This travelogue is an excerpt of the reverend Mufassir of the Quran, Arif Billah (one who recognizes Allah in his true sense) Hazrat Shaykh Maulana Sayyed Mohammed Talha Qasmi Naqsbandi Mujaddidi Damatabarkatahum’s (hereafter referred to as Hazrat DB) travel to the United Kingdom in November 2022.
(Part 4 – Birmingham)
Arranged and Presented by: Sayyed Muhammad Talha Qasmi, Khaadim, Silsila-e-Aaliyaa-Naqshbandiyah, Khanqaah Darul-Ehsan
Bismillah-hir-Rahmaan-nir-Raheem
The travellers left for Birmingham reaching the house of a female disciple of Hazrat DB who had invited Hazrat DB for a while to visit her house. The travellers met the husband and son of the disciple who spoke through the veil. The disciple expressed her pleasure and happiness and how grateful she is to Allah to have granted her the opportunity to host Hazrat DB at her house. Hazrat DB asked everyone to become Muraqib for a while and imprinted the husband’s heart with the name of Allah and took leave. The travellers were scheduled to visit the Madinatul Uloom in Kidderminster near Birmingham accompanied and guided by Maulana Adam Saahab who hails from India and is associated with the institute for a long time. Maulana Adam Saahab joined the travellers from his home in Birmingham to Kidderminster. Madinatul Uloom is spread across 21 acres of serene land that is spirituality personified. The travellers could feel the obvious sense of calm, piety and blessings in the air at the institute. Legend has it that Maulana Yusuf Motala Saahab RH had a letter sent to him informing him of a place available to be bought and if he would be inclined at looking at it. It is said Maulana Yusuf Motala Saahab RH ignored it at the time. A similar letter was sent to the Maulan DB after six months with the same outcome. When a similar letter was sent a third time after six months again, in effect making it three letters over eighteen months, the narrative is Maulana Asad Madani Saahab RH was visiting and advised Maulana Yusuf Motala Saahab RH to consider it a sign from Allah after which they decided to visit the place. A man who met the Shuyukh (plural for Shaykh) at the destination narrated his dream that he ﷺ a few days earlier of him seeing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a child in his lap. One notes, Maulana Asad Madani Saahab RH advised him that it implies the man will nurture and look after the institute of Islamic knowledge that will be built at the place. A congregation was held at the institute annually housing five thousand people until it was difficult to do so after the socio-political dynamics of the country made it difficult to continue. The author remembers sighting boy students being taught football alighting from the car after taking a short tour of the place in the car given it would be asking to do so on foot. The travellers finished Zohar at the Masjid after pleasantries were exchanged and refreshments had. The tutors and students alike had glittering faces that resonated with the effervescence of knowledge and piety. The hosts had the travellers seated in the library where Hazrat DB glanced and read through some books.
A while later witnessed the students accompanied by Maulana Adam Saahab and the tutors who requested Hazrat DB to address the attendees. Hazrat DB began the conversation in the Arabic language and concluded after a while. While the author could not understand the language, it was music to his ears, metaphorically so. The gist, as it was understood was to enable the students to comprehend the finesses and nuances of the Arabic language in the form it exists amongst the native speakers. Hazrat DB stated if the students of Hadith and Quran cannot fathom the language well how would they expect to do justice to the noble work of preaching and guiding the general populace through the teachings of the Quran and the Shariah? Conviction in any narrative roots from understanding and further recognising the intricacies of a subject. It would be far too ambitious to aspire to explain the intricacies of the deep-rooted science that Shariah is when one does not appreciate the basics of its virtues. The students were a varied mix from the Asian continent, the Middle East and Africa. The short discourse was about a little over ten minutes that concluded with Dua and farewell biddings. The ambience had quite an effect on the author who mentioned to Hazrat DB if he were to be living in the UK (which the author does not), he would send his son to the institute hoping and assuming the academic credibility is as good if not better if the spiritual calm and elevation was anything to go by.
The travellers left for Birmingham to be hosted at Saif Islam’s house who was kind in inviting them for dinner before Isha. While en route, Hazrat DB shared with the author that Maulana Aman Saahab Naqshbandi DB (Khalifa of Hazrat Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshabandi DB and a pupil of Hazrat Qari Siddiq Saahab Bandvi RH) had seen Hazrat Qari Siddiq Saahab Bandhvi RH in a dream that morning.
The dream had Hazrat Maulana Aman Saahab DB travelling with Hazrat DB with both wearing a lungi (a long cloth worn at the bottom half of the body and a Kurta as a top) when Hazrat Maulana Aman Saahab DB realised it would be better to wear a both (a trouser like a garment worn with a Kurta) which was kept in a suitcase placed in Hazrat Qari Siddiq Saahab RH’s room. Hazrat Maulana Aman Saahab DB went to fetch and found the room open with Hazrat Qari Siddiq Saahab RH sitting in it enquiring the reason to fetch the pyjama. When the reason was shared (for travelling) Hazrat Qari Siddiq Saahab RH was very pleased to hear so and said when you are travelling with Hazrat DB you don’t need to be conscious of your clothes, however, the heart should be kept vigil or cleansed. Hazrat Maulana Aman Saahab DB then left the room and found Hazrat Maulana Nafees Akbar Saahab RH (Hazrat DB’s father) asking and joining him for the travel. The trio of Hazrat Maulana Nafees Akbar Saahab RH, Hazrat DB and Hazrat Maulana Aman Saahab DB left towards a forest where he ﷺ the place lit and radiant with Noor that made him wake up.
