Is saying "Jumu'ah Mubarak" a Bid'ah?

Allah – beginning with the name of – the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise is to Him who guided the believers to the truth. And may His blessings and salutations be upon our master Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets and the coolness of our eyes.

 

A message is being widely circulated these days that it is impermissible to greet Jumu'ah Mubarak and that it is a bid'ah (May Allah Forbid). First and foremost, one should understand that the salaf of this ummah have explained bid’ah (innovation) as being of two fundamental types:

In the Sahih of al-Imam al-Bukhari, it is mentioned that Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) stated concerning the 20 rak’ats of tarawih prayer, in congregation, behind one imam:

“What a good bid’ah it is!”

Al-Hafidh al-Imam al-Bayhaqi (Alayhir Rahmah) narrates through a sahih isnad (authentic chain of transmission) in Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi'i, that Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Fadl narrated to us that Abu al-'Abbas al-Assam narrated to him that Rabi' ibn Sulayman narrated to him that al-Imam ash-Shafi'i informed him:

“The newly-invented matters from the affairs are of two kinds: One of them is whatever is innovated contravening the Book, or the Sunnah, or a narration, or a consensus, then this is an innovation of misguidance (al-bid'atu al-dalalatu). The second is whatever is innovated of the good which does not contravene any of these, then this is an innovation which is not blameworthy (Ghayru Mazmumatin).”

 

Regarding congratulating one another on the day of ‘Eid, al-Sayyid ibn ‘Aabideen al-Shami (Alayhir Rahma) relates from al-Muhaqqiq ibn ‘Aamir Haaj (Alayhir Rahmah) that he considered it: ‘Ja’iz’ (permissible) and ‘Mustahabb’ (commendable) in general. He also considered the wording popular in his time: ‘Eidun Mubarakun Alayka’ (a blessed Eid upon you) to take the same rule. He has mentioned:

“Supplication for barakah (blessing) in many affairs has reached us, thus the commendability of supplication for it here (on the day of ‘Eid) can be taken from that.”[Radd al-Muhtar, Vol. 2, Page 169]

The barakah of Jumu’ah and its being a day of eid is clear in the Prophetic Ahadith such as in the hadith of the Sahih of Ibn Hibban where it is mentioned that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said regarding the day of Jumu’ah:

“Verily it is a day of Eid.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith 3610]

In a further hadith of the Sunan of Ibn Majah it is mentioned that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Verily the day of Jumu’ah is the master of days.” [Sunan ibn Majah, Hadith 1084]

The barakah of Jumu’ah is such that al-Hafidh Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (Alayhir Rahmah) has gathered 100 special qualities related to it with supporting evidences in his work al-Lumu’ah fi Khasa’is al-Jumu’ah.

If one greets his brother with salam and then supplicates for him on the day of Jumu’ah saying "Jumu’ah Mubarak", then there is nothing in that which goes against the principles of the shari’ah which would make it a reprehensible bid’ah. In fact it is established that from the blessings of Jumu’ah is a hidden time in which the du’a of a slave is answered as in the hadith of the Sahih of al-Imam Muslim:

“Verily there is a time in the day of Jumu’ah, that no Muslim coincides with it supplicating to Allah for good except that Allah bestows it upon him.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 852]

The opinion of those who are not upon the Aqidah of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah is of no value in matters of Deen.

And Allah knows the best and His beloved Messenger knows the best.

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..:: 101 AMAZING ISLAMIC FACTS ::..

1. The Divine Tablet is named as Al-Lawh al-Mahfudh (The Protected Tablet) because it is protected from Satan. (Jalalayn, Page 496)
2. The Divine Tablet is made from white diamond and is hanging above the seventh heaven. (Jalalayn, Page 496)
3. The length of Al-Qalam (Divine Pen) is one hundred years long. (Ibn Kathir, Surah Noon)
4. Allah Almighty sent down 104 revelations, 100 scriptures and 4 books. (Hashiya al-Jalalayn, Page 366)
5. 10 scriptures were revealed upon Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam, 50 upon Prophet Sheeth Alayhi’s Salam, 30 upon Prophet Idrees Alayhi’s Salam and 10 upon Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 2, Page 170)
6. The Torah was revealed on 6th of Ramadan. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 55)
7. Zaboor (Psalms) was revealed on 18th of Ramadan. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 55)
8. Zaboor was revealed 482 years after Torah.
9. Injil (Bible) was revealed on 13th of Ramadan (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 55) or on the 18th of Ramadan (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 2, Page 78)
10. Injil was revealed 1050 years after Zaboor. (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 2, Page 78)
11. The Holy Qur’an was brought down from the Divine Tablet to the Fragrant House (al-Bayt al-Ma’moor) on the 27th night of Ramadan. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 35)
12. There are six chapters of the Holy Qur’an which were revealed in the night; Surah al-An’am, Surah Maryam, Surah al-Munafiqoon, Surah al-Mursalat, Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 28)
13. The only Companion whose name is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an is Sayyiduna Zayd Ibn Harithah Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu in Surah Ahzab verse 37. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 180)
14. The only woman to be mentioned in the Holy Qur’an by name is Sayyidah Maryam Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha (the mother of Prophet ‘Isa Alayhi’s Salam). (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 181)
15. There are 323,671 letters in the Holy Qur’an. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 89)
16. Adam means soil in Hebraic language thus, Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam was given such a name as he was made from earthly soil. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 175)
17. The first angel to prostrate to Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam was Jibra’il Alayhi’s Salam. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
18. The time when angels prostrated to Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam was between Midday and ‘Asar. (al-Sawi, Vol. 1, Page 49)
19. Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam gave forty years of his life to Prophet Dawud Alayhi’s Salam. (Mishkat, Vol. 2, Page 400)
20. When Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam passed away, there were 100,000 humans living on earth. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 416) and in another narration 700,000. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah)
21. Sayyidah Hawwa Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha was created a week after the creation of Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 313)
22. The name Hawwa’ is derived from the word Hayy, which means living. This is because she was created from a living being (Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam). (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 313)
23. Prophet Idris Alayhi’s Salam was born approximately one hundred years before the passing away of Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam. (Hashiya ‘Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
24. Prophet Idris’s original name was Akhnookh and in another narration, Khanoon (al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 175), but due to the constant studies (Dars) of the sacred texts he was named Idris. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
25. According to Imam al-Bukhari the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam saw Prophet Idris Alayhi’s Salam on the fourth heaven. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
    
