reward You multiplied and whose deed You accepted, and the most excellent of those whose aid You fulfilled and whose hope You realized, from whose miracles of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what is narrated that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was with his companions when 'Ali came. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, moved aside for him from his place and said: 'Here, O Abu al-Hasan.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was pleased with that and said: 'The people of merit are more deserving of merit, and none knows merit except the people of merit.' A man entered, and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, moved aside for him. He said: 'O Prophet of Allah, there is room in the place.'

A sting ⁴⁵³, so he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Indeed, the right of a Muslim over a Muslim when he visits him intending to sit with him is that he should make room for him." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose origin and distinction have appeared and whose heart and form have been illuminated by the lights of revelation, from whose cousin's ⁴⁵⁴ miracles—the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul ⁴⁵⁵—is what has been narrated from al-Hasan ibn 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, that he addressed the people one day and said: "Yesterday a man left you"—meaning his father 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him—"whom the earlier ones did not surpass in knowledge, nor will the later ones overtake him. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would send him with the banner, with Gabriel on his right and Michael on his left, and he would not return until victory was granted to him." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose heart You have made blissful with Your remembrance and the most excellent of those whom You have granted status exalted by the might of Your Lordship, from whose cousin's miracles—the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul—is what has been narrated from Sa'id ibn Jubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "They mentioned 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, and I said: 'You have mentioned a man who used to hear the footsteps of Gabriel, peace be upon him, on the roof of his house. He, may Allah be pleased with him, carried [the attack] on the day of Uhud against a squadron of the army and dispersed them. Gabriel, peace be upon him, said: "O Muhammad, this is indeed true brotherhood." He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Indeed, 'Ali is from me." Gabriel, peace be upon him, said: "And I am from both of you."' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose paths the saints have followed and the most excellent of those whose rites the servants have emulated, from whose cousin's miracles—the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul—is what has been narrated in the report that when Quraysh wanted to kill the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, he left Mecca and 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, slept on his bed, making them think that he was the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Quraysh were guarding him, but he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, left without them noticing, and Allah had cast a veil over their eyes. Then Allah, exalted be He, revealed to Gabriel and Michael, peace be upon them both: "I have made you brothers and made the life of one of you longer than the other. Which of you will prefer his companion in life?" Both chose life and loved it. So Allah, exalted be He, revealed to them: "Why were you not like 'Ali ibn Abi Talib? I made brotherhood between him and Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he spent the night on his bed, sacrificing himself for him and preferring him in life. So descend to the earth and protect him from his enemy." So Gabriel was at his head and Michael at his feet. He, may Allah be pleased with him, was snoring in his sleep, and Gabriel said to him: "Who is like you, O son of Abu Talib? You snore in your sleep while the Almighty boasts of you to the angels." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master and lord Muhammad, the sultan of the supported kingdom and the bride of the glorified presences, from whose cousin's miracles—the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul—is what has been narrated from Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent me to call 'Ali. I came to his house and called him, and the handmill was grinding. He looked out, and the handmill was grinding with no one with it. I called him, and he came out wrapped in a garment. I said to him: 'The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is calling you.' He went out, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, leaned towards him and said something to him that I did not understand. Then I entered, and he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, started looking at me and I at him. He said to me: 'What is the matter with you, O Abu Dharr?' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, a wonder of wonders: a handmill grinding in 'Ali's house with no one turning it.' He said: 'O Abu Dharr, do you not know that Allah has angels roaming the earth entrusted with helping the family of Muhammad?'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the Spirit of Truth and the Messenger of Mercy, sent with ease and gentleness, from whose cousin's miracles—the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul—is what has been narrated from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "We went out with Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, and 'Ali ibn Abi Talib to the market. He bought a watermelon, and we went to his house. He broke one and found it bitter. He ordered Bilal to return the watermelon to its owner and said: 'Shall I not tell you a tradition that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, told me? He said to me: "O Abu al-Hasan, Allah, exalted be He, has commanded your love upon humans and trees. Whoever responds to your love becomes sweet and good, and whoever does not respond to your love becomes foul and bitter." I think this watermelon is from those who do not love me among creation.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose mention and praise You have spread in the highest assembly, and the most noble of those whose conduct and guidance the creatures have followed, from whose cousin's miracles—the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul—is what has been narrated from him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "Whoever loves 'Ali in his heart will have the reward of two-thirds of the community; whoever loves him with his heart and tongue will have the reward of two-thirds of this community; and whoever loves him with his heart, tongue, and action will have the reward of this entire community. Indeed, Gabriel, peace be upon him, informed me that the truly fortunate is he who loves 'Ali during my life and after my death, and the truly wretched is he who hates 'Ali during my life and after my death." And he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Whoever loves 'Ali has loved me, and whoever hates 'Ali has hated me; whoever befriends 'Ali has befriended me, and whoever opposes 'Ali has opposed Allah." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the possessor of the high rank and the firm station, and the best of those whose faith in You You have strengthened and whose trust and certainty You have improved, from whose cousin's miracles—the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul—is what has been narrated from him, may Allah be pleased with him, that he entered a city and found there an astrologer claiming knowledge of the unseen, with a large crowd around him. 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said to him: "You are my guest." He gave him a loaf and took a loaf himself, and said: "Each of us will take back his loaf from this food." Then he said to him: "Distinguish your loaf from mine." He said: "I do not know." He said: "A loaf that you yourself will take back—you are unable to recognize it, so how can you claim knowledge of the unseen?" He said: "O Commander of the Faithful, do you recognize your loaf?" He said: "No, but I ask Allah, exalted be He, to distinguish it." So his loaf rose, and about three hundred thousand people from the people [ate from it].

That city ⁴⁵⁶. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose homeland You have made beloved in hearts, and the most excellent of those whose praiseworthy qualities You have praised and mentioned in Your Book. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul ⁴⁵⁷, is what was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he said: 'Love for 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) consumes sins just as fire consumes wood. If all people were united in love for him, Allah would not have created Hell.' And from Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: 'Love for 'Ali ibn Abi Talib is a good deed that is not harmed by any sin, and hatred for him is a sin that is not benefited by any good deed.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the clear and manifest light of prophethood, the possessor of beautiful appearance and radiant face. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: 'I bear witness that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If the seven heavens and the seven earths were placed on one scale and the faith of 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was placed on the other, the faith of 'Ali would outweigh them."' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the fountain of spiritual knowledge and gifts, the mine of blessing, famous for his virtues and merits. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: 'Whoever wishes to see Adam in his knowledge, Noah in his obedience, Abraham in his friendship, Moses in his closeness, Jesus in his purity, and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), let him look at 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the chosen one of the noble messengers and the best of those who circumambulated between the Corner and the Station ⁴⁵⁸. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he said: 'We were with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) when suddenly there were birds in his mouth, a green almond. He threw it, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took it and found in it a green emerald on which was written in yellow: "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I have supported him through 'Ali." So he (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Indeed, you are the master of the believers, the leader of the righteous, and the guide of the bright-faced ones ⁴⁵⁹. And indeed, it is written on the gate of Paradise: 'Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, 'Ali is the brother of the Messenger of Allah' two thousand years before the creation of the heavens."' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the cloud of generosity and the garden of spiritual knowledge with ripe branches. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: 'O 'Ali, seal with the pious, and you will be among the near ones ⁴⁶⁰.' He said: 'O Messenger of Allah, who are the near ones?' He said: 'Gabriel and Michael.' He said: 'What is the completion?' He said: 'With the pious.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pasture of my spirit and heart, the goal of my desire and the ultimate of my love. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said to Abu Barada: 'Indeed, the Lord of the worlds has entrusted to me concerning 'Ali ibn Abi Talib that he is the banner of guidance, the beacon of faith, the leader of the first and the last, the light of all who obey me, and the bearer of my banner on the Day of Resurrection. 'Ali ibn Abi Talib holds the keys of my Lord.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who guided hearts to Allah and united them, the most generous of those who restrained souls from desires and subdued them. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that on the day of Khaybar he commanded his companions to test their children with love for 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), for indeed he does not call to misguidance nor does he turn away from guidance. So whoever loves him is of you, and whoever hates him is not of you.' Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'After that, a man would stand on the road for 'Ali and say: "O my son, do you love this man?" If he said yes, he would accept him; if he said no, he would divorce his mother and leave him with her.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who made the religion easy and facilitated it, the most excellent of those who gathered the community of Islam and perfected it. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: 'For whomever I am his master, 'Ali is his master.' Then al-Nadr ibn al-Harith said to him: 'You commanded us to bear witness to the two testimonies from Allah, and we accepted from you. You commanded us to pray and give alms. Then you were not satisfied until you preferred your cousin over us. By Allah, I will leave a house... ⁴⁶¹' He said: 'By Allah, besides whom there is no god, indeed it is from Allah.' So he turned away saying: 'O Allah, if this is the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky.' So a stone fell on him from the sky and killed him. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the cave of security and protection, the path of righteousness and guidance. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated that al-'Abbas and Hamza (may Allah be pleased with them) boasted. Hamza said: 'I am better than you because I am in charge of the maintenance of the Ka'ba.' Al-'Abbas said: 'I am better than you because I am in charge of providing water to the pilgrims.' So they said: 'Let us go to al-Abtah ⁴⁶² and seek judgment from the first man we meet.' They found 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and he said: 'I am better than both of you because I preceded you in Islam.' So they informed the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about that, and his chest became constricted due to his pride over his two uncles. Then Allah the Exalted revealed, confirming the words of 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and clarifying his virtue: "Have you made the giving of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque equal to [the deeds of] one who believes..." ⁴⁶³

O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the best of those who strove in seeking goodness and spoke truth, and the most excellent of those who spoke with the gifts of knowledge and uttered—he from whose cousin's ⁴⁶⁴ miracles, the stallion of stallions ⁴⁶⁵, his vizier ⁴⁶⁶, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter ⁴⁶⁷, it is narrated that he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Among you is one who will fight for the interpretation ⁴⁶⁸ of the Qur'an as I fought for its revelation." Abu Bakr said: "Am I, O Prophet of Allah?" He said: "No." 'Umar said: "Am I, O Prophet of Allah?" He said: "No, but the mender of the sandal ⁴⁶⁹." And he had given 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) his sandal to mend it, i.e., to put a patch over a patch. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the elite of every devotee and worshiper, and the prize of every visitor and pilgrim—he from whose cousin's miracles, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter, it is narrated that he (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about Tubā ⁴⁷⁰, and he said: "Its root is in my house." Then he was asked about it a second time, and he said: "Its root is in the house of 'Ali." It was said: "You first said it was in your house, then when asked a second time you said it was in the house of 'Ali." He said: "My house and the house of 'Ali are two mansions in Paradise, one in the same place." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the piercing star of guidance and the lamp of prophethood by which light is sought in the East and the West—he from whose cousin's miracles, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter, it is narrated that a man said to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him): "I want to travel and I fear the wild beast." So he directed him to his ring and said to him: "When the wild beast comes to you, say to it: 'This is the ring of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.'" When the lion met him, he said to it: "This is the ring of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib." So it raised its head to the sky and growled, then to the earth likewise, then to the east likewise, then to the west likewise, then it went away running. I informed 'Ali, and he said: "It says: 'By the right of Him who raised it, and by the right of Him who placed it, and by the right of Him who brought it forth, and by the right of Him who concealed it, I will not dwell in a land where people complain of me to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose obedience and deeds were accepted, and whose beginning and end were protected by the secrets of prophethood—he from whose cousin's miracles, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter, it is narrated that he was an infant in his cradle, and a snake came towards him, so he descended from his cradle and killed it. His mother was amazed at that, and she heard a caller saying: "This is Haydar ⁴⁷¹ who descended from his cradle to his enemy and killed him." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the lord of kings and kingdoms, the clarifier of paths and ways—he from whose cousin's miracles, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter, it is narrated that Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Messenger of Allah, 'Ali sleeps on Friday night, and it is a virtue." He said: "Allah has bestowed upon him the sleep of Friday night, and from his spirit He creates a green bird that roams the pathways of heaven; there is no span of it except that there is for the spirit of 'Ali a bowing or a prostration." And for that reason 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Ask me about the pathways of heaven, for I know them better than the pathways of earth." So Jibril ⁴⁷² came to him in the form of a man and said: "If you are truthful, tell me where Jibril is." He looked to the heaven right and left, then to the earth likewise, and said: "I did not find him in heaven nor on earth; perhaps it is you." And it is narrated that he used to resist in his mother's womb, preventing her from prostrating to the idol when she wanted to do so. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the lord of every messenger and angel, and the most excellent of those who trod with his community the path of the Shari'a ⁴⁷³ and followed it—he from whose cousin's miracles, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter, it is narrated that he (peace and blessings be upon him) entered the mosque and saw people sleeping, and said: "Do not sleep in the mosque." So they stood up, then he said to 'Ali: "I am you, then poverty is a trial for you." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom his Lord brought near to His presence and chose, and the most excellent of those upon whom he sent greetings and whom he greeted with the most honorable salutations—he from whose cousin's miracles, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter, it is narrated that he (peace and blessings be upon him) sent 'Ali to a disbelieving people who had many bees, and they denied him, so he said: "O bees, leave them, for they have transgressed." So the bees flew away, and the people were afflicted, and they became in need of the bees because their livelihood was from them. So they sent to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Send your messenger to us." So he sent him to them, and they embraced Islam. He said: "O bees, come back, for he who sent me to you has returned, all of them." And in another narration, he (may Allah be pleased with him) was in a battle, and the disbelievers overpowered him, and they had many bees. So Allah revealed to him: "Go forth to the aid of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib." So he went out and began stinging the people until Allah destroyed them. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, a mercy to the distant and the near, and the best of those who performed devotion ⁴⁷⁴ in the depths of mosques and prayer niches—he from whose cousin's miracles, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter, it is narrated that he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When I was taken on the Night Journey ⁴⁷⁵ to heaven, Jibril took my hand and seated me on one of the couches of Paradise, then handed me a quince, and as I was turning it over, it turned into a maiden the likes of whom I had never seen. She said: 'Peace be upon you, O Muhammad.' I said: 'Who are you?' She said: 'I am the Contented and Well-Pleased; Allah created me from three substances: my lower part from musk, my middle from camphor, and my upper from ambergris; He kneaded me with the water of life, and the Almighty said: 'Be,' and I was, for your brother and cousin 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You adorned with the jewels of Your names and attributes, and the most noble of those whom You concealed in the beauty of Your Essence and the descriptions of Your perfections—he from whose cousin's miracles, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the pure daughter, it is narrated that Allah gave him knowledge of the Barzakh ⁴⁷⁶. When 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) died, he sat on his grave to hear his words to the two angels. When they entered upon him, he trembled from them, then he answered. They said to him: "Sleep." He said: "How can I sleep when this trembling has afflicted me from you, and I accompanied the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?"

I call upon Allah and His angels to witness that you two shall not enter upon a believer except in the best form, and they did so. Then Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said to him: "Sleep, O son of al-Khattab, may Allah reward you on behalf of the Muslims with good. You have benefited the people in your life and in your death." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You have manifested in obedience to You his strength and resolve, and You have granted him among Your prophets his portion and share, from whose miracles ⁴⁷⁷ is that of his cousin, the stallion of stallions ⁴⁷⁸, his vizier and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul ⁴⁷⁹, what has been narrated that two men came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and one of them said: "O Messenger of Allah, this man's cow killed my donkey." A man hastened and said: "There is no liability for animals." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "O Ali, judge between them." He said: "Do you let it loose, or do you tie it up, or do you turn it away? You let it loose and the other ties it up." He said: "The donkey was tied up and the cow was let loose, and its owner was following." Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The owner of the cow is liable for the donkey." And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, confirmed his judgment. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the station of the renowned honor and the bearer of the banner of praise spread forth, from whose miracles is that of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, what has been narrated that a man brought a claim against Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, to Umar, may Allah be pleased with him. He said to him: "Stand, O Abu al-Hasan ⁴⁸⁰, before your opponent." Ali became angry, and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, asked him about that. He said: "Because you addressed me by my kunya ⁴⁸¹; why did you not say: 'Stand, O Ali, before your opponent'?" So Umar kissed his head and said: "Through you Allah guided us, and through you He brought us out of darkness into light." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your Prophet specially distinguished by the abrogation and cancellation of all laws, and Your Messenger sent as a security for his community from being swallowed up by the earth and being transformed, from whose miracles is that of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, what has been narrated that Gabriel, peace be upon him, came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and said: "Shall I give you glad tidings, O Muhammad?" He said: "Yes." So he brought him to Mount Abu Qubays ⁴⁸², and there was Ali prostrating, his tears having moistened the place of his cheeks, and he was saying: "O Allah, have mercy on my lowliness and my supplication to You, and my loneliness from Your creation, and grant me intimacy with You, O Generous One." Gabriel, peace be upon him, said: "By Allah, O Muhammad, he is in a state wherein Allah boasts of him to the angels, and no one prays this supplication in his prostration except that he emerges from his sins as a snake emerges from its slough." (121) O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the sea of abundant generosity, virtue, and succor, and the source of pure wisdom in heart and body, from whose miracles is that of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, what has been narrated from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "I brought food to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. He named [Allah] and ate a morsel, and said: 'O Allah, bring me the most beloved of creation to You and to me.' Then Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, knocked at the door. I said: 'Who is it?' He said: 'Ali.' I said: 'The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, is busy.' He ate a morsel, then said: 'O Allah, bring me the most beloved of creation to You and to me.' Then Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, knocked at the door. I said: 'Who is it?' He said: 'Ali.' I said: 'He is...' He ate a morsel, then said: 'O Allah, bring me the most beloved of creation to You and to me.' Then Ali knocked at the door and raised his voice. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'Open the door, O Anas.' So I opened, and Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, entered. When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saw him, he smiled and said: 'Praise be to Allah, for I have been calling upon Allah with every morsel to bring me the most beloved of creation to Him and to me.' He said: 'By Him who sent you with the truth, I knocked at the door three times and Anas turned me away.' The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'What made you do what you did, O Anas?' He said: 'O Prophet of Allah, I hoped it would be a man from the Ansar ⁴⁸³.' He said: 'The Ansar are pleased with good and virtue from Ali.' And he said: 'The right of Ali over the Muslims is like the right of a father over his child.'" My heart clings to the firmest handle ⁴⁸⁴ and the attainment of the highest ranks, because I have befriended the pole of creation ⁴⁸⁵, the full moon of guidance, the great scholar, the most exalted. O fortunate is he who befriends him in love, and O loss to his enemy for what he has borne, bearing burdens on his back; for him is a blazing fire made as a dwelling. O father of the two grandsons ⁴⁸⁶, O master, by whose praise I have clothed my poetry with garments, they display delight to whoever beholds them, like the full moon whenever the clouds clear from it. O just, guiding Imam, by whose judgment of speech many distresses have been removed, grant me tomorrow a portion from al-Kawthar ⁴⁸⁷, my master, a cup filled with pure water.

