MUHAMMAD 
THE MESSENGER OF ISLAM
His Life & Prophecy
compiled from traditional sources
in Ottoman Turkish by
Hajjah Amina Adil
Preface by Shaykh Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani
Foreward by Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani
The author, Hajjah Amina (right), and her daughter, Hajjah Naziha Adil.
2002 Islamic Supreme Council of America
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Front cover photo: Entrusted to the Ottoman Sultan through the succession of caliphs dating back to 7th century, this exquisite tableau in many ways summarizes the life of Prophet Muhammad
. The first flag of Islam is preserved within the closed box, representing the Prophet's spiritual authority. The Quran -- the divine book which he brought -- rests open, symbolizing the never-extinguished light of his guidance. The sheathed swords represent the Prophet's struggle, primarily against the ego (the greater jihad) and against religious oppression (the lesser jihad).
Back cover photos: The blessed footprint of Prophet Muhammad; golden keys to the Kaba in Mecca, bestowed upon the Ottoman Sultans as caretakers of the sacred site.
All items are part of a permanent display at Topkapi Museum, Istanbul.
Table of Contents
PREFACE
FOREWORD
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NOTES
CREATION OF THE LIGHT OF MUHAMMAD 
The Twelve Veils
Creation of the Beloved
From the Light of Muhammad
Who Gazed at the Soul of Muhammad
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROPHETS OF GOD
Adam
Seth
Idris
Noah
Hud
Salih
Abraham
Ishmail
Isaac
Jacob
Joseph
Job
Shu’ayb
Moses
Aaron
Ilyas
David
Solomon
Ezra
Jonah
Zacharia
John
Jesus
Muhammad
Created Through the Light of Muhammad
DESCENT OF NUR-I-MUHAMMAD
Narration of Ka’b al-Akhbar
THE YEAR OF THE ELEPHANT
Diverting the Pilgrimage to Yemen
The Wisdom of Abdul-Muttalib
Divine Support Saves Mecca
THE BLESSED BIRTH
More Events Surrounding the Noble Birth of the Prophet
Halima as-Sa’adia, the Prophet’s Nurse
EARLY HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT SHAPED THE COMMUNITY
Muhammad’s Marriage to Khadija al-Kubra
Revelation of Prophethood
How `Umar bin Khattab Came to Islam
Some Miracles of the Holy Prophet
Migration to Abyssinia
Hamza Enters the Fold of Islam
The Quraysh Send Envoys to the King of Abyssinia
The Deaths of Abu Talib and Khadija
The Holy Prophet’s Visit to Ta’if
THE HOLY ASCENSION OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD
Buraq is Dispatched to His Noble Mount
Prophet Narrates His Mi’raj
Bayt-al-Maqdis
Meeting the Prophets
THE PROPHET’S VISIT TO HEAVENS
The Second Heaven
The Third Heaven
Allah Grants the Prophet Intercession
The Fourth Heaven
Mansions of Maryam, Buhayyid and Asiya 
The Fifth Heaven
The Sixth Heaven
THE SEVENTH HEAVEN
The Bayt-al-Ma’mur (The Heavenly House)
The Sidratul Muntaha
The Four Streams of Paradise
Ramadan, the Blessed
The Angel Jibra’il’s Appearance
The Vision of the Divine Beauty
The Tahiyyat Prayer
Allah Complains About the Ummah
PARADISE
About the Paradise Gardens
The Tuba Tree
The Waters of Kawthar
The Duration of the Mi’raj
THE EARLY MUSLIMS IN MADINAH
The Second Tryst at ‘Aqaba
The Hijra
The Snake Bites Abu Bakr
The First Hijri Mosque at Quba
The Song of Welcome
A King of Yemen is Granted Shahada
EVENTS OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE HIJRA
The Beginning of the Islamic Calendar
The Command to Fight the Idolators
The Expedition of ‘Ubayda bin al-Harith
The Changing of the Qibla
The Fasting of Ramadan
The Great Battle of Badr
‘Abbas Enters Islam
The Story of Wahab bin ‘Umayr
The Marriage of Fatima to Ali
Other Marriages
THE BATTLE OF UHUD
The Martyrdom of Hamza
Umm Ummara Joins the Battle
The Prophet is Wounded
Allah Offers Martyrdom
Umm Ayman is Injured
The Death of Ubayy bin Khalaf
The Funeral Prayer in Islam
More Examples of Pious Women
The Military Defeat at Uhud
EVENTS THAT SHAPED THE GROWING MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Events of Bir Ma’una
The Day of Raji’
The Expulsion of the Bani Nadir
Why the Bani Nadir Were Expelled
The Story of Zaynab bint Jahsh
The Battle of the Trench
The Treachery of the Bani Qurayza
The Reconciliation at al-Hudaybiyah
The Pledge of Allegiance, Baiyat-i-Ridwan
MESSAGES TO VARIOUS RULERS
The Byzantine Emperor Heraclius
The Khosroes of Iran, King Parviz
The Negus of Abyssinia
The Muqawqis of Egypt
The Chief of Yamama
The Chief of the Syrian Arabs
CHALLENGES & ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NEW MUSLIM NATION
Preparing for the Conquest of Khaybar
Diplomatic Solutions Failed
Approaching the Battle
Ali Leads the Fight by High Example
The Results of War
The Story of Safiya bint Huyay bin Akhtab
How the Holy Prophet Dealt With His Enemies
The Prophet’s ‘Umra
The Battle of Mu’ta
The Story of ‘Amr ibn al-‘As
The Battle of Murays
The Slander of Aisha
The Conquest of Mecca
The Prophet Forgave the Crimes of Jahiliyya
The Incident of the Bani Jadhima
The Battle of Hunayn
The Division of the Spoils
THE NINTH YEAR OF THE HIJRA
Repudiation and Choice
Developing Diplomatic Ties
Various Envoys Visit the Prophet
The Battle of Tabuk
Masjid al-Dirar
The Pilgrimage of Islam
EVENTS OF THE TENTH YEAR OF THE HIJRA
Many Thousands Enter Islam
The Farewell Pilgrimage
False Prophets Appear
An Unprecedented Legacy
THE HOLY PROPHET’S PASSING
The Deep Love of the Sahaba
Advice of the Prophet
The Friend on High, the Exalted Companion of Paradise
Choosing a Successor
The Battles of the Holy Prophet
The Prophet’s Scribes
The Prophet’s Military Weaponry
The Holy Prophet’s Blessed Description
MONTHS AND HOLY DAYS OF THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Preface
Muhammad: The Messenger of Islam has been published at a time when people around the world, particularly those who are unfamiliar with the Islamic faith, are searching for understanding of this great religion, its adherents, its holy book the Quran, and the life examples of its ultimate leader, Muhammad, unto him be peace.