    
    
26. Prophet Nooh Alayhi’s Salam was born 126 years after the passing away of Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam. His name is ‘Abd al-Ghaffar. Nooh was his title which means ‘lamentation’. He used to cry a lot thus, was given this title. (Al-Itqan, vol. 2, Page 183)
27. Allah sent angel Jibra’il Alayhi’s Salam to Prophet Nooh Alayhi’s Salam to instruct him on the building of the ship. (Al-Itqan, vol. 2, Page 183)
28. The building of the ship was completed in 2 years (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan) and in another narration forty years. (Ibn Kathir)
29. 124,000 planks of wood were used to build the ship and a Prophet’s name was written on each plank of wood. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah, Page 8)
30. The ship was 660 feet long, 330 feet wide and 33 feet tall. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 1, Page 71)
31. The coffin of Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam was placed inside the ship. On one side of the coffin, the men sat, and on the other side, the women sat. (Al-Malfoodh, Vol. 1, Page 73)
32. Prophet NooH Alayhi’s Salam lived for 1050 years. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 175)
33. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam was born two thousand years after the passing away of Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 176)
34. There were in total 73 idols. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam destroyed 72 idols which were made from gold, silver, some from iron and copper and some from stones and wood. The biggest idol which he left was made from pure gold, which had a crown made from pearls. The eyes were made of emeralds which would shine in the dark. (Hashiya ‘ala al-Jalalayn, Page 273)
35. To ignite fire in which Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam was to be thrown, wood was collected for a month, and the fire was heated for a week. (al-Jumal, Vol. 3, Page 163). The severity of the fire was such that the flames could be seen from hundreds of miles away. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 1, Page 98)
36. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam was thrown into the fire via a huge catapult and this was the first time a catapult was used. (Ibn Kathir)
37. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam was sixteen years of age when he was thrown into the fire. Some say he was twenty six years old. (Ibn Kathir and al-Jumal, Vol. 3, Page 163)
38. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam lived for two hundred years. (al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 176)
39. Isma’il is derived from two words, Isma’, which means ‘Listen!’ and Il, which means ‘Lord’. Because Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salamdid not have any children at the time, he used to supplicate to Allah for pious children thus,the child was named Isma’il (‘O Lord! Listen to our prayers’). (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 820)
40. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam was 99 years old when Prophet Isma’il Alayhi’s Salam was born.
41. Prophet Isma’il Alayhi’s Salam was seven years old when he was taken to be sacrificed and in another narration he was 13 years old. (al-Jalalayn, Page 377)
42. Prophet Ya’qoob’s original name was Isra’il. This, in Hebraic means ‘The servant of Allah’. Isra means servant or slave, and Il means Lord. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 4, p 7)
43. Prophet Ya’qoob Alayhi’s Salam smelt the fragrance of Prophet Yoosuf’s shirt from the distance of a journey of eight days. (Al-Kamil Fi al-Tarikh, Vol. 1, Page 60)
44. Prophet Yousuf was twelve years old when he saw the dream, as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
45. The brothers of Prophet Yousuf Alayhi’s Salam sold him to the travellers of Egypt for twenty Dirhams. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
46. The number of people who believed in Prophet Salih Alayhi’s Salam was four thousand. (Al-Jalalayn, Page 185)
47. Prophet Moosa Alayhi’s Salam was born approximately seven hundred years after Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam. (Hashiyah ‘ala al-Jalalayn, Page 138)
48. The word Moosa is derived from two Coptic words, Moo which means water and Sa which means wood. (Rooh al-Bayan, Vol. 1, Page 91)
49. Prophet Moosa’s mother’s name was Yuhaniz. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 188), his sister’s name was Maryam (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan), some have stated it was Kulthoom (al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 88) and his wife’s name (the daughter of Prophet Shu’ayb Alayhi’s Salam) was Safoora or Safuriya. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 188)
50. Prophet Moosa Alayhi’s Salam was one year younger than Prophet Haroon Alayhi’s Salam. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 177)
    
    
    
51. The staff of Prophet Moosa Alayhi’s Salam was from Jannah. It was brought down by Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam and was approximately 10 to 12 hand-spans long. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 473)
52. The snake of Prophet Moosa Alayhi’s Salam was yellow and one mile long. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
53. The number of magicians who challenged Prophet Moosa Alayhi’s Salam was twelve thousand. (Hashiyah ‘Ala al-Jalalayn)
54. Samuri used the soil touched by the hooves of the horse of Jibra’il Alayhi’s Salam. This was to give life to the golden calf he made. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 429)
55. Prophet Khadir’s name is Balya and his title is Abu al-‘Abbas. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
56. Some say Prophet Dawud Alayhi’s Salam ruled the kingdom for sixteen years and some say for forty years. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 178)
57. Prophet Dawud Alayhi’s Salam would make an armour and would sell it for his livelihood. Iron would become malleable in his hands. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
58. He could read Zaboor in sixty different melodies. (Al-Bidayah, Vol. 2, Page 16)
59. Prophet Sulayman Alayhi’s Salam was crowned king at the age of thirteen. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 178)
60. Prophet Sulayman Alayhi’s Salam heard the words of the ant which was three miles away. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
61. The throne of Bilqees was made from gold, silver and large diamonds. It was thirty feet long, thirty feet wide and eighty feet tall. (Ibn Kathir)
62. Bilqees had three hundred ministers. Under each minister were 12,000 soldiers. (Ibn Kathir)
63. The words, “I am Allah, there is no deity except Me and MuHammad (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is My servant and My Prophet” were engraved on Prophet Sulayman’s ring. (Kanz al-‘Ummal, Page 498)
64. Prophet Ayyub’s wife was the grand daughter of Prophet Yousuf Alayhi’s Salam. Her name was Rahmah. (Hashiyah ‘Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
65. Prophet Zakariyya Alayhi’s Salam was 120 years old and his wife was 98 years old when they were given the good news of Prophet Yahya Alayhi’s Salam. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
66. Prophet Yahya Alayhi’s Salam was six months older than Prophet ‘Isa Alayhi’s Salam. (Hashiyah ‘Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
67. There were four thousand Prophets who came in the period between Prophet Moosa Alayhi’s Salam and Prophet ‘Isa Alayhi’s Salam, all of whom were upon the religion of Prophet Moosa Alayhi’s Salam. (Hashiyah ‘Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
68. Prophet ‘Isa Alayhi’s Salam was one day old when he spoke to the people. (Hashiyah ‘Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 276)
69. The food mat that came down from the heavens after Prophet ‘Isa Alayhi’s Salam supplicated was red. (Ibn Kathir)
70. Four thousand people would eat from the food mat daily. (Ibn Kathir)
71. Prophet ‘Isa Alayhi’s Salam was 33 years old when he was raised to the skies. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 2, Page 179)
72. Prophet ‘Isa Alayhi’s Salam will descend upon the eastern Minaret of the Ummayad Masjid. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, Vol. 1, Page 23)
73. Sayyidah Maryam Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha was thirteen years old when she gave birth to Prophet ‘Isa Alayhi’s Salam. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
74. The Beloved Prophet MuHammad SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was born approximately 6750 years after the time of Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah, vol. 2, Page 32)
75. The chest of the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was opened four times in his blessed life. (Tafsir Alam Nashrah, Page 10)
    