A soul quenches its thirst with it, never seeking to deviate from your path. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the elite of the elite among Your believing servants, the cream of the elect of Your sincere friends, concerning whom his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister, his beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, it is narrated from his son al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: My father bequeathed to me thirty traits before his death, saying: O my son, if you act upon them in this world, Allah will protect you from the afflictions of this world and the Hereafter. I said: What are they, father? He said: Beware of three things, fear three things, hope for three things, conform to three things, be ashamed of three things, seek refuge in three things, be stingy with three things, attain three things, flee from three things, and avoid three things, and Allah will grant you good conduct in this world and the Hereafter. As for those you must beware of: beware of pride, anger, and greed, for they are traits of the wicked. Pride is the cloak of Allah Almighty; whoever has even an atom's weight of pride in his heart, Allah will cast him into the Fire. Anger makes the forbearing foolish, blinds the scholar, causes loss of reason, and reveals ignorance. Greed is a trap of Iblis ⁴⁸⁸ and a snare of his deceit and cunning, by which he ensnares scholars, intellectuals, people of knowledge, and those with insight. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Fear three things.' He said: O my son, fear Allah, fear your tongue, for it is your enemy against your religion, and it secures you from all that you fear. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Hope for three things.' He said: O my son, hope for Allah's forgiveness of your sins, hope for the virtues of your intellect, and hope for the intercession of your Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Conform to three things.' He said: O my son, conform to the Book of Allah Almighty, conform to the Sunna ⁴⁸⁹ of your Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and conform to what accords with truth and the Book. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Be ashamed of three things.' He said: O my son, be ashamed of the noble recording angels ⁴⁹⁰, and be ashamed of the righteous believers. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Seek refuge in three things.' He said: O my son, seek refuge in Allah Almighty in your important matters, seek refuge in the people of knowledge, and seek refuge in repentance for your evil deeds. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Be stingy with three things.' He said: O my son, be stingy with your life, lest you waste it for your own detriment; be stingy with your religion, lest you exchange it for anger; and be stingy with your speech, except what is for your benefit, not against you. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Attain three things.' He said: O my son, attain self-knowledge by revealing its faults and despising it; attain piety towards Allah Almighty; then attain refinement of yourself and concealment of your mention. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Flee from three things.' He said: O my son, flee from lying, flee from the oppressor even if he is your father or your son, and flee from places of trial where you need your patience. I said: You have spoken truly, father. Tell me about your saying: 'Avoid three things.' He said: O my son, avoid your caprice and the people of caprice, avoid evil and the people of evil, and avoid foolishness and the foolish, even if they are elders or distinguished shaykhs ⁴⁹¹. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the mine of generosity and munificence, the noble in love for You and brotherhood, concerning whom his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister, his beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, it is narrated that he said in some of his counsels: Hold fast to your religion, for therein is your return; hold fast to your wealth, for therein is your livelihood; hold fast to knowledge, for therein is your religion. And he said to his sons: I enjoin you to fear Allah in private and public, to speak the truth in anger and satisfaction, to be moderate in poverty and wealth, to forgive friend and foe, to act in activity and laziness, and to be content with Allah Almighty in hardship and ease. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the sovereign of the kingdom, great in rank and station, the bridegroom of the gardens of holiness and the paradises of bliss, concerning whom his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister, his beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, it is narrated that he said: It befits a believer that his gaze be a lesson, his silence reflection, and his speech wisdom. And he said in his counsel to Abu Sa'id al-Khudri ⁴⁹²: Hold fast to piety towards Allah, for it is the head of all good; hold fast to jihad ⁴⁹³, for it is the monasticism of Islam; hold fast to recitation of the Qur'an, for it is a light for you on earth and a remembrance for you in heaven; and hold fast to silence except for good, for thereby you overcome the devil. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose virtues are beyond count and enumeration, the greatest prophet whose miracles cannot be counted or exhausted, concerning whom his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister, his beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, it is narrated that he said:

He said: Preserve from me five things, for even if you strive hard to attain them, you will not succeed in finding their like: Let none of you hope except in his Lord, and fear nothing but his sin; let none of you be ashamed, when he does not know, to learn; and let none of you be ashamed, when asked about what he does not know, to say "I do not know"; and the fifth is patience, for patience is to faith as the head is to the body: he who has no patience has no head, and he who has no head has no body. And whoever desires wealth without property, and honor without clan, let him move from the humiliation of disobedience to the honor of obedience. God refuses to humiliate anyone except those who disobey Him. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the fortified fortress of security, the possessor of eloquent speech and concise discourse, from the judgment of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, what is related from him that he said: "You must have taqwa ⁴⁹⁴ of God the Great, alone without partner, in secret and in public; fulfillment of trust; maintaining family ties; protecting the neighbor; keeping covenants; generosity in obedience to God Almighty; and abandoning lying, for no liar attains anything. Beware of dwelling in the vicinity of the wicked, for proximity to them is disgrace and fleeing from them is adornment. Do not expose your faces to those who have no standing ⁴⁹⁵. Be courteous and take from everything its best, and from every art its most beautiful, for if a man lives for years, he will not reach the level of good manners. You must acquire knowledge, for in it is honor, and through it abundant wealth and noble lineage are gained." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of the free and of gifts, the sea of abundant generosity and favor, from the judgment of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, what is related from him that he said: "I am amazed at one who perishes while salvation is with him." It was said: "What is it, O Abu al-Hasan ⁴⁹⁶?" He said: "Istighfar ⁴⁹⁷." And he said to his son al-Hasan ⁴⁹⁸, may God be pleased with them both: "Be in this world with your body, and in the Hereafter with your heart." And he used to say: "Amazing is the one who perishes while istighfar is with him." And he used to say: "God Almighty does not inspire a servant with istighfar while intending to punish him." And he said: "O Jabir ⁴⁹⁹, the support of this world rests on four: a scholar who practices his knowledge, an ignorant person who is not too proud to learn, a generous rich person who gives charity, and a poor person who does not sell his Hereafter for his world. When the scholar withholds his knowledge, the ignorant person becomes too proud to learn from him; when the rich person is stingy with his charity, the poor person sells his Hereafter for his world. When they do that, then they fall, and at that point woe, then woe. No servant upon whom God has bestowed favors but that people's needs towards him increase. Whoever fulfills what is due to God regarding the favors He has granted, exposes them to permanence; and whoever does not fulfill what is due to God regarding the favors, exposes them to disappearance." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom his Lord chose for the message, selected, honored over creation, and preferred, from the judgment of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, what is related from him, may God be pleased with him, that he said: "God Almighty has vessels on His earth, and they are the hearts. The most beloved to Him are the hardest, the purest, and the tenderest." Then he explained that, saying: "The hardest in religion, the purest in certainty, and the tenderest towards brothers." And he used to say: "Whoever would like God to make him forget his term ⁵⁰⁰, expand his provision, help him against his enemy, and grant him his hope, let him say in the evening and morning: 'Subhan Allah ⁵⁰¹ filling the scale, and the utmost of knowledge, and the extent of contentment, and the weight of the Throne; and there is no power and no strength except with God.'" O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who clarified Islam and explained its path, and erected the beacon of religion and lit its lamp, from the judgment of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, what is related from him that he said: "God is Generous, He loves generosity, and He loves noble character traits, and He dislikes base ones." And he said: "Three are not known except at three: the brave is not known except in war, the forbearing not except in anger, and the sincere friend not except at the time of need." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You entrusted with the sword of Your prohibition and command, and the most excellent of those whose limbs You facilitated for Your obedience and righteousness, from the judgment of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, pure daughter, what is related from him that he said: "O son of Adam, do not carry the worry of your tomorrow, which has not come, upon the worry of your day in which you are. For if tomorrow is part of your life, your provision will come in it. And know that you do not acquire any wealth beyond your sustenance except that you become a treasurer for someone else."

O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of sovereignty and honor, the bride of the divine presences, seated upon the throne of majesty and exaltation. From the wisdom of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure one ⁵⁰², it is narrated that he said: 'Indeed, the ascetics in this world have taken the earth as a carpet, dust as a bed, and water as perfume. But whoever yearns for Paradise hastens away from desires; whoever fears the Fire refrains from forbidden things; and whoever renounces this world finds calamities easy to bear. Truly, the knowers ⁵⁰³ are those whose evils are safe, whose hearts are sorrowful, whose souls are chaste, and whose needs are light. They endure short days for the sake of a long rest to come. As for the night, they stand in prayer, their feet swollen, tears flowing down their cheeks, as they plead to Allah, our Lord, seeking the redemption of their necks. As for the day, they are scholars, forbearing, righteous, and pious, as if they were ill, though they are not ill. Longing has mixed with their minds, so they are in the love of their Master in a great matter.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the treasure of the secret and wisdom, the great in station and sanctity. From the wisdom of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure one, it is narrated that he heard a man disparaging this world and said to him: 'This world is a house of truth for those who affirm it, a house of salvation for those who understand it, and a house of enrichment for those who take provision from it. It is the place of descent of Allah's revelation, the place of prayer of His angels, the mosque of His prophets, and the marketplace of His saints. They have earned Paradise from it and gained mercy from it.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the master of every human, jinn, and angel, the best of those who ascended the ranks of prophethood and messengership and traversed them. From the wisdom of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure one, it is narrated that he performed Umrah and saw a man clinging to the curtains of the Kaaba, saying: 'O He whom no hearing distracts from another hearing, whom questions do not confuse, and whom the importunity of the importunate does not weary, make me taste the coolness of Your pardon and the sweetness of Your forgiveness.' Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: 'By Him in whose hand is my soul, if you had said this while upon you were sins filling the heavens, they would have been forgiven you.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those specially honored with the secrets of intimate conversation and speech, the most excellent of those who sat upon the platform of proximity in the assemblies of precedence and advancement. From the wisdom of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter, the pure one, it is narrated that forty men from the Jews came to his door. When they stood before him, they said: 'Describe your Lord to us: how is He, how was He, when was He, and upon what is He?' He, may Allah be pleased with him, sat upright and said: 'O assembly of Jews, hear from me and do not care to ask anyone else. Indeed, my Lord, mighty and majestic, is the First, without beginning. He is not a veil that covers, nor is He hidden that He conceals Himself. He was not after not being, so that He could be called originated. Rather, He is too exalted for the qualifier to qualify things. How can He be described with bodies and characterized by eloquent tongues, He who was not in things so that He could be called 'in,' nor was He separate from them so that He could be called 'separate'? Rather, He is without modality, and He is closer than the jugular vein and farther than any likeness from every distant thing. Nothing of His servants' persons is hidden from Him for an instant, nor the formation of a single word, for the luminous moon does not veil Him, nor the spreading of the sun of light with their light in cycles and passages, nor the approach of an approaching night, nor the retreat of a retreating day, except that He encompasses what He wills of its formation. So He is the Knower of every place, every time, every moment, every end, and every duration. The command to creation is struck, and the limit is attributed to other than Him. He did not create things from eternal origins nor from prior beginnings, but He created what He created and established His creation, and He formed what He formed and perfected its form. He is unique in His loftiness, so nothing is impossible for Him, nor does He benefit from the obedience of any of His creation. His response to supplicants is swift, and the angels in the heavens and the earths are obedient to Him. His knowledge of the dead who have perished and vanished is like His knowledge of the living who move about. His knowledge of the high heavens is like His knowledge of what is in the lower earths. Sounds do not confuse Him, nor do languages distract Him. He hears different voices without having assembled organs. He is the Disposer, the All-Seeing, the Living, the Self-Subsisting, the Knower of all affairs. Whoever claims that our God is limited has indeed been ignorant of the Creator, the Worshipped. Whoever thinks that places encompass Him has indeed incurred confusion and disorder. Rather, He encompasses every place. So if you are truthful, O speaker who describes the All-Merciful contrary to revelation and proof, then describe to me Gabriel, Michael, and Israfil. Far be it! You are incapable of describing a created being like yourself, yet you describe the Creator, the Worshipped, whom slumber and sleep do not seize. To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth...' to His saying, 'the Great.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the tongue of wisdom, infallible in speech and response, the prophet of mercy, praised in the Torah and the Gospel.

By the Book, from the miracles of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, the one singled out for his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-Batūl), what was narrated from him—may Allah be well pleased with him—that he was afflicted on some days with severe poverty. So Fatimah—may Allah be well pleased with her—said to him: "O cousin, take this cloak (al-‘abā’ah) in which you sleep, sell it, and provide us with our sustenance." So he took the cloak and sold it for five dirhams. Then he went to the market, and behold, there was a man with five children, crying out and saying: "O company of Emigrants (al-Muhājirīn) and Helpers (al-Anṣār), look at me and have compassion on me, for I have not eaten any food for five days." When Ali—may Allah be well pleased with him—heard that, he placed the five dirhams in the man's hand, then went outside Medina seeking something to bring back. He faced the direction of prayer (al-Qiblah) and supplicated to Allah—Mighty and Majestic—and behold, there was a Bedouin on a she-camel, wearing white garments and a green turban. He dismounted from the she-camel and greeted Ali—may Allah be well pleased with him—with the greeting of peace (salām). Ali said to him: "O brother of the Arabs, from where have you come?" He replied: "From one of the Arab deserts." Ali said to him: "And where do you intend to go?" He said: "I intend to sell this she-camel." Ali said to him: "By Allah, it is indeed beautiful, and if I had its price, I would buy it." He said to him: "O Abu al-Hasan, I will sell it to you and be patient with you." Ali said to him: "For how much do you sell it?" He said: "For a thousand dirhams." Ali said to him: "I have accepted. Enter with me into Medina so that I may have the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and his Companions witness on my behalf." He said to him: "O Abu al-Hasan, you are the sword of the Lord of the Worlds and the cousin of the Seal of the Prophets. Take it, may Allah bless you in it." So he took the reins of the she-camel, intending to return to Medina, when behold, there was a Bedouin resembling the first man. He said: "O Abu al-Hasan, from where did you get this she-camel?" He replied: "I bought it from a man who resembles you." He said: "For how much?" He said: "For a thousand dirhams on credit." He said: "O Abu al-Hasan, will you sell it for two thousand dirhams in cash?" Ali said to him: "Take it, may Allah bless you in it." So the Bedouin gave the dirhams to Ali, and Ali gave the she-camel to the Bedouin. Then he came to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and found him in his mosque, with Abu Bakr on his right and Umar on his left. He greeted them with peace (salām). The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—rose to him, embraced him to his chest, kissed him between his eyes, and said to him: "O Ali, will you inform me, or shall I inform you?" Ali said to him: "Who among you is more pleasant, O Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said to him: "Do you know, O Ali, who the seller of the she-camel was to you?" He said: "No, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said to him: "The seller was Gabriel (Jibrīl), and the buyer was Michael (Mīkā’īl)—peace be upon them—and these dirhams were not made by any maker nor struck by any striker, but rather the Majestic One said to them, 'Be,' and they were." Then the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—took Ali by the hand and went out from the mosque to the house of Fatimah—may Allah be well pleased with her. When they entered upon her, she looked at her father and her husband and said: "My father has come to me, and I have nothing to offer him." So she went to a corner of the house, prayed two cycles (rak‘atayn), and said: "O Allah, by their right upon You, show me the wonders of Your power, O Most Merciful of the merciful." Then she returned to her house, and behold, there was a bowl (qaṣ‘ah) steaming. So she placed it before the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—ate from it, along with Ali, al-Hasan, al-Husayn, and Fatimah al-Zahra’. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: "Praise be to Allah, who has shown me in the house of Fatimah what Zachariah (Zakariyyā) saw in the house of Mary (Maryam): 'Whenever Zachariah entered upon her in the sanctuary (al-miḥrāb)' up to His saying: 'without account (bi-ghayri ḥisāb).'" Ali is the adornment of generosity, virtue, and munificence, * Clad in the mantle of glory, might, and pride. Supported in war by a holy spirit, * And Michael, the angel entrusted with the rain. How many of Quraysh's nobles did he destroy? * How many a persistent foe came to Mecca from Badr? By his hand Allah opened Khaybar, * And ruin from terror befell those in it. How many a tradition (ḥadīth) did the Chosen One (al-Muṣṭafā) single him out with, * For his sincerity to Allah in secret and in public? His is the knowledge and wisdom that confounded creation, * And the reports of the pious suffice you from inquiry. How many judgments of his have they recorded in books, * Arranged like a string of pearls upon the neck? He was unique in piety and asceticism in this world, * And in generosity to seekers in hardship and ease. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the life of souls and bodies, and the continuance of the people of love and affection. From the miracles of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, the one singled out for his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter (al-Batūl), what was narrated from al-A‘mash that he said: "The Commander of the Faithful, al-Manṣūr, sent for me one night, and I remained pondering to myself and said: 'He has only sent for me at this time to ask me about the virtues of Ali. If I inform him, I will be crucified, and if I do not inform him, I will diminish my religion.' So I wrote my will, put on my shroud, and went to the door of his house. When I entered upon him, he said: 'O A‘mash, come closer to me.' So I drew near to him, and he smelled the scent of the embalming perfume (al-ḥanūṭ) and said: 'By Allah, you must tell me the truth, or else I will crucify you.' I said: 'Enough, O Commander of the Faithful. Your messenger came to me in the middle of the night, and I said: "He has only sent for me at this time to ask me about the virtues of Ali." If I inform him, I will be crucified, and if I do not inform him, I will diminish my religion.'"

The virtues of ‘Ali, so I wrote my will, donned my shroud, and came to you, and I sat upright. He said: “There is no power nor strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent. I ask you by Allah, how many virtues of ‘Ali do you enumerate?” I said: “O Commander of the Faithful, ten thousand and more.” O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved, preferred above what is above the highest and beneath the earth, and the most honored of those whom his Lord ascended by night to the heaven and journeyed, he from whose miracles of his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his minister and beloved, singled out for his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, chaste daughter, is what was narrated from Abu Ja‘far al-Mansur, that when he met al-A‘mash, he said to him: “Do you want me to narrate to you two hadiths concerning the virtues of ‘Ali?” He said: “Bring them.” He said: “I fled from the Banu Marwan, wandering through the lands, seeking nearness to people through the virtues of ‘Ali, and they would feed me until I reached Syria, while ‘Ali had two worn-out garments, nothing else of ‘Ali’s besides them. Then I heard the call to prayer (adhan) and the iqama, so I entered the mosque to pray, intending in myself to speak during the evening prayer. When the imam had given the salutation, two young boys entered, and the imam turned and said: ‘Enter, welcome to you both, and to the one who named you, and to the one after whom you were named.’ Beside me was a young man, so I said to him: ‘Who are these two boys, and who is this old man?’ He said: ‘He is their grandfather, and there is no one in this town who loves ‘Ali except them, and he has named the two boys al-Hasan and al-Husayn.’” He said: “So I stood up joyfully and said to him: ‘O old man, would you like a hadith that would delight your eye?’ (126) He said: ‘Yes.’ I said: ‘My father informed me, from his father, from his grandfather, who said: One day we were with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) began to weep. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to her: “What makes you weep, O Fatima?” She said: “O my father, al-Hasan and al-Husayn went out last night, and I do not know where they spent the night.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do not weep, O Fatima, for Allah protects them, and He is more kind to them than you.” Then he raised his hand and said: “O Allah, if they have taken to land or sea, then protect them.” Then Gabriel (peace be upon him) descended and said: “O Muhammad, do not weep nor grieve, for they are excellent in this world and the Hereafter, and their father is better than them, and they are in the enclosure of the Banu al-Najjar, and Allah has appointed an angel to protect them, placing one of his wings beneath them and the other above them.” So the Prophet (peace be upon him) stood until he stopped over them, and he began to kiss them until he woke them from their sleep. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) carried al-Hasan and al-Husayn until he brought them out of the enclosure, saying: “I will surely honor them today as Allah the Exalted has honored you.” Then Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) met him and said: “Greetings of peace, and al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the masters of the youth of Paradise, and Allah Almighty has named them in the Torah of Moses as ‘Mushbir’ due to their kinship to Allah. O Fatima, do not weep, except that on the Day of Resurrection, my shelter will be in the terrors of the Day of Resurrection. Excellent is your grandfather Ibrahim, and excellent is your father ‘Ali. O Fatima, do not weep; indeed, ‘Ali and his lovers are the successful ones in Paradise, and they are the secure ones on the Day of Resurrection.”’” Then the young man said: “Where are you from?” I said: “From the people of Kufa.” He said: “An Arab or a client (mawla)?” I said: “An Arab.” And he clothed me with thirty garments and gave me a thousand dirhams, and said: “You have delighted my eye, O young man. Do you have any need that I may fulfill, if Allah wills?” He said: “Tomorrow, come to the mosque of the Banu so-and-so, so that you may see the religion of the wretched, deprived Abu Ja‘far.” My night seemed long, and when morning came, I went to the mosque he had described to me and stood in the first row. There was a young man wearing a turban, praying. When he went to bow, the turban fell, and lo! (127) his head was the head of a pig, and likewise his face. By Allah, I did not know what I recited in my prayer until the imam gave the salutation. I said: “What is this that afflicts you, O young man?” He took my hand, weeping intensely, until he brought me to his house. He said: “Look at this building and this house.” I looked at it, and he said to me: “I was a caller to prayer (mu’adhdhin), and I used to curse ‘Ali every day between the call to prayer (adhan) and the iqama a thousand times, and on Friday, two thousand times between the call to prayer and the iqama. One day, I left my house and leaned against this corner, and sleep overcame me. I saw in a dream as if Paradise had come, and in it were ‘Ali and the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), rejoicing and delighted with one another. Then I saw as if the Prophet (peace be upon him) had come, with al-Hasan on his right and al-Husayn on his left, and in al-Hasan’s hand was a cup of light. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Give ‘Ali to drink,’ so he gave him to drink. Then he said: ‘Give this group to drink,’ so he gave them to drink. Then I saw as if he said: ‘Give this leaning one to drink.’ Al-Hasan said: ‘O grandfather, do you command me to give him to drink when he curses my father a thousand times every day, and on this day two thousand times?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘That—Allah is angry with you for reviling ‘Ali, and ‘Ali is from me.’ Then he spat in my face, then struck me with his foot, and said: ‘May Allah change what blessing you have.’ Then I awoke, and behold, my head was as you see.” O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the lamp.

Of the sweet Prophethood, the noble qualities and speech, and the treasure of hidden secrets, the one sent with ease and gentleness—among the honors of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his minister and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batūl (the Pure One)—is what was narrated from ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: Ten Jews of Khaybar came to ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allah be pleased with him, asking him during the days of his caliphate. They said: “O ‘Umar, we have come to ask you about the speech of beasts and birds, and about those who were transformed (al-maskhūkhīn)—how many they were and for what sin they were transformed.” ‘Umar knew that he could not answer their questions, so he wrote on the ground to Jābir ibn ‘Abdillāh at the gate of Medina, meaning: “Summon for me ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib.” So Jābir went and summoned ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib, may Allah be pleased with him. When ‘Alī came, he said: “What need has ‘Alī of the Children of Israel?” They said: “O ‘Alī, inform us about the heavens and what is greater than them, about the earth and what is vaster than it, about the Fire and what is hotter than it, about the wind and what is swifter than it, about the sea and what is richer than it, about the stone and what is harder than it, about a thing that we see but Allah, by Allah, does not see, about a thing that belongs to Allah, about a thing that belongs to us, about a thing that is between us and Allah in two halves, and inform us about the horse and what it says in its neighing, about the camel and what it says in its bellowing, about the cow and what it says in its lowing, about the donkeys and what they say in their braying, about the sheep and what it says in its bleating, about the dog and what it says in its barking, about the fox and what it says in its yelping, about the vulture and what it says in its whistling, about the crow and what it says in its cawing, about the hawk (al-ḥudāh) and what it says in its screeching, about the pigeon and what it says in its cooing, about the fire and what it says in its blazing, about the wind and what it says in its blowing, about the water and what it says in its murmuring, about the frog and what it says in its croaking, about the hoopoe and what it says in its calling, about the partridge (al-durrāj) and what it says in its chirping, about the rooster and what it says in its crowing, about the hen and what it says in its clucking, about the earth and what it says every day, about the sky and what it says every day, about the sea and what it says every day, about the turtle dove (al-qamarīyah) and the ring dove (al-dabsīyah), about Muḥammad al-Qāsim—how many names does he have, and about the Qur’an—why was it named Qur’an, and how many of the children of Adam did Allah transform? If you answer our questions, we will acknowledge that you are upon the truth; otherwise, you will acknowledge that we are upon the truth and you are upon falsehood.” So ‘Alī, may Allah be pleased with him, said to them: “Indeed, we have sixty doors of knowledge, each door requiring a thousand loads of paper, and the answer to these questions is the easiest of matters. You have asked me seeking understanding; ask me about everything you have forgotten, for I will answer you. There is no power nor strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent. As for what is greater than the sky, it is slander against the innocent. As for what is vaster than the earth, it is the truth. As for what is hotter than the Fire, it is the heart greedy for amassing wealth. As for what is swifter than the wind, it is the prayer of the oppressed. As for what is richer than the sea, it is the contented heart. As for what is harder than stone, it is the heart of the wicked. As for that which you see but Allah, glorified be He, does not see, it is the face of the disbeliever and his deed. As for that which belongs to Him, it is your soul. As for that which belongs to you, it is your action. As for that which is between you and Allah in two halves, from you is supplication and from Allah is the answer. As for the speech of beasts: the horse says in its neighing: ‘O Allah, honor the Muslims and humiliate the disbelievers.’ The camel says in its bellowing: ‘I marvel at one who lacks strength—how can he remain silent?’ The cow says in its lowing: ‘O heedless one, death holds a pressing concern for you, and you will soon depart. O heedless one, everything you have sent ahead is stored; tomorrow you will meet what you have done.’ The donkeys say in their braying: ‘O Allah, curse the concealers and their earnings.’ The sheep says in its bleating: ‘O death, how grievous you are! O death, how harsh you are! O death, how severing you are! O soul, how heedless you are!’ The dog in its barking says: ‘I am deprived, and You are the Merciful, so have mercy on one who shows mercy to me.’ The fox says: ‘O Distributor of provisions, spare me the pursuit of what You have provided for me.’ The cat recites ten verses of the Torah. The lion says: ‘O He to whom the hard, solid rocks submit, empower me against those who disobey You in light and darkness.’ The vulture says in its whistling: ‘Live as you will, for you will die; gather what you will, for you will leave it; love what you will, for you will part from it; and do what you will, for you will meet it.’ The crow says: ‘O communities of nations, beware of the removal of blessings! O communities of nations, beware of the descent of punishments!’ The hawk (al-ḥudāh) says in its screeching: ‘Distance from people is companionship for the intelligent.’ The pigeon says in its cooing: ‘Reunite with those who cut you off, forgive those who wronged you, give to those who deprived you, and connect with those who abandoned you—then Paradise will be your abode.’ The fire says in its blazing: ‘O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the Fire of Hell.’ The wind says in its blowing: ‘O Allah, I am commanded and obedient, so curse those who revile me.’ The water says in its murmuring: ‘Glory be to Him whom no one knows what He is except He.’ The frog says in its croaking: ‘Glory be to Him whom glorifies in the depths of the seas and whom glorifies on the mountain peaks.’

