|
 Shibaam
is heaven on earth. It is the highest peak of Haraaz rising
9000 feet above sea level. Barren beauty punctuated by green
terraces stretches as far as the eye can see. The military
fort stands mighty, enveloped in a mist of white fog. The edge
of the mountain looks out onto a dizzying panorama of Haraaz,
and neighboring cities, all the way to the Red Sea. The qabr
mubarak of Syedna Idris Imaduddin (RA) lies here; it is
encircled by mumineen who have come for ziyarat from far and
wide.
The hike up the mountain is an adventure in itself. A caravan
of four-wheelers winding up through rocky terrain. Red and
white uqals trailing in the wind, as several Yemenis cling to
the jeeps. Several other mumineen are climbing up on foot. As
Aqa Maula’s (TUS) jeep passes by, the drums beat to the
familiar Yemeni tune…
The life and times of the Duat in Yemen, especially Syedna
Idris Imaduddin (RA), the 19th Dai al Mutlaq, seem almost
tangible up here. Yemen was fraught by tribal conflicts;
Syedna Idris’s (RA) father, Syedna Hasan (RA) captured the
fortress of Shibaam after seven months of fighting. The food
stock was exhausted, and the army began to eat animal skin,
but Syedna (RA) remained determined till Shibaam was captured.
One month later Syedna Idris (RA) was born; mumineen were
jubilant and offered tehniyaat of both occasions together, the
capture and the birth.
Like his father, Syedna Idris Imaduddin (RA) was known for his
strength and prowess on the battle-field. He fought battles in
thunder and storm. His era was full of hardship but his
forbearance gave strength to mumineen. In the last twenty
years of his life, Syedna (RA) made Shibaam his permanent
abode: not only for its strategic advantage, but also for the
tranquility and solitude it offered.
Syedna Idris (RA) was the fount of knowledge, his name is
derived form the Arabic root “dars” which means study. Sitting
by the birkat (pond), that we still see here and drink from,
he composed seven volumes of ‘Uyun ul akhbar’. These volumes
cover several hundred years of dawat’s history spanning three
continents, from the time of Rasulullah’s (SA) predecessors to
the period of satr. He penned other books of history and
haqiqat. Syedna (RA) also composed verses in the praise of the
forefathers of Rasulullah (SA)and in the risa of Imam Husain
(AS) which Aqa Maula (TUS) often recites beside his qabr
mubarak.
Syedna (RA) had predicated that the seat of Dawat would be
transferred from Yemen to India. Syedna (RA) tested the conviction of
mumineen in India by giving raza of namaaz to an ordinary
bhishty (water carrier). All the Hudud in India accepted their
Dai’s command, and prayed namaaz behind the bhishty. He then
tested the ikhlaas of mumineen in Yemen; they failed to live
up to his expectations. Syedna (RA) warned them that the seat
of dawat would be taken away from Yemen.
Syedna Idris (RA) reigned as Dai al Mutlaq for 40 years. He
passed away on the 19th of Zilqada 872 H. Aqa Maula (TUS)
is recently building his masjid and mausoleum in Shibaam. His
qabr mubarak on the highest mountain of Yemen bears testimony
to his lofty status. Indeed the a’yat extolling Nabi
Idris rings true in praise of Dai Idris Imaduddin (RA):
We have elevated him to an exalted position. His enduring
legacy remains with us in his books on the comprehensive
history of dawat and in the person of Aqa Maula (TUS). |