    
    
76. The words ‘MuHammad Rasoolullah’ were written on the seal of Prophethood, which was situated on the back between the two shoulders. (Shawahid al-Nubuwwah, Page 251)
77. The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam split the moon in two whilst standing on Mount Safa. One half was above Mount Abu Qubays and the other half was above Mount Qa’iqa’an. (Dala’il al-Nubuwwah, Page 244)
78. The time of Mi’raj was less than four hours. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 3, Page 150)
79. The prayer in Masjid al-Aqsa during Mi’raj was led by the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam. All the previous Prophets and Messengers prayed behind him standing in seven rows. In the first three rows stood all the Messengers and in the last four stood all other Prophets. Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam was directly behind the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam in the first row. (Rooh al-Bayan, Vol. 5, Page 112)
80. There were nineteen white hairs in the blessed beard of the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam. (Tafsir Alam Nashrah, Page 199)
81. The last prayer led by the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was Salat al-Maghrib. (Ibn Kathir)
82. The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam left this world on Monday, and was laid to rest on Thursday. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 2, Page 749)
83. When the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was laid to rest in his grave, companions saw the blessed lips moving. They went closer and heard the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam saying, “Rabbi Ummati Ummati” (O my Lord! My Ummah, my Ummah). (Madarij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 2, Page 751)
84. The Holy Ka’ba has been built ten times. (Hashiya ‘Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 281)
85. The Ka’ba built by Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam was nine feet tall. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 845)
86. ‘Umar Ibn Lahiyy ibn Haritha was the first person to place an idol on top of the Ka’ba. The name of the idol was Hubul. (Tarikh al-Islam, Vol. 1, Page 68)
87. Abraha came to Makkah with an army that consisted of 40,000 elephants and 300,000 soldiers. The elephant he was sat on was called MaHmood and it was white. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah, Page 149)
88. The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam constructed his Masjid twice in his lifetime. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah)
89. The original Mimbar of the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam was two feet long and one foot wide and had three steps. The Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam would sit on the third step and would place his blessed feet on the second step. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 2, Page 545)
90. The dome was placed upon the blessed chamber in 678 A. H. (Wafa’ al-Wafa’, Vol. 2, Page 609). Initially it was white in colour, then, in 1255A. H. by the order of Sultan MaHmood it was painted in green.
91. The blessed Companion Umm ‘Atiyyah Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha used to bathe dead women during the time of the Prophet SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam. (al-Bukhari, Page 168)
92. The beauty of Sayyidah Sara (wife of Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi’s Salam) was matchless. Prophet Yousuf Alayhi’s Salam inherited that beauty from her. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 840)
93. Jinns were created on Thursday (Ibn Kathir) and they came to this earth 60,000 years prior to the creation of Prophet Adam Alayhi’s Salam. (Tafsir Na’imi, Vol. 1, Page 279)
94. Angel Jibra’il Alayhi’s Salam has 600 wings. (Ibn Kathir) His horse’s name is Hayzoom. (Madarij al-Nubuwwah)
95. The angel of death comes with 600,000 angels of mercy to take the soul of a believer, and comes with 600,000 angels of punishment to take the soul of a disbeliever. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 3, Page 105)
96. The gatekeeper of paradise is Ridwan and the gatekeeper of Hell is Malik. (Al-Itqan, Vol. 1, Page 60)
97. Iblis’s father’s name was Khablith and his mother’s name was Nablith. (Ma’arij al-Nubuwwah, Page 15)
98. Gog Magog (Yajooz Majooz) are from the children of Yafith ibn Nooh Alayhi’s Salam. (Khaza’in al-‘Irfan)
99. Initially sea water was sweet. When Qabil killed Sayyiduna Habil, the water became salty. (Hashiya ‘Ala al-Jalalayn, Page 344)
100. The sky cried over the martyrdom of two people, Prophet Yahya Alayhi’s Salam and Sayyiduna Imam Husayn Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu. The crying here means turning red. (Ibn Kathir).
101. Six Companions were martyred during the battle of Khandaq. (Ma'arij al-Nubuwwah, Page 111)

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29th Dhu al-Qa'dah | Ra'ees al-Muhaqiqeen Allama Naqi Ali Khan (Alayhir Rahmah)

Ra'ees al-Muhaqqiqeen Hadrat Allama Mawlana
Naqi Ali Khan al-Qadiri Baraylawi (Alayhir Rahmah)

Allama Mawlana Naqi Ali Khan was born in Jumada al-Aakhir 1246 A.H. (1830). He was the son of the great mystic and scholar, Allama Khwaja Raza Ali Khan s/o Allama Muhammad Kazim Ali Khan s/o Allama Shah Muhammad Azam Khan s/o Allama Sa'adat Yaar Khan s/o Allama Sa'eedullah Khan (Alayhim ar-Rahmah).