The mountains: Glory be to Him who is glorified by them on earth and in the deserts. Glory be to Him who is glorified by every possessor of lips and tongue. As for the hoopoe, it says: 'My Lord, I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for none forgives sins but You.' As for the partridge, it says: 'The Most Merciful is established over the Throne and encompasses the dominion.' As for the turtledove, it says: 'The term is near, hope is lost, and the deed is done.' As for the dabsiyya ⁵⁰⁴, it says: 'O Allah, curse the one who hates Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.' As for the sparrow, it says: 'O Allah, O Knower of the secret and the whisper, and O Remover of harm and affliction, You have given me power over the crop of one who does not fulfill Your right.' As for the nightingale, it says in its blessing: 'O Allah, if You spare me from the hardship of this world, then this world is perishing.' As for the rooster, it says in its crowing: 'Holy, Holy, Lord of the angels and the Spirit. Remember Allah, O heedless ones.' As for the hen, it says: 'O Allah, You are the Truth, and Your promise is true, and how few die upon the truth.' As for the earth, it says every day: 'O son of Adam, O wretched one, you walk upon my back, and your end is in my belly. O son of Adam, you eat pleasures upon my back, then worms eat you in my belly. O son of Adam, you laugh upon my back and weep in my belly.' As for the heaven, it says every day at sunset: 'O Allah, I am a witness for You over everything I have seen beneath me today.' As for the sea, it says every day: 'Permit me, O Lord, to drown those who disobey You.' As for Muhammad al-Hashimi, he has ten names. The first is Muhammad, because Allah Most High derived His name from His name; His Majesty is Mahmud, and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is Muhammad. The second: He named him Ahmad, because it is from praise. The third: He named him Bashir, because he gives glad tidings to the believers of mercy. The fourth: He named him Nadhir, because he is a warner to the disbelievers of the Fire. The fifth: He named him Wahid, because through him people declared the oneness of Allah. The sixth: He named him Thabit, because through him Allah establishes Islam. The seventh: He named him Hashir, because people will be gathered on his track tomorrow on the Day of Resurrection. The eighth: He named him al-Mahi, because through him Allah erases the sins of the repentant. The ninth: He named him al-Mubayyid, because Allah Most High whitens the faces of the believers through him. The tenth... As for the Qur'an, it is called Qur'an because through it Allah distinguishes between the lawful and the unlawful, between Paradise and the Fire, and between the Torah, the Gospel, and the Psalms. Then four of them stood up and said: 'We bear witness that you are upon the truth, and we bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.' Their companions said to them: 'Woe to you! If only you had waited until he told us about the metamorphosed ⁵⁰⁵—how many they were and for what sin they were metamorphosed.' Then Ali said to them: 'Sit down, I will inform you about the metamorphosed—how many they were and for what sin they were metamorphosed. Know that Allah metamorphosed from the children of Adam twenty-seven individuals, both men and women. Among them are the elephant, the wolf, the hare, the scorpion, the spider, the magpie, the collared dove, the hoopoe, the bedbug (which is the large one), the sparrow, the mouse, the owl, the screech owl, the hedgehog, and the hornet. That is twenty-seven individuals. As for the elephant, he was a man who approached beasts. As for the wolf, he was an effeminate man. As for the hare, she was a woman who did not perform ritual washing from major impurity or from menstruation. As for the scorpion, he was a slanderer, a backbiter, two-faced. As for the lizard, he was a man from the tribe of Sulaym who was the first to launch raids and take people's property. As for the pig, he was from seventy men of the Christians who ate the table of Jesus, peace be upon him, for forty days and did not believe in Allah. As for the apes, they were fifty men of the Jews who transgressed and caught fish. As for the spider, she was a woman who bewitched her husband. As for the fox, he was a man who stole from the pilgrims every year. As for the crab, he was a man who dug up the dead. As for the turtle, she was a woman who invited her daughter's husband to herself. As for the hornet, he was a worshipping man who used to deny the scholars. As for Venus, she was a Persian woman who took the Greatest Name of Allah from Harut and Marut. As for Canopus, he was a man from Yemen who used to distort everything for the ruler. As for the water beetle, he was a Bedouin man who committed adultery with his friend's slave girl. As for the crow, he was a miserly, arrogant man who was the first to practice usury. As for the magpie, he was a man who hoarded food and wished for high prices. As for the collared dove, he was a seller who used to swear by Allah falsely that he had given such and such. As for the hoopoe, she was a beautiful woman who used to display herself to men. As for the mouse, she was a Jewish woman who wailed for the dead for hire. As for the owl, he was a Qadari ⁵⁰⁶ who was the first to say: 'I stand and sit by my own will.' As for the screech owl, he was a worshipping man who was an adulterer. As for the hedgehog, he was a butcher with bad character, irritable. As for the fly, he was a Jewish man who used to lead men to his sister, and they would divide the fee between them. These are twenty-seven individuals.' Then the rest of the Jews stood up and embraced Islam, saying: 'Allah has not given you knowledge of the Torah and the Gospel except that you are upon the truth.'

O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, the model of every knower ⁵⁰⁷ and devotee ⁵⁰⁸, and the master of every attracted one ⁵⁰⁹ and wayfarer ⁵¹⁰, from whose cousin's—the stallion of stallions ⁵¹¹, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter ⁵¹²—miracles ⁵¹³ it is related that Dirar al-Shaybani entered upon Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan, may Allah be pleased with him, and he said: O Dirar, describe Ali to me. He said: Excuse me, O Commander of the Faithful. Mu'awiya said to him: It must be, by Allah, that you describe him. So he said: As for then, it must be that I describe him. He said: He was, may Allah be pleased with him, far-reaching in vision, mighty in strength; he spoke with excellence and judged with justice; knowledge gushed forth from his sides and wisdom burst forth from his quarters; he was desolate from the world and its splendor, and intimate with the night and its solitude. By Allah, he was abundant in tears, long in reflection, turning his hand over and accounting his soul. He liked of clothing what was short and of food what was coarse. He was among us like one of us; he answered us when we called him and came to us when we came to him. By Allah, despite his closeness to us and his drawing near to us, we did not speak to him out of awe of him; and if he smiled, he smiled like a string of pearls. He honored the people of religion and loved the poor. And I bear witness that I saw him in one of his stations while the night had let down its curtains and its stars had set, and he stood in his prayer niche, grasping his beard, writhing like a snake-bitten man, weeping like a sorrowful one, and saying: O world, become green and yellow, be praised and honored—other than me! I have no need of you; do you present yourself to me or long for me? Far, far! I have divorced you thrice, with no return to you. For your life is short, your worth is low, alas for the scarcity of provisions, the distance of the journey, and the desolation of the road! Then Mu'awiya, may Allah be pleased with him, wept until his beard was drenched with tears, and he said: By Allah, the son of Abu Talib was indeed like that. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole ⁵¹⁴ of majesty, great in rank and station, the crown of messengership, without peer or likeness, from whose cousin's—the stallion of stallions, his vizier, his beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin, the chaste daughter—perfect eloquence it is related that one day he addressed the people from the pulpit in Kufa, saying: Praise be to Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth and their Creator, the Raiser of the forenoon and its Supporter, the Establisher of the mountains and their Hewer, the Gush forth of springs and their Digger, the Sender of winds and their Restrainer, the Forbidder of storms and their Commander, the Adorner of the sky and its Luminator, the Turner of the celestial spheres and their Mover, the Divider of the mansions and their Determiner, the Producer of clouds and their Subduer, the Inserter of darkness and its Illuminator, the Maker of bodies and their Fashioner, the Disturber of times and their Repeater, the Bringer of affairs and their Originator, the Guarantor of provisions and their Manager, the Reviver of bones and their Scatterer. I praise Him for His favors and their bonds, and I thank Him for His blessings and their succession. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, a testimony that leads its rememberer to safety and secures its hoarder from punishment. And I bear witness that Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his family, is the seal of what preceded of the secrets of messengership and its pride, and His messenger, the opener of what is to come of the call and its spreader. He sent him to a community whose poet had become aware of idol worship, whose skilled one had stolen with the misguidance of idol worship, whose reckless one had become great in seas of ignorance, whose sinful one had burst forth with the blindness of doubts, whose bird had cooed on the tongue of Satan accepting disobedience, whose cunning one had mounted the humps of judgments with the embellishment of eloquent speech. So he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, delivered fully in advice, dived into the depths of the seas of misguidance and its remnants, illuminated the beacon of the landmarks of guidance and its pulpits, erased with the miracle of the Qur'an the call of Satan and its plots, and humiliated the noses of the misguided Arabs and its disbelievers, until his call became with truth, its visitor interprets, and his love with sincerity, its poet speaks, and its supporter utters, and his pure law boasts until the return, its boaster boasts. May Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his family, the lofty tree and the pure of its elements. O people, the proverb has circulated, the deed has been realized, fear has advanced, the term has drawn near, the speaker has fallen silent, the false has been spat out, the truths have become due, the follower has joined, backs have become heavy, matters have become grave, joy has been veiled, the deluded has withdrawn, the owner has been angered, paths have been blocked, the dark one has entered, the perisher has perished, intervals have overwhelmed, regrets have multiplied, hardships have intensified, stumbles have twisted, the term has shortened, crookedness has become bent, numbers have been stunned, falsehood has made desolate, whisperings have stirred, thoughts have been bewildered, the night patrols have been suspended, the desirer has failed, waves have persisted, passes have become hidden, the pilgrim has weakened, the path has been cast aside, love has become similar, commands have emaciated, the standing has advanced, the dispute has drawn near, the west has differed, the search has intensified, illness has accompanied, flight has retreated, debts have demanded, eyes have wept, the tempted has tempted, the cheated has fallen silent, the youth has become excited, the shore has deviated, the clamor has roared, the harsh have stretched, the obeyed has failed, the defense has connected, the ray has darkened, ears have fallen silent, chastity has gone, disagreement has desired, fairness has permitted, the spear-shaft has made merry, Satan has gained mastery, disobedience has become great, the testicles have remained safe, women have ruled, events have struck, the blower has blown, the mocker has mocked, the ambusher has attacked, sorrows have guided, the impotent have feared, fulfillment has appeared, permission has dazzled, desires have differed, greatness has become immense...

Affliction intensified, complaint grew severe, supplication continued, the imposer imposed, the rejecter rejected, the riser sat, the imposer prospered, the observer observed, the glimmerer glimmered, the transgressor bit, the cutter cut, the strong ones interlocked, the sharp one became heavy, the exhaustible became precious, the returner poured down, the desert was amazed, the frying pan escaped, the expensive ones jingled, the governors creaked, the lofty one diminished, the abrogator resolved, the one who reaches frowned, the blower blew, the earth quaked, the obligatory duty was neglected, rejection ruled, lending emerged, trust was hidden, treachery appeared, modesty became hidden, flattery went astray, anger intensified, the terrifying one frightened ¹³¹, the short-nosed one wrinkled, the escape route was hidden, the claimants stood, the wretched attained, the foolish advanced, the righteous retreated, the mountains swayed, the ambiguous became ambiguous, the crescent moon followed, the calamity blazed, the miser participated, the eloquent went deep, the wounded retreated, the hisser turned up its nose, the rising was restrained, the reaching was delayed, the raised one became profitable, the obsessed one stayed, the pained one clattered, the darkness clattered, the narrated one was separated, the ruptured one was tapped, the gloomy one darkened, the whisperer murmured, the inverted one became high, the law ⁵¹⁵ raised a clamor, the brother-in-law shook, the pleasant one became dusty, the path was veiled, the group stirred up, the repeller repelled, the increaser increased, the giver swayed, the leader led, fortune became serious, toil intensified, the limit was defined, the tightening tightened, the obstacle presented itself, the imposer imposed, the croucher moved, the runner stopped, error went astray, the suckling overflowed, virtue excelled, the like was attained, steadfastness was confirmed, vegetation withered, gloating rejoiced, the flies refrained, old age returned, ailment broke, illusion attributed, regret shattered, the goer faulted, the persistent melted, the piercing one emerged, the constant one persisted, the conjunction was fixed, Aldebaran ⁵¹⁶ reddened, Cancer ⁵¹⁷ whispered, the lion ⁵¹⁸ quadrupled, Aries ⁵¹⁹ tripled, Saturn ⁵²⁰ participated, the tail ⁵²¹ vulture ⁵²² tore, the elephant ⁵²³ rebuked, the glimmer set, the jars were erected, the flute ⁵²⁴ prevented, the righteous returned, the interval ⁵²⁵ was completed, the migration ⁵²⁶ sextupled, abundance raided, the flood ⁵²⁷ overwhelmed, the flat-nosed ones appeared, so the garments became hot, their day is the one who breaks bones ⁵²⁸, and the frowning ones ⁵²⁹ lead them, so they toil for crimes, and they kindle clans, and they possess secrets, and they tear open free women, and they fill bags, and they ruin Khurasan ⁵³⁰, and they know the sitting ones, and they enter the thicket, so they destroy fortresses, and they reveal what is hidden, and they seize branches, and they isolate the protected, and they open Iraq, and they drive away the leg, and they spread discord with blood that is shed. So alas, then alas, woe with wide mouths and withered lips. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the ruby of the crown of virtues and glories, the pole ⁵³¹ of majesty of pure origins and elements, the lamp of prophethood and messengership whose light shines in witnessed places and manifestations, the truthful in speech and utterance whose secret permeates the inner and outer, the eradicator of disbelief and ignorance whose love is embedded in sound natures and thoughts and ideas, the clear proof and evidence whose light precedes all beginnings and ends, from whose perfect glories is his cousin, the stallion of stallions, his minister and beloved, specially distinguished by his brotherhood and marriage to his virgin daughter, the pure one, what was narrated that when he finished his previous eloquent, eloquent, brilliant sermon, he turned right and left and breathed a sigh of distress, dictating, and moaned with groaning, and expressed sorrow with grief, and became weary with sickness, and manifested ecstasy, and breathed with humility, and changed with submission. Suwayd ibn Nawfal al-Hilali stood up to him and said: 'O Commander of the Faithful, you are present with what I mentioned and knowledgeable of it and its interpretation of what I informed.' So he turned to him from nearby and looked at him with an eye of anger, then said to him: 'May calamities crown you ¹³² and disasters descend upon you, O son of impurities and the denier, the oath-breaker. Length will fall short of you, and the ghoul will overcome you. I am the secret of secrets, I am the tree of lights, I am the guide of the heavens, I am the companion of the glorifiers, I am the friend of Gabriel, I am the chosen one of Michael, I am the leader of the angels, I am the ladder ⁵³² of the spheres, I am the driver of thunder, I am the witness of the covenant, I am the throne ⁵³³ of the bridge ⁵³⁴, I am the guardian of the tablets, I am the pole ⁵³¹ of darkness, I am the lion of the inhabited ⁵³⁵, I am the restrainer of storms, I am the mover of hurricanes, I am the cloud of rainclouds, I am the light of darknesses, I am the honor of circles, I am the influencer of influences, I am Saturn ⁵³⁶ of the soothsayers, I am the matter of the test, I am the meteor of combustion, I am the bonds of the covenant, I am the support of witnesses, I am the arrows of the stars ⁵³⁷, I am the ray of the winds ⁵³⁸, I am the black one of the suns ⁵³⁹, I am the sphere of proofs, I am the proof of proofs, I am the guardian of nations, I am the height of the void ⁵⁴⁰, I am the imam of intellects, I am the cause of causes, I am the trustee of the cloud, I am the thread of creatures, I am the verifier of realities, I am the essence of pre-eternity, I am the arranger of wisdom, I am the wish of hope, I am the agent of agents, I am the noble of essence, I am the innovator of dispersion, I am the First and the Last, I am the Hidden and the Manifest, I am the lightning that burns, I am the raised roof, I am the moon of Cancer ⁵¹⁷, I am Sirius ⁵⁴¹ of the lion ⁵¹⁸, I am the lion of the charm ⁵⁴², I am the fortune of Venus ⁵⁴³, I am Jupiter ⁵⁴⁴ of the planets, I am Saturn ⁵²⁰ of the piercing stars, I am the life of the two signs ⁵⁴⁵, I am the balance of the belly ⁵⁴⁶, I am the ram of the crown ⁵⁴⁷, I am Mercury ⁵⁴⁸ of preference, I am the bow of conflict, I am the calf ⁵⁴⁹ of the star ⁵⁵⁰, I am Mars ⁵⁵¹ of the Quran, I am the neck of the balance, I am the guardian of eavesdropping, I am the wing of the Buraq ⁵⁵², I am the gatherer of verses,'

