Some people believe that Allah Ta'ala is "Omnipresent", that is, Allah Ta'ala is Present & Over-looking at every time & at every place. They believe Allah Ta'ala to be "Haazir" & "Naazir". This is not true, as Allah Ta'ala is not bound by time & space. Allah Ta'ala is Present & Seeing from eternity without time & without space.
Allah Ta'ala's Attributes, namely, Life, Knowledge, Power & Speech, are without time & without place, so are Allah Ta'ala's other attributes. Allah Ta'ala's Attributes always exists & will continue to exist till eternity. There is a great difference between Allah Ta'ala being Present & the souls of His creation being present. No one is present like Allah Ta'ala being Present.
The Angels, the souls of Prophets, the souls of the Auliya Allah & the souls of pious Muslims are present at any place where they are called. They were non-existent, before being present. They will seize to exist after a while. The souls of the creation were absent before it became present there & will be absent some time later. The presence of the souls is with time & with place. Now that we have explained the concept of Allah Ta'ala being Present & clarified our position with regards to the station of the souls in this respect, we will explain the concept of Haazir (present) & Naazir (over-looking) of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).It is the belief of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jama'at that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is given power by Allah Ta'ala to be Haazir & Naazir.
Some persons say that the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jamaat believes that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is present like Allah Ta'ala is Present. This is totally false because the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jama'at does not have such a belief. The Ulema have used the words "Haazir-o-Naazir" for Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Allah Ta'ala states in the Holy Quran: "How then if I brought from each people a Witness & brought you (O Muhammad) as a Witness against these people". (Surah al-Nisa: 41) This proves that each Prophet is a Witness for his Ummah, for those who accept Allah Ta'ala & those who reject Him. It also proves that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was present before each Ummah, witnessing their deeds.
On the Day of Qiyamat, when they will be questioned about their deeds, they will deny it. Then, Allah Ta'ala will bring the Final Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as a Witness & he will testify because he was present there when they were practising evil. Imam Khaazin (radi Allahu anhu) states, "To be a witness means to be 'Haazir' or present." (Tafseer Khaazin)
Sayyiduna Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehalwi (radi Allahu anhu) writes: "Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is Haazir-o-Naazir on the deeds of his Ummah". (Haashiya Akhbar-ul-Akhyaar)
Allah Ta'ala states in the Holy Quran: "O Prophet! Truly, We have sent you as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings & a Warner". (Surah al-Ahzab: 45) Here Allah Ta'ala says that the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is a witness sent by Him concerning men's doings & how they receive Allah Ta'ala's Message. In order to give evidence, a witness has to be present & watching. Even in the Court of Law, a witness is asked, "Did you see the incident taking place? "Allah Ta'ala states in the Holy Quran: "& the Apostle is a Witness over yourselves." (Surah al-Baqarah: 144)
Commenting on this Ayah, Sayyiduna Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddis Dehalwi (alaihir rahmah) writes: "The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is observing everybody, knows their good & bad deeds & knows the strength of Imaan of every individual Muslim & what has hindered his spiritual progress." (Tafsir Azizi)
Allah Ta'ala states in the Holy Quran: "& keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning & evening, seeking His face & let not thine eyes pass beyond them." (Surah Kahaf: 28) In this verse Allah Ta'ala is asking Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to keep a close watch on those people who seek Him. He is asked to observe them day & night. Note that no limitation has been imposed - "observe them during your life & after you assume a veil of departure". This is another proof that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is watching us 24 hours a day!
Allah Ta'ala states in the Holy Quran: "The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is closer to the Believers than their own selves". (Surah al-Ahzab: 6) Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is with every Muslim. (N.B. Not every Muslim, but every "Mu'min" among the Muslims). That is the reason why the non-Mu'mins feel that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is far from them. But it is they who are far from the beloved of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is closer to them than they are to their own selves, irrespective of time & place. He is witnessing their deeds. Allah Ta'ala gives this power to him.
It is reported by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (radi Allahu anhuma) that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Indeed this entire world is in front of me so that I can observe everything in it. I can see everything in this world & everything that will take place till the Day of Qiyamah. I see the entire world as I see the palm of my hand". (Mawahib-e-Ladunnia) This Hadees Shareef substantiates the belief of the Ahle Sunnat that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is Haazir & Naazir.
