The Hilya of the Prophet: Selections from the Salam of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Riza Khan Barelwi
as-salamu ‘alaykum,
The Hilya of the Prophet: Selections from the Salam of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Riza Khan Barelwi
Wheresoever it fell, Life itself was revived
Peace be upon that life-bestowing gazeWhom did he see? Let someone enquire of Moses
Peace be upon the courage of one with such eyes!Those ears which can hear from both near and from afar
Peace be upon that mine: rubies of charismata!How delicate the petals of that holy rose!
Peace be upon the exquisiteness of those lips!From his clustered pearls, radiate those roots of light
Peace be upon the enchantment of those stars!A mouth whose ev’ry word: divine revelation!
Peace be upon the fount of knowledge and wisdomIts water makes both spirits and gardens verdant
Peace be upon the moisture of such a mouth!From it saline wells became sweet like syrup
Peace be upon that sweet, clear, spring water!A tongue which is known to all as the key to `Be!’
Peace be upon its effective commandmentsCountless blessings upon his lov’ly oratory
Peace be upon his heart-enticing eloquence!Countless blessings upon the pleasure of his words!
Peace be upon the majesty of his sermonsA beard of pleasant length, a salve for the heart’s wounds
Peace be upon the halo around the rarest moon!A beard around the mouth ? striking loveliness!
Peace be upon that beard of the stream of mercy!From it are flowing streams of milk and honey
Peace be upon the freshness of such a throat!Lofty nobility from shoulder to shoulder
Peace be upon the majesty of such shoulders!The Black Stone of the Ka’aba of the heart and soul!
Peace be upon the Seal of Apostleship!No partner, sum total, matchless, unparalled!
Peace be upon this unique, solitary pearl!The arm oblivious to the weight of both worlds
Peace be upon the power of such an arm!Two pillars of the Ka’aba of Faith, Religion
Peace be upon the two wrists of ProphethoodWherever his hand was raised he made others rich
Peace be upon the waves of this Sea of BountyFountains of light do cascade, and rivers flow out
Peace be upon the miracle of the fingers!The crescent moon of the Eid of Succour glimmered
Peace be upon the good news of the fingernails!Loftiest blessings on his zikr’s majestic glory!
Peace be upon the cleaving of leadership’s chest!Your heart is beyond my ken but I shall say this:
Peace be upon the bud holding secrets of Oneness!The world’s his dominion yet he eats barley bread!
Peace be upon the contentedness of that stomach!`Twas tightened with the intention of Intercession
Peace be upon the protection of that waist!Messengers do bend their knees in their presence
Peace be upon the dignity of such knees!Antiquity: his essence’ stem; grace: his palm tree’s branch
Peace be upon the candle of the Straight Path!The Qur’an gave an oath by the dust of thy path!
Peace be upon the reverence of such a foot!The shadow of mercy of his shadowless stature
Peace be upon that extended, kindly shadow!He whose turtledoves are the birds of Paradise
Peace be upon his erect height and his statureThe heads of the rulers remain bowed before it
Peace be upon the crown on his towering head!Dew from Truth’s garden: beads of sweat from his face
Peace be upon his pure veracious brilliance!Fragrant blessings be upon such delicate fragrance!
Peace be upon such lovely, lovely refinement!
? Asif Jehangir Naqshbandi-Jama’ati [May 2004]
wa’as-salamMas’ud
www.masud.co.uk