I am the secret of hidden things, I am the enchanter of the sea, I am the balance of the drop, I am the companion of the seekers ⁵⁵³, I am the Commander of the Faithful ⁵⁵⁴, I am the station of retribution, I am the essence of sincerity, I am the north of the mountains, I am the presenter of hopes, I am the miracle-worker of rivers, I am the tormentor of tigers, I am the overflow of the Euphrates, I am the Arabizer of the Torah, I am a king son of a king, I am the gift of the King, I am the clarifier of the Mushaf ⁵⁵⁵, I am Japheth ⁵⁵⁶ of unveiling, I am the treasure of gratitude, I am the decider of the Psalms, I am the first of the asker, I am the interpreter of the Gospel, I am the path of praise, I am the foundation of glory, I am the succorer of the righteous, I am the chapters of the Cow ⁵⁵⁷, I am the weighty of the Balance, I am the chosen of the Family of Imran ⁵⁵⁸, I am the knowledge of the flags, I am the totality of the Cattle ⁵⁵⁹, I am the support of Women ⁵⁶⁰, I am the harmony of union, I am the men of the Heights ⁵⁶¹, I am the highway of the omen, I am the master of the Spoils ⁵⁶², I am the benefit of unveiling, I am the repentance of blessings, I am the truthful of the parable, I am the firm of the mountain, I am the secret of Abraham, I am the serpent of the word, I am the openness of the Worshipped, I am the description of Hud ⁵⁶³, I am the palm tree of the Majestic, I am the envoy of the Children of Israel, I am the interlocutor of the Cave ⁵⁶⁴, I am the beloved of the Row ⁵⁶⁵, I am the friend of the friends, I am the heir of the prophets, I am the follower of the path, I am the proof of proofs, I am the described of the believers, I am the light of the glorifiers, I am the Criterion ⁵⁶⁶, I am the Clear Proof ⁵⁶⁷, I am the punishment of the averse, I am the staff of the polytheists, I am the namesake of the Buraq ⁵⁶⁸, I am the Shamlash ⁵⁶⁹ of the sandals, I am the Khubt ⁵⁷⁰ of the ring, I am the Jarjas ⁵⁷¹ of the Franks, I am the knot of faith, I am the Zurkam ⁵⁷² of the Ghaylan ⁵⁷³, I am the Barsam ⁵⁷⁴ of the heads, I am the Laus ⁵⁷⁵ of the Sudus ⁵⁷⁶, I am the Salamah ⁵⁷⁷ of giving, I am the Zawdar ⁵⁷⁸ of error, I am the full moon of the constellations, I am the Shanshab ⁵⁷⁹ of the emergence, the seal of the non-Arabs, I am the Dawshan ⁵⁸⁰ of the translators, (133) I am the fire-striker of the Psalms, I am the veil of the Forgiving, I am the chosen of the Majestic, I am the garden of the morning, I am the clothier of the naked, I am the brother of Joshua and Moses, I am the Maimun ⁵⁸¹ of contentment and Jesus, I am the Zurmalaaj ⁵⁸² of the horse, I am the pillar of intimacy, I am the strong of power, I am the bearer of the banner, I am the Imam of the Gathering ⁵⁸³, I am the Saqi ⁵⁸⁴ of Kawthar ⁵⁸⁵, I am the divider of the Gardens, I am the partitioner of the Fires, I am the chief of the religion, I am the Imam of the God-fearing, I am the heir of the Chosen ⁵⁸⁶, I am the supporter of the pure, I am the destroyer of the disbelievers, I am the father of the righteous Imams, I am the uprooter of the gate, I am the scatterer of the parties, I am the master of the two pledges, I am the lord of Badr and Hunayn ⁵⁸⁷, I am the preserver of the words, I am the interlocutor of the dead, I am the speaker to the serpent, I am the glory of the Merciful, I am the striker with two swords, I am the piercer with two spears, I am the lion of the throng, I am the intimacy of the insects, I am the precious jewel, I am the gate of the city, I am the heir of the sciences, I am the matter of the stars, I am the interpreter of the clear signs, I am the clarifier of difficulties, I am the first of the believers, I am the Imam of the near ones, I am the decisive of the Ta-Sins ⁵⁸⁸, I am the trust of Ya Sin ⁵⁸⁹, I am the Ha of Hawamim ⁵⁹⁰, I am the height of Mim ⁵⁹¹, I am the forerunner of the Throngs ⁵⁹², I am the goal of the moon, I am the master of the Star ⁵⁹³, I am the watch of the stoning, I am the side of the Mount ⁵⁹⁴, I am the inner of the forms, I am the Atid ⁵⁹⁵ of Qaf ⁵⁹⁶, I am the armorer of the Sand Dunes ⁵⁹⁷, I am the stations of the Rangers ⁵⁹⁸, I am the arrows of the Scatterers ⁵⁹⁹, I am the Originator of the Disputer ⁶⁰⁰, I am the recited of Sheba ⁶⁰¹ and the Event ⁶⁰², I am the trust of the Confederates ⁶⁰³, I am the hidden of the veil, I am the promise of the threat, I am the example of iron, I am the harmony of the horizons, I am the sign of divorce, I am the Nun and the Pen ⁶⁰⁴, I am the lamp of darkness, I am the question of when, I am the praised of Has There Come ⁶⁰⁵, I am the great news, I am the straight path, I am the rein of length, I am the decisive of grace, I am the sweetness of the drop, I am the crescent of the month, I am the pearl of the shells, I am the mountain of Qaf ⁶⁰⁶, I am the secret of the letters, I am the light of the containers, I am the firm mountain, I am the lofty knowledge, I am the key of the unseen, I am the lamp of hearts, I am the light of spirits, I am the spirit of bodies, I am the returning knight, I am the victory of the helpers, I am the unsheathed sword, I am the martyred martyr, I am the collector of the Quran, I am the Naysan ⁶⁰⁷ of man, I am the brother of the Messenger, I am the husband of the Virgin ⁶⁰⁸, I am the pillar of Islam, I am the breaker of idols, I am the compassionate of the master of permission, I am the slayer of the jinn, I am the waterer of the thirsty, I am the sleeper on the bed, I am Seth ⁶⁰⁹ of the Brahmins, I am Sa'd ⁶¹⁰ of the Na'aimah ⁶¹¹, I am Azhar ⁶¹² of the patriarchs, I am Karz ⁶¹³ of the partings, I am Peter ⁶¹⁴ of the Romans, I am the lord of the Ashmus ⁶¹⁵, I am the true of the times, I am the trustworthy of the sanctuary, I am the righteous of the believers, I am the Imam of the successful, I am the forest of camphor, I am the niche of light, I am the Imam of the masters of chivalry, I am the treasure of the secrets of prophethood, I am the one informed of the news of the ancients, I am the one who reports about the events of the later ones, I am the bearer of the standard, I am the pride of sainthood, I am the Pole of Poles ⁶¹⁶, I am the beloved of the beloved, I am the Mahdi ⁶¹⁷ of the time, I am the Jesus of the age, I am, by Allah, the Face of Allah, I am, by Allah, the Lion of Allah, I am the master of the Arabs, I am the reliever of distress, I am the one of whom it was said: 'There is no youth but Ali', I am the one of whom it was said: 'You are to me as Aaron was to Moses the prophet', I am Layth ⁶¹⁸ son of Ghalib ⁶¹⁹, I am Ali son of Abu Talib. He said: Then the questioner gave a great cry and fell dead. Then (134) the Commander of the Faithful, may Allah honor his face, followed his speech by saying: Praise be to Allah, the Creator of souls and the Repeller of nations, and blessings upon the Greatest Name and the Most Upright Light. Then he said: Ask me about the heaven, for I know it better than the paths of the earth. Ask me before you lose me, for between my sides are many sciences like overflowing seas. May Allah be pleased with him and make him pleased, and crown him with the crown of care and glories, and place him in the highest paradises as the orator of the assemblies and the bride of the pulpits. Amen, Amen, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

Ask Quraysh ⁶²⁰ about him, if you are ignorant, about who was the firmest pillar of religion. Who was the earliest in submission, the most knowledgeable, and the most illustrious in family and children? Who affirmed the oneness of Allah when they denied, calling upon idols and rivals alongside Allah? Who led in battle when they shrank from it, and when they were stingy, he was generous? Who was the most just in judgment, the most forbearing, the truest in promise and threat? If he tells you the truth, he will not go beyond Abu al-Hasan ⁶²¹, unless you encounter envious people. Unless you encounter people who are seekers and obstinate deniers of Allah's truth. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who established and legislated the religion, the most knowledgeable of those who clarified the paths of Islam and revived the landmarks of the Sunnah. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul ⁶²², is what was narrated from Jabir ibn 'Abd Allah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: "We went out with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to a woman of the Ansar ⁶²³. We sat among her palm trees, and he said: 'A man from the people of Paradise will appear to you.' He kept looking among the palm trees, saying: 'O Allah, if You will, make him 'Ali.' Then 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, appeared to us. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him: 'Your Lord, blessed and exalted, will boast of you while you are in Paradise, wherever you wish in your palaces, your spouses, and your servants. Nothing of what you have will compare to seeing Him.' Then he said: 'O 'Ali, you will live in Paradise. O 'Ali, you will live in Paradise. O 'Ali, you will live in Paradise.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, Your beloved, pure in words and deeds, Your chosen one, specially distinguished by purity of intention and sincerity of actions. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from him, peace and blessings be upon him, that he came to the house of Fatima, may Allah be pleased with her, and did not find him there. He said to her: "Where is your cousin?" She said: "There was something between us; he became angry with me and left, and did not stay with me." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to a man: "Look where he is." The man came and said: "O Messenger of Allah, he is in the mosque, sleeping." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, went to him while he was lying down, his cloak had fallen from his side, and dust had gotten on him. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, began to wipe it off him, saying: "Get up, Abu Turab ⁶²⁴; get up, Abu Turab." For this reason, he was nicknamed Abu Turab, may Allah be pleased with him. He was very dark-skinned, with intensely black eyes, handsome-faced, like the full moon, handsome, with a large belly, broad shoulders, thick-palmed, with a long neck like a silver pitcher. He was bald, with no hair on his head, with a large beard. On his shoulder was a fleshy protrusion like that of a predatory beast. His upper arm and forearm were not distinguishable, having been fused together. When he walked, he leaned forward. If he grasped a man's arm, he would grip him so that he could not breathe. He was inclined to plumpness, with strong forearms and hands. When he walked to battle, he would hasten. He was steadfast in heart, strong, courageous, victorious over whomever he met. The people pledged allegiance to him on the day 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, died. The duration of his caliphate until he was martyred was four years, nine months, and eight days, according to one of three opinions. ❖ O my eye, woe to you, help us! ❖ Will you not weep for the Commander of the Faithful ⁶²⁵? ❖ Umm Kulthum ⁶²⁶ weeps for him ❖ With her tears, having seen the certainty. ❖ Say to the Khawarij ⁶²⁷, wherever they are: ❖ May the eyes of the gloaters not be comforted! ❖ O month ⁶²⁸, you have afflicted us ❖ With the best of all people entirely! ❖ You killed the one who rode the best mounts ❖ And subdued them, and who rode the ship ⁶²⁹. ❖ And who wore sandals and made them, ❖ And who recited the Mathani ⁶³⁰ and the clear [verses]. ❖ All the virtues of goodness are in him, ❖ And love for the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds. ❖ Quraysh knew, wherever they were, ❖ That you were the best of them in lineage and religion. ❖ When you face Abu Husayn ⁶³¹, ❖ You see light above the beholders. ❖ Before his killing, we were in goodness, ❖ Seeing the patron of the Messenger of Allah among us. ❖ He established the truth without doubt, ❖ And was just with enemies and relatives. ❖ He did not conceal knowledge he had, ❖ Nor was he created among the tyrants. ❖ When people lost 'Ali, ❖ They were like ostriches in a barren land. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who... and the most beloved of Your creation, with character that souls love. Souls attained their desire and longing through him, and deeds that please and satisfy. Among the miracles of his cousin, the chief of chiefs, his vizier and beloved, specially honored with his brotherhood and the marriage of his virgin daughter al-Batul, is what was narrated from Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami ⁶³², may Allah be pleased with him, who said: I came to al-Hasan ibn 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, in his father's palace on the day his father died. He said to me: I heard my father say at that dawn: "O my son, I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, in a dream I had last night. I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what have I suffered from your community of crookedness and obstinacy?' He said: 'Pray to Allah against them.' So I said: 'O Allah, replace them with better than them, and replace me with someone worse than me.' Then I woke up." His caller to prayer came to him for the prayer, so he went out. Two men attacked him; one struck at the arch, and the other struck his head. That was on the morning of Friday, the seventeenth of Ramadan. On the night before he died, he did not sleep and kept walking between the door and the room, saying: "By Allah, I have not lied nor been lied to. This is the night I was promised." His waist-wrapper came loose, so he tightened it and began reciting these two verses: "Do not grieve over death when it comes to your valleys. Tighten your belt for death, for death will meet you." When he went out for the dawn prayer, two men confronted him: Shabib ⁶³³ struck him but missed, and the other, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam ⁶³⁴, the wretched one, struck him on the head, hitting him as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, had informed when he said to 'Ali: "Who is the most wretched of the former peoples?" He said: "The one who hamstrung the she-camel ⁶³⁵." He said: "Who is the most wretched of the later peoples?" He said: "I do not know." He said: "The one who strikes here," meaning his head, "and dyes this," meaning his beard. When he struck him, 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "I have succeeded, by the Lord of the Ka'ba! Do not let the dog escape!" So they seized him from every side and took him. 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "Detain him. If I die, kill him, but do not mutilate him. If I do not die, then the decision is mine regarding pardon or retaliation." 'Ali shook a beard in the two Iraqs ⁶³⁶, whose calamity was great for every Muslim. He said: "A disaster from Allah will come to it, and the most wretched of creation will dye it with blood." So Ibn Muljam, with his hand paralyzed, hastened to him with the sword, due to the ill omen of Qatam ⁶³⁷ at that time. O blow from a loser whose effort was lost, who thereby took a seat in Hell!

So the Commander of the Faithful attained his lot, even though calamities struck him with the greatest. Indeed, trial and tribulation—its sweetness mixed with poison and bitter aloes. He died, may God be pleased with him, on the night of Friday, thirteen nights—and it was said eleven, and it was said eighteen, and it was said seventeen, and it was said twenty-one nights—having passed of the month of Ramadan, at the age of sixty-three, and it was said sixty-four, and it was said sixty-five. He was buried in the Palace of the Emirate, and it was said in the courtyard of Kufa, and it was said he was carried to Medina and buried near Fatima, may God be pleased with her and grant her contentment. Say to Ibn Muljam ⁶³⁸, while destinies prevail: "Woe to you, you have destroyed the pillars of Islam! You killed one who walks as the most excellent on foot, the first of people in Islam and faith, the most knowledgeable of people in the Qur'an, then in what the Messenger established for us as law and clarification. The Prophet's son-in-law, his patron, and his supporter—his merits have become light and proof. He was, despite the envious, to him as Aaron was to Moses son of Imran ⁶³⁹. He was in war a sharp sword, a male lion when he encountered his peers." I remembered his killer while tears flowed, and I said: "Glory be to the Lord of people, glory be! For I think he was a human who feared the Return, but he was a devil. The most wretched of Quraysh when their tribes are counted, and the most losing of people in God's balance." What a master he was, pleasing to his Lord, and a secret that was a strong pillar for Islam. An Imam who was for beneficial knowledge a pure mark, a chosen one whom God raised to a high station, a close one whom He chose as a beloved and friend, a beloved whom He placed in a lofty position until he surpassed his peers, and namesake of al-Zahra ⁶⁴⁰ through Fatima al-Zahra. He never defiled himself with the worship of idols or statues, nor did he confine himself to anything other than prayer and fasting. He was second to Khadija, may God be pleased with her, in faith, and the first male to submit his face to the Merciful. Nothing of the world's embellishments deceived him nor led him astray; rather, he said to everyone who inclined to that: "Fie on you! Do you worship besides God?" So he, may God be pleased with him, was noble in qualities and lineage, generous in character and descent, abundant in patience, forbearance, and courtesy, a model of the virtuous leaders, the most knowledgeable of the Emigrants and Helpers, the gate of the city of knowledge and wisdom, the tongue of eloquence that resolved many a crisis and removed distress, the refuge of protection that warded off many a calamity from Islam and removed affliction. O Abu al-Hasan ⁶⁴¹, I offer you my pure love, and from it to your meeting I shall not turn away. So be for me on the Day of Gathering one who cares, and under your banner grant me a resting place. And if I ask you at the Pool for a drink, grant me from it a cup of Salsabil ⁶⁴². For, by God, my praise of you will never cease, morning and evening. And my love for you, the most exalted, is a light that guides my soul to guidance. I have no salvation but through love of them, when the Gathering distracts minds. Peace be upon you from your Lord, as long as stars appear to guide the way. He, may God be pleased with him, is the master of the noble and upright, the fourth of the caliph imams, the imam of the pious leaders, the banner of the guided elite, the most noble of the generous and pure, the generous of fathers and grandfathers, the fragrant of sleeves and robes, the fulfiller of pledges and covenants. He, may God be pleased with him, was in battles the fierce lion and the bold lion, the conqueror of Khaybar and Hunayn, the one who preceded to the two migrations ⁶⁴³ and prayed toward the two qiblas ⁶⁴⁴, the father of the two grandsons ⁶⁴⁵, the two noble ones, the two shining moons, the masters of the youth of Paradise, upon whose love all the people of the Sunnah have agreed, and his brother through himself, the Chosen One. And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses. The ascetic in this world, who gave it up for the Hereafter, who scattered its gatherings and dispersed its collections. The stallion of stallions, the unsheathed sword of God, the husband of Fatima the chaste, the cousin of the Chosen Messenger, the piercing star, the lofty in ranks, the great in merits, the straight arrow, the knight of the Easts and Wests, the sea of knowledges and gifts, the caliph of the Prophet, the Chosen One, the Commander of the Faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib. "I never thought that the matter would turn away from Hashim, then from Abu al-Hasan. Is he not the first to pray toward his qibla, and the most knowledgeable of people in the Criterion and the Sunnah? In him is what is in them, no doubt, and in the people there is not what is in him of beauty." His name—may God honor his face—is, with the bearers of the Throne, 'Ali ⁶⁴⁶; in heaven, Wali ⁶⁴⁷; in the Qur'an, Sakhi ⁶⁴⁸; in the Torah and Gospel, Zaki ⁶⁴⁹; in the Psalms, Raki ⁶⁵⁰; and among the Muslims, Abu al-Hasan. And with the disbelievers, Haydara ⁶⁵¹; and on the Day of Resurrection, Saqi ⁶⁵². The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, gave him the kunya ⁶⁵³ Abu Turab ⁶⁵⁴, which was the most beloved of kunyas to him, may God be pleased with him and grant him contentment, and may He be pleased with us through his pleasure. Truly, by God, my passion and love are for Abu al-Hasan, the lofty in station. How could I not turn to him with love, when the Messenger chose him through kinship? The cousin of the Messenger, the husband of the chaste one, the father of the two Hasans ⁶⁵⁵, the pole of the noble. The lion of God in battle, unrivaled, the foremost of the foremost in charging. The supporter of the Muslims, the protector of their sanctuary, the remover of distress, the paralyzer of the wicked. The strong and mighty in the battlefield of disbelief, when disbelief covers the outskirts. The gate of Khaybar he uprooted with a right hand like a shield, while war was hot. With great determination, he carried the gate, shielding and defending. He pointed to the beards with a sword, and it fell on the pebbles and dust. How many lions of calamity and conflict did he catch with his right hand like sheep? How many people of misguidance did he remove and destroy, and make the enemies taste the cup of death? To him the Master of all creation said, in his merits like the lofty stars: "I am from you and you are from me, like Moses with his brother, in rank and honor. You are the gate of sciences; through you, those who come reach the flood of clouds. I am to creation a warner and a bringer of good tidings; so guide after me, you are the guide of mankind." God granted him the secret of sciences, so he is a sea of sciences, overflowing with the secret. And in knowledge of God he reached the utmost, so it is taken from him for proclamation. He attained its inner dimension through the manifestation of holiness, increasing in expansion and surpassing every imam. Indeed, the Opening of the Book ⁶⁵⁶ with us inherited the knowledge of the books of Moses and Sam ⁶⁵⁷. He said: "If the Messenger had permitted me, out of favor, to explain the speech, I would have placed eighty correspondences for it." So he, by God, is the pride of Islam. One day Gabriel came to the Prophet and said to the mountain: "Ascend with modesty." The Chosen One ascended, and behold, Ali was prostrating, with tears flowing, complaining of loneliness and separation, seeking mercy from the All-Knowing. Then Gabriel said: "Glad tidings for you among creation, O Ali of high station!"

Angels of the heaven, O God, O pride of the family of the Tihami ⁶⁵⁸, O cousin, ascetic, pious, forbearing, generous, a believer in the decree with submission. So you see him possessing mercy and humility, along with majesty, awe, and grandeur. He did not fear, in God, the blame of an opponent when he stood for justice in judgments. His characteristic is pardon and forgiveness towards one who has done evil and plunged into sins. He is the dispeller of pride, worldly desires, and hopes, and the delight of souls and bodies. God honored his face and granted him mercy, the Possessor of Majesty and Generosity. The virtues of the four caliphs, may God be pleased with them all, and may He benefit us through their blessings, Amen. (139) The virtues of the four caliphs, may God be pleased with them. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the qibla ⁶⁵⁹ of those who prostrate and bow, the adornment of the humble, from whose companions, the full moons and crescents, and his four noble caliphs, it is narrated from Ibn 'Abbas, may God be pleased with them both, in the interpretation of His statement, Exalted is He: "By the fig" ⁶⁶⁰ — he is Abu Bakr al-Siddiq; "and the olive" ⁶⁶⁰ — he is 'Umar ibn al-Khattab; "and Mount Sinai" ⁶⁶⁰ — he is 'Uthman ibn 'Affan; "and this secure city" ⁶⁶⁰ — he is 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God be pleased with them all. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the heaven of sciences adorned with the ornament of stars, the lamp of understandings illuminated by his light in the Easts and Wests, from whose companions, the full moons and crescents, and his four noble caliphs, it is narrated from Ubayy ibn Ka'b, may God be pleased with him, that he said: I recited to the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, Surat al-'Asr ⁶⁶¹, and I said: O Prophet of God, what is its interpretation? He said: "By the time" ⁶⁶¹ — an oath from God, Mighty and Majestic, by the end of the day; "Indeed, mankind is in loss" ⁶⁶¹ — Abu Jahl ⁶⁶². O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the garden of sweet beauties, the possessor of the kohl-lined eye and the splendid appearance, from whose companions, the full moons and crescents, and his noble caliphs, it is narrated from him, may God bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "There is no prophet except that he has a counterpart in my community who resembles him in some traits. So Abu Bakr is the counterpart of Ibrahim, 'Umar is the counterpart of Musa, 'Uthman is the counterpart of Harun, and 'Ali is my counterpart." And in another hadith: "Whoever wishes to look at Nuh, let him look at 'Umar; whoever wishes to look at Musa, let him look at 'Uthman; whoever wishes to look at Harun, let him look at 'Ali." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the mirror of witnessing, the treasure of existing good, from whose companions, the full moons and crescents, and his four noble caliphs, it is narrated from him, may God bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "Abu Bakr is to my eye from my head, 'Umar is to my tongue, 'Uthman is to my mouth, and 'Ali is to my spirit from my body. The example of Abu Bakr in my community is like the first takbir ⁶⁶³ in prayer; the example of 'Umar is like the recitation in prayer; the example of 'Uthman is like the bowing; and the example of 'Ali is like the prostration." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the gardens of the righteous, the breeze of their breaths, the capital of the lovers, and the ultimate of their desires, from whose companions, the full moons and crescents, and his four noble caliphs, it is narrated that when Nuh, peace be upon him, built the ark, Jibril, peace be upon him, brought four nails, on each nail inscribed: 'Ayn 'Abd Allah ⁶⁶⁴ — that is Abu Bakr; 'Ayn 'Umar; 'Ayn 'Uthman; 'Ayn 'Ali, may God be pleased with them. So the ark sailed by their mention, nay, by their blessings. O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who proclaimed the religion and clarified its intricacies, the most majestic of those for whom the carpets of honor were spread, from whose companions, the full moons and crescents, and his noble caliphs, it is narrated from him, may God bless him and grant him peace, that he said: "Four whose love does not gather in the heart of a hypocrite, and none loves them but a believer: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, and 'Ali." And he said: "Upon you is the love of the four, the witnesses of God on His earth and the pillars of His Paradise: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, and 'Ali. For their love is an expiation for your sins. Whoever loves them, God loves him and the angels love him." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of noble qualities, the great favor, the clear landmarks, the one who established the obligatory and the sunna, from whose companions, the full moons and crescents, and his four noble caliphs, it is narrated that a man said: "O Prophet of God, who is the most beloved of people to you?" He said: "'A'isha." He said: "And among men?" He said: "Her father." He will ride on the Day of Resurrection on a horse of pure gold ⁶⁶⁵. He said: "What do you say about 'Umar?" He said: "He will ride on the Day of Resurrection on a horse of gray ambergris." He said: "What do you say about 'Uthman?" He said: "He will ride on the Day of Resurrection on a horse of white camphor." He said: "What do you say about 'Ali?" He said: "My brother and cousin, he will ride on the Day of Resurrection on a she-camel from the camels of Paradise." O God, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You granted lofty honor and dominion, the most excellent of those who called the servants to You and led them on a straight path and a right way, from whose companions, the full moons and crescents, and his four noble caliphs, it is narrated from Muhammad ibn Razin that he said: I saw the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, in a dream, and I said to him: O Prophet of God, I am an old man with little capital and many dependents, so teach me a supplication with which I may call and seek help in my affair. He, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Upon you with three tens ⁶⁶⁶ in every evil and good of every prayer: say, 'O Generous of beneficence, O He whose beneficence is above every beneficence, O Owner of this world and the Hereafter.' Then he said: 'And strive to die upon Islam and the Sunna and upon the love of these four: this is Abu Bakr, this is 'Umar, this is 'Uthman, and this is 'Ali. For indeed, the Fire will never touch you.'"

