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MISHKAAT U'S SALAWAAT
Of: MAWLANA MUHAMMAD ELYAS BURNEY
Rahmatullahi 'alaih
An Appreciation by Siddiq Osman Noormuhammad
A RARE TREASURE
Mishkaat u's Salawaat (A Niche For Lit-Up Blessings) compiled by Mawlana Muhammad Elyas Burney (1890-1959 C.E) of India is a rare treasure, a manifestation of overflowing love for Allah Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala and our beloved Prophet Sayyidina wa Mawlana Hadhrat Muhammad al-Mustafa Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Sallam. Mawlana Burney has referenced Dalaail u'l Khairaat (Proofs of Good Deeds) of Imam Muhammad Sulayman al-Jazuli, Kanzu'l 'Ummaal (The Treasure of Authors) of Hadhrat Ali al-Muttaqi, Hizbu'l A'zam (The Great Supplication) of Hadhrat Mulla 'Ali al-Qaari, Majmu'atul Awraad Wa'l Ahzaab (Collected Regular Voluntary Invocations) of 'Allamah Kamishkhaanwi, and three kutub (books) of Imam Yusuf ibn Ismail an-Nab'haani, that is, Salawaat u's Sanaa, (The Shining Blessings), Afdhal u's Salawaat, (The Best of Blessings) and Sa'adatu'd Daarain (Happiness Here and in the Hereafter). And in keeping with ancient Muslim scholarly tradition, his kitab (book) is in seven parts which provide recitation for seven days of the week.
Mawlana Burney's disciple, Qaari 'Abdul Haleem Elyasee has done a great service to Muslims in having the kitab translated, transliterated and published, establishing a very high standard of scholarship and showing a deep sense of love for his Shaykh, for Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Sallam and for Allah Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala. He has dedicated the translation and the transliteration to all those who love, revere and follow the beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Sallam, and quotes the following verse of the Holy Qur'an Kareem:
Wa Rafa'naa Laka Zikrak
And exalted for you your Zikr (O Prophet) (94:4)
Each part of the kitab starts with the niyya (intention) as in Dalaail u'l Khairaat of Imam al-Jazuli, Rahmatullahi 'alaih, followed by Salaat u's Sa'adah; and ends with As-Salaat u'l Munjiya (also known as Salaat Tunjina), and Salaams on all the Prophets, 'alaihimussalaam, as in the following verses of the Holy Qur'an Kareem.
Sub'haana Rabbika Rabbi'l 'Izzati 'ammaa yasifoon
Wa Salaamun 'ala'l Mursaleen
Wa'l Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbi'l 'Aalameen.
Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Honour.
(He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him).
And peace be on the Messengers.
And all praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. (37:180-182)