Their ancestors had migrated from Qandahar (located in present-day Afghanistan). Allama Naqi studied under the auspicious gaze of his noble father (1809-1866), who was a student of Allama Mawlana Khalilrur Rahman Rampuri, may Allah have mercy on him. Mawlana Raza Ali earned certificates of distinction in various fields of sacred knowledge including the science of tasawwuf. He was held in high regard and esteem for his strict adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah. He was a sagacious Sufi and a valiant freedom fighter. Malik al-Ulama Allama Zafar ud-Din Bihari, may Allah have mercy on him, relates the following miracle in volume one of his Hayat-e-AlaHazrat :

“After the tumult of 1857, the British tightened the reins of power and committed atrocities toward the people, and everybody went about feeling scared. Important people left their homes and went back to their villages. But Mawlana Riza Ali Khan continued to live in his house as before, and would go to the mosque five times a day to say his prayers in congregation. One day some Englishmen passed by the mosque, and decided to see if anyone was inside so they could catch hold of them and beat them up. They went inside and looked around but didn’t see anyone. Yet the Mawlana was there at the time. Allah had made them blind, so they would be unable to see him… he came out of the mosque, they were still watching out for people, but no one saw him”.

وجعلنا من بين أيديهم سدّا ومن خلفهم سدّا فأغشيناهم فهم لا يبصرون 
“And We have set a wall before them and a wall behind them, and covered the top - so they are unable to see anything”. [Surah Yaseen, 36:9]

Allama Naqi Ali Khan (Alayhir Rahmah) was a great Mudarris (Teacher) and a prolific writer. Most of his time was spent in teaching and instilling the excellence of knowledge in the hearts of the people. His students posed intricate questions to him thinking that the Ustaaz will not be able to reply to them. But to their amazement, the Master replied instantaneously with a smile. His deep insight in complicated matters dazzled the contemporary Ulama of his time so much so that they conferred the title of Ra’eesul-Muhaqqiqeen (The Master of the Research Scholars) on him. Indeed, this title befitted him.

Allama Naqi was a disciple (Mureed) and successor (Khalifah) of Sayyid Aal-e-Rasool, the celebrated student and hadith expert of Shah Abdul Aziz son of Shah Waliyullah, may Allah have mercy on them all. He also received authorization to narrate hadith in Makkah from the illustrious Ustaz al-Ulama , Shaykh al-Haram Sayyid Ahmad Zayni Dahlan Makki, may Allah have mercy on him. Allama Naqi produced a number of texts defending Islamic orthodoxy and laid the foundation of Darul-Ifta in Bareilly Sharif, which became a citadel of faith , knowledge [‘Ilm], blessing and awareness of Allah . It remains an imperturbable stronghold for the Ahl al-Sunnah to the present day. His son, Imam Ahmad Raza, may Allah have mercy on him, relates the following anecdote about his respected father from his Al-Malfuzat :

“ Mawlana Barakaat Ahmed (may Allah have mercy on him) accompanied my father to visit me in sickness. They both asked me how I was feeling. I replied, ‘I am now tired of the severity of sickness, so please make du’a for me to now leave this duniya with Iman.’ On hearing this, my father’s face turned red and he said, ‘There is still 52 years in Madina Munawwarah.’ Allah, the Exalted, knows best what he was referring to. I could not understand what this meant. 

Later in my life, the interpretation of this dream unfolded. My second trip to Haramain Shareefayn, I was in my 52nd year. Actually, my age was 51 years and 5 months. My father (may Allah have mercy on him) had foretold this trip 14 years ago . Allah, the Exalted, entrusts Ilm-e-Ghayb to the servants of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (may blessings and peace be upon him) and these Wahhabis reject the Ilm-e-Ghaib of the Beloved Nabi (may blessings and peace be upon him).

A few years ago in the month of Rajab, I dreamt of my father, who said, ‘You will fall very sick in this Ramadan, but you must not leave the fast.’ It happened so. The physician and doctors forced me not to keep fast but I ignored them. By the Grace of Allah (Almighty & Glorious is He) I kept my entire fast and I got better. The Hadith Shareef clearly states: Fast and you will get healthy.”

Allama Naqi Ali (Alayhir Rahmah) was a great lover of the Beloved Habeeb Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and also remained engrossed in this love all his life. Once he fell very ill and was confined to bed. He laid there in a very depressed mood. The beloved Habeeb (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saw the state of pain and depression of his true Aashiq and blessed him. One night, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) appeared in his dream and compassionately gave him a cup of water to drink. As soon as he drank it, he was instantly cured. He awoke the next morning totally cured and once again healthy. It seemed if he was never sick.  

He wrote more than 50 books on various subjects, among them;

• Suroor al-Quloob fi Zikri Mawlood al-Mahboob
• Al-Kalaam al-Awdah fi Tafseer Sura Alam-Nash’rah
• Wasilatun Najaah
• Jawahar al-Bayaan
• Hidayatul Bariyah
• Ahsanul Wi'a li Aadabi Du'a and etc.

received very high distinctive stature amongst Islamic literature. His treatises are characteristic in its condemnation of the enemies of Islam, both internally and externally.

Allama Naqi Ali (Alayhir Rahmah) passed away on 29th Dhu al-Qa'dah 1297 A.H. (1880) at the time of Zuhar and was laid to rest besides his illustrious father, Taaj al-Aarifeen Imam Muhammad Raza Ali (Alayhir Rahmah). His Mazaar Shareef is in Bareilly Shareef, India.Allama Naqi Ali Khan devoted every moment of his life to Allah the Exalted and His Messenger, may blessings and peace be upon him. He preserved the scholarly tradition, and defended Islamic orthodoxy and mainstream Sufism.

Due to this sincerity, the last thing that he wrote on a piece of paper was "Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem". The last word that he uttered before he passed away was "Allah". May Almighty Allah sanctify his soul and grant him proximity to his Creator.

May Allah Most High sanctify his soul and grant him proximity to his Creator, Almighty and Glorious is He... Aameen!

