Highlighting the Hadiths On “Muslim Ummah’s Test Concerning Ahl-e-Bayt”, Muharram Observed with 'Mohabbat-e-Ahle Bait Conference' in Delhi’s Seelampur - A Report
By New Age Islam Correspondent
30 June 2025
A Platform for Communal Harmony and Sufi Values: Organized by the Sufi Khanqah Association (Women’s Wing), the event blended spiritual devotion, interfaith unity, and educational upliftment. It reinforced the inclusive, peace-oriented ethos of Hussaini Sufi tradition in promoting national integration, especially in Muslim-majority areas of Delhi.
Main Points:
1. Promotion of Love for Ahl al-Bayt and Islamic Unity: The conference emphasized the Islamic duty of loving the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) family (Ahl al-Bayt) as a core part of faith. Speakers highlighted how this love fosters spiritual strength, unity, and moral clarity in the Muslim community.
2. Hadith Reflections on Peace, Generosity, and Social Justice: Indo-Islamic Scholar Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi explained key Hadiths that stress practical aspects of Islam—feeding others and greeting all people with peace—as essential teachings that transcend sectarianism and promote communal harmony, exemplified by the Ahl al-Bayt and Sufi saints.
3. Warning from Hadith: Ummah’s Test Regarding Ahl al-Bayt: Alima Zunaira Siddiqui highlighted prophetic traditions that the Muslim community would be tested in their treatment of the Prophet’s family. Historical injustices like Karbala are seen as failed tests, and the hadiths urge believers to uphold justice, love, and loyalty toward the Ahl al-Bayt.
4. Women's Empowerment within Islamic Framework: Both female scholars and the event’s organizer stressed the importance of women’s education and empowerment, drawing inspiration from prominent women of the Ahl al-Bayt like Hazrat Fatima Zahra (RA) and Hazrat Zainab (RA), while upholding dignity and modesty.
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As the Islamic month of Moharram begins, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (Alaihissalam), a series of religious and spiritual events are being held across the country. Among them, a significant event titled "Mohabbat-e-Ahle Bait Conference" was organized at Khanqah Ashrafiya, Brahmpuri, Seelampur, under the aegis of Sufi Khanqah Association (Women’s Wing), held under the patronage of the Association’s National Vice President Sufi Rais Ahmad Ashrafi.
The conference focused on promoting love and reverence for the Ahle Bait (family of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), interfaith unity, and women's empowerment within the framework of Islamic teachings.
Guest Speaker’s Address:
Alima Saniya Siddiqui, in her keynote address, emphasized that:
"Love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the foundation of faith in Islam, but it remains incomplete without love for his family, the Ahle Bait. Therefore, loving the Ahle Bait is not optional—it is the core part of being a true believer."
She further highlighted the spiritual, moral, and historical significance of the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his companions in Karbala.
Cultural Segment:
Young Na’at Khwans (singers and reciters of devotional songs or Nasheeds) including Zunaira Siddiqui and Sakina Siddiqui presented soulful poetic tributes (Manzoom Nazrana-E-Aqeedat) to the Prophet’s family, touching the hearts of attendees. Later, Nizam Ashraf also presented a heartfelt Na’at that resonated with the spiritual ambiance of the gathering.
Guest of Honour’s Statement:
Mr. Ghulam Rasool Dehlavi, New Age Islam Regular Columnist and an Indo-Islamic scholar and author of “Ishq Sufiyana: Untold Stories of Divine Love”, lauded the efforts of the Sufi Khanqah Association in promoting communal harmony and national integration in the country especially in North Delhi’s densely Muslim-populated areas such as Seelampur, Shahdara, Dilshad Garden, Loni and Jafrabad.
"In times of division, initiatives like these play a vital role in fostering unity, communal harmony and peace. We must strengthen these values together," he stated.
Mr Dehlvi then went on to explain the following prophetic tradition (Hadith):
The holy Prophet (pbuh) was once asked:
"Which form of Islam is the best?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"To feed the people and to greet those you know and even those you do not know with peace (saying 'Salam')."
— [Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim]
Hadith Explanation:
Mr. Dehlvi explained that the best form of Islam is not only about rituals and personal piety, but about kindness, generosity, and building peace in society through simple acts such as sharing your food and greeting people with peace. These are fundamental Islamic values that transcend race, nationality, or status, and have been upheld by the Ahlul Bait (AS).