Sayyiduna Qazi Abu Iyaaz (alaihir rahmah) writes in his "Shifa" that Sayyiduna Amr bin Dinar (radi Allahu anhu), a Taba'in & Faqih of Makkah-tul-Mukarramah, said: "If you enter a house & find that there is nobody there, say "May Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)". Writing a commentary on this Hadees Shareef, Sayyiduna Mulla Ali Qari (alaihir rahmah) says: "This is so because the soul of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is present in every Muslim home".
Sayyiduna Ali Hameed Saaidi (radi Allahu anhu) has reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "If any of you enters the Mosque, send Salaams to me, followed by this Du'a: "O Allah! Open your Door of Blessing for me". (Abu Dawud, Ibn-e-Majah, Baihaqi) This Hadees proves that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is present in every Mosque of this world & according to Islam, the entire earth is a Mosque for the Muslims, as reported by Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu) that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "The entire earth has been made a Mosque for me". (Bukhari Shareef) Thus, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is present everywhere on earth!
The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has stated, "Whosoever sees me in his dream then he will soon see me while awake." (Bukhari Shareef; Abu Dawood) Commentating on this Hadees, Sayyiduna Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhaddis Delhawi (alaihir rahmah) says: "This is glad tidings for those who see the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in their dreams that after arriving from the darkness of the Nafs & the completion of the desires of the body they have reached this stage that in reality, without any veil in the condition of awakeness they will have this opportunity of seeing him just like the Auliyah Allah who see him while awake. In this text, this Hadees proves that it is possible & proper to see the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) while awake." (Ash Atul Lam'aat)
The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, "I have been sent towards all the creation of Almighty Allah." (Sahih Muslim Shareef & Mishkaat Shareef) This Hadees Shareef proves that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is being a witness for those towards whom he was sent as a Prophet.
It is written in an authentic Kitaab: "Even due to much objections & differences in the opinions of the Ulama, one does not have any doubt in this case that without any doubt & illusion, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is continuously alive & he is Haazir & Naazir in the A'mal of his Ummat & he gives his mercy towards those who turns towards him & he guides them." (Maktoobat Shareef bar Haashia Akhbaar-ul-Akhyaar Shareef)
Hazrat Haji Imdaadullah Muhaajir Makki (alaihir rahmah) writes: "Our Ulama fight in the issue of Meelad Shareef. The Ulama believed in its permissibility as well. When the side of permissibility exists, why then is there so much hardness on this issue? For us, it is sufficient to follow the people of Haramain (Makkah & Madina). At the time of Qiyaam one should not have the belief of Tawallud (that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is born now). The possibility of the arrival of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in the Milad assembly is not wrong because the bodily world is restricted to time & place, but the spiritual world is free from both. So the arrival of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is not far from being possible". (Shamaime Imdaadiya)
Imam Ahle Sunnat, Hazrat Sayed Ahmed Sa'eed Qazmi (alaihir rahmah) states: "When the word Haazir-o-Naazir is used for Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), it does not mean that the physical body of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is everywhere & that he is present in front of everybody. This in fact means that as the soul exists in every part of the body similarly the light filled reality of the Soul of both the worlds (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) exist in every atom of the worlds. Based on that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) arrives with his spirituality & lightfulness in many places at one time. Many times, the Pious observe the beauty of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in a state of wakefulness with their physical eyes". (Taskeen-ul-Khawatir fi Mas'alatil Haazir wan Naazir)
Thus we have learnt that Sayyiduna Muhammad (sallalllahu alaihi wasallam), through the Light (Noor) of his Prophethood, knows the faith of every faithful & the degree of his Imaan & also the obstacles which stand in the way of a faithful's spiritual advancement. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) knows our sins & our spiritual status & our good & bad deeds & our sincerity & hypocrisy. His witness is the most acceptable in favour of his Ummah.
The Soul of Sayyiduna Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) observes all the souls & living beings. The deeds of the Ummah are presented to Sayyiduna Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) every morning & every evening & the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) recognizes (each member) of his Ummah through their actions & hence, he would be a witness for them. Sayyiduna Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is a witness for the Believers over their faith, for the non-Believers over their apostasy & for the hypocrites over their dual character.
There are some mislead individuals who feel it appropriate to believe that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has been restricted to his Blessed Grave till the Day of Qiyamat & that it is out of his reach to travel wherever he pleases & to make himself present wherever he pleases.
