Imam Maalik and reverence for Madinah

Sayyiduna Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: I saw the horses of Khurasan or Egypt tied at the door of Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه in Madinah Munawwarah. I had never seen such superb horse breeds, therefore I said, ‘How fine are these horses!’ Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said, ‘I give all these horses to you as a gift.’ I asked, ‘Please keep at least one for yourself’. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said, ‘I feel shyness from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ to ride my horse over the sacred land beneath which the Beloved (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ is resting.’

(Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 1, pp. 114)

ہاں ہاں رہِ مدینہ ہے غافل ذرا تو جاگ     او پاؤں رکھنے والے یہ جا چشم  و سر کی ہے

اَللهُ اَکبَر! اپنے قدم اور یہ خاکِ پاک        حسرت ملائکہ کو جہاں وَضعِ سَر کی ہے

Explanation of Kalam-e-Raza: Advising a Hajj pilgrim, A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said: O lover of Madinah! Remember! You are not going to an unimportant place, but you are going on a journey to Madinah. Therefore, avoid heedlessness, and walk with love for the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and remember that the dignity of the path of Madinah is that instead of walking with your feet, walk on your eyes and head.

In the second stanza, expressing the love for the land of Madinah, A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: اَللهُ اَکبَر! Our feet are on the blessed earth that had the privilege of kissing the blessed feet of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and the place where even the angels wish to keep their heads.

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

A’la Hadrat’s journey to Madinah

A’la Hadrat, Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, Maulana Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan  رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه fell severely ill after he had performed the acts of Hajj, on his second Hajj. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said that due to his prolonged illness he was