O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom his Lord chose, brought near to Him, selected for Himself, and raised his rank before Him. Among the noble qualities of his viziers ⁶⁶⁷, the full moons ⁶⁶⁸ and crescents ⁶⁶⁹, and his four venerable successors ⁶⁷⁰ is what has been narrated: that Gabriel (peace be upon him) descended with a tray of apples from Paradise and said: 'O Muhammad, give to whom you love.' The tray was covered, so he put his hand in and took an apple on one side of which was 'In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; this is a gift from Allah to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq ⁶⁷¹.' On the other side: 'Whoever hates al-Siddiq is a heretic ⁶⁷².' Then he took another, on one side of which was the Basmala ⁶⁷³: 'This is a gift from Allah, the Bestower, to Umar ibn al-Khattab ⁶⁷⁴.' On the other side: 'Whoever hates Umar is in Saqar ⁶⁷⁵.' Then he took another, on one side of which was the Basmala: 'This is a gift from Allah, the Compassionate, to Uthman ibn Affan ⁶⁷⁶.' On the other side: 'Whoever hates Uthman, his opponent is the Most Merciful.' Then he took another, on one side of which was the Basmala: 'This is a gift from Allah, the Dominant, to Ali ibn Abi Talib ⁶⁷⁷.' On the other side: 'Whoever hates Ali is not a friend ⁶⁷⁸ of Allah.' Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and He praised him. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of Your servants who are fearful and humble, and the imam ⁶⁷⁹ of Your friends ⁶⁸⁰ who are ascetic and content. Among the noble qualities of his viziers, the full moons and crescents, and his four venerable successors is what has been narrated: that a man asked the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) at Arafat ⁶⁸¹ about His saying, the Exalted: 'Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. Those will have gardens of perpetual residence' ⁶⁸² – the verse. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: 'They are not far from you, nor are you far from them. These are the four: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, may Allah be pleased with them all.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You chose for Your obedience and accepted his deed, and the most excellent of those whose hope in You You fulfilled and whose aspiration You realized. Among the noble qualities of his viziers, the full moons and crescents, and his four venerable successors is what has been narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: 'Gabriel informed me that when Allah, the Exalted, created Adam (peace be upon him) and breathed the spirit into his body, He commanded me to...' and he took an apple from Paradise and squeezed it into his throat, and it squeezed. Then Allah created, O Muhammad, from the first glance, and from the second Abu Bakr, from the third Umar ibn al-Khattab, from the fourth Uthman ibn Affan, and from the fifth Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with them all. He said: 'O Lord, who are these that You have made incumbent upon me?' Allah, the Exalted, said: 'Five beings from your progeny; these are more honored before Me than all My creation.' When Adam disobeyed Him, he said: 'O Lord, by the sanctity of those five beings, except that You relent upon me,' so Allah relented upon him and forgave him. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the elite of Your chosen ones who are humble, and the model of Your beloved ones who are obedient. Among the noble qualities of his viziers, the full moons and crescents, and his four venerable successors is what has been narrated: that he (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the bridegroom of the kingdom and Paradise ⁶⁸³; he is adorned sometimes with a crown, sometimes with a turban, sometimes with a belt, and sometimes with a sword. His crown (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is Abu Bakr, his turban is Umar, his belt is Uthman, and his sword is Ali, may Allah be pleased with them all. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the pole ⁶⁸⁴ of sovereignty, the lofty station, the place of devotion and worship, the one who stands for You at night while people sleep. Among the noble qualities of his viziers, the full moons and crescents, and his four venerable successors is what has been narrated from Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) went out from the gate of Medina, leaning on Abu Bakr, with Umar on his left, Uthman holding his garment, and Ali before him. He said: "Thus we enter Paradise. Whoever separates us, upon him be the curse of Allah." And he (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "I, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali were lights on the right side of the Throne two thousand years before Allah created Adam."' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the flower of gnosis ⁶⁸⁵, the ripe garden, the lamp of spiritual knowledge ⁶⁸⁶, commanding the restraint of the tongue from speaking about what does not concern one and from delving. Among the noble qualities of his companions, the full moons and crescents, and his four venerable successors is what has been narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: 'A caller will call from beneath the Throne: "Where are the companions of Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)?" Then Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali will be brought. It will be said to Abu Bakr: "Stand at the gate of Paradise and admit whom you wish by the mercy of Allah, and lighten [the punishment] for whom you wish by the knowledge of Allah." Uthman will be clothed in two garments, and it will be said to him: "Wear them, for I created them and reserved them when I originated the creation of the heavens and the earth." Ali ibn Abi Talib will be given the staff of Moses (peace be upon him) from the tree that Allah, the Exalted, planted with His hand in Paradise, and it will be said to him: "Stand for the people," and he will strike with it the haters of the companions of Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whom You chose and selected, and the most excellent of those whose hand You extended in Your kingdom and appointed. Among the noble qualities of his viziers, the full moons and crescents, and his four venerable successors is what has been narrated: that a caller will call: 'Let the people of Allah stand.' So Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali will stand. Allah, the Exalted, will say to Abu Bakr: 'Go to the gate of Paradise and admit whom you wish and prevent whom you wish.' It will be said to Umar: 'Go to the Scale ⁶⁸⁷ and make heavy whom you wish and lighten whom you wish.' It will be said to Uthman: 'Go to the Basin ⁶⁸⁸ and give drink to whom you wish and withhold from whom you wish.' It will be said to Ali: 'Go to the Path ⁶⁸⁹ and detain whom you wish and allow passage to whom you wish.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the full moon of prophethood, perfect in radiance, the elixir of love, perpetual in ecstasy and absorption in You. Among the noble qualities of his viziers, the full moons and crescents, and his four venerable successors is what has been narrated: that Allah, the Exalted, made in Paradise four rivers and made for each river a likeness among the four successors. The river of water resembles Abu Bakr, because water is the life of the earth, and love of Abu Bakr is the life of hearts. The river of milk resembles Umar, because the infant is strengthened by milk, and the religion is strengthened by love of Umar. The river of wine resembles Uthman, for whoever drinks it becomes joyful and merry; likewise, whoever loves Uthman obtains joy and merriment in Paradise. The river of honey resembles Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), because honey is a cure for diseases; likewise, love of Ali is a cure for hypocrisy. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the path of guidance and uprightness, the Prophet of mercy, distinguished by virtue and honor. Among the noble qualities of his viziers, the full moons and crescents, and his four venerable successors is what has been narrated: that Allah, the Exalted, made in Paradise four rivers and made for each river a likeness among the four successors. The river of water resembles Abu Bakr, because water is the life of the earth, and love of Abu Bakr is the life of hearts. The river of milk resembles Umar, because the infant is strengthened by milk, and the religion is strengthened by love of Umar. The river of wine resembles Uthman, for whoever drinks it becomes joyful and merry; likewise, whoever loves Uthman obtains joy and merriment in Paradise. The river of honey resembles Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), because honey is a cure for diseases; likewise, love of Ali is a cure for hypocrisy.

His ministers are the full moons that are crescents ⁶⁹⁰, and his four noble successors ⁶⁹¹ are those about whom it is narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) regarding the saying of Allah Most High: "And We shall remove from their breasts any rancor, as brothers" ⁶⁹² — that on the Day of Resurrection, chairs of red ruby will be set up, and Abu Bakr will sit on a chair, 'Umar on a chair, 'Uthman on a chair, and 'Ali on a chair. Then Allah Most High will command the chairs, and they will fly with them beneath the Throne, and a tent of white ruby will be spread over them. Then four cups will be brought: Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) will give 'Umar to drink, 'Umar will give 'Uthman to drink, 'Uthman will give 'Ali to drink, and 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) will give Abu Bakr to drink. Then Allah Most High will command Hell to convulse with its waves, and it will cast the Rawafid ⁶⁹³ onto its shore. Allah will then unveil their sight, and they will look upon the Companions of Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and say: 'These are those whom Allah Most High has made fortunate, and the people have attained happiness by following them, while we have become wretched by opposing them.' Then they will be returned to Hell with regret and remorse. O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who fulfilled Your covenant and believed in You, and the most excellent of those who knew You with complete knowledge and realized You; from whose merits of his ministers, the full moons that are crescents, and his four noble successors, it is narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: 'When the Day of Resurrection comes, Abu Bakr will be brought forward and will be given an easy reckoning, then he will be honored with a robe and commanded to go to Paradise. He will say: "I and my lovers." It will be said: "You and your lovers." Then 'Umar will be brought forward and will be given an easy reckoning, then he will be honored with a robe and commanded to go to Paradise. He will say: "I and my lovers." It will be said: "You and your lovers." Then 'Uthman will be brought forward and will be given an easy reckoning, then he will be honored with a robe and commanded to go to Paradise. He will say: "I and my lovers." It will be said: "You and your lovers." Then 'Ali will be brought forward and will be given an easy reckoning, then he will be honored with a robe and commanded to go to Paradise. He will say: "I and my lovers." It will be said: "You and your lovers; they have preceded you.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the essence of high honor, lofty rank and stations, the vast of embrace, the great in miracles and merits; from whose merits of his ministers, the full moons that are crescents, and his four noble successors, it is narrated from him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: 'O people, shall I guide you to the Garden of Eden and bliss that never ends?' They said: 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Upon you is the love of the four, the witnesses of Allah on His earth and the pillars of His Garden: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, and 'Ali. For love of them is an expiation for your sins. Whoever loves them, Allah loves him and the angels love him.' And he (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: 'Four whose love does not gather in the heart of a hypocrite, and none loves them but a believer: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, and 'Ali.' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the means of lovers and the degree of their closeness, the perpetual wine of the enraptured and the cup of their drink; from whose merits of his ministers, the full moons that are crescents, and his four noble successors, it is narrated from some of the righteous that he said: 'I had a neighbor who was excessive in sins, so I moved away from his neighborhood. When he died, a man came to me at night, tall in stature, and I feared his height. He said: "Come with me to the grave of so-and-so." So I went, and I opened it, and I saw him on a bed in a green garden. I said to him: "By what did you attain this honor?" He said: "I used to say after every prayer: O Allah, be pleased with Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, and 'Ali, and have mercy on me through love of them."' O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad, and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those whose love has honored the elite ⁶⁹⁴, and honor whom You have chosen for Your presence and raised to the highest special station; from whose merits of his ministers, the full moons that are crescents, and his four noble successors, it is narrated that when the saying of Allah Most High descended: "Indeed, he who purifies himself has succeeded" ⁶⁹⁵, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'Allah will never see me after this owning any wealth ever.' So Allah Most High revealed: "And the most righteous will be removed from it, who gives his wealth to purify himself" ⁶⁹⁶. And when the saying of Allah Most High descended: "O you who have believed, when the call is made for prayer on the day of Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade" ⁶⁹⁷, 'Umar said: 'Allah will never see me as a merchant after this ever.' So Allah Most High revealed: ...

"Men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah ⁶⁹⁸." And when the Exalted said: "And during the night, pray the night prayer ⁶⁹⁹ as an extra obligation for you ⁷⁰⁰," Uthman said: "Allah will never see me sleeping after this, ever." So Allah the Exalted revealed concerning him: "They used to sleep but little of the night ⁷⁰¹." And when the Exalted said: "And fight in the way of Allah ⁷⁰²," Ali said: "Allah will never see me falling behind after this, ever." So Allah the Exalted revealed: "Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks, as if they were a solid structure ⁷⁰³." O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who sought refuge in the protection of the Protector, and the most excellent of those whom the fearful sought refuge in his mighty presence and banner. Among the merits of his ministers, the full moons and crescents, and his four noble successors is what is narrated from Ja'far al-Sadiq ⁷⁰⁴, may Allah be pleased with him, that he was asked about the four successors and said: "Abu Bakr, because of the witnessing of Lordship in his heart, he did not witness anything other than Allah with Allah, so most of his speech was 'There is no god but Allah.' Umar saw everything other than Allah as insignificant, so most of his speech was 'Allah is the Greatest.' Uthman saw everything other than Allah as caused and returning to annihilation, so most of his speech was 'Glory be to Allah.' Ali saw the manifestation of existence from Allah and the return of existence to Allah, so most of his speech was 'Praise be to Allah.'" O Allah, bless and grant peace to our master and lord Muhammad and to the family of our master Muhammad, the best of those who adopted prophetic character and the most noble of those who trailed the robes of honor in the presence of chosen generosity. Among the merits of his ministers, the full moons and crescents, and his four noble successors is what is narrated from some of the gnostics ⁷⁰⁵ that he said: "Indeed, each of the four successors, may Allah be pleased with them, attained from the realities of his noble essence, peace be upon him, what his station and state required. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, when the knowledge of the laws ⁷⁰⁶ dominated him, his state was expansion ⁷⁰⁷ with them, so his state required the attainment of the self of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and he inherited the sciences from him. Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, when his state was reflection ⁷⁰⁸ on the sciences, his state required the attainment of the heart of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, because the heart's function is reflection. Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, when his state was deliberation ⁷⁰⁹ on the sciences, his state required the attainment of the intellect of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, because the intellect's function is deliberation. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, when the dominant aspect was the attainment of the science of realities ⁷¹⁰ and his state was contraction ⁷¹¹ upon them, his state required the attainment of the spirit of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, because the spirit's function is contraction upon the sciences of realities. As for his reality, peace be upon him, it is a subtle secret from the secrets of the Truth, Exalted is He, which no one in this abode can access except the Lord, Glorified is His Majesty, and no one other than Him, Exalted, can unveil it, not a sent prophet nor a near-stationed angel, for his Ahmadic reality ⁷¹² is from the hidden secret and the preserved command which the Truth, Exalted, alone possesses. The believers have only attained the outward of his Muhammadan form, which is what Uways al-Qarani ⁷¹³ expressed to his companions, peace be upon him: 'You have only seen his shadow.' They said: 'Not even Ibn Abi Quhafa ⁷¹⁴?' He said: 'Not even Ibn Abi Quhafa.' Then the believers vary in their attainment, each attaining according to his proximity to him. The greatest in attainment are the four successors: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, may Allah be pleased with them, just as they are the closest people to him. However, since their stations differed, their attainment from the realities of his Ahmadic essence differed. So bless him, O Allah, and his family, possessors of lofty stations, and his companions, possessors of pleasing states, a blessing by which You gather us in the company of his pure group and sanctify our souls in the enclosures of his holy chambers, by Your grace and generosity, O Most Merciful of the merciful, O Lord of the worlds. (145) By Abu Bakr, through whom guidance became established for the people during your lifetime, and the guided one on the day of Saqifa ⁷¹⁵ when people were agitated, thinking it was the cure. He saved the religion after it had been on the verge of every distress, a healing. He spent wealth in Your pleasure without reproach, and gave abundantly without stinginess. And by Abu Hafs ⁷¹⁶, through whom Allah manifested the religion, so the watchers desisted. And he through whom the distant ones drew near to Allah and the near ones distanced themselves. Umar ibn al-Khattab, from whose decisive speech and just judgment came equity. His shooting of Satan ⁷¹⁷ when he was al-Faruq ⁷¹⁸, so the fire was split by his radiance. And Ibn Affan, possessor of favors by which he bestowed upon the Chosen One. He dug the well ⁷¹⁹, equipped the army ⁷²⁰, offered the sacrificial animal ⁷²¹ when the enemies obstructed him. And he refused to circumambulate the House ⁷²² when permission from the Prophet was not given, out of modesty. So the pledge of Ridwan ⁷²³ rewarded him, a white hand from his Prophet. And Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet, and one whose heart's religion and loyalty are true. And the vizier of his cousin in high matters, and from the family, the viziers are blessed. The unveiling of the cover did not increase his certainty; rather, he is the sun, with no cover over him. Etiquette with him multiplied deeds by abandonment; how excellent are the people of etiquette! It is completed by the praise of Allah, Exalted, and His good assistance. (146)

