Martyrdom in the honour of Nabi (saw)
Islam reaching us through the annals of determination
A certain Hindu organisation began publishing heartbreaking and insulting books to incite and stir up the passionate feelings Muslims have for Islam. At the end of 1923, Raajpaal, an active supporter of this organization, published an abusive book in which the honour of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) was openly attacked. This publication caused a huge cry in the entire country. The Muslims held large meetings and gatherings to object and protest against it. A case was opened against Raajpaal who was given a six month sentence and a thousand rupee fine. Thereafter the high court freed him and also pardoned the fine. This abusive book continued to be published.
On the night of the first of April 1929, a youngster by the name of Alamud Deen, together with his brother, attended a meeting in Lahore in a garden near the Delhi Gate. Hadhrat Moulana Sayyid Ataa-Ullaah Shah Bukhaari (RA) delivered an emotional and touching talk. Clause 144 had been issued, barring any type of meeting or gathering.
Nevertheless the Muslims held a unique gathering outside the Delhi Gate within the boundaries of the shrine of Shah Muhammad Ghous (RA). This lover of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) delivered such a heart-rending talk on the noble reputation of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) that it reduced the entire crowd to tears. People cried aloud uncontrollably. In his address to the Muslims he said, “Today you have gathered here to protect the honour and respect of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam). Today, the honour of that very personality who has brought honour to mankind is in danger. The honour of this great personality is being attacked, honour that all creation is justly proud of.”
Hadhrat Mufti Kifaayatullah Saahib (RA) and Hadhrat Moulana Ahmad Sa’eed Dehlawi (RA) were present in that meeting. Shahjee addressing them said, “Today the mother of the believers, Hadhrat A’ishah (Radiyallahu anha) and Hadhrat Khadijah (Radiyallahu anha), are calling out at the doors of Mufti Kifaayatullah (RA) and Moulana Ahmad Sa’eed (RA), ‘We are your mothers. Do you not know that the disbelievers are abusing us?’ O people check! Is Hadhrat A’ishah (Radiyallahu anha) not standing at your door?” These words gushed forth into the deep recesses of the hearts with such passion and fervour that the gazes of the listeners instantly moved in the direction of the door.
In all directions the echoes of sighs and cries were raised.
He continued, “The condition of your love is such that in normal circumstances it will fight till the bitter end, but do you not know that today Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) is uneasy beneath the Green Dome! Today Khadijah (Radiyallahu anha) and A’ishah (Radiyallahu anha) are restless! Do you have any place for the mothers of the believers in you hearts? Today the mother of the believers, Hadhrat A’ishah (Radiyallahu anha) is seeking her right from you. That very A’ishah (Radiyallahu anha) whom Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) used to call “Humayra” and who softened the miswaak for Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) at the time of his death. Remember, if you give your lives for Hadhrat Khadijah (Radiyallahu anha) and Hadhrat A’ishah (Radiyallahu anha) then this is not something insignificant to boast about!”
Shahjee continued to say, “As long as there is even one Muslim alive, then those who are attacking the honour of the prophet hood of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) cannot be at ease. The police are full of lies, the government is corrupt and the deputy commissioner are all helpless. They do not stop the absurd talks of the Hindu newspapers but they stop the lectures of the honourable Ulama. The time has come for this clause 144 to be broken. I am going to show you that with the bottom end of my shoe I will crush this clause.”
Thereafter he read a couplet of a poem in such a manner that people lost control over themselves.
This lecture set the entire city on fire. In Lahore, meetings were now being held at every corner against this disgusting book, it’s author and it’s publisher.
On the sixth of April 1929 at exactly one o’ clock, the hero Alamud Deen went to the shop of Raajpaal and asked,“Where is Raajpaal?” Raajpaal himself replied, “It is me. What work do you have?” Our hero immediately took out his knife and attacked him and he continued stabbing him until he delivered him to Jahannam forever. He then said, “This is the work I had with you.”
Our beloved hero was then arrested. On the 10 April 1929, the hearing commenced. On 22 May 1929 Alamud Deen was sentenced to death. On 30 May, an appeal was made in the high court. On 15 July, Muhammad Ali Jinaah acting as the attorney, presented the case in the high court. The high court rejected the appeal.
On 31 October 1929, as was his daily practice, Alamud Deen performed his Tahajjud Salaah and was engaged in dua, supplicating in the court of Allah Ta’ala, when he heard some heavy footsteps. He heard the sound of the footsteps stop at his room door and when he looked in that direction, he saw the executioners waiting for him. At that moment the superintendent’s eyes began to profusely flow with tears. Alamud Deen looked towards him and said, “You must stand witness as to what my last desire was and why I terminated my Salaah so quickly? (He had performed his salaah shorter than his normal practice). It is possible that the Magistrate may think that I am causing a delay with the intention of trying to lengthen the last moments of my life.”