This esteemed work arrives as crucial questions are being asked. What is so appealing about Islam that nearly one-fourth of the world’s inhabitants claim it as their religion? How does Islam regard human life, women, education and literacy, democracy, military pursuits and, in general terms, the life we have come to know in the West? What is the Islamic view of other religions?
In fact Islam is a religion that engages its adherents at every level of life, going beyond the walls of the mosque. Islamic teachings are based on the divinely revealed Quran, on the Hadith (examples of the Prophet Muhammad ), and on the legal judgments of trained jurists. It is also a religion largely open to interpretation, which allows for consensus, discussion, and disagreement.
However, everyone who is familiar with Islam will certainly agree it offers guidance for every aspect of our lives, with the goal of serving Allah subhana wa ta’ala, The Almighty in the best manner. Therefore, to be a servant of God is the highest goal of humankind, which encompasses respect for all creation and humility.
To achieve this goal or “station”, one must be cognizant of what Allah subhana wa ta’ala truly expects from His creatures. One must seek guidance and the ability to distinguish what is right, and to stand for it even in the face of opposition. One must certainly remain open to Truth.
And thus we find in Islam the guidance in the form of the textual sources, but also practices that feed the soul, to keep it in tune with The Divine. Just as our physical bodies cannot survive without food and drink, being from Heavens, our souls have specific needs to survive in this earthly sphere of life. It is this spiritual connection with The Divine that actually allows us to carry the burden of life in this physical world.
To view humanity as mere physical beings - as evolved, more sophisticated animals - reduces us to a limited, one-dimensional, material level. History is replete with countless examples of the failure of humanity to resolve its miseries and challenges through material means. Currently there are more resources in the world than ever before, and yet poverty and hunger have reached unprecedented levels, prisons are bursting from overcrowding, the volume of refugees has surpassed all predictions, wars have not subsided, and fatal diseases and illnesses pervade every region. We live in a time when financial success and the material life does not solve our problems; in fact in most cases it drives us to excessive behaviors. As a people, these circumstances are spiritually killing us, across all social and religious boundaries, wiping out true humanity from the face of the earth.
Islam categorically refutes the materialist approach to life by raising the status of human beings to representatives of Allah subhana wa ta’ala on earth, equipped with faculties of reason, but similarly equipped with powers to develop as superior beings through acts of kindness, humility, and intervention against what is wrong. By following the divine guidance of Allah’s prophets and saints, we are granted access to a spiritual world through which we are perpetually fed, gaining the crucial abilities we need to survive this material world.
Muhammad: The Messenger of Islam embodies the timeless teachings of holy souls through the ages, whom Allah subhana wa ta’ala has endowed with immense wisdom. May we benefit from what they offer, that these lessons help us evolve to higher stations, becoming truly in tune with the spiritual dimension of life, achieving a state of genuine peace – with ourselves and the world around us.
Wa min Allah at Tawfiq - and Allah knows best.
Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, Cyprus, January 2002
Foreword
Praise be to Allah subhana wa ta’ala (The Almighty, glorified and exalted) that He created us and sent His messengers to teach us, and sent His message of the Unity of God through many prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and our master Muhammad . To fill all peoples with love and peace, and to provide us wisdom and guidance, Allah subhana wa ta’ala sent the heavenly books: the Psalms of David, the Torah of Moses (Old Testament), the Injil of Jesus (New Testament), and the Holy Quran of Prophet Muhammad .
We find in His infinite wisdom and mercy, Allah subhana wa ta’ala has sent divine knowledge much as the sun fills the horizon, illuminating the hearts of humankind as they navigate and face the challenges of this earthly life. He made his prophets role models for all humanity, for all times to come. May His blessings come on all messengers, especially on the Last Messenger, Sayyidina Muhammad , the Chosen One from among all prophets, sent as a mercy for all humanity and a rainbow of divine light and revelation for the entire world. Blessings be upon his companions 
who are the stars of that universe of knowledge, and forgiveness be upon those who follow them until the Day of Judgment.
A prophet (nabi) is a human being to whom Allah subhana wa ta’ala has revealed a criterion of disciplinary law (Shari`a) but whom He did not ask to deliver it as a message.