Duties of Children towards Deceased Parents

Duties of Children towards Deceased Parents
by AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Baraylawi Alaihir raHmah

 

A question was asked to the Great Mujaddid AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) regarding the Duties of Children towards deceased Parents, over which he stated the following points:

1. The first and foremost duty of the children after the death of the parent is that he should immediately arrange and take part in Ghusl, Salat al-Janaza (Funeral Prayer) and Burial which should be done in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, and hope for them to receive the Mercy of Almighty Allah.

2. He should always make Dua and Istighfar for them at all times and never be unconscious about it.

3. He should give out Sadaqah and Khayrat (Charity) and always send the rewards of good deeds (Aa'mal-e-Sawleh) to them in accordance to his personal capacity. When performing Salah and keeping Fast (Roza), do likewise for them. Actually, for any good deed performed, the Sawab should be forwarded to them and all deceased Muslims and this will not affect the benefits one will receive, in any way. On the contrary, the Sawab of such acts will be beneficial to himself, his parents and all the deceased of the Ummah.

4. If the parents left behind any kind of debts or credits it should be paid in full immediately from one's personal wealth, which should be regarded as blessings of this Duniya and Aakhirah. If you cannot afford to pay, assistance should be taken from the family, close friends or charitable Muslims.

5. If he has not performed Hajj, firstly, try to perform his Hajj-e-Badal for him personally, or send someone as a representative to do so. If he has any previous Zakah to be paid, do so immediately. If he has any Qada of Salat or Roza (Fasting) perform the Kaffarah for him. The children should, in all aspects, try their best to execute the duties of their parents which were left undone.

6. Whatever desires and wishes were made by the parent should be carried out even though it may displease you and the Shariah does not compel you to. For example, if he has made a Wasiyat (Wish) to give half of his wealth or belongings to a dear friend, non-inheritor or total outsider, even though in accordance to the Law of the Shariah, one-third of the wealth or belongings cannot be given to anyone without the consent of the heirs, it is best for the heirs to execute the Wasiyat and priority to the wishes and happiness of the deceased.

7. If he has taken an oath, carry it out after his death.If the parents had sworn an oath that their child must not do a certain thing or not meet with a certain person or must not go to a certain place, it must not be discarded after the death, saying :"Well, they are not alive so I can do certain things." Wrong! One should abide by it as he did while they were alive, as long as it does not conflict with the Shariah.

8. Visit their graves every Friday and recite Surah Yaseen at the graveside loudly and pass the Thawab of recitation to them. While travelling, never pass their graves without greeting and performing Fatiha.

9. As long as you live, be kind to their relatives.

10. Maintain friendship and respect for all their relatives.

11. Never, at any time, insult anyone's parents, so that they may not insult yours.

12. The most difficult duty is never to commit any sin and inflict harm to them in their graves. All deeds of the children are taken to their parents in the grave. On seeing the good deeds they are very pleased and their faces glitter with happiness. On the contrary, if they see the bad deeds or sins, they become very sad.

O! Merciful and Most Forgiving Allah! The Almighty and All Powerful! On behalf of your most Beloved Prophet, Mercy of the Universe (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), protect us from sins and grant us the guidance and courage to always do good. Fill the graves of our elders and deceased with Light and happiness. O Allah! You are the All Powerful, we are the weak. You are the Wealthy and we are the poor. Protect us... Aameen!!

Gems of Wisdom | Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

..:: Golden Words of Wisdom ::..
Siddiq al-Akbar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

• Two and a half dirham from a hundred is the Zakah (poor tax) belonging to the poor amongst the people of the World while the Zakah of the Siddiques is to give their entire wealth to charity.
• Extend your charity with humbleness towards the poor for to give charity happily is a sign of acceptance.
• Wealth cannot be gained by simply wishing for it, nor is youth gained by dyeing or coloring one’s hair, neither can one gain health without medication.
• Justice and fairness is good, nay it is better.
• It is necessary to ask forgiveness for one’s sins, nay it is absolutely necessary.
• Do not bury me in new clothes. The rights of the living and needy is greater upon it.
• Keep your mouths closed from complaints and vulgarity. By keeping your mouths closed one obtains solitude.
• Strange are the passing of time yet stranger are the conditions of wanton carelessness (i.e. In remembrance of the Supreme Creator SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala)
• Adopt abstention, for abstention is profitable and do good deeds, for good deeds are highly accepted in the court of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
• Weep for the days gone by in which you have but earned little rewards.
• Weeping is for the day in which you have wasted without any good deeds being done.
• There is no trouble in patience and there is no benefit in complaining.
• Do not kill any woman, children or cripple.
• Do not cut down a fruit bearing tree.
• Do not be lavish or miserly.
• Striving against the enemies (Kuffar) is regarded as a small striving while striving against one’s (Nafs) desires is regarded as a great striving (Jihad al-Akbar).
• Fear of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is likened to knowledge while being oblivious of your Creator SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is likened to ignorance.
• Ikhlas (good conduct) is: when one does not require reward in exchange for a good deed.
• Whosoever gets involved in the work of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala then Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala gets involved in his work.
• Man is weak, yet it is astonishing that he is insistent in disobeying the commands of the Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
• He should know that his heart is empty of Faith (Iman) when good advice has no avail upon him.
• Worship and prayer is a career, It’s business premises is the creation, The fear of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is it’s wealth and it’s profits is Paradise.
• It is difficult to be patient but to waste the rewards for patience is worse.
• Strange are the passing of time yet stranger is the fact when one does not notice this.