Allah Ta'ala sent all the Prophets to our Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) on the Mi'raj night. He became the Imaam & they performed two rak'ahs of Salaah. It is thus seen that all the Prophets (alaihimus salaam) made Haaziri (were present) in Masjid al-Aqsa to perform Salaah with our Noble Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) being the Imaam. If Prophets cannot leave their Blessed Graves then how is it that all of the Prophets (alaihimus salaam) were present in Masjid al-Aqsa, on the blessed night of Mi'raj an-Nabi which occured long after the Wisaal of the other Prophets.
Shaikh Abd al-Haqq Muhaddis Dehalwi (alaihir rahmah) states: "Allah Ta'ala has given the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) the strength & power to go anywhere he likes, he can go with his own body or only in soul. On the earth, in the sky, in the grave & the Holy Prophet's (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) connection stays with his own shrine." (Madarij-un-Nabuwat)
Imam Jalaaluddin as-Suyuti (alaihir rahmah) says, "To keep watch of his own followers" work & to pray for their forgiveness; to pray for their abstention from bad deeds; to come & go in all parts of the world to give auspiciousness; if one pious person dies from his followers then to come & attend his Janazah (funeral), all this is done by the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)". (Intibah-ul-Azkiyya)
It is recorded that at the time of the call to prayer (Adhan) the Shaitaan runs thirty-six miles away & returns in an instant after the completion of the Adhan. (Mishkaat) How can it be, that Allah Ta'ala's Beloved, Huzoor-e-Aqdas Muhammad Mustafa (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is confined to his Blessed Grave while Shaitaan is freely running up & down & that too, at high speeds!
Besides Shaitaan, even Angels have this ability. The Holy Qur'aan says: "...when death comes to any of you, Our Angels take his soul & they do not fail " (Surah al-Anaam: 61). Relating to this it is written that, "For the Angel of Death the whole of the Earth is like a tray, so that he may take the souls as he pleases. There is no difficulty for the Angel of Death to take souls, even though there are many & at many different places !" (Tafseer Kabir Khazeen; Ruh-ul-Bayaan) The speed of Jibra'eel (alaihis salaam) is such that, when Nabi Yusuf (alaihis salaam) was thrown into the well, Jibra'eel (alaihis salaam) travelled from Sidratul Muntaha to the bottom of the well. When Nabi Ibraheem (alaihis salaam) was about to sacrifice Nabi Ismail (alaihis salaam) & had his knife on the neck of Nabi Ismail (alaihis salaam), Jibra'eel (alaihis salaam), travelled from Sidrat-ul-Muntaha to the earth with a Ram.
The above events relate to an Angel & it's abilities, but men of Allah (Auliya Allah) are also imbued with such powers. Asaf ibn Barkhiya's taking the throne of Bilqis (the Queen of Sheba) to Sayyiduna Sulaiman (alaihis salaam) is also reported in the Holy Quran, Surah Naml, Verses 39 & 40.
It is written in the book "Wahhabiyya": "Tayy al-masaafa, that is, traversing long distances in a moment, is a Karaamat (miracle) bestowed upon Auliya'. It is Waajib to believe in this."
Ibn Hajar al-Haitami (alaihir rahmah) wrote in his Fatawa: "The number of those who said that if a Wali (saint) goes to a very distant place in the West (in a short time) after he has performed the evening Salaat & if the sun has not set there yet, he need not perform the evening Salaat for the second time at that place, are many." Concerning the questioning (of the dead person) in the grave, the third question that will be asked by the Angels of the grave is, "Ma kunta taqulu fi haqqi hazar rajul" (meaning : "What did you have to say about this person?" (i.e. the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) When this question is asked the veil is removed from the dead person's eyes so that he can see the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) who will be present (Haazir) in the grave. (Mishkaat Shareef; Bukhaari)
From this Hadith we learn that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is seen by the dead in person & not in some sort of mental thought, because the word "rajul" that is used in the question, in Arabic grammar refers to a real person made of flesh & bones. So it is established that every person that dies sees the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in his grave in person. Now, at any given time thousands of people around the world are buried & all these people see the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) at the same time & are asked the same question. This is ample proof that the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) by the Grace of Allah Ta'ala can present himself in many places at the same time. All the 'Ulama of Ahle Sunnat agree with this.
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