Madani Travelogue
In the Court of Quṭb al-Maghrib (Part 2)
Mawlana Muhammad Imran Attari – Head of Dawat-e-Islami’s Central Executive Committee
Travelling to the shrine of Quṭb al Maghrib
The next morning on Friday 16th December 2022 after the Fajr prayer, we travelled to the shrine of ꜤAbd al-Salām Mashīsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه. His shrine is about 65km away from Fes at the top of Mount ꜤIlm, beneath a chestnut tree. Mashīsh and Bashīsh are written next to his name, signifying how both can be said and written.
Love for the noble saints
During the journey, the boards that were raised to indicate the distance were informing us how far away we were from the shrines of the noble saints. I observed that even if the locals did or did not have knowledge about the shrines of other noble saints, they had plenty of knowledge about the shrines of Sayyidunā Mawlā Idrīs, Sayyidunā Mawlā ꜤAbd al-Salām Mashīsh and Sayyidī Muhammad b. Sulaymān Jazūlī رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ. The greatness of these noble saints and the love the locals had for them is evident through this.
Remembrance of Quṭb al Maghrib
Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Salām Mashīsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was born in the village of Banī ꜤArūs, Tangier (Ṭanjah) province and moved to Mount ꜤIlm near the city of Larache (ꜤArāˈish) later on in life. His genealogy traces back to the grandson of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, Imam Hassan رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ.[1] At the age of 7, he adopted the path of spiritual development and the recognition of Allah Almighty and travelled in this way for 16 years.[2] His first teacher was Shaykh ꜤAbd al-Raḥmān Madanī Zayyāt رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه. He was martyred in 622AH.[3]
Quṭb of the era
ꜤAbd al-Salam Mashīsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه became famous in northern Morocco. He was accepted as a Quṭb in the western lands, similar to the rank of Imam Muhammad b. Idrīs Shafi’i رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه in Egypt.[4] Quṭb al Maghrib رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه lived on the peak of a mountain. The founder of the Shādhilī sufi spiritual order, Sayyidunā Abū al-Ḥasan Shādhilī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه made his way up the mountain to meet him. Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Salām Mashīsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه came out from his home, narrated Sayyidunā Abū al-Ḥasan’s entire lineage, and said, “You have come to me as a poor man, but you have acquired the wealth of the world and the Hereafter because of it.”[5]
Sayyidunā Abū al-Ḥasan Shādhilī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه performed oath of allegiance with him, and he was given glad tidings of becoming a Quṭb (a special rank within the noble saints). After a spiritual training, he was told to go to Africa.[6]
Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Salām Mashīsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه gave the following advice: اللہُ اللہُ وَالنَّاسُ النَّاس. “Allah is Allah, and the people are people. Protect your tongue by not mentioning them.” He also told Abu al-Hassan Shadhili رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه to keep the heart occupied in the remembrance of Allah Almighty, to not rely upon people, fulfil the obligations, and to not pay attention to creation unless you are commanded by Allah Almighty to do so. He said the guidance of Allah Almighty will always be with him.[7]
In the court of Quṭb al-Maghrib
It was cold, windy and rainy when we were near the resting place of Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Salām Mashīsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه. It was the first time I climbed to the peak of a mountain in this weather. We purchased plastic raincoats and climbed the mountain to visit the great saint. The force of the wind and rain was urging us to go back, but the spiritual passion of the devotees of the noble saints spurred us on. We moved onwards with newfound energy and eventually reached the peak of the mountain and the shrine. The shrine is in a small four-walled room made of old stones with two small windows on the sides. Despite the difficulty of reaching the shrine, many people visit it and this indicates to the authority of the noble shaykh resting here and also to the immense love held for the noble saints.
There are two graves near the resting place of Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Salām Mashīsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه. It is said one of them belongs to his son and the other to his servant. His descendants are alive today and they are known as Shurafāˈ. There are more graves around his shrine where his family members and other people are laid to rest.
Bury your deceased near the pious
If possible, bury the deceased next to the pious servants of Allah Almighty, so they can acquire their blessings. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Bury your deceased next to the pious because the deceased is troubled by bad neighbours, just as the living suffer from bad neighbours.”[8]
We presented our salām to the noble saints, supplicated, and conveyed reward to the deceased before descending the mountain. During the descent, we saw a flowing mountain stream as well as other breathtaking views.
Method of visiting Shrines
It is written on page one of the book Mazarat Par Haziri Ka Tariqa, published by Maktaba tul Madinah:
When visiting the resting place of a saint, approach it from the feet side if possible. Stand facing the head of the saint, with your back to the direction of the Qiblah. Stand two yards away from the grave. There is no sin in standing closer or further away than this. People who are praying or reciting the noble Quran must not be disturbed, so present your salām in a moderate tone like so:
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَیْکَ یَا سَیِّدِىْ
O my master! Peace be upon you.
Now recite Surah al-Fātiḥah once, Surah al-Ikhlāṣ 11 times, ṣalāt three times before and after reciting the holy Quran, and convey the reward to the saint. As you leave, be careful not to turn your back to the shrine.
To be continued.
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