A messenger (rasul) is a human being to whom Allah subhana wa ta’ala has revealed the disciplinary law as a prophet, but on top of that, sent him to deliver the message; thus he is both a prophet and a messenger.
Prophets, as they have been described in the sayings of Ibn `Abbas in the work of commentary Ruh al-bayan, specifically of the chapter of Quran entitled Surat al-`Araaf, it is stated that the prophets number around 124,000, and the prophet-messengers are twenty-five. Further, Imam Ahmad narrated that Abi Dharr al-Ghifari said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, who was the first Prophet?” He said, “Adam”. … And I asked, “Oh Messenger of Allah, how many are the messengers?” He said, “310 and a few more.”
And in another narration of Imam Ahmad, from the narration of Abi Umaama, Abu Dharr asked, “Oh Messenger of Allah, how many are the prophets?” He said, “120,000 and between them 315 messengers.”
The Holy Quran mentions twenty-five of these messengers, namely: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishma`il, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Zacharia, John (the Baptist), Idris, Jonah, Hud, Shu`ayb, Salih, Lot, Ilyas, Ilya`sa, Dhul-kifli, Jesus and Sayyidina Muhammad, peace be upon them all. These are the messengers of Allah who came with holy books containing the divine message. The others are prophets who received divine revelation but who were not ordered to deliver it to anyone; it was for them. For example, all Jacob’s sons were prophets, but Joseph was the only messenger from among them.
Muhammad: The Messenger of Islam proves a very great resource for Muslims and people of other faiths. It expounds intimate details of the life of Prophet Muhammad , highlighting his love and respect for all humanity, the depth of his compassion and mercy for all creation, and his perfect example as a role model for anyone who seeks the ultimate proximity to Allah subhana wa ta’ala and perfection as a human being.
What he brought was revolutionary: enlightenment and education that immediately ushered people out of wayward darkness into guiding light, from unrealistic life to realistic life, from evil to good. The life examples of the Last Messenger Muhammad are a vast reservoir of examples from which we can draw deeply at any point in time, to quench the thirst for self-improvement and true guidance.
Laboriously compiled from rare manuscripts, traditional Islamic texts, and other printed source material (including sahih hadith and others*), painstakingly translated from Ottoman Turkish to English, Muhammad: The Messenger of Islam accurately depicts the perfected, blessed character and refined manners that Allah subhana wa ta’ala bestowed on His beloved prophet . This illustrious work examines the greatness Prophet Muhammad showed throughout his life. It depicts the great lengths to which he went - many times risking his own life, suffering humiliation, torment and abuse from his own tribe, leaving the only home he knew, always tolerant of his attackers and seeking peace - to guide the entire world with practical lessons on living a successful life. These lessons can be applied in any culture, place, or era, and miraculously remain as current today as they were fifteen centuries ago.
From Prophet Muhammad’s life examples (sunnah) we find elaborate guidelines on all aspects of society building, from infrastructure development and establishing relations with foreign nations, to building academic, economic and welfare systems, and establishing the judiciary body and ministry of defense. To this day, he is known as a superior statesman who built a solid nation, able to face countless challenges. In fact over time, many of the Prophet’s nation-building tactics have been applied and proven in various regions of the world.
In the glorious Quran, Allah subhana wa ta’ala said:
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets, and Allah has full knowledge of all things. [33:40]
Tirmidhi (hasan) and Ibn Maja:
Abu Sa`id al-Khudri narrated that the Prophet said: “I am the leader of human beings and I say this without pride.”
At-Tirmidhi narrated:
“The Prophet said: I heard your words, and everything you said is indeed true, and I myself am the Beloved of Allah (habibullah) and I say this without pride, and I carry the flag of glory (liwa ul-hamd) on the Day of Judgment, and am the first intercessor and the first whose intercession is accepted, and the first to stir the circles of Paradise so that Allah will open it for me and I shall enter it together with the poor among my Community, and I say this without pride. I am the most honored of the First and the Last, and I say this without pride.”
And thus we lovingly present Muhammad: The Messenger of Islam in our humble attempt to bring light where there is darkness, to bring peace to troubled minds, and to restore love to battered hearts.
Wa min Allah at Tawfiq - and Allah knows best.
Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani, Washington D.C., January 2002
* According to a sound ruling in Islamic jurisprudence in reference to matters of worship, even a weak tradition (hadith) is acceptable in order to encourage people to a better way of life and self-improvement. In Seerat ibn Hisham and at-Tabari and in other Islamic historical sources, there appear numerous hadith from Bukhari and Muslim, but still you find weak narrations are included. This book has been compiled from all these sources: from the sahih hadith to the good, the fair to the weak, all of which serve to encourage people to live more pious lives and to clarify the details of the life of the Prophet .
About the Author
Hajjah Amina Adil is a renowned author, lecturer and spiritual advisor who, for more than forty years, has devoted herself to help people of all walks of life better understand Islam. In addition, she has played a pivotal role in helping Muslim women understand and apply the many distinguishing rights God Almighty set forth for women in the Islamic faith.
Married for fifty years to Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, the spiritual head of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order, Hajjah Amina has traveled the world. A scholar of Shari`ah and shaykha, she has thousands of disciples throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle and Far East, Southeast and Central Asia, and Africa.
She studied under many scholars of the Middle East and Turkey, including Grandshaykh Abdullah ad-Daghestani an-Naqshbandi, among others.