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1. Fāṭima al-Zahrāʾ : Fatima the Radiant, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, revered as a model of piety and purity.
2. ʿārifīn : Gnostics or knowers of God, those with deep spiritual insight in Sufism.
3. miḥrāb : Prayer niche indicating the direction of Mecca; here used metaphorically as a focal point or axis.
4. rukn : Pillar or essential element of a ritual act.
5. salām : The concluding salutation of the Islamic prayer.
6. qāba qawsayn aw adnā : Quranic phrase (53:9) referring to the Prophet's proximity to God during the Ascension, meaning 'two bow-lengths or nearer'.
7. usriya : Refers to the Night Journey (Isra) of the Prophet Muhammad.
8. barzakh : Isthmus or intermediate realm between the physical and spiritual worlds.
9. quṭb : Pole or axis, the highest spiritual authority in Sufi hierarchy.
10. Aḥmadiyya : Attributed to Ahmad, one of the Prophet's names, emphasizing his praiseworthy qualities.
11. Muṣṭafawiyya : Attributed to Mustafa (the Chosen One), another name of the Prophet.
12. Yā Sīn : The opening letters of Quranic chapter 36, often interpreted as an address to the Prophet.
13. Quran 36:1-4 : Verses from Surah Ya Sin, affirming the Prophet's mission.
14. al-ṣafiyy, al-najiyy, al-khalīl, al-kalīm : Titles of prophets: the chosen (Adam?), the confidant (Moses?), the friend (Abraham?), the interlocutor (Moses?).
15. ijtamaʿatā : Refers to the two souls (of essence and relation) meeting.
16. Jabarūtiyya : Relating to Jabarut, the realm of divine power and might.
17. Raghbutiyya : Relating to Ragbut, a term for divine desire or will, possibly a Sufi technical term.
18. Mawlawiyya : Attributed to Mawla (Lord), indicating the Prophet's relation to God as His servant and beloved.
19. sirr al-sirr : The secret of secrets; the innermost mystery of divine knowledge.
20. nafs raḥmāniyya : The merciful Self; a Sufi term for the divine attribute of mercy as a source of creation.
21. māddat mawādd al-ḥayāt : The material of the materials of life; the primordial substance from which life originates.
22. jalāliyyāt wa-l-jamāliyyāt : Majestic and Beautiful manifestations; divine attributes of majesty (jalāl) and beauty (jamāl).
23. ḥaẓā'ir al-quds : Enclosures of holiness; spiritual realms of sanctity.
24. ghayb al-ghayb : The unseen of the unseen; the most hidden realm of divine mystery.
25. huwiyyāt : Identities; the essential realities of things in their individual 'he-ness'.
26. ʿawārif al-maʿārif : Gifts of gnosis; spiritual knowledge bestowed by God.
27. nafaḥāt : Breezes; a reference to a hadith about special moments of divine mercy.
28. kharq al-ʿawā'id : Breaking of norms; miracles that suspend natural laws.
29. tanazzulāt ʿindiyya : Divine descents; spiritual states or revelations from God's presence.
30. tahlīlāt : Glorifications; utterances of 'lā ilāha illā Allāh'.
31. futūḥāt ilāhiyya : Divine openings; spiritual illuminations and insights.
32. ʿarsh al-madānāt : Throne of stations; the highest spiritual rank.
33. qāba qawsayn aw adnā : Two bow-lengths or nearer; Quranic reference to the Prophet's proximity to God during the Mi'raj.
34. ḥikam ladunniyya : Divinely-bestowed wisdoms; knowledge given directly by God.
35. ʿulūm wahbiyya : Gifted sciences; knowledge granted by divine grace.
36. iṣṭifā'iyya wa-ijtibā'iyya : Election and choice; divine selection of prophets and saints.
37. bazzāt al-naṣr wa fuḥūl al-sarrāt : Champions of victory and lions of the chiefs; epithets for the Prophet's Companions.
38. samā' al-qidam : Heaven of pre-eternity; the timeless divine realm.
39. karūbiyyūn : Cherubim; the highest order of angels.
40. quddūsiyyūn : Holy ones; angels or saints of extreme purity.
41. ḥawāmīm : Surahs beginning with Ḥā Mīm; a group of Quranic chapters.
42. ṭawāsīn : Surahs beginning with Ṭā Sīn; a group of Quranic chapters.
43. sūrat Nūn wa-l-qalam : Surah Nun and the Pen; Quran 68.
44. ward al-wiṣāl : Rose of union; a symbol of spiritual union with the divine.
45. qaranful al-uns wa-l-idlāl : Carnation of intimacy and coquetry; a metaphor for spiritual closeness.
46. ʿiṣma : Infallibility; the divine protection from sin granted to prophets.
47. laṭā'if : Subtle spiritual faculties or realities, often referring to the inner dimensions of the soul in Sufi terminology.
48. wilāyah : Sainthood or spiritual authority; the state of being a friend of God (walī).
49. kalimatay al-shahādah : The two testimonies of faith: 'There is no god but Allah' and 'Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.'
50. sharī'ah : Divine law; the revealed legal and moral code of Islam.
51. fatḥ : Spiritual opening or illumination; a term in Sufism for divine unveiling and grace.
52. al-ism al-a'ẓam : The Greatest Name of God, believed to possess supreme power and often kept hidden.
53. al-ḥamdiyya : Derived from 'hamd' (praise); refers to the essence of the Prophet Muhammad as the embodiment of divine praise.
54. al-khalīl : The Intimate Friend; a title of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim).
55. al-kalīm : The Speaker; a title of Prophet Moses (Musa), who spoke directly to God.
56. 'umra : The lesser pilgrimage to Mecca, performed at any time of the year.
57. al-aḥmadī : Referring to the Prophet Muhammad's name Ahmad, meaning 'most praiseworthy'.
58. al-biḍ'a al-nabawiyya : Literally 'the prophetic piece'; refers to Fatima az-Zahra', the daughter of the Prophet, as a part of him.
59. 'Arafāt : The plain near Mecca where pilgrims gather on the 9th of Dhul-Hijja; here used metaphorically for a spiritual gathering.
60. tashfīnī : From 'shifā' (healing); here it means to be cured or satisfied by something, but the context implies a request not to be limited or dependent on others' knowledge.
61. riḍā : A term meaning 'protection' or 'guardianship', often used in Sufi contexts to denote divine safeguarding.
62. tawḥīd : The Islamic concept of monotheism, the oneness of God.
63. awḥāl al-tawḥīd : Literally 'mires of oneness', a Sufi term referring to the lower stages of understanding tawḥīd, where one is still attached to the concept of oneness as a mental construct.
64. aḥadiyya : A Sufi term for the absolute oneness of God, beyond all attributes and distinctions.
65. qayyūmiyya : A divine attribute meaning 'self-subsistence' or 'eternal existence', derived from al-Qayyūm, one of the names of God.
66. al-walī al-ʿamīm : The comprehensive saint, a Sufi term for a saint who encompasses all spiritual stations.
67. al-ḥawḍ : The Basin (of Kawthar) in Paradise, from which the Prophet Muḥammad will give water to his followers on the Day of Judgment.
68. ashyākh : Spiritual masters or elders in Sufism.
69. al-Muṣṭafā : The Chosen One, a title of the Prophet Muḥammad.
70. al-budūr al-ʿashara : The ten full moons, referring to the ten Companions promised Paradise.
71. ahl Badr : The people of Badr, the Companions who fought in the Battle of Badr.
72. ahl al-Ṣuffa : The People of the Suffah, poor Companions who lived in the mosque of Medina.
73. Quṣayy : An ancestor of the Prophet Muḥammad, a prominent figure in Quraysh.
74. iʿtikāf : Spiritual retreat in a mosque, especially during the last ten days of Ramadan.
75. ḥimā al-jarʿāʾ : The protected sandy ground, a poetic reference to a place associated with the beloved.
76. al-thaqalayn : The two weighty ones, referring to humans and jinn.
77. Shubayr : The Hebrew/Aramaic origin of the name Ḥasan, meaning 'beautiful'.
78. ʿAlī : Here it seems to be a poetic reference to the Prophet's grandsons, though ʿAlī is the father; possibly a textual variant.
79. majdhūb : A Sufi term for one who is spiritually attracted or ecstatic, drawn directly to God.
80. sālik : A Sufi term for a wayfarer on the spiritual path.
81. al-thaqalayn : The two heavy ones: a term referring to humans and jinn, or sometimes to the Qur'an and the Prophet's household.
82. al-farqadayn : The two stars: specifically the two stars of the Little Bear (Ursa Minor), Beta and Gamma Ursae Minoris, used here as a metaphor for al-Hasan and al-Husayn.
83. Ka'ba : The sacred cube-shaped building in Mecca, the focal point of Muslim prayer and pilgrimage; used metaphorically here.
84. al-Rukn wa al-Maqam : The Corner (of the Ka'ba containing the Black Stone) and the Station of Abraham (Maqam Ibrahim), a sacred site near the Ka'ba.
85. Qutb : Pole or axis; in Sufism, the highest spiritual authority of a given time, around whom the spiritual world revolves.
86. qibla : Direction of prayer, here used metaphorically as the focal point of spiritual orientation.
87. al-Batul : Title of Fatima meaning 'the Virgin' or 'the Chaste', indicating her purity and devotion.
88. Siddiqa : Title meaning 'the Truthful', often used for Fatima, indicating her veracity and righteousness.
89. al-Zahra : Title meaning 'the Radiant' or 'the Luminous', referring to Fatima's spiritual brilliance.
90. al-Murtada : Title of Ali meaning 'the Chosen' or 'the Pleasing to God'.
91. Hassan : Reference to Hassan ibn Thabit, the poet of the Prophet, known for his praise poetry.
92. al-Khansa : Famous pre-Islamic and early Islamic poetess known for her elegies.
93. Furqanic : Related to al-Furqan, a name for the Quran meaning 'the Criterion'.
94. mihrab : Prayer niche in a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca; here used metaphorically as a focal point of worship.
95. tawhid : The oneness of God; the central Islamic doctrine of God's absolute unity.
96. tafrid : Spiritual isolation or singling out God; a Sufi term for focusing solely on God.
97. tajrid : Spiritual stripping or abstraction; a Sufi term for detachment from worldly concerns.
98. divine lights : Anwar lahutiyya; refers to the luminous manifestations of God's attributes.
99. malakut : The angelic or spiritual realm; the world of divine sovereignty.
100. throne-like descents : Tanazzulat 'arshiyya; spiritual descents or emanations from the divine throne.
101. majestic theophanies : Tajalliyat jalaliyya; manifestations of God's majesty and awe.
102. essential mercy : Rahmaniyya dhat; the mercy inherent in God's essence.
103. Trustworthy Spirit : Ruh al-Amin; a title for the Angel Gabriel.
104. clear Arabic tongue : Reference to Quran 26:193-195.
105. 'Illiyin : The highest station in paradise; the record of the righteous.
106. baytihi al-muqaddas : His sacred house: refers to the heart of the Prophet Muhammad, considered the dwelling place of divine knowledge and purity.
107. mawāqi‘ jawāhir al-waḥy : Loci of the jewels of revelation: the points or places where the essence of divine revelation descends, often associated with the Prophet's heart.
108. ḥijāl al-ghayra : Canopies of jealousy: metaphorical veils of divine jealousy that protect the Prophet's heart from any impurity.
109. ghayb al-hawiyyāt : Unseen of essences: the hidden realm of divine attributes or the innermost secrets of existence.
110. khuddām al-ḥujub wa al-surādiqāt : Servants of the veils and pavilions: angelic beings or spiritual entities that guard the divine presence.
111. mu‘jizāt wa al-karāmāt : Miracles and wonders: prophetic miracles (mu‘jizāt) and saintly miracles (karāmāt) granted by God.
112. al-bayt al-muḥammadī : The Muhammadan house: the spiritual station or essence of the Prophet Muhammad.
113. al-nūr al-aḥmadī : The Ahmadine light: the primordial light of the Prophet, often called the Muhammadan Light, associated with his name Ahmad.
114. kull zāwiya bi-mawlāhā : Each corner with its master: each corner of the spiritual house is associated with a particular saint or spiritual figure.
115. ahl al-irādāt : People of wills: Sufi seekers who have purified their will and desire only God.
116. arbāb al-kawāshif wa al-ta‘ayyunāt : Masters of unveilings and determinations: advanced Sufis who experience divine unveilings and perceive the determinations of God's will.
117. bayt qalbihi al-sharīf al-muṭahhar al-naẓīf : The house of his noble heart, purified and clean: the innermost spiritual heart of the Prophet, free from all imperfections.
118. kushūfāt : Spiritual unveilings or disclosures granted to saints and mystics.
119. Jibrīl : The archangel Gabriel, who conveyed revelation to the prophets.
120. al-mala' al-a'lā : The highest assembly of angels in the divine presence.
121. ladunniyya : Divine or God-given knowledge, directly bestowed without intermediary.
122. Aḥmadī : Pertaining to the Prophet Muhammad, whose name Ahmad means 'most praiseworthy'.
123. al-muqarrabūn : Those brought near to Allah, i.e., the highest-ranking angels and saints.
124. āyah : Qur'anic verse 33:33, referring to the purification of the Prophet's household.
125. al-Ḥusayn : The grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, son of Fatima and Ali.
126. ‘Alī : Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, fourth caliph.
127. ‘Alawī : A descendant of Ali ibn Abi Talib, thus a member of the Prophet's family.
128. Majūsī : A Zoroastrian, follower of the pre-Islamic Persian religion.
129. ʿīd : A Muslim festival or holiday, such as Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha.
130. Hāshimī : A descendant of Hashim, the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad, thus a member of the Prophet's clan.
131. Qibṭī : A Copt, i.e., an Egyptian Christian.
132. dīnār : A gold coin used in the early Islamic period.
133. ʿAlawī : A descendant of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law.
134. al-Wāqidī : A reference to the narrator or protagonist of the story, possibly the historian Muhammad ibn Umar al-Waqidi.
135. al-Ma'mūn : The seventh Abbasid caliph (r. 813–833 CE), known for his patronage of learning.
136. mithqāl : A unit of weight for gold, approximately 4.25 grams.
137. qāba qawsayn : A phrase from Quran 53:9, referring to the Prophet's proximity to God during the Mi'raj (Ascension), meaning 'two bow-lengths'.
138. al-ḥaḍratayn : The two presences: the divine presence and the prophetic presence, or the spiritual and physical realms.
139. al-Zahrā' : A title of Fatima, the Prophet's daughter, meaning 'the radiant one'.
140. al-thaqalayn : The two weighty things: the Quran and the Prophet's family (Ahl al-Bayt), as per a famous hadith.
141. al-Muṣṭafā : An epithet of the Prophet Muhammad, meaning 'the chosen one'.
142. Jibrīl : The archangel Gabriel, who conveyed divine revelation to the prophets.
143. qibla : The direction of prayer (toward the Kaaba in Mecca), also used metaphorically as a focal point.
144. Sunnah : The practices and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, considered a model for Muslims.
145. karāmāt : Miracles or extraordinary acts granted by God to saints or prophets, often as signs of divine favor.
146. Ahl al-Bayt : The 'People of the House,' referring to the family of the Prophet Muhammad, including his wives, children, and descendants.
147. tawassul : Seeking intercession or means of approach to God through a prophet or saint.
148. quṭb : A spiritual 'pole' or axis, a high-ranking saint in Sufi hierarchy.
149. Qur'an 33:37 : The verse referring to the marriage of Zaynab bint Jahsh to the Prophet after her divorce from Zayd.
150. awwāl : A term meaning humble, supplicating, or one who turns to God in devotion.
151. al-Najāshī : The title of the Christian king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) during the Prophet's time, who protected Muslim refugees.
152. Khālid ibn Saʿīd : A companion of the Prophet who acted as a proxy in marriage contracts.
153. kitāba : A contract of manumission where a slave agrees to pay for their freedom in installments.
154. Ahl Baytī : The Prophet's family, here specifically his household including his wives and children.
155. Jibril : The angel Gabriel, the archangel responsible for delivering divine revelation to the prophets.
156. Kursi : The Footstool of Allah, a celestial entity distinct from the Throne, often interpreted as a symbol of His sovereignty.
157. al-‘Abbas : Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad and an early supporter of Islam.
158. ‘Aqil : ‘Aqil ibn Abi Talib, a cousin of the Prophet and brother of ‘Ali, known for his wisdom.
159. Ja‘far : Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib, a cousin of the Prophet and a prominent early Muslim, known for his eloquence and martyrdom.
160. son of al-‘Abbas : Possibly referring to ‘Abd Allah ibn al-‘Abbas, a renowned companion and early Quranic exegete.
161. Taha : One of the names of the Prophet Muhammad, derived from the Quranic chapter Taha.
162. al-Rida Ibrahim : Ibrahim, the son of the Prophet Muhammad, who died in infancy; 'al-Rida' means 'the pleasing one'.
163. Khadija : Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad and the first person to embrace Islam.
164. Hira : The cave of Hira near Mecca where the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation.
165. ‘Aisha : ‘Aisha bint Abi Bakr, a wife of the Prophet Muhammad, known for her knowledge and narrations of hadith.
166. Fatima al-Batul : Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad; 'al-Batul' means 'the virgin' or 'the chaste'.
167. Ahmad : Another name of the Prophet Muhammad, meaning 'the most praiseworthy'.
168. Ayman : Ayman ibn ‘Ubayd, a companion of the Prophet and a freed slave, known for his loyalty.
169. Mustafa : An epithet of the Prophet Muhammad meaning 'the chosen one'.
170. two grandsons : Hasan and Husayn, the grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima.
171. People of Purification : Ahl al-Bayt, the family of the Prophet, particularly those mentioned in the verse of purification (Quran 33:33).
172. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab : The second Caliph of Islam, known for his justice and strength, a close companion of the Prophet.
173. companion : Referring to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, the first Caliph and close companion of the Prophet.
174. cave : The cave of Thawr where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid during the migration to Medina.
175. Noah : The prophet Noah, who preached to his people for 950 years according to Islamic tradition.
176. Abu Bakr : Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, the first Caliph and father of ‘Aisha, known for his unwavering faith.
177. Jubayr ibn Mut‘im : A companion of the Prophet who initially was a polytheist but later embraced Islam.
178. Busra : A city in Syria, historically a center of Christianity and trade.
179. Rabi‘ ibn Khuthaym : A companion known for his piety and asceticism.
180. al-Fadl ibn ‘Abbas : A cousin of the Prophet and a companion, known for his knowledge.
181. al-‘Atiq : A title of Abu Bakr meaning 'the freed one' or 'the noble', often associated with his being freed from Hellfire.
182. Umm al-Khayr : The mother of Abu Bakr, meaning 'mother of goodness'.
183. Maqam : The Station of Abraham, a sacred site near the Kaaba in Mecca.
184. al-maqām al-aʿṣam : The most protected station; a high spiritual rank.
185. al-walad al-ʿatīq : The ancient child; a reference to Abu Bakr, possibly alluding to his pre-eternal spiritual status.
186. ṣāḥibihi : His companion; refers to Abu Bakr as the companion of the Prophet in the cave.
187. al-ghār : The cave; refers to the Cave of Thawr where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid during the Hijra.
188. ḥaramī : From the Haram; i.e., from Mecca or its sacred precinct.
189. Qur'an 28:56 : A verse from the Qur'an.
190. qiṭwāniyya : A type of cloak; possibly a striped or coarse garment from Qitwan (a place).
191. bikr : A virgin; here possibly a metaphorical or technical term in Sufi context, referring to a pure or untouched state.
192. al-ghār : The cave; refers to the Cave of Thawr where the Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid during the Hijra.
193. Qur'an 9:40 : The verse refers to the event in the cave, where the Prophet reassured Abu Bakr.
194. Qur'an 9:40 : The verse continues: 'Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon him' – interpreted by some as referring to Abu Bakr.
195. al-sarāt : Leaders or chiefs; possibly a term for spiritual guides.
196. al-jadhb wa al-sulūk : Spiritual attraction and conduct; Sufi terms for the states of being drawn to God and the path of spiritual journeying.
197. asrār : Secrets; in Sufism, refers to divine mysteries or inner spiritual realities.
198. ma'ārif : Spiritual knowledge or gnosis; a key concept in Sufism.
199. nuqṭat sirrī : The point of my secret; a Sufi expression indicating the innermost essence or the focal point of spiritual mystery.
200. al-Siddiq : Title meaning 'the Truthful' or 'the Affirmer of Truth', given to Abu Bakr for his unwavering faith.
201. Praiseworthy Station : Al-Maqam al-Mahmud, a station of intercession granted to Prophet Muhammad on the Day of Judgment.
202. companion : Referring to Abu Bakr, who accompanied the Prophet in the cave during the Hijra.
203. cave : The Cave of Thawr, where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid during the migration to Medina.
204. knowledge : Ma'rifa, spiritual knowledge or gnosis of God.
205. Bahira : A Christian monk who recognized prophethood signs in young Muhammad.
206. Tree of Tuba : A blessed tree in Paradise mentioned in Islamic tradition.
207. houri : A celestial maiden in Paradise.
208. pole : Qutb, a spiritual axis or saint in Sufism.
209. al-ṣirāṭ : The narrow bridge over Hell that all must cross on Judgment Day; a key concept in Islamic eschatology.
210. ṣāḥibihi : Refers to Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, the Prophet's companion in the Cave of Thawr during the Hijra.
211. al-ghār : The Cave of Thawr where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid from the Quraysh during the emigration to Medina.
212. Qur'an 3:181 : The verse revealed in response to the Jews' statement, confirming Abu Bakr's action.
213. ʿatīq : A title of Abu Bakr meaning 'freed one' (from Hellfire), also interpreted as 'noble' or 'ancient'.
214. quṭb al-wilāya : The 'pole of sainthood' or spiritual axis in Sufi terminology, denoting the highest rank of saintly authority.
215. laylat al-miʿrāj : The Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad to the heavens.
216. al-Siddiq : Title meaning 'the Truthful' or 'the Veracious', given to Abu Bakr due to his unwavering faith and truthfulness.
217. sahibihi : Refers to the Prophet Muhammad's companion, specifically Abu Bakr, who accompanied him in the cave during the Hijra.
218. al-ghar : The cave of Thawr near Mecca where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid during their migration to Medina.
219. Isra' : The Night Journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem, followed by his Ascension to the heavens.
220. Ansar : The 'Helpers', the Muslim inhabitants of Medina who supported the Prophet and the Muhajirun (emigrants from Mecca).
221. al-naqqash : The engraver or craftsman who carves inscriptions, here on a ring.
222. Badr : The first major battle in Islamic history, fought between the Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca in 624 CE.
223. khalil : A close, intimate friend; in Islamic tradition, Prophet Abraham is called Khalil Allah (Friend of God).
224. al-liwa' al-ma'qud : The 'tied banner', a symbol of leadership and honor, often associated with the Prophet Muhammad.
225. al-shafa'ah al-kubra : The 'Great Intercession', the Prophet Muhammad's intercession on the Day of Resurrection for the entire community.
226. al-maqam al-mahmud : The 'Praised Station', a rank of honor granted to the Prophet Muhammad on the Day of Resurrection.
227. Jannat 'Adn : The Garden of Eden, one of the highest levels of Paradise in Islamic cosmology.
228. zawjayn : Two kinds (of wealth, e.g., two camels, two garments, etc.) or two spouses (husband and wife) in charity.
229. ghār : The cave of Thawr where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid during the Hijra.
230. Isrā' : The Night Journey of the Prophet from Mecca to Jerusalem.
231. Qur'an 81:29 : Verse indicating that human will is subject to Allah's will.
232. Qur'an 9:40 : Verse referring to the Prophet and Abu Bakr in the cave.