There was mention of how one does not need to be conscious of clothes by Hazrat Qari Siddiq Saahab RH referring to travels with Hazrat DB and the heart should be watched over, incidentally, Hazrat DB had not changed to newer clothes in the last 3 days thereabouts when this dream was being narrated (the author remembers discussing this with Hazrat DB who preferred using the same clothes being worn for a while since the weather was cold and the clothes didn’t need washing or a change yet). Hazrat DB mentioned to the author the blessings and barakah of Hazrat Qari Siddiq Saahab’s Duas are a companion.
Saif Islam hails from India and is working for a large multinational living in Birmingham for a few years being associated with Hazrat for a good many. The dinner had Maulana Adam Saahab, Advocate Hafiz Ahmed (who is brother Fazal Choksi’s cousin and hosts/has hosted many scholars like Hazrat Maulana Arshad Madani DB, Hazrat Mufti Rafi Usmani RH etc when they visit the country) and Saif Islam’s neighbour. It was pleasing to meet Saif Islam’s children upon arrival and the delicious Indian delicacy. Maulana Haneef Saahab DB called seeking after the traveller’s well-being. The evening discourse was scheduled at Jama Masjid which used to be Saddam Hussain Mosque named after the deceased middle eastern leader who had single-handedly funded the construction of the Masjid. It is learnt the departed soul had addressed the exceeded budgets of the costs without fanfare and had no inclination or request made for the Masjid to be named after him. The committee that constructed the Masjid had named it so in his honour. However, it was later changed to Jama Masjid for socio-political reasons. The founding stone of the masjid was kept by Hazrat Murshid e Alam Maulana Ghulam Habib Sahaab RH. The travellers took to the hotel after the discourse.
The author could only but ponder over the coincidences (or caused incidents as noted earlier in this narrative, the Urdu speakers could relate to it being Ittefaq or Intezam ) of the places that the travellers visited in Darul Uloom London in Kent, the two Masjids in Manchester, the Masjid in Leicester and now Jama Masjid in Birmingham were all visited by the Mashaaykh of the Naqshbandi path in particular either or both Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Habib Saahab RH and Hazrat Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad Saahab DB having been at these locations. Allah does as he wills.
The morning after had the usual routine with the alteration of not resting after the Fajr prayers. This was a Friday morning when Hazrat DB and the author engaged in a conversation where the author learnt how Hazrat DB felt a strong divine connection during the pre-dawn prayers that reflected in the supplication and the Muraqba when either was performed, Alhamdulillah.
The travellers reached Crawley well before Zohar time began and rested in the masjid in the very cold weather that Friday morning meeting the Muazzin who had origins from Morroco if one is not mistaken, who took rather warmly to Hazrat DB listening to someone speak Arabic. Mufti Huzaifa Saahab DB (Hazrat Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Saahab’s Khalifa) was the host who we met shortly after. The Friday sermon was quite enticing like all others in the country thus far. The crux of the discourse was one cannot take away slavery (of Allah) from the slave (of Allah). Slavery is part of human design. The concept of absolute freedom (in the world) does not exist since humans are either slaves of the creation or the creator. It behoves and benefits the creation in serving the creator and thus reap rewards in this life and the after. Hazrat Maulana Abdur Raheem Limbada Saahab DB asked brother Haneef (who lived at a travelling distance from Crawley) to visit Hazrat DB and listen to his discourse. The Friday prayers were led by Hazrat DB. The lunch was hosted by Mufti Huzaifa Saahab DB meeting the extended friends and family. There was talk about visiting the masjid e Aqsa when so is possible. The host did also mention it would benefit the community at large should Hazrat DB pay a visit to the country again during the first ten days of Ramadan in 2023. The travellers then left for London soon after bidding farewell to the endearing host reaching London shortly after to prepare for departure back home the next evening.
The author remembers Hazrat Maulana Yunus Saahab RH of Pune, India would say this, If someone visits a place or country for purposes of a business (implying purposes other than the Deen) then it is noticed people tend to be not aware or take less if any cognisance of the traveller’s whereabouts or his comfort. However, if one travels for the sake of Allah then the locales are invested and engaged in trying to bring forth the benefit of such a visit besides looking after the traveller in a manner one would not imagine being possible otherwise. One could witness this during the entire journey.
It was probably that evening while going to bed that Hazrat DB mentioned to the author the way one sleeps emulating the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ makes one’s body’s posture depict the word Muhammad (ﷺ) written in Arabic should one notice. May Allah help and guide us and our generations until the last of them to seek refuge and guidance in the ways of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in word, flesh and spirit.