• Life comes to pass yet Death is very much closer.
• To seek forgiveness in old age is good but to seek it when young is better.
• To forgive the rich is good but to forgive the poor is better.
• Sin committed by a young person is bad but an old person committing sin is worse.
• Being an accomplice by ignorance is bad, knowingly being an accomplice is worse.
• Laziness in worship by the general public is bad, but a knowledgeable person or a seeker of knowledge showing laziness is worse.
• The pride of the rich is bad but the pride of the person in need is worse.
• Humility shown by the poor is good but humility shown by the rich is better.
• Sajdah of Sahw (Prostration if a mistake is made in Salah) completes Salah if a minor mistake is made. Sadqah-e-Fitr completes one’s Fast, Fidya completes one’s Hajj and Jihad completes one’s Iman (Faith).
• Those that do not have the strength to cry then they should show mercy upon that person who cries.
• Stop complaining and you would be blessed with a good life.
• Cry on that day when you realize that life has passed you by and you have not done any good deeds.
• Nobody wishes for death except that person who has complete confidence on his good deeds.
• It is compulsory for the one questioned to answer and to give an excellent reply shows superb ethics and morals.
• There is a perception as to the rewards for every virtue except patience, for patience is that virtue whose reward is unknown (Infinite).
• A thankful person is very close to safety.
• True generosity is to remove the burdens of Creation and place it upon one’s own shoulders.
• Good manner is not to ask for rewards in exchange for good deeds. Leave the World for the Hereafter and leave the Hereafter to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala Most High.
• You are busy pursuing the comforts and luxuries to make your life comfortable in this World while the World is in earnest preparation to expel you from her.
• It does not benefit the tongue to speak of the losses incurred upon a person’s Worldly investments.
• No person with knowledge has ever claimed godhead by comparison to those with immense wealth.
• Whenever one goes to offer his condolences to the bereaving family then one should say – Adopt patience for there is no calamity in it and do not cry for there is no benefit in it. Remember the Messenger of Allah r and the great loss sustained through his departure from this World and your misfortune shall seem small in comparison.
• The redness of gold and the “pallor of saffron” has destroyed women. (p.s.: Take heed “redness of gold” and “pallor of saffron” are used figuratively and could stand for rich make-up and to laugh instinctively)
• Those people, who demised at the beginning of the early days of Islam, are very fortunate.

• If only I was a strand of hair on a Mu'min’s (believer) chest.
• Oh! People! Be modest in the presence of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala. Thereafter in your actions or deeds think of the omnipotence of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala then continue with fear and modesty. I swear by Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala that whenever I present myself in front of him with any need or desire, I bow my head in modesty.
• When speaking then talk precisely. That speech is only beneficial which could be listened to with ease. Long speeches tend to bore people who then lose an element of the subject matter.
• Knowledge is the legacy of the Prophets Alaihim as-Salam while wealth is the legacy of the Kuf’far, the likes of which are Fir’oun and Qaroon etc.
• The life of a dead heart is knowledge. The life of knowledge is the search of it.
• Rising early in the morning surpasses the beauty of the rooster thus becoming a reason for repentance/forgiveness.
• Those 'Ulama are the enemies of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala who seek only the rich while those wealthy are the friends of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala who seek the 'Ulama.
• Always hold the tip of your tongue and say, you have entrapped me in many places.
• When the camel’s bridle falls then one gets down and picks it up. The question never arises to ask somebody else to do it. (p.s. endeavour to do things on your own without relying on others to do it for you)
• When a servant of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala marvels at the beauty of this material World then Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala becomes his enemy until he isolates himself from that beauty.
• Alas! If only I were a tree so that I could be chopped down and eaten. (The reason for such an extreme is the status of fear and sorrow overpowering it)
• The heart is the acceptor of advice, Remember! Keep no one more beloved or closer than death.
• Those people are not preferred who relinquish the Hereafter for the World but inclination is towards those who give preference to both the World and the Hereafter.
• Make amends for your wrong doings with zeal and replace your bad deeds with good deeds.
• That amount of knowledge which creates fear of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala Almighty is only necessary for a believer (Mo'min).
• After journey and shortages a person fears provisions.
• The foundation for all a persons troubles is his speech.
• A believers fear and hope when weighed would be equal.
• When an honourable person obtains knowledge it humbles him and when a legislator obtains knowledge he becomes proud.
• It is better to be alone than to sit in bad company while it is better to keep and be in good company than be alone.
• A seeker of knowledge shows excesses in age while a seeker of the World show a high handedness in knowledge.
• Hadrat Junayd Radi Allahu Anhu says that among the sayings of the Companion of the Holy Prophet regarding Tawheed (oneness of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala) the saying of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddique Siddiq Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu is the most excellent and he said this: There is no other road created besides submission/humility and helplessness for the creation and Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is most high, most pure.
• If any good deeds, for whatsoever reason is unaccomplished, then endeavour to accomplish it and if a good deed is accomplished then make an effort to accomplish more.
• When good advice does not affect a change in ones ways then know this that, ones heart is empty from Iman (Faith).
• The strength of knowledge when it surpasses the boundaries gives birth to deceit and cunningness and when it is deficient or worthless then it gives birth to stupidity and gullibility.

— — —

Superiority of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

The Ahl-e-Sunnat wa Jama'at has reached the consensus (Ijma') that after Prophets (Alaihim as-Salam) the best of creation are the four rightly guided Khalifas (Khulafa-e-Arba'a i.e. Hadrat Abu Bakr, Hadrat Umar, Hadrat Uthman and Hadrat Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma'een).

Their sequence of excellence is that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddique is the most excellent, then Sayyiduna Umar, thereafter followed by the excellence of Sayyiduna Uthman and Sayyiduna Ali (Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een). Here I present few proclamations of the Classical Scholars and Jurists in this regard.

 

Proclamations of the Classical Scholars and Jurists

1. Imam al-Aazam Abu Hanifa gave one of the pithiest definitions of Sunnism in Islam:
 

"The doctrine of Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama'a consists in preferring the Two Shaykhs (tafdil al-shaykhayn) [i.e. Abu Bakr and 'Umar over the rest], loving the Two Sons-in-law (hubb al-khatanayn) [i.e. 'Ali and 'Uthman], and wiping on leather socks (al-mas-h 'alal-khuffayn) [i.e. all three contrary to Shi'is]." [Khulasat al-Fatawa, Vol. 2, Page 381]

Narrated by Ibn 'Abd al-Barr in al-Intiqa' bi-Manaqib al-A'immat al-Thalathati al-Fuqaha' through several different chains. The same is also related from Sufyan al-Thawri by al-La'laka'i in his I'tiqad Ahl al-Sunna, Vol. 1, Page 152.

