The Extraordinary Spiritual Feats and Miraculous Act—‘Karamat’ of Imam Rifa’i (RA)
By GHULAM RASOOL DEHLVI published July 24, 2024
Sultan Al-Awliya wal-Arifin Hazrat Sayyedna Imam Ahmad Al-Rifa’i Al-Husseini, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was a prominent Sufi mystic possessing exceptional spiritual power and mystical prowess. Besides being the founder of the Rifa’iyyah Sufi Order, he was a contemporary of Ghaus-e-Aa'zam Qudwat-ul-Aqtaab Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Jilani Al-Hasani (Quddisa Sirruhu). Notably, both of these luminaries of Islamic spirituality (Tasawwuf) were closely acquainted and familiar with each other's spiritual traits. They generously acknowledged and wholeheartedly appreciated each other's scholarly, spiritual and moral excellence.
It should be noted that the Sufi Order of Rifa'iyyah is called “Silsila Mubaraka” (an especially blessed spiritual lineage) and is one of the well-known silsilahs in the mystical traditions (Tariqats) of Ahl-e-Sunnat. It has widely spread in Arab and non-Arab countries, and even now in the wider world. The scholars of this Sufi Order are promoting and publishing the teachings and instructions of Islamic mysticism with great endeavours, Alhamdulillah!
Here, it is pertinent to mention an extraordinary and unique incident related to Hazrat Imam Ahmad Rifa'i (RA), which is as follows:
When Imam Rifa'I (RA) performed Hajj in 555 AH and arrived at Rauza-e-Rasool—the holy shrine of the holiest Prophet (peace be upon him), he invoked: “Salaam Alaika Ya Jaddi (O my Holy Grandfather, peace be upon you).” Then immediately, the response came from the sanctum sanctorum: “Wa Alaikas Salaam Ya Waladi” (O my son, peace be upon you too). This amazed Imam Rifai and turned him into the state of Wajd (spiritual ecstasy) and in a short while, these couplets in Arabic were being recited on his tongue:
في حالة البعد روحی کنت أرسلھا
تقبل الأرض عني و ھي نائبتي
و ھذہ نوبة الأشباح قد حضرت
فامدد یمینک کي تحظی بھا شفتی
Translation: "When we were physically far away, we used to send our souls as our vicegerents [to your blessed presence, O the Most Beloved]. Our souls used to kiss the ground of your holy shrine. But now it's time our bodies did the same. So bestow upon us your blessings in abundance! Kindly show your blissful hands, O Prophet PBUH, so that my lips may be blessed and filled with the wealth of (kisses of it).”
Allama Jalaluddin al-Suyuti (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that at that time, a very luminous hand, full of light (noor), appeared from inside the Holy Shrine (which had the light even greater than that of the sun). In fact, it was the blessed hand of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He went forward and kissed it, but all of a sudden, he went into a special state (Haal), which prevailed over him, and then the holy hand also disappeared. But the fact is that the entire Masjid-e-Nabawi (Prophet’s mosque) was filled with light, such a light that even the sun did not exist in front of it. And what would be the reality of the sun in front of the Prophetic Light (Noor-e-Muhammadi)? Someone asked an elder, a Sheikh who was also present in this remarkable incident, if he felt very envious about Imam Rifa'i being blessed with this special gift. He said, No, only me; at that time, even Malaika (angels) were also envious! I wish we too were blessed with this exceptional wealth (Source: Khutbaat—the sermons of Ashraf Ali Thanvi: 14/202).
Although a handful of literalist and textualist Islamic scholars who were disinterested in Sufism have denied this event outright, established researchers and Muslim scholars (Muhaqqiqin) have not doubted the authenticity of this incident. A large group of Ulema and Mashaikh (scholars and saints) have endorsed and approved of the occurrence of this miraculous event. Most notably, Khatimatul Huffaz Allama Jalaluddin Suyuti, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, published a particular treatise on this topic under the title "Sharf-e-Mohtamm," which researches this incident and finds a great deal of evidence for it. In addition, Allama Safuri Al-Shafi'i (d. 894 AH) also endorsed it and even wrote these verses in support of it:
ولا إنکار في ذلک فإنَّ إنکار ذلک یوٴدّي إلی سوء الخاتمة والعیاذ باللہ و إن کرامات الأولیاء حق، والنبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم حي في قبرہ، سمیع بصیر، منعم فی قبرہ
There is no denying this fact. Denying it will lead to a bad end (May Allah forbid it! ), and indeed the miraculous incidents of the holy saints are true, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) is alive in his grave, with a sound hearing and good vision [i.e., he hears and sees everything clearly], and is blessed with all the divine bounties in his grave.
References
- Nuzhatul Majalis Wa Muntakhabun Nafai’s (1/190)
See Also
The author is a Delhi-based research scholar on Sufism. His works have been published by different reputed journals on Islam and its mysticism. He is affiliated with Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.