Hajjah Amina is from the family of Prophet Muhammad . She was born in Russia’s Kazan Province during the early Communist era, which mandated a statewide purge of Jews, Christians and Muslims. With neighbors mysteriously disappearing and millions exiled to camps in Siberia where they either froze or starved to death, when she was a mere toddler the family fled on foot in the dark of night on a perilous journey that, for reasons of safety, could only be undertaken with the clothes on their backs.
Too young to recall the long journey that would eventually lead them to Turkey, family members have narrated her parents’ bravery and deep sense of faith, young Amina’s sense of adventure, and a tragic life-threatening fall that left her in a coma from which they feared she would not recover. After more than a year and with Communist officials in deadly pursuit, the family miraculously made their way to Arzurum in northeastern Turkey.
Thus, at such a tender age, Hajjah Amina was granted the high status of “muhajirah”, which means one who migrated from tyranny and religious oppression to a place where they can openly practice their faith. It is said the reward for such an undertaking rests solely with God Almighty.
These early life experiences seem to have shaped Hajjah Amina’s love of family, community and travel, her forthrightness in standing for justice, and her love of Islam. However, after twelve years in Turkey, Hajjah Amina’s father had a vision in which he was instructed to relocate the family to “Sham” (Damascus), which had been their original destination upon leaving Russia. In Damascus they found the life they had been seeking, and settled on Jabal Qasiyun, a high mountain which overlooks the entire city.
It was here the family met Grandshaykh Abdullah al-Fa`iz ad-Daghestani of the Golden Chain of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order, who took particular care in overseeing Hajjah Amina’s religious and spiritual development. Under Grandshaykh Abdullah she studied Tasawwuf (Sufism – Islamic spirituality) and she studied Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) under such notable scholars as Shaykh Salih Farfour of Syria and Shaykh Mukhtar Alaily, then Secretary General of Religious Affairs of Lebanon. Hajjah Amina’s teachers and mentors were always amazed with her acumen, with her high level of retention, and her ability to grasp and reason complex issues within the framework of Islamic Law, even at a young age.
At age twenty-three, upon the advice of Grandshaykh Abdullah she was engaged to the young Shaykh Nazim; they married a month later and have remained great companions for nearly fifty years. In fact Shaykh Nazim often remarks that his wife seems to him the same as when they first married. Together they have lived and raised their four children between Syria, Turkey and Cyprus, and at the time of this writing they have been blessed with sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
As a young mother and wife of a shaykh in training, Hajjah Amina was often left alone to face the challenges of raising a family while her husband was either in spiritual retreat or traveling for months on end, visiting various regions to spread the word of the Unity of God. This, coupled with her early life experience, only strengthened her faith and reliance on God Almighty.
Hajjah Amina has thrice performed Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. Known for her wise, practical approach to life and her problem-solving skills, over the years she has become a much-turned-to advisor of women on a host of issues. She speaks fluent Turkish and Arabic, and is proficient in English. She is uniquely beloved to heads of state and their ministers, to celebrities, as well as common folk.
Hajjah Amina currently resides in Cyprus in a comfortable “old world” farm house with a spacious garden, where she receives thousands of visitors each year from all over the world. She still occasionally accompanies Shaykh Nazim on his official visits to other countries and has been a keynote speaker at numerous conferences on Islam and Muslim women.
Hajjah Amina’s other works include the three-volume series Lore of Light, her inimitable narration of stories of the prophets and miracles of the saints. All inquiries for Hajjah Amina may be directed to the publisher.
Acknowledgements
This brilliant work stands as tribute to the profound impact on religious and social development made by the Rahmatun-lil `Alamin, the “Mercy to all the Worlds”, Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdallah (peace and blessing of God be upon him).
As one who grew up at the feet of renowned scholars thoroughly conversant in Islamic history and tradition, it is my distinct honor to acknowledge my mother’s shining attempt to bring to life stories handed down over centuries on the unprecedented life of the Prophet of Islam.
In her inimitable style – which captivates the imagination much like in the pre-television era - renowned scholar and author, my mother Hajjah Amina Adil meticulously compiled this great Seerah (biography) in her native Ottoman Turkish, a classic language which inevitably suffers loss when translated to English. Thus, every care has been taken to capture the linguistic styles and finer meanings of ancient narrations, while presenting them to a contemporary, English-speaking audience.
It is deeply hoped Muhammad (): The Messenger of Islam will fill the current literary demand for titles on traditional Islam, and its much-discussed religious interpretations. This book is presented with a view to answer many contemporary questions and to help those unfamiliar with this great world religion in better understanding its tenets, history and culture which is shared by 1.5 billion adherents, roughly one-fifth of the world’s inhabitants.
For the past year our editorial team has worked intensely to bring you this highly authoritative work, replete with textual references and a glossary of the many foreign terms, which have recently surfaced into the mainstream English language.
My deep gratitude goes to Ms. Radhia Shukrullah of Cyprus who labored to provide an accurate translation from the original Ottoman Turkish.
The following women have taken great pains to ensure the integrity of all textual references, and have provided extensive editing to present this work to mainstream audiences: Dr. Hedieh Mirahmadi, Director of Public Affairs, Islamic Supreme Council of America; Hajjah Talibah Jilani, National Executive Director, Kamilat Muslims Women’s Association; and Ms. Jennifer McLennan, Executive Director, Islamic Supreme Council of America.
