Tasawwuf and Character Building
SECTION 2
CHAPTER 18
RAUDHA - E ATHAR
MEDITATION OF THE TOMB
OF THE
HOLY PROPHET 
In the second last chapter the meditation of the K‘aba was explained along with the meditations of Salah and Quran It had been explained that prayersare a source of achieving human excellence. Faith and belief require that when a salik is standing for prayers, he should feel that he is standing before ALLAH and is conversing with his Creator. This is the reminder of the Night of Ascension when ALLAH the Creator of the universe, was in conversation with the Holy Prophet. The remembrance of the Night of Ascension and the closeness of ALLAH was a source of peace for the Holy Prophet, that whenever he ordered Hadhrat Bilal
to call out the Adhan, he would also say. “O Bilal! Call out the Adhan, as it brings me peace.”
The way to stand in prayers and turn one’s concentration towards ALLAH has been taught by the Holy Prophet in the following manner: “Perform your prayers in the same way you see me performing them.” Then in the case of the study of the Quran, it has been declared that the Quran is that gift of ALLAH ,the Merciful in whose introduction ALLAH had said to the Holy Prophet:
A Book which We haverevealed unto you, in orderthat you may lead, mankind out of the depths of darkness into light. (14:1)
Hence, both the Divine gifts have reached mankind through the Holy Prophet. When the salik realises this fact he bows down to ALLAH in gratitude that he was horn as one of the followers of the Holy Prophet. The holy words ring in the ears of the salik. The Holy Prophet is saying, “He who has come to the K‘aba, and does not visit me, has shown a very rude attitude.” Therefore, the Ruh of the salik is impatient to appear in the Court of the Holy Prophet. Hence, after the sairof the K‘aba, the next meditation is of Rudha e Athar, or the tomb of the Holy Prophet.
The holy words, recited during this meditation are the Salaams and the Durood (Praise and blessings sent to the Holy Prophet. The salik finds himself infront of the Raudha standing respectfully and with the inner depth of his heart, repeating the Salams. He is thankful to the Holy Prophet for introducing him to ALLAH and blessing him with the nearness of ALLAH ,and also blessing him with the gift of communication with ALLAH. The salik also remembers the following words of ALLAH Almighty:
If they had only, after they had harmed themselves come to you and asked for ALLAH’s forgiveness. And the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have indeed found ALLAH Ever-Returning, Most Merciful. (4:64)
Therefore the salik asks earnestly for forgiveness from ALLAH from the depths of his heart, and requests and implores the Prophet of ALLAH to ask forgiveness for him, and appeals for intercession on the day of judgement. During the whole period the Ruh of the salik continuously repeats the Durood and Salams. The effects of this meditation on the practical life of the salik are:
• He sees very clearly the favours bestowed upon him by the Holy Prophet and his heart is always filled with gratitude.
• The love for the Holy Prophet deepens in the heart of the salik. Hence, it is clear that faith and belief have found their place in the heart of the salik, and his ears ring with the familiar words of the Holy Prophet, “You can never taste the sweetness of faith, until you love me more than your mother, father or children, and anyone or anything else in this world.”