Hazrat DB’s paternal cousin had invited the travellers for dinner at his house in Wembley in London. We reached the venue around Maghreb performing the prayers soon after. The author and brother Fazal left for some errands excusing ourselves from the familial reunion after a good few years as one gathered. While driving to a nearby store, the author learnt how brother Fazal’s mother had taken to hardships for her children’s upbringing and instilled in them the virtue of being good Muslims. Brother Fazal says his mother would tell him when he was very young to respect the Ulema and said on the day of Judgement Allah will ask if you have seen an Aalim (Islamic Scholar) and if you have then he may forgive you (if Allah so wishes narrating it from one of the Hadeeth books). This is also something the reverend Hazrat Maulana Salim Thorat Saahab DB had advised brother Fazal mostly, stating one of the reasons Allah has bestowed blessings upon the reverend Shaykh is due to respecting the Ulema (scholars). Brother Fazal takes to meeting Maulana Salim Thorat Saahab DB when possible who has advised him of the self-rectification process (Tazkiya). The dinner at brother Arif’s house was a very engaging conversation with Hazrat DB over a multitude of topics. The conversation reflected well on the different aspects of how scholars interpret (or have done so in the part) the rulings and directives from the Quran or Hadith among other things.
The morning after was the departure day beginning with the pre-dawn prayers and Muraqba. Brother Nazeer Choksi visited Hazrat DB in the morning and bid his farewells. May Allah bless him and his generations. Hazrat DB addressed the attendees bidding farewell, thanking everyone for their hospitality and reminding everyone to lead a life that would reflect the teachings of the Shariah being good humans by being a good Muslim since one is the reflection of the other should it be done in the true form that it was revealed.
After the Zohar prayers, brother Fazal’s house had visitors who wanted to bid adieu to Hazrat DB including Mufti Haroon Saahab and Maulana Haroon Saahab among others. Maulana Haroon Saahab asked which Tafseer (commentary of the Quran by erudite scholars of the time) the Shaykh prefers referring to Hazrat DB’s discourse at Bolton at Masjid e Zakariya. Hazrat DB responded that he preferred all the commentary books however is devoid of time to refer to any. Maulana Haroon Saahab said he had heard the discourse rendered in Masjid e Zakariyya and the commentary on Surah Ad Duha and Surah Al Inshirah that Hazrat DB was unheard of thus far and he had never heard of something similar before. The essence of the sermon in Masjid e Zakariya was not to intervene in Allah’s work relating to the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Makkah when changes were destined however they only occurred during the time in Madina and not before and be full of gratitude for the blessing Allah has bestowed on the servant. Maulana Haroon Saahab mentioned to the author to request Hazrat to have a Khanqah in London where people would benefit from the company of the Shaykh. Hazrat DB was very pleased with hearing so and hoped Allah will make it easy for such nobleness to exist among the other befitting good deeds being performed in the city and the country as an extension, Insha Allah. The purpose of the Mashaaykh to travel to a village, town, city, country or continent is to bring people closer to Allah by helping them be better Muslims through the remembrance of Allah, being conscious of Allah’s presence and performing deeds for the pleasure of Allah.
It was the end of the journey and the travellers had to leave for the airport soon after Isha. The travellers are conscious they could not meet Maulana Salim Thorat DB since he was unwell. May Allah bestow on him more blessings and have his guidance and presence be the source of Hidayah for the country and beyond, Insha Allah.
Brother Fazal Choksi was kind in driving the travellers to the airport. The farewell at the airport witnessed moist eyes and the hope of meeting again when Allah wished. The time spent in the UK did not feel alien and it could not have been without the very gracious, kind and heart-rendering hospitality of brother Fazal. May Allah bestow countless bounties on the Choksi brother’s families and generations to come till the last of them. May their children be among the sound and guiding Ulema (scholars) of the times until the day of Judgement and make this a means of their elevation in this life and the after.
The travellers reached Dubai the morning after meeting brother Ibrahim (of Bangalore, India) staying there for a day before leaving for home to Mumbai, India. The author is grateful to brother Ibrahim for being instrumental in introducing the author to Dua e Khizer RA. May Allah reward him. The heart has its reason which the reason does not know. The hearts of the travellers are thankful to Allah for making the journey easier and hopefully beneficial to everyone.
The author is well aware of his numerous shortcomings and cannot thank Allah enough for the very blessing of being Hazrat DB’s companion in this journey when it could have been far more erudite, deserving and worthy others who are equipped with piety, knowledge and a bond with Allah that the author can ever imagine having, leave alone aspire. However, teachings override emotions and the author is thus full of gratitude in the hope it will invite an abundance of this blessing, Allah willing.
The travellers had arrived in the UK being acquainted with brother Fazal and were leaving with associations made in a mere two weeks that hopefully will be a means of helping the creation recognise, be closer to and strengthen their relationship with the one and only creator, Allah.
In hope and gratitude,
A traveller blessed with the company of his dear Shaykh and guide, Hazrat Shaykh Maulana Sayyed Mohammad Talha Saahab Qasmi Naqshbandi DB.
