This is a very beautiful poem of our Sheikh R.A, with Haramain-e-Sharifain in our minds, it has different connotations and inspirations. The travel to Makkah and Madinah Sharif are filled with inspirations. One is the outward Ziyaaret, where we present ourselves before Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and recite our Salaam. If we are blessed with an opportunity to recite with ease at the Rawdah Mubarak, we feel quite pleased with ourselves. The other aspect is the internal feeling, perhaps a person didn’t manage getting to the front of Rawdah-e-Mubarak, but his heart is filled with the love of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Durood and Salaawat on his tongue, etc. The same applies to Makkah Sharif as well. One person managed getting to the Hajar-e-Aswad and feels extremely happy with himself whilst another person made Tawaaf on the outer section of the Mataaf, yet internally he was filled with spirituality.

The external aspect of Deen can be acquired from the Darul Uloom, but the internal aspect of Deen is from within the hearts. There are two types of wealth in this regard, a person has properties, flashy cars, big bank balances, etc. yet another possesses internal wealth. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said,

ليْسَ الغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ العَرَضِ وَلكِنَّ الغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ

Independence is not by having plenty of goods, rather independence is independence of the heart.

The internal wealth is contentment of the heart, love of Allah, concern of the Aakhirah, etc. One may own the material wealth of the world which is actually external wealth, yet another does not possess a luxurious home, motor car, etc. yet no one knows of the treasures hidden in his heart. There could also be a third person that has been blessed with both, the external wealth of the world as well as the treasures of the heart.

The effort of the Khanqah is to acquire the treasure of the heart. This treasure is not only for the poor, or the rich, rather it is for one and all. This is the lesson to learn from visiting the Haramain-e-Sharifain.

In this poem Hadrat says,

میرا  کوئی نہیں آہ تیرے سوا

There isn’t anyone for me besides You (O Allah)

The manifestation of this is at the Haram Sharif of Makkah Mukarramah. A person goes for Haj or Umrah with perhaps his family members, or a few friends, or even better, he is alone with millions of people around yet he doesn’t know anyone. In spite of the millions around, he is alone. He then realises, “There isn’t anyone for me, O Allah, besides You.”

A person goes a little late to the Haram is unable to find any place, yet the Haram has been extended extensively, and is so spacious. In the ladies section, Sajda is not possible at times. This also reminds us of the day of Qiyaamah. When Ibrahim n made the following Dua, he had actually done a great favour to us by supplicating,

فاجعل افئدة من الناس تهوي اليهم

Let the hearts of some of the people incline towards them

This means that a small group of people should come to Makkah Sharif, this small group runs into millions today. What would have our condition been, if he made Dua that the entire world must come to Makkah Sharif. This itself is a clear proof that our Shariat is the pure Deen of Allah Ta'ala as Haj is obligatory once in a person’s lifetime, upon those people that can afford it financially and physically. What if Haj was made obligatory every year? The few millions that attend the yearly Haj, are such huge crowds.

Can we then imagine the scenario of the Day of Qiyaamah? The entire mankind, from the time of Adam n till Qiyaamah will all be present. When experiencing the huge crowds on the occasion of Haj, a person realises that there isn’t anyone for me besides Allah. Our Haj should teach us to prepare for the day of Qiyaamah. Those that possess VIP status on the day of Qiyaamah will have no problems.

During Haj, special arrangements are made for the V.I.P.’s. They are afforded the opportunity of making Tawaaf with ease. They recite the Salaat and Salaam with ease as well. The V.I.P.’s will really appreciate the special treatment they receive on the day of Qiyaamah. Learn from our visit to Haramain, that we should acquire such Aamaal, Sifaat, which will be the means of us acquiring V.I.P status on the day of Qiyaamah.

We generally think that the V.I.P status is reserved only for the seven people that will be granted the shade of the throne of Allah on the day of Qiyaamah. Seven have only been recorded in one Hadith. The Ulema have stated that there are up to fourteen categories of people that will enjoy shelter under the Arsh of Allah . There will be millions of people that fall under each category. The people that were punctual with Tahajjud will be called out to enjoy shelter under Allah’s throne, those that placed their trust in Allah Ta'ala will also be called out, try and fit ourselves in one of these fourteen categories of people.