Muhammad: The Messenger of Islam is a work of enduring love, which comes to you from our hearts. The efforts of this sincere group of women – from the author and translator through the editors and publisher – is tribute to the high standards of women’s and human rights, introduced in Arabia fifteen centuries ago by this greatest of God’s prophets.
In these times, when we are inundated with news of religious radicalism, I pray the readers of this shining work will gain a deeper respect and understanding for traditional Islam, which has thrived peacefully for many centuries, and which supports religious tolerance, gender equality, social consciousness, and civil responsibility. Further, through centuries of influence of the Sufi mystics and their various spiritual practices, classical Islam is known to liberate souls from their earthly bondage.
If you complete this reading better informed, with a sounder view of Islam and its adherents, if it spurns discussion and debate, and challenges you to re-evaluate past perceptions of Islam, Muslims, and their place in world history, not one moment of our collective effort has been in vain.
With a combination of pride, humility, and awe, I salute the five decades of my mother’s devotion to bringing light where there is darkness, and for instilling in me a deep love for Islamic tradition. May this valuable book be blessed, and may it reach those who may truly benefit from it.
Hajjah Naziha Adil
Chairwoman, Kamilat, April 2002
Notes
Quran translations are quoted from the Arberry English translation, The Quran Interpreted by Arthur J. Arberry, Oxford University Press, 1964.
Quotes from the Quran and Hadith, the two major source texts on Islam, are italicized and referenced by the chapter name and verse.
The following symbols are universally recognized by Muslims and have been respectfully included in this work:
The symbol represents “sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam” (Allah's blessings and greetings of peace be upon him) which is customarily recited after reading or pronouncing the name of Prophet Muhammad.
It is intended that “alayhis-salam” (peace be upon him/her) be recited after the names of the other prophets, the Family of the Prophet, the pure and virtuous women in Islam, and the angels, represented by the symbol 
.
It is also intended that “radiAllahu anh” or (may Allah be pleased with him/her) is recited after the names of Companions of the Prophet, represented by the symbol .
Creation of the Light of Muhammad
One day Ali, karam Allahu wajhahu, the cousin and son-in-law of the Holy Prophet asked, “Oh Muhammad, both my parents shall be my ransom, pray tell me what the Lord Almighty created before all other beings of creation?” This was his blissful reply:
Verily, before your Lord made any other thing, He created from His own Light the light of your Prophet , and that Light rested haithu mashaAllah, where Allah willed it to rest. And at that time there existed aught else-not the Preserved Tablets, not the Pen, not Heaven nor Hell, not the Angelic Host, not the heavens nor the earth; there was no sun, no moon, no star, no jinn nor man nor angel–none was as yet created, only this Light.
Then Allah – glorified be He – by divine decree willed the Creation to be. He therefore divided this Light into four parts. From the first part He created the Pen, from the second the Tablets, from the third the Divine Throne.
Now it has become known that when the Lord had created the Tablets and the Pen, the Pen had on it one hundred nodes, the distance between two nodes being that of two years wayfaring. The Lord then commanded the Pen to write, and the Pen asked, “Oh Lord, what shall I write?” The Lord said, “Write: la ilaha illAllah, Muhammadan Rasulullah.” Thereupon the Pen exclaimed, “Oh, what a beautiful, great name is that of Muhammad that it is to mentioned in one with Thy hallowed Name, oh Lord.”
The Lord then said, “Oh Pen, mind your manners! This name is the name of My Beloved, from his Light I have created the Throne and the Pen and the Tablets; you, too, are created from his Light. Had it not been for him, I would not have created a single thing.” When Allah Almighty had spoken these words, the Pen split in two from awe of the Lord, and the place from which its speech issued became blocked, so that to this very day its nib remains cloven in two and clogged up, so it does not write, which is the sign of this great divine secret. Therefore, let no one fail in veneration and honoring of the Holy Prophet , or become lax in following his shining example, or contravene the noble custom he has taught us.
Then again the Lord commanded the Pen to write. “What shall I write, oh Lord?” asked the Pen. The Lord of the Worlds then said, “Write that which will be until the Day of Judgment!” Said the Pen, “Oh Lord, with what shall I begin?” Said the Lord, “With these words you shall commence: Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim.” In perfect respect and deference, the Pen then set out to write these words upon the Tablets, and it completed writing them in seven hundred years.
When the Pen had written these words, the Almighty spoke and said, “It has taken you seven hundred years to write three of My Names; the Name of My Majesty, My Mercy and My Compassion. These blessed words I have made as a present to the nation of My Beloved Muhammad . By My Majesty I pledge that whenever any servant from this nation pronounces the words of the Bismillah with a pure intention, I will write seven hundred years of countless reward for this servant, and seven hundred years of sins I will erase.”
Now, the fourth part of this Light I have again divided into four parts: from one part I have created the Throne-bearing Angels (hamalat al-`Arsh); from the second I have created the Kursi, the Divine court (the upper Heaven supporting the Divine Throne, the `Arsh); from the third I created all the other heavenly angels; and the fourth part I have partitioned once more into four: from its first part I made the skies, from its second I made the earths, from its third I made the Jinn and the fire. Its fourth part I have again divided into four parts: from one part I made the light upon the faces of the believers; from the second part I made the light within their hearts, imbuing them with knowledge of the divine; from the third the light upon their tongues which is the light of Tawhid (the Unity of Allah), and from the fourth part I made the different lights of the soul of Muhammad .
