Awradi Fathia’s every theme a reflection of Tawheed
Rayees Ahmad Kumar
Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (1314–1384) was a poet and a great Islamic scholar. He was born in Hamadan. Hamadan was then a great center of Islamic knowledge. At a young age Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA) mastered all the available knowledge in theology, philosophy, metaphysics and Sufism and travelled extensively seeking knowledge and practicing spiritualism, till he became a scholar of repute, a mystic and a perfect saint.
He spent his life in propagating Islam and undertook several extensive tours through difficult terrains and over hazardous routes and played a major role in spreading Islam in Kashmir and also influenced the culture of the Kashmir valley. He was known as Shah-e-Hamadan (King of Hamadan), and Amir-I- Kabir (the Great Commander).
Hazrat Amir-I-Kabir (RA) came to Kashmir three times i.e. in 774 AH/1372 AD, 781 AH/ 1378 AD and 785 AH/ 1383 AD. The Muslims of Kashmir owe a great debt of gratitude to this luminary of Islam for bringing them en-masse within the fold of Islam. He is lovingly known as the founder of Islam in Kashmir (“Baniay-Islam”).
Hazrat Amir Kabir Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA) has authored many books and pamphlets in Arabic and Persian, which lay stress on the recognition of the unity of God and the worship of One God, His remembrance and reflection also full of sublime teachings and guidance on mystic experiences, and Aurad-I-Fathia is one of these priceless compositions, concise primer, describing the unity and attributes of ALLAH (SWT) in a grand style.
The Awradh is an anthology of Quranic verses and the centrality of monotheism in Islam. A large part of the Awradh also consists of the prophet’s sayings, the names of Allah, and expressions of gratitude and praise for Allah. It is an unparalleled and precious gift of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani for Muslims in general and for Kashmiri’s in particular. It can be considered a book of Tawheed.
It’s every theme is the reflection of Tawheed proved by Quran and sunnah and a bright proof of Hamadani’s mission fundamentally based upon monotheism. If we are asked to say in a single word the theme of Awradi fathiya, unhesitatingly we can say it is tawhid. The Tawheed described in awradi fathia is the manifestation of Islamic Tawheed in a simple and effective manner, so that common masses of Kashmir would understand it and follow accordingly.
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
I seek forgiveness from the great Allah.
Besides whom none is worthy for being worshipped, The Living, The Eternal. I turn to Him and seek repentance from Him.
O’ Allah! You are the Author of Peace and from You springs Peace and towards you is Peace. Keep me my Lord in Peace and grant me entrance in the Abode of Peace. Glory to Thee my Lord and Exalted are Thou, The Lord of Majesty and Bounty.
O’ Allah! Such Praise is due to you as will cover all Thy Bounties and will cover Your further Bounties. I am full of praise for all Your kindness of which I am aware and of which I am not aware and of all your gifts of which I am aware and of which I am not aware and I am grateful in all conditions.
From these opening lines of ‘awradi fathia’ we come to observe that it is full of Allah’s praise, expression of gratitude for his innumerable bounties. These lines lay strong recommendation for seeking forgiveness from almighty for one’s sins. From Quranic teachings and authentic hadith, seeking forgiveness is repeatedly recommended for a believer. So in this context Mir Syed Ali Hamadani too has laid an emphasis in attaining believer’s virtues. Praising Allah and expressing the gratitude is not less than a sacred prayer for a pious Muslim. So Mir Syed Ali Hamadani’s awradi fathia is the noblest wazifa to purify one’s soul.
There is no God but Allah. He is One. He has no partner. His is the kingdom. And all praises are due to Him. And He has power over all things.
There is no God excepting Allah the All Powerful Sovereign the One the Most Supreme.
There is no God but Allah the powerful the Forgiving.
The Kind the Sheeler.
The Great the High.
The Creator of night and day who is worshipped everywhere ,whose mention is made in every language and who is known for all goodness.
Whom each day sees in every new glory.
There is no God but Allah I say so with full faith in Allah.
I say so seeking Protection from Allah.
There is no God but Allah and no one has power and strength excepting Allah and we worship none but Him.
There is no God but Allah I confess in humility and servitude.
There is no God but Allah the Kind and the Friend who existed before everything ,he will survive everything.
There is no God but Allah the evidently True Sovereign , certainly the True King and the Sustainer of the Seven Heavens and the Sustainer of the Great Throne.
These sentences show how brilliantly Mir Syed Ali Hamadani has described Allah’s greatness and powers. Indeed when a believer comes to know the powers and the lordship of Allah, instead of seeking forgiveness and perfect solutions for his miseries from the gates of worldly lords, he straightaway communicates with the eternal lord through the prayers. In this sense we see that Mir Syed Ali Hamadani has awakened the believers and expected good deeds from them to succeed in both this world and hereafter.
Glory to my Lord, the High, the Great Bestowal. Glory to my Lord, the High The Great Bestowal. O’ The Bestowal. Glory to Thee! I did not worship Thee as it was my duty to worship You. Glory to Thee! We did not seek to know You as it was our duty to know You. Glory to Thee! We have not been remembering You as we ought to have remembered . Glory to Thee! We have not expressed gratitude to You as we ought to do. Glory to Allah! The Ever Eternal Glory to Allah! The single, the independent, Glory to Allah! Who holds the heavens without any support. Glory to Allah Who has no wife and no children. Glory to Allah Who neither gave birth nor was born and Who has none equal to Him. Glory to the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One. Glory to The King of This World and that of the Angels.
From these pious words of wisdom compiled by Mir Syed Ali Hamadani in awradi fathia, we get to know about the duties and the level of the way we must be obedient to our lord and express the gratitude for his bounties.
Istighfar (Astagfirullah) is the gateway of relief and happiness. Whenever you are in distress start reciting it and Insha Allah it will take you out of your anxiety and will put you in a peaceful situation and will give you happiness.
Istighfar removes anxiety and duas are answered. Istighfar opens the door of sustenance. Istighfar opens the door of mercy. Istighfar opens the door of knowledge. Istighfar is also gateway of productivity. Istighfar relieves you. When you feel that sadness within you, when you are disturbed and frustrated, when anxiety surrounds you, say “Astaghfirullah” ‘Astaghfirullah’.
Gratitude is a crucial and significant aspect of the Islamic faith. In awradi fathia also we find many Quranic verses seeking forgiveness from almighty Allah as well as expressing the gratitude or thankfulness to almighty Allah for his innumerable bounties. In this way we see Mir Syed Ali Hamadani’s awradi fathia has intellectual, Spiritual as well as scientific utility. It is the noblest gift of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani for Kashmiri’s which needs to be recited daily after dawn prayers as had been the routine for centuries.
We need to spread the meaning of this precious gift among common masses so that real message of it reaches to maximum. Our young generation besides being unaware about the basics of Islamic fundamentals are also unfamiliar about our glorious past and our rich religious heritage. They need to get acquainted about the contribution of legendary saints like Mir Syed Ali Hamadani who travelled distant lands and enlightened us. Muslim ummah in general and Kashmirs in particular are passing through difficult challenges presently.
Emergence of many sects and ideologies within the single religion is major issue. Sticking firmly and acting according to the teachings of awradi fathia can only relieve us from the enormous mental burdens and challenges .Our madrasahs irrespective of different schools of thought they are affiliated, need to make it a basic part of the syllabus because it’s message and teachings are relevant for all times and best suited. May almighty Allah show us the right path of his friends and may we understand the real immortal teachings of awradi fathia for our best hereafter. Ameen.
(The author is a columnist and teaches at Govt Secondary School Anderwan Ganderbal)
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