2. Imam al-Aazam Abu Hanifah in Fiqh Al-Akbar:
 

"The most superior and the best of all men after prophets – blessings and peace upon them – is Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. And then, Umar ibn al-Khattab al-Faruq. And then Uthman ibn Affan Dhu’n Nurayn. And then ali ibn Abu talib al-Murtada. May Allah be well pleased with them all; they were worshippers and steadfast on Truth and sided with Truth. We love all of them." [Fiqh Al-Akbar]

3. Imam al-Nawawi said in his Fatawa:
 

"Know that each of Abu Bakr and 'Umar is better than 'Ali according to the Consensus (ijma') of Ahl al-Sunna. The proofs for this in well-known sound hadiths are too famous and countless to be listed." [Fatawa Imam Nawawi, Page 264]

4. Imam al-Haytami said in his Fatawa Hadithiyya:
 

"The preferability of Abu Bakr over the other three and that of 'Umar over the  ther two is agreed upon by Consensus (mujma' 'alayh) of Ahl al-Sunna and there is no disagreement among them concerning this." [Fatawa Hadithiyya, Page 155]

5. Ali al-Qari in MinaH ar-Rawd al-Az’har, SharH Fiqh al-Akbar:
 

"The best of humans after prophets is Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu"... "The superiority of Abu Bakr and Umar is an unanimous agreement in the Ahl as-Sunnah."[Sharh Fiqh al-Akbar]

 

6. Mulla 'Ali al-Qari said in Sharh al-Fiqh al-Akbar:
 

"It is patent that to prefer 'Ali to the Two Shaykhs contravenes the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama'a according to what the totality of the Salaf follow." [Sharh al-Fiqh al-Akbar, Page 140]

7. Imam al-Daraqutni was once asked to arbitrate between two groups in Baghdad who differed whether 'Uthman was preferable to 'Ali or vice-versa. He relates:
 

"At first I withheld from taking any position and considered reserve best. But then I reached the conclusion that Religion dictated other than silence. So I said: 'Uthman is better than 'Ali with the agreement of the assembly of the Companions. This is the position of Ahl al-Sunnah, and it is the first knot of the Rafida one cuts loose." [Siyar A'lam al-Nubala', Dar al-Fikr Edition. Vol. 12, Page 483]

8. Al-Dhahabi quotes the above in his chapter on al-Daraqutni in Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' then comments:
 

"...Both 'Uthman and 'Ali possess great merits and precedence and are among the foremost shuhada'. However, the vast majority of the Community agree to give precedence to 'Uthman, and this is our position also; and better than both of them without doubt are Abu Bakr and 'Umar. Whoever differs with this is a hardened Shi'i."[Siyar A'lam al-Nubala', Dar al-Fikr Edition. Vol. 12, Page 483-492]

9. Imam Abu Jaafar Al-taHawi in Al-aqidah at-taHawiyyah:
 

"We affirm the succession after RasulAllah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam first for Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu – on account of his superiority upon the entire ummah and being paramount among them. Then, Umar ibn al-Khattab Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. Then, Uthman ibn affan Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. Then, ali ibn Abu talib Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. For they are the Rightly Guided Successors [khulafa ar-rashidun] and The Guiding Leaders [ayimmah al-muhtadun - in another version ayimmah al-mahdiyyun]."[al-Aqida at-Tahawiyyah]

10. Saad ad-Din Taftazani in his SharH al-MaqaSid, In the Fifth Discussion:
 

"The Imam (leader of Muslims) after RasulAllah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam is Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu. The Shiah say: ali. And we say: There is a unanimous agreement (ijmaa) of every person of importance (the ahl al-Hill wa’l aqd – from the council, prominent ones, nobles etc.) on this matter." [SharH al-MaqaSid]

 

11. In the Sixth Discussion, Saad ad-Din Taftazani says:
 

"Superiority, according to us [ahl as-sunnah] is according to the order of succession (of Khalifahs)." [SharH al-MaqaSid]

12. Ali al-ushi in Bad-yi’l Amali and ali al-Qari in its commentary: daw al-Maali
 

وللصديق رجحان جلي ... على الصحاب من غير احتمال
And Siddiq has a prominence and superiority
Upon all companions without any doubt

وللفاروق رجحان وفضل ... على عثمان ذي النورين عالي
And Faruq has prominence and superiority
Upon Uthman – he of the two lights, the lofty

وذو النورين حقا كان خيرا .... من الكرار في صف القتال
And Dhu’n Nurayn has the right, that he is superior to
al-Karrar, the brave and unflinching in the face of battle

وللكرار فضل بعد هذا .... على الأغيار طرا لا تبال
And superiority is due to ali the brave, after this
Upon everybody else without any hesitation

13. Jawharah at-TawHid, Ibrahim al-Laqqani and its commentary TuHfatu’l Murid, Ibrahim al-Bajuri.
 

وخيرهم من ولي الخلافة .... وأمرهم في الفضلك الخلافة
And the best of them are the successors to khilafah
And the order of their superiority is like the khilafah.

14. Ibn al-Jawzi in Manaqib Ahmad relatedly said:
 

"Whoever prefers 'Ali to Abu Bakr maligns the Prophet; whoever gives 'Ali preference over 'Umar maligns the Prophet and Abu Bakr; and whoever gives 'Ali preference over 'Uthman maligns the Prophet, Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and the Emigrants. Nor do I believe that the deeds of such a person are accepted." [Manaqib Ahmad, Page. 162]

15. In the very beginning of his Kashf Mushkil Hadith al-Sahihayn in four volumes, in print, Ibn al-Jawzi mentions the anecdote of a Rafidi asking a Sunni:
 

"Who is nobler than five under a cloak, the sixth of whom is Gibril?" (in reference to the established hadith wherein the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, gathered Sayyida Fatima, her two sons and her husband under his cloak) whereupon the Sunni replied: "Two in the cave, the third of whom is Allah" (in reference to the verse of Qur'an and hadith of the Prophet and Abu Bakr in the cave on the way to Madina).