This lovely soul came into being 360 thousand years before the creation of the world, and it was shaped most beautifully and made of incomparable matter. Its head was made from guidance, its neck from humility, its eyes from modesty, its forehead from closeness (to Allah), its mouth from patience, its tongue from truthfulness, its cheeks from love and admonition, its belly from abstemiousness and other worldliness, its feet and knees from following the straight path, and its noble heart was filled with mercy. This much-honored soul was taught with mercy and equipped with all manner of wondrous powers. It was given its message and its prophetic qualities were installed. Then the Crown of Divine Proximity was placed upon its blessed head, eminent and exalted above all else, embellished with Divine Pleasure and given the pure, holy name of Habibullah (Beloved of Allah).
The Twelve Veils
After this the Lord Almighty, blessed be He, created twelve Veils. The first of these was the Veil of Power within which the Prophet’s soul remained for twelve thousand years, reciting Subhana rabbil-’ala (Glory be to my Lord, the Lofty). The second was the Veil of Grandeur in which he was veiled for eleven thousand years, saying, Subhanal ’Alim al-Hakim (Glory be to my Lord, the All-Knowing, the Wise). Ten thousand years he remained shrouded in the Veil of Kindness, saying Subhana man huwa da’im, la yaqta (Glory to Him who is perpetual, who never ends). The fourth veil was the Veil of Mercy, therein the noble soul remained for nine thousand years, praising Allah, saying: Subhana-rafi’-al-`ala (Glory be to the Elevated, the High). The fifth veil was the Veil of Bliss, and therein he remained for eight thousand years, glorifying the Lord and saying, Subhana man huwa qa’imun la yanam. (Glory to Him who is ever existent, who sleeps not).
The sixth veil was the Veil of Munificence; he remained enfolded in it for seven thousand years, praising, Subhana-man huwal-ghaniyu la yafqaru (Glory be to Him who is rich, who never grows indigent). Then followed the seventh veil, the Veil of Rank. Here the enlightened soul remained for six thousand years, praising the Lord and saying: Subhana man huwal Khaliq-an-Nur (Glory to Him who is the Creator, the Light). Next, He veiled him in the eighth veil, the Veil of Guidance where he remained for five thousand years, praising Allah and saying, Subhana man lam yazil wa la yazal. (Glory to Him whose existence does not cease, who does not vanish).
Then followed the ninth veil, which was the Veil of Prophethood where he stayed for four thousand years, glorifying the Lord: “Subhana man taqarrab bil-qudrati wal-baqa.” (Glory to Him who draws nigh to His Omnipotence and Immortality). Then came the Veil of Eminence, the tenth veil where this enlightened soul remained for three thousand years, reciting praises on the Creator of all Causes, saying, “Subhana dhil-’arshi ‘amma yasifun.” (Glory be to the Owner of the Throne, above all else attributed to Him). The eleventh veil was the Veil of Light. There he remained for two thousand years, praying, “Subhana dhil-Mulk wal-Malakut.” (Glory to the Lord over the heavenly and earthly Kingdoms). The twelfth veil was the Veil of Intercession, and there he remained for one thousand years, saying “Subhana-rabbil-’azhim” (Glory to my Lord, the Sublime).
Creation of the Beloved
Thereafter the Lord created a tree which is known as the Tree of Certainty. This tree has four branches. He placed this blessed soul upon one of its branches, and it continued to praise Allah for forty thousand years, saying, Allahu dhul-Jalali wal-Ikram. (Allah, Possessor of Might and of Kindness). After it had thus praised Him with many and varied praises, the Almighty created a mirror, and He placed it so as to face the soul of Habibullah, and commanded his soul to gaze into this mirror. The soul looked into the mirror and saw itself reflected as possessing the most comely and perfect form. He then recited five times, Shukran lillahi ta’ala (thanks be to Allah, Exalted be He), and fell down in prostration before his Lord. He remained in each sajda for one hundred years, saying Subhanal-aliyyul-azhim, wa la yajhalu. (Glory be to the High, the Sublime, who ignores nothing); Subhanal-halim alladhi la yu’ajjalu. (Glory be to the Mild One who hastens not); Subhanal-jawad alladhi la yabkhalu. (Glory be to the Generous who is unstinting). Therefore the Causer of all Being obliged the nation of Muhammad to perform sajda (prostration) five times a day – these five prayers in the course of one day and night were a gift of honor to the nation of Muhammad .
From the Light of Muhammad
Next the Lord created a lamp of green emerald from the Light, and attached it to the tree by a chain of light. Then He placed the soul of Muhammad inside the lamp and commanded it to praise Him with the Most Beautiful Names (Asma al-Husna). This it did, and it began to recite each one of the Names for one thousand years. When it reached the Name ar-Rahman (the Merciful), the gaze of Mercy fell upon it and the soul began to sweat from modesty. Drops of sweat fell from it, as many as there were to be prophets and messengers, each drop of rose-flavored sweat turning into the soul of a prophet.
They all assembled around that lamp in the tree, and the Almighty addressed the soul of the Prophet Muhammad , “See here this multitude of prophets whom I have created from the pearl-like drops of your sweat.” Obeying this command, he gazed upon them, and as the light of the eye enfolds the object, so the souls of all these prophets were suddenly engulfed in the light of Muhammad , and they cried, “Oh Lord, who has wrapped us in light?” The Lord answered them, “This is the Light of My Beloved Muhammad, and if you will believe in him and confirm his prophetic message, I will grant you the honor of prophethood.” Thereupon all the souls of the prophets declared their belief in his prophethood, and the Lord said, “I bear witness to your acknowledgment,” and they all assented. As it is declared in the Holy Quran:
And when God took compact with the Prophets: That I have given you of Book and Wisdom; then there shall come to you a Messenger confirming what is with you–you shall believe in him and you shall help him; do you agree? He said. And do you take My load on you on that condition They said, ‘We do agree.’ God said, ‘Bear witness so, and I shall be with you among the witnesses.’