اے خدا اے خدا اے خدا اے خدا

O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! O Allah!

There are those that only take Allah’s name. It is only You, O Allah. How fortunate aren’t those people. How fortunate is that person that leaves the world saying these words! The person that realises Allah alone is there for me will get all his work done. The Hadith states, “A person will die as he lived, and a person will be resurrected according to the manner in which he dies.” It is totally in our hands, that we make an effort so that we are able to attain a good death.

زندگی میری ہے تیرا ذکر و لقاء

My life is your remembrance and meeting

This remembrance must be progressive until one meets His creator. We should build a bridge and thereafter cross the bridge as well. Our various forms of Ibaadaat such as Zikr, Dua, etc. is the bridge. We are happy with the Tawaaf that we make, yet our hearts are not connected with Allah Ta'ala. The objective of Tawaaf was to connect with Allah Ta'ala. The seven rounds of Sa’ee between Safa and Marwa was actually to connect with Allah Ta'ala. This connection with Allah Ta'ala will only be achieved by the Khanqah effort. At the same time, there were many such people that haven’t been for Umrah, yet their hearts are connected to Allah Ta'ala. On the other hand, there were people present there yet they were full of complains. What will they achieve from their Umrah? The internal condition of a person is important.

At the same time, let us not be fooled by thinking that we possess the inside qualities, but we do not express it externally. It is not possible to have a Rooh without a body. Both, the body and Rooh are dependent on each other to function. The desired Rooh, is that which is connected with Allah. Becoming a Hafiz, Alim, Qari, Mufti, going out in the path of Allah for 6 months or a year is excellent, but at the same time the internal condition should also be developed.

The internal condition of a person should be developed before proceeding for Haj and Umrah so that one attains the complete benefit. A Buzurg seeing his mureedeen proceeding for Nafl Haj enquired, “Where are you off to?” They replied, “For Nafl Haj.” He asked, “Do you know the owner of the house?” When they replied in the negative, he requested them to stay with him for a complete year so that he may introduce Allah Ta'ala to them and connect them to Him. A person meets a great personality but doesn’t even know that this is the person.

اور مری موت ہے تجھ سے ہوں میں جدا

Meri maut he tujh se ho me Juda

It is my death when I am separated from You.

This is when a person becomes unmindful of Allah Ta'ala. If a person gets involved in evil and Haraam thoughts, such a person has stooped to the lowest level. In worldly things, we generally have a check list to ensure that our work is completed, nothing is forgotten. Imagine, if we required a checklist to ensure that our body (eyes, brains, limbs, etc.) are in order when taking a turn in bed. If there had been such a checklist, a person won’t be able to turn in bed.

Before an aircraft takes off from the ground, there are so many things that have to be checked. Nowadays, they have such equipment and technology that are able to x-ray various parts of the aircraft from the outside without having to interfere with the inside of the engine or internal parts.

The eyes of the human beings have so many components, with different names to each component which we are even unaware of.

Coming to our stanza, the man that is unaware of his Allah Ta'ala, who has blessed him with all these bounties is really a dead person. How is it possible that one enjoys these bounties of Allah Ta'ala yet never thinks of Allah Ta'ala. An example to understand this point, a person leaves a basket of first grade fruit daily at your front door. You don’t even think, who has left this fruit for me, you eat it without saying ‘Jazakallah’. We enjoy various bounties of Allah Ta'ala yet we don’t think of the giver, we don’t think of expressing gratitude. A dog that gets a piece of bread at your door appreciates the bread. The animals also express gratitude for their meal by means of wagging their tails. The fish make a ring in the water to express their gratitude. In a like manner, various animals express gratitude when favoured by a human being. We are humans yet we do not appreciate, nor do we acknowledge the favours showered upon us. We are just too involved in our businesses, properties, etc.

When a person undertakes a journey of Haj or Umrah, he is freed of his worldly commitments. What great enjoyment in Madinah Sharif! If a person sits for a short while after Ishraaq Salaah, the Masjid is soon empty, similarly the Masjid gets empty shortly after Esha Salaah, what enjoyment a person is able to take from the Masjid at this time! There is a world of a difference between the Haram of Makkah Sharif and Madinah Sharif. The serenity, peace, comfort of Madinah Sharif is totally different to that of Makkah Sharif. In Makkah Sharif, everything is vibrant.