233. ḥūr : Maidens of Paradise with beautiful eyes.
234. ṣiddīq : A truthful and righteous person; a title of Abu Bakr.
235. atrā : A colloquial or variant form meaning 'has left' or 'has appointed'.
236. Riḍwān : The angel keeper of Paradise.
237. Mālik : The angel keeper of Hell.
238. ʿAtīq : A title of Abu Bakr meaning 'freed' or 'noble'.
239. Abū Bakr : Literal meaning 'father of the virgin camel' but here a name.
240. al-dhikr : The Remembrance, i.e., the Qur'an.
241. al-ṣidq : The truth; here referring to the Quran and the message of Islam.
242. shīʿatihi : His followers; specifically referring to those who followed the way of Noah.
243. salīm : Sound; referring to a sound heart (qalb salīm) in the context of Ibrahim.
244. anāba ilayya : Turn to Me in repentance; those who turn to Allah.
245. makannā li-Yūsufa : We established Yusuf; giving him power and authority in Egypt.
246. li-yumakkinanna lahum dīnahum : He will surely establish for them their religion; referring to the promise of establishment for the believers.
247. wa-lasawfa yuʿṭīka rabbuka fa-tarḍā : And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied; a promise to the Prophet Muhammad.
248. wa-lasawfa yarḍā : And he will be satisfied; referring to Abu Bakr's satisfaction in the Hereafter.
249. dhū l-faḍli l-ʿaẓīm : Possessor of great bounty; referring to Allah's abundant grace.
250. wa-lā yaʾtali ulū l-faḍli minkum wa-l-saʿati : And let not those among you who have bounty and wealth swear not to give; from Surah al-Nur, verse 22.
251. al-ghār : The cave; referring to the Cave of Thawr where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid during the Hijra.
252. wa-sayaʿlamu alladhīna ẓalamū ayya munqalabin yanqalibūn : And those who have wronged will soon know to what return they will return; from Surah al-Shu'ara, verse 227.
253. lahd : A niche or side cavity in a grave, typical in Islamic burial.
254. musattahan : Made flat or level, as opposed to raised.
255. sahib : Companion, specifically referring to Abu Bakr as the Companion of the Prophet in the cave.
256. al-Siddiq : The Truthful, a title of Abu Bakr.
257. al-Baqi' : The cemetery of Medina, where many Companions are buried.
258. mihrab : Prayer niche indicating the direction of Mecca.
259. al-mawatin al-arba' : The four stations or occasions of Abu Bakr's excellence.
260. ayyam al-ghar : The days in the cave during the Hijra.
261. yawm al-Saqifa : The day of the portico, when Abu Bakr was chosen as caliph.
262. sabihah al-Isra' : The morning after the Night Journey, when Abu Bakr affirmed it.
263. yawm al-Arish : The day of the booth or canopy, referring to the Battle of Badr.
264. Atiq : Freed or noble, a nickname of Abu Bakr.
265. kunya : A teknonym, e.g., Abu Bakr meaning 'father of the young camel'.
266. hamalat al-Arsh : The bearers of the Throne, angels.
267. Dhu al-Sa'a : Possessor of capacity or abundance.
268. Dhu al-Fadl : Possessor of virtue or excellence.
269. Mu'ti : Giver.
270. Mughni : Enricher or one who makes independent.
271. Saduq : Truthful.
272. Sahib : Companion, as in the Quranic verse 'the second of two'.
273. Shafi' : Intercessor.
274. hadirat al-Quds : The Holy Enclosure, a term for Paradise.
275. aqtab : Poles, a Sufi term for spiritual masters.
276. Fatihat al-Kitab : The Opening of the Book, i.e., Surah al-Fatiha.
277. wazir : Vizier or minister, referring to Umar.
278. al-Haqq : The Truth, one of God's names.
279. Yaqsa : A place or a type of she-camel; the exact meaning is uncertain, possibly a proper noun.
280. Kisra : Title of the Sassanid Persian emperors, equivalent to 'Chosroes'.
281. sirr al-lāhūtiyya al-mukhtam : The hidden secret of divinity; a Sufi term referring to the esoteric divine mystery.
282. sharīʿa al-muḥkam : The firm Sharia; the well-established divine law.
283. wazīr : Vizier; here referring to Umar ibn al-Khattab as the 'vizier' or minister of the Prophet.
284. quṭb : Pole; a Sufi term for the highest spiritual authority or axis of the spiritual hierarchy.
285. Abū Ḥafṣ : Abu Hafs; the kunya (patronymic) of Umar ibn al-Khattab.
286. al-Fārūq : Al-Faruq; a title meaning 'the distinguisher between truth and falsehood,' given to Umar.
287. ḥūrī : Houris; celestial maidens in Paradise described in Islamic tradition.
288. muḥaddithūn : Inspired ones; individuals who receive divine inspiration or are spoken to by angels, though not prophets.
289. wazīruhu : His vizier; here referring to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Caliph, who is described as the lamp of Paradise, etc.
290. ṣāḥibī : My companion; referring to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, or Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.
291. Abū Ḥafṣ : The kunya (patronymic) of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, meaning 'father of Hafs'.
292. Qur'an 7:201 : The verse recited by the young man: 'Indeed, those who fear God, when a touch of Satan afflicts them, they remember, and then they see clearly.'
293. Qur'an 55:46 : The verse recited by 'Umar at the grave: 'And for those who fear the standing before their Lord are two gardens.'
294. Sāriyah : A companion and commander of the Muslim army during 'Umar's caliphate; 'Umar is said to have miraculously called out to him from Medina to warn him of an ambush.
295. Sāriyah al-Fatḥ : Sariyah al-Fath: A military expedition led by Sariyah ibn Zunaym, a companion of the Prophet, during the caliphate of 'Umar.
296. maṣnūʿun lahu : Divinely aided: Literally 'made for him,' meaning that he is specially supported by God.
297. al-ʿulamāʾ al-ʿāmilīn : Learned scholars: Scholars who act upon their knowledge.
298. al-awliyāʾ al-wāṣilīn : Arriving saints: Saints who have reached spiritual union with God.
299. wazīrihi : His minister: Refers to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, who is described as the minister of the Prophet Muhammad.
300. Maqām Ibrāhīm : Station of Ibrahim: The stone upon which Abraham stood while building the Kaaba.
301. Qurʾān 2:125 : Quranic verse: 'And take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.'
302. āyat al-ḥijāb : Verse of hijab: Quranic verse commanding the wives of the Prophet to veil themselves (Quran 33:53).
303. Qurʾān 66:5 : Quranic verse: 'Perhaps his Lord, if he divorces you, will give him in exchange wives better than you.'
304. Qurʾān 23:12 : Quranic verse: 'And indeed We created man from an extract of clay.'
305. Qurʾān 23:14 : Quranic verse: 'So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.'
306. ḥūr al-ʿayn : Houris: Beautiful, pure maidens of Paradise.
307. ṣiddīq : Truthful one: A title for Abu Bakr, meaning 'the truthful' or 'the verifier.'
308. Ibn Abī Quḥāfah : Ibn Abi Quhafah: Abu Bakr, whose father's name was Abu Quhafah.
309. al-majdhūb : Attracted: A Sufi term for one who is spiritually drawn to God without formal effort.
310. al-sālik : Wayfarer: A Sufi term for one who travels the spiritual path.
311. al-basmalah : Basmalah: The phrase 'Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim' (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful).
312. Jibrīl : Jibril: The angel Gabriel, who delivers revelation to the prophets.
313. Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib : A prominent Tabi'i (successor of the Companions) and one of the seven jurists of Medina.
314. Umar ibn al-Khattab : The second Caliph of Islam, known for his justice and piety.
315. sajdah : Prostration in Islamic prayer, a sign of submission to Allah.
316. rak'ah : A unit of Islamic prayer, consisting of standing, bowing, and prostrations.
317. al-Miswar ibn Makhramah : A Companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
318. Umm 'Atikah bint 'Awf : A female Companion of the Prophet.
319. Abu Lu'lu'ah : A Persian slave who assassinated Caliph Umar.
320. al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah : A prominent Companion and governor of Kufa.
321. Amir al-Mu'minin : Title meaning 'Commander of the Faithful,' used for the Caliph.
322. kharaj : A land tax imposed on non-Muslim subjects in Islamic states.
323. dirham : A silver coin used in early Islamic times.
324. 'ilj : A term for a non-Arab, often used pejoratively for a non-Muslim.
325. Ka'b al-Ahbar : A Jewish convert to Islam, known for his knowledge of scriptures.
326. Torah : The revealed scripture given to Prophet Moses, considered a holy book in Islam.
327. takbir : The phrase 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Greatest), said at the start of prayer.
328. Kulayb ibn Wa'il al-Laythi : A Companion and ally of Umar.
329. 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf : A prominent Companion and one of the ten promised Paradise.
330. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar : Son of Caliph Umar, a renowned Companion and narrator of hadith.
331. 'A'ishah : Wife of the Prophet Muhammad, daughter of Abu Bakr, and a major source of hadith.
332. Banu 'Adi ibn Ka'b : A clan of the Quraysh tribe, to which 'Umar ibn al-Khattab belonged.
333. Quraysh : The dominant tribe in Mecca at the time of the Prophet Muhammad; the tribe of the Prophet and many early Muslims.
334. vizier : A high-ranking official or minister; here referring to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab as a close advisor to the Prophet.
335. Lamp of the People of Paradise : A title given to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, indicating his high rank in Paradise.
336. Sunna : The practices and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, considered a model for Muslims.
337. ambidextrous : Literally 'left-right', meaning he used both hands equally well.
338. katm : A plant used for dyeing hair, often mixed with henna to produce a reddish-brown color.
339. fierce lion : A metaphor for bravery and strength in battle.
340. Anushirwan : Khosrow I, a Sassanid Persian emperor known for his justice and grandeur.
341. Kisra : Title of the Sassanid emperors of Persia.
342. Suraqa ibn Ju'shum : A Companion who initially pursued the Prophet during the Hijra but later converted to Islam.
343. taghut : A term for false gods or tyrannical rulers who oppose Allah's commands.
344. al-Faruq : A title meaning 'the one who distinguishes between truth and falsehood', given to 'Umar by the Prophet.
345. founder of cities : Referring to 'Umar's establishment of garrison cities like Basra and Kufa.
346. al-Mukhtar : An epithet of the Prophet Muhammad meaning 'the Chosen One'.
347. Day of the Confederates : The Battle of the Trench (Ahzab) when the Muslims were besieged by confederate tribes.
348. Abu Hafs : A kunya (patronymic) of 'Umar, meaning 'father of Hafs' (Hafs was his son).
349. 'Abqari : A term denoting genius or excellence; used by the Prophet to describe 'Umar.
350. Nasir : Meaning 'helper' or 'supporter' in Arabic; a name for 'Umar in the Torah.
351. Siraj : Meaning 'lamp' or 'light' in Arabic; a name for 'Umar in the Gospel.
352. 'Aziz : Meaning 'mighty' or 'dear' in Arabic; a name for 'Umar on the Day of Resurrection.
353. Ibn Mas'ud : Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, a prominent Companion known for his knowledge of the Quran.
354. Hanifite religion : The monotheistic religion of Abraham, often used to refer to Islam.
355. surahs : Chapters of the Quran.
356. Ahmad : Another name of the Prophet Muhammad, meaning 'most praiseworthy'.
357. houris : Beautiful, pure companions in Paradise promised to the righteous.
358. al-Hasan ibn 'Ali : The grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, son of 'Ali and Fatima.
359. pole : In Sufi terminology, the spiritual axis or highest saint of the age.
360. karāmāt : Miracles or extraordinary acts granted by Allah to saints (awliyā') as a sign of their closeness to Him.
361. ḍajī‘ayhi al-karīmayn : His two noble companions, referring to Abu Bakr and Umar, who are buried next to the Prophet in his mosque in Medina.
362. wazīrayhi al-jalīlayn : His two majestic viziers, i.e., Abu Bakr and Umar, who served as the Prophet's chief advisors and successors.
363. Sūrat al-Taḥrīm 66:3 : Quranic verse: 'When the Prophet confided to one of his wives a matter...'
364. Malakut : The realm of divine sovereignty or the angelic realm, often referring to the invisible spiritual world.
365. Night Journey : The Isra and Mi'raj, the miraculous night journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven.
366. Qur'an 14:36 : Part of Abraham's prayer in the Qur'an, showing his mercy and intercession.
367. Qur'an 71:26 : Noah's prayer against the disbelievers, asking for their destruction.
368. Qur'an 10:88 : Moses' prayer against Pharaoh and his people, asking for their punishment.
369. Taybah : Another name for Medina, the city of the Prophet Muhammad.
370. Rafidites : A term used for Shia Muslims who reject the caliphates of Abu Bakr and 'Umar; often considered a derogatory term.
371. Qaf : A mythical mountain range in Islamic cosmology, often associated with the unseen world.
372. al-Khidr : A righteous servant of God mentioned in the Quran, known for his wisdom and longevity.
373. Iblis : The name of Satan in Islam, the jinn who refused to prostrate to Adam.
374. Abu Hafs : A kunya (patronymic) of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, meaning 'father of Hafs'.
375. al-'Atiq : A title of Abu Bakr, meaning 'the freed one' or 'the noble'.
376. Dhu al-Nurayn : Title of 'Uthman ibn 'Affan meaning 'possessor of two lights', referring to his marriage to two of the Prophet's daughters.
377. Jahiliyya : The period of ignorance before the advent of Islam in Arabia.
378. Dhu al-Nurayn : Title meaning 'Possessor of the Two Lights', given to 'Uthman ibn 'Affan because he married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum.
379. rak'ah : A unit of Islamic prayer, consisting of a sequence of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting.
380. Bi'r Rumah : A well in Medina that 'Uthman purchased and endowed for the use of the Muslims.
381. Jaysh al-'Usrah : The 'Army of Hardship', referring to the Muslim army during the expedition to Tabuk in 9 AH, which faced severe difficulties and scarcity of resources.
382. Dhat al-Sawari : A naval battle fought between the Muslims and the Byzantine Empire in 34 AH (655 CE), also known as the Battle of the Masts.
383. Ifriqiya : A historical region covering present-day Tunisia, eastern Algeria, and western Libya, conquered during 'Uthman's caliphate.
384. Āl : Family or household; in Islamic context, often refers to the Prophet's family and close relatives.
385. Dhū al-Nūrayn : Title meaning 'Possessor of the Two Lights,' given to ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan because he married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad, Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum.
386. mutawātir : A term in Islamic sciences referring to a report transmitted by such a large number of narrators that it is impossible for them to have conspired to fabricate it, thus yielding certain knowledge.
387. Dhu al-Nurayn : Title meaning 'Possessor of the Two Lights', given to Uthman ibn Affan because he married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad, Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum.
388. Indeed, those for whom the best [reward] has preceded from Us : Reference to Quran 21:101, interpreted by some as referring to Uthman.
389. Muhajirun : The early Muslims who emigrated from Mecca to Medina with the Prophet Muhammad.
390. khabis : A sweet dish made from flour, butter, and honey, similar to halwa.
391. Rabi'a and Mudar : Two large tribal confederations in pre-Islamic and early Islamic Arabia, used here to denote a vast number.
392. Surah al-Nur : Chapter 24 of the Quran, meaning 'The Light'.
393. Sirat : The bridge over Hell that all must cross on the Day of Judgment; the righteous pass safely, the wicked fall.
394. pole : Arabic 'qutb', a term in Sufism for the highest spiritual authority or axis of the spiritual hierarchy.
395. wilāya : Spiritual authority or sainthood; a high rank of closeness to God.
396. hidāya : Guidance; the path of divine guidance.
397. karāmāt : Miracles or extraordinary acts performed by saints (awliyā') as a sign of divine favor.
398. Dhū al-Nūrayn : Title meaning 'Possessor of the Two Lights,' referring to Uthman ibn Affan, who married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad.
399. ḥawrā' 'aynā' : A wide-eyed hour; a beautiful maiden of Paradise with large, dark eyes.
400. rak'a : A unit of Islamic prayer, consisting of specific movements and recitations.
401. al-Bayt : The Kaaba in Mecca, the sacred House of God.
402. Bi'r Rūma : A well in Medina purchased and endowed by Uthman for public use.
403. Jaysh al-'Usra : The 'Army of Hardship,' referring to the expedition to Tabuk, which Uthman financed.
404. al-Ghār : The cave; likely referring to the Cave of Thawr where the Prophet and Abu Bakr hid during the Hijra.
405. shahīd al-dār : Martyr of the house; Uthman was martyred in his home during the siege.
406. al-Furqān : The Criterion; a name for the Quran, distinguishing truth from falsehood.
407. ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā : The Festival of Sacrifice, one of the two major Islamic holidays.
408. Dhu al-Nurayn : Title meaning 'Possessor of the Two Lights,' given to Uthman because he married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum.
409. Is one who is devoutly obedient... : Quran 39:9, often cited as revealed concerning Uthman due to his night prayers.
410. Not upon those who believe... : Reference to Quran 5:93, which absolves believers from blame for what they have eaten if they are righteous.
411. infallible pole : Concept in Sufism referring to the highest spiritual authority (al-quṭb), considered infallible.
412. Abu Amr : A kunya (patronymic) of Uthman ibn Affan.
413. Whoever comes with a good deed... : Quran 6:160.
414. Dhu al-Nurayn : Title meaning 'Possessor of the Two Lights,' given to Uthman ibn Affan because he married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum.
415. hatif : An invisible caller or voice from the unseen, often believed to be an angel or a divine message.
416. hajara al-hijratayn : He made two migrations: first to Abyssinia and then to Medina.
417. salla al-qiblatayn : He prayed toward two qiblas: first toward Jerusalem and later toward Mecca after the direction was changed.
418. Bay'at al-Ridwan : The Pledge of Good Pleasure, also known as the Pledge of the Tree, taken by the Companions under a tree at Hudaybiyyah, signifying their allegiance to the Prophet.
419. Abu 'Amr : A kunya (patronymic) of Uthman ibn Affan, meaning 'father of Amr.'
420. Sayhal : A name or title mentioned in some traditions for Uthman on the Day of Resurrection, possibly meaning 'one who cries out' or 'one who is distinguished.'
421. End of the virtues... in this book : This indicates the conclusion of a section or chapter in the original text.
422. al-Batul : Title meaning 'the Virgin' or 'the Chaste,' often used for Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and wife of Ali.
423. faḥl al-fuḥūl : Literally 'the stallion of stallions', a superlative epithet for Ali ibn Abi Talib, indicating his supreme excellence and manliness.
424. al-batūl : An epithet for Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, meaning 'the pure' or 'the virgin', emphasizing her chastity and devotion.
425. hadith al-manzila : The famous 'Hadith of Position', where the Prophet likens Ali's relation to him as Aaron to Moses, except that there is no prophet after Muhammad.
426. ḥumr al-naʿam : Literally 'red camels', a metaphor for the most valuable worldly possessions, indicating that guiding one person to faith is better than all material wealth.
427. al-Anṣār : The 'Helpers', the Medinan converts who supported the Prophet and the Meccan emigrants after the Hijra.
428. al-Makkī al-Tihāmī al-Najdī : Epithets referring to the Prophet's origins: Meccan (from Mecca), Tihami (from the coastal plain of Tihama), and Najdi (from the highland of Najd).
429. rakʿatayn : Two units of Islamic prayer, each consisting of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting.
430. al-ghurr al-muḥajjalīn : Literally 'the bright-faced ones with white markings', a term for the righteous who will have radiant faces on the Day of Judgment.
431. al-qaḍīb al-aḥmar : The 'red rod', a symbolic object in Paradise, representing the love of Ali as a means of salvation.
432. al-Aḥmadiyya : Derived from Ahmad, one of the Prophet's names, meaning 'the most praiseworthy'; here it refers to the prophetic lineage or essence.
433. al-batūl : A title for Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, meaning 'the pure virgin' or 'the chaste one'.
434. faḥl al-fuḥūl : Literally 'the stallion of stallions', a superlative expression meaning 'the supreme paragon' or 'the most excellent'.
435. wilāyah : Guardianship, authority, or loyalty; in this context, it refers to the spiritual and temporal authority of Ali.
436. uwānīka : A rare verb form meaning 'to befriend' or 'to take as a close friend'; derived from the root w-n-y, related to affection.
437. Sūrat al-Ḥāqqah 69:12 : Quranic verse: 'That an attentive ear may retain it.'
438. Abū al-Ḥasan : A kunya (patronymic) of Ali ibn Abi Talib, meaning 'father of al-Hasan'.
439. al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī : A renowned early Islamic scholar and ascetic (642–728 CE), known for his piety and wisdom.
440. rabbānī : A spiritual master or divine scholar; one who is deeply learned in religious sciences and devoted to God.
441. Ṭaybah : A name for Medina, meaning 'the good' or 'the pleasant'.
442. al-Ṣahbā' : A location near Khaybar, possibly a valley or plain.
443. Diḥyah al-Kalbī : A companion of the Prophet known for his handsome appearance; he was often sent as an envoy to Byzantine rulers.
444. Amīr al-Mu'minīn : Title meaning 'Commander of the Faithful', traditionally used for the caliphs, especially Ali.
445. al-ghurr al-muḥajjalūn : A description of the righteous on the Day of Judgment, whose faces and limbs will be bright from ablution; here used metaphorically for the blessed.
446. naghma : A melodic tone or sound, often associated with the voices of angels in Islamic tradition.
447. karamat : Miraculous acts or wonders performed by saints or righteous individuals, distinct from prophetic miracles.
448. al-Batul : An epithet of Fatima, meaning 'the virgin' or 'the chaste', emphasizing her purity.
449. Abu al-Hasan : A kunya (patronymic) of 'Ali, meaning 'father of al-Hasan', referring to his son Hasan.
450. takbir : The phrase 'Allahu Akbar' (God is Great), said at the beginning of prayer and during its various parts.
451. rak'ah : A unit of Islamic prayer, consisting of a sequence of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting.
452. Hashimite : Belonging to the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, to which the Prophet Muhammad and 'Ali belonged.
453. las'a : A sting, likely referring to a scorpion sting or similar, mentioned in the original context.
454. ibn 'ammihi : His cousin, i.e., 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.
455. al-Batul : A title for Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, meaning 'the chaste' or 'the virgin'.
456. تِلْكَ الْمَدِينَةُ : That city: likely refers to Medina, the city of the Prophet, or a specific city mentioned in the context of the text.
457. الْبَتُول : al-Batul: a title for Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, meaning 'the chaste' or 'the pure virgin'.
458. الرُّكْنِ وَالْمَقَامِ : the Corner and the Station: the Black Stone corner of the Ka'ba and the Station of Abraham (Maqam Ibrahim).
459. الْغُرِّ الْمُحَجَّلِينَ : al-ghurr al-muhajjalin: 'the bright-faced ones' refers to those who will have bright faces and limbs on the Day of Resurrection due to the effects of ablution.
460. الْمُقَرَّبِينَ : al-muqarrabin: 'the near ones' or 'those brought near' to Allah, often referring to the highest ranks of angels or saints.