 

16. In Nazm al-Mutanathir min al-Hadith al-Mutawatir, al-Alim al-Rabbani, al-Sayyid Muhammad Jafar al-Idrisi al-Kattani (d. 1927) mentioned:
 

"The Ahadith on the Afdhaliyya of Abu Bakr over the Sahaba are mutawatir by meaning."[Nazm al-Mutanathir min al-Hadith al-Mutawatir Page 202]

He quotes Qastallani's Irshad al-Saari Baab Tafadhul Ahl al-Iman fi al-A'man from the Book of Imaan who quotes Ijma' of Ahl al-Sunnah on this. He also quotes Ibn Hajar from al-Sawa'i al-Muhriqa and Ibn Taymiyya from al-Wassiyyat al-Kubra who mention that it the reports are mutawatir.

17. al-Sayyid Yusuf al-Nabhani quotes Fatawa Ibn Hajar, in his al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, who says in its khatima:
 

"It has been soundly narrated from Ali himself: the best of people after the Prophet is Abu Bakr then Umar and then someone else... it is from this that the Ahl al-Sunnah from the Sahabah and Tabiun and those after them agree (ijma) that Abu Bakr is absolutely excellent among all Sahabah and then Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both)." [al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, Page 207]

18. Imam Yusuf bin Ismail an-Nabhani mentions that Ibn Hajar was questioned on another occasion whether the excellence of one over the other among the four was qat'iyya or Ijtihadiyya to which he replied that
 

"The excellence of Abu Bakr over all is Mujma' alayh among Ahl al-Sunnah and there is no dispute in this, and consensus implies qata'." [al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, Page 208]

19. Imam Sha'rani quotes Abu Bakr al-Ayyash in his Minan who said:
 

"If Abu Bakr, Umar and Ali ever came to me for something, I would attend Ali first for his close relation with the Messenger of Allah, and I would prefer falling from the sky to the earth over giving Ali preference (in fadhila) over the two". [al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, Page 209]

20. Shaykh Nabhani quotes a hadith from Musnad al-Bazzar from Usayd bin Safwan in which the demise of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him and Ali's words in his manaqib are narrated. Sayyiduna Ali directly speaking to the former on his deathbed after his demise calls him
 

"most excellent of the Sahabah in his Manaqib",
"greatest of them in his rank",
"most noble of them in his station", and
"most honoured among them in the Messenger's court"!! [al-Sharaf al-Mu'abbad, Page 193]

 

 

21. It is written in renowned Islamic Fiqh books, Fatawa Khulasa and Khazanat al-Musannifin, that:
 

“Anyone, who claims that Hadrat Mawla Ali (Karam Allahu wajh al-Karim) is superior to all companions, is a heretic, and a wrongdoer.”

a. Fatawa Khulasa, in ‘Kitab al-Salat’ (chapter of Salah) Section: 15
b. Khazanat al-Musannifeen, in the chapter of ‘Kitab al-Salat’ (Book of Salah) in the section ‘To follow a Rafidhi in Salat, is it right or wrong’?

22. It is stated in Fateh al-Qadeer, Sharah “Hidaya” and Hashiyyah on “Tabi’een al-Salamah” that:
 

“Anyone, who prefers Mawla Ali above the other three rightly guided Caliphs, is a misled.”

a. Fateh al-Qadeer, Sharah (a commentary) on the most renowned and reliable Fiqh book “Hidaya”, Printed in Egypt, Vol 1, Page 248
b. Hashiyyah (a commentary) on the Fiqh book “Tabi’een al-Salamah”, by Allama Ahmad as-Salabi, Printed in Egypt, Vol 1, Page 135

23. It is also written in the following Fiqh books “Bada’eh”, “Bazaziyyah”, “Asabah”, “Fan al-Sa’ani”, “al-Haf al-Abrar wal-Basair”, “Fatawa Qurwiyyah” and “Waqiat al-Muftiyyin”, and all these books have quoted references from another most authentic and renowned Fiqh book “Fatawa Khulasa”, that:
 

“Anyone, who prefers Hadrat Mawla Ali (Karam Allahu wajh al-Karim) over them (Shaykhain) is a misled and heretic.”

a. Bada’eh, Vol 3, Page 264
b. Bazaziyyah, Vol 3, Page 319
c. Asabah - Printed in Egypt, Page 187
d. Fatawa Qurwiyyah - Printed in Egypt, Vol 1, Page 25
e. Waqiat al-Muftiyyin - Printed in Egypt, Page 13

24. It is mentioned in another authentic and most renowned Fiqh book “Majma al-Anhar”, Sharah (a commentary) on the book “Multaqi al-Abhar”, that:
 

“Tafdhili, those who prefer Hadrat Mawla Ali Radi Allahu Anhu above the other three Caliphs are misled. [Majma' al Anhar - Printed in Istanbul, Vol 1, Page 105]

25. Sayyiduna Meer Abdul Wahid Hussayni Zaidi Wasti Bilgraami has written in his ‘Sabaa Sanabil Sharif’:
 

After Hadrat Abu Bakr comes the excellence of Hadrat Umar, then Hadrat Uthman and then Hadrat Ali. He who does not accept Hadrat Ali as the Khalifa is from the Kharijees and he who regards him (Hadrat Ali) to be more excellent than Hadrat Abu Bakr and Umar is from the Raafdhis. [Sab'a Sanabil, Page 10]

 

Conclusion

There is an Ijma' of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah on the fact that Sayyiduna Abu Bak Al-Siddiq is the most superior amongst the companions of our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon Him and Allah is pleased with them all). After him comes the excellence of Hadrat Umar, then Hadrat Uthman and then Hadrat Ali Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een. They all were pious worshippers and steadfast on Truth and sided with Truth and we love all of them.

He, who believes that Sayyiduna Ali or any other companion is more superior above Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, is misguided from the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. The true Love for Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu will only and only be valid and beneficial when his teachings, Aqida and Iman is also followed. The Ahl al-Bayt should themselves talk more often about the tafdil of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr  as-Siddiq Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu as this is mass-narrated from Sayyiduna Ali Karram Allahu Wajh al-Kareem himslef, and a sunnah of his.

--
And Allah Most high alone gives guidance!!