تیرے بن کیوں اندھیرا اندھیرا ہوا

Without You, O Allah, why is my life gone so dark?

Unfortunately, we have become so accustomed to the darkness that we are unable to see the darkness. Our Sheikh gives an example, a person is living in a tin shanty without electricity, when there is a power failure, he is unaware of the power failure. Why? He is used to living in darkness. A person that was used to having electricity would feel the darkness when there is load shedding or a power cut. Similarly, a person that has connection with Allah Ta'ala and Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam becomes aware, if his connection is cut off. He feels the vacuum immediately. He feels that there isn’t sufficient concentration and devotion in his Salaah, he is being deprived of enjoyment in Zikrullah, etc. A man that is void of such connection is unable to feel any difference.

میرے دنیا  کا شمس وقمر کیا  ہوا

What happened to the sun and moon of my life

In other words, what happened to my source of energy. This is the result of becoming unmindful of Allah and becoming involved in sin. It takes great effort to reach a high position, a person works extremely hard to become a millionaire, or to attain a degree at university, but it can be lost in a split second. A person with degrees gets involved in gambling, drugs, etc. yet he loses everything in a single night. There are matriculants that have attained seven or eight distinctions yet they lose everything in a single night by attending a matric ball. A person should therefore be very careful, even though he has become a Hafiz, Alim, etc. A person should be careful; irrespective of the stage that he has reached.

Our Ustaad Mufti Bashir Saheb Sanjalvi R.A was extremely intelligent and learned. Whilst we were studying, the crooks had struck him on the head with a chopper. A person can lose all his knowledge within a split second. A person gets involved in a motor car accident and loses everything. It takes so many years with plenty of effort yet it is lost in a little tragedy. A person that becomes paralysed and is unable to speak, he undergoes frustration; his knowledge cannot be passed on. We should therefore never be boastful of our achievements, rather depend on Allah Ta'ala. This is yet another lesson to be taken from one’s journey to Makkah Sharif and Madinah Sharif.

A problem could arise during the journey and we end up with a serious problem. Some of the family were preparing to leave Makkah Sharif, so they left their passports and money in the safe before performing their final Tawaaf. When they returned from Tawaaf, they could not unlock the safe in the hotel. Now, they got to reach the airport in time to catch a flight. Any such difficulty can overcome a person. Therefore, we should depend totally on Allah.We always observe the unlimited mercy of Allah in spite of our sins. Taking a turn in the bed is because of the mercy of Allah Ta'ala.

بحر طوفان  غم  ہے مخالف ہوا

In the storms of the seas, the winds are going against us.

In our times, the temptation of evil is blowing from all four sides. In Makkah and Madinah Sharif, you got to pass the shopping places before getting to your hotel lift. The temptation of the world is in every nook and corner. The toys sold on the streets of Makkah and Madinah Sharif includes music and pictures on them. Whilst in Makkah Sharif, we have our mobile phones with us, there too the temptation of pornography can overpower us. Others are addicted to sports and watching commentary in the holy lands, or they are checking the results. Some regard it necessary to keep up with politics. We do everything, except that what we are supposed to be doing. We should be reciting more Durood, follow Sunnat, cultivate the love of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

We have been instructed by Allah Ta'ala to recite Durood Sharif yet we do not recite Durood. Many friends write of their problems. Their problems don’t seem to come to an end. We tend to become hard at times and ask, “We told you to start Kitaab reading in the house, have you started? Do not write back until you start the Kitaab reading.” This brings them to their senses to some extent. Many ask for advices, whilst in Madinah Sharif they ask, “Is there any programmes to be held?’ You have heard many programmes, now is the time to make Amal (act on the advices). The students come with their books to us to write advices which we had also done during student days. We now suffice on saying to them, “Act on the advices that you have heard.”