461. بَيْتًا أُمٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ : The text appears incomplete; likely a reference to leaving a house or family. The phrase 'ummun min 'indika' may mean 'a mother from you' or 'a house from you'.
462. الْأَبْطَحِ : al-Abtah: a place in Mecca, a valley or open area near the Ka'ba.
463. ﴿أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَايَةَ الْحَاجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ كَمَنْ آمَنَ﴾ : Quran 9:19: 'Have you made the giving of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque equal to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in the cause of Allah?' The verse continues to emphasize the superiority of faith and striving.
464. ibn 'ammihi : His cousin, referring to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.
465. fahl al-fuhul : Literally 'the stallion of stallions,' a superlative epithet for 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, denoting his preeminence in courage and virtue.
466. wazir : Vizier or minister; here used to denote 'Ali's role as a close supporter and advisor to the Prophet.
467. al-'adhrā' al-batūl : The virgin, the pure one; referring to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet and wife of 'Ali.
468. ta'wīl : Interpretation or esoteric exegesis of the Qur'an, as opposed to tanzīl (revelation).
469. khāṣif al-na'l : The mender of the sandal; a title for 'Ali, referring to the incident where the Prophet gave him his sandal to repair.
470. Ṭūbā : A tree in Paradise mentioned in the Qur'an (13:29); also a term for bliss or blessedness.
471. Ḥaydar : A name for 'Ali meaning 'lion,' often used as an epithet for his bravery.
472. Jibrīl : The angel Gabriel, the messenger of revelation to the prophets.
473. Sharī'a : Islamic law derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
474. taḥannuth : Devotional practice, often referring to seclusion for worship, as the Prophet used to do in the cave of Hira.
475. Isrā' : The Night Journey of the Prophet from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven.
476. Barzakh : The intermediate state between death and the Resurrection; also the realm of the dead.
477. karāmāt : Miracles or extraordinary acts performed by saints (awliya') as a sign of divine favor, distinct from the miracles (mu'jizāt) of prophets.
478. faḥl al-fuḥūl : Literally 'stallion of stallions,' a superlative epithet for Ali ibn Abi Talib, emphasizing his unparalleled excellence and strength.
479. al-Batūl : An epithet for Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, meaning 'the chaste' or 'the virgin,' referring to her purity and devotion.
480. Abū al-Ḥasan : The kunya (patronymic) of Ali ibn Abi Talib, meaning 'father of Hasan,' referring to his eldest son.
481. kunya : A teknonym or patronymic name in Arabic culture, typically beginning with 'Abu' (father of) or 'Umm' (mother of), used as a respectful form of address.
482. Jabal Abī Qubays : A mountain in Mecca, near the Kaaba, associated with various Islamic traditions and miracles.
483. Anṣār : The 'Helpers,' the inhabitants of Medina who supported the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims after the Hijra (migration) from Mecca.
484. al-ʿurwa al-wuthqā : The 'firmest handle,' a Quranic phrase (2:256) symbolizing the strongest bond of faith and reliance on God.
485. quṭb al-warā : The 'pole of creation,' a Sufi term for the highest-ranking saint (wali) who serves as the spiritual axis of the universe.
486. Abā al-Sibṭayn : An epithet for Ali, meaning 'father of the two grandsons,' referring to his sons Hasan and Husayn, the grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad.
487. al-Kawthar : A river in Paradise promised to the Prophet Muhammad, also the name of Surah 108 in the Quran, symbolizing abundant blessings.
488. Iblis : The name of Satan in Islam, the chief of the jinn who refused to prostrate to Adam.
489. Sunna : The practices and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, considered a model for Muslims.
490. noble recording angels : The angels (Kiraman Katibin) who record every person's deeds, both good and bad.
491. shaykhs : Respected elders or spiritual masters, often used for scholars or Sufi guides.
492. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri : A companion of the Prophet Muhammad, known for narrating many hadiths.
493. jihad : Struggle or striving in the way of God, often referring to spiritual struggle or armed defense of Islam.
494. taqwa : God-consciousness, piety, fear of God, or mindfulness of divine commands and prohibitions.
495. no standing : Literally 'no foot' (qadam), meaning no spiritual rank, merit, or established virtue.
496. Abu al-Hasan : A title of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.
497. Istighfar : Seeking forgiveness from God, often through the phrase 'Astaghfirullah' (I seek forgiveness from God).
498. al-Hasan : Al-Hasan ibn Ali, the eldest son of Imam Ali and Fatima, and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
499. Jabir : Jabir ibn Abd Allah al-Ansari, a prominent companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
500. term : Refers to one's appointed lifespan or the time of death.
501. Subhan Allah : Glory be to God; a phrase of exaltation and praise.
502. al-batūl : A title for Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, meaning 'the pure virgin' or 'the chaste one,' emphasizing her piety and separation from worldly affairs.
503. al-ʿārifūn : The knowers or gnostics; those who have deep spiritual knowledge and intimate awareness of God through direct experience and purification.
504. dabsiyya : A type of bird, possibly a species of dove or pigeon, mentioned in Islamic tradition for its specific glorification.
505. metamorphosed : Refers to humans who were transformed into animals as a divine punishment for their sins, as described in Islamic eschatology and folklore.
506. Qadari : A theological term referring to those who believe in free will and deny divine predestination, considered a deviant sect in early Islam.
507. ʿārif : A gnostic or knower of God in Sufi terminology, one who has direct experiential knowledge of the Divine.
508. nāsik : A devout worshipper or ascetic, one who performs acts of devotion and piety.
509. majdhūb : One who is spiritually attracted or drawn to God, often in a state of ecstatic absorption.
510. sālik : A wayfarer on the spiritual path, one who traverses the stages of spiritual development.
511. faḥl al-fuḥūl : Literally 'the stallion of stallions,' a superlative expression denoting the preeminent master or chief, here referring to Imam Ali.
512. al-ʿadhrāʾ al-batūl : The virgin, the chaste one, referring to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and wife of Ali.
513. karāmāt : Miracles or wondrous acts performed by saints (awliya') as a sign of divine favor, distinct from the prophetic miracles (muʿjizāt).
514. quṭb : The 'pole' or 'axis' in Sufism, the highest-ranking saint in a given era who serves as the spiritual center of the universe.
515. النَّامُوس : The Law; here referring to the divine law or revelation, often associated with Gabriel.
516. الدَّبَرَان : Aldebaran, a bright star in the constellation Taurus.
517. السَّرَطَان : Cancer, the zodiac constellation.
518. الزَّبْرَقَان : The lion; here referring to the zodiac sign Leo or a specific star.
519. الحَمَل : Aries, the zodiac constellation.
520. زُحَل : Saturn, the planet.
521. الشَّوْل : The tail; here referring to the tail of a constellation, possibly Scorpio.
522. نَسَر : Vulture; a star or constellation, possibly Aquila.
523. الفِيل : The elephant; a constellation or star, possibly part of the zodiac.
524. الزِّمَار : The flute; here possibly a metaphorical term for a celestial object or a barrier.
525. الفِتْرَة : The interval; a period of time between prophets or events.
526. الهِجْرَة : The migration; specifically the Hijra of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.
527. الغَمْرَة : The flood; a deluge or overwhelming event.
528. الكَسَاكِس : The one who breaks bones; a metaphorical term for a fierce leader or tribe.
529. العَبَابِس : The frowning ones; a term for a group of fierce warriors or a tribe.
530. خُرَاسَان : Khurasan; a historical region in Central Asia, often associated with Islamic scholarship and conquest.
531. قُطْب : Pole; in Sufism, the spiritual axis or highest saint of the age.
532. سَمَقدَل : Ladder; a term for a celestial ladder or structure.
533. سَرِير : Throne; a celestial seat or throne.
534. الصِّرَاح : The bridge; possibly the bridge over hell (Sirat) or a celestial path.
535. المَعْمُور : The inhabited; referring to the inhabited world or the celestial realm.
536. كَيْوَان : Saturn; the planet, also used as a title for a leader.
537. الفَرَاقِد : The stars; specifically the stars of the Little Bear (Ursa Minor).
538. العَسَاسِع : The winds; a term for strong winds or a constellation.
539. الشَّوَامِس : The suns; plural of sun, referring to bright celestial bodies.
540. البُهْوَى : The void; the empty space or the abyss.
541. شِعْرَى : Sirius; the brightest star in the night sky.
542. النُّشْرَة : The charm; a term for a magical charm or a constellation.
543. الزُّهْرَة : Venus; the planet.
544. مُشْتَرِي : Jupiter; the planet.
545. الشَّرْطِين : The two signs; possibly the two stars in the constellation Aries.
546. البَطِين : The belly; a constellation or star, possibly part of Hydra.
547. الإِكْلِيل : The crown; a constellation, possibly Corona Borealis.
548. عُطَارِد : Mercury; the planet.
549. فَرْقَد : Calf; a star in the Little Bear (Ursa Minor).
550. السِّمَاك : The star; specifically Spica (Virgo) or Arcturus (Boötes).
551. مِرِّيخ : Mars; the planet.
552. البُرَاق : Buraq; the mythical steed that carried the Prophet Muhammad during the Night Journey.
553. murīdīn : Seekers or disciples in Sufism, those who follow a spiritual path.
554. Amīr al-Mu'minīn : Commander of the Faithful, a title for the caliph or leader of the Muslim community.
555. Muṣḥaf : A codex or written copy of the Quran.
556. Yāfith : Japheth, son of Noah in biblical tradition, here used symbolically.
557. al-Baqarah : The Cow, the second chapter of the Quran.
558. Āl 'Imrān : The Family of Imran, the third chapter of the Quran.
559. al-An'ām : The Cattle, the sixth chapter of the Quran.
560. al-Nisā' : Women, the fourth chapter of the Quran.
561. al-A'rāf : The Heights, the seventh chapter of the Quran.
562. al-Anfāl : The Spoils, the eighth chapter of the Quran.
563. Hūd : Hud, a prophet and the eleventh chapter of the Quran.
564. al-Kahf : The Cave, the eighteenth chapter of the Quran.
565. al-Ṣaff : The Row, the sixty-first chapter of the Quran.
566. al-Furqān : The Criterion, a name for the Quran and the twenty-fifth chapter.
567. al-Burhān : The Clear Proof, a term for divine evidence.
568. al-Burāq : The mythical steed that carried the Prophet Muhammad during the Night Journey.
569. Shamlāṣ : An obscure term, possibly a proper name or a type of sandal.
570. Khubt : An obscure term, possibly meaning 'ring' or 'circle'.
571. Jarjas : Possibly a reference to Saint George or a figure associated with the Franks.
572. Zurkam : An obscure term, possibly a proper name.
573. Ghaylān : A proper name, possibly referring to a tribe or person.
574. Barsam : An obscure term, possibly meaning 'head' or 'chief'.
575. Laus : An obscure term, possibly a proper name.
576. Sudūs : An obscure term, possibly a type of garment or a place.
577. Salamah : A proper name, meaning 'safety' or 'peace'.
578. Zawdar : An obscure term, possibly meaning 'error' or 'sin'.
579. Shanshāb : An obscure term, possibly a proper name.
580. Dawshān : An obscure term, possibly a proper name or title.
581. Maymūn : A proper name meaning 'blessed' or 'auspicious'.
582. Zurmalaaj : An obscure term, possibly a type of horse or a proper name.
583. al-Maḥshar : The Gathering, the place of resurrection.
584. Sāqī : The waterer or cupbearer, often referring to the one who gives the drink of Kawthar.
585. Kawthar : A river in Paradise, also the name of the 108th chapter of the Quran.
586. al-Mukhtār : The Chosen, a title for the Prophet Muhammad.
587. Badr wa Ḥunayn : Two famous battles in early Islamic history.
588. al-Ṭawāsīn : Chapters of the Quran that begin with the letters Ta Sin, such as Surah al-Naml.
589. Yā Sīn : The 36th chapter of the Quran, often called the heart of the Quran.
590. Ḥawāmīm : Chapters of the Quran that begin with the letters Ha Mim, such as Surah Ghafir.
591. Mīm : The Arabic letter M, possibly referring to the opening of Surah Al 'Imran.
592. al-Zumar : The Throngs, the 39th chapter of the Quran.
593. al-Najm : The Star, the 53rd chapter of the Quran.
594. al-Ṭūr : The Mount, the 52nd chapter of the Quran.
595. Atīd : A term meaning 'ready' or 'prepared', possibly referring to a recording angel.
596. Qāf : The 50th chapter of the Quran, also a mystical letter.
597. al-Aḥqāf : The Sand Dunes, the 46th chapter of the Quran.
598. al-Ṣāffāt : The Rangers, the 37th chapter of the Quran.
599. al-Dhāriyāt : The Scatterers, the 51st chapter of the Quran.
600. al-Munāqi'ah : The Disputer, possibly referring to Surah al-Mujadilah (58).
601. Saba' : Sheba, the 34th chapter of the Quran.
602. al-Wāqi'ah : The Event, the 56th chapter of the Quran.
603. al-Aḥzāb : The Confederates, the 33rd chapter of the Quran.
604. al-Nūn wa al-Qalam : Nun and the Pen, referring to the 68th chapter of the Quran.
605. Hal Atā : Has There Come, the opening words of Surah al-Insan (76).
606. Jabal Qāf : The mythical mountain Qaf in Islamic cosmology.
607. Naysān : An obscure term, possibly meaning 'spring' or a proper name.
608. al-Batūl : The Virgin, a title for Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet.
609. Shīth : Seth, son of Adam, here used symbolically.
610. Sa'd : A proper name meaning 'good fortune'.
611. al-Na'ā'imah : An obscure term, possibly a tribe or place.
612. Azhar : A proper name meaning 'bright' or 'radiant'.
613. Karz : An obscure term, possibly meaning 'treasure' or a proper name.
614. Biṭris : Peter, the apostle, here used symbolically.
615. Ashmūs : An obscure term, possibly a proper name or title.
616. Quṭb al-Aqṭāb : The Pole of Poles, the highest spiritual authority in Sufism.
617. al-Mahdī : The guided one, a messianic figure in Islam.
618. Layth : A proper name meaning 'lion'.
619. Ghālib : A proper name meaning 'victorious'.
620. Quraysh : The dominant tribe in Mecca at the time of the Prophet Muhammad.
621. Abu al-Hasan : A kunya (patronymic) of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, meaning 'father of al-Hasan'.
622. al-Batul : An epithet of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, meaning 'the chaste' or 'the virgin'.
623. Ansar : The 'Helpers,' the Muslim inhabitants of Medina who supported the Prophet after his migration.
624. Abu Turab : A nickname given to 'Ali by the Prophet, meaning 'father of dust'.
625. Commander of the Faithful : A title for the caliph, here referring to 'Ali.
626. Umm Kulthum : The daughter of 'Ali and Fatima, and wife of Caliph 'Umar.
627. Khawarij : An early Islamic sect that opposed 'Ali and later assassinated him.
628. month : Referring to Ramadan, the month in which 'Ali was assassinated.
629. ship : A reference to the story of Noah's ark, implying 'Ali's righteousness.
630. Mathani : A term for the seven oft-repeated verses (Surah al-Fatiha) or the Quran.
631. Abu Husayn : A kunya of 'Ali, meaning 'father of al-Husayn'.
632. Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami : A companion and narrator of hadith.
633. Shabib : One of the assassins who struck at 'Ali but missed.
634. 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam : The Kharijite who assassinated 'Ali.
635. hamstrung the she-camel : Refers to the story of Prophet Salih and the she-camel; the hamstringer was the most wretched of the former peoples.
636. two Iraqs : Refers to Basra and Kufa, or the regions of Iraq.
637. Qatam : The name of the woman Ibn Muljam was to marry, who demanded 'Ali's death as a dowry.
638. Ibn Muljam : Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam, the Kharijite who assassinated Ali.
639. Moses son of Imran : Biblical Moses, son of Amram; a reference to the hadith comparing Ali's relation to Muhammad as Aaron's to Moses.
640. al-Zahra : Epithet of Fatima, meaning 'the luminous' or 'the radiant'.
641. Abu al-Hasan : Kunya of Ali, meaning 'father of Hasan'.
642. Salsabil : A spring in Paradise mentioned in the Qur'an (76:18).
643. two migrations : The migration to Abyssinia and the migration to Medina.
644. two qiblas : Jerusalem and Mecca; Ali prayed toward both before the qibla was changed.
645. two grandsons : Hasan and Husayn, the sons of Ali and Fatima.
646. 'Ali : Arabic for 'exalted' or 'high'.
647. Wali : Arabic for 'friend' or 'protector'.
648. Sakhi : Arabic for 'generous'.
649. Zaki : Arabic for 'pure'.
650. Raki : Arabic for 'noble' or 'excellent'.
651. Haydara : Epithet of Ali meaning 'lion'.
652. Saqi : Arabic for 'water-giver' or 'cupbearer'.
653. kunya : An honorific name beginning with 'Abu' (father of) or 'Umm' (mother of).
654. Abu Turab : Kunya meaning 'father of dust', given by the Prophet.
655. two Hasans : Hasan and Husayn, the grandsons of the Prophet.
656. Opening of the Book : Surah al-Fatiha, the first chapter of the Qur'an.
657. Sam : Possibly Shem, son of Noah, or a reference to a prophet or book.
658. التَّهَامِ : Tihami: referring to the region of Tihamah in Arabia, often associated with the Quraysh tribe, especially the Prophet Muhammad's lineage.
659. قِبْلَةِ : Qibla: the direction of prayer (towards the Kaaba in Mecca), here used metaphorically as the focal point of worship.
660. وَالتِّينِ... : References to Surah At-Tin (95:1-3): 'By the fig and the olive, and Mount Sinai, and this secure city.' The interpretation given here allegorically identifies these with the four caliphs.
661. سُورَةَ الْعَصْرِ : Surat al-'Asr (Chapter 103): 'By the time, indeed mankind is in loss.' The hadith interprets 'mankind' as Abu Jahl, a staunch opponent of Islam.
662. أَبُو جَهْلٍ : Abu Jahl: a leading polytheist and enemy of the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca.
663. التَّكْبِيرَةِ الْأُولَى : Takbir: the phrase 'Allahu Akbar' (God is Great). The first takbir is the opening of the prayer.
664. عَيْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ : 'Ayn 'Abd Allah: literally 'the eye of the servant of God,' here a symbolic name for Abu Bakr.
665. سَبَكٍ ذَهَبٍ : Sabak dhahab: pure, unalloyed gold.
666. ثَلَاثِ وَعَشَرَاتٍ : Three tens: possibly referring to a specific formula of thirty phrases or repetitions, though the exact meaning is unclear.
667. wuzarā' : Viziers; ministers or close companions of the Prophet, here referring to the four Rightly Guided Caliphs.
668. budūr : Full moons; a metaphor for the luminous and perfect nature of the companions.
669. ahillah : Crescents; a metaphor for the increasing light and guidance of the companions.
670. khulafā' : Successors; the four Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali.
671. al-Ṣiddīq : The Truthful; a title of Abu Bakr, emphasizing his unwavering faith.
672. zindīq : Heretic; one who holds beliefs contrary to orthodox Islam.
673. Basmala : The phrase 'Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm' (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful).
674. al-Khaṭṭāb : Umar's father's name; Umar ibn al-Khattab is the second Caliph.
675. Saqar : One of the levels of Hellfire, mentioned in the Quran.
676. ʿAffān : Uthman's father's name; Uthman ibn Affan is the third Caliph.
677. Abī Ṭālib : Ali's father; Ali ibn Abi Talib is the fourth Caliph and cousin of the Prophet.
678. walī : Friend or saint; one who is close to Allah.
679. imām : Leader; here referring to the Prophet as the foremost leader of the righteous.
680. awliyā' : Friends of Allah; saints or those close to Him.
681. ʿArafāt : The plain near Mecca where pilgrims gather on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah during Hajj.
682. Quran 18:30-31 : Reference to the Quranic verses about gardens of perpetual residence for believers.
683. Firdaws : The highest level of Paradise.
684. quṭb : Pole or axis; a spiritual leader in Sufism, here applied to the Prophet.
685. maʿārif : Gnosis; spiritual knowledge of divine mysteries.
686. ʿawārif : Spiritual knowledge or gifts; often used in Sufi contexts.
687. Mīzān : The Scale on which deeds are weighed on Judgment Day.
688. Ḥawḍ : The Basin (of the Prophet) from which the faithful drink on Judgment Day.
689. Ṣirāṭ : The Path (bridge) over Hell that all must cross on Judgment Day.
690. al-budūr al-ahillah : Literally 'the full moons that are crescents'; a metaphorical expression for the four caliphs, indicating their exalted status as full moons yet humble like crescents.
691. khulafā'uhu al-arba‘ah al-ajillah : His four noble successors: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, and 'Ali, the first four caliphs of Islam.
692. Qur'an 15:47 : Surah Al-Hijr, verse 47.
693. al-Rawāfiḍ : A term used for those who reject the legitimacy of the first three caliphs and hold extreme views regarding the Imamate of 'Ali; often refers to Shi'a groups.
694. al-khuṣūṣ : The elite; here referring to the special ones who are honored by love of the Prophet.
695. Qur'an 87:14 : Surah Al-A'la, verse 14.
696. Qur'an 92:17-18 : Surah Al-Layl, verses 17-18.
697. Qur'an 62:9 : Surah Al-Jumu'ah, verse 9.
698. dhikr Allah : Remembrance of Allah; includes prayer, recitation of Quran, and mindfulness of God.
699. tahajjud : The night prayer performed after sleeping, considered a supererogatory act.
700. nafilatan laka : An extra obligation specifically for the Prophet, indicating a supererogatory act that became obligatory for him.
701. kānū qalīlan mina al-layli mā yahja‘ūn : Quran 51:17; describing the righteous who sleep little at night.
702. fī sabīli Allah : In the way of Allah; refers to striving in God's cause, including jihad.
703. ṣaffan ka’annahum bunyānun marṣūṣ : Quran 61:4; likening believers fighting in ranks to a solid structure.
704. Ja‘far al-Ṣādiq : The sixth Shia Imam, known for his knowledge and piety; a descendant of the Prophet.
705. ‘ārifīn : Gnostics; those who have direct knowledge of God through spiritual experience.
706. ḥilm al-sharā’i‘ : The knowledge of religious laws; understanding of legal rulings.
707. inbisāṭ : Expansion; a spiritual state of openness and joy in worship.
708. tafakkur : Reflection; deep contemplation on the meanings of knowledge.
709. tadabbur : Deliberation; pondering the implications and wisdom behind knowledge.
710. ‘ilm al-ḥaqā’iq : Science of realities; esoteric knowledge of divine truths.
711. inqibāḍ : Contraction; a spiritual state of awe and restraint in the presence of divine majesty.
712. al-ḥaqīqah al-Aḥmadiyyah : The Ahmadic reality; the primordial spiritual essence of the Prophet Muhammad.
713. Uways al-Qaranī : A famous ascetic from Yemen who never met the Prophet but was deeply devoted to him.
714. Ibn Abī Quḥāfah : Abu Bakr; the first caliph, father of Aisha.
715. yawm al-Saqīfah : The day of Saqifa; the meeting after the Prophet's death where Abu Bakr was chosen as caliph.
716. Abū Ḥafṣ : Umar ibn al-Khattab; his kunya (patronymic) meaning 'father of Hafs'.
717. ramyuhu al-shayṭān : Reference to a tradition that Satan would flee from Umar's path.
718. al-Fārūq : The distinguisher; a title of Umar for his ability to distinguish truth from falsehood.
719. ḥafara al-bi’r : Uthman purchased the well of Rumah and made it available for public use.
720. jahhaza al-jaysh : Uthman equipped the army of Tabuk with his own wealth.
721. ahdā al-hady : Uthman sent sacrificial animals to Mecca during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
722. yāṭūfa bi al-bayt : Circumambulate the Kaaba; Uthman refrained from performing Umrah when the Prophet was prevented.
723. bay‘at Riḍwān : The pledge of satisfaction; the oath of allegiance taken under a tree at Hudaybiyyah.