Majmoo’ah-E Salawat e Rasul
Majmoo’ah-E Salawate Rasul is the largest written book on Salawat and Salam on Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Ta’ala Alaihe Wa Sallam in 30 chapters by Hadrat Khwaja Abdur Rahman Choharvi. After Quran Al-Karim (divine words of Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala) and Sahih al-Bukhari (hadith compilation done by Muhammad al-Bukhari), this book is the 3rd one which is segmented into 30 chapters, each chapter is about specific topics associated with Syeduna Muhammadﷺ.
Full Name
Muhayirul Uqul Fi Bayani Awsafi Aqlil Uqul Al Musamma Bimajmoo’ati Salawatir Rasul Sallallahu Ta’ala Alaihi Wa Alihi Wasallam.
About Author
Khwaja Abdur Rahman Choharvi was a saint who lived in Chohar, Haripur, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. He was born in 1846 and left the world in 1923. He was a notable saint of Silsilaye Qaderia Alia. It is known from some reliable sources that he is a descendant of Syeduna Ali radiAllahu anhu, the fourth Caliph of Rashidun Caliphate. This makes him an Alawi.
Composition time
The composition was completed in 12 years 6 months and 20 days. Although the manuscript was written during the author’s lifetime in the early 20th century, the book was published after he left this mortal world.
History of publication
1st edition (In Arabic)
Khwaja Choharvi consigned the manuscript of “Majmoo’ah” to Allama Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti in 1920 and he delegated Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti in Rangoon to publish the book with the assistance of his disciples and not to come back home until the work is done. In continuation of this, the first edition of this book was published from Rangoon (present Yangon) in 1933 AD. Its introduction was written by Allama Ismatullah Sirikoti, under the supervision of Chief Caliph of Khwaja Choharvi Ahl al-Bayt Maulana Syed Ahmad Shah. Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti wrote extensions and additions with its preface. Bengali disciples of Khwaja Choharvi and Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti contributed to the project of publishing the book for the first time in history.
2nd Edition (Arabic)
In 1953, the second edition of the book was published from Chittagong under the supervision of Maulana Amir Shah Rahmatullahi Alayhi on the initiative of Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti Rahmatullahi Alayhi.
3rd Edition (In Arabic)
5,000 copies were printed by Anjuman-e-Rahmania Ahmadia Sunnia Trust, Chittagong, Bangladesh in 1982 on the order of Trust’s President Syed Muhammad Tayyeb Shah at a cost of about five lakh Bangladeshi taka.
4th Edition (In Arabic with Urdu Translation)
Later, under the patronage of Allama Syed Muhammad Taher Shah Maddajilluhul Aliah, the current Sajjadanashin pir of Darbare Alia Sirikot Sharif, and Allama Pir Sabir Shah Maddajilluhul Aliah, the fourth edition of this book was published in offset paper from Chohar Sharif, Pakistan in 1995. It was translated into Urdu by an eminent Urdu writer Allama Abul Hasanat Muhammad Ashraf Sialvi.
Latest Edition (In Arabic with Bengali Translation)
In the context of the demand of Bengali speaking people of Bangladesh, Anjuman-E Rahmania Ahmadia Sunnia Trust has been publishing each volume of Majmoo’ah-E Salawate Rasul separately with its Bangla translation from 2014.
Features of the Book
This book has 30 chapters like the Holy Qur’an and Bukhari Sharif, one of the most authentic compilations of Hadith of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Ta’ala Alaihi Wa Sallam. The author himself indicated this by letter to his chief caliph. In this regard, Allama Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti Rahmatullahi Alaihi said, “This great scholar kept his vast collection of works secret during his lifetime. Later, when the time of death approached, he informed me in a letter that ‘Majmoo’ah-E Salawat E Rasool’ has been written, which consists of 30 parts like Sahih al-Bukhari Sharif, each part is slightly larger than the part of Qur’an Sharif.”
6,666 Salawats are written in the entire compendium, similar to the Quran Al Karim’s total number of verses.
Linguistic features
The book is written in Arabic language, Language of Islamic Prophet. Some researchers said this book also contains ancient Aramic words, which cannot be translated properly today.
Literary Marvel
The daroods written in this book is addressed to the Lord of the worlds from one side in the form of prayer, along with the praises of the mercy toward the worlds, Syeduna Muhammad Sallallahu Ta’ala Alaihi Wa Sallam. The necessary prayers of a believer have been revealed in this book. Moreover, the unique description of the external and spiritual beauty of the Prophet which is narrated in the form of {Durood sharif} in this book, make the reader perceive the existence of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu Ta’ala Alayhi wa Sallam in their imagination.
Allama Ismatullah Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaihi mentions in the introduction of this great book: “The unitarianism(tawhid) theories and the power of love in this book are so irresistible and high that it enchants the reader towards Almighty Allah."
Hadith experts regard books as Jame’ where all the subjects are found and examples are found. In that sense, Bukhari Sharif is a ‘Jame’ Kitab.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the book Majmoo’ah-E Salawat E Rasul Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam is a ‘Ja’me’ book.
Because it is a fancy biography of the beloved Prophet and all basic things of Islam are narrated in this book. Researchers can verify it through research.
The Urdu translator of the book Allama Ashraf Sialvi’s comment in this regard is noteworthy.
He said, “The author has not only considered it sufficient to assemble Durood Sharif here, but he has also described the proof of our beloved prophet’s (peace be upon him) being the first of creation, his Noorani entity in a fancy way.”
This book is embellished with the heartwarming conditions of Prophet Muhammad's creation and holy birth (Milad-un-Nabi), the best character, the manifestation of the qualities of his benevolence, the miraculous things including his Miraj and other descriptions of the highest greatness and dignity.
There are numerous hadith of Prophet Muhammad described in this book. Along with the compilation of Salawat the writer has brought up different topics here, especially Tasawwuf, and matters of Islamic faith i.e, Aqidah
Themes of Distinct Chapters
Every chapter of this book is focused on some particular subject about Syeduna Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 01- On Light of Prophet Muhammad and the manifestation of Prophet’s light (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 02- On Blessings and Salutations on Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 03- On His Blessed Body and Limbs (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 04- On Features of Prophet’s clothing (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 05- On His Genealogy (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 06- On Dignity and nobility of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 07- On His Names and Attributes (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 08- On His Leadership and Authority (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 09- On Honour and Exaltations of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 10- On the Isra and Mi’raj (heavenly ascension) of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 11- On His Acclamation and Glorification of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 12- On Patience and Restraints of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 13- On Supplications and Prayers of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 14- On the Words and Sayings of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 15- On Prophethood and Messengership of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 16- On The Greatness and Honour of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 17- On His Intercession (on the day of judgement) and Recommendation (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 18- On His Power and Might (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 19- On The Verses of Quran and Glad Tidings Of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 20- On His’ Love and Being Loved (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 21- On His Wisdom and Knowledge of Unseen (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 22- On The Miracles and Marvels of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 23- On His Call and Beseeching Salah (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 24- On His Orders and Prohibitions (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 25- On His Certification and Observation (Peace Be Upon Him);
Chapter 26- On His Moral Character and Noble Behaviour (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 27- On His Proximity and Nearness (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 28- On His Involvement and Companionship (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 29- On The Banner Of Praise (Lewa-E Hamd) and The Station of Glory (Maqam-E Mahmud) of Him (Peace Be Upon Him),
Chapter 30- On The Best of Creation and The Finest of His Nation (Peace Be Upon Him).