(The House of Imran, 3:75-76)
Then this pure, holy soul took up its recital of the Most Beautiful Names again. When it came to the Name al-Qahhar, its head began to sweat once more from the intensity of His Divine Majesty and Awe, and from these beads of sweat the Almighty created the souls of the blessed angels. From the sweat on his face, the Almighty created the Throne and the Divine Court, the Tablets and the Pen, the sun, the moon and the stars. From the sweat of his chest He created the scholars, the martyrs and the righteous believers. From the sweat on his back were made the Bayt-al-Ma’mur (the heavenly house), the Kabatullah (the Kaba), and the Bayt-al-Muqaddas (the Haram of Jerusalem), and the Rauda-i-Mutahhara (the Tomb of the Holy Prophet at Madinah), as well as all other mosques in the world.
From the sweat on his brows were made the souls of all the believers, and from the sweat of his lower back (the coccyx) were made the souls of all the unbelievers, fire worshippers and idolaters.
From the sweat of his feet was made all the ground from east to west, and all that is within it. From every drop of sweat the soul of one believer or unbeliever was created. That is the reason the Holy Prophet is referred to as “Abu Arwah”, Father of Souls. All these souls gathered round the soul of Muhammad , circling round him with praise and glorification for one thousand years; then the Lord commanded these souls to look at the soul of Muhammad . The souls all obeyed.
Who Gazed at the Soul of Muhammad
Now, those among them whose gaze fell upon his head were destined to become kings and heads of state in this world. Those who gazed at his forehead became just chiefs. Those who gazed at his eyes would become hafiz of the Word of Allah (i.e. one who commits it to memory). Those who saw his eyebrows became painters and artists. Those who saw his ears were to be of those who accept admonition and advice. Those who saw his blessed cheeks became performers of good and reasonable works. Those who saw his face became judges and perfumers, and those who saw his blessed lips became ministers.
Whoever saw his mouth was to be of those who fast much. Whoever looked at his teeth would be of comely appearance, and whoso saw his tongue was to become the ambassador of kings. Whoever saw his blessed throat was to become a preacher and mu’adhdhin (who calls the adhan). Whoever looked at his beard was to become a fighter in the way of Allah. Whoever looked at his upper arms was to become an archer or a diver in the sea, and whoever saw his neck became a merchant and a trader.
Whoso saw his right hand became a leader, and who saw his left hand became a dispenser (who holds the scales and measures out provisions). Whoso looked at the palms of his hands became a generous person; whoso looked at the backs of his hands became a miser. Whoso saw the inside of his right hand became a painter; who saw the fingertips of his right hand was to be a calligrapher, and who saw the tips of his left hand would be an ironworker.
Whoso saw his blessed chest would be of the learned, ascetic and scholarly. Whoso saw his back would be a humble person and obeying the laws of the Shari’a. Whoso saw his blessed sides would be a warrior. Whoever looked at his belly would be of the contented ones, and whoever looked at his right knee would be of those who perform ruk’u and sujud. Whoever looked at his blessed feet became a hunter, and who saw the bottom of his soles became one of those who take to the road. Who saw his shadow were to become singers and saz (lute) players. All those who looked but saw nothing were to become unbelievers, fire worshippers and idolaters. Those who didn’t look at all were to become those who would declare themselves to be gods, such as Nimrod, Pharoah and his ilk.
Now all the souls lined up in four rows. In the first row stood the souls of the prophets and messengers, on whom be peace; in the second row were placed the souls of the holy saints, the Friends of God; in the third row stood the souls of the believing men and women; in the fourth row stood the souls of the unbelievers. All these souls remained in the world of spirits in the presence of Allah Almighty until their time had come to be sent into the material world. No one but Allah Almighty knows how much time elapsed from the time of the creation of the Prophet Muhammad’s blessed soul to his descent from the spiritual world into his physical form.
It is narrated that the Holy Prophet Muhammad asked the angel Jibra'il , “How long is it since you were created?” The angel answered, “Oh Rasulullah, I don’t know the number of years, all I know is that every seventy thousand years a tremendous light shines forth from behind the Canopy of the Divine Throne; since the time of my creation this light has appeared twelve thousand times.” “Do you know what this Light is?” asked Muhammad . “No, I don’t know,” said the angel. “It is the light of my soul in the world of the spirit,” replied the Holy Prophet . Consider then, how immense a number it must be if 70,000 is multiplied by 12,000!
Descriptions of the Prophets of God 
(from Anwar-al-‘Ashiqin by Ahmet Bijan)
Know then, oh ye who wish to learn divine secrets that I have set forth herein the stories of the prophets as they have been transmitted to us through the traditions and commentaries, in the Torah, the Zabur, the Injil and the Holy Quran in clear language and most pleasing style. It is confirmed beyond doubt in the sublime verses of the Holy Quran, in convincing signs and with evident miracles that the Holy Prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is the Seal of the Prophets and the Prince among the Messengers.