The superintendent of the jail opened the door and Alamud Deen advanced towards the door smiling. Placing his right foot out of the room he told the magistrate, “Come! Let us not delay.” They then hurried him towards the execution room. Whilst passing a prison cell, he raised his hand wishing the inmate farewell. In reply the inmate raised the slogans in praise of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) and his prophet-hood. The jail authorities and the Magistrate realised that all the prisoners had stayed awake the entire night bidding Alamud Deen farewell. The prison echoed with the repeated recitation of the Kalimah Shahaadah. Alamud Deen stopped for a moment. He looked towards the Magistrate and the police, his lips moved and he then proceeded. At the execution area, besides the concerned authorities, there were armed police men. Their gazes were fixed on this hero of Islam. Prior to this they had seen many people approach the execution area, but never before had they seen anyone move with such determination. They realised that the “life” Alamud Deen was to be blessed with is something every Muslim was desirous of.
Alamud Deen (RA) was then made to wear black clothing and his eyes were tied with a strip of black cloth. When the Magistrate asked him what his last desire was, he said, “I wish to kiss the noose of the execution rope and place it around my neck myself.” Thereafter his feet were tied. On this occasion Alamud Deen, addressing those around him, said, “You be witness that I have killed Raajpaal in the honour of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) and be witness that I am giving my life reciting the Kalimah Shahaadah with deep love of my Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam).” Alamud Deen recited the Kalimah Shahaadah aloud and then kissed the execution rope. He understood everything that was to become the means of delivering him to the court of the beloved, to be blessed. Alamud Deen (RA) then placed the rope around his neck himself.
The Magistrate lifted his hand and with a mere indication the plank beneath the feet of Alamud Deen (RA) was pulled. Within seconds the soul of Alamud Deen (RA) took flight from his earthly body, not allowing the body to even feel a twitch or tremble of pain. It was as though Izraaeel (Alayhi Salaam) had taken his life even before his body was hung to save him the pain and suffering. The doctor confirmed his death and his blessed body was lowered from the execution platform.
Besides the father of Alamud Deen (RA), hundreds of Muslims were sitting, waiting for the authorities to hand over his dead body. The senior authorities decided that the body of Alamud Deen (RA) will not be handed over to the Muslims. They feared that the conditions will only worsen. Upon the martyrdom of Alamud Deen (RA), forceful protest meetings were held against the English Rule in Miyaanwaali.
There was a closure of all shops in the market area. The death of the martyr was mourned and anger and grief was expressed. In the janaazah of Alamud Deen (RA), besides the prisoners, a few local resident Muslims took part. The government of the time arrested many individuals of Miyaanwaali. Cases were opened up against them in which they were given six months of imprisonment and fines as punishment. After the martyrdom of Alamud Deen (RA), his blessed body was buried in the prisoner’s graveyard in Miyaanwaali. This was done in conformance to the instructions of the governor. He understood Alamud Deen (RA) to be one without any friends and helpers, a dead and weak individual of the community.
When this news reached Lahore and other parts of the country, objections were raised from all sides. On the 4 November 1929, a delegation of Muslims met with the governor of Punjaab and presented their request. Eventually the request of the Muslims was accepted with a few conditions attached. On the 13 November 1929 a delegation of Muslims came to Miyaanwaali under the leadership of Sayyid Maraatib Ali Shah and Magistrate Mirza Mahdi Hasan.
The deputy commissioner of Miyaanwaali, Raajah Mahdi Zamaan, hosted them.
A box was made by one of the builders of Miyaanwaali and the next day the district authorities together with Noorud-Deen, with utmost respect, removed the body of Alamud Deen (RA) from the prisoner’s graveyard and brought it to the bungalow of the deputy commissioner of Miyaanwaali. Noorud-Deen showed them that although two weeks have passed, there was no offensive odour coming from the body and in fact it was emitting an amazing fragrance. They kept the body in a box in the home of the deputy commissioner of Miyaanwaali. From there the body was taken to the Miyaanwaali station. A special coach transported the body to Lahore.
Thereafter the body of Alamud Deen (RA) was buried in the graveyard of Miyaani Sahib. The crowds of Muslims that attended the janaazah were like the waves of the ocean striking against the shore. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in this janaazah. The Janaazah Salaah had to be read four times. Moulana Muhammad Shamsud-Deen performed the janaazah the first time, Sayyid Deedaar Ali Shah the second time, Sayyid Ahmad Shah the third time and Ali Shah Sahib the fourth time, and on this occasion he held his blessed beard and he addressed himself crying, “You are a descendent of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) and you have thousands of followers, but the son of a person having lower standing in society has surpassed you.”
The funeral procession was five and a half miles long. Moulana Sayyid Deedaar, Ali Shah and Allaamah Iqbaal placed the body in the grave with their own hands. Allaamah Iqbaal on this occasion kissed the forehead of Alamud Deen (RA) and recited a couplet in praise of him having gone ahead.
Source: Taaleemudden
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za