Mr Dehlvi continued: This Hadith is part of the authentic collection of sayings attributed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that emphasizes practical and universal goodness in Islam that was exemplified by Ahl-e-Bait and the Hussaini Sufi saints such as Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Gharib Nawaz (RA). He explained the Hadith by breaking down the meaning:
1. "To feed others" (إطعام الطعام):
This encourages unconditional generosity, hospitality, and care for fellow human beings, especially the poor, the hungry, and the needy.
Feeding others is seen as an act that brings hearts together, removes hatred, and strengthens social bonds.
It reflects care and compassion for one and all and is one of the simplest yet most beloved deeds in Islam.
2. "To greet those you know and those you do not know with Salam" (إفشاء السلام):
The Prophet (pbuh) in his saying is teaching that spreading peace should not be limited to only our Muslim friends or only our family members but extended to even non-Muslims, and even strangers and everyone. But today’s clergymen are wrongly preaching to the navie Muslims that it is not permissible in Islam to extend peace greetings (Assalamu Alaikum) to the non-Muslims.
Saying "As-Salamu Alaikum" (peace be upon you) is not just a greeting—it’s a prayer for peace and safety for the other person. This promotes a culture of peace, openness, and trust in society, he said.
Another Guest Speaker, Alima Zunaira Siddiqui focused her insightful and precise talk on the following hadith:
“My ummah will be tested concerning my Ahl al-Bayt (household)”
She said that it is a well-known and deeply meaningful narration attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which serves today as a prophetic warning about the trials and tests that the Muslim community would face in their treatment of his family (Ahl al-Bayt). She referred to several other Hadith narrations that point to this concept. One famous hadith says:
"Indeed, the example of my Ahl al-Bayt among you is like the Ark of Noah: whoever boards it is saved, and whoever turns away from it is drowned."
— Reported in al-Hakim's al-Mustadrak, al-Tabarani, and al-Tirmidhi.
Another narration that she quoted states more directly:
"My Ummah will be tested in their treatment of my Ahl al-Bayt."
This concept appears in various forms in classical hadith, tafsir, and historical literature — including the works of Ibn Abi Shaybah, al-Tabari, al-Hakim, among others, she said.
Historical Context:
This hadith, she said, alludes to tragic and critical events in Islamic history, such as the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (RA) at Karbala, the poisoning of Imam Hasan (RA) and the persecution, humiliation, and imprisonment of the Ahl al-Bayt. Political factions marginalizing or opposing the rights and status of the Prophet’s family have always harmed the actual spirit of Islam in history. Through this and similar Hadiths, the Prophet (pbuh) has actually warned and foretold us: First, that his Ummah would be tested in how they honour or dishonour his family. Second, that many would fail this test — through injustice, neglect, or even open oppression. Third, that salvation and righteousness lie in loyalty, love, and justice toward the Ahl al-Bayt.
Thus, the moral and message of these Prophecies for us today is that:
2. Love and loyalty to the Ahl al-Bayt is part of true faith.
3. The ummah must uphold justice and respect toward them.
4. The events of Karbala and beyond are lessons in moral clarity and spiritual commitment.
5. We must learn from the past — and honor the legacy of the Prophet’s household in action and spirit.
In his concluding address and vote of thanks, the main organiser of the event Sufi Rais Ahmad Ashrafi, National Vice President of the Sufi Khanqah Association, emphasised women’s rights and education as also stressed by the women of Ahlul Bait (AS) such as Hazrat Fatima Zahra (RA) and Hazrat Zainab (RA). He stated:
"Islam places great emphasis on education and grants equal rights to men and women. The religion is not against women’s empowerment but supports it, provided social dignity and modesty are preserved."
He called for more focused efforts towards higher education for women, asserting that knowledge and empowerment are key to strengthening the Muslim community.
The event witnessed the participation of several dignitaries and members of the association, including Faizan Ashraf, Rehan Ashraf, Bakhtiyar Ashraf, Ghulam Jeelani, Gulshan Ashrafi, and others.
Thus the Mohabbat-e-Ahle Bait Conference served not only as a platform for religious and spiritual devotion towards the Ahlul Bait (AS) but also as a beacon for communal harmony, social upliftment and national harmony. Through a blend of spiritual discourse, poetic expressions, and socio-educational insights, the event reflected the inclusive and peace-driven ethos of the Hussaini Sufi tradition in India.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/hadiths-muslim-ummah-ahl-bayt-muharram-mohabbat/d/136028
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