Let us now mention the decrees of divine ordinance as revealed to various prophets and explanations pertaining thereto; after which we shall discuss the law brought by the Prince of the Universe and the Essence of all Creation, Muhammad, on whom be peace, inshaAllah.
Adam
Let it be known that in the time of Adam , the first man and the first Prophet, judgment was pronounced according to the following procedure: after a sacrificial offering was made, one had only to wait. If a fire came down from Heaven to consume the sacrifice, the claimant was in the right; if, however, he was wrong, no fire came down to consume his sacrificial offering, and thereby he was judged.
Noah
In the time of the Prophet Nuh , judgment proceeded in this way: when two litigants appeared before a court, they were both placed within a fire. If the fire burned one of them, he was judged to be in the wrong; the one who was not burnt by the fire was judged to be in the right.
David
In Da’ud’s time, justice was achieved by the following means: a chain was hung suspended in court. The litigant who was able to reach up to the chain was thought to be in the right, the one who failed to reach it, was judged to be in the wrong.
Solomon
In the time of Sulayman legal cases were decided as follows: there was a pit in King Sulayman’s retreat. If two people came before the king, they were led to the pit, and he whose foot sank into the pit was judged as being in the right, while the other was judged as being wrong.
Zachariah
In Prophet Zakaria’s time judgment was pronounced thus: Zakaria had two iron pens. When two people came before him seeking a legal decision, he would write their names upon these pens and place them in a container of water. The pen that floated to the surface bore the name of the litigant, who won his case, while the pen that sank to the bottom bore the loser’s name.
Moses
The Prophet Musa was given the Torah and all judgment proceeded according to its law.
Jesus
The Prophet ‘Isa was given the Injil and justice was done according to its precepts.
Then dawned the time of the most perfect being of all creation, our noble Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, who brought us the highest and most complete law (Shari’a) that has ever existed, and who said:
It is for the plaintiff to bring forward evidence (for his case), and for the defendant (who protests his innocence) to place himself under oath.
And praise be to Him who has made us to belong to the nation of the Prophet of the best of all religions. Truly, He, Allah is full of Mercy and Compassion.
Oh ye who are versed in holy knowledge! Oh ye who seek to meet your Lord Almighty! Ye who have attained your goal! Who have set out in quest of divine secrets! In this book you will find all the knowledge of truth and the source of divine knowledge, inasmuch as Allah Almighty – exalted be He – has made it plain to the people of perfection through emanations of both general and particular nature. However, it is not disclosed herein in which aspect any of the prophets may be superior to any other, be it from consideration of the spiritual essence or some other reason, but Allah knows best the truth of any matter and its hidden implications. This humble dervish, Ahmet Bijan, was thrown thereby into a state of confusion and entrusted himself entirely to the guidance of the Almighty and the pure soul of the Prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace. The Almighty then made clear to me some matters mentioned in the compiled works of the commentators.
Adam
Now it should be known that each of the prophets was distinguished by attributes from the attributes of Allah, and that emanations of His holy names were manifested in them and that each became known by an unmistakable spiritual flavor and a distinct revelation. Therefore, Adam was the original model, as it were, both in his physical form and his spiritual composition, and Allah willed it so that Adam became the father of mankind.
As regards Adam’s inner truth and spiritual reality, it is from the light of the name of Allah’s essence, and this is His proper name: Allah. His mind and heart are from the light of two divine attributes: one of them is the Merciful (ar-Rahim), and one is the Compassionate (ar-Rahman), inasmuch as Allah Almighty has spoken:
And for Mercy I have created you, oh Adam!
Therefore Adam was distinguished from both high and low through mercy. Adam’s self was created from the light of Allah’s action. Al-Badi’, the Creator, the Originator, whereby the singularity of Adam’s creation is indicated: he was made unlike and not resembling any other created being: he is the original specimen.
Seth
When Seth was given to Adam as a “gift of God”, he was made to resemble his father in form. As regards Seth’s inner truth and spiritual reality, it is made from the light of the Name of divine essence, and it is the name: Malik, the owner, inasmuch as Seth became the owner of the world after his father Adam . His mind and heart are from the light of the divine attribute: al-Barr, the Pious, the Good, and for that Seth was extremely good and compassionate towards his parents. Allah sent Seth to Adam and Hawa to make up for the loss of their beloved son Habil (Abel). Seth’s self was from the light of two divine actions: one was al-Jami’, the Gatherer, the other: al-Mughni, the Enriched, the Independent, for after his father it was Seth in whom was gathered all the perfection of mankind, thus he can be said to be rich and independent of all but Allah Almighty.
Idris
The Prophet Idris was granted ascension to the heavens during his lifetime where he mingled with the angels and the insubstantial spirits. For ten years he remained with them, during which time he never once ate, drank or slept at all, so that his mind became free and cut off from all ties of material existence. In this exclusive devotion he was the predecessor of the Prophet Nuh , and such was his holy station in the divine presence. His inner truth and spiritual reality were of the light of Allah’s essence, and this is al-Quddus, the Hallowed, the All-Holy. His mind and heart are from the light of the divine attribute al-Muta’al, the Elevated, the Supreme, which refers to the high station assigned to him by the Almighty, as it is written in the Holy Quran:
We raised him up to a high place. (Maryam, 57)
His self was from the light of two divine actions: one of them ar-Rafi’, that is He who raises aloft, and al-Basit, that is He who spreads, extends, inasmuch as Idris was raised up to the heavens and found his enjoyment in looking down upon the worlds spread out beneath him.
Noah