میری کشتی کاہے تو ہی بس ناخدا

O Allah, You are the captain of my ship

In Makkah Sharif, so to say we are seeing Allah  Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is alive in Madinah Munawwarah. People flock to these places from throughout the world as they are in love with Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. In Madinah, the people have to be split up in groups, they then take turns to recite Salawaat at the Rawda-e-Mubarak. The Mataaf of Makkah Sharif is filled 24 hours. If people had come here for sightseeing, the malls would have been filled to capacity, not the Haramain. Some do not even know the name of the Masajid, once a person that came from one of the African countries asked, “Is Haj performed in Makkah Sharif or Madinah Sharif?” If such people travel to the holy lands, could we then imagine, if a person that has the love of Allah and then goes to Haramain, how wouldn’t his love increase! 

تیری رحمت کا خورشید  روشن ہوا

Tere Rahmat ka Khursheed Roshan Huwa

The sun of Your mercy has lightened up

If you had possessed some love of Allah Ta'ala, love of Sunnats, recitation of Durood, it will certainly increase by visiting the Mubarak lands of Makkah and Madinah Sharif. The sun of Allah’s mercy would rise in Makkah and Madinah Sharif on your heart and not on the horizon.

ہر سزا سے بری ہوگیا ناسزا

Har Saza Se Baree Hogaya Na Sazaa

A person that supposed to be punished in every way has been acquitted

This will be the result of being at Rowdah-e-Mubarak, as Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is the greatest interceder. At Rowdah-e-Mubaarak we recite,

الصلوة والسلام عليكم يا شفيع المذنبين

Peace and salutations be upon you O interceder of the sinners

His intercession is not specific for the Muttaqeen and Musallien rather it is for the sinners. Some people come to Haramain using crutches, others on wheel chairs, they too do not want to be left out in spite of being incapacitated. This is the magnetic pull of these places.

تیرے دریاِئے رحمت کا ہے آسرا

O Allah, we have hope in Your huge waterfalls and oceans of Your mercy

This is the kindness of Allah Ta'ala. This Ummat has been blessed with various qualities. Generally, the business people build a slight relationship with their customers and then give them Dawat, or give their clients a copy of the Quraan. We disagree with universities, yet how many university students also invite fellow students to Islam and bring others into Islam. This attitude is never found amongst the Christians. Amongst the Christians, only the missionaries do this work, yet in our Deen, every person has the fervour and desire to propagate Deen.

How many businesses have Musallahs within the business premises! There isn’t another religion that can be clearly distinguished at airports, railways stations, bus stations, etc. except the Muslims. Their code of dressing, beards, Kurtas, Topie, Burqas, cloaks, give a clear indication that these are Muslims. When we are in the Haram, we should look at the positive side of things, contemplate a little, what has brought this (modern) type of a man here. He should have gone to Las Vegas, other places of entertainment yet he has also come here. Everyone that is present, whether young or old, has a great feeling for Deen and Islam. There isn’t another place like Makkah and Madinah Sharif anywhere in the world. How many non-Muslims are curious to find out about the Ka’aaba Sharif.

We heard about some non-Muslims that were curious about Ka’aaba Sharif. They camouflaged themselves and made it to Ka’aaba Sharif. The moment their gaze fell on Ka’aaba Sharif, they were filled with tears and accepted Islam. This is in spite of the simplicity of the house of Allah Ta'ala.

We should think to ourselves that O Allah, I am a speck of dirt yet You granted me the opportunity of being present here. Now, we should make Dua, “O Allah, as You have showered Your mercy upon me now, shower Your mercy on us on the day of Qiyaamah.

ورنہ  اختر ہے اعمال  سے بے  نواں

Else we have no Aamaal within us

Many of the Buzurgs state, “We do not have any Aamaal within us.” Allaama Busaairi r states, “I haven’t really made any Ibaadat of Allah” which is due to their humility, actually they have spent their lives in the Ibaadat of Allah Ta'ala. More than Ibaadaat, one is required to have Sifaat (internal qualities). A person may carry out plenty of Ibaadaat but if it is void of Ikhlaas, it is worth zero. If a number (such as the number one) is added before the zero, it becomes valuable.

In conclusion, Allah Ta'ala has blessed the Muslims with these honourable and great places (i.e. Haramain-e-Sharifain). We should cherish them, desire in our hearts that Allah Ta'ala takes us to these places, wish that Allah Ta'ala blesses the non-Muslims with Imaan so that they can also see these places. If we can’t be there physically, our hearts should be attached to these places.