Monthly Spiritual Gathering of Gosha-e-Durood - January 2008

Reported by: MS Pakistani
Translated by: Amanat Ali Chaudhary

A special spiritual gathering of Gosha-e-Durood was organized in the ground in front of the Central Secretariat of Minhaj-ul-Quran International on January 3, 2008 after Isha prayers. Necessary arrangements were made for the provision of heating during intense winter including specifically decorated venue. Miskin Faiz-ur-Rahman Durrani was in the chair, while Sahibzada Hussain Mohy ud Din Qadri was the guest of honour.

The proceedings of the programme started with the recitation from the Holy Quran followed by Naat. A large number of people participated. A separate stage was put in place for the members of Gosha-e-Durood on the right side. The central stage featured the presence of respected guests. Nazim-e-Ala Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Naib Nazim-e-Ala Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz, Amir Gosha e Durood Al-Haaj Muhammad Salim Sheikh, Nazim DFA G.M. Malik, Allama Mufti Abdul Qayyum Khan Hazarvi, Nazim Finance Javed Iqbal Qadri, Ahmad Nawaz Anjum, Haji Rahat Habib, Allama Farhat Hussain Shah, Allama Imdadullah Khan, Qaiser Iqbal Qadri, Haji Riaz Ahmad, Tauqir-ul-Hassan Gillani and Prof Zulifqar Ali and others were also among the guests.

A large number of women also participated in the programme. Separate arrangement was made for them. Banners bearing welcoming slogans for the guests were erected around the venue. Amir-e-Punjab Ahmad Nawaz Anjum presented report of Durood recited at the Gosha-e-Durood. He told the audience that the number of Durood recited till the month of December 2007 exceeded 3 billion.

Muhammad Afzal Noshahi, Minhaj Naat Council, Al-Haaj Shahzad Hanif Madani and students of COSIS recited the Naats.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri addressed the audience telephonically from Canada. Speaking on the topic of 'Name of Muhammad (SAW)', he said that Allah Almighty chose the name 'Muhammad' for His Beloved for the purpose of praise and salutation but there is no limit to this praise. The more the salutation showered upon the Prophet (SAW), the lesser it would be because message latent in the Prophetic name is the uninterrupted flow of praise and the best way to express this praise is the offering of the Durood-o-Salam. Allah Almighty Himself offers Durood on the holy Prophet (SAW) and ordains His creations to do the same.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that Allah Almighty did not fix any limit so far as offering of Durood-o-Salam on the holy Prophet (SAW) was concerned. Nor has the Prophet of Islam (SAW) fixed its extent. Referring to a Hadith of 'Musnad Ahmad Bin Humbal, Jamae Trimzi and Hakmul Mustadrak', he said, "It is reported by Abe Bin Kaab that 1/4th part of night would pass, the Holy Prophet (SAW) would stand up and urge the people to remember Allah. He would recite verse no 6 and 7 of Sura an-Nazi`at of the Holy Quran afterwards:

"One Day everything that can be in commotion will be in violent commotion" and "What must happen afterwards shall follow it." At this, Abe Bin Kaab said to the holy Prophet (saw) that he offered prayers too abundantly and remembered Allah very often asking as to how much of that should be reserved for the Holy Prophet (saw). The Holy Prophet replied, "(reserve) as much as you wished." Then Abe Bin Kaab asked, "O Prophet of Allah! Shall I reserve 1/4th of it?" The Holy Prophet (saw) repeated the same answer. Huzrat Abe Bin Kaab again enquired, "Should I fix half of Durood-o-Salam?" The Holy Prophet (saw) replied that he should offer it as much as he wished. Huzrat Abe Bin Kaab said, "O Prophet of Allah (saw), I will offer Durood-o-Salam on you for the whole time from today onward."

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that this tradition clearly established the fact that there was no limit fixed on offering of Durood-o-Salam on the Holy Prophet (saw). The very act of offering Durood-o-Salam on the Holy Prophet (saw) is an act towards establishing association with Allah Almighty. The more one would offer Durood-o-Salam on the Prophet of Allah, the closer one would be to Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment because the chair of the Prophet (saw) would be installed on the right side of Allah on that Day. Only that person would be able to get nearness who would be very regular in offering Durood-o-Salam. Shaykh-ul-Islam said that the purpose behind the establishment of Minhaj-ul-Quran International is to venerate the Beloved Prophet (saw) of Allah. It is for the achievement of this purpose that the Gosha-e-Durood of Tehreek has been established. It is in this context that the membership of Tehreek was launched. Today people have general invitation for joining this Tehreek. MQI is uniting people on the point of love for the Prophet (saw) in this mischievous day and age. He said that sufferings, poverty and other miseries can be eliminated by offering Durood-o-Salam on the Holy Prophet.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said regarding 'name of Muhammad (saw)' that this name testifies to man being crown of creations. He said that if 'name of Muhammad (saw)' be seen by way of length in 'Koofi script' of ancient age, it corresponds to the image of man. If it is read in vertical order, it represents the sitting posture of man. Allah Almighty has hidden the fact of man being crown of creations in 'name of Muhammad (saw) because the beloved Prophet of Allah is a role model for all.

The speech of Shaykh-ul-Islam ended at 11:30 pm. Ahmad Nawaz Anjum, Allama Farhat Hussain Shah and Waqas Qadri collectively conducted the proceedings. Shibzada Hussain Mohy ud Din Qadri led the concluding the prayers.