ALLAHUMMA BARIK ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN KAMA BARAKTA ALA IBRAHEEMA WA ALA ALI IBRAHEEMA INNAKA HAMEEDUM MAJEED
The journey to the Divine Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam can take many and varied pathways that transcend these temporal realms, transporting the soul to untold and oft times unimaginable depths. The visual image through the sacred art of calligraphy holds certain keys that unlock mystical doors. It is an interesting paradox that from our Beloved unlettered Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam the most magnificent expressions of Divine Words and Names flourished as words infused with the pursuit of unity to Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Calligraphy is the visual body of Divine Revelation, sacred in both form and content. And so it is through a harmonious juxtaposition of strokes and curves weaving across a chosen surface that has the potential of drawing the seeker inward in a similar way that rhythmic recitation of Qur’an Majeed or invocations and salutations can.
The blessed name of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam can be found in countless designs, shapes and patterns. And just as varied are the many interpretations and explanations about the individual letters spelling his Mubarak name.
What is the mystery of the Meem in Ahmad?
The Meem in Ahmad is the door that leads to Ahad which is the Oneness of Allah.
He has no partners. That is Muhammad’s position in the creation must be acknowledged before Allah will allow anyone to get close to Him.
Ahad is spelled: alif, haa and daal
Ahmad is spelled; alif, haa, meem, daal
The difference between Ahad and Ahmad is the Arabic letter Meem
It is not a coincidence that Allah revealed the Quran in Arabic without the Arabic language having some mystical superiority over the other languages.
Who invented Arabic or any other language? Is it the people? No.
Ahad and Ahmad, the difference between the two words is the Meem of Muhammad.
To realise Allah’s Oneness a person must send blessings to Allah’s Beloved because he is the door and no one can pass that door without realizing Muhammad’s position in closeness to Allah.
Only by acknowledging the superiority of Muhammad can a person have his/her prayers answered.
This is achieved by loving Muhammad more than any other person in this world.
Loving Muhammad more than his/her parents and/or children.
In order to have his/her prayer accepted by Allah, a person must send blessings (Darood) on the Prophet.
He is the key to Allah’s door.
Knowledge comes from Allah through Muhammad .
Not without Muhammad.
Muhammad’s position in this life is the Seal of the Prophets or The Completion of the Prophets. His position in the next life is Makamam Mahmood (the Highest Station).
Shaykh ‘Abdul Qadir Jilani Rahmatulla alaihi composed a Salawaat using the letters in the blessed names Muhammad and Ahmad as well as the Huruf u’l Muqatta’at without repeating any of the Huruf u’l Muqatta’at!
“With the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful (1:1)
And there is no power or strength except with Allah,
The Most High, The Magnificent.
None is worthy of worship except Allah,
The Sovereign Lord, The Clear Truth.
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,
truthful to his promise, trustworthy.
Our Lord! We believe in what You have Revealed
and we follow the Messenger,
so write us down among those who bear witness (3:53).
O Allah! Bestow blessings, peace and honour;
and give nobility, power and greatness; and have mercy
on the one who is lofty in power and towering in grandeur,
and is the high-aspiring light and the clear truth;
the letter "Meem" (in the name Muhammad) is for the kingdom,
"Haa" is for mercy, "Meem" is for knowledge, and "Daal" is for evidence (proof);
the letter "Alif" (in the name Ahmad) is for might and power,
"Haa" is for the realm of mercy,
"Meem" is for sovereignty, and "Daal" is for guidance;
the letter "Laam" (in the Huruf u’l Muqatta’at) is for hidden kindness,
"Raa" is for hidden compassion,
"Noon" is for perfect benevolence,
"Ain" is for care and concern, "Kaaf" is for sufficiency,
"Yaa" is for headship and becoming master, "Seen" is for happiness,
"Qaaf" is for nearness,
"Taa" is for the sultanate, "Haa" is for the tie or bond (of friendship)
and "Saad" is for preservation,
and (blessings and peace) on his family,
who are the high noon of his esteemed knowledge,
and on his companions through whom religion was well protected.
Interesting how Allah Almighty Subhanahu wa Ta’ala’s command for our Salat is in the shape of the name “Ahmed”: The position of qiyam, standing upright resembling the Arabic letter ‘alif’. The ruk’u bending from the waist resembling the letter ‘ha’, the sajda, prostration resembling the letter ‘meem’, and the final position of jalsa, kneeling resembling the letter ‘daal’.
While the letters in the name Muhammad appear as one prostrating, the head is round, like the letter ‘meem’, the two hands resemble the letter ‘haa’, the belly again resembles a ‘meem’, and the feet resemble a ‘daal’. And thus was our Beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam forever in obedience to his Rabb who made him the perfected one by bestowing upon him the Liwa-al-Hamd, the Banner of Praise, and the Maqam-al-Mahmud, the Station of the Praiseworthy, making him the light of both worlds, messenger to both Jinn and men, and enabling him to attain the secrets of proximity to the Divine Station by two bows’ lengths, and becoming the king of the world. Peace and blessings be upon his pure and meritorious family and his worthy companions RadhiAllahu anhum.
Insha’Allah may we all make extra time during this month commemorating the birth of the pinnacle of creation Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to increase our obedience, to delve deeper into all that brings us closer. Maybe some visual calligraphy will open new doors and new dimensions to your efforts, Ameen.
ALLAHUMMA BARIK ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN KAMA BARAKTA ALA IBRAHEEMA WA ALA ALI IBRAHEEMA INNAKA HAMEEDUM MAJEED
ALLAHUMMA BARIK ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN KAMA BARAKTA ALA IBRAHEEMA WA ALA ALI IBRAHEEMA INNAKA HAMEEDUM MAJEED
ALLAHUMMA BARIK ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN KAMA BARAKTA ALA IBRAHEEMA WA ALA ALI IBRAHEEMA INNAKA HAMEEDUM MAJEED
JUMA’AH MUBARAK!
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.