Tuesday, 27th Rabīʿ al-Awwal 1435H
He (Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA) was the Scholar of the Ahl al-Bayt, the People of the Prophet’s Household. He was their Dai, veil and door. During their seclusion, they appointed him in their station, he who was undoubtedly the essence of the Fatimi Duʿat Mutlaqeen. By virtue of his presence amongst people, the Aimmat Tahereen were present and awake, even though they had chosen dormancy within the cave of seclusion. His salam is their salam and his words are their words. He was a shining proof and a distinguished sword for the upright faith. His tireless endeavours revived the cause of the Aimmat Fatimeen, vanquishing marks of oppression and injustices. By virtue of his being Allah’s most esteemed and beloved guest, his visits to the towns and cities in which Mumineen dwelled ensured the fulfillment of their wishes and desires. O friend, why wouldn’t every Mumin then remember him in every waking moment?
Just as he had desired, his demise truly occurred under the most preferable conditions and in the most preeminent state in which any of Allah’s beloved have passed. “This is truly the greatest triumph. For such [honour] let strive all those who strive” (37:60-61). The remembrance of the tragedy of his loss is considered an act of worship for those who worship, those whom prepare for the hereafter and abstain from worldly pleasures.
He was an ocean of munificence and a sky of virtues. He was skilled in the knowledge of happiness and misfortunes. He shepherded a bountiful offering of souls to the Imam’s courtyard. Each and every pure value takes pride in him. His wisdom and resolute determination resolved the most complex of disputes. The tragedy of his loss is undoubtedly the greatest of tragedies. How could this not be, for his blessings led to the pardoning of sins.
Aah! Aah! Woe is me for the loss of a Maula who was the Creator’s purpose in His creation. Woe is for the loss of a Maula who long beseeched his Imam with the verses of Nuhud al-Mataya (the Departure of the Caravan) [by Syedna Ali b. Maula Mohammed al-Walid RA]. Where is the one who bestowed upon us the breath of life? Where is the one who fulfilled desires before [we could even] request? Where is the one who was the path to salvation? Where is the one who affectionately and carringly caressed his followers’ chests, backs, faces and arms with the touch of his blessed hands? Indeed, the tragedy of his loss is one of the most trying adversities! The spirit of our hearts has shattered leaving them like “trunks of uprooted palm trees” (54:20). Our innards pine and burn causing our eyes to gush forth “with pouring rain” (54:11). In the wake of his passing, who else’s cheerful countenance will dawn upon us with words of “incessant allure” (54:2)?
He brought the architecture and heritage of the Aimmat Fatimeen to life, and quenched [our thirst] with the blessings of the Imams’ eternal Kauthar. Why wouldn’t these lofty monuments and this noble heritage shed tears upon him? Why wouldn’t the texts of Dawat Hadiyah, and their sublime meanings, mourn his loss? For the tragedy of his loss is a tragedy which deafens the ears, disconcerts the hearts and minds and causes tears to pour. It is a sorrow that pierces our insides, and the mere expression of regret upon it does not suffice. It is a tragedy in which the cries of “Oh! what a harrowing tragedy” and “Oh what a tormenting grief!” are befitting. There are those who call out “oh, my father!”; there are those who cry “oh, my grandfather!”; and there are those who exclaim “oh, my Maula!”. Their eyes are brimming with tears, their tongues stutter and stammer, their souls are in anguish and their hearts are left in tatters.
He (Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA) was noble, honourable, preeminent, excellent, pious and immaculate. He was the one who called towards Dawat al-Haq, and he was worthy of this call. His thinking was philosophical and his faith was Tayyibi. Although his form was of a human, his character and etiquette were angelic. His body and soul are pure, and his memory and scent are fragrant. He always praised [Allah and His beloved] and he too was praised. He showed [them] gratitude and glorified [them] thereby receiving closeness to Allah and securing ascension towards the heavens. He was of munificent character, radiant countenance and, for Nabi Mustafa’s progeny, an unshakeable support. He truly provided Mumineen a mighty victory while always showing them affection and care. He was the preeminent dāʿī, the paramount scholar, the one of a grand station: our beloved Maula Syedna Abu al-Qaidjohar Mohammed Burhanuddin. May Allah prolong his mighty victories and his evident triumphs until the day of Qiyamat.
His passion for the remembrance of Imam Husain embodies the blessed mourning of all previous Duʿat and rightly guided Hudaat. When he recited the elegy composed by al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna Idris Imaduddin RA, the events of Karbala would unfold before the very eyes and hearts of Mumineen. How frequently we yearned to listen to his eloquent portrayal when he recited:
This grief has melted my chest and my heart within it; it has caused my tears to rain down like the inundating deluge of a valley!
May Allah increase his sacredness and may he shower upon us his intercessory blessings and benedictions.